bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome profiles of isolated murine Achilles tendon proper‐ and peritenon‐derived progenitor cells
Authors: Mienaltowski Michael J. , Cánovas Angela , Fates Valerie A. , Hampton Angela R. , Pechanec Monica Y. , Islas‐Trejo Alma , Medrano Juan F.
Published: June 2018

Progenitor cells of the tendon proper and peritenon have unique properties that could impact their utilization in tendon repair strategies. While a few markers have been found to aid in distinguishing progenitors cells from each region, there is great value in identifying more markers. In this study, we hypothesized that RNAseq could be used to improve our understanding of those markers that define these cell types. Transcriptome profiles were generated for pools of mouse Achilles tendon progenitor cells from both regions and catalogues of potential markers were generated. Moreover, common (e.g., glycoprotein, signaling, and proteinaceous extracellular matrix) and unique (e.g., cartilage development versus angiogenesis and muscle contraction) biological processes and molecular functions were described for progenitors from each region. Real‐time quantitative PCR of a subset of genes was used to gain insight into the heterogeneity amongst individual progenitor colonies from each region. Markers like Scx, Mkx, Thbs4, and Wnt10a were consistently able to distinguish tendon proper progenitors from peritenon progenitors; expression variability for other genes suggested greater cell type complexity for potential peritenon progenitor markers. This is the first effort to define Achilles tendon progenitor markers by region. Further efforts to investigate the value of these cataloged markers are required by screening more individual colonies of progenitors for more markers. Clinical Significance: Findings from this study advance efforts in the discernment of cell type specific markers for tendon proper and peritenon progenitor cells; insight into marker sets could improve tracking and sorting strategies for these cells for future therapeutic strategies. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1409–1418, 2019.
Dental prostheses and tooth‐related factors
Authors: Ercoli Carlo , Caton Jack G.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

This narrative review summarizes the current evidence about the role that the fabrication and presence of dental prostheses and tooth‐related factors have on the initiation and progression of gingivitis and periodontitis.

Findings

Placement of restoration margins within the junctional epithelium and supracrestal connective tissue attachment can be associated with gingival inflammation and, potentially, recession. The presence of fixed prostheses finish lines within the gingival sulcus or the wearing of partial, removable dental prostheses does not cause gingivitis if patients are compliant with self‐performed plaque control and periodic maintenance. However, hypersensitivity reactions to the prosthesis dental material can be present. Procedures adopted for the fabrication of dental restorations and fixed prostheses have the potential to cause traumatic loss of periodontal supporting tissues. Tooth anatomic factors, root abnormalities, and fractures can act as plaque‐retentive factors and increase the likelihood of gingivitis and periodontitis.

Conclusions

Tooth anatomic factors, such as root abnormalities and fractures, and tooth relationships in the dental arch and with the opposing dentition can enhance plaque retention. Restoration margins located within the gingival sulcus do not cause gingivitis if patients are compliant with self‐performed plaque control and periodic maintenance. Tooth‐supported and/or tooth‐retained restorations and their design, fabrication, delivery, and materials have often been associated with plaque retention and loss of attachment. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur to dental materials. Restoration margins placed within the junctional epithelium and supracrestal connective tissue attachment can be associated with inflammation and, potentially, recession. However, the evidence in several of the reviewed areas, especially related to the biologic mechanisms by which these factors affect the periodontium, is not conclusive. This highlights the need for additional well‐controlled animal studies to elucidate biologic mechanisms, as well as longitudinal prospective human trials. Adequate periodontal assessment and treatment, appropriate instructions, and motivation in self‐performed plaque control and compliance to maintenance protocols appear to be the most important factors to limit or avoid potential negative effects on the periodontium caused by fixed and removable prostheses.
Periodontitis: Consensus report of workgroup 2 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri‐Implant Diseases and Conditions
Authors: Papapanou Panos N. , Sanz Mariano , Buduneli Nurcan , Dietrich Thomas , Feres Magda , Fine Daniel H. , Flemmig Thomas F. , Garcia Raul , Giannobile William V. , Graziani Filippo , Greenwell Henry , Herrera David , Kao Richard T. , Kebschull Moritz , Kinane Denis F. , Kirkwood Keith L. , Kocher Thomas , Kornman Kenneth S. , Kumar Purnima S. , Loos Bruno G. , Machtei Eli , Meng Huanxin , Mombelli Andrea , Needleman Ian , Offenbacher Steven , Seymour Gregory J. , Teles Ricardo , Tonetti Maurizio S.
Published: June 2018

A new periodontitis classification scheme has been adopted, in which forms of the disease previously recognized as “chronic” or “aggressive” are now grouped under a single category (“periodontitis”) and are further characterized based on a multi‐dimensional staging and grading system. Staging is largely dependent upon the severity of disease at presentation as well as on the complexity of disease management, while grading provides supplemental information about biological features of the disease including a history‐based analysis of the rate of periodontitis progression; assessment of the risk for further progression; analysis of possible poor outcomes of treatment; and assessment of the risk that the disease or its treatment may negatively affect the general health of the patient.

