bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The psychology of lay beliefs about economic mobility
Authors: Davidai Shai , Wienk Margaux N. A.
Published: May 2021

Although economic mobility is an objectively defined term, lay beliefs about mobility—the configuration of ideas and attitudes about economic mobility that is not necessarily grounded in economic data—are often formed in a subjective manner. Drawing on research from the United States and beyond, we propose a novel framework for understanding how people construe, think about, and understand economic mobility. We highlight the importance of systematically examining the type, time frame, trajectory, and target of mobility that people have in mind for understanding when they most and least strongly believe in it. In addition, our framework offers a conceptual roadmap for examining the factors that influence lay beliefs about mobility, including individual differences in these lay beliefs and their important downstream consequences. Finally, we outline several important open questions that are highlighted by our framework as a guide for future research on lay beliefs about economic mobility.
Adverse events after low titer group O whole blood versus component product transfusion in pediatric trauma patients: A propensity‐matched cohort study
Authors: Leeper Christine M. , Yazer Mark H. , Morgan Katrina M. , Triulzi Darrell J. , Gaines Barbara A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) is used as the initial resuscitative fluid in an increasing number of pediatric trauma and massive bleeding transfusion protocols. There is little data on adverse events following its transfusion in pediatric trauma patients.

Study Design and Methods

Blood bank records were queried for pediatric recipients of at least one unit of red blood cells (RBCs) (component group) or LTOWB (LTOWB group) within 24 h of admission between May 2013 and August 2020. Subjects with early death (<72 h) were excluded. Propensity‐score matching of LTOWB and component groups was performed. Adverse events were recorded, including transfusion reaction, thromboembolism, acute kidney injury, sepsis, and organ failure based on PELOD‐2 score, along with hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS) and ventilator days.

Results

Thirty‐six LTOWB recipients were matched to 36 conventional component recipients. Subjects were 52% male, with blunt injury mechanism (82%), median (IQR) injury severity score = 27 (21–35), and 26% in‐hospital mortality. The groups were well matched in terms of demographics and injury characteristics. There were no clinically or statistically significant differences in adverse outcomes including reported transfusion reaction, organ failure, acute kidney injury, sepsis/bacteremia, and venous thromboembolism. Hospital LOS, ventilator days, mortality, and functional disability at discharge were also not significantly different. The LTOWB group had significantly shorter ICU LOS compared to the component group.

Conclusion

LTOWB transfusion did not increase the risk of adverse events in children. However, larger studies are required to confirm these results.
Multiorgan failure in a fatal case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Authors: Anandappa Annabelle J. , Stefely Jonathan A. , Hasserjian Robert P. , Dzik Walter H. , Waheed Anem
Published: May 2021

Background

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) results in red blood cell destruction by auto‐antibodies directed against surface antigens and is rarely fatal. Here we describe a case of AIHA, refractory to both standard and experimental therapies, complicated by multiorgan failure, and rapidly leading to death.

Case report and results

A 65 year‐old man who presented with progressive dyspnea and jaundice was found to have hemolytic anemia. Diagnostic work‐up revealed a positive direct antiglobulin test and a strong pan‐reactive antibody in the plasma reacting to a titer of 1:1024 with strongest reactivity at 37 °C Coombs' phase with reagent anti‐IgG. The red cell eluate contained a pan‐agglutinin. The patient received multiple lines of treatment including glucocorticoids, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, eculizumab, splenectomy and etoposide. Despite these interventions, he continued to experience brisk hemolysis and remained transfusion dependent. Repeat testing on day 16 demonstrated persistent high titer IgG auto‐antibodies, suggesting minimal suppressive effect of therapy. His course was complicated by acute renal and liver failure, venous thrombosis, and worsening coagulopathy, and he ultimately died from multiorgan failure on day 18.

Conclusion

Severe cases of AIHA can result in multiorgan failure and a fatal outcome. The rapid development of liver failure in this setting has been described in only few case reports to date, and represents an important complication for clinicians to be aware of when treating patients with AIHA.
Soleus responses to Achilles tendon stimuli are suppressed by heel and enhanced by metatarsal cutaneous stimuli during standing
Authors: Mildren Robyn L. , Peters Ryan M. , Carpenter Mark G. , Blouin Jean‐Sébastien , Inglis J. Timothy
Published: May 2021

Key points

We examined the influence of cutaneous feedback from the heel and metatarsal regions of the foot sole on the soleus stretch reflex pathway during standing.

We found that heel electrical stimuli suppressed and metatarsal stimuli enhanced the soleus vibration response.

Follow‐up experiments indicated that the interaction between foot sole cutaneous feedback and the soleus vibration response was likely not mediated by presynaptic inhibition and was contingent upon a modulation at the ⍺‐motoneuron pool level.

The spatially organized interaction between cutaneous feedback from the foot sole and the soleus vibration response provides information about how somatosensory information is combined to appropriately respond to perturbations during standing.

