bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alterations in the structure of the macrobenthic community at Bahía Falsa, Mexico, related to the culture of Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Villarreal G
Published: February 2019

The changes in macrobenthic communities in Bahía Falsa, Baja California, induced by an oyster culture are evaluated, in order to understand the actual status of the ecological system and provide the basis for a future management in the area. The study was conducted between 1987 and 1990 in a 15-point grid covering the lagoon. Data obtained were processed for community ordination by a principal components method, and a biological value index was also obtained. The results indicate that the community, in general, and the Zostera marina meadow, in particular, do not show symptoms of alteration and that the annelid community composition is similar to that reported 3 and 21 years ago. Only the area directly associated with the culture installations shows marked eutrophication and a community characteristic of organically polluted areas.
Ichthyofauna of San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico: New records and range extensions
Authors: De-La-Cruz-Agüero J , Cota-Gómez VM
Published: February 2019

The check-list of fishes from San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur (Mexico), is updated with the addition of 26 species. Eight species reported here extend their known distribution range. The systematic list includes 107 species of 89 genera, 54 families and 21 orders, and information about size range, number of specimens per species, catalogue number and zoogeographic affinities.
Nutrient Status of Leachates from Selected Dumpsites in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Azuka Iyama, William , Ndokiari Boisa , Jane N. Maduelosi,
Published: February 2019

This study was carried out to determine the levels of available nutrient parameters present in leachates from some selected dumpsites in Port Harcourt metropolis. Leachates from the 3-selected dumpsites were analyzed and compared with the seasons, controls and established standards using descriptive and analytical designs. Integrated samples were collected during both wet and dry seasons and analyzed for NO3- PO43- , SO42- and NH4+. The use of 2-way ANOVA, t-test and mean variation were applied to explain trend and seasonal variations. The results showed that there was no significant difference in temporal dimension (seasonally) but there was a high level of spatial variation (stations) in most measured parameters. Though some of the parameters were relatively low compared to standard limits; the study revealed that these dumpsites remain major polluting and nutrient enriching sources to the ecosystem. In order to reclaim these dumpsites from acute contamination, government at all levels should ensure the introduction of active remediation processes alongside physico-chemical methods which can ameliorate the effects of pollution in the environment.
Endovascular Treatment for a Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula after Removal of a Hemodialysis Catheter
Authors: Cuong Lam Thao , Bang Ho Tat , Tan Nguyen Duy
Published: February 2019

Double-lumen catheters are commonly utilized to acquire temporary access for hemodialysis in patients suffering from acute renal failure. There are many complications related to catheter puncture. An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is rare but occasionally fatal. This case report presents a female patient, 49 years old with a post-catheterization AVF between the femoral common artery and femoral vein, which was successfully treated with a peripheral cover stent placement. A four-week clinical follow-up showed the patient’s condition had significantly improved.
Optimal Control of an ”SIR” Epidemic Model in a Chemostat Using Some Suitable Protein Doses
Authors: El Hajji Miled
Published: February 2019

A modiﬁed ”SIR” epidemic model is proposed taking into account of suitable protein doses thatare applied on the total population as a control to manage a disease outbreak when treatments arenot available. The proteins cause a change in behavior resulting in three susceptible classes. Thestability analysis is studied and the optimal control theory is applied to the system of diﬀerentialequations to achieve the goal of minimizing the infected population (while minimizing the cost).Some numerical simulations are given in order to illustrate the obtained results.
First Molecular Characterisation of Clinical Strains of Mycobacterium ulcerans in Togo (West Africa)
Authors: Teko Menssah , Salou Mounerou , Ngazoa Solange E. Kakou , Maman Issaka , Agbodeka Kodjovi , Coulibaly N. David , Amon Christiane Aby , Dehe Bahou Roger , Ameyapoh Yaovi
Published: February 2019

Background: Buruli ulcer is the third most common mycobacterial disease worldwide. Cases most occur in 30 countries but severe cases occur in West Africa countries such as Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo mainly in rural regions. Early diagnosis may prevent severe disability. The molecular technique seems the best solution and new Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units (MIRU) and variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) typing method are themost reproducible in this regard. They propose geographical, inter and intraspecies differentiation and can be used as a diagnosis tool.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular diversity by using MIRUVNTR typing in clinical samples of BU patients in Togo.

Study Design: 64 DNA extracts from clinical samples were collected from BU patients in the two principal endemics districts in Togo (Yoto and Zio) with three less endemic districts (Bas Mono, Lacs and Vo). First, IS2404 and KR real-time PCR plus IS2606 conventional PCR were performed. In a second step, the strains were analysed by PCR typing for five specific and sensitive markers MIRU1, VNTR6, ST1, VNTR19 and VNTR9.

