bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Significance of radiographic splenic vessel involvement in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the body and tail of the gland
Authors: Hyun Jong Jin , Rose J. Bart , Alseidi Adnan A. , Biehl Thomas R. , Helton Scott , Coy David L. , Kozarek Richard A. , Rocha Flavio G.
Published: May 2019

Background and Objectives

Unlike pancreatic head tumors, little is known about the biological significance of radiographic vessel involvement with pancreatic body/tail adenocarcinoma. We hypothesized radiographic splenic vessel involvement may be an adverse prognostic factor.

Methods

All distal pancreatectomies performed for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 2000 and 2016 were reviewed and clinicopatholgic data were collected, retrospectively. Preoperative computed tomography imaging was re‐reviewed and splenic vessel involvement was graded as none, abutment, encasement, or occlusion.

Results

Among a total of 71 patients, splenic artery or vein encasement/occlusion was present in 41% (29 of 71) of patients, each. There were no significant differences in tumor size or grade, margin positivity, and perineural or lymphovascular invasion. However, splenic artery encasement/occlusion (P = 0.001) and splenic vein encasement/occlusion (P = 0.038) both correlated with lymph node positivity. Splenic artery encasement was associated with a reduced median overall survival (20 vs 30 months, P = 0.033). Multivariate analysis also showed that splenic artery encasement was an independent risk factor of worse survival (hazard ratio, 2.246; 95% confidence interval, 1.118‐4.513; P = 0.023).

Conclusion

Patients with cancer of the body or tail of the pancreas presenting with radiographic encasement of the splenic artery, but not the splenic vein, have a poorer prognosis and perhaps should be considered for neoadjuvant therapy before an attempt at curative resection.
Effect of anesthesia on evoked auditory responses in pediatric auditory brainstem implant surgery
Authors: Wong Kevin , Kiringoda Ruwan , Kanumuri Vivek V. , Barber Samuel R. , Franck Kevin , Sahani Nita , Brown M. Christian , Herrmann Barbara S. , Lee Daniel J.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses (EABR) guide placement of the multichannel auditory brainstem implant (ABI) array during surgery. EABRs are also recorded under anesthesia in nontumor pediatric ABI recipients prior to device activation to confirm placement and guide device programming. We examine the influence of anesthesia on evoked response morphology in pediatric ABI users by comparing intraoperative with postoperative EABR recordings.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Seven children underwent ABI surgery by way of retrosigmoid craniotomy. General anesthesia included inhaled sevoflurane induction and propofol maintenance during which EABRs were recorded to confirm accurate positioning of the ABI. A mean of 7.7 ± 2.8 weeks following surgery, the ABI was activated under general anesthesia or sedation (dexmedetomidine) and EABR recordings were made. A qualitative analysis of intraoperative and postoperative waveform morphology was performed.

Results

Seven subjects (mean age 20.6 months) underwent nine ABI surgeries (seven primary, two revisions) and nine activations. EABRs were observed in eight of nine postoperative recordings. In three cases, intraoperative EABRs during general anesthesia were similar to postoperative EABRs with sedation. In one case, sevoflurane and propofol were used for intra‐ and postoperative recordings, and waveforms were also similar. In four cases, amplitude and latency changes were observed for intraoperative versus postoperative EABRs.

Conclusion

Similarity of EABR morphology in the anesthetized versus sedated condition suggests that anesthesia does not have a large effect on far‐field evoked potentials. Changes in EABR waveform morphology observed postoperatively may be influenced by other factors such as movements of the surface array.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:507–513, 2020
Sediment addition and legume cultivation result in sustainable, long‐term increases in ecosystem functions of sandy grasslands
Authors: Wu Honghui , Lü Linyou , Zhang Yunlong , Xu Chong , Yang Hao , Zhou Wei , Wang Weiqi , Zhao Liren , He Nianpeng , Smith Melinda D. , Han Xingguo , Hartley Iain P. , Yu Qiang
Published: May 2019

Desertification of sandy grasslands is an increasing problem, with serious negative impacts on ecosystem functions. Sandy grasslands are fragile with low ecosystem productivity mainly because of the sandy soil structure with low water and nutrient holding capacities and especially low levels of nitrogen. Here, we evaluate the long‐term impacts of sediment addition from a local reservoir, and grass and legume cultivation (artificial grasslands) on a sandy grassland in eastern Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that even after 32 years, sediment addition had improved soil structure significantly, that is, increasing of silt and clay contents, soil bulk density, and water holding capacity. As the result of improved soil structure, ecosystem functions, including aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and soil carbon, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus storage, increased significantly. Net C, N, and P sequestration increased even after accounting for the sediment addition, due, at least partially, to the greater plant biomass trapping large quantities of wind‐blown dust. Plant cultivation, especially the addition of a legume, further increased ANPP significantly, that is, the cultivation of Leymus chinensis and the legume Medicago sativa increased ANPP 6.99 and 44.62 times, respectively. Our study highlights that improvements in soil structure and cultivation with legume species can increased substantially the productivity of sandy grasslands and that the initial increases in grass biomass promoted the sequestration of wind‐blown dust, which helped sustain the increases in productivity.
Smart Wearable Textiles with Breathable Properties and Repeatable Shaping in In Vitro Orthopedic Support from a Novel Biomass Thermoplastic Copolyester
Authors: Chan Hao‐Wei , Cho Chia‐Jung , Hsu Kai‐Hung , He Cyuan‐Lun , Kuo Chi‐Ching , Chu Chien‐Chia , Chen Yu‐Haw , Chen Chin‐Wen , Rwei Syang‐Peng
Published: May 2019

