bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ polymerization of flame retardant modification polyamide 6,6 with 2‐carboxy ethyl (phenyl) phosphinic acid
Authors: Chen Xiangyang , Xu Dongfeng , Zhang Hua , Feng Xinxing , Deng Jianping , Pan Kai
Published: November 2019

A novel halogen‐free flame retardant copolyamide 6,6 (FR‐PA66) was prepared successfully by in situ polymerizing with adipic acid hexamethylene salt and 2‐carboxy ethyl (phenyl) phosphinic acid (CEPPA). The elemental composition and chemical structure of FR‐PA66 were characterized by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and 13C Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The flame retardancy, thermal stability, and morphology of char residues were also investigated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL 94 test, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that FR‐PA66 samples had much better flame retardancy and char formation ability than pure PA66 after the flame retardant modification. The LOI values were increased from 24.0 to 28.0% by adding 6 wt % of CEPPA and all FR‐PA66 samples were rated as V‐0 rating in UL‐94 test. Furthermore, the thermal stability analysis indicated that in situ polymerization with CEPPA effectively decreased the initial decomposition temperature and increased the amount of char residue. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48687.
GRK5 Inhibition Attenuates Cartilage Degradation via Decreased NF‐κB Signaling
Authors: Sueishi Takuya , Akasaki Yukio , Goto Norio , Kurakazu Ichiro , Toya Masakazu , Kuwahara Masanari , Uchida Taisuke , Hayashida Mitsumasa , Tsushima Hidetoshi , Bekki Hirofumi , Lotz Martin K. , Nakashima Yasuharu
Published: November 2019

Objective

NF‐κB–dependent signaling is an important modulator in osteoarthritis (OA), and G protein–coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) regulates the NF‐κB pathway. This study was undertaken to investigate the functional involvement of GRK5 in OA pathogenesis.

Methods

GRK5 expression in normal and OA human knee joints was analyzed immunohistochemically. Gain‐ or loss‐of‐function experiments were performed using human and mouse chondrocytes. OA was induced in GRK5‐knockout mice by destabilization of the medial meniscus, and histologic examination was performed. OA was also induced in wild‐type mice, which were then treated with an intraarticular injection of amlexanox, a selective GRK5 inhibitor, every 5 days for 8 weeks.

Results

GRK5 protein expression was increased in human OA cartilage. In vitro, expression levels of OA‐related factors and NF‐κB transcriptional activation were down‐regulated by suppression of the GRK5 gene in human OA chondrocytes (3.49‐fold decrease in IL6 [P < 0.01], 2.43‐fold decrease in MMP13 [P < 0.01], and 2.66‐fold decrease in ADAMTS4 [P < 0.01]). Conversely, GRK5 overexpression significantly increased the expression of OA‐related catabolic mediators and NF‐κB transcriptional activation. On Western blot analysis, GRK5 deletion reduced IκBα phosphorylation (up to 4.4‐fold decrease [P < 0.05]) and decreased p65 nuclear translocation (up to 6.4‐fold decrease [P < 0.01]) in mouse chondrocytes. In vivo, both GRK5 deletion and intraarticular amlexanox protected mouse cartilage against OA.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that GRK5 regulates cartilage degradation through a catabolic response mediated by NF‐κB signaling, and is a potential target for OA treatment. Furthermore, amlexanox may be a major compound in relevant drugs.
Adaptive robust dynamic surface control for uncertain strict‐feedback nonlinear systems using fuzzy logic systems
Authors: Chen Sanyan , Wang Yuchao , Shi Wenrui , Wu Hansheng
Published: November 2019

In this paper, an adaptive robust stabilization problem is dealt with for a class of uncertain strict‐feedback nonlinear systems in the presence of unknown structure uncertainties, external disturbances, and unknown time‐varying virtual control coefficients. It is not required to know the upper bounds of external disturbances, as well as the upper and lower bounds of unknown time‐varying virtual control coefficients. The controller is designed by adopting backstepping. In addition, to avoid suffering from the problem of ‘explosion of terms’, a dynamic surface control approach is employed by introducing the first‐order low‐pass filter. Furthermore, at every step of the backstepping design procedure, fuzzy logic systems are used to approximate the unknown structure uncertainties. In particular, the norms of weight matrices and the upper bounds of approximation errors of fuzzy logic systems are supposed to be unknown. It is also shown that the proposed controller can guarantee the uniform boundedness of uncertain strict‐feedback nonlinear systems. Finally, the simulation for a single‐link manipulator actuated by a brush DC motor is carried out to illustrate the validity of the proposed controller.
Meta‐Analyses Support Previous and Novel Autism Candidate Genes: Outcomes of an Unexplored Brazilian Cohort
Authors: da Silva Montenegro Eduarda Morgana , Costa Claudia Samogy , Campos Gabriele , Scliar Marília , de Almeida Tatiana Ferreira , Zachi Elaine Cristina , Silva Isabela Maya Wahys , Chan Ada J. S. , Zarrei Mehdi , Lourenço Naila C. V. , Yamamoto Guilherme Lopes , Scherer Stephen , Passos‐Bueno Maria Rita
Published: November 2019

