bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research directions in medical English as a lingua franca (MELF)
Authors: Tweedie M. Gregory , Johnson Robert C.
Published: March 2019

This article asserts that medical English as a lingua franca (MELF) represents an important direction for future research in ELF. The flow of health care workers across international borders and the role of English as the dominant language of international communication and medicine position MELF interactions as increasingly common in medical contexts worldwide. Research is called for with respect to the relationship of MELF to ELF, and specifically whether ELF linguistic features and pragmatic strategies are incorporated in medical contexts, where communicative immediacy and precision figure centrally. Since criticisms of ELF research include its relatively narrow contexts for study (to date mostly European and on a lesser scale East Asian) and its limited domains (higher education and business), MELF presents an opportunity to expand the research scope of ELF considerably. While suggesting that migrant destinations like the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council represent especially relevant sites for researching MELF, the article argues that a definition of ELF that includes native speaker interactions allows for the possibility of MELF research where English is considered a dominant native language. Concerns over the effect of miscommunication on patient safety are well researched in health care disciplines, and so a fuller understanding of MELF may assist in the delivery of safe and effective patient care within the linguistic complexity characterizing health care.
Factors affecting doctor visits of postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence
Authors: Biyik Ismail , Kucuk Bilgen , Arpaci Husniye F. , Demirci Hakan
Published: March 2019

Objective

This study analyzed the reasons for avoiding visiting a doctor among women aged ≥50 years with urinary incontinence (UI), as well as factors influencing visits to the doctor.

Methods

In all, 402 women aged ≥50 years who were enrolled in Bursa healthcare centers, 150 with UI and 252 without UI, participated in the study. This study was conducted between January 2018 and August 2018. Participants were asked to complete the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form (ICIQ‐SF) questionnaire. Quality of life was evaluated using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form (IIQ‐7) questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of UI was 37%. Of the women with UI, 52 (34.67%) visited a doctor for complaints. The most frequent reason for seeing a doctor because of UI was that it had started to affect activities of daily living. The most frequent reason for avoiding visiting a doctor was the belief that UI was normal. Scores on the ICIQ‐SF were higher among women who visited a doctor. Physical activity, social relationships, and mental health scores on the IIQ‐7 were also higher among patients who visited a doctor.

Conclusions

Patients who suffer from severe UI and whose quality of life is affected more negatively are more likely to visit a doctor. Women who believe that UI is normal are less likely to visit a doctor. Awareness about UI should be increased in order to increase the rate of visiting a doctor for this condition.
New insights into the heterogeneity of the Tagish Lake meteorite: Soluble organic compositions of variously altered specimens
Authors: Simkus Danielle N. , Aponte José C. , Elsila Jamie E. , Hilts Robert W. , McLain Hannah L. , Herd Christopher D. K.
Published: March 2019

The Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite exhibits a unique compositional heterogeneity that may be attributed to varying degrees of aqueous alteration within the parent body asteroid. Previous analyses of soluble organic compounds from four Tagish Lake meteorite specimens (TL5b, TL11h, TL11i, TL11v) identified distinct distributions and isotopic compositions that appeared to be linked to their degree of parent body processing (Herd et al. 2011; Glavin et al. 2012; Hilts et al. 2014). In the present study, we build upon these initial observations and evaluate the molecular distribution of amino acids, aldehydes and ketones, monocarboxylic acids, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, including compound‐specific δ13C compositions, for three additional Tagish Lake specimens: TL1, TL4, and TL10a. TL1 contains relatively high abundances of soluble organics and appears to be a moderately altered specimen, similar to the previously analyzed TL5b and TL11h lithologies. In contrast, specimens TL4 and TL10a both contain relatively low abundances of all of the soluble organic compound classes measured, similar to TL11i and TL11v. The organic‐depleted composition of TL4 appears to have resulted from a relatively low degree of parent body aqueous alteration. In the case of TL10a, some unusual properties (e.g., the lack of detection of intrinsic monocarboxylic acids and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons) suggest that it has experienced extensive alteration and/or a distinct organic‐depleted alteration history. Collectively, these varying compositions provide valuable new insights into the relationships between asteroidal aqueous alteration and the synthesis and preservation of soluble organic compounds.
Synchronic and Diachronic Harmony: St. Irenaeus on Divine Simplicity
Authors: Behr John
Published: March 2019

