bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Point Pair Feature-Based Pose Estimation with Multiple Edge Appearance Models (PPF-MEAM) for Robotic Bin Picking
Authors: Liu Diyi , Arai Shogo , Miao Jiaqi , Kinugawa Jun , Wang Zhao , Kosuge Kazuhiro
Published: August 2018

Automation of the bin picking task with robots entails the key step of pose estimation, which identifies and locates objects so that the robot can pick and manipulate the object in an accurate and reliable way. This paper proposes a novel point pair feature-based descriptor named Boundary-to-Boundary-using-Tangent-Line (B2B-TL) to estimate the pose of industrial parts including some parts whose point clouds lack key details, for example, the point cloud of the ridges of a part. The proposed descriptor utilizes the 3D point cloud data and 2D image data of the scene simultaneously, and the 2D image data could compensate the missing key details of the point cloud. Based on the descriptor B2B-TL, Multiple Edge Appearance Models (MEAM), a method using multiple models to describe the target object, is proposed to increase the recognition rate and reduce the computation time. A novel pipeline of an online computation process is presented to take advantage of B2B-TL and MEAM. Our algorithm is evaluated against synthetic and real scenes and implemented in a bin picking system. The experimental results show that our method is sufficiently accurate for a robot to grasp industrial parts and is fast enough to be used in a real factory environment.
Comparison of CBERS-04, GF-1, and GF-2 Satellite Panchromatic Images for Mapping Quasi-Circular Vegetation Patches in the Yellow River Delta, China
Authors: Liu Qingsheng , Huang Chong , Liu Gaohuan , Yu Bowei
Published: August 2018

Vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions frequently exists in patches, which can be effectively mapped by remote sensing. However, not all satellite images are suitable to detect the decametric-scale vegetation patches because of low spatial resolution. This study compared the capability of the first Gaofen Satellite (GF-1), the second Gaofen Satellite (GF-2), and China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite 4 (CBERS-04) panchromatic images for mapping quasi-circular vegetation patches (QVPs) with K-Means (KM) and object-based example-based feature extraction with support vector machine classification (OEFE) in the Yellow River Delta, China. Both approaches provide relatively high classification accuracy with GF-2. For all five images, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) for area, perimeter, and perimeter/area ratio were smaller using the KM than the OEFE, indicating that the results from the KM are more similar to ground truth. Although the mapped results of the QVPs from finer-spatial resolution images appeared more accurate, accuracy improvement in terms of QVP area, perimeter, and perimeter/area ratio was limited, and most of the QVPs detected only by finer-spatial resolution imagery had a more than 40% difference with the actual QVPs in these three parameters. Compared with the KM approach, the OEFE approach performed better for vegetation patch shape description. Coupling the CBERS-04 with the OEFE approach could suitably map the QVPs (overall accuracy 75.3%). This is important for ecological protection managers concerned about cost-effectiveness between image spatial resolution and mapping the QVPs.
Heterogeneous Catalytic Ozonation of p-Chlorobenzoic Acid in Aqueous Solution by FeMnOOH and PET
Authors: Psaltou Savvina , Stylianou Stylianos , Mitrakas Manasis , Zouboulis Anastasios
Published: August 2018

The oxidation of p-chlorobenzoic acid (p-CBA), used as a typical-model refractory organic compound, in aqueous solutions during the heterogeneous catalytic ozonation treatment process by applying the hydrophilic tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte (TMFx), as well as modified hydrophobic TMFx and the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as solid (powdered) catalysts was examined in this study. TMFx was hydrophobically modified by using trichloromethylsilane (TriClMS) solutions in toluene at the concentration range 10–1000 mg/L. TMFx catalysts were characterized by the application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) and surface charge density determinations. TMFx catalyst, which was modified by 50 mg/L trichloromethylsilane (TriClMS) solution (TMFx-50), was found to present the higher adsorption capacity of studied organic compound (250 μg p-CBA/g) when compared with all the other investigated catalysts, which in turn resulted in the higher removal of p-CBA (>99%) by the subsequent application of ozonation, as compared to hydrophilic TMFx (96.5%) and to single ozonation (96%) applications. PET-catalyst concentration in the range 0.5–10 g/L led to almost total removal of p-CBA within 15 min of reaction/oxidation time at pH 7. Conclusively, the experimental results for both catalysts indicated that hydrophobicity and adsorption capacity are crucial steps for the process of heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of refractory organic compounds.
An Analysis of Hazardous Chemical Accidents in China between 2006 and 2017
Authors: Zhao Laijun , Qian Ying , Hu Qing-Mi , Jiang Ran , Li Meiting , Wang Xulei
Published: August 2018

From the perspective of characteristics and causes, probability and forecast, and safety management evaluation, this paper analyzes 3974 hazardous chemical casualty accidents that occurred between 2006 and 2017 in China. The trends, monthly and hourly distributions, lifecycles, chemical and accident types, and the direct and indirect causes of casualty accidents are analyzed first. To estimate the probability of casualty accidents, the Poisson regression model is employed. The time series model is developed to forecast the number of casualty accidents. The safety management of hazardous chemicals is evaluated based on an inverted U-shaped curve that fits the relationship between the number of casualty accidents and petrochemical industry outputs. Moreover, measures for improving the safety management of hazardous chemicals are provided based on the analysis, forecast, and evaluation. The results show that the probability of 200–600 casualty accidents occurring per year in China is 59.10%. Sixteen of thirty provinces are identified as having better safety management with regard to hazardous chemicals.
Factors Affecting Global versus Local Environmental and Economic Performance of Dairying: A Case Study of Swiss Mountain Farms
Authors: Repar Nina , Jan Pierrick , Nemecek Thomas , Dux Dunja , Doluschitz Reiner
Published: August 2018

