bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Oxidation Behavior of EC:DMC Based Electrolyte on Non-Catalytically Active Surface
Authors: Azcarate Iban , Yin Wei , Méthivier Christophe , Ribot François , Laberty-Robert Christel , Grimaud Alexis
Published: May 2020

The race for developing Li-ion batteries positive electrodes with always greater energy density has recently renewed interest towards understanding the formation of the so-called cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) forming upon cycling at high potential. In this work, we used an approach combining electrochemical measurements with physical characterizations to study the different anodic events occurring for the state-of-the-art EC:DMC 1M LiPF6 (LP30) electrolyte. Doing so, we could find that EC-related species are first oxidized before the oxidation of DMC-related species at greater potential which forms a film relatively rich in organic polycarbonates species. Using a soluble redox probe, we could then demonstrate that while this organic layer is partially passivating, it is unstable with time and cycling. In fact, only reaching a potential as high as 5.4 V vs Li+/Li for several hours leads to the formation of a perfectly stable and passivating CEI.
A Metal-Oxide Contact to ε-Ga2O3 Epitaxial Films and Relevant Conduction Mechanism
Authors: Bosio Alessio , Borelli Carmine , Parisini Antonella , Pavesi Maura , Vantaggio Salvatore , Fornari Roberto
Published: May 2020

In this work, the conduction mechanisms across novel contacts to epitaxial films of pure phase epsilon-Ga2O3 (ε-Ga2O3) were investigated. Different structures made by sputtered metal and oxide thin films were tested as electrical contacts. I-V characteristics show heterogeneous behaviors, revealing different conduction mechanisms according to the applied bias. The results are interesting as they offer a viable method to obtain ohmic contacts on ε-Ga2O3, which is less studied than other gallium oxide polymorphs but may find application in new electronic and optoelectronic devices. The newly developed ohmic contacts allow to fabricate simple test devices and assess the potential of this material.
Predictors of Neurological and Functional Recovery in Patients with Moderate to Severe Ischemic Stroke: The EPICA Study
Authors: Murie-Fernández Manuel , Marzo Mercedes Molleda
Published: May 2020

Background. Improving our knowledge about the impact of restorative therapies employed in the rehabilitation of a stroke patient may help guide practitioners in prescribing treatment regimen that may lead to better post-stroke recovery and quality of life. Aims. To evaluate the neurological and functional recovery for 3 months after an acute ischemic stroke occurred within previous 3 months. To determine predictors of recovery. Design. Prospective observational registry. Population. Patients having suffered acute moderate to severe ischemic stroke of moderate to severe intensity within the previous 3 months with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score from 10 to 20, 24 hours after arrival at emergency room (ER). Methods. All prespecified variables (sociodemographic and clinical data, lifestyle recommendations, rehabilitation prescription, and neurological assessments) were assessed at three visits, i.e., baseline (D0), one month (M1), and three months (M3). Results. Out of 143 recruited patients, 131 could be analysed at study entry within 3 months after stroke onset with a mean acute NIHSS score of 14.05, decreased to 10.8 at study baseline. Study sample was aged 64.9±13.8 years, with 49.2% of women. Neurorehabilitation treatment was applied to 9 of 10 patients from the acute phase and for three months with different intensities depending on the centre. A large proportion of patients recovered from severe dependency on activities of daily living (ADL) at D0 to a mild or moderate disability requiring some help at M3: mean NIHSS=10.8 to 5.7; median modified Rankin Scale mRS=4 to 3; Barthel index BI=40 to 70; all p values<0.001. Multivariate analyses integrating other regression variables showed a trend in favour of rehabilitation and revascularization therapies on recovery although did not reach statistical significance and that the positive predictors of recovery improvement were baseline BI score, time to treatment, and dietary supplement MLC901 (NurAiD™II). A larger percentage of patients with more severe stroke (NIHSS>14) who received MLC901 showed above median improvements on mRS compared to control group at M1 (71.4% vs. 29.4%; p=0.032) and M3 (85.7% vs. 50%; p=0.058). Older subjects and women tend to have less improvement by M3. Conclusions. Our study in patients with moderate to severe stroke shows overall recovery on neurological and functional assessments during the 3 months of study observation. Apart from demonstrating traditional “non-modifiable” predictors of outcome after stroke, like age, sex, and stroke severity, we also detected association between the use of dietary supplement MLC901 and recovery.
Conventional Construction and 3D Printing: A Comparison Study on Material Cost in Jordan
Authors: Allouzi Rawan , Al-Azhari Wael , Allouzi Rabab
Published: May 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a procedure used to create 3D objects in which consecutive layers of a material are computer-controlled produced. Such objects can be constructed in any shape using digital model data. First, this paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the advances in 3D printing processes of construction. Then, the architectural, economical, environmental, and structural features of 3D printing are introduced. Examples of 3D printed structures are presented, and the construction challenges facing Jordan, that encouraged this study, are stated. Finally, a precise description regarding the impact of 3D printing is provided by comparing conventional construction data of Ras Alain Multipurpose Hall in Jordan and the expected data if the same building has been built using 3D printing. The suggested model is generated using Revit software. As a result of this study, an understanding of 3D printing procedure, mechanism of action, and its impact on the future of construction and architecture through economical, structural, and environmental parameters is achieved. This leads to encourage engineers and contractors to take this subject into account for construction in Jordan.
A Discrete Mathematical Modeling and Optimal Control of the Rumor Propagation in Online Social Network
Authors: El Bhih Amine , Ghazzali Rachid , Ben Rhila Soukaina , Rachik Mostafa , El Alami Laaroussi Adil
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a new rumor spreading model in social networks has been investigated. We propose a new version primarily based on the cholera model in order to take into account the expert pages specialized in the dissemination of rumors from an existing IRCSS model. In the second part, we recommend an optimal control strategy to fight against the spread of the rumor, and the study aims at characterizing the three optimal controls which minimize the number of spreader users, fake pages, and corresponding costs; theoretically, we have proved the existence of optimal controls, and we have given a characterization of controls in terms of states and adjoint functions based on a discrete version of Pontryagin’s maximum principle. To illustrate the theoretical results obtained, we propose numerical simulations for several scenarios applying the forward-backward sweep method (FBSM) to solve our optimality system in an iterative process.
PPAR-Gamma Agonist Pioglitazone Reduced CD68+ but Not CD163+ Macrophage Dermal Infiltration in Obese Psoriatic Patients
Authors: Yemchenko Ya. O. , Shynkevych V. I. , Ishcheikin K. Ye , Kaidashev I. P.
Published: May 2020

