bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disaster Preparedness for Clinics – Further Study from Haiti
Authors: Kaufman Benjamin , Hussain Sadia , Riscinti Matthew , Bloem Christina , Arquilla Bonnie
Published: February 2020

Objective:

This team created a manual to train clinics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to effectively respond to disasters. This study is a follow-up to a prior study evaluating disaster response. The team returned to previously trained clinics to evaluate retention and performance in a disaster simulation.

Background:

Local clinics are the first stop for patients when disaster strikes LMICs. They are often under-resourced and under-prepared to respond to patient needs. Further effort is required to prepare these crucial institutions to respond effectively using the Incident Command System (ICS) framework.

Methods:

Two clinics in the North East Region of Haiti were trained through a disaster manual created to help clinics in LMICs respond effectively to disasters. This study measured the clinic staff’s response to a disaster drill using the ICS and compared the results to prior responses.

Results:

Using the prior study’s evaluation scale, clinics were evaluated on their ability to set up an ICS. During the mock disaster, staff was evaluated on a three-point scale in 13 different metrics, grading their ability to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover in a disaster. By this scale, both clinics were effective (36/39; 92%) in responding to a disaster.

Conclusion:

The clinics retained much prior training, and after repeat training, the clinics improved their disaster response. Future study will evaluate the clinics’ ability to integrate disaster response with country-wide health resources to enable an effective outcome for patients.
Confucianism and Same-Sex Marriage
Authors: Bai Tongdong
Published: February 2020

In the majority opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court over same-sex marriage, a claim by Confucius was quoted, which led to an uproar among Confucian scholars in mainland China. In this article, I will first explain the background of the debate over same-sex marriage in the United States, and why Confucius's claim was quoted. I will then show how a contemporary Confucian philosopher Zhang Xianglong addressed the issue of same-sex marriage from a Confucian perspective. In my view, compared with other mainland Confucians' responses, Zhang's are one of the most scholarly and moderate responses that nevertheless follow Confucian values. But he eventually rejected same-sex marriage on the Confucian ground. I will argue that, based on some Confucian values and principles which are shared by Zhang, we can answer Zhang's concerns with same-sex marriage, thus offering an even more moderate Confucian stance that accepts same-sex marriage. But this stance is still different from the typical liberal one. We will also see that, in order to accept same-sex marriage, it is the liberals, not the Confucians, who will have to deal with an issue—the acceptance of polygamy—that poses a serious challenge to the principle of equality, which is fundamental to some liberals.
Wollen oder können sie nicht?
Authors: Welp Annalena , Lippke Sonia
Published: February 2020

Zusammenfassung. Viele Patienten scheinen Pflegefachkräfte, Ärzte und Therapeuten nicht richtig zu verstehen oder sich nicht an deren Empfehlungen zu halten. Wie können Pflegende wenig gesundheitskompetente Patienten unterstützen? Ziel des IMPACCT-Projektes ist es, Inhalte zu Gesundheitskompetenz in die Ausbildung von Gesundheitsfachleuten zu integrieren. Die Akademisierung der Pflegeberufe ist dabei eine große Chance.
Air pollution control strategies directly limiting national health damages in the US
Authors: Ou Yang , West J. Jason , Smith Steven J. , Nolte Christopher G. , Loughlin Daniel H.
Published: February 2020

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from fuel combustion significantly contributes to global and US mortality. Traditional control strategies typically reduce emissions for specific air pollutants and sectors to maintain pollutant concentrations below standards. Here we directly set national PM2.5 mortality cost reduction targets within a global human-earth system model with US state-level energy systems, in scenarios to 2050, to identify endogenously the control actions, sectors, and locations that most cost-effectively reduce PM2.5 mortality. We show that substantial health benefits can be cost-effectively achieved by electrifying sources with high primary PM2.5 emission intensities, including industrial coal, building biomass, and industrial liquids. More stringent PM2.5 reduction targets expedite the phaseout of high emission intensity sources, leading to larger declines in major pollutant emissions, but very limited co-benefits in reducing CO2 emissions. Control strategies limiting health damages achieve the greatest emission reductions in the East North Central and Middle Atlantic states.
Effect of elevated magnesium sulfate on two riparian tree species potentially impacted by mine site contamination
Authors: Canham Caroline A. , Cavalieri Ornela Y. , Setterfield Samantha A. , Freestone Fiona L. , Hutley Lindsay B.
Published: February 2020

Globally, mining activities have been responsible for the contamination of soils, surface water and groundwater. Following mine closure, a key issue is the management of leachate from waste rock accumulated during the lifetime of the mine. At Ranger Uranium Mine in northern Australia, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) leaching from waste rock has been identified as a potentially significant surface and groundwater contaminant which may have adverse affects on catchment biota. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of elevated levels of MgSO4 on two riparian trees; Melaleuca viridiflora and Alphitonia excelsa. We found that tolerance to MgSO4 was species-specific. M. viridiflora was tolerant to high concentrations of MgSO4 (15,300 mg l-1), with foliar concentrations of ions suggesting plants regulate uptake. In contrast, A. excelsa was sensitive to elevated concentrations of MgSO4 (960 mg l-1), exhibiting reduced plant vigour and growth. This information improves our understanding of the toxicity of MgSO4 as a mine contaminant and highlights the need for rehabililitation planning to mitigate impacts on some tree species of this region.
Vitamin C alleviates acute enterocolitis in Campylobacter jejuni infected mice
Authors: Mousavi Soraya , Escher Ulrike , Thunhorst Elisa , Kittler Sophie , Kehrenberg Corinna , Bereswill Stefan , Heimesaat Markus M.
Published: February 2020

