bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higgs mechanism in nonlocal field theories
Authors: Hashi Manami Noumi , Isono Hiroshi , Noumi Toshifumi , Shiu Gary , Soler Pablo
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We study spontaneous gauge symmetry breaking and the Higgs mechanism in nonlocal field theories. Motivated by the level truncated action of string field theory, we consider a class of nonlocal field theories with an exponential factor of the d’Alembertian attached to the kinetic and mass terms. Modifications of this kind are known to make mild the UV behavior of loop diagrams and thus have been studied not only in the context of string theory but also as an alternative approach to quantum gravity. In this paper we argue that such a nonlocal theory potentially includes a ghost mode near the nonlocal scale in the particle spectrum of the symmetry broken phase. This is in sharp contrast to local field theories and would be an obstruction to making a simple nonlocal model a UV complete theory. We then discuss a possible way out by studying nonlocal theories with extra symmetries such as gauge symmetries in higher spacetime dimensions.
Reheating neutron stars with the annihilation of self-interacting dark matter
Authors: Chen Chian-Shu , Lin Yen-Hsun
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Compact stellar objects such as neutron stars (NS) are ideal places for capturing dark matter (DM) particles. We study the effect of self-interacting DM (SIDM) captured by nearby NS that can reheat it to an appreciated surface temperature through absorbing the energy released due to DM annihilation. When DM-nucleon cross section σχ
n
is small enough, DM self-interaction will take over the capture process and make the number of captured DM particles increased as well as the DM annihilation rate. The corresponding NS surface temperature resulted from DM self-interaction is about hundreds of Kelvin and is potentially detectable by the future infrared telescopes. Such observations could act as the complementary probe on DM properties to the current DM direct searches.
Future management options for cembran pine forests close to the alpine timberline
Authors: Jandl Nathalia , Jandl Robert , Schindlbacher Andreas
Published: August 2018

Key message

High-elevation forests in the Alps protect infrastructure and human lives against natural hazards such as rockfall, flooding, and avalanches. Routinely performed silvicultural interventions maintain the required stand structure but are not commercially viable in remote forests due to high operational costs. Financial subsidies for the management of high-elevation protection forests are an efficient strategy to ensure sustainable forest cover.

Context

Presently, many high-elevation forests in the Alps are managed in order to ensure the provision of ecosystem services with emphasis on the minimization of natural hazards.

Aims

We studied the possible economic performance of a high-elevation protection forest from an owner’s perspective. We investigated whether the increase in productivity due to climate change and a favorable market for the dominating cembran pine (Pinus cembra L.) are sufficient for profitable timber production in protection forests.

Methods

We simulated the standing timber stock and the soil carbon pool for a 100-year period with climate-sensitive models and compared harvesting costs with expected revenues. Our scenarios included different climates, intensities of timber extractions, parameters of the timber market, and the availability of government subsidies.

Results

Overall, the productivity of forests increases by approximately 15% until the end of the century. In a zero-management scenario, the forest accumulates carbon both in the aboveground biomass and the soil. In the case of an extensive management with moderate timber extractions every 50 years, the carbon stocks decline both in biomass and soil. A more intensive management scenario with extractions every 30 years leads to substantial losses of the soil and biomass carbon pools. In addition, the stand structure changes and the protective function of the forest is not sustainably ensured. Timber production can be economically successful only with high selling prices of cembran pine timber and the availability of governmental subsidies for forest management. The admixed European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) contributes only marginally to the economic success. The main challenge are harvesting costs. The costs of timber extraction by a long-distance cableway logging system exceed the value of the harvested timber.

Conclusion

The intensification of forest management cannot be recommended from the perspective of timber production, sustainable forest management, and protection against natural hazards. Our simulation experiment shows that the extraction of timber at decadal intervals depletes the carbon stock that is insufficiently replenished from aboveground and belowground litterfall. Leaving the forest unmanaged does not impose a particular threat to stand stability and is under the encountered situation, a justified strategy.
“It's about having money, but also happiness:” A qualitative investigation of how adolescents understand subjective status in themselves and others
Authors: Martin‐Storey Alexa , Marcellin Sarah , Purtell Kelly M. , Tougas Anne‐Marie , Lessard Anne
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Understanding why adolescent subjective assessments of status matter to their psychosocial outcomes over and above objective assessments of socioeconomic status (SES) requires a better comprehension of how adolescents construct status in themselves and others. Using a qualitative approach, the goal of the current study was to better understand what factors adolescents use to assign status, and how their perceptions of this status vary according to their own SES.

Method

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 adolescents from Quebec, Canada, from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. In particular, they were shown the ladder from the Subjective Social Status Scale and asked what defined scale placement in their communities. They were also asked where they would place themselves on this scale, and why.

Results

The importance of traditional indicators of SES such as money, educational level, and occupational prestige were underlined by almost all adolescents, but other factors (e.g., wellbeing, family life, values concerning work, other‐orientation, or rule‐following) were also frequently discussed. Adolescents used similar criteria in the placement of themselves and others. Contradictions often emerged, however, as adolescents' scale placement was often higher than what would be expected based on traditional SES indicators.

