bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cold Water Detergency of Triacylglycerol Semisolid Soils: The Effect of Salinity, Alcohol Type, and Surfactant Systems
Authors: Phaodee Parichat , Attaphong Chodchanok , Sabatini David A.
Published: November 2018

Cold water detergency of triacylglycerol semisolid soils is much more challenging than liquid vegetable oils due to poorer interaction between surfactants and semisolid soil. This research seeks to improve the removal efficiency of semisolid soils below their melting points using surfactant‐based formulations containing different alcohol additives. To this end, cold water detergency of solid coconut oil and solid palm kernel oil was investigated in various surfactant/alcohol systems, including single anionic extended surfactants, single nonionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and a mixture of anionic surfactants. A series of alcohols (2‐butanol, 1‐hexanol, 1‐heptanol, 1‐octanol, 1‐nonanol, and 1‐decanol) were added to the surfactant formulations to investigate cold water detergency improvement. While cold water detergency using surfactants alone was poor, it was considerably improved when optimum salinity (S*) and 1‐heptanol, 1‐octanol, or 1‐nonanol were introduced to the studied surfactant formulations. The maximum detergency of solid coconut oil exceeded 90% removal in the 0.1 w/v% C14‐15‐8PO‐SO4Na/0.2 w/v% 1‐octanol/4 w/v% NaCl system (a final optimized surfactant system) at a washing temperature of 10°C versus 22.9 ± 2.2% in the surfactant alone (not at optimum salinity and no additive). Further analysis showed that improved cold water detergency using surfactant/intermediate‐chain alcohols/NaCl could be correlated with high wettability (low contact angle) as well as favorable surfactant system‐soil interaction as observed by lower interfacial tension values. In contrast, the improved cold water detergency was observed to be independent of dispersion stability. This work thus demonstrates that surfactant system design, including additives, can improve cold water detergency of semisolid soils and should be further explored in future research.
Anle138b modulates α‐synuclein oligomerization and prevents motor decline and neurodegeneration in a mouse model of multiple system atrophy
Authors: Heras‐Garvin Antonio , Weckbecker Daniel , Ryazanov Sergey , Leonov Andrei , Griesinger Christian , Giese Armin , Wenning Gregor K. , Stefanova Nadia
Published: November 2018

Background

MSA is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by autonomic failure and severe motor impairment. Its main pathological hallmark is the accumulation of α‐synuclein in oligodendrocytes, leading to glial and neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. These features are recapitulated in the PLP‐hαSyn mouse model expressing human α‐synuclein in oligodendrocytes. At present, there is no effective disease‐modifying therapy. Previous experiments have shown that the aggregation inhibitor, anle138b, reduces neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits in mouse models of other proteinopathies.

Objectives

To test the therapeutic potential of anle138b in a mouse model of MSA.

Methods

Two‐month‐old PLP‐hαSyn mice were fed over a period of 4 months with pellets containing anle138b at two different doses (0.6 and 2 g/kg) and compared to healthy controls and PLP‐hαSyn mice fed with placebo pellets. At the end of the treatment, behavioral and histological analyses were performed.

Results

We observed a reversal of motor function to healthy control levels when PLP‐hαSyn mice were treated with both doses of anle138b. Histological and molecular analyses showed a significant reduction in α‐synuclein oligomers and glial cytoplasmic inclusions in animals fed with anle138b compared to nontreated mice. These animals also present preservation of dopaminergic neurons and reduction in microglial activation in SN correlating with the α‐synuclein reduction observed.

Conclusions

Anle138b reduces α‐synuclein accumulation in PLP‐hαSyn mice, leading to neuroprotection, reduction of microglial activation, and preservation of motor function supporting the use of anle138b in a future clinical trial for MSA. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Hunting for the high‐affinity state of G‐protein‐coupled receptors with agonist tracers: Theoretical and practical considerations for positron emission tomography imaging
Authors: Shalgunov Vladimir , van Waarde Aren , Booij Jan , Michel Martin C. , Dierckx Rudi A. J. O. , Elsinga Philip H.
Published: November 2018

The concept of the high‐affinity state postulates that a certain subset of G‐protein‐coupled receptors is primarily responsible for receptor signaling in the living brain. Assessing the abundance of this subset is thus potentially highly relevant for studies concerning the responses of neurotransmission to pharmacological or physiological stimuli and the dysregulation of neurotransmission in neurological or psychiatric disorders. The high‐affinity state is preferentially recognized by agonists in vitro. For this reason, agonist tracers have been developed as tools for the noninvasive imaging of the high‐affinity state with positron emission tomography (PET). This review provides an overview of agonist tracers that have been developed for PET imaging of the brain, and the experimental paradigms that have been developed for the estimation of the relative abundance of receptors configured in the high‐affinity state. Agonist tracers appear to be more sensitive to endogenous neurotransmitter challenge than antagonists, as was originally expected. However, other expectations regarding agonist tracers have not been fulfilled. Potential reasons for difficulties in detecting the high‐affinity state in vivo are discussed.
On the finite element approximation of elliptic QVIs with noncoercive operators
Authors: Boulbrachene Messaoud
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we extend the approach developed by the author for the standard finite element method in the L∞‐norm of the noncoercive variational inequalities (VI) (Numer Funct Anal Optim.2015;36:1107‐1121.) to impulse control quasi‐variational inequality (QVI). We derive the optimal error estimate, combining the so‐called Bensoussan‐Lions Algorithm and the concept of subsolutions for VIs.
Nonexistence of nontrivial global solutions for nonlocal in time differential inequalities
Authors: Alqahtani Awatif , Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem
Published: November 2018

