bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermally‐Triggered Crystal Dynamics and Permanent Porosity in the First Heptatungstate‐Metalorganic Three‐Dimensional Hybrid Framework
Authors: Martín‐Caballero Jagoba , Artetxe Beñat , Reinoso Santiago , San Felices Leire , Castillo Oscar , Beobide Garikoitz , Vilas José Luis , Gutiérrez‐Zorrilla Juan M.
Published: August 2017

The hybrid compound [{Cu(cyclam)}3(W7O24)]⋅15.5 H2O (1) (cyclam=1,4,8,11‐tetraaza‐cyclotetradecane) was synthesized by reacting the {Cu(cyclam)}2+ complex with a tungstate source in water at pH 8. Compound 1 exhibits an unprecedented three‐dimensional covalent structure built of heptatungstate clusters linked through metalorganic complexes in a POMOF‐like framework that displays water‐filled channels. This dynamic architecture undergoes two sequential single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformations upon thermal evacuation of water molecules to result in the partially dehydrated [{Cu(cyclam)}3(W7O24)]⋅12 H2O (2) and anhydrous [Cu(cyclam)]0.5[{Cu(cyclam)}2.5(W7O24)] (3) crystalline phases. These transitions are associated with cluster rotations and modifications in the CuII coordination geometries, which reduce the dimensionality of the original lattice to layered systems but preserving the porous nature. Phase 3 reverts to 2 upon exposure to ambient moisture, whereas the transition between 1 and 2 proved to be irreversible. The permanent microporosity of 3 was confirmed by gas sorption measurements (N2, CO2), which reveal a system of parallel channels made of wide cavities connected through narrow necks that limit the adsorption process. This observation is in good agreement with Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations.
Deadlines
Authors: Böck Barbara
Published: August 2017

No abstract.
Structural and functional differences in the barrel cortex of Mecp2 null mice
Authors: Lee Li‐Jen , Tsytsarev Vassiliy , Erzurumlu Reha S.
Published: August 2017

Functional deficits in sensory systems are commonly noted in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as the Rett syndrome (RTT). Defects in methyl CpG binding protein gene (MECP2) largely accounts for RTT. Manipulations of the Mecp2 gene in mice provide useful models to probe into various aspects of brain development associated with the RTT. In this study, we focused on the somatosensory cortical phenotype in the Bird mouse model of RTT. We used voltage‐sensitive dye imaging to evaluate whisker sensory evoked activity in the barrel cortex of mice. We coupled this functional assay with morphological analyses in postnatal mice and investigated the dendritic differentiation of barrel neurons and individual thalamocortical axon (TCA) arbors that synapse with them. We show that in Mecp2‐deficient male mice, whisker‐evoked activity is roughly topographic but weak in the barrel cortex. At the morphological level, we find that TCA arbors fail to develop into discrete, concentrated patches in barrel hollows, and the complexity of the dendritic branches in layer IV spiny stellate neurons is reduced. Collectively, our results indicate significant structural and functional impairments in the barrel cortex of the Bird mouse line, a popular animal model for the RTT. Such structural and functional anomalies in the primary somatosensory cortex may underlie orofacial tactile sensitivity issues and sensorimotor stereotypies characteristic of RTT.
Exploiting GPU memory hierarchy for accelerating a specialized stencil computation
Authors: Balaiah Thanasekhar , Parthasarathi Ranjani
Published: August 2017

Stencil computations are an important class of problems that can benefit from graphics processing units (GPUs). However, given the hierarchical and on‐chip blocked memory organization in GPUs, the memory performance degrades for specific data access patterns in stencils. Hence, we need appropriate data layout to effectively use the different levels of the memory to harvest the full potential of GPUs. In this context, a specialized stencil computation problem, namely, Lattice Boltzmann Method, which has a complex neighborhood relationship along with loop carried dependence, is considered as a strong case study. Four different approaches for the lattice Boltzmann method have been developed in this work by exploiting memory hierarchy with new data layouts and kernel organizations. These methods have been developed with the primary aim of increasing the compute to global memory access ratio and reducing the overall read‐write latency, even at the expense of additional computations. NVIDIA GPUs TitanX, GTX 960, GTX 740Ti, and GTX 650Ti have been used to test the proposed techniques. The compute to global memory access ratio shows an improvement of 2 to 10 times over the naive solutions in this work. The performance, in terms of time taken per iteration, is improved by up to 3.7 times. The million lattice units per second for both 2DQ9 and 3DQ19 models improve by more than 2 times.
Information theoretic‐based detection and removal of slander and/or false‐praise attacks for robust trust management with Dempster‐Shafer combination of linguistic fuzzy terms
Authors: Esposito Christian , Castiglione Aniello , Palmieri Francesco
Published: August 2017

