bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RAFT synthesis of polystyrene‐block‐poly(polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate) for zinc phthalocyanine‐loaded polymeric micelles as photodynamic therapy photosensitizers
Authors: Obata Makoto , Tanaka Shuto , Mizukoshi Hiroshi , Ishihara Eika , Takahashi Masaki , Hirohara Shiho
Published: December 2017

A series of polystyrene‐block‐poly(polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate) (PStm‐b‐PPEGAn) polymers were systematically synthesized as carriers for zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) for photodynamic therapy via reversible addition and fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The degree of polymerization of the styrene (m) and PEGA units (n) of the resulting block copolymers were characterized to be n = 174, 40, and 18 for m = 52; and n = 200, 84, and 31 for m = 30. All the block copolymers formed micelles in water. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the PStm‐b‐PPEGAn was determined by fluorometry using pyrene as a hydrophobic probe. The CMC value increased from 4.5 to 20 mg·L−1 with an increase in the mole fraction of PEGA units. The median diameters of the micelles increased from 19 to 31 nm for PSt52‐b‐PPEGAn and from 15 to 23 nm for PSt30‐b‐PPEGAn with increasing n value. ZnPc‐loaded micelles were prepared by dialysis of the block copolymer in the presence of ZnPc followed by removal of large aggregates by filtration. The encapsulation efficiency was dramatically changed in the range of 0–68%. The light‐dose‐dependent cytotoxicity of the ZnPc‐loaded PSt30‐b‐PPEGA200 was clearly established in HeLa cell lines; while no cytotoxicity was confirmed under the dark. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 560–570
Time trends and patterns of primary liver cancer in Guangzhou from 2004 to 2015
Authors: Li Ke , Lin Guozhen , Li Yan , Xu Huan
Published: December 2017

Objective

To analyze the epidemiological trends and patterns of primary liver cancer (PLC) in Guangzhou, China, between 2004 and 2015, and provide a basis for making control measures and strategies for prevention.

Methods

The data were extracted from the population‐based database of the Guangzhou Cancer Registry. The crude incidence, world age standardized incidence rate (WASIR), and average annual percentage change were calculated. WASIR was calculated with Segi's population.

Results

There were a total of 27 149 cases diagnosed with PLC during 2004−2015, with a sex ratio of 4.14:1 (21 865 males and 5284 females). The crude incidence and WSRIR were 28.57/100 000 and 20.96/100 000, respectively. The average annual percentage change of crude incidence and WASIR were –0.24% (95% CI –1.60 to 1.20) and –2.31% (95% CI –3.50 to –1.10). The age‐specific incidence rates declined in all age groups, except for the ≥75 years group. The incidence rate increased rapidly from age 40 years and peaked at the age of 80–84 years.

Conclusions

The WASIR of PLC has been decreasing significantly in Guangzhou. However, the incidence is still high, and the prevention and control of PLC should be strengthened.
Characterisation of imidacloprid resistance in the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, a serious pest on wheat crops
Authors: Wang Kang , Zhang Meng , Huang Yanna , Yang Zhuolin , Su Sha , Chen Maohua
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Rhopalosiphum padi is a destructive insect pest of wheat worldwide. Studies have shown that R. padi has developed resistance to different insecticides, including imidacloprid. We studied the mechanisms conferring resistance to imidacloprid at the biochemical and molecular levels.

RESULTS

An R. padi imidacloprid‐resistant (IM‐R) strain and a susceptible (SS) strain were established. Fitness analysis using life‐tables showed that the IM‐R strain had obvious disadvantages in several parameters, indicating reduced fitness. Profiles of cross‐resistance of IM‐R and SS to seven insecticides were detected. Both synergistic and enzyme activity data suggested that P450 plays a role in resistance. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes CYP6CY3‐1 and CYP6CY3‐2 were significantly increased in the IM‐R strain. No target‐site mutation within the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits was detected in the IM‐R strain. Interestingly, the expression levels of the nAChR α1, α2, α3, α7‐2, and β1 subunit genes were significantly decreased, suggesting that down‐regulation of these subunits may be involved in resistance.

CONCLUSION

Multiple mechanisms confer imidacloprid resistance in R. padi. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Reducing Drosophila suzukii emergence through inter‐species competition
Authors: Shaw Bethan , Brain Philip , Wijnen Herman , Fountain Michelle T
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Drosophila suzukii has dispersed widely from its native Asian range since 2008. Its arrival in the UK is resulting in economic losses in soft‐ and stone‐fruit crops caused by larvae feeding on the flesh of ripening fruit. Although a large amount of research has been directed at controlling this pest, it is presently unknown how this invasive species interacts with native Drosophila species.

