bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of beam configuration with inaccurate or incomplete small field output factors on the accuracy of treatment planning dose calculation
Authors: Sendani Neda Gholizadeh , Karimian Alireza , Mahdavi S. Rabie , Jabbari Iraj , Alaei Parham
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of beam configuration with inaccurate or incomplete small field output factors on the accuracy of dose calculations in treatment planning systems.

Methods

Output factors were measured using various detectors and for a range of field sizes. Three types of treatment machines were configured in two treatment planning systems. In the first (corrected) machine, the Exradin W1 scintillator was used to determine output factors. In the second (uncorrected) machine, the measured output factors by the A1SL ion chamber without considering output correction factors for small field sizes were utilized. In the third (clinical) machine, measured output factors by the Exradin W1 were used but not for field sizes smaller than 2 × 2 cm2. The dose computed by the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA), Acuros XB (AXB) and collapsed cone convolution/superposition (CCC) algorithms in the three machines were delivered using static (jaw‐, MLC‐, and jaw/MLC‐defined), and composite [intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)] fields. The differences between measured and calculated dose values were analyzed.

Results

For static fields, the percentage differences between measured and calculated doses by the three algorithms in three configured machines were <2% for field sizes larger than 2 × 2 cm2. In jaw‐ and jaw/MLC‐defined fields smaller than 2 × 2 cm2, the corrected machine presented better agreement with measurement. Considering output correction factors in MLC‐defined fields, among the three configured machines, the accuracy of calculation improved to within ±0.5%. For MLC‐defined field size of 1 × 1 cm2, AXB showed the smallest percentage difference (1%). In IMRT and VMAT plans, the percentage differences between measured and calculated doses at the isocenter, as well as the gamma analysis of different plans, which include field sizes larger than 3 × 3 cm2, did not vary noticeably. For smaller field sizes, using the corrected machine influences dose calculation accuracy.

Conclusion

Configuration with corrected output factors improves accuracy of dose calculation for static field sizes smaller than 2 × 2 cm2. For very small fields, the robustness of the dose calculation algorithm affects the accuracy of dose as well. In IMRT and VMAT plans, which include small subfields, the size of the jaw‐defined field is an important factor and using corrected output factors increases dose calculation accuracy.
Finite thermo‐elastic decoupled two‐scale analysis
Authors: Fleischhauer Robert , Thomas Tom , Kato Junji , Terada Kenjiro , Kaliske Michael
Published: August 2019

Engineering structures are often characterized by different structural properties, depending on the length scale under consideration. Fiber reinforced composites are determined, eg, by a heterogeneous microstructure, but are sufficiently described by homogeneous characteristics at their macroscopic level. Moreover, different loading situations, eg, of thermal or mechanical nature, require the consideration of multiphysical equilibrium states. The challenging engineering task is the computation of the effective material properties of these different loading scenarios. The contribution at hand introduces a finite thermo‐elastic two‐scale analysis, where the effective macroscopic material properties are computed in a decoupled manner with respect to the different length scales.
VS30 mapping and site characterization in the seismically active intraplate region of Western India: implications for risk mitigation
Authors: Sairam B. , Singh A. P. , Patel Vandana , Chopra Sumer , Kumar M. Ravi
Published: August 2019

We carried out shallow subsurface investigations at 600 sites covering all types of geological units in the Northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province of India, using the multichannel analysis of surface waves and suspension PS‐logging methods. The results reveal that VS30 values are in the range of 760–1500 m/s for granites and Deccan traps, thus enabling their classification as B‐class, as per the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program recommendations. The Tertiary, Cretaceous, Jurassic and Paleoproterozoic sediments show VS30 values between 360 and 760 m/s, and hence, are assigned C‐class. Further, the Quaternary soils are categorized as D‐class, since they show VS30 in the range of 180–360 m/s. Also, the Holocene tidal flat and Rann sediments are classified as E‐class, since the VS30 values are less than 180 m/s. The observed site response reveals that the D‐ and E‐type soils have significantly higher seismic amplification than that in the B‐ and C‐category soils. We noticed that the buildings on D‐ and E‐classes soils experienced higher damage than those on the B‐ and C‐classes, during the past large earthquakes in the Northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province. Our study suggests that VS30 is a good proxy for soil classifications in the Northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province. We validated our results using available geological, geophysical and geotechnical data. For the first time, a regional site characterization map for the Northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province of India is prepared based on geology and VS30.
Exponential stability analysis for 2D discrete switched systems with state delays
Authors: Badie Khalid , Alfidi Mohammed , Chalh Zakaria
Published: August 2019

