bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic role of body composition parameters in gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer patients from the EXPAND trial
Authors: Hacker Ulrich T. , Hasenclever Dirk , Linder Nicolas , Stocker Gertraud , Chung Hyun‐Cheol , Kang Yoon‐Koo , Moehler Markus , Busse Harald , Lordick Florian
Published: August 2019

Background

Body fat and/or muscle composition influences prognosis in several cancer types. For advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer, we investigated which body composition parameters carry prognostic information beyond well‐established clinical parameters using robust model selection strategy such that parameters identified can be expected to generalize and to be reproducible beyond our particular data set. Then we modelled how differences in these parameters translate into survival outcomes.

Methods

Fat and muscle parameters were measured on baseline computed tomography scans in 761 patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer from the phase III EXPAND trial, undergoing first‐line chemotherapy. Cox regression analysis for overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) included body composition parameters and clinical prognostic factors. All continuous variables were entered linearly into the model as there was no evidence of non‐linear prognostic impact. For transferability, the final model included only parameters that were picked by Bayesian information criterion model selection followed by bootstrap analysis to identify the most robust model.

Results

Muscle and fat parameters formed correlation clusters without relevant between‐cluster correlation. Mean muscle attenuation (MA) clusters with the fat parameters. In multivariate analysis, MA was prognostic for OS (P < 0.0001) but not for PFS, while skeletal muscle index was prognostic for PFS (P = 0.02) but not for OS. Worse performance status Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG 1/0), younger age (on a linear scale), and the number of metastatic sites were strong negative clinical prognostic factors for both OS and PFS. MA remained in the model for OS (P = 0.0001) following Bayesian information criterion model selection in contrast to skeletal muscle index that remained prognostic for PFS (P = 0.009). Applying stricter criteria for transferability, MA represented the only prognostic body composition parameter for OS, selected in >80% of bootstrap replicates. Finally, Cox model‐derived survival curves indicated that large differences in MA translate into only moderate differences in expected OS in this cohort.

Conclusions

Among body composition parameters, only MA has robust prognostic impact for OS. Data suggest that treatment approaches targeting muscle quality are unlikely to prolong OS noticeably on their own in advanced gastric cancer patients, indicating that multimodal approaches should be pursued in the future.
Living cell‐based regenerative medicine technologies for periodontal soft tissue augmentation
Authors: McGuire Michael K. , Tavelli Lorenzo , Feinberg Stephen E. , Rasperini Giulio , Zucchelli Giovanni , Wang Hom‐Lay , Giannobile William V.
Published: August 2019

The cultivation of human living cells into scaffolding matrices has progressively gained popularity in the field of periodontal wound healing and regeneration. Living cellular constructs based on fibroblasts, keratinocytes alone or in combination have been developed and used as alternatives to autogenous soft tissue grafts in keratinized tissue augmentation and in root coverage procedures. Their promising advantages include reduced patient morbidity, unlimited graft availability, and comparable esthetics. This manuscript reviews soft tissue augmentation and root coverage procedures using bioengineered living cellular therapy and highlights their expected clinical, esthetic, and patient‐related outcomes.
Spatiotemporal changes of permafrost in the Headwater Area of the Yellow River under a changing climate
Authors: Sheng Yu , Ma Shuai , Cao Wei , Wu Jichun
Published: August 2019

This article attempts to predict the spatiotemporal changes of permafrost in the Headwater Area of the Yellow River (HAYR) on the northeastern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, Southwest China by using field monitoring and numerical models. Permafrost in the HAYR is categorized into four types: low‐ and high‐ice‐content high‐plain permafrost and low‐ and high‐ice‐content alpine permafrost. According to these permafrost types, changes in permafrost temperature were calculated by coupling a geometric model with the soil thermal conduction model. Based on the calculation results, this paper evaluates the changes of permafrost in the HAYR over the past 50 years and predicts the change trends of permafrost in the HAYR under the scenarios of RCP2.6, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 for possible climate change in 2050 and 2010 from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report. The results show that (a) in the process of permafrost degradation, the same permafrost type at different degradation stages results in different modes and rates of increasing temperature. The response of permafrost to climate change differs in various degradation stages of permafrost; (b) from 1972 to 2012, the areal extent of permafrost degradation was 1,056 km2, resulting from a sharp air temperature increase after the 1980s. By 2050, the areal extent of permafrost degradation into seasonal frost is similar under the three scenarios of climate change. The areal extent of permafrost degradation is 2,224, 2,347, and 2,559 km2 or 7.5%, 7.9%, and 8.6% of the total area in the HAYR, respectively. In RCP2.6, the areal extent of permafrost degradation into seasonal frost by 2100 would be approximately 3,500 km2 greater than that by 2050. In RCP6.0, the areal extent of permafrost degradation by 2100 would be 10,000 km2 or 32.9% of the total area in the HAYR. In RCP8.5, the area of permafrost degradation by 2100 would be 18,492 km2 or 62.2% of the total area in the HAYR; (c) the active layer thickness (ALT) in the HAYR would increase significantly. The average of the ALT was 1.51 m by 1972 and 2.01 m by 2012, respectively. Under the RCP2.6, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 scenarios, the basin‐wide average of ALT would be 2.21, 2.40, and 3.08 m by 2050 and 2.78, 4.07, and 4.39 m by 2100, respectively.
Solventless Synthesis and Patterning of UV‐Responsive Poly(allyl methacrylate) Film
Authors: Yang Huidong , Wang Hong , Feng Jingang , Ye Yumin , Liu Wenna
Published: August 2019

