bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constraints on the number of X‐ray pulsars in IC 10 from a deep XMM‐Newton observation
Authors: Yang J. , Laycock S. G. T. , Wik D. R.
Published: March 2019

We report the most sensitive search yet for X‐ray pulsars in the dwarf starburst galaxy IC 10, which is known to contain a population of young, high‐mass X‐ray binaries. We searched for pulsations in 207 point‐like X‐ray sources in the direction of IC 10 by a 2012 XMM‐Newton observation with a total exposure time of 134.5 ks. Pulsation searches in faint objects can be sensitive to the energy bands of the light curves, as well as the source and background extraction areas. We analyzed separately the PN and metal–oxide–semiconductor barycenter corrected 0.2–12 keV data, with good time interval filtering. Different schemes for source and background extraction were compared, and the search was repeated in the narrower 0.5–8 keV energy band to increase the signal‐to‐noise ratio. For the most conservative parameters, five point sources produced significant peaks in the Lomb–Scargle periodogram (99% significance, single trial, assuming white noise). A similar number of different candidates result from alternative analyses. A ∼4,100 s period seen in all three instruments for the black hole (BH) + Wolf–Rayet binary IC 10 X‐1 is probably due to red noise of astrophysical origin. Considering the periods, luminosities, and spatial distribution of the pulsar candidates in the direction of IC 10, they do not belong to the same distribution as the ones in the Magellanic Clouds and Milky Way. This result holds even if the candidates are spurious, since if the Small Magellanic Cloud were placed at the distance of IC 10, we would expect to see nearly five pulsars at Lx > 1036 erg s–1 inside the D25 contour, and their periods would be of order 100 s, rather than the mostly ∼1 s periods for the candidates reported here, which lie outside the main body of the galaxy.
Oblique magnetic fields and the role of frame dragging
Authors: Karas V. , Kopáček O. , Kunneriath D. , Tahamtan T.
Published: March 2019

Magnetic null points can develop near the ergosphere boundary of a rotating black hole through the combined effects of strong gravitational field and the frame‐dragging mechanism. The electric component does not vanish in the magnetic null, and an efficient process or particle acceleration can occur. The situation is relevant to starving (low‐accretion‐rate, such as the Milky Way's supermassive black hole [SMBH]) nuclei of some galaxies that exhibit only episodic accretion events. The presence of the magnetic field of external origin is an important aspect. We propose that such conditions can develop when a magnetized neutron star approaches the SMBH during late stages of its inspiral motion. The field lines of the neutron star dipole thread the black hole's event horizon and rapidly change their connectivity. We compare the case of a dipole‐type magnetic field of a sinking and orbiting star near a nonrotating black hole and the near‐horizon structure of an asymptotically uniform magnetic field of a distant source near a fast‐rotating black hole. Although the two cases are qualitatively different from each other, they both develop magnetically neutral null points near the event horizon.
Hyperonic neutron star matter in light of GW170817
Authors: Spinella W. M. , Weber F.
Published: March 2019

Since 2013, the mass of pulsar PSR J0348 + 0432 (M = 2.01M⊙) has provided a tight constraint on neutron star (NS) equation of state. However, a number of different analyses of the recently detected binary neutron star (BNS) merger (GW170817) point to a maximum NS mass around 2.16M⊙. In addition, a recent study determined the mass of the millisecond pulsar PSR J2215 + 5135 to be . In this work, we investigate the presence of hyperons in NS matter in light of these new mass measurements using equations of state calculated in the relativistic mean‐field approximation. Particular attention is paid to the use of the available empirical data from the study of hypernuclei and that of the SU(3) symmetry relations in fixing the meson‐hyperon coupling constants. We find that hyperonic equations of state with reasonable choices for the meson‐hyperon coupling constants can satisfy these new mass constraints, with hyperons potentially accounting for more than 10% of the baryons in the core of a NS.
Electromagnetic probes of the quark‐gluon plasma
Authors: Song T. , Bratkovskaya E. , Cassing W. , Moreau P.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we investigate dilepton production in heavy‐ion collisions from to 200 GeV with a focus on the competition between the thermal quark‐gluon plasma (QGP) radiation and the semi‐leptonic decays from correlated D‐meson pairs. As a “tool,” we employ the parton–hadron string dynamics (PHSD) transport approach incorporating a fully microscopic treatment of the charm dynamics and their semi‐leptonic decays. We find that the dileptons from correlated D‐meson decays dominate the “thermal” radiation from the QGP in central Pb + Pb collisions at the intermediate masses (1.2 GeV < M < 3 GeV) for , while for , the contribution from decays to the intermediate mass dilepton spectra is subleading such that one should observe a rather clear signal from the QGP radiation, which is dominated by the annihilation channel .
Lethal radiation from nearby supernovae helps explain the small cosmological constant
Authors: Totani T.
Published: March 2019

