bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Basic verification of a numerical framework applied to a morphology adaptive multifield two‐fluid model considering bubble motions
Authors: Meller Richard , Schlegel Fabian , Lucas Dirk
Published: August 2020

A morphology adaptive modeling framework is derived that is able to handle computationally efficiently dispersed as well as resolved interfacial structures coexisting in the computational domain with the same set of equations. The Eulerian multifield two‐fluid model is combined with the compact momentum interpolation method for multiple phases, which has been proposed in the literature as an extension to the Rhie‐Chow pressure‐velocity coupling. Additionally to the interfacial drag force, the virtual mass force is consistently accounted for in the model. Utilizing a specialized interfacial drag formulation, large interfacial structures can be described with the presented method in a volume‐of‐fluid‐like manner, additionally to the disperse description. The strong phase coupling due to the drag closure model in interfacial regions is resolved with a partial elimination algorithm, which is adapted to work in an approximate manner for more than two phases via a sum formulation. The presented model is implemented in the C++ library OpenFOAM and solver performance is compared with results obtained with the homogeneous model approach in two cases of a single rising gas bubble for two‐ and three‐dimensional space, respectively. Additionally, for both three‐dimensional cases, the results are compared with experimental data. Finally, the presented method's capability of representing dispersed and resolved interfacial structures at the same time is demonstrated with two test cases: a two‐dimensional gas bubble, rising in a liquid, which is laden with micro gas bubbles, and a two‐dimensional stagnant stratification of water and oil, sharing a large‐scale interface, which is penetrated by micro gas bubbles.
Global wave hindcast with Australian and Pacific Island Focus: From past to present
Authors: Smith Grant A. , Hemer Mark , Greenslade Diana , Trenham Claire , Zieger Stefan , Durrant Tom
Published: August 2020

Wind‐wave hindcast data have many applications including climatology assessments for renewable energy projects, maritime engineering design, event‐based impact assessments, generating boundary conditions for further downscaling, amongst others. Here, we present a global wave hindcast with nested high‐resolution grids for the Exclusive Economic Zones of Australia and south west Pacific Island Countries, that is extended in time monthly. The model employs strategic methods to incorporate the effects of subgrid sized features such as small islands and islets. Various bulk wave parameters are available hourly from January 1979 to present, along with the full wave spectra at a set of 3,683 predetermined points distributed globally.
The Commensal Microbe V eillonella as a Marker for Response to an FGF19 Analog in NASH
Authors: Loomba Rohit , Ling Lei , Dinh Duy M. , DePaoli Alex M. , Lieu Hsiao D. , Harrison Stephen A. , Sanyal Arun J.
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

The composition of the human gut microbiota is linked to health and disease, and knowledge of the impact of therapeutics on the microbiota is essential to decipher their biological roles and to gain new mechanistic insights. Here we report the effect of aldafermin, an analog of the gut hormone FGF19, versus placebo on the gut microbiota in a prospective, phase 2 study in patients with NASH.

Approach and Results

A total of 176 patients with biopsy‐confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score ≥ 4), fibrosis (F1‐F3 by NASH Clinical Research Network criteria), and elevated liver fat content (≥ 8% by magnetic resonance imaging–proton density fat fraction) received 0.3 mg (n = 23), 1 mg (n = 49), 3 mg (n = 49), and 6 mg (n = 28) aldafermin or placebo (n = 27) for 12 weeks. Stool samples were collected on day 1 and week 12 and profiled using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing; 122 patients had paired stool microbiome profiles at both day 1 and week 12. Overall, the state of the gut microbial community was distinctly stable in patients treated with aldafermin, with all major phyla and genera unaltered during therapy. Patients treated with aldafermin showed a significant, dose‐dependent enrichment in the rare genus Veillonella, a commensal microbe known to have lactate‐degrading and performance‐enhancing properties, which correlated with changes in serum bile acid profile.

Conclusions

Veillonella may be a bile acid–sensitive bacteria whose enrichment is enabled by aldafermin‐mediated suppression of bile acid synthesis and, in particular, decreases in toxic bile acids. This study provides an integrated analysis of gut microbiome, serum bile acid metabolome, imaging, and histological measurements in clinical trials testing aldafermin for NASH. Our results provide a better understanding of the intricacies of microbiome–host interactions (clinicaltrials.gov trial No. NCT02443116).
Influence of relaxation‐retardation viscous dissipation on chemically reactive flow of Oldroyd‐B nanofluid with hyperbolic boundary conditions
Authors: Nayak Manoj Kumar , Saranya Sekar , Ganga Bhose , Hakeem Abdul Kaffoor Abdul , Sharma Ram Prakash , Makinde Oluwole Daniel
Published: August 2020

