bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volumetric Assessment of Swallowing Muscles: A Comparison of CT and MRI Segmentation
Authors: Sporns Kim , Hanning Uta , Schmidt Rene , Muhle Paul , Wirth Rainer , Zimmer Sebastian , Dziewas Rainer , Suntrup-Krueger Sonja , Sporns Peter , Heindel Walter , Schwindt Wolfram
Published: November 2017

Purpose Recent retrospective studies have proposed a high correlation between atrophy of swallowing muscles, age, severity of dysphagia and aspiration status based on computed tomography (CT). However, ionizing radiation poses an ethical barrier to research in prospective non-patient populations. Hence, there is a need to prove the efficacy of techniques that rely on noninvasive methods and produce high-resolution soft tissue images such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this study was therefore to compare the segmentation results of swallowing muscles using CT and MRI.

Methods Retrospective study of 21 patients (median age: 46.6; gender: 11 female) who underwent CT and MRI of the head and neck region within a time frame of less than 50 days because of suspected head and neck cancer using contrast agent. CT and MR images were segmented by two blinded readers using Medical Imaging Toolkit (MITK) and both modalities were tested (with the equivalence test) regarding the segmented muscle volumes. Adjustment for multiple testing was performed using the Bonferroni test and the potential time effect of the muscle volumes and the time interval between the modalities was assessed by a spearman correlation. The study was approved by the local ethics committee.

Results The median volumes for each muscle belly of the digastric muscle derived from CT were 3051 mm3 (left) and 2969 mm3 (right), and from MRI they were 3218 mm3 (left) and 3027 mm3 (right). The median volume of the geniohyoid muscle was 6580 mm3 on CT and 6648 mm3 on MRI. The interrater reliability was high for all segmented muscles. The mean time interval between the CT and MRI examinations was 34 days (IQR 25; 41). The muscle differences of each muscle between the two modalities did not reveal significant correlation to the time interval between the examinations (digastric left r = 0.003 and digastric right r = –0.008; geniohyoid muscle r = 0.075).

Conclusion CT-based segmentation and MRI-based segmentation of the digastric and geniohyoid muscle are equally feasible. The potential advantage of MRI for prospective studies is the absence of ionizing radiation.

Key Points 

Citation Format
Nano-drug for Pain Medicine
Authors: Hasanzadeh-Kiabi Farshad
Published: November 2017

Pain is commonly categorized into two diverse groups: acute pain, characterized by early onset and last for a very short time; while chronic pain, characterized by a prolonged pain for least 3 months’ duration. Timely and immediate management of critical pain is critical in reducing its aggravation to chronic pain. There has been successful application of nano-technology, nano-medicine to the treatment and management of pain both in clinical and experimental studies like the fabrication of nano-formulated liposomes to deliver drugs for pain therapy, formulation of non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However safety issues related with NSAIDs have impelled the fabrication and the design of new drug formulations that reduces side effects and sustain efficacy. This review will give a concise summary on the available studies on the application of nano-formulated drugs designed for pain treatment and management.
Global science, national research, and the question of university rankings
Authors: Hazelkorn Ellen , Gibson Andrew
Published: November 2017

Science has always operated in a competitive environment, but the globalisation of knowledge and the rising popularity and use of global rankings have elevated this competition to a new level. The quality, performance and productivity of higher education and university-based research have become a national differentiator in the global knowledge economy. Global rankings essentially measure levels of wealth and investment in higher education, and they reflect the realisation that national pre-eminence is no longer sufficient. These developments also correspond with increased public scrutiny and calls for greater transparency, underpinned by growing necessity to demonstrate value, impact and benefit. Despite on-going criticism of methodologies, and scepticism about their overall role, rankings are informing and influencing policy-making, academic behaviour, stakeholder opinions—and our collective understanding of science. This article examines the inter-relationship and tensions between the national and the global in the context of the influences between higher education and global university rankings. It starts with a discussion of the globalisation of knowledge and the rise of rankings. It then moves on to consider rankings in the context of wider discourse relating to quality and measuring scholarly activity, both within academia and by governments. The next section examines the relationship and tensions between research assessment and rankings, in policy and practice. It concludes by discussing the broader implications for higher education and university-based research.
Catalytic characteristics of pyrolysis volatile matter from biomass/biomass components on a novel Ni-based catalyst supported by iron slag
Authors: Ma Tong , Liu Yang , Yu Haimiao
Published: November 2017

