bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semiglobal stabilization of linearly uncontrollable and unobservable nonlinear systems via sampled‐data control
Authors: Su Zhi‐gang , Hao Yong‐sheng , Zha Wenting , Qian Chunjiang
Published: June 2020

This article investigates the problem of using sampled‐data state/output feedback to semiglobally stabilize a class of uncertain nonlinear systems whose linearization around the origin is neither controllable nor observable. For any arbitrarily large bound of initial states, by employing homogeneous domination approach and a homogeneous version of Gronwall‐Bellman inequality, a sampled‐data state feedback controller with appropriate sampling period and scaling gain is constructed to semiglobally stabilize the system. In the case when not all states are available, a reduced‐order sampled‐data observer is constructed to provide estimates for the control law, which can guarantee semiglobal stability of the closed‐loop system with carefully selected sampling period and scaling
gain.
How entrepreneurship ecosystem influences the development of frugal innovation and informal entrepreneurship
Authors: Igwe Paul Agu , Odunukan Kenny , Rahman Mahfuzur , Rugara David Gamariel , Ochinanwata Chinedu
Published: June 2020

This article critically analyses how the entrepreneurial ecosystem and institutional environment influences the development of frugal innovation and informal entrepreneurship. There is a dearth of empirical research on African entrepreneurship ecosystems and complementors that produce innovations in the informal sector. We address this gap, by examining why and how informal businesses operate and evolve. Based on a qualitative approach, interviewing 20 business owners in Nigeria, two focus groups meeting with 5 and 7 business associations leaders, respectively, we examine the role of institutional environments, how entrepreneurs operate and overcome the barriers to entrepreneurship. The results reveal a model of determinants of frugal innovation and informal entrepreneurship ecosystem comprising formal/informal rules, access to market, and family as important elements that act as a means to effective knowledge flows, networking, capital, and resources sharing.
Conceptualizations of Leadership and Leadership Development Within Evangelical Christian Campus Ministries
Authors: Gott Trisha , Craft Christy Moran
Published: June 2020

More must be done to dovetail faith‐based student leadership development with emerging models and understandings of leadership today. This chapter describes how two campus ministries conceptualize leadership and leadership development and how their conceptualizations compare to those commonly embraced in higher education leadership programs.
Interfaith Leadership as a Civic Priority: Higher Education's Role in Developing Bridge‐Builders
Authors: Giess Mary Ellen , Correia‐Harker Benjamin P. , Patel Eboo , Silverman Noah
Published: June 2020

Today's students will inherit responsibility for addressing complex issues and bringing people together around issues of common concern. This chapter underscores the critical need for interfaith engagement to support students’ spiritual development and offers empirical evidence for the merits of interfaith learning. Programmatic interventions for interfaith teaching are included.
Exploring the potential of laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry to analyse organic capping agents on inorganic nanoparticle surfaces
Authors: Giannopoulos Konstantinos , Lechtenfeld Oliver J. , Holbrook Timothy R. , Reemtsma Thorsten , Wagner Stephan
Published: June 2020

Analytical techniques are in high demand for the determination of organic capping agents on surfaces of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag). In this study, the potential of laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-ToF-MS) as a technique fit for this purpose is demonstrated. First, a collection of reference spectra of most commonly used organic capping agents, including small molecules and polymers was established. Second, the robustness of the method was tested towards parameters like NP core material and NP size. In a third step, the quantitative capabilities of LDI-ToF-MS were determined. Finally, the potential to detect chemical alterations of the organic capping agent was evaluated. LDI-ToF-MS is able to detect capping agents ranging from small molecules (citric acid, tannic acid, lipoic acid) to large polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone, branched polyethylenimine and methoxy polyethylene glycol sulfhydryl) on Au and Ag NPs based on characteristic signals for each capping agent. Small molecules showed characteristic fragment ions with low intensities, whereas polymers showed intense signals of the monomeric subunit. The NP concentration range comprises about two orders of magnitude with lowest detection limits of 5 mg/L or a capping agent concentration in the lower nM range. Changes in capping agent composition are detectable at NP concentrations in the g/L range. Thus, LDI-ToF-MS is particularly suitable for characterisation of polymer-capped NPs with high NP concentrations. This may be the case for quality control as part of the material synthesis and testing.
Managing NF2-associated vestibular schwannomas in children and young adults: review of an institutional series regarding effects of surgery and bevacizumab on growth rates, tumor volume, and hearing quality
Authors: Gugel Isabel , Zipfel Julian , Hartjen Philip , Kluwe Lan , Tatagiba Marcos , Mautner Victor-Felix , Schuhmann Martin Ulrich
Published: June 2020

