bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetotransport Irreversibility in Single Crystalline La0.18Pr0.40Ca0.42MnO3 Thin Films
Authors: Kumari Suman , Siwach Praveen K. , Maurya Kamlesh K. , Awana Veer P. S. , Singh Hari K.
Published: February 2019

Magnetotransport irreversibility in single crystalline La0.18Pr0.40Ca0.42MnO3 thin films is probed with respect to intrinsic electronic phase separation (IEPS). Temperature‐dependent magnetization and resistivity measurements show that (i) the high temperature non‐hysteretic regime is dominated by the antiferromagnetic insulator (AFMI) and the charge ordered (CO) phases; (ii) at intermediate temperatures hysteretic regime is akin to a spin liquid; and (iii) the glass transition occurs at temperature Tg below which the spin liquid freezes. The suppression of the ferromagnetic and insulator–metal transitions (TC and TIM) during cooling confirms supercooled magnetic liquid. Magnetic field‐dependent resistivity (ρ–H) measured during cooling and warming highlights the differences in the spin‐ordered structures through (i) reversible behavior at T < Tg; (ii) colossal irreversibility in the isothermal cooling and warming ρ–H at Tg < T < TC/TIM; and (iii) reversible ρ–H at low/moderate fields but irreversible behavior at high fields at T > TIM (warming). The present study demonstrates that the scaling of area between the isothermal cooling and warming cycle ρ–H curves with temperature mimics the ρ–T behavior and hence also reflects the insulator–metal transition. The observed irreversibility and the area scaling in the different spin regimes have been explained in terms of the intrinsic electronic phase separation.
“I'm Always Kind of Double‐Checking”: Exploring the Information‐Seeking Identities of Expert Generalists
Authors: Kohnen Angela M. , Mertens Gillian E.
Published: February 2019

Despite a heightened focus on information literacy, students and adults alike struggle to assess online information. In this article, the authors argue that the K–12 information literacy curriculum needs to focus on supporting students to develop identities as expert information seekers to address complex and mutable modern literacy needs. The authors explore commonalities and themes within three different expert information‐seeking professions: academic librarians, journalists, and nonfiction children's book authors. From semistructured interviews emerged distinct themes of doing, knowing, and being that expert information seekers employed when encountering information. The authors believe that these identity practices could form the basis of an information‐seeking curriculum that can help address the challenges of the current online information environment.
Efficient and Scalable Production of Alkyl Levulinates from Cellulose‐Derived Levulinic Acid Using Heteropolyacid Catalysts
Authors: Onkarappa Sharath Bandibairanahalli , Javoor Manjunath , Mal Sib Sankar , Dutta Saikat
Published: February 2019

This work reports a straightforward and scalable synthesis of a series of alkyl levulinates from cellulose‐derived levulinic acid and alkyl alcohols using commercially available heteropolyacid catalysts under homegenous conditions. The reaction was optimized on parameters such as temperature, molar ratio of reagents, type and loading of catalyst. The solvent‐free reactions afforded alkyl levulinates in high isolated yields (>85%) using only slight excess of alcohols and 10 wt% of catalyst at 120 °C in 6 h. Further, the catalysts were successfully recycled for three consecutive cycles without significant loss in activity.
Novel and Effective Strategy of Multifunctional Titanium Incorporated Mesoporous Material Supported Ionic Liquid Mediated Reusable Hantzsch Reaction
Authors: Tan Jin , Liu Xiang , Yao Nan , Hu Yu Lin , Li Xue Hui
Published: February 2019

Mesoporous material supported functionalized ionic liquids have been designed and synthesized, characterized and evaluated as novel heterogeneous catalysts for the Hantzsch reaction. The as‐fabricated catalysts show good performance in the Hantzsch synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyridines under ambient conditions, especially the titanium incorporated mesoporous material supported ionic liquid Ti‐SBA‐15@IL‐BF4, based on a synergetic effect of titanium site of mesoporous material carrier and the acidic sites of ionic liquid. In addition, the heterogeneous catalyst offers simple operation for recovery and the recycling test showed that it could be reused for five times without significant loss of catalytic activity.
Sulfur‐Doped Carbon Chain Network as High‐Performance Electrocatalyst for Electro‐Fenton System
Authors: Kamaraj Ramakrishnan , Vasudevan Subramanyan
Published: February 2019

Developing highly active and stable hetero atom doped carbon nanomaterial for electro Fenton process is desirable but remains a great challenge. Herein, we report a novel sulfur‐doped carbon nanoparticles (SDC) with linked chain structure, which exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic medium, which is utilized for Electro Fenton's reaction. Experimental analysis indicates that, the sulfur doped carbon nanomaterial exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity due to the interlinked nanoparticles, chain‐like structure and sulfur doping effect which could increase the hydrogen peroxide formation and in turn higher degradation efficiency of herbicides by electro‐Fenton process. To our best of knowledge, in which chlorophenoxy herbicides degrades over sulfur doped carbon GDE (Gas Diffusion Electrode) more effectively than over graphite, graphene, metal ion doped and CNT GDE.
Photocatalytic and Biological Attributes of Green Synthesized Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles by Rheum Turkestanicum (RT) Root Extract
Authors: Saheb Mahsa , Hosseini Hasan Ali , Hashemzadeh Alireza , Elahi Behrouz , Hasanzadeh Leila , Oskuee Reza Kazemi , Darroudi Majid
Published: February 2019

