bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of 2D poloidal maps of the intrinsic W density for transport studies in JET-ILW
Authors: Sertoli Marco , Flanagan Joanne , Maslov Mikhail , Maggi Costanza , Coffey Ivor , Giroud Carine , Menmuir Sheena , Carvalho Pedro , Shaw Anthony , Delabie Ephrem ,   JET Contributors
Published: November 2018

The experimental method developed at ASDEX Upgrade for the determination of the intrinsic tungsten (W) density profile coupling data from the soft X-ray (SXR) diagnostic and vacuum-ultra-violet (VUV) spectroscopy has been upgraded for application to JET plasmas. The strong poloidal asymmetries in the SXR emission are modeled assuming a ln(ϵ(ρ,R)/ϵ(ρ,R0))=λ(ρ)(R2−R02) distribution, where ρ is the flux coordinate, R is the major radius, and λ is the fit parameter. The W density is calculated from the resulting 2D SXR emissivity maps accounting for contributions from a low-Z impurity (typically beryllium) and main ion with the assumption that their contributions are poloidally symmetric. Comparing the result with the independent W concentration measurement of VUV spectroscopy, a recalibration factor for the SXR emissivity is calculated making the method robust against the decrease in the sensitivity of the SXR diodes which has been observed across multiple campaigns. The final 2D W density map is checked for consistency versus the time-evolution of the W concentration measurement from VUV spectroscopy, toroidal rotation measurements from charge exchange recombination spectroscopy, and tomographic reconstructions of bolometry data. The method has been found to be robust for W concentrations above a few 10−5 and in cases where the contributions from other medium-Z impurities such as Ni are negligible.
Demodulated standing solitary wave and DNA-RNA transcription
Authors: Zdravković S. , Satarić M. V. , Parkhomenko A. Yu. , Bugay A. N.
Published: November 2018

Nonlinear dynamics of DNA molecule at segments where DNA-RNA transcription occurs is studied. Our basic idea is that the solitary wave, moving along the chain, transforms into a demodulated one at these segments. The second idea is that the wave becomes a standing one due to interaction with DNA surrounding, e.g., RNA polymerase molecules. We explain why this is biologically convenient and show that our results match the experimental ones. In addition, we suggest how to experimentally determine crucial constant describing covalent bonds within DNA.
The q-deformed Tinkerbell map
Authors: Iyengar Sudharsana V. , Balakrishnan Janaki
Published: November 2018

q-deformations of functions and distributions have been used in the literature to explain several experimental observations. In this work, we study the dynamics of the Tinkerbell map under q-deformations. The system exhibits a rich variety of dynamical behavior as q varies, including occurrences of interior crises, paired cascades, simultaneous occurrence of Neimark-Sacker and reverse Neimark-Sacker bifurcations, and co-existence of attractors and multistability. Numerical analysis reveals the existence of 3 limit cycles occurring simultaneously in a certain parameter regime. An appropriate choice of initial conditions enables one to choose a desired attractor for the system among other co-existing ones, thus switching the system between different dynamical states. We demonstrate the possibility of secure encryption and decryption of messages with the q-deformed Tinkerbell map. The system’s sensitivity to the initial conditions and to the deformation parameter makes the cryptic message secure, and decrypting the original message difficult. We propose the use of the q-deformed map as a novel method for transmission of messages securely.
Polar metals as electrodes to suppress the critical-thickness limit in ferroelectric nanocapacitors
Authors: Puggioni Danilo , Giovannetti Gianluca , Rondinelli James M.
Published: November 2018

Enhancing the performance of nanoscale ferroelectric (FE) field-effect transistors and FE capacitors for memory devices and logic relies on miniaturizing the metal electrode/ferroelectric area and reducing the thickness of the insulator. Although size reductions improve data retention, deliver lower voltage threshold switching, and increase areal density, they also degrade the functional electric polarization. There is a critical nanometer length tFE∗ below which the polarization disappears owing to depolarizing field effects. Here, we show how to overcome the critical thickness limit imposed on ferroelectricity by utilizing electrodes formed from a novel class of materials known as polar metals. Electronic structure calculations on symmetric polar-metal electrode/FE capacitor structures demonstrate that electric polarizations persist to the sub-nanometer scale with tFE∗→0 when a component of the polar axis in the electrode is perpendicular to the electrode/insulator interface, i.e., aligned along the direction of the polar displacements in the ferroelectric. Our results reveal the importance of interfacial dipolar coherency in sustaining the polarization, which provides a platform for atomic structure-based design of functions that deteriorate in reduced dimensions.
Frequency and wavelet based analyses of partial and complete measure synchronization in a system of three nonlinearly coupled oscillators
Authors: De Sadhitro , Gupta Shraddha , Janaki M. S. , Sekar Iyengar A. N.
Published: November 2018

