bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible Lithium‐Ion Batteries with High Areal Capacity Enabled by Smart Conductive Textiles
Authors: Ha Sung Hoon , Shin Kyu Hang , Park Hae Won , Lee Yun Jung
Published: February 2018

Increasing demand for flexible devices in various applications, such as smart watches, healthcare, and military applications, requires the development of flexible energy‐storage devices, such as lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with high flexibility and capacity. However, it is difficult to ensure high capacity and high flexibility simultaneously through conventional electrode preparation processes. Herein, smart conductive textiles are employed as current collectors for flexible LIBs owing to their inherent flexibility, fibrous network, rough surface for better adhesion, and electrical conductivity. Conductivity and flexibility are further enhanced by nanosizing lithium titanate oxide (LTO) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) active materials, and hybridizing them with a flexible 2D graphene template. The resulting LTO/LFP full cells demonstrate high areal capacity and flexibility with tolerance to mechanical fatigue. The battery achieves a capacity of 1.2 mA h cm−2 while showing excellent flexibility. The cells demonstrate stable open circuit voltage retention under repeated flexing for 1000 times at a bending radius of 10 mm. The discharge capacity of the unflexed battery is retained in cells subjected to bending for 100 times at bending radii of 30, 20, and 10 mm, respectively, confirming that the suggested electrode configuration successfully prevents structural damage (delamination or cracking) upon repeated deformation.
Amorphous Red Phosphorus Embedded in Sandwiched Porous Carbon Enabling Superior Sodium Storage Performances
Authors: Wu Ying , Liu Zheng , Zhong Xiongwu , Cheng Xiaolong , Fan Zhuangjun , Yu Yan
Published: February 2018

The red P anode for sodium ion batteries has attracted great attention recently due to the high theoretical capacity, but the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and large volume expansion restrain its widespread applications. Herein, the red P is successfully encapsulated into the cube shaped sandwich‐like interconnected porous carbon building (denoted as P@C‐GO/MOF‐5) via the vaporization–condensation method. Superior cycling stability (high capacity retention of about 93% at 2 A g−1 after 100 cycles) and excellent rate performance (502 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1) can be obtained for the P@C‐GO/MOF‐5 electrode. The superior electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the successful incorporation of red P into the unique carbon matrix with large surface area and pore volume, interconnected porous structure, excellent electronic conductivity and superior structural stability.
Tailoring Highly N‐Doped Carbon Materials from Hexamine‐Based MOFs: Superior Performance and New Insight into the Roles of N Configurations in Na‐Ion Storage
Authors: Liu Sitong , Zhou Jisheng , Song Huaihe
Published: February 2018

To prepare highly N‐doped carbon materials (HNCs) as well as to determine the influence of N dopants on Na‐ion storage performance, hexamine‐based metal–organic frameworks are employed as new and efficient precursors in the preparation of HNCs. The HNCs possess reversible capacities as high as 160 and 142 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1 (≈8 C) and 5 A g−1 (≈20 C), respectively, and maintain values of 145 and 123 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles, thus exhibiting excellent rate and long‐term cyclic performance. Based on systematic analysis, a new insight into the roles of the different N configurations in Na‐ion storage is proposed. The adsorption of Na ions on pyridinic‐N (N‐6) and pyrrolic‐N (N‐5) is fully irreversible, whereas the adsorption on graphitic‐N (N‐Q) is partially reversible and the adsorption on N‐oxide (N‐O) is fully reversible. More importantly, the N‐6/N‐Q ratio is an intrinsic parameter that reflects the relationship between the N configurations and carbon textures for N‐doped carbons prepared from in situ pyrolysis of organic precursors. The cyclic stability and rate‐performance improve with decreasing N‐6/N‐Q ratio. Therefore, this work is of great significance for the design of N‐doped carbon electrodes with high performance for sodium ion batteries.
Edge‐Riched MoSe2/MoO2 Hybrid Electrocatalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Jian Chuanyong , Cai Qian , Hong Wenting , Li Jing , Liu Wei
Published: February 2018

Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) is widely considered as one of the most promising catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the absence of active sites and poor conductivity of MoSe2 severely restrict its HER performance. By introducing a layer of MoO2 on Mo foil, MoSe2/MoO2 hybrid nanosheets with an abundant edge and high electrical conductivity can be synthesized on the surface of Mo foil. Metallic MoO2 can improve the charge transport efficiency of MoSe2/MoO2, thereby enhancing the overall HER performance. MoSe2/MoO2 exhibits fast hydrogen evolution kinetics with a small overpotential of 142 mV versus RHE at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 48.9 mV dec−1.
Challenges in the development of green and sustainable software for software multisourcing vendors: Findings from a systematic literature review and industrial survey
Authors: Salam Muhammad , Khan Siffat Ullah
Published: February 2018

