bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Think tank: Meaningful management in a postmodern society
Authors: Lacan Arnaud
Published: February 2019

Saturated values no longer describe the reality of the times. Today's postmodern environment requires new managerial practices to ensure that business processes render organizations meaningful. Unlike the modern era, which focused on economic efficiency and productivity, the prevailing climate values creativity, emotional connection, and balance in personal and work life. In this postmodern context, managers must tailor their approach to employee expectations, and concentrate on the regulation of human relationships rather than individual performance control. Instead of exercising the power that comes with their position, they need to use their authority to foster happiness through trust and caring at work. In so doing, they have to relay information, be meaningful, animate those around them, regulate working relationships, and serve as leaders.
Taking the long view on resilience and sustainability with 5Cs at B. Grimm
Authors: Suriyankietkaew Suparak
Published: February 2019

In an age of disruption, uncertainty, and constant change, resilience and sustainability are critical to business success. Practitioners concerned with ensuring the longevity of their firm can learn much from the experiences of 140‐year‐old B. Grimm of Thailand, which evolved from a modest pharmacy into a leading multinational enterprise in Asia. A review of the company's history and interviews with its leaders reveal five basic elements—the 5Cs—that underlie a humanistic management strategy focused on the growth and development of all stakeholders. Integrated into every aspect of the organization's operations, they are: crafting a strong corporate culture and values; cultivating compassion‐oriented people management; caring for stakeholders through ethics, social and environmental responsibility, and cooperative partnership; continuing innovation with high quality; and considering long‐term adaptability and agility.
Perioperative outcomes of extensive bowel resection during cytoreductive surgery in patients with advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: Son Joo‐Hyuk , Kong Tae‐Wook , Paek Jiheum , Chang Suk‐Joon , Ryu Hee‐Sug
Published: February 2019

Background and Objectives

To achieve optimal cytoreduction, extensive bowel resections are sometimes required in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Few studies have focused on the extent or number of resections of bowel surgeries and their feasibility.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent bowel surgery as part of debulking procedures at Ajou University Hospital from 2006 to 2018. Patients who received extensive bowel resections (two‐segment resections or subtotal colectomy) were identified, and their perioperative outcomes were evaluated.

Results

A total of 172 patients underwent bowel surgery. Of them, 128 (74.4%) underwent one‐segment bowel resection, 25 (14.5%) underwent two‐segment bowel resections, and 19 (11.1%) underwent subtotal colectomy. Although the operative time, transfusion rate, and postoperative bleeding events were higher in patients who underwent extensive bowel resection, the rates of perioperative complications were not significantly higher in this group. Anastomotic leakage occurred in two (1.5%) patients in the one‐segment resection group, one (4.2%) patient in the multiple resection group, and two (10.5%) patients in the subtotal colectomy group.

Conclusions

Multiple bowel resections (up to two segments) are feasible and can be safely performed with an acceptable complication rate in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.
Factors of success of low‐dose macrolides in chronic sinusitis: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Seresirikachorn Kachorn , Suwanparin Nichana , Srisunthornphanich Chanyanuch , Chitsuthipakorn Wirach , Kanjanawasee Dichapong , Snidvongs Kornkiat
Published: February 2019

Objective

To assess the prognostic factors that predict favorable outcomes of low‐dose macrolides (LDMs) in treating chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Methods

Randomized controlled trials studying the effects of LDMs in treating CRS were included. Data were pooled for meta‐analysis. Primary outcome was Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT). Six prognostic factors: CRS subtypes, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E level, membered lactone ring of macrolides, concurrent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), and dosage and duration of the LDMs were assessed by subgroup analyses.

Results

Ten studies (608 patients) met the inclusion criteria. LDMs and placebo were not different in SNOT improvement (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.69 to 0.24). Subgroup analyses showed that the effects favored LDMs in the patients with CRS without polyps (SMD = −0.64, 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.27) compared to CRS with polyps, and the patients receiving a half dose (SMD = −0.64, 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.27) compared to a very low dose. There was no difference in SNOT improvement between LDMs plus standard treatment compared to standard treatment (SMD = −0.52, 95% CI: −1.57 to 0.53). Subgroup analyses showed that the effects favored LDMs in the patients receiving LDMs for a duration of 24 weeks (SMD = −1.68, 95% CI: −2.40 to −0.95) compared to 8 and 12 weeks. There was no difference between the 14‐membered and 15‐membered ring LDMs. Assessment of concurrent ESS found mixed results. Serum IgE level could not be assessed.

Conclusions

LDMs provided favorable outcomes in patients with CRS without polyps. A half dose of macrolides should be given for a duration of 24 weeks.

