bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Green cannibalism” or an “organic inside job”? Empirical insights into the rivalry of ethical grocery types
Authors: Frank Phillip , Brock Christian
Published: March 2019

Despite having favorable purchase intentions toward organic groceries, the respective purchase behavior falls often short. This so‐called intention–behavior gap is investigated by exploring the impact of competing ethical products fulfilling green consumption motives (“green fit”) as well or lacking credibility of organic groceries on organic purchase behavior. The first two studies (n
1 = 225;
n
2 = 321) assessing actual and reported purchase behavior are testing the impact of perceived substitutability of local and fair trade alternatives compared with organic groceries. A third study (
n
3 = 145) examines the impact of food miles and packaging on perceived product quality and credibility as possible reasons for a lacking “green fit” of organic groceries in terms of an experimental design. Local (fair trade) and organic groceries are perceived as substitute (complementary) alternatives. Additionally, local (organic) “green fit” impedes (enhances) the transformation from organic intentions into a respective purchase behavior. Wrapped organic produces with high food miles are linked to lower quality and credibility perceptions, reducing organic sales rates in favor of local groceries.
Assessing experiential augmentation of the environment in the valuation of wine: Evidence from an economic experiment in Mt. Etna, Italy
Authors: Pappalardo Gioacchino , Selvaggi Roberta , Pecorino Biagio , Lee Ji Yong , Nayga Rodolfo M.
Published: March 2019

In this study, we conducted an experimental auction to determine the impacts that “experiential augmentation,” a phenomenon in which a physical location impacts decision‐making, has on consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for wine. The experiment elicited subjects’ valuation under experiential augmentation conditions for three types of wine grown in the Mt. Etna area in Sicily, Italy. Our findings indicate that experiential augmentation increased consumers’ WTP for wine. Our results suggest that experiential marketing practices explicitly related to the environment where the wine is produced and consumed can lead to increased valuation for wine.
Modulation of complex coordinated molecular signaling by 5HT and a cocktail of inhibitors leads to ovarian maturation of Penaeus monodon in captivity
Authors: Mani Thiyagu , Subramaniya Bharathi Raja , Chidambaram Iyer Sowmya , Sivasithamparam Niranjali Devaraj , Devaraj Halagowder
Published: March 2019

In aquaculture practices, prawn cultivation holds the major share and Penaeus monodon is the main species cultured. The decline in production of P. monodon is mainly due to the limited availability of domesticated broodstock, which is attributed to its reproductive cycle, controlled by complex coordinated signaling mechanisms. Unilateral eyestalk ablation of domesticated females held in captivity is done to induce ovary development, which has certain disadvantages, including a high rate of mortality. Thus, developing alternative techniques for eyestalk ablation in captive broodstock is necessary to induce maturation of ovary. This study exemplifies the role of 5HT along with a cocktail of inhibitors (U0126, Rp‐cAMP, and LY294002) in inducing ovarian maturation. In this study, inhibition of pERK by U0126 inhibited vitellogenesis‐inhibiting hormone (VIH), which in turn led to the overexpression of vitellogenin. 5HT induces steroidogenesis (estradiol‐17β) through induction of the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone by activating calcium–calmodulin signaling. Steroidogenesis is also aided by synthesis of StAR protein. Estradiol‐17β stimulates the formation of the maturation‐promoting factor (MPF) complex by cdc25 activation and Myt1 inactivation. LY294002 aids in keeping cdc25 activated by inhibiting calcium–calmodulin induced phosphorylation of Akt which is a negative regulator of mitogen‐activated protein kinases. VIH induced activation of Myt1, through protein kinase A (PKA), was inhibited by Rp‐cAMP which inhibits adenylate cyclase, thus stabilizing the activated MPF complex. To conclude, the coordinated effect of inhibitors and 5HT accelerates the development of ovary from previtellogenic to matured oocytes, yielding high quality and quantity larvae compared with eyestalk‐ablated P. monodon.
Long‐term ethanol consumption promotes changes in β‐defensin isoform gene expression and induces structural changes and oxidative DNA damage to the epididymis of rats
Authors: Sadeghzadeh Maryam , Shirpoor Alireza , Naderi Roya , Kheradmand Fatemeh , Gharalari Farzaneh H. , Samadi Mahrokh , Khalaji Naser , Gharaaghaji Rasool
Published: March 2019

Chronic alcohol ingestion causes sexual dysfunction, impairs sperm motility and fertility, and changes semen quality. Considering the key role of epididymis in sperm development, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of long‐term ethanol consumption on epididymis changes, including alterations in β‐defensin isoform gene expression, oxidative stress, and pathological changes, such as cell proliferation and fibrosis in the epididymis of rats. In this study, male Wistar rats were equally divided into control and ethanol (4.5 g/kg BW) groups. After six weeks of treatment, the results revealed the proliferation of epididymis cells, fibrosis in the epididymis tissue, and a significant rise in the level of 8‐OHdG and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in the ethanol group, compared with the control group. Moreover, the ethanol group showed an increase in the gene expression of epididymal β‐defensin isoforms 15 and 21 and a reduction in the gene expression of β‐defensin isoforms 27 and 30, compared with the controls. These findings indicate that ethanol‐induced epididymal damage and sperm abnormalities might be partly associated with changes in β‐defensin isoforms and epididymal structure, mediated by the increased activities of 8‐OHdG and NADPH oxidase.
Diffusion Acceleration with Gaussian process Estimated Reconstruction (DAGER)
Authors: Wu Wenchuan , Koopmans Peter J. , Andersson Jesper L.R. , Miller Karla L.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Image acceleration provides multiple benefits to diffusion MRI, with in‐plane acceleration reducing distortion and slice‐wise acceleration increasing the number of directions that can be acquired in a given scan time. However, as acceleration factors increase, the reconstruction problem becomes ill‐conditioned, particularly when using both in‐plane acceleration and simultaneous multislice imaging. In this work, we develop a novel reconstruction method for in vivo MRI acquisition that provides acceleration beyond what conventional techniques can achieve.

