bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organic–inorganic polyurethanes with double decker silsesquioxanes in the main chains: Morphologies, surface hydrophobicity, and shape memory properties
Authors: Xu Sen , Zhao Bingjie , Wei Kun , Zheng Sixun
Published: March 2018

In this contribution, we reported an investigation of the morphologies, surface hydrophobicity, and shape memory properties of the organic–inorganic polyurethanes with double decker silsesquioxane (DDSQ) in the main chains. It was found that the organic–inorganic polyurethanes were microphase‐separated and that the POSS cages in the main chains were self‐organized into the spherical microdomains with the size of 10–50 nm in diameter. The introduction of POSS cages into the main chains resulted in the enhancement of glass transition temperatures (Tg's). In the meantime, the surface dewettability of the materials was significantly enhanced. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicates the improvement of the surface hydrophobicity resulted from the enrichment of POSS at the surfaces of the polyurethanes. The mechanical analyses, such as dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and creep‐recovery analysis (CRA), indicate that the POSS microdomains dispersed in the polyurethanes behaved as the physical crosslinking sites and promoted the formation of the crosslinked networks. Owing to the introduction of DDSQ into the main chains, the organic–inorganic polyurethanes significantly displayed shape memory properties, in marked contrast to the unmodified and linear polyurethane. The shape memory behavior has been addressed on the formation of the strong physically crosslinked networks in the organic–inorganic polyurethanes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 893–906
A screening algorithm for early detection of major depressive disorder in head and neck cancer patients post‐treatment: Longitudinal study
Authors: Henry Melissa , Rosberger Zeev , Ianovski Lola E. , Hier Michael , Zeitouni Anthony , Kost Karen , Mlynarek Alex , Black Martin , MacDonald Christina , Richardson Keith , Zhang Xun , Fuhrmann Fabienne , Chartier Gabrielle , Frenkiel Saul
Published: March 2018

Objective

The primary purpose of this study was to identify predictors of Major Depressive Disorder in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients in the immediate post‐treatment period (ie, at 3 months post‐diagnosis), with a focus on previously unexamined historical and contextual factors.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study of 223 consecutive adults (72% participation) newly diagnosed with a first occurrence of primary HNC, including validated psychometric measures, Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM Disorders, and medical chart reviews.

Results

The 3‐month period prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder was 20.4%; with point prevalences of 6.8% upon HNC diagnosis, 14.2% at 3 months, and 22.6% lifetime. Patients most susceptible to developing Major Depressive Disorder in the immediate post‐treatment period: were diagnosed with advanced‐stage cancer rather than early‐stage cancer (O.R. = 4.94, P = 0.04), received surgery only (O.R. = 8.73, P = 0.04), presented a lifetime history of Anxiety Disorder on SCID‐I (O.R. = 6.62; P = 0.01), and indicated higher pre‐treatment levels of anxiety on the HADS (O.R. = 0.45, P = 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results outline the predominant role of anxiety upon diagnosis as a precursor to post‐treatment Major Depressive Disorder, suggesting the need for identification and prophylactic treatment of anxiety upon diagnosis in head and neck cancer patients. Further investigation into pathways by which pre‐treatment anxiety predisposes to post‐treatment Major Depressive Disorder in this population is warranted.
Directional preference and functional outcomes among subjects classified at high psychosocial risk using STarT
Authors: Werneke Mark W. , Edmond Susan , Young Michelle , Grigsby David , McClenahan Brian , McGill Troy
Published: March 2018

Background and Purpose

Physiotherapy has an important role in managing patients with non‐specific low back pain who experience elevated psychosocial distress or risk for chronic disability. In terms of evidence‐based physiotherapy practice, cognitive‐behavioural approaches for patients at high psychosocial risk are the recommended management to improve patient treatment outcomes. Evidence also suggests that directional preference (DP) is an important treatment effect modifier for prescribing specific exercises for patients to improve outcomes. Little is known about the influence of treatment techniques based on DP on outcomes for patients classified as high psychosocial risk using the Subgroups for Targeted Treatment (STarT) Back Screening Tool. This study aimed to examine the association between functional status (FS) at rehabilitation discharge for patients experiencing low back pain classified at high STarT psychosocial risk and whose symptoms showed a DP versus No‐DP.

Methods

High STarT risk patients (n = 138) completed intake surveys, that is, the lumbar FS of Focus On Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc., and STarT, and were evaluated for DP by physiotherapists credentialed in McKenzie methods. The FS measure of Focus On Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc., was repeated at discharge. DP and No‐DP prevalence rates were calculated. Associations between first‐visit DP and No‐DP and change in FS were assessed using univariate and multivariate regression models controlling for 11 risk‐adjusted variables.

