bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical heterodyne detected transient grating (OHD-TG) studies on the reactive and non-reactive resonant systems
Authors: Xu Qing-Hua , Ma Ying-Zhong , Fleming Graham R.
Published: February 2020

Four-wave mixing spectroscopic methods such as the transient grating (TG) method have been widely applied to the study of photophysical and photochemical processes in the condensed phase. Conventional TG measurements are usually performed in a homodyne manner and the signal is proportional to the modulus sqaured of the third-order polarization P(3). The dynamic time constants were usually extracted by doubling the fitting results [1], which assumes that the real and imaginary components follow the same dynamics. In this work, we carried out heterodyne detection of the TG signals with a simplified diffractive optics method to measure the real and imaginary components of P(3) separately. Our results show that the above assumption is true in the simple two-level system, while very different real and imaginary response were observed for a multi-level system.
Ultrafast interfacial electron transfer from conjugated polymers to inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles
Authors: Anderson Neil A. , Ai Xin , Lian Tianquan
Published: February 2020

There has been intense recent interest in composite materials of conjugated polymers with inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles, especially as potential materials for solar energy conversion [1,2]. Fast and efficient charge separation is a critical factor in optimizing the efficiency of such materials. Charge transfer between conjugated polymer and nanoparticle is a fundamental problem that is still poorly understood. It differs from dye-sensitized nanoparticles, because optical excitations in polymers are extended over a few monomer units and the excitations are mobile along the polymer chain. It also differs from electron tunneling through a junction between two solids, which is commonly dealt with in solid state devices. In polymer materials, the detailed nature of the polymer will have a determining effect on the interfacial dynamics. A fundamental understanding of interfacial ET dynamics will require systematic examination of various parameters of polymer, semiconductors and their interface.
Charge carrier recombination in conjugated polymers studied by field-assisted femtosecond spectroscopy
Authors: Virgili T. , Lanzani G. , Cerullo G. , Gadermaier C. , Lüer L. , De Silvestri S. , Bradley D.D.C.
Published: February 2020

Electroluminescence in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) arises from recombination of the injected positive and negative charges, to form singlet excitons, and their subsequent radiative decay [1]. The quantum efficiency η of this process was thought to have an upper limit of 25%, given by the statistics of spin multiplicity: in fact for recombination of an electron-hole pair there are four possible microstates, of which three are triplet (non emissive) states and only one is a luminescent singlet state. Recent experimental and theoretical work [2-4], however, showed that higher values of η are possible. Since η is equal to σS/(σS+3σT), where σS(T) is the cross section of charge recombination into singlet (triplet) states, the results were explained postulating higher values for σS with respect to σT.
Probing solvation dynamics at aqueous lipid-membrane interfaces with 3-pulse photon-echo peak-shifts
Authors: Bürsing Helge , Kundu Santi , Vöhringer Peter
Published: February 2020

Three-pulse photon-echo peak-shift (3PEPS) experiments were performed to explore structural relaxations relevant to solvation of a cyanine dye non-covalently anchored to aqueous interfaces of unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. The influence of the lipid polymorphism is studied through the temperature-dependence of the 3PEPS decay. As opposed to the main order/disorder phase transition connected with packing phenomena in the hydrophobic membrane core, the rippled-to-gel pre-transition strongly affects the solvation response on time scales below 2 ps. This finding indicates that the pre-transition is connected with structural modifications of the hydration shell surrounding the polar head groups and is consistent with a dehydration of the interface.
Protein dynamics of bacteriorhodopsin probed by photon echo and transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Kennis John T.M. , Larsen Delmar S. , Ohta Kaoru , Facciotti Marc T. , Glaeser Robert M. , Fleming Graham R.
Published: February 2020

The outcome of a photochemical reaction in the condensed phase depends on the nature of the reacting chromophore and its environment, which may for instance be a liquid, glass or a protein. In liquids, solvation dynamics has been well characterized, primarily through the use of time-resolved fluorescence and photon echo techniques, combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations [1]. Two solvation components are often observed: a fast inertial response, occurring on a timescale less than 100 fs, followed by a slower, diffusive component on a picosecond timescale. The inertial response often accounts for half the total reorganization energy or more, and entails independent, underdamped motion of the solvent molecules in their native potential wells. The diffusive component represents the reorientation of the solvent molecules into a new equilibrium, whereby the nuclei may hop between different potential wells. It involves collective motions of the solvent molecules, like librations and large rotations. It is thought that the diffusive solvent rearrangement plays an important role in chemical reactivity, as it may reduce reaction barriers and stabilize reaction intermediates [2].
Coherent vibrational dynamics of green fluorescent proteins and blue coppers proteins
Authors: Cerullo G. , Zavelani-Rossi M. , De Silvestri S. , Pellegrini V. , Beltram F. , Cannistraro S.
Published: February 2020

