bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface‐Modified Nanostructured Piezoelectric Device as a Cost‐Effective Transducer for Energy and Biomedicine
Authors: Chowdhury Aminur Rashid , Jaksik Jared , Hussain Istiak , Tran Phong , Danti Serena , Uddin M. Jasim
Published: October 2018

Flexible polymer–metal oxide nanocomposites with multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films are fabricated using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as the bulk matrix material with three‐dimensional (3D) lithium‐doped zinc oxide (Li‐ZnO) as a filler. Li‐ZnO is synthesized hydrothermally followed by surface modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG coating serves as an effective solution for avoiding costly electrical poling and enhances the proportion of the PVDF β phase, while MWCNTs act to increase conductivity and to reinforce the composite during mechanical stressing. The piezoelectric composite is fabricated with 12 wt% surface‐modified Li‐ZnO with 0.2 wt% MWCNT relative to the bulk PVDF. The fabricated composite is tested with different body motions and in different environments. The highest obtained value of open circuit voltage is 10.1 V and 2740 µA amperometric alternating current with bending motions. It is also observed that the electrical signal fluctuates by ≈200 µA due to microrelaxation and microstressing under constant stress conditions. The piezoelectric nanocomposite shows a linear response to a gradual increase in normal stress.
Copper toxicity in Bristol Bay headwaters: Part 2—Olfactory inhibition in low-hardness water
Authors: Morris Jeffrey M. , Brinkman Stephen F. , Takeshita Ryan , McFadden Andrew K. , Carney Michael W. , Lipton Joshua
Published: October 2018

We investigated the olfactory toxicity of copper (Cu) to rainbow trout in low-hardness (27 mg/L as CaCO3) water formulated in the laboratory over a 120-h period using a flow-through design. The fish's response to an alarm cue (e.g., reduction in activity) was recorded to determine the exposure concentrations and durations that inhibited olfactory detection of the cue after 3, 24, 48, and 96 h of Cu exposure and after 24 h of clean water recovery following the 96-h exposure period. Exposures were conducted with a range of Cu concentrations from 0.13 (control) to 7.14 μg Cu/L (dissolved Cu). We observed a dose-dependent response in olfactory inhibition with a 20% reduction in the probability of responding to the alarm cue, relative to controls, at 2.7 and 2.4 μg Cu/L after 24 or 96 h of exposure, respectively. Olfactory inhibition manifested between 3 and 24 h of exposure. Our 24- and 96-h 20% olfactory inhibition estimates fell between the criteria derived using the biotic ligand model (BLM; criterion maximum concentration [CMC] and criterion continuous concentration [CCC] values were 0.63 and 0.39 μg Cu/L, respectively) and water hardness–based criteria (CMC and CCC values were 3.9 and 2.9 μg Cu/L, respectively). Therefore, the hardness-based criteria do not appear to be protective and the BLM-derived criteria do appear to be protective against Cu-induced olfactory inhibition given our test water chemistry. Neither the hardness-based criteria nor the BLM-derived criteria appear to be protective against our estimated Cu behavioral avoidance response concentrations at 24- and 96-h exposures (0.54 and 0.50 μg Cu/L, respectively). Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:198–209. © 2018 SETAC
Historical and potential future importance of large whales as food for polar bears
Authors: Laidre Kristin L , Stirling Ian , Estes James A , Kochnev Anatoly , Roberts Jason
Published: October 2018

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are expected to be adversely impacted by a warming Arctic due to melting of the sea‐ice platform from which they hunt ice‐breeding seals. We evaluated the hypothesis that scavenging on stranded large whale carcasses may have facilitated polar bear survival through past interglacial periods during which sea‐ice was limited by analyzing: (1) present‐day scavenging by polar bears on large whale carcasses; (2) energy values of large whale species; and (3) the ability of polar bears, like the brown bears (Ursus arctos) from which they evolved, to quickly store large amounts of lipids and to fast for extended periods. We concluded that scavenging on large whale carcasses likely facilitated survival of polar bears in past interglacial periods when access to seals was reduced. In a future, ice‐impoverished Arctic, whale carcasses are less likely to provide nutritional refuge for polar bears because overharvesting by humans has greatly reduced large whale populations, carcass availability is geographically limited, and climate‐induced sea‐ice loss is projected to occur at a more rapid pace than polar bears have experienced at any previous time in their evolutionary history.
A 21.6 kDa tegumental protein of Clonorchis sinensis induces a Th1/Th2 mixed immune response in mice
Authors: Chung EunJoo , Kim Yu Jung , Lee Myoung‐Ro , Cho Shin‐Hyeong , Ju Jung‐Won
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Clonorchis sinensis is a major parasite affecting the Korea population. Despite the high infection rate and pathogenicity, very few studies have been conducted to investigate the immune responses against the proteins of C. sinensis.

Methods

In this study, in vitro immune response induced by a recombinant 21.6 kDa tegumental protein derived from C. sinensis (rCsTegu21.6) was confirmed in murine dendritic cells and T cells. For the in vivo analysis, each mouse was immunized three times. Total serum IgG and T cell cytokine production were determined by ELISA, while T cell proliferation was detected by a WST (Water‐Soluble Tetrazolium salt)‐1 assay.

