bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Construction of a Smart Targeting Drug Delivery System Based on Phototriggered Competition of Host–Guest Interaction
Authors: Zhao Dan , Yi Xiaoqing , Yuan Gongdao , Zhuo Renxi , Li Feng
Published: July 2017

A smart targeting drug delivery nanocarrier is successfully constructed based on phototriggered competition of host–guest interaction. The targeting motif, i.e., biotin is first concealed by β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) via host–guest interaction. When the nanoparticles are exposed to UV light, the cleavage of photosensitive groups results in the exposure of adamantane (Ad) groups initially located in the interior of nanoassemblies, and β‐CDs capped on biotin ligands can be replaced by Ad because of the higher binding constant between Ad and β‐CD than that between biotin and β‐CD. The competition of host–guest interaction leads to the recovery of targeting capacity of biotin ligands on the nanocarriers. By virtue of photoregulation, the nanocarriers exhibit controllable ligand‐receptor recognition, which is proved by flow cytometry, laser confocal microscopy, and cytotoxicity assay. This strategy has a potential to improve the selectivity and safety of targeting drug delivery systems.
Study on the galvanic corrosion of aluminum alloy single bolted lap joints in simulated atmospheres
Authors: Zhang Y. , Chen Y.‐L. , Fan W.‐J. , Wang C.‐G. , Bian G.‐X.
Published: July 2017

The corrosion behavior of galvanic couples covered by a 0.5 mm thick film using a homemade electrochemical measurement device has been researched in this work. The potential distribution and current density of lap joints (bare and coating damaged) in the thin layer electrolyte have been calculated using the boundary element method (BEM). The results show that the potential of 2A12 aluminum alloy plates as an anode shifted positively after lapping. The degree of anodic polarization and the corrosion rates reached the highest values in the regions around the bolts and then decreased on either side. The corrosion rate is closely related to the coating damage area; the smaller the damage area is, the larger the corrosion rate in the region of coating damage. The results of simulations conform to reality.
Solvability, asymptotic analysis and regularity results for a mixed type interaction problem of acoustic waves and piezoelectric structures
Authors: Chkadua G.
Published: July 2017

In the paper, we investigate the mixed type transmission problem arising in the model of fluid–solid acoustic interaction when a piezoceramic elastic body (Ω+) is embedded in an unbounded fluid domain (Ω−). The corresponding physical process is described by the boundary‐transmission problem for second‐order partial differential equations. In particular, in the bounded domain Ω+, we have a 4×4 dimensional matrix strongly elliptic second‐order partial differential equation, while in the unbounded complement domain Ω−, we have a scalar Helmholtz equation describing acoustic wave propagation. The physical kinematic and dynamic relations mathematically are described by appropriate boundary and transmission conditions. With the help of the potential method and theory of pseudodifferential equations based on the Wiener–Hopf factorization method, the uniqueness and existence theorems are proved in Sobolev–Slobodetskii spaces. We derive asymptotic expansion of solutions, and on the basis of asymptotic analysis, we establish optimal Hölder smoothness results for solutions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adipose stem cells enhance myoblast proliferation via acetylcholine and extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 signaling
Authors: El‐Habta Roine , Kingham Paul J. , Backman Ludvig J.
Published: July 2017

Introduction: In this study we investigated the interaction between adipose tissue–derived stem cells (ASCs) and myoblasts in co‐culture experiments. Methods: Specific inductive media were used to differentiate ASCs in vitro into a Schwann cell–like phenotype (differentiated adipose tissue–derived stem cells, or dASCs) and, subsequently, the expression of acetylcholine (ACh)‐related machinery was determined. In addition, the expression of muscarinic ACh receptors was examined in denervated rat gastrocnemius muscles. Results: In contrast to undifferentiated ASCs, dASCs expressed more choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter. When co‐cultured with myoblasts, dASCs enhanced the proliferation rate, as did ACh administration alone. Western blotting and pharmacological inhibitor studies showed that phosphorylated extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 signaling mediated these effects. In addition, denervated muscle showed higher expression of muscarinic ACh receptors than control muscle. Discussion: Our findings suggest that dASCs promote proliferation of myoblasts through paracrine secretion of ACh, which could explain some of their regenerative capacity in vivo. Muscle Nerve 57: 305–311, 2018
Optimization techniques for identifying soil parameters in geotechnical engineering: Comparative study and enhancement
Authors: Yin Zhen‐Yu , Jin Yin‐Fu , Shen Jack Shuilong , Hicher Pierre‐Yves
Published: July 2017

A comparative study of optimization techniques for identifying soil parameters in geotechnical engineering was first presented. The identification methodology with its 3 main parts, error function, search strategy, and identification procedure, was introduced and summarized. Then, current optimization methods were reviewed and classified into 3 categories with an introduction to their basic principles and applications in geotechnical engineering. A comparative study on the identification of model parameters from a synthetic pressuremeter and an excavation tests was then performed by using 5 among the mostly common optimization methods, including genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, simulated annealing, the differential evolution algorithm and the artificial bee colony algorithm. The results demonstrated that the differential evolution had the strongest search ability but the slowest convergence speed. All the selected methods could reach approximate solutions with very small objective errors, but these solutions were different from the preset parameters. To improve the identification performance, an enhanced algorithm was developed by implementing the Nelder‐Mead simplex method in a differential algorithm to accelerate the convergence speed with strong reliable search ability. The performance of the enhanced optimization algorithm was finally highlighted by identifying the Mohr‐Coulomb parameters from the 2 same synthetic cases and from 2 real pressuremeter tests in sand, and ANICREEP parameters from 2 real pressuremeter tests in soft clay.
A topology optimization formulation for transient design of multi‐entry laminated piezocomposite energy harvesting devices coupled with electrical circuit
Authors: Salas R. A. , Ramírez F. J. , Montealegre‐Rubio W. , Silva E. C. N. , Reddy J. N.
Published: July 2017

