bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of carboxy-substituted 2-isoxazolines by cascade oxa-Michael-cyclization
Authors: Lee Hyo-Jun , Eun Bora , Sung Eonseon , Hwang Gil Tae , Ko Young Kwan , Cho Chang-Woo
Published: January 2018

Enantioselective phase-transfer-catalyzed cascade synthesis of chiral carboxy-substituted 2-isoxazolines was achieved. The cascade reaction was applied to synthesis of herbicide (S)-methiozolin.
Loss compensation during subwavelength propagation of enhanced second-harmonic generation signals in a hybrid plasmonic waveguide
Authors: Lin Xianqing , Ye Jian , Yan Yongli , Dong Haiyun , Gu Jianmin , Zhang Wei , Wei Cong , Yao Jiannian , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: January 2018

Subwavelength confinement and long-range propagation of enhanced second-harmonic generation signals was realized in a hybrid plasmonic waveguide.
Paclitaxel prodrug based mixed micelles for tumor-targeted chemotherapy
Authors: Tang Dongyang , Zhao Xin , Yang Tie , Wang Cheng
Published: January 2018

Paclitaxel prodrug based mixed micelles with high drug loading and tumor targeting capacity for elevated chemotherapy.
An electrochemical MIP sensor for selective detection of salbutamol based on a graphene/PEDOT:PSS modified screen printed carbon electrode
Authors: Dechtrirat Decha , Sookcharoenpinyo Bunyarithi , Prajongtat Pongthep , Sriprachuabwong Chakrit , Sanguankiat Arsooth , Tuantranont Adisorn , Hannongbua Supa
Published: January 2018

The first MIP sensor on an inkjet-printed graphene nanocomposite modified screen-printed carbon electrode was developed.
Transparent superhydrophobic hollow films (TSHFs) with superior thermal stability and moisture resistance
Authors: Cai Zhengwei , Lin Jinbin , Hong Xinlin
Published: January 2018

Transparent superhydrophobic hollow films, (CA > 160°, SA < 5°, transmittance closes to 90%), were prepared by methyltrimethoxysilane CVD, using candle soot as template.
Size effect of oxygen reduction reaction on nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots
Authors: Zhang Peng , Hu Qiang , Yang Xuejing , Hou Xiuli , Mi Jianli , Liu Lei , Dong Mingdong
Published: January 2018

The adsorption strength of ORR intermediates, the reaction free energy of rate-determining step, and the overpotential increase with the increase of the size of N-doped graphene quantum dots.
Graphene-based anticorrosive coatings for copper
Authors: Krishnan M. Ajay , Aneja Karanveer S. , Shaikh Aasiya , Bohm Sivasambu , Sarkar Kuntal , Bohm H. L. Mallika , Raja V. S.
Published: January 2018

The present study was focused on the development of environmentally friendly graphene-based anti-corrosive coatings and understanding the effect of these coatings on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of copper.
High-strength lignin-based carbon fibersviaa low-energy method
Authors: Dai Zhong , Shi Xiaojuan , Liu Huan , Li Haiming , Han Ying , Zhou Jinghui
Published: January 2018

A simple low-energy method to fabricate lignin-based carbon fibers with excellent mechanical propertiesviaelectrostatic spinning.
A thin TiO2 NTs/GO hybrid membrane applied as an interlayer for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Song Haimei , Zuo Chen , Xu Xiaoqian , Wan Yuanxin , Wang Lijie , Zhou Dongshan , Chen Zhijun
Published: January 2018

Lithium–sulfur batteries hold great promise for serving as next generation high energy density batteries.
Polymeric platform for the growth of chemically anchored ZnO nanostructures by ALD
Authors: Pellegrino Giovanna , Carroccio Sabrina Carola , Ruffino Francesco , Condorelli Guglielmo G. , Nicotra Giuseppe , Privitera Vittorio , Impellizzeri Giuliana
Published: January 2018

The synthesis of hybrid nano-composites in which an inorganic layer is grown on a polymeric surfaceviachemical bonds, is a challenging goal for many applications from photocatalysis, to sensing and optoelectronics.
Effect of an anionic surfactant (SDS) on the photoluminescence of graphene oxide (GO) in acidic and alkaline medium
Authors: Saha Prosenjit , Pyne Dinesh Kumar , Ghosh Srijon , Banerjee Soumadip , Das Sourav , Ghosh Soumen , Dutta Partha , Halder Arnab
Published: January 2018

An anionic surfactant (SDS) modulates the photoluminescence of graphene oxide (GO) in both acidic and alkaline medium.
A silver NP-dispersed water extract of fly ash as a green and efficient medium for oxidant-free dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohols
Authors: Bhuyan Bishal , Paul Arijita , Devi Meghali , Dhar Siddhartha Sankar
Published: January 2018

A new catalytic system for dehydrogenative oxidation of benzyl alcohols using Ag nanoparticles dispersed in WEFA is developed.
Regioselective Simmons–Smith-type cyclopropanations of polyalkenes enabled by transition metal catalysis
Authors: Werth Jacob , Uyeda Christopher
Published: January 2018

