bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining ATRP and ROMP with Thio‐Bromo, Copper‐Catalyzed, and Strain‐Promoted Click Reactions for Brush Copolymer Synthesis Starting from a Single Initiator/Monomer/Click Partner
Authors: Hobbs Christopher E. , Vasireddy Mallikharjun
Published: February 2019

The preparation of functionalized graft copolymers utilizing a combination of ATRP, ROMP, thio‐bromo, and Huisgen‐type click chemistries is described. The construction of these polymeric architectures hinges on the use of a norbornene‐based α‐bromo ester that can act as an ATRP initiator and ROMP monomer (a so‐called inimer), as well as a thio‐bromo click partner. This allows for the use of a “grafting‐through” ROMP approach of ATRP‐based macromonomers that can undergo a post‐polymerization thio‐bromo click modification. Additionally, this material can undergo further modifications using archetypal copper‐catalyzed azide/alkyne click reaction as well as metal‐free strain‐promoted azide/alkyne click reactions.
Porous Polyimide and Carbon Nanotubes: Solvent Vapor–Induced Transformation in the Nanochannels of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
Authors: He Hung‐Chieh , Tu Yi‐Hsuan , Li Jia‐Wei , Lin Yu‐Liang , Chen Jiun‐Tai
Published: February 2019

Polyimides (PIs) have attracted wide attention because of their exceptional thermal stability and applications in areas such as printed circuit boards and multichip modules. It remains a great challenge, however, to control the morphologies and properties of PI‐based nanomaterials, especially porous PI‐based nanotubes. In this work, a versatile method to fabricate porous PI nanotubes via the template method is developed, with a solvent vapor–induced transformation process. First, polyamic acid (PAA) solutions are used as precursors and infiltrated into the nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide templates, forming PAA nanotubes. After the samples are annealed in tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide vapors, depression of the PAA tubes occurs, causing the formation of pores. The porous PAA nanotubes can be further converted to porous PI and carbon nanotubes by imidization and carbonization processes, respectively. The pore sizes of the porous nanomaterials can be controlled by changing the type of the annealing solvent and the solvent annealing time.
On multiple soliton similariton‐pair solutions, conservation laws via multiplier and stability analysis for the Whitham–Broer–Kaup equations in weakly dispersive media
Authors: Inc Mustafa , Abdel‐Gawad Hamdy I. , Tantawy Mohammad , Yusuf Abdullahi
Published: February 2019

In this article, the generalized unified method (GUM) is used for finding multiwave solutions of the coupled Whitham‐Broer‐Kaup (WBK) equation with variable coefficients. Which describes the propagation of of shallow water waves. Here, we study the effects of the indirect nonlinear interaction of one‐, two‐ and three‐solitonic similaritons on the behavior of propagation of waves, in quasi‐periodic distributed system. This study can unable us to control the dynamics of type soliton (soliton, anti‐soliton) similaritons waves in dispersive waveguides. To give more physical insight to the obtained solutions, they are shown graphically. Their different structures are depicted by taking appropriate arbitrary functions. Further, with the suitable parameters, the indirect nonlinear interaction between two and three‐soliton waves are shown weal, in the sense that their amplitude does not blow up. Moreover, because of the importance of conservation laws Cls and stability analysis SA in the investigation of integrability, internal properties, existence, and uniqueness of a differential equation, we compute the Cls via multiplier technique and stability analysis via the concept of linear stability analysis for the WBK equations using the constant coefficients.
A Novel Candidate for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: Urolithin B Decreases Lipid Plaque Deposition in apoE−/− Mice and Increases Early Stages of Reverse Cholesterol Transport in ox‐LDL Treated Macrophages Cells
Authors: Zhao Wenhua , Wang Lixue , Haller Viktoria , Ritsch Andreas
Published: February 2019

Scope

HDL cholesterol is inversely related to the incidence of atherosclerosis. Polyphenols including ellagitannins have been shown to exert antiatherogenic properties. Urolithin B is formed from ellagitannins by components of the gut microbiota, and urolithins might be involved in beneficial effects against cardiovascular diseases in vitro. In this study, the influence of urolithin B on several parameters involved in the lipid plaque deposition and the reverse cholesterol transport is investigated.

Methods and results

In apoE−/− mice and two different macrophage cell lines, the influence of urolithin B and its phase II conjugated metabolite on lipid plaque deposition, cholesterol uptake, and expression of ABCA1 and SR‐BI is tested. It is shown that urolithin B decreases lipid plaque deposition, both urolithin B and urolithin B sulfate modulate expression of SR‐BI and ABCA1, and cholesterol efflux increases from cholesterol laden macrophages to HDL particles as well as to reverse lipid uptake by stimulated THP‐1 macrophages.

