bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Labor supply effects of long‐term care reform in Germany
Authors: Geyer Johannes , Korfhage Thorben
Published: April 2018

Many informal caregivers are of working age, facing the double burden of providing care and working. Negative labor supply effects can severely reduce the comparative cost advantage of informal over formal care arrangements. When designing long‐term care (LTC) policies, it is crucial to understand the effects not only on health outcomes but also on labor supply behavior of informal caregivers. We evaluate labor supply reactions to the introduction of the German long‐term care insurance in 1995 using a difference‐in‐differences approach. The long‐term care insurance changes the caregivers' trade‐off between labor supply and care provision. The aim of the reform was to strengthen informal care arrangements. We find a strong negative labor supply effect for men but not for women. We argue that the LTC benefits increased incentives for older men to leave the labor market. The results reveal a trade‐off for policy makers that is important for future reforms—in particular for countries that mainly base their LTC system on informal care.
Mechanical and migratory properties of normal, scar, and Dupuytren's fibroblasts
Authors: Viji Babu Prem Kumar , Rianna Carmela , Belge Gazanfer , Mirastschijski Ursula , Radmacher Manfred
Published: April 2018

Mechanical properties of myofibroblasts play a key role in Dupuytren's disease. Here, we used atomic force microscopy to measure the viscoelastic properties of 3 different types of human primary fibroblasts derived from a same patient: normal and scar dermal fibroblasts and palmar fascial fibroblasts from Dupuytren's nodules. Different stiffness hydrogels (soft ~1 kPa and stiff ~ 50 kPa) were used as cell culture matrix to mimic the mechanical properties of the natural tissues, and atomic force microscopy step response force curves were used to discriminate between elastic and viscous properties of cells. Since transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) is known to induce expression of α–smooth muscle actin positive stress fibers in myofibroblasts, we investigated the behavior of these fibroblasts before and after applying TGF‐β1. Finally, we performed an in vitro cell motility test, the wound healing or scratch assay, to evaluate the migratory properties of these fibroblasts. We found that (1) Dupuytren's fibroblasts are stiffer than normal and scar fibroblasts, the elastic modulus E ranging from 4.4, 2.1, to 1.8 kPa, for Dupuytren's, normal and scar fibroblasts, respectively; (2) TGF‐β1 enhances the level of α–smooth muscle actin expression and thus cell stiffness in Dupuytren's fibroblasts (E, ~6.2 kPa); (3) matrix stiffness influences cell mechanical properties most prominently in Dupuytren's fibroblasts; and (4) Dupuytren's fibroblasts migrate slower than the other fibroblasts by a factor of 3. Taking together, our results showed that mechanical and migratory properties of fibroblasts might help to discriminate between different pathological conditions, helping to identify and recognize specific cell phenotypes.
Point‐by‐point Pareto front exploration and adjoint sensitivities for rapid multi‐objective optimization of compact impedance matching transformers
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes a technique for rapid multi‐objective optimization of miniaturized impedance matching transformers. The key component of our methodology is direct exploration of the Pareto front in the search for a set of alternative designs that represent the best possible trade‐offs between conflicting objectives (here, the maximum reflection level within a frequency band of interest and the circuit size). In particular, starting from the design corresponding to the best electrical performance of the circuit, the subsequent Pareto‐optimal designs are obtained by a series of local optimizations with respect to one of the objectives, using the previously found solution as a starting point. The optimization is constrained not to degrade the other objective beyond a certain threshold (determining the spread of the solutions along the Pareto front). Low cost of the design process is ensured by exploiting cheap adjoint sensitivities. Our technique is demonstrated using an example of a compact 3‐section impedance transformer matching the 50‐Ohm source to the 130‐Ohm load and working in 3.1‐to‐10.6 GHz and range. For this example, 16‐element representation of the Pareto set is obtained at the cost of just 60 evaluations of the full‐wave EM simulation model of the transformer structure.
Modeling, optimal sizing, and allocation of DSTATCOM in unbalanced radial distribution systems using differential evolution algorithm
Authors: Samal Padarbinda , Mohanty Sanjeeb , Ganguly Sanjib
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes a planning strategy of distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) in unbalanced radial distribution systems for optimal DSTATCOM placement and rating. A popular metaheuristic algorithm called differential evolution is used to minimize various objective functions such as total system power loss, total zero sequence voltage unbalance, and total negative‐sequence voltage unbalance factor. Further, a modified 3‐phase unbalanced DSTATCOM model has been developed and incorporated in an unbalanced load flow algorithm for the computation of these objectives. The proposed approach using differential evolution provides better solutions as compared to an existing approach. A 25‐bus system and a 19‐bus unbalanced radial distribution system are considered as the test systems.
The Laacher See Tephra discovered in southernmost Sweden
Authors: Larsson Simon A. , Wastegård Stefan
Published: April 2018

