bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A continual beam scanning periodic composite right/left handed leaky wave antenna with the open‐stopband suppressed
Authors: Zhang Chaoqun , Zhang Mingyu , Gong Jianqiang , Wang Yuhao
Published: July 2019

In this article, a periodic leaky wave antenna is proposed, which is in essence 10 series‐connected composite right/left handed unit‐cells with symmetrical slots and metallic pins. An investigation on suppressing the open‐stopband is presented. By adjusting the locations of the pins and the widths of the slots, the frequency‐balancing condition is satisfied. The dispersion diagrams are obtained to reveal the radiation characteristics. A typical model is fabricated and measured to validate the design concept. The model realizes continual backward to forward main‐beam scanning from about 6.2 GHz to 8.6 GHz with a gain of 9.48dBi at broadside at 7.2 GHz. No significant degradation of the gain is observed at broadside, implying that the open‐stopband is suppressed.
Fast model‐based T2 mapping using SAR‐reduced simultaneous multislice excitation
Authors: Hilbert Tom , Schulz Jenni , Marques José P. , Thiran Jean‐Philippe , Krueger Gunnar , Norris David G. , Kober Tobias
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To obtain whole‐brain high‐resolution T2 maps in 2 minutes by combining simultaneous multislice excitation and low‐power PINS (power independent of number of slices) refocusing pulses with undersampling and a model‐based reconstruction.

Methods

A multi‐echo spin‐echo sequence was modified to acquire multiple slices simultaneously, ensuring low specific absorption rate requirements. In addition, the acquisition was undersampled to achieve further acceleration. Data were reconstructed by subsequently applying parallel imaging to separate signals from different slices, and a model‐based reconstruction to estimate quantitative T2 from the undersampled data. The signal model used is based on extended phase graph simulations that also account for nonideal slice profiles and B1 inhomogeneity. In vivo experiments with 3 healthy subjects were performed to compare accelerated T2 maps to fully sampled single‐slice acquisitions. The accuracy of the T2 values was assessed with phantom experiments by comparing the T2 values to single‐echo spin‐echo measurements.

Results

In vivo results showed that conventional multi‐echo spin‐echo, simultaneous multislice, and undersampling result in similar mean T2 values within regions of interest. However, combining simultaneous multislice and undersampling results in higher SDs (about 7 ms) in comparison to a conventional sequence (about 3 ms). The T2 values were reproducible between scan and rescan (SD < 1.2 ms) within subjects and were in similar ranges across subjects (SD < 4.5 ms).

Conclusion

The proposed method is a fast T2 mapping technique that enables whole‐brain acquisitions at 0.7‐mm in‐plane resolution, 3‐mm slice thickness, and low specific absorption rate in 2 minutes.
SHORE‐based detection and imputation of dropout in diffusion MRI
Authors: Koch Alexandra , Zhukov Andrei , Stöcker Tony , Groeschel Samuel , Schultz Thomas
Published: July 2019

Purpose

In diffusion MRI, dropout refers to a strong attenuation of the measured signal that is caused by bulk motion during the diffusion encoding. When left uncorrected, dropout will be erroneously interpreted as high diffusivity in the affected direction. We present a method to automatically detect dropout, and to replace the affected measurements with imputed values.

Methods

Signal dropout is detected by deriving an outlier score from a simple harmonic oscillator‐based reconstruction and estimation (SHORE) fit of all measurements. The outlier score is defined to detect measurements that are substantially lower than predicted by SHORE in a relative sense, while being less sensitive to measurement noise in cases of weak baseline signal. A second SHORE fit is based on detected inliers only, and its predictions are used to replace outliers.

Results

Our method is shown to reliably detect and accurately impute dropout in simulated data, and to achieve plausible results in corrupted in vivo dMRI measurements. Computational effort is much lower than with previously proposed alternatives.

Conclusions

Deriving a suitable outlier score from SHORE results in a fast and accurate method for detection and imputation of dropout in diffusion MRI. It requires measurements with multiple b values (such as multi‐shell or DSI), but is independent from the models used for analysis (such as DKI, NODDI, deconvolution, etc.).
Regulatory system of mGluR group II in the nucleus accumbens for methamphetamine‐induced dopamine increase by the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Haddar Meriem , Uno Kyosuke , Hamatani Kohei , Muramatsu Shin‐ichi , Nitta Atsumi
Published: July 2019

Aim

We previously reported that methamphetamine (METH)‐induced conditioned place preference was attenuated by Shati/Nat8l overexpression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Shati/Nat8l overexpression in the mPFC expressed lower levels of both glutamate and dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and attenuated METH‐induced DA elevation. We suggested a mechanism in which a decline of glutamate levels in the NAc decreases extracellular DA levels. However, the hypothesis has not confirmed.

Methods

We conducted a recovery experiments by pre‐microinjection of an mGluR group II antagonist, LY341495, into the NAc shell of mPFC‐Shati/Nat8l‐overexpressed mice followed by METH injection and DA levels measurement by in vivo microdialysis.

