bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous versus intermittent oral administration of levodopa in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations: A pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy study
Authors: Warren Olanow C. , Torti Margherita , Kieburtz Karl , Leinonen Mika , Vacca Laura , Grassini Paola , Heller Adam , Heller Ephraim , Stocchi Fabrizio
Published: January 2019

Background

Laboratory and clinical evidence indicate that continous delivery of levodopa is associated with reduced motor complications compared to standard intermittent levodopa.

Objective

To assess the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of continuous oral delivery of l‐dopa/carbidopa in PD patients with motor fluctuations.

Methods

Eighteen PD patients with motor fluctuations were enrolled in an open‐label study comparing pharmacokinetics and efficacy measures between standard intermittent oral l‐dopa/carbidopa and “continuous” oral l‐dopa/carbidopa. Continuous treatment was operationally defined as sips of an l‐dopa dispersion at 5‐ to 10‐minute intervals. On day 1, patients received their usual oral l‐dopa/carbidopa doses. On day 2, patients received l‐dopa/carbidopa dose by “continuous” oral administration. On day 3, patients received a single dose of oral l‐dopa/carbidopa followed by continuous administration of l‐dopa/carbidopa. Each study period was 8 hours, and the total l‐dopa/carbidopa dose administered was the same on each day. Analyses of variability were primarily‐based samples drawn between 4 and 8 hours when subjects were in a relative steady state.

Results

There was less variability in plasma l‐dopa concentration with continuous versus intermittent oral l‐dopa/carbidopa treatment (fluctuation index was 0.99 ± 0.09 vs. 1.38 ± 0.12 [P < 0.001] and coefficient of variation was 0.35 ± 0.03 vs. 0.49 ± 0.04 [P < 0.001]). Mean OFF time was decreased by 43% (P < 0.001) with continuous oral l‐dopa therapy. No safety or tolerability issues were observed.

Conclusions

Continuous oral delivery of l‐dopa/carbidopa was associated with less plasma variability and reduced off time in comparison to standard intermittent oral l‐dopa/carbidopa therapy. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Resonant tunneling diode photodetectors for optical communications
Authors: Watson Scott , Zhang Weikang , Tavares Joana , Figueiredo Jose , Cantu Horacio , Wang Jue , Wasige Edward , Salgado Henrique , Pessoa Luis , Kelly Anthony
Published: January 2019

Optical modulation characteristics of resonant tunneling diode photodetectors (RTD‐PD) are investigated. Intensity modulated light excites the RTD‐PDs to conduct data experiments. Simple and complex data patterns are used with results showing data rates up to 80 and 200 Mbit/s, respectively. This is the first demonstration of complex modulation using resonant tunneling diodes.
Simultaneous proton resonance frequency shift thermometry and T1 measurements using a single reference variable flip angle T1 method
Authors: Svedin Bryant T. , Payne Allison , Parker Dennis L.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Implement simultaneous proton resonance frequency (PRF) shift and T1 measurements with equivalent temporal resolution using a single reference variable flip angle method. This novel method allows for simultaneous thermometry in both aqueous and fatty tissue.

Methods

This method acquires a single reference image at the lower flip angle and all dynamic images at the higher angle. T1 is calculated using a single reference variable flip angle method, which accounts for the reference image temperature remaining constant. Monte Carlo simulations determined the optimal dynamic flip angle for combined PRF and T1 measurements. This method was evaluated in MR‐guided focused ultrasound heating experiments using a gelatin phantom and human cadaver breasts. In vivo measurement precision was demonstrated in healthy female volunteers under nonheating conditions.

Results

Temperature rise during MR‐guided focused ultrasound heating was measured in aqueous tissue with both PRF and T1. Both measures show good qualitative agreement in both space and time in aqueous tissue. The T1 change due to temperature increase was measured in fat, demonstrating the expected temporal response. The dynamic flip angle that produces optimal SNR for PRF measurements is lower than the optimal angle for T1 measurements, necessitating the selection of a compromise angle.

Conclusion

The single reference variable flip angle method provides a reliable way to simultaneously measure PRF temperature and T1 change and overcomes PRF’s inability to simultaneously monitor temperature in aqueous and adipose tissues. Future work will calibrate T1 change to temperature, enabling real‐time temperature in fat and increasing patient safety and treatment efficacy during thermal interventional treatments.
Measuring large lipid droplet sizes by probing restricted lipid diffusion effects with diffusion‐weighted MRS at 3T
Authors: Weidlich Dominik , Honecker Julius , Gmach Oliver , Wu Mingming , Burgkart Rainer , Ruschke Stefan , Franz Daniela , Menze Bjoern H. , Skurk Thomas , Hauner Hans , Kulozik Ulrich , Karampinos Dimitrios C.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The in vivo probing of restricted diffusion effects in large lipid droplets on a clinical MR scanner remains a major challenge due to the need for high b‐values and long diffusion times. This work proposes a methodology to probe mean lipid droplet sizes using diffusion‐weighted MRS (DW‐MRS) at 3T.