Results

In vitro tests indicated that rCsTegu21.6 treatment increased the expression of surface molecules, such as CD40 (77%), CD80 (52%) and CD86 (46%), on murine dendritic cells and the secretion of cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐10, and IL‐12p70). Moreover, co‐culturing dendritic cells activated by rCsTegu21.6 with allogenic T cells induced T cell proliferation over time. rCsTegu21.6 also stimulated specific antibody production and cytokine secretion [IL‐2, IL‐4, and interferon (IFN)‐γ)] from T cells following immunization in vivo. Notably, rCsTegu21.6 predominantly induced IgG1 production and secretion of the Th2 cytokine IL‐4, regardless of the type of adjuvant used.

Conclusion

These results serve as a foundation for the development of tegumental protein‐based vaccines against C. sinensis.
Assessing the Capacity of Hispanic Serving Institutions to Serve Latinx Students: Moving Beyond Compositional Diversity
Authors: Franco Marla A. , Hernández Susana
Published: October 2018

This chapter provides an overview of the growth among Hispanic serving institutions (HSIs) and discusses the use of assessment as a key strategy for understanding institutional capacity for serving Latinx college students. Frameworks for understanding campus climate and examining college outcomes among Latinx students are explored, along with highlighting models for assessing campus climate and the practical implications for doing so. This chapter suggests that through the use of well‐established frameworks for understanding campus climate, IR should provide leadership in identifying the information needs of HSIs and emerging HSIs to enable broadened understanding and informed decision support to best serve Latinx college students.
Teaching Assessment: Preparing our Colleagues Through Graduate Education
Authors: Ballysingh Tracy Arámbula , Hernández Ignacio , Zerquera Desiree
Published: October 2018

This chapter provides a framework for grounding social justice principles at the center of learning in higher education program assessment and evaluation courses. Pedagogical reflections are drawn from the classroom experiences of three faculty of color who represent diverse institutional, programmatic, and geographic contexts. Their advanced framework incorporates theories of experiential learning, critical pedagogy, and problems of practice. It further explains how these notions might converge to foster a social justice‐centered approach to graduate instruction of assessment and evaluation for higher education and student affairs. The authors incorporate excerpts from course syllabi and lesson plans to demonstrate how this framework better integrates social justice principles with the practice of assessment; two concepts commonly treated as separate pedagogical entities. This chapter will inform faculty in higher education and student affairs graduate programs, institutional researchers, and practitioners committed to advancing assessment practices that embrace social justice as a core value in higher education.
Experimental and numerical investigations for optimal emitter spacing in drip irrigation
Authors: Ghumman Abdul Razzaq , Iqbal Muhammad , Ahmed Sajjad , Hashmi Hashim Nisar
Published: October 2018

With the goal of determining optimal emitter spacing in drip irrigation, experiments were performed to examine the effects of emitter discharge on the wetted perimeter and spacing of emitters. Four types of soils were investigated using emitter discharge of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 l h−1. Wetting diameter was measured at six equal time intervals of water application. An equal volume of water was applied. After 1 h of supply of water, wetted soil was cut to observe the maximum wetted width and depth. Wet soil samples were taken from every patch of 10 × 10 cm to find the percentage of moisture by the gravimetric method. Empirical equations were developed for wetted depth and radius. Additional experiments with emitter discharge of 1–18 l h−1 were performed in sandy loam to obtain more data for accurate estimation of the coefficients of the empirical equations. Two computer programs based on trial and error and the generalized reduced‐gradient non‐linear‐optimized technique were used to find values of the coefficients. Root mean square error between the measured and simulated wetted radius and depth was minimized in optimization. Optimal emitter spacing for each type of soil was determined from the recorded data, which was found to be 35, 40, 40 and 45 cm in sandy loam, loam, clayey loam and clay respectively. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bond paths between distant atoms do not necessarily indicate dominant interactions
Authors: Jabłoński Mirosław
Published: October 2018

The goal of the article is to revive discussion on the interpretation of bond paths linking distant atoms, particularly tracing weak interactions in dimers. According to the Pendás' concept of privileged exchange channel, a bond path is formed between this pair of competing atoms, which is associated with larger value of the exchange energy. We point out that, due to the short‐range nature of the exchange energy, bond paths linking distant atoms clearly become doubtful indicators of dominant intermolecular interactions, particularly if some other characteristics (geometric, spectroscopic, based on electrostatic parameters, etc.) indicate other intermolecular interactions as dominant. Several such cases are thoroughly investigated. We show that electrostatic parameters are much more reliable indicators of dominant intermolecular interactions than bond paths. Then, we pay attention that the presence of (“unexpected”, i.e., not necessarily indicating dominant intermolecular interactions) bond paths between pairs of atoms featuring highly expanded charge distributions can be easily explained by visual exploration of isodensity contour plots. As always pointing in the direction of the steepest increase, the gradient vector of the electron density favors areas of its high values gaining higher exchange energy, yet being blind to highly electron deficient areas nearby, which, however, can quite often be involved in dominant intermolecular interactions as strongly suggested by many other bonding analysis. We also suggest that an interatomic component of Hellmann‐Feynman force would most likely be the most reliable indicator of attractive or repulsive character of individual interatomic interaction. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A path integral molecular dynamics study on intermolecular hydrogen bond of acetic acid–arsenic acid anion and acetic acid–phosphoric acid anion clusters
Authors: Kawashima Yukio , Sawada Keisuke , Nakajima Takahito , Tachikawa Masanori
Published: October 2018

