bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is moderate depression associated with sleep stage architecture in adolescence? Testing the stage type associations using network and transition probability approaches
Authors: Elovainio Marko , Lipsanen Jari , Halonen Risto , Kuula Liisa , Räikkönen Katri , Pesonen Anu-Katriina
Published: December 2019

Background

Depression even at the subclinical level is often accompanied by sleep disturbances, but little is known about the dynamics of the sleep stages in relation to depressive symptoms. We examined whether the amount, associations, and transition probabilities of various sleep stages were associated with depressive symptoms in a community sample of adolescents.

Methods

The participants (N = 172, 59% girls, mean age 16.9 years) underwent overnight polysomnography and provided data on depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory II). The association between depression status and total duration of each stage type was analyzed using ANOVA and survival analyses. The associations between the number of different sleep stage types were analyzed using graphical Gaussian models, mixed graphical models, and relative importance networks. A Markov chain algorithm was used to estimate the transition probabilities between each state and these probabilities were further compared between depression status groups.

Results

The associations between N1 and N3 were significantly stronger in both directions of the association (p-values for interactions 0.012 and 0.006) in those with more depressive symptoms. Similarly, a stronger association was observed from N1 to wake stage in those with more depressive symptoms (p-value for interaction 0.002). In those with more depressive symptoms, it was more likely to transition from N2 to N3 and from REM to N2 compared to others.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that changes in sleep architecture are not limited to clinical depression and that the transitional dynamics of sleep stages are an important marker of subclinical depression.
Birthright Englishes
Authors: Jenks Christopher J. , Lee Jerry Won
Published: December 2019

Hong Kong Englishes attract the interest of scholars in a number of disciplines, including creative writing, education, political science, and anthropology. The efforts made by sociolinguists, in particular, contribute much to an understanding of what the Englishes of Hong Kong look like, how it is used, and the ways in which speakers position their linguistic identities in relation to English. Such work builds on the foundation of historical and cultural descriptions of the region offered in Bolton's earlier seminal research (e.g., Bolton, 2000), which continues today to provide a lens through which to describe how Englishes are used in Hong Kong (e.g., Evans, 2017) and the extent to which the language shapes the ideologies of its community members (e.g., Jenks & Lee, 2016). Yet despite past and ongoing efforts to better understand the social and ideological complexities of using English in the region, there continues to be a generalizing perception within and beyond scholarship that Hongkongers wish to mimic the speech patterns of monolingual speakers of English from the United States, United Kingdom, and other ‘Inner Circle’ regions. While this characterization may capture some, or perhaps even a large portion of (cf. Qin, 2018), speakers in the region, recent scholarship suggests that the language ideologies of Hongkongers are not monolithic, and that care should be taken in describing the different speech communities that use English (cf. Jenks & Lee, 2016). In a recent study on ‘Kongish’, for example, Sewell and Chan (2016) argue that notions of English are connected to the multiple, and sometimes contradictory, linguistic identities expressed by speakers in Hong Kong.
Designing emotional BDI agents: good practices and open questions
Authors: Sánchez-López Yanet , Cerezo Eva
Published: December 2019

Intelligent agents built on the basis of the BDI (belief–desire–intention) architecture are known as BDI agents. Currently, due to the increasing importance given to the affective capacities, they have evolved giving way to the BDI emotional agents. These agents are generally characterized by affective states such as emotions, mood or personality but sometimes also by affective capacities such as empathy or emotional regulation. In the paper, a review of the most relevant proposals to include emotional aspects in the design of BDI agents is presented. Both BDI formalizations and BDI architecture extensions are covered. From the review, common findings and good practices modeling affect, empathy and regulatory capacities in BDI agents, are extracted. In spite of the great advance in the area several, open questions remain and are also discussed in the paper.
Varieties of political rhetorical reasoning: norm types, scorekeepers, and political projects
Authors: Sundaram Sasikumar S.
Published: December 2019

How does rhetoric work in the pursuit of political projects in international relations? This article analyzes how rhetoric-wielding political actors engage in reasoning to bolster their position by drawing upon norms that underwrite interactions, and audiences as scorekeepers evaluate the reasoning by making a series of inferences. I call this mechanism rhetorical reasoning. Building on the existing classification of norms in constructivist international relations (IR) and utilizing three distinct norm types – instrumental, institutional, and moral – I show the different processes through which political actors deploy rhetoric to legitimize and justify political projects and the distinct logics through which scorekeepers make inferences and evaluate the project. This article contributes to IR theories of argumentation by providing a sharp conceptualization of political rhetoric and actor–audience relationships in the game. I illustrate the mechanism of rhetorical reasoning using Brazil's UN peace enforcement operation in Haiti in 2004 to give empirical evidence for the role of institutional norm type in patterns of rhetorical reasoning and contestations in international politics. Paying attention to political rhetoric in the actor–scorekeepers' relationships in this way clarifies important issues regarding the varieties of political projects and the different role of normativity in the game.
Rapid PCR identification of Prevotella copri in an Australian cohort of pregnant women
Authors: Gray Lawrence , Hasebe Kyoko , O’Hely Martin , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Vuillermin Peter , Collier Fiona ,   the BIS Investigator Group
Published: December 2019

Gut bacteria from the genus Prevotella are found in high abundance in faeces of non-industrialised communities but low abundance in industrialised, Westernised communities. Prevotella copri is one of the principal Prevotella species within the human gut. As it has been associated with developmental health and disease states, we sought to (i) develop a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to rapidly determine P. copri abundance and (ii) investigate its abundance in a large group of Australian pregnant mothers.

