bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the effects of a multiphysics ensemble on the simulation of an extremely hot summer in 2003 over the CORDEX‐EA‐II region
Authors: Yang Linyun , Wang Shuyu , Tang Jianping , Niu Xiaorui , Fu Congbin
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we evaluate a 48‐member multiphysics ensemble using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for the JJA extreme precipitation and temperature in 2003 over the CORDEX‐EA‐II domain. The simulated precipitation and temperature are reasonable in the subregions controlled by a large‐scale circulation, yet the biases for both precipitation and temperature are evident over the subregions where the effects of mesoscale processes are important. The performance of various combinations of WRF physical schemes for simulating the JJA precipitation is dependent on the region. Meanwhile, the cumulus and microphysical schemes have substantial influences on the simulation of precipitation, and the land surface models and cumulus schemes play crucial roles in the surface temperature. Our analysis shows that the combination of Noah for the land surface process, Lin for the microphysics, G3D for the cumulus parameterization, and CAM for the radiation scheme can provide the most reliable reproduction of both precipitation and temperature extremes over China.

Ensemble analysis shows that the simulated climate extremes are usually accompanied by a large ensemble spread, implying sensitivities to the model physical processes in some subregions. The simulated wind fields at low‐to‐middle atmospheric levels display responses to the options of the land surface models and cumulus schemes. The essential impact of the land–atmospheric interaction on simulating the extremes can be largely attributed to the active convective processes. WRF has difficulties in reproducing the observed temporal evolution of the rainfall process, which consists of continuous large rainfall episodes in the observation data set during the simulation period.
How much of Typhoon Morakot's extreme rainfall is attributable to anthropogenic climate change?
Authors: Wang Chung‐Chieh , Tseng Li‐Shan , Huang Chien‐Chang , Lo Shih‐How , Chen Cheng‐Ta , Chuang Pi‐Yu , Su Nan‐Chou , Tsuboki K.
Published: February 2019

Typhoon Morakot (2009), which made landfall in Taiwan during August 7–9, 2009, produced the highest rainfall and became the deadliest typhoon ever recorded in Taiwan since 1958. To assess the role of anthropogenic climate change in the typhoon‐related torrent, we compare the water budget between a pair of cloud‐resolving sensitivity experiments. The pair consists of a control simulation that reproduces Typhoon Morakot (2009) in current climate and a sensitivity simulation in which the same storm is placed in a slightly different climate background where the late 20th century anthropogenic climate change signal is removed. The anthropogenic signal is estimated with the CMIP5 experiments of 18 models for the period of 1985–2005, during which the global warming trend is discernible. In climate states that differ merely by a 20‐year mean anthropogenic change, Morakot (2009) yields 3.4–3.6% more total rainfall in the control experiment than its sensitivity counterpart within a radius of 300–500 km from the storm centre. Water budget analysis indicates that the increase in typhoon rainfall is mainly resulted from the enhanced convergence of vapour flux. The enhancement is, in turn, contributed by the increased tropospheric moisture due to global warming and, to a lesser extent, by a more active secondary circulation in the storm that is associated with the anthropogenic climate change.
Assessing Patient Preferences for Intestinal Failure Management Using the Time Trade‐Off Methodology
Authors: Carey Sharon , Tu Wendy , Hyde‐Jones Lynn , Koh Cherry
Published: February 2019

Background

There are limited management options available for people with Type III intestinal failure (IF), with home parenteral nutrition (HPN) being the main treatment option. The aim of this research is to compare patient preferences in managing Type III IF using time trade‐off (TTO) methodology and to determine which factors have the greatest impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

An interviewer‐administered telephone survey was conducted on a cross‐sectional cohort of 19 HPN participants. The survey was designed to measure HRQoL using a TTO methodology. Four different treatment options were presented, and participants decided how many years of life they would trade to have access to the treatment and hence a different health state. The 4 scenarios included reduction in line infections, optimization of care, small bowel growth (teduglutide), and intestinal transplantation. Health state utility scores were calculated.

Results

The median health utility score for optimization of care and small bowel growth (teduglutide) were lowest (0.5; range 0–1) meaning a greater desire for this treatment. Intestinal transplant had the highest median utility score (1.0; range 0–1) indicating less willingness for this treatment option.

Conclusions

This is the first known study to use TTO methodology assessing treatment options in people with IF requiring HPN. Results indicate people requiring HPN make careful decisions when considering treatment options. Facilities providing HPN services should focus on optimization of current care, which is highly valued by their patients.
US‐Pro: An Application Enabling Efficient, High‐Throughput Ultrasound Video Processing
Authors: Haimovich Adrian D. , Lehmann Zachary , Taylor R. Andrew
Published: February 2019