We present the first geochemically confirmed finding of the Laacher See Tephra (LST) on the Swedish mainland, now the northernmost extension of the LST. Sediments were sampled at the Körslättamossen fen, southernmost Sweden, and a high‐concentration cryptotephra occurrence (>65 000 shards cm−3) of the LST was found in a sequence of calcareous gyttja. Tephra identification was confirmed by geochemical analysis using field‐emission electron probe microanalysis and through comparison of the results with published LST data from proximal sites and distal sites north‐east of Laacher See. The LST has previously been divided into eruption phases suggested to have spread in several dispersal fans, but it was not possible to confidently determine the phase of the tephra here closer than to the MLST or ULST. The finding of the LST presented here further strengthens the potential of tephrochronological studies in the south Scandinavian region.
Influence of high‐pressure processing on the generation of γ‐aminobutyric acid and microbiological safety in coffee beans
Authors: Chen Bang‐Yuan , Huang Hsiao‐Wen , Cheng Ming‐Ching , Wang Chung‐Yi
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of high‐pressure processing (HPP) on γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) content, glutamic acid (Glu) content, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity, growth of Aspergillus fresenii, and accumulated ochratoxin A (OTA) content in coffee beans.

RESULTS

The results indicated that coffee beans subjected to HPP at pressures ≥50 MPa for 5 min increased GAD activity and promoted the conversion of Glu to GABA, and showed a significantly doubling of GABA content compared with unprocessed coffee beans. Additionally, investigation of the influence of HPP on A. fresenii growth on coffee beans showed that application ≥400 MPa reduced A. fresenii concentrations to <1 log. Furthermore, during a 50‐day storage period, we observed that a processing pressure of 600 MPa completely inhibited A. fresenii growth, and on day 50 the OTA content of coffee beans subjected to processing pressures of 600 MPa was 0.0066 μg g−1, which was significantly lower than the OTA content of 0.1143 μg g−1 in the control group.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that HPP treatment can simultaneously increase GABA content and inhibit the growth of A. fresenii, thereby effectively reducing the production and accumulation of OTA and maintaining the microbiological safety of coffee beans. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Nutrient dynamics and stream order influence microbial community patterns along a 2914 kilometer transect of the Mississippi River
Authors: Henson Michael W. , Hanssen Jordan , Spooner Greg , Fleming Patrick , Pukonen Markus , Stahr Frederick , Thrash J. Cameron
Published: April 2018

Draining 31 states and roughly 3 million km2, the Mississippi River (MSR) and its tributaries constitute an essential resource to millions of people for clean drinking water, transportation, agriculture, and industry. Since the turn of the 20th century, MSR water quality has continually rated poorly due to human activity. Acting as first responders, microorganisms can mitigate, exacerbate, and/or serve as predictors for water quality, yet we know little about their community structure or ecology at the whole river scale for large rivers. We collected both biological (16S and 18S rRNA gene amplicons) and physicochemical data from 38 MSR sites over nearly 3000 km from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Our results revealed a microbial community composed of similar taxa to other rivers but with unique trends in the relative abundance patterns among phyla, operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and the core microbiome. Furthermore, we observed a separation in microbial communities that mirrored the transition from an 8th to 10th Strahler order river at the Missouri River confluence, marking a different start to the lower MSR than the historical distinction at the Ohio River confluence in Cairo, IL. Within MSR microbial assemblages, we identified subgroups of OTUs from the phyla Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Oomycetes, and Heterokonts that were associated with, and predictive of, the important eutrophication nutrients nitrate and phosphate. This study offers the most comprehensive view of MSR microbiota to date, provides important groundwork for higher resolution microbial studies of river perturbation, and identifies potential microbial indicators of river health related to eutrophication.
Hidden in plain sight: The importance of cryptic interactions in marine plankton
Authors: Millette Nicole C. , Grosse Julia , Johnson Winifred M. , Jungbluth Michelle J. , Suter Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2018

Here, we present a range of interactions, which we term “cryptic interactions.” These are interactions that occur throughout the marine planktonic foodweb but are currently largely overlooked by established methods, which mean large‐scale data collection for these interactions is limited. Despite this, current evidence suggests some of these interactions may have perceptible impacts on foodweb dynamics and model results. Incorporation of cryptic interactions into models is especially important for those interactions involving the transport of nutrients or energy. Our aim is to highlight a range of cryptic interactions across the plankton foodweb, where they exist, and models that have taken steps to incorporate these interactions. Additionally, it is discussed where additional research and effort is required to continue advancing our understanding of these cryptic interactions. We call for more collaboration between ecologists and modelers in order to incorporate cryptic interactions into biogeochemical and foodweb models.
A fast and sensitive method for the continuous in situ determination of dissolved methane and its δ13C‐isotope ratio in surface waters
Authors: Hartmann Jan F. , Gentz Torben , Schiller Amanda , Greule Markus , Grossart Hans‐Peter , Ionescu Danny , Keppler Frank , Martinez‐Cruz Karla , Sepulveda‐Jauregui Armando , Isenbeck‐Schröter Margot
Published: April 2018