Necrotizing periodontal diseases, whose characteristic clinical phenotype includes typical features (papilla necrosis, bleeding, and pain) and are associated with host immune response impairments, remain a distinct periodontitis category.

Endodontic‐periodontal lesions, defined by a pathological communication between the pulpal and periodontal tissues at a given tooth, occur in either an acute or a chronic form, and are classified according to signs and symptoms that have direct impact on their prognosis and treatment.

Periodontal abscesses are defined as acute lesions characterized by localized accumulation of pus within the gingival wall of the periodontal pocket/sulcus, rapid tissue destruction and are associated with risk for systemic dissemination.
Hypercrosslinked polymeric restricted access materials for analysis of biological fluids
Authors: Popov Alekxander , Blinnikova Zinaida K. , Tsyurupa Maria P. , Davankov Vadim A.
Published: June 2018

New restricted access materials based on microporous hypercrosslinked polystyrene have been developed. The materials are aimed to use as packings for solid‐phase extraction cartridges to isolate low‐molecular‐weight analytes from biological fluids (for instance, blood plasma or serum). Two features distinguish these polymers from all known restricted access materials. The first one consists of the microporous hypercrosslinked polystyrene that not only exclude proteins from the sorbent phase but also do not adsorb them on the bead outer surface, and so they do not cause coagulation of blood protein components. Therefore, these materials do not require any chemical modification. The second distinguishing feature is the ability of hypercrosslinked sorbents to take up a wide variety of polar and nonpolar organic compounds. The sorbents were obtained in the form of beads of 60–70 μm in diameter by cross‐linking styrene copolymers with 1, 2, and 3% divinylbenzene with monochlorodimethyl ether to 100, 150, and 200% cross‐linking degree. The sorbents exhibit all typical properties of hypercrosslinked networks. They do not take up albumin, the major blood protein, and cytochrome C, representative of smaller protein molecules, but are capable of adsorbing drugs, vitamins, and phenyl carboxylic acids (markers of sepsis) from model aqueous solutions.
Influence of climate and land use changes on recent trends of soil erosion rates within the Russian Plain
Authors: Golosov Valentin , Yermolaev Oleg , Litvin Leonid , Chizhikova Nelli , Kiryukhina Zoya , Safina Gusel
Published: June 2018

The Russian Plain (within the Russian Federation) occupies an area of approximately 3.5 × 106 km2. Water erosion is the main land degradation factor within the Russian Plain. Previous quantitative assessments of erosion rates for the entire area of the Russian Plain were undertaken in the 1980s. The application of erosion models and analysis of different factor dynamics allow for the evaluation of the mean annual total soil losses and erosion rates for the post‐Union of Soviet Socialist Republics period, as well as the determination of the trends of erosion rates and soil losses for different landscape zones, for 1980 and 2012. The significant reductions of cultivated land area in all of the landscape zones after 1991 are the main reason behind the 46% reduction in the total annual soil losses in 2012 compared with 1980. The most significant decrease in the soil erosion rate for cultivated lands (from 7.3 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in 1980 to 4.1 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in 2012) was identified in the forest zone of the Russian Plain. Soil erosion rates slightly decreased in the forest‐steppe zone and increased in the steppe zone (from 3.9 to 4.6 Mg ha−1 yr−1). We attribute the decreasing erosion rates in the forest and forest‐steppe zones to the reduction of surface runoff during snowmelt. The increased use of perennial grasses in crop rotations promoted the reduction of erosion rates in the forest zone. The increasing erosion rates in the steppe zone were attributed to the increasing frequency of heavy rainstorms.
Angular Optical Transparency Induced by Photonic Topological Transitions in Metamaterials
Authors: Huo Pengcheng , Liang Yuzhang , Zhang Si , Lu Yanqing , Xu Ting
Published: June 2018

Photonic topological transitions (PTTs) in metamaterials open a new realm of research with a number of interesting optical phenomena and provide an efficient route to manipulate light–matter interactions at nanoscale. Here, it is shown that, by tailoring the topology of anisotropic metamaterial's equi‐frequency surface, a narrow angular optical transparency window appears around the PTT frequency, which makes the metamaterial strongly discriminate the light based primarily on the angle of incidence. In experimental implementation, a large‐scale nanowire metamaterial is fabricated by bottom‐up approach and achieves a highly transparent window with a narrow angular range at visible frequency. Based on this angular transparency effect, the metamaterial is further demonstrated to be capable of significantly suppressing the diffraction and interference of the light scattered from arbitrarily shaped objects and projecting their diffraction‐limited images into far field. These features make the metamaterials hold promise for a series of angle‐dependent optical applications.
Identification and characterization of new Muscodor endophytes from gramineous plants in Xishuangbanna, China
Authors: Mao Li‐Juan , Chen Jia‐Jie , Xia Chen‐Yang , Feng Xiao‐Xiao , Kong De‐Dong , Qi Zhen‐Yu , Liu Feng , Chen Dian , Lin Fu‐Cheng , Zhang Chu‐Long
Published: June 2018

