bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Methyl Green from Aqueous Solution using NF Membrane
Authors: Sharma P. , Bora M. M. , Hazarika S. , Borthakur S. , Tamuli C. , Dutta N. N.
Published: November 2018

Recovery of a cationic synthetic dye, methyl green by nanofiltration (NF 270–400) membrane from commercial source (Filmtec, USA) was used for this study. The effect of membrane characteristics, applied pressure gradient ( ΔP ) and aqueous phase concentration of dye on the rejection, membrane fouling and water flux was studied over a range of pressure and concentration of 2 to 5 bar and 0.01 mmole L–1 to 0.05 mmole L–1 respectively. The solution flux increases with pressure in the pressure range studied indicate the effect of concentration polarization is not significant in this range. The cation shield effects of the dye on the negatively charged polyamide membrane perhaps result in decrease of permeate flux with concentration. The permeation phenomenon has been analyzed on the basis of pore flow transport model and the data analysis revealed that adsorption of dye on the membrane surface and intrinsic membrane resistance control the permeate flux.
Effect of Stabilization Conditions on the Fabrication of Carbon Membranes for CO2 Separation
Authors: Salleh W. N. W. , Ismail A. F. , Rahman M. A.
Published: November 2018

Preparation of carbon membranes has rapidly attracted much attention in gas separation processes because of thermal and chemical stabilities and exhibit superior separation performance. Carbon hollow fiber membranes (CHFM)s derived from polymer blend of polyetherimide (PEI) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were extensively prepared through stabilization under air atmosphere followed by carbonization under N2 atmosphere. The effects of the stabilization temperature on the morphological structure and gas permeation properties were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and single gas permeation system. Experimental results indicate that the transport mechanism of small gas molecules of N2, CO2, and CH4 is dominated by the molecular sieving effect. Based on morphological structure and gas permeation properties, an optimum stabilization condition for the preparation of CHFM derived from PEI/PVP was found at 300°C under air atmosphere. The selectivity of about 55 and 41 for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2, respectively, were obtained.
Fouling Behaviour During Cross Flow Ultrafiltration of Cassava Starch Hydrolysate Using Polyacrylonitrile Membrane
Authors: Widiasa I. N. , Wenten I. G.
Published: November 2018

Ultrafiltration (UF) is considered as a promising alternative to the traditional clarification techniques in the sugar industries. In this work, a hollow fiber UF membrane (polyacrylonitrile, MWCO 100 kDa) was used for clarification of cassava starch hydrolysate. The influence of various operating parameters, such as transmembrane pressure (TMP), cross flow velocity and pH hydrolysate on the membrane fouling was assessed. The results showed that TMP higher than 1.0 bar was not effective to improve flux. Increasing cross flow velocity was virtually effective to reduce permeate flux decline. The steady state flux, Jssincreased significantly when pH of the feed was adjusted to alkaline condition; however, this resulted in dark brown clarified glucose syrup. Operating at natural pH of 4.5, the membrane selectivity was close to 100%. Evaluation of hydraulic resistance indicated that concentration polarization and pore blocking were beyond approximately 50 and 40% of the total filtration resistance, respectively. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy showed that extensive fouling layer was deposited on the membrane surface. Finally, the developed cleaning procedure could restore membrane performance approximately 45% of its initial performance.
Extraction of Glucose by Supported Liquid Membrane using Polyethersulfone Flat Sheet Membrane Support
Authors: Teng S. S. , Harruddin N. , M. Saufi Syed
Published: November 2018

Sugar is released during biomass hydrolysis together with unwanted inhibitory compounds such as acetic acid, furfural and hydromethylfurfural. The extraction of particular sugar prior to fermentation process is needed in order to increase the yield of biofuel generated from biomass resources. In the current study, glucose was extracted from the aqueous solution using supported liquid membrane (SLM) system. Polyethersulfone (PES) flat sheet membrane support was fabricated using 15 wt.% PES, 42.5 wt.% DMAc and 42.5 wt.% PEG 200. Liquid membrane was formulated using 2-ethyl hexanol and methyl cholate as solvent and carrier, respectively. The effect of several parameters involved in SLM system such as type of diluent and flowrate of feed and stripping phase on the extraction performance of glucose were studied. About 52.77% of glucose was successfully extracted from aqueous solution using SLM system with 0.01M of methyl cholate in 2-ethyl hexanol. Using simulated biomass hydrolysate solution, almost 54.55% of glucose and 51.08% of xylose were successfully extracted using the SLM system.
Advanced Materials for Membrane–Based Gas Separation
Authors: Ismail A. F. , Kusworo T. D. , Mustafa A. , Hasbullah H.
Published: November 2018

The development of advanced materials for membrane gas separation has received much attention in the recent years. There are many important aspects involved in the development of new and advanced membrane materials including the type of material, transport mechanism, the relationship between membrane structure and performance and membrane preparation techniques. There are numerous materials being widely investigated as suitable candidates using advanced materials for membrane gas separation. Therefore, this paper discusses the progress in the development of an advanced membrane material and methods to prepare membranes for gas separation. The recent development and future direction in membrane material research are also presented.
Preliminary Concentration of Skim Latex and Its Wastewater Use Plate Sheet Microfiltration
Authors: Danteravanich S. , Chalermpong I. , Sridang P. , Winsunthorn S.
Published: November 2018