Laminated piezocomposite energy harvesters (LAPEHs) are multilayer arrangements of piezoelectric and nonpiezoelectric materials. Multiple materials and physics, and dynamic analysis need to be considered in their design. Usually these devices are designed for harmonic excitation; however, they are subjected to other types of excitations. Thus, a novel topology optimization formulation is developed for designing LAPEHs that considers a combination of harmonic and transient optimization problems with the aim of designing the so‐called “multi‐entry" devices in which the power generated is the same for different types of excitation. LAPEHs are modeled by the finite element method, and the material model used for the piezoelectric layer is based on penalization and polarization model who controls material distribution and corresponding polarization. To optimize the RLC circuit, a novel linear interpolation model of coupled electrical impedance is also introduced to consider different magnitudes of the coupled impedance. The topology optimization problem seeks to maximize the active power generated by the LAPEH at its RLC circuit, to minimize its response time measured as the slope of the power versus time curve, and to maximize its stiffness. Numerical examples are shown to illustrate the potential of the method.
Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction in Women with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Raja‐Khan Nazia , Agito Katrina , Shah Julie , Stetter Christy M. , Gustafson Theresa S. , Socolow Holly , Kunselman Allen R. , Reibel Diane K. , Legro Richard S.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and cardiometabolic effects of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) in women with overweight or obesity.

Methods

Eighty‐six women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 were randomized to 8 weeks of MBSR or health education and followed for 16 weeks. The primary outcome was the Toronto Mindfulness Scale. Secondary outcomes included the Perceived Stress Scale‐10, fasting glucose, and blood pressure.

Results

Compared to health education, the MBSR group demonstrated significantly improved mindfulness at 8 weeks (mean change from baseline, 4.5 vs. −1.0; P = 0.03) and significantly decreased perceived stress at 16 weeks (−3.6 vs. −1.3, P = 0.01). In the MBSR group, there were significant reductions in fasting glucose at 8 weeks (−8.9 mg/dL, P = 0.02) and at 16 weeks (−9.3 mg/dL, P = 0.02) compared to baseline. Fasting glucose did not significantly improve in the health education group. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, weight, or insulin resistance in the MBSR group.

Conclusions

In women with overweight or obesity, MBSR significantly reduces stress and may have beneficial effects on glucose. Future studies demonstrating long‐term cardiometabolic benefits of MBSR will be key for establishing MBSR as an effective tool in the management of obesity.
Distributed discrete‐time optimization algorithms with applications to resource allocation in epidemics control
Authors: Ramírez‐Llanos Eduardo , Martínez Sonia
Published: July 2017

This work presents and analyzes 2 novel distributed discrete‐time nonlinear algorithms to solve a class of decentralized resource allocation problems. The algorithms allow an interconnected group of agents to collectively minimize a global cost function under inequality and equality constraints. Under some technical conditions, it is shown that the first proposed algorithm converges asymptotically to the desired equilibrium, while the second one converges to the solution in a practical way as long as the stepsize chosen is sufficiently small. Of particular interest is that the algorithms are designed to be robust to temporary errors in communication or computation. In addition, agents do not require global knowledge of total resources in the network or any specific procedure for initialization and the cost function is not required to be separable. The convergence of the algorithms is established via nonsmooth Lyapunov analysis. Finally, we illustrate the applicability of our strategies on a virus mitigation problem over computer and human networks.
The Dilemma of “Managing for Results” in China: Won't Let Go
Authors: Mei Ciqi , Pearson Margaret M.
Published: July 2017

While China is not often thought of as a prime location for implementation of “managing for results” mechanisms of New Public Management, in fact, the reform era leadership—consistent with implementation of many market mechanisms in the economy—initiated cadre management principles imbued with results‐based techniques. This article discusses how dilemmas inherent in MFR principles play out in China's institutional context. It examines an understudied “punishing for results” technique employed in China, the “hold‐to‐account” system, and demonstrates how this punishment technique reveals inherent dilemmas that also can be expected if applied in other state‐centric developing countries. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Humic acid particle embedded super porous gum Arabic cryogel network for versatile use
Authors: Suner Selin Sagbas , Sahiner Nurettin
Published: July 2017

