bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and performance evaluation of LTP enhancements for lossy space channels
Authors: Alessi N. , Burleigh S. , Caini C. , de Cola T.
Published: March 2018

This paper deals with the performance of Licklider Transmission Protocol (LTP) in space environment, focusing on the impact of segment losses and the design of possible improvements. The in‐depth analysis of retransmission mechanisms carried out in the paper shows that, while LTP already achieves delivery time performance very close to the theoretical optimum in ideal conditions (no losses) and when losses affect data segments, a substantial improvement is still possible concerning signaling segments, whose loss can result in a significant increase of the LTP block delivery time. To this end, 2 simple enhancements, the Closing State and the proactive retransmission of signaling segments, are proposed and evaluated in the paper. Both enhancements have been added as optional features to the original Interplanetary Overlay Network LTP implementation (ION 3.5.0), in order to evaluate their effectiveness on a GNU/Linux testbed running the full protocol stack. Results presented in the paper confirm the validity of the proposed enhancements, as they significantly reduce the average delivery time in the presence of high losses and provide the additional advantage, even when losses are relatively low, of largely reducing the difference between average and worst cases.
Measuring long‐term sustainability with shared socioeconomic pathways using an inclusive wealth framework
Authors: Kurniawan Robi , Managi Shunsuke
Published: March 2018

To understand the trajectory of sustainability, it is important to measure historical and future projections of productive capital that contribute to wellbeing. This study considers a productive base that includes the human, natural and produced capital of 140 countries. We then develop projections for 2014–2100 using the newly developed shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) that strive to explain the implications of key socioeconomic variables on long‐term global sustainability. Those SSPs with high investments in broad societal development are associated with the highest growth in inclusive wealth. Poverty alleviation, demographic changes and human capital investments are effective instruments to attain greater wealth as shown in East and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the SSP that describes a sustainability pathway, which poses the least climate change challenges and substantially reduced reliance on natural resources, is more conducive to increasing wellbeing than the fragmented pathways that result in inequality.
Is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index an adequate framework to measure the progress of the 2030 Agenda?
Authors: Diaz‐Sarachaga Jose Manuel , Jato‐Espino Daniel , Castro‐Fresno Daniel
Published: March 2018

Under the consideration of different measures adopted by most United Nations (UN) members, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aim to address the main challenges related to social, economic and environmental issues. Numerous single indicators have been established to monitor progress toward sustainable development; however, the need for benchmarking the degree of sustainability of countries triggered the creation of the SDG Index, which originally compiled 77 indicators and has evolved to 99 at present. This research analyzes the suitability of applying this composite index for assessing the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda. The lack of information resulted in 60% of the SDG indicators being disregarded in the SDG Index. The scores obtained through the application of this index clustered UN countries according to specific geographic areas, highlighting the need for developing regional SDG Indices to emphasize the achievement of lower‐performing goals.
Hidden Nature of the Conversion Reaction from Rare Earth Chloride to Oxychloride and the Application to Novel Separation
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroki , Miyata Motoyuki , Murakami Hajime , Furusawa Katsuyoshi , Uda Tetsuya
Published: March 2018

A mutual separation process that uses rare‐earth oxychloride in a proactive way was developed. In particular, the heat‐treatment conditions under which DyCl3 is converted into DyOCl (without causing such conversion of NdCl3) in dry oxygen with 6.5 ppm of H2O (dew point: 209 K) at a relatively low temperature (around 573 K) were determined. A difference between conversion reactions of the two kinds of rare‐earth chlorides into rare‐earth oxychlorides appeared in the case of an oxygen atmosphere with ultra‐low H2O content, although this difference is usually hidden in the presence of atmospheric humidity. Under these conditions, high separability of a NdCl3 and DyCl3 mixture was demonstrated.
Nitrogen and Sulfur Co–Doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheres Derived from Surface‐Attached Polyelectrolyte Monolayers
Authors: Wang Junbo , Li Xiaofeng , Fan Meiling , Zhang Haining , Tu Wenmao
Published: March 2018

Nitrogen, sulfur co‐doped hollow carbon nanospheres are synthesized by simple pyrolysis of surface‐attached 2‐thiophene acetic acid neutralized poly(4‐vinylpyridine) monolayers on silica nanoparticles, followed by removal of silica templates. The covalently grafted polymer chains prevent the aggregation of silica templates during pyrolysis process, resulting in well‐distributed mesopores. The formed materials exhibit an improved electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reactions under basic conditions compared to nitrogen doped hollow carbon nanospheres in terms of the positive shift of half‐wave potential. The best catalytic activity is observed for the material with surface area of 489 m2g−1 derived from 15 nm silica templated modified with polymers, which is comparable to commercial 20 wt.% Pt/C catalysts (half‐wave potential negatively shifts by 10 mV with similar limiting current density compared with Pt/C catalysts). Although the dual doping can improve the catalytic activity, the increase in sulfur concentration of the formed materials has little effect on the electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reactions. This development offers a new synthetic strategy to synthesize heteroatoms co‐doped or multi‐doped spherical hollow carbon materials not only for application in electrochemical devices, but also as model materials for fundamental understanding of properties of carbon‐based materials.
Transparent and Hydrophobic MTMS/GPTMS Hybrid Aerogel Monoliths and Coatings by Sol‐Gel Method: A Viable Remedy for Oil‐Spill Cleanup
Authors: Smitha Venu Sreekala , Azeez Peer Mohamed Abdul , Warrier Krishna Gopakumar , Nair Balagopal N. , Hareesh Unnikrishnan Nair Saraswathy
Published: March 2018

