bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature dependence of the Raman dispersion of Sr2Nb2O7: Influence of an electric field during the synthesis
Authors: Alanis Javier , Rodríguez‐Aranda M. C. , Rodríguez Ángel G. , Ojeda‐Galván Hiram Joazet , Mendoza María Eugenia , Navarro‐Contreras Hugo R.
Published: October 2018

We report on the preparation and structural characterization of powder samples of the perovskite‐slab layered polycrystalline Sr2Nb2O7 (hereafter named SNO) ferroelectric compound. Comparison is performed on samples grown without (SNO) and with an applied electric field of 3.34 kV/cm (SNOE). The Raman effect produced by these samples as a function of temperature, from 27°C (room temperature) to 400°C is presented and discussed. Significant differences are observed and discussed among SNO and SNOE. The electric field promotes the growth of platelets, preferentially oriented along the (0b0) planes. The temperature coefficients of 35 phonon wavenumbers were determined for both samples. A majority of the phonons exhibit monotonic wavenumber softening's with increasing temperatures, but a significant number of them show discontinuities on the wavenumber temperature slopes at two temperatures 215°C and 307 ± 5°C. The first temperature corresponds to the well‐known incommensurate phase to the ferroelectric phase transition (Phases III to II). The second temperature is indicative of an unreported phase transition for both the SNO and SNOE samples. For the sample SNOE, a phonon f7 (at 121 cm−1 at room temperature) displays a behavior that may be indicative of the existence of another ordering parameter that vanishes at 488 ± 5°C in the SNOE sample, induced by the electric field applied during the growth. The phonon broadenings with temperature are explained in terms of the Klemens model, which considers that the broadenings are due to the thermal expansion of the lattice, with a substantial contribution in magnitude from anharmonic phonon–phonon interactions.
Microencapsulated food‐grade antioxidant applied as a preservative of peanut seed quality in microcosm‐ and pilot‐scale trials
Authors: Girardi Natalia Soledad , Garcia Daiana , Passone María Alejandra , Nesci Andrea , García Julián , Etcheverry Miriam
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

In Argentina, peanuts are stored for 3–6 months. It is important to avoid proliferation of fungi and insect pests during this period. In this study, the potential of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) microcapsules to conserve peanut kernels was evaluated in microcosms and on a pilot scale.

RESULTS

In microcosm assays, microcapsules containing BHA at a dose of 1802 µg g−1 reduced 37% of total fungal count. Higher reductions (77–100%) were obtained with a combined treatment with BHA formulation (1802 µg g−1) plus fungicide (methyl thiophanate 0.0100 g L−1 and metalaxyl 0.0133 g L−1). However, germination levels of peanut seeds treated with the BHA formulation were less than 6% throughout the incubation time. In pilot‐scale trials, the storage conditions allowed the control of fungal development and insect proliferation. Quantifiable levels of BHA were also detected throughout the entire storage period. The combined treatment significantly reduced fungal contamination at 2 months of storage (C1‐2015: 37.41%; C1‐2016: 28.48%; C2‐2016: 45.02%). Seed germination of unshelled stored peanuts was not affected by the formulation.

CONCLUSION

The application of the BHA formulation during storage combined with pre‐seeding treatment could be an appropriate strategy to maintain the quality of the peanut kernels destined for seed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of thawed depth on the sediment transport capacity by melt water on partially thawed black soil slope
Authors: Gao Xiaofeng , Li Fahu , Chen Chao , Ban Yunyun , Gao Yuan
Published: October 2018

This study proposed an apparatus for measuring the sediment transport capacity, which is an important parameter for rill erosion prediction and modeling. Laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the sediment transport capacity of partially thawed black soil slope under different hydraulic conditions and thawed depths (five slope gradients of 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, and 25°; three flow discharges of 1, 2, and 4 dm3 min−1; and four thawed depths of 1, 2, 5, and 10 cm). The effect of thawed depth on sediment transport capacity was quantified with experimental data under different slope gradients and flow discharges. A quadratic model was used to relate sediment transport capacity to thawed depth, slope gradient, and flow discharge, and its key factors that influenced sediment transport capacity were determined by using stepwise regression. Results showed that sediment transport capacity decreased with the increase of thawed depth from 1 to 5 cm, but it tended to be steady when the thawed depth was greater than 5 cm. Model‐fitting results showed that sediment transport capacity was positively correlated with slope gradient and flow discharge but negatively correlated with thawed depth. The proposed method and experimental device solved the difficulties of insufficient sediment supply on the measurement of sediment transport capability, and it can be used to measure the sediment transport capacity of concentrated water flow under different conditions of slope gradient, thawed depth, and flow discharge. The method is helpful to the research of erosion process of partially thawed soil under concentrated water.
Comparing Rhizon samplers and centrifugation for pore‐water separation in studies of the marine carbonate system in sediments
Authors: Steiner Zvi , Lazar Boaz , Erez Jonathan , Turchyn Alexandra V.
Published: October 2018