Background. Macrophages are of great importance in the development of obesity and psoriasis. Signaling via PPAR-γ in certain macrophage populations is associated with M2-like features and anti-inflammatory profile. In this research, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory action of pioglitazone by the immunohistochemical study of M1 and M2 macrophages in psoriasis-affected skin in obese patients. Methods. We used immunohistochemistry to characterize CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages and pathomorphological description of skin biopsy, obtained from 6 obese psoriatic patients before and after treatment with 15, 30, and 45 mg pioglitazone, once a day during 6 months. Two patients with conventional therapy and without pioglitazone served as control. Results. Generally, CD163+ cell quantities in psoriasis-affected skin significantly dominated over CD68+ before and after all treatment regiments. Among patients who received pioglitazone, some of them clearly responded to treatment from lowest to highest doses by decreasing CD68+ cells. In the group with 30 mg pioglitazone regiment, we detected a significant reduction of CD68+ cells in dermal infiltrates: CI 95% (16–32) before versus CI 95% (2–7) after treatment. Pioglitazone dose escalation led to certain normalization of skin morphology. Conclusion. The immunohistochemical study allows us to show the anti-inflammatory effect of pioglitazone in psoriatic obese patients, which can be mediated by reducing the number of СD68+ macrophages, but not СD163+ macrophages, in the affected dermis.
Optimizing Biomedical Ontology Alignment through a Compact Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm Driven by Knee Solution
Authors: Xue Xingsi , Wu Xiaojing , Chen Junfeng
Published: May 2020

Nowadays, most real-world decision problems consist of two or more incommensurable or conflicting objectives to be optimized simultaneously, so-called multiobjective optimization problems (MOPs). Usually, a decision maker (DM) prefers only a single optimum solution in the Pareto front (PF), and the PF’s knee solution is logically the one if there are no user-specific or problem-specific preferences. In this context, the biomedical ontology matching problem in the Semantic Web (SW) domain is investigated, which can be of help to integrate the biomedical knowledge and facilitate the translational discoveries. Since biomedical ontologies often own large-scale concepts with rich semantic meanings, it is difficult to find a perfect alignment that could meet all DM’s requirements, and usually, the matching process needs to trade-off two conflict objectives, i.e., the alignment’s recall and precision. To this end, in this work, the biomedical ontology matching problem is first defined as a MOP, and then a compact multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm driven by knee solution (CMPSO-K) is proposed to address it. In particular, a compact evolutionary mechanism is proposed to efficiently optimize the alignment’s quality, and a max-min approach is used to determine the PF’s knee solution. In the experiment, three biomedical tracks provided by Ontology Alignment Evaluation Initiative (OAEI) are used to test CMPSO-K’s performance. The comparisons with OAEI’s participants and PSO-based matching technique show that CMPSO-K is both effective and efficient.
Monotonicity Analysis of Fractional Proportional Differences
Authors: Suwan Iyad , Owies Shahd , Abussa Muayad , Abdeljawad Thabet
Published: May 2020

In this work, the nabla discrete new Riemann–Liouville and Caputo fractional proportional differences of order 0<ε<1 on the time scale ℤ are formulated. The differences and summations of discrete fractional proportional are detected on ℤ, and the fractional proportional sums associated to ∇cRχε,ρz with order 0<ε<1 are defined. The relation between nabla Riemann–Liouville and Caputo fractional proportional differences is derived. The monotonicity results for the nabla Caputo fractional proportional difference are proved; specifically, if ∇c−1Rχε,ρz>0 then χz is ερ −increasing, and if χz is strictly increasing on ℕc and χc>0, then ∇c−1Rχε,ρz>0. As an application of our findings, a new version of the fractional proportional difference of the mean value theorem (MVT) on ℤ is proved.
Association between Serum Vitamin C and the Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Ran Li , Zhao Wenli , Tan Xiaodong , Wang Hongwu , Mizuno Kaito , Takagi Ken , Zhao Ye , Bu Huaien
Published: May 2020

