bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cheilitis: An unusual presentation of Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Sujanitha Vathulan , Kumanan Thirunavukarasu , Felicia Srisaravanapavananthan , Suganthan Navaneethakrishnan
Published: May 2018

Key Clinical Message

The Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (MCL) involving lip is extremely uncommon. A clinical diagnosis of Leishmaniasis of the lips is often challenging to the treating clinician and may result in delayed diagnosis as this case illustrates. MCL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lip lesions in a Leishmania endemic area.
Environmental Effects Determine the Structure of Potential β‐Amino Acid Based Foldamers
Authors: Sussman Fredy , Sánchez‐Pedregal Víctor M. , Estévez Juan C. , Balo Rosalino , Jiménez‐Barbero Jesús , Ardá Ana , Gimeno Ana , Royo Miriam , Villaverde M. Carmen , Estévez Ramón J.
Published: May 2018

This work shows that hybrid peptides formed by alternating trans‐2‐aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (trans‐ACPC) and trans‐2‐aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (trans‐ACHC) do not fold in the solvents typically used in the study of their homo‐oligomers. Only when the peptides are assayed in SDS micelles are the predicted helical structures obtained. This indicates that the environment could play an equally important role (as the backbone stereochemistry) in determining their fold, possibly by providing a sequestered environment.
General Catalytic Enantioselective Access to Monohalomethyl and Trifluoromethyl Cyclopropanes
Authors: Huang Wei‐Sheng , Schlinquer Claire , Poisson Thomas , Pannecoucke Xavier , Charette André B. , Jubault Philippe
Published: May 2018

An efficient catalytic enantioselective access to chiral functionalized trifluoromethyl cyclopropanes from two classes of diazo compounds and α‐trifluoromethyl styrenes using Rh2((S)‐BTPCP)4 as a catalyst is described. This method provides an efficient and practical strategy for the synthesis of highly functionalized CF3‐cyclopropanes with excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 20:1) and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee). The depicted methodology represents, to date, the most efficient catalytic enantioselective method to access highly decorated chiral CF3‐cyclopropanes. Extension to chiral monohalomethyl cyclopropanes in high ee is also reported.
Comparison of Verification Methods for Nozzles in Cylinder Shells under Internal Pressure and External Loads
Authors: Benitz Klaus
Published: May 2018

Verschiedene Verfahren zum Nachweis von Stutzen in Zylinderschalen werden dargestellt und anhand eines Beispiels verglichen. Ausgegangen wird von einem Nachweis gemäß DIN EN 13445‐3, Abschn. 16.5, in dem für einen Stutzen die maximal zulässigen Lasten aus Innendruck, Axialkraft sowie Momenten in Längs‐ und Umfangsrichtung berechnet werden. Die Ergebnisse werden verglichen mit Finite‐Elemente‐Berechnungen, die mit einem 3D‐Schalenmodell, sowohl mit linear‐elastischem Werkstoffverhalten als auch als Traglastnachweis mit idealelastisch‐idealplastischem Werkstoffverhalten, durchgeführt wurden.
From the stand scale to the landscape scale: predicting the spatial patterns of forest regeneration after disturbance
Authors: Shive Kristen L. , Preisler Haiganoush K. , Welch Kevin R. , Safford Hugh D. , Butz Ramona J. , O'Hara Kevin L. , Stephens Scott L.
Published: May 2018

Shifting disturbance regimes can have cascading effects on many ecosystems processes. This is particularly true when the scale of the disturbance no longer matches the regeneration strategy of the dominant vegetation. In the yellow pine and mixed conifer forests of California, over a century of fire exclusion and the warming climate are increasing the incidence and extent of stand‐replacing wildfire; such changes in severity patterns are altering regeneration dynamics by dramatically increasing the distance from live tree seed sources. This has raised concerns about limitations to natural reforestation and the potential for conversion to non‐forested vegetation types, which in turn has implications for shifts in many ecological processes and ecosystem services. We used a California region‐wide data set with 1,848 plots across 24 wildfires in yellow pine and mixed conifer forests to build a spatially explicit habitat suitability model for forecasting postfire forest regeneration. To model the effect of seed availability, the critical initial biological filter for regeneration, we used a novel approach to predicting spatial patterns of seed availability by estimating annual seed production from existing basal area and burn severity maps. The probability of observing any conifer seedling in a 60‐m2area (the field plot scale) was highly dependent on 30‐yr average annual precipitation, burn severity, and seed availability. We then used this model to predict regeneration probabilities across the entire extent of a “new” fire (the 2014 King Fire), which highlights the spatial variability inherent in postfire regeneration patterns. Such forecasts of postfire regeneration patterns are of importance to land managers and conservationists interested in maintaining forest cover on the landscape. Our tool can also help anticipate shifts in ecosystem properties, supporting researchers interested in investigating questions surrounding alternative stable states, and the interaction of altered disturbance regimes and the changing climate.
Organic and Organometallic Fluorinated Materials for Electronics and Optoelectronics: A Survey on Recent Research
Authors: Ragni Roberta , Punzi Angela , Babudri Francesco , Farinola Gianluca Maria
Published: May 2018