Methods

An analytical expression for restricted diffusion was used. Simulations were performed to evaluate the noise performance and the influence of particle size distribution. To validate the method, oil‐in‐water emulsions were prepared and examined using DW‐MRS, laser deflection and light microscopy. The tibia bone marrow was scanned in volunteers to test the method repeatability and characterize microstructural differences at different locations.

Results

The simulations showed accurate and precise droplet size estimation when a sufficient SNR is reached with minor dependence on the size distribution. In phantoms, a good correlation between the measured droplet sizes by DW‐MRS and by laser deflection (R2 = 0.98; P = 0.01) and microscopy (R2 = 0.99; P < 0.01) measurements was obtained. A mean coefficient of variation of 11.5 % was found for the lipid droplet diameter in vivo. The average diameter was smaller at a proximal (50.1 ± 7.3 µm) compared with a distal tibia location (61.1 ± 6.8 µm) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The presented methods were able to probe restricted diffusion effects in lipid droplets using DW‐MRS and to estimate lipid droplet size. The methodology was validated using phantoms and the in vivo feasibility in bone marrow was shown based on a good repeatability and findings in agreement with literature.
A continuum of components: Flexible fast fraction mapping in sodium MRI
Authors: Syeda Warda , Blunck Yasmin , Kolbe Scott , Cleary Jon O. , Johnston Leigh A.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Parameter mapping in sodium MRI data is challenging due to inherently low SNR and spatial resolution, prompting the need to employ robust models and estimation techniques. This work aims to develop a continuum model of sodium ‐decay to overcome the limitations of the commonly employed bi‐exponential models. Estimates of mean ‐decay and fast component fraction in tissue are emergent from the inferred continuum model.

Methods

A closed‐form continuum model was derived assuming a gamma distribution of components. Sodium MRI was performed on four healthy human subjects and a phantom consisting of closely packed vials filled with an aqueous solution of varying sodium and agarose concentrations. The continuum model was applied to the phantom and in vivo human multi‐echo 7T data. Parameter maps by voxelwise model‐fitting were obtained.

Results

The continuum model demonstrated comparable estimation performance to the bi‐exponential model. The parameter maps provided improved contrast between tissue structures. The fast component fraction, an indicator of the heterogeneity of localised sodium motion regimes in tissue, was zero in CSF and high in WM structures.

Conclusions

The continuum distribution model provides high quality, high contrast parameter maps, and informative voxelwise estimates of the relative weighting between fast and slow decay components.
Thermomechanical, water absorption, ultraviolet resistance and laser‐assisted electroless plating behavior of Cu2O and melamine–formaldehyde‐coated sisal fiber‐modified poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Tengsuthiwat Jiratti , Yorseng Krittirash , Siengchin Suchart , Parameswaranpillai Jyotishkumar
Published: January 2019

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/Cu2O composites and melamine–formaldehyde‐coated sisal fibers (MF‐sisal fibers) modified PLA/Cu2O hybrid composites were prepared. The effect of Cu2O and MF‐sisal fibers on the tensile properties, fracture morphology, crystallinity, thermal and electrical conductivity, thermal stability, water absorption, UV resistance, and laser‐assisted metallization by electroless plating were systematically studied. The addition of MF‐sisal fibers recompensed the tensile properties (strength and elongation at break [EB]) and thermal stability of the PLA/Cu2O composites. The crystallinity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity of the PLA matrix marginally increased in the presence of Cu2O and MF‐sisal fibers. The water absorption was reduced for the PLA/Cu2O composites but increased for the MF‐sisal fibers modified PLA/Cu2O hybrid composites due to the presence of free hydroxyl groups present in the MF‐sisal fibers. The presence of Cu2O obstructed the UV transmission through the PLA composites and hybrid composites, clearly showing the UV shielding efficiency of the Cu2O particles. The samples were irradiated with fiber pulse laser for metallization by electroless plating. The SEM micrographs of the irradiated samples revealed an increase in surface roughness with increasing fluence. Further, Talysurf series 2 was used to quantify the roughness of the irradiated composites. Finally, the laser treated samples were selectively metallized by electroless plating. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3264–3274, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
I see the light! Fluorescent proteins suitable for cell wall/apoplast targeting in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves
Authors: Stoddard Angela , Rolland Vivien
Published: January 2019

Correct subcellular targeting is crucial for protein function. Protein location can be visualized in vivo by fusion to a fluorescent protein (FP). Nevertheless, despite intense engineering efforts, most FPs are dim or completely quenched at low pH (<6). This is particularly problematic for the study of proteins targeted to acidic compartments such as vacuoles (pH ~ 3–6) or plant cell walls (pH ~ 3.5–8.3). Plant cell walls play important roles (e.g. structural/protective role, control of growth/morphogenesis), are diverse in structure and function, and are highly dynamic (e.g. during cell growth, in response to biotic/abiotic stresses). To study and engineer plant cell walls, it is therefore critical to identify robust tools which can be used to locate proteins expressed in the apoplast. Here we used a transient expression assay in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves to test a range of FPs in vivo, and determined which ones retained strong fluorescence in the acidic environment of the apoplast. We selected 10 fluorescent proteins with a range of in vitro properties; two historical FPs and eight FPs with in vitro properties suggesting lower pH sensitivity or improved brightness, some of which had never been tested in plants prior to our study. We targeted each FP to the cytosol or the apoplast and compared the fluorescence in both compartments, before testing the in vivo pH sensitivity of FPs across a pH 8–4 gradient. Our results suggest that mTurquoise2, mNeonGreen, and mCherry are suited to tracking proteins in the apoplast under dynamic pH conditions. These fluorescent proteins may also be useful in other acidic compartments such as vacuoles.
Detonation Velocity Measurement of a Hydrogen Peroxide Solvate of CL‐20
Authors: Vuppuluri Vasant S. , Bennion Jonathan C. , Wiscons Ren A. , Gunduz I. Emre , Matzger Adam J. , Son Steven F.
Published: January 2019

