bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sorption of light gases in glassy poly(ethyl methacrylate)
Authors: Bol'shakov Boris V. , Syutkin Vladimir M. , Vyazovkin Vladimir L. , Grebenkin Sergey 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTAlthough gas sorption in glassy polymers is a well‐studied phenomenon, no general microscopical model is developed which is able to describe the gas sorption in a wide temperature range using only characteristics of polymer and gas molecule. In this work, sorption isotherms and desorption kinetics of O2, Ar, and N2 for glassy poly(ethyl methacrylate) have been measured in the temperature range from 160 to 308 K. To describe both the phenomena, the model is developed which postulates that, in the frozen structure of glassy polymer, any cavities between macromolecules are the sorption sites for small molecules. The cavities of small size can expand elastically to accommodate a gas molecule. The sorption sites are considered to be the potential wells and their depths are distributed according to Gaussian law. The concentration of sorption sites, their mean depth and depths dispersion, and the frequency of molecules oscillations in the sorption sites are the only parameters which determine both the gas transport and sorption. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 288–296
The structure of the large regulatory α subunit of phosphorylase kinase examined by modeling and hydrogen‐deuterium exchange
Authors: Rimmer Mary Ashley , Nadeau Owen W. , Yang Jianyi , Artigues Antonio , Zhang Yang , Carlson Gerald M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPhosphorylase kinase (PhK), a 1.3 MDa regulatory enzyme complex in the glycogenolysis cascade, has four copies each of four subunits, (αβγδ)4, and 325 kDa of unique sequence (the mass of an αβγδ protomer). The α, β and δ subunits are regulatory, and contain allosteric activation sites that stimulate the activity of the catalytic γ subunit in response to diverse signaling molecules. Due to its size and complexity, no high resolution structures have been solved for the intact complex or its regulatory α and β subunits. Of PhK's four subunits, the least is known about the structure and function of its largest subunit, α. Here, we have modeled the full‐length α subunit, compared that structure against previously predicted domains within this subunit, and performed hydrogen‐deuterium exchange on the intact subunit within the PhK complex. Our modeling results show α to comprise two major domains: an N‐terminal glycoside hydrolase domain and a large C‐terminal importin α/β‐like domain. This structure is similar to our previously published model for the homologous β subunit, although clear structural differences are present. The overall highly helical structure with several intervening hinge regions is consistent with our hydrogen‐deuterium exchange results obtained for this subunit as part of the (αβγδ)4 PhK complex. Several low exchanging regions predicted to lack ordered secondary structure are consistent with inter‐subunit contact sites for α in the quaternary structure of PhK; of particular interest is a low‐exchanging region in the C‐terminus of α that is known to bind the regulatory domain of the catalytic γ subunit.
The effect of scanning technology and UPC placement on supermarket self‐checkout
Authors: Mumani Ahmad , Stone Richard , Wang Zhonglun 
Published: November 2017

Self‐checking services are offered in many supermarkets. In order to checkout efficiently, customers must locate and scan the Universal Product Code (UPC) of the items with relative ease. Otherwise, their preferences toward using the self‐checkout (SCO) stations may be negatively affected. The current literature has no focus on UPC location, and the scanning technology used effect on performance and preferences. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of these from an operational and ergonomic perspective. To that end, 2 UPC placement techniques (current and recommended placement) and 2 scanning technologies (bi‐optic and handheld scanners) were tested. The total scanning time, individual items scanning time, trunk posture, total number of wrong twists/flips, individual items wrong flips, muscle activities, and participants' subjective preferences were measured. The results revealed that total scanning time was significantly reduced when using bi‐optic scanner (F = 20.9, P < 0.01). The recommended UPC placement led to a significant improvement on UPC anticipation for both scanning technologies (F = 16.8, P < 0.01). Additionally, exposure to non‐neutral trunk posture(s) was shown to be significantly decreased in the bi‐optic condition (F = 10.4, P < 0.01). Proper UPCs' placement and bi‐optic scanner can positively improve the efficiency and experience of the SCO.
