bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of fitting approaches in LCModel on MRS quantification focusing on age‐specific macromolecules and the spline baseline
Authors: Marjańska Małgorzata , Terpstra Melissa
Published: November 2019

Quantification of neurochemical concentrations from 1H MR spectra is challenged by incomplete knowledge of contributing signals. Some experimental conditions hinder the acquisition of artifact‐free spectra and impede the acquisition of condition‐specific macromolecule (MM) spectra. This work studies differences caused by fitting solutions routinely employed to manage resonances from MM and lipids. High quality spectra (free of residual water and lipid artifacts and for which condition‐specific MM spectra are available) are used to understand the influences of spline baseline flexibility and noncondition‐specific MM on neurochemical quantification. Fitting with moderate spline flexibility or using noncondition‐specific MM led to quantification that differed from when an appropriate, fully specified model was used. This occurred for all neurochemicals to an extent that varied in magnitude among and within approaches. The spline baseline was more tortuous when less constrained and when used in combination with noncondition‐specific MM. Increasing baseline flexibility did not reproduce concentrations quantified under appropriate conditions when spectra were fitted using a MM spectrum measured from a mismatched cohort. Using the noncondition‐specific MM spectrum led to quantification differences that were comparable in size with using a fitting model that had moderate freedom, and these influences were additive. Although goodness of fit was better with greater fitting flexibility, quantification differed from when fitting with a fully specified model that is appropriate for low noise data. Notable GABA and PE concentration differences occurred with lower estimates of measurement error when fitting with greater spline flexibility or noncondition‐specific MM. These data support the need for improved metrics of goodness of fit. Attempting to correct for artifacts or absence of a condition‐specific MM spectrum via increased spline flexibility and usage of noncondition‐specific MM spectra cannot replace artifact‐free data quantified with a condition‐specific MM spectrum.
Lowering in water absorption capacity and mechanical degradation of sisal/epoxy composite by sodium bicarbonate treatment and PLA coating
Authors: Sahu Parul , Gupta M. K.
Published: November 2019

In view of environmental imbalance due to numerous use of manmade fibers and plastic products, demand of natural fibers reinforced biocomposites have been increased. The products prepare by these biocomposites have been used in the various applications. However, their utilizations are not found suitable in the applications where high strength and high water resistance are required. The prime aim of the present study is to improve the water resistance capacity and mechanical performance of aged sisal biocomposites. In this context, hand lay‐up process was used to prepare the epoxy‐based biocomposites by reinforcing the surface modified sisal fibers consisted of eco‐friendly sodium bicarbonate treatment and poly (lactic acid) coating. The highest water absorption, thickness swelling, and sorption, diffusion and permeability coefficients of the fabricated sisal composites were studied. Moreover, the effect of water absorption on tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness properties of the sisal composites was also investigated. It was noticed that treated and coated sisal composite revealed the best water resistant behavior than all other the composites. This composite exhibited 30% lower water absorption capacity than that of pure sisal composite. Further, lowest degradation in mechanical properties, that is, tensile strength (3.59%), flexural strength (33.18%), and hardness (11.96%) was observed for treated and coated sisal composite.
Analysis of the Processing‐Pressure Dependent Refractive Index of Polycarbonate by Transmission Measurements of Glass‐Filled Specimen
Authors: Roth Benedikt , Wildner Wolfgang , Drummer Dietmar
Published: November 2019

In this study, the influence of pressure during processing on the refractive index (RI) of polycarbonate (PC) was investigated by transmission measurements on glass‐filled samples with a spectrometer. In order to isolate the pressure dependence of the RI from other influencing parameters such as cooling rate, orientation and stress states, the samples were prepared in a pressure‐specific volume‐Temperature (pvT) instrument under constant cooling rate and temperature history and without shear effects. Subsequently, the RI was determined at the intersection of the dispersion curves of the glass and the polymer by evaluating the wavelength of the maximal transmission of the samples. The mean RI over the entire cross section of the sample is determined by the transmission measurements without complex sample preparation. The investigations show that the RI of PC increases by 3.26 E‐6 per bar with increasing pressure. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:512–516, 2020. © 2019 The Authors. Polymer Engineering & Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Plastics Engineers.
Case study of MW‐sized power generation at St. Eustatius island combining photovoltaics, battery storage, and gensets
Authors: Garralaga Rojas Enrique , Sadri Hamed , Krueger Wiebke
Published: November 2019