We describe a new graphical user interface–based application, US‐Pro, designed to enable customized, high‐throughput ultrasound video anonymization and dynamic cropping before output to video or high‐efficiency disk storage. This application is distributed in a Docker container environment, which supports facile software installation on the most commonly used operating systems, as well as local processing of data sets, precluding the external transfer of electronic protected health information. The US‐Pro application will facilitate the reproducible production of large‐scale ultrasound video data sets for varied applications, including machine‐learning analysis, educational distribution, and quality assurance review.
Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound Guidance for Interventional Procedures
Authors: Kessner Rivka , Nakamoto Dean A. , Kondray Victor , Partovi Sasan , Ahmed Yasmine , Azar Nami
Published: February 2019

Since its introduction, contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has gained an important role in the diagnosis and management of abdominal and pelvic diseases. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound can improve lesion detection rates as well as success rates of interventional procedures when compared to conventional ultrasound alone. Additionally, CEUS enables the interventionalist to assess the dynamic enhancement of different tissues and lesions, without the adverse effects of contrast‐enhanced computed tomography, such as exposure to ionizing radiation and nephrotoxicity from iodinated contrast material. This review article describes the various applications and advantages of the use of CEUS to enhance performance of ultrasound‐guided interventions in the abdomen and pelvis.
Complexiton solutions to the Hirota‐Satsuma‐Ito equation
Authors: Zhou Yuan , Manukure Solomon
Published: February 2019

The Hirota bilinear method is a powerful tool for solving nonlinear evolution equations. Together with the linear superposition principle, it can be used to find a special class of explicit solutions that correspond to complex eigenvalues of associated characteristic problems. These solutions are known as complexiton solutions or simply complexitons. In this article, we study complexiton solutions of the the Hirota‐Satsuma‐Ito equation which is a (2 + 1)‐dimensional extension of the Hirota‐Satsuma shallow water wave equation known to describe propagation of unidirectional shallow water waves. We first construct hyperbolic function solutions and consequently derive the so‐called complexitons via the Hirota bilinear method and the linear superposition principle. In particular, we find nonsingular complexiton solutions to the Hirota‐Satsuma‐Ito equation. Finally, we give some illustrative examples and a few concluding remarks.
On a nonlinear hybrid method for multiscale analysis of a bearing‐capacity test of a real‐scale segmental tunnel ring
Authors: Zhang Jiao‐Long , Mang Herbert A. , Liu Xian , Yuan Yong , Pichler Bernhard
Published: February 2019

A nonlinear hybrid method is developed for multiscale analysis of a bearing‐capacity test of a real‐scale segmental tunnel ring subjected to point loads. The structural analysis consists of two parts. Part I refers to modeling of bending‐induced tensile cracking of the segments, resulting from the external loading. The segments are subdivided into elements, according to the crack spacing. Each element is either intact or contains one central crack band, flanked by lateral undamaged domains. A multiscale model for tensile softening of concrete is used to describe the progressive deterioration of the crack bands. After iterative determination of their state of damage, the effective bending and extensional stiffnesses of the corresponding elements are quantified by means of Voigt‐Reuss‐Hill estimates. The effective stiffnesses are used for linear‐elastic simulations of the segmental tunnel ring. Part II refers to the relative rotation angles at the joints, which are estimated from monitoring data, using the Bernoulli‐Euler hypothesis. Since the validity of this hypothesis is questionable for neck‐like joints, the relative rotation angles are post‐processed such that they refer to rigid body displacements of the segments. The following conclusions are drawn: The presented approach yields good estimates of crack widths. Relative rotation angles at the joints mainly result in rigid body displacements of the segments, governing the convergences. Because realistic interface models are lacking, hybrid analysis based on displacement‐monitoring data allows for performing ultimate‐load analysis of segmental tunnel rings.
Identifying clusters from multidimensional symptom trajectories in postpartum women
Authors: Paul Sudeshna , Corwin Elizabeth J.
Published: February 2019

Depressive symptoms, stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep are often experienced by women in the perinatal period and are potential contributors to adverse maternal and child health outcomes. To explore the evolution of symptoms and identify groups of women of similar severity and patterns, we utilized clustering of multidimensional symptom trajectories. In an observational study data were collected from pregnant women in the 3rd trimester (36 weeks prenatal) and in the postnatal period at weeks 1 and 2 as well as at 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and 6‐months postpartum. Depressive symptoms and maternal stress were measured using the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), respectively. Self‐reported duration of sleep and levels of fatigue also were collected. A model‐based clustering approach was used to classify women by their symptom severity. The sample included 151 pregnant women with a 6‐month follow‐up. Two clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (n = 43) comprised women with fewer depressive symptoms, less perceived stress, lower likelihood of being fatigued, increased sleep duration and a negative trend in EPDS (β = −0.05, CI [−0.09, −0.001]), and PSS (β = −0.09, CI [−0.17, −0.01]). Cluster 2 (n = 108) comprised women with higher EPDS and PSS scores, increased likelihood of fatigue and lower sleep duration with a positive trend in sleep hours (β = −0.02, CI [0.01, 0.03]). Pro‐inflammatory markers interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α were associated with longer sleep duration and fewer depressive symptoms, respectively. Using this methodology in maternal and child health research can potentially predict women's risk of developing severe symptoms and help clinicians provide timely interventions.
Create a Sustainable Utility Through Workforce Development and Succession Planning
Authors: Page Glenn , Gerstberger Richard
Published: February 2019

