bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variations in the Winter Troughs' Position With Local Time, Longitude, and Solar Activity in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Authors: Karpachev A. T.
Published: October 2019

Comprehensive pattern of ionospheric troughs' location in winter for all local times, longitudes, high (HSA), and low (LSA) solar activity, in both hemispheres, is at first investigated. Statistical analysis based on a large dataset of Interkosmos‐19, CHAMP, and Kosmos‐900 satellites was performed for quiet geomagnetic conditions Kp = 1–3. Three troughs were considered: high‐latitude trough (HLT) located inside the auroral oval, main ionospheric trough (MIT) located equatorward from the auroral oval, that is, at subauroral latitudes, and mid‐latitude ring ionospheric trough (RIT). The main purpose was to study the formation of the troughs' diurnal pattern in different conditions. The main problem was to distinguish MIT from RIT and MIT from HLT. For this purpose, early morning hours (04–06 LT), late morning hours (07–10 LT), day, evening, and night conditions were examined. In the early morning sector, RIT was separated from MIT and eliminated from the dataset. In the late morning sector, MIT and HLT were first clearly divided, although only for HSA. During the day, in the Northern Hemisphere under all conditions, HLT is mainly observed, in the Southern Hemisphere at poorly lit longitudes only the daytime MIT, and at well‐lit longitudes only the HLT is observed. The division of MIT and HLT was carried out according to the (statistical) position of the equatorial boundary of the auroral oval precipitation. At night, longitudinal variations in the MIT position determine the asymmetry of the hemispheres. Thus, the occurrence and position of MIT and HLT depend on the hemisphere, longitude, and solar activity.
Three‐Dimensional Fourier Analysis of the Phase Velocity Distributions of Mesospheric and Ionospheric Waves Based on Airglow Images Collected Over 10 Years: Comparison of Magadan, Russia, and Athabasca, Canada
Authors: Tsuchiya Satoshi , Shiokawa Kazuo , Fujinami Hatsuki , Otsuka Yuichi , Nakamura Takuji , Connors Martin , Schofield Ian , Shevtsov Boris , Poddelsky Igor
Published: October 2019

We studied atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) using a three‐dimensional spectral analysis technique for airglow images at wavelengths of 557.7 nm (altitude: 90–100 km for AGWs) and 630.0 nm (200–300 km for MSTIDs), obtained from Athabasca (ATH), Canada (55°N, 247°E, 2005–2017), and Magadan (MGD), Russia (60°N, 151°E, 2008–2017), over 10–13 years. The AGW propagation direction in summer was from northward to northeastward in ATH and northeastward in MGD with phase speeds of 20–60 m/s. In winter at ATH, they are more omnidirectional with weak preference from northward to southwestward with a speed less than 40 m/s, while another weaker power exists from northeastward to southeastward from 70 to 120 m/s. In winter at MGD, there was no dominant direction in the phase‐velocity spectra with spectral power an order smaller than ATH. We suggest that these AGW characteristics were caused by wind filtering and intensity and locations of tropospheric sources. The MSTIDs at ATH propagated westward in spring and winter and eastward in summer and fall. The MSTIDs at MGD propagated northeastward, eastward, and westward in spring, fall, and winter, respectively, with weaker power than that at ATH. The phase speeds are mostly less than 50 m/s except for fall. The propagation direction tends to change from southwest‐westward in the evening to northeast‐eastward after the midnight at ATH and from south‐southwestward in the evening to north‐northeastward after the midnight at MGD. We discuss possible reasons for these MSTID characteristics at high latitudes based on Perkins and E‐F coupling instabilities, high‐latitude plasma convection, and thermospheric neutral winds.
Optimizing Forest Management Stabilizes Carbon Under Projected Climate and Wildfires
Authors: Krofcheck D.J. , Remy C.C. , Keyser A. R. , Hurteau M.D.
Published: October 2019

Forests provide a broad set of ecosystem services, including climate regulation. Other ecosystem services can be ecosystem dependent and are in part regulated by local‐scale decision‐making. In the southwestern United States, ongoing climate change is exacerbating a legacy of fire‐exclusion that has altered forest structure and increased high‐severity wildfire risk. Management can mitigate this risk by reducing forest density and restoring frequent surface fires, but at the cost of reduced carbon stocks. We sought to quantify the role of management in building adaptive capacity to projected climate and wildfires and the carbon consequences in a forested watershed. We simulated carbon dynamics under projected climate and wildfires and two management scenarios: prioritized and optimized. The prioritized scenario involved thinning and prescribed burning in areas selected by stakeholders to mitigate high‐severity wildfire risk. The optimized scenario used the probability of high‐severity wildfires to locate thinning treatments and increased prescribed fire area burned relative to the prioritized scenario. Both scenarios reduced wildfire severity and significantly increased net photosynthesis relative to no‐management. However, the optimized scenario decreased management‐related losses by 2.4 Mg • C • ha−1 and wildfire emissions by 2.9 Mg • C • ha−1 relative to the prioritized scenario. By decreasing the area thinned and increasing the area burned relative to the prioritized scenario, the optimized scenario halved the time to realize a net carbon benefit relative to no‐management. Given the increasing climatic and disturbance pressures impacting southwestern forests, management will play a critical role in building adaptive capacity and ensuring the continued provision of ecosystem services.
Tectonic Reconstruction of the Ellice Basin
Authors: Benyshek Elizabeth K. , Wessel Paul , Taylor Brian
Published: October 2019

