bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible Interdigital In-Plane Supercapacitor Based on Laser Reduced Graphene Oxide (LRGO)
Authors: Ghoniem Engy , El-Moneim Ahmed Abd
Published: August 2016

We Demonstrated and Verified the Use Of laser Reduced Graphene Oxide (LRGO) Supported on Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Substrate for Flexible Supercapacitor Applications. we Compared the Interdigitated in-Plan Structure with the Conventionally Stacked Structure Supercapacitor. To understand the Role of Increasing the Number of Sub-Electrodes per Unit Area, Three electrode Architecture of 2, 4, and 6 Sub-Electrodes were Studied. Polymeric Gel electrolyte of Poly (vinyl Alcohol) and Phosphoric Acid (PVA-H3PO4)was Selected for the Realization of the Cells. the Interdigital in – Planesupercapacitor with 6 Sub-Electrodes I-PS(6) Showed a Volumetric Capacitance Of9.3 Fcm-3 Opposed to 3.6, 0.6, 0.5 Fcm-3 for I-PS(4), I-PS(2), and conventional Structure Supercapacitor, Respectively at 0.1 Ma Cm-2 Current Density. the Maximum Stated Energy Density of 0.409 Mwh.cm-3and Power Density of 994.6 W.cm-3 were for I-PS(6). our Results clearly Showed that the LRGO can Hold much Promise for Low-Cost, Easy, and Scalablesupercapacitor Fabrication.
Effect of Partial Replacement of Silica with Raw and Modified Bentonite on the Tensile Properties of Natural Rubber Composites
Authors: Ali Mark Rigel R. , Pajarito Bryan B.
Published: August 2016

Modified bentonite (M-BNT) was prepared by treating raw bentonite (BNT) with NaCl, tetradecyldimethylamine chloride salt and coco diethanolamide. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed intercalation of the organic modifiers into the layers of M-BNT. The effect of partially replacing silica with BNT and M-BNT on the tensile properties of natural rubber (NR) composites was investigated. Results showed that 15 phr M-BNT, as well as 10/5 phr silica/BNT mixture filler, imparted great improvement in the tensile modulus and stresses at 100, 200 and 300% strain of NR composites. Moreover, 10/2.5/2.5 and 2.5/10/2.5 phr silica/M-BNT/BNT mixture filler gave the NR composites high tensile strength and elongation at break relative to unfilled NR. Contour plots showed that tensile properties of NR composites decreased with increasing amount of BNT.
Characterisation of Polymer Electrolytes Based on High Molecular Weight PVC and BMIMCF3SO3
Authors: Nik Zulkepeli Nik Aisyah Suraya , Winie Tan , Subban R.H.Y.
Published: August 2016

Polymer electrolyte films of poly (vinyl) chloride (PVC) as polymer host doped with ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethasulfonate (BMIMCF3SO3) were prepared by solution cast technique. Ionic conductivity was studied for 95 wt.% and 80 wt.% PVC by using Impedance Spectroscopy (IS). Arrhenius and Vogel-Tamman Fulcher (VTF) behavior were observed before and after Tg of the systems. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) study confirmed that complexation occurred between PVC and BMIMCF3SO3.
Comparative Study of Drilling Induced Delamination in CFRP with Different Ply Orientation
Authors: Phapale Kamlesh , Patil Sandip , Singh Ramesh , Singh R.K.P.
Published: August 2016

Composite laminates are used in many applications in industries like aerospace and aircraft due to their extremely high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance properties. The composite laminates are difficult to machine materials, which results into low drilling efficiency and drilling-induced delamination, thus it is important to develop a suitable CFRP material with different ply orientation to overcome the difficulties related in machining of composite materials. The focus of present work presents a comparative study involving experimental characterization with different ply orientation to understand the effect of cutting parameters on the thrust force, delamination extent and exit hole diameter during conventional drilling of carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Processing parameters such as, feed rate plays dominant role in delamination than spindle speed in both ply orientation. The analysis shows that conventional drilling with [0/90]16 ply yields lower delamination and hole size variation than [(0/45/90/-45)]4s ply orientation.
Effect of Gas Based Coolant Lubricants on Machinability of Titanium Alloy Ti6Al4V
Authors: Patil Sandip , Pawar Pravin , Kekade Swapnil , Patil Sachin , Gujar Kiran , Singh R.K.P.
Published: August 2016

Machining of titanium alloys generates enormous amount of heat at the chip-tool interface leading to poor machinability. Use of coolants in the form of gas based lubricants is another approach for controlling the temperature at the cutting zone. The current research investigates the effect of gaseous cooling using CO2 and cryogenic cooling using LN2 at the tool rake face during machining of Ti6Al4V. The effect of both the cutting environments was analyzed at low and high level of cutting conditions through FE Model highlighting on thermal softening and through the experimental output responses emphasizing on cutting forces, surface finish and chip microstructure, etc.
Investigation of Microstructure in Friction Stir Welded Al-Cu-Li Alloy
Authors: Lee Ye Rim , No Kookil , Yoon Jong Hoon , Yoo Joon Tae , Lee Ho Sung
Published: August 2016

