bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-cell profiling identifies myeloid cell subsets with distinct fates during neuroinflammation
Authors: Jordão Marta Joana Costa , Sankowski Roman , Brendecke Stefanie M. , Sagar  , Locatelli Giuseppe , Tai Yi-Heng , Tay Tuan Leng , Schramm Eva , Armbruster Stephan , Hagemeyer Nora , Groß Olaf , Mai Dominic , Çiçek Özgün , Falk Thorsten , Kerschensteiner Martin , Grün Dominic , Prinz Marco
Published: January 2019

A myeloid cell atlas of neuroinflammation

Myeloid cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, in the central nervous system (CNS) play critical roles in the initiation and exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Jordão
et al.
combined high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing and intravital microscopy to compile a transcriptional atlas of myeloid subsets in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of MS. Microglia and other CNS-associated macrophages expanded and transformed into various context-dependent subtypes during EAE. Furthermore, dendritic cells and monocyte-derived cells, but not resident macrophages, played a critical role by presenting antigen to pathogenic T cells. This exhaustive characterization may inform future therapeutic targeting strategies in MS.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat7554
A Small-Molecule Inhibitor of
trans
-Translation Synergistically Interacts with Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptides To Impair Survival of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Huang Yueyang , Alumasa John N. , Callaghan Lauren T. , Baugh R. Samuel , Rae Christopher D. , Keiler Kenneth C. , McGillivray Shauna M.
Published: January 2019

Staphylococcus aureus
is a leading cause of infection in the United States, and due to the rapid development of resistance, new antibiotics are constantly needed.
trans
-Translation is a particularly promising antibiotic target because it is conserved in many bacterial species, is critical for bacterial survival, and is unique among prokaryotes.
Exploiting Prophage-Mediated Lysis for Biotherapeutic Release by
Lactobacillus reuteri
Authors: Alexander Laura M. , Oh Jee-Hwan , Stapleton Donald S. , Schueler Kathryn L. , Keller Mark P. , Attie Alan D. , van Pijkeren Jan-Peter
Published: January 2019

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been explored as potential biotherapeutic vehicles for the past 20 years. To secrete a therapeutic in the extracellular milieu, one typically relies on the bacterial secretion pathway, i.e., the Sec pathway. Overexpression of a secreted protein can overload the secretory pathway and impact the organism’s fitness, and optimization of the signal peptide is also required to maximize the efficiency of the release of mature protein. Here, we describe a previously unexplored approach to release therapeutics from the probiotic
Lactobacillus reuteri
. We demonstrate that an intracellularly accumulated recombinant protein is released following prophage activation. Since we recently demonstrated that prophages are activated during gastrointestinal transit, we propose that this method will provide a straightforward and efficient approach to deliver therapeutics
in vivo
.
Novel 3,6-Dihydroxypicolinic Acid Decarboxylase-Mediated Picolinic Acid Catabolism in
Alcaligenes faecalis
JQ135
Authors: Qiu Jiguo , Zhang Yanting , Yao Shigang , Ren Hao , Qian Meng , Hong Qing , Lu Zhenmei , He Jian
Published: January 2019

Picolinic acid is a natural toxic pyridine derived from
l
-tryptophan metabolism and other aromatic compounds in mammalian and microbial cells. Microorganisms can degrade and utilize picolinic acid for their growth, and thus a microbial degradation pathway of picolinic acid has been proposed. Picolinic acid is converted into 6-hydroxypicolinic acid, 3,6-dihydroxypicolinic acid, and 2,5-dihydroxypyridine in turn. However, there was no physiological and genetic validation for this pathway. This study demonstrated that 3,6-dihydroxypicolinic acid was an intermediate in picolinic acid catabolism and further identified and characterized a novel amidohydrolase 2 family decarboxylase PicC. PicC was also shown to catalyze the decarboxylation of 3,6-dihydroxypicolinic acid into 2,5-dihydroxypyridine. This study provides a basis for understanding picolinic acid degradation and its underlying molecular mechanism.
HIV-related excess mortality and age-related comorbidities in patients with HIV aged ≥60: a relative survival analysis in the French Dat’AIDS cohort
Authors: Hentzien Maxime , Dramé Moustapha , Delpierre Cyrille , Allavena Clotilde , Cabié André , Cuzin Lise , Rey David , Pugliese Pascal , Hédelin Guy , Bani-Sadr Firouzé
Published: January 2019

Objective

The objective was to evaluate the association between age-related comorbidities (ARCs) and 5-year HIV-related excess mortality in people living with HIV aged ≥60 years.

Design

Cohort study using relative survival analysis (Estève’s model).

Setting

The French multicentre prospective Dat’AIDS cohort that involves 12 French hospitals.

Participants

Inclusion of 1415 HIV-1 infected patients actively followed aged ≥60 years on January 2008, with a 5-year follow-up period in the late combination antiretroviral therapy era.

