bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating yield curves of the U.S. Treasury securities: An interpolation approach
Authors: Guo Feng
Published: October 2018

Following the approach of interpolation, this paper proposes the multiple exponential decay model to fit yield curves for both the U.S. TIPS market and the conventional Treasury security market. Several estimation methods, including the unconstrained/constrained nonlinear minimization, quadratic programming, and the iterative linear least squares, are applied to estimate the unknown parameters according to different curve‐fitting purposes. Comparisons between the proposed model and the alternatives show that the multiple exponential decay successfully (1) adapts to a variety of shapes associated with yield curves, (2) (partially) keeps in line with the economic interpretations of Nelson–Siegel summarized by Diebold and Li (), and (3) dominates the competing models in curve‐fitting performance measured by mean fitted‐price errors over the sample period. In addition, the exact specification of a nonparametric interpolation model is pinned down by applying three statistical tools, which enable us to jointly take into account validity, optimality, and parsimoniousness of the proposed model.
Security measure allocation for industrial control systems: Exploiting systematic search techniques and submodularity
Authors: Milošević Jezdimir , Teixeira André , Tanaka Takashi , Johansson Karl H. , Sandberg Henrik
Published: October 2018

To protect industrial control systems from cyberattacks, multiple layers of security measures need to be allocated to prevent critical security vulnerabilities. However, both finding the critical vulnerabilities and then allocating security measures in a cost‐efficient way become challenging when the number of vulnerabilities and measures is large. This paper proposes a framework that can be used once this is the case. In our framework, the attacker exploits security vulnerabilities to gain control over some of the sensors and actuators. The critical vulnerabilities are those that are not complex to exploit and can lead to a large impact on the physical world through the compromised sensors and actuators. To find these vulnerabilities efficiently, we propose an algorithm that uses the nondecreasing properties of the impact and complexity functions and properties of the security measure allocation problem to speed up the search. Once the critical vulnerabilities are located, the security measure allocation problem reduces to an integer linear program. Since integer linear programs are NP‐hard in general, we reformulate this problem as a problem of minimizing a linear set function subject to a submodular constraint. A polynomial time greedy algorithm can then be applied to obtain a solution with guaranteed approximation bound. The applicability of our framework is demonstrated on a control system used for regulation of temperature within a building.
Distributed stereo vision‐based 6D localization and mapping for multi‐robot teams
Authors: Schuster Martin J. , Schmid Korbinian , Brand Christoph , Beetz Michael
Published: October 2018

Joint simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) constitutes the basis for cooperative action in multi‐robot teams. We designed a stereo vision‐based 6D SLAM system combining local and global methods to benefit from their particular advantages: (1) Decoupled local reference filters on each robot for real‐time, long‐term stable state estimation required for stabilization, control and fast obstacle avoidance; (2) Online graph optimization with a novel graph topology and intra‐ as well as inter‐robot loop closures through an improved submap matching method to provide global multi‐robot pose and map estimates; (3) Distribution of the processing of high‐frequency and high‐bandwidth measurements enabling the exchange of aggregated and thus compacted map data. As a result, we gain robustness with respect to communication losses between robots. We evaluated our improved map matcher on simulated and real‐world datasets and present our full system in five real‐world multi‐robot experiments in areas of up 3,000 m2 (bounding box), including visual robot detections and submap matches as loop‐closure constraints. Further, we demonstrate its application to autonomous multi‐robot exploration in a challenging rough‐terrain environment at a Moon‐analogue site located on a volcano.
Camera trap theft and vandalism: occurrence, cost, prevention and implications for wildlife research and management
Authors: Meek Paul D. , Ballard Guy A. , Sparkes Jess , Robinson Mark , Nesbitt Brad , Fleming Peter J. S.
Published: October 2018

Camera traps are increasingly used to monitor wildlife populations and management activities. Failing to detect target occurrence and/or behaviour inhibits the robustness of wildlife surveys. Based on user‐testing, it is reasonable to expect some equipment to malfunction but other sources of failure, such as those caused by theft and vandalism, are largely unquantified. Between May 2016 and October 2017, we undertook an international survey of professional practitioners who use camera traps for wildlife research and management projects to quantify theft and vandalism, and to document the subsequent effects on project outcomes. We also sought to record the methods used by practitioners to avoid theft and vandalism and whether or not practitioners believed those actions were effective. Most (59%) of the 407 respondents were wildlife researchers and university academics. The survey results revealed that camera trap theft and vandalism is a global issue that not only adds to costs via equipment loss (approx. USD $1.48 million from n = 309 respondents between 2010 and 2015) and theft prevention (c. USD $800 000 spent by respondents between 2010 and 2015) but also influences survey design. Vandalism and theft are clearly a global problem, with responses suggesting that they occur across a diverse array of geographic locations, at varying proximity to human settlements, in multiple habitat types and across device placements. Methods to deter human interference included using camouflaging (73%), security devices such as chains (63%) and boxes (43%), use of decoy camera traps, shortening deployment periods, setting the camera relatively high or low to the ground, or moving away from human traffic. Despite this, the responses suggest that attempts to mitigate losses are often not effective. In review of our findings, we make recommendations for the future of camera trapping that requires implementation and testing.
Concise Reviews: Cancer Stem Cell Targeted Therapies: Toward Clinical Success
Authors: Desai Amar , Yan Yan , Gerson Stanton L.
Published: October 2018