It is well known that the addition of Li to aluminum alloys offers an attractive combination of low density and high modulus, which are useful for lightweight structures of aerospace vehicles. However, microstructure of Al-Li alloys are complex, which consist of a number of equilibrium and metastable phases. In addition, Al-Li alloys are weldable but the weldability is not as good as that of other aerospace alloys. This is due to the reactive property of element Li during melting and causes porosity, cracking and low joint efficiency. In friction stir welding (FSW), rotating welding tool generates frictional heat and by keeping the tool rotating and moving speed, the heat from friction causes the plate to soften without melting. Therefore, this solid state welding is adequate to Al-Li alloys. The friction stir welded joint was divided into 9 regions and each microstructure was investigated in detail to present the microstructure evolution and material flows during friction stir welding process. The recrystallized structure is observed in nugget zone and the evidence of initiation of dynamic recrystallization is found around the boundary between thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and nugget region. This paper describes the results of a study to investigate the microstructure change of Al-Cu-Li alloy during the friction stir welding process.
Methodology of Uniform Filling Control for Vacuum Casting
Authors: Mao Fei Long , Zhang Hai Guang , Hu Qing Xi
Published: August 2016

Aiming at solving the problem that results from flow instability two-component materials, uneven density and thus affects the product quality in constant pressure casting stage. Based for theory of polymer materials and hydrodynamic, establishing mathematic model of filling stage and proposing a uniform filling strategy through analysis of geometric characteristics of different mold, set pressure regulation curve in order to ensure uniform filling and stable flow for two-component materials in pressure casting stage. The experiment shows that the proposed method can actually ensure uniform filling, but also eliminate the product defects such as insufficient injection and burr, thus presenting a feasible solution to the problem of flow instability two-component materials and uneven density.
Hydrophobicity of Surfaces Coated with Functionalized Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Sino Paul Albert L. , Herrera Marvin U. , Balela Mary Donnabelle L.
Published: August 2016

Hydrophobic surfaces are eyed for their self-cleaning ability because water droplets can roll on them (instead of clinging), thus the surface have capability to remove dirt. Hydrophobic surfaces were created by coating functionalized Titanium Dioxide-based paint. The paint was fabricated by reacting fluorosilane molecules in ethanol with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Ethanol also serves as the volatile suspension medium that evaporates when the paint is coated on surfaces. The paint was coated on different surfaces by simple dipping. Contact angle of coated aluminum sheet, soda-lime glass, filter paper and silicon carbide polishing paper showed hydrophobicity. Water droplets are made to roll on coated soda-lime glass at angle of 0.057°. The ability of water droplets to roll highlights the coated surface self-cleaning potential.
Water Diffusion in Natural Rubber Vulcanizates: Effect of Ingredient Loading on Swelling and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Ananoria Abhel , Pajarito Bryan B.
Published: August 2016

The effect of compounding ingredients to swelling and mechanical properties of vulcanized natural rubber (NR) in deionized water at 80°C was investigated. Rubber sheets are compounded according to a fractional factorial design of experiment, where ingredients are treated as factors varied at two levels of loading. Results show that sulfur, used oil, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), reclaimed rubber, asphalt, diphenyl guanidine (DPG), mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), and mercaptobenzothiazole disulfide (MBTS) are some of the significant ingredients of the formulation affecting the material properties of vulcanized NR. Among the compounding ingredients, sulfur and used oil are the most influential and consistent factors which affect the swelling and tensile properties of vulcanized NR during water diffusion.
Processing Zinc from Waste of Used Zinc-Carbon Battery with Natrium Chloride (NaCl) for Biogas Desulfurizer
Authors: Nindhia Tjokorda Gde Tirta , Surata I Wayan , Putra Swastika I Dewa Gede , Widiana Putu
Published: August 2016

This research introduces method of processing zinc obtained from waste of used zinc-carbon battery to be used as biogas desulfurizer. The zinc is processed by using Natrium Chloride (NaCl) . The zinc-carbon battery consist of carbon rod as positive terminal and zinc case container as negative terminal. The electrolyte is ammonium chloride mixed with carbon powder. In the Waste of used zinc carbon battery, the zinc case is found still remind and have a potential to be used as desulfurizer. The zinc was taken out from the used battery and chopped to become small piece. About 100 gram of chopped zinc was immersed in various concentration of NaCl (25 gr/l, 50 gr/l, 75 gr/l, and 100 gr/l) at 70°C for 4 hours. The bubble of air introduce in to the solution. The zinc then was taken out from the solution, drying and compacted as a billet with diameter 5 cm and thickness about 2 cm. The billet was installed inside the pipe and 50 liter biogas with flow rate 3 liter/minute is let flown in to the desulfurizer. The Hydrogen sulfide before and after pass the desulfurizer were measured. It is found that the desulfuriser in all variation of concentration of NaCl is working well to elimination H2S to zero level.
IL-12 Signals through the TCR To Support CD8 Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Goplen Nicholas P. , Saxena Vikas , Knudson Karin M. , Schrum Adam G. , Gil Diana , Daniels Mark A. , Zamoyska Rose , Teixeiro Emma
Published: August 2016