The aim of this study was to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticle (NiO‐NPs) by Rheum turkestanicum (RT) root extract, which is a local medicinal plant. The synthesized NiO‐NPs have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) methods. We have evaluated the cytotoxicity of NiO‐NPs on the WEHI 164 murine fibrosarcoma cells by MTT assay. The photocatalytic properties of NiO‐NPs was investigated by observing the removal of Rhodamine‐B (RB) in aqueous media. It has been displayed by the obtained results that NiO‐NPs have been synthesized in a Hexagonal (Rhombohedral) lattice system with the size of about 12–15 nm. According to the results, almost 95% of RB has apparently degraded in the presence of NiO‐NPs under UV‐light after 30 h. It has been illustrated by the cytotoxicity effects against the WEHI 164 murine fibrosarcoma cells that 250 μg/ml of NiO‐NPs is capable of eliminating about 70% of these tumors’ cells. The IC50 of the NiO‐NPs has been calculated to be 25 μg/ml. The introduced green method can replace the available chemical procedures, which involve using hazardous substances that are a threat to the human health.
Oriented Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles with Freezing‐Driven Surface DNA Manipulation and Its Application in SERS‐Based MicroRNA Assay
Authors: He Meng‐Qi , Chen Shuai , Yao Kan , Wang Kun , Yu Yong‐Liang , Wang Jian‐Hua
Published: February 2019

Exceptional amplification of electronic, magnetic, and optical signals can be achieved by assembling inorganic nanoparticles with well‐defined structures in certain orientations. DNA‐programmed assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been employed to construct highly ordered nanostructures for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)‐based biosensing. However, the performance of SERS signal amplification is seriously compromised due to limitations in controlling the number and orientation of the conjugated DNA strand on AuNPs surface and the cross‐linked aggregations. Herein, a high‐throughput approach is developed based on freezing‐driven DNA binding, which is capable of precisely manipulating the DNA conjugation number on the surface of AuNPs. It avoids complex post‐treatments and no additional reagents, e.g., salts, acids, or surfactants, are necessary. Most importantly, the DNA–AuNP conjugates are analogous to atoms and serve as building blocks for precise construction of molecule‐like assemblies. The structures such as dimers, trimers, and core–satellite assemblies are obtained in a short period of time with excellent stability by simply varying the DNA conjugation density on the surface of AuNPs. As a result, robust SERS signals in controllable assemblies are successfully achieved, which facilitate highly sensitive detection of microRNAs with a detection limit of 0.12 × 10−12
m, thereby demonstrating their potential in bioassays.
High‐Efficiency Polymer Solar Cells Over 13.9% With a High VOC Beyond 1.0 V by Synergistic Effect of Fluorine and Sulfur
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Huang Gongyue , Zheng Nan , Li Yonghai , Kang Xiao , Qiao Shanlin , Jiang Huanxiang , Chen Weichao , Yang Renqiang
Published: February 2019

A novel phenyl substituted benzo(1,2‐b:4,5‐b’)dithiophene (BDT) derivative containing both fluorine and sulfur atoms is designed and synthesized. Furthermore, a wide bandgap polymer PBTA‐PSF based on the derivative shows a low highest occupied molecular orbital energy level and slightly reduces the donor materials’ optical bandgap, which has a complementary absorption with a narrow‐bandgap n‐type small molecule ITIC. As a result, a power conversion efficiency of 13.91% is achieved with a high open‐circuit voltage of 1.01 V, and a large short‐circuit current density of 18.51 mA cm−2. The result demonstrates that PBTA‐PSF is a promising candidate for high‐performance donor and phenyl‐containing BDT derivatives and has potential in the design of high‐performance polymers for organic photovoltaics.
Faster remainder by direct computation: Applications to compilers and software libraries
Authors: Lemire Daniel , Kaser Owen , Kurz Nathan
Published: February 2019

On common processors, integer multiplication is many times faster than integer division. Dividing a numerator n by a divisor d is mathematically equivalent to multiplication by the inverse of the divisor (n/d=n∗1/d). If the divisor is known in advance, or if repeated integer divisions will be performed with the same divisor, it can be beneficial to substitute a less costly multiplication for an expensive division. Currently, the remainder of the division by a constant is computed from the quotient by a multiplication and a subtraction. However, if just the remainder is desired and the quotient is unneeded, this may be suboptimal. We present a generally applicable algorithm to compute the remainder more directly. Specifically, we use the fractional portion of the product of the numerator and the inverse of the divisor. On this basis, we also present a new and simpler divisibility algorithm to detect nonzero remainders. We also derive new tight bounds on the precision required when representing the inverse of the divisor. Furthermore, we present simple C implementations that beat the optimized code produced by state‐of‐the‐art C compilers on recent x64 processors (eg, Intel Skylake and AMD Ryzen), sometimes by more than 25%. On all tested platforms, including 64‐bit ARM and POWER8, our divisibility test functions are faster than state‐of‐the‐art Granlund‐Montgomery divisibility test functions, sometimes by more than 50%.
Influence of laterality on testis anatomy and histology in Ghezel rams
Authors: Karimi Hamid , Ranjbar Saraskanroud Mohammad , Balazadeh Koucheh Fatemeh
Published: February 2019

