bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total generation and combustion emissions of plastic derived fuels: A trash to tank approach
Authors: Joshi Chandni A. , Seay Jeffrey R.
Published: January 2019

Trash to Tank (3T) is a concept based on the conversion of waste plastic trash into a liquid fuel, suitable for use in any diesel or kerosene fuel application. This contribution compares total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from generation and combustion of petroleum derived diesel fuel with plastic derived fuel oil. Generation emissions for diesel are obtained from literature values for well‐to‐tank (WTT) CO2 emissions, while 3T CO2 emissions for plastic are calculated based on a locally managed decentralized circular economy for waste plastic management. Specifically, this analysis applies a novel approach based on local, small‐scale decomposition of waste plastic to fuel in an appropriate technology setting, with consumption of the fuel locally in rural, developing communities to completely remove waste plastic from accumulating in the global ecosystem. Results from 3T CO2 emissions for both the generation and uses of the fuel oil are reported based on a combination of literature review, laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations. Four plastic derived fuels––low‐density polyethylene, high‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene––were individually compared with petroleum derived diesel fuel to depict a positive reduction in total CO2 emissions. Hence, this contribution will demonstrate that the 3T approach is a sustainable solution to waste plastic management in developing regions, where mismanaged waste plastic is an ongoing environmental and social challenge. Potential benefits to the global environment, particularly in developing regions, from the use of plastic derived fuels as replacement for petroleum based is additionally discussed in this study. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog
Sugars production from corn stover after pretreated by nitric acid for biogas fermentation process
Authors: Han Yiwen , Ye Lei , Gu Xiaochao , Luo Chunhui , Zhang Rui , Zhao Lei , Li Xiaoyun , Lu Xuebin
Published: January 2019

In the present work, corn stover samples were hydrolysed with 0.6% nitric acid at 135–165 °C. The concentrations of hydrolysate—sugars (xylose, glucose, and arabinose), acetic acid and furfural were determined. The kinetic parameters of the Saeman model for predicting hydrolysis products were obtained. The optimal reaction condition (150 °C and 5 min) were determined by comparing the values of E (the efficiency of factors that affected hydrolysis). Under optimal conditions, the yield of glucose, xylose, and arabinose were 8.02 g/L, 16.59 g/L, and 3.28 g/L, respectively. At 150 °C with a nitric acid concentration of 0.6%, the reaction kinetic coefficient of xylose release (k1) and the reaction kinetic coefficient of xylose decomposition (k2) were 0.488 and 0.007 when the Saeman model was applied to the experimental data. The results showed that it was suitable to hydrolyze corn stover under the relatively low temperature with extremely low concentration of nitric acid as a catalyst. The hydrolyzate obtained by dilute acid pretreatment favors later acidic fermentation processes and biogas production. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13146, 2019
Explorations of the optimal method for isolating oocytes from zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovary
Authors: Zhan Chunhua , Liu Wanjing , Hegazy Abeer M. , Zhang Tongzhou , Kawan Atufa , Zhang Xuezhen
Published: January 2019

Obtaining oocytes from the adult female zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovary has enormous importance in the studies of developmental biology, toxicology, and genetics. It is vital to establish a simple and effective approach to ensure the quantity and quality of oocytes, which will enable the success of follow‐up experimental investigation finally. Usually, oocytes are separated with mechanical or enzymatic methods, however, little studies have been done with concerns about the comparative effects. The present study separated zebrafish oocytes of Stage III with five frequently used methods, including stripping, pipetting, hyaluronidase (1.6 mg/ml), collagenase (0.4 mg/ml), and trypsin (0.1%). The cell viability, oxidative stress, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein phosphorylation, and apoptosis levels were selected as main biomarkers to evaluate the oocytes health status. The results showed that both trypsin and hyaluronidase isolation significantly upregulated germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) rates and downregulated p38 MAPK activity simultaneously. GVBD rates and survival rates were decreased notably in oocytes separated by the collagenase method. Above results indicate that zebrafish oocytes in vitro are sensitive to enzymatic treatments and the enzymatic isolation is not the suitable mean for collecting zebrafish oocytes although it is time‐saving. The mechanical strategy of pipetting remarkably increased the reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde level in isolated oocytes. Interestingly, oocytes separated with stripping show less physiological and biochemical damages. Therefore, stripping isolation is comparatively recommended as the optimum method for separating and collecting numerous intact and healthy zebrafish oocytes in vitro for the subsequent developmental research.
Association between the LIPG polymorphisms and serum lipid levels in the Maonan and Han populations
Authors: Yang Shuo , Yin Rui‐Xing , Miao Liu , Zhang Qing‐Hui , Zhou Yong‐Gang , Wu Jie
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The Maonan population is a relatively isolated minority in China. Little is known about endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and serum lipid levels in the Chinese populations. The present study aimed to detect the association of several LIPG SNPs and environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Chinese Maonan and Han populations.

Methods

In total, 773 subjects of Maonan ethnicity and 710 participants of Han ethnicity were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized samples. Genotypes of the LIPG rs2156552, rs4939883 and rs7241918 SNPs were determined by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism, and then confirmed by direct sequencing.