We present the design and performance results of a MW‐sized photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage system (BESS), and diesel genset hybrid system, which has been now in operation for over 2 years. Built in two phases, the power generation of the island features a cumulated diesel genset power of 5.3 MVA, a PV system size of 4.15 MWp, and battery of 5 MVA and 5.9 MWh. The hybrid system reaches a renewable penetration over 46%, setting a milestone in the energy transition from fossil fuel towards MW‐sized renewable‐based power generation. The usage of voltage‐controlled grid‐forming inverters allows to switch off thermal power generation for 9 to 11 hours daily depending on the amount of solar irradiation and load featuring diesel savings of more than 1.7 million liters of diesel per year. During nighttime, the battery system is still active and has served already to avoid over 10 grid blackouts and automatically control the genset‐based generation. Furthermore, the hybrid system allows for substantial reduction in operational expenditures, spare parts, and maintenance intervals. The system also features a relevant impact on frequency, grid stability, and harmonics, hence increasing the power quality of the island. Thanks to appropriate system design based on experience and proprietary software, it is possible to predict the performance accurately and provide projections on savings.
Swelling Resistance and Mechanical Performance of Physical Crosslink‐Based Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogel Film with Various Molecular Weight
Authors: Ma Wenzhong , Zhang Peng , Zhao Bao , Wang Siyuan , Zhong Jing , Cao Zheng , Liu Chunlin , Gong Fanghong , Matsuyama Hideto
Published: November 2019

The present work aimed to develop polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel films with physically crosslinking through controllable entanglement density of the polymer chains. The viscoelasticity of PVA aqueous solutions was investigated over a broad range in molecular weight. The chain length between the crosslinks in the hydrogel () and entanglement density was determined by the plateau modulus (G'). The value of () increased with the PVA molecular weight, which can be attributed to the enhanced entanglement associated with the hydrogen bonds between inter‐ and interchains. The melting and crystallization of the transparent PVA hydrogel films showed that the crystallinity was below 30%, which indicated that microcrystallites formed. Therefore, the entanglement effect and microcrystallization enhanced the stable crosslinked hydrogel network, which further improved by an increase in the molecular weight. Altogether, the PVA with the molecular weight higher than 88,000 g/mol can be envisioned as a promising material for preparing the hydrogel film possessing excellent performance. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 1673–1683
Preparation and Combustion Performance of B/PVDF/Al Composite Microspheres
Authors: Cheng Long , Huang Chuan , Yang Yue , Li Yifan , Meng Yingyi , Li Yanchun , Chen Houhe , Song Dongming , Artiaga Ramón
Published: November 2019

In order to solve the problems that boron nanoparticles (B NPs) are easy to agglomerate, low in combustion efficiency and difficult to ignite, 80 nm B NPs were doped with 50 nm aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) by electrospraying using 10 wt % PVDF as binders. The prepared B/PVDF/Al composite microspheres with diameter of 1∼5 μm were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elemental maps confirmed the uniform distribution of B and Al NPs with the coating of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The thermal properties were tested by thermogravimetry‐differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC), and the combustion process of samples in air was recorded by a high‐speed camera. The results showed that PVDF can reacted with the oxide layer on the surface of Al (Al2O3) and B (B2O3) NPs to promote the combustion and energy release of B/PVDF/Al. In addition, the thermal reactivity of B/PVDF/Al increased as the Al NPs content increases. Al NPs could reduce the ignition energy of B/PVDF/Al, allowing it to burn stably in air. A thermal reaction mechanism was proposed to explain qualitatively the four‐stage pattern of B/PVDF/Al decomposition observed in TG‐DSC curves.
In vitro metabolism of sunscreen compounds by liquid chromatography/high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Guesmi Amal , Ohlund Leanne , Sleno Lekha
Published: November 2019

Rationale

Exposure to UV light can induce adverse effects on human health, such as photo‐aging, immunosuppression, and cancer. Sunscreens are used to prevent the absorption of UV rays, but certain UV‐filtering compounds have been shown to disrupt endocrine systems or act as carcinogens. To assess the effects of the exposure to such compounds, it is important to study the pathways by which they are biotransformed in the body.

Methods

Liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS/MS) was employed to evaluate the oxidative metabolism and, specifically, the formation of reactive metabolites of six active ingredients commonly used in sunscreen formulations: oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and octinoxate. In vitro incubations were performed with human and rat liver microsomes in the presence of β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and glutathione. An LC/HRMS/MS method was developed to identify metabolites employing a biphenyl reversed‐phase column for separating parent molecules, metabolites, and glutathione (GSH) adducts.

Results

Each tested compound resulted in the formation of several metabolites, including at least one GSH adduct. Compounds containing ester groups were hydrolyzed, and some metabolites of the free acid forms were also detected. High‐resolution MS/MS data was crucial for the structural elucidation of metabolites and GSH adducts. Fragmentation pathways were proposed for all parent compounds, as well as each described metabolite and adduct.

Conclusions

The results of this study will help better understand the metabolism and detoxification pathways of these xenobiotics.
Interlaboratory test for stable carbon isotope analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon in geothermal fluids
Authors: Verma Mahendra P. , van Geldern Robert , Carvalho Matheus C. , Grassa Fausto , Delgado‐Huertas Antonio , Monvoisin Gaël , Carrizo Daniel
Published: November 2019

Rationale

Stable carbon isotope ratios have many applications in natural sciences. In the first worldwide interlaboratory proficiency test, the discrepancies in measuredδ13CDICvalues of natural waters were up toσ = ±3‰. Therefore, we continued the investigation on the analytical data quality assurance of individual laboratories and internal consistency among laboratories worldwide.

