bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐potassium preconditioning enhances tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury through anti‐apoptotic effects in male rats
Authors: Tan Xiao‐feng , Qin Tao , Li Nuo , Yang Ye‐gui , Zheng Jun‐hui , Xie Lu , Chen Meng‐hua
Published: June 2019

Imbalances between cellular K+ efflux and influx are considered to be involved in cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. High‐potassium pretreatment alleviates this injury, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. In this study, we sought to investigate whether high‐potassium preconditioning enhances cerebral tolerance to I/R injury through an anti‐apoptotic mechanism. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 40/group): a sham‐operated group, normal saline group (3.2 ml/kg saline, intravenous (IV)), and low‐dose and high‐dose potassium chloride (KCl) groups (40 and 80 mg/kg KCl solution, IV, respectively). Subsequently, the rats underwent 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 hr of reperfusion (MCAO/R). Neurological deficit scores, 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and TUNEL assay were used to assess neural injury. The expression of apoptotic proteins, brain potassium levels, mitochondrial function and oxidative stress were detected to explore the potential mechanism. After 24 hr of reperfusion, in both KCl treatment groups, neurological deficits and the cerebral infarct volume were reduced, and the apoptosis index of neurons was decreased. Furthermore, high‐potassium preconditioning increased brain K+, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), cytochrome c oxidase (COX) levels, reduced malondialdehyde level, improved Na+/K+‐ATPase, succinic dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase activities, upregulated anti‐apoptotic protein expression, and downregulated pro‐apoptotic protein expression. This study suggests that high‐potassium preconditioning enhanced cerebral tolerance to I/R injury in a rat MCAO/R model. The protective mechanism may involve apoptosis inhibition via preservation of intracellular K+ and improvement of mitochondrial function.
Prevention of postsurgical lymphedema via immediate delivery of sustained‐release 9‐cis retinoic acid to the lymphedenectomy site
Authors: Daneshgaran Giulia , Paik Connie B. , Cooper Michael N. , Sung Cynthia , Lo Andrea , Jiao Wan , Park Sun Young , Kim Gene H. , Hong Young‐Kwon , Wong Alex K.
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives

Previously, we have shown that 9‐cis retinoic acid (9‐cis RA) stimulates lymphangiogenesis and limits postsurgical lymphedema in animal models when administered via daily intraperitoneal injections. In this study, we investigate whether a single‐use depot 9‐cis RA drug delivery system (DDS) implanted at the site of lymphatic injury can mitigate the development of lymphedema in a clinically relevant mouse limb model.

Methods

Hind limb lymphedema was induced via surgical lymphadenectomy and irradiation. Animals were divided into two treatment groups: (1) 9‐cis RA DDS, (2) placebo DDS. Outcomes measured included paw thickness, lymphatic clearance and density, epidermal thickness, and collagen deposition.

Results

Compared with control animals, 9‐cis RA‐treated animals had significantly less paw swelling from postoperative week 3 (P = .04) until the final timepoint at week 6 (P = .0007). Moreover, 9‐cis RA‐treated animals had significantly faster lymphatic clearance (P < .05), increased lymphatic density (P = .04), reduced lymphatic vessel size (P = .02), reduced epidermal hyperplasia (P = .04), and reduced collagen staining (P = .10).

Conclusions

Animals receiving 9‐cis RA sustained‐release implants at the time of surgery had improved lymphatic function and structure, indicating reduced lymphedema progression. Thus, we demonstrate that 9‐cis RA contained within a single‐use depot DDS has favorable properties in limiting pathologic responses to lymphatic injury and may be an effective strategy against secondary lymphedema.
An Innovative Approach to Airway Foreign Body Management in an Extremely Premature Neonate
Authors: Hodge Sarah E. , Kilpatrick Lauren , Zdanski Carlton
Published: June 2019

This case report is a retrospective review of a challenging though ultimately successful removal of an airway foreign body in a 2‐day‐old premature female born at 23 weeks and 4 days gestation. A segment of a 5‐F surfactant catheter was cut and accidentally dislodged in the distal airway within the lumen of the patient's endotracheal tube. Ultimately, visualization was obtained using a 1.6‐mm KARL STORZ sialoendoscope, and retrieval was performed using sialoendoscopy forceps passed via the working channel of the sialoendoscope while maintaining ventilation. This case represents an innovative approach to complex airway foreign body management utilizing sialoendoscopy instruments.

Laryngoscope, 130:1236–1238, 2020
A note on the eigenvalues of p‐fractional Hardy–Sobolev operator with indefinite weight
Authors: Goyal Sarika
Published: June 2019

In this article, we study the eigenvalues of p‐fractional Hardy operator
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201800331:mana201800331-math-0001where , , , and Ω is an unbounded domain in with Lipschitz boundary containing 0. The weight function V may change sign and may have singular points. We also show that the least positive eigenvalue is simple and it is uniquely associated to a nonnegative eigenfunction. Moreover, we proved that there exists a sequence of eigenvalues as .
A Radiomic feature–based Nipple Detection Algorithm on Digital Mammography
Authors: Jiang Jiayu , Zhang Yaqin , Lu Yao , Guo Yanhui , Chen Haibin
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the diagnosis and detection of breast lesions, the nipple is an important anatomical landmark which can be used for the registration on multiview mammograms. In this study, we propose a new detection algorithm for nipples on digital mammography (DM) by applying pixel classification based on geometric and radiomic features extracted from breast boundary regions.

