bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Flexible Wearable Pressure Sensor with Bioinspired Microcrack and Interlocking for Full‐Range Human–Machine Interfacing
Authors: Guo Ying , Guo Zhiyuan , Zhong Mengjuan , Wan Pengbo , Zhang Weixia , Zhang Liqun
Published: September 2018

Flexible wearable pressure sensors have drawn tremendous interest for various applications in wearable healthcare monitoring, disease diagnostics, and human–machine interaction. However, the limited sensing range (<10%), low sensing sensitivity at small strains, limited mechanical stability at high strains, and complicated fabrication process restrict the extensive applications of these sensors for ultrasensitive full‐range healthcare monitoring. Herein, a flexible wearable pressure sensor is presented with a hierarchically microstructured framework combining microcrack and interlocking, bioinspired by the crack‐shaped mechanosensory systems of spiders and the wing‐locking sensing systems of beetles. The sensor exhibits wide full‐range healthcare monitoring under strain deformations of 0.2–80%, fast response/recovery time (22 ms/20 ms), high sensitivity, the ultrasensitive loading sensing of a feather (25 mg), the potential to predict the health of patients with early‐stage Parkinson's disease with the imitated static tremor, and excellent reproducibility over 10 000 cycles. Meanwhile, the sensor can be assembled as smart artificial electronic skins (E‐skins) for simultaneously mapping the pressure distribution and shape of touching sensing. Furthermore, it can be attached onto the legs of a smart robot and coupled to a wireless transmitter for wirelessly monitoring human‐motion interactivities.
Application of Optical Floating Zone Method to Dissolution Kinetics of Inclusions in a Steelmaking Slag
Authors: Sharma Mukesh , Dabkowska Hanna A. , Dogan Neslihan
Published: September 2018

The dissolution kinetics of micro‐particles (inclusions) in steelmaking slags is investigated using the high temperature confocal scanning laser microscope (HT ‐ CSLM). However, these studies focus on the limited type of inclusions such as Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, CaO, and MgAl2O4. To experimentally study the removability of various problematic inclusions that are not available in the market, optical floating zone and sintering techniques are presented here for the production of high purity micro‐particles. The syntheses of TiO2 and Al2TiO5 inclusions are employed to demonstrate the advantages and potential of both techniques. These inclusions are then dissolved in the steelmaking slags using CSLM at 1430 °C. In situ observation shows that there is gas evolution during the reaction between slag and Al2TiO5 particles prepared by both techniques. However, the gas evolution is more rapid during the dissolution of particles prepared by sintering and hinders in situ observations and measurements. The optical floating zone technique is capable of preparation of micro‐particles with high purity and less porosity. At 1430 °C, the Al2TiO5 particles do not dissolve at all, whereas TiO2 particles completely dissolve in 200 s.
Agency, Experience, and Future Bias
Authors: Kauppinen Antti ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: September 2018

In Reasons and Persons, Derek Parfit (1984) observed that most people are biased towards the future at least when it comes to pain and pleasure. That is, they regard a given amount of pain as less bad when it is in the past than when it is in the future, and a given amount of pleasure as less good. While Parfit (implicitly) held that this bias is rational, it has recently come under effective attack by temporal neutralists, who have offered cases that with plausible auxiliary assumptions appear to be counterexamples to the rationality claim. I’m going to argue that these cases and the rationale behind them only suffice to motivate a more limited rejection of future bias, and that constrained future bias is indeed rationally permissible. My argument turns on the distinct rational implications of action-guiding and pure temporal preferences. I’ll argue that future bias is rational when it comes to the latter, even if not the former. As I’ll say, Only Action Fixes Utility: it is only when you act on the basis of assigning a utility to an outcome that you rationally commit to giving it the same value when it is past as when it is in the future.
On a new calculation method of sludge mixture aeration and mixing processes in the aeration tanks of the wastewater biological treatment stations
Authors: Andreyev Sergey Yu. , Yakhkind Michael I.
Published: September 2018

This paper provides the results of theoretical and experimental research of sludge mixture aeration and the mixing processes in the aeration tanks. For the oxygen mass transfer process in the dynamic two‐phase water–air system formed during aeration, equations were obtained to determine the depletion coefficient of the gas phase in an emerging air bubble, KD, and the change in the dissolved oxygen concentration in the liquid phase, taking this coefficient into account. For the mixing process using an air‐distribution device, the equation was obtained to determine the velocity of the ascending water–air mix stream formed over this device. The proposed equations allow for the optimization of the design and operation of the pneumatic aeration systems used in wastewater biological treatment stations.
Probing local structures in (Ni/Co)‐codoped ZnO/PVDF composite flexible and freestanding films by using XAS and XPS studies
Authors: Yadav Ashok Kumar , Dey Rajkumar , Jha Shambhu Nath , Bhattacharyya Dibyendu , Hussain Shamima , Bhar Radhaballav , Pal Arun Kumar
Published: September 2018

Extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure studies have been performed on five Ni/Co‐codoped ZnO/polyvinylidene fluoride composite flexible and freestanding films to probe the local structure surrounding the Zn, Co, and Ni sites. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies are also performed for throwing insight in charge states of Co and Ni being incorporated. X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure studies confirmed the incorporation of Co atoms at tetrahedral sites of the wurtzite host matrix. They acted as substitutional impurities without forming any detectable impurity phase or cobalt clusters.
Surgical Techniques, Outcomes, Indications, and Complications of Simultaneous High Tibial Osteotomy and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gupta Arnav , Tejpal Tushar , Shanmugaraj Ajaykumar , Horner Nolan S. , Simunovic Nicole , Duong Andrew , Ayeni Olufemi R.
Published: September 2018

Background

The incidence of primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) failure ranges from 10 to 20% in the USA. Many patient and surgical factors may lead to re-rupture after ACLR. Some authors have suggested that not correcting excessive posterior tibial slope may be a significant contributing factor to ACLR failure.

