bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV‐1 Tat Peptide‐Gemcitabine Gold (III)‐PEGylated Complex—Nanoflowers: A Sleek Thermosensitive Hybrid Nanocarrier as Prospective Anticancer
Authors: Liu Hui , Jiang Peng , Li Zhonghu , Li Xiaowu , Djaker Nadia , Spadavecchia Jolanda
Published: June 2018

This paper focuses on the synthesis of novel metal‐drugs nanoparticles based onto gold‐gemcitabine complexes relevant for biomedical applications. Gold (HAuCl4) is mixed with antitumor compounds (gemcitabine (GEM)) and dicarboxylic acid–terminated polyethylene‐glycol (PEG), which plays a double role as surfactants and reducing agent. The proposed methodology is fast and reproducible and leads the formation of hybrid‐metal nanoflowers called GEM ION‐PEG‐AuNPs, in which drug solubility and efficiency are improved. The emerging role of GEM ION PEG‐AuNPs in the hyperthermic treatment was applied in pancreatic cancer cells under specific experimental conditions. For this purpose GEM ION‐PEG‐AuNPs are decorated with HIV‐1 Tat peptide, a potent trans‐activator of transcription from the viral promoter and is essential for viral replication containing an activation domain and a nucleic acid‐binding domain. All products are evaluated by various spectroscopic techniques (Raman and UV–vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This study, revealing an original chemical approach, will employ an important position in the field of nanomedicine, with novel perspectives that will be proposed for the development of new drugs and active targeting in cancer therapy.
Writing in the STEM classroom: Faculty conceptions of writing and its role in the undergraduate classroom
Authors: Moon Alena , Gere Anne Ruggles , Shultz Ginger V.
Published: June 2018

Writing is widely recognized as fundamental to the construction and communication of scientific knowledge. Building on this relationship between writing and knowledge construction, writing‐to‐learn (WTL) activities have shown to be effective in many science classrooms, but have not been widely implemented at the postsecondary level. To address the lack of implementation, we investigated potential adopters of this pedagogy. Potential adopters, postsecondary faculty, are unique given the key role writing plays in their professional practice as researchers. Because of this unique feature and the fact that an instructor's theoretical orientation toward a construct impacts their instruction of that construct, an investigation of postsecondary faculty's conceptions of writing instruction is necessary to understand the way writing is being used in the postsecondary classroom. To this end, 33 STEM faculty across multiple disciplines and positions were interviewed about writing and its role in their classes. A phenomenographic analysis resulted in four faculty “types” consisting of unique combinations of concept and practice, organized according to compatibility with WTL. Profiles were built that describe unique conceptions, desired outcomes, and challenges for each type. These profiles provide an understanding of the relationship between faculty's conceptions and instructional practices regarding writing and lay the groundwork for understanding how writing is used in the postsecondary classroom.
Damping Capacities of Porous Mg–based Ternary Alloys Prepared by a Stir–casting Method
Authors: Wang Yun‐si , Niu Rui‐long , Yan Fang‐jia , Duan Dong‐ping , Yang Xue‐min
Published: June 2018

A new approach for preparing porous Mg–Al–Sr ternary alloys has been proposed using stir–casting method. Experimental results indicate that porosity and pore diameters have close relation with chemical composition of Mg–based ternary alloys. The proposed formation mechanism of pores in Mg–based ternary alloys can be described as that the oxidization reaction between [Sr] and O2 in air provides enough heat source to vaporize small amount of Mg–based ternary alloys, while the vaporized products promote formation of embodied pores with various sizes and shapes in Mg–based ternary alloys during solidification process. Meanwhile, some oxides in shape of sheets will be formed and precipitated, while other oxides will also be precipitated on surface of pore wall during cooling. Moreover, the measured damping capacities expressed by internal friction tan δ indicate that changing temperature from ambient temperature to 343 K cannot cause a large effect on damping capacities, however the inverse V–shape plots of damping capacities against temperature from 343 to 573 K are obtained. In addition, increasing vibration frequencies can result in a decrease of internal friction tan δ. The optimized chemical composition as 50%Mg–47%Al–3%Sr and 50%Mg–45%Al–5%Sr are recommended for Mg–based ternary alloys with greater porosity and higher damping performance under temperature and vibration frequency.
The influence of mastery on mother's health in middle years: Moderating role of stressful life context
Authors: King Victoria , Wickrama K.A.S. , Klopack Eric T. , Lorenz Frederick O.
Published: June 2018