Theory and Methods

We propose to constrain the reconstruction in the spatial (k) domain by incorporating information from the angular (q) domain. This approach exploits smoothness of the signal in q‐space using Gaussian processes, as has previously been exploited in post‐reconstruction analysis. We demonstrate in‐plane undersampling exceeding the theoretical parallel imaging limits, and simultaneous multislice combined with in‐plane undersampling at a total factor of 12. This reconstruction is cast within a Bayesian framework that incorporates estimation of smoothness hyper‐parameters, with no need for manual tuning.

Results

Simulations and in vivo results demonstrate superior performance of the proposed method compared with conventional parallel imaging methods. These improvements are achieved without loss of spatial or angular resolution and require only a minor modification to standard pulse sequences.

Conclusion

The proposed method provides improvements over existing methods for diffusion acceleration, particularly for high simultaneous multislice acceleration with in‐plane undersampling.
Reducing distortions in echo‐planar breast imaging at ultrahigh field with high‐resolution off‐resonance maps
Authors: van Rijssel Michael J. , Zijlstra Frank , Seevinck Peter R. , Luijten Peter R. , Gilhuijs Kenneth G. A. , Klomp Dennis W. J. , Pluim Josien P. W.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

DWI is a promising modality in breast MRI, but its clinical acceptance is slow. Analysis of DWI is hampered by geometric distortion artifacts, which are caused by off‐resonant spins in combination with the low phase‐encoding bandwidth of the EPI sequence used. Existing correction methods assume smooth off‐resonance fields, which we show to be invalid in the human breast, where high discontinuities arise at tissue interfaces.

Methods

We developed a distortion correction method that incorporates high‐resolution off‐resonance maps to better solve for severe distortions at tissue interfaces. The method was evaluated quantitatively both ex vivo in a porcine tissue phantom and in vivo in 5 healthy volunteers. The added value of high‐resolution off‐resonance maps was tested using a Wilcoxon signed rank test comparing the quantitative results obtained with a low‐resolution off‐resonance map with those obtained with a high‐resolution map.

Results

Distortion correction using low‐resolution off‐resonance maps corrected most of the distortions, as expected. Still, all quantitative comparison metrics showed increased conformity between the corrected EPI images and a high‐bandwidth reference scan for both the ex vivo and in vivo experiments. All metrics showed a significant improvement when a high‐resolution off‐resonance map was used (P < 0.05), in particular at tissue boundaries.

Conclusion

The use of off‐resonance maps of a resolution higher than EPI scans significantly improves upon existing distortion correction techniques, specifically by superior correction at glandular tissue boundaries.
Increased Diet Quality is Associated with Long‐Term Reduction of Abdominal and Pericardial Fat
Authors: Hennein Rachel , Liu Chunyu , McKeown Nicola M. , Hoffmann Udo , Long Michelle T. , Levy Daniel , Ma Jiantao
Published: March 2019

Objective

This study examined the longitudinal associations between genetic risk, change in diet quality, and change in visceral adipose tissue (ΔVAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ΔSAT), and pericardial adipose tissue (ΔPAT).

Methods

A total of 1,677 Framingham Heart Study participants who had ectopic fat depots measured using computed tomography were analyzed. Diet quality was quantified using a Mediterranean‐style diet score (MDS) and genetic risk by depot‐specific genetic risk scores (GRSs).

Results

Per SD improvement in MDS, there was 50 cm3 (95% CI: 14‐86; P = 0.007) less fat accumulation in VAT, 52 cm3 (95% CI: 12‐92; P = 0.01) less fat accumulation in SAT, and 1.3 cm3 (95% CI: 0.1‐2.4; P = 0.04) less fat accumulation in PAT. No association was observed between GRSs and ΔVAT or ΔSAT. Each 1‐SD increase in the PAT GRS was associated with a 1.2‐cm3 (95% CI: 0.1‐2.3; P = 0.03) increase in ΔPAT. In participants with higher PAT GRS, those with ΔMDS ≥ 0 had a favorable change in PAT compared with the counterparts with ΔMDS < 0 (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Longitudinal improvements in diet quality are associated with less ectopic fat accumulation. This study suggests that diet quality may play a critical role in improving ectopic adiposity profiles.
Rothia mucilaginosa bacteremia: A 10‐year experience of a pediatric tertiary care cancer center
Authors: Poyer Fiona , Friesenbichler Waltraud , Hutter Caroline , Pichler Herbert , Dworzak Michael , Peters Christina , Mann Georg , Indra Alexander , Attarbaschi Andishe
Published: March 2019