An accurate description of the carbonate system in pore waters is valuable in studies involving the degradation of sedimentary organic matter, recrystallization of calcium carbonate minerals, calculations of mineral saturation state, and cycling of ions affected by pH. Here, we analyze water chemistry of pore water extracted using centrifugation and Rhizon samplers from hemipelagic sediments in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, and a shallow salt marsh from Norfolk, England. In both study areas, the data are internally consistent for each pore‐water separation technique, but the measured isotopic composition of the dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13C[DIC]) differs between the two techniques. We performed laboratory experiments that show that both Rhizons and centrifugation are prone to degassing of CO2 enriched with 12C. We suggest that during sampling with Rhizons, air fills the voids left by extracted pore water; combined with the membrane's design to exclude air, some of the aqueous CO2 diffuses into these air bubbles instead of the sampler. Rhizons produce reliable calcium, strontium, manganese, and barium concentration data when soaked in deionized water and then flushed with the sample immediately prior to sampling. However, pore‐water extractions with Rhizons are less reliable for analyses of pH and δ13C[DIC]. Centrifugation produces reliable carbonate chemistry and major element data when tubes are fully filled without headspace and sealed tightly. Working in CO2 low/free atmosphere (e.g., N2 glovebox) enhances the chance of losing CO2 from the sample in both sampling techniques due to increased negative gradient of CO2 between the core and its surrounding.
Numerical simulations of colliding beams dynamics with nonzero crossing angle
Authors: Boronina M.A. , Genrikh E.A. , Vshivkov V.A.
Published: October 2018

The work is devoted to the problem of charged particle beam dynamics in self‐consistent electromagnetic fields in the modern colliders. The colliding beams move in vacuum with highly relativistic speeds (γ∼103 − 105). The achievement of the high luminosities for the high energy beams finds difficulties due to the beam disruption under the strong electromagnetic fields. We present our first results on the numerical simulations for the beams with the nonzero crossing angle with our parallel fully three‐dimensional algorithm. The results of the numerical modelling demonstrate qualitative and quantitative coincidence with theory for noncritical beam parameters.
Adaptive cooperative control of networked uncalibrated robotic systems with time‐varying communicating delays
Authors: Li Tao , Zhao Hui , Chang Yu
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates the trajectory tracking control of the networked multimanipulator with the existence of time‐varying delays and uncertainties in both kinematics and dynamics. To address time‐varying delays in the communication links, a novel control scheme is established by the design of delay–rate‐dependent networking mutual coupling strengths. Besides, to handle the kinematic and dynamic uncertainties, an adaptive controller is designed. The proposed control scheme guarantees that the networked robotic system can track a commonly desired trajectory cooperatively with the strongly connected communication graph, uncertainties, and time‐varying communicating delays. A Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is employed to rigorously prove the asymptotic convergence of both tracking errors and synchronization errors. The simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the control method proposed by this paper.
On total capacity of k‐out‐of‐n systems with random weights
Authors: Zhang Yiying , Ding Weiyong , Zhao Peng
Published: October 2018

In engineering applications, many reliability systems can be modeled as k‐out‐of‐n systems with components having random weights. Before putting such kind of system into a working state, it is of great significance for a system designer to find out the optimal assembly of the random weights to the components. In this article, we investigate the performance levels of k‐out‐of‐n systems with random weights. Optimal assembly policies are obtained by maximizing the total capacity according to different criteria, including the usual stochastic order, the increasing convex [concave] order, and the expectation order. Based on the optimal assembly strategy derived by maximizing the expected total capacity, we further investigate stochastic properties of the resulting weighted system with respect to the vector of expectations of random weights. Numerical examples are provided to highlight our theoretical findings as well.
Integration of MRI and MRS approaches to monitor molecular imaging and metabolomic effects of trabectedin on a preclinical ovarian cancer model
Authors: Canese Rossella , Palombelli Gianmauro , Chirico Mattea , Sestili Paola , Bagnoli Marina , Canevari Silvana , Mezzanzanica Delia , Podo Franca , Iorio Egidio
Published: October 2018

