bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition synthesis and fluorescent ion sensor behavior of carbazole‐triazole‐fluorene conjugated polymers
Authors: Tane Shizuka , Michinobu Tsuyoshi
Published: January 2020

1,8‐Carbazole‐based conjugated polymers were synthesized by the Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition between 1,8‐diethynylcarbazole monomers and 2,7‐diazidofluorene counter comonomers. Successful polymer formation was revealed by conventional techniques, such as gel permeation chromatography and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and the bathochromically shifted absorption with respect to the model monomer. The resulting polymer displayed selective metal ion recognition in terms of fluorescence quenching or the appearance of a new emission peak. The fluorescence chemosensor behavior could be achieved only when the 9H position of the carbazole was unsubstituted. Of the studied metal cations, Sn2+ ions were the most strongly bound to the polymer. The degree of fluorescence quenching was more significant than that of the model monomer, a fact that highlights the use of polymeric chemosensors. Moreover, CN− anion recognition was also demonstrated by the fluorescence recovery of the polymer–Sn2+ ion complex. Overall, this is the first click polymerization of 1,8‐carbazole‐based monomers, and the selective ion sensor behavior was achieved by the characteristic 1,8‐di(triazolyl)carbazole unit. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
New ways to improve the damping properties in high‐performance thermoplastic vulcanizates
Authors: Burgoa Aizeti , Hernandez Ricardo , Vilas Jose Luis
Published: January 2020

The incorporation of viscoelastic materials represents an effective strategy to reduce the vibratory level of structural components. Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are a special type of viscoelastic material that combines the elastomeric properties of rubbers with the easy processing of thermoplastics. In the present work, we propose innovative ways to improve the damping properties of high‐performance TPVs by using rubbers with carboxylic functionalities. For that, TPVs from physical blends of carboxylated hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (XHNBR) and polyamide 6 (PA6) were prepared. The chain dynamics of different mixed crosslink systems containing peroxide, metal oxides and hindered phenolic antioxidants were investigated in order to find the most suitable strategy to design a high‐performance TPV system with upgraded damping properties. The results indicate that the damping performance of the TPV system can be tailored by controlling the type and magnitude of the bonding interactions between the mixed crosslink system and the XHNBR rubber phase. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of TPV systems containing carboxylic rubbers as high‐performance damping materials. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Sitting Balance Exercise Performed Using Virtual Reality Training on a Stroke Rehabilitation Inpatient Service: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Sheehy Lisa , Taillon‐Hobson Anne , Sveistrup Heidi , Bilodeau Martin , Yang Christine , Finestone Hillel
Published: January 2020

Background

Virtual reality training (VRT) is engaging and may enhance rehabilitation intensity. Only one previous study has looked at its use to improve sitting balance after stroke.

Objective

To determine if supplemental sitting balance exercises, administered via VRT, improve control of sitting balance and upper extremity function in stroke rehabilitation inpatients.

Design

Assessor‐blinded, placebo‐controlled randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Stroke inpatient rehabilitation unit.

Participants

Seventy‐six participants (out of 130 approached) with subacute stroke who could not stand independently were randomized to experimental and control groups. Sixty‐nine completed the study.

Interventions

The experimental group did VRT that required leaning and reaching, whereas the control group had their trunk restrained and performed VRT that involved only small upper extremity movements to minimize trunk movement. Both groups performed 10‐12 sessions of 30‐45 minutes. Participants were assessed pre, post, and 1 month after the sessions by a blinded examiner.

Outcome Measures

Function in Sitting Test (FIST, primary outcome measure); Ottawa Sitting Scale; Reaching Performance Scale; Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT).

Results

Thirty‐three participants completed the experimental intervention and 36 the control. Pre/post differences for FIST were 3.4 (confidence interval [CI] 0.5;6.3) for the experimental group and 5.3 (2.9;7.7) for the control group. There was a significant improvement over time (adjusted for multiple comparisons, P < .006) on most outcome measures except the WMFT Performance Time Scale (control group; P = .007) and grip strength (P = .008); there were no differences between groups (P > .006).

Conclusions

Siting balance outcomes were similar for both groups; therefore, this study does not support the use of sitting balance exercises provided via VRT for the rehabilitation of sitting balance after stroke. However, because it is only the second study to investigate VRT for sitting balance and upper extremity function, more research, using more challenging exercises and a greater treatment intensity, is required before definitive conclusions are made.
Impact of Void Structure on Initiation Sensitivity
Authors: Molek Christopher D. , Welle Eric J. , Mares Jesus O. , Vitarelli Jim , Barrett Hardin D. , Stuthers Matthew
Published: January 2020

