bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monday Effect in the Chinese Stock Market
Authors: Perez Gerardo “Gerry” Alfonso
Published: November 2017

The Monday effect is a well know effect in some countries around the world. The Monday effect is the observation that stock returns on Monday are statically significantly lower than for the rest of the days of the week. There is no obvious fundamental reason behind this occurrence and if it actually exists it might be due to human behavioral patterns. This Monday effect observation originated in the U.S. several decades ago and it has since being observed in several other countries. In this article the occurrence of the Monday effect is analyzed in the mainland China equity market. It was found that for the period from 2011 to 2016 there was no statistically significant Monday effect but interestingly there are indications of a possible Thursday effect. This concept was tested with several market indexes covering the two major mainland China stock exchanges (Shanghai and Shenzhen). These indexes covered also a broad spectrum of company sizes. The ChiNext index, which is a Nasdaq like type of index for the Chinese market, was also included. In this article it was also tested and confirmed that the returns on Chinese equities, as expected, do not follow a normal distribution.
Dilation of Time Dilation
Authors: Wajda Tadeusz
Published: November 2017

The study addresses the issue of the so-called time dilation in the sense of the origin of its creation and the physical existence.Based on the work of Lorentz, who the lack of displacement of interference fringes in the Michelson interferometer explained wrongly with, shortening one arm of the interferometer, I propose the construction of the light pulse clock, in which to measure the rate of the passage of time is used constancy speed of light in vacuum.Light clock, the construction of which is described in the paper, stationary in relation to the ether, will measure constant time intervals. The same clock transported, will slow down the pace of his walk as a function of transportation speed v and that is a novelty, will slow depending on its orientation relative to the direction of motion. Light clock transported transversely with respect to the stationary clock will slow gamma times, transported lengthwise will slow gamma to the second power.Basing on the obtained dependences I maintain that time dilation defined in the theory of relativity (SR) as the slowing of the lapse of time, does not physically exist and identification the varying pace of walk clock with the pace of lapse of time I consider a fundamental error resulting from the postulates of this theory.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for English Language and Literature Studies, Vol. 7, No. 4
Authors: Ding Alice
Published: November 2017

Reviewer Acknowledgements for English Language and Literature Studies, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2017.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Learning, Vol. 6, No. 4
Authors: Sun Barbara
Published: November 2017

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Learning, Vol. 6, No. 4, 2017
Principles of Civil Liability Arising from Bodily Injuries in Iranian and English Law
Authors: Sarbazian Majid , Sokhanvar Mehdi , Pordanjani Abedin Rahimi
Published: November 2017

Explaining the principles of civil liability in cases that someone injured bodily is now one of the most important issues of law. In fact, in these cases, the question is why someone should compensate other damage? While has not been violated of the contract. If doing the action is allowed, and the subject has the legal authority to do it or fault or bad intention does not occur from him, can be imagined again a responsibility for him? In this regard, civil and criminal liability separate from each other and each is analyzed separately. Foundations of theoretical, practical, legal and in addition to these, in our rights jurisprudence foundations have been added to the former cases. Each of these has sub sets, and each tried to explain that when someone injured bodily the other, why and how to compensate? Who should compensate? To compensate, what must be proved? And of course, in similar cases, results are obtained that each has minor and sometimes major differences. Now, the theoretical foundations (fault, risk, etc.) are accepted and analyzed in Iranian law and in English law, but absolutely none of them have gone towards one of the comments.
Anthropometry and Ergonomic of Bale Sakenem (Case Study: Central Singapadu Village, Gianyar)
Authors: Parwata I Wayan , Oka Wisnumurti Anak Agung Gede , Meidayanti Mustika Ni Wayan
Published: November 2017

The Bale Sakenem is one of the buildings located within the Balinese traditional house setting. The development and transformation of the Sakenem bale house are influenced by many factors including high demand, lack of qualified labor, time and work management system resulting in high intervention of Balinese builders (Undagi) on the implementation of the Bale Sakenem development.This research is an observational research using cross-sectional design. The study measures a sample of "Sakenem" house bale that measures in accordance with anthropometry from homeowners. The sample of the people in this study were Owners/home users who owned the Bale "Sakenem" House that met the inclusion criteria. Samples were randomly selected using cluster random sampling method.The results of this second-year study showed that 55% of the sample of people were comfortable with the high suitability of their own "sakenem" bale house structure while 81% of the sample people felt better comfort against the bale-bale of bale "sakenem" intervention house. The convenience of high listplank also known that as many as 66% comfort felt from the high listplank house bale "sakenem" intervention. And as many as 52% chose comfort and suitability of high sakenem "sakenem" saka house height which only slightly comparison with high saka bale "sakenem" control i.e. 48%. The height of the bale "sakenem" intervention is 76 cm and the average height from waist to toe of the user of bale "sakenem" house in the village of Singapadu Tengah Gianyar is 75.75 cm which means that the height of the rod indicates the height which is not ideal and cause inconvenience. The height of bale-bale from bale house "sakenem" is 67 cm and the average height from waist to tip of user heel bale "sakenem" in the village of Singapadu Tengah Gianyar is 75.75 cm which can be analyzed that the user can easily rise to the top of bale- bale and create comfort and security. High saka in bale house "sakenem" that is 195 cm and the average height of bale house owner "sakenem" measured from the tip of the head to the tip of the heel is 165.45 cm which means that the height of saka is still included in the criteria of comfort.
Preparation of Activated Carbon from Acacia (Vachellia seyal) Tree Branches and Application to Treat Wastewater Containing Methylene Blue Dye
Authors: Saleem Muhammad , Ali Mehmood , Siddiqi Zia , Al Qahtani Abdulrahman Saud
Published: November 2017

