bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The compatibilizer content effect on tensile and flexural properties of PC/ABS blends
Authors: Zhu Z F , Chen B , Wen J , Zhang Q , Yuan S , Yin L
Published: March 2020

In this research, the effect of styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA), methyl methacrylate-butadiene–styrene (MBS) and maleic anhydride-grafted ABS (ABS-g-MAH) compatibilizer on thermal and mechanical properties of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene) (ABS) blends were studied. PC/ABS blends samples with varying contents of compatibilizer were prepared. With the compatibilizer content increases, the results indicated that the effects of these three compatibilizers on PC/ABS blends are not exactly the same. When the SMA content increases from 5 to 20wt%, the impact strength reduced by about 76% from 43.24 kJ/m2 to 10.20 kJ/m2. The SEM picture indicated that when SMA content exceeds 5wt%, SMA resin begins to aggregate and leading to inadequate interfacial bonding between SMA and PC/ABS phases. The results showed that about 5wt% of ABS-g-MAH can improve the impact strength of the blends by about 113% and have little effect on the tensile and flexural properties. Similarly, when the MBS content reaches about 5wt%, the impact strength of PC/ABS blends is increased by about 112%, but as the MBS content increases to 20wt%, the tensile and flexural properties reduced by about 25%.
Microstructural evolution of Super304H stainless steel during high-temperature creep rupture
Authors: Tian X , Yang B X , Ding L L , Xu H , Li Y M
Published: March 2020

This study is aimed to explore the microstructural evolution of Super304H stainless steel during long-term creep. Creep-rupture specimens of this steel are analyzed via microhardness measurement, metallographic structure observation, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that the matrix structure of the steel was stable during high-temperature stress-rupture test without grain growth. Twin boundaries in austenite gradually disappeared with the prolongation of time, which process was accelerated at higher temperatures. The steel hardness sharply increased in the initial stage of high-temperature stress-rupture test due to the second-phase precipitation, and then gradually dropped with time, due to the coarsening of precipitates. The Cu-rich phase and secondary Nb(C,N) with the size less than 50 nm, and M23C6 were the main precipitated phases in the high-temperature stress-rupture test. This allowed the steel under study to retain a high stress-rupture limit due to the precipitation-strengthening effect. The microstructure aging resulted in the formation of M23C6 chain at the grain boundary and coarsening of M23C6 and primary Nb(C,N) in grains. With the coarsening of precipitated phases, hardness and stress-rupture limit of Super304H stainless steel decreased.
Design and experimental study of magnetically controlled shape-memory alloy sensor
Authors: Lu J , Guo Z Y
Published: March 2020

Magnetically controlled shape-memory alloys (MSMA) are smart materials with shape-memory function and such advantages, as large strain, high response speed and high energy conversion efficiency. This lucrative combination provides a theoretical basis for the design of MSMA sensor, which is also experimentally validated in this study. Based on the inverse effect of MSMA, the overall design of MSMA sensor is carried out. The structure of the sensor is optimized by finite element simulation. The input and output characteristics of the sensor are experimentally verified. Finally, the coil excitation power is reduced, and the output induction voltage of the sensor is increased. The correctness of sensor structure and rationality of optimization are verified.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of 25MnB and 25CrMnB steels: a comparative study for track shoe applications
Authors: Feng K , Zhu Y S , Ma X J , Xu G
Published: March 2020

The microstructure and mechanical properties of 25MnB and 25CrMnB track shoes are studied in this paper. The results show that, after proper heat treatment, both 25MnB and 25CrMnB can meet the requirements of mechanical properties for track shoes. The addition of Cr element refines the microstructure of the steel, so that the grain-size number of the plate portion of the track shoe is refined from 8.5 to 9.5. However, it also increases the hardness, strength, and toughness of steel. The impact toughness of 25CrMnB at room temperature and at 40°C is higher by 12.1 and 27.6% than those of 25MnB, Therefore, 25CrMnB steel is preferable for track shoes applications with large sizes, poor working conditions, and high load-bearing requirements.
Antifungal activity and theoretical study of synthesized pyrazole-imidazole hybrids
Authors: Zinad Dhafer S. , Mahal Ahmed , Shareef Omar A.
Published: March 2020

The density functional theory (DFT) and thermodynamic analyses were applied to study the stability and chemical reactivity of the synthesized CMPIP {2-chloro-4-(4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-yl) pyridine} and MPIMPPA {4-(4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-yl)- 1H-imidazole-5-yl)-N-(4-morpholino phenyl) pyridin-2-amine}. The results concluded that the CMPIP compound is more stable than MPIMPPA. The antifungal study was confirmed that the MPIMPPA has a higher inhibition zone against Aspergillus niger (A. niger), as compared to the standard drug used, while the CMPIP compound showed weaker activity than the positive control.
Effect of Ni and Mo contents on microstructure, magnetic and mechanical properties of Ti(C, N)-based cermets
Authors: Xu X Y , Zheng Y , Zhang G T , Yang Z K , Ke Z , Wu H , Zhou W
Published: March 2020