Facing a wave of imminent retirements, Cobb County‐Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) sought help with attracting and retaining well‐trained, engaged employees. The result was a plan that supports the Georgia utility's goal to be an employer of choice and maintains its stability and sustainability.
Coatings Help Control Condensation
Authors: Strine John H. , Hoffman Andy
Published: February 2019

A new insulation coating solution manages condensation problems in water tanks and water treatment plants.
Preparation of phenyl‐modified natural rubber in latex stage
Authors: Choothong Nuorn , Shioyama Shintaro , Yamamoto Yoshimasa , Kawahara Seiichi
Published: February 2019

Phenyl‐modified natural rubber was prepared in latex stage by bromination of deproteinized natural rubber followed by Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction. First, the bromination of natural rubber was carried out using N‐bromosuccinimide in latex stage. The bromine atom content increased as amount of N‐bromosuccinimide increased. Second, the allylic bromine atom was replaced with a phenyl group using phenyl boronic acid in the presence of a palladium catalyst, according to the Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction in latex stage. The resulting products were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Signal at 7.13 ppm was assigned to the phenyl group of the product, while signals at 3.98, 4.14, and 4.44 ppm were assigned to the remaining allylic brominated cis‐1,4‐isoprene units. The estimated phenyl group content and the conversion of the Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction were 1.32 and 23.7 mol%, respectively. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of deproteinized natural rubber increased from −62°C to −46.7°C, when the phenyl group was introduced into the rubber.
A modified polyvinylchloride surface with antibacterial and antifouling functions
Authors: Almousa Rashed , Wen Xin , Na Sungsoo , Anderson Gregory , Xie Dong
Published: February 2019

Surfaces with antibacterial and hydrophilic properties are very attractive to cardiovascular applications. The objective of this study was to synthesize and immobilize a novel antibacterial and hydrophilic polymer onto surface of polyvinylchloride via an effective and mild surface coating technique. The surface coated with a terpolymer constructed with N‐vinylpyrrolidone, 3,4‐dichloro‐5‐hydroxy‐2(5H)‐furanone derivative, and succinimide residue was evaluated with cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion, and bacterial viability. 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells and two bacteria species were used to evaluate surface adhesion and antibacterial activity. Results showed that the polymer‐modified polyvinylchloride surface exhibited not only significantly decreased 3T3 fibroblast cell adhesion with a 66% to 87% reduction but also significantly decreased bacterial adhesion with 69% to 87% and 52% to 74% reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus attachment, respectively, as compared with original polyvinylchloride. Furthermore, the modified polyvinylchloride surfaces exhibited significant antibacterial functions by inhibiting bacterial growth (75%‐84% and 78–94% inhibition of P aeruginosa and S aureus, respectively, as compared to original polyvinylchloride) and killing bacteria. These results demonstrate that covalent polymer attachment conferred antifouling and antibacterial properties to the polyvinylchloride surface.
Facile synthesis and applications of polypropylene/polydimethylsiloxane graft copolymer
Authors: Fan Mingshuai , Zhang Yongjie , Li Xiaopei , Zeng Beidi , Chen Shangtao , Zhu Wenqin , Wang Shuwei , Xu Jing , Feng Na
Published: February 2019

It is of great significance to synthesize polyolefin/polysiloxane hybrid materials due to their unique combination of crystalline polyolefin segments and semiorganic polysiloxane segments. Herein, we report the syntheses of a novel polypropylene/polydimethylsiloxane (PP‐g‐PDMS) graft copolymer via the coupling reactions between maleic anhydride‐grafted PP and monoaminopropyl‐terminated PDMS. The chemical structures of PP‐g‐PDMS have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The correlation between reaction conditions and the structural parameters of PP‐g‐PDMS has been established. Consequently, the potential applications of resultant PP‐g‐PDMS were investigated, and the results showed that PP‐g‐PDMS can serve as an efficient compatibilizer in heterogeneous PP/PDMS blend system and also as an ideal processing aid for high‐viscosity PP.
DHX15 is up‐regulated in castration‐resistant prostate cancer and required for androgen receptor sensitivity to low DHT concentrations
Authors: Xu Yadong , Song Qiong , Pascal Laura E. , Zhong Mingming , Zhou Yibin , Zhou Jianhua , Deng Fang‐Ming , Huang Jiaoti , Wang Zhou
Published: February 2019

Background

DHX15 is a member of the DEAH‐box (DHX) RNA helicase family. Our previous study identified it as an AR coactivator which contributes to prostate cancer progression.

Methods

We investigated DHX15 expression in castration resistant prostate cancer specimens and the influence of DHX15 on the responsiveness of prostate cancer cells to DHT stimulation. We also explored the role DHX15 played in enzalutamide resistance and the interacting domain in DHX15 with AR. DHX15 expression level in human CRPC specimens and prostate cancer specimens was detected by tissue microarray (TMA) immunostaining analysis. Colony formation assay was performed to determine the proliferation of cells treated with enzalutamide or DHT. siRNAs were used to knockdown DHX15. The interactions between DHX15 and AR were detected using co‐immunoprecipitation assay.