Conclusions

These findings provide a starting point for understanding why adolescents' subjective assessments of status may matter above and beyond traditional assessments of SES, and how we can better measure this construct.
A SHORT NOTE ON THE FRAME SET OF ODD FUNCTIONS
Authors: FAULHUBER MARKUS
Published: August 2018

We give a simple argument which shows that Gabor systems consisting of odd functions of$d$variables and symplectic lattices of density$2^{d}$cannot constitute a Gabor frame. In the one-dimensional, separable case, this follows from a more general result of Lyubarskii and Nes [‘Gabor frames with rational density’,Appl. Comput. Harmon. Anal.34(3) (2013), 488–494]. We use a different approach exploiting the algebraic relation between the ambiguity function and the Wigner distribution as well as their relation given by the (symplectic) Fourier transform. Also, we do not need the assumption that the lattice is separable and, hence, new restrictions are added to the full frame set of odd functions.
Calcium-sensing receptor in nutrient sensing: an insight into the modulation of intestinal homoeostasis
Authors: Liu Guangmang , Cao Wei , Jia Gang , Zhao Hua , Chen Xiaoling , Wang Jing
Published: August 2018

The animal gut effectively prevents the entry of hazardous substances and microbes while permitting the transfer of nutrients, such as water, electrolytes, vitamins, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals and microbial metabolites, which are intimately associated with intestinal homoeostasis. The gut maintains biological functions through its nutrient-sensing receptors, including the Ca-sensing receptor (CaSR), which activates a variety of signalling pathways, depending on cellular context. CaSR coordinates food digestion and nutrient absorption, promotes cell proliferation and differentiation, regulates energy metabolism and immune response, stimulates hormone secretion, mitigates secretory diarrhoea and enhances intestinal barrier function. Thus, CaSR is crucial to the maintenance of gut homoeostasis and protection of intestinal health. In this review, we focused on the emerging roles of CaSR in the modulation of intestinal homoeostasis including related underlying mechanisms. By elucidating the relationship between CaSR and animal gut homoeostasis, effective and inexpensive methods for treating intestinal health imbalance through nutritional manipulation can be developed. This article is expected to provide experimental data of the effects of CaSR on animal or human health.
Empowering lower limbs exoskeletons: state-of-the-art
Authors: Viteckova Slavka , Kutilek Patrik , de Boisboissel Gérard , Krupicka Radim , Galajdova Alena , Kauler Jan , Lhotska Lenka , Szabo Zoltan
Published: August 2018

Given the advanced breakthroughs in the field of supportive robotic technologies, interest in the integration of the human body and a robot into a single system has rapidly increased. The aim of this work is to provide an overview of empowering lower limbs exoskeletons. Along with lower exoskeleton limbs, their unique design concepts, operator–exoskeleton interactions and control strategies are described. Although many problems have been solved in recent development, many challenges remain. Especially in the context of infantry soldiers, fire fighters and rescuers, the challenges of empowering exoskeletons are discussed, and improvements are outlined and described. This study is not only a summary of the current state, but also points to weaknesses of empowering lower limbs exoskeletons and outlines possible improvements.
Large outbreak of multiple gastrointestinal pathogens associated with fresh curry leaves in North East England, 2013
Authors: Waldram A. , Lawler J. , Jenkins C. , Collins J. , Payne M. , Aird H. , Swindlehurst M. , Adak G. K. , Grant K. , Ready D. , Gorton R. , Foster K.
Published: August 2018

A total of 592 people reported gastrointestinal illness following attendance at Street Spice, a food festival held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North East England in February/March 2013. Epidemiological, microbiological and environmental investigations were undertaken to identify the source and prevent further cases. Several epidemiological analyses were conducted; a cohort study; a follow-up survey of cases and capture re-capture to estimate the true burden of cases. Indistinguishable isolates of Salmonella Agona phage type 40 were identified in cases and on fresh curry leaves used in one of the accompaniments served at the event. Molecular testing indicated entero-aggregative Escherichia coli and Shigella also contributed to the burden of illness. Analytical studies found strong associations between illness and eating food from a particular stall and with food items including coconut chutney which contained fresh curry leaves. Further investigation of the food supply chain and food preparation techniques identified a lack of clear instruction on the use of fresh uncooked curry leaves in finished dishes and uncertainty about their status as a ready-to-eat product. We describe the investigation of one of the largest outbreaks of food poisoning in England, involving several gastrointestinal pathogens including a strain of Salmonella Agona not previously seen in the UK.
Music and Transmediality: The Multi-Media Invasion ofJeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
Authors: SUMMERS TIM
Published: August 2018

This article investigates music in the modern transmedial franchise. Popular culture franchises flow across different forms of media, taking the audience, and often the music, with them. Music plays an important role in articulating and developing textual relationships, while adapting to the possibilities of each particular medium.

