bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Half‐mode SIW cavity antenna for tri‐band MIMO applications
Authors: Niu Bing‐Jian , Tan Jie‐Hong
Published: December 2019

A half‐mode (HM) substrate‐integrated‐waveguide (SIW) cavity antenna is designed for tri‐band multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) applications. Three cavity edges are shorted by metal posts while one aperture is open to radiate cavity energy into free space. To meet MIMO applications, a T‐shaped slot is etched to split the single HM cavity into two equal SIW subcavities and then they are excited by coaxial feeding ports to realize two antenna elements. To obtain tri‐band operations, four additional rectangle slots are cut, which introduces six quarter modes with different resonating regions. With the cavity size of 0.20λ0 × 0.40λ0, a fabricated prototype exhibits three operating bands with center frequencies of 3.33, 4.09, and 4.72 GHz and peak gain of 4.51, 4.05, and 3.93 dBi. Moreover, the measured port isolation is higher than 18.26 dB and the measured envelope correlation coefficient is below 0.05 within the frequency of interest.
Phase‐based T2mapping with gradient echo imaging
Authors: Wang Xiaoke , Hernando Diego , Reeder Scott B.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Transverse relaxation time (T2) mapping with MRI has a plethora of clinical and research applications. Current T2mapping techniques are based primarily on spin‐echo (SE) relaxometry strategies that rely on the signal magnitude, and often suffer from lengthy acquisition times. In this work, we propose a phase‐based T2mapping technique where T2information is encoded into the signal phase of rapid gradient echo (GRE) acquisitions.

Theory

Bloch equation simulations demonstrate that the phase of GRE acquisitions obtained with a very small inter‐repetition RF phase increment has a strong monotonic dependence on T2, resulting from coherent transverse magnetization. This T2‐dependent phase behavior forms the basis of the proposed T2mapping technique. To isolate T2‐dependent phase from background phase, at least 2 data sets with different RF phase increments are acquired. The proposed method can also be combined with chemical shift encoded MRI to separate water and fat signals.

Methods

The feasibility of the proposed technique was validated in a phantom experiment. In vivo feasibility was demonstrated in the brain, knee, abdomen, and pelvis. Comparisons were made with SE‐based T2mapping, spectroscopy, and T2values from the literature.

Results

The proposed method produced accurate T2maps compared with SE‐based T2mapping in the phantom. Good qualitative agreement was observed in vivo between the proposed method and the reference. T2measured in various anatomies agreed well with values reported in the literature.

Conclusion

A phase‐based T2mapping technique was developed and its feasibility demonstrated in phantoms and in vivo.
Generalized simultaneous multi‐orientation 2D imaging
Authors: Mickevicius Nikolai J. , Nencka Andrew S. , Paulson Eric S.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Flexibility in slice prescription is critical for precise motion monitoring during MR‐guided therapies. Adding more slices to improve spatial coverage during rapid 2D cine imaging often hampers temporal resolution. This work describes a framework to simultaneously acquire multiple arbitrarily oriented slices which share a common frequency encoding axis. This framework allows for higher frame rates for a given number of slices compared to conventional interleaved‐slice multi‐orientation cine imaging.

Theory and Methods

A framework to calculate zeroth gradient moments to be played out between sequentially excited slices with multiple orientations is described here. Experiments were performed in phantom, and in vivo in the head/neck and abdomen of patients.

Results

Images arbitrarily rotated relative to one another were successfully obtained in phantom and in vivo. Simultaneous multi‐orientation (SMO) images were also acquired with additional in‐plane acceleration to demonstrate the capability of this method to rapidly image objects moving with physiological motion.

Conclusions

The technical feasibility of the generalized SMO imaging framework was tested in this study. It shows promise for continued development for motion monitoring during MR‐guided therapies.
Modeling Brook Trout Carrying Capacity in Owhi Lake, Washington, Using Bioenergetics
Authors: Taylor Timothy N. , Cross Benjamin K. , Moore Barry C.
Published: December 2019

