bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial variation in anuran richness, diversity, and abundance across montane wetland habitat in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Authors: van der Hoek Yntze , Tuyisingize Deogratias , Eckardt Winnie , Garriga Nuria , Derhé Mia A.
Published: March 2019

The spatial distribution of species has long sparked interest among ecologists and biogeographers, increasingly so in studies of species responses to climate change. However, field studies on spatial patterns of distribution, useful to inform conservation actions at local scales, are still lacking for many regions, especially the tropics. We studied elevational trends and species‐area relationships among anurans in wetland habitats within Volcanoes National Park (VNP) in Rwanda, part of the biodiverse Albertine Rift region. In VNP, wetlands are key sites for anuran reproduction, and anurans are likely threatened by wetland desiccation which has occurred for the last few decades. Between 2012 and 2017, we sampled anuran communities in ten VNP wetlands located along an elevational gradient of c. 600 m (from 2,546 to 3,188 m a.s.l.) and found at least eight species, including at least two Albertine Rift Endemics. We show that species richness, diversity, and abundance likely decline with a decrease in wetland size and with an increase in elevation, though additional sampling (e.g., at night) might be needed to derive definite conclusions. Larger wetlands at lower elevations contained most species and individuals, which indicates the potential threat of wetland size reduction (through desiccation) for anuran conservation. However, we also found that wetlands differed in species composition and that some species (e.g., Sclerophrys kisoloensis) were likely restricted in distribution to only a few of the smaller wetlands—suggesting that the conservation of each individual wetland should be prioritized, regardless of size. We propose that all wetlands in VNP require additional conservation measures, which should be based on knowledge gathered through long‐term monitoring of anuran communities and research on drivers of wetland decline. Only such extended research will allow us to understand the response of anurans in VNP to threats such as climate change and wetland desiccation.
On the Scope of XPS as Sensor in Coordination Chemistry of Transition Metal Hexacyanometallates
Authors: Cano Arely , Rodríguez‐Hernández Joelis , Reguera Leslie , Rodríguez‐Castellón Enrique , Reguera Edilso
Published: March 2019

This study reports an evaluation on the scope of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to obtain information for the coordination chemistry of transition metal (Tn) hexacyanometallates, TxAz[Mm(CN)6]y where nx +z = y(6 – m), A is an alkaline charge‐compensating cation, and Mm is a transition metal with a maximum of 6 electrons in its nd orbitals. XPS provides an elegant picture on the role of the CN π‐back bonding effect to determine the charge density on the N atom and, from this fact, on its coordination to transition metal ions to form coordination polymers. XPS appears to be able to discriminate between octahedral and tetrahedral coordination for the outer metal (T) to the N end of CN ligands, particularly when the XPS peak and the Auger lines are combined. A similar performance was observed when this spectroscopic technique is used to identify when the CN ligand is found with linear and bifurcated coordination mode to the metal linked at its N end. These last two structural features are relevant in the coordination of metal hexacyanometallates and determine their physical and functional properties. The results obtained from XPS data were correlated with the a priori information from IR spectra and the reported crystal structures for all the samples under study.
Electrochemical Bulk Synthesis of Ternary Nitride Perovskites: Co3InN and Ni3InN
Authors: Lehmann Tanja S. , Blaschkowski Björn , Niewa Rainer
Published: March 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Rainer Niewa from Universität Stuttgart, Germany. The cover image shows the formation and movement of nitride ions within a salt, initiated by an electric current.
Going off antiretroviral treatment in a closely monitored HIV “cure” trial: longitudinal assessments of acutely diagnosed trial participants and decliners
Authors: Henderson Gail E , Waltz Margaret , Meagher Karen , Cadigan R Jean , Jupimai Thidarat , Isaacson Sinéad , Ormsby Nuchanart Q , Colby Donn J , Kroon Eugène , Phanuphak Nittaya , Ananworanich Jintanat , Peay Holly L
Published: March 2019

Introduction

The South East Asia Research Collaboration in HIV (SEARCH) RV411 clinical trial in Thailand was a systematic investigation of analytic treatment interruption (ATI) in individuals diagnosed and treated since Fiebig stage I acute HIV infection. Here, we explore decision‐making processes and perceptions of trial participation in a phase I trial that raised important ethical considerations, to identify potential areas of improvement in this relatively new field of HIV research. Similar considerations apply to other HIV phase I trials, especially those involving ATI, making this trial a model to identify challenges and opportunities in promoting informed choice.

Methods

Using longitudinal semi‐structured interviews and a validated questionnaire, we examined how decisions to join or decline the trial were made, whether there was evidence of decisional conflict, and reactions to the trial outcomes. We also explored contrasting views and experiences in this small trial cohort. We report analyses of data from these questionnaires and interviews, conducted from February through December of 2016 with the 14 SEARCH cohort participants who either joined (n = 8) or declined (n = 6) participation in RV411.

Results

The eight participants and six decliners had low overall decisional conflict, which remained low over time. Decision making was more difficult for decliners than participants, at least initially. While all interviewees described being satisfied with their decisions, our study identified important negative consequences for a few individuals, including seroconversion, negative experiences with optional procedures and disappointment due to rapid viral rebound.

