bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrospun Ceramic Nanofiber Mats Today: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Esfahani Hamid , Jose Rajan , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: October 2017

Ceramic nanofibers (NFs) have recently been developed for advanced applications due to their unique properties. In this article, we review developments in electrospun ceramic NFs with regard to their fabrication process, properties, and applications. We find that surface activity of electrospun ceramic NFs is improved by post pyrolysis, hydrothermal, and carbothermal processes. Also, when combined with another surface modification methods, electrospun ceramic NFs result in the advancement of properties and widening of the application domains. With the decrease in diameter and length of a fiber, many properties of fibrous materials are modified; characteristics of such ceramic NFs are different from their wide and long (bulk) counterparts. In this article, electrospun ceramic NFs are reviewed with an emphasis on their applications as catalysts, membranes, sensors, biomaterials, fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, energy harvesting systems, electric and magnetic parts, conductive wires, and wearable electronic textiles. Furthermore, properties of ceramic nanofibers, which enable the above applications, and techniques to characterize them are briefly outlined.
Identification for the First Time of Cyclo(d-Pro-l-Leu) Produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Y1 as a Nematocide for Control of Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Jamal Qaiser , Cho Jeong-Yong , Moon Jae-Hak , Munir Shahzad , Anees Muhammad , Kim Kil Yong
Published: October 2017

The aim of the current study was to describe the role and mechanism of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Y1 against the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Initially, the exposure of the bacterial culture supernatant and crude extract of Y1 to M. incognita significantly inhibited the hatching of eggs and caused the mortality of second-stage juveniles (J2), with these inhibitory effects depending on the length of incubation time and concentration of the treatment. The dipeptide cyclo(d-Pro-l-Leu) was identified in B. amyloliquefaciens culture for the first time using chromatographic techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR 1H, 13C, H-H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and recognized to have nematocidal activity. Various concentrations of cyclo(d-Pro-l-Leu) were investigated for their effect on the hatching of eggs and J2 mortality. Moreover, the in vivo nematocidal activity of the Y1 strain was investigated by conducting pot experiments in which tomato plants were inoculated with M. incognita. Each and every pot was amended 50 mL of fertilizer media (F), or Y1 culture, or nematicide (N) (only once), or fertilizer media with N (FN) at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks after transplantation. The results of the pot experiments demonstrated the antagonistic effect of B. amyloliquefaciens Y1 against M. incognita as it significantly decreases the count of eggs and galls per root of the tomato plant as well as the population of J2 in the soil. Besides, the investigation into the growth parameters, such as the length of shoot, shoot fresh and dry weights of the tomato plants, showed that they were significantly higher in the Y1 strain Y1-treated plants compared to F-, FN- and N-treated plants. Therefore, the biocontrol repertoire of this bacterium opens a new insight into the applications in crop pest control.
Medication Reviews by a Clinical Pharmacist at an Irish University Teaching Hospital
Authors: Kearney Alan , Halleran Ciaran , Walsh Elaine , Byrne Derina , Haugh Jennifer , Sahm Laura
Published: October 2017

Purpose: Pharmacist-led medication reviews in hospitals have shown improvement in patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and nature of pharmacist interventions (PIs) following a medication review in an Irish teaching hospital. Methods: PIs were recorded over a six-month period in 2015. PIs were assessed by a panel of healthcare professionals (n = 5) to estimate the potential of adverse drug events (ADEs). Descriptive statistics were used for the variables and the chi square test for independence was used to analyse for any association between the variables. Results: Of the 1216 patients (55.8% female; median age 68 years (interquartile range 24 years)) who received a medication review, 313 interventions were identified in 213 patients. 412 medicines were associated with PIs, of which drugs for obstructive airway disease (n = 82), analgesics (n = 56), and antibacterial products for systemic use (n = 50) were the most prevalent. A statistically significant association was found between PI and patient’s age ≥65 years (p = 0.000), as well as female gender (p = 0.037). A total of 60.7% of the PIs had a medium or high likelihood of causing an ADE. Conclusion: Pharmacist-led medication review in a hospital setting prevented ADEs. Patients ≥65 years of age and female patients benefited the most from the interventions.
Hashing Based Hierarchical Feature Representation for Hyperspectral Imagery Classification
Authors: Pan Bin , Shi Zhenwei , Xu Xia , Yang Yi
Published: October 2017