Conjugated organic polymers, small molecules, and transition metal organometallic complexes are used as active semiconducting materials in electronic and optoelectronic devices including organic solar cells (OSCs), organic field effect transistors (OFETS), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). While some of these technologies are mature and already available on the market, research is still very active in academic and industrial laboratories to gain better performances. Major drawbacks which still limit large industrial production of some of these devices are not only the non‐optimized performances, but also stability issues and cost. In fact, wide applicability of organic electronic technology largely relies on the development of efficient, durable and cost‐effective materials. Properties of molecular and polymeric semiconductors can be properly engineered and finely tuned by the design of the conjugated molecular structure and the selective introduction of various functional groups as substituents. Selective functionalization of the conjugated backbone with fluorine atoms and fluorinated substituents has been largely demonstrated to be an effective structural modification not only for tuning optoelectronic properties, but also to affect solid state organization and to improve stability. This review covers the most important classes of materials (conjugated polymers, small molecules, and organometallic complexes) reporting for each of these classes the applications in OSCs, OFETs, and OLEDs and highlighting the role of fluorine functionalization on the properties. The literature shows intriguing results that can be achieved by fluorine functionalization, and it also points out that this research field is still promising for future progress.
Capillary zone electrophoresis for the determination of amodiaquine and three of its synthetic impurities in pharmaceutical formulations
Authors: Mufusama Jean‐Pierre , Hoellein Ludwig , Feineis Doris , Holzgrabe Ulrike , Bringmann Gerhard
Published: May 2018

A simple and robust CZE method was developed for the separation and quantification of the antimalarial compound amodiaquine as well as three of its synthetic impurities at a concentration equal to or lower than 0.5%. For capillary electrophoresis, a fused‐silica capillary, a background electrolyte of 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer at a pH value of 6.2, a voltage of +20 kV, and a detection wavelength of 220 nm were used, allowing the determination of the analytes within 20 min. The method was validated according to the guideline Q2(R1) of the International Council for Harmonization with respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection and limit of quantification, and was successfully applied to evaluate the quality of drug samples collected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Quantitative analysis results obtained by the CZE method were compared to those obtained with the contemporary HPLC method described in The International Pharmacopoeia.
Response to John Hall's discussion (EQE‐17‐0454) to Luco and Lanzi's paper, “A New Inherent Damping Model for Inelastic Time‐History Analyses”
Authors: Luco J. Enrique , Lanzi Armando
Published: May 2018

The paper represents our response to the discussion by John Hall of our paper on an elastic velocity damping model for inherent structural damping. The response covers the experimental evidence, physical justification, extreme case of a fully plastic structure, computational issues, and use of Caughey damping.
Effects of postharvest treatments with chitosan and putrescine to maintain quality and extend shelf‐life of two banana cultivars
Authors: Hosseini Marjan Sadat , Zahedi Seyed Morteza , Abadía Javier , Karimi Mahdieh
Published: May 2018

Chitosan (1.0% and 2.0%) and putrescine (1.0 and 2.0 mmol/L) treatments were used to investigate the effects of these compounds on the postharvest quality and shelf‐life of two banana cultivars, “Native” and “Cavendish.” Fruits were stored at 15 ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 85%–90% during a 20‐day period. In the controls, increases in weight loss, microbial population, total soluble solids, and ethylene production and decreases in firmness, ascorbic acid contents, and fruit lightness occurred gradually during storage. All these changes were delayed significantly after treatments with chitosan and putrescine. Application of putrescine and chitosan also caused small increases in phenolic compound contents and antioxidant activity at the end of the storage period. Results obtained suggest that a treatment with 1% chitosan is effective in improving the postharvest quality and shelf‐life of banana, and open the possibility that lower concentrations of chitosan may be also effective.
Transcriptome‐wide association studies accounting for colocalization using Egger regression
Authors: Barfield Richard , Feng Helian , Gusev Alexander , Wu Lang , Zheng Wei , Pasaniuc Bogdan , Kraft Peter
Published: May 2018

