bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive risk consensus models: simulations and applications
Authors: Mitic Peter
Published: December 2019

A simulation framework that implements adaptive agent–agent interaction is developed, such that agent behaviour typical of complex adaptive systems is observed. Within this framework, agents monitor the state of the system they inhabit, and adapt their actions so as to optimise a local utility. No central control is present. The context for state is intended to be very general, but is interpreted as risk state, in which optimisation implies a minimisation of risk. Three adaptive interaction modes are proposed. In each, there is a trade-off between simplicity and effectiveness. Additionally a fourth ‘counter-adaptive’ mode is proposed to model situations of a prolonged high risk state. Corresponding ‘real’ examples from recent events are proposed.
Frequency, Determinants, and Satisfaction of Breast Augmentation in Trans Women Receiving Hormone Treatment
Authors: de Blok Christel J.M. , Staphorsius Annemieke S. , Wiepjes Chantal M. , Smit Jan Maerten , Nanayakkara Prabath W.B. , den Heijer Martin
Published: December 2019

Introduction

As breast development in trans women (male sex assigned at birth, female gender identity) who receive gender-affirming hormone treatment is often moderate, they may choose breast augmentation as part of their treatment.

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency, determinants, and satisfaction of breast augmentation among trans women receiving hormone treatment.

Methods

Trans women who started hormone treatment between 1972 and 2018 at our center received an anonymous questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measure

The questionnaire contained questions about the start date of hormone treatment, the current age of the respondent, whether or not she underwent breast augmentation, what her considerations in this decision were, and, if the respondent did have breast implants, whether she was satisfied with the result and/or experienced health complaints she attributed to her breast implants.

Results

A total of 3,073 questionnaires were distributed, of which 773 were retrieved back (median age of the respondents: 50 years, interquartile range: 35–59). Age and year of start of hormone treatment was comparable between responders and nonresponders. The frequency of breast augmentation varied from 70% in trans women who started hormone treatment between 1980 and 2000 to 20% in those who started between 2010 and 2015. Trans women underwent breast augmentation median 2 years after the start of hormone treatment (interquartile range: 2–4), and 80% was satisfied with the result. Approximately one-third experienced health complaints they attributed to their breast implants. People who considered breast augmentation reported financial limitations as an important reason not to undergo breast augmentation.

Clinical Implications

This study shows that it is important to discuss pros and cons of breast augmentation to support trans women in making a well-informed decision.

Strengths & Limitations

This is the largest study performed on the frequency and satisfaction of breast augmentation among trans women, which also includes health complaints and considerations in the decision whether or not to undergo breast augmentation. One of the limitations was that we were unable to link other clinical data.

Conclusion

4 of 5 trans women either chose or considered breast augmentation as part of their gender-affirming treatment. Most of the trans women who underwent breast augmentation were satisfied with the result, although approximately one-third experienced health complaints they attributed to their breast implants. Reasons not to undergo breast augmentation included financial limitations. This study shows that it is important to discuss with trans women the positive effects and possible side-effects of breast augmentation to help them make a well-informed decision whether or not to undergo breast augmentation.
Veränderungen des Sprachförderwissens und -handelns von pädagogischen Fachkräften im Rahmen einer Weiterqualifizierung
Authors: Beckerle Christine , Mackowiak Katja , Koch Katja , Dapper-Saalfels Tina von , Löffler Cordula , Heil Julian
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung. Der vorliegende Beitrag aus dem „BiSS“-Projekt „allE“ stellt ausgewählte Ergebnisse zur Wirksamkeit des Weiterqualifizierungskonzepts „Mit Kindern im Gespräch“ ( Kammermeyer, King, Roux & Metz, 2014 ) vor. Es wurde untersucht, ob sich die weiterqualifizierten pädagogischen Fachkräfte in ausgewählten Facetten ihres Sprachförderwissens und -handelns über die Zeit verbessern. Dazu wurde von 48 Fachkräften mit einem Vignetteninterview das Erkennen von Sprachfördertechniken (Wissensfacette) und mit einer Videografie der Einsatz von Sprachfördertechniken im pädagogischen Alltag (Handlungsfacette) vor und nach der Weiterqualifizierung erfasst. Die Befunde zeigen, dass die Fachkräfte zu beiden Messzeitpunkten nur wenige Sprachfördertechniken in der Filmvignette erkannten, diese Wissensfacette sich aber über die Zeit verbesserte. Bei der eigenen Anwendung von Sprachfördertechniken ergab sich durch die Weiterqualifizierung eine signifikante Zunahme von Fragen, keine Veränderung bei den Modellierungen sowie eine signifikante Abnahme von korrektivem Feedback und Paralleltalking. Die Implikationen dieser Ergebnisse für die zukünftige Gestaltung von Weiterqualifizierungen werden im Beitrag diskutiert.
Automated Ionospheric Scattering Layer Hypothesis Generation for Detected and Classified Auroral Global Positioning System Scintillation Events
Authors: Sreenivash Vaishnavi , Su Yang , Datta‐Barua Seebany
Published: November 2019

