bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid EEG—Eye Tracker: Automatic Identification and Removal of Eye Movement and Blink Artifacts from Electroencephalographic Signal
Authors: Mannan Malik , Kim Shinjung , Jeong Myung , Kamran M.
Published: February 2016

Contamination of eye movement and blink artifacts in Electroencephalogram (EEG) recording makes the analysis of EEG data more difficult and could result in mislead findings. Efficient removal of these artifacts from EEG data is an essential step in improving classification accuracy to develop the brain-computer interface (BCI). In this paper, we proposed an automatic framework based on independent component analysis (ICA) and system identification to identify and remove ocular artifacts from EEG data by using hybrid EEG and eye tracker system. The performance of the proposed algorithm is illustrated using experimental and standard EEG datasets. The proposed algorithm not only removes the ocular artifacts from artifactual zone but also preserves the neuronal activity related EEG signals in non-artifactual zone. The comparison with the two state-of-the-art techniques namely ADJUST based ICA and REGICA reveals the significant improved performance of the proposed algorithm for removing eye movement and blink artifacts from EEG data. Additionally, results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve lower relative error and higher mutual information values between corrected EEG and artifact-free EEG data.
Inspection Robot Based Mobile Sensing and Power Line Tracking for Smart Grid
Authors: Byambasuren Bat-erdene , Kim Donghan , Oyun-Erdene Mandakh , Bold Chinguun , Yura Jargalbaatar
Published: February 2016

Smart sensing and power line tracking is very important in a smart grid system. Illegal electricity usage can be detected by remote current measurement on overhead power lines using an inspection robot. There is a need for accurate detection methods of illegal electricity usage. Stable and correct power line tracking is a very prominent issue. In order to correctly track and make accurate measurements, the swing path of a power line should be previously fitted and predicted by a mathematical function using an inspection robot. After this, the remote inspection robot can follow the power line and measure the current. This paper presents a new power line tracking method using parabolic and circle fitting algorithms for illegal electricity detection. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tracking method by simulation and experimental results.
Automobile Industry Strategic Alliance Partner Selection: The Application of a Hybrid DEA and Grey Theory Model
Authors: Wang Chia-Nan , Nguyen Xuan-Tho , Wang Yen-Hui
Published: February 2016

Finding the right strategic alliance partner is a critical success factor for many enterprises. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose an effective approach based on grey theory and data envelopment analysis (DEA) for selecting better partners for alliance. This study used grey forecasting to predict future business performances and used DEA for the partner selection of alliances. This research was implemented with realistic public data in four consecutive financial years (2009–2012) of the world’s 20 biggest automobile enterprises. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd was set to be the target decision making unit (DMU). The empirical results showed that, among 19 candidate DMUs, Renault (DMU10) and Daimler (DMU11) were the two feasible beneficial alliance partners for Nissan. Although this research is specifically applied to the automobile industry, the proposed method could also be applied to other manufacturing industries.
Sustainable Local Development and Environmental Governance: A Strategic Planning Experience
Authors: Ioppolo Giuseppe , Cucurachi Stefano , Salomone Roberta , Saija Giuseppe , Shi Lei
Published: February 2016

The emphasis on learning and adaptation among different actors at various political administrative levels and on various geographic scales has become a precondition for the emergence of sustainable development. It is possible to find the essential form of collaborative management by using a Strategic Plan, designed to determine a local model of sustainable competitiveness in economic, social and environmental terms. The adoption of a Strategic Plan stimulates a process of shared knowledge, through which it is possible to generate a new environmental governance (EG) that is truly representative of a local system. This paper presents, as a case study representative of the Italian context, the Strategic Plan of the Nebrodi area (SP), and assesses the structure of a new form of public and private environmental governance focused on sustainable concern. Finally, the SP could be considered a guideline for managing the local territorial and environmental system from a long-term perspective.
New Upper Bound and Lower Bound for Degree-Based Network Entropy
Authors: Lu Guoxiang , Li Bingqing , Wang Lijia
Published: February 2016

The degree-based network entropy which is inspired by Shannon’s entropy concept becomes the information-theoretic quantity for measuring the structural information of graphs and complex networks. In this paper, we study some properties of the degree-based network entropy. Firstly we develop a refinement of Jensen’s inequality. Next we present the new and more accurate upper bound and lower bound for the degree-based network entropy only using the order, the size, the maximum degree and minimum degree of a network. The bounds have desirable performance to restrict the entropy in different kinds of graphs. Finally, we show an application to structural complexity analysis of a computer network modeled by a connected graph.
Combined Effects of Lipophilic Phycotoxins (Okadaic Acid, Azapsiracid-1 and Yessotoxin) on Human Intestinal Cells Models
Authors: Ferron Pierre-Jean , Dumazeau Kevin , Beaulieu Jean-François , Le Hégarat Ludovic , Fessard Valérie
Published: February 2016