Ti(C,N)-based cermets were prepared by vacuum sintering. The effect of Ni and Mo contents on microstructure, magnetic and mechanical properties of cermets were investigated using XRD, SEM, EDS, and VSM. The results showed that the proportion of ceramic hard phase decreased gradually, and the core-rim structure became incomplete with Ni content. However, with an increase in Mo content from 6 to 18 wt. %, the thickness of rim phase slightly increased. The complete core-rim structure refined the grain size of cermets, and the particles became the finest when Mo content was about 14 wt. %. The magnetization of cermets increased with Ni content, while their magnetization gradually weakened with Mo content. The deterioration of magnetic properties was caused by the high total content of Mo and Ti alloying elements in the binder phase. Meanwhile, the hardness of cermets decreased, while the TRS initially increased, followed by a gradual decrease with content of Ni. With an increase in Mo content, the hardness and TRS of Ti(C,N)-based cermets increased firstly and then decreased. The fracture toughness of cermets increased with Ni content, while the increasing Mo content reduced the fracture toughness. Due to grain refinement and solid-solution strengthening of the binder phase, the optimal composition of cermet was Ti(C,N)-14Mo-25Ni, whose hardness, TRS, and Kic values were ~90.3 HRA, 2340 MPa and 11.7 MPa·m1/2, respectively.
Preparation and performance of binder jetting porous alumina ceramic
Authors: Huang S J , Ye C S
Published: March 2020

This study examines the effects of zirconium basic carbonate (ZBC) added to alumina powders on the mechanical behavior of binder jetting porous alumina ceramic. ZBC powder is easily decomposed to form zirconia particles and then is deposited in the interparticle void spaces. Green alumina samples were obtained with different ZBC contents of 0~8 wt%. The density, linear shrinkage, bending strength, and microstructural evolution of ceramic parts were analyzed and categorized in different ZBC contents. Results showed that the formation of zirconia particles was dominant and improved the performance of sintered samples. Sintering at 1450°C resulted in a denser Al2O3 part with a comparable bending strength of 75.2 MPa and an accessible linear shrinkage of 10% for the ZBC content range of 0 to 6 wt%. At ZBC content of 8 wt%, the gas generated by ZBC decomposition reduced the sintering density. Therefore, adding 6 wt % ZBC content is the optimal choice for binder jetted porous alumina ceramic.
Effect of Mo content on microstructure and mechanical properties of WCoB-TiC based cermets
Authors: Ke Z , Zheng Y , Sun F , Zhang G T , Zhang J J , Xu X Y , Wu H , Dong Z W , Zhou W
Published: March 2020

The effect of Mo content on microstructure and mechanical properties of WCoB-TiC based cermets fabricated by boronizing sintering reaction was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Results showed that phase compositions of all the WCoB-TiC cermets with 0 to 20 wt% Mo addition were composed of W2CoB2, TiC, TiB2, and the (211) diffraction peak of W2CoB2 phase was continuously shifted towards a high angle with Mo content, indicating that (W, Mo)2CoB2 solid solutions in cermets with 5-20 wt% were formed. Moreover, the cores of W2CoB2 grains were enriched in Mo, while rims of W2CoB2 grains had a relatively lower Mo content, resulting in the formation of a core/rim structure. As Mo content increased, the porosity gradually dropped, while the relative density continuously increased, due to the improved wettability of liquid phase in the hard phase. In addition, average grain sizes dropped initially and then rose gradually with Mo content. An increase in average grain sizes was due to the coalescence and growth of hard-phase particles. The WCoB-TiC cermet with an 10 wt% Mo addition showed excellent comprehensive mechanical properties with a transverse rupture strength of 815 MPa, a Rockwell hardness of 93.4 HRA, and a fracture toughness of 12.5 MPam1/2, respectively.
Stability analysis and numerical simulation of a composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate system
Authors: Chen S P
Published: March 2020

This paper investigates the stability behavior in three-degree-freedom composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate system based on the Routh-Hurwitz criterion and the normal form theory. Firstly, the stability behavior of the composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate is determined by applying the Routh-Hurwitz criterion. Then, the normal forms of the composite laminated piezoelectric rectangular plate systems for the case of one non-semi-simple double zero and two pairs of pure imaginary eigenvalues are obtained by using the normal form theory. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main results.
Failure analysis of low-carbon steel pipe clamp of pressure pipe
Authors: Huang L Y , Zhang F , Zhong F P , Yuan M
Published: March 2020

A real case of breakage of several pipe clamps used in the pressure pipe hanger is investigated. In order to examine the cause of failure, various techniques, including element analysis, mechanical testing, optical and scanning electron microscopy, component analysis, and impact testing were used. It was found that the fractures of the pipe clamps occurred at the transition zone between a straight and arc segments, the finite element analysis has shown that the transition had the highest stress concentration. The surface deformation during pipe clamp manufacturing process caused hardness rising and toughness descending, resulting in surface cracks, Under the combined effect of lower ambient temperature and service stress, the surface cracks expanded rapidly and the pipe clamps fractured finally. Improvements in the molding process and the use of appropriate quality control measures can eliminate this problem.
Ultra-low temperature effect on electron beam welding process
Authors: Xiao Q S , Han X , Pei Y F
Published: March 2020