In this paper, some nonlocal in time differential inequalities of Sobolev type are considered. Using the nonlinear capacity method, sufficient conditions for the nonexistence of nontrivial global classical solutions are provided.
Mental disorder comorbidity and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys International College Student initiative
Authors: Auerbach Randy P. , Mortier Philippe , Bruffaerts Ronny , Alonso Jordi , Benjet Corina , Cuijpers Pim , Demyttenaere Koen , Ebert David D. , Green Jennifer Greif , Hasking Penelope , Lee Sue , Lochner Christine , McLafferty Margaret , Nock Matthew K. , Petukhova Maria V. , Pinder‐Amaker Stephanie , Rosellini Anthony J. , Sampson Nancy A. , Vilagut Gemma , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Kessler Ronald C. ,   on behalf of the WHO WMH‐ICS Collaborators
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Comorbidity is a common feature of mental disorders. However, needs assessment surveys focus largely on individual disorders rather than on comorbidity even though the latter is more important for predicting suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In the current report, we take a step beyond this conventional approach by presenting data on the prevalence and correlates (sociodemographic factors, college‐related factors, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors) of the main multivariate profiles of common comorbid Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)‐IV disorders among students participating in the first phase of the World Health Organization World Mental Health International College Student initiative.

Method

A web‐based mental health survey was administered to first year students in 19 colleges across eight countries (Australia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Spain, United States; 45.5% pooled response rate) to screen for seven common DSM‐IV mental disorders: major depression, mania/hypomania, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, alcohol use disorder, and drug use disorder. We focus on the 14,348 respondents who provided complete data; 38.4% screened positive for at least one 12‐month disorder.

Results

Multivariate disorder profiles were detected using latent class analysis (LCA). The least common class (C1; 1.9% of students) was made up of students with high comorbidity (four or more disorders, the majority including mania/hypomania). The remaining 12‐month cases had profiles of internalizing–externalizing comorbidity (C2; 5.8%), internalizing comorbidity (C3; 14.6%), and pure disorders (C4; 16.1%). The 1.9% of students in C1 had much higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors than other students. Specifically, 15.4% of students in C1 made a suicide attempt in the 12 months before the survey compared with 1.3–2.6% of students with disorders in C2–4, 0.2% of students with lifetime disorders but no 12‐month disorders (C5), and 0.1% of students with no lifetime disorders (C6).

Conclusions

In line with prior research, comorbid mental disorders were common; however, sociodemographic correlates of LCA profiles were modest. The high level of comorbidity underscores the need to develop and test transdiagnostic approaches for treatment in college students.
Noninvasive quantification of oxygen saturation in the portal and hepatic veins in healthy mice and those with colorectal liver metastases using QSM MRI
Authors: Finnerty Eoin , Ramasawmy Rajiv , O’Callaghan James , Connell John J. , Lythgoe Mark , Shmueli Karin , Thomas David L. , Walker‐Samuel Simon
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This preclinical study investigated the use of QSM MRI to noninvasively measure venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) in the hepatic and portal veins.

Methods

QSM data were acquired from a cohort of healthy mice (n = 10) on a 9.4 Tesla MRI scanner under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. Susceptibility was measured in the portal and hepatic veins and used to calculate SvO2 in each vessel under each condition. Blood was extracted from the inferior vena cava of 3 of the mice under each condition, and SvO2 was measured with a blood gas analyzer for comparison. QSM data were also acquired from a cohort of mice bearing liver tumors under normoxic conditions. Susceptibility was measured, and SvO2 calculated in the portal and hepatic veins and compared to the healthy mice. Statistical significance was assessed using a Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test (normoxic vs. hyperoxic) or a Mann‐Whitney test (healthy vs. tumor bearing).

Results

SvO2 calculated from QSM measurements in healthy mice under hyperoxia showed significant increases of 15% in the portal vein (P < 0.05) and 21% in the hepatic vein (P < 0.01) versus normoxia. These values agreed with inferior vena cava measurements from the blood gas analyzer (26% increase). SvO2 in the hepatic vein was significantly lower in the colorectal liver metastases cohort (30% ± 11%) than the healthy mice (53% ± 17%) (P < 0.05); differences in the portal vein were not significant.