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cells within tumors that possess the stem cell characteristics of self-renewal, quiescence, differentiation, and the ability to recapitulate the parental tumor when transplanted into a host. CSCs are correlated with poor clinical outcome due to their contribution to chemotherapy resistance and metastasis. Multiple cell surface and enzymatic markers have been characterized to identify CSCs within a heterogeneous tumor, and here we summarize ongoing preclinical and clinical efforts to therapeutically target these cells and improve patient outcomes. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:75–81
A weighted kernel machine regression approach to environmental pollutants and infertility
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chen Zhen , Liu Aiyi , Buck Louis Germaine M.
Published: October 2018

In epidemiological studies of environmental pollutants in relation to human infertility, it is common that concentrations of a large number of exposures are collected in both male and female partners. Such a couple‐based study poses some new challenges in statistical analysis, especially when the effect of the totality of these chemical mixtures is of interest, because these exposures may have complex nonlinear and nonadditive relationships with the infertility outcome. Kernel machine regression, as a nonparametric regression method, can be applied to model such effects, while accounting for the highly correlated structure within and across exposures. However, it does not consider the partner‐specific structure in these study data, which may lead to suboptimal estimation for the effects of environmental exposures. To overcome this limitation, we developed a weighted kernel machine regression method (wKRM) to model the joint effect of partner‐specific exposures, in which a linear weight procedure is used to combine the female and male partners' exposure concentrations. The proposed wKRM is not only able to reduce the number of analyzed exposures but also provide an overall importance index of female and male partners' exposures in the risk of infertility. Simulation studies demonstrate good performance of the wKRM in both estimating the joint effects of exposures and fitting the infertility outcome. Application of the proposed method to a prospective infertility study suggests that the male partner's exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls might contribute more toward infertility than the female partner's.
Hierarchical Graphene‐Scaffolded Silicon/Graphite Composites as High Performance Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhu Shanshan , Zhou Jianbin , Guan Yong , Cai Wenlong , Zhao Yingyue , Zhu Yuanchao , Zhu Linqin , Zhu Yongchun , Qian Yitai
Published: October 2018

To better couple with commercial cathodes, such as LiCoO2 and LiFePO4, graphite‐based composites containing a small proportion of silicon are recognized as promising anodes for practical application in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the prepared Si/C composite still suffers from either rapid capacity fading or the high cost up to now. Here, the facile preparation of hierarchical graphene‐scaffolded silicon/graphite composite is reported. In this designed 3D structure, Si nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed on commercial graphites and then uniformly encapsulated in the hierarchical graphene scaffold. This hierarchical structure is also well characterized by the synchrotron X‐ray computed nanotomography technique. When evaluated as anodes for LIBs, the hierarchical composite, with the Si weight ratio of 5 wt%, exhibits a reversible capacity of 559 mA h g−1 at 75 mA g−1, suggesting an unprecedented utilization of Si up to 95%. Even at 372 mA g−1, the composite can still maintain a high capacity retention of 90% after 100 cycles. Coupled with the LiFePO4 cathode, the full cell shows the high capacity of 114 mA h g−1 at 170 mA g−1. The excellent Li‐storage properties can be ascribed to the unique designed hierarchical structure.
Copper‐Plated Paper for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhen , Malti Abdellah , Ouyang Liangqi , Tu Deyu , Tian Weiqian , Wågberg Lars , Hamedi Mahiar Max
Published: October 2018

Paper is emerging as a promising flexible, high surface‐area substrate for various new applications such as printed electronics, energy storage, and paper‐based diagnostics. Many applications, however, require paper that reaches metallic conductivity levels, ideally at low cost. Here, an aqueous electroless copper‐plating method is presented, which forms a conducting thin film of fused copper nanoparticles on the surface of the cellulose fibers. This paper can be used as a current collector for anodes of lithium‐ion batteries. Owing to the porous structure and the large surface area of cellulose fibers, the copper‐plated paper‐based half‐cell of the lithium‐ion battery exhibits excellent rate performance and cycling stability, and even outperforms commercially available planar copper foil‐based anode at ultra‐high charge/discharge rates of 100 C and 200 C. This mechanically robust metallic‐paper composite has promising applications as the current collector for light‐weight, flexible, and foldable paper‐based 3D Li‐ion battery anodes.
Zn0.8Cd0.2S@PCBM Hybrid as an Efficient Electron Transport Layer for Air‐Processed p‐i‐n Planar Perovskite Solar Cells: Improvement of Interfacial Electron Transfer and Device Stability
Authors: Li Yaru , Feng Chuanqi , Cheng Haoliang , Wang Zhong‐Sheng
Published: October 2018