Level of Evidence

1a

Laryngoscope, 129:1510–1519, 2019
Highest plasticity of carbon‐concentrating mechanisms in earliest evolved phytoplankton
Authors: Van de Waal Dedmer B. , Brandenburg Karen M. , Keuskamp Joost , Trimborn Scarlett , Rokitta Sebastian , Kranz Sven A. , Rost Björn
Published: February 2019

Phytoplankton photosynthesis strongly relies on the operation of carbon‐concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) to accumulate CO2 around their carboxylating enzyme ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO). Earlier evolved phytoplankton groups were shown to exhibit higher CCM activities to compensate for their RuBisCO with low CO2 specificities. Here, we tested whether earlier evolved phytoplankton groups also exhibit a higher CCM plasticity. To this end, we collected data from literature and applied a Bayesian linear meta‐analytic model. Our results show that with elevated pCO2, photosynthetic CO2 affinities decreased strongest and most consistent for the earlier evolved groups, i.e., cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates, while CO2‐dependent changes in affinities for haptophytes and diatoms were smaller and less consistent. In addition, responses of maximum photosynthetic rates toward elevated pCO2 were generally small and inconsistent across species. Our results demonstrate that phytoplankton groups with an earlier origin possess a high CCM plasticity, whereas more recently evolved groups do not, which likely results from evolved differences in the CO2 specificity of RuBisCO.
Mathematical Modeling and Experimental Study of Water Diffusion and Swelling in Polymer Films
Authors: Gagliardi Mariacristina
Published: February 2019

Water diffusion and swelling of polymer films can be modeled by nonlinear diffusion equations with fixed or moving boundaries, investigating the Fick and the Stefan problems. To form a better view of the dynamics of the problems, this paper reports the mathematical modeling of water diffusion with linear and nonlinear diffusion coefficients by using the finite element method, and the description of boundary movements calculated with a fully implicit upwind scheme. Experimental results are used to support theoretical data. It is found that porosity strongly affects diffusion properties and proposed models describe analyzed phenomena with high reliability. Models describing water diffusion and volume increase after swelling will be considered in future studies involving degradable and erodible matrices.
Experimental analysis and comparison between cross‐shaped metamaterial absorber and its complementary structure
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Lili , Song Jian , Li Minhua
Published: February 2019

In this article, cross‐shaped metamaterial absorber (CSMA) and its complementary structure (CCSMA) with uniform parameters are experimentally analyzed in details. Perfect absorptions with intensities over 99.5% have been achieved at 4.99 GHz for CSMA and 5.39 GHz for CCSMA, respectively, both of which are equipped with polarization insensitive performance. For transverse electric (TE) mode, the parameter FSOIAs (frequency sensitivity of oblique incident angles) of these 2 absorbers is nearly the same with little values. However, the absorption peaks of the complementary one shift obviously to lower frequencies with wider transverse magnetic (TM) incident angles, and the FSOIA reaches up to 0.98% in simulation (0.66% in experiments), which is nearly 5 times stronger than that for TE situation. Besides, detailed comparison about the effective material parameters including relative permittivity, permeability, and relative impedance have been conducted by S‐parameter retrieval method. Microwave experiments are performed to successfully demonstrate the numerical results.
Reconciling PC‐MRI and CFD: An in‐vitro study
Authors: Puiseux Thomas , Sewonu Anou , Meyrignac Olivier , Rousseau Hervé , Nicoud Franck , Mendez Simon , Moreno Ramiro
Published: February 2019

Several well‐resolved 4D Flow MRI acquisitions of an idealized rigid flow phantom featuring an aneurysm, a curved channel as well as a bifurcation were performed under pulsatile regime. The resulting hemodynamics were processed to remove MRI artifacts. Subsequently, they were compared with CFD predictions computed on the same flow domain, using an in‐house high‐order low dissipative flow solver. Results show that reaching a good agreement is not straightforward but requires proper treatments of both techniques. Several sources of discrepancies are highlighted and their impact on the final correlation evaluated. While a very poor correlation (r2 = 0.63) is found in the entire domain between raw MRI and CFD data, correlation as high as r2 = 0.97 is found when artifacts are removed by post‐processing the MR data and down sampling the CFD results to match the MRI spatial and temporal resolutions. This work demonstrates that, in a well‐controlled environment, both PC‐MRI and CFD might bring reliable and correlated flow quantities when a proper methodology to reduce the errors is followed.
Explicit multistep time integration for discontinuous elastic stress wave propagation in heterogeneous solids
Authors: Cho S. S. , Kolman R. , González J. A. , Park K. C.
Published: February 2019

A multistep explicit time integration algorithm is presented for tracking the propagation of discontinuous stress waves in heterogeneous solids whose subdomain‐to‐subdomain critical time step ratios range from tens to thousands. The present multistep algorithm offers efficient and accurate computations for tracking discontinuous waves propagating through such heterogeneous solids. The present algorithm, first, employs the partitioned formulation for representing each subdomain, whose interface compatibility is enforced via the method of the localized Lagrange multipliers. Second, for each subdomain, the governing equations of motion are decomposed into the extensional and shear components so that tracking of waves of different propagation speeds is treated with different critical step sizes to significantly reduce the computational dispersion errors. Stability and accuracy analysis of the present multistep time integration is performed with one‐dimensional heterogeneous bar. Analyses of the present algorithm are also demonstrated as applied to the stress wave propagation in one‐dimensional heterogeneous bar and in heterogeneous plain strain problems.
Anticholinergic and sedative medication use in older community‐dwelling people: A national population study in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Meer Helene G. , Taxis Katja , Teichert Martina , Griens Fabiënne , Pont Lisa G. , Wouters Hans
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To identify the proportion of older adults with a high anticholinergic/sedative load and to identify patient subgroups based on type of central nervous system (CNS)‐active medication used.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of a nationwide sample of patients with anticholinergic/sedative medications dispensed by 1779 community pharmacies in the Netherlands (90% of all community pharmacies) in November 2016 was conducted. Patients aged older than 65 years with a high anticholinergic/sedative load defined as having a drug burden index (DBI) greater than 1 were included. Proportion of patients with a high anticholinergic/sedative load was calculated by dividing the number of individuals in our study population by the 2.4 million older patients using medications dispensed from study pharmacies. Patient subgroups based on type of CNS‐active medications used were identified with latent class analysis.