Cutaneous feedback from the foot sole provides balance‐relevant information and has the potential to interact with spinal reflex pathways. In this study, we examined how cutaneous feedback from the foot sole (heel and metatarsals) influenced the soleus response to proprioceptive stimuli during standing. We delivered noisy vibration (10–115 Hz) to the right Achilles tendon while we intermittently applied electrical pulse trains (five 1‐ms pulses at 200 Hz, every 0.8–1.0 s) to the skin under either the heel or the metatarsals of the ipsilateral foot sole. We analysed time‐dependent (referenced to cutaneous stimuli) coherence and cross‐correlations between the vibration acceleration and rectified soleus EMG. Vibration–EMG coherence was observed across a bandwidth of ∼10–80 Hz, and coherence was suppressed by heel but enhanced by metatarsal cutaneous stimuli. Cross‐correlations showed soleus EMG was correlated with the vibration (∼40 ms lag) and cross‐correlations were also suppressed by heel (from 104–155 ms) but enhanced by metatarsal (from 76–128 ms) stimuli. To examine the neural mechanisms mediating this reflex interaction, we conducted two further experiments to probe potential contributions from (1) presynaptic inhibition, and (2) modulations at the ⍺‐ and γ‐motoneuron pools. Results suggest the cutaneous interactions with the stretch reflex pathway required a modulation at the ⍺‐motoneuron pool and were likely not mediated by presynaptic inhibition. These findings demonstrate that foot sole cutaneous information functionally tunes the stretch reflex pathway during the control of upright posture and balance.
Systematic Design, Control, and Parametric Testing of an Automated Resuscitator Bag Mechanical Ventilator
Authors: du Pasquier Cosima , Hewing Lukas , Steffen Nicola , Lumpe Thomas S. , Tatchatos Nikolaos , Menner Marcel , Schmid Daners Marianne , Carron Andrea , Zeilinger Melanie N. , Shea Kristina
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 crisis has revealed and exacerbated a shortage of mechanical ventilators in hospitals around the world, regardless of their government’s resources. Where some countries can respond to the situation by ordering more high-end ventilators, the price is often too high for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and securing them can be difficult. The goal of this work is to design, prototype, and test a low-cost ventilator, called ETH breathe, based on the automated compression of a resuscitator bag. A holistic and systematic design approach is taken to create a compact and adaptable device that can safely meet the current requirements. This is achieved by using 72% standard parts out of 33 (72%) and prioritizing compactness in the mechanical design. The control system is developed to provide both continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV) and spontaneous breathing support or assist control (AC), which significantly extends the potential use cases beyond patient sedation. The prototype is tested for accuracy, modularity, and oxygen response using a full physiological artificial lung. The results show for the first time in literature that the design operates within the defined requirements, based on emergency government regulations, and can be used with different sizes of resuscitator bags and different positions of the flow sensor. This provides a sound basis for further development of a low-cost, portable mechanical ventilator for potential use in LMICs.
Escherichia coli msbB
Gene as a Virulence Factor and a Therapeutic Target
Authors: Somerville John E. , Cassiano Linda , Darveau Richard P.
Published: May 2021

A mutation in the
msbB
gene of
Escherichia coli
results in the synthesis of
E. coli
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that lacks the myristic acid moiety of lipid A. Although such mutant
E. coli
cells and their purified LPS have a greatly reduced ability to stimulate human immune cells, a minor reduction in the mouse inflammatory response is observed. When the
msbB
mutation is transferred into a clinical isolate of
E. coli
, there is a significant loss in virulence, as assessed by lethality in BALB/c mice. When a cloned
msbB
gene is provided to functionally complement the
msbB
mutant, virulence returns, providing direct evidence that the
msbB
gene product is an important virulence factor in a murine model of
E. coli
pathogenicity. In the genetic background of the clinical
E. coli
isolate, the
msbB
mutation also results in filamentation of the cells at 37°C but not at 30°C, a reduction in the level of the K1 capsule, an increase in the level of complement C3 deposition, and an increase in both opsonic and nonopsonic phagocytosis of the
msbB
mutant, phenotypes that can help to explain the loss in virulence. The demonstration that the inhibition of
msbB
gene function reduces the virulence of
E. coli
in a mouse infection model warrants further investigation of the
msbB
gene product as a novel target for antibiotic therapy.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Enterobacter oligotrophicus
CCA3, Isolated from Leaf Soil
Authors: Akita Hironaga , Itoiri Yuya , Takeda Noriyo , Kimura Zen-ichiro , Inoue Hiroyuki , Matsushika Akinori
Published: May 2021

Enterobacter oligotrophicus
CCA3 was isolated from leaf soil collected in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
E. oligotrophicus
CCA3. The draft genome sequence of
E. oligotrophicus
CCA3 consists of 29 contigs of 4,425,100 bp, with a GC content of 54.2%.
Genome Sequence of a SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01 Strain Identified from a Patient Returning from London, England, to the Apulia Region of Italy
Authors: Loconsole Daniela , Sallustio Anna , Accogli Marisa , Centrone Francesca , Capozzi Loredana , Del Sambro Laura , Parisi Antonio , Chironna Maria
Published: May 2021

The coding-complete sequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was obtained from a sample from a 25-year-old female returning to the Apulia region of Italy from England. The characterized strain showed all of the spike protein mutations defining SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01, as well as other mutations in the spike protein and in other genomic regions.
Supplemental Material: New Ediacara-type fossils and late Ediacaran stratigraphy from the northern Qaidam Basin (China): Paleogeographic implications
Authors: Pang Ke , al. et
Published: May 2021