We reviewed our experience in managing of NF2-associated vestibular schwannoma (VS) in children and young adults regarding the effect of surgery and postoperative bevacizumab treatment. A total of 579 volumetric and hearing data sets were analyzed. The effect of surgery on tumor volume and growth rate was investigated in 46 tumors and on hearing function in 39 tumors. Long-term hearing follow-up behavior was compared with 20 non-operated ears in additional 15 patients. Sixteen operated VS were treated with bevacizumab. Mutation analysis of the NF2 gene was performed in 25 patients. Surgery significantly slowed down VS growth rate. Factors associated with a higher growth rate were increasing patient age, tumor volume, and constitutional truncating mutations. Immediately after surgery, functional hearing was maintained in 82% of ears. Deterioration of hearing was associated with initial hearing quality, larger tumor volumes, and larger resection amounts. Average hearing scores were initially better in the group of non-operated VS. Over time, hearing scores in both groups worsened with a similar dynamic. During bevacizumab treatment of residual tumors, four different patterns of growth were observed. Decompression of the internal auditory canal with various degrees of tumor resection decreases the postoperative tumor growth rates. Carefully tailored BAEP-guided surgery does not cause additional hearing deterioration. Secondary bevacizumab treatment showed heterogenous effects both regarding tumor size and hearing preservation. It seems that postoperative tumor residuals, that grow slower, behave differently to bevacizumab than reported for not-operated faster growing VS.
The Palais–Smale condition for the Hamiltonian action on a mixed regularity space of loops in cotangent bundles and applications
Authors: Asselle Luca , Starostka Maciej
Published: June 2020

We show that the Hamiltonian action satisfies the Palais–Smale condition over a “mixed regularity” space of loops in cotangent bundles, namely the space of loops with regularity $$H^s$$

H
s

, $$s\in (\frac{1}{2}, 1)$$

s
∈
(

1
2

,
1
)

, in the base and $$H^{1-s}$$

H

1
-
s

in the fiber direction. As an application, we give a simplified proof of a theorem of Hofer–Viterbo on the existence of closed characteristic leaves for certain contact type hypersufaces in cotangent bundles.
In memoriam Douglas N. Walton: the influence of Doug Walton on AI and law
Authors: Atkinson Katie , Bench-Capon Trevor , Bex Floris , Gordon Thomas F. , Prakken Henry , Sartor Giovanni , Verheij Bart
Published: June 2020

Doug Walton, who died in January 2020, was a prolific author whose work in informal logic and argumentation had a profound influence on Artificial Intelligence, including Artificial Intelligence and Law. He was also very interested in interdisciplinary work, and a frequent and generous collaborator. In this paper seven leading researchers in AI and Law, all past programme chairs of the International Conference on AI and Law who have worked with him, describe his influence on their work.
3D Printing Technology for Tapered Optical Fiber Protection With Gas Sensing Possibilities
Authors: de Souza Kaleb Roncatti , Osório Jonas H. , Carvalho Juliana B. , Lima Beatriz Mota , Cordeiro Cristiano M. B.
Published: June 2020

We present a new procedure for protecting micro-optical fibers (tapered fibers) by using the 3-dimension (3D) printing technology. A standard single-mode optical fiber was tapered down to the diameter of 1 µm and embedded in a polymeric matrix obtained by an additive manufacturing routine. We show that the proposed structure protects the fiber taper against environmental humidity while keeping permeability to gas flow and the possibility of the realization of gas detection experiments. To our knowledge, this is the first time 3D printed casings were applied to protect fiber tapers from humidity deterioration. We envisage this new approach will allow the development of new fiber taper devices to better resist in humid environments.
Rotary-scaling fine-tuning (RSFT) method for optimizing railway wheel profiles and its application to a locomotive
Authors: Ye Yunguang , Qi Yayun , Shi Dachuan , Sun Yu , Zhou Yichang , Hecht Markus
Published: June 2020

The existing multi-objective wheel profile optimization methods mainly consist of three sub-modules: (1) wheel profile generation, (2) multi-body dynamics simulation, and (3) an optimization algorithm. For the first module, a comparably conservative rotary-scaling fine-tuning (RSFT) method, which introduces two design variables and an empirical formula, is proposed to fine-tune the traditional wheel profiles for improving their engineering applicability. For the second module, for the TRAXX locomotives serving on the Blankenburg–Rübeland line, an optimization function representing the relationship between the wheel profile and the wheel–rail wear number is established based on Kriging surrogate model (KSM). For the third module, a method combining the regression capability of KSM with the iterative computing power of particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed to quickly and reliably implement the task of optimizing wheel profiles. Finally, with the RSFT–KSM–PSO method, we propose two wear-resistant wheel profiles for the TRAXX locomotives serving on the Blankenburg–Rübeland line, namely S1002-S and S1002-M. The S1002-S profile minimizes the total wear number by 30%, while the S1002-M profile makes the wear distribution more uniform through a proper sacrifice of the tread wear number, and the total wear number is reduced by 21%. The quasi-static and hunting stability tests further demonstrate that the profile designed by the RSFT–KSM–PSO method is promising for practical engineering applications.
Characterizing reticulation in online social networks during disasters
Authors: Fan Chao , Shen Jiayi , Mostafavi Ali , Hu Xia
Published: June 2020