The present analysis is meant to explore the computational solution of the problem dealing with the impact of relaxation‐retardation viscous dissipation and chemical reaction on the flow of Oldroyd‐B nanofluid over a Riga plate. Hyperbolic time‐varying boundary conditions are taken into consideration. The basic modeled problem being transformed into nonlinear differential equations are solved numerically by efficient fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta method along with shooting technique. Characteristics of controlling parameters on velocity, temperature, and concentration along with skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number profiles are presented with the help of well‐featured graphs. The relaxation and retardation parameters affect well flow profiles. In addition, an accelerated flow pattern is accomplished due to the augmentation of the modified Hartmann number. Furthermore, the presence of relaxation‐retardation viscous dissipation improves the temperature field.
Macroeconomic conditions and investment–cash flow sensitivity: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Guizani Moncef
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the investment–cash flow (ICF) sensitivities vary with macroeconomic conditions. A fixed‐effect panel technique with OLS regression is used to investigate the impact of macroeconomic factors on the ICF sensitivity applying data from a sample of 74 non‐financial firms listed on the Saudi stock market over the period 2004–2018. The results show that the ICF sensitivity is positive, and is a lot larger for more constrained firms. Compared to developed markets, the results show higher ICF sensitivity in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Moreover, the results reveal that business environment of KSA has a considerable influence on the sensitivity of investment to internal funds. The evidence also shows that better macroeconomic conditions relax financial constraints faced by firms, and thereby reduce the sensitivity of investment to internal financing. Expansionary monetary policy, financial development and liquidity abundance reduce the dependence of firms on their internally generated funds when undertaking new investment projects. Finally, the results show that investment expenditures are more sensitive to internal cash flow during the crisis period, supporting our conjecture that constrained access to capital markets is more likely to be detected during times of liquidity crises.
MXD1 regulates the H9N2 and H1N1 influenza A virus–induced chemokine expression and their replications in human macrophage
Authors: Yim Howard C H , Leon Thomas Y Y , Li James C B
Published: August 2020

Human infection with influenza A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1) avian influenza virus is associated with a high mortality rate of 60%. This virus is originated from influenza A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (H9N2/G1) avian influenza virus. Since the 1990s, four lineages of H9N2 viruses have been circulating in poultry and cause occasional infection in humans in different countries. Due to its zoonotic and genetic reassortment potential, H9N2/G1 and H5N1 viruses are believed to be the next pandemic candidates. Previous reports, including ours, showed that the virulence of avian virus strains correlates with their ability to dysregulate cytokine expression, including TNF-α, CXCL10, and related chemokines in the virus-infected cells. However, the transcriptional factors required for this cytokine dysregulation remains undefined. In light of our previous report showing the unconventional role of MYC, an onco-transcriptional factor, for regulating the antibacterial responses, we hypothesize that the influenza virus–induced cytokine productions may be governed by MYC/MAX/MXD1 network members. Here, we demonstrated that the influenza A/Hong Kong/54/98 (H1N1)- or H9N2/G1 virus–induced CXCL10 expressions can be significantly attenuated by knocking down the MXD1 expression in primary human blood macrophages. Indeed, only the MXD1 expression was up-regulated by both H1N1 and H9N2/G1 viruses, but not other MYC/MAX/MXD1 members. The MXD1 expression and the CXCL10 hyperinduction were dependent on MEK1/2 activation. By using EMSAs, we revealed that MXD1 directly binds to the CXCL10 promoter–derived oligonucleotides upon infection of both viruses. Furthermore, silencing of MXD1 decreased the replication of H9N2 but not H1N1 viruses. Our results provide a new insight into the role of MXD1 for the pathogenicity of avian influenza viruses.
TGF-β2 interfering oligonucleotides used as adjuvants for microbial vaccines
Authors: Tu Liqun , Sun Xiaomeng , Yang Lei , Zhang Tiefeng , Zhang Xian , Li Xin , Dong Boqi , Liu Ye , Yang Ming , Wang Liying , Yu Yongli
Published: August 2020

The success of using immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat cancers implies that inhibiting an immunosuppressive cytokine, such as TGF-β2, could be a strategy to develop novel adjuvants for microbial vaccines. To develop nucleic acid based TGF-β2 inhibitors, we designed three antisense oligonucleotides, designated as TIO1, TIO2, and TIO3, targeting the conserve regions identical in human and mouse TGF-β2 mRNA 3′-untranslated region. In cultured immune cells, TIO3 and TIO1 significantly reduced the TGF-β2 mRNA expression and protein production. In mice, the TIO3 and TIO1, when formulated in various microbial vaccines, significantly enhanced the antibody response to the vaccines, and the TIO3-adjuvanted influenza virus vaccine induced effective protection against the influenza virus challenge. In the immunized mice, TIO3 formulated in microbial vaccines dramatically reduced surface-bound TGF-β2 expression on CD4+T cells and CD19+ B cells in the lymph node (LN) cells and spleen cells; up-regulated the expression of CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC II molecules on CD19+ B cells and CD11c+ dendritic cells; and promoted IFN-γ production in CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in the LN cells. Overall, TIO3 or TIO1 could be used as a novel type of adjuvant for facilitating the microbial vaccines to elicit more vigorous and persistent antibody response by interfering with TGF-β2 expression.
The Functional & Quality of Life Outcomes of Total Glossectomy with Laryngeal Preservation
Authors: Pyne Justin M. , Dziegielewski Peter T. , Constantinescu Gabriela , Dzioba Agnieszka , O'Connell Daniel A. , Côté David W. J. , Ansari Khalid , Harris Jeffrey , Conrad Dustin , Makki Fawaz M. , Hearn Matthew , Biron Vincent L. , Seikaly Hadi
Published: August 2020

Background

The tongue is an essential organ for human interaction, communication and survival. To date, there is a paucity of objective functional, patient reported, or quality of life outcomes of patients undergoing a total glossectomy with preservation of the larynx (TGLP).

