bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Component-Centric Reduced Order Modeling of the Dynamic Response of Linear Multibay Structures
Authors: Wang Yuting , Mignolet Marc P.
Published: March 2017

Component-centric reduced order models (ROMs) are introduced here as small-size ROMs providing an accurate prediction of the linear response of part of a structure (the β component) without focusing on the rest of it (the α component). Craig–Bampton (CB) substructuring methods are first considered. In one method, the β component response is modeled with its fixed interface modes while the other adopts singular value eigenvectors of the β component deflections of the linear modes of the entire structure. The deflections in the α component induced by harmonic motions of these β component modes are processed by a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to model the α component response. A third approach starts from the linear modes of the entire structure which are dominant in the β component response. Then, the contributions of other modes in this part of the structure are approximated in terms of those of the dominant modes with close natural frequencies and similar mode shapes in the β component, i.e., these nondominant modal contributions are “lumped” onto dominant ones. This lumping permits to increase the accuracy in the β component at a fixed number of modes. The three approaches are assessed on a structural finite element model of a nine-bay panel with the modal lumping-based method yielding the most “compact” ROMs. Finally, good robustness of the ROM to changes in the β component properties (e.g., for design optimization) is demonstrated and a similar sensitivity analysis is carried out with respect to the loading under which the ROM is constructed.
Nanocapillarity in Graphene Oxide Laminate and Its Effect on Critical Heat Flux
Authors: Kim Ji Min , Kim Ji Hoon , Kim Moo Hwan , Kaviany Massoud , Ahn Ho Seon
Published: March 2017

The nanocapillarity phenomenon involves ultralow frictional flow of water molecules through nanoscale channels, and here we study this using exceptionally large number of nanochannels within graphene oxide (GO) laminates. The nanoconfined water molecules in GO nanochannels form square lattice (as in the ice bilayer), which melts and jumps across the channels, similar to slip flow, with mean speed of the order of 1 m/s. This ease of liquid spreading in GO laminate is used to delay the critical heat flux (CHF) phenomenon in water pool boiling, by preventing formation/growth of dry spots. The water nanocapillarity speed is derived based on the measured water penetration flux, and the CHF enhancement (up to 140%) is demonstrated on a 1-μm-thick GO laminate. The GO laminate offers efficient surface modifications for increased transport efficiency (and safety margin) of pool boiling heat transfer systems.
Effects of Opening and Closing Fuel-Injector Valve on Air/Fuel Mixture
Authors: Ishii Eiji , Yoshimura Kazuki , Yasukawa Yoshihito , Ehara Hideharu
Published: March 2017

Lower engine emissions like CO2, particulate matter (PM), and NOx have recently become more necessary in automobile engines to protect the earth's environment. Keeping uniformity of air/fuel mixture and decreasing fuel adhesion on walls of cylinder and piston are effective in order to reduce the engine emissions. In order to achieve the target fuel-spray, fuel injectors for gasoline direct injection engines need to be designed to deal with multiple injections with high speed of opening and closing of valves. One of the difficulties in the multiple injections is to control fuel-spray behaviors during opening and closing of valve; flow rate and spray penetration which are changed due to slow velocity of fluid during opening and closing of valve cause nonuniformity of air/fuel mixture that results in the increase of PM. Fuel-spray behaviors are controlled by the valve-lifts of fuel injectors; therefore, air/fuel mixture simulations that integrate with inner flow simulations in fuel injectors during the opening and closing of valves are essential for studying the effects of valve motions on air/fuel mixtures. In this study, we developed an air/fuel mixture simulation that is connected with an inner-flow simulation with a valve opening and closing function. The simulation results were validated by comparing the simulated fuel breakup near the nozzle outlets and the air/fuel mixtures in the air region with the measured ones, revealing good agreement between them. The effects of opening and closing the valve on the air/fuel mixtures were also studied; the opening and closing of the valve affected the front and rear behaviors of the air/fuel mixture and also affected spray penetrations. The developed simulation was found to be an effective tool for studying the effects of valve motions on the air/fuel mixtures. It was also found that the magnetic circuit with the solenoid needs to be designed to achieve high-speed valve motion and also keeps same valve motion in each injection, especially during opening and closing of valve.
One-pot synthesis of amino acid precursors with insoluble organic matter in planetesimals with aqueous activity
Authors: Kebukawa Yoko , Chan Queenie H. S. , Tachibana Shogo , Kobayashi Kensei , Zolensky Michael E.
Published: March 2017

Both amino acids and macromolecular organic solids can be synthesized from simple molecules in small solar system bodies.
Lentinula edodes Genome Survey and Postharvest Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Sakamoto Yuichi , Nakade Keiko , Sato Shiho , Yoshida Kentaro , Miyazaki Kazuhiro , Natsume Satoshi , Konno Naotake
Published: March 2017

Lentinula edodes
is a popular, cultivated edible and medicinal mushroom.
Lentinula edodes
is susceptible to postharvest problems, such as gill browning, fruiting body softening, and lentinan degradation. We constructed a
de novo
assembly draft genome sequence and performed gene prediction for
Lentinula edodes
.
De novo
assembly was carried out using short reads from paired-end and mate-paired libraries and by using long reads by PacBio, resulting in a contig number of 1,951 and an