Methods

We designed and performed an interlaboratory comparison exercise forδ13C analyses of ten water and two solid samples (Na2CO3, CaCO3), including two synthetic samples prepared by dissolving the carbonates individually. Three laboratories analyzed an additional sample set to assess solution stability, at least one month after the first set analysis period. Theδ13C values were measured using dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry (DI‐IRMS) or continuous flow (CF)‐IRMS.

Results

Theδ13C values of solid Na2CO3and its aqueous solution were −5.06 ± 0.21‰ and 5.32 ± 0.24‰, respectively, while theδ13C value of solid CaCO3was −4.49 ± 0.93‰. Similarly, the lake water has a consistent value (2.45 ± 0.19‰). Theδ13C values of geothermal water have a wide dispersion among individual laboratory measurements and among those of different laboratories; however, a trend exists in theδ13C values measured at the three sampling points of each well.

Conclusions

Theδ13C values of solid Na2CO3and its solution, and lake water (i.e. DIC concentration samples >100 mg/L carbon) are consistent among all the participating laboratories. The dispersion in theδ13C values of solid CaCO3is associated with its lower chemical affinity than that of Na2CO3. The poor reproducibility in theδ13C values of geothermal fluids, collected at three points of a geothermal well, despite overall consistent trends regarding their collection points suggests inadequate sample handling (atmospheric CO2exchange) and/or inappropriate analytical approaches (incomplete H3PO4acid reaction).
Strategies for Constructing Upconversion Luminescence Nanoprobes to Improve Signal Contrast
Authors: Li Zhen , Liang Tao , Wang Qirong , Liu Zhihong
Published: November 2019

Lanthanide‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) can convert two or more lower‐energy near‐infrared photons to a single photon with higher energy, which makes them particularly suitable for constructing nanoprobes with large imaging depth and minimal interference of autofluorescence and light scattering from biosamples. Furthermore, they feature excellent photostability, sharp and narrow emissions, and large anti‐Stokes shift, which confer them the capability of long‐period bioimaging and real‐time tracking. In recent years, UCNPs‐based nanoprobes (UC‐nanoprobes) have been attracting increasing interest in biological and medical research. Signal contrast, the ratio of signal intensity after and before the reaction of the probe and target, is the determinant factor of the sensitivity of all reaction‐based probes. This progress report presents the methods of constructing UC‐nanoprobes, with a focus fixed on recent strategies to improve the signal contrast, which have kept on promoting the bioapplication of this type of probe.
Enzyme‐Resistant Starch Spherulites
Authors: Ziegler Gregory R.
Published: November 2019

Enzyme resistant starch spherulites have the potential to be used as time‐release matrices for the delivery of nutrients and active pharmaceutical ingredients to the lower gastrointestinal tract if their enzyme resistance can be predictably controlled. Here, the modification of resistant starch content of spherulites using amylose of varying molecular weight is demonstrated. Starch spherulites made from common corn starch amylose of DP 642 and DP 120 exhibit 24% and 34% B‐type crystallinity and 36.6% and 61.7% resistant starch content, respectively. Though fewer in number and with a tendency to clump, spherulites maintain their approximate size, shape, and birefringence after hydrolysis with α‐amylase and amyloglucosidase for up to 48 h. Enzyme digestion for 16 h caused a near doubling in dissolution enthalpy of the residue and also in enzyme resistance when the residue is digested for an additional 16 h. Atomic force microscopy reveals that the spherulites comprise a dense periphery with fine structure similar to native starch granules.
Value chain and stakeholder‐driven product platform design
Authors: Choi Sung Chun , Suh Eun Suk , Park Chan Jung
Published: November 2019

Product platform design and development is an arduous process that involves multiple stakeholders both inside and outside of a company. However, owing to its benefits, product platform has been widely implemented in the industry. Although numerous methodologies for product platform option generation, selection, and optimization have been proposed and demonstrated through various case studies, only a few researchers have explored and demonstrated a product platform design process that considered various value chain impacts. Herein, a value chain and stakeholder‐driven product platform design process is introduced. The process is demonstrated through a case study, where different water purifier product platform options were generated and evaluated for their effects on value chain, such as organization structure, production line configuration, economic effect, and preferences of different stakeholders.
A comparative analysis of gene expression induced by the embryo in the caprine endometrium
Authors: Liu Xiaorui , Zhang Lei , Han Jincheng , Yang Lichun , Cui Jiuzeng , Che Sicheng , Cao Binyun , Song Yuxuan
Published: November 2019

