bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accelerated k‐space shift calibration for free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial MRI quantification of liver fat and
Authors: Zhong Xiaodong , Armstrong Tess , Gao Chang , Nickel Marcel D. , Han Fei , Dale Brian M. , Li Xinzhou , Kafali Sevgi G. , Hu Peng , Wu Holden H. , Deshpande Vibhas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To develop an accelerated k‐space shift calibration method for free‐breathing 3D stack‐of‐radial MRI quantification of liver proton‐density fat fraction (PDFF) and .

Methods

Accelerated k‐space shift calibration was developed to partially skip acquisition of k‐space shift data in the through‐plane direction then interpolate in processing, as well as to reduce the in‐plane averages. A multi‐echo stack‐of‐radial sequence with the baseline calibration was evaluated on a phantom versus vendor‐provided reference‐standard PDFF and values at 1.5T, and in 13 healthy subjects and 5 clinical subjects at 3T with respect to reference‐standard breath‐hold Cartesian acquisitions. PDFF and maps were calculated with different calibration acceleration factors offline and compared to reference‐standard values using Bland‐Altman analysis. Bias and uncertainty were evaluated using normal distribution and Bayesian probability of difference (P < .05 considered significant).

Results

Bland‐Altman plots of phantom and in vivo data showed that substantial acceleration was highly feasible in both through‐plane and in‐plane directions. Compared to the baseline calibration without acceleration, Bayesian analysis revealed no significant differences on biases and uncertainties of PDFF and measurements with all acceleration methods in this study, except the method with through‐plane acceleration equaling slices and averages equaling 20 for PDFF and (both P < .001) for the phantom. A six‐fold reduction in equivalent calibration acquisition time (time saving ≥25 s and ≥80.7%) was achieved using recommended acceleration factors for the in vivo protocols in this study.

Conclusion

This proposed method may allow accelerated calibration for free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial MRI PDFF and mapping.
Morphological and biochemical changes of lymphatic vessels in the soleus muscle of mice after hindlimb unloading
Authors: Kawashima Takafumi , Ji Rui‐Cheng , Itoh Yuta , Agata Nobuhide , Sasai Nobuaki , Murakami Taro , Sokabe Masahiro , Hamada Fumihiko , Kawakami Keisuke
Published: August 2021

Introduction/Aims

Lymphatic vessels are responsible for the removal of metabolic waste from body tissues. They also play a crucial role in skeletal muscle functioning thorough their high‐energy metabolism. In this study we investigated whether disuse muscle atrophy induced by hindlimb unloading is associated with an alteration in the number of lymphatic vessels and differential expression of lymphangiogenic factors in the soleus muscle.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to tail suspension (TS) for 2 or 4 weeks to induce soleus muscle atrophy. After TS, lymphatic and blood capillaries in the soleus muscle were visualized and counted by double staining with LYVE‐1 and CD31. The protein and mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐C, VEGF‐D, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐3 were measured by Western blotting and real‐time reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results

TS for 2 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the number of blood capillaries compared with controls. However, there was no significant change in the number of lymphatic capillaries. By contrast, TS for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the number of lymphatic and blood capillaries. We observed a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D in mice subjected to TS for 4 weeks.

Discussion

The decrease of intramuscular lymphatic vessels may a crucial role in the process of muscle atrophy.
Sensing using a fluorescent product generated from Cu2+ assisted L‐Ascorbic acid oxidation
Authors: Shen Qiming , Shu Tong , Wang Hui , Fang Changhao , Zhang Yingnan , Meldrum Alkiviathes , Serpe Michael J.
Published: August 2021

L‐ascorbic acid (AA) is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in our day‐to‐day body function, and maintaining our health, for example, by serving as an antioxidant. AA oxidation generates various products, some of which have not been identified. In this investigation, we show that the room temperature reaction of AA with copper sulfate (CuSO4) generates a product that exhibits blue fluorescence. We studied how various reaction parameters impacted the fluorescence emission intensity, for example, varying the reactant concentration, reaction time, and pH. Mass spectrometry allowed the identification of probable products with the molecular formulae C10H6O7 and C10H8O8; the chemical structures for the possible products are also proposed. Finally, we showed that the fluorescent product can be used for detecting oxygen, Fe, and solution pH.
Interpretable biomanufacturing process risk and sensitivity analyses for quality‐by‐design and stability control
Authors: Xie Wei , Wang Bo , Li Cheng , Xie Dongming , Auclair Jared
Published: August 2021

