bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the system for quantitative gas-liquid flow visualization
Authors: Kuchmenko A V , Koshelev D A , Skornyakova N M , Shcherbakov P P
Published: December 2019

The paper is concerned with the developing of an optical-electronic complex for visualization and quantification of the gas-liquid flow from the nozzle using the particle image velocimetry method depending on various flow parameters. Selection of optical elements for experimental research was based on the possibility of visualizing the flow, determining its type, opening angle, and also obtaining vector velocity fields in the plane under study, on the basis of which the gas-liquid flow drops velocities dependencies on the coordinates in given sections of the vector field were constructed.
Visualization of plasma fluxes by a measurement of own rotation of a dust particle
Authors: Dzlieva E S , Karasev V Yu , Krylov I R , Mashek I Ch , Novikov L A , Pavlov S I
Published: December 2019

A research of own rotation of single dust particle which is in a dust trap in the stratified glow discharge under imposed magnetic field is carried out. It is experimentally shown that in the scale of Debye length an action of azimuthal torque from the fluxes of ions and electrons is mutually compensated; an angular velocity of rotation of dusty particle remains invariable up to magnetic fields of 200 G. The found effect was given theoretical interpretation on a basis of consideration of ambipolar diffusion of positive ions and electrons to the particle surface.
Special features of laser diagnostics of gas flows in a thick-walled glass pipe
Authors: Lapitskiy K M , Poyatsyka D A , Lapitskaya I A , Poroykov A Yu , Ilina N S
Published: December 2019

The article presents application of optical gradient methods for the research of inhomogeneity of gas flows through a thick-walled glass cylinder. The influence of not only inhomogeneous gas medium, but also cylinder walls on the process of laser radiation propagation was researched. Methods for describing the refraction of the laser sheet for various cases of its orientation in space in geometrical optics approximation were worked out. The analysis of displacement of the laser sheet’s sections on the screen after penetration through inhomogeneity was conducted. Calculations of the laser sheet’s shape distortion during penetration through a transparent hollow cylinder were performed. Theoretical distributions of the laser sheet’s sections on the screen were constructed. Various cases of the laser sheet orientation in space were considered. The influence of an optically inhomogeneous medium on the laser sheet’s shape were considered.
Development of a series of interchangeable optical tips for a video endoscope
Authors: Batshev V I , Machikhin A S , Gorevoy A V , Khokhlov D D
Published: December 2019

In this work a design of four different optical tips for video endoscope is presented. In particular, the report presents the results of the calculation of optical systems with normal (50˚) and wide (80˚) field of view (FoV) for direct (0˚) and side (90˚) view. All tips have simple to manufacture design and produce good image quality. The results of image simulation are presented.
Measurement of high-speed gas-droplet flow characteristics by pulse photography method
Authors: Bokuchava N I , Inochkin F M
Published: December 2019

The subject of this work is the optical probe measurement system for the measure of droplets parameters in high-speed two-phase flow. A system with dark-field illumination including two pulse lasers as illumination sources is used for droplets registration. Rays from lasers intersect at the angle of 120˚ and form a measurement volume. When a droplet crosses the volume, it refracts a part of the light. Refracted rays pass through the optical system and create two highlights on the sensor. Distance between two highlights is equal to the droplet diameter. System for measurement of coarse droplets parameters in wet steam flow, based on the described method, is developed. Main components of the system are the optical probe and PC with software. The system allows determining the following parameters of droplets: size distribution (20–600 µM), velocity distribution (0.1–300 m/s), movement direction. The results of measurements of the system in two-phase flow are presented in this work. The system is successfully operated as part of the complex for investigation of two-phase flow parameters on the model turbine.
LED illumination module for fluorescence and spectroscopic studies in microscopy
Authors: Batshev V I , Blokhin A A , Belov A S
Published: December 2019

In this report we produce a microscopic illuminator consisting of four light emitting diodes (LEDs) with different wavelength. The radiation power of each LED could be controlled independently. The dichroic mirrors are used as a beam combiner. So, it is possible to create a highlight of the required spectral composition on the object under study. This illuminator is useful both for fluorescent analysis or spectral imaging.
Calculation of the optical variosystems with tunable optical power lenses
Authors: Nosov P A , Piskunov D E , Vinogradov M A , Tigaev V O , Yablokova A A
Published: December 2019

Modern optical variosystems include lenses with a fixed and tunable focal length, which can also move relative to each other according to a certain law. The method of dimensional synthesis of the variosystems converting incoherent radiation and laser Gaussian beams is considered. Examples of the calculation of optical variosystems are presented.
Photothermocapillary detection of conductive track ruptures on a printed circuit board coated with a protective film
Authors: Zykov A Yu , Ivanova N A
Published: December 2019

