bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Major air pollutants seasonal variation analysis and long-range transport of PM10 in an urban environment with specific climate condition in Transylvania (Romania)
Authors: Bodor Zsolt , Bodor Katalin , Keresztesi Ágnes , Szép Róbert
Published: July 2020

The air quality decrease, especially in urban areas, is related to local-scale conditions and to dispersion of air pollutants (regional and long-range) as well. The main objective of this study was to decipher the seasonal variation of PM10, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, O3, and CO over a 1-year period (2017) and the possible relationships between air pollution and meteorological variables. Furthermore, trajectory cluster analysis and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) methods were used to assess the trajectories and the source-receptor relationship of PM10 in the Ciuc basin Transylvania, known as the “Cold Pole” of Romania. The pollutants show lower concentrations during warmer periods, especially during summer, and significantly higher concentrations were observed on heating season in winter due to seasonal variations in energy use (biomass burning) and atmospheric stability. Subsequently, in February, the highest concentration of PM10 was 132 μg/m3, which is 4 times higher than the highest recorded monthly mean. Our results indicate a negative correlation between CO/temperature (− 0.89), NOx/temperature (− 0.84) and positive between NOx/PM10 (0.95), CO/PM10 (0.9), and NOx/CO (0.98), respectively. Dominant transport pathways were identified and the results revealed that slow-moving southerly (~ 45%) and northwesterly (~ 32%) air masses represent almost 80% and mainly regional flows were discerned. During 2017, increased PM10 levels were measured at the study site when air masses arrived mostly from northwest and southeast. The CWT and polarplot models show a strong seasonal variation and significant differences were observed between weekdays and weekends, namely highest PM10 concentrations during weekends at low wind speed (2–4 m/s).
Zur soziologischen Auseinandersetzung mit Gewalt in der Medizin am Beispiel des medizinischen Kinderschutzes
Authors: Sucherdt Christoph
Published: July 2020

Der medizinische Kinderschutz ist ein durch die gegenwärtige deutsche Soziologie kaum beachtetes Phänomen. Der Artikel möchte auf der einen Seite spezifische Entwicklungen des medizinischen Kinderschutzes aufzeigen. Hierzu wird aus einer wissenssoziologischen Perspektive insbesondere auf seine Entstehung, Entwicklung der Definitionen von Misshandlung, die Diagnose verschiedener Formen von Gewalt und auf die Rolle der medizinischen Forschung eingegangen. Auf der anderen Seite sollen besondere Dynamiken und Folgen, welche die Beschäftigung der Medizin mit dem Gegenstand der Gewalt gegen Kinder mit sich bringen, eingehender soziologisch betrachtet werden.
Methodologische Entwicklungen in der Gewaltforschung.
Authors: Nassauer Anne , Legewie Nicolas M.
Published: July 2020

Über Jahrzehnte wurde Gewalt durch Interviews mit Betroffenen oder Tätern, durch teilnehmende Beobachtung oder Gewaltstatistiken untersucht, meist unter Verwendung entweder qualitativer oder quantitativer Analysemethoden. Seit der Jahrhundertwende stehen Forschenden eine Reihe neuer Ansätze zur Verfügung: Es gibt immer mehr Videoaufnahmen von gewaltsamen Ereignissen, Mixed Methods-Ansätze werden stetig weiterentwickelt und durch Computational Social Sciences finden Big Data-Ansätze Einzug in immer mehr Forschungsfelder. Diese drei Entwicklungen bieten großes Potenzial für die quantitative und qualitative Gewaltforschung. Der vorliegende Beitrag diskutiert Videodatenanalyse, Triangulation und Mixed Methods-Ansätze sowie Big Data und bespricht den gegenwärtigen und zukünftigen Einfluss der genannten Entwicklungen auf das Forschungsfeld. Das Augenmerk liegt besonders darauf, (1) wie neuere Videodaten genutzt werden können, um Gewalt zu untersuchen und wo ihre Vor- und Nachteile liegen, (2) wie Triangulation und Mixed Methods-Ansätze umfassendere Analysen und theoretische Verknüpfungen in der Gewaltforschung ermöglichen und (3) wo Anwendungen von Big Data und Computational Social Science in der Gewaltforschung liegen können.
Experimental investigation of specific cutting forces and estimation of the heat partitioning under increasing tool wear in machining nickel-based super alloy IN 718
Authors: Augspurger Thorsten , Schraknepper Daniel , Bergs Thomas
Published: July 2020

