bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxytocin, vasopressin, and primate behavior: Diversity and insight
Authors: Freeman Sara M. , Bales Karen L.
Published: October 2018

It has become increasingly clear that the nonapeptide hormones oxytocin and vasopressin have more diverse behavioral and physiological effects across species and across individuals than was initially recognized. To reflect this variation, we would like to introduce our Special Issue, entitled Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Primate Behavior, by celebrating the diversity that is found across the articles within it. While every article directly addresses the topic of this Special Issue, they also vary in many characteristics: the species studied, the methods used, and the perspectives taken. By highlighting the interesting ways in which these articles differ from one another, we can gain unique insights into the subject that ties them together: our understanding of oxytocin and vasopressin and the behavior of primates. Nonhuman primates are critical intermediates between rodents and humans and are the best models for human biology and behavior, especially with respect to complex cognitive social constructs, such as visual social attention, face processing, and vocal communication. While rodent studies have laid an important and foundational framework for our understanding of nonapeptides, brains, and behavior, these studies cannot fully recapitulate human phenomena. Therefore, we hope the articles presented here contribute to a greater understanding on the role of oxytocin and vasopressin in primate physiology and behavior and help to further advance the application of this knowledge to human biology.
Adoptive cell therapy of tolerogenic dendritic cells as inducer of regulatory T cells in allergic rhinitis
Authors: Sun Wei , Wei Jia‐Wei , Li Hang , Wei Fan‐Qin , Li Jian , Wen Wei‐Ping
Published: October 2018

Background

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have become promising candidates for immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis (AR). The contributing role of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) in the augmentation of Tregs in AR remains to be determined.

Methods

The properties of tDCs in expanding Tregs and their potential to ameliorate AR were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Monocyte‐derived tDCs stimulated with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen 1 favored the generation of activated Tregs (aTregs) and suppressed effector T‐cell responses in a transforming growth factor‐beta/interleukin‐10 (TGF‐β/IL‐10)‐dependent manner in vitro. The adoptive transfer of tDCs inhibited allergic airway inflammation in the mouse model, whereas depletion of CD25+ cells or blocking TGF‐β/IL‐10 signaling eliminated the inhibitory effect, indicating that Tregs were involved in the anti‐inflammatory activity of tDCs.

Conclusion

Our data show that tDCs are a potential therapeutic target in AR.
Allergic rhinitis and the associated risk of nocturnal enuresis in children: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lai Pei‐Hsuan , Yang Pei‐Shan , Lai Wan‐Yu , Lin Cheng‐Li , Hsu Chung‐Y , Wei Chang‐Ching
Published: October 2018

Background

Despite controversy, an association between allergy and nocturnal enuresis (NE) has been reported for almost a century. Allergic rhinitis (AR)‐associated sleep‐disordered breathing frequently results in microarousals during sleep, decreased sleep efficiency, and change in sleep pattern and behavior. NE is a common sleep disorder in children. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk of NE in children with AR.

Methods

A population‐based cohort study was conducted among 327,928 children with AR and 327,601 non‐AR controls between 2000 and 2012 in Taiwan. By the end of 2012, the incidence of NE in both cohorts, and the AR‐to‐non‐AR cohort hazard ratios (HRs) were measured.

Results

The adjusted HR of NE during the study period was 1.7‐fold higher in the AR cohort compared to the non‐AR cohort. The risk was greater for boys, children younger than 6 years old, those with comorbidities of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and those who had more than 5 AR‐related medical visits per year. The risk of NE in the AR cohort decreased with follow‐up time and was the highest within the first year after AR diagnosis.

Conclusion

Children with AR had a higher incidence and subsequent risk of NE. The risk of NE was greater for boys, younger children, and those with more frequent health utilization for AR symptoms.
Unsupervised cluster analysis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp using routinely available clinical markers and its implication in treatment outcomes
Authors: Kim Jeong‐Whun , Huh Gene , Rhee Chae‐Seo , Lee Chul Hee , Lee Jaebong , Chung Jin‐Hang , Cho Sung‐Woo
Published: October 2018

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a multidimensional disease. In this study, we performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of CRSwNP using routinely available clinical markers.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients treated with endoscopic sinus surgery due to medically intractable bilateral CRSwNP from 2009 to 2017. Unsupervised cluster analysis was performed using a patient's clinical features, including age, peripheral blood eosinophil, tissue eosinophilia, Lund‐Mackay computed tomography (CT) scores, ratio of the CT scores for the ethmoid sinus and maxillary sinus (E/M ratio), and comorbid asthma. Tree analysis was performed to develop a clustering algorithm. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was performed to determine the revision surgery–free probability corresponding to each cluster.