To focus on the role of music, a case study that emphasizes audio is chosen, a transmedial franchise founded upon a rock album.Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds(1978) has served as the basis for several (very different) video games that also prioritize music. The article traces how musical materials are selected, transformed, and deployed as media boundaries are traversed. It ultimately argues that music is an important part of how media consumers engage with transmedial franchises.
Quantification of antibiosis levels in nine different rice genotypes against Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Sarao P. S. , Bentur J. S.
Published: August 2018

Studies on different parameters of antibiosis to simultaneously compare diverse genotypes with different resistance levels are lacking. Such studies are necessary to identify the genetic variability among resistant genotypes, which, ultimately, can lead to the identification of resistance genes with diverse mechanisms. The current study was undertaken to quantify antibiosis levels in nine rice genotypes against the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), under glasshouse conditions using nine parameters. Among these genotypes, RP2068-18-3-5 and Ptb33 displayed significantly better performance as compared to other genotypes in most of the parameters studied and did not differ from each other. Rathu Heenati was the best in unfertilised eggs laid and similar to the above two genotypes regarding percent of nymphal survival. All the test genotypes performed significantly better than the susceptible check TN1, though INRC3021 did not differentiate from the former in some tests. The overall damage score was positively and significantly correlated with the amount of honeydew excretion, percent nymphal survival and emergence, the proportion of brachypterous females, female population, and growth index, and were negatively and significantly correlated with percent unfertilised eggs laid and nymphal development period. Regression analysis revealed a significant linear relationship between damage score and nymphal emergence, nymphal survival percentage, and proportion of brachypterous females. RP2068-18-3-5 is the new source of BPH resistance identified through this study, which breeders can further use in resistance breeding.
Advances and progress in the obligation to return the remains of missing and forcibly disappeared persons
Authors: Baranowska Grażyna
Published: August 2018

This article analyzes the evolution in international law of the obligation to search for and return the remains of forcibly disappeared and missing persons. Receiving the remains of forcibly disappeared and missing persons is one of the primary needs of their families, who bring the issue to international courts and non-judicial mechanisms. This obligation has been incrementally recognized and developed by different human rights courts, which have included the obligation to search for and return the remains of disappeared persons in their remedies. In parallel to the development of the obligation by international courts, the international community has begun to become more involved in assisting in return of the remains of forcibly disappeared and missing persons to their families.
Whistler Wave Generation by Anisotropic Tail Electrons During Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection in Space and Laboratory
Authors: Yoo Jongsoo , Jara‐Almonte J. , Yerger Evan , Wang Shan , Qian Tony , Le Ari , Ji Hantao , Yamada Masaaki , Fox William , Kim Eun‐Hwa , Chen Li‐Jen , Gershman Daniel J.
Published: August 2018

Whistler wave generation near the magnetospheric separatrix during reconnection at the dayside magnetopause is studied with data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. The dispersion relation of the whistler mode is measured for the first time near the reconnection region in space, which shows that whistler waves propagate nearly parallel to the magnetic field line. A linear analysis indicates that the whistler waves are generated by temperature anisotropy in the electron tail population. This is caused by loss of electrons with a high velocity parallel to the magnetic field to the exhaust region. There is a positive correlation between activities of whistler waves and the lower hybrid drift instability both in laboratory and space, indicating the enhanced transport by lower hybrid drift instability may be responsible for the loss of electrons with a high parallel velocity.
Polysaccharide utilization loci of North Sea Flavobacteriia as basis for using SusC/D-protein expression for predicting major phytoplankton glycans
Authors: Kappelmann Lennart , Krüger Karen , Hehemann Jan-Hendrik , Harder Jens , Markert Stephanie , Unfried Frank , Becher Dörte , Shapiro Nicole , Schweder Thomas , Amann Rudolf I , Teeling Hanno
Published: August 2018

Marine algae convert a substantial fraction of fixed carbon dioxide into various polysaccharides. Flavobacteriia that are specialized on algal polysaccharide degradation feature genomic clusters termed polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs). As knowledge on extant PUL diversity is sparse, we sequenced the genomes of 53 North Sea Flavobacteriia and obtained 400 PULs. Bioinformatic PUL annotations suggest usage of a large array of polysaccharides, including laminarin, α-glucans, and alginate as well as mannose-, fucose-, and xylose-rich substrates. Many of the PULs exhibit new genetic architectures and suggest substrates rarely described for marine environments. The isolates’ PUL repertoires often differed considerably within genera, corroborating ecological niche-associated glycan partitioning. Polysaccharide uptake in Flavobacteriia is mediated by SusCD-like transporter complexes. Respective protein trees revealed clustering according to polysaccharide specificities predicted by PUL annotations. Using the trees, we analyzed expression of SusC/D homologs in multiyear phytoplankton bloom-associated metaproteomes and found indications for profound changes in microbial utilization of laminarin, α-glucans, β-mannan, and sulfated xylan. We hence suggest the suitability of SusC/D-like transporter protein expression within heterotrophic bacteria as a proxy for the temporal utilization of discrete polysaccharides.
Isolated detection of elastic waves driven by the momentum of light
Authors: Požar Tomaž , Laloš Jernej , Babnik Aleš , Petkovšek Rok , Bethune-Waddell Max , Chau Kenneth J. , Lukasievicz Gustavo V. B. , Astrath Nelson G. C.
Published: August 2018