Phycotoxins are monitored in seafood because they can cause food poisonings in humans. Phycotoxins do not only occur singly but also as mixtures in shellfish. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro toxic interactions of binary combinations of three lipophilic phycotoxins commonly found in Europe (okadaic acid (OA), yessotoxin (YTX) and azaspiracid-1 (AZA-1)) using the neutral red uptake assay on two human intestinal cell models, Caco-2 and the human intestinal epithelial crypt-like cells (HIEC). Based on the cytotoxicity of individual toxins, we studied the interactions between toxins in binary mixtures using the combination index-isobologram equation, a method widely used in pharmacology to study drug interactions. This method quantitatively classifies interactions between toxins in mixtures as synergistic, additive or antagonistic. AZA-1/OA, and YTX/OA mixtures showed increasing antagonism with increasing toxin concentrations. In contrast, the AZA-1/YTX mixture showed increasing synergism with increasing concentrations, especially for mixtures with high YTX concentrations. These results highlight the hazard potency of AZA-1/YTX mixtures with regard to seafood intoxication.
Comparative Aspects of Canine Melanoma
Authors: Nishiya Adriana , Massoco Cristina , Felizzola Claudia , Perlmann Eduardo , Batschinski Karen , Tedardi Marcello , Garcia Jéssica , Mendonça Priscila , Teixeira Tarso , Zaidan Dagli Maria
Published: February 2016

Melanomas are malignant neoplasms originating from melanocytes. They occur in most animal species, but the dog is considered the best animal model for the disease. Melanomas in dogs are most frequently found in the buccal cavity, but the skin, eyes, and digits are other common locations for these neoplasms. The aim of this review is to report etiological, epidemiological, pathological, and molecular aspects of melanomas in dogs. Furthermore, the particular biological behaviors of these tumors in the different body locations are shown. Insights into the therapeutic approaches are described. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and the outcomes after these treatments are presented. New therapeutic perspectives are also depicted. All efforts are geared toward better characterization and control of malignant melanomas in dogs, for the benefit of these companion animals, and also in an attempt to benefit the treatment of human melanomas.
Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Water Quality in a Tidal Estuarine System Using a Three-Dimensional Model
Authors: Liu Wen-Cheng , Chan Wen-Ting
Published: February 2016

Climate change is one of the key factors affecting the future quality and quantity of water in rivers and tidal estuaries. A coupled three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality model has been developed and applied to the Danshuei River estuarine system in northern Taiwan to predict the influences of climate change on water quality. The water quality model considers state variables including nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and phytoplankton as well as dissolved oxygen, and is driven by a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The hydrodynamic water quality model was validated with observational salinity distribution and water quality state variables. According to the analyses of statistical error, predictions of salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients from the model simulation quantitatively agreed with the observed data. The validated model was then applied to predict water quality conditions as a result of projected climate change effects. The simulated results indicated that the dissolved oxygen concentration was projected to significantly decrease whereas nutrients will increase because of climate change. Moreover, the dissolved oxygen concentration was lower than 2 mg/L in the main stream of the Danshuei River estuary and failed to meet the water quality standard. An appropriate strategy for effective water quality management for tidal estuaries is needed given the projected persistent climate trends.
Synchronous Rectal Adenocarcinoma and Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma
Authors: Srikumar T. , Markow M. , Centeno B. , Hoffe S. , Tao J. , Fernandez H. , Strosberg J. , Shibata D.
Published: February 2016

Synchronous cancers of different primary origin are rare. Here, we describe the case of a patient with concomitant diagnoses of rectal adenocarcinoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma (smzl). A 57-year-old woman initially presented with abdominal pain. Physical examination and computed tomography demonstrated massive splenomegaly, and a complete blood count revealed microcytic anemia and lymphopenia. During the subsequent evaluation, she presented with hematochezia, melena, and constipation, which prompted gastroenterology referral. Subsequent endoscopic rectal ultrasonography revealed a T3N1 moderately differentiated rectal adenocarcinoma, with computed tomography imaging of chest, abdomen, and pelvis confirming no metastasis. Thus, the cancer was classified as clinical stage T3N1M0, stage iii. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed co-existing marginal zone lymphoma, and with the clinical presentation of massive splenomegaly, a diagnosis of smzl was made. The patient’s management was individually tailored for simultaneous optimal treatment of both conditions. Concurrent treatment with neoadjuvant rituximab and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy, with external-beam radiation therapy to the pelvis, was administered, followed by surgery consisting of en bloc splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy, and low anterior resection. The patient completed a standard course of adjuvant folfox (fluorouracil–leucovorin–oxaliplatin) chemotherapy and has remained disease-free for 7 years. To our knowledge, this report is the first to specifically describe simultaneous diagnoses of locally advanced rectal cancer and smzl. We also describe the successful combined neoadjuvant treatment combination of 5-fluorouracil, rituximab, and pelvic radiation.
Hepcidin and Ferroportin Expression in Breast Cancer Tissue and Serum and Their Relationship with Anemia
Authors: Pan X. , Lu Y. , Cheng X. , Wang J.
Published: February 2016