Sol‐gel derived hybrid aerogel monoliths and coatings of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) are prepared sucessfully. MTMS/GPTMS is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions and further condensed under basic conditions to generate a gel network followed by a sequential solvent exchange process and ambient drying to obtain aerogel monoliths. The as‐synthesized alcogel is homogenized in methanol and coatings are fabricated on glass substrates by dip coating method followed by controlled thermal treatment at 400 °C to get organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) based aerogel coatings. The transparent ORMOSIL aerogel coating made from the composition of MTMS/GPTMS ratio 1: 0.5 is found to be highly porous with an average pore size of ∼100 nm and hydrophobic coatings with water contact angle of ∼100 ° are obtained. The hybrid aerogel has ∼334 m2g−1 surface area (BET) with an average pore diameter of ∼2.7 nm, and the coating retains its hydrophobicity even after thermal treatment at 400 °C. Hybrid aerogel coatings were also made on cotton canvas fabrics which demonstrate oil adsorption‐desorption properties and is a viable remedy for oil‐spill cleanup.
CuBr‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Indolizines from Pyridine, Acetophenone and Chalcone under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Zhang Xueguo , Wang Peigen , Han Jianwei , Guo Xin , Chen Baohua
Published: March 2018

A facile and efficient copper‐catalyzed reaction for the synthesis of indolizines from pyridine, acetophenone and chalcone was developed. The reactions were realized under mild and solvent‐free conditions.
Photo‐responsive Supra‐Amphiphilic Aggregates with Differential Morphology and Fluorescent Property Mediated by the Substituent Position in the Counterions of Bola‐Amphiphiles
Authors: Guo Yongxian , Lu Jie , Kang Qi , Wang Tao , Yu Li
Published: March 2018

Based on the ionic self‐assembly (ISA) strategy, disparate morphologies of 4′‐bis(trimethylammoniumhexyloxy)azobenzene dibromide (BTHA)/naphthalene sulfonic acid sodium (NSA) supra‐amphiphilic aggregates were obtained by regulating the substituent position in the counterions, viz. 1D dendritic structures for BTHA/1‐NSA and 2D rhombus plate‐like structures for BTHA/2‐NSA. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and elemental analysis reveal the same molar ratio (1:2) of the supra‐amphiphiles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements demonstrate their distinct molecular arrangement style. The quantum chemistry calculation results based on Gaussian and MOPAC2016 manifest the inner conformation and energy discrepancy of supramolecular materials. With UV light irradiation, the morphology and fluorescence property of the supra‐amphiphilic aggregates changed remarkably. Meanwhile, the supramolecular structures show photo‐stability with alternate UV and visible light irradiation, accompanied with a position shift of the maximum fluorescence intensity, which has potential for application in optical fields. In this work, the substituent position‐effect was unveiled to mediate the morphologies and consequent fluorescence properties for supramolecular materials, which is anticipated to offer a reference for subsequent rational design of functional materials.
Surface Plasmon Resonance of A Bimetallic Nanostructured Film for Enhanced Optical Sensitivity
Authors: Mabe Taylor , Zeng Zheng , Bagra Bhawna , Ryan James , Wei Jianjun
Published: March 2018

A bimetallic (Ag/Au) nanoslit film is reported on surface plasmon (SP) generation and refractive index (RI) sensitivity. These were compared to gold devices in transmission surface plasmon resonance (tSPR). The bimetallic films have a primary resonant peak that shifts with periodicity and correlates well with Finite‐Difference Time‐Domain (FDTD) simulation studies. The SPR of bimetallic nanoslit structures is analyzed via a semi‐analytical model. The model enables decomposition and quantitative analysis of SP generation at the aperture under plane‐wave illumination. The nanostructured, metallic, thin films provide flexibility to integrate with microfluidics, allowing for simplified instrumentation and alignment. Calculation and experimentation demonstrate that bimetallic films afford an increase in RI sensitivity due to the addition of silver along with the biocompatibility of gold. The Ag/Au films were found to be non‐diffusing, long‐term stable (over several months), and provided an increase in sensitivity (about 53/RIU) over gold equivalents.
Current‐Induced Concentration Polarization of Nanoporous Media: Role of Electroosmosis
Authors: Yaroshchuk Andriy , Bondarenko Mykola P.
Published: March 2018