The endophytic fungi Muscodor spp. produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can inhibit and even kill pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. Nine endophytic fungal strains, isolated from the shoots of gramineous plants including Arthraxon hispidus, Eleusine indica, Oplismenus undulatifolius, and Oryza granulata, were identified as Muscodor through phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer. Through an SPSS K‐means cluster analysis, the nine Muscodor strains were divided into four groups based on the antifungal activities of the VOCs produced by these fungi determined by a two‐section confrontation test. The first group contains the strains Y‐L‐54, W‐S‐41, Y‐S‐35, W‐T‐27, and Y‐L‐56, which showed the strongest activity. The second and third groups contain W‐S‐35 and Y‐L‐43, which showed stronger and moderate activity, respectively. The fourth group contains W‐S‐38 and N‐L‐7, which were the weakest in inhibiting the tested pathogens. Thirty‐five compounds and the relative amounts of VOCs were determined by SPME‐GC‐MS and comparison with the NIST14 mass spectrometry database and Agilent MassHunter qualitative and quantitative analyses. These 35 compounds were classified into two different categories: (a) the product of fatty acid degradation, and (b) the intermediate and final metabolite of the metabolic pathway with the precursor of mevalonic acid. SPSS clustering analysis showed that the chemical components of VOCs might be correlated with their bioactivity rather than their phylogenetic assignment and some of the identified compounds might be responsible for antifungal activity. In conclusion, new Muscodor endophytes were recorded in tropical gramineous plants and a number of strains showed remarkable bioactive properties. Therefore, they have important potential applications in the fields of plant disease control.
Towards perfect NMR: Spin‐echo versus perfect‐echo building blocks
Authors: Parella Teodor
Published: June 2018

The development of new tools to improve the quality of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra is a challenging task. The concept of “perfect NMR” includes the design of robust pulse sequences that allow an investigator to obtain undistorted pure in‐phase signals, with pure absorption lineshapes that are free of phase anomalies derived from undesired J modulations. Here, alternative NMR building blocks to the spin‐echo that are based on a general double SE module, known as a perfect‐echo, are reviewed. Several implementations to minimize/remove unwanted dispersive contributions in homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR experiments are described and illustrated with some examples of broad interest for small molecules.
Chemomechanical and morphological properties with proliferation of keratinocyte cells of electrospun poyhydroxyalkanoate fibers incorporated with essential oil
Authors: Tanadchangsaeng Nuttapol , Kitmongkolpaisarn Stayu , Boonyagul Sani , Koobkokkruad Thongchai
Published: June 2018

Delivery systems based on electrospun polymeric nanofibers have shown potential for delivery of bioactive and plant extract formulations. This research focused on the fabrication of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymer nanofibers as a vehicle for loading of the Thai traditional herbal extract of Plai oil (Zingiber cassumunar Roxb). Nanofibers were formed by dissolving PHA and Plai oil together in dichloromethane solvent, with the PHA concentration being varied (5, 8, and 10%), followed by electrospinning for 4 hours. Based on the submicron diameters of the nanofibers, 8% PHA proved to be the optimal concentration. The concentration of Plai oil (10, 20, and 30%) was used, and hence, the solution viscosity influenced the nanofiber synthesis and physical properties of the nanofibers were obtained. Scanning electron microscope results indicated that the average diameters of cylindrical PHA nanofibers loaded with Plai oil (10%, 20%, and 30%) were 1.10, 1.01, and 1.11 μm, respectively, highlighting that fibers composed of 20% Plai oil were classifiable as nanofibers. Tensile testing of 20% Plai oil‐loaded nanofibers indicated that stiffness and elongation at break were within the acceptable range. Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry measurements highlighted the presence of terpenen‐4‐ol, a component found in Plai oil, in the nanofiber film samples of PHA/Plai oil, confirming its inclusion in the systems. In addition, cell proliferation was set up to confirm the morphology and toxicity of skin keratinocyte cell line, and the results show that the HaCaT cells were attached on the PHA nanofibers which the nanofibers containing 20% Plai oil may affect cell behavior in spite the fact that it is not toxic to the cells.
Production, ultrasonic extraction, and characterization of poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) using Bacillus megaterium and Cupriavidus necator
Authors: Pradhan Sushobhan , Dikshit Pritam Kumar , Moholkar Vijayanand S.
Published: June 2018

Biodegradable polymer polyhydroxyalkanoates are one of the promising alternatives for conventional plastics. The present article focuses on a modified and novel method for the synthesis of poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by two microorganisms, viz. Bacillus megaterium and Cupriavidus necator. These microbial cells were grown over fructose as a carbon source, and the produced PHB was recovered using ultrasound as well as solvent assisted extraction. The extracted PHB was characterized using FTIR, 1H, and 13C NMR to observe the functional groups in the PHB molecule. The XRD characterization confirmed the partial crystalline nature of PHB, and the results of TGA, DTG, and DSC analysis attributed to the thermal stability of PHB. The major step of weight loss of PHB derived by B. megaterium and C. necator in TGA analysis was found to be 415°C and 289°C, respectively. These values were comparatively higher than standard PHB, for which it is 260°C. Similarly, the maximum degradation temperature for standard PHB is 236°C, whereas the maximum degradation temperature of PHB synthesized by B. megaterium and C. necator are 248°C and 277°C, respectively. This ascertains that the produced PHB has greater resistance to thermal degradation as compared with PHB standard. The melting point of synthesized PHBs were found to be 175°C to 176°C, which is similar to standard PHB. The glass transition temperature of the synthesized PHBs varies from –8°C to 6°C. The plausible reason behind the variances could be due to difference in crystallinity and molecular weight of polymer matrix. Nevertheless, thermal properties of PHB produced by B. megaterium and C. necator are found to be similar or much better than commercial PHB. The degree of crystallinity of synthesized PHBs are lower than previously reported literatures, which extends its range of applications.
Enhanced corrosion protection performance with MWCNT dispersed epoxy coating prepared under supercritical CO2 assistance
Authors: Khanam Zeba , Singh Vir , Zaidi Muhammad Ghulam Haider
Published: June 2018