In this study, an inorganic/organic hybrid, Zn0.8Cd0.2S nanoparticles (ZCS) embedded in [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl (PCBM), as an efficient electron transport layer (ETL) for air‐processed p‐i‐n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been demonstrated, and the doping effect and doping mechanism are systematically studied. As compared to PCBM, ZCS@PCBM ETL exhibits improved electron extraction at the perovskite/ETL interface, increased electron transportation within the ETL, enhanced charge collection efficiency, and suppressed interfacial charge recombination, resulting in significantly improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 14.41 to 17.18% by 19.2%. Interestingly, the ZCS nanoparticles can protect the perovskite layer from erosion by ambient moisture, and 82% of the initial PCE for the non‐encapsulated devices with ZCS@PCBM ETL is retained after 500 h storage in the atmosphere (humidity 30–60%) versus only 13% of the initial PCE for the PCBM ETL without ZCS doping.
State of the art and perspectives on traditional and emerging biometrics: A survey
Authors: Traore Issa , Alshahrani Mohammed , Obaidat Mohammad S.
Published: October 2018

The last three decades have seen a shift and impressive progress in the biometric technologies landscape. Several major real‐world applications of biometrics have been released and are currently being used around the world. At the same time, several new biometrics modalities have emerged and have started making an impact in securing sensitive data, information, and systems. We present in this paper a survey of traditional and emerging biometrics by emphasizing their connection to human body parts, behavior, and cognition. A review of the state of the art in the key technologies is carried out along with a discussion of major applications currently available in the real world.
Stability analysis of state‐time‐dependent nonlinear hybrid dynamical systems
Authors: Asahara Hiroyuki , Kousaka Takuji
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we present an improved method for analyzing the stability of the nonlinear hybrid dynamical systems (NHDSs) using a monodromy matrix. We define an n‐dimensional NHDS and focus on an orbit whose initial values exist near the periodic orbit. Because the system has nonlinearity, the circuit equation cannot be expressed in the form of a linear ordinary differential equation, meaning that the existing monodromy‐matrix‐based stability analysis method cannot be used because it requires a matrix exponential. Therefore, we propose a general theory for calculating orbital perturbations during Poincaré observation. Perturbation through switching events is expressed by a state‐transition matrix, which we refer to as the saltation matrix. By computing the perturbations, we obtain the monodromy matrix, whose characteristic multipliers denote the stability of the periodic orbit. We apply the proposed algorithm to an interrupted electric circuit with a nonlinear characteristic to confirm its validity. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
One‐class classification using a support vector machine with a quasi‐linear kernel
Authors: Liang Peifeng , Li Weite , Tian Hao , Hu Jinglu
Published: October 2018

This article proposes a novel method for one‐class classification based on a divide‐and‐conquer strategy to improve the one‐class support vector machine (SVM). The idea is to build a piecewise linear separation boundary in the feature space to separate the data points from the origin, which is expected to have a more compact region in the input space. For the purpose, the input space of the dataset is first divided into a group of partitions by using a partitioning mechanism of tops% winner‐take‐all autoencoder. A gated linear network is designed to implement a group of linear classifiers for each partition, in which the gate signals are generated from the autoencoder. By applying a one‐class SVM (OCSVM) formulation to optimize the parameter set of the gated linear network, the one‐class classifier is implemented in an exactly same way as a standard OCSVM with a quasi‐linear kernel composed using a base kernel with the gate signals. The proposed one‐class classification method is applied to different real‐world datasets, and simulation results show that it shows a better performance than a traditional OCSVM. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Properties of nanofillers/crosslinked polyethylene composites for cable insulation
Authors: Lim Kai Sheng , Mariatti Mustapha , Kamarol Mohamad , Ghani Ahmad Basri Abd. , Shafi Halim Huzainie , Abu Bakar Azhar
Published: October 2018

In this work, we report the effect of nanofillers and filler loading on mechanical, physical, dielectric, and thermal properties of the crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) matrix. XLPE filled with 0.5–2% of zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), and organoclay (OMMT) nanofillers prepared by melt mixing with a single screw extruder followed by hot press moulding. Nanocomposites were tested as per ASTM standard methods and characterized with tensile test, water absorption, linear rate of burning, dielectric breakdown strength, and thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surface morphology of the nanocomposites. The results showed that addition of nanofillers improved tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, burning rate, dielectric breakdown strength, and decomposition temperature. However, water absorption increased with time due to the hydrophilic properties of nanofillers. In general, based on the properties measured Al2O3 exhibits the highest properties than those of ZnO and OMMT nanofillers. Addition of 1.5% of Al2O3 in XLPE matrix has led to the improvement in tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, burning rate, and dielectric breakdown strength as compared to the unfilled polymer. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E147–E154, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
The influences of silane coupling agents on rheological properties of bentonite/nitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites during curing process
Authors: Ge Xin , Zhang Zhijian , Yu Huitao , Zhang Bangwen
Published: October 2018

