bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pareto‐based beam orientation optimization method for spot scanning intensity‐modulated proton therapy
Authors: Kamal Sayed Hisham , Herman M. G. , Beltran C. J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To provide a proof of principle of a Pareto‐based method to automatically generate optimal intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans for various noncoplanar beam orientations.

Methods

A novel multicriteria beam orientation optimization (MCBOO) method was developed to generate Pareto database of optimal plans. The MCBOO method automatically explores the beam orientations and the scalarization parameters of the IMPT plans simultaneously. The MCBOO method is based on multicriteria bilevel optimization (i.e., hierarchical optimization with two nested levels, named the upper and lower level optimization). In MCBOO, the upper level optimization explores the noncoplanar beam orientation space, while the lower level explores the scalarization parameters for a given beam orientation. Differential evolution method was used in both levels, and the Pareto optimal plans were aggregated from the bilevel optimizations to construct the Pareto database. The MCBOO method was implemented on a multinode multi‐GPU cluster, and it was tested on three brain tumor patient cases. The Pareto database of the three patients was generated for a set of DVH‐based objectives. A statistical analysis was performed between a selected set of MCBOO plans and the manual plan (plan with manually selected beam orientation based on the clinical experience and optimized with the same single plan iterative optimizer used in the MCBOO). The selected set of MCBOO plans consisted of plans that matched the performance of the manual plan [i.e., MCBOO plans that have the same target coverage (within 2%) as the manual plan or better and achieved the same dose (within 2%) or lower to all of the organs at risks (OARs) but one OAR]. Additionally, a dosimetric comparison between of one of the selected MCBOO plans vs the manual plan was conducted.

Results

The multicriteria beam orientation optimization algorithm automatically generated Pareto plans for the three noncoplanar brain tumor cases. The MCBOO plans provided an alternative objective trade‐offs to the manual plan. The selected MCBOO plans showed a reduction in dose to multiple organs at risk vs the manual plan with a maximum value which ranged between 10.8 and 12.9 Gy for the three patients. The trade‐off of the OAR dose reduction resulted in higher dose to no more than one OAR for each of the selected MCBOO plans vs the manual plan. The maximum dose increase in the MCBOO plans over the manual plan ranged from 7.8 to 11.8 Gy.

Conclusions

A novel multicriteria beam orientation optimization method was developed and tested on three IMPT patient cases. The method automatically generates Pareto plans database by exploring the noncoplanar beam orientations. The method was able to identify beam orientations with Pareto optimal plans that are comparable to the manually created plans with varying objective trade‐offs.
A within‐coil optical prospective motion‐correction system for brain imaging at 7T
Authors: DiGiacomo Phillip , Maclaren Julian , Aksoy Murat , Tong Elizabeth , Carlson Mackenzie , Lanzman Bryan , Hashmi Syed , Watkins Ronald , Rosenberg Jarrett , Burns Brian , Skloss Timothy W. , Rettmann Dan , Rutt Brian , Bammer Roland , Zeineh Michael
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Motion artifact limits the clinical translation of high‐field MR. We present an optical prospective motion correction system for 7 Tesla MRI using a custom‐built, within‐coil camera to track an optical marker mounted on a subject.

Methods

The camera was constructed to fit between the transmit–receive coils with direct line of sight to a forehead‐mounted marker, improving upon prior mouthpiece work at 7 Tesla MRI. We validated the system by acquiring a 3D‐IR‐FSPGR on a phantom with deliberate motion applied. The same 3D‐IR‐FSPGR and a 2D gradient echo were then acquired on 7 volunteers, with/without deliberate motion and with/without motion correction. Three neuroradiologists blindly assessed image quality. In 1 subject, an ultrahigh‐resolution 2D gradient echo with 4 averages was acquired with motion correction. Four single‐average acquisitions were then acquired serially, with the subject allowed to move between acquisitions. A fifth single‐average 2D gradient echo was acquired following subject removal and reentry.

Results

In both the phantom and human subjects, deliberate and involuntary motion were well corrected. Despite marked levels of motion, high‐quality images were produced without spurious artifacts. The quantitative ratings confirmed significant improvements in image quality in the absence and presence of deliberate motion across both acquisitions (P < .001). The system enabled ultrahigh‐resolution visualization of the hippocampus during a long scan and robust alignment of serially acquired scans with interspersed movement.

Conclusion

We demonstrate the use of a within‐coil camera to perform optical prospective motion correction and ultrahigh‐resolution imaging at 7 Tesla MRI. The setup does not require a mouthpiece, which could improve accessibility of motion correction during 7 Tesla MRI exams.
Diffusion‐weighted breast MRI of malignancies with submillimeter resolution and immunity to artifacts by spatiotemporal encoding at 3T
Authors: Solomon Eddy , Liberman Gilad , Nissan Noam , Furman‐Haran Edna , Sklair‐Levy Miri , Frydman Lucio
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is increasingly used in evaluating breast cancer, as complement to DCE measurements of superior spatial resolution. Extracting fine morphological features in DWI is complicated by limitations that sequences such as EPI face, when applied to heterogeneous organs. This study investigates the ability of spatiotemporal encoding (SPEN) MRI to screen breast cancers and define diffusivity features at mm and sub‐mm resolutions on a 3T scanner

Methods

Twenty‐one patients with biopsy‐confirmed breast cancer lesions were examined by T2‐weighted and DCE protocols, by EPI‐based DWI, and by SPEN‐based protocols optimized for SNR, robustness and spatial resolution, respectively.

