bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Requirements analysis for the disaster logistics inventory information system to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of handling emergency response periods
Authors: Handayani N U , Sari D P , Widharto Y , Basyir G
Published: December 2019

The exact specifications of system requirements are very important factors in the system development process. Any deficiency at this stage will affect the quality of the output of the information system developed. Therefore, system analysts must focus on how requirements are defined and modeled. Building a new information system is a complex process that consists of many steps that must be done before the final product is prepared for the customer. It is important to meet the needs and expectations of customers to maintain project sustainability in the future. There are several approaches to develop new information systems in which different strategies, methodology, modeling techniques or life cycles can be used. This study aims to analyze the need for the development of a website-based disaster logistics inventory information system. This research produces an analysis of information system requirements both from functional and non functional aspects. Based on functional analysis obtained the minimum specifications that must be owned by information systems, while the non-functional analysis obtained the minimum data needs to run a website-based disaster logistics inventory information system.
A dual-criterion optimization for sulfonated asphalt-assisted aqueous phase exfoliation to prepare graphene suitable for protective coating of aluminium
Authors: Yang Shengkai , Zhuo Kelei , Zhang Zezhong , Yang Jingli , Chen Yujuan , Wang Jianji
Published: December 2019

In this work, we aimed to prepare graphene with high concentration (C
G) or quality (indicated by I
D/I
G) by sonication-assisted exfoliation in aqueous sulfonated asphalt (SAS) solution. The highest C
G can reach 0.181 mg ml−1, while the smallest I
D/I
G is only 0.331 in the investigated range. Meanwhile, we observed that C
G and I
D/I
G changed in the opposite trend with the increase of SAS concentration, and reached their extreme values simultaneously. This was attributed to SAS’s agglomeration-induced redistribution of total energy absorbed by graphite between exfoliation and crushing. The graphene size was mainly within 100–400 nm and most of layer number was <5. The stabilization of graphene dispersion comes from the electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged SAS groups adsorbed on the graphene sheets. As the protective coating of aluminium, the graphene with relative small (for H2SO4 solution) or large (for NaCl solution) size, relative high defect content and annealing at proper temperature can improve the anticorrosion performance of graphene.
On compressive and morphological features of 3D printed almond skin powder reinforced PLA matrix
Authors: Singh Rupinder , Kumar Ranvijay , Singh Mohit , Preet Pawan
Published: December 2019

This paper reports the compressive, morphological and surface hardness properties of almond skin powder reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) matrix based 3D printed functional prototypes prepared by fused filament fabrication (FFF) as biomedical scaffolds. In this study the 3D printed functional parts were subjected to compression, morphological and Shore D hardness investigations. The results of this study highlight that maximum compressive strength at peak (37.712 MPa), maximum compressive strength at break (33.93 MPa) and Young’s modulus (387.80 MPa) was observed in case of sample printed at infill density 100%, infill angle 90° and infill speed 70 mm s−1 (as per ASTM D695). The maximum modulus of toughness as 3.47 MPa was observed in the case of printed sample at infill density 60%, infill angle 60° and infill speed 70 mm s−1. The results are supported by optical photomicrographs and Shore D hardness. Finally mathematical equations were developed (as empirical model) to predict different mechanical properties (based upon historical data approach) supported by Taguchi analysis.
The tracking and erosion performance of silicone rubber incorporated with novel TiO2@SiO2 core-shell nano fillers under the IEC 60587 standard
Authors: Asad Usama , Amin Salman , Aziz Muhammad Haris , Awais Muhammad , Rahman Taqi ur , Awan Hassan Ahmed
Published: December 2019

In last two decades a promising performance improvement in the electrical insulation materials has been reported by many researchers using different nano fillers (NFs). In recent years another type of NFs called core–shell type nano fillers have shown even more attention than ordinary NFs. The core–shell NFs are a combination of nano particle core coated with outer nano layer of different material. The core–shell NFs combine the beneficial properties of two material with in one NF. Recently a few studies have reported a considerable improvement in the dielectric properties of epoxy by utilising TiO2@SiO2 core–shell NFs. The TiO2@SiO2 particles have a core of TiO2 coated with an out layer of SiO2 at nano level. This study investigates the improvement in tracking performance of silicone rubber (SiR) using TiO2@SiO2 core–shell nano particles which has not been reported previously. The tracking immunity of low (below 1%) and high (above 1%) filler concentrations of nano TiO2@SiO2 incorporated into SiR was investigated according to IEC 60587. The results showed that an optimum percentage of 0.6 wt% of TiO2@SiO2 imparts best immunity to silicone rubber against tracking.
Structure of the interlayer between Au thin film and Si-substrate: Molecular Dynamics simulations
Authors: Plechystyy V , Shtablavyi I , Winczewski S , Rybacki K , Mudry S , Rybicki J
Published: December 2019