This paper is concerned with the delay‐dependent exponential stability analysis of two‐dimensional (2D) discrete switched systems with state delays described by the Roesser model; the delays under consideration are varying. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and using the average dwell time approach, new delay‐dependent sufficient conditions for the exponential stability of the system under study are proposed. In order to obtain less conservative conditions, the delay partitioning method is adopted as well as the free‐weighting matrix technique. The proposed conditions are formulated in the format of linear matrix inequality. The effectiveness and the reduced conservatism of the developed results are shown by illustrative examples.
Coupling Nonlinear Magneto‐Thermal Problems in Frequency Domain with the Mechanical Field
Authors: Roppert Klaus , Toth Florian , Kaltenbacher Manfred
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates a computationally efficient strategy for simulating induction heating processes, using a multiharmonic ansatz and harmonic balancing for the solution of the nonlinear magnetic eddy current problem in frequency domain. In order to increase the flexibility of the meshing procedure and decrease the number of degrees of freedom, a methodology for nonconforming interfaces and Nédéléc edge elements is presented. The verification of the proposed method is carried out by comparison to the conform (conforming mesh) solution. Furthermore, the results from the eddy current problem are used to simulate the temperature distrubution in a thin steel sheet and compute the resulting stresses.
The curvature of an evaporating meniscus in a pressure driven flow through cylindrical pores
Authors: Loimer Thomas
Published: August 2019

The pressure driven flow of a vapor near saturation through an anodic alumina membrane with a thickness of 0.1 mm and a pore diameter of 37 nm is considered. Near saturation, the vapor condenses and liquid flows trough a part of the membrane. By applying a theoretical description of the flow process, the curvature of the menisci is determined from mass flow data. It is assumed that the downstream front of the membrane is either adiabatic, or diabatic, or it is connected via a heat transfer coefficient to the environment. In addition, an isothermal description of the flow is applied. Depending on the boundary condition or the description of the flow, the curvature of the meniscus within the membrane varies greatly.
Establishment of the MID‐NET® medical information database network as a reliable and valuable database for drug safety assessments in Japan
Authors: Yamaguchi Mitsune , Inomata Satomi , Harada Sayoko , Matsuzaki Yu , Kawaguchi Maiko , Ujibe Mayuko , Kishiba Mari , Fujimura Yoshiaki , Kimura Michio , Murata Koichiro , Nakashima Naoki , Nakayama Masaharu , Ohe Kazuhiko , Orii Takao , Sueoka Eizaburo , Suzuki Takahiro , Yokoi Hideto , Takahashi Fumitaka , Uyama Yoshiaki
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To establish a new medical information database network (designated MID‐NET®) to provide real‐world data for drug safety assessments in Japan.

Methods

This network was designed and developed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency in collaboration with 23 hospitals from 10 healthcare organizations across Japan. MID‐NET® is a distributed and closed network system that connects all collaborative organizations through a central data center. A wide variety of data are available for analyses, including clinical and administrative information. Several coding standards are used to standardize the data stored in MID‐NET® to allow the integration of information originating from different hospitals. A rigorous and consistent quality management system was implemented to ensure that MID‐NET® data are of high quality and meet Japanese regulatory standards (good post‐marketing study practice and related guidelines).

Results

MID‐NET® was successfully established as a reliable and valuable medical information database and was officially launched in April 2018. High data quality with almost 100% consistency was confirmed between original data in hospitals and the data stored in MID‐NET®. A major advantage is that approximately 260 clinical laboratory test results are available for analysis.

Conclusions

MID‐NET® is expected to be a major data source for drug safety assessments in Japan. Experiences and best practices established in MID‐NET® may provide a model for the future development of similar database networks.
Predictors of Warfarin Time in Therapeutic Range after Continuous‐Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Henderson James B. , Iyer Prashanth , Coniglio Amanda C. , Katz Jason N. , Chien Christopher , Hollis Ian B.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Patients with a continuous‐flow left ventricular assist device (CF‐LVAD) require anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist to prevent thromboembolic events. Fluctuations in the international normalized ratio are associated with both increased thrombotic and bleeding episodes. To date, risk factors for low time in therapeutic range (TTR) among ambulatory patients with a CF‐LVAD have not been explored.

Methods

A retrospective single‐center analysis of 121 patients implanted with a CF‐LVAD was performed. International normalized ratios were systematically recorded from the initial postdischarge outpatient visit to 12 months of time on the device. Risk factors for low TTR were evaluated using a multivariable linear regression analysis. Each of the 21 independent variables was entered into a stepwise regression designed to minimize the Akaike information criteria.

Results

In the multivariable analysis, the model output revealed that every 1‐year increase in age was associated with a 0.4% increase in TTR (p=0.008), and every 1 mile further from clinic was associated with a 0.08% increase in TTR (p=0.03). Female sex was associated with a 10.1% decrease in TTR (p=0.04), type 2 diabetes was associated with an 11.5% decrease in TTR (p=0.006), and prior warfarin use was associated with an 8.3% decrease in TTR (p=0.03).

