bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High temperature corrosion of Fe‐6 wt% Si steel in various atmospheres
Authors: Švábenská Eva , Roupcová Pavla , Vondráček Martin , Lashin Abdel R. , Schneeweis Oldřich
Published: November 2018

Corrosion of Fe‐6Si steel during heat treatment at 500 and 700 °C in air, argon, and vacuum was studied. Phase and structure analysis were carried out using Mössbauer spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Glow discharge optical emission spectrometry, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Measurement of magnetic hysteresis loops were used to follow changes in magnetic properties. Structure and phase composition of surface layers change in dependence on annealing conditions. Besides the content of hematite, magnetite, and fayalite an increase in silicon content at the surface was detected namely after annealing at 700 °C. Our results show that good magnetic properties of the studied Fe‐6 wt% Si steel are not deteriorated substantially by annealing at 500 and 700 °C in air, argon, and vacuum. Therefore this steel can be applied in magnetic circuits working at high temperatures.
VMAT and IMRT plan‐specific correction factors for linac‐based ionization chamber dosimetry
Authors: Desai Vimal K. , Labby Zacariah E. , Hyun Megan A. , DeWerd Larry A. , Culberson Wesley S.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The determination of absorbed dose to water from external beam radiotherapy using radiation detectors is currently rooted in calibration protocols that do not account for modulations encountered in patient‐specific deliveries. Detector response in composite clinical fields has not been extensively studied due to the time and effort required to determine these corrections on a case‐by‐case basis. To help bridge this gap in knowledge, corrections for the Exradin A1SL scanning chamber were determined in a large number of composite clinical fields using Monte Carlo methods. The chamber‐specific perturbations that contribute the most to the overall correction factor were also determined.

Methods

A total of 131 patient deliveries comprised of 834 beams from a Varian C‐arm linear accelerator were converted to EGSnrc Monte Carlo inputs. A validated BEAMnrc 21EX linear accelerator model was used as a particle source throughout the EGSnrc simulations. Composite field dose distributions were compared against a commercial treatment planning system for validation. The simulation geometry consisted of a cylindrically symmetric water‐equivalent phantom with the Exradin A1SL scanning chamber embedded inside. Various chamber perturbation factors were investigated in the egs_chamber user code of EGSnrc and were compared to reference field conditions to determine the plan‐specific correction factor.

Results

The simulation results indicated that the Exradin A1SL scanning chamber is suitable to use as an absolute dosimeter within a high‐dose and low‐gradient target region in most nonstandard composite fields; however, there are still individual cases that require larger delivery‐specific corrections. The volume averaging and replacement perturbations showed the largest impact on the overall plan‐specific correction factor for the Exradin A1SL scanning chamber, and both volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and step‐and‐shoot beams demonstrated similar correction factor magnitudes among the data investigated. Total correction magnitudes greater than 2% were required by 9.1% of step‐and‐shoot beams and 14.5% of VMAT beams. When examining full composite plan deliveries as opposed to individual beams, 0.0% of composite step‐and‐shoot plans and 2.6% of composite VMAT plans required correction magnitudes greater than 2%.

Conclusions

The A1SL scanning chamber was found to be suitable to use for absolute dosimetry in high‐dose and low‐gradient dose regions of composite IMRT plans but even if a composite dose distribution is large compared to the detector used, a correction‐free absorbed dose‐to‐water measurement is not guaranteed.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Ligand‐Free Suzuki–Miyaura Reaction of Aryl Fluorosulfates and Various Arylboron Compounds
Authors: Li Xinmin , Zhang Hang , Feng Fangfang , Hu Qinghong , Yuan Zeli
Published: November 2018

A practical and efficient protocol for the synthesis of biaryl products in good yields by a ligand‐free palladium catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of aryl fluorosulfates and various arylboron compounds has been developed. Moreover, we report a one‐pot tandem method for conversion of phenol derivatives to aryl fluorosulfates, and subsequent cross‐coupling to form biaryls.
Tunable P‐Stereogenic P,N‐Phosphine Ligands Design: Synthesis and Coordination Chemistry to Palladium
Authors: Lemouzy Sébastien , Jean Marion , Deplante Fabien , Albalat Muriel , Hérault Damien , Buono Gérard
Published: November 2018

The synthesis of P,N heterobidentate phosphine / palladium complexes has been realized from P‐stereogenic enantiopure ligands. Five, six or seven membered ring complexes have been fully characterized, notably by X‐ray diffraction, allowing the study of the chelation to a “palladium (II) dichloride” unit. The nature of nitrogen coordination site as well as the size of the ring modify the bite‐angle at the solid state.
The Enhanced Catalytic Performance and Stability of Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Supported Nano‐Gold with High Structural Integrity for Glycerol Oxidation
Authors: Murthy Palle R. , Selvam Parasuraman
Published: November 2018

Ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) supported gold nanoparticles of size 3–4 nm having uniform dispersion were synthesized by sol‐immobilization method. OMCs such as CMK‐3 and NCCR‐56 with high surface area and uniform pore size were obtained, respectively, using ordered mesoporous silicas such as SBA‐15 and IITM‐56 as hard templates, respectively. The resulting OMC supported monodispersed nano‐gold, i. e., Au/CMK‐3 and Au/NCCR‐56, exhibited excellent performance as mild‐oxidizing catalysts for oxidation of glycerol with high hydrothermal stability. Further, unlike activated carbon supported nano‐gold catalysts (Au/AC), the OMC supported nano‐gold catalysts, i. e., Au/CMK‐3 and Au/NCCR‐56, show no aggregation of active species even after recycling. Thus, in the case of Au/CMK‐3 and Au/NCCR‐56, both the fresh and regenerated catalysts showed excellent performane for the chosen reaction owing to an enhanced textural integrity of the catalysts and that with remarkable selectivity towards glyceric acid. The significance of the OMC supports in maintaining the dispersion of gold nanoparticles is explicit from this study, and that the activity of Au/AC catalyst is considerably decreased (∼50 %) upon recycling as a result of agglomeration of the active gold nanoparticles over the disordered amorphous carbon matrix.
Echogenicity of puborectalis muscle, cervix and vastus lateralis muscle in pregnancy in relation to mode of delivery
Authors: Van de Waarsenburg M. K. , Withagen M. I. J. , van den Noort F. , Schagen van Leeuwen J. H. , van der Vaart C. H.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To confirm our previous observation that levator hiatal dimensions and mean echogenicity of the puborectalis muscle (MEP) are significantly different at 12 weeks' gestation in women who delivered by Cesarean section due to failure to progress compared with those who delivered vaginally. The secondary objective was to assess the association between the echogenicity of the cervix and vastus lateralis muscle and mode of delivery.

Methods

In this prospective multicenter study, 306 nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy underwent ultrasound assessments of the pelvic floor at rest, on maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction and on maximum Valsalva maneuver, of the cervix and of the vastus lateralis muscle at 12 weeks' gestation. Dimensions of the levator hiatus, MEP and mean echogenicity of the cervix and vastus lateralis muscle were measured and compared according to mode of delivery.

Results

Two hundred and forty‐nine women were included in the analyses. We were unable to confirm our previous finding that MEP and levator hiatal transverse diameter and area at 12 weeks' gestation are associated significantly with mode of delivery. In addition, we could not demonstrate a significant association between echogenicity of the cervix or vastus lateralis muscle and mode of delivery. Overall, MEP was a mean of 20 points lower in women in the new database as compared with the previous study, despite the use of the same ultrasound equipment.

Conclusion

In a second, independent multicenter dataset, we were unable to confirm our previous finding that levator hiatal dimensions and MEP on pelvic floor muscle contraction are associated significantly with mode of delivery. We also found no association between echogenicity of the cervix or vastus lateralis and mode of delivery. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Cross‐Border Reproductive Care: Two Lenses in Political Science
Authors: Stapleton Patricia , Skinner Daniel
Published: November 2018

Cross‐border reproductive care (CBRC)—when patients travel outside their country to seek assisted reproductive services—is a booming industry. Globalization facilitates the increase in CBRC by reducing transportation costs, removing language barriers, and liberalizing the reproductive services market. Yet global and domestic regulatory responses are failing to keep pace, raising ethical, economic, political, and social issues. Political science has been slow to contribute to our understanding of CBRC politics and policies. This article first establishes the gap in existing CBRC research, before presenting how political scientists can respond in two specific areas: 1) the role of globalization health governance in relation to CBRC and 2) the political implications and potentials of “medical necessity” in shaping patient motivations for seeking—as well as their ultimate access to—CBRC. New research in these areas will aid policymakers in recognizing the context in which they must develop CBRC regulations.
Why Women from the West are Joining ISIS
Authors: Perešin Anita
Published: November 2018