Although several drugs are available to treat recurrences of human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), clinical responses often remain short lived and lead to only marginal improvements in patients' survival. One of the new drugs proposed for recurrent platinum‐resistant EOC patients is trabectedin (Trab), a marine‐derived antitumor agent initially isolated from the tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata and currently produced synthetically. Predictive biomarkers of therapy response to this drug and the potential use of non‐invasive functional MRI and MRS approaches for an early assessment of Trab efficacy have not yet been evaluated, although they might be relevant for improving the clinical management of EOC patients. In the present work we combined functional and spectroscopic magnetic resonance technologies, such as in vivo diffusion‐weighted MRI and 1H MRS, with ex vivo high resolution MRS (HR‐MRS) metabolomic analyses, with the aim of identifying new pharmacodynamic markers of Trab effectiveness on well characterized, highly aggressive human SKOV3.ip (a HER2‐enriched cell variant derived from SKOV3 cells) EOC xenografts. In vivo treatment with Trab (three consecutive weekly 0.2 mg/kg i.v. injections) resulted in the following: (1) a significant reduction of in vivo tumor growth, along with the formation in cancer lesions of diffuse hyper‐intense areas detected by T2‐weighted MRI and attributed to necrosis, in agreement with histopathology findings; (2) significant increases in the apparent diffusion coefficient mean and median values versus saline‐treated control tumors; and (3) a significant reduction in the choline‐containing metabolites' signal detected by quantitative in vivo MRS. Multivariate and quantitative HR‐MRS analyses on ex vivo tissue samples revealed Trab‐induced alterations in phospholipid and glucose metabolism identified as a decrease in phosphocholine and an increase in lactate. Collectively, these data identify Trab‐induced functional MRI and MRS alterations in EOC models as a possible basis for further developments of these non‐invasive imaging methods to improve the clinical management of EOC patients.
The tyrosine phosphatase Shp‐2 confers resistance to colonic inflammation by driving goblet cell function and crypt regeneration
Authors: Gagné‐Sansfacon Jessica , Langlois Ariane , Langlois Marie‐Josée , Coulombe Geneviève , Tremblay Sarah , Vaillancourt‐Lavigueur Vanessa , Qu Cheng‐Kui , Menendez Alfredo , Rivard Nathalie
Published: October 2018

The Src homology‐2 domain‐containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP‐2) regulates many cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation and survival. Polymorphisms in the gene encoding SHP‐2 are associated with an increased susceptibility to develop ulcerative colitis. We recently reported that intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)‐specific deletion of Shp‐2 in mice (Shp‐2IEC‐KO) leads to chronic colitis and colitis‐associated cancer. This suggests that SHP‐2‐dependent signaling protects the colonic epithelium against inflammation and colitis‐associated cancer development. To verify this hypothesis, we generated mice expressing the Shp‐2 E76K activated form specifically in IEC. Our results showed that sustained Shp‐2 activation in IEC increased intestine and crypt length, correlating with increased cell proliferation and migration. Crypt regeneration capacity was also markedly enhanced, as revealed by ex vivo organoid culture. Shp‐2 activation alters the secretory cell lineage, as evidenced by increased goblet cell numbers and mucus secretion. Notably, these mice also demonstrated elevated ERK signaling in IEC and exhibited resistance against both chemical‐ and Citrobacter rodentium‐induced colitis. In contrast, mice with IEC‐specific Shp‐2 deletion displayed reduced ERK signaling and rapidly developed chronic colitis. Remarkably, expression of an activated form of Braf in Shp‐2‐deficient mice restored ERK activation, goblet cell production and prevented colitis. Altogether, our results indicate that chronic activation of Shp‐2/ERK signaling in the colonic epithelium confers resistance to mucosal erosion and colitis. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Hybrid Model of Viscosity of Polymer Blends
Authors: Fedotov Aleksandr F.
Published: October 2018

A hybrid model of the viscous properties of polymeric matrix blends with isolated (MPBs) and continuous phases (CPBs) was proposed. The hybrid model combines the analytical Hill's model of the average stresses and strains for viscous composites and semi‐empirical model of porous materials. A distinctive feature of the model is to calculate the concentration ratios of the average strain rate through the effective volume of the average strain rate. Effective volumes are determined by solving the boundary problem of viscous deformation of the representative volume of two‐phase MPBs or CPBs considering a possible porous state of a material. The comparison of the calculation results with the experimental data was made. The new model more accurately describes the viscosity of the two‐phase polymer blends than the known phenomenological models. The area of application of the hybrid model is limited to melts of polymer blends, the viscosity of which is inside the Hashin‐Shtrikman's bounds. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E212–E218, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of Smart Poly(SPAA‐co‐MMA) Film Materials for Regulating Wettability and Humidity by Electrospinning
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wang Shuai
Published: October 2018

Smart photoresponsive structured films with tunable wettability and ambient humidity were developed from acrylamino spiropyran–methyl methacrylate copolymer by electrospinning in this work. The wettability of the electrospun materials and ambient humidity can be reversibly regulated by the simple change of UV–Vis light irradiation due to the photoisomerization mechanism of spiropyran chromophore. Under UV light irradiation, the spiropyran molecules exhibit a colored polar open‐ring status which is hydrophilic, whereas under visible light irradiation it is colorless, nonpolar, and hydrophobic. As a promising and efficient method to produce surfaces with appropriate roughness, electrospinning was used to control the morphology of the copolymer surface, and significantly it is found that the roughness of the surface can strongly influence the reversible variation range of the water contact angle and humidity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E279–E286, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Shape memory epoxy nanocomposites with carbonaceous fillers and in‐situ generated silver nanoparticles
Authors: Dorigato Andrea , Pegoretti Alessandro
Published: October 2018