Integrating genome‐wide association (GWAS) and expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data into transcriptome‐wide association studies (TWAS) based on predicted expression can boost power to detect novel disease loci or pinpoint the susceptibility gene at a known disease locus. However, it is often the case that multiple eQTL genes colocalize at disease loci, making the identification of the true susceptibility gene challenging, due to confounding through linkage disequilibrium (LD). To distinguish between true susceptibility genes (where the genetic effect on phenotype is mediated through expression) and colocalization due to LD, we examine an extension of the Mendelian randomization (MR) egger regression method that allows for LD while only requiring summary association data for both GWAS and eQTL. We derive the standard TWAS approach in the context of MR and show in simulations that the standard TWAS does not control type I error for causal gene identification when eQTLs have pleiotropic or LD‐confounded effects on disease. In contrast, LD‐aware MR‐Egger (LDA MR‐Egger) regression can control type I error in this case while attaining similar power as other methods in situations where these provide valid tests. However, when the direct effects of genetic variants on traits are correlated with the eQTL associations, all of the methods we examined including LDA MR‐Egger regression can have inflated type I error. We illustrate these methods by integrating gene expression within a recent large‐scale breast cancer GWAS to provide guidance on susceptibility gene identification.
Skeletal Response to Soluble Activin Receptor Type IIB in Mouse Models of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Jeong Youngjae , Daghlas Salah A , Xie Yixia , Hulbert Molly A , Pfeiffer Ferris M , Dallas Mark R , Omosule Catherine L , Pearsall R Scott , Dallas Sarah L , Phillips Charlotte L
Published: May 2018

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable connective tissue disorder primarily due to mutations in the type I collagen genes (COL1A1 and COL1A2), leading to compromised biomechanical integrity in type I collagen-containing tissues such as bone. Bone is inherently mechanosensitive and thus responds and adapts to external stimuli, such as muscle mass and contractile strength, to alter its mass and shape. Myostatin, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, signals through activin receptor type IIB to negatively regulate muscle fiber growth. Because of the positive impact of myostatin deficiency on bone mass, we utilized a soluble activin receptor type IIB-mFc (sActRIIB-mFc) fusion protein in two molecularly distinct OI mouse models (G610C and oim) and evaluated their bone properties. Wild-type (WT), +/G610C, and oim/oim mice were treated from 2 to 4 months of age with either vehicle (Tris-buffered saline) or sActRIIB-mFc (10 mg/kg). Femurs of sActRIIB-mFc-treated mice exhibited increased trabecular bone volume regardless of genotype, whereas the cortical bone microarchitecture and biomechanical strength were only improved in WT and +/G610C mice. Dynamic histomorphometric analyses suggest the improved cortical bone geometry and biomechanical integrity reflect an anabolic effect due to increased mineral apposition and bone formation rates, whereas static histomorphometric analyses supported sActRIIB-mFc treatment also having an anti-catabolic impact with decreased osteoclast number per bone surface on trabecular bone regardless of sex and genotype. Together, our data suggest that sActRIIB-mFc may provide a new therapeutic direction to improve both bone and muscle properties in OI. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Almost resolvable k‐cycle systems with
Authors: Wang L. , Cao H.
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we show that if and , then there exists an almost resolvable k‐cycle system of order for all except possibly for and . Thus we give a partial solution to an open problem posed by Lindner, Meszka, and Rosa (J. Combin. Des., vol. 17, pp. 404–410, 2009).
The modified quasi‐Newton methods for solving unconstrained optimization problems
Authors: Dehghani R. , Hosseini M.M. , Bidabadi N.
Published: May 2018

The usual quasi‐Newton method at each iteration utilize the gradients and ignores the available function value information. In this paper, we employ Taylor formula and introduce a new quasi‐Newton method, which uses both available gradient and function value information. This method approximates the Hessian matrix with excellent accuracy. The global convergence of these method associated to a general line search rule will be also shown. In addition, we will show that average performance of proposed algorithm is better than some proposed methods.
Synthesis and Characterization of Amphiphilic Gd(III) Complexes: Gd‐DTPA‐BA
Authors: Zhao Zheng , Fang Hui , Qiao Weihong
Published: May 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to identify different diseases. MRI contrast agents, used to enhance the MRI signal, have been studied extensively for precise diagnosis. Based on the advantages of macromolecular MRI contrast agents of higher contrast imaging ability and a longer cycle time, this article modified the most common micromolecular contrast agent (Gd‐diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid [DTPA]). 2 long saturated aliphatic chains were attached to both sides of DTPA. DTPA derivatives with 12, 14, and 16 carbon lengths were synthesized and chelated to Gd3+. 3 amphiphilic MRI contrast agents were obtained and their structures were characterized using mass spectrometry,1H NMR, and Fourier transform infrared. Furthermore, the surface tension of the compounds was measured, and liposomes were prepared by mixing the synthesized amphiphilic molecules with egg lecithin and cholesterol. The assembly behavior of the liposomes was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential measurements. TEM showed that the liposomes possessed bilayer vesicle structures. The liposome size distribution determined by DLS was from 10 to 1000 nm, and as the aliphatic chain length increased, the polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential increased. No obvious changes in the PDI and zeta potential of the liposomes were observed after 5 days at room temperature, suggesting that they possess good stability.
Determination of d‐myo‐inositol phosphates in ‘activated’ raw almonds using anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lee Lianna Y , Mitchell Alyson E
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Activated almonds are raw almonds that have been soaked in water for 12–24 h at room temperature, sometimes followed by a 24 h drying period at low temperature (50 ± 5 °C). This treatment is thought to enhance the nutrient bioavailability of almonds by degrading nutrient inhibitors, such as phytic acid or d‐myo‐inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6), through the release of phytase or passive diffusion of InsP6 into the soaking water. Over a wide pH range, InsP6 is a negatively charged compound that limits the absorption of essential nutrients by forming insoluble complexes with minerals such as iron and zinc. It is hypothesized that hydrating the seed during soaking triggers InsP6 degradation into lower myo‐inositol phosphates with less binding capacity.