In the present work, the influences of different silane coupling agents (SCA) on the rheological behaviors of Bent/NBR nanocomposites during the curing process were investigated. The nanocomposites were prepared with a green method which is simple and free of organic solvents. The dispersion state and filler–polymer interfaces were analyzed with XRD, TEM, and SEM while rheological behaviors of the nanocomposites were explored with a rubber processing analyzer (RPA). (3‐Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and bis[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPT) both improved the dispersion state of bentonite in the matrixes significantly. MPTMS increased the crosslinking density by forming single sulfur bonds while TESPT worked as a plasticizer and delayed the formation of crosslinking during curing process. [3‐(2‐Aminoethylamino)propyl]triethoxysilane (AEAPTMS) led to reversible filler–rubber interactions, which was the main reason for the low elastic torque of the vulcanized nanocomposites. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:236–242, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Thermal, thermomechanical, and morphological characterization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/ZnO nanocomposites: PVC molecular weight effect
Authors: Dastpaki Marziyeh , Khonakdar Hossein Ali
Published: October 2018

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)‐based nanocomposites containing 2 wt% zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared by solution casting and the effect of the PVC molecular weight (MW) on the morphology, thermal properties, and thermogravimetric behavior was studied. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles to PVCs of different MWs increased the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resulting nanocomposites, the extent of which was dependent upon the MW of the PVC matrix. The nanocomposite samples exhibited broadened transition zones as compared with their unfilled PVC matrices. The extent of transition zone broadening was also controlled by the MW of the PVC matrix in the nanocomposites. In the absence of ZnO nanoparticles, the increase in MW of PVC had no effect on the breadth of the transition zone. The TGA results showed that the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into PVC matrices of different MWs accelerated the first stage weight loss via the nanoparticle catalytic effect through removal of HCL from the polymeric chains. The presence of ZnO nanoparticles lowered the second stage weight loss, and the char yield obtained for nanocomposites samples was significantly greater than that obtained for neat PVC samples. At low MWs, the presence of ZnO nanoparticles had no effect on the first stage of thermal degradation process. The presence of ZnO nanoparticles in the matrix in different nanocomposites was revealed by SEM observations, and the EDX analysis demonstrated a progressive improvement in the distribution and dispersion state of ZnO nanoparticles in the PVC‐based nanocomposites as the MW of PVC matrix gradually increased. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E63–E71, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of Defect‐free [Hf6(μ3‐O)4(μ3‐OH)4(C4H2O4)6] (Hf‐UiO‐66‐Fum)
Authors: Jacobsen Jannick , Gosch Jonas , Stock Norbert
Published: October 2018

The reaction of HfCl4 with fumaric acid (C4H4O4, H2Fum) in a DMF/HCOOH solvent mixture at 120 °C for 24 h results in the formation of a defect‐free sample of Hf‐UiO‐66‐Fum with UiO‐66 structure type. Treatment of the (as)‐synthesized sample in boiling ethanol followed by a thermal treatment at 70 °C leads to a sample of composition [Hf6(μ3‐O)4(μ3‐OH)4(Fum)6]·18H2O·2EtOH. In the crystal structure the hexanuclear clusters {Hf6(μ3‐O)4(μ3‐OH)4} are twelve‐fold connected by C4H2O42– ions to form the framework with the fcu topology. This cluster connectivity was confirmed by a combination of characterization techniques methods, i.e. CHN analyses, N2 sorption as well as 1H‐NMR spectroscopic and thermogravimetric measurements. The MOF shows a thermal stability of T = 390 °C, a specific BET surface area of 389 m2·g–1 and a water uptake of 204 mg·g–1. The crystal structure was determined from powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) data, employing the Rietveld method. The compound crystallizes in the cubic space group Pn3 and is isostructural to Zr‐UiO‐66‐Fum. Only a small increase of the lattice parameter a from 17.8309(4) to 17.87978(14) Å is observed.
Theories of class F and anomalies
Authors: Lawrie Craig , Martelli Dario , Schäfer-Nameki Sakura
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We consider the 6d (2, 0) theory on a fibration by genus g curves, and dimensionally reduce along the fiber to 4d theories with duality defects. This generalizes class S theories, for which the fibration is trivial. The non-trivial fibration in the present setup implies that the gauge couplings of the 4d theory, which are encoded in the complex structures of the curve, vary and can undergo S-duality transformations. These monodromies occur around 2d loci in space-time, the duality defects, above which the fiber is singular. The key role that the fibration plays here motivates refering to this setup astheories of class F. In the simplest instance this gives rise to 4d$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$N=4Super-Yang-Mills with space-time dependent coupling that undergoes SL(2, ℤ) monodromies. We determine the anomaly polynomial for these theories by pushing forward the anomaly polynomial of the 6d (2, 0) theory along the fiber. This gives rise to corrections to the anomaly polynomials of 4d$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$N=4SYM and theories of class S. For the torus case, this analysis is complemented with a field theoretic derivation of a U(1) anomaly in 4d$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$N=4SYM. The corresponding anomaly polynomial is tested against known expressions of anomalies for wrapped D3-branes with varying coupling, which are known field theoretically and from holography. Extensions of the construction to 4d$$ \mathcal{N}=0 $$N=0and 1, and 2d theories with varying coupling, are also discussed.
Joint resummation of two angularities at next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic order
Authors: Procura Massimiliano , Waalewijn Wouter J. , Zeune Lisa
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Multivariate analyses are emerging as important tools to understand properties of hadronic jets, which play a key role in the LHC experimental program. We take a first step towards precise and differential theory predictions, by calculating the cross section for e
+
e
− → 2 jets differential in the angularities e