Current‐induced concentration polarization of nanoporous media is explored theoretically by using approach of local thermodynamic equilibrium within nanopore cross‐sections. The problem is solved in quadratures in terms of irreversible thermodynamics. The phenomenological coefficients are further specified by using capillary space‐charge model for straight slit‐like and cylindrical capillaries. This analysis reveals several novel features of current‐induced concentration polarization related to the (electro)osmotic volume transfer. It confirms the previous finding that volume transfer can suppress the limiting‐current phenomena but obtains more accurate criteria for this. In particular, it shows that the critical nanopore size and/or electrolyte concentration depend on the nanoporous‐medium relative thickness. Under no‐limiting‐current conditions, the salt concentration at the interface between nanoporous medium and unstirred layer is a nonmonotone function of current density. This gives rise to unconventional current–voltage characteristics. Moreover, under certain conditions, the analysis predicts the existence of ranges of “prohibited” current densities where the problem does not have 1D stationary solution, which could give rise to a kind of “phase separation” with coexisting zones of different local current densities corresponding to the same voltage. Besides the advanced understanding of current‐induced concentration polarization of nanoporous media, this analysis provides guidelines for the optimization of sample preconcentration systems in (bio)chemical microanalysis.
Ultrathin 2D Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets: Preparation and Application in Photocatalysis
Authors: He Ting , Ni Bing , Zhang Simin , Gong Yue , Wang Haiqing , Gu Lin , Zhuang Jing , Hu Wenping , Wang Xun
Published: March 2018

Synthesizing ultrathin 2D metal–organic framework nanosheets in high yields has received increasing research interest but remains a great challenge. In this work, ultrathin zirconium‐porphyrinic metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with thickness down to ≈1.5 nm are synthesized through a pseudoassembly–disassembly strategy. Owing to the their unique properties originating from their ultrathin thickness and highly exposed active sites, the as‐prepared ultrathin nanosheets exhibit far superior photocatalysis performance compared to the corresponding bulk MOF. This work highlights new opportunities in designing ultrathin MOF nanosheets and paves the way to expand the potential applications of MOFs.
Promoting the Direct H2O2 Generation Catalysis by Using Hollow Pd–Sn Intermetallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Junbo , Shao Qi , Zhang Ying , Bai Shuxing , Feng Yonggang , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: March 2018

Although direct hydrogen (H2) oxidation to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is considered as a promising strategy for direct H2O2 synthesis, the desirable conversion efficiency remains formidable challenge. Herein, highly active and selective direct H2 oxidation to H2O2 is achieved by using hollow Pd–Sn intermetallic nanoparticles (NPs) as the catalysts. By tuning the catalytic solvents and catalyst supports, the efficiency of direct H2 oxidation to H2O2 can be optimized well with the hollow Pd2Sn NPs/P25 exhibiting H2O2 selectivity up to 80.7% and productivity of 60.8 mol kgcat−1 h−1. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy of CO adsorption results confirm the different surface atom arrangements between solid and hollow Pd–Sn NPs. X‐ray photoelectron spectra results show that the higher efficiency of Pd2Sn NPs/P25 is due to its higher content of metallic Pd and higher ratio of Snx+, which benefit H2O2 production and selectivity.
Nanohybrids with Magnetic and Persistent Luminescence Properties for Cell Labeling, Tracking, In Vivo Real‐Time Imaging, and Magnetic Vectorization
Authors: Teston Eliott , Maldiney Thomas , Marangon Iris , Volatron Jeanne , Lalatonne Yoann , Motte Laurence , Boisson‐Vidal Catherine , Autret Gwennhael , Clément Olivier , Scherman Daniel , Gazeau Florence , Richard Cyrille
Published: March 2018

Once injected into a living organism, cells diffuse or migrate around the initial injection point and become impossible to be visualized and tracked in vivo. The present work concerns the development of a new technique for therapeutic cell labeling and subsequent in vivo visualization and magnetic retention. It is hypothesized and subsequently demonstrated that nanohybrids made of persistent luminescence nanoparticles and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated into a silica matrix can be used as an effective nanoplatform to label therapeutic cells in a nontoxic way in order to dynamically track them in real‐time in vitro and in living mice. As a proof‐of‐concept, it is shown that once injected, these labeled cells can be visualized and attracted in vivo using a magnet. This first step suggests that these nanohybrids represent efficient multifunctional nanoprobes for further imaging guided cell therapies development.
RETRACTED: Thermoresponsive PEG‐Coated Nanotubes as Chiral Selectors of Amino Acids and Peptides
Authors: Kameta Naohiro , Dong Jiuchao , Yui Hiroharu
Published: March 2018

A series of nanotubes with a dense layer of short poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains on the inner surface are prepared by means of a coassembly process using glycolipids and PEG derivatives. Dehydration of the PEG chains by heating increases the hydrophobicity of the nanotube channel and fluorescent‐dye‐labeled amino acids are extracted from bulk solution. Rehydration of the PEG chains by cooling results in back‐extraction of the amino acids into the bulk solution. Because of the supramolecular chirality of the nanotubes, amino acid enantiomers can be separated in the back‐extraction procedure, which is detectable with the naked eye as a change in fluorescence as the amino acids are released from the nanotubes. The efficiency and selectivity of the chiral separation are enhanced by tuning the chemical features and inner diameter of the nanotube channels. For example, compared with wide nanotube channels (8 nm), narrow nanotube channels (4 nm) provide more effective electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bond interaction environments for the transporting amino acids. Introduction of branched alkyl chains to the inner surface of the nanotubes enables chiral separation of peptides containing hydrophobic amino acids. The system described here provides a simple, quick, and on‐site chiral separation in biological and medical fields.
Metal Oxide CrOx as a Promising Bilayer Electron Transport Material for Enhancing the Performance Stability of Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zheng Shizhao , Li Wenlang , Su Tongtong , Xie Fangyan , Chen Jian , Yang Zhiyong , Zhang Yi , Liu Siwei , Aldred Matthew P. , Wong King Young , Xu Jiarui , Chi Zhenguo
Published: March 2018

