bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harvesting energy from pavement based on piezoelectric effects: Fabrication and electric properties of piezoelectric vibrator
Authors: Li Rui , Yu Yi , Zhou Bochao , Guo Qiqi , Li Mingming , Pei Jianzhong
Published: October 2018

This article demonstrates the design of a road piezoelectric transducer (PZT) through a laboratory load test, to utilize the load mechanical energy in road. PZT-5H was selected as the piezoelectric vibrator material. With the combination of the action property of low-frequency forced vibration of the pavement vehicle wheel load, a simple supported disk lap piling piezoelectric vibrator was used as the core component of the road piezoelectricity generating set. The tracking wheel-pressure test of a beam piece was used to determine the piezoelectricity generating capacity of road pavement. The maximum voltage that could be reached is 65.2 V. The primary wheel rolling impact could produce an electric energy of 0.23 mJ. The electric capacity of 0.8 kW/h could be produced per day, which can meet the demand of signal lights.
X-ray backlighter requirements for refraction-based electron density diagnostics through Talbot-Lau deflectometry
Authors: Valdivia M. P. , Veloso F. , Stutman D. , Stoeckl C. , Mileham C. , Begishev I. A. , Theobald W. , Vescovi M. , Useche W. , Regan S. P. , Albertazzi B. , Rigon G. , Mabey P. , Michel T. , Pikuz S. A. , Koenig M. , Casner A.
Published: October 2018

Talbot-Lau x-ray interferometers can map electron density gradients in High Energy Density (HED) samples. In the deflectometer configuration, it can provide refraction, attenuation, elemental composition, and scatter information from a single image. X-ray backlighters in Talbot-Lau deflectometry must meet specific requirements regarding source size and x-ray spectra, amongst others, to accurately diagnose a wide range of HED experiments. 8 keV sources produced in the high-power laser and pulsed power environment were evaluated as x-ray backlighters for Talbot-Lau x-ray deflectometry. In high-power laser experiments, K-shell emission was produced by irradiating copper targets (500 × 500 × 12.5 μm3 foils, 20 μm diameter wire, and >10 μm diameter spheres) with 30 J, 8-30 ps laser pulses and a 25 μm copper wire with a 60 J, 10 ps laser pulse. In the pulsed power environment, single (2 × 40 μm) and double (4 × 25 μm) copper x-pinches were driven at ∼1 kA/ns. Moiré fringe formation was demonstrated for all x-ray sources explored, and detector performance was evaluated for x-ray films, x-ray CCDs, and imaging plates in context of spatial resolution, x-ray emission, and fringe contrast.
Methods of improving spatial resolution for IR spectroscopy in atmospheric-pressure plasma systems
Authors: McGreivy Nick , Jaworski M. A.
Published: October 2018

High-temperature, atmospheric pressure plasma systems operated in molecular gases present complex diagnostic challenges. Infrared spectroscopy has been used to make measurements of the absorbance spectrum of complex molecular gas mixtures and thereby calculate the concentrations and species temperatures in these systems. For atmospheric-pressure systems, high spatial gradients arise and high spatial-resolution measurements are thus desirable. Some systems have achieved increased spatial resolution by reducing the beam diameter. However, this increase in spatial resolution comes at the expense of the optical throughput. Here we propose modifying a commercial Fourier Transform, Infrared spectrometer system with a set of simple optical elements. This design allows for scannable, high spatial resolution absorbance spectrum measurements of a complex molecular gas mix. We analyze the signal-to-noise ratio for this design and compare it with the diameter reduction method. For sufficiently low plasma radiation levels, this design improves the signal-to-noise ratio relative to reducing the beam diameter size while transmitting nearly all of the beam power. However, whether this design can achieve the desired sub-mm spatial resolution depends on the radiating area of the infrared light source in the spectrometer.
Analysis and design of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant using the software SOLEEC
Authors: Enciso Contreras Ernesto , Barbosa Saldaña Juan Gabriel , Mora Ortega Agustín , Bonilla Blancas Wenceslao Cuauhtémoc , Salazar Pereyra Martín , Aguilar Anastasio José Carlos Alejandro , Durán Medina Pino
Published: October 2018

The use of solar plants as auxiliary systems in conventional power combined cycles has contributed to the evaporation process, reducing the use of fossil fuels for steam generation. The present work is focused on the analysis and design of sizing the optimum solar field for being implemented in the fourth unit of the combined cycle power plant “Valle de México” in Mexico. The software SOLEEC is used to determine the collector geometrical features based on the absorber tube external diameter; in this study, three cases have been analyzed, 2, 3, and 4 in. absorber tube diameters. The best collector's geometry depends on the steam temperature, the working pressure, and the mass flow necessary to supply the overheated steam; also, the total aperture area of the field, the total reflective surface area, and the thermal efficiency for every case have been obtained; the absorber tube is divided into three sections: preheating, evaporation, and overheating and the collector is considered in Once Trough mode. Once the geometrical and thermal characteristics are obtained for the three designing configurations, an analysis is carried out to determine the advantages of the best configuration that would be selected for this specific application. According to the results, the best geometry is the one with 2 in. in the absorber diameter, producing a fraction of 50.3 kg/s of steam.
Entanglement-breaking channels with general outcome operator algebras
Authors: Kuramochi Yui
Published: October 2018