Presented are an experimental setup and affiliated methodology to measure the specific cutting forces in the milling process with proceeding tool wear at simplified orthogonal milling kinematics. The cutting forces, cutter rotation angle and chip temperature are acquired by a time sensitive measuring system consisting of a synchronized dynamometer, ratio pyrometer and spindle encoder. The approach allows the accurate acquisition of cutting forces under defined engagement conditions and thus constitutes a valuable basis for cutting force modelling and tool wear monitoring approaches. The results show uniformly and linearly increasing forces over the entire range of undeformed chip thickness due to wear. Besides a mechanical view on the cutting process, also the thermal domain was included into the analysis. Therefore, a ratio pyrometer was used as part of the synchronized measurement system tracking the chips backside temperature in order to estimate a virtually continuous heat flow into the chip. This heat flow increased with wear and process power, which indicates that the chip’s temperature can be used as process monitoring variable for tool wear.
Application of PET Tracers in Molecular Imaging for Breast Cancer
Authors: Boers Jorianne , de Vries Erik F. J. , Glaudemans Andor W. J. M. , Hospers Geke A. P. , Schröder Carolina P.
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful tool to visualize breast cancer characteristics. Nonetheless, implementation of PET imaging into cancer care is challenging, and essential steps have been outlined in the international “imaging biomarker roadmap.” In this review, we identify hurdles and provide recommendations for implementation of PET biomarkers in breast cancer care, focusing on the PET tracers 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG), sodium [18F]-fluoride ([18F]-NaF), 16α-[18F]-fluoroestradiol ([18F]-FES), and [89Zr]-trastuzumab.

Recent Findings

Technical validity of [18F]-FDG, [18F]-NaF, and [18F]-FES is established and supported by international guidelines. However, support for clinical validity and utility is still pending for these PET tracers in breast cancer, due to variable endpoints and procedures in clinical studies.

Assessment of clinical validity and utility is essential towards implementation; however, these steps are still lacking for PET biomarkers in breast cancer. This could be solved by adding PET biomarkers to randomized trials, development of imaging data warehouses, and harmonization of endpoints and procedures.
Correcting the Brain? The Convergence of Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, Psychiatry, and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Rainey Stephen , Erden Yasemin J.
Published: July 2020

The incorporation of neural-based technologies into psychiatry offers novel means to use neural data in patient assessment and clinical diagnosis. However, an over-optimistic technologisation of neuroscientifically-informed psychiatry risks the conflation of technological and psychological norms. Neurotechnologies promise fast, efficient, broad psychiatric insights not readily available through conventional observation of patients. Recording and processing brain signals provides information from ‘beneath the skull’ that can be interpreted as an account of neural processing and that can provide a basis to evaluate general behaviour and functioning. But it ought not to be forgotten that the use of such technologies is part of a human practice of neuroscience informed psychiatry. This paper notes some challenges in the integration of neural technologies into psychiatry and suggests vigilance particularly in respect to normative challenges. In this way, psychiatry can avoid a drift toward reductive technological approaches, while nonetheless benefitting from promising advances in neuroscience and technology.
Pitfalls in Challenging Thyroid Tumors: Emphasis on Differential Diagnosis and Ancillary Biomarkers
Authors: Cameselle-Teijeiro José Manuel , Eloy Catarina , Sobrinho-Simões Manuel
Published: July 2020

Thyroid pathology encompasses a heterogenous group of clinicopathological entities including rare and diagnostically challenging neoplasms. The review is focused on morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of rare thyroid neoplasms that can pose diagnostic problems. The tumors are organized based on growth patterns including thyroid neoplasms with predominantly papillary, follicular, solid, and spindle cell growth pattern, as well as neoplasms with distinct cytological characteristics. A special section is also dedicated to rare thyroid tumors with peculiar patterns including thyroid carcinoma with Ewing family tumor elements and intrathyroidal thymic-related neoplasms.
Correction to: Pragmatismand the Importance of Interdisciplinary Teams in Investigating Personality Changes Following DBS
Authors: Kubu Cynthia S. , Ford Paul J. , Wilt Joshua A. , Merner Amanda R. , Montpetite Michelle , Zeigler Jaclyn , Racine Eric
Published: July 2020

The article Pragmatismand the Importance of Interdisciplinary Teams in Investigating Personality Changes Following DBS
Cause analysis and solutions of water blocking damage in cracked/non-cracked tight sandstone gas reservoirs
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhou Fu-Jian
Published: July 2020

After hydraulic fracturing treatment, a reduction in permeability caused by the invasion of fracturing fluids is an inevitable problem, which is called water blocking damage. Therefore, it is important to mitigate and eliminate water blocking damage to improve the flow capacities of formation fluids and flowback rates of the fracturing fluid. However, the steady-state core flow method cannot quickly and accurately evaluate the effects of chemical agents in enhancing the fluid flow capacities in tight reservoirs. This paper introduces a time-saving and accurate method, pressure transmission test (PTT), which can quickly and quantitatively evaluate the liquid flow capacities and gas-drive flowback rates of a new nanoemulsion. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the damage mechanism of different fluids and the adsorption of chemical agents on the rock surface. Parallel core flow experiments were used to evaluate the effects of the nanoemulsion on enhancing flowback rates in heterogeneous tight reservoirs. Experimental results show that the water blocking damage mechanisms differ in matrices and fractures. The main channels for gas channeling are fractures in cracked cores and pores in non-cracked cores. Cracked cores suffer less damage from water blocking than non-cracked cores, but have a lower potential to reduce water saturation. The PTT and SEM results show that the permeability reduction in tight sandstones caused by invasion of external fluids can be list as guar gum fracturing fluid > slickwater > brine. Parallel core flow experiments show that for low-permeability heterogenous sandstone reservoirs with a certain permeability ratio, the nanoemulsion can not only reduce reverse gas channeling degree, but also increase the flowback rate of the fracturing fluid. The nanoemulsion system provides a new solution to mitigate and eliminate water blocking damage caused by fracturing fluids in tight sandstone gas reservoirs.
A non-Archie water saturation method for conventional reservoirs based on generalization of Passey TOC model for unconventional reservoirs
Authors: Oraby Moustafa
Published: July 2020

