bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi‐Site Incorporation of Nonstandard Amino Acids into Protein‐Based Biomaterials
Authors: Israeli Bar , Vaserman Livne , Amiram Miriam
Published: October 2019

The ability of natural biomaterials to shape, support, and orchestrate function inspires our efforts to produce functional materials. Guided by protein‐based biomaterials, template‐directed incorporation of synthetic building blocks, such as nonstandard amino acids (nsAAs), can expand the functions of biomaterials by endowing them with new physical and biophysical properties. In this short review, we describe existing technologies for multi‐site nsAA incorporation into proteins. We then discuss examples of the application of this technology for engineering new functions in artificial biopolymers, for creating bio‐inspired adhesives, and for improving the stability of biomaterials. We conclude by briefly discussing recent advances in synthetic biology that have the potential to expand our ability to design protein‐based biomaterials composed of numerous and increasingly exotic nonstandard monomers.
Preparation, physicochemical and preservation properties of Ti/ZnO/in situ SiOx chitosan composite coatings
Authors: Wei Xuqing , Li Qiuying , Hao Han , Yang Hua , Li Yingchang , Sun Tong , Li Xuepeng
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Among nanomaterials, Ti and ZnO nanoparticles are often chosen as preservation materials because of their antibacterial properties. Chitosan, as a natural biopolymer, has potential because of its abundance, compatibility and antibacterial properties. To improve the physicochemical and preservation properties of in situ SiOx chitosan (CS) composite coating, Ti/ZnO/SiOx CS composite coatings were prepared with Ti‐doped ZnO (Ti/ZnO) nanorods and nanoballs. The composite coating structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and their physicochemical and preservation properties were determined simultaneously.

RESULTS

The results show that the Ti/ZnO nanoparticles are beneficial to homogeneous dispersion of in situ synthesized nano SiOx in the CS coating, and that Ti/ZnO nanoballs have better dispersion than Ti/ZnO nanorods. Moreover, strong hydrogen bonds are formed among Ti/ZnO nanoparticles and in situ synthesized nano SiOx and CS molecules, and the primary structure of CS is disorganized. Thereby, the gas permeabilities and mechanical properties of the CS coatings are improved due to modification of Ti/ZnO nanoparticles, and the Ti/ZnO nanoballs/SiOx CS composite coating is optimal. The preservation properties of the CS coatings on Sciaenops ocellatus are significantly improved, and those of Ti/ZnO/in situ SiOx CS composite coatings are superior.

CONCLUSION

The preservation properties of the CS composite coatings on S. ocellatus are significant, and the Ti/ZnO nanoballs/SiOx CS composite coating is even better. Therefore, the co‐modification method of in situ nanoparticles and antibacterial nanoparticles may be a promising method to improve the preservation properties of CS coatings. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Atmospheric stilling offsets the benefits from reduced nutrient loading in a large shallow lake
Authors: Janatian Nasime , Olli Kalle , Cremona Fabien , Laas Alo , Nõges Peeter
Published: October 2019

As part of a global phenomenon, a 30% decrease in average wind speed since 1996 in southern Estonia together with more frequent easterly winds resulted in 47% decrease in bottom shear stress in the large (270 km2), shallow (mean depth 2.8 m), and eutrophic Lake Võrtsjärv. Following a peak in eutrophication pressure in the 1970s–80s, the concentrations of total nutrients were declining. Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) ordination of a 54‐year phytoplankton community composition time‐series (1964–2017) revealed three distinct periods with breaking points coinciding with changes in wind and/or water level. Contrary to expectations, we detected no decrease in optically active substances that could be related to wind stilling, whereas phytoplankton biomass showed an increasing trend despite reduced nutrient levels. Here we show how opening of the “light niche,” caused by declining amount of suspended sediments, was capitalized and filled by the light‐limited phytoplankton community. We suggest that wind stilling is another global factor, complementary to climate warming that counteracts eutrophication mitigation in lakes and may provide a challenge to assessment of the lake ecological status.
Nonstandard characterisations of tensor products and monads in the theory of ultrafilters
Authors: Luperi Baglini Lorenzo
Published: October 2019

We use nonstandard methods, based on iterated hyperextensions, to develop applications to Ramsey theory of the theory of monads of ultrafilters. This is performed by studying in detail arbitrary tensor products of ultrafilters, as well as by characterising their combinatorial properties by means of their monads. This extends to arbitrary sets and properties methods previously used to study partition regular Diophantine equations on . Several applications are described by means of multiple examples.
Optimum selection of novel developed implant material using hybrid entropy‐PROMETHEE approach
Authors: Aherwar A. , Singh T. , Singh A. , Patnaik A. , Fekete G.
Published: October 2019

