bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexure Behaviour of Reinforced High Strength Concrete Elements Affected by Corrosion
Authors: Negrutiu Camelia , Sosa Ioan , Heghes Bogdan
Published: August 2019

Corrosion of the reinforcement is a constant vulnerability for reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments. High strength concrete is known to prevent corrosion of the reinforcement, in a non-cracked state, when exposed to aggressive environments. The purpose of this study is to assess the opportunity of using high strength concrete in cracked elements exposed to corrosion and compare them with non-exposed elements. A series of simply supported reinforced high strength concrete beams with concrete cover of 25 and 50 mm were pre-cracked, up to a service life crack of 0.1 mm, further exposed to accelerated corrosion through a process of electrolysis and finally tested to failure. A series of non-exposed witness specimens were also tested to failure. All elements were designed with the same bending capacity. The flexure behaviour was assessed by plotting experimental and theoretical ultimate limit state position of the neutral axis at midspan and the results show no significant differences in the overall behaviour, despite the affected reinforcement, between the corroded and non-corroded elements. Moreover, the design bending moments were approximately 40% lower than the experimental ones, even for corroded beams, which can be a significant strength reserve of the beams, useful in aggressive environments.
A Novel Robust Adaptive Backstepping Method Combined with SMC on Strict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems Using Neural Networks
Authors: Li Yahui , Gao Feng , Bernelli-Zazzera Franco , Tong Zeyou , Li Fugui , Ma Aojia , Zhang Lei , Guo Jifeng
Published: August 2019

Adaptive backstepping methodology is a powerful tool for nonlinear systems, especially for strict-feedback ones, but its robustness still needs improvements. In this paper, combined with sliding mode control (SMC), a new backstepping design method is proposed to guarantee the robustness. In this method, based on the novel combining method, the auxiliary controller is introduced only in the final step of the real controller, unlike traditional methods, which usually all include an auxiliary controller in every de-signing step to guarantee the robustness of the closed-loop systems. The novel combing methods can avoid calculating multiple and high-order derivatives of the auxiliary controllers in the intermediate steps, low-ering the computational burden in evaluating the controller. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated from simulation results.
A DBSCAN based Algorithm for Ship Spot Area Detection in AIS Trajectory Data
Authors: Lei Bao
Published: August 2019

The big data acquired by AIS system contains abundant maritime traffic information. With the wide application of data mining in various fields in recent years, the mining on AIS data has draw attention of related researchers. Based on the ship AIS location data, this paper studies the relevant spot area detection algorithm. Firstly, the sample data are pre-processed from the original data, and the residence point of each ship is identified according to the ship speed and course change. Then a DBSCAN based clustering algorithm is used to cluster several latitude and longitude lattice, that is spot areas. The experiments on real AIS data sets shows that the algorithm is efficient and correct.
Fatigue Design Space for Porous Titanium Alloy Femoral Stems: Computational Approach
Authors: Tarlochan Faris , Mehboob Hassan
Published: August 2019

The objective of this study is to develop a design space for selecting porous titanium alloy femoral stems with different stiffnesses for fatigue applications. Finite element models of stems incorporating porous structure are constructed to provide different stem stiffness. The effective material properties obtained from compression tests of these porous structures are used to model simplified femoral solid stems with porosities of ranging from 20 – 90%. By using appreciate fatigue failure criterion, a fatigue design space is determined with factor of safety Nf >1.1. The developed design space provides designers means to design safe porous stems.
Design of Spatial Inverted Pendulum System
Authors: Bayram Atilla , Kara Firat , Almali Mehmet Nuri
Published: August 2019

Pendulum-based systems which are highly non-linear and unstable have become one of the most widely studied subject of control theory. The close interest of researchers on inverted pendulum problem arises from its strong representation ability with real engineering applications. This study focuses on the design and production of an experimental setup in which a spatial inverted pendulum can be balanced by means of a planar mechanism in RRRRP configuration. A mechanism with two different motion inputs (rotational and linear) that no studies were performed on before was prototyped. This system is highly unstable and shows non-linear dynamic behavior. The mechanical parts that forms the system were manufactured by a 3D printer and a CNC milling machine. At the end of study, a four-degree of freedom spatial inverted pendulum experimental setup has been established on which the control works can be carried out, by installing the electronic and electro-mechanical equipment.
Modelling and Rapid Prototyping of Centrifugal Pump Impeller Based on UG
Authors: Jiang Yongmei , Wang Zilong , Jingnan Zhao
Published: August 2019

The 3D model of centrifugal pump impeller in Unigraphics (UG) was optimized by implementing the principles of NURBS curve interpolation. The impeller was then manufactured by rapid prototyping equipment using polystyrene. The technique improves the efficiency in innovative design, modification, and fabrication.
Behavior of porosity in billet during rolling process of rail
Authors: Cheng Rong , Zhang Jiongming , Zhang Liangjin , Ma Haitao
Published: August 2019

