bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The rise and fall of cooperation through reputation and group polarization
Authors: Gross Jörg , De Dreu Carsten K. W.
Published: February 2019

Humans exhibit a remarkable capacity for cooperation among genetically unrelated individuals. Yet, human cooperation is neither universal, nor stable. Instead, cooperation is often bounded to members of particular groups, and such groups endogenously form or break apart. Cooperation networks are parochial and under constant reconfiguration. Here, we demonstrate how parochial cooperation networks endogenously emerge as a consequence of simple reputation heuristics people may use when deciding to cooperate or defect. These reputation heuristics, such as “a friend of a friend is a friend” and “the enemy of a friend is an enemy” further lead to the dynamic formation and fission of cooperative groups, accompanied by a dynamic rise and fall of cooperation among agents. The ability of humans to safeguard kin-independent cooperation through gossip and reputation may be, accordingly, closely interlinked with the formation of group-bounded cooperation networks that are under constant reconfiguration, ultimately preventing global and stable cooperation.
Lack of androgen receptor SUMOylation results in male infertility due to epididymal dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Fu-Ping , Malinen Marjo , Mehmood Arfa , Lehtiniemi Tiina , Jääskeläinen Tiina , Niskanen Einari A. , Korhonen Hanna , Laiho Asta , Elo Laura L. , Ohlsson Claes , Kotaja Noora , Poutanen Matti , Sipilä Petra , Palvimo Jorma J.
Published: February 2019

Androgen receptor (AR) is regulated by SUMOylation at its transactivation domain. In vitro, the SUMOylation is linked to transcriptional repression and/or target gene-selective regulation. Here, we generated a mouse model (ArKI) in which the conserved SUMO acceptor lysines of AR are permanently abolished (ArK381R, K500R). ArKI males develop normally, without apparent defects in their systemic androgen action in reproductive tissues. However, the ArKI males are infertile. Their spermatogenesis appears unaffected, but their epididymal sperm maturation is defective, shown by severely compromised motility and fertilization capacity of the sperm. Fittingly, their epididymal AR chromatin-binding and gene expression associated with sperm maturation and function are misregulated. AR is SUMOylated in the wild-type epididymis but not in the testis, which could explain the tissue-specific response to the lack of AR SUMOylation. Our studies thus indicate that epididymal AR SUMOylation is essential for the post-testicular sperm maturation and normal reproductive capability of male mice.
Multi-cohort study identifies social determinants of systemic inflammation over the life course
Authors: Berger Eloïse , Castagné Raphaële , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Bochud Murielle , d’Errico Angelo , Gandini Martina , Karimi Maryam , Kivimäki Mika , Krogh Vittorio , Marmot Michael , Panico Salvatore , Preisig Martin , Ricceri Fulvio , Sacerdote Carlotta , Steptoe Andrew , Stringhini Silvia , Tumino Rosario , Vineis Paolo , Delpierre Cyrille , Kelly-Irving Michelle
Published: February 2019

Chronic inflammation has been proposed as having a prominent role in the construction of social inequalities in health. Disentangling the effects of early life and adulthood social disadvantage on inflammation is key in elucidating biological mechanisms underlying socioeconomic disparities. Here we explore the relationship between socioeconomic position (SEP) across the life course and inflammation (as measured by CRP levels) in up to 23,008 participants from six European cohort studies from three countries conducted between 1958 and 2013. We find a consistent inverse association between SEP and CRP across cohorts, where participants with a less advantaged SEP have higher levels of inflammation. Educational attainment is most strongly related to inflammation, after adjusting for health behaviours, body mass index and later-in-life SEP. These findings suggest socioeconomic disadvantage in young adulthood is independently associated with later life inflammation calling for further studies of the pathways operating through educational processes.
Single gametophyte sequencing reveals that crossover events differ between sexes in maize
Authors: Luo Cheng , Li Xiang , Zhang Qinghua , Yan Jianbing
Published: February 2019

Meiotic crossover (CO) plays a key role in producing gametophytes and generating genetic variation. The patterns of CO production differ inter- and intra-species, as well as between sexes. However, sex-specific patterns of CO production have not been accurately profiled independently of genetic backgrounds in maize. Here, we develop a method to isolate single female gametophyte for genomes sequencing in maize. We show that more COs are observed in male (19.3 per microspore) than in female (12.4 per embryo sac). Based on Beam-Film model, the more designated class I and II COs are identified in male than in female. In addition, CO maturation inefficiency (CMI) is detected in some genetic backgrounds, suggesting that maize may be an ideal model for dissecting CMI. This research provides insights toward understanding the molecular mechanism of CO production between sexes and may help to improve maize breeding efficiency through paternal selection.
A method using electroporation for the protein delivery of Cre recombinase into cultured Arabidopsis cells with an intact cell wall
Authors: Furuhata Yuichi , Sakai Ayako , Murakami Tomi , Morikawa Mone , Nakamura Chikashi , Yoshizumi Takeshi , Fujikura Ushio , Nishida Keiji , Kato Yoshio
Published: February 2019

