bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic structural studies of pyrrolidinium‐based ionic liquids for electrochemical application
Authors: Asha Suseeladevi , Vijayalakshmi Kunduchi Periya , George Benny K.
Published: May 2019

Electrochemical stability and noncovalent interactions escorting the cyclic ammonium‐based ionic liquids composed of N‐alkyl‐substituted N‐methyl pyrrolidinium (Pyr1R) (R = methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl) cations and four anions hexafluorophosphate (PF6), tetrafluoroborate (BF4), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl‐imide (TFSI), and trifluoromethane sulfonate (TFO) have been analyzed using the density functional theory. Electronic structures, electrochemical window, frontier orbital energy difference (HOMO‐LUMO gap), binding energies, vibrational spectra of these ion pairs were characterized. It has been established that ion pair formation is largely reigned by CH⋯F interactions between anionic fluorine for BF4− and PF6− anions and CH⋯O interactions between anionic oxygen for TFSI and TFO anions and pyrrolidinic proton, methyl, or alkyl group protons of the cations. The effect of alkyl chain length and pairing anions of the alkyl substituted N‐methyl pyrrolidinium‐based ionic liquids on the electrochemical window was investigated. The results revealed that the HOMO energy of pairing anions is the key factor to decide the electrochemical window. Further quantification of noncovalent interactions in terms of electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions has been brought out employing a novel method with the aid of Mulliken and Merz‐Singh‐Kollman charges, prevailed in pyrrolidinium‐based ionic liquids.
Structural design of a positioning spherical parallel manipulator to be utilized in brain biopsy
Authors: Gezgin Erkin , Özbek Seda , Güzin Didem , Ağbaş Ozan Emre , Gezer Emin Burak
Published: May 2019

Background

During the last decades, there has been a great increase in the usage of robotic systems during surgeries in order to reach increased operational precision, reduced operation times, enhanced recovery periods, low infection risks, and limited scar formations for aesthetic reasons. In light of this, the current study focuses on the field of robotic surgery by introducing the kinematic structure of the precise robotic positioning manipulator for brain biopsy.

Methodology

Throughout the study, two degrees of freedom spherical parallel robot manipulator was proposed in order to position brain biopsy needle precisely during the brain biopsy operation on the target workspace.

Results

Direct and inverse kinematics of the manipulator were carried out parametrically by using quaternion algebra. The prototype of the manipulator was manufactured by rapid prototyping for hardware verification.

Conclusions

Hardware verification of the manufactured prototype was completed distinctly by using motion capture cameras and manufactured mock‐up setup that mimics tumour locations inside the brain. Successful verification results in terms of precision were achieved.
Partitioning of time trends in prevalence and mortality of lung cancer
Authors: Akushevich Igor , Kravchenko Julia , Yashkin Arseniy P. , Fang Fang , Yashin Anatoliy I.
Published: May 2019

Background: Time trends of lung cancer prevalence and mortality are the result of three competing processes: changes in the incidence rate, stage‐specific survival, and ascertainment at early stages. Improvements in these measures act concordantly to improve disease‐related mortality, but push the prevalence rate in opposite directions making a qualitative interpretation difficult. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the relative contributions of these components to changes in lung cancer prevalence and mortality.

Methods: Partitioning of prevalence and mortality trends into their components using SEER data for 1973‐2013.

Results: The prevalence of lung cancer increases for females and decreases for males. In 1998, the former was due to increased incidence (45%‐50% of total trend), improved survival (40%‐45%), and increased ascertainment at early stages (10%‐15%). In males, a rapidly declining incidence rate overpowered the effects of survival and ascertainment resulting in an overall decrease in prevalence over time. Trends in lung cancer mortality are determined by incidence during 1993‐2002 with noticeable contribution of survival after 2002.

Conclusion: Lung cancer incidence was the main driving force behind trends in prevalence and mortality. Improved survival played essential role from 2000 onwards. Trends in stage ascertainment played a small but adverse role. Our results suggest that further improvement in lung cancer mortality can be achieved through advances in early stage ascertainment, especially for males, and that in spite of success in treatment, adenocarcinoma continues to exhibit adverse trends (especially in female incidence) and its role among other histology‐specific lung cancers will increase in the near future.
Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene‐Encapsulated Nickel–Copper Alloy Nanoflower for Highly Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Liu Bin , Peng Hui‐Qing , Cheng Junye , Zhang Kui , Chen Da , Shen Dong , Wu Shuilin , Jiao Tianpeng , Kong Xin , Gao Qili , Bu Shuyu , Lee Chun‐Sing , Zhang Wenjun
Published: May 2019