N
50

of 1 Mb. Furthermore, we predicted genes by Augustus using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data from the whole life cycle of
Lentinula edodes
, resulting in 12,959 predicted genes. This analysis revealed that
Lentinula edodes
lacks lignin peroxidase. To reveal genes involved in the loss of quality of
Lentinula edodes
postharvest fruiting bodies, transcriptome analysis was carried out using serial analysis of gene expression (SuperSAGE). This analysis revealed that many cell wall-related enzymes are upregulated after harvest, such as β-1,3-1,6-glucan-degrading enzymes in glycoside hydrolase (GH) families GH5, GH16, GH30, GH55, and GH128, and thaumatin-like proteins. In addition, we found that several chitin-related genes are upregulated, such as putative chitinases in GH family 18, exochitinases in GH20, and a putative chitosanase in GH family 75. The results suggest that cell wall-degrading enzymes synergistically cooperate for rapid fruiting body autolysis. Many putative transcription factor genes were upregulated postharvest, such as genes containing high-mobility-group (HMG) domains and zinc finger domains. Several cell death-related proteins were also upregulated postharvest.

IMPORTANCE
Our data collectively suggest that there is a rapid fruiting body autolysis system in
Lentinula edodes
. The genes for the loss of postharvest quality newly found in this research will be targets for the future breeding of strains that keep fresh longer than present strains.
De novo
Lentinula edodes
genome assembly data will be used for the construction of a complete
Lentinula edodes
chromosome map for future breeding.
Transcriptomic Analyses Elucidate Adaptive Differences of Closely Related Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Fuel
Authors: Gunasekera Thusitha S. , Bowen Loryn L. , Zhou Carol E. , Howard-Byerly Susan C. , Foley William S. , Striebich Richard C. , Dugan Larry C. , Ruiz Oscar N.
Published: March 2017

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
can utilize hydrocarbons, but different strains have various degrees of adaptation despite their highly conserved genome.
P. aeruginosa
ATCC 33988 is highly adapted to hydrocarbons, while
P. aeruginosa
strain PAO1, a human pathogen, is less adapted and degrades jet fuel at a lower rate than does ATCC 33988. We investigated fuel-specific transcriptomic differences between these strains in order to ascertain the underlying mechanisms utilized by the adapted strain to proliferate in fuel. During growth in fuel, the genes related to alkane degradation, heat shock response, membrane proteins, efflux pumps, and several novel genes were upregulated in ATCC 33988. Overexpression of
alk
genes in PAO1 provided some improvement in growth, but it was not as robust as that of ATCC 33988, suggesting the role of other genes in adaptation. Expression of the function unknown gene PA5359 from ATCC 33988 in PAO1 increased the growth in fuel. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that PA5359 is a predicted lipoprotein with a conserved Yx(FWY)xxD motif, which is shared among bacterial adhesins. Overexpression of the putative resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pump PA3521 to PA3523 increased the growth of the ATCC 33988 strain, suggesting a possible role in fuel tolerance. Interestingly, the PAO1 strain cannot utilize
n
-C
8
and
n
-C
10
. The expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of
alkB
promoters confirmed that
alk
gene promoter polymorphism affects the expression of
alk
genes. Promoter fusion assays further confirmed that the regulation of
alk
genes was different in the two strains. Protein sequence analysis showed low amino acid differences for many of the upregulated genes, further supporting transcriptional control as the main mechanism for enhanced adaptation.

IMPORTANCE
These results support that specific signal transduction, gene regulation, and coordination of multiple biological responses are required to improve the survival, growth, and metabolism of fuel in adapted strains. This study provides new insight into the mechanistic differences between strains and helpful information that may be applied in the improvement of bacterial strains for resistance to biotic and abiotic factors encountered during bioremediation and industrial biotechnological processes.
Genome Sequence of Hypervirulent Aeromonas hydrophila Strain HZAUAH
Authors: Teng Lin , Deng Limei , Dong Xingxing , Wei Shun , Li Jinquan , Li Ningqiu , Zhou Yang
Published: March 2017

Aeromonas hydrophila
, a zoonotic bacterium found in an expansive range of aquatic ecosystems, has been reported to cause severe diseases in fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, including humans. Herein, we report the draft genome of the hypervirulent
A. hydrophila
strain HZAUAH isolated from a crucian in China.
Chromosome and Megaplasmid Sequences of Borrelia anserina (Sakharoff 1891), the Agent of Avian Spirochetosis and Type Species of the Genus
Authors: Elbir Haitham , Sitlani Parth , Bergström Sven , Barbour Alan G.
Published: March 2017

Sequences of the linear chromosome and plasmids of
Borrelia anserina
, the cause of avian spirochetosis of poultry, revealed a smaller genome than those of other
Borrelia
spp. transmitted by argasid ticks. Missing or disrupted genes included a
dam
methylase and those in the pathway for synthesis of phospholipids from glycerol.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus licheniformis VSD4, a Diesel Fuel–Degrading and Plant Growth–Promoting Phyllospheric Bacterium
Authors: Stevens Vincent , Thijs Sofie , McAmmond Breanne , Langill Tori , Van Hamme Jonathan , Weyens Nele , Vangronsveld Jaco
Published: March 2017