Objective

To examine prospectively collected objective, self‐reported functional and quality of life (QOL) data in patients undergoing TGLP and free flap reconstruction.

Methods

Sixteen TGLP patients were identified in the prospective head and neck cancer and functional outcomes database between January of 2009 and December 2017. Data collection included patient age, sex, performance status, TNM staging, diagnosis and adjuvant treatment. Swallowing and speech functions were measured and prospectively recorded pre‐ and postoperatively. Patient reported outcomes were measured with the Speech Handicap Index (SHI) and the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI).

Results

All patients had a significant reduction in their objective swallowing (P = 0.035), sentence (P = 0.001) and word intelligibility (P < .001) scores. There was no significant reduction in SHI or total MDADI scores. All patients maintained their QOL in the post‐treatment time frame. There was no relationship between free‐flap type and outcome.

Conclusion

Total glossectomy with laryngeal sparing and free flap reconstruction results in significant reduction in objective functional measurements, but patients report stable functional and quality of life outcomes after treatment.
Numerical Optimization Methods for Metasurfaces
Authors: Elsawy Mahmoud M. R. , Lanteri Stéphane , Duvigneau Régis , Fan Jonathan A. , Genevet Patrice
Published: August 2020

In recent years, metasurfaces have emerged as revolutionary tools to manipulate the behavior of light at the nanoscale. These devices consist of nanostructures defined within a single layer of metal or dielectric materials, and they offer unprecedented control over the optical properties of light, leading to previously unattainable applications in flat lenses, holographic imaging, polarimetry, and emission control, amongst others. The operation principles of metaoptics include complex light–matter interactions, often involving insidious near‐field coupling effects that are far from being described by classical ray optics calculations, making advanced numerical modeling a requirement in the design process. In this contribution, recent optimization techniques used in the inverse design of high performance metasurfaces are reviewed. These methods rely on the iterative optimization of a Figure of Merit to produce a final device, leading to freeform layouts featuring complex and non‐intuitive properties. The concepts in numerical inverse designs discussed herein will push this exciting field toward realistic and practical applications, ranging from laser wavefront engineering to innovative facial recognition and motion detection devices, including augmented reality retro‐reflectors and related complex light field engineering.
Turning the other cheek: Facial orientation influences both model attractiveness and product evaluation
Authors: Park Jaewoo , Spence Charles , Ishii Hiroaki , Togawa Taku
Published: August 2020

The layout of visual elements in advertising influences consumers' perception and judgments. The research reported here investigates the influence of the face orientation of a human model on the perception of their attractiveness and its downstream consequences on product evaluation. Across five experiments, we first demonstrate that consumers tend to perceive a model's face showing his or her left cheek as more attractive than when showing the right cheek, even when the images are otherwise identical. More importantly, we demonstrate the downstream influence of face orientation on the evaluation of advertised products whereby the leftward (vs. rightward) model's face increases the evaluation of the advertised product through perceived model attractiveness. We identify the underlying mechanism of the face orientation effect, namely, that consumers perceive those faces showing their left (vs. right) cheek as more prototypical, and that this perception of prototypicality elicits an aesthetic preference for the model's leftward face which in turn carries over to influence product evaluation. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are also discussed.
Reversible Redox Crosslinking of Thiopropylsilicones
Authors: Zheng Sijia , Brook Michael A.
Published: August 2020

Most silicone elastomers are thermosets. As a response to the new paradigm of polymer recyclability, the development of silicone elastomers that can be reversibly and repeatedly cured and uncrosslinked using redox conditions is reported. Thiopropyl‐modified silicones are oxidized to elastomers with disulfide crosslinks using the organosoluble oxidant PhI(OAc)2. As with any elastomer, mechanical properties can be tuned by varying crosslink density. Thermal stabilities in air show that the products are comparable to traditional silicone thermosets, with degradation only starting over 300 °C. Uncrosslinking back to the same thiopropyl‐modified silicones involves reductive S–S bridge cleavage using a Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction with hydrosilanes catalyzed by B(C6F5)3; HSiMe2OSiMe3is identified as a convenient reducing agent. The initially formed silicone‐(CH2)3S‐SiMe2OSiMe3products need deprotection with water in isopropanol/water to completely regenerate the thiopropylsilicones. This oxidation/reduction crosslinking/uncrosslinking cycle is practiced thrice, with a yield of 89% per cycle, with essentially no change in the Young's moduli of the elastomers, or1H NMR spectra of the uncrosslinked fluids after reduction. Further oxidation of disulfide groups on the elastomer surface permanently and significantly improved water wettability.
Expert product reviews and conflict of interest
Authors: Hamami Tom , Bailey James
Published: August 2020

