bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of a Caucasian Family with von Willebrand’s Disease in Association with Vascular Telangiectasia and Hemoglobinopathy
Authors: Hanna W. , McCarroll C. , Chen J. , McDonald T. , Lin D. , Lange R. , Congdon C.
Published: May 2019

This family carries multihematological inherited disorders; namely, von Wille-brand’s, vascular telangiectasia and hemoglobinopathy. Family members were studied by quantifying the following: Factor VIII pro-coagulant activity, Factor VIII related antigen, Factor VIII inhibitors, platelet adhesion, platelet aggregation (with ristocetin, collagen and ADP), bleeding time, platelet count, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, hemoglobin electrophoresis, hemoglobin finger-printing, sickling preparation and the presence of telangiectasia.

The affected members of this family with von Willebrand’s express their disease in a variable tendency to bleeding from almost clinically asymptomatic cases to cases with severe bleeding tendency.One member of this family had to have a hysterectomy at the age of 20 to control the abnormal uterine bleeding after conservative treatment failed. All affected members with von Willebrand’s disease had a normal platelet count, prolonged bleeding time, decreased Factor VIII pro-coagulant activity and related antigen, negative aggregation using the ristocetin co-factor for von Willebrand’s, defective platelet adhesiveness to glass beads, and normal platelet aggregation to collagen and ADP. Some members have vascular telangiectasia in the mucous membranes. An incidental finding was the presence of an abnormal hemoglobin S in some family members.

Supported in part by the Cumberland Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation.
A Rapid Chromatographic Method for Quantitation of High Molecular Weight Fibrinogen Derivatives in Plasma. Further Improvement.
Authors: Musumeci V. , Zappacosta B. , Marra R.
Published: May 2019

A rapid chromatographic method for quantitation of HMWFD in plasma was developed by Musumeci et al. (Thrombos. Haemostas. 39: 555, 1978) by using the preliminary precipitation of HMWFD from plasma by 0.88 M ammoniumsulphate, the chromatography on a 2.5 χ 30 cm glass bead Bio-Gel 5 M at a flow rate o f 60 ml/hour, the continous monitoring of effluent at 280 nm, the handling of elution profile according to the chromatography theory analysis. The main difficulty of this method was represented by the tedious manual measurement of the area under the elution profile. The problem was overcome by feeding the output of U.V. monitor to an home-made analog integrator which will give an electronic signal corresponding to the developing area of elution profile. The U.V. monitor signal and the integrated signal were fed to the same recorder on a time -sharing (multiplexing) basis. The measurpments of the heights of the two simultaneous superimposed curves at a previous calibrated point will give the concentration of HMWFD by simple arithmetic operations.
Influence of Chromomycin A3 (ToyomycinR) on Platelet Function in Vitro
Authors: Kubisz P. , Cronberq S.
Published: May 2019

Chromomycin A3 is a cytotoxic antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces griseus. It is marketed in Japan by Takeda Chemical Industries under the name of Toyomycin. It is chemically related to mithvamycin. In the presence of Mg2+ it inhibits DNA dependent RNA polymerase and to a lesser extent DNA polymerase. As a side effect hypocalcemia can be induced. It is therefore possible that it interferes with intracellular calcium reactions. It may therefore exert an effect on the function of platelets. We therefore studied its effect on platelets in vitro.

Results: Platelet aggregation induced by ADP, adrenalin or collagen was decreased. The second wave of aggregation was mostly abolished. The availability of olatelet factor 3 was decreased irrespective of inducer. The release of platelet factor 4 by ADP was reduced, but it was normal when induced by adrenalin or collagen.

Reptilase clot retraction induced by ADP or collagen was normal.

Uptake of 14C-serotonin or 14C-adenine was normal.

Conclusion: Chromomycin A3 (ToyomycinR) induced mild abnormalities in platelet aqcreqation and release.
Adp-Induced Shape Change in Platelets from Normal and Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Porta M. , Hilgard P. , Kohner E.M.
Published: May 2019

In the absence of Ca++, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induces alterations in light transmittance (LT) of platelet rich plasma (PRP). An initial decrease of LT, representing the platelet shape change (PSC), is followed by a slower self-stabilizing i ncrease, which can be evaluated as % of LT.

Methodological studies showed that the optical recording of PSC was mainly influenced by the concentrations of EDTA (used as chelating agent) and ADP in the test slstem. Under standardized conditions (PRP incubated at room temperature with EDTA 7.6 mM, ADP 5ug/ml) the measurement of PSC is a reproducible and simple test.

The tracings of 19 controls were compared to those of 32 patients with diabetic retinopathy. Significant differences (p < 0.005) were found in 15 proliferative retinopathics (17.25 ± 1.07 SEM) and 6 maculopathics (17.99% ± 1.48), when compared to 11 mild retinopathics (13.96 % ± 1.48) and the controls (13.11% ± 0.73). Conventional aggregometry studies revealed a lower threshold ADP concentration to produce complete aggregation in platelets from diabetics. The response to high concentrations of ADP, to collagen, or ristocetin was identical in the two groups.