In this study, materials with low melting temperatures and high toughness are developed for orthopedic applications. A series of an aliphatic copolyester based on sebacic acid (SeA), a green resource, is copolymerized with ethylene glycol, trimesic acid, aminocaproic acid, and adipic acid (AA) to produce poly(ethylene sebacate‐co‐ethylene adipate) (PESA) with various molar ratios through melt polymerization. Thermal characterizations of the PESA copolyesters are tuned with SeA and AA in varying molar ratios, exhibiting a crystalline phase with a lower degree of perfection. The melting point (Tm) and crystallization temperature (Tc) of the copolyesters are observed at 60–70 and 30–40 °C, respectively. Furthermore, a high Young's modulus ranging between 140 and 200 MPa is observed, which could be attributed to the 3D network structure formed by the trimesic acid unit used as a cross‐linking agent. Within the authors' research group, the PESA copolyesters are adopted to reinforce the mechanical properties of a 3D air mesh fabric as a composite application. Also, the highly breathable and low‐weight characteristics of 3D fabric with PESA copolyesters render them suitable for replacing traditional plaster in the future.
Fabrication of Shape‐Memory Aerogel Based on Chitosan/Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Semi‐Interpenetrating Networks via a Facile and Eco‐Friendly Strategy
Authors: Li Bei , Xiao Yi , Du Lan , Fan Cheng‐Jie , Xiao Wen‐Xia , Yang Ke‐Ke , Wang Yu‐Zhong
Published: May 2019

While the field of shape memory polymers (SMPs) has developed rapidly, it is still highly challenging to obtain SMPs in the form of aerogels (SMPAs) due to the unique technique used for the fabrication of the aerogels and their high porosity. Herein, a thermally induced SMPA based on chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (CS/PEGDA) semi‐interpenetrating networks is reported that are produced using an eco‐friendly strategy. The main network is responsible for the shape memory effect (SME) and can be easily tuned by varying the feed ratio of the two PEGDA precursors, which have different molecular weights. The crystalline segment in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) with higher molecular weight acts as the molecular switch, and the PEGDA with lower molecular weight endows the network with an efficient degree of crosslinking. Meanwhile, the chitosan (CS) is interpenetrated into the main network to enhance the aerogel. The SME is realized both at the macroscale and the microscale, as is further demonstrated for three different models with various shapes.
Development of an index for frost prediction: Technique and validation
Authors: Rozante José R. , Gutierrez Enver Ramirez , da Silva Dias Pedro Leite , de Almeida Fernandes Alex , Alvim Debora Souza , Silva Vinicius Matoso
Published: May 2019

An index for frost prediction is proposed and calibrated against observations. It takes into account: (1) the main meteorological variables that favour or oppose to frost; (2) weights attributed to these variables; and (3) means and standard deviations of these variables, only for cases in which frost occurs, as defined by observation of temperatures that are ≤ 6°C. The meteorological variables used for the frost index IG (from the Portuguese, Índice de Geada) are numerically predicted by a regional weather forecast model. An outcome of the calibration processes results is that temperature has the largest contribution, followed by pressure and winds, while the other variables were adjusted to obey the restriction that the sum of weights are equal to 1. After index calibration and threshold determination, the method was applied for the 2017 winter season, and a case study for May 2018 was also considered. In order to verify whether the new index can satisfactorily contribute to the weather forecasting, the results using the IG were compared with the temperature outputs of the numerical regional model. It was found that for three selected areas, and for all the forecasted hours, the IG produces better results than the model's direct temperature forecasts. Thus, it was concluded that the use of the IG in an operational environment potentially provides considerable improvement in the predictive skill of frost events.
Systematic genetic analyses of GWAS data reveal an association between the immune system and insomnia
Authors: Xiang Bo , Liu Kezhi , Yu Minglan , Liang Xuemei , Huang Chaohua , Zhang Jin , He Wenying , Lei Wei , Chen Jing , Gu Xiaochu , Gong Ke
Published: May 2019

Background

Previous studies have inferred a strong genetic component for insomnia. However, the etiology of insomnia is still unclear. The aim of the current study was to explore potential biological pathways, gene networks, and brain regions associated with insomnia.