Transcriptomics is an established powerful tool to identify potential mRNAs and ncRNAs (non‐coding RNAs) for endometrial receptivity. In this study, the goat endometrium at estrus day 5 (ED5) and estrus day 15 (ED15) were selected to systematically analyse the differential expressed genes (DEGs) what were induced by the embryo. There were 1,847 genes which were significantly differential expressed in endometrium induced by the embryo at ED5, and 1,346 at ED15 (p‐value < .05). Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP) was the responsive genes for embryo in the goat endometrium during estrus cycle, neurotensis (NTS) and pleiotrophin (PTN) were the responsive genes for embryo in the goat endometrium at ED5, Testin (TES) and Phosphate and Tension Homology Deleted on Chromsome ten (PTEN) at ED15. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes (KEGG) analysis revealed cytoplasm and Endocytosis were indispensable for the endometrium development in dairy goat. In a word, this resulting view of the transcriptome greatly uncovered the global trends in mRNAs expression induced by the embryo in the endometrium of dairy goats.
Infestation of small ruminants by the metacestode stage of Taenia hydatigena in slaughterhouse, North East Tunisia
Authors: Khaled Khouloud , Teber Ghaleb , Bouaicha Faten , Amairia Safa , Rekik Mourad , Gharbi Mohamed
Published: November 2019

Background

Cysticercus tenuicollis (larvae of Taenia hydatigena) is a frequent cosmopolitan endoparasite of ruminants. The infestation by this parasite is underestimated since it is neither zoonotic nor inducing high economic losses in the sheep sector.

Methods

This study aimed at estimating different parasitological indicators, Cysticercus tenuicollis infestation in small ruminants using a slaughterhouse‐based survey in Northeast Tunisia. A total number of 3,692 sheep and 78 goats were examined in the slaughterhouse of Menzel Temime.

Results

The overall prevalence was estimated to be 2.8 (106/3692) and 8.9% (7/78) in sheep and goats, respectively. The abundance in these two species was 0.24 and 0.05 and the intensity 1.97 and 2.85, respectively. In goats, all the cysts were found in the mesentery, whilst, in sheep, the majority were in mesentery (96%) but also on the liver in 2% of the cases and in both organs (2%). There were only cysts with aqueous liquid with predominantly middle‐sized cysts (1 to 3 cm) corresponding to 63.15 and 70.34% in sheep and goats, respectively.

Conclusion

Since, in small ruminants, the infestation by C. tenuicollis indicators are not high, low cost control measures should be implemented to eliminate this parasite in Northeast Tunisia.
An application of Integrated Water Resource Management principles to flood risk mitigation in Mossman, North Queensland, Australia
Authors: Dinh Giang N. , McIntosh Brian S.
Published: November 2019

As the economic and political center of Douglas Shire in Far North Queensland, Australia, the Mossman Township plays an important role in the development of the region. To allow for the economic and population growth of the town, the local authority has developed strategies to expand the residential and industrial zones closer to the Mossman River. However, these areas are frequently affected by fluvial floods that are exacerbated by the confluence of the two Mossman tributaries, South and North. In addition, the frequency and intensity of floods is likely to increase under the impact of climate change. To minimize flood risk in this area, the State and Local Governments have a coordinated approach to implement measures to address the issue. However, these measures have limitations and it is difficult to achieve all of their intended objectives.

To support the Mossman authorities in improving flood resilience, this study combined the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management and Flood Risk Management to identify and assess measures to achieve flood risk mitigation. This study proposes a range of measures that may enable the region to reduce the exposure and vulnerability of the affected population to flood hazard. Subsequently, these measures were evaluated from different perspectives including risk index, financial cost, and the environmental and social impact of each.

By using a new methodology for flood risk assessment that considers exposure, vulnerability, and tolerance of the community to flood risk, this study determined that the current flood risk level in Mossman is high. To reduce the high‐risk level to low, three measures were proposed: land use change, the construction of flood levees, and a flood forecasting and warning system. The study found that the implementation of each measure alone does not minimize flood risk effectively, especially within important zones such as residential areas, the town center, and critical roads. It was also found that relying on just one measure impacts the economic, social, or environmental conditions of the study area significantly. The simultaneous implementation of three measures is, therefore, perceived to be necessary. The combination of measures determined by using Integrated Water Resources Management principles enables the region to mitigate flood risk effectively, and also provides an opportunity to balance benefits and cost economically, environmentally, and socially.
Pluralism and Perspectivism in the American Pragmatist Tradition
Authors: Brown Matthew J.
Published: November 2019