A unit-preserving and completely positive linear map, or a channel, Λ:A→Ain between C*-algebras A and Ain is called entanglement-breaking (EB) if ω◦(Λ⊗idB) is a separable state for any C*-algebra B and any state ω on the injective C*-tensor product Ain⊗B. In this paper, we establish the equivalence of the following conditions for a channel Λ with a quantum input space and with a general outcome C*-algebra, generalizing the known results in finite dimensions: (i) Λ is EB; (ii) Λ has a measurement-prepare form (Holevo form); (iii) n copies of Λ are compatible for all 2 ≤ n < ∞; (iv) countably infinite copies of Λ are compatible. By using this equivalence, we also show that the set of randomization-equivalence classes of normal EB channels with a fixed input von Neumann algebra is upper and lower Dedekind-closed, i.e., the supremum or infimum of any randomization-increasing or decreasing net of EB channels is also EB. As an example, we construct an injective normal EB channel with an arbitrary outcome operator algebra M acting on an infinite-dimensional separable Hilbert space by using the coherent states and the Bargmann measure.
Giant negative mobility of inertial particles caused by the periodic potential in steady laminar flows
Authors: Ai Bao-quan , Zhu Wei-jing , He Ya-feng , Zhong Wei-rong
Published: October 2018

Transport of an inertial particle advected by a two-dimensional steady laminar flow is numerically investigated in the presence of a constant force and a periodic potential. Within particular parameter regimes, this system exhibits absolute negative mobility, which means that the particle can travel in a direction opposite to the constant force. It is found that the profile of the periodic potential plays an important role in the nonlinear response regime. Absolute negative mobility can be drastically enhanced by applying appropriate periodic potential, the parameter regime for this phenomenon becomes larger and the amplitude of negative mobility grows exceedingly large (giant negative mobility). In addition, giant positive mobility is also observed in the presence of appropriate periodic potential.
Numerical investigation of a pulsed reaction control jet in hypersonic crossflow
Authors: Miller Warrick A. , Medwell Paul R. , Doolan Con J. , Kim Minkwan
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a numerical study on the flow structures developed when a pulsed reaction control jet is operated in a hypersonic crossflow with a laminar boundary layer. Understanding these flow structures is important to the design of reaction control jets and scramjet fuel injectors. Implicit large-eddy simulations were performed with a round, sonic, perfect air jet issuing normal to a Mach 5 crossflow over a flat plate, at a jet-to-crossflow momentum ratio of 5.3 and a pressure ratio of 251, and with square-wave pulsing at Strouhal numbers of 1/6 to 1/3, based on jet diameter and free-stream velocity. Pulsing the jet allows the shock structure to partially collapse when the jet is off. This shock collapse affects the shedding frequency of shear-layer vortices, the formation of shear-layers downstream of the jet outlet, and the formation of longitudinal counter-rotating vortices. The lead shocks formed at jet start-up allow deeper penetration by increasing the effective jet-to-crossflow momentum ratio near the jet outlet and by preventing interaction between hairpin vortices. Normalised penetration was increased by a maximum of 68% compared with the steady jet. Pulsing also provides a higher jet interaction force per unit mass flow rate compared with a steady jet, with a 52% increase recorded at a 33% duty cycle. Temporal and spatial variations of surface pressure are important for reaction control applications and have been quantified. Pressure distribution depends strongly on duty cycle, and higher interaction force per unit mass flow rate was observed in cases with low duty cycle.
A data assimilation model for turbulent flows using continuous adjoint formulation
Authors: He Chuangxin , Liu Yingzheng , Gan Lian
Published: October 2018

A generalized data assimilation model for turbulent flows using the continuous adjoint formulation is proposed. Within this formulation, the Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model is modified by adding a correction function β as a spatially varying coefficient to the turbulence production term. The model-form error is thus corrected by optimizing the β distribution, using the adjoint equations and the corresponding boundary conditions, to minimize the discrepancy between the predictions and observations. In addition, a constraint is applied to drive β toward a large value to avoid the flow unsteadiness owing to the low eddy viscosity. The present adjoint-based data assimilation (ABDA) model is expected to be applicable to various flow conditions unsolvable by the simple optimization of the model constant. This model is fully equation-driven and is thus computationally cheaper than the discretized adjoint method, as well as convenient to be implemented in the existing computational fluid dynamics codes. The flow over a cylinder with synthetic observations, the free round jet, the flow over a hump, and the three-dimensional flow over a wall-mounted cube, all of which are challenging for original Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations, are employed to successfully demonstrate the reliability and capacity of the present ABDA model. The first-order scheme applied to the adjoint equations exhibits little effects on the final assimilation results, but improves the robustness significantly, and drives β to another solution that can also minimize the cost function. The present ABDA model is efficient in the heavy assimilation work of different types of shear and separated flows.
Applications of thin film plastic scintillator in measurement of soft x rays generated from Z-pinch implosion
Authors: Hu Qingyuan , Ning Jiamin , Ye Fan , Meng Shijian , Qin Yi , Xu Zeping , Yang Jianlun , Fu Yuecheng , Xu Rongkun , Huang Zhanchang , Chen Faxin , Wang Dong , Wang Lizong
Published: October 2018