RESULTS

In the work reported here, D. suzukii or Drosophila melanogaster adults were introduced to substrates pre‐inoculated with the eggs of the same or the other species in a laboratory choice assay. Drosophila melanogaster adult emergence was not affected by pre‐inoculation with D. suzukii. The rate of emergence of D. suzukii was significantly lower from medium pre‐inoculated by D. melanogaster than from blank medium. In a subsequent experiment, significantly more D. suzukii eggs were laid in blank medium than in D. melanogaster pre‐inoculated medium.

CONCLUSION

The presence of D. melanogaster in a substrate significantly reduced D. suzukii emergence and egg laying. This study raises research questions about how this reduction mechanism is driven and how it could be exploited as part of future integrated pest management practices. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Antiadhesion activity of juniper (Juniperus communis L.) preparations against Campylobacter jejuni evaluated with PCR‐based methods
Authors: Klančnik Anja , Zorko Špela , Toplak Nataša , Kovač Minka , Bucar Franz , Jeršek Barbara , Smole Možina Sonja
Published: December 2017

The food‐borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni can cause bacterial gastrointestinal infections. Biofilm formation amplifies the risk of human infection by improving survival and persistence of C. jejuni in food processing environments and its transmission through the food chain. We aimed to control C. jejuni using an alternative strategy of low doses of Juniperus communis fruit preparations to target bacterial adhesion properties in the first step of biofilm formation. First, we defined the anti‐Campylobacter activity of a juniper fruit crude extract and its fractionated biflavonoids, flavone glycosides, and purified amentoflavone, of juniper fruit essential oil and of juniper fruit postdistillation waste material extract. For accurate quantification of adherent C. jejuni, we optimised digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and quantitative real‐time PCR for construction of standard curves and quantification. We show for the first time that juniper fruit formulations can effectively inhibit adhesion of C. jejuni to polystyrene. Furthermore, ≥94% of the antiadhesion activity of juniper fruit crude extract and juniper fruit essential oil remained under food‐related conditions: modified culture medium with glucose, or a stainless steel surface, or mixed co‐cultures of C. jejuni and Listeria monocytogenes. This study indicates that addition of juniper fruit formulations can control growth and adhesion of C. jejuni and thus limit food chain transmission of campylobacters.
Complexity and trends analysis of hydrometeorological time series for a river streamflow: A case study of Songhua River Basin, China
Authors: Faiz M.A. , Liu D. , Fu Q. , Qamar M.U. , Dong S. , Khan M.I. , Li T.
Published: December 2017

In China's national economic growth, an important role is being played by the Songhua River because of the river's abundant resources and natural conditions. Therefore, study of hydrometeorological time series is very important to understand the basin behaviour. This research uses the snow cover data derived from MODIS, streamflow, and meteorological records in the Songhua River Basin to evaluate similarity, complexity, and trends in the snow cover, temperature, precipitation, and streamflow. In this paper, we suggest a new method of ranking the statistics symbolic sequences to examine the degree of similarity (distance measurement) between meteorological stations and compare it with non‐parametric correlation methods and also investigate the deviations in the complexity of a hydrometeorological time series. Information‐based similarity index and multiscale entropy confirm that the hydrometeorological time series of different stations have self‐similarity and abundant complexity. Wavelet entropy is also used to investigate the basin behaviour by taking streamflow records and population. It is found that with the increase in population and urbanization, the complexity values are increased. The results also exhibit that due to increase in urbanization, it affects the hydrological process and nature of environment resulting in complex catchment behaviour. Furthermore, the streamflow trend results displayed significant decline (22.21 m3/s × year−1) in the Songhua River. The results also indicated that the seasonal snow cover trend has no impact on changes of the streamflow. However, the decline of the streamflow may be influenced by the significant human activity upstream of the Songhua River.
On rigidity, orientability, and cores of random graphs with sliders
Authors: Barré J. , Lelarge M. , Mitsche D.
Published: December 2017

Suppose that you add rigid bars between points in the plane, and suppose that a constant fraction q of the points moves freely in the whole plane; the remaining fraction is constrained to move on fixed lines called sliders. When does a giant rigid cluster emerge? Under a genericity condition, the answer only depends on the graph formed by the points (vertices) and the bars (edges). We find for the random graph the threshold value of c for the appearance of a linear‐sized rigid component as a function of q, generalizing results of Kasiviswanathan, Moore, and Theran. We show that this appearance of a giant component undergoes a continuous transition for and a discontinuous transition for . In our proofs, we introduce a generalized notion of orientability interpolating between 1‐ and 2‐orientability, of cores interpolating between the 2‐core and the 3‐core, and of extended cores interpolating between the 2 + 1‐core and the 3 + 2‐core; we find the precise expressions for the respective thresholds and the sizes of the different cores above the threshold. In particular, this proves a conjecture of Kasiviswanathan, Moore, and Theran about the size of the 3 + 2‐core. We also derive some structural properties of rigidity with sliders (matroid and decomposition into components) which can be of independent interest.
The impact of cannabis smoke on the performance of pulmonary surfactant under physiologically relevant conditions
Authors: Davies Michael J. , Birkett Jason W. , Court Olivia , Mottram Alicia , Zoroaster Farbod
Published: December 2017