Purposes

We sought to systematically review the literature on outcomes, indications, and complications in patients undergoing simultaneous high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and ACLR revision.

Methods

PubMed, Medline, and Embase were searched in February 2018 for articles addressing simultaneous HTO and ACLR revision in skeletally mature patients. Major orthopedic conferences were screened in duplicate to find gray literature. All studies were assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies. Descriptive statistics are presented where applicable.

Results

Seven studies satisfied inclusion. Seventy-seven patients underwent combined HTO and ACLR revision. The main indications were a posterior slope of more than 12° or severe varus malalignment. Graft types included hamstring tendon autograft (58.4%; n = 45) and quadriceps tendon graft (16.9%; n = 13). Mean delay between primary and revision surgery was 9 years. Rehabilitation protocol dictated return to running at 4 months and return to sport at 4 to 9 months. Visual analog scale pain scores reduced on average by 30 points. Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee, Tegner–Lysholm, and Tegner activity scores also improved. Fifty-eight percent (35/60) of patients showed osteoarthritis signs post-operatively. One patient (1.3%) received an arthroscopic arthrolysis of adhesions for stiffness. There were no reported incidences of graft re-rupture.

Conclusion

This systematic review found that the use of HTO for ACLR revision produces good post-operative functional outcomes, low complication rates, and no reported re-ruptures. The main indications for combined HTO with ACLR revision was a posterior slope of more than 12° or severe varus malalignment. Future studies with large sample sizes and long-term follow-up are required to corroborate these results.
New bivalve genus from the Early Jurassic of Neuquén Basin, Argentina, and its bearing on the Cuspidariidae (Poromyida) fossil record
Authors: Damborenea Susana E.
Published: September 2018

The new endemic genusNeuquemya, from Pliensbachian deposits in west-central Argentina, is here described and tentatively referred to the Cuspidariidae on account of its shell characters. The new speciesNeuquemya leanzaorumhas a thin, inflated shell, rounded anteriorly and rostrate posteriorly, with a narrow posterodorsal gape and opisthogyrous umbones. The hinge region bears small cardinal tubercles. The shell is ornamented by commarginal (anterior) and radial (posterior) sculpture, whereas the rostrum is smooth. The general and detailed characters of the shell are thus very similar to those of living cuspidariids. Cuspidariids are extremely specialized bivalves with special features related to their carnivorous habit. Their fossil record is scarce, and their phylogeny is poorly understood. Because a few key shell characters and all soft body features of the new genus are unavailable, the alternative possibility that his taxon could be a remarkable example of a homoeomorphic shell cannot be dismissed. If actually a cuspidariid,Neuquemyan. gen. becomes the oldest known member of the family ca. 100 Myr older than the Late Cretaceous records unequivocally accepted and supports the argument that the origin of the group is much older than its known fossil record. The possible relationships of the new genus with other poorly known Mesozoic genera are discussed. Although septibranchs in general and cuspidariids in particular are now conspicuous elements of deep-sea faunas, this new genus inhabited nearshore environments of the Neuquén Basin.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/8adbd45b-c9c6-4f57-bcfc-c13e5f9182eb
Mobility and participation among ageing powered wheelchair users: using a lifecourse approach
Authors: Labbé Delphine , Mortenson W. Ben , Rushton Paula W. , Demers Louise , Miller William C.
Published: September 2018

About 65 million people use wheelchairs worldwide. Powered wheelchairs offer independent mobility for those who find it difficult to propel a manual wheelchair. Previous studies have described powered wheelchairs as a mixed blessing for the users in terms of usability, accessibility, safety, cost and stigma; however, few studies have explored their impact on mobility and participation over time. Therefore, as part of a larger longitudinal study, we used a combined retrospective and prospective lifecourse perspective to explore the experiences of older adult powered wheelchair users. Based on the interpretive description approach, 19 participants took part in a series of semi-structured interviews over a two-year period about their mobility, social participation and ageing process. The participants were powered wheelchair users, at least 50 years of age, recruited in Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec City (Canada). We identified three themes that highlighted how the powered wheelchair experience was integrated into the life continuum of the users. ‘It's my legs’ emphasised how powered wheelchairs are a form of mobility that not only enables users to take part in activities, but also impacts their identities, past and present. ‘Wheels of change’ explored the dynamic nature of powered wheelchair use and changes related to ageing. ‘Getting around’ illustrated how users’ mobility was affected by the interaction with their physical and social environments. Developing public policies to advance social and environmental changes could help countries to ensure equity of access and social inclusion of those ageing with disabilities.
Ageing in the margins: expectations of and struggles for ‘a good place to grow old’ among low-income older Minnesotans
Authors: Finlay Jessica M. , Gaugler Joseph E. , Kane Robert L.
Published: September 2018