Super porous gum Arabic (GA) cryogels were synthesized by crosslinking of natural GA with divinyl sulfone at cryogenic conditions, −20°C for potential biomedical applications. Humic acid (HA) nanoparticles were also prepared by using degradable and biocompatible crosslinkers such as trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether, and trisodium trimetaphosphate in a single step and then entrapped within GA cryogel network as GA/HA particle cryogel. Furthermore, GA/HA cryogel was used as a template for Ag, Cu, and Fe nanoparticle preparation, and their antimicrobial properties were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis strains. The minimum inhibition concentration values of Ag and Cu nanoparticle‐loaded GA/HA cryogel composites were determined as 10 mg mL−1. Furthermore, the blood compatibility tests such as hemolysis and blood clotting indexes were determined for GA cryogels and found to be more compatible with 0.08 ± 0.01% hemolysis and 89.4 ± 6.1 blood clotting values, whereas the hemolysis of the Ag, Cu, and Fe nanoparticle‐loaded GA/HA Ag, Cu, and Fe metal nanoparticle cryogel composites decreased in the order of Fe > Cu > Ag nanoparticles.
Significant association between TNFAIP3 inactivation and biased immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region 4‐34 usage in mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma
Authors: Moody Sarah , Escudero‐Ibarz Leire , Wang Ming , Clipson Alexandra , Ochoa Ruiz Eguzkine , Dunn‐Walters Deborah , Xue Xuemin , Zeng Naiyan , Robson Alistair , Chuang Shih‐Sung , Cogliatti Sergio , Liu Hongxiang , Goodlad John , Ashton‐Key Margaret , Raderer Markus , Bi Yingwen , Du Ming‐Qing
Published: July 2017

Both antigenic drive and genetic change play critical roles in the development of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, but neither alone is sufficient for malignant transformation, and lymphoma development critically depends on their cooperation. However, which of these different events concur and how they cooperate in MALT lymphomagenesis is totally unknown. To explore this, we investigated somatic mutations of 17 genes and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) usage in 179 MALT lymphomas from various sites. We showed that: (1) there was a significant association between the biased usage of IGHV4‐34 (binds to the carbohydrate I/i antigens) and inactivating mutation of TNFAIP3 [encoding a global negative regulator of the canonical nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway] in ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma; (2) IGHV1‐69 was significantly overrepresented (54%) in MALT lymphoma of the salivary gland, but was not associated with mutation in any of the 17 genes investigated; and (3) MALT lymphoma lacked mutations that are frequently seen in other B‐cell lymphomas characterized by constitutive NF‐κB activities, including mutations in CD79B, CARD11, MYD88, TNFRSF11A, and TRAF3. Our findings show, for the first time, a significant association between biased usage of autoreactive IGHV and somatic mutation of NF‐κB regulators in MALT lymphoma, arguing for their cooperation in sustaining chronic B‐cell receptor signalling and driving oncogenesis in lymphoma development. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tailoring electrical and thermal properties of polymethyl methacrylate‐carbon nanotubes composites through polyaniline and dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid impregnation
Authors: Bashir Farrukh , Hussain Tajamal , Mujahid Adnan , Shehzad Khurram , Raza Muhammad Aamir , Zahid Muhammad , Athar Muhammad Makshoof
Published: July 2017

A series of composites of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with polyaniline‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PANI‐CNTs) as filler I and dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (DBSA‐CNTs) as filler II are developed by solution mixing method. Composites are characterized for morphological, electrical, and thermal properties to study effect of two different types of additives, PANI, and DBSA. Furthermore, their influence on dispersion of CNTs is also studied. Electrical percolation behavior of both composites series is investigated through dielectric and conductivity measurements. Sharp insulators to conductor transition curves are obtained for filler I and II, with conductivity of 5.6 S cm−1 at 2 wt% of CNTs and 2 S cm−1 at 3 wt% of CNTs, respectively. High dielectric constant is observed for filler I as compared to filler II due to the formation of comparatively big clusters of filler I than II. Theoretically calculated percolation threshold was found to be 1.3 wt% for filler I and 0.8 wt% for filler II in the matrix with exponent constants 2.4 and 1.25, respectively. Thermal stability of PMMA composites, containing filler II, indicated an impressive increase by 72°C onset and 55°C in complete degradation temperature as compared to pure PMMA. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1052–E1059, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Buckypaper of polyvinyl chloride/p‐phenylenediamine modified graphite and PVC/graphite via resin infiltration technique
Authors: Khan Zaheen Ullah , Kausar Ayesha , Zhang Dengsong , Shi Liyi , Ullah Hidayat , Khan Wasid Ullah
Published: July 2017

Resin‐infiltration technique has been employed as a versatile method to improve nanofiller dispersion in matrix. In this article, fabrication of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/p‐phenylenediamine (PPD)/functional graphite (F‐G) and PVC/F‐G composite paper have been reported through resin‐infiltration techniques. Synthesis and characterization of PVC/PPD/F‐G and PVC/F‐G composite papers for enhanced structural, morphological, thermal, hardness, wettability, and conductivity properties have been studied. Moreover, the effect of increasing amount of F‐G and PPD/F‐G nanofiller on composite paper properties was scrutinized and compared. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy depicted better graphite nanofiller dispersion in PVC matrix and network formation in PVC/PPD/F‐G composite paper. Maximum degradation temperature (Tmax) of PVC/PPD/F‐G 0.08 composite paper (517°C) was found higher than PVC/F‐G 0.08 composite paper (484°C). Dynamic contact angle analysis shows that the PVC/PPD/F‐G and PVC/F‐G composite papers have better surface wettability than neat PVC. PVC/PDD/F‐G 0.1 and PVC/F‐G 0.1 composite papers possess high microhardness values up to 39.67 and 32.76 Hv, respectively. Electrical conductivity of 8.97 × 10−3 and 5.89 × 10−3 S m−1 was observed for 0.08 wt% PPD/F‐G and F‐G loaded samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4176–4187, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of sodium hydroxide solution as polymerization solvent and activator on structural, mechanical and antibacterial properties of PNIPAAm and P(NIPAAm–clay) hydrogels
Authors: Yalçın Bestenur , Erbil Candan
Published: July 2017