Critical systems are progressively abandoning the traditional isolated and closed architectures, and adopting more federated solutions, in order to deal with orchestrated decision making within large‐scale infrastructures. Such an increasing connectivity and the possibility of dynamically integrate constituents in a seamless manner by means of a decoupling middleware solution are causing the flouring of novel and previously unseen security threats, such as internal attacks conducted by camouflaged and/or compromised federated systems. Trust management is the most efficient way for dealing with such attacks, so that each constituent computes a trust degree of the other interacting ones based on the direct experiences and of collected reputation scores. An adversary may negatively affect the overall process with false reputations, which must not be considered when estimating a trust degree. Our work combines a multi‐criteria linguistic fuzzy term formulation of the trust degree with the concept of entropy for measuring the divergence of certain scores from the other ones and to avoid to consider them during reputation aggregation. A set of experiments have been conducted in order to measure the quality and effectiveness of the presented approach.
Enhanced Stability of DNA Nanostructures by Incorporation of Unnatural Base Pairs
Authors: Liu Qing , Liu Guocheng , Wang Ting , Fu Jing , Li Rujiao , Song Linlin , Wang Zhen‐Gang , Ding Baoquan , Chen Fei
Published: August 2017

Self‐assembled DNA nanostructures hold great promise in the fields of nanofabrication, biosensing and nanomedicine. However, the inherent low stability of the DNA double helices, formed by weak interactions, largely hinders the assembly and functions of DNA nanostructures. In this study, we redesigned and constructed a six‐arm DNA junction by incorporation of the unnatural base pairs 5‐Me‐isoC/isoG and A/2‐thioT into the double helices. They not only retained the structural integrity of the DNA nanostructure, but also showed enhanced thermal stability and resistance to T7 Exonuclease digestion. This research may expand the applications of DNA nanostructures in nanofabrication and biomedical fields, and furthermore, the genetic alphabet expansion with unnatural base pairs may enable us to construct more complicated and diversified self‐assembled DNA nanostructures.
Improving functional outcome in bipolar disorder: A pilot study on metacognitive training
Authors: Haffner Paula , Quinlivan Esther , Fiebig Jana , Sondergeld Lene‐Marie , Strasser Elisa Sophie , Adli Mazda , Moritz Steffen , Stamm Thomas Josef
Published: August 2017

Background

Effective group psychological interventions in bipolar disorder are rare. In this study, we present “metacognitive training (MCT) for bipolar disorder”—an adaption of a group intervention that has proven effective in other severe psychiatric disorders. MCT is a structured, interactive approach that addresses cognitive biases, social cognition, and self‐esteem. In this pilot study, we investigated psychosocial functioning as primary outcome measure, as well as the feasibility of MCT and its acceptance among bipolar patients.

Methods

Thirty‐four outpatients with bipolar disorder were recruited. Inclusion criteria were euthymia and psychosocial functioning with a score >11 assessed by the Functional Assessment Short Test. The subjects received eight weekly MCT sessions. Before and after the intervention, psychosocial functioning, quality of life (QoL), and patient views were assessed.

Results

Patients improved significantly in global psychosocial functioning, with a large effect size from baseline to post‐treatment. Over the intervention period, patient QoL improved significantly in terms of their physical health, however not for other QoL subdomains. Treatment adherence was 80%, and patients' appraisal of the training was positive.

Limitations

As this study lacks a control group, it is not possible to ascertain whether the positive treatment effects are attributable to MCT. Additionally, it is unclear whether gains in psychosocial functioning would have been maintained long term.

Conclusions

This pilot trial conclusively shows that MCT is feasible and provides preliminary evidence for both the acceptance and efficacy of MCT. Further studies with larger samples and control condition will be necessary to build on these findings.
How do women's partners view perinatal mental health services? A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Lever Taylor Billie , Billings Jo , Morant Nicola , Johnson Sonia
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Perinatal mental health difficulties are prevalent among women and can adversely affect their partners too. There is also increasing recognition that a woman's partner can play a vital role in relation to her perinatal mental health and should be supported and involved in decisions about her care. Yet it is unclear how services are experienced by the partners of women with perinatal mental health difficulties. This study aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence of partners' views of perinatal mental health care.

Methods

A systematic search of 5 electronic databases identified 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The findings of these studies were synthesized using an approach based on meta‐ethnography.

Results

Six themes were identified, namely, the marginalization and neglect of women's partners, an unmet need for information, partners' ambivalence about involvement and support, practical barriers to involvement, views about support for women's partners, and the impact on partners of the care women received.

Conclusions

Given the importance of women's partners in relation to perinatal mental health as well as to women's engagement with support and treatment outcomes, greater consideration should be given to their needs to ensure they feel well informed and involved in perinatal mental health care, rather than marginalized. However, professionals also need to challenge the barriers to involvement and support that women's partners face and consider the ways in which services may reinforce these barriers.
Al2O3 Underlayer Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Jinbao , Hultqvist Adam , Zhang Tian , Jiang Liangcong , Ruan Changqing , Yang Li , Cheng Yibing , Edoff Marika , Johansson Erik M. J.
Published: August 2017

