bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐Q Transparency Band in All‐Dielectric Metasurfaces Induced by a Quasi Bound State in the Continuum
Authors: Abujetas Diego R. , Barreda Ángela , Moreno Fernando , Litman Amelie , Geffrin Jean‐Michel , Sánchez‐Gil José A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBound states in the continuum (BICs) emerge throughout physics as leaky/resonant modes that remain, however, highly localized. They have attracted much attention in optics and photonics, and especially in metasurfaces, that is, planar arrays of sub‐wavelength meta‐atoms. One of their most outstanding features is the arbitrarily large Q‐factors they induce upon approaching the BIC condition, which is exploited here to achieve a narrow transparency band. It is first shown how to shift a canonical BIC in an all‐dielectric metasurface, consisting of high‐refractive disks exhibiting in‐ and out‐of‐plane magnetic dipole (MD) resonances, by tuning the periodicity of the array. By means of the coupled electric/magnetic dipole formulation, it is shown analytically that when the quasi‐BIC overlaps with the broad (in‐plane MD) resonance, a full transparency band emerges with diverging Q‐factor upon approaching the BIC condition in parameter space. Finally, the experimental measurements in the microwave regime with a large array of high‐refractive‐index disks confirm the theoretical predictions. The results reveal a simple mechanism to engineer an ultra‐narrow BIC‐induced transparency band that can be exploited throughout the electromagnetic spectrum with obvious applications in filtering and sensing.
Four‐Year Follow‐up of [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography–Based Parkinson's Disease–Related Pattern Expression in 20 Patients with Isolated Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Shows Prodromal Progression
Authors: Kogan Rosalie V. , Janzen Annette , Meles Sanne K. , Sittig Elisabeth , Renken Remco J. , Gurvits Vita , Mayer Geert , Leenders Klaus L. , Oertel Wolfgang H. ,   and the REMPET Working Group
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundIsolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder is known to be prodromal for alpha‐synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies. The [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (PET)–based PD‐related brain pattern can be used to monitor disease progression.ObjectiveWe longitudinally investigated PD‐related brain pattern expression changes in 20 subjects with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder to investigate whether this may be a suitable technique to study prodromal PD progression in these patients and to identify potential phenoconverters.MethodsSubjects underwent two [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET brain scans ~3.7 years apart, along with baseline and repeated motor, cognitive, and olfactory testing within roughly the same time frame.ResultsAt baseline, 8 of 20 (40%) subjects significantly expressed the PD‐related brain pattern (with z scores above the receiver operating characteristic–determined threshold). At follow‐up, six additional subjects exhibited significant PD‐related brain pattern expression (70% in total). PD‐related brain pattern expression increased in all subjects (P = 0.00008). Four subjects (20%), all with significant baseline PD‐related brain pattern expression, phenoconverted to clinical PD.ConclusionsSuprathreshold PD‐related brain pattern expression and greater score rate of change may signify greater shorter‐term risk for phenoconversion. Our results support the use of serial PD‐related brain pattern expression measurements as a prodromal PD progression biomarker in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Idealized force decay of orthodontic elastomeric chains follows Nutting Equation
Authors: Freeman David H. , Johnston William M. , Brantley William A. , Firestone Allen R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe force decay of orthodontic elastomeric modules has been of considerable interest since these biomechanical force‐generating appliances were introduced five decades ago. Two mathematical approaches, a power‐law equation and a Maxwell–Weichert model, have been used by previous investigators to predict the in vitro force degradation under idealized conditions. In this study, the principal sensor approach had the test specimen being strained continuously using a digital force gauge. Test specimens of 13 products from 8 manufacturers were stretched to 25 mm and tested in an artificial saliva at 37°C in both the as‐received condition and after 24 h conditioning. Measurements for specimens strained continuously on the digital force gauge were compared with intermittent measurements for other specimens transferred to this gauge after 19.2 h ageing on a stretching rack, the approach in most past studies. Force data at equally spaced logarithmic time points, normalized to initial force and induced strain, were used to present degradation curves for individual products. Nonlinear regression analyses were used to fit both mathematical models to each product and conditioning state. Statistical analyses show that the power‐law equation (historically the Nutting equation) provides a more accurate prediction of idealized in vitro force decay for the elastomeric products.