CD8 T cells must integrate antigenic and inflammatory signals to differentiate into efficient effector and memory T cells able to protect us from infections. The mechanisms by which TCR signaling and proinflammatory cytokine receptor signaling cooperate in these processes are poorly defined. In this study, we show that IL-12 and other proinflammatory cytokines transduce signals through the TCR signalosome in a manner that requires Fyn activity and self-peptide–MHC (self-pMHC) interactions. This mechanism is crucial for CD8 innate T cell functions. Loss of Fyn activity or blockade of self-pMHC interactions severely impaired CD8 T cell IFN-γ and NKG2D expression, proliferation, and cytotoxicity upon cytokine-mediated bystander activation. Most importantly, in the absence of self-pMHC interactions, CD8 memory T cells fail to undergo bystander activation upon an unrelated infection. Thus, CD8 T cell bystander activation, although independent of cognate Ag, still requires self-pMHC and TCR signaling.
Complement Destabilizes Cardiomyocyte Function In Vivo after Polymicrobial Sepsis and In Vitro
Authors: Kalbitz Miriam , Fattahi Fatemeh , Herron Todd J. , Grailer Jamison J. , Jajou Lawrence , Lu Hope , Huber-Lang Markus , Zetoune Firas S. , Sarma J. Vidya , Day Sharlene M. , Russell Mark W. , Jalife José , Ward Peter A.
Published: August 2016

There is accumulating evidence during sepsis that cardiomyocyte (CM) homeostasis is compromised, resulting in cardiac dysfunction. An important role for complement in these outcomes is now demonstrated. Addition of C5a to electrically paced CMs caused prolonged elevations of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations during diastole, together with the appearance of spontaneous Ca2+ transients. In polymicrobial sepsis in mice, we found that three key homeostasis-regulating proteins in CMs were reduced: Na+/K+-ATPase, which is vital for effective action potentials in CMs, and two intracellular Ca2+ concentration regulatory proteins, that is, sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Sepsis caused reduced mRNA levels and reductions in protein concentrations in CMs for all three proteins. The absence of either C5a receptor mitigated sepsis-induced reductions in the three regulatory proteins. Absence of either C5a receptor (C5aR1 or C5aR2) diminished development of defective systolic and diastolic echocardiographic/Doppler parameters developing in the heart (cardiac output, left ventricular stroke volume, isovolumic relaxation, E′ septal annulus, E/E′ septal annulus, left ventricular diastolic volume). We also found in CMs from septic mice the presence of defective current densities for Ik1, l-type calcium channel, and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. These defects were accentuated in the copresence of C5a. These data suggest complement-related mechanisms responsible for development of cardiac dysfunction during sepsis.
Conditional Disruption of Raptor Reveals an Essential Role for mTORC1 in B Cell Development, Survival, and Metabolism
Authors: Iwata Terri N. , Ramírez Julita A. , Tsang Mark , Park Heon , Margineantu Daciana H. , Hockenbery David M. , Iritani Brian M.
Published: August 2016

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine-threonine kinase that coordinates nutrient and growth factor availability with cellular growth, division, and differentiation. Studies examining the roles of mTOR signaling in immune function revealed critical roles for mTOR in regulating T cell differentiation and function. However, few studies have investigated the roles of mTOR in early B cell development. In this study, we found that mTOR is highly activated during the pro- and pre-B stages of mouse B cell development. Conditional disruption of the mTOR coactivating protein Raptor in developing mouse B cells resulted in a developmental block at the pre-B cell stage, with a corresponding lack of peripheral B cells and loss of Ag-specific Ab production. Pre-B cell survival and proliferation were significantly reduced in Raptor-deficient mice. Forced expression of a transgenic BCR or a BclxL transgene on Raptor-deficient B cells failed to rescue B cell development, suggesting that pre-BCR signaling and B cell survival are impaired in a BclxL-independent manner. Raptor-deficient pre-B cells exhibited significant decreases in oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, indicating that loss of mTOR signaling in B cells significantly impairs cellular metabolic capacity. Treatment of mice with rapamycin, an allosteric inhibitor of mTOR, recapitulated the early B cell developmental block. Collectively, our data reveal a previously uncharacterized role for mTOR signaling in early B cell development, survival, and metabolism.
A Pragmatic Analysis of Hyperbole in John Keats’ Love Letters to Fanny Brawn
Authors: Altikriti Sahar
Published: August 2016

Hyperbole is an ever-present figure of speech in daily communication. It over-exaggerates the speaker’s meaning through his / her intense feelings and sincere attitude towards the listener, and hence, it reflects the speaker’s real intention. Hyperbole received a scant attention in comparison to other figures of speech as linguistic and discourse studies attempted to focus on the listener’s response rather than considering the interactive aspect. Hyperbolic expressions have been discussed in informal everyday conversation and academic writing, but less in other genres such as the genre of love letters. Moreover, a pragmatic analysis to both notions has not been shed light upon with much consideration. Thus, the main aim of this study is to investigate both the pragmatic role of hyperbole and detect the use of politeness strategies in seven love letters written by John Keats addressed to Fanny Brawne. The analysis is based on the recognition of positive and negative politeness strategies proposed in Brown and Levinson’s Theory of Politeness (1987).The study demonstrates that both positive and negative strategies and the pragmatic function of hyperbole correlate with the writer’s status and vary according to the context of situation. The results of the analysis revealed that positive politeness strategies were used more frequently than negative ones. Additionally, the findings proved that Keats used hyperbole in his love letters where either positive or negative (or both) emotions revealed to make the intended message of the speaker have even more effective results on the part of the hearer with an emotive persuasion.
Climate Communication Society Organizations in the Development in the Village Plompong
Authors: Luthfie Muhammad , Hubeis Aida Vitayala S , Saleh Amiruddin , Ginting Basita
Published: August 2016