Results

One hundred nine patients classified as high STarT risk had complete intake and discharge FS and DP data. Prevalence rate for DP was 65.1%. A significant and clinically important difference (7.98 FS points; p = .03) in change in function at discharge between DP and No‐DP was observed after controlling for all confounding variables in the final model.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that interventions matched to DP are effective for managing high psychological risk patients and may provide physiotherapists with an alternative treatment pathway compared to managing similar patients with cognitive‐behavioural approaches. Stricter research designs are required to validate study conclusions.
National trends in management of localized prostate cancer: A population based analysis 2004‐2013
Authors: Chen Junchao , Oromendia Clara , Halpern Joshua A. , Ballman Karla V.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Recent years have brought many changes in the management of localized prostate cancer as national screening guidelines have been updated and diagnostic practice patterns evolved. We sought to better understand how the changing landscape influenced treatment utilization in the United States.

Methods

We used the SEER database in this retrospective analysis of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer between 2004 and 2013. We evaluated utilization of primary treatment modalities over time with descriptive and trend analyses, and examined treatment utilization by cancer risk group and age at diagnosis.

Results

Of 398 074 patients in the analytic data set, 38% elected radiation therapy, 38% underwent radical prostatectomy, and 24% opted for expectant management. While in 2004 radiation treatment was almost twice as common as expectant management (42% vs 23%), by 2013 approximately equal percentages of patients were treated with each of the three modalities. Expectant management use increased over time, while the proportion of patients opting for surgery decreased remarkably with increasing age at diagnosis in intermediate‐ and higher‐risk disease. Among radiotherapy options, brachytherapy was most common among lower‐risk patients in 2004 but substantially decreased over time (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Management of localized prostate cancer changed substantially over time in the United States. Utilization of expectant management has increased for men with low‐ and intermediate risk cancer. Among those who pursue curative therapy, younger men remain more likely to elect surgery whereas older men tend to choose radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to better characterize factors contributing to treatment selection.
Safeguards: A key process safety tool in jet fuel management from refinery to aircraft wings
Authors: Adekitan Aderibigbe Israel
Published: March 2018

Emphasis on aviation safety and the drive for an industry safety revolution sadly came as an aftermath of several aircraft accidents and fatalities. In Nigeria alone, 112 aircraft crashes were recorded from 1939 to 2015. Safety concerns in the Nigerian aviation sector reached a peak in 1996 when within 2 years; seven air crashes with hundreds in fatalities, were recorded. This led to several industry reviews, regulations and operational status appraisal resulting in the closure and abandonment of the only 94 km hydrant jet fuel pipeline from Atlas Cove via Mosimi to Lagos Airport, by the Government in 1996 to this day. This paper critically examines the improvements in practice, and the jet fuel safety and quality management systems currently in place as at 2017, for the handling of jet fuel toward ensuring on‐spec jet A‐1 fuel with a focus on Lagos aviation fuel operations. The findings show that different forms of safeguards have been deployed along the jet fuel value chain to maintain product quality and ensure flight safety, but there are rising concerns that the industry may relapse on safety due to the current economic recession. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 37: 518–524, 2018
Differential antioxidant enzyme activity in rapid‐response glyphosate‐resistant Ambrosia trifida
Authors: Harre Nick T , Nie Haozhen , Jiang Yiwei , Young Bryan G
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) rapid‐response (RR) biotype exhibits a sacrificial form of glyphosate resistance whereby an oxidative burst in mature leaves results in foliage loss, while juvenile leaves remain uninjured. This work investigated the safening capacity of antioxidant enzymes in RR juvenile leaves following glyphosate treatment and examined cross tolerance to paraquat.

RESULTS

Basal antioxidant enzyme activities were similar between glyphosate‐susceptible (GS) and RR biotypes. Lipid peroxidation was first detected in RR mature leaves at 8 h after treatment (HAT) and by 32 HAT was 5.3 and 21.1 times greater than that in RR juvenile leaves and GS leaves, respectively. Preceding lipid peroxidation in the RR biotype at 2 and 4 HAT, the only increase in enzymatic activity was observed in ascorbate‐glutathione cycle enzymes in RR juvenile leaves, particularly ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase. Sensitivity to paraquat was similar between biotypes.

CONCLUSION

The RR biotype is not inherently more tolerant to oxidative stress. The difference in tissue damage between RR juvenile and mature leaves following glyphosate treatment is attributable at least partially to the transient increase in antioxidant enzyme expression in juvenile leaves (0–8 HAT), but may also be attributable to lower overall RR induction in juvenile leaves compared with mature leaves. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Detection of live larvae in cocoons of Bathyplectes curculionis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) using visible/near‐infrared multispectral imaging
Authors: Shrestha Santosh , Topbjerg Henrik Bak , Ytting Nanna Karkov , Skovgård Henrik , Boelt Birte
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The multispectral (MS) imaging system is a non‐destructive method with potential to reduce the labour and time required for quality control in the production of beneficial arthropods such as the parasitoid Bathyplectes curculionis. In Denmark, a project is being undertaken that focuses on the possible use of B. curculionis in augmentative control of Hypera weevil pests in white clover seed production where cocoons of the parasitoid remain as a by‐product of seed processing. Only a fraction of the by‐product contains live parasitoid larvae and an effective method is required detect live cocoons for later augmentative control of the pest. Therefore, this study aims to identify live larval cocoons of B. curculionis using the MS imaging system.