In recent years, electron beam welding has become the most important application technology for space welding and plays an important role in the orbital assembly and repair of spacecraft at home and abroad. In this paper, the combination of simulation calculation and experimental verification is used to design the welding deformation control process scheme and related fixtures for ultra-low temperature environment, and the deformation test verification study of welding/repair is carried out. TC4 welding and repairing weld static strength, the tensile strength reaches 90% of the strength of the base metal, and the micro-hardness is basically the same. It provides reference and reference for the future application of electron beam welding technology in space in China.
Pressureless sintering of cordierite ceramics with optimized strength and thermal expansion
Authors: Cao J W , Shi X M , Jiao Y F , Zhang C , Li Z P , Zheng Y , Cheng Y Y , Ren L H
Published: March 2020

In this study, cordierite ceramic samples with very low thermal expansion are prepared by the pressureless sintering technique. The effects of sintering temperature and holding time on their sintering density and elastic modulus are investigated, while their optimal values are assessed as 1420°C and 1 h, respectively. These parameters ensure the elastic modulus of 121GPa, the relative sintering density corresponding to 95% of the theoretical value, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of |4.4|ϗ 10−7 °C.
A method of constitutive experiment for accurate description of tube performance under rotary-draw bending
Authors: Zhu Y X , Chen R , Wang Y , Tu W B , Liu Y L
Published: March 2020

Establishing accurate constitutive relations is an important prerequisite for improving the springback prediction accuracy of rotary-draw bending of tubes. In this paper, the stress loading paths are studied for rectangular tube and composite circular tube in rotary-draw bending processes. It is found that there is reverse loading with tangential/circumferential stress for both the rectangular tube and the base/covered tube of composite circular tube. And the reverse loading is in the plastic deformation range. Two constitutive experimental schemes are designed according to the above research results: (1) The constitutive experiment is designed according to the variation of stress peak points of the tube with the bending process and the yield state of the material. The calculation method of the loading force F is given, too. (2) The displacement of the beam of the tensile tester is determined according to the corresponding strain during stress fluctuations, and an example is given to illustrate how the displacement of the beam is calculated according to the strain corresponding to each trajectory point. The calculation formula of the beam displacement during repeated loading, unloading and reverse loading is developed, too.
Friction and wear behavior of WC-Ni coatings HVOF sprayed on duplex stainless steel
Authors: Xu H S , Dong Q
Published: March 2020

The friction and wear behavior of high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) sprayed WC-Ni coatings was investigated. WC-Co coating was used as reference sample. Pin-on-disc tests were conducted on WC-Ni and WC-Co coatings surface in both pure water and 3.5% (wt.) saline solution, respectively. It was found that WC-Co coatings has superior wear and corrosion resistance in pure water due to their high hardness. However, cracks were observed in the wear scar of WC-Co coating, which wear rate was 2-4 times higher than that of WC-Ni coatings. The corrosion-wear resistance is not only affected by coating hardness, but also by powder composition. So WC-CrNi coating displays an excellent wear-and corrosion-resistance performance in saline solution.
Erosion behavior and damage evolution of Ti-6Al-4V aero-engine titanium alloy
Authors: Li Y Q , Wang X D , Long C B , Sun Z P , Wei X L , Zhou L C
Published: March 2020

This paper studies sand-and dust-erosion damages of aero-engine titanium alloy blades, and associated damage mechanism was discussed with the simulation of actual dust environment. The abrasion test of TC4 titanium alloy was carried out by high-speed erosion equipment. The roughness, micro-damage morphology, and stress distribution of titanium alloy were characterized by the roughness tester, SEM and XRD residual stress gauges, respectively. The results show that the erosion rate of titanium alloy matrix increases with the erosion time, while its roughness does not vary significantly. However, the roughness and residual compressive stress sharply rise with erosion rate. As the erosion time progresses, the surface morphology exhibits cutting wear, and the worn surface center starts to peel off.
Acoustic emission-based real-time monitoring of fatigue damage evolution of T800 carbon fiber/bismaleimide composites
Authors: Qi X F , Yang Y , Kang W P , Wang Q , Zhao G
Published: March 2020

For the damage mode recognition in the fatigue coupon test of T800 carbon fiber/bismaleimide, the acoustic emission is employed. However, the latter application is hindered by noises produced by various environmental factors, which may suppress damage-induced ones. In this study, external noises are effectively reduced by the absorbing adhesive. For damage mode recognition, an integrated strategy is proposed, which features a combination of a characteristic signal extraction and damage mechanism analysis via piezoelectric and fiber Bragg grating sensors. The final verification shows that the different damage modes of the composite specimen can be clearly distinguished based on this method.
Multidisciplinary design optimization analysis of pin fins based on the Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Zhao Z Y , Hu W B , Wang J B
Published: March 2020

