bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetotaxis Enables Magnetotactic Bacteria to Navigate in Flow
Authors: Rismani Yazdi Saeed , Nosrati Reza , Stevens Corey A. , Vogel David , Davies Peter L. , Escobedo Carlos
Published: December 2017

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) play an important role in Earth's biogeochemical cycles by transporting minerals in aquatic ecosystems, and have shown promise for controlled transport of microscale objects in flow conditions. However, how MTB traverse complex flow environments is not clear. Here, using microfluidics and high‐speed imaging, it is revealed that magnetotaxis enables directed motion of Magnetospirillum magneticum over long distances in flow velocities ranging from 2 to 1260 µm s−1, corresponding to shear rates ranging from 0.2 to 142 s−1—a range relevant to both aquatic environments and biomedical applications. The ability of MTB to overcome a current is influenced by the flow, the magnetic field, and their relative orientation. MTB can overcome 2.3‐fold higher flow velocities when directed to swim perpendicular to the flow as compared to upstream, as the latter orientation induces higher drag. The results indicate a threshold drag of 9.5 pN, corresponding to a flow velocity of 550 µm s−1, where magnetotaxis enables MTB to overcome counterdirectional flow. These findings bring new insights into the interactions of MTB with complex flow environments relevant to aquatic ecosystems, while suggesting opportunities for in vivo applications of MTB in microbiorobotics and targeted drug delivery.
Recent Progress of Textile‐Based Wearable Electronics: A Comprehensive Review of Materials, Devices, and Applications
Authors: Heo Jae Sang , Eom Jimi , Kim Yong‐Hoon , Park Sung Kyu
Published: December 2017

Wearable electronics are emerging as a platform for next‐generation, human‐friendly, electronic devices. A new class of devices with various functionality and amenability for the human body is essential. These new conceptual devices are likely to be a set of various functional devices such as displays, sensors, batteries, etc., which have quite different working conditions, on or in the human body. In these aspects, electronic textiles seem to be a highly suitable possibility, due to the unique characteristics of textiles such as being light weight and flexible and their inherent warmth and the property to conform. Therefore, e‐textiles have evolved into fiber‐based electronic apparel or body attachable types in order to foster significant industrialization of the key components with adaptable formats. Although the advances are noteworthy, their electrical performance and device features are still unsatisfactory for consumer level e‐textile systems. To solve these issues, innovative structural and material designs, and novel processing technologies have been introduced into e‐textile systems. Recently reported and significantly developed functional materials and devices are summarized, including their enhanced optoelectrical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the remaining challenges are discussed, and effective strategies to facilitate the full realization of e‐textile systems are suggested.
Enhanced Performance of MoS2 Photodetectors by Inserting an ALD‐Processed TiO2 Interlayer
Authors: Pak Yusin , Park Woojin , Mitra Somak , Sasikala Devi Assa Aravindh , Loganathan Kalaivanan , Kumaresan Yogeenth , Kim Yonghun , Cho Byungjin , Jung Gun‐Young , Hussain Muhammad M. , Roqan Iman S.
Published: December 2017

2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) possesses excellent optoelectronic properties that make it a promising candidate for use in high‐performance photodetectors. Yet, to meet the growing demand for practical and reliable MoS2 photodetectors, the critical issue of defect introduction to the interface between the exfoliated MoS2 and the electrode metal during fabrication must be addressed, because defects deteriorate the device performance. To achieve this objective, the use of an atomic layer‐deposited TiO2 interlayer (between exfoliated MoS2 and electrode) is reported in this work, for the first time, to enhance the performance of MoS2 photodetectors. The TiO2 interlayer is inserted through 20 atomic layer deposition cycles before depositing the electrode metal on MoS2/SiO2 substrate, leading to significantly enhanced photoresponsivity and response speed. These results pave the way for practical applications and provide a novel direction for optimizing the interlayer material.
A Lithium–Air Battery Stably Working at High Temperature with High Rate Performance
Authors: Pan Jian , Li Houpu , Sun Hao , Zhang Ye , Wang Lie , Liao Meng , Sun Xuemei , Peng Huisheng
Published: December 2017

Driven by the increasing requirements for energy supply in both modern life and the automobile industry, the lithium–air battery serves as a promising candidate due to its high energy density. However, organic solvents in electrolytes are likely to rapidly vaporize and form flammable gases under increasing temperatures. In this case, serious safety problems may occur and cause great harm to people. Therefore, a kind of lithium–air that can work stably under high temperature is desirable. Herein, through the use of an ionic liquid and aligned carbon nanotubes, and a fiber shaped design, a new type of lithium–air battery that can effectively work at high temperatures up to 140 °C is developed. Ionic liquids can offer wide electrochemical windows and low vapor pressures, as well as provide high thermal stability for lithium–air batteries. The aligned carbon nanotubes have good electric and heat conductivity. Meanwhile, the fiber format can offer both flexibility and weavability, and realize rapid heat conduction and uniform heat distribution of the battery. In addition, the high temperature has also largely improved the specific powers by increasing the ionic conductivity and catalytic activity of the cathode. Consequently, the lithium–air battery can work stably at 140 °C with a high specific current of 10 A g‐1 for 380 cycles, indicating high stability and good rate performance at high temperatures. This work may provide an effective paradigm for the development of high‐performance energy storage devices.
Inorganic Hole‐Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Ze , Sun Licheng
Published: December 2017

