bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing the braking system for handling equipment
Authors: Varecha D , Kohár R , Gajdošík T
Published: October 2019

The article is focused on optimizing the friction disc plates of the braking system integrated into the drive wheel of an automated guided vehicle. The introduction is focused on the application of these types of braking systems. In the next step, the individual mathematical parameters and the acting forces in the braking system are expressed. Using the equation of motion that is written in Matlab, the braking distance and the stop time are graphically expressed. During the Matlab simulation, different diameters of the braking plates are monitored to determine the braking distance. The permitted pressure in the braking plates during the test must not exceed the specified pressure of 2 MPa. The functionality of the braking plates is ensured by hydraulic power. Part of the wheel is a sensor that monitors the speed during braking. Ultimately, a continuous reduction in kinetic energy is achieved without vigorous blocking of the slats during braking. The acquisition of the paper is the output of numerical calculations, which are necessary for the correct design of the wheel with the integrated braking system.
Optimization of traction unit for low-cost automated guided vehicle
Authors: Capák T , Kohár R , Škrabala J , Galík J
Published: October 2019

AGV system already known today is commonplace in any large-scale production, warehousing or supply process logistics. System is not only increasing process flexibility but also the quality of products and services. They are unattended vehicles designed for towing, guiding and carrying various types of cargo using peripheral devices designed for these vehicles. The paper describes the design of the traction unit of the automated guided vehicle (AGV). The main goal of this design is optimization of traction unit for a low-cost version of commercial AGV and thereby reducing overall costs of equipment. The traction unit must be designed so that the equipment that uses such a type of traction unit meets customer requirements.
Analysis of harmonic gearbox tooth contact pressure
Authors: Majchrak M , Kohar R , Lukac M , Skyba R
Published: October 2019

An analysis of a conventional gear wheel shot with MPK methodology has been processed by many authors before. Harmonic gearbox systems are composed of rigid and flexible parts through which the torque is transmitted, thus generating power. The contact pressure is specifically distributed through more teeth whilst against conventional gearbox systems. Firstly, a design description of a dynamic calculation model of a harmonic gearbox system in the planar strain is analysed in this article, as well as the definition of each contact constraint between the rigid and flexible parts of these gear systems in respect of “GLUE” and “TOUCHING” contact types. The last part of this article deals with the force distribution analysis in the teeth with respect to the frictional forces in them. The graphical conclusions of this pressure on each tooth were made. This article mainly focuses on the analysis of the stress in a gear tooth of the harmonic gearbox systems, as well as the research of a special trajectory of the rigid and flexible entity in a solid circular spline of such gear systems.
Impact of a driving belt length on a device noise
Authors: Zvolensky P , Benko M , Lestinsky L , Dungel J
Published: October 2019

The paper is concerned with design of high-rev planetary transmission and its overall noise. The transmission is able to reach high gear ratio, and provide very high revolutions per minute. This attributes can be achieved because of unconventionally mounted planet gears in two axis. Planet gears on the outside axis are in contact with ring gear and transfer torque to planet gears in the inner axis. Inner axis planet gears transfer torque to a sun gear. The paper defines an experiment of transmission design with possibility of changing number of planetary gears. Number of planetary gears has an impact on overall noise of transmission. So it is possible to spec the transmission to fulfil of producer requirements. Aim for the experiment was to find trade-off between number of planetary gears, maximum torque, gear design and an impact on overall noise. Next, the paper presents test stand for the transmission. The test stand design allows definition of transmission construction units, without affecting noise of the transmission. Experiment also includes drive belt testing, and possibility of BLDC electric motor usage.
Experimental analysis of jet slurry erosion on martensitic stainless steel
Authors: Santacruz G , Takimi AS , Vannucchide Camargo F , Bergmann CP
Published: October 2019

Due to their enhanced tribological properties that contribute to an increased useful life of components, martensitic stainless steels are an excellent option for industrial applications such as hydroelectric, petrochemical, civil construction and mineral processing plants. In the present investigation, the erosive wear of AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel is evaluated after thermal treatment by quenching and tempering by mass loss, under erosive attack at 30° and 90° incidence angles, using a self-made jet slurry erosion equipment controlling parameters such as speed, volume of fluid, temperature and concentration of erosive particles of erodent. The characterization of the eroded samples was carried out in terms of the microstructure (SEM) and microhardness as well as the particle size distribution (LG) and morphology of the erodent. It was possible to establish the relationship between the slurry erosive wear and the physical properties inherent of stainless steel for this particular experimental configuration, concluding that the steel presents better resistance to jet slurry erosion wear when compared to austenitic steel commonly used in the industry.
Solution combustion synthesis of Mo-Fe/MgO: Influence of the fuel composition on the production of doped catalyst nanopowder
Authors: Zampiva R Y S , Bergmann C P , Alves A K , Giorgini L
Published: October 2019