Methods

The imaging characteristics of nipples are closely related to the visibility on mammograms. To locate the nipple on mammogram, a searching area is first determined based on the breast boundary and chest wall orientation. Two different approaches are developed for obvious and subtle nipples, respectively. For obvious nipples, top hat transformation is employed to detect the nipple region, whose geometric center is regarded as the nipple position. For subtle nipples, the curved searching area near the breast boundary is mapped onto a Cartesian plane through a revised rubber band straightening transformation. On the straightened searching area, the geometric and radiomic features are calculated along the normal direction of the breast boundary, and a random forest classifier is trained for subtle nipple localization.

Results

Seven hundred and twenty‐one DMs were collected for the evaluation of the proposed algorithm. The locations of nipples are manually identified by an experienced radiologist as the reference standard. The average Euclidean distance between the computed nipple position and the reference standard was 2.69 mm (obvious) and 7.81 mm (subtle), respectively. A total of 97.61% of the obvious nipples (613/628) and 88.17% of the subtle nipples (82/93) were detected within a 10‐mm radius centered from the reference standard.

Conclusions

The evaluation results show that the proposed method is effective for nipple detection on DM, especially for subtle nipple detection.
Self‐adapting multi‐peak water‐fat reconstruction for the removal of lipid artifacts in chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging
Authors: Zhao Yu , Yan Xu , Zhang Zhongshuai , Zhao Weiwei , Liu Zhenzhi , Li Jianqi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Artifacts caused by strong lipid signals pose challenges in body chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging. This study aimed to develop an accurate water‐fat reconstruction method based on the multi‐echo Dixon technique to remove lipid artifacts in CEST imaging.

Theory and Methods

It is well known that fat has multiple spectral peaks. Furthermore, RF pulses in CEST preparation saturate each fat peak at different levels, complicating fat modeling. Therefore, a self‐adapting multi‐peak model (SMPM) is proposed to update relative amplitudes of fat peaks using numerical calculation. With the SMPM‐based updating, nonlinear least‐squares fitting combined with IDEAL (Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least‐squares estimation) algorithms was used for water‐fat reconstruction and B0 mapping. The proposed method was compared with the reported 3‐point Dixon method and the fixed multi‐peak model in a phantom study using a fat‐free Z‐spectrum obtained from MR spectroscopy acquisition as the ground truth. This method was also validated by in vivo experiments on human breast.

Results

In the phantom experiments, the Z‐spectrum from the SMPM‐based method agreed well with the fat‐free Z‐spectrum from CEST‐PRESS (point‐resolved spectroscopy), validating the effective removal of lipid artifacts, while a decrease or a rise that appeared at −3.5 ppm was observed in the Z‐spectrum from the 3‐point method and the FMPM‐based method, respectively. In the in vivo experiments, no lipid artifacts were observed in the Z‐spectrum or the amide CEST map from the SMPM‐based method in the fibro‐glandular region of the breast with high fat fractions.

Conclusion

The SMPM‐based method successfully removes lipid artifacts and significantly improves the accuracy of CEST contrast.
Warming nerves for excitability testing
Authors: Kovalchuk Maria O. , Franssen Hessel , Scheijmans Féline E.V. , Van Schelven Leonard J. , Van Den Berg Leonard H. , Sleutjes Boudewijn T.H.M.
Published: June 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to find the best method of warming the median nerve before excitability testing to a standard temperature.

Methods

In 5 healthy subjects, the forearm and hand were warmed for 1 h to 37°C by infrared lamp, water blanket, or water bath. Recordings were performed before and during warming every 10 min. Excitability indices were fitted by exponential relations, thereby calculating the time needed to reach 95% of their asymptotic end value.

Results

Distal motor latency, refractory period, and superexcitability at 10 ms changed exponentially with time. Warming by water bath took the shortest time (24 min); this was followed by warming by infrared lamp (34 min) and water blanket (35 min).

Conclusions

Warming by water bath is the quickest way. The other methods took only moderately more time. Future studies need to specify both warming method and warming time before excitability testing. Muscle Nerve, 2019
Family with primary periodic paralysis and a mutation in MCM3AP, a gene implicated in mRNA transport
Authors: Gustavsson Emil K. , Follett Jordan , Farrer Matthew J. , Aasly Jan O.
Published: June 2019

