bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El Niño–Southern Oscillation related teleconnections over South America under distinct Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and Pacific Interdecadal Oscillation backgrounds: La Niña
Authors: Kayano Mary Toshie , Andreoli Rita Valéria , Souza Rodrigo Augusto Ferreira de
Published: October 2018

The Pacific Interdecadal Oscillation (PDO) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) influence in different ways the La Niña (LN) related teleconnections in South America. The low‐frequency backgrounds in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans play an important role in modulating the LN‐related Walker and Hadley cells and the Rossby wavetrain pattern in the Southern Hemisphere. The illustration shows the LN‐related SST anomaly pattern during the austral summer for distinct low‐frequency backgrounds.

This analysis investigates the concomitant influence of two dominant low‐frequency modes, the Pacific Interdecadal Oscillation (PDO) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), on the La Niña (LN) related climate teleconnections over South America (SA). Four possible low‐frequency backgrounds are analysed: WAMO/WPDO, WAMO/CPDO, CAMO/WPDO and CAMO/CPDO, with the letters “W” and “C” referring, respectively, to the warm and cold phases of the AMO and PDO. The low‐frequency anomalous sea surface cooling (warming) in the tropical Pacific during the CPDO (WPDO) favours (impedes) the settling of the LN‐related negative SST anomalies in this oceanic sector. Thus, the LN‐related SST anomaly patterns in the tropical Pacific in the CPDO backgrounds are meridionally more extensive and stronger than those in the WPDO backgrounds. The highest and lowest percentages of the years that experienced LN events occurred during the WAMO/CPDO and CAMO/WPDO backgrounds, respectively. The northern node of the LN‐related wet–dry dipole between northern SA and southeastern SA (SESA) occurs in most seasons for all backgrounds. However, the southern node occurs in specific seasons: spring and summer for the WAMO/WPDO, winter and spring for the WAMO/CPDO, winter and summer for the CAMO/WPDO and spring for the CAMO/CPDO. Also, the LN effect on the South American monsoon with a wet–dry dipole between northern SA and eastern Brazil during summer is noted in most backgrounds, but with differences among them. We discuss here the differences in the precipitation anomaly patterns, Walker and Hadley cells and Rossby wavetrain patterns among the backgrounds. The low‐frequency Atlantic and Pacific backgrounds play an important role in defining the rainfall anomaly pattern associated with the LN. The results shown here have not been discussed before and might be useful mainly for climate monitoring purposes.
Impacts of April snow cover extent over Tibetan Plateau and the central Eurasia on Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Yuan Chaoxia , Li Wenjie , Guan Zhaoyong , Yamagata Toshio
Published: October 2018

It has been widely accepted that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) can influence the global climate and thus improvement of its understanding is beneficial to our society. In this study, we show that the April snow cover extents (SCEs) over Tibetan Plateau and the central Eurasia may play an important role on triggering the occurrence of IOD. The correlation coefficient between the April SCE indices and the subsequent September–November dipole mode indices is −0.51 in the recent 40 years, significant at the 99% confidence level. In years with the larger April SCEs, the thermally driven ascending over the plateau becomes weaker and causes anomalous subsidence over the plateau and its southern contiguous region. This, together with the cooler‐than‐normal continent, can delay the onset of Bay of Bengal (BOB) summer monsoon. As a result, the northwards migration of the major rainbelt from the eastern tropical Indian Ocean to the eastern BOB in accordance with the monsoon onset will be delayed, leading to increased precipitation in the eastern tropical Indian Ocean. The increased precipitation may lead to generation of the negative IOD through the local air–sea interactions.

The observed April SCEs–IOD relation has been examined in historical runs of 19 coupled models participating phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Most models except MRI‐CGCM3 fail to reproduce the observed April SCEs–IOD relationship. This is probably due to their difficulties in realistically simulating the snow impacts on the BOB summer monsoon and the air–sea coupling during the IOD development.
Tri‐icosahedral Au37 cluster as a carrier/detector for anti‐cancer cisplatin drug
Authors: Palacios‐Álvarez Omar , Tlahuice‐Flores Alfredo
Published: October 2018

In this work, DFT studies devoted to the adsorption of anti‐cancer cisplatin drug and one cationic tri‐icosahedral Au37 cluster are addressed, which are aiming to explore the application of thiolate/phosphine protected gold clusters as carriers/detectors for cisplatin molecules. The Au37 cluster is able to adsorb up to four cisplatin molecules, and the cisplatin4/Au37 complex holds a 1.71 eV adsorption energy value. Further atomic population analysis reveals that adsorbed cisplatin molecules bear major partial charges, attesting an asymmetric distribution of electrons into their bonds. Vibrational assignments of two enhanced IR and Raman signals (circa the 200‐fold boost) disclose the coupling of some normal modes of the cisplatin dimer with the Au37 cluster, making this cluster able to detect small concentrations of cisplatin molecules.
Microbial communities in the nepheloid layers and hypoxic zones of the Canary Current upwelling system
Authors: Thiele Stefan , Basse Andreas , Becker Jamie W. , Lipski Andre , Iversen Morten H. , Mollenhauer Gesine
Published: October 2018

Eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBUSs) are among the most productive marine environments in the world. The Canary Current upwelling system off the coast of Mauritania and Morocco is the second most productive of the four EBUS, where nutrient‐rich waters fuel perennial phytoplankton blooms, evident by high chlorophyll a concentrations off Cape Blanc, Mauritania. High primary production leads to eutrophic waters in the surface layers, whereas sinking phytoplankton debris and horizontally dispersed particles form nepheloid layers (NLs) and hypoxic waters at depth. We used Catalyzed Reporter Deposition Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (CARD‐FISH) in combination with fatty acid (measured as methyl ester; FAME) profiles to investigate the bacterial and archaeal community composition along transects from neritic to pelagic waters within the “giant Cape Blanc filament” in two consecutive years (2010 and 2011), and to evaluate the usage of FAME data for microbial community studies. We also report the first fatty acid profile of Pelagibacterales strain HTCC7211 which was used as a reference profile for the SAR11 clade. Unexpectedly, the reference profile contained low concentrations of long chain fatty acids 18:1 cis11, 18:1 cis11 11methyl, and 19:0 cyclo11–12 fatty acids, the main compounds in other Alphaproteobacteria. Members of the free‐living SAR11 clade were found at increased relative abundance in the hypoxic waters in both years. In contrast, the depth profiles of Gammaproteobacteria (including Alteromonas and Pseudoalteromonas), Bacteroidetes, Roseobacter, and Synechococcus showed high abundances of these groups in layers where particle abundance was high, suggesting that particle attachment or association is an important mechanisms of dispersal for these groups. Collectively, our results highlight the influence of NLs, horizontal particle transport, and low oxygen on the structure and dispersal of microbial communities in upwelling systems.
An ultra‐compact and low insertion loss 60 GHz CMOS on‐chip bandpass filter
Authors: Zeng Junjie , Li Xiuping , Feng Weiwei , Zhu Hua
Published: October 2018

In this letter, a novel miniaturized and low insertion loss 60GHz on‐chip bandpass filter (BPF) is presented, which is fabricated by a standard 0.13 μm CMOS process. This BPF is mainly composed of a three‐line coupled structure. The selectivity of the filter is improved by introducing two transmission zeros on both sides of the desired passband because of the source‐load coupled structures. In addition, the gap between the three coupled lines can affect the coupling strength to determine the fractional bandwidth (FBW) of the filter. The miniaturization of the filter is also achieved by folding the coup led line of a quarter wavelength. The overall size of the fabricated BPF chip is 267 μm × 376 μm. The measured results show that the insertion loss and fractional bandwidth of the filter at the center frequency of 60 GHz are −2.03 dB and 47%, respectively. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement.
High‐power broadband graphene non‐Foster circuit enabled class‐J GaN HEMT power amplifier
Authors: Akwuruoha Charles Nwakanma , Hu Zhirun
Published: October 2018

This paper presents high‐power broadband graphene non‐Foster circuit (NFC) enabled Class‐J GaN HEMT power amplifier (PA). A graphene resonant‐tunneling diode (RTD) NFC is proposed to provide negative differential resistance characteristics and to create an effective negative capacitance. The NFC is integrated in the input matching network of the Class‐J GaN HEMT PA to cancel out the transistor input parasitic capacitance so as to enhance PA bandwidth, efficiency, output power, and gain. The PA design is based on Cree's packaged GaN HEMT CGHV40030F biased with drain supply voltage of 50 V at quiescent drain‐to‐source current of 44 mA. The PA operates from 3.4 to 4.0 GHz with center frequency of 3.7 GHz. The effective negative capacitance of the NFC from 3.4 to 4.0 GHz stands at −3.3 to −6.0 pF. An effective capacitance of −3.7 pF has been obtained at 3.7 GHz. The PA has small signal gain of 16.1 dB at 3.7 GHz. Large signal simulation input power sweep from 1 to 33 dBm at 3.7 GHz, indicates that the PA has 57.8% drain efficiency, 54.7% power added efficiency (PAE), 44.6 dBm (28.8 W) output power and 11.6 dB transducer power gain at input power of 33 dBm.
Broadband and compact complex ratio measuring unit
Authors: Al‐Areqi Nadera Najib , You Kok Yeow
Published: October 2018

This study designs and analyzes Complex Ratio Measuring Unit (CRMU) and a Six‐port Reflectometer (SPR) at a center frequency of 2.4 GHz. CRMU is designed using a compact size and wideband 3 dB‐branch line coupler (BLC) and 3 dB‐Wilkinson power divider with enhanced series‐diamond stubs. The usage of these compact components leads to a compact size and improves the operating bandwidth. The idea of designing SPR is based on integrating a CRMU with 2 directional couplers along with isolator rather than a single BLC; to get a signal balance that enhances the quality of the reflection coefficient measurement. From the measurement result, it is found that the bandwidth of the CRMU and SPR is 1.7 GHz and the dimension of the CRMU is 60 × 45 mm. The proposed CRMU is fabricated using RT/duroid 5880 substrate with thickness of 0.38 mm. The dimension of the CRMU is 13 × 6.5 mm. The simulation and measurement results for both CRMU and SPR show good agreement.
A full‐duplex dual‐polarization QPSK in a digital radio‐over‐fiber system
Authors: Nabavi Neda
Published: October 2018