The preliminary data presented support the anticipated role of platelets in the development of diabetic microangiopathy, and indicate that the test described is a useful addition to studies of platelet function.
Studies on Fibrinopeptide a in Thrombotic Disorders
Authors: Murakoshi T. , Seya T. , Yamauchi M. , Naaata H. , Hasegawa H.
Published: May 2019

Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) was measured in human plasma by a radioimmunoassay kit (IMCO) In 14 normal individuals this assay revealed a mean FPA level of 1.5 ng/ml.121 patients were divided Into 6 groups by the levels of fibrinogen (FBG) and FDP as followsA- patients with elevated FBC and elevated FDP levels (FPA: av.9.4 ng/ml).B: patients with elevated FBC and normal FDP levels (FPA: av.3.7 ng/ml). C: patients with normal FBG and elevated FDP levels (FPA: av.3.9 ng/ml). D: patients with normal FBG and normal FDP levels (FPA; av.5,3 ng/ml). E: patients with reduced FBG and elevated FDP levels (FPA: av 4.1 ng/ml). F: patients with reduced FBG and normal FDP levels (FPA: av.4 8 ng/ml) It is noteworthy that elevated FPA levels are found In group D.

Considering FPA levels from clinical disorders, elevated FPA levels were found in patients suffering from DIC and other thrombotic disorders. In clinical cases, comparing with other Indicators which represented hypercoagulable state, FPA levels changed most rapidly, and after injection of heparin in these patients, they were reduced rapidly Into the normal range. Addltionary, it appears possible to determine the structure of thrombi from the correlation between FPA and β-thromboglobulin. These results suggest that FPA Is most sensitive indicator of thrombin action, and provides direct information concerning the effectiveness of therapy in preventing fibrin formation.
A Clinical Trial Concerning the Prevention of Rethrombosis after Percutaneous Transluminal Recanalization
Authors: Hess H. , Müller-Faβbender H. , Ingrlsch H. , Mletaschk A.
Published: May 2019

The percutaneous transluminal recanslization of a segmental stenosed or occluded peripheral artery is already a proved alternative to vascular surgeryTwo things are important to prevent a thrombosis after recanalization. 1. The release of arterial blood-stream after the intervention as soon as possible and 2. the reduction of the aggregabillty and adhesiveness of platelets by drugs. The first condition is better realized with the transcutaneous technic than with any surgical approach. The combination of dlpyridamol and acetylotalicylic acid (ASS) used as platelet aggregation inhibitor In a double blind clinical trial on 101 patients was more effective than ASS alone.
M945. Nonhepahinic Mucopolisacarid. In Vivo Studies(Humans)
Authors: Giuliani K. , Stwarcer E.
Published: May 2019

It has been reported,in in vivo studies (doga, rabbita), that the antithrombotic protection of heparin is clearly related to AntiXa enhanced activity,than to a particular KCCT level(1)(2)

In this work, 20 healthy individuals were studied. KCCT, TT, AntiXa (Denaon-Bonnar) deter minations were made. In vitro studies of M945 actiona on these tests, at different plasma concentrations of the drug (0.02-0.2UI/al) were performed.

M945 waa then SC administered, 100UI/kg weight, and blood aamples collected each two houra, and KCCT, TT, AntiXa studied.

In vitro samples showed no differences in KCCT, TT, and Anti Xa activity, that the ones expected when using heparin. In 16 humana, in post infusion studie s, it was seen that nearly no changea on KCCT or TT occured,vhile AntiAa waS enhanced in its activity, up to 90" (more than corresponding valuea for 0.2UI/al of heparin in plaamal.

Further work with similar drugs to M945, should open the poasibility of safe antithrombotic treatments in patients with anticoagulant contraindications.

1. Szwarcer E, Giuliani R, vIII World Congr Cardiol, Abatr, 1, 1159, pg 381, 1978

2. Chiu HM, Hirsh J, Yung WL, Regoeczi E, Gent H, Elood, Vol 49, N82, 171, (feb), 1977
“Biology of the Eye,” A Novel Multiformat Translational Elective for Medical Students
Authors: Marin A. , Brzezinski Joseph , Nagaraj Ram , Singh Jasleen
Published: May 2019

Objective To allow medical undergraduate students an exposure to ophthalmology in the preclinical years as well as introduce concepts of basic and clinical science in ophthalmology for medical students.

Methods The 10-session elective was offered to 2nd year medical students in the fall of 2016 and to 1st and 2nd year medical students in the fall of 2017 at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The curriculum included a dissection laboratory, lectures, and journal reviews of key topics in ophthalmology with a basic scientist and clinician. At the conclusion of the sessions, the students evaluated this course by survey.