In this study, a novel Ni-based catalyst supported by iron slag (IS) was used to catalyze the pyrolysis volatile matter of pine sawdust, and the catalytic characters of the novel catalyst were compared with those of alumina Ni-based catalysts. In addition, the catalytic performances of the novel iron slag Ni-based catalyst on pyrolysis volatile matter of biomass components (lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose) were experimentally investigated. Experimental results showed that the iron slag Ni-based catalyst could remove more than 90% of tar, which was close to the catalytic performance of common alumina nickel catalysts. The temperature-programmed oxidation analysis results showed that the coke amount was less than 0.6% of IS Ni-based catalyst, indicating the superior performance to alumina nickel catalyst. The analysis results of the catalytic effect on biomass components volatile matter showed that the IS Ni-based catalyst could significantly improve the tar conversion of lignin (92.71%). We compared the dew points of various biomass components and found that lignin was the main influencing factor of the dew point of pyrolysis tar. The catalytic performance of the IS Ni-based catalyst verified the economic value and environmental effect of IS for its reutilization. We analyzed the catalytic effect of pyrolysis volatile matter of biomass components on the novel catalyst for the purpose of selecting proper biomass materials.
First investigation on plasma impurities of the IR-T1 tokamak
Authors: Alipour R. , Ghoranneviss M. , Salar Elahi A.
Published: November 2017

One of the best ways to get information about plasma and interactions within it, is the study on visible light emitted from plasma. Detection of the emission spectrum from plasma leads to identify the spectral lines of ions and impurities inside the plasma and measurement of all related parameters to ion flux such as velocity and temperature. The first measurement of impurities into the IR-T1 tokamak plasma is done by spectroscopic technique. The CCD-based spectrometer device with the wavelength range of 400-550 nm is used to detection the spectrum emitted from the plasma. The impurities into the plasma in the intended wavelength range are identified. Furthermore, the Doppler broadening of the most intense peaks of impurities and their temperatures are measured. The methods in this paper can be used on all fusion devices.
Anomalous thermoelectric properties of a Floquet topological insulator with spin momentum non-orthogonality
Authors: Saha Madhumita , Chowdhury Debashree
Published: November 2017

The spin momentum non-orthogonality in 3D topological insulators leads to modification of the spin texture and brings in an out-of-plane spin polarization component. Apart from the spin texture, the anomalous thermoelectric properties of these materials are worth studying. In this paper, we have pointed out that the off resonant light used to irradiate the surface states, induces a gap, which becomes momentum dependent due to the presence of non-orthogonal terms in the Hamiltonian. Importantly, to maintain the off resonant condition of light, the momentum value should satisfy a bound. Furthermore, the momentum dependent gap causes a topological transition at a higher value of momentum, which is important to analyse the unusual double peak structure of the Nernst and electrical conductivities.
On the finite W-algebra for the Lie superalgebra Q(N) in the non-regular case
Authors: Poletaeva Elena , Serganova Vera
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we study the finite W-algebra for the queer Lie superalgebra Q(N) associated with the non-regular even nilpotent coadjoint orbits in the case when N = nl, and the corresponding nilpotent element has Jordan blocks each of size l. We prove that this finite W-algebra is isomorphic to a quotient of the super-Yangian of Q(n).
Portable device for generation of ultra-pure water vapor feeds
Authors: Velin P. , Stenman U. , Skoglundh M. , Carlsson P.-A.
Published: November 2017

A portable device for the generation of co-feeds of water vapor has been designed, constructed, and evaluated for flexible use as an add-on component to laboratory chemical reactors. The vapor is formed by catalytic oxidation of hydrogen, which benefits the formation of well-controlled minute concentrations of ultra-pure water. Analysis of the effluent stream by on-line mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms that water vapor can be, with high precision, generated both rapidly and steadily over extended periods in the range of 100 ppm to 3 vol. % (limited by safety considerations) using a total flow of 100 to 1500 ml/min at normal temperature and pressure. Further, the device has been used complementary to a commercial water evaporator and mixing system to span water concentrations up to 12 vol. %. Finally, an operando diffuse reflective infrared Fourier transform spectroscopic measurement of palladium catalysed methane oxidation in the absence and presence of up to 1.0 vol. % water has been carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the device for co-feeding well-controlled low concentrations of water vapor to a common type of spectroscopic experiment. The possibilities of creating isotopically labeled water vapor as well as using tracer gases for dynamic experiments are discussed.
Design and numerical simulation on an auto-cumulative flowmeter in horizontal oil–water two-phase flow
Authors: Xie Beibei , Kong Lingfu , Kong Deming , Kong Weihang , Li Lei , Liu Xingbin , Chen Jiliang
Published: November 2017

In order to accurately measure the flow rate under the low yield horizontal well conditions, an auto-cumulative flowmeter (ACF) was proposed. Using the proposed flowmeter, the oil flow rate in horizontal oil–water two-phase segregated flow can be finely extracted. The computational fluid dynamics software Fluent was used to simulate the fluid of the ACF in oil–water two-phase flow. In order to calibrate the simulation measurement of the ACF, a novel oil flow rate measurement method was further proposed. The models of the ACF were simulated to obtain and calibrate the oil flow rate under different total flow rates and oil cuts. Using the finite-element method, the structure of the seven conductance probes in the ACF was simulated. The response values for the probes of the ACF under the conditions of oil–water segregated flow were obtained. The experiments for oil–water segregated flow under different heights of the oil accumulation in horizontal oil–water two-phase flow were carried out to calibrate the ACF. The validity of the oil flow rate measurement in horizontal oil–water two-phase flow was verified by simulation and experimental results.
Actuation of a lean-premixed flame by diffuse non-equilibrium nanosecond-pulsed plasma at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Evans M. D. G. , Bergthorson J. M. , Coulombe S.
Published: November 2017