A cobalt catalyst imparts a high degree of regioselectivity in the reductive cyclopropanation of polyalkenes.
Energy landscapes for ellipsoids in non-uniform AC electric fields
Authors: Torres-Díaz Isaac , Rupp Bradley , Yang Yuguang , Bevan Michael A.
Published: January 2018

We report an analytical model for energy landscapes of ellipsoidal particles in non-uniform high-frequency AC electric fields to identify all possible 3D positions and orientations.
Effects of chemically heterogeneous nanoparticles on polymer dynamics: insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Zheng Zijian , Li Fanzhu , Liu Jun , Pastore Raffaele , Raos Guido , Wu Youping , Zhang Liqun
Published: January 2018

The dynamics of polymer melts embedding heterogeneous nanoparticles is investigated on varying the temperature and the nanoparticle composition.
Atomic layer deposition of crystalline epitaxial MoS2 nanowall networks exhibiting superior performance in thin-film rechargeable Na-ion batteries
Authors: Sreedhara M. B. , Gope Subhra , Vishal Badri , Datta Ranjan , Bhattacharyya Aninda J. , Rao C. N. R.
Published: January 2018

Nanowall network of MoS2 grown by atomic layer deposition shows single crystalline nature and epitaxial relationship with c-sapphire. The nanowall network grown directly on current collector exhibits high capacity, remarkable stability, cyclability and high rate capability over a wide range of operating currents.
Niobate-based lead-free piezoceramics: a diffused phase transition boundary leading to temperature-insensitive high piezoelectric voltage coefficients
Authors: Liu Qing , Li Jing-Feng , Zhao Lei , Zhang Yichi , Gao Jing , Sun Wei , Wang Ke , Li Longtu
Published: January 2018

A large and thermally stable d33 was observed in dense and translucent KNN-based ceramics. Forming the R–O–T diffused phase transition is validated as a feasible way to realize the simultaneous enhancement of piezoelectricity and thermal stability.
Thromboinflammatory Functions of Platelets in Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury and Its Dysregulation in Diabetes
Authors: Maiocchi Sophie , Alwis Imala , Wu Mike , Yuan Yuping , Jackson Shaun
Published: January 2018

Ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury is a common complication of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). While timely re-establishment of blood flow in a thrombosed artery is the primary goal of acute therapy in these diseases, paradoxically, reperfusion of ischemic tissue can cause widespread microvascular dysfunction that significantly exacerbates organ damage. Reperfusion injury is associated with activation of the humoral and cellular components of the hemostatic and innate immune systems and also with excessive reactive oxygen species production, endothelial dysfunction, thrombosis, and inflammation. Platelets are critical mediators of thromboinflammation during reperfusion injury and a hyperactive platelet phenotype may contribute to an exaggerated IR injury response. This is particularly relevant to diabetes which is characteristically associated with hyperactive platelets, significantly worse IR injury, increased organ damage, and increased risk of death. However, the mechanisms underlying vulnerability to IR injury in diabetic individuals is not well defined, nor the role of “diabetic platelets” in this process. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the role of platelets in promoting microvascular dysfunction and inflammation in the context of IR injury. Furthermore, the authors discuss aspects of the thromboinflammatory function of platelets that are dysregulated in diabetes. They conclude that diabetes likely enhances the capacity of platelets to mediate microvascular thrombosis and inflammation during IR injury, which has potentially important implications for the future design of antiplatelet agents that can reduce microvascular dysfunction and inflammation.
Does Intravenous Acetaminophen Improve Postoperative Pain Control after Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Perforated Appendicitis? A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Sola Richard , Desai Amita , Gonzalez Katherine , Doyle Nichole , Weaver Katrina , Poola Ashwini , Fraser Jason , St Peter Shawn , Millspaugh Daniel
Published: January 2018

Introduction The recent increased awareness of the dangers of opioids in the United States has highlighted the need to minimize narcotics and identify nonopioid options for pain control after surgery. With evidence suggesting that intravenous acetaminophen (IVA) can be an opioid sparing option, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial that evaluated the effect of IVA on the postoperative pain course of children with perforated appendicitis.

Materials and Methods After IRB approval, children with perforated appendicitis were randomized to receive postoperative IVA with the standard patient/nurse-controlled analgesia (PCA) or to receive the PCA alone. All patients were treated according to an evidence-based treatment protocol. The primary outcome was duration of time on PCA.

Results Eighty-two patients were analyzed from 7/14 to 11/15. There was no statistically significant difference in the time to transition from the PCA to oral pain medications for children given IVA compared with children not receiving IVA (76.4 ± 32.5 versus 86.7 ± 49.3 hours; p = 0.73). Children in the IVA group had no statistically significant difference in intravenous narcotics delivered and pain scores compared with the non-IVA group. There was no significant difference in the amount of oral narcotics between both groups (2.8 ± 2.4 versus 2.9 ± 2.5; p = 0.88). Patients who received IVA had higher medication charges ($3752.7 ± 1618.3 vs. $1198.19 ± 521.51; p < 0.01), but not total hospital charges ($53842.0 ± 19409.2 vs. $50501.03 ± 16223.32; p = 0.76).