Climate Communication in an organization is very important to foster togetherness and unity. Climate conducive communication between the leaders and members or between superiors and subordinates can achieve harmonization within the organization that will ultimately reap success in the implementation of its programs. The ideal climate organizational communication requires honesty in communication, openness of communication down, and a joint decision. Pace and Faules (2000) states that organizational communication climate is important for linking organizational context with concepts, feelings, and expectations of the organization’s members and to help explain the behavior of members. The study aims to analyze the communication climate organization built community organizations in rural development. The results showed climate communication community organizations research subject is very conducive and riel has been able to encourage active involvement in the development in the village Plompong, through the realization of its programs in the construction of infra structure.
Perfiles históricos de la Argentina rural: agro y política (1880-1970)
Authors: M. Girbal-Blacha Noemí
Published: August 2016

La historia de la Argentina se vincula al medio, la producción y la comercialización rural. Conocer y reconocer sus orígenes pecuarios y mercantiles, asociados a la modernidad agroexportadora, a las limitaciones de la expansión horizontal agraria y a las crisis que inducen la regulación económica por parte del Estado son útiles para el diagnóstico y la comprensión de la situación argentina en el concierto internacional. En este paisaje cambiante los actores sociales agrarios y el Estado, dialogan y discuten, enervando una compleja relación de poderes. Un recorrido histórico crítico, que atienda a los diversos sectores del poder rural, sus relaciones entre sí y entre ellos y el poder político, promueve la reflexión de este estudio, que procura comprender una Nación conformada sobre bases rurales, aunque la sociedad posea una frágil memoria sobre aspectos sustantivos de su pasado agrario. Palabras clave: Agricultura. Politica. Territorio. Argentina.
Agricultura, pecuária, legislação e meio ambiente: ruralidades contemporâneas em Florianópolis
Authors: Callado Giovana
Published: August 2016

O município de Florianópolis tem a maior parte de seu território estabelecida em uma ilha, dos 436,5 km², apenas 12,1 km² formam a parte continental. A configuração territorial insular traz em si limites ao crescimento urbano. Pela legislação vigente, 42% do território ilhéu enquadram-se como área de preservação permanente. A ilha foi, até meados do século XX, espaço de atividade agrícola e pastoril, e foi profundamente transformada a partir da década de 1970, devido ao processo de expansão urbana em direção aos antigos núcleos de atividade pesqueira e agrícola. A abertura de vias de acesso, acompanhada de um projeto político de transformação do município capital, operou significativas transformações nos modos de vida das populações residentes nos antigos núcleos localizados no entorno da ilha. O processo de expansão urbana, acompanhado pelo declínio das atividades agrícolas e pastoris, não levou à sua eliminação, mas, sim, transformou suas práticas e produziu novas relações entre homem e meio ambiente. A partir da década de 1980, um novo plano diretor definiu as áreas de preservação, criou parâmetros para os usos da terra e para a expansão urbana. Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar as transformações nas práticas de agricultura e pecuária criadas em Florianópolis a partir dos processos de urbanização e da elaboração da legislação ambiental que incide sobre os usos da terra. Esses são os elementos norteadores para a emergência de novas ruralidades, ruralidades contemporâneas. Palavras-chave: Ruralidade. Agricultura. Meio ambiente.
Green Inventions: Is Wait-and-see a Reasonable Option?
Authors: Stucki Tobias , Woerter Martin
Published: August 2016

We analyze the potential of different knowledge stocks to decrease the technological gap between the leader in green technology inventions and its followers in order to identify if wait-and-see is a reasonable option to benefit from knowledge. Our econometric results indicate that it is difficult to decrease the technological gap and remain competitive in the generation of green technologies without timely accumulating green knowledge. Although effects from external green knowledge stocks also contribute to decrease the technological gap, the effects are moderate and they cannot compensate the lack of internal green competences. Non-green knowledge stocks even tend to increase the technological gap.
Detection Thresholds of Archaeological Features in Airborne Lidar Data from Central Yucatán
Authors: Magnoni Aline , Stanton Travis W. , Barth Nicolas , Fernandez-Diaz Juan Carlos , León José Francisco Osorio , Ruíz Francisco Pérez , Wheeler Jessica A.
Published: August 2016

In this article we evaluate ∼48km2of airborne lidar data collected at a target density of 15 laser shots/m in central Yucatán, Mexico. This area covers parts of the sites of Chichén Itzá and Yaxuná, a kilometer-wide transect between these two sites, and a transect along the first few kilometers of Sacbé 1 from Yaxuná to Cobá. The results of our ground validation and mapping demonstrate that not all sizable archaeological features can be detected in the lidar images due to: (1) the slightly rolling topography interspersed with 1-6 m-high bedrock hummocks, which morphologically mimic house mounds, further complicated by the presence of low foundations; (2) the complex forest structure in central Yucatán, which has particularly dense near-ground understory resulting in a high number of mixed-signal ground and low vegetation returns which reduces the fidelity and accuracy of the bare-earth digital elevation models; and (3) the predominance of low archaeological features difficult to discern from the textural noise of the near-ground vegetation. In this article we explore different visualization techniques to increase the identification of cultural features, but we conclude that, in this portion of the Maya region, lidar should be used as a complement to traditional on-the-ground survey techniques.
Mapping Ritual Landscapes Using Lidar
Authors: Moyes Holley , Montgomery Shane
Published: August 2016