Development of high‐performance and low‐cost nonprecious metal electrocatalysts is critical for eco‐friendly hydrogen production through electrolysis. Herein, a novel nanoflower‐like electrocatalyst comprising few‐layer nitrogen‐doped graphene‐encapsulated nickel–copper alloy directly on a porous nitrogen‐doped graphic carbon framework (denoted as Nix
Cuy
@ NG‐NC) is successfully synthesized using a facile and scalable method through calcinating the carbon, copper, and nickel hydroxy carbonate composite under inert atmosphere. The introduction of Cu can effectively modulate the morphologies and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. Moreover, the calcination temperature is an important factor to tune the thickness of graphene layers of the Nix
Cuy
@ NG‐NC composites and the associated electrocatalytic performance. Due to the collective effects including unique porous flowered architecture and the synergetic effect between the bimetallic alloy core and graphene shell, the Ni3Cu1@ NG‐NC electrocatalyst obtained under optimized conditions exhibits highly efficient and ultrastable activity toward HER in harsh environments, i.e., a low overpotential of 122 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a low Tafel slope of 84.2 mV dec−1 in alkaline media, and a low overpotential of 95 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a low Tafel slope of 77.1 mV dec−1 in acidic electrolyte.
Technical‐economic assessment of redesigned reinforced concrete pre‐slabs: Incorporating corrugated cardboard
Authors: Fraile‐Garcia Esteban , Ferreiro‐Cabello Javier , Pernia‐Espinoza Alpha , Martinez‐de‐Pison Francisco J.
Published: May 2019

Innovations occur in the design of structural elements in order to incorporate and/or improve technical features. This study begins with a standard design for one‐way reinforced pre‐slabs. Thermal performance is analyzed, along with the possibility of improving it, by means of incorporating corrugated cardboard. Tests were conducted with prototypes to investigate the viability of integrating corrugated cardboard into the production process of reinforced concrete pre‐slabs. The modified production processes (of corrugated cardboard and concrete pre‐slabs) and the improvements in thermal performance were evident in the final design. These improvements as compared to the conventional design are quantified by thermal transmittance, which was between 90.16 and 140.98% when utilizing corrugated cardboard with a thermal conductivity between 0.10 and 0.05 W m−1 K−1 respectively. Adding this new material and modifying the resistance section did entail an increase in cost. However, the joint evaluation of the production and use phases of the structural element designed indicated a positive economic balance. It was found that with the new design, the structural solution's thermal performance improved and compensated for the increase in costs incurred during the production phase.
Teaching digital literacies inEAL/ESLclassrooms: Practical strategies
Authors: Tour Ekaterina
Published: May 2019

It has been widely acknowledged that learners of English as an additional or second language need to develop rich repertoires of digital literacies to be able to read, write, and communicate in digital spaces in English. However, finding appropriate approaches is challenging for many practitioners, and teaching digital literacies often focuses on basic technical skills rather than catering for a wider range of students’ technological, language, sociocultural, pragmatic, and critical literacy needs. This article explains digital literacies from a sociocultural perspective, offered by Literacy Studies; describes how this theory promotes a situated problem‐based learning approach to classroom practices; and provides a brief overview of the pedagogical model—the 3D model of literacy (Green, 2002). To illustrate theory in action, the article offers three examples of learning units: designing a webpage, information search, and creating and maintaining a digital presence that can be adapted by teachers or used as a model for developing resources. By designing these theoretically informed examples, the article makes a contribution to practice in the field of language education, which currently lacks explicit practical guidelines. This article can be useful to teachers at different career stages developing or refining their pedagogies for digital literacies in second language contexts.
Reconceptualising Authenticity in TESOL: A New Space for Diversity and Inclusion
Authors: Ramezanzadeh Akram , Rezaei Saeed
Published: May 2019

This study sought to probe higher education English language professors’ experiences in cultivating their learners’ authenticity. Using Barnett's (2007) theory of authenticity as the conceptual framework, the researchers explored authenticity as an authentic voice rather than a feature in materials provided by native speakers. The data were collected through interviews and personal documents. The data analysis was based on the interpretation process of modern social science hermeneutics and three core themes were extracted: critical knowledge in English language education, dialectical and reflective praxis, and a flexible and localised curriculum. Indeed, the findings of the study went beyond the exclusive boundary between native and nonnative speakers. It was also revealed that the cultivation of English language learners’ authenticity necessitates a space for diversity and inclusion in addition to epistemological, ontological, and practical spaces. Moreover, the study participants indicated that authenticity can be cultivated in their learners through critical knowledge, which can be acquired through dialogues with not only mainstream voices but also marginalised ones.
How Hard Should the Books Be in Small‐Group Reading? It Depends
Authors: Kelly Laura Beth
Published: May 2019

Teachers balance many goals when selecting texts for small‐group reading. The author explored the impact of one variable that teachers consider, quantitative text difficulty, on students’ participation, discussion, comprehension, and fluency in small‐group discussions of informational science texts. Six bilingual third graders identified as reading below grade level participated. Students’ comprehension scores were the same for matched and difficult texts. Matched texts benefited three students in terms of fluency and two students in terms of participation. Difficult texts benefited three students in developing conversations around print and ideas (rather than focusing on pictures) and in having more inferential (rather than merely literal) talk. Different levels of text had drawbacks and advantages, and the findings encourage teachers to use both matched and difficult texts at different times and for different instructional purposes.
“She's Not Going to Tell You What to Ask”: Three Strategies for Writing in Science
Authors: Lammert Catherine , Riordan Emily
Published: May 2019

