bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Contributions to the Bulk Mechanical Properties of Self‐Assembled Polymer Networks with Reconfigurable Bonds
Authors: Tang Xiaomin , Wang Bingqing , Eristoff Sophia , Zhang Han , Bettinger Christopher J.
Published: December 2019

Soft materials that contain dynamic and reversible bonds exhibit unique properties including unusual extensibility, reversible elasticity, and self‐healing capabilities, for example. Catechol motifs are of particular interest owing to their ability to form many kinds of reversible bonds; however, there are few reports on the role of hydrogen bonds between catechols. Here, physically crosslinked self‐assembled networks composed of catechol‐functionalized ABA triblock co‐polymers are synthesized and characterized to elucidate the role of intermolecular bonding between catechol motifs on bulk mechanical properties. The Young's moduli of equilibrated networks range from 16 to 43 MPa. Furthermore, the concentration of intermolecular interaction is controlled indirectly by synthesizing polymers with prescribed catechol concentrations on each A block. Further, network dynamics are characterized by measuring the relaxation spectrum, and it is found that the network mean relaxation time is inversely related to catechol density. Finally, networks exhibit time‐dependent recovery after uniaxial strain. These findings establish important relationships between molecular design, network composition, and macroscopic mechanical properties of model soft matter networks with dynamic intermolecular bonds. Furthermore, this insight has the potential to guide the design of dissipative materials for use in applications ranging from consumer products to surgical materials.
Temperature sensing scheme based on fiber ring microwave photonic filter with erbium doped fiber amplification
Authors: Yang Shangwu , Xiang Zhuowei , Fu Hongyan , Wang Yunfeng
Published: December 2019

The temperature sensing scheme based on fiber ring microwave photonic filter (MPF) with erbium doped fiber amplification (EDFA) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The fiber ring is used as the time delay element, as well as a sensing element, and by introducing an EDFA to compensate the loss in the fiber ring, the number of the effective sampling taps and thus the suppression ratio are increased. When the EDFA power is set at 0.74 mW, the 3 dB bandwidth of the passband and suppression ratio of the MPF are estimated to be 82.5 kHz, and 15 dB, respectively. The superior sharp passband characteristics make the fiber ring MPF with an EDFA very advantageous for sensing. In our experiment, temperature sensing by using the fiber ring MPF with an EDFA has been carried out for demonstration. The temperature variations induce refractive index changes of the fiber, which will change the time delay of each tap of the fiber ring MPF, and as a result, the FSR of the MPF will be changed. By tracing the peak point shift of the MPF's passband, the temperature variations can be monitored. Our experimental results show that there is a good linear relationship between temperature change and frequency shift, and by measuring passbands with different frequencies, different sensitivity can be obtained. In our experiment, the sensitivity is estimated to be −5.89, −11.74, and − 17.7 kHz/°C, respectively, when the passbands at 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 GHz are adopted for temperature monitoring.
A compact broadband differential‐fed microstrip patch antenna with 5.8 GHz WLAN band‐notched under quad‐mode resonance
Authors: Feng Shu , Zhang Li , Weng Zi‐Bin , Jiao Yong‐Chang
Published: December 2019

A compact broadband differential‐fed microstrip patch antenna with 5.8 GHz WLAN band‐notched under quad‐mode resonance is proposed in this article. The antenna consists of two hybrid shape radiation patches and a pair of capacitances loaded loop (CLL) resonators. The broadband performance is achieved by integrating TM10 and TM01 radiation modes of rectangular patches and TM1,0,−1 radiation mode of triangular patches. Then these three radiation modes are adjusted close to each other to form a wide operation band. After that, with the loading of CLL resonators, a nonradiative resonant mode is introduced. Thus, the low‐frequency band of the proposed antenna can be further expanded, and a frequency notch point is introduced in 5.8 GHz WLAN band. Finally, the proposed antenna is fabricated and measured. The measured impedance bandwidth is about 43.5% (5.93‐9.23 GHz) while keeping a compact structure without any air gaps. Additionally, the broadside gain is varied from 4 to 6 dBi with a notch point at 5.8 GHz.
A Ku band frequency‐reconfigurable dielectric resonator antenna using metallic pillars
Authors: Tong Chang‐Wu , Tang Hui , Qin Wei , Yang Wen‐Wen , Chen Jian‐Xin
Published: December 2019

A Ku band frequency‐reconfigurable dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) using metallic pillars is presented in this letter. A novel frequency tuning method of the DRA is proposed by selectively loading metallic pillars at two narrow sides of the DRA. Resonating at its fundamental mode, the operating frequency of the DRA can be continuously controlled by changing the heights of the pillars in a large frequency tuning range. In the range, the DRA remains good impedance match, stable radiation patterns, and low cross‐polarization level. To verify the proposed method, a prototype operated at Ku band is designed, fabricated and measured. A measured frequency tuning range of 33% with gain higher than 5.3 dBi and cross‐polarization level less than −20 dB are achieved within the range, showcasing reasonable agreement with the simulated results.
Review of air kerma‐area product, effective dose and dose conversion coefficients for non‐cardiac interventional fluoroscopy procedures
Authors: Miller Donald L.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To provide current data on average air kerma‐area product (PKA) and effective dose (E) for noncardiac interventional fluoroscopy procedures and suggested values of dose coefficients (DCE) for conversion of PKA to estimates of effective dose.