Results Six medical students participated in the fall of 2016 and 11 students in the fall of 2017. The response rate was 83.33 and 100%, respectively. On a five- point Likert's scale, the students in both fall 2016 and 2017 rated the course as 4.7, indicating a positive reaction. Quality of learning objectives was rated as 4.4 and 4.5 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Course management had a score of 4.4 and 4.6 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Comments included: “I learned a lot about the eye I would not have known if I had not taken the course,” “I enjoyed the interplay between the clinical and basic science experts,” and “I liked the model of learning about a subject then looking at the research [sic].”

Conclusions Based on the students' responses and level of satisfaction, we concluded that the elective course was successful at increasing medical students' exposure to ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine while incorporating both basic and clinical science. Based on review of the students' feedback, modifications to the course included, expanding the course to 1st year medical students, limiting presentation times, simplifying presentation topics, and adding worksheets to guide article review sessions.
The effect of nanoscale architecture on ionic diffusion in rGo/aramid nanofiber structural electrodes
Authors: Aderyani S. , Flouda P. , Lutkenhaus J. L. , Ardebili H.
Published: May 2019

Structural energy storage is a rapidly emerging area with tantalizing applications such as integrated devices in textiles, smart suits, and uniforms. Due to several outstanding properties, graphene oxide (rGO)/aramid nanofiber (ANF) composite material has emerged as a compelling choice as a structural electrode for supercapacitors and batteries. A key question of significant technological relevance pertains to what kind of nanoscale architecture motifs may lead to enhanced ionic diffusivity—the key characteristic dictating the overall performance of the electrode. In this study, we attempt to address precisely this question, through multiphysics simulations, in the context of several “experimentally realizable, layered” architectures. We investigate different arrangements (staggered and aligned) and various degrees of waviness of the rGO nanosheets inside the ANF polymer matrix. Our results indicate that decreasing waviness of the rGO sheets can enhance the ion diffusivity in the staggered and aligned arrangements of the electrode material, while this effect is stronger in the staggered arrangements than in the aligned arrangements. The insights obtained from this study can lead to a more effective design of electrode architectures.
Ohmic InP/Si direct-bonded heterointerfaces
Authors: Inoue Ryoichi , Tanabe Katsuaki
Published: May 2019

Directly bonded ohmic InP/Si heterostructures are realized, overcoming the large (8%) lattice mismatch. By employing proper semiconductor surface pretreatments including cleaning and oxide removal, we obtain ohmic interfacial electrical characteristics at a bonding temperature as low as 200 °C. Among the doping-polarity combinations, ohmic interfacial electrical characteristics are observed for n-InP/n-Si and n-InP/p-Si bonded heterointerfaces, but not for p-InP/p-Si and p-InP/n-Si pairs. We numerically explain this polarity dependence in terms of energy band connections across the InP/Si heterointerfaces. The highly conductive III–V/Si direct bonding technique developed in this study is applicable for various heterostructured optoelectronic devices, such as multijunction solar cells and photonic integrated circuits.
Understanding the switching mechanism of interfacial phase change memory
Authors: Okabe Kye L. , Sood Aditya , Yalon Eilam , Neumann Christopher M. , Asheghi Mehdi , Pop Eric , Goodson Kenneth E. , Wong H.-S. Philip
Published: May 2019

Phase Change Memory (PCM) is a leading candidate for next generation data storage, but it typically suffers from high switching (RESET) current density (20–30 MA/cm2). Interfacial Phase Change Memory (IPCM) is a type of PCM using multilayers of Sb2Te3/GeTe, with up to 100× lower reported RESET current compared to the standard Ge2Sb2Te5-based PCM. Several hypotheses involving fundamentally new switching mechanisms have been proposed to explain the low switching current densities, but consensus is lacking. Here, we investigate IPCM switching by analyzing its thermal, electrical, and fabrication dependencies. First, we measure the effective thermal conductivity (∼0.4 W m−1 K−1) and thermal boundary resistance (∼3.4 m2 K GW−1) of Sb2Te3/GeTe multilayers. Simulations show that IPCM thermal properties account only for an ∼13% reduction of current vs standard PCM and cannot explain previously reported results. Interestingly, electrical measurements reveal that our IPCM RESET indeed occurs by a melt-quench process, similar to PCM. Finally, we find that high deposition temperature causes defects including surface roughness and voids within the multilayer films. Thus, the substantial RESET current reduction of IPCM appears to be caused by voids within the multilayers, which migrate to the bottom electrode interface by thermophoresis, reducing the effective contact area. These results shed light on the IPCM switching mechanism, suggesting that an improved control of layer deposition is necessary to obtain reliable switching.
Fast flow field prediction over airfoils using deep learning approach
Authors: Sekar Vinothkumar , Jiang Qinghua , Shu Chang , Khoo Boo Cheong
Published: May 2019