Results

Data were available on 375 patients. Patients were categorized into 6 clusters comprising 2 asthmatic clusters and 4 non‐asthmatic clusters. The labels for the 2 asthmatic clusters were: asthmatic non‐eosinophilic polyp (cluster A1) and asthmatic eosinophilic polyp (cluster A2). The labels for the 4 non‐asthmatic clusters were: non‐eosinophilic polyp with older age (cluster NA1); non‐eosinophilic pol'yp with younger age (cluster NA2); eosinophilic polyp with lower E/M ratio (cluster NA3); and eosinophilic polyp with higher E/M ratio (cluster NA4). The 4‐year revision‐free rates were 100% (cluster NA1), 80.3% (NA2), 98.0% (NA3), 66.7% (NA4), 100% (A1), and 66.7% (A2). The clusters showed statistically significant differences in terms of 4‐year revision‐free rates (log‐rank p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Cluster analysis identified 2 asthmatic clusters and 4 non‐asthmatic clusters in CRSwNP. Each cluster corresponded to a different clinical outcome.
Single‐Spot Focusing with Plasmonic Phase Manipulation
Authors: Darak Mayur S. , Mote Rakesh G. , Shukla Shobha
Published: October 2018

The ring structure has an inherent symmetry that can be used to focus light to a single in‐plane spot for near‐field plasmonic applications. However, when excited with a linearly polarized light, it yields split focal spot at the center due to destructive interference of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Here, twin configurations of a slit‐based plasmonic lens for in‐plane focusing of a linearly polarized light are proposed. Lenses are designed based on the ring geometry in order to exploit symmetric nature of the ring structure. Either a metallic or a dielectric semicircular protrusion is introduced in the symmetric ring structure for compensating the phase mismatch between SPPs counter‐propagating from two sides of the ring. The focusing properties of the lenses are analyzed using finite‐difference time‐domain simulations. A single focal spot with full width at half maxima of 0.27λ0 and 0.28λ0 is obtained for plasmonic lenses with metallic and dielectric protrusions, respectively. Thus the diffraction limit is beaten by focusing the light to a subwavelength region of approximately quarter its wavelength. The lenses have potential applications in nanosensing, nanoimaging, and nanolithography, wherein closely populated focused spots are desired using linearly polarized excitation.
DNA binding and in vitro anticancer activity of 2‐((1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)methylamino)acetic acid and its copper(II) mixed‐polypyridyl complexes: Synthesis and crystal structure
Authors: Sabithakala Thatituri , Chittireddy Venkata Ramana Reddy
Published: October 2018

New copper(II) ternary complexes formulated as [Cu(N‐N)BIG]ClO4, where BIG is deprotonated 2‐((1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)methylamino)acetic acid and N‐N represents 2,2′‐bipyridine (1) or 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (2) or 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (3) or 1,10‐phenanthroline (4) or 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (5) or dipyridylamine (6), were synthesized and characterized using analytical and spectral methods. Complex 1 was characterized using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and found to be monomeric in nature with distorted square pyramidal geometry. The binding interactions of 1–6 with calf thymus DNA were studied using UV–visible absorption and emission spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The DNA cleavage ability of 1–6 with pUC19 DNA shows that the complexes can cleave DNA without any external agents. The ligand and complexes were investigated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The complexes showed enhanced antibacterial activities compared to the free ligand. Molecular docking studies of complexes 1–6 were made using Genetic Optimization of Ligand Docking (GOLD) software. The study indicated that LEU23, ASP25, ILE84, ASN144 and ARG87 of COX‐2 were important for strong hydrogen bonding interaction with the complexes. Among the complexes, 2 showed the best docking result with COX‐2. Cytotoxicity assay was performed using MTT reagent against human cervical cancer cells, human breast cancer cells and human lung cancer cells. The complexes were found to show moderate anticancer activity.
Cytotoxicity studies, DNA interaction and protein binding of new Al (III), Ga (III) and In (III) complexes with 5‐hydroxyflavone
Authors: Munteanu Alexandra‐Cristina , Badea Mihaela , Olar Rodica , Silvestro Luigi , Mihaila Mirela , Brasoveanu Lorelei Irina , Musat Mihaela Georgiana , Andries Adrian , Uivarosi Valentina
Published: October 2018

We report the synthesis and characterization of three new complexes of the natural flavonoid 5‐hydroxyflavone (primuletin) and Al (III), Ga (III), In (III), respectively. The physico‐chemical properties and structural features of these three novel compounds have been investigated by elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, molar conductance and several spectroscopic techniques, including FT‐IR, UV–Vis and mass spectra. Based on the experimental data, the general chemical formula of the complexes is [M (C15H9O3)3] · nH2O, where M is the cation and n = 2 for Al (III), n = 0 for Ga (III), n = 1, for In (III); each one of the three 5‐hydoxyflavone molecules acts as a monoanionic bidentate chelate ligand in the complexes. DFT calculations further sustain the proposed structures of the complexes. Cytotoxicity was studied using MTS assay on cervical, breast, colon and ovary adenocarcinoma cell lines. The central metal ions exert cytotoxic effects in a disparate manner: Al (III) enhances, while Ga (III) and In (III) decrease the cytotoxicity of the ligand. As a means to investigate the mechanism underlying the cytotoxic effects of the complexes, interactions with calf thymus DNA, human serum albumin and transferrin were also carried out.
Alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose in monolayer and bilayer films as wound dressings: Effect of the polymer ratio
Authors: Trevisol T. C. , Fritz A. R. M. , de Souza S. M. A. G. U. , Bierhalz A. C. K. , Valle J. A. B.
Published: October 2018