Dynamical properties of developing tropical cyclones using Lagrangian flow topology
Authors: Rutherford B. , Boothe M. A. , Dunkerton T. J. , Montgomery M. T. 
Published: November 2017

The goal of this study is to characterize the dynamics and structure of tropical cyclone formation from global model analyses to determine thresholds marking the various stages of development which can be computed from the analysis data. We introduce here a new methodology for identifying disturbances that show high likelihood of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm. We use Lagrangian frame‐independent quantities to define intrinsic coordinates for candidate disturbances prior to and post tropical depression declaration in the best‐track data (HURDAT2). We use these Lagrangian quantities also as metrics for quantifying the strength of these systems within global model analyses as they are declared depressions, storms or hurricanes in HURDAT2. The criteria proposed are more precise than similar Eulerian criteria since the minimum thresholds for development in the best‐track dataset are very close to the threshold at which no false alarms are produced in the global model analyses. Since only very loose thermodynamic thresholds are required, these criteria can be considered dynamically based and require no statistical analysis to compensate for uncertainties in moisture or convection.We describe further the structure of the developing systems using a set of objective profiles where level contours of the Lagrangian averaged rotation rate are mapped to an equivalent radius. Composites of these profiles reveal that the transition to tropical storm strength vortices is marked by the existence of a notable shear sheath outside a region of enhanced solid‐body rotation.
Bayesian optimum life testing plans under progressive Type‐I interval censoring scheme
Authors: Roy Soumya , Pradhan Biswabrata 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn many industrial applications, it is not always feasible to continuously monitor the life testing experiments to collect lifetime data. Moreover, intermediate removals of the test units from the life testing experiment are sometimes essential. Progressive Type‐I interval censoring schemes are useful in these scenarios. Optimal planning of such progressive Type‐I interval censoring schemes is an important issue to the experimenter, as the optimal plans can achieve the desired objectives using much lesser resources. This article provides Bayesian D‐optimal progressive Type‐I interval censoring schemes, assuming that the lifetime follows a log‐normal distribution. An algorithm is provided to find the optimal censoring schemes and the number of inspections. The algorithm is then used to obtain the optimal Bayesian progressive Type‐I interval censoring schemes in 2 different contexts. The resulting optimal Bayesian censoring schemes are compared with the corresponding locally optimal censoring schemes. A detailed sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effect of prior information. The sampling variation associated with the optimal censoring schemes is visualized through a simulation study.
Tunneling and quantum localization in chaos‐driven symmetric triple well potential: An approach using quantum theory of motion
Authors: Kar Susmita , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFor a symmetric triple well potential, driven by the forces associated with the bifurcation diagram of a logistic map, the tunneling and quantum localization are studied using quantum theory of motion and time‐dependent Fourier grid Hamiltonian methods. Detailed analysis reveals that application of only asymmetric or symmetric perturbation results into either quantum localization or over‐barrier transition and no tunneling while application of mixed symmetry perturbation gives either tunneling or over‐barrier transition, depending on temporal nature and initial position of the particle. For bifurcative and chaotic symmetric‐asymmetric perturbation, with truncation of mixed symmetry perturbation, a sudden jump in energy causes a transition from the tunneling phenomenon to the over‐barrier transition. With particle located initially near to either of the minima of the unperturbed well, quantum localization, or over‐barrier transition is observed, depending on types of perturbation used.
