bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum Concentrations of Endothelin-1 and Matrix Metalloproteinases-2, -9 in Pre-Hypertensive and Hypertensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kostov Krasimir , Blazhev Alexander , Atanasova Milena , Dimitrova Anelia
Published: August 2016

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is one of the most potent vasoconstrictors known to date. While its plasma or serum concentrations are elevated in some forms of experimental and human hypertension, this is not a consistent finding in all forms of hypertension. Matrix metalloproteinases -2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9), which degrade collagen type IV of the vascular basement membrane, are responsible for vascular remodeling, inflammation, and atherosclerotic complications, including in type 2 diabetes (T2D). In our study, we compared concentrations of ET-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in pre-hypertensive (PHTN) and hypertensive (HTN) T2D patients with those of healthy normotensive controls (N). ET-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA. Concentrations of ET-1 in PHTN and N were very similar, while those in HTN were significantly higher. Concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in PHTN and HTN were also significantly higher compared to N. An interesting result in our study is that concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in HTN were lower compared to PHTN. In conclusion, we showed that increased production of ET-1 in patients with T2D can lead to long-lasting increases in blood pressure (BP) and clinical manifestation of hypertension. We also demonstrated that increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive patients with T2D mainly reflect the early vascular changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover.
Urinary Dopamine as a Potential Index of the Transport Activity of Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion in the Kidney
Authors: Kajiwara Moto , Ban Tsuyoshi , Matsubara Kazuo , Nakanishi Yoichi , Masuda Satohiro
Published: August 2016

Dopamine is a cationic natriuretic catecholamine synthesized in proximal tubular cells (PTCs) of the kidney before secretion into the lumen, a key site of its action. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying dopamine secretion into the lumen remain unclear. Multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) is a H+/organic cation antiporter that is highly expressed in the brush border membrane of PTCs and mediates the efflux of organic cations, including metformin and cisplatin, from the epithelial cells into the urine. Therefore, we hypothesized that MATE mediates dopamine secretion, a cationic catecholamine, into the tubule lumen, thereby regulating natriuresis. Here, we show that [3H]dopamine uptake in human (h) MATE1-, hMATE-2K- and mouse (m) MATE-expressing cells exhibited saturable kinetics. Fluid retention and decreased urinary excretion of dopamine and Na+ were observed in Mate1-knockout mice compared to that in wild-type mice. Imatinib, a MATE inhibitor, inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake by hMATE1-, hMATE2-K- and mMATE1-expressing cells in a concentration-dependent manner. At clinically-relevant concentrations, imatinib inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake by hMATE1- and hMATE2-K-expressing cells. The urinary excretion of dopamine and Na+ decreased and fluid retention occurred in imatinib-treated mice. In conclusion, MATE transporters secrete renally-synthesized dopamine, and therefore, urinary dopamine has the potential to be an index of the MATE transporter activity.
SMA Human iPSC-Derived Motor Neurons Show Perturbed Differentiation and Reduced miR-335-5p Expression
Authors: Murdocca Michela , Ciafrè Silvia , Spitalieri Paola , Talarico Rosa , Sanchez Massimo , Novelli Giuseppe , Sangiuolo Federica
Published: August 2016

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 gene, resulting in very low levels of functional Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. SMA human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) represent a useful and valid model for the study of the disorder, as they provide in vitro the target cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are often reported as playing a key role in regulating neuronal differentiation and fate specification. In this study SMA hiPSCs have been differentiated towards early motor neurons and their molecular and immunocytochemical profile were compared to those of wild type cells. Cell cycle proliferation was also evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). SMA hiPSCs showed an increased proliferation rate and also higher levels of stem cell markers. Moreover; when differentiated towards early motor neurons they expressed lower levels of NCAM and MN specific markers. The expression of miR-335-5p; already identified to control self-renewal or differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs); resulted to be reduced during the early steps of differentiation of SMA hiPSCs compared to wild type cells. These results suggest that we should speculate a role of this miRNA both in stemness characteristic and in differentiation efficiency of these cells.
Evaluation of Pulmonary Toxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Following Inhalation and Intratracheal Instillation
Authors: Morimoto Yasuo , Izumi Hiroto , Yoshiura Yukiko , Tomonaga Taisuke , Oyabu Takako , Myojo Toshihiko , Kawai Kazuaki , Yatera Kazuhiro , Shimada Manabu , Kubo Masaru , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Kitajima Shinichi , Kuroda Etsushi , Kawaguchi Kenji , Sasaki Takeshi
Published: August 2016

