bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minor Losses and Best Manifold Position in the Optimal Design of Paired Sloped Drip Laterals
Authors: Baiamonte Giorgio
Published: August 2018

Arranging paired laterals so that two distribution pipes extend in opposite directions from a common manifold contributes to providing more uniform pressure to all laterals in the system, increasing water use and energy efficiency of micro‐irrigation. Towards this end, by neglecting emitters’ minor losses, analytical procedures to design paired drip laterals laid on uniform slopes were introduced. More recently, it was shown that for an optimal paired sloped lateral design the best position of the manifold (BMP) equals 24%. In this paper, first the mentioned analytical procedure is extended to the case in which minor losses are considered. Second, by neglecting minor losses, a comparison in terms of energy saving, between designing paired sloped drip laterals by fixing BMP = 0.24 and other suggested manifold position from the literature, is performed. Third, it is shown that fixing BMP = 24% of the optimal lateral length can be also applied when minor losses are taken into account. By considering the minor losses of integrated emitters, some practical solutions are presented. The procedure proposed here was compared with that derived by the step‐by‐step exact procedure. Applications by considering different design variables are performed and discussed. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effects of α‐bisabolol on altered hemodynamics, lipid peroxidation, and nonenzymatic antioxidants in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction: In vivo and in vitro evidences
Authors: Meeran Mohamed Fizur Nagoor , Laham Farah , Al‐Taee Hasan , Azimullah Sheikh , Ojha Shreesh
Published: August 2018

The effect of α‐bisabolol on hemodyanimcs, lipid peroxidation, and nonenzymatic antioxidants was evaluated in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction in rats. They were pre‐ and cotreated with α‐bisabolol (25 mg/kg body weight) daily for 10 days along with the subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight) at an interval of 24 hours for 2 days (9th and 10th days). Increased activities of serum creatine kinase and creatine kinase‐MB along with altered levels/concentrations of lipid peroxidation products and nonenzymatic status were observed in the plasma and heart tissues of rats. Treatment with α‐bisabolol showed protective effects by reversing the altered biochemical parameters and hemodynamics studied. The in vitro reducing power of α‐bisabolol confirmed its potent antioxidant action. These biochemical benefits were translated into functional recovery by the maintenance of the hemodynamics in rats. The findings showed that α‐bisabolol has the potential to protect against isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarction due to its potent antilipid peroxidation and antioxidant properties.
Association of genetic polymorphisms in VEGF ‐460, ‐7 and ‐583 and hematocrit level with the development of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Jung Yong Wook , Ahn Eun Hee , Kim Jung Oh , An Hui Jeong , Cho Sung Hwan , Kim Young Ran , Lee Woo Sik , Kim Nam Keun
Published: August 2018

Background

The present study was performed to investigate whether genetic variants of VEGF are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Korean women and to provide insight into the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of RPL development.

Methods

A cohort of 384 women with idiopathic RPL with a history of two or more uxexplained consecutive early pregnancy losses and 236 control women were recruited from an infertility center of university‐teaching hospital in Korea between March 1999 and February 2010. We examined three VEGF polymorphisms (rs833061, rs3025020 and rs25648). Genotyping was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses (rs3025020) or real‐time PCR (rs833061, rs25648).

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in frequency of each three VEGF polymorphic loci between the control and RPL groups. Allele combinations of VEGF rs3025020/rs833061 TT/TC and TT/TC + CC genotypes were associated with an increased frequency of RPL development [odds ratio (OR) = 3.525, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.154–10.767, p = 0.027 and OR = 3.815, 95% CI = 1.256–11.588, p = 0.018, respectively]. Haplotype analysis revealed that two allele combinations (rs833061/rs3025020 C‐T and rs25648/rs3025020 T‐T) were associated with an increased prevalence of RPL (OR = 2.548, 95% CI = 1.502–4.320, p = 0.0004 and OR = 16.50, 95% CI = 0.976–278.8, p = 0.003, respectively). Allele combinations and haplotypes of rs3025020/rs833061 were associated with maternal blood hematocrit (HCT) levels in the RPL group (p = 0.048 and 0.006, respectively).