The author numerically investigates the performance of a 100 Gb/s dual‐polarization quadrature phase‐shift keying (DP‐QPSK) coherent radio‐over‐fiber (RoF) system through deploying various lengths of standard single‐mode fiber (SSMF). The utilization of a microwave photonic integrated circuit (MPIC) as the core building block of this optical coherent RoF link both in downlink and uplink, combined with digital signal processing (DSP) has led to a new RoF scheme which demonstrated the feasibility to operate at the low input RF power. The performance of the RoF system with respect to the optical received power induced by channel SNR is also investigated. It has been demonstrated that for a 200 km length of fiber, a laser with a linewidth of less than 1 MHz results in the EVM compliant to the IEEE standards. It has been also verified that the link offers higher linearity and better receiver sensitivity compared to the conventional intensity modulated and directly detected optical communication systems.
Physiological and Proteomic Evidence for the Interactive Effects of Post‐Anthesis Heat Stress and Elevated CO2 on Wheat
Authors: Zhang Xiaxiang , Högy Petra , Wu Xuna , Schmid Iris , Wang Xiulin , Schulze Waltraud X. , Jiang Dong , Fangmeier Andreas
Published: October 2018

Elevated CO2 promotes leaf photosynthesis and improves crop grain yield. However, as a major anthropogenic greenhouse gas, CO2 contributes to more frequent and severe heat stress, which threatens crop productivity. The combined effects of elevated CO2 and heat stress are complex, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present study, the effects of elevated CO2 and high‐temperature on foliar physiological traits and the proteome of spring wheat grown under two CO2 concentrations (380 and 550 µmol mol−1) and two temperature conditions (ambient and post‐anthesis heat stress) are examined. Elevated CO2 increases leaf photosynthetic traits, biomass, and grain yield, while heat stress depresses photosynthesis and yield. Temperature‐induced impacts on chlorophyll content and grain yield are not significantly different under the two CO2 concentrations. Analysis of the leaf proteome reveals that proteins involved in photosynthesis as well as antioxidant and protein synthesis pathways are significantly downregulated due to the combination of elevated CO2 and heat stress. Correspondingly, plants treated with elevated CO2 and heat stress exhibit decreased green leaf area, photosynthetic rate, antioxidant enzyme activities, and 1000‐kernel weight. The present study demonstrates that future post‐anthesis heat episodes will diminish the positive effects of elevated CO2 and negatively impact wheat production.
Diamond as a Platform for Integrated Quantum Photonics
Authors: Lenzini Francesco , Gruhler Nico , Walter Nicolai , Pernice Wolfram H. P.
Published: October 2018

Integrated quantum photonics enables the generation, manipulation, and detection of quantum states of light in miniaturized waveguide circuits. Implementation of these three operations in a single integrated platform is a crucial step toward a fully scalable approach to quantum photonic technologies. In this context, diamond has emerged as a particularly promising material as it naturally combines a large transparency range for the fabrication of low‐loss photonic circuits, and a variety of optically active defects for the realization of efficient single‐photon emitters. Furthermore, its high Young's modulus makes it ideal for the implementation of tunable optomechanical devices for active quantum state manipulation. This review reports recent progress on the realization of the main components required for a diamond‐based integrated quantum photonic architecture: single‐photon emitters, static and actively tunable waveguide circuits, and, as a last building block, integrated superconducting single‐photon detectors.
Graphene Nanoribbons with Atomically Sharp Edges Produced by AFM Induced Self‐Folding
Authors: Chang Jee Soo , Kim Sunghyun , Sung Ha‐Jun , Yeon Jegyeong , Chang Kee Joo , Li Xiaoqin , Kim Suenne
Published: October 2018

The ability to create graphene nanoribbons with atomically sharp edges is important for various graphene applications because these edges significantly influence the overall electronic properties and support unique magnetic edge states. The discovery of graphene self‐folding induced by traveling wave excitation through atomic force microscope scanning under a normal force of less than 15 nN is reported. Most remarkably, the crystallographic direction of self‐folding may be either along a chosen direction defined by the scan line or along the zigzag or armchair direction in the presence of a pre‐existing crack in the vicinity. The crystalline direction of the atomically sharp edge is confirmed via careful lateral force microscopy measurements. Multilayer nanoribbons with lateral dimensions of a few tens of nanometers are realized on the same graphene sheet with different folding types (e.g., z‐type or double parallel). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the folding dynamics and suggest a monotonic increase of the folded area with the applied normal force. This method may be extended to other 2D van der Waals materials and lead to nanostructures that exhibit novel edge properties without the chemical instability that typically hinders applications of etched or patterned graphene nanostructures.
Phase‐Controlled Synthesis of 1T‐MoSe2/NiSe Heterostructure Nanowire Arrays via Electronic Injection for Synergistically Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zhang Xing , Zhang Yang‐Yang , Zhang Yun , Jiang Wen‐Jie , Zhang Qing‐Hua , Yang Yu‐Guo , Gu Lin , Hu Jin‐Song , Wan Li‐Jun
Published: October 2018

