bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of four calcium‐based amendments on soil aggregate stability of two sandy topsoils
Authors: Vargas Gabriela , Verdejo José , Rivera Adrian , Suárez Domingo , Youlton Cristian , Celis-Diez Juan L. , Le Bissonnais Yves , Dovletyarova Elvira A. , Neaman Alexander
Published: December 2018

The structural stability of soil is a physical characteristic that affects soil degradation processes. Calcium‐based amendments, such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and calcium oxide/hydroxide, have been shown to improve the stability of soil aggregates. This study seeks to determine which calcium‐based soil amendments, and at what concentration, are the most efficient in improving aggregate stability of sandy topsoils derived from granitic and metamorphic parent materials, and to analyze the mechanisms involved. In the pot experiment, soils amended with CaCO3, CaCl2, and CaSO4 did not present significant differences in aggregate stability compared to the control or among each other. In contrast, Ca(OH)2 soil amendment brought the greatest stability to the soil aggregates. A dose of 1% Ca(OH)2 significantly increased the stability of soil aggregates. This effect is due to the reaction of Ca(OH)2 with atmospheric CO2 which leads to the formation of CaCO3, a delayed reaction not showed by the other soil amendments tested. Likewise, the greater solubility of Ca(OH)2 compared to CaCO3 exerts a greater aggregation effect on soil. Thus, the mechanism of action of Ca(OH)2 is related to cementation, rather than flocculation. Future studies should be carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of Ca(OH)2 under field conditions.
Aggregation Behavior of Task‐Specific Acidic Ionic Liquid N‐Methyl‐2‐Pyrrolidinium Dihydrogen Phosphate [NMP][H2PO4] in Aqueous and Aqueous Salt Solutions
Authors: Pal Amalendu , Saini Mohit
Published: December 2018

The effect of alkali salt (NaCl, NaBr, and KCl) addition on aggregate formation of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinium dihydrogen phosphate [NMP][H2PO4] ionic liquid in aqueous solution was determined using surface tension at 298.15K and conductance from 288.15 to 308.15K. The surface parameters such as critical aggregation concentration (CAC), adsorption efficiency, surface pressure, surface tension at CAC, minimum surface cover by a single molecule, and maximum area excess concentration were calculated from surface tension measurements with and without salts. The results show that [NMP][H2PO4] forms aggregates at lower concentrations and is more surface active than classical cationic surfactants.
Tubule Nanoclay‐Organic Heterostructures for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Liu Mingxian , Fakhrullin Rawil , Novikov Andrei , Panchal Abhishek , Lvov Yuri
Published: December 2018

Natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) show unique hollow structure, high aspect ratio and adsorption ability, good biocompatibility, and low toxicity, which allow for various biomedical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Here, advances in self‐assembly of halloysite for cell capturing and bacterial proliferation, coating on biological surfaces and related drug delivery, bone regeneration, bioscaffolds, and cell labeling are summarized. The in vivo toxicity of these clay nanotubes is discussed. Halloysite allows for 10–20% drug loading and can extend the delivery time to 10–100 h. These drug‐loaded nanotubes are doped into the polymer scaffolds to release the loaded drugs. The rough surfaces fabricated by self‐assembly of the clay nanotubes enhance the interactions with tumor cells, and the cell capture efficacy is significantly improved. Since halloysite has no toxicity toward microorganisms, the bacteria composed within these nanotubes can be explored in oil/water emulsion for petroleum spilling bioremediation. Coating of living cells with halloysite can control the cell growth and is not harmful to their viability. Quantum dots immobilized on halloysite were employed for cell labeling and imaging. The concluding academic results combined with the abundant availability of these natural nanotubes promise halloysite applications in personal healthcare and environmental remediation.
Twisted Orlicz algebras, II
Authors: Öztop Serap , Samei Ebrahim
Published: December 2018

Let G be a locally compact group, let be a 2‐cocycle, and let () be a complementary pair of strictly increasing continuous Young functions. We continue our investigation in [14] of the algebraic properties of the Orlicz space with respect to the twisted convolution ⊛ coming from Ω. We show that the twisted Orlicz algebra posses a bounded approximate identity if and only if it is unital if and only if G is discrete. On the other hand, under suitable condition on Ω, becomes an Arens regular, dual Banach algebra. We also look into certain cohomological properties of , namely amenability and Connes‐amenability, and show that they rarely happen. We apply our methods to compactly generated group of polynomial growth and demonstrate that our results could be applied to variety of cases.
One‐Step Preparation of Tough and Self‐Healing Polyion Complex Hydrogels with Tunable Swelling Behaviors
Authors: Du Qian , Tang Quan , Yang Kaixiang , Yang Haiyang , Xu Chao , Zhang Xingyuan
Published: December 2018