The observed value Λobs of the cosmological constant Λ is extremely smaller than theoretical expectations, and the anthropic argument has been proposed as a solution to this problem because galaxies do not form when Λ ≫ Λobs. However, the contemporary galaxy formation theory predicts that stars form even with a high value of Λ/Λobs∼50, which makes the anthropic argument less persuasive. Here, we calculate the probability distribution of Λ using a model of cosmological galaxy formation, considering the extinction of observers caused by radiation from nearby supernovae. Life survival probability decreases in a large Λ universe because of higher stellar density. Using a reasonable rate of lethal supernovae, we find that the mean expectation value of Λ can be close to Λobs, and hence, this effect may be essential to understand the small but nonzero value of Λ. It is predicted that we are located on the edge of habitable regions of stellar density in the galaxy, which may be tested by future exoplanet studies.
Nonthermal afterglow of the binary neutron star merger GW170817: A more natural modeling of electron energy distribution leads to a qualitatively different new solution
Authors: Lin H. , Totani T. , Kiuchi K.
Published: March 2019

Observed properties of the nonthermal afterglow emission of GW170817 from radio to X‐ray are consistent with synchrotron radiation by electrons accelerated in the shock generated by outflow from the merger. However, previous studies modeling these data made a simplified assumption that all electrons in the shock are accelerated as a nonthermal population. Here, we present a new modeling with a more natural electron energy distribution, in which the number fraction f of electrons injected into particle acceleration is variable. Using two models (structured jet and radially stratified spherical outflow) for the outflow geometry, model parameters are determined by fit to the observed data. Interestingly, new solutions are found with radio flux in the regime of low‐frequency tail below νm in the early phase, where νm is the frequency corresponding to the lowest electron energy, in contrast to previous studies that found the radio frequency always above νm. We encourage researchers to take densely sampled low‐frequency radio data in the early phase for future binary neutron star merger events, which would detect νm passage and give a strong constraint on electron energy distribution and particle acceleration efficiency.
Gravitational waves from protoneutron stars and nuclear equation of state
Authors: Sotani Hajime
Published: March 2019

We examine the frequencies of the gravitational waves radiating from the protoneutron star produced via the core‐collapse supernova. In a way similar to the cold neutron star, we find that the frequencies of the w1 and f mode gravitational waves can be, respectively, expressed well as a function of the stellar compactness and the stellar average density at each time step after core bounce. Thus, via the simultaneous detection of both the f and w1 mode gravitational waves, one can determine the protoneutron star mass and radius at each time step. Unlike the cold neutron star, the protoneutron star mass and radius are changing with time because of the mass accretion and cooling, which enables us to identify the equation of state for the high‐density region in principle via only one event of supernova.
Tidal disruption events: Past, present, and future
Authors: Saxton R. , Motch C. , Komossa S. , Lira P. , Read A. , Alexander K. , Descalzo M. , Koenig Ö. , Freyberg M.
Published: March 2019

The tidal disruption of a star by a nuclear supermassive black hole was predicted in the 1970s and first confirmed by soft X‐ray flares seen from quiescent galaxies in the ROSAT all‐sky survey. We report here on the discovery of a new candidate tidal disruption event, 1RXS J075908.8 + 074835, from the ROSAT bright source catalog, which faded by a factor > 100 in 20 years. Similar events have continued to be found in XMM‐Newton and Chandra data and more recently, flares in large‐area hard X‐ray, ultraviolet (UV) and optical transient surveys have also been attributed to the same phenomenon. Each of these spectral components, sometimes complemented by radio and IR activity, have their own timescale and possibly physical mechanism. Current models and simulations revolve around trying to explain how the energy released by the fall back of stellar debris in the gravitational well of the black hole is converted into radiation in each wave band. We look at the connection between optical, UV, and X‐ray emission and illustrate a dichotomy between X‐ray and optically dominated tidal disruption event (TDE), which is currently unexplained. We look at the observations that are needed to make further breakthroughs in the field and assess the optimum follow‐up strategies needed for events discovered in future large survey missions such as extended Roentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array (eROSITA), the Einstein Probe, and Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). HIgh‐energy LIght‐curve GeneraTor (HILIGT), a useful new tool for comparing fluxes and upper limits between missions, is presented.
Recent Progress in Defective Carbon‐Based Oxygen Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Zink‐Air Batteries
Authors: Wang Sidi , Jiang Hongliang , Song Li
Published: March 2019

In recent years, rechargeable Zn‐air batteries put forward higher requirements on oxygen electrode materials in terms of their bifunctional properties, stability, and economic cost. As an eligible candidate, defective carbon‐based nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention since substantial progresses in oxygen evolution reaction and/or oxygen reduction reaction have been reported sequentially. This review briefly summarizes the recent advancements towards defective carbon‐based oxygen electrode materials, mainly focusing on the structure‐designing strategies and characterization techniques of active centers, as well as the understanding of structure‐property relationships by the combination of experimental result and theoretical calculation for rechargeable Zn‐air batteries. Besides, the current challenges and opportunities in high‐performance carbon electrodes are discussed with an emphasis on future probable solutions.
Is “Wolf‐Pack” Predation by Antimicrobial Bacteria Cooperative? Cell Behaviour and Predatory Mechanisms Indicate Profound Selfishness, Even when Working Alongside Kin
Authors: Marshall Rupert C. , Whitworth David E.
Published: March 2019