The influence of microstructural variation on the initiation of octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX) has been evaluated. These evaluations encompass two classes of fine‐grain HMX, Class 5 and Fluid Energy Milled (FEM). Initiation data of HMX using thick Polyimide flyers (203 μm) near the power flux (Πc) limiting condition (2.26 GPa to 4.63 GPa) as a function of density are presented. The initiation results depict decreasing threshold velocities as density decreases for both materials. The Class 5 has a lower threshold velocity value than the FEM at comparable density values. Microstructure evaluations based solely on the total specific interface area (SIA) are inconsistent with the initiation results. Further evaluation resulted in the requirement of calculating cumulative SIA as a function of feature size to match the trends observed in threshold behavior. The results support the concept of an activated hot spot size as a function of pressure as formulated by Khasainov et al. [1]. Analysis of the microstructure indicates the distinguishing features between Class 5 and FEM are the large particle size tails of the distributions.
Not all predators are equal: miticide non‐target effects and differential selectivity
Authors: Bergeron Paul E , Schmidt‐Jeffris Rebecca A
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Biological control in conventional agroecosystems involves the integration of chemical and conservation tactics, requiring knowledge of pesticide non‐target effects on key natural enemies. Even for natural enemy groups such as predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae), where pesticide non‐target effects have been thoroughly examined, there may be significant differences in species susceptibility to specific active ingredients, including newer selective products. Using bioassays, we examined lethal (female mortality) and sublethal (fecundity, egg hatch, larval survival) effects of ten miticides on a spider mite pest (Tetranychus urticae) and three insectary‐purchased predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, and N. fallacis) commonly used for its management. Susceptibility of field‐collected and insectary‐reared populations of P. persimilis was also compared. Cumulative impacts on production of larvae by treated female spider mites and predators were compared to create a metric that simultaneously accounted for miticide efficacy and selectivity.

Results

Bifenthrin was the least selective, as it caused acute toxicity to all predators and had little efficacy against T. urticae. Hexythiazox and cyflumetofen were the most selectively favorable. Phytoseiulus persimilis populations were similar in which miticides they were sensitive to, although the insectary‐purchased population was generally more sensitive.

Conclusions

All products, including those considered selective (cyflumetofen, bifenazate, acequinocyl) had non‐target effects on at least one species of predator tested. This work emphasizes that there is high variability in selectivity among species, highlighting the need to examine key natural enemies individually when creating management programs. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
High‐throughput first‐principle calculations of the structural, mechanical, and electronic properties of cubic XTiO3 (X = Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb) ceramics under high pressure
Authors: Xiao Hui , Fan Touwen , Wang Zhipeng , Hu Te , Tang Xian , Ma Li , Tang Pingying
Published: January 2020

High‐throughput first‐principle calculations are implemented to study the structural, mechanical, and electronic properties of cubic XTiO3 (X = Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb) ceramics under high pressure. The effects of applied pressure on physical parameters, such as elastic constants, bulk modulus, Young's modulus, shear modulus, ductile‐brittle transition, elastic anisotropy, Poisson's ratio, and band gap, are investigated. Results indicate that high pressure improves the resistance to bulk, elastic, and shear deformation for XTiO3 ceramics. Pugh's ratios
B/G reveal that CaTiO3 and PbTiO3 ceramics are ductile, but SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 ceramics are brittle under the ground state. The brittle‐to‐ductile transition pressures are 24.26 GPa for SrTiO3 and 43.23 GPa for BaTiO3. Under high pressure, the strong anisotropy promotes the cross‐slip process of screw dislocations, and then enhances the plasticity of XTiO3 ceramics. Meanwhile, XTiO3 (X = Ca, Sr, Ba) is intrinsically an indirect‐gap ceramic, but PbTiO3 is a direct‐gap ceramic. High pressure increases the band gap of XTiO3 (X = Ca, Sr, Ba) ceramic, but decreases that of PbTiO3 ceramic. This work is helpful for designing and applying XTiO3 ceramics under high pressure.
A variable‐stiffness continuum manipulators by an SMA‐based sheath in minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Jiang Surong , Chen Bai , Qi Fei , Cao Yanfei , Ju Feng , Bai Dongming , Wang Yaoyao
Published: January 2020

Background

Due to its unique dexterity and safety, continuum manipulators have been widely used in small constrained environment. However, its flexibility also brings negative effects such as poor stiffness and low strength. This paper presents a novel variable‐stiffness sheath for continuum manipulators applied in minimally invasive surgery.

Methods

We present a variable‐stiffness sheath based on shape memory alloy (SMA) for each module of the continuum manipulators. The stiffness of the sheath can be continuously adjusted depending on the voltage between both ends of the sheath, along with the phase transformation of SMA between austenite and martensite.

Results

The experimental results demonstrate that the stiffness of the sheath and single module are able to increase up to 223.1% and 139.2%, separately, which verify the correctness of the proposed variable stiffness method.