Conclusion

In CF‐LVAD recipients receiving warfarin, increasing age and distance from clinic are independent predictors of higher TTR. Female sex, type 2 diabetes, and prior warfarin use are independent predictors of lower TTR.
Degradable cellulose‐based polymer brushes with controlled grafting densities
Authors: Olszewski Mateusz , Li Lingchun , Xie Guojun , Keith Andrew , Sheiko Sergei S. , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: August 2019

Cellulose‐based polymer brushes with variable grafting densities and low dispersity were synthesized by grafting poly(n‐butyl acrylate) (PBA) side chains from cellulose‐derived backbones via ATRP. Esterification of commercially available cellulose acetate with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide (2‐BiBB) in NMP provided cellulose‐based macroinitiators averaging one initiation site per double glucose unit. ATRP macroinitiators averaging up to 6 initiation sites per repeating double glucose unit were prepared by acylation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in LiCl/DMAc solvent system with 2‐BiBB. A series of linear macroinitiators with narrow MWD were obtained by fractional precipitation process. The content of initiating sites was determined by elemental analysis. (Meth)acrylate side chains were then grafted from the cellulose‐based macroinitiators. The prepared cellulose‐based polymer brushes showed tunable degradation rates dependent on grafting density of the brush, following two different degradation pathways, either cleavage of the main chain or detachment of the side chains. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2426–2435
Characterization of Micro‐ and Nanoscale LuPO4:Pr3+,Nd3+ with Strong UV‐C Emission to Reduce X‐Ray Doses in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Espinoza Sara , Müller Matthias , Jenneboer Heike , Peulen Lukas , Bradley Tiara , Purschke Martin , Haase Markus , Rahmanzadeh Ramtin , Jüstel Thomas
Published: August 2019

UV‐C emitting nanoscale scintillators can be used to sensitize cancer cells selectively against X‐rays during radiation therapy, due to the lethal DNA lesions caused by UV‐C photons. Unfortunately, nanoscale particles (NPs) show decreased UV‐C emission intensity. In this paper, the influence of different Nd3+ concentrations on the UV‐C emission of micro‐ and nanoscale LuPO4:Pr3+ is investigated upon X‐ray irradiation and vacuum UV excitation (160 nm). Co‐doped LuPO4 results in increased UV‐C emission independent of excitation source due to energy transfer from Nd3+ to Pr3+. The highest UV‐C emission intensity is observed for LuPO4:Pr3+,Nd3+(1%,2.5%) upon X‐ray irradiation. Finally, LuPO4 NPs co‐doped with different dopant concentrations are synthesized, and the biological efficacy of the combined approach (X‐rays and UV‐C) is assessed using the colony formation assay. Cell culture experiments confirm increased cell death compared to X‐rays alone due to the formation of UV‐specific DNA damages, supporting the feasibility of this approach.
Why isn't the NHS making the most of biosimilar insulin?
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: August 2019

With cheaper biosimilar insulins now reaching the UK market, there are opportunities for potential cost savings in diabetes management. However, uptake in the NHS has so far been low. In this article, Mark Greener explores the possible reasons for this.
A Physiologically‐Based Pharmacokinetic Model for the Prediction of Monoclonal Antibody Pharmacokinetics FromIn VitroData
Authors: Jones Hannah M. , Zhang Zhiwei , Jasper Paul , Luo Haobin , Avery Lindsay B. , King Lindsay E. , Neubert Hendrik , Barton Hugh A. , Betts Alison M. , Webster Robert
Published: August 2019

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) pharmacokinetics (PK) have largely been predicted via allometric scaling with little consideration for cross‐species differences in neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) affinity or clearance/distribution mechanisms. To address this, we developed amAb physiologically‐basedPKmodel that describes the intracellular trafficking and FcRn recycling ofmAbs in a human FcRn transgenic homozygous mouse and human. This model usesmAb‐specificin vitrodata together with species‐specific FcRn tissue expression, tissue volume, and blood‐flow physiology to predictmAbin vivolinearPKa priori. The model accurately predicts the terminal half‐life of 90% of themAbs investigated within a twofold error. The mechanistic nature of this model allows us to not only predict linearPKfromin vitrodata but also explorethe PKand target binding ofmAbs engineered to havepH‐dependent binding to its target or FcRn and could aid in the selection ofmAbs with optimal PK and pharmacodynamic properties.
Immunological microenvironment in the testis
Authors: Qu Ning , Ogawa Yuki , Kuramasu Miyuki , Nagahori Kenta , Sakabe Kou , Itoh Masahiro
Published: August 2019

Background

The testis is specific in that it produces haploid germ cells of which autoantigens newly appear long after the neonatal immune tolerance. Under normal condition, these autoantigens are protected by the blood‐testis barrier formed by Sertoli cells. Thus, the testis is an immunologically privileged site where haploid cells are protected from autoimmune attack.

Methods

The immunological microenvironment in the testis was experimentally investigated using mice and rats.

Main findings

Not only the blood‐testis barrier but also various immuno‐suppressive factors are involved in the immune‐privileged testis. Indeed, germ cells transplanted into the xenogeneic seminiferous tubules could proliferate and differentiate with no aid of artificial immunosuppression. On the other hand, autoimmune orchitis could be experimentally produced by various methods of immunization with syngeneic or xenogeneic germ cell antigens.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the testis is immunologically privileged but also immunologically fragile organ. Therefore, the dual nature is critical for immunoregulation of testicular function.
Sliding‐mode fault‐tolerant control using the control allocation scheme
Authors: Argha Ahmadreza , Su Steven W. , Zheng Wei Xing , Celler Branko G.
Published: August 2019

