bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growing a Bibliography
Authors: Winkelman Sherry , Rots Arnold , D’Abrusco Raffaele , Becker Glenn , Thong Sinh , McCollough Michael
Published: August 2018

The Chandra Data Archive (CDA) has been tracking publications based on Chandra observations in journals and on-line conference proceedings since early in the mission. Our goals are two-fold: 1) provide a means for Chandra users to search literature on Chandra-related papers to further their scientific research; and 2) provide a means for measuring the science produced from Chandra data. Over the years the database and its associated tools have expanded dramatically. In this paper I will give a history of the development of the bibliography with a focus on the human capital involved, along with the skill sets and management structures developed which allow us to maintain a very rich and extensive bibliography with a limited number of full time employees (FTEs). I will also cover how the diverse metadata collected has made the Chandra bibliography an essential resource in managing the Chandra X-ray Center.

This work has been supported by NASA under contract NAS 8-03060 to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for operation of the Chandra X-ray Center. It depends critically on the services provided by the ADS.
CDS - Interfaces for published and reference data
Authors: Allen Mark ,   Team CDS
Published: August 2018

The Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) provides added value to published and reference data, enabling scientific research with the data through innovative services and tools. As a long standing data centre it is important to maintain and update the processes that have been developed over many years, in particular to manage the increasing volume of publications and data. CDS presentations at the LISA conference have highlighted these developments, and a poster supporting these presentations showed the current CDS user interfaces. Here we highlight how developments in the processes and underlying databases result in new features in the CDS user interfaces.
Progress with implementing the new research data management system at HartRAO
Authors: Coetzer Glenda , Botha Roelf , Jacobs Lorette
Published: August 2018

The Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) participates in global radio astronomy and fundamental astronomy (space geodesy) research activities. Data and data products produced by HartRAO’s expanding range of on-site and off-site instrumentation must be archived and stored at HartRAO and made accessible to the scientific community. The data management and storage systems currently being used for managing fundamental astronomy data are not capable of handling the large volumes of data and have become obsolete. This necessitated the design and implementation of a next-generation Geodetic Research Data Management System (GRDMS), which complies with internationally accepted data service standards. We present the top-level conceptual model of the GRDMS and progress to date with developments of various sub-systems, data structuring and organisation within the sub-systems.
Exploration of the Role of Double Schiff Bases as Catalytic Intermediates in the Knoevenagel Reaction of Furanic Aldehydes: Mechanistic Considerations
Authors: van Schijndel Jack , Canalle Luiz , Molendijk Dennis , Meuldijk Jan
Published: August 2018

This paper presents mechanistic considerations on an efficient, green, and solvent-free Knoevenagel procedure for the chemical transformation of furanic aldehydes into their corresponding α,β-unsaturated compounds. In the proposed mechanism furanic aldehydes react with ammonia, released from ammonium salts, to form a catalytically active double Schiff base. The catalytic intermediates involved in the condensation step are characterized.
Genotype-Phenotype Association and Impact on Outcomes following Guided De-Escalation of Anti-Platelet Treatment in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: The TROPICAL-ACS Genotyping Substudy
Authors: Gross Lisa , Trenk Dietmar , Jacobshagen Claudius , Krieg Anne , Gawaz Meinrad , Massberg Steffen , Baylacher Monika , Aradi Daniel , Stimpfle Fabian , Hromek Julia , Vogelgesang Anja , Hadamitzky Martin , Sibbing Dirk , Geisler Tobias
Published: August 2018

Background Phenotype-guided de-escalation (PGDE) of P2Y12-inhibitor treatment with an early switch from prasugrel to clopidogrel was identified as an effective alternative treatment strategy in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The Testing Responsiveness to Platelet Inhibition on Chronic Antiplatelet Treatment for Acute Coronary Syndromes (TROPICAL-ACS) Genotyping Substudy aimed to investigate whether CYP2C19 genotypes correlate with on-treatment platelet reactivity (PR) in ACS patients treated with clopidogrel or prasugrel and thus might be useful for guidance of early de-escalation of anti-platelet treatment.

Methods and Results A total of 603 ACS consecutive patients were enrolled in four centres (23.1% of the overall TROPICAL-ACS population). Rapid genotyping (Spartan RX) for CYP2C19*2, *3 and *17 alleles was performed. Associations between PR and the primary and secondary endpoints of the TROPICAL-ACS trial and CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*17 carrier status were evaluated.

For the PGDE group, the on-clopidogrel PR significantly differed across CYP2C19*2 (p < 0.001) and CYP2C19*17 genotypes (p = 0.05). Control group patients were not related (p = 0.90, p = 0.74) to on-prasugrel PR. For high PR versus non-high PR patients within the PGDE group, significant differences were observed for the rate of CYP2C19*2 allele carriers (43% vs. 28%, p = 0.007).

