bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Approach to Transient Vibration Analysis of Two-Dimensional Beam Structures at Medium and High Frequencies
Authors: Yang Bingen , Zhang Yichi
Published: March 2020

Transient analysis of medium-frequency (mid-frequency) and high-frequency vibrations plays an important role in the research and development of complex structures in aerospace, automobile, civil, mechanical, and ship engineering. Low-frequency analysis tools, like the finite element methods, do not work well for mid- and high-frequency problems because they require a huge number of degrees-of-freedom and consequently costly computation, and are sensitive to material properties and boundary conditions. High-frequency analysis tools, such as the statistical energy analysis (SEA) and its variations, are unsuitable for midfrequency problems because they describe the vibrational behaviors of multibody structures in a global manner and cannot provide detailed local information about displacements and internal forces. In this paper, a new method, which is called the augmented distributed transfer function method (DTFM), is proposed for transient vibration analysis of two-dimensional beam structures at medium and high frequencies. Without the need for discretization and numerical integration, the augmented DTFM consistently delivers analytical transient solutions from low to high-frequency regions. A unique feature of the proposed method is that it can provide local information about system response, such as the displacements and internal forces of a structure, at any point and in any frequency region. Additionally, the proposed method provides a platform for model reduction, by which, a balance of efficiency and accuracy in mid- and high-frequency analyses can be achieved. The proposed method is demonstrated in numerical examples.
Comparative Measurements of Different Solar Flux Gauge Types
Authors: Kaluza Jens , Neumann Andreas
Published: March 2020

At the DLR Solar Furnace calorimeters or circular foil radiometers are used for calibrating the video camera based flux mapping systems. Since many years we are investigating the accuracy of these devices and we have undertaken several efforts to check their performance. Furthermore, we developed new instruments and compared these devices to the existent ones. The most recent measurements were collected within the frame of an international intercomparison campaign, called Intercomp 2000, and located at the DLR Solar Furnace in Cologne. This was the opportunity to test our own flux gauges, the 10000 suns Kendall radiometer, the 5000 suns Suncatch calorimeter, 2 HyCal circular foil radiometers for 3000 suns and 2 more HyCal radiometers for 11000 suns. About 100 measurements were taken in the range from 0,5 MW/m2 up to 5 MW/m2. The Kendall radiometer and the Suncatch calorimeter agreed well within the 2 % margin. The circular foil HyCal radiometers showed much higher deviations. This leads to the conclusion that we will change the manufacturer-given calibration constants of the HyCal radiometers by using the data collected with either the SunCatch or the Kendall flux gauges.
Energy Performance Analysis of Coupled Control Units With Both Thermostat and Humidistat
Authors: Liu Mingsheng , Wang Jinrong
Published: March 2020

The coupled control unit is widely used in hotels, dormitory buildings, hospitals, and office buildings. Computer simulation models are developed to analyze the thermal energy performance of the coupled control units. Simulation results indicate that excessive airflow significantly increases thermal and fan power consumption. The variable air volume technique or the return air by-pass can be used to improve the energy performance of the coupled control units. The humidistat should be properly set and located to avoid excessive thermal energy consumption.
SES/Boeing Dish Stirling System Operation
Authors: Stone Kenneth W. , Leingang Eric , Liden Bob , Ellis Erik , Sattar Tariq , Mancini Dr. Thomas , Nelving Hans
Published: March 2020

The data presented in this paper document the operation and service requirements for the 25 kW Stirling Energy Systems (SES)/Boeing Dish Stirling system. Among the information presented are the hydrogen used by the system, oil and water service requirements, and reliability data in the form of a component outage tree. Also presented are discussions of the problems that have occurred during the thousands of hours of on-sun operation of two dish/Stirling systems, which comprise two solar concentrators and three power conversion units (PCUs). We have identified a number changes to the design of the 15-year-old dish/Stirling system. However, based on the performance of the systems and the data presented in this paper, there appear to be no serious obstacles to the commercialization of this technology.
Preliminary Results on Luminaire Designs for Hybrid Solar Lighting Systems
Authors: Earl D. D. , Muhs J. D.
Published: March 2020

We report on the design of two hybrid lighting liminaires that blend light from a fiber optic end-emitted solar source with electric T8 fluorescent lamps. Both designs involve the retrofit of a commercially-available recessed fluorescent luminaire with minimal reductions in the original luminaire’s optical efficiency. Two methods for high-angle dispersion of fiber optic end-emitted solar light are described and the resulting spatial intensity distributions, simulated using ZEMAX, are compared with standard cylindrical fluorescent tubes. Differences in spatial intensity distribution are qualitatively characterized and potential design improvements discussed.
The Importance of Site Surveys in Florida’s PV Buildings Program
Authors: Lynn Kevin
Published: March 2020

One of the goals of the Florida PV Buildings Program is to ensure that only quality utility-interactive PV systems are installed in the state. One important component of the Program is the site survey. The purpose of the site survey is to inspect the potential location for PV system before beginning construction, ensuring it is a sensible place to install it. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the method used by this Program and to present some examples that will demonstrate why it is important.
Optimization Studies for Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Systems
Authors: Kelly Bruce , Herrmann Ulf , Hale Mary Jane
Published: March 2020