Results

Excellent agreement was found between the diffusivity parameters measured by all SPEN protocols and by EPI, with the lower ADCs characteristic of tumors being readily detected. SPEN provided systematically better SNR and improved qualitative results, particularly when dealing with small lesions surrounded by fatty tissue, or lesions close to tissue/air interfaces. SPEN‐derived ADC maps collected at sub‐mm in‐plane resolutions recapitulated the high‐resolution morphology shown by lesions using more sensitive DCE protocols.

Conclusion

Measurements on a patient cohort validated SPEN’s ability to quantify the diffusivity changes associated with the presence of breast cancers, while imaging the lesions with reduced distortions at sub‐mm resolutions.
Direct‐wave denoising of low‐frequency ground‐penetrating radar in open pits based on empirical curvelet transform
Authors: He Tao , Shang Haili
Published: February 2020

Low‐frequency ground‐penetrating radar is known to be effective in the detection of geological disasters in open pits owing to its good detection depth, high resolution and portability. However, because of the lack of a shield layer and the poor anti‐interference capability, low‐frequency ground‐penetrating radar has certain limitations. A strong linear interference due to direct waves can result in a complex mining environment, hindering the detection of geological disasters in open pits. Conventional methods, such as wavelet transform and curvelet transform, are ineffective, as they cannot adaptively remove noise in accordance with signal characteristics. In this paper, considering the high apparent velocity and energy of direct‐wave noise in open‐pit ground‐penetrating radar data, an empirical curvelet transform method is proposed to suppress the interference signals. The empirical curvelet transform not only is multi‐scale and multi‐directional, but can also adaptively perform filtering based on the characteristics of the ground‐penetrating radar interference signals. This method is applied to the simulation and processing of measured ground‐penetrating radar data and is compared with the conventional curvelet transform. The results confirm the effectiveness of this method.
The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of laminated fabrics using electronic printing
Authors: Cheng Hung‐Chuan , Chen Chong‐Rong , Hsu Shan‐hui , Cheng Kuo‐Bing
Published: February 2020

This paper describes the development of laminated fabrics that contain a silver grid for electromagnetic shielding (EMS) applications. The silver grid was constructed with 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mm wire diameters and spacings. To reduce material costs, a solvent‐based polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film, cotton woven fabric, and conductive silver paste were used to fabricate a cost‐effective EMS conductive laminated fabric successfully. Using a coaxial transmission line holder, the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) of various conductive laminated fabrics was measured in the 30 to 3000 MHz frequency range. The variation in the EMSE of the conductive networks with different grid shapes, grid densities, fineness values for the conductive lines, and concentrations of the silver paste on the PTFE films was evaluated. Based on optical microscopy observations and analysis, it was found that the conductive silver paste that was diluted by a high boiling point solvent comprising a mixed dibasic acid ester (DBE) could be printed on the PTFE film using a 300‐mesh screen to obtain a clear and complete mesh wire structure that was easy to coat. The results indicated that the proposed conductive laminated fabrics with the 0.3 mm silver wire dimension and spacing had a higher EMSE and electrical conductivity than those of the 0.4 and 0.5 mm wire dimensions and spacings. The results also showed that the fabrics with a 0.3 mm wire diameter and spacing with DBE dilution had a slightly lower EMSE and electrical conductivity than those of the bare PTFE films with a 0.3 mm wire diameter and spacing in the 120 to 2450 MHz frequency range. The conductive laminated fabrics with a 0.3 mm wire diameter and spacing silver electronic coating could be used for electromagnetic interference shielding applications. The conductive silver‐laminated woven fabric could also be applied to curtains, wall coverings, bedspread sets, maternity clothes, work bibs, microwave ovens, induction cookers, protective clothing, and antielectromagnetic mobile phone sets.
A transdiagnostic comparison of affective decision‐making in patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder
Authors: Gu Yu‐ting , Zhou Chen , Yang Juan , Zhang Qin , Zhu Guo‐hui , Sun Lin , Ge Mao‐hong , Wang Yan‐yu
Published: February 2020

Deficit in decision‐making has been found in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD), respectively, while the common and distinct characteristics of this deficit among these patients are still unclear. The present study aimed to make a transdiagnostic comparison of the affective decision‐making ability in patients with SCZ, MDD, and BD. In this study, 33 patients with SCZ, 23 patients with MDD, 29 patients with BD, and 34 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) was used to assess the affective decision‐making ability. The results showed that all three diagnostic groups tended to select the disadvantageous decks but not advantageous decks compared to HCs. For patients with SCZ, an excessive preference for the disadvantageous decks with larger‐magnitude less frequent punishments (deck B) may be the main reason of the deficit in affective decision‐making, while that in patients with MDD was a significantly decreased ability to choose advantageous decks on the whole but with larger‐magnitude less frequent punishments (deck D). As regards patients with BD, the concurrence of more choices of deck B and fewer choices of deck D was the characteristic of the deficit in affective decision‐making. Our findings suggest a common affective decision‐making impairment in the context of multiple choices in patients with SCZ, MDD, and BD, while the underlying mechanisms of the impairment among these patients may be slightly different.
Transparent and UV‐Reflective Photonic Films and Supraballs Composed of Hollow Silica Nanospheres
Authors: Lim Yirang , Lee Seung‐Heon , Li Yan , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Kang Tae Hui , Suh Yung Doug , Lee Soojin , Kim Yongjin , Yi Gi‐Ra
Published: February 2020

