bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Cu Preferential Orientation on the Microstructure and Properties of Anodized CuxO Films
Authors: Gao Zhaoqing , Cao Jinwei , Wang Chen , Chen Yinbo , Muzammal Hussain Muhammad , Wang Weiqiang , Sun Hao , Ma Haitao , Wang Yunpeng
Published: December 2019

In this paper, in order to explore the effect of the preferential orientation of Cu on the preparation of robust anodized Cu2O films, three types of Cu substrates with three different preferential crystal plane orientation [(111), (200), (220)] are employed. First‐Principles calculation is employed to calculate the surface energy of different Cu crystalline planes by the software of DACAPO, which is conducted by the plane‐wave pseudo‐potential method. The influence of the preferential plane orientation of Cu on the anodized oxidation reaction process and the morphology of anodized CuxO films has been discussed in detail. The results indicate that the morphology of anodized CuxO films depends on the preferential exposing plane orientation of Cu substrates under the same anodized oxidation condition. The high surface energy of Cu makes Cu atoms release more easily from lattices, leading to more different active‐reaction sites.
Proposed methodology for building‐specific earthquake loss assessment including column residual axial shortening
Authors: Elkady Ahmed , Güell Gerard , Lignos Dimitrios G.
Published: December 2019

This paper proposes methodological developments for quantifying the impact of residual axial shortening of first‐story steel columns on earthquake loss estimations in steel moment‐resisting frame (MRF) buildings. A new formulation is proposed that accounts for the likelihood of having to demolish a steel MRF building due to column residual axial deformations in addition to residual story‐drift ratios. The formulation is informed by means of data from a comprehensive survey conducted worldwide to assess the likelihood of steel column repairability due to residual axial shortening. A practical method for quantifying column axial‐shortening in parameterized system‐level numerical simulations is presented. The proposed approach is illustrated by conducting economic seismic loss estimations in two case‐study steel MRF buildings designed in urban California according to the current seismic design practice. It is found that when the ground‐motion duration is appreciable, the examined steel MRFs are more prone to column axial‐shortening than residual story‐drifts at moderate to high seismic intensities. The results suggest that economic losses due to demolition may be underestimated if column residual axial‐shortening is neglected from loss estimations. Limitations as well as directions for future research are discussed.
An efficient NoC router design by using an enhanced AES with retiming and clock gating techniques
Authors: Venkataraman N.L. , Kumar R.
Published: December 2019

A system‐on‐a‐chip (SoC) processor core contains several numbers of chips integrated into a single chip where each and every integrated circuit (IC) consists of multiple blocks. Hence, data routing from one chip to another creates a difficult issue in the SoC. A network‐on‐a‐chip (NoC) router has been mainly used to obtain highly reliable data transmission from a source to a destination using low power, low hardware complexity, and high speed to achieve efficient routing in the SoC core, which contains a router, network links (NLs), and network interface (NI). The heart of the NoC core, ie, the router, consists of a finite state machine (FSM), input/output FIFO, a crossbar switch, and an arbiter; however, the XY routing technique was incorporated into the NoC router to achieve high switching speed, and the FSM is used as a controller for the router along with the data stored in FIFO. The multiplexing and demultiplexing operations were also carried out in the crossbar switch in which a grant signal is being generated using the compact round‐robin arbiter and an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) scheme, which is incorporated into the NoC router to achieve high reliability. The chief goal is to establish an efficient NoC router using an improved AES algorithm to achieve high reliability, small chip size, low power consumption, and high performance. Similarly, an optimized composite S‐box is designed using a compact multiplicative inverse unit with an improved inverse MixColumns structure proposed using compact 09, 0b, 0d, and 0e operations and retiming pipelined inclusively with clock gating methods (CGMs) applied in the targeted AES scheme. Hence, the retiming method can be used to shrink the number of registers by placing the register in an optimum location with low area and power in retiming‐based AES. The switching activity of the clock signal is reduced by using the CGM, which has low power consumption and high speed for clock gating–based AES. Therefore, the high performance–based AES is designed using a pipelined technique with high chip size and power due to the insertion of a large number of registers into the AES circuits. Five types of AES structures are designed, and the die size, delay, power, and 90% security with an optimized AES technique incorporated into a 3×3 NoC router with mesh topology are analyzed. Finally, the comparison between the existing and proposed NoC routers was carried out to analyze the area, delay, and power (ADP) product, and the NoC router design was formulated using Verilog HDL, and limitations along the synthesis process were executed using a ModelSim and Xilinx ISE tools.
Flame extension and the near field under the ceiling for travelling fires inside large compartments
Authors: Heidari Mohammad , Kotsovinos Panagiotis , Rein Guillermo
Published: December 2019