Improving the sustainability of the dairy food chain requires a simultaneous improvement in global and local environmental performance, as well as in the economic performance of dairy farms. We investigated the effect of different structural, farm management, socio-demographic, technological and natural-environment-related factors on the economic and environmental performance of dairying. Our analysis relied on a case study of 56 Swiss alpine dairy farm observations, for which cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessments and farm accountancy data were combined. The data refer to the years 2006 to 2008. The effect of the selected factors on farms’ economic and environmental performance was analysed by means of non-parametric statistical approaches. The results revealed the existence of some factors presenting synergies and several factors showing trade-offs in the enhancement of farm global environmental, local environmental and economic performance. More generally, the promotion of farm global environmental performance and farm economic performance was shown to be synergetic whereas the enhancement of farm global and local environmental performance turned out to be mostly antinomic. However, some factors, namely organic farming, higher agricultural education, silage-free milk production, and also, to a weaker extent, full-time farming, larger farm size and lower intensity of cattle concentrates use, showed a potential to bring simultaneous improvements in the global and local environmental performance as well as the economic performance of dairy farming. Policy-makers should be aware of the complexity of the joint improvement of farm economic and environmental performance and only promote factors capable of synergistically enhancing the environmental and economic performance of dairy farming.
How Far Has China’s Urbanization Gone?
Authors: Xiao Yiping , Song Yan , Wu Xiaodong
Published: August 2018

China’s rapid urbanization has attracted wide international attention. However, it may not be sustainable. In order to assess it objectively and put forward recommendations for future development, this paper first develops a four-dimensional Urbanization Quality Index using weights calculated by the Deviation Maximization Method for a comprehensive assessment and then reveals the spatial association of China’s urbanization by Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis. The study leads to three major findings. First, the urbanization quality in China has gradually increased over time, but there have been significant differences between regions. Second, the four aspects of urbanization quality have shown the following trends: (i) the quality of urban development has steadily increased; (ii) the sustainability of urban development has shown a downward trend in recent years; (iii) the efficiency of urbanization improved before 2006 but then declined slightly due to capital, land use, and resource efficiency constraints; (IV) the urban–rural integration deteriorated in the early years but then improved over time. Third, although the urbanization quality has a significantly positive global spatial autocorrelation, the local spatial autocorrelation varies between eastern and western regions. Based on these findings, this paper concludes with policy recommendations for improving urbanization quality and its sustainability in China.
A Multimethod Approach to Assess and Measure Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Practices in a Developing Economy
Authors: Ehsan Sadaf , Nazir Mian Sajid , Nurunnabi Mohammad , Raza Khan Qasim , Tahir Samya , Ahmed Ishfaq
Published: August 2018

Disclosures on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices of business organizations have heightened over the past few decades due to increased awareness. Major contributions in the literature on CSR practices and their disclosures come from the studies conducted in the developed world, while many developing economies like Pakistan remain under-researched and fewer revelations have been made about their CSR practices. Therefore, the present study aims to explore various aspects of CSR practices of Pakistani firms and their reporting trends. A multimethod approach has been adopted to measure CSR practices with respect to both approaches, quantitative and qualitative, for 170 listed firms from 2008 to 2015. First, content analysis is employed to develop a CSR Disclosure Index (CSRD Index) as well as five sub indices, i.e., community welfare, health and education, environment and energy, product, and customer and workforce. Second, a multidimensional financial approach is used to calculate firm’s CSR monetary spending ratio (CSR-MSR) using the monetary data of CSR activities. Results suggested that most Pakistani firms disclose more information about their product-, customer-, and stakeholder-related CSR activities and put less emphasis on health and education responsibilities. Moreover, there is a strong impact of government reforms on both the firm’s CSR disclosures and monetary giving.
Optimizing the High-Level Maintenance Planning Problem of the Electric Multiple Unit Train Using a Modified Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Wu Jianping , Lin Boliang , Wang Hui , Zhang Xuhui , Wang Zhongkai , Wang Jiaxi
Published: August 2018