Data collected from aerial lidar scanning provides new opportunities for archaeological survey. It is now possible, in a short period of time, to collect vast amounts of geographic data that would have taken years of pedestrian survey to acquire. This enhances and extends landscape studies by reducing time-frames and cost, encouraging analyses based on real-world data collection on a regional scale. This paper describes an approach for modeling the ritual landscape surrounding the ancient Maya center of Las Cuevas, Belize by analyzing the spatial aspects of ritual cave use. Using lidar-derived data, we describe a method for locating potential cave sites using Local Relief Models, which requires only a working knowledge of relief visualization techniques and no specialized skills in computer programming. Our method located the five known cave sites within our 222 km2lidar study area—including one with a fissure entrance. We plan to ground-truth potentialities to develop models of the ritual landscape that can be visualized and analyzed. By researching cave use on a regional scale and defining the relationships between caves and surface features, we advance cave studies by deepening our understanding of the ritual landscape and its articulation with ancient Maya socio/political dynamics.
Small Buildings and Small Budgets
Authors: Hutson Scott R. , Kidder Barry , Lamb Céline , Vallejo-Cáliz Daniel , Welch Jacob
Published: August 2016

Despite the success of lidar in making ancient features visible in certain tropical environments, researchers often have difficulty using lidar to identify small, low, non-linear features. This study juxtaposes lidar data with data gathered from pedestrian survey along the Ucí-Cansahcab causeway, located in the Northern Maya lowlands, to assess the degree to which the invisibility of small buildings in lidar imagery affects demographic research. The juxtaposition shows that demographic research with lidar can move forward in some cases once pedestrian survey has been used as a baseline to establish correction factors for using lidar data on their own. Another current barrier to the use of lidar is cost. This paper provides examples of the kinds of questions that can be addressed by projects with smaller budgets and, therefore, smaller amounts of lidar coverage. These questions include site size comparisons and the degree to which settlement clustered around ancient features such as the Ucí-Cansahcab causeway.
Mapping the Tres Zapotes Polity
Authors: Loughlin Michael L. , Pool Christopher A. , Fernandez-Diaz Juan C. , Shrestha Ramesh L.
Published: August 2016

Seasonal wetlands and exuberant crop growth present challenges to systematic archaeological survey in alluvial settings, particularly in the tropical lowlands. Lidar can reduce the time and cost required to survey such areas by allowing targeting of elevated features not buried under recent alluvium, but demographic interpretation requires estimating post-abandonment alluvial depths. The broad alluvial plain between the Papaloapan delta and the Tuxtla Mountains in southern Veracruz, Mexico, offers a valuable case study, featuring seasonally inundated marshes, lakes, and vast fields of sugar cane, a crop infamously obstructive to lidar mapping. Undertaken to reconstruct demographic and organizational change in the Tres Zapotes polity, this study evaluates the benefits and limitations of lidar for archaeological survey in tropical alluvial settings based on overlap between lidar and systematic pedestrian survey and estimates of alluvial depth obtained by auger testing and underscores the importance of timing for lidar mapping in sugar cane.
Boots on the Ground at Yaxnohcah
Authors: Reese-Taylor Kathryn , Hernández Armando Anaya , Esquivel F. C. Atasta Flores , Monteleone Kelly , Uriarte Alejandro , Carr Christopher , Acuña Helga Geovannini , Fernandez-Diaz Juan Carlos , Peuramaki-Brown Meaghan , Dunning Nicholas
Published: August 2016

This study proposes a sampling method for ground-truthing LiDAR-derived data that will allow researchers to verify or predict the accuracy of results over a large area. Our case study is focused on a 24 km2area centered on the site of Yaxnohcah in the Yucatan Peninsula. This area is characterized by a variety of dense tropical rainforest and wetland vegetation zones with limited road and trail access. Twenty-one 100 x 100 m blocks were selected for study, which included examples of several different vegetation zones. A pedestrian survey of transects through the blocks was conducted, recording two types of errors. Type 1 errors consist of cultural features that are identified in the field, but are not seen in the digital elevation model (DEM) or digital surface model (DSM). Type 2 errors consist of features that appear to be cultural when viewed on the DEM or DSM, but are caused by different vegetative features. Concurrently, we conducted an extensive vegetation survey of each block, identifying major species present and heights of stories. The results demonstrate that the lidar survey data are extremely reliable and a sample can be used to assess data accuracy, fidelity, and confidence over a larger area.
Vegetable Fibers
Authors: Aranguren M. I. , Marcovich N. E. , Reboredo M. M.
Published: August 2016

Plant‐derived vegetable fibers are classified according to their source in plants as bast, leaf, and seed‐hair. The fibers in bast and leaf plants are integrated to the plant structure, providing strength and support. The main chemical component of vegetable fibers is cellulose, with varying amounts of lignin and hemicelluloses also usually present; thus these fibers are also referred to as cellulosic or lignocellulosic. The fibers are grown throughout the world. The principal bast fibers are flax, jute, and hemp, which are utilized primarily for fabrics (linen‐flax, hessian‐jute), bags, ropes, in newer biobased composites, and as a source of papermaking fibers. The primary leaf fibers are abaca and sisal, which have uses similar to bast fibers, except fabrics are not produced from the leaf fibers. Cotton, coir, and kapok are the main seed‐hair fibers, with cotton by far the most important commercial vegetable fiber. Bast fibers are obtained from the plant, after harvest, by retting. The leaf fibers are obtained by crushing and scraping, followed by washing. Vegetable fibers are generally graded according to color, luster, cleanliness, strength, fineness, and uniformity.