Femtosecond spectroscopy enables to follow in real time, in molecules and solids, vibrational motions coupled to the electronic transition; the availability of light pulses with duration of just a few optical cycles allows to access modes with frequencies up to 2000 cm-1. Time-domain vibrational spectroscopy is complementary to frequency-domain Raman spectroscopy, providing information also on nuclear dynamics in the excited state and on the shape of the potential energy surfaces. There have been only few reports of observation of coherent vibrational dynamics in biomolecules, such as proteins [1-3]; studies under normal operating conditions, i.e. at room temperature and in physiological solution, are challenging because of the fast dephasing times.
Phase-Dependent Ultrafast Carrier and Lattice Relaxation: Amorphous, Crystalline, and Nanocrystalline Silicon
Authors: Liu J. , Myers K.E. , Zhang C.P. , Young J.E. , Wang Q. , Nelson B.P. , Dexheimer S.L.
Published: February 2020

The degree of order in a semiconductor lattice plays a fundamental role in determining the electronic properties of the material. In this work, we have investigated the fast carrier and lattice dynamics in silicon-based semiconductor materials in which the degree of structural order has been systematically varied. The high time resolution of our measurements has allowed us to definitively establish the time scale for the fundamental carrier thermalization process in amorphous silicon, and comparison of the nature of the response in the amorphous and crystalline phases indicates that the degree of order has a dramatic impact on the associated lattice relaxation processes. The results provide a basis for understanding the fast carrier processes in heterogeneous nanocrystalline materials.
Detection of carrier-envelope phase shift in picosecond lasers
Authors: Ell R. , Seitz W. , Schibli T. R. , Morgner U. , Kärtner F. X.
Published: February 2020

Recently, coherent superposition of two independently mode-locked, but spectrally overlapping Ti:sapphire laser oscillators has been demonstrated by means of external active control [1]. This concept opens up new perspectives in metrology with femtosecond mode combs (see e.g. [2, 3]), and might lead to phase coherent emission over much broader bandwidth as is possible from a single mode-locked laser (e.g. [4]). The corresponding pulses may reach the single-cycle regime.
Photo-excitation of coherent acoustic phonons in InSb
Authors: Cummings M. D. , Elezzabi A. Y.
Published: February 2020

We report on the first direct time -resolved measurement of coherent longitudinal acoustic phonon modes in highly photo-excited InSb. The impulsive nature of the excitation mechanism and an anisotropic softening of the InSb lattice are observed.
Lucilius and Nigidius Figulus on orthographic iconicity
Authors: Mancini Marco
Published: February 2020

The comic poet Lucilius proposed several orthographic prescriptions in the ninth book of hisSatirae, written in the period 115–110 BC. In dealing with this topic, Lucilius severely criticized Accius’ statements on orthography, refusing his proposals of doubling vowels (“geminatio vocalium”) and overgeneralization of  for /i:/. Lucilius’ prescriptions, which were borrowed by the philosopher Nigidius Figulus a century later, clearly follow the iconical principles of the pseudo-Stoicσυμπάσχειν-theory. In this paper a new interpretation of the orthographic iconicity in Lucilius’ and Nigidius’ doctrine is proposed, with reference to the case morphemes of *-ŏ- and *-ā- stems. As a matter of fact, “thickening” and “thinning” of the letter-forms (addĕrevstenuāre,pinguisvstenuis) can be satisfactorily explained only by taking account of  andspellings in a cursive script (namely  vs ). Finally, the key to explain the technical termstenuis‘thin’ vspinguis‘thick’ is traced back to an ancient metaphor of the wool-spinning practices.
‘English is always proportional to one’s wealth’: English, English language education, and social reproduction in South Korea
Authors: Choi Lee Jin
Published: February 2020

While quality English language education is not equally accessible in many EFL countries, neoliberalism and its ideology of language as a neutral skill that everyone can acquire has obscured inequalities caused by the heavy emphasis on English as a dominant world language. Using South Korea as an example, I examine how individuals, especially young adults, living in the neoliberal market economy perceive and recognize the overwhelming emphasis on English as a dominant world language and its underlying mechanisms that contribute to social reproduction in EFL countries. In analyzing the popular Korean discourse Theory of Spoon Class (sujeogyegeublon), I examine how English is beginning to be recognized as an active tool to maintain and solidify social class reproduction, and how the construction of English as a purchasable good then results in feelings of despair, hopelessness and resentment among individuals, especially young adults who need to survive in the precarious job market with rising unemployment rates and prolonged economic stagnation.
Person reference and recognition in shift handovers: An analysis of interactions between Japanese and international care workers
Authors: Mori Junko , Shima Chiharu
Published: February 2020

The current study examines how Japanese and international care workers at a geriatric healthcare facility in Japan manage one of the most fundamental elements of handover interactions – person reference and recognition to identify a particular care receiver and discuss their specific conditions and needs. By using Conversation analysis (CA) as a central mode of inquiry, this study examines how the participants approach the establishment of referential common ground while simultaneously attending to the progressivity of ongoing activity, and how written records on care receivers are incorporated into the process. The juxtaposition of three international care workers’ performances effectively illustrates how the international care workers’ performative competence is co-constructed with their Japanese colleagues in this interactive process and how the participants exhibit different kinds of orientations towards the activity arranged for the dual purpose of actual handover and for the international care workers’ language learning and socialization. As a contribution to a growing body of CA studies of second language talk at work, this study considers possible tensions between engaging in a language-learning activity regarding specific linguistic elements during a particular professional activity and learning to become a competent actor in the particular activity.
Responsiveness and longitudinal validity of the Persian version of COMI to physiotherapy in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain
Authors: Komesh Shiva , Nakhostin Ansari Noureddin , Naghdi Soofia , Alaei Parisa , Hasson Scott , Kordi Ramin
Published: February 2020