Conclusion

QSM is a feasible tool for noninvasively measuring SvO2 in the liver and can detect differences due to increased oxygen consumption in livers bearing colorectal metastases.
Demographics and anthropometrics impact benefits of health intervention: data from the Reduce Obesity and Diabetes Project
Authors: Ostrowski L. , Speiser P. W. , Accacha S. , Altshuler L. , Fennoy I. , Lowell B. , Rapaport R. , Rosenfeld W. , Shelov S. P. , Ten S. , Rosenbaum M. ,   the ROAD Group
Published: November 2018

Objective

To determine the efficacy of a 4‐month school‐based health, nutrition and exercise intervention on body fatness and examine possible effects of demographic and anthropometric covariates.

Methods

Height, weight, waist circumference and body composition were measured in a diverse population of 644 NYC middle school students (mean ± SD age 12.7 ± 0.9 years; 46% male; 38% Hispanic, 17% East Asian, 15% South Asian, 13.5% African American, 8.5% Caucasian, 8% other) during the fall and spring semesters. Year 1 participants (n = 322) were controls. Experimental participants (year 2, n = 469) received a 12‐session classroom‐based health and nutrition educational programme with an optional exercise intervention.

Results

Groups were demographically and anthropometrically similar. The intervention resulted in significant reductions in indices of adiposity (ΔBMI z‐scores [−0.035 ± 0.014; p = 0.01], Δ% body fat [−0.5 ± 0.2; p < 0.0001] and Δwaist circumference [−0.73 ± 0.30 cm; p < 0.0001]). Intervention effects were greater (p = 0.01) in men (ΔBMI z‐score = −0.052 ± 0.015) versus women (0.022 ± 0.018), participants who were obese (ΔBMI z‐score −0.083 ± 0.022 kg m−2) versus lean (−0.0097 ± 0.020 kg m−2) and South Asians (Δ% body fat −1.03 ± 0.35) versus total (−0.49 ± 0.20%) participants (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

A 4‐month school‐based health intervention was effective in decreasing measures of adiposity in middle school students, particularly in men, participants who were obese and South Asians.
Immigration Enforcement and Children's Living Arrangements
Authors: Amuedo‐Dorantes Catalina , Arenas‐Arroyo Esther
Published: November 2018

Tougher immigration enforcement was responsible for 1.8 million deportations between 2009 and 2013 alone—many of them were fathers of American children. We exploit the geographic and temporal variation in the escalation of interior immigration enforcement to assess its impact on the structure of families to which many of the deported fathers of U.S.‐born children belonged. We find that the average increase in immigration enforcement during the 2005 to 2015 period has raised by 19 percent the likelihood that Hispanic U.S.‐born children might live without their parents in households headed by naturalized relatives or friends unthreatened by deportation. Likewise, the same increase in immigration enforcement has raised by 20 percent these children's propensity to live with likely undocumented mothers who report their spouses as being absent—a reasonable finding given that most children with a likely undocumented father have undocumented mothers. Given the negative consequences of being raised by a single parent or without parents, plus the parallel increase in interior immigration enforcement, gaining a better understanding of the collateral damage of heightened enforcement on the families to which these children belong is well warranted.
Shallow ground temperature measurements on the highest volcano on Earth, Mt. Ojos del Salado, Arid Andes, Chile
Authors: Nagy Balázs , Ignéczi Ádám , Kovács József , Szalai Zoltán , Mari László
Published: November 2018

Mt. Ojos del Salado (6893 m a.s.l.) lies within the Andean Arid Diagonal, on the Chilean–Argentinean border. Due to the extremely arid climate, surface ice is not widespread on Mt. Ojos del Salado and at similar high‐altitude massifs in the region, although ice‐bearing permafrost might be present. However, the thermal regime of the ground is relatively unknown in the region, especially outside of rock glaciers at high elevations north of 30°S. To study ground thermal regimes, in‐situ shallow ground temperature and snow coverage from satellite imagery have been surveyed for four years (2012–2016) at six sites between the elevations of 4200–6893 m a.s.l. on Mt. Ojos del Salado (27°07′S, 68°32′W). According to the ground temperature and snow coverage data at the six monitoring sites, the presence of permafrost is unlikely below 4550 m a.s.l. but likely above 5250 m a.s.l. on Mt. Ojos del Salado. In addition, the active layer becomes extremely thin around 6750 m a.s.l.
Death due to sepsis in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer
Authors: Alanee Shaheen , Holland Bradley , Clemons Joseph , Dynda Danuta
Published: November 2018

Background

To examine the prevalence and determinants of death due to sepsis in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (Pca).

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 910 986 patients diagnosed with Pca between 1992 and 2010 identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Prevalence of death due to sepsis after diagnosis was determined. Trends in incidence‐based mortality rate (IBMR) due to sepsis were compared with those of patients diagnosed with other common cancers. Competing risk analysis was utilized to examine the determinants of the endpoint of sepsis‐specific death (SSD) in Pca patients.

