bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using jittered sampling in designing geometry and imaging in shallow 3D seismic surveys
Authors: Li Peng , Zhang Jian‐Qing
Published: August 2019

When the depth of the shallow three‐dimensional seismic exploration is less than 100 m, one often encounters very low velocities for the target and high frequencies in the data. Following Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem, the permissible maximum receiver interval can be smaller in this case compared to relatively deeper seismic exploration. This suggests that there are still issues to be addressed in the design of geometry and in data processing in shallow three‐dimensional seismic exploration. This paper addresses these problems by applying the theory of compressed sensing for signal processing to shallow‐seismic geometry designing and data processing. Theoretical research shows that random sampling of data can better reconstruct the wavefield than undersampled data. Random sampled data can transform the coherent aliasing to non‐coherent noise, which turns the seismic data interpretation problem into a data denoising problem. The jittered random sampling method avoids the situation when the spatial data points of a randomly sampled dataset are too concentrated or too sparse. Our proposed approach was tested on simulated and real seismic data. The results show that if the jittered random undersampling method is used in shallow three‐dimensional seismic data acquisition, then a wider range of observation with fewer receivers in the layout is possible. This greatly improves the data collection efficiency in the field. In addition, the random sampling method has more flexibility in the field environment. When using the regular sampling method, an open survey area without large obstacles is needed. However, the random sampling method can be adapted to rugged terrains. When obstacles are encountered, the receiver spacing can be increased appropriately. In open areas, the receiver spacing can be decreased to compensate for the reduced data.
No Evidence for Association of BMI with Salivary Amylase Gene Copy Number in the UK 1958 Birth Cohort
Authors: Shwan Nzar A. A. , Armour John A. L.
Published: August 2019

Objective

In a 2014 publication, evidence was presented supporting the association of BMI with the copy number of the salivary amylase 1 (AMY1) gene, with an unprecedented effect size of −0.15 kg/m2 (SE 0.02) per copy of AMY1. Most well‐powered attempts to reproduce these findings have not been successful. However, because of different study designs, a significant association may still apply under restricted conditions such as in particular age groups. This study specifically tested the BMI‐AMY1 association at different age points in the same individuals using longitudinal BMI information from participants in the UK 1958 Birth Cohort study.

Methods

This study measured the AMY1 copy number by paralogue ratio tests in genomic DNA and by using array comparative genomic hybridization data. BMI data from 1958 Birth Cohort participants were available from eight different age points between 7 and 50 years.

Results

No evidence, even at nominal significance, was found for association of the AMY1 copy number with BMI at any age point in approximately 1,400 members of the 1958 Birth Cohort or in 2,835 people from two disease cohorts from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium.

Conclusions

The results do not support an association between BMI and AMY1 copy number at any age point.
Cardioprotective Heme Oxygenase‐1‐PGC1α Signaling in Epicardial Fat Attenuates Cardiovascular Risk in Humans as in Obese Mice
Authors: Singh Shailendra P. , McClung John A. , Thompson Ellen , Glick Yosef , Greenberg Menachem , Acosta‐Baez Giancarlo , Edris Basel , Shapiro Joseph I. , Abraham Nader G.
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study investigated whether levels of signaling pathways and inflammatory adipokines in epicardial fat regulate cardiovascular risks in humans and mice.

Methods

Epicardial fat was obtained from the hearts of patients with heart failure requiring coronary artery bypass surgery, and signaling pathways were compared with visceral fat. The genetic profile of epicardial and visceral fat from humans was also compared with genetic profiles of epicardial and visceral fat in obese mice. Left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening was measured in obese mice before and after treatment with inducers of mitochondrial signaling heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1)‐peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1‐alpha (PGC1α). An RNA array/heat map on 88 genes that regulate adipose tissue function was used to identify a target gene network.

Results

Human epicardial fat gene profiling showed decreased levels of mitochondrial signaling of HO‐1‐PGC1α and increased levels of the inflammatory adipokine CCN family member 3. Similar observations were seen in epicardial and visceral fat of obese mice. Improvement in LV function was linked to the increase in mitochondrial signaling in epicardial fat of obese mice.

Conclusions

There is a link between cardiac ectopic fat deposition and cardiac function in humans that is similar to that which is described in obese mice. An increase of mitochondrial signaling pathway gene expression in epicardial fat attenuates cardiometabolic dysfunction and LV fractional shortening in obese mice.
Current practices in menstrual management in adolescents with cancer: A national survey of pediatric oncology providers
Authors: Close Allison G. , Jones Kelley A. , Landowski Allison , Switzer Galen E. , Kazmerski Traci M. , Miller Elizabeth , Friehling Erika
Published: August 2019

Background

Adolescents and young adult (AYA) women with cancer are at risk of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) due to thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and/or disruption of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis. Currently, little is known about current practices to help prevent and treat HMB in AYA women with cancer.

Methods

We surveyed providers from 100 pediatric oncology centers. Face and content validity were assessed prior to distribution. Descriptive statistics, Chi‐squared and Fisher exact tests were used for analysis.