The management of fish populations often requires an understanding of how density-dependent effects influence population dynamics. In systems where natural populations are supplemented with stocking, the question of “how much food is available” becomes increasingly important. One typical approach for assessing density-dependent interactions is to identify disparities between fish consumption rates and food availability. The objective of our study was to determine whether seasonal lake prey production could support Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis consumption demand in Owhi Lake, Washington, at observed abundances. Brook Trout were collected seasonally from 2015 to 2017 to obtain information on length, weight, age, diet, growth, and mortality. Population abundance was estimated in summer by using hydroacoustic surveys. Littoral invertebrates and pelagic zooplankton were collected concurrently with fish to enumerate biomass and production. Bioenergetics modeling was used to estimate prey consumption by Brook Trout. In conjunction with supply–demand comparisons, we used growth efficiencies and maximum consumption rates to further identify potential seasonal and annual food limitations. Our results suggest that prey production could support Brook Trout consumption demand for all years, but littoral invertebrate consumption was close to or exceeded prey production in summer and fall 2017. Growth efficiency was lowest and maximum consumption rates were highest in summer 2017 relative to all other seasons and years. In addition to observed diet switching from littoral invertebrates to zooplankton in summer 2016 and 2017, we concluded that lower growth efficiencies, lower annual survival rates, and increased consumption rates were influenced by littoral invertebrate production. The Owhi Lake Brook Trout stocking program may require adaptive management (i.e., annual evaluations) to balance natural recruitment.
Mechanisms of Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Liver and Gut Injury
Authors: Madnawat Himani , Welu Adam L. , Gilbert Ester J. , Taylor Derian B. , Jain Sonali , Manithody Chandrashekhara , Blomenkamp Keith , Jain Ajay K.
Published: December 2019

Parenteral nutrition (PN) has revolutionized the care of patients with intestinal failure by providing nutrition intravenously. Worldwide, PN remains a standard tool of nutrition delivery in neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients. Though the benefits are evident, patients receiving PN can suffer serious cholestasis due to lack of enteral feeding and sometimes have fatal complications from liver injury and gut atrophy, including PN‐associated liver disease or intestinal failure–associated liver disease. Recent studies into gut‐systemic cross talk via the bile acid–regulated farnesoid X receptor (FXR)–fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) axis, gut microbial control of the TGR5–glucagon‐like peptide (GLP) axis, sepsis, and role of prematurity of hepatobiliary receptors are greatly broadening our understanding of PN‐associated injury. It has also been shown that the composition of ω‐6/ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids given parenterally as lipid emulsions can variably drive damage to hepatocytes and cell integrity. This manuscript reviews the mechanisms for the multifactorial pathogenesis of liver disease and gut injury with PN and discusses novel ameliorative strategies.
Acute Hepatic Failure and Nutrition
Authors: Kappus Matthew Robert
Published: December 2019

Malnutrition is prevalent in patients with hepatic failure and remains an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in these patients. Factors that contribute to malnutrition in this patient population include altered metabolic rate, fat malabsorption, and impaired gastric emptying, all in the setting of an acute and potentially prolonged hospitalization. Acute liver failure (ALF), different from cirrhosis or chronic liver disease, is an uncommon but dramatic clinical syndrome that demonstrates severe and rapid decline in hepatic metabolic function. ALF has a significant risk of mortality. There are >10 cases per million persons per year in developed countries, but ALF presents with unique challenges in clinical management related to heterogeneity in severity and etiology. Patients with ALF by definition should not have a prior history of liver disease, and liver disease is subsequently defined by the onset of liver injury, the presence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and coagulopathy as defined by an international normalized ratio > 1.5. HE usually develops within 1–4 weeks of the onset of liver injury but may occur within 26 weeks of the initial presentation. Rates of survival from ALF have improved over recent years, but the rarity and severity of presentation have resulted in traditionally limited evidence to guide basic supportive care. Over time, advances in critical care management and the use of emergency liver transplantation have improved. In this article, we will review current nutrition considerations for patients with ALF.
A nodal integration scheme for meshfree Galerkin methods using the virtual element decomposition
Authors: Silva‐Valenzuela R. , Ortiz‐Bernardin A. , Sukumar N. , Artioli E. , Hitschfeld‐Kahler N.
Published: December 2019

In this article, we present a novel nodal integration scheme for meshfree Galerkin methods, which draws on the mathematical framework of the virtual element method. We adopt linear maximum‐entropy basis functions for the discretization of field variables, although the proposed scheme is applicable to any linear meshfree approximant. In our approach, the weak form integrals are nodally integrated using nodal representative cells that carry the nodal displacements and state variables such as strains and stresses. The nodal integration is performed using the virtual element decomposition, wherein the bilinear form is decomposed into a consistency part and a stability part that ensure consistency and stability of the method. The performance of the proposed nodal integration scheme is assessed through benchmark problems in linear and nonlinear analyses of solids for small displacements and small‐strain kinematics. Numerical results are presented for linear elastostatics and linear elastodynamics and viscoelasticity. We demonstrate that the proposed nodally integrated meshfree method is accurate, converges optimally, and is more reliable and robust than a standard cell‐based Gauss integrated meshfree method.
Solution to the topology optimization problem using a time‐evolution equation
Authors: Murai Daisuke , Kawamoto Atsushi , Kondoh Tsuguo
Published: December 2019