Unlike traditional rolling processes, reduction of rolling process of rail is along two vertical directions and the broadening of rolled piece is controlled. In this study, industrial experiments and a simulation model of the rolling process of rail were conducted to investigate the behaviors of porosities in billet during the rolling process of rail. The experimental and simulated results revealed that porosities moved toward the center on the cross section of the rolled piece and the porosities region reduced from a rectangle with the size (76.7 × 93.3 mm) to an isosceles trapezoid with the size {(12.8 + 18.5 mm) × 47.2 mm} during the rolling process of rail. The shapes of the porosities changed from circles with the diameters smaller than 6 mm to short cracks with the lengths shorter than 10 mm on the cross section. The two vertical reduction directions and the controlled broadening of rolled piece both counted against the closure of porosity. The simulated results were mostly in agreement with the experimental results.
Dynamic recrystallization kinetics and microstructure evolution of 7055 aluminum alloy during hot compression
Authors: Zhang Tao , Sha Huapu , Li Lei , Lu Shihong , Gong Hai
Published: August 2019

7055 aluminum alloy is widely used in manufacture of key components in fields of aerospace. Hot forming is the vital process for manufacture of components. Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) plays a significant role in grain refinement. Hot compressions and metallographic tests are conducted. Equations of DRX kinetics are fitted by least square method and finite element models (FEM) coupled with DRX kinetics equations are established to study the effects of forming parameters on microstructure evolution. The results show that true stress increases with ascending strain rate and decreases with ascending temperature. Large strain, small strain rate and high temperature are beneficial to sufficient DRX fraction and grain refinement. Deformation energy and thermally activated motion of atoms and molecules resulting from large strain and high temperature contribute to dynamic nucleation; meanwhile, small strain rate provides sufficient time for growth of recrystallized grains. The FEM results agree with experiments.
CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Drain Placement to Treat Infected Gastric Leakage after Sleeve Gastrectomy: Technical and Clinical Outcome of 31 Procedures
Authors: Schwarz Jens , Strobl Frederik Franz , Paprottka Philipp M , D’Anastasi Melvin , Spelsberg Fritz W. , Rentsch Markus , Reiser Maximilian , Trumm Christoph Gregor
Published: August 2019

Purpose To observe the technical and clinical outcome as well as safety of CT fluoroscopy-guided drain placement in the multimodal clinical complication management of superinfected gastric leakage after sleeve gastrectomy.

Materials and Methods All consecutive patients who underwent CT fluoroscopy-guided drain placement to treat superinfected postoperative leakage after sleeve gastrectomy in our department between 2007 and 2014 were included in this retrospective study. All interventions were performed on a 16- or 128-row CT scanner under intermittent CT fluoroscopy guidance (15–25 mAs, 120 kV). The technical and clinical success rates as well as complications, additional therapies and patient radiation dose were analyzed.

Results 14 patients (mean age: 43.8 ± 11.3 years, mean BMI: 52.9 ± 13.5, 7 women) who underwent a total of 31 CT fluoroscopy-guided drain placement procedures were included. 30 of 31 interventions (96.8 %) were technically successful. 7 patients underwent more than one intervention due to drain obstruction or secondary dislocation or as further treatment. During and after the intervention no procedure-associated complications occurred. In all patients, inflammation parameters decreased within days after the CT-guided intervention. The total interventional dose length product (DLP) was 1561 ± 1035 mGy*cm.

Conclusion CT fluoroscopy-guided drain placement has been shown to be a safe minimally invasive procedure that rarely leads to complications for treating superinfected gastric leakage occurring after sleeve gastrectomy. We assume that operative revisions in a high-risk patient group can be avoided using this procedure.

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Citation Format
Association between Biomarkers of Low-grade Inflammation and Sex Hormones in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Hatziagelaki Erifili , Pergialiotis Vasilios , Kannenberg Julia M. , Trakakis Eftihios , Tsiavou Anastasia , Markgraf Daniel F. , Carstensen-Kirberg Maren , Pacini Giovanni , Roden Michael , Dimitriadis George , Herder Christian
Published: August 2019

Objective Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have higher circulating levels of C-reactive protein, but the relationship between inflammation and endocrine function in PCOS remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between low-grade inflammation and sex hormones in women with PCOS.

Design and Patients A comprehensive panel of biomarkers of inflammation was measured in serum of 63 women with PCOS using proximity extension assay technology. Associations of 65 biomarkers with sex hormones were assessed without and with adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI).

Results In the unadjusted analysis, 20 biomarkers were positively correlated with 17-OH-progesterone (17-OH-P), 14 with prolactin and 6 with free testosterone, whereas inverse associations were found for 16 biomarkers with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), 6 with luteinizing hormone (LH) and 6 with estrogen (all p<0.05). Among the positive associations, correlations were mainly found for five chemokines (CXCL11, CCL4, MCP-4/CCL13, CXCL5, CXCL6) and for VEGF-A, LAP-TGFβ1, TNFSF14 and MMP-1. Inverse associations with sex hormones were mainly present for two chemokines (CXCL1, MCP-2/CCL8), CDCP1, CST5 and CSF-1. Adjustment for age and BMI reduced the number of biomarker associations for SHBG and estrogen, but had hardly any impact on associations with 17-OH-P, prolactin, free testosterone and LH.