Optimum selection of appropriate biomaterial with unlike properties for the femoral head material is one of the toughest tasks. Therefore, in this article, a series of implant materials for the femoral head by vacuum casting induction furnace containing cobalt‐30chromium (Co‐30Cr) as a base material and three alloying elements (i. e. molybdenum, nickel and tungsten) were developed and evaluated for physical, mechanical and tribological properties. Density, hardness, compressive strength, coefficient of friction and volumetric wear were considered as material selection criterions. The weight of each criterion has been determined by entropy method, while the ranking of the alternatives has been carried out by the preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE) method. From this ranking results, it is found that the cobalt‐30chromium‐4molybdenum‐1nickel‐2tungsten (Co‐30Cr‐4Mo‐1Ni‐2W) material at given parameters is the best implant material for the femoral head component of hip joint replacement.
Improve stress corrosion cracking resistance and mechanical properties of Al‐Zn‐Mg‐Cu‐Zr alloy with heterogeneous lamellae structure produced by high pressure torsion
Authors: Li P. , Wu G.S. , Yan S.L. , Zhou J.L. , Xue K.M. , Shi W.C.
Published: October 2019

High pressure torsion experiment followed with heat treatment were carried out on as‐cast Al‐Zn‐Mg‐Cu‐Zr alloy at 400 °C under the pressure of 1 GPa. The microstructure, mechanical property and stress corrosion resistance properties for the as‐cast and high pressure torsion processed samples were studied. The results show that high pressure torsion processing can improve the mechanical property by the refinement of grains and grain boundary precipitates, as well as the homogeneous distribution of fine matrix precipitates. On the other side, the grain refinement, broken of coarse grain boundary precipitates and narrowed precipitates free zone caused by the high pressure torsion result in the improvement of stress corrosion cracking resistance. And due to the influence of heterogeneous lamellae structure, the sample after 0.5 high pressure torsion turn shows preferable mechanical property and stress corrosion cracking resistance than the sample after 2 high pressure torsion turns.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of spark plasma sintered titanium‐added copper/reduced graphene oxide composites
Authors: Zhang X. , Wu K. , Liu X. , Ge X. , Yang W.
Published: October 2019

Copper matrix composites were fabricated through mixing fixed amount of reduced graphene oxide and the different amounts of titanium. The dried copper/titanium/reduced graphene oxide mixture powders were firstly obtained by the wet‐mixing process, and then the spark plasma sintering process realized their faster densification. In the as‐sintered bulk composites, the layered reduced graphene oxide network, uniform titanium particles and copper‐titanium solid solution are observed in copper matrix. Investigations on mechanical properties show that the as‐prepared bulk composites exhibit the hardness and compressive yield strength compared with single reduced graphene oxide added composites. Increased titanium addition resulted into higher hardness and strength. The relevant formation and failure mechanisms of the composites and their influence on mechanical properties were discussed.
Effect of prior austenite on reversed austenite stability and mechanical properties of low carbon medium manganese steel heavy plate
Authors: Yu S. , Du L.X. , Yao C.X. , Misra R.D.K. , Zhang B.
Published: October 2019

The effect of prior austenite on reversed austenite stability and mechanical properties of Fe‐0.06C‐0.2Si‐5.5Mn‐0.4Cr (wt.%) annealed steels was elucidated. With the decrease of austenitizing temperature from 1250 °C to 980 °C, the prior austenite changed from complete recrystallization to partial recrystallization, and the average austenite size was reduced. The volume fraction of reversed austenite was increased from 26.32 % to 30.25 % because of high density of grain boundaries and dislocations. The martensite transformation temperature of annealed steels was increased from ∼115 °C to ∼150 °C, and both of thermal and mechanical stability of reversed were reduced. There was no significant different in tensile properties, however, the impact toughness was enhanced from 100 J to 180 J at −60 °C. The excellent impact toughness in annealed steel (austenitized at 980 °C) was obtained because of higher density of high misorientation grain boundaries, more volume fraction of reversed austenite and reduced segregation at grain boundaries.
OIG cites severe BH problems in New Mexico as officials work to rebuild system
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2019

New Mexico is in dire need of behavioral health services, especially given that the state has among the highest rates for suicide and deaths from overdose in the nation, according to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report released last month, following a congressional request to look into concerns about behavioral health provider shortages and the availability of care for Medicaid managed care enrollees.
Wideband dual‐mode microstrip resonators as IF filters in a K‐band wireless transceiver
Authors: Rodríguez‐Meneses Luis A. , Gutiérrez‐Martínez Celso , Murphy‐Arteaga Roberto S. , Meza‐Pérez Jacobo , Torres‐Fórtiz José Alfredo
Published: October 2019

In this article, the design, construction and characterization of band‐pass filters (BPF), based on the classic single‐structure, square‐loop, dual‐mode resonator rings (SL‐DMRR) is revisited. A specific requirement is proposed for using such a basic topology: the design and fabrication of L‐band SL‐DMRR filters to be part of the intermediate frequency (IF) section of a heterodyne K‐band microwave transceiver. The heterodyne K‐band transceiver has been designed and implemented to measure atmospheric attenuation at 22.4 GHz, in the vicinity of the strong absorption peak by water vapor molecules in the atmosphere. The BPFs are designed to operate at a center frequency of 1.1 GHz and a minimum bandwidth of 200 MHz. SL‐DMRR filters in the L‐band microwave range are more compact when compared to other microstrip structures such as parallel coupled lines, tapped input digital filters, hairpin filters, and so on. Filter realizations on FR4 and RT/Duroid 6010 substrates are optimized by resolving narrow coupling gap (0.07‐0.1 mm), between the input/output stubs and the resonator ring. Narrow gaps (less than 0.1 mm) are an original achievement in our work to ensure insertion losses of 1 dB for FR4, 0.5 dB for RT/Duroid, return losses better than 20 dB and a minimum bandwidth of 200 MHz. These figures represent an appreciable advancement of the state‐of‐the‐art for these classic structures for filters. The simulated and measured electrical responses of the filters show an excellent agreement. The IF filter has been incorporated to the K‐band receiver and the system's performance is also reported in this article.
Synthesis and Characterization of pH‐sensitive Poly(IA‐co‐AAc‐co‐AAm) Hydrogels via Frontal Polymerization
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Du Xiang‐Yun , Xu Xu Ran , Shen Rui Qi , Chen Su , Xiao Ji Jun
Published: October 2019

