bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Baclofen modulates cardiovascular responses to appetitive cues in treatment‐seeking alcohol use disorder individuals
Authors: Logge Warren B. , Baillie Andrew J. , Haber Paul S. , Morley Kirsten C.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess whether baclofen‐treated alcohol dependent participants show different subjective and psychophysiological responses to appetitive cues during an alcohol cue reactivity task compared to placebo, and whether these responses are associated with prospective drinking outcomes.

Methods

Forty‐two alcohol dependent participants (placebo: n = 12, low‐dose baclofen [30 mg/day] n = 18, high‐dose baclofen [75 mg/day]: n = 12) completed an alcohol cue reactivity task, whereby water and alcohol beverage cues were presented, with subsequent recovery periods, and subjective alcohol craving and psychophysiological indices (skin conductance; cardiovascular measures: heart rate, high‐frequency heart rate variability) were recorded.

Results

High‐dose baclofen‐treated participants showed both overall cue reactivity to water and alcohol cues and greater recovery effects during recovery periods, revealed by high‐frequency heart rate variability, when compared to low‐dose‐ and placebo‐treated participants. There were no medication effects on subjective craving. In high‐dose baclofen participants only, there was a predictive effect of lower baseline heart rate variability and fewer post‐test percentage of heavy drinking days.

Conclusion

There was a dose‐specific rescuing effect of high‐dose baclofen on the dynamic modulation of cardiovascular responses to eliciting cues. Investigation of treatment responses using psychophysiological techniques may elucidate baclofen's mechanisms of action, and identify subgroups amenable to treatment.
Amplification of hydrological model uncertainties in projected climate simulations of the Upper Indus Basin: Does it matter where the water is coming from?
Authors: Dolk Michaela , Penton David J. , Ahmad Mobin D.
Published: February 2020

There is a growing appreciation of the uncertainties in the estimation of snow‐melt and glacier‐melt as a result of climate change in high elevation catchments. Through a detailed examination of three hydrological models in two catchments, and interpretation of results from previous studies, we observed that many variations in estimated streamflow could be explained by the selection of a best parameter set from the possible good model parameters. The importance of understanding changing glacial dynamics is critically important for our study areas in the Upper Indus Basin where Pakistan's policymakers are planning infrastructure to meet the future energy and water needs of hundreds of millions of people downstream. Yet, the effect of climate on glacial runoff and climate on snowmelt runoff is poorly understood. With the HBV model, for example, we estimated glacial melt as between 56% and 89% for the Hunza catchment. When rainfall was a scaled parameter, the models estimated glacial melt as between 20% and 100% of streamflow. These parameter sets produced wildly different projections of future climate for RCP8.5 scenarios in 2046–2075 compared to 1976–2005. Assuming no glacial shrinkage, for one climate projection, we found that the choice among good parameter sets resulted in projected values of future streamflow across a range from +54% to +125%. Parameter selection was the most significant source of uncertainty in the glaciated catchment and amplified climate model uncertainty, whereas climate model choice was more important in the rainfall dominated catchment. Although the study focuses on Pakistan, the overall conclusions are instructive for other similar regions in the world. We suggest that modellers of glaciated catchments should present results from at least the book‐ends: models with low sensitivity to ice‐melt and models with high sensitivity to ice‐melt. This would reduce confusion among decision makers when they are faced with similar contrasting results.
Effects of forest cover change on catchment evapotranspiration variation in China
Authors: Ning Tingting , Li Zhi , Feng Qi , Chen Wen , Li Zongxing
Published: February 2020

Several large‐scale revegetation programs in China have resulted in significant changes in forest cover (ΔF) during the past three decades. As forests have important effects on catchment hydrology, evaluating the effects of ΔF on hydrology is essential. Using data from 44 catchments across China, this study derived a rational analytical equation to link changes in actual evapotranspiration (ΔET) with those in F within the Budyko framework, and further quantified the effects of ΔF on ET variation during 1976–2015. The elasticity of ET to ΔF was found to be the greatest in the dry catchments in northwest China, followed by the humid catchments in south China, and was the smallest in the subhumid and semiarid catchments in north China. F averaged across all the catchments has increased, and has further led to the increase in ET. The F‐ET relationship has become more prominent in the recent decade (2006–2015), with 68.0% of the catchments showing an average increase in F of 4.5% and a resultant average increase in ET of 8.2% compared with the baseline period (1976–1985). These results are helpful for quantitative assessment of hydrological responses to afforestation, especially in water‐limited regions.
Assessing the impact of a family nurse‐led intervention on young mothers’ references to internal states
Authors: Paine Amy L. , Cannings‐John Rebecca , Channon Susan , Lugg‐Widger Fiona , Waters Cerith S. , Robling Michael
Published: February 2020