Results

The expression level of DHX15 was upregulated in human CRPC specimens compared with hormone naïve prostate cancer specimens. DHX15 knockdown reduced AR sensitivity to low DHT concentrations in C4‐2 cells. Inactivation of DHX15 sensitizes the enzalutamide treatment in C4‐2 cells. Deletion mutagenesis indicated that DHX1 5 interacts with AR through its N terminal domain.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that DHX15 contributes to prostate cancer progression. DHX15 is required for androgen receptor sensitivity to low DHT concentrations and contributes to enzalutamide resistance in C4‐2 cells. Targeting DHX15 may improve the ADT treatment.
Functional Evolution of Proteins
Authors: Catazaro Jonathan , Caprez Adam , Swanson David , Powers Robert
Published: February 2019

The functional evolution of proteins advances through gene duplication followed by functional drift, whereas molecular evolution occurs through random mutational events. Over time, protein active‐site structures or functional epitopes remain highly conserved, which enables relationships to be inferred between distant orthologs or paralogs. In this study, we present the first functional clustering and evolutionary analysis of the RCSB Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB) based on similarities between active‐site structures. All of the ligand‐bound proteins within the RCSB PDB were scored using our Comparison of Protein Active‐site Structures (CPASS) software and database (http://cpass.unl.edu/). Principal component analysis was then used to identify 4431 representative structures to construct a phylogenetic tree based on the CPASS comparative scores (http://itol.embl.de/shared/jcatazaro). The resulting phylogenetic tree identified a sequential, step‐wise evolution of protein active‐sites and provides novel insights into the emergence of protein function or changes in substrate specificity based on subtle changes in geometry and amino acid composition.
Gallium selenide clusters generated via laser desorption ionisation quadrupole ion trap time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Pečinka Lukáš , Prokeš Lubomír , Havel Josef
Published: February 2019

Rationale

Gallium selenide thin films important for electronics and phase‐change materials are prepared via pulsed laser deposition (PLD); however, there are no studies concerning the analysis of gallium selenide clusters formed in the gas phase. Laser desorption ionisation (LDI) combined with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF‐MS) has great potential to generate charged GamSen clusters, to analyse them and thus to develop new materials.

Methods

LDI of Ga‐Se mixtures using a pulsed laser (337 nm nitrogen) was used to generate gallium‐selenide clusters. Mass spectra were recorded (in positive and negative ion mode) on a TOF mass spectrometer equipped with a quadrupole ion trap and reflectron mass analyser.

Results

Ga‐Se mixtures were found to be suitable for laser ablation synthesis (LAS) of gallium selenide clusters, although their composition was strongly dependent on the laser energy. The effect of laser energy on the stoichiometry of the generated clusters was established. In total, over 100 gallium selenide GamSen clusters were generated and identified from Ga‐Se mixtures. LDI of Ga2Se3 crystals showed almost the same clusters up to m/z 1000 with lower intensities, whereas no clusters from Ga2Se3 were observed above m/z 1000.

Conclusions

A family of over 100 gallium selenide clusters, generated and identified for the first time, shows rich and complex chemistry. Some of the clusters represent new compounds that have the potential to be used in the development of advanced materials.
Cinchona Alkaloids in the Synthesis of Chiral Salts of Phosphorus Dithioacids on the Basis of 1,2:3,4‐Di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D‐galactopyranose
Authors: Nizamov Ilyas S. , Shumatbaev Georgiy G. , Nizamov Ilnar D. , Salikhov Ramazan Z. , Nikitin Yevgeniy N. , Shulaeva Marina P. , Pozdeev Oscar K. , Batyeva Elvira S. , Cherkasov Rafael A.
Published: February 2019

Optically active dithiophosphoric and dithiophosphonic acids were obtained by the reactions of 1,2:3,4‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐D‐galactopyranose with tetraphosphorus decasulfide or Lawesson's reagent respectively. The reactions of dithiophosphoric and dithiophosphonic acids with 8 S,9R‐quinine, 8R,9 S‐quinidine, 8 S,9R‐cinchonidine, 8R,9 S‐cinchonine, and 8R,9 S‐hydroquinidine result in chiral salts of dithiophosphoric and dithiophosphonic acids. Antimicrobial activity of products obtained was tested.
Anticancer and Antibacterial Activity of Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Nandanwar Sondavid K. , Kim Hak Jun
Published: February 2019

Deaths caused by cancer and bacterial infection necessitate the development of new and potential compounds with desired properties that could circumvent the problem of chemo resistant cancer and bacteria. The present review focuses on potent transition metal complexes with tunable activity against cancer cells and multidrug‐resistant bacteria. Mechanistically, transition metal complexes induce cell accumulation in the G2 phase, as well as DNA breakage and endoplasmic reticulum stress that inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. Parallelly, redox‐active, cationic transition metal complexes induce oxidative stress on bacteria and disrupt the microbial cell membrane. The MIC of some transition metal complexes were in the low micromolar range while some of the transition metal complexes show higher antibacterial activity compared to those of clinically used antibiotics. Here the potential and future of this class of metallodrugs, either as anticancer or antimicrobial agents, is discussed.
Bifunctional Conducting Polymer Coated CoFe2O4 Core‐Shell Nanolayer on Carbon Fiber Cloth for 2.0 V Wearable Aqueous Supercapacitors
Authors: Song Kun , Wang Xin , Wang Jun , Zhang Bin , Yang Rui
Published: February 2019

