bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cautious Risk Takers: Investor Preferences and Demand for Active Management
Authors: POLKOVNICHENKO VALERY , WEI KELSEY D. , ZHAO FENG
Published: December 2018

Despite their mediocre mean performance, actively managed mutual funds are distinct from passive funds in their return distributions. Active value funds better hedge downside risk, while active growth funds better capture upside potential. Since such performance features may appeal to investors with tail‐overweighting preferences, we show that preferences for downside protection and upside potential estimated from the empirical pricing kernel can help explain active fund flows in the value and growth categories, respectively. This effect of investor risk preferences varies significantly with funds' downside‐hedging and upside‐capturing ability, with levels of active management, and across retirement and retail funds.
Portfolio Manager Compensation in the U.S. Mutual Fund Industry
Authors: MA LINLIN , TANG YUEHUA , GÓMEZ JUAN‐PEDRO
Published: December 2018

We study compensation contracts of individual portfolio managers using hand‐collected data of over 4,500 U.S. mutual funds. Variations in the compensation structures are broadly consistent with an optimal contracting equilibrium. The likelihood of explicit performance‐based incentives is positively correlated with the intensity of agency conflicts, as proxied by the advisor's clientele dispersion, its affiliations in the financial industry, and its ownership structure. Investor sophistication and the threat of dismissal in outsourced funds serve as substitutes for explicit performance‐based incentives. Finally, we find little evidence of differences in future performance associated with any particular compensation arrangement.
Canker on culm of Bambusa multiplex (Lour.) Raeusch. ex Schult. caused by Fusariumincarnatum (Roberge) Sacc.
Authors: Huang Lin , Yang Ji‐Yun , Zhu Ya‐Nan , Zhu Li‐Hua , Zhang Yue‐Feng , Ye Jian‐Ren , Li De‐Wei
Published: December 2018

Bambusa multiplex has been broadly cultivated in China and has significant economical, ecological and ornamental importance. A canker on the culm of B. multiplex was first time discovered in 2015 in Shanghai, China. In this study, the fungal isolate XSZ‐1 isolated from the infected tissues was determined to be a pathogen of canker on the culm of B. multiplex by fulfilling Koch's postulates. The fungal pathogen was identified as Fusarium incarnatum based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses with the sequences of ITS, TEF‐1α and RPB2. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a canker on the culm of B. multiplex caused by F. incarnatum worldwide.
Enhancing the oral bioavailability of baicalein via Solutol® HS15 and Poloxamer 188 mixed micelles system
Authors: Shen Hongxue , Liu Yi , Zhang Huanhuan , Ding Pinggang , Zhang Lan , Zhang Liefeng , Ju Jianming
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To increase the solubility of baicalein (BAI) by preparing BAI-micelles (BAI-M) with Solutol HS15 (HS15) and Poloxamer 188 (F68), thereby improving its oral bioavailability.

Methods

Baicalein micelles were prepared with HS15 and F68 by thin-film dispersion method and optimized by central composite design (CCD) approach. Physicochemical, in vitro release, Caco-2 cell transport and pharmacokinetic studies of BAI-M were performed.

Key findings

The optimal formulation showed spherical shape by characterization of the transmission electron microscope with average small size (23.14 ± 1.46 nm) and high entrapment efficiency (92.78±0.98%) and drug loading (6.45±1.54%). The in vitro release study of BAI-M showed a significantly sustained release pattern compared with free BAI. Caco-2 cell transport study demonstrated that high permeability of BAI was achieved after loading it into micelles. Meanwhile, pharmacokinetics study of BAI-M showed a 3.02-fold increase in relative oral bioavailability compared with free BAI.

Conclusions

Based on our findings, we concluded that HS15 can be used as a carrier in this drug delivery system that includes F68, and BAI-M has great potential in improving solubility and oral bioavailability.
MiR‐16‐5p is frequently down‐regulated in astrocytic gliomas and modulates glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis and response to cytotoxic therapy
Authors: Krell A. , Wolter M. , Stojcheva N. , Hertler C. , Liesenberg F. , Zapatka M. , Weller M. , Malzkorn B. , Reifenberger G.
Published: December 2018

Aims

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is frequent in various cancers including gliomas. We aimed to characterize the role of miR‐16‐5p as a candidate tumour suppressor miRNA in gliomas.

Methods

Real‐time PCR‐based approaches were used for miRNA and mRNA expression profiling of glioma and non‐neoplastic brain tissues as well as glioma cell lines. Protein levels were determined by Western blotting. In vitro analyses were performed following overexpression of miR‐16‐5p, trichostatin A (TSA) treatment, and siRNA‐mediated knock‐down of HDAC3 in glioma cells. Effects of miR‐16‐5p on glioma cell viability, apoptosis and response to irradiation and temozolomide (TMZ) were assessed.