Results

Ninety‐four percent of respondents have recommended preventative menstrual suppression. More than half of respondents agreed that patients with the following types of cancers should receive preventative menstrual suppression: sarcomas, acute leukemias, lymphomas, and germ cell tumors. The most preferred form of menstrual suppression was GnRH agonists. Almost 95% of respondents felt that it is important to consider menstrual suppression and that a formal guideline about initiation of menstrual suppression would be helpful. Only 46% felt comfortable personally managing menstrual suppression.

Conclusions

The vast majority of pediatric oncologists who responded to this national survey have used preventative menstrual suppression and feel that it is important to consider in many types of AYA cancers. Although pediatric oncologists are most often managing menstrual suppression, they do not feel comfortable doing so and desire guidelines to help with management. Future studies to assess which patients require menstrual suppression and which menstrual suppression is best tolerated and efficacious is needed.
Sub‐nanometer titanium‐oxo cluster‐polymer nanocomposites for elastic, transparent UV‐resistant films and nano‐coatings
Authors: Lai Yuyan , Zhang Mingxin , Yu Haitao , Wang Weiyu , Yin Panchao
Published: August 2019

Core‐shell inorganic‐organic hybrid nanocomposites, Ti‐PMMAs are constructed applying the titanium‐oxo cluster (Ti6O4(BrC[CH3]2COO)8(OiPr)8, TiO; iPr = isopropyl) as quasi‐spherical initiator for ATRP (atom‐transfer radical polymerization). Confirmed by UV‐Vis measurements and mechanical test, Ti‐PMMAs inherit the properties of both TiO cluster and polymers and show outstanding UV‐proof performance, high visible light transmittances, and excellent mechanical properties and processabilities. The elasticity and toughness of TiO‐polymer nanocomposites can be further optimized by simply tuning the polymer composites during the ATRP reactions. The admirable processability of the hybrid materials render us the capability to produce uniform nano‐coatings of Ti‐PMMAs and TiO2 with thickness approaching to a challenging length scale, 10 nm.
Experiencing and responding to chronic cancer‐related fatigue: A meta‐ethnography of qualitative research
Authors: Bootsma Tom I. , Schellekens Melanie P.J. , van Woezik Rosalie A.M. , van der Lee Marije L. , Slatman Jenny
Published: August 2019

Objective

One of the most prevalent and disrupting symptoms experienced by cancer patients is chronic cancer‐related fatigue (CCRF). A better understanding of the chronic nature of CCRF can provide valuable insights for theory and practice. The purpose of this meta‐ethnography was to derive an overarching interpretative narrative on patients' experiences and responses to CCRF.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search in five databases (05‐03‐2018). In addition, papers from reference lists were retrieved. Two researchers independently screened the papers for eligibility and appraised quality (CASP‐criteria). We followed the seven phases of meta‐ethnography to extract, translate, and synthesise first‐order constructs (ie, patients' views) and second‐order constructs (ie, authors' views) from the selected studies into third‐order constructs (ie, new interpretations).

Results

Of the 1178 collected articles, 16 articles were included. Through synthesis, a new figure of six interrelated third‐order constructs was developed: (1) embodied experience entails the dominating presence of the body; (2) (mis)recognition includes lack of recognition of CCRF by patients, relatives, and health providers; (3) small horizon describes a resultant narrowed world; (4) role change encompasses adopting other life roles; (5) loss of self refers to the impact on one's identity; and (6) regaining one's footing describes the struggle against CCRF, adaptation to CCRF and finally acceptance of a “new normal with CCRF.”

Conclusion

A new embodiment figure of CCRF with social (eg, (mis)recognition), spatial (eg, small horizon) and temporal dimensions (eg, regaining one's footing) was developed. This figure can help professionals to recognise CCRF, inform patients, and personalise treatment.
Indicator Supraparticles for Smart Gasochromic Sensor Surfaces Reacting Ultrafast and Highly Sensitive
Authors: Wintzheimer Susanne , Oppmann Maximilian , Dold Martin , Pannek Carolin , Bauersfeld Marie‐Luise , Henfling Michael , Trupp Sabine , Schug Benedikt , Mandel Karl
Published: August 2019