RESULTS

Live and dead cocoons were identified using the canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) model with an accuracy of 91% and 80% (error rate 14%) in the training set, and a predicted accuracy of 89% and 81% (error rate 15%) in the test set. Reflectance from the near‐infrared region was valuable in identifying live cocoons compared with that from the visible region.

CONCLUSION

The MS imaging system is a rapid method for the separation of live and dead cocoons of B. curculionis. This study shows the potential of developing an MS imaging system to facilitate sorting of live and dead cocoons and optimize augmentative control of Hypera weevil pests. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Forced gravity waves and the tropospheric response to convection
Authors: Halliday Oliver J. , Griffiths Stephen D. , Parker Douglas J. , Stirling Alison , Vosper Simon
Published: March 2018

We present theoretical work directed toward improving our understanding of the mesoscale influence of deep convection on its tropospheric environment through forced gravity waves. From the linear, hydrostatic, non‐rotating, incompressible equations, we find a two‐dimensional analytical solution to prescribed heating in a stratified atmosphere, which is upwardly radiating from the troposphere when the domain lid is sufficiently high. We interrogate the spatial and temporal sensitivity of both the vertical velocity and potential temperature to different heating functions, considering both the near‐field and remote responses to steady and pulsed heating. We find that the mesoscale tropospheric response to convection is significantly dependent on the upward radiation characteristics of the gravity waves, which are in turn dependent upon the temporal and spatial structure of the source, and the assumed stratification. We find a 50% reduction in tropospherically averaged vertical velocity when moving from a trapped (i.e. low lid) to upwardly radiating (i.e. high lid) solution but, even with maximal upward radiation, we still observe significant tropospheric vertical velocities in the far‐field 4 h after heating ends. We quantify the errors associated with coarsening a 10 km‐wide heating to a 100 km grid (in the way a general circulation model (GCM) would), observing a 20% reduction in vertical velocity. The implications of these results for the parametrization of convection in low‐resolution numerical models are quantified, and it is shown that the smoothing of heating over a grid box leads to significant in‐grid‐box tendencies, due to the erroneous rate of transfer of compensating subsidence to neighbouring regions. Further, we explore a simple time‐dependent heating parametrization that minimizes error in a parent GCM grid box, albeit at the expense of increased error in the neighbourhood.
The impact of interactions between tropical and midlatitude intraseasonal oscillations around the Tibetan Plateau on the 1998 Yangtze floods
Authors: Li Jianying , Mao Jiangyu
Published: March 2018

This study explores the dynamic processes on intraseasonal time‐scales responsible for the devastating floods over the Yangtze Basin during June–August 1998. Wavelet analysis suggests that the unusual double Meiyu episodes over the south of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley (SMLY) depended on the 25–60‐day intraseasonal oscillation (ISO), which has an anomalous ascending branch over the SMLY and descending branch south of 20°N over eastern China. This vertical–meridional cell was not only regulated by the tropical ISO over the Asian summer monsoon region but also modulated by the midlatitude ISO in the upper troposphere. The intraseasonal Rossby wave train along the Asian westerly jet, presenting as the anomalous anticyclone over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) sandwiched between anomalous cyclones in the upstream and downstream areas, tended to trigger another reversed vertical–meridional cell with updraught over the SMLY and downdraught to the north through vorticity advection. The phase‐lock of these ascending branches over the SMLY produced the double Meiyu episodes. The duration of the SMLY flooding was also associated with the interactions between tropical and midlatitude ISOs. During the first wet episode, as the tropical ISO‐related upper‐level divergent flows propagated northward to the southwestern TP, they tended to anchor the anticyclone over the TP through their interaction with the midlatitude rotational circulation. This favoured persistent ascent over the SMLY, and thus the prolonged Meiyu episode in June. In contrast, the northward propagation was confined to the central Bay of Bengal in July, leading to a short Meiyu episode.
The effect of measurement errors on the adaptive EWMA chart
Authors: Tang Anan , Castagliola Philippe , Sun JinSheng , Hu XueLong
Published: March 2018

The AEWMA chart is an Adaptive EWMA (Exponentially Weighted Moving Average)–type chart that combines the Shewhart and the classical EWMA schemes in a smooth way. Its performance has been studied under the assumption that there is no measurement error in the quality characteristic. In this paper, we investigate the performance of the AEWMA chart when measurement errors exist using a linearly covariate error model. The presence of measurement errors with a linearly increasing measurement error standard deviation is also investigated. It turns out that, with the existence of measurement errors, the efficiency of the AEWMA chart can be strongly affected, and the negative effect can be compensated by taking multiple measurements at each sample point. Comparisons with the classical EWMA scheme confirm the superiority of the AEWMA scheme in detecting a wide range of shifts even in the presence of measurement errors. An example is provided to illustrate the use of the AEWMA chart with measurement errors.
Low‐temperature plasma‐probe mass spectrometry based method for determination of new psychoactive substances in oral fluid
Authors: Wang Xiaochen , Hua Zhendong , Yang Zhaoguang , Li Haipu , Liu Huwei , Qiu Bo , Nie Honggang
Published: March 2018

Rationale

Owing to the widespread abuse of new psychoactive substances (NPSs), developing a rapid, easily operable method to detect NPSs in oral fluid is of high priority. Their ease of collection and non‐invasive nature make oral fluid samples suitable for on‐site tests and forensic cases. Herein we report a rapid and sensitive method to screen and quantitate 11 new NPSs in oral fluid.