Interaction between 2, 3, 5 and 7 atomic layers of gold and a (111) silicon surface was investigated with the molecular dynamics simulation method. The simulation of the diffusion interaction between gold and silicon in the temperature range 425–925 K has been carried out. The peculiarities of the concentration changes of the interacting components and the atomic density at the boundary of two phases in the direction perpendicular to the crystalline surface were established. By means the formalism of quasi two dimensional partial pair correlation functions the atomic structure of the diffusion region was analyzed. The formation of the alloy of eutectic composition within the gold-silicon interlayer was established. It was shown that the inter-phase mixing in various temperature intervals occurred according to different diffusion mechanisms.
Tribological behavior of laser thermal sprayed Cr3C2–NiCr + 10%Ni/MoS2 composite coating on H13 hot work mould steel
Authors: Hanyun Wu , Yinmiao Ye , Haoqi Lu , Jie Yang , Dejun Kong
Published: December 2019

Cr3C2–NiCr+10%Ni/MoS2 composite coating was fabricated on H13 hot work mould steel using a Laser Thermal Spraying (LTS). The friction–wear behaviors of obtained coating at 25, 400 and 700 °C were investigated using a ball–on–disc wear tester, and the effect of MoS2 on the lubrication in the friction–wear process was also discussed. The results show that the average coefficients of friction (COFs) of Cr3C2–NiCr+10%Ni/MoS2 coating at 25, 400 and 700 °C are 0.68, 0.55, and 0.35, respectively, and the corresponding wear rates are 25.97 × 10–6, 30.06 × 10–6, and 11.86 × 10–6 mm3 · N–1 · s–1, respectively. The average COF and wear rate at 700 °C are the lowest among the three kinds of operation temperatures, the MoS2 particles and oxidation layer play a positive role of lubrication, which is the main factor of friction–wear reduction. The wear mechanism at 25 °C is abrasive wear, while those at 400 and 700 °C are primary abrasive wear, accompanied by oxidative wear.
Investigation on the digital image correlation and charge trap characteristics of Al/epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Chillu Naresh , Jayaganthan R , Velmurugan R , Sarathi R
Published: December 2019

The influence of nanofiller on the tensile and surface charge properties of Al/Epoxy nanocomposite materials is investigated with respect to their structural composition. The formation of conductive network nearing the percolation limit with the addition of nanofiller has strongly influenced the mechanical and electrical characteristics of nanocomposites. The digital image correlation technique is employed to acquire the strain variation at the distinct locations on the tensile specimen. The load-displacement, as well as shape deformation, were analysed for the various nano filled composites. The improved tensile characteristics were achieved up to certain wt% of filler addition, beyond which the load and time required for the material fracture were reduced drastically. Likewise, the addition of filler up to 5 wt% has shown the improved charge decay characteristics viz. quicker charge decay and enhancement in shallow energy states under the applied DC voltage. The direct analogy in mechanical and electrical characteristics was formulated in terms of structural composition (defects, additives and filler) of respective materials.
Investigation on space charge dynamics and mechanical properties of Epoxy Alumina nanocomposites
Authors: Neelmani  , Suematsu Hisayuki , Sarathi Ramanujam
Published: December 2019

Epoxy nanocomposites with different wt% of alumina was prepared by use of high-speed shear mixer and high-frequency sonicator process, and the electrical and mechanical properties of the materials were investigated. Surface potential variation and trap distribution analysis were carried out with epoxy nanocomposites. Space charge analysis was carried out through Pulsed Electro Acoustic (PEA) technique. The dielectric constant and tan (δ) values of epoxy alumina nanocomposites were measured at different frequencies and temperatures. Contact angle and corona inception voltage caused by a water droplet showed a direct correlation. The viscoelastic properties of the epoxy nanocomposite material were examined through DMA studies. It was concluded that an increase in the supply frequency increases the storage modulus and loss modulus of the epoxy alumina nanocomposites. Glass transition temperature and activation energy increase with an increase in wt% of alumina content in epoxy resin. LIBS analysis indicates that the plasma temperature calculated increases with an increase in the wt% of alumina content in epoxy resin. Also, the measured plasma temperature and hardness of the material showed a direct correlation.
Design, simulation and optimization of a nonreciprocal guided-wave optical isolator based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Binandeh Dehaghani Nahid , Alizadeh Amir Hamid
Published: December 2019

In this paper, an interferometric optical isolator which utilizes a nonreciprocal phase shift was designed, simulated and optimized. The purpose was to develop the waveguide optical isolator which is expected to be low loss, more compatible with integrated optics and also reduces the overall costs as it is integrable to the optical sources. The isolator consists of an asymmetric Mach–Zehnder interferometer with a transverse magnetized nonreciprocal phase shifter in one waveguide and a reciprocal phase shifter in the other waveguide. In the simulation process, the Boundary Mode Analysis was used to compute propagation constants. Furthermore, the Scattering Boundary Condition method was used to make boundaries transparent for dispersed waves. The design parameters, including phase shifter length, bend radius and directional coupler length, were optimized to cut down the insertion loss in the forward direction and increase the return loss in the reverse direction and achieve a 50 dB isolation ratio.
A comparative study on the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4/PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 multiferroic composite with different molar ratios
Authors: Li Chunyue , Xu Ruicheng , Gao Rongli , Wang Zhenhua , Chen Gang , Deng Xiaoling , Cai Wei , Fu Chunlin , Li Qingting
Published: December 2019