This study investigates the effect of diffuse non-equilibrium nanosecond-pulsed plasma at atmospheric pressure on a lean-premixed CH4-air flame (ϕ = 0.65, P ∼ 0.3 kW). The domain of diffuse plasma existence is explored for both the case of the cold flow (no flame) and the case where a flame is stabilized downstream. The dynamics of plasma propagation and the flame displacement, following a high-voltage pulse, were measured using intensified charge-coupled device imaging. The energy of the plasma was measured using electrical probes and measurements of the second positive system of nitrogen were used to determine the rotational temperature and vibrational populations in the plasma. The effect of plasma on a flame was investigated by varying the pulse repetition frequency gradually from 1 to 7 kHz. Time-resolved imaging of the plasma emission shows that the primary streamer travels at higher velocities with increased pulsing frequency and with the presence of a flame ignited downstream of the discharge. Time-resolved imaging of the flame, following a high-voltage pulse, shows that the flame moves upstream into the unburned methane-air mixture with increased pulsing frequency. As the flame is displaced upstream, the nature of the discharge also changes, whereby less energy is coupled to the gas volume. Spectroscopic results reveal that the region in which the flame stabilizes is that of highest vibrational excitation and lowest rotational temperature. This actuation method is evidence of low-temperature chemical flame enhancement and potential control of a lean-premixed laminar flame at atmospheric pressure.
Formation of liquid chain by collision of two laminar jets
Authors: Sanjay Vatsal , Das Arup Kumar
Published: November 2017

The collision of liquid jets and formation of a sheet in the median plane are illustrated numerically. The sheet subsequently transforms into a chain-like fluidic structure with successive dwarf links in mutually orthogonal planes. To understand the behavior of fluid parcels inside the chain, flow kinematics are studied with streamlines and a self-similar velocity profile. For the generalization of chain profiles over a wide range of operating parameters, a correlation has been proposed based on numerical simulations and subsequent regression analyses. Citing the analogy between the impact of jets for the formation of elemental links and traversal of non-deformable fluid quanta after the collision, an attempt has been made to understand the fundamental physics of this phenomenon through force balance. The analogy helps us to take into account the role of surface tension and other forces on the shape and size of the liquid sheets. Further, the formation of higher order links is proposed as equivalent to the collision between the liquid rims bounding the sheet, modeled as the jets of reduced strengths and smaller impingement angles. Finally, we assess the effects of various fluid properties on the dimensions of these links, illustrating the viscous dissipation at the time of collisions.
The secondary electron yield of noble metal surfaces
Authors: Gonzalez L. A. , Angelucci M. , Larciprete R. , Cimino R.
Published: November 2017

Secondary electron yield (SEY) curves in the 0-1000 eV range were measured on polycrystalline Ag, Au and Cu samples. The metals were examined as introduced in the ultra-high vacuum chamber and after having been cleaned by Ar+ ion sputtering. The comparison between the curves measured on the clean samples and in the presence of contaminants, due to the permanence in atmosphere, confirmed that the SEY behavior is strongly influenced by the chemical state of the metal surface. We show that when using very slow primary electrons the sample work function can be determined with high accuracy from the SEY curves. Moreover we prove that SEY is highly sensitive to the presence of adsorbates even at submonolayer coverage. Results showing the effect of small quantities of CO adsorbed on copper are presented. Our findings demonstrate that SEY, besides being an indispensable mean to qualify technical materials in many technological fields, can be also used as a flexible and advantageous diagnostics to probe surfaces and interfaces.
Sub-band-gap absorption in Ga2O3
Authors: Peelaers Hartwin , Van de Walle Chris G.
Published: November 2017

β-Ga2O3 is a transparent conducting oxide that, due to its large bandgap of 4.8 eV, exhibits transparency into the UV. However, the free carriers that enable the conductivity can absorb light. We study the effect of free carriers on the properties of Ga2O3 using hybrid density functional theory. The presence of free carriers leads to sub-band-gap absorption and a Burstein-Moss shift in the onset of absorption. We find that for a concentration of 1020 carriers, the Fermi level is located 0.23 eV above the conduction-band minimum. This leads to an increase in the electron effective mass from 0.27–0.28 me to 0.35–0.37 me and a sub-band-gap absorption band with a peak value of 0.6 × 103 cm–1 at 3.37 eV for light polarized along the x or z direction. Both across-the-gap and free-carrier absorption depend strongly on the polarization of the incoming light. We also provide parametrizations of the conduction-band shape and the effective mass as a function of the Fermi level.
High resolution magnetic field energy imaging of the magnetic recording head by A-MFM with Co-GdOx super-paramagnetic tip
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Suzuki Yudai , Cao Yongze , Yoshimura Satoru , Saito Hitoshi
Published: November 2017

