bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rainfall-Runoff Modeling using Clustering and Regression Analysis for the River Brahmaputra Basin
Authors: Mishra Satanand , Saravanan C. , Dwivedi V. K. , Shukla J. P.
Published: September 2018

In this research, k-means, agglomerative hierarchical clustering and regression analysis have been applied in hydrological real time series in the form of patterns and models, which gives the fruitful results of data analysis, pattern discovery and forecasting of hydrological runoff of the catchment. The present study compares with the actual field data, predicted value and validation of statistical yields obtained from cluster analysis, regression analysis with ARIMA model. The seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models is investigated for monthly runoff forecasting. The different parameters have been analyzed for the validation of results with casual effects. The comparison of model results obtained by K-means & AHC have very close similarities. Result of models is compared with casual effects in the same scenario and it is found that the developed model is more suitable for the runoff forecasting. The average value of R2 determined is 0.92 for eight ARIMA models. This shows more accuracy of developed ARIMA model under these processes. The developed rainfall runoff models are highly useful for water resources planning and development.
Methodological Validation for Automated Lineament Extraction by LINE Method in PCI Geomatica and MATLAB based Hough Transformation
Authors: Salui Chalantika Laha
Published: September 2018

Spatial distribution and pattern recognition of geologic lineaments are very effective in hazard risk evaluation. To make the process automated, various algorithms with various data sources were applied. This paper aims to make a review on such algorithms as well as data sources used. Comparative analysis of the LINE algorithm in PCI Geomatica and Hough Transformation in MATLAB has been conducted to explore the procedural accuracy with reference to existing landslides in the Darjeeling Himalayan region. Another comparison was made based on data sources like Landsat-8 OLI and digital elevation model, with reference to the same. As lineament density affects the landslide occurrences predominantly, the output lineament density by these two methods as well as with ground reflection and ground elevation data, were correlated with that of the landslide inventory map. A relational illustration was also done in between the lithological thrust direction and the direction of the individual lineament outputs. Hence, this study provides a decision on the use of a reliable method and data source for the automated lineament extraction which can be considered as generating an output with higher accuracy and, hence, safer for using it in the structural planning and execution of projects on various natural hazard studies.
A Laboratory Study on Estimation of Shear Strength and Compaction Properties of Overburden Dump Material in Indian Coal Mines
Authors: Bishwal R. M. , Sen Phalguni , Jawed M.
Published: September 2018

The study investigates the effect of various soil mixtures, mostly found in the overburden material of coal mines, on the strength parameters and compaction properties. Samples were prepared in laboratory to represent both the soil-type and the rock-type waste dump material by mixing shale, sandstone and clay in varying proportions at an interval of 10% each. Samples from two coal mines located at different geographical locations in the eastern part of India were collected and the shear strength (cohesion and friction angle) and compaction parameters (Maximum dry density, MDD and Optimum moisture content, OMC) of the specimens were determined from laboratory study at moisture content around their OMC and analysed. The results so establish that the shear strength parameters for mixtures containing shale are less sensitive to changes and follows rather a flat curve when plotted against their respective material content in the mixture when compared to that containing clay. However, the compaction parameters were found to follow different trends when plotted against the constituent material (shale, sandstone and clay) content of the mixture.
Spectral Analysis of Magnetic data in the Ajmer-Sambar Sector, North-Central Rajasthan
Authors: Kumar K. Satish , Begum S. Parveen , Srinivas G. S. , Rao M. Shri Hari , Prasad P. Prabhakara , Seshunarayna T. , Tiwari R. K.
Published: September 2018

Ajmer-Sambar sector of Delhi fold belt, North-Central Rajasthan has got importance due to its litho characters, structure, metamorphism, magmatism, migmatisation, metallogeny and rich potential of base metal mineralization. This sector is comprised of Delhi sequence of rocks hosted by the Banded Gneisses Complex (BGC). In view of the significance of this region, ground magnetic survey was conducted along six regional profiles to understand the structural features, magnetic nature of the basement and depth to the basement. Analysis of the magnetic data has clearly identified two magnetic lineaments (a) L1 in WNW-ESE direction that appears to represent litho-contact between Kalyanpura sequences in the south to Anasagar migmatite in the north and (b) L2 in NNW to SSE direction south of Parvatsar which is inferred to be a structural control about which the quartzite rocks of Taragarh Formation culminate. An average depth to basement of 3.7 km is estimated through spectral analysis of magnetic data. The maximum depth of the basin 4.5 km is estimated in central part of the study area. The obtained depth results are in good agreement with the Cummulative Total Intensity Magnetic Anomaly field (CTIMAF) and Deep seismic stuides.
Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Its Correlates Among Junior High School Students at 53 Months After Experiencing an Earthquake
Authors: Liu Qiaolan , Jiang Min , Yang Yang , Zhou Huan , Zhou Yanyang , Yang Min , Xu Huanyu , Ji Yuanyi
Published: September 2018

Objective

To identify the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its determinants among adolescents more than 4 years after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

Method

Adolescents (1,125 total) from 2 junior high schools in areas affected by the catastrophic earthquake were followed up for 3 years. The self-rating PTSD scale based on the Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) and the Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders, 2nd Edition, Revised (CCMD-2-R) was collected at 53 months, and determinant data were collected repeatedly. Logistic regression was used for a determinants analysis.