Methods

A PubMed literature search covering the time period from 2006 to August 2019 was performed to obtain recent data on PKA, E and DCE for interventional fluoroscopy procedures.

Results

There is very wide variation in the reported values of PKA, E, and DCE in the literature. A number of factors are involved in this variability and the resultant uncertainty in average values of these dose quantities.

Conclusions

The values of PKA, average E and suggested DCE presented here can be of use for comparison of the radiation detriment from different procedures and may be useful for categorizing detriment within an order of magnitude or so. They do not represent actual or expected radiation dose or detriment from any specific procedure or for a specific patient and should be not be used as such.
Virtual 4DCT from 4DMRI for the management of respiratory motion in carbon ion therapy of abdominal tumors
Authors: Meschini Giorgia , Vai Alessandro , Paganelli Chiara , Molinelli Silvia , Fontana Giulia , Pella Andrea , Preda Lorenzo , Vitolo Viviana , Valvo Francesca , Ciocca Mario , Riboldi Marco , Baroni Guido
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To evaluate a method for generating virtual four‐dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) from four‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (4DMRI) data in carbon ion radiotherapy with pencil beam scanning for abdominal tumors.

Methods

Deformable image registration is used to: (a) register each respiratory phase of the 4DMRI to the end‐exhale MRI; (b) register the reference end‐exhale CT to the end‐exhale MRI volume; (c) generate the virtual 4DCT by warping the registered CT according to the obtained deformation fields. A respiratory‐gated carbon ion treatment plan is optimized on the planning 4DCT and the corresponding dose distribution is recalculated on the virtual 4DCT. The method was validated on a digital anthropomorphic phantom and tested on eight patients (18 acquisitions). For the phantom, a ground truth dataset was available to assess the method performances from the geometrical and dosimetric standpoints. For the patients, the virtual 4DCT was compared with the planning 4DCT.

Results

In the phantom, the method exhibits a geometrical accuracy within the voxel size and Dose Volume Histograms deviations up to 3.3% for target V95% (mean dose difference ≤ 0.2% of the prescription dose, gamma pass rate > 98%). For patients, the virtual and the planning 4DCTs show good agreement at end‐exhale (3% median D95% difference), whereas other respiratory phases exhibit moderate motion variability with consequent dose discrepancies, confirming the need for motion mitigation strategies during treatment.

Conclusions

The virtual 4DCT approach is feasible to evaluate treatment plan robustness against intra‐ and interfraction motion in carbon ion therapy delivered at the abdominal site.
Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetyl succinate polymer, a useful carrier in pharmaceutical solid dispersions
Authors: Pugliese Andrea , Hawarden Lucy E. , Abraham Anuji , Tobyn Michael , Blanc Frédéric
Published: December 2019

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) acetyl succinate (HPMC‐AS) is a key polymer used for the enablement of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) in oral solid dosage forms. Choice of the appropriate grade within the material is often made empirically by the manufacturer of small‐scale formulations, followed by extensive real time stability. A key factor in understanding and predicting the performance of an ASD is related to the presence of hydrogen (or other) bonds between the polymer and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), which will increase stability over the parameters captured by miscibility and predicted by the Gordon–Taylor equation. Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is particularly well equipped to probe spatial proximities, for example, between polymer and API; however, in the case of HPMC‐AS, these interactions have been sometimes difficult to identity as the carbon‐13 NMR spectra assignment is yet to be firmly established. Using feedstock, selectively substituted HPMC polymers, and NMR editing experiments, we propose here a comprehensive understanding of the chemical structure of HPMC‐AS and a definitive spectral assignment of the13C NMR spectra of this polymer. The NMR data also capture the molar ratios of the acetate and succinate moieties present in HPMC‐AS of various grades without the need for post treatment required by chromatography methods commonly use in pharmacopoeia. This knowledge will allow the prediction and measurement of interactions between polymers and APIs and therefore a rational choice of polymer grade to enhance the solid state stability of ASDs.
A molecular fluorophore in citric acid/ethylenediamine carbon dots identified and quantified by multinuclear solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Duan Pu , Zhi Bo , Coburn Luke , Haynes Christy L. , Schmidt‐Rohr Klaus
Published: December 2019

