bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Continuous Oxygen Flux in a Thin Film Photopolymerization Reaction with Peroxy‐Mediated Regeneration of Initiator
Authors: Wong Jisam , Sikes Hadley D.
Published: April 2016

Eosin, a photosensitizer dye that can exist in multiple oxidation states, has been shown to initiate visible‐light photopolymerizations of acrylates in open air when used in combination with tertiary amines. The exact mechanism behind this reactivity with micromolar concentrations of eosin in aqueous monomer solutions initially containing millimolar concentrations of oxygen has not been conclusively established, although pathways for regeneration of eosin in the presence of oxygen certainly play a role. In this work, a reaction–diffusion model incorporating a peroxy‐mediated eosin‐regeneration mechanism is built to explore the effects of oxygen diffusing into the system as the light‐activated reaction proceeds. An oxygen concentration‐dependent flux boundary condition is used to model the continuous replenishment of oxygen at the surface open to air as it is consumed by reaction. The model predicts the formation of a free radical concentration front that initially forms closer to the open surface and gradually moves toward the closed surface, with polymer film thickness increasing and the time required for polymerization to begin decreasing as the initial eosin concentration is increased. These results suggest that oxygen's dual role as both a free radical inhibitor and a precursor of the oxidizing species required for regeneration of eosin brings about interesting spatial variations when the reaction is carried out in a thin film geometry that is exposed to open air. In this case, an assumption of a well‐mixed system is not appropriate and the kinetics of the reaction and conversion as a function of position are likely to depend on the geometry of the system.

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Porosity control in high internal phase emulsion templated polyelectrolytes via ionic crosslinking
Authors: Streifel Benjamin C. , Parker Joseph F. , Giles Spencer L. , Williams Sierra J. , Duncan Jesse H. , Wynne James H.
Published: April 2016

A series of novel macroporous materials based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐b‐sodium polyacrylate is synthesized via aqueous reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in an oil‐in‐water high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) utilizing both covalent and ionic crosslinkers (PEG diacrylate and calcium diacrylate, respectively). Porosity is directly related to the calcium diacrylate content of the polyHIPE. Depth profiling XPS of pressed samples reveal the segregation of less polar substituents (PNIPAM, PEGDA) to the interface, whereas ionic components are located deeper within the continuous aqueous phase, primarily driven by ionic strength. This segregation of components stabilizes the internal‐continuous phase interface and results in decreased void diameter. Calcium diacrylate also forms ionic crosslinks in the polyHIPE material, resulting in increased interconnecting pore diameter due to volume contraction upon polymerization. Evidence of volume contraction is provided by the stress induced on PEG at the o/w interface by internally located calcium polyacrylate crosslinks, resulting in a decrease in XRD peak intensity. It is therefore proposed that calcium diacrylate is capable of modifying polyHIPE morphology via two separate mechanisms. Published 2016. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2486–2492
Comparative analysis of shape memory‐based self‐healing coatings
Authors: Birjandi Nejad Hossein , Garrison Katie L. , Mather Patrick T.
Published: April 2016

Self‐healing materials exhibit the ability to repair and to recover their functionality upon damage. Here, we report on an investigation into preparation and characterization of shape memory assisted self‐healing coatings. We built on past work in which poly(ε‐caprolactone) electrospun fibers were infiltrated with a shape memory epoxy matrix and delve into fabricating and characterizing a coating with the same materials, but employing a blending approach, polymerization induced phase separation. After applying controlled damage, the ability of both coatings to self‐heal upon heating was investigated. In both methods, coatings showed excellent thermally induced crack closure and protection against corrosion, with the blend approach being more suitable for large‐scale applications given its process simplicity. Two different approaches to the preparation of shape memory‐based self‐healing coatings were compared for their ability to heal structurally and functionally by heating. These two approaches, electrospinning versus polymerization‐induced phase separation were found to feature comparable and quite complete healing, with the latter system offering the advantage of facile processing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1415–1426
The effect of molecular structure on the secondary transitions and their influence on the decoloration kinetics of photochromic dyes in co‐polycarbonates
Authors: Micciche Fabrizio , Ramakrishnan Vaidyanath , Hoeks Theodorus L.
Published: April 2016

Photochromic dyes have restricted use in rigid polycarbonates because of slow coloration and decoloration kinetics. In this study, it is shown that the decoloration kinetics of two photochromic dyes can be controlled by tuning the chain stiffness and free volume of the host matrix. The introduction of flexible moieties in rigid BPA‐based polycarbonate chain accelerates the decoloration of these dyes whereas a rigid co‐monomer delays the decoloration kinetics. Although Tg might be used as a parameter to improve photochromism in polymer matrices, dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrates that the decoloration kinetics of the dyes in host polymer matrices having similar Tg depends primarily on the secondary relaxations and, thus, on the polymer architecture. The effect of the co‐monomer type on the characteristic ratio is also discussed underlining the potential relationship between the free volume and chain stiffness. These results open the possibility to develop transparent or semitransparent photochromic materials based on tailor‐made co‐polycarbonates. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1593–1601
Photosensitive MIS structures with ultrathin dielectric based on CdXHg1‐XTe (x ∼ 0.4)
Authors: Kesler Valeriy G. , Guzev Alexander A. , Dvoretskiy Sergey A. , Zakirov Evgeniy R. , Kovchavtsev Anatoliy P. , Panova Zoya V. , Yakushev Maxim V.
Published: April 2016