What constitutes a ‘good place to grow old’? This study aimed to characterise salient features of built and social environments that are essential to support low-income ageing residents. Seated and mobile interviews were conducted with community-dwelling older participants (aged 55–92, mean = 71 years) in three distinct socio-economic and geographic samples of the Minneapolis (Minnesota, United States of America) metropolitan area. The interviews prompted participants to evaluate their homes and neighbourhoods, and probed for particular socio-spatial characteristics that impact residential wellbeing. Qualitative thematic analyses focused on 38 individuals living in subsidised housing and homeless shelters. Four interrelated themes encompassed essential residential qualities: (a) safety and comfort, (b) service access, (c) social connection, and (d) stimulation. These broad ideals, when achieved, enabled participants to cultivate residential wellbeing and fulfilling place attachment. Analyses of the empirical data complicate theoretical assumptions by recognising unequal access to, irregular opportunities for and potential dangers of place attachment. Rich descriptions of participant homelessness, health hazards, crime, lack of supportive infrastructure and social isolation illustrate how place attachment is not inherently positive or necessarily attainable; rather, it is problematic and can involve risk. This article extends geographical gerontology's address of socio-spatial inequalities by focusing on disadvantaged ageing individuals.
EARLY DIALOGUE IN EUROPE: PERSPECTIVES ON VALUE, CHALLENGES, AND CONTINUING EVOLUTION
Authors: Balaisyte Lina , Joos Angelika , Hiligsmann Mickaël
Published: September 2018

Objectives:

This study aims to assess participants’ views on previous experiences, the current situation and future perspectives for early dialogue between the pharmaceutical industry, a regulatory agency and health technology assessment bodies (HTABs) in Europe.

Methods:

Eleven semi-structured interviews were arranged purposively with experienced people from the pharmaceutical industry, the European Medicines Agency, and an expert in Health Economics. The interview questions focused on the value of early dialogue, the challenges faced during the process of early dialogue, the best time to start an early dialogue, the kind of products most suitable for early dialogue, the current situation, and future perspectives for the early dialogue process. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed for open and axial coding to summarize the findings.

Results:

All interviewees agreed that early dialogue is a valuable process that helps to inform the development program and accordingly provide patients with faster access to new medicines. However, at this stage, the pharmaceutical industry acknowledged certain challenges: (i) Finding resources within pharmaceutical companies and HTABs to support early dialogues (ii) Requirements between regulators and HTABs in different countries diverge.

Conclusions:

This study revealed that people from the pharmaceutical industry perceive early dialogue as a valuable tool that can bring medicines to patients faster by streamlining development. However, the challenges mentioned above need to be mitigated to build a sustainable mechanism for early dialogue.
Development of ADHD symptoms in preschool children: Genetic and environmental contributions
Authors: Eilertsen Espen Moen , Gjerde Line C. , Kendler Kenneth S. , Røysamb Espen , Aggen Steven H. , Gustavson Kristin , Reichborn-Kjennerud Ted , Ystrom Eivind
Published: September 2018

We examined genetic and environmental contributions to the development of symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschool children. ADHD symptoms in siblings at 1.5, 3, and 5 years of age were investigated in a population-based sample from the prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The longitudinal contributions of additive genetic, shared, twin-specific, and unique environmental influences were estimated using biometric structural equation models. Heritability of ADHD symptoms ranged from 54% to 70%. There was evidence of partially new genetic influences at successive ages, with genetic correlations ranging from .58 to .89. Contributions from shared environmental factors and twin-specific factors were minor. The importance of unique environmental effects appeared to increase across ages, and was mostly specific to a given age. There was no evidence suggesting that this pattern differs across males and females. Symptoms of ADHD are highly heritability in young children from as early as 1.5 years of age. Longitudinal stability of ADHD symptoms is mainly attributable to genetic influences, but there is also some evidence for age-specific genetic influences. These findings contribute to our understanding of development of ADHD early in life, and can guide future molecular genetics studies.
Conducting clinical studies targeting cognition in psychiatry: guiding principles and design
Authors: Van Rheenen Tamsyn E. , Lewandowski Kathryn E. , Lipschitz Jessica M. , Burdick Katherine E.
Published: September 2018

Cognitive dysfunction is common in many psychiatric disorders. While it has long been described as a core feature in schizophrenia, more recent data suggest qualitatively similar impairments in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. There is compelling evidence to suggest that cognitive impairment contributes directly to functional disability and reduced quality of like across these disorders. As current treatments focus heavily on “primary” symptoms of mood and psychosis, the standard of care typically leaves cognitive deficits unmanaged. With this in mind, the field has recently begun to consider intervening directly on this important symptom domain, with several ongoing trials in schizophrenia. Fewer studies have targeted cognition in bipolar disorder and still fewer in MDD. With progress toward considering this domain as a target for treatment comes the need for consensus guidelines and methodological recommendations on cognitive trial design. In this manuscript, we first summarize the work conducted to date in this area for schizophrenia and for bipolar disorder. We then begin to address these same issues in MDD and emphasize the need for additional work in this area.
Co-morbid anaemia and stunting among children of pre-school age in low- and middle-income countries: a syndemic
Authors: Tran Thach Duc , Biggs Beverley-Ann , Holton Sara , Nguyen Hau Thi Minh , Hanieh Sarah , Fisher Jane
Published: September 2018

Objective

To determine the prevalence of co-morbidity of two important global health challenges, anaemia and stunting, among children aged 6–59 months in low- and middle-income countries.