A thin film plastic scintillator detector has been developed for the measurement of radiation power and yield of soft x rays produced from Z-pinch implosion. To enable soft x-ray measurements using plastic scintillators, the detector geometry has been specially designed to minimize visible light and alleviate nonlinear behavior. Energy response has been calibrated, and saturation effects have been explored and described in details. The possibility and limitation of its application to such high-density radiation bursts are analyzed. The detector has been fielded on several meters away in vacuum pipes for hundreds of shots at different Z-pinch facilities, and the measured data in these experiments agreed well with the results from other diagnostics, demonstrating the feasibility and reliability of the detector.
Surface patterning of monocrystalline silicon induced by spot laser melting
Authors: Menold T. , Ametowobla M. , Köhler J. R. , Werner J. H.
Published: October 2018

Spot laser melting of monocrystalline silicon leads to characteristic surface structures that are defined by a peak and a quasi-periodic ripple structure. The structures are created by a 50–100 μs pulsed infrared fiber laser and are approximately 30–100 μm in size. We present an analytical model explaining the creation of the peak by the density anomaly of silicon. Additionally, we show that the quasi-periodic ripple structure stems from a frozen capillary wave, which allows us to determine the resolidification velocity from the ripple radii. For a structure of molten radius Rmelt=41.5μm, we determine a resolidification velocity vre=56.6±9.2cm/s. A numerical model for the same structure yields vre=49.2cm/s, which agrees with the value determined from the ripple pattern. The capillary wave is excited in the melt pool due to thermocapillary convection.
Effect of non-linear amplification of phase and amplitude modulations on laser-induced damage of thick fused silica optics with large beams at 351 nm
Authors: Veinhard M. , Bonville O. , Bouillet S. , Bordenave E. , Courchinoux R. , Parreault R. , Natoli J.-Y. , Lamaignère L.
Published: October 2018

Nonlinear propagation of high power, large aperture laser beams leads to the amplification of the spatial pre-existing small scale modulations, and therefore locally increases the laser energy density as the beam propagates through the optical component. The measurement of the energy density distribution on the exit face of the tested component is therefore more challenging, as the impact of the propagation must be taken into account. It is for this reason that the damage densities of thick fused silica components have never been precisely measured. To this end, a dedicated imaging setup has been developed to accurately measure the energy density distribution on the exit face of 34-mm thick fused silica optical components during laser damage experiments with a centimeter-scale laser beam. The impact of nonlinear propagation on the beam spatial profile has been studied experimentally and confronted to numerical simulations that solve the nonlinear Schrödinger equation for the experimental spatial and phase profiles. The results clearly indicate that the imaging setup can accurately measure the amplification of the beam spatial modulations. The beam energy density on the exit face is therefore correctly measured and, for the first time, the damage density of thick optics can be accurately determined.
Dust levitation in an inverse sheath
Authors: Deka Rinku , Bora Madhurjya P.
Published: October 2018

The results of an analysis of the physics of levitation of negatively charged dust particles over a surface (wall) in an inverse sheath are reported. It is shown that in a suitable parameter regime, the ion-drag force may balance the combined electrostatic and gravitational forces on the dust particles owing to its hollow profile as one moves away from the surface. Our analysis shows that the parameter regimes in which such a situation may result are realizable in laboratory and space plasma environments, particularly the near-surface dayside lunar plasma. The lunar surface and dust grains are electrostatically charged due to the interaction with the solar wind plasma environment and the photoemission of electrons due to solar UV radiation. This results in a process that charges the surface positively and generates a near-surface photoelectron inverse plasma sheath. The potential structure changes from a monotonic classical sheath to an inverse sheath as the emitted electron density becomes larger than the plasma electron density. In a relatively newer, recently developed charging model, called the Patched Charge Model, it was shown both theoretically and experimentally that even in a photoelectron-rich environment, dust particles lying on a regolith surface can attain large negative potential due to the formation of micro-cavities. This negative potential may reach such values so that dust mobilization and lofting may become possible. In our work, we have assumed the existence of such negatively charged dust particles in a photoelectron-rich environment and argue that once the dust lofting is effected, the levitation can be sustained through the ion-drag force. The conditions of levitation are investigated for these dust particles, and the levitation distances from the lunar surface are calculated.
Non-ring perfect optical vortices with p-th order symmetry generated using composite diffractive optical elements
Authors: Porfirev A. , Kuchmizhak A.
Published: October 2018

