bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the transient response of the turbulent boundary layer inception in compressible flows
Authors: Saavedra J. , Paniagua G. , Lavagnoli S.
Published: July 2018

The behavioural characteristics of thermal boundary layer inception dictate the efficiency of heat exchangers and the operational limits of fluid machinery. The specific time required by the thermal boundary layer to be established is vital to optimize flow control strategies, as well as the thermal management of systems exposed to ephemeral phenomena, typically on the millisecond scale. This paper presents the time characterization of the momentum and thermal boundary layer development in transient turbulent compressible air flows. We present a new framework to perform such estimations based on detailed unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes simulations that may be extended to higher fidelity simulations. First of all, the aerodynamic boundary layer initiation is described using adiabatic simulations. Additional numerical calculations were then performed by setting the isothermal wall condition to evaluate the additional time required by the thermal boundary layer to establish after the aerodynamic boundary layer reaches its steady state. Finally, full conjugate simulations were executed to compute the warm up effect of the solid during the blowdown of a hot fluid over a colder metallic test model. The transient performance of the turbulent thermal and momentum boundary layers is quantified through numerical simulations of air blowdown over a flat plate for different mainstream flow conditions. The effects of Reynolds number, free stream velocity, transient duration, test article length and free stream temperature were independently assessed, to then define a mathematical expression of the momentum boundary layer settlement. This paper presents a novel numerical correlation of the additional time required by the thermal boundary layer to be stablished after the settlement of the momentum boundary layer. The time scales of the aerodynamic and thermal boundary layers are presented as a function of relevant non-dimensional numbers, as well as the description of the response of the near wall flow to sudden free stream changes. The characterization of the boundary layer mechanisms discussed in this paper contribute to the establishment of an evidence-based foundation for advances in the field of flow control.
Comparative transcriptome analyses of adzuki bean weevil (Callosobruchus chinensis) response to hypoxia and hypoxia/hypercapnia
Authors: Cui S.F. , Wang L. , Ma L. , Wang Y.L. , Qiu J.P. , Liu Zh.Ch. , Geng X.Q.
Published: July 2018

Stored product insects show high adaption to hypoxia and hypercapnia, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Herein, a comparative transcriptome on 4th adzuki bean weevil (Callosobruchus chinensis) instar larvae was studied to clarify the response mechanisms to hypoxia (HA) and hypoxia/hypercapnia (HHA) using NextSeq500 RNA-Seq. Transcript profiling showed a significant difference in HA or HHA exposure both quantitatively and qualitatively. Compared with control, 631 and 253 genes were significantly changed in HHA and HA, respectively. Comparing HHA with HA, 1135 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The addition of hypercapnia made a complex alteration on the hypoxia response of bean weevil transcriptome, carbohydrate, energy, lipid and amino acid metabolism were the most highly enriched pathways for genes significantly changed. In addition, some biological processes that were not significantly enriched but important were also discussed, such as immune system and signal transduction. Most of the DEGs related to metabolism both in HHA and HA were up-regulated, while the DEGs related to the immune system, stress response or signal transduction were significantly down-regulated or suppressed. This research reveals a comparatively full-scale result in adzuki bean weevil hypoxia and hypoxia/hypercapnia tolerance mechanism at transcription level, which might provide new insights into the genomic research of this species.
The Effect of State Solvency on Bank Values and Credit Supply: Evidence from State Pension Cut Legislation
Authors: Cohen Lee Jeremy , Cornett Marcia Millon , Mehran Hamid , Tehranian Hassan
Published: July 2018

We find the financial condition of states impacts bank credit supply through their municipal bond holdings. In particular, we treat sudden political and statutory actions during the 2011 union bargaining rights debates in Wisconsin and Ohio as exogenous shocks to state solvency. We show bank valuations and municipal bond spreads adjust to the announcements, and, over longer horizons, a new lending channel linked to state solvency emerges, whereby banks supply credit as municipal bond appreciations free up capital.
Education in ear and hearing care in remote or resource-constrained environments
Authors: Clark M P A , Westerberg B D , Nakku D , Carling P
Published: July 2018

Background

At the heart of surgical care needs to be the education and training of staff, particularly in the low-income and/or resource-poor setting. This is the primary means by which self-sufficiency and sustainability will ultimately be achieved. As such, training and education should be integrated into any surgical programme that is undertaken. Numerous resources are available to help provide such a goal, and an open approach to novel, inexpensive training methods is likely to be helpful in this type of setting.

The need for appropriately trained audiologists in low-income countries is well recognised and clearly goes beyond providing support for ear surgery. However, where ear surgery is being undertaken, it is vital to have audiology services established in order to correctly assess patients requiring surgery, and to be able to assess and manage outcomes of surgery. The training requirements of the two specialties are therefore intimately linked.

Objective

This article highlights various methods, resources and considerations, for both otolaryngology and audiology training, which should prove a useful resource to those undertaking and organising such education, and to those staff members receiving it.
Intellectual disability and mental disorders in a US population representative sample of adolescents
Authors: Platt Jonathan M. , Keyes Katherine M. , McLaughlin Katie A. , Kaufman Alan S.
Published: July 2018

Background

Most research on the prevalence, distribution, and psychiatric comorbidity of intellectual disability (ID) relies on clinical samples, limiting the generalizability and utility of ID assessment in a legal context. This study assessed ID prevalence in a population-representative sample of US adolescents and examined associations of ID with socio-demographic factors and mental disorders.