In this study, we investigated different proportions of alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) biopolymers in the formulation of films to act as wound dressings. With the casting method, monolayer and bilayer (BL) films were produced with alginate/CMC proportions (weight percentages) of 0:100 (0A), 25:75 (25A), 50:50 (50A), 75:25 (75A), and 100:0 (100A). Thin, homogeneous, and continuous films were obtained with glycerol and crosslinking with CaCl2. The fluid uptake, film stability, and morphological, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties were evaluated. A general tendency of the film characteristics was visualized: 50A had intermediary characteristics from both polymers; although the liquid behavior characteristics were improved with increasing CMC content, the mechanical properties worsened. When compared to the monolayer film (50A), the BL film 50A–BL demonstrated a better water vapor transmission rate. In this study, we demonstrated the necessity of varying the polymer concentrations to assist in the production of wound dressings. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 46941.
Thermal behavior of gradient charring materials with improved iterative method
Authors: Guo J. , Huang H. , Zhao Y.
Published: October 2018

The lightweight material of the thermal protection system for a reentry vehicle has become a trend in order to maximize the payload. To explore the effect of gradient density on the thermal behavior of charring materials, a pyrolysis layer model considering of variable density is developed and discretized with the central difference method. An iterative method is improved to look for the locations of the moving interfaces and boundary in each time step. Taken different gradient phenolic impregnated carbon ablator under a return trajectory heat flux for the Orion vehicle as example, their thermal behavior and effective heat capacities are simulated using the code written. Numerical results indicate that the gradient designs can improve the thermal protection performance of charring materials effectively. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47076.
One‐pot photoinduced synthesis of dansyl containing acrylamide hydrogels and their chemosensing properties
Authors: Uygun M. , Doganci E. , Tasdelen M. A. , Gurek A. G.
Published: October 2018

Novel fluorescent acrylamide hydrogel containing dansyl moiety (DNS‐gel) was synthesized via free‐radical photopolymerization of acrylamide/N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide by using dansyl chloride as a photoinitiator. DNS‐gel presented dual‐fluorescence emission when excited at 344 nm in acetonitrile:water (1:1) solvent system due to twisted intramolecular charge transfer between dimethylamino and naphthalene units in the dansyl moiety. Synthesized fluorophore containing gel was utilized as a fluorescent sensor against specific metal ions (Pb2+, Hg2+, Co2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+) and nitroaromatic compounds [1,2‐dinitrobenzene, 2,4,6‐trinitro‐1‐phenol [picric acid (PA)], 4‐nitrophenol, 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene, 2,4‐dinitrophenol (2,4‐DNP), and 2‐nitrotoluene]. Fluorescence intensity of DNS‐gel was diminished by degrees upon the infusion of metal ions and nitroaromatics. For all compounds, the greatest quenching effectiveness was attained in the presence of Co2+ (72.56%), PA (88.55%), and 2,4‐DNP, suggesting that DNS‐gel could be employed as a potential Co2+, PA, and 2,4‐DNP chemical probes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47096.
Elastic antibacterial membranes comprising particulate laden fibers for wound healing applications
Authors: Li Y. , Zhang C. , Zhu L.‐F. , Ahmad Z. , Li J.‐S. , Chang M.‐W.
Published: October 2018

Medicated skin care products are available in various forms; ranging from lotions and creams to bandages and membranes. In this study, antibacterial particulate laden fibrous membranes (FMs) were prepared via electrospraying of tetracycline hydrochloride‐loaded poly(ε‐caprolactone) particles alongside electrospinning of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fibers, through which both mechanical and biological aspects of a complete membrane system can be achieved. Random (R) and ordered (P and V) patterns of TPU FMs were afforded using a rotating collector. Water contact angle and bacterial inhibition zone tests were performed to assess suitability of the system specifically for wound care. Stress–strain and in vitro drug release tests were performed to assess suitability of newly developed systems specifically for hybrid membranes (HMs). The highest tensile strength (32.1 ± 4.9 MPa) with elasticity (104.2 ± 6.0%) and the most sustained release rate indicate HMs (P) are potentially suitable materials for wound‐care applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47105.
Effect of surface modification of titanium dioxide on the UV‐C aging behavior of silicone rubber
Authors: Zhang Hui , Yang Hao , Shentu Baoqing
Published: October 2018