This chapter explores perspectivism in the American Pragmatist tradition. On the one hand, the thematization of perspectivism in contemporary epistemology and philosophy of science can benefit from resources in the American Pragmatist philosophical tradition. On the other hand, the Pragmatists have interesting and innovative, pluralistic views that can be illuminated through the lens of perspectivism. I pursue this inquiry primarily through examining relevant sources from the Pragmatist tradition. I will illustrate productive engagements between pragmatism and perspectivism in three areas: in the pragmatists’ fallibilistic theories of inquiry and truth, in their pluralistic metaphysics, and in their views on cultural pluralism. While there are some potential sticking points between pragmatism and perspectivism, particularly around the visual metaphor of perspective, these philosophical approaches nonetheless have much to learn from each other. Perspectivism is in danger of falling between the horns of pernicious relativism and a platitudinous view of the limits of human perception and cognition. The pragmatists accounts of truth and reality open the possibility of a more thoroughgoing perspectivism. I will follow this thread through Charles S. Peirce’s, William James’, and John Dewey’s theories of inquiry and truth, Peirce’s evolutionary metaphysics, James’ radical pluralism, Dewey’s cultural naturalism, Richard Rorty’s anti-essentialism, Jane Addams’ standpoint epistemology, W.E.B. Du Bois’ theory of race consciousness, Horace Kallen’s and Alain LeRoy Locke’s cultural pluralism, and Mary Parker Follett’s account of pluralistic integration.
Perspectives, Questions, and Epistemic Value
Authors: Khalifa Kareem , Millson Jared
Published: November 2019

Many epistemologists endorse true-belief monism, the thesis that only true beliefs are of fundamental epistemic value. However, this view faces formidable counterexamples. In response to these challenges, we alter the letter, but not the spirit, of true-belief monism. We dub the resulting view “inquisitive truth monism”, which holds that only true answers to relevant questions are of fundamental epistemic value. Which questions are relevant is a function of an inquirer’s perspective, which is characterized by his/her interests, social role, and background assumptions. Using examples of several different scientific practices, we argue that inquisitive truth monism outperforms true-belief monism.
Perspectivalism About Knowledge and Error
Authors: Treanor Nick
Published: November 2019

Knowledge and error have a quantitative dimension – we can know more and less, and we can be wrong to a greater or lesser extent. This fact underpins prominent approaches to epistemic normativity, which we can loosely call truth-consequentialist. These approaches face a significant challenge, however, stemming from the observation that some truths seem more epistemically valuable than others. In this paper I trace out this perspectivalist challenge, showing that although it arises from a mistaken picture of the quantitative dimension of knowledge and error, when we reconceive how that quantitative dimension should be understood we find the perspectivalist challenge has survived unscathed.
Knowledge from a Human Point of View
Authors: Stroud Barry
Published: November 2019

Everything that is known by human beings is known from a human point of view. There is no other point of view from which human beings can know anything. Is there something distinctively “perspectival” about human knowledge or the study of human knowledge? Explaining how such-and-such has come to be known by human beings involves explaining how those who know it came to get things right. Those who explain that knowledge are thereby committed to the truth of what is said to be known. Can we explain, from a human point of view, how it has come to be known that such-and-such is so in the world we live in? Or can we explain, from a human point of view, only how it has come to be known that such-and-such is so from a human point of view in the world we live in?
A “P5” Approach to Healthcare and Health Technology
Authors: Pravettoni Gabriella , Triberti Stefano
Published: November 2019

The challenges represented by chronic conditions worldwide are related to disease management and patient engagement. Healthcare should open not only to new tools and resources but also to innovative approaches. This contribution deepens the concept of P5 medicine, namely, an evolution of patient-centered medicine approaches which tries to identify the main characteristics medical interventions should have in order to meet patients’ needs. Specifically, healthcare should be predictive, personalized, preventive, participatory, and psychocognitive. eHealth, or the use of new technologies in healthcare contexts, represents an extraordinary opportunity to achieve all of these features. The second part of this contribution will present brief history of eHealth, its development, the multiple forms it assumes today, and literature on encouraging results and emerging criticalities as well. The present book will feature guidelines and examples of how eHealth could be designed and implemented in order to reach P5 recommendations in healthcare globally.
Psycho-cognitive Factors Orienting eHealth Development and Evaluation
Authors: Gorini Alessandra , Caiani Enrico Gianluca , Pravettoni Gabriella
Published: November 2019

The P5 approach to medicine emphasizes the importance of psychological and cognitive factors in the healthcare process, namely, the enhancement of patients’ responsibility to participate in the medical decision making, patient education, as well as the measurement and support to quality of life. In the context of eHealth development and evaluation, such factors are more and more important to ensure successful implementation. This contribution explores the role of these factors in health technologies, and tools/approaches useful for exploiting psychological factors in eHealth; for example, the concept of “persuasive technology” is explored and updated in the field of health technologies. As the more innovative and groundbreaking of the Ps, the fifth is the one where more space for improvement and advancement could be envisaged in future medicine. The contribution ends with highlighting hints for future studies.
User-Centered Design Approaches and Methods for P5 eHealth
Authors: Triberti Stefano , Brivio Eleonora
Published: November 2019

