bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is the utility of urodynamics, including ambulatory, and 24 h monitoring, in predicting upper urinary tract damage in neuro‐urological patients and other lower urinary tract dysfunction? ICI‐RS 2017
Authors: Rantell Angie , Lu Yutao , Averbeck Marcio A. , Badawi Jasmin K. , Rademakers Kevin , Tarcan Tufan , Cardozo Linda , Djurhuus Jens C. , Castro‐Diaz David
Published: July 2018

Aims

This article focuses on how, and if, urodynamics can help to identify which kidneys are in danger of deteriorating in function and also gives recommendations for future research.

Methods

At the International Consultation on Incontinence‐Research Society (ICI‐RS) in 2017, a multi—disciplinary group presented a literature search of what is known about the utility of Urodynamics, including ambulatory, and 24 h monitoring, in predicting upper urinary tract damage in neuro‐urological patients and other lower urinary tract dysfunctions. Wider discussions regarding knowledge gaps, and ideas for future research ensued and are presented in this paper along with a review of the evidence.

Results

The current treatment strategy both in congenital and acquired neurogenic bladder is rather aggressive and successful when addressing hazards to kidney function. This article has highlighted uncertainties concerning the use of 40 cmH2O DLPP and even the lower value of 20. The current literature suggests that patients with spina bifida and those with spinal cord injury have a higher risk of developing upper urinary tract damage and kidney function impairment than those with multiple sclerosis.

Conclusions

Future research should focus on less invasive methods to assess the risk to the upper and lower urinary tract such as urine and serum measurements of cytokines that are involved in the pathophysiology of urinary tract impairment.
Design of a forward view antenna for prostate imaging at 7 T
Authors: Steensma Bart R. , Voogt Ingmar , van der Werf Abe J. , van den Berg Cornelis A.T. , Luijten Peter R. , Klomp Dennis W.J. , Raaijmakers Alexander J.E.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To design a forward view antenna for prostate imaging at 7 T, which is placed between the legs of the subject in addition to a dipole array.

Materials and methods

The forward view antenna is realized by placing a cross‐dipole antenna at the end of a small rectangular waveguide. Quadrature drive of the cross‐dipole can excite a circularly polarized wave propagating along the axial direction to and from the prostate region. Functioning of the forward view antenna is validated by comparing measurements and simulations. Antenna performance is evaluated by numerical simulations and measurements at 7 T.

Results

Simulations of B1+ on a phantom are in good correspondence with measurements. Simulations on a human model indicate that the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), specific absorption rate (SAR) efficiency and SAR increase when adding the forward view antenna to a previously published dipole array. The SNR increases by up to 18% when adding the forward view antenna as a receive antenna to an eight‐channel dipole array in vivo.

Conclusions

A design for a forward view antenna is presented and evaluated. SNR improvements up to 18% are demonstrated when adding the forward view antenna to a dipole array.
Maternal peripartum antibiotic exposure and the risk of postpartum depression
Authors: Murphy Jordan R. , Paul Sudeshna , Dunlop Anne L. , Corwin Elizabeth J.
Published: July 2018

Postpartum depression is a relatively common occurrence that may carry lifelong consequences. Also common is the exposure of pregnant and postpartum women in the United States to antibiotics, especially during the peripartum period. Antibiotic exposure is known to alter gut microbial composition and structure, contributing to a dysbiotic, or imbalanced gut microbiome, and is a mechanism suggested for the increased risk of depressive symptoms following antibiotic exposure in non‐pregnant, non‐postpartum populations. We sought to determine the relationship between antibiotic exposure intrapartum through the first 14 days postpartum and depressive symptoms within the first 6‐months postpartum. In this secondary data analysis, 124 pregnant women from a prospective cohort were enrolled into the study and provided demographic characteristics and health history. Participants completed questionnaires including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale between 32–36 weeks, and 1‐ and 2‐weeks and 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and 6‐months postpartum. Clinical measures including hours in labor, perineal injury, and mode of giving birth were ascertained by medical record abstraction. Antibiotic exposure was identified by self‐report at 1‐ and 2‐weeks postpartum. Antibiotic exposure was found to be independently predictive of postpartum depressive symptoms at 1‐month (Beta = 0.43; CI [0.01, 0.86]) and 2‐months (Beta = 0.51; CI [0.08, 0.94]) postpartum after controlling for baseline predictors. The relationship between antibiotic exposure and postpartum depressive symptoms did not maintain significance at 3‐ or 6‐months postpartum. Additional studies are needed to further investigate the relationship between onset and duration of antibiotic exposure, the peripartum gut microbiome, and the risk for postpartum depressive symptoms.
Improved feedback linearization control based on PSO optimization of an extended Kalman filter
Authors: Medjghou Ali , Ghanai Mouna , Chafaa Kheireddine
Published: July 2018