Conclusion CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*17 carrier status correlates with PR in ACS patients treated with clopidogrel and thus might be useful for pre-selecting patients who will and who may not be suitable for PGDE of anti-platelet treatment. Regarding phenotype-guided treatment, we did not observe added benefit of genotyping to predict ischaemic and bleeding risk in patients who underwent a PGDE approach.

Clinical Trial Registration URL: https//www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT: 01959451.
Risk Score for Prediction of 10-Year Atrial Fibrillation: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Aronson Doron , Shalev Varda , Katz Rachel , Chodick Gabriel , Mutlak Diab
Published: August 2018

Purpose We used a large real-world data from community settings to develop and validate a 10-year risk score for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and calculate its net benefit performance.

Methods Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate effects of risk factors in the derivation cohort (n = 96,778) and to derive a risk equation. Measures of calibration and discrimination were calculated in the validation cohort (n = 48,404).

Results Cumulative AF incidence rates for both the derivation and validation cohorts were 5.8% at 10 years. The final models included the following variables: age, sex, body mass index, history of treated hypertension, systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mm Hg, chronic lung disease, history of myocardial infarction, history of peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and history of an inflammatory disease. There was a 27-fold difference (1.0% vs. 27.2%) in AF risk between the lowest (–1) and the highest (9) sum score. The c-statistic was 0.743 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.737–0.749) for the derivation cohort and 0.749 (95% CI, 0.741–0.759) in the validation cohort. The risk equation was well calibrated, with predicted risks closely matching observed risks. Decision curve analysis displayed consistent positive net benefit of using the AF risk score for decision thresholds between 1 and 25% 10-year AF risk.

Conclusion We provide a simple score for the prediction of 10-year risk for AF. The score can be used to select patients at highest risk for treatments of modifiable risk factors, monitoring for sub-clinical AF detection or for clinical trials of primary prevention of AF.
Combined effects of fuel and intake air preheating for improving diesel engine operating parameters running with biodiesel blends
Authors: Walle Mekonen Menelik , Sahoo Niranjan
Published: August 2018

In this study, the combined effects of fuel and intake air preheating on the performance, combustion, and emission parameters of a diesel engine running on different preheated blends of fuel are studied. The preheated Palm oil methyl ester (POME) through waste heat exhaust gases is chosen as blended fuel to achieve better fuel injection characteristics. The increase in the fuel-preheated temperature shows the drop in kinematic viscosity and density values of POME. At a fuel preheating temperature of 114 °C, the viscosity and density of POME drop to 3.74 mm2/s and 871 kg/m3 which are closer to values for mineral diesel (3.35 mm2/s at 40 °C and 842 kg/m3 at 27 °C). Preheating optimized POME at inlet temperatures of 90 °C and 102 °C in a diesel engine results in the improvement of the brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency (BTHE), and emissions (CO, HC, and CO2) with a slight increase in NOx compared to unheated POME at varying loads. In addition, preheated intake air at elevated temperature assisted further enhancement of the engine performance, combustion, and reduction of emission parameters of a diesel engine fueled with preheated blends of fuel.
Direct-to-indirect electronic state transition in dynamically compressed GaAs quantum wells
Authors: Grivickas P. , Geisz J. F. , Gupta Y. M.
Published: August 2018

Dynamic compression of GaAs quantum wells was achieved to examine the direct-to-indirect transition in a reduced dimension semiconductor structure under uniaxial strain conditions. Our results show that the transformation deviates significantly from the electronic structure predictions using bulk deformation potentials. This finding is attributed to the suppression of real-space type-II transitions by quantum state interactions due to the presence of large anisotropic strains.
Low temperature synthesis of multilayered-hollow microspheres of boron carbide from castor oil for photonic applications
Authors: Saritha Devi H. V. , Swapna M. S. , Ambadas G. , Sankararaman S.
Published: August 2018

The development of boron carbide microspheres of various types is of greater interest because of their applications in thermal insulation, imaging, luminescent coating, and drug delivery. The present methods of synthesis involve costlier equipment, toxic chemicals, and high temperature. This work describes low temperature, green synthesis of multilayered-hollow microspheres of boron carbide using the natural carbon precursor—castor oil. Refluxion of boric acid with castor oil and successive cooling results in the formation of boron carbide and is subjected to thermal deposition at 300 °C for 1 h to get a thin film. The field emission scanning electron microscopic analysis shows the formation of multilayered hollow microspheres in the film whose surface morphology is studied using an atomic force microscope. The X-ray diffraction, X-ray mapping, and energy dispersive spectroscopic and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses confirm the formation of boron carbide which is thermally stable and gives a yield of 37% at 800 °C. The optical characterization of the sample is carried out with ultraviolet-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. The chromaticity diagram and the power spectrum suggest the possible use of the material as a blue light emitter.
Enhancing the sensitivity of a single electron spin sensor by multi-frequency control
Authors: Li Cui-Hong , Dong Yang , Xu Jing-Yan , Li Deng-Feng , Chen Xiang-Dong , Du A. M. , Ge Ya-Song , Guo Guang-Can , Sun Fang-Wen
Published: August 2018

The negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond is increasingly attractive as a solid-state quantum sensor with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. However, the host non-zero nitrogen nuclear spin of the NV center decreases the signal contrast and sensitivity because of hyperfine coupling. Here, we apply multi-frequency synchronous manipulation to the NV center to recover the signal contrast and enhance the sensitivity. The enhancement effect works over a wide range of bias magnetic fields. Compared to the single-frequency-driven sensing process, a sensitivity enhancement factor of 2.7 is achieved at a low bias magnetic field. Such multi-frequency-controlled sensitivity enhancement works also for sensing temperature, strain, and electric field and can be applied to other spin–spin coupling systems.
Design of a 4-level active photonics phase change switch using VO2 and Ge2Sb2Te5
Authors: Meng Yun , Behera Jitendra K. , Ke Yujie , Chew Litian , Wang Yang , Long Yi , Simpson Robert E.
Published: August 2018

The objective of this work is to design and demonstrate multilevel optical switches by combining different phase change materials. Ge2Sb2Te5 and VO2 nanolayer structures were designed to maximize the optical contrast between four different reflective states. These different optical states arise due to the independent structural phase transitions of VO2 and Ge2Sb2Te5 at different temperatures. The transfer matrix method was used to model Fresnel reflection for each structural phase combination and then to optimize the VO2 and Ge2Sb2Te5 layer thicknesses, which were found to be 70 nm and 50 nm. These multilevel optical switching results provide further possibilities to design composite materials for applications in active and programmable photonics.
Two-dimensional electron gas at manganite buffered LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (001) interface by spin coating chemical methods
Authors: Khan Tahira , Zhang Hongrui , Zhang Hui , Yang Zhihuan , Song Jinghua , Zhang Jine , Chen Xiaobing , Chen Yuansha , Shen Baogen , Sun Jirong
Published: August 2018

High mobility spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is crucially important for spintronic applications. Here, we report our investigations on the 2DEG fabricated by spin coating a LaAlO3 layer on a (001) SrTiO3 substrate with a La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 buffer layer. When the buffer layer is below 3 uc, the 2DGE is highly mobile. Corresponding to the layer thicknesses of 0, 1, and 2 uc, the Hall mobilities are ∼24 000 cm2/V s, ∼28 000 cm2/V s, and ∼59 600 cm2/V s at 2 K. In contrast, the 2DEG with a buffer layer of 3 uc shows a relatively low mobility (∼3000 cm2/V s). However, an anomalous Hall effect was observed in this 2DEG below 20 K, indicating a long range ferromagnetic order. This work demonstrates the great potential of the chemical method in gaining high quality spin-polarized 2DEGs at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface.
Is nitrite from nitrification the only cause of microbiologically induced chloramine decay?
Authors: Bal Krishna KC , Ginige Maneesha P , Sathasivan Arumugam
Published: August 2018

Nitrite, produced by ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), was traditionally thought to be the only cause of microbiologically mediated decay of chloramine. The development and application of microbial decay factor method and bacterial community studies, for the first time have revealed many other factors such as soluble microbial products (SMPs) and bacteria other than AOB mediating the decay of chloramine.
Effects of environmental stressors on daily governance
Authors: Obradovich Nick , Tingley Dustin , Rahwan Iyad
Published: August 2018

Significance

Public servants are often first responders to disasters, and the day-to-day completion of their jobs aids public health and safety. However, with respect to their individual psychological and physiological responses to environmental stressors, public sector workers may be harmed in much the same way as other citizens in society. We find that exposure to hotter temperatures reduces the activity of two groups of regulators—police officers and food safety inspectors—at times that the risks they are tasked with overseeing are highest. Given that we observe these effects in a country with high political institutionalization, our findings may have implications for the impacts of climate change on the functioning of regulatory governance in countries with lower political and economic development.
Small room for compromise between oil palm cultivation and primate conservation in Africa
Authors: Strona Giovanni , Stringer Simon D. , Vieilledent Ghislain , Szantoi Zoltan , Garcia-Ulloa John , A. Wich Serge
Published: August 2018

Significance

Although oil palm cultivation represents an important source of income for many tropical countries, its future expansion is a primary threat to tropical forests and biodiversity. In this context, and especially in regions where industrial palm oil production is still emerging, identifying “areas of compromise,” that is, areas with high productivity and low biodiversity importance, could be a unique opportunity to reconcile conservation and economic growth. We applied this approach to Africa, by combining data on oil palm suitability with primate distribution, diversity, and vulnerability. We found that such areas of compromise are very rare throughout the continent (0.13 Mha), and that large-scale expansion of oil palm cultivation in Africa will have unavoidable, negative effects on primates.
International approaches to developing healthy eating patterns for national dietary guidelines
Authors: Davis Karelyn A , Esslinger Krista , Elvidge Munene Lisa-Anne , St-Pierre Sylvie
Published: August 2018