We apply ab initio path integral molecular dynamics simulation employing ωB97XD as the quantum chemical calculation method to acetic acid–arsenic acid anion and acetic acid–phosphoric acid anion clusters to investigate the difference of the hydrogen bond structure and its fluctuation such as proton transfer. We found that the nuclear quantum effect enhanced the fluctuation of the hydrogen bond structure and proton transfer, which shows treatment of the nuclear quantum effect was essential to investigate these systems. The hydrogen bond in acetic acid–arsenic acid anion cluster showed characters related to low‐barrier hydrogen bonds, while acetic acid–phosphoric acid anion cluster did not. We found non‐negligible distinction between these two systems, which could not be found in conventional calculations. We suggest that the difference in amount of atomic charge of the atoms consisting the hydrogen bond is the origin of the difference between acetic acid–arsenic acid and acetic acid–phosphoric acid anion cluster. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the applicability of density functional tight binding to transition metal ions. Parameterization for nickel with the spin‐polarized DFTB3 model
Authors: Vujović Milena , Huynh Mioy , Steiner Sebastian , Garcia‐Fernandez Pablo , Elstner Marcus , Cui Qiang , Gruden Maja
Published: October 2018

In this work, we explore the applicability and limitations of the current third order density functional tight binding (DFTB3) formalism for treating transition metal ions using nickel as an example. To be consistent with recent parameterization of DFTB3 for copper, the parametrization for nickel is conducted in a spin‐polarized formulation and with orbital‐resolved Hubbard parameters and their charge derivatives. The performance of the current parameter set is evaluated based on structural and energetic properties of a set of nickel‐containing compounds that involve biologically relevant ligands. Qualitatively similar to findings in previous studies of copper complexes, the DFTB3 results are more reliable for nickel complexes with neutral ligands than for charged ligands; nevertheless, encouraging agreement is noted in comparison to the reference method, B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ, especially for structural properties, including cases that exhibit Jahn–Teller distortions; the structures also compare favorably to available X‐ray data in the Cambridge Crystallographic Database for a number of nickel‐containing compounds. As to limitations, we find it is necessary to use different d shell Hubbard charge derivatives for Ni(I) and Ni(II), due to the distinct electronic configurations for the nickel ion in the respective complexes, and substantial errors are observed for ligand binding energies, especially for charged ligands, d orbital splitting energies and splitting between singlet and triplet spin states for Ni(II) compounds. These observations highlight that future improvement in intra‐d correlation and ligand polarization is required to enable the application of the DFTB3 model to complex transition metal ions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of a new matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry system for the identification of yeast isolation
Authors: Lee Hyeyoung , Park Ji‐Hyun , Oh Junsang , Cho Sungil , Koo Jehyun , Park Ik Chun , Kim Jiwoo , Park Sehyun , Choi Ji Seon , Shin So Youn , Sung Gi‐Ho , Kim Jayoung
Published: October 2018

Background

Currently, three commercial in vitro diagnostic matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) systems are widely used in clinical laboratories. The ASTA MicroIDSys system (ASTA Inc, South Korea) is a newly developed MALDI‐TOF MS system used for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms. In the present study, we assessed the performance of the ASTA MALDI‐TOF MS system for the identification of pathogenic yeast from clinical samples.

Methods

We tested 284 clinical yeast isolates from various clinical specimens using ASTA MALDI‐TOF MS, and the results were compared with those using molecular sequencing of the ITS or D1‐D2 regions of rDNA and biochemical assays.

Results

A total of 284 isolates were tested and found to be distributed across 14 species including Candida albicans (n = 100) and other yeast species (n = 184). ASTA MALDI‐TOF MS correctly identified 95.1% (270/284) of the yeast species compared to molecular sequencing. Among them, 262 isolates showed acceptable MALDI‐TOF MS scores (≥140), and 98.1% (257/262) isolates were identified correctly. In addition, among 22 isolates with a MALDI‐TOF MS score <140, 59.1% (13/22) of the isolates showed concordance with molecular typing at the species level. Clustering analysis revealed the effectiveness of the new MALDI‐TOF MS system for the identification of yeast species.