Genome engineering in plants is highly dependent on the availability of effective molecular techniques. Despite vast quantities of research, genome engineering in plants is still limited in terms of gene delivery, which requires the use of infectious bacteria or harsh conditions owing to the difficulty delivering biomaterial into plant cells through the cell wall. Here, we describe a method that uses electroporation-mediated protein delivery into culturedArabidopsis thalianacells possessing an intact cell wall, and demonstrate Cre-mediated site-specific recombination. By optimizing conditions for the electric pulse, protein concentration, and electroporation buffer, we were able to achieve efficient and less-toxic protein delivery intoArabidopsis thalianacells with 83% efficiency despite the cell wall. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the electroporation-mediated protein delivery of Cre recombinase to achieve nucleic acid-free genome engineering in plant cells possessing an intact cell wall.
Impact of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation on the Pacific North Equatorial Current bifurcation
Authors: Wu Chau-Ron , Lin Yong-Fu , Qiu Bo
Published: February 2019

Variability in surface currents is mainly induced by the time-varying wind forcing. Recent studies have revealed robust pronounced changes in the atmospheric circulation over the Pacific came with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). However, the PDO is a climate index based on sea surface temperature (SST) variations, and may not be appropriately considered as a climate forcing. Here, we suggest the Atlantic SST variability is the ultimate forcing leading to changes in the atmospheric circulation and surface winds over the North Pacific. Anomalous warm North Atlantic and cold South Atlantic leads to weak Hadley cell in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in a northward displacement of the ITCZ as well as a positive wind stress curl anomaly in the Pacific subtropical region, which would reduce the North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG). Associated with reduced sea surface height in the subtropics by the weakened NPSG, the North Equatorial Current (NEC) is weakened based on geostrophy. Changes in basin-scale winds further result in the southward migration of the tropical gyre and consequential downstream ocean circulation.
The Expression and Transfer of Valence Associated with Social Conformity
Authors: Mistry Prachi , Liljeholm Mimi
Published: February 2019

Consensus seeking – abandoning one’s own judgment to align with a group majority – is a fundamental feature of human social interaction. Notably, such striving for majority affiliation often occurs in the absence of any apparent economic or social gain, suggesting that achieving consensus might have intrinsic value. Here, using a simple gambling task, in which the decisions of ostensible previous gamblers were indicated below available options on each trial, we examined the affective properties of agreeing with a group majority by assessing the trade-off between social and non-social currencies, and the transfer of social valence to concomitant stimuli. In spite of demonstrating near-perfect knowledge of objective reward probabilities, participant’s choices and evaluative judgments reflected a reliable preference for conformity, consistent with the hypothesized value of social alignment.
Differing effects of age and starvation on reproductive performance in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Churchill Emily R. , Dytham Calvin , Thom Michael D. F.
Published: February 2019

Successful reproduction requires the completion of many, often condition-dependent, stages, from mate searching and courtship through to sperm transfer, fertilisation and offspring production. Animals can plastically adjust their investment in each stage according to the physical and social environment, their own condition, their future reproductive potential, and the condition of their partner. Here we manipulate age and condition, through a nutritional challenge early or late in life, of both male and female Drosophila melanogaster and measure the effects on courtship, mating, and fitness when paired with a standardized (unmanipulated) partner. Older males were slower to start courting and mating, and courted at a slower rate, but males were indifferent to female age or condition despite older females laying and hatching fewer eggs. Female condition had a substantial effect on mating acceptance rate, which dropped dramatically after starvation, and particularly recent starvation experience. In contrast, male condition had little effect on any of the components of reproductive performance we measured. Intriguingly, we found no evidence for additive or multiplicative effects of ageing and starvation: the only significant interaction between these variables was on male latency to initiate courtship – older males were slower to start courting unless they had experienced starvation early in life. These results indicate that the immediate costs of mating differ between males and females, and that the sexes differ in their perception of the opportunity cost sustained by refusing a mating opportunity. Our results support the idea that ageing has more wide-ranging impact on reproductive behaviours than does nutritional challenge.
Wettability control of conjugated polymer films by electric-field polarization technique
Authors: Yan Su , Li Wei , Bi Huan , Wang Mian , Sun De , Wei Qi , Wang Shiwei , Wang Zhe , Zhang Mingyao
Published: February 2019

The wettability of conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films was accurately controlled by an electric field polarization technique, and transition of the films from being hydrophobic to hydrophilic was successfully achieved.
A tumor-targeting Ru/polysaccharide/protein supramolecular assembly with high photodynamic therapy ability
Authors: Fu Hong-Guang , Chen Yong , Yu Qilin , Liu Yu
Published: February 2019

A supramolecular assembly was conveniently constructed and exhibited excellent photodynamic therapy selectivity towards tumor cells and negligible toxicity towards normal cells.
Unusual strain effect of a Pt-based L10 face-centered tetragonal core in core/shell nanoparticles for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Liu Mingjie , Xin Huolin , Wu Qin
Published: February 2019

Nanoparticles with a low-Pt content core and a few-layer thick Pt skin are attractive catalysts toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) not only for their low cost, but also because their activity can be enhanced by judiciously choosing the core alloy.
Understanding the role of water in the aggregation of poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) in aqueous solution using temperature-dependent near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Li , Zhu Xuewei , Cai Wensheng , Shao Xueguang
Published: February 2019