A mother's propensity to refer to internal states during mother–child interactions is important for her child's developing social understanding. However, adolescent mothers are less likely to reference internal states when interacting with their children. We investigated whether young mothers’ references to internal states are promoted by the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) intervention, an intensive home‐visiting programme designed to support adolescent mothers in England. We also investigated family, maternal, and child factors associated with young mothers’ references to inner states during interactions with their children. Adolescent mothers (n = 483, aged ≤ 19 years when recruited in pregnancy) and their children participated in an observational substudy of a randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of FNP compared to usual care. Mother–child dyads were video‐recorded during free play, and mothers’ speech was coded for use of internal state language (references to cognitions, desires, emotions, intentions, preferences, physiology, and perception). We found no differences in mothers’ use of internal state language between the FNP and usual care groups. A sample‐wide investigation identified that other features of mothers’ language and relationship status with the child's father were associated with internal state language use. Findings are discussed with reference to targeted interventions and implications for future research.
Silver nanoparticles regulate autophagy through lysosome injury and cell hypoxia in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Chen Yue , Yang Tong , Chen Shiqun , Qi Shiyong , Zhang Zhihong , Xu Yong
Published: February 2020

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanomaterials are now being used for cancer treatment. Although studies on the application of silver nanoparticles in cancer treatment are burgeoning, few studies have investigated the toxicology mechanisms of autophagy in cancer cells under exposure to sublethal silver nanoparticles. Here, we clarified the distinct mechanisms of silver nanoparticles for the regulation of autophagy in prostate cancer PC‐3 cells under sublethal exposure. Silver nanoparticle treatment caused lysosome injury, including the decline of lysosomal membrane integrity, decrease of lysosomal quantity, and attenuation of lysosomal protease activity, which resulted in blockage of autophagic flux. In addition, sublethal silver nanoparticle exposure activated AMP‐activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin‐dependent signaling pathway to modulate autophagy, which resulted from silver nanoparticles‐induced cell hypoxia and energy deficiency. Taken together, the results show that silver nanoparticles could regulate autophagy via lysosome injury and cell hypoxia in PC‐3 cells under sublethal dose exposure. This study will provide an experimental basis for the cancer therapy of nanomaterials.
Handgrip weakness, low fat‐free mass, and overall survival in non‐small cell lung cancer treated with curative‐intent radiotherapy
Authors: Burtin Chris , Bezuidenhout Jacques , Sanders Karin J.C. , Dingemans Anne‐Marie C. , Schols Annemie M.W.J. , Peeters Stephanie T.H. , Spruit Martijn A. , De Ruysscher Dirk K.M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Assessment of handgrip strength and fat‐free mass provides quick and objective information on muscle performance and mass that might complement subjective World Health Organization Performance Status (WHO PS). We investigated to what extent the presence of pre‐treatment handgrip weakness and low fat‐free mass index (FFMI) provides additional prognostic information on top of well‐established prognostic factors (including WHO PS) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients selected for curative‐intent (chemo)radiation.

Methods

Prospectively, patients with early and locally advanced NSCLC (stages I‐III) treated with (chemo)radiation were enrolled. Handgrip weakness and low FFMI, derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, were defined using normative values and were correlated with overall survival (OS).

Results

We included 936 patients (age 68 ± 10 years; 64% male; 19% stage I, 9% stage II, and 72% stage III disease; 26% handgrip weakness; 27% low FFMI). In patients with good performance status (WHO PS 0 or 1), handgrip weakness and low FFMI were significant prognostic factors for OS, after adjustment for age, gender, disease stage, and co‐morbidities. The combined presence of handgrip weakness and low FFMI was a strong prognostic factor for OS when compared with patients with normal handgrip strength and FFMI (hazard ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.34–2.40, P < 0.0001). In patients with impaired performance status (WHO PS ≥ 2, 19% of sample), handgrip weakness and low FFMI were not related to OS.

Conclusions

In early and locally advanced NSCLC patients treated with curative‐intent (chemo)radiation who have good WHO PS, patients with combined handgrip weakness and low FFMI have the worst prognosis.
Robust adaptive least squares polynomial chaos expansions in high‐frequency applications
Authors: Loukrezis Dimitrios , Galetzka Armin , De Gersem Herbert
Published: February 2020

We present an algorithm for computing sparse, least squares‐based polynomial chaos expansions, incorporating both adaptive polynomial bases and sequential experimental designs. The algorithm is employed to approximate stochastic high‐frequency electromagnetic models in a black‐box way, in particular, given only a dataset of random parameter realizations and the corresponding observations regarding a quantity of interest, typically a scattering parameter. The construction of the polynomial basis is based on a greedy, adaptive, sensitivity‐related method. The sequential expansion of the experimental design employs different optimality criteria, with respect to the algebraic form of the least squares problem. We investigate how different conditions affect the robustness of the derived surrogate models, that is, how much the approximation accuracy varies given different experimental designs. It is found that relatively optimistic criteria perform on average better than stricter ones, yielding superior approximation accuracies for equal dataset sizes. However, the results of strict criteria are significantly more robust, as reduced variations regarding the approximation accuracy are obtained, over a range of experimental designs. Two criteria are proposed for a good accuracy‐robustness trade‐off.
A multi‐year assessment of sub‐hourly gridded precipitation for Switzerland based on a blended radar—Rain‐gauge dataset
Authors: Barton Yannick , Sideris Ioannis V. , Raupach Timothy H. , Gabella Marco , Germann Urs , Martius Olivia
Published: February 2020