Background. Hypertension is regarded as a major and independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, and numerous studies observed an inverse correlation between vitamin C intake and blood pressure. Aim. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin C and blood pressure, including the concentration differences and the correlation strength. Method. Two independent researchers searched and screened articles from the National Library of Medicine, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP databases, and WANFANG databases. A total of 18 eligible studies were analyzed in the Reviewer Manager 5.3 software, including 14 English articles and 4 Chinese articles. Results. In the evaluation of serum vitamin C levels, the concentration in hypertensive subjects is 15.13 μmol/L lower than the normotensive ones (mean difference=−15.13, 95% CI [-24.19, -6.06], and P=0.001). Serum vitamin C has a significant inverse relation with both systolic blood pressure (Fisher’s Z=−0.17, 95% CI [-0.20, -0.15], P<0.00001) and diastolic blood pressure (Fisher’s Z=−0.15, 95% CI [-0.20, -0.10], P<0.00001). Conclusions. People with hypertension have a relatively low serum vitamin C, and vitamin C is inversely associated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
On Syzygy Modules over Laurent Polynomial Rings
Authors: Amidou Morou , Moussa Tessa Ousmane
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we present a dynamical method for computing the syzygy module of multivariate Laurent polynomials with coefficients in a Dedekind ring (with zero divisors) by reducing the computation over Laurent polynomial rings to calculations over a polynomial ring via an appropriate isomorphism.
Effects of Tormentic Acid and the Extracts from Callistemon citrinus on the Production of Extracellular Proteases by Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Mashezha Rumbidzai , Mombeshora Molly , Mukanganyama Stanley
Published: May 2020

Staphylococcus aureus is among the common nosocomial pathogens. Antibiotics have been used to treat S. aureus infections. However, there has been increased mortality associated with drug-resistant strains of S. aureus. Extracellular proteases have been implicated to be responsible for the transition of S. aureus from an adhesive pathogen to an invasive pathogen. The development of resistant strains has necessitated the search for new sources of drugs. Plants have been traditionally used as sources of therapeutic molecules. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of tormentic acid and the extracts from Callistemon citrinus on the production of extracellular proteases by S. aureus. The broth microdilution antibacterial susceptibility assay was used to determine the antibacterial effects of tormentic acid and the extracts on S. aureus. Both extracts showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 50 μg/ml. The water : ethanol (50 : 50) and the dichloromethane : methanol (50 : 50) extracts were found to be bactericidal against S. aureus at a concentration of 100 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml, respectively. The effect of tormentic acid and extracts on extracellular protease production was investigated using the protease assay. A zone of proteolytic activity (Pr) was measured as the ratio of the diameter of the colony to the total diameter of colony plus zone of hydrolysis. The extracts reduced the production of extracellular proteases, while tormentic acid completely inhibited the production of extracellular proteases by S. aureus. The Pr value for tormentic acid was found to be 1. The Pr values of the dichloromethane : methanol extract and the water : ethanol extract were 0.92 and 0.84, respectively. In conclusion, tormentic acid was shown to inhibit extracellular protease production; therefore, there is need to explore its use in antivirulence therapy to combat S. aureus infections.
Metabolomic Links between Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Obesity
Authors: Zhou Bingjie , Ichikawa Reiko , Parnell Laurence D. , Noel Sabrina E. , Zhang Xiyuan , Bhupathiraju Shilpa N. , Smith Caren E. , Tucker Katherine L. , Ordovas Jose M. , Lai Chao-Qiang
Published: May 2020

Background. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is highly associated with obesity, but the metabolic mechanism underlying this correlation is not understood. Objective. Our objective was to examine metabolomic links between SSB intake and obesity to understand metabolic mechanisms. Design. We examined the association of plasma metabolomic profiles with SSB intake and obesity risk in 781 participants, aged 45–75 y, in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS) using generalized linear models, controlling for potential confounding factors. Based on identified metabolites, we conducted pathway enrichment analysis to identify potential metabolic pathways that link SSB intake and obesity risk. Variants in genes encoding enzymes known to function in identified metabolic pathways were examined for their interactions with SSB intake on obesity. Results. SSB intake was correlated with BMI (β = 0.607, P=0.045). Among 526 measured metabolites, 86 showed a significant correlation with SSB intake and 148 with BMI (P≤0.05); 28 were correlated with both SSB intake and BMI (P≤0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis identified the phosphatidylcholine and lysophospholipid pathways as linking SSB intake to obesity, after correction for multiple testing. Furthermore, 8 of 10 genes functioning in these two pathways showed strong interaction with SSB intake on BMI. Our results further identified participants who may exhibit an increased risk of obesity when consuming SSB. Conclusions. We identified two key metabolic pathways that link SSB intake to obesity, revealing the potential of phosphatidylcholine and lysophospholipid to modulate how SSB intake can increase obesity risk. The interaction between genetic variants related to these pathways and SSB intake on obesity further supports the mechanism.
A Statistical Mechanics Approach to the Study of Energy Use Behaviour
Authors: Osabutey Godwin , Opoku Alex Akwasi , Gyamfi Samuel
Published: May 2020

