bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signal reconstruction in diffusion‐based molecular communication
Authors: Atakan Baris , Gulec Fatih
Published: July 2019

Molecular communication (MC) is an important nanoscale communication paradigm, which is employed for the interconnection of the nanomachines (NMs) to form nanonetworks. A transmitter NM (TN) sends the information symbols by emitting molecules into the transmission medium and a receiver NM (RN) receives the information symbols by sensing the molecule concentration. In this paper, a model of how an RN measures and reconstructs the molecular signal is proposed. The signal around the RN is assumed to be a Gaussian random process instead of the less realistic deterministic approach. After the reconstructed signal is derived as a doubly stochastic poisson process, the distortion between the signal around the RN and the reconstructed signal is derived as a new performance parameter in MC systems. The derived distortion, which is a function of system parameters such as RN radius, sampling period, and the diffusion coefficient of the channel, is shown to be valid by employing random walk simulations. Then, it is shown that the original signal can be satisfactorily reconstructed with a sufficiently low level of distortion. Finally, optimum RN design parameters, namely, RN radius, sampling period, and sampling frequency, are derived by minimizing the signal distortion. The simulation results reveal that there is a trade‐off among the RN design parameters which can be jointly set for a desired signal distortion.
Logiken der Freiheit
Authors: Möllers Christoph
Published: July 2019

Das Grundgesetz garantiert seit 70 Jahren beide als Grundrechte – doch verglichen mit der Freiheit der Kunst ist die Freiheit der Wissenschaft komplizierter gebaut und lässt sich eventuell auch schwerer verteidigen. Das liegt nicht zuletzt an der konstitutiven Rolle des Staates.
Lernen, erinnern und vergessen
Authors: Unterstell Rembert
Published: July 2019

Der Neurobiologe Martin Korte untersucht die zellulären Grundlagen von Gedächtnisvorgängen – und verbindet ambitionierte Forschung mit vielseitiger Wissenschaftsvermittlung. Eine Begegnung an der TU Braunschweig
Nähe mit Licht und Schatten
Authors: Kappeler Peter
Published: July 2019

Lemuren, Makaken und Schimpansen: Sie alle leben in komplexen Gesellschaften, die auch die Gesundheit der Gruppenmitglieder beeinflussen. Enge Bindungen können sozialen Stress abmildern, erhöhen aber auch das Übertragungsrisiko für Parasiten oder Geschlechtskrankheiten.
Altered transient brain dynamics in multiple sclerosis: Treatment or pathology?
Authors: Van Schependom Jeroen , Vidaurre Diego , Costers Lars , Sjøgård Martin , D'hooghe Marie B. , D'haeseleer Miguel , Wens Vincent , De Tiège Xavier , Goldman Serge , Woolrich Mark , Nagels Guy
Published: July 2019

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, neuroinflammatory, and ‐degenerative disease that affects the brain's neurophysiological functioning through brain atrophy, a reduced conduction velocity and decreased connectivity. Currently, little is known on how MS affects the fast temporal dynamics of activation and deactivation of the different large‐scale, ongoing brain networks. In this study, we investigated whether these temporal dynamics are affected in MS patients and whether these changes are induced by the pathology or by the use of benzodiazepines (BZDs), an important symptomatic treatment that aims at reducing insomnia, spasticity and anxiety and reinforces the inhibitory effect of GABA. To this aim, we employed a novel method capable of detecting these fast dynamics in 90 MS patients and 46 healthy controls. We demonstrated a less dynamic frontal default mode network in male MS patients and a reduced activation of the same network in female MS patients, regardless of BZD usage. Additionally, BZDs strongly altered the brain's dynamics by increasing the time spent in the deactivating sensorimotor network and the activating occipital network. Furthermore, BZDs induced a decreased power in the theta band and an increased power in the beta band. The latter was strongly expressed in those states without activation of the sensorimotor network. In summary, we demonstrate gender‐dependent changes to the brain dynamics in the frontal DMN and strong effects from BZDs. This study is the first to characterise the effect of multiple sclerosis and BZDs in vivo in a spatially, temporally and spectrally defined way.
Radioresistance of KRAS/TP53‐mutated lung cancer can be overcome by radiation dose escalation or EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition in vivo
Authors: Gurtner Kristin , Kryzmien Zofia , Koi Lydia , Wang Meng , Benes Cyril H. , Hering Sandra , Willers Henning , Baumann Michael , Krause Mechthild
Published: July 2019