Conclusion Women with PCOS feature BMI-independent associations between biomarkers of inflammation and certain sex steroid and hypophyseal hormones. Most of these inflammation-related biomarkers were chemokines, which may be relevant as potential mediators of the increased cardiometabolic risk of women with PCOS.
Serum CA 19–9 Level is Correlated to the Clinical Characteristics and Chronic Complications of Patients Newly Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Cui Limei , Lv Naqiang , Li Bin , Tao Jing , Zheng Xiaomin , Yan Yehua , Liu Cuiping
Published: August 2019

Aim This study investigated the relation of serum carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA 19–9) levels to the clinical characteristics and chronic complications of patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods A total of 371 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM and 133 healthy people with consecutively matched age were compared. The 371 patients with T2DM were divided into four groups by quartiles based on their serum CA 19–9 levels, in which clinical characteristics and chronic complications, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic nephropathy, and macrovascular complications were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors of DR.

Results Among the 371 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM, 60 had elevated CA 19–9 levels (16.17%). The frequencies of elevated serum CA 19–9 were 24.39% (30 of 123) for females and 12.10% (30 of 248) for males, in which the values for females were higher than those for males (P<0.01).Differences were observed among the serum CA 19–9 levels, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and DR (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum CA 19–9 levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting C-peptide (FC-P) were risk factors for DR (P<0.05).

Conclusions Serum CA 19–9 levels were correlated with HbA1c and DR in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM. The elevated serum CA 19–9 levels, high FC-P, and FBG levels were important risk factors for DR in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM.
Thermally Induced Intramolecular Benzannulation of Diazoacetoacetate Enones Tethered with Unactivated Alkynes: Synthesis of Substituted 6H-Benzo[c]chromenes
Authors: Chen Yangfan , Wu Di , Zhou Jiawen , Wang Yun , Huang Jing , Xu Xichen
Published: August 2019

A facile and efficient intramolecular benzannulation strategy for the synthesis of substituted 6H-benzo[c]chromenes from diazoaceto­acetate enones tethered with unactivated alkynes has been developed. The reaction proceeds in moderate to good yields under operationally simple conditions with thermally induced [4+2]-annulation of intermediate vinyl ketenes as the key step.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors of Small Intestine
Authors: Huda Tanweerul , Singh Mahendra Pratap
Published: August 2019

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is defined as mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract expressing proto-oncogene protein CD117. They are the most common sarcomatous tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs are presumed to arise from interstitial cells of Cajal or gastrointestinal pacemaker cells which control gut motility. They have unpredictable biological behavior. Prognosis is dependent on tumor size as well as mitotic count. Radical surgical excision is the treatment of choice. They rarely metastasize to lymph nodes. Imatinib therapy is used as an adjuvant therapy. The follow-up of patients postsurgery is not standardized.
Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair Combined with Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbidly Obese Patients: Early Outcomes
Authors: Marzouk Ahmed M.S.M. , Ali Heba O.E.
Published: August 2019

Background Morbid obesity is a serious chronic condition with, among other symptoms, increased intra-abdominal pressure and subsequent abdominal wall hernias. The optimal management of these manifestations is still controversial. The objective of this study was to assess the early postoperative outcomes of a surgical approach combining laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) with sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese patients.

Methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed the files of patients who are obese with a primary ventral hernia of less than 10 cm in diameter who received simultaneous laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and LVHR at our institution between February 2016 and July 2018. LVHR was performed using an intraperitoneal only mesh. The individual mesh size was chosen based on the number and size of the defects. Clinical and radiological follow-ups were performed between 9 and 15 months.

Results A total of 15 patients were included. Five of them were males. The mean body mass index was 45.2 kg/m2 (range: 38.7–56.2 kg/m2). The mean hernia defect size was 2.6 cm (range: 1.3–4.2 cm). Mesh size was 10 × 15 cm in five, 20 × 15 cm in seven, and 25 cm× 20 cm in three patients. All patients were discharged without complications on the second postoperative day. Mean follow-up was at 12 months. One patient presented with hernia recurrence 14 months after surgery and four patients presented with self-limited seroma.

Conclusion Despite ambiguous guidelines and ongoing debate regarding simultaneous bariatric surgery and ventral hernia repair, the short-term outcomes of this approach appeared promising, provided that patients are carefully selected and receive an individually tailored approach.
Metformin Intoxication with Severe Renal Damage: An Adolescent Case Report
Authors: Yontem Ahmet , Aslan Nagehan , Horoz Ozden Ozgur , Beyazit Aysun Karabay , Melek Engin , Yildizdas Dincer
Published: August 2019