RESULTS

Anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify myo‐inositol mono‐, di‐, tris‐, tetra‐, penta‐, and hexaphosphates (InsP1–6) in raw pasteurized activated almonds. At least 24 h of soaking at ambient temperature was required to reduce InsP6 content from 14.71 to 14.01 µmol g−1.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduction in InsP6 is statistically significant (P < 0.05) after 24 h of activation, but only represents a 4.75% decrease from the unsoaked almonds. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapid analysis of ultraviolet filters using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled to headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
Authors: Pierson Stephen A. , Trujillo‐Rodríguez María J. , Anderson Jared L.
Published: May 2018

An ionic‐liquid‐based in situ dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method coupled to headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometry was developed for the rapid analysis of ultraviolet filters. The chemical structures of five ionic liquids were specifically designed to incorporate various functional groups for the favorable extraction of the target analytes. Extraction parameters including ionic liquid mass, molar ratio of ionic liquid to metathesis reagent, vortex time, ionic strength, pH, and total sample volume were studied and optimized. The effect of the headspace temperature and volume during the headspace sampling step was also evaluated to increase the sensitivity of the method. The optimized procedure is fast as it only required ∼7–10 min per extraction and allowed for multiple extractions to be performed simultaneously. In addition, the method exhibited high precision, good linearity, and low limits of detection for six ultraviolet filters in aqueous samples. The developed method was applied to both pool and lake water samples attaining acceptable relative recovery values.
Efficient and selective separation of metronidazole from human serum by using molecularly imprinted magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Bilici Mustafa , Zengin Adem , Ekmen Elvan , Cetin Demet , Aktas Nahit
Published: May 2018

Magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles were prepared through surface‐initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization by using metronidazole as a template. The molecularly imprinted magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The adsorption characteristics were also investigated and the kinetics of the adsorption of metronidazole on the imprinted nanoparticles were described by the second‐order kinetic model with the short equilibrium adsorption time (30 min). The adsorption isotherm was well matched with the Langmuir isotherm in which the maximum adsorption capacity was calculated to be 40.1 mg/g. Furthermore, the imprinted magnetic nanoparticles showed good selectivity as well as reusability even after six adsorption–desorption cycles. The imprinted magnetic nanoparticles were used as a sorbent for the selective separation of metronidazole from human serum. The recoveries of metronidazole from human serum changed between 97.5 and 99.8% and showed similar sensitivity as an enzyme‐linked immunoassay method. Therefore, the molecularly imprinted magnetic nanoparticles might have potential application for the selective and reliable separation of metronidazole from biological fluids in clinical applications.
Attraction in n‐dimensional differential systems from network regulation theory
Authors: Brokan Eduard , Sadyrbaev Felix
Published: May 2018

Dynamical models for genomic regulatory networks are studied. Models include a sigmoidal function, weighted regulatory matrices, and 2 parameters. Description of attracting sets for some specific cases is provided. Examples with specific sigmoidal functions are considered.
Discrete fracture model for simulating waterflooding processes under fracturing conditions
Authors: Gallyamov Emil , Garipov Timur , Voskov Denis , Van den Hoek Paul
Published: May 2018

In our study, we develop a model for simulating fracturing processes in a poroelastic medium. The proposed approach combines the discrete fracture model enriched with contact plane mechanics. The model captures mechanical interactions of fractures and a deformable medium, fluid, and heat transfer in fractures and in a porous medium. Both effects of poroelasticity and thermoelasticity are accounted in our model. Mass and heat conservation equations are approximated by the finite volume method, and mechanical equilibrium equations are discretized by means of the Galerkin finite element approach. Two‐dimensional grid facets between 3‐dimensional finite elements are considered as possible fracture surfaces. Most of these facets are inactive from the beginning and are activated throughout the simulation. A fracture propagation criterion, based on Irwin's approach, is verified on each nonlinear iteration. When the criterion is satisfied, additional contact elements are added into finite element and discrete fracture model formulations respectively. The proposed approach allows modeling of existing natural and artificially created fractures within one framework. The model is tested on single‐ and multiple‐phase fluid flow examples for both isothermal and thermal conditions and verified against existing semianalytical solutions. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated on an example of practical interests where a sector model of an oil reservoir is simulated with different injection and production regimes.
Preferences for models of peer support in the digital era: A cross‐sectional survey of people with cancer
Authors: Boyes Allison , Turon Heidi , Hall Alix , Watson Rochelle , Proietto Anthony , Sanson‐Fisher Robert
Published: May 2018

Objective

Many people with cancer report an unmet need for peer support, yet participation rates are low. This study examined cancer patients' preferences for participating in peer support, and the characteristics associated with having or wanting to participate in peer support.