Introduction: Primary periodic paralyses (PPs) are rare genetic neuromuscular disorders commonly caused by mutations in genes related to ion channel function. However, 10%–20% of cases remain as genetically unexplained. Herein we present a family with PP with paralytic episodes generally lasting for 1–7 days at a time, associated with a drop in K+ levels. Methods: Screening for mutations in known disease‐causing genes was negative, hence we performed whole‐exome sequencing of 5 family members. Results: Minichromosome maintenance 3–associated protein (MCM3AP) c.2615G>A (p.C872Y) was found to cosegregate with disease in the family and was not present in control subjects. The mutation is novel, highly conserved across multiple species, and predicted to be damaging. Discussion: MCM3AP encodes germinal center–associated nuclear protein (GANP), a protein involved in the export of certain messenger RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Our findings suggest that a novel mutation in MCM3AP is associated with hypokalemic PP. Muscle Nerve, 2019
Achieving Protein Targets in the ICU Using a Specialized High‐Protein Enteral Formula: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Hopkins Bethany , Cohen Sarah S. , Irvin Sarah R. , Alberda Cathy
Published: June 2019

Background

To meet protein needs in critical illness (CI), guidelines suggest ≥1.2–2.5 g protein/kg/d; however, most intensive care unit (ICU) patients receive ≤0.7 g/kg/d. Higher protein enteral nutrition (EN) formulas may be part of the solution to provide prescribed protein.

Our objective was to demonstrate that an EN formula with 37% protein can deliver ≥80% of prescribed protein, without overfeeding calories within the first 5 days of feeding and to describe ICU clinicians' experience.

Methods

This quality improvement (QI) project included patients requiring exclusive EN for up to 5 days from 6 Canadian ICUs. Rationale for choosing formula, patient's BMI (kg/m2), nutrition targets, daily protein and energy delivered, feeding interruptions, and general tolerance were recorded.

Results

Forty‐four of 49 patients received the formula ≥2 days. Average protein prescribed was 137.5 g/d (82.5–200) or 1.9 g/kg/d (1.5–2.5). Average protein delivered was 116.9 g/d (33.5–180) or 1.6 g/kg/d (0.4–2.4). Seventy‐five percent to 83% of patients received ≥80% prescribed protein on days 2–5. Average energy prescribed was 1638.6 kcal/d (990–2500) or 17.8 kcal/kg (11–26). Average energy delivered was 1523.9 kcal/d (693.0–2557.5) or 17.3 kcal/kg/d (1.35–64.7). The formula was well tolerated with no gastrointestinal symptoms reported in 38 (86%) patients. The most common reasons to prescribe the formula were obesity and use of fat‐based medications.

Conclusions

We demonstrated in a QI study that a high‐protein EN formula was tolerated in a small, heterogeneous group of ICU patients and effective in meeting protein targets without overfeeding.
Assessment of nurse–patient communication and patient satisfaction from nursing care
Authors: Lotfi Mojgan , Zamanzadeh Vahid , Valizadeh Leila , Khajehgoodari Mohammad
Published: June 2019

Aim

Professional communication between nurse and patient has a significant role in patient satisfaction with nursing care. The aim of this study was to assess nurse–patient communication and patient's satisfaction from nursing services in the burn wards of women and men.

Design

Participants were all patients admitted to the Burn wards at the Sina Hospital of Tabriz between September–December 2018. Nurse–patient communication and patient's satisfaction were assessed using at the time of discharge. Data were analysed by SPSS applying descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The results show that most patients were dissatisfied with nursing care. More than 80% did not know their nurse. There was a correlation between nurse‐patient communication and patient satisfaction with nursing care and the sex variable was found to be significantly correlated with patients’ satisfaction level. The weakness of nurses 'communication with patients was evident in our study and patients were dissatisfied from this kind of communication, and consequently, patients' satisfaction was reported very low. Improving the satisfaction of patients in the hospital should be the priorities of the hospital managers. Therefore, by educating staff, especially nurses, identifying motivating factors as well as identifying dissatisfaction factors, improved patient satisfaction.
Stealth technology: Methods and composite materials—A review
Authors: Ahmad Husnain , Tariq Asra , Shehzad Amir , Faheem Muhammad S. , Shafiq Muhammad , Rashid Iqra A. , Afzal Ayesha , Munir Adnan , Riaz Muhammad T. , Haider Hafiz T. , Afzal Ali , Qadir Muhammad B. , Khaliq Zubair
Published: June 2019

