bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound‐Guided Anterior Approach to a Sciatic Nerve Block
Authors: Kim Ha‐Jung , Chin Ki Jinn , Kim Hyungtae , Jang Hwa‐young , Bin Seong‐il , Ro Young‐jin , Koh Won Uk
Published: March 2020

Objectives

We aimed to identify the optimal lower limb position for an ultrasound (US)‐guided anterior approach to a sciatic nerve block.

Methods

We included 45 patients who met the following criteria: American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of 1 to 3, age between 18 and 80 years, and scheduled to undergo knee surgery that required a sciatic nerve block. The lower limbs of each patient were placed in the following 4 positions: N, neutral; ER, external rotation of the hip (angle, 45°); ER/F15, ER (angle, 45°) and flexion (angle, 15°) of the hip; and ER/F45, ER (angle, 45°) and F (angle, 45°) of the hip. An investigator acquired US scans of the sciatic nerve in each position, and the visibility score and depth of the sciatic nerve from the skin were analyzed.

Results

The visibility scores were significantly higher in positions ER/F15 and ER/F45 than in positions ER and N (P < .0001). However, there was no difference between the visibility scores in positions ER/F15 and ER/F45 (P = .0959). The depth of the sciatic nerve from the skin decreased with ER and an increase in the F angle of the hip (overall P < .0001).

Conclusions

Based on the visibility score and depth from the skin, ER of the hip to 45° with a greater F angle (45° versus 15°) of the hip appears to be the optimal position for an US‐guided anterior approach to a sciatic nerve block.
CVSnet: A machine learning approach for automated central vein sign assessment in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Maggi Pietro , Fartaria Mário João , Jorge João , La Rosa Francesco , Absinta Martina , Sati Pascal , Meuli Reto , Du Pasquier Renaud , Reich Daniel S. , Cuadra Meritxell Bach , Granziera Cristina , Richiardi Jonas , Kober Tobias
Published: March 2020

The central vein sign (CVS) is an efficient imaging biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, but its application in clinical routine is limited by inter‐rater variability and the expenditure of time associated with manual assessment. We describe a deep learning‐based prototype for automated assessment of the CVS in white matter MS lesions using data from three different imaging centers. We retrospectively analyzed data from 3 T magnetic resonance images acquired on four scanners from two different vendors, including adults with MS (n = 42), MS mimics (n = 33, encompassing 12 distinct neurological diseases mimicking MS) and uncertain diagnosis (n = 5). Brain white matter lesions were manually segmented on FLAIR* images. Perivenular assessment was performed according to consensus guidelines and used as ground truth, yielding 539 CVS‐positive (CVS+) and 448 CVS‐negative (CVS−) lesions. A 3D convolutional neural network (“CVSnet”) was designed and trained on 47 datasets, keeping 33 for testing. FLAIR* lesion patches of CVS+/CVS− lesions were used for training and validation (n = 375/298) and for testing (n = 164/150). Performance was evaluated lesion‐wise and subject‐wise and compared with a state‐of‐the‐art vesselness filtering approach through McNemar's test. The proposed CVSnet approached human performance, with lesion‐wise median balanced accuracy of 81%, and subject‐wise balanced accuracy of 89% on the validation set, and 91% on the test set. The process of CVS assessment, in previously manually segmented lesions, was ~ 600‐fold faster using the proposed CVSnet compared with human visual assessment (test set: 4 seconds vs. 40 minutes). On the validation and test sets, the lesion‐wise performance outperformed the vesselness filter method (P < 0.001). The proposed deep learning prototype shows promising performance in differentiating MS from its mimics. Our approach was evaluated using data from different hospitals, enabling larger multicenter trials to evaluate the benefit of introducing the CVS marker into MS diagnostic criteria.
Prefrontal cortex infusion of beta‐hydroxybutyrate, an endogenous NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, produces antidepressant‐like effects in a rodent model of depression
Authors: Kajitani Naofumi , Iwata Masaaki , Miura Akihiko , Tsunetomi Kyohei , Yamanashi Takehiko , Matsuo Ryoichi , Nishiguchi Tsuyoshi , Fukuda Saki , Nagata Mayu , Shibushita Midori , Yamauchi Takahira , Pu Shenghong , Shirayama Yukihiko , Watanabe Ken , Kaneko Koichi
Published: March 2020

Aims

Neuroinflammation is deeply related to the pathophysiology of depression. Beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which is an endogenous ketone body, exerts anti‐inflammatory effects, and peripheral administration of BHB induces antidepressant effects in an animal model of depression; however, it is unclear whether BHB specifically mediates these actions in the brain. Thus, we administered BHB directly into the brain in a rodent model of depression using a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) paradigm.

Methods

BHB was continuously microinjected into the prefrontal cortex (PFC) using osmotic pumps for 21 days. Behavioral testing included the forced swim test (FST) and the open field test (OFT); the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), were quantified in the PFC, and the concentration of corticosterone in blood serum was measured.

Results

BHB administration into the PFC significantly decreased immobility time in the FST, without significantly altering locomotor activity assessed in the OFT. Also, CUS significantly increased the levels of TNF‐α in the PFC and decreased serum corticosterone levels; these changes were attenuated by BHB administration. These findings suggest that a small amount of BHB administered into the PFC directly produces antidepressant effects, possibly through anti‐inflammatory mechanisms, and can improve hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal axis responses.

