bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and Characterization of Toughened Nanocomposites Based on TiO2 Nanowire‐Epoxy System
Authors: Konnola Raneesh , Deeraj B. D. S. , Sampath Srinivasan , Saritha Appukkuttan , Joseph Kuruvilla
Published: October 2018

TiO2(B) nanowires (TiO2(B)‐NWs) were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs and the influence of different morphologies of TiO2 nanostructures on the mechanical performance of epoxy nanocomposites were thoroughly investigated. Transmission Optical Micrograph images of TiO2(B)‐NW/epoxy nanosuspension reveals an excellent dispersion of TiO2(B)‐NWs in the epoxy matrix. Tensile strength (~26%), tensile modulus (~16%), and fracture toughness (~136%) improved remarkably for TiO2(B)‐NWs modified epoxy composites. The mechanism that paved way to the enhancement in the fracture toughness of the TiO2(B)‐NW/epoxy nanocomposites was evaluated. SEM micrographs disclose that the phenomena of shear yielding, crack deflection and crack bridging are responsible for the improved fracture toughness of TiO2(B)‐NW/epoxy composite. Moreover, the analysis of visco‐elastic properties revealed a very high modulus and improved Tg for the TiO2(B)‐NW/epoxy composites when compared with neat epoxy owing to better filler/matrix interfacial interaction between TiO2(B)‐NWs and epoxy matrix. This was further confirmed by quantitative analysis of the constrained region and by the evaluation of the interaction parameter B. TGA study shows that the thermal stability of composites are not compromised by the incorporation of TiO2 nanofillers. The obtained results can be considered as beneficial in the manufacture of components with higher strength‐to‐weight ratios for such uses as windmill blades or aircraft components. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2629–2638, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Ethnic identity affirmation as a strength for Mexican descent academic outcomes: Psychological functioning and academic attitudes as mediators
Authors: Piña‐Watson Brandy , Martinez Ashley J. , Cruz Lauren N. , Llamas Jasmín D. , López Belem G.
Published: October 2018

Ethnic identity (EI) affirmation has been related to positive academic outcomes for Latina/o youth. However, there is a dearth of research examining mediating mechanisms to this relationship. To address this gap, we examine psychological functioning (depressive symptoms and life satisfaction) as a mediator in the relationship between EI affirmation and academic outcomes (i.e., academic motivation, academic skepticism, and ambition). Participants were 524 Mexican descent adolescents in South Texas. Participants completed a number of self‐report questionnaires to measure each of the variables in the hypothesized model. Results demonstrate that feeling good about one’s ethnic group membership (or having higher EI affirmation) is a strength that not only is related to positive psychological functioning but also promotes positive academic outcomes. Educators and mental health practitioners may benefit from engaging in a curriculum that aims to improve EI affirmation to promote positive psychological functioning, and thus better academic outcomes for Mexican descent youth.
Oligomeric phthalonitriles and tetrakis(phenylethynyl)benzene blends with improved processing and thermal properties
Authors: Butler Tristan , Alden Sasha E. , Taylor Madeleine , Deese Stephen , Rider David A. , Laskoski Matthew
Published: October 2018

Blended resins were prepared from the resorcinol‐based PEEK‐like oligomeric phthalonitrile resin (RES) and tetrakis(phenylethynyl)benzene (TPEB), a high char yield arylacetylene resin. Initial probing of curing properties using differential scanning calorimetry, indicated that TPEB and RES co‐cure when heated. Characterization of thermal properties using thermogravimetric analysis indicated that a 1:1 TPEB‐RES blend (by weight) exhibited a char yield of 80% which was 6% larger compared to pure RES (74%). According to FTIR characterization, the enhanced thermal properties of TPEB‐RES were the result of increased crosslinking density. Rheological studies of TPEB, RES, and TPEB‐RES blends indicated that blended systems exhibit similar processing characteristics as RES resin. For example, resins display ideal viscosities and relatively large processing windows when cured at 175 °C. Alternatively, pure TPEB resin exhibits low viscosities when melted, which are not suitable for preparing composite materials. This study indicates that preparing TPEB‐RES blends is an effect strategy for improving thermal performance of potential RES composites while still maintaining the required processability for fabrication of dense polymer composites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2630–2640
Mechanical properties of hard–soft block copolymers calculated from coarse‐grained molecular dynamics models
Authors: Zhang Min , Cui Zhiwei , Catherine Brinson Lynda
Published: October 2018

To relate the mechanical responses of hard–soft copolymer systems with their microstructures, a coarse‐grained molecular dynamics approach is employed, and mechanical properties of both hard and soft domains are calculated. We first investigate the enhancement mechanism of hard domains under tensile and shear loading conditions with pressure. The energy factor that denotes the interaction between hard beads dominates the microphase separation and morphology. Our numerical experiments show that pressure is the most crucial factor in shear‐under‐pressure tests, with larger pressure leading to higher shearing resistance of the copolymers. The viscoelastic behaviors of hard–soft copolymers are computed from the stress autocorrelation function. The stress relaxation indicates that the soft matrix is in a rubbery state at room temperature while hard domains are “glass‐like” and can be viewed as elastic solids in a macroscale model. In addition, local elastic constants of hard domains are computed using the stress–strain fluctuation method with purely local stress and local strain. Those results can be used as inputs for macroscale models for copolymers and can provide guidelines for designing polymeric materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1552–1566
Lessons from meta‐analyses of randomized clinical trials for analysis of distributed networks of observational databases
Authors: Bate Andrew , Chuang‐Stein Christy , Roddam Andrew , Jones Byron
Published: October 2018