Aim of this work is to develop a novel epoxy based nanocomposite and to analyse its shape memory behavior. In particular, silver nanoparticles are in‐situ generated within an epoxy resin subsequently filled with both carbon black (CB) and carbon nanofibers (NFs) at different ratios and at a total amount of 4 wt%. Differential scanning calorimetry shows how the introduction of both CB and NF induces a slight decrease of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the samples. The Tg drop due to nanofiller addition determines a decrease of both flexural modulus and stress at yield with respect to the neat resin, especially at elevated CB concentrations, while the presence of Ag nanoparticles plays a positive effect on the flexural properties. The best mechanical properties can be detected at a CF/NF ratio of 50%, coupled with a noticeable decrease of the electrical resistivity down to 102 Ω·cm and an interesting heating capability through Joule effect. The electro‐mechanical shape‐memory characterization under bending configuration demonstrates how it is possible to obtain an almost complete shape recovery after 60 s under an applied voltage of 220 V. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:694–703, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Translating N‐Glycan Analytical Applications into Clinical Strategies for Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Briggs Matthew T. , Condina Mark R. , Klingler‐Hoffmann Manuela , Arentz Georgia , Everest‐Dass Arun V. , Kaur Gurjeet , Oehler Martin K. , Packer Nicolle H. , Hoffmann Peter
Published: October 2018

Protein glycosylation, particularly N‐linked glycosylation, is a complex posttranslational modification (PTM), which plays an important role in protein folding and conformation, regulating protein stability and activity, cell–cell interaction, and cell signaling pathways. This review focuses on analytical techniques, primarily MS‐based techniques, to qualitatively and quantitatively assess N‐glycosylation while successfully characterizing compositional, structural, and linkage features with high specificity and sensitivity. The analytical techniques explored in this review include LC–ESI–MS/MS and MALDI time‐of‐flight MS (MALDI‐TOF‐MS), which have been used to analyze clinical samples, such as serum, plasma, ascites, and tissue. Targeting the aberrant N‐glycosylation patterns observed in MALDI–MS imaging (MSI) offers a platform to visualize N‐glycans in tissue‐specific regions. The studies on the intra‐patient (i.e., a comparison of tissue‐specific regions from the same patient) and inter‐patient (i.e., a comparison of tissue‐specific regions between different patients) variation of early‐ and late‐stage ovarian cancer (OC) patients identify specific N‐glycan differences that improve understanding of the tumor microenvironment and potentially improve therapeutic strategies for the clinic.
Spatial distribution of beetle attack and its association with mango sudden decline: an investigation using geostatistical tools
Authors: Pereira Rogério M , da Silva Galdino Tarcísio V , Rodrigues‐Silva Nilson , da Silva Ricardo S , de Souza Thadeu C , Picanço Marcelo C
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Ceratocystis fimbriata recognized among the species that induce mango sudden decline (MSD), causes plant death within a short period. The beetles Hypocryphalus mangiferae and Xyleborus affinis (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are the vectors of MSD. Thorough understanding of the spatial distribution of the pest is crucial to designing control techniques and drawing up sampling plans. This study aimed to identify the beetles and their dispersal pattern in mango trees in MSD‐infected commercial orchards, and the association with the severity of the C. fimbriata infestation.

RESULTS

Beetle attacks were observed to be maximal on mango tree trunks revealing severe infestation. From the geostatistical analysis, an aggregated pattern was evident as galleries in the trunks and branches of mango trees.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to employ geostatic tools on a plant scale in MSD‐infested mango orchards and to study the incidence of beetle attack. The results may prove a highly effective tool for mango growers, with respect to the management of beetles and MSD, as this will facilitate the monitoring of specific sites where the frequency of beetles and MSD is high. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Selecting a near‐optimal design for multiple criteria with improved robustness to different user priorities
Authors: Burke Sarah E. , Lu Lu , Anderson‐Cook Christine M. , Montgomery Douglas C.
Published: October 2018

In a decision‐making process, relying on only one objective can often lead to oversimplified decisions that ignore important considerations. Incorporating multiple, and likely competing, objectives is critical for balancing trade‐offs on different aspects of performance. When multiple objectives are considered, it is often hard to make a precise decision on how to weight the different objectives when combining their performance for ranking and selecting designs. We show that there are situations when selecting a design with near‐optimality for a broad range of weight combinations of the criteria is a better test selection strategy compared with choosing a design that is strictly optimal under very restricted conditions. We propose a new design selection strategy that identifies several top‐ranked solutions across broad weight combinations using layered Pareto fronts and then selects the final design that offers the best robustness to different user priorities. This method involves identifying multiple leading solutions based on the primary objectives and comparing the alternatives using secondary objectives to make the final decision. We focus on the selection of screening designs because they are widely used both in industrial research, development, and operational testing. The method is illustrated with an example of selecting a single design from a catalog of designs of a fixed size. However, the method can be adapted to more general designed experiment selection problems that involve searching through a large design space.
The dark side of soft tissues: Unexpected inorganic carbonate in the invasive slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata and its implications for stable isotope interpretations
Authors: Androuin Thibault , Dubois Stanislas F. , Decottignies Priscilla , Pelleter Ewan , Carlier Antoine
Published: October 2018

Rationale

Stable isotopic analysis is extensively used in trophic ecology. Inorganic carbonates, usually originating from shell fragments, are routinely removed from samples using an acid treatment because they affect δ13C values. However, acid treatment can also change δ15N values. For some taxa such as molluscs, the general assumption is that acid pre‐treatment is not necessary since their shell is easily dissected from soft tissues and represents the only source of inorganic carbonates. However, other sources of non‐dietary carbon (e.g., intracellular inorganic carbon) enriched in13C thus get overlooked.