Conclusion

BHB may be a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of depression based on the neuro‐inflammatory hypothesis, and the PFC is a region implicated in the antidepressant action of BHB.
Microstructural, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Chemically Deposited Tin Antimony Sulfide Thin Films for Use in Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Akata Nwofe Patrick , Sugiyama Mutsumi
Published: March 2020

The influence of different tin‐amount on the properties of chemically deposited tin antimony sulfide (TAS) thin films is explored, to establish their suitability in thin‐film solar‐cell devices. X‐ray diffraction studies reveal single phase without the presence of other binaries. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) indicates Sn‐rich behavior, which is confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The crystallite size is between 28.4 and 40.5 nm, typically exhibiting an increase up to 0.012 mol of the Sn‐amount and then decrease marginally. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal leaf‐like structures. The transmittances decrease with increasing tin‐amount; the optical absorption coefficient is >104 cm−1; the energy bandgap is direct, and varied in the range 1.22–1.50 eV. The refractive index lies between 2.51 and 4.11, whereas the dielectric constants range from 7.49 to 20.1. The carrier mobility is between 18.5 and 46.8 cm2 V−1s−1. The bulk resistivity is found to vary between 5.71 × 104 and 1.47 × 105 Ω cm, with lower values obtained at ≥0.012 mol of the Sn‐amount. Hall effect measurements indicate that the TAS thin films exhibit p‐type electrical conductivity. These values fulfill excellent absorber layer requirements in thin‐film solar‐cell devices.
Direct Regulation of O/W Stoichiometric Ratio and Microstructure in Tungsten Oxide Electrochromic Films by Ar Pressure Using Oxide Target Sputtering
Authors: Zhao Wenkai , Zhao Yue , Yang Ye , Li Jia , Lan Pinjun , Huang Jinhua , Song Weijie
Published: March 2020

Herein, amorphous tungsten oxide electrochromic (EC) films are successfully prepared by radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering in pure Ar atmosphere using an oxide target. The effect of Ar pressure on the apparent color, deposition rate, crystal structure, O/W ratio, surface morphology, and EC properties of the as‐deposited tungsten oxide films is systematically investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Interestingly, the Ar gas pressure plays a key role in regulating the O/W ratio, microstructure, and EC properties of the obtained tungsten oxide films. The films are all substoichiometric, and the O/W ratio changes from 2.79 to 2.89 with the increase in Ar pressure. In addition, the loose surface microstructure is shown as Ar pressure increases. The tungsten oxide films deposited at the Ar gas pressure of 1.2 Pa reaches the deposition rate of 13.0 nm min−1, the largest optical modulation of 71.2% at 550 nm, and the EC efficiency of 51.3 cm2 C−1. This film also reveals excellent electrochemical stability and sustains more than 200 cycles. These results provide a simple solution for preparing high‐quality tungsten oxide EC films using oxide ceramic targets in pure Ar atmosphere.
A methodology to benchmark flexible payload architectures in a megaconstellation use case
Authors: Vidal Florian , Legay Hervé , Goussetis George , Garcia Vigueras Maria , Tubau Ségolène , Gayrard Jean‐Didier
Published: March 2020

This paper proposes a methodology to benchmark satellite payload architectures and find the optimal trade‐offs between high flexibility and low complexity. High flexibility would enable the satellite to adapt to various distributions of user terminals on the ground and fulfill the data rate demand of these users. Besides, low complexity is required to keep satellite networks competitive in the context of emerging 5G networks. To estimate the flexibility of a payload, an indicator to characterize the non‐uniformity of user distributions is proposed. Each benchmarked payload may be characterized by a graph relating the throughput to this parameter further denoted
. The payload provides the same throughput trends for different scenarios of user distributions with the same
parameter. As a consequence, the average capacity of the system may be estimated by (a) calculating the probability distribution of
over the orbit and (b) integrating the throughput based on this payload response. It thus results in a straightforward way for benchmarking payloads directly on an estimation of the averaged capacity, accounting for the user distribution over the earth. A simulation platform has been developed to characterize the payload throughput including the implementation of a resource allocation algorithm that accounts for constraints of various payloads. Using this definition and the developed tool, we benchmark a bent‐pipe architecture, a beam hopping architecture and a hybrid beam‐steering architecture for a LEO megaconstellation use case. The methodology showcases the interest for investigating different payload architectures depending on realistic traffic scenario analysis.
Spontaneous Aminolytic Cyclization and Self‐Assembly of Dipeptide Methyl Esters in Water
Authors: Pappas Charalampos G. , Wijerathne Nadeesha , Sahoo Jugal Kishore , Jain Ankit , Kroiss Daniela , Sasselli Ivan R. , Pina Ana Sofia , Lampel Ayala , Ulijn Rein V.
Published: March 2020