The principal site for gaseous exchange within the lung is the alveolar space, which is bathed in a lipid‐protein blend called pulmonary surfactant. This material is the initial contacting site for orally inhaled products and environmental toxins. Using the lung biosimulator, this study investigates the influence of cannabis smoke on the activity of the lung surfactant replacement product, Curosurf. Initially, 50‐mg cannabis material was pyrolysed and the smoke collected. Cannabis smoke profiling was conducted via gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, with a mean concentration of 1% Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol determined. The smoke aliquots were transferred to the lung biosimulator and expansion—contraction cycles were then initiated to mimic tidal breathing. Baseline data confirmed that Curosurf works effectively under physiologically relevant conditions. Exposure to cannabis smoke from 2 independent batches reduced the Langmuir maximum surface pressure values by approximately 20% and increased the compressibility term; interbatch variation was detected. Cannabis smoke impaired the ability of Curosurf to lower the surface tension term. This was ascribed to the penetration of the planar, hydrophobic drug into the two‐dimensional film, and destructive interaction with polar functionalities. The net effect would be increased work of breathing for the individual.
Evolution of surface topography and optical band gap of ZnO film deposited on NiO/Si(100)
Authors: Das P. K. , Biswal R. , Choudhary R. J. , Ganesan V. , Mallick P.
Published: December 2017

Evolution of surface features and optical band gap of ZnO thin films deposited on different NiO/Si(100) are reported. In order to create different initial microstructure, we first deposited NiO film on Si(100) at 3 different temperatures (400°C, 650°C, and 700°C) by pulsed laser deposition. These NiO/Si(100) films are used as substrate for the deposition of ZnO films. Combining the results obtained from grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscope, and UV‐Visible characterization, our study indicated that the microstructure of the substrate takes the important role in dictating properties of the film. Our study also indicated that one needs to choose appropriate synthesis condition to achieve good quality ZnO films.
The influence of surface treatment on the tensile and tribological properties of wood fiber‐reinforced polyimide composite
Authors: Gang Du
Published: December 2017

In this paper, the effect of coupling agent surface treatment of wood fiber on tensile and tribological property of wood fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic polyimide (PI) composites was experimentally investigated. Experimental results revealed that coupling agent surface treatment could effectively improve the interfacial adhesion between wood fiber and PI matrix. Compared with the untreated wood fiber/PI composite, the coupling agent‐treated composite had better interfacial adhesion. The fracture surfaces and worn surface of samples were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy to analyze the effects of surface treatment methods.
Taking a hit to save the world? Employee participation in a corporate social initiative
Authors: Bode Christiane , Singh Jasjit
Published: December 2017

Research Summary: Companies often justify their corporate social initiatives by citing talent management benefits. We examine the extent of, and the reasons for, employee interest in such an initiative in a global management consulting firm. We find a large fraction of employees to be interested in participation in the initiative even when participation requires a personal sacrifice in the form of a salary cut. However, this interest is driven not just by prosocial motivation: Expectations regarding private benefits, such as improved career prospects from new skills acquired, also play a role. Considerations of social impact and private benefits are equally salient when no salary cut is required, but private considerations become more prominent when participating employees are asked to accept a salary cut.

Managerial Summary: Many companies are moving from stand‐alone corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects to social initiatives integrated into strategy. Providing employees with the opportunity to participate in such initiatives is said to help attract, motivate and retain talent. In this study, carried out in collaboration with a management consulting firm, we examine how much and why employees value participation in a corporate social initiative. Based on interviews and survey data, we find that employees are not only interested in, but often even willing to accept, a temporary salary cut for the opportunity. However, altruistic motivation is not the only driver of this interest: Employees also expect and value the possibility that the experience would lead to private benefits, such as developing skills likely to enhance their career prospects.
Enhancing flexibility of power systems by exploiting operational controllability of large‐scale wind farms
Authors: Liu Bin , Liu Feng , Wei Wei , Hou Yunhe , Mei Shengwei
Published: December 2017

Even though increasing wind power generation significantly benefits the greening of power system generation, the intrinsic uncertainty and variability associated with large‐scale wind generation greatly challenge the current power system operation, such as unit commitment (UC) and economic dispatch. So far, major wind farms are straightforwardly integrated into the existing UC framework as negative loads and operated with a wind‐in‐priority mode. With the prompt development of the control techniques of wind generators, such as switching on/off or fast pitching control, this manner of operation may underestimate the controllability of wind farms and result in the lack of operational flexibility of the power system. This paper addresses the issue by exploiting the controllability of wind farms in UC decision while considering its inherent uncertain nature. First, the wind generation controllability is modeled as an adjustable scenario set associated with prediction errors. And then a modified two‐stage stochastic UC model is formulated to incorporate the operational controllability of wind farms. A modified IEEE 39‐bus system is employed to demonstrate the proposed methodology. Simulation results show that the utilization of wind generation controllability can considerably benefit the economy, reliability, and flexibility of power system dispatch. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Numerical study on arc discharge characteristics in double‐ and single‐flow‐type gas circuit breakers
Authors: Yoshino Tomoyuki , Mori Tadashi , Kawano Hiromichi , Miyazaki Kensaku , Yatabe Yuki , Fujino Takayasu
Published: December 2017

