bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transfer of Topical Testosterone to Subcutaneous Microdialysate, Blood and Saliva in Healthy Young Men
Authors: Krebs Andreas , Clement Hans-Willi , Zimmerer Jutta , Schulz Eberhard , Doerfer Jürgen , Wurm Michael , Brichta Corinna , van der Werf-Grohmann Natascha , Schwab Karl
Published: August 2018

Objective We evaluated percutaneous penetration of topical testosterone and subsequent transfer to subcutaneous tissue, blood and saliva.

Methods This microdialysis trial involved eight healthy male volunteers. Five participants received a single dose of 50 mg testosterone gel on the abdominal skin and three untreated participants served as controls. Two microdialysis probes were inserted percutaneously into the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue. On the skin above one probe, testosterone gel was applied (ipsilateral side). A second control probe was inserted on the contralateral side. For the determination of total and free testosterone, samples of subcutaneous microdialysate, serum, and saliva were collected over six hours, frozen, and analysed using ELISA procedures.

Results Testosterone values in the ipsilateral microdialysate of treated subjects increased significantly within 6 h after gel application compared to controls. Salivary testosterone levels showed a rapid increase within 20 min after transdermal application followed by a plateau phase with tenfold increased testosterone levels. Microdialysate testosterone of the contralateral site started to rise moderately within the normal range 1 h after administration of testosterone gel whereas total and free testosterone serum concentrations increased within 2 h in each case followed by a plateau phase.

Summary and Conclusion Single topical administration of testosterone gel leads to a continuous increase of testosterone in the subcutaneous ipsilateral microdialysate. Rapid salivary testosterone increase happens after gel administration followed by tenfold increased testosterone plateau values. Despite continuous influx, testosterone concentrations in serum, saliva, and contralateral microdialysate show a plateau formation thus avoiding testosterone excess.
N-Heterocycle-Triggered MCRs: An Approach to the Concise
Synthesis of Perfluoroalkylated Spiro-1,3-oxazines
Authors: Zhang Hui , Cao Weiguo , Liu Gang , Wu Yueci , Han Jing , He Weimin , Chen Jie , Deng Hongmei , Shao Min
Published: August 2018

Multicomponent reactions involving methyl perfluoroalk-2-ynoates initiated by N-heterocycles (quinoline, isoquinoline, and benzothiazole) in the presence of isatins and diaryl 1,2-diketones allowed efficient access to trifluoromethyl- or other perfluoroalkyl-substituted spiro-1,3-oxazine derivatives. This facile transformation is regioselective and proceeded smoothly through a 1,4-dipolar intermediate under mild conditions, affording the products in good to excellent yields.
Design and characterization of an electromagnetic probe for distinguishing morphological differences in soft tissues
Authors: Jones T. H. , Javor J. , Sequin E. K. , West J. D. , Prakash S. , Subramaniam V. V.
Published: August 2018

We present a method for designing and optimizing an in-house designed electromagnetic probe for distinguishing morphological differences in biological tissues. The probe comprises concentric multi-wound coils, the inner being the primary coil and the outer being the detector coil. A time-varying voltage is imposed on the primary coil, resulting in an induced current in the detector coil. For highly conductive samples, eddy currents are induced in the sample and inductively couple with the electromagnetic probe. However, in weakly conducting samples, the primary coupling mechanism is found to be capacitive though there can be a non-negligible inductive component. Both the mutual inductive coupling and the capacitive coupling between the sample and the probe are detected as a change in the induced voltage of the detector coil using lock-in detection. The induced voltage in the detector coil is influenced more by the morphological structure of the specimen rather than by changes in electrical conductivity within different regions of the sample. The instrument response of the lock-in amplifier is also examined with simulated input voltage signals to relate its output to specific changes in inductive and capacitive coupling, in order to relate sample characteristics to a single voltage output. A circuit element model is used to interpret the experimental measurements. It is found that the sensitivity of the measurement for a given set of probe characteristics (resistances, inductances, and capacitances) can be optimized by adding a small amount of capacitance in the external circuit in parallel with the detector coil. Illustrative measurements are presented on animal (porcine and bovine) tissue and on human liver tissue containing a metastatic tumor to demonstrate the capabilities of the probe and measurement method in distinguishing different tissue types despite having similar electrical conductivities. Since biological tissues are multi-scale, heterogeneous materials comprising regions of differing conductivity, permittivity, and morphological structure, the electromagnetic method presented here has the potential to examine structural variations in tissue undergoing physical changes due to healing or disease.
Evolution of magnetic Kubo number of stochastic magnetic fields during the edge pedestal collapse simulation
Authors: Kim Jaewook , Lee Wonjun , Jhang Hogun , Kim S. S. , Kaang H. H. , Ghim Y.-c.
Published: August 2018