The determination of the formation water saturation, Sw, is a continuous process throughout the life of the fields. Multiple water saturation models are developed to increase the accuracy of calculating this critical parameter for both open-hole and cased-hole wells. All current open-hole water saturation models require prior knowledge of some field parameters namely; formation water resistivity, Rw, clay volume, Vc and rock electrical properties (m, n). It is normally assumed that those reservoir parameters as either constant for the entire reservoir section or change by zones. This is obviously an impractical assumption especially for the (m) and (n) parameters. Also, when a reservoir is under water injection for enhanced oil recovery, the water salinity may change throughout the reservoir, based on the distribution of the reservoir permeability and the salinity of the injected water, resulting in a variable Rw. This case represents a real challenge to the existing water saturation models. In this paper, a methodology to determine water saturation without the need for prior knowledge of the formation water resistivity or the rock electrical properties is developed. This approach is a generalization of the Passey total organic carbon, TOC, model which is developed to determine the organic richness of the unconventional reservoirs. The scientific basis of the method, the modification required to be applied in conventional reservoirs, the proof of concept using forward modeled cases and actual field applications in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs are performed to examine the theoretical and the practical applications of the methodology. Excellent results are obtained and discussed.
Der Einfluss von Stress auf Prozesse beim diagnostischen Urteilen – eine Eye Tracking-Studie mit mathematischen Textaufgaben
Authors: Becker Sara , Spinath Birgit , Ditzen Beate , Dörfler Tobias
Published: July 2020

In realen Unterrichtssituationen diagnostizieren Lehrkräfte aufgrund enormer Interaktionsdichten sowie hoch komplexer Unterrichtssituationen unter psychischer Anspannung wie Stress. Durch Stress können kognitive Kapazitäten gebunden werden, was Prozesse beim Diagnostizieren, wie die Wahrnehmung und die Interpretation von Aufgabenschwierigkeiten, beeinträchtigen kann.

Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte in einem experimentellen Design den Einfluss von Stress auf Wahrnehmungs- und Interpretationsprozesse beim diagnostischen Urteilen. Hierzu schätztenN = 64 Mathematiklehramtsstudierende die Schwierigkeit von acht mathematischen Textaufgaben im Bereich von Brüchen ein. Die Wahrnehmungsprozesse wurden mithilfe von Blickbewegungen durch die Methode des Eye Trackings erhoben und anhand ausgewählter globaler Maße (Dauer des Blickpfades, Fixationsdauer, Anzahl der Fixationen ab 250 ms und Sakkadenamplitude) analysiert. In Kombination mit Verbalprotokollen wurden die Interpretationsprozesse ausgewertet. Anhand der Analyse von Cortisolwerten aus Speichelproben während des Diagnostizierens wurde das Stressniveau der Teilnehmenden objektiv erfasst. Aufgrund der Bindung kognitiver Kapazitäten durch Stress wurden Veränderungen sowohl in den Wahrnehmungs- als auch in den Interpretationsprozessen erwartet. Die Ergebnisse der Blickbewegungsanalysen zeigten eine kürzere Blickpfaddauer, eine kürzere Fixationsdauer sowie eine geringere Anzahl an Fixationen mit einer Dauer ab 250 ms bei Teilnehmenden unter Stresserleben. Die Verbalprotokolle unterschieden sich qualitativ zwischen den Gruppen. Die veränderten Maße können als Indikatoren der veränderten Wahrnehmungs- und Interpretationsprozesse der Experimentalgruppe interpretiert werden.

Die Studie gibt erste Hinweise auf den Einfluss von Stress auf diagnostische Prozesse im anwendungsbezogenen Schulkontext.
The risk of eating disorders among children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Jahrami Haitham , AlAnsari Ahmed Malalla , Janahi Abdulrahman Ismaeel , Janahi Ammar Khalid , Darraj Latifa Rashid , Faris Mo'ez Al-Islam E.
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives:

There are some studies on the association between attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the risk of eating disorders (ED). Only few have examined the risk of ED among children and adolescents with ADHD. Previous research which included subjects with ADHD with other comorbidities used inadequate controls and did not focus on the type of ADHD or the role of pharmacological treatment.

Methods:

This matched cohort study was conducted in the Child/Adolescents Psychiatry Unit (CAPU), Bahrain. Using the CAPU diagnostic frameworks, 70 subjects with ADHD were recruited and matched with their corresponding age- and sex- healthy controls at 1:2 ratio (70 cases:140 controls). The participants were children or adolescents aged between 8 and 19 years old. A brief interview was used to collect socio-demographic information and anthropometrics. The risk of ED was estimated using the eating attitude test −26 (EAT-2). Data were analyzed using cohort analysis.