Conclusion

The robot integrated with the variable‐stiffness sheath is demonstrated to possess a fine capacity of variable stiffness.
ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67‐Derived Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon Confined CoP Polyhedron Targeting Superior Potassium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Yi Yuyang , Zhao Wen , Zeng Zhihan , Wei Chaohui , Lu Chen , Shao Yuanlong , Guo Wenyue , Dou Shixue , Sun Jingyu
Published: January 2020

Potassium ion batteries (KIB) have become a compelling energy‐storage system owing to their cost effectiveness and the high abundance of potassium in comparison with lithium. However, its practical applications have been thwarted by a series of challenges, including marked volume expansion and sluggish reaction kinetics caused by the large radius of potassium ions. In line with this, the exploration of reliable anode materials affording high electrical conductivity, sufficient active sites, and structural robustness is the key. The synthesis of ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67 derived nitrogen‐doped porous carbon confined CoP polyhedron architectures (NC@CoP/NC) to function as innovative KIB anode materials is reported. Such composites enable an outstanding rate performance to harvest a capacity of ≈200 mAh g−1 at 2000 mA g−1. Additionally, a high cycling stability can be gained by maintaining a high capacity retention of 93% after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1. Furthermore, the potassium ion storage mechanism of the NC@CoP/NC anode is systematically probed through theoretical simulations and experimental characterization. This contribution may offer an innovative and feasible route of emerging anode design toward high performance KIBs.
Lobar holoprosencephaly with craniofacial defects in a Friesian calf: A case report
Authors: Kisipan Mosiany L. , Nyaga Samuel N. , Thuo Jesse N. , Nyakego Phillip O. , Orenge Caleb O. , Ojoo Rodi O.
Published: January 2020

Background

Holoprosencephaly is a forebrain deformity that results from varying degrees of separation failure of cerebral hemispheres. The condition is classified based on the degree of non‐separation of the hemispheres which, in turn, determines its severity. Holoprosencephaly is usually accompanied by craniofacial defects whose severity tends to reflect the extent of brain deformities. In humans, holoprosencephaly is one of the commonest congenital brain anomalies but in animals, reported cases are scarce. The condition has multifactorial aetiology that involves interactions between several genetic and environmental factors.

Case presentation

A 4‐day‐old female Friesian calf with a deformed face was reported to the Faculty of veterinary medicine and surgery, Egerton University. The calf and the dam were sired by the same bull. On clinical and radiographic examination, the calf had a short snout that curved dorsally with bilateral cleft lip, right‐sided cleft jaw and a largely absent primary palate. Anatomopathological examination revealed brain deformities which included ventral fusion of frontal lobes of cerebral hemispheres, large merged lateral ventricles without septum pellucidum and fornix, hypoplastic corpus callosum, high degree of non‐separation between diencephalic structures, poorly developed hippocampal formation and hypoplastic olfactory lobe, optic chiasma, and nerve.

Conclusion

The case was confirmed as lobar holoprosencephaly based on characteristic anatomopathological findings. The aetiology of the defects in the present case could not be determined though they are thought to be either a result of recessive inheritance or exposure to teratogenic steroid alkaloids through materials fed to the dam during early pregnancy.
A Population Genomics Lexicon
Authors: Barroso Gustavo V. , Moutinho Ana Filipa , Dutheil Julien Y.
Published: January 2020

Population genomics is a growing field stemming from soon a 100 years of developments in population genetics. Here, we summarize the main concepts and terminology underlying both theoretical and empirical statistical population genomics studies. We provide the reader with pointers toward the original literature as well as methodological and historical reviews.
Population Genomics of Fungal Plant Pathogens and the Analyses of Rapidly Evolving Genome Compartments
Authors: Eschenbrenner Christoph J. , Feurtey Alice , Stukenbrock Eva H.
Published: January 2020

Genome sequencing of fungal pathogens have documented extensive variation in genome structure and composition between species and in many cases between individuals of the same species. This type of genomic variation can be adaptive for pathogens to rapidly evolve new virulence phenotypes. Analyses of genome-wide variation in fungal pathogen genomes rely on high quality assemblies and methods to detect and quantify structural variation. Population genomic studies in fungi have addressed the underlying mechanisms whereby structural variation can be rapidly generated. Transposable elements, high mutation and recombination rates as well as incorrect chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis contribute to extensive variation observed in many species. We here summarize key findings in the field of fungal pathogen genomics and we discuss methods to detect and characterize structural variants including an alignment-based pipeline to study variation in population genomic data.
Genomic Access to the Diversity of Fishes
Authors: Nolte Arne W.
Published: January 2020

The number of fishes exceeds that of all other vertebrates both in terms of species numbers and in their morphological and phylogenetic diversity. They are an ecologically and economically important group and play an essential role as a resource for humans. This makes the genomic exploration of fishes an important area of research, both from an applied and a basic research perspective. Fish genomes can vary greatly in complexity, which is partially due to differences in size and content of repetitive DNA, a history of genome duplication events and because fishes may be polyploid, all of which complicate the assembly and analysis of genome sequences. However, the advent of modern sequencing techniques now facilitates access to genomic data that permit genome-wide exploration of genetic information even for previously unexplored species. The development of genomic resources for fishes is spearheaded by model organisms that have been subject to genetic analysis and genome sequencing projects for a long time. These offer a great potential for the exploration of new species through the transfer of genomic information in comparative analyses. A growing number of genome sequencing projects and the increasing availability of tools to assemble and access genomic information now move boundaries between model and nonmodel species and promises progress in many interesting but unexplored species that remain to be studied.
Detecting Positive Selection in Populations Using Genetic Data
Authors: Koropoulis Angelos , Alachiotis Nikolaos , Pavlidis Pavlos
Published: January 2020