Structures need to be designed to maintain their stability in the event of a fire. The travelling fire methodology (TFM) defines the thermal boundary condition for structural design of large compartments of fires that do not flashover, considering near field and far field regions. TFM assumes a near field temperature of 1200°C, where the flame is impinging on the ceiling without any extension and gives the temperature of the hot gases in the far field from Alpert correlations. This paper revisits the near field assumptions of the TFM and, for the first time, includes horizontal flame extension under the ceiling, which affects the heating exposure of the structural members thus their load‐bearing capacity. It also formulates the thermal boundary condition in terms of heat flux rather than in terms of temperature as it is used in TFM, which allows for a more formal treatment of heat transfer. The Hasemi, Wakamatsu, and Lattimer models of heat flux from flame are investigated for the near field. The methodology is applied to an open‐plan generic office compartment with a floor area of 960 m2 and 3.60 m high with concrete and with protected and unprotected steel structural members. The near field length with flame extension (fTFM) is found to be between 1.5 and 6.5 times longer than without flame extension. The duration of the exposure to peak heat flux depends on the flame length, which is 53 min for fTFM compared with 17 min for TFM, in the case of a slow 5% floor area fire. The peak heat flux is from 112 to 236 kW/m2 for the majority of fire sizes using the Wakamatsu model and from 80 to 120 kW/m2 for the Hasemi and Lattimer models, compared with 215 to 228 kW/m2 for TFM. The results show that for all cases, TFM results in higher structural temperatures compared with different fTFM models (600°C for concrete rebar and 800°C for protected steel beam), except for the Wakamatsu model that for small fires, leads to approximately 20% higher temperatures than TFM. These findings mitigate the uncertainty around the TFM near field model and confirm that it is conservative for calculation of the thermal load on structures. This study contributes to the creation of design tools for better structural fire engineering.
An investigation of chemical content, enzyme inhibitory propert, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Aristolochia bodamae Dingler (develiotu) (Aristolochiaceae) root extracts from Samsun, Turkey
Authors: Ozen Tevfik , Bora Neslihan , Yenigun Semiha , Korkmaz Hasan
Published: December 2019

The present work aimed to evaluate the phytochemical contents of the methanol (ME), ethanol (ET), water (W), acetone (AC), ethyl acetate (EA), and hexane (HE) of Aristolochia bodamae root (ABR) as well as inhibition potential, antioxidative, and antimicrobial activities. The chemical composition analysis and antioxidant activity of ABR extracts were performed by commonly used assays. Antibacterial activities of ABR extracts were tested against three gram‐positive and three gram‐negative bacteria using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. The inhibition potential of the extract was adopted for urease and esterases. The extraction yield (27.10%), total phenolic (47.53 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), and flavonoid (9.74 mg quercetin equivalent/g) content of ABRME were found higher than other extracts. Vanillic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, p‐coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and protocatechuic acid were recognized as major components. ABRET, ABRHE, and ABREA extracts had a more effective total antioxidant activity than that of other extracts. The lipid peroxidation inhibition, H2O2, and superoxide scavenging activities of ABRME were found to be 35.94, 35.94, and 3.98 µg/mL, respectively. The ABRET exhibited a reduction force with the A0.5 values of 48.77 µg/mL. The inhibition levels of ABRAC and ABREA to esterases were determined to be more effective than galantamine. ABRME was identified as a more potent urease inhibitor (IC50: 188.42 µg/mL) than thiourea. ABRET demonstrated the antibacterial activity with the highest inhibition zone of 14.4 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. The ABRET found the lowest MIC value against Bacillus cereus (128 µg/mL). In these in vitro studies, it has been found that ABR extracts were a good source of antioxidant, antibacterial, and inhibition potent when evaluated together with phenolic components.
Regression tree model for prediction of demand with heterogeneity and censorship
Authors: Ozhegov Evgeniy M. , Ozhegova Alina
Published: December 2019

In this research we analyze a new approach for prediction of demand. In the studied market of performing arts the observed demand is limited by capacity of the house. Then one needs to account for demand censorship to obtain unbiased estimates of demand function parameters. The presence of consumer segments with different purposes of going to the theater and willingness‐to‐pay for performance and ticket characteristics causes a heterogeneity in theater demand. We propose an estimator for prediction of demand that accounts for both demand censorship and preferences heterogeneity. The estimator is based on the idea of classification and regression trees and bagging prediction aggregation extended for prediction of censored data. Our algorithm predicts and combines predictions for both discrete and continuous parts of censored data. We show that our estimator performs better in terms of prediction accuracy compared with estimators which account either for censorship or heterogeneity only. The proposed approach is helpful for finding product segments and optimal price setting.
Bestrophin1‐mediated tonic GABA release from reactive astrocytes prevents the development of seizure‐prone network in kainate‐injected hippocampi
Authors: Pandit Sudip , Neupane Chiranjivi , Woo Junsung , Sharma Ramesh , Nam Min‐Ho , Lee Gyu‐Seung , Yi Min‐Hee , Shin Nara , Kim Dong Woon , Cho Hyunsill , Jeon Byeong Hwa , Kim Hyun‐Woo , Lee C. Justin , Park Jin Bong
Published: December 2019