Background and aims

The Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) is a short, self-reported questionnaire for assessing important outcomes in patients with low back pain (LBP). The present study was conducted to explore the responsiveness and longitudinal validity of the Persian COMI (COMI-P) in patients with non-specific chronic LBP.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study of patients with non-specific chronic LBP receiving physiotherapy, patients completed a booklet containing the COMI-P, Persian Functional Rating Index (FRI-P), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain before and after the end of ten-sessions of physiotherapy. Patients also completed a global rating of change scale (GRCS) at the end of the physiotherapy. Responsiveness was examined by means of internal responsiveness methods [t-test, standard effect size (SES); standardized response mean (SRM), and Guyatt responsiveness index (GRI)] and external responsiveness methods [correlation with external criteria and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve].

Results

Fifty patients with a mean age of 50.62 ± 13.8 years participated. The paired t-test showed significant changes in COMI-P scores (p < 0.001). The effect sizes for COMI-P were large (range 0.96–1.23). The score changes for the COMI-P revealed significant correlations with FRI-P (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), the VAS (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), and the GRCS (r = 0.34, p = 0.02). The COMI-P change scores showed excellent correlation with the dichotomized smallest detectable change (SDC) criterion (r = 0.83, p < 0.001). The ROC area under the curve for the COMI-P based on the dichotomized SDC criterion was perfect. The minimal clinically important change was estimated 2.15 points (sensitivity 94% and specificity 100%).

Conclusions

The COMI-P appears to have responsiveness and longitudinal validity in detecting changes after physiotherapy for non-specific chronic LBP. An improvement of 2.15 points in COMI-P total score is required to be interpreted as minimally clinically important change in individual patients.
1Samuel 20:34a according to 4QSamb (4Q52)
Authors: de Hoop Raymond
Published: February 2020

The variant ויפחז in 4QSamb (4Q52) for MT ויקם in 1 Sam 20:34a is critically evaluated. It is suggested here that the reading of ויפחז in 4QSamb is due to metathesis of the consonants פ and ח, and that the original reading might have been ויחפז, »and he hurried away«. The suggested solution would fit the context very well and would also explain the apparent differences between 4QSamb, and on the other hand MT and LXX.
Temple Destruction, Mourning and Curse in Elephantine, with a View to Lamentations
Authors: Granerød Gard
Published: February 2020

The article discusses the lament over the Temple of YHW in Elephantine from three angles: from the perspective of the internal rhetoric or composition of the letter, from the perspective of the world of the Judaeans who wrote the petition, and from the perspective of the world of the intended recipient of the letter. In addition, the article explores how the mention of collective mourning and curse in the petition letter from Elephantine may provide a text of comparison – and context – for the laments over the destruction of the city of Zion and her temple found in the Book of Lamentations.
Judeans in Elephantine and Babylonia: A Case Study on Rights and Tenancy Status
Authors: Moore James D.
Published: February 2020

This paper is a case study that discusses Judean rights and tenancy in Egypt under the Persian administration. It uses TAD A6.11, a Persian Aramaic decree about farmland rights in Egypt, as an example of an imperial document to mediate a comparison between the Babylonian Judean experience in farmlands and Egyptian Judean experience on the (sub-)urban island of Elephantine under Persian rule. First a Babylonian Judean document, CUSAS 28 no. 69 is used to interpret the enigmatic, yet central legal claim about crushing the ilku-tax in TAD A6.11. The two sources are then compared, and the implications of the findings are studied by referring to documents of Elephantine Judeans regarding tenancy rights (mhḥsn-status). The findings demonstrate that the two communities are socially comparable, so long as the Persian administrative system is considered in a comparison of the communities’ surviving documents.
Digital Technologies Enabling Data of Production Systems for Decision Support
Authors: Bärring Maja , Johansson Björn , Stahre Johan
Published: February 2020

Using digital technologies can support the flow and use of digital information in a timelier manner both within and between production systems. Smart manufacturing systems use these enabling technologies to maximize the capabilities’ cost, delivery, flexibility, and quality. The focus in industry so far has mainly been on the technologies and systems, but to succeed in digitalization, it is vital to understand how the technologies can be put into practice to meet the needs of an industrial organization. The focus of this article is to demonstrate how digital technologies can be used to enable data from production systems to inform decisions and generate value for an organization. This article showcases this with examples from real-world industrial cases, and the technologies used are 3-D laser scanning and 5G communication. The 3-D laser scanning is used to collect spatial data to build a virtual representation of a factory, and 5G is utilized to collect machine data from various data sources, e.g., the machine computer and external sensors. The results show that available data can support multiple roles in the organization and throughout the different phases of a production system. The status of the machine can be monitored in real time, a design can be evaluated against a system’s behavior, an organization can learn from the data transformed into information, and the virtual representation provides a very accurate and photorealistic representation of a system as-is. Digital technologies can enable more data representing the system and support the organization in knowing more about their processes when used in the right way.
Impact of hyperthyroidism on cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Barreto-Chaves M L M , Senger N , Fevereiro M R , Parletta A C , Takano A P C
Published: February 2020