Results

Of the Pca patients examined, 2593 died because of sepsis. Sepsis‐related IBMR in Pca patients increased by 19‐folds from 0.62/1000 000 in 1992–12.26/1000 000 in 2010. Compared with other selected cancers, patients with Pca had the highest IBMR due to sepsis post‐cancer diagnosis, and the highest annual percentage change in IBMR due to sepsis (average annual percentage change, 13.1%; 95%CI, 9.4–16.9%). Age, race, education, marital status, and definitive therapy were all significant predictors of death due to sepsis after Pca diagnosis (all P values < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients diagnosed with Pca are at increased risk of dying from sepsis, and the sepsis‐related IBMR in these patients is increasing over time. There are significant disparities in the outcome of sepsis among Pca patients that require further research.
Regulation of faecal biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with oral mastiha (Pistacia lentiscus) supplement: A double‐blind and placebo‐controlled randomised trial
Authors: Papada Efstathia , Gioxari Aristea , Amerikanou Charalampia , Forbes Alastair , Tzavara Chara , Smyrnioudis Ilias , Kaliora Andriana C.
Published: November 2018

There is a keen research upon the effects of nutraceuticals on inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of mastiha supplement, rich in bioactive nutraceuticals, in active inflammatory bowel disease. This is a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Α total of 60 inflammatory bowel disease patients were enrolled and randomly allocated to mastiha (2.8 g/day) or placebo groups for 3 months adjunct to stable medical treatment. Medical and dietary history, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), Harvey‐Bradshaw index, partial Mayo score, biochemical indices, faecal, and blood inflammatory markers were assessed. A clinically important difference between groups in IBDQ was defined as primary outcome. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire score significantly improved in verum compared with baseline (p = 0.004). There was a significant decrease in faecal lysozyme in mastiha patients (p = 0.018) with the mean change being significant (p = 0.021), and significant increases of faecal lactoferrin (p = 0.001) and calprotectin (p = 0.029) in the placebo group. Fibrinogen reduced significantly (p = 0.006) with a significant mean change (p = 0.018), whereas iron increased (p = 0.032) in mastiha arm. Our results show regulation of faecal lysozyme by mastiha supplement adjunctive to pharmacological treatments in active inflammatory bowel disease. An effect secondary to a prebiotic potency is proposed.
The combined treatment of brassinin and imatinib synergistically downregulated the expression of MMP‐9 in SW480 colon cancer cells
Authors: Bakar‐Ates Filiz , Ozkan Erva
Published: November 2018

In cancer treatment, which is a major cause of mortality today, combination studies with clinically used chemotherapeutics are becoming increasingly important as much as investigating the effects of novel natural compounds. In this context, phytoalexins constitute an important group due to their unique structure. Brassinin is an essential indole phytoalexin and is a biosynthetic precursor for other phytoalexins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effects of brassinin in combination with imatinib in SW480 cells. In the study, it was observed that brassinin–imatinib combination significantly increased cytotoxicity compared with the single treatment of both compounds and inhibited cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. Annexin V binding and fluorescence imaging assays showed that the combination of brasinin–imatinib induces apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, the effect of brassinin on the activity of MMP‐9 in SW480 cells was evaluated for the first time, and it was detected that MMP‐9 activity was significantly reduced. The combination of brassinin–imatinib was found to inhibit MMP‐9 activity as well as relative MMP‐9 gene expression on a higher level compared with control and compounds alone. Our findings have revealed that the combination of brassinin–imatinib synergistically induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in SW480 cells. The findings on MMP‐9 downregulation have also revealed the anti‐metastatic potential of treatment.
The practical implementation of Löwdin's method for spin projection
Authors: Pons Viver Miquel
Published: November 2018

Based on Löwdin's projector for recovering the symmetry of an Unrestricted Hartree‐Fock Slater determinant, a robust and efficient method, which simplifies the multi‐determinantal character of the original expansion, is deduced. It has a direct application as a Projection after Variation scheme, providing the exact expected values of spin‐projected operators in polynomial time. In the presented approach the (exactly) projected Hamiltonian admits a simple explicit expression when it is written in the “Corresponding Orbitals” basis. This simplicity makes possible to optimize the projected determinant, Variation after Projection, by a direct minimization of the projected energy. Recent successful results obtained from the combination of a projected symmetry broken Slater determinant and post Hartree‐Fock methods has strengthen the attention on Projective Methods. In order to achieve a simple application of the reported formalism to the Interaction Configuration method (CI), a new rotation of the CI basis has been proposed and justified.
In situ determination of trace elements in melt inclusions using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Le , Ren Zhong‐Yuan , Xia Xiao‐Ping , Yang Qing , Hong Lu‐Bing , Wu Dan
Published: November 2018

Rationale

In situ trace element analysis of melt inclusions by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) provides important geochemistry information. However, the precision and accuracy of this technique are affected by many factors, such as matrix effect, laser conditions, and calibration method. In addition, many previous LA‐ICP‐MS studies ablated entire melt inclusions along with their host minerals and obtained trace element composition by deconvoluting the mixed ablation signal, which may induce much uncertainty.