Integrating spectral and spatial information is proved effective in improving the accuracy of hyperspectral imagery classification. In recent studies, two kinds of approaches are widely investigated: (1) developing a multiple feature fusion (MFF) strategy; and (2) designing a powerful spectral-spatial feature extraction (FE) algorithm. In this paper, we combine the advantages of MFF and FE, and propose an ensemble based feature representation method for hyperspectral imagery classification, which aims at generating a hierarchical feature representation for the original hyperspectral data. The proposed method is composed of three cascaded layers: firstly, multiple features, including local, global and spectral, are extracted from the hyperspectral data. Next, a new hashing based feature representation method is proposed and conducted on the features obtained in the first layer. Finally, a simple but efficient extreme learning machine classifier is employed to get the classification results. To some extent, the proposed method is a combination of MFF and FE: instead of feature fusion or single feature extraction, we use an ensemble strategy to provide a hierarchical feature representation for the hyperspectral data. In the experiments, we select two popular and one challenging hyperspectral data sets for evaluation, and six recently proposed methods are compared. The proposed method achieves respectively 89.55%, 99.36% and 77.90% overall accuracies in the three data sets with 20 training samples per class. The results prove that the performance of the proposed method is superior to some MFF and FE based ones.
Characterizing Drought and Flood Events over the Yangtze River Basin Using the HUST-Grace2016 Solution and Ancillary Data
Authors: Zhou Hao , Luo Zhicai , Tangdamrongsub Natthachet , Wang Lunche , He Lijie , Xu Chuang , Li Qiong
Published: October 2017

Accurate terrestrial water storage (TWS) estimation is important to evaluate the situation of the water resources over the Yangtze River Basin (YRB). This study exploits the TWS observation from the new temporal gravity field model, HUST-Grace2016 (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), which is developed by a new low-frequency noise processing strategy. A novel GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) post-processing approach is proposed to enhance the quality of the TWS estimate, and the improved TWS is used to characterize the drought and flood events over the YRB. The HUST-Grace2016-derived TWS presents good agreement with the CSR (Center for Space Research) mascon solution as well as the PCR-GLOBWB (PCRaster Global Water Balance) hydrological model. Particularly, our solution provides remarkable performance in identifying the extreme climate events e.g., flood and drought over the YRB and its sub-basins. The comparison between GRACE-derived TWS variations and the MODIS-derived (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) inundated area variations is then conducted. The analysis demonstrates that the terrestrial reflectance data can provide an alternative way of cross-comparing and validating TWS information in Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake, with a correlation coefficient of 0.77 and 0.70, respectively. In contrast, the correlation is only 0.10 for Tai Lake, indicating the limitation of cross-comparison between MODIS and GRACE data. In addition, for the first time, the NCEP/NCAR (National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research) vertical velocity data is incorporated with GRACE TWS in the exploration of the climate-induced hydrological activities. The good agreement between non-seasonal NCEP/NCAR vertical velocities and non-seasonal GRACE TWSs is found in flood years (2005, 2010, 2012 and 2016) and drought years (2006, 2011 and 2013). The evidence shown in this study may contribute to the analysis of the mechanism of climate impacts on the YRB.
BeiDou Geostationary Satellite Code Bias Modeling Using Fengyun-3C Onboard Measurements
Authors: Jiang Kecai , Li Min , Zhao Qile , Li Wenwen , Guo Xiang
Published: October 2017

This study validated and investigated elevation- and frequency-dependent systematic biases observed in ground-based code measurements of the Chinese BeiDou navigation satellite system, using the onboard BeiDou code measurement data from the Chinese meteorological satellite Fengyun-3C. Particularly for geostationary earth orbit satellites, sky-view coverage can be achieved over the entire elevation and azimuth angle ranges with the available onboard tracking data, which is more favorable to modeling code biases. Apart from the BeiDou-satellite-induced biases, the onboard BeiDou code multipath effects also indicate pronounced near-field systematic biases that depend only on signal frequency and the line-of-sight directions. To correct these biases, we developed a proposed code correction model by estimating the BeiDou-satellite-induced biases as linear piece-wise functions in different satellite groups and the near-field systematic biases in a grid approach. To validate the code bias model, we carried out orbit determination using single-frequency BeiDou data with and without code bias corrections applied. Orbit precision statistics indicate that those code biases can seriously degrade single-frequency orbit determination. After the correction model was applied, the orbit position errors, 3D root mean square, were reduced from 150.6 to 56.3 cm.
A Green Microbial Fuel Cell-Based Biosensor for In Situ Chromium (VI) Measurement in Electroplating Wastewater
Authors: Wu Li-Chun , Tsai Teh-Hua , Liu Man-Hai , Kuo Jui-Ling , Chang Yung-Chu , Chung Ying-Chien
Published: October 2017

The extensive use of Cr(VI) in many industries and the disposal of Cr(VI)-containing wastes have resulted in Cr(VI)-induced environmental contamination. Cr(VI) compounds are associated with increased cancer risks; hence, the detection of toxic Cr(VI) compounds is crucial. Various methods have been developed for Cr(VI) measurement, but they are often conducted offsite and cannot provide real-time toxicity monitoring. A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an eco-friendly and self-sustaining device that has great potential as a biosensor for in situ Cr(VI) measurement, especially for wastewater generated from different electroplating units. In this study, Exiguobacterium aestuarii YC211, a facultatively anaerobic, Cr(VI)-reducing, salt-tolerant, and exoelectrogenic bacterium, was isolated and inoculated into an MFC to evaluate its feasibility as a Cr(VI) biosensor. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency of E. aestuarii YC211 was not affected by the surrounding environment (pH 5–9, 20–35 °C, coexisting ions, and salinity of 0–15 g/L). The maximum power density of the MFC biosensor was 98.3 ± 1.5 mW/m2 at 1500 Ω. A good linear relationship (r2 = 0.997) was observed between the Cr(VI) concentration (2.5–60 mg/L) and the voltage output. The developed MFC biosensor is a simple device that can accurately measure Cr(VI) concentrations in the actual electroplating wastewater that is generated from different electroplating units within 30 min with low deviations (−6.1% to 2.2%). After treating the actual electroplating wastewater with the MFC, the predominant family in the biofilm was found to be Bacillaceae (95.3%) and was further identified as the originally inoculated E. aestuarii YC211 by next generation sequencing (NGS). Thus, the MFC biosensor can measure Cr(VI) concentrations in situ in the effluents from different electroplating units, and it can potentially help in preventing the violation of effluent regulations.
Determination of Fluid Density and Viscosity by Analyzing Flexural Wave Propagations on the Vibrating Micro-Cantilever
Authors: Kim Deokman , Hong Seongkyeol , Jang Jaesung , Park Junhong
Published: October 2017