α
and e

β
. The logarithms of e

α
and e

β
in the cross section are jointly resummed to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy, using the SCET+ framework we developed, and are matched to the next-to-leading order cross section. We perform analytic one-loop calculations that serve as input for our numerical analysis, provide controlled theory uncertainties, and compare our results to Pythia. We also obtain predictions for the cross section differential in the ratio e

α

/e

β
, which cannot be determined from a fixed-order calculation. The effect of nonperturbative corrections is also investigated. Using Event2, we validate the logarithmic structure of the single angularity cross section predicted by factorization theorems at

$$ \mathcal{O}\left({\alpha}_s^2\right) $$

O

α
s
2

, highlighting the importance of recoil for specific angularities when using the thrust axis as compared to the winner-take-all axis.
Cornering colored coannihilation
Authors: El Hedri Sonia , de Vries Maikel
Published: October 2018

Abstract

In thermal dark matter models, allowing the dark matter candidate to coannihilate with another particle can considerably loosen the relic density constraints on the dark matter mass. In particular, introducing a single strongly interacting coannihilation partner in a dark matter model can bring the upper bound on the dark sector energy scale from a few TeV up to about 10 TeV. While these energies are outside the LHC reach, a large part of the parameter space for such coannihilating models can be explored by future hadron colliders. In this context, it is essential to determine whether the current bounds on dark matter simplified models also hold in non-minimal scenarios. In this paper, we study extended models that include multiple coannihilation partners. We show that the relic density bounds on the dark matter mass in these scenarios are stronger than for the minimal models in most of the parameter space and that weakening these bounds requires sizable interactions between the different species of coannihilation partners. Furthermore, we discuss how these new interactions as well as the additional particles in the models can lead to stronger collider bounds, notably in jets plus missing transverse energy searches. This study serves as a vital ingredient towards the determination of the highest possible energy scale for thermal dark matter models.
Use of a Prescription Drug-Monitoring Program by Emergency and Surgical Prescribers: Results of a Hospital Survey
Authors: Leas Daniel , Seymour Rachel B. , Wally Meghan K. , Hsu Joseph R. ,   the PRIMUM Group, Beuhler Michael , Bosse Michael J. , Gibbs Michael , Griggs Christopher , Jarrett Steven , Runyon Michael , Saha Animita , Watling Bradley , Wyatt Stephen
Published: October 2018

Background

Drug overdoses are the leading cause of death due to injury in the USA. Currently, 49 states have prescription drug-monitoring programs (PDMPs) available to prescribers.

Questions/Purposes

We aimed to assess knowledge and practice of two groups of acute-care prescribers regarding controlled substances.

Methods

A 16-question survey was distributed to a list of surgical and emergency medicine prescribers at our institution. The survey asked about prescriber demographics, previous experiences with a PDMP, and opinions about patient risk factors available within an electronic medical record (EMR).

Results

We received 60 responses (27.1% response rate). All prescribers recognized a growing problem with opioids, both in general and in their own practices, with an average rating of 8.3/10 and 7.9/10, respectively. Although 95% were aware a PDMP was available, only 60% were registered users. Emergency medicine prescribers were significantly more likely to have registered and used the database; 52% said the PDMP was too time-consuming and 23% said the information was not easy to use. All respondents who reported PDMP use indicated it carried some clinical utility, with 87% reporting it to be “somewhat” or “very” useful. Emergency medicine prescribers were more likely to use the PDMP regularly, with 73% selecting “somewhat frequently” or higher, while only 9% of surgery prescribers indicated the same. Of all respondents, 97% agreed that an integrated alert in the existing EMR would be helpful.

Conclusion

Acute-care prescribers at our institution are universally aware of the opioid epidemic, but efficient and useful tools for identifying at-risk patients are lacking. Our prescribers desired an alert system integrated into the EMR to highlight targeted risk factors.
Rectal washout in rectal cancer surgery: A survey of Swedish practice – Questionnaire☆
Authors: Neufert Rebecca Svensson , Teurneau-Hermansson Karl , Lydrup Marie-Louise , Jörgren Fredrik , Buchwald Pamela
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

To reduce local recurrence rates when performing anterior resection in rectal cancer surgery Swedish national guidelines recommend rectal washout. This study aimed to describe current Swedish practice of rectal washout.

Methods:

Questionnaires were sent to Swedish surgical departments performing rectal cancer surgery.