In this work, we report a series of poly(itaconic acid‐co‐acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) (poly(IA‐co‐AAc‐co‐AAm)) hydrogels via frontal polymerization (FP). FP starts on the top of the reaction mixture with aid of heating provided from soldering iron gun. Once polymerization initiated, no further energy is required to complete the process. The influences of IA/AAc weight ratios on frontal velocities, temperatures, and conversions on the reaction time are thoroughly investigated and discussed where the amount of AAm monomer remains constant. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis, and the swelling measurement are applied to characterize the as‐synthesized poly(IA‐co‐AAc‐co‐AAm) hydrogels. Interestingly, the swelling ratios of the hydrogels are changed with different IA/AAc contents, and the maximum swelling ratios are ~4439% in water. SEM images describe highly porous morphologies and explain good swelling capabilities. Moreover, the poly(IA‐co‐AAc‐co‐AAm) hydrogels exhibit superior pH‐responsive ability. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2214–2221
Small angle X‐ray scattering‐assisted protein structure prediction in CASP13 and emergence of solution structure differences
Authors: Hura Greg L. , Hodge Curtis D. , Rosenberg Daniel , Guzenko Dmytro , Duarte Jose M. , Monastyrskyy Bohdan , Grudinin Sergei , Kryshtafovych Andriy , Tainer John A. , Fidelis Krzysztof , Tsutakawa Susan E.
Published: October 2019

Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measures comprehensive distance information on a protein's structure, which can constrain and guide computational structure prediction algorithms. Here, we evaluate structure predictions of 11 monomeric and oligomeric proteins for which SAXS data were collected and provided to predictors in the 13th round of the Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction (CASP13). The category for SAXS‐assisted predictions made gains in certain areas for CASP13 compared to CASP12. Improvements included higher quality data with size exclusion chromatography‐SAXS (SEC‐SAXS) and better selection of targets and communication of results by CASP organizers. In several cases, we can track improvements in model accuracy with use of SAXS data. For hard multimeric targets where regular folding algorithms were unsuccessful, SAXS data helped predictors to build models better resembling the global shape of the target. For most models, however, no significant improvement in model accuracy at the domain level was registered from use of SAXS data, when rigorously comparing SAXS‐assisted models to the best regular server predictions. To promote future progress in this category, we identify successes, challenges, and opportunities for improved strategies in prediction, assessment, and communication of SAXS data to predictors. An important observation is that, for many targets, SAXS data were inconsistent with crystal structures, suggesting that these proteins adopt different conformation(s) in solution. This CASP13 result, if representative of PDB structures and future CASP targets, may have substantive implications for the structure training databases used for machine learning, CASP, and use of prediction models for biology.
Anticholinergic drugs and measures of cognitive impairment
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: October 2019

With an increasing number of people living well beyond eight decades of life, impairment of cognitive function has become a major concern in the elderly. A cholinergic deficit accompanying the normal aging process is thought to contribute to cognitive decline. However, the cause of cognitive impairment in this population is likely to be multifactorial, with drug‐induced adverse events a potential factor. Drugs such as benzodiazepines, opioids, anticholinergics, and drugs with anticholinergic properties (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, antispasmodics, antipsychotics, and antiparkinsonian agents) all have been implicated in the development of cognitive impairment in the elderly.
Isolation and Profiling of Circulating Tumor‐Associated Exosomes Using Extracellular Vesicular Lipid–Protein Binding Affinity Based Microfluidic Device
Authors: Kang Yoon‐Tae , Purcell Emma , Palacios‐Rolston Colin , Lo Ting‐Wen , Ramnath Nithya , Jolly Shruti , Nagrath Sunitha
Published: October 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as a potential diagnostic test for cancer. Owing to the recent advances in microfluidics, on‐chip EV isolation is showing promise with respect to improved recovery rates, smaller necessary sample volumes, and shorter processing times than ultracentrifugation. Immunoaffinity‐based microfluidic EV isolation using anti‐CD63 is widely used; however, anti‐CD63 is not specific to cancer‐EVs, and some cancers secrete EVs with low expression of CD63. Alternatively, phosphatidylserine (PS), usually expressed in the inner leaflet of the lipid bilayer of the cells, is shown to be expressed on the outer surface of cancer‐associated EVs. A new exosome isolation microfluidic device (newExoChip), conjugated with a PS‐specific protein, to isolate cancer‐associated exosomes from plasma, is presented. The device achieves 90% capture efficiency for cancer cell exosomes compared to 38% for healthy exosomes and isolates 35% more A549‐derived exosomes than an anti‐CD63‐conjugated device. Immobilized exosomes are then easily released using Ca2+ chelation. The recovered exosomes from clinical samples are characterized by electron microscopy and western‐blot analysis, revealing exosomal shapes and exosomal protein expressions. The newExoChip facilitates the isolation of a specific subset of exosomes, allowing the exploration of the undiscovered roles of exosomes in cancer progression and metastasis.
Large‐Scale Growth and Field‐Effect Transistors Electrical Engineering of Atomic‐Layer SnS2
Authors: Xu Liping , Zhang Peng , Jiang Huaning , Wang Xiang , Chen Fangfang , Hu Zhigao , Gong Yongji , Shang Liyan , Zhang Jinzhong , Jiang Kai , Chu Junhao
Published: October 2019

