bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical period for weed control in sesame production
Authors: Karnas Zeynep , Isik Doğan , Tursun Nihat , Jabran Khawar
Published: December 2019

Planning effective weed control in cropping systems requires exact appraisal of the weed intensity and duration of their competition with the crops. This 2‐year study was carried out in order to determine the critical weed control period in sesame fields. Related and relative crop yields were monitored and analyzed using a four‐parametric log‐logistic model. We recorded data from weed‐free plots and compared these with data from different periods of weed interference. In both the study years, the longer period of weed interference decreased the relative yield of sesame, whereas the yield was increased with increasing duration of the weed‐free period. A 51–78.7% decline in sesame yield was noted if the weeds were allowed to compete with the crop from planting to harvest. In the first year, the duration of the critical period for weed control (CPWC) was 177–820 growing degree days (GDD), which corresponded to 14–64 days after crop emergence (DAE), and between 170 and 837 GDD (13–64 DAE) in the second year; this was based on a 5% acceptable yield loss. The results of this study clearly elaborated that maintaining weed‐free conditions is compulsory from as early as the second week after the emergence of sesame plants, and this should be maintained at least until the ninth week to avoid sesame yield losses by more than 5%. These findings show that growers can benefit from CPWC to improve weed control in sesame production, including the efficacy of a weed control program and its cost.
Study on CF4/O2 plasma resistance of O-ring elastomer materials
Authors: Goto Tetsuya , Obara Shogo , Shimizu Tomoya , Inagaki Tsuyoshi , Shirai Yasuyuki , Sugawa Shigetoshi
Published: December 2019

The CF4/O2 plasma resistance of the O-ring elastomer samples was investigated using a microwave-excited surface-wave plasma source. The elastomer samples include a fluoroelastomer (FKM) and a perfluoroelastomer (FFKM), both of which are widely used for plasma process equipment. In semiconductor manufacturing, the CF4/O2 plasma was widely used for plasma etching and cleaning processes. To investigate the relation between the plasma resistance of the elastomers and plasma parameters, the Langmuir probe measurement was carried out. The kinetic energy of bombarding ions was increased by applying an rf power to a wafer substrate in some of the experiments. The results suggested that both FKM and FFKM were eroded by the low-energy (less than 10 eV) ion bombardment. The kinetic energy of bombarding ions was also a dominant factor to determine the amount of erosion of both the FKM and the FFKM elastomers. In addition, it is suggested that neutral radical attacks were also a dominant factor to increase the erosion of the elastomer for the FKM elastomer, whereas the stability of the FFKM elastomer against neutral radicals was much better than that of the FKM elastomer.
Crystallographic orientation and layer impurities in two-dimensional metal halide perovskite thin films
Authors: Chen Alexander Z. , Choi Joshua J.
Published: December 2019

Two-dimensional (2D) metal halide perovskites have achieved similar or even better performance than three-dimensional (3D) perovskites in various optoelectronic device applications. With superior long-term stability, film formation properties, and chemical tunability, 2D perovskites are rising to be a promising alternative to 3D perovskites for research and commercialization. There are unique aspects of 2D perovskites that need to be understood in-depth due to their significant impact on device performance. In particular, understanding the impact of different crystallographic orientations and the presence of different octahedral layer number impurities are critically important. In this review, the authors summarize the formation mechanism of the preferential crystallographic orientation in 2D perovskite thin films and layer impurities, discuss the available strategies to control these aspects for higher device performance in various applications, and propose future research directions that could provide a strategy to rationally improve 2D perovskite-based devices.
Song structure and singing activity of two separate humpback whales populations wintering off the coast of Caño Island in Costa Rica
Authors: Chereskin Emma , Beck Lucas , Gamboa-Poveda Mónica P. , Palacios-Alfaro José D. , Monge-Arias Ronald , Chase Alex R. , Coven Brian M. , Gloria Guzmán Ana , McManus Noah W. , Neuhaus Alyssa P. , O'Halloran Riley A. , Rosen Sasha G. , May-Collado Laura J.
Published: December 2019

Central American (CA) and Breeding Stock-G (BSG) humpback whales are known to winter off Caño Island, Costa Rica at different times of the year. To study their singing behavior, autonomous underwater recorders were used to record the whales. Song detection for BSG whales was higher than CA whales, and song structure was distinct for each population. No strong evidence for cross-equatorial connectivity was found. This study provides the first humpback whale song reference for both populations in Costa Rica, which can help advance understanding of CA and BSG whale song rate of change and connectivity with other wintering areas.
A passive damping device for suppressing acoustic pressure pulsations: The infinity tube
Authors: Lato T. , Mohany A. , Hassan M.
Published: December 2019