Composites have revolutionized the field of aeronautics with its intriguing properties including high strength to weight ratio, low weight, chemical and weather resistance, flexible design and low cost of installation. Also, composites are used as radar absorbing materials (RAMs) in the manufacturing of stealth aircraft. Stealth technology (ST) uses a combination of RAMs and geometry to minimize the reflection of electromagnetic waves back to a radar system. In this review article, working principle and basic constituents of ST are examined along with RAMs types in the light of composites. Moreover, recently developed carbonaceous‐based polymer composites are critically discussed in terms of RAMs for stealth applications. A carbonaceous‐based composite provides a high flexibility for the design and properties control. Carbon black particles, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene are used in composites to tailor the wave's absorption properties of a composite. Multilayered structures are also recommended by researchers to extend the absorption band for better stealth application. Optimized absorption properties were achieved from composites containing carbon fiber as filler. Also, CNTs are preferred due to its smaller loading (0.35%) to get conductivity equal to higher concentration of carbon black (20%), which consequently improves the ST. Enhanced electromagnetic absorption properties can be achieved form the graphene‐based RAMs along with incorporating the magnetic particles of different microstructures, particle size, and electromagnetic characteristics. This review will intensively cover the methodology of ST and different composites including carbon‐based composites as RAMs for the use in stealth technology.
The relations of parental supervision, parental school involvement, and child's social competence with school achievement in primary school
Authors: Brajša‐Žganec Andreja , Merkaš Marina , Šakić Velić Marija
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to examine the relation of parental supervision, parental involvement at school and child's social competence with school achievement in primary school. A theoretical model was postulated that predicts direct and indirect effects of parental behaviors on adolescents’ school achievement. Participants were 1,024 adolescents attending Grades 5 through 8 in 20 primary schools in Croatia and one of their parents or guardians. Adolescents completed a scale assessing their self‐perceived social competence and data on their grade point average were collected. Parents completed scales measuring parental supervision and parental involvement at school and they rated their child's social competence. The results of model testing showed that parental behaviors have both direct and indirect effect on adolescents’ school achievement. Greater parental supervision and school involvement have a direct and an indirect, through their effects on child's social competence, positive effects on adolescents’ school achievement.
Moderate Activity from Trace Palladium Alloyed with Copper for the Chemoselective Hydrogenation of –CN and –NO2 with HCOOH
Authors: Li Jifan , Liu Lei , Ai Yongjian , Hu Zenan , Liu Zhibo , Guo Rongxiu , Zhang Cheng , Tian Haimeng , Wu Jiajing , Ruan Man , Sun Hongbin
Published: June 2019

The chemoselective hydrogenation to afford functionalized amines is a challenging task in the field of applied catalysis. In this work, we constructed a versatile catalytic system for the nondestructive hydrogenation of nitro and cyano group to afford the functionalized aromatic and primary amines under mild conditions. The dilemma of effects on other sensitive functional groups in the hydrogenation is solved by the precisely controlled activity from the trace palladium alloying with copper in our catalyst. The TOF achieved 5376 h−1 and 322581 h−1 for Pd when the functionalized nitriles and nitroarenes were used as substrate respectively. In a word, the good compatibility and recyclability, the mild operation conditions, extremely low consumption of noble metal, ppm level Pd, and economically available hydrogen donor, HCOOH, highlight the contribution of this work.
Corporate name change: Investigating South African multinational corporations' postacquisition performance
Authors: Liou Ru‐Shiun , Rao‐Nicholson Rekha
Published: June 2019

It has long been argued a multinational corporation (MNC) needs to be able to leverage the firm‐specific advantages to overcome the liability of foreignness in the host markets so the MNC can enjoy the benefit of internationalization while competing with the indigenous firms in the host market. However, emerging‐market MNCs, which have the nontraditional ownership advantages, such as flexibility and cost‐advantage, may require different international strategies to realize the anticipated profit in their cross‐border acquisitions. This article takes an organizational identity approach to study how the foreign identity of South African MNCs constitutes the source of liability and negatively impacts their postacquisition performance. We find South African MNCs that adopted a corporate name change for their acquired subsidiaries experienced worse postacquisition return on asset than the South African MNCs who did not do so. On the other hand, facing a large economic distance, South African MNCs that facilitate the acquired subsidiary corporate name change enjoy better postacquisition performance.
Numerical stochastic perturbation theory applied to the twisted Eguchi-Kawai model
Authors: González-Arroyo Antonio , Kanamori Issaku , Ishikawa Ken-Ichi , Miyahana Kanata , Okawa Masanori , Ueno Ryoichiro
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We present the results of an exploratory study of the numerical stochastic perturbation theory (NSPT) applied to the four dimensional twisted Eguchi-Kawai (TEK) model. We employ a Kramers type algorithm based on the Generalized Hybrid Molecular Dynamics (GHMD) algorithm. We have computed the perturbative expansion of square Wilson loops up to O(g
8). The results of the first two coefficients (up to O(g
4)) have a high precision and match well with the exact values. The next two coefficients can be determined and even extrapolated to large N, where they should coincide with the corresponding coefficients for ordinary Yang-Mills theory on an infinite lattice. Our analysis shows the behaviour of the probability distribution for each coefficient tending to Gaussian for larger N. The results allow us to establish the requirements to extend this analysis to much higher order.
A systematic review of the relation between self‐compassion and depressive symptoms in adolescents
Authors: Pullmer Rachelle , Chung Jason , Samson Lindsay , Balanji Sherene , Zaitsoff Shannon
Published: June 2019