Synthesis and development of new energetic molecules is a resource‐intensive process, yielding materials with relatively unpredictable performance properties. Cocrystallization and crystalline solvate formation have been explored as possible routes towards developing new energetic materials that reduce the initial investment required for discovery and performance uncertainty because existing energetic molecules with known properties serve as the constituents. The formation of a hydrogen peroxide (HP) solvate of CL‐20 was previously reported and has a density comparable to that of ϵ‐CL‐20, the densest and most stable polymorph of CL‐20. CL‐20/HP produces a second crystalline form, which was unexpected given the high density of the original CL‐20/HP solvate. Both forms were predicted to have improved detonation performance relative to that of ϵ‐CL‐20. In this work, the detonation velocity of a solvate of CL‐20/HP is measured and compared to that of CL‐20. Using the measured enthalpy of formation, the solvate was predicted to detonate 80 m s−1 faster at a powder density of 1.4 g cm−3; however, experimentally, the solvate detonates 300 m s−1 faster than CL‐20. Thermochemical predictions are also used to show that the solvate detonates 100 m s−1 faster than ϵ‐CL‐20 at the theoretical maximum density, making it the first energetic cocrystal or solvate of ϵ‐CL‐20 predicted to detonate faster than CL‐20 at full density.
Oscillatory Pressure Effect on Mean Burning Rates of Solid Propellant Combustion at Low Frequency Conditions
Authors: Kathiravan Balusamy , Rajak Rajendra , Senthilkumar Chidambaram , Jayaraman Kandasamy
Published: January 2019

The investigation on acoustic pressure oscillation effect on the mean burning rate of solid propellant combustion under quasi and unsteady conditions has been carried out at elevated pressures typical of rocket operation. Experiments were conducted in the window bomb test facility to measure mean burning rate for the mean chamber pressure ranging from 1 to 7 MPa. This analysis facilitates current understanding regarding the mean burning rate variation due to the acoustic wave interaction with propellant flame complexes. The present work is focused on low frequency combustion instability and characterization of the long rocket motor configurations. The window bomb is connected with an exclusively designed rotating valve for the generation of acoustic pressure oscillations at selected mean chamber pressures and the corresponding frequency of operations. Two kinds of ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl terminated poly butadiene (AP/HTPB) based composite propellants, one with aluminium, and the other without aluminium were considered. Experiments were conducted at the excited frequency of 140 Hz with different excited acoustic pressure amplitudes. This experimental setup facility has the provision of visual observation during propellant combustion using optical methods. The performance of the rotating valve was competent over the tested conditions. These studies reveal that the acoustic pressure amplitudes significantly enhance the mean burning rate of the solid propellants. The response of the aluminized propellants to the excited acoustic oscillations was relatively prominent as compared to that of its non‐aluminized counterparts. The results obtained are extremely useful in combustion instability characteristics of large scale rocket motors.
Reactive not Proactive: Explosive Identification Taggant History and Introduction of the Nuclear Barcode Taggant Model
Authors: Seman James , Giraldo Carlos H. C. , Johnson Catherine E.
Published: January 2019

Regulations governing explosives have often included requirements to provide information about the manufacturer, type, and batch of a commercially produced explosive. The first method of encoding information about an explosive was simply writing desired information on the explosive's packaging. Marking explosives in this way can be considered the first identification taggant. Identification taggants that encode information have evolved over the course of over 100 years in the United States. Identification taggants are particularly useful as they allow explosives to be tracked back to the manufacturer and purchaser. Correlations can be seen in the evolutional advances in identification taggants and events (wars and terrorist activities) that lead to regulations governing explosives. The information presented in this paper walks through the evolution of identification taggants, since 1917, and identifies the corresponding event that led to increased regulations governing explosives. The paper illustrates that the efforts in identification taggants have been primarily reactionary and highlights the need for a more proactive approach in taggant research and implementation. Understanding the previously developed identification taggants has led to successive generations of taggant candidates, including a modern candidate known as the Nuclear Barcode. The nuclear barcode focuses on allowing identification taggant to survive the detonation process intact, prevent counterfeiting or obscuration, enhance forensic detection of explosives, as well as providing a sufficiently large number of potential codes to enable labeling individual batches of product. The nuclear barcode is designed to accomplish these goals inexpensively while also not affecting the properties or sensitivity of the tagged explosive.
Insights from the crystal structure of the chicken CREB3 bZIP suggest that members of the CREB3 subfamily transcription factors may be activated in response to oxidative stress
Authors: Sabaratnam Keshalini , Renner Max , Paesen Guido , Harlos Karl , Nair Venugopal , Owens Raymond J. , Grimes Jonathan M.
Published: January 2019

