bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating signaling games in international relations: problems and solutions
Authors: Crisman-Cox Casey , Gibilisco Michael
Published: December 2019

Signaling games are central to political science but often have multiple equilibria, leading to no definitive prediction. We demonstrate that these indeterminacies create substantial problems when fitting theory to data: they lead to ill-defined and discontinuous likelihoods even if the game generating the data has a unique equilibrium. In our experiments, currently used techniques frequently fail to uncover the parameters of the canonical crisis-signaling game, regardless of sample size and number of equilibria in the data generating process. We propose three estimators that remedy these problems, outperforming current best practices. We fit the signaling model to data on economic sanctions. Our solutions find a novel U-shaped relationship between audience costs and the propensity for leaders to threaten sanctions, which current best practices fail to uncover.
Increased consumption of calcium from fat-free milk, energy-restricted diet and educational activities improves metabolic control in overweight type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Costa Jorge de Assis , Gomes Júnia Maria Geraldo , Ribeiro Priscila Vaz de Melo , Alfenas Rita de Cássia Gonçalves
Published: December 2019

We assessed the effects of increased Ca consumption from fat-free milk in an energy-restricted diet and educational activities in the metabolic control of overweight type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Fourteen subjects with T2DM (BMI 29·4 (sd 4·5) kg/m2, low habitual Ca consumption (<600 mg/d)) were included in this randomised, crossover clinical trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of the two interventions: drink containing 700 mg of Ca (DAIR) or drink containing 0 mg of Ca (CONT) for ninety consecutive days each. Energy-restricted diets (–500 kcal/d; –2092 kJ/d), containing 800 mg of Ca from dietary sources/d, were prescribed for both groups. Questionnaires were applied at baseline and at the end of the study to assess the subjects’ knowledge on the disease and on self-care, biochemical variables and physical activity. Blood pressure, food intake, body composition and anthropometry were assessed at baseline, days 45 and 90. There was a higher reduction of body fat %, waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, waist:hip ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter, diastolic/systolic blood pressure and an increase in fat-free mass % in DAIR than in CONT. Uric acid, fasting glucose, Hb1Ac, parathyroid hormone and alanine aminotransferase concentrations reduced and vitamin D concentration increased after 90 d in DAIR compared with CONT. The consumption of energy-restricted diet containing 1200 mg Ca/d seems to favour metabolic control in subjects with T2DM. The educational activities increased the knowledge on the disease care.
Multi-scale assessment of winter wheat yield gaps with an integrated evaluation framework in the Huang-Huai-Hai farming region in China
Authors: Li S. , Liu J. , Shang M. , Jia H. , Feng Y. , Chu Q. , Chen F.
Published: December 2019

Quantifying reasonable crop yield gaps and determining potential regions for yield improvement can facilitate regional plant structure adjustment and promote crop production. The current study attempted to evaluate the yield gap in a region at multi-scales through model simulation and farmer investigation. Taking the winter wheat yield gap in the Huang-Huai-Hai farming region (HFR) for the case study, 241 farmers’ fields in four typical high-yield demonstration areas were surveyed to determine the yield limitation index and attainable yield. In addition, the theoretical and realizable yield gap of winter wheat in 386 counties of the HFR was assessed. Results showed that the average field yield of the demonstration plots was 8282 kg/ha, accounting for 0.72 of the potential yield, which represented the highest production in the region. The HFR consists of seven sub-regions designated 2.1–2.7: the largest attainable yield gap existed in the 2.6 sub-region, in the southwest of the HFR, while the smallest was in the 2.2 sub-region, in the northwest of the HFR. With a high irrigated area rate, the yield gap in the 2.2 sub-region could hardly be reduced by increasing irrigation, while a lack of irrigation remained an important limiting factor for narrowing the yield gap in 2.3 sub-region, in the middle of the HFR. Therefore, a multi-scale yield gap evaluation framework integrated with typical field survey and crop model analysis could provide valuable information for narrowing the yield gap.
“How Dey Goin’ to Kill Othello?!”Key & Peeleand Shakespearean Universality
Authors: CORREDERA VANESSA I.
Published: December 2019

Claims for Shakespearean universality often position Shakespeare's works as resonating with all people across all time. But how far can one take such a claim? A 2013 sketch on Comedy Central'sKey & Peele, entitled “Othello Tis My Shite!”, uses satire precisely in order to challenge assertions of Shakespearean universality. I argue that the sketch – which follows two Renaissance Moors, Lashawnio and Martinzion, who attend Shakespeare'sOthello– suggests that Shakespeare may find the limits of speaking for “all people” when depicting black masculinity. Yet the sketch's twist ending helpfully proposes the transformative potential in Shakespeare for more effective, authentic representation.
“What Should His Sufferance Be?” Protesting Injustice in Shakespeare's Venice and the Age of Black Lives Matter
Authors: WALKER JESSICA
Published: December 2019

This essay considers the impossibility faced by The Merchant of Venice’s Shylock in seeking redress for his suffering and how dismissal of his complaints parallels criticism of protests against racial injustice in the twenty-first century, with particular attention to Colin Kaepernick's 2016 protest against police brutality. Venice's idealization of Christ-like passivity and our own age's veneration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolence create impossible standards for those attempting to call attention to injustice, leading to condemnation of protesters’ actions and misinterpretation of their motives.
Testing the neurodevelopmental, trauma and developmental risk factor models of psychosis using a naturalistic experiment
Authors: Liu Yiwen , Mendonça Marina , Johnson Samantha , O'Reilly Helen , Bartmann Peter , Marlow Neil , Wolke Dieter
Published: December 2019

Background

The neurodevelopmental and trauma theories are two widely cited models of psychosis. A third – the developmental risk factor model (DRFM) – recognises the combined role of neurodevelopmental risks and trauma. Our objective was to test these theories using preterm populations as a natural experiment, given the high prevalence of neurodevelopmental deficits and exposure to trauma.