This article describes a numerical solution to the topology optimization problem using a time‐evolution equation. The design variables of the topology optimization problem are defined as a mathematical scalar function in a given design domain. The scalar function is projected to the normalized density function. The adjoint variable method is used to determine the gradient defined as the ratio of the variation of the objective function or constraint function to the variation of the design variable. The variation of design variables is obtained using the solution of the time‐evolution equation in which the source term and Neumann boundary condition are given as a negative gradient. The distribution of design variables yielding an optimal solution is obtained by time integration of the solution of the time‐evolution equation. By solving the topology optimization problem using the proposed method, it is shown that the objective function decreases when the constraints are satisfied. Furthermore, we apply the proposed method to the thermal resistance minimization problem under the total volume constraint and the mean compliance minimization problem under the total volume constraint.
Resolving complex community problems: Applying collective leadership and Kotter's change model to wicked problems within social system networks
Authors: Caulfield Jay L. , Brenner Elizabeth F.
Published: December 2019

How does collective leadership within social networks resolve chronic and complex problems common to communities? Unfortunately, sometimes it does not, but when it does, the outcome may be truly extraordinary. We use a case study approach to explain how one Midwest community within the USA applied collective leadership within a community network to reduce teen births. It took ten years of what many identified as provocative media campaigns and comprehensive sex education programs to reduce teen births by 65%, significantly exceeding the stated goal. Using Kotter's change model as a backdrop, powerful strategies and provocative creativity reveal courageous leadership within a social network of diverse people and organizations focused on improving the social well being of their community.
Bacteriophage Therapeutics: A Primer for Clinicians on Phage‐Antibiotic Combinations
Authors: Morrisette Taylor , Kebriaei Razieh , Lev Katherine L. , Morales Sandra , Rybak Michael J.
Published: December 2019

Multidrug‐resistant organisms have caused a marked depletion of effective antimicrobials, and the narrow pipeline of antibiotics has demanded the need to find novel therapeutic alternatives including nonantibiotic agents. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that use the bacterial machinery to infect, replicate, and kill bacterial cells. Although a marked decline in their use was driven by the discovery of antibiotics, the era of antibiotic resistance has led to a resurgence of phage therapy into clinical practice. The term phage‐antibiotic synergy (PAS) was coined just over a decade ago and described that sublethal concentrations of antibiotics could stimulate phage production by bacterial cells. Recent literature has described PAS and other encouraging interactions with various phage and antibiotic combinations against a variety of bacterial strains. The primary objective of this review is to discuss the positive interactions between phage and antibiotic combinations, with an emphasis on PAS, reductions in bacterial growth or minimum inhibitory concentrations, enhanced biofilm eradication, and alterations in the emergence of bacterial resistance. A peer‐reviewed literature search was conducted (1890–2019) using the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases. Although more investigation is certainly needed, the combination of bacteriophages with antibiotics is a promising strategy to target organisms with limited or no therapeutic options. This approach may also foster the ability to lower the antibiotic dose and may reduce the potential for antibiotic resistance emergence during therapy.
Label‐Free Quantitative Proteomics Distinguishes General and Site‐Specific Host Responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection at the Ocular Surface
Authors: Yeung Jason , Gadjeva Mihaela , Geddes‐McAlister Jennifer
Published: December 2019

Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics enables the unbiased and sensitive profiling of cellular proteomes and extracellular environments. Recent technological and bioinformatic advances permit identifying dual biological systems in a single experiment, supporting investigation of infection from both the host and pathogen perspectives. At the ocular surface, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly associated with biofilm formation and inflammation of the ocular tissues, causing damage to the eye. The interaction between P. aeruginosa and the immune system at the site of infection describes limitations in clearance of infection and enhanced pathogenesis. Here, the extracellular environment (eye wash) of murine ocular surfaces infected with a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa is profiled and neutrophil marker proteins are detected, indicating neutrophil recruitment to the site of infection. The first potential diagnostic markers of P. aeruginosa‐associated keratitis are also identified. In addition, the deepest murine corneal proteome to date is defined and proteins, categories, and networks critical to the host response are detected. Moreover, the first identification of bacterial proteins attached to the ocular surface is reported. The findings are validated through in silico comparisons and enzymatic profiling. Overall, the work provides comprehensive profiling of the host–pathogen interface and uncovers differences between general and site‐specific host responses to infection.
People–plant interactions and the ecological self
Authors: DelSesto Matthew
Published: December 2019

Societal Impact Statement

This article calls attention to a promising area of research and practice with great societal impact: the potential of people–plant interactions to transform individuals and communities. Overall, the article connects insights from the practice of therapeutic horticulture to broader perspectives from social theory. A better understanding of these connections can increase opportunities for meaningful human engagements with plants and encourage implementation of interventions that might contribute to the flourishing of personal, community, and ecological life.