A “perfect” optical vortex (POV), a ring-shaped singular beam whose diameter does not scale with its topological charge, is now being extensively studied owing to its important practical applications ranging from optical trapping and manipulation of microscale objects to laser material processing with structured beams. At the same time, the ability to shape the intensity distribution of the POV in a controlled manner is of crucial importance for the mentioned applications; however, only circular- or elliptical-shaped POVs were demonstrated so far. Here, we propose and design pure phase diffractive optical elements (DOEs) with an optimized composite transmission function allowing high-efficient generation of non-ring-shaped POVs with p-th order symmetry. We demonstrate the generation of POVs with the desired topological charge, transverse size, and variable “polygon-like” lateral intensity distribution. Our experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical and simulation predictions. The proposed DOEs can be characterized by high conversion efficiency (more than 60%), thus substantiating their applicability for high-performing optical manipulation and advanced laser nanopatterning.
Stability and electronic properties of planar defects in quaternary I2-II-IV-VI4 semiconductors
Authors: Park Ji-Sang , Kim Sunghyun , Walsh Aron
Published: October 2018

Extended defects such as stacking faults and anti-site domain boundaries can perturb the band edges in Cu2ZnSnS4 and Cu2ZnSnSe4, acting as a weak electron barrier or a source for electron capture, respectively. In order to find ways to prohibit the formation of planar defects, we investigated the effect of chemical substitution on the stability of the intrinsic stacking fault and metastable polytypes and analyzed their electrical properties. Substitution of Ag for Cu makes stacking faults less stable, whereas the other substitutions (Cd and Ge) promote their formation. Ge substitution has no effect on the electron barrier of the intrinsic stacking fault, but Cd substitution reduces the barrier energy, and Ag substitution enhances electron capture by the stacking fault. While Cd substitution stabilizes the stannite structure, chemical substitutions make the primitive-mixed CuAu structure less stable with respect to the ground-state kesterite structure.
Temperature invariable magnetization in Co-Al-Fe alloys by a martensitic transformation
Authors: Ye Fan , Ma Tianyu , Ren Shuai , Xiao Andong , Liu Xiaolian , Ji Yuanchao , Ren Xiaobing
Published: October 2018

Recently, it was reported that in a dual-phase ferromagnetic Fe-Ga alloy, highly thermally stable magnetization is achieved by a diffusional transformation between the two phases with different magnetizations, which compensates for the inevitable magnetization reduction. Contrasting with the compensation mechanism through a diffusional transformation, here we report that a diffusionless martensitic transition can also be used as a compensation mechanism for achieving nearly temperature invariable magnetization. We found that ferromagnetic Co-Al-Fe alloys with a non-thermoelastic martensitic transformation exhibit almost unchanged magnetization up to 830 K (about 81% TC). In-situ heating transmission electron microscopy reveals that the gradual transformation from a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) martensite phase with lower magnetization into a face-centered-cubic (fcc) parent phase with higher magnetization occurs over a wide temperature range, giving rise to such temperature invariable magnetization. The electrical resistivity measurement reveals that the fcc → hcp transformation can be repeated during heating-cooling cycles, which can be used to design temperature invariable magnets with a long cycling life.
Exogenous spermidine improves drought tolerance in maize by enhancing the antioxidant defence system and regulating endogenous polyamine metabolism
Authors: Li Lijie , Gu Wanrong , Li Congfeng , Li Wenhua , Li Caifeng , Li Jing , Wei Shi
Published: October 2018

Drought stress is a primary abiotic constraint affecting crop production worldwide. In this study, the role of exogenous spermidine (Spd) in conferring drought-stress-tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings was studied by analysing polyamine metabolism and the antioxidant defence system. Two maize cultivars, Xianyu 335 (drought resistant) and Fenghe 1 (drought susceptible), were subjected to drought stress (–0.8 MPa) induced by 15% polyethylene glycol 6000 with or without Spd (0.1 mm) application. Spd significantly reduced the inhibition of plant growth and decreased malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents and the generation rate of oxidised glutathione caused by drought stress, particularly in Fenghe 1. The activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase further increased with the application of Spd to the stressed plants. Application of Spd significantly moderated the drought-induced reduction in activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase and dehydroascorbate and the ratio ascorbate : dehydroascorbate and reduced the ratio glutathione : oxidised glutathione. With the application of Spd, the contents of Spd and spermine and the activities of arginine decarboxylase, S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase and diamine oxidase increased significantly in the stressed plants, and the increases were greater in Xianyu 335 than in Fenghe 1. Thus, exogenous Spd successfully reduced oxidative damage by enhancing the antioxidant components, raising the redox state of ascorbate and glutathione, and altering the polyamine pool, which play important roles in improving physiological characteristics and drought stress in maize.
Household-oriented benefits largely outweigh commercial benefits derived from cattle in Mabalane District, Mozambique
Authors: Ng'ang'a Stanley Karanja , Ritho Cecilia , Herrero Mario , Fraval Simon
Published: October 2018