Results:

A total of 31.43% of the subjects with ADHD were screened using EAT-26 and found to be ‘at risk’ for ED, compared to 12.14% of the controls (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.62–6.78). The prevalence of ED among female cases with ADHD was slightly higher than males (33.33% and 30.77%, respectively). Body weight or body mass index was a statistically significant explanatory factor for the risk of ED.

Conclusions:

The present study shows that children and adolescents with ADHD have a three-fold increased risk of ED compared to healthy controls. This research raised the recommendation that children and adolescents with ADHD should be screened for disordered eating patterns.
Prevention of nosocomial COVID‐19 infections in otorhinolaryngology‐head and neck surgery
Authors: Ren Jie , Yang Xilin , Xu Zhen , Lei Weiwei , Yang Kun , Kong Yonggang , Qu Jining , Liao Hua , He Yi , Chen Huidong , Wang Yan , Zeng Feng , Hua Qingquan
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has rapidly evolved into a pandemic, causing a global public health crisis. Many frontline healthcare workers providing ear, nose and throat services have been reported to contract COVID‐19 at work. Early during the COVID‐19 outbreak, several medical professionals in Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery were infected in Wuhan, China. A series of measures were then taken immediately, which successfully halted the spread of the disease. Here we would like to share the lessons we have learned, and our experience to protect our health care workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Inside and Outside the London Stock Exchange: Stockbrokers and Speculation in Late Victorian Britain
Authors: TAYLOR JAMES
Published: July 2020

The nineteenth-century growth of the London Stock Exchange and the development of the market for stocks and shares are familiar topics of study. This article provides an alternative perspective on them by decentering the London Stock Exchange and focusing instead on the activities of “outside stockbrokers”—those who operated outside the Stock Exchange and its rules. Often regarded as peripheral, these brokers were in fact instrumental in promoting investment and speculation to a mass market. The article examines their innovative methods, and seeks to explain why they were so successful, despite persistent—and sometimes justifiable—accusations of fraud. It suggests how perspectives from the history of consumer society provide fresh insights into the market for financial products. And it underlines the importance of looking outside formal markets by arguing that focusing on “fringe” markets can help scholars to rethink boundaries, relations, and practices in the history of capitalism.
A period of 10 weeks of increased protein consumption does not alter faecal microbiota or volatile metabolites in healthy older men: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mitchell S. M. , McKenzie E. J. , Mitchell C. J. , Milan A. M. , Zeng N. , D'Souza R. F. , Ramzan F. , Sharma P. , Rettedal E. , Knowles S. O. , Roy N. C. , Sjödin A. , Wagner K.-H. , O'Sullivan J. M. , Cameron-Smith D.
Published: July 2020

Diet has a major influence on the composition and metabolic output of the gut microbiome. Higher-protein diets are often recommended for older consumers; however, the effect of high-protein diets on the gut microbiota and faecal volatile organic compounds (VOC) of elderly participants is unknown. The purpose of the study was to establish if the faecal microbiota composition and VOC in older men are different after a diet containing the recommended dietary intake (RDA) of protein compared with a diet containing twice the RDA (2RDA). Healthy males (74⋅2 (sd 3⋅6) years; n 28) were randomised to consume the RDA of protein (0⋅8 g protein/kg body weight per d) or 2RDA, for 10 weeks. Dietary protein was provided via whole foods rather than supplementation or fortification. The diets were matched for dietary fibre from fruit and vegetables. Faecal samples were collected pre- and post-intervention for microbiota profiling by 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing and VOC analysis by head space/solid-phase microextraction/GC-MS. After correcting for multiple comparisons, no significant differences in the abundance of faecal microbiota or VOC associated with protein fermentation were evident between the RDA and 2RDA diets. Therefore, in the present study, a twofold difference in dietary protein intake did not alter gut microbiota or VOC indicative of altered protein fermentation.
Azeris and Muslim Ajarians in Georgia: The Swing between Tolerance and Alienation
Authors: Kahraman Alter
Published: July 2020

This article focuses on two Muslim groups, Azeris and Muslim Ajarians, who are differently perceived and treated in post-Soviet Georgia. Georgian ethno-religious nationalism bases Georgianness on an ethnic affiliation to Kartvelian roots and religious adherence to Georgian Orthodoxy, and determines one’s level of inclusion in the nation accordingly; those who do not fulfill these criteria, such as Azeris, are excluded from the nation. Muslim Ajarians, despite being Georgians, also face exclusion from Georgian identity. Based on the concept of ethnodoxy, which is defined as linking of “a group’s ethnic identity to its dominant religion,” this article argues that Muslim Ajarians, who are Georgian Muslims, an unaccepted category in Georgia, receive differential treatment by their Christian fellows, whereas recognition of the religion and ethnicity of Azeris is a factor that comparatively diminishes the pressure on the community. This research demonstrates that the visibility of Muslim Ajarians’ religious practices in the public space and the construction of places of worship is less tolerated than in the case of Azeris, who have no means of becoming “proper Georgians.” The findings of fieldwork in Georgia manifested that, although minorities have various problems in Georgia, Muslim Ajarians are subjected to more differential treatment than Azeris.
CYCLIC BRANCHED COVERINGS OF BRIESKORN SPHERES BOUNDING ACYCLIC 4-MANIFOLDS
Authors: ANVARI NIMA , HAMBLETON IAN
Published: July 2020