Electric multiple unit (EMU) trains’ high-level maintenance planning is a discrete problem in mathematics. The high-level maintenance process of the EMU trains consumes plenty of time. When the process is undertaken during peak periods of the passenger flow, the transportation demand may not be fully satisfied due to the insufficient supply of trains. In contrast, if the process is undergone in advance, extra costs will be incurred. Based on the practical requirements of high-level maintenance, a 0–1 programming model is proposed. To simplify the description of the model, candidate sets of delivery dates, i.e., time windows, are generated according to the historical data and maintenance regulations. The constraints of the model include maintenance regulations, the passenger transportation demand, and capacities of workshop. The objective function is to minimize the mileage losses of all EMU trains. Moreover, a modified particle swarm algorithm is developed for solving the problem. Finally, a real-world case study of Shanghai Railway is conducted to demonstrate the proposed method. Computational results indicate that the (approximate) optimal solution can be obtained successfully by our method and the proposed method significantly reduces the solution time to 500 s.
Agustín de Betancourt’s Double-Acting Steam Engine: Geometric Modeling and Virtual Reconstruction
Authors: Rojas-Sola José Ignacio , Galán-Moral Belén , De la Morena-De la Fuente Eduardo
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the geometric modeling and virtual reconstruction of the double-acting steam engine designed by Agustín de Betancourt in 1789 are shown. For this, the software Autodesk Inventor Professional is used, which has allowed us to obtain its geometric documentation. The material for the research is available on the website of the Betancourt Project of the Canary Orotava Foundation for the History of Science. Almost all parts of the steam engine are drawn on the sheets, but due to the absence of scale and space, it is insufficient to obtain an accurate and reliable 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model. For this reason a graphic scale has been adopted so that the dimensions of the elements are coherent. Also, it has been necessary to make some dimensional and geometric hypotheses, as well as restrictions of movement (degrees of freedom). Geometric modeling has made it possible to know that the system is balanced with the geometric center of the rocker arm shaft, and presents an energetic symmetry whose axis is the support of the parallelogram where the shaft rests: calorific energy to the left and mechanical energy to the right, with the rocker arm acting as a transforming element from one to the other.
Cryptanalysis on SDDO-Based BM123-64 Designs Suitable for Various IoT Application Targets
Authors: Phuc Tran Song Dat , Lee Changhoon
Published: August 2018

BM123-64 block cipher, which was proposed by Minh, N.H. and Bac, D.T. in 2014, was designed for high speed communication applications factors. It was constructed in hybrid controlled substitution–permutation network (CSPN) models with two types of basic controlled elements (CE) in distinctive designs. This cipher is based on switchable data-dependent operations (SDDO) and covers dependent-operations suitable for efficient primitive approaches for cipher constructions that can generate key schedule in a simple way. The BM123-64 cipher has advantages including high applicability, flexibility, and portability with different algorithm selection for various application targets with internet of things (IoT) as well as secure protection against common types of attacks, for instance, differential attacks and linear attacks. However, in this paper, we propose methods to possibly exploit the BM123-64 structure using related-key attacks. We have constructed a high probability related-key differential characteristics (DCs) on a full eight rounds of BM123-64 cipher. The related-key amplified boomerang attack is then proposed on all three different cases of operation-specific designs with effective results in complexity of data and time consumptions. This study can be considered as the first cryptographic results on BM123-64 cipher.
Generating Functions for Orthogonal Polynomials of A2, C2 and G2
Authors: Czyżycki Tomasz , Hrivnák Jiří , Patera Jiří
Published: August 2018

The generating functions of fourteen families of generalized Chebyshev polynomials related to rank two Lie algebras A 2 , C 2 and G 2 are explicitly developed. There exist two classes of the orthogonal polynomials corresponding to the symmetric and antisymmetric orbit functions of each rank two algebra. The Lie algebras G 2 and C 2 admit two additional polynomial collections arising from their hybrid character functions. The admissible shift of the weight lattice permits the construction of a further four shifted polynomial classes of C 2 and directly generalizes formation of the classical univariate Chebyshev polynomials of the third and fourth kinds. Explicit evaluating formulas for each polynomial family are derived and linked to the incomplete exponential Bell polynomials.
Synergistic Removal of Static and Dynamic Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms by Combined Treatment with a Bacteriophage Endolysin and a Polysaccharide Depolymerase
Authors: Olsen Nanna M. C. , Thiran Elowine , Hasler Tobias , Vanzieleghem Thomas , Belibasakis Georgios N. , Mahillon Jacques , Loessner Martin J. , Schmelcher Mathias
Published: August 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen and biofilm former. Biofilms cause problems in clinics and food production and are highly recalcitrant to antibiotics and sanitizers. Bacteriophage endolysins kill bacteria by degrading their cell wall and are therefore deemed promising antimicrobials and anti-biofilm agents. Depolymerases targeting polysaccharides in the extracellular matrix have been suggested as parts of a multi-enzyme approach to eradicate biofilms. The efficacy of endolysins and depolymerases against S. aureus biofilms in static models has been demonstrated. However, there is a lack of studies evaluating their activity against biofilms grown under more realistic conditions. Here, we investigated the efficacy of the endolysin LysK and the poly-N-acetylglucosamine depolymerase DA7 against staphylococcal biofilms in static and dynamic (flow cell-based) models. LysK showed activity against multiple S. aureus strains, and both LysK and DA7 removed static and dynamic biofilms from polystyrene and glass surfaces at low micromolar and nanomolar concentrations, respectively. When combined, the enzymes acted synergistically, as demonstrated by crystal violet staining of static biofilms, significantly reducing viable cell counts compared to individual enzyme treatment in the dynamic model, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Overall, our results suggest that LysK and DA7 are potent anti-biofilm agents, alone and in combination.
Molecular Determinants and the Regulation of Human Cytomegalovirus Latency and Reactivation
Authors: Collins-McMillen Donna , Buehler Jason , Peppenelli Megan , Goodrum Felicia
Published: August 2018