In Sub-Saharan Africa, research aimed at improving household livelihoods through cattle often targets commercial benefits while neglecting household-oriented benefits. The latter are rarely articulated, and their comprehensive role in livelihoods is little understood by policymakers. The main aim of this study was to assess household-oriented benefits of cattle as a basis for formulating appropriate policies. Data were collected from 192 households selected through multistage random sampling in Mabalane District of Mozambique in 2009. The main objectives of cattle raising were identified and ranked in order of importance by using the analytical hierarchy procedure. The vast majority (98%) of households kept cattle primarily to derive various types of household-oriented benefits such as draft power, financing, insurance, saving, social status and bridewealth. Only 2% of households kept cattle mainly for commercial benefits. The households secured financing, insurance and saving primarily by capital accumulation through herd expansion, for example after a good crop harvest, using the profit to purchase a young calf, an ox or a heifer. Households reporting social prestige as an important objective for raising cattle were mainly those already with high social status. In Mabalane District, a large herd of cattle is considered evidence of one’s ability to manage communally owned resources. This suggests that the functions of draft power, financing, insurance and saving play important roles in the livelihoods of most of agro-pastoral households in Mozambique—arguably more important than meat and milk. The reliance on financing, insurance and saving benefits of cattle, as well as the low level of milk and meat marketing, could be explained by the low level of development within the district, exacerbated by the civil war that ended in the 1990s.
COP1 SUPPRESSOR 4 promotes seedling photomorphogenesis by repressing
CCA1
and
PIF4
expression in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Xianhai , Jiang Yan , Li Jian , Huq Enamul , Chen Z. Jeffrey , Xu Dongqing , Deng Xing Wang
Published: October 2018

Significance

The exogenous light signal and the endogenous circadian clock are two critical factors for directing growth and development in plants. In this study, we characterized a previously unidentified positive regulator of light signaling, CSU4. CSU4 interacts with CCA1, a key component of the circadian clock, to inhibit its transcriptional repression activity. Being a transcriptional regulator, CSU4 represses
CCA1
in the early morning and
PIF4
in the early evening in gating hypocotyl elongation. Thus, CSU4 likely acts as a key regulator of light- and circadian clock-mediated hypocotyl growth in plants.
Personal understandings and cultural conceptions of family in European societies
Authors: Lück Detlev , Castrén Anna-Maija
Published: October 2018

Family lives in Europe have undergone considerable changes during the past decades. These changes have made it difficult or even impossible to grasp what people mean by ‘a family’ in their everyday life by an objective, pre-defined set of criteria. Marriage, a couple relationship, parent–child relationships based on shared bio-genetic substance, a shared household or functions such as reproduction or primary socialisation remain important characteristics of some of the most frequent family forms. However, against the background of an increasing destandardisation of family trajectories, growing importance of family ties across households, complex stepfamily constellations, advanced reproductive technology and negotiated gender relations, they do not hold up as definitions for the family as such.
BethAnn McLaughlin: Protecting neurons and women in science
Authors: Infarinato Nicole , O’Donnell Marie Anne
Published: October 2018

McLaughlin studies how neurons respond to acute and chronic stress.
ELMER v.2: an R/Bioconductor package to reconstruct gene regulatory networks from DNA methylation and transcriptome profiles
Authors: Silva Tiago C , Coetzee Simon G , Gull Nicole , Yao Lijing , Hazelett Dennis J , Noushmehr Houtan , Lin De-Chen , Berman Benjamin P
Published: October 2018

Motivation

DNA methylation has been used to identify functional changes at transcriptional enhancers and other cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) in tumors and other disease tissues. Our R/Bioconductor package ELMER (Enhancer Linking by Methylation/Expression Relationships) provides a systematic approach that reconstructs altered gene regulatory networks (GRNs) by combining enhancer methylation and gene expression data derived from the same sample set.

Results

We present a completely revised version 2 of ELMER that provides numerous new features including an optional web-based interface and a new Supervised Analysis mode to use pre-defined sample groupings. We show that Supervised mode significantly increases statistical power and identifies additional GRNs and associated Master Regulators, such as SOX11 and KLF5 in Basal-like breast cancer.

Availability and implementation

ELMER v.2 is available as an R/Bioconductor package at http://bioconductor.org/packages/ELMER/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Multisystem Trajectories Over the Adult Life Course and Relations to Cardiovascular Disease and Death
Authors: Niiranen Teemu J , Enserro Danielle M , Larson Martin G , Vasan Ramachandran S
Published: October 2018

Background

Comprehensive conjoint characterization of long-term trajectories representing several biological systems is lacking.