Methods

Using pathways (gene sets) from Reactome, we carried out a two‐stage gene set enrichment analysis strategy. From a large genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) of insomnia symptoms (32,155 cases/26,973 controls), significant gene sets were tested for replication in other large GWASs of insomnia complaints (32,384 cases/80,622 controls). After the network analysis of unique genes within the replicated pathways, a gene set analysis for genes in each cluster/module of the enhancing neuroimaging genetics through meta‐analysis GWAS data was performed for the volumes of the intracranial and seven subcortical regions.

Results

A total of 31 of 1,816 Reactome pathways were identified and showed associations with insomnia risk. In addition, seven functionally and topologically interconnected clusters (clusters 0–6) and six gene modules (named Yellow, Blue, Brown, Green, Red, and Turquoise) were associated with insomnia. Moreover, significant associations were detected between common variants of the genes in Cluster 2 with hippocampal volume (p = 0.035; family wise error [FWE] correction) and the red module with intracranial volume (p = 0.047; FWE correction). Functional enrichment for genes in the Cluster 2 and the Red module revealed the involvement of immune responses, nervous system development, NIK/NF‐kappaB signaling, and I‐kappaB kinase/NF‐kappaB signaling. Core genes (UBC, UBB, and UBA52) in the interconnected functional network were found to be involved in regulating brain development.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrates that the immune system and the hippocampus may play central roles in neurodevelopment and insomnia risk.
CEST MRI reveals a correlation between visceral fat mass and reduced myocardial creatine in obese individuals despite preserved ventricular structure and function
Authors: AlGhuraibawi Wissam , Stromp Tori , Holtkamp Rebecca , Lam Bonnie , Rehwald Wolfgang , Leung Steve W. , Vandsburger Moriel
Published: May 2019

Systolic cardiac function is typically preserved in obese adults, potentially masking underlying declines in cardiomyocyte metabolism that may contribute to heart failure. We used chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, a sensitive method for measurement of myocardial creatine, to examine whether myocardial creatine levels correlate with cardiac structure, contractile function, or visceral fat mass in obese adults. In this study, obese (body mass index, BMI > 30, n = 20) and healthy (BMI < 25, n = 11) adults were examined with dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry to quantify fat masses. Cine MRI and myocardial tagging were performed at 1.5 T to measure ventricular structure and global function. CEST imaging with offsets in the range of ±10 parts per million (ppm) were performed in one mid‐ventricular slice, where creatine CEST contrast was calculated at 1.8 ppm following field homogeneity correction. Ventricular structure, global function (ejection fraction 69.4 ± 4.3% healthy versus 69.6 ± 9.3% obese, NS), and circumferential strain (−17.0 ± 2.3% healthy versus −16.5 ± 1.5% obese, NS) and strain rate were preserved in obese adults. However, creatine CEST contrast was significantly reduced in obese adults (6.8 ± 1.3% healthy versus 4.1 ± 2.7% obese, p = 0.001). Creatine CEST contrast was inversely correlated with total body fat% (ρ = −0.45, p = 0.011), visceral fat mass (ρ = −0.58, p = 0.001), and septal wall thickness (ρ = −0.44, p = 0.013), but uncorrelated to ventricular function or contractile function. In conclusion, creatine CEST‐MRI reveals a strong correlation between heightened body and visceral fat masses and reduced myocardial metabolic function that is independent of ventricular structure and global function in obese adults.
Corporate governance challenges in Indian banks: A public affairs perspective
Authors: Pant Abhay , Radhakrishnan Ganesh
Published: May 2019

Weak governance framework in Indian public sector banks has paralyzed their performance with declining profitability and deteriorating asset quality. In order to tackle the governance issues in Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Indian government established Banks Board Bureau (BBB) in April 2016 to revamp the existing governance structure in PSBs. However, the issue management framework of establishing BBB is not immune to several challenges and has not been able to achieve its desired objectives. This paper looks at the weak governance issue in PSBs from an issue management perspective by using the famous Jones and Chase issue management framework. In light of this framework, the paper makes several recommendations to effectively address the governance challenges in PSBs in India. The findings of this paper may be useful for other emerging economies facing similar governance issues in their banking sector.
Lobbying: An art and a science—Five golden rules for an evidence‐based lobbying strategy
Authors: De Bruycker Iskander
Published: May 2019

In the battle for influence, public affairs professionals make crucial strategic decisions every single day. “Should we go public with this case?” “Who are we going to lobby, and how?” “Should we form a coalition with other organisations?” Public affairs professionals often make these decisions based on their experience or their gut feeling. In practice, lobbying is often more of an art than a science. It is an intuitive and creative process, rarely involving any insights rooted in science. And yet many public affairs professionals are faced with uncertainty about the added value of their activities. “Does what we do really matter?” “What kind of impact do we have?” “Are we making the right strategic decisions?” Some colleagues seek to compensate for these doubts with an overwhelming dose of self‐confidence. An experienced lobbyist recently said during a lecture: “The day I can measure my influence is the day I can double my rates.” Other public affairs professionals are a little more modest and try to assess their impact with key performance indicators. They systematically review the lobbying tactics used. This systematic approach has gained a lot of traction in recent years. The smoky back rooms, the cigars, and whisky of the past are now giving way to evidence‐based lobbying, based on facts, building a bridge between art and science of lobbying.
Integrative communication for organisational sustainability—An integrative communication relationship model as communication management tool
Authors: Taljaard Adriaan , de Beer Estelle
Published: May 2019

