bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Soft-Robotic End-Effector for Independently Actuating Endoscopic Catheters
Authors: Ashwin K. P. , Ghosal Ashitava 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This paper deals with the design, development, modeling, and experimental validation of a prototype endoscopic attachment that can be actuated independently by soft actuators to position an endoscopic catheter tip to a desired location. The soft actuators are miniaturized pneumatic artificial muscles (MPAMs), and by applying 137–827 kPa pressure to one or more MPAMs, the tip of the endoscopic catheter can be positioned in an approximately hemispherical region of 45 mm radius. An optimization-based forward kinematic model to predict the profile of the actuated end-effector is developed. Experiments conducted on the prototype show that the kinematics model can predict the deformation profile of the end-effector with a maximum error of 2 mm. An inverse-kinematics model to estimate the pressure required in the MPAMs to position the tip of the catheter at a specified point is also developed. The pressures in the MPAMs are controlled using an ATmel ATMega 2560 micro-controller with the inputs generated with a thumb-stick to show that real-time actuation is possible. Finally, ex-vivo experiments were conducted to show that the developed prototype end-effector can be successfully used to independently actuate endoscopic catheters.
On the Solution of Eight-Precision-Point Path Synthesis of Planar Four-Bar Mechanisms Based on the Solution Region Methodology
Authors: Han Jianyou , Liu Wupeng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this paper, the solution region synthesis methodology (abbreviated as SRSM below) for the eight-precision-point path synthesis of planar four-bar mechanisms is presented. The so-called solution region synthesis methodology represents an infinite number of mechanism solutions in a plane, and the solution region is the area where the mechanism solutions are distributed in the plane. The x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of the plane are both taken as the concerned parameters of mechanisms. Furthermore, characteristic curves of mechanisms can be expressed in the plane. In addition, a defect judgment method is proposed, which can be realized in the computer program. The defective solutions can be eliminated efficiently, and the solutions without defects are obtained using the proposed method. After considering and imposing additional design requirements, the linkages of different types and different curve shapes are classified in the solution region. Finally, taking the path generation for eight points as the example, the methodology of establishing the solution region and the feasible solution region are presented, and the synthesis results are illustrated.
Probing Majorana neutrinos with double-β decay
Authors: Agostini M. , Bakalyarov A. M. , Balata M. , Barabanov I. , Baudis L. , Bauer C. , Bellotti E. , Belogurov S. , Bettini A. , Bezrukov L. , Borowicz D. , Brudanin V. , Brugnera R. , Caldwell A. , Cattadori C. , Chernogorov A. , Comellato T. , D’Andrea V. , Demidova E. V. , Di Marco N. , Domula A. , Doroshkevich E. , Egorov V. , Falkenstein R. , Fomina M. , Gangapshev A. , Garfagnini A. , Giordano M. , Grabmayr P. , Gurentsov V. , Gusev K. , Hakenmüller J. , Hegai A. , Heisel M. , Hemmer S. , Hiller R. , Hofmann W. , Hult M. , Inzhechik L. V. , Janicskó Csáthy J. , Jochum J. , Junker M. , Kazalov V. , Kermaïdic Y. , Kihm T. , Kirpichnikov I. V. , Kirsch A. , Kish A. , Klimenko A. , Kneißl R. , Knöpfle K. T. , Kochetov O. , Kornoukhov V. N. , Krause P. , Kuzminov V. V. , Laubenstein M. , Lazzaro A. , Lindner M. , Lippi I. , Lubashevskiy A. , Lubsandorzhiev B. , Lutter G. , Macolino C. , Majorovits B. , Maneschg W. , Miloradovic M. , Mingazheva R. , Misiaszek M. , Moseev P. , Nemchenok I. , Panas K. , Pandola L. , Pelczar K. , Pertoldi L. , Piseri P. , Pullia A. , Ransom C. , Riboldi S. , Rumyantseva N. , Sada C. , Sala E. , Salamida F. , Schmitt C. , Schneider B. , Schönert S. , Schütz A.-K. , Schulz O. , Schwarz M. , Schwingenheuer B. , Selivanenko O. , Shevchik E. , Shirchenko M. , Simgen H. , Smolnikov A. , Stanco L. , Stukov D. , Vanhoefer L. , Vasenko A. A. , Veresnikova A. , von Sturm K. , Wagner V. , Wegmann A. , Wester T. , Wiesinger C. , Wojcik M. , Yanovich E. , Zhitnikov I. , Zhukov S. V. , Zinatulina D. , Zschocke A. , Zsigmond A. J. , Zuber K. , Zuzel G. ,   GERDA Collaboration
Published: September 2019