The integrated solar plant concept was initially proposed by Luz Solar International [1] as a means of integrating a parabolic trough solar plant with modern combined cycle power plants. An integrated plant consists of a conventional combined cycle plant, a solar collector field, and a solar steam generator. During sunny periods, feedwater is withdrawn from the combined cycle plant heat recovery steam generator, and converted to saturated steam in the solar steam generator. The saturated steam is returned to the heat recovery steam generator, and the combined fossil and solar steam flows are superheated in the heat recovery steam generator. The increased steam flow rate provides an increase in the output of the Rankine cycle. During cloudy periods and at night, the integrated plant operates as a conventional combined cycle facility.

Two studies on integrated plant designs using a General Electric Frame 7(FA) gas turbine and a three pressure heat recovery steam generator are currently being conducted by the authors. Preliminary results include the following items: 1) the most efficient use of solar thermal energy is the production of high pressure saturated steam for addition to the heat recovery steam generator; 2) the quantity of high pressure steam generation duty which can be transferred from the heat recovery steam generator to the solar steam generator is limited; thus, the maximum practical solar contribution is also reasonably well defined; 3) small annual solar thermal contributions to an integrated plant can be converted to electric energy at a higher efficiency than a solar-only parabolic trough plant, and can also raise the overall thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency in the Rankine cycle; and 4) annual solar contributions up to 12 percent in an integrated plant should offer economic advantages over a conventional solar-only parabolic trough power plant.
Parabolic Trough Power for the California Competitive Market
Authors: Price Henry , Cable Robert
Published: March 2020

California is about to complete its third year of a deregulated competitive wholesale power market. During the first two years of the competitive market, power prices averaged between 2 and 3¢/kWh. During 2000, electric supply to California was constrained a number of times causing maximum the price of power to peak over 100¢/kWh, and the average price of power to quadruple.

The power output from solar plants tends to coincide with the high power demand periods in California. This fact had been demonstrated by the solar electric generating stations (SEGS) located in the California Mojave Desert, which operate under specific contracts signed in the 1980’s and early 1990’s with the local utility. This paper, on the other hand, examines how new parabolic trough solar plants would have faired on the wholesale competitive power market during 1999 and 2000.
Experimental Investigation of a Vortex-Flow Solar Chemical Reactor for the Combined ZnO-Reduction and CH4-Reforming
Authors: Kräupl Stefan , Steinfeld Aldo
Published: March 2020

The co-production of Zn and synthesis gas by the combined reduction of ZnO and reforming of CH4 has been performed using a vortex-flow chemical reactor in a high-flux solar furnace. The reactor operating temperature ranged between 1032 and 1481 K for an input solar power of 2.3 to 4.6 kW and mean solar flux intensities of 810 to 1609 kW/m2. The performance of the reactor was determined by conducting a complete mass and energy balance for the chemical process. The chemical conversion ranged between 83–100%. The thermal efficiency, defined as the portion of input solar power absorbed as sensible and process heat, was in the range 11–28%. The exergy efficiency for the closed cycle, defined as the ratio of the maximum amount of work that the products leaving the reactor could produce if were re-combined to the input solar power, was in the range 0.3–3.1%. Major sources of energy loss are re-radiation heat transfer through the reactor aperture, conduction heat transfer through the reactor walls, and the quenching of the reaction products.
Towards the Large Scale Production of Fullerenes and Nanotubes by Solar Energy
Authors: Guillard Tony , Flamant Gilles , Laplaze Daniel , Robert Jean-François , Rivoire Bruno , Giral Joseph
Published: March 2020

Conventional methods for the synthesis of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes such as laser or electric arc ablation have failed when the process is scaled up. Our ultimate goal is to scale a solar process up from 2 to 500 kW; this paper shows that our method for achieving this scale up is valid because we were able to predict process performance variables at the 50 kW level from preliminary experimental results from 2 kW experiments. The key parameters that characterize this process are the carbon soot mass flow rate and the desired product yield. The carbon soot production rate is a function of the target temperature and this can be predicted in a straightforward way from a heat transfer model of the larger system. The yield is a more complicated function of specific reactor variables such as patterns of fluid flow, residence times at various temperatures and the reaction chemistry, but we have found that for fullerenes it depends primarily on the concentration of carbon vapor in the carrier gas, the target temperature and the temperature distribution in the cooling zone. Using these parameters, we scaled our process up to 50 kW and compared the predicted results to the measured performance. A graphite target 6 cm in diameter was vaporized in an argon atmosphere and a reduced pressure of 120–240 hPa with a solar flux density in the range 600–900 W/cm2. Vaporization rates of 20 g/h were measured with a fullerene production rate equal to or greater than 1 g/h, i.e. the expected results.
Cooperative particle rearrangements facilitate the self-organized growth of colloidal crystal arrays on strain-relief patterns
Authors: Mondal Manodeep , Mishra Chandan K. , Banerjee Rajdeep , Narasimhan Shobhana , Sood A. K. , Ganapathy Rajesh
Published: March 2020

