bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safe reinforcement learning for dynamical games
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Vamvoudakis Kyriakos G. , Modares Hamidreza 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThis article presents a novel actor‐critic‐barrier structure for the multiplayer safety‐critical systems. Non‐zero‐sum (NZS) games with full‐state constraints are first transformed into unconstrained NZS games using a barrier function. The barrier function is capable of dealing with both symmetric and asymmetric constraints on the state. It is shown that the Nash equilibrium of the unconstrained NZS guarantees to stabilize the original multiplayer system. The barrier function is combined with an actor‐critic structure to learn the Nash equilibrium solution in an online fashion. It is shown that integrating the barrier function with the actor‐critic structure guarantees that the constraints will not be violated during learning. Boundedness and stability of the closed‐loop signals are analyzed. The efficacy of the presented approach is finally demonstrated by using a simulation example.
Enhanced Anti‐Bacterial Activity of Non‐Antibacterial Drug Candesartan Cilexetil by Delivery through Polymeric Micelles
Authors: Kareem Faheem , Abdul‐Karim Rubina , Maharjan Rukesh , Shah Muhammad Raza , Simjee Shabana U. , Khan Khalid M. , Malik Muhammad Imran 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCandesartan Cilexetil (CC) is a prodrug of candesartan and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. It is used as a drug for different diseases like myocardial infarction, hypertension, and heart failure. The applicability of CC is impeded due to its poor water solubility, low permeability, and low bioavailability. This study is targeted to improve the efficacy and bioavailability of CC by its delivery through MeO‐PEO5K‐PCL micelles. The effect of length of hydrophobic block (PCL) on size of the micelles, drug encapsulation efficiency, and drug release behavior is evaluated. MeO‐PEO5K‐PCL based micelles were prepared by solvent evaporation method. The size of PMs was determined by dynamic light scattering, morphology by atomic force microscopy, and critical micelles concentration by fluorescence method. Encapsulation efficiency and drug release behaviors of MeO‐PEO5K‐PCL based PMs were evaluated by UV‐visible spectroscopy and dispersion method, respectively. The size of micelles increased and drug release rate decreased with increase in the length of PCL block. Maximum encapsulation efficiency of 96.42 % for CC is achieved with ABCs having equal PEO and PCL block lengths. A comparison of antibacterial activity of CC in pure form and encapsulated in PMs against MRSA is conducted. The MIC50 for CC loaded PMs has decreased to more than half in comparison to pure drug. AFM based morphological analysis also confirmed the decrease in MIC50 by delivery through PMs.
B, N‐codoped Cu–N/B–C Composite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Liao Li–Mei , Zhao Ye‐Min , Xu Chao , Zhou Xin‐You , Wei Ping‐Jie , Liu Jin‐Gang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAs an alternative for platinum‐based electrocatalysts, the development of non‐precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly desirable for fuel cell applications. In this paper, we propose a facile preparation method for a B, N‐codoped Cu–N/B–C nanomaterial as an efficient electrocatalyst for ORR in alkaline electrolytes. One‐step heat treatment of cyanamide/melamine, boric acid, and cupric chloride loaded on carbon black produces a Cu–N/B–C composite with a high specific surface area. The Cu–N/B–C‐800 composite pyrolyzed at 800 °C has the best ORR performance among all tested composites. Cu–N/B–C‐800 saw an ORR onset potential at 0.95 V and a half‐wave potential (E1/2) at 0.84 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in 0.1 M KOH solution, which is comparable to the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst. Moreover, Cu–N/B–C‐800 has a small negatively shifted E1/2 value (−8.0 mV) under the accelerated‐durability test condition, demonstrating superior stability and higher tolerance to the methanol‐crossover effect compared with the Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, the anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) loaded with Cu–N/B–C‐800 as the cathode catalyst has an open cell voltage of 0.85 V and a peak power density of 80 mW/cm2 at 60 °C without backpressure, which is in the list of optimal non‐precious metal catalysts for ORR in AEMFC.