Conclusions

The VEGF rs833061/rs3025020 genotype allele was related to the development of RPL and was also associated with maternal blood HCT levels in RPL patients. However, further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism of how VEGF and HCT are involved in RPL development.
Development of single vial kits for preparation of 68Ga‐labelled hexavalent lactoside for PET imaging of asialoglycoprotein receptor
Authors: Yu Hung‐Man , Chan Chen‐Hsin , Chen Jyun‐Hong , Chien Chuan‐Yi , Wang Ping‐Yen , Juan Wei‐Cheng , Yang Chun‐Hung , Hsia Hao‐Ting , Wang Mei‐Hui , Lin Wuu‐Jyh
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the freeze‐dried kit of NOTA‐hexavalent lactoside (NOTA‐HL) for the preparation of 68Ga‐labeled glycoligand for PET imaging of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). 68GaCl3 was obtained from a commercial 68Ge/68Ga generator. Single‐vial kits of HL were formulated. Optimization of radiolabeling with 68Ga, various evaluations of NOTA‐HL kits, and in vitro stability study of 68Ga‐HL were carried out. PET/CT imaging of normal mice injected with 68Ga‐NOTA‐HL was performed. NOTA‐HL kit was successfully formulated. High radiochemical yields (>95%) were obtained by 68Ga radiolabeling. The NOTA‐HL kits were stable for at least 12 months, and 68Ga‐NOTA‐HL exhibited good in vitro stability. PET studies in normal mice revealed high specific accumulation of activity in the liver. The NOTA‐HL kit was developed for fast 68Ga labeling. 68Ga‐NOTA‐HL showed high specific uptake in liver. The availability of ready‐to‐use NOTA‐HL kits combined with 68Ge/68Ga generators would provide an efficient approach for PET imaging of ASGPR.
Radiosynthesis and validation of [Carboxy‐11C]4‐Aminobenzoic acid ([11C]PABA), a PET radiotracer for imaging bacterial infections
Authors: Holt Daniel P. , Kalinda Alvin S. , Bambarger Lauren E. , Jain Sanjay K. , Dannals Robert F.
Published: August 2018

In this practitioner protocol, the radiochemical synthesis of [11C] PABA is described in detail, and a quality control summary of three validation productions is presented. The results indicate that the radiotracer product can be produced in good radiochemical yield (14% at end‐of‐synthesis (EOS)) at high specific activity (molar activity 11 Ci/μmole EOS; 407 GBq/μmole) and high chemical and radiochemical purity as a sterile, pyrogen‐free solution suitable for injection conforming to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements.
Hyper‐Raman investigation of intermolecular vibrations of water and ice
Authors: Korepanov Vitaly , Yu Chun‐Chieh , Hamaguchi Hiro‐o
Published: August 2018

We have constructed a hyper‐Raman optimized spectrometer using a high repetition rate (200 kHz) picosecond‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser. This system has been applied to measure liquid water and ice (H2O and D2O) to obtain their hyper‐Raman spectra with high signal‐to‐noise ratios. Unique vibrational spectra of water and ice, distinct either from infrared absorption and Raman scattering, have been obtained. The intermolecular bands in the low‐wavenumber region are observed in the hyper‐Raman spectra with intensities higher than those of the intramolecular ones. They show H/D isotope shifts fully consistent with their assignments to the librational and translational motions of assembled water. The librational bands are found to shift to higher wavenumber on going from liquid water to ice, indicating a more confining environment in ice than in water. Hyper‐Raman spectroscopy will shed new light, complementary to the traditional infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopies, on intermolecular interactions in liquid water and ice.
CO2 Raman thermometer improvement: Comparing hot band and Stokes and anti‐Stokes Raman scattering thermometers
Authors: Hagiwara Yuuki , Takahata Kohei , Torimoto Junji , Yamamoto Junji
Published: August 2018

CO2 fluid inclusions are popular in the mantle‐derived rock. CO2 Raman densimeter is widely used for estimating depth provenance and magma plumbing system. However, in order to obtain precise CO2 density, we should also measure CO2 temperature simultaneously because the densimeter has temperature dependency. In this study, we measured CO2 Raman spectra with densities of 0.8–1.0 g/cm3 at temperatures of 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55°C using a high‐pressure optical cell. We propose a new equation relating hot bands to the Fermi diad intensity ratio, temperature, and distance between the Fermi diad (delta, cm−1), which has higher accuracy than those of previous studies (±3.9–4.7°C) across all measurement conditions. The change in temperature engenders thermal expansion or shrinkage of mineral, resulting in change in CO2 density of fluid inclusion. Simultaneous measurement of both density and temperature of CO2 will be a probe for elastic property of minerals.
Military Sexual Assault as a Mediator of the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Veterans
Authors: Lucas Carrie L. , Goldbach Jeremy T. , Mamey Mary Rose , Kintzle Sara , Castro Carl Andrew
Published: August 2018

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) civilians report higher rates of sexual assault, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression compared to their heterosexual counterparts. In this study, we compared military sexual assault (MSA), PTSD, and depression in LGB individuals and their non‐LGB peers in two community samples of veterans (N = 2,583). Participants were selected for inclusion if they identified as LGB (n = 110) and were matched 1 to 3 on gender and age with non‐LGB veterans (n = 330). Chi‐square analyses showed significant differences for LGB veterans compared to non‐LGB veterans for experiencing MSA (32.7% vs. 16.4%, respectively), p < .001; probable PTSD (41.2% vs. 29.8%, respectively), p = .039; and probable depression (47.9% vs. 36.0%, respectively), p = .039. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed LGB veterans were 1.93 times more likely to have experienced MSA compared to non‐LGB veterans, 95% CI [1.30, 2.88], p = .001. The experience of MSA significantly mediated associations with probable PTSD, odds ratio (OR) = 1.43, 95% CI [1.13, 1.80], p = .003, and probable depression, OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.07, 1.64], p = .009. As the experience of MSA fully mediates the presence of PTSD and depression among LGB veterans, we highly recommend health providers assess for MSA among LGB veterans, especially those who meet clinical thresholds for PTSD and depression.
Use of remote sensing to analyse peatland changes after drainage for peat extraction
Authors: Torabi Haghighi Ali , Menberu Meseret Walle , Darabi Hamid , Akanegbu Justice , Kløve Bjørn
Published: August 2018