Results

The prevalence of overall PTSD was 23.4% among the sample. The risk factors for PTSD were older age (OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.20~1.92), and death or injury of a family member in the earthquake (OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.09~2.37). Adolescents who had moderate-to-severe common mental health problems were more likely to have PTSD symptoms, with ORs from 3.98 to 17.67 (All P<0.05). Self-esteem remained a protective factor for PTSD regardless of age, whereas positive coping was a protective factor for PTSD when adolescents were older.

Conclusion

PTSD symptoms among adolescent survivors of a catastrophic earthquake seemed to persist over time. Long-term interventions are needed to alleviate PTSD symptoms among adolescent survivors. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:414-418)
Animal-type melanoma: dog or wolf? A review of the literature and a case report
Authors: Stucci Luigia Stefania , Palmirotta Raffaele , Lovero Domenica , Silvestris Erica , Cafforio Paola , Felici Claudia , Todisco Annalisa , Nacchiero Eleonora , Pezzuto Federica , Tucci Marco , Silvestris Franco
Published: September 2018

The human animal type melanoma (ATM) is a rare subtype of melanoma characterised by the proliferation of pigmented dermal epithelioid and spindled melanocytes. However, this variant of melanoma is still lacking a precise nosography definition and classification for the difficulty to be distinguished from other more common melanocytic lesions, as well as for its peculiar biological behaviour. On the other hand, the contribution of scientific literature to this issue is fragmented and limited to the description of very few cases. Starting from the presentation of a case with abnormally aggressive clinical features, here we revisit the current knowledge on ATM from its dermatologic patterns, epidemiology, demography and histopathology to the clinical management. Peculiar accuracy has also been reserved to several histopathologic criteria, which are critical for the differential diagnosis from other melanocytic diseases in junction with molecular data deriving from recent cytogenetic and mutational characterisation of this tumour.
Could the aging workforce reduce the agency penalty for female leaders? Re-examining the think manager–think male stereotype
Authors: Scheuer Cara-Lynn , Loughlin Catherine
Published: September 2018

Older workers make up a substantial portion of today’s labor force. Yet little is known about the beliefs held by this age group. Our study offers some much needed insights into intersectionality around this group, by investigating how older workers’ perceptions of supervisors performing a gendered leadership behavior are impacted by a supervisors’ sex, age, and gendered attributes. The results show that these supervisors are perceived most favorably when they possess communal qualities and/or when they are depicted as being older than their direct reports. Our results also reveal that, when these supervisors are not perceived as communal, male but not female supervisors, experience a backlash. Within this context, young female leaders appear to be at an advantage when compared with young male leaders. This study advances the literature on the ‘think manager–think male’ stereotype and has the practical benefit of offering insights into leader-follower interactions in today’s aging workplace.
Indigenous Peoples and Affinity Voting in Canada
Authors: Dabin Simon , Daoust Jean François , Papillon Martin
Published: September 2018

Studies interested in Indigenous voting in Canada tend to focus on socio-economic, cultural and political factors that explain their lower levels of electoral participation. While highly relevant given Canada's ongoing reality as a settler-colonial state, these studies are of limited help in making sense of recent increases in electoral engagement in Indigenous communities across the country. Using data from four elections between 2006 and 2015, this study focuses instead on why some Indigenous individuals vote and how they vote. Our analysis suggests that one of many possible reasons for the recent surge in Indigenous turnout has to do with the candidates presenting themselves for elections. Higher voter turnout in Indigenous communities corresponds with a higher proportion of Indigenous candidates. This trend is consistent with the literature on affinity voting. We also find that political parties who present an Indigenous candidate receive more votes in constituencies with a high proportion of Indigenous voters.
Linking genes, circuits, and behavior: network connectivity as a novel endophenotype of externalizing
Authors: Sadeh Naomi , Spielberg Jeffrey M. , Logue Mark W. , Hayes Jasmeet P. , Wolf Erika J. , McGlinchey Regina E. , Milberg William P. , Schichman Steven A. , Stone Annjanette , Miller Mark W.
Published: September 2018

Background

Externalizing disorders are known to be partly heritable, but the biological pathways linking genetic risk to the manifestation of these costly behaviors remain under investigation. This study sought to identify neural phenotypes associated with genomic vulnerability for externalizing disorders.

Methods

One-hundred fifty-five White, non-Hispanic veterans were genotyped using a genome-wide array and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Genetic susceptibility was assessed using an independently developed polygenic score (PS) for externalizing, and functional neural networks were identified using graph theory based network analysis. Tasks of inhibitory control and psychiatric diagnosis (alcohol/substance use disorders) were used to measure externalizing phenotypes.