John Behr probes the teaching of Irenaeus on divine simplicity. Behr cautions against viewing divine simplicity as a philosophical or theological element that Irenaeus settles prior to his engagement with the scriptural economy of salvation. He warns that to understand Irenaeus’ approach in this way would separate “theology” and “economy” in a manner that supposes that the former does not arise fundamentally from the latter. Behr sets forth briefly the metaphysical principles upheld by the doctrine of divine simplicity. The question that Behr raises, in light of Irenaeus’ approach, is whether divine simplicity merely comes from human speculation, absent the need for biblical revelation; or whether the doctrine is a grammatical rule; or (his Irenaean solution) whether in fact divine simplicity is inseparable from the way that God has revealed himself. Behr argues that the last‐named answer is the only one that could befit Irenaeus. In this light, Behr sets forth the careful exposition of Irenaeus’ doctrine of divine simplicity that has been provided by the patristics scholar Eric Osborn. While Behr is not oblivious to the erudition of Osborn’s account, Behr points out that unlike Osborn, Irenaeus never offers a distinct “refined theism” before proceeding to scriptural revelation. Thus, Behr argues that to understand Irenaeus on divine simplicity will require refusing to impose our categories of thought upon him, and instead carefully tracing the way in which Irenaeus reads Scripture.
Rice FLOURY ENDOSPERM10 encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat protein that is essential for the trans‐splicing of mitochondrial nad1 intron 1 and endosperm development
Authors: Wu Mingming , Ren Yulong , Cai Maohong , Wang Yunlong , Zhu Shanshan , Zhu Jianping , Hao Yuanyuan , Teng Xuan , Zhu Xiaopin , Jing Ruonan , Zhang Huan , Zhong Mingsheng , Wang Yongfei , Lei Cailin , Zhang Xin , Guo Xiuping , Cheng Zhijun , Lin Qibing , Wang Jie , Jiang Ling , Bao Yiqun , Wang Yihua , Wan Jianmin
Published: March 2019

Endosperm, the major storage organ in cereal grains, determines grain yield and quality. Despite the fact that a role for P‐type pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins in the regulation of endosperm development has emerged, molecular functions of many P‐type PPR proteins remain obscure.

Here, we report a rice endosperm defective mutant, floury endosperm10 (flo10), which developed smaller starch grains in starchy endosperm and abnormal cells in the aleurone layer. Map‐based cloning and rescued experiments showed that FLO10 encodes a P‐type PPR protein with 26 PPR motifs, which is localized to mitochondria. Loss of function of FLO10 affected the trans‐splicing of the mitochondrial nad1 intron 1, which was accompanied by the increased accumulation of the nad1 exon 1 and exons 2–5 precursors.

The failed formation of mature nad1 led to a dramatically decreased assembly and activity of complex I, reduced ATP production, and changed mitochondrial morphology. In addition, loss of function of FLO10 significantly induced an alternative respiratory pathway involving alternative oxidase.

These results reveal that FLO10 plays an important role in the maintenance of mitochondrial function and endosperm development through its effect on the trans‐splicing of the mitochondrial nad1 intron 1 in rice.
The arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis regulates aquaporins activity and improves root cell water permeability in maize plants subjected to water stress
Authors: Quiroga Gabriela , Erice Gorka , Ding Lei , Chaumont François , Aroca Ricardo , Ruiz‐Lozano Juan Manuel
Published: March 2019

Studies have suggested that increased root hydraulic conductivity in mycorrhizal roots could be the result of increased cell‐to‐cell water flux via aquaporins. This study aimed to elucidate if the key effect of the regulation of maize aquaporins by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is the enhancement of root cell water transport capacity. Thus, water permeability coefficient (Pf) and cell hydraulic conductivity (Lpc) were measured in root protoplast and intact cortex cells of AM and non‐AM plants subjected or not to water stress. Results showed that cells from droughted‐AM roots maintained Pf and Lpc values of nonstressed plants, whereas in non‐AM roots, these values declined drastically as a consequence of water deficit. Interestingly, the phosphorylation status of PIP2 aquaporins increased in AM plants subjected to water deficit, and Pf values higher than 12 μm s−1 were found only in protoplasts from AM roots, revealing the higher water permeability of AM root cells. In parallel, the AM symbiosis increased stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, and related parameters, showing a higher photosynthetic capacity in these plants. This study demonstrates a better performance of AM root cells in water transport under water deficit, which is connected to the shoot physiological performance in terms of photosynthetic capacity.
Phytophthora oleae, a new root pathogen of wild olives
Authors: González M. , Pérez‐Sierra A. , Sánchez M. E.
Published: March 2019

Wild olive (Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris) is an important component of Mediterranean forests and a key genetic source for olive improvement programmes. Since 2009, a severe decline caused by Phytophthora cryptogea and P. megasperma has been detected in a protected wild olive forest of high ecological value (Dehesa de Abajo, Seville, Spain). In this natural forest, sampling of roots and soil was carried out on 25 wild olives with symptoms in 2014 and 2015. Apart from the already known P. cryptogea A1 and P. megasperma, a third Phytophthora species was consistently isolated from wild olive rootlets with symptoms. These isolates conformed morphologically with the newly described species P. oleae and were confirmed by analysis of their ITS regions and cox1 sequences. Temperature–growth relationships showed a maximum growth at 19.9 °C on carrot agar medium, making it the lowest temperature Phytophthora species infecting wild olive roots. Pathogenicity was confirmed on 1‐year‐old healthy wild olive seedlings and was similar to the previously known pathogenic phytophthoras. As temperature requirements are quite different, the three Phytophthora species may be active against wild olive roots in different seasons. However, the prevalence of P. oleae infecting wild olives in recent years could be due to its introduction as a new invasive pathogen. The probable invasive nature of P. oleae, together with increasing rain episodes concentrated in short periods frequent in southern Spain, would allow the outbreak of infections in wild olive forests, and also put cultivated olive orchards at risk.
Cerebral blood flow and Alzheimer's disease‐related biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Azuma Shingo , Kazui Hiroaki , Kanemoto Hideki , Suzuki Yukiko , Sato Shunsuke , Suehiro Takashi , Matsumoto Takuya , Yoshiyama Kenji , Kishima Haruhiko , Shimosegawa Eku , Tanaka Toshihisa , Ikeda Manabu
Published: March 2019

Aim

Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is highly prevalent in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), and the presence of AD pathology may involve regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). In this study, we examined the relationship between rCBF and AD‐related biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid of iNPH patients.