The detection of toxic gases, such as NH3 and CO, in the environment is of high interest in chemical, electronic, and automotive industry as even small amounts can display a health risk for workers. Sensors for the real‐time monitoring of these gases should be simple, robust, reversible, highly sensitive, inexpensive and show a fast response. The indicator supraparticles presented herein can fulfill all of these requirements. They consist of silica nanoparticles, which are assembled to supraparticles upon spray‐drying. Sensing molecules such as Reichardt's dye and a binuclear rhodium complex are loaded onto the microparticles to target NH3 and CO detection, respectively. The spray‐drying technique affords high flexibility in primary nanoparticle size selection and thus, easy adjustment of the porosity and specific surface area of the obtained micrometer‐sized supraparticles. This ultimately enables the fine‐tuning of the sensor sensitivity and response. For the application of the indicator supraparticles in a gas detection device, they can be immobilized on a coating. Due to their microscale size, they are large enough to poke out of thin coating layers, thus guaranteeing their gas accessibility, while being small enough to be applicable to flexible substrates.
Gas Releasing Mechanism of LLM‐105 Using Two‐Dimensional Correlation Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Xiao Qian , Sui Heliang , Yu Qian , Chen Jie , Yin Ying , Ju Xin
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a sealed in‐situ reaction system and infrared spectroscopy (IR) were used to study the gas releasing mechanism of 2,6‐diamino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazine‐1‐oxide (LLM‐105) at different temperatures. Three characteristic stages of LLM‐105 during the heating process to 400 °C were detected by the moving‐window two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy (MW2D). Two‐dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy (2DCOS) was employed to examine changes of gas concentration in the sealed system at each stage. We found that in the first stage, LLM‐105 first released H2O and NH3. In the second stage, the decomposition is intensified, the explosive molecule first undergoes the decomposition reaction of releasing H2O, and CO2, subsequently chemical reaction producing several nitrogen gases, such as NO, N2O, HCN, NO2 and NH3. In the third stage, the decomposition process mainly releases CO2 and NH3, and the concentrations of HCN and NO2 decreased gradually. 2DCOS proven to be a very sensitive method for detecting thermal decomposition mechanisms and monitoring gas changes in sealed system.
Visualization of H atoms in the X‐ray crystal structure of photoactive yellow protein: Does it contain low‐barrier hydrogen bonds?
Authors: Wang Jimin
Published: August 2019

The hydrogen bond (HB) between 4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (HC4) and glutamic acid E46 of photoactive yellow protein is exceptionally strong. In the 0.82‐å resolution X‐ray structure for this protein (PDB ID: 1NWZ), the OH…O distance is only 2.57 å. The position of the H atom between these two O atoms has not been determined in that structure, and in the absence of that information, it is impossible to determine whether or not this HB is a low‐barrier HB (LBHB), as was proposed recently based on neutron structures of this protein (Yamaguchi et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2009, 106: 440–444). Residual electron density maps computed using the 1NWZ data reveal that this H atom is 0.92 å from the Oε2 atom of E46 and 1.67 å from the O4′ of HC4, and that the OH…O bond angle is 167°. These observations indicate that E46 is protonated, and HC4 is deprotonated, as was originally suggested, and that the HB in question is not an LBHB.
Improvements to feature resolution in the OSTIA sea surface temperature analysis using the NEMOVAR assimilation scheme
Authors: Fiedler E. K. , Mao C. , Good S. A. , Waters J. , Martin M. J.
Published: August 2019

The data assimilation scheme used in the Met Office's Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA) system has been updated from an Optimal Interpolation (OI)‐type scheme to a variational assimilation scheme. The updated system includes a dual length‐scale background error correlation operator, and a flow‐dependent component to adjust the length‐scale combination in favour of the short scale in regions of high sea surface temperature (SST) variability. The variational assimilation scheme improves both the analysis performance and the representation of SST features in the OSTIA analysis compared to the OI scheme of the original system. The results of spectral analysis, assessment of horizontal SST gradients and the response of an atmospheric model to the OSTIA SST analysis as a boundary condition indicate that the flow‐dependent formulation successfully contributes to improvements in the feature resolution capability of the analysis. Overall, using a short length‐scale of 15 km and including a flow‐dependent adjustment component produces the best results compared to using either 40 km or the first Rossby radius of deformation as the short length‐scale. The new system successfully captures realistic ocean variability without introducing noise into the analysis, allowing the feature resolution capability of the new system to out‐perform that of other comparable SST analysis products.
Interaction between growing oocytes and granulosa cells in vitro
Authors: Alam Md Hasanur , Miyano Takashi
Published: August 2019

Background

Oocyte growth is accompanied by follicular development in mammalian ovaries. Since the discovery of two oocyte‐derived factors, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), knowledge of the bidirectional communication between oocytes and granulosa cells for ovarian function and fertility has been accumulated. In addition, the growth culture system of oocytes has been improved, further promoting the studies on the communication between oocytes and granulosa cells in vitro.

Methods

We provide an overview of the role of granulosa cells in oocyte growth and the role of oocytes in follicular development along with our recent findings in culture experiments of bovine growing oocytes.

Main findings

Granulosa cells supply nutrients and metabolites through gap junctions to oocytes and secrete paracrine signals to regulate oocytes. Oocytes regulate granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation and induce antrum formation via GDF9 and BMP15.