Conclusions

Although our results reflect the experiences of a small group invited to join this trial, our overall finding of low decisional conflict even while some individuals reported negative experiences provides lessons for clinical trial investigators. We developed points‐to‐consider in helping participants make informed choices, to support participants during the trial and to support decliners in their decisions.
Recovery of acid corn oil from the bioalcohol industry by molecular distillation
Authors: Miró Erdmann Silvia M , Magallanes Leisa M , Tarditto Lorena V , Prizzon Antonella , del Carmen Pramparo María , Gayol María F
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

The objective of this work was to reduce the acidity of acid corn oil for its subsequent use as edible oil. Also, its tocopherols composition was determined. This oil is obtained as a by‐product of corn alcohol production on an industrial scale and is currently used as a raw material in the biodiesel industry.

RESULTS

The tocopherols and fatty acids composition of acid corn oil was determined by gas chromatography, and molecular distillation experiments were carried out at different temperatures between 110 °C and 190 °C with a volumetric flow rate of 0.5 to 2 mL min−1 and a pressure of 5 × 10−5 atm. It was possible to reduce its acidity from 9.44% (as oleic acid) to values less than 0.3% in the residue, with distillation temperatures higher than 180 °C; also, in the distillate, the tocopherols were recovered with concentrations up to 13 360 ppm.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to decrease the acidity and purify tocopherols from acid corn oil by molecular distillation, obtaining a residue with an acidity acceptable for human consumption and a distillate with a high tocopherols content. Therefore, using molecular distillation, added value was given to a by‐product of the bioalcohol industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Multidisciplinary Inpatient Rehabilitation Following Heart and/or Lung Transplantation—Examining Cohort Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Shiner Christine T. , Woodbridge Genevieve , Skalicky David A. , Faux Steven G.
Published: March 2019

Background

Cardiopulmonary transplantation is becoming a more common treatment option for advanced heart and/or lung disease. Specialist rehabilitation programs may assist recovery and enhance functional independence following transplantation.

Objective

To quantify the outcomes of multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation following cardiopulmonary transplantation and describe cohort characteristics.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Subacute inpatient rehabilitation facility, located on‐site at Australia's largest cardiopulmonary transplant center.

Participants

Heart and/or lung transplant recipients (n = 116), admitted for multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation, between 2009 and 2016.

Interventions

All participants received multidisciplinary rehabilitation as part of their standard care.

Main Outcome Measurements

Participants' functional independence was scored using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) upon rehabilitation admission and discharge. Physical measures of mobility and balance were assessed at the same time points, including the 6‐minute walk test, 10 m walk, Timed Up and Go, and Berg Balance Scale. Process measures of interest included rehabilitation length of stay, interruptions to rehabilitation, and discharge destination.

Results

Average length‐of‐stay in rehabilitation was 26.9 ± 21.2 days (mean ± SD). FIM scores improved from 79.8 ± 20.3 on admission to 101.8 ± 29.1 at discharge (P < .001) for the pooled cohort. Physical measures of mobility and balance also improved: 6‐minute walk test distances improved from 103.6 ± 80.1 to 183.2 ± 104.8 m (P < .001); Timed Up and Go results decreased from 26.4 ± 18.3 seconds to 16.5 ± 14.1 seconds (P < .001); and Berg Balance Scale scores increased from 26.8 ± 17.1 to 45.0 ± 9.4 (P < .001). Approximately one‐third (33.6%) of admissions were interrupted by an acute medical complication; however, this did not preclude completion of rehabilitation or achievement of functional gains. Ninety‐four percent of the cohort was discharged to a private residence following rehabilitation. No significant differences were observed between heart versus lung transplant recipients.

Conclusions

For debilitated patients following heart and/or lung transplantation, physical function, mobility, and independence significantly improved following multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation.

Level of Evidence

III
Conductive triethylene glycol monomethyl ether substituted polythiophenes with high stability in the doped state
Authors: Dissanayake Dushanthi S. , Gunathilake Samodha S. , Udamulle Gedara Chinthaka M. , Du Jia , Yoo Sang Ha , Lee Youngmin , Wang Qing , Gomez Enrique D. , Biewer Michael C. , Stefan Mihaela C.
Published: March 2019

Synthesis of two conducting polymers containing 3‐hexylthiophene and 3‐[2‐(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy]thiophene is demonstrated. In thin‐film transistors, the high‐molecular‐weight polymer shows an average mobility of 4.2 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1. Most importantly, the polymers have high conductivity upon doping with iodine and also have high stability in the doped state with high conductivities measured even after 1 month. Furthermore, the doping causes transparency to thin films of the polymer and the films are resistant to common organic solvents. All these properties indicate a great potential for the iodine‐doped polymer to be used as an alternative to commercially available poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1079–1086
Transcriptome responses to the natural phytotoxin t‐chalcone in Arabidopsis thaliana L.
Authors: Díaz‐Tielas Carla , Graña Elisa , Sánchez‐Moreiras Adela M , Reigosa Manuel J , Vaughn Justin N , Pan Zhiqiang , Bajsa‐Hirschel Joanna , Duke Mary V , Duke Stephen O
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

New modes of action are needed for herbicides. The flavonoid synthesis intermediate t‐chalcone causes apoptosis‐like symptoms in roots and bleaching of shoots of Arabidospsis, suggesting a unique mode of action as a phytotoxin.

