bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of tropane and cinnamamide alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica by high‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Du Nana , Zhou Weijia , Jin Hongli , Liu Yanfang , Zhou Han , Liang Xinmiao
Published: January 2019

Scopolia tangutica is a traditional Chinese medicine used for antispasmodic, anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation. Its medicinal activity is associated to alkaloid constituents, including tropane and cinnamamide types. Low content of alkaloids in plant makes them difficult to be isolated and identified. The present work developed an effective method to quickly characterize alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry. Thirteen reference compounds were studied for their fragmentation pathways, including five tropane alkaloids and eight cinnamamide ones. Alkaloid constituent was analyzed by an optimized high‐performance liquid chromatography method and mass spectrometry analysis to achieve systematic characterization of alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica. As a result, 53 compounds were identified, including 21 tropane alkaloids (eight new ones), 18 caffeoyl ones (ten new ones) and 14 dicaffeoyl ones (seven new ones). It was important to provide rich information in phytochemical study and structure‐guided isolation of important compounds from this plant.
Large‐scale separation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Zanthoxylum nitidum by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography target‐guided by ultrafiltration high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometry screening
Authors: Liu Minzhuo , Liu Qi , Chen Miao , Huang Xueqian , Chen Xiaoqing
Published: January 2019

A new strategy by converging ultrafiltration high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometry and pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography was developed for the rapid screening and separation of potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from the crude alkaloidals extract of Zanthoxylum nitidum. An optimized two‐phase solvent system composed of chloroform/methanol/water (4:3:3, v/v) was used in this study. And, in the optimal solvent system, 45 mM hydrochloric acid was added to the aqueous stationary phase as the retainer, while 5 mM triethylamine was added to the organic mobile phase as the eluter. As a result, with the purity of over 95%, five alkaloids including jatrorrhizine (1, 340 mg), columbamine (2, 112 mg), skimmianine (3, 154 mg), palmatine (4, 226 mg), and epiberberine (5, 132 mg) were successfully purified in one step from 3.0 g crude alkaloidals extract. And their structures were identified by ultraviolet, mass spectrometry, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Notably, compounds 2, 4 and 5 were firstly reported in Z. nitidum. In addition, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of compounds 1–5 were evaluated, and compounds 3, 4 and 5 exhibited stronger acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 values at 8.52 ± 0.64, 14.82 ± 1.21 and 3.12 ± 0.32 μg/mL, respectively) than berberine (IC50 value at 32.86 ± 2.14 μg/mL, positive control). The results indicated that the proposed method is an efficient technique to rapidly screen acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from complex samples, and could be served as a large‐scale preparative technique for separating ionizable active compounds.
Grazing and wildfire effects on small mammals inhabiting montane meadows
Authors: Horncastle Valerie J. , Chambers Carol L. , Dickson Brett G.
Published: January 2019

Livestock grazing and fire can intensively modify montane meadows. Understanding how these factors affect habitat, species richness, and diversity of small mammals can inform management decisions. Few studies have investigated the independent and synergistic effects of grazing and wildfire on vegetation and small‐mammal communities, and none have focused on montane meadows in the southwestern United States. In 2012 and 2013, we captured small mammals at 105 sites to contrast occupancy, species richness, and diversity among livestock grazing levels (present, absent), wildfire severity (unburned, low, or moderate), and meadow classifications (small or large, wet or dry) in Arizona, USA. During 13,741 trap nights, we captured 1,885 rodents of 8 species. Two species represented 88% of captures: deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) and Arizona montane vole (Microtus montanus arizonensis). Deer mice, Navajo Mogollon voles (Microtus mogollonensis navaho), and thirteen‐lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus monticola; a subspecies endemic to the White Mountains, AZ) had higher occupancy in large, ungrazed meadows compared to small, grazed meadows. Species richness was greater in unburned than burned sites and small meadows than large. However, higher diversity occurred in ungrazed and dry compared to grazed and wet meadows. Three species demonstrated weak relationships between wildfire and occupancy, suggesting short‐term (<2 yrs) effects of low to moderate burn severity for these species or their habitat. Livestock grazing had a greater effect than wildfire on the small‐mammal community by altering vegetation or other habitat elements and thus decreasing population sizes. Reducing livestock grazing would benefit small‐mammal species and increase diversity and abundance of the small‐mammal community in montane meadows. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Application of the isotope pairing technique in sediments: Use, challenges, and new directions
Authors: Robertson Elizabeth K. , Bartoli Marco , Brüchert Volker , Dalsgaard Tage , Hall Per O. J. , Hellemann Dana , Hietanen Susanna , Zilius Mindaugas , Conley Daniel J.
Published: January 2019