Acoustic pressure pulsations in piping systems can cause detrimental damage and failure of industrial components. Both the acoustic resonance and the traveling wave phenomena are of concern for industrial piping systems and there is a need to study passive damping devices and their implementation into these systems. However, there is a challenge associated with manufacturing and installation of such devices as they may be cumbersome. Therefore, the infinity tube (IT) damping device has been presented here to provide a simplified device geometry which can be easily manufactured and implemented into piping systems. A theoretical equation for the transmission loss spectra of the IT device and the frequencies of resonance have been derived as a tool for designers. Additionally, the experimental investigation has shown a considerable increase in acoustic attenuation in comparison to the conventional Herschel-Quincke device due to the significantly shorter length which the IT device can be constructed from. Acoustic pressure and phase angle measurements have elucidated that the fundamental acoustic mode of an open–open pipe can be formed within the IT device. Moreover, a parametric study is presented which has clarified practical considerations required for implementation of the IT device into piping systems for suppressing pressure pulsation.
An analysis of the atmospheric propagation of underground-explosion-generated infrasonic waves based on the equations of fluid dynamics: Ground recordings
Authors: Sabatini R. , Snively J. B. , Hickey M. P. , Garrison J. L.
Published: December 2019

An investigation on the propagation of underground-explosion-generated infrasonic waves is carried out via numerical simulations of the equations of fluid dynamics. More specifically, the continuity, momentum, and energy conservation equations are solved along with the Herzfeld-Rice equations in order to take into account the effects of vibrational relaxation phenomena. The radiation of acoustic energy by the ground motion caused by underground explosions is initiated by enforcing the equality, at ground level, between the component of the air velocity normal to the Earth's surface and the normal velocity of the ground layer. The velocity of the ground layer is defined semi-empirically as a function of the depth of burial and of the yield. The effects of the depth and of the source energy on the signals recorded in the epicentral zone are first discussed. The tropospheric and stratospheric infrasonic phases traveling at a long-range are then analyzed and explained. Synthesized ground waveforms are finally discussed and compared to those recorded at the I45RU station of the International Monitoring System after the 2013 North-Korean test. Good agreement is found between numerical results and experimental data, which motivates the use of infrasound technologies alongside seismic techniques for the characterization of underground explosions.
Development and Acquisition of Knowledge of Youth Parasport Coaches
Authors: Lepage Pierre , Bloom Gordon A. , Falcão William R.
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study was to understand the learning experiences and acquisition of knowledge of youth parasport coaches. Five able-bodied male participants (M = 39 years old), who coached youth with a physical disability for an average of 7.4 years, participated in individual interviews. An inductive thematic analysis identified patterns within and across the data, allowing for description and interpretation of the meaning and importance of the themes. The results showed that coaches learned mostly from informal experiences, particularly through mentoring, trial and error, or use of technology. In addition, these learning opportunities were influenced by personal, environmental, and social factors. These findings can help to guide current and future generations of coaches of youth participants with a physical disability by highlighting available resources and addressing several barriers and facilitators to their learning.
GRADE-ADOLOPMENT Process to Develop 24-Hour Movement Behavior Recommendations and Physical Activity Guidelines for the Under 5s in the United Kingdom, 2019
Authors: Reilly John J. , Hughes Adrienne R. , Janssen Xanne , Hesketh Kathryn R. , Livingstone Sonia , Hill Catherine , Kipping Ruth , Draper Catherine E. , Okely Anthony D. , Martin Anne
Published: December 2019

Background: This article summarizes the approach taken to develop UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines for the Under 5s, 2019. Methods: The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)-Adaptation, Adoption, De Novo Development (ADOLOPMENT) approach was used, based on the guidelines from Canada and Australia, with evidence updated to February 2018. Recommendations were based on the associations between (1) time spent in sleep, sedentary time, physical activity, and 10 health outcomes and (2) time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior on sleep outcomes (duration and latency). Results: For many outcomes, more time spent in physical activity and sleep (up to a point) was beneficial, as was less time spent in sedentary behavior. The authors present, for the first time, evidence in GRADE format on behavior type–outcome associations for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Stakeholders supported all recommendations, but recommendations on sleep and screen time were not accepted by the Chief Medical Officers; UK guidelines will refer only to physical activity. Conclusions: This is the first European use of GRADE-ADOLOPMENT to develop physical activity guidelines. The process is robust, rapid, and inexpensive, but the UK experience illustrates a number of challenges that should help development of physical activity guidelines in future.
Clinical utility of NGS diagnosis and disease stratification in a multiethnic primary ciliary dyskinesia cohort
Authors: Fassad Mahmoud R. , Patel Mitali P. , Shoemark Amelia , Cullup Thomas , Hayward Jane , Dixon Mellisa , Rogers Andrew V. , Ollosson Sarah , Jackson Claire , Goggin Patricia , Hirst Robert A. , Rutman Andrew , Thompson James , Jenkins Lucy , Aurora Paul , Moya Eduardo , Chetcuti Philip , O'Callaghan Chris , Morris-Rosendahl Deborah J , Watson Christopher M. , Wilson Robert , Carr Siobhan , Walker Woolf , Pitno Andreia , Lopes Susana , Morsy Heba , Shoman Walaa , Pereira Luisa , Constant Carolina , Loebinger Michael R. , Chung Eddie M.K. , Kenia Priti , Rumman Nisreen , Fasseeh Nader , Lucas Jane S. , Hogg Claire , Mitchison Hannah M.
Published: December 2019

Background

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetically heterogeneous condition enriched in some consanguineous populations, results from recessive mutations affecting cilia biogenesis and motility. Currently, diagnosis requires multiple expert tests.