Using data from 416 middle‐aged mothers gathered over the course of a decade, this study examined the influence of mastery trajectories (the initial level and change), on change in physical health. Mastery is defined as one's ability to control and influence his/her life and environment to reach a desired outcome or goal. Both the initial level and change in mastery from 1991 to 1994 were associated with decreased physical health problems over the middle years (1991–2001). Contextual moderation of this association by stressful life contexts including negative life events and work–family conflict was investigated. Moderation analysis showed that under conditions of low contextual life stressors, the level and increase in mastery significantly contributed to decreases in physical health problems in middle‐aged mothers. Alternatively, conditions of high contextual life stressors inhibited the ability of mastery to influence physical health of mothers, suggesting that the positive health impact of mastery on physical health is mitigated by stressful life experiences. Implications for the need to maintain important personal resources, such as mastery, during times of stress are discussed.
Tailoring NiO Nanostructured Arrays by Sulfate Anions for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Yingmeng , Lim Yew Von , Huang Shaozhuan , Pam Mei Er , Wang Ye , Ang Lay Kee , Shi Yumeng , Yang Hui Ying
Published: June 2018

In this contribution, a novel sulfate‐ion‐controlled synthesis is developed to fabricate freestanding nickel hydroxide nanoarrays on Ni substrate. As an inorganic morphology‐controlled agent, SO42− ions play a critical role in controlling the crystal growth and the nanoarray morphologies, by modulating the growth rate of adsorbed crystal facets or inserting into the metal hydroxide interlayers. By controlling the SO42− concentration, the nanostructured arrays are tailored from one‐dimensional (1D) Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanobelt arrays to hierarchical β‐Ni(OH)2 nanosheet arrays. With further graphene oxide modification and postheat treatment, the obtained NiO/graphene hybrid nanoarrays show great potential for high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries, which exhibit a cyclability of 380 mAh g−1 after undergoing 100 cycles at 0.5 C and reach a rate capability of 335 mA h g−1 at 10 C.
Dual‐Modal NIR‐Fluorophore Conjugated Magnetic Nanoparticle for Imaging Amyloid‐β Species In Vivo
Authors: Li Yinhui , Xu Di , Chan Hei‐Nga , Poon Chung‐Yan , Ho See‐Lok , Li Hung‐Wing , Wong Man Shing
Published: June 2018

Senile plaques, the extracellular deposit of amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides, are one of the neuropathological hallmarks found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. The current method of brain imaging of amyloid plaques based on positron emission tomography (PET) is expensive and invasive with low spatial resolution. Thus, the development of sensitive and nonradiative amyloid‐β (Aβ)‐specific contrast agents is highly important and beneficial to achieve early AD detection, monitor the disease progression, and evaluate the effectiveness of potential AD drugs. Here a neuroprotective dual‐modal nanoprobe developed by integrating highly Aβ‐specific and turn‐on fluorescence cyanine sensors with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as an effective near‐infrared imaging (NIRI)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent for imaging of Aβ species in vivo is reported. This Aβ‐specific probe is found not only nontoxic and noninvasive, but also highly blood brain barrier permeable. It also shows a potent neuroprotective effect against Aβ‐induced toxicities. This nanoprobe is successfully applied for in vivo fluorescence imaging with high sensitivity and selectivity to Aβ species, and MRI with high spatial resolution in an APP/PS1 transgenic mice model. Its potential as a powerful in vivo dual‐modal imaging tool for early detection and diagnosis of AD in humans is affirmed.
Green Formation of Robust Supraparticles for Cargo Protection and Hazards Control in Natural Environments
Authors: Mattos Bruno D. , Greca Luiz G. , Tardy Blaise L. , Magalhães Washington L. E. , Rojas Orlando J.
Published: June 2018

In parallel with important technological advances, nanoparticles have brought numerous environmental and toxicological challenges due to their high mobility and nonspecific surface activity. The hazards associated with nanoparticles can be significantly reduced while simultaneously keeping their inherent benefits by superstructuring. In this study, a low‐temperature and versatile methodology is employed to structure nanoparticles into controlled morphologies from biogenic silica, used as a main building block, together with cellulose nanofibrils, which promote cohesion. The resultant superstructures are evaluated for cargo loading/unloading of a model, green biomolecule (thymol), and for photo‐accessibility and mobility in soil. The bio‐based superstructures resist extremely high mechanical loading without catastrophic failure, even after severe chemical and heat treatments. Additionally, the process allows pre and in situ loading, and reutilization, achieving remarkable dynamic payloads as high as 90 mg g−1. The proposed new and facile methodology is expected to offer a wide range of opportunities for the application of superstructures in sensitive and natural environments.
A comprehensive model for code readability
Authors: Scalabrino Simone , Linares‐Vásquez Mario , Oliveto Rocco , Poshyvanyk Denys
Published: June 2018