Perovskite solar cells, as an emergent technology for solar energy conversion, have attracted much attention in the solar cell community by demonstrating impressive enhancement in power conversion efficiencies. However, the high temperature and manually processed TiO2 underlayer prepared by spray pyrolysis significantly limit the large‐scale application and device reproducibility of perovskite solar cells. In this study, lowtemperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to prepare a compact Al2O3 underlayer for perovskite solar cells. The thickness of the Al2O3 layer can be controlled well by adjusting the deposition cycles during the ALD process. An optimal Al2O3 layer effectively blocks electron recombination at the perovskite/fluorine‐doped tin oxide interface and sufficiently transports electrons through tunneling. Perovskite solar cells fabricated with an Al2O3 layer demonstrated a highest efficiency of 16.2 % for the sample with 50 ALD cycles (ca. 5 nm), which is a significant improvement over underlayer‐free PSCs, which have a maximum efficiency of 11.0 %. Detailed characterization confirms that the thickness of the Al2O3 underlayer significantly influences the charge transfer resistance and electron recombination processes in the devices. Furthermore, this work shows the feasibility of using a high band‐gap semiconductor such as Al2O3 as the underlayer in perovskite solar cells and opens up pathways to use ALD Al2O3 underlayers for flexible solar cells.
3 D Porous Nickel–Cobalt Nitrides Supported on Nickel Foam as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Yueqing , Zhang Baohua , Pan Wei , Ma Houyi , Zhang Jintao
Published: August 2017

Exploring highly efficient and durable bifunctional electrocatalysts from earth‐abundant low‐cost transition metals is central to obtaining clean hydrogen energy through large‐scale electrolytic water splitting. Porous nickel–cobalt nitride nanosheets on macroporous Ni foam (NF) are synthesized through facile electrodeposition followed by a one‐step annealing process in a NH3 atmosphere. The transformation from a metal hydroxide into a metal nitride could efficiently enhance the electrocatalytic performance for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Interestingly, the incorporation of nickel further boosts the catalytic activity of cobalt nitride. When used as bifunctional electrocatalysts, the obtained nickel–cobalt nitride electrocatalyst shows good stability and superior catalytic performance toward both HER and OER with low overpotentials of 0.29 and 0.18 V, respectively, to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The good electrocatalytic performance was also evidenced by the fabrication of an electrolyzer for overall water splitting, which exhibits a high gas generation rate for hydrogen and oxygen with excellent stability during prolonged alkaline water electrolysis. The present work provides an efficient approach to prepare a 3 D interconnected porous nickel–cobalt nitride network with exposed inner active sites for overall water splitting.
The fly eye: Through the looking glass
Authors: Kumar Justin P.
Published: August 2017

The developing eye‐antennal disc of Drosophila melanogaster has been studied for more than a century, and it has been used as a model system to study diverse processes, such as tissue specification, organ growth, programmed cell death, compartment boundaries, pattern formation, cell fate specification, and planar cell polarity. The findings that have come out of these studies have informed our understanding of basic developmental processes as well as human disease. For example, the isolation of a white‐eyed fly ultimately led to a greater appreciation of the role that sex chromosomes play in development, sex determination, and sex linked genetic disorders. Similarly, the discovery of the Sevenless receptor tyrosine kinase pathway not only revealed how the fate of the R7 photoreceptor is selected but it also helped our understanding of how disruptions in similar biochemical pathways result in tumorigenesis and cancer onset. In this article, I will discuss some underappreciated areas of fly eye development that are fertile for investigation and are ripe for producing exciting new breakthroughs. The topics covered here include organ shape, growth control, inductive signaling, and right–left symmetry. Developmental Dynamics 247:111–123, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of DSM‐5 on the diagnosis and severity indicator of eating disorders in a treatment‐seeking sample
Authors: Nakai Yoshikatsu , Nin Kazuko , Noma Shun'ichi , Teramukai Satoshi , Fujikawa Kei , Wonderlich Stephen A.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To examine the impact of the DSM‐5 on the diagnoses and severity indicators of eating disorders, we conducted a comparative study on the classification of eating disorders including subtypes of anorexia nervosa (AN) between the DSM‐IV and DSM‐5 criteria. In addition, we studied the association of the DSM‐5 severity criteria and clinical variables.

Method

Participants were 304 outpatients, aged 16–45 years, with eating disorders, diagnosed using semi‐structured clinical interviews and the eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE‐Q). The severity of AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge‐eating disorder (BED) was rated from mild to extreme using the DSM‐5 severity criteria.

Results

The DSM‐5 remarkably reduced the number of diagnoses in the residual category from 37.5% to 9.2% and effectively differentiated the diagnostic groups in eating disorder psychopathology. Unexpectedly, however, the scores of all the EDE‐Q subscales significantly decreased as severity ratings increased in the DSM‐5 AN. Furthermore, while the AN binge‐eating/purging group reported significantly lower severity ratings than the AN restricting group, the former displayed more severe eating disorder psychopathology than the latter. In the BN and BED groups, the level of eating concern increased as severity ratings increased, but the severity groups did not differ on other eating pathology variables.