As part of the revision of the 2007 Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, a literature scan on statistical modeling approaches used in developing healthy eating patterns for national food guides was conducted. The scan included relevant literature and online searches, primarily since the 2007 Canada’s Food Guide was released. Eight countries were identified as utilizing a statistical model or analysis to help inform their healthy eating pattern, defined as the amounts and types of food recommended, with many common characteristics noted. Detail on international modeling approaches is presented, highlighting similarities and differences as well as strengths and challenges.
SHP2 protects endothelial cell barrier through suppressing VE‐cadherin internalization regulated by MET‐ARF1
Authors: Zhang Jie , Huang Jiaqi , Qi Tongyun , Huang Yizhou , Lu Yuting , Zhan Tianwei , Gong Hui , Zhu Zhengyi , Shi Yueli , Zhou Jianhong , Yu Luyang , Zhang Xue , Cheng Hongqiang , Ke Yuehai
Published: August 2018

Vascular endothelial (VE)–cadherin junctional localization is known to play a central role in vascular development, endothelial barrier integrity, and homeostasis. The sarcoma homology domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)2 has been shown to be involved in regulating endothelial barrier function; however, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this work SHP2 knockdown in an HUVEC monolayer increased VE‐cadherin internalization and endothelial barrier permeability. Loss of SHP2 specifically augmented the GTPase activity of ADP‐ribosylation factor (ARF)‐1. ARF1 knockdown or inhibition of its guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) markedly attenuated VE‐cadherin internalization and barrier hyperpermeability induced by SHP2 deficiency. SHP2 knockdown increased the total and phosphorylated levels of MET, whose activity was necessary for ARF1 activation and VE‐cadherin internalization. Furthermore, constitutive endothelium‐specific deletion of Shp2 in mice led to disrupted endothelial cell junctions, massive hemorrhage, and lethality in embryos. Induced and endothelium‐specific deletion of Shp2 in adult mice resulted in lung hyperpermeability. Inhibitors for ARF1–GEF or MET used in pregnant mice prevented the vascular leakage in endothelial Shp2‐deleted embryos. Together, our findings define a novel role of SHP2 in stabilizing junctional VE‐cadherin in the resting endothelial barrier through suppressing MET and ARF1 activation.—Zhang, J., Huang, J., Qi, T., Huang, Y., Lu, Y., Zhan, T., Gong, H., Zhu, Z., Shi, Y., Zhou, J., Yu, L., Zhang, X., Cheng, H., Ke, Y. SHP2 protects endothelial cell barrier through suppressing VE‐cadherin internalization regulated by MET‐ARF1. FASEB J. 33, 1124–1137 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Microbial Diversity in a Military Impacted Lagoon (Vieques, Puerto Rico) as Revealed by Metagenomics
Authors: Dávila-Santiago Lizbeth , DeLeón-Rodriguez Natasha , LaSanta-Pagán Katia , Hatt Janet K. , Kurt Zohre , Massol-Deyá Arturo , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T.
Published: August 2018

The Anones Lagoon, located in the island municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico (PR), received extensive bombing during military practices by the US Navy for decades. After military activities ceased in 2003, the bombing range was designated as part of a larger Superfund site by US EPA. Here, we employed shotgun metagenomic sequencing to investigate how microbial communities responded to pollution by heavy metals and explosives at this lagoon. Sediment samples (0-5 cm) from Anones were collected in 2005 and 2014 and compared to samples from two reference lagoons, i.e., Guaniquilla, Cabo Rojo (a natural reserve) and Condado, San Juan (PR’s capital city). Consistent with selection under low anthropogenic impacts, Guaniquilla exhibited the highest degree of diversity with lower frequency of genes related to xenobiotics metabolism among the three lagoons. Notably, a clear shift was observed in Anones, withEuryarchaeotabecoming enriched (9% of total) and a concomitant increase in community diversity, by about one order of magnitude, after almost 10 years without bombing activities. In contrast, genes associated with explosives biodegradation and heavy metal transformation significantly decreased in abundance in Anones 2014 (by 91.5%). Five unique population genomes were recovered from the Anones 2005 sample that encoded genetic determinants implicated in biodegradation of contaminants. Collectively, these results provided new insights into the natural attenuation of explosive contaminants by the benthic microbial communities of the Anones lagoon and could serve as reference points to enhance bioremediation actions at this site and for assessing other similarly impacted sites.