We describe a method to detect and classify global positioning system (GPS) scintillation, and then hypothesize a possible ionospheric layer scattering the signal. The objective is to routinely identify events of interest to investigate in detail in future work. Scintillation types include amplitude, phase, or both amplitude and phase. A scintillation event is one for which a scintillation index remains above a threshold across a majority of closely spaced receivers viewing a single satellite. Events are categorized by signal frequency and scintillation type. An event is then hypothesized to be due to the E or F layer using an independent data source. Data from the scintillation auroral GPS array located in Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska, are used to analyze L1 and L2C frequencies in 2014 and 2015. The irregularity layer associated with each scintillation event is hypothesized to be due to the activity in the E layer of the ionosphere (below 150 km) or in the F layer (above 195 km) using collocated Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar electron density measurements. Events in a transition layer (150–195 km) and inconclusive results are also recorded. We find that nearly all of the over 4,000 events are phase scintillations. The majority of the events are hypothesized to occur when the peak density is at E‐layer altitudes. This indicates that E‐layer‐related scintillation may be quite common at auroral latitudes and that GPS receivers are sensitive to the irregularities occurring both there and at F layer altitudes.
Forecasting Residential Water Consumption in California: Rethinking Model Selection
Authors: Buck Steven , Auffhammer Maximilian , Soldati Hilary , Sunding David
Published: November 2019

Urban water managers use forecasts of water consumption to determine management decisions and investment choices. Public reports show that water utilities rely on forecast models that are not selected based on their out‐of‐sample prediction performance; further, these reports frequently only present a single forecast instead of a range of forecasts. In our review of the academic literature on forecasting long‐term water consumption, only a few analyses consider out‐of‐sample prediction performance measures to assess prediction ability. In none of these analyses did out‐of‐sample prediction performance drive model selection. Ensemble‐type long‐term forecasts based on multiple models were also lacking. Using annual data on single‐family residential water consumption in Southern California, we show that predictive ability varies drastically depending on how the forecast model is selected. As an illustration of how forecast performance is affected when the criteria for model selection does support forecasting objectives, we compare statistical models with the best in‐sample and out‐of‐sample prediction performance. We find that the models with the best in‐sample performance over‐estimate consumption five years out by 10%‐25% compared to actual consumption. In contrast, the top 1% of models selected based on out‐of‐sample prediction performance came within 1% of actual consumption. Finally, we compare the performance of our ensemble‐type forecasts to those reported in public documents derived from models selected based on non‐out‐of‐sample prediction performance criteria. Our results highlight the benefits of (i) using an out‐of‐sample evaluation criterion to guide model selection and (ii) reporting ensemble forecasts in lieu of a single forecast.
Deciphering the Stress State of Seismogenic Faults in Oklahoma and Southern Kansas Based on an Improved Stress Map
Authors: Qin Yan , Chen Xiaowei , Walter Jacob I. , Haffener Jackson , Trugman Daniel T. , Carpenter Brett M. , Weingarten Matthew , Kolawole Folarin
Published: November 2019

Fault location and geometry are critical considerations in the reactivation of preexisting faults. Here, we combine relocated earthquake catalogs and focal mechanisms to delineate seismogenic faults in Oklahoma and southern Kansas and analyze their stress state. We first identify and map seismogenic faults based on earthquake clustering. We then obtain an improved stress map using 2,047 high‐quality focal mechanisms. The regional stress map shows a gradual transition from oblique normal faulting in western Oklahoma to strike‐slip faulting in central and eastern Oklahoma. Stress amplitude ratio shows a strong correlation with pore pressure from hydrogeologic models, suggesting that pore pressure exhibits a measurable influence on stress patterns. Finally, we assess fault stress state via 3‐D Mohr circles; a parameterunderstressis used to quantify the level of fault criticality (with 0 meaning critically stressed faults and 1 meaning faults with no applied shear stress). Our results indicate that most active faults have near vertical planes (planarity >0.8 and dip >70°), and there is a strong correlation between fault length and maximum magnitude on each fault. The fault trends show prominent conjugate sets that strike [55–75°] and [105–125°]. A comparison with mapped sedimentary faults and basement fractures reveals common tectonic control. Based on 3‐D Mohr circles, we find that 78%of the faults are critically stressed (understress ≤0.2), while several seismogenic faults are misoriented with high understress (>0.4). Fault geometry and local stress fields may be used to evaluate potential seismic hazard, as the largest earthquakes tend to occur on long, critically stressed faults.
Effect of Subshelf Melt Variability on Sea Level Rise Contribution From Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica
Authors: Hoffman Matthew J. , Asay‐Davis Xylar , Price Stephen F. , Fyke Jeremy , Perego Mauro
Published: November 2019