Results

Pretreatment with LY341495 was able to restore METH‐induced DA increase. Furthermore, mice injected with an adeno‐associated virus vector containing GFP (AAV‐GFP vector) in the mPFC expressed a colocalization of GFP with DARPP‐32 a medium spiny neuron (MSN) marker. Next, co‐immunostaining of DARPP‐32 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS: expressed in a subtype of gamma‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA interneurons) in ventral tegmental area (VTA) showed a colocalization of nNOS and DARPP‐32.

Conclusion

These results provided a proof that Shati/Nat8l attenuation of METH‐induced DA increase is mediated by mGluR group II in the NAc. Moreover, immunohistochemical study showed a direct connection of mPFC projection neurons with NAc MSN and a connection of MSN projection neurons with a subtype of GABA interneurons in VTA.
Simultaneous enhancement of thermal conductivity and flame retardancy for epoxy resin thermosets through self‐assemble of ammonium polyphosphate surface with graphitic carbon nitride
Authors: Leng Yang , Xu Miao‐Jun , Sun Yue , Han Run‐Xu , Li Bin
Published: July 2019

Conferring the flame retardant performance and thermal conductivity simultaneously for epoxy resin (EP) thermosets was significant for fire safety and thermal management applications of electrical and electronic devices. Herein, the graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) with desired amount was assembled on the surface of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and the obtained APP/g‐C3N4 (CN‐APP) was characterized and confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy tests, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. CN‐APP was incorporated into EP and then cured with m‐phenylenediamine. The thermal conductive value of EP/CN‐APP thermosets achieved 1.09 W·mK−1, and the samples achieved UL‐94 V‐0 grade during vertical burning tests with the limiting oxygen index of 30.1% when 7 wt% CN‐APP with the mass fraction of APP/g‐C3N4 of 9/1 was incorporated. For comparative investigation, equal amount of individual g‐C3N4 was introduced into EP thermosets, and the thermal conductivity was only 0.4 W·mK−1. Compared with pure EP, the addition of CN‐APP enhanced the glass transition temperature of EP/CN‐APP thermosets and promoted the generation of more expanded, coherent, and compact char layer during combustion. Consequently, the heat release and smoke production of EP/CN‐APP thermosets were greatly suppressed and led to the improvement of fire safety of materials. It was an alternative and promising approach for preparing high‐performance polymeric materials especially used in integrated electronic devices.
An experimental and theoretical mechanistic analysis of thermal degradation of polypropylene/polylactic acid/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Karimpour‐Motlagh Navid , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Jafari Seyed Hassan , Panahi‐Sarmad Mahyar , Javadi Azizeh , Shojaei Shahrokh , Goodarzi Vahabodin
Published: July 2019

Polypropylene/polylactic acid (PP/PLA) blends containing 5 wt% of nanoclay in presence and absence of an ethylene‐butylacrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer as compatibilizer were prepared by melt‐mixing process. A matrix‐droplet–type morphology confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies is formed in presence and absence of the compatibilizer in which the clay platelets were mainly localized in the polylactic acid (PLA) dispersed phase. Degradation studies by means of thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and analysis of degradation activation energy (Ea), Tmax (maximum degradation temperature), and ΔT (difference between initial and final degradation temperatures) parameters for each polymer component of the system revealed that incorporation of less stable PLA phase to polypropylene (PP) decreases Ea and Tmax parameters, and hence, reduces the thermal stability of PP phase, while incorporation of clay nanoplatelets to the neat blend further reduces its thermal stability attributed to their lack of localization in PP phase. Compatibilization of the filled system results in migration of clay nanoplatelets toward PP and improves Ea and Tmax of PP phase. On the other hand, the Ea and Tmax of PLA phase of the blend were increased with incorporation of clay and its localization within that phase, while compatibilization of the filled system slightly reduces thermal stability of PLA phase due to migration of clay toward PP. A correlation was found between Ea and intensity of the thermogravimetry analysis Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA‐FTIR) peaks of the evolved products. Using the Criado method, a detailed analysis on degradation mechanism of each component was performed, and the changes in the degradation mechanism of the developed systems were determined.
A psychosocial clinical care pathway for pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kazak Anne E. , Swain Avi Madan , Canter Kimberly , Vega Gabriela , Joffe Naomi , Deatrick Janet A. , Kolb E. Anders , Chewning Joseph , Pai Ahna L.H.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Currently, no evidence‐based psychosocial clinical care pathways (PCCP) exist to triage psychosocial risk levels and guide delivery of psychosocial care to youth receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and their families. The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of qualitative research methodologies to develop PCCP in pediatric HCT consistent with the Standards for Psychosocial Care developed for children with cancer.

Methods

We previously used qualitative methodologies to interview parents to identify four principles to inform the development of PCCPs. Then in this study a focus group with parents and multidisciplinary clinicians was conducted to assess the acceptability of the PCCP, suggest modifications, and provide input on its use.

Results

The PCCP is six‐step pathway, starting with a standardized screening assessment with the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT‐HCT) that identifies the family's specific care needs. The focus group data support overall assessment with the PAT‐HCT and the care principles underlying this approach.