Design

Secondary analysis of data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted 2005–2015. Child stunting and anaemia were defined using current WHO classifications. Sociodemographic characteristics of children with anaemia, stunting and co-morbidity of these conditions were compared with those of ‘healthy’ children in the sample (children who were not stunted and not anaemic) using multiple logistic models.

Setting

Low- and middle-income countries.

Subjects

Children aged 6–59 months.

Results

Data from 193 065 children from forty-three countries were included. The pooled proportion of co-morbid anaemia and stunting was 21·5 (95 % CI 21·2, 21·9) %, ranging from the lowest in Albania (2·6 %; 95 % CI 1·8, 3·7 %) to the highest in Yemen (43·3; 95 % CI 40·6, 46·1 %). Compared with the healthy group, children with co-morbidity were more likely to be living in rural areas, have mothers or main carers with lower educational levels and to live in poorer households. Inequality in children who had both anaemia and stunting was apparent in all countries.

Conclusions

Co-morbid anaemia and stunting among young children is highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, especially among more disadvantaged children. It is suggested that they be considered under a syndemic framework, the Childhood Anaemia and Stunting (CHAS) Syndemic, which acknowledges the interacting nature of these diseases and the social and environmental factors that promote their negative interaction.
The diversity of arthropods community in dunes and a palm grove (Phoenix dactylifera) in the Touggourt region (Septentrionale Sahara)
Authors: Hadjoudj M. , Souttou K. , Doumandji S.
Published: September 2018

An inventory of arthropods was carried out at locations in the desert area of Touggourt, southeast Algeria. Samples were collected from two diverse habitats, a palm grove (agricultural habitat) and dunes (natural habitat). Using the Barber pitfall trap, 1100 specimens, divided into four classes, 15 orders, 44 families and 99 species were obtained. In the palm grove, 660 arthropods were trapped, belonging to four classes and 12 orders. Of these four classes, Insecta dominated followed by Crustacea, Arachnida and Entognata. Insecta accounted for 59.49% of the total capture and was dominated by two orders: Hymenoptera (41.81%) and Amphipoda (34.55%). In the Hymenoptera, Cataglyphis sp. was the most abundant (38.2%), followed by Pheidole pallidula (2.3%). In the dunes, 440 individuals were trapped. Insecta was the most abundant (90.69%), and Crustacea and Arachnida were scarce. Of the dominance by insects, Hymenoptera was most abundant (68.15%), and within that order, Cataglyphis bombycina (35.5%) was the most abundant followed by Monomorium subopacum (8.9%). In the palm grove, 42 species were recorded, compared to 57 in the dunes. The Shannon–Weaver index and equitability varied in both stations. In the palm grove, the diversity was 2.6, and the equitability was 0.5. By contrast in the dunes, the diversity was equal to 4 and the Equitability equal to 0.7. The differences in vegetation between the two sites reflect the differences in species diversity.
School Performance Paths: Personal and Contextual Factors Related to Top Performers and Low Achievers in Portugal and Spain
Authors: Simões Celeste , Rivera Francisco , Moreno Carmen , Matos Margarida Gaspar de
Published: September 2018

School performance is a critical aspect of adolescents’ lives. Several factors have an impact on school performance. The aim of this study is to analyze the relevant personal and contextual variables associated with top performance and low achievement in a sample of Portuguese and Spanish adolescent students. The sample included 1,564 adolescents, mean age 14 years old, and was collected from the HBSC (Health Behavior in School-aged Children) survey. The questions in this study covered sociodemographic, health and wellbeing, health-related behaviors, family, school and peers. Results show that students with low performance more frequently have worse social-contextual and personal/health-related indicators, while the opposite is the case for top performers. Student-teacher relationships appeared as the most influential variable on school performance paths, χ2(2) = 328.11, p < .001; but other variables within families, e.g. mother studies, χ2(2) = 50.54, p < .001, and schools, e.g. liking the school, χ2(1) = 16.27, p < .001 and χ2(1) = 22.54, p < .01 (in the low and high student-teacher relationship branches of the decision tree, respectively), as well as some health and wellbeing variables, e.g. health related-quality of life, χ2(2) = 53.58, p < .001, and χ2(2) = 63.86, < .001 (in the low and high student-teacher relationship branches, respectively), appeared significant in the paths.
Zur Bedeutung auffälliger Exekutivfunktionen in der Diagnostik einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung
Authors: Reinelt Tilman , Petermann Franz
Published: September 2018