Asymmetric divinyl monomers are attractive candidates for constructing functional polymer thin films owing to their ability to undergo further reactions after polymerization. Here, the first solventless synthesis of poly(allyl methacrylate) (PAMA) film with retention of abundant allyl groups using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is reported. It is demonstrated that lower substrate and filament temperatures lead to better allyl retention, while higher temperatures lead to intramolecular cyclization. The retained allyl groups can be further crosslinked under UV light, and the crosslinking degree can be easily tuned by adjusting the exposure time. Patterning of iCVD PAMA films with 20 µm resolution using a TEM grid as photomask is also demonstrated. The reported synthesis method suggests possible solventless incorporation of AMA in thin films as a latent crosslinker or anchoring sites for further functionalization. The solventless patterning can also extend patterning technique to solvent‐sensitive and non‐planar substrates.
Improving the precipitation forecast over the Eastern Mediterranean using a smoothed time‐lagged ensemble
Authors: Khain Pavel , Levi Yoav , Shtivelman Alon , Vadislavsky Elyakom , Brainin Evgeny , Stav Nir
Published: August 2019

In the absence of convection permitting numerical weather prediction (NWP) ensembles, the most recent deterministic NWP precipitation forecast is usually addressed. However, the exact intensity, location and timing of a deterministic precipitation forecast is not always reliable because of the chaotic nature and complexity of precipitation formation mechanisms. This study examines a way to optimize the use of precipitation forecasts for deterministic NWP models. More specifically, it suggests using a spatially smoothed time‐lagged ensemble (TLE) to obtain more reliable precipitation forecasts. A global NWP model (integrated forecast system—IFS) and a regional convection permitting NWP model (COSMO) over the Eastern Mediterranean during the period 2016–2018 were used for the analysis. First, the paper defines light, light–moderate and moderate intensities for 6 hr accumulated precipitation (6hAP) and investigates the corresponding definitions for 1 hr accumulated precipitation (1hAP). Next, fractional skill score (FSS) are used to estimate the optimal spatial smoothing scale of a deterministic precipitation forecast for the three intensity categories for the 6hAP and 1hAP. The FSS is also used to compare COSMO and IFS deterministic precipitation forecasts, and to analyse the skill degradation with the forecast range. It is quantitatively shown that the useful scale of precipitation forecasts is smaller for larger accumulation time intervals. Finally, precipitation forecasts for TLE are formed from successive smoothed deterministic forecasts and compared with the most recent deterministic forecast. It is found that, on average, TLEs have better skills for both 6hAP and 1hAP. The reason for this improvement in skill is illustrated using a case study as an example.
On a class of systems of rational second‐order difference equations solvable in closed form
Authors: Stević Stevo
Published: August 2019

We show that the following nonlinear system of difference equations

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5809:mma5809-math-0001
where parameters a,b,c,d and initial values x−1,x0,y−1,y0 are real numbers, is solvable in closed form, considerably generalizing some recent results. To do this, we use the method of transformation along with several tricks, transforming the system to some known solvable difference equations, by use of which we obtain some closed‐form formulas for general solution to the system. The following five cases are considered separately: (1) c=0; (2) d=0; (3) a=0; (4) b=0; and (5) abcd≠0.
The accuracy and precision of the KIM motion monitoring system used in the multi‐institutional TROG 15.01 Stereotactic Prostate Ablative Radiotherapy with KIM (SPARK) trial
Authors: Hewson Emily A. , Nguyen Doan Trang , O’Brien Ricky , Kim Jung‐Ha , Montanaro Tim , Moodie Trevor , Greer Peter B. , Hardcastle Nicholas , Eade Thomas , Kneebone Andrew , Hruby George , Hayden Amy J. , Turner Sandra , Siva Shankar , Tai Keen‐Hun , Hunter Perry , Sams Joshua , Poulsen Per Rugaard , Booth Jeremy T. , Martin Jarad , Keall Paul J.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring (KIM) allows for real‐time image guidance for tracking tumor motion in six‐degrees‐of‐freedom (6DoF) on a standard linear accelerator. This study assessed the geometric accuracy and precision of KIM used to guide patient treatments in the TROG 15.01 multi‐institutional Stereotactic Prostate Ablative Radiotherapy with KIM trial and investigated factors affecting accuracy and precision.