Results

A polygenic externalizing disorder score (PS) predicted connectivity in a brain circuit (10 nodes, nine links) centered on left amygdala that included several cortical [bilateral inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) pars triangularis, left rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC)] and subcortical (bilateral amygdala, hippocampus, and striatum) regions. Directional analyses revealed that bilateral amygdala influenced left prefrontal cortex (IFG) in participants scoring higher on the externalizing PS, whereas the opposite direction of influence was observed for those scoring lower on the PS. Polygenic variation was also associated with higher Participation Coefficient for bilateral amygdala and left rACC, suggesting that genes related to externalizing modulated the extent to which these nodes functioned as communication hubs.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that externalizing polygenic risk is associated with disrupted connectivity in a neural network implicated in emotion regulation, impulse control, and reinforcement learning. Results provide evidence that this network represents a genetically associated neurobiological vulnerability for externalizing disorders.
On Mobile Legal Spaces and Maritime Empires: The Pillage of the East IndiamanOsterley(1779)
Authors: Perl-Rosenthal Nathan
Published: September 2018

This article uses a legal case from the French Indian Ocean empire during the American Revolutionary War (ca. 1778–1780) to explore the operation of mobile legal spaces: that is, law-filled spaces that moved (such as ships) or which were highly shaped by movement in and out of them (ports). These types of spaces, characteristic of early modern seaborne European empires, created distinctive problems and opportunities for those navigating imperial rule, both rulers and ruled. In particular, the essay argues that the mobility of legal spaces added significant spatial and temporal dimensions to the well-known legal diversity and pluralism of the early modern world. In mobile spaces, legal regimes might overlap or conflict temporarily, be relevant for only a fixed period of time, or come into force when a ship reached a particular location. Recognising the ubiquity of these mobile legal spaces and the powerful effects that they had can change how we understand the functioning of law in colonial empires.
Stereotypes as source of subcultural capital: Poland and the Polish in the auto-representation project of the Dutch rapper, Mr. Polska
Authors: Dynarowicz Ewa
Published: September 2018

Over the past few years Mr. Polska, a Dutch rapper of Polish origin, has been enjoying a growing popularity in the Netherlands. Mr. Polska uses his Polish roots to position himself on the Dutch music scene and creates a persona that leans heavily on essentialised and exoticised stereotypes about Poland and the Polish. This article tries to answer two questions: what kind of image of Poland and the Poles is being created here? What purpose does it serve? It argues that negative stereotypes used in a multicultural environment acquire a new, positive meaning and play an important role in building the artist's image. The article further explores the post-subcultural character of Mr. Polska's project. It demonstrates that Mr. Polska's objective is not so much political engagement, as was usually the case with the traditional subcultural scene, but rather to confirm his authenticity and build his subcultural capital. Finally, Mr. Polska's use of a hip-hop aesthetic in combination with exoticised Polishness will be discussed.
OPTION PRICING UNDER THE KOBOL MODEL
Authors: CHEN WENTING , LIN SHA
Published: September 2018

We consider the pricing of European options under a modified Black–Scholes equation having fractional derivatives in the “spatial” (price) variable. To be specific, the underlying price is assumed to follow a geometric Koponen–Boyarchenko–Levendorski process. This pure jump Lévy process could better capture the real behaviour of market data. Despite many difficulties caused by the “globalness” of the fractional derivatives, we derive an explicit closed-form analytical solution by solving the fractional partial differential equation analytically, using the Fourier transform technique. Based on the newly derived formula, we also examine, in theory, many basic properties of the option price under the current model. On the other hand, for practical purposes, we impose a reliable implementation method for the current formula so that it can be easily used in the trading market. With the numerical results, the impact of different parameters on the option price are also investigated.
Cover Crops May Cause Winter Warming in Snow‐Covered Regions
Authors: Lombardozzi D. L. , Bonan G. B. , Wieder W. , Grandy A. S. , Morris C. , Lawrence D. L.
Published: September 2018

Cover crops, grown between cash crops when soil is fallow, are a management strategy that may help mitigate climate change. The biogeochemical effects of cover crops are well documented, as they provide numerous localized benefits to farmers. We test potential biogeophysical climate impacts of idealized cover crop scenarios by assuming that cover crops are planted offseason in all crop regions throughout North America. Our results suggest that planting cover crops increases wintertime temperature up to 3 °C in central North America by decreasing albedo in regions with variable snowpack. Cover crops with higher leaf area indices increase temperature more by decreasing broadband albedo, while decreasing cover crop height helped to mitigate the temperature increase as the shorter height was more frequently buried by snow. Thus, climate mitigation potential must consider the biogeophysical impacts of planting cover crops, and varietal selection can minimize winter warming.
Evolution of gene knockout strains of E. coli reveal regulatory architectures governed by metabolism
Authors: McCloskey Douglas , Xu Sibei , Sandberg Troy E. , Brunk Elizabeth , Hefner Ying , Szubin Richard , Feist Adam M. , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: September 2018

Biological regulatory network architectures are multi-scale in their function and can adaptively acquire new functions. Gene knockout (KO) experiments provide an established experimental approach not just for studying gene function, but also for unraveling regulatory networks in which a gene and its gene product are involved. Here we study the regulatory architecture ofEscherichia coliK-12 MG1655 by applying adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) to metabolic gene KO strains. Multi-omic analysis reveal a common overall schema describing the process of adaptation whereby perturbations in metabolite concentrations lead regulatory networks to produce suboptimal states, whose function is subsequently altered and re-optimized through acquisition of mutations during ALE. These results indicate that metabolite levels, through metabolite-transcription factor interactions, have a dominant role in determining the function of a multi-scale regulatory architecture that has been molded by evolution.
Deep neural networks for accurate predictions of crystal stability
Authors: Ye Weike , Chen Chi , Wang Zhenbin , Chu Iek-Heng , Ong Shyue Ping
Published: September 2018