Magnetoelectric composites have attracted much attentions due to their excellent multiferroic properties at room temperature. In this paper, CoFe2O4-PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (CFO-PZT) composite ceramics with different molar ratios (CFO/PZT = 1:4, 1:5, 1:6 and 1:7) were prepared by conventional solid reaction method. Effects of molar ratio on the structure, dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetic properties were comparatively investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed bi-phase structures of the composites, which can be indexed as CFO and PZT, no other obvious phase can be found with the limitation of the XRD resolution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the surface of the prepared samples is not dense enough and many pores are formed, the mean grain size is about 200 nm. The same relaxation behavior was observed in the intermediate temperature range of PZT-CFO composite ceramics. At room temperature, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the specimen 1:4 are the highest. The leakage current of the sample 1:4 is the lowest while the sample 1:6 has the largest value. As the CFO content in the composite decreases, both the saturation (Ms) and the remnant (Mr) magnetization decrease. Among them, the sample 1:4 presents better ferroelectric and magnetic properties, the remnant polarization is 1.13 μC cm−2, the saturation magnetization and remnant magnetization are 11.01 and 3.28 emu g−1, respectively. The sample 1:6 has the largest coercive field (945.27 Oe) while the sample 1:7 show the smallest value (681.19 Oe). Interface interaction between CFO/PZT may be applied to explain this phenomenon.
Linear-crossing metamaterials mimicked by multi-layers with two kinds of single negative materials
Authors: Guo Zhiwei , Jiang Haitao , Chen Hong
Published: December 2019

The topological transition of an iso-frequency contour will provide a powerful control for the interaction between light and matter. For example the transition of iso-frequency contour from an elliptical dispersion to a hyperbolic dispersion can result in many interesting optical phenomena including super-resolution, optical switching and collimation. In recently published literature, it has been shown that another transition from the metal-type hyperbolic dispersion to dielectric-type hyperbolic dispersion can be realized in the microwave circuit-based metamaterials. Particularly, the transition point corresponds to a new class of metamaterials with two intersecting linear dispersions, which can be called linear-crossing metamaterials (LCMMs). Because of the linear dispersion, LCMMs have been demonstrated to possess many unusual properties such as directional propagation and slab-focusing with a partial cloaking effect. In this perspective, we will demonstrate that the multilayered structure composed of ε-negative material and μ-negative material can mimic the LCMM in the optical regime. Based on this effective LCMM, we study the slab-imaging with a partial cloaking effect. In addition, we reveal that with the aid of LCMM, the Bessel beam with self-healing can be realized by a point source. The results show that LCMMs would be very useful in a variety of applications such as 50/50 beam splitters, focusing and non-diffraction beams.
Within-stream phenotypic divergence in head shape of brown trout associated with invasive brook trout
Authors: Závorka Libor , Larranaga Nicolas , Lovén Wallerius Magnus , Näslund Joacim , Koeck Barbara , Wengström Niklas , Cucherousset Julien , Johnsson Jörgen I
Published: December 2019

Competition with a non-native species can lead to morphological changes in native organisms induced by phenotypic plasticity, and by selection against individuals that do not adjust their morphology to the novel selection pressure. The morphological changes in native organisms are often associated with rapid behavioural responses to competition with the invader. However, knowledge of the interaction between the behaviour and morphology of native organisms competing with a non-native species remains scarce. Here, we investigated the effect of competition with non-native brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis on head shape of native brown trout Salmo trutta in a stream system where changes in diet and territorial behaviour of sympatric brown trout have previously been demonstrated. We found that sympatric brown trout had smaller eyes, shorter lower jaws and more terminal mouth than allopatric conspecifics. These differences in head shape were highly repeatable over a period of 12 months. Apparent survival indicated that the selection on head shape of brown trout was weaker in the sympatric than in the allopatric stretch of the stream. The results suggest that these changes reinforce divergences of foraging strategies between the allopatric and sympatric brown trout, which can negatively affect their population dynamics and trophic function in the food-web.
Mapping epileptic directional brain networks using intracranial EEG data
Authors: Li Huazhang , Wang Yaotian , Tanabe Seiji , Sun Yinge , Yan Guofen , Quigg Mark S , Zhang Tingting
Published: December 2019