The photothermocapillary (PTC) method has been proposed to detect ruptures of the copper tracks of a printed circuit board coated with a black protective film absorbing the pump laser radiation. The ruptures were simulated by obtaining parallel tracks of different lengths by etching in ferric chloride solution. The method consisted of the scanning with the pump laser of the tracks along a line perpendicular to them and passing through their midpoints, and plotting a scan-profile of the diameter of PTC signal as a function of the scan coordinate. The scan-profile was a sequence of maxima and minima the diameters of the PTC signal corresponded to the beam position in the middle between adjacent tracks and in the midpoint of the track, respectively. It was found that with an increase in the track length above a critical value, dependent on the laser beam power, the diameter of PTC signal reaches saturation. With increasing power by 1.85 times, the sensitivity of the PTC method increases by 2.57 times. The spatial resolution of the PTC method reaches tens of micrometers. Experimental results have shown that the proposed PTC method is simple and efficient for detecting of hidden defects of the copper tracks on the PCB.
Effect of the nanoparticle composition on the fluorescence of carbon nitride coatings
Authors: Bogomolov A B , Zinin P V , Kulakov S A , Kutvitsky V A , Bulatov M F , Kutuza I B
Published: December 2019

In this report we present results on synthesis of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) coating on various nanoparticles. Carbon nitride coatings were grown on of SiO2, TiO2, and Fe2O3 nanoparticles by the decomposition of the melamine at 300 °C. Relative fluorescence quantum yield was determined by comparing the fluorescence intensity of coated nanoparticles with that of the fluorescein in NaOH solution excited a green laser (532 nm). It was demonstrated that the g-C3N4 coated TiO2 nanoparticles have the highest quantum yield of the fluorescence among investigated nanoparticles.
Hyperspectral camera application for remote gas analysis
Authors: Neverov S M
Published: December 2019

The report reviewed current systems for monitoring gas leaks at industrial facilities. Since in industrial plants the emission of some gases can be technologically justified, and the presence of others indicates a violation of the technological process and is a sign of an emergency situation, a possible option is described not only for detection the fact of leakage, but also for the classification of detected gases. We considered existing hardware-software complexes including acousto-optical, and listed their shortcomings, such as insufficient sensitivity and low data processing speed. In general, we describe the novel technical implementation of imaging spectrometry. For simultaneous detection of spatial and spectral properties of objects, the infrared sensor is divided into a mosaic of the smallest optical filters. Each filter passes individual intervals of the spectrum, blocking the others. The uncooled detector 640×512 can be covered with 16 filters, which spectral characteristics should correlate with the absorption spectra of target gases.
Research of the dynamics of two-phase flows by optical methods PIV/IPI
Authors: Guryanov A I , Veretennikov S V , Evdokimov O A , Guryanova M M , Kalinina K L
Published: December 2019

The paper describes conditions and experimental results of the dynamics of two-phase flows research by optical methods PIV/IPI. Studies were carried out for the finely dispersed flow generated by the centrifugal atomizer. Such atomizer is necessary for the implementation of certification of aircraft engine critical mode under rain conditions: height of 6100 m, the Mach number M = 0.8. The flow parameters were measured for 9 modes of liquid pressure in the nozzle from 0.2 to 1.0 MPa in increments of 0.1 MPa. Velocity vectors obtained for these pressure modes shown that maximum velocity of the droplets is achieved nearby the nozzle section and ranges from 20 to 30 m/s. Increasing the pressure reduces the difference between velocities at peripheral and axial regions of the flow.
Study of effects of electromagnetic factors on the early development of biological organisms using comprehensive multispectral optical and scanning acoustic microscopy approach
Authors: Burlakov A B , Khokhlov D D , Domanskiy V L , Titov S A
Published: December 2019

The effects of electromagnetic field on development of biological organisms were studied in this work by multispectral optical microscopy and scanning acoustic microscopy. The living embryos of loach Misgurnus fossilis at early stages of development were used as biological objects. The electric field applied to the living organism was generated by a specially designed unit that can operate independently or in combination with the acoustic microscope. It was shown that the sequentially recorded multispectral optical and acoustical images reveal dynamics of the development. The long lasting experiments confirm minor effect of the optical and acoustic radiation on the embryos. The scanning acoustic microscope was used for in vivo visualization of three dimensional structure of the egg, estimation of the acoustical properties of the yolk tissue and visualization of slow substance flows inside the object. The speed of motion depends on the location of the investigated area, status of the organism and its development stage. The estimated valued of the speed is in a range of 0.1 – 1 µm/s. It was shown that the application of the electric field causes deceleration of the embryos development.
Application of the structured laser illumination to planar optical diagnostics of the flows with nonuniform density
Authors: Sharaborin D , Tolstoguzov R , Frolova E
Published: December 2019

The aim of this work was to develop a method of panoramic optical diagnostics of the inhomogeneity of the density field in stratified flows based on the registration of the distribution of the Rayleigh scattering intensity using structured laser radiation. Several approaches have been implemented for organizing spatial modulation of laser illumination, intended for use with various values of the incident radiation energy density. To test the processing and reconstruction algorithms of the experimental data, a series of measurements was carried out using the method of planar laser-induced fluorescence. The distribution of local density in a jet of carbon dioxide flowing into atmospheric air was measured experimentally using a method based on the registration of Rayleigh scattering.
Detailed investigation of bag-breakup process in the context of spray of droplets generation within wind-wave interaction
Authors: Kandaurov A A , Sergeev D A , Troitskaya Yu I
Published: December 2019