Water with two hydrogen bonds plays an important role in the phase transition of LCST polymers.
Chemodivergent hydrogenolysis of eucalyptus lignin with Ni@ZIF-8 catalyst
Authors: Liu Xue , Li Helong , Xiao Ling-Ping , Sun Run-Cang , Song Guoyong
Published: February 2019

Chemodivergent hydrogenolysis of eucalyptus biomass leading to 4-propanol- or 4-propyl-substituted phenols, together with a well-preserved carbohydrate component, was achieved by using Ni@ZIF-8 catalyst.
Surface acoustic waves enable rotational manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zhang Jinxin , Yang Shujie , Chen Chuyi , Hartman Jessica H. , Huang Po-Hsun , Wang Lin , Tian Zhenhua , Zhang Peiran , Faulkenberry David , Meyer Joel N. , Huang Tony Jun
Published: February 2019

A surface acoustic wave based chip capable of rotating C. elegans in both static and continuous flow in a controllable manner.
Room temperature synthesis of an Fe(ii)-based porous MOF with multiple open metal sites for high gas adsorption properties
Authors: Kumar Sushil , Arora Aayushi , Kaushal Jolly , Oswal Preeti , Kumar Arun , Tomar Kapil
Published: February 2019

An Fe(ii)-based MOF featuring a porous structure with multiple open metal sites, is synthesized by the diffusion method, for appreciable gas adsorption properties.
Multivalent nanoparticles for personalized theranostics based on tumor receptor distribution behavior
Authors: Zhang Yahui , Cheng Mingbo , Cao Jing , Zhang Yajie , Yuan Zhi , Wu Qiang , Wang Wei
Published: February 2019

The distribution behaviour of folate receptors associated with the receptor overexpression level affects the best matching ligand valency of multivalent nanoparticles.
Chemically monodisperse tin nanoparticles on monolithic 3D nanoporous copper for lithium ion battery anodes with ultralong cycle life and stable lithium storage properties
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Chen Xue , Xiang Peng , Zhang Shichao , Yan Jiazhen , Li Ning , Shi Sanqiang
Published: February 2019

Herein, an effective low-temperature synthesis route has been proposed to achieve monodisperse tin nanoparticles on monolithic 3D nanoporous copper (3D-NPC@MTNPs) with superior Li storage properties.
MnX (X = P, As) monolayers: a new type of two-dimensional intrinsic room temperature ferromagnetic half-metallic material with large magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Wang Bing , Zhang Yehui , Ma Liang , Wu Qisheng , Guo Yilv , Zhang Xiwen , Wang Jinlan
Published: February 2019

MnX (X = P, As) monolayers: room-temperature ferromagnetic half-metallicity and sizable magnetic anisotropy.
Degradable pH and redox dual responsive nanoparticles for efficient covalent drug delivery
Authors: Du Jinhong , Choi Bonnie , Liu Yuxuan , Feng Anchao , Thang San H.
Published: February 2019

Hydrophobic drug paclitaxel was modified into a polymerizable monomer and subsequently copolymerized with pH-sensitive monomers and redox-sensitive disulfide-based cyclic monomers.
Synthesis of a surface mounted metal–organic framework on gold using a Au–carbene self-assembled monolayer linkage
Authors: Frederick Esther , Shaw Travis W. , Frith Matthew G. , Bernasek Steven L.
Published: February 2019

Carbene based self-assembled monolayers are demonstrated to be effective supports for forming highly stable surface-mounted metal–organic frameworks on gold substrates.
Facile efficient earth abundant NiO/C composite electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Mugheri Abdul Qayoom , Tahira Aneela , Aftab Umair , Abro Muhammad Ishaq , Chaudhry Saleem Raza , Amaral Luís , Ibupoto Zafar Hussain
Published: February 2019

Due to the increasing energy consumption, designing efficient electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting is highly demanded.
Hierarchical N/S co-doped carbon anodes fabricated through a facile ionothermal polymerization for high-performance sodium ion batteries
Authors: Shao Wenlong , Hu Fangyuan , Song Ce , Wang Jinyan , Liu Cheng , Weng Zhihuan , Jian Xigao
Published: February 2019

N, S-co-doped hierarchical porous carbon with stable sodium storage were prepared by designing the precursors and changing the reaction temperature.
Simultaneous determination of 169 veterinary drugs in chicken eggs with EMR-Lipid clean-up using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Luo Ping , Liu Xiaohong , Kong Fang , Chen Liangkai , Wang Qiang , Li Wanyi , Wen Sheng , Tang Lin , Li Yonggang
Published: February 2019

Determination of 169 veterinary drugs in eggs with EMR-Lipid cleanup using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
Geometry modulation of ion diffusion through layered asymmetric graphene oxide membranes
Authors: Yang Jinlei , Zhang Xiaopeng , Chen Fengxiang , Jiang Lei
Published: February 2019