cAMP response element binding Protein 3 (CREB3) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane‐bound transcription factor, which belongs to the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) superfamily of eukaryotic transcription factors. CREB3 plays a role in the ER‐stress induced unfolded protein response (UPR) and is a multifunctional cellular factor implicated in a number of biological processes including cell proliferation and migration, tumor suppression, and immune‐related gene expression. To gain structural insights into the transcription factor, we determined the crystal structure of the conserved bZIP domain of chicken CREB3 (chCREB3) to a resolution of 3.95 Å. The X‐ray structure provides evidence that chCREB3 can form a stable homodimer. The chCREB3 bZIP has a structured, pre‐formed DNA binding region, even in the absence of DNA, a feature that could potentially enhance both the DNA binding specificity and affinity of chCREB3. Significantly, the homodimeric bZIP possesses an intermolecular disulfide bond that connects equivalent cysteine residues of the parallel helices in the leucine zipper region. This disulfide bond in the hydrophobic core of the bZIP may increase the stability of the homodimer under oxidizing conditions. Moreover, sequence alignment of bZIP sequences from chicken, human, and mouse reveals that only members of the CREB3 subfamily contain this cysteine residue, indicating that it could act as a redox‐sensor. Taken together, these results suggest that the activity of these transcription factors may be redox‐regulated and they may be activated in response to oxidative stress.
A novel method for removing contaminant Hsp70 molecular chaperones from recombinant proteins
Authors: Morales Enrique S. , Parcerisa Ivana L. , Ceccarelli Eduardo A.
Published: January 2019

The production of recombinant proteins in bacteria has increased significantly in recent years, becoming a common tool for both research and the industrial production of proteins. One of the requirements of this methodology is to obtain the desired protein without contaminants. However, this goal cannot always be readily achieved. Multiple strategies have been developed to improve the quality of the desired protein product. Nevertheless, contamination with molecular chaperones is one of the recalcitrant problems that still affects the quality of the obtained proteins. The ability of chaperones to bind to unfolded proteins or to regions where the polypeptide chain is exposed make the removal of the contamination during purification challenging to achieve.

This work aimed to develop a strategy to remove contaminating DnaK, one of the homologous Hsp70 molecular chaperones found in Escherichia coli, from purified recombinant proteins. For this purpose, we developed a methodology that captures the DnaK from the contaminating proteins by co‐incubation with a GST‐cleanser protein that has free functional binding sites for the chaperone. The cleanser protein can then be easily removed together with the captured DnaK. Here, we demonstrated the utility of our system by decontaminating a Histidine‐tagged recombinant protein in a batch process. The addition of the GST‐cleanser protein in the presence of ATP‐Mg eliminates the DnaK contamination substantially. Thus, our decontaminant strategy results versatile and straightforward and can be applied to proteins obtained with different expression and purifications systems as well as to small samples or large volume preparations.
Prostate cancer survival among statin users after prostatectomy in a Finnish nationwide cohort
Authors: Joentausta Roni M. , Rannikko Antti , Murtola Teemu J.
Published: January 2019

Background

Improved prostate cancer (PCa) survival by statin use has been reported among PCa patients managed with radiation or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), while results are controversial for men managed surgically. We evaluate the association between cholesterol‐lowering medication with initiation of ADT and disease‐specific death among PCa cases who underwent radical prostatectomy in Finland between 1995 and 2013.

Methods

The study cohort included 14 424 men with PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy in Finland between 1995 and 2013. Cases were identified from national hospital discharge registry. Clinical data were amended from patient files of the treating hospitals. Information on co‐morbidities, additional radiation‐ or chemotherapy, and causes of deaths were collected from national registries. Personal‐level data on medication use during 1995‐2014 were gathered from national prescription database. Registry linkages were carried out using personal identification number. Lipid‐lowering drugs were categorized into statins and non‐statin drugs. Risk of PCa death and initiation of ADT was analyzed using Cox‐regression model with adjustment for age, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, co‐morbidities and other drug use. Statin use was analyzed as time‐dependent variable. Delayed risk associations were evaluated in lag‐time analysis.

Results

Compared to non‐users the risk of PCa death was significantly lower among statin users before PCa diagnosis (HR 0.70, 95%CIs 0.52‐0.95). For statin use after PCa diagnosis the risk was lowered in age‐adjusted analysis (HR 0.76 95%CIs 0.62‐0.93) but not after multivariable‐adjustment. Post‐diagnostic statin use was associated with improved PCa‐specific survival in 1, 3 and 5 years lag‐time analyses. The risk reduction was clearest for statin use initiated 5 years earlier (HR 0.71 95%CIs 0.55‐0.92). Use of statins both before and after PCa diagnosis was associated with reduced risk of ADT use (HR 0.72 95%CIs 0.65‐0.80 and HR 0.73, 95%CI 0.67‐0.80, respectively). The risk of ADT decreased by increasing intensity of statin use before diagnosis.