Many firms that produce expert product reviews benefit from increased sales of the products they review, resulting in a conflict of interest. We evaluate expert product reviews from a video game magazine owned by a game retailer. We find evidence of review inflation for lower‐quality games and in periods shortly following the release of a game's corresponding hardware. These results are consistent with theoretical predictions for a firm that optimizes the trade‐off between sales revenue and the reputational costs associated with biasing reviews.
Interaction between a haptoglobin genetic variant and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors on CAD severity in Singaporean Chinese population
Authors: Chang Xuling , Dorajoo Rajkumar , Han Yi , Wang Ling , Liu Jianjun , Khor Chiea‐Chuen , Low Adrian F. , Chan Mark Yan‐Yee , Yuan Jian‐Min , Koh Woon‐Puay , Friedlander Yechiel , Heng Chew‐Kiat
Published: August 2020

Background

Haptoglobin (Hp) is a plasma protein with strong anti‐inflammation and antioxidant activities. Its plasma level is known to be inversely associated with many inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. However, the association of HP genetic variants with coronary artery disease (CAD) severity/mortality, and how they interact with common CAD risk factors are largely unknown.

Methods

We conducted the analysis in a Singaporean Chinese CAD population with Gensini severity scores (N = 582) and subsequently evaluated the significant findings in an independent cohort with cardiovascular mortality (excluding stroke) as outcome (917 cases and 19,093 controls). CAD risk factors were ascertained from questionnaires, and stenosis information from medical records. Mortality was identified through linkage with the nationwide registry of births and deaths in Singapore. Linear regression analysis between HP genetic variant (rs217181) and disease outcome were performed. Interaction analyses were performed by introducing an interaction term in the same regression models.

Results

Although rs217181 was not significantly associated with CAD severity and cardiovascular mortality (excluding stroke) in all subjects, when stratified by hypertension status, hypertensive individuals with the minor T allele have more severe CAD (β = 0.073, SE = 0.030, p = 0.015) and non‐hypertensive individuals with the T allele have lower risk for mortality (odds ratio = 0.771 (0.607–0.980), p = 0.033).

Conclusion

HP genetic variant is not associated with CAD severity and mortality in the general population. However, hypertensive individuals with the rs217181 T allele associated with higher Hp levels had more severe CAD while non‐hypertensive individuals with the same allele had lower risk for mortality in the Chinese population.
Stability of the space identification problem for the elliptic‐telegraph differential equation
Authors: Ashyralyev Allaberen , Al‐Hammouri Ahmad
Published: August 2020

The present paper is devoted to study the space identification problem for the elliptic‐telegraph differential equation in Hilbert spaces with the self‐adjoint positive definite operator. The main theorem on the stability of the space identification problem for the elliptic‐telegraph differential equation is proved. In applications, theorems on the stability of three source identification problems for one dimensional with nonlocal conditions and multidimensional elliptic‐telegraph differential equations are established.
Multiscale dynamic fracture analysis of composite materials using adaptive microstructure modeling
Authors: Baek Hyunil , Kweon Chulmin , Park Kyoungsoo
Published: August 2020

In this study, a computational framework is proposed to investigate multiscale dynamic fracture phenomena in materials with microstructures. The micro‐ and macro‐scales of a composite material are integrated by introducing an adaptive microstructure representation. Then, the far and local fields are simultaneously computed using the equation of motion, which satisfies the boundary conditions between the two fields. Cohesive surface elements are dynamically inserted where and when needed, and the Park‐Paulino‐Roesler cohesive model is employed to approximate nonlinear fracture processes in a local field. A topology‐based data structure is utilized to efficiently handle adjacency information during mesh modification events. The efficiency and validity of the proposed computational framework are demonstrated by checking the energy balances and comparing the results of the proposed computation with direct computations. Furthermore, the effects of microstructural properties, such as interfacial bonding strength and unit cell arrangement, on the dynamic fracture behavior are investigated. The computational results demonstrate that local crack patterns depend on the combination of microstructural properties such as unit cell arrangement and interfacial bonding strength; therefore, the microstructure of a material should be carefully considered for dynamic cohesive fracture investigations.
Health and social care professionals’ experiences of collaborative planning—Applying the person‐centred practice framework
Authors: Jobe Ingela , Lindberg Birgitta , Engström Åsa
Published: August 2020

Aim

To explore how person‐centred practice framework can be applied to professionals participating in collaborative planning.

Design

An explorative, deductive approach.

Method

Eleven professionals from health care and social care participated in the study. A deductive content analysis was performed using a framework for person‐centred practice for the analysis.