Predicted structural differences of four fertility‐related Y‐chromosome proteins in Macaca mulatta, M. fascicularis, and their Indochinese hybrids
Authors: Ruiz Cody A. , Chaney Morgan E. , Imamura Masanori , Imai Hiroo , Tosi Anthony J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSpecies in the genus Macaca typically live in multimale‐multifemale social groups with male macaques exhibiting some of the largest testis: body weight ratios among primates. Males are believed to experience intense levels of sperm competition. Several spermatogenesis genes are located on the Y‐chromosome and, interestingly, occasional hybridization between two species has led to the introgression of the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) Y‐chromosome deep into the range of the long‐tailed macaque (M. fascicularis). These observations have led to the prediction that the successful introgression of the rhesus Y‐haplotype is due to functional differences in spermatogenesis genes compared to those of the native long‐tailed Y‐haplotype. We examine here four Y‐chromosomal loci—RBMY, XKRY, and two nearly identical copies of CDY—and their corresponding protein sequences. The genes were surveyed in representative animals from north of, south of, and within the rhesus x long‐tailed introgression zone. Our results show a series of non‐synonymous amino acid substitutions present between the two Y‐haplotypes. Protein structure modeling via I‐TASSER revealed different folding patterns between the two species' Y‐proteins, and functional predictions via TreeSAAP further reveal physicochemical differences as a result of non‐synonymous substitutions. These differences inform our understanding of the evolution of primate Y‐proteins involved in spermatogenesis and, in turn, have biomedical implications for human male fertility.
Molecular dynamics simulations identify the regions of compromised thermostability in SazCA
Authors: Kumar Shashi , Seth Deepak , Deshpande Parag Arvind 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe present study examined the structure and dynamics of the most active and thermostable carbonic anhydrase, SazCA, probed using molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular system was described by widely used biological force‐fields (AMBER, CHARMM22, CHARMM36, and OPLS‐AA) in conjunction with TIP3P water model. The comparison of molecular dynamics simulation results suggested AMBER to be a suitable choice to describe the structure and dynamics of SazCA. In addition to this, we also addressed the effect of temperature on the stability of SazCA. We performed molecular dynamics simulations at 313, 333, 353, 373, and 393 K to study the relationship between thermostability and flexibility in SazCA. The amino acid residues VAL98, ASN99, GLY100, LYS101, GLU145, and HIS207 were identified as the most flexible residues from root‐mean‐square fluctuations. The salt bridge analysis showed that ion‐pairs ASP113‐LYS81, ASP115‐LYS81, ASP115‐LYS114, GLU144‐LYS143, and GLU144‐LYS206, were responsible for the compromised thermal stability of SazCA.
Analysis of correlated multivariate degradation data in accelerated reliability growth
Authors: Ruiz Cesar , Liao Haitao , Pohl Edward A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractModern engineering systems have become increasingly complex and at the same time are expected to be developed faster. To shorten the product development time, organizations commonly conduct accelerated testing on a small number of units to help identify failure modes and assess reliability. Many times design changes are made to mitigate or reduce the likelihood of such failure modes. Since failure‐time data are often scarce in reliability growth programs, existing statistical approaches used for predicting the reliability of a system about to enter the field are faced with significant challenges. In this work, a statistical model is proposed to utilize degradation data for system reliability prediction in an accelerated reliability growth program. The model allows the components in the system to have multiple failure modes, each associated with a monotone stochastic degradation process. To take into account unit‐to‐unit variation, the random effects of degradation parameters are explicitly modeled. Moreover, a mean‐degradation‐stress relationship is introduced to quantify the effects of different accelerating variables on the degradation processes, and a copula function is utilized to model the dependency among different degradation processes. Both a maximum likelihood (ML) procedure and a Bayesian alternative are developed for parameter estimation in a two‐stage process. A numerical study illustrates the use of the proposed model and identifies the cases where the Bayesian method is preferred and where it is better to use the ML alternative.
