bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating PrEPintoHIVcare clinics could improve partner testing services and reinforce mutual support among couples: provider views from a PrEPimplementation project in Kenya
Authors: Odoyo Josephine B , Morton Jennifer F , Ngure Kenneth , O'Malley Gabrielle , Mugwanya Kenneth K , Irungu Elizabeth , Awuor Merceline , Dolla Annabell , Ongolly Fernandos , Bukusi Elizabeth A , Mugo Nelly R , Baeten Jared M ,   for the Partners Scale‐Up Project Team
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Partner notification services (PNS) increase theHIVstatus knowledge and linkage to care and treatment. However, it is unclear ifPNScan facilitate linkage ofHIV‐negative partners to prevention services such as pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Using qualitative methods, we explored provider perspective regarding the interaction of PrEPavailability,PNSand antiretroviral treatment (ART) outcomes within a project integrating PrEPservices intoHIVcare clinics in eight counties in western and central Kenya.

Methods

From May 2017 to August 2018, data on integrated PrEPservice delivery including its interaction withPNSwere collected through 71 key informant in‐depth interviews with healthcare providers and 24 standardized technical assistance reports summarizing implementation at the participating clinics. Thus, the perspective was from that of providers; analyses focused on emergent themes relatingPNSto PrEPandARTservices.

Results

Providers found that PrEPintegration provided an additional concrete prevention option forHIV‐negative partners and created a motivation to offerPNSto persons living withHIV. PrEPavailability also seemed to operate as an incentive for those living withHIVto participate inPNS, which in turn enhanced identification of potential PrEPclients and created an environment for discussingHIVtransmission risk. Providers commented that initiatingHIV‐negative partners on PrEPenhanced mutual monitoring of health outcomes, including improved adherence toARTby partners living withHIV. Clinics noted prioritizing people living withHIVwith detectable viral loads forPNSin order to identifyHIV‐negative partners who would benefit most from PrEP. Providers felt motivated by the apparent synergistic interaction ofPNS, PrEPandART.

Conclusions

Providers felt that the integration of PrEPintoHIVcare clinics stimulated the provision ofPNS, andPNSwas used to improve the identification of potential PrEPclients. The integrated combination ofPNS, PrEPandARTis synergistic and should be promoted inHIVclinics.
Assisted HIV partner notification services in resource‐limited settings: experiences and achievements from Cameroon
Authors: Tih Pius M , Temgbait Chimoun Francois , Mboh Khan Eveline , Nshom Emmanuel , Nambu Winifred , Shields Ray , Wamuti Beatrice M , Golden Matthew R , Welty Thomas
Published: July 2019

Introduction

In 2007, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) initiated an assisted partner notification services (aPNS) public health programme to increase HIV case identification and reduce HIV incidence in the most affected regions of Cameroon. We describe large‐scale implementation of aPNS and overall programmatic achievements in a resource‐limited setting through 2015.

Methods

CBCHS trained health advisors (HAs) from 16 CBCHS facilities and 22 non‐CBCHS facilities to integrate aPNS into their existing jobs in five of the ten Cameroon regions. HAs recorded basic demographic, clinical and risk factor information from consenting index persons (IPs) and similar information about their sexual partners’/contact persons (CPs) on interview records and aPNS registers. These data were entered into an Epi‐Info database. HAs provided pre‐test counselling to CPs and offered them HIV testing in their home or other location. HAs educated IPs and CPs on HIV prevention and risk reduction, and referred IPs and HIV positive CPs to HIV care and treatment centres. Starting in 2014, HAs re‐interviewed IPs 30 days after their initial aPNS interview to ascertain instances of social harms following partner notification. Continuous predictor and outcome variables were summarized using median and interquartile range, while categorical variables were summarized using percentages from 2007 to 2015.

Results

A total of 18,730 IPs (71% women) received aPNS over nine years. IPs identified 21,057 CPs (67% men) (mean CP/IP 1.12), of whom 12,867 (61.1%) were notified of their exposure to HIV. A total of 9202 (71.5% of notified CPs) tested for HIV, 4764 (51.8%) of whom tested HIV positive (number of IPs needed to interview = 3.9); 3112 (65.3%) HIV‐positive partners were referred to HIV care and treatment centres. Of the 976 IPs receiving aPNS in 2014 to 2015, for whom follow‐up data were available, 11 (1.1%) reported physical intimate partner violence from CPs. Thus, 44.3% of 1224 CPs were notified through provider referral. Of the 784 CPs who tested for HIV, 157 were newly diagnosed and the overall HIV prevalence was 41.6% (326/784).

Conclusions

aPNS is feasible, can be brought to scale, yields a high level of case identification, and is infrequently associated with social harms and intimate partner violence.
Implementation experiences and insights from the scale‐up of an HIV assisted partner notification intervention in Central Asia
Authors: Little Kristen M , Kan Maxim , Samoylova Olga , Rsaldinova Altynai , Saliev Daniyar , Ishokov Faridun , Gray Robert , Hasen Nina S
Published: July 2019

Introduction

WHO recommends assisted partner notification (APN) for people living with HIV (PLHIV). These services have not been widely scaled in Central Asia. We describe the results from an APN intervention implemented within a programme focused on PLHIV and people who inject drugs in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.