Teachers everywhere are embracing the challenge of conveying differences in literacy practices across fields of study. However, whereas disciplinary literacy and inquiry approaches are expanding in popularity at the secondary level, few resources exist for teaching discipline‐specific writing in the elementary grades. The authors describe three lessons that emphasize the importance and process of writing in science, from generating questions and hypothesizing to reporting and sharing findings. The authors show how students can write to think like scientists, generate researchable science questions, and use tools such as inquiry charts to organize their writing in discipline‐specific ways.
A new anchor word selection method for the separable topic discovery
Authors: He Kun , Wang Wu , Wang Xiaosen , Hopcroft John E.
Published: May 2019

Separable nonnegative matrix factorization (SNMF) is an important method for topic modeling, where “separable” assumes every topic contains at least one anchor word, defined as a word that has non‐zero probability only on that topic. SNMF focuses on the word co‐occurrence patterns to reveal topics by two steps: anchor word selection and topic recovery. The quality of the anchor words strongly influences the quality of the extracted topics. Existing anchor word selection algorithm is to greedily find an approximate convex hull in a high‐dimensional word co‐occurrence space. In this work, we propose a new method for the anchor word selection by associating the word co‐occurrence probability with the words similarity and assuming that the most different words on semantic are potential candidates for the anchor words. Therefore, if the similarity of a word‐pair is very low, the two words are very likely to be the anchor words. According to the statistical information of text corpora, we can get the similarity of all word‐pairs. We build the word similarity graph where the nodes correspond to words and weights on edges stand for the word‐pair similarity. Following this way, we design a greedy method to find a minimum edge‐weight anchor clique of a given size in the graph for the anchor word selection. Extensive experiments on real‐world corpus demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed anchor word selection method that outperforms the common convex hull‐based methods on the revealed topic quality. Meanwhile, our method is much faster than typical SNMF‐based method.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Text Mining

Technologies > Machine Learning
Rural Livelihood Challenges: Moving out of Agriculture
Authors: Pingali Prabhu , Aiyar Anaka , Abraham Mathew , Rahman Andaleeb
Published: May 2019

In this chapter, we deliberate upon the role of the non-farm sector in the food systems. We argue that livelihood diversification in rural India would lead to an overall economy-wide increase in productivity, and facilitate swifter structural transformation and poverty reduction. We highlight the role of the non-farm sector for job creation in rural areas, especially along the rural-urban continuum for structural transformation to take place. Policy has not yet leveraged the potential of small towns and the peri-urban spaces as a means to create new job opportunities. We focus on these blurring of the rural-urban distinction which provide an opportunity to diversify the portfolio of economic opportunities available to rural households, thereby enabling greater rural income and improved access to food and nutrition.
On 2-form gauge models of topological phases
Authors: Delcamp Clement , Tiwari Apoorv
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We explore 2-form topological gauge theories in (3+1)d. These theories can be constructed as sigma models with target space the second classifying space B
2
G of the symmetry group G, and they are classified by cohomology classes of B
2
G. For finite symmetry groups, 2-form topological theories have a natural lattice interpretation, which we use to construct a lattice Hamiltonian model in (3+1)d that is exactly solvable. This construction relies on the introduction of a cohomology, dubbed 2-form cohomology, of algebraic cocycles that are identified with the simplicial cocycles of B
2
G as provided by the so-called W -construction of Eilenberg-MacLane spaces. We show algebraically and geometrically how a 2-form 4-cocycle reduces to the associator and the braiding isomorphisms of a premodular category of G-graded vector spaces. This is used to show the correspondence between our 2-form gauge model and the Walker-Wang model.
Exact solution of the sp(4) integrable spin chain with generic boundaries
Authors: Li Guang-Liang , Cao Junpeng , Xue Panpan , Xin Zhi-Rong , Hao Kun , Yang Wen-Li , Shi Kangjie , Wang Yupeng
Published: May 2019

Abstract

The off-diagonal Bethe ansatz method is generalized to the integrable model associated with thesp(4) (orC2) Lie algebra. By using the fusion technique, we obtain the complete operator product identities among the fused transfer matrices. These relations, together with some asymptotic behaviors and values of the transfer matrices at certain points, enable us to determine the eigenvalues of the transfer matrices completely. For the periodic boundary condition case, we recover the sameT−Qrelations obtained via conventional Bethe ansatz methods previously, while for the off-diagonal boundary condition case, the eigenvalues are given in terms of inhomogeneousT−Qrelations, which could not be obtained by the conventional Bethe ansatz methods. The method developed in this paper can be directly generalized to genericsp(2n) (i.e.,Cn) integrable model.
Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events After Parathyroidectomy in Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Ivarsson Kerstin M. , Akaberi Shahriar , Isaksson Elin , Reihnér Eva , Czuba Tomasz , Prütz Karl‐Göran , Clyne Naomi , Almquist Martin
Published: May 2019

Background

A majority of patients with end‐stage renal disease suffer from secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is associated with osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is often necessary despite medical treatment. However, the effect of PTX on cardio‐ and cerebrovascular events (CVE) remains unclear. Data on the effect of PTX from population‐based studies are scarce. Some studies have shown decreased incidence of CVE after PTX. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PTX on risk of CVE in patients on renal replacement therapy.

