bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new use for glassy carbon: Development of LDPE/glassy carbon composites for antistatic packaging applications
Authors: Santos Maikon Stefano dos , Montagna Larissa Stieven , Rezende Mirabel Cerqueira , Passador Fabio Roberto
Published: October 2018

Antistatic packaging is used for the protection and storage of electronic boards and sensitive electronic components. Different polyolefins can be used for the production of antistatic packaging; however, the accumulation of static electricity in these polyolefins may cause serious damage to the electronic components. In this study, since glassy carbon (GC) has good mechanical properties and electrical characteristics, it was used as an antistatic filler and blended with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). Composites of LDPE with GC in different proportions were prepared in the molten state using a homogenizer rotating at 3000 rpm. The composites were characterized in terms of thermal, mechanical, structural, and electrical properties. The GC is well dispersed and distributed in the LDPE, which contributed to the formation of a percolated network that enhanced antistatic characteristic. An increase of two orders of magnitudes in the electrical conductivity was obtained for the composite with 0.5 wt % of GC and thus it can be used as antistatic packaging. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47204.
Is Bone Elevation in Hand Muscle Attachments Associated with Biomechanical Stress? A Histological Approach to an Anthropological Question
Authors: Karakostis Fotios Alexandros , Vlachodimitropoulos Dimitrios , Piagkou Maria , Scherf Heike , Harvati Katerina , Moraitis Konstantinos
Published: October 2018

In anthropological sciences, muscle attachments are typically utilized for reconstructing the physical activities of past human populations. This approach relies on the concept that entheseal bone morphology is influenced by cumulative biomechanical stress. A fundamental criterion for assessing the stage of entheseal change involves the proportion of elevated bone area. However, it is not yet clear if bone elevation is associated with biomechanical forces exerted during physical activity, while the histology of the entheses of the human hand, the least‐bodyweight‐bearing anatomical area, is not fully investigated. Multiple previous studies on entheses have concluded that the concentration of calcified fibrocartilage reflects the level of applied forces. On this basis, if hand entheseal surface elevation was associated with the level of biomechanical stress, then a greater amount of calcified fibrocartilage would be expected in entheses' central and more projecting bone areas. More importantly, individual entheses with a greater proportion of elevated bone areas would present a higher total concentration of calcified fibrocartilage. To test these hypotheses, this pilot study conducted a histological quantitative analysis on two thumb entheses of four fully‐documented body donors. Across individuals, all central entheseal regions presented greater calcified fibrocartilage, while the entheses showing additional bone elevation in their marginal areas comprised substantially higher total values. The observations of this small‐scale pilot study support the concept that interindividual differences in entheseal bone morphology are related to varying levels of biomechanical loading. Furthermore, they encourage future research to compile larger sample sizes, for comparing individuals with distinct lifelong activities. Anat Rec, 302:1093–1103, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Geometric Morphometric Examination of Hominoid Third Metacarpal Shape and Its Implications for Inferring the Precursor to Terrestrial Bipedalism
Authors: Rein Thomas R.
Published: October 2018

The third metacarpal has been a focus of study when examining questions surrounding early hominin locomotion since this bone is adapted to the diverse range of positional behaviors performed by extant hominoids. The shape of this bone is potentially under strong selective pressure related to the biomechanical demands of terrestrial knuckle‐walking, arboreal clambering, and brachiation performed by extant hominoids since the hand directly interacts with the substrate during the performance of these movements. The objective of the present study was to explore shape variation of the third metacarpal and examine how different parts of the bone discriminated between hominoid genera that perform these different locomotor behaviors. In addition to examining general interspecies variation, shape analysis was applied to testing the knuckle‐walking hypothesis for human evolution. Fourteen 3D landmark coordinates were collected on hominoid third metacarpals, and principal component analysis and Procrustes distances were used to examine metacarpal shape. Comparable measurements were collected on fossilized third metacarpals of Australopithecus afarensis as an early hominin test case for examining the knuckle‐walking hypothesis. Analyses that included landmarks collected on both ends of the bone distinguished humans from great apes and presented a strong functional signal related to suspensory locomotion among nonhuman hominoids, whereas the distal articular surface provided the strongest knuckle‐walking signal. The shapes of Australopithecus afarensis metacarpals examined in the current study did not provide evidence for a trajectory of shape change in early hominin evolution that started from a metacarpal adapted for terrestrial knuckle‐walking. Anat Rec, 302:983–998, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New Reconstruction of Cranial Musculature in Ornithischian Dinosaurs: Implications for Feeding Mechanisms and Buccal Anatomy
Authors: Nabavizadeh Ali
Published: October 2018