Polyion complex (PIC) hydrogels formed by charge attraction of opposite charged polymers have received unique research interest. Their conventional preparation method, with a large amount of residual salt after polymerization, requires a long‐term dialysis treatment to remove the salt and toughen the gel. Here, a promising strategy for the one‐step preparation of tough PIC hydrogels without dialysis after polymerization is provided. Bicarbonate and proton ions are selected as the counter ions of the cationic monomer and anionic polymers, respectively. By a CO2‐generating reaction between the counter ions, the residual salt is removed before polymerization, and thus, a PIC hydrogel with tough mechanical performance can be obtained instantly without dialysis. Due to the absence of dialysis, the tough hydrogel can be formed with a wide range of ratios for the oppositely charged polymer with distinct swelling behaviors from non‐swelling to super‐swelling. This tunable swelling behavior shows the possibility for shape‐morphing systems from this one‐step method.
Understandable Unified Description about Diffraction and Scattering of X‐Ray and Visible Light Beams from Soft Matters in Terms of Educational Aspects
Authors: Matsuo Masaru , Bin Yuezhen , Zhang Rong
Published: December 2018

In attempt to pursue easy understanding about 1) wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), 2) small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and 3) small angle light scattering (SALS) under polarization, teaching methods in this manuscript are focused on the concept that quantitative analysis above three phenomena are developed from a unified fundamental equation EE* (E: scattering amplitude, E*: the conjugate complex). The graduate students studying material science can understand the approach based on mathematical knowledge within undergraduate educational curriculum. This approach refers to two important points associated with the different developments. The first is the different wave lengths between X‐ray and visible light associated with different photon energy. When an incident X‐ray beam is entered in the polymer material, electrons in atoms behave as free electrons because of high photon energy. On the other hand, when visible light with low photon energy is entered, electrons of atom cause vibration on bottom of the potential box. These different electron behaviors emphasize to provide the different scattering modes of X‐ray and visible light. The second is the commentary about branching point about the mathematical treatments concerning X‐ray diffraction and scattering amplitude in spite of a unified equation represented by Equation (II‐1). This is explained in terms of focusing element scales. The diffraction and scattering in most of the textbooks have been written individually by different authors and then the descriptions have been never focused on the branching point.
One‐Step Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Bio‐Labeling Assay
Authors: Das Poushali , Bose Madhuparna , Das Amit Kumar , Banerjee Susanta , Das Narayan Chandra
Published: December 2018

Luminescent carbon dots, a newcomer in the domain of nanolights and nanomaterials have been studied extensively since past few years due to their fascinating properties of sensor design, biocompatibility, cell tracking, or fluorescence based live cell assays, medical diagnosis, photocatalysts, and also being potential building blocks for nanodevices. In this study, one‐pot green synthesis of water dispersible fluorescent carbon dots have been synthesized by using roasted gram shells. The structural and optical properties of the as‐prepared carbon dots are characterized by TEM, FTIR, UV‐vis absorption, photoluminescence spectra. The carbon dots showed greenish blue fluorescence under UV irradiation, excitation dependent emission, upconverted emission, high pH tolerance, and good biocompatibility. The carbon dots labeled Escherichia coli (E. coli) unveiled multicolor emission behavior under different excitation wavelength. These carbon dots showed their superiority with respect to commercially available synthetic dyes which have severe limitations including photobleaching effect, high cost, etc. The incorporation of carbon dots in the bacterial culture medium does not show any kind of growth delay of the bacterium up to 400 mg mL−1. The goal is to establish this carbon dots in bio‐labeling assay with its physicochemical features (small particle size, high luminescence efficiency, good biocompatibility, low toxicity) against various environments such as wide range of pH, high ionic medium. Concisely, this work bestows an innovative aspect to the commercialization of carbon dots as a potent alternative to synthetic organic dyes for multicolor emitting probes for cell‐labeling gram negative bacteria E. coli.
Thermal Properties and Morphology of Compatible Poly(ethylene oxide)/Natural Rubber‐graft‐poly(methyl methacrylate) Blends
Authors: Zainal Nurul F. A. , Hein Margarethe , Abetz Volker , Ali Ab M. M. , Chan Chin H.
Published: December 2018

Free standing films of blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and natural rubber‐graft‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PEO/NR‐g‐PMMA) with 40 mol% of PMMA‐graft were prepared at different mass compositions using solution casting technique. These blends show immiscibility in the molten state as indicated by two glass transition temperatures (Tg's), which correspond relatively close to the PEO and NR‐backbone components. The assessment of Tg of the PMMA‐graft can not be made under the experimental condition (heating up to 80 °C). It is expected that the Tg of PMMA‐graft is around 100 °C. Upon cooling from the melt, PEO crystallizes and liquid‐solid phase separation takes place. At room temperature, although the blends are immiscible, results show that the amorphous phase of the blends may comprise of mixture of compatible interfacial region of PEO and PMMA‐graft. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was used for the qualitative assessment of the blend compatibility. The compatibility of PEO and PMMA‐graft was evaluated by change in heat capacity (ΔCp) of the glass transition of PEO and NR‐backbone in the blends. Furthermore, the crystallinity (X*) and melting temperature (Tm) of PEO in the blends at higher content of NR‐g‐PMMA are depressed, which support the Tg and ΔCp results. These findings are in agreement with PEO crystalline structure from WAXS analysis and morphological studies where the PEO spherulites show a significant change upon addition of NR‐g‐PMMA in the blends.
Navigating free‐floating minefields via time‐varying Voronoi graphs
Authors: Richards Christopher , Mehta Dinesh
Published: December 2018