Modeling and observations suggest that Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica, has begun unstable retreat. Concurrently, oceanographic observations have revealed substantial multiyear variability in the temperature of the ocean water driving retreat through melting of the ice shelf that restrains inland glacier flow. Using an ensemble of 72 ice‐sheet model simulations that include an idealized representation of ocean temperature variability, we find that variable ice‐shelf melting causes delays in grounding line retreat, mass loss, and sea level contribution relative to steady forcing. Modeled delays are up to 43 years after 500 years of simulation, corresponding to a 10% reduction in glacier mass loss. Delays are primarily caused by asymmetric melt forcing in the presence of variability. For the “warm cavity” conditions beneath Thwaites Ice Shelf, increases in access of warm, deeper water are unable to raise water temperatures in the cavity by much, whereas increases in access of significantly colder, shallow water reduce cavity water temperatures substantially. This leads to lowered mean melt rates under variable ocean temperature forcing. Additionally, about one quarter of the mass loss delay is caused by a nonlinear ice dynamic response to varying ice‐shelf thinning rate, which is amplified during the initial phases of unstable, bed‐topography‐driven retreat. Mass loss rates under variability differ by up to 50% from ensemble mean values at any given time. Our results underscore the need for taking climate variability into account when modeling ice sheet evolution and for continued efforts toward the coupling of ice sheet models to ocean and climate models.
Sustainable Observations of the AMOC: Methodology and Technology
Authors: McCarthy G. D. , Brown P. J. , Flagg C. N. , Goni G. , Houpert L. , Hughes C. W. , Hummels R. , Inall M. , Jochumsen K. , Larsen K. M. H. , Lherminier P. , Meinen C. S. , Moat B. I. , Rayner D. , Rhein M. , Roessler A. , Schmid C. , Smeed D. A.
Published: November 2019

Key Points

The AMOC is a system of ocean currents that move heat and carbon around the planet and is predicted to decline in the future

The AMOC has been directly measured since the 2000s, but we now have observation systems in place that can verify a future decline

We look at how these systems might develop in the future and consider how they might fit in an optimized Atlantic observing system
Characterization of Solar Energetic Particle Radiation Dose to Astronaut Crew on Deep‐Space Exploration Missions
Authors: Mertens Christopher J. , Slaba Tony C.
Published: November 2019

Human radiation exposure from solar energetic particle (SEP) events during deep‐space exploration missions has a greater impact on mission planning and operations compared to spaceflight missions to low Earth orbit. Deep‐space SEP radiation exposure may require in‐flight preventative actions in order to reduce the radiation risks to as low as reasonably achievable, to limit the onset and severity of acute biological responses, and to ensure that astronaut permissible exposure limits are not exceeded. In this paper, radiation dose to the blood forming organs (BFO) of astronaut crew is calculated from a set of historical SEP events, using the design of the Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). The BFO doses from the historical events are analyzed in several ways. The results show the range and upper limit of BFO doses expected in heavily shielded space vehicles such as the Orion MPCV, based on calculations from all the major SEP events encountered in the space age. The dose reduction properties of the MPCV storm shelter are characterized over the broad range of SEP events included in the historical database. Correlations are derived between the integral proton fluence and BFO dose in the vehicle, showing that integral fluence is a good proxy for predicting or forecasting vehicle BFO dose. The best correlation with MPCV BFO dose is from the >100 MeV integral fluence. These results will assist in the design of future space weather architectures by identifying models and measurements needed to expand and extend NASA's existing SEP radiation risk tools in the support and management of human space exploration missions.
Toward Improved Predictions in Ungauged Basins: Exploiting the Power of Machine Learning
Authors: Kratzert Frederik , Klotz Daniel , Herrnegger Mathew , Sampson Alden K. , Hochreiter Sepp , Nearing Grey S.
Published: November 2019

Long short‐term memory (LSTM) networks offer unprecedented accuracy for prediction in ungauged basins. We trained and tested several LSTMs on 531 basins from the CAMELS data set using k‐fold validation, so that predictions were made in basins that supplied no training data. The training and test data set included ∼30 years of daily rainfall‐runoff data from catchments in the United States ranging in size from 4 to 2,000 km2 with aridity index from 0.22 to 5.20, and including 12 of the 13 IGPB vegetated land cover classifications. This effectively “ungauged” model was benchmarked over a 15‐year validation period against the Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting (SAC‐SMA) model and also against the NOAA National Water Model reanalysis. SAC‐SMA was calibrated separately for each basin using 15 years of daily data. The out‐of‐sample LSTM had higher median Nash‐Sutcliffe Efficiencies across the 531 basins (0.69) than either the calibrated SAC‐SMA (0.64) or the National Water Model (0.58). This indicates that there is (typically) sufficient information in available catchment attributes data about similarities and differences between catchment‐level rainfall‐runoff behaviors to provide out‐of‐sample simulations that are generally more accurate than current models under ideal (i.e., calibrated) conditions. We found evidence that adding physical constraints to the LSTM models might improve simulations, which we suggest motivates future research related to physics‐guided machine learning.
Displacement Talbot lithography for nano-engineering of III-nitride materials
Authors: Coulon Pierre-Marie , Damilano Benjamin , Alloing Blandine , Chausse Pierre , Walde Sebastian , Enslin Johannes , Armstrong Robert , Vézian Stéphane , Hagedorn Sylvia , Wernicke Tim , Massies Jean , Zúñiga‐Pérez Jesus , Weyers Markus , Kneissl Michael , Shields Philip A.
Published: December 2019