More than 550 Western women have moved to Syria and Iraq to join the “Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria” (ISIS), showing a success of ISIS in attracting women from the West that no
other jihadist group had before. To explain the reasons for such success, it is important to
understand how ISIS lures women from the West, why ISIS persuasion tools are so successful,
what motivates women to join such a notorious terrorist group, famous for its brutal
violence, mistreatment and enslavement of women and what role women expected to play in the
“Islamic State.” Understanding the motives why ISIS Western female migrants left their
Western countries of residence and moved to ISIS-controlled territories is crucial to find
appropriate measures to prevent and stop the radicalization of women, to cut the support
that ISIS receives from its female sympathizers, to properly treat female returnees and to
prepare appropriate measures against women ready to plot against their countries of
residence in the name of ISIS goals.
2185 The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells
Authors: Cooper Paula , Wang Hsing-Hui , Broman Meaghan , Goossens Emery , Kaimakliotis Hristos , Crist Scott , Atallah Nadia , Kazemian Majid , Elzey Bennett , Cheng Liang , Ratliff Timothy L.
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The primary goal of this project is to verify findings from a murine prostatitis model in the human setting. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Methods include primary cell isolation and culture, FACS, adoptive transfer, 3D cell culture, histology, immunofluorescence, xenograft, and tissue recombination. The study population includes patients undergoing HoLEP or radical prostatectomy due to hyperplasia or adjacent bladder or prostate cancer. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Having verified similar sensitivities to androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors between naive murine and human basal prostate stem cells, we anticipate that autoimmune inflammation in humans affects the response of basal prostate stem cells in a manner similar to the murine setting as well. This includes increased proliferation, increased differentiation, and decreased response to AR inhibitors. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The identification of survival mechanisms used by basal prostate stem cells in an androgen deprived environment may give insight to the process by which prostate cancer becomes androgen independent. The effect of inflammation on proliferation, survival, and AR signaling in these cells may also provide information relevant to cancer initiation and progression.
2287 ECG and echo characteristics in familial partial lipodystrophy: The impact of Lamin A variants
Authors: Eldin Abdelwahab J. , Meral Rasimcan , Neidert Adam H. , Rus Diana , Hench Rita , Oral Hakan , Oral Elif A.
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is an inherited, rare syndrome characterized by selective absence of adipose tissue from extremities which is associated with severe insulin resistance, and metabolic dyslipidemia (with hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL) Typically, 30%–50% of patients with FPLD demonstrate a pathogenic variant in Lamin A (LMNA) gene that is associated with inherited cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia syndromes. We inquired the prevalence of having abnormal ECGs and echocardiograms in FPLD and whether there is a difference in evaluated parameters with respect to genotype. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We conducted a retrospective review of an established a cohort of 58 patients (age range: 12–71, M/F 8/50) with FPLD. Demographic characteristics, genotype, fasting triglyceride, hemoglobin A1c, LDL, and HDL levels were collected; ECGs and echocardiograms were also interrogated. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Out of 58 patients, 22 (38 %) displayed a pathogenic variant in the LMNA gene. In total, 71% of patients (41/58) had an abnormal ECG and echocardiogram; 40% (23/58) of the patients displayed an arrhythmia on the ECGs (13 in the patients with LMNA variants and 10 in the non-LMNA group). The likelihood of having an arrhythmia was significantly higher in the patients with LMNA variants versus those without (odds ratio of 3.4, CI: 1.1–10.6). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The overall prevalence of abnormal ECHO and/or ECG is high at 45/58 (78 %) in FPLD. Patients with LMNA variants have a 3.4 times increased risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias compared to those without. We recommend vigilant, monitoring for cardiac disease in FPLD and for arrhythmias in patients with FPLD and LMNA variants.
2495 Respiratory therapists’ awareness and intention to use the electronic modified early warning score (eMEWS)
Authors: Mussa Constance , Al-Raimi Afnan
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To determine if an educational intervention designed to increase respiratory therapists’ knowledge of the modified early warning score (MEWS) would influence their intention to use the MEWS. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A web-based self-administered survey based on the constructs of the TAM as well as awareness, attitude, and job-relevance was developed and validated using traditional scale development process and distributed to 75 respiratory therapists (RTs) from the respiratory care department of Rush University Medical Center. RTs were recruited for participation in the study using consecutive sampling. The RTs were then given a training session on the MEWS after which they were again asked to complete the survey. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The response rate to both the pre and post survey was 60 percent. Of the 46 participants recruited to the study, the educational intervention elicited an increase in the MEWS knowledge score in 45 participants compared with the knowledge score prior to the educational intervention. Additionally, there was an increase in the behavioral intention score post intervention in 30 participants compared with the behavioral intention score before the educational intervention. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test determined that there was a statistically significant median increase in MEWS knowledge score (2.0) post educational intervention (4.0) compared with pre-educational intervention (2.0), p<0.0005. There was also a statistically significant median increase in behavioral intention score (0.667) pre-educational intervention (4.0) compared with posteducational intervention (3.0), p<0.0005. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Numerous studies over the last 4 decades have demonstrated that change in behavioral intention is a good predictor of change in behavior. Consequently, the increase in the respiratory therapists’ behavioral intention score post MEWS education suggests that they may be more inclined to incorporate the MEWS score in their assessment of patients if they are educated about its clinical relevance. Additionally, the study results verified key postulates of the TAM, suggesting that the TAM is an appropriate model for assessing respiratory therapists’ perception and reaction to new systems, and may also help respiratory care managers develop new mechanisms that facilitate respiratory therapists’ adoption of new systems and processes.
2530 Relationship between preexisting pain and completion of a community-based wellness program
Authors: Young Chantay , Zhao Sifang , Weddle Tash , Jones Sarah , Velez-Edwards Digna , Hartmann Katherine
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: New Beginnings is a 12-week community-based behavioral intervention for improving health, strength, and wellness through a holistic approach to coaching that supports lifestyle change. The program serves predominantly low-income, minority women. Given the substantial focus on exercise, including resistance training, we aimed to test whether pain at baseline is associated with program completion in a prospective cohort. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: At the entry of the New Beginnings program, women completed a survey that included a body map of sites at which they experienced pain for most days in the prior week. Using logistic regression, we independently tested the association between presence of pain, the total number of pain sites, and grouped location of pain with program completion, assessing the following a priori candidate confounders: age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and income. We also tested for interaction of pain and age in influencing completion. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of participants, 185 of 247, completed the program. They had an average age of 44.2±11.7 years, weight of 244.5±115.4 pounds, and BMI of 41.3±18.2. Fifty-seven percent were African American and 3% were Hispanic. The majority reported preexisting pain (83%), with an average of 3.4±2.7 pain sites. Completers and non-completers did not differ by the total number of pain sites (p=0.2). Having preexisting pain compared to no pain [odds ratio (OR)=1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5–3.4] and to the number of pain sites (OR=1.0; 95% CI: 0.9–1.1) did not influence program completion after adjusting for the sole confounder, which was age. Likewise, we observed no association between limb/joint pain (OR=1.1; 95% CI: 0.6–2.1) or back pain (OR=0.9; 95% CI: 0.5–1.6) with program completion. The association of pain with completion was not modified by age. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: While pain is believed to be a barrier to improving fitness, preexisting pain may not be a strong predictor of completing a holistic lifestyle intervention with a substantial exercise component. Rather, women’s commitment to making a healthy lifestyle change may result in program completion irrespective of preexisting pain. Addressing and accommodating pain-related modifications to exercise interventions promise to be more effective than excluding those with pain from participation.
2187 The role of community in an evolving community-university pilot award program
Authors: Wiehe Sarah , Claxton Gina E. M. , Staten Lisa , Alley Ann , Beers Eric , Lipscomb Elaine
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To fulfill the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute’s (Indiana CTSI) Community Health Partnerships’ (CHeP) mission of improving the health of Indiana residents through community-university partnerships, CHeP engaged with community partners to develop and implement a pilot award program for community-based participatory research, the Trailblazer Award (TA). The objective is to describe the engagement processes throughout the pilot program timeline and as the pilot program evolved over the 6-year period since the program started. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Though a process of engagement with community stakeholders, we assessed the process for each year of the TA, noting what changes occurred and how they occurred. Engagement for the TA process occurred during the following phases: RFA development, review, active project support, dissemination of project results, and project/partnership follow-up. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: During the RFA development phase, we decided to focus the award on health equity for 5 years; and we implemented structural changes to encourage new partnerships in underrepresented and rural areas. During the review phase, we incorporated both community and university reviewers and co-moderators. To increase capacity among our reviewer pool, we offered webinars and repeated opportunities to serve as reviewers. During the project support phase, we added the following: community-based CITI training; opportunities for networking with peer awardee teams; and community and academic co-led sessions on addressing recruitment barriers, grant writing, and dissemination to a community audiences. Through our active engagement of the CHeP Advisory Board, one Board member (from Indiana State Department of Health) leveraged matching funds for the TA, effectively doubling the number of projects supported each year. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Whereas previous work has reported on engagement during the review process of pilot award applications, we discuss ways to extend engagement to include other aspects of a pilot program both before and after the review process. In our process, several key partners offered insightful changes that have resulted in a more engaged program.
2302 Impacts of postnatal nest change on early development
Authors: Francis Antonia P. , Kuznetsova Anna , Martinez Keith , Dominguez-Bello Maria Gloria
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: It has been reported that birth mode affects development, with cesarean section born mice gaining more body weight during development. Since mice C-sections involve fostering and nest change, we sought to determine whether changing only the nest and cage would have an effect on development. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A total of 53 mice were born to 9 dams, and 21 babies (4 litters) were exchanged in pairs to foreign cages and nests. Litters were followed for body weight and mothers were observed during periods for maternal and nonmaternal behaviors. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The results show that average body weight was significantly higher in the experimental group in both genders, with 20% higher body weights at weaning. The mothers from the litters that were changed to a new nest showed significantly more non-maternal behavior in the first 2 days if life, than the controls. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The results suggest that changes in maternal behavior may be linked to the increased weight gain in their babies.
Influence of follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations on the integrity and development of bovine follicles cultured in vitro
Authors: Bizarro-Silva C. , Santos M.M. , Gerez J.R. , González S.M. , Lisboa L.A. , Seneda M.M.
Published: November 2018