Methods

A 193 nm ArF laser ablation system combined with inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP‐SF‐MS) was used to investigate matrix effect, laser conditions, choice of external calibration standards, and data reduction strategy for in situ analysis of 36 major and trace elements in six common silicate reference glasses. The validity of the protocol presented here was demonstrated by measuring trace elements in olivine‐hosted melt inclusions. Instead of ablating entire melt inclusions along with their host minerals, melt inclusions were polished to the surface to avoid laser ablating the mineral host.

Results

The calibration lines calculated from the calibration standards should cross the coordinate origin, especially for low‐concentration elements (<10 ppm). As the laser crater size increased from 17 to 33 μm, the precision was improved from <20% to <8% (2RSD), and accuracy was improved from ±20% to better than ±10%. Most measured trace elements in Dali melt inclusions are consistent with those in their host rocks. For mobile elements (Ba, Sr, Pb), melt inclusions display much smaller variations than their host rocks.

Conclusions

A simple but accurate approach for in situ analysis of trace elements in melt inclusions by LA‐ICP‐SF‐MS has been established, which should greatly facilitate the wider application of in situ trace element geochemistry to melt inclusion studies.
Bessel summation inequalities for stability analysis of discrete‐time systems with time‐varying delays
Authors: Lee Seok Young , Park JunMin , Park PooGyeon
Published: November 2018

This paper is concerned with the stability analysis problems of discrete‐time systems with time‐varying delays using summation inequalities. In the literature focusing on the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii approach, the Jensen integral/summation inequalities have played important roles to develop less conservative stability criteria and thus have been widely studied. Recently, the Jensen integral inequality was successfully generalized to the Bessel‐Legendre inequalities constructed with arbitrary‐order Legendre polynomials. It was also shown that general inequality contributes to the less conservatism of stability criteria. In the case of discrete‐time systems, however, the Jensen summation inequality are hardly extensible to general ones since there have still not been general discrete orthogonal polynomials applicable to the developments of summation inequalities. Motivated by such observations, this paper proposes novel discrete orthogonal polynomials and then successfully derives general summation inequalities. The resulting summation inequalities are discrete‐time counterparts of the Bessel‐Legendre inequalities but are not based on the discrete Legendre polynomials. By developing hierarchical stability criteria based on the proposed summation inequalities, the effectiveness of the proposed approaches is demonstrated via three numerical examples for the stability analysis of discrete‐time systems with time‐varying delays.
Finite‐time adaptive robust control of nonlinear time‐delay uncertain systems with disturbance
Authors: Yang Renming , Zang Faye , Sun Liying , Zhou Pei , Zhang Binghua
Published: November 2018

This paper investigates finite‐time adaptive robust control problem for a general class of nonlinear time‐delay systems with uncertain and external disturbance via the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii (L‐K) method and presents some delay‐independent and delay‐dependent results on the issue. First, by applying the orthogonal decomposition method, this paper presents an equivalent form. Based on which, we study the finite‐time adaptive robust control problem for the systems by constructing a specific L‐K functional and designing a suitable controller. Different from existing works, this paper studies finite‐time adaptive robust control problem for general nonlinear delay system and presents a delay‐dependent sufficient condition on the problem. Finally, an illustrative example is given to show the effectiveness of the result in this paper.
A note on compatibility for inference with missing data in the presence of auxiliary covariates
Authors: Daniels Michael J. , Luo Xuan
Published: November 2018

Imputation and inference (or analysis) models that cannot be true simultaneously are frequently used in practice when missing outcomes are present. In these situations, the conclusions can be misleading depending on how “different” the implicit inference model, induced by the imputation model, is from the inference model actually used. We introduce model‐based compatibility (MBC) and compare two MBC approaches to a non‐MBC approach and explore the inferential validity of the latter in a simple case. In addition, we evaluate more complex cases through a series of simulation studies. Overall, we recommend caution when making inferences using a non‐MBC analysis and point out when the inferential “cost” is the largest.
On the efficiency of adaptive sample size design
Authors: Cui Lu , Zhang Lanju
Published: November 2018

Adaptive sample size designs, including group sequential designs, have been used as alternatives to fixed sample size designs to achieve more robust statistical power and better trial efficiency. This work investigates the efficiency of adaptive sample size designs as compared to group sequential designs. We show that given a group sequential design, a uniformly more efficient adaptive sample size design based on the same maximum sample size and rejection boundary can be constructed. While maintaining stable statistical power at the required level, the expected sample size of the obtained adaptive sample size design is uniformly smaller than that of the group sequential design with respect to a range of the true treatment difference. The finding provides further insights into the efficiency of adaptive sample size designs and challenges the popular belief of better efficiency associated with group sequential designs. Good adaptive performance plus easy implementation and other desirable operational features make adaptive sample size designs more attractive and applicable to modern clinical trials.
Design, Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Spiro [cyclohexane‐1,1′‐indene]‐2,5‐diene Analogues
Authors: Venkata Sivarami Reddy Gangireddy , Narkhede Umesh C. , Jadhav Vinod. D , Gangu Naidu , Bobde Yamini , Ghosh Balaram
Published: November 2018