Recent clinical data have linked KRAS/TP53 comutation (mut) to resistance to radiotherapy (RT), but supporting laboratory in vivo evidence is lacking. In addition, the ability of different radiation doses, with/without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐directed treatment, to achieve local tumor control as a function of KRAS status is unknown. Here, we assessed clonogenic radiation survival of a panel of annotated lung cancer cell lines. KRASmut/TP53mut was associated with the highest radioresistance in nonisogenic and isogenic comparisons. To validate these findings, isogenic TP53mut NCI‐H1703 models, KRASmut or wild‐type (wt), were grown as heterotopic xenografts in nude mice. A clinical RT schedule of 30 fractions over 6 weeks was employed. The dose that controlled 50% of tumors (TCD50) was calculated. The TCD50 for KRASwt/TP53mut xenografts was 43.1 Gy whereas KRASmut/TP53mut tumors required a 1.9‐fold higher TCD50 of 81.4 Gy. The EGFR inhibitor erlotinib radiosensitized KRASmut but not KRASwt cells and xenografts. The TCD50 associated with adding erlotinib to RT was 58.8 Gy for KRASmut, that is, a ~1.4‐fold dose enhancement. However, the EGFR antibody cetuximab did not have a radiosensitizing effect. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that KRASmut in a TP53mut background confers radioresistance when studying a clinical RT schedule and local control rather than tumor growth delay. Despite the known unresponsiveness of KRASmut tumors to EGFR inhibitors, erlotinib radiosensitized KRASmut tumors. Our data highlight KRAS/TP53 comutation as a candidate biomarker of radioresistance that can be at least partially reversed by dose escalation or the addition of a targeted agent.
Site‐Specific Load‐Induced Expansion of Sca‐1+Prrx1+ and Sca‐1−Prrx1+ Cells in Adult Mouse Long Bone Is Attenuated With Age
Authors: Cabahug‐Zuckerman Pamela , Liu Chao , Cai Cinyee , Mahaffey Ian , Norman Stephanie C , Cole Whitney , Castillo Alesha B
Published: July 2019

Aging is associated with significant bone loss and increased fracture risk, which has been attributed to a diminished response to anabolic mechanical loading. In adults, skeletal progenitors proliferate and differentiate into bone‐forming osteoblasts in response to increasing mechanical stimuli, though the effects of aging on this response are not well‐understood. Here we show that both adult and aged mice exhibit load‐induced periosteal bone formation, though the response is significantly attenuated with age. We also show that the acute response of adult bone to loading involves expansion of Sca‐1+Prrx1+ and Sca‐1−Prrx1+ cells in the periosteum. On the endosteal surface, loading enhances proliferation of both these cell populations, though the response is delayed by 2 days relative to the periosteal surface. In contrast to the periosteum and endosteum, the marrow does not exhibit increased proliferation of Sca‐1+Prrx1+ cells, but only of Sca‐1−Prrx1+ cells, underscoring fundamental differences in how the stem cell niche in distinct bone envelopes respond to mechanical stimuli. Notably, the proliferative response to loading is absent in aged bone even though there are similar baseline numbers of Prrx1 + cells in the periosteum and endosteum, suggesting that the proliferative capacity of progenitors is attenuated with age, and proliferation of the Sca‐1+Prrx1+ population is critical for load‐induced periosteal bone formation. These findings provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutics targeting these cell populations to enhance osteogenesis for overcoming age‐related bone loss. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological andIn SilicoStudy of Fluorine‐Containing Quinoline Hybrid Thiosemicarbazide Analogues
Authors: Patel Dhaval B. , Patel Kinjal D. , Prajapati Neelam P. , Patel Krupa R. , Rajani Dhanji P. , Rajani Smita D. , Shah Naumita S. , Zala Devendra D. , Patel Hitesh D.
Published: July 2019

A novel series of fluorine‐containing quinoline hybrid thiosemicarbazide analogues (8a–8l) were synthesized and tested for their biological activities. The antibacterial results demonstrated that compounds8dand8l[minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 62.5 μg/mL] were shown to have higher biological activity than ampicillin againstEscherichia coli. Compound8b(MIC 25 μg/mL) was shown to have the highest activity than was ampicillin againstStaphylococcus aureus. The antifungal results demonstrated that compound8j(MIC 100 μg/mL) has shown good activity. Most of the targeted compounds have shown potent antimalarial activity. Compounds8d(0.19 μg/mL),8g(0.30 μg/mL),8h(0.36 μg/mL),8k(0.10 μg/mL),8l(0.28 μg/mL),8k(0.10 μg/mL), and8l(0.28 μg/mL) have notable activity than does the reference drug quinine. Compounds8d(0.27 μg/mL),8g(0.30 μg/mL), and8k(0.17 μg/mL) have shown excellent activity against chloroquine‐resistant strain. The MTT assay performed on peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures showed a high percentage of lymphocyte viability [8d(99.64),8g(99.46),8h(98.83), and8k(99.51)] at a maximum dose (10 μg/mL), depicting no cytotoxicity of these compounds on human lymphocytesin vitro. A molecular docking study was performed onPf‐DHFR‐TSinhibitor. A molecular dynamics study has shown compound8gto have better affinity with protein. ADME‐Tox and pharmacophore study of synthesized compounds suggested prediction of active site.
Antimicrobial Properties of Some New Synthesized Benzothiazole Linked Carboxamide, Acetohydrazide, and Sulfonamide Systems
Authors: Fadda Ahmed A. , Soliman Nanees N. , Bayoumy Nesma M.
Published: July 2019