Results

Expression of miR‐16‐5p was reduced relative to control brain tissue in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)‐mutant astrocytomas of World Health Organization (WHO) grades II, III and IV, and a subset of IDH‐wildtype glioblastomas WHO grade IV. MiR‐16‐5p expression was lower in IDH‐mutant than in IDH‐wildtype gliomas, and down‐regulated in IDH‐wildtype glioma lines. MiR‐16‐5p overexpression reduced expression of important cell cycle and apoptosis regulators in glioma cells, including CDK6, CDC25A, CCND3, CCNE1, WEE1, CHEK1, BCL2 and MCL1. In line, CDK6, WEE1, CHEK1, BCL2 and MCL1 transcript levels were increased in WHO grade III or IV gliomas. TSA treatment and HDAC3 knockdown in glioma cells induced miR‐16‐5p up‐regulation and reduced expression of its targets. Moreover, miR‐16‐5p overexpression inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in various glioma cell lines and increased sensitivity of A172 glioma cells to irradiation and TMZ.

Conclusion

Reduced expression of miR‐16‐5p contributes to glioma cell proliferation, survival and resistance to cytotoxic therapy.
Anything but equal
Authors: McIntosh Kimberly
Published: December 2018

The past eight years of austerity have had a devastating and disproportionate impact on BME women on low‐incomes
A crisis of care or a crisis of work?
Authors: Roberts Carys
Published: December 2018

A ‘politics of time’ that enables greater autonomy and time for relationships could address the care crisis and be a powerful vote winner
A comparison of the EU regulatory approach to directed mutagenesis with that of other jurisdictions, consequences for international trade and potential steps forward
Authors: Eriksson Dennis , Kershen Drew , Nepomuceno Alexandre , Pogson Barry J. , Prieto Humberto , Purnhagen Kai , Smyth Stuart , Wesseler Justus , Whelan Agustina
Published: December 2018

A special regulatory regime applies to products of recombinant nucleic acid modifications. A ruling from the European Court of Justice has interpreted this regulatory regime in a way that it also applies to emerging mutagenesis techniques. Elsewhere regulatory progress is also ongoing. In 2015, Argentina launched a regulatory framework, followed by Chile in 2017 and recently Brazil and Colombia. In March 2018, the USDA announced that it will not regulate genome‐edited plants differently if they could have also been developed through traditional breeding. Canada has an altogether different approach with their Plants with Novel Traits regulations. Australia is currently reviewing its Gene Technology Act. This article illustrates the deviation of the European Union's (EU's) approach from the one of most of the other countries studied here. Whereas the EU does not implement a case‐by‐case approach, this approach is taken by several other jurisdictions. Also, the EU court ruling adheres to a process‐based approach while most other countries have a stronger emphasis on the regulation of the resulting product. It is concluded that, unless a functioning identity preservation system for products of directed mutagenesis can be established, the deviation results in a risk of asynchronous approvals and disruptions in international trade.
Endocytosis acts as transport pathway in wood
Authors: Słupianek Aleksandra , Kasprowicz‐Maluśki Anna , Myśkow Elżbieta , Turzańska Magdalena , Sokołowska Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

In trees, dead and living cells of secondary xylem (wood) function collectively, rendering cell‐to‐cell communication challenging. Water and solutes are transported over long distances from the roots to the above‐ground organs via vessels, the main component of wood, and then radially over short distances to the neighboring cells. This enables proper functioning of trees and integrates whole‐plant activity.

In this study, tracer loading, immunolocalization experiments and inhibitor assays were used to decipher the mechanisms enabling transport in wood of Acer pseudoplatanus (maple), Fraxinus excelsior (ash) and Populus tremula × tremuloides (poplar) trees.

We show that tracer uptake from dead water‐conducting vessels, elements of the apoplasm, to living vessel‐associated cells (VACs) of the xylem parenchyma of the symplasm system proceeds via the endocytic pathway, including clathrin‐mediated and clathrin‐independent processes.

These findings enhance our understanding of the transport pathways in complex wood tissue, providing experimental evidence of the involvement of VACs and endocytosis in radial uptake from vessels.
Unchanged QRS morphology with atrial pacing in a case of WPW syndrome: What is the mechanism?
Authors: Tutuianu Cristina , Saghy Laszlo , Pap Robert
Published: December 2018

We present the case of a 55‐year‐old female who presented for a short episode of palpitation and an electrocardiogram consistent with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome. She underwent an electrophysiological study showing that during incremental atrial pacing and extrastimulation the stimulus to QRS and QRS morphology stayed constant while the His to ventricular (HV) interval shortened. What can be the explanation for the constant QRS morphology, despite shortening HV during atrial pacing?
Conduction recovery following pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Kaplan Rachel M. , Yadlapati Ajay , Cantey Eric P. , Passman Rod S. , Gajjar Mark , Knight Bradley P. , Sweis Ranya , Ricciardi Mark J. , Pham Duc T. , Churyla Andrei , Malaisrie S. Chris , Davidson Charles J. , Flaherty James D.
Published: December 2018

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly used to treat severe aortic stenosis. A frequent complication of TAVR is high‐grade or complete atrioventricular (AV) block requiring a permanent pacemaker (PPM). There are little data on the long‐term dependency on pacing after TAVR. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of patients receiving a PPM for high‐grade or complete AV block after TAVR who remain dependent on the PPM in follow‐up and to determine any risk factors for, particularly the effect of postballoon dilation (PBD) on, pacemaker dependency.