A fast and sensitive method for the continuous determination of methane (CH4) and its stable carbon isotopic values (δ13C‐CH4) in surface waters was developed by applying a vacuum to a gas/liquid exchange membrane and measuring the extracted gases by a portable cavity ring‐down spectroscopy analyser (M‐CRDS). The M‐CRDS was calibrated and characterized for CH4 concentration and δ13C‐CH4 with synthetic water standards. The detection limit of the M‐CRDS for the simultaneous determination of CH4 and δ13C‐CH4 is 3.6 nmol L−1 CH4. A measurement precision of CH4 concentrations and δ13C‐CH4 in the range of 1.1%, respectively, 1.7‰ (1σ) and accuracy (1.3%, respectively, 0.8‰ [1σ]) was achieved for single measurements and averaging times of 10 min. The response time τ of 57 ± 5 s allow determination of δ13C‐CH4 values more than twice as fast than other methods. The demonstrated M‐CRDS method was applied and tested for Lake Stechlin (Germany) and compared with the headspace‐gas chromatography and fast membrane CH4 concentration methods. Maximum CH4 concentrations (577 nmol L−1) and lightest δ13C‐CH4 (−35.2‰) were found around the thermocline in depth profile measurements. The M‐CRDS‐method was in good agreement with other methods. Temporal variations in CH4 concentration and δ13C‐CH4 obtained in 24 h measurements indicate either local methane production/oxidation or physical variations in the thermocline. Therefore, these results illustrate the need of fast and sensitive analyses to achieve a better understanding of different mechanisms and pathways of CH4 formation in aquatic environments.
Enhanced Ionic and Electronic Conductivity of Polyacetylene with Dendritic 1,2,3‐Triazolium‐Oligo(ethylene glycol) Pendants
Authors: Wang Cuifang , Li Hongfei , Zhang Hengchen , Sun Ruyi , Song Wei , Xie Meiran
Published: April 2018

The ionic polyacetylenes (iPAs) with dendritic 1,2,3‐triazolium‐containing oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) pendants are prepared by metathesis cyclopolymerization. The dendritic triazolium and flexible OEG pendants endow the iPAs with low glass transition temperature of −29.0 °C and enhanced intrinsic ionic conductivity (σi) of 5.0 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 30 °C under anhydrous conditions. After solution doping with bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium (LiTFSI), the σi of iPAs reaches up to 5.2 × 10−4 S cm−1. When doped with iodine (I2), the iPAs exhibit high electronic conductivity (σe) of 1.3 × 10−5 S cm−1. If doped with both LiTFSI and I2, the iPAs demonstrate the best dual σi and σe of 8.3 × 10−4 and 1.2 × 10−5 S cm−1, respectively. Therefore, the dendritic triazolium‐OEG pendants‐functionalized iPAs display an improved conductive performance compared with the corresponding iPAs bearing dendritic triazolium‐alkyl pendants, or branched triazolium‐OEG pendants, before and after doping with different dopants, and will have the potential applications in electronics as the dual conductive materials.
A comparison between temperature dependent and constant Young's modulus values in investigating the effect of the process parameters on thermal behaviour during friction stir welding
Authors: Meyghani B. , Awang M.B. , Emamian S. , Akinlabi E.T.
Published: April 2018

One of the most intriguing joining techniques in aerospace and automotive industries is friction stir welding. In this welding, temperature has an important effect on the quality and the integrity of the weld. Welding parameters, on the other hand, highly affect the temperature. Many authors used finite element methods to study the effect of the process parameters on thermal behavior by using constant Young's modulus, while, it should decrease as the temperature increases. Therefore, the proper definition of the Young's modulus during the study of the effect of the process parameters on thermal behavior, will increase the accuracy of the model. In this paper, to properly investigate thermal behavior, temperature dependent and constant Young's modulus values are applied in different models to examine the accuracy of those models. In addition, the influence of the process parameters on thermal behavior is studied. More accurate results are obtained from the model in which temperature dependent values of the Young's modulus is used. The effect of the welding parameters and different Young's modulus values on the size, shape and temperature of the welding string zone is studied and reported in detail.
The effect of protein concentration on corrosion of nitinol alloy
Authors: Rozali A.A. , Masdek N.R. Nik , Murad M. Che , Salleh Z. , Koay M.H.
Published: April 2018

The corrosion behaviour for nitinol alloy under simulated biological conditions with the presence of proteins was investigated using electrochemical methods. The electrochemical tests were performed with the addition of bovine serum albumin with concentrations of 0 %, 2 %, 4 %, 6 %, 8 % and 10 % at 37 °C. The electrochemical method used in this study was potentiodynamics polarization to obtain the corrosion rate of the samples. The composition of the bio‐implant materials was studied using X‐ray diffraction. The samples showed that they did not undergo any significant change in term of composition. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that nitinol alloys have a good corrosion resistant towards all concentrations. Thus, nitinol alloys can perform well with or without the presence of protein‐containing solutions thus they are compatible to use as implant materials in human body environment.
Influence of deposition temperature on the corrosion resistance of electrodeposited zinc‐nickel alloy coatings
Authors: Beheshti M. , Ismail M.C. , Kakooei S. , Shahrestani S. , Mohan G. , Zabihiazadboni M.
Published: April 2018