Objective: Our correlation study investigated the relationships of the expression of hepcidin and ferroportin (FPN) in tissues and serum from breast cancer (BCa) patients and the relationships of hepcidin and FPN with anemia. Methods: We used ELISA and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of hepcidin and FPN in tissue and serum from 62 individuals with BCa, and we analyzed correlations between hepcidin and FPN expression in tissue and in serum. At the same time, we evaluated the relationships between hepcidin, FPN, and anemia. Results: Mean serum hepcidin was 8.18 ± 3.75 μg/L in BCa patients with anemia and 4.53 ± 2.07 μg/L in those without anemia, a statistically significant difference (t = 3.7090, p < 0.01). Mean serum FPN was obviously lower in the anemia group than in the non-anemia group (1.77 ± 0.51 μg/L vs. 2.46 ± 0.52 μg/L, t = 3.5115, p < 0.01). Serum hepcidin and hemoglobin were negatively correlated (r = −0.502, p < 0.01); however, serum FPN was positively correlated with hemoglobin, and serum hepcidin was negatively correlated with FPN. The rates of hepcidin and FPN expression in BCa tissues were 50.0% and 61.2% respectively, but no association with anemia was observed. We also observed no relationship between expression of hepcidin and FPN in serum and in tissue. Conclusions: In BCa patients, expression of hepcidin in serum was high, but expression of FPN was low, suggesting that serum hepcidin plays a major role in anemia in those patients. Expression of hepcidin and FPN in BCa tissue showed no correlation with their expression in serum and no clear relationship with anemia.
The Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Detection and Quantification of C4NP in Rat Plasma and Its Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies
Authors: You J. , Wang L. , Yang F. , Shang J.
Published: February 2016

Introduction: Combretastatins, which are excellent anticancer agents, are isolated from Combretum. A sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the pharmacokinetic study of a combretastatin analog (C4NP) in rats. Methods: Sample pretreatment was finished by simple protein precipitation in which methanol was added to plasma containing an internal standard (buspirone hydrochloride). Liquid chromatograph separation was accomplished on a reverse-phase Kinetex XB-C18 column [50 × 4.6 mm; internal diameter: 2.6 μm (Phenomenex, Torrance, CA, U.S.A.)] with a gradient mobile phase of acetonitrile (0.05% formic acid, volume for volume) and water (0.05% formic acid) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The analytes were analyzed in the positive ion by electrospray ionization and quantified in the selective reaction monitoring mode. The entire procedure was validated following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines for bioanalytical methods validation. Results: Our study investigated, for the first time, the detection and pharmacokinetic characteristics of C4NP in Sprague–Dawley rat plasma. The pharmacokinetic results suggest that C4NP is predominantly restricted to blood or extracellular fluid and is not extensively distributed to most organ tissues. In addition, C4NP can be cleared by renal filtration and active tubular secretion in Sprague–Dawley rats. Toxicokinetics of C4NP in these rats indicate that no saturation of the metabolic or excretion process occurs for C4NP, and metabolic induction and accumulation of toxic injury from multiple dosing are both absent. Conclusions: For 100 μL of analyte, recovery plus high accuracy and reproducibility indicate that our new ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method is a reliable and high-throughput analytical tool for the pharmacokinetic study of C4NP in rats. Those results should be useful for risk assessment.
Determination of Young’s modulus of Sb2S3 nanowires by in situ resonance and bending methods
Authors: Jasulaneca Liga , Meija Raimonds , Livshits Alexander I , Prikulis Juris , Biswas Subhajit , Holmes Justin D , Erts Donats
Published: February 2016

In this study we address the mechanical properties of Sb2S3 nanowires and determine their Young’s modulus using in situ electric-field-induced mechanical resonance and static bending tests on individual Sb2S3 nanowires with cross-sectional areas ranging from 1.1·104 nm2 to 7.8·104 nm2. Mutually orthogonal resonances are observed and their origin explained by asymmetric cross section of nanowires. The results obtained from the two methods are consistent and show that nanowires exhibit Young’s moduli comparable to the value for macroscopic material. An increasing trend of measured values of Young’s modulus is observed for smaller thickness samples.
Natural products from microbes associated with insects
Authors: Beemelmanns Christine , Guo Huijuan , Rischer Maja , Poulsen Michael
Published: February 2016

Here we review discoveries of secondary metabolites from microbes associated with insects. We mainly focus on natural products, where the ecological role has been at least partially elucidated, and/or the pharmaceutical properties evaluated, and on compounds with unique structural features. We demonstrate that the exploration of specific microbial–host interactions, in combination with multidisciplinary dereplication processes, has emerged as a successful strategy to identify novel chemical entities and to shed light on the ecology and evolution of defensive associations.
DETERMINING THE AGE OF THE KEPLER OPEN CLUSTER NGC 6819 WITH A NEW TRIPLE SYSTEM AND OTHER ECLIPSING BINARY STARS*
Authors: Brewer Lauren N. , Sandquist Eric L. , Mathieu Robert D. , Milliman Katelyn , Geller Aaron M. , Jeffries, Jr. Mark W. , Orosz Jerome A. , Brogaard Karsten , Platais Imants , Bruntt Hans , Grundahl Frank , Stello Dennis , Frandsen Søren
Published: February 2016

As part of our study of the old (∼2.5 Gyr) open cluster NGC 6819 in the Kepler field, we present photometric (Kepler and ground-based BVR

C

I

C
) and spectroscopic observations of the detached eclipsing binary WOCS 24009 (Auner 665; KIC 5023948) with a short orbital period of 3.6 days. WOCS 24009 is a triple-lined system, and we verify that the brightest star is physically orbiting the eclipsing binary using radial velocities and eclipse timing variations. The eclipsing binary components have masses M

B
 = 1.090 ± 0.010 M
⊙ and M

C
 = 1.075 ± 0.013 M
⊙, and radii R

B
 = 1.099 ± 0.006 ± 0.005 R
⊙ and R

C
 = 1.069 ± 0.006 ± 0.013 R
⊙. The bright non-eclipsing star resides at the cluster turnoff, and ultimately its mass will directly constrain the turnoff mass: our preliminary determination is M