A robust nonlinear controller based on an improved feedback linearization technique with state observer in presence of uncertainties and external disturbances is developed for a class of nonlinear systems. First, by combining classical feedback linearization approach with a robust control term and a fuzzy logic system, we design and study an efficient controller for such systems. Second, we propose an optimized extended Kalman filter for the observation of the states. The parameters to be optimized are the covariance matricesQandG, which play an important role in the extended Kalman filter performances. This optimization is insured by the particle swarm optimization algorithm. The Lyapunov synthesis approach is used to prove the stability of the whole control loop. The proposed approach is simulated on a nonlinear inverted‐pendulum system. Simulation results demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed scheme and exhibit a more superior performance than its conventional counterpart.
Optimizing an algorithm for the identification and classification of pregnancy outcomes in German claims data
Authors: Wentzell Nadine , Schink Tania , Haug Ulrike , Ulrich Sandra , Niemeyer Marieke , Mikolajczyk Rafael
Published: July 2018

Purpose

For studying drug utilization and safety in pregnancy based on administrative health care data, the reliable identification and classification of pregnancy outcomes in the data is essential. We aimed to optimize an existing algorithm for the identification and classification of pregnancy outcomes in the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD) with a particular focus on births.

Methods

We reconsidered all codes used by the original algorithm and applied it to data of GePaRD from 2006 to 2014. Longitudinal records of pregnancies were used to identify targets for enhancing the algorithm's specificity. We checked the plausibility of the results, eg, regarding the age distribution of persons with pregnancy outcomes. Based on 20 longitudinal records of pregnancies, we compared the outcome classification by clinical experts with the results of the modified algorithm.

Results

Our algorithm identified 1 235 261 pregnancy outcomes in the database, with the majority (94%) being live births, classified as preterm (10%), term (78%), and (12%) births after the expected delivery date. The median age of pregnant women was 32 years (Q1 28; Q3 35). Implausible sequence of outcomes (for example, an induced abortion within a pregnancy categorized as ending in a live birth) were rare (0.03%). The case profile review by clinical experts resulted in the same outcome type and date as the algorithm in 95%.

Conclusions

Our algorithm led to plausible results regarding the identification and classification of pregnancy outcomes. It will be an important foundation for studies on drug utilization and drug safety during pregnancy based on GePaRD.
Semi‐crystalline polypyrrole: Polystyrene sulfonate synthesized through the pores of filter paper
Authors: Kang Kyung Seok , Jee Chanhyuk , Bae Ji‐Hong , Kim Eunyoung , Jung Hyo Jin , Yang Jung Yup , Huh PilHo
Published: July 2018

Semi‐crystalline polypyrrole:polystyrene sulfonate (PPy:PSS) composites were synthesized successfully after passing through the micro‐pores of filter paper. Filter paper was used as a tunnel to channel the diffusion speed of the initiator and to separate the PSS chains as a function of the occupied pore volume. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) suggested the specific bonding structures of the formed PPy:PSS. The crystallographic structures of the PPy:PSS composites were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction based on various pore sizes of the filter paper used. The crystallinity dependence of the conductivity was evaluated using a standard four‐point probe. A series of PPy:PSS samples with different crystallinity exhibited electrical conductivity ranging from 0.007 S/cm to 0.062 S/cm. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1033–1036, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Behavioural Consistency within the Prisoner'S Dilemma Game: The Role of Personality and Situation
Authors: Haesevoets Tessa , Reinders Folmer Chris , Bostyn Dries H. , Van Hiel Alain
Published: July 2018

Mixed–motive games represent situations that confront people with a conflict between cooperative and non–cooperative alternatives. Despite this common basis, recent research has shown that the consistency of people's choices across different mixed–motive games is rather low. The present research examined behavioural consistency within the same mixed–motive game, by presenting participants with a series of one–shot Prisoner's Dilemma Games. Across this set of games, payoffs were manipulated in order to intensify or weaken the conflict between self and the other party while maintaining the game's underlying structure. Our findings indicate that significant differences in choice behaviour are observed as a function of both situational (i.e. manipulations of the Prisoner's Dilemma Game's payoff structure) and personality differences (i.e. individual differences in personality and motivational traits). Moreover, our included situational variables and personality features did not interact with each other and were about equally impactful in shaping cooperation. Crucially, however, despite the significant behavioural differences across game variants, considerable consistency in choices was found as well, which suggests that the game's motivational basis reliably impacts choice behaviour in spite of situational and personality variations. We discuss implications for theorizing on mixed–motive situations and elaborate on the question how cooperation can be promoted. © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology
A working definition and conceptual model of internationalization for school and educational psychology
Authors: Begeny John C.
Published: July 2018

Internationalization has been described as a moral, intellectual, and professional imperative for psychology and its subdisciplines. Numerous scholars within and outside of psychology have been discussing the meaning and importance of internationalization, but the descriptions, definitions, and goals described within the existing literature vary. Furthermore, many authors have used the term “internationalization” without providing any description or definition at all, as is likewise the case with the school and educational psychology scholarship. The central purpose of this paper is to propose a working definition, set of potential goals, and conceptual model of internationalization that has relevance for school and educational psychology. As discussed in the paper, the ideas presented are meant to stimulate opportunities for dialogue, reflection, and critique among a global community of scholars and practitioners—they are not presented with the viewpoint that they ought to be adopted. Within the conceptual model, it is argued, for example, that intentionality, inclusivity, reciprocity, and consideration of goals will help to support internationalization efforts. Proposed goals include relatively more immediate objectives (e.g., enhancing internationally representative scholarship, improving discipline‐relevant advocacy and support efforts) that should help to enable broader internationalization goals (e.g., offering the most effective services to those supported by the international community of school and educational psychologists). The conceptual model is also discussed in the context of existing discipline‐specific research and areas of scholarship that are relatively scarce. The paper concludes by describing limitations, considerations, and potential future efforts relevant to definitions and conceptualizations of internationalization.
Effect of solvation of ionic liquid on Brønsted acid‐catalyzed aldol cyclotrimerization of indanones and related cyclic ketones
Authors: Okazaki Takao , Nakanishi Ryota , Kitagawa Toshikazu
Published: July 2018