Conclusion

Oocytes actively participate in various aspects of follicular development, including antrum formation via the oocyte‐derived factors GDF9 and BMP15, whose synthesis is probably regulated by granulosa cells. In vitro studies will reveal the precise communication loop between oocytes and granulosa cells that facilitates the coordinated development of oocytes and granulosa cells in the follicles.
Sulfide‐Compatible Conductive and Adhesive Glue‐Like Interphase Engineering for Sheet‐Type All‐Solid‐State Battery
Authors: Cho Woosuk , Park Jesik , Kim Kyungsu , Yu Ji‐Sang , Jeong Goojin
Published: August 2019

An all‐solid‐state lithium battery based on a sulfide electrolyte is one of the most promising next‐generation energy storage systems. However, the high interfacial impedance, particularly due to the internal pores in the electrode or electrolyte layers, is the major limiting factor to the development of sheet‐type all‐solid‐state batteries. In this study, a low‐resistance integrated all‐solid composite electrode is developed using a hybrid of a pyrrolidinium‐based ionic liquid and a polyethylene oxide polymer with lithium salt as a multifunctional interphase material, which is engineered to be compatible with the sulfide electrolyte as well as the fabrication process of sheet‐type composite electrode. The interphase material fills the pore in the composite sheet while binding the components together, which effectively increases the interfacial contact area and strengthens the physical network between the components, thereby enabling enhanced ion transport throughout the electrode. The interphase‐engineered sheet‐type LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 /Li10GeP2S12 electrode shows a high reversible capacity of 166 mAh g−1 at 25 °C, corresponding to 92% of the observed capacity in a current liquid‐based cathode system, as well as enhanced cycle and rate performances. This study proposes a novel and practical method for the development of high‐performance sheet‐type all‐solid‐state lithium batteries.
Scaling Organic Electrochemical Transistors Down to Nanosized Channels
Authors: D'Angelo Pasquale , Marasso Simone L. , Verna Alessio , Ballesio Alberto , Parmeggiani Matteo , Sanginario Alessandro , Tarabella Giuseppe , Demarchi Danilo , Pirri Candido F. , Cocuzza Matteo , Iannotta Salvatore
Published: August 2019

The perspective of downscaling organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) in the nanorange is approached by depositing poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) on electrodes with a nanogap designed and fabricated by electromigration induced break junction (EIBJ) technique. The electrical response of the fabricated devices is obtained by acquiring transfer characteristics in order to clarify the specific main characteristics of OECTs with sub‐micrometer‐sized active channels (nanogap‐OECTs). On the basis of their electrical response to different scan times, the nanogap‐OECT shows a maximum transconductance unaffected upon changing scan times in the time window from 1 s to 100 µs, meaning that fast varying signals can be easily acquired with unchanged amplifying performance. Hence, the scaling down of the channel size to the nanometer scale leads to a geometrical paradigm that minimizes effects on device response due to the cationic diffusion into the polymeric channel. A comprehensive study of these features is carried out by an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study, complemented by a quantitative analysis made by equivalent circuits. The propagation of a redox front into the polymer bulk due to ionic diffusion also known as the “intercalation pseudocapacitance” is identified as a limiting factor for the transduction dynamics.
13.9%‐Efficiency and Eco‐Friendly Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells Obtained by Balancing Molecular Weight and Solubility in Chlorinated Thiophene‐Based Polymer Backbones
Authors: Jeon Sung Jae , Han Yong Woon , Moon Doo Kyung
Published: August 2019

To industrialize nonfullerene polymer solar cells (NFPSCs), the molecular design of the donor polymers must feature low‐cost materials and a high overall yield. Two chlorinated thiophene‐based polymers, P(F–Cl) and P(Cl–Cl), are synthesized by introducing halogen effects like fluorine (F) and chlorine (Cl) to the previously reported P(Cl), which exhibits low complexity. However, the molecular weights of these polymers are insufficient owing to their low solubility, which in turn is caused by introducing rigid halogen atoms during the polymerization. Thus, they show relatively low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 11.8% and 10.3%, respectively. To overcome these shortcomings, two new terpolymers are designed and synthesized by introducing a small amount of 1,3‐bis(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐5,7‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1,2‐c:4,5‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione (BDD) unit into each backbone, namely, P(F–Cl)(BDD = 0.2) and P(Cl–Cl)(BDD = 0.2). As a result, both polymers remain inexpensive and show a better molecular weight–solubility balance, achieving high PCEs of 12.7% and 13.9%, respectively, in NFPSCs processed using eco‐friendly solvents.
CO Gas Induced Phase Separation in PtPb@Pt Catalyst and Formation of Ultrathin Pb Nanosheets Probed by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhao Zhi Liang , Gu Meng
Published: August 2019

PtPb@Pt catalysts are very useful and widely applied in various industrial reactions. Here, the phase stability of such catalysts is compared in both CO gas and vacuum conditions at elevated temperatures using aberration‐corrected in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A Pt aggregation process takes place affected by CO gas, which results in direct exposure of the PtPb core to CO. A phase separation process, in which Pb atoms are stripped off the original PtPb@Pt nanoparticles, is unambiguously identified in CO gas. At initial stages, the as nucleated Pb islands are amorphous. Once the ultrathin Pb islands reach ≈3.5 nm or higher, they suddenly became crystalline. The interaction between Pb and CO gas stabilizes the ultrathin Pb nanosheets, resulting in the formation of a large quantity of Pb nanosheets and Pb‐depleted PtPb0.08 nanoparticles. In sharp contrast, when heated up in a vacuum, the PtPb@Pt catalyst remains intact. The results of this study shine light on the “toxic” effect of CO that results in failures of many Pt‐based catalysts and discloses formation mechanism of ultrathin Pb nanosheets.
High Coercivity and Magnetization in WSe2 by Codoping Co and Nb
Authors: Ahmed Sohail , Ding Xiang , Murmu Peter P. , Bao Nina , Liu Rong , Kennedy John , Wang Lan , Ding Jun , Wu Tom , Vinu Ajayan , Yi Jiabao
Published: August 2019