Methods

Low‐temperature plasma‐probe mass spectrometry (LTP‐MS) was applied and, to improve the signal intensity, thermally assisted desorption was employed. Tandem mass spectrometry was performed to exclude false positive signals and to decrease noise at the m/z values of interest.

Results

Linearity was studied using matrix‐matched calibration curves; all the analytes exhibited good linearity with R2 varying from 0.9907 to 0.9981. The estimated limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 3.0–15.2 ng/mL, which are comparable to those of immunoassay; relative standard deviations (RSDs) are no greater than 23% at the studied concentration levels.

Conclusions

The proposed LTP‐MS‐based method was promising in forensic and on‐site applications to curb the abuse of NPSs.
Finite‐time stabilization for a class of switched stochastic nonlinear systems with dead‐zone input nonlinearities
Authors: Gao Fangzheng , Wu Yuqiang , Liu Yanhong
Published: March 2018

This paper studies the finite‐time stabilizing control problem for a class of switched stochastic nonlinear systems (SSNSs) in p‐normal form. The switched systems under consideration possess the powers of different positive rational numbers and the dead‐zone input nonlinearities. Based on the improving finite‐time stability theorem for SSNSs established in this paper, a general framework to address common state feedback for SSNSs is developed by adopting the common Lyapunov function–based adding a power integrator technique. It is proved that the proposed controller renders the trivial solution of the closed‐loop system uniformly finite‐time stable in probability under arbitrary switchings. Finally, simulation results are given to confirm the validity of the proposed approach.
Pointing With a Pen: The Role of Gesture in Early Childhood Writing
Authors: Rowe Deborah Wells
Published: March 2018

This study explored the connection between gesture and writing in early childhood. Participants were 139 children ages 2 years 6 months to 5 years 11 months attending two U.S. childcare centers serving low‐income, urban families. Qualitative methods were used to record adult–child writing interactions in classroom composing events and in a standard photo caption writing task. Analysis of children's photo captions showed that 55% of children ages 2 years 6 months to 3 years 5 months used at least one kind of inscribed gesture (e.g., boundary inscriptions, pointing lines). Use of inscribed gestures decreased for older preschoolers. The younger preschoolers also used inscribed gestures in classroom composing events but less frequently. Multimodal interaction analysis was used to microanalyze talk, gesture, body posture, proxemics, and graphic activity for a subsample of 28 children ages 2 years 6 months to 3 years 5 months as they wrote photo captions with adults. Results showed that empty‐handed and object gestures were important modes of communication for preschoolers and adults engaged in writing events. As children pointed to the page with a pen in hand, they inscribed their gestures on the page, creating graphic arrays that indicated the target of joint attention. Adults foregrounded and reframed the child's inscribed gestures as emergent forms of writing, offering timely responses that provided opportunities to learn social expectations for writing processes, messages, and purposes. Overall, inscribed gestures served as an initial form of meaningful participation in writing events for preschoolers. In line with Vygotsky, gesture provided a launching point for learning to write in early childhood.
Optimization on sparse random hypergraphs and spin glasses
Authors: Sen Subhabrata
Published: March 2018

We establish that in the large degree limit, the value of certain optimization problems on sparse random hypergraphs is determined by an appropriate Gaussian optimization problem. This approach was initiated in Dembo et al. (2016) for extremal cuts of graphs. The usefulness of this technique is further illustrated by deriving the optimal value for Max q‐cut on graphs, Max XORSAT on Erdős–Rényi hypergraphs, and the min‐bisection the min‐bisection for the Stochastic Block Model.
Time, frequency, and time‐varying Granger‐causality measures in neuroscience
Authors: Cekic Sezen , Grandjean Didier , Renaud Olivier
Published: March 2018

This article proposes a systematic methodological review and an objective criticism of existing methods enabling the derivation of time, frequency, and time‐varying Granger‐causality statistics in neuroscience. The capacity to describe the causal links between signals recorded at different brain locations during a neuroscience experiment is indeed of primary interest for neuroscientists, who often have very precise prior hypotheses about the relationships between recorded brain signals. The increasing interest and the huge number of publications related to this topic calls for this systematic review, which describes the very complex methodological aspects underlying the derivation of these statistics. In this article, we first present a general framework that allows us to review and compare Granger‐causality statistics in the time domain, and the link with transfer entropy. Then, the spectral and the time‐varying extensions are exposed and discussed together with their estimation and distributional properties. Although not the focus of this article, partial and conditional Granger causality, dynamical causal modelling, directed transfer function, directed coherence, partial directed coherence, and their variant are also mentioned.
Causal mediation analysis with multiple mediators in the presence of treatment noncompliance
Authors: Park Soojin , Kürüm Esra
Published: March 2018