Conclusion

Statin use among surgically treated PCa patients has significant association with decreased risk of starting ADT and PCa death. The risk is lowered especially among men with statin use before PCa diagnosis and in men who used statins at high‐dose. Our results are hypothesis generating due to retrospective study design.
HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling‐mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis is critically involved in anti‐metastasis effect of luteolin in melanoma cells
Authors: Li Chunyu , Wang Qi , Shen Shen , Wei Xiaolu , Li Guoxia
Published: January 2019

Tumor metastasis is still the leading cause of melanoma mortality. Luteolin, a natural flavonoid, is found in fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. The pharmacological action and mechanism of luteolin on the metastasis of melanoma remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the effect of luteolin on A375 and B16‐F10 cell viability, migration, invasion, adhesion, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and pivotal molecules in HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling expression were analysed using western blot assays or quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that luteolin inhibits cellular proliferation in A375 and B16‐F10 melanoma cells in a time‐dependent and concentration‐dependent manner. Luteolin significantly inhibited the migratory, invasive, adhesive, and tube‐forming potential of highly metastatic A375 and B16‐F10 melanoma cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells at sub‐IC50 concentrations, where no significant cytotoxicity was observed. Luteolin effectively suppressed EMT by increased E‐cadherin and decreased N‐cadherin and vimentin expression both in mRNA and protein levels. Further, luteolin exerted its anti‐metastasis activity through decreasing the p‐Akt, HIF‐1α, VEGF‐A, p‐VEGFR‐2, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 proteins expression. Overall, our findings first time suggests that HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling‐mediated EMT and angiogenesis is critically involved in anti‐metastasis effect of luteolin as a potential therapeutic candidate for melanoma.
Vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract and resveratrol alleviate bisphenol‐A‐induced metabolic syndrome: Biochemical and molecular evidences
Authors: Rameshrad Maryam , Razavi Bibi Marjan , Imenshahidi Mohsen , Hosseinzadeh Hossein
Published: January 2019

The mechanisms of bisphenol‐A (BPA)‐induced metabolic syndrome as well as the protective role of grape seed extract (GSE) and resveratrol were investigated. Rats were treated with BPA (0 and 35 mg·kg−1·day−1, gavage) plus resveratrol (25, 50, and 100 mg·kg−1·day−1, i.p.) or GSE (3, 6, 12 mg·kg−1·day−1, i.p.) or vitamin E (200 IU/kg/every other day, i.p.). After 2 months, mean systolic blood pressure, serum lipid profile, glycaemia, and fat index were examined. By enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, the serum concentrations of insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and paraoxonase 1, and by real‐time polymerase chain reaction as well as western blotting, key liver elements in cholesterol hemostasis (LDLR, CYP7A1, ABCG5 and 8) and insulin signaling (p‐Akt/Akt and p‐PI3K/PI3K) were measured. BPA increased mean systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced paraoxonase1 and the hepatic expression of both ABCG5 and ABCG8. It increased the body fat index, leptin, adiponectin, insulin, and glycaemia level and decreased the hepatic protein expression of p‐Akt/Akt and p‐PI3K/PI3k. GSE, resveratrol, or vitamin E coadministration along with BPA restored the detrimental effects of BPA in some levels.

Herein, the predisposing effects of BPA‐induced metabolic syndrome were restored by GSE and resveratrol, linked to the regulation of insulin signaling, ABCG8 expression, and their antioxidant properties.
Planktonic indicators of water quality: A case study in the Amacuzac River Basin (State of Morelos, Mexico)
Authors: Nandini S. , Ramírez‐García Pedro , Sarma S. S. S. , Gutierrez‐Ochoa Ricardo A.
Published: January 2019

Planktonic organisms are good indicators of water quality but are rarely used in Mexican riverine studies in spite of the high level of contamination in these lotic waters. In this study, we focused on the plankton of the river Amacuzac in Mexico and a large saline waterbody, Lake Tequisquitengo, which is located in the Amacuzac river basin. We collected samples at three sites in the River Amacuzac and one at Lake Tequisquitengo from May 2015 to March–April of 2016. We analysed the physicochemical variables, coliform bacteria, and biological oxygen demand levels. We also quantified phytoplankton and zooplankton. Our results indicate that the study sites are mesotrophic with high densities of diatoms and cyanobacteria. Among the zooplankton, the dominant organisms were rotifers. The constancy of planktonic taxa was high in the lake but low in the river. The Descy index ranged from 2.9 to 4.5 in the river and from 4.0 to 5.0 in the lake. The saprobic index shows that the system is β‐mesosaprobic. The species diversity was higher in the river than in the lake. Our study shows that plankton can efficiently be used to evaluate the water quality in rivers and lakes.
Gene Expression and Biochemical Characterization of a GH77 4‐α‐Glucanotransferase CcGtase From Corallococcus sp. EGB
Authors: Zhoukun Li , Wenwen Zheng , Lei Zhang , Yanxin Wang , Yajuan Zhang , Yan Qiao , Xue Luo , Yan Huang , Zhongli Cui
Published: January 2019