A series of spirocyclohexaneindene‐2,5‐diene derivatives were synthesized from Spiro‐Acid 5 which in turn was prepared from the easily accessible starting materials. The structure of spiro‐ester 4 was thoroughly further confirmed by 2D NMR analysis. The synthesized compounds were screened for anticancer activity using murine melanoma cell line (B16F10), human breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7) and human non‐small cell lung carcinoma cell lines (A549). Among them 7 f (tri fluorobenzene) and 7 g (di fluorobenzene) analogues were the most active compounds in all three cell lines in the series.
In situ synthesis of V2O3 nanorods anchored on reduced graphene oxide as high‐performance lithium ion battery anode
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Zhang Dan , Li Guangshe , Xue Chenglin , Ding Junfang , Li Baoyun , Chen Dandan , Li Liping
Published: November 2018

The potential applications of V2O3 in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are significantly hampered by the comparatively poor rate performance as well as fast capacity decay due to the low electrical conductivity and huge volume change during cycling process. Various strategies have been proposed to address these drawbacks. Among different methods, reducing their particle size to the nanometer range and combining with carbonaceous matrix seem to be effective ways to improve electrochemical property. Herein, we prepared V2O3 nanorods in‐situ adhered to rGO via hydrothermal reaction and heat‐treatment. One dimensional V2O3 nanorods combined with rGO can effectively shorten Li+ ions and electrons transport path, improve electrical conductivity and alleviate volume change. The strong chemical interaction between them would remarkably accelerate charge transfer. These features endow V2O3/rGO composite with good cycling stability (675 mA h g−1 after 300 cycles at 500 mA g−1) and excellent rate performance (428 mA g h−1 at 2000 mA g−1). New prospects will be brought by this work for the potential application of V2O3 based material as advanced anode material for LIBs.
Recent Advances in Stretchable Supercapacitors Enabled by Low‐Dimensional Nanomaterials
Authors: Cao Changyong , Chu Yihang , Zhou Yihao , Zhang Chi , Qu Shaoxing
Published: November 2018

Supercapacitors (SCs) have shown great potential for mobile energy storage technology owing to their long‐term durability, electrochemical stability, structural simplicity, as well as exceptional power density without much compromise in the energy density and cycle life parameters. As a result, stretchable SC devices have been incorporated in a variety of emerging electronics applications ranging from wearable electronic textiles to microrobots to integrated energy systems. In this review, the recent progress and achievements in the field of stretchable SCs enabled by low‐dimensional nanomaterials such as polypyrrole, carbon nanotubes, and graphene are presented. First, the three major categories of stretchable supercapacitors are discussed: double‐layer supercapacitors, pseudo‐supercapacitors, and hybrid supercapacitors. Then, the representative progress in developing stretchable electrodes with low‐dimensional (0D, 1D, and 2D) nanomaterials is described. Next, the design strategies enabling the stretchability of the devices, including the wavy‐shape design, wire‐shape design, textile‐shape design, kirigami‐shape design, origami‐shape design, and serpentine bridge‐island design are emphasized, with the aim of improving the electrochemical performance under the complex stretchability conditions that may be encountered in practical applications. Finally, the newest developments, major challenges, and outlook in the field of stretchable SC development and manufacturing are discussed.
Modification of Carbon Nanotubes via Birch Reaction for Enhanced HER Catalyst by Constructing Pearl Necklace‐Like NiCo2P2–CNT Composite
Authors: Gao Saisai , Zhang Yin , Zhang Yanjun , Wang Bin , Yang Shengchun
Published: November 2018

Combining transition metal phosphides (TMPs) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a promising and proven approach to enhance their performance in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), due to the excellent conductivity and stability of CNTs. Generally, the deep oxidation of CNTs to form oxygen‐containing groups on their surface is indispensable before combining them with TMPs. However, such approaches inevitably introduce a large number of defects to CNTs and apparently decrease their stability and electrical conductivity. Hence, fabricating TMP–CNT composites which does not come at the expense of CNTs' high electrical conductivity is quite desirable. In this work, alkylated CNTs (named as ACNT) functionalized via the Birch reaction are used to prepare the pearl necklace‐like NiCo2P2–ACNT composites for electrocatalysts toward HER in acidic and alkaline conditions, respectively. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy characterizations indicate that the ACNTs are well modified with functional groups and keep their structural integrity, thereby maximizing their excellent conductivity. Compared to bare NiCo2P2 and the NiCo2P2–CNT composites prepared with mildly oxidized CNTs and deeply oxidized CNTs, the NiCo2P2–ACNTs show far better HER performance and much faster kinetics.
Rapid formation of polymer frits in fused silica capillaries using spatially defined thermal free‐radical initiated polymerization
Authors: Sandy Kendall E. , Condarcure Angelina M. , Sutton Corey T. , Baker Christopher A. , Gallagher Elyssia S. , Bright Leonard K. , Aspinwall Craig A.
Published: November 2018