Using a statistical correlation analysis, we compute the evolution of the magnetic Kubo number during an edge pedestal collapse in nonlinear reduced magnetohydrodynamic simulations. The Kubo number is found not to exceed the unity in spite of performing the simulation with a highly unstable initial pressure profile in the ideal ballooning mode. During the edge pedestal collapse, the Kubo number is within the values of 0.2 and 0.6 suggesting that the quasilinear diffusion model is sufficient to explain the energy loss mechanism during the pedestal collapse. Temporal evolution of poloidal correlation lengths of pressure fluctuations resembles with that of the Chirikov parameter and the Kubo number, while radial correlation lengths of the pressure fluctuations are strongly correlated with the radial width of the magnetic stochastic layer.
Hannay’s hoop beyond asymptotics
Authors: Bae Hwan , Ali Norah , Lindner John F.
Published: August 2018

Certain systems do not completely return to themselves when a subsystem moves through a closed circuit in physical or parameter space. A geometric phase, known classically as Hannay’s angle and quantum mechanically as Berry’s phase, quantifies such anholonomy. We study the classical example of a bead sliding frictionlessly on a slowly rotating hoop. We elucidate how forces in the inertial frame and pseudo-forces in the rotating frame shift the bead. We then computationally generalize the effect to arbitrary—not necessarily adiabatic—motions. We thereby extend the study of this classical geometric phase from theory to experiment via computation, as we realize the dynamics with a simple apparatus of wet ice cylinders sliding on a polished metal plate in 3D printed plastic channels.
Application of optimal control simulation to selective photodissociation of IBr by non-resonant dynamic Stark effects
Authors: Tashiro Tomohiro , Yoshida Masataka , Ohtsuki Yukiyoshi
Published: August 2018

We apply nonlinear optimal control simulation to design a non-resonant control pulse that maximizes the probability of specified photodissociation of IBr by utilizing the non-resonant dynamic Stark effect in the presence of a predetermined pump pulse. The optimal pulses are always composed of several subpulses that increase the target probability considerably depending on the wavelength of the pump pulse. Focusing on the cases of high target probabilities, we systematically examine how the subpulses cooperate with each other on the basis of pulse-partitioning analyses. We show that the subpulses largely cooperate with the pump pulse, which can explain their irradiation timings. On the other hand, the cooperation between the subpulses is mainly expressed as the sum of the contribution from each subpulse.
Diffusion mechanism for highly compressed microgel particles
Authors: Sokoloff J. B.
Published: August 2018

It is argued that Voronoi tessellation theory can be used to model the observed diffusion of microgel particles in a highly compressed microgel colloid. It is shown that this model is able to account for the fact that even when the microgel colloid is highly compressed, the particles can diffuse, while the diffusion rate decreases as the degree of compression of the microgel colloid increases, as observed.
Fast-ion D-alpha diagnostic development for the C-2W field-reversed configuration plasma
Authors: Bolte Nathan G. , Nations Marcel , Gupta Deepak , Aviles Juan ,   TAE Team
Published: August 2018

TAE Technologies’s advanced beam-driven field-reversed configuration device has a large fast-ion population, allowing for fast-ion D-alpha (FIDA) studies. Development of a FIDA spectrometer for the new C-2W device is underway. Previous measurements were combined with C-2W geometry to inform the design [N. Bolte, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 11E520 (2016)]. Measured signal levels led to the purchase of a Phantom Miro 110 high-speed camera that will be paired with a Holospec f/1.8 spectrograph from Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. The spectrograph utilizes a custom transmission grating centered at 656.0 nm. Simulations were used to choose available ports with large predicted signals. Eight neutral beams and 354 ports were considered. Experimentally obtained 1D plasma profiles from C-2U were mapped onto Q2D [M. Onofri, Phys. Plasmas 24, 092518 (2017)] simulation flux surfaces. For each point on the vessel wall, many lines-of-sight (LOSs) are created to view the entirety of each neutral beam path. FIDA spectra are simulated for each LOS using the FIDA simulation code FIDASIM [http://d3denergetic.github.io/FIDASIM/; W. Heidbrink, Commun. Comput. Phys. 10, 716 (2011); and B. Geiger, “Fast-ion transport studies using FIDA spectroscopy at the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak,” Ph.D. thesis, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 2012]. Integrating over wavelength and beam-space allows individual ports to be chosen for their large prospective signals.
Influence of the magnetic state on the voltage-controlled magnetoelectric effect in a multiferroic artificial heterostructure YIG/PMN-PZT
Authors: Lian Jianyun , Ponchel Freddy , Tiercelin Nicolas , Han Liuyang , Chen Ying , Rémiens Denis , Lasri Tuami , Wang Genshui , Pernod Philippe , Zhang Wenbin , Dong Xianlin
Published: August 2018