Randomized experiments are often complicated because of treatment noncompliance. This challenge prevents researchers from identifying the mediated portion of the intention‐to‐treated (ITT) effect, which is the effect of the assigned treatment that is attributed to a mediator. One solution suggests identifying the mediated ITT effect on the basis of the average causal mediation effect among compliers when there is a single mediator. However, considering the complex nature of the mediating mechanisms, it is natural to assume that there are multiple variables that mediate through the causal path. Motivated by an empirical analysis of a data set collected in a randomized interventional study, we develop a method to estimate the mediated portion of the ITT effect when both multiple dependent mediators and treatment noncompliance exist. This enables researchers to make an informed decision on how to strengthen the intervention effect by identifying relevant mediators despite treatment noncompliance. We propose a nonparametric estimation procedure and provide a sensitivity analysis for key assumptions. We conduct a Monte Carlo simulation study to assess the finite sample performance of the proposed approach. The proposed method is illustrated by an empirical analysis of JOBS II data, in which a job training intervention was used to prevent mental health deterioration among unemployed individuals.
Probing Battery Electrochemistry with In Operando Synchrotron X‐Ray Imaging Techniques
Authors: Wang Liguang , Wang Jiajun , Zuo Pengjian
Published: March 2018

In operando tracking of the complex phase transformation pathway in battery materials and correlating morphology change, chemical composition, and phase structure with electrochemical performance is critical in exploring advanced battery systems with high energy density and safety. Emerging synchrotron X‐ray imaging techniques with high spatial, temporal, and chemical resolution provides unique tools to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in battery electrochemical reactions. Here, the recent significant progress in a number of rapidly growing synchrotron X‐ray imaging techniques that have been applied in battery research under in operando conditions is summarized. The basic principle and in operando experimental setup of these X‐ray imaging methods are briefly introduced. The unique capabilities of each X‐ray technique and the critical achieved scientific insights in a variety of battery materials are discussed, with particular emphasis on how these in operando X‐ray imaging techniques can advance fundamental understanding of the complex battery electrochemistry. Perspectives on the challenges and future trends in technology development for in operando X‐ray imaging study are also briefly proposed.
The Effect of Whistle‐Blowing Incentives on Collusion: An Experimental Study of Leniency Programs
Authors: Feltovich Nick , Hamaguchi Yasuyo
Published: March 2018

Policymakers are increasingly using whistle‐blowing incentives aimed at curtailing illegal or unethical behavior. We theoretically and experimentally investigate one version of whistle‐blowing incentive: leniency programs aimed at curbing anticompetitive activities by firms, by reducing the punishment faced by a cartel member who reports the cartel's behavior. The theoretical model captures the two important effects of whistle‐blowing incentives: the direct effect, a reduction in the stability of cartels, and the counterproductive indirect effect, an increase in the incentives to form cartels in the first place by lowering the cost of exiting them. As these point in opposite directions, the net theoretical effect is indeterminate. Our laboratory experiment compares two leniency programs—full immunity from fines and partial immunity—against a baseline with no whistle‐blowing incentives in place. We find evidence of the direct effect but not the indirect effect, and thus both programs reduce the extent of price fixing and the damage associated with it.
Modeling, Simulation, and Validation with Measurements of a Heat Recovery Hot Gas Cooling Line for Electric Arc Furnaces
Authors: Keplinger Thomas , Haider Markus , Steinparzer Thomas , Trunner Paul , Patrejko Andreas , Haselgrübler Manfred
Published: March 2018

Waste heat recovery has a high potential for increasing the efficiency and sustainability of electric arc furnaces. In the present work, a dynamic model of a water cooled hot gas line is presented and validated with measurements of a newly installed electric arc furnace (EAF) with a waste heat recovery system. Due to necessary reconstruction work of the EAF, the cooling pass is upgraded to a heat recovery hot gas line. With hot water from the hot gas line saturated steam can be produced and fed into the existing steam net. The heart of the system is the water cooled hot gas line which is responsible for sufficient hot gas cooling on the one hand and adequate hot water generation for the steam generators on the other hand. The water cooled hot gas line is modeled in the commercial simulation software APROS and validated with measurements of the performance test during commissioning of the heat recovery plant. The simulation results are showing an excellent agreement to the measurements. The results embody that the model is both very reliable to estimate the transient behavior of the hot gas line and able to predict the operational process conditions.
Exploring the Particle Reconfiguration in the Metallic Materials under the Pulsed Electric Current
Authors: Zhang Xinfang , Qin Rongshan
Published: March 2018

The dissolution, refinement, and separation of the particles are one of the core metallurgical processes to control the quality of metallic materials. The dimensional changes and controlled motion of the particles have attracted great attention due to their important contribution to the corrosion resistance, service life, and mechanical properties of metallic materials. In general, the dimensional change of the precipitates is controlled by heat treatment, while the separation or modification of the inclusions is completed by means of filtration, argon blowing, and Ca addition. Sometimes, these methods are inefficient and cannot meet the in situ operation requirement in a particular working environment. This study aims to introduce a new idea of electropulsing metallurgy to achieve direct control for the particles, and this technique is efficient and green. The production of high‐quality steels is achieved by the refinement and separation purification of the inclusions. The regeneration of the aged stainless steel used in nuclear power plant is obtained by the dissolution of precipitates. Therefore, electropulsing metallurgy provides a new technique to control the particle morphology and meets the needs for clean smelting purification and high‐performance metallic materials fabrication. If substantive progress is to be made in this field, some difficulties are highlighted here because the understanding on electropulsing processing is limited.
Implementation of universal screening for preterm delivery by mid‐trimester cervical‐length measurement
Authors: Souka A. P. , Papastefanou I. , Pilalis A. , Kassanos D. , Papadopoulos G.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To assess the feasibility and results of introducing a policy of universal screening for preterm delivery (PTD) by mid‐trimester cervical‐length (CL) measurement.