The work is aimed to studying a possibility of CdHgTe surface passivation and stabilization by tunnel‐thin (∼ 2 nm) native oxide formed by glow discharge plasma oxidation. Kinetics of MCT plasma treatment in two regimes has been obtained. Investigation of the stabilization effect during vacuum annealing and platinum deposition has been performed. It has been established that presence of a native oxide layer on MCT surface results in elimination of mercury out diffusion during the processes. MIS structures with platinum contacts and thin native oxide have been made. They have rectifying behaviour in contrast with structures without the native oxide layer. The barrier height and the detectivity have been determined from the capacitance‐voltage and current‐voltage dependences. The detectivity value of 4×1011cm.Hz1/2W‐1 (at 78 K) determined by dark current shot noise has been reached. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermal activation and deactivation of grown‐in defects limiting the lifetime of float‐zone silicon
Authors: Grant Nicholas E. , Markevich Vladimir P. , Mullins Jack , Peaker Anthony R. , Rougieux Fiacre , Macdonald Daniel
Published: April 2016

By studying the minority carrier lifetime in recently manufactured commercially available n‐ and p‐type float‐zone (FZ) silicon from five leading suppliers, we observe a very large reduction in the bulk lifetime when FZ silicon is heat‐treated in the range 450–700 °C. Photoluminescence imaging of these samples at the wafer scale revealed concentric circular patterns, with higher recombination occurring in the centre, and far less around the periphery. Deep level transient spectroscopy measurements indicate the presence of recombination active defects, including a dominant center with an energy level at ∼Ev + 0.5 eV. Upon annealing FZ silicon at temperatures >1000 °C in oxygen, the lifetime is completely recovered, whereby the defects vanish and do not reappear upon subsequent annealing at 500 °C. We conclude that the heat‐treatments at >1000 °C result in total annihilation of the recombination active defects. Without such high temperature treatments, the minority carrier lifetime in FZ silicon is unstable and will affect the development of high efficiency (>24%) solar cells and surface passivation studies.
Design and Implementation of Two CUSUM Schemes for Simultaneously Monitoring the Process Mean and Variance with Unknown Parameters
Authors: Li Chenglong , Mukherjee Amitava , Su Qin , Xie Min
Published: April 2016

Designing joint monitoring schemes for the mean and variance of a Gaussian process (normal distribution) using a single combined statistic instead of the traditional approach of using two separate statistics has gained many attention in recent years. Most of the existing one‐chart schemes, however, assume that the true process parameters (standards) are known which is usually not practical and will lead to problems because of improper choices of statistic and control limits. In this paper, we propose two CUSUM control schemes that instinctively work well for the joint monitoring in the case of the unknown parameters by correcting the influence of the reference sample on the plotting statistic. We provide the control limits of the proposed control charts for practical implementation and also offer follow‐up procedures for post‐signal detection of the nature of shifts. We carry out a comprehensive simulation study to examine the performance of the schemes. When the true population parameters are unknown, we observe clear and distinct performance advantages of the proposed schemes. The empirical design issues regarding the optimal choice of the reference value of the proposed CUSUM schemes are systematically investigated. We provide beneficial recommendations for the practitioners. We also provide an example to illustrate the practical relevance of the proposed schemes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Software and applications of spatial data mining
Authors: Li Deren , Wang Shuliang , Yuan Hanning , Li Deyi
Published: April 2016

Most big data are spatially referenced, and spatial data mining (SDM) is the key to the value of big data. In this paper, SDM are overviewed in the aspects of software and application. First, spatial data are summarized on their rapid growth, distinct characteristics, and implicit values. Second, the principles of SDM are briefed with the descriptive definition, fundamental attributes, discovery mechanism, and usable methods. Third, SDM software is presented in the context of software components, developing methodology, typical software for geographical information system (GIS) data and remote sensing (RS) images, and software trend. Fourth, SDM applications are outlined on GIS data, RS image, and spatiotemporal video data. The final is the concluding remarks and perspectives. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2016, 6:84–114. doi: 10.1002/widm.1180

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Application Areas > Industry Specific Applications
Constraint logic programming with a relational machine
Authors: Gallego Arias Emilio Jesús , Lipton James , Mariño Julio
Published: April 2016

We present a declarative framework for the compilation of constraint logic programs into variable-free relational theories which are then executed by rewriting. This translation provides an algebraic formulation of the abstract syntax of logic programs. Logic variables, unification, and renaming apart are completely elided in favor of manipulation of variable-free relation expressions. In this setting, term rewriting not only provides an operational semantics for logic programs, but also a simple framework for reasoning about program execution. We prove the translation sound, and the rewriting system complete with respect to traditional SLD semantics.
Suitability of certain strawberry genotypes for breeding of new cultivars tolerant to leaf diseases based on their combining ability
Authors: Masny Agnieszka , Masny Sylwester , Żurawicz Edward , Pruski Kris , Mądry Wiesław
Published: April 2016

