bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A para‐C–H Functionalization of Aniline Derivatives via In situ Generated Bulky Hypervalent Iodinium Reagents
Authors: Tian Chao , Yao Xu , Ji Weizhe , Wang Qian , An Guanghui , Li Guangming
Published: September 2018

A practical para‐C‐H functionalization of aniline derivatives has been developed using an in situ generated bulky hypervalent iodinium reagent. Para‐iodo, bromo, chloro, nitro, trifluormethyl aniline derivatives can be obtained efficiently, in many cases in 10 min in a transition metal‐free manner. Medicinal chemicals or intermediates can be purified without column chromatography or recrystallization, which significantly reduces the waste and simplifies the work‐up process.
Diverse Multi‐Functionalized Oligoarenes and Heteroarenes for Porous Crystalline Materials
Authors: Grosjean Sylvain , Hassan Zahid , Wöll Christof , Bräse Stefan
Published: September 2018

A modular synthesis of multi‐functionalized biphenyl, terphenyl and higher linear oligophenylene dicarboxylic acids and pyridine‐terminated oligoarenes by stepwise palladium–catalyzed borylation/Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions is described. The presence of several distinct functional groups such as azide, hydroxy, and alkyne, as well as coordinative functional end groups (carboxylic acid or pyridine) combined in a single oligoarene molecular unit at strategic positions offer an advantageous dual‐utility. First, these compounds can serve as useful molecular bricks (ditopic organic linkers) in the construction of complex porous crystalline materials. Second, after the assembly into the crystalline coordination networks, orthogonal functional sites within the linker‐backbone offer tremendous potential from application perspectives as they can be modified by a wide range of post‐synthetic modifications including azide–alkyne click chemistry. This allows further tailoring of the supramolecular assemblies to yield novel multifunctional materials.
Synthesis of Molecular Dyads and Triads Based Upon N‐Annulated Perylene Diimide Monomers and Dimers
Authors: Cann Jonathan R. , Cabanetos Clement , Welch Gregory C.
Published: September 2018

The synthesis of N‐annulated perylene diimides (NPDIs) with grafted electron donating phenothiazine (PTZ) groups is presented. The synthetic strategy takes advantage of the N‐annulation at the PDI bay position, which allows for the facile installation of the pendant donors. Three new molecular materials are reported, a dyad consisting of an NPDI monomer tethered to a PZT unit (4), a dyad consisting of an NPDI dimer with one PZT unit tethered (9), and a triad consisting of an NPDI dimer with two PTZ units tethered (10). The PTZ and NPDI were “clicked” together using copper catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition chemistry. Analysis of optical absorption/emission spectra and electrochemical data reveal that the electronic structure of each individual aromatic system remains distinct, but through‐space interactions occur, as is evident by fluorescence quenching in both solution and the solid state.
Comparison between Modified and Unmodified Carbon Paste Electrodes for Hexavalent Chromium Determination
Authors: Hilali Nazha , Ghanam Abdelghani , Mohammadi Hasna , Amine Aziz , García‐Guzmán Juan José , Cubillana‐Aguilera Laura , Palacios‐Santander José María
Published: September 2018

This work consists of developing a simple electroanalytical method which allows the speciation of Cr(VI). Gold modified Carbon Paste Electrodes (CPEs) and unmodified CPEs have been tested for the determination of Cr(VI) in presence of an excess of Cr(III) by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), without any accumulation or pre‐concentration time. Several parameters affecting the analytical performances of the designed electrodes were investigated, including: electrodeposition technique of AuNPs onto the CPE, amount of AuNPs dropped on the electrode surface, supporting electrolyte, presence of Cr(III), presence of chloride ions and concentration of diphenylcarbazide (DPC). Under the optimal conditions, the use of unmodified CPE in an acidic medium containing DPC exhibited a high selectivity and a good detection limit of 19 μg ⋅ L−1, which is much lower than the admissible concentration fixed by the World Health Organization (50 μg ⋅ L−1). A linear range from 50 to 260 μg ⋅ L−1 was obtained with a relative standard deviation of 7.75 %. Furthermore, as opposed to the AuNPs‐modified CPE, the current response of Cr(VI) obtained at the unmodified CPE was not affected by the presence of chloride ions and trivalent chromium. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of Cr(VI) in real tap water samples with satisfactory results.
Protracted river response to medieval earthquakes
Authors: Stolle Amelie , Schwanghart Wolfgang , Andermann Christoff , Bernhardt Anne , Fort Monique , Jansen John D. , Wittmann Hella , Merchel Silke , Rugel Georg , Adhikari Basanta Raj , Korup Oliver
Published: September 2018