Conclusions

ASTA MALDI‐TOF MS showed high accuracy in the identification of yeast species; it involves facile sample preparation and extraction procedures. ASTA MALDI‐TOF MS is expected to be useful for yeast identification in clinical microbiology laboratories due to its reliability and cost‐effectiveness.
Starmerella bombicola: recent advances on sophorolipid production and prospects of waste stream utilization
Authors: Wang Huaimin , Roelants Sophie LKW , To Ming H , Patria Raffel D , Kaur Guneet , Lau Ngai S , Lau Chun Y , Van Bogaert Inge NA , Soetaert Wim , Lin Carol SK
Published: October 2018

Sophorolipids are among the most extensively studied microbial biosurfactants. Starmerella bombicola is the most productive strain known for sophorolipid production, with volumetric productivity of up to 3.7 g L−1 h−1. This review focuses on the two most important aspects that have an influence on sophorolipid commercialization. Firstly, the metabolic engineering achievements of S. bombicola in the last decade are summarized. Secondly, three improvements of the bioprocess are described, including alternative feedstock, fermentation strategy and specially designed bioreactor. Discussion is made on the waste sources that have been used as feedstock for sophorolipid production, and the review also emphasizes the potential of food waste as nutrient source. Fermentation strategies that correlate with the specially designed bioreactors for commercialization are also discussed in detail. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Reinforcement of variability facilitates learning in humans
Authors: Hansson Jocelyn , Neuringer Allen
Published: October 2018

Studies with rats and pigeons showed that reinforcement of response variability improved learning of difficult response sequences. The results suggested that concurrent reinforcement of variability might be a helpful tool when educators or therapists attempt to teach individuals with learning difficulties. However, similar experiments with humans failed to confirm the results. In fact, in the human case, concurrent reinforcement of variability interfered with learning. The present experiment studied the same phenomenon with human participants in the context of a computer‐based game. Our results were consistent with the nonhuman animal findings. When students in our experiment were concurrently reinforced for sequence variability, they were more likely than control participants to learn a difficult response sequence. We conclude that reinforcement of variability can facilitate learning—in humans as well as animals —and discuss possible reasons for the difference between our results and the previous human findings.
Analysis of volatile components in Dalbergia cochinchinensis Pierre by a comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method using a solid‐state modulator
Authors: Xiang Zhangmin , Chen Xiaotian , Zhao Zhijun , Xiao Xue , Guo Pengran , Song Huacan , Yang Xi , Huang Minghua
Published: October 2018

Volatile components in Dalbergia cochinchinensis Pierre were analysed using a comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method featuring a new solid‐state modulator. Compared to one‐dimensional gas chromatography, the number of detected peaks were significantly increased. A total of 45 major compounds were identified in this study and the forward and reverse match factors of these compounds were both above 800. The results showed that the volatile components in Dalbergia cochinchinensis Pierre were primarily aldehyde and ketone compounds such as benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, 4‐chromanone, 1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanone and acetophenone. In addition, a semi‐quantitative analysis was conducted to determine the contents of the detected compounds based on peak area percentage. Moreover, the repeatability of the comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis in this study was quite satisfactory with relative standard deviations less than 12.7% for intraday and 17.3% for interday measurements.
Oligo(thioether‐ester)s Blocks in Polyurethanes for Slowly Releasing Active Payloads
Authors: Klahan Butsabarat , Seidi Farzad , Crespy Daniel
Published: October 2018

The preparation of acid‐responsive degradable oligomers with active agents in their main chains is described. Dichlorophene (DCP), an effective anticestodal agent, and the corrosion inhibitor 4‐(2‐pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) are reacted to form polymerizable bisacrylate derivatives. The derivatives are then copolymerized with aliphatic and aromatic dithiols by thiol‐Michael addition to obtain a polymer backbone with cleavable thiopropionate groups. Low molecular weight (M
n < 10 000 g mol−1) linear oligomers are obtained, which can be used for the preparation of poly(ester‐urethane)s. Polymer nanoparticles from both oligo(thioether‐ester) and poly(ester‐urethane)s are fabricated by the miniemulsion‐solvent evaporation method. The polymers in solution and dispersion can be gradually degraded in acidic media. The degraded products of the degradation of PAR containing polymers can be detected in the presence of copper ions.
Investigation on the Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Polypropylene/Organically Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposites with Different Levels of Compatibilizer
Authors: Vimalathithan Paramsamy Kannan , Barile Claudia , Casavola Caterina , Vijayakumar Chinnaswamy Thangavel , Arunachalam Sundaresan , Battisti Markus Gottfried , Friesenbichler Walter
Published: October 2018