Methods

In this retrospective cross‐sectional study of singleton pregnancies, transvaginal sonography for CL measurement was performed at 20–24 weeks of gestation. Vaginal progesterone therapy was offered to women with CL ≤ 15 mm. The incidence of spontaneous PTD (sPTD) according to CL and the distribution of CL measurements were assessed. Rate of PTD before implementation of screening was compared with that after.

Results

A total of 10 506 singleton pregnancies were assessed. The decline rate was 1.32%. sPTD < 32 weeks, < 34 weeks and < 37 weeks occurred in 0.51%, 0.82% and 3.90% of pregnancies, respectively. CL measurement was best described by a mixture model distribution comprising a ‘short’ and a ‘long’ component. The percentage of the two components varied between subgroups of PTD, with the short component being greater the earlier the birth. CL, history of miscarriage, smoking status and prior PTD were independent predictors in the construction of a model predictive of PTD < 34 weeks (area under the curve = 0.74, P < 0.001). The rate of sPTD < 34 weeks in women with CL ≤ 15 mm receiving progesterone treatment was 20.4%. In the progesterone‐treated group, a plateau was observed in the increase in risk for PTD for CL 9–13 mm, whereas below 9 mm the risk increased exponentially. Following the introduction of mid‐trimester CL measurement, there was a trend for reduction in the rate of any PTD < 34 weeks of about 20% in comparison with the prescreening period (odds ratio = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.59–1.13).

Conclusions

Universal screening for PTD by transvaginal sonographic measurement of CL at 20–24 weeks is feasible and well accepted by pregnant women. This policy identifies a very high‐risk group that may benefit from intervention. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Accidents caused by kerosene lamps—New evidence from African household data
Authors: Lenz Luciane , Montenbruck Laura , Sievert Maximiliane
Published: March 2018

The use of kerosene for lighting, cooking, and heating in developing countries is often considered a major health threat as it can cause accidents like thermal injuries, poisonings, fires, or explosions. The evidence to prove this is extremely scarce, though. The present paper is one of the first to investigate the link between kerosene‐based lighting and accidents at the household level. We use survey data from 3,326 nonelectrified households in Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Senegal, and Zambia and observe very heterogeneous kerosene lamp usage rates. In some regions, accidents with kerosene lamps occur in a substantial share of the population, but the absolute incidence is rather low.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy

Energy and Development > Economics and Policy
Chiral limit of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM and ABJM and integrable Feynman graphs
Authors: Caetano João , Gürdoğan Ömer , Kazakov Vladimir
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We consider a special double scaling limit, recently introduced by two of the authors, combining weak coupling and large imaginary twist, for the γ-twisted

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 SYM theory. We also establish the analogous limit for ABJM theory. The resulting non-gauge chiral 4D and 3D theories of interacting scalars and fermions are integrable in the planar limit. In spite of the breakdown of conformality by double-trace interactions, most of the correlators for local operators of these theories are conformal, with non-trivial anomalous dimensions defined by specific, integrable Feynman diagrams. We discuss the details of this diagrammatics. We construct the doubly-scaled asymptotic Bethe ansatz (ABA) equations for multi-magnon states in these theories. Each entry of the mixing matrix of local conformal operators in the simplest of these theories — the bi-scalar model in 4D and tri-scalar model in 3D — is given by a single Feynman diagram at any given loop order. The related diagrams are in principle computable, up to a few scheme dependent constants, by integrability methods (quantum spectral curve or ABA). These constants should be fixed from direct computations of a few simplest graphs. This integrability-based method is advocated to be able to provide information about some high loop order graphs which are hardly computable by other known methods. We exemplify our approach with specific five-loop graphs.
Algebraic geometry and Bethe ansatz. Part I. The quotient ring for BAE
Authors: Jiang Yunfeng , Zhang Yang
Published: March 2018

Abstract

In this paper and upcoming ones, we initiate a systematic study of Bethe ansatz equations for integrable models by modern computational algebraic geometry. We show that algebraic geometry provides a natural mathematical language and powerful tools for understanding the structure of solution space of Bethe ansatz equations. In particular, we find novel efficient methods to count the number of solutions of Bethe ansatz equations based on Gröbner basis and quotient ring. We also develop analytical approach based on companion matrix to perform the sum of on-shell quantities over all physical solutions without solving Bethe ansatz equations explicitly. To demonstrate the power of our method, we revisit the completeness problem of Bethe ansatz of Heisenberg spin chain, and calculate the sum rules of OPE coefficients in planar