Conclusion Children given IVA showed no difference in the transition time off the PCA and to oral pain medications after laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis.
The Role of Barbed Sutures in Wound Closure Following Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Review
Authors: Faour Mhamad , Khlopas Anton , Elmallah Randa , Chughtai Morad , Kolisek Frank , Barrington John , Mont Michael
Published: January 2018

Lower extremity joint arthroplasty procedures often require a large incision to have an adequate exposure, which subsequently leads to lengthy wounds that may contribute to long closure, anesthesia, and overall operative times. The recently introduced knotless barbed suture may provide better outcomes, faster closure time, and decreased material utilization. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the impact of barbed sutures on: (1) wound-related complications; (2) closure and operative time; (3) patient outcomes (range of motion and Knee Society Scores [KSS]); and (4) effects on cosmesis and patients' satisfaction. A literature search was performed using up to February 2017. Barbed sutures were associated with shorter closure times, shorter operative times, and larger cost savings per procedure as well as comparable wound complication rates after total joint arthroplasty. Although the current review is limited by the number of studies included, it demonstrates that overall, barbed sutures contribute to surgical efficiency when compared with conventional skin closure modalities.
Clinical Outcomes Following Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Hamstring Autograft versus Planned Hybrid Graft
Authors: Kim Seong , Brown Colin , Houck Darby , Domby Brian , Reynolds Kirk , McCarty Eric , Kraeutler Matthew
Published: January 2018

Few studies have compared outcomes between autografts versus hybrid grafts (combination of autograft and allograft) for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to compare revision rate and patient-reported outcomes following primary ACLR with a hamstring autograft versus a preoperatively planned hybrid autograft-allograft. At a minimum 2-year follow-up, patients who had undergone primary ACLR with a double-stranded semitendinosus and gracilis hamstring autograft (A) or a planned hybrid (H) graft (single-strand semitendinosus with nonirradiated peroneus longus or tibialis posterior allograft) were contacted to fill out a survey containing the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and visual analog scale (VAS) for activity level prior to injury and at follow-up. From this collection of patients, a matched-pair comparison was made between groups, with patients matched by gender, age at the time of surgery, and follow-up time. Revision rate at follow-up was 8.4 and 2.4% in the A and H groups, respectively (p = 0.073). A total of 148 surveys were completed (83 A, 65 H), from which 36 matched pairs were formed. Within the matched pairs, average age at surgery did not differ significantly between groups (A: 35.7 years, H: 36.0 years, p = 0.23). Time to follow-up was 4.3 and 3.7 years in the A and H groups, respectively. Patients with a hybrid graft had significantly higher KOOS Quality of Life subscores (A 69.6, H 79.2, p = 0.028), subjective IKDC scores (A 72.6, H 79.7, p = 0.031), and SANE scores (A 83.2, H 91.4, p = 0.015) at follow-up. Otherwise, no significant differences were found in patient-reported outcome scores between groups. A preoperatively planned hybrid graft, with use of a fresh-frozen, nonirradiated allograft, should be considered as a viable alternative for primary ACLR in older patients.
Die Bedeutung von Resilienzfaktoren für pflegende Angehörige von Demenzpatienten – eine Übersicht zu ausgewählten Faktoren
Authors: Kunzler Angela , Skoluda Nadine , Nater Urs
Published: January 2018

Die informelle Pflege von Demenzerkrankten gewinnt angesichts des demografischen Wandels zunehmend an Bedeutung. Durch das Krankheitsbild der Demenz und anhaltende Pflegeanforderungen ist diese Subgruppe pflegender Angehöriger allerdings zahlreichen Stressoren ausgesetzt. Viele Pflegende erleben als Resultat chronischen Stress und sind physisch wie psychisch gesundheitlich stark belastet. Auf Basis der aktuellen Forschung zu Resilienz, d. h. der „seelischen Widerstandskraft“, wächst das Interesse an der Identifizierung von Resilienzfaktoren, die als Ressourcen bei der Bewältigung der Pflege fungieren und Angehörige Demenzkranker vor gesundheitlichen Einschränkungen schützen können. Das Review stellt die Rolle von Resilienzfaktoren im Zusammenhang von chronischen Pflegestressoren und Gesundheit dar. Bei der Analyse des aktuellen Forschungsstands zu Resilienzfaktoren für Angehörige Demenzkranker werden die Faktoren Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, Beziehungsqualität und soziale Unterstützung betrachtet.
Thermal transport across solid-solid interfaces enhanced by pre-interface isotope-phonon scattering
Authors: Lee Eungkyu , Luo Tengfei
Published: January 2018