The stability of both the perovskite material and the interfacial layer is a key issue toward commercializing perovskite solar cells, due to the detrimental effects of water and oxygen under ambient conditions. Here, we report a solution‐processed organic–inorganic halide perovskite solar cell that employs a bilayer PC61BM/CrOx as the electron transport layer. Use of an additional CrOx interfacial layer can enhance the stability of a device in air without encapsulation by more than 10 times compared to that for a device using only a PC61BM electron transport layer. The device with a CrOx interfacial layer can also improve the power conversion efficiency by 17.5% compared to that using PC61BM only. The improved performance is attributed to the better matching of the energy levels of the active layer with the metal electrode and more effective electron collection when using interfacial CrOx as the bilayer electronic transport layer. It was also found that use of CrOx as a passivating layer could resist the diffusion of water and oxygen into the active layer and prevent the reaction of the metal electrode with the perovskite layer.
A Comparative Investigation of Cyclohexyl‐End‐Capped Versus Hexyl‐End‐Capped Small‐Molecule Donors on Small Donor/Polymer Acceptor Junction Solar Cells
Authors: Han Daehee , Kumari Tanya , Jung Sungwoo , An Yujin , Yang Changduk
Published: March 2018

Replacing hexyl‐end‐side with cyclohexyl‐end‐side groups on dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]silole (DTSi) and dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]germole (DTGe)‐based cores yields two new small‐molecule donors: DTSi(FBTTh2Cy)2 and DTGe(FBTTh2Cy)2. Together with the hexyl‐end‐capped analogs DTSi(FBTTh2)2 and DTGe(FBTTh2)2, the physical properties, morphology, and organic solar cell (OSC) performances with respect to hexyl‐end‐side versus cyclohexyl‐end‐side groups are investigated. The authors observe that the cyclohexyl‐end‐capped molecules show blue‐shifted film absorptions and lower exothermic crystallization temperatures due to less packed backbones compared to the hexyl‐end‐capped molecules. When used as donor materials with poly((N,N′‐bis(2‐octyldodecyl)‐naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐bis(dicarboximide)‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐5,5′‐(2,2′‐bithiophene)) polymer acceptor, the relatively improved open‐circuit voltage is achieved from OSCs based on the hexyl‐end‐capped molecules as a result of their deeper‐lying highest occupied molecular orbitals. Nevertheless, the induced higher short‐circuit current density and fill factor parameters lead to better power conversion efficiencies in the cyclohexyl‐end‐capped molecule‐based OSCs. This is attributed to the preferential face‐on orientation with a coarsened morphology, as evidenced by a series of blend film morphological studies. The experimental findings confirm that the cyclized‐end groups in small conjugated materials possess a high potential for improving OSCs.
Interfacial Morphology Addresses Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Composite Hole Transporting Materials of Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide and P3HT
Authors: Gatti Teresa , Lamberti Francesco , Topolovsek Peter , Abdu‐Aguye Mustapha , Sorrentino Roberto , Perino Luca , Salerno Marco , Girardi Leonardo , Marega Carla , Rizzi Gian Andrea , Loi Maria Antonietta , Petrozza Annamaria , Menna Enzo
Published: March 2018

The development of novel hole transporting materials (HTMs) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) that can enhance device's reproducibility is a largely pursued goal, even to the detriment of a very high efficiency, since it paves the way to an effective industrialization of this technology. In this work, we study the covalent functionalization of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) flakes with different organic functional groups with the aim of increasing the stability and homogeneity of their dispersion within a poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) HTM. The selected functional groups are indeed those recalling the two characteristic moieties present in P3HT, i.e., the thienyl and alkyl residues. After preparation and characterization of a number of functionalized RGO@P3HT blends, we test the two containing the highest percentage of dispersed RGO as HTMs in PSCs and compare their performance with that of pristine P3HT and of the standard Spiro‐OMeTAD HTM. Results reveal the big influence of the morphology adopted by the single RGO flakes contained in the composite HTM in driving the final device performance and allow to distinguish one of these blends as a promising material for the fabrication of highly reproducible PSCs.
The value of ultrasound in the investigation of ingested foreign bodies in children
Authors: Piotto Lino , Gent Roger
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Although the use of radiography to locate and track radiopaque ingested foreign bodies in children is very sensitive, it may not be very specific. Using ultrasound, we can often not only detect the foreign body but be more precise in its location and movement.

Methods

Using ultrasound, we investigated ingested foreign bodies which did not seem to move on serial radiographs, when there was uncertainty about their location and when they had caused bowel obstruction.