Communication units within organisations strive to positively manage their internal and external relationships with stakeholders. The objective of this research was to develop an integrative communication relationship model to assist communication practitioners to understand and manage these relationships. The model allows practitioners to develop communication strategies that promote organisational sustainability. The study investigated the influence of integrative communication on the sustainability of organisations, and it examined the important role of the integrative communication function in organisations, as well as its influence on organisational sustainability. A key outcome of the study was the development of an integrative communication relationship model. A quantitative research method was used to collect the data, with the analysis comprising descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and structural equation modelling (SEM). The research illustrates that integrative communication has a definitive influence on organisational sustainability and does not play the same role in the various organisations investigated. Furthermore, the results show that within these organisations, integrative communication had a distinct relationship with stakeholder engagement, corporate governance, the financial perspective, and the resource perspective, influencing organisational sustainability. Unique to the study was the SEM analysis that was performed, highlighting the relationships between the integrative communication constructs and sustainability constructs. What also materialised from the analysis was the emergence of a new construct, “strategic inclusion,” which should be further investigated in the academic field of communication management. The managerial implications of the study indicate that there are numerous relationships between integrative communication and organisational sustainability.
A new mouse model for the neurodevelopmental ciliopathy Joubert syndrome
Authors: Bachmann‐Gagescu Ruxandra
Published: May 2019

Recent recognition of the key role of primary cilia in orchestrating human development and of the dire consequences of their dysfunction on human health has placed this small organelle in the spotlight. While the causal link between mutations in ciliary genes and central nervous system malformations and dysfunction is well established, the mechanisms by which primary cilia dysfunction acts on development and function of the CNS remain partly unknown. The recent article by Bashford and Subramanian in The Journal of Pathology describes a new mouse model for the neurodevelopmental ciliopathy Joubert syndrome, supporting a role for ciliary‐mediated Hedgehog signaling on proliferation, survival, and differentiation of cerebellar granule cell progenitors. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sickle cell screening in Uganda: High burden, human immunodeficiency virus comorbidity, and genetic modifiers
Authors: Kiyaga Charles , Hernandez Arielle G. , Ssewanyana Isaac , Schaefer Beverly A. , McElhinney Kathryn E. , Ndeezi Grace , Howard Thad A. , Ndugwa Christopher M. , Ware Russell E. , Aceng Jane R.
Published: May 2019

Background

The Uganda Sickle Surveillance Study provided evidence for a large sickle burden among HIV‐exposed infants in Uganda. To date, however, no large scale screening program has been developed for Central or East Africa.

Methods

A 3‐year targeted sickle cell screening project in Uganda was designed by the Ministry of Health to (1) determine sickle cell trait and disease prevalence within high‐burden districts, (2) document the prevalence among HIV‐exposed and nonexposed children, (3) confirm previously suggested HIV comorbidity, and (4) estimate the co‐inheritance of known genetic modifiers of sickle cell disease.

Results

A total of 163 334 dried blood spot samples collected between April 2015 and March 2018 were analyzed, including 112 352 samples within the HIV Early Infant Diagnosis program. A high burden with >1% sickle cell disease was found within targeted East Central and Mid‐Northern districts, in both HIV‐exposed and nonexposed children. Based on crude birth‐rate data, 236 905 sickle cell trait births and 16 695 sickle cell disease births will occur annually in Uganda. Compared to sickle cell disease without HIV, the odds ratio of having sickle cell disease plus HIV was 0.50 (95% confidence interval = 0.40‐0.64, P < .0001). Alpha‐thalassemia trait and G6PD deficiency were common with sickle cell disease, but with different geospatial distribution.

Conclusions

High sickle cell burden and potential HIV comorbidity are confirmed in Uganda. Genetic modifiers are common and likely influence laboratory and clinical phenotypes. These prospective data document that targeted sickle cell screening is feasible and effective in Uganda, and support development of district‐level comprehensive care programs.
Effects of background colors on hedonic and utilitarian consumption
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Ou
Published: May 2019

The present study examined how red versus green background colors affect consumers’ buying behaviors towards hedonic and utilitarian goods. Across two laboratory experiments (total number of participants = 210), we found that red (vs. green) could induce hedonically oriented consumption and, consequently, persuade individuals to buy more hedonic goods.
Synthesis of semi interpenetrating network hydrogel [(GrA‐Psy)‐cl‐Poly (AA)] and its application for efficient removal of malachite green from aqueous solution
Authors: Wadhera Priti , Jindal Rajeev , Dogra Rakesh
Published: May 2019

