bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can We Know Substances? Suárez on a Sceptical Puzzle
Authors: Perler Dominik
Published: May 2020

It has often been said that the knowability of substances became a problem in the early modern period, when anti‐Aristotelians doubted that we could know anything more than the sensory qualities that are present to us. This article argues that the late scholastic Aristotelian Francisco Suárez was already aware of this sceptical problem. On his view, substances are really (and not just modally) distinct from the perceivable qualities, and therefore cannot be known through sense perception. The article first examines the metaphysical theory that motivated him to defend this thesis. It then looks at the epistemological consequences he drew from it. Though he rejected direct knowledge of substances, he nevertheless conceded that knowledge can be obtained through a “discursive process”. The article explores this process, spelling out all the cognitive steps it involves. In particular, it analyses Suárez's explanation of how we produce special cognitive devices (the “intelligible species”) that enable us to represent substances. Finally, it assesses Suárez's solution to the knowability problem by comparing it to Locke's solution. It argues that metaphysical rationalism led him to posit substances: we need to accept them as active causes and bearers of qualities, although we have no direct access to them.
Radiographic differentiation of mediastinal versus pulmonary masses in dogs and cats can be challenging
Authors: Ruby Jennifer , Secrest Scott , Sharma Ajay
Published: May 2020

The ability to differentiate thoracic masses of mediastinal and pulmonary origins is often confounded by their complex spatial relationship. The objectives of this retrospective, observational cross‐sectional study were to assess radiographic differentiation of mediastinal versus pulmonary masses, and to determine if there are any correlations with specific radiographic findings. Thoracic radiographs of 75 dogs and cats with mediastinal and/or pulmonary masses identified on CT were reviewed. Radiographic studies were anonymized, randomized, and reviewed twice by three reviewers. Reviewers categorized the origin of each mass(es) as mediastinal, pulmonary, or both. On the second review, the presence or absence of 21 different radiographic findings was recorded for each mass. Agreement between the radiographic and CT categorization of mass origin, as well as inter‐ and intraobserver agreement, was calculated. Overall agreement between radiographs and CT was moderate for both mediastinal (68.6%) and pulmonary masses (63%). Overall, interobserver agreement was moderate (κ = 0.50‐0.74), with moderate to strong intraobserver agreement (κ = 0.58‐0.93). Masses within the mediastinum were significantly more likely to displace other mediastinal structures. Alternatively, masses lateral to midline and in the caudal thorax were found to be significantly positively correlated with a pulmonary origin. The results of this study highlight the limitations of radiography for differentiation of mediastinal and pulmonary masses, with mass location and displacement of other mediastinal structures potentially useful for radiographic findings that may help improve accuracy.
Effect of herbicides and doses on short‐ and long‐term control of Eleusine tristachya
Authors: Brunori Alejandro M. , Puricelli Eduardo C.
Published: May 2020

In Argentina, Eleusine tristachya has been recently reported as a problematic weed that can occur at high densities in spring and summer in fallows and in maize and soyabean. The reason for the increase in E. tristachya populations is that once the weed is established, it is difficult to eliminate because it produces a high number of seeds and plant regrowth occurs after herbicide treatments. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of post‐emergence application of herbicides (glyphosate, haloxyfop‐methyl and clethodim) at the seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages on the short‐term (biomass 30 days after treatment—30 DAT) and long‐term (tiller number and height and seed production—regrowth at 330 DAT) control of E. tristachya selected biotypes in outdoor pot experiments. Data fitted to a log‐logistic model. For all the herbicides considered, at the seedling and vegetative stages, short‐term control was achieved with low ED50 and ED90 values, whereas at the reproductive stage, ED90 values were three‐ to sixfold (glyphosate), six‐ to 52‐fold (haloxyfop‐methyl) and five‐ to 13‐fold (clethodim) higher. Long‐term control at the recommended dose or lower was not possible at the reproductive stage as tiller regrowth and seed production occurred with all herbicides. It is advisable to control Eleusine tristachya when plants are small at the beginning of the growing season using the recommended herbicide dose. A delayed application will produce tiller regeneration the following year, and consequently, control would only be achieved applying an overdose, which can cause risks to health and the environment. We concluded that a management programme based on the combination of glyphosate with post‐emergence graminicides applied at early stages will be effective to control future infestations.
Dependence of growth temperature on the electrical properties and microstructure of MBE-grown AlN/GaN resonant tunneling diodes on sapphire
Authors: Storm David F. , Growden Tyler A. , Cornuelle Evan M. , Peri Prudhvi R. , Osadchy Thomas , Daulton Jeffrey W. , Zhang Wei-Dong , Katzer D. Scott , Hardy Matthew T. , Nepal Neeraj , Molnar Richard , Brown Elliott R. , Berger Paul R. , Smith David J. , Meyer David J.
Published: May 2020