Surface modification of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) by silane coupling agents and the ultraviolet‐C (UV‐C) aging behavior of silicone rubber (SiR) incorporated with the modified TiO2 NPs were investigated in this work. The SiR samples incorporated with TiO2 NPs displayed excellent stability against the UV‐C radiation. In order to improve the dispersion of TiO2 NPs in the SiR matrix, the surface of TiO2 NPs was modified with 3‐aminopropyl triethoxysilane and 3‐trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate, respectively. The surface modification of TiO2 NPs was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The dispersion stability of the pristine TiO2 NPs and surface silane‐modified TiO2 NPs was evaluated in an organic solvent (toluene). Effect of surface modified TiO2 NPs on the UV‐C aging behavior of SiR was evaluated in terms of the change of surface morphology, tensile properties, hardness, crosslinking density, and surface microstructure before and after the UV‐C aging. The results showed that surface modification of TiO2 NPs with silane coupling agents could improve the dispersion of TiO2 NPs in the SiR matrix. Moreover, the SiR with modified TiO2 NPs showed an improved aging resistance to the UV‐C radiation, compared with the samples with pristine TiO2 NPs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47170.
In situ synthesized and dispersed melamine polyphosphate flame retardant epoxy resin composites
Authors: Zhou Ting , Chen Wenhua , Duan Wenfeng , Liu Yuan , Wang Qi
Published: October 2018

The dispersion of flame retardants in polymer matrix has significant impact on the final properties of the final materials. Homogenous dispersion for additive type flame retardant powder in polymer melt or solution with high viscosity is a challenge all the time. In the present research, melamine polyphosphate (MPP) is employed to flame‐retard the epoxy resin (EP). Different from direct addition of MPP powder in viscous EP glue like conventional means, MPP is firstly synthesized by melamine and polyphosphoric acid in a good solvent for EP. Keeping fine and even dispersion of the produced MPP particles, EP prepolymer is added into the MPP containing solution. By this way, perfect dispersion of the flame retardant can be achieved both in the glue and the cured resin. A series of tests such as the particle size analysis, flammability evaluation, and mechanical properties tests are conducted to compare the MPP flame retardant EP obtained by this method and the conventional one. It shows that the in situ synthesis and compounding method can endow the MPP incorporated EP glue system with better homogeneity and stability, hence leading to higher flame retardancy and obviously improved mechanical performance of the final composite. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47194.
Rheumatic Syndromes Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Single‐Center Cohort of Sixty‐One Patients
Authors: Richter Michael D. , Crowson Cynthia , Kottschade Lisa A. , Finnes Heidi D. , Markovic Svetomir N. , Thanarajasingam Uma
Published: October 2018

Objective

To describe the prevalence, clinical presentation, and management of rheumatic immune‐related adverse effects (Rh‐irAEs) from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

Methods

From a database of all patients who received any ICI at the Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota campus between January 1, 2011 and March 1, 2018, we retrospectively identified those with Rh‐irAEs, using diagnostic codes, search terms, and manual chart review.

Results

Of the 1,293 patients who received any ICI, Rh‐irAEs were clinically diagnosed in 43. Eighteen patients with Rh‐irAEs who received ICI therapy elsewhere were also analyzed. Clinical syndromes included inflammatory arthritis (n = 34 [prevalence 2%]), myopathy (n = 10), and other rheumatic syndromes (n = 17). Inflammatory arthritis was most commonly polyarticular, and glucocorticoid treatment was required in 26 patients (76%). The mean ± SD duration of treatment was 18 ± 18 weeks. Five patients (15%) also received disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs, and ICI therapy had to be discontinued in 3 patients (9%). Myopathy was treated with glucocorticoids in all cases (mean ± SD treatment duration 15 ± 17 weeks) and led to 2 deaths and permanent ICI discontinuation in 9 patients (90%). Other syndromes included connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica–like syndrome, and flare of preexisting rheumatic disease. Most (71%) were treated with immunosuppression, with 12% requiring ICI discontinuation.

Conclusion

This study represents the largest cohort of patients with Rh‐irAEs reported to date. Most patients received long courses of immunosuppressive treatment, although discontinuation of ICI therapy was required in only a minority.
Altered Cervical Spinal Cord Resting‐State Activity in Fibromyalgia
Authors: Martucci Katherine T. , Weber Kenneth A. , Mackey Sean C.
Published: October 2018

Objective

Altered afferent input and central neural modulation are thought to contribute to fibromyalgia symptoms, and these processes converge within the spinal cord. We undertook this study to investigate the hypothesis that, using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) of the cervical spinal cord, we would observe altered frequency‐dependent activity in fibromyalgia.

Methods

Cervical spinal cord rs‐fMRI was conducted in fibromyalgia patients (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 17). We analyzed the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF), a measure of low‐frequency oscillatory power, for frequencies of 0.01–0.198 Hz and frequency sub‐bands to determine regional and frequency‐specific alterations in fibromyalgia. Functional connectivity and graph metrics were also analyzed.

Results

As compared to healthy controls (n = 14), greater ventral and lesser dorsal mean ALFF of the cervical spinal cord was observed in fibromyalgia patients ( n = 15) (uncorrected P < 0.05) for frequencies of 0.01–0.198 Hz and all sub‐bands. Additionally, lesser mean ALFF within the right dorsal quadrant (corrected P < 0.05) for frequencies of 0.01–0.198 Hz and sub‐band frequencies of 0.073–0.198 Hz was observed in fibromyalgia. Regional mean ALFF was not correlated with pain; however, regional lesser mean ALFF was correlated with fatigue in patients (r = 0.763, P = 0.001). Functional connectivity and graph metrics were similar between groups.

