bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI model selection for predicting tumor aggressiveness in papillary thyroid cancers
Authors: Paudyal Ramesh , Lu Yonggang , Hatzoglou Vaios , Moreira Andre , Stambuk Hilda E. , Oh Jung Hun , Cunanan Kristen M. , Aramburu Nunez David , Mazaheri Yousef , Gonen Mithat , Ho Alan , Fagin James A. , Wong Richard J. , Shaha Ashok , Tuttle R. Michael , Shukla‐Dave Amita
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the optimal tracer kinetic model from T1‐weighted dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) data and evaluate whether parameters estimated from the optimal model predict tumor aggressiveness determined from histopathology in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) prior to surgery. In this prospective study, 18 PTC patients underwent pretreatment DCE‐MRI on a 3 T MR scanner prior to thyroidectomy. This study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was obtained from all patients. The two‐compartment exchange model, compartmental tissue uptake model, extended Tofts model (ETM) and standard Tofts model were compared on a voxel‐wise basis to determine the optimal model using the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) for PTC. The optimal model is the one with the lowest AICc. Statistical analysis included paired and unpaired t‐tests and a one‐way analysis of variance. Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated from the optimal model parameters to differentiate PTC with and without aggressive features, and AUCs were compared. ETM performed best with the lowest AICc and the highest Akaike weight (0.44) among the four models. ETM was preferred in 44% of all 3419 voxels. The ETM estimates of Ktrans in PTCs with the aggressive feature extrathyroidal extension (ETE) were significantly higher than those without ETE (0.78 ± 0.29 vs. 0.34 ± 0.18 min−1, P = 0.005). From ROC analysis, cut‐off values of Ktrans, ve and vp, which discriminated between PTCs with and without ETE, were determined at 0.45 min−1, 0.28 and 0.014 respectively. The sensitivities and specificities were 86 and 82% (Ktrans), 71 and 82% (ve), and 86 and 55% (vp), respectively. Their respective AUCs were 0.90, 0.71 and 0.71. We conclude that ETM Ktrans has shown potential to classify tumors with and without aggressive ETE in patients with PTC.
MR fingerprinting ASL: Sequence characterization and comparison with dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI
Authors: Su Pan , Fan Hongli , Liu Peiying , Li Yang , Qiao Ye , Hua Jun , Lin Doris , Jiang Dengrong , Pillai Jay J. , Hillis Argye E. , Lu Hanzhang
Published: November 2019

MR Fingerprinting (MRF)‐based Arterial‐Spin‐Labeling (ASL) has the potential to measure multiple parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), bolus arrival time (BAT), and tissue T1 in a single scan. However, the previous reports have only demonstrated a proof‐of‐principle of the technique but have not examined the performance of the sequence in the context of key imaging parameters. Furthermore, there has not been a study to directly compare the technique to clinically used perfusion method of dynamic‐susceptibility‐contrast (DSC) MRI. The present report consists of two studies. In the first study (N = 8), we examined the dependence of MRF‐ASL sequence on TR time pattern. Ten different TR patterns with a range of temporal characteristics were examined by both simulations and experiments. The results revealed that there was a significance dependence of the sequence performance on TR pattern (p < 0.001), although there was not a single pattern that provided dramatically improvements. Among the TR patterns tested, a sinusoidal pattern with a period of 125 TRs provided an overall best estimation in terms of spatial consistency. These experimental observations were consistent with those of numerical simulations. In the second study (N = 8), we compared MRF‐ASL results with those of DSC MRI. It was found that MRF‐ASL and DSC MRI provided highly comparable maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and bolus‐arrival‐time (BAT), with spatial correlation coefficients of 0.79 and 0.91, respectively. However, in terms of quantitative values, BAT obtained with MRF‐ASL was considerably lower than that from DSC (p < 0.001), presumably because of the differences in tracer characteristics in terms of diffusible versus intravascular tracers. Test–retest assessment of MRF‐ASL MRI revealed that the spatial correlations of parametric maps were 0.997, 0.962, 0.746 and 0.863 for B1+, T1, CBF, and BAT, respectively. MRF‐ASL is a promising technique for assessing multiple perfusion parameters simultaneously without contrast agent.
From Contentious to Contended: An ‘Event’‐ful Account of Karavaran History
Authors: Errington Frederick , Gewertz Deborah
Published: November 2019

In 2019, we returned to Karavar, one of Papua New Guinea's Duke of York Islands. Since our last visit 28 years earlier, many with whom we worked had died. However, their children knew about us and were eager for our recollections about the lives and times of their parents. We, in turn, wished to learn about current lives and times. Our conversations, thus, often focused on multi‐generational changes. Significantly, most Karavarans thought that these changes had been for the better. Indeed, they seemed relatively satisfied with their present circumstances. In contrast, the Karavarans we had earlier known were frequently fired up with grievance, disappointment, possibility, and occasional exultation. Here we consider how contentiousness turned into contentment; how, what Karavarans had been, approached what they wanted to be. In understanding this historical process, we consider several ramifying ‘events’: happenings that Karavarans recognized, whether immediately or in retrospect, as interrupting business as usual and, ultimately, as challenging assumptions about the workings of their world.
On the use of graphene to improve the performance of concentrator III‐V multijunction solar cells
Authors: Barrutia Laura , Lombardero Iván , Ochoa Mario , Gabás Mercedes , García Iván , Palacios Tomás , Johnson Andrew , Rey‐Stolle Ignacio , Algora Carlos
Published: November 2019