Conclusions

This PCCP is a systemic multidisciplinary model for providing psychosocial care that is ready for the next stage of development and evaluation in clinical care.
When “a headache is not just a headache”: A qualitative examination of parent and child experiences of pain after childhood cancer
Authors: Tutelman Perri R. , Chambers Christine T. , Urquhart Robin , Fernandez Conrad V. , Heathcote Lauren C. , Noel Melanie , Flanders Annette , Guilcher Gregory M.T. , Schulte Fiona , Stinson Jennifer N. , MacLeod Julia , Stern Maya
Published: July 2019

Objective

Today, more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are expected to survive. Despite the high prevalence of pain associated with the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer, there is a limited understanding of how having cancer shapes children's experience and meaning of pain after treatment has ended. This study addresses this gap by exploring childhood cancer survivors' (CCS') experiences of pain from their perspective and the perspective of their parents.

Methods

Twenty semi‐structured interviews were completed with CCS (50% female; mean age = 13.20 y, range = 8‐17 y) and their parents (90% mothers). Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Results

Analyses revealed three superordinate themes present in the data: (a) pain is a changed experience after childhood cancer; (b) new or ambiguous pains may be interpreted by CCS and parents as a threat of disease recurrence, late effects, or a secondary cancer; and (c) pain interpretation occurs within the broader context of how CCS and parents appraise their cancer experience. Parents generally appraised their child's cancer and pain as more threatening and were influential in guiding their child's interpretations.

Conclusions

The cancer experience played an important role in shaping CCS' and their parents' experience and interpretation of pain in survivorship. This study provides novel data to inform the development and refinement of new and existing conceptual models of pain and symptom perception after cancer. The results also point to key areas for future investigation and clinical intervention to address the issue of pain in cancer survivorship.
Understanding students' conceptions of plant reproduction to better teach plant biology in schools
Authors: Lampert Peter , Scheuch Martin , Pany Peter , Müllner Bernhard , Kiehn Michael
Published: July 2019

Societal Impact Statement

It is critical that people understand the importance of plants to all life on Earth, and this must be taught in an understandable and engaging way at an early age. Plant reproduction provides useful real‐life examples for teaching students about the biology of plants. However, what do students actually know about this process? We asked students to complete one of three writing tasks to ascertain their understanding of plant reproduction. Their responses provide useful insight into their conceptions of plant reproduction. Ultimately, better knowledge of students' conceptions of topics like plant reproduction can provide educators with important insights to help guide and improve teaching of plant biology in schools.

Summary

Teaching botany is a challenge due to the phenomenon of “plant blindness” and students' general lack of interest in plants. The reproduction of flowering plants can serve as a useful topic for teaching botany by providing a real‐life context to aid learning. However, research has shown that students have difficulties in understanding how the stages of plant reproduction are connected. This study aims to examine students' conceptions of the processes of plant reproduction.

Students' conceptions were analyzed in a multi‐method approach. A total of 724 students from fifth to 12th grade (aged 10–18 years) were assessed using three different types of writing and drawing tasks. Students' conceptions were analyzed in a qualitative content analysis.

Results show that students struggle to differentiate between pollination and seed dispersal. Moreover, students have better knowledge about the function of seeds than about the function of pollen. Students are most familiar with seed dispersal by wind and pollination by bees.

Better knowledge of students' conceptions can greatly aid teaching. Students' awareness of the function of seeds can be used as a starting point for teaching plant reproduction. The writing and drawing tasks of the study can be used in class to assess students' conceptions in an easy way to make conceptions and their development visible to both students and teachers. Knowledge about students' conceptions of plant reproduction can serve as a basis for deeper understanding and improve how plant biology is taught in schools.
Airway symptoms and atopy in young children prescribed asthma medications: A large‐scale cohort study
Authors: Mikalsen Ingvild Bruun , Dalen Ingvild , Karlstad Øystein , Eide Geir Egil , Magnus Maria , Nystad Wenche , Øymar Knut
Published: July 2019

Diagnosing asthma and deciding treatment are difficult in young children. An inappropriate and too high prescription rate of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is suggested, but how airway symptoms are associated with prescriptions of asthma medication is less known. We studied how strongly wheeze, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), and atopic diseases are associated with dispensing of asthma medications during early childhood.

We used data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study and the Norwegian Prescription Database at four age‐intervals (0‐6, 6‐18, 18‐36 months, and 3‐7 years). Primary outcomes were dispensed asthma medications (no medication, short‐acting β‐2 agonist, or ICS). Relative risks (RRs) and average attributable fractions (AAFs) were estimated.

Both wheeze and LRTI were positively associated with both medication groups (0‐6 months: no data on wheeze). The RRs and AAFs were higher for wheeze than LRTI. For ICS, the AAFs (95% CI) for wheeze vs LRTI were: 6 to 18 months: 69.2 (67.2, 71.2)% vs 10.4 (9.0, 11.8)%, 18 to 36 months: 33.0 (30.5, 35.5)% vs 10.0 (8.0, 12.0)%, and 3 to 7 years: 33.7 (31.0, 36.5)% vs 1.2 (0.5, 1.9)%. Except at 3 to 7 years of age, the AAFs were lower for atopic diseases than for LRTI and wheeze. Atopic diseases modified the associations between wheeze and ICS at 18 to 36 months and between LRTI or wheeze and ICS at 3 to 7 years.

