bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluorinated antimicrobial lysine‐based peptidomimetics with activity against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Authors: Molchanova Natalia , Hansen Paul R. , Damborg Peter , Franzyk Henrik
Published: July 2018

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the predominant opportunistic pathogen in dogs causing primarily integumentary infections such as pyoderma and otitis. The worldwide emergence of methicillin‐resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) constitutes a significant health problem for companion animals in veterinary medicine. Thus, discovery of novel agents for treatment of MRSP‐associated infections is highly warranted. In the present work, structure‐activity relationships (based on testing of 37 peptidomimetics) have been explored with the aim of determining the influence of oligomer length as well as effect of fluorination, end‐group modification, and length of hydrophobic side chains. Incorporation of fluorine atoms and elongation of hydrophobic side chains both conferred overall increased potency without significantly enhancing the hemolytic properties of the compounds. Importantly, it was found that when targeting MRSP, the peptidomimetic length could be reduced from 12 to 8 residues without substantial loss of antibacterial activity. By contrast, introduction of end‐group modifications did not improve the activity against MRSP (10 strains tested), but conferred increased activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, albeit the concomitantly increased hemolytic properties resulted in a slightly lowered cell selectivity.
Elucidation of chemical modifier reactivity towards peptides and proteins and the analysis of specific fragmentation by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization collision‐induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Rühl Michael , Kühn Benjamin , Roos Jessica , Maier Thorsten J. , Steinhilber Dieter , Karas Michael
Published: July 2018

Rationale

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) analysis of covalent 5‐lipoxygenase inhibitors is challenging due to unknown amino acid specificity and low posttranslational modification (PTM)‐identification rates. The analysis of the amino‐acid specificity and of the characteristic fragmentation of chemically modified peptides is considered to improve knowledge for the analysis of chemically modified peptides and proteins by MALDI‐MS.

Methods

Various compounds were used to investigate the modification of synthetic peptides carrying reactive amino acid residues. Mass spectra were recorded using a MALDI‐LTQ Orbitrap XL for high‐resolution mass spectrometry and ion trap MALDI‐MS2. UV–Vis‐based reduction and radical scavenging analysis was conducted. The on‐plate digestion method described by Rühl et al was utilized for modification‐site analysis at 5‐lipoxygenase.

Results

The analysis of amino‐acid‐specific reactivity revealed the reactivity of quinones towards cysteine residues and the potential occurrence of a subsequent oxidative process was observed by an UV–Vis‐based reduction assay. MALDI collision‐induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID‐MS2) indicated a prominent fragmentation mechanism of modified cysteine and histidine residues. Fragmentation included highly abundant neutral‐loss signals which could be used to identify new modifications induced by chemical modifiers at the cysteine‐159 residue of 5‐lipoxygenase.

Conclusions

Specificity and fragmentation analysis provides crucial information for the analysis of chemically modified cysteines and histidines by MALDI‐MS. Elucidation of binding sites by MALDI‐MS has been significantly improved using an easy‐to‐run peptide assay and gives background information for the analysis in the case of chemically modified 5‐lipoxygenase.
Channel invariant online visibility enhancement for visual SLAM in a turbid environment
Authors: Cho Younggun , Kim Ayoung
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a real‐time and channel‐invariant visibility enhancement algorithm using a hybrid image enhancement approach. The proposed method is initially motivated by an underwater visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) failure in a turbid medium. The environments studied contain various particles and are dominated by a different image degradation model. Targeting image enhancement for degraded images but not being limited to it, the proposed method provides a highly effective solution for both color and gray images with substantial improvement in the process time compared to conventional methods. The proposed method introduces a hybrid scheme of two image enhancement modules: a model‐based (extensive) enhancement and a model‐free (immediate) enhancement. The proposed method is validated by using simulated synthetic color images and real‐world color and grayscale underwater images. Real‐world validation is performed in various environments such as hazy indoor, smoky indoor, and underwater. Using the ground truth trajectory or clear images acquired from the same area but without turbidity, we evaluate the proposed visibility enhancement and camera registration improvement for a feature based (ORB‐SLAM2), a direct (LSD‐SLAM), and a visual underwater SLAM application.
Synthesis of BN/g‐C3N4 as Visible‐light‐driven Photocatalysts for Degradation of Different Organic Pollutants
Authors: Tu Dan , Liao Huiwei , Deng Qiulin
Published: July 2018