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic medication which belongs to the class biguanide. Its most hazardous and life-threatening side effect is lactic acidosis which has been increasingly reported in recent years. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment approaches have significantly reduced morbidity and mortality rates in metformin intoxication. In this case report, we emphasize the importance of early continuous renal replacement therapy in metformin-associated lactic acidosis in a 16-year-old patient who developed severe renal damage during the follow-up period of renal replacement therapy due to lactic acidosis after taking metformin in a suicide attempt.
The Impact of Resident Involvement on Surgical Outcomes following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Lebedeva Kate , Bryant Dianne , Docter Shgufta , Litchfield Robert B. , Getgood Alan , Degen Ryan M.
Published: August 2019

Hands-on participation in the operating room (OR) is an integral component of surgical resident training. However, the implications of resident involvement in many orthopaedic procedures are not well defined. This study aims to assess the effect of resident involvement on short-term outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried to identify all patients who underwent ACLR from 2005 to 2012. Demographic variables, resident participation, 30-day complications, and intraoperative time parameters were assessed for all cases. Resident and nonresident cases were matched using propensity scores. Outcomes were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses, as well as stratified by resident level of training. Univariate analysis of 1,222 resident and 1,188 nonresident cases demonstrated no difference in acute postoperative complication rates between groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of overall complications based on resident level of training (p = 0.109). Operative time was significantly longer for cases in which a resident was involved (109.5 vs. 101.7 minutes; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified no significant predictors of major postoperative complications, while patient history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the only independent risk factor associated with minor complications. Resident involvement in ACLR was not associated with 30-day complications despite a slight increase in operative time. These findings provide reassurance that resident involvement in ACLR procedures is safe, although future investigations should focus on long-term postoperative outcomes.
Cost Analysis of Medicare Patients with Varying Complexities Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Anis Hiba K. , Sodhi Nipun , Vakharia Rushabh M. , Scuderi Giles R. , Malkani Arthur L. , Roche Martin W. , Mont Michael A.
Published: August 2019

The effort to reduce overall healthcare costs may affect more complex patients, as their pre- and postoperative care can be substantially involved. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a large nationwide insurance database to compare (1) costs, (2) reimbursements, and (3) net losses of 90-day episodes of care (EOC) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients according to Elixhauser's Comorbidity Index (ECI) scores. All TKAs performed between 2005 and 2014 in the Medicare Standard Analytic Files were extracted from the database and stratified based on ECI scores, ranging from 1 to 5. ECI 1 patients served as the control cohort, while ECI 2, 3, 4, and 5 patients were considered study cohorts. Each study cohort and control cohort were matched based on age and sex, resulting in a total of 715,398 patients included for analysis. Total EOC costs, reimbursements, and total net losses (defined as total EOC costs minus total EOC reimbursements) were compared between the cohorts. Overall, total EOC costs increased with ECI. For example, compared with the matched ECI 1 cohorts, the total EOC costs for ECI 5 patients ($56,589.19 vs. $51,747.54) were significantly greater (p < 0.01). Although reimbursements increased with increasing ECI, so did net losses. The net losses for ECI 5 patients were greater than that for ECI 1 patients ($42,309.39 vs. $40,007.82). The bundled payments for care improvement (BPCI) and comprehensive care for joint replacement (CJR) are alternative payment models that might de-incentivize treatment of more complex patients. Our study found that despite increasing reimbursements, overall costs, and therefore net losses, were greater for more complex patients with higher ECI scores.
Hybrid imaging with extended depth of field based on binocular ranging
Authors: Li Jingsong , Liu Ming , Du Haoyuan , Zhao Yuejin , Dong Liquan , Wu Yijian , Kong Lingqin , Jia Wei , Hui Mei , Liu Xiaohua
Published: August 2019

We present a new method to reduce the image artifacts in defocused hybrid imaging systems with a cubic phase mask. Image artifacts are caused by a mismatch of phase during decoding. A new definition of the Strehl ratio is proposed, and the defocus tolerance of the high-quality decoded image is calculated using this standard. According to the corresponding relationship between the defocus amount and the object distance, we analyze the feasibility of identifying the defocus amount according to distance information obtained by the binocular ranging principle to optimize the decoding process via simulation. Experimental results show that our method can improve image quality over a wide range of defocus.
Generation of Coulomb matrix elements for the 2D quantum harmonic oscillator
Authors: Pons Viver M. , Puente A.
Published: August 2019

The Fock-Darwin states are the natural basis functions for a system of interacting electrons trapped inside a 2D quantum dot. Interaction effects at the mean field level or more elaborate quantum many body descriptions rely on an accurate evaluation of Coulomb matrix elements. In this work, we derive a highly efficient recurrence scheme to compute these elements in Fock-Darwin basis. The algorithm is best implemented on symbolic calculus platforms, preventing the appearance of rounding-off errors. The high speed achieved allows us to calculate all matrix elements in a basis set of several hundred states in very reasonable times (a few hours on a standard computer). We also make use of symmetry to reduce the number of elements to be computed. Finally, we check the reliability of floating-point evaluation for existing analytical expressions. We confirm the stability of a two-folded nonalternating sum for elements involving only the lowest energy levels and put on display the daunting limitations of the expressions commonly used to compute the elements in the general case.
Electrochemically controllable actuation of liquid metal droplets based on Marangoni effect
Authors: Li Guangyong , Du Jianke , Zhang Aibing , Lee Dong-weon
Published: August 2019