The determination of fluid density and viscosity using most cantilever-based sensors is based on changes in resonant frequency and peak width. Here, we present a wave propagation analysis using piezoelectrically excited micro-cantilevers under distributed fluid loading. The standing wave shapes of microscale-thickness cantilevers partially immersed in liquids (water, 25% glycerol, and acetone), and nanoscale-thickness microfabricated cantilevers fully immersed in gases (air at three different pressures, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen) were investigated to identify the effects of fluid-structure interactions to thus determine the fluid properties. This measurement method was validated by comparing with the known fluid properties, which agreed well with the measurements. The relative differences for the liquids were less than 4.8% for the densities and 3.1% for the viscosities, and those for the gases were less than 6.7% for the densities and 7.3% for the viscosities, showing better agreements in liquids than in gases.
Monitoring of Pre-Load on Rock Bolt Using Piezoceramic-Transducer Enabled Time Reversal Method
Authors: Huo Linsheng , Wang Bo , Chen Dongdong , Song Gangbing
Published: October 2017

Rock bolts ensure structural stability for tunnels and many other underground structures. The pre-load on a rock bolt plays an important role in the structural reinforcement and it is vital to monitor the pre-load status of rock bolts. In this paper, a rock bolt pre-load monitoring method based on the piezoceramic enabled time reversal method is proposed. A lead zirconate titanate (PZT) patch transducer, which works as an actuator to generate stress waves, is bonded onto the anchor plate of the rock bolt. A smart washer, which is fabricated by sandwiching a PZT patch between two metal rings, is installed between the hex nut and the anchor plate along the rock bolt. The smart washer functions as a sensor to detect the stress wave. With the increase of the pre-load values on the rock bolt, the effective contact surface area between the smart washer and the anchor plate, benefiting the stress wave propagation crossing the contact surface. With the help of time reversal technique, experimental results reveal that the magnitude of focused signal clearly increases with the increase of the pre-load on a rock bolt before the saturation which happens beyond a relatively high value of the pre-load. The proposed method provides an innovative and real time means to monitor the pre-load level of a rock bolt. By employing this method, the pre-load degradation process on a rock bolt can be clearly monitored. Please note that, currently, the proposed method applies to only new rock bolts, on which it is possible to install the PZT smart washer.
Distributed Multisensor Data Fusion under Unknown Correlation and Data Inconsistency
Authors: Bakr Muhammad Abu , Lee Sukhan
Published: October 2017

The paradigm of multisensor data fusion has been evolved from a centralized architecture to a decentralized or distributed architecture along with the advancement in sensor and communication technologies. These days, distributed state estimation and data fusion has been widely explored in diverse fields of engineering and control due to its superior performance over the centralized one in terms of flexibility, robustness to failure and cost effectiveness in infrastructure and communication. However, distributed multisensor data fusion is not without technical challenges to overcome: namely, dealing with cross-correlation and inconsistency among state estimates and sensor data. In this paper, we review the key theories and methodologies of distributed multisensor data fusion available to date with a specific focus on handling unknown correlation and data inconsistency. We aim at providing readers with a unifying view out of individual theories and methodologies by presenting a formal analysis of their implications. Finally, several directions of future research are highlighted.
Is Automobile Dependence in Emerging Cities an Irresistible Force? Perspectives from São Paulo, Taipei, Prague, Mumbai, Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou
Authors: Kenworthy Jeffrey
Published: October 2017

This paper analyses seven metropolitan regions that are all experiencing rapid motorisation and are perhaps appearing to capitulate to the automobile. Through 20 years of changes, evidenced in systematic data from the mid-1990s, a different perspective is found. None of the urban regions appear near to or even capable of becoming automobile cities. Physical limits are already being reached that make higher levels of private motorised mobility very problematic if transport systems are to remain functional and the cities livable. These limits appear already to be reversing the decline in non-motorised modes and creating an upturn in transit systems, especially urban rail. That these cities have been able to either hold their own, or somewhat increase their share of total motorised mobility by transit over a 20-year period, is some indication that they are ‘hitting mobility walls’ much sooner in the motorisation path than cities in North America and Australia, which grew up with and were designed around the spatial needs of cars. Like many cities in the developed world that have shown a decoupling of car use and total passenger mobility from GDP growth from 1995 to 2005, there is now evidence that this is happening in less wealthy cities. This is important because it assists global and local goals for reduced CO2 from passenger transport, while allowing for economic progress. Such evidence suggests that automobile dependence is not an irresistible force in emerging economies.
Inventory Analysis and Social Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Waste-to-Energy Incineration in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Yu-Tsang , Lee Yuh-Ming , Hong Chien-Yu
Published: October 2017

Waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration technology is widely used to solve the energy supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation problems in urban areas. In Taiwan, there are new laws and regulations that would affect greenhouse gas management of WtE incineration plants. This research aims to identify or raise key issues to be promoted for WtE incineration plants due to existing management systems and complex issues mixed with GHG, energy, and solid waste treatment. This study utilizes inventory analysis and social LCA (SLCA) approach on GHG management of WtE incineration plants in Taiwan to systematically identify materiality issues to be promoted. According to the results of materiality analysis for SLCA, this study generalizes four stakeholders, nine subcategories, and their 15 inventory indicators; and concludes that, among assessment results of 15 inventory indicators, three indicators are at a high level, four at a medium level, and eight at a low level. In total, 12 materiality issues are recognized. This study suggests WtE incineration plants should consider the following materiality issues with respect to priority: a systematic database and calculation methods, the goal and criteria of the laws and regulations, technology development toward circular economy and promotion activity or opportunity for local community and organization level.
Expression of K1 Toxin Derivatives in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mimics Treatment with Exogenous Toxin and Provides a Useful Tool for Elucidating K1 Mechanisms of Action and Immunity
Authors: Gier Stefanie , Schmitt Manfred , Breinig Frank
Published: October 2017

Killer toxin K1 is a heterodimeric protein toxin secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains infected with the M1 double-stranded RNA ‘killer’ virus. After binding to a primary receptor at the level of the cell wall, K1 interacts with its secondary plasma membrane receptor Kre1p, eventually leading to an ionophoric disruption of membrane function. Although it has been under investigation for decades, neither the particular mechanisms leading to toxicity nor those leading to immunity have been elucidated. In this study, we constructed derivatives of the K1α subunit and expressed them in sensitive yeast cells. We show that these derivatives are able to mimic the action of externally applied K1 toxin in terms of growth inhibition and pore formation within the membrane, leading to a suicidal phenotype that could be abolished by co-expression of the toxin precursor, confirming a mechanistic similarity of external and internal toxin action. The derivatives were successfully used to investigate a null mutant completely resistant to externally applied toxin. They provide a valuable tool for the identification of so far unknown gene products involved in K1 toxin action and/or immunity.
The interplay between spin densities and magnetic superexchange interactions: case studies of mono- and trinuclear bis(oxamato)-type complexes
Authors: Aliabadi Azar , Büchner Bernd , Kataev Vladislav , Rüffer Tobias
Published: October 2017

For future molecular spintronic applications the possibility to modify and tailor the magnetic properties of transition-metal complexes is very promising. One of such possibilities is given by the countless derivatization offered by carbon chemistry. They allow for altering chemical structures and, in doing so, to tune magnetic properties of molecular spin-carrying compounds. With emphasis on the interplay of the spin density distribution of mononuclear and magnetic superexchange couplings of trinuclear bis(oxamato)-type complexes we review on efforts on such magneto-structural correlations.
REDUCTION OF NON-PERFORMING LOANS IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY: AN APPLICATION OF DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS
Authors: YANG Chih-Ching
Published: October 2017

The increase in non-performing loans around the world has had quite a negative impact on many nations’ banking systems. To address these problems, many creative regulatory solutions and well-designed risk techniques have been utilized in the hope of reducing non-performing loans to an acceptable level. The purpose of this study is to apply a newly developed data envelopment analysis model to suggest the most efficient plan (called Plan 4) to reduce non-performing loans that can maximize the efficiency of the entire banking industry’s control over the bad debts. For comparison purpose, three other reduction plans are also represented. The four plans are presented using data from Taiwan’s banking industry. The empirical results show that among the plans presented, Plan 4 shows the most effective allocation of the industry-wide reduction target. The plan focuses on a finite number of banks, helping identify the key units to improve industry-wide efficiency. The findings implicitly suggest that the regulator should devise more incentive measures to encourage target banks to perform the non-performing loan reduction task. Our results also suggest that for the regulator, forcing banks to cut their non-performing loans by the same ratio will not help improve the relative efficiency of the industry.
PILLAR 3: MARKET DISCIPLINE OF THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN CEE COMMERCIAL BANK AND TURBULENT TIMES
Authors: MUNK Michal , PILKOVA Anna , BENKO Lubomir , BLAŽEKOVÁ Petra
Published: October 2017