Methods

Fractions from 44 patients with prostate cancer treated using KIM‐guided SBRT were analyzed across four institutions, on two different linear accelerator models and two different beam models (6 MV and 10 MV FFF). The geometric accuracy and precision of KIM was assessed from over 33 000 images (translation) and over 9000 images (rotation) by comparing the real‐time measured motion to retrospective kV/MV triangulation. Factors potentially affecting accuracy, including contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of kV images and incorrect marker segmentation, were also investigated.

Results

The geometric accuracy and precision did not depend on treatment institution, beam model or motion magnitude, but was correlated with gantry angle. The centroid geometric accuracy and precision of the KIM system for SABR prostate treatments was 0.0 ± 0.5, 0.0 ± 0.4 and 0.1 ± 0.3 mm for translation, and −0.1 ± 0.6°, −0.1 ± 1.4° and −0.1 ± 1.0° for rotation in the AP, LR and SI directions respectively. Centroid geometric error exceeded 2 mm for 0.05% of this dataset. No significant relationship was found between large geometric error and CNR or marker segmentation correlation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the ability of KIM to locate the prostate with accuracy below other uncertainties in radiotherapy treatments, and the feasibility for KIM to be implemented across multiple institutions.
Temperature and Maternal Age Effects on Burbot Reproduction
Authors: Ashton Neil K. , Jensen Nathan R. , Ross Tyler J. , Young Shawn P. , Hardy Ryan S. , Cain Kenneth D.
Published: August 2019

River regulation alters the thermal regime of many freshwater ecosystems, and impoundments are known to negatively impact the recruitment of fluvial Burbot Lota lota populations. Some conservation programs in North America and Eurasia have begun to incorporate stocking of hatchery Burbot to mitigate extirpation risks. Anthropogenic modification of river temperatures and population structure has unknown implications for Burbot reproduction. This study evaluated the effects of elevated water temperatures and different maternal ages on spawning and embryo development of hatchery Burbot. Juveniles stocked downstream of a hydroelectric dam were found to naturally mature in a warmer postdam regime. The river-adapted hatchery adults volitionally spawned in a broodstock facility at 2, 4, and 6°C. The spawning period spanned 18 d at 2°C but was shortened to 6−7 d at 4°C and 6°C. Survival of embryos to the eyed stage was 86.7, 47.9, and 0.1% at incubation temperatures of 2, 4, and 6°C, respectively. Embryo deformity increased dramatically between 4°C and 6°C. Young (age-3) and old (age-7 and older) females spawned 4−12 d later than 5- and 6-year-old females. Age-3 females spawned smaller eggs, but no relationship was found between maternal age and embryo vital rates. It was concluded that juvenile stocking supplemented the abundance of reproductive adults in the highly altered ecosystem of the lower Kootenai River. Spawning temperatures above 4°C potentially underlie Burbot recruitment bottlenecks in systems affected by impoundments, climate warming, or other barriers to coldwater spawning habitat. Contraction of the spawning period by warmer temperatures, a truncated population age structure, or both could synchronize spawning to coincide with suboptimal conditions for normal embryo development.
The Selection of Stocking Locations for Fisheries Enhancement in the Estuarine Environment: A Decision Support Tool
Authors: Olsen Zachary
Published: August 2019

Stock enhancement is an important tool for fisheries management agencies around the world, and survival of stocked individuals is vital to the success of enhancement activities. This is especially true when fish are stocked as juveniles. Suitable nursery habitat is known to increase the survival of juvenile fishes. Several logistical constraints to the stocking process (e.g., differences in environmental conditions between the hatchery facility and stocking sites) may similarly influence the survival of stocked individuals. The objective of this project was to construct a decision support tool for the selection of stocking locations. I trialed this tool for three species stocked in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas: Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus, Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, and Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma. The decision support tool incorporated three layers: a species-specific habitat suitability model (accounting for suitable salinity, temperature, seagrass presence, and seasonality), a layer comparing the similarity of salinity in hatchery grow-out ponds to salinities in the bay system, and a layer comparing the similarity of water temperature in hatchery grow-out ponds to temperatures in the bay system. Outputs of stocking suitability were found to vary regionally throughout the bay system based largely on the intra-estuary variation in salinity (through both the habitat suitability model and the grow-out pond salinity model) and the presence of seagrass (as specified in the habitat suitability model). Outputs from this tool will be greatly improved as input data sources are refined and as managers adapt the use of this tool to specific drivers of postrelease survival for their specific application.
How Local Economic Conditions Affect School Finances, Teacher Quality, and Student Achievement: Evidence from the Texas Shale Boom
Authors: Marchand Joseph , Weber Jeremy G.
Published: August 2019