Methods

Data were drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (N= 6256). ID was defined as: (1) IQ ⩽ 76, measured using the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test; (2) an adaptive behavior score ⩽76, and (3) age of onset ⩽18 measured using a validated scale. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessed 15 lifetime mental disorders. The Sheehan disability scale assessed disorder severity. We used logistic regression models to estimate differences in lifetime disorders for adolescents with and without ID.

Results

ID prevalence was 3.2%. Among adolescents with ID, 65.1% met lifetime criteria for a mental disorder. ID status was associated with specific phobia, agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder, but not behavior disorders after adjustment for socio-demographics. Adolescents with ID and mental disorders were significantly more likely to exhibit severe impairment than those without ID.

Conclusions

These findings highlight how sample selection and overlap between ID and psychopathology symptoms might bias understanding of the mental health consequences of ID. For example, associations between ID and behavior disorders widely reported in clinical samples were not observed in a population-representative sample after adjustment for socio-demographic confounders. Valid assessment and understanding of these constructs may prove influential in the legal system by influencing treatment referrals and capital punishment decisions.

General Scientific Summary

Current definitions of intellectual disability (ID) are based on three criteria: formal designation of low intelligence through artificial problem-solving tasks, impairment in one's ability to function in his/her social environment, and early age of onset. In a national population sample of adolescents, the majority of those with ID met criteria for a lifetime mental disorder. Phobias and bipolar disorder, but not behavior disorders, were elevated in adolescents with ID. Findings highlight the need to consider how behavioral problems are conceptualized and classified in people with ID.
A NOTE ON MANY-SERVER FLUID MODELS WITH TIME-VARYING ARRIVALS
Authors: Long Zhenghua , Zhang Jiheng
Published: July 2018

We extend the measure-valued fluid model, which tracks residuals of patience and service times, to allow for time-varying arrivals. The fluid model can be characterized by a one-dimensional convolution equation involving both the patience and service time distributions. We also make an interesting connection to the measure-valued fluid model tracking the elapsed waiting and service times. Our analysis shows that the two fluid models are actually characterized by the same one-dimensional convolution equation.
A High-accuracy SINS/CNS Integrated Navigation Scheme Based on Overall Optimal Correction
Authors: Zhu Jiafang , Wang Xinlong , Li Hengnian , Che Huan , Li Qunsheng
Published: July 2018

In order to utilise the position and attitude information of a Celestial Navigation System (CNS) to aid a Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) and make it possible to achieve long-range and high-precision navigation, a new SINS/CNS integrated navigation scheme based on overall optimal correction is proposed. Firstly, the optimal installation angle of the star sensor is acquired according to the geometric relationship between the refraction stars area and the star sensor's visual field. Secondly, an analytical method to determine position and horizontal reference is introduced. Thirdly, the mathematical model of the SINS/CNS integrated navigation system is established. Finally, some simulations are carried out to compare the navigation performance of the proposed SINS/CNS integrated scheme with that of the traditional gyro-drift-corrected integration scheme. Simulation results indicate that in the proposed scheme, without the aid of SINS, CNS can provide attitude and position information and the errors of the SINS are able to be estimated and corrected efficiently. Therefore, the navigation performance of the proposed SINS/CNS scheme is superior to that of a more traditional scheme in long-range flight.
Machine learning links seed composition, glucosinolates and viability of oilseed rape after 31 years of long-term storage
Authors: Nagel Manuela , Holstein Katharina , Willner Evelin , Börner Andreas
Published: July 2018

Seed longevity is influenced by many factors, a widely discussed one of which is the seed lipid content and fatty acid composition. Here, linear and non-linear regressions based on machine learning were applied to analyse germinability and seed composition of a set of 42 oilseed rape (Brassica napusL.) accessions grown under the same single environment and at the same time following a period of up to 31 years storage at 7°C. Mean viability was halved after 27.0 years of storage, but this figure concealed a major influence of genotype. There was also wide variation with respect to fatty acid composition, particularly with respect to oleic, α-linolenic, eicosenoic and erucic acid. Linear regression (rL) revealed significant correlation coefficients between normal seedling appearance and the content of α-linolenic acid (+0.52) and total oil (+0.59). Multivariate regression using artificial neural networks including a radial basis function (RBF), a multilayer perceptron (MLP) and a partial least square (PLS) recognized underlying structures and revealed high significant correlation coefficients (rM) for oil content (+0.87), eicosenoic acid (+0.75), stearic acid (+0.73) and lignoceric acid (+0.97). Oil content or a combination of oleic, α-linolenic, arachidic, eicosenoic and eicosadienoic acids and glucosinolates resulted in highest model fitting parametersR2of 0.90 and 0.88, respectively. In addition, the glucosinolate content, predominantly in the Brassicaceae family and ranging from 4.6 to 79.5 µM, was negatively correlated with viability (rL= ‒0.43). Summarizing, oil content, some fatty acids and glucosinolates contribute to variations in average half-life (15.2 to 50.7 years) of oilseed rape seeds. In contrast to linear regression, multivariate regression using artificial neural networks revealed high associations for combinations of parameters including underestimated minor fatty acids such as arachidic, stearic and eicosadienoic acids. This indicates that genetic and seed composition factors contribute to seed longevity. In addition, multivariate regressions might be a successful approach to predict seed viability based on fatty acids and seed oil content.
Research in urban history: recent Ph.D. theses on heritage and the city in Britain
Authors: WARWICK TOSH
Published: July 2018