The Barwon Infant Study is a pre-birth cohort study (n = 1074). Faecal samples were collected from mothers at 36 weeks gestation. Primers with a probe specific to the V3 region of P. copri 16S rRNA gene were designed and optimised for real-time PCR. Universal 16S rRNA gene primers amplified pan-bacterial DNA in parallel. Relative abundance of P. copri was calculated using a 2-ΔCt method.

Relative abundance of P. copri by PCR was observed in 165/605 (27.3%) women. The distribution was distinctly bimodal, defining women with substantial (n = 115/165, 69.7%) versus very low P. copri expression (n = 50/165, 30.3%). In addition, abundance of P. copri by PCR correlated with 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing data (r2 = 0.67, P < 0.0001, n = 61).

We have developed a rapid and cost-effective technique for identifying the relative abundance of P. copri using real-time PCR. The expression of P. copri was evident in only a quarter of the mothers, and either at substantial or very low levels. PCR detection of P. copri may facilitate assessment of this species in large, longitudinal studies across multiple populations and in various clinical settings.
Deutsche Übersetzung und Validierung des VMIQ-2 zur Erfassung der Lebhaftigkeit von Handlungsvorstellungen
Authors: Dahm Stephan F. , Bart Victoria K. E. , Pithan Jan M. , Rieger Martina
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Validierung einer deutschsprachigen Version des Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire 2 (VMIQ-2; Roberts, Callow, Hardy, Markland & Bringer, 2008 ). Der VMIQ-2 misst die Lebhaftigkeit von external visuellen, internal visuellen und kinästhetischen Handlungsvorstellungen. Die psychometrischen Eigenschaften der deutschen Übersetzung unterschieden sich nicht signifikant von denen der englischen Originalversion. Die dreidimensionale Struktur konnte mit konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalysen repliziert werden. Die Fit-Indizes waren akzeptabel, die interne Konsistenz gut und die Test-Retest-Reliabilität moderat. Die deutschsprachige Version des VMIQ-2 stellt somit ein valides Instrument zur Messung der Lebhaftigkeit von Handlungsvorstellungen dar.
Spatiotemporal Assessments on the Satellite‐Based Precipitation Products From Fengyun and GPM Over the Yunnan‐Kweichow Plateau, China
Authors: Lu Hanyu , Ding Leiding , Ma Ziqiang , Li Hongyi , Lu Tianjian , Su Manli , Xu Jintao
Published: December 2019

High‐quality precipitation data are vital for hydrological applications and climate change research. In this study, we evaluated two satellite‐based precipitation products from Chinese Fengyun (FY) 2G (G is one of the third batch of operational geostationary satellites in the Chinese FY‐2 series) and the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) against the rain gauge‐based precipitation data, respectively, over the Yunnan‐Kweichow Plateau, China, at different temporal scales (e.g., monthly, daily, and hourly). And the main findings of this study were as follows: (1) FY2G Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) and Integrated Multisatellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) shared similar spatial precipitation patterns with those of rain gauge data, while the FY2G QPE general underestimated the precipitation (bias, −30%–0%), and IMERG obviously overestimated the precipitation (bias, 0%–60%) at monthly scale over the Yunnan‐Kweichow Plateau; (2) the FY2G QPE correlated significantly better (Correlation coefficient, CC, ~0.80) than IMERG (CC ~0.20) against rain gauge data at daily scale, meanwhile, the average daily bias value of IMERG (~30%) was around 6 times larger than that of FY2G QPE (~5%); (3) The FY2G QPE (CC ~0.7, bias ~ − 8%, root‐mean‐square error ~2.0 mm/hr, mean absolute error ~ 0.6 mm/hr) also generally outperformed the IMERG (CC ~0.1, bias ~13%, root‐mean‐square error ~3.0 mm/hr, mean absolute error ~ 1.0 mm/hr), at hourly scale; (4) The FY2G QPE significantly underestimated the precipitation in the period between 16:00 and 20:00 with the probability of detection (POD) decreased from 0.8 to 0.5, while the IMERG significantly overestimated the precipitation in the period between 4:00 and 12:00, at diurnal scale; and (5) one of the reasons resulting the significant overestimations of IMERG might due to its weak abilities in detecting the precipitation events with POD ~0.2 and false alarm ratio (FAR) ~0.7 at diurnal scale, which performed worse than those of the FY2G QPE (POD ~0.8 and FAR ~0.4). These findings would provide valuable recommendations for using these satellite‐based precipitation products in various application fields, such as hydrology, agriculture, and meteorology over the YKP, and also for improving the algorithms of GPM.
Effects of Moisture Initialization on MJO and its Teleconnection Prediction in BCC Subseasonal Coupled Model
Authors: Wu Jie , Ren Hong‐Li , Lu Bo , Zhang Peiqun , Zhao Chongbo , Liu Xiangwen
Published: December 2019