The main mechanism responsible for the generation of spume droplets in marine atmospheric boundary layer was investigated at the experiments carried out at the high-speed wind-wave flume of IAP RAS. Strong wind tears off water from the crest of the waves during bag breakup fragmentation of small-scale disturbances that arise at the air-water interface. Separate bag-breakup event forced to occur in a dried high-speed wind-wave flume was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively using multiperspective shadowgraph high-speed video recording.
Multi-spectral phase imaging based on acousto-optic selection of light in common-path interferometer
Authors: Burmak L , Zykova L , Machikhin A , Chichigin B
Published: December 2019

Multispectral interference techniques are widely used in biomedicine and science for quantitative characterization of morphological, chemical and other properties. These techniques, for example, multispectral digital holography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, require wavelength tuning in the interferometer. In this paper, we discuss the effectiveness and potential applications of acousto-optic light filtration for this purpose. We show experimentally that acousto-optical tunable filters are effective for simultaneous spectral and phase data collection not only in conventional dual-path interferometers but also in a common-path interferometer. Scheme of a compact spectral interferometric module based on such interferometer is presented.
Spectral oil analyzer
Authors: Lashova A A , Korsakov V S , Korsakova E A , Kashuba I A , Zhukova L V
Published: December 2019

We worked out a spectral oil analyzer, implemented the method of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which allow simultaneous detecting characteristic peaks of water absorption and sulfur-containing substances in oil within the wavelength range from 0.2 to 25.0 µm. The usage of fiber-optic delivering channels makes it possible to produce online industrial probes for the control of chemical composition and concentration, what is demanded at oil producing platforms and oil refinery plants. As identifiers, we used the most intense absorption peaks of water (λ – 1.45 µm, 1.95 µm, 3.00 µm, 6.00 µm), oil (λ – 1.72 µm, 2.31 µm, 3.41 µm) and sulfur-containing heterocycles (λ – 8.00 µm). The spectral analyzer consists of a broadband-light source, a flow-cell, a fiber-optic assembly, narrow-band optical filters and photodetectors. For delivering a broadband optical signal, a fiber-optic assembly was developed. It comprises silica fibers and polycrystalline fibers derived from solid solutions of silver and thallium (I) halides. It was calculated the effective area and diameter of each fiber type in the assembly, taking into account attenuation coefficients and overall optical losses of the system. Using eight channels for the probe at the same time, we were able to measure the content of water and sulfur-containing substances in oil in concentrations from 0.1 to 100.0 wt %.
Studies by PIV-methods of self oscillating hydrodynamic processes in the elements of pipeline
Authors: Sergeev D A , Kandaurov A A
Published: December 2019

Investigation of the self-oscillation regimes in the flow chamber modelling elements of stop valves in the pipeline in the systems of heat exchange in the power plants were performed by using PIV methods. Dependency of parameters of self-oscillation regimes on the parameter of the gap between the inlet and outlet pipe line in the chamber was investigated. Simultaneous measurements of the hydrodynamic and acoustic fluctuations allows us to offer explanation of the observed regimes.
Technical implementation of acousto-optical instruments: basic types
Authors: Pozhar V E , Bulatov M F , Machikhin A S , Shakhnov V A
Published: December 2019

The comparative analysis of the basic characteristics of acousto-optical instruments of different levels of integration and complexity: functional elements, devices and systems. The basic characteristics and their interrelations are determined. It is shown that each class requires individual approach to design. We indicate a novel trend of development of special class of instruments – modules, which are easy-to-integrate into existant devices or systems extending their functionality. The principle requirements for this kind of instruments are their connectivity with the device in each channel, port, protocol, so that the module adding and removing need not the device retuning or adjustment. This tendency has universal nature. The presented analysis is convinient for prognosing prospects and basic directions of acousto-optical instruments development.
Analysis of the statistical errors of the emissivity measurement of a laser heated surface by acousto-optical tunable filter
Authors: Mantrova Yu V , Zinin P V , Bykov A A , Bulatov K M
Published: December 2019

The aim of this report is to conduct a rigorous data analysis of the emissivity and temperature measurements on the surface of a solid specimen during laser heating (LH). Measurements of the emissivity and temperature is based on the use of a tundem acousto-optic filter (tandem acousto-optical tunable filter or TAOTF) connected with a high-resolution video camera. The set of spectral images obtained with the help of TOTF in the range of 750-800 nm makes it possible to calculate the dependence of the radiation intensity of the heated surface on the wavelength at each point of the surface. The distribution of the temperature and the emissivity of the heated body surface is obtained by fitting the experimental spectral dependence of the radiation intensity at each point of the heated object to the Planck distribution using the least squares method (LSM). A development of the mathematical analysis of the statistical errors of the emissivity determination by the LSM is described.
The specifics of single-mode laser modules application in optical-electronic complexes based on light scattering
Authors: Parshin V , Bliznyuk V , Evtikhieva O
Published: December 2019