Green and sustainable software development has emerged in recent years, and vendors are constantly striving to develop software that has a less hazardous impact on the environment, economy, and human beings. However, developing green software in the context of software multisourcing is not a risk‐free activity, and vendors are exposed to several challenges. The authors have conducted both a systematic literature review and an industrial survey to identify the challenges faced by multisourcing vendors in the development of green and sustainable software. The final publication sample for the systematic literature review is composed of 54 research papers. Similarly, the final sample of the industrial survey is composed of 108 relevant experts. The authors have identified a list of 14 challenges. Of these challenges/risk factors, 8 have been tagged as critical risk factors. These critical risk factors are “lack of green RE practices,” “high power consumption,” “high carbon emission throughout the software development,” “poor software design (architectural, logical, physical, and user interface),” “lack of ICTs for coordination and communication,” “high resource requirements,” “lack of coding standards,” and “lack of green software development knowledge.”
On Goss Orientation in Strip Cast Grain‐Oriented Silicon Steel
Authors: Lu Xiang , Fang Feng , Zhang Yuanxiang , Wang Yang , Yuan Guo , Zhang Weina , Misra R. Devesh K. , Wang Guodong
Published: February 2018

In this study, the origin of Goss texture during intermediate annealing and Goss texture development during secondary annealing of strip cast grain‐oriented silicon steel are studied by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The study indicates that Goss grains originate inside the shear bands of deformed {111}<112> and {111}<110> grains. Compared to {111}<110> grains, {111}<112> grains provide more number of nucleation sites for Goss grains. During subsequent recrystallization process, Goss grains exhibit a smaller growth rate than the average value of all the recrystallized grains. The development mechanism of Goss texture is concluded as oriented nucleation. Prior to secondary annealing, high fraction of high‐energy boundaries (20°–45° misorientation angle) are observed in the vicinity of Goss grains, while significantly low fraction of Σ5 + Σ7 + Σ9 boundaries are observed. During secondary annealing, the domination of high energy boundaries around Goss grains is maintained, but the fraction of Σ5 + Σ7 + Σ9 boundaries decrease to be similar to the matrix grains. After the onset of the abnormal grain growth, the growing Goss grains continue to consist of high fraction of high‐energy boundaries. These results are consistent with the high energy (HE) boundary model, which is used to explain the abnormal grain growth in the current strip casting route.
Gram‐scale separation of borneol and camphor fromCinnamomum camphora(L.) Presl by continuous counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Yang Zhi , Guo Peipei , Han Rui , Wu Shihua , Gao Jin‐Ming
Published: February 2018

Borneol and camphor are well known bicyclic monoterpenoids and have been widely used in food, senior aromatic spices and folk medicine in China, India and Japan for more than 2000 years. Although they can be obtained by recrystallization or sublimation, it is still a challenge to prepare high‐purity borneol and camphor with high yields. In this study, we introduce a new continuous counter‐current chromatography method for the gram‐scale preparation of borneol and camphor fromCinnamomum camphora(L.) Presl using heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water quaternary solvent system and heptane/methanol/water ternary solvent system. Compared to the heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water solvent system, the heptane/methanol/water solvent system was found to possess higher loading capacity, and the heptane/methanol/water (10:7:3, v/v/v) solvent system was found to be the optimal solvent system for the separation of the distillation products ofC. camphora. As a result, borneol and camphor were well obtained in a one‐step separation with a purity of over 99.9%. In addition, continuous injections method using “on demand” solvent system formulation was used to improve the separation efficiency and reduce solvent consumption, whose results indicated that counter‐current chromatography was a powerful and efficient tool to obtain borneol and camphor with high purity.
The technique of probing acceptance as a tool for teachers' professional development: A PCK study
Authors: Wiener Gerfried J. , Schmeling Sascha M. , Hopf Martin
Published: February 2018

This article presents a study that examined an innovative short‐term program (two sessions of 3 hr each) for the professional development of teachers. The program design is based on the technique of probing acceptance, which is aimed at investigating student learning processes. It relies on students' evaluation, paraphrasing, and adaptation of information presented during a one‐on‐one interview with defined student‐centered interview phases. During the professional development program, teachers were introduced to a novel learning unit that focuses on the subatomic structure of matter. In addition, the teachers were instructed in how to use the technique of probing acceptance during one‐on‐one interviews to evaluate the concepts of the unit. The rationale of the professional development program is that the preparation and execution of, and reflection on the one‐on‐one interviews based on the technique of probing acceptance should have an impact on dimensions of teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). Four teachers from one Austrian high school participated in this exploratory study, and each teacher conducted two one‐on‐one interviews with two different grade‐6 students. Postintervention interviews were conducted with all the teachers to document the potential influences on the teachers' PCK. The interviews were transcribed word for word, and a category‐based content analysis was applied to the transcripts. Our results indicate that during the professional development program, all the teachers revisited their existing knowledge about the subatomic structure of matter and left with an enhanced PCK, especially regarding their knowledge of learners and of instructional strategies. Overall, we show the technique of probing acceptance to be a promising tool for short‐term professional development programs, and we suggest that our findings have implications for both professional development designers and educators.
The Role of Judgment in Doxastic Agency
Authors: Jenkins David ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: February 2018

