bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symmetry between repulsive and attractive interactions in driven-dissipative Bose-Hubbard systems
Authors: Gangat Adil A. , McCulloch Ian P. , Kao Ying-Jer
Published: February 2018

The driven-dissipative Bose-Hubbard model can be experimentally realized with either negative or positive onsite detunings, inter-site hopping energies, and onsite interaction energies. Here we use one-dimensional matrix product density operators to perform a fully quantum investigation of the dependence of the non-equilibrium steady states of this model on the signs of these parameters. Due to a symmetry in the Lindblad master equation, we find that simultaneously changing the sign of the interaction energies, hopping energies, and chemical potentials leaves the local boson number distribution and inter-site number correlations invariant, and the steady-state complex conjugated. This shows that all driven-dissipative phenomena of interacting bosons described by the Lindblad master equation, such as “fermionization” and “superbunching”, can equivalently occur with attractive or repulsive interactions.
Spatial Organization of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Urban Canada Geese
Authors: Drovetski Sergei V. , O’Mahoney Michael , Ransome Emma J. , Matterson Kenan O. , Lim Haw Chuan , Chesser R. Terry , Graves Gary R.
Published: February 2018

Recent reviews identified the reliance on fecal or cloacal samples as a significant limitation hindering our understanding of the avian gastrointestinal (gut) microbiota and its function. We investigated the microbiota of the esophagus, duodenum, cecum, and colon of a wild urban population of Canada goose (Branta canadensis). From a population sample of 30 individuals, we sequenced the V4 region of the 16S SSU rRNA on an Illumina MiSeq and obtained 8,628,751 sequences with a median of 76,529 per sample. These sequences were assigned to 420 bacterial OTUs and a single archaeon. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes accounted for 90% of all sequences. Microbiotas from the four gut regions differed significantly in their richness, composition, and variability among individuals. Microbial communities of the esophagus were the most distinctive whereas those of the colon were the least distinctive, reflecting the physical downstream mixing of regional microbiotas. The downstream mixing of regional microbiotas was also responsible for the majority of observed co-occurrence patterns among microbial families. Our results indicate that fecal and cloacal samples inadequately represent the complex patterns of richness, composition, and variability of the gut microbiota and obscure patterns of co-occurrence of microbial lineages.
Differential modulation of the auditory steady state response and inhibitory gating by chloral hydrate anesthesia
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Ma Lanlan , Wang Xuejiao , Qin Ling
Published: February 2018

Auditory steady state response (ASSR) and inhibitory gating (IG) are electrophysiological examinations commonly used to evaluate the sensory and cognitive functions of the brain. In some clinic examinations and animal experiments, general anesthesia is necessary to conduct electrophysiological recordings. However, the effects of anesthesia on ASSR and IG remain unclear. For this reason, we recorded local field potentials though electrodes implanted in different brain areas of rats: the auditory cortex (AC), hippocampus (HC), amygdala (AMY), and prefrontal cortex (PFC), and compared the characteristics of ASSR and IG under anesthetized and conscious conditions. We found that ASSR signals were the strongest in the AC, and decreased sequentially in the HP, AMY, and PFC. Chloral hydrate anesthesia significantly reduced the power and phase-locking of ASSR in the AC, HP, and AMY. In contrast, the extent of IG in the AC was weakest and it increased sequentially in the HP, AMY, and PFC. Anesthesia had less effect on the extent of IG. Our results suggest that ASSR and IG may originate from different neural circuits and that IG is more resistant to general anesthesia and therefore better suited to examining the functioning of non-auditory brain regions.
Multi-objective Optimization for Materials Discovery via Adaptive Design
Authors: Gopakumar Abhijith M. , Balachandran Prasanna V. , Xue Dezhen , Gubernatis James E. , Lookman Turab
Published: February 2018

Guiding experiments to find materials with targeted properties is a crucial aspect of materials discovery and design, and typically multiple properties, which often compete, are involved. In the case of two properties, new compounds are sought that will provide improvement to existing data points lying on the Pareto front (PF) in as few experiments or calculations as possible. Here we address this problem by using the concept and methods of optimal learning to determine their suitability and performance on three materials data sets; an experimental data set of over 100 shape memory alloys, a data set of 223 M2AX phases obtained from density functional theory calculations, and a computational data set of 704 piezoelectric compounds. We show that the Maximin and Centroid design strategies, based on value of information criteria, are more efficient in determining points on the PF from the data than random selection, pure exploitation of the surrogate model prediction or pure exploration by maximum uncertainty from the learning model. Although the datasets varied in size and source, the Maximin algorithm showed superior performance across all the data sets, particularly when the accuracy of the machine learning model fits were not high, emphasizing that the design appears to be quite forgiving of relatively poor surrogate models.
The lattice of trumping majorization for 4D probability vectors and 2D catalysts
Authors: Bosyk Gustavo M. , Freytes Hector , Bellomo Guido , Sergioli Giuseppe
Published: February 2018