Human foodborne infections with the zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter jejuni are on the rise and constitute a significant socioeconomic burden worldwide. The health-beneficial, particularly anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin C (ascorbate) are well known. In our preclinical intervention study, we assessed potential anti-pathogenic and immunomodulatory effects of ascorbate in C. jejuni-infected secondary abiotic IL-10−/− mice developing acute campylobacteriosis similar to humans. Starting 4 days prior peroral C. jejuni-infection, mice received synthetic ascorbate via the drinking water until the end of the experiment. At day 6 post-infection, ascorbate-treated mice harbored slightly lower colonic pathogen loads and suffered from less severe C. jejuni-induced enterocolitis as compared to placebo control animals. Ascorbate treatment did not only alleviate macroscopic sequelae of infection, but also dampened apoptotic and inflammatory immune cell responses in the intestines that were accompanied by less pronounced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Remarkably, the anti-inflammatory effects of ascorbate pretreatment in C. jejuni-infected mice were not restricted to the intestinal tract but could also be observed in extra-intestinal compartments including liver, kidneys and lungs. In conclusion, due to the potent anti-inflammatory effects observed in the clinical murine C. jejuni-infection model, ascorbate constitutes a promising novel option for prophylaxis and treatment of acute campylobacteriosis.
Semi-bridging σ-silyls as Z-type ligands
Authors: Frogley Benjamin J. , Hill Anthony F. , Sharma Manab , Sinha Arup , Ward Jas S.
Published: February 2020

The reactions of SiHPh(NCH2PPh2)2C6H4-1,2 with zerovalent group 10 reagents afford the homoleptic bimetallic complexes [M2{μ-κ3-Si,P,P′-SiPh(CH2PPh2)2C6H4}2] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) in which the M–M bond is unsymmetrically bridged by two σ-silyl groups.
Si2C5H2isomers – search algorithmsversuschemical intuition
Authors: Thirumoorthy Krishnan , Cooksy Andrew L. , Thimmakondu Venkatesan S.
Published: February 2020

The pros and cons of using search algorithms alone in identifying new geometries have been discussed by using the Si2C5H2elemental composition as an example.
Strategy used to synthesize high activity and low Pd catalyst for Suzuki coupling reaction: an experimental and theoretical investigation
Authors: Yan Xiao , Luo Yafei , Liu Wei , Liang Li , Gan Ya , Chen Zhongzhu , Xu Zhigang , Wan Hua , Tang Dianyong , Shi Hubing , Hu Jianping
Published: February 2020

Compared with Pd147DEN, Pd74Cu73DEN shows comparable catalytic performance, with TOFs of 8519 and 8728 h−1, and provides a valuable strategy for designing a low Pd dosage and high-activity catalyst for Suzuki coupling.
Lanthanum chloride impairs spatial learning and memory by inducing [Ca2+]m overload, mitochondrial fission–fusion disorder and excessive mitophagy in hippocampal nerve cells of rats
Authors: Yu Miao , Yang Jinghua , Gao Xiang , Sun Wenchang , Liu Shiyu , Han Yarao , Lu Xiaobo , Jin Cuihong , Wu Shengwen , Cai Yuan
Published: February 2020

Lanthanum (La) is a kind of rare earth element (REE) widely found in nature. La has neurotoxicity and can impair learning and memory, but the underlying mechanism is still not completely clear. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex can cause the uptake of cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]c) into mitochondria and thereby resist [Ca2+]c overload. However, the abnormal increase of calcium in the mitochondrial matrix ([Ca2+]m) can also disturb the mitochondrial fission–fusion balance, and then induce excessive mitophagy, and disrupt mitochondrial quality control (MQC). It is unclear whether La can interfere with the function of nerve cells through the above-mentioned mechanism and thus impair learning and memory. In this study, four groups of Wistar rats were treated with 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0% (w/v) lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) from the embryonic phase to 1 month after weaning. The results showed that La could impair the spatial learning and memory of rats, promote the uptake of [Ca2+]c by MCU, induce the abnormal increase of [Ca2+]m, up-regulate p-Drp1 Ser616 expression and inhibit Mfn1/2 expression, enhance mitochondrial fission and lead to mitochondrial fission–fusion disturbance in hippocampal nerve cells. Meanwhile, La could also activate the PINK1–Parkin signaling pathway, up-regulate LC3B-II expression and decrease p62 expression, and thereby induce excessive mitophagy. These results suggested that learning and memory impairment caused by La may be related to MQC disturbance. The present data provide some novel clues for elucidating the neurotoxic effect mechanism of La.
Influence of the presence of cations on the water and salt dynamics inside layered graphene oxide (GO) membranes
Authors: Gogoi Abhijit , Anki Reddy K. , Mondal Pranab Kumar
Published: February 2020

The intercalation of cations inside the interlayer gallery of layered GO membranes can greatly influence the water dynamics inside the membrane which in turn influences the performance of the membrane.
Cobalt carbide-based theranostic agents for in vivo multimodal imaging guided photothermal therapy
Authors: Zhang Dong-Yang , Xu Han , He Ting , Younis Muhammad Rizwan , Zeng Leli , Liu Hengke , Jiang Chao , Lin Jing , Huang Peng
Published: February 2020