While biomanufacturing plays a significant role in supporting the economy and ensuring public health, it faces critical challenges, including complexity, high variability, lengthy lead time, and very limited process data, especially for personalized new cell and gene biotherapeutics. Driven by these challenges, we propose an interpretable semantic bioprocess probabilistic knowledge graph and develop a game theory based risk and sensitivity analyses for production process to facilitate quality‐by‐design and stability control. Specifically, by exploring the causal relationships and interactions of critical process parameters and product quality attributes, we create a Bayesian network based probabilistic knowledge graph characterizing the complex causal interdependencies of all factors. Then, we introduce a Shapley value based sensitivity analysis, which can correctly quantify the variation contribution from each input factor on the outputs (i.e., productivity, product quality). Since the bioprocess model coefficients are learned from limited process observations, we derive the Bayesian posterior distribution to quantify model uncertainty and further develop the Shapley value based sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of estimation uncertainty from each set of model coefficients. Therefore, the proposed bioprocess risk and sensitivity analyses can identify the bottlenecks, guide the reliable process specifications and the most informative data collection, and improve production stability.
A combinatorial auction‐based approach for ridesharing in a student transportation system
Authors: Triki Chefi , Mahdavi Amiri Maziar , Tavakkoli‐Moghaddam Reza , Mokhtarzadeh Mahdi , Ghezavati Vahidreza
Published: August 2021

Here, a mixed‐integer linear programming model is developed to represent a transportation system of students traveling from/to a university campus. The concept of ridesharing is used and the mechanism of combinatorial auctions is incorporated within a routing‐based model. The mathematical model is based on the vehicle routing problem along with appropriate constraints accommodating features that express the auction clearing phase. A hybrid heuristic‐based optimization framework, that takes advantage of meta‐heuristic algorithms to improve an initial solution, is also developed to solve large‐sized instances of the problem. Three meta‐heuristics, namely particle swarm optimization, dragonfly algorithm, and imperialist competitive algorithm, are implemented in the proposed framework, whose performances are assessed and compared. Moreover, two improvement heuristic procedures that attempt to improve the outcomes of the foregoing meta‐heuristics are proposed and compared as well.
Weak imposition of Dirichlet boundary conditions for analyses using Powell–Sabin B‐splines
Authors: Chen Lin , Borst René de
Published: August 2021

Powell–Sabin B‐splines are enjoying an increased use in the analysis of solids and fluids, including fracture propagation. However, the Powell–Sabin B‐spline interpolation does not hold the Kronecker delta property and, therefore, the imposition of Dirichlet boundary conditions is not as straightforward as for the standard finite elements. Herein, we discuss the applicability of various approaches developed to date for the weak imposition of Dirichlet boundary conditions in analyses which employ Powell–Sabin B‐splines. We take elasticity and fracture propagation using phase‐field modeling as a benchmark problem. We first succinctly recapitulate the phase‐field model for propagation of brittle fracture, which encapsulates linear elasticity, and its discretization using Powell–Sabin B‐splines. As baseline solution we impose Dirichlet boundary conditions in a strong sense, and use this to benchmark the Lagrange multiplier, penalty, and Nitsche's methods, as well as methods based on the Hellinger‐Reissner principle, and the linked Lagrange multiplier method and its modified version.
Ethical leadership, good governance and employee commitment: Testing a moderated mediation model in public universities of Ethiopia
Authors: Gollagari Ramakrishna , Beyene Berhanu Belayneh , Mishra Santap Sanhari
Published: August 2021

This paper uses a survey design based on cross‐sectional data from 186 academic staff of four public universities representing four generations of universities in Ethiopia. The study finds that ethical leadership has a positive and significant effect on employee commitment and such relationship is mediated by perceived good governance practices in the public universities. However, there is no moderated mediation effect of university type (generation) affecting the relationship of good governance and employee commitment. The study is quite novel in bringing good governance as a mediator into the relationship between ethical leadership and employee commitment in higher education institutions particularly in the public university context.
My Brother's Keeper? The Impact of Targeted Educational Supports
Authors: Dee Thomas S. , Penner Emily K.
Published: August 2021

The My Brother's Keeper (MBK) Challenge developed by President Obama supports communities that promote civic initiatives designed to improve the educational and economic opportunities specifically for young men of color. In Oakland, California, the MBK educational initiative features the African American Male Achievement (AAMA) program. The AAMA focuses on regularly scheduled classes exclusively for Black, male students and taught by Black, male teachers who focus on social‐emotional training, African‐American history, culturally relevant pedagogy, and academic supports. In this study, we present quasi‐experimental evidence on the dropout effects of the AAMA by leveraging its staggered scale‐up across high schools in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). We find that AAMA availability led to a significant reduction in the number of Black males who dropped out as well as smaller reductions among Black females, particularly in ninth grade.
Parental adjustment following their child's completion of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment
Authors: McCarthy Maria C. , Marks India R. , Mulraney Melissa , Downie Peter , Matson Alice , De Luca Cinzia R.
Published: August 2021

Background

Few studies haveexamined parent and family adaptation in the early period following the end of childhood cancer treatment. We examined parent adjustment at the end of their child's treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods

Parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCS), who were 3 months post‐ALL treatment, and parents of typically developing children completed measures of psychological and family functioning. Parents of CCS also completed distress and posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) questionnaires related to their child's cancer experience.