The study presented in the paper contributes to covering the gap in the area of sufficient information disclosure that also increases the interests of relevant stakeholders in contributing to depository market discipline and in being relevant to their interest within Pillar 3 framework. This paper is focused on an analysis of website data dedicated to Pillar 3 disclosures of commercial banks and on studying the behaviour of stakeholders in relation to the timing of serious market turbulence. The examined data consists of log files that were pre-processed using web mining techniques and from which were extracted frequent itemsets by quarters and evaluated in terms of quantity. The authors have proposed a methodology to evaluate frequent itemsets of web parts over a dedicated time period. The results show that stakeholders’ interest in disclosures is lower after turbulent times in 2009, higher in the first quarter, also higher together with annual reports (lower for Pillar 3 solo information). The paper’s results suggest that further changes in commercial banks´ information disclosure are inevitable in order to achieve an effective market discipline mechanism and meaningful disclosures according to the regulator´s expectations.
MODIFIED SERVQUAL MODEL AND EFFECTS OF CUSTOMER ATTITUDE AND TECHNOLOGY ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN BANKING INDUSTRY: MEDIATION, MODERATION AND CONDITIONAL PROCESS ANALYSIS
Authors: AHMED Rizwan Raheem , VVEINHARDT Jolita , ŠTREIMIKIENĖ Dalia , ASHRAF Muhammad , CHANNAR Zahid Ali
Published: October 2017

Banks are very important financial services sector, and in banking sector there is an intense competition amongst the local and foreign banks throughout the world. The objective of this research is to analyse the effects of perceived value and customer trust, and role of technology in banking service qualities and customers’ satisfaction in Pakistani context. For this purpose we employed modified SERVQUAL model with four dimensions such as empathy, competence, reliability, and online service. An adapted questionnaire was used to carry out this survey research, and collected 830 responses from the customers of Pakistani banking industry. We used factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and bootstrapping methods to carry out this research. The results of the study demonstrated that our four-dimensional model of modified SERVQUAL has a significant impact on overall customer satisfaction. It is further concluded from the bootstrapping method that modified SERVQUAL dimensions and customer satisfaction are positively mediated by the perceived value and trust. Finally, it is also concluded that the implementation of technology serves as moderating variable in the banking sector. The outcomes of this research are beneficial to the senior management of banking sector in order to implement the effective and customised online banking structure to gain competitive advantages, and provide vibrant online banking services that enhance the standard and ease of services to the customers and earn their confidence. The originality and novelty of this research provide a significant contribution in the application of SERVQUAL model specifically for the banking service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction in marketing research.
COMPARISON OF SELECTED METHODS FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF CZECH AND SLOVAK COMMERCIAL BANKS
Authors: GAVUROVA Beata , BELAS Jaroslav , KOCISOVA Kristina , KLIESTIK Tomas
Published: October 2017

The successful development of economy is based on the efficient and stable performance of commercial banks. A broad range of methods is used to evaluate them. Each method has its own specific features and logic, which results in the existence of discrepancies in the results of their evaluation. For this reason, as well as due to the elimination of model risk, numerous methods are recommended in practice to detect multidimensional disproportions in bank performance and to create a comparator base. This led to the realization of the research aimed at assessing the performance of selected Czech and Slovak banks by applying several methods and evaluating the process and outcome differences of these methods. The data were obtained from the non-consolidated financial statements published in the annual reports of the evaluated banks. The analysis showed that all methods have roughly the same results. Almost perfect correlation had been found not only among the methods of multi-criteria evaluation, but also among the other investigators.
Long-term Study of the Solar Filaments from the Synoptic Maps as Derived from
Spectroheliograms of the Kodaikanal Observatory
Authors: Chatterjee Subhamoy , Hegde Manjunath , Banerjee Dipankar , Ravindra B.
Published: October 2017

The century long (1914–2007)

(656.28 nm) spectroheliograms from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) have been recently digitized. Using these newly calibrated, processed images we study the evolution of dark elongated on-disk structures called filaments, which are potential representatives of magnetic activities on the Sun. To our knowledge, this is the oldest uniform digitized data set with daily images available today in

. We generate Carrington maps for the entire time duration and try to find the correlations with maps of the same Carrington rotation from the Ca ii K KSO data. Filaments are segmented from the Carrington maps using a semi-automated technique and are studied individually to extract their centroids and tilts. We plot the time-latitude distribution of the filament centroids, producing a butterfly diagram which clearly shows the presence of poleward migration. We separate polar filaments for each cycle and try to estimate the delay between the polar filament number cycle and the sunspot number cycle peaks. We correlate this delay with the delay between polar reversal and sunspot number maxima. This provides new insight on the role of polar filaments on polar reversal.
Multiple-wavelength Variability and Quasi-periodic Oscillation of PMN J0948+0022
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zhang Hai-Ming , Zhu Yong-Kai , Yi Ting-Feng , Yao Su , Lu Rui-Jing , Liang En-Wei
Published: October 2017

We present a comprehensive analysis of multiple-wavelength observational data of the first GeV-selected narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PMN J0948+0022. We derive its light curves in the γ-ray and X-ray bands from the data observed with Fermi/LAT and Swift/XRT, and generate the optical and radio light curves by collecting the data from the literature. These light curves show significant flux variations. With the LAT data we show that this source is analogous to typical flat spectrum radio quasars in the L