The enzyme 4‐α‐glucanotransferase catalyzes the intramolecular and intermolecular transglycosylation of α‐1,4‐glucan, which plays an important role in starch metabolism and starch modification. In this study, the gene encoding a 4‐α‐glucanotransferase from Corallococcus sp. EGB (ccGtase) is cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). CcGtase contains all the conserved amino acid residues of glycoside hydrolase family 77 (GH77), which form the active site environment of the enzymes in the α‐amylase family, while sequence alignments show that 4‐α‐glucanotransferases from myxobacteria constitute an independent group along with the GH77 glucanotransferases. Product analysis shows that CcGtase is able to convert malto‐oligosaccharides and starch into linear maltooligosaccharides with a low degree of polymerization (DP < 12) instead of cycloamylose. The transfer action toward starch is only observed in the presence of glucose, and delayed production of maltose from the transfer reaction is also observed. During the reaction, no apparent hydrolytic activity is observed. Based on the low sequence identity (9–35%) and unique characteristics, CcGtase can be regarded as a new member of the GH77 family.
An efficiency evaluation of radar‐based obstruction lights controlling at a wind turbine test site
Authors: Jørgensen Lasse Due , Tambo Torben , Xydis George
Published: January 2019

In this study, an obstruction lights controlling (OLC) system based on a Terma SCANTER 5000 radar has been installed at a test centre for large wind turbines. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the OLC system and to improve this efficiency by introducing new technological features. Once the first assessment had been carried out, new software with improved tracking functionalities was installed to the radar. With the new software, a second assessment was made to compare the new performance to the old one. To analyse the tracks, geographic information system (GIS) tools have been used. A new MATLAB script was developed to automate the assessment as well as to gather data on the tracks. These data sets were used to improve the system performance by introducing a radar cross section (RCS)/speed filter. The outcome of the study is a filter that can be implemented on the radar system to improve the efficiency of the system and reduce the time that obstruction lights need to be on for by 62.59%, without compromising the integrity of the system.
Higher order solution of Boundary layer formation as a result of impulsive start of motion
Authors: Nagler Jacob
Published: January 2019

This essay deals with the expansion of the classical problem, known as the impulsive start of motion over a cylindrical body. It was found that the boundary layer (BL) velocity profiles are similar to the classical results of Goldstein & Rosenhead. Moreover, high order (fourth approximation) of the velocity was developed and no effect on the BL velocity profile solution was found, confirming Watson theory. On the other hand, for the third order approximation, the separation angle was found to be time dependent. Also, the maximum velocity value was found to increase with respect to the time constant increase. An opposite effect of the BL velocity occurs for the maximum shear stress value, such that it decreases over time. The recent findings are supported by Riley and Nam literature results.
Multi-Regge kinematics and the scattering equations
Authors: Duhr Claude , Liu Zhengwen
Published: January 2019

Abstract

We study the solutions to the scattering equations in various quasi-multi-Regge regimes where the produced particles are ordered in rapidity. We observe that in all cases the solutions to the scattering equations admit the same hierarchy as the rapidity ordering, and we conjecture that this behaviour holds independently of the number of external particles. In multi-Regge limit, where the produced particles are strongly ordered in rapidity, we determine exactly all solutions to the scattering equations that contribute to the Cachazo-He-Yuan (CHY) formula for gluon scattering in this limit. When the CHY formula is localised on these solutions, it reproduces the expected factorisation of tree-level amplitudes in terms of impact factors and Lipatov vertices. We also investigate amplitudes in various quasi-MRK. While in these cases we cannot determine the solutions to the scattering equations exactly, we show that again our conjecture combined with the CHY formula implies the factorisation of the amplitude into universal buildings blocks for which we obtain a CHY-type representation.
Improved invasive weed optimization algorithm (IWO) based on chaos theory for optimal design of PID controller
Authors: Misaghi Mojgan , Yaghoobi Mahdi
Published: January 2019

Weed is a phenomenon which is looks for optimality and finds the best environment for life and quickly adapts itself to environmental conditions and resists changes. Considering these features, a powerful optimization algorithm is developed in this study. The invasive weed optimization algorithm (IWO) is a population-based evolutionary optimization method inspired by the behavior of weed colonies. In this paper, the IWO algorithm is based on chaos theory. Among parameters of weed optimization algorithm, standard deviation affects the performance of the algorithm significantly. Therefore, chaotic maps are used in the standard deviation parameter. Performance of the chaotic invasive weed development method is investigated on five benchmark functions, using logistic chaotic mapping. Additionally, the problem of setting the PID controller parameters for a DC motor using the proposed method is discussed. The statistical results on optimization problems show that the improved chaotic weed algorithm has gained fast convergence rate and high accuracy.

Highlights Improved Invasive weed optimization Algorithm (IWO) based on Chaos theory. Improved setting the parameters of PID controller uses Chaotic IWO Algorithm.
How deception can change cyber security defences
Authors: Bushby Andrew
Published: January 2019

The use of deception technology in modern cyber security as a viable means of active, intelligent post-breach defence is a rapidly emerging phenomenon. But like any disruptive technology it comes with misconceptions. As cyber criminals continue to phish, bait, deceive and lure users, cyber defences need to move beyond being based on primarily detecting bad things within an ocean of good activity. Given how attackers are progressing, there is a clear case for invoking an active defence to lure, detect and defend against malware and intruders moving laterally within the network.