Among the techniques for producing oxide catalysts, the solution combustion synthesis (SCS) has been widely used to produce high-quality nanostructured powders at low-cost. Through SCS, due to the high exothermic energy liberated by the reaction between the transition metal nitrate and the fuel, it is possible to homogeneously incorporate dopant ions into the catalyst. Besides, SCS allows the production of nanopowders with sizes in the decimal scale, which is extremely important for powdered catalysts. The smaller the particle is, the larger the surface area is. Based on these possibilities, the aim of this work is to produce Fe-Mo/MgO nanopowders by SCS. The influence of concentration and composition of the fuels glycine and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the final product were investigated. The morphology and the physicochemical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM), granulometry and surface area analysis. The results indicated high crystallinity for the samples produced with PEG and a wide variation on the nanoparticles sizes depending on the fuel properties.
Comparing the accuracy of 3D slicer software in printed enduse parts
Authors: Šljivic M , Pavlovic A , Kraišnik M , Ilić J
Published: October 2019

This study aims to compare the accuracy offered by 3D Slicer Software in printing end-use parts inside a Fused Deposition Modeling process of Additive Manufacturing. The purpose, in particular, is to investigate the surface quality and the dimensional stability of the manufactured parts comparing the effect of selecting a different 3D Slicer tool among Simplify3D, Cura and Slic3r 3D. With this scope, parts were produced using these process tools while results were analysed in terms of accuracy, production time and consumption of material. Results, graphically and visually presented, show significant differences in the dimensional and surface accuracy with an optimum outcome offered by the Simplify3D as best 3D slicer tool. The Simplify3D slicer has essential advantages in printed end-use parts because creates the 3D models with significantly better accuracy and quality support.
Testing methods and equipment for palletized products
Authors: Greco A , Renzini A , Vaccari M , De Camargo F V
Published: October 2019

The ability to present cutting-edge solutions for packaging in the field of palletized products has to be considered as the result of the investments in research infrastructures and advances in applied researches. In the present article, main equipment and all the other testing facilities used to optimize palletized product are detailed. Tests are implemented in accordance with standard and no standard procedures up to fully innovative methods. This approach is able to provide advice both on the most appropriate palletizing scheme to pack the load, either on the best packaging methods able to conserve intact the product to the consumer. For customer it represents a great added value that allows to experience first-hand palletizing solutions, packaging and stability of the load, reducing production costs and optimizing efficiency.
Electrical polarization phenomena, dielectric relaxations and structural transitions in a relaxor-ferroelectric terpolymer investigated with electrical probing techniques
Authors: Venkatesan Thulasinath Raman , Gulyakova Anna A , Frübing Peter , Gerhard Reimund
Published: October 2019

Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy (DRS) and Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Current (TSDC) measurements were employed to study dielectric-relaxation processes, structural transitions and electric-polarization phenomena in poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)) terpolymer films. Results from DRS confirm the existence of two separate dispersion regions related to a para-to-ferroelectric phase transition and to the glass transition. The dipolar TSDC peak correlates with the loss peak of the α relaxation that represents the glass transition. The electric polarization calculated from the dipolar TSDC peak (glass transition) shows a non-linear electric-field dependence and saturates at high electric poling fields. As the observed behaviour is essentially the same as that of the electric polarization obtained from direct polarization-versus-electric-field hysteresis measurements, TSDC experiments are also suitable for studying the polarization in relaxor-ferroelectric polymers. A saturation polarization of 44 mC m−2 was found for an electric field of 190 MV m−1.
Committees with implicit gender bias hire fewer women
Authors: Dumé Belle
Published: October 2019

Members of scientific evaluation committees who deny that gender discrimination is a problem tend to unconsciously hire fewer women than men.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope nears completion
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: October 2019

Engineers have successfully connected the two halves of NASA’s $8.8bn James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for the first time.
SKA hit by further cost hike and delay
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: October 2019

Plans to build the world’s largest radio telescope, known as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), have suffered another setback after it emerged that the estimated cost of the observatory has risen by €100m over the past year.
Societies warn security policies pose a danger to science
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: October 2019

A group of 60 US scientific societies, including eight physics-related organizations, have joined forces to say that the American government’s effort to strengthen national and economic security is endangering scientific research.
Boosting diversity in open access
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: October 2019

Antonia Seymour, publishing director at IOP Publishing, talks to Michael Banks about improving equality in open access
Taking climate action
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: October 2019

Global warming affects all physicists – not just those studying climate.
Dealing with a climate emergency
Authors: Jones Matthew , Adams Charles
Published: October 2019

Matthew Jones and Charles Adams say physicists need to change the way they work to make physics more sustainable
On the retreat
Authors: Crease Robert P
Published: October 2019

If your life and livelihood were threatened by rising sea levels, where would you go and who would help? Robert P Crease reports from a conference on the difficulties of “managed retreat”
Radioactive aftermath
Authors: Tarrant Jon , Wright Peter
Published: October 2019

In response to a number of recent articles on the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, including the interview with epidemiologist Richard Wakeford “Measuring Chernobyl’s radiation legacy” (August pp12–13)
Mystery task
Authors: Williams Trevor
Published: October 2019