A geophysical survey of the Ellice Basin, located in the south equatorial Pacific between the Ontong Java and Manihiki plateaus, revealed evidence for an extinct seafloor spreading system between the Pacific Plate and the Manihiki Plate. The spreading occurred during the Cretaceous Normal Superchron, the longest normal period of magnetic polarity from 121 to 83 Ma, and therefore lacks magnetic‐isochron‐derived age and plate motion constraints. Utilizing high‐resolution bathymetric data acquired on survey KM1609 during December 2016–January 2017, morphological and directional analyses were performed on the seafloor spreading fabric. Plate motion between the Pacific Plate and the Manihiki Plate during the Cretaceous Normal Superchron is described by three main stages of spreading. Stage 1 spreading was generally E‐W until a clockwise rotation of the spreading direction rotated transform faults by ~15° and lengthened spreading ridges to form Stage 2 zed pattern rhomboids. An offset between Stage 2 fracture zones evidences the presence of a complex and short‐lived Stage 3. Reconstructions, with respect to the Pacific Plate, are created for each of the three stages. Our reconstructions show that there was an earlier opening history prior to Stage 1 that ultimately reconstructs the Ontong Java and Manihiki plateaus; its quantification will await high‐resolution multibeam bathymetry data closer to the two plateaus.
Determining Characteristic Relative Permeability From Coreflooding Experiments: A Simplified Model Approach
Authors: Rabinovich A. , Anto‐Darkwah E. , Mishra A. M.
Published: October 2019

Relative permeability measurements from drainage coreflooding experiments are effective properties that vary with injection rate when capillary heterogeneity effects are present. It is therefore important to estimate the fine‐scale characteristic relative permeability (
), which is independent of flow rate and can be used for accurate reservoir simulation and numerical modeling of coreflooding. Previous methods for
estimation are based on two‐phase flow simulations with fine‐scale heterogeneous permeability and capillary pressure. These are computationally complex and prone to error. This work presents a reduced method, based on a simplified model, requiring only solutions of steady state single‐phase flow equations. The simplified model is used to study a number of synthetic 2‐D permeability realizations and 3‐D core models constructed based on experimental data from previous literature. The
estimation method is tested on these examples and shown to be generally accurate. Cases where estimation error is significant are characterized by low injection rates, large nonwetting phase fractional flow, strong capillary heterogeneity, and small capillary number (ratio between core average pressure drop and capillary pressure drop). The estimation error is believed to be related to errors in the full‐model (two‐phase flow) simulations; that is, we find that for low injection rates, our simulator presents significantly different results compared to a commercial simulator. This could explain the source of mismatch between full and simplified methods and calls for further investigation of inaccuracy in numerical simulations at low flow rates, which could have implications for coreflood modeling and low rate reservoir simulation.
Building a regional health ecosystem: a case study of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and its System of Care
Authors: Turner Lyle , Albers Tim , Carson Adrian , Nelson Carmel , Brown Renee , Serghi Marianna
Published: October 2019

Efforts to address Indigenous health disadvantage require a refocus on urban settings, where a rapidly increasing majority (79%) of Indigenous Australians live. Proximity to mainstream primary care has not translated into health equity, with the majority of the Indigenous burden of disease (73%) remaining in urban areas and urban Indigenous people continuing to face significant barriers in accessing comprehensive and culturally appropriate care. This paper presents a case study of how the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) has strategically responded to these challenges in South East Queensland – home to Australia’s largest and equal fastest growing Indigenous population. The IUIH has developed a new regional and systematised model – a regional health ‘ecosystem’ – for how primary care is delivered and intersects with the broader health system. Through intentional action, which strengthens the self-efficacy of community, the IUIH System of Care has delivered real gains for the Indigenous population of the region and has the capacity to deliver similar improvements in health access and outcomes in other regions.
Determination of variability due to biological and technical variation in urinary extracellular vesicles as a crucial step in biomarker discovery studies
Authors: Oeyen Eline , Willems Hanny , 'T Kindt Ruben , Sandra Koen , Boonen Kurt , Hoekx Lucien , De Wachter Stefan , Ameye Filip , Mertens Inge
Published: October 2019