AlN/GaN double-barrier resonant tunnel diodes have been grown by rf-plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy at temperatures between 760 and 860 °C on metalorganic chemical vapor deposition-grown GaN templates with sapphire substrates. Room temperature negative differential resistance (NDR) was observed for all samples despite the presence of higher densities of threading dislocations in the device layers than in the MOCVD GaN template. The fraction of devices exhibiting NDR and the peak-to-valley current ratio was small for each sample (typically 1%–10% and 1.003–1.1, respectively). A clear trend of increasing peak current density with increasing growth temperature was observed.
Does the FIFA 11+ Program Prevent Hamstring Injuries in College-Aged Male Soccer Players? A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Street Scott Benson , Kaminski Thomas
Published: May 2020

Clinical Scenario: Hamstring injuries are the most prevalent lower-extremity injury among soccer players. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has addressed this issue by developing the FIFA 11+ program, which is focused on improving strength and decreasing the incidence of lower-extremity injuries in the sport. This critically appraised topic focuses on this program as well as one of its components, the Nordic hamstring exercise, in the prevention of hamstring injuries. Clinical Question: Does the FIFA 11+ program prevent hamstring injuries in college-aged male soccer players? Summary of Key Findings: Four studies were selected to be critically appraised. The PEDro checklist was used to score the articles on methodology and consistency. All 4 articles demonstrated support for the clinical question. Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate evidence to support the use of the FIFA 11+ program and Nordic hamstring exercise as part of a college soccer team’s warm-up routine. Strength of Recommendation: Grade B evidence exists in support of incorporating the FIFA 11+ program to reduce the incidence of hamstring injuries in male college soccer players.
Electron microscopy of nanoparticle superlattice formation at a solid-liquid interface in nonpolar liquids
Authors: Cepeda-Perez E. , Doblas D. , Kraus T. , de Jonge N.
Published: May 2020

Liquid-phase electron microscopy reveals how self-assembly of nanoparticle superlattices depends on the type of nonpolar solvent.
Robots and pandemics in science fiction
Authors: Murphy Robin R.
Published: May 2020

Recent science fiction illustrates the value of ordinary robots for a pandemic.
Shedding light on venous thromboembolism
Authors: Roche Ellen
Published: May 2020

A preclinical deep vein thrombosis model was developed in mice using blood flow restriction and illumination.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Samples in Pakistan
Authors: Lomonaco Sara , Crawford Matthew A. , Lascols Christine , Fisher Debra J. , Anderson Kevin , Hodge David R. , Pillai Segaran P. , Morse Stephen A. , Khan Erum , Hughes Molly A. , Allard Marc W. , Sharma Shashi K.
Published: May 2020

Infections in immunocompromised patients that are caused by extensively drug-resistant (XDR)
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains have been increasingly reported worldwide. In particular, carbapenem-resistant
A. baumannii
strains are a prominent cause of health care-associated infections. Here, we report draft genome assemblies for two clinical XDR
A. baumannii
isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in Pakistan.
Complete Genome Sequences of Cluster G Mycobacteriophage Darionha, Cluster A Mycobacteriophage Salz, and Cluster J Mycobacteriophage ThreeRngTarjay
Authors: Sandoval Andrea M. , Abram Amber M. , Alhabib Zahraa M. , Antonyan Angelina S. , Brikho Salar M. , Buhay Sarah I. , Craig Griffin E. , Crile Karen G. , El Yaman Nour , Garcia-Leon Lizbeth , Hammoud Zahraa B. , Huffman Anthony R. , Issa Ali H. , Jackman Alexander B. , Krajcz Victoria K. , Lloyd Yamiya J. , Jones Marcel L. , McMahon Diana L. , Murdock Briana A. D. , Nelson Jada J. , Patel Tulsi T. , Patil Yashodhara V. , Ricketts Sabriyyah A. , Romero-Barajas Leonardo S. , Sareini Laila H. , Sesoko Channing S. , Shammami Marcelio A. , Sheardy Erin E. , Sherwood John R. , Simpson Arren E. , Tiba Racha H. , Conant Stephanie B. , Finkel Jonathan S. , Kagey Jacob D.
Published: May 2020

Mycobacteriophages Darionha, Salz, and ThreeRngTarjay are mycobacteriophages isolated using the host
Mycobacterium smegmatis
mc
2
155. Following isolation from soil samples, all three siphoviridae phages were characterized, and their genomes were sequenced and annotated.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Chlamydiales
Bacterium STE3 and
Neochlamydia
sp. Strain AcF84, Endosymbionts of
Acanthamoeba
spp
Authors: Köstlbacher Stephan , Michels Stefanie , Siegl Alexander , Schulz Frederik , Domman Daryl , Jongwutiwes Somchai , Putaporntip Chaturong , Horn Matthias , Collingro Astrid
Published: May 2020

Chlamydiales
bacterium STE3 and
Neochlamydia
sp. strain AcF84 are obligate intracellular symbionts of
Acanthamoeba
spp. isolated from the biofilm of a littoral cave wall and gills from striped tiger leaf fish, respectively. We report the draft genome sequences of these two environmental chlamydiae affiliated with the family
Parachlamydiaceae
.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Pseudomonas
sp. Strain BIOMIG1
BAC
, Which Mineralizes Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants
Authors: Altinbag Recep Can , Ertekin Emine , Tezel Ulas
Published: May 2020