Cobalt carbide-based theranostic agents were developed for magnetic resonance/photoacoustic/photothermal multimodal imaging guided photothermal therapy of cancer.
Diselenide-crosslinked zwitterionic nanogels with dual redox-labile properties for controlled drug release
Authors: Tian Yefei , Lei Miao , Yan Luke , An Feifei
Published: February 2020

We developed a diselenide-crosslinked zwitterionic nanogel based on poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine), which has sensitive dual redox-degradability and high colloidal stability.
Mixture model and its experimental validation for visible light communications
Authors: Büyükçorak S. , Topal O.A. , Ferhanoğlu O. , Karabulut Kurt G.
Published: February 2020

Visible light communication (VLC) is a promising technique to provide connectivity to users while providing illumination. To further improve the data rates of VLC systems, multiple sources that transmit multiple simultaneous data streams can be used. This Letter proposes a novel mixture model for VLC systems that make use of multiple sources to provide sufficient flexibility to accurately model the received signal levels for enabling better system designs. The validity of the proposed model is empirically verified through a set of real‐life measurements.
Arterielle Gefäßsteifigkeit – Ein neuer Parameter zur Beurteilung des Herz-Kreislauf-Risikos in der Praxis
Authors: Gündling Anika A. C. , Gündling Peter W.
Published: February 2020

Die Messung der arteriellen Gefäßsteifigkeit mittels digitaler Volumenplethysmographie ist eine nichtinvasive Methode, um die Funktion der Arterien und damit das Herz-Kreislauf-Risiko einschätzen zu können. Ihre Bedeutung und Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der täglichen Praxis konnten in den letzten Jahren durch große Studien – wie der Mainzer populationsbasierten Gutenberg-Gesundheitsstudie an über 12 000 Personen – überprüft und bestätigt werden.
Time-dependent kinetic theory of the plasma-wall transition layer in a weakly ionized plasma
Authors: Tskhakaya D. D. , Vasileska I. , Kos L. , Jelić N. , Kuhn S.
Published: February 2020

An analytic solution of the time-dependent Boltzmann kinetic equation is found for the first time. The plasma-wall transition (PWT) layer is analyzed using time-dependent velocity distribution functions for electrons and ions. The process of wall charging by electrons is described and estimated. For states close to the time-independent (stationary) state, for which the time dependence of the PWT parameters is weak, (i) the potential shapes in the pre-sheath (PS) and the Debye sheath (DS) are analyzed and (ii) the intermediate region, which bridges the PS and DS sublayers, is defined and its characteristic length is determined. The ion kinetics are dominated by charge exchange with cold neutrals and electron-impact ionization collisions of neutrals. The charge-exchange mean free path λcx is assumed to be constant and much larger than the electron Debye length λDe. The detailed time dependence of the PS sublayer's approach of the stationary state is found. It is proved that the stationary state can be realized only if the floating-potential condition is fulfilled.
Design of a fast field-cycling magnetic resonance imaging system, characterization and methods for relaxation dispersion measurements around 1.5 T
Authors: Chanet Nicolas , Guillot Geneviève , Willoquet Georges , Jourdain Laurène , Dubuisson Rose-Marie , Reganha Gaël , de Rochefort Ludovic
Published: February 2020

The dependence of the nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation rate on the magnetic field has been widely studied, in particular, in biomedical areas with the objectives to better understand the underlying microscopic mechanisms in tissues and provide biomarkers of diseases. By combining fast-field cycling (FFC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is possible to provide localized relaxation dispersion measurements in heterogeneous systems with recent demonstrations in solutions, biological samples, human beings, and small animals. We report here the developments and performances of a device designed for small animal FFC–MRI comprising a resistive insert technology operating inside a 1.5 T MRI system. Specific measurement methods were developed to characterize the system efficiency, response time, homogeneity, stability, and compensation. By adding a non-linear element in the system and using a dual amplifier strategy, it is shown that large field offsets can be produced during relaxation periods while maintaining precise field control during detection periods. The measurement of longitudinal nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles in the range of 1.08 T–1.92 T is reported, essentially displaying a linear variation in this range for common MRI contrast agents. The slopes of both the longitudinal and transverse relaxation dispersion profiles at 1.5 T are measured and validated, extending the capabilities of previous approaches. The performances of a longitudinal relaxation dispersion mapping method are finally reported, opening the way to quantitative preclinical dispersion imaging studies at a high FFC–MRI field.
Ideality factor and barrier height for a GaN nanomembrane electrically contacted with a tungsten nano-tip in a TEM
Authors: Benaissa M. , El Bouayadi R. , Ihiawakrim D. , Ersen O.
Published: February 2020

In the present article, the electrical characteristics of a freestanding gallium nitride nanomembrane in contact with a tungsten nanoprobe are evaluated using scanning tunneling microscopy in an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope without any lithographic patterning. We report here barrier height (ΦB=0.33±0.05eV and ideality factor (ηW/GaN−NM=1.620±0.07) parameters as extracted from I–V characteristic curve. Our experimental findings, combined with analytical calculations, show that the use of nanosized edge contacts results in a reduced barrier height, which is very promising for achieving a high ‘on’ current, large photoresponse, and high-frequency operation in FET devices.
Nonlinear magnetoelectric effect in a layered ferromagnetic-piezoelectric heterostructure excited by transverse magnetic field
Authors: Burdin D. A. , Chashin D. V. , Ekonomov N. A. , Gordeev S. N. , Fetisov Y. K.
Published: February 2020