RESULTS

Using RNA‐Seq, transcriptome changes were monitored in Arabidopsis seedlings during the first 24 h of exposure (at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h) to 21 μm t‐chalcone (I50 dose), examining effects on roots and shoots separately. Expression of 892 and 1000 genes was affected in roots and shoots, respectively. According to biological classification, many of the affected genes were transcription factors and genes associated with oxidative stress, heat shock proteins, xenobiotic detoxification, ABA and auxin biosynthesis, and primary metabolic processess. These are secondary effects found with most phytotoxins. Potent phytotoxins usually act by inhibiting enzymes of primary metabolism. KEGG pathway analysis of transcriptome results from the first 3 h of t‐chalcone exposure indicated several potential primary metabolism target sites for t‐chalcone. Of these, p‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) and tyrosine amino transferase were consistent with the bleaching effect of the phytotoxin. Supplementation studies with Lemna paucicostata and Arabidiopsis supported HPPD as the target, although in vitro enzyme inhibition was not found.

CONCLUSIONS

t‐Chalcone is possibly a protoxin that is converted to a HPPD inhibitor in vivo. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Guarana supplementation attenuated obesity, insulin resistance, and adipokines dysregulation induced by a standardized human Western diet via brown adipose tissue activation
Authors: Bortolin Rafael Calixto , Vargas Amanda Rodrigues , de Miranda Ramos Vitor , Gasparotto Juciano , Chaves Paloma Rodrigues , Schnorr Carlos Eduardo , da Boit Martinello Katia , Silveira Alexandre Kleber , Gomes Henrique Mautone , Rabelo Thallita Kelly , Grunwald Marcelo Sartori , Ligabue‐Braun Rodrigo , Gelain Daniel Pens , Moreira José Cláudio Fonseca
Published: March 2019

Obesity is a metabolic disorder associated with adverse health consequences that has increased worldwide at an epidemic rate. This has encouraged many people to utilize nonprescription herbal supplements for weight loss without knowledge of their safety or efficacy. However, mounting evidence has shown that some herbal supplements used for weight loss are associated with adverse effects. Guarana seed powder is a popular nonprescription dietary herb supplement marketed for weight loss, but no study has demonstrated its efficacy or safety when administered alone. Wistar rats were fed four different diets (low‐fat diet and Western diet with or without guarana supplementation) for 18 weeks. Metabolic parameters, gut microbiota changes, and toxicity were then characterized. Guarana seed powder supplementation prevented weight gain, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by Western diet compared with the control diet. Guarana induced brown adipose tissue expansion, mitochondrial biogenesis, uncoupling protein‐1 overexpression, AMPK activation, and minor changes in gut microbiota. Molecular docking suggested a direct activation of AMPK by four guarana compounds tested here. We propose that brown adipose tissue activation is one of the action mechanisms involved in guarana supplementation‐induced weight loss and that direct AMPK activation may underlie this mechanism. In summary, guarana is an attractive potential therapeutic agent to treat obesity.
Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts Reactions: An Update
Authors: Heravi Majid M. , Zadsirjan Vahideh , Heydari Masumeh , Masoumi Baharak
Published: March 2019

The Friedel‐Crafts alkylation (F‐CA) reaction is a special kind of carbon−carbon bond formations, which is frequently being used for the formation of such bond in some aromatic rings in organic synthesis. Its asymmetric variant gives enantiorich products. Commonly, an in situ organocatalyzed asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts alkylation (AF‐CA) proceeds via generation of an enamine as an intermediate. The organocatalyzed‐AF‐CA was discovered and established in the mid‐1980s and reviewed comprehensively in 2010. In this report, we are trying to update the applications of novel organocatalysts in the AF‐CA as a versatile synthetic strategy, which is frequently used in the effective asymmetric synthesis of complex molecules, pharmaceutically important compounds and most importantly in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products.
Essential Quality Attributes of Tangible Bio‐Oils from Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Zhang Z. Conrad
Published: March 2019

This review covers the characteristics of pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis bio‐oils by focusing on the fundamental factors that determine bio‐oil upgradability. The abundant works on the subject of bio‐oil production from lignocellulosic biomass were studied to establish the essential attributes of the bio‐oils for assessment of the oil stability and upgradability. Bio‐oils from catalytic pyrolysis processes relating to catalysts of different compositions and structures are discussed. A general relationship between the higher heating value and the oxygen content in the catalytic pyrolysis oils exists, but this relationship does not apply to the thermal pyrolysis oil. Reporting bio‐oil yield is meaningful only when the oxygen content of the oil is measured because the pyrolytic oil stability is mainly determined by the oxygen content. Isoenergy plot that associates bio‐oil yield with oxygen content is presented and discussed.
Simulation and experimental study on the properties of Fe, Y co‐doped AgSnO2 contact materials
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Jingqin , Kang Huiling
Published: March 2019