The asymmetric ion diffusion phenomenon through a 2D nanofluidic thickness gradient membrane under a concentration gradient is reported.
Fluorescent monitoring of the reaction kinetics of nonfluorescent molecules enabled by a fluorescent receptor
Authors: Bai Lin-Ming , Zhou Hang , Liu Wei-Er , Chai Hongxin , Yang Liu-Pan , Yan Wei , Zhang Wen , Yang Hong-Hui , Jiang Wei
Published: February 2019

Fluorescent monitoring of the reaction kinetics of nonfluorescent molecules was achieved in water by using a fluorescent receptor.
Predictable spectroscopic properties of type-II ZnTe/CdSe nanocrystals and electron/hole quenching
Authors: Long Tongqing , Cao Jun , Jiang Zhong-Jie
Published: February 2019

Type II core/shell ZnTe/CdSe NCs have been synthesized and their spectroscopic properties can be accurately predicted by a simple effective mass approximation.
Shape-selective synthesis of nanoceria for degradation of paraoxon as a chemical warfare simulant
Authors: Trenque Isabelle , Magnano Greta Camilla , Bolzinger Marie Alexandrine , Roiban Lucian , Chaput Frédéric , Pitault Isabelle , Briançon Stéphanie , Devers Thierry , Masenelli-Varlot Karine , Bugnet Matthieu , Amans David
Published: February 2019

Repeated attacks using organophosphorus compounds, in military conflicts or terrorist acts, necessitate developing inexpensive and readily available decontamination systems. Nanosized cerium oxide is a suitable candidate when presents {111} facets.
Photoresponsive sulfone-based molecules: photoinduced electron transfer and heat/air-stable radicals in the solid state
Authors: Zhang Ning-Ning , Wang Ming-Sheng , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: February 2019

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) of two sulfone-based molecules with the formation of stable radicals was observed for the first time in the solid state.
Insights into the mechanochromism of spiropyran elastomers
Authors: Qiu Wenlian , Gurr Paul A. , da Silva Gabriel , Qiao Greg G.
Published: February 2019

Colourless polymeric samples comprising mechanochromic spiropyrans (SPs) rapidly appear coloured under external pressure, due to their transition from ring closed SP to ring-opened merocyanine (MC).
High-performance graphene oxide nanofiltration membrane with continuous nanochannels prepared by the in situ oxidation of MXene
Authors: Han Ruiyi , Wu Peiyi
Published: February 2019

MXene was used as a sacrificial template to create continuous nanochannels within GO-based nanofiltration membrane by in situ oxidation.
Efficiency improved by monolithic integration of HEMT with vertical-structure LEDs and Mg doping on dry etched GaN
Authors: Chen Dingbo , Liu Zhikun , Lu Xing , Wan Lijun , Li Runze , Yang Zhichao , Li Guoqiang
Published: February 2019

Efficiency is essential to an integrated lighting system. In this work, monolithic integration of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with vertical-structure InGaN/GaN light emitting diodes (LEDs) was studied.
Identification of potential plasma biomarkers and metabolic dysfunction for unstable angina pectoris and its complication based on global metabolomics
Authors: Wang Juan , Xu Wenjuan , Zhao Huihui , Chen Jianxin , Zhu Bin , Li Xueli , Deng Dong , Wang Jinping , Liu Junjie , Yu Yingting , Xiao Hongbin , Wang Wei
Published: February 2019

Unstable angina pectoris (UA) is one of the most dangerous clinical symptoms of acute coronary syndrome due to the risk of myocardial ischemia, which can lead to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Though there are many advantages in understanding the pathophysiology of UA, the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of UA remains a challenge in the clinic. A global metabolomics research based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) combined with Q-TOF/MS was performed to discover the metabolic profile of health controls, UA patients, and UA patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and screen for potential biomarkers. Twenty-seven potential biomarkers were determined using pattern recognition. These biomarkers, which include free fatty acids, amino acids, lysoPE and lysoPC species, and organic acids, can benefit the clinical diagnosis of UA. Pathway analysis indicated that arginine and proline metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and purine metabolism were affected in the UA patients, uniquely. Additionally, alterations in the metabolic signatures between UA and UA-complicated DM were also explored. As a result, six differential metabolites with an area under the curve (AUC) of more than 0.85 were identified as biomarkers for the diagnosis of UA and UA complicated with DM. Pathway analysis implied tryptophan metabolism was a key metabolic pathway in UA patients with DM, which provides new insights into the pathological study and drug discovery of UA.
Enhanced service modelling for flexible demand‐driven implementation of human–robot interaction in manufacturing
Authors: Delang Kathleen , Todtermuschke Marcel , Schmidt Patrick Alexander , Bdiwi Mohamad , Putz Matthias
Published: February 2019