Introducing ferromagnetism in transition metal dichalcogenides has attracted lots of attention due to the possible applications in spintronics devices. Generally, single magnetic element doping is used to introduce magnetism. However, mostly, weak ferromagnetism is observed. In this work, codoping of two kinds of transition metals (Nb and Co) into WSe2 is used to study its magnetic properties. In detail, single crystal WSe2 is codoped with 4 at% Co and various concentrations of Nb by employing the physical ion implantation method. Raman, X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results reveal the effective substitutional doping of implanted elements (Co and Nb). Magnetic measurements illustrate that both un‐doped and 4 at% Co doped WSe2 show weak ferromagnetism whereas magnetization is strongly enhanced when Co and Nb are codoped into WSe2. The magnetization is comparable with a ferromagnet, which may be attributed to Co, Nb doping and defects. In addition, a large coercivity of ≈1.2 kOe is observed in the 1 at% Nb–4 at% Co codoped WSe2 sample, which may be ascribed to the combined effect of doping‐induced stress, defect‐dictated pinning and anisotropy of NbSe bond owing to the charge transfer between Nb and Se ions.
PEGylated Tantalum Nanoparticles: A Metallic Photoacoustic Contrast Agent for Multiwavelength Imaging of Tumors
Authors: Miao Zhaohua , Liu Peiying , Wang Yichuan , Li Kai , Huang Doudou , Yang Huanjie , Zhao Qingliang , Zha Zhengbao , Zhen Liang , Xu Cheng‐Yan
Published: August 2019

Elemental tantalum is a well‐known biomedical metal in clinics due to its extremely high biocompatibility, which is superior to that of other biomedical metallic materials. Hence, it is of significance to expand the scope of biomedical applications of tantalum. Herein, it is reported that tantalum nanoparticles (Ta NPs), upon surface modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules via a silane‐coupling approach, are employed as a metallic photoacoustic (PA) contrast agent for multiwavelength imaging of tumors. By virtue of the broad optical absorbance from the visible to near‐infrared region and high photothermal conversion efficiency (27.9%), PEGylated Ta NPs depict high multiwavelength contrast capability for enhancing PA imaging to satisfy the various demands (penetration depth, background noise, etc.) of clinical diagnosis as needed. Particularly, the PA intensity of the tumor region postinjection is greatly increased by 4.87, 7.47, and 6.87‐fold than that of preinjection under 680, 808, and 970 nm laser irradiation, respectively. In addition, Ta NPs with negligible cytotoxicity are capable of eliminating undesirable reactive oxygen species, ensuring the safety for biomedical applications. This work introduces a silane‐coupling strategy for the surface engineering of Ta NPs, and highlights the potential of Ta NPs as a biocompatible metallic contrast agent for multiwavelength photoacoustic image.
Self‐Assembled Peptide‐Based Nanoprobes for Disease Theranostics and Disease‐Related Molecular Imaging
Authors: Ren Chunhua , Wang Zhongyan , Wang Qian , Yang Cuihong , Liu Jianfeng
Published: August 2019

Self‐assembling peptide‐based nanoprobes have attracted increasing research interest in recent years because of their inherent advantages, such as good biosafety, flexible designability, ease of synthesis, and degradability. Being precisely regulated by a delicate molecular design, the self‐assembly/disassembly behavior of the peptide‐based nanoprobes to external stimuli results in signal turn‐on/off properties, which can therefore be applied for disease theranostics and disease‐related molecular detection, including cancer, bacterial infection, cell imaging, and enzymes. This review summarizes the recent advancements of self‐assembled peptide‐based nanoprobes for disease diagnosis and molecular imaging. Moreover, the challenges and strategies of self‐assembled peptide‐based nanoprobes for clinic transformation and practical applications are briefly discussed.
The Dozen Things Experimental Economists Should Do (More of)
Authors: Czibor Eszter , Jimenez‐Gomez David , List John A.
Published: August 2019

What was once broadly viewed as an impossibility—learning from experimental data in economics—has now become commonplace. Governmental bodies, think tanks, and corporations around the world employ teams of experimental researchers to answer their most pressing questions. For their part, in the past two decades academics have begun to more actively partner with organizations to generate data via field experimentation. Although this revolution in evidence‐based approaches has served to deepen the economic science, recently a credibility crisis has caused even the most ardent experimental proponents to pause. This study takes a step back from the burgeoning experimental literature and introduces 12 actions that might help to alleviate this credibility crisis and raise experimental economics to an even higher level. In this way, we view our “12 action wish list” as discussion points to enrich the field.
Activity‐based analysis of sociotechnical change
Authors: Adamides Emmanuel D.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we introduce activity‐based analysis (ABA) for explaining and learning about sociotechnical system change at the societal function level. The analysis is based on a novel conceptualization of sociotechnical systems as activity systems, and change as result of the resolution of contradictions that develop within and between activities carried out for the fulfilment of societal functions. We develop ABA for the specific domain and employ it in the construction of a narrative explanation of the evolution of the food/nutrition sociotechnical system from the institutionalization of processed food to the emergence of medical nutrition.
Relationship between Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior in Dual‐Phase Steels with Various Si Content
Authors: Nouri Ashkan , Hassannejad Hossein , Farrokhi-Rad Morteza
Published: August 2019