The cardiac growth process (hypertrophy) is a crucial phenomenon conserved across a wide array of species and is critically involved in the maintenance of cardiac homeostasis. This process enables an organism to adapt to changes in systemic demand and occurs due to a plethora of responses, depending on the type of signal or stimuli received. The growth of cardiac muscle cells in response to environmental conditions depends on the type, strength and duration of stimuli, and results in adaptive physiological responses or non-adaptive pathological responses. Thyroid hormones (TH) have a direct effect on the heart and induce a cardiac hypertrophy phenotype, which may evolve to heart failure. In this review, we summarize the literature on TH function in the heart by presenting results from experimental studies. We discuss the mechanistic aspects of TH associated with cardiac myocyte hypertrophy, increased cardiac myocyte contractility and electrical remodeling, as well as the associated signaling pathways. In addition to classical crosstalk with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), emerging work pointing to the new endocrine interaction between TH and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is also explored. Given the inflammatory potential of the angiotensin II peptide, this new interaction may open the door for new therapeutic approaches which target the key mechanisms responsible for TH-induced cardiac hypertrophy.
SST5 expression and USP8 mutation in functioning and silent corticotroph pituitary tumors
Authors: Castellnou Solène , Vasiljevic Alexandre , Lapras Véronique , Raverot Véronique , Alix Eudeline , Borson-Chazot Françoise , Jouanneau Emmanuel , Raverot Gérald , Lasolle Hélène
Published: February 2020

Objective

Somatostatin receptor type 5 (SST5) is inconsistently expressed by corticotroph tumors, with higher expression found in corticotropinomas having ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) mutations. Aims were to study the correlation between characteristics of corticotropinomas and SST5 expression/USP8 mutation status and to describe the response to pasireotide in five patients.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Clinico-biochemical, radiological and pathological data of 62 patients, operated for a functioning or silent corticotropinoma between 2013 and 2017, were collected. SST5 expression was measured by immunohistochemistry (clone UMB-4, Abcam, IRS > 1 being considered positive), and Sanger sequencing was performed on 50 tumors to screen for USP8 mutations.

Results

SST5 expression was positive in 26/62 pituitary tumors. A moderate or strong IRS was found in 15/58 corticotropinomas and in 13/35 functioning corticotropinomas. Among functioning tumors, those expressing SST5 were more frequent in women (22/24 vs 9/15, P = 0.04) and had a lower grade (P = 0.04) compared to others. USP8 mutations were identified in 13/50 pituitary tumors and were more frequent in functioning compared to silent tumors (11/30 vs 2/20, P = 0.05). SST5 expression was more frequent in USP8mut vs USP8wt tumors (10/11 vs 7/19, P = 0.007). Among treated patients, normal urinary free cortisol levels were obtained in three patients (IRS 0, 2 and 6), while a four-fold decrease was observed in one patient (IRS 4).

Conclusion

SST5 expression appears to be associated with functioning, USP8mut and lower grade corticotropinomas. A correlation between SST5 expression or USP8mut and response to pasireotide remains to be confirmed.
BIO-ENERGY FROM PHOTOSYNTHETIC ALLOYS FOR USE IN BIOGUALS AND BIOPRODUCTS
Authors: Kazakov Petar , Iliev Atanas , Ivanov Emil , Rusev Dobri
Published: February 2020

Significant technical progress has been made in recent years in the development of algae-based bioenergy, and much of industrial and academic R&D projects have diverged from the biofuels strategy. This report summarizes the conclusions of a recently concluded symposium analyzing the prospects for using micro- and macroalgae as a feedstock for biofuels and bioenergy.
It discusses international activities for the development of bio-energy and non-energy algae bioproducts, advances in the use of macroalgae (both non-cultivated and cultivated algae). Applications for various biochemical and thermochemical uses, bio-refining capabilities for various products, as well as an in-depth review of the process from the point of view of economy and energy sustainability are also given.
Jointly Improving Parsing and Perception for Natural Language Commands through Human-Robot Dialog
Authors: Thomason Jesse , Padmakumar Aishwarya , Sinapov Jivko , Walker Nick , Jiang Yuqian , Yedidsion Harel , Hart Justin , Stone Peter , Mooney Raymond
Published: February 2020

In this work, we present methods for using human-robot dialog to improve language understanding for a mobile robot agent. The agent parses natural language to underlying semantic meanings and uses robotic sensors to create multi-modal models of perceptual concepts like red and heavy. The agent can be used for showing navigation routes, delivering objects to people, and relocating objects from one location to another. We use dialog clari_cation questions both to understand commands and to generate additional parsing training data. The agent employs opportunistic active learning to select questions about how words relate to objects, improving its understanding of perceptual concepts. We evaluated this agent on Amazon Mechanical Turk. After training on data induced from conversations, the agent reduced the number of dialog questions it asked while receiving higher usability ratings. Additionally, we demonstrated the agent on a robotic platform, where it learned new perceptual concepts on the y while completing a real-world task.
Inclusive Cancer Care: Rethinking Patients Living with HIV and Cancer
Authors: Corrigan Kelsey L. , Knettel Brandon A. , Suneja Gita
Published: February 2020