We report herein the interaction of diethylethoxymethylene malonate (1) with 2‐cyanomethylbenzothiazole (7) to give diethyl 2‐(2‐benzothiazole‐2‐(3H)‐ylidiene)‐2‐(cyano ethyl) malonate (8a) in excellent yield. Ethyl 4‐cyano‐1‐oxo‐1H‐benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyridine‐2‐carboxylate (9) was synthesized from 8a and subjected to react with hydrazine hydrate to give its corresponding acid hydrazide 10. Condensation of 10 with different acid anhydrides afforded the corresponding benzothiazolo pyridine carboxamide derivatives 11–15. In addition, we report a simple synthesis of N′‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐((4‐ayl)amino)acetohydrazide derivative (17), which then reacted with different amines to give the corresponding acetohydrazide derivatives 19a–c. Moreover, compound 17 reacted with some sulfonamide derivatives to give the corresponding sulfonamide derivatives 20 and 22a,b.The newly synthesized compounds were established their structures on the bases of their correct analytical and spectral data and evaluated their antimicrobial activity. It was found that compounds 22a,b displayed the highest antimicrobial activity against the tested organisms.
Who Is Covered and Who Under‐reports: An Empirical Analysis of Access to Social Insurance in Egypt
Authors: Roushdy Rania , Selwaness Irene
Published: July 2019

This paper investigates the dynamics and determinants of having access to social insurance coverage on the Egyptian labour market among wage and non‐wage workers. The paper explores two issues: the worker‐level and firm‐level determinants of having access to social insurance and the risk of under‐reporting insurable wage to the social security authority. With the use of data from the Egyptian Labor Market Panel Survey of 2006 and 2012, the likelihood of being enrolled in social insurance is estimated by a probit regression model for all workers, for wage and non‐wage workers, separately. The potential endogeneity between the type of work and social insurance access is addressed using instrumental variables approach. Results show that men, older, married, better educated and white‐collar highly skilled workers are more likely to be socially insured. Under‐reporting insurable wages is positively correlated with working outside the establishment and basic monthly wage, while it is negatively correlated with tenure and white‐collar occupations. High contribution rates requested from both the employer and employee, combined with basing benefits on wage level of the last few years of service, and the weak capacity of law enforcement encourage employers and employees to either not participate in the social insurance system or contribute on amounts that are lower than their actual wage. This paper is one of the few studies that focus on the phenomenon of coverage gap and under‐reporting salaries to the social security administration. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved synthesis of 4‐[18F]fluoro‐m‐hydroxyphenethylguanidine using an iodonium ylide precursor
Authors: Jung Yong‐Woon , Gu Guie , Raffel David M.
Published: July 2019

Fluorine‐18 labeled hydroxyphenethylguanidines were recently developed in our laboratory as a new class of PET radiopharmaceuticals for quantifying regional cardiac sympathetic nerve density in heart disease patients. Studies of 4‐[18F]fluoro‐m‐hydroxyphenethylguanidine ([18F]4F‐MHPG) and 3‐[18F]fluoro‐p‐hydroxyphenethylguanidine ([18F]3F‐PHPG) in human subjects have shown that these radiotracers can be used to generate high‐resolution maps of regional sympathetic nerve density using the Patlak graphical method. Previously, these compounds were synthesized using iodonium salt precursors, which provided sufficient radiochemical yields for on‐site clinical PET studies. However, we were interested in exploring new methods that could offer significantly higher radiochemical yields. Spirocyclic iodonium ylide precursors have recently been established as an attractive new approach to radiofluorination of electron‐rich aromatic compounds, offering several advantages over iodonium salt precursors. The goal of this study was to prepare a spirocyclic iodonium ylide precursor for synthesizing [18F]4F‐MHPG and evaluate its efficacy in production of this radiopharmaceutical. Under optimized automated reaction conditions, the iodonium ylide precursor provided radiochemical yields averaging 7.8% ± 1.4% (n = 8, EOS, not decay corrected), around threefold higher than those achieved previously using an iodonium salt precursor. With further optimization and scale‐up, this approach could potentially support commercial distribution of [18F]4F‐MHPG to PET centers without on‐site radiochemistry facilities.
Physical mechanisms of surface wind variability at Incheon Airport
Authors: Park Hyung‐Ju , Kim Kwang‐Yul
Published: July 2019

The mechanisms of surface wind variability observed by Aerodrome Meteorological Observation System at Incheon International Airport (IIA), located near the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, are investigated using cyclostationary empirical orthogonal function (CSEOF) analysis. Despite the complex nature of surface wind, as various factors contribute to its variance, distinct features of surface wind variability are separated reasonably into CSEOF modes. The physical interpretation of each mode using the ERA‐Interim reanalysis data is accomplished through regression analysis in CSEOF space. In essence, three atmospheric features dominate the surface wind variability: East Asian monsoon, land–sea breeze, and baroclinic waves. East Asian monsoon, the first mode, explains ~12% of the total variance of the surface wind at IIA. The annual reversal of the monsoon circulation due to the thermal contrast between the Asian continent and the western Pacific is captured as the single most dominant source of surface wind variability at IIA. The second CSEOF mode reveals that zonal circulation induced by land–sea breeze dominates the diurnal variation of the surface wind at IIA, and explains ~8% of the total variance. The largest fraction of variability is associated with baroclinic waves, which is separated into many CSEOF modes due to their irregular phase and wavelength, and the locations of vortex centre. Modes 3–10 are all associated with baroclinic waves and they together explain ~42% of the total variance. Baroclinic waves are amplified as they move over the ocean due to strong turbulent flux from the ocean surface induced by the associated upper tropospheric vortices.
Integrating distance sampling with minimum counts to improve monitoring
Authors: Schmidt Joshua H. , Reynolds Joel H. , Rattenbury Kumi L. , Phillips Laura M. , White Kevin S. , Schertz Dylan , Morton John M. , Kim H. Sharon
Published: July 2019