Methods

We measured serially indicators representing 14 distinct biological systems in up to 3,453 participants attending four Framingham Study examinations: bone mineral density, body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein, glomerular filtration rate, forced vital capacity (FVC), 1 second forced expiratory volume/FVC ratio (FEV1/FVC), gait speed, grip strength, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), heart rate, left ventricular mass, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), pulse pressure, and total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL).

Results

We observed that correlations among the 14 sex-specific trajectories were modest (r < .30 for 169 of 182 sex-specific correlations). During follow-up (median 8 years), 232 individuals experienced a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event and 393 participants died. In multivariable regression models, CVD incidence was positively related to trajectories of BMI, HbA1c, TC/HDL, gait time, and pulse pressure (p < .06); mortality risk was related directly to trajectories of gait time, C-reactive protein, heart rate, and pulse pressure but inversely to MMSE and FEV1/FVC (p < .006). A unit increase in the trajectory risk score was associated with a 2.80-fold risk of CVD (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04–3.84; p < .001) and a 2.71-fold risk of death (95% CI, 2.30–3.20; p < .001). Trajectory risk scores were suggestive of a greater increase in model c-statistic compared with single occasion measures (delta-c compared with age- and sex-adjusted models: .032 vs .026 for CVD; .042 vs .030 for mortality).

Conclusions

Biological systems age differentially over the life course. Longitudinal data on a parsimonious set of biomarkers reflecting key biological systems may facilitate identification of high-risk individuals.
Long-term evolution of CFS-unstable neutron stars and the role of differential rotation on short time-scales
Authors: Chugunov A I
Published: October 2018

I consider differential rotation, associated with radiation-driven Chandrasekhar–Friedman–Schutz (CFS) instability, and respective observational manifestations. I focus on the evolution of the apparent spin frequency, which is typically associated with the motion of a specific point on the stellar surface (e.g. polar cap). I start from long-term evolution (on the time-scale when instability significantly changes the spin frequency). For this case, I reduce the evolution equations to one differential equation and I demonstrate that it can be directly derived from energy conservation law. This equation governs the evolution rate through a sequence of thermally equilibrium states and it provides linear coupling for the cooling power and rotation energy losses via gravitational wave emission. In particular, it shows that differential rotation does not affect long-term spin-down. In contrast, on short time-scales, differential rotation can significantly modify the apparent spin-down, if we examine a strongly unstable star with a very small initial amplitude for the unstable mode. This statement is confirmed by considering a Newtonian non-magnetized perfect fluid and dissipative stellar models as well as a magnetized stellar model. For example, despite the fact that the widely applied evolution equations predict effective spin to be constant in the absence of dissipation, the CFS-unstable star should be observed as spinning-down. However, the effects of differential rotation on apparent spin-down are negligible for realistic models of neutron star recycling, unless the neutron star is non-magnetized, the r-mode amplitude is modulated faster than the shear viscosity dissipation time-scale, and the amplitude is large enough that spin-down can be measured on a modulation time-scale.
The Modern Synthesis
Authors: Smocovitis Vassiliki Betty
Published: October 2018

The “modern synthesis” generally refers to the early to mid-century formulation of evolutionary theory that reconciled classical Darwinian selection theory with a newer population-oriented view of Mendelian genetics that attempted to explain the origin of biological diversity. It draws on the title of zoologist Julian S. Huxley’s book of 1943 titled Evolution: The Modern Synthesis, a semi-popular account of evolution that ushered in this “modern” synthetic view of evolution. Covering an interval of time approximately between 1920–1950, it also refers to developments in understanding evolution that drew on a range of disciplines that were synthesized or brought to consensus that generally include systematics, paleontology, and botany with a populational view of evolutionary genetics. Whether or not it served to unify the study of evolution, or to unify the disparate biological sciences—and whether or not it led to the emergence of a science of evolutionary biology, as some of its proponents have claimed—remains a topic for discussion. Though they do not refer to precisely the same things or share identical meanings, the phrase “modern synthesis” has overlapped with terms such as the “evolutionary synthesis,” coined and used especially by Ernst Mayr and William B. Provine, to refer to the historical event, as well as terms such as Neo-Darwinian theory or Neo-Darwinism (though criticism has been made regarding the latter term’s applicability to the mid-century developments in evolutionary theory). As Ernst Mayr noted, the term “Neo-Darwinism” was first coined and used by George John Romanes in 1895 to refer to a revision of Charles Darwin’s theory first formulated in 1859, which included Lamarckian inheritance. The extent to which the modern synthesis, and the evolutionary synthesis map with what is also called the synthetic theory, is open for discussion as is specific understanding of the term. For the most part, there is little in the way of consensus or agreement by scientists, philosophers, and historians as to what “the synthesis” (the abbreviated reference) precisely means, and what (if anything) specifically occurred of a general nature in studies of evolution, broadly construed, in the interval of time between 1920–1950.
Concept Evaluation Using the PDSA Cycle for Continuous Quality Improvement
Authors: Laverentz Delois Meyer , Kumm Sharon
Published: October 2018