Urinary extracellular vesicles (EVs) are an attractive source of biomarkers for urological diseases. A crucial step in biomarker discovery studies is the determination of the variation parameters to perform a sample size calculation. In this way, a biomarker discovery study with sufficient statistical power can be performed to obtain biologically significant biomarkers. Here, a variation study was performed on both the protein and lipid content of urinary EVs of healthy individuals, aged between 52 and 69 years. Ultrafiltration (UF) in combination with size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to isolate the EVs from urine. Different experimental variation set‐ups were used in this variation study. The calculated standard deviations (SDs) of the 90% least variable peptides and lipids did not exceed 2 and 1.2, respectively. These parameters can be used in a sample size calculation for a well‐designed biomarker discovery study at the cargo of EVs.
Reproducibility and Comparative aspects of Terrestrial Housing Systems and Husbandry Procedures in Animal Research Facilities on Study Data
Authors: Hasenau John J
Published: October 2019

As mentioned in other chapters, reproducibility of research data is very complicated and has numerous contributors for concerns. This chapter will discuss the animal housing systems and corresponding husbandry practices in regard to current practices and known and potential confounders in the research environment. This area has a very high impact for reproducibility and comparability of study data outcomes.
Identification and Expression Analysis of Chemosensory Receptor Genes in Bradysia odoriphaga (Diptera: Sciaridae)
Authors: Zhao Yunhe , Cui Kaidi , Li Huan , Ding Jinfeng , Mu Wei , Zhou Chenggang
Published: October 2019

The chive midge, Bradysia odoriphaga, is a major insect pest affecting Chinese chive production in China. Its adult life stage is nonfeeding and has a short life span. Hence, the perception of chemical stimuli is important for its adult behavior and reproductive success. To better understand its chemosensory process at the molecular level, chemosensory receptor genes were identified based on transcriptomes of B. odoriphaga. In total, 101 chemosensory genes were identified from the antenna and body transcriptomes, including 71 odorant receptors (ORs), 18 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 5 gustatory receptors (GRs), and 7 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that most of these genes have homologs among other Dipteran insects. A transcript abundance comparison based on FPKM values was conducted to analyze the sex- and tissue-specific expression profiles of these chemosensory genes. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR of OR transcripts was performed on different tissues (female antennae, male antennae, heads, and legs) to verify the transcriptional expression levels of ORs in the transcriptomes. This analysis suggested that 44 ORs showed significantly higher expression in the female antennae, while 16 OR transcripts were most highly expressed in the male antennae and may play significant roles in sex pheromone detection. In addition, some IRs and GRs might be involved in CO2 and sugar detection and temperature sensing. In the present study, 101 chemosensory genes were identified, and their putative functions were predicted. This work could provide a basis to facilitate functional clarification of these chemosensory genes at the molecular level.
Y-Stenting Versus PulseRider-Assisted Coiling in the Treatment of Wide-Neck Bifurcation Aneurysms: Role of Anatomical Features on Midterm Results
Authors: Limbucci Nicola , Cirelli Carlo , Valente Iacopo , Nappini Sergio , Renieri Leonardo , Laiso Antonio , Rosi Andrea , Amadori Tommaso , Amadori Andrea , Mangiafico Salvatore
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Y-stenting is an effective but challenging approach for wide-neck aneurysms. PulseRider (PR) (Pulsar/Cerenovus) is a new device designed to provide scaffolding during coiling but has never been compared with other techniques.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the immediate and 6-mo results of Y-stenting vs PR assisted coiling.

METHODS

A total of 105 consecutive patients were retrospectively divided into 2 groups (73 Y-stenting and 32 PR). All underwent angiographic 6-mo follow-up. We evaluated if some anatomical features could influence treatment results.

RESULTS

The groups were homogeneous. Immediate adequate occlusions as well as complication rates were similar in Y-stenting and PR group (94.5% vs 96.9% and 8.2% vs 6.2%, respectively). At 6 mo, adequate occlusion was 93.1% after Y-stenting and 84.3% after PR (P = .28), complete occlusion was significantly higher after Y-stenting: 90.3% vs 62.5% (P = .0017). Occlusion grade worsening occurred in 6.9% of Y-stenting and 18.7% of PR patients (P = .09).

Neck size was associated with occlusion grade in both groups. Maximal aneurysm size was associated with occlusion grade in the PR group (P = .023) but not in the Y-stenting group (P = .06). After PR, 6-mo occlusion rate was higher in small (< 10 mm) than in large aneurysms (P = .0094); this was not observed after Y-stenting (P = .54).

Location did not significantly affect the mid-term occlusion rate in both the groups. After PR, occlusion was more stable in basilar than anterior or middle cerebral artery aneurysms.

CONCLUSION

Y-stenting and PR are both effective with similar immediate and mid-term results. However, treatment stability seems higher after Y-stenting. Aneurysm size seems to negatively affect PR results.
Enabling Mg metal anodes rechargeable in conventional electrolytes by fast ionic transport interphase
Authors: Lv Ruijing , Guan Xuze , Zhang Jiahua , Xia Yongyao , Luo Jiayan
Published: October 2019