Whether improved local economic conditions lead to better student outcomes is theoretically ambiguous and will depend on how schools use additional revenues and how students and teachers respond to rising private sector wages. The Texas boom in shale oil and gas drilling, with its large and localized effects on wages and the tax base, provides a unique opportunity to address this question that spans the areas of education, labor markets, and public finance. An empirical approach using variation in shale geology across school districts shows that the boom reduced test scores and student attendance, despite tripling the local tax base and creating a revenue windfall. Schools spent additional revenue on capital projects and debt service, but not on teachers. As the gap between teacher wages and private sector wages grew, so did teacher turnover and the percentage of inexperienced teachers, which helps explain the decline in student achievement. Changes in student composition did not account for the achievement decline but instead helped to moderate it. The findings illustrate the potential value of using revenue growth to retain teachers in times of rising private sector wages.
Reissner–Mindlin shell theory based on Tangential Differential Calculus
Authors: Schöllhammer Daniel , Fries Thomas‐Peter
Published: August 2019

We propose a reformulation of the linear Reissner–Mindlin shell theory in terms of tangential differential calculus. An advantage of our approach is that shell analysis on implicitly defined surfaces is enabled and a parametrization of the surface is not required. In addition, the implementation is more compact and intuitive compared to the classical approach. The numerical results confirm, that this approach is equivalent to the classical theory based on local coordinates.
Cultural ecosystem services and decision‐making: How researchers describe the applications of their work
Authors: Gould Rachelle K. , Morse Joshua W. , Adams Alison B.
Published: August 2019

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are some of the most difficult ecosystem services (ES) to characterize and connect to specific ecosystem processes. Given their connections to human emotion, deep meaning, fulfilment and motivation, they are also crucial for human well‐being.

Scholars have published hundreds of peer‐reviewed articles addressing CES in myriad ways. In this systematic review, we analyse 232 peer‐reviewed articles on CES and examine how these studies discuss the interaction between CES research and decision‐making.

We describe the primary ways that scholars have addressed the relationship between CES and decision‐making, and we characterize each study with respect to how thoroughly its authors attend to the possible applications of their results. We find that 27% of papers discuss connections to decision‐making in general terms, 28% discuss specific connections to decision‐making, and the remainder mention decision‐making links briefly or not at all.

We also discuss patterns based on the particular CES studied (e.g. recreation, identity); methods used; change through time; and geographical location of authors and of study sites.

We end with reflections on the current state of the interface between CES (and related concepts for approaching the non‐material values associated with ecosystems) and decision‐making, and we discuss future steps to increase connections between CES and decision‐making.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
A population‐based analysis of antidiabetic medications in four Canadian provinces: Secular trends and prescribing patterns
Authors: Secrest Matthew H. , Azoulay Laurent , Dahl Matthew , Clemens Kristin K. , Durand Madeleine , Hu Nianping , Targownik Laura , Turin Tanvir C. , Dormuth Colin R. , Filion Kristian B.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To use the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) to describe drug utilization of antidiabetic medications in four Canadian provinces.

Methods

With the use of data from CNODES, we constructed cohorts of patients with type 2 diabetes in four Canadian provinces (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan) who received their first‐ever prescription for a noninsulin antidiabetic medication during the study period, defined as the earliest date of data availability in each province (range: 1993‐1998) to the latest date of the data extraction in each province (range: 2013‐2014). Prescriptions rates were calculated for all prescriptions by class and described over time.

Results

Across provinces, we identified 650 830 patients who initiated antidiabetic medications during the study period. In most provinces, the overall prescription rate of antidiabetic medications increased during the last two decades. Metformin particularly increased in popularity, surpassing sulfonylureas in all provinces as the most widely prescribed antidiabetic medication by the early 2000s. Thiazolidinediones grew in popularity from the onset of their availability until 2006 to 2007, at which point they rapidly declined. Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors saw substantial growth in several provinces following their addition to provincial formularies in 2008 to 2012, while glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agonists experienced modest growth. Insulin prescription rates remained constant or steadily increased over the last two decades.

Conclusions

CNODES can be used for cross‐jurisdictional drug utilization studies. In Canada, trends in antidiabetic medication prescriptions followed changing guidelines reflecting up‐to‐date knowledge of drug effectiveness and safety.
Anomalous Manifestation of Pauli Paramagnetism and Coulomb Blockade of Spin Exchange upon the Compensation of Doped Semiconductors
Authors: Zabrodskii Andrei , Veinger Anatoly , Semenikhin Petr
Published: August 2019

The effects of the influence that is exerted by compensating acceptor impurities on the spin exchange and on the transformation of Pauli paramagnetism into Curie paramagnetism in a metal–insulator phase transition in a doped semiconductor are studied for Ge:As. The behaviors of paramagnetic susceptibility and spin density in the temperature range of 2–80 K are investigated via the electron spin resonance method. At zero compensation, this transformation is accompanied by the manifestation of the effect of antiferromagnetic coupling from localized spins at low temperatures. An increase in the acceptor concentration results in Pauli paramagnetism being observed deep in the insulator state at sufficiently high temperatures of T ≥ 4–8 K. However, it is transformed at lower temperatures of T ≤ 3–5 K into Curie paramagnetism without indications of an antiferromagnetic coupling. In the suggested model, negatively charged acceptors destroy the exchange‐coupled pairs of spins and block the involvement of electron states of the closest positively charged donors in the spin exchange. A narrow Coulomb gap appears at the Fermi level in the metallized impurity band of a compensated semiconductor. This gap is manifested at low temperatures and hinders the observation of Pauli paramagnetism.
Allium vegetables for possible future of cancer treatment
Authors: Asemani Yahya , Zamani Nasrindokht , Bayat Maryam , Amirghofran Zahra
Published: August 2019