The transformation of an initial bipartite pure state into a target one by means of local operations and classical communication and entangled-assisted by a catalyst defines a partial order between probability vectors. This partial order, so-called trumping majorization, is based on tensor products and the majorization relation. Here, we aim to study order properties of trumping majorization. We show that the trumping majorization partial order is indeed a lattice for four dimensional probability vectors and two dimensional catalysts. In addition, we show that the subadditivity and supermodularity of the Shannon entropy on the majorization lattice are inherited by the trumping majorization lattice. Finally, we provide a suitable definition of distance for four dimensional probability vectors.
Allergic tendencies are associated with larger gray matter volumes
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Taki Yasuyuki , Nouchi Rui , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Kotozaki Yuka , Nakagawa Seishu , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Iizuka Kunio , Yamamoto Yuki , Hanawa Sugiko , Araki Tsuyoshi , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Sakaki Kohei , Nozawa Takayuki , Ikeda Shigeyuki , Yokota Susumu , Daniele Magistro , Sassa Yuko , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: February 2018

Allergic tendencies are associated with important cognitive and physiological factors, such as intelligence and mathematical abilities. Allergies are widely prevalent, especially in modern life, and the reason for its association with important cognitive variables is an intriguing scientific question. However, despite the unique characteristics of cognitive correlates of allergy, the anatomical correlates of allergy remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the associations between regional gray matter volume (rGMV) and allergic tendencies in young adults. In a study cohort of 1,219 healthy, educated young adults, we identified a positive correlation between total allergic tendency and rGMV in large anatomical clusters that mainly encompassed the dorsal part of the cerebral neocortex, right anterior insula, and cerebellum. Furthermore,both mean rGMV of the entire part of these clusters and total allergenic tendency showed a significant positive correlation with spatial ability. These results suggest the link among allergic tendencies, larger rGMV, and the better spatial ability in healthy, educated young adults.
Internal Motion Estimation by Internal-external Motion Modeling for Lung Cancer Radiotherapy
Authors: Chen Haibin , Zhong Zichun , Yang Yiwei , Chen Jiawei , Zhou Linghong , Zhen Xin , Gu Xuejun
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study is to develop an internal-external correlation model for internal motion estimation for lung cancer radiotherapy. Deformation vector fields that characterize the internal-external motion are obtained by respectively registering the internal organ meshes and external surface meshes from the 4DCT images via a recently developed local topology preserved non-rigid point matching algorithm. A composite matrix is constructed by combing the estimated internal phasic DVFs with external phasic and directional DVFs. Principle component analysis is then applied to the composite matrix to extract principal motion characteristics, and generate model parameters to correlate the internal-external motion. The proposed model is evaluated on a 4D NURBS-based cardiac-torso (NCAT) synthetic phantom and 4DCT images from five lung cancer patients. For tumor tracking, the center of mass errors of the tracked tumor are 0.8(±0.5)mm/0.8(±0.4)mm for synthetic data, and 1.3(±1.0)mm/1.2(±1.2)mm for patient data in the intra-fraction/inter-fraction tracking, respectively. For lung tracking, the percent errors of the tracked contours are 0.06(±0.02)/0.07(±0.03) for synthetic data, and 0.06(±0.02)/0.06(±0.02) for patient data in the intra-fraction/inter-fraction tracking, respectively. The extensive validations have demonstrated the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed model in motion tracking for both the tumor and the lung in lung cancer radiotherapy.
In vitro Evaluation of Porous borosilicate, borophosphate and phosphate Bioactive Glasses Scaffolds fabricated using Foaming Agent for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Erasmus E. P. , Sule R. , Johnson O. T. , Massera J. , Sigalas I.
Published: February 2018

In this work, glasses within the borosilicate borophosphate and phosphate family were sintered into 3D porous scaffolds using 60 and 70 vol. % NH4(HCO3) as a foaming agent. All scaffolds produced remained amorphous; apart from one third of the glasses which crystallized. All produced scaffolds had porosity >50% and interconnected pores in the range of 250–570 µm; as evidenced by µCT. The in-vitro dissolution of the scaffolds in SBF and changes in compression were assessed as a function of immersion time. The pH of the solution containing the borosilicate scaffolds increased due to the typical non-congruent dissolution of this glass family. Borophosphate and phosphate scaffolds induced a decrease in pH upon dissolution attributed to the congruent dissolution of those materials and the large release of phosphate within the media. As prepared, scaffolds showed compressive strength of 1.29 ± 0.21, 1.56 ± 0.63, 3.63 ± 0.69 MPa for the borosilicate, borophosphate and phosphate samples sintered with 60 vol. % NH4 (HCO3), respectively. Evidence of hydroxyapatite precipitation on the borosilicate glass scaffolds was shown by SEM/EDS, XRD and ICP-OES analysis. The borophosphate scaffolds remained stable upon dissolution. The phosphate scaffolds were fully crystallized, leading to very large release of phosphate in the media.
Rearrangement of Actin Microfilaments in the Development of Olfactory Receptor Cells in Fish
Authors: Klimenkov Igor V. , Sudakov Nikolay P. , Pastukhov Mikhail V. , Svinov Mikhail M. , Kositsyn Nikolay S.
Published: February 2018