Large genomic databases of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are helpful resources of genomic variations in complex and heterogeneous conditions, as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We evaluated the role of rare copy number variations (CNVs) and exonic de novo variants, in a molecularly unexplored Brazilian cohort of 30 ASD trios (n = 90), by performing a meta‐analysis of our findings in more than 20,000 patients from NDD cohorts. We identified three pathogenic CNVs: two duplications on 1q21 and 17p13, and one deletion on 4q35. CNVs meta‐analysis (n = 8,688 cases and n = 3,591 controls) confirmed 1q21 relevance by identifying duplications in other 16 ASD patients. Exome analysis led the identification of seven de novo variants in ASD genes (SFARI list): three loss‐of‐function pathogenic variants in CUL3, CACNA1H, and SHANK3; one missense pathogenic variant in KCNB1; and three deleterious missense variants in ATP10A, ANKS1B, and DOCK1. From the remaining 12 de novo variants in non‐previous ASD genes, we prioritized PRPF8 and RBM14. Meta‐analysis (n = 13,754 probands; n = 2,299 controls) identified six and two additional patients with validated de novo variants in PRPF8 and RBM14, respectively. By comparing the de novo variants with a previously established mutational rate model, PRPF8 showed nominal significance before multiple test correction (P = 0.039, P‐value adjusted = 0.079, binomial test), suggesting its relevance to ASD. Approximately 60% of our patients presented comorbidities, and the diagnostic yield was estimated in 23% (7/30: three pathogenic CNVs and four pathogenic de novo variants). Our uncharacterized Brazilian cohort with tetra‐hybrid ethnic composition was a valuable resource to validate and identify possible novel candidate loci. Autism Res 2020, 13: 199–206. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

We believed that to study an unexplored autistic population, such as the Brazilian, could help to find novel genes for autism. In order to test this idea, with our limited budget, we compared candidate genes obtained from genomic analyses of 30 children and their parents, with those of more than 20,000 individuals from international studies. Happily, we identified a genetic cause in 23% of our patients and suggest a possible novel candidate gene for autism (PRPF8).
Hybrid transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement with a SAPIEN S3 valve after pulmonary artery banding via left lateral thoracotomy
Authors: Serfas John D. , Turek Joseph , Haney John , Krasuski Richard A. , Fleming Gregory A.
Published: November 2019

For many patients with repaired congenital heart disease, the need for reintervention on dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tracts is pervasive. Many such patients are poor candidates for both transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement and cardiopulmonary bypass, and hybrid surgical and transcatheter procedures have evolved to meet this need. We present two cases of hybrid pulmonary valve replacement involving pulmonary artery band placement via left anterior thoracotomy followed by transvenous placement of a SAPIEN S3 valve without prestenting. This approach avoids cardiopulmonary bypass as well as redo sternotomy and will likely see an increase in utilization in the future.
Considerations of psychotic symptomatology in anti‐NMDA encephalitis: Similarity to cycloid psychosis
Authors: Giné Servén Eloi , Boix Quintana Ester , Guanyabens Buscà Nicolau , Casado Ruiz Virginia , Torres Rivas Cristina , Niubo Gurgui Marta , Dalmau Josep , Palma Carol
Published: November 2019

Most patients with anti‐NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis present with acute psychosis which is difficult to differentiate from psychotic episodes related to a primarily psychiatric disease. A precise description of the psychiatric phenotype of this disease would greatly facilitate the early diagnosis of these patients. We provide here a detailed description of three of these patients and the similarity of the clinical features with cycloid psychosis. All three patients met Perris and Brockington's criteria for cycloid psychosis in the initial phase of the autoimmune process, including among other an acute and polysymptomatic onset, polymorphous psychotic symptomatology, mood swings, and changes in psychomotricity. In addition, none of the patients had experienced an extended psychiatric prodromal phase. External stress factors preceded symptom onset in the three patients, who also showed common base personality traits and intolerance to a range of antipsychotic treatments. Complementary studies disclosed that the three patients had ovarian teratoma as well as abnormal EEG, and CSF antibodies against NMDAR. Patients with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis may present with clinical features that resemble cycloid psychosis. In addition, our patients did not have prodromal history of psychiatric symptoms and showed intolerance to antipsychotic medication, which all should raise concern for anti‐NMDAR encephalitis, prompting CSF antibody testing.
Eruption disturbance caused by an odontoma that was partially attached to the crown of the adjacent maxillary first molar, and step lesion excavation for the tooth preservation: A case report
Authors: Miura Kenichi , Miyashin Michiyo , Kanao Takako , Oishi Atsushi
Published: November 2019

Despite the partial attachment of a complex odontoma to an impacted tooth, it is possible to guide the tooth to erupt normally and preserve it by step lesion excavation and the prevention of infection.
Continuous Photo‐Electro‐Catalytic Synthesis of Bio‐Based Adipic Acid with Reaction Kinetics Modeling
Authors: Suhadolnik Luka , Bajec David , Žigon Dušan , Čeh Miran , Likozar Blaž
Published: November 2019