Results

Overall, 8.7% (209 472 individuals) of older adults using medications had a DBI greater than 1. Latent class analysis identified four patient subgroups (classes) based on the following types of CNS‐active medications used: “combined psycholeptic/psychoanaleptic medication” (class 1, 57.9%), “analgesics” (class 2, 17.9%), “antiepileptic medication” (class 3, 17.8%), and “anti‐Parkinson medication” (class 4, 6.3%).

Conclusions

A large proportion of older adults in the Netherlands had a high anticholinergic/sedative load. Four distinct subgroups using specific CNS‐active medication were identified. Interventions aiming at reducing the overall anticholinergic/sedative load should be tailored to these subgroups.
Conditional validation sampling for consistent risk estimation with binary outcome data subject to misclassification
Authors: Gravel Christopher A. , Farrell Patrick J. , Krewski Daniel
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Misclassification of a binary outcome can introduce bias in estimation of the odds‐ratio associated with an exposure of interest in pharmacoepidemiology research. It has been previously demonstrated that utilizing information from an internal randomly selected validation sample can help mitigate this bias.

Methods

Using a Monte Carlo simulation‐based approach, we study the properties of misclassification bias‐adjusted odds‐ratio estimators in a contingency table setting. We consider two methods of internal validation sampling; namely, simple random sampling and sampling conditional on the original (possibly incorrect) outcome status. Additional simulation studies are conducted to investigate these sampling approaches in a multi‐table setting.

Results

We demonstrate that conditional validation sampling, across a range of subsampling fractions, can produce better estimates than those based on an unconditional simple random sample. This approach allows for greater flexibility in the chosen categorical composition of the validation data, as well as the potential for obtaining a more efficient estimator of the odds‐ratio. We further demonstrate that this relationship holds for the Mantel‐Haenszel misclassification bias‐adjusted odds‐ratio in stratified samples. Recommendations for the choice of validation subsampling fraction are also provided.

Conclusions

Careful consideration when choosing the sampling scheme used to draw internal validation samples can improve the properties of the outcome misclassification bias‐adjusted odds‐ratio estimator in a (multiple) contingency table.
Continuous Infusion Ketamine for Adjunctive Analgosedation in Mechanically Ventilated, Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Garber Paige M. , Droege Christopher A. , Carter Kristen E. , Harger Nicole J. , Mueller Eric W.
Published: February 2019

Objective

Ketamine is an N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate antagonist with emerging evidence assessing its use as a continuous infusion agent to provide concomitant analgesia and sedation. The role of ketamine as adjunctive therapy in mechanically ventilated patients is unclear. This study sought to investigate the impact of adjunctive continuous infusion ketamine on concomitant analgesic and sedative dosing while providing goal comfort in mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

This retrospective two‐center intrapatient comparison study included mechanically ventilated adult ICU patients who received continuous infusion ketamine with at least one other analgesic or sedative infusion. The primary outcome assessed percent relative change in concomitant analgesic‐sedative doses 24 hours after ketamine initiation. Secondary outcomes included percent of Richmond Agitation and Sedation Score (RASS) assessments at goal, adverse effects, and delirium incidence. Exploratory evaluation of independent factors associated with ketamine responders (50% or more relative reduction in analgesic‐sedative dosing requirements at 24 hrs) and nonresponders (less than 50% relative reduction) was performed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Overall, 104 patients were included. A total of 160 concomitant analgesic‐sedative infusions were used in combination with ketamine, most commonly fentanyl (98 [61.3%]) and propofol (46 [28.8%]). A 20% (interquartile range [IQR] −63.6 to 0.0, p<0.001) relative reduction in total analgesic‐sedative infusion pharmacotherapy was achieved at 24 hours after ketamine initiation. Analgesic and sedative infusion doses decreased at 24 hours (fentanyl: pre, 175 μg/hr [IQR 100–200 μg/hr] vs post, 125 μg/hr [IQR 50–200 μg/hr], p<0.001; propofol: pre, 42.5 μg/kg/min [IQR 20.0–60.0 μg/kg/min] vs post, 20.0 μg/kg/min [IQR 3.8–31.3 μg/kg/min], p<0.001). Median percent time within goal RASS improved after ketamine initiation (pre, 7.1% [0–40%] vs post, 25% [0–66.7%], p=0.005). No differences were observed in secondary outcomes between responders and nonresponders, except a longer non‐ICU hospital length of stay in responders. Independent factors associated with ketamine response included a lower body mass index, higher starting dose of ketamine, lower severity of illness, and need for multiple concomitant analgesic‐sedative infusions before initiation of ketamine.