Discussion

The DSM‐5 effectively reduced the reliance on residual categories and differentiated the diagnostic groups in eating disorder psychopathology. However, our findings show limited support for the DSM‐5 severity specifiers for eating disorders. It is necessary to test additional clinical or functional variables for severity specifiers across eating disorders.
Interleukin‐36 receptor mediates the crosstalk between plasma cells and synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Schmitt Verena , Hahn Madelaine , Kästele Verena , Wagner Olga , Wiendl Maximilian , Derer Anja , Taddeo Adriano , Hahne Stefanie , Radbruch Andreas , Jäck Hans‐Martin , Schuh Wolfgang , Mielenz Dirk , Gay Steffen , Schett Georg , Hueber Axel J , Frey Silke
Published: August 2017

The IL‐1 family member IL‐36α has proinflammatory and pathogenic properties in psoriasis. IL‐36α binds to the IL‐36 receptor leading to nuclear factor kappa B/mitogen activated protein kinase mediated cytokine release. The IL‐36R antagonist prevents recruitment of IL‐1 receptor accessory protein and therefore IL‐36‐dependent cell activation. In inflamed human tissue, we previously could show that resident B cells and plasma cells (PC) express IL‐36α. Further, fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) produced proinflammatory cytokines upon IL‐36α‐stimulation. We hypothesize an IL‐36‐specific crosstalk between B cells/PCs and FLS permitting a proinflammatory B cell niche. Here, we firstly demonstrated that B cell lines and B cells from healthy donors express IL‐36α and stimulation increased IL‐36α in B cells and primary plasmablasts/PCs. Moreover, FLS respond specifically to IL‐36α by proliferation and production of matrix metalloproteinases via p38/HSP27 signaling. Importantly, IL‐36R‐deficiency abrogated IL‐36α−induced production of inflammatory mediators in FLS and changed the intrinsic FLS‐phenotype. Using an in vitro co‐culture system, we could show that IL‐36R‐deficient FLS had a limited capacity to support PC survival compared to wild‐type FLS. Hence, we demonstrated an IL‐36R‐dependent crosstalk between B cells/PCs and FLS. Our data support the concept of initiation and maintenance of a proinflammatory niche by B cells in the joints.
A site‐consistent method to quantify sufficiency of alternative IMs in relation to PSDA
Authors: Dhulipala Somayajulu L. N. , Rodriguez‐Marek Adrian , Ranganathan Shyam , Flint Madeleine M.
Published: August 2017

In probabilistic seismic demand analysis, evaluation of the sufficiency of an intensity measure (IM) is an important criterion to avoid biased assessment of the demand hazard. However, there exists no metric to quantify the degree of sufficiency as per the criterion of Luco and Cornell (2007). This paper proposes a site‐specific unified measure for degree of sufficiency from all seismological parameters under consideration using a total information gain metric. This unified metric for sufficiency supports not only comparison of the performance of different IMs given a response quantity but also assessment of the performance of a particular IM across different response quantities. The proposed sufficiency metric was evaluated for a 4‐story steel moment frame building, and the influence of ground motion selection on the degree of sufficiency was investigated. It was observed that ground motion selection can have a significant impact on IM sufficiency. Because computing the total information gain requires continuous deaggregation across the IM space, an approximate deaggregation technique that allows for a more practical estimation of marginal deaggregation probabilities is proposed. It is expected that the total information gain metric proposed in this paper will aid in understanding the efficiency‐sufficiency relation, thus enabling the selection of a proper scalar IM for a given site and application in probabilistic seismic demand analysis.
Synthesis of microencapsulated zinc stannate and its application in flame‐retardant poly(vinyl chloride) membrane material
Authors: Zhang Bin , Han Jian
Published: August 2017

The novel core‐shell magnesium dihydroxide (MDH)/zinc stannate (ZS) and melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resin/MDH/ZS microcapsules were prepared. Their structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis techniques, then its flame‐retardant application in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites. The PVC composites were investigated by the limited oxygen index, smoke density, vertical burning test (UL‐94), cone calorimeter test, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. When directly exposed to flame, PVC generated a high‐density char layer, giving PVC a self‐extinguishing property. Furthermore, when the mass ratio of MDH/ZS and MF/MDH/ZS microcapsules were 2/8 and 10/2/8 with 16 wt% loading, the results showed that the limited oxygen index value reached 29% and 33%, and the smoke density value reached 51% and 41%. Thus, the microencapsulated ZS could greatly suppress the generation of the flame and smoke during combustion, showing potential applications as multifunctional advanced composites.

Two aspects of this manuscript will make it interesting to general readers of Fire and Materials. The magnesium dihydroxide (MDH)/zinc stannate (ZS) microcapsule was firstly prepared via chemical deposition method, and then melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resin/MDH/ZS microcapsule was secondly prepared. The smoke density of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/MDH/ZS microcapsule and PVC/MF/MDH/ZS microcapsule composites were less than half of the neat PVC. With the addition of the 16 wt% of MDH/ZS or MF/MDH/ZS microcapsules into PVC, the limited oxygen index value of PVC composites achieved a significantly high limited oxygen index value at 29%, 33%, and the smoke density value of PVC reached 51%, 41%, respectively. They are V‐0 rating in UL‐94 test. The results indicated that MDH/ZS and MF/MDH/ZS microcapsules behaved as an environmental friendly flame retardant and smoke suppressant. Thus, this study demonstrated the great potentials of the intrinsically flame‐retardant MDH/ZS and MF/MDH/ZS microcapsules in the application of high performance matrix resin and composite material.
Identification of an unusual by‐product in the industrial production of 2‐Methyl‐3‐furanthiol
Authors: Ding Rui , Zhang Shishi , He Dawei , Liu Yongguo , Yang Shaoxiang , Sun Baoguo , Tian Hongyu
Published: August 2017