Conclusion

Our results indicate unbalanced activity between the ventral and dorsal cervical spinal cord in fibromyalgia. Increased ventral neural processes and decreased dorsal neural processes may reflect the presence of central sensitization and contribute to fatigue and other bodily symptoms in fibromyalgia.
The role of synoptic‐scale waves in the onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon
Authors: Huangfu Jingliang , Chen Wen , Wang Xu , Huang Ronghui
Published: October 2018

The role of premonsoon synoptic‐scale waves (2‐ to 10‐day oscillation) in the onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) is investigated in this study. The results indicated that the onset date of the SCSSM from 1979–2016 was related to the intensity of premonsoon synoptic‐scale waves. The more active the premonsoon synoptic‐scale waves, the earlier the SCSSM tended to be established. This study focused on the accumulative effects of premonsoon synoptic‐scale waves on the SCSSM onset because active years often included more than one process. According to the regression analysis results, three premonsoon synoptic‐scale waves influenced the onset of the SCSSM. First, waves over the southern Bay of Bengal (BOB) were related to Kelvin waves, which accelerated the intrusion of southwesterly winds over the BOB into the South China Sea (SCS). Second, waves over the eastern SCS were related to tropical depression (TD)‐type waves. Westerly anomalies south of this type of synoptic‐scale wave were favorable for the onset of the SCSSM. Third, waves originating from the north were hypothesized to be related to the mid‐latitude fronts. The mid‐latitude vortex moved northeast of the SCS and induced the intrusion of southwesterlies over the SCS. All three waves continuously enabled the westerly anomalies and affected the SCSSM. In addition, the combined effects of these synoptic‐scale waves were investigated. The results showed that active waves led to significant anomalous westerlies along the boreal tropical region and cyclonic circulation over the Philippine Sea. Anomalous convection was enhanced over the BOB and SCS, and the western Pacific subtropical high was suppressed. The combined intensities of these premonsoon synoptic‐scale waves indicated their potential for use as a new predictor of the onset of the SCSSM.
Web‐Based Applications to Simulate Drinking Water Inorganic Chloramine Chemistry
Authors: Wahman David G.
Published: October 2018

Two web‐based applications (WBAs) relevant to drinking water practice are presented to simulate (1) inorganic chloramine formation and stability, including an example inorganic chloramine demand reaction for organic matter, and (2) breakpoint curves. The model underlying both WBAs is a well‐established inorganic chloramine formation‐and‐decay model. The WBAs were developed to be freely accessible over the Internet as web pages (https://usepaord.shinyapps.io/Unified-Combo/ and https://usepaord.shinyapps.io/Breakpoint-Curve/), providing drinking water practitioners (e.g., operators, regulators, engineers, professors, students) with learning tools to explore inorganic chloramine chemistry in an interactive manner without requiring proprietary software or user modeling expertise. The WBAs allow the user to specify two side‐by‐side simulations, providing a direct comparison of impacts associated with changing simulation conditions (e.g., free chlorine, free ammonia, and total organic carbon concentrations; pH; total alkalinity; and temperature). Once completed, the user may download simulation data to use offline. The WBAs’ implementation, validation, and example simulations are described.
Self‐controlled case series studies: Just how rare does a rare non‐recurrent outcome need to be?
Authors: Whitaker Heather J. , Steer Colin D. , Farrington C. Paddy
Published: October 2018

The self‐controlled case series method assumes that adverse outcomes arise according to a non‐homogeneous Poisson process. This implies that it is applicable to independent recurrent outcomes. However, the self‐controlled case series method may also be applied to unique, non‐recurrent outcomes or first outcomes only, in the limit where these become rare. We investigate this rare outcome assumption when the self‐controlled case series method is applied to non‐recurrent outcomes. We study this requirement analytically and by simulation, and quantify what is meant by ‘rare’ in this context. In simulations we also apply the self‐controlled risk interval design, a special case of the self‐controlled case series design. To illustrate, we extract data on the incidence rate of some recurrent and non‐recurrent outcomes within a defined study population to check whether outcomes are sufficiently rare for the rare outcome assumption to hold when applying the self‐controlled case series method to first or unique outcomes. The main findings are that the relative bias should be no more than 5% when the cumulative incidence over total time observed is less than 0.1 per individual. Inclusion of age (or calendar time) effects will further reduce bias. Designs that begin observation with exposure maximise bias, whereas little or no bias will be apparent when there is no time trend in the distribution of exposures, or when exposure is central within time observed.
Green consumption: Environmental knowledge, environmental consciousness, social norms, and purchasing behavior
Authors: Lin Szu‐Tung , Niu Han‐Jen
Published: October 2018