Methods

Routine data from index cases and their partners were analysed from equal‐length periods before and after APN launch. Prior to APN index cases could recruit partners using passive referral, and under APN, had their choice of passive referral or APN (provider, contract or dual‐referral). We compared the demographic characteristics of index cases and their sexual/injecting partners from the pre‐APN and APN periods, described the number/proportion of HIV cases found (positivity rate) and evaluated predictors of HIV infection among partners using logistic regression.

Results

Under APN 2676 PLHIV served as index cases and recruited 3735 partners for testing, compared to 4418 index cases and 2240 partners during the pre‐APN period. A total of 322 (8.6%) partners were rapid test positive during APN versus 161 (7.2%, p = 0.048) before APN. Women represented 38% of APN index cases (vs. 42% pre‐APN), 52% of partners tested (vs. 50% pre‐APN) and 56% of all PLHIV identified (vs. 63% pre‐APN). Compared to the pre‐APN period, the number of partners tested per index case recruited increased (0.5 to 1.4, p < 0.001) and the number of index cases needed to find one HIV‐positive partner decreased significantly (27.4 to 8.3, p < 0.001) under APN.

Conclusions

APN was feasibly integrated within a people who inject drugs and PLHIV‐focused HIV programme, and was acceptable to high‐risk populations in Central Asia. Under APN, large numbers of sexual and injecting partners of PLHIV – including women and non‐marital partners – were tested while maintaining high positivity rates. Relative to the pre‐APN period, APN approximately tripled the number of partners recruited per index case and reduced the number of index cases needed to find a positive partner by >3 times.
Data‐driven self‐calibration and reconstruction for non‐cartesian wave‐encoded single‐shot fast spin echo using deep learning
Authors: Chen Feiyu , Cheng Joseph Y. , Taviani Valentina , Sheth Vipul R. , Brunsing Ryan L. , Pauly John M. , Vasanawala Shreyas S.
Published: July 2019

Background

Current self‐calibration and reconstruction methods for wave‐encoded single‐shot fast spin echo imaging (SSFSE) requires long computational time, especially when high accuracy is needed.

Purpose

To develop and investigate the clinical feasibility of data‐driven self‐calibration and reconstruction of wave‐encoded SSFSE imaging for computation time reduction and quality improvement.

Study Type

Prospective controlled clinical trial.

Subjects

With Institutional Review Board approval, the proposed method was assessed on 29 consecutive adult patients (18 males, 11 females, range, 24–77 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

A wave‐encoded variable‐density SSFSE sequence was developed for clinical 3.0T abdominal scans to enable 3.5× acceleration with full‐Fourier acquisitions. Data‐driven calibration of wave‐encoding point‐spread function (PSF) was developed using a trained deep neural network. Data‐driven reconstruction was developed with another set of neural networks based on the calibrated wave‐encoding PSF. Training of the calibration and reconstruction networks was performed on 15,783 2D wave‐encoded SSFSE abdominal images.

Assessment

Image quality of the proposed data‐driven approach was compared independently and blindly with a conventional approach using iterative self‐calibration and reconstruction with parallel imaging and compressed sensing by three radiologists on a scale from –2 to 2 for noise, contrast, sharpness, artifacts, and confidence. Computation time of these two approaches was also compared.

Statistical Tests

Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were used to compare image quality and two‐tailed t‐tests were used to compare computation time with P values of under 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

An average 2.1‐fold speedup in computation was achieved using the proposed method. The proposed data‐driven self‐calibration and reconstruction approach significantly reduced the perceived noise level (mean scores 0.82, P < 0.0001).

Data Conclusion

The proposed data‐driven calibration and reconstruction achieved twice faster computation with reduced perceived noise, providing a fast and robust self‐calibration and reconstruction for clinical abdominal SSFSE imaging.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:841–853.
Mycorrhizal, nutritional and virgin olive oil parameters affected by groundcovers
Authors: García-González Irene , García-Díaz Andrés , Sastre Blanca , Teutscherova Nikola , Pérez Ma Ángeles , Bienes Ramón , Espejo Rafael , Hontoria Chiquinquirá
Published: July 2019