The polarization state of edge-emitting single-mode laser modules radiation and their conditions of using in laser measuring systems of scattered radiation diagnosis are considered. For laser modules from two batches, both the polarization degree of collimated radiation and polarization degree spatial dependence in two orthogonal planes when there is no collimation are measured. It is established the angular dependence of non-collimated radiation polarization degree at different planes is various. We also considered the impact laser diodes degradation on these dependencies. It is shown that while exploitation of single-mode laser diodes in laser systems for scattered radiation characteristics researching it is needed to make control the polarization state of their radiation while service.
Application of a laser-Doppler anemometry for the study of unsteady flow structure in a model micro-hydro turbine
Authors: Shtork S I , Litvinov I V , Gorelikov E Yu , Mukhin D G , Dremov S V , Suslov D A
Published: December 2019

Current work deals with an LDA characterization of the velocity distributions and pressure pulsation maps in an axisymmetric draft tube for the flow conditions corresponding to wide range of the operating regimes of the micro-hydro turbine unit. For the detailed analysis of the velocity profiles, three characteristic regimes corresponding to part-load regime with precessing vortex core formation, best efficiency regime and overload regime of hydro turbine operation were selected. To capture spatial characteristics of the unsteady flow for part-load regime a phase averaging procedure for the LDA data has been employed.
Lasing in slurry-like active medium on LiF:F2 microparticles
Authors: Burdukova O A , Konyushkin V A , Petukhov V A , Senatsky Yu V , Zverev P G
Published: December 2019

Active media composed of the particles of solid-state laser-active material immersed in the liquid are the subject of research since this approach can provide new solutions to the problem of heat removal from the laser medium. Investigation of the active medium on microparticles of LiF crystal with F2 color centers is presented. The technique of the preparation and characterization of the index-matched slurry-like mixture was developed. Powders of LiF crystal particles with F2 color centers with size from 50 to 1000 μm immersed in various liquids and their mixtures were tested. Laser radiation of a compact cavity containing two flat dichroic mirrors and a glass cuvette with the LiF:F2 slurry with grain size of 500 ÷ 1000 μm and the mixture of heptane and vaseline oil was obtained under Coumarin 120 dye laser pumping. The pulses of the laser radiation with the beam divergence of 2 ÷ 5 mrad at the wavelength of about 680 nm, duration of 10 ns and energy of 83 μJ were obtained under pulsed pumping with the energy of 1.34 mJ. The real and slope efficiencies of the LiF:F2 slurry laser reached 6.2% and 12.9% correspondingly.
Spherical surface control by Background Oriented Schlieren method
Authors: Nyein M M
Published: December 2019

The technique of automated quality spherical surfaces control using the background oriented schlieren method was presented. The results of theoretical refractive index gradient modelling for spherical lens were presented. The experimental results of spherical lenses quality diagnostics were shown.
Mechanistic insight into how gonadotropin hormone receptor complexes direct signaling†
Authors: Johnson Gillian P , Jonas Kim Carol
Published: December 2019

Gonadotropin hormones and their receptors play a central role in the control of male and female reproduction. In recent years, there has been growing evidence surrounding the complexity of gonadotropin hormone/receptor signaling, with it increasingly apparent that the Gαs/cAMP/PKA pathway is not the sole signaling pathway that confers their biological actions. Here we review recent literature on the different receptor–receptor, receptor–scaffold, and receptor–signaling molecule complexes formed and how these modulate and direct gonadotropin hormone-dependent intracellular signal activation. We will touch upon the more controversial issue of extragonadal expression of FSHR and the differential signal pathways activated in these tissues, and lastly, highlight the open questions surrounding the role these gonadotropin hormone receptor complexes and how this will shape future research directions.
Loss of Fbxw7 in Sertoli cells impairs testis development and causes infertility in mice†
Authors: Zhang Hanbin , Chen Feilong , Dong Heling , Xie Minyu , Zhang Huan , Chen Yan , liu Hong , Bai Xiaochun , Li Xuemei , Chen Zhenguo
Published: December 2019