Online social network has become a new form of infrastructure for communities in spreading situational information in disasters. Developing effective interventions to improve the network performance of information diffusion is essential for people to rapidly retrieve information in coping with disasters and subsequent disruptions. Existing studies have investigated multiple aspects of online social networks in stationary situations and a separate manner. However, the networks are dynamic and different properties of the networks are co-related in the evolving disaster situations. In particular, disaster events motivate people to communicate online, create and reinforce their connections, and lead to a dynamic reticulation of the online social networks. To understand the relationship among these elements, we proposed an Online Network Reticulation (ONR) framework to examine four modalities (i.e., enactment, activation, reticulation, and network performance) in the evolution of online social networks to analyze the interplays among disruptive events in disasters, user activities, and information diffusion performance on social media. Accordingly, we examine the temporal changes in four elements for characterization of reticulation: activity timing, activity types (post, share, reply), reticulation mechanism (creation of new links versus reinforcement of existing links), and structure of communication instances (self-loop, converging, and reciprocal). Finally, the aggregated effects of network reticulation, using attributed network-embedding approach, are examined in the average latent distance among users as a measure of network performance for information propagation. The application of the proposed framework is demonstrated in a study of network reticulation on Twitter for a built environment disruption event during 2017 Hurricane Harvey in Houston. The results show that the main underlying mechanism of network reticulation in evolving situations was the creation of new links by regular users. The main structure for communication instances was converging, indicating communication instances driven by information-seeking behaviors in the wake of a disruptive event. With the evolution of the network, the proportion of converging structures to self-loop and reciprocal structures did not change significantly, indicating the existence of a scale-invariance property for network structures. The findings demonstrate the capability of the proposed online network reticulation framework for characterizing the complex relationships between events, activities, and network performance in online social networks during disasters.
Towards a more complete object-orientation in graph-based design languages
Authors: Vogel Samuel , Arnold Peter
Published: June 2020

In this paper an extension of the design method graph-based design languages is proposed. This is realized by adding object-oriented class methods and interface mechanisms to the design method. Additionally, graphical mechanisms for modeling and calling the methods are proposed. This allows object-oriented design patterns to be transferred to the product design, where they improve the handling of complexity in the product engineering. As result, the proposed extension enables modularization and reuse of engineering knowledge, the integration of engineering domains is enhanced and multi-stakeholder collaboration with security access control (information security) becomes feasible.
Weighted spaces of vector-valued functions and the $$\varepsilon$$-product
Authors: Kruse Karsten
Published: June 2020

We introduce a new class$$\mathcal {FV}(\Omega ,E)$$FV(Ω,E)of weighted spaces of functions on a set$$\Omega$$Ωwith values in a locally convex Hausdorff spaceEwhich covers many classical spaces of vector-valued functions like continuous, smooth, holomorphic or harmonic functions. Then we exploit the construction of$$\mathcal {FV}(\Omega ,E)$$FV(Ω,E)to derive sufficient conditions such that$$\mathcal {FV}(\Omega ,E)$$FV(Ω,E)can be linearised, i.e. that$$\mathcal {FV}(\Omega ,E)$$FV(Ω,E)is topologically isomorphic to the$$\varepsilon$$ε-product$$\mathcal {FV}(\Omega )\varepsilon E$$FV(Ω)εEwhere$$\mathcal {FV}(\Omega ):=\mathcal {FV}(\Omega ,\mathbb {K})$$FV(Ω):=FV(Ω,K)and$$\mathbb {K}$$Kis the scalar field ofE.
Institutional variety and the future of economics
Authors: Srinivas Smita
Published: June 2020

Economics depends heavily on assumptions made about the phenomenon of institutional variety and its implications for technological capabilities in economic development. This article contributes to new ways of thinking of institutional variety in order to advance scientific argument within the broad tradition of evolutionary political economy (EPE). First, it draws on theNyāya(Hindu) systems of logic and reasoning about inference and judgement which can potentially reveal inter-and intra-paradigmatic differences for EPE and economics. Second, it uses four brief illustrative cases from the author’s development research on technological learning and innovation to argue for more explicit and systematic treatment of inference and judgement about institutional variety. Implications for the future of economics are briefly discussed.
Olfactory Exposure to β-Caryophyllene Increases Testosterone Levels in Women’s Saliva
Authors: Tarumi Wataru , Shinohara Kazuyuki
Published: June 2020

Introduction

From previous studies, we hypothesized that olfactory exposure to β-caryophyllene stimulates women’s libido. However, Japan’s sex culture is so closed that it is difficult to test this possibility without accumulating scientific evidence. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the concentration of sex-related hormones in saliva, an experimental technique that is relatively easy to obtain research permission, and to obtain a scientific basis to convince ethics committee reviewers.

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate whether β-caryophyllene increases salivary testosterone concentrations associated with libido and vaginal sensation during intercourse in women.

Methods

19 women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle participated in the study. The subjects then sat in front of the odor exposure device we had created. Each subject was exposed to dipropylene glycol for 20 minutes, followed by 3% β-caryophyllene for 20 minutes. Saliva was collected 4 times: before and after control exposure, and before and after β-caryophyllene exposure.

Main Outcome Measure

Salivary testosterone and estrogen concentrations were measured with a competition ELISA.