Networks of constellations of longitudinal observational databases, often electronic medical records or transactional insurance claims or both, are increasingly being used for studying the effects of medicinal products in real‐world use. Such databases are frequently configured as distributed networks. That is, patient‐level data are kept behind firewalls and not communicated outside of the data vendor other than in aggregate form. Instead, data are standardized across the network, and queries of the network are executed locally by data partners, and summary results provided to a central research partner(s) for amalgamation, aggregation, and summarization. Such networks can be huge covering years of data on upwards of 100 million patients. Examples of such networks include the FDA Sentinel Network, ASPEN, CNODES, and EU‐ADR. As this is a new emerging field, we note in this paper the conceptual similarities and differences between the analysis of distributed networks and the now well‐established field of meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We recommend, wherever appropriate, to apply learnings from meta‐analysis to help guide the development of distributed network analyses of longitudinal observational databases.
Sustainable product‐package design in a food supply chain: A multi‐criteria life cycle approach
Authors: Rezaei Jafar , Papakonstantinou Athanasios , Tavasszy Lori , Pesch Udo , Kana Austin
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a multi‐criteria decision‐making approach for the selection of a sustainable product‐package design, accounting for the different actors within a food supply chain. The study extends the focus of sustainable packaging design to the collective of all supply chain actors. Decision criteria are identified via a literature review, and current product‐package alternatives are collected via interviews. With the inputs of these criteria and the alternative designs, a multi‐criteria decision‐making problem is formulated and solved using Best Worst Method (BWM). BWM finds the weights of the criteria. Using these weights, the ranking of the alternatives is found. The implementation of the analysis took place for three selected products of the Kraft Heinz Company. Data on the preferences of the supply chain members of these selected products were collected, and the optimal package designs were selected. It is shown through sensitivity analysis that modifying the weights that decision makers assign to the preferences of the supply chain members and the importance of the dimensions of sustainability have an effect on the selection of the optimal design.
A pilot study and case reports on endometrial microbiota and pregnancy outcome: An analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing among IVF patients, and trial therapeutic intervention for dysbiotic endometrium
Authors: Kyono Koichi , Hashimoto Tomoko , Kikuchi Suguru , Nagai Yoko , Sakuraba Yoshiyuki
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The present study aimed to analyze the pregnancy outcomes of IVF patients presenting Lactobacillus‐dominated microbiota (LDM) or non‐Lactobacillus‐dominated microbiota (NLDM) of their endometrium and to report cases who were treated for NLDM concurrently with antibiotics and prebiotic/probiotic supplements in a Japanese infertile population.

Methods

Ninety‐two IVF patients were recruited from August 2017 to March 2018. Endometrial fluid samples for sequencing were collected using an IUI catheter. The bacterial status of the endometrium and the pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. For cases with NLDM, antibiotics and prebiotics/probiotics were administered according to their individual microbial conditions.

Results

Forty‐seven cases (51.1%) presented LDM and 45 cases (48.9%) presented NLDM at initial analysis. Nine Patients with NLDM were treated by antibiotics and prebiotics/probiotics, and successfully became Lactobacillus‐dominant. Pregnancy rates by single vitrified‐warmed blastocyst transfers were higher in the LDM group (58.9% per patient and 36.3% per FBT) than in the NLDM group (47.2% per patient and 34.7% per FBT) but not significantly different.

Conclusion

The results of this study could not necessarily prove the clear benefit of establishing Lactobacillus‐dominated endometrium in terms of pregnancy outcome, but there is significance in searching for endometrial microbial status of infertile patients and recovering Lactobacillus‐dominated endometrium might benefit implantation.
Distributed finite‐time containment control for multiple Euler‐Lagrange systems with communication delays
Authors: Chen Liangliang , Li Chuanjiang , Sun Yanchao , Ma Guangfu
Published: October 2018

In this paper, distributed finite‐time containment control for multiple Euler‐Lagrange systems with communication delays and general disturbances is investigated under directed topology by using sliding‐mode control technique. We consider that the information of dynamic leaders can be obtained by only a portion of the followers. Firstly, a nonsingular fast terminal sliding surface is selected to achieve the finite‐time convergence for the error variables. Then, a distributed finite‐time containment control algorithm is proposed where the neural network is utilized to approximate the model uncertainties and external disturbances of the systems. Furthermore, considering that error constraint method can improve the performance of the systems, a distributed finite‐time containment control algorithm is developed by transforming the error variable into another form. It is demonstrated that the containment errors are bounded in finite time by using Lyapunov theory, graph theory, and finite‐time stability theory. Numerical simulations are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Nano Graphene Shell for Silicon Nanoparticles: A Novel Strategy for a High Stability Rechargeable Battery Anode
Authors: Ramachandran Aswathi , Sarojiniamma Sujatha , Varatharajan Prabhu , Appusamy Ilangovan Sinthai , Yesodha Sandhya Karunakaran
Published: October 2018