Measure Synchronization (MS) is the generalization of synchrony to Hamiltonian Systems. Partial measure synchronization (PMS) and complete measure synchronization in a system of three nonlinearly coupled one-dimensional oscillators have been investigated for different initial conditions on the basis of numerical computation. The system is governed by the classical SU(2) Yang-Mills-Higgs (YMH) Hamiltonian with three degrees of freedom. Various transitions in the quasiperiodic (QP) region, namely, QP unsynchronized to PMS, PMS to PMS, and PMS to chaos are identified through the average bare energies and interaction energies route maps as the coupling strength is varied. The transition from quasiperiodicity to chaos is seen to be associated with a gradual transition to complete chaotic measure synchronization (CMS) which is followed by chaotic unsynchronized states, the most stable state in this case. The analyses illustrate the dependence on initial conditions. The explanation of the behavior in the QP regime is sought from the power spectral analysis. The existence of PMS is confirmed using the order parameter M (here Mαβ for different combination pairs of oscillators), best suited to identify MS in coupled two-oscillator systems, and this definition is extended to obtain a new order parameter, M3, aiding to distinguish complete MS of three oscillators from other forms of motion. The study of wavelet coefficient spectra sheds new light on the relative phase information of the oscillators in the QP PMS regions, also highlighting the intertwined role played by the various frequency components and their amplitudes as they vary temporally. Furthermore, this technique helps to draw a sharp distinction between CMS and chaotic unsynchronized states. Based on the Continuous Wavelet Transform coefficients of the three oscillators, an order parameter Mwav is defined to indicate the extent of synchronization of the various scales (frequencies) for different coupling strengths in the chaotic regime.
Molecular search with conformational change: One-dimensional discrete-state stochastic model
Authors: Shin Jaeoh , Kolomeisky Anatoly B.
Published: November 2018

Molecular search phenomena are observed in a variety of chemical and biological systems. During the search, the participating particles frequently move in complex inhomogeneous environments with random transitions between different dynamic modes. To understand the mechanisms of molecular search with alternating dynamics, we investigate the search dynamics with stochastic transitions between two conformations in a one-dimensional discrete-state stochastic model. It is explicitly analyzed using the first-passage time probability method to obtain a full dynamic description of the search process. A general dynamic phase diagram is developed. It is found that there are several dynamic regimes in the molecular search with conformational transitions, and they are determined by the relative values of the relevant length scales in the system. Theoretical predictions are fully supported by Monte Carlo computer simulations.
Oil-water displacements in rough microchannels
Authors: Bera Bijoyendra , Hauner Ines , Qazi Mohsin , Bonn Daniel , Shahidzadeh Noushine
Published: November 2018

We investigate the effect of wall roughness upon the entrapment of oil (alkanes) by water flooding in a microchannel. We use fluorescence microscopy to track the in situ oil displacement process in these channels of controlled wall roughness. We find that the viscosity contrast between water and oil determines whether the alkane phase is partially retained in the microchannel. Oil recovery rates are found to be controlled by the wall roughness and the flow rate in the experiment. We also perform the displacement experiments in novel microfluidic 2D porous networks and show that a small variation in the pore-size distribution is also a representation of the solid medium’s roughness. We observe that the trapped oil in the porous network follows the same trend as in the rough microchannels, i.e., viscosity contrast, flow speed, and roughness govern the quantity of the trapped oil. We propose a scaling law to quantify the trapped fluid volume based on our experimental observations, which accounts for both the flow rate and the characteristic roughness of the system.
Simultaneous scanning ion conductance and atomic force microscopy with a nanopore: Effect of the aperture edge on the ion current images
Authors: Dorwling-Carter Livie , Aramesh Morteza , Forró Csaba , Tiefenauer Raphael F. , Shorubalko Ivan , Vörös János , Zambelli Tomaso
Published: November 2018

Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is a technique for high-resolution non-contact imaging, particularly powerful for live cell studies. Despite debates on its lateral resolution, consensus is that a probe presenting a tip with small opening aperture, large opening angle, and large outer-to-inner radius ratio will offer a SICM current signal more sensitive to tip-sample separation, ultimately impacting the image resolution. We report here the design of such a probe, integrating a nano-opening (<20 nm opening diameter) with increased outer-to-inner radius ratio and a wide opening angle through microfabrication and ion milling. The probe consists of a microfluidic atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever offered by the Fluid Force Microscope (FluidFM) technology, able to act as an SICM and AFM probe. Such a combination allows investigating the implications of the new probe geometry on the SICM imaging process by simultaneously recording currents and forces. We demonstrate through experiments on well-defined samples as well as corresponding simulations that by integrating a nanopore onto the FluidFM, nanoscale features could be successfully imaged, but the increased sensitivity of the probe current to sample distance comes with higher sensitivity to an inherent SICM wall artefact.
Inducing wetting morphologies and increased reactivities of small Au clusters on doped oxide supports
Authors: Mammen Nisha , Narasimhan Shobhana
Published: November 2018

Au nanoparticles are promising catalysts for industrially important reactions. Their catalytic activity is known to depend on their charge state and morphology. Using density functional theory calculations, we have studied how the induced charge and dimensionality of small Au clusters can be tuned by doping the oxide support that they are deposited on. We have investigated Aun clusters of sizes n = 1, 2, 3, and 20 on Al-doped MgO and Mo-doped CaO. We show that substitutionally doping the oxide support with an electron donor changes the cluster morphology from an upright and/or three-dimensional geometry to a flat geometry. This structural wetting transition results in an increase in the negative charge induced on the cluster and a consequent lowering in the dissociation barrier for the O2 atoms adsorbed on the cluster. We find that the nature of Mo and Al dopants differs: only for the former is it true that the charge state of the dopant atoms depends on the presence or absence of Au nanoparticles and their size.
Importance of corners in fracture of highly crosslinked polymeric adhesives
Authors: Stevens Mark J.
Published: November 2018