Skim latex is a by–product of the concentrated latex factory. In this study, plate sheet membrane and cross–flow microfiltration (MF) experiments on skim latex and its wastewater were carried out to initially identify the performance of membrane separation. The series of MF experiments were conducted by using a nitrocellulose plate sheet membrane with a pore size of 0.1 μm and 0.45 μm at the pressures driven at 0.5 and 1 bar. The skim latex, skim latex diluted with water and skim rubber wastewater were tested by membrane separation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic polymer were also added to the skim latex and used to combine it with the membrane. The results implied that filtration of skim rubber wastewater with a 0.45 μm membrane at 1 bar pressure gave the highest flux of 152.6 l/m2–hr while the skim latex gave the highest flux of only 1.4 l/m2–hr. When SDS and cationic polymer at 8 mg/l were added to the skim latex and tested, the highest flux was observed to increase as 2.1 and 2.8 l/m2–hr, respectively. When skim latex diluted with 5 and 10 times the amount of water was tested, the highest flux was determined to be 13.9 and 20.8 l/m2–hr, respectively. Using MF to filtrate the skim latex gave 48% SCOD removal. This result reflects that the MF system might be an alternative technology applied in the concentrated latex factory, especially to the rubber skim process.
Dehydration of Ethanol/Water Mixture Using Pervaporation and Vapor Permeation Technique
Authors: Boontawan A. , Schausberger P. , Bösch P. , Friedl A.
Published: November 2018

The demand of bio–ethanol to substitute petroleum–based fuel is continuously increasing, and economic aspect has become an important factor in the design of ethanol dehydration plants. Since it forms an azeotrope at 89.4 mole%, 78°C and atmospheric pressure, further dehydration process is difficult and expensive. In this work, a composite membrane using modified poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) as the active separating layer, and poly–acrylonitrite (PAN) as a supportive layer was employed. Two membrane processes, pervaporation (PV) and vapor permeation (VP) system, were investigated for their dehydration performances in order to produce motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE). The effects of feed temperature, feed pressure, feed composition, module temperature, and permeate pressure were compared for both systems, and also discussed in detail. Total flux, ethanol flux, and water flux as well as separation factor were also calculated. In general for both systems, the water fluxes decreased dramatically as the feed side ethanol concentrations increased. However, the pervaporation system was affected the most, and this is because of the low diffusivity of water in ethanol. For the separation of azeotrope, water fluxes between 0.06–1.17 kg/m2/hr with separation factor of about 100 were observed in VP whilst the value of 0.10–0.22 kg/m2/hr were obtained with PV. In conclusion, VP has advantages over PV system in terms of separation performances and simplicities of the process.
Enhancement of Organics Removal by an Integrated Nonwoven Media Biofilter–submerged Membrane Adsorption Hybrid System
Authors: Guo W. S. , Xing W. , Ngo H. H. , Hu A. Y. J. , Palmer C. G. , Zhang R.
Published: November 2018

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using nonwoven fabric material (NB) as bedding material in a circulating fluidized bed biofilter (FBB), coupling with a submerged membrane adsorption hybrid system (SMAHS) to treat high strength synthetic wastewater containing refractory organic pollutants. The results show that the NBFBB could remove major part of the organic pollutants at relatively low influent feeding rate of 10 and 20 mL/min with the bed depth of 25 cm and minimum recirculation rate of 50%. The integrated NB–FBB–SMAHS system exhibited excellent DOC and nutrient removal with the bed depth of 45 cm and 50% recirculation rate. At the NBFBB influent feeding rate of 50 mL/min, the system removed more than 96% of DOC, 100% of NH4–N and 84.2% PO4–P with a low TMP development of 9.5 kPa. Molecular weight (MW) distributions also indicated that the system could eliminate dissolved organic pollutants range from 90 to 40200 Daltons.
Trade Offs
Authors: Shah Agam
Published: November 2018

Many economists predict that a combination of higher tariffs and political uncertainty could negatively impact industrial machinery, robotics, automotive, and other industries. A full-scale trade war could create as many losers as winners, even among engineers. Some experts believe a trade war could spur companies to implement technology such as artificial intelligence, automation, and the latest designs in a bid to cut manufacturing costs, and to seek out business opportunities in markets like aerospace. This article delves into how the industry is bracing for the impact of tariffs.
Keeping It Real
Authors: Noor Ahmed K.
Published: November 2018

The current wave of digital transformation has produced a rapid expansion of engineering simulations across the entire product lifecycle, beginning with digital exploration, continuing to digital prototyping and then operations and maintenance. Simulation software is now more pervasive and increasingly ingrained into the DNA of mainstream engineering. It provides engineers a faster, simpler way to explore and design digitally. This study highlights the dramatic improvements that have been made in various modeling and simulation technologies and facilities.
Fresh fights roil evidence-based medicine group
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: November 2018

Expelled Cochrane co-founder Peter Gøtzsche is suspended as head of the Nordic Cochrane Centre.
Reprogrammed cells could tackle brain damage
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: November 2018

