bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding and monitoring the capacitance‐voltage technique for the characterization of tandem solar cells
Authors: Leon Cyril , Le Gall Sylvain , Gueunier‐Farret Marie‐Estelle , Brézard‐Oudot Aurore , Jaffre Alexandre , Moron Nicolas , Vauche Laura , Medjoubi Karim , Veinberg Vidal Elias , Longeaud Christophe , Kleider Jean‐Paul
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a simple and nondestructive method to determine doping densities and built‐in potential of subcells by adapting the well‐known capacitance‐voltage (C‐V) technique to two‐terminal (2 T) tandem solar cells. Because of the electrical coupling between the two subcells in a monolithic 2 T tandem solar cell, the standard method using a Mott‐Schottky plot (1/C2 vs V) cannot be applied. Using numerical modeling, it is demonstrated that, by under chosen illumination conditions where only one subcell can absorb the light, it is possible to explore the bias dependence of the capacitance and to extract the parameters of the other subcell if the appropriate frequency conditions are present. This method is experimentally applied to an AlGaAs/Si tandem cell, and parameters of both AlGaAs and Si cells are extracted. Finally, the validity of that method is assessed by the very good agreement obtained when comparing the values extracted from our measurements on the tandem cell to those extracted from measurements on isotype cells and to the values targeted during the fabrication process of the AlGaAs/Si tandem solar cell.
Differences in the chitinolytic activity of mammalian chitinases on soluble and insoluble substrates
Authors: Barad Benjamin A. , Liu Lin , Diaz Roberto E. , Basilio Ralp , Van Dyken Steven J. , Locksley Richard M. , Fraser James S.
Published: January 2020

Chitin is an abundant polysaccharide used by many organisms for structural rigidity and water repulsion. As such, the insoluble crystalline structure of chitin poses significant challenges for enzymatic degradation. Acidic mammalian chitinase, a processive glycosyl hydrolase, is the primary enzyme involved in the degradation of environmental chitin in mammalian lungs. Mutations to acidic mammalian chitinase have been associated with asthma, and genetic deletion in mice increases morbidity and mortality with age. We initially set out to reverse this phenotype by engineering hyperactive acidic mammalian chitinase variants. Using a screening approach with commercial fluorogenic substrates, we identified mutations with consistent increases in activity. To determine whether the activity increases observed were consistent with more biologically relevant chitin substrates, we developed new assays to quantify chitinase activity with insoluble chitin, and identified a one‐pot fluorogenic assay that is sufficiently sensitive to quantify changes to activity due to the addition or removal of a carbohydrate‐binding domain. We show that the activity increases from our directed evolution screen were lost when insoluble substrates were used. In contrast, naturally occurring gain‐of‐function mutations gave similar results with oligomeric and insoluble substrates. We also show that activity differences between acidic mammalian chitinase and chitotriosidase are reduced with insoluble substrate, suggesting that previously reported activity differences with oligomeric substrates may have been driven by differential substrate specificity. These results highlight the need for assays against physiological substrates when engineering metabolic enzymes, and provide a new one‐pot assay that may prove to be broadly applicable to engineering glycosyl hydrolases.
Immunological characterization of HM5023507, an orally active PI3Kδ/γ inhibitor
Authors: Cai Yu , Yu Jun , Ren Ping , He Jianlin , Wu Zhipeng , Xiao Kun , Jia Hong , Wang Jian , Sai Yang , Dai Guangxiu , Li Xiong , Su Weiguo , Ngo Karen , Castro Glenda , Acton Paul D. , Fung‐Leung Wai‐Ping , Edwards James P. , Venable Jennifer , Rao Tadimeti S.
Published: January 2020

Phosphoinositide 3‐kinases, delta (PI3Kδ) and gamma (PI3Kγ) are enriched in immune cells and regulate the development and function of innate and adaptive immunity. Dual PI3Kδγ inhibitors are considered high value targets for their potential to treat a variety of immune‐mediated diseases, but their discovery has been challenging. Here we describe the preclinical pharmacology of HM5023507, an orally active dual inhibitor of δγ isoforms in immune signaling. HM5023507 inhibited PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ isoforms with greater than 100‐fold selectivity against PI3Kα and PI3Kβ in recombinant enzymatic assays and in primary human immune cells with an exquisite selectivity against other targets. HM5023507 attenuated the PI3Kδ/γ signaling in human basophils (IC50: 42/340 nmol/L; selectivity ratio ~1:8). HM5023507 attenuated the activation and function of human B and T cells, Th17 differentiation of CD4 T cells in the blood of healthy donors and rheumatoid arthritis patients, and cytokine and IgG production in human T and B cell cocultures, in vitro. Orally dosed HM5023507 attenuated PI3K δ/γ‐mediated immune signaling in the rat in a dose‐related manner. In addition, HM5023507 inhibited semiestablished collagen‐induced arthritic inflammation in the rats (ED50 of 0.25mg/kg, p.o. BID or 0.5 mg/kg, QD, AUC: 1422 ng/mL*h), improved histopathology‐ and micro‐computed tomography (µCT)‐based indices of joint damage, bone destruction, and attenuated the levels of anti‐collagen antibody, with an overall anti‐inflammatory profile matching that of a TNFα neutralizing antibody. The PI3K δγ inhibitory profile of HM5023507 and its selectivity make it a useful tool to further delineate immunobiology of dual PI3K δγ targeting.
Separation of Large‐Diameter Metallic and Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Iterative Temperature‐Assisted Gel‐Column Chromatography for Enhanced Device Applications
Authors: Yoo Sweejiang , Yi Wenhui , Khalid Asif , Si Jinhai , Hou Xun
Published: January 2020