This paper proposes a statistical mechanical model for the energy conservation behaviour of energy users. The model was inspired by the multipopulation Curie-Weiss model and the discrete choice with social interaction model. We demonstrate that the model integrates the sociopsychological, the economic, and the energy technologist viewpoints to energy management, allowing us to subject these perspectives to an empirical study.
Results of a Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2.5 Study of Saracatinib (AZD0530), in Patients with Recurrent Osteosarcoma Localized to the Lung
Authors: Baird Kristin , Glod John , Steinberg Seth M. , Reinke Denise , Pressey Joseph G. , Mascarenhas Leo , Federman Noah , Marina Neyssa , Chawla Sant , Lagmay Joanne P. , Goldberg John , Milhem Mohammed , Loeb David M. , Butrynski James E. , Turpin Brian , Staddon Arthur , Spunt Sheri L. , Jones Robin L. , Rodler Eve T. , Schuetze Scott M. , Okuno Scott H. , Helman Lee
Published: May 2020

Purpose. Osteosarcoma is a rare cancer and a third of patients who have completed primary treatment will develop osteosarcoma recurrence. The Src pathway has been implicated in the metastatic behavior of osteosarcoma; about 95% of samples examined express Src or have evidence of downstream activation of this pathway. Saracatinib (AZD0530) is a potent and selective Src kinase inhibitor that was evaluated in adults in Phase 1 studies. The primary goal of this study was to determine if treatment with saracatinib could increase progression-free survival (PFS) for patients who have undergone complete resection of osteosarcoma lung metastases in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Patients and Methods. Subjects with recurrent osteosarcoma localized to lung and who had complete surgical removal of all lung nodules were randomized within six weeks after complete surgical resection. Saracatinib, or placebo, was administered at a dose of 175 mg orally, once daily, for up to thirteen 28-day cycles. Results. Thirty-seven subjects were included in the analyses; 18 subjects were randomized to receive saracatinib and 19 to receive placebo. Intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated a median PFS of 19.4 months in the saracatinib treatment group and 8.6 months in the placebo treatment group (p=0.47). Median OS was not reached in either arm. Conclusions. Although saracatinib was well tolerated in this patient population, there was no apparent impact of the drug in this double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial on OS, and Src inhibition alone may not be sufficient to suppress metastatic progression in osteosarcoma. There is a suggestion of potential clinical benefit as evidenced by longer PFS in patients randomized to saracatinib based on limited numbers of patients treated.
The Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale among Dental Outpatients
Authors: Ogawa Mika , Sago Teppei , Furukawa Hirokazu
Published: May 2020

Introduction. A careful assessment of dental anxiety is necessary for its management. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) is one of the most commonly used questionnaires to measure dental anxiety in the world. The reliability and validity of the Japanese version of MDAS have been demonstrated using undergraduates and a few patients with dental anxiety. The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the MDAS using a wide range of age samples in dental clinics. Methods. A total of 275 outpatients (145 men and 130 women; 21–87 years) from two dental clinics participated in the present study. Dental anxiety was assessed using the Japanese version of the MDAS and the Dental Fear Survey (DFS). The psychometric evaluation included exploratory factor analysis, and Cronbach’s α was used to evaluate for internal consistency. Criterion validity was assessed by correlating the MDAS and DFS scores using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. validity was evaluated by examining related factors’ differences in the MDAS score (e.g., sex and negative dental experiences). Results. Six patients (2.2%) reported high levels of dental anxiety (MDAS score ≥ 19). The internal consistency of the MDAS score was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.88). Dental anxiety was significantly higher among women (P=0.007), in patients with previous negative dental experiences (P<0.001), and among those with lower frequencies of dental visits (P<0.001). The MDAS score was significant and related to age (r = 0.48) and the DFS score (r = 0.87). Factor analysis revealed all items measured only one construct. Conclusions. The Japanese version of the MDAS score was found to be a reliable and valid measure of dental anxiety among dental outpatients. It could be useful for the Japanese dental practitioner to measure dental anxiety in a clinical setting.
Identification of miRNA-mRNA Crosstalk in Respiratory Syncytial Virus- (RSV-) Associated Pediatric Pneumonia through Integrated miRNAome and Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xu , Huang Feng , Yang Diyuan , Peng Tao , Lu Gen
Published: May 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common respiratory virus and is associated with pediatric pneumonia, causing bronchiolitis and significant mortality in infants and young children. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding small RNAs that function in gene regulation and are associated with host immune response and disease progression. In the present study, we profiled the global transcriptome and miRNAome of whole blood samples from children with mild or severe RSV-associated pneumonia, aiming to identify the potential biomarkers and investigate the molecular mechanisms of severe RSV-associated pediatric pneumonia. We found that expression profiles of whole blood microRNAs and mRNAs were altered and distinctly different in children with severe RSV-associated pneumonia. In particular, the four most significantly upregulated miRNAs in children with severe RSV-associated pneumonia were hsa-miR-1271-5p, hsa-miR-10a-3p, hsa-miR-125b-5p, and hsa-miR-30b-3p. The severe RSV-associated pneumonia-specific differentially expressed miRNA target interaction network was also contrasted. These target genes were further analyzed with Gene Ontology enrichment analysis. We found that most of the target genes were involved in inflammatory and immune responses, including the NF-κB signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, and T cell receptor signaling. Our findings will contribute to the identification of biomarkers and new drug design strategies to treat severe RSV-associated pediatric pneumonia.
Oscillatory Behaviour of a First-Order Neutral Differential Equation in relation to an Old Open Problem
Authors: Panda K. C. , Rath R. N. , Rath S. K.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we obtain sufficient conditions for oscillation and nonoscillation of the solutions of the neutral delay differential equation yt−∑j=1kpjtyrjt′+qtGygt−utHyht=ft, where pj and rj for each j and q,u,G,H,g,h, and f are all continuous functions and q≥0,u≥0,ht<t,gt<t, and rjt<t for each j. Further, each rjt, gt, and ht⟶∞ as t⟶∞. This paper improves and generalizes some known results.
HER2 Mutations in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Herculean Effort to Hit the Target
Authors: Rolfo Christian , Russo Alessandro
Published: May 2020