Methods

Two population-based preterm birth cohorts, the Bavarian Longitudinal Study (BLS; N = 399) and EPICure Study (N = 184), were included with term-born controls. Peer victimisation in childhood was assessed by parent and child report and psychotic experiences (PE) were assessed in early adulthood. Different models of psychosis were tested using regression and mediation analyses.

Results

There was support for the trauma and DRFM in the BLS. Peer victimisation increased the risk of PE for preterm and term-born participants equally [odds ratio = 4.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96–12.08]. There was an indirect effect where preterm children were more likely to be victimised, which subsequently increased risk of PE [β = 1.12 (s.e. = 0.61), 95% CI 0.11–2.48]. The results were replicated in EPICure.

Conclusions

Exposure to trauma which is experienced more often by neurodevelopmental risk children rather than neurodevelopmental risk per se increases the risk of PE. The findings are consistent with the trauma model and DRFM. Interventions focused on reducing trauma may reduce the development of PE.
Renewable Energy for Robots and Robots for Renewable Energy – A Review
Authors: Hassan Ahmed A. , El Habrouk Mohamed , Deghedie Samir
Published: December 2019

Fossil fuel sources are well suited to fulfill the energy needs of human beings. Unfortunately, there are some limitations and disadvantages pertaining to fossil fuels, some of which are drastic. The main issues are: firstly, there is a finite supply of these fuels, eventually this supply will be exhausted; secondly, burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming, leading to disastrous consequences for the environment and the health of humans. Switching to renewable energy sources is the viable solution to the aforementioned issues. Robots bring numerous benefits in a wide variety of applications. Introducing robots to production environments and other applications results in a remarkable improvement in terms of productivity and efficiency. In this paper, the integration between robots and renewable energy sources is discussed. In other words, two main points are investigated: (1) how can renewable energy be a viable source of energy for robots and (2) how can the renewable energy industry benefit from utilizing robots in the execution of renewable energy-related tasks. Some of the recent developments concerning the integration between robots and renewable energy are reviewed. In addition, more opportunities and expected advancements are also discussed.
The Effect of Operator Position on the Quality of Chest Compressions Delivered in a Simulated Ambulance
Authors: Mullin Scott , Lydon Sinéad , O’Connor Paul
Published: December 2019

Background:

Ambulances are where patient care is often initiated or maintained, but this setting poses safety risks for paramedics. Paramedics have found that in order to optimize patient care, they must compromise their own safety by standing unsecured in a moving ambulance.

Hypothesis/Problem:

This study sought to compare the quality of chest compressions in the two positions they can be delivered within an ambulance.

Methods:

A randomized, counterbalanced study was carried out with 24 paramedic students. Simulated chest compressions were performed in a stationary ambulance on a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manikin for two minutes from either: (A) an unsecured standing position, or (B) a seated secured position. Participants’ attitudes toward the effectiveness of the two positions were evaluated.

Results:

The mean total number of chest compressions was not significantly different standing unsecured (220; SD = 12) as compared to seated and secured (224; SD = 21). There was no significant difference in mean compression rate standing unsecured (110 compressions per minute; SD = 6) as compared to seated and secured (113 compressions per minute; SD = 10). Chest compressions performed in the unsecured standing position yielded a significantly greater mean depth (52 mm; SD = 6) than did seated secured (26 mm; SD = 7; P < .001). Additionally, the standing unsecured position produced a significantly higher percentage (83%; SD = 21) for the number of correct compressions, as compared to the seated secured position (8%; SD = 17; P < .001). Participants also believed that chest compressions delivered when standing were more effective than those delivered when seated.

Conclusions:

The quality of chest compressions delivered from a seated and secured position is inferior to those delivered from an unsecured standing position. There is a need to consider how training, technologies, and ambulance design can impact the quality of chest compressions.
Monitoring and punishment networks in an experimental common pool resource dilemma
Authors: Shreedhar Ganga , Tavoni Alessandro , Marchiori Carmen
Published: December 2019

With the aid of a lab experiment, we explored how imperfect monitoring and punishment networks impacted appropriation, punishment and beliefs in a common pool resource appropriation dilemma. We studied the differences between the complete network (with perfect monitoring and punishment, in which everyone can observe and punish everyone else) and two ‘imperfect’ networks (that systematically reduce the number of subjects who could monitor and punish others): the directed and undirected circle networks. We found that free riders were punished in all treatments, but the network topology impacted the type of punishment: the undirected circle induced more severe punishment and prosocial punishment compared to the other two networks. Both imperfect networks were more efficient because the larger punishment capacity available in the complete network elicited higher punishment amount.
‘Prevent undernutrition and prescribe oral nutritional supplements correctly’: an educational intervention for district nurses
Authors: Samuelsson L. , Södergren M. , Berggren E. , Törnkvist L.
Published: December 2019

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate district nurses’ (DN) perceived nutritional care and actual level of knowledge about nutritional care before and after a continuing educational intervention.