Conclusions

Adjunctive continuous infusion ketamine promotes analgesic and sedative dose‐sparing effects in mechanically ventilated patients while improving time spent within goal sedation range. Further prospective research is warranted.
Solar photovoltaic capacity demand for a sustainable transport sector to fulfil the Paris Agreement by 2050
Authors: Breyer Christian , Khalili Siavash , Bogdanov Dmitrii
Published: February 2019

The Paris Agreement sets a clear target for net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the mid‐21st century. This implies that the transport sector has to reach zero GHG emissions mainly through direct and indirect electrification in the form of synthetic fuels, such as hydrogen and Fischer‐Tropsch (FT) fuels. The results of this research document that this very ambitious target is possible. This research analyses the global solar photovoltaics (PV) demand for achieving the Paris targets in the transport sector by the year 2050. The methodology is composed of the derivation of the transportation demand converted into final energy demand for direct electrification, hydrogen, methane, and FT‐fuels production. The power‐to‐gas (H2, CH4) and power‐to‐liquids (FT fuels) value chains are applied for the total electricity demand, which will be mostly fulfilled by PV, taking into account previous results concerning the renewable electricity share of the energy transition in the power sector for the world structured in 145 regions and results aggregated to nine major regions. The results show a continuous demand increase for all transportation modes till 2050. The total global PV capacity demand by 2050 for the transport sector is estimated to be about 19.1 TWp, thereof 35%, 25%, 7%, and 33% for direct electrification, hydrogen, synthetic natural gas, and FT fuels, respectively. PV will be the key enabler of a full defossilisation of the transport sector with a demand comparable with the power sector but a slightly later growth dynamic, leading to a combined annual PV capacity demand of about 1.8 TWp around 2050.
COWAT Performance of Persons with Alzheimer Dementia, Vascular Dementia, and Parkinson Disease Dementia According to Stage of Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Lim Kil‐Byung , Kim Jiyong , Lee Hong‐Jae , Yoo Jeehyun , Kim Ha Seong , Kim Changgyu , Lee Hojin
Published: February 2019

Background

The Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) evaluates frontal lobe and executive function. Therefore, it can be helpful in differentiating cognitive deficits. However, there are no studies comparing the COWAT performance according to the type and stage of cognitive impairment.

Objective

To compare performance among persons with Alzheimer dementia (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) on the COWAT according to stage of cognitive impairment.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Settings

University hospital rehabilitation psychology center.

Patients

We reviewed the medical records of 246 persons diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM‐5) and the Korean‐Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K‐IADL). Patients were divided into a control group, Alzheimer groups (amnestic mild cognitive impairment [aMCI] + AD), Vascular groups (vascular mild cognitive impairment [VaMCI] + VaD), and Parkinson groups (Parkinson disease‐mild cognitive impairment [PD‐MCI] + PDD).

Methods

Total scores (ie, total number of words produced in 60 seconds on the semantic and phonemic fluency tests of the COWAT) were analyzed. Secondary analysis included calculating percentage scores of words produced during each of the four, 15‐second segments from the total number of words produced in each trial.

Results

All MCI groups scored significantly lower than the control group on both semantic and phonemic fluency tests. Among the dementia groups, the VaD (mean ± SD, 5.6 ± 5.1) and PDD (5.5 ± 5.5) groups' scores were significantly lower and worse than that of the AD (11.0 ± 8.8) group on the phonemic test (P < .001). The difference in percentage scores was most marked between the PD‐MCI (17.0 ± 2.2) and PDD (1.2 ± 3.1) groups, followed by the VaMCI (13.3 ± 1.9) and VaD (5.6 ± 1.8) groups on the latter phonemic test (P = .007).

Conclusions

The COWAT is a sensitive test of frontal‐lobe and executive function impairment in persons with MCI. Decreased verbal output in the last 15 seconds of phonemic fluency test is significantly decreased and impaired in persons with VaMCI and PD‐MCI compared to persons with aMCI as they progress to dementia.

Level of Evidence

III.
Bent Knee Temporary Prosthesis to Support Early Ambulation after Transtibial Amputation: A Case Report
Authors: Decker Troy D. , Gradinar Yakov , Elert Sarah , Alexander Jason Q.
Published: February 2019

Postoperative immobility can exacerbate the physical and psychologic effects of limb loss. This case report presents a 37‐year‐old mother of two children who required a transtibial amputation. She received an early ambulation device called the bent knee temporary prosthesis (BKTP), which aids in early postoperative ambulation. Several early ambulation devices have been utilized in the past but have not found widespread favor. Although there is a paucity of research on this topic, available data suggest patient tolerance and benefit of early ambulation. A customizable, temporary below knee prosthesis such as the BKTP is valuable to study the safety and efficacy of early postoperative ambulation for improving outcomes for transtibial amputees.
What has de novo protein design taught us about protein folding and biophysics?
Authors: Baker David
Published: February 2019