Methods

We performed a nested case–control study within the Swedish Renal Registry (SRR) by matching PTX patients on dialysis or with functioning renal allograft with up to five non‐PTX controls for age, sex and underlying renal disease. To calculate time to CVE, i.e., myocardial infarct, stroke and transient ischemic attack, control patients were assigned the calendar date (d) of the PTX of the case patient. Crude and adjusted proportional hazards regressions with random effect (frailty) were used to calculate hazard ratios for CVE.

Results

The study cohort included 20,056 patients in the SRR between 1991 and 2009. Among these, 579 patients had undergone PTX, 423 during dialysis and 156 during time with functioning renal allograft. These patients were matched with 1234 dialysis and 736 transplanted non‐PTX patients. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of CVE after PTX was 1.24 (1.03–1.49) for dialysis patients compared with non‐PTX patients. Corresponding results for patients with renal allograft at d were HR (95% CI) 0.53 (0.34–0.84).

Conclusions

PTX patients on dialysis at d had a higher risk of CVE than patients without PTX. Patients with renal allograft at d on the other had a lower risk after PTX than patients without PTX.
Semiconductor chip’s quality analysis based on its high dimensional test data
Authors: Kai Sun , Jin Wu
Published: May 2019

A semiconductor chip usually has thousands test parameters in order to guaranteed its quality. Hence, a batch of chips’ test data set include thousands of float data. The primary goal of dealing with this test data is to obtain the fault parameter distribution and judge the chip’s quality. It is a challenge due to the large scale and complex relationship of the test data set. This paper presents a novel method to analyze the test data set by meshing the quality theory and scientific data visualization. First, transfer the test data set to a quality classifier matrix Q: a series of quality region is defined based on quality theory, which is the baseline to classify the test data set into different group and mark them with various number. Second, form a quality-spectrum: define a color rule based on the RGB color model and color the quality classifier matrix Q. Hence chip’s quality distribution could be observed through the quality-spectrum. Furthermore, by analyzing the quality-spectrum, the chip’s quality could be quantitative and fault diagnose has a data basic. One case is included to illustrate appropriateness of the proposed method.
CO2 microbubble colloidal gas aphrons for EOR application: the generation using porous filter, diameter size analysis and gas blocking impact on sweep efficiency
Authors: Natawijaya Mochammad Andy , Sugai Yuichi , Anggara Ferian
Published: May 2019

The CO2 is regarded to be an excellent solvent for miscible flooding. However, it is still facing a main problem which is the high mobility. Microbubbles with their unique characters offer some advantages for CO2 EOR application. Different pore throat size filters were used to generate different dominant sizes of microbubbles that were injected into sandpacks under tertiary condition. Microscopic analysis was carried out to visualize the presence, stability and behavior of microbubbles inside the solution and porous media. The microbubbles with a dominant size of 10–50 µm showed additional 26.38% of oil recovery, showing their advantages over a larger dominant size of microbubbles up to 5.28% of oil recovery. The injection with larger microbubbles with a dominant size of 70–150 µm showed 27.5% of higher injection pressure than with a smaller dominant size of microbubbles, showing their advantage in gas blocking ability. In the heterogeneous porous media experiment, the recovery volume ratio between low- and high-permeability sandpacks was increased from 1:57 during water flooding to 1:4 during the CO2 microbubble injection with 74.65% of additional recovery from a low-permeability zone, showing the microbubble gas blocking capability to change the flow pattern inside heterogeneous porous media.
Boys, Girls, and Grandparents: The Impact of the Sex of Preschool-Aged Children on Family Living Arrangements and Maternal Labor Supply
Authors: Sun Ang , Zhang Chuanchuan , Hu Xiangting
Published: May 2019

In this study, we consider household decision-making on living arrangements and maternal labor supply in extended families with young children. In such a context, decision-making is driven by the concerns that the companionship of children is a household public good and that family members share childcare and related domestic duties. The incentive to share children’s companionship is affected by son preference, whereas the economic motive of labor division hinges on the potential wage rate of the mother. Both channels play important roles in households with mothers whose wage rates are high, while sharing the companionship of (grand) sons is the main driving force in households with mothers whose wage rates are low. Using China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data, we find that among less-educated mothers, the incidence of a family coresiding with the paternal grandmother is at least 8.6 percentage points higher if the firstborn is a boy. At the same time, maternal labor supply increases by 2.9 days per month. By contrast, for educated mothers, the propensity for coresidence is higher, the working hours are longer, and the impact of the child’s sex is not significant. Our study not only provides a better understanding of the demographic and economic factors determining coresidence and intrahousehold time allocations but also lends empirical support to policies aiming to increase female labor supply and improve the well-being of girls.
Comparison of 18F‐florbetaben quantification results using the standard Centiloid, MR‐based, and MR‐less CapAIBL® approaches: Validation against histopathology
Authors: Doré Vincent , Bullich Santiago , Rowe Christopher C. , Bourgeat Pierrick , Konate Salamata , Sabri Osama , Stephens Andrew W. , Barthel Henryk , Fripp Jurgen , Masters Colin L. , Dinkelborg Ludger , Salvado Olivier , Villemagne Victor L. , De Santi Susan
Published: May 2019

Introduction

18F‐florbetaben is currently approved for the visual rule out of β‐amyloid (Aβ) pathology. It is also used for recruitment and as an outcome measure in therapeutic trials, requiring accurate and reproducible quantification of Aβ burden in the brain.