Determining accurate rates of benthic nitrogen (N) removal and retention pathways from diverse environments is critical to our understanding of process distribution and constructing reliable N budgets and models. The whole‐core15N isotope pairing technique (IPT) is one of the most widely used methods to determine rates of benthic nitrate‐reducing processes and has provided valuable information on processes and factors controlling N removal and retention in aquatic systems. While the whole core IPT has been employed in a range of environments, a number of methodological and environmental factors may lead to the generation of inaccurate data and are important to acknowledge for those applying the method. In this review, we summarize the current state of the whole core IPT and highlight some of the important steps and considerations when employing the technique. We discuss environmental parameters which can pose issues to the application of the IPT and may lead to experimental artifacts, several of which are of particular importance in environments heavily impacted by eutrophication. Finally, we highlight the advances in the use of the whole‐core IPT in combination with other methods, discuss new potential areas of consideration and encourage careful and considered use of the whole‐core IPT. With the recognition of potential issues and proper use, the whole‐core IPT will undoubtedly continue to develop, improve our understanding of benthic N cycling and allow more reliable budgets and predictions to be made.
Use of cavity ring‐down spectrometry to quantify 13C‐primary productivity in oligotrophic waters
Authors: López‐Sandoval Daffne C. , Delgado‐Huertas Antonio , Carrillo‐de‐Albornoz Paloma , Duarte Carlos M. , Agustí Susana
Published: January 2019

Cavity ring‐down spectroscopy (CRDS) is a highly sensitive laser technique that allows the analysis of isotopic signals and absolute concentration of individual molecular species in small‐volume samples. Here, we describe a protocol to quantify photosynthetic 13C‐uptake rates of marine phytoplankton by using the CRDS technique (13C‐CRDS‐PP). We validated our method by comparing the 13C‐PP rates measured between CRDS and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) in samples with different carbon content (30–160 μgC). The comparison revealed that 13C‐CRDS‐PP rates were highly correlated with those obtained by IRMS (Spearman correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.95, p < 0.0001, n = 15), with a mean difference between the two estimates of ± 0.08 mgC m−3 h−1. Moreover, the slope of the relationship between CRDS and IRMS results was not significantly different from 1 (F = 0.03, p = 0.86), and the intercept did not differ from 0 (F = 1.4, p = 0.24), indicating that there was no bias in the CRDS relative to the IRMS‐based measurements. A separate analysis also showed that despite the difference in volume and carbon content between samples (40 ± 10 μgC and 160 ± 40 μgC, respectively), the 13C‐CRDS‐PP technique provides similar results (Mann–Whitney test, U = 30.5, p = 0.90, n = 8). In addition, 13C‐CRDS‐PP rates measured along the Red Sea (∼ 176 mgC m−2 d−1) agreed with 14C‐based PP rates previously reported for similar locations. Thus, this study evidenced that the 13C‐CRDS‐PP method is sensitive enough to quantify carbon fixation rates in oligotrophic regions.
SMI clinical support system to offer consultation, education and resources
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2019

Psychologists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, recovery specialists, peer specialists and others who care for people with serious mental illness will have a number of resources and tools available to care for this population courtesy of a new initiative that will offer them expert consultation services and learning opportunities nationwide.
More funding, access, employment top 2019 readers' wish list
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2019

We asked readers to send us their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities that await them in 2019. Several responses appeared in last week's Special Preview Issue. Here are more of their responses.
Co‐occurring disorders in rural family drug court examined
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2019

New research examining the impact of the drug problem in an Ohio county's rural community found that nearly 80 percent of parents in a family drug court had a mental health disorder.
Metal‐Bonded Redox‐Active Triarylamines and Their Interactions: Synthesis, Structure, and Redox Properties of Paddle‐Wheel Copper Complexes
Authors: Akintola Oluseun , Böhme Michael , Rudolph Manfred , Buchholz Axel , Görls Helmar , Plass Winfried
Published: January 2019

Four new triphenylamine ligands with different substituents in the para position and their corresponding copper(II) complexes are reported. This study includes their structural, spectroscopic, magnetic, and electrochemical properties. The complexes possess a dinuclear copper(II) paddle‐wheel core, a building unit that is also common in metal‐organic frameworks. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the triphenylamine ligands and the corresponding complexes are susceptible to oxidation, resulting in the formation of stable radical cations. The square‐wave voltammograms observed for the complexes are similar to those of the ligands, except for a slight shift in potential. Square‐wave voltammetry data show that, in the complexes, these oxidations can be described as individual one‐electron processes centered on the coordinated ligands. Spectroelectrochemistry reveals that, during the oxidation of the complexes, no difference can be detected for the spectra of successively oxidized species. For the absorption bands of the oxidized species of the ligands and complexes, only a slight shift is observed. ESR spectra for the chemically oxidized complexes indicate ligand‐centered radicals. The copper ions of the paddle‐wheel core are strongly antiferromagnetic coupled. DFT calculations for the fully oxidized complexes indicate a very weak ferromagnetic coupling between the copper ions and the ligand radicals, whereas a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling is found among the ligand radicals.
Designing Self‐Assembled Rosettes: Why Ammeline is a Superior Building Block to Melamine
Authors: Petelski André Nicolai , Fonseca Guerra Célia
Published: January 2019