This article investigates some of the important contributions that plant environments can make to the transformation of the self, and to social life more generally. While therapeutic horticulture practices demonstrate the positive impacts that plants have on human health, social theories of the self do not typically account for what can be learned from these practices. Accordingly, this article reviews theories of the self with an eye toward understanding how people–plant interactions invite new approaches to the self. This perspective demonstrates that, much like living plant ecologies, the self can be conceived as highly relational and interdependent. A spectrum of people–plant interactions is introduced to clarify the variety of possible situations that might contribute to the emergence of a more ecological self. Conclusions about how the experience of people–plant interactions contributes to the transformation of the self are offered, with relevance for future scholarly research and horticultural practice.
Effect of Chewing on the Expression of Salivary Protein Composition: A Systematic Review
Authors: Al‐Manei Khaled , Almotairy Nabeel , Bostanci Nagihan , Kumar Abhishek , Grigoriadis Anastasios
Published: December 2019

Salivary proteins have an imperative role in the maintenance of oral health and repairing mechanisms of injured tissues. However, there is paucity of information reported in the literature about the influence of chewing activities on the secretion or expression of salivary proteins. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of chewing on the expression of salivary proteins composition in healthy individuals. A thorough systematic search shows 14 eligible studies for the review. The results of the systematic review show the effect of chewing on total protein concentration, alpha‐amylase (α‐amylase), peroxidase, lysozyme, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and mucin. Six papers concluded that chewing has a little or no effect on total protein concentration, α‐amylase, peroxidase, lysozyme, and IgA activities. Five papers reported a negative (decreasing) effect of chewing on the function of total protein, α‐amylase, IgA, and mucin. Only two papers showed an increase in total protein and IgA function upon chewing stimulation. The results of this systematic review indicate that more standardized evidence‐based research is required for better assessment of chewing effects on salivary proteins. Within the limitations of this review, the existing evidence suggests that chewing in healthy people has minimum effect on the expression and activities of salivary proteins.
Finding the generalized molecular principles of protein thermal stability
Authors: Hait Suman , Mallik Saurav , Basu Sudipto , Kundu Sudip
Published: December 2019

Are there any generalized molecular principles of thermal adaptation? Here, integrating the concepts of structural bioinformatics, sequence analysis, and classical knot theory, we develop a robust computational framework that seeks for mechanisms of thermal adaptation by comparing orthologous mesophilic‐thermophilic and mesophilic‐hyperthermophilic proteins of remarkable structural and topological similarities, and still leads us to context‐independent results. A comprehensive analysis of 4741 high‐resolution, non‐redundant X‐ray crystallographic structures collected from 11 hyperthermophilic, 32 thermophilic and 53 mesophilic prokaryotes unravels at least five “nearly universal” signatures of thermal adaptation, irrespective of the enormous sequence, structure, and functional diversity of the proteins compared. A careful investigation further extracts a set of amino acid changes that can potentially enhance protein thermal stability, and remarkably, these mutations are overrepresented in protein crystallization experiments, in disorder‐to‐order transitions and in engineered thermostable variants of existing mesophilic proteins. These results could be helpful to find a precise, global picture of thermal adaptation.
Numerical methods for entrainment and detrainment in the multi‐fluid Euler equations for convection
Authors: McIntyre William A. , Weller Hilary , Holloway Christopher E.
Published: December 2019

Convection schemes are a large source of error in global weather and climate models, and modern resolutions are often too fine to parametrize convection, but are still too coarse to fully resolve it. Recently, numerical solutions of multi‐fluid equations have been proposed for a more flexible and consistent treatment of subgrid‐scale convection, including net mass transport by convection and non‐equilibrium dynamics. The technique involves splitting the atmosphere into multiple fluids. For example, the atmosphere could be divided into buoyant updraughts and stable regions. The fluids interact through a common pressure, drag and mass transfers (entrainment and detrainment). Little is known about the numerical properties of mass transfer terms between the fluids. We derive mass transfer terms which relabel the fluids and derive numerical properties of the transfer schemes, including boundedness, momentum conservation and energy conservation on a co‐located grid. Numerical simulations of the multi‐fluid Euler equations using a C‐grid are presented using stable and unstable treatments of the transfers on a well‐resolved two‐fluid dry convection test case. We find two schemes which are conservative, stable and bounded for large time steps, and maintain their numerical properties on staggered grids.
Using Local Ecological Knowledge in Louisiana to Infer Distribution and Abundance of the Alligator Snapping Turtle
Authors: Huntzinger Cybil C. , Louque Irvin , Lyons Eddie K. , Lindeman Peter V. , Selman Will
Published: December 2019