In conclusion, both wheeze and LRTI were associated with prescriptions of asthma medications in young children, with the strongest associations seen for wheeze. Atopic diseases contributed to these associations only in the oldest age groups.
Enterohepatic circulation of glucuronide metabolites of drugs in dog
Authors: Zhou Xin , Cassidy Kenneth C. , Hudson Loyd , Mohutsky Michael A. , Sawada Geri A. , Hao Junliang
Published: July 2019

The enterohepatic circulation (EHC) of drugs is often the result of the direct glucuronidation, excretion of the metabolite into bile, followed by hydrolysis to the aglycone by the gut microbiome and finally reabsorption of drug into the systemic circulation. The aim of present study to identify key factors in determining the EHC in dog for canagliflozin and DPTQ, two compounds cleared by UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) mediated O‐alkyl glucuronidation and cytochrome P450 (P450) mediated oxidation. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the drugs were compared between bile duct cannulated (BDC) and intact beagle dogs after a single intravenous administration. A long terminal elimination phase was observed for DPTQ but not for canagliflozin in intact dogs, while this long terminal half‐life was not seen in BDC animals, suggesting the EHC of DPTQ. Quantification of parent drugs and glucuronide metabolites in bile, urine and feces indicated low recovery of parent in bile and urine and low recovery of conjugated metabolites in urine for both drugs, while biliary excretion of these glucuronide metabolites in BDC dog were low for canagliflozin but much higher for DPTQ. The increased fecal recovery of parent drug in intact dog and the lack of glucuronide metabolites suggested the hydrolysis of DPTQ‐glucuronides by gut microbiome. Subsequent characterization of in vitro hepatic metabolism and permeability properties indicated the hepatic fraction metabolized by UGT, hydrolysis of metabolites, and reabsorption of the aglycone were key factors in determining the EHC of DPTQ.
Preparation and Optical Study of Zn(II) Metal Organic Framework Thin Film for Xylene Gas Sensing Application
Authors: Tuergong Mariyemu , Nizamidin Patima , Yin Yan , Saisai Liu , Yimit Abliz
Published: July 2019

An optically transparent metal‐organic framework thin film, [Zn2(bdc)2(dpNDI)]n, is grown on the tin‐diffused glass substrate using layer‐by‐layer liquid phase epitaxial (LPE) growth method at room temperature (20 °C). The influence of growth cycle on morphology, optical properties, and gas sensibility of [Zn2(bdc)2(dpNDI)]n thin film is studied for the first time. The [Zn2(bdc)2(dpNDI)]n thin film displays a honeycomb framework with a large pore size, uniform surface morphology, and higher absorbance after 11 cycles of growth. The optical gas sensing performance of [Zn2(bdc)2(dpNDI)]n thin films is then monitored using the planar optical waveguide (POWG) gas detection system under UV light (395 nm) irradiation. As a result, the [Zn2(bdc)2(dpNDI)]n thin film POWGs exhibit a greater adsorption response to xylene gas, due to the larger refractive index and absorbance changes upon various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The thin film POWG sensor shows fast, reversible response to xylene gas, in the concentration range of 1–1000 ppm. Furthermore, the xylene gas adsorption kinetics at different temperature is also investigated, in which the xylene gas adsorption behaviors of [Zn2(bdc)2(dpNDI)]n thin film follow a pseudo‐second order (PSO) model; at room temperature, the adsorption capacity on the unit surface is 7.92 μg cm−2.
Pneumocystis jirovecii in a patient on dose‐dense chemotherapy for early breast cancer
Authors: Khoo Chloe , Gilchrist Jenny , Williamson Jonathan Philip , Paul Miriam , Kefford Richard
Published: July 2019

A 70‐year‐old woman underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with dose‐dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for early breast cancer. After her fourth cycle of chemotherapy, she developed severe fatigue and cough with rapid‐onset hypoxic respiratory failure. Investigations demonstrated extensive bilateral consolidation with positive bronchial washings for Pneumocystis jirovecii by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite high‐dose trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, she progressed to multi‐organ failure and succumbed. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) has traditionally rarely occurred in women on adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy but may pose a more serious risk in dose‐dense regimes due to higher concurrent exposure to anti‐emetic corticosteroids. Clinicians are alerted to the need for vigilance of this rare complication and for rationalization of dexamethasone dosage to mitigate this risk, particularly in the era of modern triple‐agent anti‐emetic regimens.
Synchronization of singular switched complex networks via impulsive control with all nonsynchronized subnetworks
Authors: Zhan Tao , Ma Shuping , Liu Xinzhi
Published: July 2019

This paper studies impulsive synchronization of a class of nonlinear singular switched complex networks (SSCNs). With the aid of discretized Lyapunov function method and the matrix generalized inverse technique, an impulsive controller is designed, which works on both the slow and the fast state variables to synchronize SSCNs at impulsive instant. Based on the designed controller, it is shown that the synchronization of SSCNs is achieved in two cases: all subnetworks that are not self‐synchronized and all subnetworks that are self‐synchronized. Moreover, an example is given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Evaluation of sustainable supply chain management performance: Dimensions and aspects
Authors: Narimissa Omid , Kangarani‐Farahani Ali , Molla‐Alizadeh‐Zavardehi Saber
Published: July 2019