6,7‐Dihydro‐5H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazine Ring Cleavage and Tautomerism of the Products: Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Kolodina Alexandra A. , Tsaturyan Arshak A. , Galkina Maria S. , Borodkina Inna G. , Vetrova Elena V. , Demidov Oleg P. , Berezhnaya Alexandra G. , Metelitsa Anatoly V. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractElectronic effects of aryl substituents at the C(7)‐atom play a crucial role in the cleavage of a six‐membered ring of 6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines. Our experiments show that electron‐withdrawing 2‐nitrophenyl and 4‐nitrophenyl groups promote the N−N‐bond cleavage, whereas a phenyl group and a bulky 4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl substituent are favored for the C−S‐bond cleavage, affording novel triazole derivatives. UV‐vis, electrochemical, and dynamic NMR studies as well as DFT calculations of product's tautomeric equilibria were performed.
Electrochemical Energy Storage Electrodes via Citrus Fruits Derived Carbon: A Minireview
Authors: Ehsani Ali , Parsimehr Hamidreza 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis review investigates the synthesis and electrochemical performance of the electrode of the electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices obtained from peels and scraps of the citrus fruits. The EES devices include batteries, supercapacitors, and hybrid systems that have considerable value and various applications. The electrode is considered as the most important part of all EES devices. Tremendous efforts have been done to enhance the electrochemical energy storage electrode (EESE). The citrus fruits abundance leads to a decrease in their price and makes possible to use them as ingredients to fabricate EESE. Also, the electrochemical analyses determined that citrus fruits have considerable potential to use as the EESE. Using citrus fruits peels and scraps as biomass substances to prepare EESE leads to the electrodes which have low cost, environmentally friendly and appropriate electrochemical applications.
Genetic control of root anatomical plasticity in maize
Authors: Schneider Hannah M. , Klein Stephanie P. , Hanlon Meredith T. , Kaeppler Shawn , Brown Kathleen M. , Lynch Jonathan P. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRoot anatomical phenes have important roles in soil resource capture and plant performance; however, their phenotypic plasticity and genetic architecture is poorly understood. We hypothesized that (a) the responses of root anatomical phenes to water deficit (stress plasticity) and different environmental conditions (environmental plasticity) are genetically controlled and (b) stress and environmental plasticity are associated with different genetic loci than those controlling the expression of phenes under water‐stress and well‐watered conditions. Root anatomy was phenotyped in a large maize (Zea mays L.) association panel in the field with and without water deficit stress in Arizona and without water deficit stress in South Africa. Anatomical phenes displayed stress and environmental plasticity; many phenotypic responses to water deficit were adaptive, and the magnitude of response varied by genotype. We identified 57 candidate genes associated with stress and environmental plasticity and 64 candidate genes associated with phenes under well‐watered and water‐stress conditions in Arizona and under well‐watered conditions in South Africa. Four candidate genes co‐localized between plasticity groups or for phenes expressed under each condition. The genetic architecture of phenotypic plasticity is highly quantitative, and many distinct genes control plasticity in response to water deficit and different environments, which poses a challenge for breeding programs.
Neurodevelopment at 2 years and umbilical artery Doppler in cases of very preterm birth after prenatal hypertensive disorder or suspected fetal growth restriction:EPIPAGE‐2 prospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Delorme P. , Kayem G. , Lorthe E. , Sentilhes L. , Zeitlin J. , Subtil D. , Rozé J. C. , Vayssière C. , Durox M. , Ancel P. Y. , Pierrat V. , Goffinet F. ,   the EPIPAGE‐2 Obstetric Writing Group