Methods

Soft tissues (foot) of the invasive gastropod Crepidula fornicata of different size classes were analysed for their δ13C and δ15N values with and without acid pre‐treatment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. In toto microscopic investigations coupled with acid treatment, scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy were used to highlight the presence of inorganic carbonate. A correction model was derived and applied to existing stable isotope data for C. fornicata. We used both seasonal variations in δ13C signatures and mixing model outputs to assess the error in δ13C values.

Results

Acid pre‐treatment had a significant effect on the stable isotope compositions of C. fornicata foot tissue, especially on δ13C values: isotopic differences increased with size, up to 3‰ for large females. No effect was detected for small (below ~20 mm) and motile males. In toto microscopic analysis revealed the presence of small spherules of inorganic carbonate, hence explaining the differences in δ13C values. Mixing model outputs and seasonal variation of δ13C values showed that untreated samples can lead to large misinterpretations about diet proportions and degree of trophic niche overlap, respectively.

Conclusions

Spherules of inorganic carbonate in C. fornicata soft tissues are likely to be linked with the motility of this species and their mucus production. We recommend assessing the presence of inorganic carbonate in soft tissue of sessile gastropods.
Bridging the lab‐field interface in fluvial morphology at patch‐scale: Using close‐range photogrammetry to assess surface replication and vegetation influence
Authors: Groom Jane , Friedrich Heide
Published: October 2018

In fluvial research, comparisons of laboratory and field data sets are rare or outdated; therefore, future research would benefit from the integration of laboratory and field data sets. We use close‐range photogrammetry as a tool to help bridge that interface. Close‐range photogrammetry is a technique that is readily applied in both laboratory and field environments to capture submillimetre topographic data of natural and replica surfaces of gravel‐bed rivers. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of difference (DoDs) are presented to quantitatively assess the replicability of four surfaces, using the casting process. Replication results with accuracies of <35 mm, including observed localized areas of particle dislodgement, suggest casting is a suitable process to integrate laboratory and field data sets in fluvial morphology, allowing natural surfaces (e.g., from the field) to be analysed in a controlled laboratory environment. This enables the isolation of parameters, such as the microtopography of the surface or water submergence. Further, we highlight the importance of considerations of the wider scale morphology required to contextualize patch‐scale field research using close‐range photogrammetry. We demonstrate this with an example of the influence of vegetation on DEM quality and roughness statistics. These wider morphological features are difficult to simulate in the laboratory, albeit have a control on patch‐scale processes. The successful replication of natural surfaces using casting and the use of tools such as close‐range photogrammetry provide a bridge for future research that requires the integration of laboratory experiments, field experiments, and numerical modelling.
Communicating sustainable development in the digital age: The relationship between citizens' storytelling and engagement intention
Authors: Kang Seok
Published: October 2018

Although there are ample resources about government strategies and stakeholders on sustainable urban development, citizens' views have been relatively rare in the sustainability literature. This study examines how citizens' daily communication practices through storytelling agents are related to the intention of sustainable development behaviors that can affect public and environmental policies. The first survey of 110 citizens in the United States was used to confirm storytelling agents and sustainable urban development indicators. The second survey of 352 respondents found that local networks and online communication significantly predicted citizens' intention to participate in the behaviors of effective land use, pollution management, access to public services, and energy conservation. The results showed that citizens did not use social media such as Twitter and YouTube for the intention of sustainable urban development behaviors. The news media did not meet citizens' sustainable urban development information seeking needs. The role that Internet news, Facebook, and local meetings played in drawing citizens' social engagement in communities was emphasized. Implications of the results for the government's public and environmental policymaking were discussed.
Improved hybrid loss control with optimized flux for traction induction motor under light load
Authors: Yin Shaobo , Meng Dongyi , Diao Lijun , Li Yaoheng , Dong Kan
Published: October 2018

With the fast development of rail transportation, it is of great significance to improve the efficiency of traction motors. The efficiency of the traction induction motor may drop drastically when the load is far away from the rated operating point, which is always the case when the vehicle is running under constant speed. This paper presents a loss model control method to achieve the balance between iron and copper losses for efficiency improvement under field‐oriented control. A steady‐state simplified loss model considering iron loss with an equivalent series resistor is built for the expressions of loss and efficiency. Then the optimal flux level is denoted, and the control performance is compared with that of the conventional flux control. The sensitivity of the motor parameters is also studied. Finally, simulation and experimental results validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. The experimental results in the laboratory determine the efficiency gains achieved with selected actual traction induction motors. Efficiency gain as high as 3–5% has been achieved under light load conditions. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A fast and tuneable auxin‐inducible degron for depletion of target proteins in budding yeast
Authors: Mendoza‐Ochoa Gonzalo I. , Barrass J. David , Terlouw Barbara R. , Maudlin Isabella E. , de Lucas Susana , Sani Emanuela , Aslanzadeh Vahid , Reid Jane A.E. , Beggs Jean D.
Published: October 2018