Stratigraphy and fossil descriptions, outcrop and fossil images, and specimen measurements.
Supplemental Material: 40Ar/39Ar age evidence for an impact-generated hydrothermal system in the Devonian Siljan crater, Sweden
Authors: Herrmann Maria
Published: May 2021

Supplemental Material 1: Item S1 (additional information on 40Ar/39Ar age spectra of biotite), and Item S2 (additional information on 40Ar/39Ar age spectra of amphibole); and Supplemental Material 2: Tables S1–S4 (Ar isotopic ratios, apparent ages, J values, Ar isotopic abundances, and Ca/K and Cl/K ratios).
Sclerosing cholangitis in a patient treated with nivolumab
Authors: Talbot Sam , MacLaren Vivienne , Lafferty Heather
Published: May 2021

A 69-year-old retired miner with stage 4 non-small-cell lung cancer presented with a 2-month history of obstructive liver function tests following nivolumab immunotherapy. His case had not responded to high dose prednisolone or mycophenolate and he was admitted for investigation. MR cholangiopancreatography demonstrated areas of intrahepatic biliary tree beading and stricturing, in keeping with sclerosing cholangitis. Prednisolone and mycophenolate were stopped and ursodeoxycholic acid commenced with subsequent partial improvement of the patient’s liver function tests.
Sarcoid-like reaction: a unique response to immunotherapy in malignant melanoma
Authors: Khalid Taha , Patel Asma , Ahmed Alina , Yousif Ala
Published: May 2021

In recent years, immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment landscape for oncology patients with improved survival rates in cancers which previously had a dismissal prognosis. These agents target specific pathways of inhibition such as programmed cell death -1 (PD-1), PD ligand-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 resulting in stimulation of T cell activity. This results in enabling an individual’s own immune system to fight against cancer, a different modality of treatment when compared with traditional chemotherapy. While attacking the tumour cells, there is an increased chance of host tissue immune reactions.

We report a case of a patient who received immunotherapy for metastatic malignant melanoma. During the course of the treatment, development of a sarcoid-like reaction was histologically confirmed in the mediastinal lymph nodes. The patient had no respiratory symptoms and continued on the immunotherapy treatment with good clinical and radiological response.
Spirituality and religion in residents and inter-relationships with clinical practice and residency training: a scoping review
Authors: Chow Hsin Han Elisha , Chew Qian Hui , Sim Kang
Published: May 2021

Objectives

With the increased emphasis on personalised, patient-centred care, there is now greater acceptance and expectation for the physician to address issues related to spirituality and religion (SR) during clinical consultations with patients. In light of the clinical need to improve SR-related training in residency, this review sought to examine the extant literature on the attitudes of residents regarding SR during residency training, impact on clinical care and psychological well-being of residents and SR-related curriculum implemented within various residency programmes.

Design

A scoping review was conducted on studies examining the topic of SR within residency training up until July 2020 on PubMed/Medline and Web of Science databases. Keywords for the literature search included: (Spirituality OR Religion) AND (Residen* OR “Postgraduate Medicine” OR “Post-graduate Medicine” OR “Graduate Medical Education”).

Results

Overall, 44 studies were included. The majority were conducted in North America (95.5%) predominantly within family medicine (29.5%), psychiatry (29.5%) and internal medicine (25%) residency programmes. While residents held positive attitudes about the role of SR and impact on patient care (such as better therapeutic relationship, treatment adherence and coping with illness), they often lacked the knowledge and skills to address these issues. Better spiritual well-being of residents was associated with greater sense of work accomplishment, overall self-rated health, decreased burnout and depressive symptoms. SR-related curricula varied from standalone workshops to continuous modules across the training years.

Conclusions

These findings suggest a need to better integrate appropriate SR-related education within residency training. Better engagement of the residents through different pedagogical strategies with supervision, feedback, reflective practice and ongoing faculty and peer support can enhance learning about SR in clinical care. Future studies should identify barriers to SR-related training and evaluate the outcomes of these SR-related curriculum including how they impact the well-being of patients and residents over time.
Non-fatal injuries in rural Burkina Faso amongst older adults, disease burden and health system responsiveness: a cross-sectional household survey
Authors: Whitaker John , Harling Guy , Sie Ali , Bountogo Mamadou , Hirschhorn Lisa R , Manne-Goehler Jennifer , Bärnighausen Till , Davies Justine
Published: May 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of injury as well as patient-reported health system responsiveness following injury and how this compares with non-injured patient experience, in older individuals in rural Burkina Faso.

Design

Cross-sectional household survey. Secondary analysis of the CRSN Heidelberg Ageing Study dataset.

Setting

Rural Burkina Faso.

Participants

3028 adults, over 40, from multiple ethnic groups, were randomly sampled from the 2015 Nouna Health and Demographic Surveillance Site census.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome was incidence of injury. Secondary outcomes were incidence of injury related disability and patient-reported health system responsiveness following injury.