Unreadable code could compromise program comprehension, and it could cause the introduction of bugs. Code consists of mostly natural language text, both in identifiers and comments, and it is a particular form of text. Nevertheless, the models proposed to estimate code readability take into account only structural aspects and visual nuances of source code, such as line length and alignment of characters. In this paper, we extend our previous work in which we use textual features to improve code readability models. We introduce 2 new textual features, and we reassess the readability prediction power of readability models on more than 600 code snippets manually evaluated, in terms of readability, by 5K+ people. We also replicate a study by Buse and Weimer on the correlation between readability and FindBugs warnings, evaluating different models on 20 software systems, for a total of 3M lines of code. The results demonstrate that (1) textual features complement other features and (2) a model containing all the features achieves a significantly higher accuracy as compared with all the other state‐of‐the‐art models. Also, readability estimation resulting from a more accurate model, ie, the combined model, is able to predict more accurately FindBugs warnings.
Dark matter direct detection from new interactions in models with spin-two mediators
Authors: Carrillo-Monteverde A. , Kang Yoo-Jin , Lee Hyun Min , Park Myeonghun , Sanz Veronica
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We consider models where a massive spin-two resonance acts as the mediator between Dark Matter (DM) and the SM particles through the energy-momentum tensor. We examine the effective theory for fermion, vector and scalar DM generated in these models and find novel types of DM-SM interaction never considered before. We identify the effective interactions between DM and the SM quarks when the mediator is integrated out, and match them to the gravitational form factors relevant for spin-independent DM-nucleon scattering. We also discuss the interplay between DM relic density conditions, direct detection bounds and collider searches for the spin-two mediator.
Large N limit of irreducible tensor models: O(N) rank-3 tensors with mixed permutation symmetry
Authors: Carrozza Sylvain
Published: June 2018

Abstract

It has recently been proven that in rank three tensor models, the antisymmetric and symmetric traceless sectors both support a large N expansion dominated by melon diagrams [1]. We show how to extend these results to the last irreducible O(N) tensor representation available in this context, which carries a two-dimensional representation of the symmetric group S
3. Along the way, we emphasize the role of the irreducibility condition: it prevents the generation of vector modes which are not compatible with the large N scaling of the tensor interaction. This example supports the conjecture that a melonic large N limit should exist more generally for higher rank tensor models, provided that they are appropriately restricted to an irreducible subspace.
The 1-loop effective potential for the Standard Model in curved spacetime
Authors: Markkanen Tommi , Nurmi Sami , Rajantie Arttu , Stopyra Stephen
Published: June 2018

Abstract

The renormalisation group improved Standard Model effective potential in an arbitrary curved spacetime is computed to one loop order in perturbation theory. The loop corrections are computed in the ultraviolet limit, which makes them independent of the choice of the vacuum state and allows the derivation of the complete set of β-functions. The potential depends on the spacetime curvature through the direct non-minimal Higgs-curvature coupling, curvature contributions to the loop diagrams, and through the curvature dependence of the renormalisation scale. Together, these lead to significant curvature dependence, which needs to be taken into account in cosmological applications, which is demonstrated with the example of vacuum stability in de Sitter space.
Higgs portal dark matter in non-standard cosmological histories
Authors: Hardy Edward
Published: June 2018

Abstract

A scalar particle with a relic density set by annihilations through a Higgs portal operator is a simple and minimal possibility for dark matter. However, assuming a thermal cosmological history this model is ruled out over most of parameter space by collider and direct detection constraints. We show that in theories with a non-thermal cosmological history Higgs portal dark matter is viable for a wide range of dark matter masses and values of the portal coupling, evading existing limits. In particular, we focus on the string theory motivated scenario of a period of matter domination due to a light modulus with a decay rate that is suppressed by the Planck scale. Dark matter with a mass ≲ GeV is possible without additional hidden sector states, and this can have astrophysically relevant self-interactions. We also study the signatures of such models at future direct, indirect, and collider experiments. Searches for invisible Higgs decays at the high luminosity LHC or an e
+
e
− collider could cover a significant proportion of the parameter space for low mass dark matter, and future direct detection experiments will play a complementary role.
Correction to: Meeting Abstracts from the 1st Congress of the Ambroise Paré International Military Surgery Forum (APIMSF): 30th Anniversary APIMSF Meeting, Baku, Azerbaijan, May 15–18, 2018
Authors:   Ambroise Paré International Military Surgery Forum
Published: June 2018

Following are corrections to this abstract supplement.
Correction to: Distal Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy versus conventional hemorrhoidectomy for grade III and IV hemorrhoids: postoperative morbidity and long-term outcomes
Authors: Trenti L. , Biondo S. , Galvez A. , Bravo A. , Cabrera J. , Kreisler E.
Published: June 2018

The article “Distal Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy versus conventional hemorrhoidectomy for grade III and IV hemorrhoids: postoperative morbidity and long-term outcomes”, written by L. Trenti, S. Biondo, A. Galvez, A. Bravo, J. Cabrera, E. Kreisler, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on [27 April 2017] without open access. With the author(s)’ decision to opt for Open Choice the copyright of the article changed on 7 June, 2018 to © The Author(s) [2018] and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.
Reprogramming Halomonas for industrial production of chemicals
Authors: Chen Xiangbin , Yu Linping , Qiao Guanqing , Chen Guo-Qiang
Published: June 2018