We conducted inhalation and intratracheal instillation studies of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in order to examine their pulmonary toxicity. F344 rats were received intratracheal instillation at 0.2 or 1 mg of ZnO nanoparticles with a primary diameter of 35 nm that were well-dispersed in distilled water. Cell analysis and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed at three days, one week, one month, three months, and six months after the instillation. As the inhalation study, rats were exposed to a concentration of inhaled ZnO nanoparticles (2 and 10 mg/m3) for four weeks (6 h/day, 5 days/week). The same endpoints as in the intratracheal instillation study were analyzed at three days, one month, and three months after the end of the exposure. In the intratracheal instillation study, both the 0.2 and the 1.0 mg ZnO groups had a transient increase in the total cell and neutrophil count in the BALF and in the expression of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1, CINC-2, chemokine for neutrophil, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an oxidative stress marker, in the BALF. In the inhalation study, transient increases in total cell and neutrophil count, CINC-1,-2 and HO-1 in the BALF were observed in the high concentration groups. Neither of the studies of ZnO nanoparticles showed persistent inflammation in the rat lung, suggesting that well-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles have low toxicity.
Tools for Predicting the Nature and Magnitude of Magnetic Anisotropy in Transition Metal Complexes: Application to Co(II) Complexes
Authors: Cahier Benjamin , Maurice Rémi , Bolvin Hélène , Mallah Talal , Guihéry Nathalie
Published: August 2016

This work addresses the question of the identification of the excited states that are mainly responsible for the magnitude and nature of the magnetic anisotropy in high-spin mononuclear transition metal complexes. Only few states are actually responsible for the single ion magnetic anisotropy, and these states can be anticipated from rather simple rules. We show that in high-spin complexes atomic selection rules still prevail and that molecular selection rules from the symmetry point group are more selective than those of the double group. The predictive power of these rules is exemplified on a penta-coordinate Co(II) complex investigated with correlated ab initio calculations, including relativistic contributions. The electronic structure of excited states coupled to the ground state through spin-orbit coupling informs us about the nature (either axial or planar) of their contribution to the anisotropy. From this information, it is possible to anticipate the nature and strength of the ligand field and predict the magnetic anisotropy, which may guide the synthesis of improved anisotropic complexes. Such results can also be used to improve the quality of ab initio calculations of the spin Hamiltonian parameters and to reduce the computational cost.
A Portable Real-Time Ringdown Breath Acetone Analyzer: Toward Potential Diabetic Screening and Management
Authors: Jiang Chenyu , Sun Meixiu , Wang Zhennan , Chen Zhuying , Zhao Xiaomeng , Yuan Yuan , Li Yingxin , Wang Chuji
Published: August 2016

Breath analysis has been considered a suitable tool to evaluate diseases of the respiratory system and those that involve metabolic changes, such as diabetes. Breath acetone has long been known as a biomarker for diabetes. However, the results from published data by far have been inconclusive regarding whether breath acetone is a reliable index of diabetic screening. Large variations exist among the results of different studies because there has been no “best-practice method” for breath-acetone measurements as a result of technical problems of sampling and analysis. In this mini-review, we update the current status of our development of a laser-based breath acetone analyzer toward real-time, one-line diabetic screening and a point-of-care instrument for diabetic management. An integrated standalone breath acetone analyzer based on the cavity ringdown spectroscopy technique has been developed. The instrument was validated by using the certificated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The linear fittings suggest that the obtained acetone concentrations via both methods are consistent. Breath samples from each individual subject under various conditions in total, 1257 breath samples were taken from 22 Type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients, 312 Type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients, which is one of the largest numbers of T2D subjects ever used in a single study, and 52 non-diabetic healthy subjects. Simultaneous blood glucose (BG) levels were also tested using a standard diabetic management BG meter. The mean breath acetone concentrations were determined to be 4.9 ± 16 ppm (22 T1D), and 1.5 ± 1.3 ppm (312 T2D), which are about 4.5 and 1.4 times of the one in the 42 non-diabetic healthy subjects, 1.1 ± 0.5 ppm, respectively. A preliminary quantitative correlation (R = 0.56, p < 0.05) between the mean individual breath acetone concentration and the mean individual BG levels does exist in 20 T1D subjects with no ketoacidosis. No direct correlation is observed in T1D subjects, T2D subjects, and healthy subjects. The results from a relatively large number of subjects tested indicate that an elevated mean breath acetone concentration exists in diabetic patients in general. Although many physiological parameters affect breath acetone, under a specifically controlled condition fast (<1 min) and portable breath acetone measurement can be used for screening abnormal metabolic status including diabetes, for point-of-care monitoring status of ketone bodies which have the signature smell of breath acetone, and for breath acetone related clinical studies requiring a large number of tests.
Dynamic Calibration and Verification Device of Measurement System for Dynamic Characteristic Coefficients of Sliding Bearing
Authors: Chen Runlin , Wei Yangyang , Shi Zhaoyang , Yuan Xiaoyang
Published: August 2016

The identification accuracy of dynamic characteristics coefficients is difficult to guarantee because of the errors of the measurement system itself. A novel dynamic calibration method of measurement system for dynamic characteristics coefficients is proposed in this paper to eliminate the errors of the measurement system itself. Compared with the calibration method of suspension quality, this novel calibration method is different because the verification device is a spring-mass system, which can simulate the dynamic characteristics of sliding bearing. The verification device is built, and the calibration experiment is implemented in a wide frequency range, in which the bearing stiffness is simulated by the disc springs. The experimental results show that the amplitude errors of this measurement system are small in the frequency range of 10 Hz–100 Hz, and the phase errors increase along with the increasing of frequency. It is preliminarily verified by the simulated experiment of dynamic characteristics coefficients identification in the frequency range of 10 Hz–30 Hz that the calibration data in this frequency range can support the dynamic characteristics test of sliding bearing in this frequency range well. The bearing experiments in greater frequency ranges need higher manufacturing and installation precision of calibration device. Besides, the processes of calibration experiments should be improved.
Modeling and Experimental Analysis on the Temperature Response of AlN-Film Based SAWRs
Authors: Chen Shuo , You Zheng
Published: August 2016