It is well recognized that moisture is of great importance in the representation of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO). In this study, a moisture initialization scheme is developed using the Beijing Climate Center (BCC) subseasonal operational coupled model, and its effects on MJO predictions are investigated. Three sets of hindcast experiments are conducted: a reference experiment without moisture initialization (REF) and two sensitivity experiments with moderate and strong moisture nudging schemes. We show that the prediction skill of the real‐time multivariate MJO index is significantly improved in the two sensitivity experiments, where the skillful prediction can reach up to 20 days using the moderate nudging scheme. Larger improvements can be achieved when MJO was initiated from Phases 2–3 and 5–7 or during La Niña episodes, implying that the MJO prediction skill is more sensitive to moisture conditions in active convection regions and backgrounds. The moisture budget analysis indicated that the MJO prediction improvement using the moisture initialization schemes comes from the realistic representation of vertical moisture structure and vertical moisture advection to the east of the MJO convection in the planetary boundary layer. The improved MJO prediction is also demonstrated to enable a more reliable subseasonal prediction of extratropical circulation and precipitation through a more realistic description of MJO‐related teleconnections. In addition, the ensemble mean of the three schemes can extend the MJO prediction skill to more than 22 days, showing the potential benefits of ensemble prediction of multiinitialization schemes.
The Energy Budgets of Giant Impacts
Authors: Carter P. J. , Lock S. J. , Stewart S. T.
Published: December 2019

Giant impacts dominate the final stages of terrestrial planet formation and set the configuration and compositions of the final system of planets. A giant impact is believed to be responsible for the formation of Earth's Moon, but the specific impact parameters are under debate. Because the canonical Moon‐forming impact is the most intensely studied scenario, it is often considered the archetypal giant impact. However, a wide range of impacts with different outcomes are possible. Here we examine the total energy budgets of giant impacts that form Earth‐mass bodies and find that they differ substantially across the wide range of possible Moon‐forming events. We show that gravitational potential energy exchange is important, and we determine the regime in which potential energy has a significant effect on the collision outcome. Energy is deposited heterogeneously within the colliding planets, increasing their internal energies, and portions of each body attain sufficient entropy for vaporization. After gravitational re‐equilibration, post‐impact bodies are strongly thermally stratified, with varying amounts of vaporized and supercritical mantle. The canonical Moon‐forming impact is a relatively low‐energy event and should not be considered the archetype of accretionary giant impacts that form Earth‐mass planets. After a giant impact, bodies are significantly inflated in size compared to condensed planets of the same mass, and there are substantial differences in the magnitudes of their potential, kinetic, and internal energy components. As a result, the conditions for metal‐silicate equilibration and the subsequent evolution of the planet may vary widely between different impact scenarios.
Analysis of the Topographic Roughness of the Moon Using the Wavelet Leaders Method and the Lunar Digital Elevation Model From the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter and SELENE Terrain Camera
Authors: Lemelin M. , Daly M.G. , Deliège A.
Published: December 2019

Key Points

We study the global roughness at baselines between 330 m and 1,350 km and identify scale breaks near 1, 42, and 338 km

We analyze three scaling regimes 330–659 m, 1–21 km, and 42–169 km, which correspond to different impact, volcanic, and tectonic events

A local roughness analysis of complex craters, basins, rilles, and light plains shows the behavior of geologic units and sloped terrain
Can the Multiscale Modeling Framework (MMF) Simulate the MCS‐Associated Precipitation Over the Central United States?
Authors: Lin Guangxing , Fan Jiwen , Feng Zhe , Gustafson William I. , Ma Po‐Lun , Zhang Kai
Published: December 2019

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are a major source of precipitation in many regions of the world. Traditional global climate models (GCMs) do not have adequate parameterizations to represent MCSs. In contrast, the Multiscalex Modeling Framework (MMF), which explicitly resolves convection within the cloud‐resolving model embedded in each GCM column, has been shown to be a promising tool for simulating MCSs, particularly over the Tropics. In this work, we use ground‐based radar‐observed precipitation, North American Regional Reanalysis data, and a high‐resolution Weather Research and Forecasting simulation to evaluate in detail the MCS‐associated precipitation over the central United States predicted by a prototype MMF simulation that has a 2° host‐GCM grid. We show that the prototype MMF with nudged winds fails to capture the convective initiation in three out of four major MCS events during May 201x1 and underpredicts the precipitation rates for the remaining event, because the model cannot resolve the mesoscale drylines/fronts that are important drivers for initiating convection over the Southern Great Plains region. By reducing the host‐GCM grid spacing to 0.25° in the MMF and nudging the winds, the simulation is able to better capture the mesoscale dynamics, which drastically improves the model performance. We also show that the MMF model performs better than the traditional GCM in capturing the precipitation intensity. Our results suggest that increasing resolution plays a dominant role in improving the simulation of precipitation in the MMF, and the cloud‐resolving model embedded in each GCM column further helps to boost precipitation rate.
Application of Multifrequency Acoustic Inversions Using Three Horizontally Profiling ADCPs
Authors: Haught Dan , Venditti Jeremy G. , Wright Scott A.
Published: December 2019