For decades, myxobacteria have been spotlighted as exemplars of social “wolf‐pack” predation, communally secreting antimicrobial substances into the shared public milieu. This behavior has been described as cooperative, becoming more efficient if performed by more cells. However, laboratory evidence for cooperativity is limited and of little relevance to predation in a natural setting. In contrast, there is accumulating evidence for predatory mechanisms promoting “selfish” behavior during predation, which together with conflicting definitions of cooperativity, casts doubt on whether microbial “wolf‐pack” predation really is cooperative. Here, it is hypothesized that public‐goods‐mediated predation is not cooperative, and it is argued that a holistic model of microbial predation is needed, accounting for predator and prey relatedness, social phenotypes, spatial organization, activity/specificity/transport of secreted toxins, and prey resistance mechanisms. Filling such gaps in our knowledge is vital if the evolutionary benefits of potentially costly microbial behaviors mediated by public goods are to be properly understood.
The use of statistics in criminal cases: An introduction
Authors: Slobogin Christopher
Published: March 2019

Statistics are increasingly playing a crucial role in criminal cases. As the articles in this Special Issue illustrate, they can form the principal basis for expert testimony (e.g., with respect to risk assessments), heavily influence decisions about policy (e.g., constitutional doctrine governing police stop‐and‐frisk practices), and help courts evaluate the admissibility of expert testimony (e.g., via proficiency testing). Unfortunately, courts have not always been up to the task of analyzing the value of statistical analysis. In the course of introducing the articles in this issue, this article provides some examples of how statistical information can be misconstrued and suggests several reasons why judges may be reluctant to engage with such information.
Role of synergy and immunostimulation in design of chemotherapy combinations: An analysis of doxorubicin and camptothecin
Authors: Pusuluri Anusha , Krishnan Vinu , Wu Debra , Shields C. Wyatt , Wang Li W. , Mitragotri Samir
Published: March 2019

Combination chemotherapy is often employed to improve therapeutic efficacies of drugs. However, traditional combination regimens often utilize drugs at or near‐their maximum tolerated doses (MTDs), elevating the risk of dose‐related toxicity and impeding their clinical success. Further, high doses of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapies can cause myeloablation, which compromises the immune response and hinders the efficacy of chemotherapy as well as accompanying treatments such as immunotherapy. Clinical outcomes can be improved if chemotherapy combinations are designed to reduce the overall doses without compromising their therapeutic efficacy. To this end, we investigated a combination of camptothecin (CPT) with doxorubicin (DOX) as a low‐dose treatment option for breast cancer. DOX‐CPT combinations were synergistic in several breast cancer cell lines in vitro and one particular ratio displayed extremely high synergy on human triple negative breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231). This combination led to excellent long‐term survival of mice bearing MDA‐MB‐231 tumors at doses roughly five‐fold lower than the reported MTD values of its constituent drugs. Impact of low dose DOX‐CPT treatment on local tumor immune environment was assessed in immunocompetent mice bearing breast cancer (4T1) tumors. The combination was not only superior in inhibiting the disease progression compared to individual drugs, but it also generated a more favorable antitumor immunogenic response. Engineering DOX and CPT ratios to manifest synergy enables treatment at doses much lower than their MTDs, which could ultimately facilitate their translation into the clinic as a promising combination for breast cancer treatment.
Starch hydrolysis kinetics of intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) flour and its effects on the unit chain profile of its resistant starch fraction
Authors: Zhong Yingxin , Mogoginta Juan , Gayin Joseph , Annor George Amponsah
Published: March 2019

Background and objectives

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) is an environmentally sustainable perennial crop with potential food applications. This study investigated the starch hydrolysis kinetics of IWG grown in Roseau (IWG‐RS) and Rosemount (IWG‐RM), Minnesota, USA, and the molecular structure of their residual (resistant) starch after 2 hr hydrolysis. Hard red wheat (HRW) and Jasmine rice (JR) were compared to the IWG samples. Molecular size distribution and unit chain profiles of the RS fraction of raw starches after enzymatic hydrolysis were determined with gel permeation chromatography and high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography, respectively.

Findings

Intermediate wheatgrass flour had significantly lower total starch, lower rapidly digestible starch, and higher lipid contents compared to JR and HRW. JR flour had the highest eGI (49.2), with IWG‐RM recording the lowest (40.6). Significant differences were observed in the glucan chain lengths of the RS fraction. JR had the shortest average chain length (DP = 4.75) compared to HRW (DP = 7.46), IWG‐RS (DP = 5.72), and IWG‐RM (DP = 4.85).

Conclusions

Intermediate wheatgrass flour had slower starch hydrolysis kinetics compared to JR and HRW flour. The RS fraction of the samples consisted mostly of short chains. The glucan chain length of IWG‐RS fraction was also significantly affected by location.