The temperature responses of aluminum nitride (AlN) based surface acoustic wave resonator (SAWR) are modeled and tested. The modeling of the electrical performance is based on a modified equivalent circuit model introduced in this work. For SAWR consisting of piezoelectric film and semiconducting substrate, parasitic parameters from the substrate is taken into consideration for the modeling. By utilizing the modified model, the high temperature electrical performance of the AlN/Si and AlN/6H-SiC based SAWRs can be predicted, indicating that a substrate with a wider band gap will lead to a more stable high temperature behavior, which is further confirmed experimentally by high temperature testing from 300 K to 725 K with SAWRs having a wavelength of 12 μm. Temperature responses of SAWR’s center frequency are also calculated and tested, with experimental temperature coefficient factors (TCF) of center frequency being −29 ppm/K and −26 ppm/K for the AlN/Si and AlN/6H-SiC based SAWRs, which are close to the predicted values.
Passive Wireless Hermetic Environment Monitoring System for Spray Painting Workshop
Authors: Wang Lifeng , Ma Jingjing , Huang Yan , Tang Dan , Huang Qing-An
Published: August 2016

Passive wireless sensors have the advantages of operating without a power supply and remote sensing capability. Hence, they are very suitable for some harsh environments, such as hermetic environments, rotating parts, or very high temperature environments. The spray painting workshop is such a harsh environment, containing a large amount of flammable paint mist and organic gas. Aiming at this special environment of spray painting workshop, a passive wireless hermetic environment monitoring system was designed, fabricated, and demonstrated. The proposed system is composed of a transponder and a reader, and the circuit design of each part is given in detail in this paper. The power and the data transmission between the transponder and the reader are realized by the inductive coupling mechanism. Utilizing the back scatter modulation and channel multiplexing, the frequency signals generated by three different environmental sensors—together with their interfaces in the transponder—are wirelessly read out by the reader. Because of the harsh environment of the spray painting room, the package of the monitoring system is quite important. Three different kinds of filter films for the system package were compared. The experimental results show that the composite filter film aluminum anodic oxide/polytetrafluoroethylene (AAO/PTFE) has the best performance. After fabrication, the measured temperature, humidity, and pressure sensitivities were measured and found to be 180 Hz/°C in the range of 0~60 °C, 100 Hz/%RH in the range of 15~95 %RH, and 42 Hz/hPa in the range of 600~1100 hPa, respectively. Additionally, the remote sensing distance of the monitoring system reaches 4 cm. Finally, the passive wireless hermetic environment monitoring system was installed on the glass wall of the spray painting workshop and was successfully demonstrated.
Sine Rotation Vector Method for Attitude Estimation of an Underwater Robot
Authors: Ko Nak , Jeong Seokki , Bae Youngchul
Published: August 2016

This paper describes a method for estimating the attitude of an underwater robot. The method employs a new concept of sine rotation vector and uses both an attitude heading and reference system (AHRS) and a Doppler velocity log (DVL) for the purpose of measurement. First, the acceleration and magnetic-field measurements are transformed into sine rotation vectors and combined. The combined sine rotation vector is then transformed into the differences between the Euler angles of the measured attitude and the predicted attitude; the differences are used to correct the predicted attitude. The method was evaluated according to field-test data and simulation data and compared to existing methods that calculate angular differences directly without a preceding sine rotation vector transformation. The comparison verifies that the proposed method improves the attitude estimation performance.
Modeling and Analysis of Phase Fluctuation in a High-Precision Roll Angle Measurement Based on a Heterodyne Interferometer
Authors: Huang Junhui , Wang Zhao , Gao Jianmin , Yu Bao
Published: August 2016

Heterodyne interferometry is a high-precision method applied in roll angle measurements. Phase metering is essential for high precision. During a high-precision measurement, a phase fluctuation appears even when the roll angle does not vary, which has never been analyzed before. Herein, the reason for the phase fluctuation is revealed, which results from the frequency-difference fluctuation and time difference between measurement and reference beams. A mathematical model of that phase-fluctuation mechanism is established, and that model provides a theoretical basis for analyzing and reducing the phase fluctuation. The impact that the main factors have on the phase metering is analyzed quantitatively, and experiments are carried out to validate the model. Finally, the phase fluctuation decreases to 0.02° by frequency reduction, which conversely verifies the theoretical model.
Quantitative Determination of Fluorine Content in Blends of Polylactide (PLA)–Talc Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Tamburini Elena , Tagliati Chiara , Bonato Tiziano , Costa Stefania , Scapoli Chiara , Pedrini Paola
Published: August 2016