An array of three horizontally mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) deployed in the Fraser River at Mission British Columbia was used to calculate suspended sediment concentration (M), mean grain size (Dg), and geometric standard deviation σg of the grain size distribution (GSD) using acoustic signal inversion. We examine two different multifrequency methods, an explicit and implicit inversion, by systematically allowing M, Dg, and GSD standard deviation (σg) to vary in the inversions. This is the first application of these methods to commercially produced ADCPs, and we further develop methods that use both viscous and scattering attenuation. We couple these inversions with bottle samples collected within the ensonified volume that were analyzed for suspended sediment concentration and GSD characteristics. Concentrations ranged from 20 to 350 mg/L with GSD characteristics dominated by silt to fine sand. We estimate the necessary calibration parameters needed for complete acoustic inversions and find that M and Dg are both dependent on the calibration constant, which could be a source of error in multifrequency inversions using uncalibrated ADCPs. Comparisons between the inversion results and samples show that the implicit method tends to perform best at all flows for estimating M while providing realistic estimates of grain size at high flows only. The explicit method performed well at high flows, but poorly at low flows, for M and Dg. Estimates of σg using both inversion methods indicate frequency dependence. We show that the daily averaged acoustically derived M and Dg capture the hysteretic nature of sediment transport in the Fraser River.
Synthesis and high-resolution structural and chemical analysis of iron-manganese-oxide core-shell nanocubes
Authors: Ullrich Aladin , Rahman Mohammad Mostafizar , Longo Paolo , Horn Siegfried
Published: December 2019

We have investigated the structure and chemical composition of nanoparticles synthesized by thermal decomposition of a mixture of iron oleate and manganese oleate in a high-boiling solvent in the presence of Na-oleate and oleic acid as surfactants by analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particles appear core-shell like in bright field TEM images. Higher spatial resolution TEM (HRTEM) analysis reveals a FeO/MnO like structure in the core and a spinel like structure in the shell. With high-resolution analytical methods like energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), the distribution of the metals Mn and Fe was investigated. Differences in the oxidation state of these metals were found between the core and the shell region. The presence of sodium from the used surfactant (Na-oleate) on the surface of the particles has been proved.
Biosynthesis of heme O in intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum and potential inhibitors of this pathway
Authors: Simão-Gurge Raquel M. , Wunderlich Gerhard , Cricco Julia A. , Cubillos Eliana F. Galindo , Doménech-Carbó Antonio , Cebrián-Torrejón Gerardo , Almeida Fernando G. , Cirulli Brenda A. , Katzin Alejandro M.
Published: December 2019

A number of antimalarial drugs interfere with the electron transport chain and heme-related reactions; however, the biosynthesis of heme derivatives in Plasmodium parasites has not been fully elucidated. Here, we characterized the steps that lead to the farnesylation of heme. After the identification of a gene encoding heme O synthase, we identified heme O synthesis in blood stage parasites through the incorporation of radioactive precursors. The presence of heme O synthesis in intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Inabenfide and uniconazole–P appeared to interfere in heme synthesis, accordingly, parasite growth was also affected by the addition of these drugs. We conclude that heme O synthesis occurs in blood stage-P. falciparum and this pathway could be a potential target for antimalarial drugs.
Plant virome reconstruction and antiviral RNAi characterization by deep sequencing of small RNAs from dried leaves
Authors: Golyaev Victor , Candresse Thierry , Rabenstein Frank , Pooggin Mikhail M.
Published: December 2019

In plants, RNA interference (RNAi) generates small interfering (si)RNAs from entire genomes of viruses, satellites and viroids. Therefore, deep small (s)RNA sequencing is a universal approach for virome reconstruction and RNAi characterization. We tested this approach on dried barley leaves from field surveys. Illumina sequencing of sRNAs from 2 plant samples identified in both plants Hordeum vulgare endornavirus (HvEV) and barley yellow mosaic bymovirus (BaYMV) and, additionally in one plant, a novel strain of Japanese soil-borne wheat mosaic furovirus (JSBWMV). De novo and reference-based sRNA assembly yielded complete or near-complete genomic RNAs of these viruses. While plant sRNAs showed broad size distribution, viral sRNAs were predominantly 21 and 22 nucleotides long with 5′-terminal uridine or adenine, and were derived from both genomic strands. These bona fide siRNAs are presumably processed from double-stranded RNA precursors by Dicer-like (DCL) 4 and DCL2, respectively, and associated with Argonaute 1 and 2 proteins. For BaYMV (but not HvEV, or JSBWMV), 24-nucleotide sRNAs represented the third most abundant class, suggesting DCL3 contribution to anti-bymovirus defence. Thus, viral siRNAs are well preserved in dried leaf tissues and not contaminated by non-RNAi degradation products, enabling both complete virome reconstruction and inference of RNAi components mediating antiviral defense.
Conformational transitions induced by γ-amino butyrate binding in GabR, a bacterial transcriptional regulator
Authors: Frezzini Mario , Guidoni Leonardo , Pascarella Stefano
Published: December 2019