Over the past 10 years, it is figured out by the firms that effective strategies are needed for increasing the competitiveness of their supply chains. Therefore, the supply chain's traditional view has been developed to sustainable supply chain perspective. Organizations that emphasize on the importance of sustainability will benefit from improved performance. For categorizing the supply chain indicators, sustainability deployment is necessary to identify the second layer or dimensions and aspects of sustainability in addition to the main sustainability dimensions such as the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Literature has shown that in the important paradigm of sustainability, careful attention is not paid to the distinction between dimensions and aspects of sustainability. Therefore, for smoothing implementation and assessment of sustainability, consideration of the role and effect of dimensions and aspects of sustainability is essential. This paper is conducted by two fundamental and practical objectives. First, the dimensions and aspects of sustainability have been investigated and identified highlighting the lacks of conflicts in the literature. Second, the most important dimensions and aspects of sustainability are identified in one of the supply chains of Iran's oil companies using experts' opinions. The results of this research is beneficial for the researchers to consider the sustainability aspects and improve the related measures of their industries.
Oxalic Acid Enabled Emission Enhancement and Continuous Extraction of Chloride from Cesium Lead Chloride/Bromide Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Wang Shixun , Shen Xinyu , Zhang Yu , Zhuang Xingwei , Xue Dingke , Zhang Xiangtong , Wu Jinlei , Zhu Jinyang , Shi Zhifeng , Kershaw Stephen V. , Yu William W. , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: July 2019

All‐inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have demonstrated excellent optical properties and an encouraging potential for optoelectronic applications; however, mixed‐halide perovskites, especially CsPb(Cl/Br)3 NCs, still show lower photoluminescence quantum yields (PL QY) than the corresponding single‐halide materials. Herein, anhydrous oxalic acid is used to post‐treat CsPb(Cl/Br)3 NCs in order to initially remove surface defects and halide vacancies, and thus, to improve their PL QY from 11% to 89% for the emission of 451 nm. Furthermore, due to the continuous chelating reaction with the oxalate ion, chloride anions from the mixed‐halide CsPb(Cl/Br)3 perovskite NCs could be extracted, and green emitting CsPbBr3 NCs with PL QY of 85% at 511 nm emission are obtained. Besides being useful to improve the emission of CsPb(Cl/Br)3 NCs, the oxalic acid treatment strategy introduced here provides a further tool to adjust the distribution of halide anions in mixed‐halide perovskites without using any halide additives.
Disinfection of Infected Root Canals: Nanosilver Has Good Potential
Authors: Yin Wei , Zheng Zhong , Liu Yaoli , Wang Lina , Shi Chun , Zhang Lianlian , Liu Shuo , Niu Weidong , Ting Kang , Bian Zhuan
Published: July 2019

Bacterial elimination is the key to the treatment of periapical periodontitis. However, existing root canal disinfectants have not fully met this requirement. Here, a new disinfectant candidate, nanosilver, is provided and its efficacy against root canal infection is analyzed. Compared to calcium hydroxide, the nanosilver, which is evenly loaded into the poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) carrier, shows excellent bactericidal activity against free‐living Enterococcus faecalis, stable‐phase E. faecalis biofilm, and starved‐phase E. faecalis biofilm, which is difficult to eliminate through root canal therapy at present. Nanosilver also exhibits great biocompatibility as it does not affect the proliferation of primary pulp cells. In lipopolysaccharide‐triggered periapical periodontitis, the application of nanosilver significantly inhibits the expression of several inflammation‐related factors, including TLR4, Caspase‐1, and Caspase‐11. Furthermore, nanosilver also has a great anti‐inflammatory effect on inhibiting the progression of canine chronic periapical periodontitis. The quantity of E. faecalis in canals and the shadow area around the apex significantly decrease after application of 1% and 2% nanosilver for 4 weeks. It is demonstrated that 1% and 2% nanosilver has a superior ability to resist periapical periodontitis in vivo and in vitro.
Low Transition Temperature Mixtures (LTTM) Containing Sugars as Potato Starch Plasticizers
Authors: Zdanowicz Magdalena , Staciwa Piotr , Spychaj Tadeusz
Published: July 2019

For the first time, low transition temperature mixtures – LTTM based on sugars: fructose (Fruc), glucose (Gluc) or sucrose (Suc), and glycerol (G) are prepared, characterized by DSC and applied as potato starch plasticizers. Sugar‐based LTTM exhibits good plasticizing activity leading to homogenous transparent, flexible thermoplastic starch (TPS) materials. Mechanical, dynamic mechanical (DMA), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), and FTIR analysis of obtained TPS/LTTM films are performed for their relative comparison. For TPS/Fruc:G films, tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus (YM) decreases and elongation at break (EB) increases with increase of G. However, for TPS/Gluc:G molar ratio of Gluc to G did not affect significantly on films mechanical properties. Comparing two monosugars, i.e., Gluc and Fruc, TPS/Gluc:G materials exhibit slightly higher TS (4.8–5.8 MPa) but lower EB (44–61%) in comparison with TPS/Fruc:G films (TS 3.2–5.0 MPa; EB 90–115%) at 25 °C, RH 50%. LTTM as whole mixture of components led to TPS products with not only higher TS, YM but even EB in comparison with films where sugars and G were added separately into starch. Mutual interaction between sugar, polyol and starch is confirmed by DMA. XRD reveals that starch with LTTM undergone amorphization and TPS/Suc:G 1:6 is the most amorphous among investigated TPS films.
Belt‐and‐Road Initiative: Driving the need to understand intellectual capital in Chinese multinational enterprises
Authors: Kong Eric , Wei William X. , Swallow Phillip , Thomson S. Bruce
Published: July 2019