Liquid metal droplets immersed in an alkaline electrolyte undergo various deformations and movements after a driving voltage is applied. However, interference with the electrolyte severely restricts further applications. In this study, a novel approach using the Marangoni effect is introduced to control the actuation of the liquid metal and overcome existing limitations. First, the linear movement of the liquid metal droplets on various substrates, including paper and cloth saturated with an NaOH solution and glass wetted with an NaOH solution, is characterized. The reciprocating movement can be precisely controlled by modulating the amplitude and the frequency of the driving voltage. In addition, the liquid metal droplet can move along an NaOH solution path with complex shapes and have a self-correction ability to move along the desired route. Finally, the unique actuation of the liquid metal droplet based on the Marangoni effect is applied to electronic switches and microvalves. The experimental results show that the liquid metal droplets using the Marangoni effect open new avenues for soft actuators.
Thickness-dependent orbital hybridization in ultrathin SrRuO3 epitaxial films
Authors: Jeong Huimin , Jeong Seung Gyo , Mohamed Ahmed Yousef , Lee Minji , Noh Woo-suk , Kim Younghak , Bae Jong-Seong , Choi Woo Seok , Cho Deok-Yong
Published: August 2019

We investigated the electronic structures of ultrathin SrRuO3 (SRO) films with n = 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 monolayers (MLs) on SrTiO3 substrates using O K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The intensities of the low-energy features reflect the strengths of the Ru 4d-O 2p orbital hybridization. The Ru 4d orbital state evolves with the increasing SRO thickness, exhibiting a crossover at approximately n = 2. For thick SRO films (n ≥ 3), this constitutes a metallic band, while for the 1 or 2 ML film, the band features shift to a higher energy to form a bandgap (> 0.2 eV), reflecting the emergent insulating nature. The polarization dependence of the peak intensities further shows that in the metallic films (n ≥ 3), Ru t2g - O 2p hybridizations are strong and anisotropic with stronger (weaker) equatorial (apical) hybridizations, possibly owing to compressive strain effects from the SrTiO3 substrate, while in thinner films (n ≤ 2), the hybridization effects become weak and rather isotropic because of the localization of Ru 4d orbitals. Thus, the evolution of anisotropic hybridizations in SRO films in the vicinity of the thickness-driven metal-insulator transition was substantiated.
Sharp threshold of global well-posedness vs finite time blow-up for a class of inhomogeneous Choquard equations
Authors: Alharbi Majed Ghazi , Saanouni Tarek
Published: August 2019

It is the purpose of this work to obtain a sharp threshold of global existence vs blow-up dichotomy for mass-super-critical and energy subcritical solutions to an inhomogeneous Choquard equation.
High TMR for both in-plane and perpendicular magnetic field justified by CoFeB free layer thickness for 3-D MTJ sensors
Authors: Lei Zicong , Yan Shaohua , Cao Zhiqiang , Guo Zongxia , Song Panshen , Qiang You , Wang Jun , Zhao Weisheng , Leng Qunwen
Published: August 2019

We systematically studied the characteristics and influence of free layer thickness in magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with a perpendicular synthetic antiferromagnetic (p-SAF) reference layer on 8-inch wafer. The results show clearly that there is an optimal thickness of free layer to achieve the highest tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio of as high as 80.5% and 53.7% with perpendicular and in-plane magnetic field, respectively, while the resistance-area product (RA) reaches also highest value of 21.1 Ω*μm2. The thickness range of CoFeB to obtain perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) is determined. The variation of the magnetic moment of free layer indicates that the three-dimensional (3D) sensors can be designed by varying the thickness of the free layer and be controlled by the perpendicular and in-plane components through annealing under the in-plane magnetic field.
DNA analysis of low‐ and high‐density fractions defines heterogeneous subpopulations of small extracellular vesicles based on their DNA cargo and topology
Authors: Lázaro‐Ibáñez Elisa , Lässer Cecilia , Shelke Ganesh Vilas , Crescitelli Rossella , Jang Su Chul , Cvjetkovic Aleksander , García‐Rodríguez Anaís , Lötvall Jan
Published: August 2019

Extracellular vesicles have the capacity to transfer lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids between cells, thereby influencing the recipient cell's phenotype. While the role of RNAs in EVs has been extensively studied, the function of DNA remains elusive. Here, we distinguished novel heterogeneous subpopulations of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) based on their DNA content and topology. Low‐ and high‐density sEV subsets from a human mast cell line (HMC‐1) and an erythroleukemic cell line (TF‐1) were separated using high‐resolution iodixanol density gradients to discriminate the nature of the DNA cargo of the sEVs. Paired comparisons of the sEV‐associated DNA and RNA molecules showed that RNA was more abundant than DNA and that most of the DNA was present in the high‐density fractions, demonstrating that sEV subpopulations have different DNA content. DNA was predominately localised on the outside or surface of sEVs, with only a small portion being protected from enzymatic degradation. Whole‐genome sequencing identified DNA fragments spanning all chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA when sEVs were analysed in bulk. Our work contributes to the understanding of how DNA is associated with sEVs and thus provides direction for distinguishing subtypes of EVs based on their DNA cargo and topology.
Photon interference of second- and third-order correlation generated by two fluorescence sources
Authors: Zhang Siqiang , Raza Faizan , Ahmed Irfan , Li Wei , Jin Kaichao , Zhang Yanpeng
Published: August 2019