Results:

Thirty-five units performed open rectal cancer surgery, and 91% (32/35) performed minimally invasive surgery. Forty percent (14/35) had a protocol on rectal washout. Rectal washout was most commonly performed using sterile water or an alcohol based solution and with a minimum volume of 100–499 ml. A catheter was used at most units, prior to transection of the rectum and with the bowel clamped. Routine use of rectal washout varied with the type of surgical procedure, with no differences between open and minimally invasive surgery: low anterior resection (97% (34/35) vs 94% (30/32); p = 0.60), high anterior resection (94% (33/35) vs 97% (31/32); p = 1.00), Hartmann's procedure (80% (28/35) vs 84% (27/32); p = 0.75), abdominoperineal resection (6% (2/35) vs 16% (5/32); p = 0.25).

Conclusion:

Swedish colorectal units perform rectal washout routinely with no differences between open and minimally invasive procedures. A minority have a procedure protocol.

Highlights:
Mineralogical, geochemical, and age characteristics of the rocks of the Inagli dunite–clinopyroxenite–shonkinite massif with platinum–chromite and Cr-diopside mineralization (Aldan Shield)
Authors: Okrugin A.V. , Borisenko A.S. , Zhuravlev A.I. , Travin A.V.
Published: October 2018

We consider the mineralogical and geochemical features of the rocks of the Inagli dunite–clinopyroxenite–shonkinite massif with platinum–chromite and unique jewelry Cr-diopside mineralization, which is a reference object of concentric zonal complexes. The massif rocks, from dunites to pulaskites, including peridotites, clinopyroxenites, shonkinites, and melanocratic alkali syenites, form a single continuous comagmatic series. This is confirmed by a clear dependence of the compositions of olivine, pyroxene, phlogopites, and Cr-spinels on the MgO content of the rocks and on the behavior of trace elements in them. The similar compositions of pyroxenes and trace-element patterns of clinopyroxenite rocks and Cr-diopsidite veins indicate a genetic similarity of these rocks. The age and mineralogical and geochemical compositions of the rocks and the geologic and morphological features of the intrusion prove that the Inagli massif formed from high-K picritoid melts, which underwent gradual decompression solidification during the ascent and formed a cylindrical diapir-like body at the subsurface level in the Early Cretaceous. The new portions of differentiates supplied from the lower horizons of the magma column determined the complex composition of the massif: It has a concentric zonal structure cut by numerous radial-circular vein bodies of pegmatites and pure anchimonomineral rocks (Cr-diopsidites), in places, of jewelry quality.
Cr-spinel assemblage from the Upper Triassic gritstones of the northeastern Siberian Platform
Authors: Nikolenko E.I. , Logvinova A.M. , Izokh A.E. , Afanas’ev V.P. , Oleynikov O.B. , Biller A.Ya.
Published: October 2018

An assemblage of Cr-spinels widespread in Carnian (Upper Triassic) diamondiferous deposits in the northeastern Siberian Platform is studied. Analysis of their morphology and chemical composition has revealed two dominant varieties of Cr-spinels and has demonstrated certain regularities in their distribution in the study area. Correlations have been established between the areal distribution of the recognized types of Cr-spinels and diamond varieties typical of kimberlite sources and between the distribution of Cr-spinels and rounded diamond dodecahedrons. The phase and chemical compositions of polyphase inclusions in the Cr-spinels are studied. The spatial arrangement of inclusions along the crystal growth zones indicates their primary genesis and trapping from the melt during crystallization. Compositional features of some minerals in the inclusions—SiO2 impurity in apatite and high CaO contents (0.2–0.8 wt.%) in olivines—point to a nonkimberlite source of these Cr-spinels. The presence of K- and Na-containing phases and calcite in the inclusions indicates saturation of the initial melt with alkalies, Ca, and CO2. The data obtained suggest that the numerous Late Vendian diatremes in K-rich alkaline basites of the Olenek Uplift area are the source of the dominant Cr-spinel variety.
GPR-based novel approach for non-linear aerodynamic modelling from flight data
Authors: Kumar A. , Ghosh A. K.
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a Gaussian process regression (GPR)-based novel method is proposed for non-linear aerodynamic modelling of the aircraft using flight data. This data-driven regression approach uses the kernel-based probabilistic model to predict the non-linearity. The efficacy of this method is examined and validated by estimating force and moment coefficients using research aircraft flight data. Estimated coefficients of aerodynamic force and moment using GPR method are compared with the estimated coefficients using maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) method. Estimated coefficients from the GPR method are statistically analysed and found to be at par with estimated coefficients from MLE, which is popularly used as a conventional method. GPR approach does not require to solve the complex equations of motion. GPR further can be directed for the generalised applications in the area of aeroelasticity, load estimation, and optimisation.
Enhancement of disturbance wave amplification due to the intrinsic three-dimensionalisation of laminar separation bubbles
Authors: Rodríguez D. , Gennaro E. M.
Published: October 2018