Graphene has been intensively studied in photovoltaics focusing on emerging solar cells based on thin films, dye‐sensitized solar cells, quantum dots, nanowires, and so forth. However, the typical efficiency of these solar cells incorporating graphene is below 16%. Therefore, the photovoltaic potential of graphene has not yet been shown. In this work, the use of graphene for concentration applications on III‐V multijunction solar cells, which indeed are the solar cells with the highest efficiency, is demonstrated. First, a wide optoelectronic characterization of graphene layers is carried out. Then, the graphene layer is incorporated onto triple‐junction solar cells, which decreases their series resistance by 35% (relative), leading to an increase in fill factor of 4% (absolute) at concentrations of 1000 suns. Simultaneously, the optical absorption of graphene produces a relative short‐circuit current density decrease in the range of 0% to 1.8%. As a result, an absolute efficiency improvement close to 1% at concentrations of 1000 suns was achieved with respect to triple‐junction solar cells without graphene. The impact of incorporating one and two graphene monolayers is also evaluated.
Physikalische Phänomene rund ums Fliegen mit Flightradar24
Authors: Vogt Patrik , Kasper Lutz , Wilhelm Thomas , Kuhn Jochen
Published: November 2019

Die App Flightradar24 – Flugradar (für iOS und Android) ermöglicht es, Flüge weltweit in Echtzeit auf einer Karte zu verfolgen, Flugzeuge zu identifizieren und zahlreiche Flugdaten wie Höhe, Geschwindigkeit oder Richtung der Maschinen zu beobachten. Aus physikalischer Sicht entspricht der letzte Punkt einem Abrufen von Messdaten, sodass die App auch für physikalische Experimente verwendet werden kann.
Unter Hochdruck zur Supraleitung
Authors: Meier Thomas
Published: November 2019

Supraleitung ist eines der faszinierendsten physikalischen Phänomene der Festkörperphysik; eine Anwendung bei technologisch relevanten Temperaturen um 300 K konnte bis zum heutigen Tage allerdings nicht realisiert werden. In modernen Hochdrucklaboren ist es gelungen, wasserstoffreiche Metallhydride zu synthetisieren, die bereits bei 260 K – Temperaturen, die man im Tiefkühlschrank vorfindet – supraleitend werden. Unsere Gruppe am Bayerischen Geoinstitut (BGI) der Uni Bayreuth hat eine Methode entwickelt, mit der sich die elektronischen Eigenschaften der Wasserstoffatome in diesen Substanzen untersuchen lassen.
Ein starker Effekt
Authors: Jacobi Manfred
Published: November 2019

Der Physik‐Nobelpreis ging 1919 an Johannes Stark „für die Entdeckungen des Doppler‐Effekts an Kanalstrahlen und der Zerlegung der Spektrallinien im elektrischen Feld“.
Ein gefrorener Teich mit blauen Augen
Authors: Schlichting Hans Joachim
Published: November 2019

Ein harmloser Blick in einen zugefrorenen Teich bei Sonnenlicht wirft einige physikalische Fragen auf, die sich erst mit Hilfe von leicht zu übersehenden Indizien beantworten lassen.
Synthesis and crosslinking reaction of a novel polymer containing benzoxazine and phenyleneethynylene moieties in the main chain
Authors: Kobayashi Takumi , Goto Masahide , Minami Masaki , Sanda Fumio
Published: November 2019

A novel polymer, poly(1) containing benzoxazine and phenyleneethynylene moieties in the main chain with number‐average molecular weights ranging from 1400 to 9800 was obtained quantitatively by the Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling polymerization of the corresponding iodophenyl‐ and ethynylphenyl‐substituted monomer1. Poly(1) was heated at 200 °C under N2for 2 h to obtain the cured polymer, poly(1)′ via the ring‐opening polymerization of the benzoxazine moieties. The structures of the polymer before and after curing were confirmed by1H‐NMR, IR, and UV–vis absorption and reflectance spectroscopies. Poly(1)′ was thermally more stable than monomer1and poly(1). A specimen was prepared from a mixture of poly(1) and phenol‐diaminodiphenylmethane type benzoxazine2by heating at 200 °C for 2 h under N2. The poly(1)/2resin was thermally stable than bisphenol‐A type benzoxazine resin3. Poly(1) exhibited XRD peaks corresponding to thed‐spacings of 1.26–0.98 and 0.40 nm, assignable to the repeating monomer unit and alignment of polymer molecules, respectively. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2019,57, 2581–2589
Determination of the Surface Facets of Gold Nanorods in Wet‐Coated Thin Films with Grazing‐Incidence Wide Angle X‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Zhang Peng , Rothkirch André , Koch Marcus , Roth Stephan , Kraus Tobias
Published: November 2019