Tonic extrasynaptic GABAA receptor (GABAAR) activation is under the tight control of tonic GABA release from astrocytes to maintain the brain's excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance; any slight E/I balance disturbance can cause serious pathological conditions including epileptic seizures. However, the pathophysiological role of tonic GABA release from astrocytes has not been tested in epileptic seizures. Here, we report that pharmacological or genetic intervention of the GABA‐permeable Bestrophin‐1 (Best1) channel prevented the generation of tonic GABA inhibition, disinhibiting CA1 pyramidal neuronal firing and augmenting seizure susceptibility in kainic acid (KA)‐induced epileptic mice. Astrocyte‐specific Best1 over‐expression in KA‐injected Best1 knockout mice fully restored the generation of tonic GABA inhibition and effectively suppressed seizure susceptibility. We demonstrate for the first time that tonic GABA from reactive astrocytes strongly contributes to the compensatory shift of E/I balance in epileptic hippocampi, serving as a good therapeutic target against altered E/I balance in epileptic seizures.
Association between pioglitazone use and head and neck cancer: Population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Yang Tzong‐Hann , Xirasagar Sudha , Cheng Yen‐Fu , Wu Chuan‐Song , Kao Yi‐Wei , Shia Ben‐Chang , Lin Herng‐Ching
Published: December 2019

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the association between pioglitazone use and the occurrence of head and neck cancer.

Methods

Data for this case‐control study were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 21 464 diabetic patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancers were identified. We used propensity score matching to select 64 392 comparison patients (3:1 ratio). Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to examine the association of head and neck cancer with pioglitazone use in the 5 years preceding the cancer diagnosis.

Results

Bivariate analysis showed a significant difference in the prevalence of prior using pioglitazone between cases and controls (19.3% vs 18.5%, P < .001) was observed. Multiple regression analysis showed adjusted odds of pioglitazone use of 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02‐1.10) among cases relative to controls.

Conclusions

Prior pioglitazone use was associated with oral cavity cancer.
Thorough wetting and drainage of a peat lysimeter in a climate change scenario
Authors: Previati Maurizio , Canone Davide , Iurato Edoardo , Gisolo Davide , Ferrari Stefano , Teatini Pietro , Putti Mario , Ferraris Stefano
Published: December 2019

A peat deposit (Zennare basin, Venice coastland, Italy) was monitored in previous field studies to investigate the hydrological response of organic soil to meteorological dynamics. Field tests and modelling predictions highlighted the risk of the complete loss of this peat layer during the next 50 years, due to oxidation enhanced by the increased frequency of warmer periods. Unfortunately, despite the considerable impacts that are expected to affect peat bogs (in this area and worldwide), only a few experimental studies have been carried out to assess the hydrologic response of peat to severe water scarcity. Because of that, an undisturbed 0.7 m3 peat monolith was collected, transferred to the laboratory and instrumented. The total weight (representative of the water content dynamics of the peat monolith as a whole), and two vertical profiles of matric potentials and water content were monitored in controlled water‐scarce conditions. After an extended air‐drying period, the monolith was used as an undisturbed peat lysimeter and a complete cycle of wetting and drainage was performed. Supplementary measurements of matric potential ψ and water content θ were collected by testing peat subsamples on a suction table apparatus. A set of water retention curves was determined in a range of matric potentials broader (ψ down to −7 m) than the current natural conditions in the field (minimum ψ = −1 m). While water content at saturation showed values similar to those in the original natural conditions (θ ≅ 0.8), a remarkable loss of water holding capacity (even for low potentials) has been highlighted, especially in deep layers that are now permanently below the water table. The retention curves changed shape and values, with a more pronounced hysteresis visible in an increasing distance between wetting and drying data. Hydraulic non‐equilibrium between the water content and water potential could be a possible cause and it is worth modelling in future studies. The parameters of the van Genuchten retention curves were obtained for the wetting and the drying phases.
Study of isotopic seasonality to assess the water source of proglacial stream in Chhota Shigri Glaciated Basin, Western Himalaya
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Ramanathan Alagappan , Arora Aman , Soheb Mohd , Mandal Arindan , Sharma Parmanand , Ranjan Shyam
Published: December 2019

The impact of surface melt patterns and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) is examined on the varying contributions of end member (snow, glacier ice, and rain) to proglacial streamflow during the ablation period (June–October) in the Chhota Shigri glaciated basin, Western Himalaya. Isotopic seasonality observed in the catchment precipitation was generally reflected in surface runoff (supraglacial melt and proglacial stream) and shows a shift in major water source during the melt season. Isotopically correlated (δ18O–δD) high deuterium intercept in the surface runoff suggests that westerly precipitation acts as the dominant source, augmenting the other snow‐ and ice‐melt sources in the region. The endmember contributions to the proglacial stream were quantified using a three‐component mixing. Overall, glacier ice melt is the major source of proglacial discharge. Snowmelt is the predominant source during the early ablation season (June) and the peak ISM period (August and September), whereas ice melt reaches a maximum in the peak melt period (July). The monthly contribution of rain is on the lower side and shows a steady rise and decline with onset and retreat of the monsoon. These results are persistent with the surface melt pattern observed in Chhota Shigri glacier, Upper Chandra basin. Moreover, the role of the ISM in Chhota Shigri glacier is unvarying to that observed in other glacierized catchments of Upper Ganga basin. Thus, this study augments the significant role of the ISM in glacier mass balance up to the boundary of the central‐western Himalayan glaciated region.
The efficacy of intermittent preventive therapy in the eradication of peripheral and placental parasitemia in a malaria‐endemic environment, as seen in a tertiary hospital in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Umemmuo Maureen U. , Agboghoroma Chris O. , Iregbu Kenneth C.
Published: December 2019