Whether paired organs are equivalent has to be analyzed by assessing both structural and functional aspects. The present study compared the paired left and right testis from Ghezel sheep originating from Northwestern Iran (Azerbaijan) and Northeastern Turkey. Twenty‐five pairs of testes were collected from mature Ghezel rams from Tabriz slaughterhouse. The two glands were compared for their size, weight and activity rate. Weight, length, width and thickness were measured. Then, paraffinized blocks were prepared by routine histological techniques and sections were stained by the haematoxylin‐eosin method. Five 6 μm sections were prepared from each paraffinized block and 50 seminiferous tubules (STs) were analysed in each section for tubular differential index (TDI) and spermiogenesis index (SPI). TDI and SPI were compared between the paired left and right testes. Weight, length and thickness of left testes were significantly higher than in right testes (P < 0.05). Moreover, TDI and SPI were found to be higher in left testes than the right (P < 0.05).
Target specificity of the felixer grooming “trap”
Authors: Read John L. , Bowden Tayla , Hodgens Pat , Hess Marco , McGregor Hugh , Moseby Katherine
Published: February 2019

Felixer grooming “traps” provide a novel technique for controlling invasive red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus) by ejecting a dose of poison onto the fur of a target animal, which is subsequently ingested through grooming. The Felixer achieves target specificity through a discriminatory sensor arrangement and algorithm as well as a dosing pathway and toxin, which together make feral cats and foxes more vulnerable than humans and nontarget wildlife. The toxin 1080 used in many pest control projects in Australia is derived from native plants, which renders Australian wildlife, including potential scavengers of poisoned carcasses, that have co‐evolved with these toxic plants less sensitive than their nonnative counterparts to 1080 poisoning. We investigated the success of the Felixer sensor system in discriminating target cats and red foxes from nontargets under field conditions. All foxes and 82% of feral cats were correctly identified as targets. No people or medium‐sized marsupials—including brush‐tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), bettongs (Bettongia spp.), bilbies (Macrotis lagotis), and western quolls (Dasyurus geoffroii)—were incorrectly assigned as targets, suggesting Felixers could provide safe and specific feral‐predator control at many conservation sites, albeit not at sites with threatened endemic small felids or canids. A low false‐positive detection rate was recorded in larger macropods and poultry that will be addressed with more sophisticated sensor positioning and algorithms in optimized Felixers, along with more careful installation. The low sensitivity of macropods and malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) to 1080, and their reduced grooming behavior relative to feral cats, suggests these species will not be affected by Felixer deployment. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Lattice-friendly gauge completion of a composite Higgs with top partners
Authors: Gertov Helene , Nelson Ann E. , Perko Ashley , Walker Devin G. E.
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We give an explicit example of a composite Higgs model with a pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Higgs in which the top Yukawa coupling is generated via the partial compositeness mechanism. This mechanism requires composite top partners which are relatively light compared to the typical mass scale of the strongly coupled theory. While most studies of the phenomenology of such models have focused on a bottom-up approach with a minimal effective theory, a top-down approach suggests that the theory should contain a limit in which an unbroken global chiral symmetry protects the mass of the top partners, and the spectrum of the partners satisfies ‘t Hooft matching conditions. We find that the relatively light fermions and pseudo-Goldstone bosons fall into complete multiplets of a large approximate global symmetry, and that the spectrum of particles lighter than a few TeV is non-minimal. Our example illustrates the likely features of a such a composite Higgs theory and also serves as an example of a non-chiral theory with a possible solution to the ‘t Hooft matching conditions. We find in this example that for some low-energy parameters in the effective theory the top partners can decay into high-multiplicity final states, which could be difficult for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to constrain. This may potentially allow for the top partners to be lighter than those in more minimal models.
Bion non-perturbative contributions versus infrared renormalons in two-dimensional ℂPN − 1 models
Authors: Fujimori Toshiaki , Kamata Syo , Misumi Tatsuhiro , Nitta Muneto , Sakai Norisuke
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We derive the semiclassical contributions from the real and complex bions in the two-dimensional ℂP

N − 1 sigma model on ℝ×S
1 with a twisted boundary condition. The bion configurations are saddle points of the complexified Euclidean action, which can be viewed as bound states of a pair of fractional instantons with opposite topological charges. We first derive the bion solutions by solving the equation of motion in the model with a potential which simulates an interaction induced by fermions in the ℂP