This study investigated the in vitro culture of bovine follicles included in ovarian tissue for 2 or 6 days (D2 or D6), with the addition of different concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (0, 10, 50, 100 or 200 ng/ml). Data were compared for follicular development, morphological integrity and diameter of follicles and oocytes. Ovaries (n = 10) from Nelore cows (n = 5) were divided into fragments (n = 11 per ovary) and were immediately fixed in Bouin’s solution (D0) or were individually cultured for 2 or 6 days in one of the described concentrations of FSH and then processed for histology. Compared with the rates of follicular development at D2 for minimal essential medium (MEM) (75.0%) and 50 ng/ml of FSH (71.1%), the best rates of follicular development at D2 were obtained with 10 (84.7%), 100 (87.5%) and 200 ng/ml of FSH (85.0%; P<0.05). After 6 days of cultivation, there were no differences among treatments regarding follicular growth. The morphological integrity of preantral follicles was better maintained by 100 ng/ml FSH for 2 and 6 days of cultivation (51.2 and 40.4%, respectively; P<0.05) than that for MEM (D2: 30.9%, D6: 20.8%), 10 (D2: 39.2%, D6: 22.8%), 50 (D2: 30.4%, D6: 28.8%) and 200 ng/ml FSH (D2: 45.2%, D6: 36.8%). FSH at 100 ng/ml provided the highest mean diameter averages: 34.5±10.8 µm at D2 and 33.2±12.5 µm at D6 (P<0.05). We concluded that the medium supplemented with 100 ng/ml FSH during in vitro culture provided appropriate conditions for the development and morphological integrity of preantral follicles in cattle.
Systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of the efficacy, safety, and biological effects of psychostimulants and atomoxetine in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
Authors: Solmi Marco , Fornaro Michele , Toyoshima Kuniyoshi , Carvalho Andrè F. , Köhler Cristiano A. , Veronese Nicola , Stubbs Brendon , de Bartolomeis Andrea , Correll Christoph U.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Our aim was to summarize the efficacy and safety of atomoxetine, amphetamines, and methylphenidate in schizophrenia.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review, searching PubMed/Scopus/Clinicaltrials.gov for double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of psychostimulants or atomoxetine in schizophrenia published up to 1 January 2017. A meta-analysis of outcomes reported in two or more studies is presented.

