bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaction Mechanisms on Unusual 1,2‐Migrations of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Ligated Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Zhu Qin , Lin Lu , Rouf Alvi Muhammad , Zhu Jun
Published: August 2019

Unusual 1,2‐migration reactions of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) on transition metals were investigated using density functional theory calculations. Our results reveal that the electronic properties, ring strain of the four‐membered ring, and aromaticity of NHC play crucial roles in the thermodynamics of such a 1,2‐migration. Further studies show that changing the methylene on the metal center in the reactant with a more electronegative group (NH or O) will lead to the formation of products with nitrogen coordinating to the metal center, whereas other groups (BH, CF2, and SiH2) will make such a 1,2‐migration reverse. In addition, the reversed rearrangement of 1,2‐boron, silyl migration could be thermodynamically and kinetically favorable.
Markov games with unknown random state‐actions‐dependent discount factors: Empirical estimation
Authors: González‐Sánchez David , Luque‐Vásquez Fernando , Minjárez‐Sosa Jesus Adolfo
Published: August 2019

The work deals with a class of discrete‐time zero‐sum Markov games under a discounted optimality criterion with random state‐action‐dependent discount factors of the form
, where xn,an,bn, and ξn+1 are the state, the actions of players, and a random disturbance at time n, respectively, taking values in Borel spaces. The one‐stage payoff is assumed to be possibly unbounded. In addition, the process {ξn} is formed by observable, independent, and identically distributed random variables with common distribution θ, which is unknown to players. By using the empirical distribution to estimate θ, we introduce a procedure to approximate the value V∗ of the game; such a procedure yields construction schemes of stationary optimal strategies and asymptotically optimal Markov strategies.
The impact of the ICD‐9‐CM to ICD‐10‐CM transition on the prevalence of birth defects among infant hospitalizations in the United States
Authors: Salemi Jason L. , Tanner Jean Paul , Kirby Russell S. , Cragan Janet D.
Published: August 2019

Background

Many public health surveillance programs utilize hospital discharge data in their estimation of disease prevalence. These databases commonly use the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding scheme, which transitioned from the ICD‐9 clinical modification (ICD‐9‐CM) to ICD‐10‐CM on October 1, 2015. This study examined this transition's impact on the prevalence of major birth defects among infant hospitalizations.

Methods

Using data from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality‐sponsored National Inpatient Sample, hospitalizations during the first year of life with a discharge date between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016 were used to estimate the monthly national hospital prevalence of 46 birth defects for the ICD‐9‐CM and ICD‐10‐CM timeframes separately. Survey‐weighted Poisson regression was used to estimate 95% confidence intervals for each hospital prevalence. Interrupted time series framework and corresponding segmented regression was used to estimate the immediate change in monthly hospital prevalence following the ICD‐9‐CM to ICD‐10‐CM transition.

Results

Between 2012 and 2016, over 21 million inpatient hospitalizations occurred during the first year of life. Among the 46 defects studied, statistically significant decreases in the immediate hospital prevalence of five defects and significant increases in the immediate hospital prevalence of eight defects were observed after the ICD‐10‐CM transition.

Conclusions

Changes in prevalence were expected based on changes to ICD‐10‐CM. Observed changes for some conditions may result from variation in monthly hospital prevalence or initial unfamiliarity of coders with ICD‐10‐CM. These findings may help birth defects surveillance programs evaluate and interpret changes in their data related to the ICD‐10‐CM transition.
Parent‐implemented treatment for automatically maintained stereotypy
Authors: Gerow Stephanie , Rivera Gabby , Akers Jessica S. , Kirkpatrick Marie , Radhakrishnan Supriya
Published: August 2019

Automatically maintained stereotypy is common among children with autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multicomponent parent‐implemented intervention on the reduction of motor stereotypy for a child with autism. A 2‐year‐old child and her father participated in this study. The effect of a parent‐implemented intervention was evaluated using an alternating treatment design. The results indicated that the parent‐implemented treatment package including differential reinforcement, response blocking, and a competing stimulus decreased automatically maintained motor stereotypy.
Bioethical approach to robot-assisted surgery
Authors: Di Paolo M , Boggi U , Turillazzi E
Published: August 2019

Challenges the current model of consent
Morphological lymphocytic reaction, patient prognosis and PD-1 expression after surgical resection for oesophageal cancer
Authors: Baba Y , Yagi T , Kosumi K , Okadome K , Nomoto D , Eto K , Hiyoshi Y , Nagai Y , Ishimoto T , Iwatsuki M , Iwagami S , Miyamoto Y , Yoshida N , Komohara Y , Watanabe M , Baba H
Published: August 2019

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as antibody against programmed cell death protein (PD-1), have demonstrated antitumour effects in patients with malignancies, including oesophageal cancer. A lymphocytic reaction observed by pathological examination is a manifestation of the host immune response to tumour cells. It was hypothesized that a stronger lymphocytic reaction to tumours might be associated with favourable prognosis in oesophageal cancer.