The charismatic and diverse ornithischian dinosaurs exhibited some of the most extreme examples of cranial anatomy, inspiring decades of investigation into their muscular anatomy. Current ornithischian jaw muscle reconstructions, although parsimonious, pose concerns of small adductor muscles and caudally displaced insertions relative to mandibular proportions. Here, craniomandibular material of ornithischian genera spanning all subclades is reexamined for osteological correlates indicative of intracranial and oral soft tissues. M. adductor mandibulae externus (mAME) has traditionally been reconstructed as solely inserting along the caudal margin of the coronoid process for jaw closure. Here, a new mAME reconstruction is proposed in derived ornithischians, with the superficial‐most mAME layer reconstructed as a rostrolabial expansion of muscle, exiting the cranium rostroventrally beneath a unique, laterally flaring jugal and inserting along the lateral surface of the coronoid process and its rostrally extending, shelf‐like labial dentary ridge (LDR). Through previous dental microwear and morphological studies, ceratopsians, hadrosaurids, and ankylosaurs are known to have implemented a major palinal feeding component in their jaw motions, unlike other primarily basal ornithischians. This rostral fan‐like extension of muscle in these derived clades would create a greater mandibular support system and mechanical advantage along the labial margin of the jaw, cradling the entire mandible while lifting it up into occlusion and retracting it. In hadrosaurids and ankylosaurs, this rostrolabially expanding muscle also acts in medial rotation of the dentaries about their long axes. With these new reconstructions, the notion of a novel, unparsimonious “cheek” muscle is rejected, with further discussion of plausible buccal soft tissues. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 303:347–362, 2020. © 2018 American Association for Anatomy
Branching Pattern of the Cerebral Arterial Tree
Authors: Helthuis Jasper H. G. , van Doormaal Tristan P. C. , Hillen Berend , Bleys Ronald L. A. W. , Harteveld Anita A. , Hendrikse Jeroen , van der Toorn Annette , Brozici Mariana , Zwanenburg Jaco J. M. , van der Zwan Albert
Published: October 2018

Quantitative data on branching patterns of the human cerebral arterial tree are lacking in the 1.0–0.1 mm radius range. We aimed to collect quantitative data in this range, and to study if the cerebral artery tree complies with the principle of minimal work (Law of Murray).

To enable easy quantification of branching patterns a semi‐automatic method was employed to measure 1,294 bifurcations and 2,031 segments on 7 T‐MRI scans of two corrosion casts embedded in a gel. Additionally, to measure segments with a radius smaller than 0.1 mm, 9.4 T‐MRI was used on a small cast section to characterize 1,147 bifurcations and 1,150 segments. Besides MRI, traditional methods were employed. Seven hundred thirty‐three bifurcations were manually measured on a corrosion cast and 1,808 bifurcations and 1,799 segment lengths were manually measured on a fresh dissected cerebral arterial tree. Data showed a large variation in branching pattern parameters (asymmetry‐ratio, area‐ratio, length‐radius‐ratio, tapering). Part of the variation may be explained by the variation in measurement techniques, number of measurements and location of measurement in the vascular tree.

This study confirms that the cerebral arterial tree complies with the principle of minimum work. These data are essential in the future development of more accurate mathematical blood flow models. Anat Rec, 302:1434–1446, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.
Is the victim Max (Planck) or Moritz? How victim type and social value orientation affect dishonest behavior
Authors: Soraperra Ivan , Weisel Ori , Ploner Matteo
Published: October 2018

Does the potential victim of dishonest behavior—a family or a bank, a pensioner or an insurance firm—affect the propensity to engage in such behavior? We investigate the effect of victim type—an individual person or an impersonal institution—on dishonest behavior and test whether it interacts with potential perpetrators' social value orientation (prosocial or proself). In a between‐subjects design, we allowed experimental participants (N = 368) to misreport private information in order to increase (decrease) their profit (loss) at the expense of either another participant or the experimenter's budget. Both prosocials and proselfs engaged in dishonesty, but proselfs did so much more. Furthermore, prosocials reduced their dishonesty when the victim was another person, rather than an institution, but proselfs did not. A direct implication is that the dishonesty of prosocials may be curbed by increasing the salience of the adverse effect their dishonesty has on other individual people but that such interventions will not be effective for proselfs. In contrast with recent results, we did not find a general effect of increased dishonesty under a loss (vs. gain) frame.
Intramuscular innervation of the subscapularis muscle and its clinical implication for the BoNT injection: An anatomical study using the modified Sihler's staining
Authors: Cho Tae‐Hyeon , Kwon Hyun‐Jin , Choi You‐Jin , O Jehoon , Won Sung‐Yoon , Yang Hun‐Mu
Published: October 2018