Rothia mucilaginosa is part of the oral and upper respiratory tract flora. Usually, this gram‐positive coccus is not pathogenic; however, in the setting of immunosuppressed hosts, it can cause life‐threatening infections as an opportunistic pathogen. Among a cohort of 1511 hematologic‐oncologic patients at a pediatric tertiary care cancer center, we identified five cancer patients (0.35%) within a period of 10 years having a proven Rothia mucilaginosa bacteremia (1 culture positive: n = 3/5; > 1 culture positive: n = 2/5). With prompt and adequate antibiotic treatment, infection resolved rapidly before recovery of neutrophils and without any sequelae, suggesting that Rothia mucilaginosa bacteremia without organ involvement is not exceptionally problematic in pediatric cancer patients.
Endosomal pH favors shedding of membrane‐inserted amyloid‐β peptide
Authors: Shi Jing‐Ming , Lv Jian‐Min , Gao Bo‐Xuan , Zhang Lin , Ji Shang‐Rong
Published: March 2019

Amyloid‐β peptides (Aβs) are generated in a membrane‐embedded state by sequential processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Although shedding of membrane‐embedded Aβ is essential for its secretion and neurotoxicity, the mechanism behind shedding regulation is not fully elucidated. Thus, we devised a Langmuir film balance‐based assay to uncover this mechanism. We found that Aβ shedding was enhanced under acidic pH conditions and in lipid compositions resembling raft microdomains, which are directly related to the microenvironment of Aβ generation. Furthermore, Aβ shedding efficiency was determined by the length of the C‐terminal membrane‐spanning region, whereas pH responsiveness appears to depend on the N‐terminal ectodomain. These findings indicate that Aβ shedding may be directly coupled to its generation and represents an unrecognized control mechanism regulating the fate of membrane‐embedded products of APP processing.
Differential response to neoadjuvant hormonal therapy in prostate cancer: Predictive morphological parameters and molecular markers
Authors: Wang Xueli , Qi Mei , Zhang Jing , Sun Xiubin , Guo Hongwei , Pang Yu , Zhang Qian , Chen Xinyi , Zhang Ruifeng , Liu Zhiyan , Liu Long , Hao Xiaomeng , Han Bo
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The predictive value of the histological parameters and molecular markers for neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) in prostate cancer (PCa) has not been well established. The aim of this study is to determine pathological variables that can predict differences in response to NHT in PCa.

Methods

A total of 85 locally high risk PCa patients with matched preoperative needle biopsies and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens were included. All patients were treated with NHT for at least 3 months. We quantified the response to NHT using a new proposed pathological grading system. The system classified tumors into five groups (grades 0‐4) according to the severity of histological response. We then categorized the PCa patients into drug‐sensitive (DS) group (Grades 2‐4) and drug‐resistant (DR) group (Grades 0‐1). Two pathologists assessed each pretreated tumors for presence or absence of nine morphological features. The expression of androgen receptor (AR), ERG, and PTEN were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) as well. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant associations between differentially histological response to NHT and morphological features as well as molecular aberrations. We evaluated different prediction models using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis.

Results

73% (n = 62/85) of tumors in our cohort belonged to DS group, whereas 27% (n = 23/85) of tumors were DR. Univariate logistic analysis suggested four pathological variables, cribriform growth pattern, macronucleoli, ductal adenocarcinoma differentiation, and PTEN loss in needle biopsies were significantly associated with DR effect, all with P‐value < 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the three parameters as significant predictive factors for predicting DR effect. These were macronucleoli (RR = 4.008, P = 0.002), ductal adenocarcinoma differentiation (RR = 11.659, P = 0.009) and PTEN loss expression (RR = 7.275, P = 0.015). The AUC of three integrated indicators model was 0.781.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that the presence of tumor cribriform growth pattern, macronucleoli, ductal adenocarcinoma differentiation, and PTEN loss in needle biopsies are of value in predicting tumor response to NHT regimen. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the performance of combined pathological indicators in predicting DR response was better than that of model based on individual factor alone.
Feasibility of deep learning for predicting live birth from a blastocyst image in patients classified by age
Authors: Miyagi Yasunari , Habara Toshihiro , Hirata Rei , Hayashi Nobuyoshi
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To identify artificial intelligence (AI) classifiers in images of blastocysts to predict the probability of achieving a live birth in patients classified by age. Results are compared to those obtained by conventional embryo (CE) evaluation.

Methods

A total of 5691 blastocysts were retrospectively enrolled. Images captured 115 hours after insemination (or 139 hours if not yet large enough) were classified according to maternal age as follows: <35, 35‐37, 38‐39, 40‐41, and ≥42 years. The classifiers for each category and a classifier for all ages were related to convolutional neural networks associated with deep learning. Then, the live birth functions predicted by the AI and the multivariate logistic model functions predicted by CE were tested. The feasibility of the AI was investigated.