HIV treatment is complex and has changed since the early years of the epidemic, especially as relates to treatment options for patients with cancer. This article focuses on disparities in cancer treatment care for people living with HIV.
Control of long-term deflections of RC beams using reinforcements and low-shrinkage concrete
Authors: Sousa Helder , Mitoulis Stergios A. , Psarras Konstantinos , Tegos Ioannis A.
Published: February 2020

An experimentally based programme was conducted to assess the influence of heterogeneity on the long-term deflection of reinforced concrete (RC) elements with compression reinforcement and low-shrinkage concrete. These two structural measures are usually employed by designers to mitigate deflection of concrete beams, slabs and bridge decks due to creep and shrinkage effects. Control of creep and shrinkage deflections is important for successful design of concrete elements as the deflections influence their sizing and thus the associated costs. A 5 year experimental study was undertaken to address the most common alternative design approaches to alleviate long-term deflections of concrete. These included variable reinforcement ratios within the compressive zone, variable tensile reinforcement ratios, low-shrinkage concrete within the compressive zone and a combination of these measures. In total, 12 cantilever beam specimens were tested in the laboratory under controlled environmental conditions, supported by a time-dependent finite-element model. Both numerical and experimental results showed RC beam deflection reductions of up to 85% could be achieved when both compressive reinforcement and low-shrinkage concrete were employed.
Influence of stratification and assessment of fragility curves for mountain tunnels
Authors: Sarkar Rajib , Pareek Komal
Published: February 2020

Mountain tunnels are generally constructed in the stratified rock mass. For the satisfactory seismic performance of mountain tunnels, adequate evaluation of the effect of stratification is absolutely necessary. This study reports the influence of stratification on the seismic behaviour of mountain tunnels through numerical investigation using discrete-element software UDEC (universal distinct element code). Tunnel liner forces are compared for a single-layer and a two-layer geological set-up considering both harmonic excitation and earthquake time histories. It is observed that tunnel supports are more vulnerable to damage when the tunnel passes through a stratified medium. For assessment of the vulnerability of tunnels in the stratified deposits of rock mass under earthquake motions, seismic fragility curves have been derived for different damage states with varying grades of concrete. It is observed from the fragility curves that the probability of damage may significantly be reduced by using higher-grade shotcrete for the tunnel liner, especially in stratified rock deposits.
Seismic harmonic response of inhomogeneous soil: scaling analysis
Authors: Garcia-Suarez Joaquin , Seylabi Elnaz , Asimaki Domniki
Published: February 2020

The study of the seismic response of inhomogeneous soil deposits, underlying rigid bedrock, has traditionally been framed as a one-dimensional wave propagation problem in a linear viscoelastic medium. When it comes to modelling soil inhomogeneity, the current trend to model the continuous variation of soil stiffness with depth employs a ‘generalised parabolic function’. Exact solutions have already been obtained, but these come in terms of Bessel functions, which muddle the interpretation of results and obstruct assessment of the parameters’ influence. This also hinders the definition of an ‘equivalent homogeneous’ soil deposit (a relevant concept utilised in many seismic codes). It is shown herein that the so-called inhomogeneity factor plays a secondary role in determining the response in many cases; thus straightforward guidelines are suggested for simplifying the problem, leading to elementary scaling relations. The scalings provide simple yet meaningful relations that reveal and explain the fundamental traits of the dynamic behaviour of these systems.
Microstructure and transport properties of cement-based material enhanced by graphene oxide
Authors: Zeng Hongyan , Qu Shen , Qin Yinghong
Published: February 2020

The microstructure and transport properties of mortars made with graphene oxide (GO) and cement and with similar consistency were experimentally investigated and compared with those of control mortars made using Portland cement. Polycarboxylate superplasticiser was used to improve the consistency of GO-modified mortars and the dispersibility of GO nanosheets. Compared with the control samples, the GO-modified mortars with similar consistency showed a 33·2% reduction in the chloride migration coefficient and a 61·6% reduction in the initial rate of water absorption. These improvements are due to the addition of GO particles in the mortars, which inhibit crack growth, change the morphology of hydrated crystals and refine the pore structure. Very small amounts of GO additives were found to significantly decrease the macropore volume fraction and the critical and average pore diameters. In an attempt to understand the correlation between the pore size distribution and the macroscopic transport performance, both the critical pore diameter and the macropore volume fraction were found to be exponentially dependent on the chloride migration coefficient. The average pore diameter was found to be linearly related to the initial absorption rate of the mortars, but was independent of the secondary absorption rate.
Monetary Policy Implementation with an Ample Supply of Reserves
Authors: Afonso Gara , Kim Kyungmin , Martin Antoine , Nosal Ed , Potter Simon , Schulhofer-Wohl Sam
Published: February 2020