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been widely used for quantitative and/or qualitative determination of a wide range of matrices. The objective of this study was to develop a NIRS method for the quantitative determination of fluorine content in polylactide (PLA)-talc blends. A blending profile was obtained by mixing different amounts of PLA granules and talc powder. The calibration model was built correlating wet chemical data (alkali digestion method) and NIR spectra. Using FT (Fourier Transform)-NIR technique, a Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression model was set-up, in a concentration interval of 0 ppm of pure PLA to 800 ppm of pure talc. Fluorine content prediction (R2cal = 0.9498; standard error of calibration, SEC = 34.77; standard error of cross-validation, SECV = 46.94) was then externally validated by means of a further 15 independent samples (R2EX.V = 0.8955; root mean standard error of prediction, RMSEP = 61.08). A positive relationship between an inorganic component as fluorine and NIR signal has been evidenced, and used to obtain quantitative analytical information from the spectra.
Bindings and RESTlets: A Novel Set of CoAP-Based Application Enablers to Build IoT Applications
Authors: Teklemariam Girum , Van Den Abeele Floris , Moerman Ingrid , Demeester Piet , Hoebeke Jeroen
Published: August 2016

Sensors and actuators are becoming important components of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Today, several approaches exist to facilitate communication of sensors and actuators in IoT applications. Most communications go through often proprietary gateways requiring availability of the gateway for each and every interaction between sensors and actuators. Sometimes, the gateway does some processing of the sensor data before triggering actuators. Other approaches put this processing logic further in the cloud. These approaches introduce significant latencies and increased number of packets. In this paper, we introduce a CoAP-based mechanism for direct binding of sensors and actuators. This flexible binding solution is utilized further to build IoT applications through RESTlets. RESTlets are defined to accept inputs and produce outputs after performing some processing tasks. Sensors and actuators could be associated with RESTlets (which can be hosted on any device) through the flexible binding mechanism we introduced. This approach facilitates decentralized IoT application development by placing all or part of the processing logic in Low power and Lossy Networks (LLNs). We run several tests to compare the performance of our solution with existing solutions and found out that our solution reduces communication delay and number of packets in the LLN.
A Semantic Approach with Decision Support for Safety Service in Smart Home Management
Authors: Huang Xiaoci , Yi Jianjun , Zhu Xiaomin , Chen Shaoli
Published: August 2016

Research on smart homes (SHs) has increased significantly in recent years because of the convenience provided by having an assisted living environment. The functions of SHs as mentioned in previous studies, particularly safety services, are seldom discussed or mentioned. Thus, this study proposes a semantic approach with decision support for safety service in SH management. The focus of this contribution is to explore a context awareness and reasoning approach for risk recognition in SH that enables the proper decision support for flexible safety service provision. The framework of SH based on a wireless sensor network is described from the perspective of neighbourhood management. This approach is based on the integration of semantic knowledge in which a reasoner can make decisions about risk recognition and safety service. We present a management ontology for a SH and relevant monitoring contextual information, which considers its suitability in a pervasive computing environment and is service-oriented. We also propose a rule-based reasoning method to provide decision support through reasoning techniques and context-awareness. A system prototype is developed to evaluate the feasibility, time response and extendibility of the approach. The evaluation of our approach shows that it is more effective in daily risk event recognition. The decisions for service provision are shown to be accurate.
Physical Behavior in Older Persons during Daily Life: Insights from Instrumented Shoes
Authors: Moufawad el Achkar Christopher , Lenoble-Hoskovec Constanze , Paraschiv-Ionescu Anisoara , Major Kristof , Büla Christophe , Aminian Kamiar
Published: August 2016

Activity level and gait parameters during daily life are important indicators for clinicians because they can provide critical insights into modifications of mobility and function over time. Wearable activity monitoring has been gaining momentum in daily life health assessment. Consequently, this study seeks to validate an algorithm for the classification of daily life activities and to provide a detailed gait analysis in older adults. A system consisting of an inertial sensor combined with a pressure sensing insole has been developed. Using an algorithm that we previously validated during a semi structured protocol, activities in 10 healthy elderly participants were recorded and compared to a wearable reference system over a 4 h recording period at home. Detailed gait parameters were calculated from inertial sensors. Dynamics of physical behavior were characterized using barcodes that express the measure of behavioral complexity. Activity classification based on the algorithm led to a 93% accuracy in classifying basic activities of daily life, i.e., sitting, standing, and walking. Gait analysis emphasizes the importance of metrics such as foot clearance in daily life assessment. Results also underline that measures of physical behavior and gait performance are complementary, especially since gait parameters were not correlated to complexity. Participants gave positive feedback regarding the use of the instrumented shoes. These results extend previous observations in showing the concurrent validity of the instrumented shoes compared to a body-worn reference system for daily-life physical behavior monitoring in older adults.
Development of microsatellite markers for buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides; Poaceae), a drought‐tolerant turfgrass alternative
Authors: Hadle Jacob J. , Konrade Lauren A. , Beasley Rochelle R. , Lance Stacey L. , Jones Kenneth L. , Beck James B.
Published: August 2016

Premise of the study:

Buchloë dactyloides (Poaceae) is an important component of Great Plains prairies and a popular drought‐tolerant turfgrass alternative in North America. This species comprises an autopolyploid series, and microsatellite primers were developed to understand the distribution of genetic variation among cytotypes and across its large geographic range.

