bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the geometry and speed of a moving blocker system for cone‐beam computed tomography scatter correction
Authors: Chen Xi , Ouyang Luo , Yan Hao , Jia Xun , Li Bin , Lyu Qingwen , Zhang You , Wang Jing 
Published: September 2017

PurposeX‐ray scatter is a significant barrier to image quality improvements in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). A moving blocker‐based strategy was previously proposed to simultaneously estimate scatter and reconstruct the complete volume within the field of view (FOV) from a single CBCT scan. A blocker consisting of lead stripes is inserted between the X‐ray source and the imaging object, and moves back and forth along the rotation axis during gantry rotation. While promising results were obtained in our previous studies, the geometric design and moving speed of the blocker were set empirically. The goal of this work is to optimize the geometry and speed of the moving block system.MethodsPerformance of the blocker was examined through Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and experimental studies with various geometry designs and moving speeds. All hypothetical designs employed an anthropomorphic pelvic phantom. The scatter estimation accuracy was quantified by using lead stripes ranging from 5 to 100 pixels on the detector plane. An iterative reconstruction based on total variation minimization was used to reconstruct CBCT images from unblocked projection data after scatter correction. The reconstructed image was evaluated under various combinations of lead strip width and interspace (ranging from 10 to 60 pixels) and different moving speed (ranging from 1 to 30 pixels per projection).ResultsMC simulation showed that the scatter estimation error varied from 0.8% to 5.8%. Phantom experiment showed that CT number error in the reconstructed CBCT images varied from 13 to 35. Highest reconstruction accuracy was achieved when the strip width was 20 pixels and interspace was 60 pixels and the moving speed was 15 pixels per projection.ConclusionsScatter estimation can be achieved in a large range of lead strip width and interspace combinations. The moving speed does not have a very strong effect on reconstruction result if it is above 5 pixels per projection. Geometry design of the blocker affected image reconstruction accuracy more. The optimal geometry of the blocker has a strip width of 20 pixels and an interspace three times the strip width, which means 25% detector is covered by the blocker, while the optimal moving speed is 15 pixels per projection.
A service‐agnostic method for predicting service metrics in real time
Authors: Yanggratoke Rerngvit , Ahmed Jawwad , Ardelius John , Flinta Christofer , Johnsson Andreas , Gillblad Daniel , Stadler Rolf 
Published: September 2017

SummaryWe predict performance metrics of cloud services using statistical learning, whereby the behaviour of a system is learned from observations. Specifically, we collect device and network statistics from a cloud testbed and apply regression methods to predict, in real‐time, client‐side service metrics for video streaming and key‐value store services. Results from intensive evaluation on our testbed indicate that our method accurately predicts service metrics in real time (mean absolute error below 16% for video frame rate and read latency, for instance). Further, our method is service agnostic in the sense that it takes as input operating systems and network statistics instead of service‐specific metrics. We show that feature set reduction significantly improves the prediction accuracy in our case, while simultaneously reducing model computation time. We find that the prediction accuracy decreases when, instead of a single service, both services run on the same testbed simultaneously or when the network quality on the path between the server cluster and the client deteriorates. Finally, we discuss the design and implementation of a real‐time analytics engine, which processes streams of device statistics and service metrics from testbed sensors and produces model predictions through online learning.
Consistent development of a beam‐to‐beam contact algorithm via the curve‐to‐solid beam contact: Analysis for the nonfrictional case
Authors: Konyukhov Alexander , Mrenes Oana , Schweizerhof Karl 
Published: September 2017

SummaryBeam‐to‐beam contact can be dually described depending on the scale as contact between curves or contact between surfaces. The surface‐to‐surface algorithm requires a computationally expensive continuum description of the beams. The curve‐to‐curve contact algorithm is generated from the corresponding closest point projection procedure determining a minimal distance between curves and involves less expensive beam finite elements.The existence and uniqueness criterion of the closest point projection procedure formulated already in earlier publications is analyzed in detail, especially in the case of multiple solutions for “parallel curves.” It is shown that the curve‐to‐curve contact algorithm cannot be applied for general parallel curves, which can be generated in an arbitrary range of angles between the tangent lines. A new curve‐to‐solid beam contact algorithm is here developed. This algorithm requires a special solid‐beam finite element and is combining the advantages of surface contact together with the flexibility of the application to beam‐to‐beam contact.Further, a special case with “parallel tangent” vectors is considered from the classical Hertzian contact problem. It is found numerically that the corresponding length of a contact zone is well correlated with the Hertz theory. A possible application of the developed strategy for wire ropes is analyzed numerically.