China's Belt‐and‐Road Initiative (BRI) is one of the most ambitious trade and development projects in history which intends to link Chinese multinational enterprises (CMNEs) to the Asian subcontinent, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe through two trade routes, land and sea. The project involves infrastructure development, human knowledge, and international relations to develop trade relationships. Increased competition along the two routes will see other governments taking initiatives to protect the business community in their nations; thus, adding barriers that must be overcome by CMNEs. The success of CMNEs in the BRI relies on the three components—structural, human, and relational—which are the three components of intellectual capital (IC). Through the use of IC CMNEs can assess their strengths and weaknesses. It will be the understanding of these strengths and weaknesses which will drive the success or failure of CMNEs.
Using weather sensitivity analysis to predict business performance
Authors: Brown Hannah , Lee Malcolm , Steele Edward , Neal Robert , Chowienczyk Katie
Published: July 2019

For many businesses, the weather is a strong driver of performance. Here, we introduce two assessment tools for organisations wanting to identify these links, so that they may subsequently be used to predict future changes. By combining data collected by businesses with historical weather data, the assessment tools use a set of pre‐defined statistical analysis methods to quantify their particular sensitivities. This analysis is fast and flexible, to facilitate the ease of incorporation of meteorological effects into the corporate decision‐making process. The weather sensitivity analysis conducted includes both correlation and regression analysis and weather pattern analysis, providing results suitable for subsequent operational application within a real‐time forecast system. A demonstration is provided for bike hire data collected under the Santander Cycles scheme, published by Transport for London, wherein it is shown that 74% of the variability in the journeys undertaken may be explained by a simple statistical model involving only two weather variables (temperature and rainfall).
Computation of exact probabilities associated with overlapping pattern occurrences
Authors: Martin Donald E. K.
Published: July 2019

Searching for patterns in data is important because it can lead to the discovery of sequence segments that play a functional role. The complexity of pattern statistics that are used in data analysis and the need of the sampling distribution of those statistics for inference renders efficient computation methods as paramount. This article gives an overview of the main methods used to compute distributions of statistics of overlapping pattern occurrences, specifically, generating functions, correlation functions, the Goulden‐Jackson cluster method, recursive equations, and Markov chain embedding. The underlying data sequence will be assumed to be higher‐order Markovian, which includes sparse Markov models and variable length Markov chains as special cases. Also considered will be recent developments for extending the computational capabilities of the Markov chain‐based method through an algorithm for minimizing the size of the chain's state space, as well as improved data modeling capabilities through sparse Markov models. An application to compute a distribution used as a test statistic in sequence alignment will serve to illustrate the usefulness of the methodology.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Pattern Recognition

Data: Types and Structure > Categorical Data

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Modeling Methods and Algorithms
Less invasive monitoring of cougars in Colorado's front range
Authors: Alldredge Mat W. , Blecha Tasha , Lewis Jonathan H.
Published: July 2019

From 2014 to 2016, in the Front Range of Colorado, USA, we assessed noninvasive approaches to sampling cougar (Puma concolor) populations in an attempt to provide a new method that would be less field intensive, less expensive, and could be applied over large spatial extents compared with current methods. We assessed the use of predator calls to lure cougars to a site with remote camera traps for detection and also evaluated hair snags at sites to noninvasively identify individual animals. Predator calls effectively attracted cougars to specific sites with an average of 82 unique photographic detections of cougars per survey year (0.03 detections/trap‐night). However, obtaining hair samples from these animals was less effective because animals did not always pass through hair snags and ability to uniquely identify individuals by genotype was poor. We evaluated different approaches to estimating cougar density and found mark–resight to be a viable option in our study system. Mark–resight density estimate after correcting for partial use of the sampling area by cougars was 4.1 cougars/100 km2 (95% CI = 2.4, 5.8). Our results indicate that combining methods of noninvasive genetic sampling and auditory calls to monitor cougar populations can provide reliable density estimates over large geographic areas and areas with significant amounts of inaccessible private lands. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
High‐precision X‐ray spectroscopy of Fe ions in an EBIT using a micro‐calorimeter detector: First results
Authors: Herdrich Marc O. , Fleischmann Andreas , Hengstler Daniel , Allgeier Steffen , Enss Christian , Trotsenko Sergiy , Morgenroth Tino , Schuch Reinhold , Weber Günter , Stöhlker Thomas
Published: July 2019