Shoulder pain is commonly associated with spasticity of the rotator cuff muscles including the subscapularis (SSC). The aim of this study was to elucidate the intramuscular innervation pattern of the SSC using the modified Sihler's staining technique to facilitate the targeting of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections to alleviate shoulder spasticity. Ten SSC specimens (mean age, 81.5 years) were used in this study. Modified Sihler's staining was used to clarify the muscle and to stain the intramuscular nerves. Their extramuscular and intramuscular innervation patterns were examined. The upper subscapular, lower subscapular, thoracodorsal, and axillary nerves (USN, LSN, TDN, and AXN) innervated the SSC in 100%, 80%, 20%, and 40% of specimens, respectively. There was an anastomosis between the USN and LSN in the central portion of the SSC in more than half of the cases. The USN innervated the overall portion of the muscle. In contrast, the additional branches from the TDN and AXN innervated the inferior SSC portion. The superficial branches of the USN were mostly distributed in the superior SSC portion while the deep branches were distributed in the inferior portion. As a major intramuscular nerve within the SSC, the USN should be targeted by a BoNT injection. Regarding the USN distribution, the aim should be to spread the BoNT injectate within the central SSC portion. For supplementary injection to the AXN, the lateral approach would be more appropriate than alternatives. A physician performing a BoNT injection should consider the intramuscular innervation of the SSC portion. Clin. Anat. 32:110–116, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effectiveness of aggression replacement training in reducing criminal recidivism among convicted adult offenders
Authors: Lardén Martin , Nordén Elisabeth , Forsman Mats , Långström Niklas
Published: October 2018

Background

Aggression replacement training (ART) is a widely used cognitive behavioural intervention for reducing aggression‐related recidivism among criminal offenders. Its effectiveness in reducing offending, however, remains uncertain.

Aim

To examine the effect of ART on adult offenders' criminal recidivism rates.

Method

We compared 1,124 convicted adult offenders who began ART in the Swedish Prison and Probation Services 2003–2009 with 3,372 offenders in the system at the same time who did not participate in ART. Linkage with nationwide, longitudinal registries allowed extensive propensity score‐matched controlling for baseline differences (e.g. sociodemographics, criminal history, psychiatric morbidity, and substance misuse) between groups.

Results

Intent‐to‐treat analyses suggested similar 1‐year general reconviction rates (according to the National Crime Register) between the two groups (ART participants 50% [n = 465]: comparison participants 51% [n = 1,492]; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.97, 95% CI [0.88, 1.07]) and similar one‐year violent recidivism (ART participants 19% [n = 174]: comparison participants 18% [n = 547]; HR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.89, 1.17]). For ART completers, findings suggested a marginal decrease in reconvictions for any recidivism, but not for violent recidivism specifically. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results.

Conclusions and implications

Our findings add to the emerging literature suggesting no effect of ART on reoffending among adult offenders. Originally designed for adolescents, it may be that the programme should include components for more adult‐specific needs. Further, although group differences in reoffending did not emerge, research with a wider range of outcomes may be worthwhile before abandoning this approach with offenders.
Origin and Prediction of Highly Specific Bond Cleavage Sites in the Thermal Activation of Intact Protein Ions
Authors: Wang Huixin , Leeming Michael G. , Ho Junming , Donald William A.
Published: October 2018

Predicting the fragmentation patterns of proteins would be beneficial for the reliable identification of intact proteins by mass spectrometry. However, the ability to accurately make such predictions remains elusive. An approach to predict the specific cleavage sites in whole proteins resulting from collision‐induced dissociation by use of an improved electrostatic model for calculating the proton configurations of highly‐charged protein ions is reported. Using ubiquitin, cytochrome c, lysozyme and β‐lactoglobulin as prototypical proteins, this approach can be used to predict the fragmentation patterns of intact proteins. For sufficiently highly charged proteins, specific cleavages occur near the first low‐basicity amino acid residues that are protonated with increasing charge state. Hybrid QM/QM′ (QM=quantum mechanics) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and energy‐resolved collision‐induced dissociation measurements indicated that the barrier to the specific dissociation of the protonated amide backbone bond is significantly lower than competitive charge remote fragmentation. Unlike highly charged peptides, the protons at low‐basicity sites in highly charged protein ions can be confined to a limited sequence of low‐basicity amino acid residues by electrostatic repulsion, which results in highly specific fragmentation near the site of protonation. This research suggests that the optimal charge states to form specific sequence ions of intact proteins in higher abundances than the use of less specific ion dissociation methods can be predicted a priori.
Hybrid Solid Polymer Electrolytes with Two‐Dimensional Inorganic Nanofillers
Authors: Chua Stephanie , Fang Ruopian , Sun Zhenhua , Wu Minjie , Gu Zi , Wang Yuzuo , Hart Judy N. , Sharma Neeraj , Li Feng , Wang Da‐Wei
Published: October 2018