For aero-engines, pin fins improve the heat exchange efficiency of blades but increase their mass. To reduce the mass of blades, three types of pin fin models (diamond, elliptical, and rectangular) were used in this paper to analyze the stress distribution under the combined action of temperature and centrifugal force. The maximum stress was used as the constraint condition in these models. With the aim of mass optimization, these models were subjected to the multidisciplinary design optimization based on the Monte Carlo simulation. After the optimization via diamond, elliptical, and rectangular models, the pin fin mass was reduced by 15.42, 19.42, and 16.03%, respectively.
Study of dynamical mechanical properties and dislocation dynamics of copper single crystals by discrete dislocation dynamics simulation
Authors: He S L , Jiang W T , Bai J S , Zhang M Y , Fan H D
Published: March 2020

In this work, the dynamical mechanical properties and dislocation evolution of copper single crystals were studied using the discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) method coupled with dynamical finite element method. The infuence of strain rate, dislocation density and crystalline orientation were investigated. Strong strain rate effect was observed in DDD simulations, namely, the yield stress increases with the increasing strain rate. In addition, the dislocation density shows an unexpected influence on the yield stress, i.e., the yield stress decreased with dislocation density. The crystalline orientation was also studied and discussed.
Study on in-situ modification of poly-dopamine on glass fibers and its effect on shrinkage performance of cement materials
Authors: Zhong W G , Xin M L , Wang D , Jiang C C , Zhang L N , Cheng X
Published: March 2020

Cement-based materials are one of the essential construction materials that had been widely used in infrastructure and facilities. However, it experienced shrinkage problems, which led to the cracking of concrete buildings and deterioration of the durability. The incorporation of glass fibers can improve the shrinkage resistance of cement materials by enhancing the interface between cement and fiber. Aiming at improving the shrinkage resistance of cement, in this study, glass fibers were in-situ modified with poly-dopamine in aqueous solution. The effect of dopamine hydrochloride concentration and the pH of the solution were investigated with the optimal condition attained to be 2×10−3 g/ml and 8.5, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) were utilized for the characterization of as-prepared poly-dopamine modified glass fibers. Subsequently, as-prepared and untreated glass fibers were mixed with cement at varied volume fraction and water-cement ratio for the study of shrinkage performance. The glass fiber-reinforced cement had a lower shrinkage than cement without glass fibers. Compared with the cement without glass fibers, when the water-cement ratio was 0.4 and the volume content of in-situ modified glass fibers of poly-dopamine was 7%, the reduction in 28-day shrinkage of poly-dopamine in-situ modified glass fiber-reinforced cement was large extent, reducing by 42%. The shrinkage resistance performance of in-situ modified glass fibers reinforced cement with poly-dopamine was better than that of untreated glass fibers. In short, this work developed novel approach for in-situ modification of glass fibers and found a new path to improve the shrinkage resistance of cement material.
The heat treatment effect on the surface characteristics of 9310 steel gear
Authors: Ren S Y , Wang C Q , Zhang W , Li Y
Published: March 2020

Gear is one of the key parts of aviation industry. With the rapid development of the aviation industry, the design and precision of gears, in particular 9310 steel ones, are permanently improved. This paper focuses on the heat treatment effect on the surface performance of 9310 steel gear. The heat treatment simulation of aviation gear is carried out the DEFORM-3D software. The effects of quenching and tempering temperature on the surface hardness and residual stress of gear are analyzed, which provides a theoretical basis for the heat treatment improvement of 9310 steel gear.
Simulation analysis of gas-solid separation system for hazardous materials’ collection truck
Authors: Zhou S W , Yang S
Published: March 2020

In view of the hazardous materials’ leakage caused by traffic accidents during their transportation, a concept and design of a hazardous materials’ collection truck is proposed for a safe collection and transportation to a professional processing factory. In order to prevent secondary pollution caused by hazardous materials in the vacuum collection process, the gas-solid separation operation must be performed in the hazardous materials collection truck. According to the needs of the gas-solid separation, the structural composition and working principle of the hazardous materials collection truck were analyzed, and the separator was modeled by the finite element analysis method. In the simulation process, the continuous phase flow field simulation of the air is performed first, and on this basis, the discrete phase analysis of the particles is added. The effects of gas flow inlet velocity and particle size on the separation efficiency of the separator were analyzed. Based on the response surface method, the structure of cyclone separator was improved to find the optimal solution and enhance the separation efficiency.
Experimental study on rotary draw bending of magnesium alloy extruded tubes
Authors: Zhao P J , Bai S W , Fang G
Published: March 2020

In this research, the rotary draw bending of magnesium alloy extruded tubes was experimentally investigated. At room temperature, circular magnesium alloy tubes were bent without cracking and wrinkling, but with defective shape. The mandrel effect on the cross-sectional distortion, wall-thickness variation, and spring-back of the bent tube were analyzed and discussed. Results indicated that the rotary draw bending with the mandrel decreased the cross-sectional distortion and spring-back angle of the bent tube, slightly exacerbating the thinning rate of the tube wall thickness. The largest distortion of the cross-section of circular bent tubes with a 90° bending angle occurred in the position about 30° from the clamp die.
Growth, physical and electrical characterization of nickel oxide thin films prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition using nickelocene and oxygen precursors
Authors: Xie Lin-Yan , Xiao Dong-Qi , Pei Jun-Xiang , Huo Jingyong , Wu Xiaohan , Liu Wen-Jun , Ding Shi-Jin
Published: March 2020