High-throughput genomic sequencing allows to disentangle the evolutionary forces acting in populations. Among evolutionary forces, positive selection has received a lot of attention because it is related to the adaptation of populations in their environments, both biotic and abiotic. Positive selection, also known as Darwinian selection, occurs when an allele is favored by natural selection. The frequency of the favored allele increases in the population and, due to genetic hitchhiking, neighboring linked variation diminishes, creating so-called selective sweeps. Such a process leaves traces in genomes that can be detected in a future time point. Detecting traces of positive selection in genomes is achieved by searching for signatures introduced by selective sweeps, such as regions of reduced variation, a specific shift of the site frequency spectrum, and particular linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns in the region. A variety of approaches can be used for detecting selective sweeps, ranging from simple implementations that compute summary statistics to more advanced statistical approaches, e.g., Bayesian approaches, maximum-likelihood-based methods, and machine learning methods. In this chapter, we discuss selective sweep detection methodologies on the basis of their capacity to analyze whole genomes or just subgenomic regions, and on the specific polymorphism patterns they exploit as selective sweep signatures. We also summarize the results of comparisons among five open-source software releases (SweeD, SweepFinder, SweepFinder2, OmegaPlus, and RAiSD) regarding sensitivity, specificity, and execution times. Furthermore, we test and discuss machine learning methods and present a thorough performance analysis. In equilibrium neutral models or mild bottlenecks, most methods are able to detect selective sweeps accurately. Methods and tools that rely on linkage disequilibrium (LD) rather than single SNPs exhibit higher true positive rates than the site frequency spectrum (SFS)-based methods under the model of a single sweep or recurrent hitchhiking. However, their false positive rate is elevated when a misspecified demographic model is used to build the distribution of the statistic under the null hypothesis. Both LD and SFS-based approaches suffer from decreased accuracy on localizing the true target of selection in bottleneck scenarios. Furthermore, we present an extensive analysis of the effects of gene flow on selective sweep detection, a problem that has been understudied in selective sweep literature.
Ancestral Population Genomics with Jocx, a Coalescent Hidden Markov Model
Authors: Cheng Jade Yu , Mailund Thomas
Published: January 2020

Coalescence theory lets us probe the past demographics of present-day genetic samples and much information about the past can be gleaned from variation in rates of coalescence event as we trace genetic lineages back in time. Fewer and fewer lineages will remain, however, so there is a limit to how far back we can explore. Without recombination, we would not be able to explore ancient speciation events because of this—any meaningful species concept would require that individuals of one species are closer related than they are to individuals of another species, once speciation is complete. Recombination, however, opens a window to the deeper past. By scanning along a genomic alignment, we get a sequential variant of the coalescence process as it looked at the time of the speciation. This pattern of coalescence times is fixed at speciation time and does not erode with time; although accumulated mutations and genomic rearrangements will eventually hide the signal, it enables us to glance at events in the past that would not be observable without recombination. So-called coalescence hidden Markov models allow us to exploit this, and in this chapter, we present the tool Jocx that uses a framework of these models to infer demographic parameters in ancient speciation events.
Einleitung: Affen, Menschen, Affekte
Authors: Shah Mira
Published: January 2020

Affen und Affekte – diesen Bezug stellt schon ein Klassiker der Science Fiction her: Pierre Boulles Roman La planète des singes (Boulle, Pierre: La planète des singes. Paris 1963. Im Folgenden, wenn zur Unterscheidung nötig, als PS geführt; Seitenangaben im Text.) von 1963. Boulle hat mit seinem Titel durchaus recht: Wir leben auf einem Planeten der Affen. Der Mensch, der diesen Planeten mehr oder minder frei nach seinem Willen umzugestalten weiß, ist biologisch-taxonomisch gesehen nichts anderes als eine weitere, wenn auch biogeographisch betrachtet sehr erfolgreiche Primatenspezies.
Performance of merging lines with uneven buffer capacity allocation: the effects of unreliability under different inventory-related costs
Authors: Shaaban Sabry , Romero-Silva Rodrigo
Published: January 2020

This simulation study investigates whether machine efficiency, mean time to failure (MTTF) and mean time to repair (MTTR) significantly affect the performance of uneven buffer capacity allocation patterns for merging lines. Also studied is the trade-off between increasing throughput via bigger buffers and their associated inventory-related costs, since previous studies have shown that higher overall buffer capacity and higher average inventory content result in higher throughput. Results suggest that an ascending buffer allocation pattern (concentrating buffer capacity towards the end of the line) produces higher throughput in shorter, more unreliable lines; whereas the balanced pattern shows better performance in longer, more reliable lines. Increasing average buffer capacity per station and/or having higher average buffer content was found to be more cost-effective in lines with lower machine inefficiency, shorter MTTF and MTTR, and longer lines. Results differed between reliable and unreliable lines since reliable lines were particularly penalised by buffer capacity investiment/maintenance costs due to a relatively low increase in throughput resulting from the addition of extra buffer capacity.
Explainable AI under contract and tort law: legal incentives and technical challenges
Authors: Hacker Philipp , Krestel Ralf , Grundmann Stefan , Naumann Felix
Published: January 2020