Methods

Patients with iNPH (n = 39) were classified into groups with (iNPH/AD+) (n=15) and without (iNPH/AD−) (n=24) high biomarker probability of AD (i.e. combined low amyloid β 42 and high total tau in the cerebrospinal fluid). rCBF was quantified in 17 regions of interest by N‐isopropyl‐p‐[123I]iodoamphetamine single‐photon emission computed tomography with the autoradiography method. We compared rCBF between the iNPH/AD− and iNPH/AD+ groups at baseline using a t‐test and then compared changes in rCBF after shunt surgery between the groups using a paired t‐test and two‐way repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

At baseline, there were no significant differences in rCBF between the groups in most regions apart from the putamen. After shunt surgery, a significant increase in rCBF in the putamen, amygdala, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus was observed in iNPH/AD− patients. In iNPH/AD+ patients, no significant improvement in rCBF was observed in any region. In repeated measures analysis of variance, a significant group × shunt interaction was observed in the parietal lobe, frontal lobe, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, lateral temporal lobe, amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and putamen.

Conclusions

Improvement in rCBF after shunt surgery in iNPH/AD+ patients may be poorer than that in iNPH AD− patients.
Conducting a Street‐Intercept Survey in an Authoritarian Regime: The Case of Myanmar*
Authors: Buschmann Andy
Published: March 2019

Objective

In this research note, I share my experiences conducting a street‐intercept survey in Yangon, Myanmar. The prestudy aimed to measure postmaterialism among Burmese using Roland Inglehart's four‐item measure. The article discusses the key features and advantages of the street‐intercept survey method in difficult sociopolitical environments, the design and implementation of the study, as well as the results of the survey. Moreover, the ethics one ought to consider in authoritarian regimes are emphasized.

Methods

Original data were collected via a street‐intercept survey in Yangon, Myanmar.

Results

The prestudy confirmed the feasibility and the advantages of the street‐intercept survey method in Myanmar. At the same time, in Myanmar, difficulties in the translation of Inglehart's items raise questions regarding the applicability of this particular measure.

Conclusion

This note will be useful for researchers intending to collect survey data in Myanmar and other authoritarian regimes.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Gibbs Nikki
Published: March 2019

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 2 Mahmoud Mohammed Sabra, Al Azhar University-Gaza, PalestineGeorge Theocharides, Cyprus International Institute of Management, CyprusRamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaIgor Matyushenko, School of Foreign Economic Relations and Touristic Business, UkraineSteven V. Cates, Purdue University-Global, USAMagdalena Zioło, University of Szczecin, PolandVictoria Cociug, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, MoldovaJolita Vveinhardt, Lithuanian Sports University, LithuaniaIan McFarlane, University of Reading, UKPatrycja Kowalczyk-Rolczynska, Wroclaw University of Economics, PolandGetamesay Bekele Meshesha, Debre Berhan University, EthiopiaNicolas Afflatet, University of the Federal Armed Forces, GermanyMarco Muscettola, Independent Researcher-Credit Risk Manager, ItalyY. Saidi, M’sila University, AlgeriaSorin Gabriel Anton, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi, RomaniaRichard Nguyen, Alliant International University, USASzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, GuatemalaAaron Morey, University of Melbourne, AustraliaFarhat Iqbal, University of Balochistan, Quetta – Pakistan. , PakistanHichem Maraghni, University of Taibah, TunisiaLuca Giordano, CONSOB, ItalyRomeo Victor Ionescu, Dunarea de Jos University, RomaniaSebastian Schich, Organisation for Economic Coopertaion and Development (OECD), FranceNuno Crespo, ISCTE-IUL, PortugalAndrey Kudryavtsev, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley Academic College, IsraelZi-Yi Guo, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., USAAsad K. Ghalib, Liverpool Hope University, UKPayal Chadha, University of Wales Prifysgol Cymru, KuwaitMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaOlena Sokolovska, Research Institute of Fiscal Policy, State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, UkraineHe Nie, Jinan University, ChinaIbrahim Baghdadi, Lebanese University, LebanonMamdouh Abdelmoula M. Abdelsalam, Minufiya University, EgyptDimitrios Koumparoulis, University of the People, USARajeev Rana, APB Govt. P.G. College, InidaZuzana Janko, San Francisco State University, USAKaveh Dalvand, University of Delaware, United States  Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Oscar William
Published: March 2019