Turning astrocytes into neurons improves symptoms in preliminary mouse studies.
LZTR1 is a regulator of RAS ubiquitination and signaling
Authors: Bigenzahn Johannes W. , Collu Giovanna M. , Kartnig Felix , Pieraks Melanie , Vladimer Gregory I. , Heinz Leonhard X. , Sedlyarov Vitaly , Schischlik Fiorella , Fauster Astrid , Rebsamen Manuele , Parapatics Katja , Blomen Vincent A. , Müller André C. , Winter Georg E. , Kralovics Robert , Brummelkamp Thijn R. , Mlodzik Marek , Superti-Furga Giulio
Published: November 2018

Regulation of RAS by ubiquitination

The protein LZTR1 is mutated in human cancers and developmental diseases. Work from two groups now converges to implicate the protein in regulating signaling by the small guanosine triphosphatase RAS. Steklov
et al.
showed that mice haploinsufficient for LZTR1 recapitulated aspects of the human disease Noonan syndrome. Their biochemical studies showed that LZTR1 associated with RAS. LZTR1 appears to function as an adaptor that promotes ubiquitination of RAS, thus inhibiting its signaling functions. Bigenzahn
et al.
found LZTR1 in a screen for proteins whose absence led to resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat cancers caused by the BCR-ABL oncogene product. Their biochemical studies and genetic studies in fruitflies also showed that loss of LZTR1 led to increased activity of RAS and signaling through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Science
, this issue p.
1177
, p.
1171
Beyond the molecular movie: Dynamics of bands and bonds during a photoinduced phase transition
Authors: Nicholson C. W. , Lücke A. , Schmidt W. G. , Puppin M. , Rettig L. , Ernstorfer R. , Wolf M.
Published: November 2018

Physics and chemistry in concert

Shining a short, intense light pulse on a material can cause a transition in both its atomic and electronic structures. The dynamics of the electronic structure in such transitions can be monitored using, for example, time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Nicholson
et al.
observed a photoinduced metal-insulator transition in indium nanowires on a silicon surface. They monitored both the physics and the chemistry of the system after the initial photoexcitation and correlated the closing of the electronic bandgap with the rearrangement of chemical bonds. The results showcase the wealth of information that time-resolved tools can reveal about the dynamics of complex systems.

Science
, this issue p.
821
Heterobiaryl synthesis by contractive C–C coupling via P(V) intermediates
Authors: Hilton Michael C. , Zhang Xuan , Boyle Benjamin T. , Alegre-Requena Juan V. , Paton Robert S. , McNally Andrew
Published: November 2018

Heterocycles meet and marry on phosphorus

Metals such as palladium are routinely used to link together carbon rings in pharmaceutical synthesis. However, the presence of nitrogen in both rings can trip up this process. Hilton
et al.
report a versatile alternative process in which phosphorus takes the place of the metal. The phosphorus binds successively to both rings at the sites opposite the nitrogen, and treatment with acidic ethanol then pushes them off, bound to each other. Theory implicates a five-coordinate phosphorus intermediate that kinetically favors coupling of the two nitrogen-bearing rings over reactions of the other all-carbon substituents.

Science
, this issue p.
799
Electron-scale dynamics of the diffusion region during symmetric magnetic reconnection in space
Authors: Torbert R. B. , Burch J. L. , Phan T. D. , Hesse M. , Argall M. R. , Shuster J. , Ergun R. E. , Alm L. , Nakamura R. , Genestreti K. J. , Gershman D. J. , Paterson W. R. , Turner D. L. , Cohen I. , Giles B. L. , Pollock C. J. , Wang S. , Chen L.-J. , Stawarz J. E. , Eastwood J. P. , Hwang K. J. , Farrugia C. , Dors I. , Vaith H. , Mouikis C. , Ardakani A. , Mauk B. H. , Fuselier S. A. , Russell C. T. , Strangeway R. J. , Moore T. E. , Drake J. F. , Shay M. A. , Khotyaintsev Yuri V. , Lindqvist P.-A. , Baumjohann W. , Wilder F. D. , Ahmadi N. , Dorelli J. C. , Avanov L. A. , Oka M. , Baker D. N. , Fennell J. F. , Blake J. B. , Jaynes A. N. , Le Contel O. , Petrinec S. M. , Lavraud B. , Saito Y.
Published: November 2018

Reconnection in Earth's magnetotail

Magnetic fields in plasmas can rapidly rearrange themselves in a process known as magnetic reconnection, which releases energy and accelerates particles. Torbert
et al.
used the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission to probe a reconnection event in Earth's magnetotail—the region of plasma downstream from the planet as it moves through the solar wind. MMS has previously studied reconnection in the upstream magnetopause, but a different orbit was used to study the magnetotail, where the symmetry of the process is different. The authors measured plasma properties on scales of the electron dynamics, leading to insights that will apply in other regions where magnetic reconnection occurs.