In the last few years, inorganic–organic metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted a great deal of attention as a promising next‐generation solar‐cell technology because of their high efficiencies and low production cost. Hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) play an essential role in effective charge extraction and thus in achieving high overall efficiency. Therefore, searching for an efficient, stable, and low‐cost HTM in PSCs has been one of the hottest research topics in this field. Inorganic p‐type semiconductors that possess several appealing characteristics, such as suitable energy levels, high hole mobility, and high chemical stability, as well as low production cost, etc., are promising HTM candidate materials in PSCs. Here, specific attention is paid to the recent progress in inorganic HTMs being explored for PSCs. A variety of methods developed for the fabrication of these inorganic HTMs are summarized in detail, together with their corresponding performance in PSCs. Finally, an outlook on further enhancements of highly efficient PSCs based on inorganic HTMs is presented.
Piracy, Imitation, and Optimal Copyright Policy
Authors: Randolph Beard T. , Ford George S. , Sorek Gilad , Spiwak Lawrence J.
Published: December 2017

This article presents a model of optimal copyright policy which incorporates several realistic features which have hitherto been largely ignored. First, although copyright is understood as a means of encouraging the creation of new works, the optimal number of such works is generally not considered. Second, copyright infringement encompasses two different activities subsumed under the same legal umbrella: One might either “pirate” (i.e., illegally copy) a work or one might create a “new” work which is a close imitation of an existing one. The mutual recognition of these two features leads to some surprising conclusions relevant to current debate over copyright reform. In particular, while strong piracy protection encourages overproduction of intellectual property, enhanced protection against imitation can mitigate the associated inefficiencies, benefitting society.
Predicting temporal violations for parallel business cloud workflows
Authors: Luo Haoyu , Liu Jin , Liu Xiao , Yang Yun
Published: December 2017

Workflow temporal violations, namely, intermediate workflow runtime delays, often occur and have a serious impact on the on‐time completion of massive concurrent requests. Therefore, accurate prediction of cloud workflow temporal violations is critical as its result can serve as an essential reference for temporal violation prevention and handling strategies. Conventional studies mainly focus on the time delays of a single workflow activity or a single workflow instance but overlook the propagation of time delays among them. This is a serious problem as time delays can propagate in cloud workflow system due to resource sharing and the dependencies among workflow activities. This paper first proposes a novel temporal violation transmission model inspired by an epidemic model to model the dynamics of time delay propagation. Afterward, a novel temporal violation prediction strategy is presented to estimate the number of temporal violations that may occur and determine the number of violations that must be handled to achieve the target service‐level agreement, namely, the on‐time completion rate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to predict cloud workflow temporal violations at the workflow build‐time stage by analyzing the propagation of temporal violations. Experimental results demonstrate that our strategy can make highly accurate predictions and is scalable for a large batch of parallel workflows running in the cloud.
Warm Stamping Technology of the Medium Manganese Steel
Authors: Wang Cunyu , Li Xiaodong , Han Shuo , Zhang Lei , Chang Ying , Cao Wenquan , Dong Han
Published: December 2017

A kind of hot stamping technology with lower heating temperature, as named as warm stamping, is proposed based on the medium manganese steel. The differences on the microstructure and mechanical properties among 22MnB5 steel, Al–Si coated 22MnB5 steel, and medium manganese steel are studied before and after hot/warm stamping process based on industrial trail. The results show that the tensile strength of 1500 MPa is obtained for medium manganese steel when the austenitizing temperature is only 800 °C, much lower than 950 °C for 22MnB5 steel. Finer microstructure of medium manganese steel is obtained by warm stamping and there is no surface decarburization under atmosphere environment. The total elongation of warm‐stamped medium manganese steel reaches 10%, which is higher than that of 7.5% for 22MnB5 steel. The excellent hardenability makes warm‐stamped medium manganese steel more suitable for the production of large‐size components with martensitic microstructure. The results of spot welding test between medium manganese steel and H340LAD + Z show that the welding performance meets the requirement of automobile plant.
Enhanced Impact Toughness of Heat Affected Zone in Gas Shield Arc Weld Joint of Low‐C Medium‐Mn High Strength Steel by Post‐Weld Heat Treatment
Authors: Qi Xiangyu , Du Linxiu , Hu Jun , Misra R. Devesh Kumar
Published: December 2017