International Journal of Contemporary Education (IJCE) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJCE publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 2, Number 1Alexandra Ingram, University of Tennessee, USAAurora Q. Pestano, University of San Jose Recoletos, PhilippinesBruna Gabriela Augusto Marçal Vieira, Universidade Estadual Paulista, BrazilCarme Pinya, University of Balearic Islands, SpainChan Chang Tik, Monash University Malaysia, MalaysiaDina Radeljas, Mohawk Valley Community College, USADorota Celinska, Roosevelt University, USAFederica Cornali, University of Turin, ItalyFroilan Delute Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippinesGiuseppe Maugeri, Ca' Foscari University, ItalyIonel Bondoc, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, RomaniaIosif Fragkoulis, Hellenic Open University, GreeceJavier Fombona, Univ. Oviedo, SpainMakrina Nina Zafiri, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GreeceMatthew Schatt, University of Florida, USAMurat Tezer, Near East University, CyprusNesrin Ozturk, Ege University, TurkeyNilgün Tosun, Trakya University, TurkeyNoelia Navarro Gómez, Universidad de Almería, SpainRaymond Aaron Younis, ACU Australia, AustraliaRochelle Ge, University of Saint Joseph, MacaoSandro Sehic, Oneida BOCES, USAVassiliki Pliogou, Metropolitan College of Thessaloniki, GreeceXiaojing Sun, Utrecht University, The NetherlandsWilliam OscarEditorial AssistantInternational Journal of Contemporary Education---------------------------------------------------------Redfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USATel: 1-503-828-0536 ext. 509Fax: 1-503-828-0537E-mail: ijce@redfame.comURL: http://ijce.redfame.com
Numerical Simulations of Heat and Mass Transfer Process of a Direct Evaporative Cooler From a Porous Layer
Authors: Sellami Karima , Feddaoui M'barek , Labsi Nabila , Najim Monssif , Benkahla Youb Khaled
Published: March 2019

This paper deals with the numerical study of the combined heat and mass exchanges in the process of direct evaporative cooler, from a porous media of laminar air flow between two parallel insulated walls. The numerical model implements momentum, energy, and mass conservation equations of humid air and water flow incorporating non-Darcian model in the porous region. The finite volume method is used for the mathematical model resolution, and the velocity–pressure coupling is treated with the SIMPLE algorithm. The main objective of this study is to examine the influences of ambient conditions and the porous medium properties (porosity and porous layer thickness) on the direct evaporative cooling performance from a porous layer. The major results of this study demonstrate that the porous evaporative wall could, in a satisfying manner, reduce the bulk air temperature. The better cooling performance can be achieved for lower air mass flow at the entrance and relative humidity. Additionally, the evaporative cooler is more effective for a high porosity and a thick porous medium, with an improvement achieving 23% for high porosity.
A Historical Misperception on Calculating the Average Convection Coefficient in Tubes With Constant Wall Heat Flux
Authors: Bennett Ted D.
Published: March 2019

The historical approach to averaging the convection coefficient in tubes of constant wall heat flux leads to quantitative errors in short tubes as high as 12.5% for convection into fully developed flows and 33.3% for convection into hydrodynamically developing flows. This mistake can be found in teaching texts and monographs on heat transfer, as well as in major handbooks. Using the correctly defined relationship between local and average convection coefficients, eight new correlations are presented for fully developed and developing flows in round tubes and between parallel plates for the constant wall heat flux condition. These new correlations are within 2% of exact solutions for fully developed flows and within 6% of first principle calculations for hydrodynamically developing flows.
Dry Generating Gear Grinding: Hierarchical Two-Step Finite Element Model for Process Optimization
Authors: Guerrini Giacomo , Lutey Adrian H. A. , Melkote Shreyes N. , Ascari Alessandro , Fortunato Alessandro
Published: March 2019

Recent developments in the automotive industry have led to more stringent requirements for transmission gear quality. This aspect, combined with a massive increase in the number of gears produced per year, has seen generating grinding become the finishing method of choice for mass production of gears. Due to the intrinsic nature of grinding, this process remains the only manufacturing phase that still requires the widespread use of lubricant. With the aim of improving the environmental sustainability of this process chain, recent attempts at performing dry grinding without lubricant have highlighted the critical aspect of thermal damage produced under these conditions. In the present work, a two-step finite element modeling approach is presented for predicting thermal damage during dry generating gear grinding. Grinding forces and thermal energy generated by the interaction of a single grain with the workpiece are first calculated based on real grain geometry acquired via computed tomography. Results of this single-grain model are then applied at a gear tooth level together with process kinematics to determine the temperature distribution during dry generating grinding. Single-grain and generating grinding tests are performed to verify the predicted onset of thermal damage and the ability to optimize process parameters using the proposed hierarchical modeling approach.
Measurement and Modeling of Heat Partitions and Temperature Fields in the Workpiece for Cutting Inconel 718, AISI 1045, Ti6Al4V, and AlMgSi0.5
Authors: Augspurger Thorsten , Bergs Thomas , Döbbeler Benjamin
Published: March 2019