In the present study, the synthesis of novel semi‐interpenetrating network (Semi‐IPN) hydrogel based on gum rosin alcohol‐psyllium (GrA‐Psy) has been reported. (Gum rosin alcohol‐psyllium)‐crosslinked‐poly(acrylic acid) [termed as (GrA‐Psy)‐cl‐poly (AA)] was synthesized using potassium persulphate (KPS) as an initiator and N, N′−methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker by free radical graft co‐polymerization technique. The prepared semi‐IPN was characterized using FTIR, XRD, and FE‐SEM. Further, the synthesized hydrogel was evaluated for the removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution. Dye adsorption data was analyzed through various isotherm and kinetic models. Thermodynamic parameters and reusability of the synthesized adsorbent were also assessed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1416–1427 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Urine Proteome Changes in a TNBS‐Induced Colitis Rat Model
Authors: Qin Weiwei , Li Lujun , Wang Ting , Huang He , Gao Youhe
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Urine is an important resource for biomarker research. Urine proteins reflect not only renal diseases but also changes in other organs in the body. However, urine has rarely been used to reflect on inflammatory bowel disease.

Experimental Design

In the present study, a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)‐induced colitis rat model is used to mimic the human inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's disease (CD). Urine samples are analyzed by label‐free and TMT‐labeled proteomic quantitative methods.

Results

77 urinary proteins are significantly changed in the colitis rats compared with that in the controls. These proteins are further validated by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) targeted proteomic quantitative methods. Based on the human protein tissue atlas, carbonic anhydrase 1, ribonuclease pancreatic gamma type, and neutral and basic amino acid transport protein rBAT are highly enriched in the gastrointestinal tract. Among the nine PRM‐validated proteins, carbonic anhydrase 1, neutrophil collagenase, and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin were previously reported as IBD‐associated proteins (all exhibiting consistent trends with the observation herein), whereas the others are newly discovered by this study.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The results provide valuable clues for future study of urine biomarker of inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease.
First Structural Characterization of Solvate‐Free Silver 5‐Nitrotetrazolate and its Comparison with other Energetic Silver Compounds in Structure and Property
Authors: Ji Haoran , Liu Lian , Sun Qi , Li Xin , Lu Ming
Published: May 2019

The structure of solvate‐free silver 5‐nitrotetrazolate has been confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction for the first time since it was prepared in 1978. Its structure and energetic performance were compared with other well‐known silver energetic compounds, viz silver dinitramide, silver azide, and silver pentazolate. Its high thermal stability and very sensitive property make it a good candidate as a primary explosive.
The impact of cover crops on the predatory mite Anystis baccarum (Acari, Anystidae) and the leafhopper pest Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in a tea plantation
Authors: Chen Li‐Lin , Yuan Pei , Pozsgai Gabor , Chen Ping , Zhu Huaiping , You Min‐Sheng
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Empoasca onukii, the tea green leafhopper, is a key pest of tea whose control often requires the extensive use of insecticides. As a predator of the tea green leafhopper, the mite Anystis baccarum is a potential biological control agent worldwide, though little is known about how intercropping cover crops can impact its suppressing effect on E. onukii. Therefore, we conducted a field experiment to investigate how the relationship of the abundance of the predatory mite and its leafhopper prey is influenced by two different cover crops and a manually weeded inter‐row treatment as a contrast to naturally growing vegetation in a tea plantation in China.

RESULTS

The abundance of A. baccarum was significantly higher in tea canopies of intercropped treatments than in canopies over natural ground cover. Litter samples showed higher abundances of A. baccarum when tea was intercropped with Paspalum notatum than with natural ground cover in the first year of treatment. The abundance of E. onukii in tea canopies was higher over the bare ground treatment in the first year but the opposite was observed in the second year.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that the abundance of A. baccarum in a tea plantation is influenced by intercropping and it can affect its leafhopper prey, albeit with varying levels of suppression. For informing biological control and suppression of pests, long‐term experiments are needed to investigate the interactions of both pest and predator with cover crop treatments. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Razumikhin stability theorems for a general class of stochastic impulsive switched time‐delay systems
Authors: Ren Wei , Xiong Junlin
Published: May 2019

This paper studies stability of a general class of impulsive switched systems under time delays and random disturbances using multiple Lyapunov functions and fixed dwell‐time. In the studied system model, the impulses and switches are allowed to occur asynchronously. As a result, the switching may occur in the impulsive intervals and the impulses can occur in the switching intervals, which have great effects on system stability. Since the switches do not bring about the change of the system state, we study two cases in terms of the impulses, ie, the stable continuous dynamics case and the stable impulsive dynamics case. According to multiple Lyapunov‐Razumikhin functions and the fixed dwell‐time, Razumikhin‐type stability conditions are established. Finally, the obtained results are illustrated via a numerical example from the synchronization problem of chaotic systems.
Funnel‐like prescribed tracking control for uncertain nonlinear stochastic switched systems
Authors: Li Kuo , Hua Changchun , Guan Xinping
Published: May 2019