Results

The accuracies of AI/CE for predicting live birth were 0.64/0.61, 0.71/0.70, 0.78/0.77, 0.81/0.83, 0.88/0.94, and 0.72/0.74 for the age categories <35, 35‐37, 38‐39, 40‐41, and ≥42 years and all ages, respectively. The sum value of the sensitivity and specificity revealed that AI performed better than CE (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

AI classifiers categorized by age can predict the probability of live birth from an image of the blastocyst and produced better results than were achieved using CE.
Bosonic higher spin gravity in any dimension with dynamical two-form
Authors: Arias Cesar , Bonezzi Roberto , Sundell Per
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We alter Vasiliev’s original bosonic higher spin gravity in any dimension beyond the linearized level by factoring out a modified sp(2) gauge algebra. The new model can be embedded together with a dynamical two-form and an extra dynamical one-form into a flat Quillen superconnection. Further duality and sp(2) ghost extensions lead to a FrobeniusChern-Simons action in which the sp(2) and higher spin gauge symmetries are subsumed into a unified Cartan gauge group at the fully non-linear level.
Blowup equations for 6d SCFTs. Part I
Authors: Gu Jie , Haghighat Babak , Sun Kaiwen , Wang Xin
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We propose novel functional equations for the BPS partition functions of 6d (1, 0) SCFTs, which can be regarded as an elliptic version of Göttsche-Nakajima-Yoshioka’s K-theoretic blowup equations. From the viewpoint of geometric engineering, these are the generalized blowup equations for refined topological strings on certain local elliptic CalabiYau threefolds. We derive recursion formulas for elliptic genera of self-dual strings on the tensor branch from these functional equations and in this way obtain a universal approach for determining refined BPS invariants. As examples, we study in detail the minimal 6d SCFTs with SU(3) and SO(8) gauge symmetry. In companion papers, we will study the elliptic blowup equations for all other non-Higgsable clusters.
Fiber-base duality from the algebraic perspective
Authors: Bourgine J.-E.
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Quiver 5D

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

gauge theories describe the low-energy dynamics on webs of (p, q)-branes in type IIB string theory. S-duality exchanges NS5 and D5 branes, mapping (p, q)-branes to branes of charge (−q, p), and, in this way, induces several dualities between 5D gauge theories. On the other hand, these theories can also be obtained from the compactification of topological strings on a Calabi-Yau manifold, for which the S-duality is realized as a fiber-base duality. Recently, a third point of view has emerged in which 5D gauge theories are engineered using algebraic objects from the Ding-Iohara-Miki (DIM) algebra. Specifically, the instanton partition function is obtained as the vacuum expectation value of an operator

$$ \mathcal{T} $$

T

constructed by gluing the algebra’s intertwiners (the equivalent of topological vertices) following the rules of the toric diagram/brane web. Intertwiners and

$$ \mathcal{T} $$

T

-operators are deeply connected to the co-algebraic structure of the DIM algebra. We show here that S-duality can be realized as the twist of this structure by Miki’s automorphism.
Quantitative estimates and extrapolation for multilinear weight classes
Authors: Nieraeth Zoe
Published: March 2019

In this paper we prove a quantitative multilinear limited range extrapolation theorem which allows us to extrapolate from weighted estimates that include the cases where some of the exponents are infinite. This extends the recent extrapolation result of Li, Martell, and Ombrosi. We also obtain vector-valued estimates including $$\ell ^\infty $$

ℓ
∞

spaces and, in particular, we are able to reprove all the vector-valued bounds for the bilinear Hilbert transform obtained through the helicoidal method of Benea and Muscalu. Moreover, our result is quantitative and, in particular, allows us to extend quantitative estimates obtained from sparse domination in the Banach space setting to the quasi-Banach space setting. Our proof does not rely on any off-diagonal extrapolation results and we develop a multilinear version of the Rubio de Francia algorithm adapted to the multisublinear Hardy–Littlewood maximal operator. As a corollary, we obtain multilinear extrapolation results for some upper and lower endpoints estimates in weak-type and $${{\,\mathrm{BMO}\,}}$$

BMO

spaces.
Epistemic norms, closure, and No-Belief hinge epistemology
Authors: Simion Mona , Schnurr Johanna , Gordon Emma
Published: March 2019

Recent views in hinge epistemology rely on doxastic normativism to argue that our attitudes towards hinge propositions are not beliefs. This paper has two aims; the first is positive: it discusses the general normative credentials of this move. The second is negative: it delivers two negative results for No-Belief hinge epistemology such construed. The first concerns the motivation for the view: if we’re right, doxastic normativism offers little in the way of theoretical support for the claim that our attitudes towards hinge propositions are anything but garden-variety beliefs. The second concerns theoretical fruitfulness: we show that embracing a No-Belief view will either get us in serious theoretical trouble, or loose all anti-sceptical appeal.
The Relationship between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function in Women
Authors: Lynn Becky K. , López Julia D. , Miller Collin , Thompson Judy , Campian E. Cristian
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Scientific research on the effects of marijuana on sexual functioning in women, including libido, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction, is limited.

Aim

To evaluate women’s perceptions of the effect of marijuana use before sexual activity.

Methods

A cross-sectional design, from March 2016–February 2017, within a single, academic, obstetrics and gynecology practice, was performed. Patients were given a questionnaire at their visit and asked to complete it anonymously and place it in a locked box after their visit.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was satisfaction in the sexual domains of drive, orgasm, lubrication, dyspareunia, and overall sexual experience. The secondary outcome was the effect of the frequency of marijuana use on satisfaction.