Results

β-caryophyllene significantly increased the salivary concentration of testosterone (control vs β-caryophyllene; 0.97 ± 0.05 vs 1.13 ± 0.03, P = .00, 95% confidence interval of control: 0.84–1.09, 95% confidence interval of β-caryophyllene: 1.04–1.20) but not estrogen (control vs β-caryophyllene; 1.05 ± 0.03 vs 1.07 ± 0.04, P = .69, 95% confidence interval of control: 0.96–1.12, 95% confidence interval of β-caryophyllene: 0.98–1.15).

Strengths & Limitations

The personal preferences of the subjects and the order of exposure may have affected the results.

Conclusion

β-caryophyllene may be a remedy with fewer side effects for women with decreased libido. We believe that β-caryophyllene may be a remedy for women with decreased libido. However, this hypothesis must be tested by further clinical studies.
Unusual locations for differentiated thyroid cancer nodal metastasis
Authors: Ranganath Rohit , Dhillon Vaninder K. , Shaear Mohammad , Rooper Lisa , Russell Jonathon O. , Tufano Ralph P.
Published: June 2020

Lymph node metastasis is common in differentiated thyroid cancer especially papillary thyroid cancer. Presence of lymph node metastasis does not have an impact on survival in younger patients. Therapeutic central and lateral neck dissection in the presence of clinically or radiologically evident lymph nodes has resulted in good overall survival. However, disease persistence in the lymph node/early recurrences may be seen in patients owing to lymph nodes that may be missed during the initial neck dissection. These observed locations are retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal nodal location, retro carotid location, sublingual, axillary, and intraparotid locations, supraclavicular and superficial to the sternothyroid muscle. We aim to highlight these locations with the goal to minimize persistence or early recurrence of disease at these locations.
Environmental surface testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during prolonged isolation of an asymptomatic carrier
Authors: Shin Kyeong Seob , Park Hee Sue , Lee Jisu , Lee Joon Kee
Published: June 2020

Environmental surface testing was performed to search for evidence of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) environmental contamination by an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carrier with persistently high viral loads under isolation. No evidence of environmental contamination was found. Further studies are needed to measure environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 carriers and to determine reasonable isolation periods.
An amblyopinine rove beetle (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Amblyopinini) from the earliest Miocene Foulden Maar fossil-Lagerstätte, New Zealand
Authors: Jenkins Shaw Josh , Solodovnikov Alexey , Bai Ming , Kaulfuss Uwe
Published: June 2020

The first fossil rove beetle (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from New Zealand is described from the earliest Miocene Foulden Maar fossil-Lagerstätte, Otago. The new species,Sphingoquedius meton. sp., is attributable to the tribe Amblyopinini of the subfamily Staphylininae based on the scutellum with anterior scutellar ridge only; isodiametric microsculpture on the pronotum; multidirectional arranged setae on the elytra; and presence of radiating setae on the fourth abdominal tergite.Sphingoquedius meton. sp. is the first Southern Hemisphere fossil record of Amblyopinini and its affinity to the extant fauna as well as biogeographic and paleocological implications are discussed.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/52275b83-d5ff-48af-A66F-2d62c3461677
Cell-free DNA screening for aneuploidies in 7113 pregnancies: single Italian centre study
Authors: Mesoraca Alvaro , Margiotti Katia , Dello Russo Claudio , Cesta Anthony , Cima Antonella , Longo Salvatore Antonio , Barone Maria Antonietta , Viola Antonella , Sparacino Davide , Giorlandino Claudio
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free foetal DNA has been widely accepted in recent years for detecting common foetal chromosome aneuploidies, such as trisomies 13, 18 and 21, and sex chromosome aneuploidies. In this study, the practical clinical performance of our foetal DNA testing was evaluated for analysing all chromosome aberrations among 7113 pregnancies in Italy.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of collected NIPT data from the Ion S5 next-generation sequencing platform obtained from Altamedica Medical Centre in Rome, Italy.

Results

In this study, NIPT showed 100% sensitivity and 99.9% specificity for trisomies 13, 18 and 21. Out of the 7113 samples analysed, 74 cases (1%) were positive by NIPT testing; foetal karyotyping and follow-up results validated 2 trisomy 13 cases, 5 trisomy 18 cases, 58 trisomy 21 cases and 10 sex chromosome aneuploidy cases. There were no false-negative results.