Minimum counts are commonly used to estimate population size and trend for wildlife conservation and management; however, the scope of inference based on such data is limited by untestable assumptions regarding the detection process. Alternative approaches, such as distance sampling, occupancy surveys, and repeated counts, can be employed to produce detection‐corrected estimates of population parameters. Unfortunately, these approaches can be more complicated and costly to implement, potentially limiting their use. We explored a conceptual framework linking datasets collected at different spatial scales under different survey designs, with the goal of improving inference. Specifically, we link landscape‐scale distance sampling surveys with local‐scale minimum counts in an integrated modeling framework to estimate mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) abundance at both the local and regional scale in south‐central Alaska, USA, and provide an estimate of detection probability (i.e., sightability) for the minimum counts. Estimated sightability for the minimum count surveys was 0.67 (95% credible interval [CrI] = 0.52–0.83) and abundance for the entire area was 5,600 goats (CV = 9%), both in broad agreement with estimates from previous studies. Abundance estimates at the local scale (i.e., individual min. count unit) were reasonably precise (= 18%), suggesting the integrated approach can increase the amount of information produced at both spatial scales by linking minimum count approaches with more rigorous survey designs. We propose that our integrated approach may be implemented in the context of a modified split‐panel monitoring design by altering survey protocols to include frequent minimum counts within local count units and intermittent but more rigorous survey designs with inference to the entire study area or population of interest. Doing so would provide estimates of abundance with appropriate measures of uncertainty at multiple spatial scales, thereby improving inference for population monitoring and management. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Glucose and pH Dual‐Responsive Nanogels for Efficient Protein Delivery
Authors: Si Xinghui , Song Wantong , Yang Shengcai , Ma Lili , Yang Chenguang , Tang Zhaohui
Published: July 2019

Direct delivery of protein suffers from their in vitro and in vivo instability, immunogenicity, and a relatively short half‐life within the body. To overcome these challenges, pH and glucose dual‐responsive biodegradable nanogels comprised of dextran and poly(L‐glutamic acid)‐g‐methoxy poly‐(ethylene glycol)/phenyl boronic acid (PLG‐g‐mPEG/PBA) are designed. The cross‐linked network imparted drug‐loading efficacy of α‐amylase up to 55.6% and hyaluronidase up to 29.1%. In vitro protein release profiles reveal that the release of protein is highly dependent on the pH or glucose concentrations, that is, less amount of protein is released at pH 7.4 or healthy blood glucose level (1 mg mL−1 glucose), while quicker release of protein occurs at pH 5.5 or diabetic blood glucose level (above 3 mg mL−1 glucose). Circular dichroism spectra show that the secondary structure of released protein is maintained compared to naive protein. Overall, the nanogels have provided a simple and effective strategy to deliver protein.
Computer Simulation of Surface‐Initiated Controlled Radical Polymerization: Effect of Free‐Monomer Model on Brush Properties
Authors: Turgman‐Cohen Salomon , Genzer Jan
Published: July 2019

Monte Carlo simulation is employed using the bond‐fluctuation model (BFM) to explore the role of free‐monomer model on surface‐initiated controlled polymerization from flat substrates. Three free‐monomer models differ in two aspects: 1) their extent of excluded volume interactions between free‐monomer/polymer segments and 2) monomer availability (finite or infinite) during the simulation. In the explicit monomer (EM) model, free‐monomers behave as a single BFM‑type units. In the phantom monomer (PM) model, free‐monomers act analogously to those in the EM model but lack excluded volume interactions with the growing polymers. In the implicit monomer (IM) model, no explicit monomers are included in the simulation box; the polymers can grow as long as space is available near active chain‐ends. It is found that the breadth of the molecular weight distribution of the grown polymers decreases from EM, to PM, to IM models. With the EM model, free‐monomers are excluded from the near‐surface region, while with the PM model they are not. Due to its excluded volume interactions, the EM model tends to compress the brush against the substrate. Finally, the relaxation of the shape of a polydisperse brush after the polymerization reaction ends has been reported.
Academic scholarship, organization prestige, and the earnings of U.S. business school deans
Authors: Faria João Ricardo , Gropper Daniel M. , Mixon Franklin G. , Santoyo Julissa Y.
Published: July 2019