This paper is devoted to the design of a novel fault‐tolerant control (FTC) using the combination of a robust sliding‐mode control (SMC) strategy and a control allocation (CA) algorithm, referred to as a CA‐based sliding‐mode FTC (SMFTC). The proposed SMFTC can also be considered a modular‐design control strategy. In this approach, first, a high‐level SMC, designed without detailed knowledge of systems' actuators/effectors, commands a vector of virtual control signals to meet the overall control objectives. Then, a CA algorithm distributes the virtual control efforts among the healthy actuators/effectors using the real‐time information obtained from a fault detection and reconstruction mechanism. As the underlying system is not assumed to have a rank‐deficient input matrix, the control allocator module is visible to the SMC module resulting in an uncertainty. Hence, the virtual control, in this scheme, is designed to be robust against uncertainties emanating from the visibility of the control allocator to the controller and imperfections in the estimated effectiveness gain. The proposed CA‐based SMFTC scheme is a unified FTC, which does not need to reconfigure the control system in the case of actuator fault or failure. Additionally, to cope with actuator saturation limits, a novel redistributed pseudoinverse‐based CA mechanism is proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed schemes is discussed with a numerical example.
Radiation mitigation of the intestinal acute radiation injury in mice by 1-[(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-4-phenylpiperazine
Authors: Duhachek-Muggy Sara , Bhat Kruttika , Medina Paul , Cheng Fei , He Ling , Alli Claudia , Saki Mohammad , Muthukrishnan Sree Deepthi , Ruffenach Gregoire , Eghbali Mansoureh , Vlashi Erina , Pajonk Frank
Published: August 2019

The objective of the study was to identify the mechanism of action for a radiation mitigator of the gastrointestinal (GI) acute radiation syndrome (ARS), identified in an unbiased high-throughput screen. We used mice irradiated with a lethal dose of radiation and treated with daily injections of the radiation mitigator 1-[(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-4-phenylpiperazine to study its effects on key pathways involved in intestinal stem cell (ISC) maintenance. RNASeq, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were performed to identify pathways engaged after drug treatment. Target validation was performed with competition assays, reporter cells, and in silico docking. 1-[(4-Nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-4-phenylpiperazine activates Hedgehog signaling by binding to the transmembrane domain of Smoothened, thereby expanding the ISC pool, increasing the number of regenerating crypts and preventing the GI-ARS. We conclude that Smoothened is a target for radiation mitigation in the small intestine that could be explored for use in radiation accidents as well as to mitigate normal tissue toxicity during and after radiotherapy of the abdomen.

Significance statement Exposure to lethal doses of ionizing radiation manifests in a symptom complex that is summarized as acute radiation syndrome (ARS) and the extent of radiation damage to the hematopoietic and gastrointestinal (GI) systems codetermine the acute survival of the exposed individual. So far, no person who experienced a full-scale GI-ARS has ever survived. This creates a—so far—mostly unmet need to develop countermeasures that mitigate the effects of lethal radiation doses when given after radiation exposure. This study presents that a piperazine compound prevents GI-ARS in mice when given 24 hours after a lethal dose of radiation and uncovers the underlying mechanism of action, thus providing a basis for a future rational development of effective radiation mitigators.
Deconstructed Microfluidic Bone Marrow On‐A‐Chip to Study Normal and Malignant Hemopoietic Cell–Niche Interactions
Authors: Aleman Julio , George Sunil K. , Herberg Samuel , Devarasetty Mahesh , Porada Christopher D. , Skardal Aleksander , Almeida‐Porada Graça
Published: August 2019

Human hematopoietic niches are complex specialized microenvironments that maintain and regulate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). Thus far, most of the studies performed investigating alterations of HSPC‐niche dynamic interactions are conducted in animal models. Herein, organ microengineering with microfluidics is combined to develop a human bone marrow (BM)‐on‐a‐chip with an integrated recirculating perfusion system that consolidates a variety of important parameters such as 3D architecture, cell–cell/cell–matrix interactions, and circulation, allowing a better mimicry of in vivo conditions. The complex BM environment is deconvoluted to 4 major distinct, but integrated, tissue‐engineered 3D niche constructs housed within a single, closed, recirculating microfluidic device system, and equipped with cell tracking technology. It is shown that this technology successfully enables the identification and quantification of preferential interactions—homing and retention—of circulating normal and malignant HSPC with distinct niches.
How to evaluate an Internet of Things system: Models, case studies, and real developments
Authors: Sicari Sabrina , Rizzardi Alessandra , Coen‐Porisini Alberto
Published: August 2019

The paper proposes the use of Node‐RED, a flow‐based programming tool targeted to Internet of Things (IoT), along with a series of case studies related to different IoT contexts, which demonstrate Node‐RED's potentialities and outcomings toward the realization of well‐structured IoT environments. The analyzed applications potentially include a wide range of domains, ranging from smart cities, smart buildings, smart homes/offices, smart retailing, to smart transportation, smart logistics, smart agriculture, smart health, military scenarios, and so on. The motivations behind the presented work are related to the fact that IoT application fields usually involve the same technologies and communication protocols, which are frequently adopted for totally different purposes. Issues such as systems' interoperabiliy, scalability, security and privacy naturally emerge, due to the huge amount of heterogeneous devices acting in the IoT environment itself and to the wireless nature of information transmissions. As a consequence, it is fundamental to dispose of adequate tools for supporting developers in design the network architecture and messages' exchange, in order to realize efficient and effective IoT network infrastructures.
The nomenclatural re‐establishment of Athenaea Sendtn. (Solanaceae) with a nomenclatural synopsis of the genus
Authors: da Costa Rodrigues Izabella Martins , Knapp Sandra , Stehmann João Renato
Published: August 2019