Science
, this issue p.
1391
A linear cobalt(II) complex with maximal orbital angular momentum from a non-Aufbau ground state
Authors: Bunting Philip C. , Atanasov Mihail , Damgaard-Møller Emil , Perfetti Mauro , Crassee Iris , Orlita Milan , Overgaard Jacob , van Slageren Joris , Neese Frank , Long Jeffrey R.
Published: November 2018

Cobalt unfettered by its ligand field

Applied magnetic fields induce a field in any compound with unpaired electrons. However, for the induced field to persist once the applied field is gone, the electrons must be configured to manifest orbital angular momentum. Generally, the influence of ligands severely restricts that property in transition metal complexes. Bunting
et al.
now show that a cobalt ion is just barely affected by two linearly coordinated carbon ligands and, as such, exhibits maximal orbital angular momentum. Although its magnetic properties mainly pertain at very low temperature, its structure offers a more general design principle.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat7319
Comment on “Predicting reaction performance in C–N cross-coupling using machine learning”
Authors: Chuang Kangway V. , Keiser Michael J.
Published: November 2018

Ahneman
et al
. (Reports, 13 April 2018) applied machine learning models to predict C–N cross-coupling reaction yields. The models use atomic, electronic, and vibrational descriptors as input features. However, the experimental design is insufficient to distinguish models trained on chemical features from those trained solely on random-valued features in retrospective and prospective test scenarios, thus failing classical controls in machine learning.
SFXN1 is a mitochondrial serine transporter required for one-carbon metabolism
Authors: Kory Nora , Wyant Gregory A. , Prakash Gyan , uit de Bos Jelmi , Bottanelli Francesca , Pacold Michael E. , Chan Sze Ham , Lewis Caroline A. , Wang Tim , Keys Heather R. , Guo Yang Eric , Sabatini David M.
Published: November 2018

Mitochondrial serine transporter identified

One-carbon (1C) metabolism is a universal metabolic process that is required for purine synthesis and supports the high levels of proliferation in cancer cells. The transport of serine into mitochondria supplies most of the 1C units needed for biosynthesis. Kory
et al.
used a genetic screen to identify the long-sought-after mitochondrial serine transporter. Elucidating the key step of serine transport is important for our understanding of metabolism and has potential implications for cancer treatment.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat9528
Light-driven fine chemical production in yeast biohybrids
Authors: Guo Junling , Suástegui Miguel , Sakimoto Kelsey K. , Moody Vanessa M. , Xiao Gao , Nocera Daniel G. , Joshi Neel S.
Published: November 2018

Light-powered cell factories

Bacteria and fungi are used industrially to produce commodity fine chemicals at vast scale. Sugars are an economical feedstock, but many of the desired products require enzymatic reduction, meaning that some of the sugar must be diverted to regenerate the cellular reductant NADPH (reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). Guo
et al.
show that electrons from light-sensitive nanoparticles can drive reduction of cellular NADPH in yeast, which can then be used for reductive biosynthetic reactions. This system can reduce diversion of carbon to NADPH regeneration and should be compatible with many existing engineered strains of yeast.

Science
, this issue p.
813
Omadacycline Gut Microbiome Exposure Does Not Induce Clostridium difficile Proliferation or Toxin Production in a Model That Simulates the Proximal, Medial, and Distal Human Colon
Authors: Moura Ines B. , Buckley Anthony M. , Ewin Duncan , Shearman Sharie , Clark Emma , Wilcox Mark H. , Chilton Caroline H.
Published: November 2018

A clinically reflective model of the human colon was used to investigate the effects of the broad-spectrum antibiotic omadacycline on the gut microbiome and the subsequent potential to induce simulated
Clostridium difficile
infection (CDI). Triple-stage chemostat gut models were inoculated with pooled human fecal slurry from healthy volunteers (age, ≥60 years).
Host Cell Metabolism Contributes to Delayed-Death Kinetics of Apicoplast Inhibitors in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Amberg-Johnson Katherine , Yeh Ellen
Published: November 2018

Toxoplasma gondii
and related human parasites contain an essential plastid organelle called the apicoplast. Clinically used antibiotics and other inhibitors that disrupt apicoplast biogenesis cause a mysterious “delayed-death” phenotype in which parasite growth is unaffected during the first lytic cycle of inhibitor treatment but is severely inhibited in the second lytic cycle even after drug removal.
Cardiac arrest by inhalation of deodorant spray
Authors: Kramp Kelvin Harvey , Salih Mahdi , Thomeer Elsbeth , Gardien Martin
Published: November 2018

Drug abuse by inhalation of volatile household product substances is uncommon, however, it can have devastating consequences. This case report describes the fatal outcome of deodorant inhalation by a 19-year-old patient in a detoxification clinic who developed a cardiac arrest after inhaling butane from a deodorant spray. Despite initial successful resuscitation, he developed a postanoxic encephalopathy with a status epilepticus resistant to extensive treatment. Inhalant abuse can be a cause of death in young patients.
Elite football teams that do not have a winter break lose on average 303 player-days more per season to injuries than those teams that do: a comparison among 35 professional European teams
Authors: Ekstrand Jan , Spreco Armin , Davison Michael
Published: November 2018

Objective

To compare injury rates among professional men’s football teams that have a winter break in their league season schedule with corresponding rates in teams that do not.

Methods

56 football teams from 15 European countries were prospectively followed for seven seasons (2010/2011–2016/2017)—a total of 155 team-seasons. Individual training, match exposure and time-loss injuries were registered. Four different injury rates were analysed over four periods within the season, and linear regression was performed on team-level data to analyse the effect of winter break on each of the injury rates. Crude analyses and analyses adjusted for climatic region were performed.