A by‐product provided by the producer of 2‐methyl‐3‐furanthiol was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, GC–MS (EI) and HRMS analyses. It was identified to be 4‐(5‐methyl‐2‐furylthio)‐5‐methyltetrahydrofuran‐2‐thione and its precursor 2‐methyl‐5‐thioacetylfuran was also determined. 2‐Methyl‐5‐thioacetylfuran was formed by the nucleophilic addition of AcSH to the aldehyde group of 4‐oxo‐2‐pentenal during the industrial production of 2‐methyl‐3‐furanthiol. The hydrolysis of 2‐methyl‐5‐thioacetylfuran under basic conditions gave 5‐methyl‐2‐furanthiol, which underwent autothiylation to lead to the formation of 4‐(5‐methyl‐2‐furylthio)‐5‐methyltetrahydrofuran‐2‐thione.
In situ LA‐ICP‐MS trace element analysis of magnetite from the late Neoarchean Gongchangling BIFs, NE China: Constraints on the genesis of high‐grade iron ore
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Zhu Xiaoqing , Tang Haoshu , Luan Yan
Published: August 2017

The Precambrian banded iron formations (BIFs) not only relate to the evolution of life, ocean, and atmosphere but also provide important reserves of iron around the world. The Gongchangling iron ore deposit located in the Anshan‐Benxi area of Liaoning Province, China, is oxide facies Algoma‐type BIFs, and the Gongchangling No.2 mining area is famous for the production of high‐grade iron ore in China. Magnetite is the main ore mineral in the Gongchangling iron ore deposit, and the magnetite mainly exhibits three modes of occurrence: BIFs (without actinolite), actinolite‐bearing BIFs, and high‐grade iron ore. Trace elemental compositions of the magnetite with different occurrences of the Gongchangling iron ore deposit were obtained by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to constrain the genesis of the high‐grade iron ore. The magnetite from actinolite‐bearing BIFs shows relatively lower contents of Mg, Al, Mn, and Zn compared to the magnetite from BIFs (without actinolite), suggesting that coexisting minerals have played an important role in the trace element concentration in magnetite. The magnetite from high‐grade iron ore has lower contents of Ti and V and higher contents of Al and Mn than counterpart from BIFs (with/without actinolite), indicating that the high‐grade iron ore may be reformed by high temperature metamorphic hydrothermal fluid. The staurolite‐garnet‐biotite schist is the wall‐rock of high‐grade iron ore, and the garnet‐biotite geothermometry is used to evaluate the metamorphic temperature of 593 ± 17 °C. It is proposed that the metamorphic hydrothermal fluid produced during regional metamorphism reformed BIFs to generate high‐grade iron ore.
Reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the IDEAL Schedule for assessing care needs in dementia: Cross‐sectional, multicenter study
Authors: López‐Antón Raúl , Barrada Juan Ramón , Santabárbara Javier , Posadas‐de Miguel Mar , Agüera Luís , Burillo Carmen , Franco Manuel , López‐Álvarez Jorge , Mesa Pilar , Petidier Roberto , Quintanilla Miguel Ángel , Robles‐del Olmo Bernabé , Ventura Tirso , Semrau Maya , Sartorius Norman , Lobo Antonio ,   And the members of the IDEAL Spanish Working Group
Published: August 2017

Objective

The IDEAL Schedule was developed for staging “care needs” in patients with dementia. We here aim to validate the Spanish version, further test its psychometric properties and explore a latent construct for “care needs”.

Methods

A multicenter study was done in 8 dementia care facilities across Spain. Patients referred with a reliable ICD‐10 diagnosis of dementia (n = 151) were assessed with the IDEAL Schedule by pairs of raters. Inter‐rater reliability (intra‐class correlation [ICC] coefficients), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and factor analysis were calculated. Convergent validity for individual items was tested against validated Spanish versions of international instruments.

Results

Pilot testing with numerical scales supported the feasibility, face, and content validity of the schedule. The psychometric coefficients were good/clinically acceptable: inter‐rater reliability (mean ICC = 0.861; 85% of the ICCs > 0.8), internal consistency (global alpha coefficient = 0.74 in 5 nuclear items), and concurrent validity (global score against the Clinical Dementia Rating schedule, r = 0.63; coefficients for individual items ranging from 0.40 to 0.84, all statistically significant, p < 0.05). Internal consistency was low for the “nonprofessional care” and “social support” dimensions. Factor analysis supported a unidimensional solution, suggesting a latent “care needs” construct.

Conclusion

The Spanish version of the IDEAL Schedule confirms the main psychometric properties of the original version and documents for the first time the convergent validity of individual items. Factor analysis identified a latent construct consistent with the concept “care needs” although 2 dimensions need further psychometric research.
Preventive effects of an intergenerational program on age‐related hippocampal atrophy in older adults: The REPRINTS study
Authors: Sakurai Ryota , Ishii Kenji , Sakuma Naoko , Yasunaga Masashi , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Murayama Yoh , Nishi Mariko , Uchida Hayato , Shinkai Shoji , Fujiwara Yoshinori
Published: August 2017

Objectives

A growing body of literature indicates that social engagements, such as intergenerational programs, are effective strategies to improve a range of cognitive abilities. The present study examined whether the intergenerational program—REPRINTS—prevents age‐related hippocampal atrophy.