At present, it remains poorly understood how the olfactory neuron migrates through the thick neuroepithelium during its maturation from a stem cell and how it develops a specific sensitivity to environmental odorants after maturation. We investigated the cytochemical features associated with the development of olfactory cells before and after the incorporation of dendrites into the surface of the olfactory epithelium. Using cytochemical staining for the actin cytoskeleton and other cell components, we found that immature neurons acquire a streamlined shape that resembles a «hot-dog» during their migration: a dense layer of actin microfilaments forms beneath the surface membrane of the growing dendrite, and the bulk of the nuclear material moves inside this layer. We have found that when the cell makes contact with its environment, the dendritic terminal develops a wide actin layer, inside which a pore is formed. It is assumed that the functional receptors of odorants generate across this pore the first intracellular signal from environmental water-soluble odorants. These data illustrate the important role of the cytoskeleton in the differentiation of olfactory cells.
Antibodies to a strain-specific citrullinated Epstein-Barr virus peptide diagnoses rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Trier Nicole Hartwig , Holm Bettina Eide , Heiden Julie , Slot Ole , Locht Henning , Lindegaard Hanne , Svendsen Anders , Nielsen Christoffer Tandrup , Jacobsen Søren , Theander Elke , Houen Gunnar
Published: February 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease. Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) are crucial for the serological diagnosis of RA, where Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been suggested to be an environmental agent in triggering the onset of the disease. This study aimed to analyse antibody reactivity to citrullinated EBV nuclear antigen-2 (EBNA-2) peptides from three different EBV strains (B95-8, GD1 and AG876) using streptavidin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One peptide, only found in a single strain (AG876), obtained a sensitivity and specificity of 77% and 95%, respectively and showed high sequence similarity to the filaggrin peptide originally used for ACPA detection. Comparison of antibody reactivity to commercial assays found that the citrullinated peptide was as effective in detecting ACPA as highly sensitive and specific commercial assays. The data presented demonstrate that the citrullinated EBNA-2 peptide indeed is recognised specifically by RA sera and that the single peptide is able to compete with assays containing multiple peptides. Furthermore, it could be hypothesized that RA may be caused by (a) specific strain(s) of EBV.
mGluR5 antagonism inhibits cocaine reinforcement and relapse by elevation of extracellular glutamate in the nucleus accumbens via a CB1 receptor mechanism
Authors: Li Xia , Peng Xiao-Qing , Jordan Chloe J. , Li Jie , Bi Guo-Hua , He Yi , Yang Hong-Ju , Zhang Hai-Ying , Gardner Eliot L. , Xi Zheng-Xiong
Published: February 2018

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonism inhibits cocaine self-administration and reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this action are poorly understood. Here we report a presynaptic glutamate/cannabinoid mechanism that may underlie this action. Systemic or intra-nucleus accumbens (NAc) administration of the mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) dose-dependently reduced cocaine (and sucrose) self-administration and cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. The reduction in cocaine-taking and cocaine-seeking was associated with a reduction in cocaine-enhanced extracellular glutamate, but not cocaine-enhanced extracellular dopamine (DA) in the NAc. MPEP alone, when administered systemically or locally into the NAc, elevated extracellular glutamate, but not DA. Similarly, the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant, elevated NAc glutamate, not DA. mGluR5s were found mainly in striatal medium-spiny neurons, not in astrocytes, and MPEP-enhanced extracellular glutamate was blocked by a NAc CB1 receptor antagonist or N-type Ca++ channel blocker, suggesting that a retrograde endocannabinoid-signaling mechanism underlies MPEP-induced glutamate release. This interpretation was further supported by our findings that genetic deletion of CB1 receptors in CB1-knockout mice blocked both MPEP-enhanced extracellular glutamate and MPEP-induced reductions in cocaine self-administration. Together, these results indicate that the therapeutic anti-cocaine effects of mGluR5 antagonists are mediated by elevation of extracellular glutamate in the NAc via an endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor disinhibition mechanism.
Controlled Synthesis of ZrO2 Nanoparticles with Tailored Size, Morphology and Crystal Phases via Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Films
Authors: Bumajdad Ali , Nazeer Ahmed Abdel , Al Sagheer Fakhreia , Nahar Shamsun , Zaki Mohamed I.
Published: February 2018

In this investigation, well defined mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles (ZrO2NPs) with cubic, tetragonal or monoclinic pure phase were synthesized via thermal recovery (in air) from chitosan (CS)- or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-ZrOxhybrid films, prepared using sol–gel processing. This facile preparative method was found to lead to an almost quantitative recovery of the ZrOx content of the film in the form of ZrO2NPs. Impacts of the thermal recovery temperature (450, 800 and 1100 °C) and polymer type (natural bio-waste CS or synthetic PVA) used in fabricating the organic/inorganic hybrid films on bulk and surface characteristics of the recovered NPs were probed by means of X-ray diffractometry and photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR and Laser Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron and atomic force microscopy, and N2sorptiometry. Results obtained showed that the method applied facilates control over the size (6–30 nm) and shape (from loose cubes to agglomerates) of the recovered NPs and, hence, the bulk crystalline phase composition and the surface area (144–52 m2/g) and mesopore size (23–10 nm) and volume (0.31–0.11 cm3/g) of the resulting zirconias.
Galectin-1 enhances TNFα-induced inflammatory responses in Sertoli cells through activation of MAPK signalling
Authors: Lei Tao , Moos Sven , Klug Jörg , Aslani Ferial , Bhushan Sudhanshu , Wahle Eva , Fröhlich Suada , Meinhardt Andreas , Fijak Monika
Published: February 2018