The corrosion protection performance of epoxy coatings could be enhanced by incorporation of nanofillers such as MWCNT. However, a homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT in epoxy polymer is still a teasing challenge. Herein, we report an environmentally benign single‐step supercritical CO2 processing method to improve the dispersion of MWCNT in epoxy matrix in order to achieve an effective anticorrosive coating. The executed approach provides a cluster‐free uniform distribution of MWCNT in epoxy matrix as characterized with UV‐visible spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and surface analysis. The anticorrosive characteristics of MWCNT/epoxy coating were studied in NaCl as well as in photodegraded dye medium through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. We observed the remarkable corrosion of model metal substrate in photodegraded dye medium besides NaCl medium. In both mediums, the protection efficacy of MWCNT/epoxy coating was deduced from the stable impedance arcs in Nyquist plot and increased impedance modulus. The electrochemical impedance spectra were best fitted with equivalent circuits showing the higher values of pore resistance. Also, the MWCNT/epoxy coating exhibited a positive shift of corrosion potential and possessed a lower corrosion rate as compared with neat epoxy coating. More direct evidence of the excellent barrier properties for MWCNT/epoxy coating was visualized in SEM images. The obtained results implied that the superior dispersion of MWCNT into epoxy matrix significantly reduces the porosity of coating and inhibits the permeability of corrosive ions. We expect supercritical CO2 assisted dispersion method can offer an efficient, cost‐effective, and industrially viable route to develop high performance protective coatings for varied commercialized applications.
Facile fabrication of organically modified boron nitride nanosheets and its effect on the thermal stability, flame retardant, and mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Cai Wei , Mu Xiaowei , Pan Ying , Guo Wenwen , Wang Junling , Yuan Bihe , Feng Xiaming , Tai Qilong , Hu Yuan
Published: June 2018

Although hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) has presented a potential prospect in polymer composite fields, undesirable interfacial interaction with polymer matrix that generates serious aggregation of nanomaterials has suppressed its enhancement effect. Moreover, the chemically inert surface of h‐BN also makes the commonly used approach that improves the interfacial interaction between nanofillers and polymeric matrix invalid. Herein, the functionalized modification of chemically inert h‐BN was successfully fabricated by the adsorption of cetyl‐trimethylammonium bromide, with electrostatic interactions. The obtained h‐BN (cetyl‐trimethylammonium bromide‐BN) was well characterized by systematic tests and then added into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. The inclusion of functionalized h‐BN can dramatically improve thermal stability, flame retardant, and mechanical properties of TPU composites. With the incorporation of as low as 4.0 wt% nanofillers, maximal value of heat release rate and total heat release of TPU were reduced by 57.5% and 17.8%, compared with those of pure TPU, respectively. Moreover, tensile strength of TPU composite with a loading of 2.0 wt% was increased by 79.3% in comparison with that of neat TPU. The facile functionalized approach of chemically inert h‐BN paves the way for promising applications of h‐BN in the development of flame retardant polymer materials.
Congenital aqueduct stenosis: Progressive brain findings in utero to birth in the presence of severe hydrocephalus
Authors: Kline‐Fath Beth M. , Arroyo Monica S. , Calvo‐Garcia Maria A. , Horn Paul S. , Thomas Cameron
Published: June 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of progressive hydrocephalus on the developing brain in a cohort of fetuses diagnosed with congenital aqueduct stenosis by comparing prenatal magnetic resonance imaging and postnatal imaging.

Methods

This IRB approved single center retrospective review of prenatally diagnosed children with congenital aqueduct stenosis interrogated changes in the brain between prenatal and postnatal imaging and analyzed statistics using SAS software package version 9.3.

Results

Thirty fetuses imaged at a mean gestational age of 26 weeks had aqueduct obstruction confirmed by postnatal imaging. Progressive hydrocephalus required shunting in all but one patient (97%). Those patients with increasing hydrocephalus showed increase in ventricular rupture (60%), loss of septal leaflets (47%), and reduction in white matter and corpus callosum volume (43%). Cerebellar ectopia developed in 27% with 6% meeting the criteria for Chiari I malformation.