It is a challenging and application‐oriented goal to achieve the metal/semiconductor separation of large diameter single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) using a dextran‐based gel chromatograph. Herein, a study of the temperature effect on the metal/semiconductor separation of plasma torch SWCNTs through dextran‐based gel chromatograph is conducted. The temperature governs the interaction between SWCNTs and hydrogel, thus enabling the sorting of SWCNTs by electronic type. In addition, the temperature effect enables the metallic (m‐) and semiconducting (sc‐) fraction to be resolved and eluted using a single cosurfactant system, so that the process can be iterated easily. The fractions containing up to 99% of sc‐SWCNTs and 95% of m‐SWCNTs have been obtained after three times of iteration. The iteration process is not only applicable to sc‐SWCNTs and m‐SWCNTs, but also practicable for the cosurfactant system and circumvents additional preparation steps.
Challenges in polysorbate characterization by mass spectrometry
Authors: Penfield Kevin W. , Rumbelow Stephen
Published: January 2020

Polysorbates are used in a variety of applications over a wide range of markets. Simple in concept, these products are complex in actual composition. Mass spectrometry and related techniques have been effectively used to characterize these products, from the major components to the minor residual production byproducts and degradation species. In this paper we review the use of MALDI‐MS, LC/MS, GC/MS, and SFC/MS in the analysis of these materials. The wealth of information provided by MALDI is presented, using Polysorbate 60 as an example. Limitations are described, with the impact of matrix selection and cationization agent demonstrated. Furthermore, unique challenges of MALDI analysis of Polysorbate 80 are shown. Polysorbates have been extensively analyzed, especially by the biopharmaceutical industry, to better understand the impact of various grades of purity and manufacture on the stability of formulations. Using Polysorbate 80 as an example, we illustrate some of the more advanced techniques used to more fully characterize these complex molecules using high‐resolution LC/MS and LC/MS/MS. Finally, the use of other techniques (such as GC/MS and SFC/MS) is briefly reviewed.
A flexible LEO satellite modem with Ka‐band RF frontend for a data relay satellite system
Authors: Katona Zoltán , Gräßlin Michael , Donner Anton , Kranich Norman , Brandt Hartmut , Bischl Hermann , Brück Martin
Published: January 2020

From a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite's perspective, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite is visible on more than half of its orbit. Albeit the free‐space loss of an inter‐satellite link is much higher than the one of a direct ground link, considerable data rates and download volumes can be achieved. In this paper, we describe the system architecture of an integrated approach for a data relay satellite system and the development of LEO satellite and ground station modems. The approach allows serving several small and inexpensive LEO satellites at the same time both with low rate telemetry/telecommand links and with high rate download of sensor data.
Hydrogels for Medical and Environmental Applications
Authors: Jayakumar Anjali , Jose Vishal K. , Lee Jong‐Min
Published: January 2020

Hydrogels are heavily‐hydrated 3D microliths having loose, porous structures. Unlike organogels, elastomers, and carbohydrates, hydrogels are structures with water as a continuous phase/solvent. Being water‐based, they provide a lot of scope for facile improvizations in their structure and in introducing chemical functionalities. They can house various functional materials in their highly porous networks, making them potential candidates for diverse applications. Various possibilities in using different starting materials for hydrogels are described herein, and it is shown how choosing and optimizing these components that make up the hydrogel can modify their properties. Studying hydrogels and their formulations will enable the understanding of their multifunctional properties. External stimuli‐responsive and functional systems can be designed out of these microliths to suit a wide range of applications like biosensing, cancer therapy, regenerative medicine, drug delivery, environmental parameter sensing, water desalination, heavy‐metal adsorption, and water treatment. Environmental degradation is occurring at an alarming rate, cascading the adverse effects on the environment but also causing detrimental effects in public health. In this review, multiple perspectives from state‐of‐the‐art literature are brought together to examine hydrogels as very powerful, sustainable, cost‐effective, and simple solutions for the betterment of the environment and subsequently, public health.
DNA-PK: gatekeeper for IKKγ/NEMO nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in genotoxic stress-induced NF-kappaB activation
Authors: Medunjanin Senad , Putzier Maximilian , Nöthen Till , Weinert Sönke , Kähne Thilo , Luani Blerim , Zuschratter Werner , Braun-Dullaeus Ruediger C.
Published: January 2020