In this letter, the concept of a high-resolution magnetic field energy imaging technique is demonstrated by a high susceptibility superparamagnetic Co-GdOx magnetic force microscopy (MFM) tip for a perpendicular magnetic recording head with alternating magnetic force microscopy (A-MFM). The distribution of the magnetic energy gradient from the perpendicular recording head is imaged by the Co-GdOx superparamagnetic tip and compared with magnetic field imaging by the FePt-MgO hard magnetic tip. The Fourier analysis of the A-MFM amplitude images revealed enhancement in a spatial resolution of 13 nm by the Co-GdOx superparamagnetic tip as compared to 17 nm by the state-of-the-art FePt-MgO hard magnetic tip. The magnetic dipolar nature and short range force character of magnetic energy imaging by the Co-GdOx superparamagnetic tip showed high performance, confirmed by the tip transfer function analysis as compared to the monopole type FePt-MgO hard magnetic tip. The proposed technique opens an opportunity for the development of advanced high-resolution magnetic energy based imaging methods and development of the high-resolution MFM tips.
Defect induced visible-light-activated near-infrared emissions in Gd3−x−y−zYbxBiyErzGa5O12
Authors: Tong Liping , Saito Katsuhiko , Guo Qixin , Zhou Han , Fan Tongxiang , Zhang Di
Published: November 2017

Visible-light-activated near-infrared luminescent materials are promising photoluminescent materials due to their convenience and low cost. Crystal defects can seriously affect the performance of luminescent materials, and better understanding of the complexity of the structural disorder and electronic structures of such materials opens up new possibilities in luminescent material development. In this work, we successfully design a novel, effective, visible-light-activated near-infrared luminescent Gd3Ga5O12: 4.2%Yb3+, 8.4%Er3+, and 4.2%Bi3+ system based on first principles. This exhibits strong emission intensity and high luminous efficiency (0.993) and also has a lifetime (7.002 ms) that is at least twice as long as the longest lifetime reported in published papers. We utilize density functional theory with an effective LSDA + U method to study the structural properties of Gd3−x−y−zGa5O12: xYb3+, yBi3+, zEr3+ (GGG: Yb3+, Bi3+, Er3+). The d and f electron orbits of rare-earth ions are considered for an effective Hund exchange. Detailed analysis reveals that GGG: 4.2%Yb3+, 8.4%Er3+, 4.2%Bi3+ has the smallest cell volume because of the strong covalent bonds of Bi–O, Er–O, and Yb–O. Bi 3d is a hybridized state that acts as sensitizing ions during the process of luminescence in GGG: Yb3+, Bi3+, Er3+. Together with experimental and theoretical results, we analyze the influence of defects on emission intensity. The locations of Yb3+, Er3+, and Bi3+ are determined by X-ray absorption fine structure measurements, which are in agreement with the model constructed using first principles. This work may provide innovative guidance for the design of high-performance visible-light-activated near-infrared luminophores based on calculations and a new methodology for application of coherent laser radar and optical communication.
Note: MSM lag time cannot be used for variational model selection
Authors: Husic Brooke E. , Pande Vijay S.
Published: November 2017

The variational principle for conformational dynamics has enabled the systematic construction of Markov state models through the optimization of hyperparameters by approximating the transfer operator. In this note, we discuss why the lag time of the operator being approximated must be held constant in the variational approach.
Dependence of pre-breakdown time on ionization processes in a pseudospark discharge
Authors: Cao Xiaotong , Hu Jing , Zhang Ruixue , Huo Weijie , Fu Yulei , Zhao Wansheng
Published: November 2017

The formation and development of pseudospark discharge, especially the onset of the breakdown, are of great technological interests in multiple applications due to their influences on the limits of current rising and fast switching performances of the devices. In this work, the development of pseudospark discharge in the pre-discharge and hollow cathode phases in a single-gap device are investigated by a time-dependent model to calculate the temporal development of total ionization cross section in varying times and regions. The simulations in our work are performed using the two-dimensional kinetic plasma simulation code XOOPIC. The time-dependent evolutions of the ionization cross section in pre-discharge and hollow cathode phases are presented under varying electric fields and hollow cathode configurations. Thus the electron multiplications and plasma generation processes by ionizing collisions in varying phases are examined and their dependences on a variety of external parameters are determined in different regions in the pseudospark device. A sequence of physical events and their influences in different regions are also identified via the quantitative analysis of time-dependent ionization cross section. The discharge formation time shows highest dependences on the cathode aperture diameters and anode voltages. Additionally, a linear dependence of the pseudospark breakdown time on the time-averaged ionization cross section is illustrated under varying external parameters. It indicates that the influences of the external parameters on the discharge performances can be determined and estimated via the total and average ionization cross sections under varying external conditions. In this work, both a qualitative understanding of the pseudospark onset mechanism and a quantitative approach to estimate the formation time in a pseudospark device with varying parameters are developed via this model.
Observation of geodesic acoustic mode in SINP-tokamak and its behaviour with varying edge safety factor
Authors: Lachhvani Lavkesh , Ghosh Joydeep , Chattopadhyay P. K. , Chakrabarti N. , Pal R.
Published: November 2017