Despite their illegality, untethered free‐floating naval mines are increasingly employed as part of maritime area‐denial operations. By ignoring international treaties, these mines require less effort to acquire and deploy, and result in a far more dynamic‐threat environment. In order to assist commanders during breach operation planning, we develop several algorithms that generate a minimum‐risk journey through a field of drifting mines. Using Voronoi graphs to capture a series of static snapshots of the operational area, we present a practical methodology for building a fully connected time‐varying graph . Vertices are defined as specific times and locations, and edges ℰ define the continuous movement of a ship with simple parametric equations. The length, acceleration and risk of each edge is calculated and employed by a threat‐additive A* search to quickly find a plausible, minimum‐risk journey through a given minefield within a specific time frame. Using real‐world data for a modern‐day port and minefields of variable density, we find navigable paths that incur acceptable risk in less than 2 minutes on average. We also introduce several methods for reducing the size of and the time required for its generation.
Different techniques for the assessment of geoelectrical data errors to improve the electrical images obtained at an industrial plant
Authors: Martinelli Patricia , Osella Ana , de la Vega Matias , Pinio Alejandro
Published: December 2018

The objective of this work was to characterise the bases of columns belonging to an industrial plant. We had to design a proper methodology for characterising these structures, in a place with limited available space and time for the deployment of sensors, and with other environmental constraints, such as high electromagnetic noise level, soil vibrations due to operating machines, and complex soil composition. In particular, the floor had a stainless steel cover about 1‐cm thick, below which there was first a layer of concrete about 30‐cm thick and then clay material used to absorb the oils of the machines. Finally, there was the natural soil on which the column bases stood.

Given these characteristics, we performed dipole–dipole geoelectric profiles. Holes were drilled through the metallic cover and the concrete layer, with fixed spacings, to insert the electrodes. Because of this and the space and time restrictions, only one profile could be performed for each column. Since we knew that the data could have high noise levels and other errors negatively impacting the data quality, and also because there was a limitation to the length of the profiles, we optimised the measurement configuration by jointly using several electrode apertures, to ensure the best possible resolution and sufficient penetration depth. To obtain adequate error estimations, we performed direct and reciprocal measurements. As an alternative technique, we also carried out a second set of direct measurements, after removing and reinstalling the electrodes.

Then, for each profile, we performed 2D inversions of the three datasets separately, without considering data errors. Besides, we inverted the datasets obtained by combining the first direct and the reciprocal measurements, and the first and second direct measurements, considering the two obtained error estimates. In addition, numerical simulations were made, combining direct 3D modelling with 2D inversions. To analyse the results, we took into account the knowledge we had in advance about the main characteristics of the structures.

The first conclusion obtained is that, at least for this type of structures, inverting each dataset without considering data errors provided more realistic images. However, although the best results were obtained by inverting without considering errors, it was still fundamental to have different sets of data, for evaluating the reliability of the images and for discarding possible spurious artefacts. This is especially important in environmentally complex urban sites, where errors could be particularly high. Finally, through the numerical simulations, a more rigorous interpretation could be made, and also, the effect of data errors in the quality of the images could be assessed.
Optimal control of immunosuppressants in renal transplant recipients susceptible to BKV infection
Authors: Murad Neha , Tran H.T. , Banks H.T.
Published: December 2018

Kidney transplant recipients are put on a lifelong regime of immunosuppressants to prevent the body from rejecting the allograft. Suppressing the immune system renders the body susceptible to infections. The key to a successful transplant is to ensure the immune system is sufficiently suppressed to prevent organ rejection but adequately strong to fight infections. Finding the optimal balance between over and undersuppression of the immune response is crucial in preventing allograft failure. In this paper, we design a feedback control formulation to predict the optimal amount of immunosuppression required by renal transplant recipients in the context of infections caused by BK virus. We use a receding horizon control methodology to construct the feedback control. Data, as they are currently collected, provide information for only some model states, so we use nonlinear Kalman filtering to estimate the remaining model states for feedback control. We conclude that, using the presented methodology, an individualized adaptive treatment schedule can be built for renal transplant recipients.
Proton pump inhibitor use and risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and malignant melanoma: An Icelandic population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Hálfdánarson Óskar Ö. , Fall Katja , Ogmundsdottir Margret H. , Lund Sigrún H. , Steingrímsson Eiríkur , Ogmundsdottir Helga M. , Zoega Helga
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Increased expression of Vacuolar‐type H+ ATPases (V‐ATPases), in the plasma membrane of cancer cells has been suggested to contribute to the development of aggressive cancer phenotypes by promoting acidic tumor microenvironments. Accumulating data suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may elicit a chemopreventive effect via V‐ATPase inhibition in some cancers, but evidence is still limited. Therefore, we aimed to explore a potential preventive role of PPIs in this study.