The transcription factors of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) family play a pivotal role in the cellular response to DNA damage. Genotoxic stress-induced activation of NF-κB differs from the classical canonical pathway by shuttling of the NF-κB Essential Modifier (IKKγ/NEMO) subunit through the nucleus. Here, we show that DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), an enzyme involved in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, triggers the phosphorylation of NEMO by genotoxic stress, thereby enabling shuttling of NEMO through the nucleus with subsequent NF-κB activation. We identified serine 43 of NEMO as a DNA-PK phosphorylation site and point mutation of this serine to alanine led to a complete block of NF-κB activation by ionizing radiation (IR). Blockade of DNA-PK by a specific shRNA or by DNA-PKcs-deficient cells abrogated NEMO entry into the nucleus, as well. Accordingly, SUMOylation of NEMO, a prerequisite of nuclear NEMO, was abolished. Based on these observations, we propose a model in which NEMO phosphorylation by DNA-PK provides the first step in the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of NEMO.
Dissipative Solutions and Semiflow Selection for the Complete Euler System
Authors: Breit Dominic , Feireisl Eduard , Hofmanová Martina
Published: January 2020

To circumvent the ill-posedness issues present in various models of continuum fluid mechanics, we present a dynamical systems approach aiming at the selection of physically relevant solutions. Even under the presence of infinitely many solutions to the full Euler system describing the motion of a compressible inviscid fluid, our approach permits to select a system of solutions (one trajectory for every initial condition) satisfying the classical semiflow property. Moreover, the selection respects the well accepted admissibility criteria for physical solutions, namely, maximization of the entropy production rate and the weak–strong uniqueness principle. Consequently, strong solutions are always selected whenever they exist and stationary states are stable and included in the selection as well. To this end, we introduce a notion of dissipative solution, which is given by a triple of density, momentum and total entropy defined as expectations of a suitable measure-valued solution.
Immunhistochemische und molekularpathologische Diagnostik von Lungenkarzinomen
Authors: Wagner Britta Janina , Buettner Reinhard
Published: January 2020

Die Therapie der Lungenkarzinome hat binnen der letzten 15 Jahre einen revolutionären Wandel erfahren. Dank zielgerichteter Therapien, insbesondere Thyrosinkinaseinhibitoren (TKI), konnte die Prognose der Patienten deutlich verbessert werden. Aktuell rekrutierende Studien testen unter anderem neue MET-, KRAS-, ROS1-, RET- und NTRK-Inhibitoren. Erste klinische Daten sind vielversprechend, sodass es auch zukünftig Pathologen und Onkologen vor eine Herausforderung stellt, stets alle Facetten differenzierter Therapieentscheidungen im Blick zu halten. Die präzise Klassifikation von Lungenkarzinomen anhand immunhistochemischer und molekularpathologischer Analysen ist heute für die weitere Therapie und Prognose des Patienten von zentraler Bedeutung. Hinzu kommt, dass neue Technologien der Biopsiegewinnung Minihistologien oder zytologische Proben in höchster diagnostischer Qualität liefern. Aufgrund der Komplexität der notwendigen Diagnostik ist daher ein strategisches Vorgehen erforderlich, um unnötigen Materialverlust zu vermeiden. Ziel dieser Abhandlung ist es, eine aktuelle Übersicht für eine effiziente und zielgerichtete Diagnostik unter Berücksichtigung der aktuellen Studienlage zu erstellen.
Plant responses to butterfly oviposition partly explain preference–performance relationships on different brassicaceous species
Authors: Griese Eddie , Pineda Ana , Pashalidou Foteini G. , Iradi Eleonora Pizarro , Hilker Monika , Dicke Marcel , Fatouros Nina E.
Published: January 2020

The preference–performance hypothesis (PPH) states that herbivorous female insects prefer to oviposit on those host plants that are best for their offspring. Yet, past attempts to show the adaptiveness of host selection decisions by herbivores often failed. Here, we tested the PPH by including often neglected oviposition-induced plant responses, and how they may affect both egg survival and larval weight. We used seven Brassicaceae species of which most are common hosts of two cabbage white butterfly species, the solitaryPieris rapaeand gregariousP. brassicae. Brassicaceous species can respond toPieriseggs with leaf necrosis, which can lower egg survival. Moreover, plant-mediated responses to eggs can affect larval performance. We show a positive correlation betweenP. brassicaepreference and performance only when including the egg phase: 7-day-old caterpillars gained higher weight on those plant species which had received most eggs. Pieriseggs frequently induced necrosis in the tested plant species. Survival of clusteredP. brassicaeeggs was unaffected by the necrosis in most tested species and no relationship betweenP. brassicaeegg survival and oviposition preference was found.Pieris rapaepreferred to oviposit on plant species most frequently expressing necrosis although egg survival was lower on those plants. In contrast to the lower egg survival on plants expressing necrosis, larval biomass on these plants was higher than on plants without a necrosis. We conclude that egg survival is not a crucial factor for oviposition choices but rather egg-mediated responses affecting larval performance explained the preference–performance relationship of the two butterfly species.
A spatial oligopolistic electricity model under uncertain demands
Authors: Chen Qiqiong , Zhu Yuanguo
Published: January 2020