Methods

Adult cancer patients were recruited from outpatient oncology clinics at 5 hospitals in Australia. Participants were invited to self‐complete 2 questionnaires: one at recruitment assessing their demographic and cancer characteristics, and another 4 weeks later assessing their preferences for participating in cancer‐related peer support.

Results

The peer support questionnaire was completed by 177/273 (65%) of participants. Most (59%, n = 104) had or wanted to participate in peer support. More than half reported that it was important the people they connected with had the same cancer treatment (56%, n = 99) or type of cancer (53%, n = 94) as themselves. Half had or wanted to participate in 1‐to‐1 peer support (52%, n = 92). Half had or wanted to connect with peers face‐to‐face (53%, n = 93). Only 13% (n = 23) were receptive to connecting with peers over the internet. Being aged ≤65 years was significantly associated (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1‐5.1) with reporting a preference for participating in peer support.

Conclusions

Cancer patients are interested in participating in peer support, particularly those who are younger. Despite the digital era, traditional forms of peer support continue to be important in supporting people with cancer. Greater understanding of the barriers to cancer patients' involvement in potentially low cost and high reach web‐based models of peer support is required.
Re‐validation and screening capacity of the 6‐item version of the Cancer Worry Scale
Authors: Custers José A.E. , Kwakkenbos Linda , van de Wal Marieke , Prins Judith B. , Thewes Belinda
Published: May 2018

Objective

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the major existential unmet needs of cancer survivors. Due to growing availability of evidenced‐based interventions for high FCR, valid and reliable brief measures of FCR are needed. This study aimed to validate the 6‐item Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) and to establish a cut‐off score for high FCR.

Methods

Participants in this study were 1033 cancer survivors and patients recruited as part of 5 existing studies on FCR involving patients and survivors with gastro‐intestinal stromal tumors, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. De‐identified data of the CWS, Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), Impact of Event Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and EORTC‐QLQ‐C30 were amalgamated for the analyses.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the CWS was performed. Sensitivity and specificity were tested with the FCRI as gold standard.

Results

Results confirmed that the 6‐item version of the CWS maintained good construct validity, convergent and divergent validity, and high internal consistency (α 0.90). The optimal cut‐off for the 6‐item CWS was 9 versus 10 using the 12 vs 13 FCRI‐SF score (sensitivity 82%, specificity 83%) and the 15 vs 16 FCRI‐SF score (sensitivity 88%, specificity 73%). Using the highest FCRI‐SF cut‐off (21 vs 22), the optimal CWS cut‐off was 11 vs 12 (sensitivity 88%, specificity 81%).

Conclusions

The present results provide researchers and clinicians with a brief valid and reliable measure of FCR which is suitable for measuring FCR in cancer patients and survivors.
Performances of a Pristine Graphene–Microbubble Hybrid Construct as Dual Imaging Contrast Agent and Assessment of Its Biodistribution by Photoacoustic Imaging
Authors: Toumia Yosra , Cerroni Barbara , Trochet Philippe , Lacerenza Savino , Oddo Letizia , Domenici Fabio , Paradossi Gaio
Published: May 2018

Coupling near‐infrared (NIR) nanoscale absorbing materials with microbubbles (MBs) can generate a multifunctional dual imaging contrast agent. A new approach is presented for a hybrid photoacoustic/ultrasound contrast enhancer where pristine graphene is stably tethered to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐based MBs. The main advantages of this approach are i) the preservation of optical and mechanical properties of intact graphene for an efficient photoacoustic (PA) enhancement and ii) the echogenicity and biocompatibility due to the robust anchoring of graphene to the bioinert PVA shell. PVA MBs provide ideal platforms for drug loading and ligand tethering for specific tumor targeting. One of the crucial goals toward this direction is optimizing this system in terms of balance between favorable acoustic/photoacoustic properties, immune shielding, and cytotoxicity. Such a combination strongly depends on the bridging moieties between graphene and the microbubble surface and can be easily tuned by PEGylation. The optimized graphene PVA MBs as contrast agent provide an efficient enhancement in vivo both in ultrasound and photoacoustic modes. The spectrally separable absorbance profile allows to a first demonstration of performing real‐time in vivo multiplexed photoacoustic imaging of graphene PVA MBs, and assessment of their full body biodistribution using a Vevo LAZR‐X photoacoustic imaging system.
A Computer Model to Study the Response of Energetic Materials to a Range of Dynamic Loads
Authors: Reaugh John E. , White Bradley W. , Curtis John P. , Springer H. Keo
Published: May 2018