In this article, general aspects on plant fiber structure, processing techniques, and fiber classification are introduced, together with some examples of the most utilized fibers. Fibers characteristics, their commercial applications, and recent developments in the use of these fibers are also discussed.
Characteristics on fault coupling along the Solomon megathrust based on GPS observations from 2011 to 2014
Authors: Kuo Yu‐Ting , Ku Chin‐Shang , Chen Yue‐Gau , Wang Yu , Lin Yu‐Nung Nina , Chuang Ray Y. , Hsu Ya‐Ju , Taylor Frederick W. , Huang Bor‐Shouh , Tung Hsin
Published: August 2016

The Solomon megathrust along the western Solomon arc generated two megathrust earthquakes in the past decade (Mw 8.1 in 2007 and Mw 7.1 in 2010). To investigate the interseismic deformation and inferred coupling on the megathrust, we deployed the first continuous GPS network in the Western Solomon Islands. Our 2011–2014 GPS data and the back slip inversion model show coupling ratio as high as 73% along the southeastern 2007 rupture segment but only 10% on average along the segment of 2010 event. Based on the spatial distribution of coseismic slip, aftershock clusters, derived coupling pattern, and paleogeodetic records, we discovered the former as a semipermanent asperity and the latter as a potential megathrust barrier. We propose that a characteristic earthquake of magnitude not less than Mw 8 will recur in an interval of 100 or more years by either single or doublet earthquake.
Modern precipitation δ18O and trajectory analysis over the Himalaya‐Tibet Orogen from ECHAM5‐wiso simulations
Authors: Li Jingmin , Ehlers Todd A. , Mutz Sebastian G. , Steger Christian , Paeth Heiko , Werner Martin , Poulsen Christopher J. , Feng Ran
Published: August 2016

Variations in oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) measured from modern precipitation and geologic archives provide a promising tool for understanding modern and past climate dynamics and tracking elevation changes over geologic time. In areas of extreme topography, such as the Tibetan Plateau, the interpretation of δ18O has proven challenging. This study investigates the climate controls on temporal (daily and 6 h intervals) and spatial variations in present‐day precipitation δ18O (δ18Op) across the Tibetan Plateau using a 30 year record produced from the European Centre/Hamburg ECHAM5‐wiso global atmospheric general circulation model (GCM). Results indicate spatial and temporal agreement between model‐predicted δ18Op and observations. Large daily δ18Op variations of −25 to +5‰ occur over the Tibetan Plateau throughout the 30 simulation years, along with interannual δ18Op variations of ~2‰. Analysis of extreme daily δ18Op indicates that extreme low values coincide with extreme highs in precipitation amount. During the summer, monsoon vapor transport from the north and southwest of the plateau generally corresponds with high δ18Op, whereas vapor transport from the Indian Ocean corresponds with average to low δ18Op. Thus, vapor source variations are one important cause of the spatial‐temporal differences in δ18Op. Comparison of GCM and Rayleigh Distillation Model (RDM)‐predicted δ18Op indicates a modest agreement for the Himalaya region (averaged over 86°–94°E), confirming application of the simpler RDM approach for estimating δ18Op lapse rates across Himalaya.
Aerosol effects on the anvil characteristics of mesoscale convective systems
Authors: Saleeby S. M. , van den Heever S. C. , Marinescu P. J. , Kreidenweis S. M. , DeMott P. J.
Published: August 2016

Simulations of two mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that occurred during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment were performed to examine the impact of aerosol number concentration on the vertical distributions of liquid and ice condensate and the macrophysical, microphysical, and radiative properties of the cirrus‐anvil cloud shield. Analyses indicate that for an increase in aerosol concentration from a clean continental to a highly polluted state, there was an increase in the rime collection rate of cloud water, which led to less lofted cloud water. Aerosol‐induced trends in the cloud mixing ratio profiles were, however, nonmonotonic in the mixed phase region, such that a moderate increase in aerosol concentration produced the greatest reduction in cloud water. Generally, less lofted cloud water led to less anvil ice mixing ratio but more numerous, small ice crystals within the anvil. In spite of reduced anvil ice mixing ratio, the anvil clouds exhibited greater areal coverage, increased albedo, reduced cloud top cooling, and reduced net radiative flux, which led to an aerosol‐induced warming (reduced cooling) effect in these squall lines.
Interplay of brain structure and function in neonatal congenital heart disease
Authors: Birca Ala , Vakorin Vasily A. , Porayette Prashob , Madathil Sujana , Chau Vann , Seed Mike , Doesburg Sam M. , Blaser Susan , Nita Dragos A. , Sharma Rohit , Duerden Emma G. , Hickey Edward J. , Miller Steven P. , Hahn Cecil D.
Published: August 2016

Objective

To evaluate whether structural and microstructural brain abnormalities in neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) correlate with neuronal network dysfunction measured by analysis of EEG connectivity.

Methods

We studied a prospective cohort of 20 neonates with CHD who underwent continuous EEG monitoring before surgery to assess functional brain maturation and network connectivity, structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the presence of brain injury and structural brain development, and diffusion tensor MRI to assess brain microstructural development.