A micro‐calorimeter X‐ray detector of the maXs‐30 type was used to record the X‐ray radiation from Fe ions, being produced in the S‐EBIT‐I electron beam ion trap at the site of GSI. The resulting spectra demonstrate the superior energy resolving power of micro‐calorimeter detectors compared with conventional semiconductor detectors. The experiment serves as another proof of principle for the application of calorimeters as dedicated high‐resolution X‐ray spectrometers at an ion facility. Together with the development of an improved analysis algorithm for online readout, these results present a step towards the use of maXs‐type detectors as standard instrumentation at GSI/FAIR.
The emergence of the ΔU = 0 rule in charm physics
Authors: Grossman Yuval , Schacht Stefan
Published: July 2019

Abstract

We discuss the implications of the recent discovery of CP violation in two-body SCS D decays by LHCb. We show that the result can be explained within the SM without the need for any large SU(3) breaking effects. It further enables the determination of the imaginary part of the ratio of the ΔU = 0 over ΔU = 1 matrix elements in charm decays, which we find to be (0.65 ± 0.12). Within the standard model, the result proves the non-perturbative nature of the penguin contraction of tree operators in charm decays, similar to the known non-perturbative enhancement of ΔI = 1/2 over ΔI = 3/2 matrix elements in kaon decays, that is, the ΔI = 1/2 rule. As a guideline for future measurements, we show how to completely solve the most general parametrization of the D → P
+
P
− system.
Same-sign WW scattering in the HEFT: discoverability vs. EFT validity
Authors: Kozów P. , Merlo L. , Pokorski S. , Szleper M.
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Vector boson scatterings are fundamental processes to shed light on the nature of the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism. Deviations from the Standard Model predictions on the corresponding observables can be interpreted in terms of effective field theories, that however undergo consistency conditions. In this paper, the same-sign WW scattering is considered within the HEFT context and the correct usage of the effective field theory approach is discussed. Regions of the parameters space are identified where a signal of new physics could be measured at HL-LHC with a significance of more than 5σ and the effective field theory description is consistently adopted. These results are then translated into bounds on the ξ parameter in the composite Higgs scenario. The discussion on the agreement with previous literature and the comparison with the equivalent analysis in the SMEFT case are also included.
Erratum to: Searching for flavored gauge bosons
Authors: Chun Eung Jin , Das Arindam , Kim Jinsu , Kim Jongkuk
Published: July 2019

We provide a change to the LHC bounds on B – 3L

i
(i = 1, 2, 3) scenario in ref. [1].
Correlation between $$ {R}_{D^{\left(\ast \right)}} $$ and top quark FCNC decays in leptoquark models
Authors: Kim Tae Jeong , Ko Pyungwon , Li Jinmian , Park Jiwon , Wu Peiwen
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Some interpretations of

$$ {R}_{D^{\left(\ast \right)}} $$

R

D

∗

anomaly in B meson decay using leptoquark (LQ) models can also generate top quark decays through Flavor Changing Neutral Current (FCNC). In this work we focus on two LQs, i.e. scalar S
1 and vector U
1 which are both singlet under the SU(2)
L
gauge group in the Standard Model (SM). We investigate their implications on the 3-body top FCNC decays t → cℓ

i

ℓ

j
at tree level and the 2-body t → cV at one-loop level, with ℓ being the SM leptons and V = γ, Z, g being the SM gauge bosons. We utilize the 2σ parameter fitting ranges of the LQ models and find that Br(t → cℓ

i

ℓ

j
) at tree level can reach

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(10−6) and Br(t → cV) at one-loop level can reach

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(10−10). Some quick collider search prospects are also analyzed.
Correction to: Dynamic analysis of gene expression and determination of chemicals in agarwood in Aquilaria sinensis
Authors: Wu Zeqing , Liu Wanzhen , Li Jing , Yu Liangwen , Lin Li
Published: July 2019

The article “Dynamic analysis of gene expression and determination of chemicals in agarwood in Aquilaria sinensis”, written by Zeqing Wu, Wanzhen Liu, Jing Li, Liangwen Yu and Li Lin was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 10th May 2019 without open access.
High-speed tracking based on multi-CF filters and attention mechanism
Authors: Fan Songyuan , Wang Rui , Wu Zhihao , Rho Seungmin , Liu Shaohui , Xiong Jiaxin , Fu Sen , Jiang Feng
Published: July 2019

Recently, correlation filters and deep convolutional network show good performance for visual tracking. Many real-time and high accuracy tracking algorithms are realized; however, there are still some challenges to build a robust tracker. In this paper, we present a novel tracking framework named multi-attention filter (MAF) to solve some challenges for tracking like object drift in a long time, lack of training samples and fast motion.
Our framework consists of two components, a basic CNN network to extract feature maps and a set of classifiers to distinguish between the target and the background. First, to solve the problem of object drift in a long time, a simple but effective evaluation mechanism is proposed to the framework, the evaluation mechanism checks the tracking results and corrects it when needed. In addition, the results from different classifiers are fused to predict the object location according to intersection over union. Second, to overcome the lack of training samples, MAF stores some positive and negative samples in two queues, one named long-term queue and another named short-term queue. Third, to deal with fast motion of the target, attention mechanisms including channel attention and location attention are added to the tracker. In our experiments on the popular benchmarks including OTB-2013 and OTB-2015. MFA achieves state of the art among trackers, and as a correlation filter framework, MAF is very flexible and has great rooms for improvement and generalization.
Mental accounts and the marginal propensity to give
Authors: Clingingsmith David
Published: July 2019