Objective

To determine whether intermittent preventive therapy in pregnancy (IPTp) eradicates peripheral and placental malaria and improves birth weight.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was conducted of 426 pregnant mothers on IPTp with sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine against malaria who presented in labor, at National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria between January and June 2017. The hospital is within the malaria‐endemic zone of West Africa. Consenting pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton term pregnancy who had antenatal care in the hospital and lived in the study area for at least 6 months were consecutively recruited. Peripheral and placental blood were collected and examined for malaria parasite by microscopy. Babies were weighed at birth.

Results

The prevalence of peripheral malaria parasitemia and placental parasitization were 12.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.0–16.6) and 9.4% (95% CI 7.0–12.7), respectively. Parasite density in both peripheral parasitemia and placental parasitization was low among the women that took IPTp, decreasing with increasing doses, with no parasitemia or parasitization in women that took up to three doses. Birth weight was lower in babies of mothers with plasmodium infestation than in those without infestation (P<0.001, P=0.024).

Conclusion

IPTp reduces both peripheral parasitemia and placental parasitization, with the capacity to eliminate or prevent them. IPTp also reduces low birth weight.
METHODS OF INFILTRATION ESTIMATION FOR FURROW IRRIGATION†
Authors: Moravejalahkami Bita
Published: December 2019

Infiltration is an important evaluation parameter for furrow irrigation. In this study, most common methods for estimation of furrow irrigation infiltration, their weaknesses and strengths, have been reviewed and discussed to select the best method based on field conditions. Intake families, based on soil characteristic data, could be used as a starting point for analysing surface irrigation infiltration. Since furrow irrigation infiltration is affected by parameters such as soil characteristics and furrow irrigation hydraulic behaviour, the methods of estimating this parameter should reflect field irrigation conditions. In other words, the methods based only on advance time, such as the two‐point method, which is a small part of an irrigation event, could not have considered the soil infiltration during irrigation time. Infiltration is simulated more precisely using methods based on advance time and runoff data such as the multi‐level calibration method and volume balance approach. The execution times and iteration through the simulation algorithms were less for the volume balance approach when compared to the multi‐level calibration method. The variance techniques (based on average infiltration and considering infiltration variation) simulated infiltration almost the same as field measurements using a neutron probe. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Experiment in Framework Development
Authors: Casais Eduardo
Published: December 2019

An object‐oriented framework provides a family of interrelated classes that can be reused, mainly through composition, for the rapid construction of various programs in a particular application domain. Experience with libraries of domain‐specific software components has been limited so far, so that design principles for frameworks are currently lacking. We present a case study dealing with the development of a framework to build control and simulation programs for manufacturing plant models. The case study gives insights into the design and architecture of application‐specific frameworks, and into the special requirements imposed by framework construction.
Oral Iron for Prevention and Treatment of Rickets and Osteomalacia in Autosomal Dominant Hypophosphatemia
Authors: Högler Wolfgang , Kapelari Klaus
Published: December 2019

Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemia (ADH) causes rickets, osteomalacia, and taurodontism due to heterozygous mutations in FGF23, which inhibit the inactivation (cleavage) of the encoded protein, the hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Iron deficiency increases FGF23 mRNA expression and recent evidence suggests that the recurrent, late-onset, or waxing-waning hypophosphatemic phenotype may be linked to synchronous variations in iron status. The fact that most adult symptomatic ADH patients are females during reproductive age supports the notion of a gene-environmental interaction. Practically all symptomatic hypophosphatemic patients described in the recent literature were also iron deficient (with/without anemia) at presentation, when measured. Given its interaction with FGF23, correcting iron deficiency should therefore also correct FGF23 excess. Following the original report of successful phenotype reversal in an iron-deficient ADH child using oral iron supplementation in 2015, more evidence has emerged that supports the use of the element iron to restore homoeostasis of the element phosphorus (in addition to its own). We put into perspective the recent evidence and add 14 years observational data on the original case that demonstrates the correlation of serum phosphorus and renal tubular phosphate reabsorption in mass per unit volume of glomerular filtrate (TmP/GFR) with serum ferritin. Presentation and relapse of ADH, 12 years apart, occurred during iron deficiency, and the onset of menstrual periods was associated with relapse. Here we propose management guidance for patients affected by ADH throughout the lifespan based on iron stores. Because ferritin correlates best with hypophosphatemia historically, and in long-term observation of the originally treated case, it should be used as the monitoring tool and kept in the normal range. Women with ADH who are of reproductive age and other risk groups require supplementation with oral iron using WHO guidelines. Treatment of this form of FGF23 excess may not require phosphate and active vitamin D, or burosumab. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis by the RNA-Binding Protein QKI5: a Novel Approach to Protect from Bone Resorption
Authors: Rauwel Benjamin , Degboé Yannick , Diallo Katy , Sayegh Souraya , Baron Michel , Boyer Jean-Frédéric , Constantin Arnaud , Cantagrel Alain , Davignon Jean-Luc
Published: December 2019