Writing in Urban History in the spring of 1991, Peter Borsay considered how the gap between the ‘popular presentations of the urban past’ produced by the growing heritage industry and ‘the booming academic study of urban history’ might be bridged. Heritage, he argued, was ‘deeply bound up with the meanings and functions of towns’ and urban historians should play a crucial role within communities ‘engaged in a complex discourse with the past . . . that for many was fundamental to their livelihood and identity’. Borsay's concerns 27 years later continue to be mirrored in academic discussions surrounding heritage and materiality, echoing wider questions that surround the relevance of urban history beyond the academy. Recent conferences have also demonstrated the continued salience of Borsay's argument, considering the potential of the study of cities to shape approaches to their management through work with local communities, heritage partners, cultural institutions and professional groups. This emphasis on knowledge exchange and partnership has also attracted the support of funding bodies through collaborative doctoral awards that have sought to ‘increase opportunities for all researchers to develop their work in collaboration with public, private and third sector partners that increase the flow, value and impact of world-class arts and humanities research from academia to the UK's wider creative economy and beyond’. This has included the author's own work on the heritage of Middlesbrough's iron and steel industries, which has involved working collaboratively with local archives and heritage partners.
Analysis of corporate political activity strategies of the food industry: evidence from France
Authors: Mialon Melissa , Mialon Jonathan
Published: July 2018

Objective

To identify the corporate political activity (CPA) of major food industry actors in France.

Design

We followed an approach based on information available in the public domain. Different sources of information, freely accessible to the public, were monitored.

Setting/Subjects

Data were collected and analysed between March and August 2015. Five actors were selected: ANIA (Association Nationale des Industries Agroalimentaires/National Association of Agribusiness Industries); Coca-Cola; McDonald’s; Nestlé; and Carrefour.

Results

Our analysis shows that the main practices used by Coca-Cola and McDonald’s were the framing of diet and public health issues in ways favourable to the company, and their involvement in the community. ANIA primarily used the ‘information and messaging’ strategy (e.g. by promoting deregulation and shaping the evidence base on diet- and public health-related issues), as well as the ‘policy substitution’ strategy. Nestlé framed diet and public health issues, and shaped the evidence base on diet- and public health-related issues. Carrefour particularly sought involvement in the community.

Conclusions

We found that, in 2015, the food industry in France was using CPA practices that were also used by other industries in the past, such as the tobacco and alcohol industries. Because most, if not all, of these practices proved detrimental to public health when used by the tobacco industry, we propose that the precautionary principle should guide decisions when engaging or interacting with the food industry.
Radiolysis of solid-state nitrogen heterocycles provides clues to their abundance in the early solar system
Authors: Hammer Phillip G. , Yi Ruiqin , Yoda Isao , Cleaves H. James , Callahan Michael P.
Published: July 2018

We studied the radiolysis of a wide variety of N-heterocycles, including many of biological importance, and find that the majority are remarkably stable in the solid-state when subjected to large doses of ionizing gamma radiation from a 60Co source. Degradation of N-heterocycles as a function of dose rate and total dose was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Many N-heterocycles show little degradation when γ-irradiated up to a total dose of ~1 MGy, which approximates hundreds of millions of years’ worth of radiation emitted in meteorite parent bodies due to slow radionuclide decay. Extrapolation of these results suggests that these N-heterocyclic compounds would be stable in dry parent bodies over solar system timescales. We suggest that the abundance of these N-heterocycles as measured presently in carbonaceous meteorites is largely reflective of their abundance at the time aqueous alteration stopped in their parent bodies and the absence of certain compounds in present-day samples is either due to the formation mechanisms or degradation which occurred during periods of aqueous alteration or thermal metamorphism.
The significance of DOHaD for Small Island Developing States
Authors: Tu’akoi S. , Vickers M. H. , Tairea K. , Aung Y. Y. M. , Tamarua-Herman N. , ’Ofanoa M. , Bay J. L.
Published: July 2018

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are island nations that experience specific social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities associated with small populations, isolation and limited resources. Globally, SIDS exhibit exceptionally high rates of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk and incidence. Despite this, there is a lack of context-specific research within SIDS focused on life course approaches to NCD prevention, particularly the impact of the early-life environment on later disease risk as defined by the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework. Given that globalization has contributed to significant nutritional transitions in these populations, the DOHaD paradigm is highly relevant. SIDS in the Pacific region have the highest rates of NCD risk and incidence globally. Transitions from traditional foods grown locally to reliance on importation of Western-style processed foods high in fat and sugar are common. The Cook Islands is one Pacific SIDS that reports this transition, alongside rising overweight/obesity rates, currently 91%/72%, in the adult population. However, research on early-life NCD prevention within this context, as in many low- and middle-income countries, is scarce. Although traditional research emphasizes the need for large sample sizes, this is rarely possible in the smaller SIDS. In these vulnerable, high priority countries, consideration should be given to utilizing ‘small’ sample sizes that encompass a high proportion of the total population. This may enable contextually relevant research, crucial to inform NCD prevention strategies that can contribute to improving health and well-being for these at-risk communities.
Psychiatrische Pflege hat die ethische Pflicht, sich mit dunklen Anteilen der Geschichte auseinanderzusetzen
Authors: Sauter Dorothea
Published: July 2018