This work studies the surface facets of gold nanorods (AuNRs) in wet‐coated nanoparticle thin films with synchrotron‐light‐based grazing‐incidence wide angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS), which provides statistically relevant results on many nanoparticles. Air‐brush spraying deposits the monodisperse AuNRs into sparse monolayers where the long axis of rods is parallel to the substrate surface. It is found that the crystalline facets of individual AuNRs in the sparse monolayer are all in the same orientation, as indicated by narrow azimuthal widths of (200) reflections, over a macroscopic scale comparable to the substrate. This alignment is probably due to the rods' sitting on high‐index surface facets such as (520) and (250). A quantitative analysis of the angles between bulk facets and the surface facets leads to a “nested‐octagon” model for the cross sections of AuNRs: shell octagon with high‐index crystalline facets (520), (5‐20), (2‐50), (‐2‐50), (‐5‐20), (‐520), (‐250), and (250), and core octagon consisting of low‐index crystalline facets (100), (1‐10), (0‐10), (‐1‐10), (‐100), (‐110), (010), and (110).
Forced expiratory flows and volumes in a Swedish cohort of healthy term infants
Authors: Kosma Paraskevi , Palme‐Kilander Charlotte , Bottai Matteo , Ljungberg Henrik , Hallberg Jenny
Published: November 2019

Background

The use of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in infants has increased during the last decades, making the need for equipment‐ and ethnic‐specific reference data mandatory for appropriate interpretation of the results.

Aim

Our aim was to investigate how well the already published reference equations for infant spirometry fit a healthy population of Swedish infants.

Method

We performed forced tidal and raised volume expiratory maneuvers in healthy infants using Jaeger BabyBody equipment.

Results

PFT data were collected from 91 healthy infants aged between 3 months to 2 years at 143 occasions. Mean (standard deviation) z‐scores were 0.68(1.33) for maximal flow at functional residual capacity (V'maxFRC), −0.15(0.96) for forced vital capacity (FVC), 0.40(1.33) for the forced expired volume in the initial 0.5 seconds (FEV0.5) and 0.52(0.93) for the ratio FEV0.5/FVC, respectively. Z‐scores for all indices but FEV0.5/FVC were highly dependent on length.

Conclusions

We have shown that the use of previously published reference equations may result in an age‐related misinterpretation of lung function measure in a Swedish infant population.
Application of MORUSES single‐layer urban canopy model in a tropical city: Results from Singapore
Authors: Simón‐Moral Andrés , Dipankar Anurag , Roth Matthias , Sánchez Claudio , Velasco Erik , Huang Xiang‐Yu
Published: November 2019

A tropical version of the high‐resolution (300 m) UK Met Office forecast model (UM) using the MORUSES urban canopy parametrization (UCP) is adapted for Singapore. High‐resolution urban surface parameters are determined using a methodology based on Voronoi polygons applied to a 3D building database. The model is evaluated for clear sky and calm conditions at the neighbourhood scale by comparing its predictions with two sources of observations: energy balance data from an eddy covariance flux tower located in a low‐rise residential area, and a network of sensors measuring screen‐level temperature across the city. The model is able to reproduce the diurnal cycle of the surface energy balance fluxes. Net radiation is overestimated which likely follows from an underestimation in cloud cover and effective surface albedo. This overestimation partly explains the overestimation of the sensible‐ and latent‐heat fluxes. The higher model sensible‐heat flux is further hypothesised to be related to the overestimation of modelled canyon sensible‐heat flux. Its peak exhibits a 1 h delay, similar to simulated roof and canyon surface temperature. The model captures the diurnal cycle of temperature at a height of 20.5 m above ground and at screen level. A night‐time cold bias of 0.1–1.1 K and an overestimation of the daytime peak value are observed at both heights. These deviations are smaller than those predicted by other UCPs reported in the literature. A simple method to estimate the capability of an urban model to qualitatively distinguish screen‐level temperature differences across different urban morphologies is developed which shows that MORUSES is clearly able to represent the impacts of different neighbourhoods on the thermal environment.
Investigation of structural and electronic properties by pnictogen substitution in the layered oxypnictides (LaO)ZnPn (Pn = P, As, Sb)
Authors: Muhammady Shibghatullah , Erlyanti Adelya S. , Widita Rena , Darma Yudi
Published: November 2019

We study the structural and electronic properties of p‐type layered oxypnictides (LaO)ZnPn (Pn = P, As, Sb), calculated by first principles. Pn substitution from P to Sb increases D2d‐type local symmetry distortions at ZnPn4 and OLa4 tetrahedra. (LaO)ZnP and (LaO)ZnAs exhibit direct band gaps (Γ → Γ) of 0.621 eV and 0.528 eV, respectively, while (LaO)ZnSb exhibits an indirect band gap (Γ → 0.2Λ) of 0.029 eV. The band gaps come from valence Pn p
x/p
y and conduction Zn 4s states. Moreover, the substitution increases split‐off energy at Z and Γ points. We find localized valence degeneracy‐lifted Zn 3d states because of the possible second‐order Jahn‐Teller effect, which induces the local symmetry distortions. The localized Zn 3d states are followed by minor bonding s‐p hybridization of Zn and Pn. Above them, we show major bonding s‐p hybridization; O 2p states in electron‐blocking [LaO]+ layers, which are essential for thermoelectricity; and nonbonding Pn p states near Fermi level. In the conduction band, antibonding s‐p hybridization is found. Our result shows new insights and findings of structural and electronic properties, which explain previous experimental results, as the focus of this study is related to inorganic chemistry. This study is important for future functional device applications.
Cultivating “Omani ambitions”: Entrepreneurship, distributive labor, and the temporalities of diversification in the Arab Gulf
Authors: Steiner Robin Thomas
Published: November 2019