Methods

The diagnostic utility of multigene panel next-generation sequencing (NGS) was evaluated in 161 unrelated families from multiple population ancestries.

Results

Most (82%) families had affected individuals with biallelic or hemizygous (75%) or single (7%) pathogenic causal alleles in known PCD genes. Loss-of-function alleles dominate (73% frameshift, stop-gain, splice site), most (58%) being homozygous, even in non-consanguineous families. Although 57% (88) of the total 155 diagnostic disease variants were novel, recurrent mutations and mutated genes were detected. These differed markedly between white European (52% of families carry DNAH5 or DNAH11 mutations), Arab (42% of families carry CCDC39 or CCDC40 mutations) and South Asian (single LRRC6 or CCDC103 mutations carried in 36% of families) patients, revealing a striking genetic stratification according to population of origin in PCD. Genetics facilitated successful diagnosis of 81% of families with normal or inconclusive ultrastructure and 67% missing prior ultrastructure results.

Conclusions

This study shows the added value of high-throughput targeted NGS in expediting PCD diagnosis. Therefore, there is potential significant patient benefit in wider and/or earlier implementation of genetic screening.
Sleep problems and risk of all-cause cognitive decline or dementia: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Wei , Tan Chen-Chen , Zou Juan-Juan , Cao Xi-Peng , Tan Lan
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of association between sleep and all-cause cognitive disorders.

Methods

PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to 18 February 2019. Cohort studies exploring longitudinal associations of sleep with cognitive decline or dementia were included. The multivariable-adjusted effect estimates were pooled by random-effects models, with credibility assessment. The robust error meta-regression model was used to conduct the dose–response meta-analysis for sleep duration.

Results

11 155 reports were searched and 51 eligible cohorts with 15 sleep problems were included for our meta-analyses. Ten types of sleep conditions or parameters, including six (insomnia, fragmentation, daytime dysfunction, prolonged latency, rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder and excessive time in bed) with moderate-to-high levels of evidence, were linked to higher risk of all-cause cognitive disorders. Furthermore, a U-shaped relationship was revealed for the associations with sleep duration.

Conclusions

Sleep management might serve as a promising target for dementia prevention.
Post-treatment survival difference between lobectomy and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in stage I non-small cell lung cancer in England
Authors: Khakwani Aamir , Harden Susan , Beckett Paul , Baldwin David , Navani Neal , West Doug , Hubbard Richard
Published: December 2019

Background

Approximately 15%–20% of all non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases present with stage I disease. Surgical resection traditionally offers the best chance of a cure but some patients will not have this treatment due to older age, comorbidities or personal choice. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has become an established curative intent treatment option for patients who are not selected for or do not choose surgery. The aim of this study is to compare survival at 90 days, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years for patients who received either lobectomy or SABR.

Methods

We used data from the 2015 National Lung Cancer Audit database and linked with Hospital Episode Statistics and the radiotherapy dataset to identify patients with NSCLC stage IA-IB and performance status (PS) 0–2 who underwent surgery or SABR treatment. We assessed the likelihood of death at 90 days, 6 months, 1 year and 2 year after diagnosis and procedure date to observe survival between two patient groups.

Results

We identified 2373 patients in our cohort, 476 of whom had SABR. The median difference between date of diagnosis and date of treatment for surgery patients was 17 days while for SABR patients it was 73 days. Increasing age and worsening PS were associated with having SABR rather than surgery. Survival between the two treatment modalities was similar early on but by 1-year people who had surgery did better than those who had SABR (adjusted ORs 2.12, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.31). This difference persisted at 2 years and when the analysis was restricted to patients aged <80 years and with PS 0 or 1 and stage IA only.

Conclusion

Our analysis suggests that patients who have lobectomy have a better survival compared with SABR patients; however, we found considerable delays in patients receiving SABR which may contribute to poorer long-term outcomes with this treatment option. Reducing these delays should be a key focus in development and reorganisation of services.
Brown dwarfs in Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld and beyond Horndeski theories
Authors: Rosyadi A. S. , Sulaksono A. , Kassim H. A. , Yusof N.
Published: December 2019

We studied herein the mass and the radius of brown dwarfs predicted by beyond Horndeski (BH) and Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity theories by numerically solving the modified non-relativistic hydrostatic equations of both theories. We used a recent compilation of brown dwarf masses and radii obtained from Ref. Bayliss et al. (Astrophys J 153:1, 2016) to constrain the free parameter of both theories. We obtain the range of the corresponding parameters with 1$$\sigma $$σ and 5$$\sigma $$σ confidence by using chi-squared analysis. Furthermore, the minimum chi-squared values can be reached for the cases of $$\kappa = 0.17 \times 10^2 ~\mathrm{m}^5\,\mathrm{kg}^{-1}\,\mathrm{s}^{-2}$$κ=0.17×102m5kg-1s-2 and $$\gamma = -0.1207$$γ=-0.1207 for EiBI and BH theories, respectively. The corresponding parameter values with the minimum chi-squared values are relatively small; therefore, they cannot significantly change the brown dwarf mass limits determined from the equivalence of nuclear and photosphere luminosities for the pp (hydrogen burning) and pp+pd (deuterium burning) reactions.
β-flatness condition in CR spheres multiplicity results
Authors: Gamara Najoua , Hafassa Boutheina , Makni Akrem
Published: December 2019