Pseudomonas
sp. strain BIOMIG1
BAC
is an antibiotic-resistant gammaproteobacterium that can completely mineralize different homologs of benzalkonium chloride disinfectants. Here, we report the annotated complete genome sequence of this microorganism, which includes one circular chromosome with a length of 7,675,262 bp.
Complete Genome Sequence of Halomonas meridiana Strain Eplume2, Isolated from a Hydrothermal Plume in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Kurihara Yu , Kawai Shingo , Sakai Ayano , Galipon Josephine , Arakawa Kazuharu
Published: May 2020

Halomonas meridiana
strain Eplume2 (ATCC BAA-804) is a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from hydrothermal plume seawater in the Northeast Pacific Ocean at a depth of 2,000 m. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this strain, which has a total size of 4.12 Mbp and a 56.6% G+C content.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Lactobacillus mulieris
UMB9245, Isolated from the Female Bladder
Authors: Ramotowski Lidia , Miller-Ensminger Taylor , Voukadinova Adelina , Wolfe Alan J. , Putonti Catherine
Published: May 2020

Lactobacillus jensenii
is an anaerobic bacterium found in the urogenital tract that is known to prevent common vaginal infections. Recently, it was divided into two species,
L. jensenii
and
L. mulieris
. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
L. mulieris
UMB9245, with a genome length of 1,723,383 bp assembled into 52 contigs.
COVID-19: Learning from Lessons To Guide Treatment and Prevention Interventions
Authors: Triggle Chris R. , Bansal Devendra , Farag Elmoubasher Abu Baker Abd , Ding Hong , Sultan Ali A.
Published: May 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Since then, the virus has rapidly spread to many countries. While the outbreak in China appears to be in decline, the disease has spread across the world, with a daily increase in the number of confirmed cases and infection-related deaths. Here, we highlight (i) the lessons that have been learnt so far and how they will benefit reducing the impact of COVID-19 disease and (ii) an update on the status of drug treatment and vaccine development to prevent COVID-19 and potential future related pandemics.
Supplemental Material: Biologically mediated silicification of marine cyanobacteria and implications for the Proterozoic fossil record
Authors: Moore Kelsey
Published: May 2020

Detailed methods, media recipes, tables that present batch culture experimental conditions and results, and additional figures.
Supplemental Material: Petrogenesis of the crystalline basement along the western Gulf of Mexico: Postcollisional magmatism during the formation of Pangea
Authors: Coombs Henry E.
Published: May 2020

Geochronology appendix
Phantom radiculopathy: a rare postoperative phenomenon
Authors: Archunan Maheswaran , Srinivasan Sriram
Published: May 2020

Limb amputations are carried out for a number of reasons, which include trauma, vascular disorders, infection, oncology and congenital abnormalities. These patients can develop multiple complications postoperatively with phantom limb pain being a well-recognised issue. That being said, phantom radiculopathy is far less encountered and can therefore be easily overlooked. There are limited cases described in literature and as a result pathophysiology is poorly understood. In this report, we present a patient who had developed phantom radiculopathy decades after his left above knee amputation surgery, which was performed after a road traffic accident. However, we were successfully able to treat the patient with foraminal epidural corticosteroid injection.
Developing a core outcome set for interventions to improve discharge from mental health inpatient services: a survey, Delphi and consensus meeting with key stakeholder groups
Authors: Tyler Natasha , Wright Nicola , Grundy Andrew , Waring Justin
Published: May 2020

Objective

To develop a core set of outcomes to be used in all future studies into discharge from acute mental health services to increase homogeneity of outcome reporting.

Design

We used a cross-sectional online survey with qualitative responses to derive a comprehensive list of outcomes, followed by two online Delphi rounds and a face-to-face consensus meeting.

Setting

The setting the core outcome set applies to is acute adult mental health.

Participants

Participants were recruited from five stakeholder groups: service users, families and carers, researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers.

Interventions

The core outcome set is intended for all interventions that aim to improve discharge from acute mental health services to the community.

Results

Ninety-three participants in total completed the questionnaire, 69 in Delphi round 1 and 68 in round 2, with relatively even representation of groups. Eleven participants attended the consensus meeting. Service users, healthcare professionals, researchers, carers/families and end-users of research agreed on a four-item core outcome set: readmission, suicide completed, service user-reported psychological distress and quality of life.

Conclusion

Implementation of the core outcome set in future trials research will provide a framework to achieve standardisation, facilitate selection of outcome measures, allow between-study comparisons and ultimately enhance the relevance of trial or research findings to healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and service users.
Focus group discussions on low-flow oxygen and bubble CPAP treatments among mothers of young children in Malawi: a CPAP IMPACT substudy
Authors: Sessions Kristen L , Ruegsegger Laura , Mvalo Tisungane , Kondowe Davie , Tsidya Mercy , Hosseinipour Mina C , Lufesi Norman , Eckerle Michelle , Smith Andrew Gerald , McCollum Eric D
Published: May 2020

Objective

To determine the acceptability of bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) and low-flow oxygen among mothers of children who had received either therapy.