Blended high‐resolution sub‐hourly precipitation fields are increasingly needed for nowcasting and automatic warnings systems. Here we present a 7‐year (2012–2018) assessment of (5‐min) precipitation characteristics for the topographically complex region of Switzerland. We use CombiPrecip, a blended radar—rain‐gauge product that provides high resolution (1 km2) hourly precipitation fields. Five‐minute fields (CPCD), fine enough to disentangle even the shortest convective events from longer‐lasting precipitation, are obtained by temporally disaggregating these hourly fields. A rain‐gauge verification of the sub‐hourly precipitation fields shows that CPCD out‐performs the radar‐only estimates both in terms of quantitative error and in detecting wet/extreme periods, making CPCD sufficiently accurate to be used with confidence as input fields for hydrological modelling or for regional model validation. The quantitative error of CombiPrecip at the 60 (10)‐min time‐scale, as expressed by the scatter, is 40% (22%) lower than that of the radar‐only product. Radar‐gauge discrepancies are large and the quantitative error of CPCD increases by 30% when decreasing aggregation times from 60 to 10 min. Although summertime 5‐min precipitation extremes are strongest and more frequent on average south of the Alps, where they contribute to approximately 10% of the seasonal total precipitation, the most intense extremes are observed over the Jura Mountains in the afternoon and the highest wet 5‐min frequency in the Prealps around the same time. Intense precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the day south of the Alps. Extreme intensity and frequency peaks 2 hr earlier in the Prealps, the Jura Mountains and the Alps (~1600 UTC) compared to the Swiss Plateau (~1800 UTC). Extremes are less intense and frequent at high elevations (>2,000 MASL) than over the Swiss Plateau (<800 MASL).
Short communication: On the use of the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure in wavelet analysis and its inferior performance to the cumulative arc‐wise and area‐wise tests
Authors: Schulte Justin
Published: February 2020

The Benjamini–Hochberg (BH) procedure is a well‐recognized and powerful tool for controlling the number of statistical artefacts arising from the simultaneous testing of multiple hypotheses. However, its performance as a statistical tool in wavelet analysis is unknown. A series of experiments suggests that the BH method is too conservative and too frequently rejects truly significant features such as periodicities as insignificant. In contrast, the recently developed cumulative area‐wise and arc‐wise tests strongly control the false positive rate yet liberally deem truly significant features as significant. Besides cone of influence impacts, statistical inferences made from the cumulative area‐wise and arc‐wise tests change very little when time series are lengthened, promoting the reproducibility of results in the face of continually lengthening climate time series. There is no such guarantee for BH method results, as they depend on the chosen family of tests, which will continually change as time series lengthen. The findings from the theoretical experiments and practical applications to Susquehanna streamflow suggest that the cumulative arc‐wise and area‐wise tests should be the preferred methods for statistical hypothesis testing in wavelet analysis.
The observed recent surface air temperature development across Svalbard and concurring footprints in local sea ice cover
Authors: Dahlke Sandro , Hughes Nicholas E. , Wagner Penelope M. , Gerland Sebastian , Wawrzyniak Tomasz , Ivanov Boris , Maturilli Marion
Published: February 2020

The Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic North Atlantic is experiencing rapid changes in the surface climate and sea ice distribution, with impacts for the coupled climate system and the local society. This study utilizes observational data of surface air temperature (SAT) from 1980–2016 across the whole Svalbard archipelago, and sea ice extent (SIE) from operational sea ice charts to conduct a systematic assessment of climatologies, long‐term changes and regional differences. The proximity to the warm water mass of the West Spitsbergen Current drives a markedly warmer climate in the western coastal regions compared to northern and eastern Svalbard. This imprints on the SIE climatology in southern and western Svalbard, where the annual maxima of 50–60% area ice coverage are substantially less than 80–90% in the northern and eastern fjords. Owing to winter‐amplified warming, the local climate is shifting towards more maritime conditions, and SIE reductions of between 5 and 20% per decade in particular regions are found, such that a number of fjords in the west have been virtually ice‐free in recent winters. The strongest decline comes along with SAT forcing and occurs over the most recent 1–2 decades in all regions; while in the 1980s and 1990s, enhanced northerly winds and sea ice drift can explain 30–50% of SIE variability around northern Svalbard, where they had correspondingly lead to a SIE increase. With an ongoing warming it is suggested that both the meteorological and cryospheric conditions in eastern Svalbard will become increasingly similar to what is already observed in the western fjords, namely suppressed typical Arctic climate conditions.
Ultra‐high performance separation of basic compounds on reversed‐phase columns packed with fully/superficially porous silica and hybrid particles by using ultraviolet transparent hydrophobic cationic additives
Authors: Manetto Simone , Mazzoccanti Giulia , Ciogli Alessia , Villani Claudio , Gasparrini Francesco
Published: February 2020