Mountain rivers respond to strong earthquakes by rapidly aggrading to accommodate excess sediment delivered by co‐seismic landslides. Detailed sediment budgets indicate that rivers need several years to decades to recover from seismic disturbances, depending on how recovery is defined. We examine three principal proxies of river recovery after earthquake‐induced sediment pulses around Pokhara, Nepal's second largest city. Freshly exhumed cohorts of floodplain trees in growth position indicate rapid and pulsed sedimentation that formed a fan covering 150 km2 in a Lesser Himalayan basin with tens of metres of debris between the 11th and 15th centuries AD. Radiocarbon dates of buried trees are consistent with those of nearby valley deposits linked to major medieval earthquakes, such that we can estimate average rates of re‐incision since. We combine high‐resolution digital elevation data, geodetic field surveys, aerial photos, and dated tree trunks to reconstruct geomorphic marker surfaces. The volumes of sediment relative to these surfaces require average net sediment yields of up to 4200 t km–2 yr–1 for the 650 years since the last inferred earthquake‐triggered sediment pulse. The lithological composition of channel bedload differs from that of local bedrock, confirming that rivers are still mostly evacuating medieval valley fills, locally incising at rates of up to 0.2 m yr–1. Pronounced knickpoints and epigenetic gorges at tributary junctions further illustrate the protracted fluvial response; only the distal portions of the earthquake‐derived sediment wedges have been cut to near their base. Our results challenge the notion that mountain rivers recover speedily from earthquakes within years to decades. The valley fills around Pokhara show that even highly erosive Himalayan rivers may need more than several centuries to adjust to catastrophic perturbations. Our results motivate some rethinking of post‐seismic hazard appraisals and infrastructural planning in active mountain regions. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast computation of the wall distance in unsteady Eulerian fluid‐structure computations
Authors: Grimberg Sebastian , Farhat Charbel
Published: September 2018

Highly nonlinear, turbulent, dynamic, fluid‐structure interaction problems characterized by large structural displacements and deformations, as well as self‐contact and topological changes, are encountered in many applications. For such problems, the Eulerian computational framework, which is often equipped with an embedded (or immersed) boundary method for computational fluid dynamics, is often the most appropriate framework. In many circumstances, it requires the computation of the time‐dependent distance from each active mesh vertex of the embedding mesh to the nearest embedded discrete surface. Such circumstances include, for example, modeling turbulence using the Spalart‐Allmaras or detached eddy simulation turbulence models and performing adaptive mesh refinement in order to track the boundary layer. Evaluating at each time step the distance to the wall is computationally prohibitive, particularly in the context of explicit‐explicit fluid‐structure time‐integration schemes. Hence, this paper presents two complementary approaches for reducing this computational cost. The first one recognizes that many quantities depending on the wall distance are relatively insensitive to its inaccurate evaluation in the far field. Therefore, it simplifies a state‐of‐the‐art algorithm for computing the wall distance accordingly. The second approach relies on an effective wall distance error estimator to update the evaluation of the wall distance function only when otherwise, a quantity of interest that depends on it would become tainted by an unacceptable level of error. The potential of combining both approaches for dramatically accelerating the computation of the wall distance is demonstrated with the Eulerian simulation of the inflation of a disk‐gap‐band parachute system in a supersonic airstream.
Financing health care in Bangladesh: Policy responses and challenges towards achieving universal health coverage
Authors: Fahim Shah Mohammad , Bhuayan Tofayel Ahmed , Hassan Md. Zakiul , Abid Zafr Abu Hena , Begum Farhana , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Alam Shahinul
Published: September 2018

Bangladesh has attained notable progress in most of the health indicators, but still, health system of the country is suffering badly from poor funding. Issues like burden of out‐of‐pocket expenditure, low per capita share in health, inadequate service facilities, and financial barriers in reducing malnutrition are being overlooked due to inadequacy and inappropriate utilization of allocated funds. We aimed to review the current status of health care spending in Bangladesh in response to national health policy (NHP) and determine the future challenges towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC). National health policy suggested a substantial increase in budgetary allocation for health care, although government health care expenditures in proportion to total public spending plummeted down from 6.2% to 4.04% in the past 8 years. Overall, 67% of the health care cost is being paid by people, whereas global standard is below 32%. Only one hospital bed is allocated per 1667 people, and 34% of total posts in health sector are vacant due to scarcity of funds. The country is experiencing demographic dividend with a concurrent rise of aged people, but there seems no financial protection schemes for the aged and working age populations. Such situation results in multiple obstacles in achieving financial risk protection as well as UHC. Policy makers must think effectively to develop and adapt systems in order to achieve UHC and ensure health for all.
WaterS: A Sigfox‐compliant prototype for water monitoring
Authors: Di Gennaro Pietro , Lofú Domenico , Vitanio Daniele , Tedeschi Pietro , Boccadoro Pietro
Published: September 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) represents the enabling paradigm of a huge number of smart applications, spanning from short‐range communications to Low‐Power Wide‐Area Network (LPWAN). Among them, environmental monitoring becomes more and more challenging as the area of interest is difficult to reach. The present contribution proposes WaterS, an open‐source project that relies on low‐cost and rapid‐prototyping technologies. It tackles the main challenges of remote water quality monitoring systems taking advantage of the Sigfox protocol stack. The realized experimental setup is able to gather geo‐referenced water quality measurements. Finally, it successfully addresses self‐sufficiency thanks to solar energy harvesting.
Assessing the generality and durability of interview‐informed functional analyses and treatment
Authors: Rose Jordan Chusid , Beaulieu Lauren
Published: September 2018