Results

9660 injuries were reported during 1 447 011 exposure hours. English teams had no winter break scheduled in the season calendar: the other European teams had a mean winter break scheduled for 10.0 days. Teams without a winter break lost on average 303 days more per season due to injuries than teams with a winter break during the whole season (p<0.001). The results were similar across the three periods August–December (p=0.013), January–March (p<0.001) and April–May (p=0.050). Teams without a winter break also had a higher incidence of severe injuries than teams with a winter break during the whole season (2.1 severe injuries more per season for teams without a winter break, p=0.002), as well as during the period January–March (p=0.003). A winter break was not associated with higher team training attendance or team match availability. Climatic region was also associated with injury rates.

Conclusions

The absence of a scheduled winter break was associated with a higher injury burden, both before and during the two periods following the time that many European teams take a winter break. Teams without a winter break (English clubs) had a higher incidence of severe injuries following the time of the year that other teams (other European clubs) had their scheduled break.
Effects of a low carbohydrate diet on energy expenditure during weight loss maintenance: randomized trial
Authors: Ebbeling Cara B , Feldman Henry A , Klein Gloria L , Wong Julia M W , Bielak Lisa , Steltz Sarah K , Luoto Patricia K , Wolfe Robert R , Wong William W , Ludwig David S
Published: November 2018

Objective

To determine the effects of diets varying in carbohydrate to fat ratio on total energy expenditure.

Design

Randomized trial.

Setting

Multicenter collaboration at US two sites, August 2014 to May 2017.

Participants

164 adults aged 18-65 years with a body mass index of 25 or more.

Interventions

After 12% (within 2%) weight loss on a run-in diet, participants were randomly assigned to one of three test diets according to carbohydrate content (high, 60%, n=54; moderate, 40%, n=53; or low, 20%, n=57) for 20 weeks. Test diets were controlled for protein and were energy adjusted to maintain weight loss within 2 kg. To test for effect modification predicted by the carbohydrate-insulin model, the sample was divided into thirds of pre-weight loss insulin secretion (insulin concentration 30 minutes after oral glucose).

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was total energy expenditure, measured with doubly labeled water, by intention-to-treat analysis. Per protocol analysis included participants who maintained target weight loss, potentially providing a more precise effect estimate. Secondary outcomes were resting energy expenditure, measures of physical activity, and levels of the metabolic hormones leptin and ghrelin.

Results

Total energy expenditure differed by diet in the intention-to-treat analysis (n=162, P=0.002), with a linear trend of 52 kcal/d (95% confidence interval 23 to 82) for every 10% decrease in the contribution of carbohydrate to total energy intake (1 kcal=4.18 kJ=0.00418 MJ). Change in total energy expenditure was 91 kcal/d (95% confidence interval −29 to 210) greater in participants assigned to the moderate carbohydrate diet and 209 kcal/d (91 to 326) greater in those assigned to the low carbohydrate diet compared with the high carbohydrate diet. In the per protocol analysis (n=120, P<0.001), the respective differences were 131 kcal/d (−6 to 267) and 278 kcal/d (144 to 411). Among participants in the highest third of pre-weight loss insulin secretion, the difference between the low and high carbohydrate diet was 308 kcal/d in the intention-to-treat analysis and 478 kcal/d in the per protocol analysis (P<0.004). Ghrelin was significantly lower in participants assigned to the low carbohydrate diet compared with those assigned to the high carbohydrate diet (both analyses). Leptin was also significantly lower in participants assigned to the low carbohydrate diet (per protocol).

Conclusions

Consistent with the carbohydrate-insulin model, lowering dietary carbohydrate increased energy expenditure during weight loss maintenance. This metabolic effect may improve the success of obesity treatment, especially among those with high insulin secretion.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02068885.
Synthesis, optical characterization, and TD-DFT studies of novel mero/bis-mero cyanine dyes based on N-Bridgehead heterocycles
Authors: Koraiem Ahmed I. , Abdellah Islam M. , El-Shafei Ahmed , Abdel-Latif Fathy F. , Abd El-Aal Reda M.
Published: November 2018

Novel mero/bis-mero cyanine dyes based on N-Bridgehead imidazo[1,2-g]quinolino[2,1-a][2,6]naphthyridine have been synthesized and characterized to evaluate intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect on the energy gap (E0-0). The UV–vis and emission spectral studies revealed that dyes are absorbed in the region of λmax 485–577 nm and emitted at 567–673 nm. Their solvatochromic behavior in solvents of various polarities, CCl4, C6H6, H2O, CHCl3, acetone, and DMF, was studied to emphasize the effect of solvent polarity on the absorption maxima, molar extinction coefficients of the dyes, and excitation energy of the dyes. Their electron cloud delocalization in HOMO/LUMO levels were studied by DFT using Gaussian 09 software. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) was applied to theoretically explore the first excitation energy (E0-0) of these dyes, which was in good agreement with experimental results.
Perceptual Generalization and Context in a Network Memory Inspired Long-Term Memory for Artificial Cognition
Authors: Duro Richard J. , Becerra Jose A. , Monroy Juan , Bellas Francisco
Published: November 2018