For an optically transparent, UV‐reflective film, hollow silica nanospheres smaller than the visible wavelength (<λvis) are prepared and assembled into colloidal glasses, of which interstices are then backfilled with a polymer. The polymer refractive index is matched with the silica shell to minimize backscattering in the visible range, and the average distance between the hollow silica particles is adjusted by tuning the shell thickness to satisfy the interference resonance condition for a UV selective reflection. The resulting composite film shows a strong UV reflection as expected, but it is translucent in visible light due to non‐negligible backscattering, which may be caused by large defects or fluctuation of the particle concentration. In order to avoid such backscattering, another polymer is introduced of which the refractive index is matched with the average refractive index of the hollow nanospheres. This allows an optically transparent film that selectively reflects the UV light. Furthermore, spherical aggregates of hollow silica nanospheres called “supraballs” are prepared and their average refractive index is matched with a solvent by adjusting the mixture ratio of water and ethylene glycol, which yields an optically transparent solution, selectively reflecting UV.
Self‐Assembly of Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystalline Phases of AgNR@SiO2@Cysteine@CsPbBr3 Hybrid Nanorods with Plasmon‐Dependent Photoluminescence
Authors: Li Zhen , Liu Huali , Li Fei , Zhao Jiaqi , Wang Yu
Published: February 2020

The direct synthesis of a chiral nematic liquid crystalline phase of AgNR@SiO2@cysteine@CsPbBr3 hybrid nanorods (HNRs) is reported. The circular dichroism spectra can be divided into three components: (1) the interband absorption–enhanced optical activity of structural arrangement of cysteine (cys) molecules, 200–320 nm, (2) the chiral nematic liquid crystalline arrangement of the Ag nanorods (AgNRs), 350–450 nm, and (3) the exciton adsorption edge of the perovskite, 500–550 nm. The polarizing optical microscope images indicate that the chiroptical response of perovskite arises from chiral nematic crystalline arrangement rather than cys‐induced electronic coupling between a chiral ligand and otherwise achiral perovskite quantum dots (QDs). The luminescent intensity of CsPbBr3 QDs in AgNR@SiO2@cys@CsPbBr3 HNRs is boosted 87‐fold due to the local surface plasmon resonance field enhancement effect. Furthermore, the high‐performance green light emitting diode is constructed employing AgNR@SiO2@cys@CsPbBr3 complexes, which exhibit excellent luminescent properties. This work contributes insights into structure–property relationships and this strategy promisingly provides guidance for the other inorganic chiral semiconductor suprastructures.
Insights into allosteric control of microtubule dynamics from a buried β‐tubulin mutation that causes faster growth and slower shrinkage
Authors: Ye Xuecheng , Kim Tae , Geyer Elisabeth A. , Rice Luke M.
Published: February 2020

αβ‐tubulin subunits cycle through a series of different conformations in the polymer lattice during microtubule growing and shrinking. How these allosteric responses to different tubulin:tubulin contacts contribute to microtubule dynamics, and whether the contributions are evolutionarily conserved, remains poorly understood. Here, we sought to determine whether the microtubule‐stabilizing effects (slower shrinking) of the β:T238A mutation we previously observed using yeast αβ‐tubulin would generalize to mammalian microtubules. Using recombinant human microtubules as a model, we found that the mutation caused slow microtubule shrinking, indicating that this effect of the mutation is indeed conserved. However, unlike in yeast, β:T238A human microtubules grew faster than wild‐type and the mutation did not appear to attenuate the conformational change associated with guanosine 5′‐triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis in the lattice. We conclude that the assembly‐dependent conformational change in αβ‐tubulin can contribute to determine the rates of microtubule growing as well as shrinking. Our results also suggest that an allosteric perturbation like the β:T238A mutation can alter the behavior of terminal subunits without accompanying changes in the conformation of fully surrounded subunits in the body of the microtubule.
Quasi‐All‐Directional Negative Stiffness Metamaterials Based on Negative Rotation Stiffness Elements
Authors: Zhu Shaowei , Tan Xiaojun , Chen Shuai , Wang Bing , Ma Li , Wu Linzhi
Published: February 2020

Most negative stiffness metamaterials exhibit negative stiffness effects in only one direction. Herein, based on the theory of anisotropy, the concept of “negative stiffness” is redefined. A method to determine whether a material has all‐directional negative stiffness is proposed. The possibility and difficulty of achieving all‐directional negative stiffness are discussed. A new type of negative stiffness metamaterial comprising negative stiffness rotation hinges and rigid trusses is studied. The results show that quasi‐all‐directional negative stiffness is achievable.
Effect of variation of metal and non‐metal elements on various properties of rare‐earth‐based inverse perovskites Gd3XY (X = Ga, In and Y = B, N)
Authors: Nabi Muskan , Gupta Dinesh C.
Published: February 2020