This paper shows that the law, in subtle ways, may set hitherto unrecognized incentives for the adoption of explainable machine learning applications. In doing so, we make two novel contributions. First, on the legal side, we show that to avoid liability, professional actors, such as doctors and managers, may soon be legally compelled to use explainable ML models. We argue that the importance of explainability reaches far beyond data protection law, and crucially influences questions of contractual and tort liability for the use of ML models. To this effect, we conduct two legal case studies, in medical and corporate merger applications of ML. As a second contribution, we discuss the (legally required) trade-off between accuracy and explainability and demonstrate the effect in a technical case study in the context of spam classification.
Link of ocular pseudoexfoliation syndrome and vascular system changes: results from 10-year follow-up study
Authors: Rumelaitienė Ugnė , Žaliūnienė Dalia , Špečkauskas Martynas , Tamošiūnas Abdonas , Radišauskas Ričardas , Jusevičiūtė Emilija , Vainauskas Vidas , Bernotienė Gailutė
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To examine the 10-year incidence of the pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in adults in a population-based follow-up study, to determine its link with vascular diseases, and to identify possible risk factors of the PEX.

Methods

The baseline examination was performed in 2006 on a random sample of 1033 participants from Kaunas city (Lithuania) population. In 2016, a follow-up study of 686 participants who returned for the examination was conducted. The respondents filled out a questionnaire, an ophthalmological examination was performed, and the presence of vascular diseases was determined by the anamnesis and electrocardiogram evaluation data. Binary univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted with the PEX and vascular diseases as predictors, controlling for age. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals of OR were calculated for the risk of new PEX cases.

Results

During 10 years, the prevalence of the PEX in the study population increased from 10.3 to 34.2%. The rates of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and IHD combined with stroke were significantly higher in the PEX subjects than in the non-PEX subjects. The risk of the PEX among persons with IHD was, on the average, by 1.5-fold higher, and among those with IHD and stroke, on the average, by 1.6-fold higher as compared to persons without the aforementioned pathologies (accordingly, p = 0.014 and p = 0.010).

Conclusion

The prevalence of the PEX increased significantly with age. The risk of the PEX was significantly higher among persons with IHD and even higher among persons with IHD and stroke. In the future, a greater understanding of the cardiovascular, metabolic, and environmental components associated with the PEX may lead to more specific lifestyle-related preventive strategies to decrease the disease burden.
ADAMTS1 and HSPG2 mRNA levels in cumulus cells are related to human oocyte quality and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation outcomes
Authors: Ma Yerong , Jin Jiamin , Tong Xiaomei , Yang Weijie , Ren Peipei , Dai Yongdong , Pan Yibin , Zhang YinLi , Zhang Songying
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The study investigated potential correlations between the expression levels of ADAMTS1 and HSPG2 in cumulus cells (CCs) and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) outcomes.

Methods

RT-PCR was used to determine ADAMTS1 and HSPG2 mRNA levels in mice CCs at different timepoints (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 h) after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection, and in CCs after RNAi treatment. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n = 45) and normal ovulatory controls (n = 103) undergoing IVF/ICSI were recruited. Relative ADAMTS1 and HSPG2 mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR. Moreover, correlations of ADAMTS1 and HSPG2 levels with COH outcomes were analyzed.

Results

At different timepoints after hCG treatment, ADAMTS1 mRNA had the highest level at 12 h, whereas HSPG2 showed opposite profiles to ADAMTS1 with the lowest level at 12 h. HSPG2 expression was upregulated after ADAMTS1 RNAi treatment The PCOS group had higher HSPG2 and lower ADAMTS1 expression levels than controls. In normal ovulatory women (control group), a higher expression of ADAMTS1 and lower expression of HSPG2 were associated with more mature oocytes, transplantable embryos, and good quality embryos, whereas higher transplantable embryo rates and good quality embryo rates were obtained only with lower HSPG2 expression. ROC curves showed the co-measurement of ADAMTS1 and HSPG2 had a better predictive power than separate analyses.