Very large molecular dynamics simulations with open ends between two solid adherends have been performed treating tensile deformation of coarse-grained, highly crosslinked polymer networks modeling epoxy systems. The open boundary and the presence of corners dramatically alter the fracture behavior. In contrast to systems with periodic boundaries, the failure strain decreases with increasing system size until a critical size is reached. This decrease greatly reduces the difference in the crack initiation strains between simulation and experiment. In the open geometry, the sides of the polymer network contract inward forming wedge shaped corners. The stress and strain are concentrated in the corners where the shear component is present and large. The nonuniformity of the strain results in accumulation of bond breaking in the corners and crack initiation there. Moreover, the corner strain is system size dependent, which results in a system size dependence of the failure strain.
Microstructural effects on negative thermal expansion extending over a wide temperature range in β-Cu1.8Zn0.2V2O7
Authors: Katayama N. , Otsuka K. , Mitamura M. , Yokoyama Y. , Okamoto Y. , Takenaka K.
Published: November 2018

We discuss that β-Cu1.8Zn0.2V2O7 exhibits a large negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior with a wide operating temperature window. The crystallographic parameters obtained by synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments indicate that the volume contraction of β-Cu1.8Zn0.2V2O7 remains at most Δv/v = 0.83%. In contrast, the dilatometry measurements show T-linear NTE behavior from 100 K to 700 K and a large volume contraction of ΔV/V = 2.16% on heating from 200 K to 700 K. This discrepancy indicates that NTE in β-Cu1.8Zn0.2V2O7 is enhanced by the microstructural effect, similar to that employed for explaining the colossal NTE behavior in layered ruthenates. We further discuss that β-Cu1.8Zn0.2V2O7 is free from expensive and toxic elements, making it a potential candidate for practical NTE materials.
Quasi-periodic solution for the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation with continuous spectrum
Authors: Li Hepeng , Yuan Xiaoping
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we research the existence of a 2-dimensional invariant whiskered torus for the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation in whole space by constructing a Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser theorem for the system of continuous spectra.
Leidenfrost drops are on a roll
Authors: Miller Johanna L.
Published: November 2018

A 250-year-old effect still has some surprises in store.
The fluid mechanics of bubbly drinks
Authors: Zenit Roberto , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Javier
Published: November 2018

Although quenching one’s thirst may be the primary appeal of soda pop or a cold beer, there’s a lot of physics in the drinks’ two-phase flow.
Silent killer: black reefs in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area
Authors: Mangubhai Sangeeta , Obura David O.
Published: November 2018

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area is in a naturally iron-poor region in the equatorial central Pacific. The introduction of iron to this environment from shipwrecks is linked to proliferation of turf algae and cyanobacterial mats, and the formation of degraded ‘black reefs’. No recovery has been documented at black reefs observed between 2003 and 2015.
Free light fraction carbon and nitrogen, a physically uncomplexed soil organic matter distribution within subtropical grass and leucaena–grass pastures
Authors: Conrad K. A. , Dalal R. C. , Allen D. E. , Fujinuma R. , Menzies Neal W.
Published: November 2018

Quantifying the size and turnover of physically uncomplexed soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial for the understanding of nutrient cycling and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the C and nitrogen (N) dynamics of SOM fractions in leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala)–grass pastures remains unclear. We assessed the potential of leucaena to sequester labile, free light fraction (fLF) C and N in soil by estimating the origin, quantity and vertical distribution of physically unprotected SOM. The soil from a chronosequence of seasonally grazed leucaena stands (0–40 years) was sampled to a depth of 0.2m and soil and fLF were analysed for organic C, N and δ13C and δ15N. On average, the fLF formed 20% of SOC and 14% of total N stocks in the upper 0.1m of soil from leucaena rows and showed a peak of fLF-C and fLF-N stocks in the 22-year-stand. The fLF δ13C and fLF δ15N values indicated that leucaena produced 37% of fLF-C and 28% of fLF-N in the upper 0.1m of soil from leucaena rows. Irrespective of pasture type or soil depth, the majority of fLF-C originated from the accompanying C4 pasture-grass species. This study suggests that fLF-C and fLF-N, the labile SOM, can form a significant portion of total SOM, especially in leucaena–grass pastures.
Vorinostat, a pan-HDAC inhibitor, abrogates productive HPV-18 DNA amplification
Authors: Banerjee N. Sanjib , Moore Dianne W. , Broker Thomas R. , Chow Louise T.
Published: November 2018

Significance

Persistent infection by the high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) can lead to anogenital and head and neck cancers. The HPV vaccines effectively prevent new type-restricted infections but have no effect on preexisting infections. It is crucial to identify effective inhibitors of preneoplastic HPV infections. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) modulate chromatin structure and transcription, and are also essential for chromatin replication fork progression. Here we show that Vorinostat, a pan-HDAC inhibitor, stabilizes host cell tumor suppressors targeted by HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 and abrogates productive infection by a high-risk HPV in organotypic cultures of human keratinocytes. Furthermore, Vorinostat selectively induces apoptosis in HPV-infected cells by decreasing DNA repair response while increasing the proapoptotic protein Bim. Vorinostat appears to be a promising therapeutic agent.
Deciphering the structure of the condensin protein complex
Authors: Krepel Dana , Cheng Ryan R. , Di Pierro Michele , Onuchic José N.
Published: November 2018