Solid polymer electrolytes are of rapidly increasing importance for the research and development of future safe batteries with high energy density. The diversified chemistry and structures of polymers allow the utilization of a wide range of soft structures for all‐polymer solid‐state electrolytes. With equal importance is the hybrid solid‐state electrolytes consisting of both “soft” polymeric structure and “hard” inorganic nanofillers. The recent emergence of the re‐discovery of many two‐dimensional layered materials has stimulated the booming of advanced research in energy storage fields, such as batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. Of special interest is the mass transport properties of these 2D nanostructures for water, gas, or ions. This review aims at the current progress and prospective development of hybrid polymer‐inorganic solid electrolytes based on important 2D materials, including natural clay and synthetic lamellar structures. The ion conduction mechanism and the fabrication, property and device performance of these hybrid solid electrolytes will be discussed.
Fluoro‐Hydroxylation of gem‐Difluoroalkenes: Synthesis of 18O‐labeled α‐CF3 Alcohols
Authors: Hu Jingyu , Yang Yide , Lou Zhengzhao , Ni Chuanfa , Hu Jinbo
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a fluoro‐hydroxylation of gem‐difluoroalkenes is demonstrated. This protocol uses sequential electrophilic fluorination with Selectfluor and nucleophilic hydroxylation with H218O, which can be used to prepare 18O‐labeled α‐CF3 alcohols from gem‐difluorostyrenes. The reaction is typically carried out at room temperature within 4 h in good to excellent yields. Other nucleophiles (besides H218O), such as alcohols, carboxylic acid, acetonitrile and N,N‐dimethylformamide, are also suitable for this difunctionalization of gem‐difluoroalkenes.
Baseline atrial fibrillation is associated with contrast‐induced nephropathy after cardiac catheterization in coronary artery disease: Systemic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Prasitlumkum Narut , Kanitsoraphan Chanavuth , Kittipibul Veraprapas , Rattanawong Pattara , Chongsathidkiet Pakawat , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: October 2018

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, independently associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Recent studies suggest that AF is potentially associated with contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing catheterization. However, the association was not conclusive. Thus, we assessed the association between AF in patients with CAD and CIN by a systematic review of the literature and a meta‐analysis.

Hypothesis

AF is a predictor of CIN in patients with CAD.

Methods

We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to April 2018. Included studies were published observational studies that compared the risk of CIN among CAD patients with AF vs those without AF. Data from each study were combined using the random‐effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Eight cohort studies from June 2007 to November 2017 were included in this meta‐analysis involving 16,691 subjects with CAD (1,030 with AF and 15,661 without its presence). The presence of AF was associated with CIN (pooled risk ratio = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.50‐3.14, P < 0.001, I2 = 54.1%). In our subgroup analysis by urgency and multivariable adjustment, both groups still showed substantial association between AF and CIN (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

AF increased the risk of CIN up to two fold among patients with CAD compared to the absence of it. Our study suggests that the presence of AF in CAD is prognostic for the development of CIN.
Costs of cancer along the care continuum: What we can expect based on recent literature
Authors: Pisu Maria , Henrikson Nora B. , Banegas Matthew P. , Yabroff K. Robin
Published: October 2018

Background

Cancer costs should be discussed by patients and providers, but information is not readily available. Results from recently published studies (in the last 5 years) on direct and indirect cancer costs may help guide these discussions.

Methods

The authors reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2017 that reported direct health care costs and indirect (productivity losses) costs. The annual mean total and net costs of cancer were summarized for all payers and for survivors only by age (ages 18‐64 and ≥65 years), by phase of care (initial [ie, 12 months from diagnosis], continuing, and end‐of‐life [ie, 12 months before death]), or for recently diagnosed (within 1‐2 years of diagnosis) and longer term survivors.

Results

For all payers combined, costs for cancers like breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers were $20,000 to $100,000 in the initial phase, $1000 to $30,000 annually in the continuing phase, and ≥$60,000 in the end‐of‐life phase. Annual out‐of‐pocket costs to recently diagnosed survivors were >$1000 for medical care and time costs, approximately $2000 for productivity losses, and from $2500 to >$4000 for employment disability, depending on age. For longer term survivors, the cost of medical care was approximately $1500 for older survivors and $747 for younger survivors, time costs were $831 to $955 for older survivors and $459 to $630 for younger survivors, and productivity losses were approximately $800. Disability among long‐term survivors was similar to that among short‐term survivors. Limitations of the reviewed studies included older data and under‐representation of higher cost cancers.

Conclusions

Frequently updated cost information for all cancer types is needed to guide discussions of anticipated short‐term and long‐term cancer‐related costs with survivors. Cancer 2018;000:000‐000. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy improves survival and reduces treatment time in squamous cell carcinoma of the anus: A National Cancer Data Base study
Authors: Elson Joshua K. , Kachnic Lisa A. , Kharofa Jordan R.
Published: October 2018

Background

Chemoradiation with 5‐fluorouracil and mitomycin remains the standard of care for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal. A prolonged treatment time is associated with inferior disease‐specific outcomes. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trial 0529 demonstrated decreased toxicity and fewer treatment breaks with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), but this has not been assessed in a randomized trial. Using data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), this study evaluated the impact of IMRT on treatment time and survival in anal SCC.

Methods

The NCDB was used to identify patients with anal cancer from 2004 to 2013. The included patients were those with stage I to III squamous cell cancer of the anal canal who had received definitive chemoradiation by IMRT or 3‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). Statistical analyses were performed with logistic regression, Kaplan‐Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazards analysis, and propensity score–matched analysis.