Predicting the stability of crystals is one of the central problems in materials science. Today, density functional theory (DFT) calculations remain comparatively expensive and scale poorly with system size. Here we show that deep neural networks utilizing just two descriptors—the Pauling electronegativity and ionic radii—can predict the DFT formation energies of C3A2D3O12 garnets and ABO3 perovskites with low mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 7–10 meV atom−1 and 20–34 meV atom−1, respectively, well within the limits of DFT accuracy. Further extension to mixed garnets and perovskites with little loss in accuracy can be achieved using a binary encoding scheme, addressing a critical gap in the extension of machine-learning models from fixed stoichiometry crystals to infinite universe of mixed-species crystals. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of these models to rapidly transverse vast chemical spaces to accurately identify stable compositions, accelerating the discovery of novel materials with potentially superior properties.
Deterministic preparation of highly non-classical macroscopic quantum states
Authors: Latmiral Ludovico , Mintert Florian
Published: September 2018

We present a scheme to deterministically prepare non-classical quantum states of a massive mirror including highly non-Gaussian states exhibiting sizeable negativity of the Wigner function. This is achieved by exploiting the non-linear light–matter interaction in an optomechanical cavity by driving the system with optimally designed frequency patterns. Our scheme reveals to be resilient against mechanical and optical damping, as well as mechanical thermal noise and imperfections in the driving scheme. Our proposal thus opens a promising route for table-top experiments to explore and exploit macroscopic quantum phenomena.
Two-copy Quantum Teleportation
Authors: Quan Quan , Zhao Ming-Jing , Fei Shao-Ming , Fan Heng , Yang Wen-Li , Long Gui-Lu
Published: September 2018

We investigate two-copy scenario of quantum teleportation based on Bell measurements. The detailed protocol is presented and the general expression of the corresponding optimal teleportation fidelity is derived, which is given by the two-copy fully entangled fraction that is invariant under local unitary transformations. We prove that under a specific case of the protocol, which is significant for improving the optimal fidelity, the set of states with their two-copy fully entangled fractions bounded by a threshold value that required for useful two-copy teleportation is convex and compact. Hence the witness operators exist to separate states that are useful for two-copy teleportation from the rest ones. Moreover, we show that the optimal fidelity of two-copy teleportation surpasses that of the original one copy teleportation.
The added value of online user-generated content in traditional methods for influenza surveillance
Authors: Wagner Moritz , Lampos Vasileios , Cox Ingemar J. , Pebody Richard
Published: September 2018

There has been considerable work in evaluating the efficacy of using online data for health surveillance. Often comparisons with baseline data involve various squared error and correlation metrics. While useful, these overlook a variety of other factors important to public health bodies considering the adoption of such methods. In this paper, a proposed surveillance system that incorporates models based on recent research efforts is evaluated in terms of its added value for influenza surveillance at Public Health England. The system comprises of two supervised learning approaches trained on influenza-like illness (ILI) rates provided by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and produces ILI estimates using Twitter posts or Google search queries. RCGP ILI rates for different age groups and laboratory confirmed cases by influenza type are used to evaluate the models with a particular focus on predicting the onset, overall intensity, peak activity and duration of the 2015/16 influenza season. We show that the Twitter-based models perform poorly and hypothesise that this is mostly due to the sparsity of the data available and a limited training period. Conversely, the Google-based model provides accurate estimates with timeliness of approximately one week and has the potential to complement current surveillance systems.
Sharing of human milk oligosaccharides degradants within bifidobacterial communities in faecal cultures supplemented with Bifidobacterium bifidum
Authors: Gotoh Aina , Katoh Toshihiko , Sakanaka Mikiyasu , Ling Yiwei , Yamada Chihaya , Asakuma Sadaki , Urashima Tadasu , Tomabechi Yusuke , Katayama-Ikegami Ayako , Kurihara Shin , Yamamoto Kenji , Harata Gaku , He Fang , Hirose Junko , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Okuda Shujiro , Katayama Takane
Published: September 2018