Management of olive groves faces the challenge of reconciling yield, soil degradation and virgin olive oil (VOO) quality. We evaluated the effect of replacing tillage management by vegetal groundcovers (GC) on the relationships between mycorrhizal symbiosis, olive nutritional status, and VOO quality under field rainfed conditions. The experiment was set up in 2014 in an existing Cornicabra olive orchard with a Haplic Gypsisol soil under a Mediterranean semiarid climate. Four treatments were replicated four times and consisted of: (1) annual cover of bitter vetch, (2) permanent Brachypodium distachyon, (3) spontaneous vegetation cover (mainly Brassicaceae species), and (4) tilled soil. The use of bitter vetch GC increased the olive root colonization by 50% compared with the tillage treatment. The effect of tillage on VOO differed from that of GC use. Tillage treatment decreased maturity index and its VOO had lower polyphenol content and less luminosity than that from the GC treatments. Olive root colonization, together with changes in nutrients such as Cu, B and other elements resulting from GC use, seems to play an important role in explaining the variability of VOO quality parameters. Although tillage may lead to higher yield by controlling competition for water and nutrients, the introduction of GC in olive groves led to higher polyphenol contents, enhancing VOO quality and, at the same time, protecting soil from erosion.
Alternative control of grape rots by essential oils of two Eucalyptus species
Authors: Pedrotti Carine , Marcon Ângela Rossi , Delamare Ana Paula Longaray , Echeverrigaray Sérgio , da Silva Ribeiro Rute Terezinha , Schwambach Joséli
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile natural compounds produced by plant secondary metabolism, and some of them exhibit antimicrobial activity. The objective of the present study was to determine the chemical composition the EOs of Eucalyptus staigeriana and Eucalyptus globulus, and their effect in vitro and in vivo against Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum, the most important fungal rot diseases of grapes. Moreover, grapes collected from field experiments were used to evaluate the impact of the alternative control on the alcoholic fermentation and wine composition.

RESULTS

The major compound of E. staigeriana EO were citral 30.91% (19.74% geranial, 11.17% neral), 1.8‐cineole (24.59%) and limonene (19.47%), while 1.8‐cineole represented 68.26% of E. globulus EO. The two EOs showed in vitro antifungal activity against both pathogens. Eucalyptus staigeriana EO exhibited the highest activity inhibiting mycelial growth (MG) and conidial germination at 0.5 μL mL−1. Moreover, this EO was able to reduce the incidence and severity of grey rot caused by B. cinerea and the severity of ripe rot caused by C. acutatum The alternative control did not significantly influence alcoholic fermentation, the physicochemical characteristics, and the volatile composition of wines.

CONCLUSION

These results are promising and indicate that E. staigeriana EO might be further investigated as a natural alternative for the control of fungal rots on wine grapes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Sharp contrasts between freshwater and marine microbial enzymatic capabilities, community composition, and DOM pools in a NE Greenland fjord
Authors: Balmonte John Paul , Hasler‐Sheetal Harald , Glud Ronnie N. , Andersen Thorbjørn J. , Sejr Mikael K. , Middelboe Mathias , Teske Andreas , Arnosti Carol
Published: July 2019

Increasing glacial discharge can lower salinity and alter organic matter (OM) supply in fjords, but assessing the biogeochemical effects of enhanced freshwater fluxes requires understanding of microbial interactions with OM across salinity gradients. Here, we examined microbial enzymatic capabilities—in bulk waters (nonsize‐fractionated) and on particles (≥ 1.6 μm)—to hydrolyze common OM constituents (peptides, glucose, polysaccharides) along a freshwater–marine continuum within Tyrolerfjord‐Young Sound. Bulk peptidase activities were up to 15‐fold higher in the fjord than in glacial rivers, whereas bulk glucosidase activities in rivers were twofold greater, despite fourfold lower cell counts. Particle‐associated glucosidase activities showed similar trends by salinity, but particle‐associated peptidase activities were up to fivefold higher—or, for several peptidases, only detectable—in the fjord. Bulk polysaccharide hydrolase activities also exhibited freshwater–marine contrasts: xylan hydrolysis rates were fivefold higher in rivers, while chondroitin hydrolysis rates were 30‐fold greater in the fjord. Contrasting enzymatic patterns paralleled variations in bacterial community structure, with most robust compositional shifts in river‐to‐fjord transitions, signifying a taxonomic and genetic basis for functional differences in freshwater and marine waters. However, distinct dissolved organic matter (DOM) pools across the salinity gradient, as well as a positive relationship between several enzymatic activities and DOM compounds, indicate that DOM supply exerts a more proximate control on microbial activities. Thus, differing microbial enzymatic capabilities, community structure, and DOM composition—interwoven with salinity and water mass origins—suggest that increased meltwater may alter OM retention and processing in fjords, changing the pool of OM supplied to coastal Arctic microbial communities.
Proteomic Analysis Reveals Anti‐Fibrotic Effects of Blue Light Photobiomodulation on Fibroblasts
Authors: Chang Lo‐Yu , Fan Sabrina Mai‐Yi , Liao Yen‐Chen , Wang Wei‐Hung , Chen Yu‐Ju , Lin Sung‐Jan
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

This study was aimed at determining the effects of blue light photobiomodulation on primary adult mouse dermal fibroblasts (AMDFs) and the associated signaling pathways.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Cultured AMDFs from adult C57BL/6 mice were irradiated by blue light from a light‐emitting diode (wavelength = 463 ± 50 nm; irradiance = 5 mW/cm2; energy density = 4–8 J/cm2). The cells were analyzed using mass spectrometry for proteomics/phosphoproteomics, AlamarBlue assay for mitochondrial activity, time‐lapse video for cell migration, quantitative polymerase chain reaction for gene expression, and immunofluorescence for protein expression.