Photo‐electro‐catalytic oxidation reactions of 1,6‐hexanediol were carried out in a coil‐type continuous‐flow microreactor with an immobilized TiO2 catalyst material. Bio‐based adipic acid was formed as the only intermediate product before the total mineralization process. The production was stable, enabling green, selective and continuous resource conversion, but with low, non‐optimized yields. In addition, the catalyzed chemical kinetics was modeled, based on mechanisms as well as approximated rate‐determining steps. The Butler‐Volmer relation was used for activation. The electro‐catalytic oxidative pathway was demonstrated to dominate over photo‐catalysis, also on account of the band gap characteristics of the titania nanotube electrode.
Hydroxylation of Aromatics by H2O2 Catalyzed by Mononuclear Non‐heme Iron Complexes: Role of Triazole Hemilability in Substrate‐Induced Bifurcation of the H2O2 Activation Mechanism
Authors: Rebilly Jean‐Noël , Zhang Wenli , Herrero Christian , Dridi Hachem , Sénéchal‐David Katell , Guillot Régis , Banse Frédéric
Published: November 2019

Rieske dioxygenases are metalloenzymes capable of achieving cis‐dihydroxylation of aromatics under mild conditions using O2 and a source of electrons. The intermediate responsible for this reactivity is proposed to be a cis‐FeV(O)(OH) moiety. Molecular models allow the generation of a FeIII(OOH) species with H2O2, to yield a FeV(O)(OH) species with tetradentate ligands, or {FeIV(O); OH.} pairs with pentadentate ones. We have designed a new pentadentate ligand, mtL42, bearing a labile triazole, to generate an “in‐between” situation. Two iron complexes, [(mtL42)FeCl](PF6) and [(mtL42)Fe(OTf)2]), were obtained and their reactivity towards aromatic substrates was studied in the presence of H2O2. Spectroscopic and kinetic studies reflect that triazole is bound at the FeII state, but decoordinates in the FeIII(OOH). The resulting [(mtL42)FeIII(OOH)(MeCN)]2+ then lies on a bifurcated decay pathway (end‐on homolytic vs. side‐on heterolytic) depending on the addition of aromatic substrate: in the absence of substrate, it is proposed to follow a side‐on pathway leading to a putative (N4)FeV(O)(OH), while in the presence of aromatics it switches to an end‐on homolytic pathway yielding a {(N5)FeIV(O); OH.} reactive species, through recoordination of triazole. This switch significantly impacts the reaction regioselectivity.
Models for the Numerical Simulation of Bubble Columns: A Review
Authors: Mühlbauer Adam , Hlawitschka Mark W. , Bart Hans‐Jörg
Published: November 2019

This work reviews the state‐of‐the‐art models for the simulation of bubble columns and focuses on methods coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) where the potential and deficits of the models are evaluated. Particular attention is paid to different approaches in multiphase fluid dynamics including the population balance to determine bubble size distributions and the modeling of turbulence where the authors refer to numerous published examples. Additional models for reactive systems are presented as well as a special chapter regarding the extension of the models for the simulation of bubble columns with a present solid particle phase, i.e., slurry bubble columns.
Experimental investigation of high‐temperature corrosion properties in simulated reducing‐sulphidizing atmospheres of the waterwall fireside in the boiler
Authors: Xu Ligang , Huang Yaji , Wang Jian , Liu Changqi , Liu Lingqin , Zou Lei , Yue Junfeng , Chen Kuixu
Published: November 2019

The presence of reducing atmospheres of the waterwall fireside in the boiler due to extensive use of low‐NOx combustion mode caused severe high‐temperature corrosion problems. In this study, high‐temperature sulphur corrosion properties of two types of low alloyed waterwall steel (15CrMoG and 12Cr1MoVG) in two kinds of reducing‐sulphidizing atmospheres were investigated by lab‐scale experiments. The experimental atmospheres and temperature were simulated according to field measurements in the boiler of a thermal power plant. The experimental results showed that the reducing‐sulphidizing atmosphere with CO was more corrosive, and the CO accelerated the corrosion of H2S and worsened the corrosion. The CO inhibited the formation of oxide scales, provided some corrosion resistance, and produced the intensely corrosive COS. The corrosivity of the alkali metal chlorides was limited in the reducing‐sulphidizing atmosphere without CO, while the corrosion was strongly hindered in the reducing‐sulphidizing atmosphere with CO.
Oxidative Cyclization‐Induced Activation of a Phosphoinositide 3‐Kinase Inhibitor for Enhanced Selectivity of Cancer Chemotherapeutics
Authors: Zhu Haizhou , Mishra Rosalin , Yuan Long , Abdul Salam Safnas F. , Liu Jing , Gray George , Sterling Alyssa D. , Wunderlich Mark , Landero‐Figueroa Julio , Garrett Joan T. , Merino Edward J.
Published: November 2019