Even by providing benefits addressing the main megatrend in today's manufacturing industries human–robot interaction (HRI) still lacks reasonably applied use cases, especially in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Most SMEs worry about complicated standards they have to consider when letting their employees work with a robot. Furthermore, they simply do not know where to start due to multiple promised benefits not precisely matching their requirements. Since they have individual starting points regarding their needs, available process data and documentation, it is expensive to obtain a customised evaluation of provided benefits. Thereby, the main challenge is to offer a consistent approach dealing with multiple requirements. The multi‐layer concept of service modelling provides a possibility to resolve this contradiction. It aims for an overall goal by achieving predefined subgoals with individually matching methods. Thus, each manufacturing company can choose the most suitable methodology to analyse its production line. Regarding HRI it is possible to select workstations with the best fitting solution according to individual requirements. The selection will be quantified based on analyses about provided values of HRI in manufacturing. This study presents the service modelling approach for the evaluation of workstations that are best suited for the implementation of HRI in SME.
Single‐channel slotted contention in cognitive radio vehicular networks
Authors: Khattab Ahmed , Elgaml Nada , Mourad Hebat‐Allah
Published: February 2019

Cognitive radio vehicular ad‐hoc networks (CR‐VANETs) allow the vehicles to exploit the unused channels in their vicinity to fulfil the bandwidth demands of infotainment applications. Existing CR‐VANET approaches aim at incorporating spectrum sensing and reporting to the widely used IEEE 802.11p standard developed for VANETs. However, all such approaches were developed for CR‐VANETs with low vehicular traffic densities. Applying such approaches at high traffic densities results in long sensing periods, long contention periods with frequent collisions and unnecessary transmissions of sensing information, and variable delays that depend on the vehicular density. In this study, the authors present the single‐channel slotted contention () protocol designed for highways with highly dense vehicular traffic. The protocol counters the deficiencies of typical CR‐VANETs in high‐density networks using three components: random single‐channel sensing, slotted contention, and implicit‐OR aggregation. The proposed protocol can be easily incorporated with the IEEE 802.11p. Analytic and simulation results show that the proposed protocol increases the CR‐VANET throughput and the overall spectrum utilisation while significantly decreasing the radio environment map time in high densities when compared to the conventional IEEE 802.11p protocols.
Performance analysis of transmit antenna selection–maximal ratio combining relay systems over non‐identical channel estimation error
Authors: Lee Donghun
Published: February 2019

This study investigates the performance analysis of a transmit antenna selection–maximal ratio combining relay system over non‐identical channel estimation error. The proposed system selects both relay and user terminal with a maximum signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) using feedback information. The exact closed‐form expression of the proposed system for the outage probability and symbol error rate (SER) is derived in the presence of non‐identical channel estimation error. Using the approximated probability density function, the authors quantify the diversity order for the SER and outage probability. From the above results, the diversity order of the proposed system is proportional to the number of relay nodes and user terminals. Thus, the diversity order of the proposed system is superior to that of the previous selection systems. The diversity order of the proposed system is independent of the number of receive antennas at the relay and user terminal and the channel correlation coefficient. Furthermore, the SNR gain of the proposed system is in proportion to the sum of the channel correlation coefficients and the number of receive antennas at the relay and user terminal.
Stabilising control strategy for cyber‐physical power systems
Authors: Ekomwenrenren Etinosa , Alharbi Hatem , Elgorashi Taisir , Elmirghani Jaafar , Aristidou Petros
Published: February 2019

The cyber‐physical nature of electric power systems has increased immensely over the past decades, with advanced communication infrastructure paving the way. It is now possible to design wide‐area controllers, relying on remote monitor and control of devices that can tackle power system stability problems more effectively than local controllers. However, their performance and security relies extensively on the communication infrastructure and can make power systems vulnerable to disturbances emerging on the cyber side of the system. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of communication delays on the performance of wide‐area damping controllers designed to stabilise oscillatory modes in a cyber‐physical power system (CPPS). They propose a rule‐based control strategy that combines wide‐area and traditional local stabilising controllers to increase the performance and maintain the stable operation of CPPS. The proposed strategy is validated on a reduced CPPS equivalent model of Great Britain.
Time‐in‐action RL
Authors: Zhu Jiangcheng , Wang Zhepei , Mcilwraith Douglas , Wu Chao , Xu Chao , Guo Yike
Published: February 2019

The authors propose a novel reinforcement learning (RL) framework, where agent behaviour is governed by traditional control theory. This integrated approach, called time‐in‐action RL, enables RL to be applicable to many real‐world systems, where underlying dynamics are known in their control theoretical formalism. The key insight to facilitate this integration is to model the explicit time function, mapping the state‐action pair to the time accomplishing the action by its underlying controller. In their framework, they describe an action by its value (action value), and the time that it takes to perform (action time). An action‐value results from the policy of RL regarding a state. Action time is estimated by an explicit time model learnt from the measured activities of the underlying controller. RL value network is then trained with embedded time model to predict action time. This approach is tested using a variant of Atari Pong and proved to be convergent.
Analysis of the effect of explosion grounding electrode on grounding resistance reduction
Authors: Wang Yongli , Wang Sen , Zhang Jian , Li Zhizhong , Xu Li
Published: February 2019