We report here the 4.19-Mb draft genome sequence of
Bacillus licheniformis
VSD4, a Gram-positive bacterium of the
Bacillaceae
family, isolated from leaves of
Hedera helix
growing at a high-traffic city center in Belgium. Knowledge about its genome will help to evaluate its potential as an inoculant in phylloremediation applications.
Draft Genome Sequences of Three Closely Related Isolates of the Purple Nonsulfur Bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum
Authors: Guzman Michael S. , McGinley Beau , Santiago-Merced Natalia , Gupta Dinesh , Bose Arpita
Published: March 2017

We report here the draft genome sequences of three isolates of
Rhodovulum sulfidophilum
from a single population that will serve as a model system for understanding genomic traits that underlie metabolic variation within closely related marine purple nonsulfur bacteria in natural microbial communities.
Differences in predictors of permanent work disability between immigrants and natives: a cohort study of adults with sick leave due to common mental disorders
Authors: Werlen Laura , Helgesson Magnus , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Immigrants with common mental disorders (CMDs) are reported to have a higher risk of disability pension (DP) compared with native residents; however, the reasons for this are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate (1) differences in morbidity (3 measures) and socioeconomic status in native Swedes, ‘Western’ and ‘non-Western’ immigrants with CMDs and (2) interactions between morbidity and socioeconomic status and immigrant status regarding subsequent DP.

Design

The study was a prospective population-based cohort study using national register data. Crude and multivariate HRs with 95% CIs were calculated using the Cox regression (2007–2010).

Participants

All individuals aged 18–59 with an incident sick-leave spell due to CMDs during 2006 were included in the study (N=66 097). The study population was divided into 3 groups based on country of birth: (1) Sweden, (2) immigrants from ‘Western’ countries (EU25, Norway, Iceland, North America and Oceania) and (3) immigrants from ‘non-Western’ countries (east Europe, Africa, Asia and South America).

Results

Particularly, immigrants born in non-Western countries had higher levels of morbidity and lower socioeconomic status than natives (p>0.001). No significant differences in the associations between specialised psychiatric and somatic care with regard to subsequent DP were found between immigrants and native Swedes. Being prescribed more than 1 type of psychiatric medication was associated with higher HRs for DP in immigrants from Western (HR 3.34; CI 2.3 to 4.9) and non-Western countries (3.6; 1.9 to 6.4) than in native Swedes (2.55; 2.3 to 2.8) (pinteraction=0.003). Low education was a marginally stronger predictor for DP in non-Western immigrants than in native Swedes and Western immigrants (pinteraction=0.03).

Conclusions

Morbidity measured by medication, but not by specialised healthcare, was a stronger predictor for DP in immigrants than in native Swedes, warranting scrutiny of differences in care and treatment in immigrants and native Swedes with CMDs.
Risk factors for early psychosis in PD: insights from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative
Authors: ffytche Dominic H , Pereira Joana B , Ballard Clive , Chaudhuri K Ray , Weintraub Daniel , Aarsland Dag
Published: March 2017

Background

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) psychosis refers to the spectrum of illusions, formed hallucinations and delusions that occur in PD. Visual hallucinations and illusions are thought to be caused by specific cognitive and higher visual function deficits and patients who develop such symptoms early in the disease course have greater rates of cognitive decline and progression to dementia. To date, no studies have investigated whether such deficits are found prior to the onset of PD psychosis.

Method

Here we compare baseline cognitive, biomarker (structural imaging and cerebrospinal fluid) and other PD psychosis risk factor data in patients who go on to develop illusions or hallucinations within 3–4 years of follow-up in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative cohort of newly diagnosed PD.

Results

Of n=423 patients with PD, n=115 (27%) reported predominantly illusions with the median time of onset at 19.5 months follow-up. At study entry these patients had reduced CSF amyloid Aß1-42, lower olfaction scores, higher depression scores and increased REM sleep behaviour disorder symptoms compared to patients without early onset PD psychosis but no differences in cognitive, higher visual or structural imaging measures. A subset of patients with early onset formed hallucinations (n=21) had reduced higher visual function at baseline, cortical thinning in parietal, occipital and frontal cortex and reduced hippocampal volume.

Conclusions

The findings suggest early onset illusions and formed hallucinations are linked to amyloid pathology in PD and point to a difference in the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of illusions and formed hallucinations, with implications for their respective links to future cognitive decline.
Arterial stiffness and stroke: de-stiffening strategy, a therapeutic target for stroke
Authors: Chen Yajing , Shen Fanxia , Liu Jianrong , Yang Guo-Yuan
Published: March 2017