Results

Using radiography, the exact location of the foreign bodies could often not be determined. Nor could their apparent lack of progression through the alimentary tract be explained. We have found ultrasound to be very successful in overcoming these problems. It has provided accurate localisation of the foreign body and allowed real‐time assessment of any movement with peristalsis.

Discussion

A clear advantage of using ultrasound is the avoidance of ionising radiation, which is important in paediatric patients. We have demonstrated that ultrasound has a role when there are complicating factors such as an absence of progressive movement through the alimentary tract and when the foreign body is sharp or radiolucent. In our experience, ultrasound has proven very useful for the planning of surgical removal.
Chondrocranial morphology of Carcharopsis wortheni (Chondrichthyes, Euselachii incertae sedis) based on new material from the Fayetteville Shale (upper Mississippian, middle Chesterian)
Authors: Bronson Allison W. , Mapes Royal H. , Maisey John G.
Published: March 2018

The first known basicranium belonging to Carcharopsis wortheni is described, based on examination of endoskeletal morphology obtained from three‐dimensional reconstructions produced by high‐resolution CT scanning of a previously undescribed specimen. C. wortheni has been described from the late Mississippian (middle Chesterian) Fayetteville Shale based on jaws and teeth, but never before from its cranial anatomy. This specimen has jaw fragments and teeth, associated with the basicranium. The braincase has rounded, low extensions of the occipital region, forming a short lateral occipital shelf, the hypotic lamina is separated from the otic capsule by a continuous metotic fissure, and the postorbital flange is low. Cartilage surrounding the notochordal canal is mineralized, and broken into at least two pieces. Paired, enclosed dorsal aortae are present, which branch into orbital arteries anteriorly, with a midline pit present between the posterior openings for the aortae. Portions of the semicircular canals are visible, with associated ampullae. An improved description of C. wortheni teeth is presented based on CT scanning, including details of tooth vascularization. Carcharopsis is the first Palaeozoic chondrichthyan in which an anaulacorhize‐like vascular network has been recognized. New anatomical data presented here add considerably to our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of Carcharopsis, and also contribute to the described diversity of Fayetteville Shale vertebrates.
Stepwise extraction, chemical modification, GC–MS separation, and determination of amino acids in human plasma#
Authors: Todua Nino G. , Camara Johanna E. , Murray Jacolin A. , Mikaia Anzor I.
Published: March 2018

A method for isolation of enriched fractions of amino acids from human plasma followed by derivatization, gas chromatography separation and mass spectrometry identification is described. The method involves a stepwise extraction of plasma constituents with the use of two solvents: (a) extraction with methanol yields a concentrate of polyols, urea, carbohydrates and most long‐chain saturated and unsaturated aliphatic acids, and (b) further solubilization with water produces mainly a concentrate of amino acids. Chemical modification of amino acids with methyl chloroformate/methanol gives rise to methyl esters of methoxycarbonyl derivatives. The derivatization products are stable and quite suitable for gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis. The electron ionization mass spectra of the derivatization products reveal specific fragmentation patterns applicable for structure elucidation. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry identification of 19 amino acids as their methyl esters of methoxycarbonyl derivatives in Standard Reference Material 1950 Metabolites in Frozen Human Plasma.
Physicochemical, Thermal, Crystallographic, and Morphological Properties of Biodynamic Black Rice Starch, and of Residual Fractions From Aqueous Extraction
Authors: Ito Vivian C. , Schnitzler Egon , Demiate Ivo Mottin , Eusébio Maria Ermelinda S. , Lacerda Luiz Gustavo , Castro Ricardo A. E.
Published: March 2018

The physicochemical, thermal, crystallographic, and morphological properties of biodynamic black rice starch, and of the residual fractions from aqueous extraction, are evaluated. The contents of ash, dietary fibre, proteins, and lipids in the starch are lower than those from the residual fractions. The gelatinization temperatures and ΔHgel of the residual fractions differs significantly (p < 0.05) from those of the starch. All the samples had clear A‐type diffraction patterns, with main reflections at 2θ ≈ 15°, 17°, 18°, and 23°; they also presented a similar crystallinity index (≈22%). Bands in the infrared spectra assigned to proteins and to carbohydrates (starch) are clearly identified, and the structural indicator (I1046/I1018) of the degree of double helical order is calculated. Micro‐images shows polyhedral starch granules having irregular shapes, with sharp angles and edges, and without pores on the smooth surface.
Short‐term Physiological Response Profiles of Tagged Migrating Adult Sockeye Salmon: A Comparison of Gastric Insertion and External Tagging Methods
Authors: Dick M. , Eliason E. J. , Patterson D. A. , Robinson K. A. , Hinch S. G. , Cooke S. J.
Published: March 2018