Importance

This study represents the first assessment of the benthic microbial community in the Anones Lagoon in Vieques, Puerto Rico after the impact of intense pollution by bombs and unconventional weapons during military training exercises. Evaluating the microbial diversity of Anones, represents an opportunity to assess the microbial succession patterns during the active process of natural attenuation of pollutants. The culture-independent techniques employed to study these environmental samples allowed the recovery of almost complete genomes of several abundant species that were likely involved in the biodegradation of pollutants and thus, represented species responding to the strong selection pressure posed by military activities. Further, our results showed that natural attenuation has proceeded to a great extend ten years after the cease of military activities.
Magic-BLAST, an accurate DNA and RNA-seq aligner for long and short reads
Authors: Boratyn Grzegorz M , Thierry-Mieg Jean , Thierry-Mieg Danielle , Busby Ben , Madden Thomas L
Published: August 2018

Next-generation sequencing technologies can produce tens of millions of reads, often paired-end, from transcripts or genomes. But few programs can align RNA on the genome and accurately discover introns, especially with long reads. We introduce Magic-BLAST, a new aligner based on ideas from the Magic pipeline. It uses innovative techniques that include the optimization of a spliced alignment score and selective masking during seed selection. We evaluate the performance of Magic-BLAST to accurately map short or long sequences and its ability to discover introns on real RNA-seq data sets from PacBio, Roche and Illumina runs, and on six benchmarks, and compare it to other popular aligners. Additionally, we look at alignments of human idealized RefSeq mRNA sequences perfectly matching the genome. We show that Magic-BLAST is the best at intron discovery over a wide range of conditions and the best at mapping reads longer than 250 bases, from any platform. It is versatile and robust to high levels of mismatches or extreme base composition, and reasonably fast. It can align reads to a BLAST database or a FASTA file. It can accept a FASTQ file as input or automatically retrieve an accession from the SRA repository at the NCBI.
TranslucentID: Detecting Individuals with High Confidence in Saturated DNA SNP Mixtures
Authors: Ricke Darrell O. , Watkins James , Fremont-Smith Philip , Boettcher Tara , Schwoebel Eric
Published: August 2018

High throughput sequencing (HTS) of complex DNA mixtures with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) panels can identify multiple individuals in forensic DNA mixture samples. SNP mixture analysis relies upon the exclusion of non-contributing individuals with the subset of SNP loci with no detected minor alleles in the mixture. Few, if any, individuals are anticipated to be detectable in saturated mixtures by this mixture analysis approach because of the increased probability of matching random individuals. Being able to identify a subset of the contributors in saturated HTS SNP mixtures is valuable for forensic investigations. A desaturated mixture can be created by treating a set of SNPs with the lowest minor allele ratios as having no minor alleles. Leveraging differences in DNA contributor concentrations in saturated mixtures, we introduce TranslucentID for the identification of a subset of individuals with high confidence who contributed DNA to saturated mixtures by desaturating the mixtures.
Complex genetic and epigenetic regulation deviates gene expression from a unifying global transcriptional program
Authors: Chagoyen Mónica , Poyatos Juan F
Published: August 2018

Environmental or genetic perturbations lead to gene expression changes. While most analyses of these changes emphasize the presence of qualitative differences on just a few genes, we now know that changes are widespread. This large-scale variation has been linked to the exclusive influence of a global transcriptional program determined by the new physiological state of the cell. However, given the sophistication of eukaryotic regulation, we expect to have a complex architecture of specific control affecting this program. Here, we examine this architecture. Using data of Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression in different nutrient conditions, we first propose a five-sector genome partition, which integrates earlier models of resource allocation, as a framework to examine the deviations from the global control. In this scheme, we recognize invariant genes, whose regulation is dominated by physiology, specific genes, which substantially depart from it, and two additional classes that contain the frequently assumed growth-dependent genes. Whereas the invariant class shows a considerable absence of specific regulation, the rest is enriched by regulation at the level of transcription factors (TFs) and epigenetic modulators. We nevertheless find markedly different strategies in how these classes deviate. On the one hand, there are TFs that act in a unique way between partition constituents, and on the other, the action of chromatin modifiers is significantly diverse. The balance between regulatory strategies ultimately modulates the action of the general transcription machinery and therefore limits the possibility of establishing a unifying program of expression change at a genomic scale.
Chemical characterization, biological assessment and molecular docking studies of essential oil ofOcimum viridefor potential antimicrobial and anticancer activities
Authors: Bhagat Madhulika , Sangral Monica , Arya Khushboo , Rather Rafiq A.
Published: August 2018