The use of the tetrabutylammonium additive was investigated in the ultra‐high performance reversed‐phase liquid chromatographic elution of basic molecules of pharmaceutical interest. When added to the mobile phase at low pH, the hydrophobic tetrabutylammonium cation interacts with the octadecyl chains and with the residual silanols, thus imparting a positive charge to the stationary phase, modulating retention and improving peak shape of protonated basic solutes. Two sources of additive were tested: a mixture of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide/trifluoroacetic acid and tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate. Retention and peak shape of 11 basic pharmaceutical compounds were evaluated on commercially available ultra‐fast columns packed with octadecyl stationary phases (Ascentis Express C18 2.0 µm, Acquity BEH C18 1.7 µm, Titan C18 1.9 µm). All columns benefit from the use of additive, especially tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate, providing very symmetric peaks with reasonable retention times. Focusing on the probe compounds amitriptyline and sertraline, efficiency and asymmetry values were investigated at increasing retention factor. The trend is very different to that obtained in reversed‐phase conditions and the effect lies in the complex molecular interaction mechanisms based on hydrophobic and ion exchange interactions as well as electrostatic repulsion.
“Pseudogestational Sac” and Other 1980s‐Era Concepts in Early First‐Trimester Ultrasound
Authors: Phillips Catherine H. , Benson Carol B. , Durfee Sara M. , Heller Howard T. , Doubilet Peter M.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To determine whether an intrauterine round or oval fluid collection (“saclike structure”) can prove to be either an intrauterine pregnancy or intrauterine fluid in conjunction with an ectopic pregnancy (sometimes termed “pseudogestational sac”) and whether ultrasound features, including the presence or absence of an echogenic rim, “double sac sign” (DSS), or “intradecidual sign” (IDS), are helpful for establishing the diagnosis or predicting the prognosis.

Methods

We identified all sonograms obtained from women with positive serum human chorionic gonadotropin results at our institution between January 1, 2012, and June 30, 2018, meeting the following criteria: presence of an intrauterine saclike structure without a yolk sac or embryo; no extraovarian adnexal mass; and follow‐up information identifying the location of the pregnancy as intrauterine or ectopic. Study authors reviewed sonograms in all cases and recorded the following information: presence or absence of each of an echogenic rim around the collection, a DSS, and an IDS, as well as the mean sac diameter. The indications for the initial ultrasound examinations were recorded.

Results

A total of 649 sonograms met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 598 fluid collections showed an echogenic rim, 182 a DSS, and 347 an IDS (findings not mutually exclusive). In all 649 cases, a subsequent sonogram or other clinical follow‐up confirmed that the patient had an intrauterine pregnancy. That is, none of the fluid collections proved to be a pseudogestational sac. In total, 41.2% were live at the end of the first trimester, and 58.8% miscarried. The prognosis was better in cases with, compared to without, an IDS (P = .01, χ2), but no ultrasound feature was clinically useful for ruling in or excluding a good prognosis.

Conclusions

In a woman with positive human chorionic gonadotropin results and no extraovarian adnexal mass, the ultrasound finding of an intrauterine saclike structure is virtually certain to be a gestational sac. Ultrasound features of the structure are of no diagnostic or clinically useful prognostic value. Concepts introduced 30 to 40 years ago when ultrasound equipment had far lower resolution than currently, including a DDS, an IDS, and a pseudogestational sac, have no role today in assessing early pregnancy.
Interannual Variability in Survival Rates for Adult Female White‐Tailed Deer
Authors: Haus Jacob M. , Dion Justin R. , Kalb Melissa M. , Ludwig Eric L. , Rogerson Joseph E. , Bowman Jacob L.
Published: February 2020

Adult female survival is an important component to population models and management programs for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), but short‐term survival studies (1–3 yrs) may not accurately reflect the variation in interannual survival, which could alter management decisions. We monitored annual survival and cause‐specific mortality rates of adult female white‐tailed deer (n = 158) for 6 years (2010–2012, 2016–2018) in southern Delaware, USA. Annual survival rate differed among years. Survival rates (±SE) and mortality causes were similar in 3 years (2011 = 0.72 ± 0.08, 2017 = 0.68 ± 0.08, 2018 = 0.74 ± 0.09) and comparable to previous research from mixed forest‐agricultural landscapes. A relatively low survival rate in 2010 (0.48 ± 0.11) was influenced by hunter harvest and potentially compounded by abnormally severe winter conditions in the prior year. A peracute outbreak of hemorrhagic disease occurred during summer 2012, resulting in an annual survival rate of 0.38 ± 0.11, and to our knowledge is the first reported case of a hemorrhagic disease outbreak in a monitored wild population with known fates. In 2016, we did not observe any harvest mortality, resulting in high annual survival (0.96 ± 0.04). Our results demonstrate the degree of variability in annual survival and cause‐specific mortality rates within a population. We caution against the use of short‐term survival studies to inform management decisions, particularly when incorporating survival data into population models or when setting harvest objectives. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Risk of Alzheimer's Disease in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients With or Without Treatment: Real‐World Evidence
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Shao , Li Hsueh‐Yu , Huang Chung‐Guei , Wang Robert Y.L. , Chuang Li‐Pang , Chen Ning‐Hung , Liu Chi‐Hung , Yang Yao‐Hsu , Liu Chia‐Yen , Hsu Cheng‐Ming , Cheng Wen‐Nuan , Lee Li‐Ang
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with or without treatment based on real‐world evidence.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Patients newly diagnosed with OSA during 1997–2012 were identified using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Patients without OSA were randomly selected and matched in a 1:4 ratio by age, sex, urbanization level, and income. All patients were followed up until death or the end of 2013. The primary outcome was AD occurrence.