Gut microbiota of breast-fed infants are generally rich in bifidobacteria. Recent studies show that infant gut-associated bifidobacteria can assimilate human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) specifically among the gut microbes. Nonetheless, little is known about how bifidobacterial-rich communities are shaped in the gut. Interestingly, HMOs assimilation ability is not related to the dominance of each species. Bifidobacterium longum susbp. longum and Bifidobacterium breve are commonly found as the dominant species in infant stools; however, they show limited HMOs assimilation ability in vitro. In contrast, avid in vitro HMOs consumers, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, are less abundant in infant stools. In this study, we observed altruistic behaviour by B. bifidum when incubated in HMOs-containing faecal cultures. Four B. bifidum strains, all of which contained complete sets of HMO-degrading genes, commonly left HMOs degradants unconsumed during in vitro growth. These strains stimulated the growth of other Bifidobacterium species when added to faecal cultures supplemented with HMOs, thereby increasing the prevalence of bifidobacteria in faecal communities. Enhanced HMOs consumption by B. bifidum-supplemented cultures was also observed. We also determined the complete genome sequences of B. bifidum strains JCM7004 and TMC3115. Our results suggest B. bifidum-mediated cross-feeding of HMOs degradants within bifidobacterial communities.
15d-PGJ2-loaded nanocapsules ameliorate experimental gout arthritis by reducing pain and inflammation in a PPAR-gamma-sensitive manner in mice
Authors: Ruiz-Miyazawa Kenji W. , Staurengo-Ferrari Larissa , Pinho-Ribeiro Felipe A. , Fattori Victor , Zaninelli Tiago H. , Badaro-Garcia Stephanie , Borghi Sergio M. , Andrade Ketlem C. , Clemente-Napimoga Juliana T. , Alves-Filho Jose C. , Cunha Thiago M. , Fraceto Leonardo F. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Napimoga Marcelo H. , Casagrande Rubia , Verri Waldiceu A.
Published: September 2018

Gout arthritis (GA) is a painful inflammatory disease in response to monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints. 15deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) is a natural activator of PPAR-γ with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and pro-resolution properties. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect and mechanisms of action of 15d-PGJ2 nanocapsules (NC) in the model of GA in mice, since a reduction of 33-fold in the dose of 15d-PGJ2 has been reported. Mice were treated with 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC, inert NC, free 15d-PGJ2 (without NC), or 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC+ GW9662, a PPAR-γ inhibitor. We show that 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC provided analgesic effect in a dose that the free 15d-PGJ2 failed to inhibiting pain and inflammation. Hence, 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC reduced MSU-induced IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-33 release and oxidative stress. Also, 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC decreased the maturation of IL-1β in LPS-primed BMDM triggered by MSU. Further, 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC decreased the expression of the components of the inflammasome Nlrp3, Asc, and Pro-caspase-1, as consequence of inhibiting NF-κB activation. All effects were PPAR-γ-sensitive. Therefore, we demonstrated that 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC present analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in a PPAR-γ-dependent manner inhibiting IL-1β release and NF-κB activation in GA. Concluding, 15d-PGJ2-loaded NC ameliorates MSU-induced GA in a PPAR-γ-sensitive manner.
SIRT1 activation attenuates α cell hyperplasia, hyperglucagonaemia and hyperglycaemia in STZ-diabetic mice
Authors: Zhang Yanling , Thai Kerri , Jin Tianru , Woo Minna , Gilbert Richard E.
Published: September 2018

The NAD+-dependent lysine deacetylase, Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), plays a central role in metabolic regulation. With type 1 diabetes a disease that is characterised by metabolic dysregulation, we sought to assess the impact of SIRT1 activation in experimental, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. CD1 mice with and without STZ-induced diabetes were randomized to receive the SIRT1 activating compound, SRT3025, or vehicle over 20 weeks. Vehicle treated STZ-CD1 mice developed severe hyperglycaemia with near-absent circulating insulin and widespread beta cell loss in association with hyperglucagonaemia and expanded islet alpha cell mass. Without affecting ß-cell mass or circulating insulin, diabetic mice that received SRT3025 had substantially improved glycaemic control with greatly reduced islet α cell mass and lower plasma glucagon concentrations. Consistent with reduced glucagon abundance, the diabetes-associated overexpression of key gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and PEPCK were also lowered by SRT3025. Incubating cultured α cells with SRT3025 diminished their glucagon secretion and proliferative activity in association with a reduction in the α cell associated transcription factor, Aristaless Related Homeobox (Arx). By reducing the paradoxical increase in glucagon, SIRT1 activation may offer a new, α-cell centric approach to the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
Determination of phenolic acids in palm oil samples by HPLC-UV-AD using homemade flow cell
Authors: Lamarca Rafaela Silva , Matos Renato Camargo , Costa Matos Maria Auxiliadora
Published: September 2018

The concentration of phenolic acids in vegetable oils is an important criterion for the assessment of the quality of oils with regard to their freshness, the maintenance of their properties, their storage and their influence on human nutrition and health.
Superior NOx photocatalytic removal over hybrid hierarchical Bi/BiOI with high non-NO2 selectivity: synergistic effect of oxygen vacancies and bismuth nanoparticles
Authors: Li Qian , Gao Shan , Hu Jing , Wang Haiqiang , Wu Zhongbiao
Published: September 2018

Oxygen vacancies and bismuth nanoparticles over Bi/BiOI simultaneously contribute to the deep oxidation of NOx and remarkable non-NO2 selectivity.
Implementation of slow magnetic relaxation in a SIM-MOF through a structural rearrangement
Authors: Castells-Gil Javier , Baldoví José J. , Martí-Gastaldo Carlos , Mínguez Espallargas Guillermo
Published: September 2018

Dehydration of a Dy-based MOF causes the appearance of slow-magnetic relaxation due to the changes of the charge density of the coordination environment.
Targeting myeloid regulators by paclitaxel-loaded enzymatically degradable nanocups
Authors: Burkert Seth C. , Shurin Galina V. , White David L. , He Xiaoyun , Kapralov Alexandr A. , Kagan Valerian E. , Shurin Michael R. , Star Alexander
Published: September 2018