The auxin‐inducible degron (AID) is a useful technique to rapidly deplete proteins of interest in nonplant eukaryotes. Depletion is achieved by addition of the plant hormone auxin to the cell culture, which allows the auxin‐binding receptor, TIR1, to target the AID‐tagged protein for degradation by the proteasome. Fast depletion of the target protein requires good expression of TIR1 protein, but as we show here, high levels of TIR1 may cause uncontrolled depletion of the target protein in the absence of auxin. To enable conditional expression of TIR1 to a high level when required, we regulated the expression of TIR1 using the β‐estradiol expression system. This is a fast‐acting gene induction system that does not cause secondary effects on yeast cell metabolism. We demonstrate that combining the AID and β‐estradiol systems results in a tightly controlled and fast auxin‐induced depletion of nuclear target proteins. Moreover, we show that depletion rate can be tuned by modulating the duration of β‐estradiol preincubation. We conclude that TIR1 protein is a rate‐limiting factor for target protein depletion in yeast, and we provide new tools that allow tightly controlled, tuneable, and efficient depletion of essential proteins whereas minimising secondary effects.
Intraoperative Fluid Administration and Surgical Outcomes Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy: External Validation at a Tertiary Referral Center
Authors: Sandini M. , Fernández‐del Castillo C. , Ferrone C. R. , Ruscic K. J. , Eikermann M. , Warshaw A. L. , Lillemoe K. D. , Qadan M.
Published: October 2018

Background

While intraoperative fluid overload is associated with higher complication rates following surgery, data for pancreaticoduodenectomy are scarce and heterogeneous. We evaluated multiple prior definitions of restrictive and liberal fluid regimens and analyzed whether these affected surgical outcomes at our tertiary referral center.

Methods

Studies evaluating different intraoperative fluid regimens on outcomes after pancreatic resections were retrieved. After application of all prior definitions of restrictive and liberal fluid regimens to our patient cohort, relative risks of each outcome were calculated using all reported infusion regimens.

Results

Five hundred and seven pancreaticoduodenectomies were included. Nine different fluid regimens were evaluated. Two regimens utilized absolute volume cutoffs, and the remaining evaluated various infusion rates, ranging from 5 to 15 mL/kg/h. Total volume administration of >5000 mL and >6000 mL was associated with increased complications (RR 1.25 and RR 1.17, respectively) and >6000 mL with increased sepsis (RR 2.14). Conversely, a rate of <5 mL/kg/h was associated with increased risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF, RR 3.16) and sepsis (RR 3.20), <6.8 mL/kg/h with increased major morbidity (RR 1.64) and sepsis (RR 2.27), and <8.2 mL/kg/h with increased POPF (RR 2.16). No effects were observed on pulmonary complications, surgical site infections, length of stay, or mortality.

Conclusions

In an uncontrolled setting with no standard intraoperative or postoperative care map, the volume of intraoperative fluid administration appears to have limited impact on early postoperative outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy, with adverse outcomes only seen at extreme values.
A higher ratio of refined grain to whole grain is associated with a greater likelihood of chronic kidney disease: a population-based study
Authors: Mazidi Mohsen , Katsiki Niki , Mikhailidis Dimitri P. , Banach Maciej
Published: October 2018

A growing number of studies suggest that diet and renal function are related. However, little is known about the link between both whole grain (WG) and refined grain (RG) consumption and kidney function parameters. Thus, we investigated the association of WG and RG with urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and prevalent chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data from participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2005 to 2010 were collected. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Survey design and sample weights were taken into consideration for statistical analyses. Finally, we included 16 325 participants from NHANES, 6·9 % of whom had prevalent CKD. In models adjusted for age, sex, race, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, adiposity, hypertension and diabetes status, mean eGFR significantly increased across increasing quartiles of WG (Q1: 88·2 v. Q4: 95·4 ml/min per 1·73 m2, P<0·001), whereas it significantly decreased across increasing quartiles of RG (Q1: 97·2 v. Q4: 88·4 ml/min per 1·73 m2, P<0·001). Furthermore, serum uric acid levels and ACR significantly decreased across quartiles of WG (both P<0·001). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, the likelihood of prevalent CKD was 21 % lower in the highest WG quartile compared with the lowest one. In conclusion, our results shed light on the beneficial impact of WG on kidney function and CKD, whereas RG is adversely associated with eGFR.
Up-regulation of miR-24-1-5p is involved in the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer by black raspberry anthocyanins
Authors: Zhang He , Guo Jun , Mao Liping , Li Qianqian , Guo Mengnan , Mu Teng , Zhang Qiuhua , Bi Xiuli
Published: October 2018