Stroke is the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Early intervention is of great importance in reducing disease burden. Since the conventional risk factors cannot fully account for the pathogenesis of stroke, it is extremely important to detect useful biomarkers of the vascular disorder for appropriate intervention. Arterial stiffness, a newly recognised reliable feature of arterial structure and function, is demonstrated to be associated with stroke onset and serve as an independent predictor of stroke incidence and poststroke functional outcomes. In this review article, different measurements of arterial stiffness, especially pressure wave velocity, were discussed. We explained the association between arterial stiffness and stroke occurrence by discussing the secondary haemodynamic changes. We reviewed clinical data that support the prediction role of arterial stiffness on stroke. Despite the lack of long-term randomised double-blind controlled therapeutic trials, it is high potential to reduce stroke prevalence through a significant reduction of arterial stiffness (which is called de-stiffening therapy). Pharmacological interventions or lifestyle modification that can influence blood pressure, arterial function or structure in either the short or long term are promising de-stiffening therapies. Here, we summarised different de-stiffening strategies including antihypertension drugs, antihyperlipidaemic agents, chemicals that target arterial remodelling and exercise training. Large and well-designed clinical trials on de-stiffening strategy are needed to testify the prevention effect for stroke. Novel techniques such as modern microscopic imaging and reliable animal models would facilitate the mechanistic analyses in pathophysiology, pharmacology and therapeutics.
Effect of polyaniline-coated galvanized steel electrodes on electrokinetic sedimentation of dredged mud slurries
Authors: Malekzadeh M. , Sivakugan N. , Kazum O. , Mathan B.
Published: March 2017

An experimental study on electrokinetic improvement of dredged marine sediments to accelerate their sedimentation for land reclamation purposes is presented. Electrokinetic stabilization is currently used to improve soils; however, its use on soils with marine sediments with low permeability is still questionable due to the deterioration of anodes caused by an electrolysis reaction. A number of traditional methods are employed in literature to reduce the corrosion degradation of metals, such as painting, galvanizing, and conversion coating. Conducting polymers, e.g., polyaniline, are of engineering interest due to their properties such as ease of preparation and their high environmental stability in protecting metals from corrosion. For this purpose, the anodes used in the electrokinetic testing cell herein were coated with polyaniline to investigate the effect on electrokinetic stabilization of the dredged mud. Two series of experiments were performed using a polyaniline-coated galvanized steel anode, and two series of experiments with noncoated galvanized steel anodes were also carried out as a control. Depending on the applied voltage, the settlement and electroosmotic permeability of the dredged mud varied during the process. Polyaniline coating increased the power consumption during the electrokinetic stabilization compared to the case where the same electric potential was applied using the uncoated electrodes. However, when 5 V electric potential was applied to the soil through the polyaniline coated anode, its settlement and electroosmotic permeability were equivalent to what was observed with the 30 V electric potential applied through the noncoated anode, with 3 times less energy consumption.
Knot detection in computed tomography images of partially dried jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and white spruce (Picea glauca) logs from a Nelder type plantation
Authors: Fredriksson Magnus , Cool Julie , Duchesne Isabelle , Belley Denis
Published: March 2017

X-ray computed tomography (CT) of logs means possibilities for optimizing breakdown in sawmills. This depends on accurate detection of knots to assess internal quality. However, as logs are stored, they dry to some extent, and this drying affects the density variation in the log and therefore the X-ray images. For this reason, it is hypothetically difficult to detect log features in partially dried logs using X-ray CT. This paper investigates the effect of improper heartwood–sapwood border detection, possibly due to partial drying, on knot detection in jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) logs from New Brunswick, Canada. An automatic knot detection algorithm was compared to manual reference knot measurements, and the results showed that knot detection was affected by detected heartwood shape. It was also shown that logs can be sorted into two groups based on how well the heartwood–sapwood border is detected to separate logs with a high knot detection rate from those with a low detection rate. In that way, a decision can be made whether or not to trust the knot models obtained from CT scanning. This can potentially aid both sawmills and researchers working with log models based on CT.
Hepatoprotective effect of blockingN-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in male albino rats exposed to acute and repeated restraint stress
Authors: Amin Shaimaa Nasr , El-Aidi Ahmed Amro , Zickri Maha Baligh , Rashed Laila Ahmed , Hassan Sherif Sabry
Published: March 2017

Stress affects many organs in addition to the brain, including the liver. We assessed the effects on the liver of blocking N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors with memantine in acute and repeated restraint stress. Forty-two male albino rats were divided into 7 groups; control, acute restraint stress (ARS), ARS + memantine, repeated restraint stress, repeated restraint + memantine, and positive control groups. We measured serum iron, zinc, alanine transferase and aspartame transferase, hepatic malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, metallothionein content, zinc transporter ZRT/IRT-like protein 14 mRNA expression, and hepcidin expression. We conducted a histopathological evaluation via histological staining and immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and synaptophysin expression, both of which are markers of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Both ARS and repeated stress increased markers of hepatic cell injury, oxidative stress, and HSC activation. Blocking NMDA with memantine provided a hepatoprotective effect in acute and repeated restraint stress and decreased hepatic cell injury, oxidative stress, and HSC activation.
Genome-wide estimation of heritability and its functional components for flowering, defense, ionomics, and developmental traits in a geographically diverse population ofArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yang Rong-Cai
Published: March 2017