Many strategies have been adapted to improve the stability of silicon (Si) based anodes, one of the widely studied methods is to make Si‐graphene (Si−Gr) materials, all have adapted the sandwiched structure of Si−Gr or Si‐graphene oxide (Si‐GO) where Si nanoparticles (NP) are sandwiched between Gr based materials. Herein, we report a simple strategy to achieve Si−Gr based anode with a different structure than that of the intercalated structure, which is expected to provide better stability to the Si−Gr based anode, i. e. a core‐shell structure. This core‐shell structure based on a Si‐nanographene oxide (Si‐nGO) delivers an initial reversible specific capacity of ∼2000 mAhg−1 and stability of ≥ 250 cycles with 80% capacity retention at an active material (AM) AM mass loading of 1.5 mg cm−2, and at ∼2.0 mg cm−2, ∼160 cycles stability was achieved, which is one of the best reported values, meanwhile, intercalated Si‐graphene oxide (Si‐GO) exhibited only < 50 cycles stability at ∼2.0 mg cm−2 mass loading. Higher current rate performance of Si‐nGO was ∼70% retention of the initial capacity at 5 C, whereas Si‐GO retention was < 25% at 5 C. Thus a change in the structure of Si−Gr based anode has improved the stability remarkably and shows that it is a promising strategy towards achieving electrode material for advanced lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs).
Advances in Electrocatalytic N2 Reduction—Strategies to Tackle the Selectivity Challenge
Authors: Chen Gao‐Feng , Ren Shiyu , Zhang Lili , Cheng Hui , Luo Yaru , Zhu Kehan , Ding Liang‐Xin , Wang Haihui
Published: October 2018

The industrial process used to reduce N2 to NH3, typically the Haber–Bosch process, is energy‐intensive and highly dependent on fossil fuels, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions causing undesirable climate change. Electrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 using renewable energy is one attractive approach to address this problem. A major challenge for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is low catalytic activity, accompanied by ultralow selectivity. Current studies have made some breakthroughs in Faradaic efficiency, with reasonable current density, while remaining far from satisfying the needs of commercial applications. This review discusses current strategies, focusing on the perspectives of catalyst design, cell configuration, electrolyte choice, etc., to tackle the selectivity challenge. In addition, rigorous control experiments to eliminate possible ammonia contamination and standard ammonia detection methods to ensure data accuracy are proposed, providing guidance for the field of NRR studies.
High‐frequency aerial surveys inform the seasonal distribution of Cook Inlet beluga whales
Authors: Wolf Nathan , Harris Bradley P. , Richárd Natalie , Sethi Suresh A. , Lomac‐Macnair Kate , Parker Lisa
Published: October 2018

Management options to mitigate potential effects from the overlap of anthropogenic and marine mammal activities require understanding of species’ habitat use and movement patterns. We analyzed high temporal frequency industrial marine mammal monitoring program aerial surveys conducted over a protracted period from April to October of 2013 and 2014 to examine beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) ecology in the Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA. Our objectives were to characterize the spatiotemporal whale distributions, determine the utility of these patterns to inform management practices, and assess industrial survey data as a supplement to agency population monitoring programs. Cook Inlet beluga whale densities peaked in late June to early July, with some activity observed in all survey months. Consistent trends in spatial persistence were identified and found to be associated with the seasonal sequence of prey field distributions including eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), and gadids (Gadidae spp.). Seasonal beluga whale distributions were stable across both study years, indicating hotspots of habitat use with predictable seasonal timing. The regular temporal and spatial distribution of beluga whale activity suggests potential to inform management efforts to mitigate disturbance of whales from anthropogenic activities in the Inlet. We found high‐frequency surveys conducted as part of industrial marine mammal monitoring programs provided a useful additional data source for population monitoring; however, improvements in survey design and efforts to control for observer detection biases may further increase the utility of these surveys to complement ongoing standardized scientific surveys. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
A conformal collider for holographic CFTs
Authors: Afkhami-Jeddi Nima , Kundu Sandipan , Tajdini Amirhossein
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We develop a formalism to study the implications of causality on OPE coefficients in conformal field theories with large central charge and a sparse spectrum of higher spin operators. The formalism has the interpretation of a new conformal collider-type experiment for these class of CFTs and hence it has the advantage of requiring knowledge only about CFT three-point functions. This is accomplished by considering the holographic null energy operator which was introduced in [1] as a generalization of the averaged null energy operator. Analyticity properties of correlators in the Regge limit imply that the holographic null energy operator is a positive operator in a subspace of the total CFT Hilbert space. Utilizing this positivity condition, we derive bounds on three-point functions 〈TO
1
O
2〉 of the stress tensor with various operators for CFTs with large central charge and a sparse spectrum. After imposing these constraints, we also find that the operator product expansions of all primary operators in the Regge limit have certain universal properties. All of these results are consistent with the expectation that CFTs in this class, irrespective of their microscopic details, admit universal gravity-like holographic dual descriptions. Furthermore, this connection enables us to constrain various inflationary observables such as the amplitude of chiral gravity waves, non-gaussanity of gravity waves and tensor-to-scalar ratio.
The St. Petersburg paradox despite risk-seeking preferences: an experimental study
Authors: Cox James C. , Kroll Eike B. , Lichters Marcel , Sadiraj Vjollca , Vogt Bodo
Published: October 2018