Conclusion

The dynamic profiles of ADAMTS1 and HSPG2 were inversely correlated in CCs. In PCOS and normal ovulatory patients, higher ADAMTS1 and lower HSPG2 expression levels in CCs were related to better COH outcomes.
The Relationship Among the Components of Self-compassion: A Pilot Study Using a Compassionate Writing Intervention to Enhance Self-kindness, Common Humanity, and Mindfulness
Authors: Dreisoerner Aljoscha , Junker Nina Mareen , van Dick Rolf
Published: January 2020

Self-compassion has been theorized to have three components, each with a positive pole and a negative pole: self-kindness versus self-judgment, common humanity versus isolation, and mindfulness versus over-identification. Neff (Self Identity 2:85–101, 2003a) proposes that they mutually influence each other, however, this proposition has not been tested yet. We conducted a pilot study to see if improvements from training one component spilled over to the other two—and whether these trainings had an impact on well-being. 80 participants completed 8 weeks of self-compassionate writing exercises to enhance either self-kindness, common humanity, or mindfulness. Trait self-compassion was assessed using the six-factor model of the self-compassion scale. To address issues of alpha-error-inflation, the false discovery rate was fixed at 5%, and criticalpvalues were adjusted accordingly. Participants in the mindfulness condition reported increased total self-compassion (p = .009), which was accompanied by increased self-kindness (p = .027) and lower isolation (p = .045). Participants in the common humanity condition reported improved total self-compassion (p = .018), lower over-identification (p = .045), and higher life-satisfaction (p = .049). The training in self-kindness failed to improve self-kindness or any other factor. These findings provide initial evidence that the components of self-compassion mutually enhance each other. They also emphasize the importance of mindfulness within the conceptualization of self-compassion.
Quantitative Storytelling in the Making of a Composite Indicator
Authors: Kuc-Czarnecka Marta , Lo Piano Samuele , Saltelli Andrea
Published: January 2020

The reasons for and against composite indicators are briefly reviewed, as well as the available theories for their construction. After noting the strong normative dimension of these measures—which ultimately aim to ‘tell a story’, e.g. to promote the social discovery of a particular phenomenon, we inquire whether a less partisan use of a composite indicator can be proposed by allowing more latitude in the framing of its construction. We thus explore whether a composite indicator can be built to tell ‘more than one story’ and test this in practical contexts. These include measures used in convergence analysis in the field of cohesion policies and a recent case involving the World Bank’s Doing Business Index. Our experiments are built to imagine different constituencies and stakeholders who agree on the use of evidence and of statistical information while differing on the interpretation of what is relevant and vital.
Hamlyn CRM: a compact master manipulator for surgical robot remote control
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Liu Jindong , Zhang Lin , Yang Guang-Zhong
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Compact master manipulators have inherent advantages, since they can have practical deployment within the general surgical environments easily and bring benefits to surgical training. To assess the advantages of compact master manipulators for surgical skills training and the performance of general robot-assisted surgical tasks, Hamlyn Compact Robotic Master (Hamlyn CRM) is built up and evaluated in this paper.

Methods

A compact structure for the master manipulator is proposed. A novel sensing system is designed while stable real-time motion tracking can be realized by fusing the information from multiple sensors. User studies were conducted based on a ring transfer task and a needle passing task to explore a suitable mapping strategy for the compact master manipulator to control a surgical robot remotely. The overall usability of the Hamlyn CRM is verified based on the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK). The master manipulators of the dVRK control console are used as the reference

Results

Motion tracking experiments verified that the proposed system can track the operators’ hand motion precisely. As for the master–slave mapping strategy, user studies proved that the combination of the position relative mapping mode and the orientation absolute mapping mode is suitable for Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RAMIS), while key parameters for mapping are selected.

Conclusion

Results indicated that the Hamlyn CRM can serve as a compact master manipulator for surgical training and has potential applications for RAMIS.
Porothermoelastic response of an oil sand formation subjected to injection and micro-fracturing in horizontal wells
Authors: Lin Botao , Meng Han , Pan Jingjun , Chen Sen
Published: January 2020

Stimulation of unconsolidated formations via horizontal wells has seen its vast implementation in the recent development of heavy oil reservoir to save the time and cost of preheating the reservoir before the steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process. A mathematical approach was proposed in this research that fully couples the hydraulic, mechanical and thermal responses of unconsolidated sandstone formations and also applies failure criteria for describing either shear dilation or tensile parting mechanism that generates microcracks. The approach was implemented to predict the porothermoelastic response of a pair of SAGD wells subject to injection and subsequent micro-fracturing using hot water. It was found that the predicted bottom hole pressures (BHPs) match closely with the field observed data. An elliptical dilation zone developed around the dual wells with relatively high pore pressure, porosity, permeability and temperature, implying good interwell hydraulic communication between both wells. The activation of microcracks dramatically accelerated the dissipation of pore pressure across the entire formation depth and also facilitated heat convection in between the dual wells, though to a lesser extent. In summary, the approach provides a convenient means to assist field engineers in the optimization of injection efficiency and evaluation of interference among multiple horizontal wells.
eXplainable Cooperative Machine Learning with NOVA
Authors: Baur Tobias , Heimerl Alexander , Lingenfelser Florian , Wagner Johannes , Valstar Michel F. , Schuller Björn , André Elisabeth
Published: January 2020