Results

Neonates with MRI brain injury and delayed structural and microstructural brain development demonstrated significantly stronger high‐frequency (beta and gamma frequency band) connectivity. Furthermore, neonates with delayed microstructural brain development demonstrated significantly weaker low‐frequency (delta, theta, alpha frequency band) connectivity. Neonates with brain injury also displayed delayed functional maturation of EEG background activity, characterized by greater background discontinuity.

Interpretation

These data provide new evidence that early structural and microstructural developmental brain abnormalities can have immediate functional consequences that manifest as characteristic alterations of neuronal network connectivity. Such early perturbations of developing neuronal networks, if sustained, may be responsible for the persistent neurocognitive impairment prevalent in adolescent survivors of CHD. These foundational insights into the complex interplay between evolving brain structure and function may have relevance for a wide spectrum of neurological disorders manifesting early developmental brain injury.
Interaction with virtual crowd in Immersive and semi‐Immersive Virtual Reality systems
Authors: Kyriakou Marios , Pan Xueni , Chrysanthou Yiorgos
Published: August 2016

This study examines attributes of virtual human behavior that may increase the plausibility of a simulated crowd and affect the user's experience in Virtual Reality. Purpose‐developed experiments in both Immersive and semi‐Immersive Virtual Reality systems queried the impact of collision and basic interaction between real‐users and the virtual crowd and their effect on the apparent realism and ease of navigation within Virtual Reality (VR). Participants' behavior and subjective measurements indicated that facilitating collision avoidance between the user and the virtual crowd makes the virtual characters, the environment, and the whole Virtual Reality system appear more realistic and lifelike. Adding basic social interaction, such as verbal salutations, gaze, and other gestures by the virtual characters towards the user, further contributes to this effect, with the participants reporting a stronger sense of presence. On the other hand, enabling collision avoidance on its own produces a reduced feeling of comfort and ease of navigation in VR. Objective measurements showed another interesting finding that collision avoidance may reduce the user's performance regarding their primary goal (navigating in VR following someone) and that this performance is further reduced when both collision avoidance and social interaction are facilitated.
1D Model for Coupled Simulation of Steam Cracker Convection Section with Improved Evaporation Model
Authors: Verhees Pieter , Amghizar Ismaël , Goemare Jühl , Akhras Abdul Rahman , Marin Guy B. , Van Geem Kevin M. , Heynderickx Geraldine J.
Published: August 2016

The radiation and convection section of a steam cracker are thermally coupled. Optimization and design requires a coupled simulation of both sections. In this work a 1D model for the convection section, CONVEC‐1D, is developed. Several models for the different heat transfer phenomena are implemented and evaluated. For flow boiling, an empirical and a mechanistic model are developed and compared for both single‐ and multicomponent hydrocarbon feeds. The latter is performing best over a wide range of operating conditions, taking into account the different two‐phase flow regimes. The coupled iterative procedure is demonstrated for ann‐pentane steam cracker convection section.
Phase Ib study of duligotuzumab (MEHD7945A) plus cisplatin/5‐fluorouracil or carboplatin/paclitaxel for first‐line treatment of recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Jimeno Antonio , Machiels Jean‐Pascal , Wirth Lori , Specenier Pol , Seiwert Tanguy Y. , Mardjuadi Feby , Wang Xiaodong , Kapp Amy V. , Royer‐Joo Stephanie , Penuel Elicia , McCall Bruce , Pirzkall Andrea , Clement Paul M.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

This open‐label, multicenter, phase Ib study assessed the safety and preliminary activity of duligotuzumab, a dual‐action antibody that blocks ligand binding to human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) and epidermal growth factor receptor, in combination with chemotherapy, in the first‐line treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

METHODS

On day 1, duligotuzumab at a dose of 1650 mg intravenously was combined with cisplatin at a dose of 100 mg/m2 and 5‐fluorouracil at a dose of 1000 mg/m2/day on days 1 to 4 in treatment arm A, or carboplatin (area under the curve, 6 mg/mL/min) and paclitaxel (at a dose of 200 mg/m2) in treatment arm B. Up to 6 cycles (21 days/cycle) were followed by duligotuzumab maintenance until disease progression or intolerable toxicity occurred.

RESULTS

Nine patients in arm A and 15 patients in arm B received a median of 6 cycles of chemotherapy, and a median of 11 cycles (arm A) and 9 cycles (arm B) of duligotuzumab. Dose‐limiting toxicities occurred in 3 patients in arm A and 1 patient in arm B. Grade ≥ 3 treatment‐related adverse events (graded according to graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]) in ≥ 3 patients were neutropenia (5 patients), hypokalemia (4 patients), dehydration (3 patients), anemia (3 patients), and diarrhea (3 patients) in arm A, and neutropenia (8 patients), anemia (5 patients), febrile neutropenia (4 patients), leukopenia (3 patients), thrombocytopenia (3 patients), and hypomagnesemia (3 patients) in arm B. The chemotherapy dose was reduced in 19 of 24 patients. Sixteen patients (67%) demonstrated objective responses regardless of human papillomavirus status or neuregulin 1 (NRG1) mRNA expression (arm A: 2 confirmed complete responses and 4 confirmed partial responses; arm B: 2 confirmed complete responses and 8 confirmed partial responses).