Zusammenfassung. Hilde Schädle-Deininger ist Leiterin der Bildungseinrichtung zur Fachpflegerin/zum Fachpfleger für psychiatrische Pflege an der Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Abteilung KompetenzCampus. Sie hat sich bereits Anfang der 1970-er Jahre mit dem Thema „Euthanasie in psychiatrischen Anstalten“ beschäftigt. Gemeinsam mit Günter Storck hat sie für den Arbeitskreis Pflege der DGSP die Broschüre „75 Jahre Euthanasie-Erlass“ herausgegeben. Dorothea Sauter hat sich mit ihr unterhalten.
Familiengeschichte mit doppeltem Boden
Authors: Stellbrink-Kesy Barbara
Published: July 2018

Zusammenfassung. Ich habe eine ganz eigene Geschichte zur Euthanasie im Nationalsozialismus zu erzählen und berichte vom Schweigen in der Familie nach dem Nationalsozialismus.
Slow thermal equilibration in methylammonium lead iodide revealed by transient mid-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Guo Peijun , Gong Jue , Sadasivam Sridhar , Xia Yi , Song Tze-Bin , Diroll Benjamin T. , Stoumpos Constantinos C. , Ketterson John B. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Chan Maria K. Y. , Darancet Pierre , Xu Tao , Schaller Richard D.
Published: July 2018

Hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites are emerging semiconductors for cheap and efficient photovoltaics and light-emitting devices. Different from conventional inorganic semiconductors, hybrid perovskites consist of coexisting organic and inorganic sub-lattices, which present disparate atomic masses and bond strengths. The nanoscopic interpenetration of these disparate components, which lack strong electronic and vibrational coupling, presents fundamental challenges to the understanding of charge and heat dissipation. Here we study phonon population and equilibration processes in methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) by transiently probing the vibrational modes of the organic sub-lattice following above-bandgap optical excitation. We observe inter-sub-lattice thermal equilibration on timescales ranging from hundreds of picoseconds to a couple of nanoseconds. As supported by a two-temperature model based on first-principles calculations, the slow thermal equilibration is attributable to the sequential phonon populations of the inorganic and organic sub-lattices, respectively. The observed long-lasting thermal non-equilibrium offers insights into thermal transport and heat management of the emergent hybrid material class.
Using controlled disorder to probe the interplay between charge order and superconductivity in NbSe2
Authors: Cho Kyuil , Kończykowski M. , Teknowijoyo S. , Tanatar M. A. , Guss J. , Gartin P. B. , Wilde J. M. , Kreyssig A. , McQueeney R. J. , Goldman A. I. , Mishra V. , Hirschfeld P. J. , Prozorov R.
Published: July 2018

The interplay between superconductivity and charge-density wave (CDW) in 2H-NbSe2 is not fully understood despite decades of study. Artificially introduced disorder can tip the delicate balance between two competing long-range orders, and reveal the underlying interactions that give rise to them. Here we introduce disorder by electron irradiation and measure in-plane resistivity, Hall resistivity, X-ray scattering, and London penetration depth. With increasing disorder, the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, varies non-monotonically, whereas the CDW transition temperature, TCDW, monotonically decreases and becomes unresolvable above a critical irradiation dose where Tc drops sharply. Our results imply that the CDW order initially competes with superconductivity, but eventually assists it. We argue that at the transition where the long-range CDW order disappears, the cooperation with superconductivity is dramatically suppressed. X-ray scattering and Hall resistivity measurements reveal that the short-range CDW survives above the transition. Superconductivity persists to much higher dose levels, consistent with fully gapped superconductivity and moderate interband pairing.
Unveiling the bosonic nature of an ultrashort few-electron pulse
Authors: Roussely Gregoire , Arrighi Everton , Georgiou Giorgos , Takada Shintaro , Schalk Martin , Urdampilleta Matias , Ludwig Arne , Wieck Andreas D. , Armagnat Pacome , Kloss Thomas , Waintal Xavier , Meunier Tristan , Bäuerle Christopher
Published: July 2018

Quantum dynamics is very sensitive to dimensionality. While two-dimensional electronic systems form Fermi liquids, one-dimensional systems—Tomonaga–Luttinger liquids—are described by purely bosonic excitations, even though they are initially made of fermions. With the advent of coherent single-electron sources, the quantum dynamics of such a liquid is now accessible at the single-electron level. Here, we report on time-of-flight measurements of ultrashort few-electron charge pulses injected into a quasi one-dimensional quantum conductor. By changing the confinement potential we can tune the system from the one-dimensional Tomonaga–Luttinger liquid limit to the multi-channel Fermi liquid and show that the plasmon velocity can be varied over almost an order of magnitude. These results are in quantitative agreement with a parameter-free theory and demonstrate a powerful probe for directly investigating real-time dynamics of fractionalisation phenomena in low-dimensional conductors.
The solute carrier SLC9C1 is a Na+/H+-exchanger gated by an S4-type voltage-sensor and cyclic-nucleotide binding
Authors: Windler F. , Bönigk W. , Körschen H. G. , Grahn E. , Strünker T. , Seifert R. , Kaupp U. B.
Published: July 2018