N − 1 quantum mechanics. The bion solutions have quasi-moduli parameters corresponding to the relative distance and phase between the constituent fractional instantons. By summing over the Kaluza-Klein modes of the quantum fluctuations around the bion backgrounds, we find that the effective action for the quasi-moduli parameters is renormalized and becomes a function of the dynamical scale (or the renormalized coupling constant). Based on the renormalized effective action, we obtain the semiclassical bion contribution in a weak coupling limit by making use of the Lefschetz thimble method. We find in the supersymmetric case that the bion contribution vanishes as expected from supersymmetry. In non-supersymmetric cases, the non-perturbative contribution has an imaginary ambiguity which is consistent with the expected infrared renormalon ambiguity. Our results explicitly demonstrate that the complex bion can explain the infrared renormalon.
Risk Factors and Complications for Revision Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Leong Natalie L. , Sumner Shelby , Gowd Ani , Nicholson Gregory P. , Romeo Anthony A. , Verma Nikhil N.
Published: February 2019

Background

Revision shoulder arthroplasty has become increasingly common as primary arthroplasty has become more widespread.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to answer two questions: What are the risks factors for revision shoulder arthroplasty? What are the complications associated with revision shoulder arthroplasty?

Methods

A retrospective search of a national insurance database from the years 2013 to 2016 was undertaken for billing codes of patients undergoing revision shoulder arthroplasty. The odds ratios for revision of various patient demographic characteristics and comorbidities were determined. The incidences of various complications within 90 days of revision were determined.

Results

A total of 824 cases of revision shoulder arthroplasty were found. Eighty-seven patients (10.5%) had infections prior to revision and 133 patients (16.1%) had dislocations prior to revision. Of the risk factors examined, smoking status was associated with the highest odds ratio for revision (8.1). Additionally, depression, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), male gender, renal failure, and diabetes were significant risks factors for revision. The most common complication of revision shoulder arthroplasty was found to be surgical site infection, affecting 10.9% of patients. In the time period studied, 89 patients underwent more than one revision shoulder arthroplasty.

Conclusion

Despite limitations inherent in database studies, this data may have utility for surgeons in pre-operative counseling of patients on their risk.
Finding the Most Efficient Way to Remove Residual Copper from Steel Scrap
Authors: Daehn Katrin E. , Serrenho André Cabrera , Allwood Julian
Published: February 2019

The supply of end-of-life steel scrap is growing, but residual copper reduces its value. Once copper attaches during hammer shredding, no commercial process beyond hand-picking exists to extract it, yet high-value flat products require less than 0.1 wt pct copper to avoid metallurgical problems. Various techniques for copper separation have been explored in laboratory trials, but as yet no attempt has been made to provide an integrated assessment of all options. Therefore, for the first time, a framework is proposed to define the full range of separation routes and evaluate their potential to remove copper, while estimating their energy and material input requirements. The thermodynamic, kinetic, and technological constraints of the various techniques are analyzed to show that copper could be removed to below 0.1 wt pct with relatively low energy and material consumption. Higher-density shredding allows for greater physical separation, but requires proper incentivization. Vacuum distillation could be viable with a reactor that minimizes radiation heat losses. High-temperature solid scrap pre-treatments would be less energy intensive than melt treatments, but their efficacy with typical shredded scrap is yet unconfirmed. The framework developed here can be applied to other impurity-base metal systems to coordinate process innovation as the scrap supply expands.
African American and European American Clergy's Counseling of Older Adults
Authors: Pickard Joseph G. , Johnson Sharon D. , Shen Huei-Wern , Mason Erin L.
Published: February 2019

This study examines factors associated with the amount of time African American and European American clergy spend counseling older adults for emotional problems. We used a cross sectional survey design with data gathered through the use of a brief, two page, mailed survey, the implementation of which was rooted in Dillman's Tailored Design Method. The study is based in a mental health literacy framework. This study was completed in a Midwestern metropolitan area with African American and European American, Christian clergy. We used ordinary least squares regression analysis to compare variables' relationships with the amount of time that clergy spent counseling older people. Findings indicate that clergy who are African American, clergy who have more training specific to mental illness, and clergy who are Roman Catholic spend greater percentages of their time counseling older people. Discussion centers on an explanation of results and how best to support clergy in their role as front line providers of supportive counseling services.
Stuart-type vortices on a rotating sphere
Authors: Constantin A. , Krishnamurthy V. S.
Published: February 2019

Stuart vortices are among the few known smooth explicit solutions of the planar Euler equations with a nonlinear vorticity, and they have a counterpart for inviscid flow on the surface of a fixed sphere. By means of a perturbative approach we adapt the method used to investigate Stuart vortices on a fixed sphere to provide insight into some large-scale shallow-water flows on a rotating sphere that model the dynamics of ocean gyres.
Effect of velocity ratio on the interaction between plasma synthetic jets and turbulent cross-flow
Authors: Zong Haohua , Kotsonis Marios
Published: February 2019