Electromagnetic momentum carried by light is observable through the mechanical effects radiation pressure exerts on illuminated objects. Momentum conversion from electromagnetic fields to elastic waves within a solid object proceeds through a string of electrodynamic and elastodynamic phenomena, collectively bound by momentum and energy continuity. The details of this conversion predicted by theory have yet to be validated by experiments, as it is difficult to distinguish displacements driven by momentum from those driven by heating due to light absorption. Here, we have measured temporal variations of the surface displacements induced by laser pulses reflected from a solid dielectric mirror. Ab initio modelling of momentum flow describes the transfer of momentum from the electromagnetic field to the dielectric mirror, with subsequent creation/propagation of multicomponent elastic waves. Complete consistency between predictions and absolute measurements of surface displacements offers compelling evidence of elastic transients driven predominantly by the momentum of light.
Region-specific and state-dependent action of striatal GABAergic interneurons
Authors: Fino Elodie , Vandecasteele Marie , Perez Sylvie , Saudou Frédéric , Venance Laurent
Published: August 2018

Striatum processes a wide range of functions including goal-directed behavior and habit formation, respectively encoded by the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS). GABAergic feedforward inhibition is known to control the integration of cortical information by striatal projection neurons (SPNs). Here we questioned whether this control is specific between distinct striatal functional territories. Using opto-activation and opto-inhibition of identified GABAergic interneurons, we found that different circuits are engaged in DLS and DMS, both ex vivo and in vivo: while parvalbumin interneurons efficiently control SPNs in DLS, somatostatin interneurons control SPNs in DMS. Moreover, both parvalbumin and somatostatin interneurons use a dual hyperpolarizing/depolarizing effect to control cortical input integration depending on SPN activity state: GABAergic interneurons potently inhibit spiking SPNs while in resting SPNs, they favor cortical activity summation via a depolarizing effect. Our findings establish that striatal GABAergic interneurons exert efficient territory-specific and state-dependent control of SPN activity and functional output.
A low-cost paper-based synthetic biology platform for analyzing gut microbiota and host biomarkers
Authors: Takahashi Melissa K. , Tan Xiao , Dy Aaron J. , Braff Dana , Akana Reid T. , Furuta Yoshikazu , Donghia Nina , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin , Collins James J.
Published: August 2018

There is a need for large-scale, longitudinal studies to determine the mechanisms by which the gut microbiome and its interactions with the host affect human health and disease. Current methods for profiling the microbiome typically utilize next-generation sequencing applications that are expensive, slow, and complex. Here, we present a synthetic biology platform for affordable, on-demand, and simple analysis of microbiome samples using RNA toehold switch sensors in paper-based, cell-free reactions. We demonstrate species-specific detection of mRNAs from 10 different bacteria that affect human health and four clinically relevant host biomarkers. We develop a method to quantify mRNA using our toehold sensors and validate our platform on clinical stool samples by comparison to RT-qPCR. We further highlight the potential clinical utility of the platform by showing that it can be used to rapidly and inexpensively detect toxin mRNA in the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infections.
Author Correction: The effectiveness of public health advertisements to promote health: a randomized-controlled trial on 794,000 participants
Authors: Yom-Tov Elad , Shembekar Jinia , Barclay Sarah , Muennig Peter
Published: August 2018

In the original version of the published Article, there was an error in the caption to Table 1 which stated “None of the differences are statistically significant (χ2, two-sided, p > 0.05)”. This has been changed to “The 18–24 year old are over-represented in the all user treatment population, while the 50–64 year old are underrepresented in both tracked and all user population, p-values were <0.05 for age groups and gender.” This has been corrected in the HTML and PDF version of the Article.
Recyclable amine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for efficient demulsification of crude oil-in-water emulsions
Authors: Wang Qing , Puerto Maura C. , Warudkar Sumedh , Buehler Jack , Biswal Sibani L.
Published: August 2018

Produced water from the oil and gas industry often contains stable crude oil-in-water emulsions that are typically difficult to treat with conventional separation methods.
Amending anaerobic bioreactors with pyrogenic carbonaceous materials: the influence of material properties on methane generation
Authors: Cheng Qiwen , de los Reyes Francis L. , Call Douglas F.
Published: August 2018

The impact of pyrogenic carbonaceous material amendments on methane production in short-term anaerobic batch reactors depended on multiple material properties, including, but not limited to, electrical conductivity.
Self-assembly of DNA–tetraphenylethylene amphiphiles into DNA-grafted nanosheets as a support for the immobilization of gold nanoparticles: a recyclable catalyst with enhanced activity
Authors: Krishnan Nithiyanandan , Golla Murali , Thelu Hari Veera Prasad , Albert Shine K. , Atchimnaidu Siriki , Perumal Devanathan , Varghese Reji
Published: August 2018