Strain-relief pattern formation in colloidal heteroepitaxy enables the fabrication of hierarchically ordered surface structures.
The landmark case that almost never was
The Rule of Five: Making Climate History at the Supreme Court
Richard J. Lazarus
Harvard University Press, 2020. 368 pp.
Authors: Gerrard Michael B.
Published: March 2020

A law professor investigates the legal decision to regulate U.S. greenhouse gases
Mortalin (HSPA9) facilitates
BRAF
-mutant tumor cell survival by suppressing ANT3-mediated mitochondrial membrane permeability
Authors: Wu Pui-Kei , Hong Seung-Keun , Chen Wenjing , Becker Andrew E. , Gundry Rebekah L. , Lin Chien-Wei , Shao Hao , Gestwicki Jason E. , Park Jong-In
Published: March 2020

Blocking the heat shock chaperone mortalin kills BRAF-mutant and MEK-ERK pathway–driven tumor cells.
ARGONAUT II Study of the
In Vitro
Activity of Plazomicin against Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Jacobs Michael R. , Good Caryn E. , Hujer Andrea M. , Abdelhamed Ayman M. , Rhoads Daniel D. , Hujer Kristine M. , Rudin Susan D. , Domitrovic T. Nicholas , Connolly Lynn E. , Krause Kevin M. , Patel Robin , Arias Cesar A. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Rojas Laura J. , D’Souza Roshan , White Richard C. , Brinkac Lauren M. , Nguyen Kevin , Singh Indresh , Fouts Derrick E. , van Duin David , Bonomo Robert A. ,   for the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group
Published: March 2020

Plazomicin was tested against 697 recently acquired carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates from the Great Lakes region of the United States. Plazomicin MIC
50
and MIC
90
values were 0.25 and 1 mg/liter, respectively; 680 isolates (97.6%) were susceptible (MICs of ≤2 mg/liter), 9 (1.3%) intermediate (MICs of 4 mg/liter), and 8 (1.1%) resistant (MICs of >32 mg/liter). Resistance was associated with
rmtF
-,
rmtB
-, or
armA
-encoded 16S rRNA methyltransferases in all except 1 isolate.
Levonadifloxacin, a Novel Benzoquinolizine Fluoroquinolone, Modulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Whole-Blood Assay and Murine Acute Lung Injury Model
Authors: Patel Anasuya , Sangle Ganesh V. , Trivedi Jinal , Shengule Sushant A. , Thorve Deepak , Patil Mohan , Deshmukh Nitin J. , Choudhari Bhushan , Karade Avinash , Gupta Sangita , Bhagwat Sachin , Patel Mahesh
Published: March 2020

Fluoroquinolones are reported to possess immunomodulatory activity; hence, a novel benzoquinolizine fluoroquinolone, levonadifloxacin, was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human whole-blood (HWB) and mouse acute lung injury (ALI) models. Levonadifloxacin significantly mitigated the inflammatory responses in an HWB assay through inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and in the ALI model by lowering lung total white blood cell count, myeloperoxidase, and cytokine levels. The immunomodulatory effect of levonadifloxacin, along with promising antibacterial activity, is expected to provide clinical benefits in the treatment of infections.
Infant sleep and child mental health: a longitudinal investigation
Authors: Cook Fallon , Conway Laura J , Giallo Rebecca , Gartland Deirdre , Sciberras Emma , Brown Stephanie
Published: March 2020

Objective

To determine whether infants with severe persistent sleep problems are at increased risk of (1) meeting diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder (age 10 years), and (2) having elevated symptoms of mental health difficulties (ages 4 and 10 years), in comparison with infants with settled sleep.

Design and setting

Prospective longitudinal community cohort study—the Maternal Health Study. Mothers completed questionnaires/interviews at 15 weeks' gestation; 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post partum; and when their child turned 4 and 10 years old. Measures included parental report of infant night waking and sleep problems and child mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale; Development and Well-being Assessment).

Participants

1460 mother-infant dyads.

Results

283 (19.4%) infants had persistent severe sleep problems, 817 (56.0%) had moderate/fluctuating sleep problems and 360 (24.7%) infants were settled. Infants with persistent severe sleep problems were more likely to report emotional symptoms at age 4 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.70, 95% CI 1.21 to 6.05, p=0.02), and meet diagnostic criteria for an emotional disorder at age 10 (AOR=2.37, 95% CI 1.05 to 5.36, p=0.04). Infants with persistent severe sleep problems also had elevated symptoms of separation anxiety (AOR=2.44, 95% CI 1.35 to 4.41, p<0.01), fear of physical injury (AOR=2.14, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.18, p=0.03) and overall elevated anxiety (AOR=2.20, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.29, p=0.02) at age 10.

Conclusions

Infants with persistent severe sleep problems during the first postnatal year have an increased risk of anxiety problems and emotional disorders at age 10.
Challenging the view that lack of fibre causes childhood constipation
Authors: Tappin David , Grzeda Mariusz , Joinson Carol , Heron Jon
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To assess evidence supporting the view that ‘low fibre causes childhood constipation’.