We give multiplicity results for the problem of prescribing the scalar curvature on Cauchy–Riemann spheres under [Formula: see text]-flatness condition. To find a lower bound for the number of solutions, we use Bahri’s methods based on the theory of critical points at infinity and a Poincaré–Hopf-type formula.
Modeling the Effect of Fear in a Prey–Predator System with Prey Refuge and Gestation Delay
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Dubey Balram
Published: December 2019

Recently, some field experiments and studies show that predators affect prey not only by direct killing, they induce fear in prey which reduces the reproduction rate of prey species. Considering this fact, we propose a mathematical model to study the fear effect and prey refuge in prey–predator system with gestation time delay. It is assumed that prey population grows logistically in the absence of predators and the interaction between prey and predator is followed by Crowley–Martin type functional response. We obtained the equilibrium points and studied the local and global asymptotic behaviors of nondelayed system around them. It is observed from our analysis that the fear effect in the prey induces Hopf-bifurcation in the system. It is concluded that the refuge of prey population under a threshold level is lucrative for both the species. Further, we incorporate gestation delay of the predator population in the model. Local and global asymptotic stabilities for delayed model are carried out. The existence of stable limit cycle via Hopf-bifurcation with respect to delay parameter is established. Chaotic oscillations are also observed and confirmed by drawing the bifurcation diagram and evaluating maximum Lyapunov exponent for large values of delay parameter.
A Novel Simple Hyperchaotic System with Two Coexisting Attractors
Authors: Yang Jiaopeng , Liu Zhengrong
Published: December 2019

This article introduces a new hyperchaotic system of four-dimensional autonomous ordinary differential equations, with only cubic cross-product nonlinearities, which can respectively display two hyperchaotic attractors with only nonhyperbolic equilibria line. Several issues such as basic dynamical behaviors, routes to chaos, bifurcations, periodic windows, and the compound structure of the new hyperchaotic and chaotic system are investigated, either theoretically or numerically. Of particular interest is the fact that the two coexisting attractors of the new hyperchaotic system are symmetrical, and this hyperchaotic system can generate plenty of complex dynamics including two coexisting chaotic or periodic attractors. Moreover, some chaotic features of the attractor are justified numerically. Finally, 0-1 test is used to analyze and describe the complex chaotic dynamic behavior of the new system.
Domain-Structured Chaos in a Hopfield Neural Network
Authors: Akhmet Marat , Alejaily Ejaily Milad
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we provide a new method for constructing chaotic Hopfield neural networks. Our approach is based on structuring the domain to form a special set through the discrete evolution of the network state variables. In the chaotic regime, the formed set is invariant under the system governing the dynamics of the neural network. The approach can be viewed as an extension of the unimodality technique for one-dimensional map, thereby generating chaos from higher-dimensional systems. We show that the discrete Hopfield neural network considered is chaotic in the sense of Devaney, Li–Yorke, and Poincaré. Mathematical analysis and numerical simulation are provided to confirm the presence of chaos in the network.
A neutron source with 1014 DT neutron yield
Authors: Ay Yasar
Published: December 2019

The developed spherical plasma focus model is used in this study to investigate the optimum neutron yield in terms of the gas pressure, cathode radius and external inductance. The optimum values for these parameters are found separately. Then, the charging voltage is varied from 25[Formula: see text]kV to 35[Formula: see text]kV with 1[Formula: see text]kV increment by using these separately found optimum values to see the rate of increase in neutron yield. While the used gas pressure range is 1–40[Formula: see text]Torr with 1[Formula: see text]Torr increment, cathode radius range is 11.5–17[Formula: see text]cm with 0.5[Formula: see text]cm increment. External inductance is varied from 10[Formula: see text]nH to 150[Formula: see text]nH with 5[Formula: see text]nH increment. The optimum values for gas pressure, cathode radius and external inductance are found to be 26[Formula: see text]Torr, 15[Formula: see text]cm and 75[Formula: see text]nH, respectively. Even though combining these separately found optimum values of pressure, cathode radius and external inductance does not necessarily form an optimized set of operational conditions for the SPF, they lead to a higher neutron yield in that while neutron yield with these separately found optimum values at 25[Formula: see text]kV charging voltage is [Formula: see text] (higher than the measured neutron yield of [Formula: see text] at 25[Formula: see text]kV), it increases to [Formula: see text], when charging voltage is increased to 35[Formula: see text]kV. Using these values shows that spherical plasma focus device can be used as a neutron source with high neutron yield (on the order of [Formula: see text]).
Linear extensions of multiple conjugation quandles and MCQ Alexander pairs
Authors: Murao Tomo
Published: December 2019