Results and Conclusion: 71.11% were positive for IS2404, 3.13% were positives for PCR-KR and 31.11% for IS 2606. By MIRU-VNTR typing, 48.86% positive result was found for MIRU1 and 25.00%, 20.31%, 18.75% and 14.06% for VNTR6, ST1, VNTR19 and VNTR9 respectively. One of the samples was negative for all genotyping markers. Two different genetic profiles were identified by MIRU1, ST1 and VNTR loci by gel-analysed of the amplified products. The VNTR profile B (3,1,1,2) corresponding of 3 copies MIRU1, 1 copy VNTR6, 1 copy ST-1 and two copies of VNTR19 was detected in 15.63% of samples and the VNTR profile A (1,1,1,2) corresponding of 1 copy MIRU1, 1 copy VNTR6, 1 copy ST-1 and 2 copies of VNTR19 was detected in 3.13% of samples and confirms the West African genotype (3,1,1) in Togo. Different genetic strains of Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans) were co-circulated in the same endemic region in the country. This study has described first the circulating of different genetic strains of M. ulcerans in Togo.
Effects of Some Meteorological Parameters on Visibility in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: Nwokocha C. O. , Okujagu C. U. , Enyinna P. I.
Published: February 2019

Effects of meteorological parameters of relative humidity and wind direction on visibility in the Niger Delta, Nigeria (4.15°N-7.17°N, 5.05°E-8.68°E) for a period of 31 years (1981-2012) have been investigated. The data on visibility, relative humidity and wind direction were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) respectively. The visibility and meteorological data were analyzed to study the temporal variation of atmospheric visibility and its relationship with meteorological parameters in the region. The analysis was done using statistical techniques and the results show that cities in the Eastward (Calaber, Uyo and Port Harcourt) have more inverse correlation between Relative humidity and visibility while Westward cities (Owerri, Warri and Akure) are more directly correlated to visibility. Again it shows that visibility is more correlated with relative humidity in places of high hydrocarbon activities like Port Harcourt while it is better correlated with wind direction in places with less hydrocarbon activities like Akure.
Reviewing the Development of Information, Service, and Website Quality towards Traveloka Customer Satisfaction in Indonesia
Authors: Januarti Epifania Kurnia , Priantinah Denis
Published: February 2019

Traveloka is one of the solutions in providing the best service for consumers who want to travel between cities and countries. Traveloka users up to 2018 are quite numerous, but it is not yet known how far the quality is given in meeting consumer needs. This study aims to determine the extent of the quality of information systems from Traveloka in meeting the needs of the Indonesian people. The research method uses literature based on information obtained through the phenomena that occur today and previous research. The results of this literature study show that the quality of Traveloka in Indonesia is relatively good with some previous research results stating that the quality of information and services affects customer satisfaction. Other variables that influence are found on the quality of the website and payment system. This research contributes to giving customers an overview of Traveloka's quality that can be trusted and provides an overview for new business people in developing business in the field of tour & travel which are promising to date.
On the impact of dimension-eight SMEFT operators on Higgs measurements
Authors: Hays Chris , Martin Adam , Sanz Verónica , Setford Jack
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Using the production of a Higgs boson in association with a W boson as a test case, we assess the impact of dimension-8 operators within the context of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory. Dimension-8-SM-interference and dimension-6-squared terms appear at the same order in an expansion in 1/Λ, hence dimension-8 effects can be treated as a systematic uncertainty on the new physics inferred from analyses using dimension-6 operators alone. To study the phenomenological consequences of dimension-8 operators, one must first determine the complete set of operators that can contribute to a given process. We accomplish this through a combination of Hilbert series methods, which yield the number of invariants and their field content, and a step-by-step recipe to convert the Hilbert series output into a phenomenologically useful format. The recipe we provide is general and applies to any other process within the dimension ≤ 8 Standard Model Effective Theory. We quantify the effects of dimension-8 by turning on one dimension-6 operator at a time and setting all dimension-8 operator coefficients to the same magnitude. Under this procedure and given the current accuracy on σ(pp → h W
+), we find the effect of dimension-8 operators on the inferred new physics scale to be small,

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(few %), with some variation depending on the relative signs of the dimension-8 coefficients and on which dimension-6 operator is considered. The impact of the dimension-8 terms grows as σ(pp → hW
+) is measured more accurately or (more significantly) in high-mass kinematic regions. We provide a FeynRules implementation of our operator set to be used for further more detailed analyses.
Asymptotic symmetries of three dimensional gravity and the membrane paradigm
Authors: Carrillo-González Mariana , Penna Robert F.
Published: February 2019

Abstract

The asymptotic symmetry group of three-dimensional (anti) de Sitter space with Brown-Henneaux boundary conditions is the two dimensional conformal group with central chargec= 3ℓ/2G. Usually the asymptotic charge algebra is derived using the symplectic structure of the bulk Einstein equations. Here, we derive the asymptotic charge algebra by a different route. First, we formulate the dynamics of the boundary as a 1+1-dimensional dynamical system. Then we realize the boundary equations of motion as a Hamiltonian system on the dual Lie algebra,$$ {\mathfrak{g}}^{\ast } $$g∗, of the two-dimensional conformal group. Finally, we use the Lie-Poisson bracket on$$ {\mathfrak{g}}^{\ast } $$g∗to compute the asymptotic charge algebra. This streamlines the derivation of the asymptotic charge algebra because the Lie-Poisson bracket on the boundary is significantly simpler than the symplectic structure derived from the bulk Einstein equations. It also clarifies the analogy between the infinite dimensional symmetries of gravity and fluid dynamics.
Effective field theory of black hole quasinormal modes in scalar-tensor theories
Authors: Franciolini Gabriele , Hui Lam , Penco Riccardo , Santoni Luca , Trincherini Enrico
Published: February 2019