Due to the limited research demonstrating socially valid outcomes of function‐based treatments in ecologically relevant environments (Santiago, Hanley, Moore, & Jin, 2016), we replicated and extended the effects of the interview‐informed functional analysis and skill‐based treatment procedure described by Hanley, Jin, Vanselow, and Hanratty (2014) with two children diagnosed with autism in a home setting. The assessment and treatment was implemented by a home‐based service provider and treatment was extended to the participants’ parents. Following the interview‐informed functional analyses, we taught the participants functional communication responses and to engage in less‐preferred activities when functional communication outcomes were delayed. We observed large reductions in problem behavior following the introduction of the function‐based treatment. The effects extended to novel settings, stimuli, and caregivers and the results maintained at 6‐week follow‐ups.
Does ethnic identity buffer or intensify the stress of discrimination among the foreign born and U.S. born? Evidence from the Miami‐Dade Health Survey
Authors: Mossakowski Krysia N. , Wongkaren Turro , Hill Terrence D. , Johnson Robert
Published: September 2018

This study examines the extent to which ethnic identity is a protective factor and buffers the stress of discrimination among the foreign born compared to the U.S. born in Miami‐Dade County. Data were drawn from the 2011 Miami‐Dade Health Survey (N = 444), which is a countywide probability sample of adults in South Florida. Two interaction effects were observed: (a) a stronger ethnic identity was associated with less distress among the foreign born than the U.S. born; and (b) a stronger ethnic identity exacerbated the relationship between everyday discrimination and distress among the U.S. born. Ethnic identity, which involves ethnic pride, participation in cultural practices, and cultural commitment or sense of belonging, was associated with better psychological well‐being among the foreign born than the U.S. born. Ethnic identity, however, was not a protective factor for the U.S. born, but rather it intensified the distressing effect of discrimination.
An HRP‐labeled lateral flow immunoassay for rapid simultaneous detection and differentiation of influenza A and B viruses
Authors: Zhang Jing , Gui Xun , Zheng Qingbing , Chen Yixin , Ge Shengxiang , Zhang Jun , Xia Ningshao
Published: September 2018

Rapid and sensitive diagnosis of influenza is urgently needed to address the limitations of low sensitivity associated with current rapid tests available for clinics and on‐site monitoring. A novel horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐labeled lateral flow immunoassay strip (HRP‐LFIA) for rapid simultaneous detection and differentiation of influenza A (INF A) and influenza B (INF B) viruses were developed. This immunoassay was based on the signal amplification by the HRP‐catalyzed oxidation of 3, 3′, 5, 5′‐tetramethylbenzidine forming a colored insoluble product, which was proportional to the analyte concentration. Compared with conventional gold‐colloidal based strips, an analytical sensitivity enhancement of more than one order of magnitude for thirteen INF virus isolates was observed. A total of 1487 swabs obtained from persons with inﬂuenza‐like illnesses were tested for the presence of INF A and B viruses using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) as the reference criterion. The overall sensitivities of HRP‐LFIA were 77.5% (100/129) and 71.2% (116/163) for INF A and INF B, respectively. The overall specificities were 99.8% (1144/1146) and 99.8% (918/920), respectively. The nasopharyngeal sampling method yielded higher sensitivity rates of 90.2% (55/61) and 82.6% (71/86). In conclusion, this user‐friendly assay could be a promising rapid detection method for rapid screening of INF A and INF B viruses.
Determination of siloxanes in water samples employing graphene oxide/Fe3O4 nanocomposite as sorbent for magnetic solid‐phase extraction prior to GC–MS
Authors: Costa dos Reis Luciana , Vidal Lorena , Canals Antonio
Published: September 2018

A new, fast, simple, and environmentally friendly analytical method has been developed to determine six siloxanes in water samples: octamethyltrisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. The analytical method consists of magnetic solid‐phase extraction employing graphene oxide/Fe3O4 as sorbent for the separation and preconcentration of siloxanes prior to GC–MS determination. The extraction procedure was optimized by means of a Plackett‐Burman design. Under the optimized extraction conditions (graphene oxide/Fe3O4, 20 mg; extraction time, 10 min; eluent volume, 0.5 mL ACN; elution time, 2.5 min; sample volume, 20 mL), the method rendered repeatability levels with a relative standard deviation between 9 and 20% (n = 6, 10 μg/L). Methodological limits of detection ranged from 0.003 to 0.1 μg/L. The linearity of the method was studied between the methodological limit of quantification and 100 μg/L, obtaining correlation coefficient values between 0.990 and 0.999. The applicability of the method was assessed by analyzing drinking, river and wastewater samples. Relative recovery values ranged between 70 and 120% (1 and 60 μg/L spiking level) showing that the matrix had a negligible effect on extraction. Finally, the greenness of this method was confirmed by the semiquantitative Eco‐Scale metrics.
Facile Synthesis of Single‐Hole Crosslinked Particles with Embedded Single Bulge by Seeded Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Sun Xu , Huang Ying , Chen Menghua , Peng Xuanyi , Dou Wenjie
Published: September 2018