Despite substantial investments in the diversification and development of their economies, Oman and other Arab Gulf states have yet to experience structural changes that meaningfully reduce their dependence on oil. Pointing out that the “problem” of oil dependence has never existed independent of a development apparatus attempting to solve it, this article explores how developmental discourses and institutions in Oman produce unintended (but nevertheless salient) distributive effects. With scholarship on the region dominated by work on the rentier state that dismisses the importance of developmental institutions and the labor of citizens in systems of rent distribution, this article proposes a new framework that investigates how rentier development operates as a discourse in ways that shape the allocation of resources and the behavior of citizen‐subjects. Through the lens of an Omani entrepreneur named Mohammed and the organizations and individuals who encouraged and supported him, this article draws on insights from the anthropology of development to describe how efforts to transform mind‐sets and instill entrepreneurial dispositions generate not a structural change in Oman's economy but distributive arrangements that enable citizens to earn livelihoods and support through the enactment of virtues that resonate with the state's development narratives.
Efficient Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes by AgI‐Bi2MoO6/Vermiculite Composite under Visible Light
Authors: Zhu Pengfei , Wang Ruoxu , Duan Ming , Chen Yanjun , Hu Min , Luo Xinruo , Teng Huan
Published: November 2019

A novel efficient AgI‐Bi2MoO6/vermiculite adsorption‐photocatalyst is successfully synthesized by sol‐gel method and precipitation method. The structure and properties of AgI‐Bi2MoO6/vermiculite were analyzed by XRD, FT‐IR, XPS, SEM, TEM, BET, and DRS. All the AgI‐Bi2MoO6/vermiculite composites with different AgI content show enhanced photocatalytic performance for malachite green (MG) dye degradation compared to pure Bi2MoO6 and Bi2MoO6/vermiculite composites. The highest degradation efficiency for MG (30 mg/L) via 5 wt%‐AgI‐Bi2MoO6/vermiculite composite (AgI content 5 wt%) photocatalyst (1 g/L) reaches 98.89% in 60 min at pH 9 without salt. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the uniform dispersion of Bi2MoO6 and AgI on the surface of vermiculite, the stable structure, the enhanced adsorption and the widened visible‐light absorption range as well as the faster separation of electron‐hole pairs. Besides, the photocatalyst still shows relatively high adsorption and photocatalytic performance after three times recycling. In addition, the possible photocatalytic mechanism is proposed at the end.
Synthesisand Characterization of Benzothiophene‐3‐carbonitrile Derivative and Its Interactions with Human Serum Albumin (HSA)
Authors: Parveen Mehtab , Aslam Afroz , Alam Mahboob , Siddiqui Mohd Faizan , Bano Bilqees , Azaz Shaista , Silva Manuela Ramos , Silva P. S. Pereira
Published: November 2019

A series of biologically active compounds, i. e., benzothiophene‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives, were synthesized from 1,3‐cyclohexanediones and malononitrile in the presence of base using the well‐known Gewald reaction. This recyclable approach resulted in significant improvement in overall yield (85‐90%), high purity and minimized production of chemical waste without using toxic reagents. The formation of compound, 2‐amino‐7‐oxo‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1‐benzothiophene‐3‐carbonitrile (3 a) was additionally supported by X‐ray crystallography and was found to crystallize in P21/n space group. The mode of binding of 3 a with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by FTIR, UV spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and molecular docking studies. The fluorescence results establish that compound 3 a interacted with HSA via static quenching mechanism with a binding affinity of 11.49 × 10−4 mol−1 and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) of−6.8 kcal mol−1. Molecular docking has been used to calculate the probable mode of interaction of compound 3 a with HSA.
Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity in Ampicillin Loaded Core‐Shell ZnO@ZIF‐8 Particles
Authors: Mohanta Girish C. , Pandey Satish K. , Maurya Indresh K. , Sahota Tavleen S. , Mondal Sanjay K. , Deep Akash
Published: November 2019

Combination therapy with the use of nanomaterials and antibiotics is an effective approach to combat increasing antimicrobial resistance. Herein, the synthesis and antimicrobial activity of core‐shell Zinc oxide ‐ Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8 (ZnO@ZIF‐8) particles loaded with ampicillin is reported. The efficacy of the above system has been evaluated against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains. The entrapment of ampicillin within the ZIF‐8 shell of the particles allowed its controlled and pH‐responsive release under in vitro conditions. Ampicillin loaded ZnO@ZIF‐8 particles have exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity as reflected by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12.50 and 48 μg mL−1 against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. This was also evident by a several‐fold reduction observed in the bacterial population during the time‐kill assays. The values of fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI), assessed for different components, have revealed the ZnO@ZIF‐8/ampicillin system inflicts a synergistic activity against E. coli and an additive activity against S. aureus. Cell membrane disruption is attributed to cell death. Finally, cytotoxicity study against mammalian cell lines has indicated the safety profiles of the particles.
DRIVES—EU blueprint project for the automotive sector—A literature review of drivers of change in automotive industry
Authors: Stolfa Jakub , Stolfa Svatopluk , Baio Christian , Madaleno Utimia , Dolejsi Petr , Brugnoli Federico , Messnarz Richard
Published: November 2019