This study models the market for business school deans as an outcome of a differential game between a university's central administration and the job candidates in the market for business school deans. In our model, the ability of a business school dean to advance the organization is enhanced by his or her own scholarly reputation, such that a job candidate chooses an optimal level of scholarship that relates to his or her marketability. In this way, the supply of scholarship (by job candidates) can be seen as the supply of job candidates in the market for business school deans, whereas the demand for scholarship can be seen as the demand for business school deans. The main features of our game‐theoretic model are tested using data from both national and regional business schools and colleges in the U.S. Econometric results indicate that each additional scholarly contribution by a business school dean generates a wage premium ranging from $1,000 to $1,200, whereas in the case of national institutions, each additional student enrolled at the doctoral (master's) level raises the wage by $671 ($56). Lastly, the production of between nine and 10 scholarly contributions is found to be necessary in order to face a 50% probability of holding a business school deanship at a national institution, whereas production of about 37 scholarly contributions leads to a 50% probability of holding a deanship with a named business school at a national institution.
Homogenization of degenerate coupled transport processes in porous media with memory terms
Authors: Beneš Michal , Pažanin Igor
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we establish a homogenization result for a doubly nonlinear parabolic system arising from the hygro‐thermo‐chemical processes in porous media taking into account memory phenomena. We present a mesoscale model of the composite (heterogeneous) material where each component is considered as a porous system and the voids of the skeleton are partially saturated with liquid water. It is shown that the solution of the mesoscale problem is two‐scale convergent to that of the upscaled problem as the spatial parameter goes to zero.
The composition of transformation products of 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzoic acid in the aqueous‐phase hydrogenation over Pd/C catalysts
Authors: Talsi Valentin P. , Belskaya Olga B. , Yurpalov Vyacheslav L.
Published: July 2019

Due to a detailed analysis of NMR spectra of the reaction solutions with different composition obtained by the aqueous‐phase catalytic (Pd/C) hydrogenation of 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzoic acid, the intermediate compounds were identified and a more substantiated mechanism was proposed for the formation of the main reaction products—1,3,5‐triaminobenzene and cyclohexane‐1,3,5‐trione trioxime. The condensation of the 1,3,5‐triaminobenzene molecules produced by a complete hydrogenation of 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzoic acid was shown to result in the formation of a paramagnetic heterocyclic compound.
On the performance of Krylov smoothing for fully coupled AMG preconditioners for VMS resistive MHD
Authors: Lin Paul T. , Shadid John N. , Tsuji Paul H.
Published: July 2019

This study explores the performance and scaling of a GMRES Krylov method employed as a smoother for an algebraic multigrid preconditioned Newton‐Krylov solution approach applied to a fully implicit variational multiscale finite element resistive magnetohydrodynamics formulation. In this context, a Newton iteration is used for the nonlinear system and a parallel MPI‐based Krylov method is employed for the linear subsystems. The efficiency of this approach is critically dependent on the scalability and performance of the parallel algebraic multigrid preconditioner for the linear solutions and the performance of the multigrid smoothers play a critical role. Krylov multigrid smoothers are considered in an attempt to reduce the time and memory requirements of existing robust smoothers based on additive Schwarz domain decomposition with incomplete LU factorization solves on each subdomain. Three time‐dependent resistive magnetohydrodynamics test cases are considered to evaluate the method. Compared with a domain decomposition incomplete LU smoother, the GMRES smoother can reduce the solve time due to a significant decrease in the preconditioner setup time and often a reduction in outer Krylov solver iterations, and requires less memory, typically 35% less memory.
Exact penalty functions for optimal control problems I: Main theorem and free‐endpoint problems
Authors: Dolgopolik M.V. , Fominyh A.V.
Published: July 2019

In this two‐part study, we develop a general approach to the design and analysis of exact penalty functions for various optimal control problems, including problems with terminal and state constraints, problems involving differential inclusions, and optimal control problems for linear evolution equations. This approach allows one to simplify an optimal control problem by removing some (or all) constraints of this problem with the use of an exact penalty function, thus allowing one to reduce optimal control problems to equivalent variational problems and apply numerical methods for solving, eg, problems without state constraints, to problems including such constraints, etc. In the first part of our study, we strengthen some existing results on exact penalty functions for optimisation problems in infinite dimensional spaces and utilise them to study exact penalty functions for free‐endpoint optimal control problems, which reduce these problems to equivalent variational ones. We also prove several auxiliary results on integral functionals and Nemytskii operators that are helpful for verifying the assumptions under which the proposed penalty functions are exact.
The 2020 U.S. presidential election: A litmus test
Authors: Kasadha Juma , Zhang Nan , Mpoza Abdulhamid , Alli Adam A.
Published: July 2019

This paper provides an overview of what lies ahead of the United States in the event that Donald John Trump either lost or won a reelection bid. The uncertainty of the election outcomes is what we refer to as a litmus test. In this paper, we reflect on the ongoing events shaping the United States ahead of the 2020 presidential election and their implications on the United States. We suggest that the election provide a litmus test in shaping the politics of the United States in answering numerous questions raised in the current Trump administration. We deduce that the election could give birth to the new form of Brexit in the form of “U.S. exit” in the event the United States ignores processes that foster institutional legitimacy and civic engagement to build lost “trust” in the Americanized system.
Behavioral finance and portfolio management: Review of theory and literature
Authors: Antony Anu
Published: July 2019

Crowd psychology and cognitive biases are the outcomes of irrational behaviors. Identifying the irrationality in the behavioral patterns can reduce the market anomalies that we are facing in the stock market operations. Researchers have developed the behavioral portfolio model, which is a prescriptive model by incorporating the behavioral biases. The model was developed as an extension of capital asset pricing model. The behavioral portfolio model explains why the investors invest with multiple objectives such as future requirement of family, retirement saving, and fund for meeting emergency. Application of behavioral finance will help in policy making process by designing optimum portfolio and strategies to minimize the risk by controlling the emotions of the investors.
A commentary on strategic land promotion in the UK
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne
Published: July 2019