We take it that we can exercise doxastic agency by reasoning and by making judgments. We take it, that is, that we can actively make up our minds by reasoning and judging. On what I call the ‘Standard View’ this is so because judgment can yield belief. It is typical to take it that judgments yield beliefs by causing them. But on the resultant understanding of the Standard View, I argue, it is unclear how judgment could play its role in doxastic agency in the way we take it to. I therefore offer an alternative understanding of how judgment yields belief. Drawing on Ryle (2009) I argue that when one comes to believe by judging the event which is one’s judging is token identical to the event which is one’s coming to believe. This paves the way for version of the Standard View capable of explaining how we can actively make up our minds despite that we cannot believe or come to believe at will.
Evaluation of changes and trends in air temperature within the Southern Levantine basin
Authors: Tonbol Kareem M. , El‐Geziry Tarek M. , Elbessa Mohamed
Published: February 2018

Based upon hourly air temperature values recorded at five coastal meteorological stations within the Southern Levantine basin during the period January 2007–December 2016, mean annual and mean monthly air temperature variations were analysed. The analysis also examined the linear trends of the mean monthly air temperature anomalies (MMATA).

For the Southern Levantine basin, the results of the study revealed that 2010 was the hottest year over the region, while 2011 was the coldest. August 2015 recorded the highest mean monthly temperature over the period of investigation for the whole area of interest. January 2012, by contrast, recorded the lowest mean monthly air temperatures. This is true for all locations except Arish, which experienced its lowest mean monthly temperature record in January 2008. The results also revealed a general increasing trend in MMATA at four stations: Mersa Matruh, Ras El‐Teen, Port Said, and Arish. MMATA for Abu‐Qir appeared to be an exception with the slightly decreasing general trend.
Fifty years on from the Great Glasgow Storm… What have we learned from powerful storms since then?
Authors: Tranter Penny , Galvin Jim
Published: February 2018

This paper describes a significant storm that caused considerable damage ‐ in particular in Glasgow ‐ on 15 January 1968. On the 50th anniversary of this storm, we describe its effects and the causes of the damage it caused. The response to the infrequent severe storms that affect the British Isles has included the development of the forecasting system and an increase in awareness in the general public; both of these projects were sponsored by National Meteorological Services.
Process discovery from event data: Relating models and logs through abstractions
Authors: van der Aalst Wil M.P.
Published: February 2018

Event data are collected in logistics, manufacturing, finance, health care, customer relationship management, e‐learning, e‐government, and many other domains. The events found in these domains typically refer to activities executed by resources at particular times and for a particular case (i.e., process instances). Process mining techniques are able to exploit such data. In this article, we focus on process discovery. However, process mining also includes conformance checking, performance analysis, decision mining, organizational mining, predictions, recommendations, and so on. These techniques help to diagnose problems and improve processes. All process mining techniques involve both event data and process models. Therefore, a typical first step is to automatically learn a control‐flow model from the event data. This is very challenging, but in recent years, many powerful discovery techniques have been developed. It is not easy to compare these techniques since they use different representations and make different assumptions. Users often need to resort to trying different algorithms in an ad‐hoc manner. Developers of new techniques are often trying to solve specific instances of a more general problem. Therefore, we aim to unify existing approaches by focusing on log and model abstractions. These abstractions link observed and modeled behavior: Concrete behaviors recorded in event logs are related to possible behaviors represented by process models. Hence, such behavioral abstractions provide an “interface” between both of them. We discuss four discovery approaches involving three abstractions and different types of process models (Petri nets, block‐structured models, and declarative models). The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of process discovery and show how to develop new techniques. Examples illustrate the different approaches and pointers to software are given. The discussion on abstractions and process representations is also presented to reflect on the gap between process mining literature and commercial process mining tools. This facilitates users to select an appropriate process discovery technique. Moreover, structuring the role of internal abstractions and representations helps broaden the view and facilitates the creation of new discovery approaches.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Application Areas > Business and Industry

Technologies > Machine Learning

Application Areas > Data Mining Software Tools
A Novel Indocyanine Green Fluorescence‐Guided Video‐Assisted Technique for Sentinel Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Sorrentino Luca , Sartani Alessandra , Pietropaolo Gaia , Bossi Daniela , Mazzucchelli Serena , Truffi Marta , Foschi Diego , Corsi Fabio
Published: February 2018

Background

The equipment to detect indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer is not widely accessible nor optimal. The fluorescence appears as a poorly defined white shine on a black background, and dimmed lighting is required. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, accuracy and healthcare costs of a novel approach for SLN biopsy by a video‐assisted ICG‐guided technique.

Methods

The technique for detecting SLN was radioisotope (RI) in 194 cases, video‐assisted ICG‐guided in 70 cases and a combined method in 71 cases. In the video‐assisted ICG group, a full HD laparoscopic system equipped with xenon lamps was used for a laser‐free detection of ICG within a colored and magnified high‐resolution image.