A
 = 1.251 ± 0.057 M
⊙. A careful examination of the light curves indicates that the fainter star in the eclipsing binary undergoes a very brief period of total eclipse, which enables us to precisely decompose the light of the three stars and place them in the color–magnitude diagram (CMD). We also present improved analysis of two previously discussed detached eclipsing stars in NGC 6819 (WOCS 40007 and WOCS 23009) en route to a combined determination of the cluster’s distance modulus (m − M)
V
 = 12.38 ± 0.04. Because this paper significantly increases the number of measured stars in the cluster, we can better constrain the age of the CMD to be 2.21 ± 0.10 ± 0.20 Gyr. Additionally, using all measured eclipsing binary star masses and radii, we constrain the age to 2.38 ± 0.05 ± 0.22 Gyr. The quoted uncertainties are estimates of measurement and systematic uncertainties (due to model physics differences and metal content), respectively.
A SOFT X-RAY SPECTRAL EPISODE FOR THE CLOCKED BURSTER, GS 1826–24 AS MEASURED BY SWIFT AND NuSTAR
Authors: Chenevez J. , Galloway D. K. , in ’t Zand J. J. M. , Tomsick J. A. , Barret D. , Chakrabarty D. , Fürst F. , Boggs S. E. , Christensen F. E. , Craig W. W. , Hailey C. J. , Harrison F. A. , Romano P. , Stern D. , Zhang W. W.
Published: February 2016

We report on NuSTAR and Swift observations of a soft state of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary GS 1826–24, commonly known as the “clocked” burster. The transition to the soft state was recorded in 2014 June through an increase of the 2–20 keV source intensity measured by MAXI, simultaneous with a decrease of the 15–50 keV intensity measured by Swift/BAT. The episode lasted approximately two months, after which the source returned to its usual hard state. We analyze the broadband spectrum measured by Swift/XRT and NuSTAR and estimate the accretion rate during the soft episode to be

, within the range of previous observations. However, the best-fit spectral model, adopting the double Comptonization used previously, exhibits significantly softer components. We detect seven type-I X-ray bursts, all significantly weaker (and with shorter rise and decay times) than observed previously. The burst profiles and recurrence times vary significantly, ruling out the regular bursts that are typical for this source. One burst exhibited photospheric radius expansion and we estimate the source distance as

kpc, where ξ

b
parameterizes the possible anisotropy of the burst emission. The observed soft state may most likely be interpreted as a change in accretion geometry at about similar bolometric luminosity as in the hard state. The different burst behavior can therefore be attributed to this change in accretion flow geometry, but the fundamental cause and process for this effect remain unclear.
Fe LINE DIAGNOSTICS OF CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES AND GALACTIC RIDGE X-RAY EMISSION
Authors: Xu Xiao-jie , Wang Q. Daniel , Li Xiang-Dong
Published: February 2016

The properties of the Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission (GRXE) observed in the 2–10 keV band place fundamental constraints on various types of X-ray sources in the Milky Way. Although the primarily discrete origin of the emission is now well established, the responsible populations of these sources remain uncertain, especially at relatively low fluxes. To provide insights into this issue, we systematically characterize the Fe emission line properties of the candidate types of the sources in the solar neighborhood and compare them with those measured for the GRXE. Our source sample includes 6 symbiotic stars, 16 intermediate polars (IPs), 3 polars, 16 quiescent dwarf novae, and 4 active binaries (ABs); they are all observed with the Suzaku X-ray Observatory. The data of about one-fourth of these sources are analyzed for the first time. We find that the mean equivalent width (EW6.7) of the 6.7 keV line and the mean 7.0/6.7 keV line ratio are 107 ± 16.0 eV and 0.71 ± 0.04 for IPs and 221 ± 135 eV and 0.44 ± 0.14 for polars, respectively, which are all substantially different from those (490 ± 15 eV and 0.2 ± 0.08) for the GRXE. Instead, the GRXE values are better agreed by the EW6.7 (438 ± 84.6 eV) and the ratio (0.27 ± 0.06) observed for the DNe. We further find that the EW6.7 is strongly correlated with the 2–10 keV luminosity of the DNe, which can be characterized by the relation

. Accounting for this correlation, the agreement can be improved further, especially when the contributions from other class sources to the GRXE are considered, which all have low EW6.7 values. We conclude that the GRXE mostly consists of typically faint but numerous DNe, plus ABs, while magnetic cataclysmic variables are probably mainly the high-flux representatives of the responsible populations and dominate the GRXE only in harder energy bands.
SPECTROPOLARIMETRY CONFIRMS CENTRAL POWERING IN A Lyα NEBULA AT z = 3.09
Authors: Beck Melanie , Scarlata Claudia , Hayes Matthew , Dijkstra Mark , Jones Terry J.
Published: February 2016