Design

Triangulation integrated three approaches: a systematic review NICE guideline CG99 examining effectiveness of increasing fibre; a cohort study, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), to assess if constipation (or hard stools) can precede fibre intake at weaning; and a literature search for twin studies to calculate heredity.

Setting

CG99 examined the literature regarding the effectiveness of increasing fibre. ALSPAC asked parents about: hard stools at 4 weeks, 6 months and 2.5 years and constipation at age 4–10 years, as well as fibre intake at 2 years. Twin studies and data from ALSPAC were pooled to calculate concordance of constipation comparing monozygotic and dizygous twin pairs.

Participants

CG99 reported six randomised controlled trials (RCTs). ALSPAC hard stool data from 6796 children at 4 weeks, 9828 at 6 months and 9452 at 2.5 years plus constipation data on 8401 at 4–10 years were compared with fibre intake at 2 years. Twin studies had 338 and 93 twin pairs and ALSPAC added a further 45.

Results

Increasing fibre did not effectively treat constipation. Hard stools at 4 weeks predated fibre and at 6 months predicted lower fibre intake at 2 years (p=0.003). Heredity explained 59% of constipation.

Conclusions

RCTs indicate that increasing fibre is not an effective treatment for constipation in children. Hard stools can precede and predict later fibre intake. Genetic inheritance explains most childhood constipation. Extended treatment with stool softeners may improve fibre intake and limit long-term damaging sequelae of constipation.
Procedural sedation at role 1: applicability to military clinicians and minimum monitoring criteria
Authors: Ellington Matt , Booker R J
Published: March 2020

Procedural sedation is defined as producing a state of reduced consciousness, where the patient is still able to respond to verbal or physical stimulus and to continuously maintain a patent airway and adequate ventilation. This can be done to facilitate treatment that would not be otherwise possible. Recent evidence, guidelines and new equipment introductions have improved the safety of procedural sedation at UK role 1 medical treatment facilities (MTFs). A role 1 MTF is defined by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a medical facility focusing on the provision of primary healthcare, specialised first aid, triage, resuscitation and stabilisation, and is usually staffed by a general practitioner or a general duties medical officer. This paper aims to update role 1 clinicians on the current evidence base and guidance regarding monitoring of patients during procedural sedation.
Change in drink purchases in 16 Australian recreation centres following a sugar-sweetened beverage reduction initiative: an observational study
Authors: Boelsen-Robinson Tara , Orellana Liliana , Backholer Kathryn , Kurzeme Ariana , Jerebine Alethea , Gilham Beth , Chung Alexandra , Peeters Anna
Published: March 2020

Objective

To assess the impact of a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) reduction initiative on customer purchasing patterns, including volume sales of healthy and unhealthy packaged drinks and sales value of all packaged drinks, in a major Australian aquatic and recreation provider, YMCA Victoria.

Design

Prospective

Setting

16 aquatic and recreation centres in Victoria, Australia.

Interventions

The SSB-reduction initiative aimed to remove all SSBs (excluding sports drinks) and increase healthier drink availability over a 1-year period.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Itemised monthly drink sales data were collected for 16 centres, over 4 years (2 years preimplementation, 1 year implementation and 1 year postimplementation). Drinks were classified as ‘green’ (best choice), ‘amber’ (choose carefully) or ‘red’ (limit). Interrupted time series analysis was conducted for each centre to determine the impact on volume sales of ‘red’ and ‘green’ drinks, and overall sales value. A novel meta-analysis approach was conducted to estimate the mean changes across centres.

Results

Following implementation, volume sales of ‘red’ drinks reduced by 46.2% across centres (95% CI: −53.2% to −39.2%), ‘green’ drink volume did not change (0.0%, 95% CI: −13.3% to 13.2%) and total drink sales value decreased by 24.3% (95% CI: −32.0% to −16.6%).

Conclusions

The reduction of SSBs in health-promoting settings such as recreation centres is a feasible, effective public health policy that is likely to be transferable to other high-income countries with similarly unhealthy beverage offerings. However, complementary strategies should be considered to encourage customers to switch to healthier alternatives, particularly when translating policies to organisations with less flexible income streams.
Anaesthesia care providers employed in humanitarian settings by Médecins Sans Frontières: a retrospective observational study of 173 084 surgical cases over 10 years
Authors: Kudsk-Iversen Søren , Trelles Miguel , Ngowa Bakebaanitsa Elie , Hagabimana Longin , Momen Abdul , Helmand Rahmatullah , Saint Victor Carline , Shah Khalid , Masu Adolphe , Kendell Judith , Edgcombe Hilary , English Mike
Published: March 2020

Objective

To describe the extent to which different categories of anaesthesia provider are used in humanitarian surgical projects and to explore the volume and nature of their surgical workload.

Design

Descriptive analysis using 10 years (2008–2017) of routine case-level data linked with routine programme-level data from surgical projects run exclusively by Médecins Sans Frontières-Operational Centre Brussels (MSF-OCB).