Ferromagnetic rare‐earth‐based inverse perovskites Gd3AlX (X = B, N) are studied using hybrid functionals in the framework of density functional theory. Different exchange correlation potentials are employed to analyze the structural parameters and geometry of the materials. The spin polarization and band structure explain the metallic behavior of these materials with high values of magnetic moment. The calculated elastic constants specify all materials are ordered perovskite compounds, among which Gd3GaB, Gd3GaN, Gd3InN are brittle in nature while as Gd3InB is ductile in nature. The quasi‐harmonic Debye model was used to predict the thermodynamic properties of the material. The analysis of thermoelectric properties viz. Seebeck coefficient, electronic and thermal conductivities at higher temperature has been carried out. To check the optoelectronic response of the material various optical properties have been calculated up to 14 eV photon energy range. The competent thermoelectric and optoelectronic properties with high value of magnetic moment and ductile character suggests the application in thermoelectric and electro‐optic devices.
Field conditions and the accuracy of visually determined Munsell soil color
Authors: Turk Judith K. , Young Rebecca A.
Published: February 2020

This study evaluated the effect of variable natural lighting on the accuracy of soil color determination using the Munsell color charts. The effect of clouds, shade, and time of day were measured by calculating the distance between colors determined with the Munsell charts and colors measured with a chromameter. The only condition found to negatively affect accuracy was early‐morning light on sunny days, and this effect was only significant for individuals with high overall accuracy at reading soil color. Regressions of visual color relative to chromameter color showed a reduction in slope and R2 value for chromas measured early in the morning (m = 0.56, R2 = 0.75) compared with mid‐day (m = 0.67, R2 = 0.93) on sunny days. Overall, these results suggest that variation in natural lighting does not have a large impact on visual color determination; however, sunny mornings should be avoided when accuracy is critical.
Bad deaths, good funerals: The values of life insurance in New Orleans
Authors: Mulder Nikki
Published: February 2020

This article explores the relationship between the value of money and the value of human life as it plays out in the financing of funeral ceremonies. It examines how these values are articulated through life insurance policies concerning violent deaths of working‐class black Americans in New Orleans. The article draws on ten months of ethnographic fieldwork (2017–18) in New Orleans, which included participant observation at a black‐owned funeral home and interviews with funeral directors, policyholders, and beneficiaries. By examining the role of life insurance policies in arranging good funerals after bad deaths, the ethnographic analysis demonstrates how life insurance policies are consumed and can produce value at a moment of loss. It explores the paradox that an insurance policy can at once become a resource for the affirmation of human value and a financial risk in itself.
Polymer surface analysis: The leadership and contributions of David Briggs
Authors: Castner David G. , Ratner Buddy D.
Published: February 2020

David Briggs was a surface analysis pioneer. Starting in 1970 and continuing throughout his career, Dave used his expertise, vision, and ability to quickly master new surface analysis methods and solve important industrial problems. It certainly helped that he was an outstanding fundraiser in both industrial and academic settings, which ensured he always had an impressive array of the latest, most advanced surface analysis instrumentation at his disposal. He insisted on doing surface analysis correctly, and through his publications, databases, and books, he provided the community with the needed guidelines and methods to do so. In the 1970s, Dave's research was largely focused on X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, also known as electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis [ESCA]) characterization of polymers and catalysts. He added secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to his instrumentation arsenal in the 1980s and provided many of the key, pioneering publications that described how to use this method to characterize polymer surfaces. He also did some of the first surface analysis imaging experiments in the 1980s. In the 1990s, he continued his XPS and SIMS research on polymers and advanced the surface analysis community's ability to properly interpret surface analysis data through databases and advanced data processing methods. Dave continued to publish polymer and catalysis surface analysis papers in the 2000s, but also expanded his surface analysis studies to several other topics.
A comparison of some conformal quantile regression methods
Authors: Sesia Matteo , Candès Emmanuel J.
Published: February 2020

We compare two recent methods that combine conformal inference with quantile regression to produce locally adaptive and marginally valid prediction intervals under sample exchangeability (Romano, Patterson, & Candès, 2019, arXiv:1905.03222; Kivaranovic, Johnson, & Leeb, 2019, arXiv:1905.10634). First, we prove that these two approaches are asymptotically efficient in large samples, under some additional assumptions. Then we compare them empirically on simulated and real data. Our results demonstrate that the method of Romano et al. typically yields tighter prediction intervals in finite samples. Finally, we discuss how to tune these procedures by fixing the relative proportions of observations used for training and conformalization. Our empirical results suggest that using between 70% and 90% of the data for training often achieves a good balance between minimizing the average width of the predictions intervals and the variability in their practical coverage.
A version of $$\kappa $$-Miller forcing
Authors: Mildenberger Heike , Shelah Saharon
Published: February 2020

We consider a version of $$\kappa $$
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-Miller forcing on an uncountable cardinal $$\kappa $$
κ
. We show that under $$2^{<\kappa } = \kappa $$

2

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=
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this forcing collapses $$2^\kappa $$