Results

Proteomic/phosphoproteomic analysis showed inhibition of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases/mammalian target of rapamycin and casein kinase 2 pathways, cell motility‐related networks, and multiple metabolic processes, including carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acid, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Functional analysis demonstrated inhibition of mitochondrial activities, cell migration, and mitosis. Expression of growth promoting insulin‐like growth factor 1 and fibrosis‐related genes, including transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and collagen type 1 ɑ2 chain diminished. Protein expression of α‐smooth muscle actin, an important regulator of myofibroblast functions, was also suppressed.

Conclusions

Low‐level blue light exerted suppressive effects on AMDFs, including suppression of mitochondrial activity, metabolism, cell motility, proliferation, TGFβ1 levels, and collagen I production. Low‐level blue light can be a potential treatment for the prevention and reduction of tissue fibrosis, such as hypertrophic scar and keloids. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The dark side of competition: Modeling status games
Authors: Arora Poonam , Tedeschi Gwendolyn A.
Published: July 2019

Though “teams” are supposed to work together for the benefit of the firm, suboptimal outcomes may emerge when individuals within a team are more concerned with their own status and outcomes relative to their “teammates,” behaving as if they are competitors. Using a version of the stag hunt coordination game, we develop hypotheses regarding the role of status and competitiveness on coordination on Pareto optimal solutions. We test these hypotheses using three studies, with manipulations for both role and status. Status is found to play a significant role, resulting in suboptimal outcomes for competitors but not teammates.
Neural control properties of the external anal sphincter in young and elderly women
Authors: Dias Nicholas , Zhang Chuan , Li Xuhong , Neshatian Leila , Orejuela Francisco J. , Zhang Yingchun
Published: July 2019

Aims

The prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) increases with age and affects more than 15% of the elderly population. Sarcopenia, skeletal muscle structural, and functional decline with aging, is known to be caused by neuromuscular dysfunction. However, age‐related alterations of the neuromuscular function of the external anal sphincter (EAS) have not been studied. This study aims to quantitatively characterize the effect of aging on the EAS by assessing the firing patterns and size of motor unit action potential (MUAP) using high‐density surface electromyography (HD‐sEMG) recording and analysis techniques.

Methods

Thirteen young (31.0 ± 3.6 years) and 14 elderly (64.3 ± 6.2 years) healthy women were recruited for this study. EMG activity of the EAS during maximal voluntary contraction was recorded by a 64‐Channel, HD‐sEMG intra‐rectal probe. HD‐sEMG signals were decomposed into MUAP spike trains to extract the firing rate and amplitudes thereof.

Results

HD‐sEMG decomposition was successfully performed. For the young and elderly groups, mean motor unit (MU) firing rates of 11.4 ± 2.1 pulses per second (PPS) and 9.6 ± 2.3 PPS, and mean MUAP amplitudes of 45.2 ± 14.3 µV and 61.9 ± 21.2 µV were respectively obtained. Both the MU firing rate and MUAP amplitude were significantly different between two groups (P < .05). Moreover, the MUAP firing rate and amplitude correlated with age with a linear regression model (P < .05).

Conclusions

This study represents the first effort to examine the effect of aging on the neuromuscular function of EAS. Results suggest an age‐related impairment of lower motor neuron descending excitation to the EAS with a compensatory increase in mean MU size.
Obesity Tissue: Composition, Energy Expenditure, and Energy Content in Adult Humans
Authors: Hwaung Phoenix , Bosy-Westphal Anja , Muller Manfred J. , Geisler Corinna , Heo Moonseong , Thomas Diana M. , Kennedy Samantha , Heymsfield Steven B.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Chronic positive energy balance leads to obesity, and the “excess” weight is usually described as consisting solely of adipose tissue (AT) or its two components, fat and fat‐free mass (nonfat cell mass, extracellular fluid). This study aimed to clarify the nature of “obesity” tissue.

Methods

A total of 333 adults had AT, skin, skeletal muscle, bone, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, and residual mass measured or derived using magnetic resonance imaging and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. First, associations between these components and AT were examined by developing multiple regression models. Next, obesity‐tissue composition was developed by deriving mean component mass differences between participant groups with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and those with obesity (BMI > 29.9 kg/m2); respective resting energy expenditures and metabolizable energy and protein contents were calculated.

Results

AT significantly predicted organ‐tissue mass in 17 of 18 multiple regression models. In addition to AT and skeletal muscle, the following associations were found: skin, liver, and bone were main contributors to obesity‐tissue composition; liver, kidneys, and heart to resting energy expenditure; and skin, liver, and bone to metabolizable energy and protein contents. A pronounced sexual dimorphism was present in all three models.