With the aims of environmental protection, manufacturing cost, and reliability of contact materials, we calculate the electrical and mechanical properties of single‐doped and co‐doped SnO2 contact materials based on density functional theory using the Materials Studio software. By analyzing the energy band, density of states, and elastic constants, our results show that co‐doping leads to stronger interactions among the different atoms, resulting in the highest relative conductivity, decrease in hardness, smallest index of universal elastic anisotropy, good processing performance, and the highest crack resistance. Finally, in the experiment, single and co‐doped SnO2 powders were prepared by the sol–gel technique, and single and co‐doped AgSnO2 contacts were prepared by powder metallurgy. The arcing energy, contact resistance, and the actual conductivity and hardness were measured. The results of simulation and experiment match well. It is of great significance to promote environmental protection, low cost, and high reliability of AgSnO2 contacts. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Group activity recognition with an interaction force based on low‐level features
Authors: Wateosot Chonthisa , Suvonvorn Nikom
Published: March 2019

Group activity recognition of humans is an important task for video surveillance systems. In complex situations, however, ambiguities usually arise as a result of chaotic movements in the scene, especially when it is solved based upon motion trajectory analysis involving object segmentation and tracking. In this work, we present an interaction force model (IFM) to recognize group activity using low‐level feature based on dense optical flow. The IFM used to define interaction among people consists of three principal forces: group motion force (GMF), interaction motion force (IMF), and reciprocal motion force (RMF), to model the behaviors of the activity. Our algorithm is evaluated using the well‐known NUS‐HGA and BEHAVE datasets. Results of our approach reveal good efficiency with high accuracy, regardless of the surrounding conditions, and is competitive with other state‐of‐the‐art methods. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fetal heart rate variability with hypoxemia in an instrumented sheep model
Authors: Bhide A. , Johnson J. , Rasanen J. , Acharya G.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To examine the effect of hypoxemia on fetal heart rate (FHR) variability, using an instrumented pregnant sheep model.

Methods

In this prospective study, 19 pregnant sheep were instrumented under general anesthesia, at a mean gestational age of 127 days. After a 5‐day recovery period, hypoxemia was induced by attaching the mother to a rebreathing circuit. Hypoxemia was sustained for 120 min, following which it was reversed until maternal and fetal partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) returned to baseline. FHR recordings at baseline, after 30 and 120 min of hypoxemia and at recovery were analyzed to calculate short‐term variation (STV) in 16 epochs of 3.75 s, every minute. Phase‐rectified signal averaging (window length (L) = 10, time (T) = 2 and scale (S) = 2) was used to calculate FHR acceleration (AC) and deceleration (DC) capacities.

Results

At baseline, mean ± SD fetal pO2 was 2.90 ± 0.38 kPa. Acute hypoxemia was associated with a significant reduction in mean pO2 at 30 (1.62 ± 0.37 kPa) and 120 (1.51 ± 0.16 kPa) min. Mean ± SD fetal pO2 at recovery was 2.86 ± 0.32 kPa. At baseline, median STV, AC and DC were 1.307 (interquartile range (IQR), 0.515–2.508) ms, 1.295 (IQR, 0.990–2.685) beats per minute (bpm) and 1.197 (IQR, 0.850–1.836) bpm, respectively. At 30 min of hypoxemia, the values were 1.323 (IQR, 0.753–2.744) ms, 1.696 (IQR, 1.310–3.013) bpm and 1.584 (IQR, 1.217–4.132) bpm, respectively. At 120 min of hypoxemia, they were 1.760 (IQR, 0.928–4.656) ms, 3.098 (IQR, 1.530–5.163) bpm and 3.054 (IQR, 1.508–4.522) bpm, respectively. At recovery, they changed to 0.962 (IQR, 0.703–1.154) ms, 1.228 (IQR, 1.071–2.234) bpm and 1.086 (IQR, 0.873–1.568) bpm, respectively. Hypoxemia for 30 and 120 min was associated with a significant increase in DC compared to baseline (P = 0.014 and 0.017, respectively). The changes in STV and AC were not significant.

Conclusion

Acute hypoxemia is associated with a significant increase in the DC of FHR in a fetal sheep model. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Cosmology with a very light Lμ − Lτ gauge boson
Authors: Escudero Miguel , Hooper Dan , Krnjaic Gordan , Pierre Mathias
Published: March 2019

Abstract

In this paper, we explore in detail the cosmological implications of an abelian L

μ
− L

τ
gauge extension of the Standard Model featuring a light and weakly coupled Z′. Such a scenario is motivated by the longstanding ∼ 4σ discrepancy between the measured and predicted values of the muon’s anomalous magnetic moment, (g − 2)
μ
, as well as the tension between late and early time determinations of the Hubble constant. If sufficiently light, the Z′ population will decay to neutrinos, increasing the overall energy density of radiation and altering the expansion history of the early universe. We identify two distinct regions of parameter space in this model in which the Hubble tension can be significantly relaxed. The first of these is the previously identified region in which a ∼ 10 − 20 MeV Z′ reaches equilibrium in the early universe and then decays, heating the neutrino population and delaying the process of neutrino decoupling. For a coupling of g