The supply of land for new housing within the UK is an important and a contested issue. Strategic land promotion, namely, the identification, acquisition, and promotion of land through the planning system, has become a major element in contributing to government targets for new housebuilding in the UK. This brief commentary paper outlines the characteristics of strategic land promotion, provides illustrations of the range of schemes land promotion companies have pursued within the UK, and concludes with some wider reflections on the process.
Minimal Clinically Important Difference of Four Commonly Used Balance Assessment Tools in Individuals after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chan Andy C. M. , Pang Marco Y. C. , Ouyang Huixi , Jehu Deborah A. M.
Published: July 2019

Background

Although balance is commonly assessed during the recovery of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) values of frequently used balance assessment tools have not been established previously in this population.

Objective

To determine the MCID of four balance tests—ie, the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Mini‐BESTest, Brief‐BESTest, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)—in individuals post‐TKA.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Outpatient rehabilitation.

Participants

Inclusion criteria: (1) first primary TKA with diagnosed knee osteoarthritis; (2) aged 50‐85 years. Exclusion criteria: (1) TKA due to rheumatoid arthritis of the knee or traumatic injury; (2) known medical conditions that influence balance ability. One hundred forty‐six participants were recruited, and 134 of them with complete data were included in the analysis.

Interventions

Participants received individualized physiotherapy, consisting of electrotherapy for pain and edema control, mobilization and strengthening exercises, and gait and balance training, once or twice per week between assessments.

Main Outcome Measurements

Participants were assessed on the BESTest, Mini‐BESTest, Brief‐BESTest, BBS, and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. The FGA was used as the anchor reference measure to calculate the MCID of the other four balance tests. A distribution‐based approach was also employed to derive the MCID (ie, standardized effect size of 0.5).

Results

The BESTest (area under curve [AUC] = 0.811, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.739‐0.883) had the highest accuracy in detecting clinically important improvements on the FGA (≥4 points), followed by the Mini‐BESTest (AUC = 0.782, 95% CI 0.704‐0.860), Brief‐BESTest (AUC = 0.701, 95% CI 0.618‐0.795), and BBS (AUC = 0.586, 95% CI 0.490‐0.682). The anchor‐ and distribution‐based MCIDs were 6‐8 for the BESTest, 1‐2 for the Mini‐BESTest, and 2‐3 for the Brief‐BESTest.

Conclusions

Improvements exceeding MCIDs established above are indicative of significant progress in balance function post‐TKA. The BBS is not a recommended tool due to its low AUC value.
Readability of Patient Education Materials in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R): A Comparative Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Han Alex , Carayannopoulos Alexios G.
Published: July 2019

Background

Patients are increasingly using the Internet to access health information. Patient awareness and education are crucial to advancing the field of PM&R, but many U.S. adults have insufficient health literacy skills to read and understand patient education materials (PEM), frequently written at the 10th‐15th‐grade level. Reading ability is key for health literacy, but no previous research has assessed the readability of PEM provided by professional PM&R societies.

Objectives

Evaluate whether the readability of PM&R PEM meets the NIH‐recommended eighth‐grade reading level; compare readability of PM&R PEM to two commonly accessed patient resources for sports and rehabilitation medicine topics, handouts from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), whose readability has been previously analyzed.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Publicly accessible entries within the patient education section of websites sanctioned by professional PM&R societies, as well as the AAOS and AAFP, were analyzed for readability using two validated and widely used tools, the Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) formulas. Comparative statistics were performed between the three surveyed specialties.

Main Outcome Measures

FKGL and SMOG readability scores, which estimate U.S. grade level, or years of education, needed to comprehend text.

Results

A total of 167 online PM&R resources were identified and compared to 94 articles from AAOS and 65 from AAFP. Mean SMOG and FKGL levels exceeded the eighth‐grade level for both PM&R (SMOG‐9.71, 95% CI 9.42‐10.0; FKGL‐10.35, 95% CI 9.99‐10.7) and AAOS (SMOG‐9.15, 95% CI 8.96‐9.35; FKGL‐9.51, 95% CI 9.29‐9.74), whereas AAFP met readability guidelines for both measures (SMOG‐7.00, 95% CI 6.74‐7.27; FKGL‐6.76, 95% CI 6.45‐7.07). SMOG and FKGL scores suggested significantly higher reading difficulty for PM&R compared to AAOS (SMOG P = .017; FKGL P = .0001) and AAFP (SMOG P < .0001; FKGL P < .0001). Results indicated that 17% of PM&R resources complied with NIH guidelines, vs 8% for AAOS and 83% for AAFP.