Conclusion

In our hands, NIPT had high sensitivity and specificity for common chromosomal aneuploidies such as trisomies 13, 18 and 21.
EUROPEAN EMPIRE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW FROM THE EIGHTEENTH TO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Authors: BOURKE RICHARD
Published: June 2020

In the 1821 Preface to his Elements of the philosophy of right, Hegel famously claimed that ‘philosophy…is its own time comprehended in thoughts’. It is tempting to view history in equivalent terms. After all, historical research usually engages the past under the influence of contemporary concerns. Topics acquire pertinence on account of prevailing values and interests. And yet there is a clear difference between being roused to investigate a subject as a result of its ongoing resonance and interpreting its meaning in terms of current attitudes. This distinction, however, is often blurred, and with it appropriate relations between historical analysis and moral judgement. It may well be that, at the level of political philosophy, each of these activities can be reconciled; but first their respective provinces should be carefully delimited.
Does Financial Market Structure Affect the Cost of Raising Capital?
Authors: Brugler James , Comerton-Forde Carole , Hendershott Terrence
Published: June 2020

We provide evidence on market structure and the cost of raising capital by examining changes in market structure in U.S. equity markets. Only the Order Handling Rules (OHR) of the Nasdaq, the one reform that reduced institutional trading costs, lowered the cost of raising capital. Using a difference-in-differences framework relative to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that exploits the OHR’s staggered implementation, we find that the OHR reduced the underpricing of seasoned equity offerings by 1–2 percentage points compared with a pre-OHR average of 3.6%. The effect is the largest in stocks with the largest reduction in institutional trading costs after the OHR.
Language Shift and Identity Reproduction among Diaspora Sindhis in India and Southeast Asia
Authors: COOK MATTHEW A. , DAVID MAYA KHEMLANI
Published: June 2020

This article examines the relationship between language shift and identity among diaspora Sindhis in India and Southeast Asia. It focuses on questions concerning how members of this community reproduce identity through language shift. The first part of the article describes identity and language shift among diaspora Sindhis in post-partition India. It argues that language shift facilitates the reproduction of core cultural modalities among diaspora Sindhis. The second part describes the history of diaspora Sindhis in Southeast Asia and analyses language shift. It contends that language shift enables diaspora Sindhis to suspend a connection between mother-tongue proficiency and identity. The article concludes by discussing how the diaspora Sindhi experience retunes the interval that conventionally connects language shift to cultural change.
Caught between Two Nationalisms: The Iran League of Bombay and the political anxieties of an Indian minority
Authors: PATEL DINYAR
Published: June 2020

In 1922, a group of wealthy Parsis in Bombay founded an organization that they dubbed the Iran League. Originally designed to assist their fellow Zoroastrians in Iran, who had suffered from centuries of oppression, the League quickly expanded its objectives to include the promotion of broader Indo-Iranian cultural and economic relations. It became a major player in the flow of ideas, literature, business, and tourist traffic between the two countries. Parsi fervour for Iran stemmed from the brand of Iranian nationalism promoted by Reza Shah, which celebrated the country's Zoroastrian past. In response, the League's leaders argued that the Parsis of India could play a special role in the ‘regeneration’ of Iran under the shah's supposedly benign rule. By the 1930s, however, Parsis’ embrace of Iranian nationalism became a clear reflection of their deep concerns about Indian nationalist politics: they cast Iran as an idealized alternative to contemporary India, where the Indian National Congress had supposedly taken an ominously ‘anti-Parsi’ turn. The Iran League, therefore, was caught between two nationalisms. Worry about India's future even prompted some Parsis to argue that their community should ‘return’ to their ancestral homeland of Iran. The story of the Iran League thus demonstrates the complex position of minorities vis-à-vis the brands of nationalism in development during the interwar years. The Parsis, a wealthy but microscopic minority, responded to political anxieties at home by romanticizing a foreign country and taking part in a wholly foreign nationalist project.
AN ADAPTIVE TEST OF STOCHASTIC MONOTONICITY
Authors: Chetverikov Denis , Wilhelm Daniel , Kim Dongwoo
Published: June 2020

We propose a new nonparametric test of stochastic monotonicity which adapts to the unknown smoothness of the conditional distribution of interest, possesses desirable asymptotic properties, is conceptually easy to implement, and computationally attractive. In particular, we show that the test asymptotically controls size at a polynomial rate, is nonconservative, and detects certain smooth local alternatives that converge to the null with the fastest possible rate. Our test is based on a data-driven bandwidth value and the critical value for the test takes this randomness into account. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the test performs well in finite samples. In particular, the simulations show that the test controls size and, under some alternatives, is significantly more powerful than existing procedures.
ProspectiveSalmonellaEnteritidis surveillance and outbreak detection using whole genome sequencing, Minnesota 2015–2017
Authors: Rounds J. M. , Taylor A. J. , Eikmeier D. , Nichols M. M. , Lappi V. , Wirth S. E. , Boxrud D. J. , Smith K. E. , Medus C.
Published: June 2020

Clusters ofSalmonellaEnteritidis cases were identified by the Minnesota Department of Health using both pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) single nucleotide polymorphism analysis from 1 January 2015 through 31 December 2017. The median turnaround time for obtaining WGS results was 11 days longer than for PFGE (12vs.1 day). WGS analysis more than doubled the number of clusters compared to PFGE analysis, but reduced the total number of cases included in clusters by 34%. The median cluster size was two cases for WGS compared to four for PFGE, and the median duration of WGS clusters was 27 days shorter than PFGE clusters. While the percentage of PFGE clusters with a confirmed source (46%) was higher than WGS clusters (32%), a higher percentage of cases in clusters that were confirmed as outbreaks reported the vehicle or exposure of interest for WGS (78%) than PFGE (46%). WGS cluster size was a significant predictor of an outbreak source being confirmed. WGS data have enhancedS. Enteritidis cluster investigations in Minnesota by improving the specificity of cluster case definitions and has become an integral part of theS. Enteritidis surveillance process.
Not just another large atrial septal defect: complex anatomy, challenging procedure, and an unusual complication
Authors: Haddad Raymond N. , Abdel Massih Tony , Saliba Zakhia
Published: June 2020