Saudi Arabian desert tree Acacia (Vachellia Seyal) used to produce Activated Carbon (AC) by phosphoric acid mediated chemical activation at low temperature. Characterization of AC done based on proximate and detailed analysis including Moisture content, Total Ash content, pH value, Iodine number, Methylene blue number, pore volume and BET surface area. Results revealed that properties of produced activated carbon (PAC) are comparable to commercial activated carbon (CAC). Low ash content and hardness making it suitable for water and wastewater treatment. Cost of production found to be less than $0.5/kg. Both AC used to treat wastewater containing Methylene Blue (MB) dye. Initially the removal efficiency of CAC is higher than the PAC however, both AC reached to similar removal (95.3% for PAC and 98.2% for CAC) within one hour. Growing demand of AC in the country can be meet by producing low cost locally available waste materials Acacia seyal tree branches.
PSYCHOLINGUISTIC AGE-PROFILES OF LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT: A COMPARISON BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Miranda Agustin Ramiro , Serra Silvana Valeria , Assum Ariana Soledad , Carrizo Eugenia , Lucca Mariana Eugenia
Published: November 2017

Background: Assessment of language is very important to detect atypically developed children. In this sense, psycholinguistic abilities are predictors of developmental functioning. The aim of this study was to compare ages of psycholinguistic processes between atypically and typically developed children.

Material/Methods: In this cross-sectional study, six-, seven- and eight-year-old children from Cordoba (Argentina) (n= 28) were evaluated with the Spanish version of Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (S-ITPA). Statistical analysis included Student’s t-test in order to find differences between groups.

Results: In the six-year-old sample, those with atypical language showed significantly lower psycholinguistic ages in: global psycholinguistic age, auditory association, and verbal expression, auditory reception, auditory sequential memory, grammatical closu re, and auditory closure, manual expression. In seven-year-old sample differences were found in grammatical closure and auditory closure. In eight-year-old group, atypical language sample showed lower psycholinguistic ages in auditory association, verbal expression and auditory sequential memory.

Conclusions: This evidence establishes a limit stage corresponding to 6 years of age, which reflects the consolidation and integrity of language and the aptitudes involved. In later ages (e.g. seven and eight years), results may be biased by acquired formal learning abilities.
‘Round ‘n’ ‘Round We Go!
Authors: Devoe Malcom
Published: November 2017

New attractions—including Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta History Center, World of Coca-Cola, and SkyView Ferris wheel—have made Atlanta, Georgia, a destination city. SkyView is one of the top five attractions for Atlanta tourists (see photographs 1 and 2). This Ferris wheel sits 200 feet tall and contains 42 climate-controlled gondolas, each of which can hold a maximum of six people. We can analyze and identify many mathematical features of this attraction that will lead us to a discussion of circumference, angles of polygons, the parametric form of conic sections, periodic functions, and related rates.
Analyzing Off-the-Peg Geoboard Squares
Authors: Ciancetta Matt , Blair Steve , Canada Dan
Published: November 2017

Consider the following scenario: Your students are working with standard five-peg by five-peg geoboards, and they find that by stretching rubber bands peg-to-peg, they might create some polygons having some or none of the vertices on the pegs. For example, consider figure 1: All the vertices of both the quadrilateral and the hexagon are considered “off-the-peg” (OTP) vertices.
Dancing Dinosaurs: An Interdisciplinary Mathematics Lesson
Authors: Wheeler Ann , Champion Joe
Published: November 2017

This article details the use of an activity connecting science, art, and literature to teach the concept of area.
Reimagining family-teacher conferences
Authors: Wager Anita
Published: November 2017

Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All (NCTM 2014) suggests that one way to move toward equity is to connect with—
Diagnosis value of aberrantly expressed microRNA profiles in lung squamous cell carcinoma: a study based on the Cancer Genome Atlas
Authors: Yang Sheng , Sui Jing , Liang Geyu
Published: November 2017

Background

Lung cancer is considered as one of the most frequent and deadly cancers with high mortality all around the world. It is critical to find new biomarkers for early diagnosis of lung cancer, especially lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a database which provides both cancer and clinical information. This study is a comprehensive analysis of a novel diagnostic biomarker for LUSC, based on TCGA.