The St. Petersburg paradox is one of the oldest challenges of expected value theory. Thus far, explanations of the paradox aim at small probabilities being perceived as zero and the boundedness of utility of the outcome. This paper provides experimental results showing that neither diminishing marginal utility of the outcome nor perception of small probabilities can explain the paradox. We find that even in situations where subjects are risk-seeking, and zeroing-out small probabilities supports risk-taking, the St. Petersburg paradox exists. This indicates that the paradox cannot be resolved by the arguments advanced to date.
Narrating Loss, Anxiety and Hope: Immigrant Youth's Narratives of Belonging and Citizenship
Authors: Subedi Binaya
Published: October 2018

The article offers insights into the cultural, historical and political discourses that shape displaced Bhutanese-Nepali youth's reading of what citizenship is and what citizenship can be. The article argues for the need to recognize how displaced communities desire to reclaim legal and cultural citizenship in response to the oppressions they have encountered. The article explores the politics that have produced refugee subjects and how displaced communities interpret the meaning of citizenship in response to the anti-immigrant and anti-refugee climate in the United States (and in the world). The research similarly documents how citizenship narratives can speak of anxiety and loss that communities have experienced and how youth resist interpretations of citizenship that privilege national affiliations. The research advocates that social studies researchers engage with how displaced communities conceptualize citizenship in relation to their experiences and histories of displacement. The article also calls for the need to recognize how transnational and cultural aspect of citizenship shapes marginalized people's everyday experiences.
Nano Sun sets up Singapore's first 3D-printing plant for water filtration membranes
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: October 2018

Nano Sun Pte Ltd, a water technology start-up founded by a scientist from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU), has established a 3D-printing facility to manufacture a new type of membrane for water treatment. This article briefly looks at this next-generation membrane technology and the potential benefits it offers.
Vegetative Community Response to Landscape-Scale Post-fire Herbicide (Imazapic) Application
Authors: Applestein Cara , Germino Matthew J. , Fisk Matthew R.
Published: October 2018

Disturbances such as wildfire create time-sensitive windows of opportunity for invasive plant treatment, and the timing of herbicide application relative to the time course of plant community development following fire can strongly influence herbicide effectiveness. We evaluated the effect of herbicide (imazapic) applied in the first winter or second fall after the 113,000 ha Soda wildfire on the target exotic annual grasses and also key non-target components of the plant community. We measured responses of exotic and native species cover, species diversity, and occurrence frequency of shrubs and forbs seeded before (1 to 2 or 9 to 10 mo) herbicide application. Additionally, we asked whether landscape factors, including topography, species richness, and/or soil characteristics, influenced the effectiveness of imazapic. Cover of exotic annual grass cover, but not of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass, was less where imazapic had been applied, whereas more variability was evident in the response of Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secundaJ. Presl) and seeded shrubs and forbs. Regression-tree analysis of the subset of plots measured both before and after the second fall application revealed greater reductions of exotic annual grass cover in places where their cover was <42% before spraying. Otherwise, imazapic effects did not vary with the landscape factors we analyzed.
The spatial structure of the logarithmic region in very-high-Reynolds-number rough wall turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Heisel Michael , Dasari Teja , Liu Yun , Hong Jiarong , Coletti Filippo , Guala Michele
Published: October 2018

Using super-large-scale particle image velocimetry (SLPIV), we investigate the spatial structure of the near-wall region in the fully rough atmospheric surface layer with Reynolds number$Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}\sim O(10^{6})$. The field site consists of relatively flat, snow-covered farmland, allowing for the development of a fully rough turbulent boundary layer under near-neutral thermal stability conditions. The imaging field of view extends from 3 m to 19 m above the ground and captures the top of the roughness sublayer and the bottom of an extensive logarithmic region. The SLPIV technique uses natural snowfall as seeding particles for the flow imaging. We demonstrate that SLPIV provides reliable measurements of first- and second-order velocity statistics in the streamwise and wall-normal directions. Our results in the logarithmic region show that the structural features identified in laboratory studies are similarly present in the atmosphere. Using instantaneous vector fields and two-point correlation analysis, we identify vortex structures sharing the signature of hairpin vortex packets. We also evaluate the zonal structure of the boundary layer by tracking uniform momentum zones (UMZs) and the shear interfaces between UMZs in space and time. Statistics of the UMZs and shear interfaces reveal the role of the zonal structure in determining the mean and variance profiles. The velocity difference across the shear interfaces scales with the friction velocity, in agreement with previous studies, and the size of the UMZs scales with wall-normal distance, in agreement with the attached eddy framework.
Experimental investigation of turbulent suspensions of spherical particles in a square duct
Authors: Zade Sagar , Costa Pedro , Fornari Walter , Lundell Fredrik , Brandt Luca
Published: October 2018