Mitochondrial replacement by genome transfer in human oocytes: Efficacy, concerns, and legality
Authors: Yamada Mitsutoshi , Sato Suguru , Ooka Reina , Akashi Kazuhiro , Nakamura Akihiro , Miyado Kenji , Akutsu Hidenori , Tanaka Mamoru 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundPathogenic mitochondrial (mt)DNA mutations, which often cause life‐threatening disorders, are maternally inherited via the cytoplasm of oocytes. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is expected to prevent second‐generation transmission of mtDNA mutations. However, MRT may affect the function of respiratory chain complexes comprised of both nuclear and mitochondrial proteins.MethodsBased on the literature and current regulatory guidelines (especially in Japan), we analyzed and reviewed the recent developments in human models of MRT.Main findingsMRT does not compromise pre‐implantation development or stem cell isolation. Mitochondrial function in stem cells after MRT is also normal. Although mtDNA carryover is usually less than 0.5%, even low levels of heteroplasmy can affect the stability of the mtDNA genotype, and directional or stochastic mtDNA drift occurs in a subset of stem cell lines (mtDNA genetic drift). MRT could prevent serious genetic disorders from being passed on to the offspring. However, it should be noted that this technique currently poses significant risks for use in embryos designed for implantation.ConclusionThe maternal genome is fundamentally compatible with different mitochondrial genotypes, and vertical inheritance is not required for normal mitochondrial function. Unresolved questions regarding mtDNA genetic drift can be addressed by basic research using MRT.
Evolving the validity of a mental toughness measure: Refined versions of the Mental Toughness Questionnaire‐48
Authors: Kawabata Masato , Pavey Toby G. , Coulter Tristan J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe Mental Toughness Questionnaire‐48 (MTQ48) is a 48‐item self‐report instrument to measure one's level of mental toughness. Despite its wide popularity in psychological studies, the questionnaire has been criticized due to its factorial validity. The present study aimed to re‐assess the factorial validity of the instrument and propose alternative models to provide researchers with theoretically and practically useful instruments to measure mental toughness. Two studies were conducted using large samples of university students (Study 1: n = 2186; Study 2: n = 3209). In Study 1, none of one‐, four‐ and six‐factor models with 48 items satisfactorily fit the data set. Instead, two refined 18‐ and 6‐item versions of the questionnaire, covering six aspects of mental toughness, were proposed: the Short MTQ and Very Short MTQ. Both measures demonstrated excellent fit to the data. These results were replicated with a larger independent sample in Study 2. With the Short MTQ, it is possible to represent mental toughness as a multidimensional construct consisting of a global mental toughness factor and six specific factors. The Very Short MTQ is a practical tool for occasions where constraints prevent use of the Short MTQ. The refined questionnaires are promising options to measure and understand individuals' mental toughness with the MTQ.