Local ecological knowledge (LEK) collected via formal questionnaires and informal surveys can be a useful tool to aid in species conservation, particularly with species that are rare or difficult to detect. The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large aquatic turtle species that was heavily harvested by the commercial fishing industry beginning in the 1960s. This led to population declines throughout its range and closure of the commercial harvest in all states. The species is of conservation concern throughout its range and currently petitioned to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. However, the species' secretive behaviors and low densities can provide difficulties for biologists trying to determine accurate population densities and demographics. In 2013, we developed a LEK questionnaire to gauge licensed recreational fishermen on their perceptions of alligator snapping turtles, and distributed 2,100 questionnaires via postal service in a 7‐parish area of southwestern Louisiana, USA. Despite a low response rate (4.7%), all parishes had ≥1 sighting of alligator snapping turtle reported by respondents within the past 5 years, suggesting that they are still relatively widespread throughout southwestern Louisiana. However, respondents' perceptions also suggested that populations are stable to declining and tighter recreational harvest regulations may be needed to ensure long‐term population viability. Responses suggesting alligator snapping turtles' widespread distribution in southwestern Louisiana have recently been corroborated by field‐trapping surveys. This concordance suggests that LEK surveys can be useful for evaluating patterns of the distribution for cryptic species such as the alligator snapping turtle, while also potentially providing inferences about species abundance in a conservation context. Therefore, we recommend that surveys like this may assist with species monitoring when population sampling is logistically difficult or cost‐prohibitive. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
A new class of variational‐hemivariational inequalities for steady Oseen flow with unilateral and frictional type boundary conditions
Authors: Migórski Stanisław , Dudek Sylwia
Published: December 2019

We study a new class of elliptic variational‐hemivariational inequalities in a reflexive Banach space. Based on a surjectivity result for an operator inclusion of Clarke's subdifferential type, we prove existence of solution. Then, we apply this result to a mathematical analysis of the steady Oseen model for a generalized Newtonian incompressible fluid. A variational‐hemivariational inequality for the flow problem is derived and sufficient conditions for existence of weak solutions are obtained. The mixed boundary conditions involve a unilateral boundary condition, the Navier slip condition, a nonmonotone version of the nonlinear Navier‐Fujita slip condition, and the threshold slip and leak condition of frictional type.
Observability inequality for piecewise Hermite cubic orthogonal spline collocation semi‐discretization of the wave‐Petrovsky system with memory
Authors: Xu Da
Published: December 2019

In this paper we consider the piecewise Hermite cubic orthogonal spline collocation semi‐discretization of the wave‐Petrovsky coupled systems in the presence of memory terms. We treat the question of uniform observability for the semi‐discretization. We prove that an uniform observability inequality property in a subspace of solutions generated by filtering some frequencies holds true. The method of proof is Fourier series developments. The analysis is supported by numerical simulations.
Regimen-dependent synergism and antagonism of treprostinil and vildagliptin in hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Zebedin-Brandl Eva , Themanns Madeleine , Kazemi Zahra , Nasrollahi-Shirazi Shahrooz , Mussbacher Marion , Heyes Elizabeth , Meissl Katrin , Prchal-Murphy Michaela , Strohmaier Wolfgang , Krumpl Guenther , Freissmuth Michael
Published: December 2019

The cell dose in umbilical cord blood units is a major determinant for the outcome of hematopoietic cell transplantation. Prostaglandin analogs and dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP4/CD26)-inhibitors enhance the ability of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to reconstitute hematopoiesis. Here we explored the synergism between treprostinil, a stable prostaglandin agonist, and the DPP4/CD26-inhibitor vildagliptin. The combination of treprostinil and forskolin caused a modest but statistically significant increase in the surface levels of DPP4/CD26 on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) derived from murine bone and human cord blood. Their migration towards stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) was enhanced, if they were pretreated with treprostinil and forskolin, and further augmented by vildagliptin. Administration of vildagliptin rescued 25% of lethally irradiated recipient mice injected with a limiting number of untreated HSPCs, but 90 to 100% of recipients injected with HSPCs preincubated with treprostinil and forskolin. The efficacy of vildagliptin surpassed that of treprostinil (60% rescue). Surprisingly, concomitant administration of vildagliptin and treprostinil resulted in poor survival of recipients indicating mutual antagonism, which was recapitulated when homing of and colony formation by HSPCs were assessed. These observations of regimen-dependent synergism and antagonism of treprostinil and vildagliptin are of translational relevance for the design of clinical trials.

Key messages

Pretreatment with treprostinil increases surface levels of DPP4/CD26 in HSPCs.

Vildagliptin enhances in vitro migration of pretreated HSPCs.

Vildagliptin enhances in vivo homing and engraftment of pretreated HSPCs.