Background:

Nutritional treatment is an important part of nursing care, and health professionals responsible for nutritional care for older adults must therefore have sufficient understanding of nutritional problems to provide appropriate support. Previous research has shown that nutritional problems frequently go unrecognized and that health care personnel often lacks knowledge about nutritional care and relevant methods of assessing nutritional status. However, little is known about DNs’ knowledge about nutritional care.

Methods:

An evaluative study with a study-specific questionnaire administered before and after a 2.5-day continuing educational course for DNs in primary health care in Stockholm County, Sweden. The course was given over a period of two to three months. The questionnaire measured DNs’ perceived nutritional care and actual level of knowledge about nutritional care.

Findings:

A total of 456 DNs completed the questionnaire both before and after the intervention. Participants’ mean age was 50 years. They had worked a mean of 26 years in health care and 10 years as DNs. Before the intervention, many DNs reported that they did not work with nutritional care in an optimal way. After the intervention, significant improvements were found in perceived nutritional care and actual level of knowledge about the topic. However, not all DNs achieved the learning objectives of the course, so work remains to be done to ensure that DNs have sufficient knowledge of nutritional care to provide appropriate support and correctly prescribe oral nutritional supplements.

Conclusions:

The study provides new information on DNs’ perceived nutritional care and actual level of knowledge. The result of the intervention helps lay the foundation for good nutritional care for older patients in primary care.
Financial transition and costs of sustainable agricultural intensification practices on a beef cattle and crop farm in Brazil's Amazon
Authors: Pedrosa Lorena Machado , Hoshide Aaron Kinyu , Abreu Daniel Carneiro de , Molossi Luana , Couto Eduardo Guimarães
Published: December 2019

The intensification of Brazil's beef cattle production system can involve different strategies to increase beef production while reducing deforestation in the Amazon biome and mitigating climate change. This study economically evaluates a cooperating beef farm in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil's Amazon biome over three crop years (2015–16 to 2017–18), transitioning from an extensive grazing system to a semi-intensive system using five sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) practices. These five practices include (1) grain supplementation for cattle, (2) pasture fertilization, (3) pasture re-seeding, (4) crop–livestock integration (CLI) and (5) irrigated and fertilized pasture that is rotationally grazed. The relative costs of these five SAI strategies used on this cooperating farm are compared. The adoption of SAI strategies increased beef productivity 5.7% (228–241 kg live-weight sold per hectare) and gradually improved net farm income by ~130% over the 3 years of transition (−US$94.79 to $29.80 ha−1). Grain supplementation (US$188 ha−1) had the cheapest cost per hectare, followed by pasture fertilization (US$477 ha−1) and pasture reseeding (US$650 ha−1). The most costly practice was in-ground irrigation of fenced rotationally grazed pasture (US$1600 ha−1) with the second most costly being CLI (US$672 ha−1). Despite adoption challenges of these SAI practices, past research confirm these five practices can increase beef productivity and profitability while reducing carbon footprint. Regardless of the cost per hectare of each practice, farmer adoption can be improved through education, support and incentives from both the public and private sectors.
Information Processing in Work Environment 4.0 and the Beneficial Impact of Intentional Forgetting on Change Management
Authors: Schüffler Arnulf Sebastian , Thim Christof , Haase Jennifer , Gronau Norbert , Kluge Annette
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Industry 4.0, based on increasingly progressive digitalization, is a global phenomenon that affects every part of our work. The Internet of Things (IoT) is pushing the process of automation, culminating in the total autonomy of cyber-physical systems. This process is accompanied by a massive amount of data, information, and new dimensions of flexibility. As the amount of available data increases, their specific timeliness decreases. Mastering Industry 4.0 requires humans to master the new dimensions of information and to adapt to relevant ongoing changes. Intentional forgetting can make a difference in this context, as it discards nonprevailing information and actions in favor of prevailing ones. Intentional forgetting is the basis of any adaptation to change, as it ensures that nonprevailing memory items are not retrieved while prevailing ones are retained. This study presents a novel experimental approach that was introduced in a learning factory (the Research and Application Center Industry 4.0) to investigate intentional forgetting as it applies to production routines. In the first experiment ( N = 18), in which the participants collectively performed 3046 routine related actions (t1 = 1402, t2 = 1644), the results showed that highly proceduralized actions were more difficult to forget than actions that were less well-learned. Additionally, we found that the quality of cues that trigger the execution of routine actions had no effect on the extent of intentional forgetting.
Jovian Auroral Ion Precipitation: X‐Ray Production From Oxygen and Sulfur Precipitation
Authors: Houston S. J. , Cravens T. E. , Schultz D. R. , Gharibnejad H. , Dunn W. R. , Haggerty D. K. , Rymer A. M. , Mauk B. H. , Ozak N.
Published: December 2019