A quandle is an algebra whose axioms are motivated from knot theory. A linear extension of a quandle can be described by using a pair of maps called an Alexander pair. In this paper, we show that a linear extension of a multiple conjugation quandle can be described by using a pair of maps called an MCQ Alexander pair, where a MCQ is an algebra whose axioms are motivated from handlebody-knot theory.
Does Market Orientation Mediate between Knowledge Management Orientation and Business Performance?
Authors: Farooq Rayees , Vij Sandeep
Published: December 2019

The objective of the study is to test the relationship between knowledge management orientation (KMO) and business performance (BP). KMO is a higher-order construct consisting of three second-order constructs: learning orientation (LO), knowledge sharing orientation (KSO), and information technology orientation (ITO). The paper explores the mediating role of market orientation (MO) in the relationship between KMO and BP. In this firm-level study, the personal survey was administered to key informants in 400 listed firms (from manufacturing and service sector) from North Indian States and Union Territories [including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and National Capital Region (NCR)]. Two respondents each from these 400 firms were approached. The study found that KMO positively affects BP. MO does not mediate the relationship between KMO and BP. Rather, KMO fully mediates the relationship between MO and BP. The study provides evidence in support of KMO as a mediator between MO and BP. KMO of the firm provides a dynamic capability for realizing the benefits of a firm’s MO. The study contributes to the knowledge management literature by empirically validating the KMO, MO and BP constructs.
Synthesis and studies of covalently linked BODIPY-metal dipyrrin conjugates
Authors: Isar Prosenjit , Ravikanth Mangalampalli
Published: December 2019

Three new covalently linked BODIPY-metal dipyrrin conjugates (Pd[Formula: see text], Zn[Formula: see text] and Re[Formula: see text] were synthesized by treating [Formula: see text]-dipyrrinyl BODIPY with appropriate metal salts in toluene in the presence of triethylamine at 120[Formula: see text] C. The conjugates were isolated in decent yields either by recrystallization or by column chromatographic purification. The conjugates were thoroughly characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, absorption, cyclic voltammetry and DFT/TD-DFT studies. The studies revealed that the BODIPY and metal dipyrrin moieties in conjugates interact very weakly with each other and retain their individual characteristic features. The conjugates are electron deficient and non-fluorescent in nature.
The p-adic Coates–Sinnott Conjecture over maximal orders
Authors: Kolster Manfred , Taleb Reza
Published: December 2019

We prove the [Formula: see text]-adic version of the Coates–Sinnott Conjecture for all primes [Formula: see text], without assuming the vanishing of [Formula: see text]-invariants, for finite abelian extensions [Formula: see text] of a totally real number field [Formula: see text], where either the integral group ring [Formula: see text] of the Galois group [Formula: see text] is a maximal order in [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] is a CM-field of degree [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] odd and [Formula: see text], where the group ring [Formula: see text] is not a maximal order. The only assumption we have to make concerns the prime [Formula: see text], where for non-abelian fields we have to assume the Main Conjecture in Iwasawa theory and the equality of algebraic and analytic [Formula: see text]-invariants.
Electrochemical controllable synthesis of MnO2 as cathode of rechargeable Zinc-ion battery
Authors: Fan Xiaoyong , Yang Huan , Ni Kefan , Han Jiaxing , Wu Yan , Sun Ruibo , Gou Lei , Li Donglin
Published: December 2019

MnO2 has been considered as an ideal cathode for rechargeable zinc-ion battery due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost. Its electrochemical performance is strongly dependent on the crystal structure and morphology. In this work, MnO2 films are electrochemically synthesized through anodic electrodepositing at different temperatures. Their morphology evolves from nanofibers assembled pompons to nanosheet arrays upon increasing electrodepositing temperature. When evaluated as cathode of rechargeable zinc-ion battery, the MnO2 film electrode electrodeposited at 10∘C displays the best electrochemical performance due to this it shows the best morphology and electrode/electrolyte interphase stability. It can stably cycle over 1000 cycles and remains a high capacity of 102[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at 1.8[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text], and a capacity of 80[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at high current density of 4.5[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]. This work provides a new direction to prepare MnO2 electrode with stable electrochemical cyclability.
Singular integrals in axisymmetric problems of elastostatics
Authors: Karaiev Artem , Strelnikova Elena
Published: December 2019