Abstract

The final ringdown phase in a coalescence process is a valuable laboratory to test General Relativity and potentially constrain additional degrees of freedom in the gravitational sector. We introduce here an effective description for perturbations around spherically symmetric spacetimes in the context of scalar-tensor theories, which we apply to study quasi-normal modes for black holes with scalar hair. We derive the equations of motion governing the dynamics of both the polar and the axial modes in terms of the coefficients of the effective theory. Assuming the deviation of the background from Schwarzschild is small, we use the WKB method to introduce the notion of “light ring expansion”. This approximation is analogous to the slow-roll expansion used for inflation, and it allows us to express the quasinormal mode spectrum in terms of a small number of parameters. This work is a first step in describing, in a model independent way, how the scalar hair can affect the ringdown stage and leave signatures on the emitted gravitational wave signal. Potential signatures include the shifting of the quasi-normal spectrum, the breaking of isospectrality between polar and axial modes, and the existence of scalar radiation.
Infrared safety of a neural-net top tagging algorithm
Authors: Choi Suyong , Lee Seung J. , Perelstein Maxim
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Neural network-based algorithms provide a promising approach to jet classification problems, such as boosted top jet tagging. To date, NN-based top taggers demonstrated excellent performance in Monte Carlo studies. In this paper, we construct a top-jet tagger based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and apply it to parton-level boosted top samples, with and without an additional gluon in the final state. We show that the jet observable defined by the CNN obeys the canonical definition of infrared safety: it is unaffected by the presence of the extra gluon, as long as it is soft or collinear with one of the quarks. Our results indicate that the CNN tagger is robust with respect to possible mis-modeling of soft and collinear final-state radiation by Monte Carlo generators.
Dual conformal invariance for form factors
Authors: Bianchi Lorenzo , Brandhuber Andreas , Panerai Rodolfo , Travaglini Gabriele
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Form factors of the stress-tensor multiplet operator in

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

supersymmetric Yang-Mills reveal surprisingly simple structures similar to those appearing in scattering amplitudes. In this paper we show that, as for the case of amplitudes, they also enjoy dual conformal symmetry. We compute the dual conformal anomaly at one loop for an arbitrary number of particles and generic helicities, which matches the expression of the dual conformal anomaly of amplitudes, and perform explicit checks for MHV and NMHV one-loop form factors. In the NMHV case the realisation of dual conformal symmetry requires a delicate cancellation of offending terms arising from three-mass triangles, which we explicitly check in the case of the four-point NMHV form factor.
Wormholes and masses for Goldstone bosons
Authors: Alonso Rodrigo , Urbano Alfredo
Published: February 2019

Abstract

There exist non-trivial stationary points of the Euclidean action for an axion particle minimally coupled to Einstein gravity, dubbed wormholes. They explicitly break the continuos global shift symmetry of the axion in a non-perturbative way, and generate an effective potential that may compete with QCD depending on the value of the axion decay constant. In this paper, we explore both theoretical and phenomenological aspects of this issue. On the theory side, we address the problem of stability of the wormhole solutions, and we show that the spectrum of the quadratic action features only positive eigenvalues. On the phenomenological side, we discuss, beside the obvious application to the QCD axion, relevant consequences for models with ultralight dark matter and black hole superradiance. We conclude discussing wormhole solutions for a generic coset and the potential they generate.
Twin Turtles
Authors: Asadi Pouya , Craig Nathaniel , Li Ying-Ying
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We present an ultraviolet extension of the Twin Higgs in which the radial mode of twin symmetry breaking is itself a pseudo-goldstone boson. This “turtle” structure raises the scale of new colored particles in exchange for additional states in the Higgs sector, making multiple Higgs-like scalars the definitive signature of naturalness in this context. We explore the parametrics and phenomenology of a concrete Twin Turtle model and demonstrate its robustness in two different supersymmetric completions. Along the way, we also introduce a new mechanism for inducing hard twin symmetry-breaking quartics via soft supersymmetry breaking.
Feynman integrals and intersection theory
Authors: Mastrolia Pierpaolo , Mizera Sebastian
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We introduce the tools of intersection theory to the study of Feynman integrals, which allows for a new way of projecting integrals onto a basis. In order to illustrate this technique, we consider the Baikov representation of maximal cuts in arbitrary space-time dimension. We introduce a minimal basis of differential forms with logarithmic singularities on the boundaries of the corresponding integration cycles. We give an algorithm for computing a basis decomposition of an arbitrary maximal cut using so-calledintersection numbersand describe two alternative ways of computing them. Furthermore, we show how to obtain Pfaffian systems of differential equations for the basis integrals using the same technique. All the steps are illustrated on the example of a two-loop non-planar triangle diagram with a massive loop.
Gauge-independent approach to resonant dark matter annihilation
Authors: Duch Mateusz , Grzadkowski Bohdan , Pilaftsis Apostolos
Published: February 2019