Results

Among 1415 patients included, 154 died. By multivariable analysis, factors predictive of 5-year HIV-related excess mortality were non-AIDS-related cancer (adjusted excess HR (aEHR)=2.94; 95% CI 1.32 to 6.57), cardiovascular disease (aEHR=6.00; 95% CI 2.45 to 14.65), chronic renal disease (aEHR=4.86; 95% CI 2.24 to 10.53), cirrhosis (aEHR=3.58; 95% CI 1.25 to 10.28), hepatitis C co-infection (aEHR=3.63; 95% CI 1.44 to 9.12), body mass index<18.5 kg/m² (aEHR=4.10; 95% CI 1.61 to 10.48) and having a CD4 cell count ≤200/mm3(aEHR=5.79; 95% CI 2.28 to 14.69).

Conclusions

ARCs, particularly cardiovascular disease and chronic renal disease, are predictive of HIV-related excess mortality, with an increase in hazard similar to that of CD4 cell count.

Trial registration number

NCT02898987.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for treatment of dysphagia in infants and young children with neurological impairment: a prospective pilot study
Authors: Marcus Sherna , Friedman Jeremy N , Lacombe-Duncan Ashley , Mahant Sanjay
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To describe the acceptability, safety and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in infants and young children with neurological impairment (NI) who have severe dysphagia.

Design

A prospective pilot study using a before and after study design.

Setting

The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.

Patients

Ten infants and young children (0–24 months) with NI and severe dysphagia on videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) who were referred to an occupational therapist (OT). Those with neurodegenerative conditions were excluded.

Intervention

NMES treatments lasting 20–45 min twice weekly for the duration of 2–4 months. The NMES was administered during feeding therapy sessions by a trained OT.

Main outcome measures

Improvement in swallowing function as measured by VFSS and the need for tube feeding, adverse events and parental acceptability.

Results

Seven of 10 enrolled subjects (median age, 8.9 months) completed biweekly NMES treatments (median number of treatments per subject, 18). All of the seven (100%) subjects who completed treatment showed an improvement in swallow function on VFSS. Of the five patients who were not safe to orally feed on any consistency of liquid or puree at baseline, three established full oral feeding and two established partial oral feeding. At baseline, 5/7 children were completely fed by tube versus 0/7 at the end of treatment. No adverse events occurred other than mild skin irritation at the site of electrode placement. Five of seven caregivers felt that feeding was improved and were satisfied with the intervention.

Conclusions

Our prospective pilot study of NMES in seven neurologically impaired infants and young children with severe dysphagia suggests that NMES is safe, acceptable to parents and has potential efficacy. Trials are needed to determine if any treatment benefit exists.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01723358.
Veterinary ethics in the clinical setting
Authors: Yeates James
Published: January 2019

Veterinary medicine is a major force for good, and ethics is a central, essential and unavoidable part of veterinary practice. We engage in ethical reasoning when we decide how to proceed in a clinical case, and by improving it we make better decisions for our patients, our clients and ourselves. Furthermore, it is a clinical skill that can be developed by experience, reflection, discussion and education. This article, the first in a series of three, aims to help practitioners engage in ethical reasoning and discussion. It does not (and should not) tell everyone what to do, but describes concepts and viewpoints that might provide the beginnings of a shared approach to veterinary ethical reasoning for cases faced in practice. It presents what appear to be shared values in the profession, their implications, unresolved questions and how debates might move forward. The second article in the series will apply these key principals to a specific case, and the third will present an approach to steps that can be taken in practice.
Male psychosexual therapy in the UK military
Authors: Clifford Clair , McCauley M
Published: January 2019

Military personnel can experience psychosexual difficulties for a variety of reasons. Problems can arise because of psychological trauma, physical injury, consequences arising from pharmacological and surgical complications and social or emotional concerns relating to intrapersonal and interpersonal relationship dynamics. Such individuals might seek to minimise or avoid resolving their pertinent difficulties, while others can experience cultural, personal or organisational barriers to accessing professional help. This paper offers an overview of the development of a national specialist psychosexual therapy service (PST), commenting specifically on the service delivery for male military personnel. It will also consider factors which may support progress in treatment and reflect upon the importance of considering psychosexual functioning in relationships as part of the broader service-life context, which is especially relevant to military personnel.
In-vehicle noise exposure among military personnel depending on type of vehicle, riding compartment and road surface
Authors: Luha Assar , Merisalu E , Reinvee M , Kinnas S , Jõgeva R , Orru H
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common health problems among military service personnel. Exposure to noise in military vehicles constitutes a large proportion of total noise exposure. This pilot study aimed to evaluate in-vehicle noise levels depending on the type of vehicle, riding compartment and road surface.

Method

Noise levels were measured in armoured personnel carriers and heavy all-terrain trucks, in the cab and rear passenger compartment, while driving on paved or off-road surfaces. The results were compared with national LLV and allowed noise exposure times were calculated per vehicle and surface.

Results

The equivalent noise levels in the cab of SISU XA-188 (p=0.001) and peak noise levels in MAN 4620 (p=0.0001) and DAF 4440 (p=0.0047) were higher on paved road, compared with off-road. The equivalent noise levels in the canvas covered rear compartment of MAN 4620 were significantly higher than in the cab on both paved (p=0.004) and off-road (p=0.0003). Peak noise levels in the cab of DAF 4440 exceeded the parameters measured in the canvas covered rear compartment on both paved (p=0.002) and off-road (p=0.0002). In most cases, peak noise levels were below the LLV (p=0.02–0.0001). The maximum noise exposure to passengers in the canvas covered rear compartment of MAN 4620 despite road surface was calculated 0.6 hours per working day.