As seen throughout this book, eHealth informed by P5 approach gives full recognition to patients’ contexts, needs, desires, and personal characteristics. These aspects should not only be considered as cornerstones for technology evaluation, but as fundamental guidelines for design in the first place. This relates to User-Centered Design, that is, any technology/service design where final users influence how the design itself takes place. In other words, eHealth development should be based on research data gathered among final users about their needs and contexts of use, in order to be specifically tailored on final users even before the realization of low-level prototypes. This methodological contribution presents a critical presentation, description, and evaluation of research tools to be employed not to evaluate technology’s results and effectiveness, but the specific characteristics of users in order to orient design and development. Such an approach should be considered the “gold standard” of P5 eHealth solutions.
Ishibashi states, topological orders with boundaries and topological entanglement entropy. Part II. Cutting through the boundary
Authors: Shen Ce , Lou Jiaqi , Hung Ling-Yan
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We compute the entanglement entropy in a 2+1 dimensional topological order in the presence of gapped boundaries. Specifically, we consider entanglement cuts that cut through the boundaries. We argue that based on general considerations of the bulk- boundary correspondence, the “twisted characters” feature in the Renyi entropy, and the topological entanglement entropy is controlled by a “half-linking number” in direct analogy to the role played by the S-modular matrix in the absence of boundaries. We also construct a class of boundary states based on the half-linking numbers that provides a “closed-string” picture complementing an “open-string” computation of the entanglement entropy. These boundary states do not correspond to diagonal RCFT’s in general. These are illustrated in specific Abelian Chern-Simons theories with appropriate boundary conditions.
What do we know about the influence of vacuum on bacterial biocenosis used in environmental biotechnologies?
Authors: Gnida Anna
Published: November 2019

The article aims to show the increased interest in the applications of vacuum in the area of environmental biotechnology and the lack of research related to the effects of vacuum on bacteria and microbial communities. Information on the impact of vacuum on bacteria is limited and often comes from unrelated research fields. In most cases (astrobiology research, food preservation technologies), the exposure of microorganisms in vacuum is permanent for the whole life of a cell. In environmental science applications, the exposure of microorganisms containing media such as sludge or soil in vacuum is rather persistent, and lower values of vacuum are used. Vacuum is used or proposed to be used in wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, sludge treatment, soil remediation and mining. Usually, vacuum is used to remove gases from the test medium, so a purely physical process is applied. However, most reports show the influence of vacuum on biological processes and its efficiency, as well as on the community structure.
Assessing multiple predator, diurnal and search area effects on predatory impacts by ephemeral wetland specialist copepods
Authors: Cuthbert Ross N. , Dalu Tatenda , Wasserman Ryan J. , Monaco Cristián J. , Callaghan Amanda , Weyl Olaf L. F. , Dick Jaimie T. A.
Published: November 2019

Predator–prey interaction strengths can be highly context-dependent. In particular, multiple predator effects (MPEs), variations in predator sex and physical habitat characteristics may affect prey consumption rates and thus the persistence of lower trophic groups. Ephemeral wetlands are transient ecosystems in which predatory copepods can be numerically dominant. We examine the interaction strengths of a specialist copepodParadiaptomus lamellatustowards mosquito prey in the presence of conspecifics using a functional response approach. Further, we examine sex variability in predation rates ofP. lamellatusunder circadian and surface area variations. Then, we assess the influence of a co-occurring heterospecific predatory copepod,Lovenula raynerae, on total predation rates. We demonstrate MPEs on consumption, with antagonism between conspecificP. lamellatuspredatory units evident, irrespective of prey density. Furthermore, we show differences between sexes in interaction strengths, with femaleP. lamellatussignificantly more voracious than males, irrespective of time of day and experimental arena surface area. Predation rates byP. lamellatuswere significantly lower than the heterospecific calanoid copepodL. raynerae, whilst heterospecific copepod groups exhibited the greatest predatory impact. Our results provide insights into the predation dynamics by specialist copepods, wherein species density, diversity and sex affect interaction strengths. In turn, this may influence population-level persistence of lower trophic groups under shifting copepod predator composition.
The Association of Women’s Empowerment with Stillbirths in Nepal
Authors: Gurung Abhishek , Bajracharya Kiran , Gurung Rejina , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , KC Naresh Pratap , Shrestha Parashu Ram , KC Ashish
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Globally, 2.6 million stillbirths occur each year. Empowering women can improve their overall reproductive health and help reduce stillbirths. Women empowerment has been defined as women’s ability to make choices in economic decision-making, household and health care decision-making. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate if women’s empowerment is associated with stillbirths.

Methods

Data from 2016 Nepal Demographic Health Surveys (NDHS) were analysed to evaluate the association between women’s empowerment and stillbirths. Equiplots were generated to assess the distribution of stillbirths by wealth quintile, place of residence and level of maternal education using data from NHDS 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 data. For the association of women empowerment factors and stillbirths, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results

A total of 88 stillbirths were reported during the survey. Univariate analysis showed age of mother, education of mother, age of husband, wealth index, head of household, decision on healthcare and decision on household purchases had significant association with stillbirths (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, only maternal age 35 years and above was significant (aOR 2.42; 1.22–4.80). Education of mother (aOR 1.48; 0.94–2.33), age of husband (aOR 1.54; 0.86–2.76), household head (aOR 1.51; 0.88–2.59), poor wealth index (aOR 1.62; 0.98–2.68), middle wealth index (aOR 1.37; 0.76–2.47), decision making for healthcare (aOR 1.36; 0.84–2.21) and household purchases (aOR 1.01; 0.61–1.66) had no any significant association with stillbirths.