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta herpesvirus that establishes a life-long persistence in the host, like all herpesviruses, by way of a latent infection. During latency, viral genomes are maintained in a quieted state. Virus replication can be reactivated from latency in response to changes in cellular signaling caused by stress or differentiation. The past decade has brought great insights into the molecular basis of HCMV latency. Here, we review the complex persistence of HCMV with consideration of latent reservoirs, viral determinants and their host interactions, and host signaling and the control of cellular and viral gene expression that contributes to the establishment of and reactivation from latency.
Spatial Variations in the Abundance and Chemical Speciation of Phosphorus across the River–Sea Interface in the Northern Beibu Gulf
Authors: Yang Bin , Kang Zhen-Jun , Lu Dong-Liang , Dan Solomon Felix , Ning Zhi-Ming , Lan Wen-Lu , Zhong Qiu-Ping
Published: August 2018

Water samples were collected to measure dissolved and particulate phosphorus species in order to examine the dynamics of phosphorus in the water column across the river–sea interface from the lower Dafengjiang River to the open Beibu Gulf. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentrations were as high as 0.90 ± 0.42 μM in river water but decreased dramatically to as low as 0.02 ± 0.01 μM in open coastal waters. Total dissolved phosphorus was largely measured in the form of dissolved inorganic phosphorus in river waters (58% ± 18%), whereas dissolved organic phosphorus became the predominant species (>90% on average) in open coastal waters. Total dissolved phosphorus was the dominant species, comprising 76% ± 16% of the total phosphorus, while total particulate phosphorus only comprised 24% ± 16% of the total phosphorus pool. Riverine inputs, physical and biological processes, and particulate phosphorus regeneration were the dominant factors responsible for the dynamic variations of phosphorus species in the study area. Based on a two-end-member mixing model, the biological uptake resulted in a dissolved inorganic phosphorus depletion of 0.12 ± 0.08 μM in the coastal surface water, whereas the replenishment of dissolved inorganic phosphorus in the lower river from particle P regeneration and release resulted in an increase (0.19 ± 0.22 μM) of dissolved inorganic phosphorus in the estuarine mixing region. The molar ratios of dissolved inorganic nitrogen to dissolved inorganic phosphorus and dissolved silicate to dissolved inorganic phosphorus in the open surface waters were >22, suggesting that, although the lower Dafengjiang River contained elevated concentrations of dissolved inorganic phosphorus, the northern Beibu Gulf was an overall P-limited coastal ecosystem.
Joint Operation of Surface Water and Groundwater Reservoirs to Address Water Conflicts in Arid Regions: An Integrated Modeling Study
Authors: Tian Yong , Xiong Jianzhi , He Xin , Pi Xuehui , Jiang Shijie , Han Feng , Zheng Yi
Published: August 2018

At the basin scale, the operation of surface water reservoirs rarely takes groundwater aquifers into consideration, which can also be regarded as reservoirs underground. This study investigates the impact of reservoir operation on the water cycle and evaluates the effect of the joint operation of surface water and groundwater reservoirs on the water conflict in arid regions through an integrated modeling approach. The Heihe River Basin (HRB) in northwestern China is selected as the study area. Our results show that the ecological operational strategies of a reservoir under construction in the upper HRB have a direct impact on the agricultural water uses and consequently affect other hydrological processes. The ecological operation strategy with a smaller water release and a longer duration is beneficial to securing the environmental flow towards the downstream area and to replenishing aquifers. With the joint operation of surface water and groundwater reservoirs, a balance among the agriculture water need, the groundwater sustainability in the Middle HRB and the ecological water need in the Lower HRB can be flexibly achieved. However, the joint operation can hardly improve the three aspects simultaneously. To resolve the water conflict in HRB, additional engineering and/or policy measures are desired.
An Ice Giant Exoplanet Interpretation of the Anomaly in Microlensing
Event OGLE-2011-BLG-0173
Authors: Poleski Radosław , Gaudi B. S. , Udalski A. , Szymański M. K. , Soszyński I. , Pietrukowicz P. , Kozłowski S. , Skowron J. , Wyrzykowski Ł. , Ulaczyk K.
Published: August 2018

We analyze the microlensing event OGLE-2011-BLG-0173, which shows a small
perturbation at the end of the microlensing event caused by the primary lens. We
consider both binary lens and binary source models and explore their
degeneracies, some of which have not previously been recognized. There are two
families of binary lens solutions, one with a mass ratio
q ≈ 4 × 10−4
and a separation s ≈ 4.6, and the other with
q ≈ 0.015 and
s ≈ 0.22, i.e., both have companions in the
planetary regime. We search for solutions by using Bayesian analysis that
includes planet frequency as a prior and find that the
s ≈ 4.6 family is the preferred one with a

planet on an orbit of ∼10 au. The degeneracies arise from
a paucity of information on the anomaly, demonstrating that high-cadence
observations are essential for characterizing wide-orbit microlensing planets.
Hence, we predict that the planned Wide-Field Infrared Survey
Telescope microlensing survey will be less prone to these
degeneracies than the ongoing ground-based surveys. We discuss the known
low-mass, wide-orbit companions and notice that for the largest projected
separations the mass ratios are either high (consistent with brown dwarf
companions) or low (consistent with Uranus analogs), but intermediate mass
ratios (Jupiter analogs on wide orbits) have not been detected to date, despite
the fact that the sensitivity to such planets should be higher than that of
Uranus analogs. This is therefore tentative evidence of the existence of a
massive ice giant desert at wide separations. On the other hand, given their low
intrinsic detection sensitivity, Uranus analogs may be ubiquitous.
The Contribution of Dwarf Planets to the Origin of Low-inclination Comets by the Replenishment of Mean Motion Resonances in Debris Disks
Authors: Muñoz-Gutiérrez M. A. , Peimbert A. , Pichardo B.
Published: August 2018