Food Rituals and Their Social Significance in the Mid‐Second Millennium BC in the Southern Levant: A View From Megiddo
Authors: Sapir‐Hen L. , Martin M. A. S. , Finkelstein I. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCeremonies involving intentional burial of animals with humans are acknowledged to bear religious, social and political connotations, and we explored both the ritual activity and the social trajectory of these activities. To date, these ceremonies have rarely been examined within the context of nearby daily activities. We studied faunal remains associated with intramural burials in comparison with contemporaneous daily life in the midsecond millennium bc at Tel Megiddo, as well as comparison with concomitant extramural burials and locations of public feasts. Our study highlights the human interaction with animals that are not often treated as bearing social meaning or having interrelationships with human, the livestock animals. We demonstrate that livestock animals in the second millennium bc had a significant social role as well as economic value. The choice of animals consumed and sacrificed in these rituals is strongly related to the animal's symbolic potency and is based on the desired social message that the population aims to convey. Finally, the form of luxury food that is found in the Megiddo funerary rituals supports the hypothesis regarding the intramural burials' role in creating and enhancing social family bonds. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics Insights into Autophagy
Authors: Cudjoe Emmanuel K. , Saleh Tareq , Hawkridge Adam M. , Gewirtz David A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAutophagy, a conserved cellular process by which cells recycle their contents either to maintain basal homeostasis or in response to external stimuli, has for the past two decades become one of the most studied physiological processes in cell biology. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Biology awarded to Dr. Ohsumi Yoshinori, one of the first scientists to characterize this cellular mechanism, attests to its importance. The induction and consequent completion of the process of autophagy results in wide ranging changes to the cellular proteome as well as the secretome. MS‐based proteomics affords the ability to measure, in an unbiased manner, the ubiquitous changes that occur when autophagy is initiated and progresses in the cell. The continuous improvements and advances in mass spectrometers, especially relating to ionization sources and detectors, coupled with advances in proteomics experimental design, has made it possible to study autophagy, among other process, in great detail. Innovative labeling strategies and protein separation techniques as well as complementary methods including immuno‐capture/blotting/staining have been used in proteomics studies to provide more specific protein identification. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in proteomics studies focused on autophagy.