The 2015 Paris Agreement is the first historical global accord aiming to palliate global warming. Climate change has caused ecological, economic, and social disasters, among other things and has made not only nations review their environmental protection issues but also the consumers paying more attention to the environment and encouraging green oriented buying behaviors. This study targets Taiwan's consumers, and 649 valid questionnaires were recovered. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to extract the trait factors, whereas confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used for the verification of the scale and structural model, respectively. The result shows that the consumers' environmental knowledge, environmental consciousness, and the social norms have had a positive effect on their environmental attitude, as do their environmental knowledge and the social norms to a sense of well‐being. Consumers purchasing intention and behavior are pointing towards green products. Therefore, companies need to respond to the consumers' demand and fulfill their social responsibility to release the green products so as to satisfy the consumers' needs.
Glucose monitoring and adaptive feeding of mammalian cell culture in the presence of strong autofluorescence by near infrared Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Matthews Thomas E. , Smelko John P. , Berry Brandon , Romero‐Torres Saly , Hill Dan , Kshirsagar Rashmi , Wiltberger Kelly
Published: October 2018

Raman spectroscopy offers an attractive platform for real‐time monitoring and control of metabolites and feeds in cell culture processes, including mammalian cell culture for biopharmaceutical production. However, specific cell culture processes may generate substantial concentrations of chemical species and byproducts with high levels of autofluorescence when excited with the standard 785 nm wavelength. Shifting excitation further toward the near‐infrared allows reduction or elimination of process autofluorescence. We demonstrate such a reduction in a highly autofluorescent mammalian cell culture process. Using the Kaiser RXN2–1000 platform, which utilizes excitation at 993 nm, we developed multivariate glucose models in a cell culture process which was previously impossible using 785 nm excitation. Additionally, the glucose level in the production bioreactor was controlled entirely by Raman adaptive feeding, allowing for maintenance of glucose levels at an arbitrary set point for the duration of the culture. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1574–1580, 2018
A Self‐Portrait of Michelangelo Buonarroti Hidden in a Drawing from the Ashmolean Museum
Authors: de Campos Deivis
Published: October 2018

The discovery was recently announced in the scientific literature of a self‐caricature of the great Renaissance artist and genius of human anatomy, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564), concealed in a drawing from 1525. This drawing is held in the collection of the British Museum in London, England. In it, the artist portrayed the Marchesa di Pescara, Vittoria Colonna (1490–1547). The present article considers evidence that Michelangelo may have depicted himself in another portrait of Vittoria Colonna, dated to approximately 1522, which is currently in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England. This concealed silhouetted figure displays physical features strikingly similar to those depicted in portraits of Michelangelo by his contemporaries, and in the description of the artist by Michelangelo's biographer, Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574): the large body, the shape of the face, the beard and the flattened nose. In this context, the present article could serve to facilitate analyses of the physical form and even of the state of health (from 1522) of one of the foremost anatomists of the Renaissance. Clin. Anat., 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anatomical study of the seminal vesicle system for transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy
Authors: Li Ze Y. , Xu Yu , Liu Chang , Xiao Zhao M. , Luo Bao H. , Xu Guang W. , Wu Kun C. , Zhong Shi Z. , Ouyang Jun
Published: October 2018

Because of a general lack of knowledge regarding the precise anatomy of the seminal vesicle system, efforts to use transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy (TSV) are currently constrained. We investigated 26 normal adult male specimens. Contrast medium was injected into the seminal vesicle system in 18 specimens and the openings of the ejaculatory ducts were examined with an operating microscope. India ink was injected into the urethra in four specimens to investigate the function of the ejaculatory duct valve. Another four specimens were examined histologically to identify the anatomical relationships of the seminal vesicle system. We found that the openings of the ejaculatory ducts were covered by the ejaculatory duct valve, which could be classified into two types and acted as a one‐way valve. The apex of the seminal colliculus together with the right and left openings of the ejaculatory ducts formed a shape resembling an isosceles triangle. This could be used to locate the openings of the ejaculatory ducts during TSV. The ejaculatory ducts can be classified into two types according to their course. During surgery, efforts must be made to protect the ejaculatory duct valve. During inspection or surgery, the second segment and the angles of the ejaculatory ducts, particularly in Type Ib and Type II cases, require particular attention. Clin. Anat. 32:244–252, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In‐depth analysis of the capacitive filtered half wave rectifier
Authors: Guerra‐Pulido Jaime O.
Published: October 2018

Undergraduate textbooks of Electronics Engineering courses commonly present the half‐wave rectifier using a simplistic approach based on the linearization of an exponential equation to calculate the voltages in the circuit. However, these equations only apply when the time constant of the circuit is much larger than the period of the input signal and those equations for the case in which this condition is not met, are not presented. Herein, the most common equations in the literature are resumed. Next, the circuit is analyzed using three models of the diode and, for each one, a set of equations has been obtained to calculate the voltages, currents and times of the circuit. To apply these equations, the discharging time of the capacitor must be calculated through the solution of a transcendental equation. Nowadays, the computational tools to make this task easily are common and this should not be a challenge anymore. Also, performing these analyses could improve the understanding of the students and their capability to analyze circuits with diodes. Two examples are proposed to compare the equations proposed with the numerical solutions and the equations found in literature. Errors between the results obtained with the equations and the numerical simulations are less than 1% for the ripple, average and RMS voltages and maximum and repetitive average currents when the constant‐drop model is used. The RMS current had an error of 6% because the conduction time of the diode is larger than that expected because of the nonlinear behavior of the diode.
When cross‐ethnic friendships can be bad for out‐group attitudes: The importance of friendship quality
Authors: Cernat Vasile
Published: October 2018