Abstract

In spontaneously broken gauge theories, transition amplitudes describing dark-matter (DM) annihilation processes through a resonance may become highly inaccurate close to a production threshold, if a Breit-Wigner (BW) ansatz with a constant width is used. To partially overcome this problem, the BW propagator needs to be modified by including a momentum dependent decay width. However, such an approach to resonant transition amplitudes generically suffers from gauge artefacts that may also give rise to a bad or ambiguous high-energy behaviour for such amplitudes. We address the two problems of gauge dependence and high-energy unitarity within a gauge-independent framework of resummation implemented by the so-called Pinch Technique. We study DM annihilation via scalar resonances in a gauged U(1)
X
complex-scalar extension of the Standard Model that features a massive stable gauge field which can play the role of the DM. We find that the predictions for the DM abundance may vary significantly from previous studies based on the naive BW ansatz and propose an alternative simple approximation which leads to the correct DM phenomenology. In particular, our results do not depend on the gauge-fixing parameter and are consistent with considerations from high-energy unitarity.
Universal four-dimensional representation of H → γγ at two loops through the Loop-Tree Duality
Authors: Driencourt-Mangin Félix , Rodrigo Germán , Sborlini Germán F. R. , Torres Bobadilla William J.
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We extend useful properties of the H → γγ unintegrated dual amplitudes from one- to two-loop level, using the Loop-Tree Duality formalism. In particular, we show that the universality of the functional form — regardless of the nature of the internal particle — still holds at this order. We also present an algorithmic way to renormalise two-loop amplitudes, by locally cancelling the ultraviolet singularities at integrand level, thus allowing a full four-dimensional numerical implementation of the method. Our results are compared with analytic expressions already available in the literature, finding a perfect numerical agreement. The success of this computation plays a crucial role for the development of a fully local four-dimensional framework to compute physical observables at Next-to-Next-to Leading order and beyond.
Subsystem complexity and holography
Authors: Agón Cesar A. , Headrick Matthew , Swingle Brian
Published: February 2019

Abstract

As a probe of circuit complexity in holographic field theories, we study sub-system analogues based on the entanglement wedge of the bulk quantities appearing in the “complexity = volume” and “complexity = action” conjectures. We calculate these quantities for one exterior region of an eternal static neutral or charged black hole in general dimensions, dual to a thermal state on one boundary with or without chemical potential respectively, as well as for a shock wave geometry. We then define several analogues of circuit complexity for mixed states, and use tensor networks to gain intuition about them. In the action approach, we find two possible cases depending on an ambiguity in the definition of the action associated with a counterterm. In one case, there is a promising qualitative match between the holographic action and what we call the purification complexity, the minimum number of gates required to prepare an arbitrary purification of the given mixed state. In the other case, the match is to what we call the basis complexity, the minimum number of gates required to prepare the given mixed state starting from a minimal complexity state with the same eigenvalue spectrum. One way to fix this ambiguity is to choose an action definition such that UV divergent part is positive, in which case the best match to the action result is the basis complexity. In contrast, the holographic volume does not appear to match any of our definitions of mixed-state complexity.
Rectangular W-algebras, extended higher spin gravity and dual coset CFTs
Authors: Creutzig Thomas , Hikida Yasuaki
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We analyze the asymptotic symmetry of higher spin gravity with M × M matrix valued fields, which is given by rectangular W-algebras with su(M) symmetry. The matrix valued extension is expected to be useful for the relation between higher spin gravity and string theory. With the truncation of spin as s = 2, 3,…, n, we evaluate the central charge c of the algebra and the level k of the affine currents with finite c, k. For the simplest case with n = 2, we obtain the operator product expansions among generators by requiring their associativity. We conjecture that the symmetry is the same as that of Grassmannian-like coset based on our proposal of higher spin holography. Comparing c, k from the both theories, we obtain the map of parameters. We explicitly construct low spin generators from the coset theory, and, in particular, we reproduce the operator product expansions of the rectangular W-algebra for n = 2. We interpret the map of parameters by decomposing the algebra in the coset description.
String theory integrands and supergravity divergences
Authors: Pioline Boris
Published: February 2019

Abstract

At low energies, interactions of massless particles in type II strings compactified on a torus T

d
are described by an effective Wilsonian action

$$ \mathcal{S} $$

S

(Λ), consisting of the usual supergravity Lagrangian supplemented by an infinite series of higher-derivative vertices, including the much studied Δ4p + 6q
ℛ4 gravitational interactions. Using recent results on the asymptotics of the integrands governing four-graviton scattering at genus one and two, I determine the Λ-dependence of the coefficient of the above interaction, and show that the logarithmic terms appearing in the limit Λ → 0 are related to UV divergences in supergravity amplitudes, augmented by stringy interactions. This provides a strong consistency check on the expansion of the integrand near the boundaries of moduli space, in particular it elucidates the appearance of odd zeta values in these expansions. I briefly discuss how these logarithms are reflected in non-analytic terms in the low energy expansion of the string scattering amplitude.
Pseudonocardia strain improvement for stimulation of the di-sugar heptaene Nystatin-like Pseudonocardia polyene B1 biosynthesis
Authors: Han Chi-Young , Jang Jin-Young , Kim Hye-Jin , Choi Sisun , Kim Eung-Soo
Published: February 2019