Results

The allelic (rs2156552, rs4939883 and rs7241918) and genotypic (rs2156552 and rs4939883) frequencies were different between the two ethnic groups (p < 0.05–0.01). The minor allele carriers had lower apolipoprotein (Apo)A1/ApoB ratio (rs2156552 and rs7241918), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and apolipoprotein (Apo)A1 (rs2156552) levels and higher ApoB levels (rs4939883) in the Han population, and lower HDL‐C (rs2156552, rs4939883 and rs7241918) levels in the Maonan minority than the minor allele non‐carriers (p < 0.0167 after Bonferroni correction). Subgroup analyses according to sex showed that the minor allele carriers had a lower ApoA1/ApoB ratio (rs2156552 and rs7241918) and higher ApoB levels (rs7241918) in Han males, and lower ApoA1 and HDL‐C levels in Maonan females than the minor allele non‐carriers (p < 0.0167–0.001).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the association between the LIPG polymorphsims and serum lipid levels in the two ethnic groups. These associations might have an ethnic‐ and or/sex‐specificity.
Graphene‐Based Bimorph Actuators with Dual‐Response and Large‐Deformation by a Simple Method
Authors: Chang Longfei , Huang Majing , Qi Ke , Jing Zhuang , Yang Lulu , Lu Pin , Hu Ying , Wu Yucheng
Published: January 2019

There is a high demand for the design of high‐performance soft actuators with multi‐stimuli response and easy fabrication. Here, soft bimorph actuators consisting of graphene and polypropylene are fabricated by the drop‐coating of graphene film and subsequent adhesion of polypropylene on the graphene film. The fabrication method is simple, fast, and scalable, and this bimorph actuator exhibits optically and electrically induced actuation with large and reversible deformation (angle change > 100°), fast response (≈8 s), and low driving voltage (≤7 V). The remarkable actuation performance is mainly attributed to the thermally induced expansion of the polypropylene film, bimorph structure, and the energy conversion property of the graphene. Because of the dual‐responsiveness and large‐deformation, this actuator can be used to construct diversely biomimetic devices with smart mechanical output. As an example, an artificial flower composed of four pieces of the actuator is fabricated to show optically and electrically driven blooming. These results open the way for using a simple method for the construction of soft actuators and smart devices toward practical biomimetic applications.
New QSPR Models to Predict the Flammability of Binary Liquid Mixtures
Authors: Fayet Guillaume , Rotureau Patricia
Published: January 2019

New Quantitative Structure‐Property Relationships (QSPR) are presented to predict the flash point of binary liquid mixtures, based on more than 600 experimental flash points for 60 binary mixtures. Two models are proposed based on a GA‐MLR approach that uses a genetic algorithm (GA) variable selection in multilinear regressions (MLR). In these models, mixtures were characterized by a series of mixture descriptors calculated from various mixture formula combining the molecular descriptors of the single compounds constituting the mixtures and their respective molar fractions in the mixture. The best model demonstrated good predictive capabilities with a mean absolute error of only 7.3 °C estimated for an external validation set. Moreover, this model is focused on mixture descriptors applicable to more complex mixtures, i. e. constituted of more than 2 components, and already demonstrated interesting predictions for a series of ternary mixtures.
Continuity of the fractional Hankel wavelet transform on the spaces of type S
Authors: Mahato Kanailal , Singh Prashant
Published: January 2019

In this present article, we study the fractional Hankel transform and its inverse on certain Gel'fand‐Shilov spaces of type S. The continuous fractional wavelet transform is defined involving the fractional Hankel transform. The continuity of fractional Hankel wavelet transform is discussed on Gel'fand‐Shilov spaces of type S. This article goes further to discuss the continuity property of fractional Hankel transform and fractional Hankel wavelet transform on the ultradifferentiable function spaces.
Improved repeatability of dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI using the complex MRI signal to derive arterial input functions: a test‐retest study in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Klawer Edzo M.E. , van Houdt Petra J. , Simonis Frank F.J. , van den Berg Cornelis A.T. , Pos Floris J. , Heijmink Stijn W.T.P.J. , Isebaert Sofie , Haustermans Karin , van der Heide Uulke A.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The arterial input function (AIF) is a major source of uncertainty in tracer kinetic (TK) analysis of dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI data. The aim of this study was to investigate the repeatability of AIFs extracted from the complex signal and of the resulting TK parameters in prostate cancer patients.

Methods

Twenty‐two patients with biopsy‐proven prostate cancer underwent a 3T MRI exam twice. DCE‐MRI data were acquired with a 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence. AIFs were extracted from the magnitude of the signal (AIFMAGN), phase (AIFPHASE), and complex signal (AIFCOMPLEX). The Tofts model was applied to extract Ktrans, kep and ve. Repeatability of AIF curve characteristics and TK parameters was assessed with the within‐subject coefficient of variation (wCV).

Results

The wCV for peak height and full width at half maximum for AIFCOMPLEX (7% and 8%) indicated an improved repeatability compared to AIFMAGN (12% and 12%) and AIFPHASE (12% and 7%). This translated in lower wCV values for Ktrans (11%) with AIFCOMPLEX in comparison to AIFMAGN (24%) and AIFPHASE (15%). For kep, the wCV was 16% with AIFMAGN, 13% with AIFPHASE, and 13% with AIFCOMPLEX.