In the framework of open-ended learning cognitive architectures for robots, this paper deals with the design of a Long-Term Memory (LTM) structure that can accommodate the progressive acquisition of experience-based decision capabilities, or what different authors call “automation” of what is learnt, as a complementary system to more common prospective functions. The LTM proposed here provides for a relational storage of knowledge nuggets given the form of artificial neural networks (ANNs) that is representative of the contexts in which they are relevant in a configural associative structure. It also addresses the problem of continuous perceptual spaces and the task- and context-related generalization or categorization of perceptions in an autonomous manner within the embodied sensorimotor apparatus of the robot. These issues are analyzed and a solution is proposed through the introduction of two new types of knowledge nuggets: P-nodes representing perceptual classes and C-nodes representing contexts. The approach is studied and its performance evaluated through its implementation and application to a real robotic experiment.
A Method for Suppressing Electrical Stimulation Artifacts from Electromyography
Authors: Li Yurong , Chen Jun , Yang Yuan
Published: November 2018

When surface electromyography (EMG) signal is used in a real-time functional electrical stimulation (FES) system for feedback control, the artifact from electrical stimulation is a key challenge for EMG signal processing. To address this challenge, this study proposes a novel method to suppress stimulation artifacts in the EMG-driven closed-loop FES system. The proposed method is inspired by an experimental study that compares artifacts generated by electrical stimulations with different current intensities. It is found that (1) spikes of stimulation artifacts are susceptible to the current intensity and (2) tailing components are similar under different current intensities. Based on these observations, the proposed method combines the blanking and template subtracting strategies for suppressing stimulation artifact. The length of blanking window for suppressing the stimulation spike is adaptively determined by a spike detection algorithm and the first-order derivative analysis of signal. An autoregressive model is used to estimate the tailing part of stimulation artifact, which is an adaptive template for subtracting the artifact. The proposed method is evaluated on both semi-synthetic and experimental datasets. Verified on the semi-synthetic dataset, the proposed method achieves better performance than the classic blanking method. Validated on the experimental dataset, the proposed method substantially decreases the power of stimulation artifact in the EMG. These results indicate that the proposed method can effectively suppress the stimulation artifact while retains the useful EMG signal for an EMG-driven FES system.
Minimizing Total Idle Energy Consumption in the Permutation Flow Shop Scheduling Problem
Authors: Liu Guo-Sheng , Li Jin-Jin , Tang Ying-Si
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we investigate the well-known permutation flow shop (PFS) scheduling problem with a particular objective, the minimization of total idle energy consumption of the machines. The problem considers the energy waste induced by the machine idling, in which the idle energy consumption is evaluated by the multiplication of the idle time and power level of each machine. Since the problem considered is NP-hard, theoretical results are given for several basic cases. For the two-machine case, we prove that the optimal schedule can be found by employing a relaxed Johnson’s algorithm within O([Formula: see text]) time complexity. For the cases with multiple machines (not less than 3), we propose a novel NEH heuristic algorithm to obtain an approximate energy-saving schedule. The heuristic algorithms are validated by comparison with NEH on a typical PFS problem and a case study for tire manufacturing shows an energy consumption reduction of approximately [Formula: see text] by applying the energy-saving scheduling and the proposed algorithms.
Quantum gauge transformation, gauge-invariant extension and angular momentum decomposition in Abelian Higgs model
Authors: Sun Israel Weimin
Published: November 2018

I discuss the momentum and angular momentum decomposition problem in the Abelian Higgs model. The usual gauge-invariant extension (GIE) construction is incorporated naturally into the framework of quantum gauge transformation à la Strocchi and Wightman and with this, I investigate the momentum and angular momentum separation in a class of GIE conditions which correspond to the so-called “static gauges”. Using this language, I find that the so-called “generator criterion” does not generally hold even for the dressed physical field. In the case of U(1) symmetry breaking, I generalize the standard GIE construction to include the matter field degrees of freedom so that the usual separation pattern of momentum and angular momentum in the unitarity gauge can be incorporated into the same universal framework. When the static gauge condition could not uniquely fix the gauge, I show that this GIE construction should be expanded to take into account the residual gauge symmetry. In some cases, I reveal that the usual momentum or angular momentum separation pattern in terms of the physical dressed field variables needs some type of modification due to the nontrivial commutator structure of the underlying quantum gauge choice. Finally, I give some remarks on the general GIE constructions in connection with the possible commutator issues and modification of momentum and angular momentum separation patterns.
Solving systems of multi-term fractional PDEs: Invariant subspace approach
Authors: Choudhary Sangita , Daftardar-Gejji Varsha
Published: November 2018

In the present paper, invariant subspace method has been extended for solving systems of multi-term fractional partial differential equations (FPDEs) involving both time and space fractional derivatives. Further, the method has also been employed for solving multi-term fractional PDEs in [Formula: see text] dimensions. A diverse set of examples is solved to illustrate the method.
Compatibility Between Wind Turbines and the Radio Astronomy Service
Authors: Winkel Benjamin , Jessner Axel
Published: November 2018

Modern radio astronomical facilities are able to detect extremely weak electromagnetic signals not only from the universe but also from man-made radio frequency interference of various origins. These range from wanted signals to unwanted out-of-band emission of radio services and applications to electromagnetic interference produced by all kinds of electronic and electric devices. Energy harvesting wind turbines are not only equipped with electric power conversion hardware but also copious amounts of electronics to control and monitor the turbines. A wind turbine in the vicinity of a radio telescope could therefore lead to harmful interference, corrupting the measured astronomical data. Many observatories seek to coordinate placement of new wind farms with wind turbine manufacturers and operators, as well as with the local planning authorities, to avoid such a situation. In our study, we provide examples as well as guidelines for the determination of the separation distances between wind turbines and radio observatories, to enable a benign co-existence for both.