μ − τ
≃ (3 − 8) × 10−4, such a particle can also explain the observed (g − 2)
μ
anomaly. In the second region, the Z′ is very light (

$$ {m}_{Z^{\prime }} $$

m

Z
′

∼ 1eV to MeV) and very weakly coupled (g

μ − τ
∼ 10−13 to 10−9). In this case, the Z′ population is produced through freeze-in, and decays to neutrinos after neutrino decoupling. Across large regions of parameter space, we predict a contribution to the energy density of radiation that can appreciably relax the reported Hubble tension, ΔN
eff ≃ 0.2.
Note on monopole operators in Chern-Simons-matter theories
Authors: Assel Benjamin
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Monopole operators in Chern-Simons theories with charged matter have been studied using the state-operator map in CFTs, as states on ℝ × S
2 with background magnetic flux on S
2. Gauge invariance requires a dressing with matter modes which provides non-zero spin to the monopoles. In this note we propose a description of the monopole operators directly on ℝ3, as a singular behavior of the gauge and matter fields in the vicinity of the insertion point, with a dressing. We study abelian theories with a charged boson or a charged fermion. We extend the discussion to abelian supersymmetric Chern-Simons-matter theories and describe the BPS monopoles, which have spin and preserve a single supercharge. We match our results against the prediction from the superconformal index.
Electroconvulsive therapy against the natural will: Some concerns
Authors: Lenzen Laura Marianne , Grözinger Michael
Published: March 2019

In recent years, the scientific interest in “Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) against the patient’s natural” will has grown. Several publications have reported mostly positive outcomes in cases, where ECT has been implemented against the patient’s natural will. The author’s findings primarily indicate the effectiveness of ECT in non-consenting patients, which confirms earlier findings. All author’s overall presumption turned out to be mainly positive. Within the discussion on involuntary ECT treatment, we missed disadvantageous arguments, which also need to be considered for a balanced judgement. By bringing up the following viewpoint, would like to contribute to a balanced decision making process in cases where involuntary ECT is a legal treatment option.
Model update and validation of a mistuned high-pressure compressor blisk
Authors: Beirow B. , Kühhorn A. , Figaschewsky F. , Hönisch P. , Giersch T. , Schrape S.
Published: March 2019

In order to prepare an advanced 4-stage high-pressure compressor rig test campaign, details regarding both accomplishment and analysis of preliminary experiments are provided in this paper. The superior objective of the research project is to contribute to a reliable but simultaneously less conservative design of future high pressure blade integrated disks (blisk). It is planned to achieve trend-setting advances based on a close combination of both numerical and experimental analyses. The analyses are focused on the second rotor of this research compressor, which is the only one being manufactured as blisk. The comprehensive test program is addressing both surge and forced response analyses e.g. caused by low engine order excitation. Among others the interaction of aeroelastics and blade mistuning is demanding attention in this regard. That is why structural models are needed, allowing for an accurate forced response prediction close to reality. Furthermore, these models are required to support the assessment of blade tip timing (BTT) data gathered in the rig tests and strain gauge (s/g) data as well. To gain the maximum information regarding the correlation between BTT data, s/g-data and pressure gauge data, every blade of the second stage rotor (28 blades) is applied with s/g. However, it is well known that s/g on blades can contribute additional mistuning that had to be considered upon updating structural models.

Due to the relevance of mistuning, efforts are made for its accurate experimental determination. Blade-by-blade impact tests according to a patented approach are used for this purpose. From the research point of view, it is most interesting to determine both the effect s/g-instrumentation and assembling the compressor stages on blade frequency mistuning. That is why experimental mistuning tests carried out immediately after manufacturing the blisk are repeated twice, namely, after s/g instrumentation and after assembling. To complete the pre-test program, the pure mechanical damping and modal damping ratios dependent on the ambient pressure are experimentally determined inside a pressure vessel. Subsequently the mistuning data gained before is used for updating subset of nominal system mode (SNM) models. Aerodynamic influence coefficients (AICs) are implemented to take aeroelastic interaction into account for forced response analyses. Within a comparison of different models, it is shown for the fundamental flap mode (1F) that the s/g instrumentation significantly affects the forced response, whereas the impact of assembling the compressor plays a minor role.
Cessna Citation X simulation turbofan modelling: identification and identified model validation using simulated flight tests
Authors: Botez Ruxandra Mihaela , Bardela Paul-Alexandre , Bournisien Thomas
Published: March 2019