Results

7.7% (232/3028) of the population reported injury in the preceding 12 months. In multivariable analyses, younger age, male sex, highest wealth quintile, an abnormal Generalised Anxiety Disorder score and lower Quality of Life score were all associated with injury. The most common mechanism of injury was being struck or hit by an object, 32.8%. In multivariable analysis, only education was significantly negatively associated with odds of disability (OR 0.407, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.997). Across all survey participants, 3.9% (119/3028) reported their most recent care seeking episode was following injury, rather than for another condition. Positive experience and satisfaction with care were reported following injury, with shorter median wait times (10 vs 20 min, p=0.002) and longer consultation times (20 vs 15 min, p=0.002) than care for another reason. Injured patients were also asked to return to health facilities more often than those seeking care for another reason, 81.4% (95% CI 73.1% to 87.9%) vs 54.8% (95% CI 49.9% to 53.6%).

Conclusions

Injury is an important disease burden in this older adult rural low-income and middle-income country population. Further research could inform preventative strategies, including safer rural farming methods, explore the association between adverse mental health and injury, and strengthen health system readiness to provide quality care.
Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT). A population screening study with follow-up: the case for multiple time-point screening for autism
Authors: Allison Carrie , Matthews Fiona E , Ruta Liliana , Pasco Greg , Soufer Renee , Brayne Carol , Charman Tony , Baron-Cohen Simon
Published: May 2021

Objective

This is a prospective population screening study for autism in toddlers aged 18–30 months old using the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT), with follow-up at age 4.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Luton, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire in the UK.

Participants

13 070 toddlers registered on the Child Health Surveillance Database between March 2008 and April 2009, with follow-up at age 4; 3770 (29%) were screened for autism at 18–30 months using the Q-CHAT and the Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST) at follow-up at age 4.

Interventions

A stratified sample across the Q-CHAT score distribution was invited for diagnostic assessment (phase 1). The 4-year follow-up included the CAST and the Checklist for Referral (CFR). All with CAST ≥15, phase 1 diagnostic assessment or with developmental concerns on the CFR were invited for diagnostic assessment (phase 2). Standardised diagnostic assessment at both time-points was conducted to establish the test accuracy of the Q-CHAT.

Main outcome measures

Consensus diagnostic outcome at phase 1 and phase 2.

Results

At phase 1, 3770 Q-CHATs were returned (29% response) and 121 undertook diagnostic assessment, of whom 11 met the criteria for autism. All 11 screened positive on the Q-CHAT. The positive predictive value (PPV) at a cut-point of 39 was 17% (95% CI 8% to 31%). At phase 2, 2005 of 3472 CASTs and CFRs were returned (58% response). 159 underwent diagnostic assessment, including 82 assessed in phase 1. All children meeting the criteria for autism identified via the Q-CHAT at phase 1 also met the criteria at phase 2. The PPV was 28% (95% CI 15% to 46%) after phase 1 and phase 2.

Conclusions

The Q-CHAT can be used at 18–30 months to identify autism and enable accelerated referral for diagnostic assessment. The low PPV suggests that for every true positive there would, however, be ~4–5 false positives. At follow-up, new cases were identified, illustrating the need for continued surveillance and rescreening at multiple time-points using developmentally sensitive instruments. Not all children who later receive a diagnosis of autism are detectable during the toddler period.
Development of a qualitative real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: a guide and case study in setting up an emergency-use, laboratory-developed molecular microbiological assay
Authors: Anahtar Melis N , Shaw Bennett M , Slater Damien , Byrne Elizabeth H , Botti-Lodovico Yolanda , Adams Gordon , Schaffner Stephen F , Eversley Jacqueline , McGrath Graham E G , Gogakos Tasos , Lennerz Jochen , Marble Hetal Desai , Ritterhouse Lauren L , Batten Julie M , Georgantas N Zeke , Pellerin Rebecca , Signorelli Sylvia , Thierauf Julia , Kemball Molly , Happi Christian , Grant Donald S , Ndiaye Daouda , Siddle Katherine J , Mehta Samar B , Harris Jason B , Ryan Edward T , Pierce Virginia M , LaRocque Regina C , Lemieux Jacob E , Sabeti Pardis C , Rosenberg Eric S , Branda John A , Turbett Sarah E
Published: May 2021

Developing and deploying new diagnostic tests are difficult, but the need to do so in response to a rapidly emerging pandemic such as COVID-19 is crucially important. During a pandemic, laboratories play a key role in helping healthcare providers and public health authorities detect active infection, a task most commonly achieved using nucleic acid-based assays. While the landscape of diagnostics is rapidly evolving, PCR remains the gold-standard of nucleic acid-based diagnostic assays, in part due to its reliability, flexibility and wide deployment. To address a critical local shortage of testing capacity persisting during the COVID-19 outbreak, our hospital set up a molecular-based laboratory developed test (LDT) to accurately and safely diagnose SARS-CoV-2. We describe here the process of developing an emergency-use LDT, in the hope that our experience will be useful to other laboratories in future outbreaks and will help to lower barriers to establishing fast and accurate diagnostic testing in crisis conditions.
Development length of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar based on non-uniform bond stress
Authors: Makhmalbaf Elyas , Razaqpur A. Ghani
Published: May 2021