Methods

Using a database of resected oesophageal cancers, four morphological components of lymphocytic reactions (peritumoral, intranest, lymphoid and stromal) to tumours were evaluated in relation to clinical outcome, PD-1 expression by immunohistochemistry and total lymphocyte count in blood.

Results

Resected oesophageal cancer specimens from 436 patients were included in the study. Among the four morphological components, only peritumoral reaction was associated with patient prognosis (multivariable P for trend <0·001); patients with a higher peritumoral reaction had significantly longer overall survival than those with a lower reaction (multivariable hazard ratio 0·48, 95 per cent c.i. 0·34 to 0·67). The prognostic effect of peritumoral reaction was not significantly modified by other clinical variables (all P for interaction >0·050). Peritumoral reaction was associated with total lymphocyte count in the blood (P < 0·001), supporting the relationship between local immune response and systemic immune competence. In addition, higher morphological peritumoral reaction was associated with high PD-1 expression on lymphocytes in tumours (P = 0·034).

Conclusion

These findings should help to improve risk-adapted therapeutic strategies and help stratify patients in the future clinical setting of immunotherapy for oesophageal cancer.
Practical liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of amitriptyline, nortriptyline and their hydroxy metabolites in human serum
Authors: Mifsud Buhagiar Luana , Sammut Carmel , Chircop Yana , Axisa Kersty , Sammut Bartolo Nicolette , Vella Szijj Janis , Serracino Inglott Anthony , LaFerla Godfrey
Published: August 2019

Amitriptyline (AMI) has been in use for decades in treating depression and more recently for the management of neuropathic pain. A highly sensitive and specific LC–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous determination of AMI, its active metabolite nortriptyline (NOR) and their hydroxy‐metabolites in human serum, using deuterated AMI and NOR as internal standards. The isobaric E‐10‐hydroxyamitriptyline (E‐OH AMI), Z‐10‐hydroxyamitriptyline (Z‐OH AMI), E‐10‐hydroxynortriptyline (E‐OH NOR) and Z‐10‐hydroxynortriptyline (Z‐OH NOR), together with their parent compounds, were separated on an ACE C18 column using a simple protein precipitation method, followed by dilution and analysis using positive electrospray ionisation with multiple reaction monitoring. The total run time was 6 min with elution of E‐OH AMI, E‐OH NOR, Z‐OH AMI, Z‐OH NOR, AMI (+ deuterated AMI) and NOR (+ deuterated NOR) at 1.21, 1.28, 1.66, 1.71, 2.50 and 2.59 min, respectively. The method was validated in human serum with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.5 ng/mL for all analytes. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.5–400 ng/mL (r2 > .999). The practical assay was applied on samples from patients on AMI, genotyped for CYP2C19 and CYP2D6, to understand the influence of metaboliser status and concomitant medication on therapeutic drug monitoring.
Individualized treatment response prediction of dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Schmitgen Mike M. , Niedtfeld Inga , Schmitt Ruth , Mancke Falk , Winter Dorina , Schmahl Christian , Herpertz Sabine C.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Individualized treatment prediction is crucial for the development and selection of personalized psychiatric interventions. Here, we use random forest classification via pretreatment clinical and demographical (CD), functional, and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) to predict individual treatment response.

Methods

Before dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), 31 female patients underwent functional (three different emotion regulation tasks) and structural MRI. DBT response was predicted using CD and MRI data in previously identified anatomical regions, which have been reported to be multimodally affected in BPD.

Results

Amygdala and parahippocampus activation during a cognitive reappraisal task (in contrasts displaying neural activation for emotional challenge and for regulation), along with severity measures of BPD psychopathology and gray matter volume of the amygdala, provided best predictive power with neuronal hyperractivities in nonresponders. All models, except one model using CD data solely, achieved significantly better accuracy (>70.25%) than a simple all‐respond model, with sensitivity and specificity of >0.7 and >0.7, as well as positive and negative likelihood ratios of >2.74 and <0.36 each. Surprisingly, a model combining all data modalities only reached rank five of seven. Among the functional tasks, only the activation elicited by a cognitive reappraisal paradigm yielded sufficient predictive power to enter the final models.

Conclusion

This proof of principle study shows that it is possible to achieve good predictions of psychotherapy outcome to find the most valid predictors among numerous variables via using a random forest classification approach.
Adjuvant chemotherapy versus chemoradiation in high‐risk pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Raoof Mustafa , Blakely Andrew M. , Melstrom Laleh G. , Lee Byrne , Warner Susanne G. , Chung Vincent , Singh Gagandeep , Chen Yi‐Jen , Fong Yuman
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend adjuvant chemoradiation (ACR) for margin‐positive (R1) and/or node‐positive (N+) pancreatic cancers. Our goal was to investigate if there is evidence of superiority of adjuvant chemoradiation (ACR) over adjuvant chemotherapy (AC).