Neoclassical theory holds that different sources of income are fungible at the margin. In contrast, mental accounting holds that appropriate uses for income vary by source, making them infungible. This study investigates which theory better describes giving at the margin when income may have multiple sources. Dictators accrue differing amounts of (1) earned income from a real-effort task, (2) windfall income, or (3) both. I find that dictators treat marginal earned and windfall income as partially infungible, supporting mental accounting. Dictators who had a single income source gave 14% of a marginal windfall token and 5% of a marginal earned token. Strikingly, dictators who had income from both sources were sharply less generous with each, giving only 2% and 1%, respectively. Multiple accounts enabled greater selfishness at the margin. A follow-up experiment shows that two accounts must be qualitatively different, not just multiple in number, to produce this effect.
Drama Goes Viral: Effects of Story Development on Shares and Views of Online Advertising Videos
Authors: Quesenberry Keith A. , Coolsen Michael K.
Published: July 2019

Viral advertising videos are a prominent form of viral marketing, yet little is known about which factors influence an online video's virality or likelihood to be shared and viewed. A content analysis of 155 viral ad videos found that average shares and views were higher for videos with full story development versus videos with less than full story development as measured via a five-point drama scale based on Freytag's Pyramid. An incremental story development effect on shares and views was also found. Time duration and company size did not significantly influence the results for shares but did have some effect on the results for views. The role of story in viral videos, the relationship between drama theory, narrative theory, story grammar theory and transportation theory, and managerial implications of story development in viral marketing are also discussed.
A framework for integrated terminal airspace design
Authors: Granberg T.A. , Polishchuk T. , Polishchuk V. , Schmidt C.
Published: July 2019

Route planning and airspace sectorisation are two central tasks in air traffic management.
Traditionally, the routing and sectorisation problems were considered separately, with aircraft trajectories serving as input to the sectorisation problem and, reciprocally, sectors being part of the input to the path finding algorithms.

In this paper we propose a simultaneous design of routes and sectors for a transition airspace. We compare two approaches for this integrated design: one based on mixed integer programming, and one Voronoi-based model that separates potential “hotspots” of controller activity resulting from the terminal routes.

We apply our two approaches to the design of Stockholm Terminal Maneuvering Area.
Evaluating the Effects of Performance-Focused Swimming Training on People with Cerebral Palsy Who Have High Support Needs – A Study Protocol Using Single-Case Experimental Design
Authors: Dutia I. M. , Connick M. J. , Beckman E. M. , Johnston L. M. , Wilson P. J. , Macaro A. , Tweedy S. M.
Published: July 2019

Background:

People with cerebral palsy (CP) are less physically active than the general population and, consequently, are at increased risk of preventable disease. Evidence indicates that low-moderate doses of physical activity can reduce disease risk and improve fitness and function in people with CP. Para athletes with CP typically engage in ‘performance-focused’ sports training, which is undertaken for the sole purpose of enhancing sports performance. Anecdotally, many Para athletes report that participation in performance-focused sports training confers meaningful clinical benefits which exceed those reported in the literature; however, supporting scientific evidence is lacking. The aim of this paper is to describe the protocol for an 18-month study evaluating the clinical effects of a performance-focused swimming training programme for people with CP who have high support needs.

Methods:

This study will use a concurrent multiple-baseline, single-case experimental design across three participants with CP who have high support needs. Each participant will complete a five-phase trial comprising: baseline (A1); training phase 1 (B1); maintenance phase 1 (A2); training phase 2 (B2); and maintenance phase 2 (A3). For each participant, measurement of swim velocity, health-related quality of life and gross motor functioning will be carried out a minimum of five times in each of the five phases.

Discussion:

The study described will produce Level II evidence regarding the effects of performance-focused swimming training on clinical outcomes in people with CP who have high support needs. Findings are expected to provide an indication of the potential for sport to augment outcomes in neurological rehabilitation.
A Nineteenth-Century New England Exegete Abroad: Adoniram Judson and the Burmese Bible
Authors: deJong John
Published: July 2019

Adoniram Judson’s life and work have long been the subject of popular and scholarly interest, but the intellectual and exegetical background for his Burmese Bible translation has not been closely studied. This background was the biblical studies movement in New England, which began in the early nineteenth century and flourished before declining and eventually disappearing by about 1870. The opposing New England orthodox Calvinist and liberal Unitarian schools were equally involved in the movement. Judson was an early product of Andover Theological Seminary, the center for orthodox Calvinism in New England. From 1816 to 1840 Judson translated the Bible into Burmese and his references to the scholarly works he used, along with the text-critical and interpretive decisions in his Bible translation, identify him as an ongoing participant in the New England biblical studies movement. This scholarly background helps us understand interpretive decisions in the Judson Bible, which is still the main Burmese version used by Protestants in Myanmar.