As important epigenetic regulators, microRNA regulate protein expression by triggering the degradation of target mRNA and/or by inhibiting their translation. Dysregulation of microRNA expression has been reported in several cancers, including colorectal cancer. In this study, microRNA-array differential analysis revealed strongly enhanced expression of miR-24-1-5p in the colon tissue of azoxymethane/dextran sulphate sodium-induced mice that were fed with black raspberry anthocyanins for 9 weeks. Overexpression of miR-24-1-5p in human colorectal cancer cells significantly repressed β-catenin expression, and simultaneously decreased cell proliferation, migration and survival. Furthermore, miR-24-1-5p could target β-catenin and trigger a negative regulatory loop for β-catenin and its downstream target genes. β-Catenin signalling is vital to the formation and progression of human colorectal cancer. The current findings therefore identified miR-24-1-5p as a potent regulator of β-catenin, and this may provide a novel chemopreventive and therapeutic strategy for β-catenin signalling-driven colorectal cancer.
Application of Limitation Laws to Oil Spill Compensation Claims in Nigeria
Authors: Adaralegbe Bayo
Published: October 2018

This article examines a recent decision of the Nigerian Court of Appeal that essentially pronounces that, in respect of oil spill litigation in Nigeria, statutes of limitation are inapplicable to the federal law that creates the basis for oil spill compensation claims. This decision has dire consequences for the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The article finds this decision not only bad for public policy but actually based on very faulty reasoning and contradictory of an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal that was not considered. The article concludes that, despite this decision being the most recent, lower courts in Nigeria are not bound to follow it.
Stability and performance of haptic simulation involving interaction with non-passive virtual environment
Authors: Kim Myeongjin , Lee Doo Yong
Published: October 2018

Previous researches on analysis of stability of haptic simulation largely assume that the virtual environment is passive. But the virtual environment can become non-passive due to various reasons including discretization errors and interaction dynamics between virtual tools and objects. This paper provides an analysis of the stability and performance of the haptic simulation involving non-passive virtual environment. The dynamic interaction between the virtual tools and the objects is modeled using the two-port networks. The analysis is carried out using a velocity and force mapping matrix for six-DOF simulation. New stability condition resulting from the analysis is applied to an example simulation of a one-DOF virtual wall. Maximum stiffness satisfying the stability condition established in the previous literature, and the proposed condition is compared with the maximum stiffness experimentally determined with various time steps. The newly proposed stability condition manifests less standard deviation of errors than the widely applied absolute stability condition.
Development and Evaluation of a Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Behavioural Workshop for People Diagnosed with Schizophrenia
Authors: Nowak Izabela , Świtaj Piotr , Sabariego Carla , Oberhauser Cornelia , Anczewska Marta
Published: October 2018

Background: There is a need to develop culturally adapted interventions that support the personal recovery and real-world functioning of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Aims: This study reports on the development and evaluation of a culturally adapted, recovery-oriented, cognitive behavioural workshop for service users with schizophrenia. Method: The feasibility and acceptability were assessed, as were changes over time in personal recovery and psychosocial functioning (primary outcomes) along with psychopathology and health-related behaviours (secondary outcomes), using multi-level modelling. It was also assessed whether personal recovery predicts psychosocial functioning. Results: The workshop was feasible and was received favourably. Participants improved over time regarding confidence and hope, feeling less dominated by symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and psychopathology. Personal recovery predicted decreased psychosocial difficulties. Conclusions: The workshop is a promising intervention. It shows potential in terms of both improving personal recovery as well as real-life functioning of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Further workshop evaluation in a randomized controlled study is required.
Executive Skills and Academic Achievement in the Dystrophinopathies
Authors: Fee Robert J. , Montes Jacqueline , Stewart Jennifer L. , Hinton Veronica J.
Published: October 2018

Objectives:To examine academic performance in dystrophinopathy as a function of dystrophin gene mutation position as well as intellectual function, executive skills, socioeconomic status (SES), behavior, and physical ability.Methods:In a cross-sectional study, boys with dystrophinopathy (ages 5–17;n=50) completed tests of academics (Woodcock-Johnson-III: spelling, reading, calculation and total scores), executive functioning (selective attention/inhibitory control, set shifting, working memory, and processing speed), single word comprehension and nonverbal reasoning. Motor skills were assessed and parents provided demographic information and child behavioral assessments. Dystrophin gene mutation positions were dichotomized into groups (upstream versus downstream of exon 43, location of isoforms previously linked to intellectual impairment). Genetic mutation groups were compared on measures of academic achievement, and multiple regression analyses examined unique and joint contributions of executive skills, intelligence quotient (IQ), SES, motor abilities, behavior, and mutation positions to academic outcomes.Results:Academic performance was slightly, yet significantly, lower than IQ and varied as a function of dystrophin gene position, wherein boys possessing the downstream mutation exhibited greater impairment than boys with the upstream mutation. Digit span forward (indexing verbal span), but no other measure of executive function, contributed significant variance to total academic achievement, spelling and calculation.Conclusions:Weak academic performance is associated with dystrophinopathy and is more common in downstream mutations. A specific deficit in verbal span may underlie inefficiencies observed in children with dystrophinopathy and may drive deficits impacting academic abilities. (JINS, 2018,24, 928–938)
Phonemic and Semantic Verbal Fluency in Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy: Contrasting the Effects of Supernumerary XversusY Chromosomes on Performance
Authors: Udhnani Manisha , Maiman Moshe , Blumenthal Jonathan D. , Clasen Liv S. , Wallace Gregory L. , Giedd Jay N. , Raznahan Armin , Lee Nancy Raitano
Published: October 2018