Results

Detection of ICG fluorescence using a laparoscope with a near‐infrared filter provided a highly defined and colored image during SLN biopsy. SLN was identified in 100% of patients in all groups. Multiple SLNs were identified in 0.5% of RI patients, in 12.9% of ICG patients and in 14.1% of ICG + RI patients (p < 0.0001). In ICG + RI group, 95.1% of lymph nodes were radioactive and 92.7% were fluorescent. Operative times and healthcare costs were equivalent between groups.

Conclusions

Video‐assisted ICG‐guided technique is a feasible and surgeon‐friendly method for SLN biopsy, with equivalent efficacy compared to RI, providing an accurate staging of the axilla.
Pulvermetallurgische Herstellung von innovativen Hochtemperaturwerkstoffen
Authors: Clemens Helmut , Mayer Svea , Heilmaier Martin
Published: February 2018

Die pulvermetallurgische Herstellung von Bauteilen aus innovativen Werkstoffen, wie intermetallischen Titanaluminiden und Refraktärmetallsiliziden, bietet eine Vielfalt von Anwendungsmöglichkeiten in modernen Flugzeugtriebwerken und Verbrennungsmotoren. Für die Produktion von hochwertigen Legierungspulvern und deren Verarbeitung stehen mehrere industriell relevante Verfahren bereit.
Efficient single‐survey estimation of carnivore density using fecal DNA and spatial capture‐recapture: a bobcat case study
Authors: Morin Dana J. , Waits Lisette P. , McNitt David C. , Kelly Marcella J.
Published: February 2018

Population density estimates are necessary to inform management and conservation, yet are difficult to obtain for cryptic species such as carnivores, and often require intensive sampling. We implemented a single‐survey, closed session, scat sampling protocol to estimate bobcat density using fecal DNA and spatial capture‐recapture at two sites over five sessions in Virginia, USA. We employed a Poisson encounter model to allow for multiple detections on scat transect segments over a single collection interval, and compared single session and multistrata (closed, multi‐site, multisession) spatial capture‐recapture (SCR) approaches to estimate density for each site and session. We found improved precision for most estimates using the multistrata SCR approach, sharing data on baseline detection and individual movement across sites and sessions. We suggest the summer session estimates are representative of the resident population, that differences in density between summer and winter are representative of potential net recruitment, and that differences between consecutive summer sessions are representative of the net recruitment realized for the population (dependent on survival and emigration). Finally, we assessed factors affecting precision in single session model estimates and provide recommendations to improve detection and reduce credible intervals that may be applicable across the bobcat range and to other carnivore species. The single survey transect methodology provides flexibility in monitoring carnivore populations specifically, or as part of concurrent monitoring for multiple carnivore species. This methodology has potential to dramatically increase the effectiveness of conservation and management dollars, improving our ability to monitor carnivore populations and assess conservation needs and actions.
A novel riboregulator switch system of gene expression for enhanced microbial production of succinic acid
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Haoyuan , Yang Le , Lv Liping , Zhang Zhe , Ren Bin , Dong Lichun , Li Ning
Published: February 2018

In this paper, a novel riboregulator Switch System of Gene Expression including an OFF-TO-ON switch and an ON-TO-OFF switch was designed to regulate the expression state of target genes between “ON” and “OFF” by switching the identifiability of ribosome recognition site (RBS) based on the thermodynamic stability of different RNA–RNA hybridizations between RBS and small noncoding RNAs. The proposed riboregulator switch system was employed for the fermentative production of succinic acid using an engineered strain of E. coli JW1021, during which the expression of mgtC gene was controlled at “ON” state and that of pepc and ecaA genes were controlled at the “OFF” state in the lag phase and switched to the “OFF” and “ON” state once the strain enters the logarithmic phase. The results showed that using the strain of JW1021, the yield and productivity of succinic acid can reach 0.91 g g−1 and 3.25 g L−1 h−1, respectively, much higher than those using the strains without harboring the riboregulator switch system.
“Second‐Class Status?” Insight into Communication Patterns and Common Concerns Among Men with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome
Authors: Suttman Alexandra , Pilarski Robert , Agnese Doreen M. , Senter Leigha
Published: February 2018