Halomonas spp. are able to grow under a high salt concentration at alkali pH, they are able to resist contamination by other microbes. Development of Halomonas spp. as platform production strains for the next-generation industrial biotechnology (NGIB) is intensively studied. Among Halomonas spp., Halomonas bluephagenesis is the best studied one with available engineering tools and methods to reprogram it for production of various polyhydroxyalkanoates, proteins, and chemicals. Due to its contamination resistance, H. bluephagenesis can be grown under open and continuous processes not just in the labs but also in at least 1000 L fermentor scale. It is expected that NGIB based on Halomonas spp. be able to engineer for production of increasing number of products in a competitive manner.
Two metaheuristic approaches for solving the multi-compartment vehicle routing problem
Authors: Yahyaoui Hiba , Kaabachi Islem , Krichen Saoussen , Dekdouk Abdulkader
Published: June 2018

We address in this paper a multi-compartment vehicle routing problem (MCVRP) that aims to plan the delivery of different products to a set of geographically dispatched customers. The MCVRP is encountered in many industries, our research has been motivated by petrol station replenishment problem. The main objective of the delivery process is to minimize the total driving distance by the used trucks.
The problem configuration is described through a prefixed set of trucks with several compartments and a set of customers with demands and prefixed delivery. Given such inputs, the minimization of the total traveled distance is subject to assignment and routing constraints that express the capacity limitations of each truck’s compartment in terms of the pathways’ restrictions. For the NP-hardness of the problem, we propose in this paper two algorithms mainly for large problem instances: an adaptive variable neighborhood search (AVNS) and a Partially Matched Crossover PMX-based Genetic Algorithm to solve this problem with the goal of ensuring a better solution quality. We compare the ability of the proposed AVNS with the exact solution using CPLEX and a set of benchmark problem instances is used to analyze the performance of the both proposed meta-heuristics.
Profit Model of Metro Enterprises and Quasi-Market Based Practice of Shenzhen Metro
Authors: Zhang Hong , Liao Rebekah
Published: June 2018

The need to financially support metro enterprises stems from the amplified global enthusiasm for sustainable modes of transport. This paper analyzes the formulation and practice of the profit model based on quasi-marketing initiated within Shenzhen Metro in China. In contrast to previous studies based on a single theory, this paper employs an integrated approach in optimizing gains. Metro enterprises have peculiar attributes such as supply of quasi-public service products, positive externalities, heavy assets, low profit, economy of scale, and economy of scope. Therefore, in order to effectuate sustainable growth, the author has put forward three methods for the profit model based on the quasi-market principle: firstly, generate internal gains of positive externalities through the enterprise’s market operation on government-allocated resources; secondly, balance cost and income by modifying the accounting policies on fixed assets depreciation and financing interest; and lastly, maximize economy of scope by enhancing synergy between different business segments and sub-businesses of the same segment in the enterprise. In practice, these methods are carried out in Shenzhen Metro with innovative methods that comprise “metro plus property”, “member plus fund” and “entity plus virtual”. This study concludes that the advantages of quasi-marketing include the optimization of resources and the success in overcoming the financial restraints in metro enterprises. Through the high applicability in Shenzhen Metro, it is shown that this quasi-market principle-based profit model could enable metro enterprises to achieve self-development and sustainability.
Better prognostic accuracy in younger mild cognitive impairment patients with more years of education
Authors: Göthlin Mattias , Eckerström Marie , Rolstad Sindre , Kettunen Petronella , Wallin Anders
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Age and years of education influence the risk of dementia and may impact the prognostic accuracy of mild cognitive impairment subtypes.

Methods

Memory clinic patients without dementia (N = 358, age 64.0 ± 7.9) were stratified into four groups based on years of age (≤64 and ≥65) and education (≤12 and ≥13), examined with a neuropsychological test battery at baseline and followed up after 2 years.

Results

The prognostic accuracy of amnestic multi‐domain mild cognitive impairment for dementia was highest in younger patients with more years of education and lowest in older patients with fewer years of education. Conversely, conversion rates to dementia were lowest in younger patients with more years of education and highest in older patients with fewer years of education.

Discussion

Mild cognitive impairment subtypes and demographic information should be combined to increase the accuracy of prognoses for dementia.
Metacognitive Training for Depression (D-MCT) reduces false memories in depression. A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Moritz Steffen , Schneider Brooke C. , Peth Judith , Arlt Sönke , Jelinek Lena
Published: June 2018

Metacognitive Training for Depression (D-MCT) is a highly standardized group program targeted at depression-related (“Beckian”) emotional as well as cognitive biases, including mood-congruent and false memory. While prior results are promising with respect to psychopathological outcomes (depression), it is unclear whether D-MCT also meets its goal of improving cognitive biases, such as false memories.