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the association between absent or reversed end‐diastolic flow (ARED) on umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound and poor neurological outcome at 2 years of age after very preterm birth associated with suspected fetal growth restriction (FGR) or maternal hypertensive disorders.MethodsThe study population comprised all very preterm (22–31 completed weeks) singleton pregnancies delivered because of suspected FGR and/or maternal hypertensive disorders that had umbilical artery Doppler and 2‐year follow‐up available included in EPIPAGE‐2, a prospective, nationwide, population‐based cohort of preterm births in France in 2011. Univariate and two‐level multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of ARED in the umbilical artery, as compared with normal or reduced end‐diastolic flow, with severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability and with an Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) score below a threshold. This was defined as a score more than 2 SD below the mean in any of the five domains, at age 2, adjusting for gestational age at delivery. ASQ is used to identify children at risk of developmental delay requiring reinforced follow‐up and further evaluation. Descriptive statistics and bivariate tests were weighted according to the duration of the inclusion periods.ResultsThe analysis included 484 children followed up at 2 years of age, for whom prenatal umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound was available. Among them, 8/484 (1.6%) had severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability, and 156/342 (45.4%) had an ASQ score below the threshold. Compared with normal or reduced end‐diastolic flow in the umbilical artery (n = 305), ARED (n = 179) was associated with severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 11.3; 95% CI, 1.4–93.2) but not with an ASQ score below the threshold (adjusted OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8–1.9).ConclusionAmong children delivered before 32 weeks of gestation due to suspected FGR and/or maternal hypertensive disorder who survived until 2 years of age, prenatal ARED in the umbilical artery was associated with a higher incidence of severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Irregular Migration Theories
Authors: Echeverría Gabriel 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWhile in the second chapter a general and introductory overview of the main research lines on irregular migration was presented, in this chapter the focus will centre on the theoretical accounts that have been proposed to explain irregular migration. The aim is to analyse how the main research question of this book – how can irregular migration be explained? – has been addressed and what have been the main theoretical hypotheses proposed so far. The chapter will be divided into four parts. In the first part, the so-called gap hypothesis and the debate that has surrounded it will be discussed. This debate is particularly relevant for the discussion because the arguments and positions that have emerged in that context have strongly influenced the theoretical treatment of irregular migration. Since irregular migration was one of the main indicators of the existence of a gap between policy goals and outcomes, the explanations for the latter became an immediate way to understand the former. Irregular migration, from this perspective, was interpreted as the result of whether policy failure or policy choice. As the debate evolved, interpretations become more varied and the two phenomena were more clearly distinguished. Nevertheless, the gap logic remained the dominant framework behind most theories of irregular migration. Accordingly, almost all these theories, although in different ways, have followed one of two basic arguments that have been offered to explain the gap hypothesis. In the second part of the chapter, those theories that have followed the first argument, i.e. the idea of irregular migration as the result of states’ diminished control capacities will be presented. In the third part, the theories influenced by the second argument, i.e. irregular migration intended as the outcome of states’ implicit or explicit choices will be discussed. Finally, in the last part, there will be a critical discussion of the strengths and weaknesses discernible in the current theoretical understanding of irregular migration.
Existence of flows for linear Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equations and its connection to well-posedness
Authors: Rehmeier Marco 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLet the coefficients $$a_{ij}$$