Recently, anisotropic particles with single‐hole or open‐mouth structures have been the significant support platform because they provide the contact channel for the target molecules and substrate. However, the powerless synthetic methods severely restrict the preparation efficiency and further application. Herein, a facile, and large‐scale seeded emulsion polymerization procedure is developed for controlling preparation of crosslinked PGMA/PDVB particles with controlled single hole. The morphology evolution from spotted particles to dimple particles to bulge‐in‐hole particles is investigated in detail. More importantly, this strategy opens up a novel avenue for fabricating single‐hole particles with controlled openings for encapsulation and capsulation.
A method to estimate transmission profiles of bow‐tie filters using rotating tube measurements
Authors: Al‐Senan Rani
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to present a method of determining the dose profile of the beam bow‐tie filter (BTF) without the need for fixing the x ray tube in a position or using special instruments or dosimeters other than the ordinary types of ion chambers used for CT dosimetry (e.g., Farmer chamber).

Methods

The idea behind this method is to try to invert the integral of exposures from axial measurements by decomposing it into fractions per degree of tube rotation. Measurements of the CT tube output were taken with a full tube rotation while the chamber was fixed in air. Starting with isocenter the output measurements were performed at 1‐cm interval above the isocenter. Measurements were repeated for three sizes of BTFs; small, medium, and large. Maximum fan angle per chamber position was computed and an effective fan angle was defined to account for the new angular range encountered per chamber position. Variation due to inverse‐square law was isolated from each measurement and contribution from the effective fan angle was computed. Resulted profiles from this method were then compared to profiles obtained with direct measurements, when the tube was in a fixed position. Effects of over and under 360° rotation per scan on results accuracy were also investigated.

Results

Using the direct measurements as the gold standard, results from this method were accurate to 4% for most of the BTFs angular ranges. The average relative error in the small BTF was 1.5%. In the medium BTF, the average relative error was <3% for up to 16° fan angle. With the large BTF, the mean error was about 4% for up to 22°. The relative error appeared to increase at larger fan angles especially with the large BTF; reaching an average of about 32% for fan angles between 22° and 27.5°.

Conclusion

The presented method is relatively easy to perform and provides BTFs profiles with reasonably good accuracy. Associated errors of >10% only appear in high angles of large and medium BTFs.
Measurement invariance of the Spanish Launay–Slade Hallucinations Scale‐Extended version between putatively healthy controls and people diagnosed with a mental disorder
Authors: Siddi Sara , Ochoa Susana , Farreny Aida , Brébion Gildas , Larøi Frank , Cuevas‐Esteban Jorge , Haro Josep Maria , Stephan‐Otto Christian , Preti Antonio
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The current study aimed at evaluating the reliability, convergent and divergent validity, and factor structure of the Spanish Launay–Slade Hallucinations Scale‐Extended version (LSHS‐E) in people with mental disorders and healthy controls.

Methods

Four hundred and twenty‐two individuals completed the Spanish LSHS‐E and the Spanish Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. The convergent and divergent validity of the LSHS‐E was assessed with the three dimensions of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (positive, negative, and depressive dimensions) in healthy controls and people with a mental disorder. Factor structure of the LSHS‐E was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance.

Results

The LSHS‐E had a good reliability in healthy controls and people with a mental disorder (Cronbach's = 0.83 and 0.91, respectively). The LSHS‐E was more strongly associated with positive psychotic‐like experiences than with depressive and negative symptoms. Four factors were found: (a) “intrusive thoughts”; (b) “vivid daydreams”; (c) “multisensory hallucination‐like experiences”; and (d) “auditory–visual hallucination‐like experiences” that were invariant between the group of healthy controls and people with a mental disorder.

Conclusion

The Spanish version of the LSHS‐E possesses adequate psychometric properties, and the confirmatory factor analysis findings provide further support for the multidimensionality of proneness to hallucination in clinical and nonclinical samples.
The prevalence of the defining features of primary ciliary dyskinesia within a cri du chat syndrome cohort
Authors: Sanders Catherine D. , Leigh Margaret W. , Chao Kay C. , Weck Karen E. , King Ian , Wolf Whitney E. , Campbell Dennis J. , Knowles Michael R. , Zariwala Maimoona A. , Shapiro Adam J.
Published: September 2018

Background

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and cri du chat syndrome (CdCS) are distinct disorders that can co‐occur due to a common genetic locus on chromosome 5p. Chronic respiratory symptoms associated with PCD can occur in CdCS and are typically attributed to hypotonia, dysphagia, and aspiration. The prevalence of PCD among individuals with CdCS is not known.