In the framework of a randomized controlled trial (registered trial, DRKS00007907), we investigated whether D-MCT is superior to an active control condition (health training, HT) in reducing the susceptibility of depressed patients for false memories. False memories were examined using parallel versions of a visual variant of the Deese-Roediger McDermott paradigm.

Both groups committed less false memories at post assessment after 4 weeks compared to baseline. Relative to HT, D-MCT led to a significant decrease in high-confident false memories over time.

The study presents first evidence that D-MCT decreases the susceptibility of depressed patients for false memories, particularly for errors made with high confidence that are presumably the most “toxic” in terms of mood-congruent memory distortions.
Wilderness Mass Casualty Incident (MCI): Rescue Chain After Avalanche at Everest Base Camp (EBC) In 2015
Authors: Zafren Ken , Brants Anne , Tabner Katie , Nyberg Andrew , Pun Matiram , Basnyat Buddha , Brodmann Maeder Monika
Published: June 2018

The Nepal Earthquake of 2015 killed over 8000 people and injured over 20,000 in Nepal. Moments after the earthquake, an avalanche of falling ice came down from above Everest Base Camp (EBC). The air blast created by the avalanche flattened the middle part of EBC, killing 15 people and injuring at least 70. The casualties were initially triaged and treated at EBC and then evacuated by air to Kathmandu for definitive care. There were intermediate stops at the villages of Pheriche and Lukla during which the casualties were offloaded, retriaged, treated, and loaded again for further transport. Most of the authors of this article helped to provide primary disaster relief at EBC, Pheriche, or Lukla immediately after the earthquake. We describe the process by which an ad hoc rescue chain evacuated the casualties. We discuss challenges, both medical and nonmedical, what went well, and lessons learned. We make recommendations for disaster planning in the Khumbu (Everest) region, an isolated high altitude roadless area of Nepal.
Permutation Groups and Cartesian Decompositions
Authors: Praeger Cheryl E. , Schneider Csaba
Published: June 2018

Permutation groups, their fundamental theory and applications are discussed in this introductory book. It focuses on those groups that are most useful for studying symmetric structures such as graphs, codes and designs. Modern treatments of the O'Nan–Scott theory are presented not only for primitive permutation groups but also for the larger families of quasiprimitive and innately transitive groups, including several classes of infinite permutation groups. Their precision is sharpened by the introduction of a cartesian decomposition concept. This facilitates reduction arguments for primitive groups analogous to those, using orbits and partitions, that reduce problems about general permutation groups to primitive groups. The results are particularly powerful for finite groups, where the finite simple group classification is invoked. Applications are given in algebra and combinatorics to group actions that preserve cartesian product structures. Students and researchers with an interest in mathematical symmetry will find the book enjoyable and useful.
Political Activism and Other Life Forms in Colonial Buganda
Authors: Earle Jonathon L.
Published: June 2018

This article uses recently unearthed private papers and ethnographic fieldwork to explore the intersection of political practice and environmental ideation in colonial Buganda. In the early to mid-1900s, colonial administrators sought to draw Ganda interlocutors into abstract conversations about a natural world that was devoid of political power. Through Witchcraft Ordinances, imperial administrators sought to distance spirits, rocks, trees, snakes, and other life forms from the concrete world of social movement and dissent. But in late colonial Uganda, the trade unionist Erieza Bwete and the influential spirit prophet Kibuuka Kigaanira navigated environmental spaces that were imbued with political significance. Uganda’s economic and national histories, informed by methodologies that privileged philosophical materialism, overlooked how interactions with multispecies animated anticolonial politics and larger debates about authority. To challenge these earlier assumptions, this article shows how colonial literati and a late colonial prophet interacted with a natural world that was deeply political to conceptualize independence and challenge colonial power.
Frequency–wavenumber spectral analysis of spatio-temporal flows
Authors: Geoga Christopher J. , Haley Charlotte L. , Siegel Andrew R. , Anitescu Mihai
Published: June 2018

We propose a fully spatio-temporal approach for identifying spatially varying modes of oscillation in fluid dynamics simulation output by means of multitaper frequency–wavenumber spectral analysis. One-dimensional spectrum estimation has proven to be a valuable tool in the analysis of turbulence data applied spatially to determine the rate of energy transport between spatial scales, or temporally to determine frequencies of oscillatory flows. It also allows for the quantitative comparison of flow characteristics between two scenarios using a standard basis. It has the limitation, however, that it neglects coupling between spatial and temporal structures. Two-dimensional frequency–wavenumber spectral analysis allows one to decompose waveforms into standing or travelling variety. The extended higher-dimensional multitaper method proposed here is shown to have improved statistical properties over conventional non-parametric spectral estimators, and is accompanied by confidence intervals which estimate their uncertainty. Multitaper frequency–wavenumber analysis is applied to a canonical benchmark problem, namely, a direct numerical simulation of von Kármán vortex shedding off a square wall-mounted cylinder with two inflow scenarios with matching momentum-thickness Reynolds numbers$Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}\approx 1000$at the obstacle. Frequency–wavenumber analysis of a two-dimensional section of these data reveals that although both the laminar and turbulent inflow scenarios show a turbulent$-5/3$cascade in wavenumber ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}$) and frequency ($f$), the flow characteristics differ in that there is a significantly more prominent discrete harmonic oscillation near$(f,\unicode[STIX]{x1D708})=(0.2,0.21)$in wavenumber and frequency in the laminar inflow scenario than the turbulent scenario. This frequency–wavenumber pair corresponds to a travelling wave with velocity near one near the centre path of the vortex street.
The evolution of oil trade: A complex network approach
Authors: FRACASSO ANDREA , NGUYEN HIEN T. T. , SCHIAVO STEFANO
Published: June 2018