Methods

Data from eighty‐eight subjects (52 male subjects, aged 79.8 ± 10.6 years) who underwent antemortem 18F‐florbetaben positron emission tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging less than a year before neuropathological assessment at autopsy were evaluated. Image analysis was performed using the standard Centiloid (CL) statistical parametric mapping approach and CapAIBL®. Imaging results were compared against autopsy data.

Results

Against combined Bielschowsky silver staining and immunohistochemistry histopathological scores, statistical parametric mapping had 96% sensitivity, 96% specificity, and 95% accuracy, whereas magnetic resonance–less CapAIBL standardized uptake value ratioWhole Cerebellum had 94% sensitivity, 96% specificity, and 95% accuracy. Based on the combined histopathological scores, a CL threshold band of 19 ± 7 CL was determined.

Discussion

Quantification of 18F‐florbetaben positron emission tomography scans using magnetic resonance–based and magnetic resonance–less CapAIBL® approaches showed high agreement, establishing a pathology‐based threshold in CL.
Acquired Buried Penis in Adults: A Review of Surgical Management
Authors: Smith-Harrison Luriel I. , Piotrowski Joshua , Machen G. Luke , Guise Amy
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Acquired buried penis (ABP) is a urologic condition that has significant morbidity and negative effect on quality of life, including but not limited to sexual function, hygiene, micturition, and self-image. This disease process is characterized by a wide degree of variability and severity that requires a patient-specific approach and significant flexibility on the surgeon’s behalf.

Aim

To review and present the current evaluation and surgical management of this rare and complex patient population.

Methods

A structured review of the English language literature from 1970 to June 2018 was performed using the PubMed and MEDLINE medical databases. Queried terms included “buried penis,” “concealed penis,” “hidden penis,” “adult buried penis,” “cicatricial penis,” “trapped penis,” “inconspicuous penis,” “scrotoplasty and obesity,” “penile release,” “penile skin graft,” “penile reconstruction,” and “pubic lift.” Papers were individually reviewed for their utility and applicability to the management of adult ABP. Manuscripts focusing on pediatric patients were excluded.

Main Outcome Measure

Current surgical management options for adult ABP are heterogenous but focus on preserving shaft length while improving cosmesis and voiding function.

Results

Surgical versatility remains critical for successful outcomes. However, recent advances in surgical techniques for correction of adult ABP focus on the use of skin grafting to cover the shaft, along with lipectomy and/or scrotoplasty to further aid penile exposure. Collaboration with multiple surgical services is often required to achieve optimal outcomes.

Conclusion

ABP is a complex urologic condition with equally complex surgical treatment options. Care must be taken when planning a surgical intervention, and support from plastic or general surgery may be required. However, with careful selection, surgical correction frequently leads to significant improvement in function and quality of life.
Hegemony, Counter-Hegemony and Food Systems Literacy: Transforming the Global Industrial Food System
Authors: Rose Nicholas , Lourival Izo
Published: May 2019

National and global food systems are beset by intersecting and mutually reinforcing crises of public and ecological health. The locus of these crises resides primarily in the excessive concentration of corporate power and control. Deploying a Gramscian theory of politics as a contribution to the ongoing development of a critical food-based environmental education pedagogy, this article argues that transformative change requires the mass exercise of food citizenship directed towards the realisation of a socially just and ecologically sustainable food system, as contemplated by the principles of food sovereignty. The article argues further that food citizenship in turn presupposes levels of engagement and motivation that will only come from processes of transformative learning and critical consciousness-raising through an emerging form of environmental education: critical food systems literacy.
Simulation curricular content in postgraduate emergency medicine: A multicentre Delphi study
Authors: Kester-Greene Nicole , Hall Andrew K , Walsh Catharine M
Published: May 2019

Objectives

There is increasing evidence to support integration of simulation into medical training; however, no national emergency medicine (EM) simulation curriculum exists. Using Delphi methodology, we aimed to identify and establish content validity for adult EM curricular content best suited for simulation-based training, to inform national postgraduate EM training.

Methods

A national panel of experts in EM simulation iteratively rated potential curricular topics, on a 4-point scale, to determine those best suited for simulation-based training. After each round, responses were analyzed. Topics scoring <2/4 were removed and remaining topics were resent to the panel for further ratings until consensus was achieved, defined as Cronbach α ≥ 0.95. At conclusion of the Delphi process, topics rated ≥ 3.5/4 were considered “core” curricular topics, while those rated 3.0-3.5 were considered “extended” curricular topics.