Significance

SMC–kleisin protein complexes contribute to the structural maintenance of chromosomes and are essential for the functioning of cells across all domains of life. In particular, condensin is a ring-shaped motor complex responsible for chromosome segregation; however, key structural features of this complex remain controversial. Leveraging coevolutionary information, we are able to determine an atomically detailed structure of the whole condensin complex. Converging evidence indicates that the complex is composed of a single ring and undergoes large structural rearrangements to fulfill its function. Our findings constitute the first step toward studying the structure–function relationship of the various molecular motors operating on DNA.
On conductive argumentation
Authors: Moradi-Joz Rasool , Ketabi Saeed , Tavakoli Mansoor
Published: November 2018

Inspired by Aristotle and modern political theory,Fairclough and Fairclough (2012)introduce a model into Political Discourse Analysis (PDA) on the basis of deliberation and conductive argumentation (reasoning). This study makes an attempt to appraise the efficacy and adequacy of this model through examining Trump’s UN speech on Iran in 2017 in the light of other mainstream analytic tools and frameworks of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The findings suggest that the model is a step toward including the cognitive interface in PDA, and that the premises adduced in Trump’s speech could serve the purpose of delegitimizing Iranian government and ‘Iranoregimephobia’, hence calling for confronting Iran. It is concluded that if integrated with other approaches, the model could serve to possibly counter-balance the subjectivity and skepticism associated with CDA-oriented studies, thus possibly proving itself as a practical, effective, and informative tool for the critical study of political discourse.
Discourse relations across genres and contexts
Authors: Fetzer Anita , Speyer Augustin
Published: November 2018

This paper presents an analysis of the linguistic realization of discourse relations across and within English and
German discourse, comparing the genres of newspaper editorial and personal narrative. It concentrates on Continuation, Narration
and Contrast, and Elaboration, Explanation and Comment. Particular attention is given to (1) their overt realization with textual
themes and pragmatic word order, and (2) the (non)adjacent positioning of discourse units realizing the relations. The
methodological framework is an integrated one, supplementing Systemic Functional Grammar with Segmented Discourse Representation
Theory. In the English and German narratives, there is a strong tendency to realize discourse relations overtly. The overall overt
realization is significantly higher for narratives in both languages with editorials being significantly less overt. There are
also significant differences in the overt realization of non-adjacently positioned units realizing discourse relations with
significant distributions in all cases, although the distribution in the narratives is less significant.
Thermal stability investigation of the SS/MO/Al2O3 spectrally selective solar absorber coatings
Authors: Lu Jia-Zheng , Chen Bao-Hui , Jin Ling-Hua , Fang Zhen , Liu Gang , Gao Xiang-Hu
Published: November 2018

A novel Mo/Al2O3 spectrally selective solar absorber coating is deposited onto stainless steel (SS) substrates using magnetron sputtering method, which exhibits a high absorptance ( α) of 0.90 and a low emittance ( ε) of 0.08. In order to investigate the thermal stability, the SS/Mo/Al2O3 coatings are annealed in air and vacuum at different temperatures. The surface morphology, microstructure, composition distribution, diffusion and optical properties before and after high-temperature annealing are characterised by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atom force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy, UV–vis spectrophotometer and emissometer. Experimental results indicate that the coatings are stable in air at 350°C. The values of solar absorptance and emittance below 350°C are 0.87–0.90 and 0.06–0.08, respectively. The coatings remain stable after annealed at 600°C in vacuum for 2 h with a good spectral selectivity ( α/ ε) of 0.89/0.06.
Effect of ultrasonication and Na2MoO4 content on properties of electroless Ni–Mo–P coatings
Authors: Jiang Jibo , Chen Haotian , Wang Yuhong , Zhu Liying , Sun Yaoxin , Lin Hualin , Han Sheng , Luo Yong , Qian Wei
Published: November 2018

Electroless Ni–Mo–P composite coatings with or without ultrasonic field were successfully deposited. The Sodium molybdate concentration was changeable to receive various Mo and P contents. Compared with the absence of ultrasound field, the coatings obtained smoother surface and higher Mo and P contents. The microhardness was determined by Vickers diamond indentation. The results showed that the hardness improved with increasing molybdenum and phosphorus content. The sample revealed the optimum hardness (886 HV) as it possesses 8 wt-% of Mo and 14 wt-% of P. Furthermore, the coatings exhibited higher hardness under ultrasound field. The corrosion resistance was analysed by potentiodynamic polarisation. The results showed that the corrosion resistance was enhanced in the increase of molybdenum. The sample with the highest Mo content (10 wt-%) showed the best corrosion resistance (5.81 μA cm−2). In addition, the coatings with ultrasound field have an influence on improving the corrosion resistance of the coating.
Sika deer (Cervus nippon) velvet antler extract attenuates prostate cancer in xenograft model
Authors: Tang Yujiao , Fan Meiqi , Choi Young-Jin , Yu Yonghai , Yao Gang , Deng Yongyan , Moon Sang-Ho , Kim Eun-Kyung
Published: November 2018