Ethylene/POSS copolymerization behavior of postmetallocene catalysts and copolymer characteristics
Authors: Groch Paweł , Dziubek Katarzyna , Czaja Krystyna , Białek Marzena , Adamczyk‐Tomiak Katarzyna , Rabiej Stanisław , Dudziec Beata 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTCopolymerization of ethylene with iso‐butyl substituted monoalkenyl(siloxy)‐ or monoalkenylsilsesquioxane (POSS) comonomers over bis(phenoxy‐imine) and salen‐type titanium and zirconium catalysts was studied. It was found that the polyreaction performance was significantly depended by the kind of the catalyst and by the structure and concentration of POSS in the feed. The POSS comonomer was efficiently incorporated into the polymer chain at up to 0.2 mol %. The differences in the copolymer compositions as the functions of the catalyst kind and the POSS comonomer were observed, including the varied number‐average sequence length of ethylene and unsaturated end groups, as determined by 1H NMR and FT‐IR. The presence of POSS comonomers affected also the melting and crystallization behavior of the copolymers, as evidenced by DSC, because of influence on the polymer chain arrangement. The POSS units could act as the nucleating agents. Moreover, the crystal and structural parameters of ethylene/POSS copolymers were evaluated on the basis of X‐ray results, and the limited self‐aggregation of POSS incorporated into the polymer chain, the small number and size of POSS aggregates, and the increased crystallinity degree of copolymers were demonstrated. The ethylene/POSS copolymers produced by postmetallocenes offered also high thermal stability and interesting morphological properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3918–3934
High diffusion barrier and piezoelectric nanocomposites based on polyvinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene copolymer and hydrophobized clay
Authors: Dalle Vacche Sara , Oliveira Fabiane , Sereda Olha , Neels Antonia , Dommann Alex , Damjanovic Dragan , Leterrier Yves 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTNanocomposites based on polyvinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene copolymer and up to 4 vol % of hydrophobized clay nanoparticles are investigated. The structure, piezoelectric properties, and oxygen permeability of solvent cast films are analyzed before and after annealing above the Curie temperature of the polymer. Exfoliation of the clay takes place at concentrations up to 1 vol %, beyond which it rapidly drops and is absent at a concentration of 4 vol %. The presence of clay does not change the crystallinity of the polymer, but leads to a threefold decrease of the oxygen permeability at a concentration of 0.5 vol %. Annealing at 130 °C increases the crystallinity, the proportion of β phase up to 94%, and the piezoelectric coefficient by 20–40% at clay fractions below 1 vol %. Annealing also leads to a remarkable 3‐ to 10‐fold decrease of O2 permeability and to intriguing changes of the activation energy for O2 transport, which decreases from 56 kJ/mol for the as‐cast polymer to below 10 kJ/mol for the polymer and exfoliated composite. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1828–1836
Controlling Reduction Kinetics in the Galvanic Replacement Involving Metal Oxides Templates: Elucidating the Formation of Bimetallic Bowls, Rattles, and Dendrites from Cu2O Spheres
Authors: Rodrigues Thenner S. , da Silva Anderson G. M. , Alves Rafael S. , de Freitas Isabel C. , Oliveira Daniela C. , Camargo Pedro H. C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study demonstrates that the precursor reduction kinetics can be employed to control the morphology and composition of bimetallic metal/metal oxides systems obtained by galvanic replacement reaction using metal oxides as sacrificial templates. This work investigated Cu2O as a proof‐of‐concept example, in which the relative rates of Cu2O oxidation by O2 and by noble metal precursors determined the morphology and composition of the products. We focused on three metal precursors with fast, medium, and slow reduction kinetics in the presence of Cu2O under aerobic conditions: , , and Ru3+, respectively. It was found that metal‐oxide‐based bowls, rattles, or dendrites can be obtained by simply changing the precursor reduction kinetics. These results provide novel insights over the versatility and mechanistic understanding of galvanic replacement to the synthesis of metal/metal‐oxide bimetallic nanoparticles.