Natural resources such as plants are an upright curing option in treating cancers and reducing the side effects of current therapeutic modalities. Allium genus vegetables are of the most interesting herbs in restricting cancers that includes garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and shallots. These plants have been exploited in folk medicine because of their beneficial health effects in improving numerous diseases. The phytochemical analysis of various Allium genus members showed that, to date, 16 species have proved potential anticancer properties due to the accumulation of various sulfur and organic compounds like S‐allyl mercaptocysteine, quercetin, flavonoids, and ajoene. These compounds with various mechanisms such as hindering cell cycle, inhibiting signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, and antioxidant activity interfere with diverse stages of formation, growth, differentiation, and metastasis of cancer cells. Similar to garlic and onion, other species have exhibited anticancer activities, so that active natural molecules extracted from them might serve as possible anticancer agents. Therefore, evaluating the main ingredients and studying their anticancer mechanisms are of great importance. In this review, we aim to summarize the available data on anticancer mechanisms of 16 species of Allium genus and their major compounds to assist further researches on the treatment and prevention of cancers.
Exponential stabilization for nonlinear coupled dynamical systems via impulsive and sampled‐data control with input constraints
Authors: Li Hongfei , Li Chuandong , Zhang Wanli , Cao Zhengran
Published: August 2019

In this paper, exponential stabilization for nonlinear coupled dynamical systems by considering sampled‐data controller and impulsive controller with input constraints is investigated. Based on polytopic representation approach, some linear matrix inequalities are established to guarantee local exponential stabilization of nonlinear coupled dynamical systems. Moreover, by using polytopic differential inclusion, for the case of the partial input saturation involving in the impulsive controller, we also obtain several sufficient conditions ensuring local exponential stabilization. Finally, three examples are presented to show the effectiveness of theoretical analysis.
Mean‐field games for multiagent systems with multiplicative noises
Authors: Wang Bing‐Chang , Ni Yuan‐Hua , Zhang Huanshui
Published: August 2019

This paper studies mean‐field games for multiagent systems with control‐dependent multiplicative noises. For the general systems with nonuniform agents, we obtain a set of decentralized strategies by solving an auxiliary limiting optimal control problem subject to consistent mean‐field approximations. The set of decentralized strategies is further shown to be an ε‐Nash equilibrium. For the integrator multiagent systems, we design a set of ε‐Nash strategies by exploiting the convexity property of the limiting problem. It is shown that under the mild conditions, all the agents achieve mean‐square consensus.
Communicating (nature‐based) flood‐mitigation schemes using flood‐excess volume
Authors: Bokhove Onno , Kelmanson Mark A. , Kent Thomas , Piton Guillaume , Tacnet Jean‐Marc
Published: August 2019

As interest mounts in nature‐based solutions (NBS) for flood mitigation as complementary options to civil‐engineering measures, possible flood‐protection strategies have become more diverse and hence complicated to assess. We offer a straightforward and educational protocol targeted for effectiveness analysis and decision making involving stakeholder participation. It is based on the concept of flood‐excess volume (FEV), the volume exceeding a threshold and generating flood damage, and explores what fraction of FEV is reduced, and at what cost, by particular flood‐mitigation measures. Quantification and interpretation of cost scenarios are facilitated using a graphical display that is easy to understand and encapsulates concepts of flood magnitude, FEV and protection‐measures efficacy. It is exemplified for two recent extreme‐flood events on the River Calder in Mytholmroyd (Yorkshire, United Kingdom) and the River Brague in Biot (Alpes‐Maritimes, France). Each case has different flood‐mitigation measures such as natural water‐retention measures, tree planting, river‐bed widening, or use of reservoirs and floods walls. Our straightforward protocol enables fast, quantifiable and easy‐to‐understand exploration of protection strategies using multiple measures, and in doing so highlights the issue of NBS scalability.
Self‐Propelled Micro/Nanomotors for On‐Demand Biomedical Cargo Transportation
Authors: Xu Dandan , Wang Yong , Liang Chunyan , You Yongqiang , Sanchez Samuel , Ma Xing
Published: August 2019

Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are miniaturized machines that can perform assigned tasks at the micro/nanoscale. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the design, preparation, and applications of MNMs that are powered by converting different sources of energy into mechanical force, to realize active movement and fulfill on‐demand tasks. MNMs can be navigated to desired locations with precise controllability based on different guidance mechanisms. A considerable research effort has gone into demonstrating that MNMs possess the potential of biomedical cargo loading, transportation, and targeted release to achieve therapeutic functions. Herein, the recent advances of self‐propelled MNMs for on‐demand biomedical cargo transportation, including their self‐propulsion mechanisms, guidance strategies, as well as proof‐of‐concept studies for biological applications are presented. In addition, some of the major challenges and possible opportunities of MNMs are identified for future biomedical applications in the hope that it may inspire future research.
Light‐Driven ZnO Brush‐Shaped Self‐Propelled Micromachines for Nitroaromatic Explosives Decomposition
Authors: Ying Yulong , Pourrahimi Amir Masoud , Manzanares‐Palenzuela Carmen Lorena , Novotny Filip , Sofer Zdenek , Pumera Martin
Published: August 2019