Nano-engineering III-nitride semiconductors offers a route to further control the optoelectronic properties, enabling novel functionalities and applications. Although a variety of lithography techniques are currently employed to nano-engineer these materials, the scalability and cost of the fabrication process can be an obstacle for large-scale manufacturing. In this paper, we report on the use of a fast, robust and flexible emerging patterning technique called Displacement Talbot lithography (DTL), to successfully nano-engineer III-nitride materials. DTL, along with its novel and unique combination with a lateral planar displacement (D2TL), allow the fabrication of a variety of periodic nanopatterns with a broad range of filling factors such as nanoholes, nanodots, nanorings and nanolines; all these features being achievable from one single mask. To illustrate the enormous possibilities opened by DTL/D2TL, dielectric and metal masks with a number of nanopatterns have been generated, allowing for the selective area growth of InGaN/GaN core-shell nanorods, the top-down plasma etching of III-nitride nanostructures, the top-down sublimation of GaN nanostructures, the hybrid top-down/bottom-up growth of AlN nanorods and GaN nanotubes, and the fabrication of nanopatterned sapphire substrates for AlN growth. Compared with their planar counterparts, these 3D nanostructures enable the reduction or filtering of structural defects and/or the enhancement of the light extraction, therefore improving the efficiency of the final device. These results, achieved on a wafer scale via DTL and upscalable to larger surfaces, have the potential to unlock the manufacturing of nano-engineered III-nitride materials.
Imaging suicidal thoughts and behaviors: a comprehensive review of 2 decades of neuroimaging studies
Authors: Schmaal Lianne , van Harmelen Anne-Laura , Chatzi Vasiliki , Lippard Elizabeth T. C. , Toenders Yara J. , Averill Lynnette A. , Mazure Carolyn M. , Blumberg Hilary P.
Published: December 2019

Identifying brain alterations that contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are important to develop more targeted and effective strategies to prevent suicide. In the last decade, and especially in the last 5 years, there has been exponential growth in the number of neuroimaging studies reporting structural and functional brain circuitry correlates of STBs. Within this narrative review, we conducted a comprehensive review of neuroimaging studies of STBs published to date and summarize the progress achieved on elucidating neurobiological substrates of STBs, with a focus on converging findings across studies. We review neuroimaging evidence across differing mental disorders for structural, functional, and molecular alterations in association with STBs, which converges particularly in regions of brain systems that subserve emotion and impulse regulation including the ventral prefrontal cortex (VPFC) and dorsal PFC (DPFC), insula and their mesial temporal, striatal and posterior connection sites, as well as in the connections between these brain areas. The reviewed literature suggests that impairments in medial and lateral VPFC regions and their connections may be important in the excessive negative and blunted positive internal states that can stimulate suicidal ideation, and that impairments in a DPFC and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) system may be important in suicide attempt behaviors. A combination of VPFC and DPFC system disturbances may lead to very high risk circumstances in which suicidal ideation is converted to lethal actions via decreased top-down inhibition of behavior and/or maladaptive, inflexible decision-making and planning. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and insula may play important roles in switching between these VPFC and DPFC systems, which may contribute to the transition from suicide thoughts to behaviors. Future neuroimaging research of larger sample sizes, including global efforts, longitudinal designs, and careful consideration of developmental stages, and sex and gender, will facilitate more effectively targeted preventions and interventions to reduce loss of life to suicide.
Pharmacogenomic biomarker information differences between drug labels in the United States and Hungary: implementation from medical practitioner view
Authors: Varnai Reka , Szabo Istvan , Tarlos Greta , Szentpeteri Laszlo Jozsef , Sik Attila , Balogh Sandor , Sipeky Csilla
Published: December 2019

Pharmacogenomic biomarker availability of Hungarian Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPC) was assembled and compared with the information in US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug labels of the same active substance (July 2019). The level of action of these biomarkers was assessed from The Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase database. From the identified 264 FDA approved drugs with pharmacogenomic biomarkers in drug label, 195 are available in Hungary. From them, 165 drugs include pharmacogenomic data disposing 222 biomarkers. Most of them are metabolizing enzymes (46%) and pharmacological targets (41%). The most frequent therapeutic area is oncology (37%), followed by infectious diseases (12%) and psychiatry (9%) (p < 0.00001). Most common biomarkers in Hungarian SmPCs are CYP2D6, CYP2C19, estrogen and progesterone hormone receptor (ESR, PGS). Importantly, US labels present more specific pharmacogenomic subheadings, the level of action has a different prominence, and offer more applicable dose modifications than Hungarians (5% vs 3%). However, Hungarian SmPCs are at 9 oncology drugs stricter than FDA, testing is obligatory before treatment. Out of the biomarkers available in US drug labels, 62 are missing completely from Hungarian SmPCs (p < 0.00001). Most of these belong to oncology (42%) and in case of 11% of missing biomarkers testing is required before treatment. In conclusion, more factual, clear, clinically relevant pharmacogenomic information in Hungarian SmPCs would reinforce implementation of pharmacogenetics. Underpinning future perspective is to support regulatory stakeholders to enhance inclusion of pharmacogenomic biomarkers into Hungarian drug labels and consequently enhance personalized medicine in Hungary.
Sporadic implementation of UK familial mammographic surveillance guidelines 15 years after original publication
Authors:   Cancer Genetics Group clinical leads, Evans D. Gareth , Edwards Maria , Duffy Stephen W. , Tischkowitz Marc
Published: November 2019