We report the immobilization of catalytically active NPs through DNA hybridization onto DNA nanosheets which are found to exhibit enhanced activity and recyclability.
Layer dependent magnetoresistance of vertical MoS2 magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Khan Muhammad Farooq , Kim Hakseong , Nazir Ghazanfar , Jung Suyong , Eom Jonghwa
Published: August 2018

Vertical spin valve junctions consisting of MoS2 layers have been fabricated by ultraclean fabrication method. The magnetoresistance of the spin valve junction increases as the thickness of MoS2 layer is increased.
Largely enhanced energy storage capability of a polymer nanocomposite utilizing a core-satellite strategy
Authors: Pan Zhongbin , Wang Mingkun , Chen Jianwen , Shen Bo , Liu Jinjun , Zhai Jiwei
Published: August 2018

NN@PDA@Ag NWs/PVDF nanocomposite films exhibit an excellent discharge energy density of 16.04 J cm−3 at 485 MV m−1, high discharge efficiency of 62.8%, superior power density of 2.1 MW cm−3 and ultra-fast discharge speed of 153 ns.
Schiff base and reductive amination reactions of α-amino acids: a facile route toward N-alkylated amino acids and peptoid synthesis
Authors: Fu Xiaohui , Li Zheng , Wei Jirui , Sun Jing , Li Zhibo
Published: August 2018

Polypeptoids are a promising class of peptidomimetic polymers for applications in biotechnology, but the polymers prepared by solution polymerization have limited side-chain functionalities due to synthetic difficulty.
Ce(iii)-Containing tungstotellurate(vi) with a sandwich structure: an efficient Lewis acid–base catalyst for the condensation cyclization of 1,3-diketones with hydrazines/hydrazides or diamines
Authors: Yang Guo-Ping , Shang Shu-Xia , Yu Bing , Hu Chang-Wen
Published: August 2018

A new Ce3+ modified Dawson-like polyoxometalate cluster was synthesized, which showed good Lewis acid and Lewis base activities in the condensation reaction.
Low defects, large area and high stability of all-inorganic lead halide perovskite CsPbBr3 thin films with micron-grains via heat-spraying process for self-driven photodetector
Authors: Zhou Huawei , Fan Lin , He Guohang , Yuan Cang , Wang Yunying , Shi Shaozhen , Sui Ning , Chen Baoli , Zhang Yingtian , Yao Qingxia , Zhao Jinsheng , Zhang Xianxi , Yin Jie
Published: August 2018

In this study, large area, low defect and high stable all-inorganic lead halide perovskite CsPbBr3 thin film with micron-grains (MG-CsPbBr3-TF) are prepared via heat-spraying process (HSP) using CsPbBr3 saturated solution (CsPbBr3-SS).
Preparation and properties of Pb/Sn/Al laminated composite anode for zinc electrowinning
Authors: Han Zhaohui , Zhu Peixian , Liu Jianhua , Koppala Sivasankar , Xu Lei , Zhang Libo , Kannan Chandrasekar Srinivasa
Published: August 2018

The use of Pb/Sn/Al composite anode materials has been limited due to the thermodynamic immiscibility between Pb and Al sheets during the welding process.
The D′ domain of von Willebrand factor requires the presence of the D3 domain for optimal factor VIII binding
Authors: Przeradzka Małgorzata A. , Meems Henriet , van der Zwaan Carmen , Ebberink Eduard H.T.M. , van den Biggelaar Maartje , Mertens Koen , Meijer Alexander B.
Published: August 2018

The D′–D3 fragment of von Willebrand factor (VWF) can be divided into TIL′-E′-VWD3-C8_3-TIL3-E3 subdomains of which TIL′-E′-VWD3 comprises the main factor VIII (FVIII)-binding region. Yet, von Willebrand disease (VWD) Type 2 Normandy (2N) mutations, associated with impaired FVIII interaction, have been identified in C8_3-TIL3-E3. We now assessed the role of the VWF (sub)domains for FVIII binding using isolated D′, D3 and monomeric C-terminal subdomain truncation variants of D′–D3. Competitive binding assays and surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that D′ requires the presence of D3 for effective interaction with FVIII. The isolated D3 domain, however, did not show any FVIII binding. Results indicated that the E3 subdomain is dispensable for FVIII binding. Subsequent deletion of the other subdomains from D3 resulted in a progressive decrease in FVIII-binding affinity. Chemical footprinting mass spectrometry suggested increased conformational changes at the N-terminal side of D3 upon subsequent subdomain deletions at the C-terminal side of the D3. A D′–D3 variant with a VWD type 2N mutation in VWD3 (D879N) or C8_3 (C1060R) also revealed conformational changes in D3, which were proportional to a decrease in FVIII-binding affinity. A D′–D3 variant with a putative VWD type 2N mutation in the E3 subdomain (C1225G) showed, however, normal binding. This implies that the designation VWD type 2N is incorrect for this variant. Results together imply that a structurally intact D3 in D′–D3 is indispensable for effective interaction between D′ and FVIII explaining why specific mutations in D3 can impair FVIII binding.
Retinal blood vessel segmentation using the elite‐guided multi‐objective artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Khomri Bilal , Christodoulidis Argyrios , Djerou Leila , Babahenini Mohamed Chaouki , Cheriet Farida
Published: August 2018