The aviation industry relies on accurate models. These models are used to predict an aircraft system’s outputs, and thus allow an understanding of the parameters involved, which could lead to system improvements. This study focuses on the engine modelling of an aircraft, and on its experimental validation using the Cessna Citation X Research Aircraft Simulator designed by CAE Inc., equipped with a level D Flight Dynamics toolbox. Level D is the highest rank attributed by the Federal Aviation Administration FAA certification authorities for flight dynamics. The proposed model aims to predict the thrust and the fuel consumption for various altitudes, Mach numbers and throttle lever angles (TLA). Different generic static models, which correspond to their steady state, from the literature, were used in this study; however, most of them were validated under restricted hypotheses. An optimisation algorithm was used in order to tune the static model parameters with the set of identification flight test data. Another set of data was then used in order to validate the identified model. Furthermore, a dynamic model corresponding to the transient operations was identified. TLA steps, impulses and ramp perturbations were performed in order to identify the system response, and to validate system dynamic model with other flight tests than the identification tests.
Polarized proton beams from laser-induced plasmas
Authors: Hützen Anna , Thomas Johannes , Böker Jürgen , Engels Ralf , Gebel Ralf , Lehrach Andreas , Pukhov Alexander , Rakitzis T. Peter , Sofikitis Dimitris , Büscher Markus
Published: March 2019

We report on the concept of an innovative source to produce polarized proton/deuteron beams of a kinetic energy up to several GeV from a laser-driven plasma accelerator. Spin effects have been implemented into the particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation code VLPL (Virtual Laser Plasma Lab) to make theoretical predictions about the behavior of proton spins in laser-induced plasmas. Simulations of spin-polarized targets show that the polarization is conserved during the acceleration process. For the experimental realization, a polarized HCl gas-jet target is under construction using the fundamental wavelength of a Nd:YAG laser system to align the HCl bonds and simultaneously circularly polarized light of the fifth harmonic to photo-dissociate, yielding nuclear polarized H atoms. Subsequently, their degree of polarization is measured with a Lamb-shift polarimeter. The final experiments, aiming at the first observation of a polarized particle beam from laser-generated plasmas, will be carried out at the 10 PW laser system SULF at SIOM, Shanghai.
RANK LOGIC IS DEAD, LONG LIVE RANK LOGIC!
Authors: GRÄDEL ERICH , PAKUSA WIED
Published: March 2019

Motivated by the search for a logic for polynomial time, we study rank logic (FPR) which extends fixed-point logic with counting (FPC) by operators that determine the rank of matrices over finite fields. WhileFPRcan express most of the known queries that separateFPCfromPtime, almost nothing was known about the limitations of its expressive power.

In our first main result we show that the extensions ofFPCby rank operators over different prime fields are incomparable. This solves an open question posed by Dawar and Holm and also implies that rank logic, in its original definition with a distinct rank operator for every field, fails to capture polynomial time. In particular we show that the variant of rank logic${\text{FPR}}^{\text{*}}$with an operator that uniformly expresses the matrix rank over finite fields is more expressive thanFPR.

One important step in our proof is to consider solvability logicFPSwhich is the analogous extension ofFPCby quantifiers which express the solvability problem for linear equation systems over finite fields. Solvability logic can easily be embedded into rank logic, but it is open whether it is a strict fragment. In our second main result we give a partial answer to this question: in the absence of counting, rank operators are strictly more expressive than solvability quantifiers.
ON SINGULAR STATIONARITY II (TIGHT STATIONARITY AND EXTENDERS-BASED METHODS)
Authors: BEN-NERIA OMER
Published: March 2019

We study the notion of tightly stationary sets which was introduced by Foreman and Magidor in [8]. We obtain two consistency results showing that certain sequences of regular cardinals${\langle {\kappa _n}\rangle _{n < \omega }}$can have the property that in some generic extension, every ground-model sequence of fixed-cofinality stationary sets${S_n} \subseteq {\kappa _n}$is tightly stationary. The results are obtained using variations of the short-extenders forcing method.
Leaving an attacked group: Authoritative criticism decreases ingroup favoritism
Authors: Dang Jianning , Liu Li , Zhang Qianqian , Li Caina
Published: March 2019

Research suggests people try to protect their social self-esteem from threats from the ingroup or the outgroup. However, how members react to a threat to social self-esteem from a third party remains unclear. Three studies were conducted to examine the influence of a threat to social self-esteem from an authoritative third party on ingroup favoritism. We explored the effect of negative (versus positive) evaluation from the testing system on explicit and implicit ingroup favoritism in Study 1 and Study 2 respectively. We compared the effect of negative evaluation posed by the testing system or the competitive outgroup on ingroup favoritism in Study 3. Results suggested that individuals experiencing a threat to social self-esteem from an authoritative third party manifested less ingroup favoritism than those experiencing no threat or outgroup threat. The theoretical implications of this research on social identity theory and the practical implications of reducing intergroup bias are discussed.
The Cream of the Crop? Geography, Networks, and Irish Migrant Selection in the Age of Mass Migration
Authors: Connor Dylan Shane
Published: March 2019

With more than 30 million people moving to North America during the Age of Mass Migration (1850–1913), governments feared that Europe was losing its most talented workers. Using new data from Ireland in the early twentieth century, I provide evidence to the contrary, showing that the sons of farmers and illiterate men were more likely to emigrate than their literate and skilled counterparts. Emigration rates were highest in poorer farming communities with stronger migrant networks. I constructed these data using new name-based techniques to follow people over time and to measure chain migration from origin communities to the United States.
Toward incorporating genetic risk scores into symptom networks of psychosis
Authors: Isvoranu Adela-Maria , Guloksuz Sinan , Epskamp Sacha , van Os Jim , Borsboom Denny ,   GROUP Investigators
Published: March 2019

Background

Psychosis spectrum disorder is a heterogeneous, multifactorial clinical phenotype, known to have a high heritability, only a minor portion of which can be explained by molecular measures of genetic variation. This study proposes that the identification of genetic variation underlying psychotic disorder may have suffered due to issues in the psychometric conceptualization of the phenotype. Here we aim to open a new line of research into the genetics of mental disorders by explicitly incorporating genes into symptom networks. Specifically, we investigate whether links between a polygenic risk score (PRS) for schizophrenia and measures of psychosis proneness can be identified in a network model.