We present a follow-up study to the imaging polarimetry performed by Hayes et al. on LAB1 in the SSA22 protocluster region. Arguably the most well-known Lyα “blob,” this radio-quiet emission-line nebula likely hosts a galaxy that either is undergoing significant star formation or hosts an active galactic nucleus, or both. We obtain deep, spatially resolved spectropolarimetry of the Lyα emission and detect integrated linear polarization of 9%–13% ± 2%–3% at a distance of approximately 15 kpc north and south of the peak of the Lyα surface brightness with polarization vectors lying tangential to the galactic central source. In these same regions, we also detect a wavelength dependence in the polarization that is low at the center of the Lyα line profile and rises substantially in the wings of the profile. These polarization signatures are easily explained by a weak outflowing shell model. The spectral dependence of the polarization presented here provides a framework for future observations and interpretations of the southern portion of LAB1 in that any model for this system must be able to reproduce this particular spectral dependence. However, questions still remain for the northernmost spur of LAB1. In this region we detect total linear polarization of between 3% and 20% at the 5% significance level. Simulations predict that polarization should increase with radius for a symmetric geometry. That the northern spur does not suggests either that this region is not symmetric (which is likely) and exhibits variations in columns density or that it is kinematically distinct from the rest of LAB1 and powered by another mechanism altogether.
RECOVERY OF LARGE ANGULAR SCALE CMB POLARIZATION FOR INSTRUMENTS EMPLOYING VARIABLE-DELAY POLARIZATION MODULATORS
Authors: Miller N. J. , Chuss D. T. , Marriage T. A. , Wollack E. J. , Appel J. W. , Bennett C. L. , Eimer J. , Essinger-Hileman T. , Fixsen D. J. , Harrington K. , Moseley S. H. , Rostem K. , Switzer E. R. , Watts D. J.
Published: February 2016

Variable-delay Polarization Modulators (VPMs) are currently being implemented in experiments designed to measure the polarization of the cosmic microwave background on large angular scales because of their capability for providing rapid, front-end polarization modulation and control over systematic errors. Despite the advantages provided by the VPM, it is important to identify and mitigate any time-varying effects that leak into the synchronously modulated component of the signal. In this paper, the effect of emission from a 300 K VPM on the system performance is considered and addressed. Though instrument design can greatly reduce the influence of modulated VPM emission, some residual modulated signal is expected. VPM emission is treated in the presence of rotational misalignments and temperature variation. Simulations of time-ordered data are used to evaluate the effect of these residual errors on the power spectrum. The analysis and modeling in this paper guides experimentalists on the critical aspects of observations using VPMs as front-end modulators. By implementing the characterizations and controls as described, front-end VPM modulation can be very powerful for mitigating 1/f noise in large angular scale polarimetric surveys. None of the systematic errors studied fundamentally limit the detection and characterization of B-modes on large scales for a tensor-to-scalar ratio of r = 0.01. Indeed, r < 0.01 is achievable with commensurately improved characterizations and controls.
MAGNETO-THERMAL DISK WINDS FROM PROTOPLANETARY DISKS
Authors: Bai Xue-Ning , Ye Jiani , Goodman Jeremy , Yuan Feng
Published: February 2016

The global evolution and dispersal of protoplanetary disks (PPDs) are governed by disk angular-momentum transport and mass-loss processes. Recent numerical studies suggest that angular-momentum transport in the inner region of PPDs is largely driven by magnetized disk wind, yet the wind mass-loss rate remains unconstrained. On the other hand, disk mass loss has conventionally been attributed to photoevaporation, where external heating on the disk surface drives a thermal wind. We unify the two scenarios by developing a one-dimensional model of magnetized disk winds with a simple treatment of thermodynamics as a proxy for external heating. The wind properties largely depend on (1) the magnetic field strength at the wind base, characterized by the poloidal Alfvén speed v
Ap, (2) the sound speed c
s near the wind base, and (3) how rapidly poloidal field lines diverge (achieve

scaling). When

, corotation is enforced near the wind base, resulting in centrifugal acceleration. Otherwise, the wind is accelerated mainly by the pressure of the toroidal magnetic field. In both cases, the dominant role played by magnetic forces likely yields wind outflow rates that exceed purely hydrodynamical mechanisms. For typical PPD accretion-rate and wind-launching conditions, we expect v
Ap to be comparable to c
s at the wind base. The resulting wind is heavily loaded, with a total wind mass-loss rate likely reaching a considerable fraction of the wind-driven accretion rate. Implications for modeling global disk evolution and planet formation are also discussed.
CONSTRAINING THE RADIATION AND PLASMA ENVIRONMENT OF THE KEPLER CIRCUMBINARY HABITABLE-ZONE PLANETS
Authors: Zuluaga Jorge I. , Mason Paul A. , Cuartas-Restrepo Pablo A.
Published: February 2016

The discovery of many planets using the Kepler telescope includes 10 planets orbiting eight binary stars. Three binaries, Kepler-16, Kepler-47, and Kepler-453, have at least one planet in the circumbinary habitable zone (BHZ). We constrain the level of high-energy radiation and the plasma environment in the BHZ of these systems. With this aim, BHZ limits in these Kepler binaries are calculated as a function of time, and the habitability lifetimes are estimated for hypothetical terrestrial planets and/or moons within the BHZ. With the time-dependent BHZ limits established, a self-consistent model is developed describing the evolution of stellar activity and radiation properties as proxies for stellar aggression toward planetary atmospheres. Modeling binary stellar rotation evolution, including the effect of tidal interaction between stars in binaries, is key to establishing the environment around these systems. We find that Kepler-16 and its binary analogs provide a plasma environment favorable for the survival of atmospheres of putative Mars-sized planets and exomoons. Tides have modified the rotation of the stars in Kepler-47, making its radiation environment less harsh in comparison to the solar system. This is a good example of the mechanism first proposed by Mason et al. Kepler-453 has an environment similar to that of the solar system with slightly better than Earth radiation conditions at the inner edge of the BHZ. These results can be reproduced and even reparameterized as stellar evolution and binary tidal models progress, using our online tool http://bhmcalc.net.
THE NANOGRAV NINE-YEAR DATA SET: MONITORING INTERSTELLAR SCATTERING DELAYS
Authors: Levin Lina , McLaughlin Maura A. , Jones Glenn , Cordes James M. , Stinebring Daniel R. , Chatterjee Shami , Dolch Timothy , Lam Michael T. , Lazio T. Joseph W. , Palliyaguru Nipuni , Arzoumanian Zaven , Crowter Kathryn , Demorest Paul B. , Ellis Justin A. , Ferdman Robert D. , Fonseca Emmanuel , Gonzalez Marjorie E. , Jones Megan L. , Nice David J. , Pennucci Timothy T. , Ransom Scott M. , Stairs Ingrid H. , Stovall Kevin , Swiggum Joseph K. , Zhu Weiwei
Published: February 2016