The present study determines whether antler extract (AE) possesses inhibitory effects in a prostate cancer (PC) xenograft model and explores the underlying mechanism. After therapeutic intervention for two weeks, AE significantly inhibited prostate cancer xenograft tumor growth by 65.08%, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels. However, AE increased the serum testosterone level compared to the vehicle control group. Furthermore, our investigation of the inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes revealed that AE downregulated matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP)-2, (MMP)-9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), zinc finger protein (SNAIL1), twist-related protein 1 (TWIST1), and zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) in vivo. In contrast, AE increased tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1, (TIMP)-2, and E-cadherin. The results suggest that AE possesses potent anti-PC activity, and this is the first report on the anti-PC effect of AE in vivo.
Effect of two different intensity distribution training programmes on aerobic and body composition variables in ultra‐endurance runners
Authors: Pérez Andrés , Ramos‐Campo Domingo J. , Freitas Tomás T. , Rubio‐Arias Jacobo Á. , Marín‐Cascales Elena , Alcaraz Pedro E.
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different intensity distribution training programmes (polarized (POL) and threshold (THR)) on aerobic performance, strength and body composition variables in ultra‐endurance runners. Twenty recreationally trained athletes were allocated to POL (n = 11; age: 40.6 ± 9.7 years; height: 175.4 ± 7 cm; weight: 73.5 ± 10.8 kg; fat mass 18.4 ± 6.0%; VO2max: 55.8 ± 4.9 ml/kg/min) or THR group (n = 9; age: 36.8 ± 9.2 years; height: 178.5 ± 4.2 cm; weight: 75.5 ± 10.4 kg; fat mass 14.9 ± 5.3%; VO2max: 57.1 ± 5.2 ml/kg/min) and performed the 12 weeks training programme. Both programmes had similar total time and load but a different intensity distribution (POL = 79.8 ± 2.1% in Zone 1; 3.9 ± 1.9% in Zone 2; 16.4 ± 1.5% in Zone 3; THR = 67.2 ± 4.6% in Zone 1; 33.8 ± 4.6% in Zone 2; 0% in Zone 3). Body composition, isokinetic strength and aerobic running performance were measured before and after each programme. Both groups decreased fat mass after training (POL= Δ–11.2%; p = .017; ES = 0.32; THR= Δ–18.8%; p < .01; ES = 0.48). Also, POL group improved running economy at 10 km/h (Δ–5.4%; p = 0.003; ES = 0.71) and 12 km/h (Δ–4.5%; p = .026; ES = 0.73) and running time to exhaustion (Δ2.4%; p = .011; ES = 0.33). No changes were observed in strength and no significant differences were observed between the group in any variable. Compared with THR distribution, 12 weeks of POL training efficiently improves aerobic performance in recreational ultra‐endurance runners.
The structure of Orco and its impact on our understanding of olfaction
Authors: Zufall Frank , Domingos Ana I.
Published: November 2018

Zufall and Domingos discuss the significance of the recent structure of the insect odorant co-receptor Orco to the field of olfaction.
Strongly proper forcing and some problems of Foreman
Authors: Cox Sean , Eskew Monroe
Published: November 2018

We answer several questions of Foreman, most of which are closely related to Mitchell’s notion of strongly proper forcing. We prove that presaturation of a normal ideal implies projective antichain catching, providing a solution to a problem of Foreman about ideal projections that is more comprehensive and simpler than the earlier solution obtained by Cox and Zeman. We answer an older question of Foreman about the relationship between generic hugeness and generic almost hugeness. Finally, we answer two technical questions of Foreman related to his Duality Theorem.
Gross–Hopkins duals of higher real K–theory spectra
Authors: Barthel Tobias , Beaudry Agnès , Stojanoska Vesna
Published: November 2018

We determine the Gross–Hopkins duals of certain higher real

K
K

–theory spectra. More specifically, let

p
p

be an odd prime, and consider the Morava

E
E

–theory spectrum of height

n
=
p
−
1

n=p-1

. It is known, in expert circles, that for certain finite subgroups

G
G

of the Morava stabilizer group, the homotopy fixed point spectra

E
n

h
G

E_n^{hG}

are Gross–Hopkins self-dual up to a shift. In this paper, we determine the shift for those finite subgroups

G
G

which contain

p
p

–torsion. This generalizes previous results for

n
=
2

n=2

and

p
=
3

p=3

.
Atiyah covering index theorem for Riemannian foliations
Authors: Benameur Moulay-Tahar , Heitsch James
Published: November 2018

We use the symbol calculus for foliations developed by the authors in 2017 to derive a cohomological formula for the Connes–Chern character of the Type II spectral triple given also by the authors in 2018. The same proof works for the Type I spectral triple of Connes–Moscovici. The cohomology classes of the two Connes–Chern characters induce the same map on the image of the maximal Baum–Connes map in K-theory, thereby proving an Atiyah

L
2

L^2

-covering index theorem.
𝔬𝔰𝔭(1,2) and generalized Bannai–Ito algebras
Authors: Genest Vincent , Lapointe Luc , Vinet Luc
Published: November 2018