We demonstrate the second- and third-order temporal correlation of two independent pseudo-thermal fluorescence (FL) sources. The two distinguishable sources become indistinguishable following the delay in Feynman’s path. The second- and third-order correlation demonstrates the strong bunching amplitude surrounded by variable oscillations and interfering side bands (beats). Specifically, three-photon bunching is overlapped by two-photon bunching, and further decomposed into multiple lower order correlation functions. Here, the strong interference arises from source and path indistinguishable terms (varying time offset, laser frequency and the bandwidth of FL sources); The support for this idea comes from Feynman’s path integral theory and sub wavelength interference for such kind of sources with appropriate detection schemes. Such phenomena may serve as modulation and carrier for quantum communication channels.
Pacific Research Methodologies and Relational Ethics
Authors: Anae Melani
Published: August 2019

One could easily argue that Pacific research methodologies (PRM) and Pacific relational ethics (PRE) are not new: a genealogy of approach would take one back to the ancient Pacific philosophers and practitioners of ancient indigenous knowledges—indeed back to Tagaloa-a-lagi and the 10 heavens. However, in the last two decades, there has been a renaissance of PRM and PRE taken up by Pacific researchers based in New Zealand and the wider Pacific to counter the Western hegemonic tradition of how research is carried out and why—especially research involving Pacific people, families, and communities. In the diaspora, as ethnic minorities and in their island homes, as Third World nations, Pacific peoples and communities are struggling to survive in contexts of diasporic social marginalization and a neocolonial globalizing West. So there is a need to take stock of what contemporary expressions of PRM and PRE are, how they have developed, and why they are needed. This renaissance seeks to decolonize and reindigenise research agendas and research outputs by doing research based on Pacific indigenous theories, PRM, and PRE. It demands that research carried out with Pacific peoples and communities is ethical and methodologically sound with transformational outputs. In reality, the crisis in Pacific research is the continuing adherence to traditional Western theories and research methods that undermine and overshadow the va—the sacred, spiritual, and social spaces of human relationships between researcher and researched that Pacific peoples place at the center of all human/environment/cosmos/ancestors and animate/inanimate interactions. When human relationships are secondary to research theories and methods, the research result is ineffective and meaningless and misinforms policy formation and education delivery, thereby maintaining the inequitable positioning of Pacific peoples across all demographic indices, especially in the field of Pacific education.

The Samoan indigenous reference of teu le va, which means to value, nurture, and care for (teu) the secular/sacred and social/spiritual spaces (va) of all relationships, and Teu le Va , the Ministry of Education research guideline, both evoke politicians, educational research institutions, funders, and researchers to value, nurture, and, if necessary, tidy up the va. In a troubling era of colonizing research methodologies and researcher nonaccountability, Pacific educational researchers can take inspiration from a range of philosophical theorizing based on the development of a suite of PRMs.
Medication-related harm: a geriatric syndrome
Authors: Stevenson Jennifer M , Davies J Graham , Martin Finbarr C
Published: August 2019

The WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge: Medication Without Harm recognises medication-related harm (MRH) as a global public health issue. Increased life-expectancy coupled with multimorbidity and polypharmacy leads to an increased incidence of MRH, especially in older adults: at a cost of approximately £400 million to the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Harm from medicines has long been recognised by geriatricians, and strategies have been developed to mitigate harm. In general, these have focused on the challenges of polypharmacy and appropriateness of medicines, but impact on the quality of life, clinical and economic outcomes has been variable and often disappointing. The problem of MRH in older adults will continue to grow unless a new approach is adopted. Emerging evidence suggests that we need to take a broader approach as described in our conceptual model, where well-recognised physiological changes are incorporated, as well as other rarely considered psychosocial issues that influences MRH. Parallels may be drawn between this approach and the management of geriatric syndromes. We propose there must be a greater emphasis on MRH, and it, of itself, should be considered as a geriatric syndrome, to bring the spotlight onto the problem and to send a clear signal from geriatric experts that this is an important issue that needs to be addressed using a co-ordinated and tailored approach across health and social care boundaries. This requires a more proactive approach to monitor and review the medicines of older adults in response to their changing need.
Flow Cytometric, Morphologic, and Laboratory Comparative Study in Patients With Leukocytosis and Cytopenia
Authors: Rivas Estafani , Plapp Fred V , Cui Wei
Published: August 2019

Objectives

We wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of flow cytometry immunophenotyping (FCI) as a screening test for patients with leukocytosis and cytopenia.