Rechargeable magnesium batteries have received extensive attention as the Mg anodes possess twice the volumetric capacity of their lithium counterparts and are dendrite-free. However, Mg anodes suffer from surface passivation film in most glyme-based conventional electrolytes, leading to irreversible plating/stripping behavior of Mg. Here we report a facile and safe method to obtain a modified Mg metal anode with a Sn-based artificial layer via ion-exchange and alloying reactions. In the artificial coating layer, Mg2Sn alloy composites offer a channel for fast ion transport and insulating MgCl2/SnCl2 bestows the necessary potential gradient to prevent deposition on the surface. Significant improved ion conductivity of the solid electrolyte interfaces and decreased overpotential of Mg symmetric cells in Mg(TFSI)2/DME electrolyte are obtained. The coated Mg anodes can sustain a stable plating/stripping process over 4000 cycles at a high current density of 6 mA cm−2. This finding provides an avenue to facilitate fast ion diffusion kinetics of Mg metal anodes in conventional electrolytes.
Police Accessibility in Sweden: An Analysis of the Spatial Arrangement of Police Services
Authors: Stassen Richard , Ceccato Vania
Published: October 2019

The Swedish police organization has recently undergone a significant restructuring, combining previously independent regional bodies into a single national authority. It is currently unclear how this process has affected the accessibility of police services. Using central place theory and notions of public reassurance as theoretical references, this study examines the distribution of police stations and how their spatial arrangement affects the population’s access, by car, to various types of police services. Open-access data and geographic information systems underlie the methodology. Results show that, despite regional differences in population density, a large majority of the population has less than a 20-min drive to the nearest police station. However, residents of remote areas may have to travel more than 2 h to access uncommon services. The article discusses policy implications in the Swedish context, which are broadly relevant for understanding the supply of police services in other sparsely populated countries.
Methods for reproductive tract scoring as a tool for improving sow productivity12
Authors: Romoser Matthew R , Hale Benjamin J , Seibert Jacob T , Gall Tom , Rademacher Christopher J , Stalder Kenneth J , Baumgard Lance H , Keating Aileen F , Ross Jason W
Published: October 2019

Improving sow lifetime productivity is essential for maximizing farm profitability. Study objectives were to determine the accuracy for different vulva scoring methods in a commercial production system and to assess whether gilt reproductive tract scoring [evaluated by vulva width (VW)] prior to puberty could serve as useful gilt selection criteria. To accomplish this objective, 958 prepubertal replacement gilts in a commercial system were evaluated at approximately 15 wk of age. Gilt body weight (BW) was recorded in addition to 4 different methods to evaluate VW. Methods for VW assessment included digital caliper measurement (mm), visual evaluation and scoring by trained farm personnel [Farm Score (FS)], and 2 methods using scoring tools [Vulva Score Method A and B (VSA and VSB, respectively)] specifically calibrated from the VW distribution measured on gilts from previous studies. The VSA and FS methods assigned gilts to one of 3 categories (S, M, L, and 1, 2, 3, respectively) whereas VSB classified gilts vulvas using a 5-point scoring system (1 to 5). At 15 wk of age, a low proportion of variability in vulva size (27.8 ± 0.1 mm) could be explained by BW (62.2 ± 0.2 kg; R2 = 0.05). All 3 scoring methods were effective in categorizing gilts based upon VW, as the measured VW size within methods differed by score (P < 0.01). The proportion of gilts achieving their first parity increased with score for VSA (64.7%, 73.2%, and 84.4%; P = 0.02), VSB (66.0%, 71.7%, 79.2%, 76.4%, and 84.2%; P = 0.02), and FS (67.2%, 75.0%, and 88.8%; P = 0.03), but VSA, VSB, and FS did not influence percentage of gilts achieving their second parity (P = 0.32, 0.29, and 0.30, respectively). Litter performance of gilts scored as M or L using VSA improved with an increased total born over 2 parities compared to those scored as S (23.96 vs. 26.38 pigs; P < 0.01) as well as born alive (21.13 vs. 23.05 pigs; P < 0.05). Results were similar for VSB, where scores 2 to 5 had greater total born (23.97 vs. 26.33 pigs; P < 0.01) and born alive (21.11 vs. 23.02 pigs; P < 0.05) through 2 parities compared to gilts scored 1. Using the FS method, total born pigs tended to be increased (P = 0.06) through 2 parities for gilts having a 2 or 3 vulva score compared to those scored as a 1. Collectively, assessing VW at approximately 15 wk of age may identify sows with improved productivity through 2 parities as breeding herd females.
YouTube™ as a source for patient education about the management of dental avulsion injuries
Authors: Hutchison Clare MD , Cave Victoria , Walshaw Emma G , Burns Beth , Park Christine
Published: October 2019

Background/Aims

Traumatic dental injuries, including avulsion, are relatively common, with a reported prevalence of up to 4.5%. The Internet and video‐sharing websites are frequently used as a resource for patient accessible health information. YouTube™, the online video leader, is a popular choice with patients, who decide to seek advice when managing an avulsed tooth.

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of information offered by videos on YouTube™ for those individuals seeking information regarding the emergency management of an avulsed tooth. The quality of information was compared to the guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT).

Methods

YouTube™ was searched systematically for videos on avulsion using the terms ‘knocked tooth out’ and ‘dental avulsion’. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were adhered to, and videos were assessed on several variables. The usefulness of the selected videos in providing adequate information about avulsed teeth was then evaluated using a 9‐point score based on the IADT guidelines. Descriptive statistics were consequently generated.