Conclusion

A high risk of noise-induced hearing loss among military personnel occurs during long distance transportation with vehicles showing noise levels higher than allowed LLV.
Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in high-risk adult patients undergoing coronary angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Sharp Alexander J , Patel Nishith , Reeves Barney C , Angelini Gianni D , Fiorentino Francesca
Published: January 2019

Objective

Quantify the efficacy of strategies to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in high-risk patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

CI-AKI remains a common problem. The renoprotective efficacy of existing pharmacological agents remains uncertain in high-risk populations.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to compare different strategies versus hydration in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing CAG±PCI. Primary outcome was incident CI-AKI. Fixed-effects meta-analyses estimated ORs, 95% CIs and heterogeneity.

Results

Forty-eight RCTs were included. Seven pharmacological strategies were evaluated by multiple RCTs and 10 by one RCT each. These had varying risk of bias; >25% of trials were at high risk of performance bias. Five strategies significantly reduced the odds of CI-AKI: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (27 trials, 5694 participants; OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.91, p=0.002, I2=36%), ascorbic acid (four trials, 759 participants; OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.89, p=0.01, I2=0%), statin (two trials, 3234 participants; OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.89, p=0.75, I2=0%), trimetazidine (two trials, 214 participants; OR=0.27, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.71, p=0.01, I2=0%) and nicorandil (two trials, 389 participants; OR=0.47, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.94, p=0.03, I2=52%). Theophylline had a similar, but non-significant, effect. A subgroup analysis found that the benefit of NAC was highest in patients requiring a high-contrast dose.

Conclusions

Several drugs are renoprotective in patients with CKD undergoing CAG±PCI. The evidence is strongest for NAC. We recommend that NAC should be used when a high dose of contrast is anticipated.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO registration CRD42014014704.

Open Science Framework link:https://osf.io/vxg7d/?view_only=62bad0404b18405abd39ff2ead2575a8
Investigating adults with early-onset epilepsy and intellectual or physical disability
Authors: Nashef Lina , Singh Rinki , Moran Nicholas , Murphy Elaine
Published: January 2019

This article focuses on investigating adults with early-onset epilepsy and intellectual or physical disability within adult neurology services. We aim to guide general neurologists in the diagnostic reassessment of people with epilepsy and complex neurological problems of unknown cause. Following an overview, we address imaging, electroencephalography, genetic studies and metabolic testing, and give examples where diagnosis directly influences treatment. Aetiological diagnosis serves to inform prognosis, guide treatment and provide a framework for genetic counselling
Retrospective cohort study of healthcare utilization and opioid use following radiofrequency ablation for chronic axial spine pain in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Loh Eldon , Reid Jennifer N , Alibrahim Fatimah , Welk Blayne
Published: January 2019

Background and objectives

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a common treatment modality for chronic axial spine pain. Controversy exists over its effectiveness, and outcomes in a real-world setting have not been evaluated despite increasing use of RFA. This study examined changes in healthcare utilization and opioid use after RFA in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Ontario using administrative data. Ontario residents receiving their initial RFA between 1 January 2009 and 31 March 2015 were included. Physician visits, spinal injections, and opioid dosing/prescriptions in the 12-month periods before and after RFA were compared.

Results

The study included 4653 patients. The number of RFA procedures significantly increased from 2009 to 2014 (22.5 cases/1 000 000 person-years to 82.5 cases/1 000 000 person-years). 4465 patients had at least one physician visit pre-RFA; there was a significant 23.89% reduction in physician visits post-RFA (pre-RFA: 29 616 visits; post-RFA: 22 542 visits). All reviewed specialties demonstrated a decrease in physician visits post-RF except neurosurgery. 3445 (85.70%) fewer spinal interventions for axial pain (medial/lateral branch blocks, facet/sacroiliac injections) were performed post-RFA. Significantly fewer epidurals were also performed post-RFA. 198 of 1007 patients (19.66%) on the Ontario Drug Benefit who received opioids pre-RFA did not require a postprocedure opioid prescription. Mean opioid dosing was unchanged post-RFA.