Invited for this month's cover picture are Professor Célia Fonseca Guerra from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Leiden University (The Netherlands) and André Nicolai Petelski from UTN‐FRRe University of Argentine (Argentina). The cover picture shows a colored pallet of melamine and ammeline tautomers that form hydrogen‐bonded hexameric rosettes. When it comes to self‐assembling capabilities, one of the ammeline structures (red) is shown to be distinctly superior to melamine, both in the gas phase and in water. Quantum chemical computations explain that this is due to the presence of stronger pair interactions and the manifestation of a large cooperativity effect. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.201800210.
Three‐dimensional printing of poly(lactic acid) bio‐based composites with sugarcane bagasse fiber: Effect of printing orientation on tensile performance
Authors: Liu Hao , He Hui , Peng Xiaodong , Huang Bai , Li Jiaxiong
Published: January 2019

The cellulose fiber was extracted from the abandoned crop sugarcane bagasse (SCB) by means of chemical treatment methods. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) bio‐based composites with SCB were prepared through fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D‐printing technology, and the morphologies, mechanical properties, crystallization properties, and thermal stability of 3D‐printed composites were investigated. Compared with the neat PLA, the incorporation of SCB into PLA reduces the tensile strength and flexural strength of 3D‐printed samples but increases the flexural modulus. The difference in tensile performance and bending performance is that the tensile strength of 3D‐printed samples is best when the SCB content is 6 wt%, while the flexural modulus continuously decreases as the SCB content increases. Furthermore, the effects of various printing methods on the tensile performance of 3D‐printed samples were explored via modifying G‐code of 3D models. The results indicate that the optimum SCB fiber content is identical for all printing methods except method “vertical.” Due to the fibers and molecular chains are oriented to varying degrees with altering raster angle in 3D‐printed samples, the fully oriented sample printed by method “parallel” has a better tensile strength. Besides, SCB exhibits enough high thermal decomposition temperature to meet requirements for melt extrusion processing of PLA composites, and SCB fiber is capable of promoting the crystallization of PLA.
Crystalline nanocellulose/thermoplastic polyester composites prepared by in situ polymerization
Authors: Clarke Ashley , Vasileiou Alexandros A. , Kontopoulou Marianna
Published: January 2019

In situ polymerization by polycondensation was implemented to disperse crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) in poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu). The in situ polymerization technique resulted in good dispersion of the CNC nanoparticles in the PESu matrix. The polymerization kinetics were altered with increasing CNC content, causing a decrease in the polymer molecular weight. The addition of CNC particles having a large aspect ratio resulted in significant increases in the viscosity of the resulting composites, and significantly enhanced crystallization kinetics. PESu containing well‐dispersed 0.25 wt% CNC maintained the tensile properties of the matrix, demonstrating that at these very low loadings the CNC acts as an efficient nucleating agent, without compromising the mechanical properties and biodegradability POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:989–995, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Bandgap engineered smart three‐terminal solar cell: New perspectives towards very high efficiencies in the silicon world
Authors: Djebbour Zakaria , El‐Huni Walid , Migan Dubois Anne , Kleider Jean‐Paul
Published: January 2019

We present the design of a new architecture of three‐terminal (3‐T) photovoltaic tandem solar cells. It combines an interdigitated back contacted (IBC) bottom lateral subcell with a heterojunction vertical top cell. In this concept, the two subcells can work independently and there is no need for tunnel junctions. It is particularly well suited to silicon back contact subcells and to various types of top cell materials from III‐V compounds or perovskites. The working principle is detailed here using as an example a p/i III‐V front stack onto n‐type silicon IBC bottom cell. We perform two‐dimensional (2D) modeling using realistic material input parameters and show how interface bandgap engineering can improve the tandem cell efficiency up to a reachable 35% value. The proposed cell concept named bandgap engineered smart silicon three‐terminal (BESTT) cell can be realized with less technological steps and at a lower cost compared with the conventional four‐terminal process.
Structure, function, and inhibition of a genomic/clinical variant of Porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase
Authors: Bereta Grzegorz , Goulas Theodoros , Madej Mariusz , Bielecka Ewa , Solà Maria , Potempa Jan , Xavier Gomis‐Rüth F.
Published: January 2019

Citrullination is an essential post‐translational modification in which the guanidinium group of protein and peptide arginines is deiminated by peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs). When deregulated, excessive citrullination leads to inflammation as in severe periodontal disease (PD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Porphyromonas gingivalis is the major periodontopathogenic causative agent of PD and also an etiological agent of RA. It secretes a PAD, termed Porphyromonas PAD (PPAD), which is a virulence factor that causes aberrant citrullination. Analysis of P. gingivalis genomes of laboratory strains and clinical isolates unveiled a PPAD variant (PPAD‐T2), which showed three amino‐acid substitutions directly preceding catalytic Residue H236 (G231N/E232T/N235D) when compared with PPAD from the reference strain (PPAD‐T1). Mutation of these positions in the reference strain resulted in twofold higher cell‐associated citrullinating activity. Similar to PPAD‐T1, recombinant PPAD‐T2 citrullinated arginines at the C‐termini of general peptidic substrates but not within peptides. Catalytically, PPAD‐T2 showed weaker substrate binding but higher turnover rates than PPAD‐T1. In contrast, no differences were found in thermal stability. The 1.6 Å‐resolution X‐ray crystal structure of PPAD‐T2 in complex with the general human PAD inhibitor, Cl‐amidine, revealed that the inhibitor moiety is tightly bound and that mutations localize to a loop engaged in substrate/inhibitor binding. In particular, mutation G231N caused a slight structural rearrangement, which probably originated the higher substrate turnover observed. The present data compare two natural PPAD variants and will set the pace for the design of specific inhibitors against P. gingivalis‐caused PD.
The association between local arteriosclerosis of the prostatic arteries and chronic inflammation in human benign prostatic enlargement
Authors: Haga Nobuhiro , Akaihata Hidenori , Hata Junya , Hiraki Hiroyuki , Honda Ruriko , Tanji Ryo , Onagi Akifumi , Koguchi Tomoyuki , Hoshi Seiji , Ogawa Soichiro , Kataoka Masao , Sato Yuichi , Ishibashi Kei , Kojima Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2019