In this work, BN/g‐C3N4 composites were prepared by hydrothermal reaction. The BN/g‐C3N4 composites were successfully characterized by FTIR spectra, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, UV/Vis DRS, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and BET. The photocatalytic activities of the as‐prepared catalysts were evaluated by the degradation of different organic pollutants, such as Acid Red (AR), Rhodamine B (RhB), Congo Red (CR), Methyl Orange (MO), Methyl Red (MR), and Phenol. The best result showed that the 40 wt% BN was added to g‐C3N4 (BN/g‐C3N4‐4) achieved up to 99% decomposition of AR within 90 min under visible‐light irradiation. The kinetics of BN/g‐C3N4 ‐4 for degradation of AR was almost six times than that of pure g‐C3N4. Finally, the degradation processes of different pollutants and the photocatalytic mechanism had been explained concretely.
Zwitterionic‐Biosurfactant‐Encapsulated Shape‐Controlled AgNPs: An Assessment of Shape Effect on Catalytic Properties
Authors: Marimuthu Vanitha , Chandirasekar Shanmugam , Kasthuri Jayapalan , Rajendiran Nagappan
Published: July 2018

In this study, photochemical synthesis of shape controlled silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using 3‐[(3‐cholamidopropyl)‐dimethylammonium]‐1‐propanesulfonate (CHAPS) as a reducing and stabilizing agent has been reported. Since, CHAPS is a highly biocompatible zwitterionic bio‐surfactant with combined properties of both sulfobetaine type detergents and cholic acid, it acts as an ideal template for the preparation of biocompatible nanomaterials. The formation of AgNPs is influenced by the concentration of CHAPS and the pH of the reaction medium. Below the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of CHAPS anisotropic NPs were formed whereas above the CMC spherical shaped NPs were obtained. The optical properties of the nanoparticles (NPs) were studied using UV‐visible spectroscopy. Size and morphology of the NPs were analyzed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) and dynamic light scattering techniques (DLS). The interaction of surfactant on the NPs surface was studied by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy. The influence of the NPs′ shape on the catalytic performance was evaluated using the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) to 4‐aminophenol (4‐AP) as a model reaction.
Focused Ultrasound Enabled Trans‐Blood Brain Barrier Delivery of Gold Nanoclusters: Effect of Surface Charges and Quantification Using Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Sultan Deborah , Ye Dezhuang , Heo Gyu Seong , Zhang Xiaohui , Luehmann Hannah , Yue Yimei , Detering Lisa , Komarov Sergey , Taylor Sara , Tai Yuan‐Chuan , Rubin Joshua B. , Chen Hong , Liu Yongjian
Published: July 2018

Focused ultrasound (FUS) technology is reported to enhance the delivery of 64Cu‐integrated ultrasmall gold nanoclusters (64Cu‐AuNCs) across the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) as measured by positron emission tomography (PET). To better define the optimal physical properties for brain delivery, 64Cu‐AuNCs with different surface charges are synthesized and characterized. In vivo biodistribution studies are performed to compare the individual organ uptake of each type of 64Cu‐AuNCs. Quantitative PET imaging post‐FUS treatment shows site‐targeted brain penetration, retention, and diffusion of the negative, neutral, and positive 64Cu‐AuNCs. Autoradiography is performed to compare the intrabrain distribution of these nanoclusters. PET Imaging demonstrates the effective BBB opening and successful delivery of 64Cu‐AuNCs into the brain. Of the three 64Cu‐AuNCs investigated, the neutrally charged nanostructure performs the best and is the candidate platform for future theranostic applications in neuro‐oncology.
Engineering Morphologies of Cobalt Pyrophosphates Nanostructures toward Greatly Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performance of Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Du Hongfang , Ai Wei , Zhao Zhi Liang , Chen Yu , Xu Xin , Zou Chenji , Wu Lishu , Su Lan , Nan Kaikai , Yu Ting , Li Chang Ming
Published: July 2018

Herein, a surfactant‐ and additive‐free strategy is developed for morphology‐controllable synthesis of cobalt pyrophosphate (CoPPi) nanostructures by tuning the concentration and ratio of the precursor solutions of Na4P2O7 and Co(CH3COO)2. A series of CoPPi nanostructures including nanowires, nanobelts, nanoleaves, and nanorhombuses are prepared and exhibit very promising electrocatalytic properties toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Acting as both reactant and pseudo‐surfactant, the existence of excess Na4P2O7 is essential to synthesize CoPPi nanostructures for unique morphologies. Among all CoPPi nanostructures, the CoPPi nanowires catalyst renders the best catalytic performance for OER in alkaline media, achieving a low Tafel slope of 54.1 mV dec−1, a small overpotential of 359 mV at 10 mA cm−2, and superior stability. The electrocatalytic activities of CoPPi nanowires outperform the most reported non‐noble metal based catalysts, even better than the benchmark Ir/C (20%) catalyst. The reported synthesis of CoPPi gives guidance for morphology control of transition metal pyrophosphate based nanostructures for a high‐performance inexpensive material to replace the noble metal‐based OER catalysts.
Direct Imaging for Single Molecular Chain of Surfactant on CeO2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Hao Xiaodong , Chen Chunlin , Saito Mitsuhiro , Yin Deqiang , Inoue Kazutoshi , Takami Seiichi , Adschiri Tadafumi , Ikuhara Yuichi
Published: July 2018