Recent progress in de novo protein design has led to an explosion of new protein structures, functions and assemblies. In this essay, I consider how the successes and failures in this new area inform our understanding of the proteins in nature and, more generally, the predictive computational modeling of biological systems.
Ribosome protection by ABC‐F proteins—Molecular mechanism and potential drug design
Authors: Ero Rya , Kumar Veerendra , Su Weixin , Gao Yong‐Gui
Published: February 2019

Members of the ATP‐binding cassette F (ABC‐F) proteins confer resistance to several classes of clinically important antibiotics through ribosome protection. Recent structures of two ABC‐F proteins, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MsrE and Bacillus subtilis VmlR bound to ribosome have shed light onto the ribosome protection mechanism whereby drug resistance is mediated by the antibiotic resistance domain (ARD) connecting the two ATP binding domains. ARD of the E site bound MsrE and VmlR extends toward the drug binding region within the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) and leads to conformational changes in the P site tRNA acceptor stem, the PTC, and the drug binding site causing the release of corresponding drugs. The structural similarities and differences of the MsrE and VmlR structures likely highlight an universal ribosome protection mechanism employed by antibiotic resistance (ARE) ABC‐F proteins. The variable ARD domains enable this family of proteins to adapt the protection mechanism for several classes of ribosome‐targeting drugs. ARE ABC‐F genes have been found in numerous pathogen genomes and multi‐drug resistance conferring plasmids. Collectively they mediate resistance to a broader range of antimicrobial agents than any other group of resistance proteins and play a major role in clinically significant drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria. Here, we review the recent structural and biochemical findings on these emerging resistance proteins, offering an update of the molecular basis and implications for overcoming ABC‐F conferred drug resistance.
Robotics‐assisted versus conventional manual approaches for total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of comparative studies
Authors: Han Peng‐fei , Chen Cheng‐long , Zhang Zhi‐liang , Han Yi‐chen , Wei Lei , Li Peng‐cui , Wei Xiao‐chun
Published: February 2019

Background

Several studies have compared robotics‐assisted (RA) and conventional manual (CM) approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA), but their results are controversial.

Methods

A literature search was conducted for controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing the clinical efficacy of the RA and CM approaches for THA and published between August 1998 and August 2018. The obtained data were analyzed using the statistical software Review Manager 5.3.

Results

Fourteen articles were included in the meta‐analysis, which revealed that the RA group had less intraoperative complications, better cup angle, and more cases of cup placement in the safe zone than the CM group. However, the operation time required for the CM group was less than that required for the RA group. Moreover, postoperative complications (eg, dislocation and revision surgery) were less frequent in the CM group than in the RA group. However, the two groups had similar functional scores, total number of complications, and rate of occurrence of limb length discrepancy.

Conclusion

Compared with the CM approach, the RA approach yields better radiological outcomes and fewer intraoperative complications in THA, but similar functional scores.
A unified symplectic pseudospectral method for motion planning and tracking control of 3D underactuated overhead cranes
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Liu Jie , Zhang Yong , Shi Boyang , Jiang Dianheng , Peng Haijun
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a unified symplectic pseudospectral method for motion planning and tracking control of 3D underactuated overhead cranes is proposed. A feasible reference trajectory taking constraints into consideration is first generated offline by the symplectic pseudospectral optimal control method. Then, a trajectory tracking model predictive controller also based on the symplectic pseudospectral method is developed to track the reference trajectory. At each sampling instant, the trajectory tracking controller works by solving an open‐loop optimal control problem where linearized system dynamics is used instead to improve the computational efficiency. Since the symplectic pseudospectral optimal control method is the core algorithm for both offline trajectory planning and online trajectory tracking, constraints on state variables and control inputs can be easily imposed and hence theoretically guaranteed in solutions. By selecting proper weighted matrices on tracking error and control, the developed controller could achieve control objectives in both accurate trolley positioning and fast suppressing of residual swing angles. Simulations for 3D overhead crane systems in the presence of perturbations in initial conditions, an abrupt variation of system parameter, and various external disturbances demonstrate that the developed controller is robust and of excellent control performance.
Robust stability analysis for fractional‐order systems with time delay based on finite spectrum assignment
Authors: Liu Lu , Zhang Shuo , Xue Dingyu , Chen YangQuan
Published: February 2019

In this paper, the robust stability of a fractional‐order time‐delay system is analyzed in the frequency domain based on finite spectrum assignment (FSA). The FSA algorithm is essentially an extension of the traditional pole assignment method, which can change the undesirable system characteristic equation into a desirable one. Therefore, the presented analysis scheme can also be used as an alternative time‐delay compensation method. However, it is superior to other time‐delay compensation schemes because it can be applied to open‐loop poorly damped or unstable systems. The FSA algorithm is extended to a fractional‐order version for time‐delay systems at first. Then, the robustness of the proposed algorithm for a fractional‐order delay system is analyzed, and the stability conditions are given. Finally, a simulation example is presented to show the superior robustness and delay compensation performance of the proposed algorithm. Moreover, the robust stability conditions and the time‐delay compensation scheme presented can be applied on both integer‐order and fractional‐order systems.
A stability criterion for asynchronously switched linear systems via sampled‐data control
Authors: Park JunMin , Park PooGyeon
Published: February 2019