Nickel oxide (NiO) thin films are prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition using nickelocene (NiCp2) and oxygen (O2) precursors. The effects of process parameters on the growth rate of NiO film are investigated, including deposition temperature, NiCp2 pulse time, and O2 plasma pulse time. In terms of deposition temperatures between 225 and 275 °C, a stable growth rate of ∼0.17 Å/cycle is obtained, meanwhile, the deposited films contain Ni(II)−O, Ni(III)−O, Ni(II)−OH, C−C bonds and metallic Ni atoms, and exhibit a smooth surface with root-mean-square roughness of ≤0.37 nm. As the deposition temperature increases from 150 to 350 °C, the deposited NiO film changes from an amorphous state to a NiO (200) orientation-dominated texture and further to NiO (111) and (200) orientations concomitant polycrystalline one; at the same time, the transmittance of the film shows a decline tendency, and the optical band gap decreases from 3.69 to 3.48 eV. Furthermore, it is found that the deposited NiO film behaves like a dielectric rather than a semiconductor, and for the NiO film deposited at 250 °C, a dielectric constant of 16.7 is demonstrated together with a film composition of 51.6% Ni, 40% O and 8.4% C.
Is Merkel Cell Carcinoma of Lymph Node Actually Metastatic Cutaneous Merkel Cell Carcinoma?
Authors: Lawrence Lauren E B , Saleem Atif , Sahoo Malaya K , Tan Susanna K , Pinsky Benjamin A , Natkunam Yasodha , Kunder Christian A , Stehr Henning , Zehnder James L
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The possibility of a so-called primary lymph node neuroendocrine carcinoma has been described in the literature. Here we evaluate cases fitting such a diagnosis and find that the cases demonstrate a convincing and pervasive pattern consistent with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.

Methods

Six cases of primary lymph node Merkel cell carcinoma and one case of metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma at a bony site, all with unknown primary, were sequenced using a combination of whole-exome and targeted panel methods. Sequencing results were analyzed for the presence of an ultraviolet (UV) mutational signature or off-target detection of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV).

Results

Four of six primary lymph node cases were positive for a UV mutational signature, with the remaining two cases positive for off-target alignment of MCPyV. One case of neuroendocrine carcinoma occurring at a bony site was also positive for a UV mutational signature.

Conclusions

We find no evidence to corroborate the existence of so-called primary Merkel cell carcinoma of lymph node.
iPiDi-PUL: identifying Piwi-interacting RNA-disease associations based on positive unlabeled learning
Authors: Wei Hang , Xu Yong , Liu Bin
Published: March 2020

Accumulated researches have revealed that Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are regulating the development of germ and stem cells, and they are closely associated with the progression of many diseases. As the number of the detected piRNAs is increasing rapidly, it is important to computationally identify new piRNA-disease associations with low cost and provide candidate piRNA targets for disease treatment. However, it is a challenging problem to learn effective association patterns from the positive piRNA-disease associations and the large amount of unknown piRNA-disease pairs. In this study, we proposed a computational predictor called iPiDi-PUL to identify the piRNA-disease associations. iPiDi-PUL extracted the features of piRNA-disease associations from three biological data sources, including piRNA sequence information, disease semantic terms and the available piRNA-disease association network. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then performed on these features to extract the key features. The training datasets were constructed based on known positive associations and the negative associations selected from the unknown pairs. Various random forest classifiers trained with these different training sets were merged to give the predictive results via an ensemble learning approach. Finally, the web server of iPiDi-PUL was established at http://bliulab.net/iPiDi-PUL to help the researchers to explore the associated diseases for newly discovered piRNAs.
Archaeology in the home: neoclassical ceramics for new audiences in mid-nineteenth-century Britain
Authors: Lewis Paul
Published: March 2020

For audiences not familiar with antiquity, the shattering of the Portland Vase at the British Museum in 1845 raised awareness of a classical past which was claimed by many European nations as their cultural heritage. This article explores how the British ceramics industry quickly exploited a ready market, prompted by such interest. A new genre of wares was produced industrially, mainly in Stoke-on-Trent until the 1870s, although manufacture continued sporadically until 1900. Modern techniques, including moulding and transfer-printing, allowed the creation of versions of black- and red-figure ancient Greek ceramics, sometimes in vivid polychrome. Hitherto largely overlooked by museums and standard histories of ceramics, the material evidence of this fashion endures. Although the resulting artefacts were often marketed without reference to their origins in antiquity, an argument is presented here for their having more than merely decorative significance.
annonex2embl: automatic preparation of annotated DNA sequences for bulk submissions to ENA
Authors: Gruenstaeudl Michael
Published: March 2020

Motivation

The submission of annotated sequence data to public sequence databases constitutes a central pillar in biological research. The surge of novel DNA sequences awaiting database submission due to the application of next-generation sequencing has increased the need for software tools that facilitate bulk submissions. This need has yet to be met with the concurrent development of tools to automate the preparatory work preceding such submissions.