Methods and Results

The present study investigated LUSC-specific key microRNAs (miRNAs) from large-scale samples in TCGA. According to exclusion criteria and inclusion criteria, the expression profiles of miRNAs with related clinical information of 332 LUSC patients were obtained. Most aberrantly expressed miRNAs were identified between tumor and normal samples. Forty-two LUSC-specific intersection miRNAs (fold change >2, p < 0.05) were obtained by an integrative computational method, among them six miRNAs were found to be aberrantly expressed concerning characteristics of patients (gender, lymphatic metastasis, patient outcome assessment) through Student t-test. Five miRNAs correlated with overall survival (log-rank p < 0.05) were obtained through the univariate Cox proportional hazards regression model and Mantel–Haenszel test. Then, five miRNAs were randomly selected to validate the expression in 47 LUSC patient tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the test findings were consistent with the TCGA findings. Also, the diagnostic value of the specific key miRNAs was determined by areas under receiver operating characteristic curves. Finally, 577 interaction mRNAs as the targets of 42 LUSC-specific intersection miRNAs were selected for further bioinformatics analysis.

Conclusion

This study indicates that this novel microRNA expression signature may be a useful biomarker of the diagnosis for LUSC patients, based on bioinformatics analysis.
Amplification of Earthquake Ground Motions in Washington, DC, and Implications for Hazard Assessments in Central and Eastern North America
Authors: Pratt Thomas L. , Horton J. Wright , Muñoz Jessica , Hough Susan E. , Chapman Martin C. , Olgun C. Guney
Published: November 2017

The extent of damage in Washington, DC, from the 2011 Mw 5.8 Mineral, VA, earthquake was surprising for an epicenter 130 km away; U.S. Geological Survey “Did‐You‐Feel‐It” reports suggest that Atlantic Coastal Plain and other unconsolidated sediments amplified ground motions in the city. We measure this amplification relative to bedrock sites using earthquake signals recorded on a temporary seismometer array. The spectral ratios show strong amplification in the 0.7 to 4 Hz frequency range for sites on sediments. This range overlaps with resonant frequencies of buildings in the city as inferred from their heights, suggesting amplification at frequencies to which many buildings are vulnerable to damage. Our results emphasize that local amplification can raise moderate ground motions to damaging levels in stable continental regions, where low attenuation extends shaking levels over wide areas and unconsolidated deposits on crystalline metamorphic or igneous bedrock can result in strong contrasts in near‐surface material properties.
Identifying Flow Networks in a Karstified Aquifer by Application of the Cellular Automata‐Based Deterministic Inversion Method (Lez Aquifer, France)
Authors: Fischer P. , Jardani A. , Wang X. , Jourde H. , Lecoq N.
Published: November 2017

The distributed modeling of flow paths within karstic and fractured fields remains a complex task because of the high dependence of the hydraulic responses to the relative locations between observational boreholes and interconnected fractures and karstic conduits that control the main flow of the hydrosystem. The inverse problem in a distributed model is one alternative approach to interpret the hydraulic test data by mapping the karstic networks and fractured areas. In this work, we developed a Bayesian inversion approach, the Cellular Automata‐based Deterministic Inversion (CADI) algorithm to infer the spatial distribution of hydraulic properties in a structurally constrained model. This method distributes hydraulic properties along linear structures (i.e., flow conduits) and iteratively modifies the structural geometry of this conduit network to progressively match the observed hydraulic data to the modeled ones. As a result, this method produces a conductivity model that is composed of a discrete conduit network embedded in the background matrix, capable of producing the same flow behavior as the investigated hydrologic system. The method is applied to invert a set of multiborehole hydraulic tests collected from a hydraulic tomography experiment conducted at the Terrieu field site in the Lez aquifer, Southern France. The emergent model shows a high consistency to field observation of hydraulic connections between boreholes. Furthermore, it provides a geologically realistic pattern of flow conduits. This method is therefore of considerable value toward an enhanced distributed modeling of the fractured and karstified aquifers.
Nanomaterial‐Enabled Wearable Sensors for Healthcare
Authors: Yao Shanshan , Swetha Puchakayala , Zhu Yong
Published: November 2017

Highly sensitive wearable sensors that can be conformably attached to human skin or integrated with textiles to monitor the physiological parameters of human body or the surrounding environment have garnered tremendous interest. Owing to the large surface area and outstanding material properties, nanomaterials are promising building blocks for wearable sensors. Recent advances in the nanomaterial‐enabled wearable sensors including temperature, electrophysiological, strain, tactile, electrochemical, and environmental sensors are presented in this review. Integration of multiple sensors for multimodal sensing and integration with other components into wearable systems are summarized. Representative applications of nanomaterial‐enabled wearable sensors for healthcare, including continuous health monitoring, daily and sports activity tracking, and multifunctional electronic skin are highlighted. Finally, challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives in the field of nanomaterial‐enabled wearable sensors are discussed.
Toward High Uniformity of Photoresponse Broadband Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Photodiode Based on PVP‐Modified Perovskite
Authors: Zhao Feiyu , Xu Kun , Luo Xiao , Liang Yuanlong , Peng Yingquan , Lu Feiping
Published: November 2017