We report on an effort to extract and monitor interstellar scintillation parameters in regular timing observations collected for the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves pulsar timing array. Scattering delays are measured by creating dynamic spectra for each pulsar and observing epoch of wide-band observations centered near 1500 MHz and carried out at the Green Bank Telescope and the Arecibo Observatory. The ∼800 MHz wide frequency bands imply dramatic changes in scintillation bandwidth across the bandpass, and a stretching routine has been included to account for this scaling. For most of the 10 pulsars for which the scaling has been measured, the bandwidths scale with frequency less steeply than expected for a Kolmogorov medium. We find estimated scattering delay values that vary with time by up to an order of magnitude. The mean measured scattering delays are similar to previously published values and are slightly higher than predicted by interstellar medium models. We investigate the possibility of increasing the timing precision by mitigating timing errors introduced by the scattering delays. For most of the pulsars, the uncertainty in the time of arrival of a single timing point is much larger than the maximum variation of the scattering delay, suggesting that diffractive scintillation remains as only a negligible part of their noise budget.
HINTS OF A ROTATING SPIRAL STRUCTURE IN THE INNERMOST REGIONS AROUND IRC +10216
Authors: Quintana-Lacaci G. , Cernicharo J. , Agúndez M. , Prieto L. Velilla , Castro-Carrizo A. , Marcelino N. , Cabezas C. , Peña I. , Alonso J. L. , Zúñiga J. , Requena A. , Bastida A. , Kalugina Y. , Lique F. , Guélin M.
Published: February 2016

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array is allowing us to study the innermost regions of the circumstellar envelopes of evolved stars with unprecedented precision and sensitivity. Key processes in the ejection of matter and dust from these objects occur in their inner zones. In this work, we present sub-arcsecond interferometric maps of transitions of metal-bearing molecules toward the prototypical C-rich evolved star IRC +10216. While Al-bearing molecules seem to be present as a roughly spherical shell, the molecular emission from the salts NaCl and KCl presents an elongation in the inner regions with a central minimum. In order to accurately analyze the emission from the NaCl rotational lines, we present new calculations of the collisional rates for this molecule based on new spectroscopic constants. The most plausible interpretation for the spatial distribution of the salts is a spiral with a NaCl mass of 0.08

. Alternatively, a torus of gas and dust would result in structures similar to those observed. From the torus scenario we derive a mass of ∼1.1 × 10−4

. In both cases, the spiral and the torus, the NaCl structure presents an inner minimum of 27 AU. In the case of the torus, the outer radius is 73 AU. The kinematics of both the spiral and the torus suggests that they are slowly expanding and rotating. Alternative explanations for the presence of the elongation are explored. The presence of these features only in KCl and NaCl might be a result of their comparatively high dipole moment with respect to the Al-bearing species.
A MASSIVE MOLECULAR GAS RESERVOIR IN THE z = 2.221 TYPE-2 QUASAR HOST GALAXY SMM J0939+8315 LENSED BY THE RADIO GALAXY 3C220.3
Authors: Leung T. K. Daisy , Riechers Dominik A.
Published: February 2016

We report the detection of CO(J = 3

2) line emission in the strongly lensed submillimeter galaxy (SMG) SMM J0939+8315 at z = 2.221, using the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy. SMM J0939+8315 hosts a type-2 quasar, and is gravitationally lensed by the radio galaxy 3C220.3 and its companion galaxy at z = 0.685. The 104 GHz continuum emission underlying the CO line is detected toward 3C220.3 with an integrated flux density of S
cont = 7.4 ± 1.4 mJy. Using the CO(J = 3

2) line intensity of I
CO(3-2) = (12.6 ± 2.0) Jy km s−1, we derive a lensing- and excitation-corrected CO line luminosity of

 = (3.4 ± 0.7) × 1010 (10.1/μ
L) K km s−1 pc2 for the SMG, where μ
L is the lensing magnification factor inferred from our lens modeling. This translates to a molecular gas mass of M
gas = (2.7 ± 0.6) × 1010 (10.1/μ
L) M
⊙. Fitting spectral energy distribution models to the (sub)-millimeter data of this SMG yields a dust temperature of T = 63.1