Background

To elucidate the pathogenesis of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) in humans due to chronic inflammation caused by arteriosclerosis, the relationships between prostate size and the degree of chronic inflammation induced by local arteriosclerosis were investigated.

Methods

The present cohort included 50 subjects who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in a prospective study. The presence or absence of local arteriosclerosis in the prostatic arteries removed during RARP was evaluated by microscopic assessment. Chronic inflammation in the prostate was judged according to both the density and the extent of inflammatory cells. The expression of lectin‐like oxidized‐low density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) and the infiltration of macrophages in the prostate, which are high in arteriosclerosis, were investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Local arteriosclerosis was observed in 28% (14/50). Prostate size and the inflammation score were significantly increased in the presence of arteriosclerosis (P = 0.006, P < 0.001, respectively). There was also a significant increase of LOX‐1 in the epithelial and stromal cells of the prostate in the presence of arteriosclerosis (all, P < 0.001). Concerning the presence of macrophages, subjects with arteriosclerosis had significantly more positive expression of ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule‐1 (IBA‐1), a marker of macrophages, than subjects without arteriosclerosis (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In human surgical specimens, chronic inflammation owing to local arteriosclerosis of the prostatic arteries was significantly related to prostatic enlargement. Given the immunohistochemical analyses, the putative pathogenesis for this relationship is that LOX‐1 induces macrophage infiltration, leading to BPE.
Event‐triggered control via impulses for exponential stabilization of discrete‐time delayed systems and networks
Authors: Liu Bin , Hill David J. , Sun Zhijie , Huang Jinxia
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates the stabilization issue via event‐triggered controls (ETCs) for discrete‐time delayed systems (DDSs) and networks. Based on the recently proposed ETC scheme for discrete‐time systems without time delays, improved ETC (I‐ETC) and event‐triggered impulsive control (ETIC) are proposed for DDS. The algorithms for ETC, I‐ETC, and ETIC are given respectively to derive criteria of exponential stabilization of DDS. Moreover, the exponential stabilization and stabilization to ISS for discrete‐time delayed networks is achieved by employing the algorithms of ETC and ETIC. The issue of stabilization via ETCs for dynamical networks where different subsystems have different sequences of event instants is solved by introducing the check‐period into ETCs and establishing general ISS estimate of discrete‐time delayed inequality. In order to assess the performances of the control schemes, discussions on nontriviality are given by proposing the concept of rate of control and the function of control cost. Finally, two examples with numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of theoretical results. From the obtained results on stabilization and the simulations, the ETIC is shown to have clear advantages and well performances than the classical state feedback control, the ETC recently proposed, I‐ETC, and the time‐based impulsive control on aspects of nontriviality, lower rate of control, lower cost of control, and robustness w.r.t. external disturbances.
Consensus analysis of hybrid multiagent systems: A game‐theoretic approach
Authors: Ma Jingying , Ye Maojiao , Zheng Yuanshi , Zhu Yunru
Published: January 2019

This paper considers a consensus problem for hybrid multiagent systems, which comprise two groups of agents: a group of continuous‐time dynamic agents and a group of discrete‐time dynamic agents. Firstly, a game‐theoretic approach is adopted to model the interactions between the two groups of agents. To achieve consensus for the considered hybrid multiagent systems, the cost functions are designed. Moreover, it is shown that the designed game admits a unique Nash equilibrium. Secondly, sufficient/necessary conditions of solving consensus are established. Thirdly, we find that the convergence speed of the system depends on the game. By the mechanism design of the game, the convergence speed is increased. Finally, simulation examples are given to validate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Surface‐interface analysis of InxGa1‐xAs/InP heterostructure in positive and negative mismatch system
Authors: Zhao Liang , Guo Zuoxing , Zhang Min , Yang Shen , Zhao Lei
Published: January 2019