Zinc‐nickel alloy coatings are electrodeposited on carbon steel from chloride bath using a technique of chronopotentiometry at different temperatures. The elemental composition and surface morphology analysis of zinc‐nickel coated samples are done using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The coated samples are immersed in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride solution and measurements of corrosion rate are done using linear polarization resistance. Scanning electron microscopy results show that deposition temperature variation has a strong effect which changes the surface morphology and elemental composition of zinc‐nickel alloy coatings. The nickel content in the electrodeposited zinc‐nickel alloy coatings increases with increasing deposition temperature. Uniformity and compactness of the coatings decrease with an increasing temperature. Cracks intensity increases with increasing deposition temperature which is attributed to internal stress due to factors that might be related to hydrogen evolution reaction. The linear polarization resistance results correlated with the morphology and compositional properties of zinc‐nickel alloy coatings deposited at different temperatures, that with an increase deposition temperature, corrosion resistance decreases. Zinc‐nickel alloy coatings with high corrosion resistance, compact and uniform morphology with less crack, and nickel content within the range of 12 wt.% to 15 wt.% are achieved with deposited coating at 25 °C.
On photosynthesis process with the interaction between two types of leaves
Authors: Dawidowicz Antoni Leon , Poskrobko Anna
Published: April 2018

The paper deals with the description of the mathematical model of photosynthesis process in two interacting (peripheral and shaded) leaves. The bioenergetic phenomena is described by six equations for surfaces, thicknesses, and levels of substrates of photosynthesis contents in two types of leaves. The well‐posedness of the problem and the uniqueness of its solution are proved. Computer simulation and its comparison with empirical results are presented.
Dynamical transition for S‐K‐T biological competing model with cross‐diffusion
Authors: Zhang Dongpei , Liu Ruikuan
Published: April 2018

The main objective of this paper is to study the dynamical transition for the S‐K‐T biological competition system with cross‐diffusion. Based on the spectral analysis, the principle of exchange of stabilities conditions for eigenvalues are obtained. By using the dynamical transition theory, 2 different types of dynamical transition for the S‐K‐T model are also derived. In addition, an example is given to illustrate our main results.
On a numerical method based on wavelets for Fredholm‐Hammerstein integral equations of the second kind
Authors: Micula Sanda , Cattani Carlo
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we consider a special kind of nonlinear integral equations, Fredholm‐Hammerstein equations. As done before we use an equivalent reformulation, for which collocation methods are more efficient. For the alternative equation, we use a collocation method based on Haar wavelets to approximate the solution. We discuss the convergence and error analysis of the method, showing that, at the collocation nodes, the order of convergence is higher than expected. The paper concludes with numerical examples, which illustrate the good approximations, conclusions, and ideas for future work in this area.
Topology‐based distributed optimization for multi‐UAV cooperative wildfire monitoring
Authors: Lin Zhongjie , Liu Hugh H.T.
Published: April 2018

Cooperative small‐sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can contribute to wildfire monitoring missions. By distributing UAVs into groups to cover different segments of the fire‐front contour, the mission efficiency can be improved. In this paper, according to the requirements of a wildfire mission, we formulate the multi‐UAV cooperation problem in a distributed network. A consensus‐based method is proposed to allow the group‐level cooperation among UAVs. The optimal UAV cooperation strategy is obtained through mathematical analysis. The effectiveness of the methodology is verified in an independent fire simulation environment.
Multiobjective fault‐tolerant fixed‐order/PID control of multivariable discrete‐time linear systems with unmeasured disturbances
Authors: Karimi Zahra , Batmani Yazdan , Khosrowjerdi Mohammad Javad
Published: April 2018

In this paper, a multiobjective fault‐tolerant fixed‐order output feedback controller design technique is proposed for multivariable discrete‐time linear systems with unmeasured disturbances. Initially, a multiobjective fixed‐order controller is designed for the system by transforming the problem of tuning the parameters of the controller into a static output feedback problem and solving a mixed H2/H∞ optimization problem with bilinear matrix inequalities. Subsequently, the fixed‐order controller is used to construct the closed‐loop system and an active fault‐tolerant control scheme is applied using the input/output data collected from the controlled system. Motivated by its popularity in industry, the proposed method is also used to tune the parameters of proportional‐integral‐derivative controllers as a special case of structured controllers with the fixed order. Two numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the design procedure and the flexibility of the proposed technique.
Alterations in the 5′ untranslated region of the 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene influence EPSPS overexpression in glyphosate‐resistant Eleusine indica
Authors: Zhang Chun , Feng Li , Tian Xing‐shan
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

The herbicide glyphosate inhibits the enzyme 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Overexpression of the EPSPS gene is one of the molecular mechanisms conferring glyphosate resistance in weeds, but the transcriptional regulation of this gene is poorly understood. The EPSPS gene was found to be significantly up‐regulated following glyphosate treatment in a glyphosate‐resistant Eleusine indica population from southern China. To further investigate the regulation of EPSPS overexpression, the promoter of the EPSPS gene from this E. indica population was cloned and analyzed.