Conclusions

The average readability of PM&R PEM exceeds the NIH‐recommended and average U.S. adult eighth‐grade reading level. The physiatry community can make its patient materials more comprehensible and accessible for patients by providing resources at a more appropriate reading level.
A simple model for determining affinity from irreversible thermal shifts
Authors: Hall Justin
Published: July 2019

Thermal denaturation (Tm) data are easy to obtain; it is a technique that is used by both small labs and large‐scale industrial organizations. The link between ligand affinity (K
D) and ΔTm is understood for reversible denaturation; however, there is a gap in our understanding of how to quantitatively interpret ΔTm for the many proteins that irreversibly denature. To better understand the origin, and extent of applicability, of a K
D to ΔTm correlate, we define equations relating K
D and ΔTm for irreversible protein unfolding, which we test with computational models and experimental data. These results suggest a general relationship exists between K
D and ΔTm for irreversible denaturation.
Novel natural and synthetic inhibitors of solute carriers SGLT1 and SGLT2
Authors: Oranje Paul , Gouka Robin , Burggraaff Lindsey , Vermeer Mario , Chalet Clément , Duchateau Guus , van der Pijl Pieter , Geldof Marian , de Roo Niels , Clauwaert Fenja , Vanpaeschen Toon , Nicolaï Johan , de Bruyn Tom , Annaert Pieter , IJzerman Adriaan P. , van Westen Gerard J. P.
Published: July 2019

Selective analogs of the natural glycoside phloridzin are marketed drugs that reduce hyperglycemia in diabetes by inhibiting the active sodium glucose cotransporter SGLT2 in the kidneys. In addition, intestinal SGLT1 is now recognized as a target for glycemic control. To expand available type 2 diabetes remedies, we aimed to find novel SGLT1 inhibitors beyond the chemical space of glycosides. We screened a bioactive compound library for SGLT1 inhibitors and tested primary hits and additional structurally similar molecules on SGLT1 and SGLT2 (SGLT1/2). Novel SGLT1/2 inhibitors were discovered in separate chemical clusters of natural and synthetic compounds. These have IC50‐values in the 10‐100 μmol/L range. The most potent identified novel inhibitors from different chemical clusters are (SGLT1‐IC50 Mean ± SD, SGLT2‐IC50 Mean ± SD): (+)‐pteryxin (12 ± 2 μmol/L, 9 ± 4 μmol/L), (+)‐ε‐viniferin (58 ± 18 μmol/L, 110 μmol/L), quinidine (62 μmol/L, 56 μmol/L), cloperastine (9 ± 3 μmol/L, 9 ± 7 μmol/L), bepridil (10 ± 5 μmol/L, 14 ± 12 μmol/L), trihexyphenidyl (12 ± 1 μmol/L, 20 ± 13 μmol/L) and bupivacaine (23 ± 14 μmol/L, 43 ± 29 μmol/L). The discovered natural inhibitors may be further investigated as new potential (prophylactic) agents for controlling dietary glucose uptake. The new diverse structure activity data can provide a starting point for the optimization of novel SGLT1/2 inhibitors and support the development of virtual SGLT1/2 inhibitor screening models.
Reduced expression of the P‐glycoprotein gene PxABCB1 is linked to resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin in Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Zhou Junlei , Guo Zhaojiang , Kang Shi , Qin Jianying , Gong Lijun , Sun Dan , Guo Le , Zhu Liuhong , Bai Yang , Zhang Zhuzhu , Zhou Xiaomao , Zhang Youjun
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Rapid evolution of pest resistance has seriously threatened the sustainable use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is the first pest to develop resistance to Bt biopesticides in the open field, which renders it an excellent model to explore the molecular basis of Bt resistance in insects. Our previous midgut transcriptome and RNA‐Seq profiles showed that the P‐glycoprotein gene PxABCB1 was down‐regulated in two Cry1Ac‐resistant P. xylostella strains, suggesting its potential involvement in Cry1Ac resistance in P. xylostella.

RESULTS

In this study, the bona fide full‐length cDNA sequence of the PxABCB1 gene was cloned and analyzed, and the expression of the PxABCB1 gene was detected in all tissues and developmental stages, with the highest expression in midgut tissue and the female adult stage. Although no consistent non‐synonymous mutations were identified between the susceptible and resistant strains, PxABCB1 gene expression was remarkably decreased in all resistant strains, and the association was further validated by Cry1Ac selection in the moderately resistant SZ‐R strain. Moreover, knockdown of the PxABCB1 gene expression resulted in significantly reduced larval susceptibility to Cry1Ac toxin in the DBM1Ac‐S strain, and decreased expression of the PxABCB1 gene was tightly linked to Cry1Ac resistance in P. xylostella.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that down‐regulation of the PxABCB1 gene is associated with both laboratory‐selected and field‐evolved Cry1Ac resistance in P. xylostella. This knowledge will be conducive to further elucidating the complicated molecular basis of Bt resistance and developing new insect resistance management tactics. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Indium Diffusion Behavior and Application in HfO2‐Based Conductive Bridge Random Access Memory
Authors: Zheng Hao-Xuan , Shih Chih-Cheng , Chang Ting-Chang , Shih Lin-Yi , Shih Yao-Kai , Tseng Yi-Ting , Chen Wen-Chung , Huang Wei-Chen , Yang Chih-Cheng , Wu Pei-Yu , Huang Hui-Chun , Tsai Tsung-Ming , Sze Simon M.
Published: July 2019