Retinal vessel segmentation constitutes an essential part of computer‐assisted tools for the diagnosis of ocular diseases. In this study, the authors propose an unsupervised retinal blood vessels segmentation approach based on the elite‐guided multi‐objective artificial bee colony (EMOABC) algorithm. The proposed method exploits several criteria simultaneously to improve the accuracy of the segmentation results. An energy curve function is used to calculate the values of the thresholding criteria, in order to reduce the noise response from lesions and select the optimal thresholds that separate the blood vessels from the background. In order to achieve computational speed up, a stopping criterion method is used to adjust the parameters of the EMOABC algorithm. The proposed method is computationally simple and faster than most of the available unsupervised algorithms, demonstrating fast convergence to the final segmentation. Additionally, the proposed vessel segmentation method outperforms the metaheuristics vessels segmentation algorithms reported in the literature. The achieved mean discrepancy metrics for the proposed approach are 94.5% accuracy, 97.4% specificity and 73.9% sensitivity for DRIVE database, and 94% accuracy, 96.2% specificity and 73.7% sensitivity for STARE database.
Development of student’s initiative in future profession: the lecturer’s option of interaction based training forms approach
Authors: Luchaninov Dmitry , Bazhenov Ruslan , Bazhenova Natalia , Gorbunova Tatiana , Bogatenkov Sergey
Published: August 2018

In the article, the option of pedagogical interaction based training forms for student’s initiative in future profession development is analyzed. The concepts of student’s initiative, process of pedagogical interaction, pedagogical interaction based training forms are described. Sholom-Aleichem Priamursky State University, Moscow State University of Civil Engineering and South Ural State University served as an experimental base. The purpose of the experiment was to analyze effect of using pedagogical interaction based training forms for the student’s initiative in future profession development. Two groups were selected for research: experimental (212 students) and control (219 students). Quantitative indicators of the dynamics testify the effectiveness of the experimental work: control group shows 16 percent progress while the experimental have 31 percent.
Prospective chemistry teachers’ cognitive structures about the concept of globalization
Authors: Şen Şenol , Dinçol Özgür Sinem , Temel Senar
Published: August 2018

This study aims to determine prospective chemistry teachers’ cognitive structures about the concept of globalization. The study employs case study- one of qualitative research methods. 20 prospective chemistry teachers were included in the research. The participants were chosen in purposeful sampling method. The research data were collected through a test of three open-ended questions developed by the researchers. The prospective teachers were asked questions on what globalization meant, what the environmental consequences of globalization were, and what the effects of globalization on the world were and they were required to answer the questions in writing. The written answers that prospective chemistry teachers gave to the open-ended questions will be put to content analysis. The findings to be obtained through content analysis were divided into themes related to the concept of globalization and categories defined. After the analysis of the themes and categories, prospective chemistry teachers’ cognitive structures about the concept of globalization were revealed and then the findings were discussed in details.
Assessment of problem solving proficiencies with self-efficacy perceptions of students in faculty of health sciences of cyprus international university
Authors: Cetin S.Yaprak , Erel Suat , Ozalp Ozge
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study is to evaluate the self-efficacy perceptions and problem solving competencies of students of Health Sciences Faculty. The study included 150 students studying in 4th grade who completed the questionnaire completely. Self-efficacy-competence scale was used to evaluate students’ self-efficacy perceptions, and Problem Solving Inventory was used to evaluate problem solving proficiencies. The mean age of the students included in the study was 22.26 ± 1.27 years and 59.3% [n = 89] were female students. It was determined that the self-efficacy perception scores of the students were 82.30 ± 14.37 and the problem solving ability scores were 103.65 ± 19.31. There was a significant relationship between self-efficacy perception and problem solving ability [r = -0,328, p: 0.01]. According to the results, it was determined that the students had a low level of self-efficacy perception and problem solving competencies.
Creative Thinking in Interior Architecture Education: Basic Design Courses
Authors: Aşkın Gülsüm Damla
Published: August 2018

Basic Design courses aim to enable the students to produce creative designs with original and aesthetic perspectives in Interior Architecture Education in Turkey. In this study, it was aimed to develop the skill to use creative thinking of the students studying Interior Architecture and to bring the childish creativity back in the Basic Design course. Firstly, the Interior Architecture students were made to prepare an individual preliminary design work within the workshop carried out for this purpose. One week after the individual work, a workshop was held together with the kindergarten students. The aim of the workshops held in the scope of Basic Design course is to make the students generate ideas more quickly, be aware of the new design methods, and to gain the skill of working with individuals from various age groups in harmony. A survey was carried out with the participation of 16 academicians in the field of Interior Architecture and the designs obtained in the beginning and end of the study were evaluated by comparing them in terms of the use of creative thinking. To conclude, it can be said that the interior architecture students used creative thinking more effectively together with kindergarten students.
Two new scales in the field of couples and marriage counseling: The inclusion of other in the self scale and Turkish self-change in romantic relationships scale
Authors: Dincer Duygu , Eksi Halil , Aron Arthur
Published: August 2018