RESULTS

Two upstream regulatory sequences, Epro‐S (862 bp) and Epro‐R (877 bp), of EPSPS were obtained from glyphosate‐susceptible (S) and ‐resistant (R) E. indica plants, respectively, by high‐efficiency thermal asymmetric interlaced polymerase chain reaction (HiTAIL‐PCR). The Epro‐S and Epro‐R sequences were 99% homologous, except for two insertions (3 and12 bp) in the R sequence. The 12‐base insertion in the Epro‐R sequence was located in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) pyrimidine nucleotide‐rich (Py‐rich) stretch element. Promoter activity tests showed that the 12‐base insertion resulted in significant enhancement of Epro‐R promoter activity, whereas the 3‐base insertion had little effect on Epro‐R promoter activity.

CONCLUSION

Alterations in the 5′ UTR Py‐rich stretch element of EPSPS are responsible for glyphosate‐induced EPSPS overexpression. Thus, EPSPS transcriptional regulation confers glyphosate resistance in this E. indica population. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Improving Interpretation of New and Old Serum Biomarkers of Drug‐Induced Liver Injury Through Mechanistic Modeling
Authors: Watkins Paul B.
Published: April 2018

The study by Mason et al. in this issue used mechanistic modeling and simulation to address how both the dose of acetaminophen consumed and the time since ingestion can be estimated from biomarkers measured in a single serum sample in mice. Translation into the clinic would potentially be an advance in the treatment of acetaminophen poisoning. Importantly, this approach could transform the evaluation of liver safety in clinical trials of new drug candidates.
A systematic review on intrusion detection based on the Hidden Markov Model
Authors: Ahmadian Ramaki Ali , Rasoolzadegan Abbas , Javan Jafari Abbas
Published: April 2018

Apart from using traditional security solutions in software systems such as firewalls and access control mechanisms, utilizing intrusion detection systems are also necessary. Intrusion detection is a process in which a set of methods are used to detect malicious activities against the victims. Many techniques for detecting potential intrusions in software systems have already been introduced. One of the most important techniques for intrusion detection based on machine learning is using Hidden Markov Models (HMM). In recent decades, many research communities have been working toward HMM‐based intrusion detection. Therefore, a large volume of research works has been published and hence, various research areas have emerged in this field. However, until now, there has been no systematic and up‐to‐date review of research works within the field. This paper aims to survey the research in this field and provide open problems and challenges based on the analysis of advantages, limitations, types of architectural models, and applications of current techniques. Six various architecture models for intrusion detection purposes are proposed in the literature. We compare these models based on performance criteria in order to select an appropriate type for a specific application. The results show that HMM‐based intrusion detection techniques have 6 main advantages—precise intrusion detection, ability to detect new and unknown intrusions, prediction of the intruder's potential next steps, usage in real‐time applications by processing data streams on‐the‐fly, usage of heterogeneous data sources as input, and visual representation of acquired knowledge relative to the other techniques of machine learning.
Functional Integrity and Gene Expression Profiles of Human Cord Blood-Derived Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Generated In Vitro
Authors: Dircio-Maldonado Roberto , Flores-Guzman Patricia , Corral-Navarro Julieta , Mondragón-García Ileana , Hidalgo-Miranda Alfredo , Beltran-Anaya Fredy Omar , Cedro-Tanda Alberto , Arriaga-Pizano Lourdes , Balvanera-Ortiz Odette , Mayani Hector
Published: April 2018

To date, different experimental strategies have been developed for the ex vivo expansion of human hematopoietic stem (HSCs) and progenitor (HPCs) cells. This has resulted in significant advances on the use of such expanded cells in transplantation settings. To this day, however, it is still unclear to what extent those stem and progenitor cells generated in vitro retain the functional and genomic integrity of their freshly isolated counterparts. In trying to contribute to the solving of this issue, in the present study we have selected and purified three different hematopoietic cell populations: HSCs (CD34+ CD38− CD45RA− CD71− Lin− cells), myeloid progenitor cells (CD34+ CD38+ CD45RA+ CD71− Lin− cells), and erythroid progenitor cells (CD34+ CD38+ CD45RA− CD71+ Lin− cells), obtained directly from fresh human umbilical cord blood (UCB) units or generated in vitro under particular culture conditions. We, then, compared their functional integrity in vitro and their gene expression profiles. Our results indicate that in spite of being immunophenotipically similar, fresh and in vitro generated cells showed significant differences, both in functional and genetic terms. As compared to their fresh counterparts, those HSCs generated in our culture system showed a deficient content of long-term culture-initiating cells, and a marked differentiation bias toward the myeloid lineage. In addition, in vitro generated HSCs and HPCs showed a limited expansion potential. Such functional alterations correlated with differences in their gene expression profiles. These observations are relevant in terms of HSC biology and may have implications in UCB expansion and transplantation.
Awareness, perceptions and determinants of urban sustainable development concerns – Evidence from a central province in China
Authors: Guo Dong , Cao Zi , DeFrancia Kelsie , Yeo Jiat Waye Genevie , Hardadi Gilang , Chai Sen
Published: April 2018