The change of In content in the InxGa1‐xAs/InP system leads to the variation of the lattice constant and thereby to the negative mismatch between the base InP and the positive mismatch. Here, we studied the surface morphology and dislocation relationship of InxGa1‐xAs/InP (100) in the positive and negative mismatch system by different characterization techniques. Under the same mismatch, the surface morphology and mass effect of negative mismatch were greater than those of positive mismatch. The reason was that in the negative mismatch system, during the film growth, the disorder degree at the interface increases, leading to an increase in dislocation density, meanwhile, the dislocation in the substrate more easily moved into the film, thus increasing the film and the dislocation density in it. Moreover, the mechanism of the buffer layer was also clarified. The addition of the buffer layer first limited the dislocation movement in the substrate, and secondly reduced the mismatch between the epitaxial layer and the substrate, thereby reducing mismatch dislocation.
Catalyst‐Free Synthesis of Xanthene and Pyrimidine‐Fused Heterocyclic Derivatives at Water‐Ethanol Medium and Their Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Naidu Kalla Reddi Mohan , Karunakaran Reddy Sankaran , Balaji Meriga , Kim Il
Published: January 2019

Water‐ethanol (1:1 v/v) reaction medium has been demonstrated to be an efficient system for the catalyst‐free synthesis of biologically potent xanthene and pyrimidine‐fused heterocyclic derivatives at 60 °C. Reactions of various substituted benzaldehydes or salicylaldehydes with dimedone or barbituric acid in water‐ethanol yield corresponding xanthene and pyrimidine‐fused heterocyclic derivatives, respectively, in good yields (90−93%) within a short time frame (1−2 h). This synthetic protocol is eco‐friendly and economically viable and has a facile workup procedure and a wide scope. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antioxidant activities against 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Compounds 13 and 23 are excellent free radical scavengers toward DPPH free radicals and compounds 12 and 23 show good activities in FRAP assay compared with standard Vitamin C.
Air‐Processed, Stable Organic Solar Cells with High Power Conversion Efficiency of 7.41%
Authors: Li Pandeng , Mainville Mathieu , Zhang Yuliang , Leclerc Mario , Sun Baoquan , Izquierdo Ricardo , Ma Dongling
Published: January 2019

High efficiency, excellent stability, and air processability are all important factors to consider in endeavoring to push forward the real‐world application of organic solar cells. Herein, an air‐processed inverted photovoltaic device built upon a low‐bandgap, air‐stable, phenanthridinone‐based ter‐polymer (C150H218N6O6S4)n (PDPPPTD) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) without involving any additive engineering processes yields a high efficiency of 6.34%. The PDPPPTD/PC61BM devices also exhibit superior thermal stability and photo‐stability as well as long‐term stability in ambient atmosphere without any device encapsulation, which show less performance decay as compared to most of the reported organic solar cells. In view of their great potential, solvent additive engineering via adding p‐anisaldehyde (AA) is attempted, leading to a further improved efficiency of 7.41%, one of the highest efficiencies for all air‐processed and stable organic photovoltaic devices. Moreover, the device stability under different ambient conditions is also further improved with the AA additive engineering. Various characterizations are conducted to probe the structural, morphology, and chemical information in order to correlate the structure with photovoltaic performance. This work paves a way for developing a new generation of air‐processable organic solar cells for possible commercial application.
Acceleration slip regulation control strategy for four‐wheel independent drive electric vehicles
Authors: Guo Luole , Xu Hongbing , Zou Jianxiao
Published: January 2019

To prevent four‐wheel independent drive electric vehicle (4WID EV) wheels from slipping when they are accelerating, an acceleration slip regulation (ASR) control strategy is proposed. Based on the classification of road conditions and the calculation of the optimal slip ratio for road conditions, the slip ratio is adjusted around the optimal slip ratio through controlling the driving torque output. Meanwhile, considering the change of wheel longitudinal force actually, we design a compensator in the ASR control strategy. Then, the system stability is analytically investigated through the classical control theory. Finally, we design an ASR control system in Matlab/Simulink, and apply the advanced simulation software Carsim to build a 4WID EV model, then build a cosimulation model using Carsim and Matlab/Simulink. The simulation results show the effectiveness and validation of the proposed ASR control strategy. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion reduces pulmonary hypertension in severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Style C. C. , Olutoye O. O. , Belfort M. A. , Ayres N. A. , Cruz S. M. , Lau P. E. , Shamshirsaz A. A. , Lee T. C. , Olutoye O. A. , Fernandes C. J. , Sanz Cortes M. , Keswani S. G. , Espinoza J.
Published: January 2019

Objective

Fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) is associated with increased perinatal survival and reduced need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in fetuses with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This study evaluates the impact of FETO on the resolution of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in fetuses with isolated CDH.

Methods

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of all fetuses evaluated for CDH between January 2004 and July 2017 at a single institution. Fetuses with additional major structural or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. CDH cases were classified retrospectively into mild, moderate and severe groups based on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging indices (observed‐to‐expected total fetal lung volume and percentage of intrathoracic liver herniation). Presence of PH was determined based on postnatal echocardiograms. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between FETO and resolution of PH by 1 year of age while controlling for side of the CDH, use of ECMO, gestational age at diagnosis, gestational age at delivery, fetal gender, sildenafil use at discharge and CDH severity. Resolution of PH by 1 year of age was compared between a cohort of fetuses with severe CDH that underwent FETO and a cohort that did not have the procedure (non‐FETO). A subanalysis was performed restricting the analysis to isolated left CDH. Parametric and non‐parametric tests were used for comparisons.