Results

A total of 120 videos were analysed, 13% (n = 16) of which met the inclusion‐exclusion criteria. Most had been uploaded by healthcare professionals (81%, n = 13) in the United States (63%, n = 10). Videos had generally low completeness scores (mean: 4.375 ± 1.9; range: 2‐7). Completeness was not affected significantly, either by viewers’ interactions or by the date of upload.

Conclusion

YouTube™ generally hosts videos with low usefulness with regard to the management of avulsed teeth. Therefore, dentists should be aware of this resource and warn parents/carers regarding the reliability of information and the misleading content which is available on YouTube™ videos.
Clinical utility and impact of the use of the chromogenic vs one‐stage factor activity assays in haemophilia A and B
Authors: Marlar Richard A. , Strandberg Karin , Shima Midori , Adcock Dorothy M.
Published: October 2019

Treatment of haemophilia A/B patients comprises factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX) concentrate replacement therapy, respectively. FVIII and FIX activity levels can be measured in clinical laboratories using one‐stage activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)‐based clotting or two‐stage chromogenic factor activity assays. We discuss strengths and limitations of these assays, providing examples of clinical scenarios to highlight some of the challenges associated with their current use for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Substantial inter‐laboratory variability has been reported for one‐stage assays when measuring the activity of factor replacement products due to the wide range of currently available aPTT reagents, calibration standards, factor‐deficient plasmas, assay conditions and instruments. Chromogenic activity assays may avoid some limitations associated with one‐stage assays, but their regulatory status, perceived higher cost, and lack of laboratory expertise may influence their use. Haemophilia management guidelines recommend the differential application of one or both assays for initial diagnosis and disease severity characterisation, post‐infusion monitoring and replacement factor potency labelling. Efficient communication between clinical and laboratory staff is crucial to ensure application of the most appropriate assay to each clinical situation, correct interpretation of assay results and, ultimately, accurate diagnosis and optimal and safe treatment of haemophilia A or B patients.
Zoledronate rescues immunosuppressed monocytes in sepsis patients
Authors: Raffray Loïc , Burton Ross J. , Baker Sarah E. , Morgan Matt P. , Eberl Matthias
Published: October 2019

Severe sepsis is often accompanied by a transient immune paralysis, which is associated with enhanced susceptibility to secondary infections and poor clinical outcomes. The functional impairment of antigen‐presenting cells is considered to be a major hallmark of this septic immunosuppression, with reduced HLA‐DR expression on circulating monocytes serving as predictor of mortality. Unconventional lymphocytes like γδ T‐cells have the potential to restore immune defects in a variety of pathologies including cancer, but their use to rescue sepsis‐induced immunosuppression has not been investigated. Our own previous work showed that Vγ9/Vδ2+ γδ T‐cells are potent activators of monocytes from healthy volunteers in vitro, and in individuals with osteoporosis after first‐time administration of the anti‐bone resorption drug zoledronate in vivo. We show here that zoledronate readily induces upregulation of HLA‐DR, CD40 and CD64 on monocytes from both healthy controls and sepsis patients, which could be abrogated by neutralising the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in the cultures. In healthy controls, the upregulation of HLA‐DR on monocytes was proportional to the baseline percentage of Vγ9/Vδ2 T‐cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell population. Of note, a proportion of sepsis patients studied here did not show a demonstrable response to zoledronate, predominantly patients with microbiologically confirmed bloodstream infections, compared with sepsis patients with more localised infections marked by negative blood cultures. Taken together, our results suggest that zoledronate can, at least in some individuals, rescue immunosuppressed monocytes during acute sepsis and thus may help improve clinical outcomes during severe infection.
Participant experiences in a feasibility trial of supervised exercise training in adults with venous leg ulcers: A qualitative study
Authors: Kesterton Sue , Crank Helen J. , Tew Garry A. , Michaels Jonathan , Gumber Anil , McIntosh Emma , King Brenda , Klonizakis Markos
Published: October 2019

Exercise training can improve lower‐limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous leg ulceration; however, there is a lack of research on patients' views about the acceptability and feasibility of exercise interventions. The aim of this study was to explore participants' experiences of the trial “Exploring the Feasibility of Implementing a Supervised Exercise Training and Compression Hosiery Intervention in Patients with Venous Ulceration” (FISCU). Semi‐structured face‐to‐face and telephone interviews were used to investigate participants' experiences (n = 16) of taking part in the FISCU trial. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three overarching themes were identified, along with 11 sub‐themes: (a) sedentary cautious living (because of pain and reduced mobility, treatment and perceived control, and advice to rest and be careful), (b) key components of the exercise trial (including motivation, an individualised intervention supervised by a specialist exercise professional, and satisfaction with the intervention), and (c) benefits of exercise (physical benefits and healing, psychological well‐being, positive impact on comorbidities, and an improved self‐management strategy). This study found that an exercise intervention was viewed by participants as positive, acceptable, and feasible while living with a venous leg ulcer. An individualised and supervised exercise programme was key to build confidence to exercise.
Biomolecular condensates in neurodegeneration and cancer
Authors: Spannl Stephanie , Tereshchenko Maria , Mastromarco Giovanni J. , Ihn Sean J. , Lee Hyun O.
Published: October 2019