We report the case of a 59-year-old patient with a complex atrial septal defect in whom a 40-mm Amplatzer™ septal occluder was surgically extracted 50 days following implantation. Deployment manoeuvres were challenging leading to an immediate pericardial effusion that was closely monitored and uneventfully drained after 11 days. A dry pericardium was documented until 4 weeks of outpatient routine follow-up. However, the device was surgically explanted 2 weeks later, when an urgent chest computed tomography performed for worrisome symptoms showed pericardial effusion recurrence with peripheral contrast enhancement. Surprisingly, the surgical view showed a well-positioned device and an intact pericardium. We discuss the atypical sequence of clinical findings misleading our clinical judgement and precipitating surgery.
New onset severe right ventricular failure associated with COVID-19 in a young infant without previous heart disease
Authors: Rodriguez-Gonzalez Moises , Rodríguez-Campoy Patricia , Sánchez-Códez Maria , Gutiérrez-Rosa Irene , Castellano-Martinez Ana , Rodríguez-Benítez Amado
Published: June 2020

We present our recent experience with a 6-month-old infant with a personal history of short bowel syndrome that presented with fever, cyanosis, and cardiogenic shock secondary to severe pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure without pulmonary thromboembolism. He did not present signs of toxin-mediated disease or Kawasaki disease. He was finally diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. If this presentation is confirmed in future research, the severe cardiovascular impairment in children with COVID-19 could be also attributable to the primary pulmonary infection, not only to a multisystem inflammatory syndrome but also in children without heart disease.
Dizygotic Twin Infants: Controversial Case Study Series/Twin Research Reviews: Twin and Non-twin ICSI Conceptions; Emory University Twin Study; Labor in Multiple Pregnancy After Previous C-Section Delivery; Cell-Free DNA Fetal Fraction in Twin Pregnancies/News Reports: Twin Survivor of Auschwitz; Twins Trading Places; Identical Twin Foals; Twins Born in Different Decades; Twins Ambulette Service
Authors: Segal Nancy L.
Published: June 2020

This article describes a 1930s case study series involving dizygotic female twin infants. The twins’ development was evaluated following periods of intentionally restricted practice and minimal social stimulation. In the opinion of the author of the current article, the study is very unsettling and unacceptable, despite the lack of institutional review boards at that time. This discussion is followed by twin research reviews of recent papers concerning twin and non-twin intracytoplasmic sperm injection conceptions, the Emory University Twin Study of cardiac and brain functions, labor trials in multiple pregnancies after previous C-section delivery and cell-free DNA fetal fraction in twin pregnancies. The article concludes with news items of a twin survivor of Auschwitz, a situation in which twins traded places, the rare birth of identical twin foals, the novel delivery of co-twins in different decades and the Twins Ambulette Service.
Reducing the Halo Effect by Stimulating Analytic Thinking
Authors: Wen Wen , Li Jian , Georgiou George Kyriacou , Huang Cheng , Wang Lu
Published: June 2020

Abstract. The halo effect is one of the most common threats to interpersonal evaluation. In the present study, we examined the role of an alternative approach to reducing the halo effect, namely by stimulating analytic thinking. In Study 1, we established the validity of the current paradigm in inducing the halo effect. In Study 2 and Study 3, we investigated whether the halo effect could be reduced when analytic thinking was activated either with Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices or with a writing task. Results of both studies showed that participants were less biased by the irrelevant central trait when analytic thinking was activated compared to the control group, suggesting that priming analytic thinking ahead of a judgmental task can reduce the halo effect.
Developing a Coral Proxy System Model to Compare Coral and Climate Model Estimates of Changes in Paleo‐ENSO Variability
Authors: Lawman A. E. , Partin J. W. , Dee S. G. , Casadio C. A. , Di Nezio P. , Quinn T. M.
Published: June 2020

Coral records of surface‐ocean conditions extend our knowledge of interannual El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability into the preinstrumental period. That said, the wide range of natural variability within the climate system as well as multiple sources of uncertainties inherent to the coral archive produce challenges for the paleoclimate community to detect forced changes in ENSO using coral geochemical records. We present a new coral proxy system model (PSM) of intermediate complexity, geared toward the evaluation of changes in interannual variance. Our coral PSM adds additional layers of complexity to previously published transfer functions of sensor models that describe how the archive responds to sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity. We use SST and salinity output from the Community Earth System Model Last Millennium Ensemble 850 control to model coral oxygen isotopic ratios and SST derived from Sr/Ca. We present a detailed analysis of our PSM using climate model output for sites in the central and southwest Pacific before extending the analyses to span the broader tropical Pacific. We demonstrate how variable growth rates, analytical and calibration errors, and age model assumptions systematically impact estimates of interannual variance and show that the relative magnitude of the change in interannual variance is location dependent. Importantly, however, we find that even with the added uncertainties in our PSM, corals from many circum‐Pacific locations are broadly able to capture decadal and longer (decadal+) changes in ENSO variability. Our code is publicly available on GitHub to facilitate future comparisons between model output and coral proxy data.
Water Ice Lurks in Young—but Not Too Young—Lunar Craters
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: June 2020