Developing cracks in the soil by means of explosions in the holes, as is called the explosion grounding electrode in this study, is a very effective way to reduce the grounding resistance in the area with high resistivity soil. In this study, the influence of the grounding grid scale and the arrangement of the grounding electrode on reducing the grounding resistance of three‐dimensional grounding grid with explosion grounding electrode are studied. There is a strong shielding effect between the explosion grounding electrodes. When the distance between the explosion grounding poles is short, the effectiveness of reducing the grounding resistance by using the long explosion grounding electrode is obviously restrained. The distance between the explosion grounding electrodes should be more than half the length of the electrodes.
Design of nanoelectromechanical sensor for gas and liquid detection
Authors: Ranjbaran Syed Mohamad Husain , Karamirad Mohsen
Published: February 2019

The novel gas and liquid nanoelectromechanical sensor based on carbon nanotube (CNT) is presented. By exposing an electromagnetic wave to the sensor, this work evaluates the effects of nanotubes displacement, resonance frequency, and maximum output current. The permittivity effects of a medium are investigated directly on the displacement and maximum output of the CNT and sensor, respectively. The results of this research can be used in designing innovative sensors for various applications.
A Nash game algorithm for the solution of coupled conductivity identification and data completion in cardiac electrophysiology
Authors: Chamekh Rabeb , Habbal Abderrahmane , Kallel Moez , Zemzemi Nejib
Published: February 2019

We consider the identification problem of the conductivity coefficient for an elliptic operator using an incomplete over specified measures on the surface. Our purpose is to introduce an original method based on a game theory approach, and design a new algorithm for the simultaneous identification of conductivity coefficient and data completion process. We define three players with three corresponding criteria. The two first players use Dirichlet and Neumann strategies to solve the completion problem, while the third one uses the conductivity coefficient as strategy, and uses a cost which basically relies on an identifiability theorem. In our work, the numerical experiments seek the development of this algorithm for the electrocardiography imaging inverse problem, dealing with inhomogeneities in the torso domain. Furthermore, in our approach, the conductivity coefficients are known only by an approximate values. We conduct numerical experiments on a 2D torso case including noisy measurements. Results illustrate the ability of our computational approach to tackle the difficult problem of joint identification and data completion.
Fractional advection–diffusion equation with memory and Robin-type boundary condition
Authors: Mirza Itrat Abbas , Vieru Dumitru , Ahmed Najma
Published: February 2019

The one-dimensional fractional advection–diffusion equation with Robin-type boundary conditions is studied by using the Laplace and finite sine-cosine Fourier transforms. The mathematical model with memory is developed by employing the generalized Fick’s law with time-fractional Caputo derivative. The influence of the fractional parameter (the non-local effects) on the solute concentration is studied. It is found that solute concentration can be minimized by decreasing the memory parameter. Also, it is found that, at small values of time the ordinary model leads to minimum concentration, while at large values of the time the fractional model is recommended.
Production des risques dits « naturels » dans les grands centres urbains du Cameroun
Authors: Saha Frédéric , Tchio Nkemta Dagobert , Tchindjang Mesmin , Voundi Éric , Mbevo Fendoung Philippes
Published: February 2019

Cet article examine les facteurs de production des risques dits « naturels » dans les grandes villes du Cameroun. D’une approche historique, il ressort que l’établissement d’agglomérations dans des sites d’aménagement difficile est à la base du problème. Le manque de ressources ainsi que la forte croissance démographique qui caractérisent les pays les moins avancés (PMA) en général et le Cameroun en particulier sont du point de vue anthropique les causes de la forte sensibilité aux risques naturels. Il se pose aussi le problème de l’ambiguïté du système foncier qui n’aide pas à la maîtrise de l’espace. L’incapacité des autorités et de la protection civile à gérer l’espace urbain consolide la vulnérabilité. Les changements climatiques diminuent la perception et l’acceptation des risques par les populations et augmentent leur fréquence.
Intraindividual comparison of selective intraarterial
versus systemic intravenous 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in patients with
inoperable meningioma
Authors: Verburg Frederik A. , Wiessmann Martin , Neuloh Georg , Mottaghy Felix M. , Brockmann Marc-Alexander
Published: February 2019

Aim Here we describe the results of superselective intraarterial
application of diagnostic Ga-68-DOTA0,Tyr3-octreotate (Ga-68-DOTATATE) in a
series of patients with inoperable WHO grade II meningiomas which were no longer
amenable to radiotherapy.

Methods Four patients with inoperable WHO grade II meningioma underwent
systemic venous infusion of Ga-68-DOTATATE followed by PET/CT. Ga-68-DOTATATE
application was repeated intraarterially via transfemoral catheterization of
vessels supplying the meningioma and another PET/CT was performed.

Results Selective arterial infusion of Ga-68-DOTATATE increased the median
value for the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) by 2.6-fold (median
venous: 7.1, median arterial: 21.6; range 2.0–5.0) and the median value for mean
SUV by 2.7-fold (median venous: 4.3, median arterial: 11.2; range 1.6–5.6)
compared to systemic intravenous infusion. Arterial application was well
tolerated by all patients without complications. When compared to liver uptake,
intravenous tracer uptake was insufficient for PRRT, whereas tracer uptake after
superselective intraarterial tracer injection was sufficient to allow for
peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in all patients.