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) is a cancer predisposition syndrome that affects both men and women, with more significant cancer risk elevations in women. Dissemination patterns regarding familial genetic risk information among females with HBOC are fairly well defined, but knowledge about how males share this information is limited. We interviewed 21 people primarily Ashkenazi Jewish men who were accrued via listserv email through Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE). Interviews focused on family cancer history, experiences with cancer and genetic testing, motivations to pursue genetic testing and subsequently disclose genetic test results, information‐sharing patterns, health care provider response, and participants’ emotional support systems. The interviews were transcribed in their entirety, coded, and analyzed based on recurring themes. Eighteen transcripts were used for the analysis. Results were classified into five main themes. Participants (n = 8) were most concerned about cancer risk for their children and female family members, and most (n = 11) mentioned that HBOC provides them increased personal awareness, but has a negligible impact on their life overall (n = 9). Men (n = 11) were interested in a male‐focused support group to discuss HBOC and gain knowledge and information. Participants (n = 9) took on active and open communication roles with family members and health care providers. The majority of participants (n = 14) discussed the need for knowledge and awareness among the health care community and general population regarding male HBOC risks. This study serves as a pilot study and provides important and novel insights into psychosocial impacts, communication patterns, encounters with health care professionals, and expressed needs of males with HBOC.
Intentional overdose of liraglutide in a non-diabetic patient causing severe hypoglycemia
Authors: Solverson Kevin J. , Lee Holly , Doig Christopher J.
Published: February 2018

Cases of liraglutide overdose are rare in the literature. Prior reports have not found hypoglycemia related to the medication overdose. We describe a case of a non-diabetic patient who intentionally overdosed on liraglutide leading to severe hypoglycemia. The patient required admission to the intensive care unit for a dextrose infusion and close monitoring. Glucagon-like protein-1 agonists are recognized for their safety and rarely causing hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. However, in this case the patient’s non-diabetic status may have put him at risk for hypoglycemia in contrast to prior cases showing no hypoglycemia in diabetic patients. The case highlights the possible dangers of liraglutide overdose and need for blood glucose monitoring in the acute presentation.
Something in the Water: Hospital Responds to Water Crisis
Authors: Redfern Roberta , Micham Jennifer , Daniels Rebecca , Childers Sue
Published: February 2018

Early on August 2, 2014, in the city of Toledo, Ohio, a media alert informed the public that traces of microcystin, a hazardous toxin, had been detected in the drinking water. The warning stated that residents should not drink, boil, or even touch the contaminated water. A water crisis of this magnitude was recognized to pose a potentially serious and significant impact on patient care and safety in health care environments. ProMedica Toledo Hospital’s Emergency Operation Plan addressed 3 critical issues: safe water availability, alternate cleaning solutions, and preparations for a prolonged crisis. This report details some of the lessons learned throughout the response to the crisis: particularly, because the impact was county-wide which affected other hospitals who used the same vendors, alternate water sources should have been secured in advance; the courier service was vital to delivery of supplies and moving equipment to alternate areas for sterilization processes; and finally, communication with staff and patients was jeopardized by external media outlets. Changes to the emergency plan considering these unanticipated aspects proved useful in a later incident and should be considered by all health care facilities as water emergency policies and procedures are created and reviewed. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:666–668)
Environmental Validation of Legionella Control in a VHA Facility Water System
Authors: Jinadatha Chetan , Stock Eileen M. , Miller Steve E. , McCoy William F.
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVES

We conducted this study to determine what sample volume, concentration, and limit of detection (LOD) are adequate for environmental validation of Legionella control. We also sought to determine whether time required to obtain culture results can be reduced compared to spread-plate culture method. We also assessed whether polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in-field total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria (THAB) counts are reliable indicators of Legionella in water samples from buildings.

DESIGN

Comparative Legionella screening and diagnostics study for environmental validation of a healthcare building water system.

SETTING

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility water system in central Texas.

METHODS

We analyzed 50 water samples (26 hot, 24 cold) from 40 sinks and 10 showers using spread-plate cultures (International Standards Organization [ISO] 11731) on samples shipped overnight to the analytical lab. In-field, on-site cultures were obtained using the PVT (Phigenics Validation Test) culture dipslide-format sampler. A PCR assay for genus-level Legionella was performed on every sample.

RESULTS

No practical differences regardless of sample volume filtered were observed. Larger sample volumes yielded more detections of Legionella. No statistically significant differences at the 1 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL or 10 CFU/mL LOD were observed. Approximately 75% less time was required when cultures were started in the field. The PCR results provided an early warning, which was confirmed by spread-plate cultures. The THAB results did not correlate with Legionella status.

CONCLUSIONS

For environmental validation at this facility, we confirmed that (1) 100 mL sample volumes were adequate, (2) 10× concentrations were adequate, (3) 10 CFU/mL LOD was adequate, (4) in-field cultures reliably reduced time to get results by 75%, (5) PCR provided a reliable early warning, and (6) THAB was not predictive of Legionella results.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:259–266
Electronically Available Comorbid Conditions for Risk Prediction of Healthcare-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Harris Anthony D. , Sbarra Alyssa N. , Leekha Surbhi , Jackson Sarah S. , Johnson J. Kristie , Pineles Lisa , Thom Kerri A.
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVE

To analyze whether electronically available comorbid conditions are risk factors for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-defined, hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) after controlling for antibiotic and gastric acid suppression therapy use.

PATIENTS

Patients aged ≥18 years admitted to the University of Maryland Medical Center between November 7, 2015, and May 31, 2017.