Methods

After comprehensive baseline assessment, participants were allowed to decide whether to participate in the REPRINTS intervention or in the control group, which required only completion of assessments. REPRINTS participants engaged in group activities that involved reading picture books to children at kindergarten and elementary schools, once every 1 to 2 weeks. A follow‐up assessment was conducted after 6 years. Two MRI scans were performed, one immediately after baseline assessment and the other after 6 years. Volumes of the hippocampus, thalamus, and caudate nucleus were derived from automated segmentation. The analysis included 17 REPRINTS and 42 control‐group participants.

Results

There was no significant difference in any variable of participants' characteristics at baseline between the REPRINTS and control groups. Hippocampal volume significantly declined in the control group but was maintained in the REPRINTS group. No significant differences between groups in thalamus or caudate nucleus volume were observed. Although cognitive function was unaffected by the program, greater decreases in hippocampal volume were significantly correlated with greater decreases in cognitive performance scores.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the REPRINTS intergenerational program has protective effects on age‐related hippocampal atrophy in older adults. These changes precede improvements in cognitive performance, suggesting the validity of the concept of brain plasticity in later life following social engagement.
Complexity analysis of cortical surface detects changes in future Alzheimer's disease converters
Authors: Ruiz de Miras Juan , Costumero Víctor , Belloch Vicente , Escudero Joaquín , Ávila César , Sepulcre Jorge
Published: August 2017

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder that creates neurodegenerative changes at several structural and functional levels in human brain tissue. The fractal dimension (FD) is a quantitative parameter that characterizes the morphometric variability of the human brain. In this study, we investigate spherical harmonic‐based FD (SHFD), thickness, and local gyrification index (LGI) to assess whether they identify cortical surface abnormalities toward the conversion to AD. We study 33 AD patients, 122 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients (50 MCI converters and 29 MCI nonconverters), and 32 healthy controls (HC). SHFD, thickness, and LGI methodology allowed us to perform not only global level but also local level assessments in each cortical surface vertex. First, we found that global SHFD decreased in AD and future MCI converters compared to HC, and in MCI converters compared to MCI nonconverters. Second, we found that local white matter SHFD was reduced in AD compared to HC and MCI mainly in medial temporal lobe. Third, local white‐matter SHFD was significantly reduced in MCI converters compared to MCI nonconverters in distributed areas, including the medial frontal lobe. Thickness and LGI metrics presented a reduction in AD compared to HC. Thickness was significantly reduced in MCI converters compared to healthy controls in entorhinal cortex and lateral temporal. In summary, SHFD was the only surface measure showing differences between MCI individuals that will convert or remain stable in the next 4 years. We suggest that SHFD may be an optimal complement to thickness loss analysis in monitoring longitudinal changes in preclinical and clinical stages of AD.Hum Brain Mapp 38:5905–5918, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Roberts Lewis R. , Sirlin Claude B. , Zaiem Feras , Almasri Jehad , Prokop Larry J. , Heimbach Julie K. , Murad M. Hassan , Mohammed Khaled
Published: August 2017

Multiphasic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both used for noninvasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. To determine if there is a relative diagnostic benefit of one over the other, we synthesized evidence regarding the relative performance of CT, extracellular contrast–enhanced MRI, and gadoxetate‐enhanced MRI for diagnosis of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. We also assessed whether liver biopsy versus follow‐up with the same versus alternative imaging is best for CT‐indeterminate or MRI‐indeterminate liver nodules in patients with cirrhosis. We searched multiple databases from inception to April 27, 2016, for studies comparing CT with extracellular contrast–enhanced MRI or gadoxetate‐enhanced MRI in adults with cirrhosis and suspected HCC. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data. Of 33 included studies, 19 were comprehensive, while 14 reported sensitivity only. For all tumor sizes, the 19 comprehensive comparisons showed significantly higher sensitivity (0.82 versus 0.66) and lower negative likelihood ratio (0.20 versus 0.37) for MRI over CT. The specificities of MRI versus CT (0.91 versus 0.92) and the positive likelihood ratios (8.8 versus 8.1) were not different. All three modalities performed better for HCCs ≥2 cm. Performance was poor for HCCs <1 cm. No studies examined whether adults with cirrhosis and an indeterminate nodule are best evaluated using biopsy, repeated imaging, or alternative imaging. Concerns about publication bias, inconsistent study results, increased risk of bias, and clinical factors precluded support for exclusive use of either gadoxetate‐enhanced or extracellular contrast–enhanced MRI over CT. Conclusion: CT, extracellular contrast–enhanced MRI, or gadoxetate‐enhanced MRI could not be definitively preferred for HCC diagnosis in patients with cirrhosis; in patients with cirrhosis and an indeterminate mass, there were insufficient data comparing biopsy to repeat cross‐sectional imaging or alternative imaging. (Hepatology 2018;67:401‐421).
Viral persistence, liver disease, and host response in a hepatitis C–like virus rat model
Authors: Trivedi Sheetal , Murthy Satyapramod , Sharma Himanshu , Hartlage Alex S. , Kumar Arvind , Gadi Sashi V. , Simmonds Peter , Chauhan Lokendra V. , Scheel Troels K.H. , Billerbeck Eva , Burbelo Peter D. , Rice Charles M. , Lipkin W. Ian , Vandegrift Kurt , Cullen John M. , Kapoor Amit
Published: August 2017