Results

Practicing person‐centred care and collaborative planning is a complex process that needs to take into account system factors on both the macro‐ and the microlevel. Everyone working within the system needs to apply the same approach. Using a framework analysis offered new insights into how person‐centred care is expressed in practice during collaborative planning between the patient, and healthcare and social care professionals.
Bioorthogonal Ligations and Cleavages in Chemical Biology
Authors: Li Youshan , Fu Hua
Published: August 2020

Bioorthogonal reactions including the bioorthogonal ligations and cleavages have become an active field of research in chemical biology, and they play important roles in chemical modification and functional regulation of biomolecules. This review summarizes the developments and applications of the representative bioorthogonal reactions including the Staudinger reactions, the metal‐mediated bioorthogonal reactions, the strain‐promoted cycloadditions, the inverse electron demand Diels‐Alder reactions, the light‐triggered bioorthogonal reactions, and the reactions of chloroquinoxalines and ortho‐dithiophenols.
Development of ANN models based on combined UV‐vis‐NIR spectra for rapid quantification of physical and chemical properties of industrial hemp extracts
Authors: Valinger Davor , Jurina Tamara , Šain Adela , Matešić Nikolina , Panić Manuela , Benković Maja , Gajdoš Kljusurić Jasenka , Jurinjak Tušek Ana
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop artificial neural network (ANNs) models for prediction of physical (total dissolved solids, extraction yield) and chemical (total polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity) properties of industrial hemp extracts, prepared by two different extraction methods (solid‐liquid extraction and microwave‐assisted extraction) based on combined UV‐VIS‐NIR spectra. Spectral data were gathered for 46 samples per extraction method.

Results

The PCA analysis ensured efficient separation of the samples based on the amount of ethanol in extraction solvent using NIR spectra for both conventional and microwave‐assisted extraction.

Conclusions

Results showed that reliable ANN models (R2>0.7000) for describing physical, chemical, and simultaneously physical and chemical characteristics can be developed based on combined UV‐VIS‐NIR spectra of industrial hemp extracts without spectra pre‐processing.
Reciprocal interference between the NRF2 and LPS signaling pathways on the immune‐metabolic phenotype of peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Mornata Federica , Pepe Giovanna , Sfogliarini Chiara , Brunialti Electra , Rovati Gianenrico , Locati Massimo , Maggi Adriana , Vegeto Elisabetta
Published: August 2020

The metabolic and immune adaptation to extracellular signals allows macrophages to carry out specialized functions involved in immune protection and tissue homeostasis. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that coordinates cell redox and metabolic responses to stressors. However, the individual and concomitant activation of NRF2 and inflammatory pathways have been poorly investigated in isolated macrophages. We here took advantage of reporter mice for the transcriptional activities of NRF2 and nuclear factor‐kB (NFκB), a key transcription factor in inflammation, and observe a persisting reciprocal interference in the response of peritoneal macrophages to the respective activators, tert‐Butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). When analyzed separately by gene expression studies, these pathways trigger macrophage‐specific metabolic and proliferative target genes that are associated with tBHQ‐induced pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) with no proliferative response, and with opposite effects observed with LPS. Importantly, the simultaneous administration of tBHQ + LPS alters the effects of each individual pathway in a target gene‐specific manner. In fact, this co‐treatment potentiates the effects of tBHQ on the antioxidant enzyme, HMOX1, and the antibacterial enzyme, IRG1, respectively; moreover, the combined treatment reduces tBHQ activity on the glycolytic enzymes, TALDO1 and TKT, and decreases LPS effects on the metabolic enzyme IDH1, the proliferation‐related proteins KI67 and PPAT, and the inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNFα. Altogether, our results show that the activation of NRF2 redirects the metabolic, immune, and proliferative response of peritoneal macrophages to inflammatory signals, with relevant consequences for the pharmacological treatment of diseases that are associated with unopposed inflammatory responses.
Individual and contextual determinants of male suicide in the post‐communist region: The case of Lithuania
Authors: Jasilionis Domantas , Grigoriev Pavel , Stumbrys Daumantas , Stankūnienė Vladislava
Published: August 2020

Over the three last decades, Lithuania has reported some of the highest male suicide rates in the world. This paper relies on longitudinal census‐linked data for Lithuania covering the entire male population aged 30–64 years during the 2011–2017 period. The study uses multilevel modelling to examine the importance of the selected individual‐ and area‐level contextual characteristics. One of the key findings is the persistence of a suicide disadvantage among males living in rural areas. This disadvantage could not be explained by major sociodemographic characteristics and remained statistically significant for those individuals who migrated to urban areas. Unlike some other studies, we found that socio‐economic area‐level characteristics retained their significance after controlling for the major individual‐level characteristics. This evidence highlights the potential for policies aimed at improving area‐level conditions.
A modified hybrid finite‐element method for a semi‐implicit mass‐based non‐hydrostatic kernel
Authors: Yang Jinhui , Song Junqiang , Wu Jianping , Yin Fukang , Peng Jun , Leng Hongze
Published: August 2020