Carbon nanomaterial assisted delivery of paclitaxel to circulating and lymphoid tissue MDSC as proof of concept immunotherapy strategyin vivo.
Engineered nanoceria cytoprotection in vivo: mitigation of reactive oxygen species and double-stranded DNA breakage due to radiation exposure
Authors: Das Soumen , Neal Craig J. , Ortiz Julian , Seal Sudipta
Published: September 2018

Nanoceria efficacy as a radio-protectant material is tested in vivo; testicular tissues are analysed to evaluate influence on gene transfer.
High-specificity double-stranded DNA detection with a “humanoid” molecular beacon and TALEs
Authors: Wang Yu , Bai Jialei , Qu Xiaochen , Gao Yifei , Wang Jiang , Li Shuang , Fan Longxing , Wei Haiping , Liu Sha , Peng Yuan , Gao Zihan , Zhu Yulin , Gao Zhixian , Ning Baoan
Published: September 2018

Ultra-sensitive and high-specificity detection of dsDNA based on TALEs-specific recognition of DNA properties and H-MB fluorescence signal output capability.
Enzyme catalysis-induced RAFT polymerization in water for the preparation of epoxy-functionalized triblock copolymer vesicles
Authors: Xu Qin , Zhang Yuxuan , Li Xueliang , He Jun , Tan Jianbo , Zhang Li
Published: September 2018

Enzyme catalysis-induced aqueous reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was conducted at room temperature for the preparation of epoxy-functionalized triblock copolymer vesicles.
NiO/NixCo3−xO4 porous ultrathin nanosheet/nanowire composite structures as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Jiang Dongkai , Zheng Maojun , You Yuxiu , Ma Liguo , Liu Pengjie , Li Fanggang , Yuan Hao , Zhai Zhihao , Ma Li , Shen Wenzhong
Published: September 2018

Porous ultrathin nanosheet/nanowire composite structures are prepared as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes which exhibit excellent stability.
Hyaluronic acid hydrogel scaffolds loaded with cationic niosomes for efficient non-viral gene delivery
Authors: Villate-Beitia Ilia , Truong Norman F. , Gallego Idoia , Zárate Jon , Puras Gustavo , Pedraz José Luis , Segura Tatiana
Published: September 2018

Nioplexes encapsulated in HA hydrogel scaffolds present no particle aggregation, incorporate high amount of DNA, allow extensive cell spreading and are able to efficiently transfect mesenchymal stem cells in 3D cultures with high cellular viability.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce mitochondria-associated apoptosis in HepG2 cells
Authors: Xia Zhenglin , He Jingliang , Li Bowei , He Ke , Yang Wenbing , Chen Xiaoxun , Zhang Jinqian , Xiang Guoan
Published: September 2018

Widespread applications of nanosized materials over the past decade have prompted investigations of desirable properties and potential hazards to humans and the environment.
Silver-functionalized silica aerogel: towards an understanding of aging on iodine sorption performance
Authors: Matyáš Josef , Ilton Eugene S. , Kovařík Libor
Published: September 2018

This manuscript elucidates the mechanism responsible for a decrease of iodine-sorption performance for Ag0-functionalized silica aerogel in the reprocessing off-gas streams.
Synergistic delivery of bFGF and BMP-2 from poly(l-lactic-co-glycolic acid)/graphene oxide/hydroxyapatite nanofibre scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications
Authors: Ren Xiansheng , Liu Qinyi , Zheng Shuang , Zhu Jiaqi , Qi Zhiping , Fu Chuan , Yang Xiaoyu , Zhao Yan
Published: September 2018

One of the goals of bone tissue engineering is to create scaffolds with excellent biocompatibility, osteoinductive ability and mechanical properties.
Study of magnetic and electrical properties of Pr0.65Ca0.25Ba0.1MnO3manganite
Authors: Mleiki Ali , Hanen R. , Rahmouni H. , Guermazi N. , Khirouni K. , Hlil E. K. , Cheikhrouhou A.
Published: September 2018

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in Pr0.65Ca0.25Ba0.1MnO3compound have been investigated supplemented by electrical data.
Detection of newly emerging psychoactive substances using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics
Authors: Calvo-Castro Jesus , Guirguis Amira , Samaras Eleftherios G. , Zloh Mire , Kirton Stewart B. , Stair Jacqueline L.
Published: September 2018

A novel approach for the identification of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) by means of Raman spectroscopy coupled with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) employing the largest dataset of NPS reference materials to date is reported here.
Fabrication and catalytic properties of ordered cyclopalladated diimine monolayer : investigation on catalytic mechanism
Authors: Wang Linhong , Huang Pingping , Yang Jun , Li Tiesheng , Mao Luyuan , Liu Minghua , Wu Yangjie
Published: September 2018