Results

The author introduce annonex2embl, a Python package that automates the preparation of complete sequence flatfiles for large-scale sequence submissions to the European Nucleotide Archive. The tool enables the conversion of DNA sequence alignments that are co-supplied with sequence annotations and metadata to submission-ready flatfiles. Among other features, the software automatically accounts for length differences among the input sequences while maintaining correct annotations, automatically interlaces metadata to each record and displays a design suitable for easy integration into bioinformatic workflows. As proof of its utility, annonex2embl is employed in preparing a dataset of more than 1500 fungal DNA sequences for database submission.

Availability and implementation

annonex2embl is freely available via the Python package index at http://pypi.python.org/pypi/annonex2embl.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Genetic variants in epithelial–mesenchymal transition genes as predictors of clinical outcomes in localized prostate cancer
Authors: Deng Yang , Xie Kunlin , Logothetis Christopher J , Thompson Timothy C , Kim Jeri , Huang Maosheng , Chang David W , Gu Jian , Wu Xifeng , Ye Yuanqing
Published: March 2020

Background

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). However, little is known about genetic variants in the EMT pathway as predictors of aggressiveness, biochemical recurrence (BCR) and disease reclassification in localized PCa.

Patients and methods

In this multistage study, we evaluated 5186 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 264 genes related to EMT pathway to identify SNPs associated with PCa aggressiveness and BCR in the MD Anderson PCa (MDA-PCa) patient cohort (N = 1762), followed by assessment of the identified SNPs with disease reclassification in the active surveillance (AS) cohort (N = 392).

Results

In the MDA-PCa cohort, 312 SNPs were associated with high D’Amico risk (P < 0.05), among which, 14 SNPs in 10 genes were linked to BCR risk. In the AS cohort, 2 of 14 identified SNPs (rs76779889 and rs7083961) in C-terminal Binding Proteins 2 gene were associated with reclassification risk. The associations of rs76779889 with different endpoints were: D’Amico high versus low, odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 2.89 (1.32–6.34), P = 0.008; BCR, hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) = 2.88 (1.42–5.85), P = 0.003; and reclassification, HR (95% CI) = 2.83 (1.40–5.74), P = 0.004. For rs7083961, the corresponding risk estimates were: D’Amico high versus low, odds ratio (95% CI) = 1.69 (1.12–2.57), P = 0.013; BCR, HR (95% CI) = 1.87 (1.15–3.02), P = 0.011 and reclassification, HR (95% CI) = 1.72 (1.09–2.72), P = 0.020. There were cumulative effects of these two SNPs on modulating these endpoints.

Conclusion

Genetic variants in EMT pathway may influence the risks of localized PCa’s aggressiveness, BCR and disease reclassification, suggesting their potential role in the assessment and management of localized PCa.
Imperial Play
Authors: van der Merwe Rachel Lara
Published: March 2020

In this article, I propose the theory of imperial play as a tool with which scholars can expose ideologies embedded into video games and video game culture and industry. While representation-oriented theories and methodologies help scholars think about the visual and narrative components of a game, analysis of representation fails scholars when we examine video games as simulations. With imperial play, I reimagine Laura Mulvey's male gaze through the lens of post-colonial theory and through Ian Bogost's concept of procedural rhetoric. While I acknowledge two key participants in the practice of imperial play, the game developer and game player, within this article, I demonstrate the framework by focusing on the experience of the player. Using examples from popular console and PC video games, I analyze embedded colonial attitudes within game missions, within the nature of the avatar, within the construction of the gamescape, and in regard to non-playable characters (NPCs).
Observations and dynamical implications of active normal faulting in South Peru
Authors: Wimpenny Sam , Benavente Carlos , Copley Alex , Garcia Briant , Rosell Lorena , O’Kane Aisling , Aguirre Enoch
Published: March 2020

Orogenic plateaus can exist in a delicate balance in which the buoyancy forces due to gravity acting on the high topography and thick crust of the plateau interior are balanced by the compressional forces acting across their forelands. Any shortening or extension within a plateau can indicate a perturbation to this force balance. In this study, we present new observations of the kinematics, morphology and slip rates of active normal faults in the South Peruvian Altiplano obtained from field studies, high-resolution DEMs, Quaternary dating and remote sensing. We then investigate the implications of this faulting for the forces acting on the Andes. We find that the mountains are extending ∼NNE–SSW to ∼NE–SW along a normal fault system that cuts obliquely across the Altiplano plateau, which in many places reactivates Miocene-age reverse faults. Radiocarbon dating of offset late Quaternary moraines and alluvial fan surfaces indicates horizontal extension rates across the fault system of between 1 and 4 mm yr–1—equivalent to an extensional strain rate in the range of 0.5–2 × 10−8 1 yr–1 averaged across the plateau. We suggest the rate and pattern of extension implies there has been a change in the forces exerted between the foreland and the Andes mountains. A reduction in the average shear stresses on the sub-Andean foreland detachment of ≲4 MPa (20–25 per cent of the total force) can account for the rate of extension. These results show that, within a mountain belt, the pattern of faulting is sensitive to small spatial and temporal variations in the strength of faults along their margins.
Bayesian inversion of surface heat flow in subduction zones: a framework to refine geodynamic models based on observational constraints
Authors: Morishige M , Kuwatani T
Published: March 2020