In this work, we designed a prodrug that reacts with cellular oxidative equivalents leading to ether cleavage and cyclization to release an active phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. We show that the compound reduces affinity for PI3KA relative to the PI3K inhibitor, is slow to intercellularly oxidize, and is resistant to liver microsomes. We observed modest activity in untreated acute myeloid leukemia cells and 14‐fold selectivity relative to non‐cancerous cells. The cellular activity of the compound can be modulated by the addition of antioxidants or oxidants, indicating the compound activity is sensitive to cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) state. Co‐treatment with cytosine arabinoside or doxorubicin was used to activate the compound inside cells. We observed strong synergistic activity specifically in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cancer cells with an increase in selective anticancer activity of up to 90‐fold. Thus, these new self‐cyclizing compounds can be used to increase the selectivity of anticancer agents.
An IEEE 802.21 MIS‐based mobility management for D2D communications over heterogeneous networks (HetNets)
Authors: Xu Yi‐Han , Liu Meng‐Lian , Xie Jing‐Wei , Zhou Jun
Published: November 2019

The rapid growth and innovation of the various mobile communication technologies have caused a change in the paradigm of Internet access. In next‐generation mobile system, which is also known as fifth‐generation (5G) network, all user connections are expected to be heterogeneous in nature. Hence, an intelligent mobility management mechanism is essential to satisfy the requirements of lower latency, less power consumptions, and last but not least, possible uninterrupted ongoing session when a user equipment (UE) moves across network boundaries. On the other hand, device‐to‐device (D2D) communication has been proposed as a promising technology to boost the network performance in 5G. The issue related to mobility management for D2D communication in 5G heterogeneous network environments has attracted attention from academic society. In this paper, we leverage on IEEE 802.21 Media Independent Service (MIS) and propose a new framework, enhanced version of IEEE 802.21 MIS that supports D2D communication (E‐MIS‐D2D) to enhance D2D mobility experience over heterogeneous networks. Moreover, a load‐aware mode selection algorithm is proposed for selecting the best target mode. Through extensive simulation studies, we validate that the proposed method outperforms the existing methods in terms of packet loss ratio, average throughput, latency, bandwidth usage, and load rate of Evolved Node B (eNB).
Big data analytics for large‐scale UAV‐MBN in quantum networks using efficient hybrid GKM
Authors: R Mahaveerakannan , C Suresh Gnana Dhas
Published: November 2019

A primary important aspect of wireless network domain is known to be secured communication as the signals are emphatically available and broadcasted through the air. Quantum wireless networks are a hot topic of research in recent years that made researchers to avail new techniques in this field. Big data is one of the major aspects that support large‐scale quantum network applications. As sensor nodes have resource constraints, it is more complex when using the traditional techniques of key establishment that only used for stable communication networks. Group‐related applications are also one of the important aspects in wireless network for sending and receiving messages from multiple users. Unfortunately, maintenance of security for the group‐oriented protocols is major issue due to the frequent changes in membership. In this paper, a hybrid GKM with re‐keying procedure is proposed to obtain a secure communication for the remote system of unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) with mobile backbone network (MBN). Here, the group controller is selected based on the simplified hybrid energy efficient distributed (HEED) protocol and honey key encryption algorithm is used by the key management center (KMC) for generating and distribution of key for the group's controller. The secure communication is explored using the key exchange mechanism between the nodes. The joining and leaving of a node from the group are initiated by the re‐keying process. The simulation results explain the improved performance of the proposed hybrid method when compared with other existing techniques in terms of privacy level, energy, memory, and time consumption.
Scheduling data streams for low latency and high throughput on a Cray XC40 using Libfabric
Authors: Salem Farouk , Schintke Florian , Schütt Thorsten , Reinefeld Alexander
Published: November 2019

Achieving efficient many‐to‐many communication on a given network topology is a challenging task when many data streams from different sources have to be scattered concurrently to many destinations with low variance in arrival times. In such scenarios, it is critical to saturate but not to congest the bisectional bandwidth of the network topology in order to achieve a good aggregate throughput. When there are many concurrent point‐to‐point connections, the communication pattern needs to be dynamically scheduled in a fine‐grained manner to avoid network congestion (links, switches), overload in the node's incoming links, and receive buffer overflow. Motivated by the use case of the Compressed Baryonic Matter experiment (CBM), we study the performance and variance of such communication patterns on a Cray XC40 with different routing schemes and scheduling approaches. We present a distributed Data Flow Scheduler (DFS) that reduces the variance of arrival times from all sources at least 30 times and increases the achieved aggregate bandwidth by up to 50%.
Social Transfer of Fear in Rodents
Authors: Kondrakiewicz Kacper , Rokosz‐Andraka Karolina , Nikolaev Tomasz , Górkiewicz Tomasz , Danielewski Konrad , Gruszczyńska Agata , Meyza Ksenia , Knapska Ewelina
Published: November 2019

Social transfer of fear is a potent tool facilitating response to danger in animals forming social groups. With many factors influencing the transfer—such as proximity of the animal receiving information to the donor, familiarity, proximity of danger, and species‐specific coping strategies—it allows studies of neuronal correlates of a variety of behavioral responses. Since both the transfer of fear and social modulation of fear responses are impaired in many neuropsychological disorders, the models described in this article could be useful in disentangling the neuronal circuitry involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Imminent threat in rats