2
κ

to $$\omega $$
ω
and adds a $$\kappa $$
κ
-Cohen real. The same holds under the weaker assumptions that $${{\,\mathrm{cf}\,}}(\kappa ) > \omega $$

cf

(
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)
>
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, $$2^{2^{<\kappa }}= 2^\kappa $$

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κ

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, and forcing with $$([\kappa ]^\kappa , \subseteq )$$

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κ
]

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collapses $$2^\kappa $$

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to $$\omega $$
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.
An approach for a performance calculation of shuttle-based storage and retrieval systems with multiple-deep storage
Authors: Eder Michael
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a method to determine the performance of shuttle-based storage and retrieval systems (SBS/RS) with tier captive single-aisle shuttles and multiple-deep storage. The basis of this calculation method is a continuous-time open queueing system with limited capacity. The cycle times of lifts and shuttles, determined by a spatial value approach, can be directly used in the presented method with their time distributions. To take the multiple storage into account, a probability-based approach is applied. The invented approach is validated by a comparison with a discrete event simulation. A European material handling provider had given the data used in this comparison. Finally, an example is presented to outline how this calculation model can be used for designing SBS/RS which fulfil the predefined requirements. The result of this example is that with an increase of the storage depth to a certain value, the throughput increases and the cost decreases up to the same storage depth.
Pro-cognitive effect of 1MeTIQ on recognition memory in the ketamine model of schizophrenia in rats: the behavioural and neurochemical effects
Authors: Białoń Magdalena , Żarnowska Marcelina , Antkiewicz-Michaluk Lucyna , Wąsik Agnieszka
Published: February 2020

Rationale

Schizophrenia is a mental illness which is characterised by positive and negative symptoms and by cognitive impairments. While the major prevailing hypothesis is that altered dopaminergic and/or glutamatergic transmission contributes to this disease, there is evidence that the noradrenergic system also plays a role in its major symptoms.

Objectives

In the present paper, we investigated the pro-cognitive effect of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ) an endogenous neuroprotective compound, on ketamine-modelled schizophrenia in rats.

Methods

We used an antagonist of NMDA receptors (ketamine) to model memory deficit symptoms in rats. Using the novel object recognition (NOR) test, we investigated the pro-cognitive effect of 1MeTIQ. Additionally, olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, was used as a standard to compare the pro-cognitive effects of the substances. In vivo microdialysis studies allowed us to verify the changes in the release of monoamines and their metabolites in the rat striatum.

Results

Our study demonstrated that 1MeTIQ, similarly to olanzapine, exhibits a pro-cognitive effect in NOR test and enhances memory disturbed by ketamine treatment. Additionally, in vivo microdialysis studies have shown that ketamine powerfully increased noradrenaline release in the rat striatum, while 1MeTIQ and olanzapine completely antagonised this neurochemical effect.

Conclusions

1MeTIQ, as a possible pro-cognitive drug, in contrast to olanzapine, expresses beneficial neuroprotective activity in the brain, increasing concentration of the extraneuronal dopamine metabolite, 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), which plays an important physiological role in the brain as an inhibitory regulator of catecholaminergic activity. Moreover, we first demonstrated the essential role of noradrenaline release in memory disturbances observed in the ketamine-model of schizophrenia, and its possible participation in negative symptoms of the schizophrenia.
Energy minimization within target-directed aiming: the mediating influence of the number of movements and target size
Authors: Roberts James W.
Published: February 2020

In target-directed aiming, performers tend to more greatly undershoot targets when aiming down compared to up because they try to avoid an overshoot error and subsequently minimize the time and energy expenditure that is required to suddenly combat gravitational forces. The present study aims to further examine this principle of time and energy minimization by directly mediating the perceived cost of potential errors as well as the likelihood of their occurrence by manipulating the number of movements and target size, respectively. Participants executed rapid aiming movements in the up/down direction as part of a one-/two-target movement towards a small/large target. Primary movement endpoints showed greater undershooting when aiming in the downward compared to upward direction and small compared to large targets. Meanwhile, the overall movement time showed that slower movements were generated for down compared to up, but only when aiming toward large targets. The failure to mediate the central tendency as a function of the number of movements and target size indicates that the feature of minimization is highly prominent within the performers’ pre-response planning. However, the continued minimization of energy in the presence of large targets may inadvertently cost the movement time.
Indecision and delays are the parents of failure—taming them algorithmically by synthesizing delay-resilient control
Authors: Chen Mingshuai , Fränzle Martin , Li Yangjia , Mosaad Peter N. , Zhan Naijun
Published: February 2020