Conclusion

Hydrocephalus in the fetus results in enlarging ventricular rupture, loss of the septum pellucidum leaflets, volume reduction of brain parenchyma including corpus callosum, and risk for Chiari I anomaly. Given advances in fetal surgery and imaging in the last 3 decades, there may be cause to revisit the idea of in utero cerebral spinal fluid diversion as a means to potentially ameliorate progressive loss of the developing brain.
Prescription of pain medication in prisons: A comparative analysis of younger and older male prisoners
Authors: Annaheim Beatrice , Bretschneider Wiebke , Handtke Violet , Belardi Angelo , Elger Bernice S.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

In prison populations, treating pain is particularly challenging, especially for the growing number of older prisoners. The objective was to find out about prevalence, frequency, and types of pain medications prescribed to older prisoners (≥50 years) in comparison with younger prisoners (<50 years).

Methods

Data were collected in Switzerland as part of a study on ageing prisoners' health. Fifteen prisons (out of 26 of the total eligible population) agreed to take part, and data from medical records of 190 older and 190 younger male prisoners were analysed. Descriptive statistics on pain medication prescriptions (excluding drugs used in opioid dependence) were carried out and differences between the 2 age groups tested for statistical significance.

Results

More than half of younger and older prisoners were prescribed pain medication during the past 180 days, while 10% of younger and 15% of older prisoners were prescribed pain medication on a daily basis. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and “other analgesics and antipyretics” were most frequently prescribed. Significantly (P < .05), more younger than older prisoners were prescribed NSAIDs and drugs to treat muscle skeletal pain. Tramadol was the opioid most often prescribed.

Conclusions

This is the first empirical study investigating prescriptions of pain medication in Swiss prisoners on a national level. It shows that nonopioid pain medication is an important part of health care provision inside prison, while there are only few prescriptions of strong opioids. Research is needed to investigate whether the standard set by the principle of equivalence is met regarding treatment of pain in prison.
Depressive symptoms in relation to overall survival in people with head and neck cancer: A longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Jansen Femke , Verdonck‐de Leeuw Irma M. , Cuijpers Pim , Leemans C. René , Waterboer Tim , Pawlita Michael , Penfold Chris , Thomas Steven J. , Waylen Andrea , Ness Andrew R.
Published: June 2018

Objective

The objective of the study is to investigate the relation between pretreatment depressive symptoms (DS) and the course of DS during the first year after cancer diagnosis, and overall survival among people with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods

Data from the Head and Neck 5000 prospective clinical cohort study were used. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) pretreatment, at 4 and 12‐month follow‐up. Also, socio‐demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and mortality data were collected. The association between before start of treatment DS (HADS‐depression > 7) and course (never DS, recovered from DS, or persistent/recurrent/late DS at 12‐month follow‐up) and survival was investigated using Cox regression. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed.

Results

In total, 384 of the 2144 persons (18%) reported pretreatment DS. Regarding DS course, 63% never had DS, 16% recovered, and 20% had persistent/recurrent/late DS. People with pretreatment DS had a higher risk of earlier death than people without DS (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33‐2.05), but this decreased after correcting for socio‐demographic, clinical, and lifestyle‐related factors (HR = 1.21; 95% CI 0.97‐1.52). Regarding the course of DS, people with persistent/recurrent/late DS had a higher risk of earlier death (HR = 2.04; 95% CI 1.36‐3.05), while people who recovered had a comparable risk (HR = 1.12; 95% CI 0.66‐1.90) as the reference group who never experienced DS. After correcting for socio‐demographic and clinical factors, people with persistent/recurrent/late DS still had a higher risk of earlier death (HR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.09‐2.53).

Conclusions

Pretreatment DS and persistent/recurrent/late DS were associated with worse survival among people with HNC.
School performance of childhood cancer survivors in Korea: A multi‐institutional study on behalf of the Korean Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Authors: Park Meerim , Park Hyeon Jin , Lee Jae Min , Ju Hee Young , Park Byung Kiu , Yu Eun‐Seung , Yang Hyung‐Kook , Kim Ji Yoon , Park Sang Kyu , Lee Young Ho , Shim Ye Jee , Kim Heung Sik , Lee Jun Ah , Lim Yeon‐Jung , Cheuh Hee Won , Park Ji Kyoung , Lee Mee Jeong , Kim Soon Ki , Choi Hyoung Soo , Hah Jeong Ok , Park Kyung Duk , Kang Hyoung Jin , Shin Hee Young
Published: June 2018

Objective

To investigate school performance of childhood cancer survivors focusing on the child's functioning, including peer relationships, school attendance, and academic achievement.

Methods

We studied 241 children from 15 institutions in Korea between 2015 and 2016. The self‐reported paper‐and‐pencil questionnaires were used.

Results

Approximately 22% of the survivors suffered from lack of friends. Bullying was reported by 30% of survivors. Survivors who returned to primary school reported a higher incidence of bullying compared with survivors who returned to middle or high school (P = 0.03). The percentage of children who missed classes more than 4 days in a month was higher in survivors with brain tumors than those with other tumors (P = 0.04). Approximately 41% of children reported learning difficulty. After returning to school, 53% of the patients reported that they had lower overall mark averages than they had before. Patients who returned to high school showed the highest rate of repeating a grade and the lowest rate of achieving high academic marks. The school marks in the Korean (P = 0.03), English (P = 0.04), and physical education (P = 0.04) were worse for the children with brain tumors than for the children with other tumors.