The nonlinear magnetoelectric effect in a heterostructure containing layers of amorphous ferromagnet FeBSiC and piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate ceramics has been investigated. The heterostructure was subjected to permanent, H0, and alternating, h, magnetic fields applied in the structure plane. In contrast to previous studies, the excitation field was directed perpendicular to the permanent field (h⊥H0). The generation of even voltage harmonics across the piezoelectric layer was observed for excitation fields in the range of 0–3 Oe. The dependence of the second harmonic amplitude on the permanent field strength was found to differ significantly from a similar dependence upon longitudinal excitation, h//H0. A theory was developed, which describes the field dependence of voltage harmonic amplitudes for the magnetoelectric effect excited by a transverse magnetic field.
Mechanical hole-burning spectroscopy of PMMA deep in the glassy state
Authors: Mangalara Satish Chandra Hari , McKenna Gregory B.
Published: February 2020

Nonlinear mechanics of soft materials such as polymer melts or polymer solutions are frequently investigated by Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear (LAOS) spectroscopy tests. Less work has been reported on the characterization of the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of glassy polymers within a similar framework. In the present work, we use an extension of LAOS, i.e., mechanical spectral hole burning (MSHB), to investigate the nonlinear dynamics of an amorphous polymer in the deep glassy state. MSHB was developed as an analog to non-resonant spectral hole burning developed by Schiener et al. [Science 274(5288), 752–754 (1996)], who attributed the presence of holes to dynamic heterogeneity. On the other hand, Qin et al. [J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 47(20), 2047–2062 (2009)] in work on polymer solutions of tailored heterogeneity have attributed the presence of holes to the type of dynamics (Rouse, rubbery, etc.) rather than to a specific spatial heterogeneity. Here, we have performed MSHB experiments on poly(methyl methacrylate) in the deep glassy state (at ambient temperature, which is near to the β-relaxation) to investigate the presence and origin of holes, if any. The effects of pump frequency and pump amplitude were investigated, and we find that vertical holes could be burned successfully for frequencies from 0.0098 Hz to 0.0728 Hz and for pump amplitudes from 2% to 9% strain. On the other hand, horizontal holes were incomplete at high pump amplitude and low frequency, where higher spectral modification is observed. The results are interpreted as being related to the dynamic heterogeneity corresponding to the β-relaxation rather than to the hysteresis energy absorbed in the large deformation pump.
The dynamics of supercooled water can be predicted from room temperature simulations
Authors: Piskulich Zeke A. , Thompson Ward H.
Published: February 2020

There is strong interest in understanding the behavior of water in its supercooled state. While many of the qualitative trends of water dynamical properties in the supercooled regime are well understood, the connections between the structure and dynamics of room temperature and supercooled water have not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that the reorientational time scales and diffusion coefficients of supercooled water can be predicted from simulations of room temperature liquid water. Specifically, the derivatives of these dynamical time scales with respect to inverse temperature are directly calculated using the fluctuation theory applied to dynamics. These derivatives are used to predict the time scales and activation energies in the supercooled regime based on the temperature dependence in one of two forms: that based on the stability limit conjecture or assuming an equilibrium associated with a liquid–liquid phase transition. The results indicate that the retarded dynamics of supercooled water originate from structures and mechanisms that are present in the liquid under ambient conditions.
Hints of tunnel diode-like transport in a gated heterojunction
Authors: Di Girolamo Flavia Viola
Published: February 2020

A model involving the classical theory of the tunnel diode has been built to describe the Negative Transconductance effect on T6/PDI-8CN2 gated heterojunction. Fits of the transfer curves presented in the original paper have been performed, and the dependence of the fitting parameters on heterojunction underlying thickness has been analyzed. The good agreement suggests that a more precise explanation of the charge transport in the devices relies on the formation of an accumulation P–N diode-like structure at the interface and on the emergence of the tunneling current for an interval of gate voltages dictated by the specific properties of the two semiconductors.
Topology of quantum coherence in singlet fission: Mapping out spin micro-states in quasi-classical nonadiabatic simulations
Authors: Tao Guohua
Published: February 2020

Quantum coherence plays an important role in exciton dynamics such as singlet fission, which may be determined by molecular physical properties, including energy levels, electronic couplings, and electron–phonon couplings, and by geometric properties, including packing configuration and exciton delocalization. However, the global picture of quantum coherence in high-dimensional multistate systems is still blurred. Here, we perform nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulation for singlet fission in tetracene clusters and demonstrate that the topology of quantum coherence in terms of the global structure of the coupled multistate system may significantly modulate fission dynamics. In particular, quantum coherence in the spin-specified models could be protected by its topological structure from external perturbations. Our work suggests that the topology of quantum coherence is indispensable in the understanding and control of quantum dynamics, which may find potential implementations to singlet fission and quantum computation.
A highly precise cross-capacitive sensor for metal debris detection in insulating oil
Authors: Islam Tarikul , Yousuf Mujeeb , Nauman Mohd
Published: February 2020