Objectives:Past research suggests that youth with sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) present with verbal fluency deficits. However, most studies have focused on sex chromosome trisomies. Far less is known about sex chromosome tetrasomies and pentasomies. Thus, the current research sought to characterize verbal fluency performance among youth with sex chromosome trisomies, tetrasomies, and pentasomies by contrasting how performance varies as a function of extra X number and XversusY status.Methods:Participants included 79 youth with SCAs and 42 typically developing controls matched on age, maternal education, and racial/ethnic background. Participants completed the phonemic and semantic conditions of a verbal fluency task and an abbreviated intelligence test.Results:Both supernumerary X and Y chromosomes were associated with verbal fluency deficits relative to controls. These impairments increased as a function of the number of extra X chromosomes, and the pattern of impairments on phonemic and semantic fluency differed for those with a supernumerary XversusY chromosome. Whereas one supernumerary Y chromosome was associated with similar performance across fluency conditions, one supernumerary X chromosome was associated with relatively stronger semantic than phonemic fluency skills.Conclusions:Verbal fluency skills in youth with supernumerary X and Y chromosomes are impaired relative to controls. However, the degree of impairment varies across groups and task condition. Further research into the cognitive underpinnings of verbal fluency in youth with SCAs may provide insights into their verbal fluency deficits and help guide future treatments. (JINS, 2018,24, 917–927)
From the Arts to Action Theory: The Sociological Work of Pierre-Michel Menger
Authors: Fabiani Jean-Louis
Published: October 2018

This article is an attempt to show the originality of Pierre-Michel Menger's sociological work through the study of his theoretical trajectory. A useful starting point can be found at the fruitful intersection between the analysis of professions and the justification of public policies. For instance, contemporary serious music depends on public subsidies even though there is as yet no public demand for it. The actors involved must make decisions about the future in an uncertain world, a theme that serves as the guiding thread of Menger's major book, Le travail créateur. How should sociology consider the uncertainty that rules inter-individual adjustments? That is the task that an innovative social science must undertake. Menger does not import economic reasoning into his sociology, but confronts these approaches while maintaining a critical tension between them, a position that sets him apart from the partisans of rational choice theory. Menger's research program is ambitious, but two questions remain: What is the status of history within the model under construction? And how can we obtain a clearer vision of the concept of talent, which often remains a black box?
Major Discordant Structural Anomalies in Monochorionic Twins: Spectrum and Outcomes
Authors: Rustico Maria Angela , Lanna Mariano , Faiola Stefano , Casati Daniela , Spaccini Luigina , Righini Andrea , Parazzini Cecilia , Napolitano Marcello , Scelsa Barbara , Lista Gianluca , Corti Carla , Riccipetitoni Giovanna , Cetin Irene
Published: October 2018

Monochorionic twins, resulting from a single fertilized egg giving rise to two separate embryos, are monozygotic and considered genetically identical. However, discordant phenotypes have been reported in monozygotic twins. We analyzed a retrospective cohort of 155 monochorionic pregnancies (312 twins) with major discordant structural anomalies coded by the ICD-10 system in order to describe the spectrum of anomalies, the management of the pregnancies, and the perinatal outcome. Treatment options included conservative management, selective feticide with bipolar cord coagulation, or complete termination. All survivors underwent at least 24 months of postnatal follow-up. Discordancy was complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in eight pregnancies (5%) and by selective intrauterine growth restriction in 41 (26%). Major structural anomalies affected one system in 139 cases (90%) and multiple systems in 16 (10%). Median gestational age at diagnosis was 19.1 weeks (IQR 16.4–21.3). The most frequent single-system anomalies involved the nervous and circulatory systems. In total, 72 anomalous twins (46%) and 116 normal co-twins (74%) were delivered at a median gestational age of 34.6 weeks (IQR 31.0–36.3). Neonatal/infant death of the anomalous twin occurred in 22 cases (14%), with an overall survival rate of 32% (50/155). Surviving anomalous twins underwent major surgery in 22/50 cases (44%), four of whom (8%) now suffer from severe neurologic morbidity. This study shows that a wide spectrum of major discordant structural anomalies can be found in monochorionic pregnancies. The outcome for the anomalous twin is poor, while the survival rate for the normal co-twin was 71%, with a favorable overall prognosis.