In the present study, two different post weld heat treatments (PWHT) are carried out on gas shield arc welded low‐C medium‐Mn high strength steel to explore the effect of PWHT on microstructure, microhardness, and low temperature toughness of heat affected zone (HAZ). The results show that when the weld joint is PWHT at 630 °C for 30 min, the microhardness of HAZ is homogeneous and almost identical to base metal (BM). The microstructure of HAZ comprises of tempered martensite and strip‐shaped reversed austenite. The impact energy of fusion line (FL), coarse‐grained HAZ (CGHAZ), and fine grained HAZ (FGHAZ) at −40 °C is enhanced by 29 J (from 42 to 71 J), 42 J (from 68 to 110 J), and 33 J (from 140 to 173 J), respectively, compared to the weld joint, which is PWHT at 200 °C for 120 min. The formation of reversed austenite with certain stability in the HAZ is the main toughening mechanism when the weld joint is PWHT at 630 °C. Reversed austenite enhances the impact energy significantly through the transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) effect, which releases the stress concentration, improves the crack initiation energy, and effectively prevents the propagation of cleavage crack.
Effect of Hydroxypropylation and Beta‐Amylase Treatment on Complexation of Debranched Starch With Naringenin
Authors: Gonzalez Ana , Wang Ya‐Jane , Staroszczyk Hanna , Brownmiller Cindi , Lee Sun‐Ok
Published: December 2017

Naringenin exhibits many health benefits but it has limited water solubility and consequently low bioavailability. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of hydroxypropylation and enzymatic treatments on starch complexation with naringenin. Potato starch and Hylon VII are hydroxypropylated to two substitution degrees and then debranched or debranched/β‐amylase treated prior to complexing with naringenin. Both soluble and insoluble complexes are recovered and characterized. An increase in hydroxypropylation level improves recovery of soluble complexes, while total recovery remains unchanged; the β‐amylase treatment further increases soluble complex recovery. For the same treatment, the naringenin content is greater in Hylon VII complexes (6.72–15.15 mg g−1) than in potato starch complexes (2.45–11.18 mg g−1). Insoluble complexes have greater naringenin contents (3.91–15.15 mg g−1) compared to their soluble counterparts (2.45–9.43 mg g−1). All complexes exhibit a mixture of B + V X‐ray diffraction pattern. This work is the first one to demonstrate that hydroxypropylated starch forms complexes with naringenin, and an appropriate level of beta‐amylase hydrolysis further improves their complexation.
Effect of Fat Type on Starch and Protein Digestibility of Traditional Tamales
Authors: Rodríguez‐Huezo María Eva , Flores‐Silva Pamela C. , Garcia‐Diaz Samuel , Meraz Mónica , Vernon‐Carter Eduardo Jaime , Alvarez‐Ramirez Jose
Published: December 2017

Tamales are Mexican traditional food consisting of a mixture of nixtamalized maize flour, fat, and water, kneaded into batter (masa). Energy consumed in excess of an individuaĺs requirements can contribute to the development of overweight and obesity, and to the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. There is a drive to improve the “healthiness” of traditional foods such as tamales. In turn, this motivates the need of evaluating the physicochemical transformations occurring during tamales preparation. This work studies the effect of using pork lard (AF) and hydrogenated vegetable shortening (VF) on the physicochemical properties and digestibility of tamales, as both type of fats are used in artisanal and mechanized production. VF imparts better viscoelastic properties to masa and better textural properties to tamales than AF. Both types of fat participate in the formation of amylose‐lipid inclusion complexes, but higher resistant starch (RS) contents occur with VF than for AF, and are reflected in lower digestibility rates. An increase in readily digestible starch fraction is also detected, and is of about 40% when using AF. Both fats negatively effect the digestibility of protein. The results show that the fat type determines the digestibility properties of tamales.
Long Noncoding RNA-1604 Orchestrates Neural Differentiation through the miR-200c/ZEB Axis
Authors: Weng Rong , Lu Chenqi , Liu Xiaoqin , Li Guoping , Lan Yuanyuan , Qiao Jing , Bai Mingliang , Wang Zhaojie , Guo Xudong , Ye Dan , Jiapaer Zeyidan , Yang Yiwei , Xia Chenliang , Wang Guiying , Kang Jiuhong
Published: December 2017

Clarifying the regulatory mechanisms of embryonic stem cell (ESC) neural differentiation is helpful not only for understanding neural development but also for obtaining high-quality neural progenitor cells required by stem cell therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we found that long noncoding RNA 1604 (lncRNA-1604) was highly expressed in cytoplasm during neural differentiation, and knockdown of lncRNA-1604 significantly repressed neural differentiation of mouse ESCs both in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics prediction and mechanistic analysis revealed that lncRNA-1604 functioned as a novel competing endogenous RNA of miR-200c and regulated the core transcription factors ZEB1 and ZEB2 during neural differentiation. Furthermore, we also demonstrated the critical role of miR-200c and ZEB1/2 in mouse neural differentiation. Either introduction of miR-200c sponge or overexpression of ZEB1/2 significantly reversed the lncRNA-1604 knockdown-induced repression of mouse ESC neural differentiation. Collectively, these findings not only identified a previously unknown role of lncRNA-1604 and ZEB1/2 but also elucidated a new regulatory lncRNA-1604/miR-200c/ZEB axis in neural differentiation.
Qualitative methods for engineering systems: Why we need them and how to use them
Authors: Szajnfarber Zoe , Gralla Erica
Published: December 2017