Many attempts have been made to model X‐ray emission from both bremsstrahlung and ion precipitation into Jupiter's polar caps. Electron bremsstrahlung modeling has fallen short of producing the total overall power output observed by Earth‐orbit‐based X‐ray observatories. Heavy ion precipitation was able to reproduce strong X‐ray fluxes, but the proposed incident ion energies were very high (
1 MeV per nucleon). Now with the Juno spacecraft at Jupiter, there have been many measurements of heavy ion populations above the polar cap with energies up to 300–400 keV per nucleon (keV/u), well below the ion energies required by earlier models. Recent work has provided a new outlook on how ion‐neutral collisions in the Jovian atmosphere are occurring, providing us with an entirely new set of impact cross sections. The model presented here simulates oxygen and sulfur precipitation, taking into account the new cross sections, every collision process, the measured ion fluxes above Jupiter's polar aurora, and synthetic X‐ray spectra. We predict X‐ray fluxes, efficiencies, and spectra for various initial ion energies considering opacity effects from two different atmospheres. We demonstrate that an in situ measured heavy ion flux above Jupiter's polar cap is capable of producing over 1 GW of X‐ray emission when some assumptions are made. Comparison of our approximated synthetic X‐ray spectrum produced from in situ particle data with a simultaneous X‐ray spectrum observed by XMM‐Newton shows good agreement for the oxygen part of the spectrum but not for the sulfur part.
Rheological Controls on Asperity Weakening During Earthquake Slip
Authors: Hayward Kathryn S. , Hawkins Rhys , Cox Stephen F. , Le Losq Charles
Published: December 2019

Evolution of fault strength during the initial stages of seismic slip plays an important role in the onset of velocity‐induced weakening, which in turn, leads to larger earthquake events. A key dynamic weakening mechanism during the early stages of slip is flash heating, where stress concentrations at contacts on the interface lead to the rapid generation of heat. Although potential weakening from flash heating has been extensively modeled, there is little recorded microstructural evidence of its physical manifestations. We present results of a series of triaxial experiments on synthetic faults in quartz sandstone. Samples were subjected to a variety of normal stresses and ambient temperatures, to induce a range of slip event sizes and sliding velocities. We show the microstructural evolution of asperity interactions from the onset of flash heating through to the formation of grain‐scale areas of sheared melt. Using microstructural observations and mechanical data from the experiments, we model temperature and the viscoelastic behavior of the glass. Results suggest that, in the earliest stages of slip asperity contacts melt, but temperatures remain too low for viscous shear to occur within the melt layer. Instead melted asperities behave as glassy solids, facilitating continued frictional heating. With further slip, increased asperity temperatures allow the transition to viscous shear within the melt layer, facilitating weakening. These results highlight the dynamic evolution of the viscoelastic properties of the melt and resulting effects on asperity strength. Such complexity has, to‐date, not been fully addressed in modeling of flash heating.
Delayed Subevents During the MW6.2 First Shock of the 2016 Kumamoto, Japan, Earthquake
Authors: Goto Hiroyuki , Toyomasu Aki , Sawada Sumio
Published: December 2019

Earthquakes have been considered mostly to generate concentric rupture starting from the hypocenter. On the other hand, delayed subevents occurring after the first passage of rupture front have been found in the recent earthquakes, for example, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. They potentially cause a long duration of ground motions. We study a source rupture process during the Mw6.2 first shock of the 2016 Kumamoto, Japan, earthquake, which may include the delayed subevent. The source model with three segments (S1, S2, and S3) is estimated from the near source records by using Bayesian inference, Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The maximum a posteriori solution well explains the near source records, and its layout of S1 and S2 segments are consistent with the previous studies. The posterior distribution suggests that location of S1 and S3 segments spatially overlaps with a time interval of about 6–7 s. Therefore, the S3 segment is accepted as the delayed subevent in this event. The first rupture on S1 concentrically propagates to trigger the second rupture on S2, and the second rupture then causes the dynamic triggering of S3 segment. Physical background how the delayed subevents can release the stress is needed to investigate in the future.
A Model of an Integrated Research and Education Program in Space Weather at a Community College
Authors: Damas M. C. , Ngwira C. M. , Cheung T. D. , Marchese P. , Kuznetsova M. , Zheng Y. , Chulaki A. , Mohamed A.
Published: December 2019

Community Colleges provide a great opportunity to diversify the space sciences or other science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields due to their large population of underrepresented students. However, since the primary mission of community colleges is teaching, there is a challenge to support undergraduate research training and promote undergraduate research opportunities. Undergraduate research experiences are one of the leading high‐impact practices (HIPs) to encourage students to pursue STEM majors, graduate degrees, and careers. Space weather provides the opportunity to engage undergraduate students in real‐world research due to the accessibility of space mission data sets within open access data repositories. Space weather's impact on Earth's geospace environment, life, and society also provides a compelling real‐world hook to engage students in activities that have a number of impacts including (1) long‐term integration of space weather into the undergraduate curricula; (2) experience in analyzing large geospace data sets, which increases students' computational, critical thinking, and analytical skills, useful for any career; and (3) increase in students' interest in and motivation to study STEM, as well as preparing them for choosing a career path in space science and related fields. The model presented below has the potential to increase the retention, graduation, and transfer rate of community college students to four‐year STEM programs, as well as increase representation and inclusion in space sciences and other related STEM fields.
Results of a phase II clinical trial of 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) and methotrexate in patients with BRCA-defective tumours
Authors: Roberts Corran , Strauss Victoria Y. , Kopijasz Sylwia , Gourley Charlie , Hall Marcia , Montes Ana , Abraham Jacinta , Clamp Andrew , Kennedy Richard , Banerjee Susana , Folkes Lisa K. , Stratford Michael , Nicum Shibani
Published: December 2019

Background

Tumour cells with BRCA1/2 gene mutations demonstrate increased sensitivity to platinum and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) was found to selectively kill BRCA-defective cells in a xenograft model as effectively as the PARP inhibitor AG014699, even after these cells acquired resistance to a PARP inhibitor or cisplatin.