Looking for an exotic decay
Neutrinos—elementary fermionic particles with no electrical charge—defy the standard model of particle physics by having a tiny, but nonzero mass. One explanation for their properties is that they are Majorana fermions, which are particles equal to their antiparticles. If neutrinos were Majorana fermions, a process called neutrinoless double-β decay would become possible: an unstable nucleus could decay by turning two of its neutrons into protons with the emission of two electrons but no antineutrinos. The GERDA Collaboration searched for this decay in a particular isotope of germanium. Housed deep underground to reduce the background signal, the experiment did not detect the elusive process but did place improved boundaries on its half-life.

Science
, this issue p.
1445
Breakdown in spawning synchrony: A silent threat to coral persistence
Authors: Shlesinger Tom , Loya Yossi 
Published: September 2019

Invisible threat
Our changing climate is a threat to corals, causing disfiguring bleaching and mortality to reefs that once teemed with life. Shlesinger and Loya alert us to an equally dangerous yet nearly invisible hazard to coral: loss of breeding synchrony (see the Perspective by Fogarty and Marhaver). They found that environmental changes have resulted in shifts in the timing of gamete release in several species of broadcast-spawning corals in the Red Sea. Similar changes are likely occurring globally. Such a loss of spawning synchrony could result in reproductive failure, a much less obvious but no less insidious threat to coral reefs.

Science
, this issue p.
1002
; see also p.
987
In vivo confocal microscopy features and clinicohistological correlation of limbal nerve corpuscles
Authors: Al-Aqaba Mouhamed Ali , Anis Fady S , Mohammed Imran , Yapa Anjali Dias Samarawickrama , Amoaku Winfried M , Dua Harminder Singh Singh 
Published: September 2019

AimsTo describe the in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) features of human limbal nerve corpuscles (LNCs) and correlate these with the histological features.MethodsWe examined 40 eyes of 29 healthy living subjects (17 female, 12 male; mean age=47.6) by IVCM. Four limbal quadrants were scanned through all epithelial layers and stroma to identify the LNCs and associated nerves. Ten fresh normal human corneoscleral discs from five deceased patients with a mean age of 67 years and 17 eye-bank corneoscleral rims with a mean age of 57.6 years were stained as whole mounts by the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) method to demonstrate LNCs and corneal nerves. Stained tissue was scanned in multiple layers with the NanoZoomer digital pathology microscope. The in vivo results were correlated to the histological findings.ResultsOn IVCM, LNCs were identified in 65% of the eyes studied and were mainly (84%) located in the inferior or superior limbal regions. They appeared either as bright (hyper-reflective) round or oval single structures within the hyporeflective, relatively acellular fibrous core of the palisades or were clustered in groups, often located anterior to the palisades of Vogt. They measured 36 µm in largest diameter (range 20–56 µm). The in vivo features were consistent with the histology, which showed LNCs as strongly AChE positive round or oval structures.ConclusionThe strong correlation with histology will enable use of IVCM to study LNCs in normal and disease conditions.
Controversies on neuroprotection therapy in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
Authors: Hayreh Sohan Singh 
Published: September 2019