Trade in oil has undergone significant changes in the last 20 years: technical progress has allowed the exploitation of new and previously untapped fields; the emergence of new large oil importers, such as China, has shifted the traditional patterns of demand and supply, while the desire to diversify energy sources has favored the emergence of new suppliers. This paper compares the topological properties of the network of crude oil trade over the period 1995–2014. The analysis covers both aggregate measures (such as network density and centralization) and node-specific indicators (e.g. centrality) that allow to uncover the rise (demise) of new (old) important players. Accounting for the position of each country within the network provides valuable information above and beyond traditional measures such as market shares. To investigate whether oil trade has experienced a process of globalization or, rather, regionalization, we look at the community structure of the network: the number of communities increases in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, but then goes back to its historical values. Something similar happens to the average geographic distance within each community, showing that along a regional component there are also strategic/political considerations at play. Econometric analysis suggests that high oil prices increase the likelihood that high-production-cost exporters play a more central role in the network, thus reducing the power of traditional suppliers.
Graciously commanded: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth on the Decalogue
Authors: Ziegler Philip G.
Published: June 2018

This essay examines and compares the treatment of the Decalogue in the theological ethics of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It argues that while both theologians orient their exposition of the Decalogue by attending to its primary character as divine self-revelation, approach it with a view to a Christian ethics of divine command, and frame their understandings in decisively christological terms, they differ markedly on the extent to which the commandments themselves can and ought to be understood as representing concrete divine commands.
The Westminster Standards and the possibility of a Reformed virtue ethic
Authors: Hunsicker David B.
Published: June 2018

The renaissance of virtue ethics in Christian moral discourse has led a handful of Reformed theologians to consider whether or not the Reformed tradition is compatible with classical and medieval concepts of virtue. Barthians, in particular, express doubt regarding the prospect of such a retrieval, arguing that classical notions of virtue compromise the Reformed hallmark of divine sovereignty and Luther's dictumsimul justus et peccator.This essay counters that the Reformed tradition is broad enough to find more productive ways to engage virtue ethics. In particular, the Westminster Standards provideboththe formal space for a significant theological exploration of human agencyandthe material content for the development of something like a classical virtue ethic. Barthian concerns regarding divine sovereignty and moral progress are satisfied by a demonstration that Westminster's attention to human agency is always within the context of a greater emphasis on divine agency.
Neediness: the anthropology of Karl Barth
Authors: Dorman David A.
Published: June 2018

The article argues that Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics presents human ‘neediness’ as the constitutive element of his theological anthropology. Since this element has had little notice in Barth scholarship, the article focuses on describing the consistent reiteration of this theme in theologically substantive locations throughout the Dogmatics. It begins with Barth's observation that the emergence of humanity on the sixth day discloses humans to be ‘the neediest of all creation’. Barth elaborates the dimensions of human neediness in his discussion of ‘the readiness of humanity for God’, propounding the human need for God as the precondition of knowledge of God that is in actuality undercut by the sin that denies any such neediness. Barth thus describes a potential ‘blessed neediness’ and an actual ‘wretched neediness’ that together define the glory and the tragedy of all that is human, and which inform not only Barth's epistemology and hamartiology, but also his accounts of christology, forgiveness, redemption, worship and Christian witness.
Borders of Class: Migration and Citizenship in the Capitalist State
Authors: Ypi Lea
Published: June 2018

In many recent debates on the political theory of immigration, conflicts between immigrants and citizens of host societies are explored along identity lines. In this essay, I defend the relevance of social class. I focus on two types of conflict—distributive and cultural—and show how class boundaries play a crucial role in each. In contrast to both defenders and critics of freedom of movement, I argue that borders have always been (and will continue to be) open for some and closed for others. The same applies to barriers on integration and civic participation. It is time to revive the connection between immigration and social class and to start carving political solutions that begin with the recognition of class injustice as a fundamental democratic concern.
Extractivism, Gender, and Disease: An Intersectional Approach to Inequalities
Authors: Cielo Cristina , Coba Lisset
Published: June 2018