This paper considers an asynchronous problem for sampled‐data control of switched linear systems, which are described as switched linear systems with an input delay. To handle the problem, this paper proposes a stability criterion for the systems by constructing a novel Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional dependent not on system modes but on controller modes. The functional continuously remains when the system modes are switched but discontinuously changes whenever the controller mode moves to the current system mode at the sampling instants. Furthermore, the functional is allowed to increase or decrease up to a certain level when the functional discontinuously changes and to increase up to a certain level when the system modes and the controller modes are asynchronous. Based on the functional, this paper derives an average dwell time associated with the interval of samplings and the incremental level of the functional for guaranteeing the stability of the systems. A numerical example illustrates the validation of the proposed method.
Fingerprinting the contribution of quarrying to fine‐grained bed sediment in a mountainous catchment, Iran
Authors: Nosrati Kazem , Collins Adrian L.
Published: February 2019

The contribution of quarrying in the context of multiple catchment sources of fine‐grained sediment has rarely been investigated. This study assessed the relative importance of quarrying as a sediment source alongside rangeland surface soils and channel banks in a mountainous catchment in northern Tehran, Iran, using fingerprinting. Eight geochemical tracers were measured on 24 potential sediment source samples and four fine‐grained sediment samples. Statistical analysis to select three different composite fingerprints for discriminating the potential sediment sources comprised: (a) the Kruskal–Wallis H test (KW‐H), (b) a combination of KW‐H and discriminant function analysis (DFA), and (c) a combination of KW‐H and principal components and classification analysis (PCCA). A Bayesian unmixing model was used to apportion sediment source contributions using the three composite fingerprints. Using the KW‐H composite signature, the respective relative contributions (with uncertainty ranges) from channel banks, rangeland surface soils, and quarrying were estimated as 28.4% (10.9–46.8), 15.1% (6.6–22.7), and 56.6% (38.3–74.2), compared with 35.4% (11.9–60.1), 13.4% (4.1–22.2), and 51.3% (26.5–74.3) using a composite signature selected using a combination of KW‐H and DFA, or 20.7% (3.9–41.7), 17.2% (4.4–29.9), and 61.4% (44–78.8) using a fingerprint selected using KW‐H and PCCA. The different composite signatures therefore all consistently suggested that quarrying is the dominant source of the fine‐grained sediment samples. Potential mitigation measures targeting this land use include closure to permit revegetation to reduce exposure of bare surfaces to sediment mobilization. Limitations and uncertainties associated with this preliminary investigation are briefly discussed.
Ultrasensitive Strain Sensor Based on Separation of Overlapped Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Lee Jaeyong , Pyo Soonjae , Kwon Dae‐Sung , Jo Eunhwan , Kim Wondo , Kim Jongbaeg
Published: February 2019

Although there have been remarkable improvements in stretchable strain sensors, the development of strain sensors with scalable fabrication techniques and which both high sensitivity and stretchability simultaneously is still challenging. In this work, a stretchable strain sensor based on overlapped carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles coupled with a silicone elastomer is presented. The strain sensor with overlapped CNTs is prepared by synthesizing line‐patterned vertically aligned CNT bundles and rolling and transferring them to the silicone elastomer. With the sliding and disconnection of the overlapped CNTs, the strain sensor performs excellently with a broad sensing range (≥145% strain), ultrahigh sensitivity (gauge factor of 42 300 at a strain of 125–145%), high repeatability, and durability. The performance of the sensor is also tunable by controlling the overlapped area of CNT bundles. Detailed mechanisms of the sensor and its applications in human motion detection are also further investigated. With the novel structure and mechanism, the sensor can detect a wide range of strains with high sensitivity, demonstrating the potential for numerous applications including wearable healthcare devices.
A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Eriocaulaceae: Evidence from nuclear (ITS) and plastid (psbA-trnH and trnL-F) DNA sequences
Authors: de Andrade Maria José Gomes , Giulietti Ana Maria , Rapini Alessandro , de Queiroz Luciano Paganucci , Conceição Adilva de Souza , de Almeida Paulo Ricardo Machado , van den Berg Cássio
Published: February 2019

The Eriocaulaceae are easily recognized because of the small unisexual flowers in long–pedunculate heads and spiraperturate pollen grains. Their monophyly has never been disputed but internal relationships within the family have not been broadly explored and genera are typically distinguished by few floral characters. Here, we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic study of Eriocaulaceae based on individual and combined molecular datasets, including the plastid psbA–trnH and trnL–F and the nuclear ITS. Results are largely congruent among DNA regions and support the internal dichotomy between the two subfamilies: Eriocauloideae and Paepalanthoideae. Eriocaulon and Leiothrix are strongly supported as monophyletic, whereas Paepalanthus, Blastocaulon, and Syngonanthus are not monophyletic. The phylogenetic nature of Actinocephalus is not resolved and Lachnocaulon, Mesanthemum, Philodice, Rondonanthus, and Tonina (monospecific) are represented in our analyses by a single species each. Based on our results, we suggest two principal generic realignments in the family. The first is the division of Syngonanthus in two genera: Syngonanthus s.str., including Philodice (conserving the former name against the latter), and Comanthera, which is being reinstated to include two sections segregated from Syngonanthus: S. sect. Eulepis and S. sect. Thysanocephalus. The second realignment suggested is the amalgamation of Actinocephalus, Blastocaulon, Lachnocaulon, and Tonina into Paepalanthus s.l. Three 'stat. nov.' within Paepalanthus are published (P. ser. Leptocephali, P. ser. Rosulati, and P. ser. Dimeri).
The South American Biogeographic Transition Zone: An analysis from Asteraceae
Authors: Urtubey Estrella , Stuessy Tod F. , Tremetsberger Karin , Morrone Juan J.
Published: February 2019