Voltage-sensing (VSD) and cyclic nucleotide-binding domains (CNBD) gate ion channels for rapid electrical signaling. By contrast, solute carriers (SLCs) that passively redistribute substrates are gated by their substrates themselves. Here, we study the orphan sperm-specific solute carriers SLC9C1 that feature a unique tripartite structure: an exchanger domain, a VSD, and a CNBD. Voltage-clamp fluorimetry shows that SLC9C1 is a genuine Na+/H+ exchanger gated by voltage. The cellular messenger cAMP shifts the voltage range of activation. Mutations in the transport domain, the VSD, or the CNBD strongly affect Na+/H+ exchange, voltage gating, or cAMP sensitivity, respectively. Our results establish SLC9C1 as a phylogenetic chimaera that combines the ion-exchange mechanism of solute carriers with the gating mechanism of ion channels. Classic SLCs slowly readjust changes in the intra- and extracellular milieu, whereas voltage gating endows the Na+/H+ exchanger with the ability to produce a rapid pH response that enables downstream signaling events.
Endocrine cell type sorting and mature architecture in the islets of Langerhans require expression of Roundabout receptors in β cells
Authors: Adams Melissa T. , Gilbert Jennifer M. , Hinojosa Paiz Jesus , Bowman Faith M. , Blum Barak
Published: July 2018

Pancreatic islets of Langerhans display characteristic spatial architecture of their endocrine cell types. This architecture is critical for cell-cell communication and coordinated hormone secretion. Islet architecture is disrupted in type-2 diabetes. Moreover, the generation of architecturally correct islets in vitro remains a challenge in regenerative approaches to type-1 diabetes. Although the characteristic islet architecture is well documented, the mechanisms controlling its formation remain obscure. Here, we report that correct endocrine cell type sorting and the formation of mature islet architecture require the expression of Roundabout (Robo) receptors in β cells. Mice with whole-body deletion of Robo1 and conditional deletion of Robo2 either in all endocrine cells or selectively in β cells show complete loss of endocrine cell type sorting, highlighting the importance of β cells as the primary organizer of islet architecture. Conditional deletion of Robo in mature β cells subsequent to islet formation results in a similar phenotype. Finally, we provide evidence to suggest that the loss of islet architecture in Robo KO mice is not due to β cell transdifferentiation, cell death or loss of β cell differentiation or maturation.
Carbon dioxide stimulates lake primary production
Authors: Hamdan Mohammed , Byström Pär , Hotchkiss Erin R. , Al-Haidarey Mohammed J. , Ask Jenny , Karlsson Jan
Published: July 2018

Gross primary production (GPP) is a fundamental ecosystem process that sequesters carbon dioxide (CO2) and forms the resource base for higher trophic levels. Still, the relative contribution of different controls on GPP at the whole-ecosystem scale is far from resolved. Here we show, by manipulating CO2 concentrations in large-scale experimental pond ecosystems, that CO2 availability is a key driver of whole-ecosystem GPP. This result suggests we need to reformulate past conceptual models describing controls of lake ecosystem productivity and include our findings when developing models used to predict future lake ecosystem responses to environmental change.
Natural menstrual rhythm and oral contraception diversely affect exhaled breath compositions
Authors: Sukul Pritam , Schubert Jochen K. , Trefz Phillip , Miekisch Wolfram
Published: July 2018

Natural menstrual cycle and/or oral contraception diversely affect women metabolites. Longitudinal metabolic profiling under constant experimental conditions is thereby realistic to understand such effects. Thus, we investigated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exhalation throughout menstrual cycles in 24 young and healthy women with- and without oral contraception. Exhaled VOCs were identified and quantified in trace concentrations via high-resolution real-time mass-spectrometry, starting from a menstruation and then repeated follow-up with six intervals including the next bleeding. Repeated measurements within biologically comparable groups were employed under optimized measurement setup. We observed pronounced and substance specific changes in exhaled VOC concentrations throughout all cycles with low intra-individual variations. Certain blood-borne volatiles changed significantly during follicular and luteal phases. Most prominent changes in endogenous VOCs were observed at the ovulation phase with respect to initial menstruation. Here, the absolute median abundances of alveolar ammonia, acetone, isoprene and dimethyl sulphide changed significantly (P-value ≤ 0.005) by 18.22↓, 13.41↓, 18.02↑ and 9.40↓%, respectively. These VOCs behaved in contrast under the presence of combined oral contraception; e.g. isoprene decreased significantly by 30.25↓%. All changes returned to initial range once the second bleeding phase was repeated. Changes in exogenous benzene, isopropanol, limonene etc. and smoking related furan, acetonitrile and orally originated hydrogen sulphide were rather nonspecific and mainly exposure dependent. Our observations could apprehend a number of known/pre-investigated metabolic effects induced by monthly endocrine regulations. Potential in vivo origins (e.g. metabolic processes) of VOCs are crucial to realize such effects. Despite ubiquitous confounders, we demonstrated the true strength of volatolomics for metabolic monitoring of menstrual cycle and contraceptives. These outcomes may warrant further studies in this direction to enhance our fundamental and clinical understanding on menstrual metabolomics and endocrinology. Counter-effects of contraception can be deployed for future noninvasive assessment of birth control pills. Our findings could be translated toward metabolomics of pregnancy, menopause and post-menopausal complications via breath analysis.
Segmental Additive Tissue Engineering
Authors: Sladkova Martina , Alawadhi Rawan , Jaragh Alhaddad Rawan , Esmael Asmaa , Alansari Shoug , Saad Munerah , Mulla Yousef Jenan , Alqaoud Lulwa , de Peppo Giuseppe Maria
Published: July 2018