Conclusions

Urolithin B can decrease lipid plaque deposition, and urolithin B and urolithin B sulfate are able to induce reverse cholesterol transport by influencing expression of key proteins of this pathway. Urolithin B may represent the basis for development of new drugs for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in humans.
Compact ultra‐wideband Vivaldi antenna for ground‐penetrating radar detection applications
Authors: Elsheakh Dalia N. , Abdallah Esmat A.
Published: February 2019

This article presents a study an ultra‐wide bandwidth (UWB) antenna for ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) applications. The GPR is a favorable technology for detection and identification of buried object as landmine or mummy. Vivaldi antennas are studied in terms of operating frequency range and phase to detect an object buried in the sand layer from 1 up to 10 m. The designed Vivaldi antenna is printed on a thick economic FR4 substrate with concise dimensions 12
×13
×1 cm3 and operates in the frequency range that extended from 0.4 GHz up to 10 GHz. Experimental results verified good agreement with the simulated results. The proposed antenna has electrically large length with size reduction about 35% from the original antenna size. Vivaldi shape has large average gain about 17 dBi with above 80% average efficiency to differentiate between hidden object material and their shapes. Three‐dimensional electromagnetic simulator, namely High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) version 14 is used to simulate the proposed antenna.
Technical Note: Simplified and practical pretherapy tumor dosimetry — A feasibility study for 131I‐MIBG therapy of neuroblastoma using 124I‐MIBG PET/CT
Authors: Seo Youngho , Huh Yoonsuk , Huang Shih‐ying , Hernandez‐Pampaloni J. Miguel , Hawkins Randall A. , Gustafson W. Clay , Vo Kieuhoa T. , Matthay Katherine K.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Radiation dose calculated on tumors for radiopharmaceutical therapy varies significantly from tumor to tumor and from patient to patient. Accurate estimation of radiation dose requires multiple time point measurements using radionuclide imaging modalities such as SPECT or PET. In this report, we show our technical development of reducing the number of scans needed for reasonable estimation of tumor and normal organ dose in our pretherapy imaging and dosimetry platform of 124I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for 131I‐MIBG therapy of neuroblastoma.

Methods

We analyzed the simplest kinetic data, areas of two‐time point data for five patients with neuroblastoma who underwent 3 or 4 times of 124I‐MIBG PET/CT scan prior to 131I‐MIBG therapy. The data for which we derived areas were percent of injected activity (%IA) and standardized uptake value of tumors. These areas were correlated with time‐integrated activity coefficients (TIACs) from full data (3 or 4 time points). TIACs are direct correlates with radiation dose as long as the volume and the radionuclide are known.

Results

The areas of %IAs between data obtained from all the two‐time points with time points 1 and 2 (day 0 and day 1), time points 2 and 3 (day 1 and day 2), and time points 1 and 3 (day 0 and day 2) showed reasonable correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient |r| > 0.5) with not only tumor and organ TIACs but also tumor and organ absorbed doses. The tumor and organ doses calculated using %IA areas of time point 1 and time point 2 were our best fits at about 20% individual percent difference compared to doses calculated using 3 or 4 time points.

Conclusions

We could achieve reasonable accuracy of estimating tumor doses for subsequent radiopharmaceutical therapy using only the two‐time point imaging sessions. Images obtained from these time points (within the 48‐h after administration of radiopharmaceutical) were also viewed as useful for diagnostic reading. Although our analysis was specific to 124I‐MIBG PET/CT pretherapy imaging data for 131I‐MIBG therapy of neuroblastoma and the number of imaging datasets was not large, this feasible methodology would generally be applicable to other imaging and therapeutic radionuclides with an appropriate data analysis similar to our analysis to other imaging and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.
Indirect methods for improving parameter estimation of PET kinetic models
Authors: Huang Hsuan‐Ming , Liu Chih‐Chieh , Lin Chieh
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Parametric images obtained from kinetic modeling of dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) data provide a new way of visualizing quantitative parameters of the tracer kinetics. However, due to the high noise level in pixel‐wise image‐driven time‐activity curves, parametric images often suffer from poor quality and accuracy. In this study, we propose an indirect parameter estimation framework which aims to improve the quality and quantitative accuracy of parametric images.

Methods

Three different approaches related to noise reduction and advanced curve fitting algorithm are used in the proposed framework. First, dynamic PET images are denoised using a kernel‐based denoising method and the highly constrained backprojection technique. Second, gradient‐free curve fitting algorithms are exploited to improve the accuracy and precision of parameter estimates. Third, a kernel‐based post‐filtering method is applied to parametric images to further improve the quality of parametric images. Computer simulations were performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework.

Results and conclusions

The simulation results showed that when compared to the Gaussian filtering, the proposed denoising method could provide better PET image quality, and consequentially improve the quality and quantitative accuracy of parametric images. In addition, gradient‐free optimization algorithms (i.e., pattern search) can result in better parametric images than the gradient‐based curve fitting algorithm (i.e., trust‐region‐reflective). Finally, our results showed that the proposed kernel‐based post‐filtering method could further improve the precision of parameter estimates while maintaining the accuracy of parameter estimates.
The validation of a new online cognitive assessment tool: The MyCognition Quotient
Authors: Domen Anna C. , van de Weijer Sjors C.F. , Jaspers Monique W. , Denys Damiaan , Nieman Dorien H.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Cognitive impairment affects many psychiatric patients, influences daily functioning, and should be an important treatment focus. Assessment of cognitive status is crucial in cognitive remediation studies. However, current test batteries have limitations. A new, online tool, the MyCognition Quotient (MyCQ), was developed to assess cognition within 30 min. We present the psychometric properties and aim to determine the validity of the MyCQ by comparing it with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Test Battery (CANTAB).