Results

Of 6814 patients, 57.4% were treated with 3DCRT, whereas 42.6% received IMRT. Patients receiving IMRT had a reduced risk of a long treatment time in a multivariate analysis (P < .001). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rates with IMRT and 3DCRT were 80.8% and 78.9%, respectively (P = .0036). According to a propensity analysis, patients receiving IMRT had improved OS (P = .039) and a reduced risk of a long treatment time (P < .0001) in a multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

IMRT use was associated with significantly reduced overall treatment time and improved survival in comparison with 3DCRT. It is important to note that NCDB data are not as robust as randomized data. However, these results further support the use of IMRT as part of sphincter‐preserving therapy for the anal canal.
Using geneid to Identify Genes
Authors: Alioto Tyler , Blanco Enrique , Parra Genís , Guigó Roderic
Published: October 2018

This unit describes the usage of geneid, an efficient gene‐finding program that allows for the analysis of large genomic sequences, including whole mammalian chromosomes. These sequences can be partially annotated, and geneid can be used to refine this initial annotation. Training geneid is relatively easy, and parameter configurations exist for a number of eukaryotic species. geneid produces output in a variety of standard formats. The results, thus, can be processed by a variety of software tools, including visualization programs. geneid software is in the public domain, and is undergoing constant development. It is easy to install and use. Exhaustive benchmark evaluations show that geneid compares favorably with other existing gene‐finding tools. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Uncoded M‐ary quadrature amplitude modulation space‐time labeling diversity with three transmit antennas
Authors: Ayanda Dauda , Xu Hongjun , Pillay Narushan
Published: October 2018

Uncoded space‐time labeling diversity (USTLD) is a recent scheme that improves the error performance of space‐time block–coded wireless communication links. However, the existing space‐time labeling diversity technique used in USTLD only employs two transmit antennas. To further improve error performance in USTLD systems, this paper investigates USTLD systems with three transmit antennas. A heuristic approach is proposed to design the second and third mappers. Simulation results show superior error performance compared with the existing two transmit antenna USTLD. Furthermore, an analytical expression for a tight bound of the average bit error probability of the proposed system with three transmit antennas is derived. Moreover, complexity reduction analysis of the low‐complexity (LC) detector is proposed. It is shown that the proposed LC algorithm achieves near‐maximum likelihood detection accuracy, while reducing complexity by 51% and 96.5% for 16QAM and 64QAM, respectively.
Novel dynamic source routing protocol (DSR) based on genetic algorithm‐bacterial foraging optimization (GA‐BFO)
Authors: Zhang De‐gan , Liu Si , Liu Xiao‐huan , Zhang Ting , Cui Yu‐ya
Published: October 2018

The goal of mobile ad hoc network (MANET) routing protocol is to establish a correct and effective route with minimal control overhead and bandwidth consumption. Dynamic source routing protocol (DSR) is a simple on‐demand routing protocol designed specifically for MANETs. The choice of routing path only adopts the simplest minimum hop count algorithm, while it did not take the node energy into account. In order to improve the control overhead of the network, we comprehensively consider the node energy information when searching the routes to the destination nodes. We propose a genetic algorithm (GA)‐bacterial foraging optimization algorithm to perform the selection of the optimal routing. After searching out multiple routes to the destination node, the paths are initialized then the GA algorithm is started. This algorithm quickly finds the positions of the maximum probability optimal paths, which are the initial positions of bacteria for the bacteria foraging optimization (BFO) algorithm. Through using the BFO algorithm, it is easy to search out the extreme value and the optimal path in order to compensate for the poor accuracy of GA algorithm. Our proposed optimized strategy improves the routing selection algorithm without change the complexity of DSR and proves the convergence of the algorithm to the global optimal solution. The simulation shows that the proposed algorithm is feasible and applicable and also has better experimental result.
Millimeter‐wave signal generation and transmission to multiple radio access units by employing nonlinearity of the optical link
Authors: Mehmood Tayyab , Ghafoor Salman
Published: October 2018

Fifth‐generation communication demands seamless multi–giga‐bit per second data transmission in its small‐sized ultradense cells. The congestion‐free millimeter‐wave spectrum is the best option to be utilized for high data rate transmission. Generation and transmission of millimeter‐wave signals in the electrical domain is challenging mainly owing to bandwidth limitation of electronic components. Therefore, optical generation and transmission of these high‐frequency signals are a feasible option. In this work, we propose all‐optical millimeter‐wave signal generation and transmission in a centralized radio‐over‐fiber architecture. The proposed architecture performs all the major optical signal processing tasks at the central unit by eliminating the requirement of light sources and local oscillators at the multiple radio access units. Therefore, a potentially simplified and cost‐effective solution for fifth‐generation mobile networks is demonstrated through simulation results. Nonlinearity of the Mach‐Zehnder modulator and of a highly nonlinear dispersion‐shifted fiber is exploited to generate coherent optical carriers from a single centralized laser source instead of several separate laser sources. The coherent optical carriers are used to perform remote heterodyne detection at the radio access units and at the central unit to generate millimeter‐wave signals. Each of the four radio access units receives data from the central unit at a rate of 512 Mbps over two subcarrier multiplexed signals. Each of the radio access unit transmits the uplink data received from the mobile units at a rate of 128 Mbps and centered at a frequency of 25 GHz. It has been demonstrated through simulations that the proposed system gives acceptable bit error rate results.
Temporally sensitive neural measures of inhibition in preschool children across a spectrum of irritability
Authors: Deveney Christen M. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J. , Pagliaccio David , Estabrook Christopher R. , Zobel Elvira , Burns James L. , Norton Elizabeth S. , Pine Daniel S. , Brotman Melissa A. , Leibenluft Ellen , Wakschlag Lauren S.
Published: October 2018