2D layers of metal dichalcogenides are of considerable interest for high‐performance electronic devices for their unique electronic properties and atomically thin geometry. 2D SnS2 nanosheets with a bandgap of ≈2.6 eV have been attracting intensive attention as one potential candidate for modern electrocatalysis, electronic, and/or optoelectronic fields. However, the controllable growth of large‐size and high‐quality SnS2 atomic layers still remains a challenge. Herein, a salt‐assisted chemical vapor deposition method is provided to synthesize atomic‐layer SnS2 with a large crystal size up to 410 µm and good uniformity. Particularly, the as‐fabricated SnS2 nanosheet‐based field‐effect transistors (FETs) show high mobility (2.58 cm2 V−1 s−1) and high on/off ratio (≈108), which is superior to other reported SnS2‐based FETs. Additionally, the effects of temperature on the electrical properties are systematically investigated. It is shown that the scattering mechanism transforms from charged impurities scattering to electron–phonon scattering with the temperature. Moreover, SnS2 can serve as an ideal material for energy storage and catalyst support. The high performance together with controllable growth of SnS2 endow it with great potential for future applications in electrocatalysis, electronics, and optoelectronics.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Attenuate Endothelial Leakage in Acute Lung Injury via Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1 to Reduce Focal Adhesion Kinase Activity
Authors: Su Vincent Yi-Fong , Chiou Shih-Hwa , Lin Chi-Shiuan , Mo Min-Hsiang , Yang Kuang-Yao
Published: October 2019

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can reduce the severity of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI). However, the interaction between iPSCs and vascular endothelium remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of iPSCs in moderating pulmonary endothelial leakage in endotoxin-induced ALI. Murine iPSCs were delivered intravenously to male C57BL/6 mice (8–12 weeks old) 4 hours after intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) delivery. Histology, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytokine and junctional protein assays, and regulatory signaling pathway assays were performed 24 hours later. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used as a model of junctional protein-expressing cells and stimulated with LPS. Our results showed that iPSC treatment alleviated histological signs of ALI, protein leakage, and proinflammatory cytokines. iPSC therapy restored vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) expression in ALI mouse lungs. In HUVECs, human iPSCs (hiPSCs) restored disrupted VE-cadherin expression and reduced the activity of Snail and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation in Tyr397 in response to LPS. iPSC-conditioned medium contained extra antiangiogenic factor of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) compared with control medium. TIMP-1 inhibition diminished the beneficial effects of iPSC-conditioned medium in ALI mice. Our study suggested that iPSCs attenuate endothelial cell leakage in endotoxin-induced ALI via a mechanism involving TIMP-1 and the FAK/Snail pathway. Stem Cells  2019;37:1516–1527
Calculation study regarding hot gases rising due to arcs and arc jets generated between arcing horns on 66 kV overhead transmission lines
Authors: Iwata Mikimasa , Ohtaka Toshiya , Goda Yutaka , Tanezaki Masatoshi , Hamakawa Tomohito , Kamimura Kentaro
Published: October 2019

Lightning to an overhead transmission line system can cause a breakdown between arcing horns of the lower line and a jumper wire of the upper line due to the rising of hot gases generated by arc jets between arcing horns. This article describes the experiments and the calculations regarding the rising of the hot gases for the case of 66 kV overhead transmission lines. The calculations were carried out considering the length of the arc jet, the electromagnetic force acting between the arc jet and the arc column, the force due to the arc jet spouting from the arcing horn, and the buoyant force of the hot gases for various arc currents and two types of arcing horn. As a result, it was found that the calculation results showed a tendency similar to the experimental ones. Furthermore, the breakdown phenomena between the arcing horns and the jumper wire were also investigated using the calculation results. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Capital Abundance and Its Consequences for Trade Policy
Authors: von Weizsäcker Carl Christian
Published: October 2019

Protectionist moves may be countered by reference to the conundrum of capital scarcity. In a world in which unilateral imposition of trade barriers are a looming possibility, capital scarcity may nevertheless imply that free trade is a kind of Nash equilibrium.
AWOSE - A Process Model for Incorporating Ethical Analyses in Agile Systems Engineering
Authors: Strenge Benjamin , Schack Thomas
Published: October 2019