Methods

Eighty‐seven patients diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, or major depressive disorder were included. Patients completed both the MyCQ and CANTAB.

Results

Our hypothesized domains of psychomotor speed, attention, episodic memory, working memory, and executive functioning were confirmed by principal component analysis. The MyCQ total score correlated highly with the CANTAB total score. The MyCQ domains of psychomotor speed, attention, and episodic memory showed moderate to high correlations with corresponding CANTAB domains. Working memory and executive functioning had limited divergent validity.

Conclusion

The MyCQ appears to be a promising instrument for assessing cognition online within a mixed psychiatric population. It is cost‐efficient, easily administered, and usable in different psychiatric populations, which makes it a good candidate for both clinical and community studies.
Numerical calculation of permeability of periodic porous materials: Application to periodic arrays of spheres and 3D scaffold microstructures
Authors: Daish C. , Blanchard R. , Pirogova E. , Harvie D. J. E. , Pivonka P.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, an efficient numerical method is proposed to calculate the anisotropic permeability in porous materials characterized by a periodic microstructure. This method is based on pore‐scale fluid dynamic simulations using a static volume of fluid method. Unlike standard solution procedures for this type of problem, we here solve an average constitutive equation over both fluid and solid domain by use of a subgrid model to accurately capture momentum transfer from the fluid to solid interface regions. Using numerical simulations on periodic arrays of spheres, we first demonstrate that, by using the subgrid interface model, more accurate results can be produced, for the velocity and pressure fields, than via more conventional approaches. We then apply numerical upscaling over the unit cell to calculate the full anisotropic permeability from the pore‐scale numerical results. The obtained permeability values for a variety of periodic arrays of spheres in different arrangements and packing orders are in good agreement with semianalytical results reported in literature. This validation allows for the permeability assessment of more complex structures such as isotropic gyroid structures, or anisotropic cases, here modeled in their simplest form, the ellipsoidal inclusion.
Novel quadratic Bézier triangular and tetrahedral elements using existing mesh generators: Extension to nearly incompressible implicit and explicit elastodynamics in finite strains
Authors: Kadapa Chennakesava
Published: February 2019

We present a novel unified finite element framework for performing computationally efficient large strain implicit and explicit elastodynamic simulations using triangular and tetrahedral meshes that can be generated using the existing mesh generators. For the development of a unified framework, we use Bézier triangular and tetrahedral elements that are directly amenable for explicit schemes using lumped mass matrices and employ a mixed displacement‐pressure formulation for dealing with the numerical issues arising due to volumetric and shear locking. We demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed scheme by studying several challenging benchmark problems in finite strain elastostatics and nonlinear elastodynamics modelled with nearly incompressible hyperelastic and von Mises elastoplastic material models. We show that Bézier elements, in combination with the mixed formulation, help in developing a simple unified finite element formulation that is accurate, robust, and computationally very efficient for performing a wide variety of challenging nonlinear elastostatic and implicit and explicit elastodynamic simulations.
Twenty‐four–DOF four‐node quadrilateral elements for gradient elasticity
Authors: Sze K.Y. , Wu Z.H.
Published: February 2019

Computational analysis of gradient elasticity often requires the trial solution to be C1, yet constructing simple C1 finite elements is not trivial. In this paper, three four‐node 24‐DOF quadrilateral elements for gradient elasticity analysis are devised by generalizing some of the advanced element formulations for thin‐plate analysis. These include the discrete Kirchhoff method, a relaxed hybrid‐stress method, and the hybrid‐stress method with equilibrating internal force modes. The first two methods start with the derivation of a C0 displacement, which is quadratic complete in the Cartesian coordinates. In the first method, at the midside points are derived and interpolated together with those at the nodes. Strain is derived from the displacement interpolation yet the second‐order displacement derivatives are derived from the displacement‐gradient interpolation. In the second method, only the assumed constant double‐stress modes are employed to enforce the continuity of the normal derivative of the displacement. In the third method, the equilibrating internal force modes require the C1 displacement to be defined only along the element boundary and the domain interpolation can be avoided. Patch test involving linear stress and constant double stress as well as other tests are presented to validate the proposed elements.
Certified real‐time shape optimization using isogeometric analysis, PGD model reduction, and a posteriori error estimation
Authors: Chamoin L. , Thai H.P.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we address the effective and accurate solution of problems with parameterized geometry. Considering the attractive framework of isogeometric analysis, which enables a natural and flexible link between computer‐aided design and simulation tools, the parameterization of the geometry is defined on the mapping from the isogeometric analysis parametric space to the physical space. From the subsequent multidimensional problem, model reduction based on the proper generalized decomposition technique with off‐line/online steps is introduced in order to describe the resulting manifold of parametric solutions with reduced CPU cost. Eventually, a posteriori estimation of various error sources inheriting from discretization and model reduction is performed in order to control the quality of the approximate solution, for any geometry, and feed a robust adaptive algorithm that optimizes the computational effort for prescribed accuracy. The overall approach thus constitutes an effective and reliable numerical tool for shape optimization analyses. Its performance is illustrated on several two‐ and three‐dimensional numerical experiments.
The diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of pediatric renal tumor biopsy: Report of the UK experience in the SIOP UK WT 2001 trial
Authors: Jackson Thomas J. , Williams Richard D. , Brok Jesper , Chowdhury Tanzina , Ronghe Milind , Powis Mark , Pritchard‐Jones Kathy , Vujanić Gordan M. ,   on behalf of the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Renal Tumours Group
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) protocols recommend preoperative chemotherapy appropriate for Wilms tumors (WTs) in children with renal tumors aged ≥6 months, reserving biopsy for “atypical” cases. The Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) joined the SIOP‐WT‐2001 study but continued the national practice of biopsy at presentation.