The human brain is a directional network system, in which brain regions are network nodes and the influence exerted by one region on another is a network edge. We refer to this directional information flow from one region to another as directional connectivity. Seizures arise from an epileptic directional network; abnormal neuronal activities start from a seizure onset zone and propagate via a network to otherwise healthy brain regions. As such, effective epilepsy diagnosis and treatment require accurate identification of directional connections among regions, i.e., mapping of epileptic patients’ brain networks. This article aims to understand the epileptic brain network using intracranial electroencephalographic data—recordings of epileptic patients’ brain activities in many regions. The most popular models for directional connectivity use ordinary differential equations (ODE). However, ODE models are sensitive to data noise and computationally costly. To address these issues, we propose a high-dimensional state-space multivariate autoregression (SSMAR) model for the brain’s directional connectivity. Different from standard multivariate autoregression and SSMAR models, the proposed SSMAR features a cluster structure, where the brain network consists of several clusters of densely connected brain regions. We develop an expectation–maximization algorithm to estimate the proposed model and use it to map the interregional networks of epileptic patients in different seizure stages. Our method reveals the evolution of brain networks during seizure development.
Phagocytic glioblastoma-associated microglia and macrophages populate invading pseudopalisades
Authors: Saavedra-López Elena , Roig-Martínez Meritxell , Cribaro George P , Casanova Paola V , Gallego José M , Pérez-Vallés Ana , Barcia Carlos
Published: December 2019

Hypoxic pseudopalisades are a pathological hallmark of human glioblastoma, which is linked to tumour malignancy and aggressiveness. Yet, their function and role in the tumour development have scarcely been explored. It is thought that pseudopalisades are formed by malignant cells escaping from the hypoxic environment, although evidence of the immune component of pseudopalisades has been elusive. In the present work, we analyse the immunological constituent of hypoxic pseudopalisades using high-resolution three-dimensional confocal imaging in tissue blocks from excised tumours of glioblastoma patients and mimic the hypoxic gradient in microfluidic platforms in vitro to understand the cellular motility. We visualize that glioblastoma-associated microglia and macrophages abundantly populate pseudopalisades, displaying an elongated kinetic morphology across the pseudopalisades, and are oriented towards the necrotic focus. In vitro experiments demonstrate that under hypoxic gradient, microglia show a particular motile behaviour characterized by the increase of cellular persistence in contrast with glioma cells. Importantly, we show that glioblastoma-associated microglia and macrophages utilize fibres of glioma cells as a haptotactic cue to navigate along the anisotropic structure of the pseudopalisades and display a high phagocytic activity at the necrotic border of the pseudopalisades. In this study, we demonstrate that glioblastoma-associated microglia and macrophages are the main immune cells of pseudopalisades in glioblastoma, travelling to necrotic areas to clear the resulting components of the prothrombotic milieu, suggesting that the scavenging features of glioblastoma-associated microglia and macrophages at the pseudopalisades serve as an essential counterpart for glioma cell invasion.
Up and Down States of Cortical Neurons in Focal Limbic Seizures
Authors: Yue Zongwei , Freedman Isaac G , Vincent Peter , Andrews John P , Micek Christopher , Aksen Mark , Martin Reese , Zuckerman David , Perrenoud Quentin , Neske Garrett T , Sieu Lim-Anna , Bo Xiao , Cardin Jessica A , Blumenfeld Hal
Published: December 2019

Recent work suggests an important role for cortical–subcortical networks in seizure-related loss of consciousness. Temporal lobe seizures disrupt subcortical arousal systems, which may lead to depressed cortical function and loss of consciousness. Extracellular recordings show ictal neocortical slow waves at about 1 Hz, but it is not known whether these simply represent seizure propagation or alternatively deep sleep-like activity, which should include cortical neuronal Up and Down states. In this study, using in vivo whole-cell recordings in a rat model of focal limbic seizures, we directly examine the electrophysiological properties of cortical neurons during seizures and deep anesthesia. We found that during seizures, the membrane potential of frontal cortical secondary motor cortex layer 5 neurons fluctuates between Up and Down states, with decreased input resistance and increased firing rate in Up states when compared to Down states. Importantly, Up and Down states in seizures are not significantly different from those in deep anesthesia, in terms of membrane potential, oscillation frequency, firing rate, and input resistance. By demonstrating these fundamental similarities in cortical electrophysiology between deep anesthesia and seizures, our results support the idea that a state of decreased cortical arousal may contribute to mechanisms of loss of consciousness during seizures.
Profilin1-Dependent F-Actin Assembly Controls Division of Apical Radial Glia and Neocortex Development
Authors: Kullmann Jan A , Meyer Sophie , Pipicelli Fabrizia , Kyrousi Christina , Schneider Felix , Bartels Nora , Cappello Silvia , Rust Marco B
Published: December 2019