In recent years, a flexible supercapacitor with high storage properties, it is no longer concerned because of its low voltage window. Here, we design and synthesize CoFe2O4 nanoparticles grow on Carbon Fiber Cloth (CFC) via a mild hydrothermal and spay the ultra‐conductive polymer Poly (3,4‐ ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) on the surface of CoFe2O4 nanolayer. The as‐fabricated PEDOT:PSS /Fe2O3‐CNTs /CFC and PEDOT:PSS/CoFe2O4/CFC electrodes as the negative and positive pseudocapacitor electrode show an excellent capacitance of 426 and 472.5 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, respectively. An aqueous flexible asymmetric supercapacitor (AFAS) at 2.0 V and achieve well specific capacitance of 181.3 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and the maximum energy density is 25.17 Wh kg−1 at power density of 620.7 W kg−1. To the aqueous flexible asymmetric supercapacitor, both positive and negative electrodes are important for the electrochemical performance. The power storage capacity per unit area of two electrodes should be similar, because the area of negative and positive electrode of flexible asymmetric supercapacitor must be similarity. The advantages of AFAS, according to its low‐cost, high capacitances and simple fabrication process, show that AFAS can be one of the excellent candidate flexible asymmetric supercapacitor for next‐generation high‐performance supercapacitors.
Asymmetric Catalysis within the Chiral Confined Space of Metal–Organic Architectures
Authors: Li Xuezhao , Wu Jinguo , He Cheng , Meng Qingtao , Duan Chunying
Published: February 2019

The effective synthesis of chiral compounds in a highly enantioselective manner is obviously attractive. Inspired by the enzymatic reactions that occur in pocket‐like cavities with high efficiency and specificity, chemists are seeking to construct catalysts that mimic this key feature of enzymes. Recent progress in supramolecular coordination chemistry has shown that metal–organic cages (MOCs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with chiral confined cavities/pores may offer a novel platform for achieving asymmetric catalysis with high enantioselectivity. The inherent chiral confined microenvironment is considered to be analogous to the binding pocket of enzymes, and this pocket promotes enantioselective transformations. This work focuses on the recent advances in MOCs and MOFs with chiral confined spaces for asymmetric catalysis, and each section is separated into two parts based on how the chirality is achieved in these metal–organic architectures. A special emphasis is placed on discussing the relationship between the enantioselectivity and the confined spaces of the chiral functional MOCs and MOFs rather than catalytic chemistry. Finally, current challenges and perspectives are discussed. This work is anticipated to offer researchers insights into the design of sophisticated chiral confined space‐based metal–organic architectures for asymmetric catalysis with high enantioselectivity.
Porous Cobalt–Nickel Hydroxide Nanosheets with Active Cobalt Ions for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Xiao , Li Zhe , Wu De‐Yao , Shen Gu‐Rong , Zou Chengqin , Feng Yi , Liu Hui , Dong Cun‐Ku , Du Xi‐Wen
Published: February 2019

Low‐cost and high‐performance catalysts are of great significance for electrochemical water splitting. Here, it is reported that a laser‐synthesized catalyst, porous Co0.75Ni0.25(OH)2 nanosheets, is highly active for catalyzing overall water splitting. The porous nanosheets exhibit low overpotentials for hydrogen evolution reaction (95 mV@10 mA cm−2) and oxygen evolution reaction (235 mV@10 mA cm−2). As both anode and cathode catalysts, the porous nanosheets achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an external voltage of 1.56 V, which is much lower than that of commercial Ir/C‐Pt/C couple (1.62 V). Experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that numerous Co3+ ions are generated on the pore wall of nanosheets, and the unique atomic structure around Co3+ ions leads to appropriate electronic structure and adsorption energy of intermediates, thus accelerating hydrogen and oxygen evolution.
Watermarking scheme using local binary pattern for image authentication and tamper detection through dual image
Authors: Pal Pabitra , Jana Biswapati , Bhaumik Jaydeb
Published: February 2019