Organic surfactant controls the synthesis of nanocrystals (NCs) with uniform size and morphology by attaching on the surface of NCs and further facilitates their assembly into ordered superstructure, which produces versatile functional nanomaterials for practical applications. It is essential to directly resolve the surfactant molecules on the surface of NCs to improve the understanding of surface chemistry of NCs. However, the imaging resolution and contrast are insufficient for a single molecule of organic surfactant on NCs. In this work, direct characterization of organic surfactant on CeO2 NCs is conducted by using the state‐of‐the‐art aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging and electron energy loss spectra (EELS) techniques. The explicit evidence for the existence and distribution of organic surfactant on CeO2 NCs are obtained on the atomic scale by EELS elemental mapping. Besides, STEM imaging parameters are systematically adjusted and optimized for the direct imaging of a single molecular chain of organic surfactant on CeO2 NCs. Such direct visualization of organic surfactant molecule on the surface of NCs can be a significant step forward in the fields of nanomaterials surface chemistry and materials characterization.
Numerical evaluation of localization and softening behavior of concrete confined by steel tubes
Authors: Mendoza Rodolfo , Yamamoto Yoshihito , Nakamura Hikaru , Miura Taito
Published: July 2018

A newly developed coupled numerical model is presented to investigate the compressive localization and softening behavior of concrete under steel tube confinement. The coupled model combines the use of rigid body spring model (RBSM) and nonlinear shell finite element method (FEM) to simulate concrete and steel in steel tube–confined concrete members. Numerical evaluation of compression localization in steel tube–confined concrete columns showed that the compressive behavior of this type of column is also localized and that the length of compressive fracture zone was found to be more localized in square cross section than equivalent circular cross section. With increasing slenderness and level of confinement, it was found that localization length increases with increasing confinement, and for higher confinement level, localization zone can only be observed in longer specimens. This means that localization and softening of concrete can always occur irrespective of confinement level but depends on the size (height) of the member.
Wind‐induced internal pressure effect within a novel super‐large cylindrical–conical steel cooling tower
Authors: Ke Shitang , Du Lingyun , Ge Yaojun
Published: July 2018

A cylindrical–conical steel cooling tower (SCT) is a new type of very large thin‐walled, flexible structure. This study focused on the wind loads on the internal and outer surfaces of this structure and its wind‐induced responses. First, using the computational fluid dynamics method, the numerical wind tunnel was conducted to simulate a 189‐m‐high cylindrical–conical SCT, Asia's highest cooling tower that is still under construction. This numerical method was validated by comparing the wind pressures across typical cross sections of the tower model's cylindrical and conical segments with known standard curves. Based on this, the features of the airflow around the typical cross sections and its wake were extracted, and the distribution of mean wind loads along the internal and outer surfaces of the cylindrical and conical sections was obtained. Then functions for estimating the internal and outer surfaces shape factors of the cylindrical and conical segments were obtained by fitting to the simulated data. Furthermore, finite element method was used to analyze the static wind‐induced response of the cylindrical–conical SCT under internal pressure, external pressure, or both internal and external pressure. The effect patterns of internal pressures on the wind‐induced responses of the main tube, stiffening trusses, and auxiliary trusses of the tower were derived from the analysis results. Main findings of the research can provide a reference for design of very large cylindrical–conical SCTs for wind resistance in the future.
CYP450‐mediated mitochondrial ROS production involved in arecoline N‐oxide‐induced oxidative damage in liver cell lines
Authors: Wang Tsu‐Shing , Lin Cheng‐Ping , Chen Yu‐Pong , Chao Mu‐Rong , Li Chien‐Chun , Liu Kai‐Li
Published: July 2018

Background

IARC has classified the betel nut as a human environmental carcinogen. Previous studies have found that arecoline (AR) is the major alkaloid present in the saliva of betel quid chewers. Saliva contains a large content of AR which has been further shown to cause mutation of oral mucosa cells, resulting in oral cancer. Whereas, to date, there are only few studies reported the hepatotoxicity associated with arecoline and betel nut chewing. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to determine the toxic effects of AR and its oxidative metabolite, arecoline N‐oxide (ARNO), in normal liver cell lines.

Methods

The cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects were detected by crystal violet staining, alkaline comet assay, and Salmonella mutagenicity test, respectively. Measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined using the H2‐DCFDA assay.