As concept-based nursing education gains popularity, there is little literature on how to sustain quality after initiation of the curriculum. Critical appraisal of concepts in a university program revealed varying definitions, attributes, and exemplars resulting in student confusion. The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle for continuous quality improvement was used for concept evaluation. The goals of the evaluation project were: 1) to develop common definition and attributes for concepts and 2) to develop horizontal and vertical leveling of exemplars to build on prior student learning. The continuous quality improvement process can be used to prevent “concept creep” and ensure internal consistency of concept definitions, attributes, and exemplars.
Predictors of Nursing Graduate School Success
Authors: Patzer Brady , Lazzara Elizabeth H. , Keebler Joseph R. , Madi Maha H. , Dwyer Patricia , Huckstadt Alicia A. , Smith-Campbell Betty
Published: October 2018

Several factors influence success in nursing graduate school. This study collected retrospective data from students in a nursing graduate program to determine which factors predict success. Data were analyzed using a multiple regression analysis to predict success (i.e., graduation grade point average [GPA]) from student characteristics. The predictors were nursing course GPA, undergraduate science GPA, GPA upon admission to nursing graduate school, experience in a specialty, and the duration of that experience. Results indicate that admission, nursing, and undergraduate science GPA are more important for predicting success than previous experience. The predictors account for approximately 80 percent of the variance (R
2 = .80).
Buprenorphine Pharmacology Review: Update on Transmucosal and Long-acting Formulations
Authors: Coe Marion A. , Lofwall Michelle R. , Walsh Sharon L.
Published: October 2018

Buprenorphine is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder. As a high-affinity, partial agonist for the mu-opioid receptor, buprenorphine suppresses opioid withdrawal and craving, reduces illicit opioid use, and blocks exogenous opioid effects including respiratory depression. Other pharmacologic benefits of buprenorphine are its superior safety profile compared with full opioid agonists and its long half-life that allows daily or less-than-daily dosing. New and innovative buprenorphine formulations, with pharmacokinetic profiles that differ from the original tablet formulation, continue to be developed. These include higher bioavailability transmucosal tablets and films and also 6-month implantable and monthly injectable products. This growing array of available formulations allows more choices for patients and increased opportunity for clinicians to individualize treatment; thus, it is important for buprenorphine prescribers to understand these differences.
Global Consensus Guidelines for the Injection of Diluted and Hyperdiluted Calcium Hydroxylapatite for Skin Tightening
Authors: Goldie Kate , Peeters Wouter , Alghoul Mohammed , Butterwick Kimberly , Casabona Gabriela , Chao Yates Yen Yu , Costa Joana , Eviatar Joseph , Fabi Sabrina Guillen , Lupo Mary , Sattler Gerhard , Waldorf Heidi , Yutskovskaya Yana , Lorenc Paul
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is approved to correct moderate-to-severe wrinkles and folds and soft-tissue volume loss in the face and hands. More recently, subdermal injection using diluted CaHA has been used to improve skin laxity.

OBJECTIVE

To review evidence for the safe and effective use of diluted CaHA in the face and body and provide best practice recommendations.

METHODS

A global panel of expert aesthetic physicians convened to develop consensus-based guidelines for treating laxity and superficial wrinkles using diluted (ratio of 1:1) and hyperdiluted (≥1:2) CaHA.

RESULTS

Diluted and hyperdiluted CaHA stimulates targeted neocollagenesis in the injection area to improve laxity and skin quality in the mid- and lower face, neck, décolletage, upper arms, abdomen, upper legs, and buttocks. Treatment can be used as an adjunct to volume augmentation or combined with additional modalities for optimal results. Adverse events are related to the injection and include bruising, swelling, mild pain, and induration. In thinner and darker skin, too-superficial injections of less diluted CaHA can lead to more adverse events.

CONCLUSION

This report provides preliminary guidelines for the novel off-label use of CaHA for biostimulation in the face and body. Further trials will provide additional clarity regarding treatment paradigms for optimal outcomes.
Long-term postmenopausal estrogen therapy may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer: a cohort study
Authors: Ettinger Bruce , Quesenberry Charles , Schroeder David A. , Friedman Gary
Published: October 2018