Methods

Of 594 consecutive patients without prior PPM undergoing TAVR (81.9% balloon‐expandable, 18.1% self‐expandable valve), 67 (13.1%) received a PPM after TAVR. PPM dependency was defined as AV block with a ventricular escape rate of ≤ 40 beats/min. Patient and procedural characteristics were examined according to PPM dependency status.

Results

Of the 67 patients who received a PPM within 10 days after TAVR, 27/67 (40.3%) were dependent at first follow‐up and only 9/41 (21.9%) at 1 year. PPM dependency was more common after a self‐expanding valve (76.9% vs 31.5%, P < 0.01), in those who underwent PBD (66.7% vs 24.4%, P < 0.01), and in patients in persistent complete AV block at PPM implantation (62.5% vs 7.4%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Fewer than half of patients who receive a new PPM following TAVR are pacemaker dependent at early follow‐up (< 30 days). The use of self‐expanding valves and PBD are associated with a markedly increased risk of PPM dependency.
Transverse melanonychia in a child receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Stephens Michael , Rubin Adam I. , Castelo‐Soccio Leslie
Published: December 2018

Transverse melanonychia is a rare finding often secondary to chemotherapy, orally ingested medications, or other iatrogenic interventions. A 19‐month‐old boy with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis treated with biweekly etoposide and dexamethasone developed transverse bands of pigment in all toenail and fingernail units consistent with transverse melanonychia. We review the literature for reported cases of transverse melanonychia and summarize suspected etiologies.
Liver transplantation: New treatment for mucopolysaccharidosis type VI in rats
Authors: Toyama Sumika , Migita Ohsuke , Fujino Masayuki , Kunieda Tetsuo , Kosuga Motomichi , Fukuhara Yasuyuki , Nagahara Yukitoshi , Li Xiao‐Kang , Okuyama Torayuki
Published: December 2018

Background

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI is a rare, autosomal recessive congenital metabolic disorder caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal metabolic enzyme, N‐acetylgalactosamine 4‐sulfatase. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the current treatment for MPS VI, although it involves limited compliance to the therapy and high cost. The aim of this study was to develop a new method of treatment by conducting an orthotopic liver transplantation (LTx) using an animal model of human MPS VI, and to evaluate and examine its effectiveness for treating MPS VI.

Methods

LTx was carried out from normal unaffected to affected MPS VI rats (MPR), which were then killed after LTx, and tissues from the heart, spleen, and knee joint, as well as serum, collected for biological and morphologic evaluation.

Results

Liver‐transplanted (LTx) MPR had the same level of N‐acetylgalactosamine 4‐sulfatase activity in the liver and lungs as normal unaffected MPR, and the urinary secretion of mucopolysaccharides/glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in LTx MPR was significantly decreased. Furthermore, on histopathology, the spleens of LTx MPR showed elimination of vacuole cells. In the knee joints, growth plates became thinner, and on radiography the facial and cranial bones of LTx MPR were morphologically normal.

Conclusions

LTx from normal to affected MPR was effective for symptoms of MPS and accumulation of GAG, suggesting that LTx could be a promising alternative approach for MPS VI.
Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding: A concept analysis
Authors: Toledo Christine , Cianelli Rosina
Published: December 2018

To increase the overall rate of breastfeeding initiation and duration, factors involved in a mother's decision to breastfeed must be identified. Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding was a concept selected for exploring factors associated with negative views of breastfeeding. A concept analysis following the eight‐step Walker & Avant method provides clarity and context to the concept of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding. The antecedents of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding include living in a culture of sexualization and objectification of women and the internalization of the values of objectification. Attributes of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding are a prioritization of physical appearance attributes of the breast over the health benefits of breastfeeding and a preoccupation with physical appearance. Consequences include negative views toward breastfeeding initiation, duration, and public breastfeeding. A concept analysis on self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding will provide definition and clarity to this phenomenon, lend to theory and measurement, and add literature to the sociocultural factors impacting breastfeeding decisions.
Fair Is Fair, or Is It? Territorial Identity Triggers Influence Ultimatum Game Behavior
Authors: Cram Laura , Moore Adam , Olivieri Victor , Suessenbach Felix
Published: December 2018

Fairness perception underpins the concept of societal solidarity and is central to regime cohesion, collective identity, and popular legitimacy. The European Union faces challenges on all of these fronts. Perceptions of intergroup (un)fairness and of being “left behind,” for example, provided much of the momentum behind the U.K. Brexit decision. Fairness perception is not, however, an objectively reliable measure. In/outgroup alignments, including race and even football team membership, have been shown experimentally to influence individuals’ behavior in response to equally fair/unfair monetary offers, even when this behavior is economically irrational. We develop an experimental task, using an adapted ultimatum game design, to examine how this dynamic plays out in the context of multilevel territorial identity systems, such as the European Union (EU), where no straightforward territorial in/outgroup dynamic pertains. We discuss the implications of our findings for understanding complex social‐identity effects in multilevel systems. We ask how our findings on differential perceptions of fairness might be built upon to help understand variable citizen perceptions of, for example, the Brexit process and of the outcomes secured by an individuals’ “own side” in the negotiations and more generally in relation to psychological attachment to the EU.
Managing technological uncertainty in science incubation: a prospective sensemaking perspective
Authors: Friesl Martin , Ford Chris J. , Mason Katy
Published: December 2018