The crystal phase significantly affects the properties and functions of molybdenum dichalcogenides (MoX2). Phase‐engineered synthesis is challenging for constructing metallic‐phase 1T‐MoX2 for better electrocatalysis than their semiconducting counterparts. Here, 1T‐MoSe2 nanosheet arrays are successfully prepared on metallic NiSe nanowires to couple the synergistic effects of efficient hydrogen formation and water dissociation for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Systematic investigations reveal that the electronic injection from NiSe to MoSe2 induces the phase transition from 2H‐ to metallic 1T‐phase. Benefiting from the phase engineering for enhancing intrinsic activity, the heterostructure for synergistically boosting water dissociation—as well as hierarchical 3D catalyst configuration for abundant active sites, efficient electron transport and mass transfer—the obtained shell/core 1T‐MoSe2/NiSe exhibits superior HER activity and durability. Such a strategy paves a new way for fabricating various 1T‐MoX2‐based heterostructures for diverse applications.
A comparison of propofol-to-BIS post-operative intensive care sedation by means of target controlled infusion, Bayesian-based and predictive control methods: an observational, open-label pilot study
Authors: Neckebroek M. , Ionescu C. M. , van Amsterdam K. , De Smet T. , De Baets P. , Decruyenaere J. , De Keyser R. , Struys M. M. R. F.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

We evaluated the feasibility and robustness of three methods for propofol-to-bispectral index (BIS) post-operative intensive care sedation, a manually-adapted target controlled infusion protocol (HUMAN), a computer-controlled predictive control strategy (EPSAC) and a computer-controlled Bayesian rule-based optimized control strategy (BAYES).

Methods

Thirty-six patients undergoing short lasting sedation following cardiac surgery were included to receive propofol to maintain a BIS between 40 and 60. Robustness of control for all groups was analysed using prediction error and spectrographic analysis.

Results

Although similar time courses of measured BIS were obtained in all groups, a higher median propofol effect-site concentration (CePROP) was required in the HUMAN group compared to the BAYES and EPSAC groups. The time course analysis of the remifentanil effect-site concentration (CeREMI) revealed a significant increase in CeREMI in the EPSAC group compared to BAYES and HUMAN during the case. Although similar bias and divergence in control was found in all groups, larger control inaccuracy was observed in HUMAN versus EPSAC and BAYES. Spectrographic analysis of the system behavior shows that BAYES covers the largest spectrum of frequencies, followed by EPSAC and HUMAN.

Conclusions

Both computer-based control systems are feasible to be used during ICU sedation with overall tighter control than HUMAN and even with lower required CePROP. EPSAC control required higher CeREMI than BAYES or HUMAN to maintain stable control.

Clinical trial number: NCT00735631.
X-chromosomale Entwicklungsstörungen im weiblichen Geschlecht
Authors: Fliedner Anna , Zweier Christiane
Published: October 2018

In den letzten Jahren wurden Mutationen in einer wachsenden Zahl von X‑chromosomalen Genen als Ursache für Entwicklungsstörungen bei Mädchen identifiziert. Dies führt zu einer Aufweichung der traditionellen Abgrenzung von X‑chromosomal-rezessiven und X‑chromosomal-dominanten Erbgängen. Für viele X‑chromosomale, mit Entwicklungsstörungen assoziierte Gene zeichnet sich nun ein phänotypisches Spektrum ab, welches beide Geschlechter umfasst. Die Mechanismen, die zu einer oft variablen Krankheitsausprägung zwischen den Geschlechtern aber auch innerhalb des weiblichen Geschlechts führen, sind bisher noch sehr unvollständig verstanden. Verschiedene Faktoren wie Art, Lokalisation und „Schwere“ der jeweiligen Mutation sowie insbesondere die X‑Inaktivierung spielen dabei eine Rolle. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über den derzeitigen Kenntnisstand (ohne Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit) X‑chromosomaler Entwicklungsstörungen bei Mädchen. Exemplarisch werden zudem einige neue Krankheitsbilder bei Mädchen beschrieben und diskutiert, die durch De-novo-Mutationen in X‑chromosomalen Genen verursacht werden.
Strukturelle Chromosomenstörungen bei Intelligenzminderung
Authors: Engels Hartmut
Published: October 2018

Strukturelle und numerische Chromosomenstörungen gehören zu den häufigen Ursachen der Intelligenzminderung und psychomotorischen Entwicklungsstörung. Die große Heterogenität der Intelligenzminderung spiegelt sich auch in der Vielfalt möglicher Aberrationstypen und ursächlicher Chromosomenregionen wider. Die konventionelle lichtmikroskopische Zytogenetik kann hierbei u. a. strukturelle Aberrationen mit Größen über ca. 5–10 Megabasenpaaren (Mb) auch in Form kleinerer Mosaike nachweisen und diese im Genom lokalisieren. Durch Fluoreszenz-in situ-Hybridisierung können bei klinischem Verdacht gezielt auch deutlich kleinere Aberrationen, z. B. Mikrodeletionen, detektiert werden. Chromosomale Mikroarrays (CMA) detektieren dank ihrer besseren Auflösung, die bis deutlich unter 0,1 Mb reichen kann, genomweit submikroskopische Mikrodeletionen und Mikroduplikationen, machen jedoch bei Duplikationen keine Aussage zu deren genomischer Lokalisation und können meist niedriggradige Mosaike unter 20 % kaum nachweisen. Zytogenetik und CMA ergänzen sich aufgrund ihrer unterschiedlichen Fähigkeiten und weisen einschließlich der Trisomie 21 jeweils in ungefähr 15 % der Patienten mit Intelligenzminderung ursächliche Chromosomenaberrationen nach. Sie stellen damit neben aktuellen Sequenzierungstechniken ein wichtiges Element der humangenetischen Ursachenabklärung bei Intelligenzminderung dar. Typische chromosomale Aberrationstypen werden beispielhaft besprochen und in das heutige Gesamtbild eingeordnet.
Sustainable Industrial Value Creation in SMEs: A Comparison between Industry 4.0 and Made in China 2025
Authors: Müller Julian M. , Voigt Kai-Ingo
Published: October 2018