Generalizations of the (rank-

1
1

) Bannai–Ito algebra are obtained from a refinement of the grade involution of the Lie superalgebra

o
s
p

(
1
,
2
)

\mathfrak {osp}(1,2)

. A hyperoctahedral extension is derived by using a realization of

o
s
p

(
1
,
2
)

\mathfrak {osp}(1,2)

in terms of Dunkl operators associated with the Weyl group

B
3

B_3

.
𝐺-graded central polynomials and 𝐺-graded Posner’s theorem
Authors: Karasik Yakov
Published: November 2018

Let

F

\mathbb {F}

be a characteristic zero field, let

G
G

be a residually finite group, and let

W
W

be a

G
G

-prime and polynomial identity

F

\mathbb {F}

-algebra. By constructing

G
G

-graded central polynomials for

W
W

, we prove the

G
G

-graded version of Posner’s theorem. More precisely, if

S
S

denotes all nonzero degree

e
e

central elements of

W
W

, the algebra

S

−
1

W

S^{-1}W

is

G
G

-graded simple and finite dimensional over its center.

Furthermore, we show how to use this theorem in order to recapture a result of Aljadeff and Haile stating that two

G
G

-simple algebras of finite dimension are isomorphix if and only if their ideals of graded identities coincide.
Carotid Flow Velocities and Blood Pressures Are Independently Associated With Cognitive Function
Authors: Chuang Shao-Yuan , Cheng Hao-Min , Mitchell Gary F , Sung Shih-Hsien , Chen Chen-Huan , Pan Wen-Harn , Hwang An-Chun , Chen Liang-Kung , Wang Pei-Ning
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Few studies simultaneously addressed associations between carotid flow velocities, blood pressure (BP), and cognitive function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subject without dementia (N = 1,684) underwent measurements of BP and biochemical markers. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and comprehensive neuropsychological tests were used to evaluate cognitive function. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured in common and internal carotid artery. Subjects with MMSE score of ≤24 (25th percentile) was defined as low MMSE. Multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to evaluate the relationship of cognitive function with carotid flow velocities and BP.

RESULTS

Carotid flow velocities (PSV: standardized β = 0.067, P = 0.0009; and EDV: standardized β = 0.067, P = 0.0021) and systolic blood pressure (standardized β = −0.061, P = 0.005) were positively and negatively associated with MMSE, respectively, in the model with adjustments for age, sex, educational attainment, nutritional status, and smoking. Similar trends were noted for the associations between flow velocities and different neuropsychological tests.

By multivariable logistic regression, the group with the lowest quartile (<25th percentile) of flow velocities had increased probability of low MMSE (odds ratio: 1.538; 95% confidence intervals: 1.142 to 2.071, P = 0.0046 for PSV; and odds ratio: 1.699; 95% confidence intervals: 1.233 to 2.341; P = 0.0012 for EDV), compared to those with the highest quartile (≥75th) flow velocities.

CONCLUSION

Both low carotid flow velocity and high BP were independently and comparably associated with cognitive dysfunction.
FAVITES: simultaneous simulation of transmission networks, phylogenetic trees and sequences
Authors: Moshiri Niema , Ragonnet-Cronin Manon , Wertheim Joel O , Mirarab Siavash
Published: November 2018

Motivation

The ability to simulate epidemics as a function of model parameters allows insights that are unobtainable from real datasets. Further, reconstructing transmission networks for fast-evolving viruses like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may have the potential to greatly enhance epidemic intervention, but transmission network reconstruction methods have been inadequately studied, largely because it is difficult to obtain ‘truth’ sets on which to test them and properly measure their performance.

Results

We introduce FrAmework for VIral Transmission and Evolution Simulation (FAVITES), a robust framework for simulating realistic datasets for epidemics that are caused by fast-evolving pathogens like HIV. FAVITES creates a generative model to produce contact networks, transmission networks, phylogenetic trees and sequence datasets, and to add error to the data. FAVITES is designed to be extensible by dividing the generative model into modules, each of which is expressed as a fixed API that can be implemented using various models. We use FAVITES to simulate HIV datasets and study the realism of the simulated datasets. We then use the simulated data to study the impact of the increased treatment efforts on epidemiological outcomes. We also study two transmission network reconstruction methods and their effectiveness in detecting fast-growing clusters.

Availability and implementation

FAVITES is available at https://github.com/niemasd/FAVITES, and a Docker image can be found on DockerHub (https://hub.docker.com/r/niemasd/favites).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Biomarkers in abnormal uterine bleeding†
Authors: Chodankar Rohan , Critchley Hilary O D
Published: November 2018

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is an extremely common problem and represents a clinical area of unmet need. It has clinical implications and a high cost for the healthcare system. The PALM-COEIN acronym proposed by FIGO may be used as a foundation of care; it improves the understanding of the causes of AUB, and in doing so facilitates effective history taking, examination, investigations, and management.

Heavy menstrual bleeding, a subset of AUB, is a subjective diagnosis and should be managed in the context of improving the woman's quality of life. Available evidence suggests that there is poor satisfaction with standard treatment options often resulting in women opting for major surgery such as hysterectomy. Such women would benefit from a tailored approach, both for diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the deficiency of biomarkers in this area.