This paper focuses on the adaption challenge that confronts the top management team (TMT) of science incubators in situations of substantial technological uncertainty. To do that, we draw on the three‐year longitudinal analysis of a major bioscience catalyst in the United Kingdom. Through the lens of ‘prospective sensemaking’, we follow the TMT as they work with stakeholders in their ecosystem to make sense of a significant technological shift: the convergence of life sciences, IT and other sciences in the health care environment. Our analysis reveals how prospective sensemaking resulted in the launch of a new strategy to exploit these emerging opportunities. However, stakeholders’ increasingly fragmented interpretation of the term convergence and the anticipation of legitimacy challenges in the wider ecosystem resulted in the repositioning of the incubator. Our findings contribute to extant research on science incubation. In particular, the paper sheds light on the complex interactions of incubator TMT’s with stakeholders in situations of technological change and uncertainty. Moreover, responding to technological change does not only affect the structural conditions of an incubator. Rather, it may also require changes to the positioning of the incubator in order to maintain legitimacy in the wider ecosystem. The paper also suggests managerial as well as policy‐level implications.
Cystic fibrosis vigilance in Arab countries: The role of genetic epidemiology
Authors: Pallin Michael
Published: December 2018

See related Article
Coastal boulder deposit as evidence of an ocean‐wide prehistoric tsunami originated on the Atacama Desert coast (northern Chile)
Authors: Abad Manuel , Izquierdo Tatiana , Cáceres Miguel , Bernárdez Enrique , Rodriguez‐Vidal Joaquín
Published: December 2018

A Late Holocene cliff‐top deposit of large boulders well above the limits of modern storm waves is described from the southern coast of the Atacama Desert (northern Chile). The largest moved boulder weighs >40 t and field data point to a flood height >18·5 m above high tide level and an inland penetration greater than 284 m from the cliff edge. The minimum flow velocity needed for particle entrainment was estimated as 10·1 ms−1 and the most likely processes of sediment deposition for different boulders were deduced. The boulder distribution, sorting and orientation of imbricated debris, together with the significant wave height of extreme storms reported and the occurrence of interplate earthquakes in the study area indicate that the deposit records a single event, interpreted here as a tsunami wave train rather than exceptional storm waves. The boulder field was dated to between the 13th and the 16th Centuries ce and possibly correlates with the 1420 Oei orphan tsunami, that affected the eastern coast of Japan. A magnitude of 8·8 to 9·4 has been estimated for the earthquake, which may be one of the larger events of a super‐cycle of earthquakes in the southern Atacama Desert. These cycle‐ending earthquakes involve large rupture areas (lengths in excess of 600 km) and highly destructive ocean‐wide tsunamigenic events.
Anti‐psoriatic effect of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells on imiquimod‐induced skin inflammation in mice
Authors: Kim Chang‐Hyun , Yoo Jung Ki , Jeon Seong Ho , Lim Chi‐Yeon , Lee Ju‐Hee , Koo Deog‐Bon , Park Mi‐Young
Published: December 2018

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play an important role in controlling the immune response against cancer and in suppression of autoimmunity and allergic inflammation. However, the beneficial effects of MDSCs on the experimental mouse model of psoriasis have not been reported. Therefore, we investigated the anti‐psoriatic effect of MDSCs on IMQ‐induced skin inflammation in mice and explored the mechanisms involved. Our results showed that administration of MDSCs (1 × 106 or 2 × 106 cells) suppressed the development of IMQ‐induced skin inflammation in mice as exemplified by a significant reduction in clinical severity scores and was associated with a reduction of histopathological changes, including inflammatory infiltration, epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis. The immunosuppressive effect of MDSCs (1 × 106 or 2 × 106 cells) corresponded to the production of Th1 cytokines (TNF‐α, IFN‐γ) and Th17 cytokines (IL‐17A and IL‐23) in the serum and dorsal skin. Administration of MDSCs (1 × 106 or 2 × 106 cells) also inhibited splenomegaly. Moreover, an increased percentage of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and decreased percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells were found in mice treated with MDSCs. Taken together, these results imply that MDSCs have immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects on disease progression in a murine model of psoriasis and that MDSCs could be used in preventive or therapeutic strategies for the management of autoimmune inflammatory skin disorders, such as psoriasis.
Changes in compliance with school‐based physical activity recommendations in Spanish youth: The UP&DOWN longitudinal study
Authors: Grao‐Cruces Alberto , Sánchez‐Oliva David , Segura‐Jiménez Víctor , Cabanas‐Sánchez Verónica , Martínez‐Gómez David , Rodríguez‐Rodríguez Fernando , Moreno Luis A. , Castro‐Piñero José
Published: December 2018