The objective herein is to evaluate the effect of silicon on the corrosion behavior of dual‐phase steels. For this purpose, five different steels with various Si content ranging from 0.34 to 2.26 wt% are intercritically annealed at 780 °C for 15 min. It is clarified that the mechanism of the effect of Si on the corrosion behavior of dual‐phase steels is a mutual mechanism. The increase in Si content (from 0.34% to 0.91%) initially reduces corrosion resistance due to a decrease in the volume fraction of martensite. However, according to microcapillary studies, a further increase in Si content (from 0.91% to 2.26%) reduces the potential difference between ferrite and martensite and, as a result, reduces the galvanic couple between them. Therefore, corrosion resistance improves by increasing Si content in the range of 0.91%–2.26%. It is also shown that in the corroded surface of the low‐silicon sample, γ‐FeOOH is mainly formed, whereas with an increase in Si content, this compound reduces and α‐FeOOH rises. Also, β‐FeOOH, silicon oxide and Fe3O4 are formed in the high‐silicon sample. The study of the corroded surface topography depicts that surface roughness in a high‐Si sample is less than low‐Si sample.
Risk factors for Cesarean delivery in pregnancy with small‐for‐gestational‐age fetus undergoing induction of labor
Authors: Nwabuobi C. , Gowda N. , Schmitz J. , Wood N. , Pargas A. , Bagiardi L. , Odibo L. , Camisasca‐Lopina H. , Kuznicki M. , Sinkey R. , Odibo A.
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To identify risk factors for Cesarean delivery and non‐reassuring fetal heart tracing (NRFHT) in pregnancies with a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) fetus undergoing induction of labor and to design and validate a prediction model, combining antenatal and intrapartum variables known at the time of labor induction, to identify pregnancies at increased risk of Cesarean delivery.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of non‐anomalous, singleton gestations with a SGA fetus that underwent induction of labor, delivered in a single tertiary referral center between January 2011 and December 2016. SGA was defined as estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10th percentile. The primary outcome was to identify risk factors associated with Cesarean delivery. The secondary outcome was to identify risk factors associated with NRFHT. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine which clinical characteristics, available at the time of admission, had the strongest association with Cesarean delivery and NRFHT during labor induction. The predictive value of the final models was assessed by the area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve (AUC). Sensitivity and specificity of the models were also assessed. Internal validation of the models was performed using 10 000 bootstrap replicates of the original cohort. The adequacy of the models was evaluated using the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit
test.

Results

A total of 594 pregnancies were included. Cesarean delivery was performed in 243 (40.9%) pregnancies. Significant risk factors associated with Cesarean delivery, and included in the final model, were maternal age, gestational age at delivery and initial method of labor induction. The bootstrap estimate of the AUC of the final prediction model for Cesarean delivery was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78–0.86). The model had sensitivity of 64.2%, specificity of 86.9%, positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 4.9 and negative LR of 0.41. The model had good fit (P = 0.617). NRFHT complicated 117 (19.7%) pregnancies. Significant risk factors for NRFHT included EFW < 5th percentile, abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies (pulsatility index > 95th percentile or absent/reversed end‐diastolic flow) and gestational age at delivery. The final prediction model for NRFHT had an AUC of 0.69 (95% CI, 0.63–0.75) and specificity of 97.0%.

Conclusion

We identified several significant risk factors for Cesarean delivery and NRFHT among SGA pregnancies undergoing induction of labor. Clinicians may use these risk factors to guide patient counseling and to help anticipate the potential need for operative delivery. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Lagrangian description of the partially massless higher spin N = 1 supermultiplets in AdS4 space
Authors: Buchbinder I. L. , Khabarov M. V. , Snegirev T. V. , Zinoviev Yu. M.
Published: August 2019

Abstract

In the recent paper [1] the classification of non-unitary representations of the three dimensional superconformal group has been constructed. From AdS/CFT they must correspond to N = 1 supermultiplets containing partially massless fields in AdS
4. Moreover, the simplest example of such supermultiplets which contains a partially massless spin-2 was explicitly constructed. In this paper we extend this result and develop explicit Lagrangian construction of general N = 1 supermultiplets containing partially massless fields with arbitrary superspin. We use the frame-like gauge invariant description of partially massless higher spin bosonic and fermionic fields. For the two types of the supermultiplets (with integer and half-integer superspins) each one containing two partially massless bosonic and two partially massless fermionic fields we derive the supertransformations leaving the sum of their free Lagrangians invariant such that the AdS
4 superalgebra is closed on-shell.
Pain Trajectories and Predictors: A 7-Year Longitudinal Study of Women With Vulvodynia
Authors: Pâquet Myriam , Vaillancourt-Morel Marie-Pier , Jodouin Jean-François , Steben Marc , Bergeron Sophie
Published: August 2019

Introduction

A significant proportion of women report a reduction of symptoms over time—even without treatment—yet the natural progression of vulvodynia and which factors may explain decrease vs persistence of pain remain unclear.