Singular integral equations arisen in axisymmetric problems of elastostatics are under consideration in this paper. These equations are received after applying the integral transformation and Gauss–Ostrogradsky’s theorem to the Green tensor for equilibrium equations of the infinite isotropic medium. Initially, three-dimensional problems expressed in Cartesian coordinates are transformed to cylindrical ones and integrated with respect to the circumference coordinate. So, the three-dimensional axisymmetric problems are reduced to systems of one-dimensional singular integral equations requiring the evaluation of linear integrals only. The thorough analysis of both displacement and traction kernels is accomplished, and similarity in behavior of both kernels is established. The kernels are expressed in terms of complete elliptic integrals of first and second kinds. The second kind elliptic integrals are nonsingular, and standard Gaussian quadratures are applied for their numerical evaluation. Analysis of external integrals proved the existence of logarithmic and Cauchy’s singularities. The numerical treatment of these integrals takes into account the presence of this integrable singularity. The numerical examples are provided to testify accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method including integrals with logarithmic singularity, Catalan’s constant, the Gaussian surface integral. The comparison between analytical and numerical data has proved high precision and availability of the proposed method.
Structural features of face and neck skin in intraoperative cylinder tension
Authors: Madazimov M. M. , Teshaboev M. G. , Raximov Z. Q.
Published: December 2019

Objective: Recently, significant attention has been paid to the aesthetics of the skin, which has led to the emergence and development, in addition to traditional medical cosmetology, of areas such as aesthetic and plastic skin surgery, surgical cosmetology, and others.

Methods: For light microscopy, samples from various sections of the skin of the face and neck (total 57 samples) subjected to stretching, obtained during surgery, were fixed in a 10–12% solution of neutral formalin. After appropriate treatment, the samples were poured into paraffin and 5–7-[Formula: see text]m-thick sections were prepared. The general morphology was studied of the sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: In the spiky layer, the integrity of keratinocyte rows is ensured by numerous desmosomes located at the contacting ends of the processes of neighboring cells. Balloon cell stretching does not lead to disruption of contacts in the forms of interdigitations of the plasma membranes of neighboring cells of the basal layer and ruptures of desmosomes at the ends of processes of neighboring cells of the prickly layer.

Conclusion: Intraoperative stretching of the skin does not cause a violation of its general architectonics. In all the studied sections in the epidermis, integrity violations in the form of tears, cracks, etc. are not determined. It was noted with a decrease in the number of rows of cells of the prickly layer. However, no phenomena of acantholysis and cytolysis were noted.
Interactive metamaterials
Authors: Ion Alexandra , Baudisch Patrick
Published: December 2019

Envisioning, designing, and implementing the user interface require a comprehensive understanding of interaction technologies. In this forum we scout trends and discuss new technologies with the potential to influence interaction design. ---
Albrecht Schmidt, Editor
Risk Adjustment in Private Equity Returns
Authors: Korteweg Arthur
Published: December 2019

This article reviews empirical methods to assess risk and return in private equity. I discuss data and econometric issues for fund-level, deal-level, and publicly traded partnerships data. Risk-adjusted return estimates vary substantially by method, time period, and data source. The weight of evidence suggests that, relative to a similarly risky investment in the stock market, the average venture capital (VC) fund earned positive risk-adjusted returns before the turn of the millennium, but net-of-fee returns have been zero or even negative since. Average leveraged buyout (BO) investments have generally earned positive risk-adjusted returns both before and after fees, compared with a levered stock portfolio. Based on an expanded set of risk factors from the literature, VC resembles a small-growth investment, while BO loads mostly on value. I also discuss the empirical evidence on liquidity and idiosyncratic volatility risks.
Direct Versus Iterated Multiperiod Volatility Forecasts
Authors: Ghysels Eric , Plazzi Alberto , Valkanov Rossen , Rubia Antonio , Dossani Asad
Published: December 2019

Multiperiod-ahead forecasts of returns’ variance are used in most areas of applied finance where long-horizon measures of risk are necessary. Yet, the major focus in the variance forecasting literature has been on one-period-ahead forecasts. In this review, we compare several approaches of producing multiperiod-ahead forecasts within the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (GARCH) and realized volatility (RV) families—iterated, direct, and scaled short-horizon forecasts. We also consider the newer class of mixed data sampling (MIDAS) methods. We carry the comparison on 30 assets, comprising equity, Treasury, currency, and commodity indices. While the underlying data are available at high frequency (5 minutes), we are interested in forecasting variances 5, 10, 22, 44, and 66 days ahead. The empirical analysis, which is performed in sample and out of sample with data from 2005 to 2018, yields the following results: Iterated GARCH dominates the direct GARCH approach, and the direct RV is preferred to the iterated RV. This dichotomy of results emphasizes the need foran approach that uses the richness of high-frequency data and, at the same time, produces a direct forecast of the variance at the desired horizon, without iterating. The MIDAS is such an approach, and unsurprisingly, it yields the most precise forecasts of variance both in and out of sample. More broadly, our study dispels the notion that volatility is not forecastable at long horizons and offers an approach that delivers accurate out-of-sample predictions.
Debt Covenants and Corporate Governance
Authors: Chava Sudheer , Fang Shunlan , Kumar Praveen , Prabhat Saumya
Published: December 2019