The use of deception technology in modern cyber security as a viable means of active, intelligent post-breach defence is a rapidly emerging phenomenon. But like any disruptive technology, it comes with misconceptions.

Cyber defences need to move beyond being based on primarily detecting bad things. There is a clear case for invoking an active defence to lure, detect and defend against malware and intruders moving laterally within the network. And cyber deception is just now making its way to the main stage for cyber security as a viable option for an active defence, says Andrew Bushby of Fidelis Cybersecurity.
Is an IOTA of evidence enough?
Authors: Davis Seth Nicholas Phillips , Di Nicola Nina , Gosselin Sophie
Published: January 2019

Clinical question

Do patients with acute illness admitted to the hospital and treated with liberal oxygen therapy compared with those treated with conservative oxygen therapy have differences in mortality and morbidity?

Article chosen

Chu DK, Kim LH, Young PJ, et al. Mortality and morbidity in acutely ill adults treated with liberal versus conservative oxygen therapy (IOTA): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 2018;391(10131):1693–705.

Objectives

To analyse the existing literature to assess the potential benefits or harms of supplemental oxygen use in acutely ill patients.
Employees’ self-determined motivation, transformational leadership and work engagement
Authors: Chua Jeremy , Ayoko Oluremi B.
Published: January 2019

While research on the role of employees’ characteristics as core to transformational leadership theory is burgeoning, limited research has focused on the differing aspects of employees’ self-determined motivation as mediating mechanism through which transformational leadership may impact outcomes. Drawing on the self-determined theory of motivation, we build and test a theoretical model linking employees’ perceptions of transformational leadership with engagement through an intervening variable of differing aspects of employees’ self-determined motivation. Data from a sample of 155 participants revealed that employees’ perceptions of transformational leadership were positively related to employees’ self-determined motivation (intrinsic, autonomous, and controlled) and work engagement. Specifically, self-determined motivation (intrinsic, autonomous) was positively linked with work engagement while intrinsic, autonomous and controlled dimensions of self-determined motivation mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the results.
Complete quenching phenomenon and instantaneous shrinking of support of solutions of degenerate parabolic equations with nonlinear singular absorption
Authors: Dao Nguyen Anh , Díaz Jesus Ildefonso , Kha Huynh Van
Published: January 2019

This paper deals with nonnegative solutions of the one-dimensional degenerate parabolic equations with zero homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition. To obtain an existence result, we prove a sharp estimate for |ux|. Besides, we investigate the qualitative behaviours of nonnegative solutions such as the quenching phenomenon, and the finite speed of propagation. Our results of the Dirichlet problem are also extended to the associated Cauchy problem on the whole domain ℝ. In addition, we also consider the instantaneous shrinking of compact support of nonnegative solutions.
On the classification of standing wave solutions to a coupled Schrödinger system
Authors: Chen Zhi-You , Huang Yu-Jen , Tang Yong-Li
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we consider a nonlinear elliptic system which is an extension of the single equation derived by investigating the stationary states of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the Dirichlet problem on the ball and entire space as the parameters within certain regions. In addition, a complete structure of different types of solutions for the radial case is also provided.
The Changing Space of Families: A Genealogical Approach
Authors: Kasakoff Alice Bee
Published: January 2019

This article highlights the usefulness of family trees for visualizing and understanding changing patterns of kin dispersion over time. Such spatial patterns are important in gauging how families influence outcomes such as health and social mobility. The article describes how rapidly growing families, originally from England, dispersed over the US North and established hubs where they originally settled that lasted hundreds of years, even as they repeated the process moving West. Fathers lived much closer to their adult sons in 1850 than they do today and many more had an adult son within a radius of 30 miles. Big Data from genealogical websites is now available to map large numbers of families. Comparing one such data set with the US Census of 1880 shows that the native-born population is well represented, but there are not as many foreign born or African Americans in these data sets. Pedigrees become less and less representative the further back in time they go because they only include lines that have survived into the present. Despite these and other limitations, Big Data make it possible to study family spatial dispersion going back many generations and to map past spatial connections in a wider variety of historical contexts and at a scale never before possible.
Quantifying Reach‐Average Effects of Hyporheic Exchange on Arctic River Temperatures in an Area of Continuous Permafrost
Authors: King Tyler V. , Neilson Bethany T.
Published: January 2019

Hyporheic exchange has the potential to significantly influence river temperatures in regions of continuous permafrost under low‐flow conditions given the strong thermal gradients that exist in river bed sediments. However, there is limited understanding of the impacts of hyporheic exchange on Arctic river temperatures. To address this knowledge gap, heat fluxes associated with hyporheic exchange were estimated in a fourth‐order Arctic river using field observations coupled with a river temperature model that accounts for hyporheic exchange influences. Temperature time series and tracer study solute breakthrough curves were measured in the main channel and river bed at multiple locations and depths to characterize hyporheic exchange and provide parameter bounds for model calibration. Model results for low‐flow periods from 3 years indicated that hyporheic exchange contributed up to 27% of the total river energy balance, reduced the main channel diel temperature range by up to 1.7 °C, and reduced mean daily temperatures by up to 0.21 °C over a 13.1‐km study reach. These influences are due to main channel heat loss during the day and gain at night via hyporheic exchange and heat loss from the hyporheic zone to the ground below via conduction. Main channel temperatures were found to be sensitive to simulated changes in ground temperatures due to changes in hyporheic exchange heat flux and deeper ground conduction. These results suggest that the moderating influence of hyporheic exchange could be reduced if ground temperatures warm in response to projected increases in permafrost thaw below rivers.
Chandler Receives 2018 Excellence in Earth and Space Science Education Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: January 2019