Aldol cyclotrimerization of 1‐indanone afforded truxene in ionic liquid [BMIM][Tf2N] in the presence of p‐TsOH as a Brønsted acid catalyst. Truxene was easily isolated by filtration, and the ionic liquid containing p‐TsOH could be reused. Cyclic ketones such as 2‐indanone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone successfully gave aldol cyclotrimerization products in ionic liquid. The reaction mechanism for the cyclotrimerization of 1‐indanone was assessed by the DFT calculations with the polarizable continuum model. The reaction involves 3 C─C bond forming steps: the first aldol reaction of 1‐indanone, the second aldol reaction of a dimer, and 6π‐electrocyclization of a trimer, whose transition states were computed to be energetically the highest in the entire reaction sequence. The second aldol reaction is considered to proceed through 2 alternative pathways: a nucleophilic addition of inden‐1‐ol to O‐protonated 2‐(1‐indanylidene)‐1‐indanone and a nucleophilic addition of 2‐(1‐indenyl)inden‐1‐ol to O‐protonated 1‐indanone. The transition state of the latter pathway was estimated to be energetically favored over that of the former by 3 kcal/mol, suggesting that the second aldol condensation proceeds by the latter pathway according to the Curtin‐Hammett principle. Stabilization by aromatization at the final step was confirmed to be the driving force for the reaction. Reaction rates of the first and the second aldol reaction process were enhanced by using a polar ionic liquid, but the electrocyclization was found to remain similar.
A Novel Strategy to Synthesize Dual Blue Fluorescent‐Magnetic EuCl2 Nanocrystals via One‐Pot Method with Controlled Morphologies Using Urea
Authors: Zhao Tianxin , Xin Jingwei , Jiang Yingnan , Zhao Yue , Zhao Yueqi , Zhao Yu , Sun Weiyi , Yang Bai , Lin Quan
Published: July 2018

Divalent state europium nanocrystals (EuII NCs) have tremendous number of applications such as biological detection, solar cells, medical imaging, and so on. Here, a ready synthetic one‐pot approach to prepare dual blue fluorescent‐magnetic EuCl2 NCs is reported. EuCl3 is reduced by the reducing agent urea, while the oleic acid and oleyl amine are used as the capping ligand. A serial of analysis, such as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, and zero‐field cooling magnetization curve/field cooling magnetization curve are performed to confirm the successful reduction of EuCl2. It is novel that the morphology and size of produced EuCl2 NCs could be adjusted efficiently by the reducing agent urea, including rod shaped, wire shaped, and fiber shaped. The mechanism of controlling the size and morphology of synthetic EuCl2 NCs by the urea content is discussed in detail. What is more, it has been demonstrated that in this one‐pot method the homogeneous and complete nucleation needs to perform slowly in high temperature reaction stage, and then the uniformed crystals are gradually formed during the slow cooling process. That is an appealing strategy for tunable design and synthesis of multifunctional EuII NCs.
Gastroprotective and anti‐ulcer effects of oxymatrine against several gastric ulcer models in rats: Possible roles of antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and prosurvival mechanisms
Authors: Fu Yan , Wu Huan‐qing , Cui Huai‐liang , Li Yue‐yun , Li Chang‐zheng
Published: July 2018

Oxymatrine (OXY) has antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities. In the present work, we investigate the effects of OXY on gastric ulcer models and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. Ethanol, indometacin, and restraint water immersion stress‐induced ulcerated models were used. The ulcer area was measured, and samples of gastric tissue were taken for pathological, histochemical, and biochemical analyses. OXY effectively reduced the area of gastric ulcers and improved the pathological changes of ulcerated tissue. OXY enhanced expression of Bcl‐2, reduced Bax protein expression, and inhibited alcohol‐induced apoptotic death in both ulcerated tissue and human gastric epithelial cells. OXY increased the prostaglandin E2 level and improved oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nitric oxide) and inflammatory parameters (TNF‐a, IL‐6, and IL‐1) of ulcer tissue. OXY prevented an inflammatory response via decreasing expression of p38, p‐ERK, p‐JNK, and inhibiting NF‐κB p65 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Our results reveal that OXY has remarkable protective effects on gastric ulcers. The action of OXY may be mediated via suppression of gastric inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and pro‐apoptotic actions, which were the results of blockades of MAPKs and NF‐κB signaling pathways. Our results provide evidence for the beneficial effects of OXY for treating peptic ulcers.
Binuclear pentalene titanium carbonyls: Comparison with related cyclopentadienyltitanium carbonyls
Authors: Radu Luana‐Flavia , Attia Amr A. A. , Lupan Alexandru , Bruce King R.
Published: July 2018