Methods

This phase II single-arm trial investigated the activity of 6MP 55–75 mg/m2 per day, and methotrexate 15–20 mg/m2 per week in advanced breast or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients with a BRCA1/2 germline mutation, who had progressed after ≥1 previous line of chemotherapy. The primary outcome was objective response including stable disease (SD) as an assessment of clinical benefit rate (CBR), at 8 weeks, by RECIST v1.1. Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

In total, 67 evaluable patients were recruited; 55 ovarian and 11 breast cancer patients. In total, 21 patients had SD (31%), one had a partial response (1.5%); CBR was 33% at 8 weeks. In total, 12/67 patients (18%) had SD at 16 weeks. In total, five ovarian cancer patients had SD for over 200 days. Median OS was 10.3 months (95% CI 6.9–14.5), median PFS 1.9 months (1.7–2.8).

Conclusions

The overall activity of 6MP and methotrexate in these patients was low; however, there was a small group of patients who appeared to derive longer-term clinical benefit.

Trial registration

NCT01432145 http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov.
lncRNA-ZFAS1 induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by causing cytosolic Ca2+ overload in myocardial infarction mice model
Authors: Jiao Lei , Li Mengmeng , Shao Yingchun , Zhang Yuanyuan , Gong Manyu , Yang Xuewen , Wang Yanying , Tan Zhongyue , Sun Lihua , Xuan Lina , Yu Qi , Li Yanru , Gao Yuqiu , Liu Heng , Xu Honglin , Li Xiaohan , Zhang Yong , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2019

Previously, we have identified ZFAS1 as a potential new long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) biomarker of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and as a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) inhibitor, causing intracellular Ca2+ overload and contractile dysfunction in a mouse model of MI. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of ZFAS1 on the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in the MI mouse model. Knockdown of endogenous ZFAS1 by virus-mediated silencing shRNA or siZFAS1 partially abrogated the ischemia-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of ZFAS1 in normal cardiomyocytes reduced the cell viability, similar to that observed in hypoxia-treated cardiomyocytes. Moreover, ZFAS1 cardiac-specific knock-in mice showed impaired cardiac function, adversely altered Ca2+ homeostasis, repressed expression and activities of SERCA2a, and increased apoptosis. At the subcellular level, ZFAS1 induced mitochondrial swelling and showed a pronounced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. At the molecular level, ZFAS1 activated the mitochondria apoptosis pathway, which could be nearly abolished by a calcium chelator. The effects of ZFAS1 were readily reversible upon knockdown of this lncRNA. Notably, ZFAS1-FD (only functional domain) mimicked the effects of full-length ZFAS1 in regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, our study shows that ZFAS1, an endogenous SERCA2a inhibitor, induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis via cytosolic Ca2+ overload. Therefore, anti-ZFAS1 might be considered a new therapeutic strategy for protecting cardiomyocytes from MI-induced apoptosis.
Bcl-2 regulates pyroptosis and necroptosis by targeting BH3-like domains in GSDMD and MLKL
Authors: Shi Chong-Shan , Kehrl John H.
Published: December 2019

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death in multicellular organisms. Bcl-2 prevents apoptosis and promotes cellular survival by neutralizing BH3 domain-containing proteins, which directly activate the pore-forming proteins BAX and BAK. However, Bcl-2 is not known to regulate other cell death effectors such as gasdermin D (GSDMD) or mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL), whose activation causes pyroptosis and necroptosis, respectively. Here, we identify a BH3-like domain in both GSDMD and MLKL that mediates an interaction with B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). The presence of Bcl-2 reduced GSDMD cleavage at D275 by caspase-1, 4 or 5, and enhanced the GSDMD cleavage at D87. The GSDMD D87 cleavage inactivates the pyroptotic execution program. The presence of Bcl-2 also limited RIP3 mediated phosphorylation of MLKL, which reduced MLKL oligomerization and tempered the induction of necroptosis. Our observations suggest that the presence of Bcl-2 limits the induction of three forms of cell death apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis.
Iron chelation by curcumin suppresses both curcumin-induced autophagy and cell death together with iron overload neoplastic transformation
Authors: Rainey Nathan E. , Moustapha Aoula , Saric Ana , Nicolas Gael , Sureau Franck , Petit Patrice X.
Published: December 2019