We investigate the effect of exhaust gas flow on the arc discharge characteristics by means of three‐dimensional numerical analyses for double‐ and single‐flow‐type gas circuit breakers (GCBs). The arc voltage of the double‐flow type becomes high compared to the single‐flow type when a cooling gas flows from puffer chamber to the downstream channel. The arc voltage of double‐flow‐type GCB increases by ∼20% during high current of over several kiloamperes. The increase in arc voltage caused by double‐flow exhaust depends mainly on the extension of arc discharge length. The arc conductance per unit length remains unchanged. The arc current decreases below a few kiloamperes, and then the pass of the arc discharge gets much longer and penetrates deep into the tulip contact because of the strong exhaust flow to the tulip contact side in the case of the double‐flow‐type GCB. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The contribution of parental and societal conditional regard to adjustment of high school dropouts
Authors: Itzhaki Yael , Itzhaky Haya , Yablon Yaacov B.
Published: December 2017

This study examined the contribution of parental conditional regard (PCR) and societal conditional regard (SCR) – divided into positive and negative regard – to high school dropouts' adjustment (i.e., well‐being, loneliness, and future orientation) along the different stages of the dropout process. Specifically, the current study focused on dropouts from a traditional community, where dropping out was accompanied by various social repercussions. The study, conducted in Israel among Ultraorthodox Jewish males, included 261 participants, ages 14–21 (M = 17, SD = 1.17), who were at different stages in the dropout process. Structural equation modeling indicated a negative contribution of parental conditional negative regard to adjustment, while societal conditional positive regard made a positive contribution to adjustment. Moreover, dropouts indicated higher parental and societal conditional regard than students at other stages of the dropout process. Findings highlight the importance of SCR and PCR in understanding the adjustment of dropouts in traditional communities.
Left‐behind adolescents' hopes and fears for the future in rural China
Authors: Zhao Jingxin , Sun Ping , Wang Meifang , Zhang Wenxin
Published: December 2017

The present study examined the contents of future hopes and fears among Chinese adolescents left behind by one or both of their rural‐to‐urban migrant parents compared to those from rural and urban nonmigrant families. Data from 1083 participants (50.2% boys; Mage = 13.50 years; SD = 1.06) indicated that adolescents reported future hopes and fears in a variety of life domains, including future education, academics, occupation, marriage and family, parents' and relatives' wellbeing, interpersonal relationships, leisure activities, wealth and self‐related issues. Adolescents from both‐parent‐migrant families reported more hopes and fears for interpersonal relationships and more fears for parents' and relatives' wellbeing than other adolescents. Moreover, boys from migrant families reported more hopes for occupation and fewer hopes for interpersonal relationships than girls from migrant families, whereas no gender differences were found among adolescents from nonmigrant families. These results suggest the important roles of parental migration in adolescents' future thinking.
Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube
Authors: Al Lawati Tawfiq Taki , Al Brashdi Yahya , Al Rahbi Najwa , Omar Ibrahim , Al Ismaili Suad
Published: December 2017

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in children has multiple etiologies but fortunately is not encountered commonly by pediatricians. Aorto-esophageal fistula (AEF) in children is a rare cause of UGIB and it is mainly secondary to accidental ingestion of foreign bodies, particularly disc batteries, or after cardiothoracic surgery. In this study, we report a case of a 3-year-old child who developed de novo AEF with no prior injury to the esophagus. The child presented with massive UGIB leading to hypovolemic shock, acute kidney injury, and cardiac arrest. The torrential bleed was controlled using a Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube (SBT), which allowed urgent chest CT angiography as well as subsequent thoracotomy and repair of the fistula Unfortunately, the child succumbed to repeated cardiac arrests secondary to the renal injury and severe acidosis. This case highlights the need for the early recognition of massive UGIB in children and the requirement to make appropriately sized SBTs available in all pediatric gastroenterology units.
Formation, evolution and scaling of plasma synthetic jets
Authors: Zong Haohua , Kotsonis Marios
Published: December 2017