The composition of fluorescent polymer nanoparticles, commonly referred to as carbon dots, synthesized by microwave‐assisted reaction of citric acid and ethylenediamine was investigated by 13C, 13C{1H}, 1H─13C, 13C{14N}, and 15N solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. 13C NMR with spectral editing provided no evidence for significant condensed aromatic or diamondoid carbon phases. 15N NMR showed that the nanoparticle matrix has been polymerized by amide and some imide formation. Five small, resolved 13C NMR peaks, including an unusual ═CH signal at 84 ppm (1H chemical shift of 5.8 ppm) and ═CN2 at 155 ppm, and two distinctive 15N NMR resonances near 80 and 160 ppm proved the presence of 5‐oxo‐1,2,3,5‐tetrahydroimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐7‐carboxylic acid (IPCA) or its derivatives. This molecular fluorophore with conjugated double bonds, formed by a double cyclization reaction of citric acid and ethylenediamine as first shown by Y. Song, B. Yang, and coworkers in 2015, accounts for the fluorescence of the carbon dots. Cross‐peaks in a 1H─13C HETCOR spectrum with brief 1H spin diffusion proved that IPCA is finely dispersed in the polyamide matrix. From quantitative 13C and 15N NMR spectra, a high concentration (18 ± 2 wt%) of IPCA in the carbon dots was determined. A pronounced gradient in 13C chemical‐shift perturbations and peak widths, with the broadest lines near the COO group of IPCA, indicated at least partial transformation of the carboxylic acid of IPCA by amide or ester formation.
Norwegian PhD students' discourses about practice‐relevant research in the field of health and social work
Authors: Kristoffersen Margareth , Vagli Åse , Oftedal Bjørg Frøysland
Published: December 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the discourses of PhD students concerning the performance of practice‐relevant research in health and social work.

Design

An explorative, qualitative design and a discourse analytical approach were used to collect data.

Methods

Participants were recruited from a national research school for practice‐relevant research in Norway. Group interviews with ten PhD students (five health and five social work professionals) with extensive, wide‐ranging work experience as practitioners were used to collect data. The data were analysed by discourse analysis.

Results

The analysis revealed three discourses: (a) the professional knowledge discourse; (b) the promoting partnership discourse; and (c) the using research knowledge discourse. The discourses are explicit concerning how systematically formed practice‐relevant research in health and social work is linked to dominant discourses about knowledge in the scientific field. Professional knowledge, promoting partnership and using research knowledge are fundamental features of practice‐relevant research.
The Arabidopsis thaliana N‐recognin E3 ligase PROTEOLYSIS1 influences the immune response
Authors: Till Christopher J. , Vicente Jorge , Zhang Hongtao , Oszvald Maria , Deery Michael J. , Pastor Victoria , Lilley Kathryn S. , Ray Rumiana V. , Theodoulou Frederica L. , Holdsworth Michael J.
Published: December 2019

N‐degron pathways of ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis (formerly known as the N‐end rule pathway) control the stability of substrate proteins dependent on the amino‐terminal (Nt) residue. Unlike yeast or mammalian N‐recognin E3 ligases, which each recognize several different classes of Nt residues, in Arabidopsis thaliana, N‐recognin functions of different N‐degron pathways are carried out independently by PROTEOLYSIS (PRT)1, PRT6, and other unknown proteins. PRT1 recognizes type 2 aromatic Nt‐destabilizing residues and PRT6 recognizes type 1 basic residues. These two N‐recognin functions diverged as separate proteins early in the evolution of plants, before the conquest of the land. We demonstrate that loss of PRT1 function promotes the plant immune system, as mutant prt1‐1 plants showed greater apoplastic resistance than WT to infection by the bacterial hemi‐biotroph Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst) DC3000. Quantitative proteomics revealed increased accumulation of proteins associated with specific components of plant defense in the prt1‐1 mutant, concomitant with increased accumulation of salicylic acid. The effects of the prt1 mutation were additional to known effects of prt6 in influencing the immune system, in particular, an observed over‐accumulation of pipecolic acid (Pip) in the double‐mutant prt1‐1 prt6‐1. These results demonstrate a potential role for PRT1 in controlling aspects of the plant immune system and suggest that PRT1 limits the onset of the defense response via degradation of substrates with type 2 Nt‐destabilizing residues.
Extending the Scanning Angle of a Phased‐Array Antenna Using a Thin Radome of Curved Metasurface
Authors: Liu Yichao , Fu Jichao , Dong Hongguang , Gong Chengsheng , Sun Fei , He Sailing
Published: December 2019

A curved metasurface radome is designed to extend the scanning angle of a phased‐array antenna. Unlike the previous method, using negative index materials or transformation media (inhomogeneous and anisotropic), herein, only ordinary natural materials, i.e., a single‐layer well‐arranged ceramic block, are used, to realize the functions of the angle extending effect. The designed radome has a smaller size, lighter weight, a large angle extending effect, and is easy for fabrication. Therefore, the proposed method is more likely to be used in practical applications. The performance of the radome is verified by both numerical simulations and experimental demonstrations.
Hourly 4D‐Var in the Met Office UKV operational forecast model
Authors: Milan Marco , Macpherson Bruce , Tubbs Robert , Dow Gareth , Inverarity Gordon , Mittermaier Marion , Halloran Gemma , Kelly Graeme , Li Dingmin , Maycock Adam , Payne Tim , Piccolo Chiara , Stewart Laura , Wlasak Marek
Published: December 2019