ObjectiveThere has long been a great interest in neuroprotection therapy for ischaemic stroke and various types of optic neuropathies. In view of that, I reviewed the literature on the role of neuroprotection for non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION).MethodsThe review is based on a PubMed search of literature about the use of neuroprotectors in stroke and optic neuropathies and about current clinical trials of RPh201 and QPI-1007 in NA-AION.ResultsSeveral neuroprotection agents for ischaemic stroke and various types of optic neuropathies have been evaluated extensively in experimental studies in animals and benefits claimed. However, translation of therapeutic strategies for neuroprotection from experimental research to humans has invariably been fraught with failure. Two currently ongoing studies dealing with neuroprotection by RPh201 and QPI-1007 in NA-AION may have limitations in their rationale and study designs.ConclusionsUnfortunately, in spite of all the experimental and clinical research on neuroprotection agents in NA-AION so far, we have no scientifically proven evidence of neuroprotection agents showing any benefit in the human clinical studies so far.
Potential impact on prevalence of obesity in the UK of a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks: modelling study
Authors: Scheelbeek Pauline F D , Cornelsen Laura , Marteau Theresa M , Jebb Susan A , Smith Richard D 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the potential impact on body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity of a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks.DesignModelling study.SettingGeneral adult population of the United Kingdom.Participants36 324 households with data on product level household expenditure from UK Kantar FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) panel for January 2012 to December 2013. Data were used to estimate changes in energy (kcal, 1 kcal=4.18 kJ=0.00418 MJ) purchase associated with a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks. Data for 2544 adults from waves 5 to 8 of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2012-16) were used to estimate resulting changes in BMI and prevalence of obesity.Main outcome measuresThe effect on per person take home energy purchases of a 20% price increase for three categories of high sugar snacks: confectionery (including chocolate), biscuits, and cakes. Health outcomes resulting from the price increase were measured as changes in weight, BMI (not overweight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI ≥25 and <30), and obese (BMI ≥30)), and prevalence of obesity. Results were stratified by household income and BMI.ResultsFor income groups combined, the average reduction in energy consumption for a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks was estimated to be 8.9×103kcal (95% confidence interval −13.1×103to −4.2×103kcal). Using a static weight loss model, BMI was estimated to decrease by 0.53 (95% confidence interval −1.01 to −0.06) on average across all categories and income groups. This change could reduce the UK prevalence of obesity by 2.7 percentage points (95% confidence interval −3.7 to −1.7 percentage points) after one year. The impact of a 20% price increase in high sugar snacks on energy purchase was largest in low income households classified as obese and smallest in high income households classified as not overweight.ConclusionsIncreasing the price of high sugar snacks by 20% could reduce energy intake, BMI, and prevalence of obesity. This finding was in a UK context and was double that modelled for a similar price increase in sugar sweetened beverages.
Risks of ischaemic heart disease and stroke in meat eaters, fish eaters, and vegetarians over 18 years of follow-up: results from the prospective EPIC-Oxford study
Authors: Tong Tammy Y N , Appleby Paul N , Bradbury Kathryn E , Perez-Cornago Aurora , Travis Ruth C , Clarke Robert , Key Timothy J 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the associations of vegetarianism with risks of ischaemic heart disease and stroke.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe EPIC-Oxford study, a cohort in the United Kingdom with a large proportion of non-meat eaters, recruited across the country between 1993 and 2001.Participants48 188 participants with no history of ischaemic heart disease, stroke, or angina (or cardiovascular disease) were classified into three distinct diet groups: meat eaters (participants who consumed meat, regardless of whether they consumed fish, dairy, or eggs; n=24 428), fish eaters (consumed fish but no meat; n=7506), and vegetarians including vegans (n=16 254), based on dietary information collected at baseline, and subsequently around 2010 (n=28 364).Main outcome measuresIncident cases of ischaemic heart disease and stroke (including ischaemic and haemorrhagic types) identified through record linkage until 2016.ResultsOver 18.1 years of follow-up, 2820 cases of ischaemic heart disease and 1072 cases of total stroke (519 ischaemic stroke and 300 haemorrhagic stroke) were recorded. After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle confounders, fish eaters and vegetarians had 13% (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.99) and 22% (0.78, 0.70 to 0.87) lower rates of ischaemic heart disease than meat eaters, respectively (P<0.001 for heterogeneity). This difference was equivalent to 10 fewer cases of ischaemic heart disease (95% confidence interval 6.7 to 13.1 fewer) in vegetarians than in meat eaters per 1000 population over 10 years. The associations for ischaemic heart disease were partly attenuated after adjustment for self reported high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and body mass index (hazard ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 1.00 in vegetarians with all adjustments). By contrast, vegetarians had 20% higher rates of total stroke (hazard ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.40) than meat eaters, equivalent to three more cases of total stroke (95% confidence interval 0.8 to 5.4 more) per 1000 population over 10 years, mostly due to a higher rate of haemorrhagic stroke. The associations for stroke did not attenuate after further adjustment of disease risk factors.ConclusionsIn this prospective cohort in the UK, fish eaters and vegetarians had lower rates of ischaemic heart disease than meat eaters, although vegetarians had higher rates of haemorrhagic and total stroke.
Prepubertal neutering in cats and dogs
Authors: Yates David , Leedham Rosa 
Published: September 2019