Alternate Protocol 1: Imminent threat in mice

Basic Protocol 2: Remote threat in rats

Alternate Protocol 2: Remote threat in mice

Basic Protocol 3: Social modulation of fear extinction in rats

Alternate Protocol 3: Social modulation of fear extinction in mice
Comparative Investigations of Nanohardness and Impurity Distribution Profiles of Lithium Niobate Single Crystals Diffusion Doped by Copper Ions
Authors: Sugak Dmytro , Syvorotka Ihor , Yakhnevych Uliana , Buryy Oleh , Levintant‐Zayonts Neonila , Savytskyy Hrygoriy , Bonchyk Oleksandr , Ubizskii Sergii
Published: November 2019

Spatial changes of optical and mechanical properties of doped lithium niobate (LN, LiNbO3) single crystals are investigated. The crystals are doped with copper ions by thermal diffusion at elevated temperatures. LiNbO3 crystal absorption spectra are recorded in a direction perpendicular to the direction of diffusion. The concentrations of copper ions are calculated using the Smakula–Dexter formula. To determine a relation between changes of optical and mechanical properties, the hardness profiles of the doped crystals are investigated by the nanoindentation technique. Young's modulus and hardness are specified in accordance with the Oliver–Pharr method.
Cross‐Conjugated Polycatechol Organic Cathode for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Storage
Authors: Zhang Shuoqing , Zhao Wentao , Li Huan , Xu Qiang
Published: November 2019

The rapid development of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries poses a challenge for the exploration of cathode materials with high capacity and long cycle life. Organic materials are considered an appropriate choice owing to their structural flexibility and tunable surface chemistry. However, most organic cathode materials still have some shortcomings, such as low electrical conductivity, high cost, and limited cycling durability. Here, a facile synthesis of a novel organic composite cathode composed of cross‐conjugated polycatechol (PC) combined with graphene (PC/G) is reported. The PC/G cathode is used for aqueous zinc‐ion storage, wherein many hydroxy groups in the PC/G composite cathode can be converted into redox‐active carbonyl groups at the initial discharge–charge. This composite cathode can deliver a high specific capacity of 355 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and a specific capacity of 171 mAh g−1 at 10 C. Moreover, the composite cathode can retain 74.4 % of its initial capacity after 3000 discharge–charge cycles at 2 C. This coordination route to zinc ions within the PC/G composite cathode can avoid the destruction of the cathode material during discharge–charge. This organic cathode shows great promise for reversible zinc‐ion storage, bringing aqueous zinc‐ion batteries a step closer to future practical applications.
Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration of a rectal submucosal nodule
Authors: Wang Zoe Q. , Mani Haresh , Lee Iris H. , Webster Kathleen W. , Wang Brant G.
Published: November 2019

Although endoscopic biopsy of a rectal submucosal nodule may be nondiagnostic, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) can be an important tool to make diagnosis. We report a case of a female patient who had an EUS‐FNA of a submucosal nodule after a nondiagnostic rectal biopsy. The original diagnosis was erroneously rendered as concerning for necrotic neoplasm. The correct diagnosis of Solesta‐induced foreign body reaction was made on reviewing the slides once the history of remote Solesta injection was made available. This case illustrates the pathognomonic features of Solesta‐induced rectal nodule and underscores the importance of detailed history as well as inclusion of iatrogenic diseases in the differential to prevent erroneous diagnosis and management. Potential pitfalls in cytopathological diagnosis are discussed.
Assessing species richness trends: Declines of bees and bumblebees in the Netherlands since 1945
Authors: Van Dooren Tom J. M.
Published: November 2019

Estimating and predicting temporal trends in species richness is of general importance, but notably difficult because detection probabilities of species are imperfect and many datasets were collected in an opportunistic manner. We need to improve our capabilities to assess richness trends using datasets collected in unstandardized procedures with potential collection bias. Two methods are proposed and applied to estimate richness change, which both incorporate models for sampling effects and detection probability: (a) nonlinear species accumulation curves with an error variance model and (b) Pradel capture–recapture models. The methods are used to assess nationwide temporal trends (1945–2018) in the species richness of wild bees in the Netherlands. Previously, a decelerating decline in wild bee species richness was inferred for part of this dataset. Among the species accumulation curves, those with nonconstant changes in species richness are preferred. However, when analyzing data subsets, constant changes became selected for non‐Bombus bees (for samples in collections) and bumblebees (for spatial grid cells sampled in three periods). Smaller richness declines are predicted for non‐Bombus bees than bumblebees. However, when relative losses are calculated from confidence intervals limits, they overlap and touch zero loss. Capture–recapture analysis applied to species encounter histories infers a constant colonization rate per year and constant local species survival for bumblebees and other bees. This approach predicts a 6% reduction in non‐Bombus species richness from 1945 to 2018 and a significant 19% reduction for bumblebees. Statistical modeling to detect species richness time trends should be systematically complemented with model checking and simulations to interpret the results. Data inspection, assessing model selection bias, and comparisons of trends in data subsets were essential model checking strategies in this analysis. Opportunistic data will not satisfy the assumptions of most models and this should be kept in mind throughout.
Charger/discharger DC/DC converter with interleaved configuration for DC‐bus regulation and battery protection
Authors: Villegas Ceballos Juan Pablo , Serna‐Garcés Sergio Ignacio , González Montoya Daniel , Ramos-Paja Carlos Andrés , Bastidas‐Rodríguez Juan David
Published: November 2019