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) confronts industrial manufactures with economic, ecological, as well as social benefits and challenges, referring to the Triple Bottom Line of sustainability. So far, research has mainly investigated its dimensions in isolation or economic aspects have not been compared with ecological and social perspectives. Further, research misses studies that are devoted to the special characteristics and requirements of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to contribute to close this research gap, providing a research context that encompasses all three dimensions of sustainability. The results are based on data obtained from 329 SMEs, 222 in Germany and 107 in China, therefore allowing for a comparison of the concepts “Industrie 4.0” and “Made in China 2025” in the context of SMEs. In general, German SMEs expect a lower impact through “Industrie 4.0”, perceiving the concept as more beneficial for larger enterprises. We further find that Chinese SMEs foremost see social benefits. Challenges whilst introducing “Industrie 4.0”by German SMEs as well as several frame conditions are perceived more relevant than for “Made in China 2025”, as seen by Chinese SMEs. The paper closes with implications for research and practice based on these findings.
“The Triumph of the West”: American Education and the Narrative of Decolonization, 1930–1965
Authors: Jackson Stephen
Published: October 2018

This article examines representations of imperialism, anti-colonial nationalism, and decolonization in US textbooks for American and World History courses between 1930 and 1965. Broadly speaking, 1930s and early 1940s texts lauded imperialism and associated European colonialism with American imperialist activities. Authors extolled the benefits for colonial peoples, including literacy, good government, and peace, and anti-colonial nationalists were caricatured as irrational and ungrateful. US global engagement during and after World War II gradually changed the narrative, particularly following Philippine independence in 1946, as texts subsequently portrayed the US as an enlightened decolonizer. Postwar textbooks tended to argue that nationalism was a product of Western ideas and that anti-colonial nationalism was a triumph for Western civilization. While constructing this narrative of the spread of Western values, textbook authors largely marginalized colonial actors, promoted unflattering and stereotyped views of Africans and Asians, and de-emphasized the extreme violence inherent in the decolonization process.
Johannes Climacus and the Leap to Faith
Authors: Venkataraman Prabhu
Published: October 2018

My goal in this article is to explicate the perspective of Kierkegaard's pseudonymous author, Johannes Climacus, on the leap to faith, based on Climacus’ presentation inPhilosophical Crumbs.I will argue that for Climacus, duringthe momentin which this leap is a possibility, while God must bring to the individual both the truth and the condition for understanding it, the leap is a decision by the individual, an existential decision tobelieve.In attempting to understand Climacus, it is important to use his definition of faith—namely, that faith is a passion and that it is the condition forunderstandingthe paradox of the Christian conception of the Incarnation (as opposed to a synonym for religiosity), because this allows us to understand why faith is not an act of will but is simultaneously a decision (becausebeliefis a free expression of will).
Interventions to reduce unnecessary central venous catheter use to prevent central-line–associated bloodstream infections in adults: A systematic review
Authors: Xiong Zhaoyu , Chen Haiyan
Published: October 2018

Objective

To identify, describe, and evaluate interventions to reduce unnecessary central venous catheter (CVC) use to prevent central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in adults.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

The review has been registered in PROSPERO, an international prospective register of systematic reviews. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) from inception until August 28, 2018, to collect experimental and observational studies. We included all studies that implemented interventions to reduce unnecessary CVC use, defined as interventions aimed at improving appropriateness, awareness of device presence, or prompt removal of devices.

Results

In total, 1,892 unique citations were identified. Among them, 1 study (7.1%) was a randomized controlled trial, 9 studies (64.3%) were quasi-experimental studies, and 4 studies (28.6%) were cohort studies. Furthermore, 13 studies (92.9%) demonstrated a decrease in CVC use after intervention despite different reporting methods, and the reduction rate varied from 6.8% to 85%. Also, 7 studies (50.0%) that reported the incidence of CLABSI described a reduction in CLABSIs ranging from 24.4% to 100.0%. Data on secondary outcomes were limited, and results of the descriptive analysis showed 70%–84% compliance with these interventions, less catheter occlusion, shorter duration of hospitalization, and cost savings.