Results

Our results demonstrated that ARNO exerted higher cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and mutagenicity than its parent compound arecoline in liver cells. Antioxidants, such as N‐acetylcysteine, Trolox, and penicillamine, strongly protected liver cells from ARNO‐induced DNA damage and ROS production. Furthermore, co‐treatment with Mito‐TEMPO also effectively blocked ARNO‐induced ROS production in liver cells. Besides antioxidants, co‐treatment with 1‐aminobenzotriazole and methimazole nearly completely suppressed ARNO‐induced ROS production in liver cells.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that arecoline ingested from the habit of chewing betel quid can be primarily oxidized to ARNO, thereby enhancing its toxicity through increased ROS production. Considering the excellent protective effects of both mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant and CYP450 inhibitor on ARNO‐induced ROS production in liver cells, mitochondria CYP450‐mediated metabolism of ARNO may be a key mechanism. Collectively, our results provide novel cellular evidence for the positive connection between habitual betel quid chewing and the risk for liver damage.
Hazardous impacts of silver nanoparticles on mouse oocyte maturation and fertilization and fetal development through induction of apoptotic processes
Authors: Huang Chien‐Hsun , Yeh Jui‐Ming , Chan Wen‐Hsiung
Published: July 2018

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are antibacterial materials widely used in numerous products and medical supplies. Previously, we showed that AgNPs trigger apoptotic processes in mouse blastocysts, leading to a decrease in cell viability and impairment of preimplantation and postimplantation embryonic development in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we further investigated the hazardous effects of AgNPs on mouse oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and subsequent preimplantation and postimplantation development in vitro and in vivo. Data from in vitro experiments revealed that AgNPs impair mouse oocyte maturation, decrease IVF rates, and induce injury effects on subsequent embryonic development to a significant extent. In an animal model, intravenous injection of AgNPs (5 mg/kg body weight) led to a significant decrease in mouse oocyte maturation and IVF concomitant with impairment of early embryonic development in vivo. Importantly, pretreatment with N‐acetylcysteine effectively prevented AgNP‐triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis, clearly suggesting a critical role of ROS as an upstream initiator or key regulator of AgNP‐induced hazardous effects on oocyte maturation and sequent embryonic development. Furthermore, preincubation of oocytes with Ac‐DEVD‐cho, a caspase‐3‐specific inhibitor, effectively prevented hazardous effects, highlighting the potential involvement of caspase‐dependent apoptotic signaling cascades in AgNP‐mediated events. Expression levels of p53 and p21 of blastocysts were upregulated upon preincubation of mouse oocytes with AgNPs. Our collective results imply that cell apoptosis in mouse blastocysts derived from the AgNP‐pretreated oocytes via intracellular ROS generation, which is further mediated through p53‐, p21‐, and caspase‐3‐dependent regulatory mechanisms.
Conceptual study of a gearbox fault detection method applied on a 5‐MW spar‐type floating wind turbine
Authors: Nejad Amir R. , Odgaard Peter Fogh , Moan Torgeir
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a model‐based fault detection method for fault detection of gearboxes in offshore wind turbines is presented. The main aim of this paper is to support conceptual studies with more emphasis on early fault detection methods for floating wind turbines. The method is introduced and applied on a 5‐MW reference gearbox installed on a spar‐type floating wind turbine. Faults applied on the main bearing, high and intermediate speed shaft bearings, and the planet bearing are examined with this method. The gearbox is modelled in a multibody simulation environment with high fidelity. The 5‐MW gearbox model used in this study is an offshore reference gearbox that consists of 3 stages, 2 planetary and 1 parallel stages, which is supported in a 4‐point configuration layout. The bearing faults are detected through the angular velocity error function. The angular velocity measurements are performed at input, output shafts, and 2 additional sensors inside the gearbox. The aim of the method is also to detect the fault through the external sensors—input and output shafts—measurements, which can be embedded in the existing control system. The results reveal the possibility of early fault detection by this method for large floating wind turbines.
Skills for the green transition
Authors: Kizu Takaaki , Mahmud Tahmina , Saget Catherine , Strietska‐Ilina Olga
Published: July 2018

The transition to a green economy cannot be achieved without a skilled labour force. Skills development contributes to resilience by helping workers move to sectors with employment growth and to better jobs. It can also promote innovation, investment and competitiveness, thus creating a virtuous cycle. Imbalances persist between skills offered and skills needed for the green transition. A few countries integrate environmental sustainability and skills policies. Many countries have not yet developed or utilized their skills institutions to prepare for the green transition. Discussions on skills for the green transition tend to be led by governments with the involvement of employers, but to a lesser extent of trade unions.
Afferent Loop Decompression Technique is Associated with a Reduction in Pancreatic Fistula Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Yin Jie , Lu Zipeng , Wu Pengfei , Wu Junli , Gao Wentao , Wei Jishu , Guo Feng , Chen Jianmin , Jiang Kuirong , Miao Yi
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a major complication and main cause of mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Afferent loop decompression technique (ALDT) has theoretical feasibility to reduce the rate of POPF. The aim of this study is to determine whether ALDT is a protective factor for POPF.

Methods

A total of 492 consecutive patients who underwent PD between January 2012 and December 2014 were identified from a prospective database. All data were extracted and events were judged based on medical records. Propensity score matching was conducted to balance several variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, respectively, to investigate the independent risk factors for pancreatic fistula. ALDT required a nasogastric tube with multiple side holes to be placed deep into the afferent jejunal limb. The rationale for this technique was to prevent pancreatic fistula by decreasing intraluminal pressure in the afferent jejunal loop by placement of the nasogastric tube and the application of continuous low‐pressure suction after surgery.