Plasma synthetic jet actuators (PSJAs) are particularly suited for high-Reynolds-number, high-speed flow control due to their unique capability of generating supersonic pulsed jets at high frequency (${>}5$  kHz). Different from conventional synthetic jets driven by oscillating piezoelectric diaphragms, the exit-velocity variation of plasma synthetic jets (PSJs) within one period is significantly asymmetric, with ingestion being relatively weaker (less than $20~\text{m}~\text{s}^{-1}$) and longer than ejection. In this study, high-speed phase-locked particle image velocimetry is employed to investigate the interaction between PSJAs (round exit orifice, diameter 2 mm) and a turbulent boundary layer at constant Strouhal number (0.02) and increasing mean velocity ratio ($r$, defined as the ratio of the time-mean velocity over the ejection phase to the free-stream velocity). Two distinct operational regimes are identified for all the tested cases, separated by a transition velocity ratio, lying between $r=0.7$ and $r=1.0$. At large velocity and stroke ratios (first regime, representative case $r=1.6$), vortex rings are followed by a trailing jet column and tilt downstream initially. This downstream tilting is transformed into upstream tilting after the pinch-off of the trailing jet column. The moment of this transformation relative to the discharge advances with decreasing velocity ratio. Shear-layer vortices (SVs) and a hanging vortex pair (HVP) are identified in the windward and leeward sides of the jet body, respectively. The HVP is initially erect and evolves into an inclined primary counter-rotating vortex pair ($p$-CVP) which branches from the middle of the front vortex ring and extends to the near-wall region. The two legs of the $p$-CVP are bridged by SVs, and a secondary counter-rotating vortex pair ($s$-CVP) is induced underneath these two legs. At low velocity and stroke ratios (second regime, representative case $r=0.7$), the trailing jet column and $p$-CVP are absent. Vortex rings always tilt upstream, and the pitching angle increases monotonically with time. An $s$-CVP in the near-wall region is induced directly by the two longitudinal edges of the ring. Inspection of spanwise planes ($yz$-plane) reveals that boundary-layer energization is realized by the downwash effect of either vortex rings or $p$-CVP. In addition, in the streamwise symmetry plane, the increasing wall shear stress is attributed to the removal of low-energy flow by ingestion. The downwash effect of the $s$-CVP does not benefit boundary-layer energization, as the flow swept to the wall is of low energy.
Portraits of women of the law: re-envisioning gender, law and the legal professions in law schools
Authors: Godden-Rasul Nikki
Published: February 2019

This paper explores law school portraits of women in law as a way to challenge the over-representation of men in law. Portraiture is a long-standing means by which professions celebrate worthy individuals and reproduce institutional values. In relation to law and the legal professions, portraits are predominantly of men and link law with masculine attributes, contributing to the visual and actual marginalisation of women in law's past and present. The paper begins by setting out why portraits of women exhibited in UK law schools are an important way to challenge gender inequalities in law. It then provides a snapshot of the gender dimensions of university and law school portraiture in the UK, before analysing the Inspirational Women of the Law exhibition at Newcastle Law School as a method of disrupting the dominant gendered visual order in law, and bringing into focus women in legal history.
Justice and foresight: The effect of belief in a just world and sense of control on delay discounting
Authors: Peng Jiaxi , Zhang Jiaxi , Liao Jing , Zhang Yan , Zhu Xia
Published: February 2019

Discounting rate refers to people’s tendency to reduce the rate of subjective value from delayed benefit over time. The current study investigates the relationship among belief in a just world (BJW), sense of control, and discounting rate, especially the mediating effect of sense of control between BJW and discounting rate. The study recruited 412 undergraduates to complete a BJW scale, Sense of Control scale, and the Monetary Choice Questionnaire. The results show that (1) BJW positively predicted sense of control, (2) BJW and sense of control were negatively correlated with discounting rate, and (3) sense of control completely mediated the associations between BJW and discounting rate. These findings extend those of prior studies and indicate that a sense of control underlies the association between BJW and discounting rate.
Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in the early years and implications for type-2 diabetes: a sub-Saharan Africa context
Authors: Audain Keiron , Levy Louis , Ellahi Basma
Published: February 2019

This review aims to explore trends of early consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), within the context of growing child and adolescent obesity and escalating type-2 diabetes prevalence. We explore efforts to mitigate these, drawing on examples from Africa and elsewhere. SSB, including carbonated drinks and fruit juices, play a contributory role in the development of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases (NCD). SSA is an attractive market for beverage companies owing to its rapid economic growth, growing middle class and youthful populations. SSB already contribute significantly to total sugar and energy consumption in SSA where a plethora of marketing techniques targeted at younger people are utilised to ensure brand recognition and influence purchasing and brand loyalty. Coupled with a general lack of nutrition knowledge or engagement with preventative health, this can lead to frequent consumption of sugary drinks at a young age. Public health efforts in many high income and some middle-income countries address increasing prevalence of obesity and type-2 diabetes by focusing on strategies to encourage reduction in sugar consumption via health policy and public education campaigns. However, similar efforts are not as developed or forthcoming in low-income countries. Health care systems across SSA are ill-prepared to cope with epidemic proportions of NCD, particularly when contextualised with the ongoing battle with infectious diseases. We conclude that greater efforts by governments and the nutrition community to educate the public on the health effects of increased and excessive consumption of SSB are necessary to help address this issue.
Ambidextrous Lockeanism
Authors: Christmas Billy
Published: February 2019