DRIVES is a 4‐year project created to deliver human capital solutions to the automotive supply chain and small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The establishment of an Automotive Sector Skills Alliance covers all levels of the value chain (vehicle production, supply, sales, aftermarket services, and disposal). The automotive sector is facing many disruptive changes in this rapidly changing world. This paper, based on literature review, outlines the drivers of change that impact future developments in the automotive industry. This serves as an input to a questionnaire, which will provide a prioritisation and guidance to which direction the DRIVES project proposed and European Union (EU) skills agenda should concentrate.
Experimental tests on corroded prestressed concrete beams subjected to transverse load
Authors: Recupero Antonino , Spinella Nino
Published: November 2019

In prestressed concrete beams, the stress level of tendons drastically modifies the steel corrosion process. Stress corrosion is characterized by the coupling between the conventional corrosion and the steel microcracking. Also, for a low corrosion level of the tendon and under normal service loading, the steel microcracking can lead to a brittle failure. An example of PC structure failure is the Santo Stefano viaduct built in 1954, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in Sicily (Italy). In this scenario, an experimental campaign on corroded prestressed concrete beams is carrying out at the University of Messina (Italy). The goal of the research project is the influence of tendon corrosion on the response behavior of structural elements subjected to transversal load. In 2006, a set of prestressed concrete beams was casted at University of Messina Laboratory. Some defects were artificially induced in each specimen by introducing chemical solution or acid in the duct. Then, different damaging fluids were used to induce a prestressed tendon weakness and the specimens were maintained in the basement of the laboratory. In the last year, a destructive test campaign has been started to investigated the degradation of the load‐bearing capacity of beams due to the corrosion progression. In this work, the experimental results of the first group of tests, in terms of crack pattern and load‐deflection response, are reported and commented.
Chemically Fuelled Self‐Regulating Gel‐to‐Gel Transition
Authors: Panja Santanu , Dietrich Bart , Adams Dave J.
Published: November 2019

Artificial self‐regulating materials can be prepared by exploiting fuel‐driven pathways. Dynamic covalent bonds are formed and broken reversibly under mild reaction conditions. Herein, we utilise this concept to programme a system that can undergo a fuel‐driven self‐regulated gel‐to‐gel transition. The reaction between the gelator and the fuel resulted in a change in chemical structure of the gelator that initially causes a transition from a solution to gel state by co‐assembly. With time, the intermediate complex collapses, re‐forming the gelator structure. However, the gel does not collapse. This method allows us to prepare gels with improved mechanical strength. Unlike conventional gel‐to‐gel transitions, exploitation of dynamic covalent chemistry provides an opportunity to access materials that cannot be prepared directly under similar final conditions.
Investigation of the efficiency of continuous evaluation‐based interactive evolutionary computation for composing melody
Authors: Fukumoto Makoto , Hanada Yoshiko
Published: November 2019

Interactive Evolutionary Computation (IEC) is known as a method reflecting user's feelings on media contents. However, user's fatigue caused by repetitive evaluation tasks remains as a problem. The authors proposed continuous evaluation‐based IEC (CEIEC) that divides user's evaluation tasks into multiple days, while users finish the task in 1 day in conventional IECs. The efficiency of CEIEC was shown by the 2‐day experiment: the highest fitness was obtained in the final generation of the second day. The purpose of this study is to show further efficiencies of CEIEC by comparing experiment. The target of search was designing a 'bright' sign sound. Forty‐two subjects were divided into two groups: half of them performed the 2‐day task of CEIEC, and the other half performed the 1‐day task of IEC. After that, they evaluated representative three sounds. A gradual decrease in update of the solution candidates and a shrink of the search space were observed in both conditions. Furthermore, the same trend of increases in fitness was observed. These results showed the efficiencies of CEIEC in terms of having the same searching ability as the ordinal IEC. Additionally, elapsed time for completing the task was significantly shorter in CEIEC. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Management and biosecurity practices on pig farms in the Western Highlands of Cameroon (Central Africa)
Authors: Kouam Marc K. , Jacouba Manjeli , Moussala Junior O.
Published: November 2019