This paper deals with the funnel‐like prescribed tracking control problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear stochastic switched systems. An improved performance technique is developed to restrain the fluctuation at the moment of switches and a new algorithm is proposed to address the funnel‐like prescribed tracking problem. First, a dynamic gain‐based switched K‐filter is constructed to estimate the unmeasured state information of the switched system. Subsequently, the performance technique is applied to prescribe output tracking error and restrain fluctuations of the system. Thereafter, the dynamic output feedback switched controller is designed by the use of the backstepping method. Moreover, based on the Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved strictly that all signals of the resulting closed‐loop system are bounded in probability if the switching signal satisfies the average dwell time. Finally, a numerical simulation is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of 4‐ and 6‐(1H‐Pyrrol‐1‐yl) Coumarins, and their Thiocyanato Derivatives
Authors: Brites Nathan P. , Dilelio Marina C. , Martins Guilherme M. , Carmo Gabriele do , Morel Ademir F. , Kaufman Teodoro S. , Silveira Claudio C.
Published: May 2019

Facile and efficient syntheses of 4‐(1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)‐coumarins and 6‐(1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)‐coumarins from the corresponding aminocoumarins are reported. The transformations were optimized and their corresponding scope and limitations were assessed. Selected (1H‐pyrrol‐1‐yl)‐coumarins were further subjected to a mild thiocyanation, undergoing selective functionalization on the pyrrole nucleus. A set of 10 differently substituted compounds was submitted to activity testing against various fungal strains. It was found that the introduction of a SCN moiety increased the antifungal activity, turning some compounds into fungicidal agents, to the point that one of the thiocyanato derivatives displayed an antifungal profile comparable to those of fluconazole and nystatin.
Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN): An Efficient and Eco‐Friendly Catalyst for One‐Pot Synthesis of Diversely Functionalized Biscoumarins in Aqueous Medium under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Brahmachari Goutam , Begam Sanchari
Published: May 2019

An alternative green protocol for the synthesis of a series of biologically relevant biscoumarin derivatives, 3,3′‐(arylmethylene)bis(4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one) (3), has been developed from a one‐pot pseudo‐three component reaction between 4‐hydroxycoumarin (1) and diverse aromatic aldehydes (2) using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as a cheap, eco‐friendly and reusable catalyst in aqueous medium under ambient conditions. The salient features of this protocol are the use of readily available low‐cost and environmentally benign catalyst, use of water as green reaction media, clean reaction profile, high atom‐economy, column‐free purification avoiding the use of toxic organic solvents, large‐scale synthetic applicability, and good to excellent yields.
Neutral, Zwitterion, Ionic Forms of 5‐Aminoisophthalic Acid in Cocrystals, Salts and Their Optical Properties
Authors: Singh Munendra Pal , Tarai Arup , Baruah Jubaraj Bikash
Published: May 2019

Different ionic and zwitterionic forms of amphoteric 5‐aminoisophthalic acid were observed in the self‐assemblies of five salts and in a cocrystal. The presence of these forms of the molecule caused differences in respective local environments, which were reflected in corresponding absorption and emission spectra in solid state. Dianion of the acid was observed in hydrated 1:2 salt with 6‐methylpyridin‐2‐amine whereas the salt of 5‐methylthiazol‐2‐amine had the zwitterionic anion. The mono‐anion of the 5‐aminoisophthalic acid was observed in the salt of 4,6‐dimethylpyrimidin‐2‐amine. The self‐assembly of the 1:1 cocrystal of caffeine with 5‐aminoisophthalic acid had neutral form of the acid and the cationic form of the acid was observed in the perchlorate and bromide salts. DFT‐calculation with using CAMB3LYP functional with 6–31+G (d,p) as basis set in gas‐phase showed that different HOMO‐LUMO gaps of the neutral, cation and anion forms and these were reflected in the corresponding UV‐visible spectra of the salt. The changes in intra‐molecular charge transfer (ICT) fluorescence emissions in solid samples due to the different ionic forms were demonstrated.
Seek new opportunities, education to advance your career
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2019

Pheng (Max) Xiong, M.Ed., took his first job in a Registrar's Office somewhat by chance in 2010. But since that first taste of what registrar work is like, he has worked systematically to advance his career. Now associate registrar for catalog and scheduling at George Mason University, Xiong is enrolled in a doctoral program to provide him with the knowledge and credentials to continue to advance.
Atmospheric moisture transport and the decline in Arctic Sea ice
Authors: Gimeno Luis , Vázquez Marta , Eiras‐Barca Jorge , Sorí Rogert , Algarra Iago , Nieto Raquel
Published: May 2019

This article contains a review of the transport of moisture to the Arctic and its effect on Arctic Sea Ice Extent (SIE). The review includes a synthesis of our knowledge regarding the main sources supplying moisture to the Arctic, the changes experienced over the last few decades due to variations in the transport of moisture, the factors that control interannual variability, and the inherent contrast in the mechanisms related to the effect of changes in moisture transport on SIE in the Arctic. We note that the precise identification of the moisture sources for the Arctic depends both on the definition of the Arctic region itself and on the approach used to identify the sources, with the remote regions over the extratropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans being universally important, as are some continental areas over Siberia and North America. This review also reaffirms the absence of any clear agreement regarding the trends in atmospheric moisture transport to the Arctic, and highlights discrepancies between different data sets and approaches in the quantification of moisture transport, implying that its long‐term impact on the intensification of the hydrological cycle in the Arctic remains unclear. We confirm the influence of the major modes of climate variability, planetary circulation patterns, and the changes in cyclonic activity in the variability of moisture transport to the Arctic. We reaffirm that the effect of moisture transport on the Arctic SIE through changes in humidity, cloud cover, and precipitation over the Arctic is a complex scientific problem that requires further detailed study over the decades to come, and we propose some important challenges for future research.