Neocortex development depends on neural stem cell proliferation, cell differentiation, neurogenesis, and neuronal migration. Cytoskeletal regulation is critical for all these processes, but the underlying mechanisms are only poorly understood. We previously implicated the cytoskeletal regulator profilin1 in cerebellar granule neuron migration. Since we found profilin1 expressed throughout mouse neocortex development, we here tested the hypothesis that profilin1 is crucial for neocortex development. We found no evidence for impaired neuron migration or layering in the neocortex of profilin1 mutant mice. However, proliferative activity at basal positions was doubled in the mutant neocortex during mid-neurogenesis, with a drastic and specific increase in basal Pax6+ cells indicative for elevated numbers of basal radial glia (bRG). This was accompanied by transiently increased neurogenesis and associated with mild invaginations resembling rudimentary neocortex folds. Our data are in line with a model in which profilin1-dependent actin assembly controls division of apical radial glia (aRG) and thereby the fate of their progenies. Via this mechanism, profilin1 restricts cell delamination from the ventricular surface and, hence, bRG production and thereby controls neocortex development in mice. Our data support the radial cone hypothesis” claiming that elevated bRG number causes neocortex folds.
New Developmentalism: development macroeconomics for middle-income countries
Authors: Bresser-Pereira Luiz Carlos
Published: December 2019

This article resumes New Developmentalism—a theoretical framework being defined since the early 2000s to understand middle-income countries. It is constituted of a political economy and development macroeconomics and originated in development economics and post-Keynesian macroeconomics. From the start, it is an open and development-oriented economics. New Developmentalism focuses on two macroeconomic accounts, the fiscal and the current accounts, and in five macroeconomic prices which the market is unable to keep ‘right’. It affirms that the exchange rate tends to be cyclically overvalued, thus making the competent companies non-competitive and leading the economy to go from crisis to crisis, to the extent that countries are irresponsible in fiscal terms and search to grow with foreign indebtedness. New Developmentalism has a new definition of Dutch disease, and a means to neutralise it. Counterintuitively, it argues that middle-income countries should reject external finance and balance the current account.
Distinct effects of acute versus chronic corticosterone exposure on Zebra finch responses to West Nile virus
Authors: Martin Lynn B , Kernbach Meredith E , Unnasch Thomas R
Published: December 2019

Summary statement

Stress hormones affect immune responses, behaviour and other host traits that can influence how individual hosts contribute to disease cycles (i.e. competence). We found that differences in the duration of experimental elevations of one hormone, corticosterone, had very different effects on zebra finch responses to West Nile virus. Chronic elevations enabled birds to become infectious and more tolerant of WNV whereas birds experiencing acute elevations generally resembled untreated controls.
Prospects for sociogenomics in avian cooperative breeding and parental care
Authors: Termignoni-Garcia Flavia , Louder Matthew I M , Balakrishnan Christopher N , O’Connell Lauren , Edwards Scott V
Published: December 2019

For the last 40 years, the study of cooperative breeding (CB) in birds has proceeded primarily in the context of discovering the ecological, geographical, and behavioral drivers of helping. The advent of molecular tools in the early 1990s assisted in clarifying the relatedness of helpers to those helped, in some cases, confirming predictions of kin selection theory. Methods for genome-wide analysis of sequence variation, gene expression, and epigenetics promise to add new dimensions to our understanding of avian CB, primarily in the area of molecular and developmental correlates of delayed breeding and dispersal, as well as the ontogeny of achieving parental status in nature. Here, we outline key ways in which modern -omics approaches, in particular genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and epigenetic profiling such as ATAC-seq, can be used to add a new level of analysis of avian CB. Building on recent and ongoing studies of avian social behavior and sociogenomics, we review how high-throughput sequencing of a focal species or clade can provide a robust foundation for downstream, context-dependent destructive and non-destructive sampling of specific tissues or physiological states in the field for analysis of gene expression and epigenetics. -Omics approaches have the potential to inform not only studies of the diversification of CB over evolutionary time, but real-time analyses of behavioral interactions in the field or lab. Sociogenomics of birds represents a new branch in the network of methods used to study CB, and can help clarify ways in which the different levels of analysis of CB ultimately interact in novel and unexpected ways.
What Do Spelling Errors Tell Us about Deaf Learners of French?
Authors: Daigle Daniel , Berthiaume Rachel , Costerg Agnès , Plisson Anne
Published: December 2019

For deaf students, spelling acquisition is a considerable challenge, especially because the spelling code is based on an oral language to which most of them have limited access. Most studies conducted with deaf students have reported that they lag behind their hearing peers. However, few studies have used a fine-grained error classification grid. The use of such a grid makes it possible to draw a precise portrait of writers’ orthographic knowledge. The purpose of this study was to describe the spelling skills of 19 deaf students (Mage = 10.9 years) and to compare their errors with those of 20 hearing students of the same age and 17 younger hearing students at the same reading level. The results indicate that deaf students are not quantitatively different from hearing students but that their errors are qualitatively different from those of hearing students.
Tachy- and bradyarrhythmia as an initial presentation of human immunodeficiency virus-related primary cardiac lymphoma: a case report
Authors: Ng Shonda , Krisnadi Cindy , Low Randal Jun Bang , Yew Min Sen
Published: December 2019

Background

Primary cardiac lymphoma is defined as extranodal lymphoma involving the heart or pericardium. Common presentations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cardiac lymphoma include heart failure, cardiac tamponade, and rhythm abnormalities. Arrhythmia is an uncommon presentation and treatment in young HIV patients is particularly challenging. We present a unique case of primary cardiac lymphoma in an HIV patient presenting with both symptomatic tachy- and bradyarrhythmias.