Conclusion

Repeatability of AIFPHASE and AIFCOMPLEX is higher than for AIFMAGN, resulting in a better repeatability of TK parameters. Thus, use of either AIFPHASE or AIFCOMPLEX improves the robustness of quantitative analysis of DCE‐MRI in prostate cancer.
Chinese immigrant students in Hong Kong: Exploring performance and influences on their civic learning
Authors: Zhu Jinxin , Kennedy Kerry J. , Mok Magdalena Mo Ching , Halse Christine Margaret
Published: January 2019

Guided by the “opportunity–propensity” (O‐P) framework, this study explores how immigrant status might affect students’ civic knowledge through an antecedent factor (socioeconomic status [SES]), opportunity factors (civic learning at school and civic participation at school), and propensity factors (perceived open classroom climate, perceived student–teacher relationship, and perceived importance of conventional citizenship). The data were taken from the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) 2016. The sample comprised 2,544 eighth graders from Hong Kong. Results of two‐level path analysis showed that, at the student level, mainland Chinese immigrant grant students had a higher level of civic knowledge. Although perceived open classroom climate and perceived importance of conventional citizenship were found to be two positive mediators and family SES (via civic learning at school) was a negative mediator, the mediation effects at the student level were quite small. In contrast, quite a large amount of variance was explained at the school level: School‐aggregated immigrant status was positively linked to school‐aggregated civic knowledge and negatively via school‐aggregated students’ family SES via school‐aggregated civic learning.
How to Grow Fully (100) Oriented SiC/Si/SiC/Si Multi‐Stack
Authors: Yeghoyan Taguhi , Alassaad Kassem , Soulière Véronique , Ferro Gabriel , Gutierrez Marina , Araujo Daniel
Published: January 2019

This paper reports on the successful elaboration of fully (100) oriented SiC/Si/SiC/Si multi‐stack using chemical vapor deposition. Si(100) heteroepitaxy on 3C‐SiC(100) is identified as the critical step which is solved by pulse insertion of precursors during cooling. It lead to the roughening of the 3C‐SiC surface which in turn lead to the quasi‐exclusive nucleation of (100) oriented islands at the expanse of (110) ones. Subsequent Si epitaxy on such modified surface allows growing fully (100) oriented Si layer, as confirmed by structural characterization of the layers. The 3C‐SiC grown on top of such Si(100) layer is again of (100) orientation, forming thus a fully (100) oriented stack. Due to the high lattice mismatch, each interface of the stack is characterized by a high density of crystalline defects which are shown to recombine along with thickness. Antiphase domains present inside the 3C‐SiC seed are shown to have no detrimental influence on the Si layer quality. Without the surface modification step, the Si layers grown on 3C‐SiC are always polycrystalline with a mixture of (110) and (100) orientations.
Numerical Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of 3D Random Voronoi Structures With Negative Poisson's Ratio
Authors: Gao Ruicong , Li Dong , Dong Liang , Wang Xin
Published: January 2019

3D random Vonoroi structures with negative Poisson's ratio have been proposed and created numerically via finite element method using Voronoi tessellation technique. Negative Poisson's ratio is achieved via triaxial compression treatment on the Voronoi models generated using Matlab. The Poisson's ratio and energy absorption capacity of the triaxially compressed structures have been studied as a function of the geometrical irregularity β and the triaxial compression ratio η in a uniaxial compression setup. Results show that the Poisson's ratio of the structures rapidly decreases from positive to negative and achieved a minimum with an increasing triaxial compression ratio η. The Poisson's ratio exhibited slight increase and quickly saturated with further increase of the triaxial compression ratio η. A minimum νyz of −0.366 is achieved when β = 0.3 and η = 20%; whereas, a minimum νxz of −0.347 is achieved when β = 0.1 and η = 10%. The energy absorption capacity of the structure with a specific initial irregularity factor β decreases with an increasing η. For a specific η, structures with the maximum initial irregularity factor β exhibited the highest energy absorption capacity. A maximum energy absorption capacity is achieved in the model with an initial irregularity factor β of 0.7 and a triaxial compression ratio η of 10%.
L‐Proline‐Functionalized Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as an Efficient Nanomagnetic Organocatalyst for Highly Stereoselective One‐Pot Two‐Step Tandem Synthesis of Substituted Cyclopropanes
Authors: Firouzi‐Haji Razieh , Maleki Ali
Published: January 2019

In this study, a series of highly stereoselective polysubstituted cyclopropane derivatives (trans‐2,3‐dihydro‐spiro[2‐aroyl‐3‐aryl‐cyclopropane]1,2‐indene‐1,3‐diones) were synthesized via a one‐pot two‐step tandem reaction starting from phenacyl bromide derivatives, 1,3‐indanedione and aromatic aldehydes in ethanol using 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a co‐catalyst and Fe3O4\SiO2\propyltriethoxysilane\L‐proline as a nanomagnetic organocatalyst. This synthesized nanocatalyst was characterized by Fourier transforms infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images to confirm the formation of the nanocomposite. The catalyst can be easily recovered by simple magnetic decantation and their catalytic activity remains unaltered after ten consecutive cycles, making them environmentally‐friendly and widely applicable due to their efficiency, ease of handling and cost effectiveness.
L‐Proline‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Diastereoselective Synthesis of Cyclohexanols from β‐Aryl‐γ‐nitroketones and α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes: A New Route to 2,3,4,6‐Tetrasubstituted Phenols
Authors: Yadav Anubha , Srivastava Anvita , Mobin Shaikh M. , Samanta Sampak
Published: January 2019