Methods

An online survey assessing common features of PCD was distributed to members of the 5P Minus Society, a cri du chat patient advocacy group. Respondents who met criteria for elevated risk of PCD (at least 3 symptoms or other features highly suggestive of PCD) were offered PCD genetic testing.

Results

For the 123 respondents (median age 10.1 years with IQR 5.5‐17.3 years; from 33 U.S. states and 10 other countries) chronic respiratory symptoms associated with PCD were prevalent, including unexplained neonatal respiratory distress, year‐round nasal congestion beginning in infancy, and year‐round, wet cough beginning in infancy in 35%, 32%, and 20% of respondents, respectively. Fifteen respondents (12%) met criteria for elevated risk for PCD and completed genetic analysis; however, none were diagnostic for PCD. A PCD clinical center evaluated an additional subject with CdCS who met criteria for likely PCD and had negative genetics, but had diagnostic electron microscopy of the respiratory cilia (missing outer dynein arms).

Conclusion

Clinicians should be aware of the genetic connection between CdCS and PCD. Non‐informative genetic testing does not rule out PCD. CdCS patients with chronic respiratory symptoms may benefit from referral to specialized PCD diagnostic centers.
Phyllanthin from Phyllanthus amarus inhibits LPS‐induced proinflammatory responses in U937 macrophages via downregulation of NF‐κB/MAPK/PI3K‐Akt signaling pathways
Authors: Harikrishnan Hemavathy , Jantan Ibrahim , Haque Md. Areeful , Kumolosasi Endang
Published: September 2018

Phyllanthin, a lignan from Phyllanthus species, has been reported to possess potent immunosuppressive properties on immune cells and on adaptive and innate immune responses in animal models. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory effects of phyllanthin isolated from Phyllanthus amarus on nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and PI3K‐Akt signal transducing pathways in LPS‐activated U937 cells. The lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated excess production of prostaglandin was significantly suppressed by phyllanthin via the mechanisms linked to the modulatory effects of cyclooxygenase 2 protein and gene expression. Phyllanthin also significantly inhibited the release and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐1 beta and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha). Phyllanthin also significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of IκBα, NF‐κB (p65), and IKKα/β and suppressed the activation of JNK, ERK, p38MAPK, and Akt in a concentration‐dependent manner. Additionally, phyllanthin downregulated the expression of upstream signaling molecules including MyD88 and toll‐like receptor 4 that are essential for the activation of NF‐κB, MAPKs, and PI3K‐Akt signal transducing pathways. Based on these observations, phyllanthin may exert their suppressive effects on inflammatory process by mediating the release of inflammatory signaling molecules via the NF‐κB, MAPKs, and PI3K‐Akt signal transducing pathways. Thus, phyllanthin holds a great promise as a potential anti‐inflammatory agent to treat various inflammatory diseases.
Signaling valuable human capital: Advocacy group work experience and its effect on employee pay in innovative firms
Authors: Grimpe Christoph , Kaiser Ulrich , Sofka Wolfgang
Published: September 2018

Research Summary: The ability of innovative firms to create and capture value depends on innovations that are quickly and widely adopted. Yet, stakeholder concerns can establish important barriers to diffusion. We study the human capital aspect of this challenge and investigate whether innovative firms pay salary premiums to new hires with work experience from advocacy groups like Transparency International. We integrate strategic human capital with stakeholder theory and suggest that advocacy group experience creates signals for valuable human capital in terms of stakeholder knowledge and legitimacy transfers to innovative firms. Using matched data for 3,562 employees in Denmark, we find that new hires with advocacy group experience enjoy larger salary premiums at technologically leading firms, in occupations with direct stakeholder interaction, and for advocacy group top management.