Hourly cycling four‐dimensional variational data assimilation (4D‐Var) was implemented operationally in the Met Office's convective‐scale UKV forecast model in July 2017, replacing the previous three‐hourly cycling three‐dimensional 3D‐Var scheme. The new system was based on a previous Nowcasting Demonstration Project (NDP), developed and run in real time over a southern UK domain for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and focusing on precipitation forecasts. The new operational system extends this capability to the full UK (and surrounding) area, delivering outputs suitable for blending into nowcasting products and for general forecasting of a full range of meteorological variables. We describe the general formulation of the Met Office 4D‐Var system and some particular ingredients. Differences between the new system and its NDP and UK 3D‐Var antecedents are discussed for both the assimilation algorithm and the observational inputs. As an illustration of the impact on forecast performance, we compare the skill of 3D‐Var and 4D‐Var using an hourly cycle for both configurations. For precipitation skill, we also compare three‐hourly 3D‐Var and hourly 4D‐Var with a reference nowcasting system, in order to highlight the improvement from the new method at very short forecast ranges. Future avenues for developing the system are outlined.
Nonzero repair times dependent on the failure hazard
Authors: Arnold Richard , Chukova Stefanka , Hayakawa Yu , Marshall Sarah
Published: December 2019

It is common in the literature on the reliability and maintenance of repairable systems to model the repair times as instantaneous. However, this is an unreasonable assumption for some complex systems, especially those requiring a high level of reliability, and such systems may spend a significant proportion of their lifetimes under maintenance and repair. We model the ageing of such a system with alternating stochastic processes. Operational times are generated at random and may have an increasing failure rate. Repair times are generated from a random process where the repair time is related to the hazard rate at failure. This yields lengthened repair times at late stages in a system subject to an increasing failure hazard rate but also accommodates long repair times at young ages in systems with a bathtub‐shaped hazard rate function. We derive analytic results for a set of special cases of the model, show how simulation and inference can be carried out, and apply our method to real data from a large car manufacturer.
Dynamical Jahn‐Teller effect in the first excited
Authors: Huang Zhishuo , Liu Dan
Published: December 2019

Jahn‐Teller effect of C60 monoanion in the first electronically excited states was theoretically investigated. The orbital vibronic coupling parameters for t1g next lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals were derived from the Kohn‐Sham orbital levels calculated using a frozen phonon approach with both hybrid B3LYP and CAM‐B3LYP functionals, which take long‐range interaction correction into consideration. With these coupling parameters, the vibronic states of first excited were derived by exactly diagonalizing dynamical Jahn‐Teller Hamiltonian. The results showed that dynamical Jahn‐Teller effects are more significant in the first excited than those in the ground electronic states. This work also clarified that CAM‐B3LYP gives results closer to experimental data than B3LYP.
Impact of oral cleansing strategies on exhaled volatile organic compound levels
Authors: Vadhwana Bhamini , Belluomo Ilaria , Boshier Piers R. , Pavlou Chrystalla , Španěl Patrik , Hanna George B.
Published: December 2019

Rationale

The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within exhaled breath potentially offers a non‐invasive method for the detection and surveillance of human disease. Oral contamination of exhaled breath may influence the detection of systemic VOCs relevant to human disease. This study aims to assess the impact of oral cleansing strategies on exhaled VOC levels in order to standardise practice for breath sampling.

Methods

Ten healthy volunteers consumed a nutrient challenge followed by four oral cleansing methods: (a) water, (b) saltwater, (c) toothbrushing, and (d) alcohol‐free mouthwash. Direct breath sampling was performed using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry after each intervention.

Results

Proposed reactions suggest that volatile fatty acid and alcohol levels (butanoic, pentanoic acid, ethanol) declined with oral cleansing interventions, predominantly after an initial oral rinse with water. Concentrations of aldehydes and phenols (acetaldehyde, menthone, p‐cresol) declined with oral water rinse; however, they increased after toothbrushing and mouthwash use, secondary to flavoured ingredients within these products. No significant reductions were observed with sulphur compounds.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that oral rinsing with water prior to breath sampling may reduce oral contamination of VOC levels, and further interventions for oral decontamination with flavoured products may compromise results. This intervention may serve as a simple and inexpensive method of standardisation within breath research.
Do investors recognize biases in securities analysts’ forecasts?
Authors: Baird Philip L.
Published: December 2019

This study presents direct evidence on the question whether investors recognize the widely documented biases in securities analysts’ earnings forecasts. The internal rate of return implied by current stock price and consensus earnings forecast is found to be correlated with indicators of bias in a manner consistent with investors discounting optimistic earnings forecasts at higher rates of return and less optimistic forecasts at lower rates of return. In a departure from studies of excess returns, the evidence in implied returns indicates that investors recognize the biases in analysts’ earnings forecasts.
Twenty‐five years of Review of Financial Economics: A bibliometric overview
Authors: Baker H. Kent , Kumar Satish , Pattnaik Debidutta
Published: December 2019