In response to Margaret Harris’ article in this year’s Physics World Focus on Instruments & Vacuum, “The tech that makes it happen” (p3), in which she talked about innovations in scientific instrumentation.
Inside the Nobels
Authors: Johnston Hamish
Published: October 2019

All of us dream of receiving a Nobel Prize for Physics, but how exactly do the winners get picked? Hamish Johnston gets the inside story from Lars Brink, a Swedish particle theorist who served on the Nobel Committee for Physics on eight separate occasions
The physics of blood spatter
Authors: Perkowitz Sidney
Published: October 2019

Analysing the blood stains following a shooting can be key to finding the perpetrator, but it’s a field of forensics that is being called into question. Sidney Perkowitz explains how understanding the physics behind the blood distribution could help uncover the truth
Taking a bite out of food waste
Authors: Ramanan Abi
Published: October 2019

Abi Ramanan describes how hyperspectral imaging and machine learning could change the future of food production, drastically reducing waste and increasing consumer satisfaction
Going the extracurricular mile
Authors: Fox Vishanti
Published: October 2019

Getting experience beyond your core academic activities is crucial if you want to bag that dream job after graduating, as Institute of Physics careers manager Vishanti Fox explains
There's no place like home
Authors: Hirst Andrew , Benson Veronica
Published: October 2019

Many physics graduates look for jobs in the towns or cities they already live in, rather than moving elsewhere. Andrew Hirst and Veronica Benson explore the implications of this “emotional geography” and discuss how universities can give physicists the skills local employers need
Anything to declare?
Authors: Caplin Nicol
Published: October 2019

News emerged over the summer that the Israeli SpaceIL Beresheet lander – which crashed onto the lunar surface in April this year – was unknowingly carrying a payload full of reportedly indestructible biological samples.
'Quantum Darwinism' seen in diamond
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: October 2019

A handful of spins in diamond have shone new light on one of the most enduring mysteries in physics – how classical physics emerges from the murky, probabilistic quantum world.
Superconductor predicted above water's boiling point
Authors: Johnston Hamish
Published: October 2019

Physicists in China have predicted that lithium magnesium hydride (Li2MgH16) will remain a superconductor even when heated well above the boiling point of water.
MIT Media Lab hit by Epstein links
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: October 2019

Joi Ito resigns as head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology research centre after it was revealed to have tried to cover up Jeffrey Epstein’s investments, as Peter Gwynne reports
Impact characteristics and stagnation formation on a solid surface by a supersonic abrasive waterjet
Authors: Thongkaew Kunlapat , Wang Jun , Yeoh Guan Heng
Published: October 2019

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of the impact characteristics and stagnation formation on a solid target surface by an abrasive waterjet at supersonic velocities is presented to understand the impact process. A CFD model is developed and verified by experimental water and particle velocities and then used to simulate the jet impact process. The trends of the stagnation formation and its effect on the jet flow with respect to the jetting and impacting parameters are amply discussed. It is found that stagnation formation at the impact site increases with an increase in the impact time, nozzle standoff distance and nozzle diameter, while the initial peak velocity at the nozzle exit has little effect on the size of the stagnation zone. It is shown that stagnation markedly changes the water and particle flow direction, so that the particle impact angle is varied and the jet impact area is enlarged. The jet structure may be classified to have a free jet flow region, a jet deflection region with a stagnation zone and a wall jet region. Furthermore, the stagnation affects significantly the waterjet and particle energy transferred to the target surface. The average particle velocity across the jet is reduced by approximately one third due to the damping effect of the stagnation under the conditions considered in this study.
Moving toward molecular mechanisms for chemotaxis in eukaryotic cells
Authors: Devreotes Peter
Published: October 2019

It is a tremendous honor to receive the 2019 E.B. Wilson Award and be recognized for my work on chemotaxis in eukaryotic cells. In writing this essay, I hope to achieve three aims: 1) to tell the story of how people in my group made discoveries over the years; 2) to outline key principles we have learned about chemotaxis; and 3) to point to the most important outstanding questions.
Strategic planning for research grant applications
Authors: Deatherage James F.
Published: October 2019

I am honored to receive the 2019 ASCB Public Service Award. It has been a true privilege to work with the cell biology community; I thank them for their collegiality in their interactions with me over the years. In this essay I offer some perspectives on constructing goals and strategy for research grant and fellowship applications in basic cell biology. They are based on my observations as a program officer for grants and applications in cell biology in the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) from 1991 to 2019.
Perceptions of Alcohol Health Warning Labels in a Large International Cross-Sectional Survey of People Who Drink Alcohol
Authors: Winstock Adam R , Holmes John , Ferris Jason A , Davies Emma L
Published: October 2019

Aims

This paper aimed to explore perceptions of alcohol health warning labels amongst a large international sample of people who drink alcohol.