This article focuses on the causes of AUB as per the PALM-COEIN acronym, the researched biomarkers in this area, and the potential pathogenetic mechanisms. In the future, these approaches may improve our understanding of AUB, thereby enabling us to direct women to most suitable current treatments and tailor investigative and treatment strategies to ensure best outcomes, in keeping with the principles of personalized or precision medicine.
Blood Schizonticidal Activity and Safety of Tafenoquine When Administered as Chemoprophylaxis to Healthy, Nonimmune Participants Followed by Blood Stage Plasmodium falciparum Challenge: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 1b Study
Authors: McCarthy James S , Smith Bryan , Reid Mark , Berman Jonathan , Marquart Louise , Dobbin Caroline , West Leanne , Read Lisa T , Dow Geoff S
Published: November 2018

Background

Tafenoquine was recently approved for chemoprophylaxis of malaria. Its specific activity against liver and blood stages of Plasmodium species has been separately characterized in animals but not in humans.

Methods

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 16 malaria-naive, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase–normal participants aged 20–42 years received tafenoquine chemoprophylaxis prior to challenge with blood stage Plasmodium falciparum. Participants were randomly assigned to either tafenoquine (n = 12) or placebo (n = 4) and took blinded study medication (single 200-mg dose) on days 1, 2, 3, and 10, followed by intravenous inoculation with approximately 2800 P. falciparum parasitized erythrocytes on day 13. The primary endpoint was the number of participants requiring rescue treatment with artemether/lumefantrine due to the onset of parasitemia as determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

None of the 12 participants who received tafenoquine developed parasitemia, whereas all placebo participants developed parasitemia (P = .0005). Two cases of mild hemoglobin decrease and a single case of mild hyperbilirubinemia occurred in the tafenoquine group.

Conclusions

Tafenoquine chemoprophylaxis is safe and effective in preventing malaria in healthy nonimmune participants challenged with blood stage P. falciparum.

Clinical Trials Registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12617000102370.
Simplifying the World Health Organization Protocol: 3 Steps Versus 6 Steps for Performance of Hand Hygiene in a Cluster-randomized Trial
Authors: Tschudin-Sutter Sarah , Sepulcri Daniel , Dangel Marc , Ulrich Anja , Frei Reno , Widmer Andreas F
Published: November 2018

Background

In an experimental setting, a simplified, 3-step hand hygiene technique for applying alcohol-based hand rub was non inferior in terms of reduction of bacterial counts, as compared to the conventional World Health Organization 6-step technique. We therefore compared compliance and microbiological efficacy between both hand hygiene techniques in routine clinical practice.

Methods

We performed a cluster-randomized trial from October–November 2015 at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland: a tertiary, academic care center (ISRCTN45923734). We randomly assigned 12 wards to either the 3-step technique or the conventional 6-step technique of hand rubbing. The primary endpoints were compliance with the assigned technique and reduction of bacterial counts on the hands of health-care workers.

Results

Overall, 2923 hand hygiene indications were observed, and compliance was 70.7% (2066/2923). Compliance with technique and indications was 51.7% (595/1151) and 75.9% (1151/1516) on wards assigned to the 3-step technique, respectively, as compared to 12.7% (116/915) and 65.0% (915/1407) on wards assigned to the 6-step technique (P < .001). The reduction factor (RF) of bacterial colony counts did not differ between techniques (median RF 0.97 log10 colony-forming units [CFU] [interquartile range 0.39–1.59] for the 3-step technique vs median RF 1.04 log10 CFU [interquartile range 0.49–1.52] for the 6-step technique; P = .629).

Conclusions

In a clinical setting, the simpler hand hygiene technique, consisting of 3 steps, resulted in higher compliance with both hand hygiene indications and technique, as compared to the 6 steps. As the results of the microbiological analyses exclude inferiority, the conventional 6 steps could be safely replaced by a simpler hand hygiene technique.

Clinical Trials Registration

ISRCTN45923734.
Cardiac remodelling following thoracic endovascular aortic repair for descending aortic aneurysms
Authors: van Bakel Theodorus M J , Arthurs Christopher J , Nauta Foeke J H , Eagle Kim A , van Herwaarden Joost A , Moll Frans L , Trimarchi Santi , Patel Himanshu J , Figueroa C Alberto
Published: November 2018

OBJECTIVES

Current endografts for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are much stiffer than the aorta and have been shown to induce acute stiffening. In this study, we aimed to estimate the impact of TEVAR on left ventricular (LV) stroke work (SW) and mass using a non-invasive image-based workflow.

METHODS

The University of Michigan database was searched for patients treated with TEVAR for descending aortic pathologies (2013–2016). Patients with available pre-TEVAR and post-TEVAR computed tomography angiography and echocardiography data were selected. LV SW was estimated via patient-specific fluid–structure interaction analyses. LV remodelling was quantified through morphological measurements using echocardiography and electrocardiographic-gated computed tomography angiography data.