γ
–Γ
γ
plane, where L

γ
and Γ
γ
are the luminosity and spectral index in the LAT energy band. The γ-ray flux is correlated with the V-band flux with a lag of ∼44 days, and a moderate quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) with a periodicity of ∼490 days observed in the LAT light curve. A similar QPO signature is also found in the V-band light curve. The γ-ray flux is not correlated with the radio flux in 15 GHz, and no similar QPO signature is found at a confidence level of 95%. Possible mechanisms of the QPO are discussed. We propose that gravitational-wave observations in the future may clarify the current plausible models for the QPO.
The Interstellar Medium in [O iii]-selected Star-forming Galaxies at z ∼ 3.2
Authors: Suzuki Tomoko L. , Kodama Tadayuki , Onodera Masato , Shimakawa Rhythm , Hayashi Masao , Tadaki Ken-ichi , Koyama Yusei , Tanaka Ichi , Sobral David , Smail Ian , Best Philip N. , Khostovan Ali A. , Minowa Yosuke , Yamamoto Moegi
Published: October 2017

We present new results from near-infrared spectroscopy with Keck/MOSFIRE of [O iii]-selected galaxies at

z
∼
3.2

. With our H and K band spectra, we investigate the interstellar medium (ISM) conditions, such as ionization states and gas metallicities. [O iii] emitters at

z
∼
3.2

show a typical gas metallicity of

12
+
log
(
O

/

H
)
=
8.07
±
0.07

at

log
(

M

*

/

M

⊙

)

∼

9.0
–
9.2

and

12
+
log
(
O

/

H
)
=
8.31
±
0.04

at

log
(

M

*

/

M

⊙

)

∼

9.7
–
10.2

when using the empirical calibration method. We compare the [O iii] emitters at

z
∼
3.2

with UV-selected galaxies and Lyα emitters at the same epoch and find that the [O iii]-based selection does not appear to show any systematic bias in the selection of star-forming galaxies. Moreover, comparing with star-forming galaxies at

z
∼
2

from the literature, our samples show similar ionization parameters and gas metallicities as those obtained by the previous studies that used the same calibration method. We find no strong redshift evolution in the ISM conditions between

z
∼
3.2

and

z
∼
2

. Considering that the star formation rates at a fixed stellar mass also do not significantly change between the two epochs, our results support the idea that the stellar mass is the primary quantity to describe the evolutionary stages of individual galaxies at

z
>
2

.
Convection and Overshoot in Models of γ Doradus and δ Scuti Stars
Authors: Lovekin C. C. , Guzik J. A.
Published: October 2017

We investigate the pulsation properties of stellar models that are representative of δ Scuti and γ Doradus variables. We have calculated a grid of stellar models from 1.2 to 2.2 M
⊙, including the effects of both rotation and convective overshoot using MESA, and we investigate the pulsation properties of these models using GYRE. We discuss the observable patterns in the frequency spacing for p modes and the period spacings for g modes. Using the observable patterns in the g mode period spacings, it may be possible to observationally constrain the convective overshoot and rotation of a model. We also calculate the pulsation constant (Q) for all models in our grid and investigate the variation with convective overshoot and rotation. The variation in the Q values of the radial modes can be used to place constraints on the convective overshoot and rotation of stars in this region. As a test case, we apply this method to a sample of 22 High-Amplitude δ Scuti stars (HADS) and provide estimates for the convective overshoot of the sample.
The Role of the CMB in Redshift Related Departures from the Gao–Solomon Relation
Authors: Tunnard R. , Greve T. R.
Published: October 2017

A strong correlation between the far-IR and HCN(1−0) line luminosities, known as the Gao–Solomon relation, has been observed to hold over more than 10 orders of magnitude in the local universe. Departures from this relation at redshifts ≳1.5 have been interpreted as evidence for increased dense gas star formation efficiency in luminous galaxies during the period of peak of star formation in the history of the universe. We examine whether the offsets from the relation can be explained by the hotter Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) at high redshift, which, due to a loss of contrast against the hotter background, reduces the observable molecular-line flux far more significantly than the far-IR continuum bands. Simple line-of-sight modeling argues for highly significant departures from the Gao–Solomon relation at high redshift for kinetic temperatures ∼15 K, while more complex toy-galaxy models based on NGC 1068 suggest a much weaker effect with the galaxy integrated HCN line flux falling by only 10% at z = 3, within the intrinsic scatter of the relation. We conclude that, while the CMB is unlikely to explain the deviations reported in the literature, it may introduce a second-order effect on the relation by raising the low-luminosity end of the Gao–Solomon relation in cooler galaxies. A similar examination of the CO-IR relation finds tantalizing signs of the CMB having a measurable effect on the integrated CO emission in high-redshift galaxies, but these signs cannot be confirmed with the current data.
Particle Acceleration and Fractional Transport in Turbulent Reconnection
Authors: Isliker Heinz , Pisokas Theophilos , Vlahos Loukas , Anastasiadis Anastasios
Published: October 2017