We show that standard cyclic actions on Brieskorn homology 3-spheres with non-empty fixed set do not extend smoothly to any contractible smooth 4-manifold it may bound. The quotient of any such extension would be an acyclic 4-manifold with boundary a related Brieskorn homology sphere. We briefly discuss well-known invariants of homology spheres that obstruct acyclic bounding 4-manifolds and then use a method based on equivariant Yang–Mills moduli spaces to rule out extensions of the actions.
Dementia-Friendly Neighbourhoods in Canada: A Carer Perspective
Authors: Silverman Marjorie
Published: July 2020

Based on findings from a study examining the lived experiences of dementia carers in their neighbourhoods, this article offers a vision of what dementia-friendly communities could look like from a carer perspective and in a Canadian context. Twelve carers in Ottawa and its surrounding regions were interviewed using a combination of social network maps, mobile interviews, and participant-driven photography. The findings, organized according to the categories “relationships”, “places”, and “everyday practices”, reveal that many of the carers’ choices regarding businesses, services, home location, outings, and everyday practices, are based on a desire to maintain social connections and social citizenship. The article concludes with recommendations for consideration in the planning of dementia-friendly neighbourhood initiatives.
Role of pulsed-xenon ultraviolet light in reducing healthcare-associated infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dong Zhenhong , Zhou Na , Liu Guijuan , Zhao Li
Published: July 2020

Pulsed-xenon-ultraviolet light (PX-UVL) is increasingly used as a supplemental disinfection method in healthcare settings. We undertook a systematic search of the literature through several databases and conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of PX-UVL in reducing healthcare-associated infections. Eleven studies were included in the systematic review and nine in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis of seven studies with before-after data indicated a statistically significant reduction of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates with the use of the PX-UVL (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.73, 95% CI 0.57–0.94, I2 = 72%, P = 0.01), and four studies reported a reduction of risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections (IRR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.64–0.98, I2 = 35%, P = 0.03). However, a further four trials found no significant reduction in vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection rates (IRR: 0.80, 95% CI 0.63–1.01, I2 = 60%, P = 0.06). The results for CDI and MRSA proved unstable on sensitivity analysis. Meta-regression analysis did not demonstrate any influence of study duration or intervention duration on CDI rates. We conclude that the use of PX-UVL, in addition to standard disinfection protocols, may help to reduce the incidence of CDI and MRSA but not VRE infection rates. However, the quality of evidence is not high, with unstable results and wide confidence intervals, and further high-quality studies are required to supplement the current evidence.
Phonological variation and change in the regional French of Alsace: Supralocalization, age, gender and the urban–rural dichotomy
Authors: Boughton Zoë , Pipe Katharine
Published: July 2020

This article examines patterns of variation and change in the phonology of the regional French of Alsace, within an overarching framework of regional dialect levelling (Kerswill, 2003) in the French of France. Data are drawn from an original corpus gathered in Strasbourg and a small village in a rural area of the Bas-Rhin. We analyse two well-known regional features in spontaneous speech: (h), the variable realisation of initial [h], and (ʒ), the non-assimilatory devoicing of /ʒ/. We focus on the effect on the variation observed of the major extra-linguistic variables of age, gender and social class as well as urban or rural community. While the results for class and location follow expected patterns, whereby working-class and rural speakers show higher rates of traditional non-standard variants, the principal observation is the decline and, in the case of (ʒ), apparent loss of such features. We thus provide new evidence in support of supralocalization, not only in the urban context but also in the rural location. The results for gender are however less clear-cut: there is an interaction with age, class and location, and disruption of the usual pattern of female-led adoption of supralocal norms.
Information quality, adoption of climate-smart varieties and their economic impact in flood-risk areas
Authors: Veettil Prakashan Chellattan , Raghu Prabhakaran T. , Ashok Arathy
Published: July 2020

Weather extremes which are accelerated by changing climate greatly decrease agricultural productivity, resulting in severe economic losses and losses of livelihood of the poorest marginal communities. The adoption of stress-tolerant rice varieties (STRVs) is recommended as a best technology fix for risk adaptation. Although STRVs provide better outcomes with no yield penalty, farmers' decisions to adopt new STRVs are influenced by a multitude of factors, most importantly information exposure. We used a sequential logit model to analyze the impact of information access and information quality on adoption decisions regarding STRVs in flood-risk areas. Over the years, we found that STRVs adoption has become scale neutral, but adopters have significantly higher access to information. The estimates showed that 48 per cent of the farmers having access to information decided to adopt STRVs. When information reaches 50 per cent of the rice farmers in flood-prone areas, the estimated additional annual income is US$235 million.
Home gardening and associations with fruit and vegetable intake and BMI
Authors: Kegler Michelle C , Prakash Radhika , Hermstad April , Williamson Dana , Anderson Kate , Haardörfer Regine
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To understand who engages in home gardening and whether gardening is associated with fruit and vegetable intake and weight status.