Pseudonocardia autotrophica was previously identified to produce a toxicity-reduced and solubility-improved disaccharide-containing anti-fungal compound belonging to the tetraene-family, Nystatin-like Pseudonocardia Polyene A1 (NPP A1). Subsequently NPP B1, a novel derivative harboring a heptaene core structure, was produced by a pathway-engineered Pseudonocardia strain through inactivation of the specific enoly reductase gene domain in the NPP biosynthetic gene cluster. Although in vitro and in vivo efficacy and toxicity studies indicate that NPP B1 is a promising lead antifungal compound, further improvement is required to increase the extremely low production yield in the pathway-engineered strain. To overcome this challenge, we performed the N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) iterative random mutagenesis, followed by zone-of-inhibition agar plug assay. After three rounds of the mutagenesis-and-screening protocol, the production yield of NPP B1 increased to 6.25 mg/L, which is more than an eightfold increase compared to the parental strain. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that transcripts of the NPP B1 biosynthetic genes were increased in the mutant strain. Interestingly, an endogenous 125-kb plasmid was found to be eliminated through this mutagenesis. To further improve the NPP B1 production yield, the 32-kb NPP-specific regulatory gene cluster was cloned and overexpressed in the mutant strain. The chromosomal integration of the extra copy of the six NPP-specific regulatory genes led to an additional increase of NPP B1 yield to 31.6 mg/L, which is the highest production level of NPP B1 ever achieved by P. autotrophica strains. These results suggest that a synergistic combination of both the traditional and genetic strain improvement approaches is a very efficient strategy to stimulate the production of an extremely low-level metabolite (such as NPP B1) in a pathway-engineered rare actinomycetes strain.
Blood film says it all! Rare case of congenital TTP misdiagnosed as ITP
Authors: Memon Ayesha Majeed , Ali Natasha
Published: February 2019

We report a case of a 16-year-old female who presented with bleeding diathesis. Peripheral blood film examination was consistent with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with 7% fragmented red blood cells. The ADAMTS13 level was 40 ng/ml (reference range: 630–850 ng/ml). She responded to plasma exchange therapy and methylprednisolone and was discharged in a stable condition.
Short–term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in elderly patients. -Is it really safe in elderly patients with severe comorbidities?-
Authors: Inoue Koetsu , Ueno Tatsuya , Akishige Naoki , Soeta Toshihiro , Tsuchiya Takahiro , Nakayama Shun , Shima Kentaro , Goto Shinji , Takahashi Michinaga , Naito Hiroo
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

We aimed to assess the safety and validity of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) in elderly patients focusing on severe postoperative complications.In addition, we compared multiple preoperative risk scoring tools to identify the optimal tool forpredicting postoperative complications.

Methods:

Medical records of 493 patients who underwent LCS or open colorectal surgery (OCS) were retrospectively reviewed and they were divided into four groups based on their age and procedure: group E/LCS (age ≥ 80 years and LCS), group Y/LCS (age < 80 years and LCS), group E/OCS (age ≥ 80 years and OCS), and group Y/OCS (age < 80 years and OCS). Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Furthermore, patients were divided into two groups based on the incidence of postoperative complication. Physiological score and Operative severity score from POSSUM, Physiological score and Operative severity score from CR-POSSUM, Preoperative risk score, Surgical stress score, and comprehensive risk score from E-PASS, SAS, and PNI were compared.

Results:

The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in group E/LCS than in groups E/OCS and Y/OCS. Respiratory and cardiovascular complications were not observed in E/LCS, even though patients had severe cardiovascular comorbidities. Regarding the comparison of risk scoring tools, all of the risk scoring tools did not differ between two groups except SSS.

Conclusion:

There is a possibility that the severity of heart failure does not affect postoperative complications in LCS. Regarding risk scoring tools, there was no suitable preoperative risk scoring tool which gives an advice on if we can perform LCS safely.

Highlights:
Male Sexual Desire: An Overview of Biological, Psychological, Sexual, Relational, and Cultural Factors Influencing Desire
Authors: Nimbi Filippo Maria , Tripodi Francesca , Rossi Roberta , Navarro-Cremades Felipe , Simonelli Chiara
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The literature showed the need for a better understanding of the male sexual response, which has historically been considered as simpler and more mechanistic compared with that in women.

Aim

To examine the literature on biopsychosocial factors associated with the level of sexual desire in men and discuss some interesting directions for future research.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted.

Main outcome measures

169 articles published in Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library about male sexual desire and related biopsychosocial factors.

Results

We found a lack of multidimensional studies on male sexual desire. Most existing research has focused on hypoactive sexual desire disorder in coupled heterosexual men. Biological factors play important roles in the level of sexual desire, but they are insufficient to explain the male sexual response. Psychological, relational, and sexual factors (eg depression, anxiety, emotions, attraction, conflicts, communication, sexual functioning, distress, satisfaction) are involved in the development/maintenance of lack of sexual interest in men. Cultural influence is also relevant, with cognitive factors linked to gender roles and sexual scripts of masculinity identified as important predictors of low sexual desire.