We consider a large-scale environment of turbulent reconnection that is fragmented into a number of randomly distributed unstable current sheets (UCSs), and we statistically analyze the acceleration of particles within this environment. We address two important cases of acceleration mechanisms when particles interact with the UCS: (a) electric field acceleration and (b) acceleration by reflection at contracting islands. Electrons and ions are accelerated very efficiently, attaining an energy distribution of power-law shape with an index 1–2, depending on the acceleration mechanism. The transport coefficients in energy space are estimated from test-particle simulation data, and we show that the classical Fokker–Planck (FP) equation fails to reproduce the simulation results when the transport coefficients are inserted into it and it is solved numerically. The cause for this failure is that the particles perform Levy flights in energy space, while the distributions of the energy increments exhibit power-law tails. We then use the fractional transport equation (FTE) derived by Isliker et al., whose parameters and the order of the fractional derivatives are inferred from the simulation data, and solving the FTE numerically, we show that the FTE successfully reproduces the kinetic energy distribution of the test particles. We discuss in detail the analysis of the simulation data and the criteria that allow one to judge the appropriateness of either an FTE or a classical FP equation as a transport model.
Correlation between X-Ray and Radio Absorption in Compact Radio Galaxies
Authors: Ostorero Luisa , Morganti Raffaella , Diaferio Antonaldo , Siemiginowska Aneta , Stawarz Łukasz , Moderski Rafal , Labiano Alvaro
Published: October 2017

Compact radio galaxies with a GHz-peaked spectrum (GPS) and/or compact-symmetric-object (CSO) morphology (GPS/CSOs) are increasingly detected in the X-ray domain. Their radio and X-ray emissions are affected by significant absorption. However, the locations of the X-ray and radio absorbers are still debated. We investigated the relationship between the column densities of the total (

) and neutral (

) hydrogen to statistically constrain the picture. We compiled a sample of GPS/CSOs including both literature data and new radio data that we acquired with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope for sources whose X-ray emission was either established or under investigation. In this sample, we compared the X-ray and radio hydrogen column densities, and found that

and

display a significant positive correlation with

 ∝ 

b
, where b = 0.47 and b = 0.35, depending on the subsample. The

–

correlation suggests that the X-ray and radio absorbers are either co-spatial or different components of a continuous structure. The correlation displays a large intrinsic spread that we suggest to originate from fluctuations, around a mean value, of the ratio between the spin temperature and the covering factor of the radio absorber,

.
Galactic Latitude Dependence of Near-infrared Diffuse Galactic Light: Thermal Emission or Scattered Light?
Authors: Sano K. , Matsuura S.
Published: October 2017

Near-infrared (IR) diffuse Galactic light (DGL) consists of scattered light and thermal emission from interstellar dust grains illuminated by the interstellar radiation field (ISRF). At 1.25 and

, a recent observational study shows that intensity ratios of the DGL to interstellar

dust emission steeply decrease toward high Galactic latitudes (b). In this paper, we investigate the origin(s) of the b-dependence on the basis of models of thermal emission and scattered light. Combining a thermal emission model with the regional variation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon abundance observed with Planck, we show that the contribution of the near-IR thermal emission component to the observed DGL is lower than

. We also examine the b-dependence of the scattered light, assuming a plane–parallel Galaxy with smooth distributions of the ISRF and dust density along the vertical direction, and assuming a scattering phase function according to a recently developed model of interstellar dust. We normalize the scattered light intensity to the

intensity corrected for deviation from the cosecant-b law according to the Planck observation. As the result, the present model that considers the b-dependence of dust and the ISRF properties can account for the observed b-dependence of the near-IR DGL. However, the uncertainty in the correction for the

emission is large, and other normalizing quantities may be appropriate for a more robust analysis of the DGL.
Steamworlds: Atmospheric Structure and Critical Mass of Planets Accreting Icy Pebbles
Authors: Chambers John
Published: October 2017

In the core accretion model, gas-giant planets first form a solid core, which then accretes gas from a protoplanetary disk when the core exceeds a critical mass. Here, we model the atmosphere of a core that grows by accreting ice-rich pebbles. The ice fraction of pebbles evaporates in warm regions of the atmosphere, saturating it with water vapor. Excess water precipitates to lower altitudes. Beneath an outer radiative region, the atmosphere is convective, following a moist adiabat in saturated regions due to water condensation and precipitation. Atmospheric mass, density, and temperature increase with core mass. For nominal model parameters, planets with core masses (ice + rock) between 0.08 and 0.16 Earth masses have surface temperatures between 273 and 647 K and form an ocean. In more massive planets, water exists as a supercritical convecting fluid mixed with gas from the disk. Typically, the core mass reaches a maximum (the critical mass) as a function of the total mass when the core is 2–5 Earth masses. The critical mass depends in a complicated way on pebble size, mass flux, and dust opacity due to the occasional appearance of multiple core-mass maxima. The core mass for an atmosphere of 50% hydrogen and helium may be a more robust indicator of the onset of gas accretion. This mass is typically 1–3 Earth masses for pebbles that are 50% ice by mass, increasing with opacity and pebble flux and decreasing with pebble ice/rock ratio.
Charles Walbrou, « Je préférerais ne pas », le réfractaire de l’« Homme mort »
Authors: Ribeill Georges
Published: October 2017