Zusammenfassung. Defizite in Exekutivfunktionen und insbesondere in der Inhibitionsfähigkeit gelten verschiedenen Modellen zufolge als Kerndefizite einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS). Die Defizite sind sowohl auf einer Verhaltensebene als auch auf neurobiologischer Ebene belegt, finden aber bislang kaum Einzug in die klinische Diagnostik. Verschiedene Erhebungsverfahren werden vorgestellt und die Probleme im Bereich der klinischen Diagnostik skizziert. Viele Aufgaben messen nicht eine spezifische Exekutivfunktion, sondern umfassen immer auch andere kognitive Prozesse wie zum Beispiel Aufmerksamkeit oder Test- und Leistungsmotivation. Die Sensitivität vieler Aufgaben ist aufgrund der Heterogenität von ADHS durch verschiedene Entwicklungspfade oft nicht gewährleistet und Defizite in Exekutivfunktionen und der Inhibitionsfähigkeit sind auch nicht spezifisch für ADHS. Dennoch ist eine Diagnostik auffälliger Exekutivfunktionen und insbesondere von Defiziten in der Inhibitionsfähigkeit angebracht, da nur so Aussagen über zugrunde liegende Prozesse und Ursachen einer ADHS getroffen werden können, welche die Voraussetzung für gezielte Interventionen darstellen, wie zum Beispiel Inhibitionstrainings oder Neurofeedback.
Rapid Late Eocene Exhumation of the Sivas Basin (Central Anatolia) Driven by Initial Arabia‐Eurasia Collision
Authors: Darin M. H. , Umhoefer P. J. , Thomson S. N.
Published: September 2018

Continental collisions exert a profound influence on the configuration and evolution of orogenic systems. The effects of Arabia‐Eurasia collision on the geodynamics of the eastern Mediterranean are difficult to unravel, however, because the timing of initial collision (i.e., intercontinental contact) remains controversial. We present the first detrital and bedrock apatite fission track and (U‐Th‐Sm)/He thermochronology, and detrital zircon U‐Pb constraints from the Sivas Basin and eastern Taurides in central Anatolia (Turkey), which provide a detailed record of Cenozoic orogenesis in the hinterland of the Arabia‐Eurasia collision zone. Our results indicate rapid middle Eocene burial followed by shortening, rapid cooling (up to ~25–45 °C/myr), and initiation of the southern Sivas fold‐thrust belt (SSFTB) during the late Eocene (~40–34 Ma), consistent with evidence of a coeval basin‐wide unconformity. We interpret that rapid late Eocene cooling of the SSFTB reflects exhumation driven by the northward propagation of retroforeland contraction into the Sivas Basin from the middle to late Eocene, and we propose that these events were due to initial soft collision of the thinned Arabian passive margin by ~45 Ma. This timing of the inception of collision is supported by a regional compilation of apatite fission track data that indicates rapid cooling and hinterland exhumation throughout central and eastern Anatolia from ~45 to 20 Ma, which was synchronous with a widespread magmatic lull from ~40 to 20 Ma. The data presented here are compatible with a widely accepted transition to more mature or hard collision at ~20 Ma, probably related to the arrival of thick Arabian crust along the Bitlis suture zone.
Field‐Aligned Potentials at Mars From MAVEN Observations
Authors: Xu Shaosui , Mitchell David L. , McFadden James P. , Collinson Glyn , Harada Yuki , Lillis Robert , Mazelle Christian , Connerney J. E. P.
Published: September 2018

One possible ion escape channel at Mars is a polar wind‐like outflow driven by parallel electric fields and/or other acceleration mechanisms. With independent potential estimates from ionospheric photoelectron measurements by the Solar Wind Electron Analyzer (SWEA) and ion measurements by the SupraThermal And Thermal Ion Composition (STATIC) onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft, magnetic field‐aligned potentials are calculated as the difference of the two. The calculated field‐aligned potentials have average values that range from 0 to −1.5 V, relative to the ionospheric source region. These field‐aligned potentials likely result from ambipolar electric fields and are found on both closed and open field lines. On the dayside, these potentials range from 0 to −0.7 V, corresponding to an electric field magnitude <3 mV/km, which peaks near the ion exobase and can effectively accelerate ions and enhance ion outflow.
MGS‐TES Spectra Suggest a Basaltic Component in the Regolith of Phobos
Authors: Glotch Timothy D. , Edwards Christopher S. , Yesiltas Mehmet , Shirley Katherine A. , McDougall Dylan S. , Kling Alexander M. , Bandfield Joshua L. , Herd Christopher D. K.
Published: September 2018

The origins of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos have been the subjects of considerable debate. Visible and near‐infrared spectra of these bodies are dark and nearly featureless, with red slopes of varying degrees. These spectra are generally consistent with those of carbonaceous asteroids, leading to the hypothesis that Phobos and Deimos are captured carbonaceous asteroids. The shapes and inclinations of the orbits of Phobos and Deimos present problems for the asteroid capture hypothesis. This had led researchers to suggest that Phobos and Deimos coaccreted with Mars or that they are the result of an impact with Mars or in the Mars vicinity. In this work, we reexamine Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS‐TES) data of Phobos and compare spectra of the Phobos surface to mid‐IR spectra of the ungrouped C2 meteorite Tagish Lake (a suggested analog for D‐class asteroids) and particulate basalt and phyllosilicate samples (mixed with carbon black to reduce their visible albedos) acquired in a simulated airless body environment. We find that Tagish Lake is a poor mid‐IR spectral analog to Phobos and that major spectral features in the Phobos spectrum are best matched by a silicate transparency feature similar to that found for finely particulate basalt. Other features in the spectrum are likely best explained by a phyllosilicate component. We suggest that these results indicate that at a portion of the Phobos surface regolith is derived from the Martian crust.
Large Uptake of Atmospheric OCS Observed at a Moist Old Growth Forest: Controls and Implications for Carbon Cycle Applications
Authors: Rastogi Bharat , Berkelhammer Max , Wharton Sonia , Whelan Mary E. , Itter Malcolm S. , Leen J. Brian , Gupta Manish X. , Noone David , Still Christopher J.
Published: September 2018