This study had two aims. One aim was to adapt the Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS) Scale into the Turkish cultural context. The second aim was to develop the Turkish Self-Change in Romantic Relationships Scale (TSCRRS) based on the existing Relational Self-Change Scale. The research process for this study consisted of four stages. In the first stage, forward-backward translation of the IOS Scale was performed to determine bilingual equivalence. In the second stage, an item-pool was created to measure self-change in romantic relationships. In the third stage, data were collected to determine the reliability and validity of the TSCRRS (N = 426). In the fourth stage, new data were collected to determine the validity and reliability of the IOS Scale and the TSCRRS (N = 348). All of the participants were in a romantic relationship. The findings revealed that both the TSCRRS and the IOS Scale have good reliability and validity.
Sample Activities in Teaching Functions through ICT Support
Authors: Urhan Selin , Kuh Gizem , Günal Irem , Arkün Kocadere Selay
Published: August 2018

Functions are one of the most important topics of algebra in which the success rate of students is quite low and many misconceptions are commonly encountered. Studies argue that by means of technological support, mathematics teaching in general and functions in particular will be facilitated. On the other hand, the rapid development in technology and digital natives necessitate the integration of technology into the field of education. The aim of this study is to present sample activities with regard to the integration of information and communication technologies into the teaching and learning process of functions by using readily available e-contents; Autograph, one of the softwares used for mathematics teaching; and other basic tools.
Health education and teaching innovation at the university: Experience with students of social sciences
Authors: Pedrero-García Encarnación
Published: August 2018

The objective of this paper is to show how health education can be introduced transversally in the university to improve the quality of life of students. Through a teaching innovation project, we have incorporated a meeting point to educate and inform about health education, involving 180 students from the social education degree at the Pablo de Olavide University (Seville, Spain). The methodology followed is quantitative using an ex professo script and analyzing the data with the SPSS software in order to measure the satisfaction degree of student with respect to 5 variables: usefulness, methodology, organization and resources, teaching staff and general satisfaction. The results show that the majority of students are satisfied with the inclusion of health education related topics.
The study of form structuring through musical rhythm analogies for architecture students
Authors: Racolţa Andrei , Giurea Diana
Published: August 2018

The aim of the study is to facilitate the rhythmic management of shape by understanding the basics of the sonorous rhythm. The method used is based on an examplification using musical instruments, audio tools and a specific/ intuitive rhythmical semiography. This theoretical part is applied in the discipline called “The study of form”, conducted at the Faculty of Architecture in Timisoara, in the 2nd year of the bachelor programme using an exercise entitled rhytmical volumetric frieze. The method and results are presented in the illustrative part of the paper. Understanding musical rhythm is a fertile base for those working in the field of architecture, design and visual arts in general. The formal diversity obtained exhibites the polyrhythmics and the variation specific to musical rhythm, contrary to monorhythm and isorhythm.
Shaping the quality of second language learning: Students’ perspective
Authors: Solodkova Irina M. , Grigorieva Elena V. , Ismagilova Liliya R.
Published: August 2018

The paper dwells on the problem of identifying the most crucial factors affecting the quality of foreign language learning from the students’ perspective. Quality foreign language education is a disputable issue in 21 century due to the increased global workforce competition. Human capital has a great impact on education as an important factor in shaping a new quality of country’s economy and well-being of society. Foreign language skill is an integral component of highly qualified professionals as the global economic processes make them participate in cross-border business communication. In these conditions the aim of higher education establishments is to provide quality of language learning and teaching that allows future specialists not to distort the meaning in written and oral communication within their professional framework. The two-phase survey conducted among 67 students of the Institute of Management, Economics and Finance of the Kazan Federal University provided with quantitative data. The respondents ranked differently the factors determining the quality of language learning and teaching responses after two years of completing their foreign language education and were generally satisfied with the quality of service rendered. The obtained results give optimistic forecasts regarding the improvement of foreign language education and help reconsider the way of teaching a foreign language basing on the chosen factors.
What can policymakers learn from feminist strategies to combine contextualised evidence with advocacy?
Authors: Malbon Eleanor , Carson Lisa , Yates Sophie
Published: August 2018

We give a short overview of feminist perspectives on the use of evidence in policy making, covering both empirical and conceptual work. We present the case of the Conflict Tactics Scale, a measure of interpersonal violence that is both widely used and heavily criticised in work on violence between intimate partners. We examine this case to illustrate the way that feminist advocacy and research organisations use gender informed theory to counter positivist narratives about intimate partner violence. In doing so, we show that the evidence-based policy approach, even when considered as principle or ideal, frames the policy-making process as “objective”, and in doing so ignores the gendered contexts in which knowledge is produced, used and translated into policy and implementation. By examining feminist approaches to this case study, we can learn from feminist advocate researchers the importance of context, normative arguments and the politicisation of evidence in policymaking and implementation.
Deep learning: A guide for practitioners in the physical sciences
Authors: Spears Brian K. , Brase James , Bremer Peer-Timo , Chen Barry , Field John , Gaffney Jim , Kruse Michael , Langer Steve , Lewis Katie , Nora Ryan , Peterson Jayson Luc , Jayaraman Thiagarajan Jayaraman , Van Essen Brian , Humbird Kelli
Published: August 2018