Irritability is a prominent feature of chronic mental disorders and a developmental marker of their early emergence. The most salient feature of irritability in early childhood is temper tantrums. While temper tantrums are normative in young children, they can be clinically concerning when they are dysregulated, very frequent, and/or occur in unexpected contexts. The present study uses behavioral and event‐related brain potential (ERP) measures to characterize the relationship between irritability and neural markers of response inhibition in very young children. Forty‐six children (ages 4–7 years) completed a go/no‐go task under nonfrustrating and frustrating conditions. ERPs elicited by go and no‐go stimuli were examined as a function of frustration condition and irritability, operationalized via the well‐validated Temper Loss scale of the Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Disruptive Behavior (MAP‐DB). Higher Temper Loss scores were associated with larger N2no‐go amplitudes and reduced no‐go accuracy during frustration. This suggests that higher levels of irritability corresponded with increased conflict monitoring and poorer task performance during frustration. These findings add to a developing literature identifying the neurocognitive markers of varying levels of irritability in young children.
Meldonium long‐term excretion period and pharmacokinetics in blood and urine of healthy athlete volunteers
Authors: Rabin Olivier , Uiba Vladimir , Miroshnikova Yulia , Zabelin Maksim , Samoylov Aleksander , Karkischenko Vladislav , Semyonov Sergey , Astrelina Tatiana , Razinkin Sergey
Published: October 2018

Meldonium is a metabolic drug whose inclusion in the 2016 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods followed the analysis of data collected under the 2015 World Anti‐Doping Agency Monitoring Program. In the early months of 2016, anti‐doping laboratories reported an unusually high number of cases in which urine samples contained high concentrations of meldonium. Consequently, the meldonium excretion period in healthy athletes and the substance's long‐term urine and blood (plasma) pharmacokinetics became central questions for the anti‐doping community to address, to ensure appropriate assessment of the scientific and medical situation, and also fair treatment of athletes from a result management and legal standpoint. At the present time, data on meldonium pharmacokinetics is limited to a few studies, with no known data available on long‐term excretion of high oral doses. The primary objective of this open‐label study was to determine long‐term urine and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of meldonium in healthy volunteers. Study design included single and repeated functional load testing and assessment of L‐carnitine administration on meldonium excretion and pharmacokinetics. Thirty‐two volunteers were equally divided into two groups receiving either 1.0 g or 2.0 g of oral meldonium daily for 3 weeks. The study found meldonium takes several days to attain a steady state in blood and displays an elimination period over several months after cessation of treatment. Moreover, findings demonstrate that the daily dose, periodicity and duration of treatment with meldonium are the most important factors to consider in calculating the substance's elimination and complete body clearance.
Genetic evidence of female kin clusters in a continuous population of a solitary carnivore, the Eurasian lynx
Authors: Holmala Katja , Herrero Annika , Kopatz Alexander , Schregel Julia , Eiken Hans G. , Hagen Snorre B.
Published: October 2018

Large terrestrial carnivores can sometimes display strong family bonds affecting the spatial distribution of related individuals. We studied the spatial genetic relatedness and family structure of female Eurasian lynx, continuously distributed in southern Finland. We hypothesized that closely related females form matrilineal assemblages, clustering together with relatives living in the neighboring areas. We evaluated this hypothesis using tissue samples of 133 legally harvested female lynx (from year 2007 to 2015), genotyped with 23 microsatellite markers, and tested for possible spatial genetic family structure using a combination of Bayesian clustering, spatial autocorrelation, and forensic genetic parentage analysis. The study population had three potential family genetic clusters, with a high degree of admixture and geographic overlap, and showed a weak but significant negative relationship between pairwise genetic and geographic distance. Moreover, parentage analysis indicated that 64% of the females had one or more close relatives (sister, mother, or daughter) within the study population. Individuals identified as close kin consistently assigned to the same putative family genetic cluster. They also were sampled closer geographically than females on average, although variation was large. Our results support the possibility that Eurasian lynx forms matrilineal assemblages, and comparisons with males are now required to further assess this hypothesis.
Stand basal area and temperature interact to influence growth in white spruce in southwest Alaska
Authors: Wright Micah , Sherriff Rosemary L. , Miller Amy E. , Wilson Tammy
Published: October 2018