The possible interactions between a controller and its environment can naturally be modelled as the arena of a two-player game, and adding an appropriate winning condition permits to specify desirable behavior. The classical model here is the positional game, where both players can (fully or partially) observe the current position in the game graph, which in turn is indicative of their mutual current states. In practice, neither sensing and actuating the environment through physical devices nor data forwarding to and from the controller and signal processing in the controller are instantaneous. The resultant delays force the controller to draw decisions before being aware of the recent history of a play and to submit these decisions well before they can take effect asynchronously. It is known that existence of a winning strategy for the controller in games with such delays is decidable over finite game graphs and with respect to $$\omega $$
ω
-regular objectives. The underlying reduction, however, is impractical for non-trivial delays as it incurs a blow-up of the game graph which is exponential in the magnitude of the delay. For safety objectives, we propose a more practical incremental algorithm successively synthesizing a series of controllers handling increasing delays and reducing the game-graph size in between. It is demonstrated using benchmark examples that even a simplistic explicit-state implementation of this algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art symbolic synthesis algorithms as soon as non-trivial delays have to be handled. We furthermore address the practically relevant cases of non-order-preserving delays and bounded message loss, as arising in actual networked control, thereby considerably extending the scope of regular game theory under delay.
Genetic engineering approaches for the fermentative production of phenylglycines
Authors: Moosmann David , Mokeev Vladislav , Kulik Andreas , Osipenkov Natalie , Kocadinc Susann , Ort-Winklbauer Regina , Handel Franziska , Hennrich Oliver , Youn Jung-Won , Sprenger Georg A. , Mast Yvonne
Published: February 2020

L-phenylglycine (L-Phg) is a rare non-proteinogenic amino acid, which only occurs in some natural compounds, such as the streptogramin antibiotics pristinamycin I and virginiamycin S or the bicyclic peptide antibiotic dityromycin. Industrially, more interesting than L-Phg is the enantiomeric D-Phg as it plays an important role in the fine chemical industry, where it is used as a precursor for the production of semisynthetic β-lactam antibiotics. Based on the natural L-Phg operon from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis and the stereo-inverting aminotransferase gene hpgAT from Pseudomonas putida, an artificial D-Phg operon was constructed. The natural L-Phg operon, as well as the artificial D-Phg operon, was heterologously expressed in different actinomycetal host strains, which led to the successful production of Phg. By rational genetic engineering of the optimal producer strains S. pristinaespiralis and Streptomyces lividans, Phg production could be improved significantly. Here, we report on the development of a synthetic biology-derived D-Phg pathway and the optimization of fermentative Phg production in actinomycetes by genetic engineering approaches. Our data illustrate a promising alternative for the production of Phgs.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults: collaborative analysis of 137 cases of a nationwide German registry
Authors: Birndt Sebastian , Schenk Thomas , Heinevetter Babett , Brunkhorst Frank M. , Maschmeyer Georg , Rothmann Frank , Weber Thomas , Müller Markus , Panse Jens , Penack Olaf , Schroers Roland , Braess Jan , Frickhofen Norbert , Ehl Stephan , Janka Gritta , Lehmberg Kai , Pletz Mathias W. , Hochhaus Andreas , Ernst Thomas , La Rosée Paul
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome emerging from a deregulated immune response due to various triggers. In adults, systematic data are sparse, which is why recommendations on diagnosis and management have been adopted from pediatric guidelines. A nationwide clinical registry with associated consulting service as collaborative initiative of HLH-specialized pediatricians and hematologists was initiated to better characterize HLH in adults.

Methods

Patients with proven or suspected HLH were registered by 44 institutions. Both HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria and the HScore (www.saintantoine.aphp.fr/score/) were used to confirm HLH diagnosis. Data referring to underlying disease, treatment, outcome, clinical presentation and laboratory findings were recorded.

Results

The study included 137 patients and provides the first systematic data on adult HLH in Germany. Median age was 50 years with a wide range (17–87 years), 87 patients (63.5%) were male. Most common triggering diseases were infections in 61 patients (44.5%) and malignancies in 48 patients (35%). Virtually all patients had elevated ferritin concentrations, and 74% had peak concentrations greater than 10,000 µg/l. At time of analysis, 67 of 131 patients (51%) had died. Patients with malignancy-associated HLH had the shortest median survival (160 days), however no statistically significant difference between subgroups was observed (p = 0.077). Platelets under 20*109/l and low albumin concentrations (< 20 g/l) were associated with poor overall and 30-day survival.

Conclusion

Close multidisciplinary case consultation and cooperation is mandatory when treating adult HLH patients. Early contact with reference centers is recommended, especially in relapsing or refractory disease.
Plattformbasiertes Sharing und Pooling im Verkehrssektor — ein Systematisierungsansatz
Authors: Viergutz Kathrin , Maertens Sven , Scheier Benedikt , Lütjens Klaus , Goletz Mirko , Grimme Wolfgang , Liedtke Gernot
Published: February 2020

Im Verkehrssektor manifestiert sich die Digitalisierung zunehmend durch plattformbasierte Geschäftsmodelle, die Mobilitätsdienstleistungen vermitteln. Auf diese Weise entsteht die Möglichkeit, Fahrten und Fahrzeuge mit anderen, meist fremden Mitreisenden zu teilen. Durch Suchfunktionen und Matchmaking können attraktive Angebote mit hoher Dienstleistungsqualität „on demand“ aufgebaut werden, die eine stärkere Individualisierung der Mobilität als der noch weitgehend starre Nahverkehr ermöglichen.
Was die Wirtschaftspolitik vom Wirtschaftsnobelpreis des Jahres 2019 lernen kann
Authors: Menkhoff Lukas , Seitz Helke
Published: February 2020

Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo und Michael Kremer sind 2019 mit dem Wirtschaftsnobelpreis geehrt worden. Dies vor allem für ihren experimentellen Ansatz zur Linderung der weltweiten Armut. Die Laureaten nutzen randomisierte Experimente, um entwicklungspolitische Maßnahmen zu evaluieren. So haben sie die Grenzen der in Indien genutzten Mikrofinanzierung aufgezeigt. Zwar gibt es durchaus Kritik an dieser mikroökonomisch ausgerichteten Forschung. Die gründliche Evaluierung von politischen Maßnahmen — wie beispielsweise in der evidenzbasierten Wirtschaftspolitik — sollte aber ein gemeinsames Ziel von Wissenschaft und Politik werden.
EU-US trade post-trump perspectives: TTIP aspects related to foreign direct investment and innovation
Authors: Jungmittag Andre , Welfens Paul J. J.
Published: February 2020

The international economic debate on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) has focused mainly on trade induced real income gains while the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)-related and innovation induced benefits have been largely neglected, although the EU and the US are leading FDI host countries and FDI source countries. Moreover, from a theoretical perspective a knowledge production function has to be considered in order to analyze FDI and innovation dynamics – and this can then be linked to output and economic growth, respectively. It is argued that such a Schumpeterian approach for an open economy is needed to understand deep integration dynamics while the standard CGE model used by Francois et al. (2013) leads to an underestimation of deep integration projects such as TTIP. The panel data estimation of knowledge production functions for 20 EU countries between 2002 and 2012 shows clear empirical evidence that a rise of the number of researchers and of the FDI stock-GDP ratio (or related variables) will raise patent applications. Additionally, a higher per capita income – that could reflect trade related real income gains in the context of TTIP – also contributes to new knowledge and a fortiori to higher GDP. Time series data analysis for Germany indicates additionally that FDI induced higher innovation dynamics will raise output - combining trade benefits and FDI/innovation related real income gains plus transatlantic macroeconomic interdependency effects a real income gain of nearly 2% should be expected for Germany (and the EU). As the Trump Administration is focusing on bilateralism, the US is essentially renouncing a considerable output increase and opportunities to improve its current account; instead the Trump Administration has adopted a policy of protectionism which is likely to undermine trade dynamics and economic growth. In the long run, transatlantic trade perspectives could improve.
Coronary plaque tissue characterization in patients with premature coronary artery disease
Authors: Xie Jianchang , Qi Jie , Mao Hengyi , Wang Ningfu , Ye Xianhua , Zhou Liang , Tong Guoxin , Yang Jianmin , Pan Hao , Huang Jinyu
Published: February 2020

Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) studies rarely involve coronary plaque characterization. We characterize coronary plaque tissue by radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with premature CAD. From July 2015 to December 2017, 220 patients from the Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine with first occurrence of angina or myocardial infarction within 3 months were enrolled. Patients with premature CAD (n = 47, males aged < 55 years, and females aged < 65 years) or later CAD (n = 155) were retrospectively compared for cardiovascular risk factors, laboratory examination findings, coronary angiography data, gray-scale IVUS, and iMap-IVUS. The mean age was 53.53 ± 7.24 vs. 70.48 ± 8.74 years (p < 0.001). The groups were similar for traditional coronary risk factors except homocysteine (18.60 ± 5.15 vs. 17.08 ± 4.27 µmol/L, p = 0.043). After matching for baseline characteristics, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) was higher for premature CAD than later CAD (2.50 ± 0.96 vs. 2.17 ± 0.80 mmol/L, p = 0.019). Before the matching procedure, the premature CAD group had shorter target lesion length [18.50 (12.60–32.00) vs. 27.90 (18.70–37.40) mm, p = 0.002], less plaque volume [175.59 (96.60–240.50) vs. 214.73 (139.74–330.00) mm3, p = 0.013] than the later CAD group. After the matching procedure, the premature CAD group appeared to be less plaque burden (72.69 ± 9.99 vs. 74.85 ± 9.80%, p = 0.005), and positive remodeling (1.03 ± 0.12 vs. 0.94 ± 0.18, p = 0.034), and lower high risk feature incidence (p = 0.006) than the later CAD group. At the plaque’s minimum lumen, premature CAD had more fibrotic (p < 0.001), less necrotic (p = 0.001) and less calcified areas (p = 0.012). Coronary plaque tissue was more fibrotic with less necrotic and calcified components in premature than in later CAD, and the range and degree of atherosclerosis were significantly lower.
The decomposition-based outer approximation algorithm for convex mixed-integer nonlinear programming
Authors: Muts Pavlo , Nowak Ivo , Hendrix Eligius M. T.
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a new two-phase method for solving convex mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problems, called Decomposition-based Outer Approximation Algorithm (DECOA). In the first phase, a sequence of linear integer relaxed sub-problems (LP phase) is solved in order to rapidly generate a good linear relaxation of the original MINLP problem. In the second phase, the algorithm solves a sequence of mixed integer linear programming sub-problems (MIP phase). In both phases the outer approximation is improved iteratively by adding new supporting hyperplanes by solving many easier sub-problems in parallel. DECOA is implemented as a part of Decogo (Decomposition-based Global Optimizer), a parallel decomposition-based MINLP solver implemented in Python and Pyomo. Preliminary numerical results based on 70 convex MINLP instances up to 2700 variables show that due to the generated cuts in the LP phase, on average only 2–3 MIP problems have to be solved in the MIP phase.
Drug-related problems and pharmacy interventions in non-prescription medication, with a focus on high-risk over-the-counter medications
Authors: Ylä-Rautio Hanna , Siissalo Sanna , Leikola Saija
Published: February 2020