Results

This study included 3,978 OSA patients and 15,912 non‐OSA patients. OSA was independently and significantly associated with a higher incidence of AD in an adjusted Cox proportional hazard model (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–3.56). The average period of AD detection from the time of OSA occurrence was 5.44 years (standard deviation: 2.96). Subgroup analyses revealed that the effect of OSA remained significant in patients aged ≥60 years, male subgroups, patients without CPAP or surgical treatment, and patients without pharmacological therapies. Patients with OSA who received treatment (continuous positive airway pressure or surgery) exhibited a significantly reduced risk of AD compared with those without treatment (incidence rate ratio 0.23, 95% CI, 0.06–0.98).

Conclusion

OSA is independently associated with an increased risk of AD. Treatment for OSA reduces the AD risk in OSA patients. AD irreversibility renders OSA as a potential modifiable target for slowing or preventing the process of AD development.

Level of Evidence

IV Laryngoscope, 130:2292–2298, 2020
Synthesis of linear symmetric antenna arrays using improved bat algorithm
Authors: Pan Yusheng , Zhang Jiao
Published: February 2020

In this article, in order to solve the problem of linear array synthesis with upper and lower bounds and aperture constraints, the improved bat algorithm (IBA) is proposed. The IBA embeds an adaptive local search strategy to enhance population diversity. Compared with other algorithms in antenna sidelobe suppression simulation, the bat algorithm has higher accuracy and effectiveness, and does not need to adjust too many parameters.
Privacy‐preserving cloud‐fog–based traceable road condition monitoring in VANET
Authors: Wang Wei , Wu Lei , Qu Wenlei , Liu Zhaoman , Wang Hao
Published: February 2020

With the development of intelligent vehicles, the research on road condition monitoring has attracted much attention in the vehicular ad hoc network (VANET). The combination of VANET, cloud computing, and fog computing provides on‐demand computational resources while creating a lot of new challenges. In this paper, we propose an efficient privacy‐preserving cloud‐fog–based traceable road surface condition monitoring scheme. We use certificateless aggregate signcryption technology to implement multiple messages aggregation verification, which greatly saves computing resources and bandwidth. Moreover, we also use a traceable vehicle pseudo identity generated by a trace authority (TRA) to achieve identity privacy protection. To ensure the privacy of the fog and cloud server, the road condition information is reported in ciphertext format. In addition, the cloud server can perform ciphertext equivalence test operation to distinguish different road condition information of the same area without compromising the confidentiality. The ciphertext, which exceeds the set threshold, is uploaded to the blockchain. It can be stored permanently and never be tampered with or deleted. Finally, we demonstrate the correctness of the proposed scheme and show that the proposed scheme has higher efficiency.
Halogen Bonding in Two‐Dimensional Crystal Engineering
Authors: Teyssandier Joan , Mali Kunal S. , De Feyter Steven
Published: February 2020

Halogen bonds, which provide an intermolecular interaction with moderate strength and high directionality, have emerged as a promising tool in the repertoire of non‐covalent interactions. In this review, we provide a survey of the literature where halogen bonding was used for the fabrication of supramolecular networks on solid surfaces. The definitions of, and the distinction between halogen bonding and halogen‐halogen interactions are provided. Self‐assembled networks formed at the solution/solid interface and at the vacuum‐solid interface, stabilized in part by halogen bonding, are discussed. Besides the broad classification based on the interface at which the systems are studied, the systems are categorized further as those sustained by halogen‐halogen and halogen‐heteroatom contacts.
Effect of ceria nanoparticles on mechanical properties, thermal and dielectric properties of poly (butyl methacrylate) nanocomposites
Authors: Suhailath K. , Ramesan M. T.
Published: February 2020