Self‐propelled micromachines have recently attracted lots of attention for environmental remediation. Developing a large‐scale but template‐free fabrication of self‐propelled rod/tubular micro/nanomotors is very crucial but still challenging. Here, a new strategy based on vertically aligned ZnO arrays is employed for the large‐scale and template‐free fabrication of self‐propelled ZnO‐based micromotors with H2O2‐free light‐driven propulsion ability. Brush‐shaped ZnO‐based micromotors with different diameters and lengths are fully studied, which present a fast response to multicycles UV light on/off switches with different interval times (2/5 s) in pure water and slow directional motion in aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in the absence of UV light. Light‐induced electrophoretic and self‐diffusiophoretic effects are responsible for these two different self‐motion behaviors under different conditions, respectively. In addition, the pH of the media and the presence of H2O2 show important effects on the motion behavior and microstructure of the ZnO‐based micromotors. Finally, these novel ZnO‐based brush‐shaped micromotors are demonstrated in a proof‐of‐concept study on nitroaromatic explosive degradation, i.e., picric acid. This work opens a completely new avenue for the template‐free fabrication of brush‐shaped light‐responsive micromotors on a large scale based on vertically aligned ZnO arrays.
Molecular phylogeny of the large South American genus Eriosyce (Notocacteae, Cactaceae): Generic delimitation and proposed changes in infrageneric and species ranks
Authors: Guerrero Pablo C. , Walter Helmut E. , Arroyo Mary T.K. , Peña Carol M. , Tamburrino Italo , De Benedictis Marta , Larridon Isabel
Published: August 2019

Eriosyce is one of most species‐rich genera within Notocacteae (Cactaceae) harboring a variety of stem and flower morphologies, and fruits with basal abscission. The lack of a well‐sampled molecular phylogeny contributes to the current taxonomic instability of the genus, where its circumscription and infrageneric classification has been questioned. Specimens of Eriosyce (63 taxa) plus 19 outgroups were analyzed through sequencing three plastid noncoding introns (rpl32‐trnL, trnL‐trnF, trnH‐psbA), one plastid gene (ycf1), and one nuclear gene (PHYC). Individual markers and concatenated matrices were analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of Eriosyce s.l. Furthermore, seven clades within Eriosyce s.l. were defined based on supported branches, although one of them was weakly supported. Our results suggest that some past taxonomic proposals have low phylogenetic support and should no longer be used, e.g., based on their scattered positions in the phylogenetic reconstruction, several infraspecific taxa appear unrelated to the typical form of the species in which they had been placed. We present a phylogeny‐informed infrageneric classification of the genus Eriosyce, and new combinations are proposed to update the nomenclature of species and sections.
Inquiry‐Based Science in a Fifth‐Grade Multilingual Classroom: The Zero Waste Day Project
Authors: Galaviz Sonia , Peralta Claudia
Published: August 2019

This department highlights language learning for bi/multilingual students worldwide, from our earliest learners to early adolescent writers. It also highlights exemplary teachers and ways that they include research‐based instruction to develop bi/multilingual learners.
Well‐posedness of IBVP for 1D scalar non‐local conservation laws
Authors: Goatin Paola , Rossi Elena
Published: August 2019

We consider the initial boundary value problem (IBVP) for a non‐local scalar conservation law in one space dimension. The non‐local operator in the flux function is not a mere convolution product, but it is assumed to be aware of boundaries. Introducing an adapted Lax‐Friedrichs algorithm, we provide various estimates on the approximate solutions that allow to prove the existence of solutions to the original IBVP. The uniqueness follows from the Lipschitz continuous dependence on initial and boundary data, which is proved exploiting results available for the local IBVP.
Note on generating functions and connected correlators of 1/2-BPS Wilson loops in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM theory
Authors: Canazas Garay Anthonny F. , Faraggi Alberto , Mück Wolfgang
Published: August 2019

Abstract

The generating functions for the Wilson loops in the symmetric and antisymmetric representations of the gauge group U(N ) are expressed in terms of the connected correlators of multiply-wound Wilson loops, using ingredients from the representation theory of the symmetric group. This provides a proof of a recent observation by Okuyama. As a by-product, we present a new calculation of the connected 2-point correlator of multiplywound Wilson loops at leading order in 1/N.
One-loop β-functions in 4-derivative gauge theory in 6 dimensions
Authors: Casarin Lorenzo , Tseytlin Arkady A.
Published: August 2019