The quantification of the heat flow distribution in the metal cutting process depending on the cut material and the process parameters is a research area with a long history. However, a quantification of the heat flow distribution between chip, tool, and workpiece is still a not fully solved problem and remains a necessary input value for the further modeling of temperature fields and subsequent tool wear and thermal induced surface alterations, which may impair the workpiece functionality. Thus, the following publication shows the results of orthogonal cutting in order to investigate the heat flow distribution between the chip and workpiece. Therefore, the heat partitions in the cutting process were calculated by a thermodynamic methodology. This methodology considers the temperature rise in the workpiece and the chip, measured by thermography and pyrometry, as the effect of the cutting work dissipated into sensible heat. Four metals, Inconel 718, AISI 1045, Ti6Al4V, and AlMgSi0.5, were cut at varying undeformed chip thicknesses and cutting velocities. By formulating a dimensionless number for the cutting process, the Péclet number, the thermal diffusivity was included as an evaluation criterion of heat partitioning between the chip and workpiece across material properties and process settings. In this way, the validity of the Péclet number as an evaluation criterion for heat partitions in cutting and as a valuable heuristic for process design was confirmed. Another goal was to extend the state of the art approach of empirical process analysis by orthogonal cuts with regard to specific cutting forces into the thermal domain in order to provide the basis for further temperature modeling in cutting processes. The usage of the empirical data basis was finally demonstrated for the analytical modeling of temperature fields in the workpiece during milling. Therefore, the specific heat inputs into the workpiece measured in the orthogonal cuts were transferred to the milling process kinematics in order to model the heat flow into the workpiece during milling. This heat flow was used as input for an existing analytical model in order to predict stationary temperature fields in the milling process for the two-dimensional case.
A Spatial Grammar Method for the Computational Design Synthesis of Virtual Soft Locomotion Robots
Authors: van Diepen Merel , Shea Kristina
Published: March 2019

Soft locomotion robots are intrinsically compliant and have a large number of degrees of freedom. They lack rigid components that provide them with higher flexibility, and they have no joints that need protection from liquids or dirt. However, the hand-design of soft robots is often a lengthy trail-and-error process. This work presents the computational design of virtual, soft locomotion robots using an approach that integrates simulation feedback. The computational approach consists of three stages: (1) generation, (2) evaluation through simulation, and (3) optimization. Here, designs are generated using a spatial grammar to explicitly guide the type of solutions generated and exclude infeasible designs. The soft material simulation method developed and integrated is stable and sufficiently fast for use in a highly iterative simulated annealing search process. The resulting virtual designs exhibit a large variety of expected and unexpected gaits, thus demonstrating the method capabilities. Finally, the optimization results and the spatial grammar are analyzed to understand and map the challenges of the problem and the search space.
Spatial Spectrum From Particle Image Velocimetry Data
Authors: Duda Daniel , Uruba Vaclav
Published: March 2019

We present a simple method of obtaining the turbulence kinetic energy spectrum from spatially resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) data without need of use of Taylor hypothesis of frozen turbulence. Additionally, this method allows us to extract the velocity field components related to individual length scales resolved in the spectrum. We convolute the measured PIV velocity field with a band-pass filter, i.e., a difference of two Gauss functions with different widths, and the energy content of a such product we relate to the relevant length-scale of the used band. This is a “kind of wavelet transformation”, which, in respect to Fourier transformation, gives a good physical meaning to individual components.
Investigation of ultrasonic backscatter using three-dimensional finite element simulations
Authors: Liu Yuan , Van Pamel Anton , Nagy Peter B. , Cawley Peter
Published: March 2019

Theoretical models are commonly used to describe ultrasonic backscattering in polycrystalline materials. However, although a full multiple scattering formalism has been derived, due to the difficulty in evaluation, currently only the single and double scattering effects have been evaluated. Three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) models have recently been demonstrated to be capable of predicting ultrasonic attenuation in polycrystalline materials and thereby show great potential in overcoming this limitation. In this paper, the application of 3D FE models is extended to the backscatter problem. First, longitudinal-to-longitudinal backscattering amplitudes from single grains are predicted, where the setup and configuration of the finite element (FE) model are verified with an isotropic spherical inclusion for which an exact solution is available. Subsequently, backscatter in terms of the root-mean-square noise levels in two different pulse-echo scenarios is investigated; the first is an idealised configuration with plane wave transmission and point reception; the second represents a more realistic finite-size transducer acting with the same apodization in both transmission and reception. Comparisons of FE predictions and approximate theoretical solutions within a range of validity show good agreement; however, the results demonstrate that 3D FE is useful where the simple Independent Scatterer models break down. As computing power increases, 3D FE is an increasingly viable tool to further the understanding of wave propagation in polycrystalline materials.
Escherichia coli
as a platform for the study of phosphoinositide biology
Authors: Botero Sergio , Chiaroni-Clarke Rachel , Simon Sanford M.
Published: March 2019

To test proposed functional roles for phosphoinositides, we engineered their biosynthetic machinery into
E. coli.
SIRT7-mediated ATM deacetylation is essential for its deactivation and DNA damage repair
Authors: Tang Ming , Li Zhiming , Zhang Chaohua , Lu Xiaopeng , Tu Bo , Cao Ziyang , Li Yinglu , Chen Yongcan , Jiang Lu , Wang Hui , Wang Lina , Wang Jiadong , Liu Baohua , Xu Xingzhi , Wang Haiying , Zhu Wei-Guo
Published: March 2019