GabR from Bacillus subtilis is a transcriptional regulator of the MocR subfamily of GntR regulators. The MocR architecture is characterized by the presence of an N-terminal winged-Helix-Turn-Helix domain and a C-terminal domain folded as the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) dependent aspartate aminotransferase (AAT). The two domains are linked by a peptide bridge. GabR activates transcription of genes involved in γ-amino butyrate (GABA) degradation upon binding of PLP and GABA. This work is aimed at contributing to the understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the GabR transcription activation upon GABA binding. To this purpose, the structure of the entire GabR dimer with GABA external aldimine (holo-GABA) has been reconstructed using available crystallographic data. The structure of the apo (without any ligand) and holo (with PLP) GabR forms have been derived from the holo-GABA. An extensive 1 μs comparative molecular dynamics (MD) has been applied to the three forms. Results showed that the presence of GABA external aldimine stiffens the GabR, stabilizes the AAT domain in the closed form and couples the AAT and HTH domains dynamics. Apo and holo GabR appear more flexible especially at the level of the HTH and linker portions and small AAT subdomain.
Prognostic model and optimal treatment for patients with stage IVc nasopharyngeal carcinoma at diagnosis
Authors: Tian Yun-ming , Huang Wei-zeng , Lan Yu-hong , Zhao Chong , Bai Li , Han Fei
Published: December 2019

The treatment for patients with stage IVc nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at diagnosis was still controversial. In this study, we tried to build a prognostic score model and optimize the treatment for the patients. The prognostic model was based on the primary cohort involving 289 patients from 2002 to 2011 and the validation involving another 156 patients from 2012 to 2015.The prognostic model was built based on the hazard ratios of significant prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). By multivariate analysis, factors associated with poor OS were Karnofsky performance score ≤70, liver metastases, multiple-organ metastases, ≥2 metastatic lesions, lactate dehydrogenase >245 IU/I and poor response to chemotherapy (all P < 0.01). Based on these prognostic factors, patients were divided into the low-risk (0–2 points), intermediate-risk (3–6 points) and high-risk (≥7 points) groups. Five-year OS rates for the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups were 49.3%, 9.7% and 0.0%, respectively (P < 0.01). Furthermore, loco-regional radiotherapy was associated with significantly better OS in low- and intermediate-risk patients, but not in high-risk patients. These results demonstrated that the prognostic score model based on six negative factors can effectively predict OS in patients with stage IVc NPC at diagnosis. Loco-regional radiotherapy may be beneficial for low- and intermediate-risk patients, but not for high-risk patients.
A facile non-solvent induced phase separation process for preparation of highly porous polybenzimidazole separator for lithium metal battery application
Authors: Wang Jiaying , He Yang , Wu Quan , Zhang Yunfeng , Li Zhiyuan , Liu Zhihong , Huo Shikang , Dong Jiaming , Zeng Danli , Cheng Hansong
Published: December 2019

The drawbacks of low porosity, inferior electrolyte wettability, low thermal dimensional stability and permissive lithium dendrite growth of the conventional microporous polyolefin-based separators hinder their widely application in the high power density and safe Lithium ion batteries. Herein, highly porous polybenzimidazole-based separator is prepared by a facile non-solvent induced phase separation process (NIPS) using water, ethanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate as the coagulation bath solvent, respectively. It was found that the ethanol is suitable to fabricate uniform morphology macroporous separator with the porosity of 92%, electrolyte uptake of 594 wt.%, and strong mechanical strength of 15.9 MPa. In addition, the experimental tests (electrochemical analysis and XPS test) and density functional theory calculation suggest that the electron-rich imidazole ring of polybenzimidazle can enhance Li+ mobility electrostatic attraction interaction while the block the PF6− mobility via electrostatic repulsion interaction. Therefore, high Li+ transference number of 0.76 was obtained for the neat polybenzimidazole-based polymer electrolyte. As a proof of concept, the Li/LiFePO4 cell with the polybenzimidazole-based polymer electrolyte/1.0 M LiPF6− ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (v:v = 1:1) electrolyte exhibits excellent rate capability of >100 mAh g−1 at 6 C (1 C = 170 mA g−1) and superior cycle stability of 1000 cycles.
Global metabolomics analysis of serum from humans at risk of thrombotic stroke
Authors: Khan Adnan , Shin Mal-Soon , Jee Sun Ha , Park Youngja H.
Published: December 2019

We aimed to determine the serum concentrations of altered compounds to understand the changes in metabolism and pathophysiology that occur prior to thrombotic stroke.
Ligand-protected atomically precise gold nanoclusters as model catalysts for oxidation reactions
Authors: Tian Shubo , Cao Yitao , Chen Tiankai , Zang Shuangquan , Xie Jianping
Published: December 2019

This feature article provides a systematic overview and outlook on the oxidation reactions catalyzed by gold nanoclusters.
Twenty-five years of bis-pentafluorophenyl borane: a versatile reagent for catalyst and materials synthesis
Authors: Patrick Evan A. , Piers Warren E.
Published: December 2019

Highlights of the extensive chemistry and applications of bis-pentafluorophenyl borane (“Piers’ borane”) from the 25 years since its first appearance are featured.
A rhodium(ii) catalysed domino synthesis of azepino fused diindoles from isatin tetheredN-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and indoles
Authors: Kahar Nilesh , Jadhav Pankaj , Reddy R. V. Ramana , Dawande Sudam
Published: December 2019

We report a convenient domino synthesis of a novel class of azepino fused diindoles from isatin tetheredN-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and indoles through Rh(ii) catalysis.
Metal-free C–C, C–O, C–S and C–N bond formation enabled by SBA-15 supported TFMSA
Authors: Yi Xiangyan , Feng Jiajun , Huang Fei , Baell Jonathan Bayldon
Published: December 2019