Lockean approaches to property take it that persons can unilaterally acquire private ownership over hitherto unowned resources. Such natural law accounts of property rights are often thought to be of limited use when dealing with the complexities of natural resource use outside of the paradigm of private ownership of land for agricultural or residential development. The tragedy of the commons has been shown to be anything but an inevitability, and yet Lockeanism seems to demand that even the most robust common property arrangements be converted to privatized units. This often motivates a move away from natural law in the moral analysis of property rights. I argue however that it is not the deontological nature of Lockean principles that are at fault, but rather the manner of their application. Lockean theory often exhibits a bias in favour of private property: assuming that only private property can protect one’s interest in autonomy, and therefore asserting that each individual has a power of private acquisition. Starting with a claim against interference however enables us to mould the appropriate property rights to each individual’s particular interest in autonomy. This sometimes leads to private ownership, but often leads to various forms of commons.
Results of international assistance for a paediatric heart surgery programme in a single Ukrainian centre
Authors: Polivenok Igor V. , Molloy Frank J. , Gilbert Christian L. , Danton Mark , Dodge-Khatami Ali , Rao Sri O. , Breinholt John P. , Cardarelli Marcelo , Penk Jamie S. , Novick William M.
Published: February 2019

Background

Surgery for CHD has been slow to develop in parts of the former Soviet Union. The impact of an 8-year surgical assistance programme between an emerging centre and a multi-disciplinary international team that comprised healthcare professionals from developed cardiac programmes is analysed and presented.

Material and methods

The international paediatric assistance programme included five main components – intermittent clinical visits to the site annually, medical education, biomedical engineering support, nurse empowerment, and team-based practice development. Data were analysed from visiting teams and local databases before and since commencement of assistance in 2007 (era A: 2000–2007; era B: 2008–2015). The following variables were compared between periods: annual case volume, operative mortality, case complexity based on Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1), and RACHS-adjusted standardised mortality ratio.

Results

A total of 154 RACHS-classifiable operations were performed during era A, with a mean annual case volume by local surgeons of 19.3 at 95% confidence interval 14.3–24.2, with an operative mortality of 4.6% and a standardised mortality ratio of 2.1. In era B, surgical volume increased to a mean of 103.1 annual cases (95% confidence interval 69.1–137.2, p<0.0001). There was a non-significant (p=0.84) increase in operative mortality (5.7%), but a decrease in standardised mortality ratio (1.2) owing to an increase in case complexity. In era B, the proportion of local surgeon-led surgeries during visits from the international team increased from 0% (0/27) in 2008 to 98% (58/59) in the final year of analysis.

Conclusions

The model of assistance described in this report led to improved adjusted mortality, increased case volume, complexity, and independent operating skills.
Vitamin E supplementation in chronically hemodialyzed patients – influence on blood hemoglobin and plasma (anti)oxidant status
Authors: Ruskovska Tatjana , Pop-Kostova Ankica , HJM Jansen Eugene , Antarorov Risto , Gjorgoski Icko
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Background: Disturbed oxidant/antioxidant status is involved in pathogenesis of anemia in end stage renal disease. There is evidence that vitamin E supplementation can increase blood hemoglobin in chronically hemodialyzed patients. However, the interindividual variation in response to the supplementation has not been fully addressed. Methods: 24 chronically hemodialyzed patients were supplemented with vitamin E (400 IU/day) in a period of two months. They had already been treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) and iron on a long-term basis, which was continued during the study period. A group of 20 healthy volunteers served as control subjects. Complete blood count, general biochemistry assays, the redox status by total thiols, oxidative stress by reactive oxygen metabolites, antioxidant status by biological antioxidant potential, and vitamin E (α- and γ- tocopherol) were measured before the start of supplementation, one month and two months later. Results: Overall, the vitamin E supplementation did not cause an increase of blood hemoglobin, hematocrit or red blood cells. However, 50 % of the patients with basal blood hemoglobin below 12.0 g/dL (N = 10) responded to the supplementation with its continuous increase. In addition, vitamin E exhibited a slight prooxidant effect only in the subgroup of patients with basal blood hemoglobin of ≥ 12.0 g/dL, two months after the start of supplementation (decreased total thiols: 300 ± 31 vs. 277 ± 36 µmol/L, p < 0.05; increased reactive oxygen metabolites: 183 ± 140 vs. 287 ± 112 CARR U, p > 0.05; decreased biological antioxidant potential: 2278 ± 150 vs. 2171 ± 126 µEq/L, p < 0.025), which coincided with their significantly increased serum α-tocopherol concentrations in comparison to the patients with basal blood hemoglobin below 12.0 g/dL (41.3 ± 7.2 vs. 59.9 ± 19.2 µmol/L, p < 0.025). Conclusions: When treated with ESA and iron on a long-term basis, the response to the vitamin E supplementation in chronically hemodialyzed patients is largely dependent on their basal blood hemoglobin and serum vitamin E concentrations.
„Chemobrain“ – Stand der Forschung und Implikationen für die klinische Neuropsychologie
Authors: Dannecker Noemi , Bürgi Niklas , Brugger Peter
Published: February 2019