Case summary

A 27-year-old man presented with intermittent palpitations and chest pain for 2 weeks. He has a significant past history of advanced HIV. He was noted to have complete heart block on cardiac monitoring. Imaging showed a large mass in the right atrioventricular (AV) groove extending into the myocardium, associated with a moderate pericardial effusion. During his stay, he developed symptomatic tachy–brady arrhythmias, with intermittent junctional tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, and complete AV block. After a multidisciplinary team discussion, endomyocardial biopsy was performed under fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography guidance. Histology from the interventricular septum was consistent with Epstein–Barr virus positive B-cell lymphoma. The patient was subsequently transferred to a tertiary hospital with cardiothoracic surgical support to initiate chemotherapy.

Discussion

To our knowledge, our patient is the first reported case of HIV-related primary cardiac lymphoma presenting with palpitations secondary to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia with concomitant AV block. This case illustrates the utility of multi-modality imaging in the investigation of a cardiac mass and the importance of having a high index of suspicion for pathology, such as cardiac lymphoma in HIV patients complaining of apparently minor cardiac complaints.
A collaborative approach to preparing for and reacting to emerald ash borer: a case study from Colorado
Authors: Alexander Kathleen , Truslove Micaela , Davis Rob , Stephens Sky , Zentz Ralph
Published: December 2019

Collaboration has been the key to success for urban forest management in Colorado, not only collaboration amongst agencies at all levels of government but also in engaging industry allies, coordinating education and outreach efforts and in fostering community support. A unique interagency team, the Emerging Pests in Colorado (EPIC) Workgroup, was formed in 2009 to address the immediate threat from Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) of walnut and to plan for the arrival of other invasive urban forest pests to Colorado. When the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (EAB) was detected in Boulder, Colorado in 2013, it marked the westernmost occurrence of EAB in the US, threatening millions of planted and naturalized ash trees representing over 25 percent of the tree canopy throughout Colorado’s urban and riparian forests. The detection in Boulder prompted the development of a second multi-agency group, the Colorado EAB Response Team (CORT). The preparedness and established working relationships between stakeholders and responsible authorities allowed for a quick, decisive and unified response. We review as a case study: (1) the formation and history of collaborative interagency groups in Colorado; (2) how the interagency collaborative planning and post-detection EAB response have supported community forestry programmes throughout the state; (3) development of the post-detection EAB management plan and economics behind the strategy in Boulder, Colorado; and (4) the proactive EAB planning and outreach efforts underway in Denver, Colorado.
A Struggle for Genocide Recognition: How the Aramean, Assyrian, and Chaldean Diasporas Link Past and Present
Authors: Mutlu-Numansen Sofia , Ossewaarde Marinus
Published: December 2019

This article analyzes how Aramean, Assyrian, and Chaldean communities in Western Europe organize their struggle for Sayfo (genocide) recognition and how narratives of the past are enacted in their campaign. The year 2015 provided a unique opportunity to study such diasporic communities’ strategic uses of the past. Hundreds of centenary commemorations were organized all over the world. The authors have selected three that illustrate how the Sayfo recognition campaign was organized, and how its practitioners strategically use the past in their efforts.
Screening and topical decolonization of preoperative nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriers to reduce the incidence of postoperative infections after lung cancer surgery: a propensity matched study
Authors: Fourdrain Alex , Bouabdallah Ilies , Gust Lucile , Cassir Nadim , Brioude Geoffrey , Falcoz Pierre-Emmanuel , Alifano Marco , Le Rochais Jean-Philippe , D’Annoville Thomas , Trousse Delphine , Loundou Anderson , Leone Marc , Papazian Laurent , Thomas Pascal Alexandre , D’Journo Xavier Benoit
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are serious issues following lung cancer surgery, leading to an increased risk of morbidity and hospital cost burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on postoperative outcomes of a preoperative screening and decolonization strategy of nasal carriers for Staphylococcus aureus prior to lung cancer surgery.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study comparing 2 cohorts of patients undergoing major lung resection: a control group of patients from the placebo arm of the randomized Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes operated on between July 2012 and April 2015 without any nasopharyngeal screening (N = 224); an experimental group, with preoperative screening for S. aureus of nasal carriers and selective 5-day decolonization in positive carriers using mupirocin ointment between January 2017 and December 2017 (N = 310). The 2 groups were matched according to a propensity score analysis with 1:1 matching. The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative HAIs, and the secondary outcome was the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation after surgery.