The structures and energetics of the binuclear pentalene titanium carbonyls PnTi2(CO)
n (Pn = η5,η5‐C8H6; n = 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2) and their 1,4‐bis(triisopropylsilyl) derivatives related to experimentally studied systems have been examined by density functional theory. Geometric constraints within a η5,η5‐PnTi2 unit having exclusively pentahapto ring‐titanium bonds limit the TiTi distances to a maximum of ~3.1 Å in the PnTi2(CO)
n derivatives in contrast to the cyclopentadienyl analogues Cp2Ti2(CO)
n where bonding TiTi distances as long as ~3.9 Å are found. Furthermore, at least one 4‐electron donor η2‐μ‐CO group but never more than 2 such groups are found in the lowest energy PnTi2(CO)
n structures. The lowest energy PnTi2(CO)
n structures (n = 4, 3, 2) by margins of at least 10 kcal/mol have 2 η2‐μ‐CO groups and formal TiTi triple bonds in the singlet spin state. The carbonyl rich species PnTi2(CO)
n and Pn†Ti2(CO)
n (n = 8, 7) are not viable with respect to CO dissociation to give the corresponding hexacarbonyls.
Normal‐phase versus reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) to monitor oxidized phosphatidylcholines by TLC/mass spectrometry
Authors: Engel Kathrin M. , Griesinger Hans , Schulz Michael , Schiller Jürgen
Published: July 2018

Rationale

Normal‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (NP‐TLC) is an established method for the separation of all major phospholipid classes according to the different polarities of the head groups. In contrast, reversed‐phase (RP)‐TLC is much less frequently used for this purpose. This study aimed to compare the NP and the RP approach regarding their separation potential of phospholipid oxidation products.

Methods

Commercially available 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐phosphatidylcholine (POPC) (PC 16:0/18:1) and 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐linoleoyl‐sn‐phosphatidylcholine (PLPC) (PC 16:0/18:2) were oxidized by NaMnO4. Oxidation products were subsequently separated by NP‐ and RP‐TLC and analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Results

In comparison with NP‐TLC, RP‐TLC was clearly superior regarding the separation of oxidation products of phospholipids. RP‐TLC enabled the separation not only of primary oxidation products of POPC such as alcohols and ketones but also of secondary oxidation products. Furthermore some oxidation products, such as aldehydes, were only detectable by ESI after RP‐TLC but not after NP‐TLC.

Conclusions

RP‐TLC is the method of choice to characterize oxidized PL such as oxidized phosphatidylcholines.
Revealing the potential of capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry: the tipping point
Authors: Gahoual Rabah , Leize‐Wagner Emmanuelle , Houzé Pascal , François Yannis‐Nicolas
Published: July 2018

The hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (CE/MS) remains a minor technique compared with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), which represents nowadays the standard instrumentation, regardless of its introduction thirty years ago. However, from a theoretical point of view, CE coupling should be quite favorable especially with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). At the time, the sensitivity provided by CE/MS was often limited, due to hyphenation requirements, which at some point appeared to disqualify CE/MS from benefiting from the performance gain driving the evolution of MS instruments. However, this context has been significantly modified in a matter of a few years. The development of innovative CE/MS interfacing systems has enabled an important improvement regarding sensitivity and reinforced robustness in order to provide an instrumentation accessible to the largest scientific community. Because of the unique selectivity delivered by the electrophoretic separation, CE/MS has proved to be particularly relevant for the analysis of biological molecules. The conjunction of these aspects is motivating the interest in CE/MS analysis and shows that CE/MS is mature enough to enrich the toolbox of analytical techniques for the analysis of complex biological samples. Here we discuss the characteristics of the major types of high‐sensitivity CE/ESI‐MS instrumentation and emphasize the late evolution and future positioning of CE/MS analysis for the characterization of biological molecules like peptides and proteins, through some pertinent applications.
Contribution of herpesviruses in the progression of periodontal and peri‐implant diseases in systemically healthy individuals
Authors: Binshabaib Munerah , ALHarthi Shatha Subhi , Salehpoor Danial , Michelogiannakis Dimitrios , Javed Fawad
Published: July 2018

The aim of this review was to assess the contribution of herpesviruses in the subgingival oral biofilm in the progression of periodontal and peri‐implant diseases in systemically healthy individuals. The literature review was customized to summarize the pertinent information for the following reasons: (1) A systematic review regarding the role of herpesviruses in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease has recently been published; and (2) a limited number of studies have assessed the association of herpesviruses with peri‐implant diseases. To date, five observational studies have assessed the presence of herpesviruses in the subgingival oral biofilm of individuals with peri‐implant diseases. In these studies, dental implants were in place for up to approximately 8 years. In two studies, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was more often isolated from the peri‐implant sulci of sites with than without peri‐implantitis. In one study, a low prevalence of HCMV compared with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) was associated with the progression of peri‐implantitis. In previous studies, the presence of EBV in the subgingival oral biofilm was associated with the onset of peri‐implantitis and peri‐implant mucositis, respectively. Major limitations of the studies assessed were the absence of blinding and lack of power analysis for sample size estimation. In conclusion, the presence of herpesviruses in the periodontal and peri‐implant subgingival oral biofilm is an indicator of periodontal and peri‐implant diseases in systemically healthy individuals; however, further studies with a statistically justified sample‐size are needed to understand and refine this association.
Developmental progress of CRISPR/Cas9 and its therapeutic applications for HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Deng Qiudi , Chen Zisheng , Shi Lei , Lin Huafeng
Published: July 2018