Column preparation in capillary chromatography commonly relies upon the generation of on‐column porous frits. Here, we report a simple, robust and low‐cost approach for preparing polymer frits on‐column, in a rapid and spatially controlled manner using thermal free‐radical initiated polymerization. In this approach, a simple, temperature‐controlled heating apparatus is positioned adjacent to a 100 μm i.d. fused‐silica capillary for a defined duration. Frits were synthesized in 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate modified capillaries using a monomer solution of 2,2‐azobisisobutyronitrile, glycidyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and decanol. Frit length and stability were investigated as a function of polymerization time, temperature, and position. Frit length was easily controlled via a combination of polymerization time and temperature and position was readily controlled using a simple mechanical placement jig. Thermally initiated frits were stable throughout column packing and did not require removal of the capillary polyimide coating. The thermal initiation approach offers higher throughput, with polymerization times of <2 min compared to ≥30 min for UV‐initiated polymerization and significantly reduces the cost, enabling broader access to on‐column frit technology for a variety of capillary separation applications.
Influence of steel and polypropylene fibers on cracking due to heat of hydration in mass concrete structures
Authors: Saeed Muneer K. , Rahman Muhammad K. , Baluch Mohammed H.
Published: November 2018

Steel and polypropylene fibers result in a significant enhancement in strength, ductility, and toughness of concrete. This paper investigates experimentally and numerically the effect of these fibers on heat of hydration and early‐age cracking in mass concrete structures. Experimental investigations were conducted on evolution of strength, Young's modulus, and adiabatic heat rise in fly ash concrete mixes with steel and polypropylene fibers. Concrete mixes with ordinary Portland cement, 40% fly ash replacing the cement, 40% fly ash with 0.3 and 0.5% steel fibers, and 40% fly ash with 0.3 and 0.5% propylene fibers were investigated. The evolution of compressive and tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and adiabatic heat rise using semi‐adiabatic calorimeter for all mixes was measured. The evolution of temperature at several locations in two full‐scale mass concrete blocks with normal concrete and fly ash concrete was measured. A multiphysics‐based finite element simulation of the two field mass concrete blocks was carried out using the software DIANA FEA BV (South Holland, Netherlands), which predicted the heat generation, temperature field, stresses developed in the blocks, and the associated cracking with good accuracy. The effect of steel and polypropylene fibers on heat, temperature, and stress generation in mass concrete blocks was investigated using the experimentally obtained parameters. The polypropylene fibers result in significant performance enhancement for early‐age cracking compared with the steel fibers.
Managing development projects—The partnership between project managers and systems engineers
Authors: Kordova Sigal , Katz Eyal , Frank Moti
Published: November 2018

There are two significant “players” in development projects: the project manager and the systems engineer, both working together in cooperation with the aim of carrying out technical (execution/performance, quality) and managerial (schedule, costs, and customer satisfaction) project goals. The goal of the current study is to identify the management processes shared by project managers and systems engineers in the defense industry, understand which factors influence how joint project management is accomplished and how it impacts meeting project goals, and provide recommendations for joint project management that will lead to project success. The research method was qualitative, based on 16 semistructured interviews with project managers and systems engineers in defense companies that deal with the development of technological systems. The main recommendations for joint project management are: clear distribution of responsibility and delegation of authority between the two professionals before starting the project; choosing a project manager who was once a systems engineer or who possesses engineering knowledge; insistence on an ongoing dialog between the two professionals and solving/preventing conflicts through discussion and persuasion; as well as expanding common ground between the project manager and systems engineers’ areas of responsibility.
It All Begins With Asking Why
Authors: Pettigrew Ken , Hui Justin
Published: November 2018

Voices From the Classroom essays share readers’ reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues.
Climate, weather, and water in history
Authors: Morgan Ruth A.
Published: November 2018

This essay integrates the largely separate trajectories of climate and water histories, their distinct historiographies, and their different methods and expertise. Informed by the human‐nature insights of environmental history and historical geography, this paper identifies four intersections between histories of climate and water: first, conceptualizations of the climate and hydrological systems; second, adaptations to climate and hydrological variability and change; third, weather control; and finally, water over time. These particular intersections shed light on shared concerns for human relations to water and climate across different spatial and temporal scales; the development and function of networks of environmental knowledge; the formation and impact of environmental imaginaries; and the emergence of particular cultures of risk and resilience. The English‐language histories of climate and water to which I refer pertain largely to the study of the 19th and 20th centuries in relation to the spread of European and North American empires. Histories of water, I argue, offer more personal and localized insights into histories of climate and climate change.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > World Historical Perspectives
Song: The Learned Language of Three Major Bird Clades
Authors: Päckert Martin
Published: November 2018