The study aimed (a) to examine changes in physical activity (PA) during the whole day, school hours, recess, and physical education classes (PEC) during a 2‐year period in primary and secondary students; (b) to identify changes in the proportion of compliance with specific PA recommendations for these periods; and (c) to examine whether PA levels at baseline are associated with PA levels 2 years later. Eight hundred and fourteen (51.8% boys) children and 658 (50.1% boys) adolescents from 41 Spanish schools participated in the study. Hip‐worn accelerometers were used to assess PA during different time periods. Light PA (LPA) declined during the whole day, school hours, recess (all P < 0.001, except child girls for recess), and PEC (all, P < 0.05) in children and adolescents. Moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) during the whole day and recess declined in child boys (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) and adolescent boys (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). MVPA during PEC declined in adolescent boys (P < 0.001) and adolescent girls (all P < 0.05). The proportion of compliance with the specific PA recommendations for these periods declined (P < 0.05), except for PEC in adolescent girls. PA during the whole day at baseline was moderately associated with PA during the whole day years later (ICCs = 0.210‐0.544, with one exception), but this association was lower for the school‐based PA. In conclusion, time spent in MVPA and LPA during the whole day and recess declined over time in child and adolescent boys and during PEC in adolescents. These findings highlight the need to promote PA interventions in these settings.
Hepatitis E virus blood donor NAT screening: as much as possible or as much as needed?
Authors: Vollmer T. , Diekmann J. , Knabbe C. , Dreier J.
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The cost‐benefit question of general screening of blood products for the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is currently being discussed. One central question is the need for individual nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAT) screening (ID‐NAT) versus minipool NAT screening (MP‐NAT) approaches to identify all relevant viremias in blood donors. Here, the findings of ID‐NAT versus MP‐NAT in pools of 96 samples were compared.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

From November 2017 to January 2018, a total of 10,141 allogenic blood donations from 7650 individual German blood donors were screened for the presence of HEV RNA using MP‐NAT (96 samples) (RealStar HEV RT‐PCR Kit) compared to ID‐NAT (cobas HEV assay) on the fully automated cobas 6800 platform.

RESULTS

Parallel screening of MP (n = 122, 96 samples/MP) using both methods detected seven reactive pools. After pool resolution, 8 HEV RNA–positive donations were identified by the in‐house detection method, whereas 17 HEV RNA–positive donations were identified by ID‐NAT with the cobas HEV assay. This resulted in an incidence of 1:1268 donations (0.079%) for MP‐NAT screening and 1:597 donations (0.168%) for ID‐NAT screening.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection frequency of HEV RNA was approximately 50% higher if ID‐NAT was used compared to MP‐NAT. However, viral loads of ID‐NAT–only samples were below 25 IU/mL and will often not result in transfusion‐transmitted HEV (TT‐HEV) infection, taking into account the currently known infectious dose of 5.0E + 04 IU inevitably resulting in TT‐HEV infection. The clinical relevance and need for identification of these low‐level HEV‐positive donors still require further investigation.
Recipient sepsis caused by Lactococcus garvieae contamination of platelets from a donor with colon cancer
Authors: Nakamura Shuichi , Nakai Kenji , Sakata Momoko , Nagaoka Yoshio , Yoshida Kozue , Katsumata Uichiro , Chiba Toshimi , Matsubayashi Keiji
Published: December 2018

Lactococcus garvieae is a well‐known fish pathogen that has low virulence in humans and is rarely isolated from the blood cultures of endocarditis patients. We describe herein the first reported case of transfusion‐transmitted L. garvieae sepsis caused by a contaminated platelet concentrate from a donor who consumed raw octopus before blood donation. Retrospective examination of the laboratory results of the index donor revealed that his haemoglobin levels had been steadily decreasing, which led to the detection of a latent colon cancer. The donors with colon lesions involving a latent cancer may relate an asymptomatic bacteremia.
EnergyPlus Integration Into Cosimulation Environment to Improve Home Energy Saving Through Cyber-Physical Systems Development
Authors: Singer Joe , Roth Thomas , Wang Chenli , Nguyen Cuong , Lee Hohyun
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a co-simulation platform which combines a building simulation tool with a cyber-physical systems (CPS) approach. Residential buildings have a great potential of energy reduction by controlling home equipment based on usage information. A CPS can eliminate unnecessary energy usage on a small, local scale by autonomously optimizing equipment activity, based on sensor measurements from the home. It can also allow peak shaving from the grid if a collection of homes are connected. However, lack of verification tools limits effective development of CPS products. The present work integrates EnergyPlus, which is a widely adopted building simulation tool, into an open-source development environment for CPS released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST environment utilizes the IEEE high-level architecture (HLA) standard for data exchange and logical timing control to integrate a suite of simulators into a common platform. A simple CPS model, which controls local heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) temperature set-point based on environmental conditions, was tested with the developed co-simulation platform. The proposed platform can be expanded to integrate various simulation tools and various home simulations, thereby allowing for cosimulation of more intricate building energy systems.
Inverse Analysis of Radiative Flux Maps for the Characterization of High Flux Sources
Authors: Suter Clemens , Meouchi Antoine Torbey , Levêque Gaël , Haussener Sophia
Published: December 2018