Results

We included 22 studies investigating therapeutic effects of stimulants (k=14) or measuring symptomatic worsening/relapse prediction after stimulant challenge (k=6). Six studies of these two groups plus one additional study investigated biological effects of psychostimulants or atomoxetine. No effect resulted from interventional studies on weight loss (k=1), smoking cessation (k=1), and positive symptoms (k=12), and no improvement was reported with atomoxetine (k=3) for negative symptoms, with equivocal findings for negative (k=6) and mood symptoms (k=2) with amphetamines. Attention, processing speed, working memory, problem solving, and executive functions, among others, showed from no to some improvement with atomoxetine (k=3) or amphetamines (k=6). Meta-analysis did not confirm any effect of stimulants in any symptom domain, including negative symptoms, apart from atomoxetine improving problem solving (k=2, standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.73, 95% CI=0.10–1.36,p=0.02, I2=0%), and trending toward significant improvement in executive functions with amphetamines (k=2, SMD=0.80, 95% CI=−1.68 to +0.08,p=0.08, I2=66%). In challenge studies, amphetamines (k=1) did not worsen symptoms, and methylphenidate (k=5) consistently worsened or predicted relapse. Biological effects of atomoxetine (k=1) and amphetamines (k=1) were cortical activation, without change in β-endorphin (k=1), improved response to antipsychotics after amphetamine challenge (k=2), and an increase of growth hormone–mediated psychosis with methylphenidate (k=2). No major side effects were reported (k=6).

Conclusions

No efficacy for stimulants or atomoxetine on negative symptoms is proven. Atomoxetine or amphetamines may improve cognitive symptoms, while methylphenidate should be avoided in patients with schizophrenia. Insufficient evidence is available to draw firm conclusions.
Production Effect in Adults With ADHD With and Without Methylphenidate (MPH): Vocalization Improves Verbal Learning
Authors: Mama Yaniv , Icht Michal
Published: November 2018

Objectives: Reading aloud (vocal production) enhances memory relative to reading silently, the Production Effect (PE) in memory. Thus, vocalization has been suggested as a mnemonic device. The current study tested the PE in a sample of adults with ADHD and in a control sample, evaluating verbal learning. Methods: Twenty adults with ADHD and 21 controls learned a list of words, half by reading aloud and half by reading silently. Free recall test followed. The participants with ADHD performed the task twice (in two different sessions in a counterbalanced order), before self-administration of a single dose of methylphenidate (MPH) and 60-min after dosage. Results: PEs were found for all groups. Memory was better for the controls than for the ADHD group (with or without MPH). In the ADHD group, recall rates and the PE were higher with than without MPH. Conclusions: These results suggest that vocalization yields a larger memory gain with MPH. Possibly, MPH enables the ADHD participants to better shift their attention to the aloud words, enhancing their retrieval rates. Theoretically, these findings stress the role of attention in the PE. (JINS, 2019, 25, 230–235)
Universal Principle of Right: Metaphysics, Politics, and Conflict Resolutions
Authors: Baiasu Sorin
Published: November 2018