Conclusions

Healthcare utilization was significantly reduced in the 12 months following RFA, and some patients eliminated opioid use. Selection criteria for RFA are not standardized in Ontario, and appropriate use guidelines for spine interventions may improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary procedures.
First high-precision U–Pb CA–ID–TIMS age for the Battle Formation (Upper Cretaceous), Red Deer River valley, Alberta, Canada: implications for ages, correlations, and dinosaur biostratigraphy of the Scollard, Frenchman, and Hell Creek formations
Authors: Eberth David A. , Kamo Sandra L.
Published: January 2019

The Battle Formation (BFm) is a widespread Upper Cretaceous marker horizon in western Canada that records a time of low sediment input and marks the boundary between the Edmontonian and Lancian land-vertebrate ages. Here, we present the first high-precision U–Pb CA–ID–TIMS age of 66.936 ± 0.047/0.060/0.140 Ma for the Battle bentonite, an altered vitric ash in the upper portion of the BFm at Knudsen’s Farm in the Red Deer River valley of Alberta. This age supersedes those previously reported, confirms that rates of sediment accumulation for the formation were very low (∼1.40 cm/ka), and allows us to interpolate an age range of ∼66.88–67.20 Ma for the BFm. Our data also provide a maximum age of ∼66.88 Ma for the base of the overlying Scollard Formation, a dinosaur-rich unit. We combine our age data with calibrated magneto- and palynostratigraphic data to assess chronostratigraphic correlations among the Scollard Formation of Alberta, the Frenchman Formation of Saskatchewan, and the Hell Creek Formation in eastern Montana. Whereas the combined data support previous interpretations that equate the age ranges of the Scollard Formation, Frenchman Formation, and the upper one third of the Hell Creek Formation in eastern Montana, they also indicate that all of the lower one third (L3) and part of the middle one third (M3) of the Hell Creek Formation in Montana are chronostratigraphically equivalent to all or part of the sub-BFm unconformity and the BFm in Alberta. Accordingly, a minimum age of ∼67.20 Ma is assessed for the base of the Hell Creek Formation in its type area.
On quantum quasi-relative entropy
Authors: Vershynina Anna
Published: January 2019

We consider a quantum quasi-relative entropy [Formula: see text] for an operator [Formula: see text] and an operator convex function [Formula: see text]. We show how to obtain the error bounds for the monotonicity and joint convexity inequalities from the recent results for the [Formula: see text]-divergences (i.e. [Formula: see text]). We also provide an error term for a class of operator inequalities, that generalizes operator strong subadditivity inequality. We apply those results to demonstrate explicit bounds for the logarithmic function, that leads to the quantum relative entropy, and the power function, which gives, in particular, a Wigner–Yanase–Dyson skew information. In particular, we provide the remainder terms for the strong subadditivity inequality, operator strong subadditivity inequality, WYD-type inequalities, and the Cauchy–Schwartz inequality.
Seed selection for technology innovation diffusion in complex networks
Authors: Wang Shibo , Zhao Jinlou , Yu Jiannan
Published: January 2019

At present, the competition between enterprises is increasingly fierce. If the enterprise wants to obtain the competitive advantage, the innovation is an effective means; innovation is the basis of an enterprise’s survival and development: all enterprises strive to improve their competitiveness through innovation; however, the effects of innovation diffusion will eventually restrict their development. This study, using a complex network approach, establishes a nonlinear technology innovation diffusion cascade model aimed at identifying the best seeds to foster the process of technology innovation diffusion by searching for the important nodes scattered throughout different communities to spread technology innovation and achieve the maximum diffusion effect. Through an analysis of simulated and real networks, we found that our method can both improve the speed of technology innovation diffusion and enhance the diffusion effect, which can provide advantages to enterprises and help promote innovation.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CHINA
Authors: ZHOU XIAOLIANG , LI TING
Published: January 2019

While most studies have shown that an aging population has a negative impact on economic growth, the potentially positive factor of a young elderly population may be neglected. The purpose of this study is to investigate the following two hypotheses: the young elderly population (aged from 60 to 69) with a strong academic background has a positive impact on the economy in China, and the elderly population has a negative impact on the economy in China. Official provincial-level panel data from 1996 to 2016 for 29 provinces are utilized in fixed-effects models with and without controlling for heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence, as well as in DIFF-GMM and SYS-GMM models in the dynamic panel regression estimation. The primary finding of this study is that young elderly people with a strong educational background can positively affect China’s economic growth and can partly alleviate the negative effect of the overall elderly population. This conclusion is quite robust regardless of which econometric method is adopted.
THE STATUS QUO IN DISCRETE CHOICE EXPERIMENTS: IS IT RELEVANT?
Authors: W MOHAMAD WAN NORHIDAYAH , WILLIS KEN , POWE NEIL
Published: January 2019

An issue in environmental economics is how respondents make choices in discrete choice experiments (DCEs), and whether different strategies impact on the reliability of willingness-to-pay (WTP) results. Do individuals make choices with reference to their status quo (SQ) position, or can they make simulated market choices amongst only hypothetical scenarios? This study uses a split sample to test whether the inclusion or exclusion of the SQ on a choice card in DCEs affects the WTP estimates, based on visitors’ preferences for tourist facilities at Kenyir Lake, Malaysia. The results indicated little difference between both the samples in terms of goodness-of-fit, size and significance of the attribute coefficients, and WTP estimates for the Conditional Logit (CL) and Mixed Logit (MXL) models.
INDIA–CHINA: CHANGING BILATERAL TRADE AND ITS EFFECT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
Authors: KUMAR RAKESH
Published: January 2019