Results

Of 257 CDH cases evaluated, 72% (n = 184) had no major structural or chromosomal anomalies of which 58% (n = 107) met the study inclusion criteria. The FETO cohort consisted of 19 CDH cases and the non‐FETO cohort (n = 88) consisted of 31 (35%) mild, 32 (36%) moderate and 25 (28%) severe CDH cases. All infants with severe CDH, regardless of whether they underwent FETO, had evidence of neonatal PH. FETO (OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.05–12.10; P = 0.041) and ECMO (OR, 5.01; 95% CI, 2.10–11.96; P < 0.001) were independent predictors of resolution of PH by 1 year of age. A higher proportion of infants with severe CDH that underwent FETO had resolution of PH by 1 year after birth compared with infants with severe CDH in the non‐FETO cohort (69% (11/16) vs 28% (7/25); P = 0.017). Similar results were observed when the analysis was restricted to cases with left‐sided CDH (PH resolution in 69% (11/16) vs 28% (5/18); P = 0.032).

Conclusion

In infants with severe CDH, FETO and ECMO are independently associated with increased resolution of PH by 1 year of age. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Physiology of puberty in boys and girls and pathological disorders affecting its onset
Authors: Alotaibi Mohammed F.
Published: January 2019

Puberty is a physiological event involving the attainment of reproductive capability and complete development of sexual and physical organs. Changing from childhood to adulthood is a complex process and is tightly controlled by interconnection pathways at the level of the hypothalamus which can be influenced by environmental, psychosocial, and endocrine factors. Although various mechanisms underlying the onset of normal puberty have been investigated in humans and animals, the exact molecular mechanisms thereof remain unclear. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge and provide a synoptic overview about the physiology of puberty in adolescent boys and girls, and describe pathological disorders affecting its onset.
Trump v. Hawaii
Authors: Spiro Peter J.
Published: January 2019

In Trump v. Hawaii, the United States Supreme Court upheld admissions restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on nationals of certain countries for putative security reasons. In so doing, the Court's opinion reaffirmed judicial deference to the president on matters relating to immigration. Although the decision marked a Trump administration victory at the end of a protracted judicial clash, the lower courts are likely to continue operating as a check on aggressively restrictionist policies pursued by the administration on other fronts.
The “Quimbaya Treasure,” Judgment SU-649/17
Authors: Mejía-Lemos Diego
Published: January 2019

The Colombian Constitutional Court (Court) ordered the Colombian government to seek the restitution of a set of 122 golden objects of the Quimbaya people in a judgment issued on October 19, 2017 (Judgment). The Judgment addressed significant issues of international law relating to unilateral acts, treaty interpretation, cultural property (particularly that of indigenous peoples), and the settlement of disputes involving claims for restitution of cultural property through diplomacy and mediation.
THE SET OF QUANTUM CORRELATIONS IS NOT CLOSED
Authors: SLOFSTRA WILLIAM
Published: January 2019

We construct a linear system nonlocal game which can be played perfectly using a limit of finite-dimensional quantum strategies, but which cannot be played perfectly on any finite-dimensional Hilbert space, or even with any tensor-product strategy. In particular, this shows that the set of (tensor-product) quantum correlations is not closed. The constructed nonlocal game provides another counterexample to the ‘middle’ Tsirelson problem, with a shorter proof than our previous paper (though at the loss of the universal embedding theorem). We also show that it is undecidable to determine if a linear system game can be played perfectly with a finite-dimensional strategy, or a limit of finite-dimensional quantum strategies.
Molecular data show Clinostomoides Dollfus, 1950 is a junior synonym of Clinostomum Leidy, 1856, with redescription of metacercariae of Clinostomum brieni n. comb.
Authors: Caffara Monica , Locke Sean A. , Halajian Ali , Luus-Powell Wilmien J. , Benini Deborah , Tedesco Perla , Kasembele Gyrhaiss Kapepula , Fioravanti Maria L.
Published: January 2019