The artificial multiferroic heterostructure used in this work is composed by an yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film deposited by radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering on a metalized PMN-PZT ceramic. We demonstrate, thanks to the well-known converse magnetoelectric (CME) coupling, the control of the magnetic state of the YIG film by means of a low electric field applied to the PMN-PZT ceramic. In particular, it is shown that the variations of the magnetization induced by the strain are functions of the magnetic sate of the film. It is shown that the maximum amplitude variation is observed at the coercive magnetic field (Hc), whereas when H increases, the strain effect has a limited impact on the film magnetization. A second effect has also been remarked on the magnetization of the YIG film but only after the first strain induced cycle has been applied. These variations, observed only under low applied magnetic fields, can be attributed to the re-orientation of some magnetic moments which are easy to switch under low magnetic fields. We find that after poling the YIG film, i.e., applying a magnetic field on it, the initial state is restored. The CME coupling coefficient is determined for different magnetic states of the YIG film, and the maximum value 11 × 10−8 s/m is obtained at H = Hc and E = Ec (the coercive field of the PMN-PZT ceramic). The relative susceptibility tunability available for the heterostructure proposed is 16.8% for an electric field applied between 0 and −4 kV/cm.
Why do higher VDEs of superhalogen not ensure improved stabilities of the noble gas hydrides promoted by them? A high-level ab initio case study
Authors: Li Jin-Feng , Zhao Ru-Fang , Chai Xu-Ting , Zhou Fu-Qiang , Li Chao-Chao , Li Jian-Li , Yin Bing
Published: August 2018

A series of 20 composite structures, consisting of superhalogen and noble gas (Ng) hydrides, was explored via high-level coupled-cluster single, double and perturbative triple excitations calculations in this work. The existence of these composites, as local minima on the potential energy surface, arises from the charge transfer from the Ng hydride part to the superhalogen moiety. Clearly, this transfer could lead to stabilizing the interaction of the ionic type between the two components. The driving force of the charge transfer should be the high vertical electron detachment energy (VDE) of the superhalogen part leading to its enough capability of extracting the electron from the Ng hydride moiety. However, except triggering the ionic attractive interaction, there is nomonotonic correlation between the VDE value and the thermodynamic stability of the whole composite. This counter-intuitive result actually originates from the fact that, irrespective of various superhalogens, only two of their F ligands interact with the Ng atoms directly. Thus, although leading to higher VDE values, the increase in the number of electronegative ligands of the superhalogen moiety does not affect the stabilizing interaction of the composites here directly. In other words, with the necessary charge transfer generated, further increase of the VDE does not ensure the improvement of the thermodynamic stabilities of the whole composite. Moreover, in the transition state of the exothermic dissociation channel, more F atoms will give rise to higher probability of additional attractions between the F and H atoms which should lower the energy barrier. That is to say, increasing VDE, i.e., having more F atoms in many cases, will probably reduce the kinetic stability. Knowing the inevitable existence of the exothermic channel, kinetic stability is crucial to the ultimate goal of experimental observation of these Ng hydrides. Thus, in some cases, only the superhalogen itself may not provide enough information for the correct prediction on the properties of the whole composites. The understanding of the superhalogen-based composites will provide valuable information on the functional properties as well as the application potential of superhalogen clusters. Thus, the corresponding researches should focus on not only the superhalogen itself but also other related aspects, especially the details of the interaction between different parts.
Measurement of the angle dependence of magnetostriction in pulsed magnetic fields using a piezoelectric strain gauge
Authors: Ding Xiaxin , Chai Yi-Sheng , Balakirev Fedor , Jaime Marcelo , Yi Hee Taek , Cheong Sang-Wook , Sun Young , Zapf Vivien
Published: August 2018

We present a high resolution method for measuring magnetostriction in millisecond pulsed magnetic fields at cryogenic temperatures with a sensitivity of 1.11×10−11/Hz. The sample is bonded to a thin piezoelectric plate such that when the sample’s length changes, it strains the piezoelectric and induces a voltage change. This method is more sensitive than a fiber-Bragg grating method. It measures two axes simultaneously instead of one. The gauge is small and versatile, functioning in DC and millisecond pulsed magnetic fields. We demonstrate its use by measuring the magnetostriction of Ca3Co1.03Mn0.97O6 single crystals in pulsed magnetic fields. By comparing our data to new and previously published results from a fiber-Bragg grating magnetostriction setup, we confirm that this method detects magnetostriction effects. We also demonstrate the small size and versatility of this technique by measuring angle dependence with respect to the applied magnetic field in a rotator probe in 65 T millisecond pulsed magnetic fields.
High magnetic field test of the ITER outer vessel steady-state magnetic field Hall sensors at ITER relevant temperature
Authors: Entler S. , Sebek J. , Duran I. , Vyborny K. , Grover O. , Kocan M. , Vayakis G.
Published: August 2018

The ITER outer vessel steady-state magnetic field sensor diagnostics consist of sixty sensor units. Each sensor unit features a pair of ceramic-metal Hall sensors with a sensing layer made of bismuth. The sensors were tested simultaneously in the magnetic field ranging from −12 T to +12 T at the temperature range from 27 to 127 °C. The Hall coefficient and magnetoresistance of the bismuth layer related to the sensors were identified. In the sensor operating conditions, the Hall coefficient dependence on temperature was fitted with an exponential function with a relative error of less than 0.08%, and the dependence on the magnetic field was fitted with a Gaussian-like function with a relative error of less than 0.11%. An alternative expression based on the physical understanding of the free charge carrier transport in semimetals was derived to describe the dependence of the Hall coefficient on the magnetic field, and its fitting error of 1.2 mT in terms of the magnetic field measurement has met the ITER measurement accuracy requirements.
First-order properties from internally contracted multireference coupled-cluster theory with particular focus on hyperfine coupling tensors
Authors: Samanta Pradipta Kumar , Köhn Andreas
Published: August 2018