Results

The total rate of POPF for the entire cohort was 30.7%, and ISGPS grade‐A/B/C POPF rates were 18.1, 10.6 and 2.0%, respectively. In‐hospital mortality was 1.6%. Among the 331 patients who received ALDT, 89 developed pancreatic leakage (26.9 vs. 38.5% for non‐ALDT; P = 0.009) and eight developed biliary leakage (2.4 vs. 6.2% for non‐ALDT; P = 0.035). Apart from ALDT, decreased preoperative ALT, soft pancreas, long operative time and tumour presence in the lower common bile duct (as opposed to the pancreas) were identified as other independent risk factors for POPF following multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

ALDT may reduce the incidence of POPF after PD.
Parametric analysis of the quality of single preemption schedules on three uniform parallel machines
Authors: Soper Alan J. , Strusevich Vitaly A.
Published: July 2018

For a scheduling problem to minimize the makespan on three uniform parallel machines we present a parametric analysis of the quality of a schedule with at most one preemption compared to the global optimal schedule with any number of preemptions. A tight bound is derived as a function of the relative speeds of the machines, provided that two of the machines have the same speed.
Sampling Weights for Analyses of Couple Data: Example of the Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Becker Stan , Kalamar Amanda
Published: July 2018

In some surveys, women and men are interviewed separately in selected households, allowing matching of partner information and analyses of couples. Although individual sampling weights exist for men and women, sampling weights specific for couples are rarely derived. We present a method of estimating appropriate weights for couples that extends methods currently used in the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for individual weights. To see how results vary, we analyze 1912 estimates (means; proportions; linear regression; and simple and multinomial logistic regression coefficients, and their standard errors) with couple data in each of 11 DHS surveys in which the couple weight could be derived. We used two measures of bias: absolute percentage difference from the value estimated with the couple weight and ratio of the absolute difference to the standard error using the couple weight. The latter shows greater bias for means and proportions, whereas the former and a combination of both measures show greater bias for regression coefficients. Comparing results using couple weights with published results using women’s weights for a logistic regression of couple contraceptive use in Turkey, we found that 6 of 27 coefficients had a bias above 5 %. On the other hand, a simulation of varying response rates (27 simulations) showed that median percentage bias in a logistic regression was less than 3 % for 17 of 18 coefficients. Two proxy couple weights that can be calculated in all DHS surveys perform considerably better than either male or female weights. We recommend that a couple weight be calculated and made available with couple data from such surveys.
The Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3): customization of the Archive Index Database for European Union countries
Authors: Pilli Roberto , Kull Stephen J. , Blujdea Viorel N. B. , Grassi Giacomo
Published: July 2018

Key message

The purpose of this report is to increase the transparency of applications of the CBM-CFS3 model by climate-related policy-makers and researchers. The report provides explicit information on the parametrization of a new Archive Index Database used with this model to simulate forest carbon dynamics in 26 EU countries. The database can be accessed at
https://data.europa.eu/89h/jrc-cbm-eu-aidb
, primary metadata are available in Kull et al. (2017), and additional metadata are available at
https://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/df48155b-973f-4169-a722-100bb6bfc76c
.

The Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) has been adapted, tested, and applied to forests of 26 EU countries over the last 7 years for EU policy making and scientific research. The overall purpose of this exercise is to increase the transparency of how the EU Archive Index Database (EU-AIDB) was parameterized while supporting both the policy making and research communities interested in applying the CBM-CFS3 with ecological parameters specific to the EU context. In addition to preparing model input data reflecting various management and disturbance scenarios for CBM-CFS3 projects, an essential step was to update the original AIDB with information specific to the EU context and create an EU-AIDB. The AIDB is the Microsoft Access database behind the CBM-CFS3 that stores default ecological information and parameters pertaining to the forest ecosystems of a country, among other functions. The EU-AIDB incorporates 1034 spatial units resulting from the intersection of 204 European administrative regions and ecological boundaries representing 35 climatic units. It also contains updated parameters for 192 of the main tree species reported by the National Forest Inventories of each EU country. The release of this database allows CBM-33 CFS3 users in the EU to apply European administrative and ecological units and tree species in forest carbon modeling projects.
Xenophobia and Collective Violence in South Africa: A Note of Skepticism About the Scapegoat
Authors: Steinberg Jonny
Published: July 2018

This article examines differing explanations for violence against foreign nationals in post-apartheid South Africa. It argues that the most compelling analyses in the scholarship draw from a family of arguments in the global literature that locates popular violence against outsiders within the context of declining sovereign power, explaining theatrical displays of force against enemies within as attempts at the retrieval of that power. To the extent that these arguments rely on the concept of a scapegoat, they are inadequate. More analytical attention needs to be paid to the scene of the encounters between the “us” and the “them” of collective violence.
Vortex–wave interaction arrays: a sustaining mechanism for the log layer?
Authors: Hall Philip
Published: July 2018