Large‐scale peat extraction, in Finland and elsewhere, typically takes place on rather small extraction sites but has major impacts on surrounding aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The environmental conditions prior to drainage (baseline conditions) must be quantified in a statutory environmental impact assessment (EIA), but this is generally difficult due to lack of historical data. In this study, we developed and tested a method for EIA based on a reference area approach and remote sensing. The method calculates the normalized difference vegetation index in preextraction and postextraction periods using Landsat images of affected areas and reference surrounding areas. In a case study, we applied the method to assess changes after peat extraction at a site in northern Finland. The peat extraction area showed significant transformation from peatland vegetation to bare soil. Adjacent areas downstream and upstream were also affected by extraction. These results indicate that our method is a useful tool for EIA of peatland drainage.
Short‐term estimates of phytoplankton growth and mortality in a tidal estuary
Authors: Anderson Sean R. , Diou‐Cass Quintin P. , Harvey Elizabeth L.
Published: August 2018

Rates of phytoplankton growth and mortality are poorly defined over short‐time scales (hours to days), despite these scales being relevant over the daily tidal cycle in coastal marine areas. To assess the influence of tidal variability on phytoplankton rates, we performed eight, same‐day dilution experiments at high and low tide (6‐h intervals) in the Skidaway River Estuary, Georgia, measuring phytoplankton growth, microzooplankton grazing, and virus‐induced mortality. Chlorophyll and group‐specific biomass (Synechococcus spp., picoeukaryotes, and nanoeukaryotes) varied between tides and multidimensional scaling clustering of tidal biomass revealed separation in community composition based on tide. Rates also varied significantly over the tidal cycle, especially microzooplankton grazing, which was higher at low tide in most experiments with rates ranging from 0–3.77 d−1 at low tide to 0–1.51 d−1 at high tide. Virus‐induced mortality rates were rarely detected, only being observed in Synechococcus spp. in three experiments (0.3–0.8 d−1) and picoeukaryotes twice (~ 0.36 d−1). The differences in grazing and growth rates observed between the two tides were not explained by temperature, salinity, or sunlight (i.e., time of day) and grazing was only weakly explained by initial chlorophyll concentration (R2 = 0.36), highlighting the influence of community composition on rate measurements. These results suggest that within tidally influenced areas, short‐term sampling over the tidal cycle is essential to accurately characterize daily phytoplankton dynamics and reliably monitor and predict shifts in primary production and coastal ecosystem health.
Mohr–Coulomb plasticity for sands incorporating density effects without parameter calibration
Authors: Choo Jinhyun
Published: August 2018

A simple approach is proposed for enabling the conventional Mohr–Coulomb plasticity to capture the effects of relative density on the behavior of dilative sands. The approach exploits Bolton's empirical equations to make friction and dilation angles state variables that depend on the current density and confining pressure. In doing so, the material parameters of Mohr–Coulomb plasticity become void ratios for calculating the initial relative density and the critical state friction angle, all of which are measurable without calibration. A Mohr–Coulomb model enhanced in this way shows good agreement with experimental data of different sands at various densities and confining pressures. In this regard, the proposed approach permits a significant improvement in the conventional Mohr–Coulomb plasticity for sands, without compromising its practical merits.
Randomized controlled trial comparing single‐incision mini‐sling and transobturator midurethral sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence: 3‐year follow‐up results
Authors: Pascom Ana L.G. , Djehdian Lucyana M. , Bortolini Maria A.T. , Jarmy‐Di Bella Zsuzsanna I.K. , Delroy Carlos A. , Tamanini Jose T.N. , Castro Rodrigo A.
Published: August 2018

Background

The role of single‐incision mini‐slings (SIMS) in stress urinary incontinence (SUI) management is still not elucidated.

Objective

To compare efficacy and safety of SIMS and transobturator sling (TOT) for SUI after 36‐month follow‐up.

Methods

A randomized controlled clinical trial involving 130 women with SUI that had either SIMS or TOT. Primary outcomes: objective cure defined as negative cough stress and pad tests, and subjective cure reported as satisfaction and no desire for additional treatment. Secondary outcomes: quality‐of‐life by IQOL and UDI‐6 questionnaires, complications and reoperation rates. Student's t, χ2, Fisher's exact, and Mann‐Whitney tests, ANOVA and P < 0.05 as cut‐off point were used for statistics.

Results

A total of 82 patients (n:41 each arm) completed 36‐month follow‐up. Objective cure was lower in the SIMS compared to TOT groups by both per protocol (68.3% and 90.2%, respectively, P = 0.027) and intention‐to‐treat analysis considering missing data as failures (40.6% and 60.7%, respectively, P = 0.035), while similar in both groups (81.2% and 93.4%, respectively) considering missing data as successes. Subjective cure rates were similar for both groups. TOT group presented better outcome regarding the avoidance and limiting behavior domain of IQOL (P = 0.021), and UDI‐6 scores (P = 0.026). Seven out of 69 (10.1%) women in the SIMS group compared with two out of 61 (3.3%) in the TOT group (P = 0.172) had repeat surgery due to recurrent SUI at year follow up.