Warming temperatures are having a disproportionate effect on boreal ecosystems, influencing the establishment and growth of tree species across their respective ranges. However, less is known about how competitive interactions influence growth–climate relationships. We used tree‐ring data from 26 study plots (836 trees) to investigate how the growth patterns of white spruce (Picea glauca) respond to variation in competition and climate in southwest Alaska. Using linear mixed‐effects models, we compared growth against covariates for stand basal area, competition, climate (temperature, precipitation), and spruce beetle mortality. We characterized competition at the tree level using two distance‐dependent competition indices: Hegyi index and a height advantage index. Furthermore, we assumed that stand‐level competition increased with basal area. We found that high summer temperatures resulted in reduced growth in stands with higher basal area (i.e., the most crowded stands), but increased growth at sites with low basal area. Our results suggest that historically productive stands may show declines in growth under warmer conditions, with important implications for future stand structure and productivity.
Empagliflozin directly improves diastolic function in human heart failure
Authors: Pabel Steffen , Wagner Stefan , Bollenberg Hannah , Bengel Philipp , Kovács Árpád , Schach Christian , Tirilomis Petros , Mustroph Julian , Renner André , Gummert Jan , Fischer Thomas , Van Linthout Sophie , Tschöpe Carsten , Streckfuss‐Bömeke Katrin , Hasenfuss Gerd , Maier Lars S. , Hamdani Nazha , Sossalla Samuel
Published: October 2018

Aims

Empagliflozin, a clinically used oral antidiabetic drug that inhibits the sodium‐dependent glucose co‐transporter 2, has recently been evaluated for its cardiovascular safety. Surprisingly, empagliflozin reduced mortality and hospitalization for heart failure (HF) compared to placebo. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, our study aims to investigate whether empagliflozin may cause direct pleiotropic effects on the myocardium.

Methods and results

In order to assess possible direct myocardial effects of empagliflozin, we performed contractility experiments with in toto‐isolated human systolic end‐stage HF ventricular trabeculae. Empagliflozin significantly reduced diastolic tension, whereas systolic force was not changed. These results were confirmed in murine myocardium from diabetic and non‐diabetic mice, suggesting independent effects from diabetic conditions. In human HF cardiomyocytes, empagliflozin did not influence calcium transient amplitude or diastolic calcium level. The mechanisms underlying the improved diastolic function were further elucidated by studying myocardial fibres from patients and rats with diastolic HF (HF with preserved ejection fraction, HFpEF). Empagliflozin beneficially reduced myofilament passive stiffness by enhancing phosphorylation levels of myofilament regulatory proteins. Intravenous injection of empagliflozin in anaesthetized HFpEF rats significantly improved diastolic function measured by echocardiography, while systolic contractility was unaffected.

Conclusion

Empagliflozin causes direct pleiotropic effects on the myocardium by improving diastolic stiffness and hence diastolic function. These effects were independent of diabetic conditions. Since pharmacological therapy of diastolic dysfunction and HF is an unmet need, our results provide a rationale for new translational studies and might also contribute to the understanding of the EMPA‐REG OUTCOME trial.
A novel PSO algorithm for dynamic wireless sensor network multiobjective optimization problem
Authors: El‐Shorbagy M.A. , Elhoseny Mohamed , Hassanien Aboul Ella , Ahmed Syed Hassan
Published: October 2018

All real‐life multiobjective optimization problems (MOPs) are considered dynamic. It is occurring due to fluctuations in environmental or the global market instabilities that lead to the quick fluctuations of prices. Wireless sensor network optimization problem, by nature, is considered one of the dynamic MOP (DMOP) and needs to be solved by a special method to save time and effort. Thus, this paper proposed a novel particle swarm optimization (PSO) for dynamic wireless sensor network MOP to accelerate data transfer in networks and reduce energy losses. Generally, in DMOPs, the optimization period is broken into several equal subperiods. In each subperiod, there is a dynamic parameter that changes. In the proposed approach, PSO is used to handle DMOPs without any changing of its structure and has fast convergence properties. However, a new mechanism to choose the personal and global preferred particles is introduced, which based on the distance between the nondominated solutions obtained so far and the particles positions by using Euclidean metric. In addition, two types of archives are used to maintain the nondominated solutions. The first one is used to store the nondominated solutions obtained by each particle, whereas the second type is used to store the nondominated solutions achieved by all particles. The novel methodology performance is proved by applying it on three benchmark problems that were chosen from the literature and one design problem from the engineering domain. The simulation results mentioned that the proposed algorithm is active and efficacious in solving DMOPs.
A New Genus Record for the Macrofungi of Turkey of a Fungicolous and Mycoparasitic Species, Hypomyces chrysospermus Tul. & C. Tul. (Hypocreaceae De Not.)
Authors: Kaygusuz Oğuzhan , Çolak Ömer Faruk , Türkekul İbrahim
Published: October 2018