Dipeptides are known to spontaneously cyclize to diketopiperazines, and in some cases these cyclic dipeptides have been shown to self‐assemble to form supramolecular nanostructures. Herein, we demonstrate the in situ cyclization of dipeptide methyl esters in aqueous buffer by intramolecular aminolysis, leading to the formation of diverse supramolecular nanostructures. The chemical nature of the amino acid side chains dictates the supramolecular arrangement and resulting nanoscale architectures. For c[LF], supramolecular gels are formed, and the concentration of starting materials influences the mechanical properties of these hydrogels. Moreover, by adding metalloporphyrins to the starting dipeptide starting solution, these become incorporated through cooperative assembly, resulting in the formation of nanofibers able to catalyse the oxidation of organic phenol in water. The approach taken here, which combines chemically activated assembly with the versatility of short peptides, demonstrates a new and easy method to achieving spontaneous formation of a variety of functional supramolecular materials using simple building blocks.
Niche Partitioning among Native Ciscoes and Nonnative Rainbow Smelt in Lake Superior
Authors: Rosinski Caroline L. , Vinson Mark R. , Yule Daniel L.
Published: March 2020

Several species of ciscoesCoregonus, subgenusLeucichthysthat are native to the Laurentian Great Lakes are rare or extirpated. The restoration ofCoregonusfishes is being actively pursued through stocking, and success may depend on the availability of unoccupied niche space. We described the spring–summer habitat occupancy and diets of three native cisco species (BloaterCoregonus hoyi, CiscoC. artedi,and KiyiC. Kiyi) and invasive Rainbow SmeltOsmerus mordaxin Lake Superior and measured niche overlap among these species for both small and large sizes. The potential habitat area was highest for Cisco and Kiyi, followed by Bloater and Rainbow Smelt. The probability of overlap in habitat occupation, as measured by bathymetric depth, fish capture depth, distance from shore, and fish capture water temperature was highest for small Rainbow Smelt and Cisco. Trophic overlap, as measured by stomach contents and stable isotopes, was highest between small Bloater and Cisco and between large Bloater and Kiyi. All of the species showed significant ontogenetic change in both habitat occupation and diet. The overall niche overlap in spring–summer habitat and diet was greatest between small Cisco and Rainbow Smelt and between large Bloater and Kiyi; however, differences in individual niche dimensions likely limit competition for both species pairs. Synthesizing the diet and habitat niche data revealed nuanced niches that allow these seemingly similar planktivorous species to coexist. Kiyi had the least niche overlap with other cisco species and Rainbow Smelt, so from an available niche perspective Kiyi would be a strong candidate for reintroduction into lakes from which they were extirpated.
Sodium butyrate as an effective feed additive to improve growth performance and gastrointestinal development in broilers
Authors: Lan Rui Xia , Li Si Qi , Zhao Zhihui , An Li Long
Published: March 2020

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on growth performance, the development of gastrointestinal tract and immune organs (thymus, spleen and bursa of fabricius), and serum antibody titer after Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination in broilers. The total of 288 1‐day‐old broilers were randomly allocated to four groups with six replications according to initial body weight. Four treatment groups were designed as follows and fed the indicated diets: CON, basal diet; T1, basal diet supplemented with 0.3 g/kg SB; T2, basal diet supplemented with 0.6 g/kg SB; T3, basal diet supplemented with 1.2 g/kg SB. During days 1–21, broilers fed the T2 diet had higher (p < .05) average daily gain (ADG) than broilers fed the CON diet. On day 21, dietary SB supplementation showed linear increase (p < .05) in relative weight of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, small intestine (the sum weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum), pancreas and thymus, and linear increase (p < .05) in relative length of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, small intestine (the sum length of duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and caeca. Meanwhile, dietary SB supplementation showed linear increase in the antibody titer against ND on days 14, 21, 28 and 35. In conclusion, dietary SB supplementation improved the development of gastrointestinal by increasing the relative weight and length, as well as enhanced the immune response of ND vaccine.
Anisotropic Electrical, Magnetic, and Thermal Properties of In3Ni2 Intermetallic Catalyst
Authors: Krnel Mitja , Koželj Primož , Vrtnik Stanislav , Jelen Andreja , Wencka Magdalena , Gille Peter , Dolinšek Janez
Published: March 2020

We present the anisotropic electrical and thermal transport coefficients (electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance, thermoelectric power, thermal conductivity), the magnetic properties, the specific heat and the electronic density of states of a monocrystalline In3Ni2 intermetallic compound, representing a precious‐metal‐free (and noble‐metal‐free) intermetallic catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. The investigated physical parameters were determined along three orthogonal crystal‐symmetry directions of the trigonal structure, the twofold axis, the 3 axis and within the mirror plane. All the investigated tensorial and vectorial quantities show the same anisotropy, with the quantities being isotropic for the twofold direction and in the mirror plane, whereas there is small, though still significant anisotropy to the 3 direction. The In3Ni2 crystal conducts the electricity and heat somewhat less efficiently along the 3 direction than along the twofold direction and in the mirror plane, but the differences are not large, of about 20 %. In3Ni2 is a diamagnetic intermetallic compound, with a presumably simple Fermi surface and electrons as the majority charge carriers.
Spin-locality of higher-spin theories and star-product functional classes
Authors: Gelfond O. A. , Vasiliev M. A.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

The analysis of spin-locality of higher-spin gauge theory is formulated in terms of star-product functional classes appropriate for the β → −∞ limiting shifted homotopy proposed recently in [1] where all ω2C2 higher-spin vertices were shown to be spin-local. For the β → −∞ limiting shifted contracting homotopy we identify the class of functions $$ {\mathcal{H}}^{+0} $$

H

+
0

, that do not contribute to the r.h.s. of HS field equations at a given order. A number of theorems and relations that organize analysis of the higher-spin equations are derived including extension of the Pfaffian Locality Theorem of [2] to the β-shifted contracting homotopy and the relation underlying locality of the ω2C2 sector of higher-spin equations.