Plasma synthetic jet actuators (PSJAs), capable of producing high-velocity pulsed jets at high frequency, are well suited for high-Reynolds-number subsonic and supersonic flow control. The effects of energy deposition and actuation frequency on the formation and evolution characteristics of plasma synthetic jets (PSJs) are investigated in detail by high-speed phase-locked particle imaging velocimetry (PIV). Increasing jet intensity with energy deposition is mainly contributed by the increasing peak jet velocity ($U_{p}$), while decreasing jet intensity with actuation frequency is attributed to both the reduced cavity density (primary factor) and the shortened jet duration (secondary factor). The total energy efficiency of the considered PSJA ($O(0.01\,\%)$) reduces monotonically with increasing frequency, while the time-averaged thrust produced by the PSJA is positively proportional to both the deposition energy and the frequency. A simplified theoretical model is derived and reveals a scaling power law between the peak jet velocity and the non-dimensional deposition energy (exponent$1/3$). The propagation velocity of the vortex ring attached at the jet front shows a non-monotonic behaviour of initial sharp increase and subsequent mild decay. The peak values for both the propagation velocity and the circulation of the front vortex ring are reached approximately two exit diameters away from the exit. Finally, analysis of the time-averaged flow fields of the issuing PSJ indicates that the axial decay rate of the centreline velocity is proportional to the actuation frequency whereas it is invariant with the energy deposition. The jet spreading rate of the PSJ is found to be higher than steady jets but lower than piezoelectric synthetic jets. Similarly, the entrainment coefficients of the PSJ are found to be twice as high as the values for comparable steady jets.
GROUP ACTION ON THE DEFORMATIONS OF A FORMAL GROUP OVER THE RING OF WITT VECTORS
Authors: DEMCHENKO OLEG , GUREVICH ALEXANDER
Published: December 2017

A recent result by the authors gives an explicit construction for a universal deformation of a formal group
$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$
of finite height over a finite field
$k$
. This provides in particular a parametrization of the set of deformations of
$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$
over the ring
${\mathcal{O}}$
of Witt vectors over
$k$
. Another parametrization of the same set can be obtained through the Dieudonné theory. We find an explicit relation between these parameterizations. As a consequence, we obtain an explicit expression for the action of
$\text{Aut}_{k}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7})$
on the set of
${\mathcal{O}}$
-deformations of
$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$
in the coordinate system defined by the universal deformation. This generalizes a formula of Gross and Hopkins and the authors’ result for one-dimensional formal groups.
Pragmatism and Prophecy: H. G. Wells and the Metaphysics of Socialism
Authors: BELL DUNCAN
Published: December 2017

Read throughout the world, H. G. Wells was one of the most famous political thinkers of the early twentieth century. During the first half of the 1900s, he elaborated a bold and idiosyncratic cosmopolitan socialist vision. In this article, I offer a new reading of Wells's political thought. I argue that he developed a distinctivepragmatistphilosophical orientation, which he synthesized with his commitments to Darwinian evolutionary theory. His pragmatism had four main components: a nominalist metaphysics; a verificationist theory of truth; a Jamesian “will to believe”; and a conception of philosophy as an intellectual exercise dedicated to improving practice. His political thought was shaped by this philosophical orientation. Wells, I contend, was the most high-profile pragmatist political thinker of the opening decades of the twentieth century. Acknowledging this necessitates a re-evaluation of both Wells and the history of pragmatism.
Businesspeople in Elected Office: Identifying Private Benefits from Firm-Level Returns
Authors: SZAKONYI DAVID
Published: December 2017

Do businesspeople who win elected office use their positions to help their firms? Business leaders become politicians around the world, yet we know little about whether their commitment to public service trumps their own private interests. Using an original dataset of 2,703 firms in Russia, I employ a regression discontinuity design to identify the causal effect of firm directors winning seats in subnational legislatures from 2004 to 2013. First, having a connection to a winning politician increases a firm’s revenue by 60% and profitability by 15% over a term in office. I then test between different mechanisms, finding that connected firms improve their performance by gaining access to bureaucrats and not by signaling legitimacy to financiers. The value of winning a seat increases in more politically competitive regions but falls markedly when more businesspeople win office in a convocation. Politically connected firms extract fewer benefits when faced with greater competition from other rent-seekers.
SAUDI ARABIA, EGYPT, AND THE LONGUE DURÉE STRUGGLE FOR ISLAM'S HOLIEST PLACES
Authors: TEITELBAUM JOSHUA
Published: December 2017

Scholars inquiring into Saudi–Egyptian or Hijazi–Egyptian relations, or the history of modern Saudi state formation, have been tempted to concentrate on the June 1926 attack by the tribal Ikhwan on the Egyptian Maḥmal, or pilgrimage caravan, as the key to understanding these relations. But such a courte durée, sometimes known as the événementielle approach, leaves out much rich depth. In fact, when placed within the wider time frame of the longue durée of relations between Egypt and the Hijaz, which is Arabia's western littoral region and home to Islam's holiest places, its historical significance becomes more about ending Egyptian claims of primacy in the Hijaz than achieving internal Saudi state consolidation. It is the longue durée that should command attention, for the only way that Ibn Saud could refashion to his own favour the historical connections that defined Islamic legitimacy in a political form was to cut the Gordian knot between Egypt and the Hijaz. He had to break up the Red Sea littoral system, and tie the holy places instead to the Saudi heartland of Najd. At the Red Sea's expense, the Arabian Peninsula, dominated by Saudi Arabia, became the new geo-political feature of the region.
Differences in seed dormancy associated with the domestication ofCucurbita maxima: elucidation of some mechanisms behind this response
Authors: Martínez Analía B. , Lema Verónica , Capparelli Aylen , López Anido Fernando , Benech-Arnold Roberto , Bartoli Carlos G.
Published: December 2017