The study describes Hypomyces chrysosperum Tul. & C. Tul. as a new record for Turkey and Hypomyces (Fr.) Tul. & C. Tul. (Hypocreaceae) as a new genus record for Turkey. This fungicolous and mycoparasitic Ascomycota was collected in the Gireniz Valley (Denizli) growing parasitically on Suillus luteus (L.) Roussel. Descriptions of both the host and parasite fungi are given, together with macroscopic photographs and microscopic drawings.
Lavender fragrance sol‐gel encapsulated in ORMOSIL nanospheres
Authors: Xiao Zuobing , Liu Min , Niu Yunwei , Zhu Guangyong , Deng Juan , Liu Sihong
Published: October 2018

Lavender fragrance (LF) was encapsulated successfully in ORMOSIL (organically modified silica) via the sol‐gel approach. Silane precursor‐ethylsilicate (TEOS) was modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) to enhance the mechanical strength and compatibility of the wall material. Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was added as surfactant and polymer for the formation of nanospheres. An encapsulation efficiency of 96.36% was achieved under optimal conditions (water/ethanol ratio of 2 : 1, with pH 9.5, and with a surfactant concentration of 25 mM). Moreover, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the LF nanospheres showed that the nanospheres were spherical with good dispersibility. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated that LF was successfully encapsulated in organically modified silica. The result of thermogravimetric (TG) analysis showed that the nanospheres had excellent thermal stability. Furthermore, the SEM image of aromatic wallpaper indicated a successful application of the LF nanospheres in wallpaper.
A model for entropy generation in stagnation‐point flow of non‐Newtonian Jeffrey, Maxwell, and Oldroyd‐B nanofluids
Authors: Almakki Mohamed , Nandy Samir Kumar , Mondal Sabyasachi , Sibanda Precious , Sibanda Dora
Published: October 2018

We present a generalized model to describe the flow of three non‐Newtonian nanofluids, namely, Jeffrey, Maxwell, and Oldroyd‐B nanofluids. Using this model, we study entropy generation and heat transfer in laminar nanofluid boundary‐layer stagnation‐point flow. The flow is subject to an external magnetic field. The conventional energy equation is modified by the incorporation of nanoparticle Brownian motion and thermophoresis effects. A hydrodynamic slip velocity is used in the initial condition as a component of the stretching velocity. The system of nonlinear equations is solved numerically using three different methods, a spectral relaxation method, spectral quasilinearization method, and the spectral local linearization method, first to determine the most accurate of these methods, and second as a measure to validate the numerical simulations. The residual errors for each method are presented. The numerical results show that the spectral relaxation method is the most accurate of the three methods, and this method is used subsequently to solve the transport equations and thus to determine the empirical impact of the physical parameters on the fluid properties and entropy generation.
Thermal radiation and inclined magnetic field effects on MHD flow past a linearly accelerated inclined plate in a porous medium with variable temperature
Authors: Endalew Mehari Fentahun , Nayak Anita
Published: October 2018

An analysis of unsteady MHD natural convective flow, transfer of mass, and radiation past linearly accelerated slanted plate inserted in an immersed permeable medium with uniform permeability, variable temperature, and concentration within the sight of a slanted magnetic field has been done. The novelty of the current examination is to analyze the effect of a slanted magnetic field on the flow phenomena with heat source/sink and destructive reaction for linearly accelerated slanted plate. The governing equations have been solved by using Laplace transform strategy. The estimations of flow velocity, concentration, and temperature are exhibited graphically, while local skin friction, mass, and heat transfer rates are put on view in tabular form for different values of relevant stream parameters. It is fascinating to observe that the raise of inclination angle of an applied magnetic field diminishes both velocity profiles and local skin friction.
Assessment of PCM‐container interfacial heat transfer using a hot/cold probe technique
Authors: R Sudheer , Prabhu K. N.
Published: October 2018

A novel technique for assessing heat transfer characteristics of salt‐based phase change materials (PCM) was proposed here. The method is based on solution to inverse heat conduction problem. Nanoparticles (Graphite, Graphene, and multi wall carbon nanotube [MWCNT]) were dispersed in the PCM (KNO3) to assess their respective influence on heat transfer in the PCM. Graphite added PCM offered highest heat flow values and heating rates, while the pure salt‐PCM offered the least. The probe material had a significant influence on the heat transfer rates at the PCM‐probe interface.
Convective heat transfer of Titania nanofluids of different base fluids in cylindrical annulus with discrete heat source
Authors: Mebarek‐Oudina F.
Published: October 2018

In the current work, the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of Titania nanofluids filling a cylindrical annulus are numerically investigated. Ethylene glycol, engine oil, and water are used as base fluids. The Maxwell model for convective heat transfer in nanofluids is followed to account for the effects of nanoparticle volume fraction distribution on the continuity, momentum, and energy equations, in which a developed computer code is used. The latter is based upon the finite volume method coupled with the SIMPLER algorithm. Numerical results for the heat transfer are presented in the form of streamlines and isotherm profiles for a different value of Rayleigh number, base fluid, and nanoparticle volume fraction. The effects of these parameters on the local Nusselt number are analyzed.