Conclusions

There are various factors linked with stillbirths. It is important to track stillbirths to improve health outcomes of mothers and newborn. Further studies are necessary to analyse women empowerment factors to understand the linkages between empowerment and stillbirths.
Safety and efficacy of stenting for aortic arch hypoplasia in patients with coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Warmerdam E. G. , Krings G. J. , Meijs T. A. , Franken A. C. , Driesen B. W. , Sieswerda G. T. , Meijboom F. J. , Doevendans P. A. F. , Molenschot M. M. C. , Voskuil M.
Published: November 2019

Background

Despite a successful repair procedure for coarctation of the aorta (CoA), up to two-thirds of patients remain hypertensive. CoA is often seen in combination with abnormal aortic arch anatomy and morphology. This might be a substrate for persistent hypertension. Therefore, we performed endovascular aortic arch stent placement in patients with CoA and concomitant aortic arch hypoplasia or gothic arch morphology. The goal of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the safety and efficacy of aortic arch stenting.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in patients who underwent stenting of the aortic arch at the University Medical Center Utrecht. Measurements collected included office blood pressure, use of antihypertensive medication, invasive peak-to-peak systolic pressure over the arch, and aortic diameters on three-dimensional angiography. Data on follow-up were obtained at the date of most recent outpatient visit.

Results

Twelve patients underwent stenting of the aortic arch. Mean follow-up duration was 14 ± 11 months. Mean peak-to-peak gradient across the arch decreased from 39 ± 13 mm Hg to 7 ± 8 mm Hg directly after stenting (p < 0.001). There were no major procedural complications. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 145 ± 16 mm Hg at baseline to 128 ± 9 mm Hg at latest follow-up (p = 0.014).

Conclusion

This retrospective study shows that stenting of the aortic arch is successful when carried out in a state-of-the-art manner. A direct optimal angiographic and haemodynamic result was shown. No major complications occurred during or after the procedure. At short- to medium-term follow-up a decrease in mean systolic blood pressure was observed.
Technology in the Age of Innovation: Responsible Innovation as a New Subdomain Within the Philosophy of Technology
Authors: von Schomberg Lucien , Blok Vincent
Published: November 2019

Praised as a panacea for resolving all societal issues, and self-evidently presupposed as technological innovation, the concept of innovation has become the emblem of our age. This is especially reflected in the context of the European Union, where it is considered to play a central role in both strengthening the economy and confronting the current environmental crisis. The pressing question is how technological innovation can be steered into the right direction. To this end, recent frameworks of Responsible Innovation (RI) focus on how to enable outcomes of innovation processes to become societally desirable and ethically acceptable. However, questions with regard to the technological nature of these innovation processes are rarely raised. For this reason, this paper raises the following research question:To what extent is RI possible in the current age, where the concept of innovation is predominantly presupposed as technological innovation?On the one hand, we depart from a post-phenomenological perspective to evaluate the possibility of RI in relation to the particular technological innovations discussed in the RI literature. On the other hand, we emphasize the central role innovation plays in the current age, and suggest that the presupposed concept of innovation projects a techno-economic paradigm. In doing so, we ultimately argue that in the attempt to steer innovation, frameworks of RI are in fact steered by the techno-economic paradigm inherent in the presupposed concept of innovation. Finally, we account for what implications this has for the societal purpose of RI.
Diagnosis and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension in the Modern Era: Insights from the 6th World Symposium
Authors: Thomas Christopher A. , Anderson Ryan J. , Condon David F. , de Jesus Perez Vinicio A.
Published: November 2019

The past 20 years have seen major advances in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension, a disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The 6th World Symposium in Pulmonary Hypertension (WSPH) took place in February 2018 and attempted to consolidate the current knowledge in the field into practical recommendations to help prioritize an action plan to improve patient outcomes and identify future research directions. In this review, we will summarize the highlights of the 6th WSPH proceedings, including revisions to the hemodynamic definitions and classification of the various types of pulmonary hypertension, genetic advances, approaches to risk stratification, and updated treatment algorithms.
Evidence and Proportionality in Free Movement Cases: The Impact of the Scotch Whisky Case
Authors: BARTLETT Oliver , MACCULLOCH Angus
Published: November 2019