Conclusion

TOT was associated to higher objective cure rate than SIMS for SUI treatment although satisfaction rate was similar for both groups 3 years postoperative.
Challenges facing copper‐plated metallisation for silicon photovoltaics: Insights from integrated circuit technology development
Authors: Lennon Alison , Colwell Jack , Rodbell Kenneth P.
Published: August 2018

Copper‐plated interconnects were widely adopted for volume manufacture of integrated circuits after more than a decade of intensive research to demonstrate that use of Cu would not impact device reliability. However, although Cu‐plated metallisation promises significantly reduced costs for Si photovoltaics, its adoption in manufacturing has not gained the same traction. This review identifies some key challenges facing the introduction of Cu‐plated metallisation for Si photovoltaics. These include the following: (1) increased carrier recombination due to the use of Cu for metal contact formation; (2) reduced module reliability due to adhesion or contact integrity failures; and (3) limited availability of cost‐effective processes and equipment for metal plating. For integrated circuits, Cu's low electrical resistance and high resistance to electromigration provided an impetus for the large investment in process development that was required to realise Cu‐plated interconnects. However, the technical advantages of using Cu for Si solar cell contacts are not as compelling, as solar cells can tolerate larger feature sizes thus reducing the criticality of the contact metal's conductivity and electromigration properties. Additionally, for Si photovoltaics, low cost is paramount, and new challenges arise from the need for modules to absorb light and operate in the field for 25+ years in diverse outdoor climates. However, with the scale of Si photovoltaic manufacturing expected to increase dramatically in the next decade, the use of large quantities of silver for cell metallisation will provide an incentive to address reliability concerns regarding the use of Cu for Si photovoltaic metallisation.
Control Synthesis of Air‐Stable Morphology Tunable Pb‐Free Cs2SnI6 Perovskite Nanoparticles and Their Photodetection Properties
Authors: Ghosh Sirshendu , Paul Sumana , De Subodh Kumar
Published: August 2018

Pb‐free Cs2SnI6 perovskite nanoparticles with different morphologies are synthesized using hot injection process and precise control of ligand chemistry. Size dependent band gap variation is studied to evaluate quantum‐confinement effect in the system. Stable and fast photodetector with high current gain is fabricated by using the nanoparticles as colloidal ink.
Moving on and moving out: The implications of socio‐spatial mobility for union stability
Authors: Shapira Marina , Gayle Vernon , Graham Elspeth
Published: August 2018

This study explores the role of family migration in the life course of couples. We ask whether internal migration and residential mobility for contemporary dual‐earner couples has negative consequences for the stability of their partnership and investigate whether any negative changes in partners' employment characteristics following family migration are associated with higher risks of dissolution of their unions.

We use the British Household Panel Survey, which provides nationally representative data on households and couples, over the period of 18 years and has a wide range of potentially important prospective and retrospective information on households and individuals. We undertake a duration analysis of union dissolution by modelling the hazard of union dissolution. The findings show that union stability is affected by spatial moves—geographically mobile couples are at higher risk of union dissolution. Long‐distance internal migration and frequent moves increase the risk, whereas short‐distance residential moves are associated with greater union stability. Overall, we found that the negative effect of family migration on union stability is relatively small and decreases over the time. Similarly, positive effects that some types of family migration might have on union stability also tend to decrease over the time. We found that the risk of union dissolution is better explained by partners' socio‐demographic characteristics (age and level of education), and by the characteristics of their union such as its type and duration. Union stability is also associated with the employment and occupational characteristics of both partners, as well as with changes in these characteristics. Negative changes in occupational position or employment status of either partner, but especially of the male partner, increase the risk of union dissolution. However, the effect of changes in the employment characteristics of each partner on the union stability is relatively small and tend to disappear over the time. We found some evidence that the impact of the negative changes in employment characteristics of geographically mobile couples postmigration on the stability of their union is mediated by the gender of the partner who experienced these changes. Negative changes in the employment status of the male partner postmigration slightly increase the risk of union dissolution, whereas negative changes in female partner's employment postmigration slightly decrease that risk. We found that the risk to the union's stability is highest immediately after the adverse changes in the male partner employment status happen, but that the risk reduces with the passage of time.
Neighbourhood attainment of children of immigrants in Greater Oslo: Intergenerational inertia and the role of education
Authors: Nordvik Viggo , Hedman Lina
Published: August 2018

One element in the integration of new groups of inhabitants is location in the neighbourhood hierarchy. We define neighbourhood hierarchy in Oslo according to the median income of working age males in the neighbourhood and use a rich register‐based data set to describe neighbourhood attainment (i.e., location in the hierarchy of neighbourhoods) subsequent to completion of education. We find that descendants of parents of Asian or African background systematically occupy lower status neighbourhoods than do descendants of natives. Higher education reduces differences in neighbourhood attainment between natives and descendants of African and Asian parents, but it does not eliminate the differences.