Rapid economic growth and urbanization have contributed to increasing concerns around sustainable development in China. Although urban sustainable development is often comprised of environmental, economic, social and governance aspects, most empirical studies on the public perception of sustainability have exclusively focused on the environmental aspect. Using extensive survey data from three representative cities in Henan Province, China, this study is a first endeavor to examine how perceptions of urban sustainability performance and concerns vary by demographic and socio‐economic status of local residents. This study documents that familiarity with sustainable development concepts is positively associated with education, income, party affiliation and personal health of individuals, while negatively correlated with age. In addition, this study has shown that the most severe threats to sustainability as perceived by citizens are air pollution, corruption, income and education inequality, and excessive industrial production. At the same time, economic indicators such as unemployment, poverty and consumerism are considered lesser threats than social inequality or environmental pollution. Furthermore, residents generally view the sustainable development performance of their cities as mediocre. While generally younger residents and residents with higher levels of education tend to be more critical and long‐term residents tend to be more forgiving, results frequently show that concerns and attitudes towards sustainable development by various socio‐demographic groups differ from city to city. This is strong evidence to support independent local policies tailored to the socio‐demographics of each individual city.
Multistep estimators of the between‐study variance: The relationship with the Paule‐Mandel estimator
Authors: van Aert Robbie C. M. , Jackson Dan
Published: April 2018

A wide variety of estimators of the between‐study variance are available in random‐effects meta‐analysis. Many, but not all, of these estimators are based on the method of moments. The DerSimonian‐Laird estimator is widely used in applications, but the Paule‐Mandel estimator is an alternative that is now recommended. Recently, DerSimonian and Kacker have developed two‐step moment‐based estimators of the between‐study variance. We extend these two‐step estimators so that multiple (more than two) steps are used. We establish the surprising result that the multistep estimator tends towards the Paule‐Mandel estimator as the number of steps becomes large. Hence, the iterative scheme underlying our new multistep estimator provides a hitherto unknown relationship between two‐step estimators and Paule‐Mandel estimator. Our analysis suggests that two‐step estimators are not necessarily distinct estimators in their own right; instead, they are quantities that are closely related to the usual iterative scheme that is used to calculate the Paule‐Mandel estimate. The relationship that we establish between the multistep and Paule‐Mandel estimator is another justification for the use of the latter estimator. Two‐step and multistep estimators are perhaps best conceptualized as approximate Paule‐Mandel estimators.
Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrodes with Wrinkled Surface for Nonvolatile Polymer Memory Device Compatibility
Authors: Chen Jie , Wang Xiangjing , Lu Hang , Liu Zhengdong , Xiu Fei , Ban Chaoyi , Zhou Zhe , Song Mengya , Ju Shang , Chang Qing , Liu Juqing , Huang Wei
Published: April 2018

A general strategy for high performance nonvolatile polymer memory devices, with wrinkled reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films as electrodes and common insulating polymers as active layers, is proposed. The fabricated device exhibits electrical bistability and nonvolatile write‐once‐read‐many times‐type memory, with a low switching voltage of 2.7 V, high ON/OFF ratio of 104 and desirable long retention time over 104 s. The resistive switching of the device might be attributed to carbon‐rich filaments induced by the wrinkled rGO surface. Moreover, this polymer memory device based on a wrinkled rGO electrode can be further applied to flexible data storage systems. The strategy combining such advances in polymer memory devices with simple structure, common materials, excellent reproducibility, and high performance will demonstrate great potential in permanent archival storage applications.
Small Molecules Make a Big Difference: A Solvent‐Controlled Strategy for Building Robust Conductive Network Structures in High‐Capacity Electrode Composites
Authors: Fu Xuewei , Wang Yu , Tuba James , Scudiero Louis , Zhong Wei‐Hong
Published: April 2018

Building robust conductive network with polysulfides adsorption function in sulfur cathode composites is critical for lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. Here, a very viable approach to realize this goal is reported. Only with the aid of a co‐solvent (acetic acid) of water, an advanced conductive network is established in the sulfur cathode without any additional treatment on the pristine materials. It is found that acetic acid surprisingly acts as an advanced co‐solvent and dispersant that can tune the chain structures of the binders and the surface properties of conductive agent and sulfur particles. Consequently, it notably strengthens the interactions among all the components, and helps build a functional and robust conductive network. The mechanical properties studied via rheological method and the electrochemical performance of the sulfur composites all are significantly enhanced compared with the counterpart using water as the solvent that has been traditionally viewed as a good solvent for preparing sulfur cathode with aqueous binders. This study reveals that the mixture of acetic acid and water is an effective solvent system for preparing high‐performance sulfur cathodes, and demonstrates that the rheological method is an important tool for characterizing mechanical properties of the electrode composites.
Nanosheet‐Assembled Hierarchical Carbon Nanoframeworks Bearing a Multiactive Center for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: He Ting , Ni Bing , Ou Yangchen , Lin Haifeng , Zhang Simin , Li Chaozhong , Zhuang Jing , Hu Wenping , Wang Xun
Published: April 2018