High‐energy collision‐induced dissociation of histidine ions [His + H]+ and [His − H]− and histidine dimer [His2 + H]+
Authors: Khreis Jusuf M. , Reitshammer Julia , Vizcaino Violaine , Klawitter Kevin , Feketeová Linda , Denifl Stephan 
Published: November 2017

RationaleHistidine (His) is an essential amino acid, whose side group consists of an aromatic imidazole moiety that can bind a proton or metal cation and act as a donor in intermolecular interactions in many biological processes. While the dissociation of His monomer ions is well known, information on the kinetic energy released in the dissociation is missing.MethodsUsing a new home‐built electrospray ionization (ESI) source adapted to a double‐focusing mass spectrometer of BE geometry, we investigated the fragmentation reactions of protonated and deprotonated His, [His + H]+ and [His − H]−, and the protonated His dimer [His2 + H]+, accelerated to 6 keV in a high‐energy collision with helium gas. We evaluated the kinetic energy release (KER) for the observed dissociation channels.ResultsESI of His solution in positive mode led to the formation of His clusters [Hisn + H]+, n = 1–6, with notably enhanced stability of the tetramer. [His + H]+ dissociates predominantly by loss of (H2O + CO) with a KER of 278 meV, while the dominant dissociation channel of [His − H]− involves loss of NH3 with a high KER of 769 meV. Dissociation of [His2 + H]+ is dominated by loss of the monomer but smaller losses are also observed.ConclusionsThe KER for HCOOH loss from both [His + H]+ and [His − H]− is similar at 278 and 249 meV, respectively, which suggests that the collision‐induced dissociation takes place via a similar mechanism. The loss of COOH and C2H5NO2 from the dimer suggests that the dimer of His binds through a shared proton between the imidazole moieties.
Coarse recovery of carrier frequency and symbol timing in multibeam satellite channels
Authors: Gappmair Wilfried , Plimon Karin , Ginesi Alberto 
Published: November 2017

SummaryA multibeam concept under full frequency reuse is a major prerequisite for high throughput satellite systems. The resulting interference problems might be tackled by appropriately designed precoding or multiuser detection schemes. However, before such powerful techniques are applicable, the most important transmission parameters have to be recovered successfully. In the context of this paper, a feedback structure for joint control of carrier frequency and symbol timing is investigated for a multibeam scenario, which has been developed in some previous work by the authors for a single user link. It is to be noticed that we describe a recovery method for a multibeam satellite network with suitably selected interference mitigation techniques; as a consequence, all cochannels are assumed to be aligned in frequency and time to the reference beam; other signal models are out of scope and not addressed in this contribution.
Capromorelin: a ghrelin receptor agonist and novel therapy for stimulation of appetite in dogs
Authors: Rhodes Linda , Zollers Bill , Wofford Jessica A. , Heinen Ernst 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGhrelin is a hormone, secreted from cells in the stomach, which is important in the regulation of appetite and food intake in mammals. It exerts its action by binding to a specific G‐protein‐coupled receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS‐R1a) which is found in areas of the brain associated with the regulation of food intake. Ghrelin causes a release of growth hormone (GH) through binding to GHS‐R1a in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. A class of compounds known as growth hormone secretagogues, or ghrelin receptor agonists, were developed for therapeutic use in humans for the stimulation of GH in the frail elderly, and have subsequently been studied for their effects on increasing appetite and food intake, increasing body weight, building lean muscle mass, and treating cachexia. Subsequent research has shown that ghrelin has anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This article reviews the basic physiology of ghrelin and the ghrelin receptor agonists, including the available evidence of these effects in vitro and in vivo in rodent models, humans, dogs and cats. One of these compounds, capromorelin, has been FDA‐approved for the stimulation of appetite in dogs (ENTYCE®). The data available on the safety and effectiveness of capromorelin is reviewed, along with a discussion of the potential clinical applications for ghrelin receptor agonists in both human and veterinary medicine.
A CFD study of coupled aerodynamic‐hydrodynamic loads on a semisubmersible floating offshore wind turbine
Authors: Tran Thanh Toan , Kim Dong‐Hyun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe prediction of dynamic characteristics for a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) is challenging because of the complex load coupling of aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, and structural dynamics. These loads should be accurately calculated to yield reliable analysis results in the design phase of a FOWT. In this study, a high‐fidelity fluid‐structure interaction simulation that simultaneously considers the influence of aero‐hydrodynamic coupling due to the dynamic motion of a FOWT has been conducted using computational fluid dynamics based on an overset grid technique. The DeepCwind semisubmersible floating platform with the NREL 5‐MW baseline wind turbine model is considered for objective numerical verification with the NREL FAST code. A state‐of‐the‐art computational model based on the coupled computational fluid dynamics and dynamic structure analysis is constructed and analyzed to solve multiphase flow, 6 degrees of freedom motions of OC4 semisubmersible FOWT. A quasi‐static mooring solver is also applied to resolve the constraint motion of floater because of a 3‐line mooring system. The influence of tower shadow on the unsteady aerodynamic performance and loads is also demonstrated. Finally, complex unsteady flow fields considering blade and tower interference effects among blade‐tip vortices, shedding vortices, and turbulent wakes are numerically visualized and investigated in detail.