Previous studies demonstrated that laminar separation bubbles (LSBs) in the absence of external disturbances or forcing are intrinsically unstable with respect to a three-dimensional instability of centrifugal nature. This instability produces topological modifications of the recirculation region with the introduction of streamwise vorticity in an otherwise purely two-dimensional time-averaged flows. Concurrently, the existence of spanwise inhomogeneities in LSBs have been reported in experiments in which the amplification of convective instability waves dominates the physics. The co-existence of the two instability mechanisms is investigated herein by means of three-dimensional parabolised stability equations. The spanwise waviness of the LSB on account of the primary instability is found to modify the amplification of incoming disturbance waves in the linear regime, resulting in a remarkable enhancement of the amplitude growth and a three-dimensional arrangement of the disturbance waves in the aft portion of the bubble. Present findings suggest that the oblique transition scenario should be expected in LSBs dominated by the convective instability, unless high-amplitude disturbances are imposed.
Google Inc. v. Equustek Solutions Inc.
Authors: Daskal Jennifer
Published: October 2018

In Google v. Equustek, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered Google to delist all websites used by Datalink, a company that stole trade secrets from Equustek, a Canada-based information technology company. Google had agreed to do so in part, but with respect to searches that originated from google.ca only, the default browser for those in Canada. Equustek however, argued the takedowns needed to be global in order to be effective. It thus sought an injunction ordering Google to delist the allegedly infringing websites from all of Google's search engines—whether accessed from google.ca, google.com, or any other entry point. Google objected. The Canadian Supreme Court, along with the two lower Canadian courts that considered the issue, sided with Equustek (para. 54). The ruling sets up a potential showdown between Canadian and U.S. law and raises critically important questions about the appropriate geographic and substantive scope of takedown orders, the future of free speech online, and the role of intermediaries such as Google in preventing economic and other harms.
Domestic Investment Statutes In International Law
Authors: Hepburn Jarrod
Published: October 2018

Alongside now-controversial investment treaties, many states also maintain domestic investment statutes. Although these laws offer protections similar to investment treaties and are increasingly applied in investor-state arbitration, they have—unlike the treaties—attracted limited scholarly scrutiny. This article argues that investment statutes can plausibly be characterized either as unilateral acts in international law or as domestic law. The article examines the significant consequences that follow from these characterizations, providing the first comprehensive analysis of these hybrid statutes.
Expressions duratives postverbales en chinois mandarin à l'interface syntactico-sémantique
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Qiu Yiqin , Hu Xiaoshi
Published: October 2018

L'expression durative postverbale en chinois mandarin a été traitée dans quatre approches différentes dans la littérature, à savoir l'approche de complément, l'approche de prédicat, la cooccurrence des structures de complément et de prédicat et l'approche d'adjoint. Dans cet article, nous proposons une analyse combinatoire par adjoint et par prédicat en tenant compte des facteurs à la fois syntaxiques et sémantiques non seulement de l'expression durative postverbale, mais aussi des verbes et des objets auxquels les duratifs peuvent s'attacher. Nous avons pour objectif de montrer que ce sont ces facteurs conjoints qui permettent de déterminer la distribution en surface et la position syntaxique de l'expression durative postverbale en chinois mandarin.
NET NUTRITION AND THE TRANSITION FROM 19TH CENTURY BOUND TO FREE-LABOR: ASSESSING DIETARY CHANGE WITH DIFFERENCES-IN-DECOMPOSITIONS
Authors: Carson Scott Alan
Published: October 2018

Average stature reflects cumulative net nutrition and health during economic development. This study introduces a difference-in-decompositions approach to show that although 19th century African-American cumulative net nutrition was comparable to working class whites, it was made worse-off with the transition to free-labor. Average stature reflects net nutrition over the life-course, and adult blacks born under bound-labor had greater age related statures loss than blacks under free-labor. Agricultural worker's net nutrition was better than workers in other occupations and was better-off under free-labor and industrialization. Within-group stature variation was greater than across-group variation, and white within-group stature variation associated with socioeconomic status was greater than African-Americans.
SRB measures for partially hyperbolic attractors of local diffeomorphisms
Authors: CRUZ ANDERSON , VARANDAS PAULO
Published: October 2018

We contribute to the thermodynamic formalism of partially hyperbolic attractors for local diffeomorphisms admitting an invariant stable bundle and a positively invariant cone field with non-uniform cone expansion at a positive Lebesgue measure set of points. These include the case of attractors for Axiom A endomorphisms and partially hyperbolic endomorphisms derived from Anosov. We prove these attractors have finitely many SRB measures, that these are hyperbolic, and that the SRB measure is unique provided the dynamics is transitive. Moreover, we show that the SRB measures are statistically stable (in the weak$^{\ast }$ topology) and that their entropy varies continuously with respect to the local diffeomorphism.
MALACATES, HILADO Y TEXTILES DURANTE EL PERIODO POSCLÁSICO: EL CASO DEL SITIO DE LA PEÑA, CUENCA DE SAYULA, JALISCO, MÉXICO
Authors: Gutiérrez Trapero Kiyo
Published: October 2018