The genus Clinostomoides Dollfus, 1950 was erected to accommodate a single worm from Ardea goliath sampled in the Belgian Congo. The specimen was distinguished from other clinostomids by its large size and posterior genitalia. In the following years, metacercariae of Clinostomoides brieni, have been described in Clarias spp. in southern and western Africa. A few authors have referred to Clinostomum brieni, but all such usages appear to be lapsus calami, and the validity of Clinostomoides remains widely accepted. In this study our aim was: position C. brieni among the growing clinostomids molecular database, and redescribe the species with emphasis on characters that have emerged as important in recent work. We sequenced two nuclear (partial 18S and ITS) and one mitochondrial marker (partial cytochrome c oxidase I) and studied morphology in metacercariae from hosts and localities likely to harbour the type species (Clarias spp., Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa). Phylogenetic analysis shows C. brieni belongs within Clinostomum Leidy, 1856. We therefore transfer C. brieni to Clinostomum, amend the diagnosis for the genus Clinostomum and provide a critical analysis of other species in Clinostomoides, all of which we consider species inquirendae, as they rest on comparisons of different developmental stages.
Simultaneous gravity and gripping force compensation mechanism for lightweight hand-arm robot with low-reduction reducer
Authors: Uemura Mitsunori , Mitabe Yuki , Kawamura Sadao
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we propose a novel mechanism to compensate for gravity and the gripping force in a hand-arm robot. This mechanism compensates for the gravitational torque produced by an object gripped by the hand-arm robot. The gripping force required for the robot hand to prevent the object from dropping is also simultaneously compensated for. This mechanism requires only one actuator placed on the shoulder part of the robot. Therefore, this mechanism can reduce the torque requirement of joint actuators and lower the weight of the robot. The gear ratio of the reduction gears in each robot joint can then also be reduced. These advantages are critical for future robots that perform tasks in unstructured environments and collaborate with humans. We carried out experiments with a 6-DoF robot arm having a 1-DoF gripper to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism.
A Feasibility Open Trial of a Brief Internet-Delivered Written Exposure Therapy for Worry
Authors: Roch-Gagné Margaux , Talbot France
Published: January 2019

Background: Cognitive exposure, a treatment of choice for hypothetical fears, involves listening repeatedly to a recorded scenario of one's worst hypothetical fear. A major limitation, however, is that the script cannot be easily modified. Aims: The current study assessed the feasibility of a brief guided internet-based written exposure therapy (iWET) for hypothetical fears, Mind at Peace. Method: Fifty-three adults presenting clinical levels of anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 8) and worry (PSWQ ≥ 45) were recruited. A single group pre-test/post-test design including a 3-month follow-up was used. Mind at Peace is a 6-week iWET consisting of psychoeducation and five 30-minute weekly writing exposure sessions. Feasibility outcome measures included treatment adherence, attrition, treatment acceptability and preliminary efficacy. Primary outcome measures were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Results: Attrition was higher (57%) and adherence lower (28%) than expected. Intent-to-treat repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant and large improvements on the GAD-7 (ƞp2 = 0.36) and the PSWQ (ƞp2 = 0.23) with similar findings among study completers. Remission rates were higher on the GAD-7 than on the PSWQ, suggesting that Mind at Peace may primarily target general symptoms of generalized anxiety. Rates of acceptability varied, but nearly all study completers reported that they would recommend this treatment to a friend. Conclusions: This study provided valuable information on Mind at Peace. Methodological changes are proposed to improve its feasibility. A more definitive trial incorporating suggested methodological improvements is recommended.
A novel balanced-to-balanced power divider based on three-line coupled structure
Authors: Tan Zhen , Lu Qing-Yuan , Chen Jian-Xin
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a novel balanced-to-balanced power divider (PD) based on a simple and compact three-line coupled structure for the first time. By bisecting the proposed symmetrical structure, the differential mode (DM) and the common mode (CM) equivalent circuits can be obtained for analysis. The DM equivalent circuit exhibits a three-line in-phase power dividing response, and then a resistor is added between the two outputs for achieving good isolation. Meanwhile, the CM equivalent circuit shows a three-line all-stop response so that the CM suppression in this design does not need to be considered. Accordingly, the detailed design procedure of the DM PD is given. For demonstration, a prototype centered at 1.95 GHz is designed, fabricated, and measured. The simulated and measured results with good agreement are presented, showing low DM loss and wideband CM suppression.
Does Task Activation in Task Switching Influence Inhibition or	Episodic Interference?
Authors: Grange James A.
Published: January 2019

Abstract. N–2 repetition costs in task switching refer to slower responses to ABA sequences compared to CBA sequences, reflecting the persisting inhibition of task A across the ABA sequence. The magnitude of inhibition is thought to be sensitive to activation levels of interfering tasks. This is supported by larger n–2 repetition costs when the response–cue interval (RCI) is reduced: At short RCIs, a just-performed task is highly active when a new task is required, triggering more inhibition. However, recent work has shown that much of the n–2 repetition cost measures episodic interference, rather than inhibition. The current study addressed whether RCI manipulations influence inhibition or episodic interference. N–2 repetition costs were considerably reduced when episodic interference was controlled. Increasing the RCI led to equivalent reductions in the n–2 repetition cost for inhibition and episodic components of the cost, but for the former, the cost was entirely absent at longer RCIs.
Perceiving and Remembering Affordances for Others Are Continuous	Processes
Authors: Wagman Jeffrey B. , Thomas Brandon J. , McBride Dawn M.
Published: January 2019