This work presents the results of physiological studies developed to understand modifications linked to the reduction of seed dormancy provoked by domestication processes. The experiments performed compared wild and domesticatedCucurbitasubspecies and their hybrids developed by reciprocal crossings. Seeds of two accessions of the wild subspecies presented dormancy, but it was largely reduced in seeds from the domesticated genotype, and partially reverted in hybrids, especially in those obtained when the domesticated genotype was used as the mother plant. In addition, naked embryos of all subspecies did not display dormancy when incubation was performed at 28°C, but embryo germination was progressively reduced only in the wild genotype under decreasing incubation temperatures (22 and 16°C). In the embryos, abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations were similar in both domesticated and wild subspecies, whereas in the seed coat, it was threefold higher in the wild subspecies. The naked embryos from the wild subspecies were far more responsive to ABA than those from the domesticated subspecies. These results indicate that dormancy in the wild subspecies is imposed by the seed coat tissues and that this effect is mediated by their high ABA content and the sensitivity of the embryos to ABA. These physiological aspects were apparently removed by domestication along with the temperature-dependent response for germination.
Spotlight Series
Authors:   The Contemporary European History Editorial Team
Published: December 2017

In an effort to draw attention to the very wide variety of European historical traditions, the editors of Contemporary European History decided to commission a series of essays that will introduce our readers to the diverse historiographies and historical practices being produced in different European languages and national contexts. While this journal has been particularly active in supporting perspectives from transnational, international and global history, we also recognise that the national frame remains crucial for the production of historical narratives throughout Europe, whether it be through the training of historians, or the funding, peer-reviewing, institutionalisation and reception of historical research.
Sen, justice and the private realm of dispute resolution
Authors: De Girolamo Debbie
Published: December 2017

The attainment of justice through a private dispute-resolution process, such as the mediation process, is an elusive objective. With the prominent place mediation has been given in civil justice, debates about the ability of mediation to deliver substantive justice are relevant, particularly when proponents of the process argue that mediation offers some form of justice to its participants, while critics argue that it provides no justice. This paper explores the issue of justice in the private dispute-resolution process of mediation and its ability to deliver a substantive form of justice (rather than procedural or popular justice, which is often seen as the type of justice, if any, that is provided by mediation). It does so through an analysis of ethnographic data of the mediation process using Amartya Sen's justice framework set out inThe Idea of Justice.
Urban Sewers Evolve Similarly to River Networks
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: December 2017

Like river systems, engineered drainage networks become increasingly fractal as they grow.
Multifunctional stimuli responsive polymer-gated iron and gold-embedded silica nano golf balls: Nanoshuttles for targeted on-demand theranostics
Authors: Wang Liping , Jang Grace , Ban Deependra Kumar , Sant Vrinda , Seth Jay , Kazmi Sami , Patel Nirav , Yang Qingqing , Lee Joon , Janetanakit Woraphong , Wang Shanshan , Head Brian P , Glinsky Gennadi , Lal Ratneshwar
Published: December 2017

Multi-functional nanoshuttles for remotely targeted and on-demand delivery of therapeutic molecules and imaging to defined tissues and organs hold great potentials in personalized medicine, including precise early diagnosis, efficient prevention and therapy without toxicity. Yet, in spite of 25 years of research, there are still no such shuttles available. To this end, we have designed magnetic and gold nanoparticles (NP)-embedded silica nanoshuttles (MGNSs) with nanopores on their surface. Fluorescently labeled Doxorubicin (DOX), a cancer drug, was loaded in the MGNSs as a payload. DOX loaded MGNSs were encapsulated in heat and pH sensitive polymer P(NIPAM-co-MAA) to enable controlled release of the payload. Magnetically-guided transport of MGNSs was examined in: (a) a glass capillary tube to simulate their delivery via blood vessels; and (b) porous hydrogels to simulate their transport in composite human tissues, including bone, cartilage, tendon, muscles and blood–brain barrier (BBB). The viscoelastic properties of hydrogels were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cellular uptake of DOX-loaded MGNSs and the subsequent pH and temperature-mediated release were demonstrated in differentiated human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as well as epithelial HeLa cells. The presence of embedded iron and gold NPs in silica shells and polymer-coating are supported by SEM and TEM. Fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy documented DOX loading in the MGNSs. Time-dependent transport of MGNSs guided by an external magnetic field was observed in both glass capillary tubes and in the porous hydrogel. AFM results affirmed that the stiffness of the hydrogels model the rigidity range from soft tissues to bone. pH and temperature-dependent drug release analysis showed stimuli responsive and gradual drug release. Cells’ viability MTT assays showed that MGNSs are non-toxic. The cell death from on-demand DOX release was observed in both neurons and epithelial cells even though the drug release efficiency was higher in neurons. Therefore, development of smart nanoshuttles have significant translational potential for controlled delivery of theranostics’ payloads and precisely guided transport in specified tissues and organs (for example, bone, cartilage, tendon, bone marrow, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and brain) for highly efficient personalized medicine applications.
Displacement of carbonates in Ca2UO2(CO3)3by amidoxime-based ligands from free-energy simulations
Authors: Li Bo , Priest Chad , Jiang De-en
Published: December 2017