The reconstruction of the angular and spatial intensity distribution from radiative flux maps measured in high flux solar simulators (HFSS) or optical concentrators is an ill-posed inverse problem requiring special solution strategies. We aimed at providing a solution strategy for the determination of intensity distributions of arbitrarily complicated concentrating facilities. The approach consists of the inverse reconstruction of the intensities from multiple radiative flux maps recorded at various positions around the focal plane. The approach was validated by three test cases including uniform spatial, Gaussian spatial, and uniform angular distributions for which we successfully predicted the intensity for a square-shaped target with edge length of 0.5 m and for a displacement range spanning ±1.5 m at a resolution of 3.2 × 106 elements, yielding relative errors between 19.8–26.4% and 15.7–25.6% when using Tikhonov regularization and the conjugate gradient least square (CGLS) method, respectively. The latter method showed superior performance and was used at a resolution of 2.35 × 107 elements to analyze EPFL's HFSS comprising 18 lamps. The inverse solution for a single lamp retrieved from experimentally measured and simulated radiative flux maps showed peak intensities of 13.7 MW/m2/sr and 16.0 MW/m2/sr, respectively, with a relative error of 81.1%. The inverse reconstruction of the entire simulator by superimposing the single lamp intensities retrieved from simulated flux maps resulted in a maximum intensity of 18.8 MW/m2/sr with a relative error of 80%. The inverse method proved to provide reasonable intensity predictions with limited resolution of details imposed by the high gradients in the radiative flux maps.
Real-Time Determination of Rheological Properties of Spud Drilling Fluids Using a Hybrid Artificial Intelligence Technique
Authors: Abdelgawad Khaled , Elkatatny Salaheldin , Moussa Tamer , Mahmoud Mohamed , Patil Shirish
Published: December 2018

The rheological properties of the drilling fluid play a key role in controlling the drilling operation. Knowledge of drilling fluid rheological properties is very crucial for drilling hydraulic calculations required for hole cleaning optimization. Measuring the rheological properties during drilling sometimes is a time-consuming process. Wrong estimation of these properties may lead to many problems, such as pipe sticking, loss of circulation, and/or well control issues. The aforementioned problems increase the non-productive time and the overall cost of the drilling operations. In this paper, the frequent drilling fluid measurements (mud density, Marsh funnel viscosity (MFV), and solid percent) are used to estimate the rheological properties of bentonite spud mud. Artificial neural network (ANN) technique was combined with the self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm (SaDe) to develop an optimum ANN model for each rheological property using 1029 data points. The SaDe helped to optimize the best combination of parameters for the ANN models. For the first time, based on the developed ANN models, empirical equations are extracted for each rheological parameter. The ANN models predicted the rheological properties from the mud density, MFV, and solid percent with high accuracy (average absolute percentage error (AAPE) less than 5% and correlation coefficient higher than 95%). The developed apparent viscosity model was compared with the available models in the literature using the unseen dataset. The SaDe-ANN model outperformed the other models which overestimated the apparent viscosity of the spud drilling fluid. The developed models will help drilling engineers to predict the rheological properties every 15–20 min. This will help to optimize hole cleaning and avoid pipe sticking and loss of circulation where bentonite spud mud is used. No additional equipment or special software is required for applying the new method.
Estimation of Remaining Useful Lifetime of Lithium-Ion Battery Based on Acoustic Emission Measurements
Authors: Beganovic Nejra , Söffker Dirk
Published: December 2018

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) utilization as energy storage device in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, wind turbine systems, a number of portable electrical devices, and in many other application fields is encouraged due to LIB small size alongside high energy density. Monitoring of LIB health state parameters, calculation of additional LIB operating parameters, and the fulfillment of safety requirements are provided through battery management systems. Prediction of remaining useful lifetime (RUL) of LIB and state-of-health (SoH) estimation are identified as still challenging and not completely solved tasks. In this contribution, previous works on RUL/SoH estimation, mainly relied on modeling of underlying electrochemical processes inside LIB, are compared with newly developed approach. The proposed approach utilizes acoustic emission measurements for LIB aging indicators estimation. Developed model for RUL estimation is closely related to frequency spectrum analysis of captured acoustic emission (AE) signal. Features selected from AE measurements are considered as model inputs. The novelty of this approach is the opportunity to estimate RUL/SoH of LIB without necessity to capture some intermediate variables, only indirectly related to RUL/SoH (charging/discharging currents, temperature, and similar). The proposed approach provides the possibility to obtain reliable information about current RUL/SoH without the knowledge about underlying physical processes occurred in LIB. Experimental data sets gathered from LIB aging tests are used for model establishment, training, and validation. The experimental results demonstrate the applicability of the novel approach.
Performance Analysis of a Solar-Powered Multi-Effect Refrigeration System
Authors: Alazazmeh Ayman J. , Mokheimer Esmail M. A. , Khaliq Abdul , Qureshi Bilal A.
Published: December 2018