Using topographic data, researchers have estimated the ages of water ice–containing craters near the Moon’s poles and ruled out volcanism as being a primary route for water delivery.
Variability of the Sub‐Antarctic Mode Water Subduction Rate During the Argo Period
Authors: Qu Tangdong , Gao Shan , Fine Rana A.
Published: June 2020

Both a quasi‐biennial variability and an overall linearly increasing trend are identified in the Sub‐Antarctic Mode Water (SAMW) subduction rate across the Southern Hemisphere ocean, using the Argo data during 2005–2019. The quasi‐biennial variability is mainly due to variability of the mixed layer depth. Variability of wind stress curl in the SAMW formation regions associated with the Southern Annular Mode plays a critical role in generating the quasi‐biennial variability of the mixed layer depth and consequently the SAMW subduction rates. The SAMW subduction rate across the Southern Hemisphere ocean, long‐term mean totaling 56 Sv, has increased at 0.73 ± 0.65 Sv year−1 over the past 15 years. The increase has directly contributed to the observed increase in the total SAMW volume. Much of this increasing trend can be explained by the deepening mixed layers, which in turn are primarily forced by the strengthening westerly winds under an increasing Southern Annular Mode.
Relative Importance of Greenhouse Gases, Sulfate, Organic Carbon, and Black Carbon Aerosol for South Asian Monsoon Rainfall Changes
Authors: Westervelt Daniel M. , You Yujia , Li Xiaoqiong , Ting Mingfang , Lee Dong Eun , Ming Yi
Published: June 2020

The contribution of individual aerosol species and greenhouse gases to precipitation changes during the South Asian summer monsoon is uncertain. Mechanisms driving responses to anthropogenic forcings need further characterization. We use an atmosphere‐only climate model to simulate the fast response of the summer monsoon to different anthropogenic aerosol types and to anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Without normalization, sulfate is the largest driver of precipitation change between 1850 and 2000, followed by black carbon and greenhouse gases. Normalized by radiative forcing, the most effective driver is black carbon. The precipitation and moisture budget responses to combinations of aerosol species perturbed together scale as a linear superposition of their individual responses. We use both a circulation‐based and moisture budget‐based argument to identify mechanisms of aerosol and greenhouse gas induced changes to precipitation and find that in all cases the dynamic contribution is the dominant driver to precipitation change in the monsoon region.
Vortex 4.0 on chip
Authors: Zhang Qing , Ni Jincheng , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: June 2020

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has promising applications, ranging from information multiplexing and high-speed optical communication to computation. Dynamically tunable and switchable vortex microlasers combined with direct photocurrent detection of the topological charges of OAM states have paved unexplored routes for the development and integration of fourth-generation (4.0) vortex technology, potentially on chip.
Estimating mortality among inpatients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using registry data
Authors: Pei Zhengcun , Sun Yixin , Wang Shengfeng , Chen Yahong , Yang Ting , Huang Kewu , Zhang Yan , Huang Yin , Wang Chen , Zhan Siyan
Published: June 2020

The study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, diagnoses, and treatments of hospitalized exacerbation COPD patients, as well as their disease prognoses and economic costs. The study planned to enroll 7600 hospitalized patients (aged ≥18 years with main diagnosis as AECOPD). Study patients were recruited since September 2017, followed up with a 3-year observing period. In the baseline visit, information on demographic characteristics, clinical features, diagnoses, and treatments were collected. In the following visits, treatments and examinations, recurrence of AECOPD, re-admission to hospital, complications, and mortality were recorded. Several validated questionnaires were applied at specific visits. This study included data from 1 September 2017 until 31 December 2022. The data would be used to estimate all-cause mortality during hospital stay, AECOPD recurrence within 1 month after discharge, all-cause and cause-specific mortality, frequency of AECOPD recurrence, lung function, life quality, healthcare costs in the study period, etc.
Three-dimensional real time imaging of amyloid β aggregation on living cells
Authors: Kuragano Masahiro , Yamashita Ryota , Chikai Yusaku , Kitamura Ryota , Tokuraku Kiyotaka
Published: June 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive disorder of the brain that gradually decreases thinking, memory, and language abilities. The aggregation process of amyloid β (Aβ) is a key step in the expression of its neurocytotoxicity and development of AD because Aβ aggregation and accumulation around neuronal cells induces cell death. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the neurocytotoxicity and cell death by Aβ aggregation has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we successfully visualized real-time process of Aβ42 aggregation around living cells by applying our established QD imaging method. 3D observations using confocal laser microscopy revealed that Aβ42 preferentially started to aggregate at the region where membrane protrusions frequently formed. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of actin polymerization using cytochalasin D reduced aggregation of Aβ42 on the cell surface. These results indicate that actin polymerization-dependent cell motility is responsible for the promotion of Aβ42 aggregation at the cell periphery. 3D observation also revealed that the aggregates around the cell remained in that location even if cell death occurred, implying that amyloid plaques found in the AD brain grew from the debris of dead cells that accumulated Aβ42 aggregates.
Effect of information on geographical origin, duration of transport and welfare condition on consumer’s acceptance of lamb meat
Authors: Caroprese Mariangela , Ciliberti Maria Giovanna , Marino Rosaria , Napolitano Fabio , Braghieri Ada , Sevi Agostino , Albenzio Marzia
Published: June 2020