The proposed calculations entail three basic steps. At first, the anticipated maximum emitted power level based on the European EN 550011 ( CISPR, 2015 ) standard, which applies to industrial devices, is determined. Then secondly, the propagation loss along the path to the radio receiver is computed via a model provided by the international telecommunication union. Finally, the received power is compared to the permitted power limit that pertains in the protected radio astronomical observing band under consideration. This procedure may be carried out for each location around a telescope site, in order to obtain a map of potentially problematic wind turbine positions.
TFCC Lesions in Children and Adolescents: Open Treatment
Authors: Pfanner Sandra , Diaz Lorenzo , Ghargozloo Dariush , Denaro Vincenzo , Ceruso Massimo
Published: November 2018

Background: There has been little discussion regarding the lesion of the TFCC in pediatric and adolescent patients. This study examines 11 cases treated with open technique.

Methods: Range of motion (ROM), strength and functional scores (QUICK DASH, PWRE, VAS pain, and NAKAMURA score) were evaluated.

Results: The mean postoperative flexion-extension arc was 95% of the contralateral side, the radio-ulnar deviation 91% of the contralateral side and the pronation-supination arc 94% of the unaffected side. Grip strength was 85.6% of the uninjured wrist, pinch was 88%. The mean PRWE decreased from 84.4 to 9.85 postoperatively. The mean Q-DASH scored 10.4. The VAS pain under stress decreased from a mean of 6.8 to a mean of 2.27, while at rest it decreased from a mean of 5 to a mean of 0.5. The final clinical results obtained by Nakamura score were 2 excellent, 6 good and 3 fair.

Conclusions: This study emphasizes that open surgical TFCC repair is a safe and reliable therapeutic procedure in children and adolescent populations.
Description and Clinical Assessment of the Bone Block Tendon Interposition Technique for the Management of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis
Authors: Cardozo Diego F. Rincon , Martinez Wynston J. Alvarez , Lopez Jhon F. Castañeda , Maldonado Fredy A. Angarita , Neira Juliana A. Rojas , Goeta Álvaro A. Kafury
Published: November 2018

Background: Pellegrini’s surgical technique is the most useful for thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. The purpose of this paper is to describe the technique of a modified version using a bone block in the tunnel through which the flexor carpi radialis tendon is passed (BBTI).

Methods: Case series of patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint, in stage II or higher based on Eaton’s classification, that were intervened using the BBTI technique for a 2-year period. Grip and pinch strength, range of motion, and 1–2 metacarpal angle were evaluated. Pain and function were measured using the visual analogue scale and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scale.

Results: The study included 16 cases in 14 patients (11 women and 3 men), with an average age of 55.7 ± 7.1 years. Encouraging results were obtained, with an average DASH score of 24.3 ± 17.9 and a minimum VAS pain score. A total of 58% showed a grip strength of over 80% and the postoperative movement was equivalent to the contralateral limb. No cases of infection were reported, and only two minor complications were observed.

Conclusions: The BBTI technique is a surgical option that incorporates an interference screw, offering good functional results for managing osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint, with a similar complication rate to that of the original technique.
The Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures with Ipsilateral Elbow Injury
Authors: Kim Tae Gyun , Heo Youn Moo , Yi Jin Woong , Oh Byung Hak , Lee Gi Soo
Published: November 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcomes of simultaneous distal radius fractures (DRFs) and ipsilateral elbow injuries (IEI) and to evaluate whether the DRFs and IEI affect each other’s outcomes.

Methods: From February 2008 to March 2015, 29 of 846 patients treated for DRFs were found to be associated with IEI and 26 patients with follow-up over 12 months were enrolled. There were 12 men and 14 women with a mean age of 55 years (range, 17–86 years). Associated IEI was divided into fracture group (10 patients) and dislocation group (16 patients). Clinical outcomes of DRFs and IEI were evaluated using the Gartland and Werley score and Mayo Elbow Performance Score, respectively. A correlation between the wrist scoring and the elbow scoring was analyzed. In addition, the wrist scoring between fracture group and dislocation group of the elbow was compared.

Results: The DRFs was rated as excellent in 14 patients, good in seven patients, and fair in five patients. The IEI was rated as excellent in 12 patients, good in 11 patients, fair in two patients, and poor in one patient. Acceptable outcome rate of both DRFs and concomitant IEI was 73%, although that of DRFs and IEI was 81% and 88%, respectively. A correlation between the wrist outcome and the elbow outcome showed a negative linear relationship (Spearman rho = −0.435, p = 0.026). In addition, there was no difference in the outcome of DRFs between ipsilateral elbow fractures group and dislocation group.