Methods

In this population‐based case‐control study, we identified incident cases of breast cancer (n = 1739), prostate cancer (n = 1897), and malignant melanoma (n = 385) in Iceland between 2005 and 2014 from the Icelandic Cancer Registry. We assessed varying levels of PPI use through record linkages to the Icelandic Medicines Registry. For each case, we selected up to 10 age‐matched, sex‐matched, and calendar‐matched population controls using risk‐set sampling. Using conditional logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) controlling for NSAID use.

Results

Adjusted ORs associated with ever use of PPIs were 1.03 (95% CI: 0.92‐1.16) for breast cancer, 1.12 (95% CI: 1.00‐1.25) for prostate cancer, and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.69‐1.12) for malignant melanoma. Analyses of high use of PPIs (≥1000 DDDs) yielded ORs of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.78‐1.19), 1.20 (0.99‐1.47), and 0.59 (0.40‐1.13) for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and malignant melanoma, respectively. Analyses of cumulative exposure to PPIs did not support a dose‐response relationship for any of the three cancer types.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support a chemopreventive effect of PPI use on breast cancer, prostate cancer, or malignant melanoma.
The influence of N2/CO2 blends on the explosion characteristics of stoichiometric methane–air mixture
Authors: Chen Daiguo , Yao Yong , Deng Yongjun
Published: December 2018

In this study, the explosion parameters of stoichiometric methane–air diluted with nitrogen (N2)/carbon dioxide (CO2) blends, that is, maximum explosion pressure (
Pmax), laminar burning velocity (
SL), and activation temperature (
Ta), were investigated in a closed cylinder vessel. The concentrations of the dilution blends were 10% and 20%. The explosion pressure history was recorded by a pressure transducer. The results indicated that the dilution effect of CO2 is more sensitive than that of N2. For a given dilution concentration, both the maximum explosion pressure and the laminar burning velocity decrease with the increase of CO2. In addition, the activation temperature is higher for increased CO2 blends, demonstrating again that the diluent influence of CO2 is more prominent. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12015, 2019
Alphasat Aldo Paraboni Payload Italian mission segment
Authors: Cornacchini Carlo , De Bernardo Domenico , Falzini Stefano , Codispoti Giuseppe , Parca Giorgia
Published: December 2018

In the framework of the ASI Q/V band program, the “Aldo Paraboni” Payload embarked on Alphasat is devoted to the exploitation and the investigation on communications at the Q/V frequency band. The operation of this experimental payload allowed to demonstrate the potential of advanced broadband satellite communications at the Q/V frequency bands and represents an important step toward the development of future High Throughput Satellite (HTS) systems. The Italian Mission Segment (IMS) represents the ground infrastructure which allows to perform communications experiments (propagation impairment mitigation techniques (PIMT)) at 40/50 GHz (Q/V band) and propagation experiments at both 20 GHz (Ka band) and 40 GHz (Q band) by operating the Aldo Paraboni Payload. The IMS was developed under the Italian Space Agency contract and developed by the Italian industry in accordance with the requirements defined for communications and propagation experiments by two principal investigators, appointed by the Italian Space Agency. The IMS consists of two transmitting/receiving ground stations and three control centers, while the space segment is represented by the Aldo Paraboni Payload, financed by Italy through the ARTES‐8 Program, developed by the European Space Agency and implemented by Italian space industries. The Aldo Paraboni Payload, also called technology demonstration payload #5 (TDP#5), has been embarked as piggyback on Alphasat satellite, an INMARSAT Commercial Telecommunication Geosynchronous satellite successfully launched on 25 July 2013, which uses the ESA‐developed Alphabus Platform and embarks other four technology demonstration payloads (TDPs). This paper presents an overview of the overall system composing the IMS, the functional architecture, main subsystems, and specific features related to the communication and propagation experiments. The ground station validation is also described, together with the description of the system test campaign, performed for functional and performance verification of the IMS. The campaign allowed to test the Q/V band communication functions and to perform the propagation experiment verification, operating the payload in loopback mode and in cross mode.
Using a monotone single‐index model to stabilize the propensity score in missing data problems and causal inference
Authors: Qin Jing , Yu Tao , Li Pengfei , Liu Hao , Chen Baojiang
Published: December 2018

The augmented inverse weighting method is one of the most popular methods for estimating the mean of the response in causal inference and missing data problems. An important component of this method is the propensity score. Popular parametric models for the propensity score include the logistic, probit, and complementary log‐log models. A common feature of these models is that the propensity score is a monotonic function of a linear combination of the explanatory variables. To avoid the need to choose a model, we model the propensity score via a semiparametric single‐index model, in which the score is an unknown monotonic nondecreasing function of the given single index. Under this new model, the augmented inverse weighting estimator (AIWE) of the mean of the response is asymptotically linear, semiparametrically efficient, and more robust than existing estimators. Moreover, we have made a surprising observation. The inverse probability weighting and AIWEs based on a correctly specified parametric model may have worse performance than their counterparts based on a nonparametric model. A heuristic explanation of this phenomenon is provided. A real‐data example is used to illustrate the proposed methods.
When does advice impact startup performance?
Authors: Chatterji Aaron , Delecourt Solène , Hasan Sharique , Koning Rembrand
Published: December 2018