Methods

The Global Drug Survey (GDS) is the world’s largest annual cross sectional survey of drug use. Seven health warning labels were presented (relating to heart disease, liver, cancer, calories, violence, taking two days off and the myth of benefits to moderate drinking). People were asked if they were aware of the information, believed it, if it was personally relevant, and if it would change their drinking. This paper included data from 75,969 respondents from 29 countries/regions who reported the use of alcohol in the last 12 months, collected during November–December 2017 (GDS2018).

Results

The fact that drinking less can reduce the risk of seven types of cancer was the least well known, and yet was demonstrated to encourage almost 40% of drinkers to consider drinking less. Women and high risk drinkers were more likely to indicate they would reduce their drinking in response to all labels. Personal relevance was identified as a key predictor of individual responses.

Conclusion

Findings highlight the potential of a range of health messages displayed on alcoholic beverages to raise awareness of alcohol-related harms and potentially support a reduction in drinking. Further research should explore what influences personal relevance of messages as this may be a barrier to effectiveness.
Model selection for metabolomics: predicting diagnosis of coronary artery disease using automated machine learning
Authors: Orlenko Alena , Kofink Daniel , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Nikus Kjell , Mishra Pashupati , Kuukasjärvi Pekka , Karhunen Pekka J , Kähönen Mika , Laurikka Jari O , Lehtimäki Terho , Asselbergs Folkert W , Moore Jason H
Published: October 2019

Motivation

Selecting the optimal machine learning (ML) model for a given dataset is often challenging. Automated ML (AutoML) has emerged as a powerful tool for enabling the automatic selection of ML methods and parameter settings for the prediction of biomedical endpoints. Here, we apply the tree-based pipeline optimization tool (TPOT) to predict angiographic diagnoses of coronary artery disease (CAD). With TPOT, ML models are represented as expression trees and optimal pipelines discovered using a stochastic search method called genetic programing. We provide some guidelines for TPOT-based ML pipeline selection and optimization-based on various clinical phenotypes and high-throughput metabolic profiles in the Angiography and Genes Study (ANGES).

Results

We analyzed nuclear magnetic resonance-derived lipoprotein and metabolite profiles in the ANGES cohort with a goal to identify the role of non-obstructive CAD patients in CAD diagnostics. We performed a comparative analysis of TPOT-generated ML pipelines with selected ML classifiers, optimized with a grid search approach, applied to two phenotypic CAD profiles. As a result, TPOT-generated ML pipelines that outperformed grid search optimized models across multiple performance metrics including balanced accuracy and area under the precision-recall curve. With the selected models, we demonstrated that the phenotypic profile that distinguishes non-obstructive CAD patients from no CAD patients is associated with higher precision, suggesting a discrepancy in the underlying processes between these phenotypes.

Availability and implementation

TPOT is freely available via http://epistasislab.github.io/tpot/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Do non-governmental organizations bring change or maintain the status quo in times of crisis? A case study of the Marikana massacre in South Africa
Authors: Langa Malose , Rebello Steven , Harms-Smith Linda
Published: October 2019

This article reflects on the Marikana massacre of August 2012, subsequent violent strikes and responses by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as a case study, and provides an analysis about whether these interventions bring transformative change or maintain the status quo in times of crisis. Events associated with Marikana are seen to be embedded in social structures of the time and part of deeper frictions and fractures of social transformation. The role that NGOs might play in this context must be interrogated as to their facilitation or hinderance of such social transformation. Interviews were conducted with representatives of NGOs intervening in Marikana that provided services of humanitarian assistance, and legal and psychosocial interventions and with mine workers and residents of Marikana about their experiences and views of these services. Findings from the study are illustrative of how NGOs were not primarily motivated to bring about lasting, transformative change but rather attempted to address immediate or short-term needs which, while important, did not account for underlying causes of the crises that they set out to address. Both ideological underpinnings of NGOs and structural conditions produced by state and capital impact on outcomes of interventions. Given these limitations, it is argued that there is a need for deep critical interrogation through praxis, for NGOs to intervene differently in times of crisis to bring ‘real’ change and transformation in the lives of those who are marginalized.
Liquid Chromatographic Method Development for Quantification of Inorganic Nitrite and Nitrate Impurities from Nitroglycerin Drug Substance by Using Ion-Pair Reagents with Liquid–Liquid Extraction Technique
Authors: Desai Pritesh R , Mehta Priti J , Chokshi Avani B
Published: October 2019