Increased osteoclastogenesis is a common feature of bone erosion, notably in osteoporosis but also in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarticular infections. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been described to impair monocyte differentiation into macrophages and dendritic cells. However, its effect on monocyte-derived osteoclasts is yet to be determined. We showed here that in vitro HCMV infection is associated with an inhibition of osteoclastogenesis through decreased expression of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) and RANK in monocytes, which was mediated by an upregulation of quaking I-5 protein (QKI-5), a cellular RNA-interacting protein. We found that deliberate QKI5 overexpression in the absence of HCMV infection is able to decrease CSF-1R and RANK expression, leading to osteoclastogenesis inhibition. Finally, by using lentiviral vectors in a calvarial bone erosion mouse model, we showed that QKI5 inhibits bone degradation. This work identifies QKI5 as a strong inhibitor of bone resorption. Future research will point out whether QKI5 could be a target for bone pathologies. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Abstract

HCMV infection inhibits osteoclastogenesis through a mechanism involving RNA binding protein QKI5. Overexpression of QKI5 protects from bone degradation and could be a new therapeutic target to limit bone erosion during osteoclast-related diseases.
The dietary isoflavone daidzein mitigates oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in CDDP‐induced kidney injury in rats: Impact of the MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Tomar Ameesha , Kaushik Swati , Khan Sana Irfan , Bisht Khushboo , Nag Tapas Chandra , Arya Dharamvir Singh , Bhatia Jagriti
Published: December 2019

Cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity persists as a clinical problem despite several supportive measures to alleviate renal damage. Daidzein (DZ), a dietary isoflavone having antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity, is investigated in this study for protective effects against cisplatin‐induced renal injury in rats. DZ (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg; intraperitoneally; 10 days) was administered along with Cisplatin, single dose, on the 7th day of the experiment. On the 11th day, the rats were euthanized, and different samples were collected for analysis. Biochemical, histopathological, and molecular parameters were assessed to evaluate the effect of daidzein. Cisplatin injection resulted in renal dysfunction, lipid peroxidation that led to consumption of antioxidants, exaggerated apoptosis, and inflammation. These changes were associated with increase in the signaling proteins. DZ attenuated the toxic effects of cisplatin on the kidney at 100 mg/kg dose. The study concludes with the finding that daidzein imparts protection against the nephrotoxic effect of Cisplatin and can be considered as a novel, potential therapy.
Profound synergetic effect of metal oxide promoters and TiO2–SiO2 binary support in cobalt Fischer‐Tropsch catalyst
Authors: Yaghoobpour Elham , Zamani Yahya , Zarrinpashne Saeed , Zamaniyan Akbar
Published: December 2019

A series of cobalt catalysts supported on TiO2, SiO2, or a mixture of them, incorporated with some added oxides from Groups III, IV, and V of transition metals, were prepared using the incipient wetness impregnation method. For better evaluation of catalysts, the physicochemical properties of catalysts were investigated using brunauer‐emmett‐teller (BET), H2‐TPR, NH3‐TPD, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The performance of catalysts was studied in a fixed‐bed reactor at 220°C, 24 bar, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 2 L/h/gcat., and H2 to CO ratio of 2. The results indicate that CeO2 and ZrO2 as promoters can enhance the CO conversion and catalyst activity and enhance the selectivities of higher‐molecular‐weight products. On the contrary, the presence of V2O5 as a promoter undesirably suppressed CO conversion and, consequently, catalytic performance. The results show that the catalyst included CeO2, was supported on a binary mixture of SiO2 and TiO2, and has significant improved activity and C5+ selectivity. From the reactor test, values of 156.48 mmol COconv./gCo/h activity, and 0.17 gC3+/(h.gcat.) productivity have been obtained for this catalyst.
Software as a service: Lessons from the video game industry
Authors: Vaudour Fanny , Heinze Aleksej
Published: December 2019

Digital transformation has prompted some organizations to use a service business model that does not require the purchase of a product but, rather, use of their services. Software‐as‐a‐service (SaaS) is a method by which service providers meet the needs of their clients via an internet server. A look at consumers' reactions to the games‐as‐a‐service (GaaS) business model used in the computer games industry illustrates how the model has transformed the industry. It also highlights the importance of timeliness, transparency, and creativity in any SaaS business's efforts to attract and retain customers and optimize profitability.
Not all fuel‐reduction treatments degrade biocrusts: Herbicides cause mostly neutral to positive effects on cover of biocrusts
Authors: Condon Lea A. , Gray Margaret L.
Published: December 2019

In response to increasing fire, fuel‐reduction treatments are being used to minimize large fire risk. Although biocrusts are associated with reduced cover of fire‐promoting, invasive grasses, the impact of fuel‐reduction treatments on biocrusts is poorly understood. We use data from a long‐term experiment, the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project, testing the following fuel‐reduction treatments: mowing, prescribed fire, and the use of two herbicides: one commonly used to reduce shrub cover, tebuthiuron, and one commonly used to combat cheatgrass, imazapic. Looking at sites with high cover of biocrusts prior to treatments, we demonstrate positive effects of the herbicide, tebuthiuron on lichens with an increase in cover of 10% and trending towards slightly negative effects on moss cover. Across plots, imazapic trended towards a decrease in lichen and moss cover without being statistically significant. Mowing and prescribed fire reduced cover of mosses, with the latter leading to greater declines across sites (declines of 18% vs. 32%). Reductions in moss cover mirrored gains in cover of bare soil, which is associated with increased risk of invasion by grasses responsible for increasing fire risk. We demonstrate that the use of herbicides simultaneously reduces fuels and maintains greater cover of lichens and mosses compared with other fuel‐reduction treatments, possibly reducing risk of invasion by annual grasses that are responsible for increasing fire risk.
Strategic tillage effects on soil properties and agricultural productivity in the paddies of Southern China
Authors: Wang Xing , Qi Jian‐Ying , Liu Bing‐Yang , Kan Zheng‐Rong , Zhao Xin , Xiao Xiao‐Ping , Zhang Hai‐Lin
Published: December 2019

Strategic tillage (ST) has been proposed to maintain the benefits and alleviate the negative effects of long‐term no‐till (NT) management. In this study, the effects of ST on soil properties and yield loss were evaluated for a double‐cropped rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy from 2006 to 2017 in Southern China. Three tillage systems were investigated: long‐term NT, continuous rotary tillage (RT), and ST. The results showed that ST effectively solved the problem of long‐term NT management: low and unstable bulk density in the soil surface layer. Compared with NT, ST significantly increased the available P (AP) concentration, available K (AK) concentration, the AP storage by 16.55% and the AK storage by 21.37% in the upper 20 cm soil. Moreover, the soil pH for NT and ST was lower than RT. ST increased the acidification risk in the 0–5 cm soil layer (pH was 4.84 in 2017) but significantly reduced the risk of yield loss compared to continuous NT. The average yield gap between ST and NT ranged from 408.21 kg ha−1 (during 2006–2009) to 1,144.85 kg ha−1 (during 2014–2017). ST reduced soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentration compared to NT in the 0–5 cm soil layer. However, it did not affect SOC and TN storage, although light fraction organic carbon (LOC) storage for ST was 36.59% lower than that for NT. ST is a promising option for promoting and maintaining the sustainability of rice production in Southern China.
Transformation of Prostaglandin D2 to 11‐Dehydro Thromboxane B2 by Baeyer‐Villiger Oxidation
Authors: Nakashima Fumie , Schneider Claus
Published: December 2019

Prostaglandin D2 is one of five chief prostanoids formed in the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid oxidation. Except for a single oxygen atom, PGD2 is structurally identical to 11‐dehydro thromboxane B2 (11d‐TxB2), a urinary metabolite of the pro‐aggregatory platelet activator, thromboxane A2. The close structural relationship suggested that one might be transformed to the other. Accordingly, we tested whether the cyclopentanone of PGD2 can be expanded to the δ‐lactone of 11d‐TxB2 in a Baeyer‐Villiger oxidation. Oxidation of PGD2 with two standard oxidants showed that 11d‐TxB2 was formed only with H2O2 but not with peracetic acid. Byproducts of the H2O2‐mediated oxidation were hydroperoxide derivatives and isomers of PGD2. Chemical oxidation of PGD2 to 11d‐TxB2 may be a model for an equivalent enzymatic transformation, suggesting a possible link in the metabolism of PGD2 and thromboxane A2.
Development, Validation, and Performance of Chitosan‐Based Coatings Using Catechol Coupling
Authors: Souza Campelo Clayton , Chevallier Pascale , Loy Caroline , Silveira Vieira Rodrigo , Mantovani Diego
Published: December 2019

The use of long‐lasting polymer coatings on biodevice surfaces has been investigated to improve material–tissue interaction, minimize adverse effects, and enhance their functionality. Natural polymers, especially chitosan, are of particular interest due to their excellent biological properties, such as biocompatibility, non‐toxicity, and antimicrobial properties. One way to produce chitosan coating is by covalent grafting with catechol molecules such as dopamine, caffeic acid, and tannic acid, resulting in an attachment ten times stronger than that of simple physisorption. Caffeic acid presents an advantage over dopamine because it allows direct chitosan grafting, due to its terminal carboxylic acid group, without the need of a linking arm, as employed in the dopamine approach. In this study, the grafting of chitosan using caffeic acid, over surfaces or in solution, is compared with dopamine grafting using poly(ethylene glycol) as a linking arm. The following coating properties are observed; covering and homogeneity are assessed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy analyses, hydrophilicity with contact angle measurements, stability with aging tests, anticorrosion behavior, and coating non‐toxicity. Results show that grafting using caffeic acid/chitosan in solution over a metallic surface may be advantageous, compared to traditional dopamine coating.
Former Employees' Negative Online Comments Are Unprotected Under the Act
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: December 2019

Many employers have had the problem of disgruntled former employees posting negative online comments about the company. The same problem arises with current workers who have an axe to grind against their employer. Such complaints give rise to questions of whether they are protected by federal labor law. For example, employees banding together on Facebook or Instagram to gain support for their grievances or enlist public support for their opposition to employer practices are regularly granted the protection of the National Labor Relations Act. However, General Counsel of the National Labor Relation's Board recently opined that such protection is not unlimited.
Candidate modifier genes for immune function in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Pinnaro Catherina T. , Henry Travis , Major Heather J. , Parida Mrutyunjaya , DesJardin Lucy E. , Manak John R. , Darbro Benjamin W.
Published: December 2019

Background

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common contiguous microdeletion affecting humans and exhibits extreme phenotypic heterogeneity. Patients can manifest any combination of comorbidities including congenital heart disease, hypoparathyroidism, cleft palate, kidney abnormalities, neurodevelopmental disorders, and immune dysfunction. Immunodeficiency is present in the majority of patients with 22q11.2DS and is the second leading cause of death in these patients. Knowing the genetic determinants of immune dysfunction will aid in prognostication and potentially novel treatments.

Methods

We performed exome sequencing and gene‐based variant association analysis on 31 deeply phenotyped individuals with the canonical 3Mb 22q11.2 deletion to identify what genes outside the 22q11.2 locus may be modifying the immune dysregulated phenotype. Immunophenotyping was performed using preexisting medical data and a novel scoring system developed from numerous clinical laboratory values including immunoglobulin levels, lymphocyte transformation to antigens (LTA), lymphocyte transformation to mitogens (LTM), and peripheral blood flow cytometry. Immunophenotypic scoring was validated against newborn screening T‐cell receptor excision circle (TREC) results.

Results

Rare DNA variants in transcriptional regulators involved in retinoic acid signaling (NCOR2, OMIM *600848 and EP300, OMIM *602700) were found to be associated with immunophenotype.

Conclusion

The expression of TBX1, which seems to confer the major phenotypic features of 22q11.2DS, is regulated via retinoic acid signaling, and alterations in retinoic acid signaling during embryonic development can lead to phenocopies of 22q11.2DS. These observations support the hypothesis that genetic modifiers outside the microdeletion locus may influence the immune function in 22q11.2DS patients.
The use of lower abdominal perforator flaps in soft‐tissue reconstruction after sarcoma resection
Authors: Miyamoto Shimpei , Arikawa Masaki , Kagaya Yu
Published: December 2019

Background

Historically, conventional musculocutaneous flaps have been commonly used for reconstruction after soft tissue sarcoma resection, and the use of lower abdominal perforator flaps has not been popular. This report examined the current role of lower abdominal perforator flaps in sarcoma treatment.

Methods

We reviewed the outcomes of 14 patients (mean age: 46.3 years, range: 18–79 years) who underwent immediate reconstruction with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap or a superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap after sarcoma resection. The defects ranged in size from 7 × 6 cm2 to 25 × 22 cm2 (mean: 16.5 × 12.1 cm2). An oblique design was used for pedicled DIEP flaps and a transverse design for free DIEP flaps.

Results

Free SIEA flaps were used in six patients, pedicled DIEP flaps in five, and free DIEP flaps in three. The flaps ranged in size from 13 × 8 cm2 to 36 × 12.5 cm2 (mean: 23.1 × 9.2 cm2). All DIEP flaps except one were harvested based on one dominant perforator. All flaps survived without vascular compromise. Surgical site infection and seroma occurred at the recipient site in one patient each. No donor‐site complications occurred.

Conclusions

Lower abdominal perforator flaps can serve as a versatile donor site for reconstruction after sarcoma resection.
A 24 GHz microstrip antenna array with large space and narrow beamwidth
Authors: Jia Yongtao , Liu Ying , Zhang Yu
Published: December 2019

A microstrip antenna array with large space and narrow beamwidth working at 24 GHz is presented in this paper. In some millimeter‐wave radar systems, it is often necessary for transmitting antenna with high gain and narrow beamwidth to avoid interference from other information. According to the theory of antenna array, when the number and spacing of the subarrays and the sidelobe level are given, the half‐power beamwidth can be basically determined. In previous studies, the subarray spacing of the transmitting antenna is usually taken as a dielectric wavelength λg. In this paper, under the condition that the number of subarrays is given and no grating lobe is generated, the half power beamwidth is further narrowed by increasing the subarray spacing. The final subarray space of the 12 × 8 antenna array is 11.5 mm, that is, 1.68 dielectric wavelength (λg), and the half power beamwidth of H‐plane is only 5.5°. The simulated and measured results are presented and discussed. Through processing and testing, it is proved that the antenna array has good performance and can be applied to 24 GHz automotive collision avoidance radar or 24 GHz perimeter security radar.
Absolute dosimetry of a 1.5 T MR‐guided accelerator‐based high‐energy photon beam in water and solid phantoms using Aerrow
Authors: Renaud James , Sarfehnia Arman , Bancheri Julien , Seuntjens Jan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

In this work, the fabrication, operation, and evaluation of a probe‐format graphite calorimeter — herein referred to as Aerrow — as an absolute clinical dosimeter of high‐energy photon beams while in the presence of a B = 1.5 T magnetic field is described. Comparable to a cylindrical ionization chamber (IC) in terms of utility and usability, Aerrow has been developed for the purpose of accurately measuring absorbed dose to water in the clinic with a minimum disruption to the existing clinical workflow. To our knowledge, this is the first reported application of graphite calorimetry to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided radiotherapy.