The intermolecular C–C, C–O, C–S and C–N bonds construction between diazo compounds and acyclic, cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, thiophenol, alkynes were developed by using a TFMSA@SBA-15, providing a metal-free and eco-friendly platform.
In situ formation of nitrogen-doped carbon-wrapped Co3O4 enabling highly efficient and stable catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol
Authors: Huang Lu , Zhang Hang , He Zhiqiao , Chen Jianmeng , Song Shuang
Published: December 2019

CNx@Co3O4 exhibits the highest activity reported to date for Co-based catalysts in the reduction of PNP to PAP with NaBH4.
Palladium(ii)-catalyzed vinylic geminal double C–H activation and alkyne annulation reaction: synthesis of pentafulvenes
Authors: Phukon Jyotshna , Gogoi Sanjib
Published: December 2019

Synthesis of pentafulvenes is reported via vinylic geminal double C(sp2)–H activation and alkyne annulation reaction.
A series of anionic MOFs with cluster-based, pillared-layer and rod-spacer motifs: near-sunlight white-light emission and selective dye capture
Authors: Wang Ce , Yin Zheng , Cheng Zhao , Ma Wei-Min , Li Xi-Yao , Hu Xiao-Ting , Shi Rong , Chen Ao-Wei , Ma Yang-Min
Published: December 2019

A series of anionic MOFs with cluster-based, pillared-layer and rod-spacer motifs were constructed. Interesting structure features, near-sunlight white-light emission and selective dye capture were found.
Probing the electronic structure of ether functionalised ionic liquids using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Dick Ejike J. , Fouda Adam E. A. , Besley Nicholas A. , Licence Peter
Published: December 2019

The charge distribution associated with individual components in functionalised ionic liquids (ILs) can be tuned by careful manipulation of the substituent groups incorporated into the ions.
Impact of hydrogen dopant incorporation on InGaZnO, ZnO and In2O3 thin film transistors
Authors: Wang Huiru , He Jiawei , Xu Yongye , André Nicolas , Zeng Yun , Flandre Denis , Liao Lei , Li Guoli
Published: December 2019

Hydrogen (H) dopants’ role and active defects inside n-type metal oxide semiconductors (MOXs) are comprehensively studied via continuous H plasma treatment.
The wetting characteristics of aluminum droplets on rough surfaces with molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Guan Chaohong , Lv Xiaojun , Han Zexun , Chen Chang
Published: December 2019

Al wetting on rough AC and graphite surfaces.
The unique features and promises of phthalocyanines as advanced photosensitisers for photodynamic therapy of cancer
Authors: Lo Pui-Chi , Rodríguez-Morgade M. Salomé , Pandey Ravindra K. , Ng Dennis K. P. , Torres Tomás , Dumoulin Fabienne
Published: December 2019

Due to their photoproperties and easy chemical functionalisations, phthalocyanines are amongst the most promising advanced photosensitisers for photodynamic therapy of cancer.
One-pot direct conversion of levulinic acid into high-yield valeric acid over a highly stable bimetallic Nb-Cu/Zr-doped porous silica catalyst
Authors: Karanwal Neha , Verma Deepak , Butolia Paresh , Kim Seung Min , Kim Jaehoon
Published: December 2019

The direct conversion of levulinic acid (LA) to valeric biofuel over highly-stable, non-noble metal catalyst is highly promising for the development of biorefineries.
A polyamine dendritic polymer–copper complex: a reusable catalyst for the additive-free amination of aryl bromides, and iodides
Authors: G. Avudaiappan , M. R. Palmurukan , V. Unnikrishnan , K. Sreekumar
Published: December 2019

Additive-free synthesis of aryl amines from aryl halides using a reusable water-soluble porphyrin-cored amine-functionalized dendritic polymer copper complex (PPECH–Amine–Cu) catalyst in aqueous media.
Auto-cleaning functionalization of the polyvinylidene fluoride membrane by the biocidal oxine/TiO2nanocomposite for anti-biofouling properties
Authors: Manoharan Ranjith Kumar , Ayyaru Sivasankaran , Ahn Young-Ho
Published: December 2019

The commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer was modified with TiO2nanoparticle-doped oxine to develop an auto-cleaning functionalized hybrid membrane with a long lasting antibiofilm effect.
Green synthesis of a novel water-stable Sn(ii)-TMA metal–organic framework (MOF): an efficient adsorbent for fluoride in aqueous medium in a wide pH range
Authors: Ghosh Arnab , Das Gopal
Published: December 2019

An Sn(ii)-TMA MOF displaying positive zeta potential over a broad pH range (3–10) for selective fluoride adsorption from aqueous medium.
Engineering of industrially important microorganisms for assimilation of cellulosic biomass: towards consolidated bioprocessing
Authors: Valenzuela-Ortega Marcos , French Christopher E.
Published: December 2019

Conversion of cellulosic biomass (non-edible plant material) to products such as chemical feedstocks and liquid fuels is a major goal of industrial biotechnology and an essential component of plans to move from an economy based on fossil carbon to one based on renewable materials. Many microorganisms can effectively degrade cellulosic biomass, but attempts to engineer this ability into industrially useful strains have met with limited success, suggesting an incomplete understanding of the process. The recent discovery and continuing study of enzymes involved in oxidative depolymerisation, as well as more detailed study of natural cellulose degradation processes, may offer a way forward.
Repetitive Negative Thinking, Temperament, and Adverse Impact in Adults Who Stutter
Authors: Tichenor Seth , Yaruss J. Scott
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Prior research has explored how repetitive negative thinking (RNT) contributes to both the increased persistence and severity of various disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. This study explored the potential role of RNT in the experience of stuttering, with a particular focus on the relationship between RNT, adverse impact, and certain temperament profiles.