Method

Retrospective study of concordance between locally reported renal tumor biopsies and central pathology review nephrectomy diagnoses of children enrolled by CCLG centers in the SIOP‐WT‐2001 study.

Results

Biopsy reports were available for 552/787 children with unilateral tumors. 36 of 552 (6.5%) were nondiagnostic: 2 normal tissue, 12 necrotic, 9 insufficient sample, and 13 indeterminate results (disproportionately non‐WTs). The sensitivity and specificity of biopsy to identify tumors that did not require SIOP empirical preoperative chemotherapy were 86.0% and 99.6%, respectively. 13 of 548 (2.4%) biopsy results were discordant with nephrectomy; non‐WTs other than renal cell carcinoma and clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) were poorly recognized. In children aged 6‐119 months, 480 of 518 (91.6%) had WT or nephroblastomatosis. 5 of 518 (1%) had benign tumors, and only one diagnosed on biopsy. Biopsy results correctly changed clinical management in 25 of 518 (4.8%), including identifying 19 of 20 CCSKs, but would have led to overtreatment in 5 of 518 (1%) or undertreatment in 4 of 518 (0.8%). In children aged ≥10 years, biopsy correctly changed management in 5 of 19 (26%) cases with no discordance.

Conclusion

Biopsy is less effective at identifying non‐WTs than WTs and rarely changes management in younger children. Biopsy should be reserved in SIOP protocols for children ≥10 years and in younger children with clinical or radiological features inconsistent with WT.
Tunable size and shape of conductive poly(N‐methylaniline) based on surfactant template and doping
Authors: Direksilp Chatrawee , Sirivat Anuvat
Published: February 2019

Poly(N‐methylaniline) (PNMA) is one of the polyaniline derivatives with N‐substituted position. Polyaniline derivatives have attracted attention due to their higher solubility in common solvents than pristine polyaniline, but they still possess lower electrical conductivity. In this work, PNMA was synthesized via chemical oxidative polymerization in an ethanol–water system. The effect of surfactant type, namely anionic sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and non‐ionic Tween20, on the electrical conductivity, doping level and morphology was investigated. PNMA prepared with the SDBS system possessed the highest electrical conductivity among the obtained PNMAs with and without surfactants. The effect of /NNMA dopant mole ratios on the re‐doping, crystallinity, morphology and particle size was also examined. Using an /NNMA mole ratio of 10:1 in the re‐doping process provided the highest electrical conductivity of 15.53 ± 2.5 S cm−1, a doping level of 55.59%, along with hollow spherical particles with the thinnest membrane. Electron microscopy images revealed that the morphology of PNMA particles depended mainly on the surfactant type but not the /NNMA mole ratio. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Facile synthesis of ortho‐Phenylene‐based conjugated polymers through transformation of cross‐conjugated poly(2,3‐diaryl[2]dendralene)s and their optical properties
Authors: Koizumi Toshio , Kameda Tsuyoshi , Saito Hironori , Sato Ayumu , Hayashi Shotaro
Published: February 2019

We studied the facile synthesis of ortho‐phenylene‐based conjugated polymers through transformation of cross‐conjugated polymers having [2]dendralene moiety, poly(2,3‐diaryl[2]dendralene)s (P1s), and demonstrated the sequential synthesis of (Z)‐alkene‐ and ortho‐arylene‐containing conjugated polymers from P1s. P1s were transformed into cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene‐containing conjugated polymers (P2s) through a Diels–Alder reaction. Aromatization of the cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene skeleton was achieved by using 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone to give the ortho‐phenylene‐containing conjugated polymers (P3s). The ultraviolet–visible and fluorescence spectra of the cross‐conjugated polymers P1s, and the conjugated polymers P2s and P3s indicated that the π–π interactions between the arylene moieties in P2s were stronger than those in P1s and P3s. The synthetic method for P2s and P3s offers an effective synthesis of various types of (Z)‐alkene‐ and ortho‐arylene‐containing conjugated polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 827–832
Psychosocial adjustment to a prostate cancer diagnosis in a cohort of radical prostatectomy patients in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Wissing Michel D. , Chevalier Simone , O'Flaherty Ana , McKercher Ginette , Aprikian Saro , Saad Fred , Carmel Michel , Lacombe Louis , Hamel Marc , Aprikian Armen
Published: February 2019