Zusammenfassung. „Chemobrain“ bezeichnet kognitive Defizite, die oftmals in Zusammenhang mit chemotherapeutischen Behandlungen nichtzentralnervöser Karzinomerkrankungen auftreten und bei einigen Betroffenen über Jahre persistieren. Diese Defizite entstehen aus einem Zusammenspiel verschiedener biologischer und psychologischer Faktoren und lassen sich – anders als der Name impliziert – nicht ausschließlich auf die Chemotherapie zurückführen. Neuere Studien weisen aber darauf hin, dass Zytostatika über neurotoxische Wirkungen durchaus Hirnstruktur und -funktion und damit die Kognition verändern können. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt den aktuellen Forschungsstand zu möglichen Wirkmechanismen vor und diskutiert alternative pathogenetische Erklärungen sowie diagnostische Implikationen und therapeutische Maßnahmen. Klinisch zeigen sich Diskrepanzen zwischen subjektiven und neuropsychologisch festgestellten Defiziten, welche eine sorgfältige Differenzierung erfordern. Im Zentrum der Behandlung stehen kognitiv-behaviorale und neuropsychologische Therapien, während für medikamentöse Ansätze bislang wenig Evidenz vorliegt.
Morphology of Martian Low‐Altitude Ionospheric Layer: MGS Observations
Authors: Gupta Sumedha , Upadhayaya A. K.
Published: February 2019

An analysis of the entire data set of 5,600 electron density profiles returned by Mars Global Surveyor's Radio Science Experiment is carried out to study the physical characteristics of Martian low‐altitude plasma layer (M layer). Our analysis suggests that this layer is predominantly observed during low and moderate solar activity periods, in northern autumn. The critical ionospheric parameters (electron density and height) of this M layer are found not to show a definitive correlation with solar zenith angle. In contrast to earlier reports where meteoroid ablation was proposed to cause total electron content (TEC) enhancements, we report that the maximum contribution from this layer (TECM) is only about 5.5%, while the contribution is 3.7% during predicted meteor shower, suggesting that M layer occurrence does not depend upon meteor shower nor on dust storm. It is observed that the M layer occurrence increases as the Martian E region becomes prominent and well defined, suggesting that the source which causes M layer possibly leads to more pronounced E layers. Southern hemisphere profiles were found to behave differently from northern hemisphere profiles, possibly due to crustal magnetic fields. Large surges observed in Martian F1 layer peak height during consecutive occultations (~2 hr apart) are found not to show any correlation with the occurrence of M layer and are not influenced by dust storms.
Lithospheric Signature of Late Cenozoic Extension in Electrical Resistivity Structure of the Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico, USA
Authors: Feucht D. W. , Bedrosian P. A. , Sheehan A. F.
Published: February 2019

We present electrical resistivity models of the crust and upper mantle from two‐dimensional (2‐D) inversion of magnetotelluric (MT) data collected in the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico, USA. Previous geophysical studies of the lithosphere beneath the rift identified a low‐velocity zone several hundred kilometers wide, suggesting that the upper mantle is characterized by a very broad zone of modified lithosphere. In contrast, the surface expression of the rift (e.g., high‐angle normal faults and synrift sedimentary units) is confined to a narrow region a few tens of kilometers wide about the rift axis. MT data are uniquely suited to probing the depths of the lithosphere that fill the gap between surface geology and body wave seismic tomography, namely the middle to lower crust and uppermost mantle. We model the electrical resistivity structure of the lithosphere along two east‐west trending profiles straddling the rift axis at the latitudes of 36.2 and 32.0°N. We present results from both isotropic and anisotropic 2‐D inversions of MT data along these profiles, with a strong preference for the latter in our interpretation. A key feature of the anisotropic resistivity modeling is a broad (~200‐km wide) zone of enhanced conductivity (<20 Ωm) in the middle to lower crust imaged beneath both profiles. We attribute this lower crustal conductor to the accumulation of free saline fluids and partial melt, a direct result of magmatic activity along the rift. High‐conductivity anomalies in the midcrust and upper mantle are interpreted as fault zone alteration and partial melt, respectively.
Gas Hydrates in Permafrost: Distinctive Effect of Gas Hydrates and Ice on the Geomechanical Properties of Simulated Hydrate‐Bearing Permafrost Sediments
Authors: Yang J. , Hassanpouryouzband A. , Tohidi B. , Chuvilin E. , Bukhanov B. , Istomin V. , Cheremisin A.
Published: February 2019

The geomechanical stability of the permafrost formations containing gas hydrates in the Arctic is extremely vulnerable to global warming and the drilling of wells for oil and gas exploration purposes. In this work the effect of gas hydrate and ice on the geomechanical properties of sediments was compared by triaxial compression tests for typical sediment conditions: unfrozen hydrate‐free sediments at 0.3 °C, hydrate‐free sediments frozen at −10 °C, unfrozen sediments containing about 22 vol% methane hydrate at 0.3 °C, and hydrate‐bearing sediments frozen at −10 °C. The effect of hydrate saturation on the geomechanical properties of simulated permafrost sediments was also investigated at predefined temperatures and confining pressures. Results show that ice and gas hydrates distinctively influence the shearing characteristics and deformation behavior. The presence of around 22 vol% methane hydrate in the unfrozen sediments led to a shear strength as strong as those of the frozen hydrate‐free specimens with 85 vol% of ice in the pores. The frozen hydrate‐free sediments experienced brittle‐like failure, while the hydrate‐bearing sediments showed large dilatation without rapid failure. Hydrate formation in the sediments resulted in a measurable reduction in the internal friction, while freezing did not. In contrast to ice, gas hydrate plays a dominant role in reinforcement of the simulated permafrost sediments. Finally, a new physical model was developed, based on formation of hydrate networks or frame structures to interpret the observed strengthening in the shear strength and the ductile deformation.
A Stochastic Extreme Sea Level Model for the German Baltic Sea Coast
Authors: MacPherson Leigh R. , Arns Arne , Dangendorf Sönke , Vafeidis Athanasios T. , Jensen Jürgen
Published: February 2019