Significance and novelty

Intermediate wheatgrass could potentially be exploited for the preparation of foods with lower glycemic responses.
Optimization of Process Conditions for Styrene Epoxidation Based on the Artificial Intelligence Method
Authors: Huang Kai , Lv Fei , Wu Dongfang , Wang Zhili
Published: March 2019

A novel prediction and optimization method based on improved generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed to optimize the process conditions for styrene epoxidation to achieve higher yields. This model was designed to optimize the five input parameters reaction temperature and time as well as catalyst, solvent, and oxidant dosage. The output of the improved GRNN was given to the PSO algorithm to optimize the process conditions. The optimal smoothing parameter σ of GRNN was chosen from the training sample with a minimum cross validation error. Under the five optimized process conditions the maximum yield reached 95.76 %. This innovative model of improved GRNN hybrid PSO algorithm proved to be a useful tool for optimization of process conditions for styrene epoxidation.
Water boils at 100 degree Celsius and has an angle
Authors: Barke Hans‐Dieter
Published: March 2019

Dozenten verwenden meistens einen „Laborjargon“ in ihren Vorlesungen oder Seminaren – eine unpräzise Sprache, die unter Experten verstanden wird. Wenn sie formulieren, dass „Benzin aus langen Kohlenstoffketten besteht“, dann denken sie an „Benzin‐Moleküle, in denen viele C‐Atome miteinander zu einer langen Kette verknüpft sind“ – und andere Kollegen wissen, dass dieser Zusammenhang gemeint ist. Die jungen Lernenden mögen sich allerdings bei der Jargon‐Aussage fragen, in welcher Weise in farblosem Benzin „schwarzer Kohlenstoff in Form von Ketten“ enthalten sein soll – denn sie kennen Kohlenstoff sehr gut als Substanz, sind aber ungeübt im Interpretieren solcher Aussagen auf der Submikro‐Ebene der kleinsten Teilchen. Zwei Untersuchungen sollen aufzeigen, dass das Festhalten an Substanzen bei der Erklärung von chemischen Phänomenen noch immer überwiegt und zu Problemen im Chemieunterricht führt, dass die jungen Lernenden aufgrund des Laborjargons gar fehlerhafte Modellvorstellungen entwickeln.
Habitat explains patterns of population decline for an invasive crayfish
Authors: Larson Eric R. , Kreps Timothy A. , Peters Brett , Peters Jody A. , Lodge David M.
Published: March 2019

Invasive nonindigenous species are defined by their impacts: they substantially change native communities or ecosystems. Accordingly, invasive species might transform their habitats in ways that eventually become unfavorable to them, causing population declines or even extirpations. Here we use over 40 yr of systematically collected data on the abundance of the invasive rusty crayfish Faxonius rusticus from 17 lakes in northern Wisconsin, USA to explore whether population declines of this invader are related to the prevalence of rocky habitat, which shelters crayfish from predators and is unchanged by crayfish. We predicted that lakes with rock‐dominated substrates would be resistant to F. rusticus population declines, whereas lakes lacking rock‐dominated substrates would experience F. rusticus declines due to crayfish destruction of shelter‐providing macrophytes. We found that in nearly one‐half (47%) of the study lakes, F. rusticus experienced population declines over the study time period, and these lakes had significantly lower proportions of rock substrate than lakes that did not experience population declines. We recommend that more studies should investigate the potential for invasive species‐mediated community or ecosystem feedbacks to eventually contribute to their own population declines.
Clinical factors related to morbidity and mortality in high‐risk heart failure patients: the GUIDE‐IT predictive model and risk score
Authors: O'Connor Christopher , Fiuzat Mona , Mulder Hillary , Coles Adrian , Ahmad Tariq , Ezekowitz Justin A. , Adams Kirkwood F. , Piña Ileana L. , Anstrom Kevin J. , Cooper Lawton S. , Mark Daniel B. , Whellan David J. , Januzzi James L. , Leifer Eric S. , Felker G. Michael
Published: March 2019

Background

Most heart failure (HF) risk scores have been derived from cohorts of stable HF patients and may not incorporate up to date treatment regimens or deep phenotype characterization that change baseline risk over the short‐ and long‐term follow‐up period. We undertook the current analysis of participants in the GUIDE‐IT (Guiding Evidence‐Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment) trial to address these limitations.

Methods and results

The GUIDE‐IT study randomized 894 high‐risk patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (≤ 40%) to biomarker‐guided treatment strategy vs. usual care. We performed risk modelling using Cox proportional hazards models and analysed the relationship between 35 baseline clinical factors and the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death or HF hospitalization, the secondary endpoint of all‐cause mortality, and the exploratory endpoint of 90‐day HF hospitalization or death. Prognostic relationships for continuous variables were examined and key predictors were identified using a backward variable selection process. Predictive models and risk scores were developed. Over a median follow‐up of 15 months, the cumulative number of HF hospitalizations and CV deaths was 328 out of 894 patients (Kaplan–Meier event rate 34.5% at 12 months). Frequency of all‐cause deaths was 143 out of 894 patients (Kaplan–Meier event rate 12.2% at 12 months). Outcomes for the primary and secondary endpoints between strategy arms of the study were similar. The most important predictor that was present in all three models was the baseline natriuretic peptide level. Hispanic ethnicity, low sodium and high heart rate were present in two of the three models. Other important predictors included the presence or absence of a device, New York Heart Association class, HF duration, black race, co‐morbidities (sleep apnoea, elevated creatinine, ischaemic heart disease), low blood pressure, and a high congestion score.