This paper highlights the policy aspects of India and China, in the context of consensus building on bilateral trade, which is the cornerstone of diplomatic and political ties between the two countries. India and China have witnessed uninterrupted economic development with a significant rise in bilateral trade because of protrade policies in the last few decades. In this backdrop, this paper examines the dynamic spillovers of India–China’s bilateral trade on the economic growth of the two countries. For the purpose, Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model in multivariate framework is utilized with gross capital formation (GCF) and foreign direct investment (FDI) as two additional explanatory variables. The results highlight that the India–China bilateral trade share has significant long-run impact on the growth of GDP per capita (GDPP) of the two countries, while the impact is more pronounced for China. The growth rates of the two countries are found significantly cointegrated with the variables in question. The results provide important insights in foreign trade patterns, with policy implication for trade and economic co-operations between the two countries.
WHAT COULD CAUSE A COUNTRY’S GNP TO BE GREATER THAN ITS GDP?
Authors: TAN EU CHYE , TANG CHOR FOON , PALANIANDI RUPAH DEVI
Published: January 2019

This paper seeks to establish whether there exist factors that could render a country’s Gross National Product (GNP) greater than its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is not known whether a similar study has ever been previously undertaken as the literature search fails to discover any. Data of countries worldwide, to the extent of their availability, are drawn generally for years that fall within the 2000–2016 period for this study. The factors postulated as positive and negative determinants include the savings-investment gap, international reserves, technological sophistication, demography, unemployment, export orientation, income inequality, size of the primary commodities sector, financial repression, tax incidence and labor market regulations. Of these factors, the logit and probit regressions pursued reveal that only income inequality, size of the primary commodities sector and export orientation are the significant determinants. They work to dampen the probability of a country to register a GNP higher than GDP. A supplementary panel regression analysis also suggests these as factors that could reduce a country’s GNP to GDP ratio. In light of such findings, countries should address the problem of disparity in income distribution and promote indigenous ownerships in their primary commodities and export-oriented sectors if they are striving for an excess of GNP over GDP.
Thermodynamic and transport properties in Au + Au collisions at RHIC energies from the clustering of color strings
Authors: Sahoo Pragati , Tiwari Swatantra Kumar , De Sudipan , Sahoo Raghunath , Scharenberg Rolf P. , Srivastava Brijesh K.
Published: January 2019

In this work, we have extracted the initial temperature from the transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in Au + Au collisions using STAR data at RHIC energies from [Formula: see text] = 7.7–200 GeV. The initial energy density [Formula: see text], shear viscosity to entropy density ratio [Formula: see text], trace anomaly [Formula: see text], the squared speed of sound [Formula: see text], entropy density, and bulk viscosity to entropy density ratio [Formula: see text] are obtained and compared with the lattice QCD calculations for (2 + 1) flavor. The initial temperatures obtained are compared with various hadronization and chemical freeze-out temperatures. The analysis of the data shows that the deconfinement-to-confinement transition possibly takes place between [Formula: see text] = 11.5 and 19.6 GeV.
Exact solutions in Weyl-cubed gravity
Authors: Ganjali Mohammad A.
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we will use a unitary gravitational action up to third-order of curvature with respect to the holographic a-theorem. In particular, its third-order term has a Weyl-cubed term.

In this paper, we study this Weyl-cubed theory and find some of its exact classical solutions. We show that the theory admits conformally flat, Lifshitz, Schrödinger and also hyperscaling-violating backgrounds as the solutions of the equations of motion. Our analysis has been done for the pure Weyl-cubed gravity, Einstein plus Weyl-cubed term and gravity with matter.
Research on phosphorus-doped nano-carbon as ORR catalysts in alkaline electrolyte
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Huang Naibao , Qiao Shaoming , Zhang Junjie , Gao Zhengyuan , Qiu Zhongyu , Zhou Shixian , Jiang Xiaofen
Published: January 2019

In order to reduce the cost of the catalysts for the anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC), phosphorus-doped XC-72 carbon catalyst was prepared by one-step carbonization using XC-72 carbon and triphenyl phosphorus (TPP) as carbon source and phosphorus source. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the phosphorus-doped carbon catalyst were evaluated by physical characterization and electrochemical methods. When the proportion of triphenyl phosphorus and XC-72 is 1:5, and carbonization temperature is [Formula: see text], the obtained catalyst shows mesoporous structure formed by the accumulation of nanospheres and exhibits better electrochemical performance, including more positive onset potential (−0.12 V), the largest current density [Formula: see text], which is slightly equal to commercial 20%Pt/C [Formula: see text]. Moreover, P is doped in carbon with C–P and O–P bond, which provide active sites to improve electrochemical performance. Low cost precursor and facile preparation of P-doped C is a candidate for full cell catalyst.
Hydrothermal synthesis for the enhanced red and green Sr3Y(PO4)3:Eu3+, Tb3+ phosphors
Authors: Wang Liyong , Wang Xue , Song Qingwei , Xie Tianying , Guo Xiaoqing , Wang Nan , Jia Guang , Han Yuanyuan
Published: January 2019