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been developed as a powerful tool for targeted gene editing. As a result of technical enhancements in recent years, this technology has become the method of choice for efficiently modifying targeted HIV‐1 genome efficiently as part of HIV therapy. CRISPR can be modified to target specific sequences that Cas9 then cuts. In this article, we outline the development of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We also show how this technology can be used for the prevention and treatment of HIV‐1 infection. Optimistically, this technology promises to make a significant impact on the fight against HIV‐1 in the future.
Design of Lyapunov functions for a class of homogeneous systems: Generalized forms approach
Authors: Sanchez Tonametl , Moreno Jaime A.
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we provide a method to design Lyapunov functions (LFs) for a class of homogeneous systems described by functions that we call generalized forms (GFs). Homogeneous polynomial systems and several high‐order sliding modes are included in the class. The LF candidate is chosen from the same class of functions and it is parameterized in its coefficients. Since the derivative of the LF candidate along the system's trajectories is also a GF, the problem is reduced to verify positive definiteness of two GFs. We establish a procedure to represent a GF with a finite set of polynomials. Thus, the problem is changed to determine positive definiteness of a set of polynomials. Such a problem can be solved by means of Pólya's theorem or the sum of squares representation.
Sensing water properties at precise depths from the air
Authors: Ore John‐Paul , Detweiler Carrick
Published: July 2018

Water properties are critical to our understanding and managing of freshwater systems that change rapidly with depth. This work presents an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ‐based method of keeping a submerged, cable‐suspended sensor payload at a precise depth, with 95% of sensor readings within ±8.4 cm of the target depth. We use a depth altimeter attached at the terminus of a 3.5 m semirigid cable as the sole input to a depth controller actuated by the UAV's motors. First, we simulate the UAV‐cable‐payload system with disturbances of wind, water, signal delay, and GPS drift and then use parameters discovered during simulation to guide implementation. We characterize the depth altimeter during translation and find that 95% of the readings are within ±7 mm of ground truth, with a steady‐state error of ±3 mm. In field experiments, we compare the depth precision of our new method to previous methods that used the UAV's altitude as a proxy for submerged sensor depth, specifically 1) only using the UAV's air pressure altimeter; and 2) fusing UAV‐mounted ultrasonic sensors with the air pressure altimeter. Our new method reduces the standard deviation of depth readings from 16.1 to 4.2 cm in winds up to 8.0 ms−1. We show the step response of the depth‐altimeter method when transitioning between target depths. Finally, we explore a longer, 8.0 m cable and show that our depth controller still outperforms air altimeter and ultrasonic methods and allows scientists to increase the spatiotemporal resolution of water property datasets.
Needs, wants and values in China: reducing physical wants for sustainable consumption
Authors: Yan Boqian , Spangenberg Joachim H.
Published: July 2018

China is simultaneously the world's biggest polluter, largest victim of pollution, and most ferocious fighter against pollution. So the question is: How can pollution be reduced to pave the way for the ecological civilisation of the future moderately affluent Chinese society? For China to play a leading role in escaping the global environmental crisis, for the benefit of its own population and the rest of the world, technological improvements and the greening of the economy, important as they are, will not suffice. More is needed in terms of limiting resource consumption, namely a reorientation from economic growth towards sustainable consumption and sufficiency. Improving efficiencies on all levels by technological and social innovations is a condition for this, as is a change of consumer aspirations from more to better, towards sufficiency and a good life. Chinese philosophical traditions and values offer anchoring points for such a green enlightenment.
Simulation of positron and electron elastic mean free path and diffusion angle on DNA nucleobases from 10 eV to 100 keV
Authors: Aouina Nabila Yasmina , Chaoui Zine‐El‐Abidine
Published: July 2018

Positron and electron interaction collisions in living cells are efficiently simulated by Monte Carlo (MC) codes where huge data tables are needed. Present study provides detailed results of charged particles elastic interactions needed in MC on DNA nucleobases (adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine, deoxyribose, and phosphoric acid). Indeed, electron and positron elastic cross sections, elastic mean free paths, and elastic angular distributions P(θ) are calculated from 10 eV to 100 keV using a corrected form of the independent atom method taking into account the geometry of the biomolecule. Our calculated results are compared with theoretical data available in the literature in absence of experimental data, in particular for positron. Moreover, our numerical results are presented in analytic format modeled to be used for fast sampling in the MC simulation of elastic collisions; particularly, we provide a useful analytic expression for sampling the elastic diffusion angle. For positron collisions on adenine, the relative error between numerical and analytic elastic diffusion angles is not exceeding 2% in the energy full range 10 eV to 100 keV.
Logistic regression with a continuous exposure measured in pools and subject to errors
Authors: Van Domelen Dane R. , Mitchell Emily M. , Perkins Neil J. , Schisterman Enrique F. , Manatunga Amita K. , Huang Yijian , Lyles Robert H.
Published: July 2018