This paper discusses the role that qualitative methods can and should play in engineering systems research and lays out the process of doing good qualitative research. As engineering research increasingly focuses on sociotechnical systems, in which human behavior and organizational context play important roles in system behavior, there is an increasing need for the insights qualitative research can provide. This paper synthesizes the literature on qualitative methods and lessons from the authors’ experience employing qualitative methods to study a variety of engineering systems. We hope that by framing the key issues clearly, other engineers who hope to join the qualitative path will build on what we have learned so far to enable greater insight into engineering systems.
Numerical analysis and full‐scale experiment on K‐joint deformations in the crank arms of lattice transmission towers
Authors: Yang Fengli , Zhu Binrong , Li Zheng
Published: December 2017

After completion of the construction process including wire stringing of 1,000 kV ultrahigh voltage (UHV) cat‐head electric transmission towers, the outward horizontal K‐joint deformation of one side crank arm may usually exceed 70 mm. Joint slip effects were ignored in the initial structural design of transmission towers, which induced that the calculated K‐joint displacements are much lower and the real deformation cannot meet with the requirement of the acceptant code. First, the shortcomings of the traditional unit load method used to calculate the displacements of transmission towers connected by bolt joints were analyzed. Second, a coefficient for describing the axial force state of bolted joints was proposed. The connection numbers for different types of members in the crank arms of a UHV cat‐head transmission tower were determined. The traditional unit load method was enhanced by importing the force state coefficient and specifying the detailed connection numbers. The K‐joint displacements calculated by the enhanced formula were compared with the experimental results by full‐scale tower experiment. It shows that the enhanced unit load method is suitable for calculating K‐joint deformations in the crank arms of UHV cat‐head transmission towers. Lastly, contribution weight coefficients of different members for K‐joint displacements of the UHV cat‐head transmission tower were calculated by the enhanced unit load method. For bolt joints connected with the tower members with high contribution weight coefficients, the manufacturing accuracy of bolt holes should be improved, and the bolt clearance should be decreased, which can significantly reduce the K‐joint deformation of UHV cat‐head transmission towers.
Positioning as not‐understanding: The value of showing uncertainty for engaging in science
Authors: Watkins Jessica , Hammer David , Radoff Jennifer , Jaber Lama Z. , Phillips Anna M.
Published: December 2017

Not understanding is central to scientific work: what scientists do is learn about the natural world, which involves seeking out what they do not know. In classrooms, however, the position of not‐understanding is generally a liability; confusion is an unfortunate condition to resolve as quickly as possible, or to conceal. In this article, we argue that students' public displays of uncertainty or confusion can be pivotal contributions to the classroom dynamics in initiating and sustaining a class's science inquiry. We present this as a central finding from a cross‐case analysis of eight episodes of students' scientific engagement, drawing on literature onframingto show how participants positioned themselves as not‐understanding and how that was consequential for the class's scientific engagement. We show how participants enacted this positioning by asking questions or expressing uncertainty around a phenomenon or model. We then analyze how participants' displays of not‐understanding shaped the conceptual, epistemic, and social aspects of classroom activity. We present two cases in detail: one in which a student's positioning helped initiate the class's scientific engagement and another in which it helped sustain it. We argue that this work motivates considering how to help students learn to embrace and value the role of expressing one's confusion in science.
Scaffolding to make translanguaging a classroom norm
Authors: Daniel Shannon M. , Jiménez Robert T. , Pray Lisa , Pacheco Mark B.
Published: December 2017

To optimize translanguaging pedagogies, particularly in English‐only environments, teachers need to scaffold translanguaging activities and help students recognize that translanguaging can benefit their learning in school. Consistent and well‐designed scaffolding can help classroom communities view translanguaging as a norm. In this article, the authors offer this argument along with some examples of how elementary teachers designed and implemented scaffolding for translanguaging as part of a teacher–researcher partnership. Scaffolding examples are shared with the hopes of connecting research to everyday instruction and expanding the dialogue regarding how teachers can support students in leveraging their languages other than English in school.
In‐utero aspiration vs expectant management of anechoic fetal ovarian cysts: open randomized controlled trial
Authors: Diguisto C. , Winer N. , Benoist G. , Laurichesse‐Delmas H. , Potin J. , Binet A. , Lardy H. , Morel B. , Perrotin F.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of in‐utero aspiration (IUA) of anechoic fetal ovarian cysts.