L’histoire de la lutte contre la va (veille automatique) puis contre la vacma (veille automatique à contrôle de maintien d’appui) se confond avec l’histoire militante d’un cheminot, conducteur de train syndicaliste à la Cftc puis à la Cfdt , Charles Walbrou. Retracer sa vie militante, c’est parcourir cette lutte depuis ses prémices, au début des années 1960, jusqu’à son abandon par les organisations syndicales au détour de mai 1968 avec la priorité donnée aux revendications « générales ». Mais, pour Walbrou, le combat contre la vacma ne s’arrête pas. Ni sa retraite ni l’abandon de cette revendication par les syndicats ne l’empêcheront de poursuivre sa dénonciation de ce système qui « colle l’homme à la machine ».
Une mise en veille de la santé et de la sécurité ou les paradoxes du dispositif d’« Homme mort » sur les tramways
Authors: Doniol-Shaw Ghislaine , Foot Robin , Franchi Pierre
Published: October 2017

Le milieu du tramway tend à généraliser un dispositif de veille, une vacma (veille automatique à contrôle de maintien d’appui) qui soumet le travail de conduite à une contrainte temporelle forte sans rapport avec la conduite. Le conducteur ne peut maintenir la veille plus de douze secondes. Avant ce délai, il doit relâcher la veille sinon une alarme sonore se déclenche et un freinage d’urgence peut se déclencher. Or, on constate que la majorité des conducteurs tend à intensifier les actions sur la veille, à adopter une fréquence d’action beaucoup plus élevée que ce que le système permet en théorie. Comprendre les raisons de cette stratégie permet d’éclairer la double contrainte qui met sous tension le travail de conduite : préserver sa santé au détriment de l’attention portée à la conduite ou prendre sur soi pour assurer au mieux la sécurité de conduite.
La folie des uns fait le travail des autres, la vacma et le tramway
Authors: Foot Robin
Published: October 2017

L’analyse du dispositif d’« homme mort » implanté sur les tramways nous amène à explorer l’imaginaire des concepteurs, exploitants et constructeurs au travers des métamorphoses de cet objet technique. Celui-ci se voit attribuer des fonctions fictives et fantasmatiques alors que s’oublie sa fonction originelle de détection de la défaillance. Cette dérive d’un objet technique prend appui, paradoxalement, sur une enquête menée par des médecins en 1965 associés à la Cgt Sncf . Cinquante plus tard, une nouvelle lutte, toujours avec la Cgt , mais dans le transport urbain, vient réinterroger cet « homme mort ».
Des alliances inattendues au service de l’idéologie managériale : les conditions culturelles postmodernes : Réflexions à la lecture de Apprendre pour transmettre de François Rastier
Authors: Tessier Hélène
Published: October 2017

L’article constitue un commentaire de l’ouvrage de François Rastier Apprendre pour transmettre . L’éducation au service de l’idéologie managériale. Il examine les appuis que trouve l’idéologie managériale dans différentes disciplines, tels que décrits par Rastier, et s’interroge sur les rapports entre les courants qui neutralisent la résistance à cette idéologie et les conditions culturelles postmodernes. Il constate que ces différents courants partagent le même anti-humanisme, qui sert d’idéologie managériale dans sa lutte contre le sens.
Comparison of African American and Caucasian Caregiver Self-Efficacy
Authors: Easom Leisa , Cotter Ellen , Ramos Angel
Published: October 2017

Self-efficacy influences one's behavior and can determine the degree to which one is motivated to take action. The current study explores changes in caregiver self-efficacy pre- and post-participation in a Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH II) program, a multi-component intervention aimed at caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The study specifically compared this construct in African American and Caucasian populations, which may give indications of how to empower dementia caregivers and whether REACH II is culturally sensitive and thus, an important component to examine. Nurses are the connection between families and community resources and must serve as referral sources to programs that work. Although African American and Caucasian caregivers showed comparable rates of increase in self-efficacy, African American caregivers started and ended at higher rates of self-efficacy for obtaining respite and overall self-efficacy. Applications of the results and directions for future research are discussed. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44
(3), 16–21.]
El antiespañolismo de la Carta de Jamaica: Entre la legitimidad de la independencia y la justificación del fracaso republicano
Authors: Saralegui Benito Miguel
Published: October 2017

La bibliografía sobre la Carta de Jamaica de Simón Bolívar ha tendido a minusvalorar la importancia del odio a España. Generalmente se ha considerado esta dimensión del texto como puramente retórica y circunstancial. Sin embargo, la importancia de este elemento es central, pues, prácticamente no existe idea en este ensayo que no se vincule de modo estrecho con el odio a España. Sin hispanofobia simplemente no existiría la Carta de Jamaica. En este trabajo, me propongo reconstruir los tres pilares de esta enemistad que Bolívar recrea: la crítica a la Conquista y a la Colonia, el desfase temporal de España y la invención de España como peor tiranía de la historia. Daré una especial importancia a este último punto, ya que debido a esta exageración, Bolívar ofrece involuntariamente una justificación a cualquier desastre político y constitucional.