The presence of metal particles in lubricating oil produced during the wear and tear of mechanical equipment can harm its performance severely if not detected in time. Hence, the detection of such particles is necessary to predict and to prevent disastrous failures of the machines. This paper presents a new non-contact cross-capacitive sensor for the detection of metal particles in the lubricating oil. The sensor can detect each and every metal debris particle in the lubricating oil by monitoring the capacitance peak. The proposed capacitive sensor works on the principle of the Thompson–Lampard theorem. The sensor consists of four cylindrical electrodes with infinitesimal gaps wrapped around a hollow Teflon tube. The sensor has been modeled with finite element simulation software and then fabricated to verify the theory experimentally. Experimental results show that the capacitance value shows a sharp change in its value due to the presence of metal debris in the oil. The output of the sensor is highly precise (±0.82%) and accurate.
Nonreciprocal normal-incidence lateral shift for transmitted wave beams through the magnetic photonic crystal slab
Authors: Ma Hui , Wu Rui-Xin
Published: February 2020

Conventionally, there is no lateral beam shift (LBS) at normal incidence for a wave beam pass through a slab. However, by simultaneously breaking spatial inversion, time-reversal, and mirror symmetries of the photonic crystal slab, we realized nonreciprocal LBS for the transmitted wave beam with high transmission. We showed that the nonreciprocal LBS could be positive or negative, which could be tuned by the arrangement of a magnetic basis in the unit cell. We verified the nonreciprocal LBS at normal incidence by experiments. Our study provides a useful way to manipulate the wave propagation and wave-matter interaction by artificial materials and leads to a breakthrough in LBS, which has promising potential in optical devices, such as transducers, switches, and unidirectional couplers.
Tailoring electric field standing waves in reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy to enhance absorbance from adsorbates on ice surfaces
Authors: Maurais Josée , Ayotte Patrick
Published: February 2020

The spectroscopic detection of molecules adsorbed onto ice surfaces at coverages similar to those encountered under typical environmental conditions requires high surface selectivity and sensitivity that few techniques can afford. An experimental methodology allowing a significant enhancement in the absorbance from adsorbed molecules is demonstrated herein. It exploits Electric Field Standing Wave (EFSW) effects intrinsic to grazing incidence Reflection–Absorption Infrared (RAIR) spectroscopy, where film thickness dependent optical interferences occur between the multiple reflections of the IR beam at the film–vacuum and the substrate–film interfaces. In this case study, CH4 is used as a probe molecule and is deposited on a 20 ML coverage dense amorphous solid water film adsorbed onto solid Ar underlayers of various thicknesses. We observe that, at thicknesses where destructive interferences coincide with the absorption features from the CH stretching and HCH bending vibrational modes of methane, their intensity increases by a factor ranging from 10 to 25. Simulations of the RAIR spectra of the composite stratified films using a classical optics model reproduce the Ar underlayer coverage dependent enhancements of the absorbance features from CH4 adsorbed onto the ice surface. They also reveal that the enhancements occur when the square modulus of the total electric field at the film’s surface reaches its minimum value. Exploiting the EFSW effect allows the limit of detection to be reduced to a coverage of (0.2 ± 0.2) ML CH4, which opens up interesting perspectives for spectroscopic studies of heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry at coverages that are more representative of those found in the natural environment.
Speed dependence of friction on single-layer and bulk MoS2 measured by atomic force microscopy
Authors: Acikgoz Ogulcan , Baykara Mehmet Z.
Published: February 2020

We perform atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments on mechanically exfoliated, single-layer and bulk molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) in order to probe friction forces as a function of sliding speed. The results of the experiments demonstrate that (i) friction forces increase logarithmically with respect to sliding speed, (ii) there is no correlation between the speed dependence of friction and the number of layers of MoS2, and (iii) changes in the speed dependence of friction can be attributed to changes in the physical characteristics of the AFM probe, manifesting in the form of varying contact stiffness and tip-sample interaction potential parameters in the thermally activated Prandtl–Tomlinson model. Our study contributes to the formation of a mechanistic understanding of the speed dependence of nanoscale friction on two-dimensional materials.
3D-Ising critical behavior in antiperovskite-type ferromagneticlike Mn3GaN
Authors: Yuan Ye , Liu Yu , Xu Chi , Kang Junjie , Wang Weiyun , Wang Qi , Song Bo , Zhou Shengqiang , Wang Xinqiang
Published: February 2020

In this work, a systematic investigation on magnetic critical behavior is performed for the first time on an antiperovskite-type Mn3GaN, which is prepared by intentionally modifying stoichiometry. According to the XRD results, the antiperovskite structure is well preserved, even though all lattice parameters shrink upon reducing Ga and N content down to 60%. The sample exhibits a ferromagneticlike feature with a Curie temperature (TC) of 394 K rather than frustrated behavior in stoichiometric Mn3GaN. Most importantly, the modified Arrott plots, Kouvel–Fisher plots, as well as critical isotherm method self-consistently co-confirm the critical exponents of β = 0.33, γ = 1.23, and δ = 4.7, unambiguously indicating that the critical behavior follows the 3D-Ising model around TC.
Dual-anonymization Yields Promising Results for Reducing Gender Bias: A Naturalistic Field Experiment of Applications for Hubble Space Telescope Time
Authors: Johnson Stefanie K. , Kirk Jessica F.
Published: February 2020