Why do some entrepreneurs thrive while others fail? We explore whether the advice entrepreneurs receive about managing their employees influences their startup's performance. We conducted a randomized field experiment in India with 100 high‐growth technology firms whose founders received in‐person advice from other entrepreneurs who varied in their managerial style. We find that entrepreneurs who received advice from peers with a formal approach to managing people—instituting regular meetings, setting goals consistently, and providing frequent feedback to employees—grew 28% larger and were 10 percentage points less likely to fail than those who got advice from peers with an informal approach to managing people, 2 years after our intervention. Entrepreneurs with MBAs or accelerator experience did not respond to this intervention, suggesting that formal training can limit the spread of peer advice.
Metal–Organic Gel‐Derived FexOy/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Films for Enhanced Lithium Storage
Authors: Yang Dong‐Hui , Kong Lingjun , Zhong Ming , Zhu Jian , Bu Xian‐He
Published: December 2018

The development of cost‐effective and flexible electrodes is demanding in the field of energy storage. Herein, flexible FexOy/nitrogen‐doped carbon films (FexOy/NC‐MOG) are prepared by facile electrospinning of Fe‐based metal–organic gels (MOGs) followed by high‐temperature carbonization. This approach allows the even mixing of fragile coordination polymers with polyacrylonitrile into flexible films while reserving the structural characteristics of coordination polymers. After thermal treatment, FexOy/NC‐MOG films possess uniformly distributed FexOy nanoparticles and larger accessible surface areas than traditional FexOy‐NC films without MOG. Taking advantage of the unique structure, FexOy/NC‐MOG exhibits a superior rate performance (449.8 mA h g−1 at 5000 mA g–1) and long cycle life (629.3 mA h g–1 after 500 cycles at 1000 mA g–1) when used as additive‐free anodes in lithium‐ion batteries.
Bio‐Orthogonal T Cell Targeting Strategy for Robustly Enhancing Cytotoxicity against Tumor Cells
Authors: Li Wenjun , Pan Hong , He Huamei , Meng Xiaoqing , Ren Qian , Gong Ping , Jiang Xin , Liang Zhenguo , Liu Lanlan , Zheng Mingbin , Shao Ximing , Ma Yifan , Cai Lintao
Published: December 2018

T cells can kill tumor cells by cell surface immunological recognition, but low affinity for tumor‐associated antigens could lead to T cell off‐target effects. Herein, a universal T cell targeting strategy based on bio‐orthogonal chemistry and glycol‐metabolic engineering is introduced to enhance recognition and cytotoxicity of T cells in tumor immunotherapy. Three kinds of bicycle [6.1.0] nonyne (BCN)‐modified sugars are designed and synthesized, in which Ac4ManN‐BCN shows efficient incorporation into wide tumor cells with a BCN motif on surface glycans. Meanwhile, activated T cells are treated with Ac4GalNAz to introduce azide (N3) on the cell surface, initiating specific tumor targeting through a bio‐orthogonal click reaction between N3 and BCN. This artificial targeting strategy remarkably enhances recognition and migration of T cells to tumor cells, and increases the cytotoxicity 2 to 4 times for T cells against different kinds of tumor cells. Surprisingly, based on this strategy, the T cells even exhibit similar cytotoxicity with the chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell against Raji cells in vitro at the effector: target cell ratios (E:T) of 1:1. Such a universal bio‐orthogonal T cell‐targeting strategy might further broaden applications of T cell therapy against tumors and provide a new strategy for T cell modification.
Models of polymer physics for the architecture of the cell nucleus
Authors: Esposito Andrea , Annunziatella Carlo , Bianco Simona , Chiariello Andrea M. , Fiorillo Luca , Nicodemi Mario
Published: December 2018

The depth and complexity of data now available on chromosome 3D architecture, derived by new technologies such as Hi‐C, have triggered the development of models based on polymer physics to explain the observed patterns and the underlying molecular folding mechanisms. Here, we give an overview of some of the ideas and models from physics introduced to date, along with their progresses and limitations in the description of experimental data. In particular, we focus on the Strings&Binders and the Loop Extrusion model of chromatin architecture.