Este informe presenta una muestra de malacates procedentes del sitio de La Peña, ubicado en el occidente de Mesoamérica. Los datos sugieren que La Peña fue un centro emblemático de producción textil en la Cuenca de Sayula durante el periodo Posclásico temprano y medio. En general, los malacates presentan peso y tamaño reducido y probablemente fueron utilizados en el hilado de finos hilos de algodón. Aunque las actividades textiles en La Peña no estaban restringidas a los grupos sociales de élite, es dentro de los espacios domésticos de éstas en donde se encontró la mayor cantidad de herramientas asociadas a las labores textiles y en donde posiblemente se llevó a cabo la fabricación de algún tipo de indumentaria. Esta información se complementa con datos de fuentes etnohistóricas de la región que sugieren que las actividades textiles tuvieron un significado simbólico y económico importante y estuvieron relacionadas sobre todo con lo femenino.
Lattice dissections: plainer and less fancy
Authors: Matsko Vincent J.
Published: October 2018

The title of this Article pays homage to Greg Frederickson's widelyknown book on geometrical dissections, Dissections: Plane & Fancy [1]. I enjoyed the book so much, I built an honours geometry course around it − a terminal mathematics course for honours students needing a mathematics credit for their general education requirements. Not only is there significant geometry involved, but there is a fair amount of number theory relevant to finding infinite families of dissections of, for example, m squares to n squares.

However, although many dissections from one regular polygon to another are quite elegant, the mathematics involved in specifying the dissections is often formidable.
The Real Lives of Fake People
Authors: Ratner-Rosenhagen Jennifer
Published: October 2018

Don Quixote is remembered as a dreamer, but he was, in the first instance for his creator, a cautionary tale about the bewitching danger of reading fiction. When Cervantes wrote what is considered to be the first modern novel, he did so having witnessed the explosion of printed texts thanks to the invention of the printing press, and his story chronicles what happens to hapless readers who are sucked into the dreamy world of fiction's unreality. Poor Don Quixote envisioned himself as a swashbuckling knight like those in the chivalric stories he consumed, and his metastasized imagination got him into heaps of trouble. He mistook inns for castles, flocks of sheep for advancing armies, and, most memorably, windmills for giants. Cervantes did not just give readers a unique portrait of an outlandish, romantic, and impractical schemer—he also inspired the word “quixotic” to describe others like him.
ON GENERALISED METRISABILITY AND CARDINAL INVARIANTS IN QUASITOPOLOGICAL GROUPS
Authors: TANG ZHONGBAO , LIN SHOU
Published: October 2018

We consider generalised metrisability and cardinal invariants in quasitopological groups. We construct examples to show that some equalities of cardinal invariants in topological groups cannot be extended to quasitopological groups.
The British Academy Brian Barry Prize Essay Justifying Public Funding for Science
Authors: Pamuk Zeynep
Published: October 2018

Public funding for science is increasingly coming under attack. This article explores the normative force of these charges, and the arguments that are available to counter them. It examines two justifications of state support for science: Vannevar Bush’s vision of the universal material benefits of scientists pursuing basic research and John Rawls’s liberal justification of science funding as a voluntary public good. It argues that both accounts neglect the important political impact of scientific research and its status as the source of knowledge for the modern state. The article then traces the implications of the political role of science for the appropriate forms of democratic input into funding decisions.
The acquisition of English possessives by a bilingual child: Do input and usage frequency matter?
Authors: BABATSOULI Elena , NICOLADIS Elena
Published: October 2018

Previous research in child language shows that many aspects of language acquisition are frequency-linked. This study tests whether input or usage frequency predicts the order of acquisition and accuracy of a bilingual Greek–English child's English possessives. The child was followed longitudinally from age 2;6 to 3;11. Order of acquisition was comparable to that of same-aged monolingual children. The child's usage frequency and order of acquisition were highly correlated with input frequency, while her accuracy was not. We argue that the child's already-acquired Greek possessives facilitated acquisition of English possessives, even though the child's English input and usage frequencies were lower than in monolingual English children.
The development of the cortisol response to dyadic stressors in Black and White infants
Authors: Dismukes Andrew , Shirtcliff Elizabeth , Jones Christopher W. , Zeanah Charles , Theall Katherine , Drury Stacy
Published: October 2018

Acute reactivity of the stress hormone cortisol is reflective of early adversity and stress exposure, with some studies finding that the impact of adversity on the stress response differs by race. The objectives of the current study were to characterize cortisol reactivity to two dyadically based stress paradigms across the first year of life, to examine cortisol reactivity within Black and White infants, and to assess the impact of correlates of racial inequity including socioeconomic status, experiences of discrimination, and urban life stressors, as well as the buffering by racial socialization on cortisol patterns. Salivary cortisol reactivity was assessed at 4 months of age during the Still Face paradigm (N = 207) and at 12 months of age across the Strange Situation procedure (N = 129). Infants demonstrated the steepest recovery after the Still Face paradigm and steepest reactivity to the Strange Situation procedure. Race differences in cortisol were not present at 4 months but emerged at 12 months of age, with Black infants having higher cortisol. Experiences of discrimination contributed to cortisol differences within Black infants, suggesting that racial discrimination is already “under the skin” by 1 year of age. These findings suggest that race-related differences in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal reactivity are present in infancy, and that the first year of life is a crucial time period during which interventions and prevention efforts for maternal–infant dyads are most likely able to shape hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal reactivity thereby mitigating health disparities early across the life course.