The aim of the study was to estimate the general and specific combining abilities (GCA and SCA) of 13 dessert strawberry cultivars: ‘Figaro’, ‘Salsa’, ‘Palomar’, ‘Granda’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Elianny’, ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, ‘Portola’, ‘Charlotte’, ‘San Andreas’, ‘Monterey’ and ‘Albion’ for tolerance to the major leaf diseases strawberry leaf spot (Mycosphaerella fragariae (Tul.) Lindau), leaf scorch (Diplocarpon earliana (Ell. & Ev.) Wolf) and powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis (Wallr.) U. Braun). The crossing programme was performed in the winter of 2010/2011 in the glasshouse following a half-diallel cross mating design (Griffing’s method IV). Progenies of the 78 newly obtained families were evaluated in field conditions (randomized complete block design, 4 replicates, 15 plants per plot). Observations of the severity of plant infection with leaf spot, leaf scorch and powdery mildew were recorded from 2011 to 2013. Statistical analysis of data was performed according to Griffing’s fixed model. The most numerous significant and positive GCA effects were estimated for cv.‘Salsa’ for low plant susceptibility (tolerance) to all three diseases assessed. High GCA effects were also showed for cvs ‘Figaro’ and ‘San Andreas’—for low plant susceptibility to leaf spot and leaf scorch, and for cv.‘Diamante’—for low plant susceptibility to leaf spot and powdery mildew. Lower breeding values for the estimated traits were observed with cv.‘Camarosa’—for low susceptibility to leaf spot; with cvs ‘Palomar’ and ‘Granda’—for low plant susceptibility to leaf scorch, and with cvs ‘Monterey’, ‘Portola’ and ‘Charlotte’—for low plant susceptibility to powdery mildew. The lowest GCA effects for low plant susceptibility to the all three leaf diseases tested were observed with cv.‘Albion’. High usefulness for breeding new, resistant varieties has also been observed in the combination ‘Aromas’ × ‘Elianny’, which has significantly negative SCA effects for the susceptibility of plants to both strawberry leaf spot and leaf scorch.
Psychological Distress, Anxiety, and Depression of Cancer‐Affected BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers: a Systematic Review
Authors: Ringwald Johanna , Wochnowski Christina , Bosse Kristin , Giel Katrin Elisabeth , Schäffeler Norbert , Zipfel Stephan , Teufel Martin
Published: April 2016

Understanding the intermediate‐ and long‐term psychological consequences of genetic testing for cancer patients has led to encouraging research, but a clear consensus of the psychosocial impact and clinical routine for cancer‐affected BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers is still missing. We performed a systematic review of intermediate‐ and long‐term studies investigating the psychological impact like psychological distress, anxiety, and depression in cancer‐affected BRCA mutation carriers compared to unaffected mutation carriers. This review included the screening of 1243 studies. Eight intermediate‐ and long‐term studies focusing on distress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among cancer‐affected mutation carriers at least six months after the disclosure of genetic testing results were included. Studies reported a great variety of designs, methods, and patient outcomes. We found evidence indicating that cancer‐affected mutation carriers experienced a negative effect in relation to psychological well‐being in terms of an increase in symptoms of distress, anxiety, and depression in the first months after test disclosure. In the intermediate‐ and long‐term, no significant clinical relevant symptoms occurred. However, none of the included studies used specific measurements, which can clearly identify psychological burdens of cancer‐affected mutation carriers. We concluded that current well‐implemented distress screening instruments are not sufficient for precisely identifying the psychological burden of genetic testing. Therefore, future studies should implement coping strategies, specific personality structures, the impact of genetic testing, supportive care needs and disease management behaviour to clearly screen for the possible intermediate‐ and long‐term psychological impact of a positive test disclosure.
Evolution of Fe Bearing Intermetallics During DC Casting and Homogenization of an Al-Mg-Si Al Alloy
Authors: Kumar S. , Grant P. S. , O’Reilly K. A. Q.
Published: April 2016

The evolution of iron (Fe) bearing intermetallics (Fe-IMCs) during direct chill casting and homogenization of a grain-refined 6063 aluminum-magnesium-silicon (Al-Mg-Si) alloy has been studied. The as-cast and homogenized microstructure contained Fe-IMCs at the grain boundaries and within Al grains. The
primary α-Al grain size, α-Al dendritic arm spacing, IMC particle size, and IMC three-dimensional (3D) inter-connectivity increased from the edge to the center of the as-cast billet; both α
c-AlFeSi and β-AlFeSi Fe-IMCs were identified, and overall α
c-AlFeSi was predominant. For the first time in industrial billets, the different Fe-rich IMCs have been characterized into types based on their 3D chemistry and morphology. Additionally, the role of β-AlFeSi in nucleating Mg2Si particles has been identified. After homogenization, α
c-AlFeSi predominated across the entire billet cross section, with marked changes in the 3D morphology and strong reductions in inter-connectivity, both supporting a recovery in alloy ductility.
Beef Fat Enriched with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Biohydrogenation Products Improves Insulin Sensitivity Without Altering Dyslipidemia in Insulin Resistant JCR:LA‐cp Rats
Authors: Diane Abdoulaye , Borthwick Faye , Mapiye Cletos , Vahmani Payam , David Rolland C. , Vine Donna F. , Dugan Michael E. R. , Proctor Spencer D.
Published: April 2016