Ocimum viride(family: Lamiaceae) is a medicinally important aromatic plant that grows widely in north western Himalayan range of Indian subcontinent. Essentials oils (EOs) and purified aromatic compounds derived from plants of genusOcimumhave long been used in traditional system of medicine to treat various chronic disorders. In this study we made an attempt to assess the chemical composition of essential oil (EO) obtained fromOcimum viridefor potential antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis revealed that EOs of aerial parts (leaves) ofOcimum viridecontain high amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes, thymol and gamma terpinene. Notably, thymol (~50%) and γ-terpinene (~18%) were identified as the most abundant components of the oil. EOs showed most prominent antibacterial effect againstBacillus subtilisandin silicomolecular docking analyses of antibacterial action against bacterial cell wall ofBacillus subtilisshowed interaction of thymol with Sec A protein ofBacillus subtilis(binding energy of-15 kcal/mol) with active site Lys284, Trp275, Leu269, Arg19, Glu277, pro270. While,in vitrocytotoxic effect of EO against six human cancer cell lines showed maximum effect with IC50value of ~0.034 ± 0.001μL/ mL against HT-29 colon cancer cell line. DNA fragmentation analysis and cell cycle analysis revealed that EO inhibits the growth of HT-29 colon cancer cells probably through induction of unrepairable DNA damage and subsequent cell death. Taken together, our results indicate that EO possesses potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties, and may find applications in bacterial growth inhibition and cancer therapeutics.
Spatial dynamics within and between brain functional domains: A hierarchical approach to study time-varying brain function
Authors: Iraji A. , Fu Z. , Damaraju E. , DeRamus T.P. , Lewis N. , Bustillo J.R. , Lenroot R.K. , Belger A. , Ford J.M. , McEwen S. , Mathalon D.H. , Mueller B.A. , Pearlson G.D. , Potkin S.G. , Preda A. , Turner J.A. , Vaidya J.G. , van Erp T.G.M. , Calhoun V.D.
Published: August 2018

The analysis of time-varying activity and connectivity patterns (i.e., the chronnectome) using resting-state magnetic resonance imaging has become an important part of ongoing neuroscience discussions. The majority of previous work has focused on variations of temporal coupling among fixed spatial nodes or transition of the dominant activity/connectivity pattern over time. Here, we introduce an approach to capture spatial dynamics within functional domains (FD), as well as temporal dynamics within and between FD. The approach models the brain as a hierarchical functional architecture with different levels of granularity, where lower levels have higher functional homogeneity and less dynamic behavior and higher levels have less homogeneity and more dynamic behavior. First, a high-order spatial independent component analysis is used to approximate functional units. A functional unit is a pattern of regions with very similar functional activity over time. Next, functional units are used to construct FDs. Finally, functional modules (FMs) are calculated from FDs, providing an overall view of brain dynamics. Results highlight the spatial fluidity within FDs, including a broad spectrum of changes in regional associations from strong coupling to complete decoupling. Moreover, FMs capture the dynamic interplay between FDs. Patients with schizophrenia show transient reductions in functional activity and state connectivity across several FDs, particularly the subcortical domain. Activity and connectivity differences convey unique information in many cases (e.g. the default mode) highlighting their complementarity information. The proposed hierarchical model to capture FD spatiotemporal variation provides new insight into the macroscale chronnectome and identifies changes hidden from existing approaches.
Multiple interfacial hydration of dihydro-sphingomyelin bilayer reported by the Laurdan fluorescence
Authors: Watanabe (N. W.) N. , Goto (Y. G) Y. , Suga (K. S.) K. , Nyholm (T. N.) T. , Slotte (J. P. S.) J. P. , Umakoshi (H. U.) H.
Published: August 2018

The hydration properties of the lipid bilayer interface are important for determining membrane characteristics. The hydration properties of different lipid bilayer species were evaluated using the solvent sensitive fluorescence probe, 6-lauroyl-2-dimethylamino naphthalene (Laurdan). Sphingolipids, D-erythro-N-palmitoyl-sphingosylphosphorylcholine (PSM) and D-erythro-N-palmitoyl-dihydrosphingomyelin (DHPSM) showed specific, interfacial hydration properties stemming from their intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. As control, the bilayers of glycerophospholipids, such as 1-palmitoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1-oleoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), were also evaluated. The fluorescence properties of Laurdan in sphingolipids indicated multiple excited states according to the results obtained from the emission spectra, fluorescence anisotropy, and the center of mass spectra during the decay time. Deconvolution of the Laurdan emission spectra into four components enabled us to identify the variety of hydration and the configurational states derived from intermolecular hydrogen bonding in sphingolipids. Particularly, the Laurdan in DHPSM revealed more hydrated properties compared to the case in PSM, even though DHPSM has a higher Tm than PSM. Since DHPSM forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules (in 2NH configurational functional groups) and the different flexibility among the head groups compared with PSM, which could modulate space to retain a high amount of water molecules. The careful analysis of Laurdan such as the deconvolution of emission spectra into four components performed in this study gives the important view for understanding the membrane hydration property.
Thermal stability of the layered modification of Cu0.5ZrTe2 in the temperature range 25–900 °C
Authors: Shkvarina E. G. , Titov A. A. , Shkvarin A. S. , Plaisier J. R. , Gigli L. , Titov A. N.
Published: August 2018