Social inequalities can only be understood through the interaction of their multiple dimensions. In this essay, we show that the economic and environmental impacts of natural resource extraction exacerbate gendered disparities through the intensification and devaluation of care work. A chikungunya epidemic in the refinery city of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, serves to highlight the embodied and structural violence of unhealthy conditions. Despite its promises of development, the extraction-based economy in Esmeraldas has not increased its vulnerable populations’ opportunities. It has, instead, deepened class and gendered hierarchies. In this context, the most severe effects of chikungunya are experienced by women, who bear the burden of social reproduction and sustaining lives under constant threat.
Temporary Labor Migration within the EU as Structural Injustice
Authors: Nuti Alasia
Published: June 2018

Temporary labor migration (TLM) constitutes a significant trend of migration movements within the European Union, especially after the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargements. However, compared to other forms of TLM, intra-EU TLM has received scant attention from normative theorists. By drawing on Iris Marion Young's conception of structural injustice, this article analyzes the injustice of TLM within the EU. It argues that purely rights-based approaches are deficient and that a structural injustice approach is needed. The latter sheds light on the formal and informal processes that place EU temporary migrants in a condition of vulnerability and reveals the multiple individual and collective agents participating in such processes. Moreover, such an approach offers important insights into the agency of migrants by showing how they themselves reinforce structural processes that put not only (i) individual temporary migrants but also (ii) similarly positioned migrants and (iii) other members of the sending and receiving countries in a vulnerable position. A structural injustice approach does not deny that intra-EU temporary labor migrants should enjoy the rights and entitlements that they currently have in the host country as European citizens. Nor does it dispute that reducing the vulnerability of temporary migrants may require “special rights” accommodating the specific nature of their life plans. Instead, though such rights may be necessary, a structural injustice approach demonstrates how they are insufficient to tackle the injustice of intra-EU TLM and other forms of temporary labor migration more broadly.
Severe morbidity among hospitalised adults with acute influenza and other respiratory infections: 2014–2015 and 2015–2016
Authors: Segaloff H. E. , Petrie J. G. , Malosh R. E. , Cheng C. K. , McSpadden E. J. , Ferdinands J. M. , Lamerato L. , Lauring A. S. , Monto A. S. , Martin E. T.
Published: June 2018

Our objective was to identify predictors of severe acute respiratory infection in hospitalised patients and understand the impact of vaccination and neuraminidase inhibitor administration on severe influenza. We analysed data from a study evaluating influenza vaccine effectiveness in two Michigan hospitals during the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 influenza seasons. Adults admitted to the hospital with an acute respiratory infection were eligible. Through patient interview and medical record review, we evaluated potential risk factors for severe disease, defined as ICU admission, 30-day readmission, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Two hundred sixteen of 1119 participants had PCR-confirmed influenza. Frailty score, Charlson score and tertile of prior-year healthcare visits were associated with LOS. Charlson score >2 (OR 1.5 (1.0–2.3)) was associated with ICU admission. Highest tertile of prior-year visits (OR 0.3 (0.2–0.7)) was associated with decreased ICU admission. Increasing tertile of visits (OR 1.5 (1.2–1.8)) was associated with 30-day readmission. Frailty and prior-year healthcare visits were associated with 30-day readmission among influenza-positive participants. Neuraminidase inhibitors were associated with decreased LOS among vaccinated participants with influenza A (HR 1.6 (1.0–2.4)). Overall, frailty and lack of prior-year healthcare visits were predictors of disease severity. Neuraminidase inhibitors were associated with reduced severity among vaccine recipients.
Effect of exogenous transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) on early bovine embryo development
Authors: Barrera Antonio D. , García Elina V. , Miceli Dora C.
Published: June 2018

During preimplantation development, embryos are exposed and have the capacity to respond to different growth factors present in the maternal environment. Among these factors, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a well known modulator of embryonic growth and development. However, its action during the first stages of development, when the embryo transits through the oviduct, has not been yet elucidated. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of early exposure to exogenous TGF-β1 on embryo development and expression of pluripotency (OCT4, NANOG) and DNA methylation (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B) genes in bovine embryos produced in vitro. First, gene expression analysis of TGF-β receptors confirmed a stage-specific expression pattern, showing greater mRNA abundance of TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 from the 2- to the 8-cell stage, before embryonic genome activation. Second, embryo culture for the first 48 h in serum-free CR1aa medium supplemented with 50 or 100 ng/ml recombinant TGF-β1 did not affect the cleavage and blastocyst rate (days 7 and 8). However, RT-qPCR analysis showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of NANOG and DNMT3A in the 8-cell stage embryos and expanded blastocysts (day 8) derived from TGF-β1 treated embryos. These results suggest an early action of exogenous TGF-β1 on the bovine embryo, highlighting the importance to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role of TGF-β signalling during early embryogenesis.
The urokinase plasminogen activator system components are regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor D in bovine oviduct
Authors: García Daniela C. , Russo-Maenza Agostina , Miceli Dora C. , Valdecantos Pablo A. , Roldán-Olarte Mariela
Published: June 2018