Managerial Summary: Innovation research is increasingly aware of the non‐technological factors behind successful innovations. Users, regulators, or public opinion can be benevolent supporters or stingy opponents of innovations. Employees with an understanding of the needs and sensitivities of societal stakeholders should therefore be valuable to innovative firms. We find this to be the case when innovative firms hire employees from advocacy groups representing such stakeholders (e.g., Transparency International). Such employees receive higher salaries than an otherwise comparable reference group. These findings indicate that recruiting needs of innovative firms reward stakeholder experience, not merely technological expertise. They demonstrate how firms can create value in the pursuit of the public interest. Further, advocacy groups emerge as an important career stage allowing individuals to develop credible signals for stakeholder expertise.
Effective field theory of black hole echoes
Authors: Burgess C. P. , Plestid Ryan , Rummel Markus
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Gravitational wave ‘echoes’ during black-hole merging events have been advocated as possible signals of modifications to gravity in the strong-field (but semiclassical) regime. In these proposals the observable effect comes entirely from the appearance of nonzero reflection probability at the horizon, which vanishes for a standard black hole. We show how to apply EFT reasoning to these arguments, using and extending earlier work for localized systems that relates choices of boundary condition to the action for the physics responsible for these boundary conditions. EFT reasoning applied to this action argues that linear ‘Robin’ boundary conditions dominate at low energies, and we determine the relationship between the corresponding effective coupling (whose value is the one relevant low-energy prediction of particular modifications to General Relativity for these systems) and the phenomenologically measurable near-horizon reflection coefficient. Because this connection involves only near-horizon physics it is comparatively simple to establish, and we do so for perturbations in both the Schwarzschild geometry (which is the one most often studied theoretically) and the Kerr geometry (which is the one of observational interest for post-merger ring down). In passing we identify the renormalization-group evolution of the effective couplings as a function of a regularization distance from the horizon, that enforces how physics does not depend on the precise position where the boundary conditions are imposed. We show that the perfect-absorber/perfect-emitter boundary conditions of General Relativity correspond to the only fixed points of this evolution. Nontrivial running of all other RG evolution reflects how modifications to gravity necessarily introduce new physics near the horizon.
A novel notion of null infinity for c-boundaries and generalized black holes
Authors: Costa e Silva I. P. , Flores J. L. , Herrera J.
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We give new definitions of null infinity and black hole in terms of causal boundaries, applicable to any strongly causal spacetime (M, g). These are meant to extend the standard ones given in terms of conformal boundaries, and use the new definitions to prove a classic result in black hole theory for this more general context: if the null infinity is regular (i.e. well behaved in a suitable sense) and (M, g) obeys the null convergence condition, then any closed trapped surface in (M, g) has to be inside the black hole region. As an illustration of this general construction, we apply it to the class of generalized plane waves, where the conformal null infinity is not always well-defined. In particular, it is shown that (generalized) black hole regions do not exist in a large family of these spacetimes.
Penalized Best Linear Prediction of True Test Scores
Authors: Yao Lili , Haberman Shelby J. , Zhang Mo
Published: September 2018

In best linear prediction (BLP), a true test score is predicted by observed item scores and by ancillary test data. If the use of BLP rather than a more direct estimate of a true score has disparate impact for different demographic groups, then a fairness issue arises. To improve population invariance but to preserve much of the efficiency of BLP, a modified approach, penalized best linear prediction, is proposed that weights both mean square error of prediction and a quadratic measure of subgroup biases. The proposed methodology is applied to three high-stakes writing assessments.
Redox Modulation at Work: Natural Phytoprotective Polysulfanes From Alliums Based on Redox-Active Sulfur
Authors: Anwar Awais , Gould Emma , Tinson Ryan , Iqbal Javaid , Hamilton Chris
Published: September 2018

Purpose of review

This article provides a brief overview of natural phytoprotective products ofalliumwith a special focus on the therapeutic potential of diallyl polysulfanes from garlic, their molecular targets and their fate in the living organisms. A comprehensive overview of antimicrobial and anticancer properties of published literature is presented for the reader to understand the effective concentrations of polysulfanes and their sensitivity towards different human pathogenic microbes, fungi, and cancer cell lines.

Recent findings

The article finds polysulfanes potentials as new generation novel antibiotics and chemo preventive agent. The effective dose rates of polysulfanes for antimicrobial properties are in the range of 0.5–40 mg/L and for anticancer 20–100 μM. The molecular targets for these redox modulators are mainly cellular thiols as well as inhibition and/or activation of certain cellular proteins in cancer cell lines.

Antimicrobial and anticancer activities of polysulfanes published in the literature indicate that with further development, they could be promising candidates for cancer prevention due to their selectivity towards abnormal cells.
Racial and ethnic estimates of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the United States (2015–2060) in adults aged ≥65 years
Authors: Matthews Kevin A. , Xu Wei , Gaglioti Anne H. , Holt James B. , Croft Janet B. , Mack Dominic , McGuire Lisa C.
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) cause a high burden of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Age, race, and ethnicity are important risk factors for ADRD.

Methods

We estimated the future US burden of ADRD by age, sex, and race and ethnicity by applying subgroup‐specific prevalence among Medicare Fee‐for‐Service beneficiaries aged ≥65 years in 2014 to subgroup‐specific population estimates for 2014 and population projection data from the United States Census Bureau for 2015 to 2060.

Results

The burden of ADRD in 2014 was an estimated 5.0 million adults aged ≥65 years or 1.6% of the population, and there are significant disparities in ADRD prevalence among population subgroups defined by race and ethnicity. ADRD burden will double to 3.3% by 2060 when 13.9 million Americans are projected to have the disease.