In spite of its dominance, there are well-known problems with Rawls’s method of reflective equilibrium (MRE), as a method of justification in meta-ethics. One issue in particular has preoccupied commentators, namely, the capacity of this method to provide a convincing account of the objectivity of our moral beliefs. Call this the Lack-of-Objectivity Charge. One aim of this article is to examine the charge within the context of Rawls’s later philosophy, and I claim that the lack-of-objectivity charge remains unanswered. A second aim of this article is to examine the extent to which, despite Rawls’s express intention to avoid reliance on Kant’s moral philosophy, supplementing Rawls’s political constructivism with some Kantian elements, in particular Kant’s idea of a universal principle of right, not only addresses some of the issues raised by the lack-of-objectivity charge, but also does so without compromising the ability of the Rawlsian account to accommodate the pluralism of conceptions of the good, which he takes to be a fact of modern democracies. I argue for a revised justificatory methodology, which combines Rawls’s MRE and Kant’s Critical Method.
EST-SSR development for Digitaria exilis and its relatives D. iburua and D. longiflora from transcriptome sequences
Authors: Olodo Katina F. , Gueye Mame C. , Calatayud Caroline , Diop Baye M. , Kane Ndjido A. , Ngom Ablaye , Ntui Valentine O. , Barreto Marie-Madeleine S. , Uyoh Edak A. , Abraham Salomon , Vigouroux Yves , Billot Claire , Barnaud Adeline
Published: November 2018

Digitaria exilis is an important indigenous cereal in West Africa. The first fonio reference transcriptome was released and became a key tool for developing new molecular markers contributing to a better understanding of its genetic diversity. A total of 126 new putative primer pairs were successfully designed in 37,327 unigenes from the D. exilis transcriptome. Thirty-seven primer pairs were randomly selected and tested for their ability to cross-amplify to related species. Clear amplification patterns were observed on 24 primer pairs. Of these, 71, 74 and 35% showed polymorphism in three species: D. exilis, D. longiflora and D. iburua. The transferability from D. exilis was 96% to D. longiflora and 71% to D. iburua. The new SSR markers confirmed the close genetic proximity of D. exilis with D. longiflora and its stronger genetic difference of D. exilis from D. iburua. These markers will be valuable for completing future knowledge on Digitaria evolutionary history, and for testing gene flows between related species.
Design, fabrication, and test of a novel broadband dual-polarized microstrip antenna for WLAN applications
Authors: Karimipour Majid , Aryanian Iman
Published: November 2018

A dual-polarized dual-layer wideband microstrip antenna is presented. Dual orthogonal linear polarization and enhanced isolation between two ports are achieved by employing two radiating patches perpendicular to each other and printed on two separate substrates. Broadband behavior of the antenna is realized by using two wideband double-sided printed strip dipole and angular ring as radiating patches along with wideband baluns as feeding system. The patches are connected to baluns with two separate twin-lead transmission lines. Moreover, to improve the impedance bandwidth of the strip dipole significantly, a diamond-shape parasitic patch is artily incorporated into the top side of the upper layer of the antenna. The proposed antenna can easily be employed in large-scale arrays thanks to the feeding system of the patches. A prototype is fabricated to verify the simulation results where the measurement results show the −10 dB impedance bandwidths of 40% (4.3–6.5 GHz) and 43% (4.2–6.5 GHz) at port #1 and port #2, respectively. Besides, the isolation between two ports and the radiation gain are obtained around 35 dB and 9 dBi, respectively, which are useful for WLAN applications.
Enormous Impact Crater Spotted in Greenland Under Glacial Ice
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: November 2018

Ice-penetrating radar revealed a 31-kilometer impact crater—one of the world’s largest—in northwestern Greenland that might have been formed fewer than 20,000 years ago.
Clonality and non-linearity drive facultative-cooperation allele diversity
Authors: Ben-Zion Ishay , Pollak Shaul , Eldar Avigdor
Published: November 2018

Kin discrimination describes the differential interaction of organisms with kin versus non-kin. In microorganisms, many genetic loci act as effective kin-discrimination systems, such as kin-directed help and non-kin-directed harm. Another important example is facultative cooperation, where cooperators increase their investment in group-directed cooperation with the abundance of their kin in the group. Many of these kin-discrimination loci are highly diversified, yet it remains unclear what evolutionary mechanisms maintain this diversity, and how it is affected by population structure. Here, we demonstrate the unique dependence of kin-discriminative interactions on population structure, and how this could explain facultative-cooperation allele-diversity. We show mathematically that low relatedness between microbes in non-clonal social groups is needed to maintain the diversity of facultative-cooperation alleles, while high clonality is needed to stabilize this diversity against cheating. Interestingly, we demonstrate with simulations that such population structure occurs naturally in expanding microbial colonies. Finally, analysis of experimental data of quorum-sensing mediated facultative cooperation, in Bacillus subtilis, demonstrates the relevance of our results to realistic microbial interactions, due to their intrinsic non-linear frequency dependence. Our analysis therefore stresses the impact of clonality on the interplay between exploitation and kin discrimination and portrays a way for the evolution of facultative cooperation.
Survival of midbrain dopamine neurons depends on the Bcl2 factor Mcl1
Authors: Robinson Edward J. , Aguiar Sebastian P. , Kouwenhoven Willemieke M. , Starmans Dorinde S. , von Oerthel Lars , Smidt Marten P. , van der Heide Lars P.
Published: November 2018