Objective

The psychosocial impact of a prostate cancer diagnosis significantly affects a patient's quality of life. We studied patient communication at the time of diagnosis and its impact on psychosocial adjustment of patients.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional data analysis from self‐administered questionnaires in the PROCURE biobank study, consisting of a cohort of patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy in Québec (Canada), 2006 to 2013. Odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using binary or ordered logistic regression models.

Results

Data from 1841 patients were analyzed. The median age of patients was 62 years (range 41‐80 years), the majority was French‐Canadian (68.3%) and married (79.6%). Most patients (90.1%) considered conversations with their treating physician a useful information source. Patients were dissatisfied on the communication when receiving their diagnosis by telephone (OR = 0.19, 95% CI, 0.11‐0.33). Younger patients were also more dissatisfied. Most patients preferred to receive information on prostate cancer (89.5%) and radical prostatectomy (88.0%) at the time of diagnosis, while only 58.8% and 52.4% of patients received this information at this stage. Patients who were dissatisfied with the communication of the diagnosis had more negative responses, such as increased worries and fear (P < 0.05). The five most useful coping mechanisms were physical activity (62.3%), breathing exercises (44.5%), music (32.8%), faith (30.3%), and muscle relaxation (30.1%), but varied by demographics.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of physicians communicating a prostate cancer diagnosis well to their patients. Patients may benefit from individually tailored interventions to facilitate their overall coping.
Inhibition of microbial growth by cold atmospheric plasma compared with the antiseptics chlorhexidine digluconate, octenidine dihydrochloride, and polyhexanide
Authors: Langner Inga , Kramer Axel , Matthes Rutger , Rebert Farzana , Kohler Christian , Koban Ina , Hübner Nils‐Olaf , Kohlmann Thomas , Patrzyk Maciej
Published: February 2019

The inhibition of microbial growth is the first step toward avoiding the formation of biofilms. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the microbiostatic activity of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) with three commonly used antiseptic agents to find an alternative to or supplementary concept for antiseptic treatment. The efficacy of two CAP generating devices − the plasma jet kINPen09® and a hollow dielectric barrier electrode (HDBD) − both working with argon with or without admixture of 1% oxygen, was compared with chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG 0.0001 and 0.00000625%), polyhexanide (PHMB 0.0001 and 0.000025%) and octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT 0.0002 and 0.00005%). The antiseptics were added to the planktonic stage of the biofilm‐forming strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa SG 81, Staphylococcus epidermidis RP 62A, Streptococcus mutans DSM 20523 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 resp. SC 5314. The antiseptics were present during the subsequent cultivation period (32.5 h), whereas CAP was applied for only 60 s with the same cultivation period after the exposition. During the cultivation period, growth was measured every hour by optical density and analyzed with the calculated area under the curve (AUC) to determine the delay of exponential growth. Except for the higher resistance of C. albicans against PHMB and S. mutans against CHG, P. aeruginosa was the most resistant test organism against the other antiseptic treatments. OCT 0.0002% was the most effective among the tested antiseptic agents. The plasma jet did not differ from OCT in its efficacy against C. albicans and S. mutans. Against P. aeruginosa and both Candida strains, the plasma jet was more effective than against both Gram‐positive test strains. In terms of efficacy against Candida spp., the HDBD (dielectric barrier discharge plasma) did not differ significantly from the plasma jet with argon plasma; in contrast, the bacteriostatic efficacy was significantly higher. While the addition of 1% O2 did not change the efficacy of the plasma jet, the efficacy of the HDBD against S. epidermidis increased significantly. The antimicrobial efficacy of CAP as demonstrated in earlier studies was confirmed with planktonic microorganisms showing delayed growth during cultivation for 32.5 h after a single application of CAP for 60 s. Short treatment with CAP could be an effective alternative or supplement to conventional antiseptics, for example, to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in an infected wound. OCT in the concentration used here showed the best microbial growth inhibitory results among the antiseptics.
Interaction and Size Effects in Open Nano‐Electromechanical Systems
Authors: Tanatar B. , Moldoveanu Valeriu , Dragomir Radu , Stanciu Stefan
Published: February 2019