Design:

A national cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

Online survey panel in the USA.

Participants:

Adults aged 18–75 years representing the US population with respect to gender, age, race/ethnicity, income and geographic region (n 3889).

Results:

Approximately 30 % of survey respondents reported growing edible plants in a home garden. Gardeners were more likely to be White or Asian, employed, have higher income, be married, have children in the household and live in rural areas. Gardeners were less likely to be obese and more likely to meet US dietary recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption. In multivariable analyses, home gardens remained associated with fruit and vegetable intake and BMI when controlling for a range of socio-demographic characteristics and level of rurality.

Conclusions:

The current study identifies who is gardening in the USA and provides useful information for public health efforts to increase gardening as a nutrition intervention. Future research should examine the benefits of home gardening and interventions to increase home gardening using more rigorous designs.
Polarization Modulation Differential Interference Contrast (Pol Mod Dic) Microscopy: An Improvement for Video Microscopy
Authors: Stromgren Allen N , Moxley D , Collings D , Holzwarth G
Published: July 2020

Differential interference contrast (DIC) light microscopy, particularly when coupled with digital image processing, is a powerful tool for the high-resolution microscopy of unstained, transparent biological specimens and can equally well be applied to semiconductor measurements. We show analytically, and with images of diatoms, plant cells and protoplasts, that switching the polarization of the incident light by 90 degrees, changes the image highlights found in conventional DIC images into shadows and vice versa (1). Using a ferroelectric liquid-crystal modulator, this switching can be done at frame rates, synchronized to the camera. By subtracting alternate frames, a stream of difference DIC images is created. We call this technique Pol Mod DIC. Subtraction of alternate images is carried out efficiently by frame buffer operations and amounts to massively parallel synchronous detection. A similar method has been applied to confocal microscopy (2).
Microcalorimeter EDS Measurements of Chemical Shifts in Fe Compounds
Authors: Wollman D A , Newbury Dale E , Hilton G C , Irwin K D , Dulcie L L , Bergren N F , Martinis John M
Published: July 2020

We report measurements of chemical shifts in the Fe-L x-ray lines of different Fe compounds from xray emission spectra acquired using a microcalorimeter energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The observed changes in peak position and relative intensity of the Fe-L x-ray lines are in agreement with measurements obtained using a wavelength dispersive spectrometer (WDS), demonstrating the usefulness of microcalorimeter EDS for high-energy-resolution x-ray microanalysis.

Chemical shifts result from changes in electron binding energies with the chemical environment of atoms. In x-ray spectra, chemical shifts lead to changes in x-ray peak positions, relative peak intensities, and peak shapes. These chemical bonding effects can be significant (with x-ray peak shifts on the order of 1 eV), particularly for x-ray lines resulting from transitions involving valence electrons of light elements such as B and C.
Measuring Performance of EDX Systems
Authors: Statham Peter
Published: July 2020

There are no “absolutes” in terms of performance and wherever possible, performance measures need to reflect conditions similar to those in the intended application. Unfortunately, measurements are frequently constrained by practical and economic considerations. For example, the most convenient radiation source for testing EDX systems is the Fe55 radioactive source which produces Mn Kα radiation at 5.9keV and can be used with an air path between source and detector. However, the fwhm resolution at 5.9keV is a rather poor measure of what the resolution will be for x-ray energies below 0.5 keV. Furthermore, “P/B”, the ratio of Mn Kα peak height to background level at IkeV, is only a crude indication of incomplete charge collection ICC, and does not reveal problems that may give rise to shift and broadening of the C Kα peak for example.
Microscopy in Pharmaceutical Development
Authors: Carlton R A
Published: July 2020

Many different microscopic techniques are utilized in the development of new pharmaceuticals. For that reason, pharmaceutical companies have supported microscopy and microscopists even in the face of retrenchments in many other industries. Microscopy has the following three major uses in pharmaceutical development: 1) solid-state characterization of drug substance; 2) particle size analysis; 3) contaminant identification. Microscopy is also an important component of the study of the biological activity of drugs but that subject will not be discussed here.