A hybrid finite‐element vertical discretization method for a semi‐implicit mass‐based non‐hydrostatic kernel is a feasible high‐order discretization approach which combines the advantages of both finite‐differential and finite‐element methods. In this article, we put forward a modified version of the existing hybrid finite‐element method to reduce computation load and improve precision. A key feature of our modified method is the presence, in the enlarging step, of new levels which are not equally spaced, but rather based on Gaussian quadrature. A higher‐order accuracy may be thus achieved with less enlarged levels by virtue of the properties of Gaussian quadrature. The modified method is also designed to fulfil the constraints required by the dynamic kernel, which themselves are crucial to ensure stability. A set of 2D and 3D test cases are conducted so as to confirm the accuracy and the stability of the new method.
H∞ group consensus of linear dynamical systems under directed switching topology
Authors: Ren Lu , Liu Jian , Sun Changyin
Published: August 2020

This brief investigates the H∞ group consensus problem for linear dynamical systems with directed switching topology and external disturbance. The H∞ group consensus problem for multiagent systems (MASs) is complicated since the agents from different clusters may be cooperative or competitive. By using together algebraic graph theory and Lyapunov stability theory, we first analyze the stability of group consensus with desired H∞ performance, and then establish a sufficient condition to achieve the H∞ group consensus. This sufficient condition is derived in terms of the strengths of intra‐cluster couplings and the solution to an algebraic Riccati equation, whose solvability can be guaranteed if the MAS is state feedback stabilized with a bounded L2 gain. Moreover, the lower bound of the inter‐cluster coupling strength and dwell time are explicitly specified. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results is verified by a numerical example.
Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry studies of alkanethiol self‐assembled monolayers on nanoporous gold surfaces
Authors: Hafez Aly M. , Hua Quoc Trung , Adam Mohamed Shaker S.
Published: August 2020

The dimerization of alkanethiol mixtures (hexanethiol, octanethiol, and dodecanethiol) to form self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) from headspace on nanoporous gold surfaces was studied for the first time using gas chromatography (GC/MS) and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS). The nanoporous gold surfaces were obtained by an acidic etching of a 585‐gold alloy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) was utilized to study the change of the surface geometry and porosity of the gold surfaces before and after etching. Alkanethiols were deposited from the vapor phase above the thiol solutions (headspace) on nanoporous gold plates and nanoporous gold solid‐phase vmicroextraction (SPME) fibers. The nanoporous gold substrates were analyzed by TOF‐SIMS and GC/MS, respectively. The TOF‐SIMS spectra exhibited various gold–sulfur ion clusters and specific peaks related to the adsorption of thiols such as deprotonated monomers, thiolate–Au, dimers (e.g., dialkyl sulfides–Au and dialkyl disulfides–Au). The GC/MS analysis of headspace extractions of alkanethiol mixtures by nanoporous gold SPME fibers showed a high extraction efficiency of alkanethiol, dialkyl sulfide, and dialkyl disulfide when compared with the commercial SPME fibers (DVB‐CAR‐PDMS and CAR‐PDMS). Different GC/MS optimization factors were studied including the extraction time and desorption temperature.
Emotional reactivity to war stressors: An experience sampling study in people with and without different psychiatric diagnoses
Authors: Lapid Pickman Liron , Gelkopf Marc , Greene Talya
Published: August 2020

There is a lack of knowledge regarding real‐time emotional reactivity to high‐intensity stressors, particularly in people with mental illness, a potentially vulnerable population. The current study aimed to examine negative emotional reactions to recurring high‐intensity stressors within a continuous war situation, in people with different psychiatric diagnosis types. Experience sampling method was used to examine emotional reactions among 143 civilians exposed to rockets during the 2014 Israel–Gaza war, of them 18.2% with psychosis, 14.7% with anxiety or depression and 67.1% without mental illness. Participants reported exposure to rocket warning sirens and the levels of 10 negative emotions twice a day for 30 days. Negative emotional levels were higher on most emotions following high‐intensity stressors (sirens), that is, emotional reactivity was demonstrated in real‐time during war. Overall, no difference in reactivity was found among the three study groups. Moreover, people with anxiety/depression were less reactive than people without mental illness on sadness and being overwhelmed. The findings indicate similar and sometimes lower emotional reactivity to high‐intensity stressors in people with mental illness compared to the general population. Nevertheless, people with mental illness seem to have significant emotional needs during war, to be addressed in prevention and intervention efforts.
Tubulin Double Helix: Lateral and Longitudinal Curvature Changes of Tubulin Protofilament
Authors: Lee Juncheol , Song Chaeyeon , Lee Jimin , Miller Herbert P. , Cho Hasaeam , Gim Bopil , Li Youli , Feinstein Stuart C. , Wilson Leslie , Safinya Cyrus R. , Choi Myung Chul
Published: August 2020