Poly (butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) reinforced with various contents of ceria (CeO2) nanocomposites were prepared by a simple in situ polymerization method and their mechanical properties, thermal transitions, and electrical properties were studied in detail. The incorporation of CeO2 nanoparticles in the PBMA matrix was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The increase in absorption intensity of UV‐Visible spectra by the addition of CeO2 nanoparticles shows the better dispersion of nanoparticles in the PBMA chain. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns further revealed the semi‐crystalline behavior of the PBMA by the addition of nanoparticles. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated that the glass transition temperature of PBMA was significantly enhanced in presence of CeO2 particles. The higher thermal stability of polymer nanocomposites than that of pure PBMA was revealed from the TG analysis. The dielectric properties and AC conductivity of nanocomposites were higher than PBMA, and these electrical properties increased with the loading of ceria nanoparticles. The improvement in tensile strength and the decrease in elongation at break of composites than pure PBMA indicated the better reinforcement of ceria nanoparticles in PBMA matrix. The mechanism of increase in tensile strength of a composite by the incorporation of nanoparticles was studied by different theoretical modeling. In general, compared with pure PBMA, the polymer nanocomposite exhibited superior dielectric constant, thermal and mechanical properties, which enables their use in the fabrication of high energy storage nanoelectronic devices.
The thinner the better: Evidence on the internalization of the slimness ideal in Chinese college students
Authors: Wang Kui , Liang Rui , Yu Xinyang , Shum David H. K. , Roalf David , Chan Raymond C. K.
Published: February 2020

Internalization of the “thin ideal” is a risk factor for eating pathology. It is unclear how pervasive the thin ideal is among young Chinese. In the current study, 97 participants reported their subjective willingness to be thin and their eating‐disorder‐related weight‐controlling behaviors, and then finished a picture judgment task to implicitly detect their perception of the importance of thinness to attractiveness. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the data. Among female participants, 79.59% wanted a thinner body. Participants' level of willingness to be thin correlated positively with frequency of eating‐disorder‐related weight‐controlling behaviors, r = .47, p < .05. In the implicit task, the judgment of others' attractiveness correlated negatively with body mass index (BMI) evaluation, and this relationship was stronger for women's pictures than for men's pictures. Additionally, an individual's willingness to be thin enhanced the relationship between BMI evaluation and attractiveness judgment. The notion “the thinner the better” seems to be widely accepted among young Chinese.
A mindfulness‐based intervention for caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: Pilot results
Authors: Vinci Christine , Pidala Joseph , Lau Penny , Reblin Maija , Jim Heather
Published: February 2020

Despite high levels of stress, there are few empirically supported stress management interventions for caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) cancer patients. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and various stress‐related outcomes from pre‐ to post‐treatment of a pilot, single‐arm trial of a 6‐week mindfulness‐based intervention (FOCUS) for stress management. Caregivers (N = 21; 76% female; mean age = 57.43) were enrolled prior to patient transplant and received FOCUS during the first 90 days post‐transplant. Findings indicated that FOCUS was highly feasible and acceptable (e.g., 71% attended at least four of six sessions; 100% reported using the skills learned at follow‐up; high treatment engagement). Significant increases in mindfulness, post‐traumatic growth, and general mental health were observed, along with significant decreases in negative affect (all ps < .05).
A Comparative Study of Two BAM Designs for Friction Sensitivity Testing of Explosives
Authors: Phillips Jason J. , Ching Mitchell L.
Published: February 2020

A new commercial design of BAM friction tester that utilizes a programmable servo motor was tested in comparison to the traditional cam‐driven model. Displacement and velocity profiles were analyzed for both designs; significant differences were found between the two designs, most notable of which is that the traditional cam‐driven unit has plate velocities that can be 50–75 % greater than those seen on the servo‐driven model. Five energetic materials were also tested on each machine, including PETN, RDX, HMX, CL‐20, and HNAB. Results from the servo‐driven model generally showed slightly less sensitivity when compared to the cam driven model, though the magnitude of the difference is not significant enough to require modification of safe handling procedures for the materials tested.
Observation of the Spin Seebeck Effect in Bi2Te3 Topological Insulator without an External Magnetic Field
Authors: Yoon ImTaek , Kim JinSang , Cho HakDong , Cho Sangeun , Yuldashev Shavkat U.
Published: February 2020

The 3D topological insulator Bi2Te3 is a well‐known semiconductor material with a large Seebeck coefficient, and it is widely used in thermoelectric generators. The spin‐momentum‐locked surface states in topological insulator induce electronic spin polarization which may be used for spin generation and accumulation. Under a temperature gradient, the accumulation of surface electrons with opposite spin directions at the hot and cold sides of the sample will occur. Thus, the spin Seebeck effect (SSE) is detected through the inverse spin Hall effect in heavy metal Pt electrodes with a strong spin–orbit interaction. The SSE is observed in the topological insulator Bi2Te3 without application of an external magnetic field. The spin Seebeck coefficient in the Bi2Te3 topological insulator increases with increasing surface disorder, which is explained via the Dyakonov–Perel mechanism of the spin relaxation time.
An evaluation of different forest cover geospatial data for riparian shading and river temperature modelling
Authors: Dugdale Stephen J. , Hannah David M. , Malcolm Iain A.
Published: February 2020