Conclusions

Obesity is characterized not only by excess AT but by increases in the masses of other “companion” organs and tissues and their related metabolic properties.
Characterization and optimization of a positively charged poly (ethylene glycol)diacrylate hydrogel as an actuating muscle tissue engineering scaffold
Authors: Scott Tracy E. , Khalili Amin , Newton Brandon , Warren Robert , Browe Daniel P. , Freeman Joseph W.
Published: July 2019

Hydrogels have been used for many applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their versatile material properties and similarities to the native extracellular matrix. Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is an ionic electroactive polymer (EAP), a material that responds to an electric field with a change in size or shape while in an ionic solution, that may be used in the development of hydrogels. In this study, we have investigated a positively charged EAP that can bend without the need of external ions. PEGDA was modified with the positively charged molecule 2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl‐trimethylammonium chloride (MAETAC) to provide its own positive ions. This hydrogel was then characterized and optimized for bending and cellular biocompatibility with C2C12 mouse myoblast cells. Studies show that the polymer responds to an electric field and supports C2C12 viability.
Performance enhancement of thin‐film composite membranes in water desalination process by wood sawdust
Authors: Azizi Namaghi Hamed , Haghighi Asl Ali , Pourafshari Chenar Mahdi , Hesampour Mehrdad , Pihlajamäki Arto , Mänttäri Mika
Published: July 2019

In this study, polysulfone/wood sawdust (PSf/WSD) mixed matrix membrane (MMM) was prepared as a novel substrate layer of thin‐film composite (TFC) membrane in water desalination. The main aim was to evaluate how different amounts of WSD (0‐5 wt%) and PSf concentrations (12‐16 wt%) in the porous substrate affect the properties of the final TFC membranes in the separation of organic and inorganic compounds. Morphological and wettability studies demonstrated that the addition of small amount of WSD (less than or equal to 1 wt%) in the casting solution resulted in more porous but similar hydrophobic substrates, while high loading (greater than or equal to 2 wt%) of WSD not only changed the substrate wettability and morphology but also increased and decreased the swelling and mechanical properties of substrate layer. Therefore, PA layer formed thereon displayed extensively varying film morphology, interfacial properties, and separation performance. Based on approximately stable permeate flux (ASPF) and apparent salt rejection efficiency (ASRE), the best TFC membrane was prepared over the substrate with 12 to 14 wt% of PSf and around 0.5 to 1 wt% of WSD. Although notable improvements in permeate flux were obtained by adding a small amount of sawdust, the results clearly indicate that the salt rejection mechanism of TFC membrane was different from the glycerin rejection mechanism. Furthermore, durability results of TFC membranes showed that in continuous operation for 30 days, TFC‐14/0.5 and TFC‐14/01 have the maximum plateau levels of stable permeate flux and salt rejection among the all TFC membranes.
Biodegradable polymers in gene‐silencing technology
Authors: Hosseinkhani Hossein , Domb Abraham J.
Published: July 2019

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) technology has shown great promise as a new class of therapeutics invention for treatment of cancer and other diseases. siRNA has been used extensively in blocking various genes and is presently being evaluated as a therapeutic for cancer and viral disease. Despite the excitement about this remarkable biological process for sequence specific gene regulation, the major limitations against the use of siRNAs‐based therapeutics are their rapid degradation by serum nuclease, poor cellular uptake, and rapid renal clearance following systemic delivery, off‐target effects, and induction of immune responses. Many researchers have tried to overcome these limitations with developing nuclease‐resistant chemically modified siRNAs and variety of synthetic and natural biodegradable lipids and polymers for siRNA delivery to enhance efficacy and safety profiles. An ideal siRNAs‐based delivery system must be clinically suitable, safe, and effective. This review discuss the recent progress of biodegradable polymers in siRNA delivery technology.
Enhancement in mechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube‐reinforced epoxy composites: Crosslinking of the reinforcement with the matrix via diamines
Authors: Moaseri Ehsan , Bazubandi Behnaz , Baniadam Majid , Maghrebi Morteza
Published: July 2019

In this study, the effect of diamine molecular structure, attached to the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), on the interfacial interactions of the MWCNTs and the epoxy matrix was studied. Pristine MWCNTs were successfully functionalized with multiple aliphatic and aromatic diamines. It has been found that, compared to aliphatic molecules, aromatic diamines can yield higher functionalization degree, due to higher activity and longer half‐life of aromatic intermediates. However, at the same functionalization degree, the aliphatic ligands were more successful in reacting with epoxy chains and forming covalent bonds between the MWCNTs and the matrix. Considerable improvements were achieved in the mechanical properties of functionalized MWCNT‐reinforced epoxy composites in comparison with the pristine MWCNT‐reinforced composites. Fractography observations revealed distinct differences in the failure modes of reinforced composites after functionalization of the MWCNTs with diamines. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1905–1910, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
The walking cane length influences the postural sway of community‐dwelling older women
Authors: Camara Camila Thais Pinto , de Freitas Sandra Maria Sbeghen Ferreira , Lima Camila Astolphi , Amorim César Ferreira , Prado‐Rico Janina Manzieri , Perracini Monica Rodrigues
Published: July 2019

Background

Mobility‐related problems in older people may be relieved by the use of walking canes. However, the influence of the cane length on the postural stability of cane users has not been explored.