Iron overload, notably caused by hereditary hemochromatosis, is an excess storage of iron in various organs that causes tissue damage and may promote tumorigenesis. To manage that disorder, free iron depletion can be induced by iron chelators like deferoxamine that are of increasing interest also in the cancer field since iron stock could be a potent target for managing tumorigenesis. Curcumin, a well-known active substance extracted from the turmeric rhizome, destabilizes endoplasmic reticulum, and secondarily lysosomes, thereby increasing mitophagy/autophagy and subsequent apoptosis. Recent findings show that cells treated with curcumin also exhibit a decrease in ferritin, which is consistent with its chemical structure and iron chelating activity. Here we investigated how curcumin influences the intracellular effects of iron overload via Fe-nitriloacetic acid or ferric ammonium citrate loading in Huh-7 cells and explored the consequences in terms of antioxidant activity, autophagy, and apoptotic signal transduction. In experiments with T51B and RL-34 epithelial cells, we have found evidence that curcumin-iron complexation abolishes both curcumin-induced autophagy and apoptosis, together with the tumorigenic action of iron overload.
Dataset supporting blood pressure prediction for the management of chronic hemodialysis
Authors: Lin Cheng-Jui , Chen Ying-Ying , Pan Chi-Feng , Wu Vincent , Wu Chih-Jen
Published: December 2019

Hemodialysis (HD) is a treatment given to patients with renal failure. Notable treatment-related complications include hypotension, cramps, insufficient blood flow, and arrhythmia. Most complications are associated with unstable blood pressure during HD. Physicians are devoted to seeking solutions to prevent or lower the incidence of possible complications. With advances in technology, big data have been obtained in various medical fields. The accumulated dialysis records in each HD session can be gathered to obtain big HD data with the potential to assist HD staff in increasing patient wellbeing. We generated a large stream of HD parameters collected from dialysis equipment associated with the Vital Info Portal gateway and correlated with the demographic data stored in the hospital information system from each HD session. We expect that the application of HD big data will greatly assist HD staff in treating intradialytic hypotension, setting optimal dialysate parameters, and even developing an intelligent early-warning system as well as providing individualized suggestions regarding dialysis settings in the future.
Author Correction: B-cell depletion induces a shift in self antigen specific B-cell repertoire and cytokine pattern in patients with bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Berkani Nicolas , Joly Pascal , Golinski Marie-Laure , Colliou Natacha , Lim Annick , Larbi Anis , Riou Gaetan , Caillot Frederique , Bernard Philippe , Bedane Christophe , Delaporte Emmanuel , Chaby Guillaume , Dompmartin Anne , Hertl Michael , Calbo Sebastien , Musette Philippe
Published: December 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Adjustable uniaxial zero thermal expansion and zero linear compressibility in unique hybrid semiconductors: the role of the organic chain
Authors: Wang Lei , Dove Martin T. , Shi Jia , Sun Binghui , Hu Dongmei , Wang Cong
Published: December 2019

Zero thermal expansion (ZTE) and zero linear compressibility (ZLC) are unique and rare properties.
Structural analysis and allergenicity assessment of an enzymatically cross-linked bovine α-lactalbumin polymer
Authors: Li Xin , Bai Hao , Wu Yuanyuan , Cheng Wei , Wu Yong , Wu Zhihua , Yang Anshu , Tong Ping , Chen Hongbing
Published: December 2019

Enzymatic cross-linking is frequently used in bio-processing of dairy products since it could change the physiochemical and functional characterization.
A smart indwelling needle with on-demand switchable anticoagulant and hemostatic activities
Authors: Wu Yuanhao , Wang Hongbo , Fan Chuanchuan , Xu Ziyang , Liu Bo , Liu Wenguang
Published: December 2019

Herein, a novel concept is proposed for engineering a smart indwelling needle with on-demand switchable anticoagulant and hemostatic activities.
Complementary behaviour of EDL and HER activity in functionalized graphene nanoplatelets
Authors: Puthirath Anand B. , Shirodkar Sharmila , Fei Minfei , Baburaj Abhijit , Kato Keiko , Saju Sreehari K. , Prasannachandran Ranjith , Chakingal Nithya , Vajtai Robert , Yakobson Boris I. , Ajayan Pulickel M.
Published: December 2019

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and electrical double layer capacitance (EDLC) properties show a mutually exclusive behaviour in pristine and functionalized of graphene nanoplatelets.
Formation of graphene-wrapped multi-shelled NiGa2O4 hollow spheres and graphene-wrapped yolk–shell NiFe2O4 hollow spheres derived from metal–organic frameworks for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Mohammadi Zardkhoshoui Akbar , Hosseiny Davarani Saied Saeed
Published: December 2019

An effective strategy is developed to synthesize graphene-wrapped NiGa2O4, and graphene-wrapped NiFe2O4 for supercapacitors.
Mechanism and stereoselectivity of benzylic C–H hydroxylation by Ru–porphyrin: a computational study
Authors: Chen Xiahe , Wang Qunmin , Shen Haimin , Li Guijie , Yang Yun-Fang , She Yuan-Bin
Published: December 2019

Density functional theory calculations of an asymmetric benzylic C–H hydroxylation revealed the steric repulsion between the phenyl group of ethylbenzene and the bulky substituent of the D4-symmetric chiral Ru–porphyrin accounts for the stereoselectivity.
Preparation of hyperbranched polymers by oxa-Michael addition polymerization
Authors: Jiang Qimin , Zhang YuanLiang , Du Yongzhuang , Tang Maotong , Jiang Li , Huang Wenyan , Yang Hongjun , Xue Xiaoqiang , Jiang Bibiao
Published: December 2019