In this paper, a data driven approach is presented for the prediction of incompressible laminar steady flow field over airfoils based on the combination of deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and deep Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). The flow field over an airfoil depends on the airfoil geometry, Reynolds number, and angle of attack. In conventional approaches, Navier-Stokes (NS) equations are solved on a computational mesh with corresponding boundary conditions to obtain the flow solutions, which is a time consuming task. In the present approach, the flow field over an airfoil is approximated as a function of airfoil geometry, Reynolds number, and angle of attack using deep neural networks without solving the NS equations. The present approach consists of two steps. First, CNN is employed to extract the geometrical parameters from airfoil shapes. Then, the extracted geometrical parameters along with Reynolds number and angle of attack are fed as input to the MLP network to obtain an approximate model to predict the flow field. The required database for the network training is generated using the OpenFOAM solver by solving NS equations. Once the training is done, the flow field around an airfoil can be obtained in seconds. From the prediction results, it is evident that the approach is efficient and accurate.
Nanoscale zerovalent iron particles for magnet-assisted soil washing of cadmium-contaminated paddy soil: proof of concept
Authors: Phenrat Tanapon , Hongkumnerd Peerayu , Suk-in Jirapon , Khum-in Vinita
Published: May 2019

Environmental contextCadmium contamination in paddy soil can lead to elevated cadmium concentrations in rice, potentially affecting millions of rice consumers worldwide. This study used nanoscale zerovalent iron to sequester cadmium from soil before using magnetic separation to retrieve cadmium-sorbed particles from the soil slurry. This approach hypothetically resulted in a 97% reduction of cadmium levels in rice, rendering the rice safe for human consumption.
AbstractCadmium (Cd) exposure causes serious health effects, including osteopenia, itai-itai disease, kidney disease and cancer. Millions of people are at risk of Cd-contaminated rice consumption resulting from Cd-contaminated paddy soil. While several soil restoration techniques, including phytoremediation (time-consuming) and soil washing using calcium chloride (generating Cd-contaminated wastewater requiring further treatment), face technical challenges, there is room for nanotechnology to offer a rapid and low-cost restoration technique. Here, we propose novel magnet-assisted (ex situ) soil washing using nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) to remove Cd from paddy soil. Conceptually, Cd-contaminated paddy soil is mixed with water and NZVI to create a soil slurry. The NZVI promotes a reduction condition, which accelerates the Cd desorption from the paddy soil to the aqueous phase in the soil slurry. Subsequently, desorbed Cd in water is resorbed onto the NZVI surface, which is retrieved from the soil slurry through magnetic separation, leaving behind treated paddy soil and treated washing water. In our laboratory feasibility study with actual Cd-contaminated paddy soil (191.51±5.54mgkg−1), we found that, although magnet-assisted soil washing using NZVI cannot remove all the Cd from the soil to meet the EU and Thai soil standards (78% removal of total Cd), it effectively removes mobile Cd (exchangeable and carbonate fractions) from the soil (93%), which potentially results in a 97% reduction of cadmium in rice, which is safe for human consumption. The proposed technique has no unacceptable effects on the decline of macro- and micro-nutrients or the germination of rice seed.
Pilot application of drone observations and pigment marker detection by HPLC in studies of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in Bulgarian inland waters
Authors: Stoyneva-Gärtner Maya P. , Uzunov Blagoy A. , Descy Jean-Pierre , Gärtner Georg , Draganova Petya H. , Borisova Cvetanka I. , Pavlova Vera , Mitreva Maria
Published: May 2019

This paper describes the first use of aerial observations by a drone as an additional means for choosing sampling points during field studies of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) in selected Bulgarian waterbodies and the use of HPLC analysis of marker pigments for the fast determination of phytoplankton composition and biomass. The selection of waterbodies was based on the authors’ personal expertise and data collected over a 25-year period. In all sites chosen by drone, there were high levels of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins were present: microcystins (MC-LR, MC-RR, MC-YR in Durankulak Lake and MC-LR and MC-RR in the Sinyata Reka Reservoir), cylindrospermopsin (in the Vaya Lake and in the Mandra Reservoir) and saxitoxins (in Durankulak Lake). The finding of cylindrospermopsin is the first in Bulgaria, the detection of saxitoxins is the first for Durankulak Lake and the microcystins records are the first for Sinyata Reka Reservoir. Considering the high total number of wetlands in Bulgaria, many of which are lowland, small and shallow and therefore vulnerable to CyanoHABs, we recommend further use of drones and HPLC in monitoring, which should speed up detection and reduce sampling efforts while enabling valuable information to be gathered.
Calibrating gravitational-wave detectors with GW170817
Authors: Essick Reed , Holz Daniel E
Published: May 2019

The waveform of a compact binary coalescence is predicted by general relativity. It is therefore possible to directly constrain the response of a gravitational-wave (GW) detector by analyzing a signal’s observed amplitude and phase evolution as a function of frequency. GW signals alone constrain the relative amplitude and phase between different frequencies within the same detector and between different detectors. Furthermore, if the source’s distance and inclination can be determined independently, for example from an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart, one can calibrate the absolute amplitude response of the detector network. We analyze GW170817’s ability to calibrate the LIGO/Virgo detectors, finding a relative amplitude calibration precision of approximately