Methods

We utilized data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for N+ and/or R1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2012 who underwent ACR or AC. Patients who received neoadjuvant radiation, no adjuvant treatment, or adjuvant radiation alone were excluded. Propensity score nearest‐neighbor 1:1 matching (PSM) was performed between ACR and AC groups based on age, sex, race, insurance, year of diagnosis, comorbidities, tumor site and size, T‐stage, nodal status, margin status, grade, and treatment facility. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 8297 patients were eligible. After PSM, two well‐balanced groups of 3244 patients each were analyzed. ACR resulted in superior OS compared with AC alone (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.83, 95% CI 0.79‐0.87; median OS 22 vs 19 months, P < .0001). Subset analyses demonstrated OS benefit of ACR compared with AC in N+, R0 patients (HR: 0.82, 95% CI 0.77‐0.88; Median OS 24 vs 20 months, P < .001) as well as N+, R1 patients (HR: 0.77, 95% CI 0.68‐0.87; Median OS 17 vs 15 months, P < .001); but not in node‐negative, R1 patients (HR: 1.12, 95% CI 0.84‐1.48; Median OS 18 vs 22 months, P = .63).

Conclusion

The addition of radiation to AC was associated with a clinically small but meaningful increase in survival of patients undergoing curative‐intent pancreatic resections. This association was not evident in patients with microscopically positive margins but node‐negative disease and larger studies will be needed.
To engage students on safety, keep it light but informative
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2019

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. — Promoting events with engaging marketing and a close linkage with Student Life can raise the profile of campus safety initiatives that students might otherwise ignore, a pair of presenters from Broward College told an audience at the Association of Florida Colleges’ Campus Safety Symposium in July.
Extra safety for our students: Security beyond the walls of campus
Authors: Zacarese Lawrence M.
Published: August 2019

Although it may be cliché to say it, I believe it is still very true. Every parent's worst nightmare is that something may happen to their children when they venture off to college. Perhaps it is nervousness because the children have never been “away” from home before. Maybe it is the fear of the unknown because the parents themselves never went to college (or lived on campus if they did go).
How to practice community policing on campus
Authors: Rahn Josh
Published: August 2019

In recent years, some communities have seen a deterioration of the relationship between police officers and the citizens they serve. Responding to this problem, former President Barack Obama assembled a team of experts to identify practical solutions. The President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing listed “Building Trust and Legitimacy” and “Community Policing and Crime Reduction” as two of the six pillars outlined in its final report. While the focus of the task force was on municipal policing, the campus environment offers many of the same challenges and opportunities.
Create a culture of accountability within your department
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: August 2019

If the performance of your staff members doesn't meet your expectations — whether they treat students poorly, fall short of goals, or submit reports late — holding them accountable can lead to better outcomes for you and your department.
Ergodicity and Lyapunov Functions for Langevin Dynamics with Singular Potentials
Authors: Herzog David P. , Mattingly Jonathan C.
Published: August 2019

We study Langevin dynamics of N particles on ℝd interacting through a singular repulsive potential, e.g., the well‐known Lennard‐Jones type, and show that the system converges to the unique invariant Gibbs measure exponentially fast in a weighted total variation distance. The proof of the main result relies on an explicit construction of a Lyapunov function. In contrast to previous results for such systems, our result implies geometric convergence to equilibrium starting from an essentially optimal family of initial distributions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study on Dynamic Recrystallization in the Plastic Deformation Zone of Vibration Cast‐Rolling
Authors: Sun Minghan , Zhu Zhiwang , Zheng Likang , Zheng Chuanxing , Du Fengshan
Published: August 2019

In the comparative experiments of vibration and non‐vibration cast‐rolling, it is found that the vibration can significantly enhance the dynamic recrystallization effect in the plastic deformation stage during cast‐rolling. In order to explore the strengthening mechanism, the physical simulation experiment and the numerical simulation based on Yada model are used to study the plastic deformation stage of the cast‐rolling process. The research results show that the Yada model can accurately calculate the change history of grain size during vibration rolling. It is also found that the vibration frequency can promote the recrystallization nucleation by changing the equivalent plastic strain in the cast‐rolling strip during deformation, thereby effectively reducing the average grain size, whereas the amplitude only affects the start time of the dynamic recrystallization. In addition, it is found that vibration can effectively improve the uneven distribution of grain size on the cross section of cast‐rolling strip.
Particle‐in‐cell simulation of an optimized high‐efficiency multistage plasma thruster
Authors: Matthias Paul , Kahnfeld Daniel , Schneider Ralf , Yeo Suk Hyun , Ogawa Hideaki
Published: August 2019