Reports of a role of postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy in the development of breast cancer have been inconsistent. Although many epidemiologic studies have failed to show an association between short-term use of estrogen and breast cancer, there are indications that long-term use may present an increased risk. We undertook a long-term, retrospective cohort study of the incidence of breast cancer in women who had taken long-term estrogen (average 17.2 years), compared to women who had not taken estrogen. Subjects were 454 women born between 1900 and 1915, who were members of a large health maintenance organization in northern California. By the end of 1995, 26 (11.2%) of estrogen users developed breast cancer, as did 9 (4.1%) of the nonusers; the relative risk (RR) for estrogen use was 2.8 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.3-5.9]. Adjustment for age and multiple breast cancer risk factors, including breast cancer surveillance, reduced the RR for estrogen to 2.0 (95% CI 0.9-4.5). We conclude that long-term estrogen use is associated with a substantially increased risk of breast cancer.
Caloric restriction reduces age at menopause: the effect of the 1944-1945 Dutch famine
Authors: Elias Sjoerd G. , van Noord Paulus A.H. , Peeters Petra H.M. , Tonkelaar Isolde den , Grobbee Diederick E.
Published: October 2018

Objective:

To assess the effect of caloric restriction, as endured during the 1944-1945 Dutch famine, on the age at which natural menopause occurs and to identify specific vulnerable age periods in which caloric restriction has the largest effect.

Design:

This was a population-based cohort study conducted in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Between 1983 and 1986, 9,471 women aged 40 to 73 years at the time of interview were classified regarding their exposure to the famine. Age at natural menopause was obtained from all available data, retrospectively as well as prospectively. We estimated differences in mean age at natural menopause between famine exposure categories (not, moderately, and severely exposed), with adjustment for smoking, parity, socioeconomic status, body mass index, age at menarche, and year of birth.

Results:

Women experienced natural menopause on average 0.36 years earlier (95% CI: −0.60, −0.11) when severely exposed to the famine and 0.06 years earlier (95% CI: −0.22, 0.09) when moderately exposed compared with the unexposed women. This effect was particularly pronounced in those severely exposed from 2 to 6 years of age: −1.83 years (95% CI: −3.03, −0.63).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that caloric restriction decreases age at natural menopause. Early childhood seems to be a particularly sensitive age period for this effect.
Long-term risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms after early bilateral oophorectomy
Authors: Rocca Walter A. , Grossardt Brandon R. , Geda Yonas E. , Gostout Bobbie S. , Bower James H. , Maraganore Demetrius M. , de Andrade Mariza , Melton L. Joseph
Published: October 2018

Objective:

We studied the long-term risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy before menopause.

Design:

We conducted a cohort study among all women residing in Olmsted County, MN, who underwent bilateral oophorectomy before the onset of menopause for a noncancer indication from 1950 through 1987. Each member of the bilateral oophorectomy cohort was matched by age with a referent woman from the same population who had not undergone an oophorectomy. In total, we studied 666 women with bilateral oophorectomy and 673 referent women. Women were followed for a median of 24 years, and depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using a structured questionnaire via a direct or proxy telephone interview performed from 2001 through 2006.

Results:

Women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy before the onset of menopause had an increased risk of depressive symptoms diagnosed by a physician (hazard ratio = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.04-2.26, adjusted for age, education, and type of interview) and of anxiety symptoms (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.33-3.95) compared with referent women. The findings remained consistent after excluding depressive or anxiety symptoms that first occurred within 10 years after oophorectomy. The associations were greater with younger age at oophorectomy but did not vary across indications for the oophorectomy. In addition, treatment with estrogen to age 50 years in women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy at younger ages did not modify the risk.

Conclusions:

Bilateral oophorectomy performed before the onset of menopause is associated with an increased long-term risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
History of hot flashes and aortic calcification among postmenopausal women
Authors: Thurston Rebecca C. , Kuller Lewis H. , Edmundowicz Daniel , Matthews Karen A.
Published: October 2018

Objective:

Menopausal hot flashes are considered largely a quality-of-life issue. However, emerging research also links hot flashes to cardiovascular risk. In some investigations, this risk is particularly apparent among women using hormone therapy. The aim of this study was to determine whether a longer history of reported hot flashes over the study period was associated with greater aortic and coronary artery calcification. Interactions with hormone therapy use were examined in an exploratory fashion.

Methods:

Participants included 302 women participating in the Healthy Women Study, a longitudinal study of cardiovascular risk during perimenopause and postmenopause, which was initiated in 1983. Hot flashes (any/none) were assessed when women were 1, 2, 5, and 8 years postmenopausal. Electron beam tomography measures of coronary artery calcification and aortic calcification were completed in 1997-2004. Associations between the number of visits with report of hot flashes, divided by the number of visits attended, and aortic or coronary artery calcification (transformed) were examined in linear regression models. Interactions by hormone therapy use were evaluated.

Results:

Among women using hormone therapy, a longer history of reported hot flashes was associated with increased aortic calcification, controlling for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (b = 2.87, SE = 1.21, P < 0.05). There were no significant associations between history of hot flashes and coronary artery calcification.

Conclusions:

Among postmenopausal women using hormone therapy, a longer history of reported hot flashes measured prospectively was associated with increased aortic calcification, controlling for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Hot flashes may signal adverse cardiovascular changes among certain postmenopausal women.