Internally contracted multireference coupled-cluster (icMRCC) theory is extended to the computation of first-order properties (expectation values). We use the previously defined Lagrange formulation of the energy functional to derive the required equations for the Lagrange multipliers and arrive at an expression for first-order properties according to the generalized Hellmann-Feynman theorem, analogous to single-reference coupled-cluster theory. The present formulation does not include orbital relaxation, but in line with previous experience in coupled-cluster theory, the single-excitation cluster operator can recover a significant portion of orbital relaxation. Further aspects of the theory that arise from the internal contraction approach are discussed. Using automated derivation techniques, we have implemented a pilot code for icMRCCSD and icMRCCSDT for testing the method numerically. We find good agreement with full configuration interaction for several properties of boron monohydride and dipole moment curves of hydrogen fluoride and chromium hydride. A particular focus is given to spin-dependent properties: The hyperfine coupling tensors of Σ and Π radicals have been computed and compared to experiment and previous computations. We discuss the problem of describing spin polarization with properly spin-adapted wavefunctions, which requires either including pseudo-triple excitations or employing sufficiently flexible reference functions.
An evaluation of equilibrium conditions and temperature-dependent speciation in a laser-produced air plasma
Authors: Harilal S. S. , Brumfield B. E. , Phillips M. C.
Published: August 2018

A laser-produced air plasma is a dynamical system with fundamental physical parameters that change significantly during its lifespan. The evolution of the spectral features from an air plasma shows broadband radiation at early times followed by discrete electronic transitions from ions, atoms, and rotational and vibration bands from molecules. The molecular band emission from an air plasma typically appears at times ⪞5 μs and persists for 100's of μs. In this article, an evaluation is made on the temperature evolution and speciation in a laser-produced air plasma. The air plasmas are generated by focusing 1064 nm, 6 ns pulses from an Nd:YAG laser. High-resolution emission spectra of various molecules such as N2, N2+, CN, OH, NH, and NO are acquired and fit using spectral models. Fitting of atomic and molecular emission features permits tracking of the air spark temperature evolution from 1 to 200 μs. Though the excitation and molecular temperatures show a good overlap at times ⪝10 μs, the molecular temperatures obtained from different species show a discontinuity at times ∼30 μs and this is related to shock collapse and subsequent changes in hydrodynamics and chemistry of the plume. The fitting of multiple species in broadband spectra has permitted calculation of the relative concentrations of various molecules as a function of temperature that provides insight into the air spark speciation. The measured relative mole fractions from laser-induced air plasma are within factors of 2–6 of the values estimated by speciation model under the assumption of thermal and chemical equilibrium across the temperature ranges studied. Probable reasons for the observed deviation in the relative fractions are discussed.
A modified direct measurement of shear moduli of two-dimensional materials
Authors: Zhao Yang , Ding Dongqing , Sun Jin , Yu Peishi , Zhao Junhua
Published: August 2018

A direct measurement of shear moduli of two-dimensional (2D) materials is still a challenge in experiments. A commonly used method is to apply a tangential displacement on one side of a square specimen sheet for each 2D material, while its opposite side is fixed. Afterwards, the shear modulus can be obtained by fitting a linear stage of its total shear stress-strain curve. However, the obtained shear modulus can be defined as the nominal shear modulus which is much lower than that of its true value. The difference between the two shear moduli is independent of the 2D isotropic material and strongly depends on aspect ratios of the specimens. In this work, explicit equations of the nominal shear moduli of 2D materials for different aspect ratios are derived by continuum modeling. The analytical model is then verified by the finite element method and molecular dynamics simulation as well as experiments. It suggests that the true shear moduli of 2D materials can be directly and accurately measured using the specimens with high aspect ratios (≥3.6) in experiments. The present study provides key insights into a direct measurement of shear moduli for 2D materials.
Selected configuration interaction dressed by perturbation
Authors: Garniron Yann , Scemama Anthony , Giner Emmanuel , Caffarel Michel , Loos Pierre-François
Published: August 2018

Selected configuration interaction (sCI) methods including second-order perturbative corrections provide near full CI (FCI) quality energies with only a small fraction of the determinants of the FCI space. Here, we introduce both a state-specific and a multi-state sCI method based on the configuration interaction using a perturbative selection made iteratively (CIPSI) algorithm. The present method revises the reference (internal) space under the effect of its interaction with the outer space via the construction of an effective Hamiltonian, following the shifted-Bk philosophy of Davidson and co-workers. In particular, the multi-state algorithm removes the storage bottleneck of the effective Hamiltonian via a low-rank factorization of the dressing matrix. Illustrative examples are reported for the state-specific and multi-state versions.
Relation between unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance and spin current-driven magnon generation
Authors: Borisenko I. V. , Demidov V. E. , Urazhdin S. , Rinkevich A. B. , Demokritov S. O.
Published: August 2018