The intracellular environment is partitioned into functionally distinct compartments containing specific sets of molecules and reactions. Biomolecular condensates, also referred to as membrane‐less organelles, are diverse and abundant cellular compartments that lack membranous enclosures. Molecules assemble into condensates by phase separation; multivalent weak interactions drive molecules to separate from their surroundings and concentrate in discrete locations. Biomolecular condensates exist in all eukaryotes and in some prokaryotes, and participate in various essential house‐keeping, stress‐response and cell type‐specific processes. An increasing number of recent studies link abnormal condensate formation, composition and material properties to a number of disease states. In this review, we discuss current knowledge and models describing the regulation of condensates and how they become dysregulated in neurodegeneration and cancer. Further research on the regulation of biomolecular phase separation will help us to better understand their role in cell physiology and disease.
Optimal control strategies for a class of vector borne diseases, exemplified by a toy model for malaria
Authors: Anita Sebastian , Beretta Edoardo , Capasso Vincenzo
Published: October 2019

This paper contains a unified review of a set of previous papers by the same authors concerning the mathematical modelling and control of malaria epidemics. The presentation moves from a conceptual mathematical model of malariaВ transmission in an homogeneous population. Among the key epidemiological features of thisВ model, two-age-classes (child and adult) and asymptomaticВ carriers have been included. As possible control measures, the extra mortality of mosquitoes due to the use of long-lasting treated mosquito nets (LLINs) andВ Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) have been included.В By taking advantage of the natural doubleВ time scale of the parasite and the human populations, it hasВ been possible to provide interesting threshold results.В In particular, key parameters have been identified such that below a threshold level, built on these parameters, the epidemic tends to extinction, while above another threshold level it tends to a nontrivial endemic state. The above model has motivated further analysisВ when a spatial structure of the relevant populations is added. Inspired by the above, additional model reductions have been introduced, which make the resulting reaction-diffusion system mathematically affordable.В Only the dynamics of theВ infected mosquitoes and of the infected humans has been included, so that a two-component reaction-diffusion system is finally taken.В The spread of theВ disease is controlled by three actions (controls)В  implemented in aВ subdomain of the habitat: killing mosquitoes, treating theВ infected humans and reducing the contact rate mosquitoes-humans.To start with, the problem of the eradicability of the disease is considered, while the cost of the controls is ignored. We proveВ that it is possible to decrease exponentially both the humanВ and the vector infective population everywhere in the relevantВ habitat by acting only in a suitable subdomain. Later theВ regional control problem of reducing the total cost of theВ damages produced by the disease, of the controls and of theВ intervention in a certain subdomain is treated for the finite timeВ horizon case. In order to take theВ logistic structure of the habitat into account theВ level set method is used as a key ingredient for describing theВ subregion of intervention. Here this subregion has been better characterized by both area and perimeter.В The authors wish to stress that the target of this paper mainly is to attract the attention of the public health authorities towards anВ effective and affordable practice of implementation of possible control strategies.
Spatiotemporal variations in juvenile mortality and cohort strength of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) off Newfoundland and Labrador
Authors: Zhang Fan , Rideout Rick M. , Cadigan Noel G.
Published: October 2019

Juvenile mortality is an important factor affecting the spatiotemporal dynamics of fish recruitment, but estimation of the spatiotemporal variations in juvenile mortality rates remains challenging. We developed a state-space metapopulation dynamics model to simultaneously estimate spatiotemporal variations in juvenile mortality rates and cohort strength and applied this general modelling framework to data from multiple surveys for juvenile (ages 2–5) Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks off Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). We found large-scale synchronized dynamics of decreasing juvenile mortality rates and increasing cohort strength from offshore surveys off eastern and southeastern NL, suggesting improving reproduction and survival rates for juvenile cod. No synchronized patterns of juvenile mortality rates and cohort strength were detected for cod stocks off southern and western NL, indicating more complex cod population spatial structures in those areas. Our study demonstrates the potential of juvenile mortality to cause temporally variable and spatially synchronized dynamics of fish recruitment, and the spatial patterns of juvenile mortality and cohort strength indicate some potential mismatch between cod population structure and current management units off NL.
Noninertial effects on a scalar field in a spacetime with a magnetic screw dislocation
Authors: Vitória Ricardo L. L.
Published: October 2019

We investigate rotating effects on a charged scalar field immersed in spacetime with a magnetic screw dislocation. In addition to the hard-wall potential, which we impose to satisfy a boundary condition from the rotating effect, we insert a Coulomb-type potential and the Klein–Gordon oscillator into this system, where, analytically, we obtain solutions of bound states which are influenced not only by the spacetime topology, but also by the rotating effects, as a Sagnac-type effect modified by the presence of the magnetic screw dislocation.
Amenability properties of unitary co-representations of locally compact quantum groups
Authors: Akhtari Fatemeh , Nasr-Isfahani Rasoul
Published: October 2019