African swine fever (ASF), erysipelas and many other infectious and parasitic diseases have seriously compromised the future of pig industry in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Since implementation of biosecurity measures (BM) is known to reduce the risk of disease transmission, the objective of this study was to describe the pig farming management system as well as the biosecurity practices on pig farms in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Therefore, 97 farms were investigated using a face‐to‐face interview‐based questionnaire. Biosecurity practices were divided in three components: isolation, traffic control and sanitation. The results revealed that the majority of farms were extensive (73.22%), farrow‐to‐finish farms (59.79%) and essentially raising crossed‐bred (72.75%). The most practiced BM regarding ‘isolation’ were as follows: maintenance of the minimum distance between farms (56.06%) and dispatching of animals of same age in the same room (97.16%); for ‘traffic control’, the measures included the following: assignment of specific tools and equipment (96.86%) to a specific piggery; concerning ‘sanitation’, daily cleaning (97.06%), as well as using disinfectants (89.13%) were mostly implemented. The measures less implemented for ‘isolation’ included fencing (11.83%), compliance with the all‐in all‐out principle (10.11%), use of specific clothing (6.03%) and quarantine (7.69%); for ‘traffic control’, the less adopted measures comprised visitor hands washed before animal handling (11.65%), respect of linear flow principle (13.52%). Concerning ‘sanitation’, these measures included functional footbath (29.90%), processing of drinking water (27.84%) and cleanout (18.14%). The biosecurity level was low, intermediate and high for 73.71, 21.55 and 4.73% of farms, respectively. This low level suggests that ASF and other diseases are likely to remain endemic. The most important measures of concern and to improve are as follows: not feeding kitchen waste to pigs; keeping other livestock species away from pigs; fencing pig barn; keeping newly arrived animals in quarantine, not exchanging boars; not selling sick animals.
Resilience: On‐going wave or subsiding trend in flood risk research and practice?
Authors: Fekete Alexander , Hartmann Thomas , Jüpner Robert
Published: November 2019

Resilience in relation to flood risk management (FRM) is not a new concept, yet parts of the FRM community are still struggling to apply it. The main challenge this study addresses is the question as to whether parts of the FRM community should still adopt, or rather “leap‐frog,” resilience. The main purpose is to evaluate whether resilience is a still on‐going trend or, already subsiding. Research suggests that resilience is an on‐going trend that connects research and policy and has gained international recognition as expressed by international guidelines and bodies promoting its research but also its operationalization. Academic literature in the area of FRM also shows a significant continuing development. Resilience enables to analyze dynamics and transformations of riverine areas, or coastal zones in connection to an integrated social‐environmental system approach with more emphasis and conceptual basis than previous concepts. Resilience is more than a short‐lived notion and it appears that FRM researchers cannot avoid addressing it. Resilience often is a convergence of ideas and mainstreaming of efforts, which in many venues is absolutely necessary and can help, for example, to decrease silo‐thinking. But as academics, we have a mandate to remain skeptical and remain on the look‐out for novel ideas, too.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Four scenarios of the energy transition: Drivers, consequences, and implications for geopolitics
Authors: Bazilian Morgan , Bradshaw Michael , Gabriel Johannes , Goldthau Andreas , Westphal Kirsten
Published: November 2019

This opinion article offers insights into the geopolitics of the ongoing global energy transition. In doing so, it draws heavily on a workshop in Berlin in late 2018, and a subsequent paper in the journal Nature. Four scenarios are presented. First, the “Big Green Deal” offers a positive story of the future, under the assumption that there will be a multilateral approach to tackling climate change. Second, “Dirty Nationalism” explores the fallout of nations choosing to turn inward and pursue a short‐term, protectionist, and self‐interested agenda. Third, “Technology Breakthrough” illustrates how a technological leap forward could lead to a great power rivalry and distinct regional energy blocs. Finally, “Muddling On” investigates the outcome of an energy transition that reflect business as usual. By comparing and contrasting the different scenarios, the article highlights the potential winners and losers of the different scenarios, and the geopolitical consequences. It also sketches the implications for policy, theory, and scenario thinking more broadly.

This article is categorized under:

Integrated Assessment of Climate Change > Integrated Scenario Development

The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Future of Global Energy
Analytic analysis of load alignment for coning extreme‐scale rotors
Authors: Noyes Carlos , Qin Chao , Loth Eric
Published: November 2019

Extreme‐scale wind turbines (rated powers greater than 10 MW) with large rotor diameters and conventional upwind designs must resist extreme downwind and gravity loads. This can lead to significant structural design challenges and high blade masses that can impede the reduction of levelized cost of wind energy. Herein, the theoretical basis for downwind load alignment is developed. This alignment can be addressed with active downwind coning to reduce/eliminate flapwise bending loads by balancing the transverse components of thrust, centrifugal, and gravitational force. Equations are developed herein that estimates the optimal coning angle that reduces flapwise loads by a specified amount. This analysis is then applied to a 13.2‐MW scale with 100‐m‐level wind turbine blades, where it is found that a load alignment coning schedule can substantially reduce the root flapwise bending moments. This moment reduction in this example can allow the rotor mass to be decreased significantly when compared with a conventional upwind three‐bladed rotor while maintaining structural performance and annual energy output.
On the dynamics of user engagement in news comment media
Authors: He Lihong , Han Chao , Mukherjee Arjun , Obradovic Zoran , Dragut Eduard
Published: November 2019

Many news outlets allow users to contribute comments on topics about daily world events. News articles are the seeds that spring users' interest to contribute content, that is, comments. A news outlet may allow users to contribute comments on all their articles or a selected number of them. The topic of an article may lead to an apathetic user commenting activity (several tens of comments) or to a spontaneous fervent one (several thousands of comments). This environment creates a social dynamic that is little studied. The social dynamics around articles have the potential to reveal interesting facets of the user population at a news outlet. In this paper, we report the salient findings about these social media from 15 months worth of data collected from 17 news outlets comprising of over 38,000 news articles and about 21 million user comments. Analysis of the data reveals interesting insights such as there is an uneven relationship between news outlets and their user populations across outlets. Such observations and others have not been revealed, to our knowledge. We believe our analysis in this paper can contribute to news predictive analytics (e.g., user reaction to a news article or predicting the volume of comments posted to an article).