This paper mainly investigates a single-period spatial oligopolistic model of electricity generators under uncertain demands. We maximize the $$\beta $$β-optimistic value of each generator’s uncertain profit function in this game. Emphasis is first put on computing the $$\beta $$β-optimistic value of the uncertain profit function through the inverse uncertainty distribution of the uncertain variable in the inverse demand function. We later focus on transforming the single-period spatial oligopolistic game, which is a generalized Nash equilibrium (short for GNE ) problem, into a variational inequality problem. Then the model is applied to simulate the transmission price of the electricity system of America, which reveals that our model is effective.
Interbody Fusions in the Lumbar Spine: A Review
Authors: Verma Ravi , Virk Sohrab , Qureshi Sheeraz
Published: January 2020

Background

Lumbar interbody fusion is among the most common types of spinal surgery performed. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a number of different approaches to the intervertebral space, as well as differing implant materials. Questions remain over which approaches and materials are best for achieving fusion and restoring disc height.

Questions/Purposes

We reviewed the literature on the advantages and disadvantages of various methods and devices used to achieve and augment fusion between the disc spaces in the lumbar spine.

Methods

Using search terms specific to lumbar interbody fusion, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar and identified 4993 articles. We excluded those that did not report clinical outcomes, involved cervical interbody devices, were animal studies, or were not in English. After exclusions, 68 articles were included for review.

Results

Posterior approaches have advantages, such as providing 360° support through a single incision, but can result in retraction injury and do not always restore lordosis or correct deformity. Anterior approaches allow for the largest implants and good correction of deformities but can result in vascular, urinary, psoas muscle, or lumbar plexus injury and may require a second posterior procedure to supplement fixation. Titanium cages produce improved osteointegration and fusion rates but also increase subsidence caused by the stiffness of titanium relative to bone. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has an elasticity closer to that of bone and shows less subsidence than titanium cages, but as an inert compound PEEK results in lower fusion rates and greater osteolysis. Combination PEEK–titanium coating has not yet achieved better results. Expandable cages were developed to increase disc height and restore lumbar lordosis, but the data on their effectiveness have been inconclusive. Three-dimensionally (3D)-printed cages have shown promise in biomechanical and animal studies at increasing fusion rates and reducing subsidence, but additive manufacturing options are still in their infancy and require more investigation.

Conclusions

All of the approaches to spinal fusion have plusses and minuses that must be considered when determining which to use, and newer-technology implants, such as PEEK with titanium coating, expandable, and 3D-printed cages, have tried to improve upon the limitations of existing grafts but require further study.
„Es war klar, der Feind sitzt da draußen.“
Authors: Streck Rebekka
Published: January 2020

Die Entwicklungsgeschichte Sozialer Arbeit ist geprägt durch politische Kämpfe ihrer Adressat_innen. Am Beispiel der Drogenhilfe wird gezeigt, wie Drogenkonsument_innen Standards akzeptierender Drogenarbeit erkämpften, die wir heute für selbstverständlich halten. Ein Potenzial politischer Bildung kann in der gemeinsamen Rekonstruktion solcher Episoden des politischen Engagements liegen. So dass sowohl Sozialarbeiter_innen als auch Nutzer_innen sich der Veränderbarkeit heutiger Bedingungen Sozialer Arbeit bewusst werden.
Race, Religion and Support for the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Franz Berkeley , Brown R. Khari
Published: January 2020

Using Pew Research Center's Voter Attitudes Survey from 2012, we assess the impact race has on the relationship between religious faith and worship attendance with support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). We find that White Evangelicals, independent of partisan affiliation and social-demographic characteristics, are more likely than White Non-Evangelicals to reject the ACA. In addition, among Whites, support for the ACA weakens with increasing religious attendance, suggesting that responses to this law are shaped by experiences within religious settings. However, we find little evidence for religious faith or worship attendance associating with Black and Hispanic health-care policy attitudes.
Lernunterstützung mit digitalen Medien in der Grundschule
Authors: Böhme Richard , Munser-Kiefer Meike , Prestridge Sarah
Published: January 2020

Digitale Medien haben großes Potenzial für die Lernunterstützung, das bislang nicht ausgeschöpft wird. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Einblick zum Forschungsstand: Ausgehend vom Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition-Modell werden Funktionen und Gestaltungsmerkmale wie Bild-Text-Kombinationen, Hypermedia und Gamification hinsichtlich der möglichen Wirkung auf die kognitiven Verarbeitungsprozesse beschrieben und empirische Befunde dazu berichtet. Hierzu werden nach der Kognitiven Theorie des multimedialen Lernens (1) inhaltsbedingte, (2) sachfremde und (3) lernrelevante kognitive Prozesse unterschieden. Es zeigt sich mit Blick auf die Lernvoraussetzungen, den Lerninhalt und das Lernziel ein komplexes Bedingungsgefüge, das bei der Nutzung, Entwicklungen und Erforschung lernförderlicher digitaler Medien berücksichtigt werden sollte.
Pictorial Representation of Threat Perception and Its Association With Emergency Preparedness
Authors: Bodas Moran
Published: January 2020

Objectives:

Emergency preparedness is a key factor in public resilience when facing adversities. It is widely agreed that populations who are better prepared for crises and emergencies cope better and sustain fewer damages. Yet, promoting readiness continues to be challenging. In an effort to assess Israeli threat perception of emergencies, a novel visual tool measuring personally salient appraisals and attitudes (the Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self-Measure [PRISM]) was used.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of 502 participants representing the adult Jewish population was carried out. An online version of the PRISM tool was used together with a set of validated questionnaires to assess household preparedness.