The spectral analysis of floating potential fluctuations measured in the edge plasma region (0.87 < r/a < 1.0) of Saha Institute for Nuclear Physics tokamak (SINP-tokamak) using Langmuir probes reveals the existence of a highly coherent mode with a frequency in the range of 15–21 kHz. Long range correlations in poloidal and toroidal directions are observed over a wide range of plasma discharges having different values of the edge safety factor, from very low qedge (<2) to high qedge (>3). These coherent modes are simultaneously observed in density and radial electric field fluctuation spectra as well. These coherent modes are identified as geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) having different characteristics over the entire qedge range. In discharges with qedge greater than 3, the local wave number spectra of the mode exhibit the properties of continuum GAM with the observed poloidal and toroidal mode numbers of m ∼ 0 and n ∼ 0, and the mode is radially localized. The observed frequency and its variation with the safety factor for qedge > 3 closely agree with the theoretical predictions using the measured values of temperature. In contrast, for qedge < 3.0, the GAM nature changes from continuum to the Eigenmode as the associated GAM frequency remained uniform at ∼13–17 kHz over the q edge range of 1.5 to 3 and ceased to depend on local temperature. Furthermore, the poloidal wave number of the coherent mode no longer remains zero and is observed to increase when qedge falls below 2.5. Coherent modes in magnetic fluctuations having similar frequencies to those of electrostatic fluctuations are also observed in the discharges with the q edge below 2.5. The coupling of these electrostatic and magnetic modes may be responsible for triggering the Eigenmode GAM.
Optimal updating magnitude in adaptive flat-distribution sampling
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Drake Justin A. , Ma Jianpeng , Pettitt B. Montgomery
Published: November 2017

We present a study on the optimization of the updating magnitude for a class of free energy methods based on flat-distribution sampling, including the Wang-Landau (WL) algorithm and metadynamics. These methods rely on adaptive construction of a bias potential that offsets the potential of mean force by histogram-based updates. The convergence of the bias potential can be improved by decreasing the updating magnitude with an optimal schedule. We show that while the asymptotically optimal schedule for the single-bin updating scheme (commonly used in the WL algorithm) is given by the known inverse-time formula, that for the Gaussian updating scheme (commonly used in metadynamics) is often more complex. We further show that the single-bin updating scheme is optimal for very long simulations, and it can be generalized to a class of bandpass updating schemes that are similarly optimal. These bandpass updating schemes target only a few long-range distribution modes and their optimal schedule is also given by the inverse-time formula. Constructed from orthogonal polynomials, the bandpass updating schemes generalize the WL and Langfeld-Lucini-Rago algorithms as an automatic parameter tuning scheme for umbrella sampling.
Quantifying the limits of transition state theory in enzymatic catalysis
Authors: Zinovjev Kirill , Tuñón Iñaki
Published: November 2017

Significance

Transition state theory (TST) is the most popular theory to calculate the rates of enzymatic reactions. However, in some cases TST could fail due to the violation of the nonrecrossing hypothesis at the transition state. In the present work we show that even for one of the most controversial enzymatic reactions—the hydride transfer catalyzed by dihydrofolate reductase—the error associated to TST represents only a minor correction to the reaction rate. Moreover, this error is actually larger for the reaction in solution than in the enzymatic active site. Based on this finding and on previous studies we propose an “enzymatic shielding” hypothesis which encompasses various aspects of the catalytic process.
The paranoid style in politics
Authors: Hodges Adam
Published: November 2017

In American politics, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has asserted itself as a leading voice in the gun rights movement. The strident rhetoric emanating from the NRA leadership impacts the development of a broader discourse in American public life over gun rights — a discourse of Second Amendment absolutism — that articulates a set of assumptions and explanations in defense of an absolutist stance against gun regulation in any form. This chapter examines the ideologies that underlie this absolutist discourse and the identities those ideologies help to construct. In particular, the absolutist discourse is analyzed through the lens of what historian Richard Hofstadter termed “the paranoid style in American politics.” The aim is to isolate and expose the extremist elements of this discourse, which polarize political debate and hinder the democratic process.
Mocking fakeness
Authors: Halonen Mia , Pietikäinen Sari
Published: November 2017