Thermal transport across solid interfaces can play critical roles in the thermal management of electronics. In this letter, we use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the isotope effect on the thermal transport across SiC/GaN interfaces. It is found that engineered isotopes (e.g., 10% 15N or 71Ga) in the GaN layer can increase the interfacial thermal conductance compared to the isotopically pure case by as much as 23%. Different isotope doping features, such as the isotope concentration, skin depth of the isotope region, and its distance from the interface, are investigated, and all of them lead to increases in thermal conductance. Studies of spectral temperatures of phonon modes indicate that interfacial thermal transport due to low-frequency phonons (< 20 THz) is enhanced after isotopes are introduced. These results suggest that the enhanced thermal conductance is related to the isotope-phonon scattering, which facilitates the redistribution of phonon energy among different modes to favor a better overall interfacial thermal transport. This work may provide insights into interfacial thermal transport and useful guidance to practical material design.
On the effect of local barrier height in scanning tunneling microscopy: Measurement methods and control implications
Authors: Tajaddodianfar Farid , Moheimani S. O. Reza , Owen James , Randall John N.
Published: January 2018

A common cause of tip-sample crashes in a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) operating in constant current mode is the poor performance of its feedback control system. We show that there is a direct link between the Local Barrier Height (LBH) and robustness of the feedback control loop. A method known as the “gap modulation method” was proposed in the early STM studies for estimating the LBH. We show that the obtained measurements are affected by controller parameters and propose an alternative method which we prove to produce LBH measurements independent of the controller dynamics. We use the obtained LBH estimation to continuously update the gains of a STM proportional-integral (PI) controller and show that while tuning the PI gains, the closed-loop system tolerates larger variations of LBH without experiencing instability. We report experimental results, conducted on two STM scanners, to establish the efficiency of the proposed PI tuning approach. Improved feedback stability is believed to help in avoiding the tip/sample crash in STMs.
Enhanced configurational sampling with hybrid non-equilibrium molecular dynamics–Monte Carlo propagator
Authors: Suh Donghyuk , Radak Brian K. , Chipot Christophe , Roux Benoît
Published: January 2018

Molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories based on classical equations of motion can be used to sample the configurational space of complex molecular systems. However, brute-force MD often converges slowly due to the ruggedness of the underlying potential energy surface. Several schemes have been proposed to address this problem by effectively smoothing the potential energy surface. However, in order to recover the proper Boltzmann equilibrium probability distribution, these approaches must then rely on statistical reweighting techniques or generate the simulations within a Hamiltonian tempering replica-exchange scheme. The present work puts forth a novel hybrid sampling propagator combining Metropolis-Hastings Monte Carlo (MC) with proposed moves generated by non-equilibrium MD (neMD). This hybrid neMD-MC propagator comprises three elementary elements: (i) an atomic system is dynamically propagated for some period of time using standard equilibrium MD on the correct potential energy surface; (ii) the system is then propagated for a brief period of time during what is referred to as a “boosting phase,” via a time-dependent Hamiltonian that is evolved toward the perturbed potential energy surface and then back to the correct potential energy surface; (iii) the resulting configuration at the end of the neMD trajectory is then accepted or rejected according to a Metropolis criterion before returning to step 1. A symmetric two-end momentum reversal prescription is used at the end of the neMD trajectories to guarantee that the hybrid neMD-MC sampling propagator obeys microscopic detailed balance and rigorously yields the equilibrium Boltzmann distribution. The hybrid neMD-MC sampling propagator is designed and implemented to enhance the sampling by relying on the accelerated MD and solute tempering schemes. It is also combined with the adaptive biased force sampling algorithm to examine. Illustrative tests with specific biomolecular systems indicate that the method can yield a significant speedup.
Flexibility-based improved model of multi-energy hubs using linear weighted sum algorithm
Authors: Wang Anna , Liu Jinglu , Wang Wenhui
Published: January 2018

The formation and development of the energy internet through energy hubs enhance energy efficiency and improve system operating flexibility to accommodate more renewable energy sources (RESs) under the pressure of energy crisis. To further tap the potential of energy complementary and optimize the total operating cost in an operational model of multi-energy hubs, an improved energy management system model for the energy conversions of flexibility-based energy hubs using the linearized coupling relationship is proposed in this paper, which could realize regional coordination optimization and high proportion of RES consumption. Furthermore, an algorithm, which combines a Linear Weighted Sum algorithm and the Kuhn-Tucker condition, is presented to utilize surplus energy among the different energy hubs rationally and solve the optimal energy management problem of the constrained nonlinear multi-objective dispatch model. Finally, the results of the simulation indicate that the total operating cost of multi-energy hubs participating in energy complementary is reduced by nearly 15.23% in summer and approximately 8.56% in winter, and the proposed approach can successfully reduce the waste of RES.
Optimization of output power and transmission efficiency of magnetically coupled resonance wireless power transfer system
Authors: Yan Rongge , Guo Xiaoting , Cao Shaoqing , Zhang Changgeng
Published: January 2018