Animal production system and welfare conditions can influence consumers’ acceptance, as meat from animals grazing in natural pasture and labelled with information about high standards of welfare is preferred. In addition, geographical origin of food is recently considered one of the main information influencing the consumers’ acceptance. Local products are collectively associated with high quality attributes by the consumers related to shorter transport and good welfare. Lamb meat is considered local and typical food; however, it is common to find in the same market both local and imported lamb meat. The present investigation aimed at understanding the importance of information about geographical origin, transport duration, and welfare condition of lambs for consumers and their actual liking. Moreover, the quality of lamb meat from local and imported animals as affected by short or long transport was assessed. Data demonstrated that both short and long transport did not affect organoleptic quality of meat; this result was corroborated by an absence of both metabolic and immune stressors in long term transport lambs except for haptoglobin, cortisol and glucose. However, the expected and actual acceptability were affected by the information with higher scores for local lamb when information on the geographical origin, transport duration, and welfare condition was provided to the consumers.
A century of high elevation ecosystem change in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
Authors: Trant Andrew , Higgs Eric , Starzomski Brian M.
Published: June 2020

Mountain ecosystems serve as sentinels of change, and those in the Canadian Rocky Mountains have undergone a pronounced shift over the past century. We present quantitative analyses of 81 high-resolution image pairs of systematic historic surveys and repeat photographs of Canadian Rocky Mountain habitats, measuring treeline advance, changes in tree density, and shifts in growth form from krummholz to trees. With a time-lapse of 68 to 125 years (mean 93.5 years) between image pairs, these photographs contain novel information about long-term ecological change across broad spatial scales. In the 197 linear km of mountain habitat over 5 degrees of latitude examined, we found evidence of treeline advance at 90/104 sites, increases in tree density at 93/104 sites, and many sites (79/95) showing detectable changes in the growth form of trees from krummholz to erect tree form. Using generalized linear mixed models, we found that treeline at higher altitudes and further north had a greater probability of advancing while regional climate factors in our model did not significantly explain our results. Historic references, such as those documented here, are invaluable for providing conservation targets and for contextualizing disturbance and broad scale ecosystem change.
Parameters of the Earth’s Free Core Nutation from Diurnal Strain Tides
Authors: Amoruso Antonella , Crescentini Luca
Published: June 2020

Earth deformation at the diurnal tidal frequencies includes the resonant tidal-forcing response caused by the Free Core Nutation (FCN), a retrograde mode related to the slight misalignment of the rotation axes of the outer core and mantle. We analyse data from four underground high-sensitivity laser extensometers, whose signal-to-noise ratio in the diurnal tidal band is particularly high, and provide an alternative independent estimate of the FCN complex frequency with respect to more usual techniques (nutation and gravity). Firstly, we differentiate displacements due to diurnal solid tides to obtain extension along any azimuthal direction in terms of three complex parameters (A, S, C) which depend on latitude and frequency. Then, we demonstrate that we can invert the FCN complex frequency and the sensitivity of Im(A) and Re(S) to the resonance from our data. Lastly we obtain the probability distributions of those four parameters. Our results are in full agreement with those from nutation and gravity, as well as with reference IERS (International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service) values. Sensitivities of Im(A) and Re(S) to the resonance are estimated here for the first time and are in agreement with values computed using reference Love and Shida numbers from IERS.
Refractive index gas sensor based on the Tamm state in a one-dimensional photonic crystal: Theoretical optimisation
Authors: Zaky Zaky A. , Ahmed Ashour M. , Shalaby Ahmed S. , Aly Arafa H.
Published: June 2020

Gas sensors are important in many fields such as environmental monitoring, agricultural production, public safety, and medical diagnostics. Herein, Tamm plasmon resonance in a photonic bandgap is used to develop an optical gas sensor with high performance. The structure of the proposed sensor comprises a gas cavity sandwiched between a one-dimensional porous silicon photonic crystal and an Ag layer deposited on a prism. The optimised structure of the proposed sensor achieves ultra-high sensitivity (S = 1.9×105 nm/RIU) and a low detection limit (DL = 1.4×10−7 RIU) compared to the existing gas sensor. The brilliant sensing performance and simple design of the proposed structure make our device highly suitable for use as a sensor in a variety of biomedical and industrial applications.