Results

Of the 373 participants, 34.0% (n = 127) reported having used marijuana before sexual activity. Most women reported increases in sex drive, improvement in orgasm, decrease in pain, but no change in lubrication. After adjusting for race, women who reported marijuana use before sexual activity had 2.13 higher odds of reporting satisfactory orgasms (adjusted odds ratio = 2.13; 95% CI = 1.05, 4.35) than women who reported no marijuana use. After adjusting for race and age, women with frequent marijuana use, regardless of use before sex or not, had 2.10 times higher odds of reporting satisfactory orgasms than those with infrequent marijuana use (adjusted odds ratio = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.01–4.44).

Conclusion

Marijuana appears to improve satisfaction with orgasm. A better understanding of the role of the endocannabinoid system in women is important, because there is a paucity of literature, and it could help lead to development of treatments for female sexual dysfunction.
Conceptual and detailed design knowledge management in customized production – Industrial perspective
Authors: Pokojski Jerzy , Oleksiński Konrad , Pruszyński Jarosław
Published: March 2019

The current market situation forces companies that deal with small scale, dedicated production to meet the needs and demands of their customers quickly. Usually, the products must be designed to fulfil a certain set of requirements. Additional conditions necessary to meet are also the limitations resulting from law regulations related to environmental, safety, maintenance and recycling matters. The imposed requirements are very often contradictory. In such cases the design process is an attempt to find a rational compromise. Fulfilling all the above-mentioned conditions is very difficult, especially for small companies. As the result, engineers have to take into consideration a much wider scope of tasks and responsibilities which are related to different areas of knowledge. Knowledge of a particular area is not always mastered to the extent that allows them to move freely within it. In such situations engineers are willing to use personal knowledge and experiments as the basic sources of design information. The exchange of opinions, joint evaluation of concepts and detailed solutions, as well as long-term and short-term close teamwork are also often observed. Public tools to support the indicated processes did not fully meet the team's requirements. The authors introduce a proposal for an application that supports the solving of this class problem based on modelled, acquired and stored knowledge. The work presents the characteristics and range of supported engineering processes. Next, the concept and the construction of the software, as well as its functioning using real examples, which derive from industrial practice, are presented.

Highlights Manufacturers of industrial equipment must be flexible in relation to customer requirements. Designers need to take into account a much wider range of knowledge than in the past. Engineers are willing to use techniques such as re-use and modification. The aim of work is to create software solutions that will streamline the design phase. The authors create an environment where knowledge and its development is the main aspect.
Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Firmino Murgel Ana Carolina , Santos Simões Ricardo , Maciel Gustavo Arantes Rosa , Soares José Maria , Baracat Edmund Chada
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction occurs in any phase of sexual performance or any period of the sexual response cycle, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects self-image with repercussions on sexuality.

Aim

To evaluate sexual dysfunction in women with PCOS.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. The primary databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Lilacs were accessed using specific terms. There was no constraint against year of publication. The meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan program version 5.3.

Main Outcome Measure

We evaluated the relationship between sexual dysfunction and PCOS.

Results

The systematic review encompassed 19 studies. The analysis indicated that 11 specific and 6 general instruments were used to measure the sexual function in PCOS women. Of these, the Female Sexual Function Index scale was used most frequently. All studies assessed different aspects of sexual performance in PCOS women, and no difference was found in between women with PCOS and control subjects.

Clinical Implications

Although there were disparities regarding ethnicity, culture, religion, and economy among studies, the available evidence failed to prove a significant link between PCOS and sexual dysfunction.

Strength & Limitations

This systematic review addressed a multidimensional theme with many variables and with a wide diversity of measurement tools. Studies were small, and populations were not homogeneous.

Conclusion

Despite potential risk of bias, such as inhomogeneity of study population, sexual function of both PCOS patients and women with regular menstrual cycles might, in general, be similar.
Quantifying Spatiotemporal Post‐Disturbance Recovery Using Field Inventory, Tree Growth, and Remote Sensing
Authors: Huang S. , Ramirez C. , McElhaney M. , Clark C. , Yao Z.
Published: March 2019

Forest recovery following a disturbance lasts decades to centuries, and the rate depends on pre‐ and post‐disturbance condition and local environmental factors. Existing approaches of field observations, remote sensing, statistical chronosequence, and ecological modeling have one or more drawbacks, including short time frames, generalized details, indirect indicators, hard parameterization, and defective assumptions. Using aboveground live biomass (AGLB) as an example, we developed an approach called “Disturbance and Recovery Assessment across Space and Time (DRAST).” For a specific post‐disturbance year, DRAST utilizes Field Inventory and Analysis data sets and the Forest Vegetation Simulator, as well as pre‐ and post‐disturbance remote sensing to create two rasters: (1) what the AGLB would look like over the disturbed area had the disturbance not occurred and (2) what the AGLB would look like over the disturbed area in the actual presence of the disturbance. These two rasters are compared annually to examine the spatiotemporal recovery pattern. We demonstrated DRAST with the 2013 Rim fire in California, United States, by creating two sets of AGLB for 100 years. Our results showed that (1) the AGLB consumed by Rim fire was 3.52 Tg and (2) 45.9% of the burned area needs <5 years to recover, followed by 6.4% (5–10 years), 6.1% (>95 years), 5.9% (10–15 years), 5.4% (15–20 years), 4.8% (20–25 years), and 4.3% (25–30 years). In conclusion, DRAST can provide spatially explicit and highly detailed ecological indicators for decades under the two scenarios of “no disturbance” and “actual disturbance occurrence” for recovery analysis.
Synchronization of Great Subduction Megathrust Earthquakes: Insights From Scale Model Analysis
Authors: Rosenau Matthias , Horenko Illia , Corbi Fabio , Rudolf Michael , Kornhuber Ralf , Oncken Onno
Published: March 2019