Athenaea Sendtn. nom. cons. is re‐established as the correct name for the taxon previously referred to as Aureliana Sendtn. (Withaninae, Solanaceae), which is a later homonym of Aureliana Boehm. (Araliaceae), and thus illegitimate. As a result, five new combinations transferring species from Aureliana Sendtn. to Athenaea are necessary and are made here: Athenaea angustifolia comb. nov., Athenaea fasciculata comb. nov., Athenaea sellowiana comb. nov., Athenaea tomentosa comb. nov., and Athenaea wettsteiniana comb. nov. We also provide lectotypifications for names not previously typified (Athenaea anonacea Sendtn., Athenaea cuspidata Witasek, Athenaea hirsuta Sendtn., Aureliana tomentosa Sendtn., Aureliana velutina var. obtusifolia Sendtn., Bassovia lucida var. pallida Dunal, Bassovia lucida var. pilosulum Dunal, Saracha brasiliensis Klotzsch, Withania picta var. parvifolia Dunal, Withania picta var. subnuda Dunal), an epitype for Aureliana tomentosa Sendtn. and a synoptic list of all currently recognized species of Athenaea, including geographic distributions and nomenclatural details.
Towards the n-point one-loop superstring amplitude. Part I. Pure spinors and superfield kinematics
Authors: Mafra Carlos R. , Schlotterer Oliver
Published: August 2019

Abstract

This is the first installment of a series of three papers in which we describe a method to determine higher-point correlation functions in one-loop open-superstring amplitudes from first principles. In this first part, we exploit the synergy between the co-homological features of pure-spinor superspace and the pure-spinor zero-mode integration rules of the one-loop amplitude prescription. This leads to the study of a rich variety of multiparticle superfields which are local, have covariant BRST variations, and are compatible with the particularities of the pure-spinor amplitude prescription. Several objects related to these superfields, such as their non-local counterparts and the so-called BRST pseudo-invariants, are thoroughly reviewed and put into new light. Their properties will turn out to be mysteriously connected to products of one-loop worldsheet functions in packages dubbed “generalized elliptic integrands”, whose prominence will be seen in the later parts of this series of papers.
Reheating in two-sector cosmology
Authors: Adshead Peter , Ralegankar Pranjal , Shelton Jessie
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We analyze reheating scenarios where a hidden sector is populated during reheating along with the sector containing the Standard Model. We numerically solve the Boltzmann equations describing perturbative reheating of the two sectors, including the full dependence on quantum statistics, and study how quantum statistical effects during reheating as well as the non-equilibrium inflaton-mediated energy transfer between the two sectors affects the temperature evolution of the two radiation baths. We obtain new power laws describing the temperature evolution of fermions and bosons when quantum statistics are important during reheating. We show that inflaton-mediated scattering is generically most important at radiation temperatures T ∼ M

ϕ
/4, and build on this observation to obtain analytic estimates for the temperature asymmetry produced by asymmetric reheating. We find that for reheating temperatures T
rh ≪ M

ϕ
/4, classical perturbative reheating provides an excellent approximation to the final temperature asymmetry, while for T
rh ≫ M

ϕ
/4, inflaton-mediated scattering dominates the population of the colder sector and thus the final temperature asymmetry. We additionally present new techniques to calculate energy transfer rates between two relativistic species at different temperatures.
Boundary entropy of integrable perturbed SU (2)k WZNW
Authors: Vu Dinh-Long , Kostov Ivan , Serban Didina
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We apply the recently developped analytical methods for computing the boundary entropy, or the g-function, in integrable theories with non-diagonal scattering. We consider the particular case of the current-perturbed SU (2)
k
WZNW model with boundary and compute the boundary entropy for a specific boundary condition. The main problem we encounter is that in case of non-diagonal scattering the boundary entropy is infinite. We show that this infinity can be cured by a subtraction. The difference of the boundary entropies in the UV and in the IR limits is finite, and matches the known g-functions for the unperturbed SU (2)
k
WZNW model for even values of the level.
Disorder and mimesis at hadron colliders
Authors: D’Agnolo Raffaele Tito , Low Matthew
Published: August 2019

Abstract

We discuss how systems with a large number of degrees of freedom and disorder in their mass matrix can play a role in particle physics. We derive results on their mass spectra using, where applicable, QFT techniques. We study concrete realizations of these scenarios in the context of the LHC and HL-LHC, showing that collider events with a large number of soft b-quark jets can be common. Such final states can hide these models from current searches at the LHC. This motivates the ongoing effort aimed at lowering trigger thresholds and expanding data scouting.
Impact of Residents on Safety Outcomes in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Nasri Baongoc , Saxe Jonathan
Published: August 2019

Introduction

New training programs face quality concern by faculty who believe resident involvement in operative management may lead to poorer outcomes. This study aims to understand the impact of resident surgeons on outcomes in a specific common surgical procedure.