Designing noble metal‐free electrocatalysts with novel structure and high performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been long pursued in many electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies but remains a great challenge. Here, a novel zirconium‐porphyrin metal–organic framework (MOF) hierarchical nanoframework structure assembled by nanosheets is synthesized. Subsequent pyrolysis and acid etching of such material generates N‐doped hierarchical graphitic carbon nanoframework (N‐GCF) equipped with M‐N4 units. The N‐GCF catalyst demonstrates high ORR activity and stability with large diffusion‐limited current density (6.19 mA cm−2) and half‐wave potential (0.83 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode), which is one of the best carbon‐based ORR catalysts in basic electrolyte. Systematic experiments and characterizations reveal that favorable internal spaces and pores, unique hierarchical structure, and numerous nitrogen‐doped and metal‐N4 species synergistically contribute to the remarkably enhanced catalytic activity for ORR. This work is expected to expand the toolbox for the design and synthesis of MOF‐derived functional materials for electrochemical applications.
Multimodal Becoming: Literacy in and Beyond the Classroom
Authors: Lenters Kimberly
Published: April 2018

The author explores the possibilities that posthumanist thinking offers for amplifying our understanding of multimodality in children's literacies in school and beyond. Drawing on data from a five‐month case study on the multimodal literacy practices of six fifth‐grade students across home, community, and school settings, the author focuses on one 10‐year‐old student. The author uses the student's engagement with graphic novels as a starting place for considering what students’ entanglements with multimodal literacies beyond the classroom can teach us about multimodality in classrooms. The author first discusses multimodality as it is typically framed and then puts this framing into conversation with posthumanist perspectives on literacy learning to open up considerations of what counts as multimodality. Finally, the author discusses ways that thinking with posthumanist concepts such as affect, embodiment, relationship, movement, and place can enhance both multimodal literacy instruction and students’ engagement with literacy.
Stabilization of β‐Diketiminato Nickel(I) with Alkaline Metal Halide Entities for Small Molecule Activation
Authors: Holze Patrick , Braun‐Cula Beatrice , Mebs Stefan , Limberg Christian
Published: April 2018

The reduction of the β‐diketiminato nickel(II) halide complex [LtBuNiIIBr] [LtBu = CH(CtBuNdipp)2–, dipp = 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl] with potassium sources proceeds via the initial formation of [(LtBuNiI)x(μ‐Br)xKx] aggregates, which could be isolated and characterized for x = ∞ and 6. The KBr equivalents readily give way to external donors or substrates to be activated at the central nickel(I) atoms. To test, in how far the steric bulk induced by the residues at [LtBu]– influences the formation of the KBr adducts β‐diketiminato ligands with less steric congestion, namely LMe6 and LMe7 [LMe6 = CH(CMeNdmp)2–, LMe7 = CMe(CMeNdmp)2–, dmp = 2,6‐dimethylphenyl] were employed. Through deprotonation of HLMe6 with nBuLi followed by treatment with NiBr2(dme) the nickel(II) precursor compound [LMe6NiII(μ‐Br)2Li(THF)2] was prepared and shown to enter an equilibrium with [(LMe6NiIIBr)2] and LiBr in solution; [(LMe6NiIIBr)2] could be accessed also independently. Syntheses of the complexes [LMe7NiII(μ‐Br)2Li(THF)2] and [(LMe7NiIIBr)2] could be achieved analogously. To test the potential of nickel complexes with the LMe6 and LMe7 ligands for the activation of N2 the thf‐free [(LMe6/7NiIIBr)2] complexes were reduced with potassium in an N2 atmosphere. This led neither to a KBr adduct nor to an N2 complex but to the dimer [(LMe6NiI)2], as the smaller ligands allow an efficient interaction of the central nickel atoms with the aryl rings.
Lessons from Australian Water Reforms: Indigenous and Environmental Values in Market-Based Water Regulation
Authors: Macpherson Elizabeth , O’Donnell Erin , Godden Lee , O’Neill Lily
Published: April 2018

The Australian model of water governance is considered one of the most effective, efficient and resilient approaches to designing and implementing water governance. In place since the early 1990s, the Australian approach is a hybrid governance system involving collaborative planning of water resources together with market mechanisms and statutory regulation. However, in implementing the model, successive reforms have yet to completely redress the historical exclusion of Aboriginal peoples from water law frameworks, and have struggled to account for the needs of a healthy and sustainable aquatic environment. In this chapter we examine the trajectory of water law and policy reform in Australia, including two of the most recent developments: the push to intensify water development in the northern Australian White Paper and the collaborative planning approach set in the Water for Victoria policy. Our study of the incremental and evolving Australian water law reforms highlights the difficulty of ensuring fairness in the operation of hybrid governance systems for water regulation, and reveals important lessons for international policy-makers embarking on and implementing water reforms in their own jurisdictions. From its inception, strategic planning for innovative water law reform must be supported by meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples, and embed Indigenous and environmental values and rights in water planning and governance.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome After Distal Radius Fracture Is Uncommon and Is Often Associated With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Crijns Tom J. , van der Gronde Bonheur A. T. D. , Ring David , Leung Nina
Published: April 2018

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is frequently diagnosed in patients recovering from surgery or injury. The symptoms and signs included in consensus diagnostic criteria for CRPS are expected after injury. Categorizing symptoms and signs that occur on a continuum as disproportionate or not is subjective and prone to bias. Psychiatrists and psychologists do not diagnose CRPS and instead measure and treat anxiety and catastrophic thinking on its continuum. Given the expected variation in subjective diagnoses such as CRPS, this study addresses factors associated with use of this diagnosis and how it influences care.