The National Institute of health and Care Excellence issued guidelines on familial breast cancer screening in 2004. Such guidelines should be uniformly implemented to ensure that members of the same family with the same level of risk, but living in different areas, have the same access to screening. We assessed uptake by creating a short, six question online survey designed to assess compliance in each regional area. We used this to conduct a survey of all 22 regional genetics services. There was a 100% response to the survey allowing a complete map to be created. The devolved nations had near complete compliance with the sole exception of SW Scotland, but in England the picture was fragmented with regions representing a combined population of 26.6 million (48%) not implementing the full NICE recommendations. Fifteen years after the publication of the original guidelines, major inequity in provision for screening still occurs and a postcode lottery exists for the management of women from families with a history of breast cancer. We estimate that up to 73 preventable breast cancer deaths occur each year due to the current inequity of access. It may be time to consider alternative funding and implementation models to ensure consistent access across the country.
Association of the tumour stroma percentage in the preoperative biopsies with lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Fu Meiting , Chen Dexin , Luo Fuzheng , Li Mengshu , Wang Yadong , Chen Junsheng , Li Aimin , Liu Side
Published: December 2019

Background

Preoperative prediction of lymph node (LN) status is integral to determining the most appropriate treatment strategy for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to predict LN metastasis in CRC preoperatively.

Methods

A total of 530 patients were enrolled and divided into training and validation cohorts. The tumour stroma percentage (TSP) of the preoperative biopsies was assessed. The risk factors for LN metastasis were selected, and a nomogram was constructed subsequently. The performance of the nomogram was assessed by using the AUROC and the calibration curve, and then validated in the validation cohort.

Results

High TSP was significantly associated with LN metastasis in both the training and validation cohorts. Computed tomography (CT)-reported T stage, CT-reported LN status, preoperative tumour differentiation, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and TSP were independent predictors of LN metastasis in CRC. A nomogram incorporating the six predictors was constructed. The nomogram yielded good discrimination and calibration, with an AUROC of 0.846 (95% CI: 0.807−0.886) and 0.809 (95% CI: 0.745−0.872) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively.

Conclusions

Assessment of TSP in the preoperative biopsies provided additional information about the LN status. The nomogram was useful for tailored therapy in CRC preoperatively.
Abnormal development of zebrafish after knockout and knockdown of ribosomal protein L10a
Authors: Palasin Kunwadee , Uechi Tamayo , Yoshihama Maki , Srisowanna Naparee , Choijookhuu Narantsog , Hishikawa Yoshitaka , Kenmochi Naoya , Chotigeat Wilaiwan
Published: December 2019

In this study, to investigate the secondary function of Rpl10a in zebrafish development, morpholino antisense oligonucleotides (MOs) were used to knock down the zebrafish ribosomal protein L10a (rpl10a). At 25 hpf (hours post-fertilization), embryos injected with the rpl10a MO showed an abnormal morphology, including short bodies, curved tails, and small yolk sac extensions. We observed pigment reductions, edema, larger yolk sacs, smaller eyes and smaller yolk sac extensions at 50 hpf. In addition, reductions in the expression of primordial germ cell (PGC) marker genes (nanos1 and vasa) were observed in rpl10a knockdown embryos. A rescue experiment using a rpl10a mRNA co-injection showed the recovery of the morphology and red blood cell production similar to wild-type. Moreover, the CRISPR-Cas9 system was used to edit the sequence of rpl10a exon 5, resulting in a homozygous 5-bp deletion in the zebrafish genome. The mutant embryos displayed a morphology similar to that of the knockdown animals. Furthermore, the loss of rpl10a function led to reduced expression of gata1, hbae3, and hbbe1 (erythroid synthesis) and increased tp53 expression. Overall, the results suggested that Rpl10a deficiency caused delays in embryonic development, as well as apoptosis and anemia, in zebrafish.
Dual platform based sandwich assay surface-enhanced Raman scattering DNA biosensor for the sensitive detection of food adulteration
Authors: Khalil Ibrahim , Yehye Wageeh A. , Muhd Julkapli Nurhidayatullaili , Sina Abu Ali Ibn , Rahmati Shahrooz , Basirun Wan Jefrey , Seyfoddin Ali
Published: December 2019

Raman tag intercalated short-length DNA and dual nanoplatform based SERS DNA biosensor for the ultrasensitive and selective detection of DNA.
Reaction-based indicator displacement assay (RIA) for the development of a triggered release system capable of biofilm inhibition
Authors: Patenall Bethany L. , Williams‡ George T. , Gwynne Lauren , Stephens Liam J. , Lampard Emma V. , Hathaway Hollie J. , Thet Naing T. , Young Amber E. , Sutton Mark J. , Short Robert D. , Bull Steven D. , James Tony D. , Sedgwick Adam C. , Jenkins A. Toby A.
Published: December 2019

Here, a reaction-based indicator displacement hydrogel assay (RIA) was developed for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)viathe oxidative release of the optical reporter Alizarin Red S (ARS).
Geometric effect of Au nanoclusters on room temperature CO oxidation
Authors: Cai Yafeng , Guo Yun , Liu Jingyue
Published: December 2019