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a pleiotropic lectin involved in the modulation of immune responses. Using a model of rat experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO), we investigated the role of Gal-1 in testicular inflammation. EAO is characterized by leukocytic infiltrates in the interstitium, damage of spermatogenesis and production of inflammatory mediators like TNFα and MCP1 causing infertility. In normal rat testis Gal-1 was mainly expressed in Sertoli cells and germ cells. In the inflamed testis, Gal-1 expression was significantly downregulated most likely due to germ cell loss. Analyses of lectin binding and expression of glucosaminyl- and sialyltransferases indicated that the glycan composition on the cell surface of Sertoli and peritubular cells becomes less favourable for Gal-1 binding under inflammatory conditions. In primary Sertoli cells Gal-1 expression was found to be upregulated after TNFα challenge. Pretreatment with Gal-1 synergistically and specifically enhanced TNFα-induced expression of MCP1, IL-1α, IL-6 and TNFα in Sertoli cells. Combined stimulation of Sertoli cells with Gal-1 and TNFα enhanced the phosphorylation of MAP kinases as compared to TNFα or Gal-1 alone. Taken together, our data show that Gal-1 modulates inflammatory responses in Sertoli cells by enhancing the pro-inflammatory activity of TNFα via stimulation of MAPK signalling.
Trial by trial dependencies in multisensory perception and their correlates in dynamic brain activity
Authors: Kayser Stephanie J. , Kayser Christoph
Published: February 2018

A well-known effect in multisensory perception is that congruent information received by different senses usually leads to faster and more accurate responses. Less well understood are trial-by-trial interactions, whereby the multisensory composition of stimuli experienced during previous trials shapes performance during a subsequent trial. We here exploit the analogy of multisensory paradigms with classical flanker tasks to investigate the neural correlates underlying trial-by-trial interactions of multisensory congruency. Studying an audio-visual motion task, we demonstrate that congruency benefits for accuracy and reaction times are reduced following an audio-visual incongruent compared to a congruent preceding trial. Using single trial analysis of motion-sensitive EEG components we then localize current-trial and serial interaction effects within distinct brain regions: while the multisensory congruency experienced during the current trial influences the encoding of task-relevant information in sensory-specific brain regions, the serial interaction arises from task-relevant processes within the inferior frontal lobe. These results highlight parallels between multisensory paradigms and classical flanker tasks and demonstrate a role of amodal association cortices in shaping perception based on the history of multisensory congruency.
Organocatalyzed chemoselective ring-opening polymerizations
Authors: Zhu Ning , Liu Yihuan , Liu Junhua , Ling Jun , Hu Xin , Huang Weijun , Feng Weiyang , Guo Kai
Published: February 2018

A novel metal-free and protecting-group-free synthesis method to prepare telechelic thiol-functionalized polyesters is developed by employing organocatalysis. A scope of Brønsted acids, including trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (1), HCl.Et2O (2), diphenyl phosphate (3), γ-resorcylic acid (4) and methanesulfonic acid (5), are evaluated to promote ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with unprotected 6-mercapto-1-hexanol as the multifunctional initiator. Among them, diphenyl phosphate (3) exhibits great chemoselectivity and efficiency, which allows for simply synthesis of thiol-terminated poly(ε-caprolactone) with near-quantitative thiol fidelity, full monomer conversion, controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity. Kinetic study confirms living/controlled nature of the organocatalyzed chemoselective polymerizations. Density functional theory calculation illustrates that the chemoselectivity of diphenyl phosphate (3) is attributed to the stronger bifunctional activation of monomer and initiator/chain-end as well as the lower energy in hydroxyl pathway than thiol one. Moreover, series of tailor-made telechelic thiol-terminated poly(δ-valerolactone) and block copolymers are efficiently generated under mild conditions.
Animal Feed Additives
Authors: Renshaw Derek W.
Published: February 2018

In this chapter, the European Union regulatory framework and procedures for ensuring the chemical safety of feed additives are described. Explanation is given of the role of European Union committees, including the FEEDAP Panel and its working groups, in evaluation of the safety of feed additives and writing guidance documents in relation to this. The evaluation of the safety of target animals, people handling the feed additives, consumers of foods derived from target animals given feed additives and of the environment are discussed, giving examples of where difficulties have been encountered. The concepts of reference points and health-based guidance values are introduced. The chapter notes some problems with the current methods of regulating feed additives and looks ahead to possible changes to the way in which the toxicity of feed additives will be evaluated in future.
Mismatch in cation size causes rapid anion dynamics in solid electrolytes: the role of the Arrhenius pre-factor
Authors: Breuer Stefan , Wilkening Martin
Published: February 2018

Mixed (Ba,Ca)F2 reveals highly correlated F anion diffusion in disordered potentials landscapes.
Apoptosis effects of imperatorin on synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis through mitochondrial/caspase-mediated pathways
Authors: Zhai Ke-feng , Duan Hong , Chen Yuan , Khan Ghulam Jilany , Cao Wen-gen , Gao Gui-zhen , Shan Ling-ling , Wei Zhao-jun
Published: February 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease associated with a potential imbalance between the growth and death of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs).
Peptide bond detection via graphene nanogaps: a proof of principle study
Authors: Rossini Aldo Eugenio , Gala Fabrizio , Chinappi Mauro , Zollo Giuseppe
Published: February 2018