A large number of laboratory studies have reported Nitrite (NO2−) and Nitrate (NO3−) to be among the most common degradation products of the high-explosive Nitroglycerin drug substance. A novel, simple, robust and rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for quantification of inorganic Nitrite and Nitrate impurities from Nitroglycerin drug substance. Successful separation was achieved in isocratic elution, using Inertsil C8-3, (250 × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm) column, with mobile phase consisting of pH 7.0 tetrabutyl ammonium hydrogen sulfate buffer, methanol and acetonitrile (96:02:02, v/v/v). Flow rate was monitored at 2.0 mL min−1 and ultraviolet detection at 220 nm. The present work describes the role of an ion-pair reagent in the separation of polar compounds and liquid–liquid extraction technique for separation of polar and non-polar compounds. Nitroglycerin was subjected to various stress conditions to demonstrate the stability-indicating power of the method. The performance of the method was validated as per present International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines for specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness and robustness. The developed method can be a valuable alternative to the current ion-exchange chromatographic method mentioned in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, a rapid Liquid Chromatography (LC) method, which separates inorganic Nitrite and Nitrate impurities of Nitroglycerin, disclosed in this investigation was not published elsewhere.
Herpes Zoster Risk in Immunocompromised Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: McKay Susannah L , Guo Angela , Pergam Steven A , Dooling Kathleen
Published: October 2019

Background

The primary reported risk factors for herpes zoster (HZ) include increasing age and immunodeficiency, yet estimates of HZ risk by immunocompromising condition have not been well characterized. We undertook a systematic literature review to estimate the HZ risk in immunocompromised patients.

Methods

We systematically reviewed studies that examined the risk of HZ and associated complications in adult patients with hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT), cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and solid organ transplant (SOT). We identified studies in PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov that presented original data from the United States and were published after 1992. We assessed the risk of bias with Cochrane or Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methods.

Results

We identified and screened 3765 records and synthesized 34 studies with low or moderate risks of bias. Most studies that were included (32/34) reported at least 1 estimate of the HZ cumulative incidence (range, 0–41%). There were 12 studies that reported HZ incidences that varied widely within and between immunocompromised populations. Incidence estimates ranged from 9 to 92 HZ cases/1000 patient-years and were highest in HCT, followed by hematologic malignancies, SOT, and solid tumor malignancies, and were lowest in people living with HIV. Among 17 HCT studies, the absence of or use of antiviral prophylaxis at <1 year post-transplant was associated with a higher HZ incidence.

Conclusions

HZ was common among all immunocompromised populations studied, exceeding the expected HZ incidence among immunocompetent adults aged ≥60 years. Better evidence of the incidence of HZ complications and their severity in immunocompromised populations is needed to inform economic and HZ vaccine policies.
Temperature effects on performance and physiology of two prairie stream minnows
Authors: Frenette Bryan D , Bruckerhoff Lindsey A , Tobler Michael , Gido Keith B
Published: October 2019

The observed distributions of two grazing minnows differ along a stream-size gradient in grassland streams and may be linked to temperature. In laboratory experiments, we assayed a suite of physiological traits along a temperature gradient and found that species differed in critical thermal maxima, with subtle differences in other traits.
Sarcoidosis Mimicking Crohn Disease
Authors: Rubin Jonah N , George Lauren A , Cross Raymond K , Wong Uni
Published: October 2019

Intestinal sarcoidosis can mimic Crohn disease (CD), and it is important to evaluate for alternative diagnoses in patients who present with atypical symptoms or do not respond to conventional therapy. Furthermore, CD, with or without biologic therapy, has been associated with neurological symptoms including neuropathies, myelopathies, thromboembolic, and demyelinating diseases leading to diagnostic uncertainty. We present a case of sarcoidosis of the luminal gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, which mimicked the presentation of CD. This case highlights the need to expand the differential diagnosis in patients who present with atypical symptoms and do not respond to biologic therapy.
The kinetics of colour degradation, chlorophylls and xanthophylls loss in pistachio nuts during roasting process
Authors: Dini Ali , Khanamani Falahati-Pour Soudeh , Behmaram Khosro , Sedaghat Nasser
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Colour is amongst the parameter which is used for process control during roasting.

Materials and Methods

In this study, the effects of hot air roasting temperature (120, 130, 145, 160, and 170°C) and hot air velocity (0.6, 1.3, and 2 m/s) on colour change kinetics of pistachio nuts were investigated by employing image analysis and simultaneously chlorophylls and xanthophylls (lutein and β-carotenoid) concentration were determined by spectrophotometric measurement method.

Results

We found that roasting temperature and hot air velocity had significant effect on colour changes. There is a correlation between a- and b-value with chlorophylls and xanthophylls concentration, respectively. The roasting temperature was found to be the main factor affecting colour development. The variations in the pigments concentration and colour parameters of pistachio nuts were adequately simulated by quadratic and cubic polynomials. The changes in L-, b-values, and xanthophylls degradation were well-fitted to the first-order kinetic model while a-value and chlorophylls degradation followed the zero-order kinetic. The activation energy was determined at 113.9, 116.7, and 117.2 kJ/mol with R2 ≥ 99.9 and 191, 195, and 163.2 kJ/mol with R2 ≥ 99.5 and 73.7, 71.3, and 81.6 kJ/mol with R2 ≥ 99.9 for L-, b-, and a-value in hot air velocity of 0.6, 1.3, and 2 m/s, respectively.