a

ij

and $$b_i$$

b
i

, $$i,j \le d$$

i
,
j
≤
d

, of the linear Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equation (FPK-eq.) $$\begin{aligned} \partial _t\mu _t = \partial _i\partial _j(a_{ij}\mu _t)-\partial _i(b_i\mu _t) \end{aligned}$$

∂
t

μ
t

=

∂
i

∂
j

(

a

ij

μ
t

)

-

∂
i

(

b
i

μ
t

)

be Borel measurable, bounded and continuous in space. Assume that for every $$s \in [0,T]$$

s
∈
[
0
,
T
]

and every Borel probability measure $$\nu $$
ν
on $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

there is at least one solution $$\mu = (\mu _t)_{t \in [s,T]}$$

μ
=

(

μ
t

)

t
∈
[
s
,
T
]

to the FPK-eq. such that $$\mu _s = \nu $$

μ
s

=
ν

and $$t \mapsto \mu _t$$

t
↦

μ
t

is continuous w.r.t. the topology of weak convergence of measures. We prove that in this situation, one can always select one solution $$\mu ^{s,\nu }$$

μ

s
,
ν

for each pair $$(s,\nu )$$

(
s
,
ν
)

such that this family of solutions fulfills $$\begin{aligned} \mu ^{s,\nu }_t = \mu ^{r,\mu ^{s,\nu }_r}_t \text { for all }0 \le s \le r \le t \le T, \end{aligned}$$

μ
t

s
,
ν

=

μ
t

r
,

μ
r

s
,
ν

for all

0
≤
s
≤
r
≤
t
≤
T
,

which one interprets as a flow property of this solution family. Moreover, we prove that such a flow of solutions is unique if and only if the FPK-eq. is well-posed.
Simulation of fatigue small crack growth in additive manufactured Ti–6Al–4V material
Authors: Gupta A. , Sun W. , Bennett C. J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) offers design freedom and ability to fabricate parts of complex shapes which are not often possible with the conventional methods of manufacturing. In an AM part, even with optimum build parameters, a complete elimination of defects is not possible and this makes it hard to fully deploy the AM technology to build load bearing parts operating under cyclic loading conditions. Many of these defects are < 1 mm in size and are categorised as ‘small cracks’. Local interaction of cracks with microstructural features and closure effects at the wake of the crack tip are some of the factors which make the growth behaviour of small and long cracks different. A crack growth life prediction method, which effectively considers the small crack growth behaviour, has been discussed in this paper. This proposed method includes a detailed finite element-based crack growth simulation using the ANSYS SMART fracture technology. The lifing calculations utilise the modified NASGRO equation and small crack growth data which was obtained from the published long crack growth data, corrected for closure effects. The predicted stress versus number of cycles curves were compared against the fatigue test results for the AM specimens in Ti–6Al–4V material. A good correlation between the predictions and test results suggests that the proposed method can be used to assess the small crack growth life of AM parts where the fatigue effects of cyclic loading can be quite significant.
Laser-arc hybrid welding of 12- and 15-mm thick structural steel
Authors: Bunaziv Ivan , Dørum Cato , Nielsen Steen Erik , Suikkanen Pasi , Ren Xiaobo , Nyhus Bård , Eriksson Magnus , Akselsen Odd M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHigh-power lasers are very effective in welding of plates thicker than 10 mm due to the keyhole mode. High-power intensity generates a vapor-filled cavity which provides substantial penetration depth. Due to the narrow and deep weld geometry, there is susceptibility to high hardness and weld defects. Imperfections occur due to keyhole instability. A 16-kW disk laser was used for single-pass welding of 12- to 15-mm thick plates in a butt joint configuration. Root humping was the main imperfection and persisted within a wide range of process parameters. Added arc source to the laser beam process may cause increased root humping and sagging due to accelerated melt flow. Humping was mitigated by balancing certain arc and other process parameters. It was also found that lower welding speeds (< 1.2 m/min) combined with lower laser beam power (< 13 kW) can be more positive for suppression of humping. Machined edges provided more consistent root quality and integrity compared with plasma cut welded specimens. Higher heat input (> 0.80 kJ/mm) welds provided hardness level below 325 HV. The welded joints had good Charpy toughness at − 50 °C (> 50 J) and high tensile strength.
Volumetric PIV measurement for capturing the port flow characteristics within annular gas turbine combustors