Transverse tunneling current across the gap of a graphene nano-ribbon can be employed to detect single peptide bonds of a poly-peptide that translocates across the gap. Gly and Gly-Ala polypeptides show a clear fingerprint for each peptide bond.
Chemical synthesis of culmorin metabolites and their biologic role in culmorin and acetyl-culmorin treated wheat cells
Authors: Weber Julia , Vaclavikova Marta , Wiesenberger Gerlinde , Haider Maximilian , Hametner Christian , Fröhlich Johannes , Berthiller Franz , Adam Gerhard , Mikula Hannes , Fruhmann Philipp
Published: February 2018

An efficient procedure for the diastereo- and regioselective glucosylation of the mycotoxin culmorin (CUL) was developed. The synthesized glucosides and sulfates were used to investigate the CUL metabolism in wheat cells.
Primary aminomethyl derivatives of kaempferol: hydrogen bond-assisted synthesis, anticancer activity and spectral properties
Authors: Cai Shuanglian , Kong Yangyang , Xiao Dan , Chen Yun , Wang Qiuan
Published: February 2018

Primary aminomethyl derivatives of kaempferol with anticancer activity were synthesized by a combination strategy involving a hydrogen bond-assisted process.
Cyanotriphenylamine-based polyimidothioethers as multifunctional materials for ambipolar electrochromic and electrofluorochromic devices, and fluorescent electrospun fibers
Authors: Yen Hung-Ju , Chang Cha-Wen , Wong Hui Qi , Liou Guey-Sheng
Published: February 2018

New luminescent and electrochromic polyimidothioethers were synthesized and fabricated as ambipolar electrochromic and electrofluorochromic devices, and fluorescent electrospun fibers.
Anisotropic swelling wound dressings with vertically aligned water absorptive particles
Authors: Guo Yuanhao , Pan Shuyang , Jiang Fanhui , Wang Enmin , Miinea Liliana , Marchant Nancy , Cakmak Mukerrem
Published: February 2018

An anisotropic swelling multi-layer wound dressing with vertically orientated water absorptive particles induced by an electric-field.
Alginate-aker injectable composite hydrogels promoted irregular bone regeneration through stem cell recruitment and osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Zhang Xiangkai , Zhu Yanlun , Cao Lingyan , Wang Xiao , Zheng Ao , Chang Jiang , Wu Jiannan , Wen Jin , Jiang Xinquan , Li Haiyan , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: February 2018

With SAG usage, the hBMSC migration ability was stimulated through CXCR4 elevation while osteogenic differentiation was promotedviathe ERK signaling pathway.
Biodegradable macroporous scaffold with nano-crystal surface microstructure for highly effective osteogenesis and vascularization
Authors: Chu Linyang , Jiang Guoqiang , Hu Xi-Le , James Tony D. , He Xiao-Peng , Li Yaping , Tang Tingting
Published: February 2018

We report the construction of a biodegradable macroporous scaffold with a nano-crystal surface microstructure capable of releasing bioactive ions for highly effective osteogenesis and vascularization.
Singlet exciton fission in a linear tetracene tetramer
Authors: Liu Heyuan , Wang Zhiwei , Wang Xuemin , Shen Li , Zhang Chunfeng , Xiao Min , Li Xiyou
Published: February 2018

Efficient iSF was achieved within this tetracene tetramer with the triplet state quantum yield as high as 128% and a lifetime >100 μs in solution.
Powder microelectrode embedded with carboxyl multi-walled carbon nanotubes for sensitive and quantitative detection of nitrofuran residues
Authors: He Bao-Shan , Dong Xiao-Ze
Published: February 2018

In this study, a sensitive electrochemical detection method for nitrofurazone (NF) and semicarbazide (SC) based on a powder microelectrode embedded with carboxyl multi-walled carbon nanotubes was developed.
Taxol-modified collagen scaffold implantation promotes functional recovery after long-distance spinal cord complete transection in canines
Authors: Yin Wen , Li Xing , Zhao Yannan , Tan Jun , Wu Shuyu , Cao Yudong , Li Juan , Zhu Hecheng , Liu Weidong , Tang Guihua , Meng Li , Wang Lei , Zhu Bin , Wang Gousiyi , Zhong Meizuo , Liu Xingdong , Xie Dan , Chen Bing , Ren Caiping , Xiao Zhifeng , Jiang Xingjun , Dai Jianwu
Published: February 2018

LOCS + Taxol implantation, a promising treatment for acute spinal cord injury, promotes endogenous neurogenesis, axon regeneration and locomotion recovery.
The teleos of metallo-reduction and metallo-oxidation in eukaryotic iron and copper trafficking
Authors: Kosman Daniel J.
Published: February 2018

Eukaryotes employ a combination of metallo-reduction, metallo-oxidation and metallo-permeation to get iron where it needs to go without causing mischief.
Thickness-dependent and anisotropic thermal conductivity of black phosphorus nanosheets
Authors: Jeon Seong Gi , Shin Hosun , Jaung Yun Hwan , Ahn Jinho , Song Jae Yong
Published: February 2018

Thickness effects on thermal conductivities of black phosphorus nanosheets, which are anisotropic in the zigzag and armchair planar directions, are experimentally and theoretically investigated in the thickness range of 13 to 48 nm.
Synthesis and characterisation of alkyd resins with glutamic acid-based monomers
Authors: Hulsbosch Joris , Claes Laurens , Jonckheere Dries , Mestach Dirk , De Vos Dirk E.
Published: February 2018