We review the recent theoretical and empirical literature on debt covenants with a particular focus on how creditor governance after covenant violations can influence the borrower's corporate policies. From the theoretical literature, we identify the key trade-offs that help explain the observed heterogeneity in covenant types, inclusion, likelihood of violation, and postviolation renegotiation flexibility. Empirically, we first review the literature that deals with ex ante evidence on covenant design and the various factors that influence covenant design; we next review the ex post evidence on the impact of technical covenant violations on the borrower. We then discuss limitations of the existing theoretical and empirical studies and conclude with some directions for future research in this burgeoning area.
An innovative sequence of hypoxia-reoxygenation on adult mouse cardiomyocytes in suspension to perform multilabeling analysis by flow cytometry
Authors: Paccalet Alexandre , Tessier Nolwenn , Paillard Melanie , Païta Lucille , Gomez Ludovic , Gallo-Bona Noëlle , Chouabe Christophe , Léon Christelle , Badawi Sally , Harhous Zeina , Ovize Michel , Crola Da Silva Claire
Published: December 2019

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Although major therapeutic progress has been made during the past decades, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms will certainly help to improve patient’s prognosis. In vitro models, particularly adult mouse cardiomyocytes, have been largely used; however, their fragility and large size are major obstacles to the use of flow cytometry. Conventional techniques, such as cell imaging, require the use of large numbers of animals and are time consuming. Here, we described a new, simple, and rapid one-day protocol using living adult mouse cardiomyocytes in suspension exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation that allows a multilabeling analysis by flow cytometry. Several parameters can be measured by fluorescent probes labeling to assess cell viability (propidium iodide, calcein-AM, and Sytox Green), mitochondrial membrane potential [DilC1(5) and TMRM], reactive oxygen species production (MitoSOX Red), and mitochondrial mass (MitoTracker Deep Red). We address the robustness and sensitivity of our model using a cardioprotective agent, cyclosporine A. Overall, our new experimental set-up offers a high-speed quantitative multilabeling analysis of adult mouse cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation. Our model might be interesting to investigate other cellular stresses (oxidative and inflammation) or to perform pharmacological screening.
Respiratory Involvement in Patients with Neuromuscular Diseases: A Narrative Review
Authors: Voulgaris Athanasios , Antoniadou Maria , Agrafiotis Michalis , Steiropoulos Paschalis
Published: December 2019

Respiratory muscle weakness is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). Respiratory involvement in NMDs can manifest broadly, ranging from milder insufficiency that may affect only sleep initially to severe insufficiency that can be life threatening. Patients with neuromuscular diseases exhibit very often sleep-disordered breathing, which is frequently overlooked until symptoms become more severe leading to irreversible respiratory failure necessitating noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or even tracheostomy. Close monitoring of respiratory function and sleep evaluation is currently the standard of care. Early recognition of sleep disturbances and initiation of NIV can improve the quality of life and prolong survival. This review discusses the respiratory impairment during sleep in patients with NMDs, the diagnostic tools available for early recognition of sleep-disordered breathing and the therapeutic options available for overall respiratory management of patients with NMDs.
Apolipoprotein E Deficiency Aggravates Neuronal Injury by Enhancing Neuroinflammation via the JNK/c-Jun Pathway in the Early Phase of Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice
Authors: Wu Yue , Pang Jinwei , Peng Jianhua , Cao Fang , Guo Zongduo , Jiang Li , Teng Zhipeng , Huang Zhijian , Cheng Chongjie , Jiang Yong , Sun Xiaochuan
Published: December 2019

Neuronal injury is the primary cause of poor outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been suggested to be involved in the prognosis of SAH patients. However, the role of APOE in neuronal injury after SAH has not been well studied. In this study, SAH was induced in APOE-knockout (APOE-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice to investigate the impact of APOE deficiency on neuronal injury in the early phase of SAH. The experiments of this study were performed in murine SAH models in vivo and primary cultured microglia and neurons in vitro. The SAH model was induced by endovascular perforation in APOE-/- and APOE WT mice. The mortality rate, weight loss, and neurological deficits were recorded within 72 h after SAH. The neuronal injury was assessed by detecting the neuronal apoptosis and axonal injury. The activation of microglia was assessed by immunofluorescent staining of Iba-1, and clodronate liposomes were used for inhibiting microglial activation. The expression of JNK/c-Jun was evaluated by immunofluorescent staining or western blotting. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was evaluated by ELISA. Primary cultured microglia were treated with hemoglobin (Hb) in vitro for simulating the pathological process of SAH. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, was used for evaluating the role of JNK in neuroinflammation. Nitrite production was detected for microglial activation, and flow cytometry was performed to detect apoptosis in vitro. The results suggested that SAH induced early neuronal injury and neurological deficits in mice. APOE deficiency resulted in more severe neurological deficits after SAH in mice. The neurological deficits were associated with exacerbation of neuronal injury, including neuronal apoptosis and axonal injury. Moreover, APOE deficiency enhanced microglial activation and related inflammatory injury on neurons. Inhibition of microglia attenuated neuronal injury in mice, whereas inhibition of JNK inhibited microglia-mediated inflammatory response in vitro. Taken together, JNK/c-Jun was involved in the enhancement of microglia-mediated inflammatory injury in APOE-/- mice. APOE deficiency aggravates neuronal injury which may account for the poor neurological outcomes of APOE-/- mice. The possible protective role of APOE against EBI via the modulation of inflammatory response indicates its potential treatment for SAH.
Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Inhibits TNF-α-Induced Inflammation of Human Fetal Lung Fibroblasts via NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Sen , Wang Yan , Wen Huijuan , Sun Xiaofang , Wang Yu
Published: December 2019