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and its composite hydrogels were synthesized by free‐radical polymerizations in NaOH solutions (0.1, 0.2 N). Laponite (LP), Montmorillonite (MMT) and ODA(octadecylamine)‐MMT were used as inorganic multicrosslinkers while BIS was chosen as conventional crosslinker. All polymerizations were initiated with KPS alone. The effects of two different concentrations of NaOH‐KPS redox pair and long reaction times (1w and 2w) at 25°C on structural and mechanical properties, antibacterial and haemolytic activities of the modified hydrogels were studied by conductometric titrations, FTIR, XRD, EDX, compression, inhibition zone and haemolysis tests. Their homogenities, compressive moduli at 37°C, antibacterial activities and blood compatibilities increased with increasing reaction time and NaOH concentration. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E386–E406, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Record 1.0 V open‐circuit voltage in wide band gap chalcopyrite solar cells
Authors: Larsson Fredrik , Nilsson Nina Shariati , Keller Jan , Frisk Christopher , Kosyak Volodymyr , Edoff Marika , Törndahl Tobias
Published: July 2017

Tandem solar cell structures require a high‐performance wide band gap absorber as top cell. A possible candidate is CuGaSe2, with a fundamental band gap of 1.7 eV. However, a significant open‐circuit voltage deficit is often reported for wide band gap chalcopyrite solar cells like CuGaSe2. In this paper, we show that the open‐circuit voltage can be drastically improved in wide band gap p‐Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and p‐CuGaSe2 devices by improving the conduction band alignment to the n‐type buffer layer. This is accomplished by using Zn1−xSnxOy, grown by atomic layer deposition, as a buffer layer. In this case, the conduction band level can be adapted to an almost perfect fit to the wide band gap Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and CuGaSe2 materials. With an improved buffer band alignment for CuGaSe2 absorbers, evaporated in a 3‐stage type process, we show devices exhibiting open‐circuit voltages up to 1017 mV, and efficiencies up to 11.9%. This is to the best of our knowledge the highest reported open‐circuit voltage and efficiency for a CuGaSe2 device. Temperature‐dependent current‐voltage measurements show that the high open‐circuit voltage is explained by reduced interface recombination, which makes it possible to separate the influence of absorber quality from interface recombination in future studies.
Optical differentiation between quadruplex DNA and duplex DNA with a [2.2.2]heptamethinecyanine dye
Authors: Ihmels Heiko , Mahmoud Mohamed M.A. , Patrick Brian O.
Published: July 2017

The interactions between the trinuclear cyanine all‐trans‐2,2'‐[3‐[(1,3‐dihydro‐1,3,3‐trimethyl‐2H‐indol‐2‐ylidene)ethylidene]‐1,4‐pentadiene‐1,5‐diyl]‐bis[1,3,3‐trimethyl]‐3H‐indolium with representative G4‐DNA sequences, namely, 22AG [d(AG3T2AG3T2AG3T2AG3)], c‐myc [d(TGAG3TG3TAG3TG3TA2)], c‐kit [d(AG3AG3CGCTG3AG2AG3)], and a2 [d(ACAG4TGTG4ACAG4TGTG4)] and with double‐stranded DNA, ct DNA and ds26 [d(CA2TCG2ATCGA2T2CGATC2GAT2G)], are studied by photometric and fluorimetric titrations, CD‐spectroscopic analysis, and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the heptamethine cyanine binds to quadruplex DNA by terminal π‐stacking and to duplex DNA by aggregation along the DNA backbone. The ligand does not bind selectively to quadruplex DNA as compared with duplex DNA, but the two DNA forms can be differentiated with this ligand based on the different development of its absorption and emission properties upon ligand‐DNA association.
Body image mediates the effect of cancer‐related stigmatization on depression: A new target for intervention
Authors: Esser Peter , Mehnert Anja , Johansen Christoffer , Hornemann Beate , Dietz Andreas , Ernst Jochen
Published: July 2017

Objective

Because cancer‐related stigmatization is prevalent but difficult to change, research on its impact on psychological burden and respective intervening variables is needed. Therefore, we investigated the effect of stigmatization on depressive symptomatology and whether body image mediates this relationship.

Methods

This bicentric study assessed patients of 4 major tumor entities. We measured stigmatization (SIS‐D), depressive symptomatology (PHQ‐9), and body image (FKB‐20). Applying multiple mediator analyses, we calculated the total effect of stigmatization on depressive symptomatology and the indirect effects exerted via the 2 body image scales rejecting body evaluation and vital body dynamics.