Broadband photodiode based on Si/perovskite structure that combines the advantages of both silicon and perovskite is presented in this paper. This study addresses the issue of the absent of ultraviolet absorption of silicon and the near‐infrared absorption of perovskite. More significantly, the polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) modification process on the perovskite film shows efficiency on morphology and crystallizing control that are important for high uniformity of responsivity and reproducibility. The result shows high spectral uniformity of responsivity (uSR = 0.85) on a wide spectrum ranging from 405 to 808 nm and the average of deviation of reproducibility is only 2.1%. Fast response time (645 µs), good on–off switching performance, and high photosensitivity (Ion/Ioff = 1322) of the as‐fabricated device are also achieved in this work. This research indicates that the high‐performance broadband photodiode can be realized by the novel organic–inorganic structure and PVP modification without compromising any of its performance.
Self‐Assembled Graphene‐Based Architectures and Their Applications
Authors: Yuan Zhongke , Xiao Xiaofen , Li Jing , Zhao Zhe , Yu Dingshan , Li Quan
Published: November 2017

Due to unique planar structures and remarkable thermal, electronic, and mechanical properties, chemically modified graphenes (CMGs) such as graphene oxides, reduced graphene oxides, and the related derivatives are recognized as the attractive building blocks for “bottom‐up” nanotechnology, while self‐assembly of CMGs has emerged as one of the most promising approaches to construct advanced functional materials/systems based on graphene. By virtue of a variety of noncovalent forces like hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interaction, metal‐to‐ligand bonds, electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic–hydrophilic interactions, and π–π interactions, the CMGs bearing various functional groups are highly desirable for the assemblies with themselves and a variety of organic and/or inorganic species which can yield various hierarchical nanostructures and macroscopic composites endowed with unique structures, properties, and functions for widespread technological applications such as electronics, optoelectronics, electrocatalysis/photocatalysis, environment, and energy storage and conversion. In this review, significant recent advances concerning the self‐assembly of CMGs are summarized, and the broad applications of self‐assembled graphene‐based materials as well as some future opportunities and challenges in this vibrant area are elucidated.
Modelling of solid‐state fermentation over wide operational range for application in process optimization
Authors: Fonseca Rafael F. , Melo Caio C. B. , Sanches Beatriz B. C. P. , Bertucci‐Neto Victor , Farinas Cristiane S. , Kwong Wu H.
Published: November 2017

The major drawbacks in large‐scale solid‐state fermentation processes are related to difficulty in controlling the medium temperature and moisture content, which are variables that directly affect microbial growth and product formation. Several mathematical models have been developed to describe these effects, although none has simultaneously considered distinct growth phases, growth restrictions caused by large temperature variations at several distinct moisture content conditions, and product formation pathways. In this manner, the objectives of this paper were to develop a mathematical model to represent the process under different operational conditions and a model‐based optimization procedure to investigate the effects of varying temperature profiles to maximize a (hemi) cellulolytic enzyme production during cultivation of Aspergillus niger under solid state fermentation. The proposed model correlates fungal growth with the CO2 production rates and with enzymatic production by the Luedeking‐Piret function. It was developed with data acquired in a laboratory‐scale column‐type bioreactor in controlled conditions of aeration, temperature, and inlet air relative humidity. The developed model accurately predicted the respiration profile responses at all temperatures, under the most productive moisture content conditions. Incubation of the culture with the optimized temperature profile improved the enzymatic production, compared to the estimated optimum static temperature. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of this model for the optimization of larger‐scale SSF processes.
Quantifying the effects of ecological constraints on trait expression using novel trait‐gradient analysis parameters
Authors: Ottaviani Gianluigi , Tsakalos James L. , Keppel Gunnar , Mucina Ladislav
Published: November 2017

Complex processes related to biotic and abiotic forces can impose limitations to assembly and composition of plant communities. Quantifying the effects of these constraints on plant functional traits across environmental gradients, and among communities, remains challenging. We define ecological constraint (Ci) as the combined, limiting effect of biotic interactions and environmental filtering on trait expression (i.e., the mean value and range of functional traits). Here, we propose a set of novel parameters to quantify this constraint by extending the trait‐gradient analysis (TGA) methodology. The key parameter is ecological constraint, which is dimensionless and can be measured at various scales, for example, on population and community levels. It facilitates comparing the effects of ecological constraints on trait expressions across environmental gradients, as well as within and among communities. We illustrate the implementation of the proposed parameters using the bark thickness of 14 woody species along an aridity gradient on granite outcrops in southwestern Australia. We found a positive correlation between increasing environmental stress and strength of ecological constraint on bark thickness expression. Also, plants from more stressful habitats (shrublands on shallow soils and in sun‐exposed locations) displayed higher ecological constraint for bark thickness than plants in more benign habitats (woodlands on deep soils and in sheltered locations). The relative ease of calculation and dimensionless nature of Ci allow it to be readily implemented at various scales and make it widely applicable. It therefore has the potential to advance the mechanistic understanding of the ecological processes shaping trait expression. Some future applications of the new parameters could be investigating the patterns of ecological constraints (1) among communities from different regions, (2) on different traits across similar environmental gradients, and (3) for the same trait across different gradient types.
Gut microbiota composition is associated with environmental landscape in honey bees
Authors: Jones Julia C , Fruciano Carmelo , Hildebrand Falk , Al Toufalilia Hasan , Balfour Nicholas J , Bork Peer , Engel Philipp , Ratnieks Francis LW , Hughes William OH
Published: November 2017