Part of the differences can be due to some kind of intergenerational inertia; we test for this in a multivariate regression frame. The interdependency between median income in the neighbourhood when aged 16 and neighbourhood attainment is stronger than between parental income at 16 and attainment. Moreover, controlling for income variables, the educational premiums for natives vanish; for descendants of Asian and Africans, they are reduced but remain significant. These results lead us to ask whether higher education for children of immigrants is a vehicle for social mobility, whereas it for children of natives is a means for maintaining privileges.
Protective effects of Vitis vinifera (grapes) and one of its biologically active constituents, resveratrol, against natural and chemical toxicities: A comprehensive review
Authors: Tabeshpour Jamshid , Mehri Soghra , Shaebani Behbahani Fatemeh , Hosseinzadeh Hossein
Published: August 2018

Vitis vinifera (grape) is one of the “most‐produced fruit” in the world. Grape seeds are a valuable source of phenolic compounds including resveratrol (RSV). Grape and one of its biologically active constituents, RSV, exert their protective effects against different natural or chemical toxins which could alter physiological homeostasis through a variety of mechanisms. Some of these mechanisms of actions include increase in superoxide dismutase, hemeoxygenase‐1, and glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione content and decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activation of the nuclear erythroid2‐related factor2/ARE pathway. There are also various reports of the potential use of such compounds in preventing different ailments including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, degenerative diseases, and inflammatory disorders. Therefore, in this review, we have investigated the possible protective effects of grape and one of its biologically active constituents, RSV, on different organs' toxicity induced by natural toxins (such as mycotoxins, lipopolysaccharide, and triptolide) and chemical toxins (such as antitumors, metals, and carbon tetrachloride). There are insufficient clinical trials on this subject, so our review only includes in vivo and in vitro studies. To establish the grape beneficial effects in human intoxication, more clinical trials need to be accomplished.
Effect of neglecting autocorrelation in regression EWMA charts for monitoring count time series
Authors: Esparza Albarracin Orlando Yesid , Alencar Airlane Pereira , Ho Linda Lee
Published: August 2018

Exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) charts and cumulative sum (CUSUM) control charts based on fitting a generalized linear model (GLM) to estimate the time‐varying mean of the process have been used for health surveillance due to its efficiency to detect soon small shifts in count data as morbidity or mortality rates. However, in these proposals, the serial correlation is usually omitted implying that the charts may fail.

In this paper, generalized autoregressive moving average (GARMA) models that include lagged terms to model the autocorrelation are proposed to analyze the performance of regression EWMA control charts based on fitting of GLM models with negative binomial distribution for monitoring time series.

The main contributions of the current paper are two new statistics based on the likelihood function to be monitored and three procedures to build one‐sided EWMA charts and to measure the impact on the performance of these EWMA charts when the serial correlation is neglected in the regression model. For the simulated scenarios, the statistics based on the likelihood and the winsorized EWMA presented the best performance. Also, a real data analysis detected outbreaks in the hospitalization time series due to respiratory diseases of elderly people in São Paulo city.
Iterative learning scheme‐based fault estimation design for nonlinear systems with varying trial lengths and specified constraints
Authors: Feng Li , Xu Shuiqing , Chai Yi , Zhang Ke
Published: August 2018

This technical note deals with a fault estimation (FE) problem for nonlinear systems with varying trial lengths subjected to specified constraints. An iterative learning observer is developed to achieve FE and state reconstruction simultaneously, which thus to consider the state error and fault estimating information from previous iteration to improve the FE performance in the current iteration. Compared with conventional observer‐based FE methods, the proposed method only requires the bounds of parameter matrices rather than the precise model of the system. To deal with the missing and redundancy problems caused by varying trial lengths, a truncation operator is presented to design the FE law. Different from existing iterative learning methods, the presented method aims at the nonlinear systems with specified constraints, such as filling systems. Furthermore, the λ‐norm method and mathematical induction are employed to obtain the solutions of iterative learning matrices and observer gain matrix. Finally, illustrative examples are introduced to demonstrate the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed FE approach.
Chemical conversion of carbon dioxide via target metal separation using seawater‐derived wastewater
Authors: Kang Dongwoo , Yoo Yunsung , Park Jinwon , Lee Min‐Gu
Published: August 2018

This study investigated the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and its chemical conversion to high‐purity calcium carbonate salt, which has potential uses in a range of industrial sectors. Indirect inorganic aqueous carbonation methods were used, with seawater‐based industrial wastewater as the source of metal ions. The alkanolamine absorbent solutions of monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) were used at typical industrial concentrations of 30 wt%. Calcium ions from industrial wastewater were extracted in the form of gypsum. Subsequently, a carbonation reaction afforded high‐purity calcium carbonate salt. The conversion yields of 33.16% for monoethanolamine, 33.86% for diethanolamine, and 55.18% for methyldiethanolamine were achieved. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated the purity of the product to be 93.6, 95.2 and 92.8 wt%, respectively. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed the crystal structure of the products to be aragonite mixed with vaterite. Furthermore, the CO2 capture capacity of each absorbent and the amount of CO2 desorbed by the carbonation reaction were investigated. The results may support the design of carbon capture and utilization plants and potential market research.
Chemoselective Synthesis and Human Ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase Inhibitory Activity of 2‐Trifluoromethyl‐4,6‐diarylquinolines
Authors: Rivera Rodisnel P. , Hassan Sidra , Ehlers Peter , Lecka Joanna , Sévigny Jean , Rodríguez Eugenio T. , Iqbal Jamshed , Langer Peter
Published: August 2018