Space-time interpretation of spin-locality of theories involving infinite towers of fields is proposed as the property that the theory is space-time local in terms of original con- stituent fields ϕ and their local currents J(ϕ) of all ranks. Spin-locality is argued to be a proper substitute of locality for theories with finite sets of fields for which the two concepts are equivalent.
Fixing an ambiguity in two dimensional string theory using string field theory
Authors: Sen Ashoke
Published: March 2020

Abstract

In a recent paper, Balthazar, Rodriguez and Yin found some remarkable agreement between the results of c = 1 matrix model and D-instanton corrections in two dimensional string theory. Their analysis left undetermined two constants in the string theory computation which had to be fixed by comparing the results with the matrix model results. One of these constants is affected by possible renormalization of the D-instanton action that needs to be computed separately. In this paper we fix the other constant by reformulating the world-sheet analysis in the language of string field theory.
Häufigkeit von Asthma bronchiale und Alter bei der Erstdiagnose – erste Ergebnisse der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie
Authors: Langer Susan , Horn Johannes , Kluttig Alexander , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Karrasch Stefan , Schulz Holger , Wichmann Heinz-Erich , Linseisen Jakob , Jaeschke Lina , Pischon Tobias , Fricke Julia , Keil Thomas , Ahrens Wolfgang , Günther Kathrin , Kuß Oliver , Schikowski Tamara , Schmidt Börge , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Michels Karin B. , Franzke Claus-Werner , Becher Heiko , Jagodzinski Annika , Castell Stefanie , Kemmling Yvonne , Lieb Wolfgang , Waniek Sabina , Wirkner Kerstin , Löffler Markus , Kaaks Rudolf , Greiser Karin Halina , Berger Klaus , Legath Nicole , Meinke-Franze Claudia , Schipf Sabine , Leitzmann Michael , Baurecht Hansjörg , Weigl Korbinian , Amitay Efrat , Gottschick Cornelia
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Asthma bronchiale stellt über alle Bildungsschichten hinweg eine der häufigsten chronischen Erkrankungen im Kindes- und Erwachsenenalter dar. Im Erwachsenenalter erstmals auftretendes Asthma (Adult-onset Asthma, AOA) ist im Vergleich zu Childhood-onset Asthma (COA) mit einer schlechteren Prognose assoziiert, was verstärkte Untersuchungen in diesem Bereich erfordert. Ziel der Arbeit war es, Häufigkeiten und das Alter bei Erstdiagnose aus Selbstangaben zu Asthma bei Erwachsenen in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie darzustellen und mit Daten der Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland (DEGS) zu vergleichen.

Material und Methoden

Unsere Analyse beruht auf einem Datensatz zur Halbzeit der NAKO-Basiserhebung mit 101.284 Personen. Verwendete Variablen waren die Selbstangabe zum jemals ärztlich diagnostizierten Asthma, Alter bei Erstdiagnose, Behandlung in den letzten 12 Monaten, Alter und Geschlecht.

Ergebnisse

Laut Datenbasis zur Halbzeit berichteten in der NAKO 8,7 % der Frauen und 7,0 % der Männer, dass bei ihnen jemals Asthma diagnostiziert wurde.

Etwa bei einem Drittel der Teilnehmenden mit Asthma wurde die Diagnose bereits im Kindes‑/Jugendalter (<18 Jahre) gestellt. Dabei waren 2,2 % der Frauen und 2,8 % der Männer von COA betroffen und 6,5 % der Frauen und 4,2 % der Männer von AOA. In den vorangegangenen 12 Monaten gaben 33 % der COA-Fälle und 60 % der AOA-Fälle an, ärztlich behandelt worden zu sein.

Diskussion

Die Häufigkeit von Asthma in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie in Abhängigkeit von Alter und Geschlecht entspricht weitgehend den Daten aus anderen Studien wie DEGS. Allerdings ist der AOA-Anteil höher als in der Literatur beschrieben. Der Anstieg der kumulativen Asthmadiagnosen ist bei den jüngeren Geburtsjahrgängen deutlich steiler, was für eine Zunahme über die Zeit spricht.
Algebras and Varieties
Authors: Green Edward L. , Hille Lutz , Schroll Sibylle
Published: March 2020

In this paper we introduce new affine algebraic varieties whose points correspond to associative algebras. We show that the algebras within a variety share many important homological properties. In particular, any two algebras in the same variety have the same dimension. The cases of finite dimensional algebras as well as that of graded algebras arise as subvarieties of the varieties we define. As an application we show that for algebras of global dimension two over the complex numbers, any algebra in the variety continuously deforms to a monomial algebra.
Provisioning Input and Output Data Rates in Data Processing Frameworks
Authors: Do Nam H. , Van Do Tien , Farkas Lóránt , Rotter Csaba
Published: March 2020

This paper is motivated by the need of deadline-bounded applications in live mobile network environments to obtain the guarantee and the appropriate share of an input and output (I/O) data rate. However, data processing frameworks only support the request of memory and the computing capacity at present. In this paper, we propose a solution that allows the control of disk I/O and network I/O for data processing applications in YARN and Mesos frameworks. Experimental results show that our tool can provision the I/O data rate sharing of competing data processing applications.
Effects of Mississippi River water on phytoplankton growth and composition in the upper Barataria estuary, Louisiana
Authors: Ren Ling , Rabalais Nancy N. , Turner R. Eugene
Published: March 2020