Results

Among the 858 cancer patients recruited (breast: n = 297; prostate: n = 268; colorectal: n = 168; lung: n = 125), stigmatization showed total effects on depressive symptomatology across all stigma dimensions (all ptotal sample < .001). Except for lung cancer patients, this result was replicated for each cancer group. Body image as a whole was shown to mediate the effect across all samples (γtotal sample = .04, 95%‐CI: 0.03‐0.06). Among the total sample and prostate cancer patients, the mediating effect of rejecting body evaluation was significantly larger than the effect of vital body dynamics (dtotal sample = .02, 95%‐CI: 0.01‐0.04).

Conclusions

Perceived stigmatization is an important and generalizable risk factor for depressive symptomatology among cancer patients. Apart from interventions addressing stigmatization, improving body image could additionally help to reduce the psychological burden in stigmatized patients.
Computed tomography‐guided intraluminal brachytherapy in recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma: A clinical trial in a small group
Authors: Ma Chenying , Xu Xiaoting , Zhang Ruting , Qin Songbing , Zhou Juying
Published: July 2017

Objective

The overall survival (OS) of lung cancer patients has been significantly extended as a consequence of chemotherapy and targeted drug utilization, which has resulted in an increase in local recurrences. The present study followed patients to evaluate the short‐term and long‐term efficacies and the safety of high‐dose rate intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma patients, and investigate the factors that influence prognosis.

Methods

The clinical records, treatment, curable effects, and adverse events of 15 patients treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China, who were diagnosed with recurrent bronchogenic cancer between 1 June 2009 and 30 September 2015 were reviewed, and survival analysis was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of 15 recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma patients received ILBT, and information on curable effects and safety was available. The group consisted of two complete response (2/15), 11 partial response (11/15), one stable disease (1/15) and one progression disease (1/15). The response rate was 86.7% (13/15), and disease control (complete response + partial response + stable disease) was 93.3% (14/15). The dyspnea indexes of the patients decreased significantly in weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 after ILBT treatment (P < 0.001). The average post‐ILBT partial remission period was 5.27 ± 3.35 months, and the median partial remission period was 3.24 months. The combination therapy of ILBT and bronchofiberscope (P = 0.013), and a total ILBT dose of ≥20 Gy could produce a partial effective rate. The progress‐free survival of patients was 9.5 months (95% CI 12.2–16.5 months), average progress‐free survival was 15.8 ± 14.4 months, median OS was 32.0 months (95% CI 25.0–30.0 months), 1‐year OS was 93.3% (14/15), and 3‐year OS was 40.0% (6/15). The main adverse events were bronchospasm and hemoptysis (grade III); others were grade I–II.

Conclusion

Computed tomography‐guided ILBT is a safe, effective palliative treatment for recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma, but it requires further study in larger groups.
A solid‐state time‐temperature indicator used in chilled fresh pork monitoring
Authors: Meng Jingjing , Qian Jing , Tang Yuanyuan
Published: July 2017

A solid‐state enzymatic time‐temperature indicator (TTI) was developed in this paper. Glucoamylase microcapsules, emulsifier, and substrate solution were mixed uniformly, then the mixture was coated on a paper and could be activated by an agar cover. Both single factors and orthogonal experiments were conducted to obtain qualified formulations whose endpoints ranged from 5 to 6 days with storage temperature maintained at 4°C. The Arrhenius activation energy (EA) of obtained TTIs was also calculated at 107, 97.5, 88.0, 107, 98.5, 87.7, and 89.7 kJ/mol. For the application of TTIs to chilled fresh pork monitoring, both the spoilage mechanism and kinetic properties of pork were studied and an EA value of 64.7 kJ/mol was obtained. After isothermal verification, a qualified TTI formulation was obtained, of which the mass of glucoamylase microcapsules was 0.02 g, the mass of amylose was 5 g, the concentration of iodine solution was 0.1M, and the thickness of agar cover was 2 mm. The time‐temperature history of chilled fresh pork can be indicated by the colour response of the TTI.
Measuring forecast performance in the presence of observation error
Authors: Ferro Christopher A. T.
Published: July 2017

A new framework is introduced for measuring the performance of probability forecasts when the true value of the predictand is observed with error. In these circumstances, proper scoring rules favour good forecasts of observations rather than of truth and yield scores that vary with the quality of the observations. Proper scoring rules thus can favour forecasters who issue worse forecasts of the truth and can mask real changes in forecast performance if observation quality varies over time. Existing approaches to accounting for observation error provide unsatisfactory solutions to these two problems. A new class of ‘error‐corrected’ proper scoring rules is defined that solves both problems by producing unbiased estimates of the scores that would be obtained if the forecasts could be verified against the truth. A general method for constructing error‐corrected proper scoring rules is given for the case of categorical predictands, and error‐corrected versions of the Dawid–Sebastiani scoring rule are proposed for numerical predictands. The benefits of accounting for observation error in ensemble post‐processing and in forecast verification are illustrated in three data examples that include forecasts for the occurrence of tornadoes and of aircraft icing.
Application of paper spray ionization for explosives analysis
Authors: Tsai Chia‐Wei , Tipple Christopher A. , Yost Richard A.
Published: July 2017

Rationale

A desired feature in the analysis of explosives is to decrease the time of the entire analysis procedure, including sampling. A recently utilized ambient ionization technique, paper spray ionization (PSI), provides the possibility of combining sampling and ionization. However, an interesting phenomenon that occurs in generating negatively charged ions pose some challenges in applying PSI to explosives analysis. The goal of this work is to investigate the possible solutions for generating explosives ions in negative mode PSI.