Setting

A district hospital in Salima, Malawi.

Participants

We conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with a total of 54 participants. Eligible participants were mothers of children 1 to 59 months of age with severe pneumonia and a comorbidity (HIV-infection, HIV-exposure, malnutrition or hypoxaemia) who, with informed consent, had been enrolled in a randomised clinical trial, CPAP IMPACT (Improving Mortality for Pneumonia in African Children Trial), comparing low-flow oxygen and bCPAP treatments (ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT02484183).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

FGDs assessed mothers’ attitudes and feelings towards oxygen and bCPAP before and after therapy along with general community perceptions of respiratory therapies. Data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis to assess themes and subthemes of the transcripts.

Results

Community perceptions of oxygen and bCPAP were widely negative. Mothers recounted that they are told that ‘oxygen kills babies’. They are often fearful of allowing their child to receive oxygen therapy and will delay treatment or seek alternative therapies. Mothers report limiting oxygen and bCPAP by intermittently removing the nasal cannulas or mask. After oxygen or bCPAP treatment, regardless of patient outcome, mothers were supportive of the treatment their child received and would recommend it to other mothers.

Conclusion

There are significant community misconceptions around oxygen and bCPAP causing mothers to be fearful of either treatment. In order for low-flow oxygen treatment and bCPAP implementation to be effective, widespread community education is necessary.
Epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection among college students in Nanjing, China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Li Wei , Chu Jinjin , Zhu Zhengping , Li Xin , Ge You , He Yan , Ni Qian , Musa Taha , Li Xiaoshan , Wei Pingmin
Published: May 2020

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) among HIV-positive college students.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Five districts of Nanjing, China.

Participants

A total of 156 college students with newly diagnosed HIV infection between September 2015 and July 2017.

Main outcome measures

Social-demographic characteristics, mode of HIV acquisition, infection of sexually transmitted diseases, risky sexual behaviours and HIV/AIDS-related KAP were collected by a face-to-face questionnaire administered by trained interviewers.

Results

About 98.7% (154/156) of HIV-positive college students in our study were men, and 96.1% (148/154) of them were infected by sexual intercourse with men. More than half (52.5%, 82/156) of participants were freshmen or sophomores. Nearly 30% (44/154) of male students did not realise the severe status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among students who are men who have sex with men (MSM). More than four-fifths of male students did not know if their male regular (83.0%, 93/112) or casual (95.9%, 94/98) sexual partners were HIV-positive, while less than half of them had high-risk perceptions towards HIV infection from male regular and occasional sexual partners. Approximately one-half and four-fifths of male students had more than two regular (54.5%, 61/112) and occasional (79.6%, 78/98) partners during lifetime, respectively. However, only 62.5% (70/112) and 66.3% (65/98) of male students used condoms consistently during sexual intercourse with regular and casual partners, respectively. Geosocial networking apps have become the most dominant way for male students to seek sexual partners.

Conclusions

This study reported a low level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, a high level of exposure to risky sexual behaviours and some valuable epidemiological characteristics among HIV-positive college students, which highlighted the importance of carrying out HIV/AIDS prevention education and risk warning education early and timely towards college students on campus.
Aetiological and morphological spectrum of cardiomyopathies in French Guiana: a retrospective study
Authors: Leménager Paul , Franck Yves-Kenol , Corlin Florine , Bouscaren Nicolas , Nacher Mathieu , Adenis Antoine
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous heart diseases group in terms of morphology and aetiology. Hypothesising a tropical specificity and given an absence of data in French Guiana, the primary objective of our study was to describe morphologies and aetiologies of cardiomyopathies observed at Cayenne General Hospital.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Cayenne Hospital from 1 January 2009 to 1 June 2014 in the hospital database. Only patients with the definition of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) were included, based on the first transthoracic ultrasonography found during the study period. Medical files were consulted.

Results

With 182 patients included, the prevalence of cardiomyopathies among heart diseases was estimated at 4.3% (95% CI 3.7% to 4.9%). Twelve patients had a familial or genetic aetiology (6.6%) and 170 a non-familial or non-genetic aetiology (93.4%). The morphological spectrum was: dilated for 114 patients (62.6%), hypertrophic for 27 (14.8%), unclassified for 1 (0.5%) and non-classifiable for 13 (7.1%). This group was constituted of patients with a systolic and/or diastolic functional impairment without morphological abnormality. The aetiological spectrum found 184 aetiologies including: 70.9% undetermined, 8.7% infectious (with 6.5% chagasic and 0.5% related with human immunodeficiency virus) and 6.0% with toxins.