Diurnal and vertical patterns of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) and CO2 mixing ratios above and within a 60‐m‐tall old‐growth temperate forest are presented. Canopy air from four different heights was sampled in situ using a continuous integrated cavity output spectroscopy analyzer during August–September 2014. Measurements revealed large vertical gradients in OCS, from which we inferred ecosystem fluxes. The diurnal cycle of OCS mixing ratios at all heights exhibited a typical pattern characterized by nighttime drawdown, an early morning minimum, and a maximum of OCS around midday. Daytime increase in the upper canopy is attributed to entrainment of planetary boundary layer air into the canopy. The ecosystem was found to be a large daytime sink of OCS (mean maximum daytime flux ~ −75 pmol · m−2 · s−1). Mean leaf relative uptake (concentration normalized uptake of OCS flux to CO2 uptake) was found to be 6.9. We discuss this high leaf relative uptake in the context of the presence and distribution of epiphytes at the site. While epiphytic uptake of OCS has been studied before, we show for the first time that this may contribute significantly to ecosystem fluxes under humid or moist conditions. We test this theory using a chamber experiment measuring epiphytic fluxes for two species of lichen and one moss species (in situ and in a laboratory). We suggest that the role of epiphytes should be explicitly considered when using OCS as a tracer of ecosystem‐scale photosynthesis in forest ecosystems with abundant epiphytic cover and biomass.
Five‐Year Results From the Engineering Radiation Monitor and Solar Cell Monitor on the VanAllen Probes Mission
Authors: Maurer R. H. , Goldsten J. O. , Butler M. H. , Fretz K.
Published: September 2018

The Engineering Radiation Monitor measures dose, dose rate, and charging currents on the Van Allen Probes mission to study the dynamics of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. Over 5 years, results from this monitor show a variation in dose rates with time, a correlation between the dosimeter and charging current data, and a comparison of cumulative dose to prelaunch modeling. Solar cell degradation monitor patches track the decrease in solar array output as displacement damage accumulates. The Solar Cell Monitor shows ~33% cumulative degradation in maximum power after 5.1 years of the mission. The desire to extend the mission to ~2,500 days from 800 days created increased requirements for the ionizing radiation hardness of spacecraft and science instrument electronics. We describe the investigations that insured compliance with these enhanced requirements.
Linc02527 promoted autophagy in Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Hu Jianguo , Liu Li , Gong Yangyang , Zhang Lei , Gan Xiaoling , Luo Xiaodong , Yu Tinghe , Zhong Xiaocui , Deng Xinru , Hu Lina , Zhang Zhanyu , Dong Xiaojing
Published: September 2018

LncRNA plays a crucial role in human disease. However, the expression and function of LncRNA in ICP(Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) is still not fully elucidated. In this study, we found Linc02527 was increased expression in placenta and serum of ICP patients. Ectopically expression of Linc02527 promoted autophagy and proliferate in HTR8 cells. Silencing Linc02527 suppressed the autophagy and proliferate in HTR8 cells. Mechanically study revealed that Linc02527 regulated the expression of ATG5 and ATG7 by sponging miR-3185. Linc02527 directly binding to YBX1 and activated P21. The growth of C57 mouse was retarded when autophagy was activated. In normal condition, inhibited autophagy using chloroquine did not affect the growth of C57 mouse. However, in the condition of autophagy was activated, inhibited autophagy using chloroquine can improve the growth of C57 mouse. Overall, the results of this study identified Linc02527 as a candidate biomarker in ICP and a potential target for ICP therapy. Chloroquine was a potential drug for ICP therapy.
Parkin-mediated mitophagy as a potential therapeutic target for intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Zhang Zengjie , Xu Tianzhen , Chen Jiaoxiang , Shao Zhenxuan , Wang Ke , Yan Yingchao , Wu Congcong , Lin Jialiang , Wang Haoli , Gao Weiyang , Zhang Xiaolei , Wang Xiangyang
Published: September 2018

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a complicated pathological condition blamed for low back pain. Mitochondrion is of vital importance for cellular homeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to be one of the major causes of cellular damage. Mitophagy is a cellular process to eliminate impaired mitochondria and showed protective effects in various diseases; however, its role in IDD is still not clear. Here, we explore the role of Parkin-mediated mitophagy in IDD. In this study, we found that Parkin was upregulated in degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues in vivo as well as in TNF-α stimulated NP cells in vitro. Knockdown of Parkin by siRNA showed that Parkin is crucial for apoptosis and mitochondrion homeostasis in NP cells. Further study showed that upregulation of Parkin by salidroside may eliminate impaired mitochondria and promote the survival of NP cells through activation of mitophagy in vitro. In in vivo study, we found that salidroside could inhibit the apoptosis of NP cells and ameliorate the progression of IDD. These results suggested that Parkin is involved in the pathogenesis of IDD and may be a potential therapeutic target for IDD.
Kinetics of thermally activated triplet fusion as a function of polymer chain packing in boosting the efficiency of organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Dey Amrita , Chandrasekaran Naresh , Chakraborty Dwaipayan , Johari Priya , McNeill Christopher R. , Rao Akshay , Kabra Dinesh
Published: September 2018