Research on self‐compassion and depressive symptoms is growing at an exponential pace. This systematic review provides an in‐depth exploration of the relation between self‐compassion and depressive symptoms in adolescents. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched and 18 studies were identified. Results demonstrate the potentially pertinent role that self‐compassion may play in the development, maintenance, and treatment of depression in adolescents, yet reflect on the paucity of research on this topic with respect to mechanisms of change. These studies further highlight how the impact of self‐compassion may differ according to gender and age and underscore the need to account for other diversity‐related variables, such as ethnic‐racial group, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Despite such limitations in the literature, the current findings extend research in adults by providing support for the relevance of self‐compassion in adolescence, particularly with respect to the prevention of depressive symptoms.
Adolescent indirect reciprocity: Evidence from incentivized economic paradigms
Authors: Hu Yang , Ma Jichang , Luan Ziyan , Dubas Judith Semon , Xi Juzhe
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Indirect reciprocity serves as a crucial component of how we interact with strangers. Two types of indirect reciprocity can be distinguished: pay‐it‐forward reciprocity and third party reciprocity. Pay‐it‐forward reciprocity refers to behaviors where people who have been treated well by others (either fairly or generously), extend that fairness or generosity to a stranger. Third‐party reciprocity refers to behaviors where third‐party bystanders altruistically punish those who transgress against others or kindly help the victims. The expansion of adolescents’ social world increases opportunities to exercise indirect reciprocity yet very little research has focused on this topic in this age group. The current research addresses this lacuna and investigates how younger adolescents differ from older adolescents in pay‐it‐forward and third party reciprocity.

Methods

With incentivized economic paradigms, we investigated both types of indirect reciprocity in younger (n = 50) and older adolescents (n = 46).

Results

The pay‐it‐forward task revealed that receiving an equal (vs. unequal) distribution led both younger and older adolescents to become fairer to a third person. In the third‐party task, older adolescents were more likely to devote their own resources to enforce fairness norms than younger adolescents.

Conclusion

Our results shed light on how adolescents perceive and act in complex social settings where direct reciprocity is unrealistic. Both younger and older adolescents are capable of engaging in both forms of indirect reciprocity with older adolescents being more discriminative in their norm‐enforcing behaviors.
Directional dynamical cubes for minimal -systems
Authors: CABEZAS CHRISTOPHER , DONOSO SEBASTIÁN , MAASS ALEJANDRO
Published: June 2019

We introduce the notions of directional dynamical cubes and directional regionally proximal relation defined via these cubes for a minimal $\mathbb{Z}^{d}$-system $(X,T_{1},\ldots ,T_{d})$. We study the structural properties of systems that satisfy the so-called unique closing parallelepiped property and we characterize them in several ways. In the distal case, we build the maximal factor of a $\mathbb{Z}^{d}$-system $(X,T_{1},\ldots ,T_{d})$ that satisfies this property by taking the quotient with respect to the directional regionally proximal relation. Finally, we completely describe distal $\mathbb{Z}^{d}$-systems that enjoy the unique closing parallelepiped property and provide explicit examples.
Determinants of Turkey’s foreign aid behavior
Authors: Zengin Hüseyin , Korkmaz Abdurrahman
Published: June 2019

This paper analyzes a hundred Turkish aid recipient countries in order to explore the determinants of Turkey’s foreign aid behavior during the period 2005–2016. By estimating the model with the system-GMM estimator, it is demonstrated that Turkey is a regular donor whose amount of foreign aid is positively influenced by the export-based embeddedness of Turkish firms in the recipient countries. Recipients with low levels of per-capita income attract more Turkish aid. However, this income’s effect diminishes in states that were formerly part of Ottoman territory. Recipient countries in an aid relationship with OECD-DAC members also receive more foreign aid from Turkey. In addition, Turkey disburses more foreign aid to recipient countries that can be classified as Turkic republics. Turkish foreign aid behavior is also motivated by Ottomanism, especially in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Finally, and interestingly, although Islam has a considerable impact on attracting Turkish aid overall, this impact disappears in former Ottoman states and Turkic republics.
Negotiating railroad safety in the late Ottoman Empire: The state, railroad companies, trainmen, and trespassers
Authors: Nacar Can
Published: June 2019

This study examines different approaches taken in the late Ottoman Empire to deal with the risks and dangers posed by railroads. Like its counterparts in Europe and the United States, the Ottoman state actively sought to protect individuals against railroad risks. For this purpose, it mandated the use of certain devices meant to facilitate the safe flow of railroad traffic and introduced measures that aimed to discipline railroaders and pedestrians into behaving appropriately. However, the state was not the only actor that struggled to address railroad risks. Railroad companies, primarily to advance their economic interests, incorporated technologies that considerably reduced the risk of collisions. Yet economic concerns also sometimes hampered investments in railroad safety. For instance, the manner in which trespassing cases were handled by accident investigation committees and courts allowed the companies to avoid their obligations with respect to fencing around railroad tracks. As a result, it was easy for pedestrians to use tracks near their homes and workplaces as pathways. Finally, the article also shows that in performing their duties, trainmen enjoyed considerable freedom from control by railroad managers. This freedom was further reinforced by the shortage of experienced and skilled labor in the Ottoman railroad industry.
Spiritually motivated restrictions on animal products have a limited impact on consumption of healthy plant-based foods
Authors: Bethancourt Hilary J. , Kratz Mario , O’Connor Kathleen
Published: June 2019