Machine learning is finding increasingly broad applications in the physical sciences. This most often involves building a model relationship between a dependent, measurable output, and an associated set of controllable, but complicated, independent inputs. We present a tutorial on current techniques in machine learning—a jumping-off point for interested researchers to advance their work. We focus on deep neural networks with an emphasis on demystifying deep learning. We begin with background ideas in machine learning and some example applications from current research in plasma physics. We discuss supervised learning techniques for modeling complicated functions, beginning with familiar regression schemes, and then advancing to more sophisticated deep learning methods. We also address unsupervised learning and techniques for reducing the dimensionality of input spaces. Along the way, we describe methods for practitioners to help ensure that their models generalize from their training data to as-yet-unseen test data. We describe classes of tasks—predicting scalars, handling images, and fitting time-series—and prepare the reader to choose an appropriate technique. We finally point out some limitations to modern machine learning and speculate on some ways that practitioners from the physical sciences may be particularly suited to help.
Stable and confined burn in a Revolver ignition capsule
Authors: Molvig Kim , Schmitt Mark J. , Betti Riccardo , Campbell E. Michael , McKenty Patrick
Published: August 2018

The main burn phase physics in a Revolver ignition capsule is analyzed and found to exhibit a new feature where pusher stagnation is persistent and burn occurs with the fuel at a fixed volume. The pressure and density gradients at the fuel-pusher interface are both positive making it stable to Rayleigh-Taylor growth. Expansion cooling and RT mixing are absent from the Revolver burn during this time. The effect is due to the massive heavy metal pusher shell being compressed during implosion and heated on an inner layer by the Marshak wave. The pusher is driven to a higher pressure than the DT fuel and becomes a fuel confining shell starting at stagnation and continuing past the time of peak burn. This period of persistent stagnation lasts for approximately 100 ps (in the baseline design) with a fuel burnup during stagnation of 40%. This behavior does not occur in any other capsule designs, including the double shell schemes that also employ a heavy metal pusher.
Hot carrier impact on photovoltage formation in solar cells
Authors: Ašmontas S. , Gradauskas J. , Sužiedėlis A. , Šilėnas A. , Širmulis E. , Švedas V. , Vaičikauskas V. , Žalys O.
Published: August 2018

The photovoltaic effect in a GaAs p-n junction exposed to short laser pulses of the 1.06–3.0 μm spectral range is investigated experimentally. At a low excitation level of 1.06 μm radiation, the intraband single photon absorption of light dominates, and the photoresponse is found to be caused mainly by the hot carriers. As the laser intensity is increased, the photoresponse signal across the junction consists of two components; the hot carrier photovoltage and the classical photovoltage due to electron-hole pair generation resulting from two-photon absorption. The generation-induced photovoltage decreases with the increase in the radiation wavelength following the reduction of the two-photon absorption coefficient, while the carriers are shown to be heated by the intraband light absorption as well as by residual photon energy left over during the electron-hole pair generation. It is established that carrier heating by light reduces conversion efficiency of a solar cell not only via the thermalization process but also due to the competition of the hot carrier and the classical photovoltages which are of opposite polarities.
Selective activation of an isolated magnetic skyrmion in a ferromagnet with microwave electric fields
Authors: Takeuchi Akihito , Mochizuki Masahito
Published: August 2018

We theoretically reveal that pure eigenmodes of an isolated magnetic skyrmion embedded in a ferromagnetic environment can be selectively activated using microwave electric fields without exciting gigantic ferromagnetic resonances, in contrast to conventional methods using microwave magnetic fields. We also demonstrate that this selective activation of a skyrmion can efficiently drive its translational motion in a ferromagnetic nanotrack under application of an external magnetic field inclined from the normal direction. We find that a mode with combined breathing and rotational oscillations induces much faster skyrmion propagation than the breathing mode studied in a previous work [Wang et al., Phys. Rev. B 92, 020403(R) (2015)].
General methodology for inferring failure-spreading dynamics in networks
Authors: Guan Xiangyang , Chen Cynthia
Published: August 2018

Significance

Failure spreading widely exists in many systems, but methodologies devised to understand its dynamics so far are domain-constrained and demonstrate limited applicability across different systems. This paper tackles this issue from a reverse perspective of failure-spreading processes: It takes the spreading outcomes as inputs and seeks to infer the spreading process that gives rise to the outcomes, instead of the other way around as the prevalent approaches do. Because failure-spreading outcomes are commonly observed for different systems, we envision that this approach is generally applicable and provides a promising avenue to potentially unify research on spreading dynamics across disciplines. This research will facilitate understanding system dynamics and developing control techniques for them at different systems, scales, and dimensions.