Conclusion

Male sexual desire is characterized by an interplay among biological, psychological, sexual, relational, and cultural elements. This interplay merits further study to better understand how sexual desire works and how treatments for low sexual interest could be improved.
Humming Ice Shelf Changes Its Seismic Tune with the Weather
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: February 2019

Seismic waves resonating within the upper layers of the Ross ice shelf could help scientists monitor the Antarctic melt season and understand factors that could lead to sudden ice shelf collapse.
Photoelectron directional transfer over a g-C3N4/CdS heterojunction modulated with WP for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Jian Qiyan , Jin Zhiliang , Wang Haiyu , Zhang Yongke , Wang Guorong
Published: February 2019

The separation and transfer of photoelectrons is a crucial factor in the process of photocatalysis.
Conversion of curved assemblies into two dimensional sheets
Authors: Deshmukh Gunvant , Krishnamoorthy Kothandam
Published: February 2019

Disruption of hydrogen bonding in a molecule that formed curved assemblies resulted in organic two dimensional sheets.
High thermoelectric efficiency in monolayer PbI2 from 300 K to 900 K
Authors: Peng Bo , Mei Haodong , Zhang Hao , Shao Hezhu , Xu Ke , Ni Gang , Jin Qingyuan , Soukoulis Costas M. , Zhu Heyuan
Published: February 2019

By using a first-principles approach, monolayer PbI2 is found to have great potential in thermoelectric applications.
Harnessing solvent effects to integrate alkylamine into metal–organic frameworks for exceptionally high CO2 uptake
Authors: Li Hao , Wang Kecheng , Hu Zhigang , Chen Ying-Pin , Verdegaal Wolfgang , Zhao Dan , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: February 2019

Alkylamine modified MOF prepared with a less polar solvent (cyclohexane) has a higher alkylamine loading amount and higher CO2 uptake than when prepared in a more polar solvent (dichloromethane).
Fluorinated hexagonal 4H SrMnO3: a locally disordered manganite
Authors: Aich Payel , Meneghini Carlo , Tortora Luca , Siruguri Vasudeva , Kaushik S. D. , Fu Desheng , Ray Sugata
Published: February 2019

The structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of the hexagonal four-layered form of SrMnO3 along with its fluorinated counterpart have been investigated.
Stable soft cubic superstructure enabled by hydrogen-bond complex functionalized polymer/liquid crystal system
Authors: Li Haiquan , Huang Wenbin , Mo Qinyu , Liu Binghui , Shen Dong , Zhang Weian , Zheng Zhi-gang
Published: February 2019

A stable liquid crystal soft cubic superstructure (i.e., blue phase) in a wide temperature range was achieved by photopolymerizing a judiciously designed hydrogen-bond (H-bond) complex functionalized polymer/liquid crystal system.
Unconventional dihydrogen-bond interaction induced cyanide-bridged chiral nano-sized magnetic molecular wheel: synthesis, crystal structure and systematic theoretical magnetism investigation
Authors: Zhang Daopeng , Cano Joan , Lan Wenlong , Liu Hui , Sun Fenggang , Dong Yunhui , Zhou Zhen , Yang Lu , Liu Qingyun , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: February 2019

The new chiral nano-size compounds showing SMM characteristic have been structurally and magnetically investigated in detail.
A progressively targeted gene delivery system with a pH triggered surface charge-switching ability to drive angiogenesis in vivo
Authors: Gao Bin , Zhang Qiaoping , Muhammad Khan , Ren Xiangkui , Guo Jintang , Xia Shihai , Zhang Wencheng , Feng Yakai
Published: February 2019

A progressively targeted ternary gene delivery system with charge-switching ability for achieving highly efficient angiogenesis in vivo.
The reduction of cis-platinum(iv) complexes by ascorbate and in whole human blood models using 1H NMR and XANES spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Catherine K J , Kappen Peter , Hambley Trevor W
Published: February 2019

The efficacy of platinum(iv) prodrugs depends on their relative resistance to reduction in the extra- and intra-cellular environments. In the study reported here we investigated the influence of the nature of the axial and equatorial ligands on the pathway of reduction of the platinum(iv) complexes by the endogenous reductant, ascorbate, and their relative resistance to reduction in human blood serum and in a whole human blood model. The pathway of reduction of platinum(iv) complexes in the presence of excess ascorbate was found to be dependent on the nature of their axial and equatorial ligands in that complexes with chloride in the equatorial sites lost either both axial ligands or combinations of axial and equatorial ligands while those with oxalate occupying the equatorial sites lost both axial ligands only. Using XANES spectroscopy, complexes with axial hydroxide ligands were found to be highly resistant to reduction in blood serum and were only slowly and incompletely reduced in whole blood. The dihydroxide complex with an oxalate ligand occupying the equatorial leaving group sites was more resistant to reduction, both in serum and in whole blood, than the complex with chloride ligands in these sites. cis, trans-[PtCl2(OAc)2(en)] and trans-[Pt(OAc)2(ox)(en)] were observed to be reduced rapidly and almost completely in whole blood but the latter was substantially resistant to reduction in human blood serum, and consequently demonstrates many of the features of an optimal platinum(iv) anticancer agent.
Self-supported hierarchical core–shell Co9S8@NiCo2O4 hollow nanoneedle arrays for asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Zhu Fangfang , Liu Weijing , Liu Yu , Shi Weidong
Published: February 2019