Methods

This multicenter, prospective, randomized open trial in two parallel groups included women from nine outpatient fetal medicine departments with singleton pregnancy ≥ 28 weeks of gestation and a female fetus with an ultrasound‐diagnosed simple ovarian cyst, defined as a single fully anechoic cystic structure measuring ≥ 30 mm. They were allocated randomly to IUA under ultrasound guidance or expectant management. All procedures were performed by trained senior obstetricians. Primary outcome was need for neonatal intervention, by laparoscopy, laparotomy or transabdominal aspiration. Secondary outcomes were in‐utero involution of the cyst and oophorectomy at birth. Analyses were conducted according to the intention‐to‐treat principle.

Results

Of 61 participants, 34 were allocated to IUA and 27 to expectant management. Three IUA procedures (9%) could not be performed (one due to fetal position and two due to aspirations being dry). The remaining 31 IUA procedures were uneventful. The incidence of neonatal intervention did not differ significantly between the IUA and the expectant management groups (20.6% vs 37.0%; relative risk (RR), 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24–1.27). Nonetheless, IUA was associated with increased incidence of in‐utero involution of the cyst (47.1% vs 18.5%; RR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.07–6.05) and reduced rate of oophorectomy (3.0% vs 22.0%; RR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02–1.03) compared with expectant management.

Conclusion

IUA of anechoic fetal ovarian cysts, compared with expectant management, was not associated with a reduction in overall neonatal interventions but was associated with a reduced oophorectomy rate. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Parabolic RANS solver for low‐computational‐cost simulations of wind turbine wakes
Authors: Iungo Giacomo Valerio , Santhanagopalan Vignesh , Ciri Umberto , Viola Francesco , Zhan Lu , Rotea Mario A. , Leonardi Stefano
Published: December 2017

A numerical framework for simulations of wake interactions associated with a wind turbine column is presented. A Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes (RANS) solver is developed for axisymmetric wake flows using parabolic and boundary‐layer approximations to reduce computational cost while capturing the essential wake physics. Turbulence effects on downstream evolution of the time‐averaged wake velocity field are taken into account through Boussinesq hypothesis and a mixing length model, which is only a function of the streamwise location. The calibration of the turbulence closure model is performed through wake turbulence statistics obtained from large‐eddy simulations of wind turbine wakes. This strategy ensures capturing the proper wake mixing level for a given incoming turbulence and turbine operating condition and, thus, accurately estimating the wake velocity field. The power capture from turbines is mimicked as a forcing in the RANS equations through the actuator disk model with rotation. The RANS simulations of the wake velocity field associated with an isolated 5‐MW NREL wind turbine operating with different tip speed ratios and turbulence intensity of the incoming wind agree well with the analogous velocity data obtained through high‐fidelity large‐eddy simulations. Furthermore, different cases of columns of wind turbines operating with different tip speed ratios and downstream spacing are also simulated with great accuracy. Therefore, the proposed RANS solver is a powerful tool for simulations of wind turbine wakes tailored for optimization problems, where a good trade‐off between accuracy and low‐computational cost is desirable.
Quality of Surgery in Malawi: Comparison of Patient‐Reported Outcomes After Hernia Surgery Between District and Central Hospitals
Authors: Gajewski Jakub , Conroy Ronan , Bijlmakers Leon , Mwapasa Gerald , McCauley Tracey , Borgstein Eric , Brugha Ruairi
Published: December 2017

Background

District hospitals in Africa could meet the essential surgical needs of rural populations. However, evidence on outcomes is needed to justify investment in this option, given that surgery at district hospitals in some African countries is usually undertaken by non‐physician clinicians.

Methods

Baseline and 2–3‐month follow‐up measurements were undertaken on 98 patients who had undergone hernia repairs at four district and two central hospitals in Malawi, using a modified quality‐of‐life tool.

Results

There was no significant difference in outcomes between district and central hospital cases, where a good outcome was defined as no more than one severe and three mild symptoms. Outcomes were marginally inferior at district hospitals (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63–1.0). However, in the 46 cases that underwent elective surgery at district hospitals, baseline scores for severe symptoms were worse (mean = 3.5) than in the 23 elective central hospital cases (mean = 2.5), p = 0.004. Also, the mean change (improvement) in symptom score was higher in district versus central hospital cases (3.9 vs. 2.3).

Conclusion

The study results support the case for investing in district hospital surgery in sub‐Saharan Africa to increase access to essential surgical care for rural populations. This could free up specialists to undertake more complex and referred cases and reduce emergency presentations. It will require investments in training and resources for district hospitals and in supervision from higher levels.
Estimating antiwear properties of esters as potential lubricant-based oils using QSTR models with CoMFA and CoMSIA
Authors: Wang Zhan , Wang Tingting , Yang Guoyan , Gao Xinlei , Dai Kang
Published: December 2017

Comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis were employed to analyze the antiwear properties of a series of 57 esters as potential lubricant-based oils. Predictive 3D-quantitative structure tribo-ability relationship models were established using the SYBYL multifit molecular alignment rule with a training set and a test set. The optimum models were all shown to be statistically significant with cross-validated coefficients q
2 > 0.5 and conventional coefficients r
2 > 0.9, indicating that the models are sufficiently reliable for activity prediction, and may be useful in the design of novel ester-based oils.
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Attention on Individuals with ADHD: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lee Clara S.C. , Ma Man-Ting , Ho Hin-Yui , Tsang Ka-Kei , Zheng Yi-Yi , Wu Zou-Yi
Published: December 2017

Background/Objective

Mindfulness-based intervention has received more clinical interest and empirical support for individuals with ADHD especially to improve attention. However, no systematic review has been done to analyze and compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention on individuals with ADHD in different age groups. This review examined its effectiveness for individuals (children, adolescents and adults) with ADHD to improve attention.