Ethical, legal and social implications are widely regarded as important considerations with respect to technological developments. Agile Worth-Oriented Systems Engineering (AWOSE) is an innovative approach to incorporating ethically relevant criteria during agile development processes through a flexibly applicable methodology. First, a predefined model for the ethical evaluation of socio-technical systems is used to assess ethical issues according to different dimensions. The second part of AWOSE ensures that ethical issues are not only identified, but also systematically considered during the design of systems based on information and communication technology. For this purpose, the findings from the first step are integrated with approaches from worth-centered development into a process model that, unlike previous approaches to ethical system development, is thoroughly compatible with agile methodologies like Scrum or Extreme Programming. Artifacts of worth-centered development called Worth Maps have been improved to guide the prioritization of development tasks as well as choices among design alternatives with respect to ethical implications. Furthermore, the improved Worth Maps facilitate the identification of suitable criteria for system evaluations in association to ethical concerns and desired positive outcomes of system usage. The potential of the AWOSE methodology has been demonstrated in the context of a technical system (smart glasses for cognitive assistance) that supports elderly and people with particular handicaps.
Cross-ideological coordination by private interests: Evidence from mortgage market regulation under Dodd-Frank
Authors: Gordon Sanford C. , Rosenthal Howard
Published: October 2019

Rulemaking pursuant to the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act provides a useful setting to assess theories of interest group influence. In the wake of the financial crisis, Congress delegated new rulemaking authority to federal agencies to regulate mortgage markets. A critical aspect of this new regulatory regime engendered significant controversy from affected interests: “credit risk retention” would require sponsors of asset-backed securities to retain a stake in the risk of securitized assets. Contrary to unrefined industry capture-based accounts stressing the disproportionate role of larger, well-established regulated entities in setting policy, we find little evidence of sustained effort by large lenders to dilute regulatory standards via political investments. Rather, a diverse coalition of housing sector, community, and civil rights groups, backed by an ideologically diverse swath of legislators, forced substantial regulatory retrenchment. Our analysis suggests a more nuanced view of private influence, in which coordination plays a more substantial role than political investments alone.
Implementation of Epilepsy Multigene Panel Testing in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Dyment David A. , Prasad Asuri N. , Boycott Kym M. , Ediae Grace U. , Hartley Taila , Hassan Ayman , Muir Katherine E. , Potter Murray , Boisse Lomax Lysa , Jarinova Olga , Sadikovic Bekim , Stavropoulos Dimitri J. , Snead O. Carter
Published: October 2019

Background:

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that shows a marked genetic predisposition. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has transformed clinical genetic testing by allowing the rapid screen for causative variants in multiple genes. There are currently no NGS-based multigene panel diagnostic tests available for epilepsy as a licensed clinical diagnostic test in Ontario, Canada. Eligible patient samples are sent out of country for testing by commercial laboratories, which incurs significant cost to the public healthcare system.

Objective:

An expert Working Group of medical geneticists, pediatric neurologists/epileptologists, biochemical geneticists, and clinical molecular geneticists from Ontario was formed by the Laboratories and Genetics Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to develop a programmatic approach to implementing epilepsy panel testing as a provincial service.

Results:

The Working Group made several recommendations for testing to support the clinical delivery of care in Ontario. First, an extension of community healthcare outcomes-based program should be incorporated to inform and educate ordering providers when requesting and interpreting a genetic panel test. Second, any gene panel testing must be “evidence-based” and takes into account varied clinical indications to reduce the chance of uncertain and secondary results. Finally, an ongoing evaluative process was recommended to ensure continued test improvement for the future.

Conclusion:

This epilepsy panel testing implementation plan will be a model for genetic care directed toward a specific set of conditions in the province and serve as a prototype for genetic testing for other genetically heterogeneous diseases.
The development of an ultra-short, maternal mental health screening tool in South Africa
Authors: van Heyningen T. , Myer L. , Tomlinson M. , Field S. , Honikman S.
Published: October 2019

Purpose.

The burden of common perinatal mental disorders (CPMD) in low-and-middle-income countries is substantially higher than high-income countries, with low levels of detection, service provision and treatment in resource-constrained settings. We describe the development of an ultra-short screening tool to detect antenatal depression, anxiety disorders and maternal suicidal ideation.

Methods.

A sample of 376 women was recruited at a primary-level obstetric clinic. Five depression and anxiety symptom-screening questionnaires, demographics and psychosocial risk questionnaires were administered. All participants were assessed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), a structured, diagnostic interview. Screening tool items were analysed against diagnostic data using multiple logistic regression and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis.

Results.

The prevalence of MINI-defined major depressive episode (MDE) and/or anxiety disorders was 33%. Overall, 18% of participants expressed suicidal ideation and behaviour, 54% of these had no depression or anxiety diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression identified four screening items that were independently predictive of MDE and anxiety disorders, investigating depressed mood, anhedonia, anxiety symptoms and suicidal ideation. ROC analysis of these combined items yielded an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI 0.78–0.88). A cut-off score of 2 or more offered a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 82%.

