bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Утицај примене методе удела на перформансе инвеститора // The effect of using the equity method on the performance of the investor
Authors: Шкарић Јовановић Ката
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Постоји општа сагласност да је повећање инвестиција у реални сектор једна од кључних претпоставки за опоравак привреда земаља обухваћених кризом. У земљама које уз то нису довеле до краја процес транзиције, та потреба се поставља још снажније. Инвеститори могу улагати у оснивање нових друштава, докапитализацију постојећих и оснивање друштава која ће бити под заједничком управом. Финансијско извештавање о улагањима се разликује у зависности од висине учешћа у капиталу друштва. Значајан утицај инвеститору омогућава учешће у капиталу које је више од 20 и мање од 50% капитала и учешће у заједничком подухвату које му обезбеђује да буде страна у заједничкој управи. За утврђивање вредности оваквих учешћа примењује се метода удела. Она се битно разликује од консолидације која се користи за учешћа која су основа контроле по томе како се одређује вредност учешћа и по висини и времену признавања прихода од учешћа. Методе удела, чија примена је обавезна, пружају инвеститорима две важне информације: колики је износ нето имовине придруженог друштва или заједничког подухвата који се односи на учешће и колико износи учешће инвеститора у добитку. Због тога што се готово никад цео износ добитка не додељује власницима, већ један део добити остаје задржан. приходи од учешћа код ове методе готово редовно виши од прилива готовине по основу примљених дивиденди, примена методе удела може неповољно утицати на ликвидност друштва инвеститора.Summary: There is a general agreement that the increase in investment in the real sector is one of the key prerequisites for economic recovery of countries affected by the crisis. In countries which have finished the transition process, this need arises even more strongly. Investors can invest in the establishment of new companies, the recapitalization of existing ones and establishment of companies that will be under the joint management. Financial reporting on investments varies depending on the amount of equity investments in companies. Significant impact for investors provides the share in the capital of more than 20 % and less than 50 % and equity participation in the joint venture provides a participation in the joint management. To determine the value of such share, the equity method is applied . It is very different from the consolidation that is used for the share which is the basis of control in how to determine the value of the share and the amount and timing of recognition of share revenue. The equity method, whose application is mandatory offers investors two important information: what is the amount of net assets of the associate or joint venture relating to share and how high is the share of investors in profit. The entire amount of earnings is almost never allocated to owners, part of the earnings is retained. Income from the participation in this method is almost always higher than the inflow of cash in dividends received, using the equity method may adversely affect the liquidity of the company investors.
Оловне ноге опоравка економије Републике Српске // Leaden legs of recovery of Republic of Srpska economy
Authors: Микеревић Драган
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Овај рад, на бази историјских чињеница, настоји упозорити доносиоце пословних одлука на потребу сагледавања глобалних лимитирајућих фактора који битно утичу на опоравак и развој економије било које земље, па и Републике Српске и Босне и Херцеговине.Настојећи да укажемо на то да је практично наступила нова индустријска филозофија и да је глобална финансијска и економска криза довела у питање политику развоја на основама неолибералне економске доктрине, аутор упозорава да је на цјелокупном западном Балкану присутан уморан привредни систем. Такав привредни систем довео је до свеопште незапослености и довођења великог броја младих у безнадежну позицију јер немају радних мјеста, а тиме нема ни формирања породице, што у коначници негативно утиче на демографске показатеље (природни прираштај).Да би се ове негативне тенденције зауставиле или барем успориле, пут опоравка и развоја је раст инвестиционе потрошње у приватном и јавном сектору за што аутор препоручује глобалну шему опоравка и развоја.Summary: This paper , on the base of historical facts, tries to warn the business decision makers on the need to examine the global limiting factors that significantly affect the recovery and development of the economy of any country, including Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina .Trying to point out that a new industrial philosophy has practically emerged , as well as the fact that the global financial and economic crisis has led into question the policy on the basis of neo-liberal economic doctrines, the author warns that in the entire Western Balkans tired economic system is present . This tired economic system has led to high unemployment and brought a large number of young people in a hopeless position , because they do not have jobs, and as a consequence there is no formation of a family which continues to negatively affect the demographic parameters ( population growth ) .To stop these negative tendencies or at least to slow them down, the path of recovery is in the development of the investment spending growth in the private and public sector ,and the author recommends the global pattern of recovery and development.
Карактеристике функционисања развијених финансијских тржишта у послијекризном периоду // Features of the functioning of developed financial markets in the post crisis period
Authors: Радивојац Горан
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Након посљедње економске кризе, уочљиви су трендови карактеристични за посткризне периоде као што су велики број преузимања компанија, али и повећање обима недозвољених активности учесника на финансијским тржиштима који су примарно заинтересовани за брзу и лаку зараду. Регулисање активности на финансијским тржиштима у таквој ситуацији представља велики изазов, па се неријетко прибјегава врло ригорозним и драстичним казненим мјерама како би се тржиште стабилизовало и усмјерило ка нормалним токовима.Наведени процеси указују да смо савременици редефинисања глобалних економских односа који ће за посљедицу имати снажан економски раст и развој, уз до сада незабиљежен технолошки развој који подразумијева доминантну употребу информационих технологија, биотехнологије, нанотехнологије и сл. Предуслов за претходно наведено свакако представљају актуелни процеси преузимања компанија, обезбјеђивање извора финансирања глобалног раста и развоја, те стабилизација финансијских тржишта. У том контексту, разумљиве су и мјере регулатора на развијеним финансијским тржиштима. Они сузбијањем злоупотреба на финансијским тржиштима и казненим мјерама, желе да стимулишу алокацију капитала у домен реалног сектора кроз финансирање пројеката који ће за посљедицу имати привредни раст и развој, смањење незапослености и повећавање животног стандарда становништва.Sumarry: After the recent economic crisis noticeable trends are typical for poslijekrizne periods such as the large number of takeovers, as well as increasing the scope of prohibited activities of participants in the financial markets, which are primarily interested in the quick and easy money. The regulation of the financial markets in such a situation is a major challenge and is often resorted to very rigorous and drastic penalties to the market stabilized and directed toward normal. These processes indicate that we are contemporaries of redefining global economic relations that will result in strong economic growth and development, along with so far unprecedented technological development, which includes the dominant use of information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and so on. A prerequisite for the above certainly represent actual process of taking over the company, providing sources of financing for global growth and development and stabilization of financial markets. In this context, to understand the extent and regulators in developed financial markets that the suppression of abuses in the financial markets and the penalties they want to stimulate the allocation of capital in the domain of the real sector through funding projects that will result in economic growth and developmen, reducing unemployment and increasing living standards population.
Управљање инвестиционим пројектима у Републици Српској // Management of investment projects in the Republic of Srpska
Authors: Вученовић Саша , Миловановић Драган
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Управљање пројектима је процес креативне оптимизације расположивих ресурса који укључује припрему, оцјену, извршење и пословање предмета инвестирања. У посљедњем периоду може се примијетити да све већи број предузећа у Републици Српској улази у реализацију пројеката који не дају очекиване (пројектоване) ефекте. Анализом резултата проведеног истраживања дошло се до закључка да већина предузећа у Републици Српској не примјењује концепт управљања пројектима, што негативно утиче на ефикасност управљања пројектима и рационалну (оптималну) алокацију ресурса у предузећима. Ефекти инвестирања у предузетничке пројекте у Републици Српској су скромни, односно 45% пројеката који се реализују представљају промашене инвестиције на којима предузеће трпи губитке. Остварени ефекти инвестирања у складу су са планираним тек код 18% пројеката, а већи од планираних у 5% пројеката. Посматране инвестиције нису имале ни позитивне ни негативне ефекте код 10% пројеката.Summary: Project management is the process of creative optimization of available resources, including the preparation, evaluation, implementation and management of cases of investment. In the last period, it may be noted that an increasing number of enterprises in the Republic of Srpska enters the implementation of projects that do not provide the expected ( projected ) effects. By analyzing the results of the study led to the conclusion that most of the companies in the Republic of Srpska does not apply project management concepts, which negatively affects the efficiency of project management and rational ( optimal ) allocation of resources in companies. The effects of investment in entrepreneurial projects in the Republic of Srpska modest, or 45 % of the projects that are being implemented are the failed investment where a company suffers losses. The effects of investments in accordance with the planned only in 18 % of the projects, a greater than 5 % of the planned projects . Observed investment had both positive and negative effects in 10 % of projects.
Утицај пореских подстицаја и промена пореских стопа ПДВ-а на привредни развој и социјалну стабилност // The impact of tax incentives and changes in VAT rates on economic development and social stability
Authors: Савић Славен
Published: November 2017