Diversion of river waters to adjacent estuaries may occur during wetland restoration, navigation channel development, or storms. We proposed that diversions of nitrogen- and phosphorus-enriched waters from the river to estuarine waters would result in increased phytoplankton biomass and shifts to noxious or harmful algal blooms. We tested this hypothesis by conducting four seasonal microcosm experiments in which Mississippi River water was mixed at different volume ratios with ambient estuarine waters of three lakes in the upper Barataria Basin, Louisiana, USA. These lakes included two brackish lakes that were in the path of diverted Mississippi River water, and a freshwater lake that was not. The results from the 3- to 8-day experiments yielded a predictable increase in phytoplankton biomass related to nutrient additions from Mississippi River water. The subsequent decreases in the dissolved nitrate + nitrite, soluble reactive phosphorus, and silicate concentrations explained 76 to 86% of the increase in chlorophyll a concentrations in the microcosms. Our experiments showed that cyanobacteria can successfully compete with diatoms for N and P resources even under non-limiting Si conditions and that toxic cyanobacteria densities can increase to bloom levels with increased Mississippi River water inputs to ambient waters in the microcosms. Diversions of Mississippi River into adjacent estuarine waters should be considered in relation to expected and, possibly, unexpected changes in phytoplankton communities to the receiving waters and coastal ecosystems.
n-Extended Lorentzian Kac–Moody algebras
Authors: Fring Andreas , Whittington Samuel
Published: March 2020

We investigate a class of Kac–Moody algebras previously not considered. We refer to them as n-extended Lorentzian Kac–Moody algebras defined by their Dynkin diagrams through the connection of an $$A_n$$An Dynkin diagram to the node corresponding to the affine root. The cases $$n=1$$n=1 and $$n=2$$n=2 correspond to the well-studied over- and very-extended Kac–Moody algebras, respectively, of which the particular examples of $$E_{10}$$E10 and $$E_{11}$$E11 play a prominent role in string and M-theory. We construct closed generic expressions for their associated roots, fundamental weights and Weyl vectors. We use these quantities to calculate specific constants from which the nodes can be determined that when deleted decompose the n-extended Lorentzian Kac–Moody algebras into simple Lie algebras and Lorentzian Kac–Moody algebra. The signature of these constants also serves to establish whether the algebras possess SO(1, 2) and/or SO(3)-principal subalgebras.
Fluctuating maximal God
Authors: Jeffrey Anne , Lancaster-Thomas Asha , Moravec Matyáš
Published: March 2020

This paper explores a variety of perfect being theism that combines Yujin Nagasawa’s maximal God thesis with the view that God is not atemporal. We argue that the original maximal God thesis still implicitly relies on a “static” view of divine perfections. Instead, following the recent re-evaluation of divine immutability by analytic philosophers, we propose that thinking of divine great-making properties (omnipotence, omniscience etc.) as fluctuating but nevertheless remaining maximal either for every timet or across all times strengthens the original maximal God thesis. Furthermore, we show that “temporalising” Nagasawa’s maximal God and adopting what we call the fluctuating maximal God thesis provides more effective ways of responding to objections to perfect being theism, in particular, the argument from evil and some conceptual problems pertaining to the Incarnation. Finally, we demonstrate that our proposal is compatible with Christian Scriptures and coheres with numerous biblical passages better than Nagasawa’s original proposal does.
Atmospheric Electricity at the Ice Giants
Authors: Aplin K. L. , Fischer G. , Nordheim T. A. , Konovalenko A. , Zakharenko V. , Zarka P.
Published: March 2020

Lightning was detected by Voyager 2 at Uranus and Neptune, and weaker electrical processes also occur throughout planetary atmospheres from galactic cosmic ray (GCR) ionisation. Lightning is an indicator of convection, whereas electrical processes away from storms modulate cloud formation and chemistry, particularly if there is little insolation to drive other mechanisms. The ice giants appear to be unique in the Solar System in that they are distant enough from the Sun for GCR-related mechanisms to be significant for clouds and climate, yet also convective enough for lightning to occur. This paper reviews observations (both from Voyager 2 and Earth), data analysis and modelling, and considers options for future missions. Radio, energetic particle and magnetic instruments are recommended for future orbiters, and Huygens-like atmospheric electricity sensors for in situ observations. Uranian lightning is also expected to be detectable from terrestrial radio telescopes.
Prediction of Electrolyte Distribution in Technical Gas Diffusion Electrodes: From Imaging to SPH Simulations
Authors: Kunz P. , Paulisch M. , Osenberg M. , Bischof B. , Manke I. , Nieken U.
Published: March 2020