Conclusion

Risk models using readily available clinical information are able to accurately predict short‐ and long‐term CV events and may be useful in optimizing care and enriching patients for clinical trials.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID number NCT01685840.
Ultrasound Technology Parameters: Effects on Phenolics in Olive Paste and Oil in Relation to Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Yahyaoui Amira , Rigane Ghayth , Mnif Sami , Salem Ridha Ben , Acar Ayşenur , Arslan Derya
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the occurrence of secoiridoid aglycones via degradation of phenolic glucosides which have strong effects on commercial, nutritional, and sensory properties of olive oil is studied. The experiment consists in the sonication treatment of Chemlali and Memecik cvs. olive paste three times for 4, 8, and 10 min. This kind of approach has never been used in determining the partition and degradation of phenolics during extraction. Concerning phenolic content present in Chemlali olive oil extracted from whole olives, no significant differences are found after 10 min of treatment using ultrasound apparatus, whereas a rise of more than 60% is detected if olive paste without stones is used. On the other hand, the total phenolic content of Memecik cv. increases positively with the increasing time of treatment. Throughout this report, it is noted that enzymatic activities are affected by ultrasound treatment.

Practical Applications: The results of this study will be useful in modification of present processes or development of new processes with the aim of protecting and improving the phenolic composition of olive oil. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this kind of systematic approach has never been used in determining the partition and degradation of phenolics during extraction. It is believed that describing the effects of high‐power ultrasound applications on olive paste before malaxation will exhibit possible benefits for the future of olive processing technology. The optimization of olive oil extraction parameters with proper adjustments in such a way that the quality of the product is highly increased is an important issue.

The effect of ultrasound technology parameters is investigated from the point of phenolic compounds by searching their relation to enzymes in Chemlali and Memecik cvs. olive paste. In addition, the effects of stone removal during extraction are also studied in terms of enzymes in Chemlali and Memecik cvs. olive paste and phenols in olive oil.
Physicochemical Characterization of Crocus serotinus Stigmas Indicates Their Potential as a Source of the Bioactive Apocarotenoid Crocetin
Authors: Ordoudi Stella A. , Pástor‐Férriz Maria Teresa , Kyriakoudi Anastasia , Molina Rosa Victoria , De‐Los‐Mozos‐Pascual Marcelino , Tsimidou Maria Z.
Published: March 2019

Alternative plant sources to the dried flower stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) are desirable for the recovery and industrial production of the potentially bioactive apocarotenoid crocetin (CRT). In the present study, the phytochemical profile of the orange‐red stigmas from several wild and cultivated accessions of Crocus serotinus Salisb, a Spanish autumn flowering Crocus plant, is characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic fingerprinting methods. Saffron but also dried stigmas from two of its closest allies (C. cartwrightianus Herb. and C. thomasii Ten) are used for comparison. Among the studied accessions the cultivated ones present higher coloring strength values, up to fivefold lower than the minimum value of the corresponding ISO 3632 trade specification for saffron. Their polar extracts contain crocetin sugar esters (≈30 mg g−1 dw) with a different pattern than that prevailing in saffron or its closest allies but also simple phenolic and flavonoid constituents. The Fourier Transform Mid‐Infrared (FT‐MIR) spectra of C. serotinus flower stigmas are also assessed and CRT‐related diagnostic bands of potential use in the quality control of the plant material are identified. The results indicate that if successfully breeded, the C. serotinus plant may serve as an alternative source of CRT for food, pharmaceutical, and other applications.

Practical Applications: The results of the study show that the red flower stigmas of the fertile C. serotinus plant that is natively grown in the Iberian Peninsula but also cultivated for gardening purposes may be an alternative source of the bioactive compound crocetin. Thus, apart from its morphological and physiological traits that are of interest for plant breeders, the particular natural product may have an added‐value that deserves further exploitation.

The physicochemical characterization of stigmas from the non‐sterile Crocus serotinus plant indicates their potential as alternative sources of the bioactive crocetin, a lipophilic apocarotenoid that is primarily obtained from the secondary metabolites of C. sativus plant stigmas, known as saffron.
Development of a novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction system for forensic individual identification using insertion/deletion polymorphisms
Authors: Jin Xiao‐Ye , Wei Yuan‐Yuan , Cui Wei , Chen Chong , Guo Yu‐Xin , Zhang Wen‐Qing , Zhu Bo‐Feng
Published: March 2019

Insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms have been widely used in the fields of population genetics, genetic map constructions, and forensic investigations owing to the advantages of their low mutation rates, widespread distributions in the human genome, and small amplicon sizes. In order to provide more InDels with high discrimination power in Chinese populations, we selected and constructed one novel multiplex PCR‐InDel panel for forensic individual identification. Genetic distributions of these 35 InDels in five reference populations from East Asia showed low genetic differentiations among these populations. Forensic efficiency evaluations of these InDels revealed that these loci could perform well for forensic individual identifications in these reference populations. In the meantime, genetic diversities and forensic parameters of these InDels were further investigated in the studied Kazak group. Mean value of polymorphism information content for 35 InDels was 0.3611. Cumulative power of discrimination of 35 InDels was 0.99999999999999603 in Kazak group. Given these results, the panel is suitable for individual identifications in the studied Kazak and these reference populations.
Nano‐Sized AlPO4 Coating Layer on Graphite Powder to Improve the Electrochemical Properties of High‐Voltage Graphite/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Li‐Ion Cells
Authors: Zeng Huanna , He Jia , Fang Danyang , Liang Yaohui , Zhao Ruirui , Cai Yuepeng , Lu Dongsheng
Published: March 2019