The Review of Financial Economics (RFE) has published empirical research covering all areas of financial economics since 1994. It celebrated its silver jubilee year of publishing in 2018. Using bibliometric techniques, we analyze the journal's impact, its prominent topics and most prolific authors including their affiliated institutions and countries. We also identify the bibliographic couplings of authors and their affiliated institutions and countries, co‐citations of journals, and co‐occurrences of the authors’ specified keywords. Our results show that about 83% of the published works receiving at least one citation between 1994 and 2018 and about 68% are co‐authored. Among the important themes discussed in RFE, the words “stock”, “market,” and “risk” occupy central positions in RFE publications. Bibliographic coupling analysis identifies six clusters: (a) macroeconomic indicators, (b) investments, (c) financial institutions, (d) stock market, (e) corporate governance, and (f) corporate financial decisions.
The influence of psychological stress in early life on sexual maturation and sexual behavior in male and female rats
Authors: Yano Kiyohito , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Iwasa Takeshi , Mayila Yiliyasi , Yanagihara Rie , Tungalagsuvd Altankhuu , Munkhzaya Munkhsaihan , Tokui Takako , Kamada Shuhei , Hayashi Aki , Masaki Rie , Aoki Hidenori , Tamura Kou , Irahara Minoru
Published: December 2019

Purpose

We studied the influence of psychological stress during the early neonatal period on sexual maturation and sexual behavior in rats.

Methods

Neonatal male and female rats were divided into control (C) and maternal separation (MS) groups (n = 20‐24 per group). The pups in the MS groups were placed in isolation cages for 240 minutes/d from postnatal days 2‐11. Vaginal opening (VO) in females and preputial separation (PS) in males (indicators of sexual maturation) were monitored, as was the estrous cycle in females. Thereafter, sexual behavior was monitored twice at 13 and 15 weeks of age.

Results

As for sexual maturation, the onset of PS occurred significantly earlier in the MS group than in the C group, whereas the onset of VO did not differ between the groups. The length of the estrous cycle did not differ between the groups. The frequencies of sexual behaviors did not differ between the groups in either sex.

Conclusions

In conclusion, early‐life psychological stress induced by MS advanced sexual maturation in male rats, whereas it did not affect sexual maturation in female rats. On the other hand, early‐life psychological stress might not affect sexual behavior in adulthood in either sex.
Structured sparse logistic regression with application to lung cancer prediction using breath volatile biomarkers
Authors: Zhang Xiaochen , Zhang Qingzhao , Wang Xiaofeng , Ma Shuangge , Fang Kuangnan
Published: December 2019

This article is motivated by a study of lung cancer prediction using breath volatile organic compound (VOC) biomarkers, where the challenge is that the predictors include not only high‐dimensional time‐dependent or functional VOC features but also the time‐independent clinical variables. We consider a high‐dimensional logistic regression and propose two different penalties:group spline‐penaltyorgroup smooth‐penaltyto handle the group structures of the time‐dependent variables in the model. The new methods have the advantage for the situation where the model coefficients are sparse but change smoothly within the group, compared with other existing methods such as the group lasso and the group bridge approaches. Our methods are easy to implement since they can be turned into a group minimax concave penalty problem after certain transformations. We show that our fitting algorithm possesses the descent property and leads to attractive convergence properties. The simulation studies and the lung cancer application are performed to demonstrate the accuracy and stability of the proposed approaches.
Propensity score‐adjusted three‐component mixture model for drug‐drug interaction data mining in FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: Wang Xueying , Li Lang , Wang Lei , Feng Weixing , Zhang Pengyue
Published: December 2019

With increasing trend of polypharmacy, drug‐drug interaction (DDI)‐induced adverse drug events (ADEs) are considered as a major challenge for clinical practice. As premarketing clinical trials usually have stringent inclusion/exclusion criteria, limited comedication data capture and often times small sample size have limited values in study DDIs. On the other hand, ADE reports collected by spontaneous reporting system (SRS) become an important source for DDI studies. There are two major challenges in detecting DDI signals from SRS: confounding bias and false positive rate. In this article, we propose a novel approach, propensity score‐adjusted three‐component mixture model (PS‐3CMM). This model can simultaneously adjust for confounding bias and estimate false discovery rate for all drug‐drug‐ADE combinations in FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), which is a preeminent SRS database. In simulation studies, PS‐3CMM performs better in detecting true DDIs comparing to the existing approach. It is more sensitive in selecting the DDI signals that have nonpositive individual drug relative ADE risk (NPIRR). The application of PS‐3CMM is illustrated in analyzing the FAERS database. Compared to the existing approaches, PS‐3CMM prioritizes DDI signals differently. PS‐3CMM gives high priorities to DDI signals that have NPIRR. Both simulation studies and FAERS data analysis conclude that our new PS‐3CMM is a new method that is complement to the existing DDI signal detection methods.
DFT Study of L‐Cysteine Fragmentation Route using a Novel Protocol
Authors: de Oliveira Carlos Xavier , Mocellin Alexandra , Menezes de Souza Lima Fabio , de Jesus Chaves Neto Antonio Maia , Lima Azevedo David
Published: December 2019