20% and relative phase precision of

(

uncertainty) between the LIGO Hanford and Livingston detectors. Incorporating additional information about the distance and inclination of the source from EM observations, the relative amplitude of the LIGO detectors can be tightened to  ∼

%. Including EM observations also constrains the absolute amplitude precision to similar levels. We investigate the ability of future events to improve astronomical calibration. By simulating the cumulative uncertainties from an ensemble of detections, we find that with several hundred events with EM counterparts, or several thousand events without counterparts, we reach percent-level astronomical calibration. This corresponds to  ∼5–10 years of operation at advanced LIGO and Virgo design sensitivity. It is to be emphasized that direct in situ measurements of detector calibration provide significantly higher precision than astronomical sources, and already constrain the calibration to a few percent in amplitude and a few degrees in phase. In this sense, our astronomical calibrators only corroborate existing calibration measurements. Nonetheless, it is remarkable that we are able to use an astronomical GW source to characterize properties of a terrestrial GW instrument, and astrophysical calibration may become an important corroboration of existing calibration methods, providing a completely independent constraint of potential systematics.
Improving student understanding of quantum mechanics underlying the Stern–Gerlach experiment using a research-validated multiple-choice question sequence
Authors: Justice Paul , Marshman Emily , Singh Chandralekha
Published: May 2019

Engaging students with well-designed multiple-choice questions during class and asking them to discuss their answers with their peers after each student has contemplated the response individually can be an effective evidence-based active-engagement pedagogy in physics courses. Moreover, validated sequences of multiple-choice questions are more likely to help students build a good knowledge structure of physics than individual multiple-choice questions on various topics. Here we discuss a framework to develop robust sequences of multiple-choice questions and then use the framework for the development, validation and implementation of a sequence of multiple-choice questions focusing on helping students learn quantum mechanics via the Stern–Gerlach experiment (SGE) that takes advantage of the guided inquiry-based learning sequences in an interactive tutorial on the same topic. The extensive research in developing and validating the multiple-choice question sequence (MQS) strives to make it effective for students with diverse prior preparation in upper-level undergraduate quantum physics courses. We discuss student performance on assessment task focusing on the SGE after traditional lecture-based instruction versus after engaging with the research-validated MQS administered as clicker questions in which students had the opportunity to discuss their responses with their peers.
Change of vegetation cover in the US–Mexico border region: illegal activities or climatic variability?
Authors: Wang Haoying
Published: May 2019

This study explores both human activities and climatic factors to examine the change of vegetation cover in the US Southwest border region—a region that is almost 2000 miles long and with rich natural resources but mostly a sensitive semi-arid/arid ecosystem. It is the first study that integrates large-scale remote-sensing data with multiple layers of socio-economic data and aims to inform critical policy issues related to natural resources management and border security enforcement in the region. A fixed effects panel data regression model is deployed to control for spatial heterogeneities and macro trends in vegetation cover distribution. The results show that both illegal and legal activities have statistically significant impacts on the border region vegetation cover between 2008–2017. Within a 3 mile buffer of the border, a one-standard-deviation increase in illegal border-crossings would lead the vegetation cover index (measured between 0–100) to decline by 4.1% of its standard deviation. A one-standard-deviation increase in border patrol agent staffing would lead the vegetation cover index to decline by 19.0% of its standard deviation. Employment density (a proxy for the dominant local economic activities) in the border county economies and growing season monthly mean temperature are also statistically significant in driving the change of vegetation cover. These findings provide important implications for natural resources management and border security policy in the region, as well as for the quality of life in the local border communities.
Systematic increases in the thermodynamic response of hourly precipitation extremes in an idealized warming experiment with a convection-permitting climate model
Authors: Lenderink Geert , Belušić Danijel , Fowler Hayley J , Kjellström Erik , Lind Petter , van Meijgaard Erik , van Ulft Bert , de Vries Hylke
Published: May 2019

Changes in sub-daily precipitation extremes potentially lead to large impacts of climate change due to their influence on soil erosion, landslides, and flooding. However, these changes are still rather uncertain, with only limited high-resolution results available and a lack of fundamental knowledge on the processes leading to sub-daily extremes. Here, we study the response of hourly extremes in a convection-permitting regional climate model (CPRCM) for an idealized warming experiment—repeating present-day observed weather under warmer and moister conditions. Ten months of simulation covering summer and early autumn for two domains over western Central Europe and western Mediterranean are performed. In general, we obtain higher sensitivities to warming for local-scale extreme precipitation at the original grid-scale of 2.5–3 km than for aggregated analyses at a scale of 12–15 km, representative for currently conventional regional climate models. The grid-scale sensitivity over sea, and in particular over the Mediterranean Sea, approaches 12%–16% increase per degree, close to two times the Clausius–Clapeyron (CC) relation. In contrast, over the dry parts of Spain the sensitivity is close to the CC rate of 6%–7% per degree. For other land areas, sensitivities are in between these two values, with a tendency for the cooler and more humid areas to show lower scaling rates for the most intense hourly precipitation, whereas the land area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea shows the opposite behaviour with the largest increases projected for the most extreme hourly precipitation intensities. While our experimental setup only estimates the thermodynamic response of extremes due to moisture increases, and neglects a number of large-scale feedbacks that may temper future increases in precipitation extremes, some of the sensitivities reported here reflect findings from observational trends. Therefore, our results can provide guidance within which to understand recent observed trends and for future climate projections with CPRCMs.
Quantum critical properties of Bose–Hubbard models
Authors: Sanders Sören , Holthaus Martin
Published: May 2019