We perform electrical measurements of unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance (USMR) in a Permalloy/Pt bilayer, in conjunction with magneto-optical Brillouin light spectroscopy of spin current-driven magnon population. We show that the current dependence of USMR closely follows the dipolar magnon density and that both dependences exhibit the same scaling over a large temperature range of 80–400 K. These findings demonstrate a close relationship between spin current-driven magnon generation and USMR and indicate that the latter is likely dominated by the dipolar magnons.
Collisional transport coefficients of dense high-temperature plasmas within the quantum Landau-Fokker-Planck framework
Authors: Daligault Jérôme
Published: August 2018

We extend the long-established formulas for the transport coefficients of classical plasmas inside the dense plasma regime for temperatures and densities where the classical Landau equation breaks down but its quantum extension that includes quantum degeneracy effects is valid. To this end, the quantum Landau kinetic equation is solved by the Chapman-Enskog method. The mathematical derivation is done in full generality, i.e., for multicomponent systems and to all orders of the polynomials expansion used to approximate the distribution functions. We apply the general results to two important examples, the electron gas model and an electron-ion plasma model consisting of one type of ions of any charge. We discuss the combined effects of the Pauli exclusion principle, of the electron-electron, and of the electron-ion collisions on the transport coefficients and on the convergence of the Chapman-Enskog method. For the electron gas model, the effect of the Pauli exclusion principle on the transport coefficients rapidly becomes non-negligible outside the domain of validity of the classical Landau equation. For the electron-ion plasmas, the effect of the Pauli exclusion principle depends sensitively on the ion charge Z and varies non-monotonically with Θ. For instance, for ion charge Z = 1, the electrical conductivity is increased by up to ∼30% compared to its classical value over the range of degeneracy parameters studied, the thermal conductivity is reduced by up to ∼9%, and the shear viscosity coefficient is increased by up to ∼13%. In the Lorentz gas (Z→∞) limit, the electrical conductivity is reduced by up to ∼14% compared to its classical value over the range of degeneracy parameters studied, the thermal conductivity is reduced by up to ∼39%, and the shear viscosity coefficient is not affected.
Exogenous induction of thermogenesis in Arum concinnatum by salicylic acid
Authors: Laina Danae , Oikonomou Ioanna , Koutroumpa Konstantina , Bariotakis Michael , Kotzabasis Kiriakos , Ito Kikukatsu , Seymour Roger S. , Pirintsos Stergios A.
Published: August 2018

Arum concinnatum Schott is a highly thermogenic species, with the temperature of the appendix exceeding ~10.9°C above the ambient temperature during thermogenesis, whereas the rates of respiration of the male florets in intact inflorescences peak at 0.92 μmol s–1 g–1, which is the highest rate so far measured among the plants. Here, we attempt the ex situ exogenous induction of thermogenesis in whole inflorescences and in separate appendices of the spadix, and explore the thermogenic patterns under controlled laboratory conditions of light and temperature. Mature but unopened inflorescences and appendices showed thermogenic responses when treated with salicylic acid (SA), but not when treated with distilled water (control). With regard to light conditions, the responses revealed only one significant difference for inflorescences, which concerns the higher maximum temperature in the continuous light treatment compared with continuous dark. Along the ambient temperature gradient, at the lowest temperature edge individuals remained stable close to ambient temperature and to control. These findings suggest that, in general, ex situ exogenous induction of thermogenesis can be achieved in whole inflorescences and in separate appendices of spadix of A. concinnatum using SA. This study also indicates that SA acts independently of light conditions, while exogenous induction of thermogenesis takes place within an ambient temperature range.
Elevated non-esterified fatty acids impair survival and promote lipid accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bovine endometrial epithelial cells
Authors: Chankeaw W. , Guo Y. Z. , Båge R. , Svensson A. , Andersson G. , Humblot P.
Published: August 2018

Elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are associated with negative effects on bovine theca, granulosa and oviductal cells but the effects of NEFAs on bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs) are not as well documented. The objective of this study was to define the effects of NEFAs on bEECs. Postprimary bEECs were treated with 150, 300 or 500 µM of either palmitic acid (PA), stearic acid (SA) or oleic acid (OA) or a mixture of NEFAs (150 µM of each FA) or 0.5% final concentration of vehicle ethanol (control). Viability and proliferation of bEECs exposed to 150 µM of each NEFA or a mixture of NEFAs were unaffected. Increased lipid accumulation was found in all treated groups (P < 0.01). In cells exposed to 500 µM of each NEFA and 300 µM PA decreased cell viability (P < 0.001), proliferation (P < 0.05) and increased apoptosis (P < 0.05) were observed. Treatment with 500 µM OA, PA and SA had the strongest effects on cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis (P < 0.05). Treatment with PA and OA increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations (P < 0.05), whereas only the highest concentration of PA, OA and SA stimulated IL-8 production (P < 0.05). These results suggest that high concentrations of NEFAs may impair endometrial function with more or less pronounced effects depending on the type of NEFA and time of exposure.
Effects of work‐matched supramaximal intermittent vs. submaximal constant‐workload warm‐up on all‐out effort power output at the end of 2 minutes of maximal cycling
Authors: Fujii Naoto , Hara Hiroki , Enomoto Yasushi , Tanigawa Satoru , Nishiyasu Takeshi
Published: August 2018