K, a dust mass of M
dust = (5.2 ± 2.1) × 108 (10.1/μ
L) M
⊙, and a total infrared luminosity of L
IR = (9.1 ± 1.2) ×1012 (10.1/μ
L) L
⊙. We find that the properties of the interstellar medium of SMM J0939+8315 overlap with both SMGs and type-2 quasars. Hence, SMM J0939+8315 may be transitioning from a starbursting phase to an unobscured quasar phase as described by the “evolutionary link” model, according to which this system may represent an intermediate stage in the evolution of present-day galaxies at an earlier epoch.
HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE OBSERVATIONS OF SOLAR CORONAL TRANSIENTS AT LOW RADIO FREQUENCIES WITH A SPECTRO-CORRELATOR
Authors: Hariharan K. , Ramesh R. , Kathiravan C. , Abhilash H. N. , Rajalingam M.
Published: February 2016

A new antenna system with a digital spectro-correlator that provides high temporal, spectral, and amplitude resolutions has been commissioned at the Gauribidanur Observatory near Bangalore in India. Presently, it is used for observations of the solar coronal transients in the scarcely explored frequency range ≈30–15 MHz. The details of the antenna system, the associated receiver setup, and the initial observational results are reported. Some of the observed transients exhibited quasi-periodicity in their time profiles at discrete frequencies. Estimates of the associated magnetic field strength (B) indicate that B ≈ 0.06–1 G at a typical frequency such as 19.5 MHz.
ULTRA-LOW-TEMPERATURE REACTIONS OF CARBON ATOMS WITH HYDROGEN MOLECULES
Authors: Krasnokutski S. A. , Kuhn M. , Renzler M. , Jäger C. , Henning Th. , Scheier P.
Published: February 2016

The reactions of carbon atoms with dihydrogen have been investigated in liquid helium droplets at T = 0.37 K. A calorimetric technique was applied to monitor the energy released in the reaction. The barrierless reaction between a single carbon atom and a single dihydrogen molecule was detected. Reactions between dihydrogen clusters and carbon atoms have been studied by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The formation of hydrocarbon cations of the type

with m = 1–4 and n = 1–15 was observed. With enhanced concentration of dihydrogen, the mass spectra demonstrated the main “magic” peak assigned to the

cation. A simple formation pathway and the high stability of this cation suggest its high abundance in the interstellar medium.
High Serum HCV RNA in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Coinfected with HIV despite Successful Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Barreiro Pablo , Labarga Pablo , de Mendoza Carmen , Benítez-Gutiérrez Laura , Fernandez-Montero José V , Peña José M , Soriano Vicente
Published: February 2016

Background

Baseline serum HCV RNA predicts treatment success in chronic hepatitis C patients. Thresholds at 0.8, 2, 4 and 6 million IU/ml discriminate treatment outcomes using distinct antiviral regimens. Compared to the general population, immunosuppressed individuals exhibit greater viral load values. This has been confirmed in HIV– HCV-coinfected patients, although little is known about the influence of antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

Serum HCV RNA results recorded from all chronic hepatitis C patients who consecutively attended at our clinic were analysed.

Results

A total of 813 patients with detectable HCV RNA were identified. HIV coinfection was present in 78.7%, of whom 91% were on antiretroviral therapy. Overall, 467 (57%), 273 (34%), 170 (21%) and 127 (16%) had HCV RNA >0.8, >2, >4 and >6 million IU/ml, respectively. These high viral load values were found in 60%/36%/23%/18% of HIV-positive versus 47%/25%/11%/6% of HIV-negative individuals ( P≤0.01), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the greatest HCV RNA values were only significantly associated with HIV coinfection and HCV genotypes-1 or -4. Greater HCV RNA values were paradoxically found in HIV patients on than off antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions

Serum HCV RNA values above 0.8, 2, 4 and 6 million IU/ml are roughly seen in 47%, 25%, 11% and 6% of chronic hepatitis C monoinfected patients, respectively. Despite being on antiretroviral therapy, the corresponding figures are 1.3- to 3.0-fold greater in HIV–HCV-coinfected patients, who may benefit less frequently from shorter oral HCV treatment lengths.
Characteristics of spatial distribution of creative industries in Ljubljana and the Ljubljana region
Authors: Uršič Matjaž
Published: February 2016

This article analyzes the key features of the spatial distribution of creative industries in Ljubljana and the Ljubljana urban region. Special attention is devoted to analyzing factors that influence the concentration of individual branches of creative industries in specific locations. GIS tools were applied to evaluate factors that influence the distribution of creative activities. Simultaneously, the concept of central places is used to analyze variations of spatial clustering of creative enterprises. Data for the analysis were collected from the Slovenian Business Register (AJPES) and the Real Estate Register (GURS). The mapping of creative economies identifies patterns of concentration and reveals some locational disadvantages that have arisen due to the absence of clear development strategies regarding creative economies in Slovenia.
Measuring the impact of the recession on Slovenian statistical regions and their ability to recover
Authors: Lapuh Lucija
Published: February 2016

The 2009 global economic crisis also affected the economic development of Slovenia’s statistical regions. Its impact can be measured in terms of the intensity of stress, and post-shock development can be measured in terms of the intensity of recovery. The study of regional economic resilience belongs to the concept of evolutionary economic geography and is based on an analysis of selected indicators that define the socioeconomic composition of the regions. In terms of shock impact and intensity of recovery, the regions are divided into four types with ascribed socioeconomic characteristics.
Aspects of geodiversity of Palaeozoic limestones in the Black Mountains of southern France
Authors: Giusti Christian
Published: February 2016