Segmental bone defects caused by trauma and disease represent a major clinical problem worldwide. Current treatment options are limited and often associated with poor outcomes and severe complications. Bone engineering is a promising alternative solution, but a number of technical challenges must be addressed to allow for effective and reproducible construction of segmental grafts that meet the size and geometrical requirements needed for individual patients and routine clinical applications. It is important to devise engineering strategies and standard operating procedures that make it possible to scale up the size of bone-engineered grafts, minimize process and product variability, and facilitate technology transfer and implementation. To address these issues, we have combined traditional and modular tissue engineering approaches in a strategy referred to as Segmental Additive Tissue Engineering (SATE). To demonstrate this approach, a digital reconstruction of a rabbit femoral defect was partitioned transversally to the longitudinal axis into segments (modules) with discoidal geometry and defined thickness to enable protocol standardization and effective tissue formationin vitro. Bone grafts corresponding to each segment were then engineered using biomimetic scaffolds seeded with human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesodermal progenitors (iPSC-MPs) and a novel perfusion bioreactor with universal design. The SATE strategy enables the effective and reproducible engineering of segmental bone grafts for personalized skeletal reconstruction, and will facilitate technology transfer and implementation of a tissue engineering approach to segmental bone defect therapy.
An integrative approach to discovering cryptic species within the Bemisia tabaci whitefly species complex
Authors: Vyskočilová Soňa , Tay Wee Tek , van Brunschot Sharon , Seal Susan , Colvin John
Published: July 2018

Bemisia tabaci is a cryptic whitefly-species complex that includes some of the most damaging pests and plant-virus vectors of a diverse range of food and fibre crops worldwide. We combine experimental evidence of: (i) differences in reproductive compatibility, (ii) hybrid verification using a specific nuclear DNA marker and hybrid fertility confirmation and (iii) high-throughput sequencing-derived mitogenomes, to show that the “Mediterranean” (MED) B. tabaci comprises at least two distinct biological species; the globally invasive MED from the Mediterranean Basin and the “African silver-leafing” (ASL) from sub-Saharan Africa, which has no associated invasion records. We demonstrate that, contrary to its common name, the “ASL” does not induce squash silver-leafing symptoms and show that species delimitation based on the widely applied 3.5% partial mtCOI gene sequence divergence threshold produces discordant results, depending on the mtCOI region selected. Of the 292 published mtCOI sequences from MED/ASL groups, 158 (54%) are low quality and/or potential pseudogenes. We demonstrate fundamental deficiencies in delimiting cryptic B. tabaci species, based solely on partial sequences of a mitochondrial barcoding gene. We advocate an integrative approach to reveal the true species richness within cryptic species complexes, which is integral to the deployment of effective pest and disease management strategies.
Capillary Electrophoresis–Mass Spectrometry for Metabolomics Using New Interfacing Designs
Authors: Ramautar Rawi
Published: July 2018

In metabolomics, capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE-MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI) has become a useful analytical technique for the profiling of highly polar and charged metabolites. In general, a co-axial sheath-liquid interface is employed for coupling CE to MS. In this approach, the ESI process is mainly dictated by the sheath-liquid and not the CE effluent. A wide range of sheath-liquid compositions with or without additives can be explored in order to improve the ESI process, and as such, this interfacing approach provides a high degree of flexibility. Though CE-MS using a sheath-liquid interface can be used in a rather robust way for metabolic profiling studies, the significant dilution of the CE effluent (10–100 nL min−1) by the sheath-liquid, which is generally provided at a flow-rate between 2 and 10 µL min−1, can be considered as a major drawback for global metabolic profiling. Recent advances in interfacing designs allow CE-MS to be used under low flow-rate conditions. In this context, the sheathless porous tip interface, the flow-through microvial interface and the electrokinetic-driven sheath-liquid interface have emerged as important recent developments. In this chapter, the utility of CE-MS using these new interfacing designs is demonstrated by representative examples in the fields of biomedical and clinical metabolomics.
Microfluidic fabrication of microparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Li Wen , Zhang Liyuan , Ge Xuehui , Xu Biyi , Zhang Weixia , Qu Liangliang , Choi Chang-Hyung , Xu Jianhong , Zhang Afang , Lee Hyomin , Weitz David A.
Published: July 2018

This review summarizes microparticles produced by droplet microfluidics and their applications in biomedical fields.
Rationally designed haptens for highly sensitive monoclonal antibody-based immunoanalysis of fenhexamid
Authors: Esteve-Turrillas Francesc A. , Agulló Consuelo , Mercader Josep V. , Abad-Somovilla A. , Abad-Fuentes A.
Published: July 2018