Phonetic resources, like dialects and accents, are used in ethnic humour to build up a recognisable character that pokes fun at the stereotypes associated with a particular identity, sometimes with critical and political undertones. In this article, we examine the manipulation of one such resource, aspiration, used in performing and mocking one such clichéd character, called thefake Sámi.This character has a contested history in Finnish tourism and marketing practices, and is embedded in a long-standing debate about who can use emblems of Sámi identity for economic purposes. Adopting a sociophonetic language regard and folk linguistics approaches (Preston 2010;Niedzielski & Preston 2003) we explore how “fakeness” is constructed phonetically by the actors performing “Fake Sámi” in an indigenous Sámi television comedy show during a period of intense political debate in Finland over the legal definition of the category of indigenous Sámi. By analysing the use of hyperbolic aspiration of a prominent feature of Lappish Finnish dialect, the non-initial syllable /h/-sound, we show how the fakeness is performed by evoking linguistic stereotypes of a Finnish Lappish dialect and a Finnish English accent by a deliberate misuse of aspiration: aspirating when standard phonemes in speech should not be aspirated and not aspirating when phonemes should be aspirated. We argue that this kind of deliberate ambivalence and misuse of phonetic resources is a phonetic resource for reflexive postmodern identity performances.
Barium titanate reinforced nickel aluminium bronze surface composite by friction stir processing
Authors: Thapliyal Shivraman , Dwivedi Dheerendra Kumar
Published: November 2017

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a surface modification technique, which can be used for the fabrication of surface composites. In the present work, a surface composite was prepared by introducing a piezoelectric ceramic powder (PZT; BaTiO3) to a nickel aluminium bronze (NAB) metal matrix using FSP. BaTiO3 powder was placed in holes drilled at the centre of a NAB plate and FSP was carried out. Microstructural characterisation of the surface composite was carried out using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The microhardness and tensile behaviour of the surface composite were investigated, together with the cavitation erosion behaviour. The results are discussed in light of the microstructural modification.
New rotary piercing process for an AZ31 magnesium alloy seamless tube
Authors: Ding Xiao-feng , Shuang Yuan-hua , Liu Qiu-zu , Zhao Chun-jiang
Published: November 2017

To address the existing defects in the processing of magnesium alloy seamless tubes (MASTs), a new technology for producing AZ31 alloy tubes using a rotary piercing process was studied. Through the finite-element method and experimental analyses, the distributions of stress and strain and the temperature fields were analysed. The effects of temperature, radial reduction, plug diameter, and advance on the penetration rate, diameter, and wall thickness of the tube were studied. The results showed that temperature is the most important parameter; the penetration rate of the tube was >90% for rolling temperatures of 350–450°C. There was complete dynamic recrystallisation and a uniform distribution of equiaxed grains. This process can potentially replace the traditional extrusion process to produce MASTs.
Defective interaction between p27 and cyclin A-CDK complex in certain human cancer cell lines revealed by split YFP assay in living cells
Authors: Chibazakura Taku , Asano Yuichi
Published: November 2017

Cyclin–cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) complex is negatively regulated by interaction with CDK inhibitors (CKIs). p27 protein is a major CKI in mammals and its down-regulation correlates with malignant transformation. However, some cancer cells express p27 at normal level, suggesting not only quantitative but qualitative control of p27, although little is known about such control. We analyzed the interaction between p27 and cyclin A (CycA)-CDK complex in living human cell lines, using a split yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) system in which the YFP fluorescence solely depends on p27-CycA binding. Introduction of this system into various cancer cell lines revealed that certain cell lines show no detectable YFP fluorescence. Furthermore, these cell lines exhibited reduced p27-CycA interaction as evaluated by immunoprecipitation, while they showed normal co-localization of both proteins. These results suggest that some cancer cells are defective for efficient interaction between p27 and CycA–CDK complex due to qualitative alteration(s).
Inhibitory effects of food additives derived from polyphenols on staphylococcal enterotoxin A production and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Shimamura Yuko , Hirai Chikako , Sugiyama Yuka , Shibata Masaharu , Ozaki Junya , Murata Masatsune , Ohashi Norio , Masuda Shuichi
Published: November 2017

In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of 14 food additives derived from polyphenol samples on staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) production and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. Tannic acid AL (TA), Purephenon 50 W (PP) and Polyphenon 70A (POP) at 0.25 mg/mL and Gravinol®-N (GN), Blackcurrant polyphenol AC10 (BP), and Resveratrol-P5 (RT) at 1.0 mg/mL significantly decreased SEA production by S. aureus C-29 (p < 0.05). TA, GN, BP, and RT significantly inhibited the expression of the sea gene in S. aureus C-29 (p < 0.05), while suppression attempts by PP and POP proved unsuccessful. After result analysis, it can be derived that TA, GN, BP, and RT inhibit the production of SEA. Of the six samples, each one significantly inhibited biofilm formation (p < 0.05). Food additives derived from polyphenols have viability to be used as a means to inhibit the enterotoxin production and control the biofilm formation of foodborne pathogens.
Bilateral comparison of 1 Ω and 10 kΩ standards (ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a and 13.b) between the SMD (Belgium) and the BIPM
Authors: Rolland Benjamin , Fletcher Nick , Vlad Dana
Published: November 2017

This report gives the result of a bilateral comparison of resistance between the SMD (Belgium) and the BIPM carried out in 2017. Two 1 Ω and two 10 kΩ travelling standards belonging to the BIPM were used. The comparison was carried out with an 'A-B-A' pattern of measurements; the standards were measured first at the BIPM for a period of about one month, then for a similar period at the SMD, and finally again at the BIPM. The measurand was the 4 terminal dc resistance at low power. The BIPM was the pilot laboratory, and the comparison forms part of the ongoing BIPM key comparisons BIPM.EM-K13.a (for 1 Ω) and BIPM.EM-K13.b (for 10 kΩ).