The analysis of the solid-state properties of new drug candidates is probably the most important and challenging subject of study for pharmaceutical microscopists.1 The primary objective of these studies is identification of the most suitable solid-state form (i.e. polymorph, solvate, hydrate) of the drug substance for development. Polarized light microscopy (PLM), thermal microscopy (TM), infrared microspectroscopy (IR), and Raman microspectroscopy (RM) are all utilized in these studies. Both PLM and TM are used to discover new polymorphs and solvates of the chemical.
Industrial Applications of Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Magonov S
Published: July 2020

The evolution of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) into atomic force microscopy (AFM) have led to a family of scanning probe techniques which are widely applied in fundamental research and in industry. Visualization of the atomic- and molecular-scale structures and the possibility of modifying these structures using a sharp probe were demonstrated with the techniques on many materials. These unique capabilities initiated the further development of AFM and related methods generalized as scanning probe microscopy (SPM). The first STM experiments were performed in the clean conditions of ultra-high vacuum and on well-defined conducting or semi-conducting surfaces. These conditions restrict SPM applications to the real world that requires ambient-condition operation on the samples, many of which are insulators. AFM, which is based on the detection of forces between a tiny cantilever carrying a sharp tip and a sample surface, was introduced to satisfy these requirements. High lateral resolution and unique vertical resolution (angstrom scale) are essential AFM features.
Tutorial: Tem Specimen Preparation in the Physical Sciencestripod Polishing and Ion Milling
Authors: Anderson Ron
Published: July 2020

Over the past few decades, the demands of modern analytical electron microscopy have increased the need for TEM specimen preparation techniques with a minimum of misleading artifacts in terms of chemical microanalysis. At the same time, the demands of modern industrial materials, be they semiconductor, polymeric or composite in nature, call for speed, flexibility and high spatial resolution as well. The response from the electron microscopy community, especially that portion in the private sector, have been to devise (or advocate) radically different forms of TEM thin specimen preparation from that of classic replication, electropolishing and ion thinning.

This tutorial sets forth the goals of TEM specimen preparation, and the requirements for a "good" TEM specimen. The strategic choices governing which technique to use for preparing a wide variety of specimens will be covered. A TEM Specimen Preparation Flow Chart will be used to plot a course that makes optimum use of the preparation techniques available as a function of the type of specimen to be prepared.
Molecular Pathologic Studies on the Echanisms of Radiation-Induced Hematopoietic Cells Apoptosis and the Recovery in Mouse Bone Marrow
Authors: Wang DW , Peng RY , Xiong CQ
Published: July 2020

There have rarely been reported on radiation induced hematopoietic cells apoptosis and the recovery,the expression and significance of oncogenes, tumor suppresser genes, hematopoietic grouth factors and their receptors in bone marrow.

By meams of routine pathology, specific stainning, electron microscope, immunocytochemistry, image analysis, in situ hybridization, in situ terminal end labelling, in situ PCR and DNA electrophoresis, The machanisms of hematopoietic cells apoptosis and then recovery in mouse bone marrow were studies through LAC A mouse total body irradiation with 60Co γ -rays.

The results showed: The bone marrow in each radiated group appeared obvious injury and then recovery, and the lessions were the most typical in 5.5Gy irradiation group, the pathologic changes were divided into four phases: namely the phase of hematopoietic cells apoptosis,bone marrow at 6hours after radiation. Furthermore, the higher radiation dose, the more the apoptotic cells were(table l).
Visualization of the Transport Pathways of High Density Lipoproteins Across the Endothelial Cells in the Rat Arteries
Authors: Lin H H , Chao W T , Yang V C
Published: July 2020

An elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the plasma is the most recognized risk factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, the concentration of high density lipoprotein (HDL), is inversely correlated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The transport pathways of LDL across the arterial wall has been well established. However, little is known about the transport mechanism(s) of HDL across the arterial wall. In this study, HDL was conjugated to colloidal gold for investigation of the ultrastructural aspects of binding and uptake of HDL by aortic endothelium.

High density lipoproteins were isolated from fresh rat plasma by sequential ultracentrifugation. HDL-colloidal gold conjugates were prepared according to the modified method of Kao et al. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and the vasculature was cleared of blood by perfusion with oxygenated PBS supplemented with 1 mM CaCl2 and 14 mM glucose at 37 °C through the abdominal aorta using the vena cava as an outlet.
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) Study of Sea Urchin Embryos after Deciliation with Chloral Hydrate
Authors: Schatten Heide , Chakrabarti Amitabha
Published: July 2020

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy has opened up the potential to study biological events in their native occurence. While still in the early stages of exploration, the ability to view samples in their native state with the resolution provided by scanning electron microscopy is highly desirable and will provide insights in dynamic processes which previously had only been possible by interpretation with indirect methods or by static images obtained with transmission electron microscopy.

In preliminary experiments to explore the potential of studying native events with the ESEM we have investigated sea urchin embryos after deciliation with chloral hydrate. The Philips XL-30 ESEM instrument was used to obtain images of lightly fixed (0.1% glutaraldehyde in sea water), lightly coated embryos that had been treated as follows. Chloral hydrate was added at a concentration of 0.1% to blastulae of Lytechinus pictus at 24 hours after fertilization. Observation with light microscopy indicates that cilia become gradually shed into the sea water within 10 to 20 hours after chloral hydrate application.
Development and validation of an instrument for measuring competencies on public health informatics of primary health care worker (PHIC4PHC) in Indonesia
Authors: Rachmani Enny , Hsu Chien-Yeh , Chang Peter WuShou , Fuad Anis , Nurjanah Nurjanah , Shidik Guruh Fajar , Ningrum Dina Nur Anggraini , Lin Ming-Chin
Published: July 2020