This paper describes a framework in which artificial extreme sea levels (ESLs) can be generated for use in flood risk analyses. Such analyses require large numbers of events to accurately assess the risk associated with certain return water levels and quantify uncertainties surrounding the temporal variability of ESL events. Stochastic models satisfy this requirement as they are computationally inexpensive, and thus, many thousands of events may be generated over a very short period of time. As a case study, we have developed a stochastic model for the German Baltic Sea coast capable of simulating the temporal behavior of ESLs. To do this, high‐resolution water level data from 45 tide‐gauges have been used as model input. At each location, observed ESLs are identified and parameterized. Artificial ESLs are generated using Monte Carlo simulations based on the parametric distribution functions fitted to the parameterized observed ESLs. We show that the method outlined here provides an accurate representation of ESLs at all tide‐gauges tested. However, the model is limited by the availability, length, and quality of high‐resolution water level data. Due to the rarity of ESLs in the German Baltic Sea, including historical measurements into the stochastic procedure allows for the generation of artificial ESLs more in‐line with past extremes.
Climate Effects on Firn Permeability Are Preserved Within a Firn Column
Authors: Keegan K. M. , Albert M. R. , McConnell J. R. , Baker I.
Published: February 2019

We have investigated the impacts of short‐term climatic events on firn‐permeability evolution, by analyzing density and permeability measurements from the NEEM 2009 S2 firn core from the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) site in Greenland. Our results indicate that the firn layers from 27.4 to 34.9‐m depth display the expected density but unexpected permeability values, indicating a change in firn permeability during the years 1917 to 1940. The δ18O and accumulation rates from a compilation of NEEM shallow cores indicate that 1928, 1929, and 1933 were significantly warmer years, and that 1928 and 1933 also had significantly higher accumulation rates. These results suggest that the sharp rise in Arctic temperature during the late 1920s and early 1930s caused metamorphism of the near‐surface firn, which was preserved in the layers at depth. Conversely, the average density remained undisturbed throughout this warm period. Our results show that climate fluctuations, especially increased temperature, permanently change the firn permeability. Without taking these changes into consideration, estimates of Δage will be inaccurate.
Three Decades of Atmospheric Optics Research in Camag�ey, Cuba
Authors: Antu�a-Marrero Juan , Rodriguez-Vega Albeht , Robock Alan
Published: February 2019

Workshop for Thirtieth Anniversary of the Grupo de �ptica Atmosf�rica de Camag�ey; Camag�ey, Cuba, 23–26 October 2018
Comparison of null models for combination drug therapy reveals Hand model as biochemically most plausible
Authors: Sinzger Mark , Vanhoefer Jakob , Loos Carolin , Hasenauer Jan
Published: February 2019

Null models for the effect of combination therapies are widely used to evaluate synergy and antagonism of drugs. Due to the relevance of null models, their suitability is continuously discussed. Here, we contribute to the discussion by investigating the properties of five null models. Our study includes the model proposed by David J. Hand, which we refer to as Hand model. The Hand model has been introduced almost 20 years ago but hardly was used and studied. We show that the Hand model generalizes the principle of dose equivalence compared to the Loewe model and resolves the ambiguity of the Tallarida model. This provides a solution to the persisting conflict about the compatibility of two essential model properties: the sham combination principle and the principle of dose equivalence. By embedding several null models into a common framework, we shed light in their biochemical validity and provide indications that the Hand model is biochemically most plausible. We illustrate the practical implications and differences between null models by examining differences of null models on published data.
Forecasting the response to global warming in a heat-sensitive species
Authors: Brivio Francesca , Zurmühl Milena , Grignolio Stefano , von Hardenberg Jost , Apollonio Marco , Ciuti Simone
Published: February 2019

Avoiding hyperthermia entails considerable metabolic costs for endotherms. Such costs increase in warm conditions, when endotherms may trade food intake for cooler areas to avoid heat stress and maximize their energy balance. The need to reduce heat stress may involve the adoption of tactics affecting space use and foraging behaviour, which are important to understand and predict the effects of climate change and inform conservation. We used resource selection models to examine the behavioural response to heat stress in the Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), a cold-adapted endotherm particularly prone to overheating. Ibex avoided heat stress by selecting the space based on the maximum daily temperature rather than moving hourly to ‘surf the heat wave’, which minimised movement costs but prevented optimal foraging. By integrating these findings with new climate forecasts, we predict that rising temperatures will force mountain ungulates to move upward and overcrowd thermal refugia with reduced carrying capacity. Our approach helps in identifying priority areas for the conservation of mountain species.