Classical molecular dynamics simulations coupled with umbrella sampling reveal the atomistic processes and free-energy profiles of the displacement of carbonate groups in the Ca2UO2(CO3)3complex by amidoxime-based ligands in a 0.5 M NaCl solution.
An overview and recent progress in the chemistry of uranium extraction from seawater
Authors: Parker B. F. , Zhang Z. , Rao L. , Arnold J.
Published: December 2017

There has been historical interest in harvesting uranium from seawater for nuclear energy over the past few decades, with the goal of lower extraction cost to become competitive with land-based uranium. This review provides a brief background on the extraction of uranium from seawater and on recent work from groups supported by the United States Department of Energy on this project.
Understanding the origins of Oyl–U–Oylbending in the uranyl (UO22+) ion
Authors: Hayton Trevor W.
Published: December 2017

Although rare, Oyl–U–Oylbending in the uranyl (UO22+) ion can be effected by either steric perturbation or electronic perturbation.
Study on poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) hollow fiber membranes with surface modification by a chemical vapor deposition method
Authors: You Yan-wei , Xiao Chang-fa , Huang Qing-lin , Huang Yan , Wang Chun , Liu Hai-liang
Published: December 2017

FEP/PPy composite hollow fiber membranes were prepared by PPy layer polymerization on the outer surface of FEP hollow fiber membranesviaa chemical vapor deposition method.
Resveratrol attenuates high glucose-induced nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and senescence through activating the ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Wang Wenping , Li Pei , Xu Jiagang , Wu Xiangkun , Guo Zhiliang , Fan Lijing , Song Ruipeng , Wang Jianli , Wei Li , Teng Haijun
Published: December 2017

Background: Diabetes mellitus is closely correlated with disc degeneration. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis and senescence are typical cellular features within the degenerative disc. Resveratrol is a newly identified phytoalexin that has protective effects on cartilaginous tissue.

Objective: To investigate the whether resveratrol can protect against high glucose-induced NP cell apoptosis and senescence, and the potential mechanism in this process.

Methods: Rat NP cells were cultured in either 10% FBS culture medium (control group) or 10% FBS with a high glucose concentration (0.2 M, experiment group) for 3 days. Resveratrol or the combination of resveratrol and LY294002 was added into the culture medium of experiment group to investigate the effects of resveratrol and the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Results: High glucose significantly promoted NP cell apoptosis and NP cell senescence compared with the control group. Resveratrol exhibited protective effects against high glucose-induced NP cell apoptosis and senescence. Further analysis showed that resveratrol suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and increased the activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway under the high glucose condition. However, the LY294002 had no significant effects on ROS content in the resveratrol-treated high glucose group.

Conclusion: Resveratrol can attenuate high glucose-induced NP cell apoptosis and senescence, and the activation of ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway may be the potential mechanism in this process.
Understanding the Communication Needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students Who Are Deafblind
Authors: Bowen Sandy K. , Correa-Torres Silvia M.
Published: December 2017

America's population is more diverse than ever before. The prevalence of students who are culturally and/or linguistically diverse (CLD) has been steadily increasing over the past decade. The changes in America's demographics require teachers who provide services to students with deafblindness to have an increased awareness of different cultures and diversity in today's classrooms, particularly regarding communication choices. Children who are deafblind may use spoken language with appropriate amplification, sign language or modified sign language, and/or some form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
AAC Supporting Literacy Instruction for Individuals With Deafblindness
Authors: Brum Christopher
Published: December 2017

This paper aims to provide an overview of literacy as it relates to children with deafblindness, including information on literacy instruction and specific examples of activities that support literacy development for this population. It will also explain how augmentative and alternative communication supports, including the use of technology, can be integrated into literacy instruction for individuals with deafblindness.
No‐hit‐zone frequency hopping sequence sets with respect to aperiodic Hamming correlation
Authors: Liu Xing , Zhou Liang , Zeng Qi
Published: December 2017

Aperiodic Hamming correlation (APHC) is more accurate to measure performances of the frequency hopping (FH) communication systems than periodic Hamming correlation. A class of no‐hit‐zone FH sequences (FHSs) with respect to APHC which has not yet been studied previously, is studied. A bound on no‐hit‐zone FHSs with respect to APHC is established. Further, a class of no‐hit‐zone FHSs with respect to APHC is constructed, which is optimal with respect to the new bound.
Design of distributed sampled‐data fuzzy controller for a class of non‐linear hyperbolic PDE systems: input delay approach
Authors: Mardani Mohammad Mehdi , Shasadeghi Mokhtar , Safarinejadian Behrouz
Published: December 2017