Methods of monetary policy implementation continue to change. The level of reserve supply---scarce, abundant, or somewhere in between---has implications for the efficiency and effectiveness of an implementation regime. The money market events of September 2019 highlight the need for an analytical framework to better understand implementation regimes. We discuss major issues relevant to the choice of an implementation regime, using a parsimonious framework and drawing from the experience in the United States since the 2007-09 financial crisis. We find that the optimal level of reserve supply likely lies somewhere between scarce and abundant reserves, thus highlighting the benefits of implementation with what could be called "ample" reserves. The Federal Reserve's announcement in October 2019 that it would maintain a level of reserve supply greater than the one that prevailed in early September is consistent with the implications of our framework.
How Much Will the Belt and Road Initiative Reduce Trade Costs?
Authors: de Soyres Francois , Mulabdic Alen , Murray Siobhan , Rocha Nadia , Ruta Michele
Published: February 2020

This paper studies the impact of transport infrastructure projects of the Belt and Road Initiative on shipment times and trade costs. Based on a new data on completed and planned Belt and Road transport projects, Geographic Information System analysis is used to estimate shipment times before and after the Belt and Road Initiative. Two sets of data are computed to address different research questions: a global database based on an analysis of 1,000 cities in 191 countries and 47 sectors and a regional database that focuses on more granular information (1,818 cities) for Belt and Road economies only. The paper uses sectoral estimates of “value of time” to transform changes in shipment times into changes in ad valorem trade costs at the country‐sector level. The findings show that the Belt and Road Initiative will significantly reduce shipment times and trade costs. For the world, the average reduction in shipment time will range between 1.2 and 2.5 percent, leading to reduction of aggregate trade costs between 1.1 and 2.2 percent. For Belt and Road economies, the change in shipment times and trade costs will range between 1.7 and 3.2 percent and 1.5 and 2.8 percent, respectively. Belt and Road economies located along the corridors where projects are built experience the largest gains. Shipment times along these corridors decline by up to 11.9 percent and trade costs by up to 10.2 percent.
Korsaks private museum of the contemporary Ukrainian art: practice of cultural decentralization
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Stoian S. P.
Published: February 2020

Culture is not an abstract concept, it is always created by individuals capable of changing the course of history and defining completely new vectors of social movement. And these vectors are not necessarily directed from the central, capital centers, as is commonly believed, according to current stereotypes, especially within the post-Soviet space.
International scientific conference "Сontemporary art in the digital media / mass media"
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Tormakhova A. M.
Published: February 2020

From May 14 to 21, 2018, the international scientific conference "Contemporary Art in the Age of Digital Media / Mass Media" was held in the city of Karlov (Poland).
Sp Receiver-Function Images of African and Arabian Lithosphere: Survey of Newly Available Broadband Data
Authors: Liu Lin , Tong Siyou , Li Sanzhong , Qaysi Saleh
Published: February 2020

The growing quality and improving spatial coverage of broadband seismic stations on the African (Nubian + Somalian) and Arabian plates motivate us to present a catalog of S-to-P receiver functions (SRFs) from southern Africa to northern Arabia. As in North America where the ability to compare data from cratons to modern rift provinces has led to new insights about lithospheric discontinuities, so, too, in Africa and Arabia can we begin to track and study the Moho, midlithospheric discontinuities, and the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) between tectonothermal provinces and beneath plate boundaries. We utilized 1508 seismic stations recording 9349 teleseismic events to calculate 103,878 SRFs that we stacked in 1° circular bins. We find a robust positive arrival due to a seismic-wavespeed increase downward across the Moho in virtually all our stacked SRF traces at 15–55 km depth, and we verify this is in good agreement with previously published Ps results, thereby validating the quality of our data set. Our stacked SRF traces also show a sub-Moho negative arrival at a delay time equivalent to 50–132 km depth that should correspond to a negative velocity discontinuity at or above the LAB. Our continent-wide, plate-scale database offers the opportunity to explore for spatial and temporal evolution of lithospheric parameters.
WANUA NUSANTARA: PRAKTIK PEMBUMIAN NILAI-NILAI PANCASILA DI KALANGAN GENERASI MUDA
Authors: Aris Shofa Abd Mu'id , Kodir Abdul , Alfaqi Mifdal Zusron , Subekti Arif
Published: February 2020