SIRT7 plays a critical role in dissembling and deactivating ATM when DNA damage repair is completed.
Taiji: System-level identification of key transcription factors reveals transcriptional waves in mouse embryonic development
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Mengchi , Zhao Ying , Wang Wei
Published: March 2019

A novel method for identifying genes with global importance leads to the discovery of transcriptional waves during embryogenesis.
Real-time interactive simulations of large-scale systems on personal computers and cell phones: Toward patient-specific heart modeling and other applications
Authors: Kaboudian Abouzar , Cherry Elizabeth M. , Fenton Flavio H.
Published: March 2019

Supercomputer simulations of accurate cardiac electrophysiology are now possible in real time on desktops and even cell phones.
Hybrid nanocarriers incorporating mechanistically distinct drugs for lymphatic CD4
+
T cell activation and HIV-1 latency reversal
Authors: Cao Shijie , Slack Sarah D. , Levy Claire N. , Hughes Sean M. , Jiang Yonghou , Yogodzinski Christopher , Roychoudhury Pavitra , Jerome Keith R. , Schiffer Joshua T. , Hladik Florian , Woodrow Kim A.
Published: March 2019

Targeted nanocarriers deliver HIV-1 latency-reversing agents to CD4
+
T cells in the lymph nodes.
Respiratory infections drive hepcidin-mediated blockade of iron absorption leading to iron deficiency anemia in African children
Authors: Prentice Andrew M. , Bah Amat , Jallow Momodou W. , Jallow Amadou T. , Sanyang Saikou , Sise Ebrima A. , Ceesay Kabiru , Danso Ebrima , Armitage Andrew E. , Pasricha Sant-Rayn , Drakesmith Hal , Wathuo Miriam , Kessler Noah , Cerami Carla , Wegmüller Rita
Published: March 2019

Inflammation from respiratory infections contributes to iron deficiency anemia in children by blocking iron absorption.
AADS: Augmented autonomous driving simulation using data-driven algorithms
Authors: Li W. , Pan C. W. , Zhang R. , Ren J. P. , Ma Y. X. , Fang J. , Yan F. L. , Geng Q. C. , Huang X. Y. , Gong H. J. , Xu W. W. , Wang G. P. , Manocha D. , Yang R. G.
Published: March 2019

A scalable simulation system combines augmented images with synthesized traffic to enable training and testing of autonomous driving.
Prevention of cystic fibrosis: The beginning of the end?
Authors: Ferkol Thomas W.
Published: March 2019

Prenatal and postnatal treatment with a CFTR modifier attenuates pathological changes in a ferret model of cystic fibrosis (Sun
et al.
, this issue).
6-Hydroxypseudooxynicotine Dehydrogenase Delivers Electrons to Electron Transfer Flavoprotein during Nicotine Degradation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens S33
Authors: Wang Rongshui , Yi Jihong , Shang Jinmeng , Yu Wenjun , Li Zhifeng , Huang Haiyan , Xie Huijun , Wang Shuning
Published: March 2019

Nicotine has been studied as a model for toxic
N
-heterocyclic aromatic compounds. Microorganisms can catabolize nicotine via various pathways and conserve energy from its oxidation. Although several oxidoreductases have been characterized to participate in nicotine degradation, the electron transfer involved in these processes is poorly understood. In this study, we found that 6-hydroxypseudooxynicotine dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in the hybrid pyridine and pyrrolidine pathway for nicotine degradation in
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
S33, utilizes EtfAB as a physiological electron acceptor. Catalyzed by the membrane-associated electron transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, the electrons are transferred from the reduced EtfAB to coenzyme Q, which then could enter into the classic ETC. Thus, the route for electron transport from the substrate to O
2
could be constructed, by which ATP can be further sythesized via chemiosmosis to support the baterial growth. These findings provide new knowledge regarding the catabolism of
N
-heterocyclic aromatic compounds in microorganisms.
CRISPR-Cas Biology and Its Application to Infectious Diseases
Authors: Strich Jeffrey R. , Chertow Daniel S.
Published: March 2019

Infectious diseases remain a global threat contributing to excess morbidity and death annually, with the persistent potential for destabilizing pandemics. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, along with rapid diagnosis and treatment of human infections, is essential for improving infectious disease outcomes worldwide.
Phase II clinical trial testing the safety of a humanised monoclonal antibody anti-CD20 in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, ICFEr-RITU2: study protocol
Authors: Sánchez-Trujillo Luis , Jerjes-Sanchez Carlos , Rodriguez David , Panneflek Jathniel , Ortiz-Ledesma Claudia , Garcia-Rivas Gerardo , Torre-Amione Guillermo
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) treatment targets neurohormonal inhibition; however, our experimental observations and the recent clinical evidence in myocardial infarction and heart transplant patients support the anti-inflammatory pathway as a potential novel therapeutic target. Therefore, we aimed to assess the safety of human monoclonal antibody-CD20 (rituximab) in patients with HFrEF.

Methods and analysis

We designed this protocol according to the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials guidelines as a phase II, single-centred, single group and prospective clinical trial. We hypothesise that the use of a monoclonal antibody, rituximab, could be a potentially safe new agent in HFrEF management. We will include patients with EF≤40%, New York Heart Association functional class III/IV and unresponsive to standard treatment. We will use a dosing regimen (1000 mg) previously applied to post-transplant patients and patients with rheumatoid arthritis with favourable results, aiming to provide supplementary evidence of safety in patients with HFrEF. We designed strategies tailored to preserving the integrity of patient safety. The date of study initiation will be 29th of May 2019.