Methods

We identified 320 patients during August 2016 to December 2016 and evaluated FCI and morphology of peripheral blood smears (PBSs).

Results

The most common indications for FCI included history of hematologic malignancy (HHM, n = 126), leukocytosis (n = 80), and cytopenia (n = 53). Positive FCI rate was low with a range of 4.4% to 12.5% in patients with absolute neutrophilia regardless of HHM, if cases with circulating blasts were excluded. Patients with absolute lymphocytosis had a 93% positive FCI rate. Patients with HHM and pancytopenia showed a higher incidence of positive FCI findings than patients without HHM and with isolated cytopenia. PBS morphology correlated strongly with FCI (P = .0001).

Conclusion

PBS evaluation is an accurate and cost-effective screening test. FCI for patients with mature neutrophilia and isolated cytopenia has a very low yield.
Six co-occurring conifer species in northern Idaho exhibit a continuum of hydraulic strategies during an extreme drought year
Authors: Baker Kathryn V , Tai Xiaonan , Miller Megan L , Johnson Daniel M
Published: August 2019

As growing seasons in the northwestern USA lengthen, on track with climate predictions, the mixed conifer forests that dominate this region will experience extended seasonal drought conditions. The year of 2015, which had the most extreme drought for the area on record, offered a potential analogue of future conditions. During this period, we measured the daily courses of water potential and gas exchange as well as the hydraulic conductivity and vulnerability to embolism of six dominant native conifer species, Abies grandis, Larix occidentalis, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus monticola, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Thuja occidentalis, to determine their responses to 5 months of record-low precipitation. The deep ash-capped soils of the region allowed gas exchange to continue without significant evidence of water stress for almost 2 months after the last rainfall event. Midday water potentials never fell below −2.2 MPa in the evergreen species and −2.7 MPa in the one deciduous species. Branch xylem was resistant to embolism, with P50 values ranging from −3.3 to −7.0 MPa. Root xylem, however, was more vulnerable, with P50 values from −1.3 to −4.6 MPa. With predawn water potentials as low as −1.3 MPa, the two Pinus species likely experienced declines in root hydraulic conductivity. Stomatal conductance of all six species was significantly responsive to vapour pressure only in the dry months (August–October), with no response evident in the wet months (June–July). While there were similarities among species, they exhibited a continuum of isohydry and safety margins. Despite the severity of this drought, all species were able to continue photosynthesis until mid-October, likely due to the mediating effects of the meter-deep, ash-capped silty-loam soils with large water storage capacity. Areas with these soil types, which are characteristic of much of the northwestern USA, could serve as refugia under drier and warmer future conditions.
Interaction of stomatal behaviour and vulnerability to xylem cavitation determines the drought response of three temperate tree species
Authors: Chen Zhicheng , Liu Shirong , Lu Haibo , Wan Xianchong
Published: August 2019

How the mortality and growth of tree species vary with the iso-anisohydric continuum and xylem vulnerability is still being debated. We conducted a precipitation reduction experiment to create a mild drought condition in a forest in the Baotianman Mountains, China, a sub-humid region. Three main sub-canopy tree species in this region were examined. After rainfall reduction, Lindera obtusiloba showed severe dieback, but two other co-occurring species did not show dieback. The water potential at stomatal closure of Dendrobenthamia japonica, L. obtusiloba and Sorbus alnifolia was −1.70, −2.54 and −3.41 MPa, respectively, whereas the water potential at 88 % loss in hydraulic conductivity of the three species was −2.31, −2.11 and −7.01 MPa, respectively. Taken together, near-anisohydric L. obtusiloba with vulnerable xylem was highly susceptible to drought dieback. Anisohydric S. alnifolia had the most negative minimum water potential, and its xylem was the most resistant to cavitation. Isohydric D. japonica conserved water by rapidly closing its stomata. Ultimately, the hydraulic safety margin (HSM) of L. obtusiloba was the smallest among the three species, especially in precipitation-reduced plots. In terms of the stomatal safety margin (SSM), L. obtusiloba was negative, while S. alnifolia and D. japonica were positive. Of the two species without dieback, rainfall reduction decreased growth of D. japonica, but did not influence growth of S. Alnifolia; meanwhile, rainfall reduction led to a decrease of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in D. japonica, but an increase in S. alnifolia. It is concluded that HSM as well as SSM allow interpreting the sensitivity of the three sub-canopy species to drought. The drought-induced dieback of L. obtusiloba is determined by the interaction of stomatal behaviour and xylem vulnerability, and the species could be sensitive to climate change-caused drought although still in sub-humid areas. The isohydric/anisohydric degree is associated with NSCs status and growth of plants.
Demographic consequences of sexual differences in age at first breeding in Cooper’s Hawks (Accipiter cooperii)
Authors: Millsap Brian A , Madden Kristin , Murphy Robert K , Brennan Mark , Pagel Joel E , Campbell David , Roemer Gary W
Published: August 2019