Because of the increasing adoption and use of technology in primary health care (PHC), public health informatics competencies (PHIC) are becoming essential for public health workers. Unfortunately, no studies have measured PHIC in resource-limited setting. This paper describes the process of developing and validating Public Health Informatics Competencies for Primary Health Care (PHIC4PHC), an instrument for measuring PHC workers’ competencies in public health informatics. Method: This study developed a questionnaire that had three stages: the Delphi technique, a pretest, and field test. Eleven academicians from a university and 13 PHC workers joined 2 rounds of group discussion in the first stage. The second stage comprised two pilot studies with 75 PHC workers in Semarang Municipality. The third stage involved validating the questionnaire with 462 PHC workers in Kendal District. This study used Pearson’s product-moment correlation for the validity check and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for determining the internal consistency. This study used the K-means algorithm for clustering the results of the PHIC4PHC questionnaire. Results and Conclusion: PHIC4PHC is the first comprehensive PHIC questionnaire administered in a resource-limited setting, consisting of 11 indicators and 42 measurement items concerning knowledge of health information systems, skills required for health data management, ethical aspects of data sharing and health information literacy. The final results of PHIC4PHC were clustered into three classes based on the K-means algorithm. Overall, 45.7% PHC workers achieved medium competency, whereas 25.6% and 27.7% achieved low and high competency, respectively. Men had higher competency than women. The higher the worker’s level of education, the higher the PHIC level; the longer the worker’s work experience, the lower the PHIC score; and the greater the worker’s age, the lower the PHIC score. Measuring and monitoring PHIC is vital to support successful health IT adoption in PHC.
THE POWER OF NAIVE TRUTH
Authors: FIELD HARTRY
Published: July 2020

Nonclassical theories of truth that take truth to be transparent have some obvious advantages over any classical theory of truth (which must take it as nontransparent on pain of inconsistency). But several authors have recently argued that there’s also a big disadvantage of nonclassical theories as compared to their “external” classical counterparts: proof-theoretic strength. While conceding the relevance of this, the paper argues that there is a natural way to beef up extant internal theories so as to remove their proof-theoretic disadvantage. It is suggested that the resulting internal theories are preferable to their external counterparts.
On the Factors That Determine Boundary Layer Albedo
Authors: Rampal Neelesh , Davies Roger
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the factors that control marine boundary layer cloud albedo measured by the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) over domains of (200 km)2. We use three key metrics to investigate domain albedo: cloud fraction, cloud heterogeneity, and cloud morphology. Cloud heterogeneity is quantified at the domain level with a unified heterogeneity index. Cloud morphology is determined from a cloud classification algorithm using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to classify each domain into one of four categories: (i) closed‐cell Mesoscale Cellular Convection (MCC); (ii) open‐cell MCC; (iii) disorganized MCC; and (iv) No MCC. These different types of MCC are usefully defined as low clouds of different morphologies. Classifications from the ANN are also combined with the satellite observations of MISR to develop relationships between cloud morphology, domain albedo, cloud fraction, and cloud heterogeneity. Cloud morphology is found to play an essential role in modulating these relationships. The cloud fraction‐albedo relationships are found to be directly a function of cloud morphology. Relationships between domain albedo and cloud heterogeneity are also found to be a function of MCC type. Our results indicate that the albedo has a strong dependence on cloud morphology and cloud heterogeneity. Understanding both the physical properties and the meteorological controls on MCC has important implications for understanding low cloud behavior and improving their representation in General Circulation Models.
Can Grain Size Reduction Initiate Transform Faults?—Insights From a 3‐D Numerical Study
Authors: Schierjott Jana C. , Thielmann Marcel , Rozel Antoine B. , Golabek Gregor J. , Gerya Taras V.
Published: July 2020

Oceanic transform faults formed at mid‐ocean ridges are intrinsic features of modern plate tectonics. Nevertheless, numerical mantle convection models typically struggle to reproduce the strike‐slip movement observed along transform faults on Earth. Instead, mantle convection models tend to produce mostly convergent and divergent plate boundaries. Based on regional visco‐(elasto)‐plastic thermomechanical models it has been demonstrated that a strong strain‐induced weakening of rocks has to be assumed in order to initiate and stabilize the characteristic orthogonal ridge‐transform spreading patterns. However, the physical origin of such intense rheological weakening remains unclear. Considering that in nature oceanic transform faults show a strongly reduced grain size, a potentially strong influence of grain size reduction processes on the rheological strength of these structures can be assumed. Employing 3‐D thermomechanical visco‐plastic models, we study the effect of grain size reduction on oceanic transform fault initiation. Our results show that ductile weakening induced by grain size reduction indeed results in sufficient localization to initiate a transform fault. Without any additional weakening mechanisms, transform faults in our models remain stable up to 2 Myr. We identify parameters that affect stability and longevity of the transform fault during the initiation phase, such as the grain damage formulation and grain growth prefactor. In our models, transform faults initiate in the brittle crust and propagate downward, thus indicating a top‐down initiated localization process. The observed grain size, rheology, and strain rate inside the shear zone of our models agree well with observations in nature; however, the longevity of natural examples cannot be reached.