In the southern Massif Central (France), where the scenery resembles that of Middle-earth, the geodiversity of carbonate formations (limestones and dolomites), mainly of Paleozoic age, can be observed in the nested scales of the geotopes, geofacies, and geosystems.
Impact of Electrospun Biomimetic Extracellular Environment on Proliferation and Intercellular Communication of Muscle Precursor Cells
Authors: Amna Touseef , Haasan M. Shamshi , Khil Myung-Seob , Hwang Inho
Published: February 2016

Nanotextured materials or nanomaterials offer diverse remarkable applications in various walks of life owing to their unique geometry. This chapter is focused on the synthesis and characterization of electrospun nanofibrous matrices as a novel biomimetic scaffold for the cultivation of cells and tissues; in particular muscle cells and tissues. Tissue engineering is exceedingly interdisciplinary branch of science which integrates the benefits of life sciences and medicine with those of engineering. In order to cultivate muscle cells in-vitro, it is necessary to have a 3D scaffold. In tissue engineering applications or even in 3D cell cultures, the biological cross talk between cells and the scaffold is controlled by the material properties and scaffold characteristics. This chapter provides a general overview of the common approaches and techniques used for designing nanofibrous scaffolds for culture of cells specifically muscle cells. The limitations and benefits of the tissue engineering are discussed.
We Know Where You Are
Authors: Yang Xining , Ye Xinyue , Sui Daniel Z.
Published: February 2016

The convergence of social media and GIS provides an opportunity to reconcile space-based GIS and place-based social media. For this purpose, the authors conduct an empirical study in Columbus, Ohio, aiming to enrich both the spatial and platial context of geo-tagged data, using location-based social media Foursquare checkins as an example. An exploratory analytical approached is used to enrich the geographic context of social media data in both space and place. Specifically, exploratory spatial data analysis and point of interest matching are applied to analyze about 50,000 checkins crawled from social media feeds. It is found that checkins tend to be spatially clustered near the center of the city. Popular places related to food, services, and retail shopping venues are more likely to be reported by social media users. The authors also conducted platial analysis of the top 25 popular place venues in the study area.
An Empirical Investigation of the Consequences of Technostress
Authors: Chen Leida , Muthitacharoen Achita
Published: February 2016

With the growing adoption of information technology in organizations, technostress has become a problem that can no longer be ignored. Despite the fact that this form of stress emanates from excessive dependence on technologies, prior studies investigated its consequences mostly from job-centric points of view. The current study argues that technostress consequences are multi-faceted and lead to not only job-centric but also IT-centric detriments. It proposes a model that theoretically ties together the immediate reactions and extensive consequences of technostress for users. Using a survey of 221 Chinese knowledge workers, it was found that the negative influences of technostress expand far beyond what have been identified in prior research. Putting in a broader perspective, it can be detrimental to both the employee's job satisfaction and global attitude towards using information and communications technologies. Theoretical and pragmatic implications are also discussed.
How Experience and Expertise Affect the Use of a Complex Technology
Authors: Goeke Richard J. , Faley Robert H. , Brandyberry Alan A. , Dow Kevin E.
Published: February 2016

As end-users work with increasingly complex technologies, it is important that these technologies be used to the fullest extent possible. Time is needed to learn how to use these new technologies and fit them to user tasks, but the fact that a user has gained experience does not mean that expertise has also been gained. Using survey data collected from 187 data warehouse end-users, we found that experience and expertise have a significant positive correlation (r = 0.35, p < 0.001), but expertise has a significantly greater effect on ease-of-use perceptions (t=10.2, p < 0.0001) and the use of a technology (t=21.08, p < 0.0001) than experience. Therefore, it is critical that researchers properly delineate which construct – end-user expertise or experience – is being assessed, when measuring the effect that individual differences have on the perceptions and use of technology.
Precise Manipulations with Asymmetric Nano-Objects Viscoelastically Bound to a Surface
Authors: Lytvyn Peter M. , Efremov Alexander A. , Lytvyn Oksana , Prokopenko Igor V. , Mazur Yurii I. , Ware Morgan E. , Fologia D. , Salamo Gregory J.
Published: February 2016

This work provides a review of commonly used approaches for fine manipulations with nanoobjects by means of scanning probe microscopes and describes an original alternative cost-effective nanomanipulation method. High precision manipulations are important for up-to-date technologies of nanoelectronic, molecular, hybrid and nanomechanical devices and sensor systems especially for the state of the art fundamental and applied researches. A new method to form nanoassemblies by using asymmetric nanoparticles fixed on the surface with the viscoelastic linker has been proposed, theoretically substantiated and experimentally realized. An original theoretical model has been proposed to describe the ordering process of the linked nanorods by means of the multipass interaction with an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip.In addition, an adjustment of the tip-surface interaction has been proposed and implemented which is independent of the AFM. This original approach is based on additional ultrasonic excitation of the surface. This also enabled us to control the degree binding of the nanoparticles with the substrate.With these techniques we were able to form sets of chains (more than 5-μm length) consisting of nanometer-sized (10x50 nm) gold nanorods (NRs) linked to the surface of gallium arsenide by an organic linker. It has been shown that the viscoelastic binding of asymmetric nanoparticles to the surface allows us to create linear assemblies of nanoobjects in just a few passes of the AFM probe.The proposed technique significantly increases manufacturability of nanomanipulations. Direct formation of nanostructures can significantly reduce the cost of their formation in comparison with modern conventional technological approaches, which in many cases may even have some fundamental limitations (in resolution, in materials used, etc.).