For locally compact quantum groups [Formula: see text], we initiate an investigation of stable states with respect to unitary co-representations [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] on Hilbert spaces [Formula: see text]; in particular, we study the subject on the multiplicative unitary operator [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with some examples on locally compact quantum groups arising from discrete groups and compact groups. As the main result, we consider the one co-dimensional Hilbert subspace of [Formula: see text] associated to a suitable vector [Formula: see text], to present an operator theoretic characterization of stable states with respect to a related unitary co-representation [Formula: see text]. This provides a quantum version of an interesting result on unitary representations of locally compact groups given by Lau and Paterson in 1991.
R-matrix analyses of 16O(n,n) scattering and 13C(α,n) reaction at astrophysical energies relevant to low-mass AGB stars
Authors: Chakraborty Suprita , Mukherjee Avijit , Roy Subinit
Published: October 2019

The reaction [Formula: see text]C[Formula: see text]O is an important astrophysical process producing neutrons for [Formula: see text]-process nucleosynthesis of nuclei heavier than iron in low-mass AGB stars. The reaction rate of [Formula: see text]C[Formula: see text]O at relevant energies is dominated by a [Formula: see text] state in [Formula: see text]O near the [Formula: see text]-threshold. The adopted value for the excitation energy of the state is −3[Formula: see text]keV below the threshold at 6359[Formula: see text]keV. However, recent investigations have indicated that the state is, instead of a sub-threshold state, an above threshold resonance state. The observation is also corroborated by neutron scattering studies from [Formula: see text]O. The location of the state and its implication on the low energy behavior of the astrophysical [Formula: see text]-factor are of definite interest. The aim of this work is to ascertain the energy location of [Formula: see text] state in the excitation spectrum of [Formula: see text]O and to estimate its neutron and [Formula: see text]-partial widths. Subsequently, we look into the effect of the resultant set of parameters of the state on the [Formula: see text]-factor and reaction rate at important astrophysical energies. A multilevel, multichannel [Formula: see text]-matrix analysis has been performed for the existing [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]C[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]C[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] data. The excitation energy of the [Formula: see text] state in [Formula: see text]O is found to be at 6371.9[Formula: see text]keV, about 12.9[Formula: see text]keV above the threshold. The resulting [Formula: see text]-factor around the Gamow energy of 190[Formula: see text]keV [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]. Relatively, higher [Formula: see text]-factor value yields a larger reaction rate for [Formula: see text]C([Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]O at the required temperature window. Consequently, larger number of neutrons relevant to [Formula: see text]-process nucleosynthesis will be produced from [Formula: see text]C[Formula: see text]O reaction.
Ground state properties and shape evolution in Pt isotopes within the covariant density functional theory
Authors: El Bassem Y. , Oulne M.
Published: October 2019

In this work, the ground state properties of the platinum isotopic chain, [Formula: see text]Pt are studied within the covariant density functional theory. The calculations are carried out for a large number of even–even Pt isotopes by using the density-dependent point-coupling and the density-dependent meson-exchange effective interactions. All ground state properties such as the binding energy, separation energy, two-neutron shell gap, root mean square (rms)-radii for neutrons and protons and quadrupole deformation are discussed and compared with available experimental data, and with the predictions of some nuclear models such as the Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) model with NL3 functional and the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (HFB) method with SLy4 Skyrme force. The shape phase transition for Pt isotopic chain is also studied. Its corresponding total energy curves as well as the potential energy surfaces confirm the transition from prolate to oblate shapes at [Formula: see text]Pt contrary to some studies predictions and in agreement with others. Overall, a good agreement is found between the calculated and experimental results wherever available.
Skyrme forces and isotopic dependence of evaporation residue cross-section in the decay of 252,254−256No∗ formed in 204,206,207,208Pb+48Ca reactions
Authors: Deep Aman , Niyti  , Kharab Rajesh , Singh Rajpal , Chopra Sahila
Published: October 2019