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods
Iron‐related toxicity effects of single‐walled carbon nanotubes in human placental cells (BeWo) investigated by X‐ray fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Gianoncelli Alessandra , Cammisuli Francesca , Altissimo Matteo , Salomé Murielle , Radillo Oriano , Ricci Giuseppe , Giordani Silvia , Rizzardi Clara , Pascolo Lorella
Published: December 2018

As the prospect of human beings exposed to new nanomaterials increases, there are growing concerns about the foetal exposure and effects of such nanomaterials during pregnancy. Among others, due to their ample usage, it becomes urgent to address the vulnerability of the human placental barrier to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Recently, by applying a combination of advanced synchrotron‐based X‐ray microscopy and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques, we demonstrated that raw single‐walled CNTs (SWCNTs) may cause an asbestos‐like iron‐related toxicity in mesothelial (MeT5A) cells. This work shows the results obtained with the same approach and experimental conditions in human choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells as a placental model. XRF microscopy in mild and soft X‐ray regimes was used to map the distribution of P, S, Ca, and Fe in exposed and control cells, whereas absorption and phase‐contrast imaging (soft X‐ray microscopy) provided simultaneous morphological information. The findings show that exposure to SWCNTs affects cell viability and causes a small increase in intracellular iron content, further confirmed by the stimulation of the ferritin protein. It is interesting to note that the iron changes are negligible when highly purified SWCNTs are used. In all tested conditions, including exposure to iron sulfate, the iron accumulation or ferritin increase was much lower in BeWo cells than in MeT5A ones, suggesting a different iron metabolism and possibly a lower vulnerability of the placental barrier to iron‐rich nanomaterials.
Preliminary observations of an unusual mouth interaction between beluga calves (Delphinapterus leucas)
Authors: Hill Heather M. , Dietrich Sarah , Guarino Sara , Banda Magdalena , Lacy Kristie
Published: December 2018

Although many animals, including odontocetes, exhibit interactions involving mouths (e.g., mouthing, nuzzling, biting), a limited number of animals display mouth‐to‐mouth social interactions that involve mutual coordination and collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to describe briefly a spontaneous and unexpected mouth‐to‐mouth social interaction between beluga calves in human care during their first year of life. Forty‐seven independent events were identified after event sampling from more than 345 hr of observations of four mother‐calf pairs and their companions. Unique aspects of this behavior included early emergence presumably without the benefit of a model and a preference for similar aged partners. Adult belugas did not display this social interaction. Based on its early emergence, the presence of similar‐aged partner preferences, and affiliative cooperative contexts, this unusual mouth‐to‐mouth social interaction may play a significant role in beluga social and physical development. To evaluate this possibility, additional research is needed in which the complete topography, possible functions, and potential outcomes associated with this rare but conspicuous behavior exhibited by beluga calves are assessed.
On minimal Type IIB AdS6 solutions with commuting 7-branes
Authors: Chaney Andrea , Uhlemann Christoph F.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We construct Type IIB supergravity solutions with geometry AdS
6×S
2 warped over a disc with two boundary points where 5-branes emerge and punctures with 7-brane monodromy. They describe (p, q) 5-brane junctions with two groups of like-charged external 5-branes that are unconstrained by the s-rule and an additional group of constrained 5-branes. The dual 5d SCFTs include various theories discussed previously in the literature. We match SCFT operators with scaling dimension of

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(N) with their representation in supergravity to support the proposed dualities.
Qualia: Touching the Inner Needs of Consumers' Hearts
Authors: Niu Han-Jen
Published: December 2018

The agricultural, industrial, and post-industrial service economy consumption patterns of the late 19th and 20th centuries have given way to the experience economy. Qualia addresses the inner needs of consumers’ hearts by providing them with the value of happiness and being gratified, e.g. the frenzy for Apple products. To achieve this, a relevant Consumer Qualia Scale (CQS) scale will be developed in three steps. Firstly, the literature review and five in-depth interviews of experts and content analysis were employed to generate the initial items. Secondly, three factors and eight sub-factors were extracted from the exploratory factor analysis based on 817 samples. Thirdly, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to identify the validity of the qualia scale. The results showed that the 3-factor and the 52-item qualia scale were reliable and valid. This study expands the current knowledge of brand marketing and addresses the scarcity of the qualia literature, and therefore provides new perspectives to a variety of applications made feasible by CQS, which serves as a framework for further empirical research in this field.
Assessment of the non-surgical treatment of patients with rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the oncology department
Authors: Lima Meyline Andrade , Moraes Eduardo Dias de , Saito Elisa Yumi , Barros Daniela Galvao , Malta Pamela Souza Almeida , Oliva Isabela Maria Alves de Almeida , Mendes Carlos Ramon Silveira
Published: December 2018

Objective To describe the partial results of a study in patients with rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy regarding the rate of complete clinical response, disease-free survival, anorectal function, and quality of life.

Material and methods This was a prospective study from June 2015 to June 2018, in patients with low- or mid-rectum adenocarcinoma and clinical stage II or III, treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (IMRT 54 Gy for six weeks) concomitant with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 380 mg/m2 and folinic acid (LV) 20 mg/m2 for five days in the first and fifth weeks and two cycles after radiotherapy (5-FU 400 mg/m2 and LV 20 mg/m2) every 28 days. After the treatment, clinical examination, rectosigmoidoscopy, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, chest and upper abdomen computed tomography, and CEA testing were performed. Resection surgery was performed in those with incomplete clinical response (iCR). Those with complete clinical response (cCR) are under observation (wait-and-see policy). Manometry and scintigraphic function and quality of life scales were collected before treatment and at 30 and 90 days after the end of treatment.