A wide array of densely functionalized cyclohexanol derivatives having five contiguous chiral centers were efficiently achieved in good to high yields with high diastereoselectivities. The double C−C bonds forming reaction proceeds via a domino nitro‐Michael/aldol reaction between several β‐aryl‐substituted‐γ‐nitroketones and a range of β‐aryl‐substituted acroleins as Michael acceptors catalyzed by L‐proline as a naturally available, non‐toxic, cheap organocatalyst. Several important features of this strategy include 100% atom‐economical, high‐efficiency, operational simplicity, and broad functional‐group tolerance. Gratifyingly, one‐pot conversion of cyclohexanols to a novel class of 2,3,4,6‐tetrasubstituted phenols under metal‐free conditions has been demonstrated.
Catalyst‐Free Solid Phase Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of 1,4‐Dihydropyridine Derivatives and Their Single Crystal Structure Determination
Authors: Maru Minaxi S. , Sudhadevi Antharjanam P. K. , Khan Noor‐ul H.
Published: January 2019

Catalyst‐free solid phase Hantzsch synthesis of symmetric 4‐(3‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐3,5‐dicarbethoxy‐1,4‐dihydropyridine (4 a) and 4‐(3‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐3,5‐dicarbmethoxy‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyridine (4 b) was carried out at 400 W under the microwave irradiation. The molecular crystal of both compounds were developed in a suitable solvents and characterized by X‐ray crystallographic method along with other spectroscopic techniques (viz., FT‐IR, 1H & 13C NMR, LC–MS, and elemental analysis). Single crystal structures of both compounds crystallizes in the orthorhombic and triclinic crystal systems with Cmc21 and P1 space groups consisting a=13.5755(13) Å, b=9.6755(9) Å, c=17.7625(17) Å, α=72.837(2)°, β=88.273(2)°, γ=75.221(2)° and a=8.9877(14) Å, b=11.1543(17) Å, c=12.2365(19) Å, α=90.00°, β=90.00°, γ=90.00° cell parameters, with 0.150 × 0.150 × 0.100 mm3 and 0.250 × 0.180 × 0.100 mm3 crystal size respectively. The 1,4‐DHP ring of both compounds have adopted a flattened boat‐type conformation and shows one and four intermolecular hydrogen bonds, respectively.
Carbon Monoxide Playing Ping Pong with a Proton: The Movie
Authors: Frank Irmgard
Published: January 2019

The understanding of chemical reactions is strongly facilitated by movies showing the motion of electrons and nuclei with time. Car‐Parrinello molecular dynamics, or more generally ab‐initio molecular dynamics, is the optimal tool for generating such movies. In the present study an example is shown of a proton transfer reaction which nearly consists in nuclear motion only, while normally the shape and motion of the electronic orbitals are the driving motives for chemical reactions. The reaction can be described with a purely classical description of the nuclear motion, a quantum mechanical description with a wave function is needed for the electronic structure only. This is well known for many reactive systems, but can obviously also be the case for proton transfers which are often seen as an exception.
Structural, Spectroscopic, Electronic and Molecular Docking Studies on (11R,12 S)‐16‐Aminotetracyclo[6.6.2.02,7.09,14]hexadeca‐2(7),3,5,9(14),10,12‐hexaen‐15‐ol
Authors: Kaya Serdal , Gökce Halil , El‐Azab Adel S. , Sert Yusuf , Alanazi Mohammed M. , Öztürk Nuri , Al‐Agamy Mohamed H. M. , Abdel‐Aziz Alaa A.‐M.
Published: January 2019

Molecular structure analysis, vibrational and electronic spectroscopic studies and thermochemical features of (11R,12 S)‐16‐aminotetracyclo[6.6.2.02,7.09,14]hexadeca‐2(7),3,5,9(14),10,12‐hexaen‐15‐ol were investigated via both theoretical and experimental techniques. Experimental investigations were made by using FT‐IR, Raman, 1H and 13C NMR and UV‐Vis. spectroscopies. To support experimental evidences, molecular electronic structure computations were obtained with the DFT/B3LYP method at the 6–311G++(3d,3p) basis set. 2D and 3D Hirshfeld surfaces studies were performed to understand non‐bonding intermolecular interactions in solid phase crystal packing of the compound. MEP surface analysis was performed to investigate nucleophilic and electrophilic reactive sites of the compound. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) analyses were theoretically used for determination of electronic transitions corresponding to UV‐Vis. electronic absorption wavelengths. Enzyme‐ligand interactions between the compound with BACE1 (Beta‐Secretase1) inhibitor were determined via molecular docking study.
Fabrication of Semi‐crystalline Film by Hexanoylation on Self‐assembled Chitin Nanofibers
Authors: Kadokawa Jun‐ichi , Kawano Akito , Yamamoto Kazuya
Published: January 2019