Due to the assumption of uniform bond stress, the development length of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bars by design standards can be unnecessarily long and difficult to provide in practice. Hence, the bond stress distribution and required development length of a glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar is investigated. Four beam-bond specimens, two following RILEM specifications and two based on a procedure by ACI are tested to evaluate the effect of test method on bond strength. Ten pullout tests are also performed using the same bar. The two test methods yield similar results, but the ACI test is easier to perform. The bond stress distribution in the beams is highly nonlinear but in the pullout tests approaches uniformity. The actual development length is found to be 50% to 250% less than that required by the aforementioned standards. Consequently, a new equation is proposed based on the logistic growth function to model the non-uniform bond stress distribution and estimate the required development length.
Development of ion recoil energy distributions in the Coulomb explosion of argon clusters resolved by charge-state selective ion energy spectroscopy
Authors: Komar D. , Kazak L. , Meiwes-Broer K-H. , Tiggesbäumker J.
Published: May 2021

The laser intensity dependence of the recoil energies from the Coulomb explosion of small argon clusters has been investigated by resolving the contributions of the individual charge states to the ion recoil energy spectra. Between $$10^{14}$$

10
14

and $$10^{15}$$

10
15

W/cm$$^2$$

2

, the high-energy tail of the ion energy spectra changes its shape and develops into the well-known knee feature, which results from the cluster size distribution, laser focal averaging, and ionization saturation. Resolving the contributions of the different charge states to the recoil energies, the experimental data reveal that the basic assumption of an exploding homogeneously charged sphere cannot be maintained in general. In fact, the energy spectra of the high-q show distinct gaps in the yields at low kinetic energies, which hints at more complex radial ion charge distributions developing during the laser pulse impact.
Temperature coefficient of Young’s modulus of silver microwhiskers determined by a laser Doppler vibration measurement
Authors: Jiang Yijun , Lu Mingyuan , Wang Shiliang , Huang Han
Published: May 2021

Temperature dependence of Young’s modulus of Ag microwhiskers was determined by a laser Doppler vibrometer. The Ag whiskers with diameters in sub-microns were synthesized by the use of physical vapor deposition (PVD). They have a five-fold twinned structure grown along the [1 1 0] direction. The temperature coefficient of Young’s modulus was measured to be [Formula: see text] ppm/K in the range of 300 K to 650 K. The measured values are very close to the reported values of [Formula: see text] ppm/K for bulk Ag single crystals. This finding can benefit the design of Ag-based micro/nano-electromechanical systems or micro/nano-interconnectors operated at elevated or lowered temperatures.
Stochastic Simulation on a Minimal Model of Cancer Immunoediting Theory
Authors: Núñez-López Mayra , Hernández-López Eymard , Delgado Joaquín
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we explore the interplay between tumor cells and the human immune system, based on a deterministic mathematical model of minimal interactions by transforming it to stochastic model using a continuous-time Markov chain, where time is continuous but the state space is discrete. Furthermore, we simulate the stochastic basin of attraction to verify the behavior of the three critical points of interest in the deterministic system. Moreover, the stochastic simulations exemplify the cancer immunoediting theory in its three phases of development: elimination, equilibrium and escape. We extend the minimum model proposed in [DeLisi & Rescigno, 1977] to include a term of immunotherapy by lymphocyte injection, and we simulate two treatment regimes, equilibrium and escape, under several schemes.
Bifurcations in 2D Spatiotemporal Maps
Authors: Sahari Mohamed Lamine , Taha Abdel-Kaddous , Randriamihamison Louis
Published: May 2021

In this work, we give theoretical and numerical analyses for local bifurcations of 2D spatiotemporal discrete systems of the form [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a real nonlinear function, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are two independent integer variables, representing respectively a spatial coordinate and the time. On the basis of the spectral theory, we derive the conditions under which the local bifurcations such as flip and fold occur at the fixed points for some parameter values. As a case-study, a quite complex system, [Formula: see text]D spatiotemporal dynamic given by two coupled logistic maps, named [Formula: see text]D logistic coupled maps ([Formula: see text]D-LCM) is considered. The proposed map provides a reliable experimental and theoretical basis for identifying some cases of local bifurcations.
Complexity and Control of Multichannel Supply Chain Under Carbon Tax Policy
Authors: Tian Yi , Ma Junhai , Wang Zongxian , Xie Lei
Published: May 2021

Considering the trends of the carbon tax and online retail market, a comparative study on the order quantity strategy of supply chain under two carbon tax policies are conducted. A multichannel supply chain model is constructed in this work under the flat carbon tax policy and progressive carbon tax policy. The complexity of the supply chain under the channel heterogeneity expectations is studied. The impacts of consumers’ dual preferences and the free-riding of each channel on the system complexity, profits, carbon emissions and social welfare are explored. This study indicates that the supply chain order quantity system under the two types of carbon tax policies will enter into an unstable state with changes in consumers’ preferences and free-riding parameters. In order to positively impact on the profits of all parties, government revenue, consumer surplus, and the environment, the system should be kept in stable region. Consumers’ preferences and free-riding have more obvious influence on the social welfare under the progressive emission carbon tax policy than the flat carbon tax policy. In contrast to the flat carbon tax policy, the progressive carbon tax policy can delay or even prevent the order quantity system from entering into the bifurcation and chaos area, and the chaos control effect under the progressive carbon tax policy is better. The present work expands the practical application scenarios of complex system theory and thereby has an important theoretical and practical value.
Bifurcations and Exact Traveling Wave Solutions in Two Nonlinear Wave Systems
Authors: Zhou Yan , Zhuang Jinsen , Li Jibin
Published: May 2021