We report experimental observations of turbulent flow with spherical particles in a square duct. Three particle sizes, namely$2H/d_{p}=40$, 16 and 9 ($2H$being the duct full height and$d_{p}$being the particle diameter), are investigated. The particles are nearly neutrally buoyant with a density ratio of 1.0035 and 1.01 with respect to the suspending fluid. Refractive index matched–particle image velocimetry (RIM–PIV) is used for fluid velocity measurement even at the highest particle volume fraction (20 %) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) for the particle velocity statistics for the flows seeded with particles of the two largest sizes, whereas only pressure measurements are reported for the smallest particles. Settling effects are seen at the lowest bulk Reynolds number$Re_{2H}\approx$10 000, whereas, at the highest$Re_{2H}\approx 27\,000$, particles are in almost full suspension. The friction factor of the suspensions is found to be significantly larger than that of single-phase duct flow at the lower$Re_{2H}$investigated; however, the difference decreases when increasing the flow rate and the total drag approaches the values of the single-phase flow at the higher Reynolds number considered,$Re_{2H}=27\,000$. The pressure drop is found to decrease with the particle diameter for volume fractions lower than$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=10\,\%$for nearly all$Re_{2H}$investigated. However, at the highest volume fraction$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=20\,\%$, we report a peculiar non-monotonic behaviour: the pressure drop first decreases and then increases with increasing particle size. The decrease of the turbulent drag with particle size at the lowest volume fractions is related to an attenuation of the turbulence. The drag increase for the two largest particle sizes at$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=20\,\%$, however, occurs despite this large reduction of the turbulent stresses, and it is therefore due to significant particle-induced stresses. At the lowest Reynolds number, the particles reside mostly in the bottom half of the duct, where the mean velocity significantly decreases; the flow is similar to that in a moving porous bed near the bottom wall and to turbulent duct flow with low particle concentration near the top wall.
Local Politics and the Resource Curse: Natural Resources, Interest Heterogeneity and Protest in Bolivia
Authors: Flesken Anaïd , Kuhn Annegret
Published: October 2018

Studies of public contentious action in response to mineral resource extraction have rarely employed quantitative methods. In a highly disaggregated statistical analysis we examine local protest dynamics in Bolivia and argue for a political conditioning of the so-called resource curse. We find that mineral gas resources spark disputes over both extraction and rent redistribution at the local level, and that this relationship is especially pronounced where the population has highly heterogenous political values and interests. In contrast, where the population is relatively united in their political views, significantly fewer protests occur.
Chitooligosaccharides enhance cold tolerance by repairing photodamaged PS II in rice
Authors: Zhou Jiachun , Chen Qiao , Zhang Yang , Fan Liqiang , Qin Zhen , Chen Qiming , Qiu Yongjun , Jiang Lihua , Zhao Liming
Published: October 2018

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) are multi-functional foods and nutrients and environmentally friendly biological abiotic-resistance inducing agents for plants. In the current study, the effects and possible mechanisms of COS on improving the cold resistance of rice (II YOU 1259) seedlings were investigated. Compared with the control, a COS pre-soaking treatment enhanced photosynthesis, reduced oxidation damage and led to accumulation of more osmotic regulation substances under chilling treatment. In addition, a novel Deg/HtrA family serine endopeptidase (DegQ) gene, related to COS enhanced rice cold resistance, was identified. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that transcription ofDegQandpsbA(D1 protein encoding gene) were up-regulated in a time-dependent manner by COS treatment under cold stress. With increasing expression of the D1 protein, chlorophyllbcontent was enhanced correspondingly. The current results suggest that COS could enhance cold stress tolerance of rice by repairing the photodamaged photosystem II, altering osmotic regulation and reducing oxidation damage.
Afrikaans
Authors: Wissing Daan P.
Published: October 2018

Of the official languages of South Africa, Afrikaans has the widest geographical, demographic and racial distribution (Webb 2003). According to the latest South African census of 2011 (StatsSA 2012), Afrikaans as first language is spoken by 13.5% of the country's inhabitants, only surpassed in numbers by Zulu (22.7%) and Xhosa (16%). In neighbouring Namibia, 10.4% of the population has Afrikaans as their first language. A noteworthy number of recent emigrants to United Kingdom, Australia, Europe and North America are likely to be Afrikaans speakers as well.1 A handful of elderly persons in Patagonia still speak Afrikaans; they are descendants of some 600 Afrikaans speakers who settled in Patagonia at the beginning of the 20th century (Du Toit 1995, Coetzee et al. 2018).
Mitochondrial D-loop DNA analyses of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) reveals genetic isolation between Atlantic and East Mediterranean populations
Authors: Gallagher Jeanne , Finarelli John A. , Jonasson Jónas P. , Carlsson Jens
Published: October 2018