In order to elucidate the biotic diversification of Asteraceae inhabiting the South American Transition Zone, we undertook a panbiogeographic analysis (based on a parsimony analysis of endemicity) and a cladistic biogeographic analysis. The study units were the six biogeographic provinces of this zone plus the seven subregions of the Neotropical and Andean regions, considered as “outgroups”. Species analyzed belonged to the generaArnaldoa, Barnadesia, Belloa, Berroa, Chevreulia, Chuquiraga, Cuatrecasiella, Dasyphyllum, Doniophyton, Duseniella, Facellis, Fulcaldea, Gamochaetopsis, Huarpea, Hypochaeris, Jalcophila, Lucilia, Luciliocline, andSchlechtendalia. A parsimony analysis of endemicity, based on presence/absence data of the 66 individual tracks ranged on two or more areas, allowed to identify four generalized tracks: (1) Coastal Peruvian Desert and Puna provinces; (2) Central Chilean, Patagonian, and Subantarctic subregions; (3) Amazonian, Chacoan, and Parana subregions; and (4) Puna province and Parana and Chacoan subregions. The Puna and Parana provinces, connected with two different generalized tracks each, constitute nodes. A cladistic biogeographic analysis, based on the paralogy–free subtrees extracted from the taxonomic area cladograms ofBarnadesia, Chuquiraga, Dasyphyllum, Hypochaeris, and the Lucilia group, allowed obtaining a general area cladogram, which indicates a basic separation between the Atacama, Monte, and Prepuna provinces closely related to the Andean region, and the North Andean Paramo, Coastal Peruvian Desert, and Puna provinces closely related to the Neotropical region. Our results corroborate once again the transitional character of the provinces assigned to the South American Transition Zone, and allow speculating on their close affinities with the Andean and Neotropical regions.
Discovery of a new, recurrently formed Potamogeton hybrid in Europe and Africa: Molecular evidence and morphological comparison of different clones
Authors: Zalewska-Gałosz Joanna , Ronikier Michał , Kaplan Zdenek
Published: February 2019

A new Potamogeton hybrid resulting from crossing between P. nodosus and P. perfoliatus, and occurring in Europe and Africa is described here as P. ×assidens. The hybrid identity was unequivocally confirmed by molecular study of ITS and selected chloroplast DNA regions. In European populations, for which the maternal taxon was identified based on cpDNA as P. nodosus, maternally driven expression of characters may account to a large degree for shaping the range of morphological variability of the hybrid taxon. This was accompanied by a matroclinal concerted evolution observed at the molecular level in the ITS sequences. Our observations may suggest the presence of some genetic mechanisms that promote a higher impact of the maternal lineage on the expression and evolution of the hybrid variability both at the molecular (direction of concerted evolution in hybrids) and the morphological level. Distinctive characters of P. ×assidens and other morphologically close Potamogeton hybrids are discussed. The hybrid most similar to P. ×assidens, namely P. ×rectifolius, is typified.
The genesis of IOPB: A personal memoir
Authors: Heywood Vernon H.
Published: February 2019

An account is given of the circumstances that led to the decision to create the International Organization of Plant Biosystematics. The pioneer work of biologists on both sides of the Atlantic in biosystematics and experimental taxonomy is outlined, especially that of the San Francisco Bay group in the U.S.A.and that of J. S. L. Gilmour, G. Turesson, and J. W. Gregor on genecology and the deme terminology in Europe. The continuing need for a biosystematics perspective in our understanding of taxonomy at the species level and below is stressed.
Biosystematic relationships and the formation of polyploids
Authors: Buggs Richard J.A. , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E.
Published: February 2019

Since the discovery of polyploidy (the presence of more than two chromosome sets in a nucleus) a century ago, scientists have investigated and speculated about the factors that could promote polyploid formation. One of the oldest and most enduring ideas is that hybridization promotes whole‐genome doubling. First suggested by Ø. Winge, this concept was developed and refined by the major plant evolutionary biologists of the last century, and especially in the biosystematic thinking of J. Clausen, D. D. Keck and W. M. Hiesey. In the past few years, this issue has been revisited by various authors, using molecular systematic methods to study patterns of parental divergence in relation to the formation of polyploids. Progress in molecular genetics and genome evolution also allows re‐appraisal of the mechanistic arguments put forward by earlier researchers. Here we survey and critically appraise developments in this field over the past century, and conclude that in the light of recent progress there is not currently persuasive evidence that hybridization between divergent parents serves as a driver for polyploidization.
Challenges in polyploid phylogenetic reconstruction: A case story from the arctic‐alpineCerastium alpinumcomplex
Authors: Brysting Anne K. , Mathiesen Cecilie , Marcussen Thomas
Published: February 2019