The main dietary sources of trans fatty acids are partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO), and products derived from polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation (PUFA‐BHP) in ruminants. Trans fatty acid intake has historically been associated with negative effects on health, generating an anti‐trans fat campaign to reduce their consumption. The profiles and effects on health of PHVO and PUFA‐BHP can, however, be quite different. Dairy products naturally enriched with vaccenic and rumenic acids have many purported health benefits, but the putative benefits of beef fat naturally enriched with PUFA‐BHP have not been investigated. The objective of the present experiment was to determine the effects of beef peri‐renal fat (PRF) with differing enrichments of PUFA‐BHP on lipid and insulin metabolism in a rodent model of dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (JCR:LA‐cp rat). The results showed that 6 weeks of diet supplementation with beef PRF naturally enriched due to flaxseed (FS‐PRF) or sunflower‐seed (SS‐PRF) feeding to cattle significantly improved plasma fasting insulin levels and insulin sensitivity, postprandial insulin levels (only in the FS‐PRF) without altering dyslipidemia. Moreover, FS‐PRF but not SS‐PRF attenuated adipose tissue accumulation. Therefore, enhancing levels of PUFA‐BHP in beef PRF with FS feeding may be a useful approach to maximize the health‐conferring value of beef‐derived fats.
REVITALISE: A Large Observational Study Assessing the Safety and Effectiveness of Vardenafil in Men With Erectile Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Shabsigh Ridwan , Mattern Andreas
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent in men with metabolic syndrome (MetS); therefore, it is important to characterize ED treatments in this population.

Aims

To investigate the safety and effectiveness of vardenafil in men with ED and MetS in a clinical setting.

Methods

REVITALISE is an international, prospective, single-arm, observational study in men with ED and MetS newly prescribed vardenafil. Vardenafil was prescribed at the discretion of the treating physician in line with the marketing authorization. Treatment effectiveness (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF]) and health-related quality of life (Aging Males' Symptoms Scale) were assessed at treatment initiation, at an optional dose adjustment visit after approximately 4 weeks, and at the end of the observation period (approximately 12 weeks).

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was an intraindividual improvement in erectile function (EF), defined as an increase of at least four points in the EF domain of the IIEF. Secondary outcomes included assessing normal EF (IIEF-EF score ≥ 26), mild ED (IIEF-EF score = 22–25), and health-related quality of life. Treatment-emergent adverse events were monitored.

Results

In the intent-to-treat population (n = 1,832, mean age = 54.0 years, mean body mass index = 31.82 kg/m2, Asian 36.8%, white 49.9%, 20.4% with severe ED, 75.6% with mild or moderate ED, 4.0% without ED), 82.4% reported an increase of at least four points in IIEF-EF score. Median IIEF-EF score increased from 15.0 (baseline) to 25.0 at 12 weeks (P < .0001). After treatment, 45.4% and 29.4% (intent-to-treat population) had normal EF and mild ED, respectively. Improvements in the sexual, psychological, and somatic subscales of the Aging Males' Symptoms Scale were found (P < .0001). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported by 7.19% of patients; there were no serious adverse events related to vardenafil.

Conclusion

In a clinical setting, men with ED and MetS treated with vardenafil reported improvements in EF and health-related quality of life; and the safety profile of vardenafil was acceptable. REVITALISE demonstrates that vardenafil represents a good treatment option for men with ED and MetS.
An Agent-Based Model for Addressing the Impact of a Disaster on Access to Primary Care Services
Authors: Guclu Hasan , Kumar Supriya , Galloway David , Krauland Mary , Sood Rishi , Bocour Angelica , Hershey Tina Batra , van Nostrand Elizabeth , Potter Margaret
Published: April 2016

Objective

Hurricane Sandy in the Rockaways, Queens, forced residents to evacuate and primary care providers to close or curtail operations. A large deficit in primary care access was apparent in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Our objective was to build a computational model to aid responders in planning to situate primary care services in a disaster-affected area.

Methods

Using an agent-based modeling platform, HAZEL, we simulated the Rockaways population, its evacuation behavior, and primary care providers’ availability in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Data sources for this model included post-storm and community health surveys from New York City, a survey of the Rockaways primary care providers, and research literature. The model then tested geospatially specific interventions to address storm-related access deficits.

Results

The model revealed that areas of high primary care access deficit were concentrated in the eastern part of the Rockaways. Placing mobile health clinics in the most populous census tracts reduced the access deficit significantly, whereas increasing providers’ capacity by 50% reduced the deficit to a lesser degree.