Results

Forty-five experts from 13 Canadian centres participated. Two hundred eighty potential curricular topics, in 29 domains, were generated from a systematic literature review, relevant educational documents and Delphi panellists. Three rounds of surveys were completed before consensus was achieved, with response rates ranging from 93-100%. Twenty-eight topics, in eight domains, reached consensus as “core” curricular topics. Thirty-five additional topics, in 14 domains, reached consensus as “extended” curricular topics.

Conclusions

Delphi methodology allowed for achievement of expert consensus and content validation of EM curricular content best suited for simulation-based training. These results provide a foundation for improved integration of simulation into postgraduate EM training and can be used to inform a national simulation curriculum to supplement clinical training and optimize learning.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment as a Cognitive Screening Tool in Athletes
Authors: Debert Chantel Teresa , Stilling Joan , Wang Meng , Sajobi Tolulope , Kowalski Kristina , Benson Brian Walter , Yeates Keith , Dukelow Sean Peter
Published: May 2019

Background:The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a cognitive screening tool known to accurately measure mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in many different neurological populations.Objective:We aimed to determine whether a sport-related concussion (SRC) history and other concussion modifiers influence global cognitive function in high-performance athletes.Methods:A cross-sectional study of 326 varsity and national team athletes aged 18–36 years was completed at the University of Calgary Sports Medicine Clinic, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between the total MoCA score, MoCA subscales, and number of previous SRC, adjusting for age, sex, sport participation (SP), and concussion modifiers.Results:Athletes with a history of three or more SRC were 5.36 times more likely to score less than 26/30 on the MoCA (the cutoff for MCI) compared to athletes with two or less SRC (p= 0.02). Males were 2.23 times more likely to have MCI than females (p= 0.0004). There was a significant relationship between the number of previous concussions and the MoCA subscales of attention (p= 0.05) and abstraction (p= 0.003). Age, SP, and concussion modifiers (migraine, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) did not influence the relationship between MoCA and previous concussion history.Conclusion:In the appropriate clinical context, cognitive screening with the MoCA may benefit clinical care in athletes with multiple previous SRC, but should not replace a full neuropsychological assessment. Thus, further research is needed to compare the MoCA to full neuropsychological assessments in this population.
Fabrication of kW-level chirped and tilted fiber Bragg gratings and filtering of stimulated Raman scattering in high-power CW oscillators
Authors: Jiao Kerong , Shu Jian , Shen Hua , Guan Zhiwen , Yang Feiyan , Zhu Rihong
Published: May 2019

Suppression of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) by means of chirped and tilted fiber Bragg gratings (CTFBGs) has become a key topic. However, research on high-power systems is still lacking due to two problems. Firstly, after the inscription, there are a large number of hydroxyl compounds and hydrogen molecules in CTFBGs that cause significant heating due to their strong infrared absorption. Secondly, CTFBGs can couple Stokes light from the core to the cladding and the coating, which causes serious heating in the coating of the CTFBG. Aimed at overcoming these bottlenecks, a process that combines constant-low-temperature and variable-high-temperature annealing is used to reduce the thermal slope of the CTFBG. Also, a segmented-corrosion cladding power stripping technology is used on the CTFBG to remove the Stokes light which is coupled to the cladding, which solves the problem of overheating in the coating of the CTFBG. Thereby, a CTFBG with both a kilowatt-level power-carrying load and the ability to suppress SRS in a fiber laser has been developed. Further, we establish a kW-level CW oscillator to test the CTFBG. Experimental results demonstrate that the power-carrying load of the CTFBG is close to 1 kW, the thermal slope is lower than $0.015\,^{\circ }\text{C}/\text{W}$, and the SRS suppression ratio is nearly 23 dB.
Implementation of cleaning and evaluation process for mobile patient equipment using adenosine triphosphate
Authors: Reese Sara M. , Knepper Bryan C. , Kurtz Jennifer , Christy LeQuire D. , Van Winks Tina , Bonn Jennifer , Young Heather L.
Published: May 2019

We implemented a cleaning process for mobile patient equipment (MPE) and determined its success using adenosine trisphosphate (ATP) monitoring and data feedback. Following education for staff and ATP data feedback, the data suggest that the MPE cleaning program we implemented was successful.
Black knight as a strategic choice? Causes and modes of Russia's support to the authoritarianism in Southern Caucasus
Authors: Natalizia Gabriele
Published: May 2019

Despite recurring elections and the transition to multiparty systems, authoritarianism has re-emerged in the Post-Soviet Space. Along with domestic factors, the external dimension should also be considered to fully understand this regional trend. Scholars depict Russia as a typical ‘black knight’ for democracy. While most of the literature deals with the Kremlin's policies in the ‘new’ Eastern Europe, this article pays attention to Russia's actions in the relatively understudied Southern Caucasus. Specifically, it investigateswhyandhowMoscow tried to thwart democratization in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The diachronic analysis addresses three periods, namely, Yeltsin's presidency, the first Putin presidency and the Putin–Medvedev diarchy. Findings suggest that the Kremlin implemented an increasingly nuanced and intentional black knight strategy in Southern Caucasus, aimed at gaining primacy in the Post-Soviet Space and recognition of its great power status.
The stubbornness of authoritarianism: autocracy-to-autocracy transitions in the world between 2000 and 2015
Authors: Del Panta Gianni
Published: May 2019