There is growing recognition that the gut microbial community regulates a wide variety of important functions in its animal hosts, including host health. However, the complex interactions between gut microbes and environment are still unclear. Honey bees are ecologically and economically important pollinators that host a core gut microbial community that is thought to be constant across populations. Here, we examined whether the composition of the gut microbial community of honey bees is affected by the environmental landscape the bees are exposed to. We placed honey bee colonies reared under identical conditions in two main landscape types for 6 weeks: either oilseed rape farmland or agricultural farmland distant to fields of flowering oilseed rape. The gut bacterial communities of adult bees from the colonies were then characterized and compared based on amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. While previous studies have delineated a characteristic core set of bacteria inhabiting the honey bee gut, our results suggest that the broad environment that bees are exposed to has some influence on the relative abundance of some members of that microbial community. This includes known dominant taxa thought to have functions in nutrition and health. Our results provide evidence for an influence of landscape exposure on honey bee microbial community and highlight the potential effect of exposure to different environmental parameters, such as forage type and neonicotinoid pesticides, on key honey bee gut bacteria. This work emphasizes the complexity of the relationship between the host, its gut bacteria, and the environment and identifies target microbial taxa for functional analyses.
Retracted: Effects of microRNA‐129 and its target gene c‐Fos on proliferation and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in rats with epilepsy via the MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Dong‐Mei , Zhang Yu‐Tong , Lu Jun , Zheng Yuan‐Lin
Published: November 2017

This study aims to investigate the effect of microRNA‐129 (miR‐129) on proliferation and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in epilepsy rats by targeting c‐Fos via the MAPK signaling pathway. Thirty rats were equally classified into a model group (successfully established as chronic epilepsy models) and a normal group. Expression of miR‐129, c‐Fos, bax, and MAPK was detected by RT‐qPCR and Western blotting. Hippocampal neurons were assigned into normal, blank, negative control (NC), miR‐129 mimic, miR‐129 inhibitor, siRNA‐c‐Fos, miR‐129 inhibitor+siRNA‐c‐Fos groups. The targeting relationship between miR‐129 and c‐Fos was predicted and verified by bioinformatics websites and dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. Cell proliferation after transfection was measured by MTT assay, and cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry. c‐Fos is a potential target gene of miR‐129. Compared with the normal group, the other six groups showed a decreased miR‐129 expression; increased expression of expression of c‐Fos, Bax, and MAPK; decreased proliferation; accelerated apoptosis; more cells arrested in the G1 phase; and fewer cells arrested in the S phase. Compared with the blank and NC groups, the miR‐129 mimic group and the siRNA‐c‐Fos group showed decreased expression of c‐Fos, Bax, and MAPK, increased cells proliferation, and decreased cell apoptosis, fewer cells arrested in the G1 phase and more cells arrested in the S phase. However, the miR‐129 inhibitor groups showed reverse consequences. This study suggests that miR‐129 could inhibit the occurrence and development of epilepsy by repressing c‐Fos expression through inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway.
Application and Properties of Nano‐sized RDX in CMDB Propellant with Low Solid Content
Authors: Liu Jie , Ke Xiang , Xiao Lei , Hao Gazi , Rong Yuanbo , Jin Chengsu , Jiang Wei , Li Fengsheng
Published: November 2017

Composite modified double‐base (CMDB) propellant, benefitting from the outstanding performances of high energy and low signature, has attracted increasing focus in the past decade. To improve the integrative performance, such as enhancing the mechanical property and decreasing the sensitivity, CMDB propellant with low solid content containing nano‐sized RDX has been prepared. The microstructure, mechanical properties, sensitivity and combustion performance of the prepared propellant are studied. Results have shown that the interface of the CMDB propellant contained nano‐sized RDX (N‐CMDB) is more compact and the internal defects are less than those of the CMDB propellant with micro‐sized RDX (M‐CMDB). Compared with the maximum tensile strength (σm) and the corresponding elongation at maximum tensile strength (ϵm) of M‐CMDB, the σm values of N‐CMDB are improved by 37.4 % at +50 °C, 27.5 % at +20 °C and 26.7 % at −40 °C, and the ϵm values are increased by 16.1 %, 19.4 % and 39.6 %, separately. Moreover, the friction and impact sensitivities of N‐CMDB propellant are decreased by 51.3 % and 50.4 %, respectively. In the range of 8–18 MPa, the combustion performance of N‐MCDB propellant has been demonstrated more attractive with higher burning rate coefficient (8.692→10.950) and lower pressure exponent (0.384→0.299). All these results lead us to believe that the usage of nano‐sized explosives will contribute to improve the comprehensive performance of CMDB propellants and promote their application in weapon system.
Die hypertrophe Kardiomyopathie
Authors: Kühl Constantin , Frey Norbert
Published: November 2017