Methods and Results:

Fifteen microsatellite loci were designed and successfully amplified in six B. dactyloides populations. Within‐population genetic diversity was comparatively high, consistent with B. dactyloides’ life history. Allelic variation at 13 loci was consistent with the cytotype established in chromosome‐counted samples.

Conclusions:

This variable, interpretable set of loci allows for the determination of multilocus genotype in B. dactyloides individuals of varying cytotype. Data such as these from a range‐wide sample set can provide important insights for germplasm conservation and crop improvement in this ecologically and economically important species.
Fast diffusion of silver in TiO2 nanotube arrays
Authors: Zhang Wanggang , Liu Yiming , Zhou Diaoyu , Wang Hui , Liang Wei , Yang Fuqian
Published: August 2016

Using magnetron sputtering and heat treatment, Ag@TiO2 nanotubes are prepared. The effects of heat-treatment temperature and heating time on the evolution of Ag nanofilms on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes and microstructure of Ag nanofilms are investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Ag atoms migrate mainly on the outmost surface of the TiO2 nanotubes, and fast diffusion of Ag atoms is observed. The diffusivity for the diffusion of Ag atoms on the outmost surface of the TiO2 nanotubes at 400 °C is 6.87 × 10−18 m2/s, which is three orders of magnitude larger than the diffusivities for the diffusion of Ag through amorphous TiO2 films. The activation energy for the diffusion of Ag atoms on the outmost surface of the TiO2 nanotubes in the temperature range of 300 to 500 °C is 157 kJ/mol, which is less than that for the lattice diffusion of Ag and larger than that for the grain boundary diffusion. The diffusion of Ag atoms leads to the formation of Ag nanocrystals on the outmost surface of TiO2 nanotubes. Probably there are hardly any Ag nanocrystals formed inside the TiO2 nanotubes through the migration of Ag.
A SEARCH FOR CORONAL ACTIVITY AMONG TWO METAL-POOR SUBDWARFS AND ONE SUBGIANT*
Authors: Smith Graeme H. , Dupree Andrea K. , Günther Hans Moritz
Published: August 2016

A search has been made using the XMM-Newton satellite for coronal soft X-ray emission from HD 19445, HD 25329, and HD 140283, three Population II stars in the Galactic halo having metallicities of

. The program stars, consisting of two subdwarfs and one metal-poor subgiant, were pre-selected from ground-based observations to have He i
λ10830 absorption lines with an equivalent width (EW) of 30 mÅ or more. If such stars follow a relation between He i EW and soft X-ray flux applicable to Population I dwarf stars, then they would be expected to have X-ray luminosities

times their bolometric luminosity, and as such would yield detectable sources in 20 ks exposures with the XMM-Newton EPIC-PN and MOS cameras. No detections were found in such exposures made with XMM-Newton. Upper limits to soft X-ray emission from the two program stars that have effective temperatures most similar to that of the Sun, namely HD 19445 and HD 140283, are comparable to the level of the quiet Sun. The star HD 25329, a cooler subdwarf, exhibits an upper limit similar to the Sun at maximum activity. These measurements suggest that coronal activity appears to decrease with age among the oldest G dwarfs, but K-M subdwarfs possibly have maintained a solar-like level of activity.
GW LIBRAE: STILL HOT EIGHT YEARS POST-OUTBURST
Authors: Szkody Paula , Mukadam Anjum S. , Gänsicke Boris T. , Chote Paul , Nelson Peter , Myers Gordon , Toloza Odette , Waagen Elizabeth O. , Sion Edward M. , Sullivan Denis J. , Townsley Dean M.
Published: August 2016

We report continued Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ultraviolet spectra and ground-based optical photometry and spectroscopy of GW Librae eight years after its largest known dwarf nova outburst in 2007. This represents the longest cooling timescale measured for any dwarf nova. The spectra reveal that the white dwarf still remains about 3000 K hotter than its quiescent value. Both ultraviolet and optical light curves show a short period of 364–373 s, similar to one of the non-radial pulsation periods present for years prior to the outburst, and with a similar large UV/optical amplitude ratio. A large modulation at a period of 2 hr (also similar to that observed prior to outburst) is present in the optical data preceding and during the HST observations, but the satellite observation intervals did not cover the peaks of the optical modulation, and so it is not possible to determine its corresponding UV amplitude. The similarity of the short and long periods to quiescent values implies that the pulsating, fast spinning white dwarf in GW Lib may finally be nearing its quiescent configuration.
PHOTOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF SELECTED ALGOL-TYPE BINARIES. IX. V548 CYGNI
Authors: Yang Yuan-Gui , Wu Chao , Hamme W. Van , Hu J.-Y. , Wei J-Y.
Published: August 2016