Polypropylene/organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites are prepared with different levels of compatibilizer (maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene) and OMMT. A specially designed polymer nanocomposite injection molding compounder with a hyperbolic nozzle is used to prepare the nanocomposites. The thermal kinetic parameters, the activation energy, pre‐exponential factor, and the reaction model are estimated using isoconversional methods. The activation energy of virgin polypropylene is slightly higher than the polypropylene/OMMT nanocomposites. However, the presence of the compatibilizer is the vital reason for the lower activation energy in the polypropylene/OMMT nanocomposites. The reaction model explains the complexity of the reaction in the presence of OMMT and its influence on the accelerated charring in the later stages of degradation. The optimum working temperature of the prepared polypropylene/clay nanocomposites is significantly higher thus proving that OMMT improves the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. The polypropylene with 5% OMMT and 10% compatibilizer in its weight proportion has the optimum working temperature of 198 °C for 20 000 h before losing its integrity.
W361R mutation in GaaR, the regulator of D‐galacturonic acid‐responsive genes, leads to constitutive production of pectinases in Aspergillus niger
Authors: Alazi Ebru , Niu Jing , Otto Simon B. , Arentshorst Mark , Pham Thi T. M. , Tsang Adrian , Ram Arthur F. J.
Published: October 2018

Polysaccharides present in plant biomass, such as pectin, are the main carbon source for filamentous fungi. Aspergillus niger naturally secretes pectinases to degrade pectin and utilize the released monomers, mainly D‐galacturonic acid. The transcriptional activator GaaR, the repressor of D‐galacturonic acid utilization GaaX, and the physiological inducer 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐L‐galactonate play important roles in the transcriptional regulation of D‐galacturonic acid‐responsive genes, which include the genes encoding pectinases. In this study, we described the mutations found in gaaX and gaaR that enabled constitutive (i.e., inducer‐independent) expression of pectinases by A. niger. Using promoter‐reporter strains (PpgaX‐amdS) and polygalacturonic acid plate assays, we showed that W361R mutation in GaaR results in constitutive production of pectinases. Analysis of subcellular localization of C‐terminally eGFP‐tagged GaaR/GaaRW361R revealed important differences in nuclear accumulation of N‐ versus C‐terminally eGFP‐tagged GaaR.
The lessons Quebec offers to Greece and Europe
Authors: Mitsopoulos Michael , Pelagidis Theodore
Published: October 2018

An assessment of the importance of Greece's potential Grexit during the recent crisis is made. Subsequently, the case of the independence movement of Quebec is examined to argue that once perceptions about the separation from a Union take root, they may propagate themselves for long periods of time entrenching an uncertainty that leads to concrete economic damage. Therefore, the need to accelerate “convergence in institutions” among the Union members is highlighted, as is the need to acknowledge that political developments in Greece are in line with the predictions of a growing literature on the causes and impact of political risks.
AMS‐800 Artificial urinary sphincter in female patients with stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review
Authors: Peyronnet Benoit , O'Connor Eabhann , Khavari Rose , Capon Grégoire , Manunta Andrea , Allue Marta , Hascoet Juliette , Nitti Victor W. , Gamé Xavier , Gilleran Jason , Castro‐Sader Luis , Cornu Jean‐Nicolas , Waltregny David , Ahyai Sascha , Chung Eric , Elliott Daniel S. , Fournier Georges , Brucker Benjamin M.
Published: October 2018

Aims

To perform a systematic review of studies reporting the outcomes of AMS‐800 artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) resulting from intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD).

Methods

A systematic literature search of the Medline and Embase databases was performed in June 2018 in accordance with the PRISMA statement. No time limit was used. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018099612). Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers.

Results

Of 886 records screened, 17 were included. All were retrospective or prospective non‐comparative case series. One study reported on vaginal AUS implantation, 11 on open AUS implantation, two on laparoscopic AUS implantation, two on robot‐assisted AUS implantation and one compared open and robot‐assisted implantations. The vast majority of patients had undergone at least one anti‐incontinence surgical procedure prior to AUS implantation (69.1‐100%). The intraoperative bladder neck injury rates ranged from 0% to 43.8% and the intraoperative vaginal injury rates ranged from 0 to 25%. After mean follow‐up periods ranging from 5 to 204 months, the complete continence rates ranged from 61.1% to 100%. The rates of explantation, erosion and mechanical failure varied from 0% to 45.3%, 0% to 22.2% and 0% to 44.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

AMS‐800 AUS can provide excellent functional outcomes in female patients with SUI resulting from ISD but at the cost of a relatively high morbidity. High level of evidence studies are needed to help better define the role of AUS in the female SUI armamentarium.
Beyond white‐tailed deer hunting in Aguazuque: Archaeofaunal data from an archaic site at Sabana de Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Martínez‐Polanco María Fernanda
Published: October 2018

It is assumed that the hunter‐gatherers of the Sabana de Bogotá focused their subsistence strategies on white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hunting. The deer was their main prey because it was one of the largest animals in the area. However, there are differences between the early, middle, and late Holocene hunter‐gatherers in terms of their ways of life. The aim of this article is to contribute to a better understanding of animal resource exploitation and management particularly of white‐tailed deer using archaeofaunal remains from Aguazuque site at the Sabana de Bogotá, Colombia dated between 5,025 ± 40 BP (3,925–3,770 cal BP) and 2,725 ± 35 BP (900–825 cal BP). This is a key site for understanding social change in the middle and late Holocene at the Sabana de Bogotá. To describe the faunal set, two indexes were used: number of identified specimens and minimal number of individuals. Contra to models proposing the specialised hunting of big game for hunter‐gatherers in this region, the inhabitants of Aguazuque did not exclusively focus their diet on white‐tailed deer hunting; they used other animal species, such as guinea pigs, and plants played an important role in the human diet of Aguazuque.
Horse riding and the shape of the acetabulum: Insights from the bioarchaeological analysis of early Hungarian mounted archers (10th century)
Authors: Berthon William , Tihanyi Balázs , Kis Luca , Révész László , Coqueugniot Hélène , Dutour Olivier , Pálfi György
Published: October 2018