Electric propulsion attracts increasing attention in contemporary space missions as an interesting alternative to chemical propulsion because of the high efficiency it offers. The High‐Efficiency Multistage Plasma thruster, a class of cusped field thruster, is able to operate at different anode voltages and operation points and thereby generate different levels of thrust in a stable and efficient way. Since experiments of such thrusters are inherently expensive, multi‐objective design optimization (MDO) is of great interest. Several optimized thruster designs have resulted from a MDO model based on a zero‐dimensional (0D) power balance model. However, the MDO solutions do not warrant self‐consistency due to their dependency on estimation from empirical modelling based on former experimental studies. In this study, one of the optimized thruster designs is investigated by means of particle‐in‐cell (PIC) analysis to examine the predicted performance characteristics with self‐consistent simulations. The 0D power balance model is used to develop additional diagnostics for the PIC simulations to improve the physics analysis. Using input parameters for the 0D power balance model from the PIC simulations allows further improvement for the design optimization.
Unique multiple paternity in the endangered big‐headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) in an ex situ population in South China
Authors: Gong Shiping , Hua Liushuai , Ge Yan , Cao Dainan
Published: August 2019

Understanding the mating system and reproductive strategies of an endangered species is critical to the success of captive breeding. The big‐headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is one of the most threatened turtle species in the world. Captive breeding and reintroduction are necessary to re‐establish wild populations of P. megacephalum in some of its historical ranges in China, where the original populations have been extirpated. However, the captive breeding of P. megacephalum is very difficult and this may be due to its mysterious reproductive strategies and special behavior (e.g., aggressive temperament and territoriality). In this study, we achieved successful captive breeding of P. megacephalum by creating a habitat that mimics natural conditions and then investigated its mating system using microsatellite makers. A total of 16 clutches containing 79 eggs of P. megacephalum were collected, and 52 were hatched successfully over two breeding seasons. Of the 15 effective clutches, 6 clutches (40%) exhibited multiple paternity. There was no significant correlation between clutch size and multiple paternity, and no significant difference in hatching success between multiple‐sired and single‐sired clutches. However, there was significant correlation between male body size and the number of offspring, with higher‐ranked males contributing to more clutches. Our results provide the first evidence of multiple paternity and male hierarchy in P. megacephalum. These findings suggest that multiple paternity and male hierarchy should be considered in captive breeding programs for P. megacephalum, and creating a habitat that mimics natural conditions is an effctive way to achieve successful captive breeding and investigate the mating systems of this species.
Fitness costs and benefits vary for two facultative Burkholderia symbionts of the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Garcia Justine R. , Larsen Tyler J. , Queller David C. , Strassmann Joan E.
Published: August 2019

Hosts and their associated microbes can enter into different relationships, which can range from mutualism, where both partners benefit, to exploitation, where one partner benefits at the expense of the other. Many host–microbe relationships have been presumed to be mutualistic, but frequently only benefits to the host, and not the microbial symbiont, have been considered. Here, we address this issue by looking at the effect of host association on the fitness of two facultative members of the Dictyostelium discoideum microbiome (Burkholderia agricolaris and Burkholderia hayleyella). Using two indicators of bacterial fitness, growth rate and abundance, we determined the effect of D. discoideum on Burkholderia fitness. In liquid culture, we found that D. discoideum amoebas lowered the growth rate of both Burkholderia species. In soil microcosms, we tracked the abundance of Burkholderia grown with and without D. discoideum over a month and found that B. hayleyella had larger populations when associating with D. discoideum while B. agricolaris was not significantly affected. Overall, we find that both B. agricolaris and B. hayleyella pay a cost to associate with D. discoideum, but B. hayleyella can also benefit under some conditions. Understanding how fitness varies in facultative symbionts will help us understand the persistence of host–symbiont relationships.

OPEN RESEARCH BADGES

This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/data/15/
Measurement of quality test of aerodynamic profiles in wind turbine blades using laser triangulation technique
Authors: Moreno‐Oliva Víctor Iván , Román‐Hernández Edwin , Torres‐Moreno Eduardo , Dorrego‐Portela José Rafael , Avendaño‐Alejo Maximino , Campos‐García Manuel , Sánchez‐Sánchez Sergio
Published: August 2019

The development of an optical contact instrument for measuring the geometric shape of aerodynamic profiles on blades of small power wind turbines is presented. The instrument uses the triangulation principle, where a structured line laser pattern is projected onto the surface of one of the faces of the blade under test, a camera captures the image of the line and is processed to interpret the distorted form of the projected line. A linear sweep of the instrument makes it possible to measure the profile in another section of the blade. Comparison and evaluation results of two symmetric profiles of the NACA 0012 family are presented, one manufactured in a 3D printer and the other one is a metal profile AF104 of a subsonic wind tunnel. Additionally, three sections of a blade with profile FX 63‐137 of a 1.5 kW wind turbine were evaluated. An aerodynamic analysis shows a reduction in the lift coefficient and in the efficiency of the aerodynamic profile, as well as an increase in the drag coefficient. The sensitivity of the instrument is 0.1 mm on the Z‐axis.
Tributary‐junction fans as buffers in the sediment cascade: a multi‐decadal study
Authors: Leenman Anya , Tunnicliffe Jon
Published: August 2019

Alluvial fans at tributary junctions modulate sediment flux through river networks, by buffering the mainstem channel from disturbance in the tributaries. Buffering occurs through the storage (and release) of sediment in fans. Here, we use an extensive historic dataset to characterise the ways in which fan buffering can change as sediment supply varies.