Over the past decade we developed a model to enable computer simulation of the mechanical and subsequent energetic response of explosives and propellants to mechanical insults such as impacts, perforations, drops, and falls. The model is embedded in computer simulation programs that solve the non‐linear, large deformation equations of compressible solid and fluid flow in space and time. It is implemented as a user‐defined model, which returns the updated stress tensor and composition that result from the simulation supplied strain tensor change. Although it is multi‐phase, in that gas and solid species are present, it is single‐velocity, in that the gas does not flow through the porous solid. More than 70 time‐dependent variables are made available for additional analyses and plotting. The model encompasses a broad range of possible responses: mechanical damage with no energetic response, and a continuous spectrum of degrees of violence including delayed and prompt detonation. This paper describes the basic workings of the model.
Crucial role of oxidative stress in bactericidal effect of parthenolide against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
Authors: Xu Shu , Zhao Xingzeng , Liu Fei , Cao Yan , Wang Bi , Wang Xiangyun , Yin Min , Wang Qizhi , Feng Xu
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes rice bacterial blight, which is one of the most devastating diseases on rice. Parthenolide (PTL) is a sesquiterpene lactone possessing multiple bioactivities. In the preliminary study, we found PTL can totally inhibit the growth of Xoo at 10 mg L−1 in vitro. In this study, we aim to further evaluate the anti‐bacterial activity of PTL against Xoo and discern the role of oxidative stress in its bactericidal effect.

RESULTS

PTL was effective against Xoo both in vitro and in vivo. PTL induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in Xoo, leading to cell death, while exogenous catalase can fully abolish its bactericidal effect. PTL sensitivity of catalase deletion mutants of Xoo increased significantly compared with that of wild‐type Xoo strain. In addition, PTL treatment increased glutathione peroxidase activity and decreased glutathione (GSH) reductase activity in Xoo, but had no effect on its catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Interestingly, PTL dramatically reduced the GSH level in Xoo, resulting in disturbed GSH/GSSG balance. Moreover, PTL rapidly reacted with GSH by a nucleophilic addition reaction.

CONCLUSION

PTL is a promising lead compound for developing bactericide against Xoo. PTL rapidly reacts with GSH, resulting in disturbed GSH/GSSG balance in Xoo, which causes ROS accumulation, leading to cell death. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the bactericidal effect of PTL against Xoo. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Climate change impacts on the potential distribution of Eogystia hippophaecolus in China
Authors: Li Xue , Ge Xuezhen , Chen Linghong , Zhang Linjing , Wang Tao , Zong Shixiang
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Seabuckthorn carpenter moth, Eogystia hippophaecolus (Hua, Chou, Fang, & Chen, 1990), is the most important boring pest of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in the northwest of China. It is responsible for the death of large areas of H. rhamnoides forest, seriously affecting the ecological environment and economic development in north‐western China. To clarify the potential distribution of E. hippophaecolus in China, the present study used the CLIMEX 4.0.0 model to project the potential distribution of the pest using historical climate data (1981–2010) and simulated future climate data (2011–2100) for China.

RESULTS

Under historical climate condition, E. hippophaecolus would be found to be distributed mainly between 27° N–51° N and 74° E–134° E, with favorable and highly favorable habitats accounting for 35.2% of the total potential distribution. Under future climate conditions, E. hippophaecolus would be distributed mainly between 27° N–53° N and 74° E–134° E, with the possibility of moving in a northwest direction. Under these conditions, the proportion of the total area providing a favorable and highly favorable habitat may decrease to about 33%.

CONCLUSION

These results will help to identify the impact of climate change on the potential distribution of E. hippophaecolus, thereby providing a theoretical basis for monitoring and early forecasting of pest outbreaks. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Bipartite output synchronization of heterogeneous multiagent systems on signed digraphs
Authors: Zuo Shan , Lewis Frank L. , Song Yongduan , Davoudi Ali
Published: May 2018

This paper studies the bipartite output synchronization problem of general linear heterogeneous multiagent systems on signed digraphs. We first show that, for heterogeneous multiagent systems, the bipartite output synchronization over the structurally balanced signed digraphs and the conventional output synchronization over the associated nonnegative digraphs are equivalent. Then, 3 different control protocols, using full‐state feedback, static output feedback, and dynamic output feedback are designed at each agent to solve the bipartite output synchronization problem based on solutions to the corresponding output regulator equations. Explicit local design procedures are proposed for all 3 control protocols. The compensators employed in these protocols incorporate only one copy of the virtual exosystem's dynamics, regardless of the dimensions of the outputs. This results in lower‐dimensional compensators and controllers and, hence, is more computationally tractable compared to the popular internal model principle‐based control protocols. Numerical simulations over 3 different signed communication digraphs validate the proposed control protocols.
Taking an escape hatch: Managing tension in group discourse
Authors: Sohr Erin Ronayne , Gupta Ayush , Elby Andrew
Published: May 2018