Watermarking scheme is an efficient solution to protect the multimedia document from unauthorized modification. Several watermarking scheme have been developed but authentication and tamper detection is still an important research issue. In this paper, a dual image‐based watermarking scheme has been developed using local binary pattern (LBP) to protect the multimedia document from illegal modification. The suggested method includes the following procedure: During watermark encoding the host image is partitioned into (3 × 3) nonoverlapping blocks. Then generate system vector (s) using LBP and perform XOR with secret watermark bits. Two bits authentication code is generated from S vector and embed within dual image depending in a shared secret key (δ). At the receiver end, the embedded watermark, authentication code, and original cover image can be successfully recovered from dual watermarked image. After that authentication process has been carried out by comparing extracted authentication code and the regenerated authentication code. The experimental results are compared with the state‐of‐the‐art methods to show the effectiveness of our proposed scheme. It is observed that the proposed scheme is secure and robust against different standard attacks meanwhile it can detect message integrity within the watermarked object.
The pharmacological management of agitated and aggressive behaviour: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bak Maarten , Weltens Irene , Bervoets Chris , De Fruyt Jürgen , Samochowiec Jerzy , Fiorillo Andrea , Sampogna Gaia , Bienkowski Przemyslaw , Preuss W. Ulrich , Misiak Blazej , Frydecka Dorota , Samochowiec Agnieszka , Bak Emma , Drukker Marjan , Dom Geert
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

Non-pharmacological interventions preferably precede pharmacological interventions in acute agitation. Reviews of pharmacological interventions remain descriptive or compare only one compound with several other compounds. The goal of this study is to compute a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect on restoring calmness after a pharmacological intervention, so a more precise recommendation is possible.

Method:

A search in Pubmed and Embase was done to isolate RCT’s considering pharmacological interventions in acute agitation. The outcome is reaching calmness within maximum of 2 h, assessed by the psychometric scales of PANSS-EC, CGI or ACES. Also the percentages of adverse effects was assessed.

Results:

Fifty-three papers were included for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Most frequent studied drug is olanzapine. Changes on PANNS-EC and ACES at 2 h showed the strongest changes for haloperidol plus promethazine, risperidon, olanzapine, droperidol and aripiprazole. However, incomplete data showed that the effect of risperidon is overestimated. Adverse effects are most prominent for haloperidol and haloperidol plus lorazepam.

Conclusion:

Olanzapine, haloperidol plus promethazine or droperidol are most effective and safe for use as rapid tranquilisation. Midazolam sedates most quickly. But due to increased saturation problems, midazolam is restricted to use within an emergency department of a general hospital.
Hippocampal subfield volumes in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder
Authors: Han Kyu-Man , Kim Aram , Kang Wooyoung , Kang Youbin , Kang June , Won Eunsoo , Tae Woo-Suk , Ham Byung-Joo
Published: February 2019

Background:

The hippocampus is not a uniform structure, but rather consists of multiple, functionally specialized subfields. Few studies have explored hippocampal subfield volume difference in the same sample of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) cases. We aimed to investigate the difference of hippocampal subfield volume between patents with MDD and BD and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods:

A total of 102 MDD and 55 BD patients and 135 HCs were recruited and underwent T1-weighted image. Hippocampal subfield volume was calculated by automated segmentation and volumetric procedures developed by Iglesias et al. and implemented in FreeSurfer. Volume differences between the groups were analyzed using the analysis of covariance and controlling for age, sex, and total intracranial cavity volume.

Results:

Patients with MDD had significantly reduced volumes in the bilateral cornu ammonis 1 (CA1), CA4, the granule cell layer (GCL), molecular layer (ML), whole hippocampus, the left CA2/3, and right presubiclum and subiculum. Patients with BD had significantly reduced volumes in the right CA1, GCL, and the whole hippocampus as compared to HCs. No significant volume differences were observed between the MDD and BD groups. Illness duration was negatively correlated with volumes of the left CA1, CA4, ML, presubiculum, subiculum, and the whole hippocampus in patients with BD.

Conclusion:

We observed hippocampal subfield volume reductions in both MDD and BD, a finding which more prominent in MDD. The inverse correlation between BD illness duration and hippocampal subfield volume may evidence the neuroprogressive nature of BD.
From the WTO's Crown Jewel to its Crown of Thorns
Authors: Creamer Cosette D.
Published: February 2019

The World Trade Organization's (WTO's) dispute settlement system is facing “unprecedented challenges,” with the current U.S. government waging a “stealth war” on the Organization's Appellate Body (AB). The tactics of this war include procedural objections to the (re)appointment of AB members—those individuals selected to sit in Geneva and rule on trade disputes. Countries have blocked appointments in the past, but the Trump administration's strategy to effectively shut down the AB's ability to hear disputes—by bringing the number of sitting judges below the required three to hear a dispute—represents a new development. In short, the trade regime is dying a slow, piecemeal death, with American challenges “killing the WTO from the inside.” Yet the sources of this crisis are not new. The organization's judges and bureaucracy have deftly managed simmering discontent for nearly two decades, but we have now reached a boiling point. In this contribution, I first describe the sources of the current impasse before discussing how the WTO's adjudicative bodies have sought to address government dissatisfaction in the past and the implications of such judicial responsiveness for reform of the system moving forward.
Forgotten Statutes: Trade Law's Domestic (Re)turn
Authors: Claussen Kathleen
Published: February 2019