Conclusion.

This novel screening tool is the first measure of CPMD developed in South Africa to include depressed mood, anxiety symptoms and suicidal ideation. While the tool requires further investigation, it may be useful for the early identification of mental health symptoms and morbidity in the perinatal period.
Tuning the dispersion of reactive solute by steady and oscillatory electroosmotic–Poiseuille flows in polyelectrolyte-grafted micro/nanotubes
Authors: Reshadi Milad , Saidi Mohammad Hassan
Published: October 2019

This paper extends the analysis of solute dispersion in electrohydrodynamic flows to the case of band broadening in polyelectrolyte-grafted (soft) capillaries by accounting for the effects of ion partitioning, irreversible catalytic reaction and pulsatile flow actuation. In the Debye–Hückel limit, we present the benchmark solutions of electric potential and velocity distribution pertinent to steady and oscillatory mixed electroosmotic–pressure-driven flows in soft capillaries. Afterwards, the mathematical models of band broadening based on the Taylor–Aris theory and generalized dispersion method are presented to investigate the late-time asymptotic state and all-time evolution of hydrodynamic dispersion, respectively. Also, to determine the heterogeneous dispersion behaviour of solute through all spatiotemporal stages and to relax the constraint of small zeta potentials, a full-scale numerical simulation of time-dependent solute transport in soft capillaries is presented by employing the second-order-accurate finite difference method. Then, by inspecting the dispersion of passive tracer particles in Poiseuille flows, we examine the accuracy of two analytical approaches against the simulation results of a custom-built numerical algorithm. Our findings from hydrodynamic dispersion in Poiseuille flows reveal that, compared to rigid capillaries, more time is required to approach the longitudinal normality and transverse uniformity of injected solute in soft capillaries. For the case of dispersion in mixed electrohydrodynamic flows, it is found that the characteristics of the soft interface, including the thickness, permittivity, fixed charge density and friction coefficient of the polymer coating layer, play a significant role in determining the Taylor diffusion coefficient, advection speed and dispersion rate of solutes in soft capillaries.
Development of gravity currents on slopes under different interfacial instability conditions
Authors: Martin Antoine , Negretti M. Eletta , Hopfinger E. J.
Published: October 2019

We present experimental results on the development of gravity currents moving onto sloping boundaries with slope angles $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}=7^{\circ }$, $10^{\circ }$ and $15^{\circ }$. Different regimes of flow development are observed depending on the slope angle and on the initial velocity and density profiles, characterized by the Richardson number $J_{i}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{i}{g_{0}}^{\prime }/\unicode[STIX]{x0394}u_{i}^{2}$, where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{i}$, $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}u_{i}$ and $g_{0}^{\prime }$ are, respectively, the velocity interface thickness, the maximum velocity difference and reduced gravity at the beginning of the slope. For $J_{i}>0.7$ and the larger slope angle, the flow strongly accelerates, reaches a maximum at the beginning of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, then decelerates and re-accelerates again. For $0.3<J_{i}<0.6$, instability occurs earlier and velocity oscillations are less. When $J_{i}\leqslant 0.3$ the increase in velocity is smooth. The magnitude of velocity oscillation depends on the combined effect of $J_{i}$ and slope angle, expressed by an overall acceleration parameter $\overline{T_{a}}=(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{i}/U_{i})((U_{c}-U_{i})/x_{c})$, which, to first order, is given by $J_{i}\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$, where $U_{c}$ and $x_{c}$ are, respectively, the velocity and position at instability onset. The velocity increases smoothly up to an equilibrium state when $\overline{T_{a}}\leqslant 0.06$ and exhibits an irregular behaviour at larger values of $\overline{T_{a}}$. The critical Richardson number $J_{c}$ decreases with increasing $J_{i}$ (increasing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{i}/h_{i}$) which is due to wall effects and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}\neq 1$. After the beginning of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, entrainment rates are close to those of a mixing layer, decreasing to values of a gravity current after the mixing layer reaches the boundary. It is shown here that the interfacial instability during current development affects the bottom shear stress which can reach values of $c_{D}\approx 0.03$ regardless of initial conditions. By solving numerically the depth integrated governing equations, the gravity flow velocity, depth and buoyant acceleration in the flow direction can be well predicted for all the performed experiments over the full measurement domain. The numerical results for the experiments with $J_{i}>0.3$ predict that the current requires a distance of at least $x_{n}\approx 40h_{i}$ to reach a normal state of constant velocity, which is much larger than the distance $x_{n}\approx 10h_{i}$ required in the case of a current with $J_{i}\leqslant 0.3$ that is commonly assumed for downslope currents.
Acoustic theory of the many-bladed contra-rotating propeller: physics of the wake interaction noise critical sources
Authors: Parry A. B. , Kingan M. J.
Published: October 2019