The performance of the gas diffusion electrode (GDE) is crucial for technical processes like chlorine–alkali electrolysis. The function of the GDE is to provide an intimate contact between gaseous reactants, the solid catalyst, and the liquid electrolyte. To accomplish this, the GDE is composed of wetting and non-wetting materials to avoid electrolyte breakthrough. Knowledge of the spatial distribution of the electrolyte in the porous structure is a prerequisite for further improvement of GDE. Therefore, the ability of the electrolyte to imbibe into the porous electrode is studied by direct numeric simulations in a reconstructed porous electrode. The information on the geometry, including the information on silver and PTFE distribution of the technical GDE, is extracted from FIB/SEM imaging including a segmentation into the different phases. Modeling of wetting phenomena inside the GDE is challenging, since surface tension and wetting of the electrolyte on silver and PTFE surfaces must be included in a physically consistent manner. Recently, wetting was modeled from first principles on the continuum scale by introducing a contact line force. Here, the newly developed contact line force model is employed to simulate two-phase flow in the solid microstructures using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. In this contribution, we present the complete workflow from imaging of the GDE to dynamic SPH simulations of the electrolyte intrusion process. The simulations are used to investigate the influence of addition of non-wetting PTFE as well as the application of external pressure differences between the electrolyte and the gas phase on the intrusion process.
Prevalence and risk factors of Leptospira infection in urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), Vienna, Austria
Authors: Desvars-Larrive Amélie , Smith Steve , Munimanda Gopi , Bourhy Pascale , Waigner Theresa , Odom Margaret , Gliga Diana S. , Walzer Chris
Published: March 2020

Leptospirosis is a worldwide bacterial zoonosis which incidence is expected to increase in conjunction with global change. In urban ecosystems, synanthropic rats are the key source of Leptospira infection in humans and other animals. Risk assessment and prediction of human leptospirosis require investigations of the environment associated with the bacteria and infection patterns in the reservoir hosts. The objective of this study was to address the prevalence of mixed Leptospira infection in the lungs and kidneys of brown rats captured in three sites of the city centre of Vienna, Austria, between 2016 and 2018. A total of 96 brown rats were examined for the presence of Leptospira using PCR. Occurrence of mixed Leptospira infections was explored through next-generation sequencing (NGS). A logistic regression model was built to predict the individual infection status using morphological and land-use data. Overall, the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans in the kidney was 25% but varied among sites (0–36%). We did not evidence any pulmonary nor mixed infections. Host body mass and sex were strong predictors of Leptospira carriage in the sampled rats (relative variable importance (RVI) = 0.98 and 0.89, respectively) while the presence of water affected it moderately (RVI = 0.44). Our findings demonstrate that NGS is an unbiased approach to the direct characterisation of mixed leptospiral infections that could provide further insights into the ecology of Leptospira. Future surveillance programmes should consider the use of rats as sentinels for the early detection of emerging pathogenic Leptospira in urban ecosystems.
Moving beyond the nature-based solutions discourse: introducing nature-based thinking
Authors: Randrup Thomas B. , Buijs Arjen , Konijnendijk Cecil C. , Wild Tom
Published: March 2020

Suites of concepts and approaches have been launched during recent years to promote urban nature and greener cities. However, it is doubtable whether tinkering within the current economic and political system can provide adequate solutions. Nature-based Solutions can be seen as a new conceptual approach to the human-ecological connection, and as an outcome of an evolutionary development of socio-ecological concepts. In this Communication, we argue for drawing upinspiration by natureas an outset for the development of more sustainable and inclusive cities, balancing anthropocentric and ecocentric values and acknowledging the importance of the social and governance dimensions in a more balanced socio-ecological perspective. We call this approach Nature-based Thinking.
Effect of ultrafine kaolinite particles on the flotation behavior of coking coal
Authors: Li Yijiang , Xia Wencheng , Peng Yaoli , Li Yanfeng , Xie Guangyuan
Published: March 2020

Kaolinite, as a mineral in fine coal, has an important influence on the flotation of coal particles. In this study, the effects of ultrafine kaolinite particles on the flotation recovery of coal particles were investigated. Flotation tests were carried out using a mixture of coal particles and different amounts of ultrafine kaolinite particles. Combined with the Stefan–Reynold theory, the effect of liquid film drainage rate between coal bubbles in a kaolinite suspension was calculated. The yield of flotation clean coal increases quickly with the increasing content of ultrafine kaolinite particles. The ultrafine kaolinite particles can reduce the surface tension of the suspension, weaken the bubble coalescence, and stabilize the structure of the froth layer. In addition, the ultrafine kaolinite particles increase the apparent viscosity of the flotation pulp slightly. It is concluded that the role of ultrafine kaolinite particles on the positive effect of froth properties conceals the negative effect on the liquid film drainage rate between coal particles and bubbles caused by the kaolinite particles, which ultimately leads to an increasing yield of clean coal with an increasing content of kaolinite particles. This study is important for understanding the influence of ultrafine kaolinite on coal particle flotation.
The Effect of Rating Scale Length on the Occurrence of Inappropriate Category Use for the Assessment of Job Satisfaction: an Experimental Online Study
Authors: Kutscher Tanja , Eid Michael
Published: March 2020