Chitin shows poor solubility and processability because of its high crystallinity. However, nanofibrillation of chitin has attracted much research attention because of its tendency towards effective materialization and functionalization. We have earlier reported that a self‐assembled chitin nanofiber (ChNF) film is obtained from a chitin/1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide (AMIMBr) ion gel by regeneration with methanol, followed by filtration. The film was constructed by high entanglement of ChNFs during the isolation procedure. In this study, we examined the fabrication of a semi‐crystalline chitin film by hexanoylation on ChNFs under dispersion conditions. After the reaction, the resulting chitin hexanoate reformed the film, but showed a reduced nanofiber morphology, the extent of which depended on the degree of substitution. The fusion of amorphous phases among crystalline phases by preferential hexanoylation at ChNF surfaces produced the semi‐crystalline film with flexible property.
Enzyme‐Catalyzed Starch Esterification in Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Deng Xiaonan , Han Xiaozhao , Hu Xianguo , Zheng Shufeng , Liu Kun
Published: January 2019

For the first time the enzymatic esterification of starch in deep eutectic solvent (DES) was reported using DES of choline chloride (ChCl)‐ethylene glycol (EG) as reaction solvent/medium, Novozyme 435 as catalyst, and PEG 400 as phase transfer agent to synthesize starch decanoate, starch laurate, and starch palmitate. The product samples of esterified starches were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, GPC, SEM, XRD, and DSC tests. The results showed that, the degrees of substitution were in the range of 0.07‐0.19 and the addition of PEG 400 was helpful to increase the DS. The optimal esterification temperature for DS was 338 K in the range studied. The degradation of starch was found to be minor due to the use of long‐chain fatty acid and relatively low reaction temperatures. The dissolution, gelatinization, esterification, and recrystallization of starch in DES broke the particles into smaller ones and altered the crystal structure of native starch while the aggregation between particles was increased and the degree of crystallinity was decreased for the esterified starch with the length of carbon‐chain in the fatty acids.
The Productivity and Viability of Snake River Sockeye Salmon Hatchery Adults Released into Redfish Lake, Idaho
Authors: Kozfkay Christine C. , Peterson Mike , Sandford Benjamin P. , Johnson Eric L. , Kline Paul
Published: January 2019

In 1991, the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock Program was initiated to prevent the extinction and preserve the genetic diversity of this evolutionarily significant unit protected by the Endangered Species Act. At the time of listing, the Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka population was considered functionally extinct. One of the recovery strategies entails the release of adults for volitional spawning in Redfish Lake, Idaho, for rebuilding of the natural population. In this paper, we describe the productivity metrics from this strategy. We evaluated eight spawn years to address three primary questions: (1) What metrics for eggs to smolts, smolts per female, and smolt‐to‐adult returns (SARs) result from recent adult releases? (2) How do these metrics compare with historical estimates for Redfish Lake and estimates for other Sockeye Salmon populations throughout the range? and (3) Does the current combination of smolts per female and SARs result in population replacement? Replacement was determined as two adult recruits per female assuming an even sex ratio. We found that the reintroduced adults, despite being derived from a multigenerational captive broodstock, were able to successfully spawn and produce offspring that migrated to the ocean and returned as adults. Smolt abundance, size, and age data suggest that the population is functioning below density dependence. However, increased smolt production did not translate into greater adult returns and this is likely due to out‐of‐basin factors. Productivity metrics were similar to those of the wild population in Redfish Lake during the 1950s and 1960s. However, both current and historic productivity estimates were near the low end of the range for other Sockeye Salmon populations and have not resulted in population replacement. Until freshwater and out‐of‐basin survival can be improved, our data suggest that adult releases will continue to be an important recovery strategy to prevent cohort collapse and to rebuild naturally spawning populations.
Progressive collapse performance analysis of precast reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Feng De‐Cheng , Wang Zhun , Wu Gang
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the progressive collapse performance analysis of precast reinforced concrete (RC) structures is performed. A numerical simulation framework for precast RC structures is developed on the basis of the OpenSEES software, where the fiber frame element is used for beam and column type members and Joint2D element is used for the beam‐to‐column connections. The conjugated material models are then introduced, and a min–max failure criterion is imposed on the original models to reflect the steel fracture and concrete crushing when the structure is undergoing progressive collapse. In addition, to overcome the computational difficulties arisen from progressive collapse behavior, two enhanced nonlinear solutions , that is, the consistent quasi‐Newton algorithm and the explicit KR‐α algorithm, are employed, respectively, for static and dynamic analysis. A 10‐storey prototype precast RC structures is designed to verify the developed numerical framework, and the progressive collapse resisting mechanism of the structures is investigated through both static pushdown analysis and dynamic column‐removal analysis. Finally, influences of some typical parameters in precast RC structures on their progressive collapse performance are studied.
A Novel Niobium Cluster Aqua Ion with Capping μ4‐Se Ligand
Authors: Gushchin Artem L. , Ooi, Bee‐Lean , Harris Pernille , Abramov Pavel A. , Sokolov Maxim N.
Published: January 2019