Unique self-supported core–shell Co9S8@NiCo2O4 hollow nanoneedle arrays have been designed and synthesized on carbon fibers for supercapacitors.
Symmetries in hard polygon systems determine plastic colloidal crystal mesophases in two dimensions
Authors: Shen Wenbo , Antonaglia James , Anderson Joshua A. , Engel Michael , van Anders Greg , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: February 2019

Symmetry arguments explain the appearance of new and old plastic crystal mesophases in hard regular polygons.
Multi-networked nanofibrous aerogel supported by heterojunction photocatalysts with excellent dispersion and stability for photocatalysis
Authors: Qiu Jinli , Fan Pei , Yue Cailiang , Liu Fuqiang , Li Aimin
Published: February 2019

A 3D nanofibrous aerogel with low-density, super-hydrophilicity and excellent stability is constructed using bi-component nanofibers via H-bonds.
Tg‐minimised bandwidth‐allocated scheme for multi‐subsystem‐based VPON in metro‐access optical network
Authors: Qiao Hubao , Gan Chaoqin , Yan Yuqi , Li Xingfeng
Published: February 2019

Here, Tg‐minimised bandwidth‐allocated scheme is proposed for VPON supporting joint scheduling of multiple subsystems in metro‐access optical network. To minimise guard time (Tg) in WDM‐PON and TDM‐PON, the Tg‐transferred mechanism is introduced. To reduce the number of Tg in OFDM‐PON, the subcarrier allocation algorithm based on the minimum number of Tg is proposed. To effectively utilise the network bandwidth resources, the bandwidth allocation based on matrix model is established. To increase the utilisation of wavelength, a dynamic‐wavelength allocation mechanism is proposed. Finally, by the simulation, the effectiveness of Tg‐minimised bandwidth‐allocated scheme is demonstrated. Compared with other schemes, this scheme has at least 3% bandwidth utilisation improvement and lower average delay.
New sequential approach based on graph traversal algorithm to investigate cascading outages considering correlated wind farms
Authors: Mehdizadeh Majid , Ghazi Reza , Ghayeni Mohsen
Published: February 2019

One of the effective methods to reduce the risk of load shedding and its subsequent blackout is to evaluate the risk of cascading outages and detection of key links in a power system. This risk assessment is getting more complicated considering the plans for integration of high wind energy. Therefore, in this study, a new sequential time approach has been proposed to evaluate risk of cascading outages considering the high penetration of correlated wind farms. The cascading processes are investigated using the extended OPA model using the graph traversal algorithm. Therefore, the problem of non‐convergence situations caused by the island formation is resolved. To deal with the future wind farms integration, a correlation is defined between them by a proposed method based on the Copula theory. The numerical results confirm that in evaluation of risk, the limited scenarios cannot always be reliable. The extended OPA model is then compared with a simple OPA to confirm the importance of islanding detection in the cascade simulation. Different aspects of cascading outages, i.e. fractional load shedding, cascade propagation level and number of line interruptions have been investigated. Finally, the impact of wind penetration and correlation of wind farms on results have been presented.
Application of static gesture segmentation based on an improved canny operator
Authors: Gong Shenjian , Li Guangqiang , Zhang Yongju , Li Changdi , Yu Lei
Published: February 2019

In order to meet the requirements of gesture extraction in static gesture segmentation, this study proposes to improve the traditional Canny operator by using a combined filtering method and an adaptive threshold algorithm. The original image is firstly denoised by bilateral filtering, and then the elliptical skin model is used to select the colour domain, and the domain is divided into blocks. The hand is separated according to the block domain feature. Finally, an improved Canny operator with an adaptive threshold is used to extract the interactive hand contour. Experiments show that it has high accuracy in simple static gesture segmentation.
Adaptive robustSMC of hybrid robot for automobile electro‐coating conveying
Authors: Ding Lihui , Gao Guoqin
Published: February 2019

For a novel hybrid robot for automobile electro‐coating conveying, an adaptive robust sliding‐mode controller is proposed to improve the control performances and counteract the influences of uncertainties including modelling error, friction, and external disturbance. One remarkable feature of the controller lies in that it does not require the boundary of the uncertainties in the hybrid robot by designing a novel gain adaptation law. The law is capable of dynamically adjusting control gains to avoid selecting excessively bigger values of the control gains, and further attenuating the chattering phenomenon of the super‐twisting sliding‐mode control (SMC) simultaneously. Moreover, disturbance observer is used to estimate and compensate various uncertainties to further improve the robustness of the control system. The stability of the designed control algorithm is proved by Lyapunov stability theorem. The simulation and experimental results show that the adaptive robust SMC has superior tracking performance and is able to attenuate the chattering phenomenon effectively in the presence of modelling error, frictions, and external disturbances.
Adaptive control of non‐affine MIMO systems with input non‐linearity and unmodelled dynamics
Authors: Li Hong‐chun
Published: February 2019

In this study, an adaptive neural network control scheme is proposed for a class of multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) non‐affine systems with unmodelled dynamics and dead‐zone non‐linear input. This scheme solves the complexity of computation problem, broadens the variables of unmodelled dynamics and cancels the assumption of the neural network approximation error to be bounded. Using the mean value theorem and Young's inequality, only one adaptive parameter is adjusted for the whole MIMO system. By theoretical analysis, all the signals in the closed‐loop systems are proved to be semi‐globally uniformly ultimately boundedness. The numerical simulation illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Combined asteroseismology, spectroscopy, and astrometry of the CoRoT B2V target HD 170580
Authors: Aerts C. , Pedersen M. G. , Vermeyen E. , Hendriks L. , Johnston C. , Tkachenko A. , Pápics P. I. , Debosscher J. , Briquet M. , Thoul A. , Rainer M. , Poretti E.
Published: February 2019

Context. Space asteroseismology reveals that stellar structure and evolution models of intermediate- and high-mass stars are in need of improvement in terms of angular momentum and chemical element transport.