Authors: Brend Mark A. , Denman Paul A. , Carrotte Jon F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe three-dimensional flows within a full featured, unmodified annular gas turbine combustor have been investigated using a scanned stereoscopic PIV measurement technique. Volumetric measurements have been achieved by rigidly translating a stereoscopic PIV system to scan measurements around the combustor, permitting reconstruction of volumetric single-point statistics. Delivering the measurements in this way allows the measurement of larger volumes than are accessible using techniques relying upon high depth of field imaging. The shallow depth of field achieved in the stereoscopic configuration furthermore permits measurements in close proximity to highly detailed geometry. The measurements performed have then been used to assess the performance of the combustor port flows, which are central to the emissions performance and temperature/velocity profile at turbine inlet. Substantially differing performance was observed in the primary ports with circumferential position, which was found to influence the behaviour of the second secondary port jets. The measurements indicated that the interaction between the primary and secondary jets occurred due to variations in the external boundary conditions imposed by the annular passages in which the combustor is located.Graphic abstract
Increased regional homogeneity modulated by metacognitive training predicts therapeutic efficacy in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Shan Xiaoxiao , Liao Rongyuan , Ou Yangpan , Pan Pan , Ding Yudan , Liu Feng , Chen Jindong , Zhao Jingping , Guo Wenbin , He Yiqun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated the efficacy of metacognitive training (MCT) in schizophrenia. However, the underlying mechanisms related to therapeutic effect of MCT remain unknown. The present study explored the treatment effects of MCT on brain regional neural activity using regional homogeneity (ReHo) and whether these regions’ activities could predict individual treatment response in schizophrenia. Forty-one patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls were scanned using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were randomly divided into drug therapy (DT) and drug plus psychotherapy (DPP) groups. The DT group received only olanzapine treatment, whereas the DPP group received olanzapine and MCT for 8 weeks. The results revealed that ReHo in the right precuneus, left superior medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), right parahippocampal gyrus and left rectus was significantly increased in the DPP group after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients in the DT group showed significantly increased ReHo in the left ventral MPFC/anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left superior MPFC/middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left precuneus, right rectus and left MFG, and significantly decreased ReHo in the bilateral cerebellum VIII and left inferior occipital gyrus (IOG) after treatment. Support vector regression analyses showed that high ReHo levels at baseline in the right precuneus and left superior MPFC could predict symptomatic improvement of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) after 8 weeks of DPP treatment. Moreover, high ReHo levels at baseline and alterations of ReHo in the left ventral MPFC/ACC could predict symptomatic improvement of PANSS after 8 weeks of DT treatment. This study suggests that MCT is associated with the modulation of ReHo in schizophrenia. ReHo in the right precuneus and left superior MPFC may predict individual therapeutic response for MCT in patients with schizophrenia.
Males and females exhibit similar muscle glycogen recovery with varied recovery food sources
Authors: Flynn Shannon , Rosales Alejandro , Hailes Walter , Ruby Brent 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Research has elucidated the impact of post-exercise carbohydrate nutrition and environmental conditions on muscle glycogen re-synthesis. However, research has minimally considered the implications of glycogen recovery in females and has mostly focused on commercial sport nutrition products. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of varied mixed macronutrient feedings on glycogen recovery and subsequent exercise performance in both sexes.

Methods
Males (n = 8) and females (n = 8) participated in a crossover study. Subjects completed a 90-min cycling glycogen depletion trial, then rested for 4 h. Two carbohydrate feedings (1.6 g kg−1) of either sport supplements or potato-based products were delivered at 0 and 2 h post-exercise. Muscle biopsies (glycogen) and blood samples (glucose, insulin) were collected during the recovery. Afterwards, subjects completed a 20 km cycling time trial.

Results
There was no difference between sexes or trials for glycogen recovery rates (male: 7.9 ± 2.7, female: 8.2 ± 2.7, potato-based: 8.0 ± 2.5, sport supplement: 8.1 ± 3.1 mM kg wet wt−1 h−1, p > 0.05). Time trial performance was not different between diets (38.3 ± 4.4 and 37.8 ± 3.9 min for potato and sport supplement, respectively, p > 0.05).

Conclusions
These results indicate that food items, such as potato-based products, can be as effective as commercially marketed sports supplements when developing glycogen recovery oriented menus and that absolute carbohydrate dose feedings (g kg−1) can be effectively applied to both males and females.