The results from the SMD and the BIPM were found to be in good agreement, with a difference smaller than the relative expanded uncertainty (95% confidence, k = 2) of 0.080 × 10−6 for 1 Ω and 0.068 × 10−6 for 10 kΩ.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Am-241 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 241Am to include the 2009 results of the POLATOM (Poland), MKEH (Hungary) and the 2011 results of the LNE-LNHB (France)
Authors: Michotte C , Ratel G , Courte S , Dzeil T , Listkowska A , Csete I , Rózsa K , Szücs L , Zsinka A , Fréchou C , Bobin C , Pierre S
Published: November 2017

Since 2009, three national metrology institutes (NMI) have submitted three samples of known activity of 241Am to the International Reference System (SIR) for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Am-241. The values of the activity submitted were between about 3 MBq and 38 MBq. These three results replace their earlier results obtained in the linked CCRI(II)-K2.Am-241 in 2003. There are now five results in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Am-241 comparison, 16 results remaining from the CCRI(II)-K2.Am-241 comparison and two results in the COOMET.RI(II)-K2.Am-241 comparison. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the KCRV dating 2007 have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table. A graphical presentation is also given.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
A survey and evaluations of histogram-based statistics in alignment-free sequence comparison
Authors: Luczak Brian B , James Benjamin T , Girgis Hani Z
Published: November 2017

Motivation

Since the dawn of the bioinformatics field, sequence alignment scores have been the main method for comparing sequences. However, alignment algorithms are quadratic, requiring long execution time. As alternatives, scientists have developed tens of alignment-free statistics for measuring the similarity between two sequences.

Results

We surveyed tens of alignment-free k-mer statistics. Additionally, we evaluated 33 statistics and multiplicative combinations between the statistics and/or their squares. These statistics are calculated on two k-mer histograms representing two sequences. Our evaluations using global alignment scores revealed that the majority of the statistics are sensitive and capable of finding similar sequences to a query sequence. Therefore, any of these statistics can filter out dissimilar sequences quickly. Further, we observed that multiplicative combinations of the statistics are highly correlated with the identity score. Furthermore, combinations involving sequence length difference or Earth Mover’s distance, which takes the length difference into account, are always among the highest correlated paired statistics with identity scores. Similarly, paired statistics including length difference or Earth Mover’s distance are among the best performers in finding the K-closest sequences. Interestingly, similar performance can be obtained using histograms of shorter words, resulting in reducing the memory requirement and increasing the speed remarkably. Moreover, we found that simple single statistics are sufficient for processing next-generation sequencing reads and for applications relying on local alignment. Finally, we measured the time requirement of each statistic. The survey and the evaluations will help scientists with identifying efficient alternatives to the costly alignment algorithm, saving thousands of computational hours.

Availability

The source code of the benchmarking tool is available as Supplementary Materials.
Gold-standard ontology-based anatomical annotation in the CRAFT Corpus
Authors: Bada Michael , Vasilevsky Nicole , Baumgartner William A , Haendel Melissa , Hunter Lawrence E
Published: November 2017

Gold-standard annotated corpora have become important resources for the training and testing of natural-language-processing (NLP) systems designed to support biocuration efforts, and ontologies are increasingly used to facilitate curational consistency and semantic integration across disparate resources. Bringing together the respective power of these, the Colorado Richly Annotated Full-Text (CRAFT) Corpus, a collection of full-length, open-access biomedical journal articles with extensive manually created syntactic, formatting and semantic markup, was previously created and released. This initial public release has already been used in multiple projects to drive development of systems focused on a variety of biocuration, search, visualization, and semantic and syntactic NLP tasks. Building on its demonstrated utility, we have expanded the CRAFT Corpus with a large set of manually created semantic annotations relying on Uberon, an ontology representing anatomical entities and life-cycle stages of multicellular organisms across species as well as types of multicellular organisms defined in terms of life-cycle stage and sexual characteristics. This newly created set of annotations, which has been added for v2.1 of the corpus, is by far the largest publicly available collection of gold-standard anatomical markup and is the first large-scale effort at manual markup of biomedical text relying on the entirety of an anatomical terminology, as opposed to annotation with a small number of high-level anatomical categories, as performed in previous corpora. In addition to presenting and discussing this newly available resource, we apply it to provide a performance baseline for the automatic annotation of anatomical concepts in biomedical text using a prominent concept recognition system. The full corpus, released with a CC BY 3.0 license, may be downloaded from http://bionlp-corpora.sourceforge.net/CRAFT/index.shtml.