We tested the hypothesis that work‐matched supramaximal intermittent warm‐up improves final‐sprint power output to a greater degree than submaximal constant‐intensity warm‐up during the last 30 s of a 120‐s supramaximal exercise simulating the final sprint during sports events lasting approximately 2 min. Ten male middle‐distance runners performed a 120‐s supramaximal cycling exercise consisting of 90 s of constant‐workload cycling at a workload corresponding to 110% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) followed by 30 s of maximal‐effort cycling. This exercise was preceded by 1) no warm‐up (Control), 2) a constant‐workload cycling warm‐up at a workload of 60%VO2max for 6 min and 40 s, or 3) a supramaximal intermittent cycling warm‐up for 6 min and 40 s consisting of 5 sets of 65 s of cycling at a workload of 46%VO2max + 15 s of supramaximal cycling at a workload of 120%VO2max. By design, total work was matched between the two warm‐up conditions. Supramaximal intermittent and submaximal constant‐workload warm‐ups similarly increased 5‐s peak (590 ± 191 vs. 604 ± 215W, P = 0.41) and 30‐s mean (495 ± 137 vs. 503 ± 154W, P = 0.48) power output during the final 30‐s maximal‐effort cycling as compared to the no warm‐up condition (5‐s peak: 471 ± 165W; 30‐s mean: 398 ± 117W). VO2 during the 120‐s supramaximal cycling was similarly increased by the two warm‐ups as compared to no‐warm up (P ≤ 0.05). These findings show that work‐matched supramaximal intermittent and submaximal constant‐workload warm‐ups improve final sprint (∼30 s) performance to similar extents during the late stage of a 120‐s supramaximal exercise bout.
Distribution of critical points of polynomials
Authors: Totik Vilmos
Published: August 2018

The problem of the distribution of the critical points of polynomials in terms of the distribution

μ
\mu

of the zeros is considered. It is shown that away from the inner boundary of the (compact) support

S
S

of

μ
\mu

the two distributions are the same. This is the case, in particular, if

S
S

has connected complement. Examples are given showing that the two distributions may not be the same everywhere if the inner boundary has positive

μ
\mu

-measure, but it is also shown that such examples are rare and very unstable.
Measurement of Central Aortic Blood Pressure in Youth: Role of Obesity and Sex
Authors: Harbin Michelle M , Hultgren Neil E , Kelly Aaron S , Dengel Donald R , Evanoff Nicholas G , Ryder Justin R
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The relationship between pediatric severe obesity (SO) and central aortic blood pressure (BP) has yet to be established.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 348 youth (48.5% male, age 12.7 ± 0.1 years) with a wide range of body mass index (BMI) values: normal weight (NW; ≥5th and <85th BMI percentiles), overweight/obesity (OW/OB; 85th to <120% of the 95th BMI percentile), and SO (≥120% of the 95th BMI percentile). Measures of central aortic BP were obtained via applanation tonometry with SphygmoCor MM3 software.

RESULTS

After adjustment for covariates, no significant sex differences were observed for radial−aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = 0.39), carotid−aortic SBP (P = 0.99), radial−aortic diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P = 0.44), and carotid−aortic DBP (P = 0.53). Compared to youth with NW, youth with SO exhibited higher radial−aortic SBP (SO vs. NW: 102 ± 1 mm Hg vs. 90 ± 1 mm Hg, P<0.001), carotid−aortic SBP (SO vs. NW: 121 ± 1 mm Hg vs. 109 ± 1 mm Hg, P<0.001), and carotid−aortic DBP (SO vs. NW: 60 ± 1 mm Hg vs. 56 ± 1 mm Hg, P = 0.04). Compared to youth with OW/OB, youth with SO had higher radial−aortic SBP (OW/OB: 97 ± 1 mm Hg, P = 0.002) and carotid−aortic SBP (OW/OB: 114 ± 1 mm Hg, P = 0.007). After adjusting for either total-body percent fat mass or visceral adipose tissue, BMI was still a significant predictor of both radial−aortic and carotid−aortic SBP and DBP (P<0.001, all).

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of youth with a wide range of adiposity levels, central aortic BP was elevated among individuals with SO and associated with BMI but not body fatness.
Experienced Subjective Well-Being During Physically Active and Passive Leisure Time Activities Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older
Authors: Yamashita Takashi , Bardo Anthony R , Liu Darren
Published: August 2018

Background and Objectives

The encore years, or later life stages when adults enjoy health and free time, are the prime opportunity for leisure to maximize the overall quality of life. Physically active leisure is widely known to be linked to overall subjective well-being (SWB). However, experienced SWB or momentary emotion during active leisure as well as passive leisure has yet to be examined.

Research Design and Methods

Data were derived from the 2012/2013 American Time Use Survey Well-being modules. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to identify comparable matched samples of older adults.