Plant-based diets are considered healthier than many omnivorous diets. However, it is unclear that restriction of animal products necessarily motivates increased consumption of nutrient- and fibre-rich plant-based foods as opposed to energy-dense but nutrient-poor plant-based foods containing refined grains and added sugars and fats. The present study examined FFQ and food record data from ninety-nine individuals in the USA with varying degrees of adherence to the Orthodox Christian tradition of restricting meat, dairy and egg (MDE) products for 48 d prior to Easter to investigate whether restricting MDE products in the absence of explicit nutritional guidance would lead to increased consumption of healthy plant-based foods and greater likelihood of meeting dietary recommendations. Multiple linear regression models assessed changes in major food groups, energy and nutrients in relation to the degree of reduction in MDE consumption. Logistic regression analyses tested the odds of meeting 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans on plant-based foods in relation to MDE restriction. Each serving reduction in MDE products was associated with small (approximately 0·1–0·7 serving) increases in legumes, soya products and nuts/seeds (allPvalues < 0·005). MDE restriction was not associated with higher odds of meeting recommendations on vegetable, fruit or whole-grain intake. Consumption of refined grains and added sugars did not change in relation to MDE restriction but remained above recommended thresholds, on average. These findings demonstrate that a reduction of MDE products for spiritual purposes may result in increases in some nutrient-rich plant-based foods but may not uniformly lead to a healthier dietary composition.
Effect of permanent magnets on plasma confinement and ion beam properties in a double layer helicon plasma source
Authors: Varberg Erik , Fredriksen Åshild
Published: June 2019

The work described in this article was carried out to investigate how permanent magnets (PM) affect the plasma confinement and ion beam properties in an inductively coupled plasma which expands from a helicon source. The cylindrical plasma device Njord has a 13 cm long and 20 cm wide stainless steel port connecting the source chamber and the diffusion chamber. The source chamber has an axial magnetic field produced by two coils, with magnetic field lines expanding into the diffusion chamber. Simulations have shown that the field lines leaving the edge of the source hit the port wall, causing a loss of electrons in this section. In the experiments performed in this work, PMs were added around the port walls near the exit of a plasma source and the effect was investigated experimentally by means of a retarding field energy analyser probe. The plasma potential, ion density and ion beam parameters were estimated, and the results with and without the PMs were compared. The results showed that the plasma density in the centre can in some cases be doubled, and the density at the edges of the plasma increased significantly with PMs in place. Although the plasma potential was slightly affected, and the beam velocity dropped by

${\sim}$

10 %, the ion beam flux increased by a factor of 1.5.
Wave dispersion in pulsar plasma. Part 2. Pulsar frame
Authors: Rafat M. Z. , Melrose D. B. , Mastrano A.
Published: June 2019

Wave dispersion in a pulsar plasma is discussed emphasizing the relevance of different inertial frames, notably the plasma rest frame

${\mathcal{K}}$

and the pulsar frame

${\mathcal{K}}^{\prime }$

in which the plasma is streaming with speed

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{\text{s}}$

. The effect of a Lorentz transformation on both subluminal,

$|z|<1$

, and superluminal,

$|z|>1$

, waves is discussed. It is argued that the preferred choice for a relativistically streaming distribution should be a Lorentz-transformed Jüttner distribution; such a distribution is compared with other choices including a relativistically streaming Gaussian distribution. A Lorentz transformation of the dielectric tensor is written down, and used to derive an explicit relation between the relativistic plasma dispersion functions in

${\mathcal{K}}$

and

${\mathcal{K}}^{\prime }$

. It is shown that the dispersion equation can be written in an invariant form, implying a one-to-one correspondence between wave modes in any two inertial frames. Although there are only three modes in the plasma rest frame, it is possible for backward-propagating or negative-frequency solutions in

${\mathcal{K}}$

to transform into additional forward-propagating, positive-frequency solutions in

${\mathcal{K}}^{\prime }$

that may be regarded as additional modes.
MIR137 polygenic risk is associated with schizophrenia and affects functional connectivity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Liu Shu , Li Ang , Liu Yong , Li Jin , Wang Meng , Sun Yuqing , Qin Wen , Yu Chunshui , Jiang Tianzi , Liu Bing
Published: June 2019

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have consistently revealed that a variant of microRNA 137 (MIR137) shows a quite significant association with schizophrenia. Identifying the network of genes regulated by MIR137 could provide insights into the biological processes underlying schizophrenia. In addition, DLPFC functional connectivity, a robust correlate of MIR137, may provide plausible endophenotypes. However, the regulatory role of the MIR137 gene network in the disrupted functional connectivity remains unclear. Here, we tested the effects of the MIR137 regulated genes on the risk for schizophrenia and DLPFC functional connectivity.

Methods

To evaluate the additive effects of the MIR137 regulated genes (N = 1274), we calculated a MIR137 polygenic risk score (PRS) for schizophrenia and tested its association with the risk for schizophrenia in the genomic data of a Han Chinese population that included schizophrenia patients (N = 589) and normal controls (N = 575). We then investigated the association between MIR137 PRS and DLPFC functional connectivity in two independent young healthy cohorts (N = 356 and N = 314).