Over the last two decades HER2 aberrations have been thoroughly investigated as potential therapeutic targets in advanced non–small cell lung cancer, with relatively modest results. Two articles published in this issue of Cancer Discovery further expand the knowledge on therapeutic exploitation of HER2 in lung cancer, addressing a large unmet medical need.

See related article by Li et al., p. 674.

See related article by Tsurutani et al., p. 688.
Trying for a BRAF Slam Dunk
Authors: Ribas Antoni , Lo Roger S.
Published: May 2020

The first basket clinical trial testing the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib resulted in evidence of activity in 13 unique cancer types with BRAFV600 mutations, but the response rates were variable. Therefore, different cancer histologies with the same driver oncogene display different degrees of oncogenic pathway addiction.

See related article by Subbiah et al., p. 657.
Decoding the Noncoding Cancer Genome
Authors: van Galen Peter
Published: May 2020

In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Li and colleagues provide a blueprint for the identification and functional validation of cancer-associated mutations in noncoding regions of the genome. Integration of whole-genome sequencing and high-throughput epigenome editing screens is starting to reveal the extent to which noncoding genetic lesions contribute to cancer.

See related article by Li et al., p. 724.
Evolved Transistor Array Robot Controllers
Authors: Garvie Michael , Flascher Ittai , Philippides Andrew , Thompson Adrian , Husbands Phil
Published: May 2020

For the first time, a field programmable transistor array (FPTA) was used to evolve robot control circuits directly in analog hardware. Controllers were successfully incrementally evolved for a physical robot engaged in a series of visually guided behaviours, including finding a target in a complex environment where the goal was hidden from most locations. Circuits for recognising spoken commands were also evolved and these were used in conjunction with the controllers to enable voice control of the robot, triggering behavioural switching. Poor quality visual sensors were deliberately used to test the ability of evolved analog circuits to deal with noisy uncertain data in realtime. Visual features were coevolved with the controllers to automatically achieve dimensionality reduction and feature extraction and selection in an integrated way. An efficient new method was developed for simulating the robot in its visual environment. This allowed controllers to be evaluated in a simulation connected to the FPTA. The controllers then transferred seamlessly to the real world. The circuit replication issue was also addressed in experiments where circuits were evolved to be able to function correctly in multiple areas of the FPTA. A methodology was developed to analyse the evolved circuits which provided insights into their operation. Comparative experiments demonstrated the superior evolvability of the transistor array medium.
Reshaping Offline Community in the Image of Online Experience: The Impact of Digital Media on Church Conflict in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
Authors: Brittain Christopher Craig , McKinnon Andrew
Published: May 2020

As more and more people join social media networks, Christian churches struggle to discern how best to adapt to this emerging cultural phenomenon and employ it in ways that are consistent with Christian beliefs, values, and practices. This essay argues that as Christians explore the potential of digital media, they should not neglect to also reflect deeply on the negative aspects of the medium, which are increasingly coming under scrutiny among social scientists and media analysts. We raise this concern in response to our discovery of the capacity of digital media to contribute to church conflict while we were engaged in ethnographic field research in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. The essay identifies ways in which digital media exacerbated tensions among Anglicans and Episcopalians in Pittsburgh and concludes with a reflection on the limitations of one of our online attempts to intervene in these dynamics.
Taxonomy of the weevil genus Plumolepilius Barrios-Izás & Anderson (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae: Conotrachelini): new species from Central America
Authors: BARRIOS-IZÁS MANUEL A.
Published: May 2020