Using archival data, we examine the effects of the Hubble Space Telescope Time Allocation Committee (HST TAC)'s decision to adopt a dual- rather than single-anonymous review process. The change involved removing, to varying degrees, information about the Principal Investigator (PI) with the goal of reducing bias against women. Proposals led by female PIs were significantly more likely to be accepted in the five cycles following the changes compared to the 11 cycles using a single-anonymous review system. Taking a closer look at why these changes emerged, we examined data at the reviewer-level in the cycle immediately preceding the change compared to three of the cycles after the change. We found that male reviewers rated female PIs significantly worse than they rated male PIs before, but not after, dual-anonymization was adopted.
Insight Into the Posthospital Syndrome: A 3-Month Longitudinal Follow up on Geriatric Syndromes and Their Association With Functional Decline, Readmission, and Mortality
Authors: van Seben Rosanne , Covinsky Kenneth E , Reichardt Lucienne A , Aarden Jesse J , van der Schaaf Marike , van der Esch Martin , Engelbert Raoul H H , Twisk Jos W R , Bosch Jos A , Buurman Bianca M
Published: February 2020

Background

Acute hospitalization may lead to posthospital syndrome, but no studies have investigated how this syndrome manifests and geriatric syndromes are often used as synonym. However, studies on longitudinal associations between syndromes and adverse outcomes are scarce. We aimed to analyze longitudinal associations between geriatric syndromes and functional decline (FD), readmission, and mortality.

Methods

Prospective cohort study, including 401 acutely hospitalized patients (aged ≥ 70). We performed: (i) logistic regression analyses to assess associations between patterns of geriatric syndromes as they develop over time (between admission and 1 month postdischarge), and FD and readmission; (ii) generalized estimating equations to assess longitudinal associations between geriatric syndromes over five time points (admission, discharge, 1, 2, and 3 months postdischarge) and FD, mortality, and readmission at 3 months postdischarge.

Results

After syndrome absent, syndrome present at both admission and 1 month postdischarge was most prevalent. Persistent patterns of apathy (odds ratio [OR] = 4.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.54–12.30), pain (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.21–8.8), malnutrition (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.35–8.56), mobility impairment (OR = 6.65, 95% CI = 1.98–22.38), and fear of falling (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.25–8.02) were associated with FD. Developing cognitive impairment (OR = 6.40, 95% CI = 1.52–26.84), fatigue (OR = 4.71, 95% CI = 1.03–21.60), and fall risk (OR = 4.30, 95% CI = 1.21–16.57) postdischarge, was associated with readmission; however, only 4%–6% developed these syndromes. Over the course of five time points, mobility impairment, apathy, and incontinence were longitudinally associated with FD; apathy, malnutrition, fatigue, and fall risk with mortality; malnutrition with readmission.

Conclusion

Most geriatric syndromes are present at admission and patients are likely to retain them postdischarge. Several geriatric syndromes are longitudinally associated with mortality and, particularly, persistently present syndromes place persons are at risk of FD. Although few persons develop syndromes postdischarge, those developing cognitive impairment, fatigue, and fall risk were at increased readmission risk.
Chromatin regulation of somatic abiotic stress memory
Authors: Bäurle Isabel , Trindade Inês
Published: February 2020

In nature, plants are often subjected to periods of recurrent environmental stress that can strongly affect their development and productivity. To cope with these conditions, plants can remember a previous stress, which allows them to respond more efficiently to a subsequent stress, a phenomenon known as priming. This ability can be maintained at the somatic level for a few days or weeks after the stress is perceived, suggesting that plants can store information of a past stress during this recovery phase. While the immediate responses to a single stress event have been extensively studied, knowledge on priming effects and how stress memory is stored is still scarce. At the molecular level, memory of a past condition often involves changes in chromatin structure and organization, which may be maintained independently from transcription. In this review, we will summarize the most recent developments in the field and discuss how different levels of chromatin regulation contribute to priming and plant abiotic stress memory.
Scholarly Output by Army General Surgery Residents
Authors: Plackett Timothy P , Gagliano Ronald A , Kuehn Reed B , Deveaux Peter J , Seery Jason M
Published: February 2020

Introduction

To characterize and compare the scholarly activity of applicants to Army First Year Graduate Medical Education (FYGME) general surgery positions over the course of a residency.

Methods

All applicants for the 2011–2012 Army FYGME positions in general surgery were included. Applications were used to obtain demographics and peer-reviewed publications. Publications were verified using PubMed and Google Scholar. Applicants were tracked for acceptance to a FYGME position, graduation from a general surgery program, and future publications. Comparisons were made between selectees and non-selectees.

Results

There were 46 applicants for 22 positions. Seven of the selectees (32%) had prior publications versus three non-selectees (12%; p < 0.109). Eighteen of the selectees went on to complete a general surgery residency by 2017. Of those who completed a general surgery residency, 16 (89%) have at least one publication with the mean number of publications of 4.0 versus 10 (43%), and of those not selected had at least one publication and the mean number of publications was 0.7 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The majority of applications for general surgery residencies have no prior research publications. However, after 6 years, graduates of a general surgery residency have significantly published out those not selected for training.
Development of a Leader Tool for Assessing and Mitigating Suicide Risk Factors
Authors: Hoyt Tim , Repke Diana , Barry David , Baisley Margaret , Jervis Shellie , Black Ryan , McCreight Sarah , Prendergast Daniel , Brinton Chauncy , Amin Rohul
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Despite efforts in prevention, suicide rates in the US military remain unchanged. This article describes the development of a tool for leaders to identify and mitigate suicide risk factors.