In this work we explore a new dynamical path for the delivery of low-inclination comets. In a configuration formed by an interior giant planet and an exterior massive debris disk, where the mass is accounted for by the 50 largest objects in the disk, the strongest mean motion resonances of the giant, located along the belt, are replenished with new material (test particles) due to the influence of the 50 massive objects. Once in resonance, slow chaotic diffusion stirs the orbital elements of the cometary nuclei enough to encounter the giant and to be scattered by it. When the disk is massive enough, both resonant and non-resonant particles are stirred quickly to encounter the giant and form a scattered disk component, greatly increasing the rate for the delivery of cometary material to the inner part of the system. This mechanism is applicable both to the solar system and extrasolar systems in general. Preliminary results, using a disk as massive as the classical Kuiper Belt, indicate that the mechanism proposed here can account for about a tenth of the required injection rate to maintain the population of ecliptic comets in steady state. In a more massive belt of 0.25 M
⊕, an estimated rate of around 0.6 new comets per year is found. Such a high rate would pose a serious risk for the habitability of rocky interior planets, yet would resemble the late heavy bombardment that was present in the early solar system.
A Study of Magnetic Field Characteristics of the Flaring Active Region Based on Nonlinear Force-free Field Extrapolation
Authors: Muhamad Johan , Kusano Kanya , Inoue Satoshi , Bamba Yumi
Published: August 2018

Coronal magnetic fields are responsible for the onset of solar flares and solar eruptions. However, the type of magnetic field parameters that can be used to measure the critical condition for a solar eruption is still unclear. As an effort to understand the possible condition for a solar flare, we have examined the nondimensional parameter κ introduced by Ishiguro & Kusano, which contains information about magnetic twist distribution and magnetic flux in an active region (AR). We introduce a new parameter κ*, as a proxy for κ, and we have analyzed the evolution of κ* during the flaring period of an AR using the nonlinear force-free field extrapolated from the photospheric vector magnetic field data. Using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, we have calculated κ* for the AR NOAA 11158 during its three-day flaring period. We found that κ* increased to a certain level before two large flares and decreased significantly after their onset. The results suggest that κ* may be used as an indicator of the necessary condition for the onset of a solar eruption in the AR. Based on this result, we propose a new method to assess the possibility of a large solar eruption from an AR by combining the parameter κ* and information about the magnetic energy of the AR.
Search for GeV Gamma-Ray Counterparts of Gravitational Wave Events by CALET
Authors: Adriani O. , Akaike Y. , Asano K. , Asaoka Y. , Bagliesi M. G. , Berti E. , Bigongiari G. , Binns W. R. , Bonechi S. , Bongi M. , Brogi P. , Buckley J. H. , Cannady N. , Castellini G. , Checchia C. , Cherry M. L. , Collazuol G. , Felice V. Di , Ebisawa K. , Fuke H. , Guzik T. G. , Hams T. , Hareyama M. , Hasebe N. , Hibino K. , Ichimura M. , Ioka K. , Ishizaki W. , Israel M. H. , Kasahara K. , Kataoka J. , Kataoka R. , Katayose Y. , Kato C. , Kawanaka N. , Kawakubo Y. , Krawczynski H. S. , Krizmanic J. F. , Kohri K. , Lomtadze T. , Maestro P. , Marrocchesi P. S. , Messineo A. M. , Mitchell J. W. , Miyake S. , Moiseev A. A. , Mori K. , Mori M. , Mori N. , Motz H. M. , Munakata K. , Murakami H. , Nakahira S. , Nishimura J. , de Nolfo G. A. , Okuno S. , Ormes J. F. , Ozawa S. , Pacini L. , Palma F. , Papini P. , Penacchioni A. V. , Rauch B. F. , Ricciarini S. B. , Sakai K. , Sakamoto T. , Sasaki M. , Shimizu Y. , Shiomi A. , Sparvoli R. , Spillantini P. , Stolzi F. , Suh J. E. , Sulaj A. , Takahashi I. , Takayanagi M. , Takita M. , Tamura T. , Tateyama N. , Terasawa T. , Tomida H. , Torii S. , Tsunesada Y. , Uchihori Y. , Ueno S. , Vannuccini E. , Wefel J. P. , Yamaoka K. , Yanagita S. , Yoshida A. , Yoshida K. ,   (CALET Collaboration)
Published: August 2018