Method

Three hundred thirteen adults who stutter completed a measurement of the frequency/severity of RNT (Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire;
Ehring et al., 2011
), 207 completed a temperament profile (Adult Temperament Questionnaire;
Evans & Rothbart, 2007
), and 205 completed a measurement of adverse stuttering impact (Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering;
Yaruss & Quesal, 2016
). Analyses were conducted within and across instruments to ascertain how RNT, temperament markers, and adverse impact interrelate within individuals.

Results

Results indicated that RNT significantly predicts Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering impact scores with great effect and that certain temperament markers (specifically, Effortful Control and Negative Affectivity) moderate this relationship for specific sections of the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering.

Conclusion

By assessing RNT in people who stutter, clinicians can better understand individual differences in their clients, and this will allow them to make targeted diagnoses and develop more tailored intervention plans.
Quantity traceability of falling weight deflectometer
Authors: Miao Na , Wang Yixu , Peng Lu , Liu Lu , Lei Liwei
Published: December 2019

Falling weight deflectometer (FWD) is widely used in traffic transport industry. In order to solve the traceability of FWD, the definition of deflection was studied, the use and measurement of FWD was thoroughly analysed, and the measurement parameters were determined. Calibration device, standard foundation, and experimental environmental conditions of FWD was set up. The measurement uncertainty of the calibration equipment has been analysed. Through the test of the typical FWD, the performance of the calibration equipment is tested. Through the establishment of the traceability chain of ‘ Absolute normal low frequency vibration standard device‐FWD calibration equipment‐FWD’, it can meet the calibration/verification requirements of FWD.
Analysis of dynamic characteristics of five‐axis CNC machine tool
Authors: Wang Sicheng , Wang Hongjun , Han Qiushi , Gao Yangjie , Ge Lun
Published: December 2019

CNC machine tools play important role in industries. The dynamic characteristics of the machine tools are the main factor which affected the status of a machine tools. A three‐dimensional model of a five‐axis CNC machine tool was built by using PRO/E. First, the model was imported into ANSYS software in order to analyse the dynamic characteristics of the machine tool; the first six natural frequencies and vibration modes of the machine tool were obtained through modal analysis and harmonic response analysis. The accuracy of the finite element analysis model was verified through the experimental results. Finally, the optimisation suggestions of the machine tool structure were proposed.
Tool wear status recognition based on Mahalanobis distance
Authors: He Yiqian , Huang Min , Sun Weiwei
Published: December 2019

To improve the reliability of current signal monitoring tool wear status, a method based on Mahalanobis distance to identify tool wear status is proposed. First, the obtained current signal is analysed in time domain, frequency domain and wavelet domain, and several features that have good correlation with tool wear status are selected to form the feature vector. The feature vector of the current signal in normal tool wear status is taken as the reference vector. Then calculate the Mahalanobis distance value of the feature vectors of the current signal of the tool with moderate wear and severe wear, so that two corresponding thresholds T 1 and T 2 can be obtained. The feature vector of an unknown wear status is calculated using the Mahalanobis distance and then compared with the two thresholds obtained previously. When the calculated value is between threshold T 1 and T 2, the tool is judged to be in moderate wear status. When its Mahalanobis distance value is greater than the threshold T 2, it is judged that the tool has been seriously worn. Finally, multiple unknown wear status is identified. It is believed that the recognition method based on Mahalanobis distance can accurately determine the tool wear status.
Research on dual‐mode switching fuzzy PID servo algorithm based on micro‐linear motor
Authors: Sun Hongchang , Ma Ruijun , Deng Sangpeng , Li Lina , Zhang Jian , Qi Yuming , Feng Yu , Zhang Tianjiang
Published: December 2019

Micro‐linear motor, is the key feed components which is based on macro–micro‐motion control technology, the accuracy of its movement directly determines the accuracy of ultra‐precision machining level. Based on the study of the open servo characteristics of POWER program multiple axis controller (PMAC), a fuzzy proportional integral derivative (PID) composite control technology is applied to the servo control of the motor. The fuzzy control is used to improve the response speed and dynamic performance of the system, and the precise PID control is used to realise the precise position control. In this study, based on the analysis of linear motor installation and load characteristics, the use of smooth switching fuzzy PID composite control algorithm is applied to the micro‐feed motor control. Due to the introduction of the smoothing weighting function, the composite fuzzy PID servo control mode of dual mode switching is implemented without disturbance switching. Finally, the effect of the control algorithm is verified by experiments, especially in the case of small errors, this algorithm still reflects the ability to adapt to the impact of interference.
Shadowing and multiple rings in the protoplanetary disk of HD 139614
Authors: Muro-Arena G. A. , Benisty M. , Ginski C. , Dominik C. , Facchini S. , Villenave M. , van Boekel R. , Chauvin G. , Garufi A. , Henning T. , Janson M. , Keppler M. , Matter A. , Ménard F. , Stolker T. , Zurlo A. , Blanchard P. , Maurel D. , Moeller-Nilsson O. , Petit C. , Roux A. , Sevin A. , Wildi F.
Published: December 2019

Context. Shadows in scattered light images of protoplanetary disks are a common feature and support the presence of warps or misalignments between disk regions. These warps are possibly caused by an inclined (sub-)stellar companion embedded in the disk.