Setting

Projects were in contexts of natural disaster (ND, entire expatriate team deployed by MSF-OCB), active conflict (AC) and stable healthcare gaps (HG). In AC and HG settings, MSF-OCB support pre-existing local facilities. Hospital facilities ranged from basic health centres with surgical capabilities to tertiary referral centres.

Participants

The full dataset included 178 814 surgical cases. These were categorised by most senior anaesthetic provider for the project, according to qualification: specialist physician anaesthesiologists, qualified nurse anaesthetists and uncertified anaesthesia providers.

Primary outcome measure

Volume and nature of surgical workload of different anaesthesia providers.

Results

Full routine data were available for 173 084 cases (96.8%): 2518 in ND, 42 225 in AC, 126 936 in HG. Anaesthesia was predominantly led by physician anaesthesiologists (100% in ND, 66% in AC and HG), then nurse anaesthetists (19% in AC and HG) or uncertified anaesthesia providers (15% in AC and HG). Across all settings and provider groups, patients were mostly healthy young adults (median age range 24–27 years), with predominantly females in HG contexts, and males in AC contexts. Overall intra-operative mortality was 0.2%.

Conclusion

Our findings contribute to existing knowledge of the nature of anaesthetic provision in humanitarian settings, while demonstrating the value of high-quality, routine data collection at scale in this sector. Further evaluation of perioperative outcomes associated with different models of humanitarian anaesthetic provision is required.
Impact of preterm birth on brain development and long-term outcome: protocol for a cohort study in Scotland
Authors: Boardman James P , Hall Jill , Thrippleton Michael J , Reynolds Rebecca M , Bogaert Debby , Davidson Donald J , Schwarze Jurgen , Drake Amanda J , Chandran Siddharthan , Bastin Mark E , Fletcher-Watson Sue
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Preterm birth is closely associated with altered brain development and is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental, cognitive and behavioural impairments across the life course. We aimed to investigate neuroanatomic variation and adverse outcomes associated with preterm birth by studying a cohort of preterm infants and controls born at term using brain MRI linked to biosamples and clinical, environmental and neuropsychological data.

Methods and analysis

Theirworld Edinburgh Birth Cohort is a prospective longitudinal cohort study at the University of Edinburgh. We plan to recruit 300 infants born at <33 weeks of gestational age (GA) and 100 healthy control infants born after 37 weeks of GA. Multiple domains are assessed: maternal and infant clinical and demographic information; placental histology; immunoregulatory and trophic proteins in umbilical cord and neonatal blood; brain macrostructure and microstructure from structural and diffusion MRI (dMRI); DNA methylation; hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity; social cognition, attention and processing speed from eye tracking during infancy and childhood; neurodevelopment; gut and respiratory microbiota; susceptibility to viral infections; and participant experience. Main analyses include creation of novel methods for extracting information from neonatal structural and dMRI, regression analyses of predictors of brain maldevelopment and neurocognitive outcome associated with preterm birth, and determination of the quantitative predictive performance of MRI and other early life factors for childhood outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the National Research Ethics Service (NRES), South East Scotland Research Ethics Committee (NRES numbers 11/55/0061 and 13/SS/0143 (phase I) and 16/SS/0154 (phase II)), and NHS Lothian Research and Development (2016/0255). Results are disseminated through open access journals, scientific meetings, social media, newsletters anda study website (www.tebc.ed.ac.uk), and we engage with the University of Edinburgh public relations and media office to ensure maximum publicity and benefit.
Associations between earplug use and hearing loss in ROK military personnel
Authors: Kim Hwi Jun , Oh S Y , Won S Y , Kim H J , Kim T K , Ko B C , Woo S Y , Park E-C
Published: March 2020

Introduction

The easiest way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is to wear earplugs. The Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense (MND) is supplying earplugs to prevent NIHL, but many patients still suffer from this. We speculated that earplugs would have a high NIHL rate, depending on the rate of use of earplugs, regardless of the rate of supply. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate the relationship between the use of earplugs and hearing loss by ROK military personnel.

Methods

The study used data from the Military Health Survey conducted in 2014–2015, which included 13 470 questionnaires completed by ROK military personnel. Hearing loss and earplug use were self-reported. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between earplug use and hearing loss.

Results

The study sample included 13 470 ROK military personnel (response rate of 71.2%) (Army, 8330 (61.8%); Navy/Marines, 2236 (16.6%); and Air Force, 2904 (21.6%)). Overall, 18.8% of Korean military personnel reported that they always wore earplugs, and 2.8% reported hearing loss. In logistic regression analysis, there were significant differences in the rates of hearing loss associated with wearing earplugs sometimes (OR=1.48, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.05) and never wearing earplugs (OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.10). In subgroup analysis, in Air Force, non-combat branch, forward area and long-term military service personnel increased hearing loss was associated with not wearing earplugs.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that within the ROK military, there is an association between hearing loss and lack of earplug use. In the ROK MND, Army, Navy/Marines and Air Force headquarters must provide guidelines for the use of earplugs during field training to protect military personnel’s hearings and, if necessary, need to be regulated or institutionalised.
Body mass index trajectories among the Canadian workforce and their association with work environment trajectories over 17 years
Authors: Dobson Kathleen G , Gilbert-Ouimet Mahée , Mustard Cameron , Smith Peter M
Published: March 2020

Objective

To determine the number of latent body mass index (BMI) trajectories from 1994 to 2010 among working Canadians and their association with concurrent trajectories in work environment exposures.