In the theory of interaction noise from contra-rotating propellers with many blades, the usual far-field radiation formulae can be re-cast as a double integral, over a source surface, which can be evaluated asymptotically solely in terms of the contributions from critical points. The paper shows that these critical points have a particularly interesting physical meaning. They relate to locations on an event line, running between hub and tip, that represent the locus of the wake–blade interactions at a fixed point in time. The event line rotates at the speed of the spinning interaction tone but does not coincide with the radial variation in either the wake location or the rear blade leading edge. At the precise critical locations on the event line, it is shown that the Mach number of the event line is unity in the direction of the observer (the sonic condition) and the tangent to the event line – at a fixed time – is normal to a line drawn between it and the observer (the normal-edge condition). The zero-mode case is also considered, for which we show that, even though the event line rotates at infinite speed, there can still exist locations that satisfy the sonic and normal-edge conditions. The paper also discusses the physical meaning of the lower-order boundary solutions from the hub and tip.
The structure and dynamics of backflow in turbulent channels
Authors: Cardesa J. I. , Monty J. P. , Soria J. , Chong M. S.
Published: October 2019

A statistical description of flow regions with negative streamwise velocity is provided based on simulations of turbulent plane channels in the Reynolds number range $547\leqslant Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}\leqslant 2003$. It is found that regions of backflow are attached and their density per surface area – in wall units – is an increasing function of $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$. Their size distribution along the three coordinates reveals that, even though in the mean they appear to be circular in the wall-parallel plane, they tend to become more elongated in the spanwise direction after reaching a certain height. Time-tracking of backflow regions in a $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}=934$ simulation showed they convect downstream at the mean velocity corresponding to $y^{+}\approx 12$, they seldom interact with other backflow events, their statistical signature extends in the streamwise direction for at least $300$ wall units, and they result from a complex interaction between regions of high and low spanwise vorticity far beyond the viscous sublayer. This could explain why some statistical aspects of these near-wall events do not scale in viscous units; they are dependent on the $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$-dependent dynamics further away from the wall.
Rotation of a superhydrophobic cylinder in a viscous liquid
Authors: Yariv Ehud , Siegel Michael
Published: October 2019

The hydrodynamic quantification of superhydrophobic slipperiness has traditionally employed two canonical problems – namely, shear flow about a single surface and pressure-driven channel flow. We here advocate the use of a new class of canonical problems, defined by the motion of a superhydrophobic particle through an otherwise quiescent liquid. In these problems the superhydrophobic effect is naturally measured by the enhancement of the Stokes mobility relative to the corresponding mobility of a homogeneous particle. We focus upon what may be the simplest problem in that class – the rotation of an infinite circular cylinder whose boundary is periodically decorated by a finite number of infinite grooves – with the goal of calculating the rotational mobility (velocity-to-torque ratio). The associated two-dimensional flow problem is defined by two geometric parameters – namely, the number $N$ of grooves and the solid fraction $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$. Using matched asymptotic expansions we analyse the large-$N$ limit, seeking the mobility enhancement from the respective homogeneous-cylinder mobility value. We thus find the two-term approximation,$$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle 1+{\displaystyle \frac{2}{N}}\ln \csc {\displaystyle \frac{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}{2}}, & & \displaystyle \nonumber\end{eqnarray}$$ for the ratio of the enhanced mobility to the homogeneous-cylinder mobility. Making use of conformal-mapping techniques and inductive arguments we prove that the preceding approximation is actually exact for $N=1,2,4,8,\ldots$. We conjecture that it is exact for all $N$.
Testing and application of a model for snow redistribution (Snow_Blow) in the Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica
Authors: Mills Stephanie C. , Le Brocq Anne M. , Winter Kate , Smith Michael , Hillier John , Ardakova Ekaterina , Boston Clare M. , Sugden David , Woodward John
Published: October 2019

Wind-driven snow redistribution can increase the spatial heterogeneity of snow accumulation on ice caps and ice sheets, and may prove crucial for the initiation and survival of glaciers in areas of marginal glaciation. We present a snowdrift model (Snow_Blow), which extends and improves the model of Purves, Mackaness and Sugden (1999,Journal of Quaternary Science14, 313–321). The model calculates spatial variations in relative snow accumulation that result from variations in topography, using a digital elevation model (DEM) and wind direction as inputs. Improvements include snow redistribution using a flux routing algorithm, DEM resolution independence and the addition of a slope curvature component. This paper tests Snow_Blow in Antarctica (a modern environment) and reveals its potential for application in palaeoenvironmental settings, where input meteorological data are unavailable and difficult to estimate. Specifically, Snow_Blow is applied to the Ellsworth Mountains in West Antarctica where ablation is considered to be predominantly related to wind erosion processes. We find that Snow_Blow is able to replicate well the existing distribution of accumulating snow and snow erosion as recorded in and around Blue Ice Areas. Lastly, a variety of model parameters are tested, including depositional distance and erosion vs wind speed, to provide the most likely input parameters for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.
A FOUNTAIN BASIN SCULPTED BY DRUDUS DE TRIVIO (fl c1230–40): A RECONSIDERATION
Authors: Freeman Elizabeth
Published: October 2019