The Mott insulator-to-superfluid transition exhibited by the Bose–Hubbard model on a two-dimensional square lattice occurs for any value of the chemical potential, but becomes critical at the tips of the so-called Mott lobes only. Employing a numerical approach based on a combination of high-order perturbation theory and hypergeometric analytic continuation we investigate how quantum critical properties manifest themselves in computational practice. We consider two-dimensional triangular lattices and three-dimensional cubic lattices for comparison, providing accurate parametrizations of the phase boundaries at the tips of the respective first lobes. In particular, we lend strong support to a recently suggested inequality which bounds the divergence exponent of the one-particle correlation function in terms of that of the two-particle correlation function, and which sharpens to an equality if and only if a system becomes critical.
Utilization of natural crust as a raw material of plastic biodegradable in sustainable development equipment goals
Authors: Wijaya R S , Amri V , Nur F A , Rosariawari F
Published: May 2019

East Java Province is the largest sugarcane producer in Indonesia, in year 2015 total sugar cane production in East Java Province reached 1,076,240 tons, in that year Malang Regency is area with the biggest production level that is 273,540 tons. Sugar cane production from Malang is sent to several sugar companies (PG) spread in East Java, such as: PG. Temple and PG. Krembung. Mill sugar mill capacity at PT. Perkebunan Nusantara X PG. Krembung, Sidoarjo which reached 2750 TCD (Ton Canes per Day) produces sludge waste that ranges from 250 kg/day and the waste is not yet utilized, but it is immediately discarded. Sap crust waste is one of the remaining sugar cane processing products derived from the process of thickening sap for sugar crystals. Based on the analysis test, the crust has 30.3% cellulose, 4.52% hemicellulose, and 11.25% lignin. Cellulose is contained in the waste of sap crust, has the potential to be utilized as raw material for making biodegradable plastic. Biodegradable plastic is made by inverse phase method. Making biodegradable plastic using a variation of waste of 2, 4 gr, 6 gr, 8 gr, and 10 gr. The addition of glycerol and sorbitol plasticizers with a ratio of 100: 0, 50:50, and 0: 100 will be formed on a 4 ml basis. The characterization of biodegradable plastic was carried out by using tensile strength and elongation tests. The results showed that on the composition of the 10 gram sap crust with the addition of plasticizer glycerol and sorbitol of 100: 0 has the highest tensile strength value of 8.08 Mpa and the highest elongation on the composition of the crust 2 gram with the addition of plasticizer glycerol and sorbitol of 0: 100 ie by 20.16%.
The Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) Stored on ZECC (Zero Energy Cool Chamber)
Authors: Dirpan A
Published: May 2019

Post-harvest handling fruits and vegetables in Indonesia has not received enough attention. This can be seen from the post-harvest damage of 25-28%. ZECC (Zero Energy Cool Chamber) is one of the eco-friendly and low-cost post-harvest technologies that can be used to store fruit and vegetables. The aim of the study was, to know the quality of tomatoes stored in ZECC, cold temperature, and ambient temperature. Secondly, to determine time length storage of tomatoes using ZECC. Data processing used a quantitative descriptive method with three replicates. The chemical analysis result of tomato stored in ZECC was vitamin C content 39.95 mg / 100g, pH level 4.15, total acid 0.40, total soluble solids 5.40Brix, weight loss 4.66 grams. The quality of tomatoes stored on ZECC is better than tomatoes stored in cold storage and ambient temperature. Tomatoes can be stored in ZECC for 20 days, cool temperature storage of 15 days, and storage of ambient temperature 10 days.
Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure among Outdoor Workers in Three Canadian Provinces
Authors: Peters Cheryl E , Pasko Elena , Strahlendorf Peter , Holness Dorothy Linn , Tenkate Thomas
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure places outdoor workers at risk of skin cancer and exposure is difficult to control. In response, the Sun Safety at Work Canada (SSAWC) project was undertaken (2014–2016). The purpose of this substudy was to characterize the UVR exposure levels of outdoor workers in the SSAWC project.