The analysis of amino acid fragmentation is promising in the search for living organisms in other planets, which could be investigated by just scanning for specific amino acid fragments in their upper atmosphere using advanced spectroscopy techniques. Motivated by this possibility, we develop here a Density Functional Theory (DFT)‐based protocol to investigate the fragmentation of an essential constituent of cells: the L‐cysteine amino acid. After determining the structural and energetics for neutral and single ionized conformers in good agreement with data available, we propose a novel protocol based upon the analysis of Wiberg bond order indices and Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) theory. Our results indicate that the alpha carbon is the most favorable point of fragmentation for the CH2SH and COOH radicals after a cysteine molecule single ionization.
Functional Nanocomplexes with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/C Isoforms Improve Collateral Circulation and Cardiac Function
Authors: Qiao Bokang , Nie Jing‐Jun , Shao Yihui , Li Yulin , Zhang Congcong , Hao Wenjing , Li Sijin , Chen Dafu , Yu Bingran , Li Hui‐Hua , Xu Fu‐Jian , Du Jie
Published: December 2019

Protein‐based therapies are potential treatments for cancer, immunological, and cardiovascular diseases. However, effective delivery systems are needed because of their instability, immunogenicity, and so on. Crosslinked negatively charged heparin polysaccharide nanoparticle (HepNP) is proposed for protein delivery. HepNP can efficiently condense vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) because of the unique electronegative sulfonic acid and carboxyl domain of heparin. HepNP is then assembled with VEGF‐C (Hep@VEGF‐C) or VEGF‐A (Hep@VEGF‐A) protein for the therapy of myocardial infarction (MI) via intravenous (iv) injection. Hep@VEGF‐A‐mediated improvement of cardiac function by promoting angiogenesis is limited because of elevated vascular permeability, while Hep@VEGF‐C effectively promotes lymphangiogenesis and reduces edema. On this basis, a graded delivery of VEGF‐C (0.5–1 h post‐MI) and VEGF‐A (5 d post‐MI) using HepNP is developed. At the dose ratio of 3:1 (Hep@VEGF‐C vs Hep@VEGF‐A), Hep@VEGF functional complexes substantially reduce the scar formation (≈−39%; p < 0.05) and improve cardiac function (≈+74%; p < 0.05). Such a HepNP delivery system provides a simple and effective therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases by delivering functional proteins. Because of the unique binding ability of heparin with cytokines and growth factors, HepNP also has considerable application prospects in protein therapy for other serious diseases.
Chancelloriid sclerites from the Dyeran–Delamaran (‘Lower–Middle’ Cambrian) boundary interval of the Pioche–Caliente region, Nevada,USA
Authors: Moore J. L. , Porter Susannah M. , Webster Mark , Maloof Adam C.
Published: December 2019

Chancelloriids are a poorly understood group of phylogenetically problematic Cambrian metazoans; complete specimens show they were sessile, radially symmetrical, club‐shaped organisms covered with sclerites in the form of rosettes of spines. While isolated sclerites are common components of Cambrian shelly assemblages, they have been relatively little studied. We describe chancelloriid sclerites from a series of nine sections spanning the upper Dyeran to lower Delamaran stages (latest Stage 4 to perhaps basal Wuliuan) from the Pioche–Caliente region of east‐central Nevada,USA. Acid maceration of samples from the Combined Metals, Comet Shale and Susan Duster Limestone members of the Pioche Formation yielded more than 2000 sclerites. Based on careful examination of these sclerites and statistical analyses of co‐occurring sclerite types, we distinguish six species, each with a restricted stratigraphic range.Chancelloria imparMoore sp. nov. is the dominant species in most upper Dyeran samples.Archiasterella cometensisMoore sp. nov. andA. auriculataMoore sp. nov. are rare in the upper Dyeran but abundant in the lowest Delamaran;A. uncinataMoore sp. nov. andC. lilioidesMoore sp. nov. replace these in younger samples.A. auriculatais noteworthy for sharing features with species of bothArchiasterellaandChancelloria. These results provide further support for the taxonomic tractability and biostratigraphical utility of chancelloriid sclerites; large collections from single horizons allow intraspecific variability to be assessed and species to be distinguished. Our results document a taxonomic turnover in chancelloriids at the Dyeran–Delamaran boundary, showing that not only trilobites were affected at this time.
Logistic regression error‐in‐covariate models for longitudinal high‐dimensional covariates
Authors: Park Hyung , Lee Seonjoo
Published: December 2019

We consider a logistic regression model for a binary response where part of its covariates are subject‐specific random intercepts and slopes from a large number of longitudinal covariates. These random effect covariates must be estimated from the observed data, and therefore, the model essentially involves errors in covariates. Because of high dimension and high correlation of the random effects, we employ longitudinal principal component analysis to reduce the total number of random effects to some manageable number of random effects. To deal with errors in covariates, we extend the conditional‐score equation approach to this moderate dimensional logistic regression model with random effect covariates. To reliably solve the conditional‐score equations in moderate/high dimension, we apply a majorization on the first derivative of the conditional‐score functions and a penalized estimation by the smoothly clipped absolute deviation. The method was evaluated through a set of simulation studies and applied to a data set with longitudinal cortical thickness of 68 regions of interest to identify biomarkers that are related to dementia transition.
Día de los Muertos: Opportunities to Foster Writing and Reflect Students’ Cultural Practices
Authors: Leija María G.
Published: December 2019