METHODS

Comorbid conditions were assessed using the Elixhauser comorbidity index. The Elixhauser comorbidity index and the comorbid condition components were calculated using the International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes extracted from electronic medical records. Bivariate associations between CDI and potential covariates for multivariable regression, including antibiotic use, gastric acid suppression therapy use, as well as comorbid conditions, were estimated using log binomial multivariable regression.

RESULTS

After controlling for antibiotic use, age, proton-pump inhibitor use, and histamine-blocker use, the Elixhauser comorbidity index was a significant risk factor for predicting CDI. There was an increased risk of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.19–1.32) of having CDI for each additional Elixhauser point added to the total Elixhauser score.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in Elixhauser score is associated with CDI. Our study and other studies have shown that comorbid conditions are important risk factors for CDI. Electronically available comorbid conditions and scores like the Elixhauser index should be considered for risk-adjustment of CDC CDI rates.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:297–301
A new species of the asteroid genus Betelgeusia (Echinodermata) from methane seep settings, Late Cretaceous of South Dakota
Authors: Blake Daniel B. , Halligan William K. , Larson Neal L.
Published: February 2018

Betelgeusia brezinai new species (Radiasteridae, Paxillosida, Asteroidea) is described from diversely fossiliferous Upper Cretaceous methane seep deposits of South Dakota. Asteroids are rare at modern chemosynthetic settings, although a hydrothermal vent occurrence is known, and two possible fossil methane seep occurrences have been reported. The Radiasteridae is important to the interpretation of crown-group asteroid phylogeny. Two extant genera are assigned to the family: Radiaster is known from relatively few but geographically widely dispersed largely deeper-water settings, and Gephyreaster is uncommon over a range of depths in the North Pacific Ocean. Jurassic and Cretaceous radiasterids have been described from geographically widely separated localities. In morphological-based phylogenetic analyses, the Radiasteridae has been assigned to the order Paxillosida, and Gephyreaster is similarly placed in a molecular evaluation; Radiaster has not yet been treated in a molecular study. In molecular treatment, an approximately traditional Paxillosida is a sister taxon to a significant part of the traditional Valvatida. Comparative morphology of Mesozoic and extant asteroids enables a hypothesis for a stemward, Mesozoic paxillosidan.
DOMINIONS AND PRIMITIVE POSITIVE FUNCTIONS
Authors: CAMPERCHOLI MIGUEL
Published: February 2018

LetA≤Bbe structures, and${\cal K}$a class of structures. An elementb∈BisdominatedbyArelative to${\cal K}$if for all${\bf{C}} \in {\cal K}$and all homomorphismsg,g':B → Csuch thatgandg'agree onA, we havegb=g'b. Our main theorem states that if${\cal K}$is closed under ultraproducts, thenAdominatesbrelative to${\cal K}$if and only if there is a partial functionFdefinable by a primitive positive formula in${\cal K}$such thatFB(a1,…,an) =bfor somea1,…,an∈A. Applying this result we show that a quasivariety of algebras${\cal Q}$with ann-ary near-unanimity term has surjective epimorphisms if and only if$\mathbb{S}\mathbb{P}_n \mathbb{P}_u \left( {\mathcal{Q}_{{\text{RSI}}} } \right)$has surjective epimorphisms. It follows that if${\cal F}$is a finite set of finite algebras with a common near-unanimity term, then it is decidable whether the (quasi)variety generated by${\cal F}$has surjective epimorphisms.
Hitting Them With Carrots: Voter Intimidation and Vote Buying in Russia
Authors: Frye Timothy , Reuter Ora John , Szakonyi David
Published: February 2018

Scholars have identified many ways that politicians use carrots, such as vote buying, to mobilize voters, but have paid far less attention to how they use sticks, such as voter intimidation. This article develops a simple argument which suggests that voter intimidation should be especially likely where vote buying is expensive and employers have greater leverage over employees. Using survey experiments and crowd-sourced electoral violation reports from the 2011–12 election cycle in Russia, the study finds evidence consistent with these claims. Moreover, it finds that where employers have less leverage over employees, active forms of monitoring may supplement intimidation in order to encourage compliance. These results suggest that employers can be reliable vote brokers; that voter intimidation can persist in a middle-income country; and that, under some conditions, intimidation may be employed without the need for active monitoring.
Oilfields, Mosques and Violence: Is There a Resource Curse in Xinjiang?
Authors: Hong Ji Yeon , Yang Wenhui
Published: February 2018

How does natural resource extraction affect ethnic violence in a strong authoritarian state? This study investigates the effects of oil and natural gas development on violent incidents in Xinjiang, China, using data from its eighty-six counties. Contrary to the resource curse claim, we find that areas with larger quantities of resource production have lower rates of violence. The analysis of reserves data confirms that this finding is not driven by endogeneity between violence and resource production. This soothing effect of resources subsides, however, in areas with high mosque density. While we find no supporting evidence that drastic ethno-demographic changes or strengthening of public security are associated with resource extraction, the analysis shows that resource development contributes to improved local economic conditions, particularly with respect to employment and the incomes of employees of state-owned enterprises.
For and Against Brexit: A Survey Experiment of the Impact of Campaign Effects on Public Attitudes toward EU Membership
Authors: Goodwin Matthew , Hix Simon , Pickup Mark
Published: February 2018