The importance of an optimum hapten design for developing highly sensitive immunoassays has been demonstrated.
Real time detection of the nerve agent simulant diethylchlorophosphate by nonfluorophoric small molecules generating a cyclization-induced fluorogenic response
Authors: Ali Syed Samim , Gangopadhyay Ankita , Pramanik Ajoy Kumar , Samanta Sandip Kumar , Guria Uday Narayan , Manna Srimanta , Mahapatra Ajit Kumar
Published: July 2018

Herein, we report the detection of DCP by nonfluorophoric small molecules.
Csp3–H bond functionalization of aminesviatunable iminium ions: divergent synthesis of trifluoromethylated arylamines
Authors: Shi Lou , Wang Mingshan , Pan Ling , Li Yifei , Liu Qun
Published: July 2018

A novel generation of tunable iminium ions leads to divergent synthesis of trifluoromethylated arylaminesviathe direct α- and β-functionalization of saturated amines.
Flexible Mn-decorated NiCo2S4 core–shell nanowire arrays for a high performance hybrid supercapacitor electrode with a long cycle life
Authors: Liu Chang , Wu Xiang , Xia Hui
Published: July 2018

In this work, an asymmetric hybrid supercapacitor assembled by utilizing 0.5Mn–NiCo2S4 core–shell nanowires as the positive electrode achieves a relatively high volumetric energy density of 8.80 mW h cm−3 at a volumetric power density of 220.103 mW cm−3.
Efficient intersystem crossing in 2-aminopurine riboside probed by femtosecond time-resolved transient vibrational absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Böhnke Hendrik , Röttger Katharina , Ingle Rebecca A. , Marroux Hugo J. B. , Bohnsack Mats , Orr-Ewing Andrew J. , Temps Friedrich
Published: July 2018

The photophysical dynamics of 2-aminopurine, a fluorescent analogue of the canonical nucleobase adenine, has been studied by femtosecond transient vibrational absorption spectroscopy.
A computational study on a multimode spin conductance switching by coordination isomerization in organometallic single-molecule junctions
Authors: Jiang Yingjie , Xu Xiaodong , Hu Yangyang , Zhang Guiling , Liang Zhewen , Li Weiqi , Jiang Yongyuan , Sun Xiudong
Published: July 2018

Single-molecule junctions provide the additional flexibility of tuning the on/off conductance states through molecular design.
Interfacing tetrapyridyl-C60 with porphyrin dimers via π-conjugated bridges: artificial photosynthetic systems with ultrafast charge separation
Authors: Stangel Christina , Plass Fabian , Charisiadis Asterios , Giannoudis Emmanouil , Chararalambidis Georgios , Karikis Kostas , Rotas Georgios , Zervaki Galateia E. , Lathiotakis Nektarios N. , Tagmatarchis Nikos , Kahnt Axel , Coutsolelos Athanassios G.
Published: July 2018

A novel D–π–A supramolecular hybrid system is reported, consisting of a fullerene derivative as electron acceptor and zinc porphyrin dimers as electron donors.
Self-assembly and biological activities of ionic liquid crystals derived from aromatic amino acids
Authors: Neidhardt Manuel M. , Schmitt Katharina , Baro Angelika , Schneider Carmen , Bilitewski Ursula , Laschat Sabine
Published: July 2018

Does the mesomorphic behaviour of l-amino acid-based ILCs correlate with biological activity?
Proton-coupled electron transfer is the dominant mechanism of reduction of haloacetates by the α-hydroxyethyl radical in aqueous media
Authors: Džeba Iva , Bonifačić Marija , Nikšić-Franjić Ivana , Ljubić Ivan
Published: July 2018

Reactions of α-hydroxyethyl radical with four haloacetates in non-buffered and buffered aqueous solutions preferably follow the proton-coupled electron transfer pathway.
Unique selectivity trends of highly permeable PAP[5] water channel membranes
Authors: Song Woochul , Shen Yue-xiao , Lang Chao , Saha Prantik , Zenyuk Iryna V. , Hickey Robert J. , Kumar Manish
Published: July 2018

In this paper, two unique selectivity trends of ML-PAP[5] membranes are discussed from the perspectives of channel geometry, ion exclusion, and linear molecule transport.
Repulsion–dispersion parameters for the modelling of organic molecular crystals containing N, O, S and Cl
Authors: Gatsiou Christina A. , Adjiman Claire S. , Pantelides Constantinos C.
Published: July 2018

A method for deriving parameters of atom–atom repulsion dispersion potentials for crystals, tailored to different ab initio models, is presented. It leads to a significant improvement in the accuracy of computed sublimation energies.
Synthesis of α-aminonitriles using aliphatic nitriles, α-amino acids, and hexacyanoferrate as universally applicable non-toxic cyanide sources
Authors: Nauth Alexander M. , Konrad Tim , Papadopulu Zaneta , Vierengel Nina , Lipp Benjamin , Opatz Till
Published: July 2018

Procedures for the utilization of ferri-/ferrocyanide, α-amino acids, aliphatic nitriles and cyanohydrins as universal and often non-toxic cyanide sources have been developed.
Uranium biomineralization induced by a metal tolerantSerratiastrain under acid, alkaline and irradiated conditions
Authors: Chandwadkar Pallavi , Misra Hari Sharan , Acharya Celin
Published: July 2018