Conclusion

We found that 20% to 25% of survivors experienced peer‐related difficulties upon returning to school. Patients who return to school, especially high school, should be provided more educational support to overcome low academic achievement. Particular concern is needed to the patients with brain tumors, who are at risk for significant academic and social difficulties and therefore may require more intensive support in school.
Precision diabetes treatment comes a step closer
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: June 2018

The recently published Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology paper that identifies five subtypes of adult‐onset diabetes associated with differing risk of complications has sparked new debate on the classification of diabetes and may help bring precision medicine a step closer.
New guidelines on managing generalised pruritus
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: June 2018

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) published new evidence‐based guidelines on the management of generalised pruritus (itch) in adults in 2018. This article provides an overview of the new guidance and its implications for primary care.
Light Tuning of the Resistance of NdNiO3 Films With CoFe2O4 Capping
Authors: Saleem Muhammad Shahrukh , Song Cheng , Li Fan , Gu Youdi , Chen Xianzhe , Shi Guoyi , Li Qi , Zhou Xiaofeng , Pan Feng
Published: June 2018

Metal–insulator transition (MIT) is generally thought to be difficult to alter once the material has been prepared. In this study, visible light is used to tune the resistance of NdNiO3 films, which are covered by granular CoFe2O4 capping, in an insulating state. With light illumination, the resistance of the NdNiO3 films is enhanced significantly at a low temperature of ≈9 K, which shows non‐volatile behavior. The magnitude of light‐induced resistance increase is dependent on the light wavelength and illumination time, irrespective of whether the time is consecutive or intermittent. Light control of the resistance can be ascribed to photon‐induced release of the monoclinic lattice of NdNiO3, which is clamped by granular CoFe2O4 capping before the light illumination. Our finding provides insight into the optical manipulation of physical properties on an interface and applications of this method in optoelectronics.
Effect of biaxial‐simultaneous stretching conditions on OTR and CO2 permeation of CO2 laser perforated poly(lactic acid) film
Authors: Winotapun Charinee , Kerddonfag Noppadon , Daud Witchuda , Chinsirikul Wannee , Takarada Wataru , Kikutani Takeshi
Published: June 2018

The biaxially oriented poly(lactic acid) films prepared using simultaneous biaxial stretching were perforated by CO2 laser with the power of 60 W. The focal spot diameter was fixed at 103 μm. Pulse durations were varied from 1 to 30 μs, which corresponds to the fluence from 1.4 to 42.6 J/cm2. The perforated microhole size increased with increasing laser energy. The shape of microholes was circular for the films of equi‐biaxial stretching, whereas elliptical microholes were formed with its long and short axes corresponding to the directions of higher and lower stretch ratios, respectively. Comparing the laser perforation behavior of the as‐drawn films and annealed films, the opening of a microhole in the annealed films started at higher laser fluence, and at the same fluence the size of microhole was smaller. Gas transmission rates of the biaxially oriented poly(lactic acid) films with different thicknesses were examined. The oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of film improved with increased microhole diameter. The OTR of films containing 1 microhole/103 cm2 (hole diameter of ~110 μm) was 184, 150, and 98 cm3/d in comparison with the OTR for the original films without microhole of only 16, 10, and 8 cm3/d, respectively. Packaging films with OTR higher than 100 cm3/d (equivalent to the 9700 cm3/m2/d) are required to create a modified atmosphere inside the package of fresh produce for shelf‐life extension. Measured OTR and CO2TR values of the 3 different shapes of microhole were compared and discussed.
Extensions and variants of mixed‐level split‐plot designs for manufacturing planning and optimization
Authors: Lee Ho Linda , Vivacqua Carla Almeida , de Pinho André Luís Santos
Published: June 2018

Design of experiments has been applied in manufacturing industry for several decades. Nevertheless, there is still room for exploring its cost‐effectiveness features. For instance, many industrial experiments involve factors with levels more difficult to change than others. This naturally leads to the harder‐to‐change factors being less reset than the easier‐to‐change factors. These randomization restrictions commonly generate the so‐called split‐plot type designs. Methodologies for designing and analyzing such experiments have advanced lately, especially for 2‐level designs. However, practical needs may require the inclusion of factors with more than 2 levels. In this paper, extensions and variants of mixed‐level split‐plot designs are presented. An industry application to evaluate the impact of temperature, type of lubricant, type of pavement, and type of rubber on performance and quality of tires is discussed. Due to lack of previous adequate planning, the actual experiment was executed as an unreplicated split‐strip‐strip‐plot design. As a consequence of the inadvertent split‐plotting, evaluation of the significance of temperature and lubricant is impaired. Other design alternatives, along with their properties, advantages, and disadvantages are shown. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of how statistically designed experiments may be used, in a practical way, to manufacturing planning and optimization.
Kriging modelization in predicting metal sheet elongation
Authors: Vicario Grazia , Giraudo Maria Teresa , Calì Valentina
Published: June 2018

Modern industries are increasingly replacing real experiments with non‐stochastic simulation models due to their restrained costs and growing reliability. The non‐stochastic simulator used in this paper is the Finite Element simulation code (FEM), a widely used numerical technique for the engineering problems modeled by a system of partial differential equations defined on a time‐space domain. In such a context, it is common practice to provide a metamodel, a global approximation of the FEM experiment response on the design space to capture local minima/maxima.