RESULTS

After matching, 2 similar groups of 108 patients each were obtained. In the experimental group, 26 patients had positive results for nasal carriage, and a significant decrease was observed in the rate of overall postoperative HAIs [control n = 19, 17.6%; experimental group n = 9, 8.3%; P = 0.043; relative risk 0.47 (0.22–1)] and in the rate of postoperative mechanical ventilation [control n = 12, 11.1%; experimental group n = 4, 3.7%; P = 0.038; relative risk 0.33 (0.11–1)]. After logistic regression and multivariable analysis, screening of S. aureus nasal carriers reduced the rate of HAIs [odds ratio (OR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11–0.76; P = 0.01] and reduced the risk of the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05–0.74; P = 0.02). There was no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups regarding the rate of postoperative S. aureus-associated infection (control group n = 6, 5.6%; experimental group n = 2, 1.9%; P = 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of nasal carriers of S. aureus and selective decontamination using mupirocin appeared to have a beneficial effect on postoperative infectious events after lung resection surgery.
Liberal Pacification and the Phenomenology of Violence
Authors: Baron Ilan Zvi , Havercroft Jonathan , Kamola Isaac , Koomen Jonneke , Murphy Justin , Prichard Alex
Published: December 2019

While international relations scholars make many claims about violence, they rarely define the concept. This article develops a typology of three distinct kinds of violence: direct, indirect, and pacification. Direct violence occurs when a person or agent inflicts harm on another. Indirect violence manifests through the structures of society. We propose a third understanding of violence: pacification. Using a phenomenological methodology, and drawing on anarchist and postcolonial thought, we show that the violence of pacification is diffuse, inconspicuous, intersubjective, and structured into the fabric of society. This understanding of violence matters for the study of international relations in general and research on the liberal peace in particular. We argue that the spread of liberal institutions does not necessarily decrease violence but instead transforms it. Our phenomenological analysis captures empirical trends in human domination and suffering that liberal peace theories cannot account for. It reveals how a decline in direct violence may coincide with the transformation of violence in ways that are concealed, monopolized, and structured into the liberal order. We call this process liberal pacification.
Retrospective multicentre matched cohort study comparing safety and efficacy outcomes of intermittent-infusion versus continuous-infusion vancomycin
Authors: Ma Nathan H , Walker Sandra A N , Elligsen Marion , Kiss Alex , Palmay Lesley , Ho Grace , Powis Jeff , Bansal Vikas , Leis Jerome A
Published: December 2019

Background

Patients with good renal function receiving intermittent-infusion vancomycin (IIV) may require total daily doses ≥4 g to achieve trough concentrations of 15–20 mg/L, increasing the risk of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity. Continuous-infusion vancomycin (CIV) may be associated with a lower risk of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity compared with IIV, but studies comparing safety of both dosing strategies are lacking.

Objectives

To compare the risk of nephrotoxicity with CIV versus IIV when target concentration ranges were the same with both dosing modalities.

Methods

A retrospective multicentre matched cohort study of admitted patients between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016 was completed. Adult patients who received ≥48 h of vancomycin with at least one steady-state vancomycin concentration were eligible. The primary outcome was to compare the rates of nephrotoxic risk and renal injury, defined by the RIFLE criteria, between CIV and IIV.

Results

Of 2136 patients who received vancomycin during the study period, 146 CIV patients were eligible and matched to 146 IIV patients. After adjustment of potential confounders, CIV was found to have a lower odds of developing nephrotoxic risk (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21–0.98, P = 0.025) and renal injury (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05–0.59, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

CIV is associated with a lower odds of nephrotoxicity compared with IIV when targeting the same concentration range and should be an alternative dosing strategy for patients who will receive prolonged therapy or require >4 g/day to achieve therapeutic levels.
New Rules of Engagement: How Adaptation To Online Media Changes Older Adults' Social Connectedness
Authors: Hage Eveline , van Offenbeek Marjolein , Boonstra Albert
Published: December 2019

Older adults often struggle to adjust to the rapid changes in the digitizing media landscape. In this article, we study, first, how 10 older adults adapt new online media into their daily lives and, by doing so, adjust to the changing “rules of engagement” that guide online-media use in their social surroundings. Second, we analyze how this adaptation process generates change in older adults' social connectedness. Results suggest that older adults' non-use of popular online media results in social exclusion. Enhancing their social connectedness, requires older adults to (partially) conform to new communication norms and values. Based on our findings, we propose three adaptation strategies that enhance both offline and online social connectedness.
Mobile Phone Use as Sequential Processes: From Discrete Behaviors to Sessions of Behaviors and Trajectories of Sessions
Authors: Peng Tai-Quan , Zhu Jonathan J H
Published: December 2019