Whilst much of the contemporary debate on regime change remains concentrated on transitions to and from democracy, this paper focuses on autocracy-to-autocracy transitions, a relatively understudied but particularly relevant phenomenon. Building on an updated typology of non-democratic regimes and through a qualitative case-by-case assessment, the present paper identifies 21 transitions from one dictatorship to another, out of 32 cases of autocratic breakdown during the 2000–15 period. Hence, after the fall of a dictatorship, the installation of a new authoritarian regime was almost twice as likely as democratization. Accordingly, the paper focuses on the 21 recorded autocracy-to-autocracy transitions and examines in which non-democratic regimes a transition from an autocracy to another is more likely to occur, which peculiar forms of authoritarian rule tend to be installed, and the specific ways in which the dismantling of the previous existing authoritarian rule is achieved.
THE RISE OF THE PRINCELINGS IN CHINA: CAREER ADVANTAGES AND COLLECTIVE ELITE REPRODUCTION
Authors: Zhang Tony Huiquan
Published: May 2019

How have China's princelings benefitted from their family backgrounds in their careers? This study seeks to answer the question and, in so doing, to add to the existing factionalist and meritocracy approaches to Chinese political elites. Based on biographical data of 293 princelings, quantitative analyses show that princelings have various advantages over non-princeling officials on the Central Committee. This is not simply familial advantage, however, as regression analysis finds parents’ rank and longevity do not significantly affect princelings’ career outcomes. Rather, the findings suggest that princelings benefit from membership in an affiliative status group, which differs from factions. The qualitative analysis find princelings’ status is formed and reproduced in a “collective” manner: (1) princelings’ status and early advantages originated in the state's centralized resource allocation system; (2) princelings’ education and career choices are intertwined with the state's practical and ideological goals; (3) princelings’ shared life courses strengthens their collective identity; (4) princelings’ career advantages are secured by the party-state's cadre management system. These factors combine to reproduce princelings’ elite status within the party and state, what I term “collective elite reproduction.”
Self-similar spectra of point-source scalar plumes in a turbulent boundary layer
Authors: Talluru K. M. , Philip Jimmy , Chauhan K. A.
Published: May 2019

Measurements of concentration fluctuations in a passive scalar plume released within a turbulent boundary layer are utilised to ascertain the scaling of concentration spectra. It is observed that the concentration spectra in a narrow meandering plume has a self-similar behaviour in both transverse ($y$) and vertical ($z$, i.e. wall-normal) directions. Experimental data reveal self-similarity when the magnitude of concentration spectra is scaled by the local concentration variance whereas frequency is suitably scaled utilising the integral length scale of the streamwise velocity or the boundary layer thickness and the source velocity as length and velocity scales, respectively. Furthermore, our data show that at each frequency, the concentration energy is distributed across the$y$and$z$directions that is proportional to concentration variance at that location. These results are consistent with our non-dimensional analysis. Based on these observations, if the mean plume statistics are known, a model is proposed with which concentration spectrum at any position within the plume can be calculated using the spectrum at any another location as the input. The model is tested extensively for point-source plumes released at various heights and streamwise distances in a turbulent boundary layer, and is found to predict spectra at different$y$and$z$locations in close agreement with measurements.
Vibrational convection in a heterogeneous binary mixture. Part 1. Time-averaged equations
Authors: Vorobev Anatoliy , Lyubimova Tatyana
Published: May 2019

High-frequency vibrations of a container filled with a fluid generate pulsation flows that however are barely visible with the naked eye, and induce the slow but large-amplitude averaged flows that are important for various practical applications. In this work we derive a theoretical model that gives the averaged description of the influence of uniform high-frequency vibrations on an isothermal mixture of two slowly miscible liquids. The miscible multiphase system is described within the framework of the phase-field approach. The full Cahn–Hillard–Navier–Stokes equations are split into the separate systems for the quasi-acoustic, pulsating and averaged flow fields, eliminating the need for the resolution of the short time scale pulsation motion and thus making the analysis of the long-term evolution much more efficient. The resultant averaged model includes the effects of concentration diffusion and barodiffusion, the dynamic interfacial stresses and the generation of the hydrodynamic flows by non-homogeneities of the concentration field (when they are combined with the effects of gravity and vibrations). The resultant model for the vibrational convection in a heterogeneous mixture of two fluids separated by diffusive boundaries could be used for the description of processes of mixing/de-mixing, solidification/melting, polymerisation, etc. in the presence of vibrations.
Kalana Lagerstätte crinoids: Early Silurian (Llandovery) of central Estonia
Authors: Ausich William I. , Wilson Mark A. , Tinn Oive
Published: May 2019