Methods

In 7 databases, totally of 152 studies were identified; 9 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed. Five of the studies recruited adults as the participants, two recruited adolescents as the participants, one recruited both adults and adolescents as the participants and one recruited children as the participants.

Results

It was found that mindfulness-based intervention was comparatively more popularly used in adults with ADHD to improve attention, and the improvement was significant.

Conclusion

It is still unclear whether mindfulness-based intervention is effective for children and adolescence with ADHD due to limited studies available and the limitations of the study design in the reviewed studies. Therefore, more research in the future is required to answer the question.
Between the Lines: The 50th Anniversary of Long-Term Central Venous Catheters
Authors: Gow Kenneth W. , Tapper David , Hickman Robert O.
Published: December 2017

Background: Tunneled central venous catheters (CVC) were developed five decades ago. Since then, several clinician-inventors have created a variety of catheters with different functions. Indeed, many catheters have been named after their inventor. Many have wondered who the inventors were of each catheter, and what specifically inspired their inventions. Many of these compelling stories have yet to be told.

Data source: A literature review of common catheters and personal communication with inventors. Only first person accounts from inventors or those close to the invention were used.

Conclusions: CVCs are now essential devices that have saved countless lives. Though the inventors have earned the honor of naming their catheters, it may be reasonable to consider more consistent terminology to describe these catheters to avoid confusion.
Nd–Sr–Os systems of eclogites in the lithospheric mantle of the Kasai Craton
(Angola)
Authors: Nikitina L.P. , Bogomolov E.S. , Krymsky R.Sh. , Belyatsky B.V. , Korolev N.M. , Zinchenko V.N.
Published: December 2017

We studied the Sm–Nd, Rb–Sr, and Re–Os isotope compositions of mantle xenoliths (eclogites and peridotites) from diamondiferous kimberlites of the Catoca cluster of the Kasai Craton. In the eclogites, the primary strontium isotope composition 87Sr/86Sr varies from 0.7056 to 0.7071, and the neodymium isotope composition εNd, from 1.8 to 2.6. The 187Re/188Os and 187Os/188Os ratios range from 135 to 80 and from 1.3110 to 1.9709, respectively, which indicates a significant portion of radiogenic 187Os: γOs = 129-147. These isotope values exceed the values assumed for model reservoirs (primitive upper mantle (PUM) and bulk silicate Earth (BSE)) and those of chondrites. The isotope composition of the studied systems indicates the formation of eclogites from a rhenium-enriched source, namely, the subducted oceanic crust transformed as a result of metasomatism and/or melting under upper-mantle conditions.
The contrast scale of minerals for neutron tomography of paleontologic and geologic objects
Authors: Kaloyan A.A. , Kovalenko E.S. , Pakhnevich A.V. , Podurets K.M.
Published: December 2017

Neutron tomography is considered as an alternative to X-ray tomography in the study of paleontologic and geologic objects. Based on experimental data, a contrast scale of minerals and rocks, including those present in paleontologic objects, has been constructed for neutron tomography. Examples of application of neutron tomography of geologic objects are given, and the potentialities of the above methods are compared.
Fast computation of MT curves for a horizontally layered earth with laterally inhomogeneous conductivity perturbations
Authors: Plotkin V.V.
Published: December 2017

A new algorithm is proposed to compute magnetotelluric (MT) curves for a horizontally layered earth with laterally inhomogeneous conductivity. It is fast and ensures correction of induced eddy currents and galvanic distortions of MT curves produced by 3D inhomogeneities. The computation time is short (~ 1 min) due to the use of the perturbation method for solving Maxwell’s equations. The suggested algorithm has a better performance than the more costly classical Trefftz method but has an applicability limitation.
Radiocarbon Dating of Mortars with a Pozzolana Aggregate Using the Cryo2SoniC Protocol to Isolate the Binder
Authors: Nonni Sara , Marzaioli Fabio , Mignardi Silvano , Passariello Isabella , Capano Manuela , Terrasi Filippo
Published: December 2017