Hyperbranched polymers with high molecular weights were synthesized by t-BuP2-catalyzed oxa-Michael addition polymerization of trifunctional hydroxyl and diacrylate monomers.
Antibacterial and thermomechanical properties of experimental dental resins containing quaternary ammonium monomers with two or four methacrylate groups
Authors: Wang Weiguo , Zhu Sailing , Zhang Guoqing , Wu Fan , Ban Jinghao , Wang Limin
Published: December 2019

Resins with strong antibacterial and thermomechanical properties are critical for application in oral cavities.
A new safranin based three-component photoinitiating system for high resolution and low shrinkage printed parts via digital light processing
Authors: Nejadebrahim Atefeh , Ebrahimi Morteza , Allonas Xavier , Croutxé-Barghorn Céline , Ley Christian , Métral Boris
Published: December 2019

The resolution and shrinkage of DLP 3D printed parts improve remarkably when SFH+/RSH/IOD+ is used as a photoinitiating system.
Directional coupling in spatially distributed nanoreactors
Authors: Das Nirmali Prabha , Dobó Dorina G. , Berkesi Dániel , Kukovecz Ákos , Horváth Dezső , Tóth Ágota
Published: December 2019

Chemical front propagates through a closed-packed cluster of nanoreactors made of hollow nanoshells filled with reactant solution.
Correction: Comparison of bulk and microfluidic methods to monitor the phase behaviour of nanoparticles during digestion of lipid-based drug formulations using in situ X-ray scattering
Authors: Hong Linda , Sesen Muhsincan , Hawley Adrian , Neild Adrian , Spicer Patrick T. , Boyd Ben J.
Published: December 2019

Correction for ‘Comparison of bulk and microfluidic methods to monitor the phase behaviour of nanoparticles during digestion of lipid-based drug formulations using in situ X-ray scattering’ by Ben J. Boyd et al., Soft Matter, 2019, 15, 9565–9578.
A phosphorene-like InP3 monolayer: structure, stability, and catalytic properties toward the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Jalil Abdul , Zhuo Zhiwen , Sun Zhongti , Wu Fang , Wang Chuan , Wu Xiaojun
Published: December 2019

Phosphorene-like InP3 is reported with first-principles calculations, which is a direct-bandgap semiconductor with anisotropic carrier mobility and high catalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction.
l-Ascorbic acid oxygen-induced micro-electronic fields over metal-free polyimide for peroxymonosulfate activation to realize efficient multi-pathway destruction of contaminants
Authors: Cao Wenrui , Lyu Lai , Deng Kanglan , Lu Chao , Hu Chun
Published: December 2019

Efficient multi-pathway destruction of pollutants is realized over metal-free OVc-CNOP Nfs by PMS activation.
Discordant nature of Cd in GeTe enhances phonon scattering and improves band convergence for high thermoelectric performance
Authors: Nshimyimana Evariste , Hao Shiqiang , Su Xianli , Zhang Cheng , Liu Wei , Yan Yonggao , Uher Ctirad , Wolverton Chris , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Tang Xinfeng
Published: December 2019

Alloying CdTe in GeTe promotes the band convergence and intensifies phonon scattering due to the discordant nature of Cd in GeTe. Upon optimizing carrier concentrationviaSb doping, we obtain a peakZTof 1.8 at 700 K and a high averageZTof 1.3.
Fluorinated D1(0.5)–A–D2(0.5)–A model terpolymer: ultrafast charge separation kinetics and electron transfer at the fluorinated D/A interface for power conversion
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Liang Zezhou , Wang Huan , Qiao Shanlin , Liu Zhilin , Jiang Huanxiang , Chen Weichao , Yang Renqiang
Published: December 2019

A fluorinated terpolymer has lower Coulomb binding energy and faster electron transfer at the fluorinated D/A interface than a non-fluorinated terpolymer.
A reversible, switchable pH-driven quaternary ammonium pillar[5]arene nanogate for mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Santos Evelyn C. S. , dos Santos Thiago C. , Fernandes Tamires S. , Jorge Fernanda L. , Nascimento Vanessa , Madriaga Vinicius G. C. , Cordeiro Pâmella S. , Checca Noemi R. , Da Costa Nathalia Meireles , Pinto Luís Felipe Ribeiro , Ronconi Célia M.
Published: December 2019

Two nanoreservoirs based on non-functionalized (MCM-41) and carboxylate-functionalized (MCM-41-COO−) loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and capped by quaternary ammonium pillar[5]arene (P[5]A) nanogates were constructed.
Polysaccharide-based recoverable double-network hydrogel with high strength and self-healing properties
Authors: Lei Kun , Li Zhao , Zhu Dandan , Sun Chengyuan , Sun Yunlong , Yang Chongchong , Zheng Zhen , Wang Xinling
Published: December 2019

Polysaccharide-based hydrogels (PSBHs) have received significant attention for numerous bio-applications due to their biocompatibility and non-immunogenic performance.
Superparamagnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Xiao Yufen , Du Jianzhong
Published: December 2019

Recent advances in the development and biological applications of superparamagnetic polymeric nanoparticles are summarized.
Noise-Induced Balance Loss? Rethinking Clinical Implications of Noise Exposure
Authors: Myers Bre , Dundas J. Andrew
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The primary aim of the current article is to provide a brief review of the literature regarding the effects of noise exposure on the vestibular and balance control systems. Although the deleterious effects of noise on the auditory system are widely known and continue to be an active area of research, much less is known regarding the effects of noise on the peripheral vestibular system. Audiologists with working knowledge of how both systems interact and overlap are better prepared to provide comprehensive care to more patients as assessment of both the auditory and vestibular systems has been in the audiologists' scope of practice since 1992.