Horse riding is a human activity that has particularly interested bioanthropologists and paleopathologists working on the reconstruction of activities from skeletal changes in ancient populations. However, various sample and methodological limitations, such as the absence of direct evidence connecting the individuals and the activity, result in a lack of confidence regarding what changes should be included in the so‐called horse riding syndrome. Focusing on the ovalization of the acetabulum, regularly mentioned in literature, we analyzed comparative samples of presumed riders and non‐riders to evaluate its reliability for the identification of horse riding.

We relied on a Hungarian Conquest period collection (10th century CE), including several individuals associated with horse riding equipment or horse bones in the graves. Direct and easily repeatable measurements were used to calculate an index of ovalization of the acetabulum (IOA). The index values were compared according to the presence or absence of archaeological deposit. An extra‐group of presumed non‐riders from the documented Luís Lopes Skeletal Collection (Lisbon) was used for comparison.

Early Hungarians buried with horse‐related grave goods exhibited a higher overall IOA compared with the ones without and those known not to ride (p = 0.049 in the latter case, with left and right values combined).

Our results suggest that the ovalization of the acetabulum may indeed be a promising indicator to be included in a set of markers for horse riding. The analysis of further different types of pathological and nonpathological skeletal changes (e.g., joint and entheseal changes) will contribute to a more reliable identification of horse riders in anthropological collections.
Human biogeography and faunal exploitation in Diamante River basin, central western Argentina
Authors: Otaola Clara , Giardina Miguel A. , Franchetti Fernando R.
Published: October 2018

A biogeographic model used to describe human peopling of southern Mendoza, central western Argentina, proposed an intensification process activated by an increase in population growth rate during the Late Holocene. During this process, high‐ranked resources at the surroundings of residential camps were depleted, and hunter–gatherers broadened their diet by incorporating a larger number of low‐ranked prey and domesticated plant resources. In this paper, we evaluate an alternative hypothesis, focusing on zooarchaeological data from the Diamante River basin. The results show that faunal resource intensification does not appear to have occurred in the Diamante River basin during the Late Holocene. Faunal consumption in Diamante River basin mainly reflects the local fauna in each ecological zone. The data do not show a lack of higher ranked resources. We suggest it is more likely that the demographic increase was not significant enough to cause an impact on the faunal resources. The archaeological evidence should be improved and analysed in smaller scales to continue with the intensification debate.
Robust H∞ guaranteed cost control for discrete‐time switched singular systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Regaieg Mohamed Amin , Kchaou Mourad , El Hajjaji Ahmed , Chaabane Mohamed
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates the problem of control design for a class of uncertain switched singular systems with time‐varying delay. Under mode‐dependent average dwell time and using an appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, the exponential admissibility of the system is analyzed. In order to obtain less conservative conditions, the delay partitioning technique is adopted as well as the improved reciprocally convex approach. By means of the developed admissibility condition, a static output feedback controller is then designed using linear matrix inequality approach. Moreover, by solving an optimization convex problem with constraints, the switched controller is developed to ensure simultaneously the stability of the closed‐loop system and satisfy an optimized upper bound of both the linear quadratic guaranteed cost and the H∞ norm. Numerical examples are proposed to verify the efficiency and the merits of the method proposed.
Scale development: Chinese Irrational Beliefs and Rational Attitude Scale
Authors: Chan Ho Wai Queenie , Sun Chui Fun Rachel
Published: October 2018

University study has been considered to be one of the most stressful periods in a person's life. University students may have irrational beliefs that could play a significant role in causing emotional disturbance. Nevertheless, a suitable instrument for measuring irrational beliefs in college students in Chinese society has been lacking. The aim of this study was to construct a culturally relevant scale for measuring irrational beliefs among university students in the Hong Kong Chinese context. The construction of the Chinese Irrational Beliefs and Rational Attitude Scale (CIBRAS) for university students was based on (1) literature review and expert panel review for evaluation on content validity, (2) a pilot test of 200 local Hong Kong university students to determine the scale's psychometric properties and probe the exploratory factor analysis, and (3) confirmatory factor analysis to test for construct validity of the CIBRAS (conducted with a further 655 local Hong Kong university students). The results showed that the five‐factor 19‐item CIBRAS has good psychometric properties, including good internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas ranging from .64 to .80), content validity (content validity index = .96 for relevance, .94 for clarity, and .94 for representativeness), construct validity (explaining 60.1% of the total variance), and adequate fit indices (normed chi‐square = 2.8, comparative fit index = .94, normal fit index = .93, non‐normed fit index = .93, incremental fit index = .94, root‐mean‐square error of approximation = .077, and standardized root‐mean residual = .074). The limitations and implications of the study were discussed.
Supramolecular complexes based on liquid‐crystalline polysiloxanes and copper phthalocyanine
Authors: Kong Shengwen , Song Ying , Bai Lu , Tang Xinqiao , Meng Fanbao
Published: October 2018