This department highlights language learning for bi/multilingual students worldwide, from our earliest learners to early adolescent writers. It also highlights exemplary teachers and ways that they include research‐based instruction to develop bi/multilingual learners.
On nonparametric conditional independence tests for continuous variables
Authors: Li Chun , Fan Xiaodan
Published: December 2019

Testing conditional independence (CI) for continuous variables is a fundamental but challenging task in statistics. Many tests for this task are developed and used increasingly widely by data analysts. This article reviews the current status of the nonparametric part of these tests, which assumes no parametric form for the joint continuous density function. The different ways to approach the CI are summarized. Tests are also grouped according to their data assumptions and method types. A numerical comparison is also conducted for representative tests.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Analysis of High Dimensional Data

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Multivariate Analysis
Inverse see-saw neutrino masses in the Littlest Higgs model with T-parity
Authors: del Aguila Francisco , Illana José Ignacio , Pérez-Poyatos José María , Santiago José
Published: December 2019

Abstract

We show that the inverse see-saw is the most natural way of implementing neutrino masses in the Littlest Higgs model with T-parity. The three extra quasi-Dirac neutrinos are needed to cancel the quadratically divergent contributions of the mirror leptons to the Higgs mass. If the T-parity of the heavy neutrino singlets is chosen to be even, their contributions to lepton flavor violating transitions are one-loop finite. The most stringent limits on this scenario result from the non-observation of these transitions. Constraints on neutrino mixing imply an upper bound on the mass of the T-odd mirror leptons at the reach of the LHC and/or future colliders.
On the Construction of Large Algebras Not Contained in the Image of the Borel Map
Authors: Esser Céline , Schindl Gerhard
Published: December 2019

The Borel map $$j^{\infty }$$j∞ takes germs at 0 of smooth functions to the sequence of iterated partial derivatives at 0. It is well known that the restriction of $$j^{\infty }$$j∞ to the germs of quasianalytic ultradifferentiable classes which are strictly containing the real analytic functions can never be onto the corresponding sequence space. In a recent paper the authors have studied the size of the image of $$j^{\infty }$$j∞ by using different approaches and worked in the general setting of quasianalytic ultradifferentiable classes defined by weight matrices. The aim of this paper is to show that the image of $$j^{\infty }$$j∞ is also small with respect to the notion of algebrability and we treat both the Cauchy product (convolution) and the pointwise product. In particular, a deep study of the stability of the considered spaces under the pointwise product is developed.
Evaluation of economic forecasts for Austria
Authors: Fortin Ines , Koch Sebastian P. , Weyerstrass Klaus
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we evaluate macroeconomic forecasts for Austria and analyze the effects of external assumptions on forecast errors. We consider the growth rates of real GDP and the demand components as well as the inflation rate and the unemployment rate. The analyses are based on univariate measures like RMSE and Theil’s inequality coefficient and also on the Mahalanobis distance, a multivariate measure that takes the variances of and the correlations between the variables into account. We compare forecasts generated by the two leading Austrian economic research institutes, the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) and the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), and additionally consider the forecasts produced by the European Commission. The results indicate that there are no systematic differences between the forecasts of the two Austrian institutes, neither for the traditional measures nor for the Mahalanobis distance. Generally, forecasts become more accurate with a decreasing forecast horizon, as expected; they are unbiased for forecast horizons of less than a year considering traditional measures and for the shortest forecast horizon considering the Mahalanobis distance. Finally, we find that mistakes in external assumptions, in particular regarding EU GDP and the oil price, translate into forecast errors for GDP and inflation.
Browse potential of bristly locust, smooth sumac, and sericea lespedeza for small ruminants
Authors: Acharya M. , Ashworth A. J. , Burner D. M. , Burke J. M. , Pote D. H. , Muir J. P.
Published: December 2019

Temperate grass and legume yield and quality are markedly reduced during hot, dry summer months in the southern USA; therefore, browse species could add feed options for small ruminants during this season. Our objective was to compare total biomass yield and forage nutritive value of two browse species, leguminous bristly locust (Robinia hispida) and smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), as well as a leguminous shrub known as sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneate), during summer months (June, July, August and September). Plants were sampled monthly during growing-seasons in 2012 and 2013 to determine biomass yield (foliar, shoot, and total above ground) and foliar nutritive value [crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and condensed tannins (CT)]. There was a species × harvest time interaction for foliar biomass yield (P = 0.0125). This interaction was likely due to low yield in June for bristly locust compared with sericea lespedeza and smooth sumac, but in all other months (July, August, and September) yields were similar for each species. Bristly locust had the highest CP (16.9%), followed by sericea lespedeza (14.8%), and smooth sumac (12.3%). Acid detergent fiber and ADL were similar between bristly locust (ADF 38.5%; ADL 24.1%) and sericea lespedeza (ADF 38.4%; ADL 23.1%), but was lower for smooth sumac (ADF 22.1%, ADL 6.3%; P < 0.05). Condensed tannins, an anti-nutritive yet anti-parasitic phenolic compounds, were highest in smooth sumac, intermediate in bristly locust, and lowest in sericea lespedeza. Plant foliar percentage (ratio of foliar to shoot mass), was highest in smooth sumac (55.1%), followed by sericea lespedeza (47.7%), and bristly locust (42.6%). Overall, smooth sumac had the highest foliar biomass and lowest ADF and ADL; however, this species had the lowest CP and highest CT. Consequently, average foliar biomass yield of all three browse species in our study far exceeded forage yield from dominant forage species [tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) and bermudagrass (Cyanodon dactylon)] in this region and may provide high-yielding, low input, anti-parasitic fodder for small ruminants during this period in the Southeastern U.S.
The Role of Global/Regional Earth Conductivity Models in Natural Geomagnetic Hazard Mitigation
Authors: Kelbert Anna
Published: December 2019