The time‐dependent transport of a 2D quantum wire (QW) connected to source/drain leads and electrostatically coupled to a singly‐clamped InAs cantilever is investigated. The latter is placed above the nanowire and acts as a nanoresonator (NR) in the quantum regime. The vibron dynamics and the transport properties of this nano‐electromechanical system (NEMS) are described within a generalized master equation approach which is exact with respect to the electron‐vibron coupling. A detailed description of the electron‐vibron coupling by taking into account its dependence on the wavefunctions of the quantum nanowire is introduced. It is shown that the tunneling processes in the QW trigger periodic oscillations of the average vibron number even in the absence of a bias. The time‐dependent filling of the vibronic states changes as the nanoresonator is swept along the quantum wire.
Ouabain promotes immune responses in WEHI‐3 cells to generate leukemia mice through enhancing phagocytosis and natural killer cell activities in vivo
Authors: Shih Yung‐Luen , Shang Hung‐Sheng , Chen Yung‐Liang , Hsueh Shu‐Ching , Chou Hsiao‐Min , Lu Hsu‐Feng , Lee Ming‐Zhe , Hou Hsin‐Tu , Chuang Ying‐Ying , Lee Mei‐Hui , Chen Kuo‐Wei , Chung Jing‐Gung
Published: February 2019

Ouabain, a cardiotonic steroid, was used for the treatment of heart failure and atrial fibrillation and induces cancer cell apoptosis in many human cancer cells including human leukemia cells. However, there are no reports to show the effects on immune responses in a leukemia mouse model. In this study, WEHI‐3 cell generated leukemia mice were developed and treated by oral ouabain at 0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 mg/kg for 15 days. Results indicated that ouabain did not affect body appearance, but decreased liver and spleen weights, B‐ and T‐cell proliferation at all three doses treatment and increased CD19 cells at 3.0 mg/kg treatment, decreased CD3, CD11b, and Mac‐3 cells levels compared with positive control. Furthermore, ouabain increased the macrophage phagocytosis from peripheral blood mononuclear cell and peritoneal cavity at all three doses treatment and increased NK cell activities. Ouabain restored GOT, GPT and LDH levels in WEHI‐3 leukemia mice in vivo.
Cover Image, Volume 10, Issue 2
Authors: Beckerle Philipp , Castellini Claudio , Lenggenhager Bigna
Published: February 2019

The cover image is based on the Focus Article Robotic interfaces for cognitive psychology and embodiment research: a research roadmap, by Philipp Beckerle, Claudio Castellini, and Bigna Lenggenhager, https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1486.

image
Enactivism, other minds, and mental disorders
Authors: Krueger Joel
Published: February 2019

Although enactive approaches to cognition vary in terms of their character and scope, all endorse several core claims. The first is that cognition is tied to action. The second is that cognition is composed of more than just in-the-head processes; cognitive activities are (at least partially) externalized via features of our embodiment and in our ecological dealings with the people and things around us. I appeal to these two enactive claims to consider a view called “direct social perception” (DSP): the idea that we can sometimes perceive features of other minds directly in the character of their embodiment and environmental interactions. I argue that if DSP is true, we can probably also perceive certain features of mental disorders as well. I draw upon the developmental psychologist Daniel Stern’s notion of “forms of vitality”—largely overlooked in these debates—to develop this idea, and I use autism as a case study. I argue further that an enactive approach to DSP can clarify some ways we play a regulative role in shaping the temporal and phenomenal character of the disorder in question, and it may therefore have practical significance for both the clinical and therapeutic encounter.
Actual memory as a mediator of the amyloid‐subjective cognitive decline relationship
Authors: Chen Xi , Farrell Michelle E. , Moore William , Park Denise C.
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Amyloid pathology in cognitively normal adults is associated with subjective cognitive decline, potentially reflecting awareness of Alzheimer's‐related memory deficits. To clarify the mechanism underlying this relationship, we used mediational analyses to determine the role of depression, anxiety, and actual memory performance.

Methods

To assess amyloid deposition, we imaged 85 cognitively normal adults with florbetapir positron emission tomography imaging. Subjective cognitive decline was measured using a multidimensional instrument that assessed seven subjective memory domains. Mediational measures included assessments of actual memory performance (current and retrospective longitudinal change), depression, and anxiety.

Results

The relationship between amyloid and subjective cognitive decline was mediated by poorer memory performance and greater retrospective memory decline, not depression or anxiety. The mediational roles were significant for domains associated with memory function and memory‐related anxiety.

Discussion

In individuals harboring amyloid, self‐reported beliefs of declining memory likely indicate early self‐awareness of actual worsening function rather than depression or anxiety.
Vacuum sintering of chromium alloyed powder metallurgy steels
Authors: Vattur Sundaram Maheswaran , Karamchedu Seshendra , Gouhier Clement , Hryha Eduard , Bergman Ola , Nyborg Lars
Published: February 2019

Modern developments in vacuum furnace technologies have led to an increased interest in vacuum sintering of powder metallurgy (PM) steel components owing to the robustness, productivity and the possibility to integrate heat-treatment into the process at an attractive cost. In the present study, the potential for vacuum sintering of chromium-alloyed PM steels and the effect of the vacuum level on the final properties of the components are evaluated. The studies were performed on Fe-1.8 wt.% Cr powder and the sintering experiments were performed in a dilatometer. Four different vacuum levels: 10, 1, 10−2 and 10−4 mbar were studied and the effect of density and carbon content were also examined. The results indicate an efficient oxide reduction and process robustness at intermediate vacuum levels whereas high-temperature sintering in high vacuum brings the risk of Cr-sublimation. Furthermore, industrial trails were performed at 10 and 1 mbar vacuum levels and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Vacuum sintering proved to be an attractive alternative to process Cr-alloyed steel powders.
Wh-indeterminates in Chuj (Mayan)
Authors: Kotek Hadas , Erlewine Michael Yoshitaka
Published: February 2019