Narrow-sense heritability (portion of the total phenotypic variation attributable to additive genetic effect, h2) is a critical parameter in plant breeding and genetics, but its estimation is difficult for populations with unknown pedigree information. This study applied a marker-based linear mixed model (LMM) analysis to estimate narrow-sense heritability and its seven functional components corresponding to SNPs in coding and noncoding regions for each of 107 flowering, defense, ionomics, and developmental traits in an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) population of 199 inbred lines with unknown genetic relatedness. Genetic relationship matrix (GRM) based on 214 051 SNPs and component GRMs based on seven subsets of SNPs were computed for LMM estimation of h2and functional components contributing to h2, respectively. The h2estimates for flowering traits were higher than those for defense, ionomics, and developmental traits, supporting a general view that the fitness-related traits have lower heritabilities than other traits. The function component owing to SNPs in coding (exon) regions was the least contributor to h2. Our LMM analysis provides an opportunity to gain a comprehensive view on heritability and its functional components for populations with unknown structure but with genome-wide DNA markers.
Roegneria alashanica Keng: a species with the StStStYStY genome constitution
Authors: Wang Richard R.-C. , Jensen Kevin B.
Published: March 2017

The genome constitution of tetraploid Roegneria alashanica Keng has been in question for a long time. Most scientific studies have suggested that R. alashanica had two versions of the St genome, St1St2, similar to that of Pseudoroegneria elytrigioides (C. Yen & J.L. Yang) B.R. Lu. A study, however, concluded that R. alashanica had the StY genome formula typical for tetraploid species of Roegneria. For the present study, R. alashanica, Elymus longearistatus (Bioss.) Tzvelev (StY genomes), Pseudoroegneria strigosa (M. Bieb.) Á. Löve (St), Pseudoroegneria libanoctica (Hackel) D.R. Dewey (St), and Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve (St) were screened for the Y-genome specific marker B14(F+R)269. All E. longearistatus plants expressed intense bands specific to the Y genome. Only 6 of 10 R. alashanica plants exhibited relatively faint bands for the STS marker. Previously, the genome in species of Pseudoroegneria exhibiting such faint Y-genome specific marker was designated as StY. Based on these results, R. alashanica lacks the Y genome in E. longearistatus but likely possess two remotely related St genomes, St and StY. According to its genome constitution, R. alashanica should be classified in the genus Pseudoroenera and given the new name Pseudoroegneria alashanica (Keng) R.R.-C. Wang and K.B. Jensen.
Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Invasive Weed Optimization via Priority Based Encoding for Location-Allocation Decisions in a Three-Stage Supply Chain
Authors: Atabaki Mohammad Saeid , Mohammadi Mohammad , Naderi Bahman
Published: March 2017

In this paper, location–allocation problem of a three-stage supply chain network, including suppliers, plants, distribution centers (DCs) and customers is investigated. With respect to the total cost, the aim is determining opened plants and DCs and designing transportation trees between the facilities. Considering the capacity of suppliers, plants and DCs are limited and there is a limitation on the maximum number of opened plants and DCs, a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model of the problem is presented. Since multi-stage supply chain networks have been recognized as NP-hard problems, applying priority-based encoding and a four-step backward decoding procedure, a meta-heuristic algorithm, namely GAIWO, based on the best features of genetic algorithm (GA) and invasive weed optimization (IWO) is designed to solve the problem. In small size problems, the efficiency of the GAIWO is checked by solutions of GAMS software. For larger size problems, the performance of the proposed approach is compared with four evolutionary algorithms in both aspects of the structure of the GAIWO and the efficiency of the proposed encoding–decoding procedure. Besides usual evaluation criteria, Wilcoxon test and a chess rating system are used for evaluating and ranking the algorithms. The results show higher efficiency of the proposed approach.
Design of temperature-immunization system packaging for the resonant pressure sensor
Authors: Li Anlin , Zhang Chenying , Wang Huan , He Yong , Sun Daoheng , Wang Lingyun , Du Xiaohui , Gu Dandan
Published: March 2017

Based on the study of the material matching and structure cooperating, this paper mainly explores a new packaging structure with low thermal mismatches which can enhance the accuracy and stability of the resonant pressure sensor. According to the finite element simulation, the rule of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the depth of the groove on the substrate, which has an influence on the temperature sensitivity, could be obtained. By analyzing the effect of temperature on the resonant frequency, it shows the temperature sensitivity of the new packaging structure is −0.97 Hz/[Formula: see text]C in 20 kPa, under the temperature range of 30[Formula: see text]C to 80[Formula: see text]C. After analyzing resonant frequency stability at different temperatures, it is found that the time for achieving stability at different temperatures of the new packaging structure is at least 10 min less than that of TO packaging structure. The average frequency’s relative variation ratio of the new packaging structure at different temperatures remains roughly the same, and the variation range is within ±[Formula: see text]0.005% as time changes. These results indicate that the new packaging structure has the characteristic of great temperature-immunization.
Low-Voltage Diode-Less Rectifier Based on Fully Differential Difference Transconductance Amplifier
Authors: Khateb Fabian , Kulej Tomasz , Kumngern Montree , Kledrowetz Vilém
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a voltage-mode low-voltage low-power diode-less rectifier with only one active element, the fully differential difference transconductance amplifier (FDDTA). The multiple-input floating-gate MOS (FG-MOS) transistor is used to build the differential pairs of the FDDTA resulting in the reduced count of transistors, circuit simplicity and the capability to work under low-voltage supply with extended input voltage range. The rectifier was designed with 0.9[Formula: see text]V voltage supply and 8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W power consumption, hence it is suitable for wearable electronics and biomedical applications. The simulation results obtained from the Cadence platform using 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m TSMC CMOS technology show good performances for the designed circuit.
Bayesian Inversion for Geoacoustic Parameters from Ocean Bottom Reflection Loss
Authors: Yang Kunde , Xiao Peng , Duan Rui , Ma Yuanliang
Published: March 2017