Methods

A seven-item measure, the Leader Suicide Risk Assessment Tool (LSRAT), was constructed to allow leaders to assess and mitigate suicide drivers. During a 6-mo pilot, unit leaders completed the LSRAT for 161 at-risk soldiers. The LSRAT data were compared to clinical data from a subset of these soldiers.

Results

The LSRAT showed good test-retest reliability. The LSRAT scores showed significant correlations with both clinical and screening measures of suicidality. Command actions mitigated or partially mitigated 89% of risk factors identified on the LSRAT.

Conclusions

This study provides initial psychometric data on a tool that prescribes concrete responses to mitigate risk. The LSRAT may be a valid and feasible tool to assist front-line commanders in identifying potential area’s risk mitigation. Synchronization efforts between commanders, clinicians, and support services are crucial to ensure effective intervention to prevent suicide behavior.
Evaluation of Blast Overpressure Exposure Effects on Concentration of Antibiotics in Mice
Authors: Antonic Vlado , Sajja Venkatasivasaisujith , Sousa Jason , Nguyen Ken , Alamneh Yonas , Garry Brittany , Medina-Rojas Maria , Wilder Donna , Vuong Chau , Potter Brittney , Zurawski Daniel , Shearer Jonathan , Black Chad , Demons Samandra , Long Joseph , Tyner Stuart
Published: February 2020

Objective

Infection as sequelae to explosion-related injury is an enduring threat to our troops. There are limited data on the effects of blast on antibiotic pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and efficacy. The observational study presented here is our Institute’s first attempt to address this issue by combining our existing interdepartmental blast, infection modeling, and in vivo PK/PD capabilities and was designed to determine the PK effects of blast on the first-line antibiotic, cefazolin, in an in vivo mouse model.

Methods

A total of 160 male BALB/c mice were divided to sham and blast (exposed to blast overpressure of 19 psi) in two biological replicates. At 1 hour after blast/sham exposure, the animals received IV injection of cefazolin (328 mg/kg). Animals were euthanized at 3 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, or 10 hours after the injection. Plasma and liver were analyzed for concentration of cefazolin using mass-spectrometry.

Results

We observed increases in the concentration of cefazolin in the plasma and liver of blast exposed animals at later time points and increase in elimination half-life.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that blast-induced physiologic changes significantly influence cefazolin PK and suggest that efficacy could be affected in the context of the blast; assessment of efficacy and PD effects require further investigation. Metabolic changes resulting from blast may influence other classes of antibiotics and other therapeutics used with these injuries. Therefore, this may have important treatment considerations in other areas of military medicine.
Prehospital Battlefield Casualty Intervention Decision Cognitive Study
Authors: Schweizer Marc A , Wampler David , Lu Kevin , Oh Andrew S , Rahm Stephen J , Studer Nicholas M , Cunningham Cord W
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Airway compromise is the third most common cause of preventable battlefield death. Surgical cricothyroidotomy (SC) is recommended by Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines when basic airway maneuvers fail. This is a descriptive analysis of the decision-making process of prehospital emergency providers to perform certain airway interventions.

Methods

We conducted a scenario-based survey using two sequential video clips of an explosive injury event. The answers were used to conduct descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the association between the choice of intervention and training factors.

Results

There were 254 respondents in the survey, 176 (69%) of them were civilians and 78 (31%) were military personnel. Military providers were more likely to complete TCCC certification (odds ratio [OR]: 13.1; confidence interval [CI]: 6.4–26.6; P-value < 0.001). The SC was the most frequently chosen intervention after each clip (29.92% and 22.10%, respectively). TCCC-certified providers were more likely to choose SC after viewing the two clips (OR: 1.9; CI: 1.2–3.2; P-value: 0.009), even after controlling for relevant factors (OR: 2.3; CI: 1.1–4.8; P-value: 0.033).

Conclusions

Military providers had a greater propensity to be certified in TCCC, which was found to increase their likelihood to choose the SC in early prehospital emergency airway management.
When Exception to Policy Is Exceptional Policy: How Booking Physical Therapy Appointments Too Far in the Future May Adversely Impact Access to Care, Business Optimization, and Readiness
Authors: Baker Sarah E , Silvernail Jason , Scoville Charles , Kushner Scott , Mabry Lance , Konitzer Lisa , Easley Sean , Iveson Brian , Sims Crystal , Stoeker Steven , Gudorf Genevieve
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Physical therapy (PT) is a high-volume service that treats musculoskeletal injury and improves return-to-duty rates. Our experience suggests that no-show (NS) and patient cancellation (PC) rates increase the further appointment that is booked in the future, impede access to care, and increase the healthcare delivery costs. The article’s purpose is to examine PT National Capitol Region (NCR) appointment data to inform appointment policies.

Methods

We utilized one year of retrospective Military Health System Management and Reporting Tool and Composite Health Care System Ad Hoc Data Pulls to review NCR PT appointment data to evaluate the effect of timing on NS and PC rates.