In the following article, we introduce a novel workflow, which we subsume under the term “explainable cooperative machine learning” and show its practical application in a data annotation and model training tool calledNOVA. The main idea of our approach is to interactively incorporate the ‘human in the loop’ when training classification models from annotated data. In particular, NOVA offers a collaborative annotation backend where multiple annotators join their workforce. A main aspect is the possibility of applying semi-supervised active learning techniques already during the annotation process by giving the possibility to pre-label data automatically, resulting in a drastic acceleration of the annotation process. Furthermore, the user-interface implements recent eXplainable AI techniques to provide users with both, a confidence value of the automatically predicted annotations, as well as visual explanation. We show in an use-case evaluation that our workflow is able to speed up the annotation process, and further argue that by providing additional visual explanations annotators get to understand the decision making process as well as the trustworthiness of their trained machine learning models.
Activation of the pattern recognition receptor NOD1 augments colon cancer metastasis
Authors: Jiang Henry Y. , Najmeh Sara , Martel Guy , MacFadden-Murphy Elyse , Farias Raquel , Savage Paul , Leone Arielle , Roussel Lucie , Cools-Lartigue Jonathan , Gowing Stephen , Berube Julie , Giannias Betty , Bourdeau France , Chan Carlos H. F. , Spicer Jonathan D. , McClure Rebecca , Park Morag , Rousseau Simon , Ferri Lorenzo E.
Published: January 2020

While emerging data suggest nucleotide oligomerization domain receptor 1 (NOD1), a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor, may play an important and complementary role in the immune response to bacterial infection, its role in cancer metastasis is entirely unknown. Hence, we sought to determine the effects of NOD1 on metastasis. NOD1 expression in paired human primary colon cancer, human and murine colon cancer cells were determined using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting (WB). Clinical significance of NOD1 was assessed using TCGA survival data. A series of in vitro and in vivo functional assays, including adhesion, migration, and metastasis, was conducted to assess the effect of NOD1. C12-iE-DAP, a highly selective NOD1 ligand derived from gram-negative bacteria, was used to activate NOD1. ML130, a specific NOD1 inhibitor, was used to block C12-iE-DAP stimulation. Stable knockdown (KD) of NOD1 in human colon cancer cells (HT29) was constructed with shRNA lentiviral transduction and the functional assays were thus repeated. Lastly, the predominant signaling pathway of NOD1-activation was identified using WB and functional assays in the presence of specific kinase inhibitors. Our data demonstrate that NOD1 is highly expressed in human colorectal cancer (CRC) and human and murine CRC cell lines. Clinically, we demonstrate that this increased NOD1 expression negatively impacts survival in patients with CRC. Subsequently, we identify NOD1 activation by C12-iE-DAP augments CRC cell adhesion, migration and metastasis. These effects are predominantly mediated via the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. This is the first study implicating NOD1 in cancer metastasis, and thus identifying this receptor as a putative therapeutic target.
Recent Progress of Two-Dimensional Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Li Delong , Gong Youning , Chen Yuexing , Lin Jiamei , Khan Qasim , Zhang Yupeng , Li Yu , Zhang Han , Xie Heping
Published: January 2020

Thermoelectric generators have attracted a wide research interest owing to their ability to directly convert heat into electrical power. Moreover, the thermoelectric properties of traditional inorganic and organic materials have been significantly improved over the past few decades. Among these compounds, layered two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, black phosphorus, transition metal dichalcogenides, IVA–VIA compounds, and MXenes, have generated a large research attention as a group of potentially high-performance thermoelectric materials. Due to their unique electronic, mechanical, thermal, and optoelectronic properties, thermoelectric devices based on such materials can be applied in a variety of applications. Herein, a comprehensive review on the development of 2D materials for thermoelectric applications, as well as theoretical simulations and experimental preparation, is presented. In addition, nanodevice and new applications of 2D thermoelectric materials are also introduced. At last, current challenges are discussed and several prospects in this field are proposed.
Improved Matrix Methodology for Calculating Diffraction Intensity Profiles from Interstratified Phyllosilicates
Authors: Yuan Hongji , Bish David L.
Published: January 2020

Diffraction effects from interstratified phyllosilicates have been studied extensively, and several computer programs such as NEWMOD© are available to facilitate interpretation of X-ray diffraction (XRD) profiles. However, accurate quantification of samples containing multiple interstratified phyllosilicate minerals is difficult due to the generally subjective nature of interpretations. More recent automated fitting interpretations require extensive computational effort, involving numerous calculations of profiles with different fitting-parameter values. Computational cost in time per calculation is the key factor influencing the overall efficiency of automated profile fitting. In general, the matrix methodology developed by Kakinoki and Komura is more efficient than the NEWMOD© architecture. A new matrix methodology was developed that reduces the number of matrix operations such as multiplication and addition, and these modifications improve calculation efficiency by up to a factor of three, with even greater improvement for small crystallite sizes (< 20 layers). A new computer program, ClayStrat, based on the modified matrix methodology, was developed to calculate one-dimensional XRD profiles from interstratified phyllosilicates along the Z direction.
The Efficient IPO Market Hypothesis: Theory and Evidence
Authors: James Kevin R. , Valenzuela Marcela
Published: January 2020