Understanding the photophysical process governing the operation of the organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and how they are affected by film morphology is crucial to the efficient design of future OLEDs. In particular, delayed fluorescence (DF), is known to contribute a significant fraction of the light emission from polymer-based OLEDs, but its mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigate the origin of DF in the state of the art OLED polymer Poly (9, 9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT), under both optical and electrical excitation using time-resolved emission spectroscopy (TRES) as a function of film thickness, excitation fluence, magnetic-field, and temperature. The temperature dependence of the DF for various film thicknesses suggests that thermally activated triplet migration is the dominant process controlling DF at room temperature. We found that thermal activation energy (Eeff) of triplet migration decreases from 179 ± 31 meV to 86 ± 11 meV as film thickness varied from ~110 nm to ~560 nm, respectively. The Eeff of triplet migration is found to be a function of the molecular packing of polymer chains as determined from synchrotron grazing incidence wide angle x-ray scattering (GIWAXS) studies and steady-state photoluminescence studies. Quantum chemical calculations of reorganization energy and singlet–triplet exchange energy gap in F8BT molecule as a function of the dihedral angle between donor & acceptor moiety also confirm the experimental results. Our results show that DF in polymer OLEDs is significantly affected by parameters such as the film thickness and disorder, allowing for a high degree of control over the underlying photophysics to be achieved.
Calibration of Multi-Parameter Models of Avascular Tumor Growth Using Time Resolved Microscopy Data
Authors: Lima E. A. B. F. , Ghousifam N. , Ozkan A. , Oden J. T. , Shahmoradi A. , Rylander M. N. , Wohlmuth B. , Yankeelov T. E.
Published: September 2018

Two of the central challenges of using mathematical models for predicting the spatiotemporal development of tumors is the lack of appropriate data to calibrate the parameters of the model, and quantitative characterization of the uncertainties in both the experimental data and the modeling process itself. We present a sequence of experiments, with increasing complexity, designed to systematically calibrate the rates of apoptosis, proliferation, and necrosis, as well as mobility, within a phase-field tumor growth model. The in vitro experiments characterize the proliferation and death of human liver carcinoma cells under different initial cell concentrations, nutrient availabilities, and treatment conditions. A Bayesian framework is employed to quantify the uncertainties in model parameters. The average difference between the calibration and the data, across all time points is between 11.54% and 14.04% for the apoptosis experiments, 7.33% and 23.30% for the proliferation experiments, and 8.12% and 31.55% for the necrosis experiments. The results indicate the proposed experiment-computational approach is generalizable and appropriate for step-by-step calibration of multi-parameter models, yielding accurate estimations of model parameters related to rates of proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis.
Interface Probing by Dielectric Frequency Dispersion in Carbon Nanocomposites
Authors: Li Yuhan , Qin Faxiang , Estevez Diana , Wang Huan , Peng Hua-Xin
Published: September 2018

Interfaces remain one of the major issues in limiting the understanding and designing of polymer nanocomposites due to their complexity and pivotal role in determining the ultimate composites properties. In this study, we take multi-walled carbon nanotubes/silicone elastomer nanocomposites as a representative example, and have for the first time studied the correlation between high-frequency dielectric dispersion and static/dynamic interfacial characteristics. We have found that the interface together with other meso-structural parameters (volume fraction, dispersion, agglomeration) play decisive roles in formulating the dielectric patterns. The calculation of the relaxation times affords the relative importance of interfacial polarization to dipolar polarization in resultant dielectric relaxation. Dielectric measurements coupled with cyclic loading further reveals the remarkable capability of dielectric frequency dispersion in capturing the evolution of interfacial properties, such as a particular interface reconstruction process occurred to the surfactant-modified samples. All these results demonstrate that high-frequency dielectric spectroscopy is instrumental to probing both static and dynamic meso-structural characteristics, especially effective for the composites with relative weak interfaces which remains a mission impossible for many other techniques. The insights provided here based on the analyses of dielectric frequency dispersion will pave the way for optimized design and precise engineering of meso-structure in polymer nanocomposites.
The interplay between membrane lipids and phospholipase A family members in grapevine resistance against Plasmopara viticola
Authors: Laureano Gonçalo , Figueiredo Joana , Cavaco Ana Rita , Duarte Bernardo , Caçador Isabel , Malhó Rui , Sousa Silva Marta , Matos Ana Rita , Figueiredo Andreia
Published: September 2018