Objective. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), an effective ingredient of the Chinese herbCarthamus tinctoriusL, attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. This study is to investigate the effect of HSYA on the proliferation and inflammatory level of human fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5 cells) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods. MRC-5 cells were treated with different concentrations of TNF-α, HSYA, or/and etanercept (ENCP, TNF-αreceptor (TNFR1) antagonist, 500 ng/mL) before cell proliferation was detected. The laser confocal microscope was used to observe the role of HSYA in binding of TNF-αand its receptor. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the binding of TNFR1 and TAK1-TAB2 complex. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expressions of inflammation-related cytokines and proteins related with the NF-κB pathway. Luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin coprecipitation method were used to detect the interaction between AP-1 and TGF-β1 promoter.Results. TNF-α(5 ng/mL) was used to induce inflammation and proliferation in MRC-5 cells. HSYA can partially suppress the stimulation of TNF-αon proliferation and inflammatory response of MRC-5 cells. HSYA could compete with TNF-αto bind with TNFR1 and hamper the binding of TNFR1 to TAK1-TAB2 complex. In addition, HSYA could also inhibit the activation of the NF-κB signal pathway and suppress the binding of TGF-β1 promoter with AP-1.Conclusion. Evidence in this study suggested that HSYA affects TNF-α-induced proliferation and inflammatory response of MRC-5 cells through the NF-κB/AP-1 signaling pathway, which may provide theoretical basis for HSYA treatment in pulmonary fibrosis.
Prediction of the Outcome for Patients with Glioblastoma with lncRNA Expression Profiles
Authors: Liu Qinglin , Qi Changjing , Li Gang , Su Wandong
Published: December 2019

Background. Progress in gene sequencing has paved the way for precise outcome prediction of the heterogeneous disease of glioblastoma. The aim was to assess the potential of utilizing the lncRNA expression profile for predicting glioblastoma patient survival. Materials and Methods. Clinical and lncRNA expression data were downloaded from the public database of the cancer genome atlas. Differentially expressed lncRNAs between glioblastoma and normal brain tissue were screened by bioinformatics analysis. The samples were randomly separated into the training and testing sets. Univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage, selection operator regression, and multivariate Cox regression were performed to develop the prediction model with the training set, which was presented as a forest plot. The performance of the model was validated by discrimination and calibration analysis in both the training and testing sets. Patient survival between model-predicted low- and high-risk subgroups was compared in both the training and testing sets. Results. One thousand two hundred and fifty-five differentially expressed lncRNAs between glioblastoma and normal brain tissues were screened. After univariate Cox regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, a 12 lncRNA constituted prediction model was developed by multivariate Cox regression. Of the 12 lncRNAs, 4 lncRNAs were independent risk factors for patient survival. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the model for predicting 0.5-, 1-, 1.5-, and 2-year patient survival was 0.788, 0.824, 0.874, and 0.886, respectively in the training set and 0.723, 0.84, 0.816, and 0.773 in the testing set. The calibration curves of the prediction model fitted well. Significant survival disparity was observed between the model dichotomized low- and high-risk subgroups in both the training and testing set. Conclusions. LncRNA expression signature can predict glioblastoma patient survival, promising lncRNA-based survival prediction.
The Incidence and Risk Factors of Hip Fracture after Liver Transplantation (LT): A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Chiu Yung-Cheng , Liao Pei-Shao , Chou Yi-Ting , Lin Cheng-Li , Hung Chih-Hung , Lin Che-Chen , Hsu Chieh-Cheng , Hsu Horng-Chaung , Huang Jyun-Ming , Wang Yang-Yi , Kuo Shu-Jui
Published: December 2019

Background. Osteoporosis and fragility fracture are the major complications after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of hip fracture after LT. Methods. We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study, enrolling the patients receiving LT between January 1999 and December 2010. Control subjects were randomly matched to every recipient by age and sex by 1 : 10 ratios. Results. During the follow-up period, 17 recipients (0.77%) and 70 (0.32%) control subjects suffered from hip fractures. The incident rates (per 10000 person-years) were 21.49 for recipients and 7.52 for controls (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.71; 95% confidence interval = 1.21–6.05). The cumulative incidence of hip fracture was significantly higher among the recipients (p<0.0001). Among the recipients, the subjects aged >65 years at transplantation and with pretransplant steroid use are more susceptible to posttransplant hip fracture. Immunosuppressive agents did not significantly affect the risk of hip fracture among recipients. Conclusions. Liver transplantation is a risk factor for hip fractures. Aged >65 years at transplantation and pretransplant steroid use are risk factors for posttransplant hip fractures among the recipients.