By virtue of their native structures, tubulin dimers are protein building blocks that are naturally preprogrammed to assemble into microtubules (MTs), which are cytoskeletal polymers. Here, polycation‐directed (i.e., electrostatically tunable) assembly of tubulins is demonstrated by conformational changes to the tubulin protofilament in longitudinal and lateral directions, creating tubulin double helices and various tubular architectures. Synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy reveal a remarkable range of nanoscale assembly structures: single‐ and double‐layered double‐helix tubulin tubules. The phase transitions from MTs to the new assemblies are dependent on the size and concentration of polycations. Two characteristic scales that determine the number of observed phases are the size of polycation compared to the size of tubulin (≈4 nm) and to MT diameter (≈25 nm). This work suggests the feasibility of using polycations that have scissor‐ and glue‐like properties to achieve “programmable breakdown” of protein nanotubes, tearing MTs into double‐stranded tubulins and building up previously undiscovered nanostructures. Importantly, a new role of tubulins is defined as 2D shape‐controllable building blocks for supramolecular architectures. These findings provide insight into the design of protein‐based functional materials, for example, as metallization templates for nanoscale electronic devices, molecular screws, and drug delivery vehicles.
Enhancement of Magneto‐Mechanical Actuation of Micropillar Arrays by Anisotropic Stress Distribution
Authors: Park Jeong Eun , Jeon Jisoo , Park Sei Jin , Won Sukyoung , Ku Zahyun , Wie Jeong Jae
Published: August 2020

Magnetically active shape‐reconfigurable microarrays undergo programmed actuation according to the arrangement of magnetic dipoles within the structures, achieving complex twisting and bending deformations. Cylindrical micropillars have been widely used to date, whose circular cross‐sections lead to identical actuation regardless of the actuating direction. In this study, micropillars with triangular or rectangular cross‐sections are designed and fabricated to introduce preferential actuation directions and explore the limits of their actuation. Using such structures, controlled liquid wetting is demonstrated on micropillar surfaces. Liquid droplets pinned on magnetic micropillar arrays undergo directional spreading when the pillars are actuated as depinning of the droplets is enabled only in certain directions. The enhanced deformation due to direction dependent magneto‐mechanical actuation suggests that micropillar arrays can be fundamentally tailored to possess application specific responses and opens up opportunities to exploit more complex designs such as micropillars with polygonal cross sections. Such tunable wetting of liquids on microarray surfaces has potential to improve printing technologies via contactless reconfiguration of stamp geometry by magnetic field manipulation.
Solution‐Processed All‐V2O5 Battery
Authors: Wang Guolong , Cui Xiaoqian , Liu Jiamei , Wang Yaling , Qiao Yide , Shi Xiaowei , Zhang Yan , Liu Heguang , Li Lei
Published: August 2020

Exploring new battery technologies will promote the advance of energy storage systems. Designing a symmetrical‐structured rechargeable battery with the same electrode materials is a meaningful exploration for battery technology. Here, a solution‐processed all‐V2O5 rechargeable battery with V2O5 as both anode and cathode is presented, in which the anionic/cationic redox reactions are decoupled by precisely clamping its working potential windows. The battery shows good electrochemical performance with high capacity of 151 mAh g−1 at 0.10 C, good rate performance with 70% capacity retention when the current increases from 0.10 to 5 C, and promising cycling stability over 83% capacity retention after 900 cycles at 1 C. Moreover, the battery is highly profitable for simplified fabrication and scalable production, which benefits from its symmetrical configuration as well as the solution‐processed strategy. This work offers a new paradigm to construct advanced symmetrical energy storage devices.
A finite time adaptive back‐stepping sliding mode control for instantaneous active‐reactive power dynamics based DFIG‐wind generation towards improved grid stability
Authors: Parida Tanmoy , Dhar Snehamoy , Nayak Niranjan
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a low computational, robust nonlinear feedback control is proposed as independent distributed generation controller (IDGC) for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind power generation system (WPGS). WPGS integration as distributed generation (DG) to grid point of common coupling (PCC) is reflecting high power loss profile in terms of low frequency oscillations under grid operational contingencies and have high instability hazard under unbounded uncertainties like unintentional islanding operation. Thus, to improve the stability margin of DFIG‐WPGS integration fast DG dynamic relations are obtained, where instantaneous active‐reactive power (P‐Q) formulation is proposed to avoid unnecessary phase locked loop (PLL) angle (ω) estimation. The feedback path is designed with proposed finite time adaptive backstepping sliding mode control (FTABSMC) for IDGC operation according to ISA‐95 standards. The FTABSMC is ensured with bounded/unbounded uncertainty handling capability by incorporating backstepping based dynamic error profile depletion and with enhanced stability margin by finite time sliding surface based error trajectory to equilibrium. Further, the adaptive sliding surface estimation is proposed in terms of dynamic uncertainty (energy fluctuation) for robust unbounded uncertainty handling. The stability improvement is established with small‐signal (SS) based closed loop analysis of considered DFIG‐WPGS. The uncertainty handling capability is presented thought rigorous case studies in MATLAB based simulation environment and TMS 320 digital signal processor (DSP) based processor‐in‐loop (PIL) validation.
The ZIP6/ZIP10 heteromer is essential for the zinc-mediated trigger of mitosis
Authors: Nimmanon Thirayost , Ziliotto Silvia , Ogle Olivia , Burt Anna , Gee Julia M. W. , Andrews Glen K. , Kille Pete , Hogstrand Christer , Maret Wolfgang , Taylor Kathryn M.
Published: August 2020