Grapevine downy mildew, caused by the biotrophic oomycete Plasmopara viticola, is one of the most important diseases in modern viticulture. The search for sustainable disease control measure is of extreme importance, thus becoming imperative to fully characterize the mechanisms leading to an incompatible interaction. We have previously shown that lipid signalling events play an important role in grapevine’s response to this pathogen, namely through changes in linolenic acid content, lipid peroxidation and jasmonic acid synthesis. Here, we have characterized the modulation of lipid metabolism in leaves from two V. vinifera cultivars (resistant and susceptible to P. viticola) in the first hours after pathogen inoculation. Prior to pathogen inoculation both genotypes present an inherently different fatty acid composition that is highly modulated in the resistant genotype after pathogen challenge. Such changes involve modulation of phospholipase A activity suggesting that the source of lipids mobilized upon pathogen infection are the chloroplast membranes. This work thus provides original evidence on the involvement of lipid signalling and phospholipases in grapevine immune responses to pathogen infection. The results are discussed considering the implications on the plant’s physiological status and the use of discriminating lipid/fatty acids pattern in future selection procedures of cultivars.
Decomposing sensorimotor variability changes in ageing and their connection to falls in older people
Authors: Lin Chin-Hsuan , Faisal A. Aldo
Published: September 2018

The relationship between sensorimotor variability and falls in older people has not been well investigated. We developed a novel task having shared biomechanics of obstacle negotiation to quantify sensorimotor variability related to locomotion across age. We found that sensorimotor variability in foot placement increases continuously with age. We then applied sensory psychophysics to pinpoint the visual and somatosensory systems associated with sensorimotor variability. We showed increased sensory variability, specifically increased proprioceptive variability, the vital cause of more variable foot placement in older people (greater than 65 years). Notably, older participants relied more on the vision to judge their own foot’s height compared to the young, suggesting a shift in multisensory integration strategy to compensate for degenerated proprioception. We further modelled the probability of tripping-over based on the relationship between sensorimotor variability and age and found a correspondence between model prediction and community-based data. We reveal increased sensorimotor variability, modulated by sensation precision, a potentially vital mechanism of raised tripping-over and thus fall events in older people. Analysis of sensorimotor variability and its specific components may have the utility of fall risk and rehabilitation target evaluation.
Osteoprotegerin and Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients with Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Loudon Brodie L. , Ntatsaki Eleana , Newsome Simon , Halliday Brian , Lota Amrit , Ali Aamir , Malley Tamir , Selvendran Subothini , Aggarwal Nikhil , Lam Willis , Donovan Jackie , Auger Dominque , Raphael Claire E. , Flynn Paul D. , Pennell Dudley J. , Vassiliou Vassilios S. , Prasad Sanjay K.
Published: September 2018

Left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) confers worse prognosis. Plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG), a cytokine from the TNF receptor family, correlates with the degree of valve calcification in AS, reflecting the activity of the tissue RANKL/RANK/OPG (receptor activator of nuclear factor κΒ ligand/RANK/osteoprotegerin) axis, and is associated with poorer outcomes in AS. Its association with myocardial fibrosis is unknown. We hypothesised that OPG levels would reflect the extent of myocardial fibrosis in AS. We included 110 consecutive patients with AS who had undergone late-gadolinium contrast enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR). Patients were characterised according to pattern of fibrosis (no fibrosis, midwall fibrosis, or chronic myocardial infarction fibrosis). Serum OPG was measured with ELISA and compared between groups defined by valve stenosis severity. Some 36 patients had no fibrosis, 38 had midwall fibrosis, and 36 had chronic infarction. Patients with midwall fibrosis did not have higher levels of OPG compared to those without fibrosis (6.78 vs. 5.25 pmol/L, p = 0.12). There was no difference between those with midwall or chronic myocardial infarction fibrosis (6.78 vs. 6.97 pmol/L, p = 0.27). However, OPG levels in patients with chronic myocardial infarction fibrosis were significantly higher than those without fibrosis (p = 0.005).
GLS-409, an Antagonist of Both P2Y1 and P2Y12, Potently Inhibits Canine Coronary Artery Thrombosis and Reversibly Inhibits Human Platelet Activation
Authors: Smolensky Koganov Elena , Michelson Alan D. , Yanachkov Ivan B. , Yanachkova Milka I. , Wright George E. , Przyklenk Karin , Frelinger Andrew L.
Published: September 2018

Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) P2Y12 receptor antagonist reduces ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Previous evidence from our group, obtained in a preclinical model of recurrent platelet-mediated thrombosis, demonstrated that GLS-409, a diadenosine tetraphosphate derivative that inhibits both P2Y1 and P2Y12 ADP receptors, may be a novel and promising antiplatelet drug candidate. However, the salutary antiplatelet effects of GLS-409 were accompanied by a trend toward an unfavorable increase in bleeding. The goals of this study were to: 1) provide proof-of-concept that the efficacy of GLS-409 may be maintained at lower dose(s), not accompanied by an increased propensity to bleeding; and 2) establish the extent and kinetics of the reversibility of human platelet inhibition by the agent. Lower doses of GLS-409 were identified that inhibited in vivo recurrent coronary thrombosis with no increase in bleeding time. Human platelet inhibition by GLS-409 was reversible, with rapid recovery of platelet reactivity to ADP, as measured by platelet surface activated GPIIb-IIIa and platelet surface P-selectin. These data support the concept that GLS-409 warrants further, larger-scale investigation as a novel, potential therapy in acute coronary syndromes.