The aqueous solution chemistry of niobium is underexplored, and well characterized aqua complexes are scarce. In this contribution, a new niobium aqua complex was obtained by treatment of Zn‐reduced ethanolic solution of NbCl5 with HCl in the presence of a selenide source (ZnSe). This is the first example of selenium containing aqua complex of niobium. The yellow‐green aqua complex was isolated by cation‐exchange chromatography and transformed into corresponding isothiocyanate complex by ligand exchange, which was crystallized as (PyH)4.5[H1.5Nb4SeO5(NCS)10]·0.5H2O. X‐ray structural analysis revealed a metal‐metal bonded tetranuclear {Nb4(μ4‐Se)(μ2‐O)5}4+ core with a capping μ4‐Se ligand.
Light dark matter showering under broken dark U(1) — revisited
Authors: Chen Junmou , Ko Pyungwon , Li Hsiang-nan , Li Jinmian , Yokoya Hiroshi
Published: January 2019

Abstract

It was proposed recently that different chiralities of the dark matter (DM) fermion under a broken dark U(1) gauge group can lead to distinguishable signatures at the LHC through shower patterns, which may reveal the mass origin of the dark sector. We study this subject further by examining the dark shower of two simplified models, the dubbed Chiral Model and the Vector Model. We derive a more complete set of collinear splitting functions with power corrections, specifying the helicities of the initial DM fermion and including the contribution from an extra degree of freedom, the dark Higgs boson. The dark shower is then implemented with these splitting functions, and the new features resulting from its correct modelling are emphasized. It is shown that the DM fermion chirality can be differentiated by measuring dark shower patterns, especially the DM jet energy profile, which is almost independent of the DM energy.
Creation of gene pools with amplified fragment length polymorphis markers for development of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) hybrid cultivars
Authors: Liersch Alina , Bocianowski Jan , Popławska Wiesława , Szała Laurencja , Sosnowska Katarzyna , Cegielska-Taras Teresa , Nowosad Kamila , Matuszczak Marcin , Bartkowiak-Broda Iwona
Published: January 2019

The genetic diversity of two winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) collections was investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism marker technology. The first collection of 78 genotypes was analyzed using 11 primer-enzyme combinations and PCR products were resolved by 13.35% denaturing polyacrylamide gels. The second collection was investigated using seven fluorescent-labeled AFLP primer combinations and PCR products were separated using capillary electrophoresis. A total of 262 polymorphic AFLP markers were obtained for the first collection and 423 polymorphic markers for the second. On the basis of all markers, principal component analysis was performed for both collections separately. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic method based on the coefficient of dissimilarity separated the genotypes in collection 1 into two clusters and those in the second collection into three distinct clusters. Resynthesized lines formed a cluster that was clearly distinct from 42 winter oilseed rape parental lines in the cytoplasmic male sterility ogura system. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 79% and 81% of the detected variation was found to be within the groups (in the two collections, respectively), while the variation between groups contributed, respectively, to only 21% and 19% of the variance. Our results indicate that AFLP technology can be useful for the creation of a gene pool of parental components of winter oilseed rape hybrid cultivars. Additionally, de novo resynthesized Brassica napus lines provide a significant opportunity for enrichment of the gene pool of winter rapeseed.
The nonclassical mereology of olfactory experiences
Authors: Skrzypulec Błażej
Published: January 2019

While there is a growing philosophical interest in analysing olfactory experiences, the mereological structure of odours considered in respect of how they are perceptually experienced has not yet been extensively investigated. The paper argues that odours are perceptually experienced as having a mereological structure, but this structure is significantly different from the spatial mereological structure of visually experienced objects. Most importantly, in the case of the olfactory part-structure, the classical weak supplementation principle is not satisfied. This thesis is justified by referring to empirical results in olfactory science concerning the human ability to identify components in complex olfactory stimuli. Further, it is shown how differences between olfactory and visual mereologies may arise from the way in which these modalities represent space.
A Cohort Comparison of Lifespan After Age 100 in Denmark and Sweden: Are Only the Oldest Getting Older?
Authors: Medford Anthony , Christensen Kaare , Skytthe Axel , Vaupel James W.
Published: January 2019

Although Denmark and Sweden have close cultural and historical ties, lifespans for Danes have generally been lower than those of Swedes. Recent improvements in Danish mortality after a period of stagnation have led to the suspicion that there may be positive trends at the very high ages at death within that population and that these trends could be quite different from those observed in Sweden. Although the mean ages at death for Danish and Swedish centenarians have been relatively constant at about 102 years for the cohorts born 1870–1904, the oldest-old in Denmark have been getting older, but no evidence has suggested any increase in lifespan for Swedes. Using quantile regression, we show that Danish centenarian lifespans in the 90th percentile have been lengthening, with those in 94th percentile (6 % longest-lived individuals) having a trend that is statistically significant at the 5 % level. We demonstrate that the increase observed is not due to the increasing sizes of birth cohorts and thus must be due to improving survival among this select top tier. We postulate that this super-select group in Denmark is best able to take advantage of the factors driving mortality reduction, whereas the majority of centenarians are not.
Structural connectivity centrality changes mark the path toward Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Peraza Luis R. , Díaz‐Parra Antonio , Kennion Oliver , Moratal David , Taylor John‐Paul , Kaiser Marcus , Bauer Roman ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The pathophysiological process of Alzheimer's disease is thought to begin years before clinical decline, with evidence suggesting prion‐like spreading processes of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques.