F-box and WD-40 domain protein 7 (Fbxw7) is a component of the Skp1-Cdc53/Cullin-F-box-protein complex (SCF/β-TrCP), which is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that mediates protein degradation. This complex has recently been shown to negatively regulate spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal; however, its roles in Sertoli cell (SC) proliferation, differentiation, and function remain to be established. In this study, we generated conditional mutant mice with SC-specific deletion of Fbxw7 via the Cre-loxP system. Fbxw7 deficiency in SCs impaired testis development, which is characterized by age-dependent tubular atrophy, excessive germ cell loss, and spermatogenic arrest, and the mutant males were infertile at 7 months old. Fbxw7 ablation also compromised cytoskeletal organization and cell polarity of SCs, as well as integrity of the blood-testis barrier. In addition, the transcript levels of cell markers for germ cells, Leydig cells, and SCs were significantly decreased in Fbxw7 mutant mice. Importantly, protein levels of GATA-4, a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in SC maturation and testis development, were progressively decreased in control SCs after postnatal day 14, whereas levels were aberrantly elevated in Fbxw7-deleted SCs. Interestingly, the Gata-4 messenger RNA levels remained stable following Fbxw7 deletion. Fbxw7 silencing in SCs also induced progressive Leydig cell inefficiency and testosterone insufficiency. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Fbxw7 expression is required for SC maturation and function, potentially through degradation of GATA-4, to support pubertal testis development and spermatogenesis.
Bin Cheng: His Study of International Law and His Inductive Approach to International Law
Authors: Chen Li
Published: December 2019

This paper relies on archival research and interviews with Bin Cheng to trace his study of law at the University of Geneva with Maurice Bourquin and at the University College London, University of London with Georg Schwarzenberger. It focuses on Cheng’s doctoral study and his supervisor’s profound influence on his inductive approach to researching the general principles of law. It provides a panoramic view of the international legal community’s overwhelmingly favourable reactions to the publication of Cheng’s thesis in 1953. Finally, it reveals Cheng’s personal reflections on comparative legal education and the study of international law. In our increasingly inter-connected, integrated and complex society today, public international law scholars of today would certainly benefit from drawing upon Cheng’s experience and wisdom in the conduct of our work.
Age structure of a lizard along an elevational gradient reveals nonlinear lifespan patterns with altitude
Authors: Comas Mar , Reguera Senda , Zamora-Camacho Francisco J , Moreno-Rueda Gregorio
Published: December 2019

Lifespan is one of the main components of life history. Shorter lifespans can be expected in marginal habitats. However, in the case of ectotherms, lifespan typically increases with altitude, even though temperature—one of the main factors to determine ectotherms’ life history—declines with elevation. This pattern can be explained by the fact that a shorter activity time favors survival. In this study, we analyzed how lifespan and other life-history traits of the lizard Psammodromus algirus vary along a 2,200 m elevational gradient in Sierra Nevada (SE Spain). Populations at intermediate altitudes (1,200–1,700 m), corresponding to the optimal habitat for this species, had the shortest lifespans, whereas populations inhabiting marginal habitats (at both low and at high altitudes) lived longest. Therefore, this lizard did not follow the typical pattern of ectotherms, as it also lived longer at the lower limit of its distribution, nor did it show a longer lifespan in areas with optimal habitats. These results might be explained by a complex combination of different gradients along the mountain, namely that activity time decreases with altitude whereas food availability increases. This could explain why lifespan was maximum at both high (limited activity time) and low (limited food availability) altitudes, resulting in similar lifespans in areas with contrasting environmental conditions. Our findings also indicated that reproductive investment and body condition increase with elevation, suggesting that alpine populations are locally adapted.
Cooperation behaviour of primary care paediatricians: facilitators and barriers to multidisciplinary obesity management
Authors: Brüggen Franca , Gellert Paul , Baer Nadja-Raphaela , Jödicke Birgit , Brauchmann Jana , Wiegand Susanna , Schenk Liane
Published: December 2019

Background

Multidisciplinary management of obesity by primary care paediatricians, providing a promising approach to tackle childhood obesity includes cooperation with other health care professionals. However, facilitators for and barriers to multidisciplinary cooperation in ambulatory care are not yet well understood and are investigated in the present study.

Methods

A nationwide, cross-sectional survey of 83% of German primary care paediatricians was conducted, using a questionnaire based on qualitative expert interviews. Frequency of paediatricians’ cooperation with external partners (i.e. nutrition counsellors; sports groups; interdisciplinary obesity centres; inpatient rehabilitation centres; and endocrinologists) was assessed. Individual and structural factors were associated with cooperation patterns. Missing values were addressed using multiple imputation.

Results

Out of the 6081 primary care paediatricians approached, 2024 (33.3%) responded. Almost half of the respondents (40.8%) stated that they disengaged in the field of obesity prevention due to perceived inefficacy. Lack of financial reimbursement for consultation was agreed on by most of the respondents (90.4%). Identified barriers to cooperation included: higher proportion of patients with migration background, lack of time and available services. A more comprehensive conception of the professional role regarding overweight prevention, higher age, female gender, higher proportion of overweight/obese patients and practice location in urban or socially strained areas surfaced as facilitators for cooperation.