Surface heat flow has been widely used to constrain the thermal structure of subduction zones. However, the forward modelling approaches in previous geodynamic studies have only provided limited information on the model parameters controlling the thermal structure, which makes model validation difficult. Here we apply a probabilistic inversion technique based on Bayes’ theorem to surface heat flow data from Tohoku in Japan and Cascadia to simultaneously infer five model parameters that appear to have the greatest influence on the thermal structure of subduction zones. The surface heat flow is predicted via 2-D steady-state thermomechanical modelling. The Metropolis algorithm is used to obtain the posterior probability distributions. A comparison of our results with previous estimates indicates that our activation energy for the shear viscosity of dislocation creep is lower in both regions, and our radiogenic heat production rate in the upper continental crust is lower in Cascadia. These findings suggest that our geodynamic models cannot explain the surface heat flow observations with the acceptable ranges of model parameter values. We therefore need to refine the models by including, for example, the effects of recent backarc extension, vigorous thermal convection beneath the overriding plate and fluid circulation in the uppermost part of the oceanic crust. The approach presented here also allows us to determine trade-offs between the parameters. This study provides a framework to validate and refine geodynamic models based on various types of observations.
Polygenic risk scores for coronary artery disease and subsequent event risk amongst established cases
Authors: Howe Laurence J , Dudbridge Frank , Schmidt Amand F , Finan Chris , Denaxas Spiros , Asselbergs Folkert W , Hingorani Aroon D , Patel Riyaz S
Published: March 2020

Background

There is growing evidence that polygenic risk scores (PRSs) can identify individuals with elevated lifetime risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Whether they can also be used to stratify the risk of subsequent events among those surviving a first CAD event remain uncertain, with possible biological differences between CAD onset and progression, and the potential for index event bias.

Methods

Using two baseline subsamples of UK Biobank: prevalent CAD cases (N = 10 287) and individuals without CAD (N = 393 108), we evaluated associations between a CAD PRS and incident cardiovascular and fatal outcomes.

Results

A 1 SD higher PRS was associated with an increased risk of incident myocardial infarction (MI) in participants without CAD (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.29, 1.38), but the effect estimate was markedly attenuated in those with prevalent CAD (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.06, 1.25) and heterogeneity P = 0.0012. Additionally, among prevalent CAD cases, we found an evidence of an inverse association between the CAD PRS and risk of all-cause death (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.85, 0.98) compared with those without CAD (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.99, 1.03) and heterogeneity P = 0.0041. A similar inverse association was found for ischaemic stroke [prevalent CAD (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67, 0.90); without CAD (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.04, 1.15), heterogeneity P < 0.001].

Conclusions

Bias induced by case stratification and survival into UK Biobank may distort the associations of PRS derived from case-control studies or populations initially free of disease. Differentiating between effects of possible biases and genuine biological heterogeneity is a major challenge in disease progression research.
Association Between Change in Inflammatory Aspects of Diet and Change in IBD-related Inflammation and Symptoms Over 1 Year: The Manitoba Living With IBD Study
Authors: Vagianos Kathy , Shafer Leigh Anne , Witges Kelcie , Targownik Laura E , Haviva Clove , Graff Lesley A , Sexton Kathryn A , Lix Lisa M , Sargent Michael , Bernstein Charles N
Published: March 2020

Background

We aimed to investigate (1) the stability of inflammatory aspects of diet over 1 year among persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and (2) the impact of change in diet on changes in inflammation and IBD symptoms over 1 year.

Methods

Participants were recruited to the Manitoba Living with IBD Study and completed the Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index (EDII) were used to calculate the inflammatory potential of the diet. Inflammation was measured by fecal calprotectin (≥250 µg/g). Symptoms were measured by the IBD Symptom Inventory (IBDSI). All measures were obtained at baseline and 1 year. Dietary Inflammatory Index and Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index scores >0 and <0 reflect pro- and anti-inflammatory diet, respectively. Variance components analyses were used to describe diet stability. Associations between changes in diet and changes in active inflammation and symptoms were assessed using ordinal logistic regression and multilevel linear regression modeling.

Results

One hundred thirty-five participants (66% CD) were included. Approximately one third of the variance in EDII (36%) and DII (33%) scores was explained by changes in diet over time. Each unit increase in the change in EDII (baseline to follow-up) was associated with a greater odds of FCAL, indicating active inflammation (>250 µg/g; odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–9.93; P = 0.04) and with a rise in IBDSI of 6.7 (95% CI, 1.0–12.4; P = 0.022; theoretical IBDSI range, 0–81). There was no association between changes in DII and changes in FCAL or IBDSI.