Discussion

These estimates can be used to guide planning and interventions related to caring for the ADRD population and supporting caregivers.
Recurrent thoracic cord compression due to extramedullary haematopoiesis in thalassaemic patients–A case presentation and literature review
Authors: Au Athena Cheuk Yiu , Wong Chun Kong , Li Ka Kin
Published: September 2018

Extramedullary haematopoesis (EMH) in thalassaemic patients to result in spinal cord compression is a rare phenomenon. EMH occurs as compensatory sequelae in those with chronic anaemia such as thalassaemia, other congenital haemolytic anaemia, haemoglobinopathies, and myelofibrosis. Common sites of EMH include liver, spleen, kidneys and lymph nodes, but rarely the paravertebral and spinal cord regions. In our literature review, it was found that only case reports and case series have been published. We present a case of recurrent thoracic spinal cord compression caused by EMH in a 32-year-old thalassaemic Chinese man treated with surgical decompression and spinal stabilisation. The key to successful treatment is prompt diagnosis with early clinical suspicion, magnetic resonance imaging and individualised treatment for each patient. Surgical decompression provides immediate neural decompression while subsequent anaemia management may reduce the risk of recurrence. In the present case, a combination therapy of blood transfusion, surgical decompression and radiotherapy has been shown to deliver successful outcomes in such cases.
Successful Aging and Changes in Sexual Interest and Enjoyment Among Older European Men and Women
Authors: Štulhofer Aleksandar , Hinchliff Sharron , Jurin Tanja , Hald Gert Martin , Træen Bente
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Despite the popularity and analytical relevance of the concept of successful aging, little efforts have been made to address its relationship to sexuality in older individuals.

Aim

To explore the relationship between successful aging and the (retrospectively assessed) change in sexual interest and enjoyment in the past 10 years, using a new multidimensional model of successful aging.

Methods

The data for this study was collected in 2016 using national probability-based surveys in four European countries (Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Portugal). In total, information from 2,461 sexually active and inactive participants aged 60–75 years was used for analyses. Multigroup structural equation analysis was employed to address the associations between key constructs.

Main Outcome Measure

The dependent variable was a composite (two-item) indicator of change in sexual interest and enjoyment in the past 10 years; a multifaceted model of successful aging predicted the change by country and gender.

Results

Tested cross-culturally, the proposed model of successful aging demonstrated a good fit to the data. Furthermore, its metric characteristics enabled direct comparisons across gender and national cultures. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, higher successful aging scores were consistently related to lower reduction in sexual interest/enjoyment among men and women across the 4 countries.

Clinical Implications

Given an increased life-expectancy and focus on healthy aging in many countries, the findings about the associations between sexual expression, quality of life and aging well are valuable to professionals working in the area of healthy sexual aging.

Strength & Limitations

This is the first study to systematically address the relationship between successful aging and sexuality. Furthermore, it provides a multidimensional measure of successful aging for a wide range of sexologic studies. Among limitations, possible self-selection bias (toward more sexually permissive and sexually active participants) and the fact that the findings are restricted to older heterosexual individuals, should be considered.

Conclusion

Without stigmatizing the absence of sexual expression in aging individuals, the findings from this cross-cultural study point out that sustained sexual interest and sexual enjoyment are linked to successful aging in both genders.
API security: whose job is it anyway?
Authors: Macy Jason
Published: September 2018

It's probably safe to assume that nearly everyone is out to get your data. Nowadays it's data, not gold or oil, that is the world's most valuable and sought-after asset and it seems as if every month some company or other is hacked, exposing thousands of their users' information to unauthorised third parties.

APIs are the glue that holds the digital world together. But's that's also the fundamental challenge with APIs – that they are everywhere.

You use them every day and most of the time you are not even aware of it. And the sheer scale at which APIs are used means the potential impact of an API-related attack is significant. But as with other cyberthreats, the effects of a breach depend on the specific scenario and the data that is being shared through the API. Jason Macy of Forum Systems looks at how APIs can be vulnerable – and how they can be employed responsibly.
Is quantum computing becoming relevant to cyber-security?
Authors: Keplinger Keegan
Published: September 2018

In the past decade, much has been done to explore the utility of quantum computing in the cybersphere, including cryptography and machine learning. 1–4 Despite the promising potential, there has, historically, been a considerable degree of scepticism over how quickly the community would overcome the numerous obstacles involved in controlling and measuring quantum particles.

In the past decade, much has been done to explore the utility of quantum computing in the cybersphere, including cryptography and machine learning.