Magnetically coupled resonance (MCR) wireless power transfer (WPT) system is a promising technology in electric energy transmission. But, if its system parameters are designed unreasonably, output power and transmission efficiency will be low. Therefore, optimized parameters design of MCR WPT has important research value. In the MCR WPT system with designated coil structure, the main parameters affecting output power and transmission efficiency are the distance between the coils, the resonance frequency and the resistance of the load. Based on the established mathematical model and the differential evolution algorithm, the change of output power and transmission efficiency with parameters can be simulated. From the simulation results, it can be seen that output power and transmission efficiency of the two-coil MCR WPT system and four-coil one with designated coil structure are improved. The simulation results confirm the validity of the optimization method for MCR WPT system with designated coil structure.
A versatile optical microscope for time-dependent single-molecule and single-particle spectroscopy
Authors: Li Hao , Yang Haw
Published: January 2018

This work reports the design and implementation of a multi-function optical microscope for time-dependent spectroscopy on single molecules and single nanoparticles. It integrates the now-routine single-object measurements into one standalone platform so that no reconfiguration is needed when switching between different types of sample or spectroscopy modes. The illumination modes include evanescent field through total internal reflection, dark-field illumination, and epi-excitation onto a diffraction-limited spot suitable for confocal detection. The detection modes include spectrally resolved line imaging, wide-field imaging with dual-color capability, and two-color single-element photon-counting detection. The switch between different spectroscopy and data acquisition modes is fully automated and executed through computer programming. The capability of this microscope is demonstrated through selected proof-of-principle experiments.
Molecular dynamics simulations of single siloxane dendrimers: Molecular structure and intramolecular mobility of terminal groups
Authors: Kurbatov A. O. , Balabaev N. K. , Mazo M. A. , Kramarenko E. Yu.
Published: January 2018

Molecular dynamics simulations of two types of isolated siloxane dendrimers of various generations (from the 2nd to the 8th) have been performed for temperatures ranging from 150 K to 600 K. The first type of dendrimer molecules has short spacers consisting of a single oxygen atom. In the dendrimers of the second type, spacers are longer and comprised of two oxygen atoms separated by a single silicon atom. A comparative analysis of molecular macroscopic parameters such as the gyration radius and the shape factor as well as atom distributions within dendrimer interior has been performed for varying generation number, temperature, and spacer length. It has been found that the short-spacer dendrimers of the 7th and 8th generations have a stressed central part with elongated bonds and deformed valence angles. Investigation of the time evolution of radial displacements of the terminal Si atoms has shown that a fraction of the Si groups have a reduced mobility. Therefore, rather long time trajectories (of the order of tens of nanoseconds) are required to study dendrimer intramolecular dynamics.
Numerical simulation for Jeffery-Hamel flow and heat transfer of micropolar fluid based on differential evolution algorithm
Authors: Ara Asmat , Khan Najeeb Alam , Naz Farah , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Rubbab Qammar
Published: January 2018

This article explores the Jeffery-Hamel flow of an incompressible non-Newtonian fluid inside non-parallel walls and observes the influence of heat transfer in the flow field. The fluid is considered to be micropolar fluid that flows in a convergent/divergent channel. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted to nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with the help of a suitable similarity transformation. The resulting nonlinear analysis is determined analytically with the utilization of the Taylor optimization method based on differential evolution (DE) algorithm. In order to understand the flow field, the effects of pertinent parameters such as the coupling parameter, spin gradient viscosity parameter and the Reynolds number have been examined on velocity and temperature profiles. It concedes that the good results can be attained by an implementation of the proposed method. Ultimately, the accuracy of the method is confirmed by comparing the present results with the results obtained by Runge-Kutta method.
A unified stochastic formulation of dissipative quantum dynamics. I. Generalized hierarchical equations
Authors: Hsieh Chang-Yu , Cao Jianshu
Published: January 2018

We extend a standard stochastic theory to study open quantum systems coupled to a generic quantum environment. We exemplify the general framework by studying a two-level quantum system coupled bilinearly to the three fundamental classes of non-interacting particles: bosons, fermions, and spins. In this unified stochastic approach, the generalized stochastic Liouville equation (SLE) formally captures the exact quantum dissipations when noise variables with appropriate statistics for different bath models are applied. Anharmonic effects of a non-Gaussian bath are precisely encoded in the bath multi-time correlation functions that noise variables have to satisfy. Starting from the SLE, we devise a family of generalized hierarchical equations by averaging out the noise variables and expand bath multi-time correlation functions in a complete basis of orthonormal functions. The general hierarchical equations constitute systems of linear equations that provide numerically exact simulations of quantum dynamics. For bosonic bath models, our general hierarchical equation of motion reduces exactly to an extended version of hierarchical equation of motion which allows efficient simulation for arbitrary spectral densities and temperature regimes. Similar efficiency and flexibility can be achieved for the fermionic bath models within our formalism. The spin bath models can be simulated with two complementary approaches in the present formalism. (I) They can be viewed as an example of non-Gaussian bath models and be directly handled with the general hierarchical equation approach given their multi-time correlation functions. (II) Alternatively, each bath spin can be first mapped onto a pair of fermions and be treated as fermionic environments within the present formalism.
Exploiting the topology of a torus enhances principal component analysis of protein data
Authors: Majors J. H.
Published: January 2018