Unexpected mutual antagonism in vivo by concomitant administration of vildagliptin and treprostinil.
Non-targeted and targeted analysis of collagen hydrolysates during the course of digestion and absorption
Authors: Kleinnijenhuis Anne J. , van Holthoon Frédérique L. , Maathuis Annet J.H. , Vanhoecke Barbara , Prawitt Janne , Wauquier Fabien , Wittrant Yohann
Published: December 2019

Protein hydrolysates are an important part of the human diet. Often, they are prepared from milk, soy, or collagen. In the present study, four different collagen hydrolysates were tested, varying in the average molecular weight and the animal source. Three types of samples, the dissolved start products, in vitro generated dialysates (containing the digested components that are potentially available for small intestinal absorption), and human serum collected after product ingestion, were analyzed using LC-MS to compare the state of the hydrolysates before and after absorption, i.e., uptake into the blood. It was found that the composition of the collagen hydrolysates prior to and after ingestion was highly complex and dynamic, which made it challenging to predefine a strategy for a targeted analysis. Therefore, we implemented a new analytical approach to first map hydrolysate data sets by performing non-targeted LC-MS analysis followed by non-targeted and targeted data analysis. It was shown that the insight gained by following such a top down (data) analytical workflow could be crucial for defining a suitable targeted setup and considering data trends beyond the defined targets. After having defined and performed a limited targeted analysis, it was found that, in our experimental setup, Hyp-Gly and especially Pro-Hyp contributed significantly as carrier to the total Hyp increase in blood after ingestion of collagen hydrolysate.
Multi-state Condensation in Berlin–Kac Spherical Models
Authors: Lukkarinen Jani
Published: December 2019

We consider the Berlin–Kac spherical model for supercritical densities under a periodic lattice energy function which has finitely many non-degenerate global minima. Energy functions arising from nearest neighbour interactions on a rectangular lattice have a unique minimum, and in that case the supercritical fraction of the total mass condenses to the ground state of the energy function. We prove that for any sufficiently large lattice size this also happens in the case of multiple global minima, although the precise distribution of the supercritical mass and the structure of the condensate mass fluctuations may depend on the lattice size. However, in all of these cases, one can identify a bounded number of degrees of freedom forming the condensate in such a way that their fluctuations are independent from the rest of the fluid. More precisely, the original Berlin–Kac measure may be replaced by a factorized supercritical measure where the condensate and normal fluid degrees of freedom become independent random variables, and the normal fluid part converges to the critical Gaussian free field. The proof is based on a construction of a suitable coupling between the two measures, proving that their Wasserstein distance is small enough for the error in any finite moment of the field to vanish as the lattice size is increased to infinity.
Managerial Appropriations of the Ethos of Democratic Practice: Rating, ‘Policing’, and Performance Management
Authors: Amiridis Kostas , Costea Bogdan
Published: December 2019

This article examines how new types of performance appraisal reconfigure everyday personal relationships at work. These systems deploy smartphone technologies to be used continuously by individuals to rate each other. Our aim is to show, in concrete terms, how these practices claim to configure a democratic space where individuals are liberated to express their views about each other’s work. On the contrary, we argue that by being placed in continuous confrontation with each other’s ratings, the genuine space for democratic contestation, for the establishment of a genuine community, as well as for critique and dissent is—paradoxically—narrowed down. The first section of this article explores the context in which managerialism has become consolidated at the centre of neo-liberal politics in a dialogue with some of Mouffe’s and Rancière’s arguments. We use Rancière’s concept of “policing” to understand how managerial techniques subvert genuine democratic spaces, modes of participation and expression. Using performance appraisal systems as an example, the second part of the article provides a critical investigation which shows how managerialism intervenes at the very roots of possible democratic engagement and undermines dissent in subtle ways.
The influence of SRA programming on algorithmic thinking and self-efficacy using Lego robotics in two types of instruction
Authors: Fanchamps Nardie L. J. A. , Slangen Lou , Hennissen Paul , Specht Marcus
Published: December 2019

This study investigates the development of algorithmic thinking as a part of computational thinking skills and self-efficacy of primary school pupils using programmable robots in different instruction variants. Computational thinking is defined in the context of twenty-first century skills and describes processes involved in (re)formulating a problem in a way that a computer can process it. Programming robots offers specific affordances as it can be used to develop programs following a Sense-Reason-Act (SRA) cycle. The literature provides evidence that programming robots has the potential to enhance algorithmic thinking as a component of computational thinking. Specifically there are indications that pupils who use SRA-programming learn algorithmic skills better and achieve a higher level of self-efficacy in an open, scaffold learning environment than through direct instruction. In order to determine the influence of the instruction variant used, an experimental research design was made in which pupils solved algorithm-based mathematical problems (grid diagrams) in a preliminary measurement and their self-efficacy determined via a questionnaire. As an intervention, pupils learn to solve programming issues in pairs using “Lego NXT” robots and “Mindstorms” software in two instruction variants. The post-measurement consists of a Lego challenge, solving mathematical problems (grid diagrams), and a repeated self-efficacy questionnaire. This research shows an increase of our measures on algorithmic thinking dependent on the amount of SRA usage (though not significant). Programming using the SRA-cycle can be considered as the cause of the measured effect. The instruction variant used during the robotic intervention seems to play only a marginal role.
Preclinical evaluation of binimetinib (MEK162) delivered via polymeric nanocarriers in combination with radiation and temozolomide in glioma
Authors: Bikhezar Fatima , de Kruijff Robin M. , van der Meer Astrid J. G. M. , Torrelo Villa Guzman , van der Pol Susanne M. A. , Becerril Aragon Gabriel , Gasol Garcia Ana , Narayan Ravi S. , de Vries Helga E. , Slotman Ben J. , Denkova Antonia G. , Sminia Peter
Published: December 2019