What are the lessons of the 2016 referendum on UK membership of the European Union (EU) regarding the effects of message framing? This article reports findings from an innovative online survey experiment based on a two-wave panel design. The findings show that, despite the expectation that campaign effects are generally small for high-salience issues – such as Brexit – the potential for campaign effects was high for the pro-EU frames. This suggests that within an asymmetrical information environment – in which the arguments for one side of an issue (anti-EU) are ‘priced in’, while arguments for the other side (pro-EU) have been understated – the potential for campaign effects in a single direction are substantial. To the extent that this environment is reflected in other referendum campaigns, the potential effect of pro-EU frames may be substantial.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate abiotic stresses in potato plants caused by low phosphorus and deficit irrigation/partial root-zone drying
Authors: Liu Caixia , Ravnskov Sabine , Liu Fulai , Rubæk Gitte H. , Andersen Mathias N.
Published: February 2018

Deficit irrigation (DI) improves water use efficiency (WUE), but the reduced water input often limits plant growth and nutrient uptake. The current study examined whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could alleviate abiotic stress caused by low phosphorus (P) fertilization and DI.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with potato grown with (P1) or without (P0) P fertilization, with AMF (M1+:Rhizophagus irregularisor M2+:Glomus proliferum) or AMF-free control (M−) and subjected to full irrigation (FI), DI or partial root-zone drying (PRD).

Inoculation of M1+ and M2+ maintained or improved plant growth and P/nitrogen (N) uptake when subjected to DI/PRD and P0. However, the positive responses to AMF varied with P level and irrigation regime. Functional differences were found in ability of AMF species alleviating plant stress. The largest positive plant biomass response to M1+ and M2+ was found under FI, both at P1 and P0 (25% increase), while plant biomass response to M1+ and M2+ under DI/PRD (14% increase) was significantly smaller. The large growth response to AMF inoculation, particularly under FI, may relate to greater photosynthetic capacity and leaf area, probably caused by stimulation of plant P/N uptake and carbon partitioning toward roots and tubers. However, plant growth response to AMF was not related to the percentage of AMF root colonization. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can maintain and improve P/N uptake, WUE and growth of plants both at high/low P levels and under FI/DI. If this is also the case under field conditions, it should be implemented for sustainable potato production.
A temporal study of mycosporine-like amino acids in surface water phytoplankton
from the English Channel and correlation with solar irradiation
Authors: Llewellyn C.A. , Harbour D.S.
Published: February 2018

A seasonal survey was undertaken, over a year, of phytoplankton from surface water
in the western English Channel (Station L4) measuring mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs),
photosynthetic pigments and microscopic counts. Ground level solar radiation (ultraviolet-B,
ultraviolet-A and photosynthetically active radiation; UV-B, UV-A and PAR) was measured at a
nearby site. From this we estimated in situ solar irradiance received by phytoplankton
using measurements of the mixed layer depth and calculations of the 50% light level cut-off.
The MAAs occurred year round, with concentrations increasing rapidly during spring and summer
(maximum 8·5 μg l−1) to levels exceeding those of
chlorophyll-a (chl-a maximum 3·6 μg l−1).
On two occasions, increases in specific MAAs coincide with algal blooms. In spring, increases
in mycosporine-glycine (λmax 310 nm in the UV-B) coincide with a bloom
of the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii and in July and August increases in an
unidentified MAA (λmax 328 nm) match a bloom of the diatom,
Guinardia striata (=Rhizosolenia stolterfothii). Concentration of
MAAs, but not chlorophyll, correlate with in situ irradiance. The ratio of MAA to
chl-a increases linearily with in situ irradiance received by phytoplankton
reaching 13·9 nmol MAA (nmol chl-a)−1 at 101 W m−2. Evidence of photoinduction is observed during the P. pouchetii bloom with a four fold increase in the concentration of mycosporine-glycine (maximum 2 pg cell−1) as UV-B:PAR ratio increases from 0·0011 to 0·0014. Dinoflagellates, although contributing to <10% of biomass, are found through the correlation of MAAs to the biomarker peridinin, to contribute to baseline levels of MAAs throughout the year. Our MAA:chl-a values for the English Channel are similar to those measured in coastal areas of southern USA. Similarities with studies on Antarctic phytoplankton are also found with the dominance of porphra-334 and the presence of mycosporine-glycine in P. pouchetti.
Taxonomy-related differences in the excavating micro-patterns of boring sponges
Authors: Calcinai Barbara , Arillo Attilio , Cerrano Carlo , Bavestrello Giorgio
Published: February 2018