A high‐voltage graphite/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) system is a promising candidate for next‐generation Li‐ion batteries with a high energy density. However, it has the drawback of severe capacity fading caused by the consumption of active Li+ ions due to the reduction of the products of electrolyte oxidation and LNMO dissolution from the LNMO cathode on the graphite anode. Herein, graphite coated with different amounts of AlPO4 (0.5, 1, and 2.5 wt%) is prepared by an electrostatic attraction combined with a precipitation conversion method, and used as an anode for the LNMO/graphite full cell. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and elemental mapping images show that AlPO4 disperses homogeneously on the surface of graphite, and its thickness is between 10 and 30 nm. Electrochemical measurement results show that LNMO/AlPO4@graphite cells show better cycling stability and higher coulombic efficiency than the LNMO/graphite cell. Among them, the LNMO/0.5 wt% AlPO4@graphite cell shows the best cycling stability. By combining all the analytical results, the improvement mechanism of LNMO/AlPO4@graphite cells is mainly that the side reactions that consume the active Li+ ions are greatly reduced because the AlPO4 coating can block the migration of the products of electrolyte oxidation and LNMO dissolution to the graphite.
Elliptical lithium‐ion batteries: Transverse and axial loadings under wet/dry conditions
Authors: Kermani Golriz , Dixon Brandy , Sahraei Elham
Published: March 2019

Use of lithium‐ion batteries in mobile applications requires understanding of their response in the case of an impact and mechanical damage. Several studies have investigated the properties of pouch and cylindrical cells. However, the mechanical response of the third common form factor of batteries, namely prismatic cells, has not been fully studied. In this paper, extensive experiments were used to investigate the material properties of small commercial prismatic cells with round corners, in transverse and axial directions. Also, the effects of liquid electrolyte on deformation and failure patterns of cells were studied. Results showed that in quasi‐static tests, the wet and dry cells exhibited similar response in terms of load displacement curves. However, the wet cells showed lower failure points and different fracture patterns. Additionally, the type of separator used in the cells affected the peak load. An analytical approach was proposed to extract material properties from full cell crush testing. Then, finite element models were developed and calibrated using the extracted parameters. The models successfully predicted the load‐displacement response of the cells and the onset of short circuit. Additionally, it was shown that consideration of anisotropic material response has a significant effect on proper prediction of axial loading behavior.
Promoting health through housing improvements, education and advocacy: Lessons from staff involved in Wellington's Healthy Housing Initiative
Authors: Chisholm Elinor , Pierse Nevil , Davies Cheryl , Howden‐Chapman Philippa
Published: March 2019

Issue addressed

Improving the conditions of housing through programs that trigger when children are hospitalised has the potential to prevent further ill‐health and re‐hospitalisations. Exploring the attitudes and beliefs of staff involved in such a program assists in understanding the advantages and challenges of this approach.

Methods

We interviewed 21 people involved in a regional initiative to improve the health outcomes of children through referral to a housing program. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were subsequently subjected to qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

Participants identified a number of factors that were key to the success of the program, such as: visiting the home, having health and energy organisations work together, and an integrated approach that includes interventions as well as education and advocacy. Key challenges to the program's aim of improving health outcomes for children were landlords’ reluctance to implement improvements, homeowners’ inability to afford improvements, limitations to staff resources, and client stress and income constraints, which meant that some interventions did not necessarily lead to housing improvements.

Conclusions

Efforts to improve health outcomes through housing interventions should be supported by funding and regulatory initiatives that encourage property owners to implement recommended interventions.

So what?

This program represents an encouraging step towards health promotion through housing interventions and education. However, the initiative cannot fully counter structural challenges such as poor quality housing, and lack of housing and energy affordability. This study highlights the potential for a holistic approach to health promotion in housing, which integrates health initiatives with advocacy for regulatory support.
Electronic and geometric structure analysis of neutral and anionic metal nitric chalcogens: The case of MNX series (M=Li, Na, Be and X=O, S, Se, Te)
Authors: Ariyarathna Isuru R. , Miliordos Evangelos
Published: March 2019