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change
Holographic transport and density waves
Authors: Donos Aristomenis , Pantelidou Christiana
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We consider transport of heat and charge in holographic lattices which are phases of strongly coupled matter in which translations are broken explicitly. In these systems, we study a spontaneous density wave that breaks translations incommensurately to the lattice. The emergent gapless mode due to symmetry breaking couples to the heat current impacting transport at low frequencies. We study the effects of this coupling when the mode is freely sliding as well as after the introduction of a small deformation parameter which pins down the density wave. We prove that the DC transport coefficients are discontinuous in the limit of the pinning parameter going to zero. From the perspective of finite frequency thermoelectric conductivity, this limiting process is accompanied by the transfer of spectral weight to frequencies set by the pinning parameter. As expected, for weak momentum relaxation, this spectral weight transfer appears as a shift of the Drude peak.
Subjective emotional arousal: an explorative study on the role of gender, age, intensity, emotion regulation difficulties, depression and anxiety symptoms, and meta-emotion
Authors: Deckert Matthias , Schmoeger Michaela , Auff Eduard , Willinger Ulrike
Published: May 2019

Subjective emotional arousal in typically developing adults was investigated in an explorative study. 177 participants (20–70 years) rated facial expressions and words for self-experienced arousal and perceived intensity, and completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS-D). Exclusion criteria were psychiatric or neurological diseases, or clinically relevant scores in the HADS-D. Arousal regarding faces and words was significantly predicted by emotional clarity. Separate analyses showed following significant results: arousal regarding faces and arousal regarding words constantly predicted each other; negative faces were predicted by age and intensity; neutral faces by gender and impulse control; positive faces by gender and intensity; negative words by emotional clarity; and neutral words by gender. Males showed higher arousal scores than females regarding neutral faces and neutral words; for the other arousal scores, no explicit group differences were shown. Cluster analysis yielded three distinguished emotional characteristics groups: “emotional difficulties disposition group” (mainly females; highest emotion regulation difficulties, depression and anxiety scores; by trend highest arousal), “low emotional awareness group” (exclusively males; lowest awareness regarding currently experienced emotions; by trend intermediate arousal), and a “low emotional difficulties group” (exclusively females; lowest values throughout). No age effect was shown. Results suggest that arousal elicited by facial expressions and words are specialized parts of a greater emotional processing system and that typically developing adults show some kind of stable, modality-unspecific dispositional baseline of emotional arousal. Emotional awareness and clarity, and impulse control probably are trait aspects of emotion regulation that influence emotional arousal in typically developing adults and can be regarded as aspects of meta-emotion. Different emotional personality styles were shown between as well as within gender groups.
The Role of Peers in the Development of Social Anxiety in Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pickering Leanne , Hadwin Julie A. , Kovshoff Hanna
Published: May 2019

Pathways to social anxiety often reflect a set of complex and interacting factors that include both intrinsic and environmental factors. Theoretical models of social anxiety have highlighted that children and adolescents’ peer experiences can increase risk for social anxiety. This systematic review explored the role of peers in the development of social anxiety in adolescent girls. It aimed to identify peer-related risk factors (i.e., peer acceptance, peer attachment, friendship quality, peer support, and victimisation) that place adolescents at risk for social anxiety, and to highlight those that are specific to girls. The findings showed that while low peer acceptance was significantly associated with increased social anxiety for boys and girls, limited close friendships, negative friendship experiences and relational victimisation were highlighted as risk factors specific to girls. The review suggested that researchers might usefully start to develop frameworks that capture generic, as well as gender-specific risk for social anxiety in adolescence. These will enable the development of prevention and intervention methods to support girls at increased risk and that focus on improving the quality of peer relationships.
I like Watching Other People Eat: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of the Antecedents of Attitudes towards Mukbang
Authors: Pereira Beulah , Sung Billy , Lee Sean
Published: May 2019

This study aims to examine why online consumers watch Mukbang, a type of South Korean online entertainment show, by exploring the antecedents of consumers’ attitude toward Mukbang from a cross-cultural perspective. Data was collected from 114 Asians and 129 Caucasian participants using a self-administered questionnaire online. Data was then analysed using structural equation modelling. Similarities and differences were noted for both the samples. The findings show that Asians tend to watch Mukbang due to host attractiveness and social normative influence, while Caucasians watch such shows due to host attractiveness, perceived novelty and social normative influence. Practical implications are provided for traditional and digital marketers, advertisers and broadcast jockeys so they are better equipped with insights on online consumer behaviour, marketing strategies and conceptualisation of videos.
Authoritarian resilience through top-down transformation: making sense of Myanmar's incomplete transition
Authors: Ruzza Stefano , Gabusi Giuseppe , Pellegrino Davide
Published: May 2019