Novel alkyd polyester resins for the paint industry using biobased glutamic acid instead of petrochemicals.
Systematic effect of contaminations on IT-SOFCs cathode stability: a quantifiable correlation versus cathode-side poisoning and protection
Authors: Huan Yu , Fan Yi , Li Yining , Yin Baoyi , Wei Tao
Published: February 2018

A systematic study of the quantifiable correlation between cathode-side 3D poisoning/protection and contaminations.
Novel electronic properties of two-dimensional AsxSby alloys studied using DFT
Authors: Zhao N. , Zhu Y. F. , Jiang Q.
Published: February 2018

Monolayered α-AsxSby alloys harbor the direct band gap and the low effective mass in the certain component.
Self-powered pressure and light sensitive bimodal sensors based on long-term stable piezo-photoelectric MAPbI3 thin films
Authors: Eom Ji-Ho , Choi Hyung-Jin , Pammi S. V. N. , Tran Van-Dang , Kim Yun-Jeong , Kim Hye-Jin , Yoon Soon-Gil
Published: February 2018

Schematic of the output current measurement for light sensitive effect of different light powers using piezoelectric sensors and output current patterns measured at 3000 lx under an applied pressure of 30 kPa.
Validation of the Chinese Sound Test: Auditory Performance of Hearing Aid Users
Authors: Hung Yu-Chen , Lee Ya-Jung , Tsai Li-Chiun
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The Chinese Sound Test (Hung, Lin, Tsai, & Lee, 2016) has been recently developed as a modified version of the Ling Six-Sound Test (Ling, 2012). By incorporating Chinese speech sounds, this test should be able to estimate whether the listener can hear across the Chinese speech spectrum. To establish the clinical validity of the test, this study examined the relationship between the aided audiometric thresholds and the distance thresholds.

Method

Sixty children with bilateral hearing aids were recruited. The aided sound-field thresholds at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 6000 Hz were compared with the distance thresholds of six sounds, /u, ə, a, i, tɕʰ, and s/, which encompass the entire Chinese speech frequency range from low to high.

Results

Partial correlation and stepwise regression analyses revealed that the Chinese testing sounds are frequency specific and that the audibility of each sound could be predicted by a specific frequency threshold.

Conclusions

The results confirm the validity of the Chinese Sound Test, indicating that the testing sounds can be reliably used to assess the perception of frequency-specific information. Crucially, these data also demonstrate that the Chinese Sound Test is a useful tool to identify red flags of poor auditory access in daily environment to monitor device malfunctions and possible hearing fluctuations.
Treatment of Phonological Disorder: A Feasibility Study With Focus on Outcome Measures
Authors: Smit Ann Bosma , Brumbaugh Klaire Mann , Weltsch Barbara , Hilgers Melanie
Published: February 2018

Purpose

In a feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial of treatments for phonological disorders conducted over a period of 8 months, we examined 6 clinically relevant outcome measures. We took steps to reduce error variance and to maximize systematic variance.

Method

Six children received traditional treatment (Van Riper, 1939), and 7 received expansion points (Smit, 2000), a treatment program with both phonological and traditional elements. Outcome measures, which were applied to both word list and conversational samples, included percentage of consonants correct (PCC; Shriberg & Kwiatkowski, 1982), PCC for late and/or difficult (L/D) consonants and number of L/D consonants acquired.

Results

In repeated-measures analyses of variance, all measures showed significant differences from pretreatment to posttreatment, and the word list measures were associated with very high power values. In analyses of covariance for between-groups contrasts, the adjusted expansion points mean exceeded the adjusted traditional treatment mean for every measure; however, no differences reached significance. For the L/D PCC (conversation) measure, the contrast between groups was associated with a large effect size.

Conclusion

We recommend that practitioners use outcome measures related to a word list. We recommend that researchers consider using L/D PCC on the basis of conversational samples to detect differences among treatment groups.

Supplemental Materials

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5872677
Driven to discussion: engaging drivers in conversation with a digital assistant as a countermeasure to passive task‐related fatigue
Authors: Large David R. , Burnett Gary , Antrobus Vicki , Skrypchuk Lee
Published: February 2018

Using a Wizard‐of‐Oz approach, the authors explored the effectiveness of engaging drivers in conversation with a digital assistant as an operational strategy to combat the symptoms of passive task‐related fatigue. Twenty participants undertook two 30 min drives in a medium‐fidelity driving simulator between 13:00 and 16:30 when circadian and homeostatic influences naturally reduce alertness. Participants were asked to follow a lead‐car travelling at a constant speed of 68 mph, in a sparsely populated UK motorway scenario. During one of the counterbalanced drives, participants were engaged in conversation by a digital assistant (‘Vid’). Results show that interacting with Vid had a positive effect on driving performance and arousal, evidenced by better lane‐keeping, earlier response to a potential hazard situation, larger pupil diameter, and an increased spread of attention to the road‐scene (i.e. fewer fixations concentrated on the road‐centre indicating a lower incidence of ‘cognitive tunnelling’). Drivers also reported higher levels of alertness and lower sleepiness following the Vid drive. Subjective workload ratings suggest that drivers exerted less effort to ‘stay awake’ when engaged with Vid. The findings support the development and application of in‐vehicle natural language interfaces and can be used to inform the design of novel countermeasures for driver fatigue.
Formation of terrestrial planets in eccentric and inclined giant planet systems
Authors: Sotiriadis Sotiris , Libert Anne-Sophie , Raymond Sean N.
Published: February 2018

Aims. Evidence of mutually inclined planetary orbits has been reported for giant planets in recent years. Here we aim to study the impact of eccentric and inclined massive giant planets on the terrestrial planet formation process, and investigate whether it can possibly lead to the formation of inclined terrestrial planets.