Coupled cluster and multireference configuration approaches are employed to study the electronic and geometric structures of mono‐coordinated complexes of lithium, sodium, and beryllium with nitric oxide and its isovalent NS, NSe, and NTe species. Ground and low‐lying excited states were examined for both linear‐bonded and side‐bonded isomers. We show that the ionic M+NX− (M=Li, Na, Be and X=O, S, Se, Te) picture is a more natural representation and can account for the symmetry of the low−lying electronic states as Σ−, Δ, and Σ+, the smaller excitation energies and the larger binding energies for heavier X. An additional electron binds to the positively charged Li and Na terminal creating stable anions. The electron affinity (EA) of LiNX and NaNX species is in the 0.5–0.8 eV range. Despite the negative EA of beryllium and the very small EA of NO, the BeNO molecule has an EA of ~1.0 eV, which is increased to ~1.5 eV for the heavier BeNX species. This is attributed to the fact that the additional electron goes to the beryllium end for BeNO but to a π(MN)π*(NX) orbital of the rest species. Our accurate results contradict previous findings and serve as a guide for future experimental studies. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New 3,6‐Disubstituted Pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazolines as Ligands to GABAA Receptor Subtype
Authors: Guerrini Gabriella , Crocetti Letizia , Daniele Simona , Iacovone Antonella , Cantini Niccolò , Martini Claudia , Melani Fabrizio , Vergelli Claudia , Giovannoni Maria Paola
Published: March 2019

A new series of 3,6‐disubstituted pyrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazolines (PQs) and their 4,5‐dihydro derivatives as isomer of the potent 3,8‐PQ previously reported by us as high affine GABAA receptor subtype ligands, have been synthesized and evaluated. These new compounds have been obtained exploiting a different synthetic pathway with respect to the corresponding 3,8‐disubstituted isomers, proposing again the same groups present in the reference 3,8‐PQ. The movement of the substituents from position 8 to position 6 is detrimental for binding recognition, suggesting that the substituents at position 6 are not properly oriented to form adequate interaction with hydrogen bond point and lipophilic area in the receptor protein, as demonstrated in molecular modeling studies.
Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging stratifies injury severity in a rodent model of male juvenile traumatic brain injury
Authors: Badaut Jerome , Adami Arash , Huang Lei , Obenaus André
Published: March 2019

Age and severity are significant predictors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes in the immature brain. TBI studies have segregated TBI injury into three severity groups: mild, moderate, and severe. While mild TBI is most frequent form in children and adults, there is debate over the indicators used to denote mild injury. Clinically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are used to diagnose the TBI severity when medically warranted. Herein, we induced mild, moderate, and severe TBI in juvenile rats (jTBI) using the controlled cortical impact model. We characterized the temporal and spatial injury after graded jTBI in vivo using high‐field MRI at 0.25 (6 hr), 1 and 3 days post‐injury (dpi) with comparative histology. Susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) for blood and T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) for edema were quantified over the 0.25–3 dpi. Edema volumes increased linearly with severity at 0.25 dpi that slowly continued to decrease over the 3 dpi. In contrast, blood volumes did not decrease over time. Mild TBI had the least amount of blood visible on SWI. Fluoro‐jade B (FJB) staining for cell death confirmed increased cellular death with increasing severity and increased FJB + cells in the corpus callosum (CC). Interestingly, the strongest correlation was observed for cell death and the presence of extravascular blood. A clear understanding of acute brain injury (jTBI) and how blood/edema contribute to mild, moderate, and severe jTBI is needed prior to embarking on therapeutic interventions. Noninvasive imaging should be used in mild jTBI to verify lack of overt injury.
Stretchable, flexible, and adherable polarization volume grating film for waveguide‐based augmented reality displays
Authors: Yin Kun , Lee Yun‐Han , He Ziqian , Wu Shin‐Tson
Published: March 2019

We report a stretchable, flexible, and adherable polarization volume grating (PVG) film and propose a compact optical system for augmented reality displays based on it. The Bragg reflection band shift, deflection angle change, and the mechanical robustness under stretch‐release cycles of the PVG film are also investigated.
Evaluation of Ovarian Vascularity in Children by Using the “Superb Microvascular Imaging” Ultrasound Technique in Comparison With Conventional Doppler Ultrasound Techniques
Authors: Ayaz Ercan , Aslan Ahmet , İnan İbrahim , Yıkılmaz Ali
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the novel “superb microvascular imaging” (SMI) Doppler ultrasound technique to detect ovarian vascularity in healthy children and to compare it with the conventional Doppler ultrasound techniques.

Methods

This prospective study included 140 girls, aged 3 to 18 years, for which an abdominal ultrasound study was requested in the pediatrics outpatient clinics for suspicion of nonovarian pathologies. Nineteen individuals were excluded from the study due to incomplete ultrasound scanning. For the remaining 121 cases, gray scale ultrasound evaluation was performed followed by color Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, advanced dynamic flow, color SMI, and monochrome SMI to detect the presence and degree of vascularity in the ovaries. Ultrasound scanning was performed for all participants by the same doctor by using curvilinear probe via the suprapubic approach, and the images were independently evaluated by 3 different observers. The images were assessed with regard to the degree of vascularity and the presence of artifacts.

Results

A total of 146 ovaries (42 right, 54 left, and 25 bilateral) were examined by sonography. The mean interrater agreement regarding the detection of vascularity was moderate for the color Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, advanced dynamic flow, and monochrome SMI techniques (κ = 0.514–0.551) and substantial for the color SMI technique (κ = 0.636) (P < .001). The techniques were found to be statistically significant for detecting vascularity: monochrome SMI > color SMI > power Doppler imaging > color Doppler imaging > advanced dynamic flow (P < .001).