Results As of June 2018, 11 patients were recruited. One was excluded from the analysis for presenting severe toxicity, suggestive of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency, after the first chemotherapy cycle. All others completed the treatment. Two patients presented toxicity grade 3/4 related to chemotherapy and had their doses reduced. Seven patients (70%) presented iRC; three underwent rectosigmoidectomy, and the anatomopathological evaluation indicated complete pathological response in two cases (28.5%). Three (30%) presented cCR and did not present evidence of disease after a mean follow-up of 19 months. Patients presented improvement of anorectal function and quality of life.

Conclusions Advances in the neoadjuvant treatment of rectal tumors contributed to better rates of complete pathological responses. New paradigms promote an increase in the complete clinical response rates, which would allow organ preservation and consequent reduction of surgical morbidity.
Securing the weak spots
Authors: Baldin Andy
Published: December 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is sometimes seen as fairly nebulous term. It can range from describing a thermostat that a homeowner can operate with a phone, to sensors deployed by a city to help regulate the flow of traffic.
Protecting connected transportation networks
Authors: Stone Tim
Published: December 2018

Protecting critical infrastructure, especially in the world of transportation, has traditionally been about physical security. That means checking bags before passengers board an aircraft, scanners at airports, CCTV on trains to monitor dangerous behaviour and technologies to stop people stealing cars.
Challenges and opportunities in cyber weapon norm construction
Authors: Eggenschwiler Jacqueline , Silomon Jantje
Published: December 2018

Over the past two decades, cyber weapons have become a topic of increasing scholarly attention. The spread of offensive cyber capabilities among state and non-state actors has given rise to calls for more formal procedures concerning their acquisition, use and transfer. Despite Stuxnet being the only cyber weapon to date demonstrating destructive capability in theatre, there has been widespread unease among public and private actors.

The spread of offensive cyber capabilities among state and non-state actors has given rise to calls for more formal procedures concerning their acquisition, use and transfer.

However, even against the background of potentially far-reaching effects on civilian and economic infrastructures, consensus on how to regulate cyber weapons appears hard to come by. Jacqueline Eggenschwiler and Jantje Silomon of the University of Oxford explore the opportunities related to cyber weapons norm construction, examining the academic literature and policy documents and detailing the challenges.
The Sandby Borg Massacre: Interpersonal Violence and the Demography of the Dead
Authors: Alfsdotter Clara , Kjellström Anna
Published: December 2018

During excavations of the Iron Age ringfort of Sandby borg (ad 400–550), the remains of twenty-six unburied bodies were encountered inside and outside the buildings. The skeletons and the archaeological record indicate that after the individuals had died the ringfort was deserted. An osteological investigation and trauma analysis were conducted according to standard anthropological protocols. The osteological analysis identified only men, but individuals of all ages were represented. Eight individuals (31 per cent) showed evidence of perimortem trauma that was sharp, blunt, and penetrating, consistent with interpersonal violence. The location of the bodies and the trauma pattern appear to indicate a massacre rather than a battle. The ‘efficient trauma’ distribution (i.e. minimal but effective violence), the fact that the bodies were not manipulated, combined with the archaeological context, suggest that the perpetrators were numerous and that the assault was carried out effectively. The contemporary sociopolitical situation was seemingly turbulent and the suggested motive behind the massacre was to gain power and control.
Digit frequencies and self-affine sets with non-empty interior
Authors: BAKER SIMON
Published: December 2018

In this paper we study digit frequencies in the setting of expansions in non-integer bases, and self-affine sets with non-empty interior. Within expansions in non-integer bases we show that if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\in (1,1.787\ldots )$ then every $x\in (0,1/(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}-1))$ has a simply normal $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$-expansion. We also prove that if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\in (1,(1+\sqrt{5})/2)$ then every $x\in (0,1/(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}-1))$ has a $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$-expansion for which the digit frequency does not exist, and a $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$-expansion with limiting frequency of zeros $p$, where $p$ is any real number sufficiently close to $1/2$. For a class of planar self-affine sets we show that if the horizontal contraction lies in a certain parameter space and the vertical contractions are sufficiently close to $1$, then every non-trivial vertical fibre contains an interval. Our approach lends itself to explicit calculation and gives rise to new examples of self-affine sets with non-empty interior. One particular strength of our approach is that it allows for different rates of contraction in the vertical direction.
SECOND MOMENTS IN THE GENERALIZED GAUSS CIRCLE PROBLEM
Authors: HULSE THOMAS A. , KUAN CHAN IEONG , LOWRY-DUDA DAVID , WALKER ALEXANDER
Published: December 2018