Since the first half of the twentieth century, the U.S. Congress has increasingly delegated its authority over tariffs to the U.S. president. Some of these statutes permit private actors to petition for tariff relief. Some also permit the president to initiate an investigation and subsequently to take trade-related or other action when certain criteria are met. Since the 1990s, however, a robust multilateral trading system has required the United States and others to resolve disputes over trade measures in Geneva, rather than through unilateral policy steps under these tariff authorities. In a stark departure from this movement away from unilateral action, the Trump Administration has returned to relying heavily on domestic statutes to impose tariffs on goods imported from U.S. trading partners and on those from one country in particular: China.
Disrupting normalised discourses: ways of knowing, being and doing cultural competence
Authors: Sinclair Karen
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The concept of cultural competence is a multifaceted construct that requires careful consideration as it raises questions as to whose ‘truth’ is being advocated. This paper draws on findings from a qualitative study which used an indigenous methodology of yarning to investigate early childhood educators’ understandings and perspectives of cultural competence. Adopting a poststructuralist approach to grounded theory, data were analysed to identify themes that reflected educators’ understandings and perspectives. This paper presents a snapshot of these themes along with a framework of positioning self in relationship to ways of knowing, being and doing cultural competence. I conclude by suggesting that this framework can provide opportunity for educators to disrupt normalised discourses and re-conceptualise cultural competence.
Wik pedagogies: adapting oral culture processes for print-based learning contexts
Authors: Frazer Baressa , Yunkaporta Tyson
Published: February 2019

Abstract This paper explores the possibilities of designing a Wik pedagogy, drawing on the language and culture of the remote community of Aurukun on Cape York. The research was inspired by the emergence of Aboriginal pedagogy theory in recent decades, along with a resurgence of interest in cognitive linguistics indicating an undeniable link between language, culture and cognition. We are Aboriginal researchers, relatives with strong family ties in the Aurukun community and beyond. We are bound by community obligations and cultural protocol and so the methodology privileged the local cultural and language orientations that inform Indigenous knowledge production. It involved participating in knowledge transmission in cultural contexts and undertaking a relationally responsive analysis of local language. The methodology enfolded Indigenous standpoint theory, yarning methods and auto-ethnography, a rigorous process that informed the development of a Wik pedagogy. We found that Wik knowledge transmission is embedded across multiple disciplines and modalities, such as weaving, fishing, carving, stories and images in both male and female cultural activities. The observed patterns of these activities revealed an example of a structured learning cycle. Some elements of this proposed Wik pedagogy may be generalisable to other language groups, such as the tendency for listening to be equated with understanding and cognition. This is a feature of many Aboriginal languages and cultures along with narrative, place-based and group-oriented approaches to knowledge transmission. In terms of implications for Indigenous research, the use of Indigenised methods such as umpan and relationally responsive analysis represent potential ways forward in Indigenous standpoint theory and methodologies.
Extending the yarning yarn: Collaborative Yarning Methodology for ethical Indigenist education research
Authors: Shay Marnee
Published: February 2019

Abstract Yarning scholarship is emerging in the Australian context. There are a growing number of Indigenous scholars who advocate for using yarning in research and this paper aims to contribute to this methodological discussion. In this paper, I outline the development of a methodology, which I have named Collaborative Yarning Methodology (CYM). CYM extends on the current yarning scholarship available to researchers through critically addressing the issue of data collection and analysis. The methodology was developed in undertaking my doctoral study in alternative school settings. In developing CYM, I discuss and analyse the implications of using Indigenous methodologies in institutionalised education settings and some of issues that may arise, and some explicitly for Indigenous researchers. Through analysing the current discourses that exists when undertaking Indigenous-focused research in education institutions, there are clearly connections in how Indigenous people are positioned politically, racially and socially when assuming the role of a researcher. I propose that in Indigenous education focused research, there continues to be an over-reliance of positivist ways of collecting yarning data, such as audio recording. I offer an alternative to audio recording, which incorporates collaborative approaches to data collection with participants underpinned by the principle of self-determination.
Maternal neglect and the serotonin system are associated with daytime sleep in infant rhesus monkeys
Authors: Baxter Alexander , Wood Elizabeth K. , Barr Christina S. , Kay Daniel B. , Suomi Stephen J. , Higley J. Dee
Published: February 2019

Environmental and biological factors contribute to sleep development during infancy. Parenting plays a particularly important role in modulating infant sleep, potentially via the serotonin system, which is itself involved in regulating infant sleep. We hypothesized that maternal neglect and serotonin system dysregulation would be associated with daytime sleep in infant rhesus monkeys. Subjects were nursery-reared infant rhesus macaques (n = 287). During the first month of life, daytime sleep-wake states were rated bihourly (0800–2100). Infants were considered neglected (n = 16) if before nursery-rearing, their mother repeatedly failed to retrieve them. Serotonin transporter genotype and concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were used as markers of central serotonin system functioning. t tests showed that neglected infants were observed sleeping less frequently, weighed less, and had higher 5-HIAA than non-neglected nursery-reared infants. Regression revealed that serotonin transporter genotype moderated the relationship between 5-HIAA and daytime sleep: in subjects possessing the Ls genotype, there was a positive correlation between 5-HIAA and daytime sleep, whereas in subjects possessing the LL genotype there was no association. These results highlight the pivotal roles that parents and the serotonin system play in sleep development. Daytime sleep alterations observed in neglected infants may partially derive from serotonin system dysregulation.
Parenting × Brain Development interactions as predictors of adolescent depressive symptoms and well-being: Differential susceptibility or diathesis-stress?
Authors: Deane Camille , Vijayakumar Nandita , Allen Nicholas B. , Schwartz Orli , Simmons Julian G. , Bousman Chad A. , Pantelis Christos , Whittle Sarah
Published: February 2019