Abstract

A classically scale-invariant 6d analog of the 4d Yang-Mills theory is the 4-derivative (∇F )2 + F 3 gauge theory with two independent couplings. Motivated by a search for a perturbatively conformal but possibly non-unitary 6d models we compute the one-loop β-functions in this theory. A systematic way of doing this using the back-ground field method requires the (previously unknown) expression for the b6 Seeley-DeWitt coefficient for a generic 4-derivative operator; we derive it here. As an application, we also compute the one-loop β-function in the (1,0) supersymmetric (∇F )2 6d gauge theory con-structed in hep-th/0505082.
A safe CFT at large charge
Authors: Orlando Domenico , Reffert Susanne , Sannino Francesco
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We apply the large-charge limit to the first known example of a four-dimensional gauge-Yukawa theory featuring an ultraviolet interacting fixed point in all couplings. We determine the energy of the ground state in presence of large fixed global charges and deduce the global symmetry breaking pattern. We show that the fermions decouple at low energy leaving behind a confining Yang-Mills theory and a characteristic spectrum of type I (relativistic) and type II (non-relativistic) Goldstone bosons. Armed with the knowledge acquired above we finally arrive at establishing the conformal dimensions of the theory as a triple expansion in the large-charge, the number of flavors and the controllably small inverse gauge coupling constant at the UV fixed point. Our results unveil a number of noteworthy properties of the low-energy spectrum, vacuum energy and conformal properties of the theory. They also allow us to derive a new consistency condition for the relative sizes of the couplings at the fixed point.
Correction to: Influence of surrounding land-use on mussel growth and glycogen levels in the St. Croix and Minnesota River Basins
Authors: Hornbach Daniel J. , Stutzman Hayley N. , Hove Mark C. , Kozarek Jessica L. , MacGregor Kelly R. , Newton Teresa J. , Ries Patricia R.
Published: August 2019

The above mentioned article, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 31 July 2019 without open access.
A causal Bayes net analysis of dispositions
Authors: Gebharter Alexander , Fischer Florian
Published: August 2019

In this paper we develop an analysis of dispositions in terms of causal Bayes nets. In particular, we analyze dispositions as generic cause–effect structures that increase the probability of the manifestation when the stimulus is brought about by intervention in certain circumstances. We then highlight several advantages of our analysis and how it can handle problems arising for classical analyses of dispositions such as masks, mimickers, and finks.
Predictors of Citation Rate for Original Research Studies in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal
Authors: Alabousi Mostafa , Zha Nanxi , Patlas Michael N.
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study is aimed to identify predictors of citation rate of original research published in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal (CARJ).

Methods

A search of MEDLINE was conducted from January 1, 2000-June 30, 2013 to identify all studies published in the CARJ. Original research studies were included. Reviews, pictorial essays, guidelines, case studies, case series, and original studies with a sample size <10 were excluded. Variables assessed for association with citation rate included number of authors, study design, sample size, multi-institutional study, multi-national study, study type, presence of statistically significant result, presence of funding, and number of references. Statistical analysis was completed using linear regression and Pearson correlation coefficients ( r).

Results

A total of 714 studies were published in CARJ, of which 181 were original research publications that were cited a total of 1517 times. Twelve original research studies were uncited, while the most-cited one was cited 58 times. Sample size ( r = 0.177, P = .017) and number of references ( r = 0.164, P = .028) demonstrated statistically significant weak positive correlations with citation rate. Number of authors, study design, setting, statistically significant results, and funding were not associated with citation rate.

Conclusion

Only a very small number of original research studies published at the CARJ remained uncited 5 or more years after the publication. Sample size and number of references were identified as significant, but weak predictors of citation rate in CARJ.
A general theory of glacier surges
Authors: Benn D. I. , Fowler A. C. , Hewitt I. , Sevestre H.
Published: August 2019

We present the first general theory of glacier surging that includes both temperate and polythermal glacier surges, based on coupled mass and enthalpy budgets. Enthalpy (in the form of thermal energy and water) is gained at the glacier bed from geothermal heating plus frictional heating (expenditure of potential energy) as a consequence of ice flow. Enthalpy losses occur by conduction and loss of meltwater from the system. Because enthalpy directly impacts flow speeds, mass and enthalpy budgets must simultaneously balance if a glacier is to maintain a steady flow. If not, glaciers undergo out-of-phase mass and enthalpy cycles, manifest as quiescent and surge phases. We illustrate the theory using a lumped element model, which parameterizes key thermodynamic and hydrological processes, including surface-to-bed drainage and distributed and channelized drainage systems. Model output exhibits many of the observed characteristics of polythermal and temperate glacier surges, including the association of surging behaviour with particular combinations of climate (precipitation, temperature), geometry (length, slope) and bed properties (hydraulic conductivity). Enthalpy balance theory explains a broad spectrum of observed surging behaviour in a single framework, and offers an answer to the wider question of why the majority of glaciers do not surge.
MADNESS IN VECTOR SPACES
Authors: SMYTHE IIAN B.
Published: August 2019