Method

A narrative review summarizes salient findings from the archival literature.

Results

Temporary and permanent effects on vestibular system function have been documented in multiple studies. Hearing conservation, vestibular impairment, and fall risk reduction may be more intimately related than previously considered.

Conclusions

A full appreciation of both the vestibular and auditory systems is necessary to address the growing and aging noise-exposed population. More cross-system studies are needed to further define the complex relationship between the auditory and vestibular systems to improve comprehensive patient care.
Sharp estimates and homogenization of the control cost of the heat equation on large domains
Authors: Nakić Ivica , Täufer Matthias , Tautenhahn Martin , Veselić Ivan
Published: December 2019

We prove new bounds on the control cost for the abstract heat equation, assuming a spectral inequality or uncertainty relation for spectral projectors. In particular, we specify quantitatively how upper bounds on the control cost depend on the constants in the spectral inequality. This is then applied to the heat flow on bounded and unbounded domains modeled by a Schrödinger semigroup. This means that the heat evolution generator is allowed to contain a potential term. The observability/control set is assumed to obey an equidistribution or a thickness condition, depending on the context. Complementary lower bounds and examples show that our control cost estimates are sharp in certain asymptotic regimes. One of these is dubbed homogenization regime and corresponds to the situation where the control set becomes more and more evenly distributed throughout the domain while its density remains constant.
Finite element analysis of the constrained Dirichlet boundary control problem governed by the diffusion problem
Authors: Gudi Thirupathi , Sau Ramesh Ch.
Published: December 2019

We study an energy space-based approach for the Dirichlet boundary optimal control problem governed by the Laplace equation with control constraints. The optimality system results in a simplified Signorini type problem for control which is coupled with boundary value problems for state and costate variables. We propose a finite element based numerical method using the linear Lagrange finite element spaces with discrete control constraints at the Lagrange nodes. The analysis is presented in a combination for both the gradient and the L2 cost functional. A priori error estimates of optimal order in the energy norm is derived up to the regularity of the solution for both the cases. Theoretical results are illustrated by some numerical experiments.
Asymptotic Time-Behaviour of Solutions to Scalar Conservation Law with a Convex Flux Function
Authors: Petrosyan Natalia
Published: December 2019

We consider the long-time behaviour of solutions of the Cauchy problem for a quasilinear equation ut + f(u)x = 0 with a strictly convex flux function f(u) and initial function u0(x) having the the one-sided limiting mean values u± that are uniform with respect to translations. The estimates of the rates of convergence to solutions of the Riemann problem depending on the behaviour of the integrals $ \int\limits_a^{a + y} {\left( {{u_0}\left( x \right) - {u^ \pm }} \right)} dx $ as y→±∞ are established. The similar results are obtained for solutions of the mixed problem in the domain x > 0, t > 0 with a constant boundary data u– and initial data having limiting mean value u±.
Express Screening of Tear Fluid for Evaluation of the Concentration of Lanomax Using Multisensory Stripping Voltammetry and Multivariate Statistics
Authors: Kolesnichenko I. I. , Namiot V. A. , Balashova L. M.
Published: December 2019

The drug concentrations monitoring is very important for finding the right dosage. The developed method is based on the recognition of multidimensional images, which are produced by multisensory electrochemical systems that provide reliable information on objects being tested, using multidimensional statistics. The measurements were carried out using a planar solid-state electrode. The test solution was a 0.05 M KCl solution, which contained the $ {\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}_2}^ + ,{\rm{C}}{{\rm{d}}_2}^ + ,{\rm{P}}{{\rm{b}}_2}^ + ,{\rm{C}}{{\rm{o}}_2}^ + $ and $ {\rm{H}}{{\rm{g}}_2}^ + $ metal cations in the concentration of 5 • 10−5 M. The efficiency of this method in determining lanosterol with accounting for changes in its concentration with over time has been demonstrated. In order to determine concentrations of Lanomax in tear fluid, a procedure for multisensory stripping voltammetry has been developed and tested. It has been shown that the effect of lacrimal fluid on metal dissolution currents in the test system lasts 12 hours after the Lanomax instillation.
Scaling and Visualization of Nucleotide Sequences
Authors: Stepanyan Ivan V. , Khussein Abbakar M.
Published: December 2019

Algorithms for scaling and visualization of nucleotide sequences developed in this study allow identifying relationships between the biochemical parameters of DNA and RNA molecules with scale invariance, fractal clusters, nonlinear ordering and symmetry and noise immunity of visual representations in orthogonal coordinate systems. The algorithms are capable of displaying structures of the nucleotide sequences of living organisms by visualizing them in spaces of various dimensions and scales. Approximately one hundred genes (protozoa, plants, fungi, animals, viruses) were analysed and examples of visualization of the nucleotide composition of genomes of various species have been presented. The developed method contributes to an in-depth understanding of the principles of genetic coding and simplifying the perception of genetic information due to the algorithmic interpretation of the basic properties of polynucleotide fragments with visualization of the final geometric structure of the genetic code.