In New Zealand's East Coast region, sediment supply and fluvial transport are prolific by global standards. We reconstruct how tributary‐junction fans in this region have responded to sediment generated by deforestation and extreme storms. The dynamics of five fans along the Tapuaeroa River are examined for the period 1939–2015. In response to major sediment loading, fans aggraded by up to 12 m and prograded by up to 170 m. Net sediment accumulation ranged from near zero to 1.5×106 m3.

Fan size, gradient, sediment storage and buffering were influenced by both upstream and downstream controls. Key upstream (tributary) influences were sediment supply and stream power; downstream (mainstem) influences included distal confinement and, importantly, the nature of fan interaction with the mainstem, which aggraded by up to 6 m. The fans' ability to buffer the Tapuaeroa River from change in the tributaries was largely governed by this downstream interaction: as the mainstem aggraded, it increasingly curtailed fan progradation, thus limiting buffering.

Previous studies of tributary‐junction fans have related fan morphometry to basin characteristics. However, we find that fan slope and area can vary considerably at decadal, annual or even monthly timescales. Consequently, we suggest that such studies could benefit by examining regional histories of disturbance. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resilient placement of SDN controllers exploiting disjoint paths
Authors: Alenazi Mohammed J.F. , Çetinkaya Egemen K.
Published: August 2019

Traditional IP networks are difficult to manage, owing to their rapid expansion and dynamic changes. Software‐defined networks are introduced to simplify network management by separating the network control plane from the packet forwarding plane. Using one or several controllers, SDN switches can be configured to forward data packets to their destinations. The controller placement problem aims to determine the number of controllers and their locations to meet network service requirements. Early approaches used the k‐median and k‐center algorithms, which select k controllers to minimize propagation latency without considering network resilience. In this paper, we developed a new nodal metric, nodal disjoint path (NDP), which measures a node's importance in terms of its diverse connectivity to other nodes. Based on NDP, we propose two algorithms, NDP‐global and NDP‐cluster, for determining the locations of the k controllers to increase network robustness against targeted attacks. We apply the two selection algorithms to four US‐based fiber‐level networks and evaluate their resilience against five centrality‐based attacks and random failures. The evaluation results indicate that selecting controllers by the NDP‐global algorithm, compared with the NDP‐cluster, k‐median, and k‐center algorithms, provides better network resilience in the face of centrality‐based attacks and random failures. The results also indicate that the NDP‐cluster algorithm has a delay performance comparable to that of the k‐median algorithm and provides higher network resilience.
Feasibility of a family‐centered intervention for depressed older men in primary care
Authors: Hinton Ladson , La Frano Erika , Harvey Danielle , Alfaro Eduardo Delgadillo , Kravitz Richard , Smith Andrew , Apesoa‐Varano Ester Carolina , Jafri Asma , Unutzer Jurgen
Published: August 2019

Objective

Families provide considerable support to many older adults with depression, yet few intervention studies have sought to include them. Family participation in depression treatment aligns with the preferences of older men, a group at high risk for depression under treatment. This study examined the feasibility of a family‐centered depression intervention for older men in a primary care setting.

Methods

A clinical trial was conducted in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in California's Central Valley. Depressed older men (age 50 and older) were allocated to usual care enhanced by depression psychoeducation or a family‐centered depression intervention delivered by a licensed clinical social worker. Intervention feasibility was assessed in terms of recruitment, retention, and extent of family engagement. The PHQ‐9 was administered at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months.

Results

For more than 6 months, 45 men were referred to the study; 31 met the inclusion criteria, 23 were successfully enrolled, and 20 (88%) participated in more than or equal to one treatment sessions. Overall, 85% (11 of 13) of men allocated to the intervention engaged a family member in more than or equal to one session and 54% (7 of 13) engaged the family member in more than or equal to three sessions. While men in both groups showed evidence of a significant decline in PHQ‐9 scores early on, which attenuated over time, there were no significant between group differences.

Conclusions

Our family‐centered depression intervention showed acceptable feasibility on the basis of a variety of parameters. Future research on family‐based approaches may benefit from longer duration and more intensive treatment as well as additional strategies to overcome recruitment barriers.
Depression and health‐related quality of life among Cambodian patients with cancer
Authors: Vorn Rany , Touch Socheat , Ryu Eunjung
Published: August 2019

Background

Symptom assessment and quality of life (QoL) are considered two of the most important factors in the overall care of cancer patients. Although cancer is one of the leading causes of death after communicable disease in Cambodia, the QoL of Cambodian cancer patients has not been examined previously. This study aimed to describe the QoL of cancer patients in Cambodia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with cancer patients who visited Khmer‐Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh. Two hundred patients participated in this study. The inventory comprised two previously validated scales: the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale‐10 (CESD‐10) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30. Descriptive analyses, independent samples t‐tests, and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed to examine the differences and relationship between study variables.