Резиме: Порез на додату вредност, као општи порез на потрошњу, у значајној мери има утицаја на формирање ценовне политике, као и на конкурентност привреде и њен економски развој. Ово посебно долази до изражаја код промена висине пореских стопа. Разлог томе је чињеница да се због постојања више врста пореских стопа, одређена добра и услуге различито опорезују, а тиме и различито категоризују. Ова категоризација, тј. подела добара на луксузна добра и добра од ширег јавног значаја, има директног утицаја на њихову потрошњу, као и на њихову конкурентност, а нарочито када се ради о конкурентности истих производа на тржиштима различитих земаља. У овом раду ће се дати анализа утицаја пореских стопа (тј. промена њихове висине) на ове категорије у Републици Србији. Поред тога, указаће се и на одређене социјалне аспекте цена, будући да њихов ниво утиче на висину реалних зарада.Summary: Value added tax, as a general consumption tax, significantly influences the formation of price policy as well as economic competitiveness and economic development of country. This is especially evident in the changes in tax rates. The reason for this is the fact that, due to the existence of several types of tax rates, certain goods and services are taxed differently, and thus categorized differently. This categorization, ie. distribution of goods on luxury goods and goods of the wider public interest, has a direct impact on their consumption, as well as on their competitiveness, especially when it comes to the competitiveness of the same products in the markets of different countries. This paper will provide an analysis of the impact of tax rates (i.e. changes in their height) on these categories in the Republic of Serbia. In addition, we will point out certain social aspects of prices, since the level of these costs has influence on the level of real wages.
Assessment of perioperative stress in colorectal cancer by use of in vitro cell models: a systematic review
Authors: Kirkegaard Tove , Gögenur Mikail , Gögenur Ismail
Published: November 2017

Background

The perioperative period is important for patient outcome. Colorectal cancer surgery can lead to metastatic disease due to release of disseminated tumor cells and the induction of surgical stress response. To explore the overall effects on surgically-induced changes in serum composition, in vitro model systems are useful.

Methods

A systematic search in PubMed and EMBASE was performed to identify studies describing in vitro models used to investigate cancer cell growth/proliferation, cell migration, cell invasion and cell death of serum taken pre- and postoperatively from patients undergoing colorectal tumor resection.

Results

Two authors (MG and TK) independently reviewed 984 studies and identified five studies, which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Disagreements were solved by discussion. All studies investigated cell proliferation and cell invasion, whereas three studies investigated cell migration, and only one study investigated cell death/apoptosis. One study investigated postoperative peritoneal infection due to anastomotic leak, one study investigated mode of anesthesia (general anesthesia with volatile or intravenous anesthetics), and one study investigated preoperative intervention with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF). In all studies an increased proliferation, cell migration and invasion was demonstrated after surgery. Anesthetics with propofol and intervention with GMCSF significantly reduced postoperative cell proliferation, whereas peritoneal infection enhanced the invasive capability of tumor cells.

Conclusion

This study suggests that in vitro cell models are useful and reliable tools to explore the effect of surgery on colorectal cancer cell proliferation and metastatic ability. The models should therefore be considered as additional tests to investigate the effects of perioperative interventions.
Comparative analysis of prophages in Streptococcus mutans genomes
Authors: Fu Tiwei , Fan Xiangyu , Long Quanxin , Deng Wanyan , Song Jinlin , Huang Enyi
Published: November 2017

Prophages have been considered genetic units that have an intimate association with novel phenotypic properties of bacterial hosts, such as pathogenicity and genomic variation. Little is known about the genetic information of prophages in the genome of Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen of human dental caries. In this study, we identified 35 prophage-like elements in S. mutans genomes and performed a comparative genomic analysis. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses of prophage sequences revealed that the prophages could be classified into three main large clusters: Cluster A, Cluster B, and Cluster C. The S. mutans prophages in each cluster were compared. The genomic sequences of phismuN66-1, phismuNLML9-1, and phismu24-1 all shared similarities with the previously reported S. mutans phages M102, M102AD, and ϕAPCM01. The genomes were organized into seven major gene clusters according to the putative functions of the predicted open reading frames: packaging and structural modules, integrase, host lysis modules, DNA replication/recombination modules, transcriptional regulatory modules, other protein modules, and hypothetical protein modules. Moreover, an integrase gene was only identified in phismuNLML9-1 prophages.
NDUFA4L2 is associated with clear cell renal cell carcinoma malignancy and is regulated by ELK1
Authors: Wang Lei , Peng Zhiqiang , Wang Kaizhen , Qi Yijun , Yang Ying , Zhang Yue , An Xinyuan , Luo Shudong , Zheng Junfang
Published: November 2017

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common and lethal cancer of the adult kidney. However, its pathogenesis has not been fully understood till now, which hinders the therapeutic development of ccRCC. NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 alpha subcomplex 4-like 2 (NDUFA4L2) was found to be upregulated and play an important role in ccRCC. We aimed to further investigate the underlying mechanisms by which NDUFA4L2 exerted function and its expression level was upregulated.

Methods

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data were mined to verify the change of NDUFA4L2 expression level in ccRCC tissues. The correlation between expression level of NDUFA4L2 and cell proliferation/apoptosis was explored by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of NDUFA4L2 was constructed. Biological process and involved pathways of NDUFA4L2 were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. The transcription factors (TFs) which can induce the expression of NDUFA4L2 were explored in clinical samples by correlation analysis and its regulation on the expression of NDUFA4L2 was verified by knockdown experiment.

Results

NDUFA4L2 was verified to be overexpressed in ccRCC tissues and its expression level was increased accordingly as the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage progressed. A high NDUFA4L2 level predicted the poor prognosis of ccRCC patients and correlated with enhanced cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis. NDUFA4L2 may interact with 14 tumor-related proteins, participate in growth and death processes and be involved in ccRCC-related pathways, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase serine/threonine protein kinase (PI3K/AKT). ETS domain-containing protein ELK1 level positively correlated with the level of NDUFA4L2 in ccRCC tissues and ELK1 could regulate the expression of NDUFA4L2 in ccRCC cells.

Discussion

NDUFA4L2 upregulation was associated with ccRCC malignancy. NDUFA4L2 expression was regulated by ELK1 in ccRCC cells. Our study provided potential mechanisms by which NDUFA4L2 affected ccRCC occurrence and progression.
Anterior-posterior gene expression differences in three Lake Malawi cichlid fishes with variation in body stripe orientation
Authors: Ahi Ehsan Pashay , Sefc Kristina M.
Published: November 2017

Morphological differentiation among closely related species provides opportunities to study mechanisms shaping natural phenotypic variation. Here, we address variation in the orientation of melanin-colored body stripes in three cichlid species of the tribe Haplochromini.Melanochromis auratusdisplays a common pattern of dark, straight horizontal body stripes, whereas inAristochromis christyiandBuccochromis rhoadesii, oblique stripes extend from the anterior dorsal to the posterior mid-lateral trunk. We first validated a stably reference gene, and then, investigated the chromatophore distribution in the skin by assessing the expression levels of the iridophore and melanophore marker genes,ltkandslc24a5, respectively, as well aspmel, a melanophore pigmentation marker gene. We found anterior-posterior differences in the expression levels of the three genes in the oblique-striped species. The higher anterior expression ofltk, indicates increased iridophore density in the anterior region, i.e., uneven horizontal distribution of iridophores, which coincides with the anterior dorsalization of melanophore stripe in these species. The obliqueness of the horizontal body stripes might be a result of distinct migratory or patterning abilities of melanophores in anterior and posterior stripe regions which could be reflected by variation in the expression of genes involved in melanophore patterning. To address this, we investigated anterior-posterior expression levels of a primary set of candidate target genes with known functions in melanophore migration and stripe patterning in the adult zebrafish, and their related gene regulatory network. Among these genes, those with differences in anterior-posterior expression showed only species-specific differential expression, e.g.,sdf1a,col14a1a,ifitm5, andagpat3, with the exception offbxw4/hagoromo(differentially expressed in an oblique-and the straight-striped species). In summary, distinct anterior-posterior gradients in iridophore density found to be more similar characteristic between the two oblique-striped species. Furthermore, the species-specific differential expression of genes involved in stripe patterning might also implicate distinct molecular processes underlying the obliqueness of body stripe in two closely related cichlid species.
Evaluation of quality of service: real case in the hotel fitness center
Authors: Ferraz Natália de Almeida , Melo Fagner José Coutinho de , Jerônimo Taciana de Barros , Albuquerque André Philippi Gonzaga de , Medeiros Denise Dumke de
Published: November 2017

The justified purpose of the theme: The number of companies in the service sector has been increasing steadily in recent years. At the same time, consumers are increasingly demanding quality of services offered by the various providers in the market. Customer satisfaction is fundamental to the success of these organizations, and for this reason, the adoption of specific techniques for assessing quality of services is necessary. Purpose: this article aims to develop a framework to support hotel management. Methodology/Design: The study used an adaptation of the classic SERVQUAL model for the evaluation of customer expectations and perceptions, enhanced by the QUESC model, which is an instrument specifically applied to quality evaluation in fitness services, in order to obtain a more complete and targeted approach. The survey was conducted with 206 customers on the quality of service in the hotel's fitness center. Results and Originality: With the application of the model, we found that SERVQUAL was insufficient to evaluate customer satisfaction since the highest rated items pointed to the gaps coming mostly from the QUESC model. The findings provide a new perspective that can encourage those involved in the fitness center to manage these businesses considering the characteristics of the customer. This structure can help the hotel manager identifying which quality dimensions need more attention, improve the quality of the hotel service, develop customer loyalty, improve employee satisfaction, and differentiate from competitors. The article presents a new focus on guest view, which can be used to manage services offered by hotels.
Direct Observations Reveal the Deep Circulation of the Western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Send Uwe , Testor Pierre
Published: November 2017

Direct observations of the deep water circulation in the western Mediterranean Sea are presented, based on the analysis of autonomous profiling floats drifting at 1,200 and 1,900 m depth during the 1997–2002 period. The amount of water circulating in the basin is quantified, revealing several distinct gyres and boundary currents. It was also possible to follow the spreading of the newly formed Western Mediterranean Deep Water (nWMDW) and Tyrrhenian Deep Water (TDW), two main components of the deep water in the western Mediterranean, from their origin, based on their temperature and salinity signature. Both boundary currents and isolated eddies carrying the water into the interior are important for this.
Impact of Plant Functional Types on Coherence Between Precipitation and Soil Moisture: A Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Liu Qi , Hao Yonghong , Stebler Elaine , Tanaka Nobuaki , Zou Chris B.
Published: November 2017

Mapping the spatiotemporal patterns of soil moisture within heterogeneous landscapes is important for resource management and for the understanding of hydrological processes. A critical challenge in this mapping is comparing remotely sensed or in situ observations from areas with different vegetation cover but subject to the same precipitation regime. We address this challenge by wavelet analysis of multiyear observations of soil moisture profiles from adjacent areas with contrasting plant functional types (grassland, woodland, and encroached) and precipitation. The analysis reveals the differing soil moisture patterns and dynamics between plant functional types. The coherence at high‐frequency periodicities between precipitation and soil moisture generally decreases with depth but this is much more pronounced under woodland compared to grassland. Wavelet analysis provides new insights on soil moisture dynamics across plant functional types and is useful for assessing differences and similarities in landscapes with heterogeneous vegetation cover.
A Subsolidus Olivine Water Solubility Equation for the Earth's Upper Mantle
Authors: Padrón‐Navarta J. A. , Hermann J.
Published: November 2017

The pressure and temperature sensitivity of the two most important point hydrous defects in mantle olivine involving Si vacancies (associated to trace amounts of titanium [TiChu‐PD] or exclusively to Si vacancies [Si]) was investigated at subsolidus conditions in a fluid‐saturated natural peridotite from 0.5 to 6 GPa (approximately 20–200 km depth) at 750 to 1050°C. Water contents in olivine were monitored in sandwich experiments with a fertile serpentine layer in the middle and olivine and pyroxene sensor layers at the border. Textures and mineral compositions provide evidence that olivine completely recrystallized during the weeklong experiments, whereas pyroxenes displayed only partial equilibration. A site‐specific water solubility law for olivine has been formulated based on the experiments reconciling previous contradictory results from low‐ and high‐pressure experiments. The site‐specific solubility laws permit to constrain water incorporation into olivine in the subducting slab and the mantle wedge, as these are rare locations on Earth where fluid‐present conditions exist. Chlorite dehydration in the hydrated slab is roughly parallel to the isopleth of 50 ± 20 ppm wt H2O in olivine, a value which is independent of the pressure and temperature trajectory followed by the slab. Hydrous defects are dominated by [Si] under the relevant conditions for the mantle wedge affected by fluids coming from the slab dehydration (slab‐adjacent low viscosity/seismic low‐velocity channel, P > 3 GPa). In cold subduction zones at 5.5 km from the slab surface the storage capacity of the mantle wedge at depths of 100–250 km ranges from 400 to 2,000 ppm wt H2O.
Regional Pn Body‐Wave Magnitude Scale mb(Pn) for Earthquakes Along the Northern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Kim Won‐Young , Ottemöller Lars
Published: November 2017

We obtained a robust regional body wave magnitude scale mb(Pn) for earthquakes along the Northern mid‐Atlantic Ridge by using Pn wave recorded at continental stations. The new magnitude scale is mb(Pn) = log10 A [nm] − 1.86 log10 (100/Δ) [km] + C + 1.62, where A is the zero‐to‐peak amplitude of Pn wave on the simulated vertical Wood‐Anderson seismogram in nanometers, Δ is the epicentral distance in kilometers, 1.86 represents amplitude attenuation, C is the station correction, and 1.62 anchors the mb(Pn) to the moment magnitude (Mw), plus amplitude loss in the two crustal legs. By using moment magnitude as reference, we obtained the event magnitude adjustments (EMAs), which represent the difference between the known long‐period Mw and the short‐period mb(Pn). EMAs correlate with the source property, where ridge events show strong long‐period waves but poor high‐frequency signals that lead to mb(Pn) < Mw and positive EMA of +0.08 ± 0.26 magnitude units (m.u.), whereas transform fault earthquakes show relatively strong high‐frequency waves that lead to mb(Pn) > Mw and negative adjustment of −0.20 ± 0.24 m.u. Almost all normal faulting events are along spreading ridges, whereas strike‐slip events are along the fracture zones and transform faults; hence, we developed source‐specific magnitude adjustments (SSMAs), which range from +0.27 m.u. for earthquakes along the ridges, to −0.26 m.u. for earthquakes along the transform faults. Using SSMA, we obtained a regional Pn magnitude that is consistent with Mw and mb(P). The regression relationship is Mw = 0.91 mb(Pn)[SSMA] + 0.46 with a standard deviation of ±0.15 m.u.
Topological Characterization of Fractured Coal
Authors: Jing Yu , Armstrong Ryan T. , Ramandi Hamed L. , Mostaghimi Peyman
Published: November 2017

Coal transport properties are highly dependent on the underlying fractured network, known as cleats, which are characterized by geometrical and topological properties. X‐ray microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) has been widely applied to obtain 3‐D digital representations of the cleat network. However, segmentation of 3‐D data is often problematic due to image noise, which will result in inaccurate estimation of coal properties (e.g., porosity and specific surface area). To circumvent this issue, a discrete fracture network (DFN) model is proposed. We develop a characterization framework to determine if the developed DFN models can preserve the topological properties of the coal cleat network found in micro‐CT data. We compute the Euler characteristic, fractal dimension, and percolation quantities to analyze the topology locally and globally and compare the results between micro‐CT data (before denoising), filtered micro‐CT data (after denoising), and the DFN model. We find that micro‐CT data with noise have extensive connectivity while filtered micro‐CT data and DFN models have similar topology both globally and locally. It is concluded that the topology of the DFN models are closer to that of the realistic cleat network that do not have segmentation‐induced pores. In addition, micro‐CT imaging always struggles with the trade‐off between sample size and resolution, while the presented DFN models are not restricted by imaging resolution and thus can be constructed with extended domain size. Overall, the presented DFN model is a reliable alternative with realistic cleat topology, extended domain size and favorable data format for direct numerical simulations.
Impact of Langmuir Turbulence on Upper Ocean Response to Hurricane Edouard: Model and Observations
Authors: Blair A. , Ginis I. , Hara T. , Ulhorn E.
Published: November 2017

Tropical cyclone intensity is strongly affected by the air‐sea heat flux beneath the storm. When strong storm winds enhance upper ocean turbulent mixing and entrainment of colder water from below the thermocline, the resulting sea surface temperature cooling may reduce the heat flux to the storm and weaken the storm. Recent studies suggest that this upper ocean turbulence is strongly affected by different sea states (Langmuir turbulence), which are highly complex and variable in tropical cyclone conditions. In this study, the upper ocean response under Hurricane Edouard (2014) is investigated using a coupled ocean‐wave model with and without an explicit sea state dependent Langmuir turbulence parameterization. The results are compared with in situ observations of sea surface temperature and mixed layer depth from AXBTs, as well as satellite sea surface temperature observations. Overall, the model results of mixed layer deepening and sea surface temperature cooling under and behind the storm are consistent with observations. The model results show that the effects of sea state dependent Langmuir turbulence can be significant, particularly on the mixed layer depth evolution. Although available observations are not sufficient to confirm such effects, some observed trends suggest that the sea state dependent parameterization might be more accurate than the traditional (sea state independent) parameterization.
Niño4 as a Key Region for the Interannual Variability of the Western Pacific Warm Pool
Authors: Jia Fan , Hu Dunxin , Hu Shijian , Feng Junqiao
Published: November 2017

The Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) plays an important role in the global climate through modulating deep convections, ENSO, monsoon onsets, etc. Due to the vast spatial range and huge heat storage of the WPWP, near‐real‐time monitoring of its three‐dimensional variations remains challenging. Based on Argo observations and three reanalysis data sets, we find that the Niño4 sea surface temperature (SST) index captures the interannual variability of the WPWP well. The Niño4 SST can explain approximately half of the variance of the WPWP heat content and almost all the variance of the east‐west migration of the WPWP. An assessment of 31 CMIP5 models also reveals that models with larger interannual spectral powers and amplitudes of the Niño4 SST tend to simulate larger variations in the heat content and east‐west migration of the WPWP. A surface heat budget analysis further shows that the Niño4 SST and WPWP are physically connected through basin‐scale horizontal advections of mean temperatures by anomalous horizontal currents, which dominate the interannual variations of both the Niño4 SST and WPWP. Our results indicate that the Niño4 SST can efficiently estimate the interannual WPWP changes and a reliable predictor of the onset time of the South China Sea summer monsoon and Bay of Bengal summer monsoon, without the need to calculate the eastern boundary location and heat content of the WPWP. Moreover, a better simulation of the SST and horizontal currents in the Niño4 region can help to reduce model bias when reproducing the WPWP's interannual variabilities.
The Surface Velocity Structure of the Florida Current in a Jet Coordinate Frame
Authors: Archer Matthew R. , Shay Lynn K. , Johns William E.
Published: November 2017

The structure and variability of the Florida Current between 25° and 26°N are investigated using HF radar ocean current measurements to provide the most detailed view of the surface jet to date. A 2‐D jet coordinate analysis is performed to define lateral displacements of the jet in time (meandering), and associated structural variations over a 2 year period (2005–2006). In the jet coordinate frame, core speed has a median value of ∼160 cm s−1 at the central latitude of the array (25.4°N), with a standard deviation (STD) of 35 cm s−1. The jet meanders at timescales of 3–30 days, with a STD of 8 km, and a downstream phase speed of ∼80 km d−1. Meandering accounts for ∼45% of eddy kinetic energy computed in a fixed (geographical) reference frame. Core speed, width, and shear undergo the same dominant 3–30 day variability, plus an annual cycle that matches seasonality of alongshore wind stress. Jet transport at 25.4°N exhibits a different seasonality to volume transport at 27°N, most likely driven by input from the Northwest Providence Channel. Core speed correlates inversely with Miami sea level fluctuations such that a 40 cm s−1 deceleration is associated with a ∼10 cm elevation in sea level, although there is no correlation of sea level to jet meandering or width. Such accurate quantification of the Florida Current's variability is critical to understand and forecast future changes in the climate system of the North Atlantic, as well as local impacts on coastal circulation and sea level variability along south Florida's coastline.
Stabilizing Effects of Bacterial Biofilms: EPS Penetration and Redistribution of Bed Stability Down the Sediment Profile
Authors: Chen X. D. , Zhang C. K. , Zhou Z. , Gong Z. , Zhou J. J. , Tao J. F. , Paterson D. M. , Feng Q.
Published: November 2017

Biofilms, consisting of microorganisms and their secreted extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), serve as “ecosystem engineers” stabilizing sedimentary environments. Natural sediment bed provides an excellent substratum for biofilm growth. The porous structure and rich nutrients allow the EPS matrix to spread deeper into the bed. A series of laboratory‐controlled experiments were conducted to investigate sediment colonization of Bacillus subtilis and the penetration of EPS into the sediment bed with incubation time. In addition to EPS accumulation on the bed surface, EPS also penetrated downward. However, EPS distribution developed strong vertical heterogeneity with a much higher content in the surface layer than in the bottom layer. Scanning electron microscope images of vertical layers also displayed different micromorphological properties of sediment‐EPS matrix. In addition, colloidal and bound EPSs exhibited distinctive distribution patterns. After the full incubation, the biosedimentary beds were eroded to test the variation of bed stability induced by biological effects. This research provides an important reference for the prediction of sediment transport and hence deepens the understanding of the biologically mediated sediment system and broadens the scope of the burgeoning research field of “biomorphodynamics.”
Tree Mortality Decreases Water Availability and Ecosystem Resilience to Drought in Piñon‐Juniper Woodlands in the Southwestern U.S.
Authors: Morillas L. , Pangle R. E. , Maurer G. E. , Pockman W. T. , McDowell N. , Huang C.‐W. , Krofcheck D. J. , Fox A. M. , Sinsabaugh R. L. , Rahn T. A. , Litvak M. E.
Published: November 2017

Climate‐driven tree mortality has increased globally in response to warmer temperature and more severe drought. To examine how tree mortality in semiarid biomes impacts surface water balance, we experimentally manipulated a piñon‐juniper (PJ) woodland by girdling all adult piñon trees in a 4 ha area, decreasing piñon basal area by ~65%. Over 3.5 years (2009–2013), we compared water flux measurements from this girdled site with those from a nearby intact PJ woodland. Before and after girdling, the ratio of evapotranspiration (ET) to incoming precipitation was similar between the two sites. Girdling altered the partitioning of ET such that the contribution of canopy transpiration to ET decreased 9–14% over the study period, relative to the intact control, while noncanopy ET increased. We attributed the elevated noncanopy ET in the girdled site each year to winter increases in sublimation and summer increases in both soil evaporation and below‐canopy transpiration. Although we expected that mortality of a canopy dominant would increase the availability of water and other resources to surviving vegetation, we observed a decrease in both soil volumetric water content and sap flow rates in the remaining trees at the girdled site, relative to the control. This postgirdling decrease in the performance of the remaining trees occurred during the severe 2011–2012 drought, suggesting that piñon mortality may trigger feedback mechanisms that leave PJ woodlands drier relative to undisturbed sites and potentially more vulnerable to drought.
Diagnostic value of strand‐specific miRNA‐101‐3p and miRNA‐101‐5p for hepatocellular carcinoma and a bioinformatic analysis of their possible mechanism of action
Authors: Yang Xia , Pang Yu‐Yan , He Rong‐Quan , Lin Peng , Cen Jie‐Mei , Yang Hong , Ma Jie , Chen Gang
Published: November 2017

There is accumulating evidence that miRNA might serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for various types of cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of malignant lesion but the significance of miRNAs in HCC remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to establish the diagnostic value of miR‐101‐3p/5p in HCC and then further investigate the prospective molecular mechanism via a bioinformatic analysis. First, the miR‐101 expression profiles and parallel clinical parameters from 362 HCC patients and 50 adjacent non‐HCC tissue samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Second, we aggregated all miR‐101‐3p/5p expression profiles collected from published literature and the Gene Expression Omnibus and TCGA databases. Subsequently, target genes of miR‐101‐3p and miR‐101‐5p were predicted by using the miRWalk database and then overlapped with the differentially expressed genes of HCC identified by natural language processing. Finally, bioinformatic analyses were conducted with the overlapping genes. The level of miR‐101 was significantly lower in HCC tissues compared with adjacent non‐HCC tissues (P < 0.001), and the area under the curve of the low miR‐101 level for HCC diagnosis was 0.925 (P < 0.001). The pooled summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) of miR‐101‐3p was 0.86, and the combined SROC curve of miR‐101‐5p was 0.80. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the target genes of both miR‐101‐3p and miR‐101‐5p are involved in several pathways that are associated with HCC. The hub genes for miR‐101‐3p and miR‐101‐5p were also found. Our results suggested that both miR‐101‐3p and miR‐101‐5p might be potential diagnostic markers in HCC, and that they exert their functions via targeting various prospective genes in the same pathways.
Incorporation of Silicon Carbide and Diamond‐Like Carbon as Adhesion Promoters Improves In Vitro and In Vivo Stability of Thin‐Film Glassy Carbon Electrocorticography Arrays
Authors: Vomero Maria , Castagnola Elisa , Ordonez Juan S. , Carli Stefano , Zucchini Elena , Maggiolini Emma , Gueli Calogero , Goshi Noah , Ciarpella Francesca , Cea Claudia , Fadiga Luciano , Ricci Davide , Kassegne Sam , Stieglitz Thomas
Published: November 2017

Thin‐film neural devices are an appealing alternative to traditional implants, although their chronic stability remains matter of investigation. In this study, a chronically stable class of thin‐film devices for electrocorticography is manufactured incorporating silicon carbide and diamond‐like carbon as adhesion promoters between glassy carbon (GC) electrodes and polyimide and between GC and platinum traces. The devices are aged in three solutions—phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), 30 × 10−3 and 150 × 10−3m H2O2/PBS—and stressed using cyclic voltammetry (2500 cycles) and 20 million biphasic pulses. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and image analysis are performed to detect eventual changes of the electrodes morphology. Results demonstrate that the devices are able to undergo chemically induced oxidative stress and electrical stimulation without failing but actually improving their electrical performance until a steady state is reached. Additionally, cell viability tests are carried out to verify the noncytotoxicity of the materials, before chronically implanting them into rat models. The behavior of the GC electrodes in vivo is monitored through EIS and sensorimotor evoked potential recordings which confirm that, with GC being activated, impedance lowers and quality of recorded signal improves. Histological analysis of the brain tissue is performed and shows no sign of severe immune reaction to the implant.
Microstructure and Texture Development in Al–3%Brass Composite Produced through ARB
Authors: Tolouei Ehsan , Toroghinejad Mohammad Reza , Asgari Hamed , Monajati Zadeh Hossein , Ashrafizadeh Fakhreddin , Szpunar Jerzy A. , Bocher Philippe
Published: November 2017