This article investigates the varied uses of wh-words in Chuj, an understudied Mayan language of Guatemala. Cross-linguistically, wh-words are commonly used not only for question formation but also in a range of other constructions, including wh-quantification, indefinites, and the formation of relative clauses. In Chuj, we will show that wh-words are used to form indefinites (in certain limited environments), universal quantifiers, free choice items, and two kinds of free relatives: definite free relatives, but also the typologically rarer indefinite free relatives. We sketch an analysis of each construction, and discuss generalizations concerning their distribution. The varied uses of wh-words in Chuj support the view that wh-words are used in two capacities: to generate alternatives, and to create a movement/binding relation.
Backflow from a model fracture network: an asymptotic investigation
Authors: Dana Asaf , Peng Gunnar G. , Stone Howard A. , Huppert Herbert E. , Ramon Guy Z.
Published: February 2019

We develop a model for predicting the flow resulting from the relaxation of pre-strained, fluid-filled, elastic network structures. This model may be useful for understanding relaxation processes in various systems, e.g. deformable microfluidic systems or by-products from hydraulic fracturing operations. The analysis is aimed at elucidating features that may provide insight on the rate of fluid drainage from fracturing operations. The model structure is a bifurcating network made of fractures with uniform length and elastic modulus, which allows for general self-similar branching and variation in fracture length and rigidity between fractures along the flow path. A late-time $t^{-1/3}$ power law is attained and the physical behaviour can be classified into four distinct regimes that describe the late-time dynamics based on the location of the bulk of the fluid volume (which shifts away from the outlet as branching is increased) and pressure drop (which shifts away from the outlet as rigidity is increased upstream) along the network. We develop asymptotic solutions for each of the regimes, predicting the late-time flux and evolution of the pressure distribution. The effects of the various parameters on the outlet flux and the network’s drainage efficiency are investigated and show that added branching and a decrease in rigidity upstream tend to increase drainage time.
Theory for the rheology of dense non-Brownian suspensions: divergence of viscosities and– rheology
Authors: Suzuki Koshiro , Hayakawa Hisao
Published: February 2019

A systematic microscopic theory for the rheology of dense non-Brownian suspensions characterized by the volume fraction$\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}$is developed. The theory successfully derives the critical behaviour in the vicinity of the jamming point (volume fraction$\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}_{J}$), for both the pressure$P$and the shear stress$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{xy}$, i.e. $P\sim \unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{xy}\sim \dot{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}}\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}_{0}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}^{-2}$, where$\dot{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}}$is the shear rate,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}_{0}$is the shear viscosity of the solvent and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}_{J}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}>0$is the distance from the jamming point. It also successfully describes the behaviour of the stress ratio$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{xy}/P$with respect to the viscous number$J=\dot{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}}\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}_{0}/P$.
Viscous-fingering mechanisms under a peeling elastic sheet
Authors: Peng Gunnar G. , Lister John R.
Published: February 2019

We study the mechanisms affecting the viscous-fingering instability in an elastic-walled Hele-Shaw cell by considering the stability of steady states of unidirectional peeling-by-pulling and peeling-by-bending. We demonstrate that the elasticity of the wall influences the steady base state but has a negligible direct effect on the behaviour of linear perturbations, which thus behave like in the ‘printer’s instability’ with rigid walls. Moreover, the geometry of the cell can be very well approximated as a triangular wedge in the stability analysis. We identify four distinct mechanisms – surface tension acting on the horizontal and the vertical interfacial curvatures, kinematic compression in the longitudinal base flow, and the films deposited on the cell walls – that each contribute to stabilizing the system. The vertical curvature is the dominant stabilizing mechanism for small capillary numbers, but all four mechanisms have a significant effect in a large region of parameter space.
On the equation x2 + ry2 = z2
Authors: Read Emrys
Published: February 2019

In this Article, we derive a method for classifying all positive integer solutions of the equation x2 + ry2 = z2, where r is a given positive rational. In order to simplify notation, such a solution with x = a, y = b and z = c will be denoted by the ordered triple (a, b, c) and, in all that follows, the term solution will be taken to mean a positive integer solution of the above equation. The method employed will be similar to that used in [1] to find all integer triangles containing an angle whose cosine is known.
Expressions for rational approximations to square roots of integers using Pell's equation
Authors: Surendran Ken , Babu Desarazu Krishna
Published: February 2019