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

super-Yang-Mills theory.
On the Quantitative Metric Theory of Continued Fractions in Positive Characteristic
Authors: Lertchoosakul Poj , Nair Radhakrishnan
Published: March 2018

Let 𝔽q be the finite field of q elements. An analogue of the regular continued fraction expansion for an element α in the field of formal Laurent series over 𝔽q is given uniquely by
$$\alpha = A_0(\alpha ) + \displaystyle{1 \over {A_1(\alpha ) + \displaystyle{1 \over {A_2(\alpha ) + \ddots }}}},$$
where $(A_{n}(\alpha))_{n=0}^{\infty}$ is a sequence of polynomials with coefficients in 𝔽q such that deg(An(α)) ⩾ 1 for all n ⩾ 1. In this paper, we provide quantitative versions of metrical results regarding averages of partial quotients. A sample result we prove is that, given any ϵ > 0, we have
$$\vert A_1(\alpha ) \ldots A_N(\alpha )\vert ^{1/N} = q^{q/(q - 1)} + o(N^{ - 1/2}(\log N)^{3/2 + {\rm \epsilon }})$$
for almost everywhere α with respect to Haar measure.
Enthusiastic Policy Implementation and its Aftermath: The Sudden Expansion and Contraction of China's Microfinance for Women Programme
Authors: Deng Yanhua , O'Brien Kevin J. , Chen Jiajian
Published: March 2018

Many China scholars have explored shirking by local officials and “effective implementation,” but fewer have examined polices that are implemented with great enthusiasm. The Microfinance for Women Programme fits in this last category. Especially in Sichuan, targets for lending were set by the province, exceeded, raised by cities and counties, and then exceeded again. The immediate reason that lending took off in 2012 was the relaxation of collateral requirements that shifted the risk of defaults away from local authorities. But the surge in lending also had deeper roots in the policy's vagueness, institutional incentives, bureaucratic pressure, and local fiscal and organizational interests. Although enthusiastic implementation occurred (and generated much-needed revenues for local governments), the history of the programme also shows that it can be halted, as was the case when instability loomed and the authorities reversed bureaucratic pressure by calling for local cost-sharing and introducing uncertainty over whether interest subsidies would continue.
Synthesis and Rietveld refinements of new ceramics Sr2CaFe2WO9 and Sr2PbFe2TeO9 perovskites
Authors: El Hachmi Abdelhadi , Tamraoui Y. , Manoun Bouchaib , Haloui R. , Elaamrani M.A. , Saadoune I. , Bih L. , Lazor P.
Published: March 2018

Ceramics of Sr2CaFe2WO9 and Sr2PbFe2TeO9 double perovskites have been prepared in polycrystalline form by solid-state technique, in the air. The crystalline structure was analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) at room temperature. Rietveld analysis of XRPD patterns show that both compounds adopt a tetragonal structure with space group I4/m, with unit cell parameters a = 5.5453(1) Å, c = 7.8389(1) Å for Sr2CaFe2WO9, and a = 5.5994(15) Å, c = 7.8979(30) Å for Sr2PbFe2TeO9. A certain degree of anti-site disordering of W and/or Te and Fe on the B –sites have been detected, indicating the presence of a partial amount of W and/or Te at Fe positions and vice versa.
Genetic diversity within African tomato using next generation sequencing
Authors: Mungai Grace W. , Owino Willis , Ambuko Jane , Giovannoni J. J. , Nyende A. B. , Michuki G.
Published: March 2018

Full potential of African tomato has not been tapped due to lack of information regarding its characterization. The aim of this work was to study the diversity of 17 African tomato landraces collected from Solanaceae gene bank – Tanzania. Evaluation was done using Complete Random Block Design. Morphological data collected were subjected to GenStat's and Darwin6 software. RNA was extracted from leaf samples, fruits at three ripening stages using modified Trizol method and sequencing done using Illumina sequencing platform. The raw reads were filtered and analysed using the Bioinformatics tools. Phenotypically, the landraces clustered into three clusters dendrogram representation. Clustering was attributed by phenotypic variation. Analysis of variance showed significant phenotypic variations among the landraces (P < 0.05). A total of 115,965 validated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were mined from the 303,754,051 high-quality filtered reads. Molecular characterization showed significant variation within the landraces at fruit development stages. Unlike the phenotypic variation, phylogenetic tree representation grouped the 17 landraces according to their geographical location with some landraces from different countries grouping together. The findings of this study reveal significant morphological variation among African tomato contributed by plant height, leaf blade length, leaf blade width and fruit width. Positive correlation between fruit width and yield (r = 0.93, P < 0.01) was observed. Results of this study reveal that there is admixture of landraces from various geographical locations. Morphological characterization of African tomato can only lay a foundation but it does not reveal genetic diversity. The transcriptome SNP analysis revealed significant variation among the African tomato according to their geographical location.
Fundamental Rights as a New Frame: Displacing the Acquis
Authors: Robin-Olivier Sophie
Published: March 2018