The magnitude of great subduction megathrust earthquakes is controlled mainly by the number of adjacent asperities failing synchronously and the resulting rupture length. Here we investigate experimentally the long‐term recurrence behavior of a pair of asperities coupled by static stress transfer over hundreds of seismic cycles. We statistically analyze long (c. 500 ka) time series of M8‐9 analogue earthquakes simulated using a seismotectonic scale model approach with two aims: First, to constrain probabilistic measures (frequency‐size distribution, variability) useful for hazard assessment and, second, to relate them with geometric observables (coseismic slip pattern, locking pattern). We find that the number of synchronized asperity failures relative to the number of individual asperity failures as well as the coefficients of variation of recurrence intervals and seismic moment scale with the logarithm of stress coupling between the asperities. Accordingly, tighter packed asperities tend to recur more periodically and with a more characteristic magnitude while more distant asperities show clustering of more variable sized events. The probability of synchronized failures seems to be controlled to first order by geometrical relations (i.e., spacing and offset of asperities). The effects of rheological properties are evident but it remains to be explored to which extent they vary in nature and how sensitive the system is to those.
Global Assimilation of Loon Stratospheric Balloon Observations
Authors: Coy L. , Schoeberl M. R. , Pawson S. , Candido S. , Carver R. W.
Published: March 2019

Accurate analyses of stratospheric winds are important for determining realistic constituent transport and providing improved diagnostic studies and forecasts of the stratosphere. This study examines impacts on global meteorological analyses resulting from using winds derived from Loon superpressure balloons in the lower stratosphere (hereafter Loon winds) as additional input observations to the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) data assimilation system. To fully investigate the impacts of assimilating the Loon winds, two steps are taken: (1) comparison of the GEOS analysis winds with Loon winds (Control experiment) and (2) examination of the impacts of assimilating the Loon winds into the GEOS data assimilation system (Loon experiment). The time period selected is June–August 2014 when over 150 Loon balloons were launched, mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. In the middle latitudes, the Loon winds and Control winds agree well (Loon balloon zonal wind observation minus forecast, O − F, root‐mean‐square (RMS) values of ~2.75 m/s) and assimilating the Loon winds has a small impact (O − F RMS values unchanged). In the tropics, the Loon observations and Control analysis winds differ more than in middle latitudes (zonal wind O − F RMS ~3.75 m/s) and assimilating the Loon winds improves the zonal wind O − F RMS by ~1 m/s. In selected cases where the Loon observations and Control analysis differ greatly (O − F RMS values greater than 10 m/s), assimilating Loon winds significantly decreases the zonal wind O − F RMS by 5 m/s. These decreases in O − F RMS values show that the 6‐hr forecasts are improved at the Loon balloon observation locations.
Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks Along a Thermokarst Lake Sequence in Arctic Alaska
Authors: Fuchs Matthias , Lenz Josefine , Jock Suzanne , Nitze Ingmar , Jones Benjamin M. , Strauss Jens , Günther Frank , Grosse Guido
Published: March 2019

Thermokarst lake landscapes are permafrost regions, which are prone to rapid (on seasonal to decadal time scales) changes, affecting carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, there is a high degree of uncertainty related to the balance between carbon and nitrogen cycling and storage. We collected 12 permafrost soil cores from six drained thermokarst lake basins (DTLBs) along a chronosequence north of Teshekpuk Lake in northern Alaska and analyzed them for carbon and nitrogen contents. For comparison, we included three lacustrine cores from an adjacent thermokarst lake and one soil core from a non thermokarst affected remnant upland. This allowed to calculate the carbon and nitrogen stocks of the three primary landscape units (DTLB, lake, and upland), to reconstruct the landscape history, and to analyze the effect of thermokarst lake formation and drainage on carbon and nitrogen stocks. We show that carbon and nitrogen contents and the carbon‐nitrogen ratio are considerably lower in sediments of extant lakes than in the DTLB or upland cores indicating degradation of carbon during thermokarst lake formation. However, we found similar amounts of total carbon and nitrogen stocks due to the higher density of lacustrine sediments caused by the lack of ground ice compared to DTLB sediments. In addition, the radiocarbon‐based landscape chronology for the past 7,000 years reveals five successive lake stages of partially, spatially overlapping DTLBs in the study region, reflecting the dynamic nature of ice‐rich permafrost deposits. With this study, we highlight the importance to include these dynamic landscapes in future permafrost carbon feedback models.
Machine Learning Estimates of Global Marine Nitrogen Fixation
Authors: Tang Weiyi , Li Zuchuan , Cassar Nicolas
Published: March 2019