Conclusion Insufficient tracer uptake in meningiomas after intravenous
application of Ga-68-DOTATATE may be safely increased by a factor of 2–5 using
transfemoral selective intraarterial tracer application.
Menière's Disease and Disorders of the Carbohydrate Metabolism Involving the Inner Ear
Authors: Albernaz Pedro L. Mangabeira
Published: February 2019

Introduction Menière’s disease was described in 1861, but there are still uncertainties regarding its pathophysiology and treatment. Endolymphatic hydrops is recognized as a fundamental pathological characteristic of the disease, as a result of an inadequate absorption of the endolymph. A milder type of endolymphatic hydrops results from an altered chemical composition of the endolymph, due to disorders of the carbohydrate metabolism.

Objective To describe the association of both types of hydrops in patients with Menière disease.

Methods This was a retrospective study of 98 patients with Menière’s disease, 62 of whom also presented disorders of the carbohydrate metabolism, and 5 patients with delayed endolymphatic hydrops, 2 of whom also presented disorders of the carbohydrate metabolism.

Results The follow-up of these patients showed that the correction of the metabolic disorders may help in the clinical treatment of Menière’s disease and of delayed endolymphatic hydrops, but this does not happen in the more severe types of the diseases.

Conclusion Patients with Menière’s disease may present simultaneous disorders of the carbohydrate metabolism, affecting the inner ear. The correction of these disorders helps the clinical treatment but does not preclude the progression of the more severe cases of Menière disease.
Facial Plastic Surgery Faculty Turnover: Survey of Academic Facial Plastic Surgeons and Department Chairs
Authors: Kowalczyk David Michael , Jordan J Randall
Published: February 2019

Introduction The turnover and inability to consistently retain academic facial plastic surgeons is an issue that many academic departments of otolaryngology face. In addition to the financial costs of staff turnover and gaps in patient care, insufficient exposure of residents to key surgical procedures is a significant problem for residency programs.

Objective To identify the most important reasons that lead faculty members to leave an academic facial plastic surgery (FPS) practice as well as features that may be associated with retention of FPS faculty.

Methods Members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and the Association of Academic Departments of Otolaryngology (AADO) were administered an anonymous, online survey. For both groups, we evaluated demographic factors, reasons for choosing academic careers, contributors to faculty turnover, as well as strategies for retention. The frequency of the responses was analyzed.

Results A total of 11.3% (135/1,200) of facial plastic surgery faculty responded to the faculty survey, with 59.1% (68/115) of current, academic surgeons participating, and a total of 16.7% (20/120) of department chairs responded to the chairs' survey. If a faculty member had left/was to leave, more control over practice was the most common reason between the two respondent groups. Of the five most important ways to increase faculty retention, more control over practice was the number one reason.

Conclusion Chairs and facial plastic surgery faculty should strive to agree upon the amount of control over the academic practice to lead to higher retention, better patient care, and continued resident education.
Preliminary study of wave energy resource assessment and its seasonal variation along the southern coasts of Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara waters
Authors: Mahiru Rizal Ardian , Sari Ningsih Nining , Sofian Ibnu , Hanifah Farrah , Hilmi Irfan
Published: February 2019

This study presents the assessment and seasonal variation of wave energy along the southern coast of Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Waters. For this purpose, the WAVEWATCH-III numerical model was used to simulate the Significant Wave Height in the study region over 25 years covering the time interval of 1991–2015. Wind field data input for the model was a combined dataset of Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform, Navy Global Environmental Model, and Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System. In general, the simulation results showed that there was a good potential of wave energy along the southern coast of Java and Bali with the value of higher than 20 kW/m. Furthermore, it was found that there were 12 points which were considered to be the most promising high wave energy potential spots along the near-shore coastal waters of the Java and Bali southern coast. There was a noticeable seasonal variation of wave energy along the study area associated with tropical monsoon climates, which led to the highest value in the period of June to August for about 40 kW/m and the lowest value in the period of December to February for about 20 kW/m. All the selected points for wave energy exhibited dominant wave propagation between northward and northeastward. Moreover, there was an evident increasing trend of wave energy with the peak value appearing in 2005 for all stations.
Oblique propagation of longitudinal spin-electron acoustic waves under the influence of the Coulomb exchange interaction and the quantum Bohm potential
Authors: Andreev Pavel A.
Published: February 2019

The influence of the exchange interaction on the properties of spin-electron acoustic waves at the oblique propagation of waves relative to the external magnetic field in the magnetically ordered metals is studied. The spectra of the Langmuir wave and the Trivelpiece-Gould wave is also considered. It is well-known that there are two branches of the spectrum of the spin-electron acoustic waves in this regime. The change of their properties under the influence of the exchange interaction is studied. The quantum Bohm potential is included either. The exchange interaction and the quantum Bohm potential give opposite contributions, but they do not compensate each other since they have different dependences on the wave vector. This competition creates a non-monotonical behavior of the Trivelpiece-Gould wave spectrum. The concavity changes in the monotonic spectra of the Langmuir wave and the SEAWs are found.
Theoretical study of the complexes of dichlorobenzene isomers with argon. I. Global potential energy surface for all the isomers with application to intermolecular vibrations
Authors: Makarewicz Jan , Shirkov Leonid
Published: February 2019