Aim

To identify subgroups of pain trajectories in women with vulvodynia and to predict these different trajectories by treatments undertaken, pain characteristics, and psychosocial factors.

Methods

Data on pain intensity, treatments undertaken, pain characteristics, and psychosocial factors were collected 3 times over a 7-year period from 173 women who screened positive for vulvodynia. Latent class growth analysis was conducted to identify homogeneous subgroups with distinct pain trajectories. A multivariate binomial logistic regression was used to examine whether treatments, pain characteristics, and psychosocial factors predicted these trajectories.

Main Outcome Measure

The main outcome was pain intensity (0–10), measured at 3 time points with the numerical rating scale.

Results

2 pain trajectories were identified: 1 where pain persisted (28.9%), and 1 where pain decreased over time (71.1%). Whether a treatment had been undertaken was not predictive of the course of pain over time. Women who were older at first pain onset, had pain at another location than the entrance of the vagina, and reported more anxiety were more likely to have a persistent pain trajectory relative to the decreased pain trajectory.

Clinical Implications

Findings suggest that the evolution of pain differs among women with vulvodynia depending on pain characteristics and anxiety.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths of the study include the 7-year longitudinal design to examine the natural history of provoked vestibulodynia and the inclusion of biopsychosocial factors as predictors of pain trajectories. However, women with major medical and psychiatric illnesses or deep dyspareunia were not included, and, thus, these factors could not be examined as predictors.

Conclusion

Assessing baseline characteristics associated with different pain trajectories during medical visits could have positive implications for the management of vulvodynia.
Technical, Political, and Social Issues in Archaeological Collections Data Management
Authors: Emerson Patricia , Hoffman Nancy
Published: August 2019

Managing collections means ensuring that the data about them are useful, available, and accurate. In addition to the technical aspects of data management, there are layers of political and social structure that direct the construction and use of collections data. The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) employs a set of data standards that allows us to gather electronic cataloging data from a wide community of archaeology researchers who are depositing collections at our institution. Though met with initial resistance, these standards have facilitated publication in Open Context as linked open data. Furthermore, institutional discussions concerning Creative Commons licensing and the cultural sensitivity of collections data were precipitated by publication, highlighting the role of social agreement in data management. We found that successful employment of data standards must take into account the needs of the various stakeholders and further their interests. Standards will be most useful and successful when they are lightweight, are supported by training and documentation, and exist as part of a system that allows for more than one way to characterize the collections.
A Long View of Archaeological Collections Care, Preservation, and Management
Authors: Benden Danielle M. , Taft Mara C.
Published: August 2019

Collections care practices have become professionalized in the last 30 years, in large part because of the work of organizations such as the American Alliance of Museums, the Canadian Conservation Institute, the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, the American Institute for Conservation, and others in the museum sphere. Advances in preservation and management have benefited the discipline of archaeology in the field and laboratory. This thematic issue provides an updated perspective on the current happenings in the repository, highlighting innovative techniques and practices that collections specialists employ when managing the archaeological record. This article considers a macroview of the issues surrounding archaeological curation today and ponders what the future of collections preservation can and should look like.
Arctic Ice Ocean Prediction System: evaluating sea-ice forecasts duringXuelong's first trans-Arctic Passage in summer 2017
Authors: Mu Longjiang , Liang Xi , Yang Qinghua , Liu Jiping , Zheng Fei
Published: August 2019

In an effort to improve the reliability of Arctic sea-ice predictions, an ensemble-based Arctic Ice Ocean Prediction System (ArcIOPS) has been developed to meet operational demands. The system is based on a regional Arctic configuration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model. A localized error subspace transform ensemble Kalman filter is used to assimilate the weekly merged CryoSat-2 and Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity sea-ice thickness data together with the daily Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) sea-ice concentration data. The weather forecasts from the Global Forecast System of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction drive the sea ice–ocean coupled model. The ensemble mean sea-ice forecasts were used to facilitate the Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in summer 2017. The forecasted sea-ice concentration is evaluated against AMSR2 and Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder sea-ice concentration data. The forecasted sea-ice thickness is compared to the in-situ observations and the Pan-Arctic Ice-Ocean Modeling and Assimilation System. These comparisons show the promising potential of ArcIOPS for operational Arctic sea-ice forecasts. Nevertheless, the forecast bias in the Beaufort Sea calls for a delicate parameter calibration and a better design of the assimilation system.
Neolithic population crash in northwest Europe associated with agricultural crisis
Authors: Colledge Sue , Conolly James , Crema Enrico , Shennan Stephen
Published: August 2019

The focus of this paper is the Neolithic of northwest Europe, where a rapid growth in population between ~5950 and ~5550 cal yr BP is followed by a decline that lasted until ~4950 cal yr BP. The timing of the increase in population density correlates with the local appearance of farming and is attributed to the advantageous effects of agriculture. However, the subsequent population decline has yet to be satisfactorily explained. One possible explanation is the reduction in yields in Neolithic cereal-based agriculture due to worsening climatic conditions. The suggestion of a correlation between Neolithic climate deterioration, agricultural productivity, and a decrease in population requires testing for northwestern Europe. Data for our analyses were collected during the Cultural Evolution of Neolithic Europe project. We assess the correlation between agricultural productivity and population densities in the Neolithic of northwest Europe by examining the changing frequencies of crop and weed taxa before, during and after the population “boom and bust.” We show that the period of population decline is coincidental with a decrease in cereal production linked to a shift towards less fertile soils.
Occurrence of pyrethroid resistance mutation in Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) throughout Argentina
Authors: Soleño J. , Parra-Morales L.B. , Cichón L. , Garrido S. , Guiñazú N. , Montagna C.M.
Published: August 2019

Pyrethroid insecticides were intensively used against Cydia pomonella in the Río Negro and Neuquén valley, main production area of pome fruits in Argentina. Therefore, the first objective was to evaluate lambda-cyhalothrin resistance levels in C. pomonella larvae from orchards in this area that are currently under pyrethroids treatments. The second objective was to evaluate the frequency of kdr mutation in C. pomonella across Argentina. High levels of resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin (resistance ratios > 30) were determined in all the populations evaluated. The L1014F (kdr) mutation was evaluated in 355 diapausing larvae collected in 12 orchards from San Juan to Santa Cruz provinces (1690 km away from each other). The highest frequency of kdr mutation was determined in larvae from the Río Negro and Neuquén valley (0.61), followed by those from Mendoza (0.36). The kdr allele was absent or present at very low frequencies in orchards subjected to low pyrethroid pressure. The frequency of detection of kdr mutation in C. pomonella from Argentina is related to the use of pyrethroids against this pest in different areas. Target-site insensitivity is, at least, one of the mechanisms involved in resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin in codling moth from the Río Negro and Neuquén valley.
Temperature-dependent development and survival of immature stages of the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Azrag A.G.A. , Yusuf A.A. , Pirk C.W.W. , Niassy S. , Mbugua K.K. , Babin R.
Published: August 2019

Although the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is the most destructive insect pest of coffee worldwide, there is much to learn about its thermal biology. This study aimed to develop temperature-based models for H. hampei development and to provide the thermal requirements of immature stages in the laboratory. Using a new observation method, larval development and survival were monitored daily on fresh Arabica coffee seeds, under seven constant temperatures in the range 15–35°C, with 80 ± 5% RH and 12:12 L:D photoperiod. Linear and non-linear functions were fitted to the development data plotted against temperature, using Insect Life Cycle Modelling software (ILCYM). Temperature significantly affected the development time of all immature stages. Egg incubation period ranged 4.6–16.8 days, under temperature between 30 and 15°C. No development occurred at 35°C and the larval stage did not develop to pupa at 15°C. The minimum temperature threshold (Tmin) estimated from linear regression was 10.5, 13.0, 15.0 and 13.0°C, for egg, larva, pupa and the total development from egg to adult, respectively. The maximum temperature threshold (Tmax) estimated from the Sharpe and DeMichele function was 32°C for egg to adult development. The thermal constant (k) was estimated at 78.1, 188.7, 36.5 and 312.5 degree days, for egg, larva, pupa and for egg to adult, respectively. Our results will help understand and predict the pest population dynamics and distribution in coffee plantations as impacted by temperature, and as such, will contribute to a more efficient management of the pest.
Endoscopic posterior nasal neurectomy
Authors: Ahilasamy N , Rajendran Dinesh K
Published: August 2019

Background

Surgical techniques for resistant chronic rhinitis (rhinorrhoea) vary, ranging from vidian neurectomy to post-nasal neurectomy. The techniques vary mainly on the basis of instrumentation, and the avoidance of post-operative epistaxis, transient hypoesthesia of the soft palate and dryness of the eye. Endoscopic visualisation, and cauterisation or resection of posterior nasal nerve branches, can prevent such complications.

Method

The technique and surgical steps of endoscopic posterior nasal neurectomy are presented.

Results

The critical steps include: bilateral sphenopalatine nerve blocks, transnasally or transorally via the greater palatine foramen; vertical incisions made behind the posterior fontanelle; and elevation of the mucoperiosteal flap. The sphenopalatine foramen and artery is identified. The posterior nasal nerve is located 4–5 mm inferior to the sphenopalatine artery, and is resected or cauterised. The flaps are repositioned back into place. No post-operative nasal packing is required. The same procedure is performed on the opposite side for effective results.

Conclusion

This technique provides consistent, robust results, with long-term relief of allergic and vasomotor rhinitis related nasal symptoms, without risk of complication.