Ethics and dissemination

The following protocol was approved by IRB committees, and as a requirement, all patients need to sign an informed consent form before being subjected to any procedure prior to the initiation of the study. We are aware that the trial will be run in patients who due to their cardiovascular functional class, have reserved prognosis, with no known therapy that leads to improvement. Hence, this trial searches to establish the safety of an alternative strategy in ameliorating prognosis. Regardless of the study outcomes, whether favourable or not, they will be published. If a favourable outcome is evidenced, it will prompt performing a phase III, efficacy-based study.

Trial registration number

The trial was approved by the IRB (CONBIOÉTICA-19-CEI-011–20161017 and COFEPRIS-17-CI-19-039-003), and registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03332888; Pre-Results).
Cardiovascular regulation: associations between exercise and head-up tilt
Authors: Koschate J. , Drescher U. , Werner A. , Thieschäfer L. , Hoffmann U.
Published: March 2019

It was hypothesized that faster cardiorespiratory kinetics during exercise are associated with higher orthostatic tolerance. Cardiorespiratory kinetics of 14 healthy male subjects (30 ± 4 years, 179 ± 8 cm, 79 ± 8 kg) were tested on a cycle ergometer during exercise with changing work rates of 30 and 80 W. Pulmonary oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) was measured breath-by-breath and heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were measured beat-to-beat. Muscular oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) was estimated from HR and [Formula: see text]. Kinetic parameters were determined by time-series analysis, using cross-correlation functions (CCFmax(x)) between the parameter and the work rate. Cardiovascular regulations of MAP, HR, and TPR during orthostatic stress were measured beat-to-beat on a tilt seat. Changes between the minima and maxima during the 6° head-down tilt and the 90° head-up tilt positions were calculated for each parameter (Δtilt-up). [Formula: see text] correlated significantly with ΔTPRtilt-up (r = 0.790, p ≤ 0.001). CCFmax(HR) was significantly correlated with ΔHRtilt-up (r = –0.705, p = 0.002) and the amplitude in HR from 30 to 80 W (rSP = –0.574, p = 0.016). The observed correlations between cardiorespiratory regulation in response to exercise and orthostatic stress during rest might allow for a more differential analysis of the underlying mechanisms of orthostatic intolerance in, for example, patient groups.
Freezing dynamics of entanglement and nonlocality for qutrit-qutrit (3 ⊗ 3) quantum systems
Authors: Ali Mazhar
Published: March 2019

We examine the possibilities of nontrivial phenomena of time-invariant entanglement and freezing dynamics of entanglement for qutrit-qutrit quantum systems. We find no evidence for time-invariant entanglement, however, we do observe that certain quantum states freeze their entanglement after decaying for some time. It is interesting that quantum states are changing whereas their entanglement remains constant. We find that the combined action of decoherence free subspaces and subspaces where quantum states decay, facilitate this phenomenon. This study is an extension of similar phenomena observed for qubit-qubit systems, qubit-qutrit, and multipartite quantum systems. We examine nonlocality of a specific family of states and find the certain instances where the states still remain entangled, however, they can either loose their nonlocality at a finite time or remain nonlocal for all times.
Queueing behaviors at exit in cellular automaton model with S-queue
Authors: Zhou Di , Hu Jun , Gao Xiaoling , Li Zhongyu , Wei Juan , Li Mei , Zhang Bochuan , Hu Zhengbin
Published: March 2019

In order to effectively depict the queuing state of pedestrians at the exit of interior space, a new pedestrian evacuation model is proposed based on cellular automation and S-queue. This model firstly defines the calculation equation of the pedestrian movement probability based on the floor field and queue length, and derives the calculation equation of queue length according to the S-queue theory. Finally, pedestrians are organized for real evacuation in the interior space, and an experimental platform is constructed for simulation analysis according to the real environment, and the relationship between parameters, e.g., exit width, evacuation time, queue length, evacuation velocity and pedestrian density, etc. are studied in depth. The results show that the evacuation strategy that emphasizes the queuing effect helps to reduce the number of pedestrian in queue, especially when the crowd density is larger, such strategy can effectively reduce the evacuation time.
Localized states in symmetric three-layered structure consisting of linear layer between focusing media separated by interfaces with nonlinear response
Authors: Savotchenko S. E.
Published: March 2019

We analyze the localization in three-layered symmetric structure consisting of linear layer between focusing nonlinear media separated by nonlinear interfaces. The mathematical formulation of the model is a one-dimensional boundary value problem for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We find nonlinear localized states of two types of symmetry. We derive the energies of obtained stationary states in explicit form. We obtain the localization energies as exact solutions of dispersion equations choosing the amplitude of the interface oscillations as a free parameter. We analyze the conditions of their existence depending on the combination of signs of interface parameters.
Enhanced Curie temperature and magnetoelectric effect in BaTiO3-based piezoelectrics and NiFe2O4 composite thin films deposited via pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Dai Qingping , Guo Kaixin , Deng Chaoyong
Published: March 2019