Vortex–wave interaction theory is used to describe new kinds of localised and distributed exact coherent structures. Starting with a localised vortex–wave interaction state driven by a single inviscid wave, regular arrays of interacting vortex–wave states are investigated. In the first instance the arrays described are operational in an infinite uniform shear flow; we refer to them as ‘uniform shear vortex–wave arrays’. The basic form of the interaction remains identical to the canonical one found by Hall & Smith (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 227, 1991, pp. 641–666) and subsequently used to describe exact coherent structures by Hall & Sherwin (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 661, 2010, pp. 178–205). Thus in each cell of a vortex–wave array a roll stress jump is induced across the critical layer of an inviscid wave riding on the streak part of the flow. The theory is extended to arbitrary shear flows using a nonlinear Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin–Jeffreys or ray theory approach with the wave–roll–streak field operating on a shorter length scale than the mean flow. The evolution equation governing the slow dynamics of the interaction turns out to be a modified form of the well-known mean equation for a turbulent flow, and its particular form can be interpreted as a ‘closure’ between the small and large scales of the flow. If the array structure is taken to be universal, in the sense that it applies to arbitrary shear flows, then the array takes on a form which supports a logarithmic mean velocity profile trapped between what can be identified with the ‘wake region’ and a ‘buffer layer’ well known in the context of wall-bounded turbulent flows. The many similarities between the distributed structures described and wall-bounded turbulence suggest that vortex–wave arrays might be involved in the self-sustaining process supporting the log layer. The modification of the mean profile within each cell of the array leads to ‘staircase’-like streamwise velocity profiles similar to those observed experimentally in turbulent flows. The wave field supporting the ‘staircase’ is concentrated in critical layers which can be associated with the shear layer structures that have been attributed by experimentalists to be the mechanism supporting the uniform-momentum zones of the staircase.
Numerical Analysis of Cooling an Electronic Circuit Component With Cross Flow and Jet Combination
Authors: Demircan T.
Published: July 2018

In this study, cooling of a constant temperature cube that represents electronic components inserted inside a channel are investigated. For this purpose, primary air with constant velocity is transferred from channel input, and secondary air with impinging jet is transferred to channel upper surface which corresponds to top part of the components. The flows are in contact with the cube that has constant temperature and effects the thermal boundary layer on the cube surfaces to create a heat transfer from cube to fluid. This situation is simulated under turbulence conditions for different values of nozzle jet input velocity (Vj) and channel input velocity (Uc) using Reynolds number between 30000-90000 based on channel input velocity. For this purpose, velocity, temperature, and pressure distributions are obtained for the solution region using CFD package program. As a result, flow and thermal characteristics inside the channel are parametrically calculated based on Reynolds number, Nusselt number, and cube surface temperature.
Ice flow modelling to constrain the surface mass balance and ice discharge of San Rafael Glacier, Northern Patagonia Icefield
Authors: COLLAO-BARRIOS GABRIELA , GILLET-CHAULET FABIEN , FAVIER VINCENT , CASASSA GINO , BERTHIER ETIENNE , DUSSAILLANT INÉS , MOUGINOT JÉRÉMIE , RIGNOT ERIC
Published: July 2018

We simulate the ice dynamics of the San Rafael Glacier (SRG) in the Northern Patagonia Icefield (46.7°S, 73.5°W), using glacier geometry obtained by airborne gravity measurements. The full-Stokes ice flow model (Elmer/Ice) is initialized using an inverse method to infer the basal friction coefficient from a satellite-derived surface velocity mosaic. The high surface velocities (7.6 km a−1) near the glacier front are explained by low basal shear stresses (<25 kPa). The modelling results suggest that 98% of the surface velocities are due to basal sliding in the fast-flowing glacier tongue (>1 km a−1). We force the model using different surface mass-balance scenarios taken or adapted from previous studies and geodetic elevation changes between 2000 and 2012. Our results suggest that previous estimates of average surface mass balance over the entire glacier (Ḃ) were likely too high, mainly due to an overestimation in the accumulation area. We propose that most of SRG imbalance is due to the large ice discharge (−0.83 ± 0.08 Gt a−1) and a slightly positiveḂ(0.08 ± 0.06 Gt a−1). The committed mass-loss estimate over the next century is −0.34 ± 0.03 Gt a−1. This study demonstrates that surface mass-balance estimates and glacier wastage projections can be improved using a physically based ice flow model.
Review Article: A Structured Review of Semi-Presidential Studies: Debates, Results and Missing Pieces
Authors: Åberg Jenny , Sedelius Thomas
Published: July 2018