Conclusions

Cardiomyopthies are a common and severe clinical problem. The frequency of infectious aetiologies and dilated impairment are arguments for cardiomyopathies with tropical particularities. However, the preponderance of undetermined aetiologies justifies the development of further research programmes.
Comparative 2D-shape analyses of collared lemmings in the zone of possible sympatry between Dicrostonyx groenlandicus and Dicrostonyx richardsoni (Rodentia, Arvicolinae)
Authors: Khidas Kamal , Schmidt Elliott Andrew , Fauteux Dominique
Published: May 2020

Morphological differentiation and relationships among collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx Gloger, 1841) remain unclear. This issue is particularly important in the Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada, where Dicrostonyx groenlandicus (Traill, 1823) and Dicrostonyx richardsoni Merriam, 1900 ranges overlap. Possible sympatry of both species obscures the taxonomic status of collared lemmings from this area. We compared 2D outline shapes of the skull and three upper molars of collared lemmings collected from seven areas of the Canadian Arctic, including specimens from the Baker Lake – Aberdeen Lake area, in the Kivalliq Region, and Dicrostonyx hudsonius (Pallas, 1778) as an outgroup. Multivariate analyses revealed two distinct groups when considering the molars: D. hudsonius, and the remainder of lemmings. Dicrostonyx richardsoni, D. groenlandicus, and the lemmings from the Baker Lake – Aberdeen Lake area showed significant differences, especially when considering skull shapes, thus suggesting three distinct groups. However, skull shapes proved inefficient in discriminating between species. These differences suggest that collared lemmings from the Baker Lake – Aberdeen Lake area may not be correctly assigned to either of the two species without further genetic evaluation. They also suggest that these lemmings should have a peculiar taxonomic status. Our study calls for further taxonomical investigations for collared lemmings from the overlapping distribution ranges of D. groenlandicus and D. richardsoni.
Lactoferrin reduces mycobacterial M1-type inflammation induced with trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate and facilitates the entry of fluoroquinolone into granulomas
Authors: Nguyen Thao K.T. , Niaz Zainab , d’Aigle John , Hwang Shen-An , Kruzel Marian L. , Actor Jeffrey K.
Published: May 2020

Primary infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in the formation of a densely packed granulomatous response that essentially limits the entry and efficacy of immune effector cells. Furthermore, the physical nature of the granuloma does not readily permit the entry of therapeutic agents to sites where organisms reside. The Mtb cell wall mycolic acid, trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate (TDM), is a physiologically relevant molecule for modelling macrophage-mediated events during the establishment of the tuberculosis-induced granuloma pathogenesis. At present, there are no treatments for tuberculosis that focus on modulating the host’s immune responses. Previous studies showed that lactoferrin (LF), a natural iron-binding protein proven to modulate inflammation, can ameliorate the cohesiveness of granuloma. This led to a series of studies that further examined the effects of recombinant human LF (rHLF) on the histological progression of TDM-induced pathology. Treatment with rHLF demonstrated significant reduction in size and number of inflammatory foci following injections of TDM, together with reduced levels pulmonary pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. LF facilitated greater penetration of fluoroquinolone to the sites of pathology. Mice treated with TDM alone demonstrated exclusion of ofloxacin to regions of inflammatory response, whereas the animals treated with rHLF demonstrated increased penetration to inflammatory foci. Finally, recent findings support the hypothesis that this mycobacterial mycolic acid can specifically recruit M1-like polarized macrophages; rHLF treatment was shown to limit the level of this M1-like phenotypic recruitment, corresponding highly with decreased inflammatory response.
Unitary toy qubit transport model for black hole evaporation
Authors: Broda Bogusław
Published: May 2020

In a recent paper Osuga and Page have presented an explicitly unitary toy qubit transport model for transferring information from a black hole to the outgoing radiation. Following their idea we propose a unitary toy model which involves (fermionic) Hawking states.
Static and dynamical elastic behavior of Lu5Ir4Si10 around its first-order structural phase transition
Authors: Saint-Paul M. , Opagiste C. , Guttin C.
Published: May 2020

Ultrasonic velocity measurements could be performed on a good quality single crystal of [Formula: see text] around its transition around 80 K. The behavior of the stiffness components demonstrates a first-order transition. The temperature dependence of the longitudinal elastic stiffness components [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can be analyzed by the classical Landau theory and assuming a stricter coupling between the strain and the order parameter. A theoretical approach and experimental results are discussed.
5,5-DIPHENYL-2-THIOXOIMIDAZOLIDIN-4-ONE METHODOLOGICAL MECHANISM TO CORROSION INHIBITION FOR MILD STEEL DISSOLUTION IN HCL: DFTS, MOLECULAR DYNAMICS AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Authors: NABAH R. , BENHIBA F. , LAABAISSI T. , ZARROK H. , CHERKAOUI M. , OUDDA H. , RAMLI Y. , WARAD I. , ZARROUK A.
Published: May 2020