Diarylated 2‐(trifluoromethyl)quinolines, containing two identical aryl groups, were prepared by Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction of 4,6‐dibromo‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)quinoline. In order to obtain quinolines, containing two different aryl groups, the starting material had to be modified in order to obtain a high degree of regioselectivity of the reaction. The 6‐bromo‐4‐chloro‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)quinoline with arylboronic acids allowed for a one‐pot, two‐step synthesis of various products in very good yields. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their potential to inhibit ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase, both human and rat source. Most derivatives exhibited selective inhibition on human ecto‐5′‐nucleotidases (h‐e5′NT) with significant inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. The results were evaluated by docking studies.
Ligand Free Approach for the Copper(II)‐Mediated C‐NH2 Arylation of 4‐Quinolone Derivatives Under Ambient Condition
Authors: Ghosh Prasanjit , Das Sajal
Published: August 2018

Copper (II)‐mediated C‐NH2 arylation of both unprotected and protected 4‐quinolones under ambient condition has been developed. This is a ligand free, room temperature, rapid reaction protocol and found compatible with various sensitive functional groups. Moreover using this protocol, we have synthesized a library of diverse functionalized 4‐quinolone derivatives.
Field redefinitions and Kähler potential in string theory at 1-loop
Authors: Haack Michael , Kang Jin U
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Field redefinitions at string 1-loop order are often required by supersymmetry, for instance in order to make the Kähler structure of the scalar kinetic terms manifest. We derive the general structure of the field redefinitions and the Kähler potential at string 1-loop order in a certain class of string theory models (4-dimensional toroidal type IIB orientifolds with$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 1 supersymmetry) and for a certain subsector of fields (untwisted Kähler moduli and the 4-dimensional dilaton). To do so we make use of supersymmetry, perturbative axionic shift symmetries and a particular ansatz for the form of the 1-loop corrections to the metric on the moduli space. Our results also show which terms in the low-energy effective action have to be calculated via concrete string amplitudes in order to fix the values of the coefficients (in the field redefinitions and the Kähler potential) that are left undetermined by our general analysis based on (super)symmetry.
Branes and 2d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (2, 2) gauge theories with orthogonal and symplectic groups
Authors: Bergman Oren , Avraham Eran
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We construct two-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= (2, 2) supersymmetric gauge theories with orthogonal and symplectic groups using branes and orientifold planes in Type IIA string theory. A number of puzzles regarding the construction, including the effect of exchanging NS5-branes on an orientifold 2-plane, are resolved by lifting the configurations to M theory. The low energy properties and conjectured dualities of these theories are reproduced in the M-brane description. A similar construction of

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= (4, 4) theories with orthogonal and symplectic groups leads to new duality conjectures for these theories.
Light signals from a lighter Higgs
Authors: Fox Patrick J. , Weiner Neal
Published: August 2018

Abstract

With the Higgs search program already quite mature, there is the exciting possibility of discovering a new particle with rates near that of the SM Higgs. We consider models with a signal in γγ below the SM Higgs mass. We discuss singlet models with additional vectorlike matter, but argue that a Type-I two Higgs doublet model can more easily provide detectable rates. In such scenarios, in regions of moderate-to-strong fermiophobia, the enhanced γγ branching ratio allows signals from V H+VBF production to yield σ × BR
γγ comparable to total SM rates and would thus be detectable. Light H production can be dominated via rare top decays t → bH
+ → bW
∗
H, which provides an even more efficient means of production. We also consider this in the context of various Higgs anomalies, specifically the recent 2.9 σ (local) CMS excess at 95 GeV, the LEP Higgs excess near the same mass, and excesses in

$$ t\overline{t}h $$

t

t
¯

h

searches at Tevatron and LHC. We find regions of parameter space that can meet all simultaneously. An implication of the Type-I scenario is that any γγ excess should be associated with additional elements that could reduce background, including b-jets, forward jets or signs of vector boson production.
Developing and piloting a community scientist academy to engage communities and patients in research
Authors: Stewart M. Kathryn , Spencer Nicola , Davis Anna H. , Hart Camille , Boateng Beatrice
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Effective translational research requires engagement and collaboration between communities, researchers, and practitioners. We describe a community scientist academy (CSA) developed at the suggestion of our Clinical and Translational Science Awards’ (CTSA) community advisory board to engage and capacitate community members by (1) increasing community members’ and patients’ understanding about the research process and (2) increasing their access to opportunities to influence and participate in research. A joint CTSA/community planning committee developed this 8-hour workshop including sessions on: (1) research definitions and processes; (2) study design; (3) study implementation; and (4) ways to get involved in research. The workshop format includes interactive exercises, content slides and videos, and researcher and community presenters.

Methods

Community-based information sessions allowed assessment of community interest before piloting. Two pilots of the CSA were conducted with community members and patients. Participant data and a pre/post knowledge and feedback survey provide evaluation data.