Grain Boundaries Boost Oxygen Evolution Reaction in NiFe Electrocatalysts
Authors: Park Hoon Kee , Ahn Hehsang , Lee Tae Hyung , Lee Jae Yoon , Lee Mi Gyoung , Lee Sol A. , Yang Jin Wook , Kim Sang Jun , Ahn Sang Hyun , Kim Soo Young , Lee Chul‐Ho , Park Eun Soo , Jang Ho Won 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn a polycrystalline material, the grain boundaries (GBs) can be effective active sites for catalytic reactions by providing an electrodynamically favorable surface. Previous studies have shown that grain boundary density is related to the catalytic activity of the carbon dioxide reduction reaction, but there is still no convincing evidence that the GBs provide surfaces with enhanced activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Combination of various electrochemical measurements and chemical analysis reveals the GB density at surface of NiFe electrocatalysts directly affects the overall OER. In situ electrochemical microscopy vividly shows that the OER occurs mainly at the GB during overall reaction. It is observed that the reaction determining steps are altered by grain boundary densities and the meaningful work function difference between the inside of grain and GBs exists. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that extremely high index planes are exposed at the GBs, enhancing the oxygen evolution activity. The specific nature of GBs and its effects on the OER demonstrated in this study can be applied to the various polycrystalline electrocatalysts.
Fast Diagnosis of Failure Mechanisms and Lifetime Prediction of Li Metal Batteries
Authors: Gao Ningshengjie , Abboud Alexander W. , Mattei Gerard S. , Li Zhuo , Corrao Adam A. , Fang Chengcheng , Liaw Boryann , Meng Ying Shirley , Khalifah Peter G. , Dufek Eric J. , Li Bin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLithium (Li) metal serving as an anode has the potential to double or triple stored energies in rechargeable Li batteries. However, they typically have short cycling lifetimes due to parasitic reactions between the Li metal and electrolyte. It is critically required to develop early fault‐detection methods for different failure mechanisms and quick lifetime‐prediction methods to ensure rapid development. Prior efforts to determine the dominant failure mechanisms have typically required destructive cell disassembly. In this study, non‐destructive diagnostic method based on rest voltages and coulombic efficiency are used to easily distinguish the different failure mechanisms—from loss of Li inventory, electrolyte depletion, and increased cell impedance—which are deeply understood and well validated by experiments and modeling. Using this new diagnostic method, the maximum lifetime of a Li metal cell can be quickly predicted from tests of corresponding anode‐free cells, which is important for the screenings of electrolytes, anode stabilization, optimization of operating conditions, and rational battery design.
Pragmatism in professional practice
Authors: Ormerod Richard John 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the American philosophy of pragmatism. The paper reviews the application of pragmatisms in five selected areas of professional practice: technology, law, politics, medical and social work, and education. Each area is examined for evidence that the ideas of pragmatism have been taken up academically in the research literature. The literature is then examined for evidence that the academic work has permeated the actions of professionals. Each of the chosen practice areas is clearly dominated by pragmatic, instrumental activities. Despite this and a good deal of discussion in the academic literature, there is only limited evidence that professionals, in so far as they exhibit pragmatist behaviour, make any explicit connection with the philosophy of pragmatism. The early pragmatists argued that pragmatic behaviour arises from man's need to solve problems quickly, using his limited understanding of the situation, in order to survive and flourish: no philosophy had been required to guide such behaviour. Today, philosophy is often consulted on questions of ethical and moral dilemmas in most practice areas, but the philosophy of pragmatism may well not feature in such discussions. Experience in operational research (OR) practice is reviewed and compared with that in the five other practice areas. From the reviews, a list of the habits and orientations is synthesized, habits and orientations that could be taken to characterize pragmatism in professional practice.