Tujuan dari penulisan artikel ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana Multikulturalisme dapat dipahamai sebagai pengakuan tentang keanekaragaman dari masyarakat yang majemuk, heterogen dan plural bagi bangsa Indonesia, yang memang dianugerahi oleh Tuhan Yang Maha Esa kemajemukan dan pluralitas tersebut, sudah seharusnya menjadi satu kebanggaan dan kekuatan yang besar bagi bangsa Indonesia. Multikulturalisme tidak saja diakui tetapi juga bisa diterima akan adanya perbedaan, suku, agama, ras, antar golongan dan etnis. Masyarakat indonesia yang hidup didalamnya  harus mampu hidup berdampingan antara satu dengan yang lainnya, sehingga harmonisasi yang selama ini didambakan oleh bangsa indonesia bisa terwujud dengan baik. Kajian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif,lokasi kegiatan di kelurahan sisir kecamatan batu kota batu, hasil dari kajian ini menunjukan bahwa bangsa Indonesia telah dipersatukan dengan adanya kesepakatan bersama para pendiri bangsa kita yang dari berbagai perbedaan dengan Pancasila (tidak ada yang lain). Sebagai pemersatu ideologi bangsa adanya Pancasila adalah sebuah solusi dari adanya konflik yang terjadi antar golongan nasionalis dan agama, Pancasila telah mampu menunjukan fungsinya sebagai pemersatu bangsa Indonesia yang majemuk, heterogen, multicultural. Pemuda khususnya di kelurahan sisir kecamatan batu kota batu telaj mampu mengimplementasikan nilai-nilai Pancasila dalam praktik kehidupan sehari-hari.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17977/um032v2i12019p001
PEMBERDAYAAN SISWA BERKEBUTUHAN KHUSUS DALAM MENGAKSES OPEN ACCESS SYSTEM UNTUK MENINGKATKAN CAPABILITY LEARNER
Authors: Pradipta Rizqi Fajar , Surahman Ence , Ummahh Umi Safiul
Published: February 2020

Kegiatan pengabdian pada masyarakat ini merupakan upaya kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat yang dilakukan dalam bentuk  pelatihan bagi siswa – siswa berkebutuhan khusus di Sekolah Luar Biasa Putra Mandiri Kabupaten Sidoarjo.  Hal ini dikarenakan permasalahan siswa berkebutuhan khusus telah memiliki keterampilan, namun tidak memahami tindak lanjut atas apa yang telah mereka miliki tersebut. Sebagai contoh siswa telah mampu mengusai cara membuat keset, kemudian mereka tidak mengerti cara memasarkan produk mereka. Kemudian untuk make up saat ini banyak sekali teknik make up yang terus berkembang dari waktu ke waktu. Oleh karena itu sesuai dengan definisi dari capability learner atau kapabilitas pebelajar dimana mereka tidak hanya memiliki satu kemampuan namun beberapa kemampuan guna mendukung satu skill yang telah dimiliki dengan baik. Pada akhir kegiatan pemberdayaan ini diharapkan siswa Sekolah Luar Biasa Putra Mandiri Kabupaten Sidoarjo agar memiliki kapabilitas sehingga dapat terwujud untuk menjadi figur yang mandiri dan memiliki kecapakan hidup yang baik.
Shockwave lithotripsy for urolithiasis: a 12-month analysis of referral data to a metropolitan Australian Hospital
Authors: Jaya Joseph Swaminadan , Nguyen Phi , Tran Henley , Bailie John , Brookes John , Tan Eren , McCahy Philip
Published: February 2020

Background: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is still an important option in the treatment of renal tract stones. SWL is not without its limitations and alternatives should be considered. This study investigates the referral data to a new SWL planning meeting to identify reasons why SWL was not offered.Methods: A review of 12 months of data prospectively collected at a weekly stone meeting was supplemented with a retrospective chart analysis to identify the source of all referrals for SWL. The principal reason for diverting a patient to other stone management was noted.Results: 142 patients (median age 52 years) were referred for SWL over the 12-month period. SWL was not recommended in 40 (28.2%) patients. SWL was most commonly contraindicated due to excessive stone size±position (32.5%), anatomical complexity (25.0%) and radiolucency on x-ray (10.0%). The majority of patients who were diverted away from SWL were referred from an emergency department (32.5%) and the general urology clinics (20.0%).Conclusions: A significant portion of patients referred for SWL prove unsuitable for this method of stone clearance. This highlights an educational gap amongst clinicians regarding the indications and more importantly contraindications for SWL. Only 6.3% of total referrals originated from general practice suggesting a lack of awareness of the process of direct referral for SWL. Improving this with guidelines will relieve demand in outpatient clinics and help streamline patient care.
Compare the clinical and postoperative outcomes: laparoscopic versus open surgery
Authors: Bhandari Vinod , Bhandari Mahak
Published: February 2020

Background: To assess the several postoperative complications and clinical outcomes, a retrospective comparison between laparoscopic or open surgery was performed.Methods: We evaluated patients baseline characteristics clinical characteristics, perioperative, intraoperative, inflammatory stress markers and postoperative outcomes between the two groups by univariate analysis.Results: Total 73 patients’ data were included and divided into two groups. 38 patients in first group (laparoscopic surgery) and 35 patients in second group (open surgery). There were no statistically significance differences between gender, age, weight, body mass index and type of surgery of the patients (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in history of infliximab, history of steroid usage, history of appendectomy and perianal disease (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, skeletal muscle mass and soft lean mass. Operative time, length of incision and blood loss was significantly (p<0.001) different in both groups, respectively. Total number of complications was less in the laparoscopic surgery; however, there was no statistically significant difference. Laparoscopic surgery can shorten the hospital stay by around one day. Patients had better postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic surgery than after open surgery. No significant difference was present in edema grades between groups preoperatively. More patients developed slight edema and edema in open surgery than in laparoscopic surgery on postoperative day (POD-3), but not on POD-5.Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery has more benefits, safe and high-quality care and better postoperative clinical outcomes for all patients compared to open surgery.
A rare case of testicular dislocation with inguinal hernia as a delayed presentation after scrotal trauma
Authors: Kumar Sanjana , Arora Jainendra K. , Kumar Ajay
Published: February 2020