Aims. We aim to study the morphology of the protoplanetary disk around the Herbig Ae star HD 139614 based on the first scattered light observations of this disk, which we model with the radiative transfer code MCMax3D.

Methods. We obtained J- and H-band observations that show strong azimuthal asymmetries in polarized scattered light with VLT/SPHERE. In the outer disk, beyond ~30 au, a broad shadow spans a range of ~240 deg in position angle, in the east. A bright ring at ~16 au also shows an azimuthally asymmetric brightness, with the faintest side roughly coincidental with the brightest region of the outer disk. Additionally, two arcs are detected at ~34 and ~50 au. We created a simple four-zone approximation to a warped disk model of HD 139614 in order to qualitatively reproduce these features. The location and misalignment of the disk components were constrained from the shape and location of the shadows they cast.

Results. We find that the shadow on the outer disk covers a range of position angles too wide to be explained by a single inner misaligned component. Our model requires a minimum of two separate misaligned zones – or a continuously warped region – to cast this broad shadow on the outer disk. A small misalignment of ~4° between adjacent components can reproduce most of the observed shadow features.

Conclusions. Multiple misaligned disk zones, potentially mimicking a warp, can explain the observed broad shadows in the HD 139614 disk. A planetary mass companion in the disk, located on an inclined orbit, could be responsible for such a feature and for the dust-depleted gap responsible for a dip in the SED.
A simplified monitoring model for PMSM servoactuator prognostics
Authors: Berri Pier Carlo , Dalla Vedova Matteo D.L. , Maggiore Paolo , Viglione Francesco
Published: December 2019

Electromechanical actuators (EMAs) based on Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSMs) are currently employed on various aircraft systems, and are becoming more and more widespread in safety critical applications. Compared to other electrical machines, PMSM offer a high power to weight ratio and low cogging: this makes them suited for position control and actuation tasks. EMAs offer several advantages over hydraulic servoactuators, in terms of modularity, mechanical simplicity, overall weight and fuel efficiency. At the same time, their basic reliability is inherently lower compared to hydraulic actuators. Then, the use of EMAs for safety critical aircraft systems requires the adoption of risk mitigation techniques to counter this issue. In this framework, diagnostic and prognostic strategies can be used for the system health management, to monitor its behaviour in search of the early signs of the most common or dangerous failure modes. We propose a low fidelity model of a PMSM based EMA, intended for model-based diagnostic and prognostic monitoring. The model features low computational cost, allowing the execution in nearly real-time, combined with suitable accuracy in the simulation of faulty system operations. This simplified emulator is validated by comparing its behaviour to a higher fidelity model, employed as a simulated test bench.
Methodology for Analyzing Competing Options for Air Management Systems at the Stage of Conceptual Design of Civil Aircraft's Complex of Onboard Systems
Authors: Savelev Roman , Smagin Denis , Zyazeva Tatiana
Published: December 2019

Analysis of competing options for the implementation of the system is a key task at the stage of conceptual design of aviation air conditioning systems as these systems have a great impact on the fuel efficiency of the entire aircraft. The decision about choice of competing options regarding not only the appearance of the system, but also a lot of different parameters including technical, technological and so on. In case of conceptual design missing parameters for a complex criterion can be replaced by an alternative risk level estimate. This article shows an example how to compare competing variants of the air management system at the stage of conceptual design and provides a methodology for selecting the key parameters of the comparison criterion. As a result, it is shown that vapor cycle cooling is more promising due to the wide possibilities of reducing the mass of components and increasing the overall cooling efficiency. For the air cycle, most of the possible solutions to increase efficiency have already been implemented now.
Automating Loading and Locking of New Generation Air-cargo Containers
Authors: Bolanakis Georgios , Machairas Konstantinos , Koutsoukis Konstantinos , Mastrogeorgiou Athanasios , Loupis Michael , Papadopoulos Evangelos
Published: December 2019

In this paper, an outline of NTUA’s work in the framework of project INTELLICONT is presented. We describe the current state of the air-cargo handling procedures and how the autonomous system that is under development is going to simplify these and increase the overall efficiency. Important issues and challenges regarding the system's development are discussed and a preliminary design of the novel robotic platform is given. The main tasks of this platform include the autonomous motion and locking of containers with mass exceeding one tone, avoiding at the same time obstacles and surpassing terrain discontinuities. Information regarding the selected actuators and other key electrical components, such as motor drivers and sensors are provided also. The architecture of the embedded system and the specifications of the selected Central Control Unit are described, as well as the integration of the motor drivers, sensors and other peripherals with the Robot Operating System (ROS). Further details on the development of a high accuracy localization system, which is mandatory to lock the container safely to the corresponding positions are provided also. In addition, we give details regarding the locking mechanism with integrated monitoring functionalities, an important part of the system. Simulation experiments validate the selected position controller and key system specifications are highlighted based on results. Finally, recent prototype experiments conducted to verify the localization system are presented.