Conclusions

An agent-based model may be a useful tool to have in place so that policy makers can conduct scenario-based analyses to plan interventions optimally in the event of a disaster. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:386–393)
On the coupled time-harmonic motion of a freely floating body and water covered by brash ice
Authors: Kuznetsov Nikolay , Motygin Oleg
Published: April 2016

A mechanical system consisting of water covered by brash ice and a body freely floating near equilibrium is considered. The water occupies a half-space into which an infinitely long surface-piercing cylinder is immersed, thus allowing us to study two-dimensional modes of the coupled motion, which is assumed to be of small amplitude. The corresponding linear setting for time-harmonic oscillations reduces to a spectral problem whose parameter is the frequency. A constant that characterises the brash ice divides the set of frequencies into two subsets and the results obtained for each of these subsets are essentially different. For frequencies belonging to a finite interval adjacent to zero, the total energy of motion is finite and the equipartition of energy holds for the whole system. For every frequency from this interval, a family of motionless bodies trapping waves is constructed by virtue of the semi-inverse procedure. For sufficiently large frequencies outside of this interval, all solutions of finite energy are trivial.
Spatio-temporal stability of the Kármán vortex street and the effect of confinement
Authors: Mowlavi Saviz , Arratia Cristóbal , Gallaire François
Published: April 2016

The instability of the Kármán vortex street is revisited under a spatio-temporal perspective that allows the taking into account of the advection of the vortices by the external flow. We analyse a simplified point vortex model and show through numerical simulations of its linear impulse response that the system becomes convectively unstable above a certain critical advection velocity. This critical velocity decreases as the aspect ratio approaches its specific value for temporal stability, and increases with the confinement induced by lateral walls. In the limiting unconfined case, direct application of the Briggs–Bers criterion to the dispersion relation gives results in excellent agreement with the numerical simulations. Finally, a direct numerical simulation of the $Re=100$ flow past a confined cylinder is performed, and the actual advection velocity of the resulting vortex street is found to be much larger than the critical advection velocity for convective instability given by our model. The Kármán vortex street is therefore strongly convectively unstable.
The admissibility domain of rarefaction shock waves in the near-critical vapour–liquid equilibrium region of pure typical fluids
Authors: Nannan Nawin R. , Sirianni Corrado , Mathijssen Tiemo , Guardone Alberto , Colonna Piero
Published: April 2016

Application of the scaled fundamental equation of state of Balfour et al. (Phys. Lett. A, vol. 65, 1978, pp. 223–225) based upon universal critical exponents, demonstrates that there exists a bounded thermodynamic domain, located within the vapour–liquid equilibrium region and close to the critical point, featuring so-called negative nonlinearity. As a consequence, rarefaction shock waves with phase transition are physically admissible in a limited two-phase region in the close proximity of the liquid–vapour critical point. The boundaries of the admissibility region of rarefaction shock waves are identified from first-principle conservation laws governing compressible flows, complemented with the scaled fundamental equations. The exemplary substances considered here are methane, ethylene and carbon dioxide. Nonetheless, the results are arguably valid in the near-critical state of any common fluid, namely any fluid whose molecular interactions are governed by short-range forces conforming to three-dimensional Ising-like systems, including, e.g. water. Computed results yield experimentally feasible admissible rarefaction shock waves generating a drop in pressure from 1 to 6 bar and pre-shock Mach numbers exceeding 1.5.
Dynamics of buoyancy-driven flows at moderately high Atwood numbers
Authors: Akula Bhanesh , Ranjan Devesh
Published: April 2016

Simultaneous density and velocity turbulence statistics for Rayleigh–Taylor-driven flows at a moderately high Atwood number ($A_{t}$) of$0.73\pm 0.02$are obtained using a new convective type or statistically steady gas tunnel facility. Air and air–helium mixture are used as working fluids to create a density difference in this facility, with a thin splitter plate separating the two streams flowing parallel to each other at the same velocity ($U=3~\text{m}~\text{s}^{-1}$). At the end of the splitter plate, the two miscible fluids are allowed to mix and the instability develops. Visualization and Mie-scattering techniques are used to obtain structure shape, volume fraction profile and mixing height growth information. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) and hot-wire techniques are used to measure planar and point-wise velocity statistics in the developing mixing layer. Asymmetry is evident in the flow field from the Mie-scattering images, with the spike side showing a more gradual decline in volume fraction than the bubble side. The spike side of the mixing layer grows 50 % faster than the bubble side. PIV is implemented for the first time in these moderately high-Atwood-number experiments ($A_{t}>0.1$) to obtain root-mean-square velocities, anisotropy tensor components and Reynolds stresses across the mixing layer. Overall, the turbulence statistics measured have shown different scaling compared to small-Atwood-number experiments. However, the total probability density functions for the velocities and turbulent mass fluxes exhibit behaviour similar to small-Atwood-number experiments. Conditional statistics reveal different values for turbulence statistics for spikes and bubbles, unlike small-Atwood-number experiments.
Instability of a boundary layer flow on a vertical wall in a stably stratified fluid
Authors: Chen Jun , Bai Yang , Le Dizès Stéphane
Published: April 2016