This study proposes the design of conductive bridge random access memory (CBRAM) using an indium electrode, which diffuses into hafnium oxide. The device is found to exhibit good operating characteristics, maintaining a large operation window, low set and reset voltages, and advantageous operation speed, thereby reducing operating power consumption. Electrical experiments, transmission electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy confirm that the device exhibits the characteristics of a CBRAM device. In addition, due to the large operation window of this In electrode device, a combination of two of these CBRAM can act as a complementary resistive switching (CRS) device with a large memory window.
Study on antrodia camphorata polysaccharide in alleviating the neuroethology of PD mice by decreasing the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Han Chenyang , Guo Li , Yang Yi , Li WenYan , Sheng YongJia , Wang Jin , Guan Qiaobing , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: July 2019

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, and the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis and progression of PD has been confirmed. The polysaccharides and triterpenoids of antrodia camphorata (a polyporous fungus) harbor diverse and powerful pharmacological effects. In this study, 6‐hydroxydopamine was used to construct a PD mouse model. After antrodia camphorata polysaccharide (ACP) intervention, neurobehavioral changes were detected, neurotransmitter changes in striatum were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography, the alterations of striatal NOD‐like receptor pyrin domain containing three (NLRP3) were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of NLRP3, IL‐1β, Caspase‐1, and proCaspase‐1 were detected by western blot. To be specific, the items of neurobehavioral test included open field activity, rotary test, pole test, gait analysis, and swimming test. As a result, 6‐hydroxydopamine could lead to PD‐like lesions, including tremor, stiffness, attenuated spontaneous activity, and bradykinesia in mice, and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum was decreased. After ACP intervention, the neuroethology of mice was significantly improved, as demonstrated by the elevated levels of dopamine in the striatum and the decreased expression of dopamine in the striatum in NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 inflammasome played an important role in neuroinflammation in PD mice. ACP could reduce the activation of NLRP3 and expression of related inflammatory factors.
Piperine inhibits adipocyte differentiation via dynamic regulation of histone modifications
Authors: Park Ui‐Hyun , Hwang Jin‐Taek , Youn HyeSook , Kim Eun‐Joo , Um Soo‐Jong
Published: July 2019

Previously, we reported that piperine, one of the major pungent components in black pepper, attenuates adipogenesis by repressing PPARγ activity in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying this activity remain unexplored. Here, gene set enrichment analysis using microarray data indicated that there was significant downregulation of adipogenesis‐associated and PPARγ target genes and upregulation of genes bound with H3K27me3 in response to piperine. As shown by Gene Ontology analysis, the upregulated genes are related to lipid oxidation and polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that PPARγ (and its coactivators), H3K4me3, and H3K9ac were less enriched at the PPAR response element of three adipogenic genes, whereas increased accumulation of H3K9me2, H3K27me3, and Ezh2 was found, which likely led to the reduced gene expression. Further analysis using three lipolytic genes revealed the opposite enrichment pattern of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 at the Ezh2 binding site. Treatment with GSK343, an Ezh2 inhibitor, elevated lipolytic gene expression by decreasing the enrichment of H3K27me3 during adipogenesis, which confirms that Ezh2 plays a repressive role in lipolysis. Overall, these results suggest that piperine regulates the expression of adipogenic and lipolytic genes by dynamic regulation of histone modifications, leading to the repression of adipocyte differentiation.
The effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hamedifard Zahra , Milajerdi Alireza , Reiner Željko , Taghizadeh Mohsen , Kolahdooz Fariba , Asemi Zatollah
Published: July 2019

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders. Two independent authors systematically searched online database including EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception until April 30, 2019. The Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool was applied to assess the methodological quality of included trials. The heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using Cochrane's Q test and I‐square (I2) statistic. Pooling effect sizes from studies showed a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG; weighted mean difference [WMD]: −10.31; 95% confidence interval, CI [−16.21, −4.42]) and insulin concentrations (WMD: −0.53; 95% CI [−0.62, −0.44]) following the administration of spirulina. Pooled analysis showed also a significant reduction in total cholesterol (WMD: −20.50; 95% CI [−38.25, −2.74]), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C; WMD: −19.02; 95% CI [−36.27, −1.78]), and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C) concentrations (WMD: −6.72; 95% CI [−9.19, −4.26]) and a significant increase in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels (WMD: 1.42; 95% CI [0.16, 2.68]) following spirulina therapy. This meta‐analysis demonstrated the beneficial effects of spirulina supplementation on improving FPG, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL‐C, VLDL‐C, and HDL‐C levels in patients with MetS and related disorders.
High performance nonlinear adaptive control of temperature in cryogenic wind tunnel
Authors: Zhu Rusong , Wang Hai , Yin Guofu , Ding Zhengtao
Published: July 2019

A new nonlinear adaptive control method based on Immersion and Invariant (I&I) approach is proposed for the temperature control of a cryogenic wind tunnel. The proposed control method can be applied to wide range temperature operation of the tunnel by incorporating the nonlinear dynamic model of temperature into the controller design. By constructing globally stable nonlinear observer, and rendering an invariant and attractive manifold in the state space of plant and observer, the uncertain gain of known disturbance and unknown wind tunnel wall temperature are considered in the same manner within the adaptive I&I control frame. In the design, nominal heat transfer coefficient is deployed to avoid complicated design process involving nonlinear parameterization. This design leads to an adaptive output feedback stabilization control law for the temperature with guaranteed transient and steady performance, which exhibits reasonable robustness to time delay in the control input channel and other uncertainties. The analysis and simulation show the effectiveness of the proposed control methodology.