Data collected from Romanian students living in the Transylvanian region of Romania showed that the quality of friendship with Hungarian ethnics moderated the effects of cross‐ethnic friendship quantity on attitudes towards this out‐group. Although high‐quality cross‐ethnic friendships were very beneficial to out‐group attitudes, low‐quality cross‐ethnic friendships were rather harmful.
Solution‐Processable Two‐Dimensional In2Se3 Nanosheets as Efficient Photothermal Agents for Elimination of Bacteria
Authors: Zhu Chunli , Shen Haijing , Liu Haoyang , Lv Xiaobo , Li Zhihao , Yuan Quan
Published: October 2018

Two‐dimensional (2D) nanoflakes represent an appealing class of materials for optoelectronics applications due to their unique layered structures and excellent electronic properties. However, the lack of easy‐to‐manipulate and effective methods for large‐scale production of these 2D materials limits their potential for applications. Also, few efforts have been made to explore their applications in biological fields. This work reports the preparation of large quantities of 2D In2Se3 nanosheets through a solvent exfoliation technique. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy results show that the In2Se3 nanosheets are obtained with lateral sizes of tens of nanometers to hundreds of nanometers and thickness of 2–17 layers. Raman features coupled with the X‐ray diffractometry results unequivocally confirm the as‐prepared In2Se3 nanosheets to be α phase. Moreover, these α‐In2Se3 nanosheets exhibit an excellent near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal performance under an 808 nm laser irradiation. NIR photo‐excitation of the α‐In2Se3 nanosheets in the presence of bacteria leads to a significant antibacterial effect, suggesting that these nanosheets have great potential to be photothermal antibacterial agents. Our work on α‐In2Se3 nanosheets presents an available method for exfoliating 2D layered materials, and highlights the potential application in chemical and biological fields of α‐In2Se3 nanosheets.
The Diradical‐Dication Strategy for BODIPY‐ and Porphyrin‐Based Dyes with Near‐Infrared Absorption Maxima from 1070 to 2040 nm
Authors: Wei Houjia , Feng Rui , Fang Yong , Wang Lei , Chen Chao , Zhang Li , Cui Haiyan , Wang Xinping
Published: October 2018

Four stable boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐ and porphyrin‐based bis‐arylamine diradical dications were synthesized by two‐electron oxidation of their neutral molecules. The two BODIPY‐based dications have open‐shell singlet ground states. UV/Vis absorption spectra of all four dications showed large redshifts in the NIR region compared to their neutral precursors with absorption maxima at 1274 and 1068 nm for the two BODIPY‐based dications and 1746 and 2037 nm for the two porphyrin‐based dications. Thus, two new types of NIR dyes with longer wavelengths are provided by the diradical‐dication strategy, which can be applied for the generation of other NIR dyes with a range of different chromophores and auxochromes.
Numerical evaluation of nonbonded piezo sensor for biomedical diagnostics using electromechanical impedance technique
Authors: Srivastava Shashank , Bhalla Suresh
Published: October 2018

Directly bonded piezo sensor, conventionally employed in the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique, although a proven candidate for structural health monitoring, is severely constrained in its application in the biomedical field due to its bonding requirement. In contrast, nonbonded piezo sensor (NBPS) provides a viable platform to assess the condition of human bones, tissues, and other biomedical subjects using the EMI technique without inflicting pain or irritation to the skin. The name NBPS was coined to emphasize that there was no direct bonding between the PZT patch and the live subject; instead, the PZT patch was bonded to a supporting medium, which maintains the mechanical interaction between the PZT patch and the subject. However, there are several aspects in the analysis of NBPS configuration that cannot be addressed completely through experimental study due to measurement constraints, cost, and time. For example, experimentally changing the density of bone continuously to study the osteoporosis effect is a tedious task warranting large number of specimens. This paper presents a detailed parametric study based on finite element method covering condition monitoring of human bones using the NBPS configuration. It is for the first time that 3D analysis for specimen identification and damage detection in bones using NBPS has been carried out. In addition to the validation of the numerical model against the previously established experimental studies involving bones, quantification of the extent of damage and its localization has been investigated. The density changes due to osteoporosis in bones are comprehensively investigated by the NBPS including the quantification aspect of osteoporosis/damage. Definite acquisition of bone signature and detection of physiological changes in bones are achieved even with the presence of skin, muscle, and fat layers on the bone.
Power system dynamic state estimation considering correlation of measurement error from PMU and SCADA
Authors: Lu Zigang , Wei Zhinong , Sun Yonghui
Published: October 2018