This paper studies two nonlinear wave models. From the dynamical systems approach and using the singular traveling wave theory developed by [Li & Chen, 2007], all possible bounded solutions (solitary wave solutions, periodic wave solutions, as well as kink and anti-kink wave solutions) are obtained under different parameter conditions. More than 27 explicit exact parametric representations are derived. The new results complete the recent studies of [Rogers et al., 2020; Zayeda et al., 2020].
Limit Cycles of a Kind of Nonsmooth Differential Systems with Two Switching Lines
Authors: Yang Jihua
Published: May 2021

This paper is concerned with the number of limit cycles of nonsmooth differential systems [Formula: see text] under nonsmooth perturbations of polynomials of degree at most [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. We first obtain the detailed expansion of the first Melnikov function by computing its generators for [Formula: see text]. Then by using the expansion, we give the upper bounds for the number of limit cycles bifurcating from each period annulus for two cases: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text].
THE INCLUSIVE ORGANISATION: MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF EMPLOYEE-DRIVEN INNOVATION (EDI)
Authors: BÄCKSTRÖM IZABELLE , MOSLEH WAFA SAID
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study is to explore the inclusive involvement of non-R&D and non-managerial employees’ in processes of innovation. It answers a contemporary call for research to investigate a wider scope of organisations in the quest for understanding the interaction between employees and managers in employee-driven innovation (EDI). Based on a qualitative research study of two global corporations, this paper poses the following research question: How does the EDI approach manifest as a new management practice and thereby influence the interaction between employees and managers? By applying a critical discourse analysis, findings reveal that the production, distribution, and consumption of the EDI discourse are pervaded by a dynamic tension in the power relation between the top-level management and employees. While management enforces the impression that the EDI process is inclusive and engaging, employees remain critical to the contrasting way it is communicated.
Preparation of MoS2–Ag/g-C3N4 Composite for Rhodamine B Degradation
Authors: Ma Tian , Xia Xueqing , Liu Chengbao , Tang Fei , Jin Tao , Qian Junchao , Chen Zhigang
Published: May 2021

Layered g-C3N4 was obtained through secondary calcination, and the MoS2–Ag/g-C3N4 catalyst was prepared via hydrothermal and light deposition methods. XRD, SEM and TEM results proved that the MoS2–Ag/g-C3N4 sandwich biscuit structure was successfully obtained, and the sharper diffraction peak of MoS2–Ag/g-C3N4 than g-C3N4 or MoS2 is attributed to the synergistic crystallinity effect. SPR effect of Ag increases the electron transport time, which effectively prolonging the survival time of electron–hole pairs. Compared the degradation performance of 10[Formula: see text]mg/L rhodamine B (RhB) with different ratios of materials, 10[Formula: see text]wt.% MoS2–Ag/g-C3N4 has the highest degradation property. The degradation rate remains at 87.2% under the best condition after four cycles proved that the MoS2–Ag/g-C3N4 composite possesses good stability.
Order shrinkage and selection for the INGARCH(p,q) model
Authors: Tian Yuan , Wang Dehui , Wang Xinyang
Published: May 2021

The integer-valued generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (INGARCH) model is often utilized to describe data in biostatistics, such as the number of people infected with dengue fever, daily epileptic seizure counts of an epileptic patient and the number of cases of campylobacterosis infections, etc. Since the structure of such data is generally high-order and sparse, studies about order shrinkage and selection for the model attract many attentions. In this paper, we propose a penalized conditional maximum likelihood (PCML) method to solve this problem. The PCML method can effectively select significant orders and estimate the parameters, simultaneously. Some simulations and a real data analysis are carried out to illustrate the usefulness of our method.
Exploring the electromechanical response and electric field-induced dielectric anomalies in PMN–PT electroceramics
Authors: Guerra J. D. S. , Guarany C. A. , Lima E. C. , Araújo E. B. , Garcia J. E.
Published: May 2021

Electromechanical and dielectric properties of PMN–PT ferroelectric ceramics are investigated. In particular, dielectric response studies focus on the investigation of the influence of the DC applied electric field on the dielectric permittivity as a function of temperature and frequency. Results reveal an electric field driven dielectric anomaly in the dielectric permittivity curves, [Formula: see text], which in turn prevails in the whole ferroelectric phase region and continuously vanishes for temperatures near the paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transition temperature. A schematic model for the domains dynamics of the studied material is proposed taking into account the simultaneous contribution of both 90[Formula: see text] and 180[Formula: see text] domains walls.
ANN approaches to determine the dielectric strength improvement of MgO based low density polyethylene nanocomposite
Authors: Haggag Sherif , Nasrat Loai , Ismail Hanafy
Published: May 2021