Topological features of the torus can be used to significantly reduce data projection errors in simple principal component analysis on high-dimensional periodic manifolds.
Quality of meat from three muscles of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama)
Authors: Bykowska Marta , Stanisz Marek , Ludwiczak Agnieszka , Składanowska Joanna , Ślósarz Piotr
Published: January 2018

The quality of three muscles (supraspinatus, longissimus, semimembranosus) were studied in a group of 12 farmed fallow deer bucks (Dama dama) aged 28 months. The aim was to compare the selected quality traits of these muscles and to assess the extent to which these traits change after 14 days of being stored in vacuum packaging. Both the pH and the temperature were significantly affected by the muscle (P < 0.0001) and the time of storage (P < 0.0001). The supraspinatus muscle had the highest initial and final pH (pH0.5 h = 6.95; pH15d = 5.93), while m. semimembranosus showed the greatest drop in temperature (by 37.5°C) 24 h postmortem. The colour parameters differed among muscles. Only lightness (L*) was not influenced by the duration of storage (P = 0.081). The 14-day storage in a vacuum bag caused a decrease in the drip loss (P = 0.002), free water (%; P = 0.001), free water (cm2; P < 0.0001) and a cooking loss (P = 0.050). The duration of time in storage caused an increase in the dry-matter (P = 0.049) and crude-protein (P = 0.044) contents and a decrease of the water to protein ratio (W : CP; P = 0.014). There was a significant effect of muscle on the dry-matter (P < 0.0001) and crude-protein (P < 0.001) contents and W : CP (P < 0.0001). The highest contents of dry matter (P ≤ 0.01) and crude protein (P ≤ 0.01) were found in m. longissimus. The highest W : CP was observed in m. supraspinatus (W : CP24 h = 4.02; W/CP15d = 3.92). The results indicated a different technological quality of the analysed muscles, and, thus, a need to further explore the background of these differences in the early postmortem period and after meat maturation.
Effects of boar variability on comet-detected sperm-DNA damage following cryopreservation
Authors: Fraser L. , Zasiadczyk Ł. , Pareek C. S.
Published: January 2018

Assessment of sperm-DNA integrity is a crucial issue in male fertility. In the present study, parameters derived from the image analysis of comets after single-cell gel electrophoresis were used to analyse the types of DNA damage of frozen–thawed boar spermatozoa. Semen, frozen in a cryoprotectant-free extender or in cryoprotectant-based extenders, was analysed for DNA fragmentation and with the following comet tail measures: percentage DNA in comet tail, comet tail length and olive tail moment. The percentages of sperm DNA damage in the comet tails were classified as Type 0 (no DNA damage), Type I (very low DNA damage), Type II (light DNA damage), Type III (medium DNA damage) and Type IV (heavy DNA damage). Sperm motility characteristics and membrane integrity were assessed in the pre-freeze and frozen–thawed semen samples. Assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation and comet tail measures showed marked inter-boar variability following cryopreservation. However, consistent differences among the boars, with respect to cryo-induced sperm DNA damage, were detected by the comet tail length and olive tail moment. Besides Type IV, all types of DNA damage were detected in the cryoprotectant-based extenders. It was found that the frequency of Type II and Type III of DNA damage of frozen–thawed spermatozoa was significantly greater in the cryoprotectant-based and cryoprotectant-free extenders respectively. Deterioration in the quality of the sperm DNA integrity was concomitant with a marked decline in sperm motility characteristics, reduced plasma membrane integrity and higher lipid peroxidation and aspartate aminotransferase activity after cryopreservation. It can be suggested that the comet-assay parameters, coupled with routine laboratory tests, are useful to improve the sperm evaluations of post-thaw quality of semen from individual boars and would offer more comprehensive information for a better understanding of the degree of cryo-induced sperm-DNA damage.
Conserved features of the primate face code
Authors: Stevens Charles F.
Published: January 2018

Significance

This work identifies properties of a combinatorial face code that are conserved across all 2,000 faces tested. The same properties of a combinatorial olfactory code in insects has earlier been shown to be preserved across odors and odor mixtures. That the same features of combinatorial codes are conserved for two such different systems (primate vision and insect olfaction) raises the possibility that these conserved features of a code may be used for similar computations.
CDC42 binds PAK4 via an extended GTPase-effector interface
Authors: Ha Byung Hak , Boggon Titus J.
Published: January 2018

Significance

The p21-activated kinase (PAK) group of serine/threonine kinases are downstream effectors of RHO GTPases and play important roles in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, cell growth, survival, polarity, and development. Here we study the PAK PAK4 and its interaction with its small GTPase, CDC42. Using X-ray crystallography and solution scattering we discover that kinase and small GTPase bind one another in an unexpected fashion with additional unpredicted interactions. This represents an exciting precedent for kinase–GTPase interactions whereby extended interfaces, outside of the canonical GTPase binding site, can influence binding, specificity, and kinase activity.
Migration-based selections of antibodies that convert bone marrow into trafficking microglia-like cells that reduce brain amyloid β
Authors: Han Kyung Ho , Arlian Britni M. , Macauley Matthew S. , Paulson James C. , Lerner Richard A.
Published: January 2018