Nephrops norvegicusis a commercially valuable demersal fisheries species. Relatively little is understood about this species’ population dynamics across its distribution with previous mitochondrial and microsatellite studies failing to identify significant population-level differentiation. In this study, sequence variation in the mitochondrial (mtDNA) D-loop was analysed from samples across the distribution range, and compared with COI sequences for this species retrieved from GenBank. Analysis of a 375 bp fragment of the D-loop revealed significant genetic differentiation between samples from the North-east Atlantic and the east Mediterranean (FST= 0.107,P< 0.001). Tau (τ), theta (θ0and θ1) and Fu'sFSvalues suggest the species spread between 10,500 to 19,000 ybp and subsequently expanded rapidly across the Atlantic.
‘Do not examine, but believe?’: a classicist's perspective on Teresa Morgan'sRoman Faith and Christian Faith
Authors: DRIEDIGER-MURPHY LINDSAY G.
Published: October 2018

This article offers a classicist's perspective on Teresa Morgan's bookRoman Faith and Christian Faith.
How much do visual cues help listeners in perceiving accented speech?
Authors: ZHENG YI , SAMUEL ARTHUR G.
Published: October 2018

It has been documented that lipreading facilitates the understanding of difficult speech, such as noisy speech and time-compressed speech. However, relatively little work has addressed the role of visual information in perceiving accented speech, another type of difficult speech. In this study, we specifically focus on accented word recognition. One hundred forty-two native English speakers made lexical decision judgments on English words or nonwords produced by speakers with Mandarin Chinese accents. The stimuli were presented as either as videos that were of a relatively far speaker or as videos in which we zoomed in on the speaker’s head. Consistent with studies of degraded speech, listeners were more accurate at recognizing accented words when they saw lip movements from the closer apparent distance. The effect of apparent distance tended to be larger under nonoptimal conditions: when stimuli were nonwords than words, and when stimuli were produced by a speaker who had a relatively strong accent. However, we did not find any influence of listeners’ prior experience with Chinese accented speech, suggesting that cross-talker generalization is limited. The current study provides practical suggestions for effective communication between native and nonnative speakers: visual information is useful, and it is more useful in some circumstances than others.
New Formulae for Combined Spherical Triangles
Authors: Hsieh Tsung-Hsuan , Wang Shengzheng , Liu Wei , Zhao Jiansen
Published: October 2018

Spherical trigonometry formulae are widely adopted to solve various navigation problems. However, these formulae only express the relationships between the sides and angles of a single spherical triangle. In fact, many problems may involve different types of spherical shapes. If we can develop the different formulae for specific spherical shapes, it will help us solve these problems directly. Thus, we propose two types of formulae for combined spherical triangles. The first set are the formulae of the divided spherical triangle, and the second set are the formulae of the spherical quadrilateral. By applying the formulae of the divided spherical triangle, waypoints on a great circle track can be obtained directly without finding the initial great circle course angle in advance. By applying the formulae of the spherical quadrilateral, the astronomical vessel position can be yielded directly from two celestial bodies, and the calculation process concept is easier to comprehend. The formulae we propose can not only be directly used to solve corresponding problems, but also expand the spherical trigonometry research field.
On constructing 2-3 trees
Authors: HINZE RALF
Published: October 2018

We consider the task of constructing 2-3 trees. Given a sequence of elements we seek to build a 2-3 tree–in linear time–that contains the elements in symmetric order. We discuss three approaches: top-down, bottom-up, and incremental. The incremental approach is more flexible than the other two in that it allows us to interleave the construction work with other operations, for example, queries.
The Ploutonion of Hierapolis in light of recent research (2013-17)
Authors: D'Andria Francesco
Published: October 2018

The Ploutonion of Hierapolis (Phrygia) is mentioned in numerous Greek and Latin literary sources, which stress its distinctive natural features and the rites that were performed there. From the 19th c. onwards, this sanctuary was the object of investigations and hypotheses on the part of various scholars regarding its exact location, without however reaching a satisfactory solution to the problem. The famous place of worship was finally identified thanks to a large-scale topographic survey of the entire settlement and the surrounding area, undertaken by the Italian Archaeological Mission (hereafter MAIER) as part of the creation of the Atlas (Atlante) of Hierapolis. Specifically, in the area south of the Sanctuary of Apollo, as a result of these investigations various masonry structures belonging to monu-mental buildings were discovered. Also found in the area were sculpted marble capitals with lions attacking bulls and Ionic capitals with masks, which had clearly been brought from the Stoa-basilica, built in the Antonine period along the E side of the North Agora.
The Indirizzo Roman baths at Catania
Authors: Liuzzo Mariangela , Margani Giuseppe , Wilson R. J. A.
Published: October 2018