Objective

The objective of this study is to examine the influence of a single‐point cane with different lengths on the postural sway of regular cane users, older women during two stance positions, with feet parallel and semi‐tandem stance.

Methods

Eighteen older women, who used a single‐point walking cane for at least 6 months, stood on a force plate with feet parallel or in semitandem position for 40 s. They always used a cane that was adjusted to one of three different lengths resulting from the distance between the wrist crease and the floor, named WF, or this distance plus 7.5 or 10 cm. Amplitude and speed of the centre of pressure (COP) and its components (rambling and trembling) in the anterior‐posterior and medial‐lateral directions and mean vertical force applied to the cane were compared across cane lengths.

Results

The amplitude and velocity of COP, rambling and trembling increased with the cane length. This effect was observed for the anterior‐posterior with the feet parallel and in the medial‐lateral direction with the semi‐tandem position. More force was applied on the shorter cane (WF) in semitandem position.

Conclusion

Longer canes increased the postural sway in the older women and restricted the body weight loaded on the cane. Improper cane length influences the postural sway particularly in a semitandem stance of regular cane users. This may cause a negative impact on postural stability required in daily life activities. The current findings may contribute to the prescription of this assistive device for older adults.
Surface Deformation Study of the Electrodeposited Nanostructured Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 Thin Films by Double‐Exposure Digital Holographic Interferometry
Authors: Thorat Jayavant B.
Published: July 2019

Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) and antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) thin films are successfully deposited on stainless steel (SS) substrate by the potentiostatic mode of electrodeposition. Herein, the focus is on surface deformation during the electrodeposition process under the effect of deposition time. This study is carried out using double‐exposure digital holographic interferometry (DEDHI) technique and the prepared optimized films are characterized for their physico‐chemical properties. The deposition potential is found out by cyclic voltammetry; it is −170 and −260 mV for Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3, respectively. The hologram fringes are recorded during the electrodeposition of films and the variations in the number of fringes, deposited mass, thickness of film, and stress to surface with respect to deposition time are studied.
Controlled Graphene Synthesis from Solid Carbon Sources
Authors: Kondrashov Ivan I. , Rybin Maxim G. , Obraztsova Ekaterina A. , Obraztsova Elena D.
Published: July 2019

Here the authors present the investigation of controllable growth of large area high quality graphene from different solid carbon sources. A home‐made cold‐wall chamber is used for chemical vapor deposition realization to grow graphene on copper foils. It is supplied with tools for in situ monitoring the temperature along the entire sample. Monolayer graphene films are synthesized using solid poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and paraffin precursors at a growth temperature of about 850 °C and under low pressure conditions. The area of 1 × 1 cm2 appears to be covered by graphene. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to estimate the quality of graphene films fabricated and the graphene layer number.
Computational Insight Into the Enantioselectivity of Homoboroproline Catalyzed Asymmetric Aldol Reaction
Authors: Dulger Habibe , Sari Ozlem , Demirel Nadir , Erdem Safiye S.
Published: July 2019

Chiral amino boronic acids and their derivatives have a wide range of applications including enzyme inhibitors, anti‐cancer agents and molecular sensors. They also draw attention as effective catalysts. Recently, a new proline based amino boronic acid derivative, homoboroproline, was synthesized and demonstrated to be an efficient catalyst in an asymmetric aldol reaction. The reaction mechanism has been elucidated in the present study for the first time. Considering different orientations of the enamine intermediate and the aldehyde, potential alternative mechanisms were modeled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations via PCM/M06‐2X/6‐31G(d,p) method in acetone. The potential energy surface of each mechanism was explored to establish the rate‐determining and enantioselectivity‐determining steps. The calculated enantiomeric excess values (>99%) were found to be in agreement with the experimental values (93%, 95%). The detailed investigation of the transition state structures of the selectivity‐determining step has revealed that attractive interactions between boron and aldehyde oxygen are responsible for the selectivity confirmed by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The results provide insight into the origin of enantioselectivity in asymmetric aldol reaction catalyzed by homoboroproline.
Three Component, One‐Pot Synthesis of Multifunctional Quinolinopyranpyrazoles via Catalyst‐Free Multicomponent Reaction
Authors: Bakthadoss Manickam , Vinayagam Varathan , Agarwal Vishal , Sharada Duddu S.
Published: July 2019

A novel and convenient protocol for the three component, one‐pot synthesis of multifunctional quinolinopyranpyrazole frameworks via multicomponent reaction is disclosed. This reaction was performed under solvent, catalyst and column chromatography free condition. The reaction is highly diastereoselective and successfully provided the tetracyclic quinolinopyranpyrazoles in excellent yields.
Robert Boyle's weather journal for the year 1685
Authors: Cornes Richard C.
Published: July 2019