Conclusion

Low-perceived self-efficacy in obesity management and insufficient financial reimbursement for consultation are commonly stated among German paediatricians. For cooperation behaviour, however, other individual and structural factors seem to be relevant, which provide indications on how multidisciplinary childhood obesity management can be improved.
Different Intraepithelial CD3+ Cell Numbers in Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Escudero-Hernández Celia , Montalvillo Enrique , Antolín Beatriz , Bernardo David , Garrote José Antonio , Arranz Eduardo , Fernández-Salazar Luis
Published: December 2019

Intraepithelial immune response can be studied by flow cytometry. The proportion of CD3+ cells differs between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The Microfoundations of State Cybersecurity: Cyber Risk Perceptions and the Mass Public
Authors: Kostyuk Nadiya , Wayne Carly
Published: December 2019

Cybersecurity represents a unique national security challenge for states: data breaches with the potential for national, macro-level consequences are most likely to occur at the micro-level, originating through the security errors of individual computer users. Thus, aspects of national cybersecurity can often critically depend on the personal attitudes and behavior of average citizens connecting online. However, to date, theories of state cybersecurity have almost exclusively focused on the macro-level, and very little is known about how the mass public reacts to—and protects themselves from—cybersecurity threats. This study addresses this gap, drawing on psychological theories of risk perception to explain why the public simultaneously reports great concern about cybersecurity, yet does little to protect their personal safety online. Using a novel survey experiment, we examine how exposure to different types of data breaches impacts citizens’ cyber risk assessments, personal online behavior, and support for various national cybersecurity policies. We find that baseline concerns about cybersecurity and knowledge about safe online practices are very low. However, exposure to a personally relevant data breach heightens risk perception and increases willingness to engage in safer online practices. But these effects are circumscribed—actual online behavior is more resistant to change. These results have important implications for the design of effective state cybersecurity policy.
Best practices in justifying calibrations for dating language families
Authors: Maurits L , de Heer M , Honkola T , Dunn M , Vesakoski O
Published: December 2019

The use of computational methods to assign absolute datings to language divergence is receiving renewed interest, as modern approaches based on Bayesian statistics offer alternatives to the discredited techniques of glottochronology. The datings provided by these new analyses depend crucially on the use of calibration, but the methodological issues surrounding calibration have received comparatively little attention. Especially, underappreciated is the extent to which traditional historical linguistic scholarship can contribute to the calibration process via loanword analysis. Aiming at a wide audience, we provide a detailed discussion of calibration theory and practice, evaluate previously used calibrations, recommend best practices for justifying calibrations, and provide a concrete example of these practices via a detailed derivation of calibrations for the Uralic language family. This article aims to inspire a higher quality of scholarship surrounding all statistical approaches to language dating, and especially closer engagement between practitioners of statistical methods and traditional historical linguists, with the former thinking more carefully about the arguments underlying their calibrations and the latter more clearly identifying results of their work which are relevant to calibration, or even suggesting calibrations directly.
Monte Carlo radiative transfer for the nebular phase of Type Ia supernovae
Authors: Shingles L J , Sim S A , Kromer M , Maguire K , Bulla M , Collins C , Ballance C P , Michel A S , Ramsbottom C A , Röpke F K , Seitenzahl I R , Tyndall N B
Published: December 2019

We extend the range of validity of the artis 3D radiative transfer code up to hundreds of days after explosion, when Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are in their nebular phase. To achieve this, we add a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium population and ionization solver, a new multifrequency radiation field model, and a new atomic data set with forbidden transitions. We treat collisions with non-thermal leptons resulting from nuclear decays to account for their contribution to excitation, ionization, and heating. We validate our method with a variety of tests including comparing our synthetic nebular spectra for the well-known one-dimensional W7 model with the results of other studies. As an illustrative application of the code, we present synthetic nebular spectra for the detonation of a sub-Chandrasekhar white dwarf (WD) in which the possible effects of gravitational settling of 22Ne prior to explosion have been explored. Specifically, we compare synthetic nebular spectra for a 1.06 M⊙ WD model obtained when 5.5 Gyr of very efficient settling is assumed to a similar model without settling. We find that this degree of 22Ne settling has only a modest effect on the resulting nebular spectra due to increased 58Ni abundance. Due to the high ionization in sub-Chandrasekhar models, the nebular [Ni ii] emission remains negligible, while the [Ni iii] line strengths are increased and the overall ionization balance is slightly lowered in the model with 22Ne settling. In common with previous studies of sub-Chandrasekhar models at nebular epochs, these models overproduce [Fe iii] emission relative to [Fe ii] in comparison to observations of normal SNe Ia.
The clustering of the SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey DR14 LRG sample: structure growth rate measurement from the anisotropic LRG correlation function in the redshift range 0.6 < z < 1.0
Authors: Icaza-Lizaola M , Vargas-Magaña M , Fromenteau S , Alam S , Camacho B , Gil-Marin H , Paviot R , Ross Ashley , Schneider Donald P , Tinker Jeremy , Wang Yuting , Zhao Cheng , Prakash Abhishek , Rossi G , Zao Gong-Bo , Cruz-Gonzalez Irene , de la Macorra Axel
Published: December 2019