This study maps the general lines of semi-presidential research with regard to theory, topics and methods. It identifies research gaps and provides recommendations for future studies. The review includes a general screening of 327 publications covering the period 1970–2015, and a close reading of sixty-five selected publications. The findings suggest that the inconsistent use of regime type definitions has limited the possibilities for generalizations. The study tracks the influence of some seminal articles, as well as the recent trend of focusing on the role and powers of the president. The article calls for more studies beyond Europe, and suggests that the field would benefit from including Historical and Normative Institutionalism. Finally, it suggests the need for studies on public administration that are relevant to the functioning of semi-presidential government.
Functional outcome after long-term low-dose trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in chronic rhinosinusitis with purulence: a prospective study
Authors: de Bonnecaze G , Chaput B , Dupret-Bories A , Vergez S , Serrano E
Published: July 2018

Objective

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole has been suggested as a treatment option for chronic rhinosinusitis with purulence. This study aimed to assess the functional and endoscopic outcomes after a three-month course of low-dose trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

Methods

A prospective study was performed, comprising patients referred to a tertiary care medical centre with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis with purulence. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was prescribed at 960 mg/day for three months. Sinonasal complaints and endoscopic findings were documented, and bacteriological data were compared.

Results

Fifteen patients were included.Staphylococcus aureuswas the most common bacterium cultured (86 per cent). Improvement in nasal function, as measured by the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, was highly significant at three months (p< 0.0005). This improvement slightly decreased but remained significant at 6, 9 and 12 months. No side effects were noted. Endoscopic scores revealed similar and concordant improvements.

Conclusion

Long-term low-dose trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole therapy seems to be a safe option for selected patients. Additional randomised multicentre studies remain necessary.
Personalized prediction of antidepressant v. placebo response: evidence from the EMBARC study
Authors: Webb Christian A. , Trivedi Madhukar H. , Cohen Zachary D. , Dillon Daniel G. , Fournier Jay C. , Goer Franziska , Fava Maurizio , McGrath Patrick J. , Weissman Myrna , Parsey Ramin , Adams Phil , Trombello Joseph M. , Cooper Crystal , Deldin Patricia , Oquendo Maria A. , McInnis Melvin G. , Huys Quentin , Bruder Gerard , Kurian Benji T. , Jha Manish , DeRubeis Robert J. , Pizzagalli Diego A.
Published: July 2018

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly heterogeneous condition in terms of symptom presentation and, likely, underlying pathophysiology. Accordingly, it is possible that only certain individuals with MDD are well-suited to antidepressants. A potentially fruitful approach to parsing this heterogeneity is to focus on promising endophenotypes of depression, such as neuroticism, anhedonia, and cognitive control deficits.

Methods

Within an 8-week multisite trial of sertraline v. placebo for depressed adults (n = 216), we examined whether the combination of machine learning with a Personalized Advantage Index (PAI) can generate individualized treatment recommendations on the basis of endophenotype profiles coupled with clinical and demographic characteristics.

Results

Five pre-treatment variables moderated treatment response. Higher depression severity and neuroticism, older age, less impairment in cognitive control, and being employed were each associated with better outcomes to sertraline than placebo. Across 1000 iterations of a 10-fold cross-validation, the PAI model predicted that 31% of the sample would exhibit a clinically meaningful advantage [post-treatment Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) difference ⩾3] with sertraline relative to placebo. Although there were no overall outcome differences between treatment groups (d = 0.15), those identified as optimally suited to sertraline at pre-treatment had better week 8 HRSD scores if randomized to sertraline (10.7) than placebo (14.7) (d = 0.58).

Conclusions

A subset of MDD patients optimally suited to sertraline can be identified on the basis of pre-treatment characteristics. This model must be tested prospectively before it can be used to inform treatment selection. However, findings demonstrate the potential to improve individual outcomes through algorithm-guided treatment recommendations.
Fascism, Imperialism and International Law: An Arch Met a Motorway and the Rest is History . . .
Authors: PARFITT ROSE
Published: July 2018

What would happen to our understanding of international law and its relationship with violence if we collapsed the distinction between our supposedly post-colonial ‘present’ and its colonial ‘past’; between the sovereign spaces of the twenty-first century global order, and the integrated, hierarchical space of fascist imperialism? I respond to this question through an investigation into the physical contours of a precise ‘imperial location’: 30°31′00″N, 18°34′00″E. These co-ordinates refer to a point on the sea-edge of the Sirtica that is occupied today by the Ra's Lanuf oil refinery, one of Libya's three most important such facilities. In the late 1930s, however, during Libya's period of fascist colonial rule, this was the point at which a state-of-the-art motorway, the Via litoranea libica, was crossed by a giant triumphal arch, the Arco dei Fileni. Through a chronotopic reading of the temporal, spatial and interpellative aspects of this point, its architecture and its history, I suggest that fascist lawyers, officials and intellectuals accepted a horrifying truth about the relationship between international law and violence – a relationship that twenty-first century doctrinal international law is loath to confront, concerning the inherently expansionist logic of the sovereign state, and the inevitably hierarchical ordering of the ‘international community’ which stems from it.
The Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster: Lessons for Evidence Integration from a WADEM 2017 Presentation and Panel Discussion
Authors: Leppold Claire , Ochi Sae , Nomura Shuhei , Murray Virginia
Published: July 2018