The stability of a horizontal boundary layer flow on a vertical wall in a viscous stably stratified fluid is considered in this work. A temporal stability analysis is performed for a tanh velocity profile as a function of the Reynolds number$Re=UL/{\it\nu}$and the Froude number$F=U/(LN)$where$U$is the main stream velocity,$L$the boundary layer thickness,$N$the buoyancy frequency and${\it\nu}$the kinematic viscosity. The diffusion of density is neglected. The boundary layer flow is found to be unstable with respect to two instabilities. The first one is the classical viscous instability which gives rise to Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) waves. We demonstrate that, even in the presence of stratification, the most unstable TS wave remains two-dimensional and therefore independent of the Froude number. The other instability is three-dimensional, inviscid in nature and associated with the stratification. It corresponds to the so-called radiative instability. We show that this instability appears first for$Re\geqslant Re_{c}^{(r)}\approx 1995$for a Froude number close to 1.5 whereas the viscous instability develops for$Re\geqslant Re_{c}^{(v)}\approx 3980$. For large Reynolds numbers, the radiative instability is also shown to exhibit a much larger growth rate than the viscous instability in a large Froude number interval. We argue that this instability could develop in experimental facilities as well as in geophysical situations encountered in ocean and atmosphere.
Comparison of Three Statistical Classification Techniques for Maser Identification
Authors: Manning Ellen M. , Holland Barbara R. , Ellingsen Simon P. , Breen Shari L. , Chen Xi , Humphries Melissa
Published: April 2016

We applied three statistical classification techniques—linear discriminant analysis (LDA), logistic regression, and random forests—to three astronomical datasets associated with searches for interstellar masers. We compared the performance of these methods in identifying whether specific mid-infrared or millimetre continuum sources are likely to have associated interstellar masers. We also discuss the interpretability of the results of each classification technique. Non-parametric methods have the potential to make accurate predictions when there are complex relationships between critical parameters. We found that for the small datasets the parametric methods logistic regression and LDA performed best, for the largest dataset the non-parametric method of random forests performed with comparable accuracy to parametric techniques, rather than any significant improvement. This suggests that at least for the specific examples investigated here accuracy of the predictions obtained is not being limited by the use of parametric models. We also found that for LDA, transformation of the data to match a normal distribution led to a significant improvement in accuracy. The different classification techniques had significant overlap in their predictions; further astronomical observations will enable the accuracy of these predictions to be tested.
WHY IS VALERIUS FLACCUS A QUINDECIMVIR?
Authors: Tatum W. Jeffrey
Published: April 2016

‘Valerius Flaccus knows how to write with elegant precision.’ – R. Syme, Tacitus (Oxford, 1958), 89.

Phoebe, mone, si Cumaeae mihi conscia uatis 5stat casta cortina domo, si laurea dignafronte uiret …

In these lines, as critics have long recognized, resides evidence for identifying Valerius Flaccus as a quindecimuir sacris faciundis. Emphasis is placed on the tripod emblematic of this sacred office which is here intimately associated with expertise in the oracular communications of the Cumaean Sibyl. The libri Sibyllini, the supervision and interpretation of which were amongst the earliest and most conspicuous of the XVuiri's responsibilities, could be traced to the Sibyl at Cumae (Lactant. Div. inst. 1.6.10-11, citing Varro, even if this connection was less than the entire story from a strictly historical perspective). Wreathes, too, formed part of the XVuir's equipment, and of course during the Imperial period the Sibylline books were deposited in the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine. In little more than two lines, then, one finds an abundance of references that cannot fail to fashion this addressee of Apollo as a quindecimvir.
Do differences in Toxoplasma prevalence influence global variation in secondary sex ratio? Preliminary ecological regression study
Authors: DAMA MADHUKAR S. , MARTINEC NOVÁKOVÁ LENKA , FLEGR JAROSLAV
Published: April 2016

Sex of the fetus is genetically determined such that an equal number of sons and daughters are born in large populations. However, the ratio of female to male births across human populations varies significantly. Many factors have been implicated in this. The theory that natural selection should favour female offspring under suboptimal environmental conditions implies that pathogens may affect secondary sex ratio (ratio of male to female births). Using regression models containing 13 potential confounding factors, we have found that variation of the secondary sex ratio can be predicted by seroprevalence of Toxoplasma across 94 populations distributed across African, American, Asian and European continents. Toxoplasma seroprevalence was the third strongest predictor of secondary sex ratio, β = −0·097, P < 0·01, after son preference, β = 0·261, P < 0·05, and fertility, β = −0·145, P < 0·001. Our preliminary results suggest that Toxoplasma gondii infection could be one of the most important environmental factors influencing the global variation of offspring sex ratio in humans. The effect of latent toxoplasmosis on public health could be much more serious than it is usually supposed to be.
What Is Left of the Political Philosophy Renewal?
Authors: Tanguay Daniel
Published: April 2016

I read Beiner's book as the intellectual biography of someone who is both a witness and actor in the contemporary renewal of political philosophy. This is why, in the reflections that follow, I focus not on his perspicacious analyses of the various authors treated in the book, but rather on the manner in which he understands the nature of this renewal and the future of the discipline itself. My reflections are based in a fundamental agreement with the definition of philosophy defended in this work. Political philosophy is a discipline that reflects on the ends of human life in order to rank and to judge them. This is why, according to Beiner, political philosophy has the ambition to present totalizing views of human nature (14).
‘Enough is Enough’: songs and messages about alcohol in remote Central Australia
Authors: Carfoot Gavin
Published: April 2016