To date, finding a technique able to effectively isolate the carbon signal from the binder of a mortar is still an open challenge. In this paper, the radiocarbon (14C) dating of one of the most challenging and diffuse types of mortar, the one with pozzolana aggregate, is investigated. Eight mortar samples from three archaeological sites near Rome (Italy) underwent a selection process called Cryo2SoniC. The selected fractions were analyzed by the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C technique and compared to known historical references. Additional scanning electron microscopy analysis and petrographic investigations were done, respectively, to check the grain size of the fractions selected by Cryo2SoniC, and further, to characterize the original mortar samples. The masses of carbon yielded from the dated fractions were almost half of those released from some aerial mortars. The 14C dating results were accurate for pozzolana mortars, from buried and unburied structures, with calcination relics and small contamination of secondary calcite. A limitation in the purification protocol was observed on samples with a massive contamination of secondary calcite deposition of ground water origin, occluding porosity and substituting up to the 80% of the original binder matrix.
Rapid protein disappearance rates along the small intestine advantage poultry performance and influence the post-enteral availability of amino acids
Authors: Truong Ha H. , Chrystal Peter V. , Moss Amy F. , Selle Peter H. , Liu Sonia Yun
Published: December 2017

A foundation diet, an intermediate blend and a summit diet were formulated with different levels of soyabean meal, casein and crystalline amino acids to compare ‘slow’ and ‘rapid’ protein diets. The diets were offered to male Ross 308 chicks from 7 to 28 d post-hatch and assessed parameters included growth performance, nutrient utilisation, apparent digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates of starch and protein (N) in four small intestinal segments. Digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates of sixteen amino acids in three small intestinal segments and amino acid concentrations in plasma from portal and systemic circulations from the foundation and summit diets were determined. The dietary transition significantly accelerated protein (N) disappearance rates in the distal jejunum and ileum. The transition from foundation to summit diets significantly increased starch digestibility coefficients in the ileum and disappearance rates in all four small intestinal segments. These starch responses were associated with significant enhancements in nutrient utilisation. The dietary transition linearly increased digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates of amino acids in the majority of cases. The summit diet increased plasma concentrations of five amino acids but decreased those of four amino acids relative to the foundation diet to significant extents. Plasma concentrations of free amino acids were higher in the portal than systemic circulations. Rapid protein disappearance rates advantaged poultry performance and influenced post-enteral availability of amino acids. If the underlying mechanisms are to be identified, further research into the impact of protein digestive dynamics on broiler performance is required but appears justified.
Stability of electron wave spectra in weakly magnetized plasmas
Authors: Kono M. , Pécseli H. L.
Published: December 2017

Analytical models for nonlinear electron plasma waves in weakly magnetized plasmas are developed for single as well as multi-mode conditions, with continuous wave spectra being a limiting case. The conditions for wave decay as well as modulational instabilities are analysed. Our results demonstrate that slow or nearly stationary plasma density variations can be found for weakly magnetized plasmas even for weakly nonlinear electron plasma waves without involving cavitation of large amplitude plasma waves. A reduction of the growth rates for decay as well as modulational instabilities are found when the spectral width of the wave spectrum is increased. Some of our results are relevant for the interpretation of the nonlinearly enhanced ion acoustic lines often observed in non-equilibrium ionospheres.
The status of pidgin English in the Cameroonian Tower of Babel
Authors: Vakunta Peter Wuteh
Published: December 2017

The choice of an official language in a linguistically pluralistic society often poses thorny problems, not least of which is that concerning perceived threats to the linguistic rights of minority language communities. This article discusses the importance of Cameroonian pidgin English (CPE) in relation to the two imperial languages inherited from colonial masters – English and French. I will contend that for the purpose of socio-political integration and national unity in Cameroon, it is incumbent upon policy-makers and language planners to choose pidgin English as one of the official languages in the country. CPE is a national lingua franca spoken by the rich and poor, men and women, educated and uneducated, young and old. Being one of the most widely spoken languages in the country, having met the communicative needs of Cameroonians for more than 500 years, and being a language that carries the identity and ecology of Cameroon, pidgin English has the potential to be promoted to the status of an official language and made to serve as a compromise medium for socio-political integration in an ethnically pluralistic nation such as Cameroon.
The role of local agriculture in the new natural resource economy (NNRE) for rural economic development
Authors: Lurie Susan , Brekken Christy Anderson
Published: December 2017

Rural communities have faced significant socio-economic challenges for the past several decades due to structural shifts and changing social expectations regarding the management, production of, and markets for natural resources, including production agriculture. The New Natural Resource Economy (NNRE) is an economic development approach to the use of natural resources, including agriculture, in ways that can build healthy environments and healthy, resilient local economies (Hibbard and Lurie, 2013). A major attribute of the NNRE is its focus on very small businesses, the predominant business type in rural settings. Emerging trends, such as regional food networks (RFNs) that connect food producers to consumers within a state or local region, may provide opportunities for rural communities to diversify and expand local businesses around the use of natural resources, thereby helping to restore greater capacity for self-direction and adding to local community vitality. Thus, we address whether RFNs in rural Oregon counties display characteristics of an NNRE development strategy through the relationships between agricultural producers and consumers that support very small agricultural enterprises. Based on analysis of Oregon producer survey data from 2016 in the more rural resource-dependent Oregon counties, we find that the RFN producer survey respondents are indeed very small businesses engaged in small-scale, multifunctional agriculture. They are motivated by economic, social, and environmental concerns as they contribute to the economic activity in their communities. We also surveyed Oregon consumers, finding that although consumer survey respondents in the same region are not primarily driven to buy local based on environmental considerations, they are nonetheless interested in supporting agriculture and local businesses. The demand for local products can create a virtuous cycle contributing to the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the community. Given appropriate policy and program support, there is fertile ground to create new opportunities to generate farm income and acquire food within the NNRE healthy environment-healthy economy paradigm for rural economic development.
Translation or Adaptation?
Authors: Found Paul
Published: December 2017