We derive the optimal underwriting method and the quantitative initial public offering (IPO) pricing rule that this method implies in a market with informational frictions consisting of fully rational banks, issuers, and investors. In an efficient IPO market, an issuer’s expected initial return will be determined entirely by the combination of this pricing rule and issuer fundamentals. Applying this rule, we find that we can explain the quantitative magnitude of the principal aspects of the time-series and cross-sectional variation in IPO average initial returns. We conclude that the IPO market is efficient.
Patterns of middle-ear cholesteatoma and implications for surgical approach
Authors: Yu Y , See J , Ng J H , Low D , Tan T Y , Yuen H W
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Understanding the pattern of middle-ear cholesteatoma becomes pertinent with the rise of endoscopic surgery as surgeons decide on the optimal approach to visualise and extirpate disease. With modifications to the Telmesani attic–tympanum–mastoid staging system, this study aimed to evaluate the commonest patterns of middle-ear cholesteatoma and their implications for surgical approach.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in a single tertiary institution in Singapore. All patients undergoing cholesteatoma surgery between January 2012 and June 2015 were included.Staging of cholesteatoma was based on clinical assessment corroborated by radiological findings.

Results

Out of the 55 ears included, 98.2 per cent had cholesteatoma involving the attic. The disease extended into the mastoid antrum and beyond in 43 cases (78.2 per cent). The facial recess and/or sinus tympanum was affected in 26 cases (47.3 per cent).

Conclusion

The majority of cholesteatoma cases present with extensive attic disease and significant mastoid involvement. In these cases, endoscopes may be best suited to adjunctive rather than exclusive use in surgery.
Playing Across the ‘Halfway Line’ on the Fields of International Relations: The Journey fromGlobalising Sportto Sport Diplomacy
Authors: Vonnard Philippe , Marston Kevin Tallec
Published: January 2020

On the still divided Joseon peninsula, a united Korean women's ice hockey team competed at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. Only a few months later, the French, Croatian and Russian heads of state quite literally invited themselves on to the winners’ podium at the 2018 FIFA men's World Cup in Moscow. Such conspicuous examples are emblematic of the role of modern sport in the realm of international relations.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE “MACROECONOMIC MODELING AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE IN THE WAKE OF THE CRISIS”
Authors: Palestrini Antonio
Published: January 2020

The reader can find here a short introduction to the Macroeconomic Modeling and Empirical Evidence in the Wake of the Crisis discussion made at the “International Conference on Economics, Economic Policy and Sustainable Growth after the Crisis” (held at the Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy, September 8–10, 2016).
PRICE FLEXIBILITY AND OUTPUT VOLATILITY UNDER MENU COSTS
Authors: Vu Nam T.
Published: January 2020

This paper studies the implications of price flexibility on output volatility under menu costs and finds price flexibility to be output-destabilizing under supply shocks, but not necessarily so under demand shocks. We illustrate that such a result hinges on the extent to which firms can adjust along both the intensive and the extensive margins, the latter of which is often absent in the literature.
Evaluation of physical and adhesive properties of enamel after a therapeutic dose of radiation and bonding of orthodontic metal brackets: an in vitro study
Authors: Anushree A. , Shetty Ashutosh , Soans Crystal Runa , Kuttappa M. N. , Shetty Akhil , Shetty Kaushik , Nayak U. S. Krishna
Published: January 2020

Aim:

The study aimed to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of metal brackets and adhesive properties of bonded irradiated and non-irradiated teeth.

Methods:

Sixty-six extracted premolar samples were randomly divided into three groups—(a) Control group consisting of 22 non-irradiated, non-aged teeth (Group 1), (b) 22 non-irradiated, aged samples (Group 2) and (c) 22 irradiated, aged samples (Group 3). Irradiation was done using gamma irradiation with a fractionated dose of 60 Gy for 5 consecutive days per week over 6 weeks. Metal brackets were bonded on all samples with light cure adhesive and subjected to SBS test using universal testing machine. The samples were assessed under the scanning electron microscope to check for the adhesive remnant index (ARI) and tag depth.

Results:

There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean SBS of the irradiated samples compared to the non-irradiated teeth. The non-irradiated, aged samples showed a majority of ARI scoring 1 and 2. Whereas, the irradiated samples showed ARI scoring 2 and 3. Approximately, 77·3% of the non-irradiated samples showed no adhesive present on the tooth surface, and 27·2% of the irradiated samples had more than 50% adhesive present on the enamel surface.

Conclusion:

There is a statistically significant decrease in SBS of irradiated enamel compared to that of non-irradiated teeth. However, the SBS observed in the three groups was well above the ideal SBS for orthodontic bonding, that is, 5·6–6·8 MPa. The adhesive remnant was found on all samples of the irradiated group. Deeper adhesive resin tags were found in the irradiated group in the resin–enamel interface.