Results

We found that the MIR137 PRS successfully captured the differences in genetic structure between the patients and controls, but the single gene MIR137 did not. We then consistently found that a higher MIR137 PRS was correlated with lower functional connectivities between the DLPFC and both the superior parietal cortex and the inferior temporal cortex in two independent cohorts.

Conclusion

The findings suggested that these two functional connectivities of the DLPFC could be important endophenotypes linking the MIR137-regulated genetic structure to schizophrenia.
Human Evaluation of Wheelchair Robot for Active Postural Support (WRAPS)
Authors: Ophaswongse Chawin , Murray Rosemarie C. , Santamaria Victor , Wang Qining , Agrawal Sunil K.
Published: June 2019

People with severe neuromuscular trunk impairment cannot maintain or control upright posture of the upper body in sitting while reaching. Passive orthoses are clinically available to provide support and promote the use of upper extremities in this population. However, these orthoses only position the torso passively without any degree of trunk movement.

We introduce for the first time a novel active-assistive torso brace called Wheelchair Robot for Active Postural Support (WRAPS). It consists of two rings over the hips and chest connected by a 2RPS-2UPS parallel robotic device. WRAPS can modulate the displacement of the upper ring and/or the forces applied on the torso through the ring in four degrees-of-freedom (DOF), including rotations and translation in the sagittal and frontal planes.

In the present study, we evaluate the design of WRAPS and its functions. Moreover, we discuss the potential effectiveness of WRAPS as a therapeutic robotic tool in people with severe trunk control deficits. The performance of WRAPS was evaluated in seated healthy subjects. Kinematics and surface electromyography (sEMG) were collected when the participants performed selective trunk movements. First, the torso range of motion (tROM) was calculated with WRAPS in transparent mode—zero-force control mode—which was compared with free-guided tROM (no WRAPS) with motion capture system. Second, a position control mode was configured to mobilize the torso along the trajectories obtained with the transparent mode.

Our results show that the design of WRAPS suited well the subject’s anthropometrics while supporting the weight of the torso. Importantly, WRAPS can be programmed to replicate the subject’s tROM, without the full activation of torso muscles. This can be critical in individuals with no trunk control. Altogether, these preliminary results indicate the potential applicability of WRAPS to promote active-assistive trunk mobility in people who cannot sit independently because of trunk dysfunction.
New P-type RMPC Scheme for Redundant Robot Manipulators in Noisy Environment
Authors: Li Zexin , Xu Feng , Guo Dongsheng , Wang Pingjiang , Yuan Bo
Published: June 2019

Repetitive motion planning and control (RMPC) is a significant issue in the research of redundant robot manipulators. Moreover, noise from rounding error, truncation error, and robot uncertainty is an important factor that greatly affects RMPC schemes. In this study, the RMPC of redundant robot manipulators in a noisy environment is investigated. By incorporating the proportional and integral information of the desired path, a new RMPC scheme with pseudoinverse-type (P-type) formulation is proposed. Such a P-type RMPC scheme possesses the suppression of constant and bounded time-varying noises. Comparative simulation results based on a five-link robot manipulator and a PUMA560 robot manipulator are presented to further validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed P-type RMPC scheme over the previous one.
Body-fixed SLAM with Local Submaps for Planetary Rover
Authors: Zheng Bo , Zhang Zexu , Wang Jing , Chen Feng , Wei Xiangquan
Published: June 2019

In traditional Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms based on Extended Kalman Filtering (EKF-SLAM), the uncertainty of state estimation will increase rapidly with the development of the exploration process and the increase of map area. Likewise, the computational complexity of the EKF-SLAM is proportional to the square of the number of feature points contained in the state variables in a single filtering process. A new SLAM algorithm combining the local submaps and the body-fixed coordinates of the rover is presented in this paper. The algorithm can reduce the computational complexity and enhance computational speed in consideration of the processing capability of the onboard computer. Due to the introduction of local submaps, the algorithm represented in this paper is able to reduce the number of feature points contained in the state variables in each single filtering process. Therefore, the algorithm could reduce the computational complexity and improve the computational speed. In addition, rover body-fixed SLAM could improve the navigation accuracy of a rover and decrease the cumulative linearization error by coordinates transformation during the update process, which is shown in the simulation results.
Treatment by untrained providers among sick infants in rural Odisha, India
Authors: Samal Mousumi , Khara Nabin , Pati Sanghamitra , Sahoo Krushna Chandra
Published: June 2019

Aim:

This study assessed the diagnosis, treatment and referral service provided by untrained providers for sick infants.

Background:

In rural India, lack of trained providers causes inopportune treatment of sick infants and results in increase in child morbidity and mortality. The untrained providers deliver a significant proportion of health care for rural infants; however, there is a paucity of information on their treatment practice.

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three rural blocks of Odisha. A total of 337 prescriptions recommended for sick infants were collected from the 15 untrained providers using pre-designed prescription form – designed as per the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) guideline. The forms were collected through the periodic visit and regular follow-up to the providers.