We present the results of searches for gamma-ray counterparts of the LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave events using CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) observations. The main instrument of CALET, CALorimeter (CAL), observes gamma-rays from ∼1 GeV up to 10 TeV with a field of view (FOV) of nearly 2 sr. In addition, the CALET gamma-ray burst monitor views ∼3 sr and ∼2π sr of the sky in the 7 keV–1 MeV and the 40 keV–20 MeV bands, respectively, by using two different crystal scintillators. The CALET observations on the International Space Station started in 2015 October, and here we report analyses of events associated with the following gravitational wave events: GW151226, GW170104, GW170608, GW170814, and GW170817. Although only upper limits on gamma-ray emission are obtained, they correspond to a luminosity of 1049 ∼ 1053 erg s−1 in the GeV energy band depending on the distance and the assumed time duration of each event, which is approximately on the order of luminosity of typical short gamma-ray bursts. This implies that there will be a favorable opportunity to detect high-energy gamma-ray emission in further observations if additional gravitational wave events with favorable geometry will occur within our FOV. We also show the sensitivity of CALET for gamma-ray transient events, which is on the order of 10−7 erg cm−2 s−1 for an observation of 100 s in duration.
Parsec-scale Radio Structure of 14 Fanaroff–Riley Type 0 Radio Galaxies
Authors: Cheng X.-P. , An T.
Published: August 2018

Recently a population of compact radio galaxies were classified as Fanaroff–Riley type 0 radio galaxies (FR 0s). The physical nature of FR 0s and the connection with the classical FR I and II galaxies are not currently well understood. Here, we report the radio properties of 14 FR 0s on parsec (pc) scales derived from their very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) imaging observations. All of the sources show compact structures. Four sources show relativistic beaming with Doppler-boosting factors ranging from 1.7 to 6. The brightness temperatures of the other 10 are below the equilibrium limit. Jet proper motions are determined in two sources that have multiple epoch data, between 0.23 c and 0.49 c, implying mildly relativistic jet flow. Low-amplitude flux density variation is found in J0943+3614 over a time period of 10 years. No significant variability are detected in the three other sources over timescales of a few years. The radio properties of the FR 0s inferred from the VLBI data resemble a GHz-peaked spectrum or compact steep-spectrum sources. Moreover, the diversity of their relativistic beaming indicators (brightness temperature, variability, jet proper motion) also imply that FR 0s might not be a homogeneous population of radio sources. Detailed studies of the low-power (

W Hz−1) FR 0 sources in the local universe additionally offer a promising opportunity to understand their connection to the FR Is.
A Lonely Giant: The Sparse Satellite Population of M94 Challenges Galaxy Formation
Authors: Smercina Adam , Bell Eric F. , Price Paul A. , D’Souza Richard , Slater Colin T. , Bailin Jeremy , Monachesi Antonela , Nidever David
Published: August 2018

The dwarf satellites of “giant” Milky Way (MW)–mass galaxies are our primary probes of low-mass dark matter halos. The number and velocities of the satellite galaxies of the MW and M31 initially puzzled galaxy formation theorists, but are now reproduced well by many models. Yet, are the MW’s and M31's satellites representative? Were galaxy formation models “overfit”? These questions motivate deep searches for satellite galaxies outside the Local Group. We present a deep survey of the “classical” satellites (M
⋆ ≥ 4 × 105
M
⊙) of the MW-mass galaxy M94 out to a 150 kpc projected distance. We find only two satellites, each with M
⋆ ∼ 106
M
⊙, compared with 6–12 such satellites in the four other MW-mass systems with comparable data (MW, M31, M81, and M101). Using a “standard” prescription for occupying dark matter halos (halos were taken from the fully hydrodynamical EAGLE simulation) with galaxies, we find that such a sparse satellite population occurs in <0.2% of MW-mass systems—a <1% probability among a sample of five (known systems + M94). In order to produce an M94-like system more frequently we make satellite galaxy formation much more stochastic than is currently predicted by dramatically increasing the slope and scatter of the stellar mass–halo mass (SMHM) relation. Surprisingly, the SMHM relation must be altered even for halos masses up to 1011
M
⊙—significantly above the mass scales predicted to have increased scatter from current hydrodynamical models. The sparse satellite population of this “lonely giant” thus advocates for an important modification to ideas of how the satellites around MW-mass galaxies form.
The Extremely Luminous Quasar Survey in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Footprint. II. The North Galactic Cap Sample
Authors: Schindler Jan-Torge , Fan Xiaohui , McGreer Ian D. , Yang Jinyi , Wang Feige , Green Richard , Garavito-Camargo Nicolas , Huang Yun-Hsin , O’Donnell Christine , Patej Anna , Pucha Ragadeepika , Rees Jon M. , Spalding Eckhart
Published: August 2018

We present the North Galactic Cap sample of the Extremely Luminous Quasar Survey (ELQS-N), which targets quasars with M
1450 < −27 at 2.8 ≤ z < 5 in an area of ∼7600 deg2 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) footprint with 90° < R.A. < 270°. Based on a near-infrared/infrared JKW2 color cut, the ELQS selection efficiently uses random forest methods to classify quasars and to estimate photometric redshifts; this scheme overcomes some of the difficulties of pure optical quasar selection at z ≈ 3. As a result, we retain a completeness of >70% over z ∼ 3.0–5.0 at m