Regulation of DC‐bus voltages is important for the stable operation of different applications, like microgrids and electric vehicles, and it is usually performed by charging/discharging (C/D) batteries. Such C/D system is formed by a power converter and a control system, and it is aimed at guaranteeing the system stability and extending the battery life. To extend the battery life, it is important to reduce the battery current ripples, which is usually performed with interleaved converters and nonlinear controllers; however, most of those controllers do not provide the design procedure nor guarantee the system stability. This paper proposes a nonlinear control strategy to regulate the voltage in a DC‐bus by C/D a battery through a two‐branch interleaved Boost converter. The proposed control strategy is formed by two sliding mode controllers (SMCs), where the first one regulates the DC‐bus voltage by acting on the first converter branch and the second SMC controls the current in the second branch. The reference of the second SMC is generated from the delayed current of the first branch, in order to coordinate the controllers and to reduce the ripples in the battery current. The paper includes a procedure to design the two SMCs as well as simulation and experimental results to validate the proposed solution and to illustrate its performance. The results prove the system stability and its dynamic performance according to the design.
Development of push moraines in deeply frozen sediment adjacent to a cold‐based glacier in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: Fitzsimons Sean , Howarth Jamie
Published: November 2019

Previous studies of push moraines have concluded that structural architecture is controlled by a combination of stress exerted by flowing ice and the rheology of the deforming sediment. However, the relationship between deformation processes and the thermal/hydrologic conditions within the sediment remains ambiguous. Using a combination of surface mapping, logging exposures and ground penetrating radar we examine the relationships between surface morphology, material properties and development of deformation structures in deeply frozen sediment that has been deformed by Joyce Glacier, a cold‐based glacier in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The structural architecture of the push moraines is characterized by a combination of brittle and ductile deformation structures that have produced a structurally complex pattern of thrust faults, low angle listric thrusts and recumbent folds that extend 400 m beyond the glacier margin. Deformation is ductile where the ice concentration exceeds c. 65% volume and predominantly brittle where the ice concentration is less than c. 65%. The change in rheology reflects transition in behaviour from the material having a predominantly frictional character when the ice is limited to pore spaces to a non‐frictional character in which strength is primarily determined by the cohesive strength of the ice. This work shows that glaciotectonic deformation can occur in deeply frozen permafrost where there is no liquid pore water. We conclude that the presence of liquid porewater is not a necessary condition for the development of glaciotectonic deformation or for the formation of push moraines. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A face‐based monolithic approach for the incompressible magnetohydrodynamics equations
Authors: Ata Kayhan , Sahin Mehmet
Published: November 2019

A novel numerical algorithm has been developed to solve the incompressible resistive magnetohydrodynamics equations in a fully coupled form. The numerical method is based on the face‐centered unstructured finite volume approximation, where the velocity and magnetic field vector components are defined at the center of edges/faces; meanwhile, the pressure term is defined at element centroid. In order to enforce a divergence‐free magnetic field, the gradient of a scalar Lagrange multiplier is introduced into the induction equation. A special attention will be given to satisfy the continuity equation and the Gauss' law for magnetism within each element and the summation of the equations can be exactly reduced to the domain boundary. The first modification to the original algorithm involves the evaluation of the convective fluxes over the two neighboring elements, where the discrete continuity equations are exactly satisfied. The second modification is based on the neglecting electric field term from the Lorentz force in two dimensions. The resulting large‐scale algebraic linear equations are solved in a fully coupled manner using the one‐ and two‐level restricted additive Schwarz preconditioners to avoid any time step restrictions forced by stability requirements. The spatial convergence of the algorithm is confirmed by solving the Hartmann flow, and then the algorithm is applied to the classical lid‐driven cavity and backward facing step benchmark problems in two and three dimensions. The lid‐driven cavity flow calculations at relatively high Stuart numbers indicate the perfect braking effect of the magnetic field in two dimensions.
Evaluation of image processing technique in identifying rice blast disease in field conditions based on KNN algorithm improvement by K‐means
Authors: Larijani Mohammad Reza , Asli‐Ardeh Ezzatollah Askari , Kozegar Ehsan , Loni Reyhaneh
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, rice farming is affected by various diseases that are economically significant and worthy of attention. One of these diseases is blast. Rice blast is one of the most important limiting factors in rice yield. The purpose of this study is the timely and rapid diagnosis of rice blast based on the image processing technique in field conditions. To do so, color images were prepared using image processing technique and improved KNN algorithm by K‐means was used to classify the images in Lab color space to detect disease spots on rice leaves. Squared classification was based on Euclidean distance, and the Otsu method was used to perform an automatic threshold histogram of images based on shape or to reduce the gray level in binary images. Finally, to determine the efficiency of the designed algorithm, sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy were examined. The classification results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the designed algorithm were 92% and 91.7%, respectively, in the determination of the number of disease spots, and 96% and 95.65% in determining the quality of disease spots. The overall accuracy of the designed algorithm was 94%. Generally, the results obtained showed that the above method has a great potential for timely diagnosis of rice blast.
Pre–Liver Transplant Cardiac Catheterization Is Associated With Low Rate of Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Mortality
Authors: Kutkut Issa , Rachwan Rayan Jo , Timsina Lava R. , Ghabril Marwan S. , Lacerda Marco A. , Kubal Chandrashekhar A. , Bourdillon Patrick D. , Mangus Richard S.
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

A study at Indiana University demonstrated a reduction in myocardial infarction (MI) incidence with increased frequency of cardiac catheterization (CATH) in liver transplant (LT) candidates. A strict protocol for performing CATH based upon predefined risk factors, rather than noninvasive testing alone, was applied to a subgroup (2009‐2010) from that study. CATH was followed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in cases of significant coronary artery disease (CAD; ≥50% stenosis). The current study applies this screening protocol to a larger cohort (2010‐2016) to assess post‐LT clinical outcomes.