Conclusions

Interventions to reduce unnecessary CVC use significantly decrease the rate of CLABSI. Healthcare providers should strongly consider implementing these interventions for prevention of CLABSI in adults.
Turbulent channel flow past a moving array of spheres
Authors: Vreman A. W. , Kuerten J. G. M.
Published: October 2018

We have performed a particle-resolved direct numerical simulation of a turbulent channel flow past a moving dilute array of spherical particles. The flow shares important features with dilute vertical gas solid flow at high Stokes number, such as significant attenuation of the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) at low particle volume fraction. The flow has been simulated by means of an overset grid method, using spherical grids around each particle overset on a background non-uniform Cartesian grid. The main focus of the present paper is on the TKE budget, which is analysed both in the fixed channel frame of reference and in the moving particle frame of reference. The overall (domain-integrated) TKE and turbulence production due to mean shear are reduced compared to unladen flow. In the fixed frame, the interfacial term, which represents production due to relative (slip) velocity, accounts for approximately 40 % of the total turbulence production in the channel. As a consequence, the total turbulence production and the overall turbulence dissipation rate remain approximately the same as in the unladen flow. However, a comparison with laminar flow past the same particle configuration reveals that significant parts of various fixed-frame statistics are due to non-turbulent structures, spatial variations that are steady in the moving particle frame. In order to obtain a clearer picture of the modification of the true turbulence and in order to reveal the rich three-dimensional (3-D) statistical structure of turbulence interacting with particles, time averaging in the moving frame of reference of the particle is used to extract the fluctuations entirely due to true turbulence. In the moving frame, the turbulence production is positive near the sides and in the wake, but negative in a region near the front of the particle. The turbulence dissipation rate and even more the dissipation rate of the 3-D mean flow attain very large values on a large part of the particle surface, up to approximately 400 and 4000 times the local turbulence dissipation rate of the unladen flow, respectively. Very close to the particle, viscous diffusion is the dominant transport term, but somewhat further away, in particular near the front and sides of the particle, pressure diffusion and also convection provide large and positive transport contributions to the moving-frame budget. A radial analysis shows that the regions around the particles draw energy from the regions further away via the surprising dominance of the pressure diffusion flux over a large range of radii. Spectra show that (very) far away from the particles all scales of the (true) turbulence are reduced. Near the particles enhancement of small scale turbulence is observed, for the streamwise component of the velocity fluctuation more than for the other components. The most important reason for turbulence reduction and anisotropy increase appears to be particle-induced non-uniformity of the mean driving force of the flow.
Viscoplastic slender-body theory
Authors: Hewitt D. R. , Balmforth N. J.
Published: October 2018

The theory of slow viscous flow around a slender body is generalized to the situation where the ambient fluid has a yield stress. The local flow around a cylinder that is moving along or perpendicular to its axis, and rotating, provides a first step in this theory. Unlike for a Newtonian fluid, the nonlinearity associated with the viscoplastic constitutive law precludes one from linearly superposing solutions corresponding to each independent component of motion, and instead demands a full numerical approach to the problem. This is accomplished for the case of a Bingham fluid, along with a consideration of some asymptotic limits in which analytical progress is possible. Since the yield stress of the fluid strongly localizes the flow around the body, the leading-order slender-body approximation is rendered significantly more accurate than the equivalent Newtonian problem. The theory is applied to the sedimentation of inclined cylinders, bent rods and helices, and compared with some experimental data. Finally, the theory is applied to the locomotion of a cylindrical filament driven by helical waves through a viscoplastic fluid.
Irish Theatre in Italy during the Second World War: translation and politics
Authors: Bibbò Antonio
Published: October 2018

Irish drama underwent an extraordinary rediscovery in Italy during the Second World War, primarily because of its political convenience (Ireland was a neutral nation) but also because of its aesthetic significance. Through an analysis of the role of key mediators I employ Irish literature as a lens to investigate a crucial moment of renewal within both Italian politics and theatre, emphasising strands of continuity between Fascist and post-Fascist practices. First, I show how a wartime ban on English and American plays prompted an interest in Irish drama and the fluid status of the Irish canon enabled authors of Irish origin (e.g. Eugene O’Neill), to be affiliated with Irish literature. I then move on to considering how this very fluidity facilitated the daring rebranding of Irish theatre as anti-fascist in Paolo Grassi’s ‘Collezione Teatro’, a key step in his position-taking at the centre of Italy’s theatrical field. Ireland was a substitute for England and appeared on Italian (political and literary) maps mainly thanks to its anti-English function. However, despite the politically inflected motivation of the various, often contrasting uses of the category ‘Irish drama’ in wartime Italy, this was the first time Irish literature had been widely acknowledged as a specific tradition within the Anglosphere in Italy.
Genetic risk score based on fat mass and obesity-associated, transmembrane protein 18 and fibronectin type III domain containing 5 polymorphisms is associated with anthropometric characteristics in South Brazilian children and adolescents
Authors: Todendi Pâmela F. , Klinger Elisa I. , Geraldo Ana C. R. , Brixner Lucas , Reuter Cézane P. , Lindenau Juliana Dal Ri , Valim Andréia R. M. , Fiegenbaum Marilu
Published: October 2018