Geomagnetic disturbances cause perturbations in the Earth’s magnetic field which, by the principle of electromagnetic induction, in turn cause electric currents to flow in the Earth. These geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) also enter man-made technological conductors that are grounded; notably, telegraph systems, submarine cables and pipelines, and, perhaps most significantly, electric power grids, where transformer groundings at power grid substations serve as entry points for GICs. The strength of the GICs that flow through a transformer depends on multiple factors, including the spatiotemporal signature of the geomagnetic disturbance, the geometry and specifications of the power grid, and the electrical conductivity structure of the Earth’s subsurface. Strong GICs are hazardous to power grids and other infrastructure; for example, they can severely damage transformers and thereby cause extensive blackouts. Extreme space weather is therefore hazardous to man-made technologies. The phenomena of extreme geomagnetic disturbances, including storms and substorms, and their effects on human activity are commonly referred to as geomagnetic hazards. Here, we provide a review of relevant GIC studies from around the world and describe their common and unique features, while focusing especially on the effects that the Earth’s electrical conductivity has on the GICs flowing in the electric power grids.
A Qualitative Study on Experiences and Perspectives of Members of a Dutch Medical Research Ethics Committee
Authors: Janssens Rien M. J. P. A. , van der Borg Wieke E. , Ridder Maartje , Diepeveen Mariëlle , Drukarch Benjamin , Widdershoven Guy A. M.
Published: December 2019

The aim of this research was to gain insight into the experiences and perspectives of individual members of a Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC) regarding their individual roles and possible tensions within and between these roles. We conducted a qualitative interview study among members of a large MREC, supplemented by a focus group meeting. Respondents distinguish five roles: protector, facilitator, educator, advisor and assessor. Central to the role of protector is securing valid informed consent and a proper risk-benefit analysis. The role of facilitator implies that respondents want to think along with and assist researchers in order to help medical science progress. As educators, the respondents want to raise ethical and methodological awareness of researchers. The role of advisor implies that respondents bring in their own expertise. The role of assessor points to contributing to the overall evaluation of the research proposal. Various tensions were identified within and between roles. Within the role of protector, a tension is experienced between paternalism and autonomy. Between the role of protector and facilitator tensions occur when the value of a study is questioned while risks and burdens for the subjects are negligible. Within the role of assessor, a tension is felt between the implicit nature of judgments and the need for more explicit formulations. Awareness of various roles and responsibilities may prevent one-sided views on MREC work, not only by members themselves, but also by researchers. Tensions within and between the roles require reflection by MREC members.
A value chain analysis of Malaysia’s seaweed industry
Authors: Nor Adibi M. , Gray Tim S. , Caldwell Gary S. , Stead Selina M.
Published: December 2019

A global shortfall in protein supply from capture fisheries has motivated the Malaysian government to revise its aquaculture strategy, focusing on three commodities: seaweed, fish and marine shrimp. However, the performance of the Malaysian aquaculture sector, particularly seaweed production, is poorly documented. This is the first empirical study to undertake a value chain analysis (VCA) of the Malaysian seaweed sector using stakeholder perceptions and secondary data that encompass members of seaweed farming cooperatives (the Semporna Area Farmers’ Association and the governments’ flagship Seaweed Cluster Project). Fieldwork was conducted between April and June 2015 among seaweed stakeholders involved in the value chain using a mixed methods approach—in-depth interviews with key informants, focus group discussions, household surveys, personal observation and secondary data. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from both upstream (seaweed farming, marketing structure and the Malaysian Good Aquaculture Practices [MyGAP] certification programme) and downstream (seaweed processing) activities involving farmers, intermediaries/middlemen (buyers), processors and officials.Kappaphycusspp. was sold in two forms: (1) dried seaweed to be used as raw materials in carrageenan processing (approximately 90% of total harvest) and (2) fresh seaweed to be used as a source of seedlings (approximately 10% of total harvest). The value chain ended with the carrageenan form, which is exported to international markets. The price of dried seaweed varied according to a combination of seaweed quality, the strength of farmer’s relationships with intermediaries and processors and in response to demand from the carrageenan industry. The prices obtained by Malaysian farmers for dried seaweed and carrageenan remained low, US$ 0.60 and US$ 4.43 per kg, respectively, despite efforts by the government to enhance the value chain by imposing seaweed standards (via MyGAP) for farm management, dried seaweed and semi-refined carrageenan. The VCA was a useful tool to identify and map the market, with the results providing a better understanding of the seaweed sector, which could be helpful in supporting further aquaculture development in Malaysia.