The constitutive phosphatases of a metal tolerantSerratiastrain catalyse uranium precipitation over a wide range of pH resulting in the formation of insoluble, crystalline uranyl phosphate biominerals.
Iodine-mediated synthesis of 4-selanylpyrazoles
Authors: Wang Junxing , Liu Yuhong , Yan Jie
Published: July 2018

A new and simple procedure mediated by I2 is developed for the preparation of 4-selanylpyrazoles from pyrazoles and diselenides.
Noninvasive real-time monitoring of local drug release using nano-Au-absorbed self-decomposable SiO2 carriers
Authors: Fan Li , Yang Jingnan , Leung Ken Cham-Fai , Song Chaojun , Li Quan
Published: July 2018

In the present work, we demonstrated for the first time in a mice bearing Colo-205 xenograft model system that local drug release at the tumor site can be tracked in real time via the establishment of a quantitative correlation between the drug release and a specific imaging agent for CT.
Quantitative studies on thep-substituent effect of the phenolic component on the polymerization of benzoxazines
Authors: Ohashi Seishi , Iguchi Daniela , Heyl Tyler R. , Froimowicz Pablo , Ishida Hatsuo
Published: July 2018

The pure monofunctional benzoxazines substituted by either electron donating or withdrawing groups are synthesized to verify the electronic effect on the polymerization behaviors without any complicated factors of the impurities.
Glass wool: a novel support for heterogeneous catalysis
Authors: Elhage Ayda , Wang Bowen , Marina Nancy , Marin M. Luisa , Cruz Menandro , Lanterna Anabel E. , Scaiano Juan C.
Published: July 2018

Glass wool – a very inexpensive, widely available and easily handled material – is a versatile catalyst support for heterogeneous catalysis.
Low‐complexity bound on irregular LDPC belief‐propagation decoding thresholds using a Gaussian approximation
Authors: Vatta F. , Soranzo A. , Babich F.
Published: July 2018

Since irregular low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes are known to perform better than regular ones, and to exhibit, like them, the so‐called ‘threshold phenomenon’, this Letter investigates a low‐complexity upper bound on belief‐propagation decoding thresholds for this class of codes on memoryless binary input additive white Gaussian noise channels, with sum‐product decoding. A simplified analysis of the belief‐propagation decoding algorithm is used, i.e. consider a Gaussian approximation for message densities under density evolution, and a simple algorithmic method, defined recently, to estimate the decoding thresholds for regular and irregular LDPC codes.
Accurate gaze estimation based on average‐binary‐connected‐component‐centroid
Authors: Xiao Feng , Huang Kejie , Qiu Yue , Shen Haibin
Published: July 2018

Iris centre is widely used in feature‐based gaze estimation system. However, the performance of various existing iris centre localisation methods is degraded in low‐resolution images. To address the problem, an accurate regression‐based gaze estimation system is proposed by replacing the iris centre with a novel average‐binary‐connected‐component‐centroid (ABCCC) feature. First, ABCCC is obtained by averaging a series of binary connected component centroids, which are calculated by different percentile grey thresholds in the normalised eye region of interest. Then, head pose is estimated by employing the OpenCV iterative algorithm. Thereafter, ABCCC and head pose are mapped to compute the gaze using a linear mapping functions, which are regressed in calibration phase. Compared with traditional methods using iris centre, ABCCC is easier to calculate and shows a stronger correlation with the change of gaze, which improves the accuracy of the gaze estimation system. Experimental results on EYEDIAP database verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Structure of the heliosheath from HSTOF energetic neutral atoms measurements
Authors: Czechowski A. , Hilchenbach M. , Hsieh K. C. , Bzowski M. , Grzedzielski S. , Sokół J. M. , Grygorczuk J.
Published: July 2018

Context. From the year 1996 until now, High energy Suprathermal Time Of Flight sensor (HSTOF) on board Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has been measuring the heliospheric energetic neutral atoms (ENA) flux between ±17° from the ecliptic plane. At present it is the only ENA instrument with the energy range within that of Voyager LECP energetic ion measurements. The energetic ion density and thickness of the inner heliosheath along the Voyager 1 trajectory are now known, and the ENA flux in the HSTOF energy range coming from the Voyager 1 direction may be estimated.

Aims. We use HSTOF ENA data and Voyager 1 energetic ion spectrum to compare the regions of the heliosheath observed by HSTOF and Voyager 1.

Methods. We compared the HSTOF ENA flux data from the forward and flank sectors of the heliosphere observed in various time periods between the years 1996 and 2010 and calculated the predicted ENA flux from the Voyager 1 direction using the Voyager 1 LECP energetic ion spectrum and including the contributions of charge exchange with both neutral H and He atoms.

Results. The ratio between the HSTOF ENA flux from the ecliptic longitude sector 210−300° (the LISM apex sector) for the period 1996−1997 to the estimated ENA flux from the Voyager 1 direction is ∼1.3, but decreases to ∼0.6 for the period 1996−2005 and ∼0.3 for 1998−2006. For the flank longitude sectors (120−210° and 300−30°), the ratio also tends to decrease with time from ∼0.6 for 1996−2005 to ∼0.2 for 2008−2010. We discuss implications of these results for the energetic ion distribution in the heliosheath and the structure of the heliosphere.