Background and purpose

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive subtype of malignant gliomas, with an average survival rate of 15 months after diagnosis. More than 90% of all GBMs have activating mutations in the MAPK/ERK pathway. Recently, we showed the allosteric MEK1/2 inhibitor binimetinib (MEK162) to inhibit cell proliferation and to enhance the effect of radiation in preclinical human GBM models. Because the free drug cannot pass the blood–brain barrier (BBB), we investigated the use of nanocarriers for transport of the drug through the BBB and its efficacy when combined with radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) in glioma spheroids.

Methods

In vitro studies were performed using multicellular U87 human GBM spheroids. Polymeric nanocarriers (polymersomes) were loaded with MEK162. The interaction between nanocarrier delivered MEK162, irradiation and TMZ was studied on the kinetics of spheroid growth and on protein expression in the MAPK/ERK pathway. BBB passaging was evaluated in a transwell system with human cerebral microvascular endothelial (hCMEC/D3) cells.

Results

MEK162 loaded polymersomes inhibited spheroid growth. A synergistic effect was found in combination with fractionated irradiation and an additive effect with TMZ on spheroid volume reduction. Fluorescent labeled polymersomes were taken up by human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and passed the BBB in vitro.

Conclusion

MEK162 loaded polymersomes are taken up by multicellular spheroids. The nanocarrier delivered drug reduced spheroid growth and inhibited its molecular target. MEK162 delivered via polymersomes showed interaction with irradiation and TMZ. The polymersomes crossed the in vitro BBB model and therewith offer exciting challenges ahead for delivery of therapeutics agents to brain tumours.
A jump to the left and a step to the right: A test of two accounts of peak shift
Authors: Gallaghar Nicole J. , Provost Steve , Bizo Lewis A.
Published: December 2019

“Peak Shift” usually occurs following intradimensional-discrimination training and involves a shift of the peak of the generalization gradient away from the original discriminative stimulus (S+) in a direction away from an S-. Two theoretical accounts of peak shift, the gradient interaction theory (GIT) and adaptation level theory (ALT), were compared. The effects of asymmetric test stimuli and the impact of instructions to participants for them to treat stimuli as members of categories on generalization gradients were investigated. In Experiment 1, the relation between peak shifts obtained when an extended asymmetric set of test stimuli was employed and the occurrence of categorization of the stimuli involved was investigated in four separate conditions. Two involved temporal discrimination, one involved line-angle discrimination, and one involved a compound line-angle and temporal cue discrimination. If participants treated the stimuli as belonging to discrete categories, such as hands-on a clock, rather than as being on continuous dimensions then responding to the compound cue was expected to result in attenuation of blocking of a peak shift. However, the peak shift obtained to the three cue types were the same. In Experiment 2, an independent group of participants was given explicit instructions to treat the line angles as if they were the hands of a clock face and this eliminated peak shift. The results from the present experiments support an ALT interpretation, although the peak shifts were significantly smaller in magnitude than predicted by this account.
Effects of a combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cognitive training intervention in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Sabbagh Marwan , Sadowsky Carl , Tousi Babak , Agronin Marc E. , Alva Gustavo , Armon Carmel , Bernick Charles , Keegan Andrew P. , Karantzoulis Stella , Baror Eyal , Ploznik Moran , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro
Published: December 2019

Introduction

This clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of a 6‐week course of daily neuroAD™ therapy.

Methods

131 subjects between 60 and 90 years old, unmedicated for Alzheimer's disease (AD), or on stable doses of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine, with Mini–Mental State Examination scores between 18 and 26, clinical dementia rating scale scores of 1 or 2, enrolled for a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, sham‐controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Structural brain MRIs were obtained for transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting. Baseline Alzheimer's disease assessment scale—cognitive (ADAS‐Cog) and Clinical Global Impression of Change were assessed. 129 participants were randomized to active treatment plus standard of care (SOC) or sham treatments plus SOC.

Results

Subjects with baseline ADAS‐Cog ≤ 30 (~85% of study population) showed a statistically significant benefit favoring active over sham. Responder analysis showed 31.7% participants in the active group with ≤ −4 point improvement on ADAS‐Cog versus 15.4% in the sham group.