We analyse the anisotropic clustering of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-IV Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) Luminous Red Galaxy Data Release 14 (DR14) sample combined with Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) CMASS sample of galaxies in the redshift range 0.6 < z < 1.0, which consists of 80 118 galaxies from eBOSS and 46 439 galaxies from the BOSS-CMASS sample. The eBOSS-CMASS Luminous Red Galaxy sample has a sky coverage of 1844 deg2, with an effective volume of 0.9 Gpc3. The analysis was made in configuration space using a Legendre multipole expansion. The Redshift Space Distortion signal is modelled as a combination of the Convolution Lagrangian Perturbation Model and the Gaussian Streaming Model. We constrain the logarithmic growth of structure times the amplitude of dark matter density fluctuations, f(zeff)σ8(zeff) = 0.454 ± 0.134, and the Alcock-Paczynski dilation scales which constraints the angular diameter distance $D_A(z_{\mathrm{ eff}})=1466.5 \pm 133.2 (r_s/r_s^{\rm fid})$ and $H(z_{\rm eff})=105.8 \pm 15.7 (r_s^{\rm fid}/r_s) \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}\, Mpc^{-1}}$, where rs is the sound horizon at the end of the baryon drag epoch and $r_s^{\rm fid}$ is its value in the fiducial cosmology at an effective redshift zeff = 0.72. These results are in full agreement with the current Λ-Cold Dark Matter (Λ-CDM) cosmological model inferred from Planck measurements. This study is the first eBOSS LRG full-shape analysis i.e. including Redshift Space Distortions simultaneously with the Alcock-Paczynski effect and the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation scale.
Discovery of new serum biomarker panels for systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis
Authors: Ling Hua-Zhi , Xu Shu-Zhen , Leng Rui-Xue , Wu Jun , Pan Hai-Feng , Fan Yin-Guang , Wang Bin , Xia Yuan-Rui , Huang Qian , Shuai Zong-Wen , Ye Dong-Qing
Published: December 2019

Objective

Clinical diagnosis of SLE is currently challenging due to its heterogeneity. Many autoantibodies are associated with SLE and are considered potential diagnostic markers, but systematic screening and validation of such autoantibodies is lacking. This study aimed to systematically discover new autoantibodies that may be good biomarkers for use in SLE diagnosis.

Methods

Sera from 15 SLE patients and 5 healthy volunteers were analysed using human proteome microarrays to identify candidate SLE-related autoantibodies. The results were validated by screening of sera from 107 SLE patients, 94 healthy volunteers and 60 disease controls using focussed arrays comprised of autoantigens corresponding to the identified candidate antibodies. Logistic regression was used to derive and validate autoantibody panels that can discriminate SLE disease. Extensive ELISA screening of sera from 294 SLE patients and 461 controls was performed to validate one of the newly discovered autoantibodies.

Results

A total of 31, 11 and 18 autoantibodies were identified to be expressed at significantly higher levels in the SLE group than in the healthy volunteers, disease controls and healthy volunteers plus disease control groups, respectively, with 25, 7 and 13 of these differentially expressed autoantibodies being previously unreported. Diagnostic panels comprising anti-RPLP2, anti-SNRPC and anti-PARP1, and anti-RPLP2, anti-PARP1, anti-MAK16 and anti- RPL7A were selected. Performance of the newly discovered anti-MAK16 autoantibody was confirmed by ELISA. Some associations were seen with clinical characteristics of SLE patients, such as disease activity with the level of anti-PARP1 and rash with the level of anti-RPLP2, anti-MAK16 and anti- RPL7A.

Conclusion

The combined autoantibody panels identified here show promise for the diagnosis of SLE and for differential diagnosis of other major rheumatic immune diseases.
Sporaefaciens musculigen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the caecum of an obese mouse
Authors: Rasmussen Torben Sølbeck , Streidl Theresa , Hitch Thomas C.A. , Wortmann Esther , Deptula Paulina , Hansen Michael , Nielsen Dennis Sandris , Clavel Thomas , Vogensen Finn Kvist
Published: December 2019

A bacterial strain, designated WCA-9-b2, was isolated from the caecal content of an 18-week-old obese C57BL/6NTac male mouse. According to phenotypic analyses, the isolate is rod-shaped, Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, spore-forming and non-motile under the conditions tested. Bacterial colonies were irregular and non-pigmented. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that the isolate belonged to the familyLachnospiraceaewithClostridium scindensATTC 35704 (94.9% sequence identity) andDorea formicigeneransATCC 27755 (94.8%) being the closest relatives. Whole genome sequencing showed average nucleotide identity (ANI) ranging from 69.80–74.23% and percentage of conserved proteins (POCP) values < 50% against the nine closest relatives. The genome-based G+C content of genomic DNA was 44.4%. The predominant metabolic end products of glucose fermentation were acetate and succinate. Based on these data, we propose that strain WCA-9-b2 represents a novel species within a novel genus, for which the nameSporaefaciens musculigen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WCA-9-b2T(=DSM 106039T= CCUG pending IDT).