Results

The mean global health score was 51.62, and 58.5% of the participants had depressive symptom. The global health score was statistically significantly lower in depressive patients. The QoL was negatively correlated with depression, but positively and significant correlated with physical function, role function, emotional function, cognitive function, and social function.

Conclusion

This study is the first to describe the QoL of Cambodian cancer patients. Our findings suggest that more attention should be paid to psychological concerns and symptom management in Cambodian cancer patients. Appropriate management could be effective in improving the QoL of cancer patients.
Numerical simulation of nanoparticle shape and thermal ray on a CuO/C2H6O2–H2O hybrid base nanofluid inside a porous enclosure using Darcy's law
Authors: Gholinia M. , Kiaeian Moosavi S. A. H. , Gholinia S. , Ganji D. D.
Published: August 2019

In this study, the physical aspects of magnetohydrodynamic flow and heat transfer of a hybrid base nanofluid in a porous medium under the effect of the shape, thermal radiation, and Lorentz force have been examined using the finite element method. Copper oxide (CuO) of various shapes was dispersed into ethylene glycol 50%‐water 50% (likewise for Fe3O4). The Darcy model is chosen because of the porous medium. The effect of changeable, diverse parameters, for example, Hartmann number (Ha), volume fraction (), radiation parameter (), and buoyancy force (Ra), on the streamlines, temperature gradient, and Nusselt number are shown through contours. Outputs show that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles have a smaller temperature gradient than that of CuO nanoparticles. The Nusselt number decreases for a larger (Ha) number, but increases for a larger Ra, Rd. The blade shaped nanoparticle has a larger impact on increasing compared with that of other shapes.
Numerical study of nanoencapsulated phase change material inside double pipe heat exchanger
Authors: Iranfar Armin , Saraei Alireza
Published: August 2019

Nanoencapsulated phase change material (NPCM) slurry is a dispersion where the phase change material (PCM) is dispersed in fluid. Compared with fluid, these nanofluids have a higher heat capacity during the phase change and a possible enhancement, as a result of this phase change, in the heat transfer phenomenon. To appreciate the merits, in terms of energy, a numerical study has been carried out with fluid based on NPCM inside double pipe heat exchanger. The numerical simulation results have been validated using experimental heat transfer data. The Reynolds and Nusselt numbers have been determined using thermal conductivity and viscosity evaluated in the same conditions as those in numerical model. The results obtained show an improvement of this energetic criterion at low mass flow rate compared with the base fluid. Analysis of the numerical and analytical results reveal that higher inlet flow rate and NPCM concentration results in higher heat transfer rate. In addition, increasing NPCM slurry temperature decreases its performance due to fast melting of PCM inside the tube.
Characteristics of heat transfer of impingement system with swap swirl generator
Authors: Salman Sami D.
Published: August 2019

This article presents the computational fluid dynamic simulation of the heat transfer characteristics induced by a swap swirl air‐jet generator on the impingement surface. The study was carried out for conventional and swap twist tape inserts of twisted ratio y = 2.93 with various swap angles (α = 30°, 60°, 90°) at a constant distance of nozzle diameter impingement plate (L = 2D). The results show that the Nusselt number of the swirl impingement air‐jet depends on the twisted tape swap angles and airflow rate. The results also showed that the swap angle of 90° gave notable uniform local heat transfer distribution compared with the typical twist tape and other swap twist tapes (α = 30°, 60°). In addition, the predicted results of the local heat transfer coefficient help explain the local turbulence intensity and generation to assist the industrial applications of swirl impingement air‐cooling jet.
Watersheds dynamics following wildfires: Nonlinear feedbacks and implications on hydrologic responses
Authors: Maina Fadji Zaouna , Siirila‐Woodburn Erica R.
Published: August 2019

In recent years, wildfires in the western United States have occurred with increasing frequency and scale. Climate change scenarios in California predict prolonged periods of droughts with even greater potential for conditions amenable to wildfires. The Sierra Nevada Mountains provide 70% of water resources in California, yet how wildfires will impact watershed‐scale hydrology is highly uncertain. In this work, we assess the impacts of wildfires perturbations on watershed hydrodynamics using a physically based integrated hydrologic model in a high‐performance‐computing framework. A representative Californian watershed, the Cosumnes River, is used to demonstrate how postwildfire conditions impact the water and energy balance. Results from the high‐resolution model show counterintuitive feedbacks that occur following a wildfire and allow us to identify the regions most sensitive to wildfires conditions, as well as the hydrologic processes that are most affected. For example, whereas evapotranspiration generally decreases in the postfire simulations, some regions experience an increase due to changes in surface water run‐off patterns in and near burn scars. Postfire conditions also yield greater winter snowpack and subsequently greater summer run‐off as well as groundwater storage in the postfire simulations. Comparisons between dry and wet water years show that climate is the main factor controlling the timing at which some hydrologic processes occur (such as snow accumulation) whereas postwildfire changes to other metrics (such as streamflow) show seasonally dependent impacts primarily due to the timing of snowmelt, illustrative of the integrative nature of hydrologic processes across the Sierra Nevada‐Central Valley interface.
Net neutrality in mobile broadband: A European study based on a large scale testbed
Authors: Gregori Enrico , Luconi Valerio , Vecchio Alessio
Published: August 2019