The main objective of the current work is to investigate the thermodynamic performance of a novel solar powered multi-effect refrigeration system. The proposed cycle consists of a solar tower system with a heliostat field and central receiver (CR) that has molten salt as the heat transfer fluid, an absorption refrigeration cycle (ARC), an ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC), and a cascade refrigeration cycle (CRC). Energy and exergy analyses were carried out to measure the thermodynamic performance of the proposed cycle, using Dhahran weather data and operating conditions. The largest contribution to cycle irreversibility was found to be from the CR system (52.5%), followed by the heliostat field (25%). The first and second-law efficiencies improved due to the increase in the following parameters: ejector evaporator temperature, turbine inlet and exit pressures, and cascade evaporator temperature. Parametric analysis showed that the compressor delivery pressure, turbine inlet and exit pressures, hot molten salt outlet temperature, and ejector evaporator temperature significantly affect the refrigeration output.
The Effect of Rigid Particle on Friction Properties of Automotive Disk Brake Based on a Local Modeling
Authors: Wan Zhishuai , Liu Xiandong , Shan Yingchun , He Tian , Wang Haixia , (Sheng) Chen Gang
Published: December 2018

To quantify the friction mechanism of the interface of the brake disk-pad pair, an analytical model of coefficient of friction (COF) is established from the perspective of contact mechanics. The model takes into account the surface topography of the disk, mechanical properties of brake pair, and the ingredients of the brake pad. As the reinforcing fillers, the effect of particle size and amount on the COF are analyzed, and the simulation results are consistent with the experimental data. The model and results presented here offer some insight into real brake pair design.
Innovative Design of High-Performance Multi-Loop Rope Lifting System
Authors: Tanzil Alvin Abraham , Maassen Gabrielle , Smoak Justin
Published: December 2018

In today’s world, the advent of bigger and higher building structures has pushed the limits of engineered lifts. A single heavy payload is preferable to many small loads. This practice cuts down on lead time, infrastructure and manpower to finish the job. This is where high-performance synthetic rope solutions are needed. Light weight yet high-strength fiber provides faster and safer rigging. These lifting operations require rigorous design and analysis to determine the ideal application parameters for the lift planning process... Simply, it can be a headache. Samson engineers, backed by historical big data and testing capabilities, have managed to simplify the process of finding the right sling in the most efficient way. Using proprietary technology, the time of choosing any rope size from available inventory to build that hi-capacity sling has come. The system is built to offer multiple options through its smart multi-loop sling configurator. Current capability includes building slings with rope ranging in size from 16 to 168mm, to a maximum number of 8 loops — which translates to the possibility of reaching up to 4,000mT maximum break strength on a short length of 3 meters. Smaller bend radius ratio is also possible because the system interacts with individual ropes, while working as a system. The use of a mechanical splice also allows for tighter length tolerances. Having this breakthrough at the tip of your fingers will set you apart.
Effects of Co-Located Floating Wind-Wave Systems on Fatigue Damage of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Mooring Cables
Authors: Clark Caitlyn E. , Paredes Guilherme Moura
Published: December 2018

Industrial realization of both floating offshore wind and wave energy technologies requires reductions in the current high levelized cost of energy. Reducing mooring fatigue loads could decrease levelized cost of energy, as mooring is expected to be a major cost of these systems. Previous work on improving mooring reliability and costs has focused on material and design. In this exploratory study, we quantify how placing WECs in front of a FOWT could reduce fatigue damage incurred by FOWT mooring cables in long-crested wave conditions. We use SWAN to quantify the WEC-induced sea state modifications and obtain wave spectra at the FOWT location. The spectra are then input into WEC-Sim and MooDy to model the mooring cable behavior. Fatigue analysis with Rainflow Counting is used to quantify the fatigue loading on the mooring cables. Results from this study show a 8% reduction in fatigue damage to mooring cables over the lifetime of the structure. These results indicate that co-location could have a beneficial effect on FOWT mooring cable fatigue. In future work, these results will be leveraged to perform optimal O&M planning and reliability-based design optimization of floating offshore wind turbines.
Trump officials move to limit human fetal tissue research
Authors: Wadman Meredith , Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: December 2018

NIH ordered staff scientists not to procure new tissue.
Worries about Ebola outbreak grow, despite use of vaccine
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: December 2018

DRC conflict hampers effort to track and contain virus.
Bioelectronics that vanish in the body
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: December 2018

Wire-free devices that dissolve could expand the use of electric pulses in medicine.
CRISPR-mediated activation of a promoter or enhancer rescues obesity caused by haploinsufficiency
Authors: Matharu Navneet , Rattanasopha Sawitree , Tamura Serena , Maliskova Lenka , Wang Yi , Bernard Adelaide , Hardin Aaron , Eckalbar Walter L. , Vaisse Christian , Ahituv Nadav
Published: December 2018

CRISPRa corrects haploinsufficient obesity

Loss-of-function mutation in one gene copy, termed haploinsufficiency, can lead to insufficient protein levels and result in human disease. Matharu
et al.
tested whether a CRISPR-based activation system (CRISPRa) could rescue a haploinsufficient phenotype by increasing the gene expression levels of the existing normal copy (see the Perspective by Montefiori and Nobrega). By delivering this system into the mouse hypothalamus using adeno-associated virus, they rescued the obesity phenotype caused by haploinsufficiency of either of two genes known to promote obesity when mutated in mice and humans. These results highlight the translational potential of the CRISPR activation system to treat haploinsufficient disease.