The thermal stability of the layered modification of the Cu0.5ZrTe2 polycrystalline intercalation compound, synthesized at room temperature, has been studied in the temperature range 25–900 °C. A change in the occupation of the octahedral and tetrahedral coordinated sites in the interlayer space of the zirconium ditelluride was observed using in-situ time-resolved synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction experiments. The formation of the rhombohedral CuZr2Te4 phase, which is stable in the temperature range 300–700 °C, has been observed. The copper intercalation at room temperature leads to the formation of a phase in which the Cu atoms occupy only octahedral sites in the interlayer space. At temperatures above the decay temperature of the rhombohedral CuZr2Te4, a layered phase with Cu atoms uniformly distributed between octahedral and tetrahedral sites in the interlayer space is stable. The changes in the crystal structure independent of temperature are in agreement with the previously proposed model, according to which the stability of the layered or the rhombohedral phase is determined by the entropy factor associated with the distribution of the intercalated atoms between the octahedral and tetrahedral sites in the interlayer space.
Optimal wingtip device design for transport airplane
Authors: de Mattos Bento Silva , Komatsu Paulo Jiniche , Tomita Jesuíno Takachi
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The present work aims to analyze the feasibility of wingtip device incorporation into transport airplane configurations considering many aspects such as performance, cost and environmental impact. A design framework encompassing optimization for wing-body configurations with and without winglets is described and application examples are presented and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

modeFrontier, an object-oriented optimization design framework, was used to perform optimization tasks of configurations with wingtip devices. A full potential code with viscous effects correction was used to calculate the aerodynamic characteristics of the fuselage–wing–winglet configuration. MATLAB® was also used to perform some computations and was easily integrated into the modeFrontier frameworks. CFD analyses of transport airplanes configurations were also performed with Fluent and CFD++ codes.

Findings

Winglet provides considerable aerodynamic benefits regarding similar wings without winglets. Drag coefficient reduction in the order of 15 drag counts was achieved in the cruise condition. Winglet also provides a small boost in the clean-wing maximum lift coefficient. In addition, less fuel burn means fewer emissions and contributes toward preserving the environment.

Practical implications

More efficient transport airplanes, presenting considerable lower fuel burn.

Social implications

Among other contributions, wingtip devices reduce fuel burn, engine emissions and contribute to a longer engine lifespan, reducing direct operating costs. This way, they are in tune with a greener world.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable wind-tunnel data of several winglet configurations, an impact of the incorporation of winglets on airplane design diagram and a direct comparison of two optimizations, one performed with winglets in the configuration and the other without winglets. These simulations showed that their Pareto fronts are clearly apart from each other, with the one from the configuration with winglets placed well above the other without winglets. The present simulations indicate that there are always aerodynamic benefits present regardless the skeptical statements of some engineers. that a well-designed wing does not need any winglet.
Informal payments for health care in Iran
Authors: Meskarpour Amiri Mohammad , Assari Abbas , Bahadori Mohammadkarim , Ravangard Ramin , Hosseini-Shokouh Sayyed Morteza
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Reducing informal payments (IPs) for health services has always been a top priority for health policymakers all over the world. As the newest attempts to reduce IPs, Iran’s Government applied a set of reforms in the health care system in 2014 called “Health Sector Evolution Plan” (HSEP). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence and nature of IPs one year after implementing this plan.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was a nationwide survey on Iran's health sector informal payments carried out in 2016. To do this, a sample of 1,112 Iranain households was selected from all over the country using a multistage cluster-stratified sampling method. The prevalence and nature of IPs were determined through conducting face-to-face interviews using a standard questionnaire.

Findings

One year after implementing the HSEP, about 27.7 percent of sampled Iranians had at least one experience of IPs for health services. The prevalences of compulsory and voluntary IPs were 21.4 and 11.5 percent, respectively. IPs were reported by 26.1 and 12.5 percent in the inpatient and outpatient services, respectively.

Originality/value

According to the results, compulsory IPs are still prevalent in both the outpatient and inpatient services of Iran’s health system and it seems that the HSEP has not been completely successful in achieving the goal of eradicating IPs. It can be said that the HSEP has been the first step toward eradicating IPs in Iran and should not be the last one. The study provides useful results of the prevalence and nature of IPs after implementing the HSEP, which should be considered in designing the next steps.
The effect of soft skills on French post-secondary graduates’ earnings
Authors: Albandea Ines , Giret Jean-François
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct soft-skill indicators and measure their effects on graduates’ earnings using survey data from a sample of master’s degree graduates in France.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a quantile analysis to measure the effects of soft skills on income.

Findings

Certain soft skills explain a proportion of the earnings of recent master’s graduates. In particular, they influence the highest salaries and are important for the most highly skilled jobs.

Research limitations/implications

Most of these soft skills are measured using declarative responses and may result from the feeling of having skills rather than actually possessing the skill. Moreover, this paper only looks at graduates who are employed, and a deficit in soft skills may be more penalising for job seekers.

Social implications

While some young people take advantage of soft skills early and benefit from them in the labour market, it is likely that it is even more important for those less endowed with these skills to further develop them before entering the labour market.