A series of enhanced red and green emission phosphors: [Formula: see text] (SYP): [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] were successfully synthesized via a novel hydrothermal method. The structural and optical properties were investigated through XRD and PL (photoluminescence) measurements. The results of PL spectra revealed that SYP exhibited red and green emission for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]-phosphors doped, respectively. In order to obtain optimal phosphors, we proposed the concentration of dopants and the reaction time. Results indicated that enhanced red and green emission phosphors SYP may be potential candidates in light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Unveiling electrically tunable characteristics of second-order dispersion in graphene-silicon nitride waveguides
Authors: Xie Peng , Xue Mantian , Wen Yu , Li Xiaofeng , Wang Xinyu , Yin Haoyi , Du Chengze , Liu Jiarui , Liu Jianhua
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we proposed a graphene-silicon nitride (GSN) waveguide model, which was unveiled to unveil its second-order dispersion (SOD) characteristics. The influences of the different thicknesses of graphene layer and the different heights from graphene to the core material of silicon nitride on SOD were investigated in detail. The tunability of SOD via controlling the bias voltage applied to the graphene layer was demonstrated and a 50 nm wavelength tuning was achieved with a small perturbation in voltage while keeping the geometric structure of the waveguide unchanged. Moreover, a flat SOD curve of the GSN waveguide was obtained with a large bandwidth of 700 nm between the two zero-dispersion wavelengths (ZDWs). These results provided significant insights for potential applications of graphene-related optoelectronic devices, integrated optics, and optical communications.
Generalized Hesitant Fuzzy Soft Sets and Its Application to Decision Making
Authors: Li Chunquan , Li Dongxue , Jin Jianhua
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we propose generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets by integrating generalized fuzzy soft sets with hesitant fuzzy sets. Then we investigate several fundamental properties of generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets. In particular, a system of all the generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets with narrow strict union and generalized strict intersection operators turns out to be a lattice. Meanwhile, a system of all the generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets with generalized strict union and narrow strict intersection operators is a lattice. Based on generalized hesitant fuzzy soft sets, we provide an effective approach to decision making. Finally, three examples are presented to illuminate the feasibility of the method.
Detection of Moldy Cores in Apples with Near-Infrared Transmission Spectroscopy Based on Wavelet and BP Network
Authors: Hu Qiu-Xia , Tian Jie , Fang Yong
Published: January 2019

Moldy cores in apples are not initially obvious from the outside of the fruit, so developing methods to detect moldy cores is an important area of research in the apple industry. The objective of this study was to improve the ability of near-infrared spectrometry to detect moldy cores in apples. Transmission spectra were recorded for 200 apple samples in the range of 200–1100[Formula: see text]nm, and 140 and 60 samples were randomly selected as training and test sets, respectively. Signal de-noising was performed by wavelet thresholding based on the results of orthogonal experiments. The best wavelengths for discriminating between healthy and diseased apples were selected by a successive projection algorithm (SPA). The extracted wavelengths were used as the input in a back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). Through these experiments, this study compared the correct recognition rates using different ratios of training to test numbers in the model, and functions in the hidden and output layers of the BP-ANN. The proposed method achieved the highest accuracies of 95.00% and 95.71% for the test and training sets, respectively. This method could be used to develop a portable instrument for detecting moldy cores in apples.
Research on a Thangka Image Classification Method Based on Support Vector Machine
Authors: Wang Tiejun , Wang Weilan
Published: January 2019

As an art image, Thangka images have rich themes, various forms of expression, complex picture content and many layers of color representation. This paper mainly constructs a multi-core support vector machine (SVM) based on the information entropy feature-weighted radial basis kernel function. In this paper, the kernel function is optimized, and the feature reduction is performed by using the random forest feature selection algorithm with average accuracy degradation. Finally, the effective classification of the icon image and the mandala image in Thangka is realized. The research results provide support for the follow-up study of Thangka image annotation and retrieval.
A Lockable Abnormal Electromagnetic Signal Joint Detection Algorithm
Authors: Lu Jiazhong , Niu Weina , Liu Xiaolei , Hu Teng , Zhang Xiaosong
Published: January 2019

With the development of computers and network technologies, network security has gradually become a global problem. Network security defenses need to be carried out not only on the Internet, but also on other communication media, such as electromagnetic signals. Existing electromagnetic signal communication is easily intercepted or infiltrated. In order to effectively detect the abnormal electromagnetic signal to find out the specific location, then classify it, it is necessary to study the way of communication. The existing electromagnetic signal detection accuracy is low and cannot be located. Considering the characteristics of different power sources in different locations, combined with spark streaming technology and machine learning classification technology, a joint platform for electromagnetic signal anomaly detection based on big data analysis is proposed. The electromagnetic signal is abnormally detected by feature comparison and small signal analysis, and the position and number between the signal sources are determined by three-point positioning and signal attenuation. The experimental results show that the method can detect abnormal electromagnetic signals and classify abnormal electromagnetic signals well, the accuracy rate can reach 95%, and the positioning accuracy can reach 89%.
Application Research of Artificial Neural Network in Environmental Quality Monitoring
Authors: Zhao Kunrong , He Tingting , Wu Shuang , Wang Songling , Dai Bilan , Yang Qifan , Lei Yutao
Published: January 2019