Aims. We aim to probe the interior structure of a hot, massive star in the core-hydrogen-burning phase of its evolution.

Methods. We analysed CoRoT space photometry, Gaia DR2 space astrometry, and high-resolution high signal-to-noise HERMES and HARPS time-series spectroscopy of the slowly rotating B2V star HD 170580.

Results. From the time-series spectroscopy, we derive v sin i = 4 ± 2 km s−1, where the uncertainty results from the complex pulsational line-profile variability that has been so far ignored in the literature. We detect 42 frequencies with amplitudes above five times the local noise level. Amongst these we identify five rotationally split triplets and one quintuplet. Asteroseismic modelling based on CoRoT, Gaia DR2, and spectroscopic data leads to a star of M ∼ 8 M⊙ near core-hydrogen exhaustion and an extended overshoot zone. The detected low-order pressure-mode frequencies cannot be fit within the uncertainties of the CoRoT data by models without atomic diffusion. Irrespective of this limitation, the low-order gravity modes reveal HD 170580 to be a slow rotator with an average rotation period between 73 and 98 d and a hint of small differential rotation.

Conclusions. Future Gaia DR3 data taking into account the multiplicity of the star, along with long-term TESS photometry would allow us to put better observational constraints on the asteroseismic models of this blue evolved massive star. Improved modelling with atomic diffusion, including radiative levitation, is needed to achieve compliance with the low helium surface abundance of the star. This poses immense computational challenges but is required to derive the interior rotation and mixing profiles of this star.
Chylothorax: eine Übersicht über aktuelle therapeutische Möglichkeiten
Authors: Schild Hans Heinz , Pieper Claus
Published: February 2019

Die Möglichkeiten der Chylothoraxbehandlung sind in den letzten Jahren durch interventionell-radiologische Möglichkeiten erweitert worden. Insbesondere mit der perkutanen Ductus-thoracicus-Embolisation bestehen mittlerweile größere Erfahrungen. Dennoch sind diese Therapieoptionen nur wenig bekannt und werden auch in aktuellen Veröffentlichungen über den Chylothorax nur wenig oder gar nicht dargestellt. Dies war Anlass, die aktuellen Therapieoptionen einmal vergleichend darzulegen. Das Für und Wider der verschiedenen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten wird anhand der aktuellen Literatur diskutiert. Nach derzeitigem Erfahrungsstand ist das interventionell-radiologische Vorgehen mit geringerer Morbidität und Mortalität belastet als operative Maßnahmen. Die interventionelle Behandlung sollte daher heute in die differenzialtherapeutischen Überlegungen einbezogen werden. Unstrittig indiziert ist ein interventionelles Vorgehen bei operativen Therapieversagern, da diese interventionell sehr häufig erfolgreich behandelt werden können, sowie bei nicht operablen Patienten.
Risikofaktoren für den permanenten postoperativen Hypoparathyreoidismus
Authors: Allemeyer Erik H. , Kossow Marielle S. , Riemann Burkhard , Hoffmann Matthias W.
Published: February 2019

Hintergrund Der permanente postoperative Hypoparathyreoidismus ist die häufigste Komplikation nach einer totalen Thyreoidektomie mit erheblichen möglichen Folgeerkrankungen, Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität und hoher sozioökonomischer Bedeutung.

Zielsetzung Identifikation von Risikofaktoren für den permanenten postoperativen Hypoparathyreoidismus.

Material und Methoden 420 Patienten unseres Schilddrüsenzentrums erhielten zwischen 08/2012 und 08/2014 eine totale Thyreoidektomie. 382 gingen in die Studie ein. An einer Follow-up-Untersuchung zwischen 8 und 32 Monaten nach der Operation nahmen 117 teil.

Ergebnisse Mit einem permanenten postoperativen Hypoparathyreoidismus waren assoziiert: erniedrigter PTH-Wert am 1. postoperativen Tag, Verzicht bzw. Nichterfordernis einer Redon-Drainage und eine lange Krankenhausverweildauer. Die Assoziationen waren ausgeprägt, jedoch nicht signifikant.

Diskussion Wir ermittelten Hinweise auf Prädiktoren für den permanenten postoperativen Hypoparathyreoidismus. Eine Validierung als relevante Risikofaktoren sollte in größeren Multicenterstudien erfolgen. Die Kenntnis von Risikofaktoren könnte zur Vermeidung dieser Komplikation und zur gezielten Nachsorgebetreuung gefährdeter Patienten dienen.