Conclusions

Activation energy of chlorophylls and xanthophylls degradation were in the range of the activation energy for the yellowness (b-value) and redness (a-value) reactions.
Hospital readmission following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a 14-year single-center experience
Authors: Vozzo Catherine F , Singh Tavankit , Bullen Jennifer , Sarvepalli Shashank , McCullough Arthur , Kapoor Baljendra
Published: October 2019

Background

Placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a relatively common procedure used to treat complications of portal hypertension. However, only limited data exist regarding the hospital-readmission rate after TIPS placement and no studies have addressed the causes of hospital readmission. We therefore sought to identify the 30-day hospital-readmission rate after TIPS placement at our institution and to determine potential causes and predictors of readmission.

Methods

We reviewed our electronic medical-records system at our institution between 2004 and 2017 to identify patients who had undergone primary TIPS placement with polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents and to determine the 30-day readmission rate among these patients. A series of univariable logistic-regression models were fit to assess potential predictors of 30-day readmission.

Results

A total of 566 patients were included in the analysis. The 30-day readmission rate after TIPS placement was 36%. The most common causes for readmission were confusion (48%), infection (15%), bleeding (11%), and fluid overload (7%). A higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score corresponded with a higher rate of readmission (odds ratio associated with each 1-unit increase in MELD score: 1.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.09; P = 0.001). Other potential predictors, including indication for TIPS placement, were not significantly associated with a higher readmission rate.

Conclusions

The 30-day readmission rate after TIPS placement with covered stents is high, with nearly half of these readmissions due to hepatic encephalopathy—a known complication of TIPS placement. Novel interventions to help reduce the TIPS readmission rate should be prioritized in future research.
How Well Do You Think You Summarize? Metacomprehension Accuracy in Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Fulton Erika K
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Metacomprehension monitoring accuracy in older age may be underestimated because of how it has been measured. Metacomprehension in the present study was uniquely measured by comparing summary quality to summary quality judgments. The effect of age on this accuracy was assessed and results were compared to those measured with the typical approach. The moderation of age effects by reading goal was also assessed but was an exploratory objective.1

Method

Younger adults (141) and older adults (138) read and orally summarized six expository texts. Participants were randomly assigned to a reading goal condition, with half of each age group summarizing for a professor/boss and half summarizing for an acquaintance. Participants made judgments about the quality of their summaries before and after summarizing, took a multiple-choice test of their comprehension, and made judgments about the accuracy of their answers.

Results

Age deficits in metacomprehension were generally smaller when measured with the novel approach and age differences were generally larger for the professor/boss condition than for the acquaintance condition.

Discussion

The novel approach to measuring metacomprehension monitoring accuracy provides more optimism for aging than typical approaches, discussed in relation to age-related changes in language processing preferences.
Risk Factors for Medication Nonadherence to Self-Injectable Biologic Therapy in Adult Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Shah Nisha B , Haydek Jennifer , Slaughter James , Ashton Jonathan R , Zuckerman Autumn D , Wong Rochelle , Raffa Francesca , Garrett Ailish , Duley Caroline , Annis Kim , Wagnon Julianne , Gaines Lawrence , Dalal Robin , Scoville Elizabeth , Beaulieu Dawn B , Schwartz David , Horst Sara N
Published: October 2019

Background

In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), nonadherence to biologic therapy increases risk of disease flare. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for nonadherence.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective study evaluating patients with IBD treated at a tertiary care center and prescribed self-injectable biologic therapy using the center’s specialty pharmacy. Adherence was defined using medication possession ratio (MPR). Nonadherence was defined as MPR <0.86.

Results

Four hundred sixty patients (n = 393 with CD and n = 67 with UC) were evaluated with mean MPR (interquartile range) equaling 0.89 (0.48–1). Overall, 69% of patients were adherent (defined as MPR ≥0.86), 66% of patients with CD and 87% of patients with UC. In univariate analysis, several factors increased risk of nonadherence: CD diagnosis, insurance type, psychiatric history, smoking, prior biologic use, and narcotic use (P < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, Medicaid insurance (odds ratio [OR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85–15.6) and CD diagnosis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3–6.0) increased risk of nonadherence. In CD, as the number of risk factors increased (narcotic use, psychiatric history, prior biologic use, and smoking), the probability of nonadherence increased. Adherence was 72% in patients with 0–1 risk factors, decreasing to 62%, 61%, and 42% in patients with 2, 3, and 4 risk factors, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study identified risk factors for nonadherence to biologic therapy. In patients with CD, the probability of nonadherence increased as the number of risk factors increased.
Molecular Breast Imaging in Patients with Suspicious Calcifications
Authors: Hunt Katie N , Hruska Carrie B , Johnson Matthew P , Conners Amy Lynn , O’connor Michael K , Rhodes Deborah J , Basappa Susanna , Wahner-Roedler Dietlind
Published: October 2019

Objective

We evaluated the accuracy of molecular breast imaging (MBI)—a nuclear medicine technique that employs dedicated dual-detector, cadmium zinc telluride gamma cameras to image the functional uptake of a radiopharmaceutical (typically Tc-99m sestamibi) in the breast—in patients with suspicious calcifications on mammography.