Discussion

neuroAD™ Therapy System provides a low‐risk therapeutic benefit for patients with milder AD (baseline ADAS‐Cog ≤30) beyond pharmacologic SOC.
Sealing simulation of the joint faces of a split-case pump – Part II
Authors: Zhang Hehui , You Haolin , Lu Haishan
Published: December 2019

The water-pressure test provides an indispensable way of inspecting a split-case pump to ascertain and ensure sealing performance of its joint faces. This article, which is published in two instalments, presents details of a convenient and practical numerical method, including a sub-model and bolt thread contact, to simulate the above test according to the ANSI/API Standard 610, and speed up the optimal design procedure.
The emergence of compound interest
Authors: Lewin C. G.
Published: December 2019

Compound interest was known to ancient civilisations, but as far as we know it was not until medieval times that mathematicians started to analyse it in order to show how invested sums could mount up and how much should be paid for annuities. Starting with Fibonacci in 1202 A.D., techniques were developed which could produce accurate solutions to practical problems but involved a great deal of laborious arithmetic. Compound interest tables could simplify the work but few have come down to us from that period. Soon after 1500, the availability of printed books enabled knowledge of the mathematical techniques to spread, and legal restrictions on charging interest were relaxed. Later that century, two mathematicians, Trenchant and Stevin, published compound interest tables for the first time. In 1613, Witt published more tables and demonstrated how they could be used to solve many practical problems quite easily. Towards the end of the 17thcentury, interest calculations were combined with age-dependent survival rates to evaluate life annuities, and actuarial science was created.
Scientists Scramble to Collect Data After Ridgecrest Earthquakes
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: December 2019

Ground shaking in Southern California, including a magnitude 7.1 temblor, triggered a massive mobilization effort to collect seismological, geological, and geodetic data.
Rating Fire Danger from the Ground Up
Authors: Levi Matthew , Krueger Erik , Snitker Grant , Ochsner Tyson , Villarreal Miguel , Elias Emile , Peck Dannele
Published: December 2019

Soil moisture information could improve assessments of wildfire probabilities and fuel conditions, resulting in better fire danger ratings.
Precise Detections of Solar Particle Events and a New View of the Moon
Authors: Wilson Jody K. , Spence Harlan E. , Schwadron Nathan A. , Case Anthony W. , Looper Mark D. , Jordan Andrew P. , de Wet Wouter , Kasper Justin
Published: December 2019

We have invented a new method for detecting solar particle events using data from the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). Using a simple function of the total particle detection rates from four of CRaTER's six detectors, we can precisely identify solar energetic particle event periods in the CRaTER data archive. During solar quiet periods we map the distribution of a mare‐associated mixture of elements in the lunar regolith using this new method. The new map of the moon probably reflects an as‐yet unknown combination of lunar albedo protons, neutrons, and gamma rays, and most closely resembles Lunar Prospector maps of gamma rays characteristic of thorium and iron. This result will lead to multiple follow‐up studies of lunar albedo particles and may also contribute to the study of diurnally varying hydrogenation of the lunar regolith.
The Morphology of Saturn's Aurorae Observed During the Cassini Grand Finale
Authors: Bader A. , Cowley S. W. H. , Badman S. V. , Ray L. C. , Kinrade J. , Palmaerts B. , Pryor W. R.
Published: December 2019

Cassini's mission exploring the Saturn system ended with the Grand Finale, a series of orbits bringing the spacecraft closer to the planet than ever before and providing unique opportunities for observations of the ultraviolet aurorae. This study presents a selection of high‐resolution imagery showing the aurorae's small‐scale structure in unprecedented detail. We find the main arc to vary between a smooth and a rippled structure, likely indicating quiet and disturbed magnetospheric conditions, respectively. It is usually accompanied by a diffuse and dim outer emission on its equatorward side which appears to be driven by wave scattering of hot electrons from the inner ring current into the loss cone. The duskside is characterized by highly dynamic structures which may be signatures of radial plasma injections. This image set will be the only high‐resolution data for the foreseeable future and hence forms an important basis for future auroral research on Saturn.
Temporal Variations in Scrubbing of Magmatic Gases at the Summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i
Authors: Hurwitz Shaul , Anderson Kyle R.
Published: December 2019

Measurements of gas compositions and emission rates play a major role in monitoring restless volcanoes. However, thermodynamic calculations imply that scrubbing by groundwater will prevent most HCl and significant SO2 emissions until dry pathways are established, thus leading to underestimates of gas released from magma and magma volumes. Despite the significance, direct evidence for scrubbing is mostly lacking. Based on 50 water samples collected between 2003 and 2011 from the deep NSF Well at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, we show that the chemical and stable isotope compositions of groundwater were modified by magmatic gas condensation. Temporal variations of dissolved SO42− and Cl− in the water coincided with changes in magmatic and volcanic activities. The temporal variations in water level and chemical and isotopic compositions support prior inferences of magmatic SO2 and HCl scrubbing by groundwater at Kīlauea Volcano.