Continuing to study the inhibition of corrosion, 5,5-diphenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (PTI) has been tested as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel (MS) in an aggressive 1 M HCl solution by chemical and electrochemical techniques: weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, UV-Visible. Inhibitory efficacy increases with increasing inhibitor concentration and decreases with increasing temperature. The studied inhibitor is more efficient (99.2%) at 298 K at an optimal concentration of 1[Formula: see text]mM. The PDP study revealed that PTI behaved as mixed type of inhibitor. In addition, the PTI inhibitor obeys the single layer adsorption isotherm of Langmuir. The quantum chemical calculations, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies fairly well agreed with the experimental measurements.
MACROCYCLE RING AND PERIPHERAL GROUP SIZES-DEPENDENT VAPOR SENSING PROPERTY OF COPPER PHTHALOCYANINE THIN FILMS
Authors: ELMAS DURAN NUR , ÇAPAN İNCİ
Published: May 2020

Spin-coated thin films of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) were fabricated using different rotation speeds from 250 rpm to 1250 rpm. The structural characterization of these films was analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Gas sensing properties of these spun thin films were investigated against different volatile organic compounds such as chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. CuPc thin films were found to be highly sensitive to chloroform and dichloromethane vapor with fast response and recovery times. These measurements clearly indicated that the CuPc molecule is a promising material for the development of the room temperature vapor sensing applications with sensitivities between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] percent response ppm[Formula: see text]. Three different functional groups of CuPc structures coded as CuPc I, II and III were investigated which differ from each other in their chemical structures in terms of their microcycle ring groups and peripheral groups, all attached to the same free base porphyrin skeleton. The number of microcycle ring groups and peripheral groups were found to be efficient on the gas sensing properties. The calculated refractive index and extinction coefficients using SPR curves were [Formula: see text] for CuPc I thin film, [Formula: see text] for CuPc II thin film and [Formula: see text] for CuPc III thin film, respectively. For different substrate rotation speeds, the thin film thicknesses vary between 2[Formula: see text]nm and 6[Formula: see text]nm for CuPc I and CuPc III thin films whereas it ranges between 4[Formula: see text]nm and 9[Formula: see text]nm for CuPc II thin film.
Innovation and Its Impacts on Public University Performance: An Empirical Study from Vietnam
Authors: Ngoc-Tan Nguyen
Published: May 2020

The importance of innovation (INNO) towards organisational performance (OP) is acknowledged in extant literature. There is substantial evidence about INNO playing the determinant role in OP. However, there are few studies providing empirical evidence of this relationship especially in academic settings. By looking at INNO from administrative and technical perspectives, this paper purposefully explores the impacts of INNO on OP in public higher education institutions (HEIs) of Vietnam. Quantitative research was deployed, and results of the study were produced based on a survey data collected in 30 public universities equally located in three regions of Vietnam during 2018. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to facilitate model testing. We find that each type of innovation exerts its impacts on different aspects of OP in a HEI. Besides enriching the literature on this rapport, this study is also of value in managerial perspective as it helps increase HEIs’ knowledge on how to strengthen their organisational innovativeness, and then enhance performance. A list of measurement scales serving as a checklist for leadership of any HEI desire to embark on INNO journey then boost OP is provided by this study.
Ambidextrous Organisations from the Perspective of Employed Knowledge Management Strategies: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Özlen Muhammed Kürşad , Handzic Meliha
Published: May 2020

Management literature proposes several broad categories of business motives behind Knowledge Management (KM) initiatives: minimising risk, improving efficiency and effectiveness and enabling innovation. While risk minimisation and efficiency and effectiveness improvement are fundamental for organisational survival, innovation is the key for organisational advancement and long-term economic success. Choosing the right KM strategy is of utmost importance for organisational performance. On the one hand, two popular Knowledge Management strategies termed codification and personalisation differ in their reliance on technology or people. On the other hand, two strategies referred to as exploitation and exploration differ in their focus on transferring existing or developing new knowledge. This study aims to examine the main business forces in KM adoption and to identify preferred KM strategies responsively. More specifically, it aims to provide a metric in determining (1) applied and realised KM strategies, (2) business focus, (3) knowledge processes and (4) knowledge focus. Data, collected from 372 surveyed employees of Turkish organisations across different industries, were analysed in terms of the two key classes of KM drivers and strategies. The findings reveal a widespread tendency for simultaneous pursuance of dual survival and advancement business goals and widespread integration of codification and personalisation as well as exploitation and exploration strategies. The findings validate the ability of Turkish firms in the organisation of KM activities through the combination of somewhat contradictory drivers and strategies implying their ambidexterity regarding considered KM strategies.
Contextualizing Technology Adoption and Self-Expression for Technology Entrepreneurial Innovation
Authors: Muralidharan Etayankara , Pathak Saurav
Published: May 2020

This paper highlights the role of societal-level self-expression values and national-level extent of technology adoption for individual-level likelihood of engaging in technology entrepreneurial innovation (TEI). We posit that the effect of self-expression on entrepreneurial innovation is indirect — mediated positively by national-level extent of technology adoption, thereby rendering modes and mechanisms of technology adoption in a country as a more proximal whereas values as a more distal antecedent of TEI. We infer that the benefits and effectiveness of government efforts geared towards improving formal institutional structures that assist TEI would however only be felt if those that adopt newer technologies are self-expressive in the first place. Implications for theory, policy, and future empirical research are also discussed.
Examining Sponsorship’s Effectiveness Over the Internet: A Conceptual Framework for Researchers and Practitioners
Authors: Koronios Konstantinos , Dimitropoulos Panagiotis
Published: May 2020