When job satisfaction is measured in national panel surveys using a rating scale that consists of many response categories the psychometric quality of the data obtained is often reduced. One reason lies in an inappropriate category use (e.g., in terms of response styles or ignoring superfluous categories), which occurs when respondents are faced with an overwhelmingly large number of response options. The use of response styles can also be triggered by stable respondent characteristics. The objective of the present between-subject experimental study is to explore the impact of rating scale length on the occurrence of inappropriate category use and scale reliability. In addition, this study investigates which stable respondent characteristics and job-related factors consistently predict the use of a particular response style across all experimental conditions. A sample of MTurk workers (N = 7042) filled out a 12-item online questionnaire on aspects of job satisfaction, with a 4-, 6-, or 11-point rating scale randomly assigned. Considering the three-dimensional structure of the job satisfaction measure, we applied a multidimensional extension of the restricted mixed generalized partial credit model to explore category use patterns within each condition. The results show a similar configuration of three response-style classes in all conditions. Nevertheless, the proportion of respondents who used the rating scale inappropriately was lower in the conditions with fewer response categories. An exception was the extreme response style, which showed a similar prevalence rate in all conditions. Furthermore, we found that the use of extreme response style can be explained by a high level of general self-efficacy and perceived job autonomy, regardless of rating scale length. The findings of the study demonstrate that the prevalence of inappropriate category use can be reduced by administering rating scales with six or four response categories instead of eleven. These findings may be extended to other domains of life satisfaction.
Environmentally sustainable facile synthesis of nanocrystalline holmium hafnate (Ho2Hf2O7): Promising new oxide-ion conducting solid electrolyte
Authors: Sardar Suneela , Kale Girish , Cespedes Oscar , Ghadiri Mojtaba
Published: March 2020

A2B2O7oxides with defect-fluorite structure are one of the potential candidates for solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte material due to their excessive thermodynamic stability in oxygen potential gradient at elevated temperature between 500 and 900 °C. Holmium hafnate nanoparticles have been synthesised through the Leeds Alginate Process (LAP) using inorganic salts of holmium and hafnium as starting materials immobilized in alginate beads. Ion exchange with sodium alginate and its subsequent thermal treatment have been used to prepare the nanopowder of Ho2Hf2O7. Thermal decomposition of dried beads is carried out at 700 °C for 2 h and 6 h to obtain the nanoparticles of Ho2Hf2O7. This calcination temperature was determined after carrying out simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC). High Temperature X-ray Diffraction (HT-XRD) was carried out to gain further insight into the thermal decomposition process in static ambient environment. HT-XRD analysis corroborated with the results obtained from TGA/DSC. Nano-crystalline powder of single phase Ho2Hf2O7has been obtained by calcination of oven dried ion-exchanged alginate beads in relatively low temperature range of 500–700 °C. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed the formation of single phase defect fluorite structure of Ho2Hf2O7. The crystallographic parameters calculated from TEM and XRD analysis are in excellent agreement with each other. Furthermore, TEM–EDX analysis confirms that the Ho2Hf2O7synthesised by the facile alginate process is nearly stoichiometric. Raman spectroscopy gives evidence of the presence of oxide-ion vacancy in holmium hafnate which is supported with ac-impedance spectroscopy measurement at selected three temperatures. The present study suggests that the LAP has the capability of yielding on a large scale single phase defect-fluorite nanoparticles of electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells in environmentally sustainable, economical and energy efficiently manner.
Cyclic derivatives of morphiceptin possess anti-transit effect in the gastrointestinal tract and alleviate abdominal pain in mice
Authors: Szymaszkiewicz Agata , Włodarczyk Jakub , Mazur Marzena , Olczak Jacek , Fichna Jakub , Zielińska Marta
Published: March 2020

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition with recurring gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms: altered motility and abdominal pain. As endogenous opioid system participates in pain perception and in the control of GI peristalsis, opioids have been proposed as a promising therapy in IBS. In a previous study, we observed that morphiceptin derivative, P-317 (Dmt-cyclo-(d-Lys-Phe-d-Pro-Asp)-NH2), presents promising features to be applied in IBS. In this project, we tested whether modifications in cyclic morphiceptin-based structure: fluorination (compound1) or peptide bond reduction (compound2) improve pharmacological effect.

Methods

We evaluated tested derivatives in the mouse GI system under physiological (GI transit) and pathophysiological (castor oil diarrhea, stress-induced hypermotility, visceral pain) conditions.

Results

Both compounds prolonged GI transit. Compound1and P-317 inhibited upper GI transit and motility of the colon; compound2remained inactive. Compound1and P-317 inhibited hypermotility in stressed mice and delayed the acute diarrhea in comparison to control. Only P-317 exerted antinociceptive effect. None of tested derivatives, similar to P-317, affected locomotor activity.

Conclusions

Compound1is equally effective as P-317 in the mouse GI tract. The peptide bond reduction decreased the activity of compound2. Fluorination appears to be an efficient way to increase the effects of morphiceptin analogs in the GI tract.
Defending the Queen’s Pride: Effect of the menstrual cycle phase on conspicuous consumption
Authors: Li Ai-Mei , Liu Nan , Zhou Lei , Li Fang-Jun
Published: March 2020

Women experience both physical and psychological changes during different phases of the menstrual cycle (MC), which can affect their decision making. The present study aims to investigate the impact of the MC on women’s preferences for conspicuous consumption. In three studies, women in the low-fertility phase were found to be more inclined toward conspicuous consumption, with the MC effect on conspicuous consumption being mediated by the extent of pride. We assumed that women in the low-fertility phase would feel less proud due to an evolutionary drive and that they would consume conspicuous products as a means of compensation. Meanwhile, women who were only children did not manifest such behavior. We infer that women from one-child families may have a greater sense of security and confidence, which buffers the mediating effect. This research contributes to both evolutionary psychology and marketing research and provides new insights for future studies.
The role of HPA-axis function during pregnancy in the intergenerational transmission of maternal adverse childhood experiences to child behavior problems
Authors: Thomas-Argyriou Jenna C. , Letourneau Nicole , Dewey Deborah , Campbell Tavis S. , Giesbrecht Gerald F. ,   the APrON Study Team
Published: March 2020