Background:Neutering cats and dogs is the most common elective procedure undertaken in small animal practice. Neutering is often at the request of an owner but may be carried out on unowned animals as a policy decision in a charity practice, or as a life‐saving intervention in cases such as testicular torsion or pyometra. Considerations influencing the decision to neuter include owner, animal and veterinary factors.Aim of the article:Here, we consider the timing of the procedure, the risks and benefits and technicalities of performing prepubertal gonadectomy in the dog and cat. Traditionally, cats and dogs are neutered from six months old; in contrast, prepubertal neutering is defined as ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy or castration at six to 16 weeks of age in both species. It should be noted that large dog breeds may not reach puberty for many months after this period.
Neuromodulatory effects of pudendal nerve stimulation on bladder hypersensitivity are present in opioid-pretreated rats
Authors: Ness Timothy John , McNaught Jamie , Clodfelder-Miller Buffie , Nelson Dwight E , Su Xin 
Published: September 2019

Background and objectivesBilateral electrical pudendal nerve stimulation (bPNS) reduces bladder hypersensitivity in rat models and anecdotally reduces pain in humans with pelvic pain of urologic origin. Concomitant opioids are known to alter responses to neuromodulation in some systems. So prior to the development of a clinical trial for purposes of regulatory approval, the preclinical interaction between opioids and stimulation effectiveness was examined.MethodsBladder hypersensitivity was produced by neonatal bladder inflammation in rat pups coupled with a second inflammatory insult as an adult. Morphine was administered acutely (1–4 mg/kg intraperitoneal) or chronically (5 mg/kg subcutaneously daily for 2 weeks prior to the terminal experiment). bPNS consisted of bilateral biphasic electrical stimulation of the mixed motor/sensory component of the pudendal nerves. Visceromotor responses (VMR; abdominal muscle contractile responses to urinary bladder distension (UBD)) were used as nociceptive endpoints.ResultsMorphine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of VMRs to UBD that was naloxone reversible. bPNS resulted in statistically significant inhibition of VMRs to UBD in hypersensitive rats that had received acute or chronic subcutaneous morphine injections.ConclusionsThis study suggests that inhibitory effects of bPNS can still be evoked in subjects who are receiving opioid therapy, thus giving guidance to potential clinical trials seeking regulatory approval for the treatment of chronic bladder pain.
Review of the Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of the Genus Veronica
Authors: Xue Haibing , Chen Kai-Xian , Zhang Liu-Qiang , Li Yi-Ming 
Published: September 2019

Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae and comprises approximately 500 species. The genus was formerly placed in the Scrophulariaceae family, some species of which have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of influenza, respiratory diseases, hemoptysis, laryngopharyngitis, cough, hernia, cancer, edema, and wounds. This review comprehensively summarizes the current information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the genus Veronica on the basis of articles published from 1970 to 2018. More than 260 compounds have been isolated, and chemotaxonomic investigations of Veronica have revealed that iridoid glucosides — including aucubin, catalpol, and 6-[Formula: see text]-catalpol derivatives — are characteristic of this genus. Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practice have demonstrated that extracts or monomeric compounds from Veronica have several pharmacological actions, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-angiogenic, antineurodegenerative, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects both in vivo and in vitro.
Constructing the CKVs of Bianchi III and V spacetimes
Authors: Mitsopoulos Antonios , Tsamparlis Michael , Paliathanasis Andronikos 
Published: September 2019

We determine the conformal algebra of Bianchi III and Bianchi V spacetimes or, equivalently, we determine all Bianchi III and Bianchi V spacetimes which admit a proper conformal Killing vector (CKV). The algorithm that we use has been developed in [M. Tsamparlis et al.Class. Quantum. Grav. 15, 2909 (1998)] and concerns the computation of the CKVs of decomposable spacetimes. The main point of this method is that a decomposable space admits a CKV if the reduced space admits a gradient homothetic vector, the latter being possible only if the reduced space is flat or a space of constant curvature. We apply this method in a stepwise manner starting from the two-dimensional spacetime which admits an infinite number of CKVs and we construct step by step the Bianchi III and V spacetimes by assuming that CKVs survive as we increase the dimension of the space. We find that there is only one Bianchi III and one Bianchi V spacetime which admit at maximum one proper CKV. In each case, we determine the CKV and the corresponding conformal factor. As a first application in these two spacetimes, we study the kinematics of the comoving observers and the dynamics of the corresponding cosmological fluid. As a second application, we determine in these spacetimes generators of the Lie symmetries of the wave equation.
Influence of fracture nucleation and propagation rates on fracture geometry: insights from geomechanical modelling
Authors: Welch Michael J. , Luthje Mikael , Glad Aslaug C. 
Published: September 2019

We combine a power-law microfracture size distribution function with an expression for fracture propagation rate derived from subcritical fracture propagation theory and linear elastic fracture mechanics, to derive a geomechanically based deterministic model for the growth of a network of layer-bound fractures. This model also simulates fracture termination due to intersection with perpendicular fractures or stress-shadow interaction. We use this model to examine key controls on the emergent geometry of the fracture network.
First, we examine the effect of fracture propagation rates. We show that at subcritical fracture propagation rates, the fracture nucleation rate increases with time; this generates a very dense network of very small fractures, similar to the deformation bands generated by compaction in unconsolidated sediments. By contrast, at critical propagation rates, the fracture nucleation rate decreases with time; this generates fewer but much larger fractures, similar to the brittle open fractures generated by tectonic deformation in lithified sediments. We then examine the controls on the rate of growth of the fracture network. A fracture set will start to grow when the stress acting on it reaches a threshold value, and it will continue to grow until all the fractures have stopped propagating and no new fractures can nucleate. The relative timing and rate of growth of the different fracture sets will control the anisotropy of the resulting fracture network: if the sets start to grow at the same time and rate, the result is a fully isotropic fracture network; if the primary fracture set stops growing before the secondary set starts growing, the result is a fully anisotropic fracture network; and if there is some overlap but the secondary set grows more slowly than the primary set, the result is a partially anisotropic fracture network. Although the applied horizontal strain rates are the key control on the relative growth rates of the two fracture sets, we show that the vertical effective stress, the initial horizontal stress, the elastic properties of the rock and the inelastic deformation processes, such as creep, grain sliding and pressure solution, all exert a control on the fracture growth rates, and that more isotropic fracture networks will tend to develop if the vertical effective stress is low or if the fractures are critically stressed prior to the onset of deformation.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Naturally Fractured Reservoirs collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/naturally-fractured-reservoirs