Robert Boyle was one of the most influential natural philosophers of the Enlightenment. Although he recorded fragmentary instrumental meteorological readings in his numerous works, it was generally thought that he did not record observations with the regularity seen in the journals of other late‐seventeenth century philosophers. However, in the Boyle archive at the Royal Society in London is a diary that was recorded while Boyle was living in London and which provides a largely complete record of twice‐daily barometer, thermometer and weather readings from December 1684 to January 1686. As far as I can tell, these data have not been converted to modern units or scrutinised in any systematic manner. In this paper I derive corrections for the instrumental observations and examine the weather descriptions. Although the record is short, it does provide a detailed daily snapshot of weather conditions for this 14‐month period around London. The dry conditions that lasted into early summer 1685 constituted the most prominent feature of the weather during that year. The journal indicates that the winter 1684/1685 was cold and frequent frosts and fog were experienced, although the following winter of 1685/1686 was relatively mild; summer 1685 appears to have been relatively cool. Overall, the data attest to the variety of weather conditions that could be experienced in London during the Late Maunder Minimum.
The Cost of Convenience
Authors: Edwards Lori
Published: July 2019

When state legislatures mandate voting by mail and early voting in addition to Election Day voting, the cost of conducting an election disproportionately increases. Factors contributing to the cost of convenience include staffing, electronics, logistics, and materials. Since any voter may choose to vote by any mode at any time, duplicate preparation is needed to accommodate peak demand at all early voting sites, precincts, and Vote-by-Mail departments. Lawmakers often don’t have the financial data they need to consider when making election administration policy, and although there is immense cost involved, data suggests that more opportunities to vote do not increase voter participation.
Ghana’s 2012 General Election: Free, Fair, and Flawed?
Authors: Krawczyk Kelly Ann
Published: July 2019

Ghana has held credible, multi-party elections since 1992, with peaceful alternation of power in 2000, 2008, and 2016. Yet despite this strong democratic track record, Ghanaian elections are still regularly marred by allegations of fraud. This case study details the 2012 general election in Ghana, which was contested in the Supreme Court by the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The case study highlights the use of mechanisms such as election observation and biometric technology in order to increase the credibility of the election and deter fraud. It also outlines the challenges stemming from the use of these tools, including major malfunction of biometric technology, and relocation of fraud to polling places without the presence of observers. An important conclusion we can draw from the Ghanaian experience of 2012 is that solutions employed to deter electoral fraud, such as the deployment of election observers and the implementation of biometrics, are valuable but insufficient solutions. In some cases, political parties still retain the incentive and ability to manipulate the operation of elections.
State Support for Local Election Offices
Authors: Augino Lori
Published: July 2019

Cooperation and coordination between state and local election offices is an integral part of election administration. Ensuing that the expertise of local government officials is integrated into decision-making processes is one of many ways to solidify a strong relationship between the state and local governments. Presented are the processes that are used in the state of Washington to ensure that the state election office is providing support to local election officials and implementing policies that enhance the administration of elections and the voter experience in the state.
How an Election Administration Student Evolved into an Election Professional
Authors: Evans Blake
Published: July 2019

Election administration is an opportunity to serve citizens by ensuring they are equipped with the tools needed to express their voices through voting. The field of election administration is rapidly evolving to require specialty skills from a variety of professionals. An educational background in election administration can contribute greatly to the success of election administration professionals. This case examines the details of a county-level election administrator’s education, and discusses how election-oriented college experiences can influence early career professionals.
The Role of Professional Associations in Supporting Election Administration
Authors: Mattice Tim
Published: July 2019

The creation of professional education programs for election administrators requires not only a thorough understanding of the varying structures and administrative responsibilities for election administration across the United States but also an understanding of approaches for adult education. As many election officials come to the field with limited, if any, formal education in election administration, providing opportunities not only for education but also for networking is essential to creating a more professional cohort of administrators. This case focuses on the creation of the first professional association and education program for election administrators in the United States.
The Road to Election Administration Professionalization: Follow the Bottom Line
Authors: Chapin Doug
Published: July 2019

There is a growing recognition in the field that professionalization of election administration is a vital need for the entire election community. And yet, despite ever-increasing numbers of educational programs and opportunities—not to mention evidence that such programs lead to better outcomes for voters—states have been slow to require professional training for their election officials. One reason may be the lack of a connection between professionalization and states’ bottom lines: that is, a linkage between an increase in training and cost-related election outcomes like reducing errors, more effective spending, and increased cost efficiency. Accordingly, the field needs to find a way to gather information on election costs and link it to the presence or absence of professional election administration training. Quite simply, professionalization advocates need to help policymakers “follow the money.”
A Voter-Centered, Voter-First Approach to Elections
Authors: McReynolds Amber
Published: July 2019

Identifying new and innovative approaches to enhance voter experience and process transparency is an important component of election administration. This case presents the professional experience of one election administrator and provides recommendations for election administrators, elected officials, and voters to ensure that our election systems are secure.
The Value of the Election Administration and Voting Survey
Authors: Greene Sean
Published: July 2019