Geoacoustic inversion is a very important issue in underwater acoustics, and the inversion method based on bottom reflection loss is a valid technique to invert bottom parameters. This paper describes a Bayesian method for estimating bottom parameters in the deep ocean based on inversion of reflection loss versus angle data which were obtained from an experiment conducted in South China Sea in 2013. The experimental data show that bottom loss depends on frequency. The Bayesian method can be applied in nonlinear inversion problems, and it provides useful indication about the quality of the inversion and parameter sensitivities. The bottom is modeled as a two-layer model, and each layer has constant parameters. The inverted parameters of sediment show a clay feature which is consistent with the core data. Furthermore, the inversion results are used to calculate transmission losses (TLs) along the experiment track which agree well with the direct measurements. Although the inversion results are limited to reveal exact structures of bottom, they are still useful for forecasting propagation losses in this area.
Multiwalled carbon nanotube/sulfanyl porphyrazine hybrids deposited on glassy carbon electrode — effect of nitro peripheral groups on electrochemical properties
Authors: Falkowski Michal , Rebis Tomasz , Piskorz Jaroslaw , Popenda Lukasz , Jurga Stefan , Mielcarek Jadwiga , Milczarek Grzegorz , Goslinski Tomasz
Published: March 2017

We report on the synthesis, MS, UV-vis, NMR, HPLC and electrochemical characterization of magnesium sulfanyl porphyrazine with 2-[2-(4-nitrophenoxy)ethoxy]ethylsulfanyl substituents in the periphery. The electrochemical properties of novel macrocycle were studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry in non-aqueous electrolyte. The experimental data indicated the occurrence of clearly defined four redox couples corresponded to one-electron reactions of the [Formula: see text]-conjugated porphyrazine ring and substituents in the periphery. Multiwalled carbon nanotube/sulfanyl porphyrazine hybrids deposited on a glassy carbon electrode allowed for the evaluation of the effect of nitro peripheral groups on the electrochemical properties. The electrochemical behavior of immobilized nitro porphyrazine was consistent with the reduction mechanism for the various arylnitro compounds in aqueous media, with two processes characteristic of the redox transitions of the arylnitro group to the corresponding arylhydroxylamine and/or arylhydroxylamine–arylnitroso groups.
Affine varieties, singularities and the growth rate of wrapped Floer cohomology
Authors: McLean Mark
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we give partial answers to the following questions: Which contact manifolds are contactomorphic to links of isolated complex singularities? Which symplectic manifolds are symplectomorphic to smooth affine varieties? The invariant that we will use to distinguish such manifolds is called the growth rate of wrapped Floer cohomology.

Using this invariant we show that if [Formula: see text] is a simply connected manifold whose unit cotangent bundle is contactomorphic to the link of an isolated singularity or whose cotangent bundle is symplectomorphic to a smooth affine variety then M must be rationally elliptic and so it must have certain bounds on its Betti numbers.
Multiple episodes of regional exhumation and inversion identified in the UK Southern North Sea based on integration of palaeothermal and palaeoburial indicators
Authors: Green Paul F. , Duddy Ian R. , Japsen Peter
Published: March 2017

We present a consistent synthesis of palaeothermal (apatite fission track analysis (AFTA) and vitrinite reflectance) data from UK Southern North Sea wells with the regional pattern of exhumation defined from sonic velocity data. Cenozoic exhumation across most of the region began in the Paleocene between 63 and 59 Ma. Amounts of removed section are around 1 km across the offshore platform, increasing to 2 km or more on the Sole Pit axis. Neogene exhumation within this area began between 22 and 15 Ma, and led to removal of up to 1 km of section. Along the eastern flank of the Sole Pit axis, sonic data define a pre-Chalk event, and AFTA data from these wells show that exhumation began between 120 and 93 Ma. This timing correlates with events defined from AFTA data in the Sorgenfrei–Tornquist Zone, further east, presumably reflecting a response to regional tectonic stresses. East of the Sole Pit axis, AFTA and sonic velocities suggest that Neogene exhumation dominates, while further east towards the central parts of the North Sea Mesozoic sediments appear to be at maximum burial today except for local effects related to salt movement. The multiple episodes of exhumation and burial defined here have important implications for exploration.
3D basin and petroleum system modelling of the NW German North Sea (Entenschnabel)
Authors: Arfai Jashar , Lutz Rüdiger
Published: March 2017

3D basin and petroleum system modelling covering the NW German North Sea (Entenschnabel) was performed to reconstruct the thermal history, maturity and petroleum generation of three potential source rocks, namely the Namurian–Visean coals, the Lower Jurassic Posidonia Shale and the Upper Jurassic Hot Shale.