Testis can be damaged either by blunt or penetrating trauma. Traumatic dislocation of testis is rare sequelae of scrotal trauma. Patients usually present at the time of injury and diagnosis is usually made on emergent basis. However, delayed or missed diagnosis may occur as scrotal injury may be overlooked in the presence of other associated injuries or due to lack of awareness of its possible occurrence. In this article, we report a case of 60 years old gentleman who presented with inguinal hernia with empty left hemiscrotum with history of blunt injury to scrotum 15 years back. The peculiarity of case lies in the fact that the dislocation of testis was diagnosed 15 years after trauma and the displaced testis was found to be atrophic.
Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with semitendinosus graft versus peroneus longus tendon graft
Authors: Kumar Pudari Manoj , Shevte Ishan , Phalak Mukesh , Nair Abhishek , . Parth
Published: February 2020

Background: Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can be performed using autograft from various sources namely, bone patellar tendon graft, hamstring tendons (semitendinosus, gracilis) or peroneus longus tendon.

Methods: A prospective study of 30 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus tendon autograft and peroneus longus tendon autograft during the study period.

Results: Statistically, there is very little comparable difference between semitendinosus and peroneus longus when used for arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. However, peroneus longus tendon shows superior results when used in patients with grade 3 medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury combined with ACL injury.

Conclusions: Our study brings forth the superior efficacy and quality of the double stranded peroneus longus tendon especially in cases associated with complicated injuries involving the medial collateral ligament with a follow up date of about 2 years and as a healthy supplement to other choices of autografts and revision cases.
Laser for post acne scars with or without growth factors: a comparative clinical trial
Authors: Sujana Lakkireddygari , Ankad Balachandra S. , Beergouder Savitha L.
Published: February 2020

Background: Treatment of acne scars presents a considerable challenge to dermatologists. But with advent of fractional CO2 (FCO2) laser and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), new avenues can be explored. PRP provides various growth factors, so that the healing of laser-damaged skin is accelerated. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of FCO2 laser alone and in combination with PRP in patients with post-acne scars.

Methods: Eighty patients with acne scars were counseled and randomly assigned into two groups of 40 each. Group A was treated with FCO2 laser alone, while Group B was treated with FCO2 laser and PRP for 6 months. Primary objective was assessment of efficacy of both treatment modalities. Secondary objective was evaluation of safety of treatments.

Results: At the end of 6 months, group A showed about 18% reduction, while group B showed about 33% reduction in acne scars on objective assessment. Patient satisfaction as assessed by subjective assessment was greater in group B than in group A. Duration of erythema, edema and crusting was lesser in group B compared to group A.

Conclusions: Combination of FCO2 and PRP was found to be more efficacious as compared to FCO2 laser alone. Combining the treatment modalities can provide a new strategy for treating the post-acne scars.
Glutathione for skin lightening for dermatologists and cosmetologists
Authors: Mohan Shobhit , Mohan Lalit , Sangal Renu , Singh Neelu
Published: February 2020

Glutathione is a potential antioxidant and its reduced form (GSH) has a good skin-whitening effect in humans through its tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Many physicians consider it as a Wonder drug for skin lightening and treatment of hyperpigmentation, especially with darker skin tones. Glutathione is available in topical, oral and injectable formulations. Topical and oral forms are considered to be safe. Intravenous form did not prove its safety and efficacy to till date. In this article, we shall review and discuss the current status of glutathione as a skin lightening agent and address the miscellaneous unanswered queries regarding the dosage, duration of use and longevity of accrued effects based on clinical evidence and recent insights into its antimelanogenic mechanism.
Estándares nacionales e internacionales del tratamiento penitenciario y carcelario en Colombia. Un estudio del caso de la cárcel de Neiva (Huila)
Authors: Salazar Medina William Javier , Medina Rico Ricardo Hernán
Published: February 2020

El presente artículo de investigación busca determinar si las medidas adoptadas por el sistema penitenciario y carcelario colombiano se ajustan a las reglas mínimas para el tratamiento de reclusos adoptadas por el Primer Congreso de las Naciones Unidas sobre Prevención del Delito y Tratamiento del Delincuente, y las “Reglas Nelson Mandela”. Para lo anterior se realizará un análisis de la situación existente en la cárcel de Neiva. Como metodología se desarrolló una investigació cualitativa partiendo de una información obtenida del análisis jurisprudencial y doctrinal y de la realización de entrevistas. Lo anterior posibilitó una descripción, clasificación y explicación de datos y una interpretación de estos, lo que llevó a resultados sobre la situación actual de las medidas de tratamiento penitenciario adoptadas en la cárcel de Neiva bajo un tipo de investigación descriptivo-explicativa que permite concluir que, a pesar de los esfuerzos, no se satisfacen a cabalidad los parámetros internacionales.