Methods

The analysis of 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX), and 1,3,5‐trinitroperhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX) was performed. Several solvent systems with different surface tensions and additives were compared to determine their effect on the ionization of explosives. The solvents tested include tert‐butanol, isopropanol, methanol, and acetonitrile. The additives tested were carbon tetrachloride and ammonium nitrate.

Results

Of the solvents tested, isopropanol yielded the best results. In addition, adding ammonium nitrate to the isopropanol enhanced the analyte signal. Experimentally determined limits of detection (LODs) as low as 0.06 ng for PETN, on paper, were observed with isopropanol and the addition of 0.4 mM ammonium nitrate as the spray solution. In addition, the explosive components of two plastic explosive samples, Composition 4 and Semtex, were successfully analyzed via surface sampling when using the developed method.

Conclusions

The analysis of explosives using PSI‐MS in negative ion mode was achieved. The addition of ammonium nitrate to isopropanol, in general, enhanced the analyte signal and yielded better ionization stability. Real‐world explosive samples were analyzed, which demonstrates one of the potential applications of PSI‐MS analysis.
Robust estimation‐free decentralized prescribed performance control of nonaffine nonlinear large‐scale systems
Authors: Wei Caisheng , Luo Jianjun , Yin Zeyang , Wei Xing , Yuan Jianping
Published: July 2017

In this paper, a low‐complexity robust estimation‐free decentralized prescribed performance control scheme is proposed and analyzed for nonaffine nonlinear large‐scale systems in the presence of unknown nonlinearity and external disturbance. To tackle the high‐order dynamics of each tracking error subsystem, a time‐varying stable manifold involving the output tracking error and its high‐order derivatives is constructed, which is strictly evolved within the envelope of user‐specialized prescribed performance. Sequentially, a robust decentralized controller is devised for each manifold, under which the output tracking error and its high‐order derivatives are proven to converge asymptotically to a small residual domain with prescribed fast convergence rate. Additionally, no specialized approximation technique, adaptive scheme, and disturbance observer are needed, which alleviates the complexity and difficulty of robust decentralized controller design dramatically. Finally, 3 groups of illustrative examples are used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed low‐complexity robust decentralized control scheme for uncertain nonaffine nonlinear large‐scale systems.
The Road Map for Megakaryopoietic Lineage from Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Nishikii Hidekazu , Kurita Naoki , Chiba Shigeru
Published: July 2017

Megakaryocytes (Mgks) are terminally differentiated blood cells specified to produce platelets, whereas hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the most undifferentiated blood cells that retain multipotency to produce all kinds of blood cells. As such, these two cell types reside at the bottom and the top of the hematopoietic hierarchy, respectively. In spite of this distance, they share several important cell surface molecules as well as transcription factors.

In the conventional step-wise differentiation model, HSCs gradually lose their self-renewal capacity and differentiate into multipotent progenitors (MPPs), which is the first branch point of myeloid and lymphoid lineage. In this model, common myeloid progenitors can differentiate into bipotent Mgk/erythroid progenitors (MEPs), and MEPs eventually differentiate into unipotent mature Mgks. However, it has been recently reported that a subpopulation within the HSC and MPP compartments demonstrates an Mgk-biased differentiation potential. These reports imply that revisions to the HSC-to-Mgk differentiation pathway should be discussed. In this review, we summarize recent findings about Mgk differentiation from HSCs and discuss future directions in this research field.
Extending knowledge of illegitimate tasks: Student satisfaction, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion
Authors: Fila Marcus J. , Eatough Erin
Published: July 2017

Illegitimate tasks represent assignments that individuals feels they “should not have to do” because they are not appropriate given their role. The primary aim of this study was to broaden existing knowledge on illegitimate tasks beyond workplace contexts by exploring whether this stressor was also negatively related to psychological well‐being in higher education students. This study examined illegitimate tasks in relation to student satisfaction, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion in a college student setting through the demand‐control‐support framework. Reports from 473 college students indicated that illegitimate tasks may be important in student populations, as they were linked to student satisfaction and both psychological strain markers. In addition, perceptions of control over how to complete illegitimate tasks did not moderate relationships between illegitimate tasks and these outcomes, but perceptions of instructor support did. Specifically, instructor support buffered the negative effects of illegitimate tasks on anxiety and emotional exhaustion, such that the relationship between perceived task illegitimacy and both outcomes was less pronounced for students perceiving higher levels of support. However, an unexpected pattern emerged for the moderating effect of instructor support such that satisfaction deteriorated with high support, which underscores the need to further explore the function of social support in relation to illegitimate tasks.
Making it fit: Associations of line managers' behaviours with the outcomes of an organizational‐level intervention
Authors: Lundmark Robert , von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica , Hasson Henna , Stenling Andreas , Tafvelin Susanne
Published: July 2017