Self‐assembly of mesogens in one polymer system reflects the capability for integrating intermolecular interactions and functions of materials. A series of novel supramolecular complexes (SCPs) containing cholesterol derivatives, siloxane backbone and copper phthalocyanine were synthesized. The SCPs were made from sulfonic acid‐containing precursor polymers (SAPs) synthesized by the use of 4‐(allyloxy)benzenesulfonic acid, cholest‐5‐en‐3‐ol‐(3β)‐4‐(allyloxy)benzoate and polymethylhydrosiloxane. Differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction results confirmed the mesomorphic properties. The SAPs showed smectic phase, but the SCPs showed columnar phase due to more lateral copper phthalocyanine groups in the polymer systems. Moreover, because of rigid side groups and cholesteric polymer, SCPs showed greater d‐spacings between the side mesogenic groups and exhibited very good electrical conductivity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Stretch‐Induced Melting and Recrystallization of Polyethylene‐Plasticizer Film Studied by In Situ X‐Ray Scattering: A Thermodynamic Point of View
Authors: Chen Xiaowei , Zhang Wenwen , Ye Ke , Meng Lingpu , Lv Fei , Cao Tian , Wan Caixia , Chen Xin , Li Liangbin
Published: October 2018

With in situ synchrotron radiation X‐ray scattering, the structural alteration of polyethylene‐plasticizer film during uniaxial stretching is studied at temperature far below melting point of crystal. By analyzing the evolution rule of structural parameters quantitatively, stretch‐induced melting and recrystallization process is validated to be the underlying mechanism of plastic deformation for the system. The physical essence of stretch‐induced melting is proved to be phase transition driven by elastic energy which originates from lattice deformation. Conversely, the recrystallization process is proved to be controlled by temperature; furthermore, the growth of lamellae during recrystallization is in perfect accordance with kinetic theory by Lauritzen and Hoffman. This study provides a quantitative understanding to the long‐existing melting–recrystallization model from a thermodynamics point of view. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1521–1528
A folic acid‐enriched diet attenuates prostate involution in response to androgen deprivation
Authors: Joseph Diya B. , Chandrashekar Anoop S. , Chu Li‐Fang , Thomson James A. , Vezina Chad M.
Published: October 2018

Background

Serum folate concentrations in the United States have risen since dietary folic acid fortification was first mandated in 1998. Although maternal folic acid offers protection against neural tube defects in conceptuses, its impact on other organ systems and life stages have not been fully examined. Here, we used a mouse model to investigate the impact of a Folic acid (FA) enriched diet on prostate homeostasis and response to androgen deprivation.

Methods

Male mice were fed a control diet (4 mg FA/kg feed) or a folic acid supplemented diet (24 mg FA/kg feed) beginning at conception and continuing through early adulthood, when mice were castrated.

Results

We made the surprising observation that dietary FA supplementation confers partial resistance to castration‐mediated prostate involution. At 3, 10, and 14 days post‐castration, FA enriched diet fed mice had larger prostates as assessed by wet weight, taller prostatic luminal epithelial cells, and more abundant RNAs encoding prostate secretory proteins than castrated control diet fed mice. Diet did not significantly affect prostate weights of intact mice or serum testosterone concentrations of castrated mice. RNA‐Seq analysis revealed that the FA enriched diet was associated with a unique prostate gene expression signature, affecting several signaling and metabolic pathways.

Conclusions

Continuous exposure to a FA enriched diet slows prostate involution in response to androgen deprivation. Prostates from FA diet mice have increased secretory gene expression and increased luminal cell heights. The influence of dietary FA supplementation on the prostate response to androgen deprivation raises a future need to consider how dietary folic acid supplementation affects efficacy of androgen‐reducing therapies for treating prostate disease.
Iron(II) and Iron(III) Complexes of Tridentate NNO Schiff Base‐like Ligands – X‐ray Structures and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Dankhoff Katja , Schneider Sandra , Nowak René , Weber Birgit
Published: October 2018