The Terme dell’Indirizzo (to give them their Italian name) stand near the centre of modern Catania (access today is from Piazza Currò) on Sicily's E coast (fig. 1). They are not a new discovery: the ancient structure remains as a standing building. It is not just the best-preserved Roman bath-building in Sicily; it is among the best-preserved examples of its type anywhere in the empire, the original roofs of nearly every surviving room being, remarkably, intact. Despite this, the structure is little known, mainly because it has been publicly accessible only on sporadic occasions. Our purpose is to make the baths better known by presenting a modern survey of the standing structure, with new information above all on the building's geometry and construction techniques, and by setting it in the context of bath-buildings in Sicily and the wider empire.
Designing the cavea of the theatre at Stobi
Authors: Pavlovski Goce
Published: October 2018

The long history of excavation of the theatre at Stobi has yielded much information about the chronology, construction and usage of the building, as well as about post-theatre occupation of the area. Archaeological investigations in the 1970s and new excavations which began in 2009 have shown that construction of the theatre was initiated at the end of the 1st c. A.D. on the model of a western Roman theatre, as a building with a semicircular cavea and a scene building with an indented scaenae frons similar to the Augusta Emerita (Mérida) type. Construction was then interrupted for a certain period for unknown reasons. In the first half of the 2nd c. A.D. it was finished according to a different concept, one that resembled the Roman theatres of Asia Minor. In its final appearance the building included a cavea that exceeds a semicircle, a high podium around the orchestra, open parodoi, and a rectilinear scaenae frons (figs. 1-2); in its final form it incorporated the cavea from the first phase, whereas the scene building was completely remodeled.
Belt types, identity and social status in late antiquity: the belt set in Emona's grave 18
Authors: Tomažinčič Špela
Published: October 2018

Over the past decade, a number of rescue excavations along Slovenska street in Ljubljana have contributed to knowledge of the funerary landscape of Colonia Iulia Emona's N cemetery (fig. 1), one of its three burial grounds. Slovenska street roughly follows the line of the Roman cardo maximus, heading north towards Celeia. In front of the city gates, the ancient road was lined by grave monuments on both sides, a practice which continued throughout the life of the colony for almost 400 years. Since the first discovery of a burial in 1635, over 3,000 burials have been unearthed in Emona's N cemetery.

The grave under discussion here lies in the central part of the N cemetery, c.60 m west of the Roman road. Excavations (50 m2) were prompted in 2011 by the construction of underground waste-containers. They revealed a further 20 inhumation graves, including some with associated grave goods and coins dating to after A.D. 285, with most dating to the second half of the 4th c. Among them, grave 18 stands out for the quantity and significance of its grave goods (fig. 2). The grave pit (1.90 x 0.50 m, 0.25 m deep) was sub-rectangular, with vertical sides and a flat base. Pebbles were arranged to form an irregularly-shaped ‘wreath’ around the lower part of the skeleton. The poorly-preserved skeletal remains, oriented SSW–NNE, had been cut by a modern water pipe, leaving only the skull and fractured leg bones at either end.
Directing the faithful, structuring the sacred space: funerary epigraphy in its archaeological context in late-antique Tipasa
Authors: Ardeleanu Stefan
Published: October 2018

In 1972, an inscribed mensa mosaic was found in a late 4th-c. burial ground (‘Matarès necropolis’) outside the Algerian town of Tipasa. The text mentions the convivium, a meal celebrated here in pax et concordia (see no. 49 in the Appendix, where all the inscriptions are listed; fig. 1 in colour on p. 483). What makes this inscription so valuable is the fact that its archaeological context was still intact. A water basin southwest of the mensa and a channel linking both structures were quickly interpreted by scholars as proof of the well-attested refrigerium, a commemorative meal that was practiced periodically at tombs. The inscription from Tipasa is the only example which names this rite in situ, and the vivid marine mosaic — especially when flooded or ‘refreshed’ — supports the notion of a rich meal in an allusive manner. A similar example from the same cemetery (no. 51) shows the direct integration of an epitaph into such rites. There is no doubt that these installations reflect the rite of dining with the dead.
Atretic anomalous left subclavian artery as part of an unusual vascular ring
Authors: Powell Shannon K. , Patel Jyoti K. , Ebenroth Eric S.
Published: October 2018

In this report, a unique case of a symptomatic vascular ring formed by right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery, and left ligamentum arteriosus in which there is atresia of the proximal left subclavian artery is described. Imaging modalities were non-diagnostic and the patient was sent to surgery based on strong clinical suspicion. Her anatomy was delineated in the operating room and the ring was successfully repaired.
Does the WTO Government Procurement Agreement Deliver What It Promises?
Authors: ONUR TAŞ BEDRI KAMIL , DAWAR KAMALA , HOLMES PETER , TOGAN SÜBIDEY
Published: October 2018

We examine the impact of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) on government procurement practices in the European Union (EU). We analyse empirically whether the WTO GPA is effective in promoting non-discriminatory, open, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective government procurement. To study this question, we use a unique data set recently released by the EU, covering more than three million tenders conducted in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Macedonia during the years 2006–2016. We find that the WTO GPA promotes competition by increasing the probability of awarding a contract to a foreign firm. In addition, the WTO GPA significantly lowers corruption risk by decreasing the number of contracts with single bidders, and by decreasing total number of wins by a single firm. Finally, the WTO GPA fosters cost-effective public procurement by lowering the probability that the procurement price is higher than estimated cost.
TF-CBT and EMDR for young people with trauma and first episode psychosis (using a phasic treatment approach): two early intervention service case studies
Authors: Ward-Brown Joanna , Keane David , Bhutani Gita , Malkin Debbie , Sellwood Bill , Varese Filippo
Published: October 2018