The current study aimed to understand the mediating and/or moderating role of prenatal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function in the association between maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems at age 4. The influence of timing and child sex were also explored. Participants were 248 mother–child dyads enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort study (the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition Study). Maternal ACEs were retrospectively assessed while maternal self-reported depression and diurnal salivary cortisol were assessed prospectively at 6–26 weeks gestation (T1) and 27–37 weeks gestation (T2). Maternal report of child internalizing and externalizing problems was assessed at 4 years (T3). Results revealed that there was a negative indirect association between maternal ACEs and child internalizing behavior via a higher maternal cortisol awakening response (CAR). Maternal diurnal cortisol slope moderated the association between maternal ACEs and child behavior problems. Some of these effects were dependent on child sex, such that higher ACEs and a flatter diurnal slope at T1 was associated with more internalizing behavior in female children and more externalizing behavior in male children. There were timing effects such that the mediating and moderating effects were strongest at T1.
YORP equilibria: ways out of YORP cycles
Authors: Golubov Oleksiy , Scheeres Daniel J. , Krugly Yurij N.
Published: March 2020

Here, we discuss the YORP equilibria, to which asteroids can come as the result of their evolution due to the YORP effect.
Recent results in family identification
Authors: Kazantsev Anatolii
Published: March 2020

To select asteroid families, the D(a) distribution of asteroid sizes by their semimajor axes and the N(p) distribution of the number of asteroids by their albedo values for individual families were used. A statistically significant reduction in the mean albedo with increasing semimajor axis is observed for almost all correctly identified families that are not truncated by resonances. This points on an action of a specific nongravitational effect (NGE) in the asteroid belt, and results in the spatial separation of asteroids with different albedos.
The Mexican Asteroid Photometry Campaigns: Aiming for Asteroids’ Rotation Periods
Authors: Schuster W. J. , Ayala-Gómez S. A. , Avilés A. , Contreras M. E. , Haro-Corzo S. A. R. , Loera-González P. A. , Navarro-Meza S. , Olgun L. , Pérez-Tijerina E. , Reyes-Ruiz M. , Saucedo J. C. , Segura-Sosa J. , Valdés-Sada P. A. , Fuentes-Carrera I. L. , Chávez-Pech C. , Rodrguez-Martnez M. , Vázquez R.
Published: March 2020

Thousands of new asteroids are discovered every year and the rate of discovery is by far larger than the determination rate of their physical properties. In 2015 a group of researchers and students of several Mexican institutions have established an observational program to study asteroids photometrically. The program, named Mexican Asteroid Photometry Campaign, is aiming to derive rotation periods of asteroids based on optical photometric observations. Since then four campaigns have been carried out. The results obtained throughout these campaigns, as well as future work, are presented.
The parsec-scale structure of jet-driven H I out ows in radio galaxies
Authors: Morganti Raffaella , Schulz Robert , Nyland Kristina , Paragi Zsolt , Oosterloo Tom , Mahony Elizabeth , Murthy Suma
Published: March 2020

Radio jets can play multiple roles in the feedback loop by regulating the accretion of the gas, by enhancing gas turbulence, and by driving gas outflows. Numerical simulations are beginning to make detailed predictions about these processes. Using high resolution VLBI observations we test these predictions by studying how radio jets of different power and in different phases of evolution affect the properties and kinematics of the surrounding H I gas. Consistent with predictions, we find that young (or recently restarted) radio jets have stronger impact as shown by the presence of H I outflows. The outflowing medium is clumpy with clouds of with sizes up to a few tens of pc and mass ∼ 104Mȯ) already in the region close to the nucleus (< 100 pc), making the jet interact strongly and shock the surrounding gas. We present a case of a low-power jet where, as suggested by the simulations, the injection of energy may produce an increase in the turbulence of the medium instead of an outflow.
Statistics on the relative orientation between magnetic fields and filaments hosting Planck Galactic Cold Clumps
Authors: Alina D. , Ristorcelli I. , Montier L. , Juvela M.
Published: March 2020

We present a statistical analysis of the relative orientation between the plane-of-sky magnetic field and the filaments associated with the Galactic Cold Clumps. We separated polarization parameters components of the filaments and their background using thin optical medium assumption, the filaments were detected using the Rolling Hough Transform algorithm and we separated the clump and the filament contributions in our maps. We found that in high column density environments the magnetic fields inside the filaments and in the background are less likely to be aligned with each other. This suggests a decoupling between the inner and background magnetic fields at some stage of filamentsâ€™ evolution. A preferential alignment between the filaments and their inferred magnetic fields is observed in the whole selection if the clumpsâ€™ contribution is subtracted. Interestingly, a bimodal distribution of relative orientation is observed between the filamentary structures of the clumps and the filaments’ magnetic field. Similar results are seen in a subsample of nearby filaments. The relative orientation clearly shows a transition from parallel to no preferential and perpendicular alignment depending on the volume densities of both clumps and filaments. Our results confirm a strong interplay between the magnetic field and filamentary structures during their formation and evolutionary process.