Approach and Results

Among 811 LT patients, 766 underwent stress testing (94%) and 559 underwent CATH (69%), of whom 10% had CAD requiring PCI. The sensitivity of stress echocardiography in detecting significant CAD was 37%. Predictors of PCI included increasing age, male gender, and personal history of CAD (P < 0.05 for all). Compared to patients who had no CATH, patients who underwent CATH had higher mortality (P = 0.07), and the hazard rates (HR) for mortality increased with CAD severity (normal CATH, HR, 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79‐2.33; P = 0.298; nonobstructive CAD, HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.84‐2.77; P = 0.161; and significant CAD, HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 0.93‐4.15; P = 0.080). Post‐LT outcomes were compared to the 2009‐2010 subgroup from the previous study and showed similar 1‐year overall mortality (8% and 6%, P = 0.48), 1‐year MI incidence (<1% and <1%, P = 0.8), and MI deaths as a portion of all deaths (3% and 9%, P = 0.35).

Conclusions

Stress echocardiography alone is not reliable in screening LT patients for CAD. Aggressive CAD screening with CATH is associated with low rate of MI and cardiac mortality and validates the previously published protocol when extrapolated over a larger sample and longer follow‐up period.
Investigation of common insertion hand postures and directions and determination of the voluntarily maximal and preferred insertion forces in automotive assembly tasks
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Sun , Jung Myung‐Chul
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate common insertion hand postures and directions (study 1) and determine the maximal and preferred insertion forces (study 2) for assembly workers. Video analyses were conducted to investigate the insertion hand posture and direction according to assembly materials. The results of the video analyses revealed that the left and right hands used five and six types of hand postures, respectively, with the maximum frequency, and this accounted for 86.7% and 81.4% of the postures, respectively. Forty male subjects participated in a psychophysical methodology test in which they were asked to perform insertion tasks by selecting the magnitudes such that the maximal acceptable forces (MAFs) and preferred forces (PFs) could be determined. The results indicated that hand posture, insertion direction, and age significantly affected MAFs. Furthermore, hand posture, insertion direction, and age significantly affected PFs. The insertion force should be considered in the task design phase, especially hand posture, insertion direction, and age.
Spatial coordinate transforms linking the allocentric hippocampal and egocentric parietal primate brain systems for memory, action in space, and navigation
Authors: Rolls Edmund T.
Published: November 2019

A theory and model of spatial coordinate transforms in the dorsal visual system through the parietal cortex that enable an interface via posterior cingulate and related retrosplenial cortex to allocentric spatial representations in the primate hippocampus is described. First, a new approach to coordinate transform learning in the brain is proposed, in which the traditional gain modulation is complemented by temporal trace rule competitive network learning. It is shown in a computational model that the new approach works much more precisely than gain modulation alone, by enabling neurons to represent the different combinations of signal and gain modulator more accurately. This understanding may have application to many brain areas where coordinate transforms are learned. Second, a set of coordinate transforms is proposed for the dorsal visual system/parietal areas that enables a representation to be formed in allocentric spatial view coordinates. The input stimulus is merely a stimulus at a given position in retinal space, and the gain modulation signals needed are eye position, head direction, and place, all of which are present in the primate brain. Neurons that encode the bearing to a landmark are involved in the coordinate transforms. Part of the importance here is that the coordinates of the allocentric view produced in this model are the same as those of spatial view cells that respond to allocentric view recorded in the primate hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex. The result is that information from the dorsal visual system can be used to update the spatial input to the hippocampus in the appropriate allocentric coordinate frame, including providing for idiothetic update to allow for self‐motion. It is further shown how hippocampal spatial view cells could be useful for the transform from hippocampal allocentric coordinates to egocentric coordinates useful for actions in space and for navigation.
Association between height and hypertension in the adult Nepalese population: Findings from a nationally representative survey
Authors: Das Gupta Rajat , Haider Shams Shabab , Hashan Mohammad Rashidul , Rahman Muhammad Aziz , Sarker Malabika
Published: November 2019

Background and aims

The burden of hypertension is increasing in Nepal. Different studies have evaluated the relationship between height and blood pressure in different regions, with mixed results. The relationship between height and hypertension has not yet been explored in the Nepalese context. Given this knowledge gap, this study aims to determine the relationship between height and hypertension among Nepalese adults (aged ≥18 years).

Methods

This study utilized the dataset from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. Height, measured in centimeters (cm), was analyzed as a continuous variable. Based on previous evidence, the following covariates were considered: age, sex, presence of overweight or obesity, educational status, household wealth status, and place, province, and ecological zone of residence. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression was done to evaluate the association between height and hypertension. Both crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) are reported, along with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Sample weight of NDHS was adjusted during analysis.