The aim of this research is to examine sport sponsorship’s effectiveness over the internet. A conceptual framework for sponsorship evaluation over the internet was proposed, incorporating crucial factors such as supporters’ beliefs about sponsorship, their satisfaction form the sport event as well as their degree of sport involvement, the usage of website and social media, awareness of and attitude toward real sponsoring firms and their actual and future purchase intentions concerning sponsors’ goods and services. A quantitative method was used for the purpose of the current research and a total of 3434 questionnaires were successfully completed and analyzed. The empirical results indicated that sponsorship awareness impacts positively and significantly in both actual and intended purchase behavior of the respondents, suggesting that sponsorship awareness is the initial stage of a continuum of fans’ responses that can lead to their purchase intentions and actual purchase. Evidence on this study contributes to the ongoing debate about sponsorship effectiveness and its implication on customer behavior and provides significant implications for managers wishing to improve their future revenues by investing in sponsorship deals, since sponsorship awareness is an important feature that managers must control in order to affect their customers purchasing decisions.
Harmonic metrics on Gödel-type spacetimes
Authors: Zaeim Amirhesam , Jafari Mehdi , Yaghoubi Maryam
Published: May 2020

Metrics which are harmonic with respect to Gödel-type metrics, as well as harmonicity of lifted metrics to the tangent bundle are studied.
Effect of the Organic Functionality on the Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Pandey P. C. , Tiwari Atul Kumar , Gupta Munesh Kumar , Pandey Govind , Narayan Roger J
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the effects of the organic reducing agent and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane on the synthesis and properties of mono-, bi-, and trimetallic noble metal nanoparticles were considered; the antimicrobial activity of these nanomaterials was also evaluated. It was shown that 3-aminoptopyltrimethoxysilane-treated noble metal cations undergo rapid conversion into nanoparticles in the presence of three organic reducing agents, namely, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (3-GPTMS), cyclohexanone and formaldehyde; the nanoparticles were formed on the order of one minute under microwave incubation. Bimetallic nanoparticles were formed by simultaneous or sequential reduction of metal cations; the formation of trimetallic nanoparticles containing gold, silver and palladium was demonstrated using a similar approach. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible light spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy and zeta potential measurements. All three nanoparticles exhibited a size [Formula: see text]10[Formula: see text]nm size. The nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii. Scanning electron microscopy imaging showed an alteration in the size and shape of nanoparticle-treated bacterium, with bleb formation and cell wall disruption observed within 1[Formula: see text]h of incubation at the MBC values of the nanoparticles. Fluorescence spectrophotometric imaging of silver nanoparticle-Acinetobacter baumannii interactions suggested selective binding of silver nanoparticles to surface proteins. Our results showed the preparation of the novel silver nanoparticles with potent Anti-Acinetobacter baumannii activity, which can serve as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents.
An overview on transparent ceramics with pyrochlore and fluorite structures
Authors: He Yu , Liu Kaige , Xiang Bingxi , Zhou Chaolan , Zhang Ling , Liu Gang , Guo Xiaoyang , Zhai Jianpang , Li Tao , Kong Ling Bing
Published: May 2020

Transparent ceramics have potential applications in various areas, including aerospace, relativistic optics industries, medical cares and defense. Specifically, they can be used as laser gain media, armor windows, IR domes, solid-state phosphors, scintillators and electro-optical components. From crystal structure point of view, transparent ceramic materials should have high crystallographic symmetries (cubic, tetragonal and hexagonal), which have minimal birefringent effect. Currently, transparent ceramics are dominantly based on oxide materials, although there are also nonoxides, such as fluorides and nitrides (oxynitrides). Transparent ceramics with pyrochlore and fluorite structures have attracted much attention in recent years, whereas fluorides are not well described in the open literature. Therefore, this paper is aimed to deliver an overview on the progress of the two categories of transparent ceramics, from material processing and characterization point of view.
Implementation of a Correlator onto a Hardware Beam-Former to Calculate Beam-Weights
Authors: Schoonderbeek Gijs , Hut Boudewijn , Kooistra E. , Mika Á. , Pepping H. J. , Gunst A. W. , van Cappellen W. A.
Published: May 2020