RESULTS

Eight subjects were included in this study, the mean age of the patients was 68 (73, 25) years, and 6 patients were women. All patients were prescribed antihypertensive drugs following TEVAR. The fluid–structure interaction simulations computed a 26% increase in LV SW post-TEVAR [0.94 (0.89, 0.34) J to 1.18 (1.11, 0.65) J, P = 0.012]. Morphological measurements revealed an increase in the LV mass index post-TEVAR of +26% in echocardiography [72 (73, 17)  g/m2 to 91 (87, 26)  g/m2, P = 0.017] and +15% in computed tomography angiography [52 (46, 29)  g/m2 to 60 (57, 22)  g/m2, P = 0.043]. The post- to pre-TEVAR LV mass index ratio was positively correlated with the post- to pre-TEVAR ratios of SW and the mean blood pressure (ρ = 0.690, P = 0.058 and ρ = 0.786, P = 0.021, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

TEVAR was associated with increased LV SW and mass during follow-up. Medical device manufacturers should develop more compliant devices to reduce the stiffness mismatch with the aorta. Additionally, intensive antihypertensive management is needed to control blood pressure post-TEVAR.
The Lec5 glycosylation mutant links homeobox genes with cholesterol and lipid-linked oligosaccharides
Authors: Lu Hua , Sathe Adwait Amod , Xing Chao , Lehrman Mark A
Published: November 2018

Discovered 40 years ago, the Lec5 glycosylation mutant cell line has a complex recessive genotype and is characterized by accumulation of lipid-linked oligosaccharide assembly intermediates, reduced conversion of polyprenols to dolichols, and an unusual phenotypic dependence upon cell culture conditions such as temperature, plating density and medium quality. The heritable defect in Lec5 is unknown. Here we demonstrate an unexpected epigenetic basis for Lec5, with a surprising linkage to increased expression of homeobox genes, which in turn is associated with increased transcription of cholesterol biosynthesis genes. These results suggest testable hypotheses for the biochemical abnormalities of the Lec5 mutant.
Partial female migration and cool-water migration pathways in an overfished shark
Authors: McMillan M N , Huveneers C , Semmens J M , Gillanders B M
Published: November 2018

Knowledge about reproductive movements can be of important conservation value for over-exploited species that are vulnerable when moving between and within key reproductive habitats. Lack of knowledge persists around such movements in the overfished school shark Galeorhinus galeus in Australia. Management assumes all pregnant females migrate between adult aggregations in the Great Australian Bight, South Australia, and nursery areas around Bass Strait and Tasmania. We tracked 14 late-term pregnant females tagged in South Australia using satellite-linked pop-up archival tags to investigate extent, timing, and routes of migrations. We found partial migration, with some females (n = 7) remaining near aggregating areas throughout the pupping season, some migrating to known nursery areas (n = 3), and one migrating ∼3 000 km to New Zealand. We conclude female movements and pupping habitats are less spatially constrained than assumed and propose females use cool-water routes along the shelf break to reduce energy costs of migration. Migrating females using these routes faced greater fishing pressure than sharks in inshore areas and were not protected by inshore shark fishing closures designed to protect them. This study demonstrates the complexity of reproductive movements that can occur in wide-ranging species and highlights the value of explicit movement data.
On the Geometry of Some Equivariantly Related Manifolds
Authors: Cavenaghi Leonardo F , Sperança Llohann D
Published: November 2018

We provide geometric realizations of both classical and “exotic” $G$-manifolds such as spheres, Kervaire manifolds, bundles over spheres, homogeneous spaces, and connected sums among them. As an application, we apply the process known as Cheeger deformation to produce new metrics of both positive Ricci and almost non-negative curvature on such objects.
Ulcerative Colitis Patients Continue to Improve Over the First Six Months of Vedolizumab Treatment: 12-Month Clinical and Mucosal Healing Effectiveness
Authors: Zezos Petros , Kabakchiev Boyko , Weizman Adam V , Nguyen Geoffrey C , Narula Neeraj , Croitoru Kenneth , Steinhart A Hillary , Silverberg Mark S
Published: November 2018

Background

Vedolizumab (VDZ) is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody which inhibits leukocyte vascular adhesion and migration into the gastrointestinal tract through α4β7 integrin blockade.

Aims

We retrospectively assessed the 12-month, real-world efficacy and safety of VDZ as induction and maintenance therapy in adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

The rates of clinical remission (CR, partial Mayo score < 2), steroid-free clinical remission (SFCR), and mucosal healing were assessed with nonresponder imputation analysis. Baseline independent predictors of clinical remission were investigated, and adverse events were recorded.

Results

We analyzed outcomes in 74 patients; 32% were anti-TNF naïve, 68% had pancolitis, and 46% were on systemic steroids at baseline. At week six, week 14, six months and one year, the CR rates were 26%, 34%, 39% and 39% respectively, and the SFCR rates were 24%, 31%, 38% and 39%, respectively. Among patients not in CR after induction, the probability of remission at six months was 20%. Sustained SFCR between weeks 14 and 52 and between weeks 22 and 52 was found in 69% and 86% of the patients, respectively. Steroid-free clinical remission at 12 months was significantly associated with remission after the induction phase (OR = 30.4; 95% CI, 6 to 150; P < 0.001). Mucosal healing rate at one year was 39%. The most common side effect was headache (7%).

Conclusions

Increasing remission rates were observed over the first six months of VDZ treatment. One-fifth of patients not in remission post-induction achieved remission by six months of continued therapy. Mucosal healing was associated with higher rates of one-year steroid-free remission and VDZ treatment continuation.