With the steady growth of the economy and the rapid development of modern industrial technology, the problem of environmental pollution has increased. To continue to develop, it is necessary to thoroughly implement the sustainable development strategy, and we must pay more attention to environmental issues. One of the important management tools implemented in China for environmental management is environmental quality monitoring and evaluation. Environmental quality monitoring can scientifically evaluate the environmental quality of a region, scientifically evaluate and forecast the environmental management and environmental engineering, and provide scientific basis for environmental management, environmental engineering, formulation of environmental standards, environmental planning, comprehensive prevention and control of environmental pollution, and ecological environment construction. This paper will discuss the basic principles of neural network and the implementation process of MATLAB and in the MATLAB software implementation and display process. At the same time, the results of different parameters are analyzed through experiments, and the network parameters are constantly adjusted to improve the accuracy of the evaluation results. Taking the regional environment as an example, two monitoring methods are proposed, and a variety of neural network models are used to analyze each prediction method. Case study results show that the latter method has a better prediction effect.
Arrangements of ideal type are inductively free
Authors: Cuntz Michael , Röhrle Gerhard , Schauenburg Anne
Published: January 2019

Extending earlier work by Sommers and Tymoczko, in 2016, Abe, Barakat, Cuntz, Hoge, and Terao established that each arrangement of ideal type [Formula: see text] stemming from an ideal [Formula: see text] in the set of positive roots of a reduced root system is free.

Recently, Röhrle showed that a large class of the [Formula: see text] satisfy the stronger property of inductive freeness and conjectured that this property holds for all [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we confirm this conjecture.
Constraining Baryons in the M31 galactic halo by Planck data
Authors: Tahir Noraiz , De Paolis Francesco , Qadir Asghar , Nucita Achille
Published: January 2019

The rotation of galactic halos is a particularly difficult subject to be dealt with. It has been shown that CMB data toward nearby galaxies can be used to probe the galactic halo rotation and can be ascribed to cold molecular clouds populating the halos. We present some methods to study the physical properties and distribution of such molecular gas clouds in the M31 galaxy halo.
Gödel universe in f(R,T) gravity
Authors: Sofuoğlu Değer
Published: January 2019

In this study, we have considered Gödel universe in the context of [Formula: see text] modified theory of gravity, where the gravitational Lagrangian is given by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar [Formula: see text] and the trace of the energy–momentum tensor [Formula: see text]. We have shown that the Gödel solution exists in this modified theory for more general functional form of [Formula: see text] function than it appears in the literature.
EFFECTS OF MULTI-SCALE STRUCTURE AND FRACTAL DIMENSION ON THE FRICTION MECHANISM IN ROUGH SURFACES UNDER HORIZONTAL DYNAMIC EXCITATION
Authors: PANAGOULI OLYMPIA K.
Published: January 2019

Tribological information obtained for contacts with multiple-asperity interaction is a challenging task. In this work, the friction mechanism that is developed between rough interfaces with asperities of different geometry and different scales, submitted to cyclic loading, is studied. In order to analyze numerically the behavior of the asperities, fractal interpolation functions are used for the simulation of the interfaces and the deformations of the asperities are assumed to go through elastic to plastic deformations. In the sequence, the fractal interfaces are submitted to different acceleration histories until the plastification of the asperities and the sliding of interfaces. The dynamic response of the system is computed by using finite element modeling (FEM) technique on the basis that the opposite sides of the interfaces present the same multi-scale structure. From the study, it becomes obvious that sliding instabilities characterize the problem and the fractal dimension of the interface together with the multi-structure of the asperities, the normal pressure and the dynamic excitation play important roles in determining the dynamic friction coefficient, which in this work is studied macroscopically.
Software-Defined Networking Switches for Fast Single-Link Failure Recovery
Authors: LI DAWEI , WU JIE , WANG DAJIN , WANG JIAYIN
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we consider IP fast recovery from single-link failures in a given network topology. The basic idea is to replace some existing routers with a designated switch. When a link fails, the affected router will send all the affected traffic to the designated switch (through pre-configured IP tunnels), which will deliver the affected traffic to its destination without using the failed link. The goal of the approach is to achieve faster failure recovery than traditional routing protocols that employ reactive computing upon link failures. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) switches can serve as the designated switches because they can flexibly redirect affected traffic to other routes, instead of only to the shortest paths in the network. However, SDN switches are very expensive. Our objective is to minimize the number of SDN switches needed and to guarantee that the network can still recover from any single-link failure. For networks with uniform link costs, we show that using normal non-SDN switches with IP tunneling capability as designated switches can guarantee recovery from any single-link failure. For networks with general link costs, we find that not all single-link failures can be recovered by using non-SDN switches as designated switches; by using SDN switches only when necessary, we can reduce the total number of SDN switches needed compared to an existing work. We conduct extensive simulations to verify our proposed approaches.
Effect of mutant NMDA receptors on the oscillations in a model of hippocampus
Authors: Batova Anna Sergeevna , Bugay Aleksandr Nikolaevich , Dushanov Ermuhammad Berdimurodovich
Published: January 2019