Die hypertrophe Kardiomyopathie (HCM) ist die häufigste Kardiomyopathie mit mendelschem autosomal-dominanten Erbgang. Die Folgen der ausgeprägten Hypertrophie des Herzmuskels, in Verbindung mit (HOCM) oder ohne (HNCM) Obstruktion des linksventrikulären Ausflusstraktes reichen von benignen klinischen Verläufen bis hin zu schwersten Verläufen der Herzinsuffizienz und des plötzlichen Herztodes. Die neuen Leitlinien der Europäischen Gesellschaft für Kardiologie, veröffentlicht in 2014, fassen die aktuelle Evidenz beinahe aller Aspekte der Versorgung von Patienten zusammen. Erstmals werden hier klare Empfehlungen zum Vorgehen bei der genetischen Diagnostik ausgesprochen. Die genetische Testung unter Verwendung der Hochdurchsatzsequenzierung wird aktuell kontrovers und emotional diskutiert, könnte aber künftig das Verständnis der HCM und damit möglicherweise auch die Versorgung der Patienten mit HCM verbessern. Aus der Grundlagenforschung entspringen zudem neue translationale Ansätze, die Anlass zur Hoffnung geben, in der Zukunft bei HCM neue und gezielte Therapien (z. B. Gentherapie) anbieten zu können.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Persistent Right Umbilical Vein: Is It Significant?
Authors: Shah Nupur
Published: November 2017

A case of Persistent Right Umbilical Vein (PRUV) is reported. Prenatal diagnosis was made on gray scale and color Doppler at the time of routine anomaly scan. The management is briefly discussed.
A probabilistic interpretation of the Gaussian binomial coefficients
Authors: Konstantopoulos Takis , Yuan Linglong
Published: November 2017

We present a stand-alone simple proof of a probabilistic interpretation of the Gaussian binomial coefficients by conditioning a random walk to hit a given lattice point at a given time.
REVIEWERS FOR VOLUME 74
Authors: Editor Journal
Published: November 2017

Many papers submitted to the Edinburgh Journal of Botany are reviewed by members of the Editorial Board and Editorial Advisory Board. The members of both Boards wish to express their thanks to the following, who have also kindly reviewed papers during the preparation of this volume.
Identifying Patterns in Complex Field Data
Authors: White Andrew J. , Kleinböhl Dieter , Lang Thomas , Hamm Alfons O. , Gerlach Alexander L. , Alpers Georg W.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Ambulatory assessment methods are well suited to examine how patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia (PD/A) undertake situational exposure. But under complex field conditions of a complex treatment protocol, the variability of data can be so high that conventional analytic approaches based on group averages inadequately describe individual variability. To understand how fear responses change throughout exposure, we aimed to demonstrate the incremental value of sorting HR responses (an index of fear) prior to applying averaging procedures. As part of their panic treatment, 85 patients with PD/A completed a total of 233 bus exposure exercises. Heart rate (HR), global positioning system (GPS) location, and self-report data were collected. Patients were randomized to one of two active treatment conditions (standard exposure or fear-augmented exposure) and completed multiple exposures in four consecutive exposure sessions. We used latent class cluster analysis (CA) to cluster heart rate (HR) responses collected at the start of bus exposure exercises (5 min long, centered on bus boarding). Intra-individual patterns of assignment across exposure repetitions were examined to explore the relative influence of individual and situational factors on HR responses. The association between response types and panic disorder symptoms was determined by examining how clusters were related to self-reported anxiety, concordance between HR and self-report measures, and bodily symptom tolerance. These analyses were contrasted with a conventional analysis based on averages across experimental conditions. HR responses were sorted according to form and level criteria and yielded nine clusters, seven of which were interpretable. Cluster assignment was not stable across sessions or treatment condition. Clusters characterized by a low absolute HR level that slowly decayed corresponded with low self-reported anxiety and greater self-rated tolerance of bodily symptoms. Inconsistent individual factors influenced HR responses less than situational factors. Applying clustering can help to extend the conventional analysis of highly variable data collected in the field. We discuss the merits of this approach and reasons for the non-stereotypical pattern of cluster assignment across exposures.
Sensitivity analysis of coupled processes and parameters on the performance of enhanced geothermal systems
Authors: Pandey S. N. , Vishal Vikram
Published: November 2017

3-D modeling of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes in enhanced geothermal systems using the control volume finite element code was done. In a first, a comparative analysis on the effects of coupled processes, operational parameters and reservoir parameters on heat extraction was conducted. We found that significant temperature drop and fluid overpressure occurred inside the reservoirs/fracture that affected the transport behavior of the fracture. The spatio-temporal variations of fracture aperture greatly impacted the thermal drawdown and consequently the net energy output. The results showed that maximum aperture evolution occurred near the injection zone instead of the production zone. Opening of the fracture reduced the injection pressure required to circulate a fixed mass of water. The thermal breakthrough and heat extraction strongly depend on the injection mass flow rate, well distances, reservoir permeability and geothermal gradients. High permeability caused higher water loss, leading to reduced heat extraction. From the results of TH vs THM process simulations, we conclude that appropriate coupling is vital and can impact the estimates of net heat extraction. This study can help in identifying the critical operational parameters, and process optimization for enhanced energy extraction from a geothermal system.
In vivo evidence for homo- and heterodimeric interactions of Arabidopsis thaliana dehydrins AtCOR47, AtERD10, and AtRAB18
Authors: Hernández-Sánchez Itzell E. , Maruri-López Israel , Graether Steffen P. , Jiménez-Bremont Juan F.
Published: November 2017