This article is categorized under:

Internet > Society and Culture

Ensemble Methods > Web Mining

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Human Centricity and User Interaction
Risks of Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children: A 21‐Year Experience in a High‐Volume Cancer Center
Authors: Wu Si‐Yuan , Chiang Yi‐Ju , Fisher Sarah B. , Sturgis Erich M. , Zafereo Mark E. , Nguyen Sa , Grubbs Elizabeth G. , Graham Paul H. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Waguespack Steven G. , Perrier Nancy D.
Published: November 2019

Background

Hypoparathyroidism occurs relatively frequently after thyroid surgery in children. However, few studies have reported risk factors. We aimed to identify risk factors for hypoparathyroidism that occurred after total thyroidectomy for proven or suspected malignancy in children.

Methods

Children (aged ≤ 18 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy for neoplasm or RET germline mutation at our institution between 1997 and 2018 were included. We retrospectively reviewed demographics, surgical indications, perioperative and follow‐up laboratory results, pathologic results, and duration of calcium/calcitriol supplementation. Risk factors for hypoparathyroidism were identified by multivariate analysis.

Results

Of 184 consecutive patients, 111 had undergone surgery for neoplasm; these diseases were primarily malignancies (106, 95.5%), predominantly papillary carcinoma (103, 92.8%). The remaining 73 patients had undergone early thyroidectomy for RET germline mutation. Among all patients, 67 (36.4%) had hypoparathyroidism: 61 transient and 6 permanent. In a multivariate analysis, central neck dissection (odds ratio 4.3, 95% confidence interval 2.0–9.1) and gross extrathyroidal extension (odds ratio 4.9, 95% confidence interval 2.0–12.1) predicted overall hypoparathyroidism; however, no significant factors were associated with permanent hypoparathyroidism. Most patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism (5 of 6) had undergone therapeutic central neck dissection. When central neck dissection was performed, younger children had a higher risk of overall hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusions

In pediatric total thyroidectomies, central neck dissection and gross extrathyroidal extension were major predictors for overall hypoparathyroidism. Surgeons performing thyroidectomy in such patients should be aware of the relatively high risk, preserve parathyroid tissue to the extent possible, and be conscientious regarding postoperative calcium monitoring and replacement.
Settling on leaves or flowers: herbivore feeding site determines the outcome of indirect interactions between herbivores and pollinators
Authors: Rusman Quint , Karssemeijer Peter N. , Lucas-Barbosa Dani , Poelman Erik H.
Published: November 2019

Herbivore attack can alter plant interactions with pollinators, ranging from reduced to enhanced pollinator visitation. The direction and strength of effects of herbivory on pollinator visitation could be contingent on the type of plant tissue or organ attacked by herbivores, but this has seldom been tested experimentally. We investigated the effect of variation in feeding site of herbivorous insects on the visitation by insect pollinators on floweringBrassica nigraplants. We placed herbivores on either leaves or flowers, and recorded the responses of two pollinator species when visiting flowers. Our results show that variation in herbivore feeding site has profound impact on the outcome of herbivore–pollinator interactions. Herbivores feeding on flowers had consistent positive effects on pollinator visitation, whereas herbivores feeding on leaves did not. Herbivores themselves preferred to feed on flowers, and mostly performed best on flowers. We conclude that herbivore feeding site choice can profoundly affect herbivore–pollinator interactions and feeding site thereby makes for an important herbivore trait that can determine the linkage between antagonistic and mutualistic networks.
Faithful orthogonal representations of graphs from partition logics
Authors: Svozil Karl
Published: November 2019

Partition logics often allow a dual probabilistic interpretation: a classical one for which probabilities lie on the convex hull of the dispersion-free weights and another one, suggested independently from the quantum Born rule, in which probabilities are formed by the (absolute) square of the inner product of state vectors with the faithful orthogonal representations of the respective graph. Two immediate consequences are the demonstration that the logico-empirical structure of observables does not determine the type of probabilities alone and that complementarity does not imply contextuality.
Measuring differentiated instruction in The Netherlands and South Korea: factor structure equivalence, correlates, and complexity level
Authors: Maulana Ridwan , Smale-Jacobse Annemieke , Helms-Lorenz Michelle , Chun Seyeoung , Lee Okhwa
Published: November 2019

Differentiated instruction is considered to be an important teaching quality domain to address the needs of individual students in daily classroom practices. However, little is known about whether differentiated instruction is empirically distinguishable from other teaching quality domains in different national contexts. Additionally, little is known about how the complex skill of differentiated instruction compares with other teaching quality domains across national contexts. To gain empirical insight in differentiated instruction and other related teaching quality domains, cross-cultural comparisons provide valuable insights. In this study, teacher classroom practices of two high-performing educational systems, The Netherlands and South Korea, were observed focusing on differentiated instruction and other related teaching quality domains using an existing observation instrument. Variable-centred and person-centred approaches were applied to analyze the data. The study provides evidence that differentiated instruction can be viewed as a distinct domain of teaching quality in both national contexts, while at the same time being related to other teaching domains. In both countries, differentiated instruction was the most difficult domain of teaching quality. However, differential relationships between teaching quality domains were visible across teacher profiles and across countries.
Detection of antibodies to peste-des-petits-ruminants virus in the semi-domesticated yak
Authors: Abubakar Muhammad , Sattorov Nosirjon , Manzoor Shumaila , Khan Ehtisham ul Haq , Hussain Manzoor , Zahur Aamir Bin , Afzal Muhammad , Wensman Jonas Johansson
Published: November 2019