“Channel-like” self-assembled monolayers having aliphatic and aromatic diimines (denoted as Si@1DIS, Si@2DIS and Si@3DIS) immobilized on substrates and their palladacycle monolayers (Si@1DIS-Pd, Si@2DIS-Pd and Si@3DIS-Pd) were prepared and characterized.
A novel multifunctional Ag and Sr2+ co-doped TiO2@rGO ternary nanocomposite with enhanced p-nitrophenol degradation, and bactericidal and hydrogen evolution activity
Authors: Wei Xueyu , Cao Jiashun , Fang Fang
Published: September 2018

In the present study, a novel multifunctional Sr2+/Ag–TiO2@rGO ternary hybrid photocatalyst was prepared via facile sol–gel and hydrothermal methods.
Evaluating Hearing Aid Management: Development of the Hearing Aid Skills and Knowledge Inventory (HASKI)
Authors: Bennett Rebecca J. , Meyer Carly J. , Eikelboom Robert H. , Atlas Marcus D.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Although hearing health care clinicians provide training on hearing aid handling and management as part of the rehabilitation program, clinical studies suggest that the level of management skill demonstrated by hearing aid owners is low. In the absence of a comprehensive clinical survey to identify these shortfalls in clinical training, the objective of this study was to develop and report the psychometric properties of the Hearing Aid Skills and Knowledge Inventory (HASKI: a self-administered version and a clinician-administered version). The HASKI evaluates the knowledge and skills required for hearing aid management. A secondary aim was to report the prevalence of hearing aid management difficulties in an Australian population.

Method

The development of the HASKI and the investigation of its psychometric properties in a prospective convenience cohort of 518 adult hearing aid owners, ranging in age from 18 to 97 years (
M
= 71 years,
SD
= 14), 60% male, 38% female, and 2% undisclosed, recruited from 7 hearing clinics across Australia, were used.

Results

The HASKI (both the self-administered and clinician administered) demonstrated high internal consistency, interdimensional relationships, construct validity, test–retest reliability, interobserver reliability, and criterion validity. A range of aptitudes were observed from low to full competency, with 99% of participants indicating difficulty with at least 1 item on the survey.

Conclusions

The Hearing Aid Skills and Knowledge Inventories are valid and reliable measures of hearing aid handling and management skills with good potential for use in clinical settings. Hearing aid management is an area of difficulty for the majority of hearing aid owners, indicating the need for clinicians to improve the efficacy of hearing aid management training delivered.
Acquired Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: Survey, Literature Review, and Clinical Recommendations
Authors: Guyton Kelsey B. , Sandage Mary J. , Bailey Dallin , Haak Nancy , Molt Lawrence , Plumb Allison
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical assessment recommendations for acquired velopharyngeal dysfunction (AVPD) and, through a literature review and online survey, summarize current practice patterns for evaluation and treatment pathway determination for this target population.

Method

An online survey to query current assessment procedures and treatment pathway recommendations for AVPD was developed. Following survey results, a literature review was completed to determine evidence-based recommendations for assessment procedures and intervention recommendations based on assessment findings. Literature search terms included the following:acquired velopharyngeal dysfunction, hypernasality, non–cleft velopharyngeal dysfunction, velopharyngeal dysfunction, velopharyngeal dysfunction AND iatrogenic, velopharyngeal dysfunction AND neurogenic, velopharyngeal dysfunction AND assessment OR evaluation, velopharyngeal dysfunction AND treatment OR intervention, velopharyngeal dysfunction AND practice patterns OR clinical guidelines, velopharyngeal insufficiency.Inclusion criteria were limited to practice patterns/recommendations for assessment and/or treatment recommendations for AVPD, English language articles published between 2000 and 2017, and peer-reviewed journals. Studies regarding solely congenital or cleft palate velopharyngeal dysfunction and intervention outcome studies were excluded. Forty articles met inclusionary criteria.

Results

The online survey results indicated lack of consensus for AVPD assessment and treatment recommendation protocols, with 93% of respondents indicating the need for a clinical guide for developing treatment recommendations. The majority of recommendations were filtered into an algorithm for clinical decision making.

Conclusions

Clinical uncertainty among speech-language pathologists surveyed and the paucity of published clinical guidelines for assessing individuals with AVPD indicate the need for additional clinical research for this disorder, one that is heterogeneous and distinct from those with congenital velopharyngeal dysfunction. The proposed evidence-based clinical worksheet may assist in determining management for patients with AVPD and may serve as a starting place for validation of a clinical guideline.
The Impact of Exposure With No Training: Implications for Future Partner Training Research
Authors: Kagan Aura , Simmons-Mackie Nina , Victor J. Charles
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This research note reports on an unexpected negative finding related to behavior change in a controlled trial designed to test whether partner training improves the conversational skills of volunteers.

Method

The clinical trial involving training in “Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia” utilized a single-blind, randomized, controlled, pre–post design. Eighty participants making up 40 dyads of a volunteer conversation partner and an adult with aphasia were randomly allocated to either an experimental or control group of 20 dyads each. Descriptive statistics including exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the percentage of control group participants who got worse after exposure to individuals with aphasia.

Results

Positive outcomes of training in Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia for both the trained volunteers and their partners with aphasia were reported by Kagan, Black, Felson Duchan, Simmons-Mackie, and Square in 2001. However, post hoc data analysis revealed that almost one third of untrained control participants had a negative outcome rather than the anticipated neutral or slightly positive outcome.