Here we illustrate and discuss the major challenges involved in reticulate phylogenetic reconstruction, with special reference to single‐ and low‐copy nuclear data (the RNA polymerase genes) produced for the polyploid Cerastium alpinum group and close relatives. The dynamic nature of polyploid genomes paves the way for evolutionary novelty, and is obviously an important clue for the evolutionary success of polyploid plants, but at the same time it also creates problems in reconstructing the evolutionary history of polyploids. Nascent allopolyploids will hold two homoeologous copies of every gene that is initially single‐copy in the parental species; however, immediately after the polyploidization event, modification of the polyploid genome starts, involving gene silencing, pseudogenization and divergence of duplicated genes. Identifying the signatures of reticulation, especially when dealing with old polyploids, may thus be a huge challenge. Sorting of ancestral/diploid variation in the polyploids and additional gene losses and duplications not associated with polyploidy may further complicate the case. Besides these general problems related to incongruent gene and organism lineage phylogenies, there are also several methodological challenges connected with retrieving sequence information from polyploids, such as polymerase errors, differential amplification of homoeologs (PCR selection), generation of chimeric sequences during PCR, and selection of shorter and more common fragments and insertion of incorrect fragments during the cloning reaction.
The first phylogenetic analysis of Tetrastigma (Miq.) Planch., the host of Rafflesiaceae
Authors: Chen Pingting , Chen Longqing , Wen Jun
Published: February 2019

Tetrastigma (Vitaceae) comprises about 95 species widely distributed throughout subtropical and tropical Asia, and extending to Australia. The genus is best known for being the host plants of Rafflesia, with the largest flower in the world, and other members of Rafflesiaceae. The phylogeny of Tetrastigma, however, remains poorly known. Four plastid markers (atpB‐ rbcL, psbA‐trnH, trnL‐trnF intergenic spacers, rps16 intron) were employed to infer the first phylogeny of Tetrastigma. Our sampling included eleven reported host species of Rafflesiaceae, being scattered in seven major clades throughout the Tetrastigma tree. A Templeton test rejected the hypothesis of a single origin of the parasite‐host relationship between Rafflesiaceae and Tetrastigma. Analysis of 114 accessions representing 53 species and four varieties throughout the distributional range of the genus provided robust support for the monophyly of Tetrastigma, yet Tetrastigma was found to be nested within Cayratia. Tetrastigma subg. Palmicirrata from the Sino‐Himalayan region was nested within the large and widely distributed T. subg. Tetrastigma. Two major clades (clades A and F) in our phylogeny correspond to T. sect. Tetrastigma and T. sect. Carinata of subgenus Tetrastigma, respectively.
Western Eurasian–western North American disjunct plant taxa: The dry‐adapted ends of formerly widespread north temperate mesic lineages—and examples of long‐distance dispersal
Authors: Kadereit Joachim W. , Baldwin Bruce G.
Published: February 2019

By reviewing 25 cases of western Eurasian–western North American disjunct flowering plant taxa, we sought to improve understanding of the origin of this type of biogeographic pattern. In nine of the groups studied, phylogenetic and other evidence (often circumstantial) was found for parallel evolutionary shifts of widespread Northern Hemisphere lineages into dry environments in western Eurasia and western North America (Asteraceae‐Cichorieae, Chenopodiaceae‐Betoideae, Descurainia, Ericaceae‐Arbutoideae, Papaver, Platanus, Antirrhineae‐Maurandya group, Anemone, Styrax). Lotus s.l. also represents independent evolution of dryland taxa but is polyphyletic. Six taxa (Daucus, Erodium, Oligomeris, Plantago, Polycarpon, Senecio) and probably four others (Chenopodiaceae‐Camphorosmeae, California, Antirrhineae‐Gambelia group, Antirrhineae‐Antirrhinum group) are likely examples of long‐distance dispersal between western Eurasia and western North America. In Asteraceae‐Gnaphalieae either parallel evolution or long‐distance dispersal might explain the disjunction. Migration across a Beringian or North Atlantic Land Bridge appears a possible explanation for only three of the 25 disjunctions (Datisca, Cicendia, Zeltnera/Exaculum/Schenkia) based on taxon ecology and divergence times. The disjunction in Cercis remains unexplained. In short, independent ecological shifts to dry environments and long‐distance dispersal probably account for the majority of taxon‐disjunctions studied; migration of lineages (pre)adapted to dry conditions across either the Beringian or the North Atlantic Land Bridges, much discussed in the literature, only rarely needs to be invoked. Based on the similar times of origin of disjunctions between western Eurasian and western North American taxa and those between East Asian and eastern North American plants, we conclude that these two patterns are best regarded as parts of an ecological, geographical, and temporal continuum.