A series of new [Fe(L)2] iron(II) and [Fe(L)2]X iron(III) complexes is presented with varying tridentate NNO coordinating Schiff base‐like ligands (L–) and different counterions (X– = Cl–, Br–, I– BF4–, PF6–, and ClO4–) in the case of the iron(III) complexes. The crystal structures of one iron(II) and three iron(III) complexes are discussed, as well as the magnetic properties of the complexes regarding the possibility of the observation of spin crossover. While the three iron(II) complexes are predominantly high spin, in the case of the iron(III) complexes spin crossover was observed for the majority of the complexes (10 out of 12). Additionally, the optical properties and electrochemical behavior in solution was investigated and the results are compared with related systems from literature.
High scale electroweak phase transition: baryogenesis & symmetry non-restoration
Authors: Baldes Iason , Servant Géraldine
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We explore the possibility that the electroweak phase transition happens at a scale much higher than the electroweak scale today. In this context, high scale CP-violating sources for electroweak baryogenesis are not constrained by low-energy experiments. We propose a scenario of high-scale electroweak baryogenesis linked to flavour physics. This scenario allows for a period of enhanced Yukawa couplings during the evolution of the universe, which source time-dependent CP violation. The electroweak symmetry is never restored after the high-scale phase transition due to negative contributions to the Higgs thermal mass squared from a large number of additional electroweak-scale neutral scalars coupling to the Higgs. As a result, the washout of the baryon asymmetry is avoided.
Notes on scattering amplitudes as differential forms
Authors: He Song , Zhang Chi
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Inspired by the idea of viewing amplitudes in

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

SYM as differential forms on momentum twistor space, we introduce differential forms on the space of spinor variables, which combine helicity amplitudes in any four-dimensional gauge theory as a single object. In this note we focus on such differential forms in

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

SYM, which can also be thought of as “bosonizing” superamplitudes in non-chiral superspace. Remarkably all tree-level amplitudes in

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

SYM combine to a d log form in spinor variables, which is given by pushforward of canonical forms of Grassmannian cells. The tree forms can also be obtained using BCFW or inverse-soft construction, and we present all-multiplicity expression for MHV and NMHV forms to illustrate their simplicity. Similarly all-loop planar integrands can be naturally written as d log forms in the Grassmannian/on-shell-diagram picture, and we expect the same to hold beyond the planar limit. Just as the form in momentum twistor space reveals underlying positive geometry of the amplituhedron, the form in terms of spinor variables strongly suggests an “amplituhedron in momentum space”. We initiate the study of its geometry by connecting it to the moduli space of Witten’s twistor-string theory, which provides a pushforward formula for tree forms in

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

SYM.
Colonoscopic findings in patients aged 50 years and older: a critical analysis of 1614 exams
Authors: Leal Rafaela Mendonça , Mendes Carlos Ramon Silveira , Moreira Lana Ferreira , Amorim Taisa Maria Brito , Andrade Adriana Conceição de Mello , Goncalves Elisangela Suzarth , Mendes Carlos Ramon Silveira
Published: October 2018

Introduction Colonoscopy has shown to be useful in the diagnosis of various pathologies. By allowing the direct visualization of the mucosa, colonoscopy allows the adoption of therapeutic methods, such as the removal of polyps, dilation of stenoses, and biopsies. This method can also be applied in the detection of colorectal cancer, which currently represents an important cause of mortality in the world. Individuals considered to be at medium risk for the development of colorectal cancer should start screening at 50 years of age in order to detect early disease.

Objective To describe the main results of the exams for patients at least 50 years old who underwent colonoscopy.

Method Descriptive, case-series study of 1614 colonoscopies performed from 2014 to 2017 at a referral hospital in Salvador, Bahia.

Results The main indications for the study were intestinal bleeding (26.5%), neoplasia screening (20.7%), and abdominal pain (10.2%). The main results were diverticular disease (38.9%), polyps (38.8%), and normal examination (23.2%). Patients with indications for neoplasia screening had the presence of polyps (41.3%) as their main diagnosis. For patients with normal examination, 28.8% presented intestinal bleeding as an indication. There were 70 (4.3%) patients with a colonoscopic diagnosis of neoplasia.

Conclusion The present study, which demonstrated a majority of exams with considerable alterations, shows the usefulness of the examination, besides other advantages, as a form of diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
Almost limiting configurations of steady interfacial overhanging gravity waves
Authors: Maklakov Dmitri V. , Sharipov Ruslan R.
Published: October 2018

We study progressive gravity waves at the interface between two unbounded fluids of different densities. The main concern is to find almost limiting configurations for the so-called overhanging waves. The latter were first computed by Meiron & Saffman (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 129, 1983, pp. 213–218). By means of the Hopf lemma, we rigorously prove that, if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ is the angle between the tangent line to the interfacial curve and the horizontal direction, then $-\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}<\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}<\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}$. This inequality allows us to put forward a criterion of proximity of the interface to the limiting configuration, namely, the angle $|\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}|_{max}$ must be close to $\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}$ but may not exceed $\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}$. We develop a new numerical method of computing interfacial waves based on the representation of a piecewise-analytic function to be found in such a manner that only the shape of the interface is unknown. All other hydrodynamic quantities can be expressed analytically in terms of functions describing this shape. Using this method, we compute almost limiting configurations of interfacial waves with $|\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}|_{max}>179.98^{\circ }$. Analysing the results of computations, we introduce two new concepts: an inner crest, and an inner solution near the inner crest. These concepts allow us to make a well-grounded prediction for the shapes of limiting interfacial configurations and confirm Saffman & Yuen’s (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 123, 1982, pp. 459–476) conjecture that the waves are geometrically limited.