Science
, this issue p.
eaau0629
; see also p.
231
High-affinity allergen-specific human antibodies cloned from single IgE B cell transcriptomes
Authors: Croote Derek , Darmanis Spyros , Nadeau Kari C. , Quake Stephen R.
Published: December 2018

IgE B cells unmasked

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies play a central role in immune responses against helminth and protozoan parasites; however, they also contribute to allergies. IgE antibodies (and the B cells generating them) are rare and thus poorly characterized. Croote
et al.
performed single-cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood B cells from patients with peanut allergies and delineated each cell's gene expression, splice variants, and antibody sequences (see the Perspective by Gould and Ramadani). Unlike other isotypes, circulating IgE B cells were mostly immature plasmablasts. Surprisingly, certain IgE antibodies manifested identical gene rearrangements in unrelated individuals. These IgE antibodies showed high affinity and unexpected cross-reactivity to peanut allergens.

Science
, this issue p.
1306
; see also p.
1247
Evolution of a highly active and enantiospecific metalloenzyme from short peptides
Authors: Studer Sabine , Hansen Douglas A. , Pianowski Zbigniew L. , Mittl Peer R. E. , Debon Aaron , Guffy Sharon L. , Der Bryan S. , Kuhlman Brian , Hilvert Donald
Published: December 2018

Evolution trains a from-scratch catalyst

Metal-bound peptides can catalyze simple reactions such as ester hydrolysis and may have been the starting point for the evolution of modern enzymes. Studer
et al.
selected progressively more-proficient variants of a small protein derived from a computationally designed zinc-binding peptide. The resulting enzyme could perform the trained reaction at rates typical for naturally evolved enzymes and serendipitously developed a strong preference for a single enantiomer of the substrate. A structure of the final catalyst highlights how small, progressive changes can remodel both catalytic residues and protein architecture in unpredictable ways.

Science
, this issue p.
1285
Observation of the geometric phase effect in the H + HD → H
2
+ D reaction
Authors: Yuan Daofu , Guan Yafu , Chen Wentao , Zhao Hailin , Yu Shengrui , Luo Chang , Tan Yuxin , Xie Ting , Wang Xingan , Sun Zhigang , Zhang Dong H. , Yang Xueming
Published: December 2018

Pinpointing the role of geometric phase

During chemical reactions, electrons usually rearrange more quickly than nuclei. Thus, theorists often adopt an adiabatic framework that considers vibrational and rotational dynamics within single electronic states. Near the regime where two electronic states intersect, the dynamics get more complicated, and a geometric phase factor is introduced to maintain the simplifying power of the adiabatic treatment. Yuan
et al.
conducted precise experimental measurements that validate this approach. They studied the elementary H + HD reaction at energies just above the intersection of electronic states and observed angular oscillations in the product-state cross sections that are well reproduced by simulations that include the geometric phase.

Science
, this issue p.
1289
Tragedy revisited
Authors: Boyd Robert , Richerson Peter J. , Meinzen-Dick Ruth , De Moor Tine , Jackson Matthew O. , Gjerde Kristina M. , Harden-Davies Harriet , Frischmann Brett M. , Madison Michael J. , Strandburg Katherine J. , McLean Angela R , Dye Christopher
Published: December 2018

“Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.” So argued ecologist Garrett Hardin in “
The Tragedy of the Commons
” in the 13 December 1968 issue of
Science
(
1
). Hardin questioned society's ability to manage shared resources and avoid an environmentally and socially calamitous free-for-all. In the 50 years since, the essay has influenced discussions ranging from climate change (see page
1217
) to evolution, from infectious disease to the internet, and has reached far beyond academic literature—but not without criticism. Considerable work, notably by Nobelist Elinor Ostrom (
2
), has challenged Hardin, particularly his emphasis on property rights and government regulatory leviathans as solutions. Instead, research has documented contexts, cases, and principles that reflect the ability of groups to collectively govern common resources. To mark this anniversary and celebrate the richness of research and practice around commons and cooperation,
Science
invited experts to share some contemporary views on such tragedies and how to avert them. —
Brad Wible
T cell receptors communicate by movement
Authors: Hinrichs Christian S.
Published: December 2018

Dynamic structural changes in the α chain transmembrane region convey T cell receptor signals.
Drug delivery in stealth mode
Authors: Holloway Julianne L.
Published: December 2018

Zwitterionic polypeptides with high chemical specificity and “stealth”-like behavior have superior pharmacokinetics compared with uncharged polypeptides in mice.
Rotavirus Infection Alters Splicing of the Stress-Related Transcription Factor XBP1
Authors: Duarte Mariela , Vende Patrice , Charpilienne Annie , Gratia Matthieu , Laroche Cécile , Poncet Didier
Published: December 2018

Rotavirus is one of the most important pathogens causing severe gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. Here we show that infection with several rotavirus strains induces an alternative splicing of the RNA encoding the stressed-induced transcription factor XBP1. The genetic determinant of XBP1 splicing is the viral RNA translation enhancer NSP3. Since XBP1 is involved in cellular stress and immune responses and since the XBP1 protein made from the alternatively spliced RNA is an active transcription factor, our observations raise the question of whether alternative splicing is a cellular response to rotavirus infection.