Multiferroic [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] bilayer thin film epitaxially grown on (001)-[Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] substrate was prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Excellent ferroelectric, magnetoelectric properties and a higher Curie temperature were observed in the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] composite thin film compared with the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] composite thin film. In particular, the remnant and saturated polarizations of [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] are [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, and the maximum magnetoelectric coefficient can reach up to [Formula: see text], which are larger than those of the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] composite thin film (18.8, [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]).
The role of dissipation in macroscopic quantum tunneling and in near-field propagation
Authors: Ranfagni A. , Pazzi G. P. , Cacciari I.
Published: March 2019

A stochastic model, which demonstrated to be capable of determining dissipative effects in the microwave circuits loading superconducting devices, is found to be suitable also for analyzing near-field microwave propagation when the wave attenuation is interpreted as a dissipative effect. An alternative approach to the problem is offered by Feynman’s transition elements.
A continuous wavelet transform analysis of multiparticle emission data at SPS energies
Authors: Bhoumik Gopa , Deb Argha , Bhattacharyya Swarnapratim , Ghosh Dipak
Published: March 2019

Continuous wavelet transform approach has been applied to the pseudo-rapidity distribution of shower tracks produced in [Formula: see text]O–AgBr interactions at 60[Formula: see text]AGeV and [Formula: see text]S–AgBr interactions at 200[Formula: see text]AGeV. Multiscale analysis of wavelet pseudo-rapidity spectra has been performed in order to find out the overabundance of produced tracks at some preferred pseudo-rapidity values, i.e., production of particle clusters. Presence of ring-like correlation is not confirmed from the analysis in pseudo-rapidity space only. The clusterization effect may be attributed to the presence of Bose–Einstein correlation among the produced tracks. Comparison of experimental results with that obtained from analyzing events generated by FRITIOF and UrQMD codes is not reproduced.
Small Gröbner fans of ideals of points
Authors: Dimitrova Elena , He Qijun , Robbiano Lorenzo , Stigler Brandilyn
Published: March 2019

In the context of modeling biological systems, it is of interest to generate ideals of points with a unique reduced Gröbner basis, and the first main goal of this paper is to identify classes of ideals in polynomial rings which share this property. Moreover, we provide methodologies for constructing such ideals. We then relax the condition of uniqueness. The second and most relevant topic discussed here is to consider and identify pairs of ideals with the same number of reduced Gröbner bases, that is, with the same cardinality of their associated Gröbner fan.
Trapping Charge Carriers in Low-Dimensional Dirac Materials
Authors: Downing C. A. , Portnoi M. E.
Published: March 2019

We consider the problem of confining the famously elusive Dirac-like quasiparticles, as found in some recently discovered low-dimensional systems. After briefly surveying the existing theoretical proposals for creating bound states in Dirac materials, we study relativistic excitations with a position-dependent mass term. With the aid of an exactly-solvable model, we show how bound states begin to emerge after a critical condition on the size of the mass term is met. We also reveal some exotic properties of the unusual confinement discovered, including an elegant chevron structure of the bound state energies as a function of the size of the mass.
Luminescence of Gold Nanorod-Quantum Dots Complexes
Authors: Trotsiuk L. L. , Muravitskaya A. O. , Kulakovich O. S. , Gaponenko S. V. , Demir H. V.
Published: March 2019

The photoluminescence of gold nanorod-quantum dots complexes was investigated in order to find optimal conditions for the luminescence enhancing. The number of quantum dots and polyelectrolyte layers on the gold nanorod surface in these complexes were considered as main factors in the enhancement.
Spin Properties of Germanium-Vacancy Centers in Bulk and Near-Surface Regions of Diamond
Authors: Pushkarchuk V. A. , Kuten S. A. , Nizovtsev A. P. , Kilin S. Ya
Published: March 2019

Germanium-vacancy (GeV) centers are now studied extensively due to perspectives of their applications in quantum information processing, nanometrology and nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging. One of the important requirements for these applications is a detailed understanding of the hyperfine interactions in such systems. Quantum chemistry simulation of the negatively charged GeV− color center in diamond is the primary goal of this paper in which we present preliminary results of computer simulation of the bulk H-terminated cluster C[Formula: see text][GeV−]H[Formula: see text], as well as of the surface cluster C[Formula: see text][GeV−]H[Formula: see text]_(100)_H[Formula: see text] having one dangling bond at (1 0 0) surface using the DFT/PW91/RI/def2-SVP level of theory.
Spin-Dependent Electronic Transport in IrMn–Co/Pd Multilayered Systems
Authors: Wu W.-B. , Kasiuk J. , Fedotova J. , Nguyen T. N. Anh , Trinh T. H. Thuy , Do K. Tung , Vu D. Lam , Przewoźnik J. , Kapusta C. , Kupreeva O.
Published: March 2019

Relation between magnetoresistance and magnetization reversal in thin multilayered IrMn–Co/Pd films deposited both on planar and nanoporous substrates is in focus of the present work. Magnetic anisotropy, exchange coupling and mechanisms of magnetic resistivity are discussed.