Results

One hundred twenty‐nine parents were recruited: 77 parents of CCS and 52 comparison parents. Overall mean psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and family functioning were within normal limits for both groups. Parents of CCS endorsed higher scores for stress, depression, and family problems; however, mean scores for emotional distress were low for both groups, in particular the comparison group. Parents of CCS endorsed low rates of PTSS. Fifty‐one percent of parents of CCS scored above the distress thermometer (DT‐P) clinical cutoff (>4), with items elevated across all six DT‐P domains. However, most parents did not indicate a wish to speak to a health professional about their symptoms.

Conclusion

Specialist psychosocial intervention may be indicated for only a subset of parents at the end of treatment. As per psychosocial standards of care, effective screening at this timepoint is warranted. Further examination of appropriate timing of psychosocial information and support services that are tailored to parents’ circumstances is needed. eHealth approaches may be appropriate.
3D printing of continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoset composites using UV curable resin
Authors: Rahman Md Atikur , Islam Md Zahirul , Gibbon Luke , Ulven Chad A. , La Scala John J.
Published: August 2021

Additive manufacturing is trending toward functional applications beyond the scope of rapid prototyping. This requires the development of high‐performance, lightweight, and complex structures resulting from additive manufacturing. One of the biggest challenges for fulfilling these requirements is the limitation of material properties. The introduction of reinforcement allows for the expansion of current polymer‐based 3D printing technologies to achieve increased material properties while maintaining complex geometries. Commercial 3D printers able to print thermoplastic composites have recently been demonstrated with good repeatability. However, limitations of these thermoplastic composites include low fiber volume fraction and susceptibility to high temperatures. In contrast, thermoset‐based composites offer greater thermal stability and higher mechanical performance due to the cross‐linked structure of the polymer. Moreover, using continuous reinforcement instead of short fiber reinforcement offers higher performance opportunities. Therefore, the challenge of 3D printing with continuous fiber‐reinforced thermoset composite is addressed in this study. A 3D printer capable of printing a UV curable resin system reinforced with continuous carbon fiber was constructed. Variations of printed composites' mechanical properties depending on the fiber tow characteristic were investigated. Two different carbon fiber types and their associated tow twist count and sizing were evaluated in this study. Burn‐off tests were used to determine the printed composites' final fiber volume fraction. Using a rule of mixtures approach, strength and modulus were predicted for each composite and compared against their experimental values. Predicted modulus values were found within 2%–5% of experimental, while strength values were significantly less than predicted.
Synthesis and characteristics of HAB‐6FDA thermally rearranged polyimide nanocomposite membranes
Authors: Patel Harsh D. , Acharya Naveen K.
Published: August 2021

The thermal rearrangement of polyimides of ortho‐positioned functional group membranes improves the gas permselectivity properties of the polyimide precursor. For this experiment, HAB‐6FDA polyimide was synthesized from 3,3 dihydroxy‐4,4‐diamino‐biphenyl (HAB) and 2,2‐bis‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) by chemical imidization. A sample was modified from a pure polymer to silica nanoparticle composition. Furthermore, a modification was carried out by thermal rearrangement reaction at temperatures of 350, 400, and 450°C. The thermal property of these membrane films was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR, opacity experiment, and free volume analysis. Permeability decreases with an increase in the kinetic diameter of gasses, which is normal behavior for glassy polymers. The composition of silica nanoparticles slightly changes the permeability in the polyimide. The combined effect of silica nanoparticles and thermal rearrangement of the HAB‐6FDA membrane has shown an excellent performance. The thermal rearrangement with nanocomposite shows a significant impact on a larger effect on permeation for lighter gases, that is, H2, CO2, and O2, compared with N2 and CH4. Particularly for H2/CH4 gas pair, it lies over Robeson's 2008 upper bound limit, which fits the composition in the novel class for the gas separation membranes.
A mixed‐method analysis of the implementation process of universal screening in a tiered mental health system
Authors: Brann Kristy L. , Naser Shereen C. , Splett Joni W. , DiOrio Courtney A.
Published: August 2021

Schools are encouraged to take a proactive approach to mental health through the use of a tiered system of supports facilitated by universal mental health screening. However, schools may experience difficulty implementing universal screening and large‐scale systems change. The purpose of this study was to explore multilevel implementation determinants, identify strategies that aided implementation, and examine how implementation determinants and strategies impacted implementation reach for two schools adopting and initially implementing universal screening within a tiered mental health system. We used a mixed‐methods case study design where qualitative analysis of focus groups identified themes related to implementation determinants and strategies, and quantitative data compared implementation reach before and after the initial implementation of universal screening. Focus groups identified themes of broader influence, structures, school climate, personnel, and resources that enabled and obstructed the implementation process. To aid the tiered system, schools used implementation strategies of outreach and systems, screening, and intervention planning. Integrative mixed‐methods analysis identified influences of these determinants and strategies on changes in implementation reach at Tier 1; however, only minimal changes occurred at Tiers 2 and 3. Results highlight the importance of attending to implementation factors when adopting and initially implementing a tiered mental health system.
The Resilience Education Program: Examining the efficacy of a Tier 2 internalizing intervention
Authors: Eklund Katie , Kilgus Stephen P. , Izumi Jared , DeMarchena Sarah L. , McCollom Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2021

This study reports on the results of a pilot study designed to evaluate the Resilience Education Program (REP): a brief Tier 2 intervention that includes small‐group cognitive‐behavioral instruction, paired with a modified check‐in/check‐out procedure. Three elementary school students demonstrating early indicators of internalizing behavior concerns participated in the current intervention. A multiple‐baseline single‐case design was used to evaluate intervention effects. Outcome data corresponded to teacher‐collected direct behavior rating data, which were specific to each student's particular internalizing concerns (e.g., negative affect, withdrawal) and were collected on a daily basis during times when these behaviors were most problematic. Visual analysis and effect size estimates were used in evaluating intervention effects relative to baseline conditions for each student. Results indicated REP yielded a moderate intervention effect for two out of three students (Tau‐U = 0.72 and 0.68, respectively), each of whom exhibited an immediate reduction in internalizing behavior. Both students also demonstrated an absence of negative behaviors in the maintenance phase. Findings for the third student were obfuscated by low behavioral rates during baseline. Following the intervention, educators rated REP as a socially valid intervention. Limitations of this study and future directions for research and practice are discussed.
Single polypeptide detection using a translocon EXP2 nanopore
Authors: Miyagi Mitsuki , Takiguchi Sotaro , Hakamada Kazuaki , Yohda Masafumi , Kawano Ryuji
Published: August 2021

DNA sequencing using nanopores has already been achieved and commercialized; the next step in advancing nanopore technology is towards protein sequencing. Although trials have been reported for discriminating the 20 amino acids using biological nanopores and short peptide carriers, it remains challenging. The size compatibility between nanopores and peptides is one of the issues to be addressed. Therefore, exploring biological nanopores that are suitable for peptide sensing is key in achieving amino acid sequence determination. Here, we focus on EXP2, the transmembrane protein of a translocon from malaria parasites, and describe its pore‐forming properties in the lipid bilayer. EXP2 mainly formed a nanopore with a diameter of 2.5 nm assembled from 7 monomers. Using the EXP2 nanopore allowed us to detect poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) at a single‐molecule level. Furthermore, the EXP2 nanopore has sufficient resolution to distinguish the difference in molecular weight between two individual PLL, long PLL (Mw: 30,000–70,000) and short PLL (Mw: 10,000). Our results contribute to the accumulation of information for peptide‐detectable nanopores.
Proteomic profiling of the oncogenic septin 9 reveals isoform‐specific interactions in breast cancer cells
Authors: Devlin Louis , Okletey Joshua , Perkins George , Bowen Jonathan R. , Nakos Konstantinos , Montagna Cristina , Spiliotis Elias T.
Published: August 2021

Septins are a family of multimeric GTP‐binding proteins, which are abnormally expressed in cancer. Septin 9 (SEPT9) is an essential and ubiquitously expressed septin with multiple isoforms, which have differential expression patterns and effects in breast cancer cells. It is unknown, however, if SEPT9 isoforms associate with different molecular networks and functions. Here, we performed a proteomic screen in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells to identify the interactome of GFP‐SEPT9 isoforms 1, 4 and 5, which vary significantly in their N‐terminal extensions. While all three isoforms associated with SEPT2 and SEPT7, the truncated SEPT9_i4 and SEPT9_i5 interacted with septins of the SEPT6 group more promiscuously than SEPT9_i1, which bound predominately SEPT8. Spatial mapping and functional clustering of non‐septin partners showed isoform‐specific differences in interactions with proteins of distinct subcellular organelles (e.g., nuclei, centrosomes, cilia) and functions such as cell signalling and ubiquitination. The interactome of the full length SEPT9_i1 was more enriched in cytoskeletal regulators, while the truncated SEPT9_i4 and SEPT9_i5 exhibited preferential and isoform‐specific interactions with nuclear, signalling, and ubiquitinating proteins. These data provide evidence for isoform‐specific interactions, which arise from truncations in the N‐terminal extensions of SEPT9, and point to novel roles in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.
Construction of a Novel Barium‐Free Green‐Light Emitting Illuminant Based on Boron Carbide
Authors: Huang Zhiping , Xu Shengliang , Chen Xinli , Wang Min , Yuan Hua , Zhao Huali , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: August 2021

Green‐light emitting illuminant and green pearls that are currently being used for pyrotechnics are mainly composed of barium carbonate and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which lead inevitably to the substantial generation of abundant harmful products for environmental pollution. There is thus considerable scope for the development of a novel emitting illuminant with an improved “green” composition instead of compositions incorporating barium based oxidants and polyvinyl chloride for environmental protection. For this purpose, a new composition composed of boron carbide, potassium perchlorate, and guanidine nitrate with a suitable burning rate of 5∼15 mm/s required for fireworks, the high luminous intensity of 34665 Cd and spectral purity of 67.1 % at a primary wavelength of 562 nm was developed. Notably, PM10 data demonstrated that the new composition generated less than half the amount of the smoke relative to the original one. More importantly, all of the safety parameters of this new formulation meet well with the standards’ requirements, i. e., a remarkable low sensitivity to friction (0 %) and impact (8 %), relative stability to electric discharge (374.4 mJ), flame (14.0 cm) and heating (unburned, unexploded at 75 °C for 48 h), as well as a high ignition temperature of 504.0 °C and a low moisture absorption rate (0.66 %). Taken together, the new emitting illuminant developed herein showed great potential to be used for fireworks and signal flare in both military and civilian applications.
Investigation of the Impurities in Erythritol Tetranitrate (ETN) Using UHPLC‐QTOF
Authors: Freye Chris E. , Nguyen Thuy‐Ai D. , Tappan Bryce C.
Published: August 2021

In order to further gain a comprehensive chemical understanding of erythritol tetranitrate (ETN), the synthesis impurities of ETN were investigated using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with tandem high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS). A total of 12 impurities were identified relating to the synthesis of ETN. We have synthesized pure analytical standards of erythritol‐1,4‐dinitrate (1,4‐EDiN) and erythritol‐1,2,4‐trinitrate (1,2,4‐ETriN). These isomerically pure standards have allowed for confirmation of the identity of some of the discovered impurities. Additionally, partially nitrated with sulfate substituted erythritol was identified which is theorized to have formed from the incomplete displacement of the formed sulfate group on the alcohol position during nitration.
Jaridon 6, a new diterpene from Rabdosia rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara, can display anti‐gastric cancer resistance by inhibiting SIRT1 and inducing autophagy
Authors: Fu Ling , Han Bing‐Kai , Meng Fang‐Feng , Wang Jun‐Wei , Wang Tian‐Ye , Li Hui‐Ju , Sun Ying‐ying , Zou Guo‐na , Li Xiao‐rui , Li Wen , Bi Yue‐Feng , Ke Yu , Liu Hong‐Min
Published: August 2021

Tumor resistance is the main cause of treatment failure and is associated with many tumor factors. Jaridon 6, a new diterpene extracted from Rabdosia rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara, which has been previously extracted by our research team, has been tested having more obvious advantages in resistant tumor cells. However, its mechanism is unclear. In this study, we studied the effect and the specific mechanism of Jaridon 6 in resistant gastric cancer cells. Cytotoxicity test, colony test, western blotting, and nude test verified the anti‐drug resistance ability of Jaridon 6 in the MGC803/PTX and MGC803/5‐Fu cells. Jaridon 6 has shown obvious inhibitory effects in the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) enzyme test. Transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence tests further proved the autophagic action of Jaridon 6. Jaridon 6 could inhibit the proliferation of the resistant gastric cancer cell in vivo and in vitro. Jaridon 6 inhibited SIRT1 enzyme and induced autophagy by inhibiting the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway. Thus, it may be considered for treating gastric cancer resistance by individual or combined administration, as an SIRT1 inhibitor and autophagy inducer.
Discounted near‐optimal regulation of constrained nonlinear systems via generalized value iteration
Authors: Wang Ding , Zhao Mingming , Ha Mingming , Qiao Junfei
Published: August 2021

In this article, a generalized value iteration algorithm is developed to address the discounted near‐optimal control problem for discrete‐time systems with control constraints. The initial cost function is permitted to be an arbitrary positive semi‐definite function without being zero. First, a nonquadratic performance functional is utilized to overcome the challenge caused by saturating actuators. Then, the monotonicity and convergence of the iterative cost function sequence with the discount factor are analyzed. For facilitating the implementation of the iterative algorithm, two neural networks with Levenberg–Marquardt training algorithm are constructed to approximate the cost function and the control law. Furthermore, the initial control law is obtained by employing the fixed point iteration approach. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to validate the feasibility of the present strategy. It is emphasized that the established control laws are successfully constrained for randomly given initial state vectors.
A Bayesian nonparametric approach to dynamic item‐response modeling: An application to the GUSTO cohort study
Authors: Cremaschi Andrea , De Iorio Maria , Seng Chong Yap , Broekman Birit , Meaney Michael J. , Kee Michelle Z. L.
Published: August 2021

Statistical analysis of questionnaire data is often performed employing techniques from item‐response theory. In this framework, it is possible to differentiate respondent profiles and characterize the questions (items) included in the questionnaire via interpretable parameters. These models are often crosssectional and aim at evaluating the performance of the respondents. The motivating application of this work is the analysis of psychometric questionnaires taken by a group of mothers at different time points and by their children at one later time point. The data are available through the GUSTO cohort study. To this end, we propose a Bayesian semiparametric model and extend the current literature by: (i) introducing temporal dependence among questionnaires taken at different time points; (ii) jointly modeling the responses to questionnaires taken from different, but related, groups of subjects (in our case mothers and children), introducing a further dependency structure and therefore sharing of information; (iii) allowing clustering of subjects based on their latent response profile. The proposed model is able to identify three main groups of mother/child pairs characterized by their response profiles. Furthermore, we report an interesting maternal reporting bias effect strongly affecting the clustering structure of the mother/child dyads.
Catalytic and Mechanistic Insights into Side‐Chain Alkenylation of Toluene with Methanol for Styrene Formation
Authors: Hattori Hideshi , Aitani Abdullah M.
Published: August 2021

The literature on catalytic and mechanistic aspects of the side‐chain alkenylation of toluene with methanol for the formation of styrene on solid base catalysts is reviewed. The development of catalysts and catalysis are described mostly on alkali ion exchange zeolite catalysts with fundamental chemistry related to the side‐chain alkenylation. Mechanistic studies performed from various viewpoints are described. Methods to elucidate the reaction mechanisms are discussed based on the identification of the adsorbed species of the reactants, use of plausible intermediate compounds as reactant, characterization of surface properties to examine the correlation with reaction results, poisoning of the active sites by certain molecules, and theoretical calculations of the energy profile along with the reaction coordinate. These studies are discussed with critical assessments. The review addresses several challenges that prevent the side‐chain alkenylation of toluene with methanol from industrialization which include decomposition of methanol to CO and H2, and co‐production of ethylbenzene. The paper covers mostly literature published during the period from 2000 to early 2021.
Topographically Conductive Butterfly Wing Substrates for Directed Spiral Ganglion Neuron Growth
Authors: Wei Hao , Chen Zhuoyue , Hu Yangnan , Cao Wei , Ma XiaoFeng , Zhang Chen , Gao Xia , Qian Xiaoyun , Zhao Yuanjin , Chai Renjie
Published: August 2021

Spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) degeneration can lead to severe hearing loss, and the directional regeneration of SGNs has shown great potential for improving the efficacy of auditory therapy. Here, a novel 3D conductive microstructure with surface topologies is presented by integrating superaligned carbon‐nanotube sheets (SA‐CNTs) onto Morpho Menelaus butterfly wings for SGN culture. The parallel groove‐like topological structures of M. Menelaus wings induce the cultured cells to grow along the direction of its ridges. The excellent conductivity of SA‐CNTs significantly improves the efficiency of cellular information conduction. When integrating the SA‐CNTs with M. Menelaus wings, the SA‐CNTs are aligned in parallel with the M. Menelaus ridges, which further strengthens the consistency of the surface topography in the composite substrate. The SA‐CNTs integrated onto butterfly wings provide powerful physical signals and regulate the behavior of SGNs, including cell survival, adhesion, neurite outgrowth, and synapse formation. These features indicate the possibility of directed regeneration after auditory nerve injury.
Cost‐Efficient Photovoltaic‐Water Electrolysis over Ultrathin Nanosheets of Cobalt/Iron–Molybdenum Oxides for Potential Large‐Scale Hydrogen Production
Authors: Yi Xinli , Song Lizhu , Ouyang Shuxin , Wang Ning , Chen Huayu , Wang Jianbo , Lv Jun , Ye Jinhua
Published: August 2021

Unassisted photovoltaic (PV) water splitting to hydrogen system is of great potential for future environmental‐friendly fuel production from renewable solar energy. However, industrialization simultaneously requires higher efficiency, sustained stability and a lower cost for the system. In this work, the ultrathin cobalt/iron–molybdenum oxides nanosheet on nickel foam (NF) is prepared for efficient HER and OER, respectively, delivering a relatively low voltage of 1.45 V at 10 mA cm−2 in two‐electrodes configuration. Water electrolysis at low voltage driven by electrocatalysts is critical for realizing energy conversion. Integrated with a commercial monocrystalline silicon cell, the H2 area specific activity of 0.47 L m−2 h−1 is achieved with a solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 15.1% under solar simulator illumination (100 mW cm−2) and no performance degradation appeares over 160 h. Such a solar conversion technology demonstrates the potential for long‐term and cost‐efficient H2 production in large‐scale industrialization and provides an exploration for new‐type of energy‐conversion system.
Plexcitonic Quasi‐Bound States in the Continuum
Authors: Zheng Peng , Raj Piyush , Mizutani Takayuki , Szabo Miklos , Hanson William A. , Barman Ishan
Published: August 2021

Enhancing light‐matter interactions is fundamental to the advancement of nanophotonics and optoelectronics. Yet, light diffraction on dielectric platforms and energy loss on plasmonic metallic systems present an undesirable trade‐off between coherent energy exchange and incoherent energy damping. Through judicious structural design, both light confinement and energy loss issues could be potentially and simultaneously addressed by creating bound states in the continuum (BICs) where light is ideally decoupled from the radiative continuum. Herein, the authors present a general framework based on the two‐coupled resonances to first conceptualize and then numerically demonstrate a type of quasi‐BICs that can be achieved through the interference between two bare resonance modes and is characterized by the considerably narrowed spectral line shape even on lossy metallic nanostructures. The ubiquity of the proposed framework further allows the paradigm to be extended for the realization of plexcitonic quasi‐BICs on the same metallic systems. Owing to the topological nature, both plasmonic and plexcitonic quasi‐BICs display strong mode robustness against parameters variation, thereby providing an attractive platform to unlock the potential of the coupled plasmon‐exciton systems for manipulation of the photophysical properties of condensed phases.
Assessing test suites of extended finite state machines against model‐ and code‐based faults
Authors: El‐Fakih K. , Alzaatreh Ayman , Türker Uraz Cengiz
Published: August 2021

Tests can be derived from extended finite state machine (EFSM) specifications considering the coverage of single‐transfer faults, all transitions using a transition tour, all‐uses, edge‐pair, and prime path with side trip. We provide novel empirical assessments of the effectiveness of these test suites. The first assessment determines for each pair of test suites if there is a difference between the pair in covering EFSM faults of six EFSM specifications. If the difference is found significant, we determine which test suite outperforms the other. The second assessment is similar to the first; yet, it is carried out against code faults of 12 Java implementations of the specifications. Besides, two assessments are provided to determine whether test suites have better coverage of certain classes of EFSM (or code) faults than others. The evaluation uses proper data transformation of mutation scores andp‐value adjustments for controlling Type I error due to multiple tests. Furthermore, we show that subsuming mutants have an impact on mutation scores of both EFSM and code faults; and accordingly, we use a score that removes them in order not to invalidate the obtained results. The assessments show that all‐uses tests were outperformed by all other tests; transition tours outperformed both edge‐pair and prime path with side trips; and single‐transfer fault tests outperformed all other test suites. Similar results are obtained over the considered EFSM and code fault domains, and there were no significant differences between the test suites coverage of different classes of EFSM and code faults.
Genetic trend of the junctional epidermolysis bullosa in the German shorthaired pointer in Italy
Authors: Frattini Stefano , Polli Michele , Cortellari Matteo , Negro Alessio , Bionda Arianna , Riva Jacopo , Rizzi Rita , Marelli Stefano , Crepaldi Paola
Published: August 2021

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a hereditary heterogeneous group of mechanobullous disorders caused by mutations in several structural skin proteins observed in both humans and animals. In this work, we report the incidence and the genetic trend of the junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), a major type of EB, in the Italian German Shorthaired Pointer (GSPs) population in a 10 years span.

Methods

In this study, we monitored the genetic trend of JEB in the Italian population of the GSPs from 2009 to 2018 in 750 animals. The studied mutation was the insertion (4818+207 ins 6.5 kb) of repetitive satellite DNA within intron 35 of the LAMA3 gene.

Results

Allele frequencies showed a reduction of the mutated (C) allele during the years, with the only exception of 2017, when 13 dogs were diagnosed as carrier for the genetic pathology. A regression logistic analysis was performed, including sex, coat colour and their interaction. Our results showed that there was a statistically significant association with coat colour.

Conclusions

The simplicity and the low cost of the analysis for the detection of this pathology suggests that a deeper identification of carrier dogs will allow better breeding strategies and management, leading to a rapid JEB eradication.
Estimation of blade loads for a variable pitch vertical axis wind turbine from particle image velocimetry
Authors: LeBlanc Bruce , Ferreira Carlos
Published: August 2021

This paper presents the flow fields and aerodynamic loading of a two bladed H‐type vertical axis wind turbine with active variable pitch for load and circulation control. Particle Image Velocimetry is used to capture flow fields at six azimuthal positions of the blades during operation, three upwind and three downwind. Flow phenomena such as dynamic stall and tower shadow are captured in the flow fields. The phase‐averaged velocity fields and their time and spatial derivatives are used to calculate the normal and tangential loading at each position for each pitching configuration using the Noca formulation of the flux equations. The results show the effect of load shifting from the upwind to downwind region of the actuator using pitch and the effects of dynamic stall on the blades. The results also provide an unique database for model validation.
Reproductive cycles of neotropical boid snakes evaluated by ultrasound
Authors: Garcia Viviane C. , de Almeida‐Santos Selma Maria
Published: August 2021

Snakes have increasingly been bred as pets around the world. Few studies have addressed the reproduction of boid snakes, and no study has addressed their reproductive cycles in captivity. Thus, this paper describes the reproductive aspects of Brazilian boids in captivity. We used ultrasonography to characterize the reproductive cycle of four boid species in captivity in the Southern Hemisphere: the anaconda (Eunectes murinus), the red‐tailed boa (Boa constrictor constrictor), the Amazon tree boa (Corallus hortulanus), and the rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria). Nonvitellogenic follicles occurred from January to December in anaconda and red‐tailed boa and for a shorter period from September to February in Amazon tree boa and from January to May in rainbow boa. Vitellogenesis occurred from late June to late March in E. murinus in year‐round (12 months), from March to March in Amazon tree boa, from late September to late March in red‐tailed boa, and from late March to late September in rainbow boa. Mating occurred from late March to late September in red‐tailed boa and rainbow boa and from late September to late March in Amazon tree boa. No mating was observed in anacondas, but a female probably underwent parthenogenesis. Births occurred in July in anaconda and in March to July in Amazon tree boa and from December to March in red‐tailed boa and rainbow boa. In males, increases in testicular size were associated with the mating season. Ultrasonography proved to be a safe and noninvasive technique to study the reproductive cycle of giant snakes in captivity.
Compositional Analysis of Protocol Equivalence in the Applied $$\pi $$-Calculus Using Quasi-open Bisimilarity
Authors: Horne Ross , Mauw Sjouke , Yurkov Semen
Published: August 2021