Database URL: http://bionlp-corpora.sourceforge.net/CRAFT/index.shtml
Exposure to Point-of-Sale Marketing of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes as Predictors of Smoking Cessation Behaviors
Authors: Mantey Dale S , Pasch Keryn E , Loukas Alexandra , Perry Cheryl L
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Cue-reactivity theory suggests that smoking-related visual cues such as point-of-sale (POS) marketing (eg, advertising, product displays) may undermine cessation attempts by causing an increase in nicotine cravings among users. This study examined the relationship between recall of exposure to POS marketing and subsequent cessation behaviors among young adult cigarette smokers.

Methods

Participants included 813, 18–29 year old (m = 21.1, SD = 2.70), current cigarette smokers attending 24 Texas colleges. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the impact of baseline self-reported exposure to cigarette and e-cigarette advertising and product displays, on using e-cigarettes for cessation and successful cigarette cessation at 6-month follow-up. Two-way interactions between product-specific advertising and between product-specific displays were examined to determine if the marketing of one product strengthened the cue reactivity of the other. Baseline covariates included sociodemographic factors, past quit attempts, intentions to quit smoking, and nicotine dependence.

Results

Exposure to e-cigarette displays was associated with lower odds of cigarette smoking cessation, controlling for covariates and conventional cigarette display exposure. E-cigarette advertising was positively associated with the use of e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation among participants exposed to low (ie, at least 1 SD below the mean) levels of cigarette advertising. Cigarette advertising was associated with the use of e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation only among those exposed to low levels of e-cigarette advertising. Exposure to cigarette displays was not associated with either outcome.

Conclusion

Smoking-related cues at POS may undermine successful cigarette cessation. Exposure to product displays decrease odds of cessation. Advertising exposure increased odds for using e-cigarettes for cessation attempts, but may have guided smokers towards an unproven cessation aid.

Implications

By examining the interaction of conventional cigarette and e-cigarette marketing exposure, this study adds a unique insight into the impact of retail tobacco marketing on cigarette smoking cessation behavior among young adults. These findings suggest that policies that balance encouraging cigarette smoking cessation while limiting marketing strategies should be considered, such as POS product displays, that may undermine successful cessation attempts.
Fungicide Selection and Nozzle Arrangement Impact Target Spot Control and Yield of Cotton
Authors: Hagan A. K. , Bowen K. L. , Miller B. , Scott S. , Nichols R. L.
Published: November 2017

Target spot is an emerging disease in cotton. Studies in southwest and central Alabama in 2013 and 2014 assessed Headline 2.09SC and Quadris 2.08SC efficacy against target spot for improving yield when applied in an over-the-top or drop-nozzle configuration to the susceptible Phytogen 499 WRF and partially resistant Deltapine 1252 B2RF varieties. At three location-years, onset occurred in late July and exceeded 50% defoliation by mid-September; dry weather suppressed disease at the fourth location. Final defoliation was lower for the Headline drop than for the over-the-top nozzle arrangement and lower than Quadris regardless of nozzle arrangement. Despite higher defoliation of Phytogen 499 WRF, both varieties had similar yields at two locations in 2013 and inconsistent yields in 2014. Relative area under the disease curve (relAUC) for defoliation differed by fungicide treatment across location-years. Fungicides increased yields at one location in 2013, with greater yields for the Headline and Quadris drop-nozzle treatments than the control. Across three location-years with >50% defoliation, Headline drop-nozzle treatment improved Phytogen 499 WRF yield compared with no treatment. Despite better control, higher costs and maintenance issues will limit drop-nozzle use. Results show that a partially resistant variety is an effective target spot-management tool.
Medical Education Must Move From the Information Age to the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Wartman Steven A. , Combs C. Donald
Published: November 2017

Noteworthy changes coming to the practice of medicine require significant medical education reforms. While proposals for such reforms abound, they are insufficient because they do not adequately address the most fundamental change—the practice of medicine is rapidly transitioning from the information age to the age of artificial intelligence. Increasingly, future medical practice will be characterized by: the delivery of care wherever the patient happens to be; the provision of care by newly constituted health care teams; the use of a growing array of data from multiple sources and artificial intelligence applications; and the skillful management of the interface between medicine and machines. To be effective in this environment, physicians must work at the top of their license, have knowledge spanning the health professions and care continuum, effectively leverage data platforms, focus on analyzing outcomes and improving performance, and communicate the meaning of the probabilities generated by massive amounts of data to patients, given their unique human complexities. The authors believe that a “reboot” of medical education is required that makes better use of the findings of cognitive psychology and pays more attention to the alignment of humans and machines in education and practice. Medical education needs to move beyond the foundational biomedical and clinical sciences. Systematic curricular attention must focus on the organization of professional effort among health professionals, the use of intelligence tools involving large data sets, and machine learning and robots, all the while assuring the mastery of compassionate care.