i
 ≲ 17.5, limited toward fainter magnitudes by the depth of the Two Micron All Sky Survey. The presented quasar catalog consists of a total of 270 objects, of which 39 are newly identified in this work with spectroscopy obtained at the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope and the MMT 6.5 m telescope. In addition to the high completeness, which allowed us to discover new quasars in the already well-surveyed SDSS North Galactic Cap, the efficiency of our selection is relatively high at ∼79%. Using 120 objects of this quasar sample we are able to extend the previously measured optical quasar luminosity function (QLF) by one magnitude toward the bright end at 2.8 ≤ z ≤ 4.5. A first analysis of the QLF suggests a relatively steep bright-end slope of β ≈ −4 for this sample. This result contrasts with previous results in the same redshift range, which find a much flatter slope around β ∼ −2.5, but agrees with recent measurements of the bright-end slope at lower and higher redshifts. Our results constrain the bright-end slope at z = 2.8–4.5 to β < −2.94 with a 99% confidence.
Measuring Supermassive Black Hole Peculiar Motion Using H2O Megamasers
Authors: Pesce D. W. , Braatz J. A. , Condon J. J. , Greene J. E.
Published: August 2018

H2O megamasers residing in the accretion disks of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) exhibit Keplerian rotation about the central supermassive black hole (SMBH). Such disk maser systems are excellent tools for diagnosing the kinematic status of the SMBH, and they currently provide the only direct and unambiguous measure of SMBH velocities outside the Milky Way. We have measured the galaxy recession velocities for a sample of 10 maser disk systems using a combination of spatially resolved H i disk modeling, spatially integrated H i profile fitting, and optical spectral line and continuum fitting. In comparing the SMBH velocities to those of their host galaxies, we find two (out of 10) systems—J0437+2456 and NGC 6264—for which the SMBH and galaxy velocities show a statistically significant (>3σ) difference. For NGC 6264 the apparent velocity offset can likely be explained by ionized gas motion within the host galaxy (e.g., from AGN-driven shocks). The velocity measurements for J0437+2456, however, imply a SMBH peculiar velocity of 69.6 ± 12.7 km s−1 (5.5σ). We thus consider J0437+2456 to be a promising candidate for hosting either a recoiling or binary SMBH, though additional observations are necessary to exclude the possibility of a systematic offset between the galactic recession velocity and that measured using the optical spectrum.
Helicobacter pylori 23S rRNA gene mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance in chronic gastritis in Vietnam
Authors: Tran Van Huy , Ha Thi Minh Thi , Le Phan Tuong Quynh , Nguyen Viet Nhan , Phan Trung Nam , Paglietti Bianca
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Data about the prevalence of the A2142C, A2142G, and A2143G mutations in 23S rRNA gene is still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these mutations in 23S rRNA gene of H. pylori vietnamese strains.

Methodology: One hundred and sixty-nine patients with H. pylori-positive chronic gastritis were examined. H. pylori was detected by rapid urease test and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Total DNA was extracted from gastric biopsy specimens. A2142C, A2142G, and A2143G mutations were detected by DNA sequencing and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results: A2143G mutation was detected in 36.1% of samples, A2142G mutation in 3.6%, while A2142C mutation was not found in any case. The mixture of wild-type and mutation strains was found in 50% of specimens with A2142G, in 23% of specimens with A2143G mutation. There was no association of 23S rRNA gene point mutations with gender or age. However, an association between the heterogeneity of mutation and age was evidenced, with mean age of the group of pure A2143G higher than the group of wild-type/A2143G mixture, and rate of the wild-type/A2143G mixture higher in patients under 40 years of age.

Conclusion: A2143G mutation was prominent, while A2142C mutation was not found in the 23S rRNA gene. PCR-RFLP has revealed a reliable assay allowing a rapid and cost-effective detection of clarithromycin-resistant strains. This is useful in countries as Vietnam with high prevalence of clarithromycin-resistance before choosing optimal therapy for H. pylori eradication.
Spondylodiscitis: a common complication of brucellosis
Authors: Sayin Kutlu Selda , Kutlu Murat , Tuzun Turkan , Ozdemir Kevser
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Brucellar spondylodiscitis is a frequent and serious complication of brucellosis. The aim of this study is to describe the brucellosis patients with spondylodiscitis and the predictive factors related to spondylodiscitis in brucellosis.

Methodology: Laboratory-confirmed brucellosis patients from a low- to medium-endemic region were enrolled in the study and distributed into two groups. Group I consisted of patients with spondylodiscitis and Group II patients had no complications. Both groups were compared for predictive factors of spondylodiscitis.

Results: A total of 219 patients with active brucellosis were included in the study. We determined at least one complication in 91 (41.6%) patients. The most frequent complication was spondylodiscitis [n = 59 patients (26.9 %)]. In univariate analysis, age, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, presence of low back pain, increased levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and alkaline phosphatases were the most significant predictive factors for spondylodiscitis among brucellosis cases. Presence of headache and thrombocytopenia were less frequent in patients with spondylodiscitis when compared to patients without complications (p = 0.024, p = 0.006 respectively). In multivariate analysis, old age (odds ratio [OR] 1,063; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.026-1.101; p < 0.001), prolonged time between symptoms onset before diagnosis (OR 1.008; 95% CI 1.001-1.016; p = 0.031), and presence of low back pain (OR 12.886; 95% CI 3.978-41.739; p < 0.001) were indepedently associated with an increased risk of spondylodiscitis.