This article looks at a fountain basin that is of outstanding art-historical interest as a surviving example of secular Romanesque sculpture. The fountain basin is signed by the Italian sculptor Drudus de Trivio and is dated c 1240. The article situates the fountain basin within Drudus’s oeuvre – most notably the ciborium in Ferentino and the choir-screens at Cività Castellana – and relates it to the recently completed cloister sculpture of the Lateran and San Paolo fuori le mura, of which Drudus had close knowledge. Possible sources are explored, and chronology, classical precedents and the innovative use of garlands are discussed. A new translation of the inscription, which has been rather neglected in previous studies, is offered. The translation places the inscription within the wider context of Italian fountain inscriptions and is used to suggest that the fountain was secular in purpose with the aim of querying the long-standing view that Drudus carried out only liturgical sculpture, thereby adding to our understanding of the work of the Cosmati.
ON THE MONODROMY AND GALOIS GROUP OF CONICS LYING ON HEISENBERG INVARIANT QUARTIC K3 SURFACES
Authors: BOUYER FLORIAN
Published: October 2019

In [5], Eklund showed that a general (ℤ/2ℤ)4 -invariant quartic K3 surface contains at least 320 conics. In this paper, we analyse the field of definition of those conics as well as their Monodromy group. As a result, we prove that the moduli space of (ℤ/2ℤ)4-invariant quartic K3 surface with a certain marked conic has 10 irreducible components.
Evaluating nasal cautery techniques in epistaxis
Authors: Bastianpillai J , Saxby C , Coyle P , Armstrong A , Mohamid W , Mochloulis G
Published: October 2019

Background

Silver nitrate cautery and bipolar electrocautery are commonly used in the treatment of epistaxis. Currently, there are no recommendations on optimum contact times or power for nasal cautery. ENT consultant practice in the UK has not previously been evaluated.

Methods

This study examined the burn depth associated with silver nitrate (75 per cent concentration) cautery and bipolar electrocautery on porcine septum samples, using varying contact times and power. ENT consultants completed a survey evaluating their practice.

Results and conclusion

ENT consultant practice of nasal cautery was shown to vary widely. Silver nitrate cautery with a contact time of less than 30 seconds does not cause a full thickness burn. The findings lend some support to bilateral cauterisation with silver nitrate. Bipolar electrocautery should be set at lower than 10 W and with a contact time of less than 4 seconds to reduce the risk of complications associated with a full thickness burn.
ADMISSIBLE, SIMILAR TESTS: A CHARACTERIZATION
Authors: Montiel Olea José Luis
Published: October 2019

This article studies a classical problem in statistical decision theory: a hypothesis test of a sharp null in the presence of a nuisance parameter. The main contribution of this article is a characterization of two finite-sample properties often deemed reasonable in this environment: admissibility and similarity. Admissibility means that a test cannot be improved uniformly over the parameter space. Similarity requires the null rejection probability to be unaffected by the nuisance parameter.

The characterization result has two parts. The first part—established by Chernozhukov, Hansen, and Jansson (2009, Econometric Theory 25, 806–818)—states that maximizing weighted average power (WAP) subject to a similarity constraint suffices to generate admissible, similar tests. The second part—hereby established—states that constrained WAP maximization is (essentially) a necessary condition for a test to be admissible and similar. The characterization result shows that choosing an admissible, similar test is tantamount to selecting a particular weight function to report weighted average power. This result applies to full vector inference with a nuisance parameter, not to subvector inference.

The article also revisits the theory of testing in the instrumental variables model. Specifically—and in light of the relevance of the weighted average power criterion in the main theoretical result—the article suggests a weight function for the structural parameters of the homoskedastic instrumental variables model, based on the priors proposed by Chamberlain (2007). The corresponding test is, by construction, admissible and similar. In addition, the test is shown to have finite- and large-sample properties comparable to those of the conditional likelihood ratio test.
Concordance to links with an unknotted component
Authors: DAVIS CHRISTOPHER W. , PARK JUNGHWAN
Published: October 2019

We construct links of arbitrarily many components each component of which is slice and yet are not concordant to any link with even one unknotted component. The only tool we use comes from the Alexander modules.
Incorporating local habitat heterogeneity and productivity measures when modelling vertebrate richness
Authors: Cooper W Justin , McShea William J , Luther David A , Forrester Tavis
Published: October 2019

Declining species richness is a global concern; however, the coarse-scale metrics used at regional or landscape levels might not accurately represent the important habitat characteristics needed to estimate species richness. Currently, there exists a lack of knowledge with regard to the spatial extent necessary to correlate remotely sensed habitat metrics to species richness and animal surveys. We provide a protocol for determining the best scale to use when merging remotely sensed habitat and animal survey data as a step towards improving estimates of vertebrate species richness on broad scales. We test the relative importance of fine-resolution habitat heterogeneity and productivity metrics at multiple spatial scales as predictors of species richness for birds, frogs and mammals using a Bayesian approach and a combination of passive monitoring technologies. Model performance was different for each taxonomic group and dependent on the scale at which habitat heterogeneity and productivity were measured. Optimal scales included a 20-m radius for bats and frogs, an 80-m radius for birds and a 180-m radius for terrestrial mammals. Our results indicate that optimal scales do exist when merging remotely sensed habitat measures with ground-based surveys, but they differ between vertebrate groups. Additionally, the selection of a measurement scale is highly influential to our understanding of the relationships between species richness and habitat characteristics.