Results

The pilot included 24 diverse participants, over half of whom had not previously participated in research. Evaluation data suggest knowledge gains. Post-CSA, one-third have reviewed CTSA pilot grants and over 80% want to attend further training.

Conclusions

The CSA can demystify the research process for those underrepresented in research and facilitate their engagement and influence within CTSAs.
Systems approach to assessing and improving local human research Institutional Review Board performance
Authors: Fontanesi John , Magit Anthony , Ford Jennifer J. , Nguyen Han , Firestein Gary S.
Published: August 2018

Objective

To quantifying the interdependency within the regulatory environment governing human subject research, including Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), federally mandated Medicare coverage analysis and contract negotiations.

Methods

Over 8000 IRB, coverage analysis and contract applications initiated between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed using traditional and machine learning analytics for a quality improvement effort to improve the time required to authorize the start of human research studies.

Results

Staffing ratios, study characteristics such as the number of arms, source of funding and number and type of ancillary reviews significantly influenced the timelines. Using key variables, a predictive algorithm identified outliers for a workflow distinct from the standard process. Improved communication between regulatory units, integration of common functions, and education outreach improved the regulatory approval process.

Conclusions

Understanding and improving the interdependencies between IRB, coverage analysis and contract negotiation offices requires a systems approach and might benefit from predictive analytics.
Pilot study of an intervention to increase cultural awareness in research mentoring: Implications for diversifying the scientific workforce
Authors: Byars-Winston Angela , Womack Veronica Y. , Butz Amanda R. , McGee Richard , Quinn Sandra C. , Utzerath Emily , Saetermoe Carrie L. , Thomas Stephen B.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Innovative evidence-based interventions are needed to equip research mentors with skills to address cultural diversity within research mentoring relationships. A pilot study assessed initial outcomes of a culturally tailored effort to create and disseminate a novel intervention titled Culturally Aware Mentoring (CAM) for research mentors.

Intervention

Intervention development resulted in 4 products: a 6 hour CAM training curriculum, a facilitator guide, an online pretraining module, and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of CAM training.

Method

Participants were 64 research mentors from 3 US research-intensive universities. Quantitative pretraining and posttraining evaluation survey data were collected.

Results

Participants found high value and satisfaction with the CAM training, reported gains in personal cultural awareness and cultural skills, and increased intentions and confidence to address cultural diversity in their mentoring.

Conclusions

Study findings indicate that the CAM training holds promise to build research mentors’ capacity and confidence to engage directly with racial/ethnic topics in research mentoring relationships.
The effect of extended milking intervals (24, 48 and 72 h) on milk yield, milk composition, mammary physiology and welfare traits in dairy ewes
Authors: Armaou Evrydiki , Simitzis Panagiotis , Koutsouli Panagiota , Zoidou Evagelia , Massouras Theofilos , Goliomytis Michael , Bizelis Iosif , Politis Ioannis
Published: August 2018

The majority of the work today regarding the effects of extended milking intervals has focused on dairy cattle and only to a limited extent on dairy goats and sheep. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different non-milking intervals on milk yield and composition, mammary physiology and welfare indices in dairy ewes. Thirty-six multiparous ewes in late lactation were allocated to one of four groups of nine and subjected to 24, 48 or 72 h of non-milking or normal milking interval (12 h) (group A, B, C and D, respectively). Data showed that there were no significant differences in milk yield among the experimental groups during the third day after re-milking. Furthermore, no significant differences in milk lactose, protein and fat concentration among the experimental groups were observed after 7, 14 and 21 d of re-milking, respectively. Non-milking for 72 h resulted in a temporary increase of sodium concentration, Na + /K + ratio and enzymatic activities of plasmin (PL), plasminogen (PG) and plasminogen activator (PA) in milk. However, these parameters had similar values among the experimental groups on day 5 after re-milking. The concentration of lactose in blood was also significantly increased as a result of the 72 h non-milking interval and returned to its initial levels the second day after re-milking. These data, taken together, suggest that early involution events that occurred as an effect of non-milking were fully reversible within a short period of time. Finally, no significant signs of welfare impairment were observed in ewes due to extended milking intervals. In conclusion, non-milking up to 72 h had no negative effects on milk yield and composition, mammary physiology and welfare parameters in dairy ewes.
Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms influence milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows
Authors: Wang Mengqi , Song Hailiang , Zhu Xiaorui , Xing Shiyu , Zhang Meirong , Zhang Huimin , Wang Xiaolong , Yang Zhangping , Ding Xiangdong , Karrow Niel A. , König Sven , Mao Yongjiang
Published: August 2018