Marine nitrogen (N2) fixation supplies “new” nitrogen to the global ocean, supporting uptake and sequestration of carbon. Despite its central role, marine N2fixation and its controlling factors remain elusive. In this study, we compile over 1,100 published observations to identify the dominant predictors of marine N2fixation and derive global estimates based on the machine learning algorithms of random forest and support vector regression. We find that no single environmental property predicts N2fixation at global scales. Our random forest and support vector regression algorithms, trained with sampling coordinates and month, solar radiation, wind speed, sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, surface nitrate, surface phosphate, surface excess phosphorus, minimum oxygen in upper 500 m, photosynthetically available radiation, mixed layer depth, averaged photosynthetically available radiation in the mixed layer, and chlorophyll‐aconcentration, estimate global marine N2fixation ranging from 68 to 90 Tg N/year. Comparison of our machine learning estimates and 11 other model outputs currently available in literature shows substantial discrepancies in the global magnitude and spatial distribution of marine N2fixation, especially in the tropics and in high latitudes. The large uncertainties in marine N2fixation highlighted in our study argue for increased and more coordinated efforts using geochemical tracers, modeling, and observations over broad ocean regions.
Modeling Initial Breakdown Pulses of Lightning Flashes Using a Matrix Inversion Method
Authors: Karunarathne Nilmini , Karunarathne Sumedhe , Marshall Thomas C. , Stolzenburg Maribeth
Published: March 2019

This study describes a new method for modeling the radiated electric field (E) of initial breakdown pulses (IBPs) of lightning flashes. Similar to some previous models, it is assumed that E pulses are caused by a current propagating along a vertical path, and an equation based on Maxwell's equations is used to determine E due to the current. A matrix inversion technique is used with the IBP radiation term of E to determine the IBP current waveform directly from far‐field E measurements rather than assuming a parameterized current waveform and searching for appropriate parameters. This technique is developed and applied to observations of six previously modeled IBPs. Compared to the prior modeling, this matrix inversion method gives significantly better results, based on calculated IBP goodness of fit to the original E data. In addition, this model can match IBP subpulses along with representing the overall bipolar IBP waveform. This method should be useful for studying IBPs because once the IBP current is known, one can calculate other physical parameters of IBPs, such as charge moment change, total charge moved, and total power radiated. Thus, the more realistic IBP current waveform determined by this technique may offer new clues about the physical mechanism causing IBPs.
Leakage and Increasing Fluid Pressure Detected in Oklahoma's Wastewater Disposal Reservoir
Authors: Barbour Andrew J. , Xue Lian , Roeloffs Evelyn , Rubinstein Justin L.
Published: March 2019

The Arbuckle Group is the principal reservoir used for wastewater disposal in Oklahoma. In Osage County—a seismically quiet part of the state—continuous measurements of fluid pressure reveal that pressure in the reservoir is increasing by at least 5 kPa annually and sometimes at a much higher rate. Tidal analysis reveals that fluid level changes lead the local strain tides, with no apparent influence from transient permeability changes; this indicates a response that is inconsistent with flow in a radially extensive, confined reservoir. We investigate whether this is due to vertical flow to the water table, vertical flow within the Arbuckle, or local distortions from fractures. While none of these alternative models can fully explain both the observed tidal phases and amplitude ratios, the observed response to teleseismic waves supports a mechanism related to leakage rather than fracture effects. At this location fluid influx associated with wastewater disposal is offset by migration into surrounding layers, which include the Precambrian basement below. Thus, our findings suggest the need to monitor for changes in the induced seismicity hazard, while pore pressures increase in a leaky disposal reservoir.
Exosomes from LPS-stimulated macrophages induce neuroprotection and functional improvement after ischemic stroke by modulating microglial polarization
Authors: Zheng Yan , He Ruyi , Wang Peng , Shi Yijie , Zhao Liang , Liang Jia
Published: March 2019

Inflammation occurs throughout the progression of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and mediates myriads of pathological events following an ischemic insult.
Sulfate promotion of selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide by ammonia on ceria
Authors: Chen Linxiao , Agrawal Vaibhav , Tait Steven L.
Published: March 2019

Selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide by ammonia (NH3-SCR) is a promising technology for NOx emission control.
Ultrasound-assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction based on metal–organic framework/1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol modified magnetite nanoparticle composites for speciation analysis of inorganic tin
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Majid
Published: March 2019

A novel magnetic metal–organic framework (MMOF) consisting of MIL-101(Cr) and 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol-modified magnetite nanoparticles was synthesized and utilized for the ultrasound-assisted magnetic solid phase extraction and speciation analysis of Sn(ii) and Sn(iv) at trace amounts.
Development of a high-performance anion exchange membrane using poly(isatin biphenylene) with flexible heterocyclic quaternary ammonium cations for alkaline fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Zhu Xiuling , Jin Cuihong
Published: March 2019

A series of quaternary ammonium-tethered poly(isatin biphenylene)s (PIBs) were prepared devoid of alkaline labile aryl ether bondsviasuperacid-catalyzed polymerization and explored as highly alkaline stable backbones of anion exchange membranes (AEMs).
Rooting bismuth oxide nanosheets into porous carbon nanoboxes as a sulfur immobilizer for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Liu Handing , Chen Ziliang , Zhou Lin , Li Xiao , Pei Ke , Zhang Jie , Song Yun , Fang Fang , Che Renchao , Sun Dalin
Published: March 2019