We present a new UV light curve of the Algol eclipsing binary V548 Cyg obtained with the Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope. We model the UV light curve together with two previously published (B and V) light curves, primary star radial velocities, and eclipse timings in a unified multi-data-type solution and determine orbital parameters and absolute dimensions. Timing residuals hint at the presence of a third star in the system. This star is possibly the source of the third light that is needed to obtain a good fit to each of the light curves simultaneously. The light–time oscillation in the timing residuals has a period of either

or

years. The third body orbit inclination would have to be low (

or

, respectively) for the third star to have a mass of

, which would be expected for a main-sequence star of color

, as determined from the light curve solution. In an H–R diagram, the mass-gaining, primary component of V548 Cyg is located between the zero-age and terminal-age main sequence for solar composition stars, and close to the 0.4 Gyr isochrone.
COSMICFLOWS-3
Authors: Tully R. Brent , Courtois Hélène M. , Sorce Jenny G.
Published: August 2016

The Cosmicflows database of galaxy distances that in the second edition contained 8188 entries is now expanded to 17,669 entries. The major additions are 2257 distances that we have derived from the correlation between galaxy rotation and luminosity with photometry at

obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope and 8885 distances based on the Fundamental Plane methodology from the Six Degree Field Galaxy Survey collaboration. There are minor augmentations to the Tip of the Red Giant Branch and Type Ia supernova compilations. A zero-point calibration of the supernova luminosities gives a value for the Hubble Constant of

(± rand. ± sys.) km s−1 Mpc−1. Alternatively, a restriction on the peculiar velocity monopole term representing global infall/outflow implies

km s−1 Mpc−1.
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE PROPER MOTION (HSTPROMO) CATALOGS OF GALACTIC GLOBULAR CLUSTERS. IV. KINEMATIC PROFILES AND AVERAGE MASSES OF BLUE STRAGGLER STARS∗
Authors: Baldwin A. T. , Watkins L. L. , Marel R. P. van der , Bianchini P. , Bellini A. , Anderson J.
Published: August 2016

We make use of the Hubble Space Telescope proper-motion catalogs derived by Bellini et al. to produce the first radial velocity dispersion profiles

for blue straggler stars (BSSs) in Galactic globular clusters (GCs), as well as the first dynamical estimates for the average mass of the entire BSS population. We show that BSSs typically have lower velocity dispersions than stars with mass equal to the main-sequence turnoff mass, as one would expect for a more massive population of stars. Since GCs are expected to experience some degree of energy equipartition, we use the relation

, where η is related to the degree of energy equipartition, along with our velocity dispersion profiles to estimate BSS masses. We estimate η as a function of cluster relaxation from recent Monte Carlo cluster simulations by Bianchini et al. and then derive an average mass ratio

and an average mass

M
⊙ from 598 BSSs across 19 GCs. The final error bars include any systematic errors that are random between different clusters, but not any potential biases inherent to our methodology. Our results are in good agreement with the average mass of

M
⊙ for the 35 BSSs in Galactic GCs in the literature with properties that have allowed individual mass determination.
A TOTAL MOLECULAR GAS MASS CENSUS IN Z ∼ 2–3 STAR-FORMING GALAXIES: LOW-J CO EXCITATION PROBES OF GALAXIES’ EVOLUTIONARY STATES
Authors: Sharon Chelsea E. , Riechers Dominik A. , Hodge Jacqueline , Carilli Chris L. , Walter Fabian , Weiß Axel , Knudsen Kirsten K. , Wagg Jeff
Published: August 2016

We present CO(1–0) observations obtained at the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array for 14

galaxies with existing CO(3–2) measurements, including 11 galaxies that contain active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and three submillimeter galaxies (SMGs). We combine this sample with an additional 15

galaxies from the literature that have both CO(1–0) and CO(3–2) measurements in order to evaluate differences in CO excitation between SMGs and AGN host galaxies, to measure the effects of CO excitation on the derived molecular gas properties of these populations, and to look for correlations between the molecular gas excitation and other physical parameters. With our expanded sample of CO(3–2)/CO(1–0) line ratio measurements, we do not find a statistically significant difference in the mean line ratio between SMGs and AGN host galaxies as can be found in the literature; we instead find

for AGN host galaxies and

for SMGs (or

for both populations combined). We also do not measure a statistically significant difference between the distributions of the line ratios for these populations at the p = 0.05 level, although this result is less robust. We find no excitation dependence on the index or offset of the integrated Schmidt–Kennicutt relation for the two CO lines, and we obtain indices consistent with N = 1 for the various subpopulations. However, including low-z “normal” galaxies increases our best-fit Schmidt–Kennicutt index to

. While we do not reproduce correlations between the CO line width and luminosity, we do reproduce correlations between CO excitation and star-formation efficiency.
THE ORBIT OF THE L DWARF + T DWARF SPECTRAL BINARY SDSS J080531.84+481233.0*
Authors: Burgasser Adam J. , Blake Cullen H. , Gelino Christopher R. , Sahlmann Johannes , Gagliuffi Daniella Bardalez
Published: August 2016