This article examines some of the ways in which Australia's First Peoples have responded to serious community health concerns about alcohol through the medium of popular music. The writing, performing and recording of popular songs about alcohol provide an important example of community-led responses to health issues, and the effectiveness of music in communicating stories and messages about alcohol has been recognised through various government-funded recording projects. This article describes some of these issues in remote Australian Aboriginal communities, exploring a number of complexities that arise through arts-based ‘instrumentalist’ approaches to social and health issues. It draws on the author's own experience and collaborative work with Aboriginal musicians in Tennant Creek, a remote town in Australia's Northern Territory.
Temperance battle songs: the musical war against alcohol
Authors: McAllister Annemarie
Published: April 2016

In common with similar popular pressure groups, the temperance movement needed to inspire, to inform and to integrate its members, and music was a vital tool to fulfil these functions. This article explores temperance music, particularly songs, performed in a range of contexts from concerts of 15,000 voices to the individual use of material produced in songbooks and periodicals. The tonic sol-fa movement grew symbiotically with the drive for temperance and, with developments in printing and distribution, this musical technology enabled the effective spreading of the temperance message through activity and entertainment. A case study of songs for children reveals that, predictably, songs were informed by religion to some extent and acted as vehicles for propaganda, instilling principles and offering guidance. However, many were more martial and encouraged children to act as agents. Temperance songs were not merely instructive; many were designed to rouse the singer – and hearer – into action.
‘I'm there to play music not break up fights': gigging entertainers’ experiences of alcohol-related misbehaviour by audiences and its impact on performance
Authors: Forsyth Alasdair , Lennox Jemma C. , Cloonan Martin
Published: April 2016

Despite the fact that drinking and music often share a space, the relationship between alcohol-related misbehaviour and live music has received little academic attention. Music has been demonstrated to influence drinking behaviour and entertainers have been observed influencing (‘soft-policing’) drunken misbehaviour by audiences. However, to date research has not given voice to those providing this musical entertainment. Are they aware of the effects they have on audiences' drinking behaviour and does this impact on performances? Our qualitative research fills this lacuna by drawing on the experiences of gigging entertainers to explore how they deal with intoxicated audiences. Interviews conducted as part of this research highlighted a lack of preparation on the part of performers for dealing with disorderly crowds and/or the unwanted attentions of drunken individuals; they usually have to learn appropriate responses ‘on the job’. Success as a gigging entertainer was felt to be only partly founded upon artistic merit, with an ability to engage the (often inebriated) public being equally important. Although none had received formal training in alcohol issues as musicians, some utilised people skills (e.g. conflict resolution techniques) acquired via other employment. The authors ask if there is a place for training in alcohol-related issues to be offered by or integrated into music curriculums.
Pädagogische Qualität in frühkindlichen Bildungs- und Betreuungseinrichtungen in der Schweiz
Authors: Perren Sonja , Frei Doris , Herrmann Sandra
Published: April 2016

Zusammenfassung. Die pädagogische Qualität, insbesondere die Fachperson-Kind-Interaktion, in frühkindlichen Bildungs- und Betreuungseinrichtungen hat sich als bedeutsamer Prädiktor für die kindliche sozial-emotionale und kognitive Entwicklung herausgestellt. Die vorliegende Studie hat zum Ziel, über Einsatzmöglichkeiten des erstmalig im deutschsprachigen Raum verwendeten Beobachtungsinstrumentes CLASS Toddler und von ersten Befunden zu berichten. Das Beobachtungsverfahren CLASS Toddler wurde in 35 Bildungs- und Betreuungsinstitutionen in der Schweiz einmalig eingesetzt (13 Kitagruppen, 16 Spielgruppen und 6 Tagesfamilien). Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das CLASS Toddler in verschiedenartigen Einrichtungen mit altersgemischten Gruppen angewendet werden kann. Die Auswertungen zeigen moderate bis gute Werte für die Gütekriterien (Inter-Rater-Reliabilität und faktorielle Validität). Unsere Beobachtungsstudie zeigt zudem, dass die beobachteten Fachpersonen höhere Werte im Bereich emotionale und verhaltensbezogene Unterstützung als im Bereich aktive Lernunterstützung zeigen. Die beobachteten Gruppen/Familien weisen eine große Variabilität bezüglich der beobachteten Qualität auf, es zeigten sich aber keine systematischen Unterschiede zwischen den Institutionsformen (Spielgruppen, Kindertagesstätten, Tagesfamilien). Das Beobachtungsverfahren eignet sich, um die Fachpersonen-Kind-Interaktion in verschiedenen Settings auf standardisierte Art zu erfassen
Cardiac mesenchymal progenitors differentiate into adipocytes via Klf4 and c-Myc
Authors: Kami D , Kitani T , Kawasaki T , Gojo S
Published: April 2016