Results

The PSM identified 211 older adults who reported a series of emotions (i.e., happy, meaningful, tired, sad, stressed, pain) during active leisure, and the comparable counterpart (n = 211) during passive leisure. Results from the Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests showed that active leisure was associated with greater levels of experienced happiness and meaningfulness, as well as with lower levels of sadness (p < .05).

Discussion and Implications

Physically active leisure is linked to greater levels of experienced SWB among older adults. Although more detailed roles of active and passive leisure for experienced SWB are yet to be verified, choices that older adults make in their free time may significantly impact their experienced SWB and, in turn, their overall quality of life. Aging and public health policies should enhance accessibility to active leisure to promote older adults’ SWB.
Capacity assessment in public health community interventions: a systematic review
Authors: van Herwerden Louise A , Palermo Claire , Reidlinger Dianne P
Published: August 2018

The importance of building capacity in community interventions is well recognized. There is general agreement about the determinants of capacity and a range of existing capacity frameworks, however there is limited evidence or consistency in practice around assessing capacity in community interventions. The aim of this review was to describe how capacity is assessed in community interventions. A systematic review of the literature across four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Sociological Abstracts) was performed. Studies in English from 2000 to 2017, that explicitly described how capacity building processes were assessed in community interventions in healthy populations, were included. All types of empirical study designs were eligible. From 2596 records, after exclusion criteria were applied, 19 studies were included describing 12 different capacity assessment frameworks or tools. Seventeen studies assessed capacity processes by measuring individual capacity domains in community interventions. The most common capacity domains used to assess capacity were leadership, resources, partnerships and intelligence. The majority (n = 15) of studies used qualitative or mixed methods designs to measure capacity. Nine studies assessed capacity prospectively over time; three before/after and six multiple times during the intervention. Five studies assessed capacity retrospectively. The findings suggest that capacity assessment may need to remain context specific and flexible in order to capture the ever-changing nature of capacity building over time. Future research should explore the utility of theoretical adaptive capacity assessment guidelines that direct researchers and practitioners when describing capacity assessment in community interventions.
Producing proT cells to promote immunotherapies
Authors: Singh Jastaranpreet , Zúñiga-Pflücker Juan Carlos
Published: August 2018

T lymphocytes are critical mediators of the adaptive immune system and they can be harnessed as therapeutic agents against pathogens and in cancer immunotherapy. T cells can be isolated and expanded from patients and potentially generated in vitro using clinically relevant systems. An ultimate goal for T-cell immunotherapy is to establish a safe, universal effector cell type capable of transcending allogeneic and histocompatibility barriers. To this end, human pluripotent stem cells offer an advantage in generating a boundless supply of T cells that can be readily genetically engineered. Here, we review emerging T-cell therapeutics, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, chimeric antigen receptors and progenitor T cells (proT cells) as well as feeder cell-free in vitro systems for their generation. Furthermore, we explore their potential for adoption in the clinic and highlight the challenges that must be addressed to increase the therapeutic success of a universal immunotherapy.
Updating Beliefs when Evidence is Open to Interpretation: Implications for Bias and Polarization
Authors: Fryer Roland G , Harms Philipp , Jackson Matthew O
Published: August 2018

We introduce a model in which agents observe signals about the state of the world, and some signals are open to interpretation. Our decision makers first interpret each signal based on their current belief and then form a posterior on the sequence of interpreted signals. This “double updating” leads to confirmation bias and can lead agents who observe the same information to polarize. We explore the model’s predictions in an online experiment in which individuals interpret research summaries about climate change and the death penalty. Consistent with the model, there is a significant relationship between an individual’s prior and their interpretation of the summaries; and over half of the subjects exhibit polarizing behavior.
Constraints on the neutron star equation of state from AT2017gfo using radiative transfer simulations
Authors: Coughlin Michael W , Dietrich Tim , Doctor Zoheyr , Kasen Daniel , Coughlin Scott , Jerkstrand Anders , Leloudas Giorgos , McBrien Owen , Metzger Brian D , O’Shaughnessy Richard , Smartt Stephen J
Published: August 2018

The detection of the binary neutron star merger GW170817 together with the observation of electromagnetic counterparts across the entire spectrum inaugurated a new era of multimessenger astronomy. In this study, we incorporate wavelength-dependent opacities and emissivities calculated from atomic-structure data enabling us to model both the measured light curves and spectra of the electromagnetic transient AT2017gfo. Best fits of the observational data are obtained by Gaussian Process Regression, which allows us to present posterior samples for the kilonova and source properties connected to GW170817. Incorporating constraints obtained from the gravitational wave signal measured by the LIGO-Virgo Scientific Collaboration, we present a $90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ upper bound on the mass ratio q ≲ 1.38 and a lower bound on the tidal deformability of $\tilde{\Lambda } \gtrsim 197$, which rules out sufficiently soft equations of state. Our analysis is a path-finder for more realistic kilonova models and shows how the combination of gravitational wave and electromagnetic measurements allow for stringent constraints on the source parameters and the supranuclear equation of state.
Systematic discovery of uncharacterized transcription factors in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655
Authors: Gao Ye , Yurkovich James T , Seo Sang Woo , Kabimoldayev Ilyas , Dräger Andreas , Chen Ke , Sastry Anand V , Fang Xin , Mih Nathan , Yang Laurence , Eichner Johannes , Cho Byung-Kwan , Kim Donghyuk , Palsson Bernhard O
Published: August 2018