We use the most popular metamodel, the Kriging model, applied to an industrial instance: prediction of bend deduction. Metal sheet bending is a manufacturing process in which there is a plastic deformation of the workpieces over an axis. This is a metal forming process, similar to other processes where bending changes the shape of the workpieces.

The work focuses on the construction of an optimal initial design in order to achieve a good accuracy of the metamodel at an acceptable computational cost, the theoretical study of this model, and the understanding of how it could be conformed to the bend deduction prediction.

The correlation structure, mandatory in a Kriging model, was evaluated by means of the variogram, allowing to refine the correlation specification naturally improving the Kriging predictions. The empirical variograms for each input variable brought to light unusual behaviors. This suggested that the bending angle could be related to the bend deduction according to 2 different models. It is clear that there is a discontinuity in the relationship between the models, but its exact location is not known. The accuracy achieved was then evaluated using different indicators of robustness and the uncertainty of the “leave‐one‐out” methods.
Thermodynamic properties of gaseous cerium molybdates and tungstates studied by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry
Authors: Shugurov S.M. , Panin A.I. , Lopatin S.I.
Published: June 2018

Rationale

CeO2–WO3 and CeO2–MoO3 catalysts have shown excellent performance in the selective reduction of NOx by ammonia (NH3‐selective catalytic reduction) over a wide temperature range. Strong interaction between CeO2 and WO3 or MoO3 might be the dominant reason for the high activity of these mixed oxides. Studies of ceria‐containing gaseous salts involve considerable experimental difficulties, since the transition of such salts to vapor requires high temperatures. To predict the possibility of the existence of gaseous associates formed by cerium and molybdenum (tungsten) oxides it is important to know their thermodynamic characteristics. Until the present investigation, gaseous cerium oxyacid salts were unknown.

Methods

Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry was used to determine the partial pressures of vapor species and the equilibrium constants of gas‐phase reactions, as well as the formation and atomization enthalpies of gaseous cerium molybdates and tungstates. CeO2 was evaporated from molybdenum and tungsten effusion cells containing gold metal as a pressure standard. A theoretical study of gaseous cerium molybdates and tungstates was performed by several quantum chemical methods.

Results

In the temperature range 2050–2400 K, CeO, CeO2, XO2, XO3, CeWO3, CeXO4, CeXO5 (X = Mo, W) and CeMo2O7 were found to be the main vapor species over the CeO2–Mo(W) systems. On the basis of the equilibrium constants of the gaseous reactions, the standard formation enthalpies of gaseous CeWO3, CeXO4, CeXO5 (X = Mo, W) and CeMo2O7 at 298 K were determined. Energetically favorable structures of gaseous cerium salts were found and vibrational frequencies were evaluated in the harmonic approximation.

Conclusions

The thermal stability of gaseous cerium oxyacid salts was confirmed by high‐temperature mass spectrometry. Reaction enthalpies of the gaseous cerium molybdates and tungstates from gaseous cerium, molybdenum and tungsten oxides were evaluated theoretically and the obtained values are in reasonable agreement with the experimental ones.
Improving the efficiency of solid‐state power amplifier by frequency switching for satellite communication
Authors: Doshi R.J. , Ghodgaonkar Deepak
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a technique to make the solid‐state power amplifier (SSPA) flexible (adaptive) in terms of frequency for space segment of satellite communication. As compared with the present fixed (static) performance SSPA, the flexible frequency SSPA allows the users to keep themselves updated with the changing scenario of satellite communication. The flexibility can be achieved by using PIN diode for high frequency amplifiers and varactor diode for low frequency amplifiers as switch. The bias voltage of the diode can be changed remotely by means of telecommandable circuit. The gallium nitride–based SSPAs using this concept will be able to compete the travelling wave tube amplifier for onboard applications. It also demonstrates the circuit topology for selecting the required narrow frequency band rather than designing broadband SSPA resulting in improvement of efficiency and device's channel temperature. Improvement of channel temperature in space application improves the reliability of active devices.
Ontology reuse for multiagent system development through pattern classification
Authors: Shiang Cheah Wai , Tee Fu Swee , Halin Alfian Abdul , Yap Ng Keng , Hong Puah Chin
Published: June 2018

Ontologies play a crucial role in multiagent systems (MASs) development, especially for domain knowledge modeling, interaction specifications, and behavioral aspect representation. Domain‐specific ontologies can be developed in an ad hoc or systematic manner through the incorporation of ontology development steps on the basis of agent‐oriented methodologies. Developing such ontologies, however, is challenging because of the extensive amounts of knowledge and experience required. Moreover, since many ontologies cater for very specific domains, the question arises of whether some can be reused for faster systems development. This paper attempts to answer this question by proposing an ontology pattern classification scheme to allow the reuse of existing ontology knowledge for MAS development. Specifically, ontology patterns relevant to the design problem at hand are identified through the pattern classification scheme. These patterns are then reused and shared among agent software communities during the system development phase. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated using a restaurant‐finder MAS case study. Our findings suggest that utilization of the classified ontology patterns reduces development time and complexity when dealing with domain‐specific applications. The scheme also seems useful for software practitioners, where searching and reusing the patterns can easily be done during the analysis, design, and implementation of MAS development.
Life cycle reliability assessment of reinforced concrete beams shear‐strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer strips in accordance with fib bulletin 14
Authors: Taki Amirmasoud , Firouzi Afshin , Mohammadzadeh Saeed
Published: June 2018