Abstract. In information-based approaches, affordances are perceived by detecting information that specifies an animal–environment fit, not by combining perceptions of constituent lower-order properties. Given that detection of such information necessarily occurs over space and time, there is no clear distinction between perception and memory. Rather, perceiving and remembering are continuous processes. Whereas previous research has investigated the continuity of perceived and remembered affordances for the self, we did so with respect to perceived and remembered affordances for others. Participants reported remembered maximum reaching height and remembered anthropometric properties of another person. Remembered maximum reaching height was not reducible to a combination of remembered anthropometric properties. Moreover, remembered maximum reaching height scaled to the reaching ability of the other person and not to that of the perceiver. Both results are consistent with an information-based perspective on perceiving and remembering affordances and demonstrate a continuity between perceiving and remembering affordances for others.
Analyzing El Niño–Southern Oscillation Predictability Using Long‐Short‐Term‐Memory Models
Authors: Huang Andrew , Vega‐Westhoff Ben , Sriver Ryan L.
Published: January 2019

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) can have global impacts, affecting daily temperature and precipitation, and extreme weather, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Because of its importance, scientists strive to understand the processes that govern ENSO and develop models to predict its evolution and changes in variability. Here long‐short‐term‐memory models (LSTMs) were compared to linear regression models (LR) to explore the benefits of simple, deep neural networks in predicting ENSO, in addition to quantifying the relative importance of the sources of ENSO's predictability. The models use central Pacific sea surface temperatures (SST), equatorial Pacific warm water volumes, and western Pacific zonal winds as predictors, individually and in combinations, on monthly and daily resolutions, from 1‐ to 11‐month leads. By using these predictors, many characteristic time scales are encompassed—from days‐to‐weeks in the atmosphere, to months‐to‐seasons in the coupled system, and interseasonal‐to‐interannual in the subsurface ocean. Results show, with monthly input, predictions from LSTM were like predictions from LR. However, with daily SST at longer leads, LSTM exhibited some advantage over LR in terms of the correlation coefficient. This suggests that daily SST may contain some nonlinear element that improves LSTM predictability compared to LR. In addition, this suggests that more information, such as gridded data and additional variables, would likely improve predictability using LSTM, but results would be more difficult to interpret. Overall, LSTM may be appealing because once the computationally expensive training of LSTM is complete, the predictions employing the trained model can be relatively cheap to perform thereafter.
Global Crustal Thickness and Velocity Structure From Geostatistical Analysis of Seismic Data
Authors: Szwillus Wolfgang , Afonso Juan Carlos , Ebbing Jörg , Mooney Walter D.
Published: January 2019

Active source seismology provides a critical constraint on the global crustal structure. However, the heterogeneous data coverage means that interpolation is necessary to fill the gap between seismic profiles. This has the potential to cause large uncertainties especially if the data are interpolated over a large distance. In previous models, geological intuition was often employed to ensure reasonable results. To investigate crustal model uncertainty, we apply geostatistical analysis to a database of active seismic investigations. Unlike previous models, our workflow in the construction of the crustal model is completely transparent. Apart from the points from the database, we only use an a priori separation in oceanic and continental domains. We calculate global maps of Moho depth and average P wave velocity in the crystalline crust. Additionally, we obtain the interpolation error and error covariance. Overall, our results agree with previous global crustal models such as Crust1.0. Our uncertainty estimates show that the Moho depth uncertainty in the most well studied areas such as North America and Europe is less than 4 km but can reach 10 km or more in frontier regions such as most of Africa. P wave velocity shows the same pattern, but is less accurate overall, due to more small‐scale variation. We demonstrate the benefit of having a numerical estimate of uncertainty by propagating the uncertainty to the residual topography. We see two main uses for our crustal model in the geophysical research community: (1) as a starting model for inversions focusing on the crust and upper mantle and (2) as a starting point for including other pointwise information about crustal structure, for example, from passive seismology.
Geometric Controls on Pulse‐Like Rupture in a Dynamic Model of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake
Authors: Wang Yongfei , Day Steven M. , Denolle Marine A.
Published: January 2019

The 15 April 2015 Mw 7.8 Nepal Gorkha earthquake occurred on a shallowly dipping portion of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). Notable features of the event include (1) the dominance of a slip pulse of about 6‐s duration that unlocked the lower edge of the MHT and (2) the near‐horizontal fault geometry, which, combined with proximity of the free surface, allows surface‐reflected phases to break the across‐fault symmetries of the seismic wavefield. Our dynamic rupture simulations in an elastoplastic medium yield earthquake parameters comparable to those deduced from kinematic inversions, including seismic moment and rupture velocity. The simulations reproduce pulse‐like behavior predicting pulse widths in agreement with those kinematic studies and supporting an interpretation in which the pulse‐like time dependence of slip is principally controlled by rupture geometry. This inference is strongly supported by comparison of synthetic ground velocity with the near‐field high‐rate GPS recording at station KKN4, which shows close agreement in pulse width, amplitude, and pulse shape. That comparison also constrains the updip extent of rupture and disfavors significant coseismic slip on the shallow ramp segment. Over most of the rupture length, the simulated rupture propagates at a near‐constant maximum velocity (~90% of the S wave speed) that is controlled by the antiplane geometry and off‐fault plastic yielding. Simulations also reveal the role of reflected seismic waves from the free surface, which may have contributed ~30% elongation of the slip pulse, and show the potential for significant free‐surface interaction effects in shallow events of similar geometry.