The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased worldwide. Although it is considered a polygenic inheritance disease, little is known about its susceptibility when the additive effect is considered. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the genetic risk score (GRS) based on previously associated obesity polymorphisms (SNP) rs9939609 (fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO)), rs6548238 (transmembrane protein 18 (TMEM18)) and rs16835198 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5)) could serve as a predictor for anthropometric characteristics in a sample of Brazilian children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study with 1471 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. BMI, waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat and metabolic parameters were verified. In all, three SNP were genotyped by TaqMan™ allelic discrimination. The metabolic and anthropometric parameters were compared between the genotypes, and the unweighted and weighted GRS (GRS and wGRS, respectively) were created to test the additive effect of these genetic polymorphisms on anthropometric parameters. The prevalence of overweight plus obesity was 41 %. Significant associations were identified forFTOrs9939609,TMEM18rs6548238 andFNDC5rs16835198 and for GRS and wGRS with anthropometric phenotypes. The higher score of wGRS was associated with obesity (OR: 2·65, 95 % CI 1·40, 5·04,P=0·003) and with greater WC (OR: 2·91, 95 % CI 1·57, 5·40,P=0·001). Our results suggest that these genetic variants contribute to obesity susceptibility in children and adolescents and reinforce the idea that the additive effect may be useful to elucidate the genetic component of obesity.
The Market Microstructure of Central Bank Bond Purchases
Authors: Schlepper Kathi , Hofer Heiko , Riordan Ryan , Schrimpf Andreas
Published: October 2018

We study quantitative easing (QE) policies from a microstructure perspective, drawing on intraday transaction-level data for German bonds (purchased under the Eurosystem’s QE program). An initial analysis of purchase decisions reveals that portfolio managers consider liquidity and the scarcity of securities in repo markets. Suggestive of significant flow effects, we detect price impacts of purchases at high and low frequencies. We find the impact on market liquidity and functioning to be ambiguous. A higher purchase volume lowers transaction costs but has an adverse impact on order-book depth. The price impact varies with market conditions and is higher for more illiquid bonds.
On the Taylor series asymptotic tracking control of robots
Authors: Ahmadi Seyed Mohammad , Fateh Mohammad Mehdi
Published: October 2018

Achieving the asymptotic tracking control of electrically driven robot manipulators is a challenging problem due to approximation/modelling error arising from parametric and non-parametric uncertainty. Thanks to the specific property of Taylor series systems as they are universal approximators, this research outlines two robust control schemes using an adaptive Taylor series system for robot manipulators, including actuators' dynamics. First, an indirect adaptive controller is designed such as to approximate an uncertain continuous function by using a Taylor series system in the proposed control law. Second, a direct adaptive scheme is established to employ the Taylor series system as a controller. In both controllers, not only a robustifying term is constructed using the estimation of the upper bound of approximation/modelling error, but the closed-loop stability, as well as the asymptotic convergence of joint-space tracking error and its time derivative, is ensured. Due to the design of the Taylor series system in the tracking error space, our technique clearly has an advantage over fuzzy and neural network-based control methods in terms of the small number of tuning parameters and inputs. The proposed methods are simple, model free in decentralized forms, no need for uncertainty bounding functions and perfectly capable of dealing with parametric and non-parametric uncertainty and measurement noise. Finally, simulation results are introduced to confirm the efficiency of the proposed control methods.
SOME NEW BOUNDS AND APPROXIMATIONS ON TAIL PROBABILITIES OF THE POISSON AND OTHER DISCRETE DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: From Steven G. , Swift Andrew W.
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we discuss new bounds and approximations for tail probabilities of certain discrete distributions. Several different methods are used to obtain bounds and/or approximations. Excellent upper and lower bounds are obtained for the Poisson distribution. Excellent approximations (and not bounds necessarily) are also obtained for other discrete distributions. Numerical comparisons made to previously proposed methods demonstrate that the new bounds and/or approximations compare very favorably. Some conjectures are made.
Multi-modality Therapy Leads to Longer Survival in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Patients
Authors: Singhal Dhruv , Witham Timothy F. , Germanwala Anand , Flickinger John C. , Schiff David , Kondziolka Douglas
Published: October 2018

Background:

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCL) is more frequently encountered by neurosurgeons given the increasing incidence among both nonimmunocompromised and immunocompromised patients. The most frequent surgery is stereotactic biopsy. Historically, radiation therapy has been the standard treatment modality for this disease and median survival was in the 15-month range. More recently, multi-modality therapy combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy (systemic, intrathecal, and/or intra-arterial) have resulted in longer survivals. We reviewed survival data for our series of patients treated for PCL over the last decade.

Methods:

Thirty-four patients with histologically confirmed PCL were treated at our center. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine which factor(s) (age, gender, HIV status, Karnofsky Performance Scale, chemotherapy, single modality therapy, histology, location, number of lesions, surgical resection) had a significant impact on survival.

Results:

The overall median survival was 19 months. Patients receiving multi-modality therapy (n=17) (chemotherapy and radiation) had a median survival of 34 months compared to four months for patients receiving single modality therapy (n=17 including seven HIV positive patients). Multi-modality therapy was the only significant factor affecting survival in this multivariate analysis (p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

Chemotherapy plus radiotherapy significantly enhances survival over patients treated with single modality therapy alone. Quality of life issues should be addressed on a case by case basis as additional treatment modalities are initiated.
Isolated Peripheral Neuropathy in Atypical Metachromatic Leukodystrophy: A Recurrent Mutation
Authors: Coulter-Mackie Marion B. , Applegarth Derek A. , Toone Jennifer R. , Gagnier Liane , Anzarut André R. , Hendson Glenda
Published: October 2018

Background:

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder resulting from a deficiency of arylsulfatase A. Late onset forms are relatively rare. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is characteristic at all ages.