In Europe, net neutrality is guaranteed by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications guidelines, which state that the user's traffic should never be differentiated. However, ensuring that these rules are actually followed is not easy, due to the scale of the problem (the number of operators/providers is large) and to the inherent variability of network conditions. In this paper, we analyze a number of European mobile broadband operators in terms of neutrality. The study is based on measurements collected using the NeutMon tool in Measuring Mobile Broadband Networks in Europe, a large‐scale testbed spanning four European countries. By following an infrastructural approach, important benefits can be obtained with respect to methods based on volunteer‐contributed data: testbed nodes are always available, users' resources are not depleted, and the increased uniformity of devices reduces possible sources of bias. Results show that, despite EU regulations, some operators are not neutral, thus, highlighting the need for a monitoring system.
Assessment to identify learner‐specific prompt and prompt‐fading procedures for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Schnell Lauren K. , Vladescu Jason C. , Kisamore April N. , DeBar Ruth M. , Kahng SungWoo , Marano Kathleen
Published: August 2019

Few studies have evaluated the use of assessment to identify the most efficient instructional practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. This is problematic as these individuals often have difficulty acquiring skills, and the procedures that may be efficient with one individual may not be for others. The experimenters conducted instructional assessments to identify the most efficient prompt type (model, partial physical, full physical) and prompt‐fading procedure (progressive delay, most‐to‐least, least‐to‐most) for teaching auditory–visual conditional discriminations for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Each assessment was conducted at least twice, and a final generality test combined the most and the least efficient prompt type and prompt‐fading procedure for teaching novel auditory–visual conditional discriminations. The results demonstrated learner‐specific outcomes for the prompt type assessment, whereas the least‐to‐most prompt fading procedure was most efficient for all participants.
Using the Step it UP! Game to increase physical activity during physical‐education classes
Authors: Normand Matthew P. , Burji Carla
Published: August 2019

The Step it UP! Game is an interdependent group reinforcement contingency based on the Good Behavior Game. We evaluated the effects of the Step it UP! Game on the number of steps taken by 3rd‐grade students during physical‐education (PE) classes at a local public elementary school. We divided the class into 2 teams and awarded a “Step it UP! Champ” badge to the members of the team with the highest mean step totals at the end of each game. We used a reversal design to compare the mean number of steps taken while playing the game and during regular PE classes. Overall, participants took more steps while playing the game than they did during class periods without the game. When given the opportunity to choose playing the Step it UP! Game or having regular PE class during a follow‐up session, 16 of 18 participants voted to play the game.
Remote photonic sensing of cerebral hemodynamic changes via temporal spatial analysis of acoustic vibrations
Authors: Ozana Nisan , Noah Jack Adam , Zhang Xian , Ono Yumie , Hirsch Joy , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: August 2019

A novel photonic method for remote monitoring of task‐related hemodynamic changes in human brain activation is presented. Physiological processes associated with neural activity, such as nano‐vibrations due to blood flow and tissue oxygenation in the brain, are detected by remote sensing of nano‐acoustic vibrations using temporal spatial analysis of defocused self‐interference random patterns. Temporal nanometric changes of the speckle pattern due to visual task‐induced hemodynamic responses were tracked by this method. Reversing visual checkerboard stimulation alternated with rest epochs, and responsive signals were identified in occipital lobe using near‐infrared spectroscopy. Temporal vibrations associated with these hemodynamic response functions were observed using three different approaches: (a) single spot illumination at active and control areas simultaneously, (b) subspots cross‐correlation‐based analysis, and (c) multiwavelength measurement using a magnitude‐squared wavelet coherence function. Findings show remote sensing of task‐specific neural activity in the human brain.
Multifunctional electrochemical application of a novel 3D AgInS2/rGO nanohybrid for electrochemical detection and HER
Authors: Li Xueqin , Shi Yangming , Chen Pinghua , Bai Yingchen , Li Guifang , Shu Hongying , Chen Dezhi , Li Songjun , Jiang Hualin
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Environmental pollution and energy depletion are two serious problems that face mankind at present, so it is urgent to develop effective methods to deal with them. Electrochemistry offers a promising solution method owing to its fast, sensitive and clean properties. Since electrode materials are significantly important to improve electrochemical performance, studies of effective electrode materials have attracted increasing interest and become a research hotspot in recent years.