Mark A. Chandler received the Excellence in Earth and Space Science Education Award at the 2018 AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held 12 December 2018 in Washington, D. C. The award honors a team, individual, or group “for a sustained commitment to excellence in geophysical education.”
Two novel genomic regions associated with fearfulness in dogs overlap human neuropsychiatric loci
Authors: Sarviaho R. , Hakosalo O. , Tiira K. , Sulkama S. , Salmela E. , Hytönen M. K. , Sillanpää M. J. , Lohi H.
Published: January 2019

Anxiety disorders are among the leading health issues in human medicine. The complex phenotypic and allelic nature of these traits as well as the challenge of establishing reliable measures of the heritable component of behaviour from the associated environmental factors hampers progress in their molecular aetiology. Dogs exhibit large natural variation in fearful and anxious behaviour and could facilitate progress in the molecular aetiology due to their unique genetic architecture. We have performed a genome-wide association study with a canine high-density SNP array in a cohort of 330 German Shepherds for two phenotypes, fear of loud noises (noise sensitivity) and fear of strangers or in novel situations. Genome-widely significant loci were discovered for the traits on chromosomes 20 and 7, respectively. The regions overlap human neuropsychiatric loci, including 18p11.2, with physiologically relevant candidate genes that contribute to glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission in the brain. In addition, the noise-sensitivity locus includes hearing-related candidate genes. These results indicate a genetic contribution for canine fear and suggest a shared molecular aetiology of anxiety across species. Further characterisation of the identified loci will pave the way to molecular understanding of the conditions as a prerequisite for improved therapy.
Temperature-controlled spectral tuning of full-color carbon dots and their strongly fluorescent solid-state polymer composites for light-emitting diodes
Authors: Hu Tantan , Wen Zhuoqi , Wang Chan , Thomas Tiju , Wang Chuanxi , Song Qijun , Yang Minghui
Published: January 2019

Temperature-controlled, scalable synthesis of CA-based full-color CDs and subsequent fabrication of white-LEDs with CIE coordinates of (0.32, 0.33) and a CRI of 82.7.
Chemoselective N-arylation of aminobenzene sulfonamides via copper catalysed Chan–Evans–Lam reactions
Authors: Zu Weisai , Liu Shuai , Jia Xin , Xu Liang
Published: January 2019

Chemoselective N-arylation of unprotected dinucleophilic aminobenzene sulfonamides was achieved via Cu-catalysed Chan–Evans–Lam cross-coupling with aryl boronic acids.
Enantioselective synthesis of 3-amino-hydrobenzofuran-2,5-dionesviaCu(i)-catalyzed intramolecular conjugate addition of imino esters
Authors: Yang Wu-Lin , Sun Zhong-Tao , Zhang Jian , Li Zhong , Deng Wei-Ping
Published: January 2019

The copper-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular conjugate addition of imino esters for desymmetrization of cyclohexadienones was described, providing access to enantioenriched 3-amino-hydrobenzofuran-2,5-diones.
Synthetic ionophores as non-resistant antibiotic adjuvants
Authors: Patel Mohit B. , Garrad Evan , Meisel Joseph W. , Negin Saeedeh , Gokel Michael R. , Gokel George W.
Published: January 2019

Antimicrobial resistance is a world-wide health care crisis.
Improved control on the morphology and LSPR properties of plasmonic Pt NPs through enhanced solid state dewetting by using a sacrificial indium layer
Authors: Kunwar Sundar , Sui Mao , Pandey Puran , Gu Zenan , Pandit Sanchaya , Lee Jihoon
Published: January 2019

Fabrication of Pt NPs with the improved configuration, spacing, uniformity and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) response is demonstrated.
KMn7.6Co0.4O16 nano-rod clusters with a high discharge specific capacity as cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Tai Zige , Shi Ming , Chong Shaokun , Chen Yuanzhen , Tan Qiang , Shu Chenyong , Liu Yongning
Published: January 2019

We prepared KMn7.6Co0.4O16 as a cathode with high initial capacity for potassium-ion batteries for the first time.
Guiding Student Clinicians as They Develop AAC Goals and Monitor Progress During School-Based Externship
Authors: Carlin Charles H. , Boarman Katie , Brady Erin E.
Published: January 2019

Student clinicians find goal writing and progress monitoring to be difficult tasks to learn, especially when children on the caseload have complex communication needs (CCNs). School-based externship supervisors play an important role in developing students' understanding and competence in these skills. This article provides supervisors with strategies for instructing student clinicians to write goals and evaluate the effectiveness of services for children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Additionally, the authors adapt the Continuum of Supervision Model (Anderson, 1988) for supervisors who train students to write goals and monitor progress for children who use AAC.