Conclusions: Spondylodiscitis is the most frequent complication of systemic brucellosis. Patients with low back pain, older age, and longer duration of symptoms should be considered as candidates of potential spondylodiscitis in brucellosis.
Analysis of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutations in patients from Western Saudi Arabia with chronic disease
Authors: El-Kafrawy Sherif Aly , Jamjoom Ghazi Abdulatif , Akbar Hisham Othman , Fallatah Hind Ibrahim Baker , El-Daly Mai Mohamed , Qari Yousef Abdulfattah , Alghamdi Abdullah Saeed , Babatin Mohamed , Alsaedi Mohammed Abdullah , Othman Noura Abdulhamid , Al-Subhi Tagreed Lafi , Abdel-Hamid Mohamed , Azhar Esam Ibraheem
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Extensive research has provided a link between HBV variants and the clinical complications of liver diseases. This study was performed to further investigate the relationship between HBV variants in preS, S and BCP/PC regions and disease progression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cases in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: 182 CHB patients were recruited for this study. HBV DNA was amplified by PCR in the PreS, S, and BCP/PC regions. Sequences were generated from 31 and 26 treated cases in PreS and S regions respectively and from 72 cases in the BCP/PC region.

Results: The majority of cases (86.7%) were genotype D. Mutations at preS1-A2922C, X-A1624C and PC-G1887A were detected only in cases with either a high fibrosis score or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while mutations at positions PC-C1982A, PC-G1951T, X-C1628T and X-A1630G were detected more frequently in HCC cases, without reaching statistical significance. Seven deletions were detected in the PreS-region. No deletions were detected in the CCAAT box.

The accumulation of mutations per sample in the preS1-2 and S regions were associated with elevated ALT (p < 0.001, 0.001 and 0.001; respectively) and increased fibrosis (p = 0.018, 0.02 and 0.013; respectively). The accumulation of mutations per sample in the BCP/PC region is associated with high viral load. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) was identified in 5 samples.

Conclusion: Our results add to the knowledge about HBV genotype-D variants. The accumulation of mutations per sample and OBI seem to play a role in the progression of HBV infection. G1896A was associated with the HBeAg negativity. The preS deletions did not play a role in liver disease progression.
Schizophrenia as Potential Trigger for Melanoma Development and Progression! The Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Oncology (P.N.E.O) Network!
Authors: Tchernev Georgi , Lozev Ilia , Temelkova Ivanka , Chernin Svetoslav , Yungareva Irina
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: Skin, nervous tissue, dopamine and melanoma share a common neuroectodermal origin. Hence, processes that modulate nervous tissue formation, patient mental status, motor regulation of individuals, and skin cancerogenesis are inextricably linked. Psycho-neuro-endocrine oncology (or dermato-oncology), i.e. P.N.E.O., is a new model or trend in medicine and science presented for the first time in the world literature by us, that aims to examine the relationship between the mental state, the hormones and the malignant transformation. Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease are the two main patterns of disease where the main symptoms are related to dopamine levels in the human body. According to our analyses of the available literature, the amount of dopamine is related to the incidence of melanocytic or non-melanocytic cutaneous tumours in patients with central nervous system diseases and those affecting the motor function and coordination. Such patterns of interaction are extremely indicative of the elucidation of the ubiquitous hypothesis or statement: “My illness is on a mental basis, caused by stress ...”CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 44-year-old patient with untreated schizophrenia for approximately 25 years, associated with advanced acral localised melanoma. Schizophrenia is generally associated with a higher level of dopamine, which is also a key precursor to melanin synthesis. After a careful analysis of all literature on melanoma in patients with 1) treated and untreated schizophrenia, 2) those with untreated and untreated forms of Parkinson’s disease, it would be logical to conclude that the high level of dopamine in the described patient groups is a risk factor for the development of melanoma.CONCLUSIONS: The possible mechanisms for the occurrence of malignant melanoma within the so-called psycho/neuro/endocrine oncology (P.N.E.O.), as well as the effective methods of prevention, are under discussion.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge Assessment among Saudi Women
Authors: Alharthi Ahmad S. , Althobaiti Khalid A. , Alswat Khaled A.
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: IDF estimates that 16.2% of women giving live births in 2015 had some form of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. In Saudi, a study estimated that the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is 39.4%.AIM: We aimed to assess Saudi women's GDM knowledge and awareness.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and December 2016 in Saudi Arabia using a validated questionnaire that included 12 questions focused on awareness and knowledge about GDM. Their responses were scored, and participants were divided poor knowledge (≤ 4/12) fair/good knowledge (≥ 5/12).RESULTS: A total of 9002 adult female participated. Mean age was 27.8 ± 7.9, and they were mainly married urban residents with bachelor's degrees or higher. The mean overall score was 5.5 ± 2.5 with most of them in the fair GDM knowledge category. Participants were mostly aware of the GDM risk factors (54%) while they were least aware of the GDM diagnosis (15.9%). Multigravida and a prior history of GDM were the two risk factors about which participants were most aware (67.7%). Compared to those with poor knowledge, those with fair/good knowledge were more likely to live in urban areas, live in the central region of Saudi Arabia, work in medical fields, and be married, educated, and have personal and/or family histories of chronic diseases (all P values < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Our study showed a high prevalence of poor awareness and knowledge, mainly in those areas relating to GDM diagnosis.