Methods

Using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database, we first identified relevant features for dementia diagnosis. We then created dynamic models with the Nathan Kline Institute‐Rockland Sample database to estimate the earliest detectable stage associated with dementia in the simulated disease progression.

Results

A classifier based on centrality measures provides informative predictions. Strength and closeness centralities are the most discriminative features, which are associated with the medial temporal lobe and subcortical regions, together with posterior and occipital brain regions. Our model simulations suggest that changes associated with dementia begin to manifest structurally at early stages.

Discussion

Our analyses suggest that diffusion magnetic resonance imaging–based centrality measures can offer a tool for early disease detection before clinical dementia onset.
Can biometrics secure manufacturing?
Authors: Wilkins Jonathan
Published: January 2019

As more commercial businesses use facial recognition and other biometric technologies to improve security, manufacturers are under pressure to keep pace with other sectors. A 2018 report from the EEF industry association shows that 48% of manufacturers have experienced some form of cyber-attack and 24% of those who experienced an attack suffered financial or customer losses as a result 1 . There is also a chance that these figures are too low because not all manufacturers realise that they are the victim of an attempted or successful cyber-attack. In light of this, this article reviews how biometric technologies could be used to better secure manufacturing facilities.
On critical exponents of ak-Hessian equation in the whole space
Authors: Wang Yun , Lei Yutian
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we study negative classical solutions and stable solutions of the followingk-Hessian equation$$F_k(D^2V) = (-V)^p\quad {\rm in}\;\; R^n$$with radial structure, wheren⩾ 3, 1 <k 1. This equation is related to the extremal functions of the Hessian Sobolev inequality on the whole space. Several critical exponents including the Serrin type, the Sobolev type, and the Joseph-Lundgren type, play key roles in studying existence and decay rates. We believe that these critical exponents still come into play to researchk-Hessian equations without radial structure.
AN ALGORITHM TO CONSTRUCT THE LE DIAGRAM ASSOCIATED TO A GRASSMANN NECKLACE
Authors: AGARWALA SUSAMA , FRYER SIÂN
Published: January 2019

Le diagrams and Grassmann necklaces both index the collection of positroids in the nonnegative Grassmannian Gr≥0(k, n), but they excel at very different tasks: for example, the dimension of a positroid is easily extracted from its Le diagram, while the list of bases of a positroid is far more easily obtained from its Grassmann necklace. Explicit bijections between the two are, therefore, desirable. An algorithm for turning a Le diagram into a Grassmann necklace already exists; in this note, we give the reverse algorithm.
Kinematics and Manipulability Analysis of a Highly Articulated Soft Robotic Manipulator
Authors: Bamdad Mahdi , Bahri M. Mehdi
Published: January 2019

Recently, the idea of applying “jamming” of appropriate media has been exploited for a novel continuum robot design. It is completed by applying vacuum in a robot structure filled with granular media. The backbone deformation and motion are achieved by controlling the fluid pressure. A jammable robotic manipulator does not certainly follow constant curvature during bending, that is, gravitational loads cause section sag. The kinematics describes the deformation of continuum manipulators. This formulation is expected to facilitate additional synthesis and analysis on workspace. This paper presents a Jacobian-based approach to obtain the forward kinematics solution. The proposed kinematic formulation in this paper tries to combine the key advantages of the techniques in constant curvature and variable curvature models. Hence, the deformation of any arbitrary bending is modeled. The workspace synthesis is continued by kinematic analysis, and in this regard, the manipulability measure is computed. This is an important improvement when compared with existing work for this kind of manipulators. It shows how manipulability measure can determine the workspace quality, where usually reachability is used for robot’s capabilities representation. As a result, the forward kinematics and manipulability analysis based on a piecewise-constant-curvature approximation are discussed in the simulation. The simulation has been carried out according to the fabricated experimental robot.
Modified Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depressive Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: a Pilot Trial
Authors: Rodgers Sephora H. , Schütze Robert , Gasson Natalie , Anderson Rebecca A. , Kane Robert T. , Starkstein Sergio , Morgan-Lowes Katherine , Egan Sarah J.
Published: January 2019

Background: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has evidence of efficacy in a range of populations, but few studies to date have reported on MBCT for treatment of anxious and depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of modified MBCT in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and improving quality of life in PD. Method: Thirty-six individuals with PD were randomly assigned to either modified MBCT or a waitlist control. Changes in symptoms of anxiety, depression and quality of life were compared at group level using generalized linear mixed models and at individual level using reliable change analysis. Results: At post-treatment, there was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms for people undertaking modified MBCT at both group and individual levels compared with controls. There was no significant effect on anxiety or quality of life at the group level, although significantly more people had reliable improvement in anxiety after modified MBCT than after waitlist. Significantly more waitlist participants had reliable deterioration in symptoms of anxiety and depression than those completing modified MBCT. Most participants stayed engaged in modified MBCT, with only three drop-outs. Discussion: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential efficacy of modified MBCT as a treatment for depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease and suggests further research is warranted.
Description, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Generic Design for Tabled CLP
Authors: ARIAS JOAQUÍN , CARRO MANUEL
Published: January 2019