Seventeen new species of the genus Plumolepilius Barrios-Izás & Anderson 2016, are described. Images of habitus and genitalia of both sexes are presented, as well as a dichotomous key for the identification of males and females of the known species of the genus. The species included here are P. andersoni Barrios-Izás, new species (Costa Rica and Panamá), P. antonioi Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras), P. camuna Barrios-Izás, new species (Nicaragua), P. genieri Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras), P. guaimacaensis Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras), P. hectori Barrios-Izás, new species (Costa Rica), P. linaresi Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras), P. maesi Barrios-Izás, new species (Nicaragua), P. molinai Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras), P. monzoni Barrios-Izás, new species (Guatemala), P. morronei Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras), P. nelsoni Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras), P. nicaraguensis Barrios-Izás, new species (Nicaragua), P. obrienorum Barrios-Izás, new species (Costa Rica), P. solisi Barrios-Izás, new species (Costa Rica), P. velizi Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras) and P. zarazagai Barrios-Izás, new species (Honduras).
Taxonomic amendments of Southeast Asian newt species of the genera
Pachytriton, Paramesotriton and Laotriton (Amphibia, Urodela, Salamandridae) parasitized by water mites of the subgenus Lurchibates (Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae, Hygrobates)
Authors: NISHIKAWA KANTO , GOLDSCHMIDT TOM , HIRUTA SHIMPEI F. , SHIMANO SATOSHI
Published: May 2020

Hygrobates salamandrarum Goldschmidt, Gerecke and Alberti, 2002 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) is the first-known water mite parasitizing adult newts. After its description, three further species of newt-parasitizing mites were described and the subgenus Lurchibates Goldschmidt and Fu, 2011 was proposed for the group, now containing four newt-parasitizing mites. Until now, each water mite species parasitizes a different newt species (Table 1), suggesting possible mite-newt co-speciation. In order to test this hypothesis, we need an accurate taxonomy of both of the hosts and parasites. However, the taxonomy of those Asian newt genera known to be parasitized by Lurchibates mites has been substantially revised after the initial description of the H. salamandrarum. To account for these taxonomic changes, we here revise the host-parasite species list and amend the host species name as shown in Table 1.
A multilocus molecular perspective on the systematics of the poorly known Northeast Indian colubrid snakes Blythia reticulata (Blyth, 1854), B. hmuifang Vogel, Lalremsanga & Vanlalhrima, 2017, and Hebius xenura (Wall, 1907)
Authors: LALRONUNGA SAMUEL , LALRINCHHANA C. , VANRAMLIANA VANRAMLIANA , DAS ABHIJIT , GOWER DAVID J. , DEEPAK V.
Published: May 2020

We provide the first molecular phylogenetic data for the following poorly known Northeast Indian snakes: Blythia reticulata and B. hmuifang, Hebius xenura, and Trachischium spp. Based on 1071 bp of cytb, 578 bp of nd4, 509 bp of 16s, 1000 bp of rag1 and 672 bp of cmos, we found support for a monophyletic Blythia being a member of Natricinae, most closely related to Trachischium. Hebius xenura is recovered as nested within species of the recently resurrected genus Herpetoreas, to which we transfer it.
Sarcocheilichthys vittatus, a new species of gudgeon (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Poyang lake basin in Jiangxi Province, South China
Authors: AN CHANG-TING , ZHANG E , SHEN JIAN-ZHONG
Published: May 2020

Sarcocheilichthys vittatus, a new species of gudgeon, is described from the Gan-Jiang and Fu-He flowing into the Poyang Lake Basin in Jiangxi Province, South China. It is similar to S. parvus and S. caobangensis in having a longitudinal black band extending from the snout tip to the caudal-fin base, a character separating them from all other congeneric species, but distinct from S. parvus in having more lateral-line scales, no longitudinal yellowish stripe above the lateral black band on the flank and no barbels, and from S. caobangensis in possessing two shorter lateral lobes of the lower lip restricted only to the side of the lower jaw, no black spots along the dorsal-fin base and a stouter caudal peduncle. Its validity was also warranted by a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the cyt b gene. Critical notes were provided on some currently recognized Chinese congeners.
Transition Metal (Ni) Doped SnO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Co-Precipitation Method
Authors: Maheswari S. , Karunakaran M. , Kasirajan K. , Boomi P.
Published: May 2020

In this work, we have been reported the transition metal (Ni) doped SnO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by chemical co-precipitation method with various Ni doping concentrations such as 0%, 2% and 4%. The prepared Ni doped SnO2 nanoparticles characterized
by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis Spectroscopy and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL). The XRD Pattern confirms the presence of polycrystalline nature with the tetragonal structure of SnO2
and the peaks are identified with the JCPDS card No. 88-0287. The SEM image indicates that the particles were irregular shape for all prepared samples. The SEM image showed that the agglomeration process is occurring slowly down with the inclusion of Ni doping content. An EDX study confirms
the presence of Sn, O and Ni elements. In FTIR studies the functional groups were identified based on host and doping materials. The minimum band gap value obtained for 0% Ni concentration. When the doping concentration increases, band gap also increases. From PL studies strong band orientation
was observed.
The Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Non-Polar Hybrid CuO Nanofluid (CuO+ DEA + Cyclohexane) (CuO + DEA + 1-4 Dioxane)
Authors: Rohini B. , Jeevaraj A. Kingson Solomon
Published: May 2020