Methods. We performed 126 simulations of the late-stage planetary accretion in eccentric and inclined giant planet systems. The physical and orbital parameters of the giant planet systems result from n-body simulations of three giant planets in the late stage of the gas disc, under the combined action of Type II migration and planet-planet scattering. Fourteen two- and three-planet configurations were selected, with diversified masses, semi-major axes (resonant configurations or not), eccentricities, and inclinations (including coplanar systems) at the dispersal of the gas disc. We then followed the gravitational interactions of these systems with an inner disc of planetesimals and embryos (nine runs per system), studying in detail the final configurations of the formed terrestrial planets.

Results. In addition to the well-known secular and resonant interactions between the giant planets and the outer part of the disc, giant planets on inclined orbits also strongly excite the planetesimals and embryos in the inner part of the disc through the combined action of nodal resonance and the Lidov–Kozai mechanism. This has deep consequences on the formation of terrestrial planets. While coplanar giant systems harbour several terrestrial planets, generally as massive as the Earth and mainly on low-eccentric and low-inclined orbits, terrestrial planets formed in systems with mutually inclined giant planets are usually fewer, less massive (<0.5 M⊕), and with higher eccentricities and inclinations. This work shows that terrestrial planets can form on stable inclined orbits through the classical accretion theory, even in coplanar giant planet systems emerging from the disc phase.
The empirical Gaia G-band extinction coefficient
Authors: Danielski C. , Babusiaux C. , Ruiz-Dern L. , Sartoretti P. , Arenou F.
Published: February 2018

Context. The first Gaia data release unlocked the access to photometric information for 1.1 billion sources in the G-band. Yet, given the high level of degeneracy between extinction and spectral energy distribution for large passbands such as the Gaia G-band, a correction for the interstellar reddening is needed in order to exploit Gaia data.

Aims. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide the empirical estimation of the Gaia G-band extinction coefficient kG for both the red giants and main sequence stars in order to be able to exploit the first data release DR1.

Methods. We selected two samples of single stars: one for the red giants and one for the main sequence. Both samples are the result of a cross-match between Gaia DR1 and 2MASS catalogues; they consist of high-quality photometry in the G-, J- and KS-bands. These samples were complemented by temperature and metallicity information retrieved from APOGEE DR13 and LAMOST DR2 surveys, respectively. We implemented a Markov chain Monte Carlo method where we used (G – KS)0 versus Teff and (J – KS)0 versus (G – KS)0, calibration relations to estimate the extinction coefficient kG and we quantify its corresponding confidence interval via bootstrap resampling. We tested our method on samples of red giants and main sequence stars, finding consistent solutions.

Results. We present here the determination of the Gaia extinction coefficient through a completely empirical method. Furthermore we provide the scientific community with a formula for measuring the extinction coefficient as a function of stellar effective temperature, the intrinsic colour (G – KS)0, and absorption.
A Study of Sedimentation at the River Estuary on the Change of Reservoir Storage
Authors: Iskahar  , Suripin  , Isdiyana
Published: February 2018

Estuary of the river that leads to the reservoir has characteristics include: relatively flat, there is a change in the increase of wet cross-sectional area and backwater. The backwater will cause the flow velocity to be reduced, so that the grains of sediment with a certain diameter carried by the flow will settle in the estuary of the river. The purpose of this research is to know the distribution and sedimentation pattern at the river estuary that leads to the reservoir with the change of water level in the reservoir storage, so the solution can be found to remove / reduce sediment before entering the reservoir. The method used is the experimental, by making the physical model of the river estuary leading to the reservoir. This study expects a solution to reduce sedimentation, so that sedimentation can be removed / minimized before entering the reservoir. This research tries to apply bypass channel to reduce the sedimentation at the river estuary. Bypass channels can be applied to overcome sedimentation at the river estuary, but in order for the sediment to be removed optimally, it is necessary to modify the mouth of bypass channel and channel angle.
Ozone Application for Tofu Waste Water Treatment and Its Utilisation for Growth Medium of Microalgae Spirulina sp
Authors: Hadiyanto Hadiyanto
Published: February 2018

Tofu industries produce waste water containing high organic contents and suspendid solid which is harmful if directly discharged to the environment. This waste can lead to disruption of water quality and lowering the environmental carrying capacity of waters around the tofu industries. Besides, the tofu waste water still contains high nitrogen contents which can be used for microalgae growth. This study was aimed to reduce the pollution load (chemical oxygen demand-COD) of tofue wastewater by using ozone treatments and to utilize nutrients in treated tofu waste water as medium growth of microalgae. The result showed that the reduction of COD by implementation of ozone treatment followed first order kinetic. Under variation of waste concentrations between 10-40%, the degradation rate constant was in the range of 0.00237-0.0149 min-1. The microalgae was able to grow in the tofue waste medium by the growth rate constants of 0.15-0.29 day-1. This study concluded that tofu waste was highly potent for microalgae growth.
Pollution Impact and Alternative Treatment for Produced Water
Authors: Hedar Yusran , Budiyono
Published: February 2018