The relationship between trauma and psychosis is well established with a large amount of overlap between the ICD/DSM (International Classification of Diseases/Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis and/or schizophrenia. In spite of co-morbidity and evidence of the links and underlying mechanisms, trauma is rarely a focus of intervention in psychosis. Psychosis has often been on the list of exclusion criteria for PTSD research studies. There is a lack of literature on the impact of trauma work with people experiencing psychosis. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2014) suggests that Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service users should be assessed for PTSD, and PTSD guidelines (NICE, 2005) followed for those who show signs of post-traumatic stress. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches for people with PTSD and co-morbid psychosis. These case studies aim to provide initial evidence of how two EIP clients experienced and responded to NICE-recommended psychological therapy for trauma. This study aims to test the feasibility of trauma work delivered via a phasic approach in a novel population. Two EIP clients received psychological therapy [including trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)] for identified traumatic experiences. Assessment outcome measures were utilized to establish the effectiveness of the interventions. Both clients reported significant improvements following therapy, including reduced trauma-related distress, reduced distress from symptoms of psychosis and improved quality of life. Clients with co-morbid PTSD and symptoms of psychosis are likely to benefit from recommended psychological treatments for PTSD. Further research is required to address generalizability to a larger population.
Quiet Daytime Arctic Ionospheric D Region
Authors: Thomson Neil R. , Clilverd Mark A. , Rodger Craig J.
Published: October 2018

Phase and amplitude measurements of VLF radio waves propagating subionospherically on long paths across the Arctic are used to determine the high latitude, daytime D region height, and sharpness of the bottom edge of the Earth's ionosphere. The principal path used is from the 23.4‐kHz transmitter, DHO, in north Germany, northward across the Arctic passing ~2° from the North Pole, and then southward to Nome, Alaska, thus avoiding most land and all thick ice. Significant observational support is obtained from the also nearly all‐sea path from JXN in Norway (~67°N, 16.4 kHz) across the North Pole to Nome. By suitably comparing measurements with modeling using the U.S. Navy code LWPC, the daytime D region (Wait) height and sharpness parameters in the Arctic are found to be H′ = 73.7 ± 0.7 km and β = 0.32 ± 0.02 km−1 in the summer of 2013, that is, at (weak) solar maximum. It is also found that, unlike at lower latitudes, very low frequency phase and amplitude recordings on (~1,000 km) paths at high subarctic latitudes show very little change with solar zenith angle in both phase and amplitude during daytime for solar zenith angles <~80°. It is concluded that, at high latitudes, the daytime lower D region is dominated by nonsolar ionizing sources in particular by energetic particle precipitation (>~300 keV for electrons) with a contribution from galactic cosmic rays, rather than by solar Lyman α which dominates at low and middle latitudes.
Wind Limits on Rain Layers and Diurnal Warm Layers
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth J. , Moum James N. , Fairall Christopher W. , Rutledge Steven A.
Published: October 2018

Stratification of the upper few meters of the ocean limits the penetration depth of wind mixing and the vertical distribution of atmospheric fluxes. Significant density stratification at depths ≤ 5 m was observed in 38% of a 2‐month data set from the central Indian Ocean collected during the DYNAMO experiment (Dynamics of the MJO, Madden‐Julian Oscillation). Diurnal warm layers (DWLs) formed by solar heating populated 30% of the data set and rain layers (RLs) populated 16%. Combined contributions from rain and insolation formed RL‐DWLs in 9% of the data set. RLs were detected at values of U10 up to 9.8 m s−1, while DWLs were only detected at U10 < 7.6 m s−1 (99th percentile values), symptomatic of the greater buoyancy flux provided by moderate to high rain rate compared to insolation. From the ocean friction velocity, u*w, and surface buoyancy flux, B, we derived estimates of
, stable layer depth, and
, the maximum U10 for which stratification should persist at
for fixed B. These estimates predicted (1) 36 out of 44 observed stratification events (88% success rate) and (2) the wind limits of these events, which are considered to be the 99th percentile values of U10). This suggests a means to determine the presence of ocean stable layers at depths ≤ 5 m from U10 and B. Near‐surface stratification varied throughout two Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) cycles. In suppressed MJO periods, (U10 ≤ 8 m s−1 with strong insolation), RLs and RL‐DWLs were rare while DWLs occurred daily. During disturbed and active MJO periods, (U10 ≤ 8 m s−1 with increased rain and cloudiness), multiple RLs and RL‐DWLs formed per day and DWLs became less common. When westerly wind bursts occurred, (U10 = 7–17 m s−1 with steady rain), RLs formed infrequently and DWLs were not detected.