Conclusions

If the results of this small study are in any way representative of what happens in real life, communication partner training in aphasia becomes even more important than indicated from the positive results of training studies. That is, it is possible that mere exposure to a communication disability such as aphasia could have negative impacts on communication and social interaction. This may be akin to what is known as a “nocebo” effect—something for partner training studies in aphasia to take into account.
Posterior Cramer‐Rao lower bound for wireless sensor localisation networks
Authors: Li Siming , Lv Jing , Tian Shiwei
Published: September 2018

A general closed expression of posterior Cramer‐Rao lower bound (PCRLB) for wireless sensor networks is derived and presented, based on Bayesian estimation and well suited to dynamic systems. The aim is to guide the localisation algorithm design and anchor layout fulfilling certain accuracy requirement. There is a growing need for wireless sensor systems to determine the position information indoors and in somewhere satellite positioning cannot provide service. PCRLB sets a fundamental lower limit to all kinds of localisation algorithms within consideration of dynamic state transition. This result shows that the theoretically best position solution can be obtained.
Dual‐scale weighted structural local sparse appearance model for object tracking
Authors: Zeng Xianyou , Xu Long , Cen Yigang , Zhao Ruizhen , Feng Wanli
Published: September 2018

It is a great challenge to develop an effective appearance model for robust visual tracking due to various interfering factors, such as pose change, occlusion, background clutter etc. More and more visual tracking methods tend to exploit the local appearance model to deal with the above challenges. In this study, the authors present a simple yet effective weighted structural local sparse appearance model, which can better describe the target appearance information through patch‐based generative weight. To further improve the robustness of tracking, they implement this appearance model on two‐scale patches. The two derived appearance models are then combined to form a collaborative model to play their advantages. Extensive experiments on the tracking benchmark dataset show that the proposed method performs favourably against several state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Image fusion method based on simultaneous sparse representation with non‐subsampled contourlet transform
Authors: He Guiqing , Xing Siyuan , He Xingjian , Wang Jun , Fan Jianping
Published: September 2018

The image fusion method based on sparse representation in the single‐scale image domain has produced better fusion results than the classic methods based on multi‐scale analysis nowadays. However, due to the limited number of dictionary atoms, it is difficult to provide an accurate description for image details in the sparse‐representation‐based image fusion methods, and it requires a lot of time. A novel dictionary is constructed with non‐subsampled contourlet transform and sparse representation by using the proposed simultaneous strategy. Then the novel dictionary could combine the sparsity attribute of the learning dictionary with a multi‐scale feature of non‐subsampled contourlet transform. Moreover, the simultaneous strategy is combined with this novel dictionary so that sparse coefficients can be represented with the same dictionary atoms and thus they can be compared in a reasonable and accurate way. Finally, the image fusion method along with this novel dictionary is proposed and named non‐subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT)–simultaneous sparse representation (SSR). Experimental results show that the proposed fusion method NSCT–SSR, with its more excellent fusion effect and better anti‐noise capability, outperforms the existing fusion methods, which are based on both multi‐scale domain and sparse representation in the single‐scale image domain.
Electrolytic colouring method for preparing robust coloured superhydrophobic surfaces with good corrosion resistance
Authors: Sun Jing , Wang Cong , Bu Fansong , Liu Jiyu , Wang Guansong , Huang Liu , Liu Xin
Published: September 2018

Achieving diverse colours in superhydrophobic surfaces is of interest in academic research and industrial applications. The current methods used to prepare coloured surfaces tend to be complicated, expensive or difficult to control the coloured areas and tune the colours. The study reports an efficient and low‐cost electrolytic colouring method for the preparation of robust coloured superhydrophobic Al surfaces. The surfaces are firstly electrochemically etched and anodised before electrolytic colouring is performed. Colours of the superhydrophobic surfaces can be easily tuned by adjusting the anodisation time, and the colouring areas can be well controlled with the combination of mask technology. The corrosion behaviour and abrasion resistance of the coloured superhydrophobic surfaces are characterised by polarisation curves and abrasion tests. The results demonstrate that the coloured superhydrophobic surfaces possess excellent corrosion and abrasion resistances, indicating their application potential in industrial fields.
Utilising graphene antidots for implementation of a broadband terahertz absorber
Authors: Jamalpoor Kamal , Zarifkar Abbas
Published: September 2018

In this work, a broadband absorber is designed for application in the terahertz region using graphene antidots array. The proposed absorber consists of an Au substrate, a polyethylene dielectric layer and a graphene sheet with antidot resonators. The geometrical dimensions of the antidot resonator and its array period, the graphene conductivity parameters and the dielectric layer height and refractive index are the parameters that determine the characteristics of the absorber such as bandwidth, centre frequency, the amount of the absorption and sensitivity to the incident wave incident angle and polarisation. The circuit theory and a broadband matching technique of the transmission lines are utilised in some steps of the design approach. Moreover, some rules of thumb are extracted for the absorber design in different frequencies. The designed absorber has a normalised bandwidth of 80% in the terahertz region, low sensitivity to incident angle and an absorption peak of 100%.