Dehydrins (DHNs) are intrinsically disordered proteins that play central roles in plant abiotic stress responses; however, how they work remains unclear. Herein, we report the in planta subcellular localization of Arabidopsis thaliana DHNs AtCOR47, AtERD10, and AtRAB18 through GFP translational fusions. To explore the dimerization ability of the Arabidopsis acidic DHNs AtCOR47 and AtERD10, we conducted an in planta DHN binding assay using the Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) technique. Our analyses revealed homodimeric interactions for AtCOR47 and AtERD10; interestingly, heterodimeric associations also occurred with these DHNs, and these interactions were observed in the cytosol of tobacco cells. Furthermore, we evaluated whether Arabidopsis basic DHNs, such as AtRAB18, could also interact with itself and/or with AtCOR47 and AtERD10 in the BiFC system. Our data revealed homodimeric RAB18 complexes in the nucleus and cytosol, while heterodimeric associations between AtRAB18 and acidic DHNs occurred only in the cytosol. Finally, we demonstrated the presence of heterodimeric complexes among Arabidopsis AtCOR47, AtERD10, and AtRAB18 DHNs with their acidic ortholog the OpsDHN1 from Opuntia streptacantha; these heterodimeric interactions showed different subcellular distributions. Our results guide DHN research toward a new scenario where DHN/DHN oligomerization could be explored as a part of their molecular mechanism.
Entropic patchiness drives multi-phase coexistence in discotic colloid–depletant mixtures
Authors: González García Á. , Wensink H. H. , Lekkerkerker H. N. W. , Tuinier R.
Published: November 2017

Entropy–driven equilibrium phase behaviour of hard particle dispersions can be understood from excluded volume arguments only. While monodisperse hard spheres only exhibit a fluid–solid phase transition, anisotropic hard particles such as rods, discs, cuboids or boards exhibit various multi–phase equilibria. Ordering of such anisotropic particles increases the free volume entropy by reducing the excluded volume between them. The addition of depletants gives rise to an entropic patchiness represented by orientation–dependent attractions resulting in non–trivial phase behaviour. We show that free volume theory is a simple, generic and tractable framework that enables to incorporate these effects and rationalise various experimental findings. Plate-shaped particles constitute the main building blocks of clays, asphaltenes and chromonic liquid crystals that find widespread use in the food, cosmetics and oil industry. We demonstrate that mixtures of platelets and ideal depletants exhibit a strikingly rich phase behaviour containing several types of three–phase coexistence areas and even a quadruple region with four coexisting phases.
From the Age of 5 Humans Decide Economically, Whereas Crows Exhibit Individual Preferences
Authors: Danel Samara , Osiurak François , von Bayern Auguste Marie Philippa
Published: November 2017

Human societies greatly depend on tools, which spare us considerable time and effort. Humans might have evolved a bias to employ tools, using them even when they are unnecessary. This study aimed to investigate whether adult humans and a distantly related habitually tool-using vertebrate species, the New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides), use tools depending on their necessity. In addition, children aged 3 to 5 years were examined to investigate the developmental pattern. The task involved choosing between using a body part (i.e. crows: beak; humans: hand) or a tool for retrieving a reward from a box. All subjects were tested in two conditions. In the Body+/Tool− condition, using the body was more efficient than using the tool, and conversely in the Body−/Tool+ condition. Our results suggest that the capacity to employ tools economically develops late in humans. Crows, however, failed to choose economically. At the individual level, some subjects exhibited striking individual preferences for either using a tool or their beak throughout the task. Whether such biases depend on individual experience or whether they are genetically determined remains to be investigated. Our findings provide new insights about tool use and its cognitive implementation in two outstanding tool-using taxa.
Publisher Correction: Efficient ECG Compression and QRS Detection for E-Health Applications
Authors: Elgendi Mohamed , Mohamed Amr , Ward Rabab
Published: November 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Formation of a transient amorphous solid in low density aqueous charged sphere suspensions
Authors: Niu Ran , Heidt Sabrina , Sreij Ramsia , Dekker Riande I. , Hofmann Maximilian , Palberg Thomas
Published: November 2017

Colloidal glasses formed from hard spheres, nearly hard spheres, ellipsoids and platelets or their attractive variants, have been studied in great detail. Complementing and constraining theoretical approaches and simulations, the many different types of model systems have significantly advanced our understanding of the glass transition in general. Despite their early prediction, however, no experimental charged sphere glasses have been found at low density, where the competing process of crystallization prevails. We here report the formation of a transient amorphous solid formed from charged polymer spheres suspended in thoroughly deionized water at volume fractions of 0.0002–0.01. From optical experiments, we observe the presence of short-range order and an enhanced shear rigidity as compared to the stable polycrystalline solid of body centred cubic structure. On a density dependent time scale of hours to days, the amorphous solid transforms into this stable structure. We further present preliminary dynamic light scattering data showing the evolution of a second slow relaxation process possibly pointing to a dynamic heterogeneity known from other colloidal glasses and gels. We compare our findings to the predicted phase behaviour of charged sphere suspensions and discuss possible mechanisms for the formation of this peculiar type of colloidal glass.
Sodium fluoride exposure exerts toxic effects on porcine oocyte maturation
Authors: Liang Shuang , Nie Zheng-Wen , Zhao Minghui , Niu Ying-Jie , Shin Kyung-Tae , Cui Xiang-Shun
Published: November 2017