Direct reprogramming of differentiated cells to pluripotent stem cells has great potential to improve our understanding of developmental biology and disorders such as cancers, and has implications for regenerative medicine. In general, the effects of transcription factors (TFs) that are transduced into cells can be influenced by pre-existing transcriptional networks and epigenetic modifications. However, previous work has identified four key TFs, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc, which can reprogram various differentiated cells to generate induced pluripotent stem cells. Here, we show that in the heart, the transduction of cardiac mesenchymal progenitors (CMPs) with Klf4 and c-Myc (KM) was sufficient to drive the differentiation of these cells into adipocytes without the use of adipogenic stimulation cocktail, that is, insulin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and dexamethasone. KM-transduced CMPs exhibited a gradually increased expression of adipogenic-related genes, such as C/Ebpα, Pparγ and Fabp4, activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, inactivation of the cell cycle-related pathway and formation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets within 10 days. In contrast, NIH3T3 fibroblasts, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transduced with KM did not differentiate into adipocytes. Both in vitro and in vivo cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury models demonstrated that the expression of KM genes sharply increased following a reperfusion insult. These results suggest that ectopic adipose tissue formation in the heart following myocardial infarction results from CMPs that express KM following a stress response.
Calpain 2-mediated autophagy defect increases susceptibility of fatty livers to ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Zhao Q , Guo Z , Deng W , Fu S , Zhang C , Chen M , Ju W , Wang D , He X
Published: April 2016

Hepatic steatosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality after liver resection and transplantation. This study focuses on the role of autophagy in regulating sensitivity of fatty livers to ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Quantitative immunohistochemistry conducted on human liver allograft biopsies showed that, the reduction of autophagy markers LC3 and Beclin-1 at 1 h after reperfusion, was correlated with hepatic steatosis and poor survival of liver transplant recipients. In animal studies, western blotting and confocal imaging analysis associated the increase in sensitivity to I/R injury with low autophagy activity in fatty livers. Screening of autophagy-related proteins showed that Atg3 and Atg7 expression levels were marked decreased, whereas calpain 2 expression was upregulated during I/R in fatty livers. Calpain 2 inhibition or knockdown enhanced autophagy and suppressed cell death. Further point mutation experiments revealed that calpain 2 cleaved Atg3 and Atg7 at Atg3Δ92–97 and Atg7Δ344–349, respectively. In vivo and in vitro overexpression of Atg3 or Atg7 enhanced autophagy and suppressed cell death after I/R in fatty livers. Collectively, calpain 2-mediated degradation of Atg3 and Atg7 in fatty livers increases their sensitivity to I/R injury. Increasing autophagy may ameliorate fatty liver damage and represent a valuable method to expand the liver donor pool.
Activated human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells suppress metastatic features of MDA-MB-231 cells by secreting IFN-β
Authors: Yoon N , Park M S , Shigemoto T , Peltier G , Lee R H
Published: April 2016

Our recent study showed that human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) are activated to express tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) by exposure to TNF-α and these activated hMSCs effectively induce apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 (MDA) cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we further demonstrated that activated hMSCs not only induced apoptosis of MDA cells but also reduced metastatic features in MDA cells. These activated hMSC-exposed MDA cells showed reduced tumorigenicity and suppressed formation of lung metastasis when implanted in the mammary fat pad. Surprisingly, the activated hMSC-exposed MDA cells increased TRAIL expression, resulting in apoptosis in MDA cells. Interestingly, upregulation of TRAIL in MDA cells was mediated by interferon-beta (IFN-β) secreted from activated hMSCs. Furthermore, IFN-β in activated hMSCs was induced by RNA and DNA released from apoptotic MDA cells in absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and IFN induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1)-dependent manners. These observations were only seen in the TRAIL-sensitive breast cancer cell lines but not in the TRAIL-resistant breast cancer cell lines. Consistent with these results, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis also showed that lack of innate sensors detecting DNA or RNA is strongly associated with poor survival in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer patients. In addition, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) isolated from a breast cancer patient were also able to express TRAIL and IFN-β upon DNA and RNA stimulation. Therefore, our results suggest that the crosstalk between TRAIL-sensitive cancer cells and stromal cells creates a tumor-suppressive microenvironment and further provide a novel therapeutic approach to target stromal cells within cancer microenvironment for TRAIL sensitive cancer treatment.
Mechanism of azithromycin inhibition of HSL synthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Zeng Jianming , Zhang Ni , Huang Bin , Cai Renxin , Wu Binning , E Shunmei , Fang Chengcai , Chen Cha
Published: April 2016

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and a leading cause of nosocomial infections. Unfortunately, P. aeruginosa has low antibiotic susceptibility due to several chromosomally encoded antibiotic resistance genes. Hence, we carried out mechanistic studies to determine how azithromycin affects quorum sensing and virulence in P. aeruginosa. lasI and rhlI single and double mutants were constructed. We then undertook a quantitative approach to determine the optimal concentration of azithromycin and culture time that can affect the expression of HSLs. Furthermore, based on the above results, the effect on quorum sensing was analyzed at a transcriptional level. It was found that 2 μg/mL azithromycin caused a 79% decrease in 3-oxo-C12-HSL secretion during cultivation, while C4-HSL secretion was strongly repressed in the early stages. Azithromycin acts on ribosomes; to determine whether this can elicit alternative modes of gene expression, transcriptional regulation of representative virulence genes was analyzed. We propose a new relationship for lasI and rhlI: lasI acts as a cell density sensor and rhlI functions as a fine-tuning mechanism for coordination between different quorum sensing systems.