Originality/value

This research illustrates the heterogeneous nature of the skills that young post-secondary graduates acquire. French diplomas do not seem to homogenise all of the skills that young people develop through their academic and professional experiences.
Citizen engagement in South Africa: the case Prince Albert
Authors: Siebers Vinitha
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain insight in how South African local governments organize citizen engagement. The new South African constitution provides ways to construct and implement citizen engagement at local level. However, understanding citizen engagement at local level is still a challenge and municipalities search for proper structures and mechanisms to organize citizen engagement efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with different municipal actors were analyzed using a single case study method. As a primary unit of analysis, a specific project in which citizen engagement is organized was used. In addition, document analysis and a focus group were used to deepen understanding.

Findings

The findings reveal that citizen engagement is a viable strategy to identify the needs of the community if facilitated by a third party and that learning leadership is important when organizing citizen engagement.

Originality/value

The value of this research is the exploration of the citizen engagement process. It sheds light on the conditions that play a role when a local government organizes citizen engagement. As local governments search for ways to effectively organize and structure citizen engagement, insight into these conditions is helpful.
Experimental comparison between the Stribeck curves of water lubricated rubber bearing with straight and spiral grooves
Authors: Zhou Guangwu , Mi Xiongwei , Wang Jiaxu , Hu Rukang
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The research purpose of this paper is to obtain a transition process of lubrication condition of water-lubricated rubber bearing (WLRB) by investigating Stribeck curve of WLRB with either straight grooves or spiral grooves using a comparison experiment and providing guidance for structure optimization and application extension of WLRB.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested the Stribeck curve of WLRB with either straight or spiral grooves using a comparison experiment; the variables used are rotary speed and external load.

Findings

Stribeck curves of WLRB with straight or spiral grooves under varied load are obtained with the experiments, and the speed turning points when the lubrication condition of WLRB transit are acquired. Research results indicate that the transition of the speed turning point for lubrication condition of WLRB with spiral grooves is smaller than that of WLRB with straight grooves. Besides, it was found that within the whole speed range, the friction coefficient of WLRB with straight grooves decreases with the increase in load under the same speed. However, Stribeck curves of WLRB with spiral grooves show that the coefficient increases first and then decreases with the increase in load and finally comes to a steady value. Under the same rotary speed and external load, the friction coefficient of WLRB with spiral grooves is smaller than that of WLRB with straight grooves, claiming that the WLRB with spiral grooves has better lubrication properties.

Originality/value

By testing the Stribeck curve of WLRB with straight grooves or spiral grooves using the comparison experiment, lubrication properties of the WLRB are obtained. The transition mechanism of the lubrication condition for WLRB is acquired, revealing the effects of speed and load on the lubrication property. The research offers a scientific basis for the structure optimization of WLRB.
Collaborative leadership in public library service development
Authors: Wilson Kerry
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss findings from the formative evaluation of a national public library development initiative in England, with a focus on the practice and impact of collaborative leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

A realistic evaluation approach was used in the study, enabling a nuanced assessment of the initiative’s contexts, mechanisms and outcomes in relation to its core objectives. These included testing innovative, partnership approaches to library service delivery, encouraging greater synergy between libraries and the arts and other public and commercial sectors. Evaluation findings are subsequently contextualised using a conceptual framework drawn from critical management studies on collaborative advantage.

Findings

Data show that the initiative was an effective catalyst for enhanced collaborative leadership in the public library sector, including the development of a cross-sector community of practice, with evidence of collective ownership and decision making. The relative collaborative advantages of the initiative are underpinned by evidence on the unique value of public library services to collaborating organisations and sectors.

Practical implications

Outcomes are of relevance to a range of public services and governing bodies with reference to shared strategic objectives with other sectors and services and collaborative leadership learning and practice.

Social implications

There are implications relating to the public value of library services and how this can potentially be enhanced via collaborative leadership approaches to service design and delivery. This is especially pertinent given current cross-government policy drivers towards integrated public services.

Originality/value

The research makes an original contribution to contemporary debates on cultural value in considering the cross-sector role and impact of collaborative leadership.
Absorption enhancement in a-Si thin-film solar cells based on silver nanopillar arrays
Authors: Qu Boyang , Zhang Peng , Luo Jianmin , Yang Shie , Chen Yongsheng
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a light-trapping structure based on Ag nanograting for amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin-film solar cell. Silver nanopillar arrays on indium tin oxide layer of the a-Si thin-film solar cells were designed.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of the geometrical parameters such as nanopillar radius (R) and array period (P) were investigated by using the finite element simulation.

Findings

The optimization results show that the absorption of the solar cell with Ag nanopillar structure and anti-reflection film is enhanced up to 29.5 per cent under AM1.5 illumination in the 300- to 800-nm wavelength range compared with the reference cell. Furthermore, physical mechanisms of absorption enhancement at different wavelength range are discussed according to the electrical field amplitude distributions in the solar cells.

Research limitations/implications

The research is still in progress. Further studies mainly focus on the performance of solar cells with different nanograting materials.

Practical implications

This study provides a feasible method for light-trapping structure based on Ag nanograting for a-Si thin-film solar cell.

Originality/value

This study is promising for the design of a-Si thin-film solar cells with enhanced performance.