Methods

We analyzed data from n = 2180 subjects (controls, patients diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder, and the first-degree relatives of the patients). A network structure was computed to examine associations between the 42 symptoms of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) and the PRS for schizophrenia.

Results

The resulting network shows that the PRS is directly connected to the spectrum of positive and depressive symptoms, with the items conspiracy and no future being more often located on predictive pathways from PRS to other symptoms.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, the current exploratory study provides a first application of the network framework to the field of behavior genetics research. This allows for a novel outlook on the investigation of the relations between genome-wide association study-based PRSs and symptoms of mental disorders, by focusing on the dependencies among variables.
High Throughput Quantitative Metallography for Complex Microstructures Using Deep Learning: A Case Study in Ultrahigh Carbon Steel
Authors: DeCost Brian L. , Lei Bo , Francis Toby , Holm Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2019

We apply a deep convolutional neural network segmentation model to enable novel automated microstructure segmentation applications for complex microstructures typically evaluated manually and subjectively. We explore two microstructure segmentation tasks in an openly available ultrahigh carbon steel microstructure dataset: segmenting cementite particles in the spheroidized matrix, and segmenting larger fields of view featuring grain boundary carbide, spheroidized particle matrix, particle-free grain boundary denuded zone, and Widmanstätten cementite. We also demonstrate how to combine these data-driven microstructure segmentation models to obtain empirical cementite particle size and denuded zone width distributions from more complex micrographs containing multiple microconstituents. The full annotated dataset is available on materialsdata.nist.gov.
Genetic analysis of Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus disease resistance in wild relative of okra Abelmoschus angulosus Wall. ex Wight & Arn
Authors: Wasala SamanthiKumari , Senevirathne Sumudu I. , Senanayake Jayantha Bandara , Navoditha Anuradini
Published: March 2019

Wild relative of okra, Abelmoschus angulosus Wall. ex Wight & Arn. was identified as a resistant germplasm for Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (OYVMV) which is the devastating disease for okra cultivation in Sri Lanka. The mode of resistance of OYVMV in A. angulosus was studied with the aim of tagging responsible genes for the disease resistance. Wide hybridization was performed between A. angulosus and highly virus susceptible A. esculentus variety, MI-7. Very poor seed setting was observed in F1 and F2 generations due to post zygotic abortion. Disease screening was carried out using F1 and F2:3 populations along with parents in the field under induced disease pressure. Disease severity index and area under disease progress curve were calculated to measure disease severity. Number of genes segregating for OYVMV disease resistance was calculated for the F2:3 generation. Modified Wright's formula was used to estimate the effective gene number and mode of inheritance by a quantitative method. A χ2 test was performed for qualitative analysis. Plants of A. angulosus were totally free of virus incidence while 100% disease incidence was observed in the variety MI-7. F2:3 population showed between and within progeny segregation for disease incidence. Results indicated that the disease susceptibility was dominant over resistance. χ2 analysis revealed that the segregation of disease severity was significantly fit to the gene model of 9:6:1 (χ2 = 0.1757 at P ≤ 0.05) suggesting the disease resistance in A. angulosus is governing by two recessive genes in an additive manner. Result was confirmed by the quantitative analysis.
A Spatially Varying Scaling Method for InSAR Tropospheric Corrections Using a High‐Resolution Weather Model
Authors: Shen Lin , Hooper Andrew , Elliott John
Published: March 2019

Variation in tropospheric delay is a major limiting factor on the accuracy of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) measurements. This is particularly the case when deformation and topography are correlated. To address limitations of previous InSAR tropospheric correction methods, here we present a new approach that combines the use of both external weather model data and the interferometric phase. We assume that vertical refractivity profiles calculated from a high‐resolution weather model data can generally describe the form of the relationship between tropospheric delay and height but that the magnitude can be incorrect. We estimate a magnitude correction by scaling the original delays to best match the interferometric phase. We validated our new method using simulated data and demonstrate that both coseismic and interseismic signals can be separated from strong tropospheric delays. We also applied our algorithm to the central portion of the Altyn Tagh Fault in northern Tibet, where deformation correlates strongly with topographic relief of 6,000 m, and show that the derived velocity field is more internally consistent and agrees better with independent Global Positioning System measurements.
Stable isotope probing and metagenomics highlight the effect of plants on uncultured phenanthrene-degrading bacterial consortium in polluted soil
Authors: Thomas François , Corre Erwan , Cébron Aurélie
Published: March 2019