The Kalana Lagerstätte of early Aeronian (Llandovery, Silurian) age in central Estonia preserves a diverse shallow marine biota dominated by non-calcified algae. This soft-tissue flora and decalcified and calcified crinoids are preserved in situ, in a lens of microlaminated, dolomitized micrite interbedded in a sequence of dolomitized packstones and wackestones. Although the Lagerstätte is dominated by non-calcified algae, crinoids (together with brachiopods and gastropods) are among the most common organisms that were originally comprised of a carbonate skeleton. Two new crinoids are described from this unit,Kalanacrinus mastikaen. gen. n. sp. (large camerate) andTartucrinus kalanaensisn. gen. n. sp. (small disparid). Interestingly, these two crinoids display contrasting preservation, with the more common large camerate preserved primarily as a decalcified organic residue, whereas the smaller disparid is preserved primarily in calcite. Preservation was assessed using elemental mapping of C, Ca, S, and Si. Columns have the highest portion of Ca, once living soft tissue is indicated by C, S was dispersed as pyrite or associated with organics, and Si is probably associated with clay minerals in the matrix. This new fauna increases our understanding of the crinoid radiation on Baltica following Late Ordovician extinctions.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/fb1f98c4-d35a-43f4-aa0d-75e4f8154a13
The motivational basis of constituency work: how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations interact
Authors: Giger Nathalie , Lanz Simon , de Vries Catherine
Published: May 2019

Behavioral economists and social psychologists have shown that extrinsic motivations can crowd out intrinsic motivations to act. This study examines this crowding out effect in the context of legislative behavior. By exploiting the federal nature of Swiss elections, we examine if response rates to requests of voters residing inside or outside a candidate's district vary based on the electoral competition candidate legislators face. We report two main findings. First, we find a high response rate among Swiss candidates (66 percent) which remains high for voters who reside outside a candidate's district (59 percent) suggesting that intrinsic motivations are a key driver of constituency effort. Second, the response to voters who reside inside a candidate's district is more pronounced for candidates confronted with a high degree of electoral competition. This suggests that extrinsic motivations are important for constituency work, but at the same time their presence might crowd out intrinsic motivations. This evidence suggests that the relationship between electoral competition and responsiveness might be less straightforward than assumed.
Bio- and lithostratigraphy of lower Pleistocene marine successions in western Emilia (Italy) and their implications for the first occurrence of Arctica islandica in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Crippa Gaia , Azzarone Michele , Bottini Cinzia , Crespi Stefania , Felletti Fabrizio , Marini Mattia , Petrizzo Maria Rose , Scarponi Daniele , Raffi Sergio , Raineri Gianluca
Published: May 2019

The Arda and Stirone marine successions (Italy) represent key sections for the early Pleistocene; they were deposited continuously within a frame of climate change, recording the Calabrian cooling as testified by the occurrence of the “northern guests,” such as the bivalve Arctica islandica. In addition, although the first occurrence of A. islandica in the Mediterranean Sea was used as the main criterion to mark the former Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary, the age of this bioevent was never well constrained. Here, we describe the Stirone depositional environment and constrain for the first time the section age using calcareous nannofossil and foraminifera biostratigraphy. We also correlate the Arda and Stirone sections using complementary biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic data. Our results indicate that A. islandica first occurred in both the successions slightly below the top of the CNPL7 biozone (dated at 1.71 Ma). Comparisons with other lower Pleistocene Mediterranean marine successions indicate that the stratigraphically lowest level where A. islandica first occurred in the Mediterranean Sea is in the Arda and Stirone sections; these environments satisfied the ecological requirements for the establishment and the proliferation of the species, which only subsequently (late Calabrian) has been retrieved in southern Italy and other areas of the Mediterranean Sea.
Two twentieth-centuryMLH= 7.5 earthquakes recorded in annually laminated lake sediments from Sary Chelek, western Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Lauterbach Stefan , Mingram Jens , Schettler Georg , Orunbaev Sagynbek
Published: May 2019

Central Asia is highly vulnerable to large earthquakes, yet existing records of past seismic activity in this area are still insufficient to reliably assess regional earthquake hazard on longer timescales. Within this study, the sediments of Sary Chelek, a mountain lake in the western Kyrgyz Tian Shan, were investigated to explore its potential as a natural paleoseismic archive. The lacustrine deposits are characterized by a succession of annually laminated (varved) sediments overlying event deposits that consist of large-scale turbidites and distorted lake sediments, similar to earthquake-related deposits described from other lake sediment records. Microscopic sediment analysis furthermore revealed distorted varves in the laminated sequence that closely resemble earthquake-related soft-sediment deformation structures. Varve counting and radiometric dating determine the formation of the distorted varves and the emplacement of the large-scale event deposits to the early 1990s and mid-1940s, respectively. This is in good temporal agreement with the occurrence of two large earthquakes that struck western Kyrgyzstan in AD 1992 and AD 1946. These results and particularly the precise age control of the Sary Chelek sediment record highlight its potential for establishing a long and precisely dated record of regional earthquake activity.