Logic programming with tabling and constraints (TCLP, tabled constraint logic programming) has been shown to be more expressive and in some cases more efficient than LP, CLP, or LP + tabling. Previous designs of TCLP systems did not fully use entailment to determine call/answer subsumption and did not provide a simple and well-documented interface to facilitate the integration of constraint solvers in existing tabling systems. We study the role of projection and entailment in the termination, soundness, and completeness of TCLP systems and present the design and an experimental evaluation of Mod TCLP, a framework that eases the integration of additional constraint solvers. Mod TCLP views constraint solvers as clients of the tabling system, which is generic w.r.t. the solver and only requires a clear interface from the latter. We validate our design by integrating four constraint solvers: a previously existing constraint solver for difference constraints, written in C; the standard versions of Holzbaur’s and , written in Prolog; and a new constraint solver for equations over finite lattices. We evaluate the performance of our framework in several benchmarks using the aforementioned solvers. Mod TCLP is developed in Ciao Prolog, a robust, mature, next-generation Prolog system.
plasp 3: Towards Effective ASP Planning
Authors: DIMOPOULOS YANNIS , GEBSER MARTIN , LÜHNE PATRICK , ROMERO JAVIER , SCHAUB TORSTEN
Published: January 2019

We describe the new version of the Planning Domain Definition Language (PDDL)-to-Answer Set Programming (ASP) translatorplasp. First, it widens the range of accepted PDDL features. Second, it contains novel planning encodings, some inspired by Satisfiability Testing (SAT) planning and others exploiting ASP features such as well-foundedness. All of them are designed for handling multivalued fluents in order to capture both PDDL as well as SAS planning formats. Third, enabled by multishot ASP solving, it offers advanced planning algorithms also borrowed from SAT planning. As a result,plaspprovides us with an ASP-based framework for studying a variety of planning techniques in a uniform setting. Finally, we demonstrate in an empirical analysis that these techniques have a significant impact on the performance of ASP planning.
‘Where is everybody?’ An empirical appraisal of occurrence, prevalence and sustainability of technological species in the Universe
Authors: Engler John-Oliver , von Wehrden Henrik
Published: January 2019

We use recent results from astrobiology, particularly theA-form of the Drake equation and combine it with data on the evolution of life on Earth to obtain a new assessment of the prevalence of technological species in our Universe. A species is technological if it is, in theory, capable of interstellar communication. We find that between seven and 300 technological species have likely arisen in the Milky Way until today, the current state of which however unknown. Assuming that we are currently alone in our Galaxy, we estimate that we would need to wait for roughly 26 million years for a 50% chance of another technological species to arise. By relating our results to the much-debated Fermi–Hart paradox, we discuss if and to what extent our results may help quantify the chances of humanity to manage the transition to a long-term sustainable path of existence.
Methane Concentration in Mud Conduits of Submarine Mud Volcanoes: A Coupled Geochemical and Geophysical Approach
Authors: Kioka A. , Tsuji T. , Otsuka H. , Ashi J.
Published: January 2019

Mud volcanoes are among the largest geological sources releasing methane gas. Numerous studies have revealed their origins and compositions released from submarine mud volcanoes. However, quantification of the amount of gas inside submarine mud volcanoes has been challenging due to the difficulty of in situ measurements, which has hampered better evaluation for their contribution to the global methane budget. Here we provide a coupled geochemical and geophysical model that bridges bulk methane concentrations and seismic wave velocities in the mud conduit of submarine mud volcano. This model is applicable to most submarine mud volcanoes and is able to estimate methane concentration at the upper several hundreds of meters in the mud conduits using downhole logging data or seismic data. Our calculation for submarine mud volcanoes in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Nankai plate subduction zones shows that the weight fractions of gaseous and dissolved methane in total weight of sediment are 1,000–3,500 ppm within their mud conduits, which are much higher than previously expected from pore‐water evidence from conventional shallow subsurface sampling. Although more definitive calculations cannot be made until the model parameters are better constrained, our approach provides an opportunity for re‐estimating the global methane budget in submarine mud volcanoes, shedding new light upon the impact of submarine mud volcanism on carbon cycle.
Simulation and Observation of Lunar Tide Effect on High‐Latitude, Mesospheric and Lower Thermospheric Winds During the 2013 Sudden Stratospheric Warming Event
Authors: Wu Qian , Ward William , Kristoffersen Sam , Maute A. , Liu J.
Published: January 2019

We investigate the high‐latitude mesospheric and lower thermospheric winds during the 2013 sudden stratospheric warming event using ground‐based optical Doppler remote sensing observations of the OH and O (557.7 nm) emission from Eureka (80°N, 86°W) and Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics‐General Circulation Model (TIME‐GCM) simulations. Simulations with and without lunar tidal forcing of the TIME‐GCM were performed. It has been found that the additional lunar tidal forcing only impacts slightly the semidiurnal tidal amplitude and phase at Eureka. The TIME‐GCM simulations still have noticeable discrepancies in the mean winds and the semidiurnal tidal amplitude and phase compared to the observations. The semidiurnal tidal phase shift during the stratospheric warming event may be associated with the sudden stratospheric warming related zonal mean wind reversal, which is similar to the seasonal change in the zonal mean wind from winter to summer. Accordingly, during the reversal, more modes of the semidiurnal tide propagate to the mesosphere, changing the phase of the semidiurnal tide.