Significance

A migration-based selection system is used to identify antibodies from combinatorial libraries that induce stem cells to both differentiate and selectively traffic to different tissues in adult animals. Significantly, a single agonist antibody induces microglia-like cells, which have the capacity to migrate to the brain and decrease amyloid beta deposition in the brain.
Changing precarities in the Irish housing system: supplier-generated changes in security of tenure for domiciled households
Authors: Finnerty Joe , O’Connell Cathal
Published: January 2018

This article examines the changing landscape of precarity in the Irish housing system. The article explores, via desk-based research, supplier-generated changes to security of tenure for three house-hold categories. The article concludes that to varying degrees across all tenures, supplier-generated precarity is evident in respect of access, security and supply. This supplier-generated precarity is the outcome of flawed policy assumptions and expectations on the part of the state, which has abandoned its commitment to direct social housing provision and market intervention.
Cooperation in adversity: an evolutionary approach
Authors: Lazarus John
Published: January 2018

Throughout the organic world cooperation provides mutual benefit but is vulnerable to exploitation from free-riders. Over the last 30 years work in evolutionary biology and game theory has provided understanding of the conditions necessary for the maintenance of cooperation, and advances in gene-culture coevolution theory have extended this understanding to our own species. After a preamble on the evolutionary analysis of behaviour I outline this work. I then consider how cooperation is influenced by environmental adversity and find that in non-human species it is enhanced under these circumstances in a range of taxa. In a sample of human cases the same result is found in a majority, but the opposite effect in some when socioeconomic position is the measure of quality. In anthropological studies of societies living in extremis, again the opposite effect is found. I propose a sigmoid shape for the relationship between adversity and fitness (or human well-being) and a consequent inverted-U shaped relationship between adversity and the benefit of cooperation. Most of the data presented on the relationship between adversity and cooperation are consistent with this proposal. I suggest further tests of the proposal and place the study of cooperation in the broader context of prosociality.
Differences in Mental, Cognitive, and Functional Health by Sexual Orientation Among Older Women: Analysis of the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Authors: Seelman Kristie L
Published: January 2018

Background and Objectives

This study addresses a gap in the knowledge base regarding whether there are differences in mental, cognitive, and functional health between sexual minority women aged 65 and older and their heterosexual counterparts, as well as whether disparities are moderated by age, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity.

Research Design and Methods

This study analyzes 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 21 states. Multivariate logistic regression is used to test the hypotheses.

Results

Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian/gay women aged 65 and older report worse functional health and bisexual women report worse cognitive health and more difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living. Disparities are particularly present for women in their late 60s and those in their 70s. While the likelihood of a depression diagnosis tends to be lower for heterosexual women with higher income, the inverse is true of sexual minority women. Additionally, sexual minority women with less education have lower odds of frequent mental distress and activity limitations than those with some college education. Sexual minority women of color have significantly lower odds of frequent mental distress, activity limitations, and use of special equipment compared to white sexual minority women.

Discussion and Implications

Findings indicate a need for gerontological services that provide support to older sexual minority women, particularly in relation to cognitive and functional health. Future research is needed to understand risk and protective factors contributing to these disparities, including forms of resilience that occur among older sexual minority women of color.
Fish aggregating sound technique (FAST): how low-frequency sound could be used in fishing and ranching of cod
Authors: Björnsson Björn
Published: January 2018

In marine fisheries, considerable development has occurred in capture technology. Yet, some of the current fishing methods impact the environment by large greenhouse gas emission, harmful effects to benthic communities, and/or high bycatch of juvenile and unwanted species. It is proposed that for some fish species these deficiencies could be mitigated by classical conditioning using sound and food reward to concentrate wild fish before capture with environmentally friendly fishing gear. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), which globally is among the fish species with the highest landed value, can be acoustically trained. In a sea cage, it takes about a week to train a group of naïve cod to associate low frequency (250 Hz) sound with food, whereas the training of a group of naïve cod accompanied with one trained cod takes less than a day. In inshore areas, it takes a few weeks to attract thousands of cod to stations where food is regularly delivered. These conditioned cod wait at the stations for their meals and do not mingle much with the unconditioned cod which hunt for wild prey. It is suggested that by calling acoustically conditioned fish between stations, a much larger number of naïve fish can be gathered. This so-called fish aggregating sound technique (FAST) may thus facilitate the accumulation of wild fish and expedite their capture with a purse seine or a trap in a way that minimizes fuel consumption and mortality of juveniles and unwanted species. The operation of FAST requires exclusive rights of a designated fishing area. The exclusivity makes it possible to on-grow the fish in free-ranging schools and sea cages for several months to increase their size and food quality before capture.
Restructuring opportunity: employment change and job quality in the United States during the Great Recession
Authors: Visser M Anne
Published: January 2018