It is well known that measurements from phasor measurement unit (PMU) or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) are not generally independent. Since the correlation of measurement error is a very representative feature of the actual measurement system, traditional assumptions on error independency are not adequate. In this paper, taking the correlation of measurement error of both PMU and SCADA measurements into consideration, a novel correlated extended Kalman filter (CEKF) is proposed. The actual measurement configurations are analyzed with the consideration of measurement error transfer characteristics. Then, the modified measurement error covariance matrix is calculated by using the point estimation method, which will replace the traditional diagonal variance matrix. At last, IEEE 14‐bus system and 57‐bus system are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of the method, respectively.
Energy management strategy for HEV based on KFCM and neural network
Authors: Wang Yeqin , Wu Zhen , Xia Aoyun , Guo Chang , Chen Yuyan , Yang Yan , Tang Zhongyi
Published: October 2018

Aiming at the deficiency of optimal control energy management strategy, a model of energy management controller for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is constructed based on Kernel Fuzzy C‐means Clustering (KFCM) and multi‐neural network. Using energy management control strategy based on PMP, the operational parameters of the four driving modes for HEV is extracted; the data cluster corresponding to the driving mode is generated by clustering through the KFCM method and is used as the training samples for the feedforward neural network. Taking the battery SOC, needed power and speed as the inputs of neural network, and taking engine power as the output of neural network, four sub‐neural network models are established. Taking the vehicle driving needed power at the current moment and the engine output power at the previous moment as characteristic parameters, the corresponding sub‐neural network model is selected for output prediction according to the proportional relationship between the driving demand torque and the engine output power. The simulation results show that, compared with the energy management strategy based on PMP, the calculation time is greatly shortened using the proposed control strategy, and the real‐time performance is better. The fuel economy is a little decreased under the condition of meeting the requirements, but better dynamic performance can be obtained.
Water inrush sources monitoring and identification based on mine IoT
Authors: Yan Zhigang , Han Jiazheng , Yu Jieqing , Yang Yuanxuan
Published: October 2018

Internet of things (IoT) is applied to water inrush source monitoring network for overcoming complexity and uncertainty of coal mines in monitoring. This study starts from the idea of sensory mines and the architecture of IoT, and describes key techniques in IoT‐based mine water inrush source sensing. In the sensing layer, networked and intelligent sensors are employed for constructing the distributed monitoring system; in the network service layer, data mining, 3D geoscience simulation system and cloud computing are combined for establishing the cloud service platform so as to comprehensively analyze water inrush sources; in the application layer, a novel maximum/minimum‐margin‐based hierarchical‐SVM model for the identification of water‐inrush sources is proposed. Test results demonstrate that, owing to the application of mine IoT, both information collection efficiency and processing capability of water‐inrush source monitoring can be effectively enhanced, and the established water source identification system exhibits low false alarm rate and mis‐detection ratio, thereby significantly improving the prediction reliability.
Research on online consumer behavior and psychology under the background of big data
Authors: Chen Wenting , Zhang Qian , Jin Maozhu , Yang Jie
Published: October 2018

The emergence of emerging services and technologies such as cloud computing and social networks has driven the variety and scale of data in human society. It can increase and expand at an unprecedented rate. Data has changed from a simple object of processing to a basic resource. How can it be better? Managing and utilizing big data has become a topic of common concern. At the same time, as people's living standards improve, the scale of consumption continues to expand, and consumer demand for personalization becomes more apparent. The online consumer is a new consumer group and has distinct characteristics from the traditional market consumer groups. This article begins with the consumer's point of view. Through the analysis of psychological characteristics, behavioral characteristics, shopping needs, shopping motivation, price perception and risk perception, it will deepen consumer awareness. As a result, they can help network marketing become more economic and effective, and promote virtuous cycle of consumption and sales.
Study on control strategy and application of a new harmonic detection method in three‐phase four‐wire APF
Authors: Li Delu
Published: October 2018

In the three‐phase four‐wire low‐voltage distribution network, a large number of nonlinear loads are put into use, which makes the harmonic and three‐phase imbalance problems of a three‐phase four‐wire system more and more prominent. In addition, it seriously affects the energy quality of the power network. The three‐phase four‐wire active power filter (APF) is one of the effective measures to solve these problems. In this paper, a new harmonic detection method for the three‐phase four‐wire APF is proposed, and it is applied to the control strategy of three‐phase four‐wire APF. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of various detection algorithms of harmonic current in a three‐phase four‐wire system are summarized. The digital phase‐locked technology based on a generalized integrator is studied, and the method of extracting the positive‐sequence component of fundamental wave voltage by using the frequency‐selecting characteristic of a generalized integrator is put forward. The generalized integrator and the ip‐iq method are combined to realize the detection of any order harmonics. A novel method of extracting fundamental wave components from three‐phase four‐wire APF harmonics using the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) algorithm is put forward, and the function of upper and lower envelopes is optimized by using a cubic spline fitting curve in the process of EEMD. In order to reduce the operation time of the EEMD algorithm and improve the efficiency and real‐time function of harmonic detection, the cubic spline fitting curve is used to obtain the function of upper and lower envelopes in the process of decomposition.