Methods

We obtained a retrospective review of 1216 laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases between June 2012 and June 2017 at a community teaching hospital. Data reviewed included patient demographics, operative time, length of stay, 30‐day outcomes. An initial analysis comparing outcomes with/without resident participation was undertaken. A subset analysis comparing junior (PGY 1–2) and senior (PGY 3–5) groups was also performed.

Results

We found the resident group participated in higher‐risk patient (ASA > 3, 47.5% vs 39.8%, p = 0.04 more acute disease (59.8% vs 37.5%, p < 0.0001) and emergent surgery (59.7% vs 37.5%, p < 0.0001). Resident involvement in severe cases was not a significant factor in the odds of morbidity, mortality, conversion rate or length of stay. Resident participation did increase the odds of having longer OR time (OR 12.54, 95% CI 7.74–17.34, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Resident participation is associated with increased operative times but not complications. This study confirms resident participation in the operating room in difficult and challenging cases is safe.
Confidence-Enhanced Early Warning Score Based on Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Götzinger Maximilian , Anzanpour Arman , Azimi Iman , TaheriNejad Nima , Jantsch Axel , Rahmani Amir M. , Liljeberg Pasi
Published: August 2019

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the world’s major causes of loss of life. The vital signs of a patient can indicate this up to 24 hours before such an incident happens. Healthcare professionals use Early Warning Score (EWS) as a common tool in healthcare facilities to indicate the health status of a patient. However, the chance of survival of an outpatient could be increased if a mobile EWS system would monitor them during their daily activities to be able to alert in case of danger. Because of limited healthcare professional supervision of this health condition assessment, a mobile EWS system needs to have an acceptable level of reliability - even if errors occur in the monitoring setup such as noisy signals and detached sensors. In earlier works, a data reliability validation technique has been presented that gives information about the trustfulness of the calculated EWS. In this paper, we propose an EWS system enhanced with the self-aware property confidence, which is based on fuzzy logic. In our experiments, we demonstrate that - under adverse monitoring circumstances (such as noisy signals, detached sensors, and non-nominal monitoring conditions) - our proposed Self-Aware Early Warning Score (SA-EWS) system provides a more reliable EWS than an EWS system without self-aware properties.
Analyses of natural courses of Japanese patients with Alzheimer's disease using placebo data from placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trials: Japanese Study on the Estimation of Clinical course of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Watanabe Mitsunori , Nakamura Yu , Yoshiyama Yasumasa , Kagimura Tatsuo , Kawaguchi Hiroyuki , Matsuzawa Hiroshi , Tachibana Yosuke , Nishimura Kazuma , Kubota Naoki , Kobayashi Masato , Saito Takayuki , Tamura Kaoru , Sato Takayuki , Takahashi Masayoshi ,   Japanese Society of Scaling Keys of Evaluation Techniques for CNS Disorders Heterogeneity (SKETCH) study group, Homma Akira
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Symptomatic anti‐Alzheimer's disease (AD) drugs have been commonly used for the treatment of AD. Knowing the natural courses of patients with AD on placebo is highly relevant for clinicians to understand their efficacy and for investigators to design clinical studies.

Methods

The data on rating scales for dementia such as Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐cognitive subscale (ADAS‐cog) and Severe Impairment Battery were extracted from eight previous Japanese Phase II and III studies. Natural courses of Japanese AD patients in placebo groups were evaluated and statistically analyzed in a pooled and retrospective fashion.

Results

Decreases in ADAS‐cog and Severe Impairment Battery was larger at week 22 or 24 than at week 12. Scores of ADAS‐cog appeared to deteriorate faster in moderate AD than in mild AD.

Discussion

The present data will provide clinicians following up patients with AD with helpful information on how to manage AD patients and investigators with instruction for clinical study design.
Bog Bodies in Context: Developing a Best Practice Approach
Authors: Chapman Henry , van Beek Roy , Gearey Ben , Jennings Ben , Smith David , Nielsen Nina Helt , Elabdin Zena Zein
Published: August 2019

Bog bodies are among the best-known archaeological finds worldwide. Much of the work on these often extremely well-preserved human remains has focused on forensics, whereas the environmental setting of the finds has been largely overlooked. This applies to both the ‘physical’ and ‘cultural’ landscape and constitutes a significant problem since the vast spatial and temporal scales over which the practice appeared demonstrate that contextual assessments are of the utmost importance for our explanatory frameworks. In this article we develop best practice guidelines for the contextual analysis of bog bodies, after assessing the current state of research and presenting the results of three recent case studies including the well-known finds of Lindow Man in the United Kingdom, Bjældskovdal (Tollund Man and Elling Woman) in Denmark, and Yde Girl in the Netherlands. Three spatial and chronological scales are distinguished and linked to specific research questions and methods. This provides a basis for further discussion and a starting point for developing approaches to bog body finds and future discoveries, while facilitating and optimizing the re-analysis of previous studies, making it possible to compare deposition sites across time and space.
THE MYTH OF POLARIZATION AMONG TAIWANESE VOTERS: THE MISSING MIDDLE
Authors: Wang Austin Horng-En
Published: August 2019