Mitochondria-dependent apoptosis plays an important role in the embryonic development of the midbrain dopaminergic system as well as in Parkinson’s disease. Central to mitochondria-dependent apoptosis is the Bcl2 family of apoptosis-regulating proteins. However, it was unclear which Bcl2 proteins are important for the survival of dopaminergic neurons. Here, we identify Mcl1 as a critical Bcl2 pro-survival factor in midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Using a chemical biology approach to inhibit various components of the apoptotic machinery in the dopaminergic MN9D cell line or the control neuroblastoma N2A cell line, we find that functional inhibition of Mcl1 with the high affinity small molecule inhibitor UMI-77 results in a rapid and dose-dependent loss of viability, selectively in dopaminergic cells. In-depth analysis of the apoptotic signaling pathway reveals that chemical inhibition of Mcl1 results in the activation of Bax, activation of cleaved caspase-3 and finally cell death. The dependence of mouse dopaminergic midbrain neurons on Mcl1 was confirmed using ex vivo slice cultures from Pitx3GFP/+ and wildtype mice. In mouse dopaminergic midbrain neurons positive for the midbrain dopaminergic marker Pitx3, or tyrosine hydroxylase, UMI-77 treatment caused a dramatic increase in cleaved caspase 3, indicating that Mcl1 activity is required for basal neuronal survival. Overall, our results suggest that Mcl1 is of critical importance to dopaminergic neurons and is a weak link in the chain controlling cellular survival. Boosting the pro-survival function of Mcl1 should be pursued as a therapeutic approach to augment the resilience of midbrain dopaminergic neurons to apoptotic stress in Parkinson’s disease.
Self–other recognition impairments in individuals with schizophrenia: a new experimental paradigm using a double mirror
Authors: Keromnes Gaelle , Motillon Tom , Coulon Nathalie , Berthoz Alain , Du Boisgueheneuc Foucaud , Wehrmann Moritz , Martin Brice , Thirioux Bérangère , Bonnot Olivier , Ridereau Romain , Bellissant Eric , Drapier Dominique , Levoyer David , Jaafari Nemat , Tordjman Sylvie
Published: November 2018

Clinical observations suggest early self-consciousness disturbances in schizophrenia. A double mirror combining the images of two individuals sitting on each side of the mirror was used to study self–other differentiation in 12 individuals with early onset schizophrenia (EOS) and 15 individuals with adult onset schizophrenia (AOS) compared to 27 typically developing controls (TDC) matched on age and sex. The effects of intermodal sensory perception (visual–tactile and visual–kinesthetic) on self–other recognition were also studied. The results showed that EOS and AOS individuals, independently of age and schizophrenia severity, were centered on their own image compared to TDC, with both significant earlier self-recognition and delayed other-recognition during the visual recognition task. In addition, there was no significant effect of intermodal sensory stimulation on self–other recognition in EOS and AOS patients, whereas self-centered functioning was significantly increased by visual–tactile stimulation and decreased by visual–kinesthetic stimulation in TDC. The findings suggest that self–other recognition impairments might be a possible endophenotypic trait of schizophrenia.
B(C6F5)3-catalyzed Markovnikov addition of indoles to aryl alkynes: an approach toward bis(indolyl)alkanes
Authors: Ling Fei , Xiao Lian , Fang Lu , Feng Cong , Xie Zhen , Lv Yaping , Zhong Weihui
Published: November 2018

The B(C6F5)3-catalyzed Markovnikov addition of indoles to aryl alkynes was achieved, leading to a wide spectrum of versatile bis(indolyl)alkanes in moderate to good yields with high regioselectivities.
Lindqvist polyoxometalates as electrolytes in p-type dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Bakker Tijmen M. A. , Mathew Simon , Reek Joost N. H.
Published: November 2018

The development of new redox couples provides a clear strategy to improve power conversion efficiency (PCE) in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) through enabling improvements in open-circuit voltage (VOC).
Separation and comparison of average torque in five‐phase IPM machines with distributed and fractional slot concentrated windings
Authors: Chen Qian , Liu Guohai , Zhao Wenxiang , Xu Gaohong
Published: November 2018

This study proposes a method to separate average permanent magnet (PM) torque and average reluctance torque of five‐phase interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine based on transient finite element method (FEM). The key of this method is to count total torque as four torque components by considering the saturation and cross‐magnetisation between d–q axes, and every torque components are calculated from d–q axes parameters directly. The parameters in d–q axes reference frame are transformed from ABCDE reference frame via five‐phase Park transformation. Comparing with the existing methods, the proposed method maintains the same accuracy while time saving because d–q axes parameters can be obtained directly by one‐time FEM simulation. Meanwhile, the proposed method is adopted to separate the PM torque and reluctance torque from two five‐phase IPM machines with fractional‐slot concentrated winding (FSCW) and integral‐slot distributed winding (ISDW). Finally, the FEM and experimental results show that the IPM machine with FSCW produces lower reluctance torque ratio than that of IPM machine with ISDW. Besides, the results demonstrate that the flux‐weakening performance connects with characteristic current (ΨPMd/Ldd) strongly.
Permanent magnet vernier machine: a review
Authors: Wu Fan , M. El‐Refaie Ayman
Published: November 2018