It is unclear how individual differences in parenting and brain development interact to influence adolescent mental health outcomes. This study examined interactions between structural brain development and observed maternal parenting behavior in the prediction of adolescent depressive symptoms and psychological well-being. Whether findings supported diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility frameworks was tested. Participants completed observed interactions with their mothers during early adolescence (age 13), and the frequency of positive and aggressive maternal behavior were coded. Adolescents also completed structural magnetic resonance imaging scans at three time points: mean ages 13, 17, and 19. Regression models analyzed interactions between maternal behavior and longitudinal brain development in the prediction of late adolescent (age 19) outcomes. Indices designed to distinguish between diathesis-stress and differential susceptibility effects were employed. Results supported differential susceptibility: less thinning of frontal regions was associated with higher well-being in the context of low levels of aggressive maternal behavior, and lower well-being in the context of high levels of aggressive maternal behavior. Findings suggest that reduced frontal cortical thinning during adolescence may underlie increased sensitivity to maternal aggressive behavior for better and worse and highlight the importance of investigating biological vulnerability versus susceptibility.
Gospel and Order in the Rule of St Benedict
Authors: Boakes Norman
Published: February 2019

Members of the Church of England are part of an ordered Church with a given liturgy. That order is deeply embedded in our story and today all clergy and lay ministers function and carry out their ministries on the authorisation of the bishop of the diocese. The Church of England is an institution which has its rules, laws and codes of conduct. Because we have no doctrinal formulations of our own, the liturgy in the Church of England expresses much of our theology. While there have been many changes in liturgy, a given liturgy, or a liturgical structure within which certain texts are prescribed, is part of how we are.
Improved Accuracy for Trace Element Analysis of Al and Ti in Quartz by Electron Probe Microanalysis
Authors: Cui Ji-Qiang , Yang Shui-Yuan , Jiang Shao-Yong , Xie Jing
Published: February 2019

The trace elements in quartz, Al and Ti, contain considerable information about mineral genesis, and determining their concentrations is of great importance in geology. Electron probe microanalysis has the advantages of non-destructive testing and high spatial resolution; however, it is a challenge to improve the accuracy and precision of trace element detection using this method. The important factors affecting accuracy include the fragility of quartz lattices at high beam currents and the methods used to determine the background. In this paper, the peaks of Al-Kα and Ti-Kα, and their backgrounds, were found to exhibit intensity variations at high beam currents and small beam diameters; therefore, it is necessary to select a large beam diameter (up to 20 µm) to avoid variations in intensity at high currents (500 nA). For background determination of Al, a multipoint background method is proposed to determine the background value, which greatly improves the accuracy of the results. For Ti, the choice of background measurement does not affect the result. In addition, it is verified that the background obtained from other quartz samples can be used as the background of an unknown quartz sample, which reduces the analysis time and minimizes sample damage.
Persistent and aggressive interactions with the police: potential mental health implications
Authors: Hirschtick J.L. , Homan S.M. , Rauscher G. , Rubin L.H. , Johnson T.P. , Peterson C.E. , Persky V.W.
Published: February 2019

Aims

Little is known about the potential health impact of police encounters despite a ubiquitous police presence in many disadvantaged urban environments. In this paper, we assess whether persistent or aggressive interactions with the police are associated with poor mental health outcomes in a sample of primarily low-income communities of colour in Chicago.

Methods

Between March 2015 and September 2016, we surveyed 1543 adults in ten diverse Chicago communities using a multistage probability design. The survey had over 350 questions on health and social factors, including police exposure and mental health status. We use sex-stratified logistic regression to examine associations between persistent police exposure (defined as a high number of lifetime police stops) or aggressive police exposure (defined as threat or use of police force during the respondent's most recent police stop) and the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depressive symptoms.

Results

Men reporting a high number of lifetime police stops have three times greater odds of current PTSD symptoms compared with men who did not report high lifetime police stops (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3–7.6), after adjusting for respondent age, race/ethnicity, education, history of homelessness, prior diagnosis of PTSD and neighbourhood violent crime rate. Women reporting a high number of lifetime police stops have two times greater odds of current PTSD symptoms, although the results are not statistically significant after adjustment (OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.9–4.2). Neither persistent nor aggressive police exposure is significantly associated with current depressive symptoms in our sample.

Conclusions

Our findings support existing preliminary evidence of an association between high lifetime police stops and PTSD symptoms. If future research can confirm as causal, these results have considerable public health implications given the frequent interaction between police and residents in disadvantaged communities in large urban areas.