Methods

Data of employed individuals from the longitudinal CanadianNational Population Health Surveywere used. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to determine the number of latent BMI trajectories and concurrent psychosocial work environment trajectories. A multinomial logistic regression of BMI trajectory membership on trajectories in work environment dimensions (skill discretion, decision latitude, psychological demands, job insecurity, social support, physical exertion) was then explored.

Results

Four latent BMI trajectories corresponding to normal, overweight, obese and very obese BMI values were found. Each trajectory saw an increase in BMI (~2–4 kg/m2) over the 17-year period. A higher decision authority trajectory was associated with lower odds of belonging to the overweight and obese trajectories when compared with the normal weight trajectory. A decreasing physical exertion trajectory was associated with higher odds of belonging to the very obese trajectory when compared with the normal weight trajectory.

Conclusions

Four BMI trajectories are present in the Canadian workforce; all trajectories saw increased body weight over time. Declining physical exertion and lower decision authority in the work environment over time is associated with increased likelihood of being in overweight and obese trajectories.
In vitro rooting of hybrid hazelnuts (Corylus avellana×Corylus americana) in a temporary immersion system
Authors: Nicholson James , Shukla Mukund R. , Saxena Praveen K.
Published: March 2020

Commercial micropropagation of hybrid hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L. × C. americana Marshall) has been limited, owing to their poor rooting ability in vitro as well as ex vitro, leading to high mortality of plantlets transplanted in the greenhouse. The objective of this study was to develop an efficient and cost-effective protocol for rooting and plantlet acclimation of in vitro grown hazelnut shoots. Efficient in vitro rooting was accomplished in a rocker-based temporary immersion bioreactor system. The use of a temporary immersion system (TIS) in combination with the inert substrate Oasis® In Vitro Express (IVE) significantly improved the in vitro rooting efficiency (100%) compared with semi-solid medium (27%) after four weeks of culture. A higher density (36 explants/vessel) of shoot explants in the TIS was found to support a significantly greater shoot height, chlorophyll content, and longest root length, compared with the lowest density treatment (12 explants/vessel). Efficiency of rooting and the number of roots formed were similar for both the high and low density of explants in the culture vessels, and the resulting plantlets exhibited > 80% survival in the greenhouse. These results demonstrate the usefulness of rocker-based TIS for commercial micropropagation of hazelnuts and, potentially, other tree species.
Male mating success is related to body condition and stress-induced leukocyte response in an anuran with scramble competition
Authors: Gastón M.S. , Vaira M.
Published: March 2020

Competition among males can be a decisive factor for successful mating in anuran explosive breeders with a male-biased population sex ratio. The Yungas Red-belly Toad (Melanophryniscus rubriventris (Vellard, 1947)) is an explosive breeder where males exhibit a classic scramble competition. We studied the body size, body condition, and stress-induced leukocyte response of M. rubriventris males under natural scenarios of scramble competition. We hand-captured adult males (categorised as single, in pairs, or in mating balls) and determined their body mass and length, body condition, and their leukocyte profile. We found that males in pairs had significantly higher body mass than single males and those in mating balls. We found the highest percentage of individuals with better body condition within the paired males who showed significantly higher body condition index value than singles or those in mating balls. Amplectant males (those collected in pairs or in mating balls) had a significantly lower proportion of lymphocytes and higher neutrophil–lymphocyte ratios than singles. Amplectant males showed significantly higher proportions of neutrophils or eosinophils than singles. Our results suggest that M. rubriventris males with better body condition can be more successful in acquiring mates, although scramble competition among males can trigger a stress response.
Leading two-loop corrections to the Higgs boson self-couplings in models with extended scalar sectors
Authors: Braathen Johannes , Kanemura Shinya
Published: March 2020

We compute the dominant two-loop corrections to the Higgs trilinear coupling $$\lambda _{hhh}$$λhhh and to the Higgs quartic coupling $$\lambda _{hhhh}$$λhhhh in models with extended Higgs sectors, using the effective-potential approximation. We provide in this paper all necessary details about our calculations, and present general $$\overline{{\mathrm{MS}}}$$MS¯ expressions for derivatives of the integrals appearing in the effective potential at two loops. We also consider three particular Beyond-the-Standard-Model (BSM) scenarios – namely a typical scenario of an Inert Doublet Model (IDM), and scenarios of a Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) and of a Higgs Singlet Model (HSM) without scalar mixing – and we include all the necessary finite counterterms to obtain (in addition to $$\overline{{\mathrm{MS}}}$$MS¯ results) on-shell scheme expressions for the corrections to the Higgs self-couplings. With these analytic results, we investigate the possible magnitude of two-loop BSM contributions to the Higgs self-couplings and the fate of the non-decoupling effects that are known to appear at one loop. We find that, at least as long as pertubative unitarity conditions are fulfilled, the size of two-loop corrections remains well below that of one-loop corrections. Typically, two-loop contributions to $$\lambda _{hhh}$$λhhh amount to approximately 20% of those at one loop, implying that the non-decoupling effects observed at one loop are not significantly modified, but also meaning that higher-order corrections need to be taken into account for the future perspective of precise measurements of the Higgs trilinear coupling.
Study of the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects in (Ho0.85RE0.15)3Pd2 (RE=Y and Gd) compounds
Authors: Wu X. F. , Guo C. , Du Y. S. , Wang J. , Ma L. , Rao G. H. , Du Z.
Published: March 2020