Methods

Women scheduled for stereotactic biopsy of calcifications detected on 2D digital mammography were prospectively enrolled to undergo MBI before biopsy. Molecular breast imaging was performed with injection of Tc-99m sestamibi and a dual-detector, cadmium zinc telluride gamma camera. Positive findings on either modality were biopsied. High-risk and malignant biopsy findings were excised.

Results

In 71 participants, 76 areas of calcifications were recommended for biopsy after mammography, and 24 (32%) were malignant, including 20 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 4 cases of invasive ductal cancer. Prebiopsy MBI was positive in 17 of the 76 (22%) calcifications, including 10 of 20 (50%) DCISs and 2 of 4 (50%) invasive cancers. The median pathologic size for MBI–positive cancers was 1.5 cm (range 0.5–3.2 cm) compared with 0.9 cm (range 0.1–2.0 cm) for MBI–negative cancers (P = 0.09).

Non-mass uptake on MBI led to additional biopsies of 6 sites in 6 patients, and 2 of 6 (33%) MBI–detected incidental lesions showed malignancy; both DCIS contralateral to the mammographically detected calcifications. The overall per-lesion positive and negative predictive values of MBI in this prebiopsy setting were 61% (14 of 23) and 80% (47 of 59), respectively.

Conclusion

Molecular breast imaging has insufficient negative predictive value to identify calcifications in which biopsy could be avoided. However, among women presenting for biopsy of suspicious calcifications, MBI revealed additional sites of mammographically occult breast cancer.

To avoid biopsy of suspicious calcifications on mammography, negative findings on MBI should not be used.
Maternal miR-202-5p is required for zebrafish primordial germ cell migration by protecting small GTPase Cdc42
Authors: Jin Yilin , Liu Wei , Xiang Yangxi , Zhang Wanwan , Zhang Hong , Jia Kuntong , Yi Meisheng
Published: October 2019

In many lower animals, germ cell formation, migration, and maintenance depend on maternally provided determinants in germ plasm. In zebrafish, these processes have been extensively studied in terms of RNA-binding proteins and other coding genes. The role of small non-coding RNAs in the regulation of primordial germ cell (PGC) development remains largely unknown and poorly investigated, even though growing interests for the importance of miRNAs involved in a wide variety of biological processes. Here, we reported the role and mechanism of the germ plasm-specific miRNA miR-202-5p in PGC migration: (i) both maternal loss and knockdown of miR-202-5p impaired PGC migration indicated by the mislocalization and reduced number of PGCs; (ii) cdc42se1 was a direct target gene of miR-202-5p, and overexpression of Cdc42se1 in PGCs caused PGC migration defects similar to those observed in loss of miR-202-5p mutants; (iii) Cdc42se1 not only interacted with Cdc42 but also inhibited cdc42 transcription, and overexpression of Cdc42 could rescue PGC migration defects in Cdc42se1 overexpressed embryos. Thus, miR-202-5p regulates PGC migration by directly targeting and repressing Cdc42se1 to protect the expression of Cdc42, which interacts with actin to direct PGC migration.
A rare case of FR I interaction with a hot X-ray bridge in the A2384 galaxy cluster
Authors: Parekh V , Laganá T F , Thorat K , Heyden K van der , Iqbal A , Durret F
Published: October 2019

Clusters of varying mass ratios can merge and the process significantly disturbs the cluster environments and alters their global properties. Active radio galaxies are another phenomenon that can also affect cluster environments. Radio jets can interact with the intra-cluster medium (ICM) and locally affect its properties. Abell 2384 (hereafter A2384) is a unique system that has a dense, hot X-ray filament or bridge connecting the two unequal mass clusters A2384(N) and A2384(S). The analysis of its morphology suggests that A2384 is a post-merger system where A2384(S) has already interacted with the A2384(N), and as a result hot gas has been stripped over a ∼1 Mpc region between the two bodies. We have obtained its 325 MHz GMRT data, and we detected a peculiar FR I type radio galaxy which is a part of the A2384(S). One of its radio lobes interacts with the hot X-ray bridge and pushes the hot gas in the opposite direction. This results in displacement in the bridge close to A2384(S). Based on Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observations, we notice a temperature and entropy enhancement at the radio lobe-X-ray plasma interaction site, which further suggests that the radio lobe is changing thermal plasma properties. We have also studied the radio properties of the FR I radio galaxy, and found that the size and radio luminosity of the interacting north lobe of the FR I galaxy are lower than those of the accompanying south lobe.
uGMRT search for cold gas at z ∼ 1–1.4 towards red quasars
Authors: Dutta R , Raghunathan S , Gupta N , Joshi R
Published: October 2019