The mammalian oviduct plays a pivotal role in the success of early reproductive events. The urokinase plasminogen activator system (uPAS) is present in the bovine oviduct and is involved in extracellular matrix remodelling through plasmin generation. This system can be regulated by several members of the vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and their receptors. In this study, the VEGF-D effect on the regulation of uPAS was evaluated. First, RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were used to evidence the expression of VEGF-D and its receptors in oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC). VEGF-D, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 transcripts were found in ex vivo and in vitro BOEC, while only VEGFR2 mRNA was present after in vitro conditions. VEGF-D showed a regulatory effect on uPAS gene expression in a dose-dependent manner, inducing an increase in the expression of both uPA and its receptor (uPAR) at 24 h post-induction and decreases in the expression of its inhibitor (PAI-1). In addition, the regulation of cell migration induced by VEGF-D and uPA in BOEC monolayer cultures was analyzed. The wound areas of monolayer cultures incubated with VEGF-D 10 ng/ml or uPA 10 nM were modified and significant differences were found at 24 h for both stimulations. These results indicated that uPAS and VEGF-D systems can modify the arrangement of the bovine oviductal epithelium and contribute to the correct maintenance of the oviductal microenvironment.
PHOTOFOCUSING OF MICROORGANISMS SWIMMING IN A FLOW WITH SHEAR
Authors: CLARKE R. J.
Published: June 2018

Some swimming microorganisms are sensitive to light, and this can affect the way in which they negotiate their environment. In particular, photophobic cells are repelled from unfavourable light conditions, and in a quiescent fluid environment this can be observed as elevated cell levels in regions away from these light conditions. This photoresponsive effect is of interest due to its potential technological applications. For example, the use of light to focus and direct cells could be used as a convenient means to separate out the algae used in biofuel production (for example, hydrogen), or exploited within devices for biodetection of environmental contaminants. However, in these types of situations the swimming cells will usually be suspended in a flow with shear. In this environment, it has previously been shown that cells can become hydrodynamically trapped in regions of high fluid shear, and so the extent to which photofocusing can occur under these conditions is not immediately clear. Moreover, in applications where the light must pass through appreciable volumes of the suspension, cells will typically absorb light and so shade each other from the illumination. As such, the intensity at any point in the flow is dependent upon the global cell concentration. Hence, in this study we model the coupled influence of fluid shear and cell photosensitivity on a suspension of swimming microorganisms, and ask under what circumstances a suspension of photophobic cells might be focused into high concentration regions.
Tobacco and electronic cigarette products: awareness, cessation attitudes, and behaviours among general practitioners
Authors: Mughal Faraz , Rashid Ahmed , Jawad Mohammed
Published: June 2018

Background

Little is known around how general practitioners (GP) approach tobacco products beyond traditional cigarettes.

Aim

To examine GP perceptions of tobacco and electronic cigarette (EC) products, and their attitudes and behaviours towards product cessation.

Method

A 13-item self-completed anonymous questionnaire measured awareness of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) and smokeless tobacco (ST). Cessation advice provision, referral to cessation services, and the harm perception of these products were asked using five-point Likert scales that were dichotomised on analysis. Correlates of cessation advice were analysed using regression models.

Findings

We analysed 312 responses, of whom 63% were aware of WTS and between 5–32% were aware of ST products. WTS and ST were considered less harmful than cigarettes by 82 and 68% of GPs, respectively. WTS, ST, and EC users were less advised (P<0.001) and referred (P<0.001) to cessation services compared to cigarette users. Ethnic minority and senior GPs were more likely to provide cessation advice for WTS and ST users compared to younger white GPs. GPs who were recent tobacco users were less likely to give cessation advice to cigarette users (adjusted odds ratios 0.17, 95% confidence interval 0.03–0.99, P<0.049).

Conclusions (implications for practice and research)

GPs had lower harm perception, gave less cessation advice, and made less referrals for WTS and ST users compared to cigarettes. Our findings highlight the need for targeted tobacco education in general practice. More research is needed to explore GP perceptions in depth as well as patient perspectives.
DISTINGUISHED MODELS OF INTERMEDIATE JACOBIANS
Authors: Achter Jeffrey D. , Casalaina-Martin Sebastian , Vial Charles
Published: June 2018

We show that the image of the Abel–Jacobi map admits functorially a model over the field of definition, with the property that the Abel–Jacobi map is equivariant with respect to this model. The cohomology of this abelian variety over the base field is isomorphic as a Galois representation to the deepest part of the coniveau filtration of the cohomology of the projective variety. Moreover, we show that this model over the base field is dominated by the Albanese variety of a product of components of the Hilbert scheme of the projective variety, and thus we answer a question of Mazur. We also recover a result of Deligne on complete intersections of Hodge level 1.