Results:

The results suggest that preparedness for emergencies (war or earthquake) is associated with the way subjects appraise preparedness in their lives, but is not associated to the appraisal of threat objects themselves. In other words, the results suggest that preparedness has little to do with threat perception.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the disparity between classic risk reduction strategies, which argue that awareness is key in promoting public preparedness, and the reality.
Integration of value and sustainability assessment in design space exploration by machine learning: an aerospace application
Authors: Bertoni Alessandro , Hallstedt Sophie I. , Dasari Siva Krishna , Andersson Petter
Published: January 2020

The use of decision-making models in the early stages of the development of complex products and technologies is a well-established practice in industry. Engineers rely on well-established statistical and mathematical models to explore the feasible design space and make early decisions on future design configurations. At the same time, researchers in both value-driven design and sustainable product development areas have stressed the need to expand the design space exploration by encompassing value and sustainability-related considerations. A portfolio of methods and tools for decision support regarding value and sustainability integration has been proposed in literature, but very few have seen an integration in engineering practices. This paper proposes an approach, developed and tested in collaboration with an aerospace subsystem manufacturer, featuring the integration of value-driven design and sustainable product development models in the established practices for design space exploration. The proposed approach uses early simulation results as input for value and sustainability models, automatically computing value and sustainability criteria as an integral part of the design space exploration. Machine learning is applied to deal with the different levels of granularity and maturity of information among early simulations, value models, and sustainability models, as well as for the creation of reliable surrogate models for multidimensional design analysis. The paper describes the logic and rationale of the proposed approach and its application to the case of a turbine rear structure for commercial aircraft engines. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges of the approach implementation and highlights relevant research directions across the value-driven design, sustainable product development, and machine learning research fields.
ON THE EXISTENCE OF ADMISSIBLE SUPERSINGULAR REPRESENTATIONS OF -ADIC REDUCTIVE GROUPS
Authors: HERZIG FLORIAN , KOZIOŁ KAROL , VIGNÉRAS MARIE-FRANCE
Published: January 2020

Suppose that$\mathbf{G}$is a connected reductive group over a finite extension$F/\mathbb{Q}_{p}$and that$C$is a field of characteristic $p$. We prove that the group$\mathbf{G}(F)$admits an irreducible admissible supercuspidal, or equivalently supersingular, representation over $C$.
Implementation of the Targeted Assessment for Prevention Strategy in a healthcare system to reduce Clostridioides difficile infection rates
Authors: White Katelyn A. , Soe Minn M. , Osborn Amy , Walling Christie , Fike Lucy V. , Gould Carolyn V. , Kuhar David T. , Edwards Jonathan R. , Cochran Ronda L.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Prevention of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a national priority and may be facilitated by deployment of the Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) Strategy, a quality improvement framework providing a focused approach to infection prevention. This article describes the process and outcomes of TAP Strategy implementation for CDI prevention in a healthcare system.

Methods:

Hospital A was identified based on CDI surveillance data indicating an excess burden of infections above the national goal; hospitals B and C participated as part of systemwide deployment. TAP facility assessments were administered to staff to identify infection control gaps and inform CDI prevention interventions. Retrospective analysis was performed using negative-binomial, interrupted time series (ITS) regression to assess overall effect of targeted CDI prevention efforts. Analysis included hospital-onset, laboratory-identified C. difficile event data for 18 months before and after implementation of the TAP facility assessments.

Results:

The systemwide monthly CDI rate significantly decreased at the intervention (β2, −44%; P = .017), and the postintervention CDI rate trend showed a sustained decrease (β1 + β3; −12% per month; P = .008). At an individual hospital level, the CDI rate trend significantly decreased in the postintervention period at hospital A only (β1 + β3, −26% per month; P = .003).

Conclusions:

This project demonstrates TAP Strategy implementation in a healthcare system, yielding significant decrease in the laboratory-identified C. difficile rate trend in the postintervention period at the system level and in hospital A. This project highlights the potential benefit of directing prevention efforts to facilities with the highest burden of excess infections to more efficiently reduce CDI rates.
Do you see the “face”? Individual differences in face pareidolia
Authors: Zhou Liu-Fang , Meng Ming
Published: January 2020

People tend to see faces from non-face objects or meaningless patterns. Such illusory face perception is called face pareidolia. Previous studies have revealed an interesting fact that there are huge individual differences in face pareidolia experience among the population. Here, we review previous findings on individual differences in face pareidolia experience from four categories: sex differences, developmental factors, personality traits and neurodevelopmental factors. We further discuss underlying cognitive or neural mechanisms to explain why some perceive the objects as faces while others do not. The individual differences in face pareidolia could not only offer scientific insights on how the brain works to process face information, but also suggest potential clinical applications.
Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of the common wallaroo or euro, Osphranter robustus (Gould) (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Australia
Authors: Beveridge I.
Published: January 2020