A variety of electronic tag types are routinely applied to fish to better understand migration biology. However, tagging procedures have the potential to affect the postrelease behaviour and survival of tagged individuals. In this study, wild adult Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from the Harrison River, British Columbia, were radio‐tagged by gastric insertion or external attachment techniques immediately after capture to understand the short‐term physiological response to these two tagging methods. Plasma cortisol, glucose, lactate, sodium, and potassium levels, as well as white muscle lactate and glycogen concentrations, were measured in samples obtained from fish upon capture (0 h) as well as 1 or 4 h after the tagging treatment. The effects of key biological variables, such as sex and proximity to spawn, on the physiological response to the tagging events were also evaluated. Tagging occurred during two distinct time periods representing fish of different maturation states and durations of freshwater residency. Overall, the physiological response to the tagging scenarios was characteristic of the disturbance associated with exhaustive exercise. There were no significant differences detected in the response profiles following gastric or external tagging procedures. This was despite procedural differences such as stomach perforations observed in 68% of the gastric insertions in the late sampling period, and external attachments taking three times longer (43 s) than gastric insertion (15 s). Moreover, the tagged fish showed similar response profiles to control fish that were handled but not tagged. These results suggest that the capture and handling associated with a tagging event induced physiological disturbance, and that the addition of a quick tagging procedure appeared to be nonadditive over the 4‐h assessment period. Sex and proximity to spawn had significant main and interaction effects on some of the physiological response variables, indicating that biological context is important for interpreting physiological assessments in experiments that manipulate exercise and stress responses in migrating adult Pacific salmon.
Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of early screening for pre‐eclampsia by NICE guidelines and a method combining maternal factors and biomarkers: results of SPREE
Authors: Tan M. Y. , Wright D. , Syngelaki A. , Akolekar R. , Cicero S. , Janga D. , Singh M. , Greco E. , Wright A. , Maclagan K. , Poon L. C. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To test the hypothesis that the performance of first‐trimester screening for pre‐eclampsia (PE) by a method that uses Bayes' theorem to combine maternal factors with biomarkers is superior to that defined by current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

Methods

This was a prospective multicenter study (screening program for pre‐eclampsia (SPREE)) in seven National Health Service maternity hospitals in England, of women recruited between April and December 2016. Singleton pregnancies at 11–13 weeks' gestation had recording of maternal characteristics and medical history and measurements of mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI), serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A). The performance of screening for PE by the Bayes' theorem‐based method was compared with that of the NICE method. Primary comparison was detection rate (DR) using NICE method vs mini‐combined test (maternal factors, MAP and PAPP‐A) in the prediction of PE at any gestational age (all‐PE) for the same screen‐positive rate determined by the NICE method. Key secondary comparisons were DR of screening recommended by the NICE guidelines vs three Bayes' theorem‐based methods (maternal factors, MAP and PAPP‐A; maternal factors, MAP and PlGF; and maternal factors, MAP, UtA‐PI and PlGF) in the prediction of preterm PE, defined as that requiring delivery < 37 weeks.

Results

All‐PE developed in 473 (2.8%) of the 16 747 pregnancies and preterm PE developed in 142 (0.8%). The screen‐positive rate by the NICE method was 10.3% and the DR for all‐PE was 30.4% and for preterm PE it was 40.8%. Compliance with the NICE recommendation that women at high risk for PE should be treated with aspirin from the first trimester to the end of pregnancy was only 23%. The DR of the mini‐combined test for all‐PE was 42.5%, which was superior to that of the NICE method by 12.1% (95% CI, 7.9–16.2%). In screening for preterm PE by a combination of maternal factors, MAP and PlGF, the DR was 69.0%, which was superior to that of the NICE method by 28.2% (95% CI, 19.4–37.0%) and with the addition of UtA‐PI the DR was 82.4%, which was higher than that of the NICE method by 41.6% (95% CI, 33.2–49.9%).

Conclusions

The performance of screening for PE as currently recommended by NICE guidelines is poor and compliance with these guidelines is low. The performance of screening is substantially improved by a method combining maternal factors with biomarkers. © 2018 Crown copyright. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology © 2018 ISUOG.
Traditionally vs sonographically coached pushing in second stage of labor: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bellussi F. , Alcamisi L. , Guizzardi G. , Parma D. , Pilu G.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To investigate the usefulness of visual biofeedback using transperineal ultrasound to improve coached pushing during the active second stage of labor in nulliparous women.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled trial of low‐risk nulliparous women in the active second stage of labor. Patients were allocated to either coached pushing aided by visual demonstration on transperineal ultrasound of the progress of the fetal head (sonographic coaching) or traditional coaching. Patients in both groups were coached by an obstetrician for the first 20 min of the active second stage of labor and, subsequently, the labor was supervised by a midwife. Primary outcomes were duration of the active second stage and increase in the angle of progression at the end of the coaching process. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of operative delivery and complications of labor.

Results

Forty women were recruited into the study. Those who received sonographic coaching had a shorter active phase of the second stage (30 min (interquartile range (IQR), 24–42 min) vs 45 min (IQR, 39–55 min); P = 0.01) and a greater increase in the angle of progression (13.5° (IQR, 9–20°) vs 5° (IQR, 3–9.5°); P = 0.01) in the first 20 min of the active second stage of labor than did those who had traditional coaching. No differences were found in the secondary outcomes between the two groups.