Oil and gas exploration and production are two of the activities that potentially cause pollution and environmental damage. The largest waste generated from this activity is produced water. Produced water contains hazardous pollutants of both organic and inorganic materials, so that the produced water of oil and gas production cannot be discharged directly to the environment. Uncontrolled discharge can lead to the environmental damage, killing the life of water and plants. The produced water needs to be handled and fulfill the quality standards before being discharged to the environment. Several studies to reduce the contaminants in the produced water were conducted by researchers. Among them were gravity based separation - flotation, separation technique based on filtration, and biological process treatment. Therefore, some of these methods can be used as an alternative waste handling of produced water.
Numerical Solution of a 3-D Advection-Dispersion Model for Dissolved Oxygen Distribution in Facultative Ponds
Authors: Sunarsih  , Sasongko Dwi P. , Sutrisno
Published: February 2018

This paper describes a mathematical model for the dissolved oxygen distribution in the plane of a facultative pond with a certain depth. The purpose of this paper is to determine the variation of dissolved oxygen concentration in facultative ponds. The 3-dimensional advection-diffusion equation is solved using the finite difference method Forward Time Central Space (FTCS). Numerical results show that the aerator greatly affects the occurrence of oxygen concentration variations in the facultative pond in the certain depth. The concentration of dissolved oxygen decreases as the depth of the pond increases.
Application of Pesticide Phytoremediation in Irrigated Rice Fields System Using Eceng Gondok (Eichhornia crassipes) Plants
Authors: Kartika Febriani Ika , Hadiyanto
Published: February 2018

The problem of environmental pollution especially urban water pollution becomes major issue in Indonesia. The cause of water pollution is not only from industrial factory waste disposal but also other causes which become pollution factor. One cause of water pollution is the existence of agricultural activities with the use of the amount of pesticides that exceed the threshold. As regulated in Government Regulation No. 82/2001 on Water Quality Management and Water Pollution Control, it is necessary to manage water quality and control water pollution wisely by taking into account the interests of current and future generations as well as the ecological balance. To overcome the problem of water pollution due to agricultural activities, it is necessary to conduct research on phytoremediation technique by utilizing eceng gondok plant. It is excepted that using this phytoremediation technique can reduce the problem of water pollution due to the use of pesticides on agricultural activities.
Analysis of Heavy Metal Content (Pb) on Waters and Fish at The Floating Cages BPPP Ambon
Authors: Wattimena Rachel L. , Selanno Debby A.J. , Tuhumury Semuel F. , Tuahatu Juliana W.
Published: February 2018

Coastal waters play important roles due to highly in natural resources and developing of environmental services. However, there are highly intensity of natural resources utilization, environment and settlement. Consequently, environment and natural resources would be degraded such as in the Ambon Bay. One of the potency at the Ambon Bay is mariculture area namely the floating cages (KJA) which belongs to Fisheries education and training (BPPP) Ambon. The research aimed to analyze physical-chemical of waters (temperature, pH, salinity and current speed), to analyze heavy metal concentration (Pb) on water and fish from floating cages (KJA) and to analyze waters pollution status at KJA BPPP Ambon. The average salinity of each floating cage ranged from 30.09 - 30.34°C, pH ranged from 8.03 − 8.44, salinity ranged from 31.36 − 33.34 PSU, and current speed at spring tide ranged from 0.5 – 55.8 Cm/sec while neap tide ranged from 0.1 – 9.8 Cm/sec. Heavy metal concentration (Pb) on waters was below the standard for waters quality and the average concentration was 0.002 mg/l. Whilst, the heavy metal concentration (Pb) on fishes was below standard for floating cages (floating cages 2-6) which was 0.05 and 0.17mg/l. Otherwise, floating cage 1 had been above maximum standard for fish food and its processing following SNI 7387:2009 (0.3mg/l) which was 0.31 mg/l. The status of waters pollution at KJA BPPP Ambon belonged to C class and could be categorized as moderate based on standard for waters quality issued by State Ministerial Decree for the Environment No. 51 Year 2004.
The Benefit Impact of Air Pollution Reduction Through ATCS Implementation at Intersections
Authors: Arief Budihardjo Mochamad , Setiyo Huboyo Haryono , Prasetyo Samadikun Budi
Published: February 2018

The field study in five intersections that had ATCS, such as Krapyak, Tugu Muda, Polda, Bangkong and Fatmawati were done to investigate the effectivity of air pollution reduction. The study was done by estimating the differences between the vehicle speed due to the cycle duration of green light by field observation and video recording in each intersection. In five intersections that had been observed, the percentage of fuel consumption savings for two-wheeled vehicles were between 15 – 18%, meanwhile for four-wheel vehicles were between 30 – 46%. Based on the calculation that adopt the emission factor from CORINAIR and USEPA emission, the emission reduction based on pollutant types were TSP (12-17%), NOx (22-36%), CO (15-25%), HC (16-28%) and SO2 (22-35%). The result to the vehicles' speed that passed the intersections through ATCS has also indicated that the ATCS could increase vehicle speed and consequently reduce the emission.