A computation approach to identify the effect of missense mutations on the protein function is proposed. Using molecular dynamics simulation we have analyzed the gating kinetics of mutant NMDA synaptic receptors carrying mutations in their NR2 subunits. Analysis of channel geometry and Mg ion binding allowed to estimate the receptor conductivity. As a result, it was possible to identify the effect of these mutations on the generation of theta and gamma rhythms by the hippocampal neural network. Obtained results can be adapted for the analysis and evaluation of possible cognitive impairments caused by neurological diseases or consequences of radiation and other negative factors.
Is there codon usage bias for poly-Q stretches in the human proteome?
Authors: Galzitskaya Oxana V. , Novikov Georgii S. , Dovidchenko Nikita V. , Lobanov Mikhail Yu.
Published: January 2019

We have analyzed codon usage for poly-Q stretches of different lengths for the human proteome. First, we have obtained that all long poly-Q stretches in Protein Data Bank (PDB) belong to the disordered regions. Second, we have found the bias for codon usage for glutamine homo-repeats in the human proteome. In the cases when the same codon is used for poly-Q stretches only CAG triplets are found. Similar results are obtained for human proteins with glutamine homo-repeats associated with diseases. Moreover, for proteins associated with diseases (from the HraDis database), the fraction of proteins for which the same codon is used for glutamine homo-repeats is less (22%) than for proteins from the human proteome (26%). We have demonstrated for poly-Q stretches in the human proteome that in some cases (28) the splicing sites correspond to the homo-repeats and in 11 cases, these sites appear at the [Formula: see text]-terminal part of the homo-repeats with statistical significance 10[Formula: see text].
A Hybrid Joystick with Impedance Control for a Stable Remote Control of a Mobile Robot
Authors: Lee Donghyuk , Lee Jangmyung
Published: January 2019

A new hybrid joystick has been developed to share the six degrees of freedom (DOF) by three DOF inputs and three DOF feedback signals. For remotely controlling a mobile robot, steering and acceleration commands can be generated by a 3-DOF joystick using [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] directional motions, respectively. Usually, a remote operator cannot clearly watch dynamically changing terrain conditions; therefore, it is necessary to feedback the slope and tilt conditions of the road to the operator through the joystick. These values can be obtained based on the inertial navigation system (INS) and feedback to the joystick as kind of reflection forces. Further, a yaw angle has been used to feedback the actual direction of the robot through a steering control. The mechanism and control systems of the hybrid joystick are newly designed, and the effectiveness of this hybrid joystick has been verified through actual remote operation of a mobile robot driving on slanted and tilted terrain.
A Concept of Cell-Based Smoothed Finite Element Method Using 10-Node Tetrahedral Elements (CS-FEM-T10) for Large Deformation Problems of Nearly Incompressible Solids
Authors: Onishi Yuki
Published: January 2019

A new concept of smoothed finite element method (S-FEM) using 10-node tetrahedral (T10) elements, CS-FEM-T10, is proposed. CS-FEM-T10 is a kind of cell-based S-FEM (CS-FEM) and thus it smooths the strain only within each T10 element. Unlike the other types of S-FEMs [node-based S-FEM (NS-FEM), edge-based S-FEM (ES-FEM), and face-based S-FEM (FS-FEM)], CS-FEM can be implemented in general finite element (FE) codes as a piece of the element library. Therefore, CS-FEM-T10 is also compatible with general FE codes as a T10 element. A concrete example of CS-FEM-T10 named SelectiveCS-FEM-T10 is introduced for large deformation problems of nearly incompressible solids. SelectiveCS-FEM-T10 subdivides each T10 element into 12 four-node tetrahedral (T4) subelements with an additional dummy node at the element center. Two types of strain smoothing are conducted for the deviatoric and hydrostatic stress evaluations and the selective reduced integration (SRI) technique is utilized for the stress integration. As a result, SelectiveCS-FEM-T10 avoids the shear/volumetric locking, pressure checkerboarding, and reaction force oscillation in nearly incompressible solids. In addition, SelectiveCS-FEM-T10 has a relatively long-lasting property in large deformation problems. A few examples of large deformation analyses of a hyperelastic material confirm the good accuracy and robustness of SelectiveCS-FEM-T10. Moreover, an implementation of SelectiveCS-FEM-T10 in the FE code ABAQUS as a user-defined element (UEL) is conducted and its capability is discussed.
Generation and Parametrization of Mean Plasma Radiative Properties Databases for Astrophysics and Nuclear Fusion Applications
Authors: Rodríguez Rafael , Espinosa Guadalupe , Gil Juan Miguel , Beltrán Pablo R.
Published: January 2019

In plasmas found in nuclear fusion energy and astrophysics, radiative properties play a pivotal role and they are needed in radiation hydrodynamic simulations of these plasmas. However, their calculation is a very complex problem involving very long computational times. One of the solutions is to perform parametrizations of the plasma radiative properties as a function of the plasma conditions which leads to considerable reductions in computational costs. In this work, we present models to generate and parametrize radiative properties databases as a function of plasma conditions which are valid for any plasma thermodynamic regime.