Methods:

A patient in her late 40s with peripheral neuropathy was assessed by EEG, evoked potentials, CTand nerve conduction studies. Nerve and muscle biopsy samples were investigated by electron microscopy. Arylsulfatase A activity in leukocytes and excreted cerebroside sulfate were determined. The arylsulfatase A gene was investigated for mutations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNAsequencing. The identified mutation was expressed transiently in African green monkey kidney (COS) cells to determine the effect of the mutation on arylsulfatase A activity.

Results:

Central nervous system functions were normal. Nerve conduction velocities were decreased. Sural nerve biopsy showed inclusions typical of MLD. Arylsulfatase A was less than 5% of normal. A homozygous mutation thr286pro was identified in the arylsulfatase A gene and demonstrated to be deleterious through transient expression studies.

Conclusions:

Our patient has a progressive peripheral neuropathy but has apparently intact CNS function at her present age of 57 years. Biochemical, physiological and pathological findings are consistent with a diagnosis of MLD. A homozygous mutation, thr286pro, found in her arylsulfatase A gene, decreased enzyme activity to a level consistent with a late onset form of MLD.
Hemiparkinsonism-Somatic Hemiatrophy Syndrome
Authors: Jenkins Mary , Mendonca Dan , Parrent Andrew , Jog Mandar S.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

This paper highlights the hemiparkinsonism-hemiatrophy (HPHA) syndrome as a unique presentation of the parkinsonian state. Clinically relevant diagnostic and treatment aspects are reviewed.

Method:

We report a case of HPHA, in a 21-year-old, otherwise healthy, woman. Clinical and radiographic features of our case are presented. We also review the current literature on the clinical, radiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of HPHA.

Results:

In our case, despite the lack of benefit from anticholinergics and dopamine agonists (the patient declined treatment with levodopa), the patient showed a dramatic improvement with subthalamic nucleus stimulator (STN) implantation. There are no reported cases of use of STN stimulator in HPHA.

Conclusion:

Hemiparkinsonism-hemiatrophy is a distinct entity that may be clinically and pathogenetically different from idiopathic Parkinson’s disease; hence, HPHA needs to be considered as a possible syndrome in patients that have persistent unilateral parkinsonism. As medications are reported to be unhelpful in HPHA cases, early surgical intervention may be an option, such as in our case.
A Patient with Proximal Myotonic Myopathy and Parkinsonism
Authors: Chu Kon , Cho Jin-Whan , Song Eun-Chol , Jeon Beom S.
Published: October 2018

Introduction:

There are two case reports of patients who had proximal myotonic myopathy (PROMM) / myotonic dystrophy (DM) Type 1 and parkinsonism. The combination of myotonic myopathy and parkinsonism is so rare that it may appear to be just a coincidence. However, previous neuropathological examinations of patients who had myotonic dystrophy showed that there were intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the nigra and striatum, which raises the possibility that myotonic myopathy may be associated with parkinsonism. In this report we describe a patient with PROMM and a clinically definite parkinsonism to highlight this possibility.

Case Report:

A 65-year-old man developed proximal muscle weakness, myotonia and atrophy around the age of 55 and was diagnosed as having PROMM at the age of 62. Needle electromyography and muscle biopsy supported the diagnosis. A gene study of the DM Type 1 showed a normal CTG repeat length. At age 63, he developed rest tremor, bradykinesia, hypomimia, stooped posture, and gait disturbance. The postural instability worsened rapidly. The tremor and rigidity were much worse in his right side, where myotonia was more severe. Levodopa therapy was only partially effective.

Conclusion:

This is a case report of a patient with PROMM that shows an association with a rapidly progressive form of parkinsonism. We suggest that this may be a novel form of a neurodegenerative disorder, which we name ‘Parkinsonism- Myotonic Myopathy-Complex’.
Atomic Structure and Chemistry of Boundaries/Interfaces
Authors: Carpenter Ray W.
Published: October 2018

Atomic Structure and Chemistry of Boundaries/Interfaces
Effect of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Context of Growth Enhancements in the United States Since 1700: Net Source or Sink?
Authors: Felzer Benjamin S. , Jiang Mingkai
Published: October 2018

Many flux‐based data and related models indicate that the United States is currently a strong carbon sink, but this flux imbalance does not account for carbon lost from previous disturbance. Here we take a modeling approach that involves a full carbon accounting to include the effect of previous human‐induced land use changes and management during a period of abiotic changes to the environment since the 1700s. The goal is to show how land use and land cover change has affected carbon loss in the context of other environmental changes like climate, elevated CO2, and nitrogen deposition that tend to enhance growth. Here we show that land use and land cover change has led to the loss of carbon since 1700 (42 PgC), while growth enhancements since the start of the 20th century have only partially countered this loss (1.8 PgC). Fertilized croplands are the largest carbon sink in the first decade of the 21st century (477 TgC/year), followed by forests (266 TgC/year) and grazing pastures (223 TgC/year), if not accounting for land use conversion fluxes, product decomposition, and livestock respiration (i.e., net ecosystem productivity). When accounting for these disturbance fluxes, only returning forests (40 TgC/year) and grasslands (16 TgC/year) remain a carbon sink. A carbon accounting of human disturbances should be considered when determining the climate and policy implications of forest regrowth on the terrestrial carbon sink.