We present results from our search for H i 21-cm and OH 18-cm absorption at z ∼ 1–1.4 towards red quasars showing strong Mg ii absorption using upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. The quasars J1501 + 1822 and J1521 + 5508 show multiple strong associated Mg ii absorption at z ∼ 1.1 and signature of reddening in their optical spectra. We report the detection of H i 21-cm absorption towards J1521 + 5508 at the systemic redshift of the quasar, with $N(\rm{H\,{\small I}}$) = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 1020 cm−2 for spin temperature of 100 K and unit covering factor. The H i 21-cm absorption is offset from the blueshifted strong Mg ii absorbers by ≳1500 km s−1. We do not detect H i 21-cm absorption at the redshift of the associated Mg ii absorption and at the systemic redshift towards J1501 + 1822. We argue that lack of one-to-one correspondence between Mg ii and H i 21-cm absorption could be related with clumpiness of the neutral gas and the radio and optical sightlines probing different volume of the gas. We find that the presence of strong associated Mg ii absorption and reddening in the optical spectra of the quasars lead to an increased detection rate of associated H i 21-cm absorption at z ≥1. We also report non-detection of intervening OH absorption ([OH]/[H i] ≤ (1–4)× 10−8) at z  = 1.3 towards two red quasars, J0850 + 5159 and J0852 + 3435, which show strong metal and H i 21-cm absorption and the 2175 Å dust extinction bump.
Detecting gravitational self-lensing from stellar-mass binaries composed of black holes or neutron stars
Authors: D’Orazio Daniel J , Stefano Rosanne Di
Published: October 2019

We explore a unique electromagnetic signature of stellar-mass compact-object binaries long before they are detectable in gravitational waves. We show that gravitational lensing of light emitting components of a compact-object binary, by the other binary component, could be detectable in the nearby Universe. This periodic lensing signature could be detected from present and future X-ray observations, identifying the progenitors of binaries that merge in the LIGO band, and also unveiling populations that do not merge, thus providing a tracer of the compact-object binary population in an enigmatic portion of its life. We argue that periodically repeating lensing flares could be observed for ≲100 ks orbital-period binaries with the future Lynx X-ray mission, possibly concurrent with gravitational wave emission in the LISA band. Binaries with longer orbital periods could be more common and be detectable as single lensing flares, though with reliance on a model for the flare that can be tested by observations of succeeding flares. Non-detection of such events, even with existing X-ray observations, will help to constrain the population of EM bright compact-object binaries.
Targeted PMP22 TATA-box editing by CRISPR/Cas9 reduces demyelinating neuropathy of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A in mice
Authors: Lee Ji-Su , Lee Jae Y , Song Dong W , Bae Hee S , Doo Hyun M , Yu Ho S , Lee Kyu J , Kim Hee K , Hwang Hyun , Kwak Geon , Kim Daesik , Kim Seokjoong , Hong Young B , Lee Jung M , Choi Byung-Ok
Published: October 2019

Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A (CMT1A) is the most common inherited neuropathy without a known therapy, which is caused by a 1.4 Mb duplication on human chromosome 17, which includes the gene encoding the peripheral myelin protein of 22 kDa (PMP22). Overexpressed PMP22 protein from its gene duplication is thought to cause demyelination and subsequently axonal degeneration in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Here, we targeted TATA-box of human PMP22 promoter to normalize overexpressed PMP22 level in C22 mice, a mouse model of CMT1A harboring multiple copies of human PMP22. Direct local intraneural delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 designed to target TATA-box of PMP22 before the onset of disease, downregulates gene expression of PMP22 and preserves both myelin and axons. Notably, the same approach was effective in partial rescue of demyelination even after the onset of disease. Collectively, our data present a proof-of-concept that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeting of TATA-box can be utilized to treat CMT1A.
Determining the unmet needs of patients with intracranial meningioma—a qualitative assessment
Authors: Baba Ami , McCradden Melissa D , Rabski Jessica , Cusimano Michael D
Published: October 2019

Background

Meningiomas are the most common primary benign brain neoplasms, but despite their commonality, the supportive needs of this patient population have been overlooked. The aim of this study is to identify unmet needs of meningioma patients, caregivers, and health care providers.

Methods

We adopted a patient-centered approach by using qualitative interviewing with patients diagnosed with a meningioma who have undergone treatment in the last 10 years since the date of their interview. Informal caregivers (family and/or friends) of the patient population and health care providers who are normally involved in the management and care of meningioma patients were also interviewed. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis.

Results

Of the 50 participants interviewed, there were 30 patients, 12 caregivers, and 8 health care professionals. Thematic analysis revealed 4 overarching themes: (1) access to targeted postoperative care, (2) financial struggles for patients and their families, (3) lack of information specific to meningiomas and postsurgical management, and (4) lack of psychosocial support.

Conclusion

This study identified supportive needs specific to the meningioma patient population, which predominantly falls within the postoperative phase. The postoperative journey of this patient population could potentially extend to the rest of the patient’s life, which necessitates resources and information directed to support postoperative recovery and management. The development of directly relevant supportive resources that support meningioma patients in their postoperative recovery is necessary to improve the health-related quality of life in this patient population.