The fusion evaporation residue (ER) cross-sections [Formula: see text] for the decay of compound nucleus (CN) [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text] via 1[Formula: see text]–4[Formula: see text] decay channels, synthesized in [Formula: see text]Pb[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Ca reaction, are studied, including deformations [Formula: see text] for cold-optimum orientations [Formula: see text] at various [Formula: see text]Ca excitation energies of [Formula: see text] to 45[Formula: see text]MeV. For the nuclear interaction potentials, we use the Skyrme energy density functional (SEDF)-based on semi-classical extended Thomas Fermi (ETF) approach under frozen density approximation on our earlier study of fusion ER cross-section for the decay of [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text], via 1[Formula: see text]–4[Formula: see text] decay channels synthesized in [Formula: see text]Pb[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Ca reaction based on the Dynamical cluster-decay model (DCM) using the pocket formula for nuclear proximity potential in which the above reaction was investigated by using hot-optimum orientations. In this work the above reaction has been investigated in two parts, in the first part, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV is used for cold elongated configurations and in the second part, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV is used for hot compact configurations. The Skyrme forces used here are the old SIII, and new GSkI and KDE0(v1) given for both normal and isospin-rich nuclei, with densities added in frozen density approximation. Interestingly, independent of the Skyrme force used, the DCM gives an excellent fit within one-parameter fitting of [Formula: see text] to the measured data on fusion ER for cold fusion. Of all the three Pb-isotopes and three [Formula: see text] considered, at each [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text] is largest for compound system with mass numbers 256 and 254, and smallest for 252, which means that the neutrons emission occur earliest for 256, then 255 followed by 254 and finally for 252, in complete agreement with experimental data. The possible fusion–fission (ff) and quasi-fission (qf) mass-regions of fragments on DCM are also predicted. The DCM with Skyrme forces is further used to look for all the possible target-projectile ([Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]) combinations forming the “cold” CN [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text] at the CN excitation energy of [Formula: see text] for “optimum cold” configurations. The fusion ER cross-sections, for the proposed new reactions in synthesizing the CN [Formula: see text]No[Formula: see text], are also estimated for the future experiments.
Deuteron wave function for Reid93 potential and polarization observables in elastic lepton–deuteron scattering
Authors: Zhaba V. I.
Published: October 2019

The elastic lepton–deuteron scattering was considered within the limits of zero lepton mass. The deuteron wave function in the coordinate representation for Reid93 potential was applied to numerical calculations. The angular-momentum dependence of values of the spin correlation coefficients [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and tensor asymmetries [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] were evaluated in 3D format for Reid93 potential. These polarization observables are analyzed at different energies and scattering angles. The influence of the choice of the potential model and their nodes on the calculations of the polarization observables at a fixed scattering angle was taken into account. The application of the obtained values allows better explanation and illustration of the laws for the elastic lepton–deuteron scattering.
RNAknot: A new algorithm for RNA secondary structure prediction based on genetic algorithm and GRASP method
Authors: El Fatmi Abdelhakim , Bekri M. Ali , Benhlima Said
Published: October 2019

The prediction of the optimal secondary structure for a given RNA sequence represents a challenging computational problem in bioinformatics. This challenge becomes harder especially with the discovery of different pseudoknot classes, which is a complex topology that plays diverse roles in biological processes. Many recent studies have been proposed to predict RNA secondary structure with some pseudoknot classes, but only a few of them have reached satisfying results in terms of both complexity and accuracy. Here we present RNAknot, a new method for predicting RNA secondary structure that contains the following components: stems, hairpin loops, multi-branched loops or multi-loops, bulge loops, and internal loops, in addition to two types of pseudoknots, H-type pseudoknot and Hairpin kissing. RNAknot is based on a genetic algorithm and Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure (GRASP), and it uses the free energy as fitness function to evaluate the obtained structures.

In order to validate the performance of the presented method 131 tests have been performed using two datasets of 26 and 105 RNA sequences, which have been taken from the two data bases RNAstrand and Pseudobase respectively. The obtained results are compared with those of some RNA secondary structure prediction programs such as Vs_subopt, CyloFold, IPknot, Kinefold, RNAstructure, and Sfold. The results of this comparative study show that the prediction accuracy of our proposed approach is significantly improved compared to those obtained by the other programs. For the first dataset, RNAknot has the highest specificity (SP) (71.23%) and sensitivity (SN) (72.15%) averages compared to the other programs. Concerning the second dataset, the RNA secondary structure predictions obtained by the RNAknot correspond to the highest averages of SP (85.49%) and F-measure (79.97%) compared to the other programs. The program is available as a jar file in the link: www.bachmek.umi.ac.ma/wp-content/uploads/RNAknot.0.0.2.rar .
Release Mechanism and pH Responsiveness of Starch-Based Polymers
Authors: Kou Zongliang , Dou Detian , Zhu Jiayi , Mai Yinyin , Yi Herui , Lan Lihong , Lan Ping
Published: October 2019

Amphiphilic polymer carriers (PEG–St–[Formula: see text]) were prepared from cassava starch and their pH response was investigated. First, hydrophobic tapioca starch polymer (St–[Formula: see text]) was prepared with octyl acyl as the hydrophobic group. The hydrophilic group polyethylene glycol (mPEG) was then introduced into the polymer by esterification to produce amphiphilic tapioca starch polymer (PEG–St–[Formula: see text]). Its self-assembly behavior was characterized using fluorescent probes. The morphology of PEG–St–[Formula: see text] was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Loading of the anti-cancer drug curcumin was used to assess the delivery and slow-release performance of the amphiphilic tapioca starch polymer. Cumulative drug release was explored at various pH conditions, with the greatest release from drug-loaded micelles being observed under acidic conditions and stable in a neutral environment. These results provide a theoretical basis for the preparation of pH-responsive nanomicelle carriers, and a platform for the preparation of novel amphiphilic starch-based polymers.