Are Taiwanese voters polarized? By presenting four novel visualizations based on a factor analysis of Taiwan National Security Surveys from 2002 to 2017, this article describes the contours of structural change in Taiwan politics. Overall, the cross-strait position among Taiwanese voters can be described by a stable inverted U shape over time. This arises from the fact that most nonpartisans—typically neglected in the literature on polarization—are moderate. Before 2008, increasing polarization among partisans can be attributed to pan-green voters moving toward independence. Between 2008 and 2014, decreasing polarization stems from moderates self-identifying as pan-blue supporters. Since 2014, a record-breaking number of nonpartisans have left the pan-blue camp, and more extreme pan-blue voters have contributed to a return of polarization among partisans. The results yield important implications for the study of polarization and populism, as well as for the future of Taiwanese politics.
Training, Implementation, and Potential of a Cybermentoring Scheme in Six EU Countries
Authors: Smith Peter K. , Thompson Fran , Jessel John , Kožuchová Andrea , Ferreira Irene , Idriceanu Gabriela , Menesini Ersilia , Miklosz Margaret , de Villanueva Marian
Published: August 2019

Cybermentoring refers to virtual peer support in which young people themselves are trained as cybermentors and interact with those needing help and advice (cybermentees) online. This article describes the training in, and implementation of, a cross-national cybermentoring scheme, Beatbullying Europe, developed in the United Kingdom. It involved train-the-trainer workshops for partners and life mentors in six European countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Poland and the Czech Republic) in 2013–2014, followed by training sessions for pupil cybermentors aged 11–16 years. Although BeatBullying went into liquidation in November 2014, the project was largely completed. We (1) report an evaluation of the training of the life mentors and mentors, via questionnaire survey; and (2) discuss findings about the implementation of the scheme and its potential at a cross-national level, via partner interviews during and at the end of the project. The training was found to be highly rated in all respects, and in all six countries involved. The overall consensus from the data available is that there was a positive impact for the schools and professionals involved; some challenges encountered are discussed. The BeatBullying Europe project, despite being unfinished, was promising, and a similar approach deserves further support and evaluation in the future.
Positive organizational scholarship in healthcare: The impact of employee training on performance, turnover, and stress
Authors: Ertan Şenay Sahil , Şeşen Harun
Published: August 2019

Based on positive organizational scholarship in healthcare, this study examined the relationships between four dimensions of employee perception of training: workplace stress, organizational outcomes, job performance, and turnover intentions. We hypothesized that employee training perception would have a negative relationship with workplace stress and that stress would mediate the relationship between employee training perception, job performance, and turnover intentions. We obtained data on 317 elderly-care workers in Northern Cyprus and analyzed it using structural equation modeling. Employee training perception was negatively related to workplace stress, and stress was negatively related to job performance and positively related to turnover intention. In line with Job Demand-Resource theory (JD-R), workplace stress partially mediated the relationship between employee training perception and organizational outcomes. The study contributes to the literature by confirming that elderly-care organizations that provide training opportunities for employees can reduce workplace stress, build organizational strengths, and facilitate positive outcomes.
Mass and enthalpy budget evolution during the surge of a polythermal glacier: a test of theory
Authors: Benn Douglas I. , Jones Robert L. , Luckman Adrian , Fürst Johannes J. , Hewitt Ian , Sommer Christian
Published: August 2019

Analysis of a recent surge of Morsnevbreen, Svalbard, is used to test predictions of the enthalpy balance theory of surging. High-resolution time series of velocities, ice thickness and crevasse distribution allow key elements of the enthalpy (internal energy) budget to be quantified for different stages of the surge cycle. During quiescence (1936–1990), velocities were very low, and geothermal heat slowly built-up enthalpy at the bed. Measurable mass transfer and frictional heating began in 1990–2010, then positive frictional heating-velocity feedbacks caused gradual acceleration from 2010 to 2015. Rapid acceleration occurred in summer 2016, when extensive crevassing and positive air temperatures allowed significant surface to bed drainage. The surge front reached the terminus in October 2016, coincident with a drop in velocities. Ice plumes in the fjord are interpreted as discharge of large volumes of supercooled water from the bed. Surge termination was prolonged, however, indicating persistence of an inefficient drainage system. The observations closely match predictions of the theory, particularly build-up of enthalpy from geothermal and frictional heat, and surface meltwater, and the concomitant changes in ice-surface elevation and velocity. Additional characteristics of the surge reflect spatial processes not represented in the model, but can be explained with respect to enthalpy gradients.
CHOICE-FREE STONE DUALITY
Authors: BEZHANISHVILI NICK , HOLLIDAY WESLEY H.
Published: August 2019