Riparian tree planting is increasingly being used as a strategy to shade river corridors and offset the impact of climate change on river temperature. Because the circumstances under which tree planting generates the greatest impact are still largely unknown, researchers are increasingly using process‐based models to simulate the impacts of tree planting (or felling) on river temperature. However, the high‐resolution data on existing riparian tree cover needed to parameterise these models can be difficult to obtain, especially in data‐sparse areas. In this paper, we compare the performance of a river temperature model parameterised with a range of different tree cover datasets, to assess whether tree cover data extracted from readily available GIS databases or coarser (i.e., 2–5 m) digital elevation products are able to generate river temperature simulations approaching the accuracy of higher resolution structure from motion (SfM) or LiDAR. Our results show that model performance for simulations incorporating these data is generally degraded in relation to LiDAR/SfM inputs and that tree cover data from “alternative” sources can lead to unexpected temperature model outcomes. We subsequently use our model to simulate the addition/removal of riparian tree cover from alongside the river channel. Simulations indicate that the vast majority of the “shading effect” is generated by tree cover within the 5‐m zone immediately adjacent to the river channel, a key finding with regards to developing efficient riparian tree planting strategies. These results further emphasise the importance of incorporating the highest possible resolution tree cover data when running tree planting/clearcutting scenario simulations.
Addition of Pulses, Cooking Oils, and Vegetables Enhances Resistant Starch and Lowers the Glycemic Index of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Kumar Awadhesh , Panda Puja Archana , Lal Milan Kumar , Ngangkham Umakanta , Sahu Chandrasekhar , Soren Khela Ram , Subudhi Hata Nath , Samantaray Sanghamitra , Sharma Srigopal
Published: February 2020

Rice exhibits relatively high glycemic index (GI) value compared to other carbohydrate rich foods. Eating rice as a staple food and leading sedentary life style may lead to obesity and type‐II diabetes. National Rice Research Institute (ICAR‐NRRI), Cuttack, India released varieties were analyzed for low GI and high resistant starch (RS) content. Large variations were observed in the GI (57.5–76.4) and RS content (0.28–2.94%) among the varieties. The rice Shaktiman had the lowest GI (57.50) with relatively high RS content (2.11%) while Gayatri had the highest RS (2.94%) with relatively low GI (60.31) value. Addition of pigeon pea to rice resulted in lowering of GI and increased RS content compared to other pulses. Addition of ghee (clarified butter) to rice during cooking resulted in lowering of GI and increase in RS content. The effect was not so pronounced with vegetable oils. Addition of vegetables like fenugreek and cauliflower to rice caused much more lowering of GI as compared to other vegetables. The findings emphasize the importance of identifying and developing rice with low GI and high RS content. This also highlights the importance of formulating food combinations of rice with other edible commodities that suit diabetics.
Dynamic Data Reconciliation to Decrease the Effect of Measurement Noise on Controller Performance Assessment
Authors: Yang Guanghui , Zhang Zhengjiang , Zhao Sheng , Zhu Wangwang , Chen Chong
Published: February 2020

Controller performance assessment (CPA) is capable to evaluate the controller performance and has been widely used in industrial processes. In the existing research studies, CPA usually assumes that the feedback signals are the actual process outputs without considering the measurement noise. Minimum variance (MV)‐based CPA is the most common method for controller performance evaluation. In this paper, the effect of measurement noise is considered in the feedback signals of the MV‐based CPA. The dynamic data reconciliation (DDR) is incorporated in the MV‐based CPA (DDR‐MV‐CPA) to decrease the effect of measurement noise on CPA. The effectiveness of the proposed DDR‐MV‐CPA method is demonstrated via theoretical derivation, simulations, and experimental comparisons. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cognitive science as complexity science
Authors: Favela Luis H.
Published: February 2020

It is uncontroversial to claim that cognitive science studies many complex phenomena. What is less acknowledged are the contradictions among many traditional commitments of its investigative approaches and the nature of cognitive systems. Consider, for example, methodological tensions that arise due to the fact that like most natural systems, cognitive systems are nonlinear; and yet, traditionally cognitive science has relied on linear statistical data analyses. Cognitive science as complexity science is offered as an interdisciplinary framework for the investigation of cognition that can dissolve such contradictions and tensions. Here, cognition is treated as exhibiting the following four key features: emergence, nonlinearity, self‐organization, and universality. This framework integrates concepts, methods, and theories from such disciplines as systems theory, nonlinear dynamical systems theory, and synergetics. By adopting this approach, the cognitive sciences benefit from a common set of practices to investigate, explain, and understand cognition in its varied and complex forms.

This article is categorized under:

Computer Science > Neural Networks

Psychology > Theory and Methods

Philosophy > Foundations of Cognitive Science

Neuroscience > Cognition
Recent advances of smart acid‐responsive gold nanoparticles in tumor therapy
Authors: Zhang Yumin , Yang Lijun , Yang Cuihong , Liu Jinjin
Published: February 2020

Due to the remarkable properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), they have been extensively employed as a potential tool for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. While the conventional drug delivery system fails to efficiently deliver the chemotherapeutics due to the complexity of tumor microenvironment, people have been seeking alternative nanoparticulate strategy to improve the tumor specificity, the therapeutic index as wells as the pharmacokinetic profile. The nontoxic and nonimmunogenic nature, the high permeability, and superior retention effect of AuNPs provide additional benefits by enabling easy penetration and accumulation of drugs at the tumor sites. Here in this review, we focused on discussing the recent advances regarding the design of acid‐responsive AuNPs as well as their applications in drug/gene delivery and imaging in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Particularly, we highlighted the size switch strategies used in the development of acid‐responsive AuNPs.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Retroelement origins of pre‐mRNA splicing
Authors: Haack Daniel B. , Toor Navtej
Published: February 2020