This study addresses the problem of distributed sampled‐data fuzzy controller design for a class of non‐linear distributed parameter systems which are described by first‐order hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs). To achieve this goal, first, the non‐linear system is modelled by a continuous‐time Takagi–Sugeno first‐order hyperbolic PDE fuzzy model. Subsequently, the authors design a new distributed sampled‐data fuzzy controller that generates a zero‐order hold sampled‐data control signal appropriate for the PDE systems. Then, a new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is suggested to provide the stability analysis conditions of the closed‐loop control system. Moreover, the stabilisation conditions are obtained and converted to linear matrix inequalities using some new null terms. The proposed technique has removed the structural constraints on the convection and Lyapunov matrices. Finally, the proposed approach is applied on a biological system and a non‐isothermal plug flow reactor.
Observer‐based non‐PDC controller design for T–S fuzzy systems with the fractional‐order
Authors: Duan Ruirui , Li Junmin
Published: December 2017

This study focuses on observer‐based non‐parallel‐distributed‐compensation (non‐PDC) controller design for T–S fuzzy systems with fractional‐order . A rule‐dependent fuzzy Lyapunov function is used to analyse the (non‐PDC) controller. For a dynamical output feedback design, the immeasurable premise variables of the fuzzy observer and fuzzy controller are considered. Under the assumption that the membership derivatives for a given compact set can be represented by a kind of weighted sum, the difficulty in knowing a priori the appropriate bounds of the membership derivatives to satisfy linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is removed. Using the matrix singular value decomposition method, new less‐conservative strict LMI conditions are derived for the locally asymptotical stabilisation of the fractional‐order T–S fuzzy system with immeasurable state variables. A fractional‐order Lorenz chaotic system is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Maximum power extraction improvement using sensorless controller based on adaptive perturb and observe algorithm for PMSG wind turbine application
Authors: Putri Ratna Ika , Pujiantara Margo , Priyadi Ardyono , Ise Toshifumi , Purnomo Mauridhi Hery
Published: December 2017

Wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) can extract maximum power by controlling the wind turbine rotational speed. This study presents a novel sensorless maximum power extraction control for small‐scale WECS using a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), to improve the maximum power extraction. The proposed method uses the output voltage and current of a rectifier to determine the duty cycle of the boost converter, without requiring the wind speed information and turbine characteristics. The step size of the duty cycle is changed adaptively, based on the difference between the rectifier output power and the previous duty cycle to obtain fast convergence, until the maximum power point is attained. The performance of the proposed sensorless maximum power extraction control is evaluated both by simulation, using PowerSIM and laboratory experiments, for variable wind speed conditions. The proposed maximum power extraction controller has a simple structure, low cost, and a good response to wind speed variations. The proposed method can extract a higher maximum power and has a higher efficiency of 93.87%, than the conventional perturb and observe method.
Energy management strategy for microgrids including heat pump air‐conditioning and hybrid energy storage systems
Authors: Shi Jinxiao , Huang Wentao , Tai Nengling , Qiu Peng , Lu Yi
Published: December 2017

The stable and economic operation of microgrids always requires the participation of hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs). In order to reduce the capacity and investment cost of HESSs, the application of heat pump air‐conditioning systems (HPACSs) is a feasible solution to the problem. This study proposes a microgrid energy management strategy based on the coordination of HPACSs and HESSs. The strategy is devised to regulate the peak‐valley loads on demand side and to smooth the power fluctuation of renewable energy sources in the microgrids. Peak‐valley load difference is reduced through the heat capacity model of HPACS and battery energy storage system. Power fluctuation is allocated between HPACS and HESS by using fuzzy control theory. A simulation of a microgrid including HPACS and HESS demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Modelling and control of a VSC medium‐voltage DC distribution network with DFIG wind farm
Authors: Patrobers Simiyu , Ai Xin , Teshager Bitew Girmaw , Kunyu Wang
Published: December 2017

The voltage source converters (VSC) medium‐voltage DC (MVDC) is the future distribution network for integrating renewable energy sources. The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine is the most efficient option for wind farm application. The intermittency of wind power is challenging in grid integration at the AC distribution system level. This study presents a ±10 kV VSC MVDC network with DFIG wind farm integrated to mitigate these effect. Key MVDC network components and controllers are modelled including the control strategy for the MVDC grid. The proposed system is validated in MATLAB/SIMULINK for steady state and transient conditions. The results show that the MVDC can work as firewall that absorbs the fluctuating wind power to a stable system with good power flow and balance as well as constant DC voltage. Therefore, the MVDC network is a stable system with fast dynamic response.