ZnO supported highly distorted Au monolayers are the most active for room temperature CO oxidation.
Efficient 125I-radiolabeling of biomolecules using a strain-promoted oxidation-controlled cyclooctyne–1,2-quinone cycloaddition reaction
Authors: Mushtaq Sajid , Park Sang Hyun
Published: December 2019

We report a novel radioiodinated prosthetic group for the 125I-labeling of BCN installed peptides and proteins using SPOCQ cycloaddition reaction under mild aqueous reaction conditions.
Prototypical cyclohexane dimers: spectroscopic evidence for σ stacking at low temperatures
Authors: Ramanathan N. , Sarkar Shubhra , Sundararajan K.
Published: December 2019

In this work, the first unambiguous spectroscopic evidence for the existence of σ stacking interactions in cyclohexane dimers has been provided using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy.
Discovery of twin orbital-order phases in ferromagnetic semiconducting VI3 monolayer
Authors: Huang Chengxi , Wu Fang , Yu Shunli , Jena Puru , Kan Erjun
Published: December 2019

Discovery of twin orbital-order ferromagnetic semiconducting phases in VI3-like 2D systems.
Correction: A multi-objective optimization-based layer-by-layer blade-coating approach for organic solar cells: rational control of vertical stratification for high performance
Authors: Sun Rui , Guo Jie , Wu Qiang , Zhang Zhuohan , Yang Wenyan , Guo Jing , Shi Mumin , Zhang Yaohong , Kahmann Simon , Ye Long , Jiao Xuechen , Loi Maria A. , Shen Qing , Ade Harald , Tang Weihua , Brabec Christoph J. , Min Jie
Published: December 2019

Correction for ‘A multi-objective optimization-based layer-by-layer blade-coating approach for organic solar cells: rational control of vertical stratification for high performance’ by Rui Sun et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, 12, 3118–3132.
Connected iridium nanoparticle catalysts coated onto silica with high density for oxygen evolution in polymer electrolyte water electrolysis
Authors: Sugita Yoshiyuki , Tamaki Takanori , Kuroki Hidenori , Yamaguchi Takeo
Published: December 2019

Connected Ir nanoparticle catalysts without any electron-conducting support are prepared for oxygen evolution reaction in polymer electrolyte water electrolysis.
A dopamine-functionalized aqueous-based silk protein hydrogel bioadhesive for biomedical wound closure
Authors: Liu Han , Yuan Meihua , Sonamuthu Jegatheeswaran , Yan Sheng , Huang Wei , Cai Yurong , Yao Juming
Published: December 2019

The functionalization of a PEGylated silk protein hydrogel with dopamine significantly improved its wet adhesive strength.
Recent advances in copper-based zeolite catalysts with low-temperature activity for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with hydrocarbons
Authors: Xu Junqiang , Qin Yahua , Wang Honglin , Guo Fang , Xie Jiaqing
Published: December 2019

This paper highlights the design strategies of the copper-based zeolite catalysts with excellent catalytic activity at low temperature for HC-SCR.
A mechanical model reveals that non-axisymmetric buckling lowers the energy barrier associated with membrane neck constriction
Authors: Vasan R. , Rudraraju S. , Akamatsu M. , Garikipati K. , Rangamani P.
Published: December 2019

Using computational modeling, we show that membrane neck formation, which is essential for scission can be both location and symmetry dependent.
Engineering the conductive carbon/PEO interface to stabilize solid polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state high voltage LiCoO2 batteries
Authors: Liang Jianneng , Sun Yipeng , Zhao Yang , Sun Qian , Luo Jing , Zhao Feipeng , Lin Xiaoting , Li Xia , Li Ruying , Zhang Li , Lu Shigang , Huang Huan , Sun Xueliang
Published: November 2019

The protection of carbon/SPE interface is critical for high voltage solid-state batteries.
Copper-dependent ATP7B up-regulation drives the resistance of TMEM16A-overexpressing head-and-neck cancer models to platinum toxicity
Authors: Vyas Avani , Duvvuri Umamaheswar , Kiselyov Kirill
Published: December 2019

Platinum-containing drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin are routinely used for the treatment of many solid tumors including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, SCCHN resistance to platinum compounds is well documented. The resistance to platinum has been linked to the activity of divalent transporter ATP7B, which pumps platinum from the cytoplasm into lysosomes, decreasing its concentration in the cytoplasm. Several cancer models show increased expression of ATP7B; however, the reason for such an increase is not known. Here we show a strong positive correlation between mRNA levels of TMEM16A and ATP7B in human SCCHN tumors. TMEM16A overexpression and depletion in SCCHN cell lines caused parallel changes in the ATP7B mRNA levels. The ATP7B increase in TMEM16A-overexpressing cells was reversed by suppression of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), by the antioxidant N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) and by copper chelation using cuprizone and bathocuproine sulphonate (BCS). Pretreatment with either chelator significantly increased cisplatin's sensitivity, particularly in the context of TMEM16A overexpression. We propose that increased oxidative stress in TMEM16A-overexpressing cells liberates the chelated copper in the cytoplasm, leading to the transcriptional activation of ATP7B expression. This, in turn, decreases the efficacy of platinum compounds by promoting their vesicular sequestration. We think that such a new explanation of the mechanism of SCCHN tumors’ platinum resistance identifies novel approach to treating these tumors.
For poison frogs, bitter is better
Authors: Brooks Olivia L. , Saporito Ralph A.
Published: December 2019