SDSS J080531.84+481233.0 is a closely separated, very-low-mass (VLM) binary identified through combined-light spectroscopy and confirmed as an astrometric variable. Here we report four years of radial velocity monitoring observations of the system that reveal significant and periodic variability, confirming the binary nature of the source. We infer an orbital period of 2.02 ± 0.03 years, a semimajor axis of 0.76

au, and an eccenticity of 0.46 ± 0.05, consistent with the amplitude of astrometric variability and prior attempts to resolve the system. Folding in constraints based on the spectral types of the components (L4 ± 0.7 and T5.5 ± 1.1), corresponding effective temperatures, and brown dwarf evolutionary models, we further constrain the orbital inclination of this system to be nearly edge-on (90° ± 19°), and deduce a large system mass ratio (M
2/M
1 = 

), substellar components (M
1 = 

M
☉, M
2 = 

M
☉), and a relatively old system age (minimum age = 

Gyr). The measured projected rotational velocity of the primary (

 = 34.1 ± 0.7 km s−1) implies that this inactive source is a rapid rotator (period ≲ 3 hr) and a viable system for testing spin–orbit alignment in VLM multiples. Robust model-independent constraints on the component masses may be possible through measurement of the reflex motion of the secondary at wavelengths in which it contributes a greater proportion of the combined luminence, while the system may also be resolvable through sparse-aperature mask interferometry with adaptive optics. The combination of well-determined component atmospheric properties and masses near and/or below the hydrogen minimum mass make SDSS J0805+4812AB an important system for future tests of brown dwarf evolutionary models.
THE PHASE COHERENCE OF INTERSTELLAR DENSITY FLUCTUATIONS
Authors: Burkhart Blakesley , Lazarian A.
Published: August 2016

Studies of MHD turbulence often investigate the Fourier power spectrum to provide information on the nature of the turbulence cascade. However, the Fourier power spectrum only contains the Fourier amplitudes and rejects all information regarding the Fourier phases. Here, we investigate the utility of two statistical diagnostics for recovering information on Fourier phases in ISM column density maps: the averaged amplitudes of the bispectrum and the phase coherence index (PCI), a new phase technique for the ISM. We create three-dimensional density and two-dimensional column density maps using a set of simulations of isothermal ideal MHD turbulence with a wide range of sonic and Alfvénic Mach numbers. We find that the bispectrum averaged along different angles with respect to either the k
1 or k
2 axis is primarily sensitive to the sonic Mach number while averaging the bispectral amplitudes over different annuli is sensitive to both the sonic and Alfvénic Mach numbers. The PCI of density suggests that the most correlated phases occur in supersonic sub-Alfvénic turbulence and near the shock scale. This suggests that nonlinear interactions with correlated phases are strongest in shock-dominated regions, in agreement with findings from the solar wind. Our results suggest that the phase information contained in the bispectrum and PCI can be used to find the turbulence parameters in column density maps.
PIXEL COLOR MAGNITUDE DIAGRAMS FOR SEMI-RESOLVED STELLAR POPULATIONS: THE STAR FORMATION HISTORY OF REGIONS WITHIN THE DISK AND BULGE OF M31
Authors: Conroy Charlie , van Dokkum Pieter G.
Published: August 2016

The analysis of stellar populations has, by and large, been developed for two limiting cases: spatially resolved stellar populations in the color–magnitude diagram, and integrated light observations of distant systems. In between these two extremes lies the semi-resolved regime, which encompasses a rich and relatively unexplored realm of observational phenomena. Here we develop the concept of pixel color–magnitude diagrams (pCMDs) as a powerful technique for analyzing stellar populations in the semi-resolved regime. pCMDs show the distribution of imaging data in the plane of pixel luminosity versus pixel color. A key feature of pCMDs is that they are sensitive to all stars, including both the evolved giants and the unevolved main sequence stars. An important variable in this regime is the mean number of stars per pixel,

. Simulated pCMDs demonstrate a strong sensitivity to the star formation history (SFH) and have the potential to break degeneracies between age, metallicity and dust based on two filter data for values of

up to at least 104. We extract pCMDs from Hubble Space Telescope optical imaging of M31 and derive SFHs with seven independent age bins from 106 to 1010 year for both the crowded disk and bulge regions (where

). From analyzing a small region of the disk we find a SFH that is smooth and consistent with an exponential decay timescale of 4 Gyr. The bulge SFH is also smooth and consistent with a 2 Gyr decay timescale. pCMDs will likely play an important role in maximizing the science returns from next generation ground and space-based facilities.
The Relationship Between ACGME Duty Hour Requirements and Performance on the American Board of Emergency Medicine Qualifying Examination
Authors: Counselman Francis L. , Kowalenko Terry , Marco Catherine A. , Joldersma Kevin B. , Korte Robert C. , Reisdorff Earl J.
Published: August 2016

Background 

In 2003, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) instituted requirements that limited the number of hours residents could spend on duty, and in 2011, it revised these requirements.

Objective 

This study explored whether the implementation of the 2003 and 2011 duty hour limits was associated with a change in emergency medicine residents' performance on the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Qualifying Examination (QE).