Results

We analyzed 797 new appointments at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Data revealed that 16% of patients seen within 10 days NS or PC; 22% of patients seen between 11 and 20 days NS or PC; 28% of patients seen 21 to 30 days NS or PC; and 25% of patients seen over 30 days after consultation NS or PC. We analyzed 182,134 PT appointments (all types) in the NCR. The NS rate was 11.1% (range 8.4–14.9%).

Conclusions

At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 17% of new appointments were lost when they were booked over 20 days in advance; additionally, NS and PC rates were greatest after 20 days from consultation.
Exploring the differences of integrated and spatially resolved analysis using integral field unit data: the case of Abell 14
Authors: Akras Stavros , Monteiro Hektor , Aleman Isabel , Farias Marcos A F , May Daniel , Pereira Claudio B
Published: February 2020

We present a new approach to study planetary nebulae using integral field spectroscopy. VLT@VIMOS datacube of the planetary nebula Abell 14 is analysed in three different ways by extracting: (i) the integrated spectrum, (ii) one-dimensional simulated long-slit spectra for different position angles, and (iii) spaxel-by-spaxel spectra. These data are used to build emission-line diagnostic diagrams and explore the ionization structure and excitation mechanisms combining data from one- and three-dimensional photoionization models. The integrated and 1D simulated spectra are suitable for developing diagnostic diagrams, while the spaxel spectra can lead to misinterpretation of the observations. We find that the emission-line ratios of Abell 14 are consistent with UV photoionised emission; however, there are some pieces of evidence of an additional thermal mechanism. The chemical abundances confirm its previous classification as a Type I planetary nebula, without spatial variation. We find, though, variation in the ionization correction factors as a function of the slit’s position angle. The star at the geometric centre of Abell 14 has an A5 spectral type with an effective temperature of Teff = 7909 ± 135 K and surface gravity log(g) = 1.4 ± 0.1 cm s−2. Hence, this star cannot be responsible for the ionization state of the nebula. Gaia parallaxes of this star yield distances between 3.6 and 4.5 kpc in good agreement with the distance derived from a three-dimensional photoionization modelling of Abell 14, indicating the presence of a binary system at the centre of the planetary nebula.
Molecular environments of the supernova remnant G359.1−0.5
Authors: Eppens L K , Reynoso E M , Lazendic-Galloway J , Combi J A , Albacete-Colombo J F
Published: February 2020

We report new CO observations and a detailed molecular-line study of the mixed morphology supernova remnant G359.1−0.5, which contains six OH (1720 MHz) masers along the radio shell, indicative of shock-cloud interaction. Observations of 12CO and 13CO J:1–0 lines were performed in a ∼38 × 38 arcmin area with the on-the-fly technique using the Kit Peak 12 Meter telescope. The molecular study has revealed the existence of a few clumps with densities ∼103 cm−3 compatible in velocity and position with the OH (1720 MHz) masers. These clumps, in turn, appear to be part of a larger, elongated molecular structure ∼34 arcmin long extending between −12.48 and +1.83 km s−1, adjacent to the western edge of the radio shell. According to the densities and relative position with respect to the masers, we conclude that the CO clouds depict unshocked gas, as observed in other remnants with OH (1720 MHz) masers. In addition, we investigated the distribution of the molecular gas towards the adjacent γ-ray source HESS J1745-303 (Aharonian et al. 2006) but could not find any morphological correlation between the γ-rays and the CO emission at any velocity in this region.
Reionization history constraints from neural network based predictions of high-redshift quasar continua
Authors: Ďurovčíková Dominika , Katz Harley , Bosman Sarah E I , Davies Frederick B , Devriendt Julien , Slyz Adrianne
Published: February 2020

Observations of the early Universe suggest that reionization was complete by z ∼ 6, however, the exact history of this process is still unknown. One method for measuring the evolution of the neutral fraction throughout this epoch is via observing the Lyα damping wings of high-redshift quasars. In order to constrain the neutral fraction from quasar observations, one needs an accurate model of the quasar spectrum around Lyα, after the spectrum has been processed by its host galaxy but before it is altered by absorption and damping in the intervening intergalactic medium (IGM). In this paper, we present a novel machine learning approach, using artificial neural networks, to reconstruct quasar continua around Lyα. Our Quasar Spectra from Artificial Neural Network based predictive Regression Algorithm(QSANNdRA) improves the error in this reconstruction compared to the state-of-the-art principal component analysis (PCA) based model in the literature by 14.2 per cent on average, and provides an improvement of 6.1 per cent on average when compared to an extension thereof. In comparison with the extended PCA model, QSANNdRA further achieves an improvement of 22.1 per cent and 16.8 per cent when evaluated on low-redshift quasars most similar to the two high-redshift quasars under consideration, ULAS J1120+0641 at z = 7.0851 and ULAS J1342+0928 at z = 7.5413, respectively. Using our more accurate reconstructions of these two z > 7 quasars, we estimate the neutral fraction of the IGM using a homogeneous reionization model and find $\bar{x}_\mathrm{H\, \small{I}} = 0.25^{+0.05}_{-0.05}$ at z = 7.0851 and $\bar{x}_\mathrm{H\, \small{I}} = 0.60^{+0.11}_{-0.11}$ at z = 7.5413. Our results are consistent with the literature and favour a rapid end to reionization.