Zinc has been known to be essential for cell division for over 40 years but the molecular pathways involved remain elusive. Cellular zinc import across biological membranes necessitates the help of zinc transporters such as the SLC39A family of ZIP transporters. We have discovered a molecular process that explains why zinc is required for cell division, involving two highly regulated zinc transporters, as a heteromer of ZIP6 and ZIP10, providing the means of cellular zinc entry at a specific time of the cell cycle that initiates a pathway resulting in the onset of mitosis. Crucially, when the zinc influx across this heteromer is blocked by ZIP6 or ZIP10 specific antibodies, there is no evidence of mitosis, confirming the requirement for zinc influx as a trigger of mitosis. The zinc that influxes into cells to trigger mitosis additionally changes the phosphorylation state of STAT3 converting it from a transcription factor to a protein that complexes with this heteromer and pS38Stathmin, the form allowing microtubule rearrangement as required in mitosis. This discovery now explains the specific cellular role of ZIP6 and ZIP10 and how they have special importance in the mitosis process compared to other ZIP transporter family members. This finding offers new therapeutic opportunities for inhibition of cell division in the many proliferative diseases that exist, such as cancer.
Strength grading of hardwoods using transversal ultrasound
Authors: Kovryga A. , Khaloian Sarnaghi A. , van de Kuilen J. W. G.
Published: August 2020

Detection of local wood inhomogeneities is important for accurate strength and stiffness prediction. In hardwood specimens, visual characteristics (e.g. knots or fibre deviation) are difficult to detect, either with a visual surface inspection or by the machine. Transversal ultrasound scan (TUS) is a non-destructive evaluation method with high potential for hardwoods. The method relies on differences in ultrasound wave propagation in perpendicular to the grain direction. The aim of this study is to estimate and analyse the capabilities of TUS for defect detection in hardwoods and prediction of mechanical property values. In the current paper, the TUS was applied to the hardwood species European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). In total, 16 boards of both specimens were completely scanned perpendicular to the grain using a laboratory scanner with dry-coupled transducers. The measurements were processed to 2D scan images of the boards, and image processing routines were applied to further feature extraction, defect detection and grading criteria calculation. In addition, as a reference for each board, all relevant visual characteristics and mechanical properties from the tensile test were measured. Using the TUS global fibre deviation, the size and the position of the knots can be detected. Knottiness correlates to the strength properties similarly or even better compared to the manual knottiness measurement. Between the global fibre angle measured using TUS and measured on the failure pattern, no correlation could be found. The ultrasound modulus of elasticity perpendicular to the grain does not show any meaningful correlation to the elastic properties parallel to the grain. In overall, TUS shows high potential for the strength grading of hardwoods.
Next steps in the identification of gene targets for type 1 diabetes
Authors: Grant Struan F. A. , Wells Andrew D. , Rich Stephen S.
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this review is to provide a view of the future of genomics and other omics approaches in defining the genetic contribution to all stages of risk of type 1 diabetes and the functional impact and clinical implementations of the associated variants. From the recognition nearly 50 years ago that genetics (in the form of HLA) distinguishes risk of type 1 diabetes from type 2 diabetes, advances in technology and sample acquisition through collaboration have identified over 60 loci harbouring SNPs associated with type 1 diabetes risk. Coupled with HLA region genes, these variants account for the majority of the genetic risk (~50% of the total risk); however, relatively few variants are located in coding regions of genes exerting a predicted protein change. The vast majority of genetic risk in type 1 diabetes appears to be attributed to regions of the genome involved in gene regulation, but the target effectors of those genetic variants are not readily identifiable. Although past genetic studies clearly implicated immune-relevant cell types involved in risk, the target organ (the beta cell) was left untouched. Through emergent technologies, using combinations of genetics, gene expression, epigenetics, chromosome conformation and gene editing, novel landscapes of how SNPs regulate genes have emerged. Furthermore, both the immune system and the beta cell and their biological pathways have been implicated in a context-specific manner. The use of variants from immune and beta cell studies distinguish type 1 diabetes from type 2 diabetes and, when they are combined in a genetic risk score, open new avenues for prediction and treatment.
Cohort at risk: long-term consequences of conflict for child school achievement
Authors: Jürges Hendrik , Stella Luca , Hallaq Sameh , Schwarz Alexandra
Published: August 2020

We investigate the long-term effects of households’ exposure to violent conflict on children’s educational attainment in primary school, studying cognitive and non-cognitive skills as possible causal channels. Our identification strategy exploits the locality-level variation in the intensity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the West Bank during the Second Intifada (2000–2005). We show that an increase in family experience of conflict has large negative long-term effects on the educational attainment of children as measured by grade point averages. We find that non-cognitive rather than cognitive skills are the channels through which exposure affects children’s educational achievement.