Background The risks associated with over-the-counter medication are often underestimated by consumers. The incorrect use of certain medications can lead to significant patient harm. Inappropriate use can be prevented by pharmaceutical counselling. Objective To determine the number and nature of drug-related problems in over-the-counter medication with a special emphasis on high-risk over-the-counter medications. Setting Fifty-two community pharmacies in Finland. Method This observational study was conducted as a questionnaire survey. The pharmacists working in participating pharmacies documented the observed drug-related problems and pharmacy interventions in over-the-counter medication during 1 week using an electronic study form based on the Westerlund drug-related problem classification system. Main outcome measure The prevalence of drug-related problems and problem types in different medication categories. Results The 52 community pharmacies documented 339 drug-related problems in 0.6% of over-the-counter customers, the most common problem being “Uncertainty about the indication for the drug” (39.2%). A significant proportion of the documented problems (26.3%) concerned high-risk over-the-counter medications, and the majority of these cases were associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (21.8%). In total, pharmacies made 641 interventions to resolve the drug-related problems. For majority of drug-related problems (87%), pharmacist’s intervention involved counselling. In more than half of the problem cases, the pharmacy intervention was precautionary. Conclusion Pharmacists intervene in and prevent problems related to over-the-counter medications, including high-risk medications like analgesics, in which inappropriate use due to consumers’ lack of knowledge can lead to severe consequences. As the selection and use of over-the-counter medications is continuously increasing, pharmaceutical counselling should be readily available and actively provided for consumers to achieve safer self-medication.
Catalytic synthesis of bioactive 2H-chromene alcohols from (−)-isopulegol and acetone on sulfonated clays
Authors: Laluc Mathias , Mäki-Arvela Päivi , Peixoto Andreia F. , Li-Zhulanov Nikolai , Sandberg Thomas , Salakhutdinov Nariman F. , Volcho Konstantin , Freire Cristina , Sidorenko Alexander Yu. , Murzin Dmitry Yu.
Published: February 2020

Condensation of (−)-isopulegol with acetone was investigated at 25–40 °C over clay based materials (K10, cloisite Na+ and halloysite nanotubes) modified with sulfonic acid groups by one-pot sulfonation with chlorosulfonic acid or via organosilylation with 2-(4-chlrosulfonylphenyl)-ethyltrimethoxysilane. The target product was the R diastereomer of dimethyl-substituted octahydro-2H-chromen-4-ol with exhibits antiviral activity. The catalysts were characterized by a range of physico-chemical methods. The effect of the initial isopulegol concentrations on the yield of ketone-derived chromenols and the R/S isomers ratio was studied for the first time. The best catalyst was a highly acidic, large pore K10-clay modified by sulfonic acid. Varying the initial concentration of the reagents allows to find a balance between dehydration by-products and a side etherification reaction. A high yield (73%) of the desired chromenols was reached using 0.52 mol/l initial (−)-isopulegol concentration after 240 min at 87% substrate conversion and reaction temperature 25 °C. The yield exceeded that of other previously reported in the open literature catalysts.
Biomarker responses and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mytilus trossulus and Gammarus oceanicus during exposure to crude oil
Authors: Turja Raisa , Sanni Steinar , Stankevičiūtė Milda , Butrimavičienė Laura , Devier Marie-Hélène , Budzinski Hélène , Lehtonen Kari K.
Published: February 2020

In the brackish water Baltic Sea, oil pollution is an ever-present and significant environmental threat mainly due to the continuously increasing volume of oil transport in the area. In this study, effects of exposure to crude oil on two common Baltic Sea species, the musselMytilus trossulusand the amphipodGammarus oceanicus, were investigated. The species were exposed for various time periods (M. trossulus4, 7, and 14 days,G. oceanicus4 and 11 days) to three oil concentrations (0.003, 0.04, and 0.30 mg L−1based on water measurements, nominally aimed at 0.015, 0.120, and 0.750 mg L−1) obtained by mechanical dispersion (oil droplets). Biological effects of oil exposure were examined using a battery of biomarkers consisting of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system (ADS), lipid peroxidation, phase II detoxification (glutathioneS-transferase), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase inhibition), and geno- and cytotoxicity (micronuclei and other nuclear deformities). In mussels, the results on biomarker responses were examined in connection with data on the tissue accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). InM. trossulus, during the first 4 days of exposure the accumulation of all PAHs in the two highest exposure concentrations was high and was thereafter reduced significantly. Significant increase in ADS responses was observed inM. trossulusat 4 and 7 days of exposure. At day 14, significantly elevated levels of geno- and cytotoxicity were detected in mussels. InG. oceanicus, the ADS responses followed a similar pattern to those recorded inM. trossulusat day 4; however, inG. oceanicus, the elevated ADS response was still maintained at day 11. Conclusively, the results obtained show marked biomarker responses in both study species under conceivable, environmentally realistic oil-in-seawater concentrations during an oil spill, and in mussels, they are related to the observed tissue accumulation of oil-derived compounds.