Permanent magnet vernier machines (PMVMs) gained a lot of interest over the past couple of decades. This is mainly due to their high torque density enabled by the magnetic gearing effect. This study will provide a thorough review of recent advances in PMVMs. This review will cover the principle of operation and nature of magnetic gearing in PMVMs, and a better understanding of novel PMVM topologies using different winding configuration as well as different modulation poles and rotor structures. Detailed discussions on the choice of gear ratio, slot–pole combinations, design optimisation and role of advanced materials in PMVMs will be presented. This will provide an update on the current state‐of‐the art as well as future areas of research. Furthermore, the power factor issue, fault tolerance as well as cost reduction will be discussed highlighting the gap between the current state‐of‐the art and what is needed in practical applications.
Mixed local motion planning and tracking control framework for autonomous vehicles based on model predictive control
Authors: Yuan Kang , Shu Hong , Huang Yanjun , Zhang Yubiao , Khajepour Amir , Zhang Lin
Published: November 2018

This study proposes a novel mixed motion planning and tracking (MPT) control framework for autonomous vehicles (AVs) based on model predictive control (MPC), which is made up of an MPC‐based longitudinal motion planning module, a feed‐forward longitudinal motion tracking module, and an MPC‐based integrated lateral motion planning and tracking module. First, given the global reference path and the surroundings information obtained from onboard devices and V2X network, the longitudinal motion planning based on a vehicle kinematics model is applied to determine the local target path, the desired longitudinal acceleration, and velocity considering the longitudinal safety priority. Then, based on the planned target path and longitudinal velocity, the integrated lateral MPT module based on a 2 degree‐of‐freedom vehicle model is developed to determine the optimal steering angle while satisfying the multiple kinematics and dynamics constraints. Finally, based on the desired longitudinal acceleration and the steering angle, the longitudinal forces of tires are determined. More importantly, co‐simulations under several typical scenarios between MATLAB/Simulink and CarSim are conducted, and the results demonstrate excellent performance of the proposed mixed framework in both planning and tracking and also its real‐time implementation.
Growth biorhythms in the freshwater pearl musselMargaritifera margaritifera(Bivalvia, Margaritiferidae). Livojoki river population (Karelia)
Authors: Zotin Alexey A. , Murzina Svetlana A. , Ieshko Evgeny P.
Published: November 2018

Individual linear growth rates were studied in freshwater pearl musselsMargaritifera margaritiferafrom the Livojoki River. Growth deceleration coefficients were shown to vary widely and differ significantly among individuals. The average value of the growth deceleration coefficient for the population is 0.060. The growth of mussels in the Livojoki River is accompanied by two regular biorhythms. These biorhythm periods were roughly constant both through an individual's ontogeny and among mussels, their average periods were 7.16 and 4.09 years. We discuss the possibility that these biorhythms are of thermodynamic nature.
Trade-off study of a variation aware determinate wing assembly against a traditional assembly strategy
Authors: Bacharoudis Konstantinos , Bakker Otto Jan , Popov Atanas , Ratchev Svetan
Published: November 2018

The present study introduces a trade-off framework to evaluate assembly concepts to make informed decisions for aircraft wing structures. This includes (1) the design of the assembly concepts and the estimation of the probability of achieving specific Assembly Key Characteristics, (2) the estimation of the associated costs for each assembly concept using technical cost modelling in combination with Monte Carlo simulation techniques to deal with the uncertainty of the input cost and process parameters and (3) the formulation of the decision matrix to assess the alternative concepts. The suggested trade-off concept can easily be expanded to include weight and performance criteria. Results for a 4m generic composite wing indicated that both conventional and determinate assembly can be successfully implemented with high value probabilities to achieve the predetermined assembly key characteristics.
Wing and propeller aerodynamic interaction through nonlinear lifting line theory and blade element momentum theory
Authors: Pavel Hospodář , Jan Klesa , Nikola Žižkovský
Published: November 2018

In this paper a computational methodology of aerodynamic interaction between propeller and wing is described. Presented work is focused on development of quick and accurate tool. Lifting line theory (LLT) with nonlinear airfoil characteristic is used to solve a finite span wing aerodynamic to predict downwash and lift distribution respectively. Blade element momentum theory (BEM) is used as a computational tool for estimating total thrust, torque, axial and tangential velocity distributions. Model of slipstream development is considered. Influence of propeller model to wing is simulated as contribution of higher dynamic pressure and change of angle of attack behind the propeller.
Cascade control algorithm of test bench for studying loadsensing electrohydraulic steering systems
Authors: Mitov Alexander , Kralev Jordan , Angelov Ilcho
Published: November 2018

The paper presents the design and synthesis of a three-loop cascade control system with a digital PI controller intended for installation in a test bench for load-sensing electrohydraulic steering units. The structure and layout of both the hydraulic system and the control system are shown. The cascade control system consists of three controllers for measurable variables: proportional spool valve position, steering velocity and steering cylinder position. The developed control algorithm is embedded into a 32-bit microcontroller for mobile applications. Experimental studies have been carried out to present the performance of the entire electrohydraulic system. The developed control algorithm will serve as a basis for further study of the system with advanced control techniques implementable in low speed mobile machines.