Prototype GaAs X‐ray detector and preamplifier electronics for a deep seabed mineral XRF spectrometer
Authors: Lioliou G. , Barnett A.M. 
Published: November 2017

Work towards developing a prototype GaAs based X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer focusing on the detector‐preamplifier system for in situ characterisation of deep seabed minerals is presented. Such an instrument could be useful for marine geology and provide insight into hydrothermal processes. It would also be beneficial for deep sea mining applications. The GaAs photodiode was electrically characterised at 4 °C (ambient seawater temperature) and 33 °C. A system energy resolution (full width at half maximum) at 5.9 keV of 580 eV at 4°C, limited by the dielectric noise, broadening to 680 eV at 33°C, was recorded. The spectral performance of the system was characterised across the energy range 4.95 keV to 21.17 keV, at 33°C, using high‐purity X‐ray fluorescence calibration samples excited by a Mo target X‐ray tube. The charge output from the system was found to be linear with incident photon energy. The energy resolution was found to broaden from 695 eV at 4.95 keV to 735 eV at 21.17 keV, attributed to the increasing Fano noise with energy. The same X‐ray tube was used to fluoresce an unprepared manganese nodule (revealing the presence of Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Sr, and Mo) and a black smoker hydrothermal vent sample (containing Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mo). Such a spectrometer may also find use in future space missions to study the hydrothermal vents that are believed to exist in the oceans of Jupiter's moon Europa.
Demographic studies enhance the understanding of evolutionarily (mal)adaptive behaviors and phenomena in humans: a review on fertility decline and an integrated model
Authors: Morita Masahito 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRecently, statistical analyses of demographic datasets have come to play an important role for studies into the evolution of human life history. In the first part of this paper, I highlight fertility decline, an evolutionarily paradoxical phenomenon in terms of fitness maximization. Then, I conduct a literature review regarding the effects of socioeconomic status on the number of offspring, especially in modern developed, (post‐)industrial, and low‐fertility societies. Although a non‐positive relationship between them has often been recognized as a general feature of fertility decline, there actually exists a great deal of variation. Based on the review, I discuss the association between socioeconomic success and reproductive success, and tackle an evolutionary question as to why people seek higher socioeconomic success that would not directly lead to higher reproductive success. It has been suggested that, in modern competitive environments, parents should set a higher value on their investment in children, and aim to have a smaller number of high‐quality children. Also, parents would maintain higher socioeconomic status for themselves so as to provide high‐levels of investment in their children. In the second part, I broadly consider seemingly evolutionarily (mal)adaptive outcomes besides fertility decline, including child abuse, menopause, and suicide. The integration of the major three approaches to human behavioral and psychological research (behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology, and cultural evolution) could lead to a deeper understanding. I provide a model for the integrated approach. Rich empirical evidence accumulated in demographic studies, especially longitudinal and cross‐cultural resources, can assist to develop a theoretical framework.