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous soil pollutants. The discovery that plants can stimulate microbial degradation of PAHs has promoted research on rhizoremediation strategies. We combined DNA-SIP with metagenomics to assess the influence of plants on the identity and metabolic functions of active PAH-degrading bacteria in contaminated soil, using phenanthrene (PHE) as a model hydrocarbon. 13C-PHE dissipation was 2.5-fold lower in ryegrass-planted conditions than in bare soil. Metabarcoding of 16S rDNA revealed significantly enriched OTUs in 13C-SIP incubations compared to 12C-controls, namely 130 OTUs from bare soil and 73 OTUs from planted soil. Active PHE-degraders were taxonomically diverse (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes), with Sphingomonas and Sphingobium dominating in bare and planted soil, respectively. Plant root exudates favored the development of PHE-degraders having specific functional traits at the genome level. Indeed, metagenomes of 13C-enriched DNA fractions contained more genes involved in aromatic compound metabolism in bare soil, whereas carbohydrate catabolism genes were more abundant in planted soil. Functional gene annotation allowed reconstruction of complete pathways with several routes for PHE catabolism. Sphingomonadales were the major taxa performing the first steps of PHE degradation in both conditions, suggesting their critical role to initiate in situ PAH remediation. Active PHE-degraders act in a consortium, whereby complete PHE mineralization is achieved through the combined activity of taxonomically diverse co-occurring bacteria performing successive metabolic steps. Our study reveals hitherto underestimated functional interactions for full microbial detoxification in contaminated soils.
Dynamic mitochondrial responses to a high-fat diet in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Cormier Robert P. J. , Champigny Camille M. , Simard Chloé J. , St-Coeur Patrick-Denis , Pichaud Nicolas
Published: March 2019

Mitochondria can utilize different fuels according to physiological and nutritional conditions to promote cellular homeostasis. However, during nutrient overload metabolic inflexibility can occur, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunctions. High-fat diets (HFDs) are usually used to mimic this metabolic inflexibility in different animal models. However, how mitochondria respond to the duration of a HFD exposure is still under debate. In this study, we investigated the dynamic of the mitochondrial and physiological functions in Drosophila melanogaster at several time points following an exposure to a HFD. Our results showed that after two days on the HFD, mitochondrial respiration as well as ATP content of thorax muscles are increased, likely due to the utilization of carbohydrates. However, after four days on the HFD, impairment of mitochondrial respiration at the level of complex I, as well as decreased ATP content were observed. This was associated with an increased contribution of complex II and, most notably of the mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (mG3PDH) to mitochondrial respiration. We suggest that this increased mG3PDH capacity reflects the occurrence of metabolic inflexibility, leading to a loss of homeostasis and alteration of the cellular redox status, which results in senescence characterized by decreased climbing ability and premature death.
Assessing whether the association between rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia is bidirectional: A nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Chen Shih-Fen , Wang Ling-Yi , Chiang Jen-Huai , Hsu Chung-Y , Shen Yu-Chih
Published: March 2019

Since many studies have shown a reduction in the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), little effort has been devoted to studying this link in the Asian population. Moreover, the relationship between these two disorders could be bidirectional, but the influence of RA on the SCZ incidence is unclear. The study aims to determine whether there is a bidirectional association between RA and SCZ in an Asian population. We analyzed a 10-year population- based longitudinal cohort using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. In the first analysis, we included a total of 58,847 SCZ patients and 235,382 non-SCZ controls, and in the second analysis, a total of 30,487 RA patients and 121,833 non-RA controls, both matched by gender, age, and index date. Cox regression analyses were performed to examine the risk of RA incidence in the first analysis and the risk of SCZ incidence in the second analysis. The main finding of this study was the discovery of a lower incidence of RA in patients with SCZ (hazard ratio (HR): 0.48, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.31–0.77) after adjustment for baseline demographics and comorbidities. Additionally, the presence of RA predicted a reduced incidence rate for SCZ, but the estimate was not statistically significant (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.44–1.37). The study found a unidirectional association between RA and SCZ. However, RA has an age of onset later than RA, and the protective effect of RA on SCZ incidence would be biased due to the limited number of cases.
A tunable pair electrochemical strategy for the synthesis of new benzenesulfonamide derivatives
Authors: Mokhtari Banafsheh , Nematollahi Davood , Salehzadeh Hamid
Published: March 2019

A green, facile and tunable pair electrochemical process was developed for the synthesis of new benzenesulfonamide derivatives by using reductive controlled potential electrolysis of dinitrobenzene (DNB) in the presence of arylsulfinic acids (ASAs). In addition to the usual features associated with paired electrochemical methods, eg high energy efficient, this method has a tunable characteristic, so that, by adjusting the potential, different products can be synthesized. By applying the potential of −0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl, N-hydroxy-N-(4-nitrophenyl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives are selectively formed, while, by applying the potential of −1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the final products are N-(4-amino-3-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl) benzenesulfonamide derivatives. This work beautifully shows the potential applications of the electrochemistry as a powerful tool for the synthesis of organic compounds.