One of the main technologies to open up a wider field of view for today’s radio telescopes are phased arrays. This is especially the case for radio astronomy instruments operating below 2[Formula: see text]GHz. Nowadays, the existing dish-type instruments are being upgraded with phased array feeds (PAF) in the focal plane. This increases the field of view at the expense of needing more analog electronics and digital signal processing. One of the digital signal processing functionalities used to combine the digitized signals from the PAF is a beam-former which creates multiple high sensitivity beams within the field of view of the dish. Before beams can be formed, the signals from the PAF need to be calibrated using a correlator. In this paper, we present a solution where these two operations are combined by using the beam-former also as a correlator. The statistics unit used as part of the beam-former implementation, can be used as well for calculating correlation products. With the proper settings of the beam-former weight of each beamlet, a frequency sub-band with a direction, can be used as a single cross correlation product. By implementing the correlator on the beam-former, the digital resources and development time can be reduced. To validate the idea, two versions of the algorithm are implemented in the Apertif PAF system on the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT). Results show that two full-bandwidth correlation matrices per beam, needed to determine the static beam weights for the calibration, and a single column of the correlation matrix, used to compensate for any drift between the receiver chains, can be performed.
On the fly EIS tracking of rechargeable alkaline Zn-MnO2 batteries for large-scale use
Authors: Gallaway Joshua
Published: May 2020

This talk will discuss electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tracking of aqueous alkaline Zn-MnO2 cells cycled at 20% depth of discharge (DOD) based on cathode capacity. Shallow cycled alkaline batteries have previously been reported as cost effective and safe options for large-scale electrical storage. Periodically collected EIS data was used to fit a full battery model based on Voigt elements, and fitted parameters were tracked over time. These were used as a real-time diagnostic to assess performance and predict future performance in advance of any degradation of the cell voltage.The cell model was based on individual electrode models developed previously by Donne and co-workers for γ-MnO2 and Hampson and McNeil for Zn. Two prismatic cell builds were compared using electrodes fabricated by two different commercial sources with identical compositions. Both cell performance and EIS response were distinctly different between the electrode sources. The model provided an acceptable fit of the experimental data in both cases, as shown in Figure 1. The parameters of the model corresponded to physical phenomena, allowing an analysis of the performance difference despite the fact that all electrode fabrication variables could not be known unless provided by the commercial sources.The combined anode and cathode interfacial models were incorporated into a transmission line porous electrode, shown in Figure 2. Each anode + cathode fit involved a combined 15 parameters, which was the minimum number of parameters that would fit data for all cells in all states of charge. Performance analysis was accomplished by comparing a) the individual parameters, b) lumped parameters such as the RC time constants and RLC Q factors, and c) features of the cycling potential such as the discharge end voltage (DEV). Use of a reference electrode with EIS has been shown to be highly dependent on electrode placement. Battery EIS also faces a challenge in that electrodes may have similar capacity, while ideally the counter electrode should be non-limiting. We will address these factors and discuss steps taken to obtain repeatable data free of inductive loops caused by capacitive coupling with current collectors and electrode tabs.
Divergent effects of genetic and pharmacological inhibition of Nox2 NADPH oxidase on insulin resistance-related vascular damage
Authors: Maqbool Azhar , Watt Nicole T. , Haywood Natalie , Viswambharan Hema , Skromna Anna , Makava Natalia , Visnagri Asjad , Shawer Heba M. , Bridge Katherine , Muminov Shovkat K. , Griffin Kathryn , Beech David J. , Wheatcroft Stephen B. , Porter Karen E. , Simmons Katie J. , Sukumar Piruthivi , Shah Ajay M. , Cubbon Richard M. , Kearney Mark T. , Yuldasheva Nadira Y.
Published: May 2020

Insulin resistance leads to excessive endothelial cell (EC) superoxide generation and accelerated atherosclerosis. The principal source of superoxide from the insulin-resistant endothelium is the Nox2 isoform of NADPH oxidase. Here we examine the therapeutic potential of Nox2 inhibition on superoxide generation in saphenous vein ECs (SVECs) from patients with advanced atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes and on vascular function, vascular damage, and lipid deposition in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice with EC-specific insulin resistance (ESMIRO). To examine the effect of genetic inhibition of Nox2, ESMIRO mice deficient in ApoE−/− and Nox2 (ESMIRO/ApoE−/−/Nox2−/y) were generated and compared with ESMIRO/ApoE−/−/Nox2+/y littermates. To examine the effect of pharmacological inhibition of Nox2, we administered gp91dstat or scrambled peptide to ESMIRO/ApoE−/− mice. SVECs from diabetic patients had increased expression of Nox2 protein with concomitant increase in superoxide generation, which could be reduced by the Nox2 inhibitor gp91dstat. After 12 wk Western diet, ESMIRO/ApoE−/−/Nox2−/y mice had reduced EC superoxide generation and greater aortic relaxation to acetylcholine. ESMIRO/ApoE−/−/Nox2−/y mice developed more lipid deposition in the thoraco-abdominal aorta with multiple foci of elastin fragmentation at the level of the aortic sinus and greater expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Gp91dstat reduced EC superoxide and lipid deposition in the thoraco-abdominal aorta of ESMIRO/ApoE−/− mice without causing elastin fragmentation or increased ICAM-1 expression. These results demonstrate that insulin resistance is characterized by increased Nox2-derived vascular superoxide. Complete deletion of Nox2 in mice with EC insulin resistance exacerbates, whereas partial pharmacological Nox2 inhibition protects against, insulin resistance-induced vascular damage.