Impact of fundamental rights on the social ‘acquis’ – Limited extension of social rights from the integration of the ‘acquis’ into the Charter of Fundamental Rights – How the Charter contributed to the renewed force of the economic freedoms – Shift from fundamental rights to ‘essential principles’ of uncertain nature in the European Pillar of Social Rights – Possible transformation in the approach to social issues through interdisciplinarity
Identification of mutations in HEXA and HEXB in Sandhoff and Tay-Sachs diseases: a new large deletion caused by Alu elements in HEXA
Authors: Dastsooz Hassan , Alipour Mohsen , Mohammadi Sanaz , Kamgarpour Fatemeh , Dehghanian Fatemeh , Fardaei Majid
Published: March 2018

GM2 gangliosides are a group of lysosomal lipid storage disorders that are due to mutations in HEXA, HEXB and GM2A. In our study, 10 patients with these diseases were enrolled, and Sanger sequencing was performed for the HEXA and HEXB genes. The results revealed one known splice site mutation (c.346+1G>A, IVS2+1G>A) and three novel mutations (a large deletion involving exons 6–10; one nucleotide deletion, c.622delG [p.D208Ifsx15]; and a missense mutation, c.919G>A [p.E307K]) in HEXA. In HEXB, one known mutation (c.1597C>T [p.R533C]) and one variant of uncertain significance (c.619A>G [p.I207V]) were identified. Five patients had c.1597C>T in HEXB, indicating a common mutation in south Iran. In this study, a unique large deletion in HEXA was identified as a homozygous state. To predict the cause of the large deletion in HEXA, RepeatMasker was used to investigate the Alu elements. In addition, to identify the breakpoint of this deletion, PCR was performed around these elements. Using Repeat masker, different Alu elements were identified across HEXA, mainly in intron 5 and intron 10 adjacent to the deleted exons. PCR around the Alu elements and Sanger sequencing revealed the start point of a large deletion in AluSz6 in the intron 6 and the end of its breakpoint 73 nucleotides downstream of AluJo in intron 10. Our study showed that HEXA is an Alu-rich gene that predisposes individuals to disease-associated large deletions due to these elements.
Engineering Bacillus thuringiensis Cyt1Aa toxin specificity from dipteran to lepidopteran toxicity
Authors: Torres-Quintero Mary-Carmen , Gómez Isabel , Pacheco Sabino , Sánchez Jorge , Flores Humberto , Osuna Joel , Mendoza Gretel , Soberón Mario , Bravo Alejandra
Published: March 2018

The Cyt and Cry toxins are different pore-forming proteins produced byBacillus thuringiensisbacteria, and used in insect-pests control. Cry-toxins have a complex mechanism involving interaction with several proteins in the insect gut such as aminopeptidase N (APN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cadherin (CAD). It was shown that the loop regions of domain II of Cry toxins participate in receptor binding. Cyt-toxins are dipteran specific and interact with membrane lipids. We show that Cry1Ab domain II loop3 is involved in binding to APN, ALP and CAD receptors since point mutation Cry1Ab-G439D affected binding to these proteins. We hypothesized that construction of Cyt1A-hybrid proteins providing a binding site that recognizes gut proteins in lepidopteran larvae could result in improved Cyt1Aa toxin toward lepidopteran larvae. We constructed hybrid Cyt1Aa-loop3 proteins with increased binding interaction toManduca sextareceptors and increased toxicity against two Lepidopteran pests,M. sextaandPlutella xylostella. The hybrid Cyt1Aa-loop3 proteins were severely affected in mosquitocidal activity and showed partial hemolytic activity but retained their capacity to synergize Cry11Aa toxicity against mosquitos. Our data show that insect specificity of Cyt1Aa toxin can be modified by introduction of loop regions from another non-related toxin with different insect specificity.
Habitat geography around Hawaii’s oceanic islands influences tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) spatial behaviour and shark bite risk at ocean recreation sites
Authors: Meyer Carl G. , Anderson James M. , Coffey Daniel M. , Hutchinson Melanie R. , Royer Mark A. , Holland Kim N.
Published: March 2018

We compared tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) spatial behaviour among 4 Hawaiian Islands to evaluate whether local patterns of movement could explain higher numbers of shark bites seen around Maui than other islands. Our sample consisted of 96 electronically-tagged (satellite and acoustic transmitters) tiger sharks, individually tracked for up to 6 years. Most individuals showed fidelity to a specific ‘home’ island, but also swam between islands and sometimes ranged far (up to 1,400 km) offshore. Movements were primarily oriented to insular shelf habitat (0–200 m depth) in coastal waters, and individual sharks utilized core-structured home ranges within this habitat. Core utilization areas of large tiger sharks were closer to high-use ocean recreation sites around Maui, than around Oahu. Tiger sharks routinely visited shallow ocean recreation sites around Maui and were detected on more days overall at ocean recreation sites around Maui (62–80%) than Oahu (<6%). Overall, our results suggest the extensive insular shelf surrounding Maui supports a fairly resident population of tiger sharks and also attracts visiting tiger sharks from elsewhere in Hawaii. Collectively these natural, habitat-driven spatial patterns may in-part explain why Maui has historically had more shark bites than other Hawaiian Islands.