The standard topological representation of a Boolean algebra via the clopen sets of a Stone space requires a nonconstructive choice principle, equivalent to the Boolean Prime Ideal Theorem. In this article, we describe a choice-free topological representation of Boolean algebras. This representation uses a subclass of the spectral spaces that Stone used in his representation of distributive lattices via compact open sets. It also takes advantage of Tarski’s observation that the regular open sets of any topological space form a Boolean algebra. We prove without choice principles that any Boolean algebra arises from a special spectral space X via the compact regular open sets of X; these sets may also be described as those that are both compact open in X and regular open in the upset topology of the specialization order of X, allowing one to apply to an arbitrary Boolean algebra simple reasoning about regular opens of a separative poset. Our representation is therefore a mix of Stone and Tarski, with the two connected by Vietoris: the relevant spectral spaces also arise as the hyperspace of nonempty closed sets of a Stone space endowed with the upper Vietoris topology. This connection makes clear the relation between our point-set topological approach to choice-free Stone duality, which may be called the hyperspace approach, and a point-free approach to choice-free Stone duality using Stone locales. Unlike Stone’s representation of Boolean algebras via Stone spaces, our choice-free topological representation of Boolean algebras does not show that every Boolean algebra can be represented as a field of sets; but like Stone’s representation, it provides the benefit of a topological perspective on Boolean algebras, only now without choice. In addition to representation, we establish a choice-free dual equivalence between the category of Boolean algebras with Boolean homomorphisms and a subcategory of the category of spectral spaces with spectral maps. We show how this duality can be used to prove some basic facts about Boolean algebras.
THE WADGE ORDER ON THE SCOTT DOMAIN IS NOT A WELL-QUASI-ORDER
Authors: DUPARC JACQUES , VUILLEUMIER LOUIS
Published: August 2019

We prove that the Wadge order on the Borel subsets of the Scott domain is not a well-quasi-order, and that this feature even occurs among the sets of Borel rank at most 2. For this purpose, a specific class of countable 2-colored posets$\mathbb{P}_{emb} $equipped with the order induced by homomorphisms is embedded into the Wadge order on the$\Delta _2^0 $-degrees of the Scott domain. We then show that$\mathbb{P}_{emb} $admits both infinite strictly decreasing chains and infinite antichains with respect to this notion of comparison, which therefore transfers to the Wadge order on the$\Delta _2^0 $-degrees of the Scott domain.
The Conundrum of American Power in the Age of World War I
Authors: Epstein Katherine C.
Published: August 2019

Reports of the rise of the United States to a lead role on the global stage in the early twentieth century have been greatly exaggerated. As many Americans at the time recognized, the United States continued to have less capacity for overseas power projection and remained far more dependent on the world's reigning hegemon, Great Britain, than is generally now realized. The United States, it is true, acquired an overseas empire in 1898. But it lacked the basic attributes of a great power, such as economic sovereignty, naval power, and domestic consensus on the desirability of global great-power status. Even after World War I, which was a better candidate than the Spanish-American War as the moment when the United States became a leading global power, both the material and the cultural basis of that power remained fragile.
THE WEIMAR ORIGINS OF THE WEST GERMANRECHTSSTAAT, 1919–1969
Authors: MAIER CLARA
Published: August 2019

The article explores the key components of the political project of West Germany and the role of theRechtsstaatwithin it. It shows how the German Federal Republic developed a specific reading of the rule of law as an order founded on basic rights as supra-legal values and judicial authority, which had to be defended even against democratic government. This did not signify a departure from the constitutional theory of the Weimar period, as constitutional lawyers such as Gustav Radbruch and Carlo Schmid claimed at the time. Instead, the decisive innovations in constitutional thought stemmed from the Weimar era. Judicial review and basic rights had been instruments in a political and legal struggle over the social question and the boundaries of democratic decision-making in the 1920s. They had been invoked by conservative lawyers such as Carl Schmitt and been the subject of a substantial critique mounted by social democrat interpreters of the Weimar Constitution such as Hermann Heller and Franz Neumann. As such theRechtsstaat, which is so strongly associated with the renewal of German democracy, carries with it a tradition of legal thought which systematically and successfully expanded judicial power to the detriment of the legislature and democratic action.
Identifying priority areas for the conservation of the Critically Endangered northern white-cheeked gibbonNomascus leucogenysin northern Lao
Authors: Syxaiyakhamthor Khamkeo , Ngoprasert Dusit , Asensio Norberto , Savini Tommaso
Published: August 2019

All gibbon species are declining throughout South and South-east Asia because of habitat loss and human activities such as hunting. Lao still contains a relatively large area of forest habitat suitable for gibbons, but their status in the country remains poorly known. Here we present the first density estimate of the Critically Endangered northern white-cheeked gibbonNomascus leucogenysin Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area, northern Lao. We conducted gibbon surveys using an auditory sampling technique during May–August 2014 and May 2015, at 40 sites, covering 125.6 km2. We applied N-mixture models to analyse group counts, investigating which landscape and human disturbance covariates influenced the spatial variation of gibbon abundance across the study area. We estimated the average gibbon density to be 0.4 groups/km2. Gibbon density was higher in mixed deciduous forest (0.74 groups/km2) than in evergreen forest (0.09 groups/km2), which could be a result of long-term hunting in evergreen forest areas. Thus, future gibbon protection plans should consider not only evergreen forest as priority habitat, but also deciduous forest, which tends to receive less attention in conservation planning. We also highlight key areas containing gibbons where law enforcement patrols should be focussed, to limit threats such as poaching. Future forest management plans should aim to maximize the size and connectivity of suitable gibbon habitat, to enable exchange between subpopulations.