Life-history theory predicts individuals should breed as soon as they are able to reproduce, but many long-lived birds delay breeding. In the Accipitriformes, delayed breeding is the norm, and age when breeding begins is influenced by competing selective pressures. In most Accipitriformes, the reproductive roles of males and females differ; males do most of the foraging and females tend eggs and young. Thus, sexual differences in age at first breeding might be expected, but these differences, possible causes, and implications for individual fitness have received little study. We investigated sexual differences in age at first breeding in a marked population of Cooper’s Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) from 2011 through 2018 in central New Mexico, USA. We hypothesized that males required more experience to pair and breed successfully than females, and we predicted: (1) a lower mean age at first breeding for females than males, and (2) that expected individual fitness of early-breeding males would be lower than for early-breeding females. We found that 79% more females than males bred in their first year (hatching year, HY), and expected individual fitness of HY-breeding females was 21% greater than for HY-breeding males. HY males that attempted to breed settled on nesting territories with exceptionally high prey abundance, nevertheless they experienced 37% lower second-year survival than males that delayed breeding. Females competed for mates based on male age. HY females that paired with relatively older males had 33% higher second-year survival and 16% higher expected individual fitness than HY females that initially paired with relatively younger males. The observed annual rate of growth (λ) of our study population was 1.08, closer to λ predicted by male (1.02) than female (1.21) demographic models. Delayed breeding by males thus had important ramifications for λ, highlighting the need to consider sexual differences in age at first breeding in demographic analyses.
dbgap2x: an R package to explore and extract data from the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP)
Authors: Versmée Grégoire , Versmée Laura , Dusenne Mikaël , Jalali Niloofar , Avillach Paul
Published: August 2019

Based on the Genomic Data Sharing Policy issued in August 2007, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has supported several repositories such as the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP). dbGaP is an online repository that provides access to large-scale genetic and phenotypic datasets with more than 1000 studies. However, navigating the website and understanding the relationship between the studies are not easy tasks. Moreover, the decryption of the files is a complex procedure. In this study we propose the dbgap2x R package that covers a broad range of functions for searching dbGaP studies, exploring the characteristics of a study and easily decrypting the files from dbGaP.

Availability and implementation

dbgap2x is an R package with the code available at https://github.com/gversmee/dbgap2x. A containerized version including the package, a Jupyter server and with a Notebook example is available at https://hub.docker.com/r/gversmee/dbgap2x.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Beta-defensin126 is correlated with sperm motility in fertile and infertile men†
Authors: Aram Raheleh , Chan Peter T K , Cyr Daniel G
Published: August 2019

A crucial function of the epididymis is providing a surface glycocalyx that is important for sperm maturation and capacitation. Defensins are antimicrobial peptides expressed in the epididymis. In the macaque epididymis, defensin beta 126 (DEFB126) is important for sperm motility, however, it is not known whether this is the case in humans. The objectives were to determine: (1) if DEFB126 on human ejaculated sperm was correlated with sperm motility in fertile and infertile men, (2) that recombinant DEFB126 could induce immature sperm motility in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that the proportion of DEFB126-positive sperm was significantly higher in motile sperm. Furthermore, the proportion of DEFB126-labeled sperm was positively correlated with sperm motility and normal morphology. Additional studies indicated that the proportion of DEFB126-positive spermatozoa in fertile volunteers was significantly higher than in volunteers with varicocele, and in infertile volunteers with semen deficiencies. To determine the role of DEFB126 on sperm motility, the DEFB126 gene was cloned and used to generate recombinant DEFB126 in H9C2 cells (rat embryonic heart myoblast cells). Deletion mutations were created into two regions of the protein, which have been linked to male infertility. Immotile testicular spermatozoa were incubated with cells expressing the different forms of DEFB126. Full-length DEFB126 significantly increased motility of co-cultured spermatozoa. However, no increase in sperm motility was observed with the mutated forms of DEFB126. In conclusion, these results support the notion that DEFB126 is important in human sperm maturation and the potential use of DEFB126 for in vitro sperm maturation.
Applications of molecular networks in biomedicine
Authors: Chagoyen Monica , Ranea Juan A G , Pazos Florencio
Published: August 2019

Due to the large interdependence between the molecular components of living systems, many phenomena, including those related to pathologies, cannot be explained in terms of a single gene or a small number of genes. Molecular networks, representing different types of relationships between molecular entities, embody these large sets of interdependences in a framework that allow their mining from a systemic point of view to obtain information. These networks, often generated from high-throughput omics datasets, are used to study the complex phenomena of human pathologies from a systemic point of view. Complementing the reductionist approach of molecular biology, based on the detailed study of a small number of genes, systemic approaches to human diseases consider that these are better reflected in large and intricate networks of relationships between genes. These networks, and not the single genes, provide both better markers for diagnosing diseases and targets for treating them. Network approaches are being used to gain insight into the molecular basis of complex diseases and interpret the large datasets associated with them, such as genomic variants. Network formalism is also suitable for integrating large, heterogeneous and multilevel datasets associated with diseases from the molecular level to organismal and epidemiological scales. Many of these approaches are available to nonexpert users through standard software packages.