Problem solving in groups can be rich with tension for students. This tension may arise from conflicting approaches (conceptual and/or epistemological) and/or from conflict emerging in the social relations among group members. Drawing on video records of undergraduate students working collaboratively, we use three cases to illustrate the multifaceted ways in which conflict arises—combining conceptual, epistemological, and socioemotional dynamics—and a specific way of managing the tension that can emerge from the multifaceted conflict, “taking an escape hatch.” An escape hatch is a set of discourse moves through which participants close the conversational topic, thereby relieving tension, but before a conceptual resolution is achieved. We describe how epistemological twists and turns can be recruited as a means of managing the strong emotions experienced by the students, showing the coupling of emotion and epistemology in students’ conceptual sense making during group work. We help to provide the groundwork necessary for instructors to notice, understand, and respond to one way in which conceptual–epistemological–social–emotional aspects of interaction are coupled in the emergence of tension, rather than narrowly targeting instructional moves based on only conceptual or epistemological considerations. Instead, instructors should often respond to—and help students become aware of—the emotional component of peer interactions and its entanglement with the “cold cognitive” conceptual and epistemological components.
Performance analysis of an alnico‐based permanent magnet reluctance generator for wind energy conversion system
Authors: Kucuk Fuat , Sunan Erkan
Published: May 2018

Permanent magnet (PM) machines are often preferred in recent technology since their efficiency and power/volume ratio are higher than those of conventional wound‐rotor type machines. NdFeB magnets, which are predominantly used in the design of PM machines, are very expensive and make the design costly. Alnico magnets have the potential to be used instead, since they are very cheap and their residual fluxes are as high as those of NdFeB magnets. The major problem is that Alnico magnets have very low resistance to magnetic field reversal, which means they are easily demagnetized. This paper focuses on using Alnico magnets in a PM reluctance generator (PMRG) without encountering demagnetization or performance degradation. The converter accompanying the PMRG allows avoidance of the demagnetization of Alnico magnets by making the currents through the windings unidirectional. Thus, Alnico magnets can be directly used instead of NdFeB magnets without making any modifications on the magnet size or location. The converter also provides independent phase current control to suppress mechanical vibrations due to large torque ripples. The analysis results verify that Alnico magnets can be used in the generator design without losing much generator performance. Therefore, the Alnico‐magnet‐based PMRG is a promising candidate for designing low‐cost generators and is also expected to affect the design trends on wind energy conversion systems (WECSs). © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Unity of consciousness
Authors: Hill Christopher S.
Published: May 2018

Although there is much talk in various literatures of streams of consciousness, and most of us have an intuitive understanding of such talk, we are far from having a full grasp of what it is that unifies streams of consciousness, binding together the individual experiences that serve as their constituents. In recent years, discussion of this topic has been principally concerned with synchronic unity of consciousness—the form of unity that is exhibited by momentary states of consciousness, or in other words, by time slices or temporal segments of streams. There are two main questions about synchronic unity. First, what is its scope? Are the simultaneous experiences of a single subject necessarily unified? Generally but not necessarily unified? Sometimes unified? And second, what is the nature of synchronic unity? Is it a fundamental phenomenon, and if not, what are the more basic phenomena that constitute it? This essay reviews recent work on these questions, and provides reasons for preferring some answers to others.

This article is categorized under:

Philosophy > Consciousness

Philosophy > Foundations of Cognitive Science

Philosophy > Metaphysics
Nonlinearity
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: May 2018

Real systems are nonlinear. This chapter begins with three reasons why the core theory of control focuses on linear analysis. The chapter continues by introducing various design methods that explicitly consider nonlinear system dynamics.
Model Predictive Control
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: May 2018

Control design often seeks the best trajectory along which to move a system from its current state to a target state. Most control methods consider only the first step of the full trajectory toward the target state. Model predictive control considers the full sequence of steps required to move the system optimally from its current state to a future target. The control system then applies the first inputs to start the system along that optimal trajectory. However, rather than continuing, the system takes new inputs and recalculates a new optimal trajectory based on its updated information. The system then begins to move along the new trajectory, updates again, and adjusts its trajectory again. By repeated updating, the system can often perform very well with limited information about nonlinear dynamics and other uncertainties.
Ladder limit for correlators of Wilson loops
Authors: Correa Diego H. , Pisani Pablo , Fukelman Alan Rios
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We study the correlator of concentric circular Wilson loops for arbitrary radii, spatial and internal space separations. For real values of the parameters specifying the dual string configuration, a typical Gross-Ooguri phase transition is observed. In addition, we explore some analytic continuation of a parameter γ that characterizes the internal space separation. This enables a ladder limit in which ladder resummation and string theory computations precisely agree in the strong coupling limit. Finally, we find a critical value of γ for which the correlator is supersymmetric and ladder diagrams can be exactly resummed for any value of the coupling constant.
LeClair-Mussardo series for two-point functions in Integrable QFT
Authors: Pozsgay B. , Szécsényi I.M.
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We develop a well-defined spectral representation for two-point functions in relativistic Integrable QFT in finite density situations, valid for space-like separations. The resulting integral series is based on the infinite volume, zero density form factors of the theory, and certain statistical functions related to the distribution of Bethe roots in the finite density background. Our final formulas are checked by comparing them to previous partial results obtained in a low-temperature expansion. It is also show that in the limit of large separations the new integral series factorizes into the product of two LeClair-Mussardo series for one-point functions, thereby satisfying the clustering requirement for the two-point function.
Skyrmions in models with pions and rho mesons
Authors: Naya Carlos , Sutcliffe Paul
Published: May 2018