Mobile phone use is an unfolding process by nature. In this study, it is explicated as two sequential processes: mobile sessions composed of an uninterrupted set of behaviors and mobile trajectories composed of mobile sessions and mobile-off time. A data set of a five-month behavioral logfile of mobile application use by approximately 2,500 users in Hong Kong is used. Mobile sessions are constructed and mined to uncover sequential characteristics and patterns in mobile phone use. Mobile trajectories are analyzed to examine intraindividual change and interindividual differences on mobile re-engagement as indicators of behavioral dynamics in mobile phone use. The study provides empirical support for and expands the boundaries of existing theories about combinatorial use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Finally, the understanding on mobile temporality is enhanced, that is, mobile temporality is homogeneous across social sectors. Furthermore, mobile phones redefine, rather than blur, the boundary between private and public time.
Printeos: Obligation to Pay Default Interest When Repaying a Fine after Annulment
Authors: Coelho Gonçalo Banha
Published: December 2019

The General Court ruled that, in case of annulment of a cartel decision based on an inadequate statement of reasons, in addition to repaying the fine amount received, the Commission must pay default interests at the ECB refinancing rate increased by 3.5 percentage points since the date on which the applicant unduly made provisional payment of the fine in accordance with the principle of restitutio in integrum.
Transmission of Cotton Seed and Boll Rotting Bacteria by the Verde Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Authors: Glover James P , Medrano Enrique G , Isakeit Thomas , Brewer Michael J
Published: December 2019

Field experiments and supporting laboratory work were conducted to characterize the ability of the verde plant bug, Creontiades signatus (Distant), a boll-feeding sucking bug, to transmit a cotton seed and boll rot bacterial pathogen, Serratia marcescens (Bizio) (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). Serratia marcescens was originally isolated from bolls infested with verde plant bug in south Texas, and a Rifampicin resistant S. marcescens strain was used in transmission and retention experiments. Serratia-exposed and nonexposed adult verde plant bugs from a laboratory colony were placed individually on 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-d-old bolls (postanthesis). The bacterial acquisition process did not apparently affect insect vigor based on similar average boll injury ratings observed across both exposed and nonexposed bugs. Cotton bolls caged with Serratia-exposed verde plant bugs had significantly greater presence of S. marcescens and cotton boll rot symptoms than bolls caged without bugs (no-insect controls) or nonexposed bugs. Transmission of the disease agent by verde plant bug was confirmed across all boll ages assayed. Incidence of diseased locules on 5- and 6-d-old bolls was the same or greater than on 7- and 8-d-old bolls. Verde plant bug was able to harbor the disease agent from 24- to 96-h postinfection, and transmission efficiency rates ranged from 54 to 62% during initial transmission and retention (transmission across two bolls fed upon consecutively) studies. Along with photographic evidence, the experimental data supported that boll damage associated with verde plant bug infestations was magnified when insects transmitted the cotton pathogen S. marcescens as demonstrated in this 2-yr field experiment.
Differences in Cell Proliferation and Craniofacial Phenotype of Closely Related Species in the Pupfish Genus Cyprinodon
Authors: Lencer Ezra , McCune Amy R
Published: December 2019

Understanding the genetic basis for phenotypic differences is fundamental to the study of macroevolutionary patterns of biological diversity. While technological advances in DNA sequencing have made researching genetic variation in wild taxa routine, fully understanding how these variants affect phenotype requires taking the next step to investigate how genetic changes alter cell and tissue interactions that ultimately produce phenotypes. In this article, we investigate a role for cell proliferation as a developmental source of craniofacial diversity in a radiation of 3 species of Cyprinodon from San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Patterns of cell proliferation in the heads of hatching-age fish differ among species of Cyprinodon, and correlate with differences in allometric growth rate among the jaws of 3 distinct species. Regional patterns of cell proliferation in the head are complex, resulting in an unintuitive result in which lower levels of cell proliferation in the posterior head region are associated with the development of relatively larger jaws in one species. We combine these data with previously published morphological and genomic data to show how studying the mechanisms generating phenotype at the cellular and tissue levels of biological organization can help mechanistically link genomic studies with classic morphological studies.
Total Error in a Big Data World: Adapting the TSE Framework to Big Data
Authors: Amaya Ashley , Biemer Paul P , Kinyon David
Published: December 2019

While Big Data offers a potentially less expensive, less burdensome, and more timely alternative to survey data for producing a variety of statistics, it is not without error. The AAPOR Task Force on Big Data and others have called for researchers to evaluate the quality of Big Data using an approach similar to the total survey error (TSE) framework. However, differences in the construction of, access to, and overall data structure between survey data and Big Data make application of TSE difficult. In this article, we seek to develop the Total Error Framework (TEF), an extension of the TSE framework, to be (1) more inclusive and applicable to many types of Big Data, (2) comprehensive in that it considers “total” error, and (3) unified in that it allows researchers to compare errors in Big Data to errors in survey data. After outlining this framework, we then illustrate an application of TEF by comparing error in housing unit area (square footage) estimates collected in a survey (the 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey [RECS]) to those estimates found in three Big Data databases (Zillow.com, Acxiom, and CoreLogic).