Repositories

The GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain WCA-9-b2Tis MN756014, and the accession number for the genome assembly is PRJNA592877. Raw sequencing Illumina NextSeq (PRJEB35655) and ONT MinION (PRJEB35656) data can be accessed at EMBL-EBI.
Undetectable free aromatic amino acids in nails of breast carcinoma: Biomarkers discovery by a novel metabolite purification VTGE system
Authors: Mitruka Manmohan , Gore Charusheela R. , Kumar Ajay , Sarode Sachin C , Sharma Nilesh Kumar
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

Metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer is depicted as a crucial change in the tumor microenvironment. Besides the molecular understanding of metabolic heterogeneity, appreciable attentions are drawn to characterize metabolite profiles in tumor tissue and derived biological fluids and tissue materials. Several findings reported on the metabolic alterations of free aromatic amino acids (FAAAs) and other metabolites in biological fluids. Furthermore, there is a significant gap in the development of a suitable method for the purification and analysis of metabolite biomarkers in nails of cancer patients.

METHODS

To address the metabolite alterations specifically FAAAs level in nails, fingernail clippings of breast cancer patients (N=10), and healthy subjects (N-12) were used for extraction and purification of metabolites. Here, we report a novel and specifically designed vertical tube gel electrophoresis (VTGE) system that helped for the purification of metabolites in the range of (100-1000 Da) from nail materials. The claimed VTGE system uses 15% polyacrylamide under non-denaturing and non-reducing conditions that makes eluted metabolites directly compatible with LC-HRMS and other analytical techniques. Qualitative and quantitative determination of FAAAs in nail lysates were done by positive ESI mode of Agilent LC-HRMS platform.

RESULTS

The analysis on collected data of nail metabolites clearly suggests that FAAAs including tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine and histidine are undetectable in nail lysates of breast cancer over healthy subjects. This is a first report that shows the highly reduced levels of FAAAs in nails of breast cancer. Furthermore, present observation is in consonance with previous findings that support that breast cancer patients show cancer cachexia, high amino acid catabolism that drive metabolite driven cancer growth and proliferation.

CONCLUSION

This paper provides a proof of concept for a novel and specifically developed VTGE process that assisted to show the first evidence on undetectable level of FAAAs in nails of breast cancer patients as metabolite biomarkers. Here, the authors propose the potential use of VTGE assisted process to achieve metabolomic discovery in nails of breast cancer and other tumor types.
Physical mechanisms of amyloid nucleation on fluid membranes
Authors: Krausser Johannes , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Šarić Anđela
Published: December 2019

Biological membranes can dramatically accelerate the aggregation of normally soluble protein molecules into amyloid fibrils and alter the fibril morphologies, yet the molecular mechanisms through which this accelerated nucleation takes place are not yet understood. Here, we develop a coarse-grained model to systematically explore the effect that the structural properties of the lipid membrane and the nature of protein-membrane interactions have on the nucleation rates of amyloid fibrils. We identify two physically distinct nucleation pathways and quantify how the membrane fluidity and protein-membrane affinity control the relative importance of those molecular pathways. We find that the membrane’s susceptibility to reshaping and being incorporated into the fibrillar aggregates is a key determinant of its ability to promote protein aggregation. We then characterise the rates and the free energy profile associated to this heterogeneous nucleation process in which the surface itself participates in the aggregate structure. Finally, we compare quantitatively our data to experiments on membrane-catalysed amyloid aggregation ofα-synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease that predominately nucleates on membranes. More generally, our results provide a framework for understanding macromolecular aggregation on lipid membranes in a broad biological and biotechnological context.
Sequestration of Methane by Symbiotic Deep-Sea Annelids: Ancient and Future Implications of Redefining the Seep Influence
Authors: Goffredi Shana K. , Tilic Ekin , Mullin Sean W. , Dawson Katherine S. , Keller Abigail , Lee Raymond W. , Wu Fabai , Levin Lisa A. , Rouse Greg W. , Cordes Erik E. , Orphan Victoria J.
Published: December 2019

Deep-sea methane seeps are dynamic sources of greenhouse gas production and unique habitats supporting ocean biodiversity and productivity. Here, we demonstrate new animal-bacterial symbioses fueled by methane, between two undescribed species of annelid (a serpulidLaminatubusand sabellidBispira) and distinct methane-oxidizing Methylococcales bacteria. Worm tissue δ13C of −44‰ to −58‰ suggested methane-fueled nutrition for both species and shipboard experiments revealed active assimilation of13C-labelled CH4into animal biomass, occurring via engulfment of methanotrophic bacteria across the host epidermal surface. These worms represent a new addition to the few animals known to intimately associate with methane-oxidizing bacteria, and further explain their enigmatic mass occurrence at 150-million-year-old fossil seeps. High-resolution seafloor surveys document significant coverage by these symbioses, beyond typical obligate seep fauna. These findings uncover novel consumers of methane in the deep-sea, and by expanding the known spatial extent of methane seeps, may have important implications for deep-sea conservation.