The SubCons webserver: A user friendly web interface for state‐of‐the‐art subcellular localization prediction
Authors: Salvatore M. , Shu N. , Elofsson A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSubCons is a recently developed method that predicts the subcellular localization of a protein. It combines predictions from four predictors using a Random Forest classifier. Here, we present the user‐friendly web‐interface implementation of SubCons. Starting from a protein sequence, the server rapidly predicts the subcellular localizations of an individual protein. In addition, the server accepts the submission of sets of proteins either by uploading the files or programmatically by using command line WSDL API scripts. This makes SubCons ideal for proteome wide analyses allowing the user to scan a whole proteome in few days. From the web page, it is also possible to download precalculated predictions for several eukaryotic organisms. To evaluate the performance of SubCons we present a benchmark of LocTree3 and SubCons using two recent mass‐spectrometry based datasets of mouse and drosophila proteins. The server is available at http://subcons.bioinfo.se/
Early flowering and rapid grain filling determine early maturity and escape from harvesting in weedy rice
Authors: Zhao Can , Xu Wenrong , Song Xiaoling , Dai Weimin , Dai Lei , Zhang Zheng , Qiang Sheng 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDEarly maturity is an important trait that is essential to the survival of weedy rice. To explore the mechanism of early maturity in weedy rice, the reproductive development of a large sample of weedy rice accessions and cultivars was compared in a common garden study. A selected sample of both weedy and cultivated rice was sown at different dates in two years to study in more detail their flowering and grain‐filling patterns.RESULTSThe weedy rice from three major cropping regions matured 7‐8 days earlier than their associated cultivars. Representative weedy rice accessions planted on conventional sowing dates flowered 3‐26 days earlier than cultivars; delayed sowing caused divergence in the flowering regimes in weedy rice. However, regardless of the sowing date, weedy rice filled its grain 7‐21 days faster than cultivars in both study years. Vegetative and reproductive traits of weedy and cultivated rice have different patterns of variation with delayed planting.CONCLUSIONEarly maturity is an essential factor determining the persistence of weedy rice by contributing to the escape of its seed from being harvested with the rice crop. Both early flowering and shorter grain‐filling stages determine early maturity, and flowering is more plastic than grain filling. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Habitat‐mediated influence of water‐level fluctuations on waterbird occurrence in floodplain wetlands of the Parana River, Argentina
Authors: Lorenzón R.E. , Beltzer A.H. , Peltzer P.M. , Olguin P.F. , León E.J. , Sovrano L. , Ronchi‐Virgolini A.L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractResponses of waterbirds to habitat variation could account for their responses to fluctuations in river levels because hydrological fluctuations influence habitat availability across floodplains. Relationships between water level and waterbird occurrence were examined in floodplain wetlands of the Middle Paraná River to assess (a) whether occurrences of waterbird species were associated with water‐level fluctuations of the river, (b) which habitats were associated with species that showed a relationship with water level, (c) the influence of water level on these habitats, and (d) whether influence of water level on these species was related to water‐level influence on habitats. Through the use of regressions and structural equation models, we assessed whether direct relationships between each species and water level remained important after considering the influence of habitat variation. Of 21 species analysed, occurrences of 12 species showed an association with water‐level fluctuations. Indirect effects of water level through habitats fully accounted for this association in 5 species. Variation in habitat conditions did not, however, fully account for responses of 6 species, suggesting that although habitat variation can be an important factor, other variables are necessary to explain responses of some species to water level. One species was not associated with any habitat and therefore was not included in this analysis. Our results agreed with the idea that an important fraction of waterbird responses to hydrological fluctuations is related to the effects of these fluctuations on the availability of habitats across the floodplain. Our results provide data that help delimit groups of waterbird species that respond in similar ways to hydrological fluctuations.
Theoretical Investigation on the Interactions of Isoamethyrins and AnO2+/2+ (An=U, Pu)
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Kai , Li Lai‐Cai , Zhai Fu‐Wan , Pan Rui , Tian An‐Mim 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBy using density functional theory, this article selected isoamethyrin and its derivatives as ligands to study interactions between ligands and uranyl, as well as plutonyl. The result shows that isoamethyrin has a strong affinity to uranyl than to plutonyl, which is derived from the bond formation between the f orbitals in two metal atoms and the ligands. Pu atom provides the less number of f orbitals but the more number of p orbitals than U atom, which leads to the weak interaction between Pu atom and the ligands. The calculation of TBE (Bonding Energy Total) shows that the isoamethyrin ligands have large deformation after coordination.
A Facile Synthesis of Quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones via Copper‐Catalyzed One‐Pot, Three‐Component Tandem Reaction
Authors: Dhiman Shiv , Nandwana Nitesh K. , Dhayal Shreemala , Saini Hitesh K. , Kumar Dalip , Kumar Anil 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA simple and convenient one‐pot, three‐component tandem reaction has been developed for the synthesis of substituted quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones using CuI/L‐proline as catalytic system. A series of 35 quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones was synthesized in good to high yield. The method involves copper‐catalyzed double C−N coupling, reductive amination, condensation, cyclization and aerobic oxidation. Good functional group tolerance, mild reaction condition, readily available starting materials and user friendly procedure makes this protocol practically good and attractive method for the synthesis of quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones.