Vocal learning has evolved several times independently in mammals and three major orders of birds. Of these only hummingbirds and passerine birds have complex songs, whereas the large vocal repertoires of parrots comprise various call types associated with different behavioral contexts. Generally, bird song has two major functions: territorial defense and mate attraction. In the latter context, particularly in songbirds (Oscines), the evolution of male song repertoires has strongly been driven by sexual selection: Song complexity and repertoire size have been shown to be indicators of male quality and are thus crucial traits for female choice. Today, the age of phylogenetics provides new methods for the study of the mode and tempo of organismic diversification and of trait evolution, e.g., of vocal learning. As a striking result, song learning seems to be associated with species richness across the avian tree of life. This provided recent evidence for the theory that song learning can act as a pacemaker of evolution. The spatial variation of song dialects is often correlated with genetic diversification. Extreme cases are small isolated populations, for example, on islands. In the field, the effect of song diversification as a barrier for gene flow can best be observed in zones of secondary contact between close relatives. Even in cases of hybridization, differences of song might affect female choice and thus lead to assortative mating and prevent gene flow in one or even in both directions. These are probably the most exciting case studies, where speciation in action (or in reverse) can be studied in the wild.
Neither synthesis nor rivalry: Complementary policy models and technological learning in the Mexican and Brazilian petroleum and automotive industries
Authors: Fuentes Alberto , Pipkin Seth
Published: November 2018

Although technological learning is indispensable for economic transformation in developing countries, recent research on industrial policy both lacks consensus regarding policy models and engages in little long-term analysis of policy impacts. This study contributes to this literature through a controlled case comparison of the varied addition of new and unique functional capacities in the Mexican and Brazilian automotive and petroleum industries from 1975 to 2000. It offers a dynamic industrial policy perspective that underscores the explanatory role of alternating state- and market-led industrial policy approaches and their associated cumulative processes of “exploration” and “exploitation” (March (1991)). It also suggests that two background conditions—prior investments in learning and exogenous shocks that undermine the status quo—intervene decisively in the successful sequencing of policy approaches. The study concludes by proposing a framework that recognizes three main learning pathways formed through different configurations of the main independent variable and background conditions. This framework can be deployed as a rough predictive tool to assess how other industries might most effectively increase their technological sophistication.
Effective Law from a Regulatory and Administrative Law Perspective
Authors: DE BENEDETTO Maria
Published: November 2018

The question of effective law has been studied in many fields of research, such as philosophy and sociology of law, law and economics, public policy and behavioural sciences. This article aims to treat it as a genuine administrative law issue which is currently having a significant impact on administrative procedures, especially affecting the way in which rules are adopted and implemented. Furthermore, the article attempts to reconcile conflicting views in existing literature on the meaning of effective law and on which factors lead to effectiveness by proposing an integrated approach: starting from a regulatory perspective it considers both traditional determinants of effectiveness, ie compliance and enforcement, as well as the emerging aspect of outcomes, focused on the idea that a rule can be defined as effective when its desired effects have been achieved and the public interest which justifies the rule has been safeguarded without producing unwanted or disfunctional consequences.

Far from being simply a decisional problem for institutions (arising in legislative, regulatory and administrative procedures), effectiveness calls for a “steering administration” and represents a criterion for decision-making, since expected effectiveness can be used in the logic of “whether” and “how” institutions should arrive at decisions.
Bronchoscope-associated clusters of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Galdys Alison L. , Marsh Jane W. , Delgado Edgar , Pasculle A. William , Pacey Marissa , Ayres Ashley M. , Metzger Amy , Harrison Lee H. , Muto Carlene A.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Recovery of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae from a cluster of patients in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) prompted an epidemiologic investigation for a common exposure.

Methods

Clinical and microbiologic data from MICU patients were retrospectively reviewed, MICU bronchoscopes underwent culturing and borescopy, and bronchoscope reprocessing procedures were reviewed. Bronchoscope and clinical MDR isolates epidemiologically linked to the cluster underwent molecular typing using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) followed by whole-genome sequencing.

Results

Of the 33 case patients, 23 (70%) were exposed to a common bronchoscope (B1). Both MDR P. aeruginosa and K. pneumonia were recovered from the bronchoscope’s lumen, and borescopy revealed a luminal defect. Molecular testing demonstrated genetic relatedness among case patient and B1 isolates, providing strong evidence for horizontal bacterial transmission. MDR organism (MDRO) recovery in 19 patients was ultimately linked to B1 exposure, and 10 of 19 patients were classified as belonging to an MDRO pseudo-outbreak.

Conclusions

Surveillance of bronchoscope-derived clinical culture data was important for early detection of this outbreak, and whole-genome sequencing was important for the confirmation of findings. Visualization of bronchoscope lumens to confirm integrity should be a critical component of device reprocessing.