In the present work, aluminum‐3% brass composite sheets are produced by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process up to nine passes at ambient temperature. Evolution of rolling texture is studied by texture measurement using X‐ray diffraction method. The results show that ARB process leads to the formation of copper ({112} <111>) and Dillamore ({4 4 11} <11 11 8>) as the major texture components. The intensity of copper and Dillamore components enhances to values as high as 19 times that of random with increasing number of passes to 9. It is observed that the 5th pass is a transition in development of the texture components, after which the intensities undergo a drop. The textures are comparable to ARB process of high purity aluminum, indicating that the addition of 3% brass particles do not cause any significant change in the deformation behavior. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique is used to examine the microstructure; the results reveal formation of ultrafine grains (UFG), starting in the 3rd pass and covers the entire structure after the 5th pass. The major mechanisms involved are identified as rotation of the sub‐grains, as well as grain boundary migration.
Multifunctional Cellular Materials Based on 2D Nanomaterials: Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Qiu Ling , He Zijun , Li Dan
Published: November 2017

Recent advances in emerging 2D nanomaterial‐based cellular materials (2D‐CMs) open up new opportunities for the development of next generation cellular solids with exceptional properties. Herein, an overview of the current research status of 2D‐CMs is provided and their future opportunities are highlighted. First, the unique features of 2D nanomaterials are introduced to illustrate why these nanoscale building blocks are promising for the development of novel cellular materials and what the new features of 2D nanoscale building blocks can offer when compared to their 0D and 1D counterparts. An in‐depth discussion on the structure–property relationships of 2D‐CMs is then provided, and the remarkable functions that can be achieved by engineering their cellular architecture are highlighted. Additionally, the use of 2D‐CMs to tackle key challenges in different practical applications is demonstrated. In conclusion, a personal perspective on the challenges and future research directions of 2D‐CMs is given.
Boron Doped ZIF‐67@Graphene Derived Carbon Electrocatalyst for Highly Efficient Enzyme‐Free Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor
Authors: Li Zehui , Wang Wenbo , Cao Hongbin , Zhang Qiang , Zhou Xinyuan , Wang Dongbin , Wang Yaling , Zhang Shuangshuang , Zhang Guangjin , Liu Chenming , Zhang Yi , Liu Rongji , Jiang Jingkun
Published: November 2017

A new hydrogen peroxide detection sensitive material, boron doped carbonized ZIF‐67@graphene (Co‐N/C@G‐B) is synthesized through pyrolysis of a sandwich‐like ZIF‐67 coating graphene material. After doping boron atoms by using chemical vapor deposition method, new active sites such as Co2B and BNC bonds are created, and mesopores are significantly increased. Most importantly, this Co‐N/C@G‐B material is found to exhibit excellent performance as an enzyme‐free biosensor for detecting hydrogen peroxide with a very wide detection range (from 0.5 × 10−6 to 60 × 10−3m), a low detection limit (0.19 × 10−6m), and a rapid response time (≈3 s). The prepared biosensor also shows strong anti‐interference ability in the complex working occasions. Furthermore, for real application of the materials, an electronic device of biosensor is developed by using technologies of screen printing electrode, integrated circuit, 3D printed shell, and custom‐developed program, which shows high sensitivity and portability to detect hydrogen peroxide. Such device paves a way for further practical application of advanced materials in commercial scale.
Origin of Voltage‐Dependent High Ideality Factors in Graphene–Silicon Diodes
Authors: Park Hong‐Ki , Choi Jaewu
Published: November 2017

Undoubtedly graphene–silicon (GS) heterostructure devices will play significant roles as future rectifiers, potential barrier modulators, photodetectors, photovoltaic devices, biochemical sensors, and so on. However, typical GS devices suffer from unusually wide‐range voltage‐dependent high ideality factors (η = 1.1–33.5). To overcome this hurdle, the origin of this wide‐range voltage‐dependent ideality factor should first be identified but this has not yet been fully studied. This study focuses on identifying the origin using impedance spectroscopy in conjunction with current–voltage, Raman, and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy. The impedance spectra are analyzed with an equivalent distributed circuit model that accounts for the voltage‐dependent resistance and capacitance of graphene, the graphene–metal contact, the silicon interface states, and the nonequilibrium behavior in GS junction. This study clearly shows that the voltage‐dependent resistance and capacitance of interface states, graphene, and graphene–metal contact are responsible for the wide‐range voltage‐dependent high ideality factors. This study provides a potential method to overcome the drawbacks of GS devices.