Market interventions to protect public health are likely to be subject to EU law challenge as contrary to the rules on free movement. In the Scotch Whisky case the CJEU stressed the importance of defined public health objectives and supporting evidence in the analysis of whether interventions are justified as “appropriate” and “necessary”. This article considers the wider implications of this judgment for the application of the proportionality test in free movement cases and in the case of innovative interventions that are adopted on a complex evidence base. The article argues that the unusual development that Scotch Whisky made to the CJEU’s wider trend towards greater engagement with evidence should be treated with caution, and that it is possible for national courts to apply the new guidance on the role of evidence in the proportionality analysis with sensitivity. The article also argues that policymakers must now be more aware of how they frame innovative interventions and the evidence supporting them.
FLOW WITH DENSITY AND TRANSPORT EQUATION IN
Authors: JIANG RENJIN , LI KANGWEI , XIAO JIE
Published: November 2019

We show that, if$b\in L^{1}(0,T;L_{\operatorname{loc}}^{1}(\mathbb{R}))$has a spatial derivative in the John–Nirenberg space$\operatorname{BMO}(\mathbb{R})$, then it generates a unique flow$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}(t,\cdot )$which has an$A_{\infty }(\mathbb{R})$density for each time$t\in [0,T]$. Our condition on the map$b$is not only optimal but also produces a sharp quantitative estimate for the density. As a killer application we achieve the well-posedness for a Cauchy problem of the transport equation in$\operatorname{BMO}(\mathbb{R})$.
Association between eosinophil count and cholelithiasis among a population with Clonorchis sinensis infection in Foshan City, China
Authors: Xie W. , Deng Y. , Chen S. , Yang Q.
Published: November 2019

The association between eosinophil count and cholelithiasis among people with Clonorchis sinensis infection is still uncertain. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the associations among Clonorchis sinensis infection, eosinophil count and cholelithiasis. The study included 4628 participants from January to December 2018. The levels of eosinophil count were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of eosinophil count. Spearman's rank correlation was performed to assess the association between eosinophil counts and Clonorchis sinensis egg counts. Multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships among C. sinensis infection, eosinophil count and cholelithiasis after adjusting for three models. The prevalence of C. sinensis infection was 38.72% (1792/4628), and the prevalence of cholelithiasis was 6.03% (279/4628). The infection rate of C. sinensis was higher in the cholelithiasis group than in the non-cholelithiasis group (63.08% vs. 37.16%, P < 0.001). Significant differences were found among various eosinophil count quartiles for C. sinensis infection, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (all P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between eosinophil count and log-transformed C. sinensis egg count (r = 0.9477, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that light and moderate intensities of C. sinensis infection were associated with cholelithiasis (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively), and C. sinensis infection with eosinophil count ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 × 109/l were associated with cholelithiasis (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the light and moderate infections of C. sinensis with eosinophil count ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 × 109/l may be associated with a higher risk of cholelithiasis.
UPISketch: The UPIC idea and its current applications for initiating new audiences to music
Authors: Bourotte Rodolphe , Kanach Sharon
Published: November 2019

With the invention of UPIC by Iannis Xenakis in 1977, for the first time one could achieve the sonic realisation of drawn musical ideas by a computer. Since then, no one seems to have proposed an equivalent tool, providing usability for both beginners and professionals. We will discuss how lively the UPIC idea can still be today, and why we should pay attention to this approach. Indeed, there has been a relative quietness in the domain of computer music specifically regarding how we arrange graphical curves to describe the evolution of sound parameters and create a musical form. This ascertainment led to the birth of our project UPISketch, which aims at the same goal, using today’s technology. We hope that this first version can reintroduce the concept of a ‘computer-assisted tool for sound composition, assisted by drawing’ to a global audience. The program being available since June 2018, we will evaluate the results of the first workshops with various publics and take a glimpse at the next developments.
Deep Low‐Frequency Earthquakes Associated With the Eruptions of Shinmoe‐dake in KirishimaVolcanoes
Authors: Kurihara Ryo , Obara Kazushige , Takeo Akiko , Tanaka Yusaku
Published: November 2019

Deep low‐frequency (DLF) earthquakes occur beneath the Kirishima volcanoes in southwest Japan at depths of 10–30 km. In this study, we aim to reveal the relationship between DLF earthquakes and volcanic activity including eruptions by relocating the hypocenters of the earthquakes using the network correlation coefficient method and detecting the earthquakes comprehensively using the matched filter technique. Hypocenters of DLF earthquakes are found to be concentrated in some separated small clusters within depths of 10–15 and 20–27 km. Activation of deeper DLF earthquakes had been observed for approximately 2 years from December 2009, during which various styles of eruptions occurred. Such a 2‐year increase in DLF seismicity was well correlated with crustal deformation because of the volume change of a magma reservoir. The waveforms and hypocenters of DLF earthquakes during the activation period were different from those during other time periods. The activated DLF earthquakes mostly had low dominant frequencies and were located in four deeper clusters. The activation of each cluster was switched 3 times at the transition of the eruption styles. These results suggest that DLF earthquakes might occur near magma sills and could be triggered by fluid flow in the changing paths by complex eruption processes. In addition, the waveforms and hypocenters of DLF earthquakes associated with the 2018 eruptions are different from those associated with the 2011 eruptions. The fluid paths of the 2018 eruptions might be different from those of the 2011 eruptions.