Nano fluid is the new class of engineering fluid for the heat transfer applications. Copper Oxide (CuO) nano particles were dispersed in the binary fluid (Cyclohexane + DEA) and (1-4 dioxane + DEA) then prepared non-polar hybrid CuO nano fluid. Thermal conductivity (K ) and viscosity
(η) of non-polar hybrid CuO nanofluid measured for very low concentration from 0.01 M to 0.06 M and various temperatures ranging from 298 K to 318 K. The transient hotwire method is used for the thermal conductivity measurements and viscometer is used for the viscosity measurement.
As the concentration increases K decreases but it increases with the increase of temperature. η increases with the increase of concentration as well as with temperature. From the results the spectacular heat transfer enhancement occurred in the hybrid CuO nanofluid compared
to the binary mixtures. The percentage increment of thermal conductivity of non-polar hybrid CuO nano fluid is of 15% to 20% and the viscosity increment is of from 18% to 25%.
A Cluster Based Approach for Detection and Protection of Wormhole Attack in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Aneja Darpan , Kumar Love , Sharma Vishal
Published: May 2020

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology is progressing at a rapid pace and its demand is also increasing massively due to its cost-effective nature and less-challenging installation demands. However, due to its vulnerable wireless environment, WSNs are prone to various types of severely
damaging attacks like wormhole, sinkhole, Denial of Service (DoS) etcetera. Therefore, it requires to be more secure and confidential to maintain the productive flow of communication between the nodes. One of the greatest threats which if placed strategically can seriously impair the network
is the wormhole attack. In this paper, we proposed a cluster based technique to detect and protect WSN from wormhole attacks. The entire network is divided into clusters eventually at the end and each cluster is governed by a cluster head (CH). Based on Round Trip Time and hop count the security
of the network has enhanced and nullified the wormhole attack in the network. A significant improvement in throughput, PDR, Delay has been observed and reported with proposed scheme.
Effects of Entrainment and Mixing on the Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen Process
Authors: Hoffmann Fabian
Published: May 2020

The growth of ice crystals at the expense of water droplets, the Wegener–Bergeron–Findeisen (WBF) process, is of major importance for the production of precipitation in mixed-phase clouds. The effects of entrainment and mixing on WBF, however, are not well understood, and small-scale inhomogeneities in the thermodynamic and hydrometeor fields are typically neglected in current models. By applying the linear eddy model, a millimeter-resolution representation of turbulent deformation and molecular diffusion, we investigate these small-scale effects on WBF. While we show that entrainment is accelerating WBF by contributing to the evaporation of liquid droplets, entrainment may also cause aforementioned inhomogeneities, particularly regions filled with exclusively ice or liquid hydrometeors, which tend to decelerate WBF if the ice crystal concentration exceeds 100 L−1. At lower ice crystal concentrations, even weak turbulence can homogenize hydrometeor and thermodynamic fields sufficiently fast so as to not affect WBF. Independent of the ice crystal concentration, it is shown that a fully resolved entrainment and mixing process may delay the nucleation of entrained aerosols to ice crystals, thereby delaying the uptake of water vapor by the ice phase, further slowing down WBF. All in all, this study indicates that, under specific conditions, small-scale inhomogeneities associated with entrainment and mixing counteract the accelerated WBF in entraining clouds. However, further research is required to assess the importance of the newly discovered processes more broadly in fully coupled, evolving mixed-phase cloud systems.
Sociodemographic Characteristics, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders Among Adolescent-Limited, Adult-Onset, Life-Course-Persistent Offenders and Nonoffenders in a General Population Survey
Authors: Kerridge Bradley T. , Chou S. Patricia , Huang Boji , Harford Thomas C.
Published: May 2020

This study compared sociodemographic characteristics, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and substance use and psychiatric disorders between adolescent-limited (AL), adult-onset (AO), life-course-persistent (LP) and nonoffender (NO) groups using a large U.S. general population survey. The odds of experiencing several ACEs were greater among each offender group relative to NOs. LP offenders experience more ACEs than AL and AO offenders. Each offender group generally experienced greater substance use and psychopathology than NOs, whereas LP offenders experienced more substance use and psychopathology than AO and AL offenders. The results of this study identified several sociodemographic factors, ACEs, and types of psychopathology that differentiate AL, AO, LP, and NO offenders that can help inform prevention and intervention strategies designed to prevent offending and shorten criminal careers.
Electromagnetic wave shielding/absorption performances of cementitious composites incorporating carbon nanotube metamaterial with helical chirality
Authors: Li Linwei , Dong Sufen , Dong Xufeng , Yu Xun , Han Baoguo
Published: May 2020