There are recursive expressions (see [1]) for sequentially generating the integer solutions to Pell's equation: p2 − Dq2 = 1, where D is any positive non-square integer. With known positive integer solution p1 and q1 we can compute, using these recursive expressions, pn and qn for all n > 1. See Table in [2] for a list of smallest integer, or fundamental, solutions p1 and q1 for D≤ 128. These (pn, qn) pairs also form rational approximations to that, as noted in [3, Chapter 3], match with convergents (Cn = pn / qn) of the Regular Continued Fractions (RCF, continued fractions with the numerator of all fractions equal to 1) for .
Calculation of π with a needle
Authors: Lorentziadi Athina
Published: February 2019

The number πis perhaps the most famous irrational number. This constant is equal to the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. One of the most well-known mathematical problems of antiquity, which is related to π, is how to construct by using a ruler and compasses a square which has the same area as a circle. This particular problem cannot be solved, due to the fact that π is a transcendental number, which means that it cannot be obtained as the root of a polynomial equation with rational coefficients. It was Euler in the 18th century who established the notation π.
The whole can be very much less than the sum of its parts
Authors: Shiu Peter
Published: February 2019

This Article is on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and the fast Fourier transform (FFT). As we shall see, FFT is a slight misnomer, causing confusion to beginners. The idiosyncratic title will be clarified in §4.

Computing machines are highly efficient nowadays, and much of the efficiency is based on the use of the FFT to speed up calculations in ultrahigh precision arithmetic. The algorithm is now an indispensable tool for solving problems that involve a large amount of computation, resulting in many useful and important applications: for example, in signal processing, data compression and photo-images in general, and WiFi, mobile phones, CT scanners and MR imaging in particular.
Diversity ofRhabdochona mexicana(Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae), a parasite ofAstyanaxspp. (Characidae) in Mexico and Guatemala, using mitochondrial and nuclear genes, with the description of a new species
Authors: Santacruz A. , Ornelas-García C.P. , Pérez-Ponce de León G.
Published: February 2019

Among fish parasitic nematodesRhabdochonais one of the most speciose genera, withc.100 species. Twelve congeneric species occur in Mexican freshwater fishes, in a region located between the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical regions. Host association and biogeographical history have determined the high species richness ofRhabdochonain Mexico. One of these species,Rhabdochona mexicana, is highly specific to the characid genusAstyanax.Characids are a group of freshwater fish with Neotropical affinity. In this paper, we explore the genetic diversity ofR. mexicanathrough samples obtained from populations ofAstyanaxspp. across river basins of Mexico and Guatemala. Sequences of one mitochondrial and two ribosomal genes were obtained from 38 individuals and analysed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analysis. Phylogenetic analyses usingcox1, and a concatenated alignment of 18S + 28S +cox1 recovered two genetic lineages. One of them corresponded withR. mexicana sensu stricto; this lineage included three reciprocally monophyletic subgroups; the other lineage was highly divergent and represented a putative candidate species. A detailed morphological study was conducted to corroborate the molecular findings. We describe a new species herein and discuss the implications of using molecular tools to increase our knowledge about the diversity of a speciose genus such asRhabdochona.
Tontines, annuities and civic improvements in Georgian Britain
Authors: GREEN DAVID R.
Published: February 2019

Civic improvement in Georgian Britain required significant amounts of capital. Tontines were an important means of financing projects. This article provides new evidence based largely on local newspapers that demonstrates their local and national importance for mutual assurance and building. Shifts in profitability depended on the price of Consols and this explains why building tontines increased in importance. Tontines were used to fund new leisure spaces, workhouses, prisons, bridges, streets and other improvements. Their popularity waned in the later nineteenth century but until then they were an important means of funding civic improvements.
WEIERSTRASS PRYM EIGENFORMS IN GENUS FOUR
Authors: Lanneau Erwan , Nguyen Duc-Manh
Published: February 2019

We prove the connectedness of the Prym eigenforms loci in genus four (for real multiplication by some order of discriminant $D$), for any $D$. These loci were discovered by McMullen in 2006.
EDITORIAL
Authors: KOOPMAN TON
Published: February 2019

It was as a boy of twelve or thirteen that I played the harpsichord for the first time. My early experiences of ensemble playing with the instrument took place with my contemporaries, but primarily with my Dutch teacher at secondary school and his wife, Mr and Mrs Meijer. Both were amateur recorder players, and as a young amateur harpsichordist I would accompany them. At first I would diligently play the realized basso-continuo parts, such as the ones often found in twentieth-century editions. Sometimes it was clear that one could make changes to what was in the realizations, informed by one's own insights, but my insights were not formed at that stage and I did not know where to begin. Very soon I found these realized parts boring. One day, while drinking a glass of wine (one of my first), Mr Meijer asked me, ‘Have you noticed that under the realized part, there are often figures noted down? Do you dare to play from them?’. After many wrong chords, but in the company of kind people who had also made mistakes themselves, I began to understand the system of figures a little. We played together every Saturday, and very soon I found it more pleasant to play without the chordal realizations. Then one fine Saturday afternoon, I sat down at the harpsichord to find that Mr or Mrs Meijer had taped over the right hand of the realized continuo part with an empty staff! There was no more escaping it now: I was dragged back to the bass line and the figures. After many further Saturday afternoon sessions, the results became more acceptable.