Methods 

Beginning with the 1999 QE and ending with the 2014 QE, candidates for whom all training occurred without duty hour requirements (Group A), candidates under the first set of duty hour requirements (Group C), and candidates under the second set of duty hour requirements (Group E) were compared. Comparisons included mean scores and pass rates.

Results 

In Group A, 5690 candidates completed the examination, with a mean score of 82.8 and a 90.2% pass rate. In Group C, 8333 candidates had a mean score of 82.4 and a 90.5% pass rate. In Group E, there were 1269 candidates, with a mean score of 82.5 and an 89.4% pass rate. There was a small but statistically significant decrease in the mean scores (0.04, P < .001) after implementation of the first duty hour requirements, but this difference did not occur after implementation of the 2011 standards. There was no difference among pass rates for any of the study groups (χ2 = 1.68, P = .43).

Conclusions 

We did not identify an association between the 2003 and 2011 ACGME duty hour requirements and performance of test takers on the ABEM QE.
E-Procurement in Self-Governing Regions in Slovakia
Authors: Murray Svidroňová Mária , Nemec Juraj
Published: August 2016

The current reforms in government and public administration have to also respond to the difficult economic situation caused by the crisis. The use of information and communication technologies including electronic public procurement represent an important tool to increase economy and in some cases, efficiency, too. The goal of this article is to analyse the use of e-procurement in the conditions of Slovakia at the regional self-governing level with the aim to identify those factors influencing e-procurement use. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods and original survey data from our own research collected within the LIPSE project we defined the most important external and internal factors determining e-procurement use at the regional self-government level.
Local Authorities’ Involvement in Fostering Hungarian-Romanian Cross-Border Cooperation in Tourism
Authors: Badulescu Daniel , Hoffman Istvan , Badulescu Alina , Simut Ramona
Published: August 2016

Tourism can act as an important sector which captures both the attention of public authorities and the interest of people. It is also a main “target” for cross-border cooperation programs, aiming at fostering the role played by local and regional communities in addressing sustainable local development. This paper presents, both theoretically and by using a survey-based research conducted among public administration’s representatives and experts involved in tourism sector, across the Hungarian-Romanian border, some relevant issues concerning the interest and level of involvement of public authorities in cross-border cooperation actions conducted in tourism.
Decentralization and Territorial Development in Romania.Trends and Challenges
Authors: Alexandru Dana Georgeta
Published: August 2016

By this research we intend to provide a theoretical, methodological and applicative model for analyzing the process of decentralization and territorial development in Romania. Our analysis begins with the conceptual framing of decentralization, and it moves towards identifying the problems related to Romania’s territorial development in the context of administrative decentralization. Decentralization is a stumbling block for post-communist transformation in Central and Eastern Europe, yet in a more complex sense decentralization is both insufficient and excessive. European regional policies and the new concepts of changing the type of intervention do set a different view of how territorial development might look like in Romania. Nevertheless, the local and regional levels are at a standstill due to mismanagement of decentralization in the context of territorial reforms. The paper discusses the objectives and results, as well as the effects and limits of territorial development and decentralization.
Convergence in the Tourism Sector at the Local Level: Empirical Evidence from the EU Regions
Authors: Próchniak Mariusz , Oplotnik Žan Jan , Vojinović Borut
Published: August 2016

In this study, we verify the hypothesis of convergence in the tourism sector across the regions of the enlarged EU. The tourism sector is measured by four variables: arrivals of residents, arrivals of non-residents, nights spent by residents and nights spent by non-residents and measure the intensity of tourist visits in a given region. Our analysis covers 272 regions of the EU28 countries with the analyzed period 1995-2014. The original time series have been divided by the number of population to be expressed per thousand of inhabitants. The results indicate that the tourism variables were developing in line with the - and σ-convergence hypotheses. The results for conditional β-convergence give some additional information about the impact of the other determinants on the growth rate in the number and the length of tourist visits.
Quantitative assessment of AOD from 17 CMIP5 models based on satellite-derived AOD over India
Authors: Misra Amit , Kanawade Vijay P. , Tripathi Sachchida Nand
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) values from 17 CMIP5 models are compared with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) derived AODs over India. The objective is to identify the cases of successful AOD simulation by CMIP5 models, considering satellite-derived AOD as a benchmark. Six years of AOD data (2000–2005) from MISR and MODIS are processed to create quality-assured gridded AOD maps over India, which are compared with corresponding maps of 17 CMIP5 models at the same grid resolution. Intercomparison of model and satellite data shows that model-AOD is better correlated with MISR-derived AOD than MODIS. The correlation between model-AOD and MISR-AOD is used to segregate the models into three categories identifying their performance in simulating the AOD over India. Maps of correlation between model-AOD and MISR-/MODIS-AOD are generated to provide quantitative information about the intercomparison. The two sets of data are examined for different seasons and years to examine the seasonal and interannual variation in the correlation coefficients. Latitudinal and longitudinal variations in AOD as simulated by models are also examined and compared with corresponding variations observed by satellites.