Recent cryo‐EM structures of a group II intron caught in the process of invading DNA have given new insight into the mechanisms of both splicing and retrotransposition. Conformational dynamics involving the branch‐site helix domain VI are responsible for substrate exchange between the two steps of splicing. These structural rearrangements have strong parallels with the movement of the branch‐site helix in the spliceosome during catalysis. This is strong evidence for the spliceosome evolving from a group II intron ancestor. We observe other topological changes in the overall structure of the catalytic domain V that may occur in the spliceosome as well. Therefore, studying group II introns not only provides us with insight into the evolutionary origins of the spliceosome, but also may inform the design of experiments to further probe structure–function relationships in this eukaryotic splicing apparatus.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry

RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems

RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution
Phylogenetic Patterns Suggest Broad Susceptibility to Chronic Wasting Disease Across Cervidae
Authors: Mawdsley Jonathan R.
Published: February 2020

Chronic wasting disease presents significant management challenges for North American species of Cervidae, but susceptibility of other cervid taxa worldwide to this disease is largely unknown. A review of 7 published partial phylogenies for Cervidae indicates that known susceptible taxa are broadly distributed across each of these phylogenies, suggesting that there may be broad susceptibility to the disease within the family. Taxa particularly at risk based on phylogenetic and geographic proximity to known susceptible species include species of the genus Mazama in Central and South America and species of the genera Cervus and Rusa in Europe and Asia. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Berry Important? Wolf Provisions Pups with Berries in Northern Minnesota
Authors: Homkes Austin T. , Gable Thomas D. , Windels Steve K. , Bump Joseph K.
Published: February 2020

Wolves (Canis lupus) primarily provision pups by catching mammalian prey and bringing remains of the carcass to the pups at a den or rendezvous site via their mouths or stomach. In August 2017, we observed an adult wolf regurgitating wild blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) to pups at a rendezvous site in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, Minnesota, USA, which is the only known observation of wolves provisioning pups with wild berries. This observation, in combination with other evidence from the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, suggests wild berries might be a more valuable food source for wolves in southern boreal ecosystems than previously appreciated. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
A Terminal Chlorophosphinidene Complex
Authors: Abbenseth Josh , Schneider Sven
Published: February 2020

Terminal, electrophilic phosphinidene complexes (M=PR) are attractive platforms for PR‐transfer to organic substrates. In contrast to aryl‐ or alkylphosphinidene complexes terminal chlorophosphinidenes (M=PCl) have only been proposed as transient intermediates but isolable example remain elusive. Here we present the transfer of PCl from chloro‐substituted dibenzo‐7λ3‐phosphanorbornadiene to a square‐planar osmium(II) PNP pincer complex to give the first isolable, terminal chlorophosphinidene complex with remarkable thermal stability. Os=P bonding was examined computationally giving rise to highly covalent {OsII=PICl} double bonding.
KxRb2–xPdC2: A Solid Solution of a Quaternary Acetylide with Vegard Behavior
Authors: Krüger Markus , Liebig Stefan , Ruschewitz Uwe
Published: February 2020

By reacting the ternary acetylides K2PdC2 and Rb2PdC2 at 300 °C under inert conditions a complete solid solution KxRb2–xPdC2 with x = 0–2 was obtained, which was followed and confirmed by synchrotron powder diffraction data. This solid solution shows ideal Vegard behavior, as predicted by Hume‐Rothery rules for ΔV < 15 % (ΔV = 9.2 % for K+/Rb+). According to the powder diffraction data the formation of the quaternary acetylides seems to occur via diffusion of the alkali metal ions, whereas the 1∞[Pd0(C2)2/22–] chains remain unaffected during this reaction.
New type of string solutions with long range forces
Authors: Hiramatsu Takashi , Ibe Masahiro , Suzuki Motoo
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We explore the formation and the evolution of the string network in the Abelian Higgs model with two complex scalar fields. A special feature of the model is that it possesses a global U(1) symmetry in addition to the U(1) gauge symmetry. Both symmetries are spontaneously broken by the vacuum expectation values of the two complex scalar fields. As we will show the dynamics of the string network is quite rich compared with that in the ordinary Abelian Higgs model with a single complex scalar field. In particular, we find a new type of string solutions in addition to the conventional Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen (local) string solution. We call this the uncompensated string. An isolated uncompensated string has a logarithmic divergent string tension as in the case of the global strings, although it is accompanied by a non-trivial gauge field configuration. We also perform classical lattice simulations in the 2 + 1 dimensional spacetime, which confirms the formation of the uncompensated strings at the phase transition. We also find that most of the uncompensated strings evolve into the local strings at later time when the gauge charge of the scalar field with a smaller vacuum expectation value is larger than that of the scalar field with a larger vacuum expectation value.