You are what you eat. Although this common phrase is one that all animals can relate to, for poison frogs, what they choose to eat could be a matter of life and death. Poison frogs are famously known for the brilliant colours and striking patterns that bring attention to themselves (Figure 1)—but attention seekers they are not. Instead, they are engaged in a complex advertisement scheme, aimed to warn predators that they might want to eat something else. You see, poison frogs are chock-full of bitter-tasting alkaloids, which most predators find distasteful and many pathogens find hard to live with. Interestingly, these defensive chemicals don't just come from anywhere—instead, poison frogs choose to eat food items that are loaded with them, and then, like kleptomaniacs, they steal them for themselves! Where they get their alkaloids and how they use them in defence, all without poisoning themselves, is a fascinating story that is beginning to unfold from decades of research on the chemistry, ecology and molecular biology of these charismatic tropical frogs.
Influence of morphological variations on the AC breakdown of XLPE insulation in submarine cable factory joints
Authors: Zhang Zhenpeng , Zhao Jiankang , Zhao Wei , Zhong Lisheng , HU Liexiang , Rao Wenbin , Zheng Mei , Meng Shaoxin
Published: December 2019

Extruded crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) submarine cables with factory joints play a significant role in cross‐sea transmission interconnection projects. Morphological variations in the insulation of submarine cables and factory joints are caused by differences in process parameters. The dielectric properties of XLPE are affected by its morphology. In this study, samples of XLPE insulating materials were taken from the cable bulk, cable–joint transition, and factory joint, respectively, of a 500 kV high‐voltage AC submarine cable. The crosslinked morphology was obtained by extraction and infrared spectrometer. The crystal morphology was obtained by the way of etchant, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffractometry. The Weibull distribution was used to gather statistics of AC breakdown strength. The results show that in comparison with the cable bulk, the contents of crosslinked byproducts are higher in the cable–joint transition and factory joint. At the same time, there is a sparse distribution in terms of crystal morphology, with the appearance of smaller grains and lower crystallinity, in the cable–joint transition and factory joint. These morphological variations would generate more heat during electron transport and lengthen the free paths of electrons, then lead to the occurrence of AC breakdown. The results might provide insights into the optimisation of the morphology of XLPE, in particular submarine cable factory joints.
Privacy preserving search index for image databases based on SURF and order preserving encryption
Authors: Magdy Safaa , Abouelseoud Yasmine , Mikhail Mervat
Published: December 2019

Managing large personal image databases requires efficient privacy preserving indexing methods to allow for their outsourcing to possibly curious cloud servers. To construct a secure inverted index in this paper, first, visual words are extracted from stored images based on the Speeded‐Up and Robust Features (SURF). Next, Order Preserving Encryption (OPE) is used to encipher the frequencies of occurrence of the extracted visual words. Another scale and rotation invariant feature, which is the local HSV histogram, is included for comparison. From the obtained results, it is apparent that SURF achieves more precise results. Aggregation of both features is considered to further improve the accuracy. The effects of the weighting scheme of the visual words and their number on the performance are investigated. Weighted term frequency inverse document frequency (tf‐idf) together with the Jaccard similarity measure yield the best performance. OPE encryption is shown to have minor impact on the retrieval accuracy. To reduce encryption time, a lookup table is constructed. The inverted index reduces the search time significantly compared to a sequential search scheme as apparent from the results. A comparative study with recent related schemes demonstrates the competitiveness of the implemented system in terms of computational efficiency and accuracy.
Bernoulli track‐before‐detect filter for maritime radar
Authors: Ristic Branko , Rosenberg Luke , Kim Du Yong , Wang Xuezhi , Williams Jason
Published: December 2019

In this work, the authors study the problem of detecting and tracking small targets using high‐resolution maritime radar, where sea clutter is correlated in range, and its amplitude fluctuations are characterised by occasional spikes. To tackle this problem, they develop a Bernoulli track‐before‐detect filter, as the optimal recursive Bayesian detector/estimator of target state and its presence in noise. A realistic clutter model, in the form of the K‐distribution with unknown distribution parameters, is adopted. Target amplitude fluctuations are also included in the model. The detection and tracking improvement are demonstrated by simulations and compared against a conventional point target tracking algorithm.
Coupling of cell fate selection model enhances DNA damage response and may underlie BE phenomenon
Authors: Demirkıran Gökhan , Kalaycı Demir Güleser , Güzeliş Cüneyt
Published: December 2019