In a multivariable logistic regression setting where measuring a continuous exposure requires an expensive assay, a design in which the biomarker is measured in pooled samples from multiple subjects can be very cost effective. A logistic regression model for poolwise data is available, but validity requires that the assay yields the precise mean exposure for members of each pool. To account for errors, we assume the assay returns the true mean exposure plus a measurement error (ME) and/or a processing error (PE). We pursue likelihood‐based inference for a binary health‐related outcome modeled by logistic regression coupled with a normal linear model relating individual‐level exposure to covariates and assuming that the ME and PE components are independent and normally distributed regardless of pool size. We compare this approach with a discriminant function‐based alternative, and we demonstrate the potential value of incorporating replicates into the study design. Applied to a reproductive health dataset with pools of size 2 along with individual samples and replicates, the model fit with both ME and PE had a lower AIC than a model accounting for ME only. Relative to ignoring errors, this model suggested a somewhat higher (though still nonsignificant) adjusted log‐odds ratio associating the cytokine MCP‐1 with risk of spontaneous abortion. Simulations modeled after these data confirm validity of the methods, demonstrate how ME and particularly PE can reduce the efficiency advantage of a pooling design, and highlight the value of replicates in improving stability when both errors are present.
Tracking the Formation of a Series of Con (n=2, 6, 8) Clusters from Linear Co3 Precursor Clusters by Optimizing the Reaction Conditions
Authors: Pang Xuhong , Liu Jianfang , Wei Gui , Shi Dongwei , Bian Hedong , Liu Hanfu , Yao Di , Li Haiye , Huang Fuping
Published: July 2018

Starting from two low‐nuclearity linear synthesised Co3 precursors {[Co3L’2(H2O)6]⋅2NO3⋅4H2O} (1) and {[Co3L’2(H2O)6]⋅2NO3} (2) (here, H2L=bis((pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)methane, H2L’=bis((pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazol −5‐yl)ketone), a series of Co3‐substituted complexes and two higher‐nuclearity Co(II) clusters {[Co8L6(μ3‐O)2]⋅5H2O} (3) and [Co6L4(MeOH)6(OAc)4] (4) have been synthesized and characterized through regulating solvent, anion, and pH conditions. For tracking the formation of higher‐nuclearity clusters, the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SXRD), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) analyses for the solid‐liquid phase at different times, revealed that [Co2L2] and [Co2L] species can combine together to form [Co4L3] species, which bridged each other through two [μ3‐O]2− ions in strong alkaline conditions, to get [Co8(μ3‐O)2L6] units in 3; which or combined [Co2L] species in weak alkaline conditions, to get [Co6L4] species in 4. And the antiferromagnetic coupling in 1–4 has been briefly investigated.
SaaS software performance issue identification using HMRF‐MAP framework
Authors: Wang Rui , Ying Shi
Published: July 2018

The performance of the software‐as‐a‐service (SaaS) software is often characterized by combinations of performance metrics monitored in a cloud computing platform. Due to the complexity of the application software and the dynamic nature of the deployment environment, manual diagnosis for performance issues based on metric data is typically expensive and laborious. In order to solve the above problems, we propose an automatic performance issue identification method. This approach constructs the hidden Markov random field maximum a posteriori (HMRF‐MAP) model based on the monitored metric values. The model calculates the current performance state of the system by analyzing the historical states of the system. In this paper, we evaluate our approach in a case study of a production system deployed on the cloud computing platform. The evaluation results show that our approach (1) has small system overhead, (2) is accurate in identifying the time frame during which a performance issue occurs, (3) is indeed useful and assists an operation and maintenance manager in recovering the service capability of SaaS software, and (4) is better than other approaches for identifying the performance issues in the system.
UnThemida: Commercial obfuscation technique analysis with a fully obfuscated program
Authors: Suk Jae Hyuk , Lee Jae‐Yung , Jin Hongjoo , Kim In Seok , Lee Dong Hoon
Published: July 2018

The main goal of code obfuscation is to make software more difficult to reverse engineer. These techniques modify data structures and control flow while retaining the functionality of the original program. Although obfuscation is a useful method for protecting programs, it can also be used to protect malware. This raises concerns that malware could use code obfuscation to avoid detection by antivirus software. It is very difficult to analyze the functionality of obfuscated malware before it has been deobfuscated. Furthermore, commercial obfuscation tools allow malware authors to apply multiple obfuscation options simultaneously, and current deobfuscation techniques cannot handle this situation. In this study, we analyzed a well‐known commercial obfuscation tool called Themida. We applied its many obfuscation options to a program and implemented a tool to recover the original code and data. We extracted features from obfuscated programs and analyzed their control flow. Our tool is based on these features and the control flow patterns and can identify whether Themida has been applied to the program and which obfuscation options have been used. Finally, we suggested a method for recovering the import address table of programs by using dynamic binary instrumentation. The proposed rules and algorithms can almost completely recover the APIs of programs even though they are hidden by obfuscation options provided by Themida.
Estimated incidence of adverse reactions to Kampo medicines in randomized controlled clinical trials
Authors: Arai Ichiro , Hagiwara Yuka , Motoo Yoshiharu
Published: July 2018

Aim

Japanese kampo medicines have a long history of empirical use but have not been clinically validated. Therefore, information about the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADR) is usually lacking. We estimated the incidence of ADR from reports of randomized controlled trials of kampo products.