Methods

Thirteen workplaces in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia participated in an exposure monitoring campaign (late summer/early fall 2016). Study participants were workers from power utilities and municipalities. Participants wore a UVR measurement badge (light-sensitive polysulfone plastic) on their wrist, shoulder, or hardhat. Badge calibration and absorbance measurements were performed in the AusSun Research Lab. Personal UVR doses are presented as standard erythemal doses (SED) and compared with the internationally recommended exposure limit (1.3 SED), as well as to the total available UVR by date. Generalized linear models were used to examine determinants of solar UVR for personal UVR dose (for both SED and percent of ambient UVR). Models considered badge placement, date, province, industry, main job task, and the hours spent outdoors.

Results

Mean personal UVR dose of participating workers was 6.1 SED (nearly 5× the recommended limit). Just 14% of workers experienced ‘acceptable’ levels of solar radiation; 10% were exposed at >10 times the limit. In univariate analyses, workers in Ontario had the highest levels (mean 7.3 SED), but even in the lowest exposed province (British Columbia), the mean personal UVR dose was 4.5 SED. Utility workers had double the exposure of municipal workers (10.4 and 5.5 SED, respectively). In the determinants of exposure models, the differences by province were muted, but utility line workers and those in general maintenance had higher predicted exposures. Those who wore their badge on their hardhat also had higher values of SED in the fully adjusted determinants models.

Conclusions

Solar ultraviolet overexposure among outdoor workers is a concern, even in a country like Canada with relatively low ambient UVR. Implementation of sun safety programs should be supported in an effort to reduce exposure in this vulnerable group of workers.
Shallow plant-dominated lakes – extreme environmental variability, carbon cycling and ecological species challenges
Authors: Sand-Jensen Kaj , Andersen Mikkel René , Martinsen Kenneth Thorø , Borum Jens , Kristensen Emil , Kragh Theis
Published: May 2019

Background

Submerged plants composed of charophytes (green algae) and angiosperms develop dense vegetation in small, shallow lakes and in littoral zones of large lakes. Many small, oligotrophic plant species have declined due to drainage and fertilization of lakes, while some tall, eutrophic species have increased. Although plant distribution has been thoroughly studied, the physiochemical dynamics and biological challenges in plant-dominated lakes have been grossly understudied, even though they may offer the key to species persistence.

Scope

Small plant-dominated lakes function as natural field laboratories with eco-physiological processes in dense vegetation dictating extreme environmental variability, intensive photosynthesis and carbon cycling. Those processes can be quantified on a whole lake basis at high temporal resolution by continuously operating sensors for light, temperature, oxygen, etc. We explore this hitherto hidden world.

Conclusions

Dense plant canopies attenuate light and wind-driven turbulence and generate separation between warm surface water and colder bottom waters. Daytime vertical stratification becomes particularly strong in dense charophyte vegetation, but stratification is a common feature in small, shallow lakes also without plants. Surface cooling at night induces mixing of the water column. Daytime stratification in plant stands may induce hypoxia or anoxia in dark bottom waters by respiration, while surface waters develop oxygen supersaturation by photosynthesis. Intensive photosynthesis and calcification in shallow charophyte lakes depletes dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in surface waters, whereas DIC is replenished by respiration and carbonate dissolution in bottom waters and returned to surface waters before sunrise. Extreme diel changes in temperature, DIC and oxygen in dense vegetation can induce extensive rhythmicity of photosynthesis and respiration and become a severe challenge to the survival of organisms. Large phosphorus pools are bound in plant tissue and carbonate precipitates. Future studies should test the importance of this phosphorus sink for ecosystem processes and competition between phytoplankton and plants.
Socio-ecological conditions and female infidelity in the Seychelles warbler
Authors: Raj Pant Sara , Komdeur Jan , Burke Terry A , Dugdale Hannah L , Richardson David S
Published: May 2019

Within socially monogamous breeding systems, levels of extra-pair paternity can vary not only between species, populations, and individuals, but also across time. Uncovering how different extrinsic conditions (ecological, demographic, and social) influence this behavior will help shed light on the factors driving its evolution. Here, we simultaneously address multiple socio-ecological conditions potentially influencing female infidelity in a natural population of the cooperatively breeding Seychelles warbler, Acrocephalus sechellensis. Our contained study population has been monitored for more than 25 years, enabling us to capture variation in socio-ecological conditions between individuals and across time and to accurately assign parentage. We test hypotheses predicting the influence of territory quality, breeding density and synchrony, group size and composition (number and sex of subordinates), and inbreeding avoidance on female infidelity. We find that a larger group size promotes the likelihood of extra-pair paternity in offspring from both dominant and subordinate females, but this paternity is almost always gained by dominant males from outside the group (not by subordinate males within the group). Higher relatedness between a mother and the dominant male in her group also results in more extra-pair paternity—but only for subordinate females—and this does not prevent inbreeding occurring in this population. Our findings highlight the role of social conditions favoring infidelity and contribute toward understanding the evolution of this enigmatic behavior.
‘Hospital Shields’ and the Limits of International Law
Authors: Gordon Neve , Perugini Nicola
Published: May 2019