The gastrointestinal helminth parasites of 170 common wallaroos or euros, Osphranter robustus (Gould), collected from all mainland states in which the species occurs as well as the Northern Territory, are presented, including previously published data. A total of 65 species of helminths were encountered, including four species of anoplocephalid cestodes found in the bile ducts and small intestine, and 61 species of strongylid nematodes, all but two of which occurring in the stomach, and with the remainder occurring in the terminal ileum, caecum and colon. Among the mainland subspecies of O. robustus, 52 species of helminths were encountered in O. r. robustus, compared with 30 species in O. r. woodwardi and 35 species in O. r. erubescens. Of the parasite species encountered, only 17 were specific to O. robustus, the remaining being shared with sympatric host species. Host-specific species or species occurring in O. robustus at a high prevalence can be classified as follows: widely distributed; restricted to northern Australia; restricted to the northern wallaroo, O. r. woodwardi; found only in the euro, O. r. erubescens; found essentially along the eastern coast of Australia, primarily in O. r. robustus; and species with highly limited regional distributions. The data currently available suggest that the acquisition of a significant number of parasites is due to co-grazing with other macropodids, while subspeciation in wallaroos as well as climatic variables may have influenced the diversification of the parasite fauna.
Electron skin depth in low density plasmas
Authors: Silveira F. E. M. , Siqueira B. P.
Published: January 2020

We rescale the generalized Ohm’s law and consider the limits that imply the electric field which moves with an ideal (inviscid and perfectly conducting) plasma be proportional to the time rate of change of the current density. Therefore, we show that those limits are satisfied by a sufficiently low electron number density,

$n_{\text{e}}$

. We also show that the electron–ion collision frequency,

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}_{\text{ei}}$

, is much smaller than the ion cyclotron frequency,

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{\text{ci}}$

. The combination of that condition with the Lawson criterion for a typical deuterium–tritium fusion in ITER reveals a lower bound for the geometric mean of the confinement time,

$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}_{\text{C}}$

, and collision interval,

$\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}_{\text{C}}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}_{\text{ei}}}\gg 10^{-5}~\text{s}$

. For that reaction, we estimate that

$n_{\text{e}}\sim 10^{19}~\text{m}^{-3}$

, and contrast typical parameters of our fully ionized gas with those of warm, hot and thermonuclear plasmas. When, in addition,

$n_{\text{e}}$

varies slowly in time and weakly in space, we generalize Alfvén’s theorem, by showing that the frozen-in condition holds true for an effective magnetic field, which depends on a finite electron skin depth. We perform a (divergenceless) helical perturbation on an axisymmetric equilibrium, to derive a dispersion relation in the cylindrical tokamak limit, and, subsequently, apply our analytical formulation to the peaked model, which assumes a logarithmic derivative profile for the poloidal component of the equilibrium magnetic field. In that formulation, the definition of the safety factor in terms of the effective field yields a shift in the magnetic surfaces. We find that the instability peak may triple that predicted on neglect of a finite electron mass. We also find that inertial effects may centuple the radius of the stable cylindrical column.
Illegal Markets and the Formation of a Central Asian Borderland: The Turkestan–Xinjiang opium trade (1881–1917)
Authors: PIANCIOLA NICCOLÒ
Published: January 2020

This article utilizes material from archives in Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as well as published Chinese sources to explore the opium trade between Tsarist Turkestan and Xinjiang from the early 1880s to 1917. It focuses on two different levels: the borderlands economy and society, and state policies towards illegal (or ‘grey’) markets. The main groups active in the trade were Hui/Dungan and Taranchi migrants from China, who had fled Qing territory after the repression of the great anti-Qing Muslim revolts during the 1860s and 1870s. After settling in Tsarist territory, they grew poppies and exported opium back across the border to China. This article shows how the borderland economy was influenced by the late-Qing anti-opium campaign, and especially by the First World War. During the war, the Tsarist government tried to create a state opium monopoly over the borderland economy, but this attempt was botched first by the great Central Asian revolt of 1916, and later by the 1917 revolution. Departing from the prevailing historiography on borderlands, this article shows how the international border, far from being an obstacle to the trade, was instead the main factor that made borderland opium production and trade possible. It also shows how the borderland population made a strategic use of the border-as-institution, and how local imperial administrators—in different periods and for different reasons—adapted to, fostered, or repressed this most profitable borderland economic activity.
Relationship between early phonological processing and later phonological awareness: Evidence from nonword repetition
Authors: Erskine Michelle E. , Munson Benjamin , Edwards Jan R.
Published: January 2020