The results of time‐variant reliability analysis of shear‐strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams with externally bonded fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) are presented with an emphasis on the effects of environmental harshness and effective design parameters. The effects of chloride‐induced pitting corrosion and FRP degradation are considered using Monte Carlo simulation to assess the influence of environmental deterioration on the fib 2001 limit states instead of applying design reduction factors. For the defined worked example, the proposed method specifies the remaining lifetime of the strengthened beam by considering a reasonable value for the target reliability index. With regard to the reliability index profiles, it is shown that chloride‐induced pitting corrosion has a greater effect on the shear capacity of strengthened beams than the degradation of the FRP. It was found that the FRP reinforcement ratio has a considerable effect on the governing failure mode; hence, it is important to calibrate the proposed safety verifications of fib bulletin 14 using sufficient experimental data for the relevant random variables in a reliability‐based context.
Visualizing underdrawings in medieval manuscript illuminations with macro‐X‐ray fluorescence scanning
Authors: Turner Nancy K. , Patterson Catherine Schmidt , MacLennan Douglas K. , Trentelman Karen
Published: June 2018

The element‐specific distribution maps generated by scanning macro‐X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy are providing cultural heritage researchers with information about the composition of materials present in works of art and, more importantly, unprecedented insight into the techniques employed by artists in their creation. One of the advantages of macro‐XRF scanning is that the X‐rays probe materials in subsurface layers, allowing, for example, visualizations of hidden paintings to be produced. Consequently, macro‐XRF scanning has found wide use in the study of paintings, but the high spatial resolution also makes it particularly well suited for the study of the small‐scale painted illustrations and decorative elements found in illuminated manuscripts. The preliminary drawings made by manuscript illuminators to plan a painted composition—known as underdrawings—provide evidence relating to artists' creative vision and working process but are difficult to examine because they are generally hidden under the surface paint layer. Traditionally, underdrawings in a carbon‐based medium are visualized using infrared (IR) imaging. In this study, results of the analysis of painted illuminations from medieval illuminated manuscripts demonstrate that macro‐XRF scanning can visualize underdrawings in other materials, such as iron‐gall ink, metalpoint, and pigmented inks/paints, thus serving as a useful complement to traditional IR imaging. For manuscript illuminations in bound books, this study also discusses the use of interleaving materials to reduce unwanted signals from underlying folios. The ability to reveal manuscript underdrawings will help elucidate artistic intent and workshop practice and provide a new way to examine the history of medieval drawing.
Perturbations of spiky strings in AdS3
Authors: Bhattacharya Soumya , Kar Sayan , Panigrahi Kamal L.
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Perturbations of a class of semiclassical spiky strings in three dimensional Anti-de Sitter (AdS) spacetime, are investigated using the well-known Jacobi equations for small, normal deformations of an embedded timelike surface. We show that the equation for the perturbation scalar which governs the behaviour of such small deformations, is a special case of the well-known Darboux-Treibich-Verdier (DTV) equation. The eigenvalues and eigensolutions of the DTV equation for our case are obtained by solving certain continued fractions numerically. These solutions are thereafter utilised to further demonstrate that there do exist finite perturbations of the AdS spiky strings. Our results therefore establish that the spiky string configurations in AdS3 are indeed stable against small fluctuations. Comments on future possibilities of work are included in conclusion.
LHC search of new Higgs boson via resonant di-Higgs production with decays into 4W
Authors: Ren Jing , Xiao Rui-Qing , Zhou Maosen , Fang Yaquan , He Hong-Jian , Yao Weiming
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Searching for new Higgs particle beyond the observed light Higgs boson h
0(125 GeV) will unambiguously point to new physics beyond the standard model. We study the resonant production of a CP-even heavy Higgs state H
0 in the di-Higgs channel, gg → H
0 → h
0
h
0 → WW
*
WW
*, at the LHC Run-2 and the high luminosity LHC (HL-LHC). We analyze two types of the 4W decay modes, one with the same-sign di-leptons (4W → ℓ
±
νℓ
±
ν4q) and the other with tri-leptons (4W → ℓ
±
νℓ
∓
νℓ
±
ν2q). We perform a full simulation for the signals and backgrounds, and estimate the discovery potential of the heavy Higgs state at the LHC Run-2 and the HL-LHC, in the context of generic two-Higgs-doublet models (2HDM). We determine the viable parameter space of the 2HDM as allowed by the theoretical constraints and the current experimental limits. We systematically analyze the allowed parameter space of the 2HDM which can be effectively probed by the heavy Higgs searches of the LHC, and further compare this with the viable parameter region under the current theoretical and experimental bounds.