Predictive value of presence of amniotic sac without visible embryonic heartbeat in diagnosis of early embryonic demise
Authors: Dooley W. M. , De Braud L. , Thanatsis N. , Memtsa M. , Jauniaux E. , Jurkovic D. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess the diagnostic value and impact on management of visualizing on ultrasound an amniotic sac without a live embryo (amniotic sac sign). We also examined the potential effect on the number of follow‐up visits in early pregnancy units of incorporating this sign into current diagnostic algorithms.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of all pregnant women who attended a single specialist early pregnancy unit from July 2017 to November 2018 with symptoms of pain and/or bleeding, or with a history of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, at < 14 weeks' gestation. Detailed initial ultrasound findings were documented, including whether an amniotic sac was present in a normally sited intrauterine pregnancy with absence of a live embryo. Women were followed up until a conclusive diagnosis was made.ResultsThe study included 6012 women who attended our unit with early pregnancy complications during the study period. A conclusive diagnosis was reached on the initial scan in 4221 (70.2%), whilst 1135 (18.9%) women had a pregnancy of uncertain viability and 656 (10.9%) had a pregnancy of unknown location (PUL). All women with a pregnancy of uncertain viability required follow‐up ultrasound scans to differentiate between a live pregnancy and early embryonic demise. An amniotic sac in the absence of a live embryo was found in 174/1135 (15.3%) women with a pregnancy of uncertain viability at the initial ultrasound scan. The diagnosis of early embryonic demise was confirmed in all 134 of these women who attended their follow‐up scans. The presence of an amniotic sac without a live embryo at the initial visit had a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 98.53–100.00%) and positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI, 97.2–100.0%) for the diagnosis of early pregnancy failure.A total of 1403/6012 (23.3%) women were asked to attend for a follow‐up ultrasound scan to resolve diagnostic uncertainties, including 268/656 (40.9%) women with a PUL. The majority of follow‐up scans needed to reach a conclusive diagnosis were in women with a pregnancy of uncertain viability (1135/1403 (80.9%)). By using the presence of the amniotic sac sign to diagnose early pregnancy failure at the first visit, the number of follow‐up scans for pregnancies of uncertain viability would be reduced by 14.4%, which accounted for 11% of all follow‐up scans during the study period.ConclusionsThe finding on ultrasound of an amniotic sac without a live embryo (amniotic sac sign) is a reliable marker of early pregnancy failure and could reduce the number of follow‐up scans by 11% in cases of diagnostic uncertainty. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Schwann cell development: From neural crest to myelin sheath
Authors: Muppirala Anoohya N. , Limbach Lauren E. , Bradford Elisabeth F. , Petersen Sarah C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractVertebrate nervous system function requires glial cells, including myelinating glia that insulate axons and provide trophic support that allows for efficient signal propagation by neurons. In vertebrate peripheral nervous systems, neural crest‐derived glial cells known as Schwann cells (SCs) generate myelin by encompassing and iteratively wrapping membrane around single axon segments. SC gliogenesis and neurogenesis are intimately linked and governed by a complex molecular environment that shapes their developmental trajectory. Changes in this external milieu drive developing SCs through a series of distinct morphological and transcriptional stages from the neural crest to a variety of glial derivatives, including the myelinating sublineage. Cues originate from the extracellular matrix, adjacent axons, and the developing SC basal lamina to trigger intracellular signaling cascades and gene expression changes that specify stages and transitions in SC development. Here, we integrate the findings from in vitro neuron–glia co‐culture experiments with in vivo studies investigating SC development, particularly in zebrafish and mouse, to highlight critical factors that specify SC fate. Ultimately, we connect classic biochemical and mutant studies with modern genetic and visualization tools that have elucidated the dynamics of SC development.This article is categorized under:
Signaling Pathways > Cell Fate Signaling
Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development
The Punjab Schools Reform Roadmap: A Medium-Term Evaluation
Authors: Chaudhry Rastee , Tajwar Abdullah Waqar 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn 2010, a whole-system reform was designed and launched in the Punjab province of Pakistan called the Punjab Schools Reform Roadmap (PSRR). This reform was a direct response to the challenges of education in the province at the time, which included scale, capacity to deliver, and political will. Further, 2010 was a time at which the political and administrative landscape of Pakistan was changing: the right to education act had just been formalized and education was simultaneously devolved from a federal matter to a provincial one.This chapter studies the outcomes of the PSRR a decade after its implementation with an emphasis on three dimensions of the reform: management capacity, teacher capacity and monitoring & information systems. Specifically, we discuss the above with reference to increasing access to and quality of education in the province while also analyzing the outcomes and sustainability of the reform 10 years from its inception.