Helical carbon nanotubes, a type of chiral metamaterial, were employed to investigate their effects as well as the mechanisms to electromagnetic wave shielding and absorption performances of cementitious composites over the frequency range from 2 GHz to 18 GHz. The results demonstrate that the best electromagnetic wave shielding effectiveness (SE) of cementitious composites filled with 7.5 wt.% helical carbon nanotubes is 1.39 times of that of cementitious composites without helical carbon nanotubes. The minimum reflectivity in 20 mm-thickness cementitious composites with 4.5 wt.% helical carbon nanotubes is 2.7 times of that of cementitious composites without helical carbon nanotubes. Cementitious composites with 7.5 wt.% helical carbon nanotubes have smallest matching thickness and the minimum reflectivity of −41.0 dB. By analyzing electromagnetic parameters and conductive mechanisms, it is found that helical carbon nanotubes mainly affect reflection loss ratio in electromagnetic wave shielding and the dielectric loss in electromagnetic wave absorption. Both parameters are attributed to the enhanced conductivity with the increase of helical carbon nanotubes. The percolation zone ranges from 1.5 wt.% to 7.5 wt.% for alternating current resistivity, with conductive path transferring from ion conduction to electron conduction as the content of helical carbon nanotubes increases. Additionally, incorporating helical carbon nanotubes essentially does not cause the decrease in compressive strength of cementitious composites. The results recommend that cementitious composites incorporating carbon nanotube metamaterial with helical chirality present high electromagnetic performances with satisfactory compressive strength.
Training With Direct Versus Indirect Spatial Stimulus–Response Compatibility in Combat Sports
Authors: Luis del Campo Vicente , Pajuelo Miranda Jose Manuel , Morenas Martín Jesús
Published: May 2020

The study examined effects of spatial stimulus–response compatibility on response time and response accuracy in 20 novice combat sport athletes. Two equivalent groups, based on initial reaction time measures, were required to perceive and move quickly and accurately in response to an unspecific visual stimulus presented on a large screen during the two types of perceptual training in eight laboratory sessions. One group reacted by moving the fist toward the stimulus location on the target (direct compatibility condition). Another group was required to move the fist away from target in the opposite direction (indirect compatibility condition). Specifically, the indirect compatibility group achieved faster reaction times than the direct compatibility group during the two posttests containing video-projected attacks of the opponents, and in one of the two posttests containing real opponents’ attacks. Results seem to reveal higher combat performance against real opponents when athletes trained with an indirect stimulus–response compatibility condition.
Disciplining Role of Short Sellers: Evidence From M&A Activity
Authors: Shi Wei , Ndofor Hermann Achidi , Hoskisson Robert E.
Published: May 2020

Prior research has focused on the influence of long investors (e.g., institutional investors) on merger-and-acquisition (M&A) decisions. This study investigates the role of short sellers in shaping managerial acquisitiveness and M&A decision quality. Short sellers impose a downward pressure on stock prices by disseminating negative information to the market. Given that managerial wealth and job security hinge on stock prices, top managers respond to increased short selling by refraining from excessive M&A activities because M&As could provide opportunities for short sellers to spread negative information and dampen stock prices. Furthermore, the negative influence of short sellers on managerial acquisitiveness is enhanced by the market for corporate control as an external governance mechanism and by CEO equity ownership as an internal governance mechanism. When firms with increasing short selling do engage in M&As, they gain higher M&A announcement returns and operating performance. We test our hypotheses using firms in the S&P 1500 from 2002 to 2014 and find support for our arguments.
Constitutionalism at the Nexus of Life and Law
Authors: Hurlbut J. Benjamin , Jasanoff Sheila , Saha Krishanu
Published: May 2020

This essay introduces a collection of articles gathered under the theme of “law, science, and constitutions of life.” Together, they explore how revolutions in notions of what biological life is are eliciting correspondingly revolutionary imaginations of how life should be governed. The central theoretical contribution of the collection is to further elaborate the concept of bioconstitutionalism, which draws attention to especially consequential forms of coproduction at the law–life nexus. This introduction offers a theoretical discussion of bioconstitutionalism. It explores the constitutional significance of interplay between scientific and technological power over life and a given political community’s shared imaginary of what modes of reasoning, judgment, and rule are proper and legitimate in a well-ordered state. It argues that knowing what life is for purposes of governance does not follow from scientific knowledge alone. Rather, such knowledge is refracted through culturally distinctive imaginaries that commit societies to particular understandings of what life means and what should be done to encourage its flourishing.
Beyond the dots on the page: Harnessing transculturation and music education to address intercultural competence and social inclusion
Authors: Crawford Renée
Published: May 2020

Australia has always been known as one of the most multicultural countries in the world, but as globalisation becomes the norm and we begin to welcome people from countries with vastly different backgrounds, experiences, ideologies, values and belief systems, how can we harness the power of education to develop intercultural competence and enhance social inclusion? A reconsideration of what we teach and how is required in order to account for the social, cultural and economic differences and similarities embodied within the changing society and contemporary student cohort. More specifically, what role can music education play in fostering transculturational practices that provide opportunities for personal, social and academic achievement? This multiple case study is situated across three schools in Victoria, arguably one of the most culturally and religiously diverse and densely populated states in Australia. This research explores the perceptions, experiences and practices of teachers directly or indirectly involved with the music education programme in three schools that have a high percentage of young people with a refugee background. Key findings from this research indicated that intercultural competence and socially inclusive behaviours were seamlessly embedded in the music learning activities that were student-centred, active, practical, experiential and authentic.