The research reported in this Research Communication aimed to describe the influence of Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms on milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important member of the toll-like receptor gene family that is widely found in various organisms. Since TLR4 can identify molecular patterns from various pathogenic microorganisms and induce natural and acquired immunity, it plays an important role in disease resistance in dairy cows. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR4 (c.−226 G > C and c.2021 C > T) that were previously found to be associated with health traits were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY (Sequenom Inc., San Diego, CA) for Chinese Holstein cows (n = 866). The associations between SNPs or their haplotypes and milk production traits and somatic cell count were analyzed by the generalized linear model procedure of Statistics Analysis System software (SAS). The c.−226 G > C and c.2021 C > T showed low linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 0·192). There was no association between these two SNPs and SCC, but significant effects were found for SNP c.−226 G > C on test-day milk yield, fat content, protein content, and total solid and milk urea nitrogen (P < 0·05), and SNP c.2021 C > T and the SNP haplotypes on test-day milk yield, fat content, protein content, lactose content and total solids (P < 0·05). The software MatInspector revealed that c.−226 G > C was located within several potential transcription factor binding sites, including transcription factor AP-2. The polymorphisms c.−226 G > C and c.2021 C > T had significant effects on the milk production for Chinese Holstein, and these SNP could be used for molecular marker-assisted selection of milk production.
Molecular epidemiology ofCryptosporidiumspp. in calves in Estonia: high prevalence ofCryptosporidium parvumshedding and 10 subtypes identified
Authors: Santoro Azzurra , Dorbek-Kolin Elisabeth , Jeremejeva Julia , Tummeleht Lea , Orro Toomas , Jokelainen Pikka , Lassen Brian
Published: August 2018

We investigated the molecular epidemiology ofCryptosporidiumspp. in Estonia by testing fecal samples from 486 calves aged <2 months, raised on 53 cattle farms, for the presence ofCryptosporidiumDNA. The parasites were identified and characterized by sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene and of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Moreover, using a questionnaire, we surveyed factors that could be relevant for animal-to-human and human-to-animal transmission ofCryptosporidiumspp. on the farms.Cryptosporidiumspp. were shed by 23% of the investigated calves and at least one shedding calf was found on 66% of the farms.Cryptosporidium parvumwas the most common species shed, whileC. bovisandC. ryanaewere also detected. More than half of the calves aged 8–14 days shedC. parvum. Nine previously describedC. parvumsubtypes (IIaA14G1R1, IIaA16G1R1, IIaA17G1R1, IIaA18G1R1, IIaA19G1R1, IIaA20G1R1, IIaA21G1R1, IIaA22G1R1 and IIaA16G2R1) and an apparently novel subtype IIlA21R2 were found. Calves from farms that reported spreading manure on fields during spring had 10 times higher odds to shedCryptosporidiumspp. in their feces than calves from farms that did not. Calves aged 8–14 days had higher odds to shed IIa18G1R1 as well as IIaA16G1R1 than younger calves.
Krull's principal ideal theorem in non-Noetherian settings
Authors: OLBERDING BRUCE
Published: August 2018

LetPbe a finitely generated ideal of a commutative ringR. Krull's principal ideal theorem states that ifRis Noetherian andPis minimal over a principal ideal ofR, thenPhas height at most one. Straightforward examples show that this assertion fails ifRis not Noetherian. We consider what can be asserted in the non-Noetherian case in place of Krull's theorem.
On the Saxl graph of a permutation group
Authors: BURNESS TIMOTHY C. , GIUDICI MICHAEL
Published: August 2018

Let G be a permutation group on a set Ω. A subset of Ω is a base for G if its pointwise stabiliser in G is trivial. In this paper we introduce and study an associated graph Σ(G), which we call the Saxl graph of G. The vertices of Σ(G) are the points of Ω, and two vertices are adjacent if they form a base for G. This graph encodes some interesting properties of the permutation group. We investigate the connectivity of Σ(G) for a finite transitive group G, as well as its diameter, Hamiltonicity, clique and independence numbers, and we present several open problems. For instance, we conjecture that if G is a primitive group with a base of size 2, then the diameter of Σ(G) is at most 2. Using a probabilistic approach, we establish the conjecture for some families of almost simple groups. For example, the conjecture holds when G = Sn or An (with n > 12) and the point stabiliser of G is a primitive subgroup. In contrast, we can construct imprimitive groups whose Saxl graph is disconnected with arbitrarily many connected components, or connected with arbitrarily large diameter.
THE PHILLIP ISLAND PENGUIN PARADE (A MATHEMATICAL TREATMENT)
Authors: DIPIERRO SERENA , LOMBARDINI LUCA , MIRAGLIO PIETRO , VALDINOCI ENRICO
Published: August 2018

Penguins are flightless, so they are forced to walk while on land. In particular, they show rather specific behaviours in their homecoming, which are interesting to observe and to describe analytically. We observed that penguins have the tendency to waddle back and forth on the shore to create a sufficiently large group, and then walk home compactly together. The mathematical framework that we introduce describes this phenomenon, by taking into account “natural parameters”, such as the eyesight of the penguins and their cruising speed. The model that we propose favours the formation of conglomerates of penguins that gather together, but, on the other hand, it also allows the possibility of isolated and exposed individuals.

The model that we propose is based on a set of ordinary differential equations. Due to the discontinuous behaviour of the speed of the penguins, the mathematical treatment (to get existence and uniqueness of the solution) is based on a “stop-and-go” procedure. We use this setting to provide rigorous examples in which at least some penguins manage to safely return home (there are also cases in which some penguins remain isolated). To facilitate the intuition of the model, we also present some simple numerical simulations that can be compared with the actual movement of the penguin parade.