Line managers' behaviours are important during implementation of occupational health interventions. Still, little is known about how these behaviours are related to intervention outcomes. This study explored the relationship between line managers' intervention‐specific transformational leadership (IsTL), intervention fit (the match between the intervention, persons involved, and the surrounding environment), and change in intrinsic motivation and vigour. Both direct and indirect relationships between IsTL and change in intrinsic motivation and vigour were tested. Ninety employees participating in an organizational‐level occupational health intervention provided questionnaire ratings at baseline and after 6 months. The results showed IsTL to be related to intervention fit and intervention fit to be related to intrinsic motivation. Using intervention fit as a mediator, the total effects (direct and indirect combined) of IsTL on change in intrinsic motivation and vigour were significant. In addition, IsTL had a specific indirect effect on intrinsic motivation. This study is the first to use IsTL as a measure line managers' behaviours. It is also the first to empirically evaluate the association between intervention fit and intervention outcomes. By including these measures in evaluations of organizational‐level occupational health interventions, we can provide more informative answers as to what can make interventions successful.
Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility and Rock Magnetic Applications in the Deccan Volcanic Province based on some Case Studies
Authors: Sangode S. J. , Sharma Rajiv , Mahajan Rasika , Basavaiah N. , Srivastava Priyeshu , Gudadhe Swapnil S. , Meshram D. C. , Venkateshwarulu M.
Published: July 2017

Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) as a tool has been explored here to investigate the nature of petrofabrics in Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) of west-central Indian region by representative sampling in typical pahoehoe and rubbly pahoehoe lava flows, dykes within flows, shear zone and the impact crater units. The rock magnetic analysis indicate varying degree of concentration of titanomagnetite compositions dominated by multi domain (MD) to pseudo single domain (PSD) grains favoring shape anisotropy of minerals that form primary fabrics. The pahoehoe type lava flows shows planar oblate fabrics without any preferred orientation of principle susceptibility axis (K1) depicting crystal settling (of magnetic grains) as chief mechanism of fabric development. The rubbly pahoehoe type lava flow exhibit prolate fabrics with well clustered maximum susceptibility axis within horizontal to sub-horizontal planes depicting their response to viscosity shear. The dykes show well clustered K1 parallel to it’s plane locked during rapid contractional cooling. The sampling at Lonar impact crater was unable to trace any clear fabric due to impact/shock induced deformation and rather preserve the primary fabrics. Further, the shear zone depict random fabrics demanding more detailed and systematic sampling in both the cases. The present investigation infer that the magnetic mineralogy and magnetic fabric variations in the DVP are controlled by the flow mechanism and style of cooling that is characteristic of the given flow unit or dyke and any secondary or superimposed fabric needs to be examined by critical sampling strategy. While more detailed attempts are required to establish the AMS as a tool to record various aspects including the flow dynamics and rate of effusion in the vast terrain of DVP; the present approach is useful to characterize and correlate the lava flow units and dyke occurrences.
Vertical Variation in Groundwater Chemistry of Penna-Chitravathi River Basin in Southern India
Authors: Reddy A. G. S.
Published: July 2017

Study on geochemistry of groundwater occurring at different depths is rarely attempted due to inherent difficulties in sample isolation and lack of significant species variations. Three-dimensional (spatial, temporal and depth-wise) evaluation of water chemistry variations would give holistic picture of aquatic chemistry. In order to fill the knowledge gap the vertical hydrogeochemistry of Penna-Chitravati inter-stream sub-basin is studied. Water samples are segregated into different groups based on water levels of source wells. The group samples pertaining to granite terrain (A to C) does not show much variation for tested parameters as most of the samples fall within 20m water level. In shale aquifers groundwater is progressively less ionized as depth to levels increases (Group D to G). Reduction of EC and Na-Cl along with falling water levels indicates deeper aquifers are free from contamination. Gradual decrease in HCO3−with depth substantiates that deeper aquifers are getting less fresh water due to lack of inter connectivity in shale formations. Sodium in groundwater of both the granite and shale aquifers is contributed by weathering of silicate rocks as the Na+/Cl−molar ratio is >1 in many samples. Majority of the samples in both the geological terrains have Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio between 1 to < 2 indicating dolomite dissolution is responsible for Ca2+-Mg2+ contribution. The chemistry of tested water indicate aquifer matrix is responsible for chemical make-up of pore water which was obliterated due to extraneous sources like anthropogenic contamination as Na+, Cl−, NO3−and SO42−/HCO3−is high in many samples belonging to shallow aquifers. Thermodynamic action in deep aquifers could be responsible for dissimilar water chemistry in aquifers belonging to same geological domain.
East-West Mafic Dyke in Aravallis – A Post-depositional Event Deciphered by Aeromagnetic Studies
Authors: Pathak A. K. , Sridhar M. , Harsha Y. , Markandeyulu A. , Raju B. V. S. N. , Chaturvedi A. K.
Published: July 2017

Aravalli fold belt has witnessed major tectonism resulting in intense deformation and associated mafic magmatism. Recently acquired high resolution aeromagnetic data over central Aravalli fold belt brought out a conspicuous E-W trending magnetic anomaly extending for more than 35 km in length cutting across the whole succession of Aravalli Supergroup. This anomaly on ground is manifested as undeformed basic dyke intruding into metasediments of Aravalli Supergroup. The E-W trend and undeformed nature of these dykes suggest that they represent post Aravalli mafic magmatism which are emplaced sympathetic to the axial plane of F3 folding.
Stability Analysis of Rock Slopes along Gangadarshan, Pauri, Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Authors: Chaurasia Abhishek Kumar , Pandey H. K. , Nainwal H. C. , Singh Jitendra , Tiwari S K
Published: July 2017

The rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR) has been carried out to classify the slope in terms of slope instability. To understand the RMR and SMR various geostructural, geomorphologic and hydrological parameters of the slopes were measured and analyzed. The present RMR and SMR study is an outcome of extensive field study along a stretch of about 10 km on road leading from Srinagar to Pauriarea along Alaknanda valley. The technique followed incorporates the relation between discontinuities and slope along with rock mass rating (RMR) and slope mass rating (SMR). The analysis of the 32 studied slopes shows that in the Gangadarshan area out of six rock slope facets, two falls in class II (stable) and four in class IV (unstable). It is significant to note that the slope facets coming under class IV are comprised of active landslide portions. While the slopes under class II show minor failure or old landslide debris.
Geochemistry of the Mafic Xenoliths from the Kinnaur Kailash Granite, Baspa Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Rao D. Rameshwar , Thakur S. S.
Published: July 2017

The geochemistry of the mafic xenoliths from Baspa valley of Himachal Pradesh, India has been investigated to characterize their protoliths on the basis of immobile elements, especially trace elements including REE. The mafic xenoliths occur within the Kinnaur Kailash granite (KKG) and their geochemistry show that they have tholeiitic nature with basaltic composition. Compositionally, they range from ‘depleted’ to ‘enriched’ MORB as observed on the binary diagrams of Ti vs V and Zr vs Ti and on ternary diagrams of Zr-Ti-Y and Th-Zr-N. Likewise, they match with various enriched or ‘transitional’ MORB types as evident from their Zr vs Nb binary plot. Their enriched character when compared with N-MORB, E-MORB and OIB rocks on chondrite and primordial mantle normalized plots reveals that it is intermediate to that of E-MORB and OIB. The geochemistry of the rocks suggest that the enriched components are probably derived by melting of a mantle source with E-MORB or OIB rather than due to the crustal contamination. The study carried out emphasize that the mafic xenoliths have developed in rift environment, and that they are not volcanic rocks of island arc related to subduction tectonics. It is visualized that the mafic xenoliths were formed as cumulate rocks from the tholeiitic magmas that were rising to lower crust levels in a rift environment, which at a later stage got entrapped as restitic material in the host Kinnaur Kailash granite formed in a collision environment, and propose a change of regime from rift related to collision environment prior to Palaeozoic period.
Emergence of the Semi-Empirical Technique of Strong Ground Motion Simulation: A Review
Authors: Sandeep  , Joshi A. , Kumari P. , Lal S. , Vandana  , Kumar Parveen , Kamal
Published: July 2017

High frequency ground motion simulation techniques are powerful tools for designing earthquake resistant structures in seismically active regimes. Simulation techniques also provide the synthetic strong ground motion in the regions where actual records are not available (Kumar et al. 2015). These techniques require several parameters of earthquake and other seismic information proceeding to the simulation. Practically estimation of parameters is a tough task, particularly in a region with limited information. This demands a simulation technique based on the easily estimated parameters for a new site. The purposes of this paper are to briefly review existing simulation techniques and to discuss in detail the new, simple and effective semi-empirical technique (Midorikawa 1993) of strong motion simulation.
RATEMAKING OF DEPENDENT RISKS
Authors: Andrade e Silva J. M. , Centeno M. de Lourdes
Published: July 2017

We start by describing how, in some cases, we can use variance-related premium principles in ratemaking, when the claim numbers and individual claim amounts are independent. We use quasi-likelihood generalized linear models, under the assumption that the variance function is a power function of the mean of the underlying random variable. We extend this approach to the cases where the claim numbers are correlated. Some alternatives to deal with dependent risks are presented, taking explicitly into account overdispersion. We present regression models covering the bivariate Poisson, the generalized bivariate negative binomial and the bivariate Poisson–Laguerre polynomial, which nest the bivariate negative binomial. We apply these models to a portfolio of the Portuguese insurance company Tranquilidade and compare the results obtained.
Various Barbs in Solar Filaments
Authors: Filippov Boris
Published: July 2017

Interest to lateral details of the solar filament shape named barbs, motivated by their relationship to filament chirality and helicity, showed their different orientation relative to the expected direction of the magnetic field. While the majority of barbs are stretched along the field, some barbs seem to be transversal to it and are referred to as anomalous barbs. We analyse the deformation of helical field lines by a small parasitic polarity using a simple flux rope model with a force-free field. A rather small and distant source of parasitic polarity stretches the bottom parts of the helical lines in its direction creating a lateral extension of dips below the flux-rope axis. They can be considered as normal barbs of the filament. A stronger and closer source of parasitic polarity makes the flux-rope field lines to be convex below its axis and creates narrow and deep dips near its position. As a result, the narrow structure, with thin threads across it, is formed whose axis is nearly perpendicular to the field. The structure resembles an anomalous barb. Hence, the presence of anomalous barbs does not contradict the flux-rope structure of a filament.