Research continues to stress the influence job polarization has had on employment and economic opportunity in the USA. However, much of this literature is based on studies focused on time periods of economic expansion, and the knowledge base lacks a nuanced understanding of structural employment change during economic downturns and the temporally and spatially distinctive dynamics of such shifts. Using an innovative methodology for measuring job quality, the study provides an empirical analysis of employment shifts that occurred during the Great Recession both quantitatively (how many jobs created or destroyed) as well as qualitatively (what types of jobs created or destroyed). A notable feature of the shifts observed in the employment structure during this time period is a deepening pattern of inequality in the labor market characterized by increased wage polarization for all workers and evidence of downgrading experienced by male workers across all three measures of job quality.
Cortical circuits for mathematical knowledge: evidence for a major subdivision within the brain's semantic networks
Authors: Amalric Marie , Dehaene Stanislas
Published: January 2018

Is mathematical language similar to natural language? Are language areas used by mathematicians when they do mathematics? And does the brain comprise a generic semantic system that stores mathematical knowledge alongside knowledge of history, geography or famous people? Here, we refute those views by reviewing three functional MRI studies of the representation and manipulation of high-level mathematical knowledge in professional mathematicians. The results reveal that brain activity during professional mathematical reflection spares perisylvian language-related brain regions as well as temporal lobe areas classically involved in general semantic knowledge. Instead, mathematical reflection recycles bilateral intraparietal and ventral temporal regions involved in elementary number sense. Even simple fact retrieval, such as remembering that ‘the sine function is periodical’ or that ‘London buses are red’, activates dissociated areas for math versus non-math knowledge. Together with other fMRI and recent intracranial studies, our results indicated a major separation between two brain networks for mathematical and non-mathematical semantics, which goes a long way to explain a variety of facts in neuroimaging, neuropsychology and developmental disorders.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The origins of numerical abilities’.
Psychophysical evidence for the number sense
Authors: Burr David C. , Anobile Giovanni , Arrighi Roberto
Published: January 2018

It is now clear that most animals, including humans, possess an ability to rapidly estimate number. Some have questioned whether this ability arises from dedicated numerosity mechanisms, or is derived indirectly from judgements of density or other attributes. We describe a series of psychophysical experiments, largely using adaptation techniques, which demonstrate clearly the existence of a number sense in humans. The number sense is truly general, extending over space, time and sensory modality, and is closely linked with action. We further show that when multiple cues are present, numerosity emerges as the natural dimension for discrimination. However, when element density increases past a certain level, the elements become too crowded to parse, and the scene is perceived as a texture rather than array of elements. The two different regimes are psychophysically discriminable in that they follow distinct psychophysical laws, and show different dependencies on eccentricity, luminance levels and effects of perceptual grouping. The distinction is important, as the ability to discriminate numerosity, but not texture, correlates with formal maths skills.

This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘The origins of numerical abilities’.
A random-matrix theory of the number sense
Authors: Hannagan T. , Nieder A. , Viswanathan P. , Dehaene S.
Published: January 2018

Number sense, a spontaneous ability to process approximate numbers, has been documented in human adults, infants and newborns, and many other animals. Species as distant as monkeys and crows exhibit very similar neurons tuned to specific numerosities. How number sense can emerge in the absence of learning or fine tuning is currently unknown. We introduce a random-matrix theory of self-organized neural states where numbers are coded by vectors of activation across multiple units, and where the vector codes for successive integers are obtained through multiplication by a fixed but random matrix. This cortical implementation of the ‘von Mises' algorithm explains many otherwise disconnected observations ranging from neural tuning curves in monkeys to looking times in neonates and cortical numerotopy in adults. The theory clarifies the origin of Weber–Fechner's Law and yields a novel and empirically validated prediction of multi-peak number neurons. Random matrices constitute a novel mechanism for the emergence of brain states coding for quantity.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The origins of numerical abilities’.
Mycobacterium kansasii osteomyelitis – a masquerading disease
Authors: Bhatt Kiranmai , Banavathi Krishna
Published: January 2018

Introduction. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria capable of causing an opportunistic myriad of infections. Mycobacterium kansasii, one such NTM, is responsible for causing pulmonary disease in immunocompromised patients. Rare extrapulmonary manifestations such as lymphadenitis, osteoarticular manifestations, and skin and soft tissue infections are also observed.

Case presentation. Here, we report an unusual case of sternoclavicular joint and elbow joint infection with M. kansasii in a relatively immunocompetent patient. Histopathology did not show classic granulomas and mycobacterial infection was not initially considered as a possibility. However repeat biopsies were sent for mycobacterial cultures which then grew M. kansasii.

Conclusion. Diagnosis of M. kansasii in such cases can be difficult and culture-positive results may not necessarily imply positive diagnosis as they can be environmental contaminants. Furthermore, M. kansasii can cause infections without the characteristic granuloma formation, which can further complicate tissue diagnosis. This underlines the importance of ensuring that tissue samples obtained are cultured for mycobacteria.