The lack of a relevant, tractable, and immunocompetent animal model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has severely impeded investigations of viral persistence, immunity, and pathogenesis. In the absence of immunocompetent models with robust HCV infection, homolog hepaciviruses in their natural host could potentially provide useful surrogate models. We isolated a rodent hepacivirus from wild rats (Rattus norvegicus), RHV‐rn1; acquired the complete viral genome sequence; and developed an infectious reverse genetics system. RHV‐rn1 resembles HCV in genomic features including the pattern of polyprotein cleavage sites and secondary structures in the viral 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions. We used site‐directed and random mutagenesis to determine that only the first of the two microRNA‐122 seed sites in the viral 5′ untranslated region is required for viral replication and persistence in rats. Next, we used the clone‐derived virus progeny to infect several inbred and outbred rat strains. Our results determined that RHV‐rn1 possesses several HCV‐defining hallmarks: hepatotropism, propensity to persist, and the ability to induce gradual liver damage. Histological examination of liver samples revealed the presence of lymphoid aggregates, parenchymal inflammation, and macrovesicular and microvesicular steatosis in chronically infected rats. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that the intrahepatic response during RHV‐rn1 infection in rats mirrors that of HCV infection, including persistent activation of interferon signaling pathways. Finally, we determined that the backbone drug of HCV direct‐acting antiviral therapy, sofosbuvir, effectively suppresses chronic RHV‐rn1 infection in rats. Conclusion: We developed RHV‐rn1‐infected rats as a fully immunocompetent and informative surrogate model to delineate the mechanisms of HCV‐related viral persistence, immunity, and pathogenesis. (Hepatology 2018).
A SoS Approach for Engineering Capability Programs
Authors: Cook Stephen C , Unewisse Mark H
Published: August 2017

The Australian Defence Organisation is undergoing the most significant change in 40 years to deliver a more effective and agile defence force. One of the key changes is the introduction of a new capability life cycle that seeks to take a more holistic perspective on defence capability. This has included the introduction of Programs that are to be managed in a coordinated way to optimize capability outcomes across a group of Products and Projects. The paper opens by discussing the context in which Programs will be implemented and identifies the needs for their management and systems engineering. The needs analysis concluded that a system‐of‐systems engineering (SoSE) approach is needed and that this should be tested and refined using an initial test case. Building on recent review material of SoSE approaches, a modified wave model was selected for the test case as the preferred approach for Program SoSE. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations on how the initial test case should be implemented to provide a foundation for broader implementation across Programs.
Version 0.75 of the Proposed INCOSE Competency Framework
Authors: Gelosh Don S. , Heisey Mimi , Snoderly John R. , Nidiffer Ken
Published: August 2017

The next evolution of the INCOSE Competency Framework is Version 0.75. This paper describes some of the major sections of the Version 0.75 document. One of the major sections describes the updated competency framework structure which has evolved into competence groups and core competence areas. Another section is a draft guide to role definition that describes the typical roles that systems engineers may assume. One major section discusses some use cases with a detailed look at recruitment, education program improvement and professional development. The document includes a section that explains how to tailor the competency framework to suit using organizations. This paper concludes by exploring all the remaining coordination activities and other actions required to successfully develop and publish Version 1.0 of the new INCOSE Competency Framework.
SE Simulation Experience Design: Infrastructure, Process, and Application
Authors: Turner Richard , Bodner Douglas , Kemp Duncan , Rodriguez Yvette , Wade Jon , Zhang Peizhu
Published: August 2017

The Systems Engineering Experience Accelerator (SEEA) is a new approach to developing the systems engineering and technical leadership workforce. The project is aimed at accelerating experience assimilation through immersive, simulated learning situations where learners solve realistic problems. A prototype of the technology infrastructure and experience content has been developed, piloted, and evaluated. While the prototype has proved useful, its ability to support a community of educators and developers is limited by the challenges in creating or changing experiences. This paper proposes an initial taxonomy of experience archetypes to help development and reuse of experiences, and describes the experience design and development process using the SEEA tool suite. This is followed by an application case study: an experience developed by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to accelerate the maturity of reliability engineers and their role in identifying and resolving safety issues.
Where the big bucks (will) come from – Implementing Product Line Engineering for Railway Rolling Stock
Authors: Chalé Góngora Hugo Guillermo , Greugny François
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a “mid‐term” return of experience form ALSTOM Rolling Stock on its implementation of Product Line Engineering (PLE). It describes the journey we have undertaken to implement PLE, the challenges we have had to face and the manner in which we are finding our way (most of the time deliberately, sometimes fortuitously) to define a profitable reuse strategy and to structure our approach on PLE. The paper also presents some encouraging intermediate results and concludes with the perspectives and the future challenges in our search for Product Line Systems Engineering excellence.
An MBSE Methodology for Capability Systems Definition
Authors: Do Quoc , Hartigan Daniel
Published: August 2017