Conclusion

Our preliminary data suggest that transperineal ultrasound may be a useful adjunct to coached pushing during the active second stage of labor. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and better define the benefits of this approach. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Phosphine poisoning in free‐range local chickens: a case report
Authors: Muraina Issa A. , Oladipo Olusola O. , Akanbi Olatunde B. , Shallmizhili Johnson J. , Gyang Moses D. , Ijale Gabriel O. , Govwang Felix P. , Atiku Aliyu A.
Published: March 2018

Phosphine poisoning is rarely reported in poultry, and its diagnosis is a great challenge for veterinary toxicologists and pathologists. A case of phosphine toxicosis in local, free range chickens is reported. Fourteen dead chickens (age ≥6 months old) were presented to the veterinary clinic for necropsy. The history revealed that the chickens were normally fed with guinea corn grains, but were suspected to have been fed boiled rice laced with poison. The clinical signs observed were ruffled feathers, somnolence, anorexia and high mortality. The disease ran a 2‐day course with mortality pattern of four chickens the first day, six overnight and 14 the following day. Necropsy findings showed generalized vascular congestion and haemorrhage in the lungs and visceral organs, with the crop and gizzard filled with guinea corn and rice grains and greenish‐yellow faecal material in the intestinal lumen. The presence of widespread congestion and petechial haemorrhages on visceral organs with the microscopic pulmonary congestion, and diffuse intraparabronchial presence of air sac macrophages, strongly suggested an acute toxic cause of death. Chemical tests on the crop contents of the dead chickens were positive for phosphine gas. This report will contribute to a better understanding of the clinical signs and lesions presented in cases of acute phosphide rodenticide exposure in domestic chickens, with a brief review of the forensic literature.
Distinguishing values from science in decision making: Setting harvest quotas for mountain lions in Montana
Authors: Mitchell Michael S. , Cooley Hilary , Gude Justin A. , Kolbe Jay , Nowak J. Joshua , Proffitt Kelly M. , Sells Sarah N. , Thompson Mike
Published: March 2018

The relative roles of science and human values can be difficult to distinguish when informal processes are used to make complex and contentious decisions in wildlife management. Structured Decision Making (SDM) offers a formal process for making such decisions, where scientific results and concepts can be disentangled from the values of differing stakeholders. We used SDM to formally integrate science and human values for a citizen working group of ungulate hunting advocates, lion hunting advocates, and outfitters convened to address the contentious allocation of harvest quotas for mountain lions (Puma concolor) in west‐central Montana, USA, during 2014. A science team consisting of mountain lion biologists and population ecologists convened to support the working group. The science team used integrated population models that incorporated 4 estimates of mountain lion density to estimate population trajectories for 5 alternative harvest quotas developed by the working group. Results of the modeling predicted that effects of each harvest quota were consistent across the 4 density estimates; harvest quotas affected predicted population trajectories for 5 years after implementation but differences were not strong. Based on these results, the focus of the working group changed to differences in values among stakeholders that were the true impediment to allocating harvest quotas. By distinguishing roles of science and human values in this process, the working group was able to collaboratively recommend a compromise solution. This solution differed little from the status quo that had been the focus of debate, but the SDM process produced understanding and buy‐in among stakeholders involved, reducing disagreements, misunderstanding, and unproductive arguments founded on informal application of scientific data and concepts. Whereas investments involved in conducting SDM may be unnecessary for many decisions in wildlife management, the investment may be beneficial for complex, contentious, and multiobjective decisions that integrate science and human values. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Influence of invasive hybrid cattails on habitat use by common loons
Authors: Wesche Spencer L. , O'Neal Benjamin J. , Windels Steve K. , Olson Bryce T. , Larreur Max , Ahlers Adam A.
Published: March 2018

An invasive hybrid cattail species, Typha × glauca (T. × glauca), is rapidly expanding across the United States and Canada. Dense clonal stands of T. × glauca outcompete native wetland plants, reduce open‐water habitats, and negatively affect native wetland plant diversity; however, effects of hybrid cattail expansions on native wildlife are still unclear. We used multiple surveys and single‐season occupancy models to examine how the relative coverage of T. × glauca affected habitat use by common loons (Gavia immer) at 71 wetland sites in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA, during summer 2016. Delineated wetland sites (2 ha) were considered potential resource patches for common loons and positioned along a gradient of relative T. × glauca coverage. Detection of common loons was influenced negatively by the time of day surveys were conducted. Occupancy probabilities were greater at sites with deeper water levels, possibly indicating selection for areas with adequate water depths for pursuit‐based foraging for fish. Contrary to our hypothesis, common loons appeared insensitive to the relative coverage of T. × glauca at wetland sites. Future research should focus on elucidating potential threshold‐effects of T. × glauca expansions on additional loon demographic rates. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Free energy of a heavy quark-antiquark pair in a thermal medium from AdS/CFT
Authors: Ewerz Carlo , Kaczmarek Olaf , Samberg Andreas
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We study the free energy of a heavy quark-antiquark pair in a thermal medium using the AdS/CFT correspondence. We point out that a commonly used prescription for calculating this quantity leads to a temperature dependence in conflict with general properties of the free energy. The problem originates from a particular way of subtracting divergences. We argue that the commonly used prescription gives rise to the binding energy rather than the free energy. We consider a different subtraction procedure and show that the resulting free energy is well-behaved and in qualitative agreement with results from lattice QCD. The free energy and the binding energy of the quark pair are computed for$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$N=4supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and several non-conformal theories. We also calculate the entropy and the internal energy of the pair in these theories. Using the consistent subtraction, we further study the free energy, entropy, and internal energy of a single heavy quark in the thermal medium for various theories. Also here the results are found to be in qualitative agreement with lattice QCD results.
Experimental guidance for eliciting beliefs with the Stochastic Becker–DeGroot–Marschak mechanism
Authors: Burfurd Ingrid , Wilkening Tom
Published: March 2018