Methods

Based on a previously numerically optimized and experimentally validated design, an Aerrow prototype capable of isothermal operation was constructed in‐house. Graphite‐to‐water dose conversions as well as magnetic field perturbation factors were calculated using Monte Carlo, while heat transfer and mass impurity corrections and uncertainties were assessed analytically. Reference dose measurements were performed in the absence and presence of a B = 1.5 T magnetic field using Aerrow in the 7 MV FFF photon beam of an Elekta MRI‐linac and were directly compared to the results obtained using two calibrated reference‐class IC types. The feasibility of performing solid phantom‐based dosimetry with Aerrow and the possible influence of clearance gaps is also investigated by performing reference‐type dosimetry measurements for multiple rotational positions of the detector and comparing the results to those obtained in water.

Results

In the absence of the B‐field, as well as in the parallel orientation while in the presence of the B‐field, the absorbed dose to water measured using Aerrow was found to agree within combined uncertainties with those derived from TG‐51 using calibrated reference‐class ICs. Statistically significant differences on the order of (2–4)%, however, were observed when measuring absorbed dose to water using the ICs in the perpendicular orientation in the presence of the B‐field. Aerrow had a peak‐to‐peak response of about 0.5% when rotated within the solid phantom regardless of whether the B‐field was present or not.

Conclusions

This work describes the successful use of Aerrow as a straightforward means of measuring absolute dose to water for large high‐energy photon fields in the presence of a 1.5 T B‐field to a greater accuracy than currently achievable with ICs. The detector‐phantom air gap does not appear to significantly influence the response of Aerrow in absolute terms, nor does it contribute to its rotational dependence. This work suggests that the accurate use of solid phantoms for absolute point dose measurement is possible with Aerrow.
Structure or Exchange? On the Feasibility of Chemical Exchange Detection with Balanced Steady‐State Free Precession in Tissue – An In Vitro Study
Authors: Heule Rahel , Deshmane Anagha , Zaiss Moritz , Herz Kai , Ehses Philipp , Scheffler Klaus
Published: December 2019

Balanced steady‐state free precession imaging has recently been suggested for chemical exchange detection (bSSFPX). The objective of this work is to investigate the contributions of microstructural, chemical shift and chemical exchange effects to the asymmetry of the bSSFP profile at field strengths of 3 T and 9.4 T. To this end, in vitro bSSFPX experiments are performed for a range of repetition times and flip angles in glucose water solutions with different MnCl2 concentrations and tissue homogenates obtained from the brainstem of pig brains. The experimental results are compared to multi‐pool Bloch‐McConnell simulations. Additionally, the influence of white matter tract geometry is analyzed ex vivo in pig brain hemispheres measured at two different angles with respect to B0.

The detectable bSSFP profile asymmetry in glucose solutions with tissue‐like relaxation times and white matter homogenates was consistent with Bloch‐McConnell simulations but relatively small. In intact white matter tracts, the asymmetry was dominated by structural effects with a strong dependency on tract orientation relative to B0. In tracts perpendicular to B0, the asymmetry was ≈ 3‐4 times higher than in the homogenates, thus barely affected by chemical exchange effects. In conclusion, chemical exchange‐related bSSFP profile asymmetries are detectable in tissue homogenates, however, the observed asymmetry level is generally low and prone to confounding structural effects rendering in vivo chemical exchange detection with bSSFP challenging in the brain.
House prices and tourism development in Cyprus: A contemporary perspective
Authors: Alola Andrew A. , Asongu Simplice A. , Alola Uju V.
Published: December 2019

This study investigates the nexus between tourism development and house prices in the Republic of Cyprus over the period spanning from 2005Q1 to 2016Q4. Tourism indicators vis‐à‐vis tourism arrivals along with other explanatory variables (the domestic credit, the land area per person, and the consumer price index) are employed in a multivariate autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL)‐bound test model. The empirical results indicate a significant evidence of cointegration. Indicatively, an observed adjustment of about 44% from short‐run to long‐run implies that the model is not relatively slow to adjust to disequilibrium. Importantly, a percent increase in tourism arrivals is observed to cause a rise in house price by about 37%. Expectedly, it is statistically observed that as the land area per person decreases, it is accompanied by a hike in house price. Also, the impacts of domestic credit offered to private enterprises and the consumer price index are different from the results in previous studies. As a policy guide, the government of Cyprus and stakeholder in the tourism and housing sectors should outline a strategy that will ensure the social welfare of people such that housing availability is not hampered by tourism activities.