This paper shows that quasi-open bisimilarity is the coarsest bisimilarity congruence for the applied $$\pi $$
π
-calculus. Furthermore, we show that this equivalence is suited to security and privacy problems expressed as an equivalence problem in the following senses: (1) being a bisimilarity is a safe choice since it does not miss attacks based on rich strategies; (2) being a congruence it enables a compositional approach to proving certain equivalence problems such as unlinkability; and (3) being the coarsest such bisimilarity congruence it can establish proofs of some privacy properties where finer equivalences fail to do so.
Die Familienthematik in der (TV-)Serie: Historische Entwicklung, Bedeutung und Ausblick
Authors: Kelsch Jakob
Published: August 2021

Das zweite Kapitel umfasst einen ausführlichen Überblick über die Entwicklung der Familiendarstellung in der TV-Serie von ihren Ursprüngen bis heute. Diese Darstellung folgt einer Wellen- bzw. Mäanderbewegung: In den 1950er und 1960er Jahren bildete sich der Mythos der patriarchalen Kernfamilie als Ideal des familiären Zusammenlebens. In den folgenden Jahrzehnten folgten Phasen der Dekonstruktion und der Darstellung problematischer Familienverhältnisse auf Phasen der Rückkehr zum ursprünglichen Ideal der Kernfamilie. Auch wenn Elemente des gesellschaftlichen Wandels in die Weltbilder integriert werden, bleibt dabei der Mythos der idealen Kernfamilie als überzeitliche Konstante bestehen. Am Ende des historischen Überblicks folgt eine detailliertere Auslotung der Potentiale und der Entwicklung der Video-on-Demand-Anbieter.
Concluding Remarks
Authors: Müller Birgit Charlotte
Published: August 2021

Despite being of fundamental economic and scientific importance, international financial markets have remained considerably underresearched until today. This thesis presents three essays on empirical asset pricing in international equity markets. In the first essay, the role of firm-specific characteristics is analyzed for the momentum effect to exist. The second essay investigates the validity, persistence, and robustness of the newly discovered capital share growth factor across international markets as proposed by Lettau et al. (2019) for the U.S. market.
Discovery of higher-order quantum electrodynamics effect for the vacuum pair production
Authors: Zha W. , Tang Z.
Published: August 2021

Abstract

The higher-order quantum electrodynamics (QED) effect for vacuum pair production has been searched without success since 1954. In this paper, we show that the combined world-wide data of lepton pair vacuum production is about 20% smaller than the latest lowest order QED calculation with a 5.2 sigma-level of significance and is consistent with the corresponding higher-order QED result. We claim the discovery of higher-order effect for the QED pair production, which settles the dust of previous debates for several decades. The verification of higher-order QED effect is a fundamental scientific problem, which is an important milestone towards the nonperturbative and nonlinear regime of QED vacuum.
Muon (g − 2) in the B-LSSM
Authors: Yang Jin-Lei , Zhang Hai-Bin , Liu Chang-Xin , Dong Xing-Xing , Feng Tai-Fu
Published: August 2021

Abstract

The difference between the updated experimental result on the muon anomalous magnetic dipole moment and the corresponding theoretical prediction of the standard model on that is about 4.2 standard deviations. In this work, we calculate the muon anomalous MDM at the two-loop level in the supersymmetric B − L extension of the standard model. Considering the experimental constraints on the lightest Higgs boson mass, Higgs boson decay modes h → γγ, WW, ZZ, $$ b\overline{b} $$
b

b
¯

, $$ \tau \overline{\tau} $$
τ

τ
¯

, B rare decay $$ \overline{B} $$

B
¯

→ Xsγ, and the transition magnetic moments of Majorana neutrinos, we analyze the theoretical predictions of the muon anomalous magnetic dipole moment in the B − L supersymmetric model. The numerical analyses indicate that the tension between the experimental measurement and the standard model prediction is remedied in the B − L supersymmetric model.
Exploring the landscape of CHL strings on Td
Authors: Font Anamaría , Fraiman Bernardo , Graña Mariana , Núñez Carmen A. , De Freitas Héctor Parra
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Compactifications of the heterotic string on special Td/ℤ2 orbifolds realize a landscape of string models with 16 supercharges and a gauge group on the left-moving sector of reduced rank d + 8. The momenta of untwisted and twisted states span a lattice known as the Mikhailov lattice II(d), which is not self-dual for d > 1. By using computer algorithms which exploit the properties of lattice embeddings, we perform a systematic exploration of the moduli space for d ≤ 2, and give a list of maximally enhanced points where the U(1)d+8 enhances to a rank d + 8 non-Abelian gauge group. For d = 1, these groups are simply-laced and simply-connected, and in fact can be obtained from the Dynkin diagram of E10. For d = 2 there are also symplectic and doubly-connected groups. For the latter we find the precise form of their fundamental groups from embeddings of lattices into the dual of II(2). Our results easily generalize to d > 2.