This study investigated whether individual differences in receptive vocabulary, speech perception and production, and nonword repetition at age 2 years, 4 months to 3 years, 4 months predicted phonological awareness 2 years later. One hundred twenty-one children were tested twice. During the first testing period (Time 1), children’s receptive vocabulary, speech perception and production, and nonword repetition were measured. Nonword repetition accuracy in the present study was distinct from other widely used measures of nonword repetition in that it focused on narrow transcription of diphone sequences in each nonword that differed systematically in phonotactic probability. At the second testing period (Time 2), children’s phonological awareness was measured. The best predictors of phonological awareness were a measure of speech production and a measure of phonological processing derived from performance on the nonword repetition task. The results of this study suggest that nonword repetition accuracy provides an implicit measure of phonological skills that are indicative of later phonological awareness at an age when children are too young to perform explicit phonological awareness tasks reliably.
Fix Probabilities from LOP Geometry
Authors: Kaplan George H.
Published: January 2020

A simple scheme is presented for mapping the 2D probability density for an observer's position, defined by any number of lines of position (LOPs) on the surface of the Earth, assuming that the LOPs result from uncorrelated observations that have normally distributed errors. Although the mapping can be used to determine the position fix corresponding to the LOPs (which is consistent with other methods), its intended use is computing the total probability that the observer is located within (or outside) some specified area of interest, such as a zone of avoidance around a navigational hazard. Numerical experiments with areas where the average total interior probability is known, such as the triangles and polygons formed by nearly convergent LOPs, show that the method provides correct answers. The numerical experiments also revealed that theoretical probabilities associated with commonly used error ellipses are overstated for navigational solutions based on small numbers of LOPs.
Transcriptome profile and association study revealedSTAT3gene as a potential quality marker of bovine gametes
Authors: Ghanem Nasser , Salilew-Wondim Dessie , Hoelker Michael , Schellander Karl , Tesfaye Dawit
Published: January 2020

The present study was aimed to investigate differences in molecular signatures in oocytes derived from Holstein-Friesian heifers with different genetic merit for fertility, euthanized during day 0 or day 12 of the estrous cycle. Moreover, association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ofODC1andSTAT3genes and bull fertility traits was investigated. The gene expression patterns were analyzed using cDNA array and validated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The result revealed that several genes have shown not only to be regulated by fertility merit but also by the day of oocyte recovery during the estrous cycle. TheSTAT3gene was found to be upregulated in oocytes recovered from animals with high fertility merit at both day 0 and day 12. Some other genes likePTTG1,ODC1andTUBA1Cwere downregulated at day 0 and upregulated at day 12 in high, compared with low, fertility merit recovered oocytes. In contrast, the transcript abundance of TPM3 was upregulated at day 0 and downregulated at day 12 in high, compared with low, fertility merit recovered oocytes. In addition, ODC1 and STAT3 were found to be associated (P< 0.05) with sperm quality traits as well as flow cytometry parameters. Therefore, the expression of several candidate genes includingODC1andSTAT3was related to the genetic merit of the cow. In addition polymorphisms in these two genes were found to be associated with bull semen quality.
Prehospital External Aortic Compression for Temporizing Exsanguinating Sub-Diaphragmatic Hemorrhage – A Promising Technique, but with Challenges: Four Illustrative Cases, Including Two Survivors
Authors: Paix Bruce Richard , Tingey David John , Copley Grant , Casson Matthew , Shoolbread Damien , Davuluru Hari , Doube James , Emmerton Wade , Kennedy Ryan
Published: January 2020

External aortic compression (EAC) has long been used to control exsanguinating post-partum hemorrhage, but it has only recently been described in the prehospital trauma setting. This paper reports four cases where manual EAC was used during transport to manage life-threatening bleeding, twice from stab wounds, once from ruptured ectopic pregnancy, and once from severe lower-limb trauma. It showed that EAC has life-saving potential in the prehospital setting, but that safety and efficacy during transport requires the use of a hands-free compression device, such as an aortic tourniquet.
Real-Time Impact Analysis and Response using a New Disaster Metrics: 2018 Sulawesi (Indonesia) Earthquake and Tsunami
Authors: Yew YingYing , Arcos González Pedro , Castro Delgado Rafael
Published: January 2020

Introduction:

The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of the seismic activity for an earthquake; however, it does not quantify the humanitarian need at the point of impact. This poses a challenge for humanitarian stakeholders in decision and policy making, especially in risk reduction, response, recovery, and reconstruction. The new disaster metrics tool titled “The YEW Disaster Severity Index” (DSI) was developed and presented at the 2017 World Congress of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, May 2017, Toronto, Canada. It uses a median score of three for vulnerability and exposure indicators, a median score percentage of 100%, and medium YEW DSI scoring of four to five as baseline, indicating the ability to cope within local capacity. Therefore, scoring more than baseline coping capacity indicates that external assistance is needed. This special real-time report was presented at the 2nd National Pre-Hospital Care Conference and Championship, October 2018, Malaysia.

Report:

The aim of this analysis is to present the real-time humanitarian impact and response to the 2018 earthquake and tsunami at Donggala and Palu, Sulawesi in Indonesia using the new disaster metrics YEW DSI. Based on the earthquake (measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale) and tsunami at Donggala, the humanitarian impact calculated on September 29, 2018 scored 7.4 High in the YEW DSI with 11 of the total 17 indicators scoring more than the baseline coping capacity. The same YEW DSI score of 7.4 was scored on the earthquake and tsunami at Palu, with 13 of the total 17 indicators scoring more than baseline ability to cope within local capacity. Impact analysis reports were sent to relevant authorities on September 30, 2018.