Methods

Trials of kampo products from the evidence reports of the kampo treatment database were examined to determine the number of patients treated with kampo products, and the number and type of ADR.

Results

Data for 20 340 users of kampo products were analyzed. Of ≥1000 patients who took kampo products, the proportions of those with ADR were as follows: bakumondoto, 2/2167 patients (0.09%); maobushisaishinto, 8/1201 patients (0.67%); saireito, 21/1131 patients (1.86%); daikenchuto, 5/1131 patients (0.44%); and rikkunshito, 23/1126 patients (2.04%). Five patients (0.02%) developed pseudoaldosteronism; all had received shakuyakukanzoto. Liver injury was reported in 32 patients (0.16%) and was approximately threefold higher in those treated with Scutellaria root formulae (15/4206; 0.36%) than in those treated with non‐Scutellaria formulae (17/16134; 0.11%). Of the Scutellaria root formulae, orengedokuto produced the highest incidence of liver injury (1.97%). No cases of interstitial pneumonia or mesenteric phlebosclerosis were reported. The ADR data for some formulae were similar to data from post‐marketing ADR surveys.

Conclusion

Examining data from a large number of trials is a useful way of estimating the incidence of kampo medicine ADR.
Gearbox high‐speed‐stage bearing slip induced by electric excitation in a test facility
Authors: Helsen J. , Guo Y. , Keller J.
Published: July 2018

The goal of this paper is to investigate the behaviour of the high‐speed stage of a wind turbine gearbox during transient grid‐loss events triggered at different power levels in a full‐scale nacelle dynamometer test. The gear mesh behaviour and the bearing roller slip during these events are characterized by strain measurements placed in the gear teeth roots and embedded in the outer rings of the tapered roller bearing locating pair. From our experiments, we conclude that the high‐speed stage experiences a multidimensional loading consisting of bending and torsional deformation during the transient event. This loading propagates throughout the gearbox and results in unfavourable loading conditions at the bearing that have the potential to go beyond the preload during the torque reversals that occur during the grid‐loss event. During the torque reversal, roller slip can occur in the bearings. It is observed that the slip behaviour is directly linked to the initial power level of the generator. Electrically induced excitation that typically leads to dynamic torque events can therefore cause mechanical gearbox degradation.
Conservation laws from asymptotic symmetry and subleading charges in QED
Authors: Hirai Hayato , Sugishita Sotaro
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We present several results on memory effects, asymptotic symmetry and soft theorems in massive QED. We first clarify in what sense the memory effects are interpreted as the charge conservation of the large gauge transformations, and derive the leading and subleading memory effects in classical electromagnetism. We also show that the sub-subleading charges are not conserved without including contributions from the spacelike infinity. Next, we study QED in the BRST formalism and show that parts of large gauge transformations are physical symmetries by justifying that they are not gauge redundancies. Finally, we obtain the expression of charges associated with the subleading soft photon theorem in massive scalar QED.
Phases of $$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$ theories in 2 + 1 dimensions
Authors: Bashmakov Vladimir , Gomis Jaume , Komargodski Zohar , Sharon Adar
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We study the dynamics of 2+1 dimensional theories with

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

supersymmetry. In these theories the supersymmetric ground states behave discontinuously at codimension one walls in the space of couplings, with new vacua coming in from infinity in field space. We show that the dynamics near these walls is calculable: the two-loop effective potential yields exact results about the ground states near the walls. Far away from the walls the ground states can be inferred by decoupling arguments. In this way, we are able to follow the ground states of

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

theories in 2+1 dimensions and construct the infrared phases of these theories. We study two examples in detail: Adjoint SQCD and SQCD with one fundamental quark. In Adjoint QCD we show that for sufficiently small Chern-Simons level the theory has a non-perturbative metastable supersymmetry-breaking ground state. We also briefly discuss the critical points of this theory. For SQCD with one quark we establish an infrared duality between a U(N) gauge theory and an SU(N) gauge theory. The duality crucially involves the vacua that appear from infinity near the walls.
Importance of the nozzle-exit boundary-layer state in subsonic turbulent jets
Authors: Brès Guillaume A. , Jordan Peter , Jaunet Vincent , Le Rallic Maxime , Cavalieri André V. G. , Towne Aaron , Lele Sanjiva K. , Colonius Tim , Schmidt Oliver T.
Published: July 2018