The micro-erosion patterns of some sponge species belonging to the boring genera Cliona and Aka have been compared. The scanning electron microscope analysis of the excavations of species of the two genera sharing the same substratum clearly indicates that the scars produced on the walls of the boring chambers are different. The pits of Cliona are regular, almost circular and smooth; those of Aka are more irregular and show a multi-layered concentric pattern. These differences constitute a successful means of distinguishing the bio-erosion agents both in recent and in fossil substrata.
Decapodid and early juvenile development in the protandrous shrimp Campylonotus vagans (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea), with notes on larval morphology
Authors: Thatje Sven , Lovrich Gustavo A.
Published: February 2018

The decapodid and first two juvenile stages of the caridean shrimp Campylonotus vagans from the Subantarctic Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) are described and illustrated in detail. The complete larval and early juvenile development of this species from rearings under controlled laboratory conditions were analysed. Zoeal morphology in two stages of an abbreviated development was identical to a description from plankton and hatched larvae of a previous work, and therefore we only compare and discuss slight morphological variations in this study. The first juvenile is large and already resembles some features of adults, lacking all ventral rostral and the fourth dorsal rostral spine only which appears in the following stage, and the second pereiopod not yet being as predominant as in adults. Sexual determination is not yet possible up to the described second juvenile stage. The abbreviated larval development in a Subantarctic shrimp species is discussed as an adaptation to low temperatures and pronounced seasonality.
Molluscs on subtidal cliffs: patterns of spatial distribution
Authors: Terlizzi A. , Scuderi D. , Fraschetti S. , Guidetti P. , Boero F.
Published: February 2018

The distribution of molluscan assemblages across and along a vertical rocky cliff near Otranto (southern Adriatic Sea, Italy) was studied. Sampling was undertaken in May and November 2000 at three sites approximately 100 m apart. Three depths (5, 15, 25 m) were sampled at each site, by scraping off three replicate 20×20 cm quadrats. Samples yielded 6722 specimens, referred to as 133 species. Multivariate analyses showed that the structure of the assemblages significantly differed among depths with a clear gradient of distribution from shallow to deep stands. However, a considerable variation in the structure of the assemblage was also observed among sites at each of the three depths. The species contributing most to characterize depths and/or differentiating sites at each level of the shore were identified. Some potential causes of the observed differences are discussed.
Growth and population structure of the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Decapoda: Penaeidae) on the continental shelf of Sergipe, Brazil
Authors: Da Silva Sonja Luana Rezende , Santos Rafael De Carvalho , Costa Rogério Caetano , Hirose Gustavo Luis
Published: February 2018

This study evaluated the population structure, growth and longevity of Xiphopenaeus kroyeri in the State of Sergipe. The obtained data were compared with other populations on a latitudinal scale in order to evaluate whether the latitudinal paradigm applies to this species. Shrimp sampling took place monthly from September 2013 to August 2014, in nine stations distributed at 5, 15 and 30 m depths, using a shrimp fishery boat equipped with a ‘double rig’ net. Sexual maturity was estimated by the logistic function y = a/(1 + b*exp(-cx)), and the sex ratio was analysed with the Chi-square test. The individual growth rate was estimated using the von Bertalanffy model, and the longevity was estimated by the inverse form of this formula. A total of 6418 (3457 females and 2961 males) was analysed. The size at onset of sexual maturity was 12 mm of carapace length (CL) for males and 12.5 mm CL for females. The total sex ratio did not differ from the expected (1:1). Males exhibited higher growth coefficients (k) and smaller asymptotic growth (CC∞ = 28.74 mm, k = 0.0081 day−1) than females (CC∞ = 30.79 mm, k = 0.0058 day−1). The estimated longevity (years) was 1.55 for males and 2.15 for females. No evident latitudinal pattern was observed regarding the size at onset of sexual maturity or the growth parameters for X. kroyeri. The information found, besides contributing to the knowledge about the biology of this shrimp, can also clarify hypotheses presented in relation to the latitudinal paradigm along the Brazilian coast.
Influence of Four Weed Species on the Growth, Yield, and Quality of Direct-Seeded Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum)
Authors: Monaco T. J. , Grayson A. S. , Sanders D. C.
Published: February 2018

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum‘Roma VF’) and four weeds were grown in various combinations in field plots in 1973 and 1974. Season-long interference by jimsonweed (Datura stramoniumL.), tall morningglory [Ipomoea purpurea(L.) Roth], and common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicumWallr.) at densities of 11, 43, and 86/m2reduced tomato yields in 1973. In 1974, tomato yields were reduced by these three broadleaf weeds at densities of 2.7, 5.4, 8.1, and 11/m2. Season-long interference by large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis(L.) Scop.] reduced tomato yield at densities of 55, 215, and 430/m2in 1973 and 11, 22, 33, and 55/m2in 1974. The fresh weight of tomato shoots decreased with all weed densities in both years. Total weed shoot weight increased with density and individual weed weights decreased with increasing densities. Tomato fruit quality, as measured by soluble solids, acidity, and color, was not influenced by the various weeds and densities.