The way in which quantum operations can be applied to achieve new algorithms is not yet fully understood, which means it's going to be an arms race. If you want to be ahead of the curve, says Keegan Keplinger of eSentire, you should learn quantum programming and find ways to implement the properties of superposition (that third bit state) in your everyday practice.
Epidemiology, detection, and management of tuberculosis among end-stage renal disease patients
Authors: Okada Reiko C. , Barry Pennan M. , Skarbinski Jacek , Chitnis Amit S.
Published: September 2018

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important problem among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. We reviewed the epidemiology of TB and ESRD, investigations of TB exposures in US dialysis facilities, and published guidelines to inform screening and treatment practices among US ESRD patients. Compared to TB in the general population, ESRD patients have 6–25-fold higher TB incidence rates, and mortality during treatment is 2–3-fold higher. Most TB cases among ESRD patients (~90%) occur among non–US-born persons, and an analysis of genotyping data suggests that 80% of all cases result from latent TB infection (LTBI) reactivation. Published TB contact investigations in dialysis facilities have reported cases among ESRD patients and healthcare workers. However, transmission of TB is rare: there were no reports of secondary cases of TB because of exposure to an index-case patient and there were few TB infections, which was demonstrated by low occurrence of newly positive tuberculin skin tests (12%–16%) and conversions (8%–17%) among contacts. Targeted TB education, screening, and treatment for ESRD patients at highest risk for TB exposure (eg, non–US-born persons), using interferon-gamma release assays and short course LTBI regimens (ie, isoniazid-rifapentine weekly for 12 weeks or rifampin daily for 4 months) may be an effective overall strategy for reducing TB burden in ESRD patients.
Positive Interventions: Alternate Routes to Quality Workplace Relationships
Authors: Yang Tao , Mishra Paresh
Published: September 2018

Social exchange theory (SET) is an important foundation of social sciences from which many workplace theories have emerged. Chernyak-Hai and Rabenu (2018) contend that social exchange is at the heart of workplace relationships. Although SET is a complex framework, in essence, it views workplace interactions as exchanges of resources broadly construed, ranging from tangible resources such as money, goods, and services to intangible ones such as information, support, and trust (Cropanzano & Mitchell, 2005; Foa & Foa, 1980). Governed by the rule of reciprocity, parties involved in social exchanges use rational deliberation to gauge how much they need to repay for others’ actions. Chernyak-Hai and Rabenu posit that workplace theories rooted in SET should be modified to accommodate the new realities in modern organizations. Although we concur with their observations about new characteristics of work, we are not as optimistic as Chernyak-Hai and Rabenu about SET's capacity to guide our understanding and actions to improve workplace relationships. We argue that positive interventions are important complements to the social exchange process, thereby promoting the quality of work relationships.
Complex dynamics in a stratified lid-driven square cavity flow
Authors: Wu Ke , Welfert Bruno D. , Lopez Juan M.
Published: September 2018

The dynamic response to shear of a fluid-filled square cavity with stable temperature stratification is investigated numerically. The shear is imposed by the constant translation of the top lid, and is quantified by the associated Reynolds number. The stratification, quantified by a Richardson number, is imposed by maintaining the temperature of the top lid at a higher constant temperature than that of the bottom, and the side walls are insulating. The Navier–Stokes equations under the Boussinesq approximation are solved, using a pseudospectral approximation, over a wide range of Reynolds and Richardson numbers. Particular attention is paid to the dynamical mechanisms associated with the onset of instability of steady state solutions, and to the complex and rich dynamics occurring beyond.
Anisotropic wall permeability effects on turbulent channel flows
Authors: Suga Kazuhiko , Okazaki Yuki , Ho Unde , Kuwata Yusuke
Published: September 2018

Streamwise–wall-normal ($x$–$y$) and streamwise–spanwise ($x$–$z$) plane measurements are carried out by planar particle image velocimetry for turbulent channel flows over anisotropic porous media at the bulk Reynolds number$Re_{b}=900{-}13\,600$. Three kinds of anisotropic porous media are constructed to form the bottom wall of the channel. Their wall permeability tensor is designed to have a larger wall-normal diagonal component (wall-normal permeability) than the other components. Those porous media are constructed to have three mutually orthogonal principal axes and those principal axes are aligned with the Cartesian coordinate axes of the flow geometry. Correspondingly, the permeability tensor of each porous medium is diagonal. With the$x$–$y$plane data, it is found that the turbulence level well accords with the order of the streamwise diagonal component of the permeability tensor (streamwise permeability). This confirms that the turbulence strength depends on the streamwise permeability rather than the wall-normal permeability when the permeability tensor is diagonal and the wall-normal permeability is larger than the streamwise permeability. To generally characterize those phenomena including isotropic porous wall cases, modified permeability Reynolds numbers are discussed. From a quadrant analysis, it is found that the contribution from sweeps and ejections to the Reynolds shear stress near the porous media is influenced by the streamwise permeability. In the$x$–$z$plane data, although low- and high-speed streaks are also observed near the anisotropic porous walls, large-scale spanwise patterns appear at a larger Reynolds number. It is confirmed that they are due to the transverse waves induced by the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. By the two-point correlation analyses of the fluctuating velocities, the spacing of the streaks and the wavelengths of the Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) waves are discussed. It is then confirmed that the transition point from the quasi-streak structure to the roll-cell-like structure is characterized by the wall-normal distance including the zero-plane displacement of the log-law velocity which can be characterized by the streamwise permeability. It is also confirmed that the normalized wavelengths of the K–H waves over porous media are in a similar range to that of the turbulent mixing layers irrespective of the anisotropy of the porous media.