Discussion & Conclusion:

A State of Emergency was declared for a national response, which indicated an inability to cope within the local capacity, shown by the YEW DSI. The strong correlation between the earthquake magnitude, intensities, and the humanitarian impact at Donggala and Palu reported could be added into the science of knowledge in prehospital care and disaster medicine research and practice. As a conclusion, the real-time disaster response was found to be almost an exact fit with the YEW DSI indicators, demonstrating the inability to cope within the local capacity.
Predictors of treatment outcomes and adherence in internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety in China
Authors: Chen Huijing , Rodriguez Marcus A. , Qian Mingyi , Kishimoto Tomoko , Lin Muyu , Berger Thomas
Published: January 2020

Background:

Although internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD), a substantial proportion of patients do not achieve clinically significant improvement. More research is needed to identify which factors predict treatment adherence and outcomes.

Aims:

The aims of this study were to (1) identify demographic and clinical factors associated with treatment adherence and outcomes in ICBT for social anxiety in China, and (2) explore whether low-intensity therapist support results in improved treatment adherence or outcomes.

Method:

Participants were assigned to either therapist-guided (N= 183) or self-guided ICBT (N= 72). Level of social anxiety was measured at both pre- and post-treatment. Treatment adherence and outcomes were analysed using a two-step linear and logistic regression approach. Clinical and demographic characteristics were examined.

Results:

No significant group differences were found for treatment adherence or outcomes between the therapist-guided and self-guided conditions. Participants diagnosed with SAD were significantly less likely to drop out (OR 0.531,p= .03) compared with subclinical participants with social anxiety symptoms. Older participants (B= 0.17, SE = 0.04,p= .008) and participants with a diagnosis of SAD (B= 0.16, SE = 0.44,p= .01) tended to complete more modules. Participants who completed more modules (B= 0.24, SE = 0.03,p= .01) and participants who identified as female (B= –0.20, SE = 0.18,p= .04) reported greater reductions in SAD symptoms.

Conclusions:

Understanding of factors related to adherence and outcome is necessary to prevent drop-out and optimize outcome.
UNBOUNDED DERIVATIONS IN ALGEBRAS ASSOCIATED WITH MONOTHETIC GROUPS
Authors: KLIMEK SLAWOMIR , McBRIDE MATT
Published: January 2020

Given an infinite, compact, monothetic group $G$ we study decompositions and structure of unbounded derivations in a crossed product $\text{C}^{\ast }$-algebra $C(G)\rtimes \mathbb{Z}$ obtained from a translation on $G$ by a generator of a dense cyclic subgroup. We also study derivations in a Toeplitz extension of the crossed product and the question whether unbounded derivations can be lifted from one algebra to the other.
Resonant multi-lane patterns in circumbinary young debris disks
Authors: Demidova Tatiana V. , Shevchenko Ivan I.
Published: January 2020

Formation of resonant multi-lane patterns in circumbinary young debris disks with planets is considered in a set of representative massively simulated models. We find that the long term-stable resonant patterns are generically formed, shepherded by embedded planets. The patterns are multi-lane, i.e., they consist of several concentric rings. Statistical dependences of their parameters on the planetary parameters are recovered. Relevant additional massive simulations of planetesimal disks in systems with parameters of Kepler-16, 34, and 35 are accomplished and described. We find that co-orbital patterns generically form in systems with moderate orbital eccentricities of the binary’s and planetary orbits (like in Kepler-16 and 35 cases).
Electromagnetic induction heating of planets orbiting late M dwarfs
Authors: Kislyakova Kristina G.
Published: January 2020

We propose induction heating of planetary interiors as an energy source in the planetary mantles. Induction heating arises when a changing magnetic field induces currents in a conducting planetary mantle which then dissipate to heat the planet, mostly within an upper layer called the skin depth. This physical process can play a role in planetary interiors around strongly magnetized stars such as low mass M dwarfs with kG magnetic fields, which are common among these stars.
Circumstellar disk fragmentation and the origin of massive planetary companions, brown dwarfs, and very low-mass stars
Authors: Kouwenhoven M. B. N. , Li Yun , Stamatellos D. , Goodwin S. P.
Published: January 2020

The low-mass end of the initial mass function remains poorly understood. In this mass range, very low-mass stars, brown dwarfs, and massive planets are able to form through a variety of physical processes. Here, we study the long-term evolution of disk-fragmented systems around low-mass stars, for the epoch up to 10 Myr (the typical lifetime of an embedded cluster) and up to 10 Gyr (the age of the Milky Way). We carry out N-body simulations to study the decay of disk-fragmented systems and the resulting end products. Our simulations indicate rapid decay and frequent physical collisions during the first 10 Myr. We find that disk fragmentation provides a viable mechanism for explaining hierarchical triple systems, the brown dwarf desert, single and binary brown dwarfs, and very low-mass binary systems in the solar neighbourhood.