In April 2017, some of the health impacts of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and resultant Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster (Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) were presented at the 19th Congress of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM; Madison, Wisconsin USA) in Toronto, Canada. A panel discussion was then opened by asking audience members about their experiences in their own countries, and how they would suggest taking steps to reach the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This paper summarizes the presentation and panel discussion, with a particular focus on the common problems identified in understanding and reducing health risks from disasters in multiple countries, such as the ethical and practical difficulties in decision making on evacuating vulnerable populations that arose similarly during the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 and Hurricane Ike’s approach to Galveston (Texas USA) in 2008. This paper also highlights the need for greater integration of research, for example through increased review and collation of evidence from different disaster settings to identify common problems and possible solutions, which was identified in this panel session as a precursor to fulfilling the goals of the Sendai Framework.

Leppold C, Ochi S, Nomura S, Murray V. The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster: lessons for evidence integration from a WADEM 2017 presentation and panel discussion. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):424–427
Smokers’ knowledge and perception of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes): a qualitative study of non-quitting smokers in a North London general practice
Authors: Vasconcelos Vanessa , Gilbert Hazel
Published: July 2018

Background

The introduction of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has provided smokers with an alternative source of nicotine. Interest and use of the device has increased exponentially in the last decade with an estimated 2.9 m adult users in Great Britain. Research so far on the attitudes and perceptions of smokers to this new product has largely focussed on the views of current e-cigarette users, smokers attempting to quit and former cigarette smokers.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the views of current tobacco smokers who were not using e-cigarettes and not looking for a cessation method, their understanding and knowledge of e-cigarettes, and their views of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid provided by the National Health Service (NHS).

Methods

Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 patients from a general practice in North London, who smoked conventional tobacco cigarettes on a daily or weekly basis, over 18 years old. An iterative approach allowed for constant data analysis using a thematic approach throughout the data collection stage, and generated four recurring themes.

Findings

E-cigarettes were primarily seen as a smoking cessation device, with the supply of nicotine viewed as a benefit helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms, although for some participants this supply could also be a hindrance to dealing with their addiction. Despite uncertainty about the components, e-cigarettes were mostly viewed as healthier due to their lack of carcinogens, tar and smoke inhalation. The lack of reliable information and strong evidence for both the effectiveness and the safety of e-cigarettes led participants to be apprehensive about their provision by the NHS, and acted as a barrier to their use as an aid to quitting. The recurring appeal for more information regarding e-cigarettes make it clear that further high-quality research is urgently needed in this field to provide reliable and accurate information to smokers.
Innovation and institutions from the bottom up: an introduction
Authors: HARPER DAVID A.
Published: July 2018

This introduction canvasses broad themes relating to the nexus of innovation and institutions. It first examines the notion of a “new combination” – a core analytical concept in economic theories of innovation and explanations of emergent novelty through bottom-up processes. Following Schumpeter, different theorists have made different claims about the composition and structure of new combinations. Possible constituent elements include factors of production, capital goods, routines, information, ideas, technologies, and property rights. The article then looks synoptically at the institutional dimensions of innovation from alternative perspectives that focus upon different kinds of institutional rules and policy solutions to innovation problems. Neoclassical and evolutionary approaches tend to emphasize specific policy interventions in markets to channel behavior toward particular desired outcomes, whereas institutional and Austrian approaches tend to focus upon general institutional rules (e.g. property and contract) that frame markets and innovation processes. Finally, this article summarizes the papers in the special issue.
Distribution of Plasma in the Io Plasma Torus as Seen by Radio Occultation During Juno Perijove 1
Authors: Phipps Phillip H. , Withers Paul , Buccino Dustin R. , Yang Yu‐Ming
Published: July 2018

The moon Io is the dominant plasma source for the Jupiter magnetosphere. The plasma is distributed into a torus of material around Jupiter, called the Io plasma torus. The Juno spacecraft performed its first perijove on 27 August 2016. During this time the spacecraft's X and Ka‐band radio signals passed through the Io plasma torus. From the differential Doppler shift of the X and Ka‐band frequencies we are able to determine the Io plasma torus total electron content. From the total electron content, we determine that the electron densities are larger than predicted from Voyager‐based models by around 35 ± 14% in the cold torus and 38 ± 14% in the torus beyond 5.5 RJ. The ion temperatures were greater than predicted from the models by 44 ± 15% in the cold torus but consistent with models in the torus beyond 5.5 RJ. From the time of maximum total electron content, which is sensitive to the torus location, we also find the Io plasma torus equatorial plane appears to be tilted by about 1.5° more than the nominal centrifugal equator tilt based on the tilt of a dipole magnetic field approximation. Different tilts were found for the cold torus and torus beyond 5.5 RJ.