RESULTS

In this study, a novel multitasking electrode material 3D AgInS2/rGO was successfully prepared, the first to couple two important electrochemical functions of sensing and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) into one electrode material. It can highly sensitively detect 4‐nitrophenol in real water over a wide concentration range with significantly low limit of detection, outstanding stability and anti‐interference ability. Furthermore, it can effectively electrolyze water to produce H2 by HER with low onset potential, low overpotential, small Tafel slope, good durability and high stability.

CONCLUSION

The study indicates that the highly conductive 3D rGO scaffold decorated with nano AgInS2 particles forms a nanohybrid, which produces positive synergistic effects to improve the electrochemical properties. This 3D AgInS2/rGO nanocomposite is considered to have high potential to deal with environmental problems owing to its high performance in the two important functions of contaminant sensing and HER. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of EPS and chitosan combination on enhancement of anaerobic granule quality during simultaneous microbial adaptation and granulation
Authors: Hudayah Nasrul , Suraraksa Benjaphon , Chaiprasert Pawinee
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

The main problem for the formation of anaerobic granule in a short period is synchronization between good physicochemical and microbial characteristics. This study aims to investigate the formation of anaerobic granule with good physicochemical and microbial characteristics using simultaneous granulation and microbial adaptation to syntroph‐specific substrate.

RESULTS

Simultaneous microbial adaptation to propionate along with granulation successfully enhanced the activities and the populations of syntroph‐related microbial groups, such as propionate‐utilizing microorganism and hydrogenotrophic methanogens (HTMs). The development of granules in chitosan‐added reactor (R2) was accelerated in shorter period, and larger granules (>1000 μm) were seen in a higher percentage than those in control reactor (R1). In addition, the granules in R2 exhibited better physicochemical characteristics: granule percentage of 52.8%, mean particle diameter of 535 μm, and sludge volume index of 23 mL g−1 suspended solids. During early granulation, protein‐extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and chitosan dominated granule formation in R1 and R2, respectively. However, the increase of polysaccharide‐EPS at high organic loading rate improved the morphology and stability of granule in both the reactors. A remarkable result was seen for the granules in R2, showing a multi layered‐structure that consisted of Methanosarcinales and Smithella sp. at the inner and middle/outer layers, respectively. While HTMs were spatially distributed nearby with acetogens.

CONCLUSION

Anaerobic granulation using the combined effect of EPS and chitosan during simultaneous granulation and adaptation on the syntroph‐specific substrate did not only lead to the development of large and dense granules but also granules with high syntroph activity, high settling ability, and multilayered structure. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Biocrude production through hydro‐liquefaction of wood biomass in supercritical ethanol using iron silica and iron beta zeolite catalysts
Authors: Jogi Ramakrishna , Mäki‐Arvela Päivi , Virtanen Pasi , Kumar Narendra , Hemming Jarl , Smeds Annika , Lestander Torbjörn A , Mikkola Jyri‐Pekka
Published: August 2019

Background

In the production of biofuels from lignocellulosic material, biocrude plays a key role. The present work deals with the biocrude production through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of birch wood in supercritical ethanol over 5 wt% Fe‐H‐Beta‐150 (SiO2 to Al2O3 ratio of 150) or 5 wt% Fe‐SiO2 catalyst.

Results

The liquid and solid products were characterized with various analytical techniques such as gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS), gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC‐FID), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), inductively‐coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), powder X‐ray diffraction (p‐XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and solid‐state carbon‐13 magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C‐MAS‐NMR), respectively. The results revealed that 5 wt% Fe‐H‐Beta‐150, a strongly Brønsted acidic catalyst, enhanced the biocrude formation when compared with a non‐acidic 5 wt% Fe‐SiO2 catalyst. Hemicellulose and lignin degradation occurred resulting in formation of mainly sugars, acids‐esters and phenolic compounds in the liquid phase. The gaseous atmosphere of hydrogen also enhanced the degradation of biomass. The biocrude yield from birch was 25 wt% over 5 wt% Fe‐H‐Beta‐150. The Brønsted acidic catalyst gave higher dissolution efficiency and its clear catalytic effect was observed in comparison to non‐acidic 5 wt% Fe‐SiO2. The degradation level of lignin in the presence of 5 wt% Fe‐H‐Beta‐150 was high 68 wt% aromatic products were formed, while only 38 wt% was obtained with 5 wt% Fe‐SiO2.

Conclusions

Hydrogen atmosphere enhances the fractionation of birch wood when compared to argon atmosphere. The 5 wt% Fe‐H‐Beta‐150 catalyst enhanced very strongly the degradation of hemicellulose and lignin in biomass to sugars and acid‐esters as well as phenolic compounds, respectively, compared to the non‐acidic 5 wt% Fe‐SiO2 catalyst. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry