bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of ventrolateral posterior thalamic nucleus to back pain in alcoholism and CD4 nadir in HIV
Authors: Zahr Natalie M. , Sullivan Edith V. , Pohl Kilian M. , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Saranathan Manojkumar
Published: December 2019

Volumes of thalamic nuclei are differentially affected by disease‐related processes including alcoholism and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This MRI study included 41 individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorders (AUD, 12 women), 17 individuals infected with HIV (eight women), and 49 healthy controls (24 women) aged 39 to 75 years. A specialized, high‐resolution acquisition protocol enabled parcellation of five thalamic nuclei: anterior [anterior ventral (AV)], posterior [pulvinar (Pul)], medial [mediodorsal (MD)], and ventral [includingventral lateral posterior (VLp)andventral posterior lateral (VPl)]. An omnibus mixed‐model approach solving for volume considered the “fixed effects”of nuclei, diagnosis, and their interaction while covarying for hemisphere, sex, age, and supratentorial volume (svol). The volume by diagnosis interaction term was significant; the effects of hemisphere and sex were negligible. Follow‐up mixed‐model tests thus evaluated the combined (left + right) volume of each nucleus separately for effects of diagnosis while controlling for age and svol. Only the VLp showed diagnoses effects and was smaller in the AUD (p= .04) and HIV (p= .0003) groups relative to the control group. In the AUD group, chronic back pain (p= .008) and impaired deep tendon ankle reflex (p= .0005) were associated with smaller VLp volume. In the HIV group, lower CD4 nadir (p= .008) was associated with smaller VLp volume. These results suggest that the VLp is differentially sensitive to disease processes associated with AUD and HIV.
The effect of femoral head size on edge loading in metal‐on‐metal hip joint replacement under dynamic separation conditions
Authors: Liu Feng , Lian Chao , Feng Li , Wang Junyuan , Du Wenhua
Published: December 2019

Edge loading that occurs in hip joint replacements due to dynamic separation of the joint bearings has been shown to cause severe wear for meal‐on‐metal bearings. In the present study, the multibody dynamics model for metal‐on‐metal (MoM) hip joints with a medial–lateral translational mismatch in the centers of rotation of the cup and head has been developed to predict the dynamic separation and contact force of edge loading under gait loading conditions. The effects of larger head diameters (28–55 mm), in combination with the translational mismatch (0–4 mm) and varied cup inclination angles (45°–65°), on edge loading of MoM bearings have been computationally investigated. For the given translational mismatch, increasing head diameters results in negligible effects on the dynamic separation, contact force and severity of edge loading. Increasing head size also leads to increased offset loading torque which has been found to reach at the level that may cause cup loosening under larger translational mismatch at 4 mm. The result highlights the importance of the cup inclination angle of 45° and a lower translational mismatch to avoid severe edge loading.
Muscle mass, strength, and physical performance predicting activities of daily living: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Daniel X.M. , Yao Jessica , Zirek Yasar , Reijnierse Esmee M. , Maier Andrea B.
Published: December 2019

Background

Activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are essential for independent living and are predictors of morbidity and mortality in older populations. Older adults who are dependent in ADLs and IADLs are also more likely to have poor muscle measures defined as low muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, which further limit their ability to perform activities. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to determine if muscle measures are predictive of ADL and IADL in older populations.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL) from date of inception to 7 June 2018. Longitudinal cohorts were included that reported baseline muscle measures defined by muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in conjunction with prospective ADL or IADL in participants aged 65 years and older at follow‐up. Meta‐analyses were conducted using a random effect model.

Results

Of the 7760 articles screened, 83 articles were included for the systematic review and involved a total of 108 428 (54.8% female) participants with a follow‐up duration ranging from 11 days to 25 years. Low muscle mass was positively associated with ADL dependency in 5/9 articles and 5/5 for IADL dependency. Low muscle strength was associated with ADL dependency in 22/34 articles and IADL dependency in 8/9 articles. Low physical performance was associated with ADL dependency in 37/49 articles and with IADL dependency in 9/11 articles. Forty‐five articles were pooled into the meta‐analyses, 36 reported ADL, 11 reported IADL, and 2 reported ADL and IADL as a composite outcome. Low muscle mass was associated with worsening ADL (pooled odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 3.19 (1.29–7.92)) and worsening IADL (1.28 (1.02–1.61)). Low handgrip strength was associated with both worsening ADL and IADL (1.51 (1.34–1.70); 1.59 (1.04–2.31) respectively). Low scores on the short physical performance battery and gait speed were associated with worsening ADL (3.49 (2.47–4.92); 2.33 (1.58–3.44) respectively) and IADL (3.09 (1.06–8.98); 1.93 (1.69–2.21) respectively). Low one leg balance (2.74 (1.31–5.72)), timed up and go (3.41 (1.86–6.28)), and chair stand test time (1.90 (1.63–2.21)) were associated with worsening ADL.

Conclusions

Muscle measures at baseline are predictors of future ADL and IADL dependence in the older adult population.
Effect of medicaments used in endodontic regeneration on the morphological characteristics of bovine radicular dentin: Experimental immature tooth model
Authors: Conte Maira C. , da Silveira Teixeira Cleonice , Bortoluzzi Eduardo A. , Felippe Wilson T. , dos Santos Luciane G. P. , Pandolfo Mariana T. , da Agostim Cancelier Patrícia , da Fonseca Roberti Garcia Lucas
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different combinations of irrigating solutions and intracanal dressings in the pretreatment of bovine radicular dentin, using an experimental immature tooth model. Eighty healthy bovine teeth, simulated with incomplete rhizogenesis, were randomly distributed according to the protocols of root canal dentin pretreatment for a regenerative endodontic procedure (n = 10): Control (irrigation with distilled water); SH (irrigation with 1.5% Sodium Hypochlorite); EDTA (irrigation with 17% EDTA); SH/EDTA (irrigation with 1.5% SH + 17% EDTA); SH/CH/EDTA (irrigation with 1.5% SH + calcium hydroxide paste +17% EDTA); SH/MTAP/EDTA (irrigation with 1.5% SH + modified triple antibiotic paste + EDTA 17%); SH/TAP/EDTA (irrigation with 1.5% SH + triple antibiotic paste +17% EDTA) and SH/DAP/EDTA (irrigation with 1.5% SH + double antibiotic paste + EDTA 17%). After the completion of the protocol, the demineralization, the exposure of collagen fibers, and the dentin erosion was evaluated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), by applying a score system (1–3) to classify the observed features. Statistical analysis was performed (Kruskal‐Wallis and Dunn Multiple Comparison tests—p < .05). SH/TAP/EDTA and SH/DAP/EDTA groups presented the highest rates of demineralization in both the coronal and middle thirds of the root (p < .05). In the SH/MTAP/EDTA group, the samples presented moderate demineralization. The samples from the SH/CH/EDTA group presented similar findings to the control group (p < .05). Conventional triple antibiotic (TAP) and double antibiotic (DAP) pastes promoted more pronounced morphological changes on the dentin surface.
Gene transfer to skeletal muscle using hydrodynamic limb vein injection: current applications, hurdles and possible optimizations
Authors: Le Guen Yann Thierry , Le Gall Tony , Midoux Patrick , Guégan Philippe , Braun Serge , Montier Tristan
Published: December 2019

Hydrodynamic limb vein injection is an in vivo locoregional gene delivery method. It consists of administrating a large volume of solution containing nucleic acid constructs in a limb with both blood inflow and outflow temporarily blocked using a tourniquet. The fast, high pressure delivery allows the musculature of the whole limb to be reached. The skeletal muscle is a tissue of choice for a variety of gene transfer applications, including gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy or other myopathies, as well as for the production of antibodies or other proteins with broad therapeutic effects. Hydrodynamic limb vein delivery has been evaluated with success in a large range of animal models. It has also proven to be safe and well‐tolerated in muscular dystrophy patients, thus supporting its translation to the clinic. However, some possible limitations may occur at different steps of the delivery process. Here, we have highlighted the interests, bottlenecks and potential improvements that could further optimize non‐viral gene transfer following hydrodynamic limb vein injection.
Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Imaging Study of Madecassoside in Improving Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats
Authors: Liang Minjie , Li Guangming , Guan Xueqin , Liu Sisi , Fang Liguang , Li Tianfu , Dong Jun , Zhou Quan
Published: December 2019

Background

Central nervous system inflammation is associated with neurodegenerative diseases and is thought to play a part in the pathophysiological cascade leading to cognitive impairment. Madecassoside (MA) has shown potential for the treatment of neuroinflammation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can be used to establish an animal model of cognitive dysfunction induced by neuroinflammation. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) may potentially provide diffusion and perfusion data.

Purpose

To investigate the effect of MA on neurocognitive impairment induced by LPS in rats, and to explore the changes of brain microstructure and microcirculatory perfusion by IVIM imaging.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Thirty‐six male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (control group, sham operation group, LPS group, low‐dose MA group, middle‐dose MA group, and high‐dose MA group) in a model of neurocognitive impairment induced by LPS (150 μg / 5 μL, 5 μL).

Field Strength/Sequence

IVIM‐DWI sequence at 3.0T MRI; the scan time was 2 minutes and 17 seconds.

Assessment

The escape latency times of a Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive impairment rat model and the changes of learning ability of rats treated with different doses of MA (30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg). A GE postprocessing workstation (adw 4.5) was used to analyze the changes of each parameter (f value, D value, and D* value) in the IVIM data of each group.

Statistical Tests

All the data were analyzed by one‐way and two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

The escape latency of the LPS group was significantly longer than the sham group (P = 0.05, 0.001, 0.006, and 0.042, respectively), and the high‐dose group was significantly shorter than the LPS group on the sixth day (P = 0.034). Compared with the control group, the D values and f values of cerebral cortex and hippocampus were decreased significantly in the LPS group (P = 0.043 and 0.003; P = 0.029 and 0.016, respectively). With the increasing dose of MA, the D and f values of hippocampus and cortex increased, and there was a significant difference between the high‐dose MA group and LPS group (D values: P = 0.038, 0.036; f values: P = 0.048, 0.039, respectively)

Data Conclusion

MA can improve the cognitive impairment induced by LPS by reducing neuroinflammation, and the changes of microcirculation and microperfusion in the brain tissue of these rats can be detected by IVIM imaging.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy Stage: 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1836–1843.
The Role of Positive Psychology, Cultural, and Family Factors in Latina/o College Students' Vocational Outcome Expectations
Authors: Vela Javier Cavazos , Lerma Eunice , Whittenberg James F. , Hinojosa Yvette , Rodriguez Keely
Published: December 2019

Latina/o college students (N = 120) provided their perceptions of positive psychology, cultural, family, and vocational outcome expectations. Presence of meaning in life, hope, Anglo orientation, and Mexican orientation were significant predictors of subjective happiness. Implications for counselors are provided.
Studies on the Hydration Behavior of Polyvinyl Alcohol in Aqueous Solution: A Kinetic Approach through the Hydrolysis of Benzocaine
Authors: Rahman Farheen , Rafiquee Mohammad Z. A.
Published: December 2019

The present work investigates the structural and dynamical features of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and surfactant–PVA system through the change in the rate of hydrolysis of benzocaine. The UV–Vis spectra of benzocaine showed that the absorbance values at λmax (284 nm) increased with the increase in PVA. The rate of hydrolysis decreased in the dilute‐ and high‐concentration regions of PVA, whereas it remains unchanged in the mid‐concentration range of PVA, known as the polymer–polymer interaction region. These observations correspond to the structural changes in PVA with the increase in PVA concentration in aqueous solution. The aggregation behavior of PVA was further studied using transmission electron microscopy micrographs. The rate constant for the hydrolysis of benzocaine showed peaked behavior with the increase in [CTABr] in the CTABr‐PVA mixed system. The sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) molecules modify the PVA chains into a more compact form, and so, the hydration number around PVA is decreased. Consequently, the less hydrophilic benzocaine entangles with SDS‐PVA, whereas OH– ions aggregate into the aqueous pseudophase, resulting in a decrease in the rate of hydrolysis in the SDS–PVA mixed medium. The calculated value of binding constant increased with the increase in PVA in both CTABr‐PVA and SDS‐PVA mixed systems.
Global regularity for the 2D magneto‐micropolar system with partial and fractional dissipation
Authors: Liu Yujun
Published: December 2019

This paper focuses on the 2D incompressible magneto‐micropolar sysytem with the kinematic dissipation given by the fractional operator (−Δ)α, the magnetic diffusion by the fractional operator (−Δ)β and the spin dissipation by the fractional operator (−Δ)γ. α,β, and γ are nonnegative constants. We proved that this system with any α+β=2,1 ≤ α ≤ 2,γ=0, and α+γ ≥ 1,β=1 always possesses a unique global smooth solution
if the initial data is sufficiently smooth. In addition, we also obtained the global regularity results for several partial dissipation cases.
Antifoulingmittel im Wasser
Authors: Faßbender Sebastian , Meermann Björn
Published: December 2019

Für das Biozid Zink‐Pyrithion, das in Schiffsanstrichen weit verbreitet ist, fehlten bisher analytische Methoden, um den Komplex und seine Abbauprodukte in der Umwelt nachzuweisen. Kapillarelektrophorese gekoppelt mit komplementärer Massenspektrometrie könnte dieses Problem lösen.
Warum versteht uns keiner?
Authors: Romstadt Jonas Konstantin , Martens Jürgen , Furhhop Nanna
Published: December 2019

Laien finden Chemie oft schwierig, Schüler entwickeln Fehlvorstellungen von chemischen Modellen, und manchmal reden auch Biochemiker und Anorganiker aneinander vorbei. Der Schlüssel ist die Sprache, die gerade Fachleute oft nicht bewusst genug verwenden.
Studienangebot wächst
Authors: Tomann Rebecca
Published: December 2019

Fast 3000 neue Studiengänge in Deutschland seit 2014.
Neue Tenure‐Track‐Professuren
Authors: Tomann Rebecca
Published: December 2019

Mehr Karrieresicherheit für 1000 Nachwuchswissenschaftler.
Vorstandssitzung
Authors: Koch Wolfram
Published: December 2019

Die zweite Sitzung des Vorstands der Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker im Jahr 2019 fand am 16. September in Verbindung mit dem Wissenschaftsforum Chemie 2019 in Aachen statt. Da sich an diese Sitzung die konstituierende Sitzung des neu gewählten Vorstandes anschließt, nehmen auch die gewählten Mitglieder des Vorstands für die Amtsperiode 2020 – 2023 an der Sitzung teil.
A discontinuous Galerkin method for Stokes equation by divergence‐free patch reconstruction
Authors: Li Ruo , Sun Zhiyuan , Yang Zhijian
Published: December 2019

A discontinuous Galerkin method by patch reconstruction is proposed for Stokes flows. A locally divergence‐free reconstruction space is employed as the approximation space, and the interior penalty method is adopted which imposes the normal component penalty terms to cancel out the pressure term. Consequently, the Stokes equation can be solved as an elliptic system instead of a saddle‐point problem due to such weak form. The number of degree of freedoms of our method is the same as the number of elements in the mesh for different order of accuracy. The error estimations of the proposed method are given in a classical style, which are then verified by some numerical examples.
Integrated fault tolerant attitude control approach for satellite attitude system with sensor faults
Authors: Qian Moshu , Yi Hui , Zheng Zhong
Published: December 2019

In this study, a novel integrated fault tolerant control (FTC) strategy is proposed for a rigid satellite attitude systems under the case of external disturbance, Lipschitz nonlinearity, and sensor faults. Different from the traditional adaptive fault estimation method, an augmented fault estimation observer is designed for the considered faulty satellite attitude system, which could be used for estimating both system state and sensor fault. A virtual observer is firstly introduced, and then, a real observer is derived as a result of the unmeasurable information to be used for the design of the virtual observer. On this basis, an integrated FTC approach is developed for the considered faulty satellite attitude system by combining backstepping control and fractional order nonsingular terminal sliding mode control techniques, such that the closed‐loop system not only has good robustness to external disturbance but also has better fault tolerance capability to unknown sensor fault. Finally, a simulation example is provided to demonstrate the feasibility and advantage of the proposed FTC scheme.
A study on low‐velocity impact performance of notched GFRP composites repaired by different composite patches: Experiment and modeling
Authors: Caliskan Umut , Ekici Recep , Yildiz Ercan , Apalak M. Kemal
Published: December 2019

Low‐velocity impact performance of notched glass fiber reinforced plastic composites repaired by bonding external composite patches was investigated by experimental and numerical methods. Various patches of different fiber materials such as carbon and glass fiber and thickness were considered under different impact energy levels. The continuum damage mechanics based on a dynamic progressive damage model was using to build the finite element model and cohesive elements were used between the composite patch and notched composite plate. Five different failure criteria based on three‐dimensional Hashin damage models were implemented by the explicit finite element subroutine ABAQUS‐VUMAT with degradation model and used to compare experimental damage areas. The experimental contact force, kinetic energy histories, and experimental damage areas were calculated and compared the numerical ones. While the experimental data confirm the efficiency of the proposed model, they show consistent results with the numerical model. Finally, using the composite patch is succeeded to avoid impact damage. This research provides fundamental support for the appropriate selection of external composite patch type and use of the degradation model with different failure model to achieve high‐efficiency simulation under impact loading.
Interrupted time series analysis on first cardiovascular disease hospitalization for adherence to lipid‐lowering therapy
Authors: Hu Feiyu , Warren Jim , Exeter Daniel J.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

We analysed lipid‐lowering medication adherence before and after the first hospitalization for cardiovascular disease (CVD) to explore the influence hospitalization has on patient medication adherence.

Methods

We extracted a sub‐cohort for analysis from 313,207 patients who had primary CVD risk assessment. Adherence was assessed as proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥ 80% based on community dispensing records. Adherence in the 4 quarters (360 days) before the first CVD hospitalization and 8 quarters (720 days) after hospital discharge was assessed for each individual in the sub‐cohort. An interrupted time series design using generalized estimating equations was applied to compare the differences of population‐level medication adherence rates before and after the first CVD hospitalization.

Results

Overall, a significant improvement in medication adherence rate from before to after the hospitalization was observed (odds ratio (OR) 2.49 [1.74‐3.57]) among the 946 patients included in the analysis. Patients having diabetes history had a higher OR of adherence before the hospitalization than patients without diabetes (1.50 [1.03‐2.22]) but no significant difference after the hospitalization (OR 1.13 [0.89‐1.43]). Before the first hospitalization, we observed that quarterly medication adherence rate was steady at around 55% (OR 0.97 [0.93‐1.01), whereas the trend in adherence over the post‐hospitalization period decreased significantly per quarter (OR 0.97 [0.94‐0.99]).

Conclusions

Patients were more likely to adhere to lipid‐lowering therapy after experiencing a first CVD hospitalization. The change in medication adherence rate is consistent with patients having heightened perception of disease severity following the hospitalization.
Risk factors of unmet needs among women with breast cancer in the post‐treatment phase
Authors: Lo‐Fo‐Wong Deborah N. N. , de Haes Hanneke C. J. M. , Aaronson Neil K. , van Abbema Doris L. , den Boer Mathilda D. , van Hezewijk Marjan , Immink Marcelle , Kaptein Ad A. , Menke‐Pluijmers Marian B. E. , Reyners Anna K. L. , Russell Nicola S. , Schriek Manon , Sijtsema Sieta , van Tienhoven Geertjan , Verdam Mathilde G. E. , Sprangers Mirjam A. G.
Published: December 2019

Objective

Unmet health care needs require additional care resources to achieve optimal patient well‐being. In this nationwide study we examined associations between a number of risk factors and unmet needs after treatment among women with breast cancer, while taking into account their health care practices. We expected that more care use would be associated with lower levels of unmet needs.

Methods

A multicenter, prospective, observational design was employed. Women with primary breast cancer completed questionnaires 6 and 15 months post‐diagnosis. Medical data were retrieved from medical records. Direct and indirect associations between sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, distress, care use, and unmet needs were investigated with structural equation modeling.

Results

Seven hundred forty‐six participants completed both questionnaires (response rate 73.7%). The care services received were not negatively associated with the reported levels of unmet needs after treatment. Comorbidity was associated with higher physical and daily living needs. Higher age was associated with higher health system‐related and informational needs. Having had chemotherapy and a mastectomy were associated with higher sexuality needs and breast cancer‐specific issues, respectively. A higher level of distress was associated with higher levels of unmet need in all domains.

Conclusions

Clinicians may use these results to timely identify which women are at risk of developing specific unmet needs after treatment. Evidence‐based, cost‐effective (online) interventions that target distress, the most influential risk factor, should be further implemented and disseminated among patients and clinicians.
Test–retest reliability, validity, and correlates of the 2‐min walk test in outpatients with depression
Authors: Vancampfort Davy , Basangwa David , Kimbowa Samuel , Firth Joseph , Schuch Felipe , Van Damme Tine , Mugisha James
Published: December 2019

Objectives

A reason for the lack of interest in physical fitness testing in mental healthcare is limited time among existing staff. This cross‐sectional study investigated the test–retest reliability of the 2‐min walk test (2MWT) and its concurrent validity with the 6‐min walk test (6MWT) in Ugandan patients with depression. We also explored practice effects and assessed the minimal detectable change (MDC) and clinical correlates with the 2MWT.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study executed in Butabika National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Fifty Ugandan patients with depression (15 women; median age = 29.0 years) performed twice a 2MWT, once a 6MWT, and completed the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), and Brief Symptoms Inventory‐18 (BSI‐18).

Results

The median (interquartile) 2MWT score on the first and second test were 125.5 (59.2) meters and 131.0 (57.0) meters (p = .28). The intraclass correlation was.96 (95% confidence interval [0.94, 0.98]). The MDC was 23.5 m for men and 23.4 m for women. There was no evidence of a practice effect. Scores on BSI‐18 depression, SIMPAQ walking, and SIMPAQ incidental physical activity explained 66.3% of 2MWT score variance.

Conclusion

The 2MWT is a reliable test, which can be conducted without any special equipment or substantial time demands, to provide a valid assessment of the functional exercise capacity in outpatients with depression.
Coarse‐grained and atomic resolution biomolecular docking with the ATTRACT approach
Authors: Glashagen Glenn , de Vries Sjoerd , Uciechowska‐Kaczmarzyk Urszula , Samsonov Sergey A. , Murail Samuel , Tuffery Pierre , Zacharias Martin
Published: December 2019

The ATTRACT protein‐protein docking program has been employed to predict protein‐protein complex structures in CAPRI rounds 38‐45. For 11 out of 16 targets acceptable or better quality solutions have been submitted (~70%). It includes also several cases of peptide‐protein docking and the successful prediction of the geometry of carbohydrate‐protein interactions. The option of combining rigid body minimization and simultaneous optimization in collective degrees of freedom based on elastic network modes was employed and systematically evaluated. Application to a large benchmark set indicates a modest improvement in docking performance compared to rigid docking. Possible further improvements of the docking approach in particular at the scoring and the flexible refinement steps are discussed.
Silencing arginine kinase/integrin β1subunit by transgenic plant expressing dsRNA inhibits the development and survival of Plutella xylostella
Authors: Fu Shu , Liu Zhaoxia , Chen Jinzhi , Sun Gengxiao , Jiang Yingxia , Li Miaowen , Xiong Lei , Chen Shaoping , Zhou Yuqing , Asad Muhammad , Yang Guang
Published: December 2019

Background

Plutella xylostella is a devastating agricultural insect pest of cruciferous plants, including crops. Plant‐mediated RNA interference (RNAi) is currently being developed for plant protection. In this study, we investigated the response of P. xylostella exposed to transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants that expressed double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting P. xylostella genes of arginine kinase (PxAK) and integrin β1 subunit (Pxβ).

RESULTS

Transgenic plants producing dsRNAs of the 384‐bp fragment of PxAK (dsAK plants), the 497‐bp fragment of Pxβ (dsβ plants), and the 881 bp of the combination of both genes (dsAK‐β plants) were generated and verified. Insect bioassay with these transgenic plants showed that the development of P. xylostella was affected, causing longer developmental time, and lower pupal weight and pupation rate. P. xylostella mortality rates were 25.0% when exposed to dsAK plants, 22.5% with dsβ plants, and 30.0% with dsAK‐β plants, which were all higher than 7.5% for the wild‐type plant. PxAK and Pxβ in P. xylostella were suppressed by 26.6–79.7% at the transcription level by the transgenic plants.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that plant‐mediated RNAi targeting single gene or both PxAK and Pxβ may have the potential to control P. xylostella. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A dual‐response surface modeling approach for gamma robust design
Authors: Zeybek Melis , Köksoy Onur , Robinson Timothy J.
Published: December 2019

Robust parameter design is a methodology that involves experimental design and strategic modeling for the purpose of simultaneously reducing system variability while achieving a target specification for the system mean. Modeling results obtained under unrealistic assumptions about the underlying data distribution may mislead practitioners when it comes to improving system quality. Using classical normal theory modeling techniques for right‐skewed experimental data in dual‐response modeling has some drawbacks, such as obtaining a misleading fit and estimated optimal operating conditions that are potentially far from the true optimal values. Moreover, using inappropriate modeling methods can create a chain of degradation in the production phase and subsequently result in poor system performance. This paper proposes a new dual‐response surface modeling approach when the quality characteristic of a system follows a gamma distribution. The procedure and its advantages are illustrated using the well‐known printing process experiment.
Protecting shared information in networks: A network security game with strategic attacks
Authors: de Witte Bram , Frasca Paolo , Overvest Bastiaan , Timmer Judith
Published: December 2019

A digital security breach, by which confidential information is leaked, does not only affect the agent whose system is infiltrated but is also detrimental to other agents socially connected to the infiltrated system. Although it has been argued that these externalities create incentives to underinvest in security, this presumption is challenged by the possibility of strategic adversaries that attack the least protected agents. In this paper we study a new model of security games in which agents share tokens of sensitive information in a network of contacts. The agents have the opportunity to invest in security to protect against an attack that can be either strategically or randomly targeted. We show that, in the presence of random attack, underinvestments always prevail at the Nash equilibrium in comparison with the social optimum. Instead, when the attack is strategic, either underinvestments or overinvestments are possible, depending on the network topology and on the characteristics of the process of the spreading of information. Actually, agents invest more in security than socially optimal when dependencies among agents are low (which can happen because the information network is sparsely connected or because the probability that information tokens are shared is small). These overinvestments pass on to underinvestments when information sharing is more likely (and therefore, when the risk brought by the attack is higher). In order to keep our analysis tractable, some of our results on strategic attacks make an assumption of homogeneity in the network, namely, that the network is vertex‐transitive. We complement these results with an analysis on star graphs (which are nonhomogeneous), which confirms that the essential lines of our findings can remain valid on general networks.
Lumbar spinal ligament characteristics extracted from stepwise reduction experiments allow for preciser modeling than literature data
Authors: Damm Nicolas , Rockenfeller Robert , Gruber Karin
Published: December 2019

Lumbar ligaments play a key role in stabilizing the spine, particularly assisting muscles at wide-range movements. Hence, valid ligament force–strain data are required to generate physiological model predictions. These data have been obtained by experiments on single ligaments or functional units throughout the literature. However, contrary to detailed spine geometries, gained, for instance, from CT data, ligament characteristics are often inattentively transferred to multi-body system (MBS) or finite element models. In this paper, we use an elaborated MBS model of the lumbar spine to demonstrate how individualized ligament characteristics can be obtained by reversely reenacting stepwise reduction experiments, where the range of motion (ROM) was measured. We additionally validated the extracted characteristics with physiological experiments on intradiscal pressure (IDP). Our results on a total of in each case 160 ROM and 49 IDP simulations indicated superiority of our procedure (seven and eight outliers) toward the incorporation of classical literature data (on average 71 and 31 outliers).
The Decarbonisation Challenge of Southeast Europe: A Case Study of Romania
Authors: Dudău Radu , Cătuţi Mihnea
Published: December 2019

Not only is Romania facing some crucial energy system problems, but the proposed solutions have often been improvised and incoherent. This also raises doubts about the effectiveness of strategic planning aimed at implementing the energy transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Sequential model based optimization of partially defined functions under unknown constraints
Authors: Antonio Candelieri
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a sequential model based optimization framework for optimizing a black-box, multi-extremal and expensive objective function, which is also partially defined, that is it is undefined outside the feasible region. Furthermore, the constraints defining the feasible region within the search space are unknown. The approach proposed in this paper, namely SVM-CBO, is organized in two consecutive phases, the first uses a Support Vector Machine classifier to approximate the boundary of the unknown feasible region, the second uses Bayesian Optimization to find a globally optimal solution within the feasible region. In the first phase the next point to evaluate is chosen by dealing with the trade-off between improving the current estimate of the feasible region and discovering possible disconnected feasible sub-regions. In the second phase, the next point to evaluate is selected as the minimizer of the Lower Confidence Bound acquisition function but constrained to the current estimate of the feasible region. The main of the paper is a comparison with a Bayesian Optimization process which uses a fixed penalty value for infeasible function evaluations, under a limited budget (i.e., maximum number of function evaluations). Results are related to five 2D test functions from literature and 80 test functions, with increasing dimensionality and complexity, generated through the Emmental-type GKLS software. SVM-CBO proved to be significantly more effective as well as computationally efficient.
Bounded Entanglement Entropy in the Quantum Ising Model
Authors: Grimmett Geoffrey R. , Osborne Tobias J. , Scudo Petra F.
Published: December 2019

A rigorous proof is presented of the boundedness of the entanglement entropy of a block of spins for the ground state of the one-dimensional quantum Ising model with sufficiently strong transverse field. This is proved by a refinement of the stochastic geometric arguments in the earlier work by Grimmett et al. (J Stat Phys 131:305–339, 2008). The proof utilises a transformation to a model of classical probability called the continuum random-cluster model. Our method of proof is fairly robust, and applies also to certain disordered systems.
Zeros of the Wigner distribution and the short-time Fourier transform
Authors: Gröchenig Karlheinz , Jaming Philippe , Malinnikova Eugenia
Published: December 2019

We study the question under which conditions the zero set of a (cross-) Wigner distribution W(f, g) or a short-time Fourier transform is empty. This is the case when both f and g are generalized Gaussians, but we will construct less obvious examples consisting of exponential functions and their convolutions. The results require elements from the theory of totally positive functions, Bessel functions, and Hurwitz polynomials. The question of zero-free Wigner distributions is also related to Hudson’s theorem for the positivity of the Wigner distribution and to Hardy’s uncertainty principle. We then construct a class of step functions S so that the Wigner distribution $$W(f,\mathbf {1}_{(0,1)})$$

W
(
f
,

1

(
0
,
1
)

)

always possesses a zero $$f\in S \cap L^p$$

f
∈
S
∩

L
p

when $$p<\infty $$

p
<
∞

, but may be zero-free for $$f\in S \cap L^\infty $$

f
∈
S
∩

L
∞

. The examples show that the question of zeros of the Wigner distribution may be quite subtle and relate to several branches of analysis.
Competence of blended coagulants for surface water treatment
Authors: Saritha Vara , Karnena Manoj Kumar , Dwarapureddi Bhavya Kavitha
Published: December 2019

Owing to the advantages of the natural coagulants under study, the present objective is to study the efficiency of blended coagulants: alum and chitin; alum and sago; and alum + chitin + sago. In this attempt, we have reduced the quantity of alum dose and added increasing quantities of the natural coagulants. The surface water samples collected from nearby sources were analyzed for the following parameters pre- and post-treatment with the coagulants. Coagulation and flocculation experiments were carried out using conventional jar test apparatus. Turbidity removal was observed to be nearly 99.29% at all pH ranges and doses. Removal of conductivity, solids and hardness was 58.83%, 32.03% and 33.33%, respectively. From the results obtained, it can be observed that the efficiency of blended coagulants in removal of various physicochemical parameters from the waters was better when compared to individual coagulants. The floc size in blend coagulants was larger than that of single coagulants. The data obtained in this study indicated the coagulation efficiency could be enhanced by using the blend coagulant.
An assessment of hydrates inhibition in deepwater production systems using low-dosage hydrate inhibitor and monoethylene glycol
Authors: Okereke Ndubuisi U. , Edet Pius E. , Baba Yahaya D. , Izuwa Nkemakolam C. , Kanshio Sunday , Nwogu Ngozi , Afolabi Funsho A. , Nwanwe Onyebuchi
Published: December 2019

In this study, a deepwater pipeline-riser system that experienced hydrates was modelled in MAXIMUS 6.20 (an integrated production modelling tool) to understand, predict and mitigate hydrates formation in typical deepwater system. Highlights of the results from this study suggest that the injection of low-dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHIs) into the hydrate-forming structures within the multiphase flow stream disperses the hydrates particles in an irregular manner and subsequently decreases the nucleation rate of the hydrate and prevents the formation of hydrates. This study found that the cost of using monoethylene glycol was significantly higher than that of LDHI by over $500/day although low-dosage hydrate inhibitors have initial relatively high CAPEX. In the long run, its OPEX is relatively low, making it cost-effective for hydrate inhibition in deepwater scenarios.
Quorum sensing involvement in response surface methodology for optimisation of sclerotiorin production by Penicillium sclerotiorum in shaken flasks and bioreactors
Authors: Amache Rana , Yerramalli Sirisha , Giovanni Sannia , Keshavarz Tajalli
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Sclerotiorin, an azaphilone produced by some filamentous fungi including Penicillium sclerotiorum, is a pigment with variety of biological activities including lipoxygenase inhibition, reduction of cholesterol levels, and anti-cancer properties. Sclerotiorin has potential use in pharmaceutical as well as food industries. In this context, the purpose of this study was to provide a simple and robust procedure for optimised production of sclerotiorin by P. sclerotiorum using a central composite design developed through response surface methodology (RSM) and to identify the molecule(s) involved in the signalling mechanism in P. sclerotiorum.

Methods

The optimisation of sclerotiorin production was carried out using RSM in shaken flasks and the obtained results were then replicated using a 2-L stirred tank bioreactor. Penicillium sclerotiorum ethyl acetate culture extract was analysed using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and potential signalling molecules were identified using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Results

The experimental studies suggested an increase in the sclerotiorin production by 2.1-fold and 2.2-fold in shaken flasks and stirred tank bioreactors respectively. Further analysis of P. sclerotiorum ethyl acetate culture extract reported the presence of ricinoleic acid, an oxylipin, belonging to a family of signalling molecules tentatively involved in the enhancement of sclerotiorin production.

Conclusion

This paper has highlighted the positive effect of the optimal supplementation of P. sclerotiorum culture extracts for enhanced production of sclerotiorin. It has also examined potential molecules involved in the signalling mechanism in P. sclerotiorum culture extract for the overproduction of sclerotiorin.
Educational Variations in Cohort Trends in the Black-White Earnings Gap Among Men: Evidence From Administrative Earnings Data
Authors: Cheng Siwei , Tamborini Christopher R. , Kim ChangHwan , Sakamoto Arthur
Published: December 2019

Despite efforts to improve the labor market situation of African Americans, the racial earnings gap has endured in the United States. Most prior studies on racial inequality have considered its cross-sectional or period patterns. This study adopts a demographic perspective to examine the evolution of earnings trajectories among white and black men across cohorts in the United States. Using more than 40 years of longitudinal earnings records from the U.S. Social Security Administration matched to the Survey of Income and Program Participation, our analyses reveal that the cohort trends in the racial earnings gap follow quite different patterns by education. Race continues to be a salient dimension of economic inequality over the life course and across cohorts, particularly at the top and the bottom of the educational distribution. Although the narrowing of the racial gap among high school graduates is in itself a positive development, it unfortunately derives primarily from the deteriorating economic position for whites without a college degree rather than an improvement in economic standing of their black counterparts.
Comparison of Van Allen Probes Energetic Electron Data With Corresponding GOES‐15 Measurements: 2012–2018
Authors: Baker D. N. , Zhao H. , Li X. , Kanekal S. G. , Jaynes A. N. , Kress B. T. , Rodriguez J. V. , Singer H. J. , Claudepierre S. G. , Fennell J. F. , Hoxie V.
Published: December 2019

Electron fluxes (especially at energies E > 0.8 and 2 MeV) have been measured for many years by sensors on board the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). These long‐term data (nominally at L ~ 6.6) have become a mainstay for monitoring the Earth's radiation environment. We have carried out a study directly comparing the comprehensive radiation belt particle measurements from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration dual‐spacecraft Van Allen Probes (Radiation Belt Storm Probes) sensor systems with selected GOES operational data. The Van Allen Probes have measured the properties of radiation belt electrons virtually continuously from September 2012 to 2018. We make statistical comparisons of Van Allen Probes electron data near L = 6 with concurrent daily averages of equivalent GOES‐15 flux values. We also compare Van Allen Probes data at various other L values and at a much broader range of particle energies with the more limited baseline GOES‐15 values. These comparisons inform us about the relative calibrations between the scientific and operational systems and also allow us to assess how well GOES data correlate with radiation belt behavior well away from the geostationary orbit location. We find that GOES daily average flux values can be a factor of 100 (or more) below the corresponding Van Allen Probes daily averaged fluxes at L = 6.0. This is due to the fact that GOES at stationary orbit often has excursions over large ranges of L space during a given day and strong radial gradients exist in this region of the magnetosphere. These results indicate that it is crucial to augment geosynchronous GOES observations with observations in the core of the outer belt (L ≲5.0).
Revisiting Winter Arctic Ice Mass Balance Observations With a 1‐D Model: Sensitivity Studies, Snow Density Estimation, Flooding, and Snow Ice Formation
Authors: Gani Sarah , Sirven Jérôme , Sennéchael Nathalie , Provost Christine
Published: December 2019

We used a state‐of‐the art one‐dimensional snow and ice model (the LIM1D model), to simulate data collected in winter 2015 north of Svalbard with ice mass balance instruments. The quality of the simulations was assessed by comparing simulated temperature profiles and sea ice thicknesses with the data: The root‐mean‐square difference between observed and modeled temperature was 1.06 °C in snow and 0.19 °C in ice, and the root‐mean‐square difference between simulated and observed ice thickness was 2.0 cm (snow depth was prescribed). The long‐wave heat flux from the ERA‐I reanalysis was adequate to perform winter numerical simulations; in contrast, the ERA‐I air temperature induced large errors in the snow and ice temperature. Snow density had a direct impact on heat transfers and, thus, on the simulation. The joint use of the data and the simulations permitted the adjustment of the snow density profiles with a light (240 kg/m3) snow deposited on top of a denser (370 kg/m3) snow. The ice flooding, which occurred after a storm‐induced breakup of floes loaded with snow, was simulated by prescribing the observed lower limit of the snow. The simulations provided insights on the evolution of sea ice bulk salinity, brine fraction, and the amount of snow ice formed during the flooding event.
Community-Based Participatory Design for Research That Impacts the Lives of Transgender and/or Gender-Diverse Autistic and/or Neurodiverse People
Authors: Strang John F. , Klomp Sascha E. , Caplan Reid , Griffin April D. , Anthony Laura G. , Harris Marvel C. , Graham Elizabeth K. , Knauss Megan , van der Miesen Anna I. R.
Published: December 2019

Objective: Research addressing the co-occurrence of autism (and/or neurodiversity) and gender-diversity (A/ND-GD) has been conducted largely without the perspectives and voices of the A/ND-GD community. Including A/ND-GD community advocates as research partners may be a critical next step for advancing research initiatives on the co-occurrence given the apparent complexity and alterity of the A/ND-GD experience. Method: Consistent with the community-based participatory research (CBPR) model we propose herein, our authorship team includes a partnership between clinician researchers and diverse A/ND-GD community collaborators. Multiple facets of the A/ND-GD lived experience are examined, including through narratives provided by our A/ND-GD community partners. Results: Based on our experience conducting A/ND-GD-related research and our lived experience as A/ND-GD self-advocates, we highlight challenges in this line of research, including risks of conducting studies without the involvement of the A/ND-GD community. And given that many A/ND-GD youth present with gender-related urgency during the teen years, we provide a developmental framework for how CBPR-informed methods may enrich our understanding of the care needs of these young people and provide context for the apparent heterogeneity in their gender needs and trajectories over time. Conclusions: Integrating CBPR methodologies in A/ND-GD research initiatives has the potential to optimize the relevance of the research questions asked and the interpretation and contextualization of study findings.

Implications for Impact Statement

The perspectives and priorities of the autistic and/or neurodiverse transgender and/or gender-diverse community need to be considered when conducting research that impacts autistic/neurodiverse transgender/gender-diverse individuals. Employing community-based participatory designs for studies of this co-occurrence will help to align research agendas with community needs and appropriately contextualize research findings.