Results

Among 13 393 weighted individuals over the age of 18 years, the prevalence of hypertension in Nepal was found to be 21.1% (95% CI, 19.9%‐22.4%). In the final multivariable model, after adjusting for relevant covariates, it was found that height was inversely associated with hypertension. For a Nepalese adult, the odds of hypertension decreased by 10% with each 10‐cm increase in height (AOR 0.9; 95% CI 0.8‐0.9; P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Awareness should be raised among people with low stature for prevention of hypertension. Longitudinal studies are recommended to include genetic and social/environmental determinants of stature in the analyses.
Using isotopes to understand the evolution of water ages in disturbed mixed land‐use catchments
Authors: Dimitrova‐Petrova Katya , Geris Josie , Wilkinson Mark E. , Lilly Allan , Soulsby Chris
Published: November 2019

Tracer studies have been key to unravelling catchment hydrological processes, yet most insights have been gained in environments with relatively low human impact. We investigated the spatial variability of stream isotopes and water ages to infer dominant flow paths in a ~10‐km2 nested catchment in a disturbed, predominantly agricultural environment in Scotland. We collected long‐term (>5 years) stable isotope data of precipitation, artificial drainage, and four streams with varying soil and land use types in their catchment areas. Using a gamma model, Mean Transit Times (MTTs) were then estimated in order to understand the spatial variability of controls on water ages. Despite contrasting catchment characteristics, we found that MTTs in the streams were generally very similar and short (<1 year). MTTs of water in artificial drains were even shorter, ranging between 1 to 10 months for a typical field drain and <0.5 to 1 month for a country road drain. At the catchment scale, lack of heterogeneity in the response could be explained by the extensive artificial surface and subsurface drainage, “short‐circuiting” younger water to the streams during storms. Under such conditions, additional intense disturbance associated with highway construction during the study period had no major effect on the stream isotope dynamics. Supplementary short‐term (~14 months) sampling of mobile soil water in dominant soil‐land use units also revealed that agricultural practices (ploughing of poorly draining soils and soil compaction due to grazing on freely draining soils) resulted in subtle MTT variations in soil water in the upper profile. Overall, the isotope dynamics and inferred MTTs suggest that the evolution of stream water ages in such a complex human‐influenced environment are largely related to near‐surface soil processes and the dominant soil management practices. This has direct implications for understanding and managing flood risk and contaminant transport in such environments.
Effects of antecedent moisture and macroporosity on infiltration and water flow in frozen soil
Authors: Pittman Freda , Mohammed Aaron , Cey Edwin
Published: November 2019

Infiltration into frozen soil plays an important role in soil freeze–thaw and snowmelt‐driven hydrological processes. To better understand the complex thermal energy and water transport mechanisms involved, the influence of antecedent moisture content and macroporosity on infiltration into frozen soil was investigated. Ponded infiltration experiments on frozen macroporous and non‐macroporous soil columns revealed that dry macroporous soil produced infiltration rates reaching 103 to 104 mm day−1, two to three orders of magnitude larger than dry non‐macroporous soil. Results suggest that rapid infiltration and drainage were a result of preferential flow through initially air‐filled macropores. Using recorded flow rates and measured macropore characteristics, calculations indicated that a combination of both saturated flow and unsaturated film flow likely occurred within macropores. Under wet conditions, regardless of the presence of macropores, infiltration was restricted by the slow thawing rate of pore ice, producing infiltration rates of 2.8 to 5.0 mm day−1. Reduced preferential flow under wet conditions was attributed to a combination of soil swelling, due to smectite‐rich clay (that reduced macropore volume), and pore ice blockage within macropores. In comparison, dry soil column experiments demonstrated that macropores provided conduits for water and thermal energy to bypass the frozen matrix during infiltration, reducing thaw rates compared with non‐macroporous soils. Overall, results showed the dominant control of antecedent moisture content on the initiation, timing, and magnitude of infiltration and flow in frozen macroporous soils, as well as the important role of macropore connectivity. The study provides an important data set that can aid the development of hydrological models that consider the interacting effects of soil freeze–thaw and preferential flow on snowmelt partitioning in cold regions.
Does power corrupt? The moderating effect of status
Authors: Gu Zibei , Liu Li , Tan Xuyun , Liang Yuan , Dang Jianning , Wei Cong , Ren Deyun , Su Qian , Wang Guozhao
Published: November 2019

Findings on the effect of power on corruption are mixed. To make sense of these mixed results, three studies were conducted to examine the moderating role of status on this effect. In Study 1, corrupt intent was measured using a corruption scenario that contained manipulations of power and status. In Study 2, corrupt behaviour was measured in a corruption game that contained manipulations of power and status. Study 3 was conducted in real organisational settings, and aimed to expand the external validity of Studies 1 and 2. The results of all three studies consistently indicated that the effect of power was moderated by status. Specifically, power increased corruption when status was low, whereas this effect disappeared when status was high. The implications of reducing the facilitating effect of power on corruption by considering status from the perspective of social hierarchy are discussed.