Findings:

A total of 68% of infants were diagnosed with the possible serious bacterial infection, 56% fever, 10% feeding problems, 9% dysentery and 9% local bacterial infection. A total of 61% of sick infants prescribed antibiotics – cephalosporin was commonly prescribed (56%). Among severe persistent diarrhea-diagnosed infants, 76% prescribed oral rehydration salt (ORS), 48% zinc and 62% of them received various antibiotics. The untrained providers referred 23% of sick infants to trained providers/facilities. In rural settings, most of the sick infants sought care from untrained providers; however, none of them followed any standard treatment protocol. This study suggests there is a need for training on common disease algorithm and treatment using a standard guideline for untrained providers to reduce inopportuneness in the treatment of sick infants, promoting early diagnosis and referral services to public health systems.
Isoxaflutole and metribuzin interactions in isoxaflutole-resistant soybean
Authors: Smith Andrea , Soltani Nader , Kaastra Allan C. , Hooker David C. , Robinson Darren E. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: June 2019

Herbicide-resistant weeds are a growing concern globally; in response, new herbicide resistance traits are being inserted into crops. Isoxaflutole-resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] will provide a new mode of action for use in this crop. Ten experiments were conducted over a 2-yr period (2017, 2018) to determine herbicide interactions between isoxaflutole and metribuzin on soybean injury, weed control efficacy, and soybean yield on a range of soil types. Soybean leaf-bleaching injury caused by isoxaflutole was most severe at sites with higher levels of rainfall after application. Control of weed species with isoxaflutole (52.5, 79, and 105 g ai ha−1) and metribuzin (210, 315, and 420 g ai ha−1) differed by site based on amount of rainfall after application. At sites where there was sufficient rainfall for herbicide activation, isoxaflutole at all rates controlled common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), Amaranthus spp., common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) >90%; metribuzin at all rates controlled Amaranthus spp. and witchgrass (Panicum capillare L.) >80%. Control of every weed species evaluated was reduced when there was limited rainfall after herbicide application. The co-application of isoxaflutole + metribuzin resulted in additive or synergistic interactions for the control of C. album, Amaranthus spp., A. artemisiifolia, A. theophrasti, Setaria spp., barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv], and P. capillare. Isoxaflutole and metribuzin can be an effective management strategy for common annual broadleaf and grass weeds in Ontario if timely rainfall events occur after herbicide application.
AGU’s Virtual Poster Showcase Gives Students a Leg Up
Authors: Jeanty Julia , Rauch Sharon
Published: June 2019

Offering alternative means of participating in research sharing means that students with disadvantages don’t have to lose important career experiences.
Evaluation of Abel Inversion Method Assisted By an Improved IRI Model
Authors: Wu M. J. , Guo P. , Fu N. F. , Hu X. G. , Hong Z. J.
Published: June 2019

The most significant error of the radio occultation ionospheric retrieval is brought by the spherical symmetric assumption of electron density in Abel inversion. We developed an improved inversion method that attaches additional horizontal constraints based on a background model in Guo et al. (2015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2014.12.008) and found the effect of the method depends greatly on the accuracy of the background model. In this study, an improved ionospheric model, which applies radio occultation ‐based F2‐layer parameters and an adaptive topside model into the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), is employed as a new choice of background model. The improved inversion is evaluated in several aspects in the middle‐ and low‐latitudinal regions during equinox season (from 19 March to 18 April in 2008 and 2012) and throughout the year. Results show that the artificial plasma caves underneath the equatorial ionization anomaly crests caused by Abel inversion is to some extent eliminated during the daytime, and the negative electron densities in the E layer are also reduced by the improved method. The comparison between Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate events and colocated incoherent scatter radar (ISR)/ionosonde observations indicates comparable accuracy of both methods. Moreover, the Global Ionosphere Maps is introduced as true reference of the vertical total electron density content. The mean vertical total electron density content errors derived through the improved inversion method are less than that of Abel inversion in the global scope.
Nitrogen heterocycles form peptide nucleic acid precursors in complex prebiotic mixtures
Authors: Rodriguez Laura E. , House Christopher H. , Smith Karen E. , Roberts Melissa R. , Callahan Michael P.
Published: June 2019

The ability to store information is believed to have been crucial for the origin and evolution of life; however, little is known about the genetic polymers relevant to abiogenesis. Nitrogen heterocycles (N-heterocycles) are plausible components of such polymers as they may have been readily available on early Earth and are the means by which the extant genetic macromolecules RNA and DNA store information. Here, we report the reactivity of numerous N-heterocycles in highly complex mixtures, which were generated using a Miller-Urey spark discharge apparatus with either a reducing or neutral atmosphere, to investigate how N-heterocycles are modified under plausible prebiotic conditions. High throughput mass spectrometry was used to identify N-heterocycle adducts. Additionally, tandem mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to elucidate reaction pathways for select reactions. Remarkably, we found that the majority of N-heterocycles, including the canonical nucleobases, gain short carbonyl side chains in our complex mixtures via a Strecker-like synthesis or Michael addition. These types of N-heterocycle adducts are subunits of the proposed RNA precursor, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). The ease with which these carbonylated heterocycles form under both reducing and neutral atmospheres is suggestive that PNAs could be prebiotically feasible on early Earth.