Double‐strand break‐induced (DSB) cells send signal that induces DSBs in neighbour cells, resulting in the interaction among cells sharing the same medium. Since p53 network gives oscillatory response to DSBs, such interaction among cells could be modelled as an excitatory coupling of p53 network oscillators. This study proposes a plausible coupling model of three‐mode two‐dimensional oscillators, which models the p53‐mediated cell fate selection in globally coupled DSB‐induced cells. The coupled model consists of ATM and Wip1 proteins as variables. The coupling mechanism is realised through ATM variable via a mean‐field modelling the bystander signal in the intercellular medium. Investigation of the model reveals that the coupling generates more sensitive DNA damage response by affecting cell fate selection. Additionally, the authors search for the cause‐effect relationship between coupled p53 network oscillators and bystander effect (BE) endpoints. For this, they search for the possible values of uncertain parameters that may replicate BE experiments’ results. At certain parametric regions, there is a correlation between the outcomes of cell fate and endpoints of BE, suggesting that the intercellular coupling of p53 network may manifest itself as the form of observed BEs.
Research on the segmentation method of surface defects of galvanised sheet under complex texture background
Authors: Lu Jiwei , Wu Guoxin , Zuo Yunbo , Wang Hui
Published: December 2019

Zinc‐coated steel sheets, a kind of high‐quality sheet, is widely used in all sorts of manufacturing industry. The fault on its surface is one of the factors which exert bad effects on its quality. Due to its complex texture, the experts first put forward to the defect segmentation methods of Discrete Fourier Spectrum Residuals and Gabor Filtering Image Fusion. Then, they analysed the grey form of the faults and the deficiencies of the two methods and made some improvements on them using Morphological black hat operation and eventually achieved the goal of effective defect segmentation. According to some results of experiments, the improved method is of high accuracy in the defect segmentation and to some extent can serve as the reference method to examine the faults of the zinc‐coated sheets.
VDT visual fatigue monitoring based on feature extraction from unconstrained BCG
Authors: Jiang Yongxiang , Wang Peng , Sun Guifen , Cao Jinjing , Lin Weimin , Zhou Hongchao
Published: December 2019

An unconstrained visual display terminal (VDT) visual fatigue monitoring method based on BCG is studied. A VDT visual fatigue test is designed and implemented in this study, also acceleration signals are obtained by using an acceleration sensor, which is installed on the seat back. Then, BCG is obtained by adaptive threshold wavelet denoising, FFT, frequency domain filtering in the range of heart rate, and IFFT. Low frequency (LF) is extracted after the RR interval and JJ interval are calculated by the wavelet algorithm. Curves of two kinds of LF with the usage of VDT were obtained and were identical. Thus, the authors can draw conclusions that BCG can replace ECG to achieve unconstrained monitoring of VDT visual fatigue and LF gradually increases with VDT visual fatigue becoming more and more serious. Finally, we compare LF curves of BCG and ECG during use VDT to draw a conclusion that BCG can replace ECG to monitor VDT visual fatigue in an unconstrained way. Also, the confidence interval is used to verify the reliability of SD subjective evaluation, and the conclusion is reliable.
Multi-wavelength structure analysis of local cluster galaxies
Authors: Psychogyios A. , Vika M. , Charmandaris V. , Bamford S. , Fasano G. , Häußler B. , Moretti A. , Poggianti B. , Vulcani B.
Published: November 2019

We present a multi-wavelength analysis of the galaxies in nine clusters selected from the WINGS dataset, examining how galaxy structure varies as a function of wavelength and environment using the state of the art software GALAPAGOS-2. We simultaneously fit single-Sérsic functions on three optical (u, B and V) and two near-infrared (J and K) bands thus creating a wavelength-dependent model of each galaxy. We measure the magnitudes, effective radius (Re), the Sérsic index (n), axis ratio, and position angle in each band. The sample contains 790 cluster members (located close to the cluster centre < 0.64 × R200) and 254 non-member galaxies that we further separate based on their morphology into ellipticals, lenticulars, and spirals. We find that the Sérsic index of all galaxies inside clusters remains nearly constant with wavelength while Re decreases as wavelength increases for all morphological types. We do not observe a significant variation on n and Re as a function of projected local density and distance from the clusters centre. Comparing the n and Re of bright cluster galaxies with a subsample of non-member galaxies we find that bright cluster galaxies are more concentrated (display high n values) and are more compact (low Re). Moreover, the light profile (𝒩) and size (ℛ) of bright cluster galaxies does not change as a function of wavelength in the same manner as non-member galaxies.
Influence of the process parameters on mechanical properties of the final parts obtained by selective laser sintering from PA2200 powder
Authors: Dincă (Shamieh) Luciana Laura , Popa Nicoleta Mirela , Milodin Nichita Larisa , Stanca Comsa , Gheorghiu Doina
Published: December 2019

The paper describes how the process parameters affects the mechanical characteristics of laser selective sintered (SLS) parts used in applications of medical, automotive and aerospace fields. The greatest advantage of the additive manufacturing (AM) technology in the medical field is that it allows the use of the patient's medical CT images to obtain specific implants, providing high benefits for both patients and physicians. Despite its increasing use and advantages, the AM process has a series of problemssuch as: the difficulty in obtaining quality part, process interruption or manufacturing part failure. As such, there have been developed experimental researches in order to establish a correlation between the process parameters and the finished part properties. For this analysis, PA 2200 polyamide specimenswere obtained by SLS and subjected to tensile tests. The results correlate the process parameters, providing proof that the tensile properties of SLS specimen are dependent of orientation, position and preheating temperature. Based on the correlation between the process parameters and properties of the PA2200 polyamide, this paper provides a better understanding of the AM process and allows an anticipation onthe best parameters to be used on different parts, leading the optimizing of component properties for medical applications.