This paper presents the modification occurred to the dielectric strength feature of low density polyethylene compounded with nano magnesia (LDPE/MgO). MgO nanoparticles were prepared using sol–gel technique, MgO filler surface was functionalized to improve the interfacial bonding. Specimen’s groups of composites with different filler concentrations were fabricated by mix blend method. Samples exposed to various salinity media by immersion, dielectric strength test was applied on each set according to relevant ASTM standard with identical testing technique. The results were statistically processed then compared to the pristine material. Tests results utilized to learn Artificial Neural Network in order to acquire the value of dielectric strength of compounds having similar composition but containing different doping amounts or influenced with various salinity level media. The dielectric strength is enhanced by the addition of MgO nanofiller. From the investigation of the obtained results, it is concluded that additives of 1.4% filler concentration by weight is the optimum MgO content for LDPE/MgO nanofiller material. We think that this paper may promote a good researching methodology that gather both empirical work and numerical tools in this field.
Structural, Electrical and Optical Properties of Zinc and Tungsten Modified Lead Titanate Ceramics for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Parida S. K.
Published: May 2021

A novel lead zinc titanate tungsten oxide (PbZn[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] single perovskite was synthesized employing a cost-effective solid-state reaction technique. A phase transition occurs from tetragonal (P4mm) to monoclinic (C2/m) after substituting zinc (Zn) and tungsten (W) into the B-site of the pure lead titanate. The average crystallite size and micro-lattice strain are 66.2[Formula: see text]nm and 0.159%, respectively, calculated by the Williamson–Hall method. The grains are uniformly distributed through well-defined grain boundaries and the average grain size is about 17.8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m analyzed from the SEM micrograph. Raman spectrum suggests the presence of all constituent elements in the sample. The UV–Visible study suggests that the sample is suitable for photovoltaic applications because of high bandgap energy [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]eV. The dielectric study confirms the negative temperature coefficient resistance (NTCR) behavior of the sample. The activation energy increases from 13.9[Formula: see text]meV to 142[Formula: see text]meV with a rise of temperature suggesting that ac conductivity is thermally activated. The thermally activated relaxation process was managed by immobile charge carriers at low temperatures while defects and oxygen vacancies at higher temperatures. The presence of the asymmetrical curves in modulus plots confirms the non-Debye-type behavior. Both Nyquist and Cole–Cole semi-circular arcs confirm the semiconductor nature of the sample.
Day-of-the-week effect: A sectoral analysis of Pakistan stock exchange
Authors: Naz Farah , Zahra Kanwal , Ahmad Muhammad , Riaz Salman
Published: May 2021

This study scrutinizes the day-of-the-week effect anomaly in the context of market and industry analysis of the Pakistan stock exchange. For this purpose, daily closing prices of KSE-100, KSE-30, and KSE-All Share Index from January 01, 2009 to December 31, 2018, have been used. Similarly, sector returns are also calculated, taking average log-returns of selected sample firms. To analyze the data ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, general generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) (1,1) as well as asymmetric threshold GARCH (TGARCH) and exponential GARCH (EGARCH) models have been employed to model the leverage effect of good and bad news on market volatility. The results indicate the evidence of daily seasonality, with significant Monday and Wednesday effect in PSX indices returns as well as in most of the industry returns. Monday is found to be the day with the highest average returns with the highest return volatility. The findings of the study reveal that there exists a weak form of inefficiency in the Pakistan Stock Market, which implies the possibility of earning abnormal returns by investors using timing strategies. In terms of return predictability, this study is essential for international and domestic investors and it may affect their investment strategy and return management. The results might be interesting to the financial experts as they ponder the available conditions in the capital market for financial decision-making. This study is one of its first kind that includes both indices as well as industry returns for analysis of manufacturing industries in Pakistan stock exchange.
Design of LSM-tree-based Key-value SSDs with Bounded Tails
Authors: Im Junsu , Bae Jinwook , Chung Chanwoo , Arvind  , Lee Sungjin
Published: May 2021

Key-value store based on a log-structured merge-tree (LSM-tree) is preferable to hash-based key-value store, because an LSM-tree can support a wider variety of operations and show better performance, especially for writes. However, LSM-tree is difficult to implement in the resource constrained environment of a key-value SSD (KV-SSD), and, consequently, KV-SSDs typically use hash-based schemes. We present
PinK
, a design and implementation of an LSM-tree-based KV-SSD, which compared to a hash-based KV-SSD, reduces 99th percentile tail latency by 73%, improves average read latency by 42%, and shows 37% higher throughput. The key idea in improving the performance of an LSM-tree in a resource constrained environment is to avoid the use of Bloom filters and instead, use a small amount of DRAM to
keep/pin
the top levels of the LSM-tree. We also find that PinK is able to provide a flexible design space for a wide range of KV workloads by leveraging the read-write tradeoff in LSM-trees.
Understanding Diffusion and Electrochemical Reduction of Li+ Ions in Liquid Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Martin Witness , Tian Yang , Xiao Jie
Published: May 2021