Conclusion

The EDII, but not the DII, may have utility to identify the inflammatory potential of diet. This inflammatory potential can contribute to inflammation and/or disease symptoms in persons with IBD.
Discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods for the Landau–de Gennes minimization problem of liquid crystals
Authors: Maity Ruma Rani , Majumdar Apala , Nataraj Neela
Published: March 2020

We consider a system of second-order nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations that models the equilibrium configurations of a two-dimensional planar bistable nematic liquid crystal device. Discontinuous Galerkin (dG) finite element methods are used to approximate the solutions of this nonlinear problem with nonhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. A discrete inf–sup condition demonstrates the stability of the dG discretization of a well-posed linear problem. We then establish the existence and local uniqueness of the discrete solution of the nonlinear problem. A priori error estimates in the energy and $\mathbf{L}^2$ norms are derived and a best approximation property is demonstrated. Further, we prove the quadratic convergence of the Newton iterates along with complementary numerical experiments.
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness by A(H3N2) Phylogenetic Subcluster and Prior Vaccination History: 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 Epidemics in Canada
Authors: Skowronski Danuta M , Leir Siobhan , Sabaiduc Suzana , Chambers Catharine , Zou Macy , Rose Caren , Olsha Romy , Dickinson James A , Winter Anne-Luise , Jassem Agatha , Gubbay Jonathan B , Drews Steven J , Charest Hugues , Chan Tracy , Hickman Rebecca , Bastien Nathalie , Li Yan , Krajden Mel , De Serres Gaston
Published: March 2020

Background

The influenza A(H3N2) vaccine was updated from clade 3C.3a in 2015–2016 to 3C.2a for 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. Circulating 3C.2a viruses showed considerable hemagglutinin glycoprotein diversification and the egg-adapted vaccine also bore mutations.

Methods

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 was assessed by test-negative design, explored by A(H3N2) phylogenetic subcluster and prior season’s vaccination history.

Results

In 2016–2017, A(H3N2) VE was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18%–50%), comparable with (43%; 95% CI, 24%–58%) or without (33%; 95% CI, −21% to 62%) prior season’s vaccination. In 2017–2018, VE was 14% (95% CI, −8% to 31%), lower with (9%; 95% CI, −18% to 30%) versus without (45%; 95% CI, −7% to 71%) prior season’s vaccination. In 2016–2017, VE against predominant clade 3C.2a1 viruses was 33% (95% CI, 11%–50%): 18% (95% CI, −40% to 52%) for 3C.2a1a defined by a pivotal T135K loss of glycosylation; 60% (95% CI, 19%–81%) for 3C.2a1b (without T135K); and 31% (95% CI, 2%–51%) for other 3C.2a1 variants (with/without T135K). VE against 3C.2a2 viruses was 45% (95% CI, 2%–70%) in 2016–2017 but 15% (95% CI, −7% to 33%) in 2017–2018 when 3C.2a2 predominated. VE against 3C.2a1b in 2017–2018 was 37% (95% CI, −57% to 75%), lower at 12% (95% CI, −129% to 67%) for a new 3C.2a1b subcluster (n = 28) also bearing T135K.

Conclusions

Exploring VE by phylogenetic subcluster and prior vaccination history reveals informative heterogeneity. Pivotal mutations affecting glycosylation sites, and repeat vaccination using unchanged antigen, may reduce VE.
Impact of Malaria in Pregnancy on Risk of Malaria in Young Children: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Park Sangshin , Nixon Christina E , Miller Olivia , Choi Nam-Kyong , Kurtis Jonathan D , Friedman Jennifer F , Michelow Ian C
Published: March 2020

Background

Our objective was to quantify the risk of acquiring malaria among progeny of women with malaria during pregnancy.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library for eligible prospective studies. The primary predictor was malaria during pregnancy defined as placental malaria, parasitemia, clinical malaria, or pregnancy-associated malaria. Primary outcomes were parasitemia or clinically defined malaria of young children. We performed meta-analyses to pool adjusted risk estimates using a random-effects model.

Results

Nineteen of 2053 eligible studies met inclusion criteria for the systemic review. Eleven of these studies were quantitative and were included in the meta-analyses. The pooled adjusted odds ratio (aOR) or adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of malaria during pregnancy for detection of parasitemia in young children were 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93–4.07; P = .08) and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.07–2.00; P < .001), respectively. The pooled aOR or aHR for clinically defined malaria in young children were 2.82 (95% CI, 1.82–4.38; P < .001) and 1.31 (95% CI, 0.96–1.79; P = .09), respectively.

Conclusions

Our results confirmed that malaria during pregnancy significantly increased the overall risk of malaria in young children via indeterminate mechanisms and emphasize the urgent need to implement safe and highly effective strategies to prevent malaria during pregnancy.
The South in “Global IR”: Worlding Beyond the “Non-West” in the Case of Brazil
Authors: Kristensen Peter Marcus
Published: March 2020

As international relations has started to grapple with its geo-cultural parochialism, the focus has been on its “Western-centrism” and on how “non-Western” international relations might be different. This article argues that attempts to deprovincialize “Western” (i.e., Euro-American) international thought do not always revolve around “non-Westernness,” a negation with often cultural-civilizational connotations, but also deploy a North/South worlding that is more bound up with imperial-colonial experience and a “peripheral” concern with economic insertion into the core. Based on interviews with scholars, diplomats, and foreign policy intellectuals in Brazil, the paper explores the different ways “the South” is deployed—as (post)colonial subjectivity, as problematique, as relation, as outside, and as political move—to provide an alternative intervention into the debate on “Global IR.”