Application of six multiplex PCR's among 200 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the detection of 20 drug resistance encoding genes
Authors: Murugan Nandagopal , Malathi Jambulingam , Therese K Lily , Madhavan Hajib NarahariRao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a menacing opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen; become a growing concern as conventional antimicrobial therapy is now futile against it. Multi‐drug resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA) has distinctive resistance mechanisms such as production of β‐lactamases, repression of porin genes and over‐expression of efflux pumps. The focus of this study is to standardize and application of multiplex PCR (mPCR) to detect the presence of betalactamase genes encoding blaTem, blaOXA, blaCTX‐M‐15, blaVim, blaGes, blaVeb, blaDIM, AmpC and Efflux pump genes encoding Mex A,B‐oprM, Mex C,D‐oprJ, Mex X,Y‐oprN, oprD, nfxB, MexR. A total of 200 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were tested for the presence of the above mentioned genes genotypically through mPCR and characterized by phenotypic methods for ESBL and MBL production. Out of 200 isolates, 163 (81.5%) nfxB regulator gene, 102 (51%) MexA, 96 (48%) MexC, 93 (46.5%) MexB, 86 (43%) MexD, 81 (40.5%) OprM, 74 (37%) OprJ, 72 (36%) OprD and MexR, 53 (26.5%) Mex X and OprN, 49 (24.5%) MexY gene. Betalactamase genes 145 (72.5%) blaTem, 67 (33.5%) blaOXA, 35 (17.5%) blaVim, 25(12.50%), 23 (11.50%) blaVeb, 21 (11.5%) blaGes, 14 (7%) Ctx‐m and 10 (5%) AmpC and 5 (2.5%) blaDim‐1 gene were tested positive by mPCR. Phenotypically 38 (19%) and 29 (14.5%) out of 200 tested positive for ESBL and MBL production. Application of this mPCR on clinical specimens is fast, accurate, specific and low‐cost reliable tool for the screening, where culture negative Eubacterial PCR positive cases for an early molecular detection of drug resistance mechanism assisting the clinician to treat the disease with appropriate antibiotic selection.
Artificial bee colony optimised controller for small-scale unmanned helicopter
Authors: Ma R. , Wu H. , Ding L. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTIn this paper, an efficient approach to design and optimize a flight controller of a small-scale unmanned helicopter is proposed. Given the identified helicopter model, the Linear Quadratic Gaussian/Loop Transfer Recovery (LQG/LTR) robust control method is applied for trajectory tracking and attitude control of the helicopter with a two-loop hierarchical control architecture. Since the performance of the controller extremely depends on its weighting matrices, the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm is introduced to automatically select the parameters of the matrices. Comparative studies between optimal algorithms are also carried out. A series of flight experiments and simulations are conducted to investigate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed optimised controller.
The Experience Machine Objection to Desire Satisfactionism
Authors: LOWE DAN , STENBERG JOSEPH 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT:It is widely held that the experience machine is the basis of a serious objection to hedonistic theories of welfare. It is also widely held that desire satisfactionist theories of welfare can readily avoid problems stemming from the experience machine. But in this paper, we argue that if the experience machine poses a serious problem for hedonism, it also poses a serious problem for desire satisfactionism. We raise two objections to desire satisfactionism, each of which relies on the experience machine. The first is very much like the well-known experience machine objection to hedonism. The second asks whether someone who accepts desire satisfactionism should want to form a desire to plug into the experience machine.
Robert Boyle and the representation of imperceptible entities
Authors: WRAGGE-MORLEY ALEXANDER 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn this essay, I examine Robert Boyle's strategies for making imperceptible entities accessible to the senses. It is well known that, in his natural philosophy, Boyle confronted the challenge of making imperceptible particles of matter into objects of sensory experience. It has never been noted, however, that Boyle confronted a strikingly similar challenge in his natural theology – he needed to make an equally imperceptible God accessible to the senses. Taking this symmetrical difficulty as my starting point, I propose a new approach to thinking about the interconnections between Boyle's natural philosophy and natural theology. For the most part, studies of science and religion in the early modern period work by seeking out the influence of explicitly stated religious beliefs on scientific ideas. I argue, by contrast, that we need to focus on Boyle's representational practices, using his attempts to represent imperceptible entities as a means of uncovering metaphysical and theological presuppositions that he did not always articulate when stating his religious beliefs. With new interpretations of bothA Discourse of Things Above Reason(1681) andSome Physico-Theological Considerations about the Possibility of the Resurrection(1675), I show that there were crucial similarities between Boyle's practices for representing both God and atoms. I go on to show, moreover, that Boyle used these practices to enact an ontological stance at odds with one of his most important professed beliefs.