To investigate the effects of the nozzle-exit conditions on jet flow and sound fields, large-eddy simulations of an isothermal Mach 0.9 jet issued from a convergent-straight nozzle are performed at a diameter-based Reynolds number of $1\times 10^{6}$. The simulations feature near-wall adaptive mesh refinement, synthetic turbulence and wall modelling inside the nozzle. This leads to fully turbulent nozzle-exit boundary layers and results in significant improvements for the flow field and sound predictions compared with those obtained from the typical approach based on laminar flow in the nozzle. The far-field pressure spectra for the turbulent jet match companion experimental measurements, which use a boundary-layer trip to ensure a turbulent nozzle-exit boundary layer to within 0.5 dB for all relevant angles and frequencies. By contrast, the initially laminar jet results in greater high-frequency noise. For both initially laminar and turbulent jets, decomposition of the radiated noise into azimuthal Fourier modes is performed, and the results show similar azimuthal characteristics for the two jets. The axisymmetric mode is the dominant source of sound at the peak radiation angles and frequencies. The first three azimuthal modes recover more than 97 % of the total acoustic energy at these angles and more than 65 % (i.e. error less than 2 dB) for all angles. For the main azimuthal modes, linear stability analysis of the near-nozzle mean-velocity profiles is conducted in both jets. The analysis suggests that the differences in radiated noise between the initially laminar and turbulent jets are related to the differences in growth rate of the Kelvin–Helmholtz mode in the near-nozzle region.
Locomotion inside a surfactant-laden drop at low surface Péclet numbers
Authors: Shaik Vaseem A. , Vasani Vishwa , Ardekani Arezoo M.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the dynamics of a swimming microorganism inside a surfactant-laden drop for axisymmetric configurations under the assumptions of small Reynolds number and small surface Péclet number$(Pe_{s})$. Expanding the variables in$Pe_{s}$, we solve the Stokes equations for the concentric configuration using Lamb’s general solution, while the dynamic equation for the stream function is solved in the bipolar coordinates for the eccentric configurations. For a two-mode squirmer inside a drop, the surfactant redistribution can either increase or decrease the magnitude of swimmer and drop velocities, depending on the value of the eccentricity. This was explained by analysing the influence of surfactant redistribution on the thrust and drag forces acting on the swimmer and the drop. The far-field representation of a surfactant-covered drop enclosing a pusher swimmer at its centre is a puller; the strength of this far field is reduced due to the surfactant redistribution. The advection of surfactant on the drop surface leads to a time-averaged propulsion of the drop and the time-reversible swimmer that it engulfs, thereby causing them to escape from the constraints of the scallop theorem. We quantified the range of parameters for which an eccentrically stable configuration can be achieved for a two-mode squirmer inside a clean drop. The surfactant redistribution shifts this eccentrically stable position towards the top surface of the drop, although this shift is small.
On the spatial segregation of helicity by inertial waves in dynamo simulations and planetary cores
Authors: Davidson P. A. , Ranjan A.
Published: July 2018

The distribution of kinetic helicity in a dipolar planetary dynamo is central to the success of that dynamo. Motivated by the helicity distributions observed in numerical simulations of the Earth’s dynamo, we consider the relationship between the kinetic helicity, $h=\boldsymbol{u}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\times \boldsymbol{u}$, and the buoyancy field that acts as a source of helicity, where $\boldsymbol{u}$ is velocity. We show that, in the absence of a magnetic field, helicity evolves in accordance with the equation $\unicode[STIX]{x2202}h/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}t=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\boldsymbol{F}+S_{h}$, where the flux, $\boldsymbol{F}$, represents the transport of helicity by inertial waves, and the helicity source, $S_{h}$, involves the product of the buoyancy and the velocity fields. In the numerical simulations it is observed that the helicity outside the tangent cylinder is predominantly negative in the north and positive in the south, a feature which the authors had previously attributed to the transport of helicity by waves (Davidson & Ranjan, Geophys. J. Intl, vol. 202, 2015, pp. 1646–1662). It is also observed that there is a strong spatial correlation between the distribution of $h$ and of $S_{h}$, with $S_{h}$ also predominantly negative in the north and positive in the south. This correlation tentatively suggests that it is the in situ generation of helicity by buoyancy that establishes the distribution of $h$ outside the tangent cylinder, rather than the dispersal of helicity by waves, as had been previously argued by the authors. However, although $h$ and $S_{h}$ are strongly correlated, there is no such correlation between $\unicode[STIX]{x2202}h/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}t$ and $S_{h}$, as might be expected if the distribution of $h$ were established by an in situ generation mechanism. We explain these various observations by showing that inertial waves interact with the buoyancy field in such a way as to induce a source $S_{h}$ which has the same sign as the helicity in the local wave flux, and that the sign of $h$ is simply determined by the direction of that flux. We conclude that the observed distributions of $h$ and $S_{h}$ outside the tangent cylinder are consistent with the transport of helicity by waves.
‘Up Close and Personal’: The later Iron Age Torcs from Newark, Nottinghamshire and Netherurd, Peebleshire
Authors: Machling Tess , Williamson Roland
Published: July 2018

This paper looks at two previously under-studied artefacts: the Newark and Netherurd Later Iron Age gold torcs. Close analysis of tooling and other attributes has established a relationship between these torcs, which suggests they were possibly manufactured in an area beyond the East Anglian location argued for in previous studies. This paper also explores the possibility they could have been produced by the same maker.
SOME HYPERGEOMETRIC INTEGRALS FOR LINEAR FORMS IN ZETA VALUES
Authors: ZUDILIN WADIM
Published: July 2018

We prove new integral representations of the approximation forms in zeta values.