Conclusion

SMI is a promising tool that can detect ovarian vascularity more effectively than the conventional Doppler ultrasound techniques.
Usefulness of Strain Elastography, ARFI Imaging, and Point Shear Wave Elastography for the Assessment of Crohn Disease Strictures
Authors: Ding Shi‐si , Fang Yan , Wan Jing , Zhao Chong‐Ke , Xiang Li‐Hua , Liu Hui , Pu Huan , Xu Guang , Zhang Kun , Xu Xiao‐Rong , Sun Xiao‐Min , Liu Chang , Wu Rong
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of strain elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging and point shear wave elastography (p‐SWE) for assessment of the predominant types of intestinal stenosis in Crohn disease.

Methods

Twenty‐five patients were enrolled in this study, among whom 25 suspicious stenoses in 25 intestinal segments were studied using gray scale ultrasonography. All 3 elastography methods were performed, and all patients underwent endoscopy within 24 hours with pathologic biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Youden index, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were calculated. Pathologic findings were regarded as the gold standard.

Results

For SE, the optimal cutoff value was a score of 4 or greater (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 66.7%; accuracy, 68%; PPV, 30%; NPV, 93.3%; AUROC, 0.708; however, P > .05). The results of ARFI imaging were similar: the optimal cutoff value was a score of 4 or greater (sensitivity, 50%; specificity, 81%; accuracy, 76%; PPV, 33.3%; NPV, 89.4%; AUROC, 0.669; P < .05). However, for p‐SWE, the optimal cutoff value was reached when the shear wave velocity exceeded 2.73 m/s (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 96%; PPV, 100%; NPV, 95.5%; AUROC, 0.833; P < .05).

Conclusions

p‐SWE had the best performance for evaluating and differentiating intestinal stenosis in Crohn disease, while neither SE nor ARFI imaging achieved satisfactory outcomes for evaluating inflammatory stenosis and fibrotic stenosis of Crohn disease.
MS1 ion current‐based quantitative proteomics: A promising solution for reliable analysis of large biological cohorts
Authors: Wang Xue , Shen Shichen , Rasam Sailee Suryakant , Qu Jun
Published: March 2019

The rapidly‐advancing field of pharmaceutical and clinical research calls for systematic, molecular‐level characterization of complex biological systems. To this end, quantitative proteomics represents a powerful tool but an optimal solution for reliable large‐cohort proteomics analysis, as frequently involved in pharmaceutical/clinical investigations, is urgently needed. Large‐cohort analysis remains challenging owing to the deteriorating quantitative quality and snowballing missing data and false‐positive discovery of altered proteins when sample size increases. MS1 ion current‐based methods, which have become an important class of label‐free quantification techniques during the past decade, show considerable potential to achieve reproducible protein measurements in large cohorts with high quantitative accuracy/precision. Nonetheless, in order to fully unleash this potential, several critical prerequisites should be met. Here we provide an overview of the rationale of MS1‐based strategies and then important considerations for experimental and data processing techniques, with the emphasis on (i) efficient and reproducible sample preparation and LC separation; (ii) sensitive, selective and high‐resolution MS detection; iii)accurate chromatographic alignment; (iv) sensitive and selective generation of quantitative features; and (v) optimal post‐feature‐generation data quality control. Prominent technical developments in these aspects are discussed. Finally, we reviewed applications of MS1‐based strategy in disease mechanism studies, biomarker discovery, and pharmaceutical investigations.
Investigation of the Rheological Behaviors of Polymeric Materials in the Film Casting Process through Multiscale Modeling and Simulation Method
Authors: Mu Yue , Li Na , Hang Lianqiang , Zhao Guoqun , Gao Jiacheng , Niu Zhiyuan
Published: March 2019

Polymeric materials show the features of different lengths and time scales. In order to achieve optimized applications in practical forming process, it is of significance to understand the evolution of integrated structure–property relationship. In the study, the rheological behaviors of polymeric materials in film casting process are investigated by means of a multiscale modeling and simulation method based on the coarse‐grained molecular dynamic (CGMD) method, the primitive path analysis, and the finite element method. The macroscopic properties of the polymeric system are predicted from the microstructure by using a bottom‐up method. Based on the entanglement network of macromolecular chains predicted with CGMD simulation, the primitive path analysis method is adopted to evaluate main conformational parameters according to the tube theory, which realizes a bridge from nano to micro scale. The viscoelastic properties of polymeric materials are characterized by using a continuum Phan‐Thien–Tanner (PTT) constitutive model, whose rheological parameters are obtained by fitting the distributions of material functions predicted from the tube model. The mathematical model of film casting process is further established based on a membrane model and the corresponding finite element model and details of numerical schemes are introduced. The characteristics of macroscopic rheological behaviors of polymeric melts can hence be investigated from the evolution of microscopic structure, and the phenomena in practical film casting process like the neck‐in and the edge bead defects in engineering are successfully predicted.
Keeping Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome in Mind: A Late Diagnosis and Unusual Neuroimage Findings
Authors: Ros‐Castelló Victoria , Toledano Rafael , Martínez‐San‐Millán Juan S. , Alonso‐Canovas Araceli
Published: March 2019

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