We consider maximal almost disjoint families of block subspaces of countable vector spaces, focusing on questions of their size and definability. We prove that the minimum infinite cardinality of such a family cannot be decided in ZFC and that the “spectrum” of cardinalities of mad families of subspaces can be made arbitrarily large, in analogy to results for mad families onω. We apply the author’s local Ramsey theory for vector spaces [32] to give partial results concerning their definability.
PROOF MINING IN Lp SPACES
Authors: SIPOŞ ANDREI
Published: August 2019

We obtain an equivalent implicit characterization of Lp Banach spaces that is amenable to a logical treatment. Using that, we obtain an axiomatization for such spaces into a higher order logical system, the kind of which is used in proof mining, a research program that aims to obtain the hidden computational content of mathematical proofs using tools from mathematical logic. As an aside, we obtain a concrete way of formalizing Lp spaces in positive-bounded logic. The axiomatization is followed by a corresponding metatheorem in the style of proof mining. We illustrate its use with the derivation for this class of spaces of the standard modulus of uniform convexity.
Can Small Shareholders Protect Their Interests from Expropriation: The Case of a Chinese Bank
Authors: Ezzamel Mahmoud , Xiao Jason Zezhong , Yuan Rongli
Published: August 2019

This article examines how small shareholders protected their interests from large shareholders’ expropriation by forming an alliance and taking collective action to block a convertible bonds issue by a Chinese bank that they considered harmful. Forming an alliance strengthened small shareholders’ network density, enhanced their salience (power, legitimacy, and urgency), and reduced the bank's centrality. This enabled small shareholders to change their strategy from being a subordinator to a compromiser and forced the controlling shareholders and their representatives to change their strategy from a commander to a compromiser. Apart from interest-based motives, the alliance provided small shareholders with identity-based incentives to persistently oppose expropriation by controlling shareholders. This article enriches the literature on small shareholder activism and principal-principal problem.
Discrete Choice Data with Unobserved Heterogeneity: A Conditional Binary Quantile Model
Authors: Lu Xiao
Published: August 2019

In political science, data with heterogeneous units are used in many studies, such as those involving legislative proposals in different policy areas, electoral choices by different types of voters, and government formation in varying party systems. To disentangle decision-making mechanisms by units, traditional discrete choice models focus exclusively on the conditional mean and ignore the heterogeneous effects within a population. This paper proposes a conditional binary quantile model that goes beyond this limitation to analyze discrete response data with varying alternative-specific features. This model offers an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the explanatory and response variables. Compared to conditional mean-based models, the conditional binary quantile model relies on weak distributional assumptions and is more robust to distributional misspecification. The model also relaxes the assumption of the independence of irrelevant alternatives, which is often violated in practice. The method is applied to a range of political studies to show the heterogeneous effects of explanatory variables across the conditional distribution. Substantive interpretations from counterfactual scenarios are used to illustrate how the conditional binary quantile model captures unobserved heterogeneity, which extant models fail to do. The results point to the risk of averaging out the heterogeneous effects across units by conditional mean-based models.
Investment in the Shadow of Conflict: Globalization, Capital Control, and State Repression
Authors: SHADMEHR MEHDI
Published: August 2019

In conflict-prone societies, the fear of expropriation that accompanies a regime change reduces capital investment. These reductions in investments, in turn, harm the economy, amplifying the likelihood of regime change. This article studies the implications of these feedback channels on the interactions between globalization, capital control, state repression, and regime change. I show that processes that facilitate capital movements (e.g., globalization, economic modernization, and technologies that reduce transportation costs) amplify the likelihood of regime change in conflict-prone societies and strengthen the elite’s demand for a strong coercive state. In particular, to limit their collective action problem and manage the political risk of regime change, capitalists support a state that imposes capital control. We identify two conflicting forces, the Boix Effect and the Marx Effect, which determine when capital control and state repression become complements (Nazi Germany) or substitutes (Latin American military regimes) in right-wing regimes.
Short communication: New data support phylogeographic patterns in a marine parasiteTristriata anatis(Digenea: Notocotylidae)
Authors: Gonchar Anna , Galaktionov Kirill V.
Published: August 2019

Intraspecific diversity in parasites with heteroxenous life cycles is guided by reproduction mode, host vagility and dispersal, transmission features and many other factors. Studies of these factors in Digenea have highlighted several important patterns. However, little is known about intraspecific variation for digeneans in the marine Arctic ecosystems. Here we analyse an extended dataset of partialcox1andnadh1sequences forTristriata anatis(Notocotylidae) and confirm the preliminary findings on its distribution across Eurasia. Haplotypes are not shared between Europe and the North Pacific, suggesting a lack of current connection between these populations. Periwinkle distribution and anatid migration routes are consistent with such a structure of haplotype network. The North Pacific population appears ancestral, with later expansion ofT. anatisto the North Atlantic. Here the parasite circulates widely, but the direction of haplotype transfer from the north-east to the south-west is more likely than the opposite. In the eastern Barents Sea, the local transmission hotspot is favoured.