Excessive long-term fluoride intake is associated with several health problems, including infertility. However, limited information is available on the toxic effects of fluoride exposure on the female reproductive system, especially oocyte maturation. In this study, we investigated the toxic effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure on porcine oocyte maturation and its possible underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that NaF exposure during porcine oocyte maturation inhibited cumulus cell expansion and impaired polar body extrusion. Cell cycle analysis showed that NaF exposure blocked meiotic resumption, disturbed spindle dynamics, disrupted chromosome separation, and increased aneuploidy in porcine oocytes. Moreover, NaF exposure disturbed mitochondrial function, triggered DNA damage response, and induced early apoptosis in porcine oocytes. NaF exposure also induced oxidative stress, decreased GSH level, and increased cathepsin B activity in and impaired the further development potential of porcine oocytes, as indicated by a decrease in blastocyst formation rate, increase in apoptosis, and inhibition of cell proliferation. Together, these results indicate that NaF exposure impairs the maturation capacity of porcine oocytes by inhibiting cumulus cell expansion, disturbing cytoskeletal dynamics, and blocking nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, thus decreasing the quality and affecting the subsequent embryonic development potential of porcine oocytes.
Nutrient resorption or accumulation of desert plants with contrasting sodium regulation strategies
Authors: Wang Lilong , Wang Liang , He Wenliang , An Lizhe , Xu Shijian
Published: November 2017

Desert plants are thought to rely more heavily on nutrient resorption due to the infertile soil. However, little is known regarding the phylogenetic effects on this traits, specifically for halophytes. Here we determined contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in 36 desert plants in a hyper-arid environment. The patterns of resorption or accumulation of the six elements were compared among plant groups with diverse leaf Na regulation strategies: i.e., euhalophytes (Eu), secretohalophytes (Se), pseudohalophytes (Ps) and glycophytes (Gl). Overall, N, P, K presented strict resorption across all groups, but no more efficient than global estimations. Ca and Mg tended to be resorbed less or accumulated during leaf senescence. Significant phylogenetic signal of both leaf Na content and plant group implies the pivotal role of Na regulation in the adaptation of plants to desert environment. Resorption proficiency, rather than resorption efficiency, is more phylogenetically conservative and more relevant to leaf functional traits.
In trans hydrolysis of carrier protein-bound acyl intermediates by CitA during citrinin biosynthesis
Authors: Storm Philip A. , Townsend Craig A.
Published: November 2017

CitA hydrolyzes acyl intermediates from the citrinin polyketide synthase during early-stage biosynthesis.
Thiazolium salt-catalyzed C–C triple bond cleavage for accessing substituted 1-naphthols via benzannulation
Authors: Zhou Peng , Wang Jia-Yin , Zhang Tian-Shu , Li Guigen , Hao Wen-Juan , Tu Shu-Jiang , Jiang Bo
Published: November 2017

The first thiazolium salt-catalyzed C–C triple bond cleavage of benzene-linked allene-ynes has been established.
Role of surface adsorption in tuning the properties of black phosphorus
Authors: Xu W. P. , Xu H.
Published: November 2017

The synergetic effect of O2and H2O during the oxidation of black phosphorus (BP) at the atomic level is revealed, and the effects of H2O and/or O2on the properties of BP are also investigated.
Analysis of the conformational properties of amine ligands at the gold/water interface with QM, MM and QM/MM simulations
Authors: Liang Dongyue , Hong Jiewei , Fang Dong , Bennett Joseph W. , Mason Sara E. , Hamers Robert J. , Cui Qiang
Published: November 2017

We describe a strategy of integrating quantum mechanical (QM), hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) and MM simulations to analyze the physical properties of a solid/water interface.
Ligand substitution and conformational effects on the ultrafast luminescent decay of [Re(CO)3(phen)(L)]+ (L = imidazole, pyridine): non-adiabatic quantum dynamics
Authors: Fumanal M. , Gindensperger E. , Daniel C.
Published: November 2017

The Cs conformers of [Re(CO)3(phen)(L)]+ (L = imidazole, pyridine) complexes are investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT/time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT)) electronic structure calculations and non-adiabatic quantum dynamics including spin–orbit coupling (SOC).
Exploration of new water stable proton-conducting materials in an amino acid-templated metal phosphate system
Authors: Shi Jingyu , Wang Kangcai , Li Jing , Zeng Hongmei , Zhang Qinghua , Lin Zhien
Published: November 2017

Presented here is the first example of an amino acid-templated metal phosphate with a three-dimensional structure, which shows excellent water stability and a high proton conductivity at room temperature under 98% relative humidity.
Chlorogermylenes and -stannylenes stabilized by diimidosulfinate ligands: synthesis, structures, and reactivity
Authors: Nakata Norio , Hosoda Narimi , Takahashi Shintaro , Ishii Akihiko
Published: November 2017

Two types of chlorogermylenes and -stannylenes having [NSN]-type diimidosulfinate ligands with different substituents on the nitrogen atoms are presented.