We compare different implementations of the Stochastic Becker–DeGroot–Marschak (SBDM) belief elicitation mechanism, which is theoretically elegant but challenging to implement. In a first experiment, we compare three common formats of the mechanism in terms of speed and data quality. We find that all formats yield reports with similar levels of accuracy and precision, but that the instructions and reporting format adapted from Hao and Houser (J Risk Uncertain 44(2):161–180 2012) is significantly faster to implement. We use this format in a second experiment in which we vary the delivery method and quiz procedure. Dropping the pre-experiment quiz significantly compromises the accuracy of subject’s reports and leads to a dramatic spike in boundary reports. However, switching between electronic and paper-based instructions and quizzes does not affect the accuracy or precision of subjects’ reports.
Intelligent and effective informatic deconvolution of “Big Data” and its future impact on the quantitative nature of neurodegenerative disease therapy
Authors: Maudsley Stuart , Devanarayan Viswanath , Martin Bronwen , Geerts Hugo ,   on behalf of the Brain Health Modeling Initiative (BHMI)
Published: March 2018

Biomedical data sets are becoming increasingly larger and a plethora of high‐dimensionality data sets (“Big Data”) are now freely accessible for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. It is thus important that new informatic analysis platforms are developed that allow the organization and interrogation of Big Data resources into a rational and actionable mechanism for advanced therapeutic development. This will entail the generation of systems and tools that allow the cross‐platform correlation between data sets of distinct types, for example, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest strategies, including latent semantic analytics, topological data investigation, and deep learning techniques that will drive the future development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications for Alzheimer's disease. We contend that diverse informatic “Big Data” platforms should be synergistically designed with more advanced chemical/drug and cellular/tissue‐based phenotypic analytical predictive models to assist in either de novo drug design or effective drug repurposing.
Self-modulation and anomalous collective scattering of laser produced intense ion beam in plasmas
Authors: Mima K. , Fuchs J. , Taguchi T. , Alvarez J. , Marquès J.R. , Chen S.N. , Tajima T. , Perlado J.M.
Published: March 2018

The collective interaction between intense ion beams and plasmas is studied by simulations and experiments, where an intense proton beam produced by a short pulse laser is injected into a pre-ionized gas. It is found that, depending on its current density, collective effects can significantly alter the propagated ion beam and the stopping power. The quantitative agreement that is found between theories and experiments constitutes the first validation of the collective interaction theory. The effects in the interaction between intense ion beams and background gas plasmas are of importance for the design of laser fusion reactors as well as for beam physics.
The Point Value Maximization Problem for Positive Definite Functions Supported in a Given Subset of a Locally Compact Group
Authors: Krenedits Sándor , Révész Szilárd Gy.
Published: March 2018

The century-old extremal problem, solved by Carathéodory and Fejér, concerns a non-negative trigonometric polynomial $T(t) = a_0 + \sum\nolimits_{k = 1}^n {a_k} \cos (2\pi kt) + b_k\sin (2\pi kt){\ge}0$, normalized by a0=1, where the quantity to be maximized is the coefficient a1 of cos (2π t). Carathéodory and Fejér found that for any given degree n, the maximum is 2 cos(π/n+2). In the complex exponential form, the coefficient sequence (ck) ⊂ ℂ will be supported in [−n, n] and normalized by c0=1. Reformulating, non-negativity of T translates to positive definiteness of the sequence (ck), and the extremal problem becomes a maximization problem for the value at 1 of a normalized positive definite function c: ℤ → ℂ, supported in [−n, n]. Boas and Kac, Arestov, Berdysheva and Berens, Kolountzakis and Révész and, recently, Krenedits and Révész investigated the problem in increasing generality, reaching analogous results for all locally compact abelian groups. We prove an extension to all the known results in not necessarily commutative locally compact groups.
High-Frequency Quoting: Short-Term Volatility in Bids and Offers
Authors: Hasbrouck Joel
Published: March 2018

At subsecond horizons, bids and offers in U.S. equity markets are more volatile than what would be implied by long-term fundamentals. To assess costs and consequences, this paper suggests that traders’ random delays (latencies) interact with quote volatility to generate execution price risk and relative latency costs. Analysis of the behavior of quote setters suggests that this volatility is more likely to arise from recurrent cycles of undercutting similar to the Edgeworth cycles found in product markets rather than mixed strategies of limit-order placement.