This case study examines the implementation of the Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS). EAVS is the only national survey to capture data related to the voting and elections process in every state and generates a phenomenal amount of data. Of course, the numbers most people care about are the results—how many votes the candidate they support receives. But beyond the results is a wealth of data related to how elections are run, from how many citizens are registered to vote to how many people cast ballots during early voting, to the number of provisional ballots cast, counted, and rejected. The EAVS captures this data and tells the story of the nuts and bolts of the voting process for both the voters and the election officials charged with administering elections. The importance of this type of data collection, what goes into administering a survey of this scope, the challenges in collecting this vast amount of data, and the potential for improvement will be discussed.
Protecting Election Infrastructure: A View from the Federal Level
Authors: Masterson Matthew
Published: July 2019

Securing elections and democracy in the United States requires adaptation and innovation in the field. The adoption and implementation of new strategies and procedures is not without risk. Ensuring the system is solvent and secure, once viewed solely under the purview of states and local governments, the security of elections in the United States has evolved to be an issue of concern and investment at all levels of government. The increased involvement of federal agencies in the administration of elections in the United States has created new opportunities for the development of intergovernmental relationships and resources. Discussed in this case is the role of the Department of Homeland Security in election administration, as experienced by one election administration expert.
Complexity and scaling in quantum quench in 1 + 1 dimensional fermionic field theories
Authors: Liu Sinong
Published: July 2019

Abstract

We consider the scaling behavior of circuit complexity under quantum quench in an a relativistic fermion field theory on a one dimensional spatial lattice. This is done by finding an exactly solvable quench protocol which asymptotes to massive phases at early and late times and crosses a critical point in between. We find a variety of scaling behavior as a function of the quench rate, starting with a saturation for quenches at the lattice scale, a “fast quench scaling” at intermediate rate and a Kibble Zurek scaling at slow rates.
Transitions of orbifold vacua
Authors: Choi Kang-Sin , Kobayashi Tatsuo
Published: July 2019

Abstract

We study the global structure of vacua of heterotic strings compactified on orbifolds T
4
/ℤ

N
(N = 2, 3) in the presence of heterotic 5-branes. Gauge symmetry breaking associated with orbifold is described by instantons in the field theory. There is phase transition between small (zero size limit) instantons and heterotic 5-branes. This mechanism provides top-down, stringy account to the spectrum and modular invariance condition of non-perturbative vacua with 5-branes. Also it takes us from one vacuum to another by emitting and absorbing instantons. This means that many vacua with different gauge theories are in fact connected and are inherited from perturbative vacua. It follows that there is also transition of twisted instantons at the fixed points. Thus we can understand transitions among perturbative vacua as well.
Investigating the mediating effect of working memory on intentional forgetting in dysphoria
Authors: Noreen Saima , Cooke Richard , Ridout Nathan
Published: July 2019

Our aim was to determine if deficits in intentional forgetting that are associated with depression and dysphoria (subclinical depression) could be explained, at least in part, by variations in working memory function. Sixty dysphoric and 61 non-dysphoric participants completed a modified version of the think/no-think (TNT) task and a measure of complex working memory (the operation span task). The TNT task involved participants learning a series of emotional cue–target word pairs, before being presented with a subset of the cues and asked to either recall the associated target (think) or to prevent it from coming to mind (no think) by thinking about a substitute target word. Participants were subsequently asked to recall the targets to all cues (regardless of previous recall instructions). As expected, after controlling for anxiety, we found that dysphoric individuals exhibited impaired forgetting relative to the non-dysphoric participants. Also as expected, we found that superior working memory function was associated with more successful forgetting. Critically, in the dysphoric group, we found that working memory mediated the effect of depression on intentional forgetting. That is, depression influenced forgetting indirectly via its effect on working memory. However, under conditions of repeated suppression, there was also a direct effect of depression on forgetting. These findings represent an important development in the understanding of impaired forgetting in depression and also suggest that working memory training might be a viable intervention for improving the ability of depressed individuals to prevent unwanted memories from coming to mind.
The complexity of prioritising patching
Authors: Roytman Michael , Jacobs Jay
Published: July 2019

As American journalist and essayist HL Mencken once wrote: “For every complex problem there is a solution that is concise, clear, simple, and wrong.” Anyone working in or around vulnerability remediation knows the apparently ‘simple’ task of applying a patch is anything but. The vulnerability lifecycle is filled with pitfalls and deceptively complex tasks.

Anyone working in or around vulnerability remediation knows that the apparently ‘simple’ task of applying a patch is anything but. The vulnerability lifecycle is filled with pitfalls.

The time and effort needed to remediate any single vulnerability across an entire enterprise are often underestimated. This creates an obvious and urgent demand for prioritisation, which requires we understand more about the world of vulnerabilities. Michael Roytman of Kenna Security and Jay Jacobs at the Cyentia Institute explore what the open vulnerability landscape looks like and investigate multiple factors contributing to the remediation efforts.