Abstract

A problem with the standard Skyrme model is that Skyrmion binding energies are around 15%, being much larger than the order 1% binding energies of the nuclei that they aim to describe. Here we consider theories that extend the standard Skyrme model of pions by including rho mesons, via dimensional deconstruction of Yang-Mills theory with an extra dimension. We report the first results of parallel numerical computations of multi-Skyrmions in theories of this type, including a model that reduces Skyrmion energies below those of the standard Skyrme model whilst retaining exactly the same Faddeev-Bogomolny energy bound. We compute all Skyrmions with baryons numbers up to 12 and find that the inclusion of rho mesons reduces binding energies to less than 4%, and therefore moves Skyrmion theory closer to experimental data. Furthermore, we find that this dramatic reduction in binding energies is obtained without changing the qualitative features of the Skyrmions, such as their symmetries.
Effects of Flow Disruptions on Mental Workload and Surgical Performance in Robotic‐Assisted Surgery
Authors: Weber Jeannette , Catchpole Ken , Becker Armin J. , Schlenker Boris , Weigl Matthias
Published: May 2018

Background

Robotic systems introduced new surgical and technical demands. Surgical flow disruptions are critical for maintaining operating room (OR) teamwork and patient safety. Specifically for robotic surgery, effects of intra‐operative disruptive events for OR professionals’ workload, stress, and performance have not been investigated yet. This study aimed to identify flow disruptions and assess their association with mental workload and performance during robotic‐assisted surgery.

Methods

Structured expert‐observations to identify different disruption types during 40 robotic‐assisted radical prostatectomies were conducted. Additionally, 216 postoperative reports on mental workload (mental demands, situational stress, and distractions) and performance of all OR professionals were collected.

Results

On average 15.8 flow disruptions per hour were observed with the highest rate after abdominal insufflation and before console time. People entering the OR caused most flow disruptions. Disruptions due to equipment showed the highest severity of interruption. Workload significantly correlated with severity of disruptions due to coordination and communication.

Conclusions

Flow disruptions occur frequently and are associated with increased workload. Therefore, strategies are needed to manage disruptions to maintain OR teamwork and safety during robotic‐assisted surgery.
Machine Learning Prediction of Heat Capacity for Solid Inorganics
Authors: Kauwe Steven K. , Graser Jake , Vazquez Antonio , Sparks Taylor D.
Published: May 2018

Many thermodynamic calculations and engineering applications require the temperature-dependent heat capacity (Cp) of a material to be known a priori. First-principle calculations of heat capacities can stand in place of experimental information, but these calculations are costly and expensive. Here, we report on our creation of a high-throughput supervised machine learning-based tool to predict temperature-dependent heat capacity. We demonstrate that material heat capacity can be correlated to a number of elemental and atomic properties. The machine learning method predicts heat capacity for thousands of compounds in seconds, suggesting facile implementation into integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) processes. In this context, we consider its use to replace Neumann-Kopp predictions as a high-throughput screening tool to help identify new materials as candidates for engineering processes. Also promising is the enhanced speed and performance compared to cation/anion contribution methods at elevated temperatures as well as the ability to improve future predictions as more data are made available. This machine learning method only requires formula inputs when calculating heat capacity and can be completely automated. This is an improvement to common best-practice methods such as cation/anion contributions or mixed-oxide approaches which are limited in application to specific materials and require case-by-case considerations.
Disambiguating the use of common terms across related medical fields
Authors: Smith Adam , Davis Aleisha
Published: May 2018

Medical terminology can cause problems of communication both between professionals in related fields and between medical professionals and their patients. Generic medical terms labelled as ‘semi-technical’, such as treatment, are often polysemous and, therefore, present potential difficulties that need to be addressed by medical dictionaries and term banks. This paper will look at the problems caused by the term intervention as related to the treatment of children with hearing loss. The broad application of the term, in both a clinical/medical context and a general one, opens up the possibility of misunderstanding for professionals and patients alike. The efficacy of using corpora as a means of assessing the importance of a particular term is widely acknowledged. In addition, researcherssuch as (L’Homme, A Lexico-semantic Approach to the Structuring of Terminology. CompuTerm 2004—3rd International Workshop on Computational Terminology, 2004) have emphasised the importance of corpus data in establishing the network of associations that common terms may have in specialised fields. This study will first identify the prevalence of the specialist uses of intervention in general corpora, and then present the findings from a c.260,000-word corpus composed of academic papers published between 2000 and 2014 on the topic of intervention for children with hearing loss. It will demonstrate the centrality of the term to this field of medical discourse, present the range of meanings and collocations associated with it, and propose lexicographical approaches to clarifying the uses of this and similar semi-technical terms.