Systems Engineering provides a structured means to define, design, implement, integrate, sustain and manage numerous interdependencies throughout the Lifecycle of complex systems. This paper presents a Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology that focuses on the early Concept stage of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015 to define the systems capability in the operational domain, functional domain and solution‐independent physical domain. The methodology consists of systemic processes that are governed by an information‐centric schema as well as enabling systems language and tools. The schema focuses on the objective information required during the capability design process to inform key design decisions and achieve convergence from conflicting stakeholder viewpoints. The paper opens with an introduction to MBSE and systems capability definition. Then, the detail of the methodology is discussed followed by an application of this approach to the Battlespace Communication Support Centre (BCSC) capability as a case study – reporting on the efficacy, lessons learned and recommendations for future applications.
Warranting System Validity Through a Holistic Validation Framework: A Research Agenda
Authors: Stevens Jennifer Stenger
Published: August 2017

The integrity of validation of launch systems produced in the United States is challenged by changes in launch vehicle acquisition policy. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) adopted the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) acquisition model in 2006. Affordability‐driven flexibility enabled by significant regulation reduction engenders the same loss of insight and control the USAF found unacceptable in the 1990's. COTS‐type acquisition accepts such risk, but amplifies concerns that validation criteria are not well justified. This paper describes sources of confusion over the selection and justification of validation criteria in systems engineering. A notional holistic validation framework orients research efforts towards engineering rational and defensible strategies. A specific research agenda to examine the role of validation in dialectic is stated. Argumentation in anticipation of system performance suggests that modeling relations from Rosen's anticipatory systems theory apply to the elements in Toulmin's model of argument. Theory produced will enable rational justification of validation criteria in launch system acquisition.
Test Strategy to detect Industrial Control Systems' common Cyber Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities
Authors: Rehman Obaid Ur , Joiner Keith F.
Published: August 2017

Industrial control systems (ICSs) play a vital role in the operation and monitoring of a nation's critical infrastructure. These systems consist of software and hardware and use protocols which are not usually designed for secured transmissions, such that they become vulnerable targets for cyber attackers. In this paper, we propose to research the efficacy of statistically rigorous methods such as design of experiments (DOE) techniques in testing the cyber vulnerabilities of ICSs. DOE methods in modern software packages use advanced statistical and mathematical methods such as High Throughput Testing (HTT) combinatorial methods to allow for multifactor, multi‐response testing and analysis so as to create a probabilistic and static model of the response of a system that helps quickly focus (i.e., screen) on the more effective cyber threats and thus greatest vulnerabilities. These methods also help to determine optimum defensive settings for cyber‐resilience in the presence of the tested threats. The proposed research will have applicability to defense of complex systems more broadly than cybersecurity of ICSs, since it illustrates a structured technique for dealing with the very high numbers of test permutations that arise when considering complex system architectures exposed to a myriad, and forever changing, arsenal of possible malicious intent.
The role of Command‐and‐control Management and Governance in Systems Engineering
Authors: Gorod Alex , Hallo Leonie , Nguyen Tiep
Published: August 2017

Command‐and‐control management has traditionally been the primary methodology used in Systems Engineering (SE) to manage systems. However, even though command‐and‐control has a significant and important role in managing traditional systems, it lacks adaptability and flexibility in dealing with complex systems. A general understanding exists that systems differ in terms of their typology and several different typologies have been proposed in order to assist systems engineers to distinguish between various types of systems. Since different types of systems require different management approaches, the governance method has been recently introduced in SE as a potentially more effective management style for certain types of systems, especially complex adaptive systems. This paper addresses issues faced by systems engineers in choosing whether to apply command‐and‐control management or governance in a particular situation. Additionally, it includes information about different criteria and a profiling methodology. These can be used to help practitioners to differentiate between system types and suggest the appropriate type of management style to apply to a given system. Two cases are presented to illustrate the application of both management approaches under differing degrees of complexity.
Foundations for improved integration – Using Systems Engineering in Programme and Project Management
Authors: Gray Andrew , James Adrian , Nasser Helen , Richardson Ken , Rooke Kate
Published: August 2017

The INCOSE UK/APM Joint Working Group (JWG) on Systems Engineering (SE) and Project/Programme Management (PM) Integration has been addressing the shared understanding of the two disciplines and how they work together. It seeks to promote the benefits of systems thinking across the wider decision‐making community, and to understand how to deliver these benefits.

As part of its work, the JWG has compared and categorized life cycles and processes within the two disciplines; analysed subsequent theoretical touch points, overlaps and fusion areas; identified examples of actual large projects with integrated SE and PM approaches; and used all this information to generate a set of underlying Principles for improved integration. In addition, the JWG has identified a set of Top Tips to help establish the Principles.

This information forms part of the expanding body of knowledge being developed by the JWG and helping to lay the foundation for improved integration.