The generalized Gauss circle problem concerns the lattice point discrepancy of large spheres. We study the Dirichlet series associated to$P_{k}(n)^{2}$, where$P_{k}(n)$is the discrepancy between the volume of the$k$-dimensional sphere of radius$\sqrt{n}$and the number of integer lattice points contained in that sphere. We prove asymptotics with improved power-saving error terms for smoothed sums, including$\sum P_{k}(n)^{2}e^{-n/X}$and the Laplace transform$\int _{0}^{\infty }P_{k}(t)^{2}e^{-t/X}\,dt$, in dimensions$k\geqslant 3$. We also obtain main terms and power-saving error terms for the sharp sums$\sum _{n\leqslant X}P_{k}(n)^{2}$, along with similar results for the sharp integral$\int _{0}^{X}P_{3}(t)^{2}\,dt$. This includes producing the first power-saving error term in mean square for the dimension-3 Gauss circle problem.
Dispersion effects on performance of free-electron laser based on laser wakefield accelerator
Authors: Feng Ke , Yu Changhai , Liu Jiansheng , Wang Wentao , Zhang Zhijun , Qi Rong , Fang Ming , Liu Jiaqi , Qin Zhiyong , Wu Ying , Chen Yu , Ke Lintong , Wang Cheng , Li Ruxin
Published: December 2018

In this study, we investigate a new simple scheme using a planar undulator (PU) together with a properly dispersed electron beam ($e$ beam) with a large energy spread (${\sim}1\%$) to enhance the free-electron laser (FEL) gain. For a dispersed $e$ beam in a PU, the resonant condition is satisfied for the center electrons, while the frequency detuning increases for the off-center electrons, inhibiting the growth of the radiation. The PU can act as a filter for selecting the electrons near the beam center to achieve the radiation. Although only the center electrons contribute, the radiation can be enhanced significantly owing to the high-peak current of the beam. Theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that this method can be used for the improvement of the radiation performance, which has great significance for short-wavelength FEL applications.
Calculation of molecular line intensity in stellar atmospheres
Authors: Barbuy B. , Trevisan J. , de Almeida A.
Published: December 2018

Molecular line intensity calculations are not a straightforward task. We present a description of the basics for including molecular lines in synthetic spectra and of the input data needed. We aim both at describing ways in which molecular lines are computed in the context of photospheres of F–G–K stars, and to present a new online available version of our code for spectrum synthesis of cool stars. We apply calculations to molecular bands in the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared main features, and comparisons with spectra of reference stars are shown. We provide user-friendly tools for the free use of the code Pfant. The code is available athttp://trevisanj.github.io/PFANT.
Late Quaternary micromammals and the precipitation history of the southern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Faith J. Tyler , Chase Brian M. , Avery D. Margaret
Published: December 2018

The southern Cape of South Africa is important to understanding regional climate because it straddles the transition between the winter and summer rainfall zones. We examine late Quaternary changes in rainfall seasonality and aridity through analysis of micromammal assemblages from three sites: Boomplaas Cave and Nelson Bay Cave in the aseasonal rainfall zone and Byneskranskop 1 in the winter rainfall zone. Our interpretation is based on analysis of 123 modern micromammal assemblages accumulated by barn owls (Tyto alba), which empirically links species composition to climate. The Pleistocene record (∼65 to 12 ka) from Boomplaas Cave, together with the last glacial maximum (LGM) samples from Nelson Bay Cave, indicates enhanced winter rainfall, especially during the LGM. Boomplaas Cave documents progressive aridification from the LGM to the earliest Holocene, followed by a return to moderately humid conditions through the Holocene. Byneskranskop 1 indicates a dominance of winter rains over the last 17 ka and a shift from an arid middle Holocene to a humid later Holocene. Agreement between the micromammal record and other local and regional proxies reinforces the potential of southern African micromammal assemblages as paleoclimate indicators.
Pepys Island as a Pacific stepping stone: the struggle to capture islands on early modern maps
Authors: PARKER KATHERINE
Published: December 2018

This paper will investigate how geographic features were recorded on maps in the eighteenth century in order to outline the construction of geographic knowledge by British mapmakers. Due to practical and economic factors, early modern cartography was a conservative practice based on source compilation and comparison. For the Pacific region especially, the paucity of first-hand observations and the conflicting nature of those observations rendered the world's largest ocean difficult to chart and prone to the retention of mythical continents, passages and islands. After a discussion of the practical and economic reasons why geographic features were difficult to revise on maps, the article focuses on a case study to show how geographic enigmas could be placed and persist. It will use Pepys Island to illustrate the ways in which a chimeric feature could become instilled in geographic parlance.
Une laïcité à géométrie variable. Les glissements idéologiques du champ politique français au début du 21èmesiècle (2002–2012)
Authors: Lindner Kolja
Published: December 2018

Le présent article propose une analyse des transformations récentes de la laïcité française, observées à partir d’un changement dans la hiérarchisation des différentes normes laïques. Après un retour sur le dispositif juridique et historique de la laïcité et sur son interprétation comme « libéralisme ambigu » (Jean-Pierre Machelon), nous mettons en lumière le rapport particulier qu’elle entretient avec l’islam. Une deuxième partie est consacrée à la période 2002-2012 et particulièrement à l’action politique de l’ancien ministre de l’Intérieur puis Président de la République Nicolas Sarkozy. Nous reconstruisons trois étapes de transformation : de la « nouvelle laïcité » à la « laïcité falsifiée » en passant par la laïcité dite « positive ».