The crystal structure, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the [Formula: see text] (RE=Y and Gd) compounds were investigated. Both of the compounds crystallize in a single phase with a tetragonal [Formula: see text]-type structure (space group [Formula: see text]/mbm) and undergo a second-order transition from ferromagnetic (FM) state to paramagnetic (PM) state. In the PM region, the reciprocal susceptibilities both obey the Curie–Weiss law. The paramagnetic Curie temperatures [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were determined to be 4.9 K and 3.2 K, and the corresponding effective magnetic moments [Formula: see text] are 10.3 [Formula: see text]/RE and 10.5 [Formula: see text]/RE, respectively. Under a field change from 0 T to 5 T, the maximum values of [Formula: see text] for the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] compounds are determined to be [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], with the corresponding RC values of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.
One-Way Hash Function Based on Delay-Induced Hyperchaos
Authors: Ren Hai-Peng , Zhao Chao-Feng , Grebogi Celso
Published: March 2020

A scheme for constructing one-way Hash function based on hyperchaos induced by time delay and key-stream function iteration is proposed in this paper. In this scheme, the plaintext and secret key are used as the initial value in two hyperchaotic Chen systems; these values are evolved in a hyperchaotic way during a predefined period. The results of the evolution are quantified and iterated using key-stream function iteration to confuse and diffuse the plaintext and secret key. The cipher block chaining mode is used to generate a 128 bits Hash value for a plaintext of arbitrary length. Theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm has satisfactory performance, such as value compression function, irreversibility, initial value sensitivity, forgery resistance and collision resistance.
Centers and Limit Cycles of a Generalized Cubic Riccati System
Authors: Zhou Zhengxin , Romanovski Valery G. , Yu Jiang
Published: March 2020

We obtain the conditions for the existence of a center for a cubic planar differential system, which can be considered as a polynomial subfamily of the generalized Riccati system. We also investigate bifurcations of small limit cycles from the components of the center variety of the system.
High-Rate Secure Key Distribution Based on Private Chaos Synchronization and Alternating Step Algorithms
Authors: Jiang Ning , Zhao Xiaoyan , Zhao Anke , Wang Hui , Qiu Kun , Tang Jianming
Published: March 2020

We propose and numerically demonstrate a high-rate secure key distribution scheme based on private chaos synchronization of two semiconductor lasers subject to common driving injection and an alternating step algorithm (ASA). By exchanging the random control parameters that correspond to different feedback delays of local external-cavity semiconductor lasers, the legitimate users Alice and Bob can identify the time slots in which high-quality private chaos synchronization is achieved. Based on this property, a true random seed key can be independently and privately generated by Alice and Bob, in virtue of symmetric post-processing. Moreover, an ASA is designed to generate a new high-rate key as the final key. By the ASA iterations, random final key distribution with an extended rate significantly higher than that of the seed key can be achieved. The feasibility and performance of the proposed high-rate secure key distribution scheme are verified by numerical simulations. This work provides a high-level security and high-rate random key distribution scheme that has the potential to implement one-time-pad encryption in high-speed secure optical communications.
How to Construct Complex Dynamics? A Note on a Topological Approach
Authors: Sovrano Elisa
Published: March 2020

We investigate the presence of complex behaviors for the solutions of two different dynamical systems: one is of discrete type and the other is continuous. We give evidence of “chaos” in the framework of topological horseshoes and show how different problems can be analyzed by the same procedure.
Finite Element-Based Analysis of Bio-Heat Transfer in Human Skin Burns and Afterwards
Authors: Mukaddes Abul Mukid Md. , Shioya Ryuji , Ogino Masao , Roy Dipon , Jaher Rezwan
Published: March 2020

This research was conducted to develop the three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of human skin for bio-heat transfer analysis. The skin burn was analyzed using Penne’s bio-heat equation, which has been adopted in many commercial finite element software. Burn injuries mostly occur due to heat transfer from hot object, hot liquids, cooking flames, and sometimes due to exposure to chemicals, electricity, and ionizing radiation. Depending upon the condition and duration of exposing, thermal burn may cause severe skin damage. The burn effect on human skin under the contact with a hot object or hot fluid was analyzed in this paper. The burn intensity in terms of degrees of burn was measured with different burning conditions and their corresponding time was graphically shown. Using the temperature profile obtained from the analysis, various methods of burn treatment were evaluated and compared. The results from this analysis will help to understand human skin burn under different burning conditions and treatment of different burn injuries.
Dimension Reduction Method-Based RBDO for Dependent Interval Variables
Authors: Dey Shibshankar , Zaman Kais
Published: March 2020

Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) under epistemic uncertainty (i.e., imprecise probabilistic information), especially in the presence of dependency of input variables, is a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a dimension reduction-based RBDO framework considering dependent interval variables, which is pursued in a purely probabilistic manner. Most probable point (MPP) based dimension reduction method (DRM) is used for reliability evaluation due to its ability to circumvent the shortcomings of poor approximation by first order reliability method (FORM) and pronounced computational complexity by second order reliability method (SORM). For modeling correlation of input variables, copula is used instead of true joint cumulative density function (CDF). A flexible Johnson family of distributions is used to handle the stochastic but poorly known epistemic uncertainty. In order to handle the uncertainty in correlation measures, arisen due to interval data, expert suggested bounds of correlation measures have been recommended. For the overall RBDO problem, a decoupled approach to optimization is explored. Two numerical examples — one mathematical problem and one engineering problem — have been solved to properly explicate the proposed RBDO process. It is demonstrated that correlations in input variables have significant impact on the optimal design solutions.
Interaction of Urban Underground Twin Metro Tunnels Under Static and Earthquake Loading
Authors: Jishnu Rama Bhadran , Ayothiraman Ramanathan
Published: March 2020

New Delhi is a city affected by near/far-field earthquakes, where underground metro construction activities have been undertaken since the early 2000s. Due to the seismic effects, these structures are designed by conventional force/displacement methods. The present study validates the efficacy of these methods, numerically. For this, varying geotechnical conditions in static and seismic cases were quantified with the expected ground motion. Bored tunnels at different cover depths were modeled in 2D and 3D, to ascertain the static response of these structures, followed by a true dynamic analysis. It was found that conventional design procedures using force methods gave conservative estimates for increments on the tunnel liner. Also, the importance of a full dynamic analysis could not be ignored because (i) higher surface spectral responses were found at the tunnel pillar location and (ii) the cumulative strains on the tunnel liner were found to exceed permissible limits.
The Genomics ofCannabisand Its Close Relatives
Authors: Kovalchuk I. , Pellino M. , Rigault P. , van Velzen R. , Ebersbach J. , Ashnest J. R. , Mau M. , Schranz M. E. , Alcorn J. , Laprairie R. B. , McKay J. K. , Burbridge C. , Schneider D. , Vergara D. , Kane N. C. , Sharbel T. F.
Published: March 2020

Cannabis sativa L. is an important yet controversial plant with a long history of recreational, medicinal, industrial, and agricultural use, and together with its sister genus Humulus, it represents a group of plants with a myriad of academic, agricultural, pharmaceutical, industrial, and social interests. We have performed a meta-analysis of pooled published genomics data, andwe present a comprehensive literature review on the evolutionary history of Cannabis and Humulus, including medicinal and industrial applications. We demonstrate that current Cannabis genome assemblies are incomplete, with ∼10% missing, 10–25% unmapped, and 45S and 5S ribosomal DNA clusters as well as centromeres/satellite sequences not represented. These assemblies are also ordered at a low resolution, and their consensus quality clouds the accurate annotation of complete, partial, and pseudogenized gene copies. Considering the importance of genomics in the development of any crop, this analysis underlines the need for a coordinated effort to quantify the genetic and biochemical diversity of this species.
4D Flow with MRI
Authors: Soulat Gilles , McCarthy Patrick , Markl Michael
Published: March 2020

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important tool for the clinical evaluation of patients with cardiac and vascular diseases. Since its introduction in the late 1980s, quantitative flow imaging with MRI has become a routine part of standard-of-care cardiothoracic and vascular MRI for the assessment of pathological changes in blood flow in patients with cardiovascular disease. More recently, time-resolved flow imaging with velocity encoding along all three flow directions and three-dimensional (3D) anatomic coverage (4D flow MRI) has been developed and applied to enable comprehensive 3D visualization and quantification of hemodynamics throughout the human circulatory system. This article provides an overview of the use of 4D flow applications in different cardiac and vascular regions in the human circulatory system, with a focus on using 4D flow MRI in cardiothoracic and cerebrovascular diseases.
Bioprivileged Molecules: Integrating Biological and Chemical Catalysis for Biomass Conversion
Authors: Huo Jiajie , Shanks Brent H.
Published: March 2020

Further development of biomass conversions to viable chemicals and fuels will require improved atom utilization, process efficiency, and synergistic allocation of carbon feedstock into diverse products, as is the case in the well-developed petroleum industry. The integration of biological and chemical processes, which harnesses the strength of each type of process, can lead to advantaged processes over processes limited to one or the other. This synergy can be achieved through bioprivileged molecules that can be leveraged to produce a diversity of products, including both replacement molecules and novel molecules with enhanced performance properties. However, important challenges arise in the development of bioprivileged molecules. This review discusses the integration of biological and chemical processes and its use in the development of bioprivileged molecules, with a further focus on key hurdles that must be overcome for successful implementation.