Assaults on hospitals have become part of a widespread warfare strategy, propelling numerous actors to claim that belligerents are not being held accountable for attacking medical units. Acknowledging that international humanitarian law (IHL) offers medical units protections, belligerents often claim that the hospitals were being used to shield military targets and therefore the bombing was legitimate. Tracing the history of hospital bombings alongside the development of legal articles dealing with the protection of medical units, we show how, from the early 20th century, international law has introduced a series of exceptions that legitimize attacks on hospitals that were framed as shields. Next, we demonstrate that the shielding argument justifies bombing hospitals because they have ostensibly assumed a threshold position in-between the two axiomatic poles informing the laws of war – combatants and civilians. We argue, however, that medical units tend to occupy a legal and spatial threshold during war and, since IHL does not have the vocabulary to acknowledge the liminal nature of medical units and identifies between liminality and criminality, it introduces several exceptions that help belligerents legitimize their attacks. By way of conclusion, we maintain that the only way to address the deliberate and widespread destruction of medical units is by reforming the law through the introduction of an absolute ban.
Natural disasters, land and labour
Authors: Choumert-Nkolo Johanna , Phélinas Pascale
Published: May 2019

We study the behaviour of farmers living under the threat of the Tungurahua Volcano in Ecuador. Recent eruptions have caused significant damage, including crop loss, death of livestock and destruction of dwellings. We collected a unique data set after a major eruption in 2016. We interviewed 222 farmers in the area affected by the eruption and 260 in a nearby control zone to understand why they choose to remain in the risky zone despite the existence of public programmes aimed at relocating them to safe zones. We examine land and labour, which are farmers’ primary productive assets. First, we investigate the capitalisation of volcanic hazards in farmland values and find a negative price premium of 21 per cent compared to the control zone. Second, we explore non-farm labour in response to volcanic risk. Finally, we argue that repeated ash fall events increase the illiquidity of farm household assets, such as farmland, and that agricultural human capital is difficult to convert into non-agricultural capital. Our results convey important information for public policies aimed at supporting adaptation and resilience of people living under the threat of volcanoes and other natural disasters.
Healthcare use before and after changing disability pension policy: a regional Danish cohort study
Authors: Borup Line J , Weye Nanna Ø , Jensen Vibeke , Fonager Kirsten
Published: May 2019

Background

The social security policy for disability pension (DP) was changed in Denmark in 2013 and eligibility requirements were tightened. We describe and compare the use of healthcare among individuals with incident DP before and after the policy change.

Methods

This was a follow-up study based on data from nationwide databases. The study included individuals with incident DP aged 18–64 years and living in The North Denmark Region. We included individuals with incident DP before (2010–12, n = 6286) and after (2014–15, n = 1042) the 2013 policy change. Poisson regression was used to examine group differences in (i) contact to healthcare and (ii) hospitalization. For this purpose, we used incidence rate ratios stratified on type of contact before being awarded DP.

Results

We found a change of diagnoses for healthcare use towards higher proportions of cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and cancer diseases and lower proportion with musculoskeletal disorder in the populations being granted DP after policy changes. For individuals with psychiatric contact before being granted DP, we found no significant differences between periods in psychiatric healthcare after DP was awarded. For individuals with somatic contact before being granted DP, we found an increased risk of contact to somatic healthcare and hospitalization after DP requirements were tightened.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that individuals who were granted DP after the eligibility requirements had been tightened suffered from more medical conditions and had an ongoing need for healthcare. In contrast, no significant difference in risk of psychiatric contact or hospitalization after DP was demonstrated.
Joint contribution of rotation of the back and repetitive movements to disability pension using job exposure matrix data
Authors: Ervasti Jenni , Pietiläinen Olli , Rahkonen Ossi , Lahelma Eero , Kouvonen Anne , Lallukka Tea , Mänty Minna
Published: May 2019

Background

Heavy physical effort at work has been linked with disability pension, but the contribution of other ergonomic job exposures is less studied. We studied the independent and joint contributions of long-term exposure to (i) rotation of the back and (ii) repetitive movements to disability pension, particularly due to musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods

Exposures were measured with the Helsinki Health Study Job Exposure Matrix during 1996–2005 and linked to register data on employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n = 18 585). Outcomes were followed up during 2006–2015. Competing risk survival analyses were performed and synergy indices computed, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Results

Long-term exposure to rotation of the back was associated with disability pension due to any cause [age and sex-adjusted subhazard ratio (SHR) 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73–3.30], and specifically disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders (SHR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.52–7.56) when compared to employees exposed to neither of the two exposures. Repetitive movements alone did not increase the risk of disability pension (all-cause SHR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.84–1.38, musculoskeletal SHR = 1.65, 95% CI 0.91–2.97). Employees with exposure to both rotation of the back and repetitive movements had the highest risk of disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders (SHR = 5.98, 95% CI 3.85–9.28), but the interaction between exposures was additive rather than synergistic. Adjustment for education diluted the associations by 42–108%.

Conclusion

Long-term exposure to awkward work postures increased the risk of disability pension. Educational inequalities largely account for differences in occupational exposures.