Starting from the imperfect nature of Myanmar's democracy, this paper aims to answer two questions. First, can Myanmar's transition be defined as a case of democratization, or is it, rather, a case of authoritarian resilience? To state this differently: is the progress enjoyed by Myanmar's polity the outcome of an ongoing process that is supposed to lead to a fully fledged democracy, or, rather, an attempt to enshrine elements of authoritarian governance under a democratic guise? Second, if the balance leans towards the latter instead of the former, how did authoritarian resilience work in Myanmar? The transition is analysed from a long-term perspective, moving from the 1988 pro-democracy uprising up to the most recent events. Data were collected from available published sources and from three fieldworks conducted by the authors in Myanmar. The paper concludes that Myanmar's transition is better understood as a case of authoritarian resilience than as democratization and highlights three core traits of Myanmar's authoritarian resilience: first, the very top-down nature of the political transformation; second, the incumbents’ ability to set the pace of political reform through the use of repression and political engineering; and third, the divide-and-rule strategy used as a means to keep contestations separated and local.
Liquid film on a hydrophobic radome or roof top in rain
Authors: Guo Xiaoyu , Mei Chiang C.
Published: May 2019

The water film due to rain falling on a radome surface causes severe losses in radio wave transmission. Hydrophobic coatings have been applied as a remedy to reduce the film thickness and to minimize the losses. However, quantitative accounts of the wave scattering are mostly based on empirical estimates of the film thickness. We describe a fluid-mechanical theory for the film under steady rain falling on a textured surface formed by a square array of pillars. Assuming the water surface on top of the pillars to be in the Cassie–Baxter state, the analysis is carried out by making use of the sharp contrast of length scales between the film thickness and the radome radius. The textured surface is viewed as a periodic array of cells around pillars. The macro-scale flow is simple and linear but the micro-scale flow in a typical lattice period is fully nonlinear. These two problems are coupled and are solved iteratively to obtain the slip length and the spatial variation of the film thickness. Numerical results are presented to show the effect of solid fraction on local flow field, the slip length and the non-uniform reduction of the film thickness. To examine the influence of the macro-scale geometry on film formation, the theory is also modified for a hydrophobic roof top formed by two inclined planes.
Geometric morphometrics to interpret the endophytic egg-laying behavior of Odonata (Insecta) from the Eocene of Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Romero-Lebrón Eugenia , Gleiser Raquel M. , Petrulevičius Julián F.
Published: May 2019

Although the order Odonata has a rich fossil record, many questions about its reproductive biology remain unanswered. There are two strategies of egg laying among odonates, exophytic and endophytic, the latter being one of the most revealing vestiges of plant–insect association in the fossil record. We assessed whether geometric morphometrics based on elliptical series of Fourier allow expression of variability of shape in traces of Odonata eggs within a leaf ofEucalyptus chubutensis(Berry) González (in part), González, 2009 (Myrtaceae) from Laguna del Hunco (Chubut, Argentina) (early Eocene) and whether this variability is consistent with the ichnotaxonomy of this material. We found that the largest variation corresponds to the compression of the shape while the remaining two components reflect variations in the apex position and its curvature, which changed according to the relative position of the traces in the leaf. There was no evidence that the hardness of the leaf would affect the shape of the egg trace. We postulate that these traces could have been produced by one single female: Variations in the pattern observable in the fossil of an originally three-dimensional structure are consistent with differences in the position of the eggs inserted by a single female who has flexed her abdomen to insert the eggs as she approaches the apex of the leaf (behavior observed also in extant dragonflies). For the first time, endophytic egg traces are analyzed with geometrical morphometrics, and this allows us to make inferences on the oviposition behavior of a female that lived around 52 million years ago.
New evidence on the link between genes, psychological traits, and political engagement
Authors: Weinschenk Aaron C. , Dawes Christopher T. , Kandler Christian , Bell Edward , Riemann Rainer
Published: May 2019

We investigate the link between genes, psychological traits, and political engagement using a new data set containing information on a large sample of young German twins. The TwinLife Study enables us to examine the predominant model of personality, the Big Five framework, as well as traits that fall outside the Big Five, such as cognitive ability, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the underpinnings of political engagement. Our results support previous work showing genetic overlap between some psychological traits and political engagement. More specifically, we find that cognitive ability and openness to experience are correlated with political engagement and that common genes can explain most of the relationship between these psychological traits and political engagement. Relationships between genes, psychological traits, and political engagement exist even at a fairly young age, which is an important finding given that previous work has relied heavily on older samples to study the link between genes, psychological traits, and political engagement.