Modelling results indicate that the NW study area did not experience the Late Jurassic heat flow peak of rifting as in the Central Graben. Therefore, two distinct heat flow histories are needed since the Late Jurassic to achieve a match between measured and calculated vitrinite reflection data. The Namurian–Visean source rocks entered the early oil window during the Late Carboniferous, and reached an overmature state in the Central Graben during the Late Jurassic. The oil-prone Posidonia Shale entered the main oil window in the Central Graben during the Late Jurassic. The deepest part of the Posidonia Shale reached the gas window in the Early Cretaceous, showing maximum transformation ratios of 97% at the present day. The Hot Shale source rock exhibits transformation ratios of up to 78% within the NW Entenschnabel and up to 20% within the Central Graben area. The existing gas field (A6-A) and oil shows in Chalk sediments of the Central Graben can be explained by our model.
The pterosaur assemblage of the Oxford Clay Formation (Jurassic, Callovian–Oxfordian) from the UK
Authors: O'Sullivan Michael
Published: March 2017

The Middle–Upper Jurassic Oxford Clay Formation of the UK is a highly productive fossiliferous unit, containing numerous fossils of marine and terrestrial vertebrates. Despite this abundance, pterosaurs make up only a tiny percentage of the assemblage. There are currently only seven specimens accessioned in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Natural History Museum, London. Of these, only one specimen (an association of material from a juvenile animal) has been named, identified as
Rhamphorhynchus jessoni
. Following a detailed examination, it is identified here as lacking any autapomorphies and the species
R
.
jessoni
is considered a
nomen dubium
. The other Oxford Clay Formation pterosaur fossils are similarly identified as indeterminate, except for an isolated scapulocoracoid which is positively identified as
Rhamphorhynchus
sp. The rarity of pterosaurs is attributed to a combination of the fragility of their bones and the tendency of volant animals to have low population densities at sea.
The New New Civil Wars
Authors: Walter Barbara F.
Published: March 2017

Post-2003 civil wars are different from previous civil wars in three striking ways. First, most of them are situated in Muslim-majority countries. Second, most of the rebel groups fighting these wars espouse radical Islamist ideas and goals. Third, most of these radical groups are pursuing transnational rather than national aims. Current civil war theories can explain some of what is going on, but not everything. In this article, I argue that the transformation of information technology, especially the advent of the Web 2.0 in the early 2000s, is the big new innovation that is likely driving many of these changes. I offer a theory to explain why rebel groups, especially those in Muslim countries, have chosen to pursue a particular type of extreme ideology and goals. I then identify the six big implications this new information environment is likely to have for rebel behavior in the future. Innovations in information and communication technology are currently manifesting themselves in the rise of global Jihadi groups in the Muslim world, but we can expect them to be exploited by other groups as well.
Cerebral microhemorrhages: mechanisms, consequences, and prevention
Authors: Ungvari Zoltan , Tarantini Stefano , Kirkpatrick Angelia C. , Csiszar Anna , Prodan Calin I.
Published: March 2017

The increasing prevalence of multifocal cerebral microhemorrhages (CMHs, also known as “cerebral microbleeds”) is a significant, newly recognized problem in the aging population of the Western world. CMHs are associated with rupture of small intracerebral vessels and are thought to progressively impair neuronal function, potentially contributing to cognitive decline, geriatric psychiatric syndromes, and gait disorders. Clinical studies show that aging and hypertension significantly increase prevalence of CMHs. CMHs are also now recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a major factor in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Moreover, the presence of CMHs is an independent risk factor for subsequent larger intracerebral hemorrhages. In this article, we review the epidemiology, detection, risk factors, clinical significance, and pathogenesis of CMHs. The potential age-related cellular mechanisms underlying the development of CMHs are discussed, with a focus on the structural determinants of microvascular fragility, age-related alterations in cerebrovascular adaptation to hypertension, the role of oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase activation, and the deleterious effects of arterial stiffening, increased pulse pressure, and impaired myogenic autoregulatory protection on the brain microvasculature. Finally, we examine potential treatments for the prevention of CMHs based on the proposed model of aging- and hypertension-dependent activation of the reactive oxygen species-matrix metalloproteinases axis, and we discuss critical questions to be addressed by future studies.
Endothelial dysfunction inhibits the ability of haptoglobin to prevent hemoglobin-induced hypertension
Authors: Graw Jan A. , Yu Binglan , Rezoagli Emanuele , Warren H. Shaw , Buys Emmanuel S. , Bloch Donald B. , Zapol Warren M.
Published: March 2017