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and acute viral disease of small ruminants. Occasionally, PPR can affect wildlife with devastating results, such as the recent outbreaks in Mongolian saiga. The yak (Bos grunniens and Bos mutus) is a large ruminant found throughout the Himalayan region of south Central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau and as far north as Mongolia and Russia. In Pakistan, yaks are confined to the high plateau of the Northern Areas, from Gilgit to the valley of Ladakh. In Tajikistan, yaks are present in districts in the north, east and southeast of the country. Commonly, yak intermingle with domestic animals during winter when mountainous summer pastures are covered with snow, and with wildlife during summer pastures. PPR is considered endemic in sheep and goats in Pakistan and Tajikistan. In this study, we investigated the potential presence of antibodies to peste-des-petits-ruminants virus (PPRV) in yak populations using ELISA. A total of 250 (Pakistan) and 85 (Tajikistan) serum samples of healthy yaks were collected. None of the Tajik yaks were seropositive (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0–4.2%), while 23 of 250 (9.2%; 95% CI 5.9–13.5%) yaks sampled in Pakistan were found positive. Whether PPRV is continuously circulating among yaks or seroconversion reflects spill-over from outbreaks of PPR in domestic animals remains unknown. Due to the herding practices, yak might transmit PPR from domestic to wild ruminants. Differences in contacts between yaks and domestic animals in Pakistan and Tajikistan, or the low sample size, could explain that no Tajik yaks were seropositive.
Breaking Free: One Adolescent Woman’s Recovery from Dating Violence Through Creative Dance
Authors: Margolin Indrani
Published: November 2019

Dating violence against adolescent women can devastate their health and long-term quality of life. While high school programs have been developed to address this worldwide epidemic, somatic antidotes are still not widely utilized despite evidence from the psychophysiology of relational violence trauma that there is an inextricable link between the body and mind and effective recovery requires a holistic approach. Creative dance, derived from dance education, can support female adolescent trauma victims of dating violence to reconnect with physical, mental, and emotional experiences that were severed during traumatic exposure. This qualitative arts-based case study narratively explores one adolescent woman’s experience of creative dance as an intervention for survivors of dating violent relationships. Conceptually, I draw from dance education, Authentic Movement, and Amber Gray’s Restorative Movement Psychotherapy. A feminist lens is utilized in an attempt to address calls to action from previous DMT researchers to tackle oppressive structural forces and increase activism in dance/movement therapy. Findings show that inner-directed dance can therapeutically facilitate restoration after trauma by recovering the social engagement system and decision-making capacity, reducing social isolation, and increasing bodily self-awareness, and self-esteem.
Characterizing the genetic structure of introduced Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) strains in Tanzania using double digest RAD sequencing
Authors: Moses Mbiru , Mtolera Matern S. P. , Chauka Leonard J. , Lopes Fernando A. , de Koning Dirk Jan , Houston Ross D. , Palaiokostas Christos
Published: November 2019

Tilapia hatcheries in Tanzania rely heavily on importing germplasm. Nevertheless, the genetic structure of the imported stocks is poorly understood. In the current study, the level of genetic diversity and differentiation of eight populations of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) strains imported in Tanzania was investigated. Four of the studied strains originated from Thailand, three from Uganda, and one from the Netherlands. Double-digest restriction site–associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) was applied to identify and genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In total, 2214 SNPs passed all the quality control steps and were utilized for downstream analysis. Mean heterozygosity estimates were higher for the Thailand strains (Ho, 0.23) compared with the strains from Uganda (Ho, 0.12). Low genetic distance was observed amongst populations from the same geographic origin (Fst, 0.01–0.04). However, genetic distance between populations from different geographic origins was substantial (Fst, 0.24–0.44). Bayesian model–based clustering (STRUCTURE) and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) grouped the studied animals into three distinct clusters. A cross-validation approach (where 25% of animals from each population were considered of unknown origin) was conducted in order to test the efficiency of the SNP dataset for identifying the population of origin. The cross-validation procedure was repeated 10 times resulting in approximately 97% of the tested animals being allocated to the correct geographic population of origin. The breeding history and hatchery practices used to manage these stocks prior and after import appear to be the main factors for the genetic diversity observed in this study. Our study will help inform hatchery stock management and future breeding program designs in Tanzania.
Correction to: Large-scale habitat model reveals a key role of large trees and protected areas in the metapopulation survival of the saproxylic specialist Cucujus cinnaberinus
Authors: Bełcik Michał , Goczał Jakub , Ciach Michał
Published: November 2019

We present here a revised version of Fig. 1 from our paper as it lacked some information used for the species distribution modeling as the original might be found misleading by some readers. This omission did not influence the results of our modeling process, for which the full set of observations was used. It does not therefore compromise our conclusions, or affect the other figures and tables we presented.