I guess the first issue that comes to mind when considering classical works in translation is ‘what is the actual purpose of the text?’ In the Classical Civilisation classroom, we are introducing students to ancient societies and ancient cultures that they will discuss in English. Apart from the fact that few, if any, of our own (state school) students will have any experience in Latin or ancient Greek, I have to question the validity of the argument some use that Classics must be studied in its original language in order fully to understand and appreciate the ancient authors.
Bristol Classics Hub – reflections on the first year
Authors: Walsh Hannah
Published: December 2017

The Bristol Classics Hub was set up in September 2016 to promote and support the teaching of classical subjects in state schools in the South West of England. Funded by Classics for All and the Institute of Greece, Rome and the Classical Tradition and delivered in partnership with the University of Bristol, the hub aims to widen access to Classics by offering a powerful and stable focus for regional development.
Effect of recombinant human growth hormone therapy on blood lipid and carotid intima-media thickness in children with growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Chen Ming , Gan Dongmei , Luo Yili , Rampersad Sharvan , Xu Lu , Yang Shaoling , Li Nan , Li Hong
Published: December 2017

Background

Reports on the association between growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and cardiovascular risk factors in children are limited. We aim to investigate the effect of different doses of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy on blood lipid and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in Chinese GHD children.

Methods

Ninety children, including sixty isolated GHD children and thirty healthy children, were enrolled. GHD children were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) according to the rhGH dose given: group A received 0.23 mg/kg/week and group B received 0.35 mg/kg/week for 12 months. The TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and cIMT at baseline and after treatment were measured.

Results

The height, weight, and height velocity improved significantly over 12 months of rhGH therapy in all GHD children. At baseline, GHD children in both the treatment groups showed significantly higher total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), cIMT, and lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) than healthy children (all P≤0.033). After the 12-month rhGH therapy, a significant decrease in the TC, TG, LDL-C, and cIMT, as well as a significant increase in the HDL-C (P≤0.046), was observed in the GHD children, with change in the group B being even more marked.

Conclusions

The RhGH replacement therapy in GHD children can improve both the blood lipid profile and carotid intima-media thickness, with higher-dose rhGH therapy showing superior effects.
Functional reduction in pollination through herbivore-induced pollinator limitation and its potential in mutualist communities
Authors: Glaum Paul , Kessler André
Published: December 2017

Plant–pollinator interactions are complex because they are affected by both interactors’ phenotypes and external variables. Herbivory is one external variable that can have divergent effects on the individual and the population levels depending on specific phenotypic plastic responses of a plant to herbivory. In the wild tomato,Solanum peruvianum, herbivory limits pollinator visits, which reduces individual plant fitness due to herbivore-induced chemical defenses and signaling on pollinators (herbivore-induced pollinator limitation). We showed these herbivory-induced decreases in pollination to individual plants best match a Type II functional-response curve. We then developed a general model that shows these individual fitness reductions from herbivore-induced changes in plant metabolism can indirectly benefit overall populations and community resilience. These results introduce mechanisms of persistence in antagonized mutualistic communities that were previously found prone to extinction in theoretical models. Results also imply that emergent ecological dynamics of individual fitness reductions may be more complex than previously thought.
Mapping the ecological networks of microbial communities
Authors: Xiao Yandong , Angulo Marco Tulio , Friedman Jonathan , Waldor Matthew K. , Weiss Scott T. , Liu Yang-Yu
Published: December 2017

Mapping the ecological networks of microbial communities is a necessary step toward understanding their assembly rules and predicting their temporal behavior. However, existing methods require assuming a particular population dynamics model, which is not known a priori. Moreover, those methods require fitting longitudinal abundance data, which are often not informative enough for reliable inference. To overcome these limitations, here we develop a new method based on steady-state abundance data. Our method can infer the network topology and inter-taxa interaction types without assuming any particular population dynamics model. Additionally, when the population dynamics is assumed to follow the classic Generalized Lotka–Volterra model, our method can infer the inter-taxa interaction strengths and intrinsic growth rates. We systematically validate our method using simulated data, and then apply it to four experimental data sets. Our method represents a key step towards reliable modeling of complex, real-world microbial communities, such as the human gut microbiota.