Lithium metal has drawn significant interest as an anode material for next generation lithium (Li) batteries. However, due to its propensity to form dendrites in commonly used electrolytes during repeated cycling, it has not yet been commercialized in secondary batteries. The formation of a Li protrusion is determined by the relative speed of Li+ ions being reduced and how fast they can be replenished in the vincinity of electrode. However, it is very difficult to quantify such kinetic parameters of Li+ ion in different electrolytes, not mentioning the identification of the desired electrolyte recipe to mitigate Li dendrite formation. Herein, we use microelectrodes to study the growth mechanism of electroplated Li by measuring the Li+ diffusion coefficient (DLi) and exchange current density (io) in different electrolytes. The different Li morphologies formed on microelectrodes are well correlated to their diffusion rate and electrochemical reduction speed on the electrode, providing a fast electrochemical tool to screen compatible electrolytes for Li metal batteries.
Tunable Pseudocapacitive Intercalation of Chloroaluminate Anions into Graphite Electrodes for Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries
Authors: Xu Jeffrey H. , Schoetz Theresa , McManus Joseph R. , Subramanian Vikesh R. , Fields Peter W. , Messinger Robert J.
Published: May 2021

Rechargeable aluminum-graphite batteries using chloroaluminate-containing electrolytes have been the focus of significant research, particularly due to their high-rate capabilities. Engineered graphite electrodes have been shown to exhibit supercapacitor-like rate performance, despite the fact they store charge via the electrochemical intercalation of polyatomic AlCl4
− anions. However, the origins of such rate capabilities are not well understood. Here, using electrochemical techniques, we disentangle quantitatively the diffusion-limited Faradaic, pseudocapacitive, and capacitive contributions to charge storage, revealing that AlCl4
− anions intercalate into graphite with significant pseudocapacitive characteristics due to low ion diffusion limitations. Pristine and mildly exfoliated graphites are compared, where exfoliation resulted in significantly higher pseudocapacitive AlCl4
− intercalation at the highest potential redox pair as well as higher galvanostatic capacity retention at faster discharge rates. The relationships between graphite structure, ion mass transport, and the overall rate of electrochemical AlCl4
− intercalation are discussed. Ion diffusion within the electrolyte phase of the porous electrode is shown to play a key role in controlling the rate of intercalation at higher potentials and faster rates, which can be enhanced by reducing electrode tortuosity. The results establish that chloroaluminate anion intercalation into graphite exhibits non-diffusion-limited pseudocapacitive contributions that are tunable by modifying the graphite structure.
Communication—Voltammetry of Lanthanide (III) Triflates Accessible in Acetonitrile at Nafion Modified Electrodes
Authors: Knoche Gupta Krysti L. , Rathuwadu Nadeesha P. W. , Leddy Johna
Published: May 2021

Lanthanides are common in catalysis and advanced technologies, but difficult to assess voltammetrically. Voltammetry for seven lanthanide(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate complexes Ln(OTf)3 is enabled at Nafion® modified platinum electrodes in acetonitrile. Voltammetric morphologies for La3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Dy3+, and Yb3+ trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) complexes exhibit reduction waves between 0.2 to 0.1 V and −0.7 to −0.8 V vs NHE with coupled chemical processes.
Thermodynamic Design of Electrolyte for CuO/Cu2O Bilayer by Anodic Electrodeposition
Authors: Miura Ryutaro , Kitada Atsushi , Fukami Kazuhiro , Murase Kuniaki
Published: May 2021

Electrodeposition of multilayered semiconductors requires a bath design to electrodeposit the upper layer(s) without dissolving the base layer(s) below. We present herein a reliable approach to bath design based on thermodynamics from the viewpoint of complexation with ligands. A CuO/Cu2O bilayer film was targeted as an example. We searched a thermodynamic database of complexation constants for ligands that could form a complex with Cu(II) but not with Cu(I), and identified monoethanolamine as one of the best candidates. Using a Cu(II)-monoethanolamine alkaline aqueous bath, we experimentally confirmed that a CuO upper layer could be deposited without dissolving the Cu2O base layer. We believe that this design is applicable to other bilayer films produced by electrochemical techniques.
Decision-Making for Fire Emergency of Urban Rail Transit Based on Prospect Theory
Authors: Wang Yuning , Liang Yingzi , Sun Hui , Yang Yufei
Published: May 2021

Fire emergency response of urban rail transit is a complex multiattribute risk decision-making problem. In emergency response analysis, it is necessary to consider the psychological behaviors of decision-makers such as reference dependence, loss aversion, and judge distortion. Applying different emergency plans can intervene the development and evolution of urban rail emergency fire and may even result in different levels of casualties and property losses. For this situation, this paper proposes an emergency response decision-making method based on prospect theory. First, according to the prospect theory, this paper quantitatively describes the comprehensive psychological perception of decision-makers for casualties and property losses in different situations. Then, the psychological perception of decision-makers for the important levels of different situations is calculated. Third, according to the situation comprehensive values, situation weights, and the cost inputs of emergency plans, the comprehensive prospect values of each emergency plan are calculated, and the fire emergency plans can be ranked based on comprehensive prospect value. At last, the fire emergency disposal of Tianjin rail transportation line 3 is considered as the background in this paper. The feasibility and effectiveness of the purposed method is illustrated through the case study.