Transcriptional regulation enables cells to respond to environmental changes. Of the estimated 304 candidate transcription factors (TFs) in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655, 185 have been experimentally identified, but ChIP methods have been used to fully characterize only a few dozen. Identifying these remaining TFs is key to improving our knowledge of the E. coli transcriptional regulatory network (TRN). Here, we developed an integrated workflow for the computational prediction and comprehensive experimental validation of TFs using a suite of genome-wide experiments. We applied this workflow to (i) identify 16 candidate TFs from over a hundred uncharacterized genes; (ii) capture a total of 255 DNA binding peaks for ten candidate TFs resulting in six high-confidence binding motifs; (iii) reconstruct the regulons of these ten TFs by determining gene expression changes upon deletion of each TF and (iv) identify the regulatory roles of three TFs (YiaJ, YdcI, and YeiE) as regulators of l-ascorbate utilization, proton transfer and acetate metabolism, and iron homeostasis under iron-limited conditions, respectively. Together, these results demonstrate how this workflow can be used to discover, characterize, and elucidate regulatory functions of uncharacterized TFs in parallel.
Exposure to Cadmium and Lead in Cigarette Smokers Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes
Authors: Prokopowicz Adam , Sobczak Andrzej , Szuła-Chraplewska Magdalena , Ochota Patryk , Kośmider Leon
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) seem to be a less harmful alternative for conventional cigarettes. This study aimed to assess whether the generated aerosols from ECs contain lower amount of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) than cigarette smoke and to detect any changes in exposure to Cd and Pb among cigarette smokers who switched completely or partially to EC.

Methods

EC aerosols and cigarette smoke were generated, and the determination of Cd and Pb in trapped samples and e-liquids was performed by the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry method. A cross-sectional, group-based survey was carried out using 156 volunteers classified into groups of nonsmokers, EC-only users, dual EC users-cigarette smokers, and cigarette-only smokers. Using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, blood Cd and Pb levels were measured, and the results were compared by analysis of covariance.

Results

Transfer of Cd and Pb to EC aerosol was found to be minimal, although the metals were present in the remaining e-liquid from tanks used for vapor generation. The geometric mean blood Cd concentration adjusted for age and sex was 0.44 (95% confidence interval = 0.37 to 0.52) µg/L in the EC-only users, which was significantly lower than those in the smokers of 1.44 (1.16 to 1.78) and dual users of 1.38 (1.11 to 1.72). The blood Pb geometric mean differed significantly only between nonsmokers of 11.9 (10.6 to 13.3) and smokers of 15.9 (13.6 to 18.6).

Conclusion

The study revealed that smokers who completely switched to ECs and quit smoking conventional cigarettes may significantly reduce their exposure to Cd and probably Pb.

Implications

Switching to EC use is associated with a rapid and substantial decrease in the exposure to carcinogenic Cd. Exposure to Pb is probably also decreased but may be overshadowed by other factors. The study provides empirical data based not only on the analysis of generated aerosol but also on biological indicators of recent exposure—that is, the concentrations of Cd and Pb in blood, indicating EC as a potential harm-reduction device, especially regarding Cd exposure. However, in this case, dual EC use-cigarette smoking provides doubtful benefits.
Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Approach for Excision of C8 Nerve Root Schwannoma: 3-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Kindl Radek P , Patel Krunal , Trivedi Rikin A
Published: August 2018

Brachial plexus tumors are uncommon lesions in young adults. The majority of these are benign peripheral sheath tumors. In this 3-dimensional video, we present a case of a 19-yr-old female who presented to the neurosurgical outpatients with an anterior neck lump. It has been present for months, causing occasional numbness and paraesthesia in the distribution of the left ring finger. There was no objective weakness in finger flexion with normal long flexors reflexes. The cervical spine and supraclavicular brachial plexus were investigated with a magnetic resonance imaging (Gadolinium) scan (Figure 1). It demonstrated 30 × 20 × 20 mm lesion adjacent to the C8 nerve arising from the neural foramen, however, mostly occupying the space lateral to it. The patient was consented for resection of the tumor. This was done via the supraclavicular brachial plexus approach. The brachial plexus nerves were macroscopically demonstrated lateral to the anterior scalene muscle. The intraoperative electrophysiology was used to directly stimulate the nerves, which aided in accurate tracking during the dissection. The tumor was exposed after tracing the C8 nerve deep and medial to the anterior scalene muscle. It was resected down to the foramen, reaching the level of the epidural venous plexus, while C8 was spared. The patient recovered with no neurological deficit. The histopathology confirmed grade 1 schwannoma. Subsequently, there was no radiological follow-up performed. This case demonstrates the surgical dissection of supraclavicular brachial plexus in 3-dimensions while describing the unusual dissection medial to scalenus anterior muscle.