The complexes of para- (p-), meta- (m-), and ortho- (o-)dichlorobenzene (DCB) isomers with argon are studied using an ab initio method. The interaction energy in the ground electronic state of the complexes has been calculated using the CCSD(T) method (coupled cluster method including single and double excitations with perturbative triple excitations) and Dunning’s double-ζ (aug-cc-pVDZ) basis set supplemented by midbond functions. Local interaction parameters have been defined and interesting relations fulfilled by them, independent of the DCB isomer, have been revealed. This finding has allowed us to construct the accurate global analytical intermolecular potential energy surface for all the DCB-Ar complexes with the same set of parameters, except for the monomer geometries. Each complex is characterized by two symmetrically equivalent global minima, one located above and the other located below the monomer plane at distances equal to 3.497 Å, 3.494 Å, and 3.485 Å for p-, m-, and o-isomers of DCB bound to Ar, respectively. Additionally, the Ar atom is shifted from the geometrical center of the DCB monomer towards the chlorine atoms by the value xe of 0.182 Å for m-isomer and 0.458 Å for o-isomer. The calculated binding energy De of 460 cm−1, 465 cm−1, and 478 cm−1 for p-, m-, and o-complex, respectively, are related to xe by simple relations. The intermolecular bending fundamentals calculated from PES depend strongly on the isomer structure. The calculated dissociation energies fit in the intervals estimated by the experiment of Gaber et al. for the S0 state [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 11, 1628 (2009)].
Influence of the delta-E effect on a surface acoustic wave resonator
Authors: Liu Xiangli , Ou-Yang Jun , Tong Bei , Chen Shi , Zhang Yue , Zhu Benpeng , Yang Xiaofei
Published: February 2019

Magnetic sensors based on the interaction between the delta-E effect and surface acoustic waves (SAWs) have been widely investigated. However, the influences of the delta-E effect on the SAW parameters have not been demonstrated systematically. Therefore, in this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the influences of the delta-E effect on the properties of a SAW resonator. The one-port SAW magnetic sensor had a four-layer structure composed of ST-cut 90° X quartz (piezoelectric substrate), Ta (interdigital electrode), SiO2 (insulating layer), and (Fe90Co10)78Si12B10 (magnetostrictive layer). The parameters of the SAW resonator such as the conductance spectrum, resonance frequency, full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of the resonance frequency, Q-value, electromechanical coupling coefficient, and figure of merit were investigated. The change trends of the parameters followed the delta-E effect, except for the FWHM which exhibited an opposite trend. The magneto-elastic coupling efficiency of the magnetic layer varied with the change of external magnetic fields, which led to variation in the efficiency of electro-acoustic power conversion in the piezoelectric layer. We assume that this variation also contributed to the variation of the SAW parameters. These findings demonstrate that the variation of SAW resonator parameters is related not only to the delta-E effect but also to magneto-elastic coupling.
Weak multiplexing in neural networks: Switching between chimera and solitary states
Authors: Mikhaylenko Maria , Ramlow Lukas , Jalan Sarika , Zakharova Anna
Published: February 2019

We investigate spatio-temporal patterns occurring in a two-layer multiplex network of oscillatory FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons, where each layer is represented by a nonlocally coupled ring. We show that weak multiplexing, i.e., when the coupling between the layers is smaller than that within the layers, can have a significant impact on the dynamics of the neural network. We develop control strategies based on weak multiplexing and demonstrate how the desired state in one layer can be achieved without manipulating its parameters, but only by adjusting the other layer. We find that for coupling range mismatch, weak multiplexing leads to the appearance of chimera states with different shapes of the mean velocity profile for parameter ranges where they do not exist in isolation. Moreover, we show that introducing a coupling strength mismatch between the layers can suppress chimera states with one incoherent domain (one-headed chimeras) and induce various other regimes such as in-phase synchronization or two-headed chimeras. Interestingly, small intra-layer coupling strength mismatch allows to achieve solitary states throughout the whole network.
Non-equilibrium Green’s function theory for non-adiabatic effects in quantum transport: Inclusion of electron-electron interactions
Authors: Kershaw Vincent F. , Kosov Daniel S.
Published: February 2019

Non-equilibrium Green’s function theory for non-adiabatic effects in quantum transport [Kershaw and Kosov, J. Chem. Phys. 147, 224109 (2017) and J. Chem. Phys. 149, 044121 (2018)] is extended to the case of interacting electrons. We consider a general problem of quantum transport of interacting electrons through a central region with dynamically changing geometry. The approach is based on the separation of time scales in the non-equilibrium Green’s functions and the use of the Wigner transformation to solve the Kadanoff-Baym equations. The Green’s functions and correlation self-energy are non-adiabatically expanded up to the second order central time derivatives. We produce expressions for Green’s functions with non-adiabatic corrections and a modified formula for electric current; both depend not only on instantaneous molecular junction geometry but also on nuclear velocities and accelerations. The theory is illustrated by the study of electron transport through a model single-resonant level molecular junction with local electron-electron repulsion and a dynamically changing geometry.