Questions/purposes

(1) Among patients recovering from fracture of the distal radius, what factors are associated with the diagnosis of CRPS? (2) Are patients diagnosed with CRPS after distal radius fractures, as opposed to those without CRPS, more likely to have a bone scan, stellate ganglion block, therapy, or subsequent surgery?

Methods

Using the Truven database, we identified 59,765 patients treated for a distal radius fracture from 2012 to 2014, of whom 114 (0.19%) were diagnosed with CRPS. The Truven Health MarketScan database is an administrative claims data set of commercially insured patients and this analysis only included patients with complete enrollment from 2012 through 2014. Bivariate analyses sought differences between patients diagnosed with and patients not diagnosed with CRPS. All factors with p < 0.05 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

The covariates older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.029; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011-1.048; p = 0.002), gender (women at greater risk, OR, 3.86; CI, 1.99-7.49; p < 0.001), concomitant fracture of the distal ulna (OR, 1.54; CI, 1.05-2.23; p = 0.029), open fracture (OR, 0.414; CI, 0.192-0.895; p = 0.025), and comorbid fibromyalgia (OR, 16.0; CI, 4.92-51.8; p < 0.001) were independently associated with a diagnosis of CRPS among patients recovering from a fracture of the distal radius. Patients diagnosed with CRPS are more likely than other patients with a distal radius fracture to have had a bone scan (OR, 66.0; CI, 8.19-532; p < 0.001), physical or occupational therapy (OR, 3.89; CI, 2.68-5.67; p < 0.001), and subsequent wrist surgery (OR, 2.52; CI, 1.65-3.84; p < 0.001). No one had a stellate ganglion injection.

Conclusions

We found that a coded diagnosis of CPRS is uncommonly applied to patients on the higher range of pain, stiffness, and limitations after fracture of the distal radius—most commonly in women and in association with another nonspecific, objectively unverifiable diagnosis (fibromyalgia)—and that this label may lead to more testing and invasive treatment. Future research should address the utility and value of diagnoses that create subjective categories for aspects of human illness that occur on a continuum.

Level of Evidence

Level III, prognostic study
Lies, damned lies, and statistics
Authors: Norman Geoff
Published: April 2018

None
Neuroprotective effect of tanshinone IIA against neuropathic pain in diabetic rats through the Nrf2/ARE and NF‐κB signaling pathways
Authors: Feng Fa‐Bo , Qiu Hai‐Yan
Published: April 2018

The study aims to investigate whether tanshinone (TSN) IIA affects diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) via the Nrf2/AR and NF‐κB signaling pathways. Rats were randomly assigned into DNP group, TSN group (injected with TSN IIA), TSN + DRB group (injected with TSN IIA and 15 mg/kg Nrf2/ARE inhibitors), TSN + PDTC group (injected with TSN IIA and 60 mg/kg NF‐κB inhibitors) or control group. The first four groups were successfully established as DNP models after injection of streptozotocin. The blood glucose level, mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and antioxidase level were detected. Transmission electron microscopy and toluidine blue staining were utilized to observe the sciatic nerve. RT‐qPCR and western blot were used to measure expression levels of Nrf2/ARE and NF‐κB signaling pathway‐related genes. Blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) levels as well as expression of Keap1 and NF‐κB were increased in the TSN, TSN + DRB and TSN + PDTC groups compared to control group. Furthermore, the MWT, TWL, NVC, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and expression of Nrf2, heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) and inhibitory kappa B (IκB) decreased in the treatment groups. The TSN + DRB and TSN + PDTC groups showed similar trend when compared with the TSN group, while the opposite trend was observed in the TSN group when compared with the DNP group. Our study demonstrates that TSN IIA alleviates neuropathic pain by activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and inhibiting the NF‐κB signaling pathway in diabetic rats.
Propeller wake evolution mechanisms in oblique flow conditions
Authors: Felli M. , Falchi M.
Published: April 2018

In the present study the wake flow past an isolated propeller operating in oblique flow conditions is investigated experimentally. In particular, the investigation concerns a systematic topological comparison of the wake behaviour in axisymmetric and in oblique inflow conditions, for three inclination angles, and is focused on an analysis of the underlying mechanisms of wake evolution and instability. To this end, the experiment has been designed to investigate the dynamics of propeller vortical structures over a wide spatial extent covering the wake region from the propeller disk up to 4.5 diameters in the streamwise direction. Detailed flow measurements have been undertaken by particle image velocimetry (PIV), using a multicamera configuration with three cameras arranged side by side. This allowed simultaneous acquisition of a large flow extent at a spatial resolution adequate to resolve the smallest vortical structures involved in the process of propeller wake instability. The analysis has been based on both phase-locked averaged and instantaneous flow fields. The study extends the knowledge on the subject of propeller wake dynamics, highlighting the major hydrodynamic effects that non-axisymmetric propeller operating conditions exert on the mechanisms of wake evolution, instability and breakdown, such as asymmetric destabilization of the tip vortices on the leeward and windward sides of the wake, and the interference between the tip and the junction vortices, as well as the cause–effect relation between the breakdown of the blade trailing wake and the instability of the tip and hub vortices.