Intravascular hemolysis produces injury in a variety of human diseases including hemoglobinopathies, malaria, and sepsis. The adverse effects of increased plasma hemoglobin are partly mediated by depletion of nitric oxide (NO) and result in vasoconstriction. Circulating plasma proteins haptoglobin and hemopexin scavenge extracellular hemoglobin and cell-free heme, respectively. The ability of human haptoglobin or hemopexin to inhibit the adverse effects of NO scavenging by circulating murine hemoglobin was tested in C57Bl/6 mice. In healthy awake mice, the systemic hemodynamic effects of intravenous coinfusion of cell-free hemoglobin and exogenous haptoglobin or of cell-free hemoglobin and hemopexin were compared with the hemodynamic effects of infusion of cell-free hemoglobin or control protein (albumin) alone. We also studied the hemodynamic effects of infusing hemoglobin and haptoglobin as well as injecting either hemoglobin or albumin alone in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and in diabetic ( db/ db) mice. Coinfusion of a 1:1 weight ratio of haptoglobin but not hemopexin with cell-free hemoglobin prevented hemoglobin-induced systemic hypertension in healthy awake mice. In mice fed a HFD and in diabetic mice, coinfusion of haptoglobin mixed with an equal mass of cell-free hemoglobin did not reverse hemoglobin-induced hypertension. Haptoglobin retained cell-free hemoglobin in plasma, but neither haptoglobin nor hemopexin affected the ability of hemoglobin to scavenge NO ex vivo. In conclusion, in healthy C57Bl/6 mice with normal endothelium, coadministration of haptoglobin but not hemopexin with cell-free hemoglobin prevents acute hemoglobin-induced systemic hypertension by compartmentalizing cell-free hemoglobin in plasma. In murine diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction, haptoglobin therapy appears to be insufficient to prevent hemoglobin-induced vasoconstriction.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Coadministraton of haptoglobin but not hemopexin with cell-free hemoglobin prevents hemoglobin-induced systemic hypertension in mice with a normal endothelium. In contrast, treatment with the same amount of haptoglobin is unable to prevent hemoglobin-induced vasoconstriction in mice with hyperlipidemia or diabetes mellitus, disorders that are associated with endothelial dysfunction.
B cells and atherosclerosis
Authors: Srikakulapu Prasad , McNamara Coleen A.
Published: March 2017

B cells have emerged as important immune cells in cardiovascular disease. Initial studies have suggested that B cells protect against atherosclerosis development. However, subsequent studies demonstrating aggravation of atherosclerosis by B-2 cells have shed light on the subset-dependent effects of B cells. Here, we review the literature that has led to our current understanding of B cell regulation of atherosclerosis, touching on the importance of subsets, local regulation, human translation, and therapeutic potential.
Stereological monitoring of mouse lung alveolarization from the early postnatal period to adulthood
Authors: Pozarska Agnieszka , Rodríguez-Castillo José Alberto , Surate Solaligue David E. , Ntokou Aglaia , Rath Philipp , Mižíková Ivana , Madurga Alicia , Mayer Konstantin , Vadász István , Herold Susanne , Ahlbrecht Katrin , Seeger Werner , Morty Rory E.
Published: March 2017

Postnatal lung maturation generates a large number of small alveoli, with concomitant thinning of alveolar septal walls, generating a large gas exchange surface area but minimizing the distance traversed by the gases. This demand for a large and thin gas exchange surface area is not met in disorders of lung development, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) histopathologically characterized by fewer, larger alveoli and thickened alveolar septal walls. Diseases such as BPD are often modeled in the laboratory mouse to better understand disease pathogenesis or to develop new interventional approaches. To date, there have been no stereology-based longitudinal studies on postnatal mouse lung development that report dynamic changes in alveoli number or alveolar septal wall thickness during lung maturation. To this end, changes in lung structure were quantified over the first 22 mo of postnatal life of C57BL/6J mice. Alveolar density peaked at postnatal day (P)39 and remained unchanged at 9 mo (P274) but was reduced by 22 mo (P669). Alveoli continued to be generated, initially at an accelerated rate between P5 and P14, and at a slower rate thereafter. Between P274 and P669, loss of alveoli was noted, without any reduction in lung volume. A progressive thinning of the alveolar septal wall was noted between P5 and P28. Pronounced sex differences were observed in alveoli number in adult (but not juvenile) mice, when comparing male and female mouse lungs. This sex difference was attributed exclusively to the larger volume of male mouse lungs.
Tumor-Localized Secretion of Soluble PD1 Enhances Oncolytic Virotherapy
Authors: Bartee Mee Y. , Dunlap Katherine M. , Bartee Eric
Published: March 2017

Oncolytic virotherapy represents an attractive option for the treatment of a variety of aggressive or refractory tumors. While this therapy is effective at rapidly debulking directly injected tumor masses, achieving complete eradication of established disease has proven difficult. One method to overcome this challenge is to use oncolytic viruses to induce secondary antitumor immune responses. Unfortunately, while the initial induction of these immune responses is typically robust, their subsequent efficacy is often inhibited through a variety of immunoregulatory mechanisms, including the PD1/PDL1 T-cell checkpoint pathway. To overcome this inhibition, we generated a novel recombinant myxoma virus (vPD1), which inhibits the PD1/PDL1 pathway specifically within the tumor microenvironment by secreting a soluble form of PD1 from infected cells. This virus both induced and maintained antitumor CD8+ T-cell responses within directly treated tumors and proved safer and more effective than combination therapy using unmodified myxoma and systemic αPD1 antibodies. Localized vPD1 treatment combined with systemic elimination of regulatory T cells had potent synergistic effects against metastatic disease that was already established in secondary solid organs. These results demonstrate that tumor-localized inhibition of the PD1/PDL1 pathway can significantly improve outcomes during oncolytic virotherapy. Furthermore, they establish a feasible path to translate these findings against clinically relevant disease. Cancer Res; 77(11); 2952–63. ©2017 AACR.