A sulfur host cathode has been constructed by rooting bismuth oxide nanosheets into charge coupled Co/N-co-doped porous carbon nanoboxes.
Injectable amine functionalized graphene and chondroitin sulfate hydrogel with potential for cartilage regeneration
Authors: Tang Caoxin , Holt Brian D. , Wright Zoe M. , Arnold Anne M. , Moy Alexandra C. , Sydlik Stefanie A.
Published: March 2019

Chemically functionalized graphene covalently reactsin situwith chondroitin sulfate to form an enhanced, injectable hydrogel for potential cartilage therapy.
Progressive concentration gradient nickel-rich oxide cathode material for high-energy and long-life lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xu Xing , Xiang Lizhi , Wang Liguang , Jian Jiyuan , Du Chunyu , He Xiaoshu , Huo Hua , Cheng Xinqun , Yin Geping
Published: March 2019

A novel progressive concentration gradient cathode material, LiNi0.7Co0.13Mn0.17O2, with superior capacity and cycling stability is reported for the first time.
Design of multiple electrode structures based on nano Ni3S2 and carbon nanotubes for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Yi-Feng , Zhao Shi-Xi , Yu Le , Zheng Xiao-Xiao , Wu Qi-Long , Cao Guo-Zhong
Published: March 2019

3D-networked CNT–Ni3S2–CNT-A supported by Ni foam was rationally designed and synthesized via a multistep transformation approach.
Tailorable surface sulfur chemistry of mesoporous Ni3S2 particles for efficient oxygen evolution
Authors: Zhang Haoxuan , Jiang Hao , Hu Yanjie , Li Yuhang , Xu Qiucheng , Petr Saha , Li Chunzhong
Published: March 2019

Tailoring the surface sulfur chemistry of Ni3S2 can enrich Ni3+ and regulate Ni binding energy, thus intrinsically boosting the OER performance.
Hexa‐band SIW cavity antenna system integrating two antennas with high isolation
Authors: Niu Bing‐Jian , Tan Jie‐Hong
Published: March 2019

A hexa‐band substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity antenna system integrating two antennas with high isolation is proposed. A square SIW cavity is divided by a wide slot into two half sub‐cavities. Two narrow slots are etched in the upper sub‐cavity and other two slots are cut in the lower sub‐cavity to achieve multi‐band operation. Six half‐mode resonances with different sizes can occur in a single cavity. They are excited by two coaxial ports to form two integrated antennas. A fabricated sample with the overall size of 0.63λ0 × 0.63λ0 has been measured. The measured frequencies excited by port 1 are 2.31 GHz (f1), 2.91 GHz (f2), and 3.35 GHz (f3). The resonating frequencies excited by port 2 are 2.57 GHz (f4), 3.11 GHz (f5), and 3.61 GHz (f6). The measured gain and efficiency at the above frequencies are higher than 5 dBi and 72%, respectively. Moreover, the measured isolation between these integrated antennas is better than 22 dB within the frequency of interest. The proposed antenna system offers advantages of compact size, hexa‐band operation, high isolation, and unidirectional radiation, which has potential applications in multi‐standard wireless systems.
Fuzzy logic‐based adaptive equaliser for non‐linear perpendicular magnetic recording channels
Authors: Wongsathan Rati , Supnithi Pornchai
Published: March 2019

This paper proposes the fuzzy logic equaliser (FLE) for the detection of non‐linear perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) channels. The multi‐objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is utilised to optimise all of the fuzzy parameters and reduce the complexity while maintaining the accuracy. By means of this optimisation, the total number of fuzzy rules is significantly reduced about 44%. The bit error rate (BER) performance of the proposed FLEs are compared with those of the conventional detector and traditional non‐linear equalisers for Volterra channel, in presence of non‐linear amplitude distortions in high‐density PMR channels. The proposed FLE outperforms existing detectors by 1 to 12 dB SNR gains. Furthermore, the complexity in terms of multiplication counts per execution and reliability of detectors with regard to the number of system parameters through the Akaike's information criterion (AIC) are assessed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed FLEs. An extension to PMR channel with jitter noise proves the robustness of the proposed FLEs.
Ontology evolution for personalised and adaptive activity recognition
Authors: Safyan Muhammad , Ul Qayyum Zia , Sarwar Sohail , Iqbal Muddesar , Garcia Castro Raul , Al‐Dulaimi Anwer
Published: March 2019

Ontology‐based knowledge‐driven activity recognition (AR) models play a vital role in realm of Internet of Things (IoTs). However, these models suffer the shortcomings of static nature, inability of self‐evolution, and lack of adaptivity. Also, AR models cannot be made comprehensive enough to cater all the activities and smart home inhabitants may not be restricted to only those activities contained in AR model. So, AR models may not rightly recognise or infer new activities. Here, a framework has been proposed for dynamically capturing the new knowledge from activity patterns to evolve behavioural changes in AR model (i.e. ontology based model). This ontology‐based framework adapts by learning the specialised and extended activities from existing user‐performed activity patterns. Moreover, it can identify new activity patterns previously unknown in AR model, adapt the new properties in existing activity models and enrich ontology model by capturing change representation to enrich ontology model. The proposed framework has been evaluated comprehensively over the metrics of accuracy, statistical heuristics, and Kappa coefficient. A well‐known dataset named DAMSH has been used for having an empirical insight into the effectiveness of proposed framework that shows a significant level of accuracy for AR models.