CONCLUSIONS

Duligotuzumab in combination with cisplatin/5‐fluorouracil or carboplatin/paclitaxel demonstrated encouraging activity in patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck; an association with increased frequency and severity of select adverse events relative to historical data was suggestive of the potentiation of chemotherapy‐related adverse events. Cancer 2016;122:3803–3811. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Breast carcinoma with an Oncotype Dx recurrence score <18: Rate of distant metastases in a large series with clinical follow‐up
Authors: Wen Hannah Y. , Krystel‐Whittemore Melissa , Patil Sujata , Pareja Fresia , Bowser Zenica L. , Dickler Maura N. , Norton Larry , Morrow Monica , Hudis Clifford A. , Brogi Edi
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

A 21‐gene expression assay (Oncotype DX recurrence score [RS]) that uses reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction is used clinically in patients with early‐stage, estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐negative breast carcinoma (ER+/HER2‐ BC) to determine both prognosis with tamoxifen therapy and the usefulness of adding adjuvant chemotherapy. Use of the assay is associated with reductions in overall chemotherapy use. The current study examined the treatments and outcomes in patients with low RS.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the institutional database to identify patients with lymph node‐negative, ER+/HER2‐ BC who were treated at the study institution between September 2008 and August 2013 and their 21‐gene RS results.

RESULTS

A total of 1406 consecutive patients with lymph node‐negative ER+/HER2‐ BC and a low RS were identified (510 patients had an RS of 0‐10 and 896 patients had an RS of 11‐17). The median age at the time of diagnosis of BC was 56 years; 63 patients (4%) were aged <40 years. Overall, 1361 patients (97%) received endocrine therapy and 170 patients (12%) received chemotherapy. The median follow‐up was 46 months. Six patients (0.4%) developed distant metastases (1 patient with an RS of 5 and 5 patients with an RS of 11‐17). In the cohorts of patients with an RS of 11 to 17, the absolute rate of distant metastasis among patients aged <40 years was 7.1% (3 of 42 patients) versus 0.2% among patients aged ≥40 years (2 of 854 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

The data from the current study document a 0.4% rate of distant metastasis within 5 years of BC diagnosis among patients with lymph node‐negative ER+/HER2‐ BC with an RS <18. Patients aged <40 years at the time of BC diagnosis were observed to have a higher rate of distant metastases. Analysis of data from other studies is necessary to validate this observation further. Cancer 2017;131–137. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Do fish go with the flow? The effects of periodic and episodic flow pulses on 0+ fish biomass in a constrained lowland river
Authors: Walton S. E. , Nunn A. D. , Probst W. N. , Bolland J. D. , Acreman M. , Cowx I. G.
Published: August 2016

The hydrological regime is a significant driver of fish population dynamics in rivers, but there is a dearth of information regarding the mechanisms behind its effects on temperate species, especially non‐salmonids. This study investigated the effects of periodic and episodic flow pulses on 0+ fish biomass in a constrained lowland river. De‐seasonalized cross‐correlation analysis was used to examine time‐lagged correlations in episodic signals, in isolation of seasonal periodicity, to identify the responses and response timings of 0+ fish production to abiotic variables, and whether apparent “pulse‐depletions” in biomass occur instantaneously (e.g., due to fish displacement during high pulses) or after a time lag. As anticipated, 0+ fish biomass was highest during periods of low discharge and high temperatures in summer, but cross‐correlation analysis revealed a negative impact of high pulses on 0+ fish biomass with a lag of 7 months. There was no evidence for an instantaneous pulse‐depletion effect of discharge on 0+ fish biomass, suggesting that the indirect effects of high pulses, such as habitat or food‐web modifications, are more influential.
Solution‐Phase Synthesis of the Macrocyclic Core of Teixobactin
Authors: Dhara Santu , Gunjal Vidya B. , Handore Kishor L. , Srinivasa Reddy D.
Published: August 2016

Towards the total chemical synthesis of the exceptionally potent antibiotic teixobactin, we synthesized the macrocyclic core of a natural product by using a solution‐phase approach. The gramscale synthesis of l‐allo‐enduracididine and Shiina macrolactonization are highlights of the present disclosure.
A mixed‐interpolation finite element method for incompressible thermal flows of electrically conducting fluids
Authors: Kohno Haruhiko
Published: August 2016

A new mixed‐interpolation finite element method is presented for the two‐dimensional numerical simulation of incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows which involve convective heat transfer. The proposed method applies the nodal shape functions, which are locally defined in nine‐node elements, for the discretization of the Navier–Stokes and energy equations, and the vector shape functions, which are locally defined in four‐node elements, for the discretization of the electromagnetic field equations. The use of the vector shape functions allows the solenoidal condition on the magnetic field to be automatically satisfied in each four‐node element. In addition, efficient approximation procedures for the calculation of the integrals in the discretized equations are adopted to achieve high‐speed computation. With the use of the proposed numerical scheme, MHD channel flow and MHD natural convection under a constant applied magnetic field are simulated at different Hartmann numbers. The accuracy and robustness of the method are verified through these numerical tests in which both undistorted and distorted meshes are employed for comparison of numerical solutions. Furthermore, it is shown that the calculation speed for the proposed scheme is much higher compared with that for a conventional numerical integration scheme under the condition of almost the same memory consumption. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.