Core–Shell Nanoparticle Clusters Enable Synergistic Integration of Plasmonic and Catalytic Functions in a Single Platform
Authors: Lee Seunghoon , Wy Younghyun , Lee Young Wook , Ham Kyungrok , Han Sang Woo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDesigning controlled hybrid nanoarchitectures between plasmonic and catalytic materials is of paramount importance to fully exploit each function of constituent materials. This study reports a new synthetic strategy for the realization of colloidal clusters of core–shell nanoparticles with plasmonic cores and catalytically active shells. The Au@M (M = Pd or Pt) nanoparticle clusters (NPCs) with a high density of sub‐1 nm interparticle gaps are successfully prepared by the deposition of M shells onto thermally activated Au NPCs. NPCs with other metal, metal sulfide, and metal oxide shells can also be synthesized by using the present approach. The prepared Au@M NPCs show remarkably enhanced plasmonic performance compared to their Au@M nanoparticle counterparts due to the localization of a strong electromagnetic field at the interparticle gaps, while the inherent catalytic function of shells is intact. In situ real‐time Raman spectroscopy and plasmon‐enhanced electrocatalysis experiments demonstrate that the controlled assembly of core–shell nanoparticles is a very effective route for the synergistic integration of plasmonic and catalytic functions in a single platform.
Layer Structured Materials for Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Guo Yanpeng , Wei Yaqing , Li Huiqiao , Zhai Tianyou 
Published: September 2017

AbstractOwing to the strong in‐plane chemical bonds and weak van der Waals force between adjacent layers, investigations of layer structured materials have long been the hotspots in energy‐related fields. The intrinsic large interlayer space endows them capabilities of guest ion intercalation, fast ion diffusion, and swift charge transfer along the channels. Meanwhile, the well‐maintained in‐plane integrity contributes to exceptional mechanical properties. This anisotropic structural feature is also conducive to effective chemical combination, exfoliation, or self‐assembly into various nanoarchitectures, accompanied by the introduction of defects, lattice strains, and phase transformation. This review starts with a brief introduction of typical layered materials and their crystal structures, then the structural characteristics and structure oriented unique applications in batteries, capacitors, catalysis, flexible devices, etc., are highlighted. It is surprising to observe that layered materials possess: (1) high reactivity, high reversibility, and enhanced performance via forming additional chemical bonds in alkali‐metal ion batteries; (2) facile phase modulation, great feasibility for in‐plane/sandwich device design, and cation intercalation enabled high capacitance in supercapacitors; (3) promoted structural diversity, effective strain engineering, and capabilities to function as ideal supporting materials/templates in electrocatalysis field. Finally, the future prospects and challenges faced by layered materials are also outlined.
Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)‐Free Multistep Synthesis of Silver Nanoplates with Plasmon Resonance in the Near Infrared Range
Authors: Khan Assad U. , Zhou Zhengping , Krause Joseph , Liu Guoliang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHerein, a poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP)‐free method is described for synthesizing Ag nanoplates that have localized surface plasmon resonance in the near‐infrared (NIR) range. Citrate‐capped Ag spherical nanoparticles are first grown into small Ag nanoplates that resonate in the range of 500–800 nm. The small Ag nanoplates are used as seeds to further grow into large Ag nanoplates with a lateral dimension of 100–600 nm and a plasmon resonance wavelength of 800–1660 nm and above. The number of growth steps can be increased as desired. Without introducing additional citrate into the solutions of small Ag nanoplate seeds, large Ag nanoplates can be synthesized within minutes. The entire synthesis is completely PVP free, which promotes the nanoparticle growth along the lateral direction to form large Ag nanoplates. The multistep growth and the minimum usage of citrate are essential for the fast growth of high‐aspect‐ratio Ag nanoplates resonating in the NIR range.