Conclusions: As a correlation of DRFs and ipsilateral IEI have a linear relationship, the functional outcomes of both injuries are related to each other. Therefore, we recommend that combined injuries should be managed appropriately at the same time for contended recovery of the wrist and elbow.
Atypical Presentation of Pyogenic Granuloma of the Right Index Finger: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Tan Lip Siang , Daud Muhammad Hafiz , Nasirudin Norzatulsyima
Published: November 2018

Pyogenic granuloma, also known as lobular capillary hemangioma, is a benign vascular lesion of the skin or mucous membrane with rapid growth or repetitive trauma. Rarely seen in adult, its management varies and surgical intervention is usually common. We report a case of pyogenic granuloma of the right index finger in a 46-year-old gentleman who presented with painless swelling of the right index finger after a trivial injury. Wedge biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and excision of the granuloma measuring 3 cm × 3 cm × 2 cm was done with curettage and electrocautery over the base of granuloma. The wound subsequently healed well with good functional and aesthetic outcome.
Study on Public-Private Partnership Model in China’s Legislation
Authors: Li Guangjun , Li Fan , Li Minxi
Published: November 2018

This paper briefly introduces the basic characters, operation methods, transaction structure and the main functions of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and adopts the investigation method of empirical research to analyze and collate in detail the PPP policies and regulations issued by state ministries and commissions since 2014. It also analyses the short-coming existing at the legal level and proposes the suggestions of the next steps should be taken. At the strategic level, PPP national level legislation has a unique institutional innovation significance for current China.
Onuphionella corusca
sp. nov.: an early Cambrian-type agglutinated tube from Upper Ordovician strata of Morocco
Authors: Muir Lucy A. , Botting Joseph P. , Walker Steven N. A. , Schiffbauer James D. , MacGabhann Breandán Anraoi
Published: November 2018

A variety of unrelated organisms produce agglutinated tubes as dwelling structures, and the habit has persisted since the Neoproterozoic.
Onuphionella
, an agglutinated tube composed of mica flakes, has been found in lower Cambrian strata on several palaeocontinents. In this paper, a new species of the genus,
Onuphionella corusca
sp. nov., is described from the Sandbian (Upper Ordovician) First Bani Group of the Erfoud region, Morocco. The First Bani Group was formed in a storm-dominated shelf environment below fair-weather wave base. The agglutinated tubes are found in abundance on numerous bedding surfaces, possibly representing repeated colonization between storm events, and the tube maker must have been a major part of the local ecosystem. This is the first report of
Onuphionella
from Ordovician rocks and the first from Gondwana.

Supplementary material:
Data tables for major oxide and trace element results are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4283612
Updating Dynamic Random Hyperbolic Graphs in Sublinear Time
Authors: Looz Moritz Von , Meyerhenke Henning
Published: November 2018

Generative network models play an important role in algorithm development, scaling studies, network analysis, and realistic system benchmarks for graph data sets. A complex network model gaining considerable popularity builds random hyperbolic graphs, generated by distributing points within a disk in the hyperbolic plane and then adding edges between points with a probability depending on their hyperbolic distance.

We present a dynamic extension to model gradual network change, while preserving at each step the point position probabilities. To process the dynamic changes efficiently, we formalize the concept of a
probabilistic neighborhood
: Let
P
be a set of
n
points in Euclidean or hyperbolic space,
q
a query point, dist a distance metric, and
f
: R
+
→ [0, 1] a monotonically decreasing function. Then, the probabilistic neighborhood
N
(
q
,
f
) of
q
with respect to
f
is a random subset of
P
and each point
p
∈
P
belongs to
N
(
q
,
f
) with probability
f
(dist(
p
,
q
)). We present a fast, sublinear-time query algorithm to sample probabilistic neighborhoods from planar point sets. For certain distributions of planar
P
, we prove that our algorithm answers a query in
O
((|
N
(
q
,
f
)| + √
n
) log
n
) time with high probability. This enables us to process a node movement in random hyperbolic graphs in sublinear time, resulting in a speedup of about one order of magnitude in practice compared to the fastest previous approach. Apart from that, our query algorithm is also applicable to Euclidean geometry, making it of independent interest for other sampling or probabilistic spreading scenarios.
Student engagement and higher order skill proficiency: a comparison of traditional didactic and renewed integrated active learning curricula
Authors: Hopper Mari K. , Brake Daniela A.
Published: November 2018

A large, multicampus, public medical school underwent curricular renewal, emphasizing a student-centered approach with 50% of all course contact time devoted to active learning. Determining the impact of active learning on student engagement and higher order skill (HOS) proficiency was the primary aim of this study. Following Institutional Review Board approval, two cohort groups of first-year medical students were enrolled. The first cohort ( n = 54) included students before curriculum reform in the legacy curriculum (LC). The second cohort ( n = 73) included students completing studies in the renewed curriculum (RC). Near the end of the first year of medical school, both cohorts completed a validated survey of student engagement, and a proctored problem-based assessment of HOS proficiency [Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA+)]. Results indicated RC students perceived greater levels of engagement than LC (39.5+5.8 vs. 33.3+5.6), and greater reliance on HOS, including analysis, synthesis, and application. However, there were no significant differences between cohorts in proficiency of HOS when assessed by the CLA+ (LC = 1,878 ± 161 vs. RC = 1,900 ± 157). Additionally, poor correlation between engagement and HOS for both LC and RC indicated more engaged students do not necessarily possess greater HOS proficiency. Ceiling effect may explain results as medical students enter medical school as highly skilled learners with potentially little room for improvement. It will be informative to continue to track engagement and HOS of both cohort groups as they continue their medical studies.