bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency Response Characteristics of Rogowski Coil with Active Integrator for Lightning Measurement
Authors: Paophan Busayapol , Kunakorn Anantawat , Yutthagowith Peerawut , Yamamoto Kazuo
Published: March 2020

This paper presents frequency response characteristics of a Rogowski coil which is developed with an active integrator. Experiments are performed in a laboratory with a frequency function generator as a source. The frequency responses of the Rogowski coil and the integrator are recorded with both magnitude and phase in order to verify the capability in measuring lightning current waveshapes.  For availability in lightning current measurement in the electrical system, the developed Rogowski coil is specifically designed as a clamp on device. The standard lightning current waveshape of the first positive impulse (10/350μs) is simulated to investigate the measuring system. It is found that the frequency bandwidth of the Rogowski coil with the integrator developed in this paper is proper in lightning current measurement.
THE EFFECT OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INDONESIAN MONETARY POLICY
Authors: Saraswati Birgitta Dian , Maski Ghozali , Kaluge David , Sakti Rachmad Kresna
Published: March 2020

The existence of non-inclusive households significantly reduces the effect of the interest rate change policy on households inter-temporal consumption decisions. Further, financial inclusion is closely related to fintech. On the one hand, fintech helps overcome the financial inclusion problem because fintech manages to reach those who were previously inaccessible by banks. On the other hand, fintech will change the payment system structure in an economy that will eventually affect the effectiveness of monetary policy. Using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) with the observation period of 2009–2018, this study aims to analyze the effects of financial inclusion and fintech on effectiveness of the Indonesian monetary policy within the framework of the transmission mechanism of monetary policy through interest rate channel with both the cost of capital effect and the substitution effect. The results demonstrate that financial inclusion level affects inflation rate as a proxy of effectiveness of the Indonesian monetary policy, both in the short run and long run. However, the effect of shocks in financial inclusion on inflation is not permanent. Meanwhile, fintech only affects inflation rate in the short run. However, shocks in fintech affect the volatility of inflation rate is permanent both through the substitution effect and the cost of capital effect.
DFT Study on Interstellar PAH Molecules with Aliphatic Side Groups
Authors: Buragohain Mridusmita , Pathak Amit , Sakon Itsuki , Onaka Takashi
Published: March 2020

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules have been long adjudged to contribute to the frequently detected distinct emission features at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.2, and 12.7 μm with weaker and blended features distributed in the 3–20 μm region. The comparatively weaker 3.4 μm emission feature has been attributed to have an aliphatic origin as carrier. PAH with an aliphatic functional group attached to it is one of the proposed potential candidate carriers for the 3.4 μm emission band, however, the assignment of carrier is still enigmatic. In this work, we employ density functional theory calculation on a symmetric and compact PAH molecule; coronene (C24H12) with aliphatic side group to investigate any spectral similarities with observed features at 3–4 μm. The side groups considered in this study are −H (hydrogenated), −CH3 (methyl), −CH2–CH3 (ethyl), and −CH=CH2 (vinyl) functional groups. Considering the possible presence of deuterium (D) in PAHs, we also include D in the aliphatic side group to study the spectral behavior. We present a detailed analysis of the IR spectra of these molecules and discuss possible astrophysical implications.
On the Formation of PSR J1640+2224: A Neutron Star Born Massive?
Authors: Deng Zhu-Ling , Gao Zhi-Fu , Li Xiang-Dong , Shao Yong
Published: March 2020

PSR J1640+2224 is a binary millisecond pulsar (BMSP) with a white dwarf (WD) companion. Recent observations indicate that the WD is very likely to be a ∼0.7 M
⊙ CO WD. Thus, the BMSP should have evolved from an intermediate-mass X-ray binary (IMXB). However, previous investigations on IMXB evolution predict that the orbital periods of the resultant BMSPs are generally < 40 days, in contrast with the 175 day orbital period of PSR J1640+2224. In this paper, we explore the influence of the mass of the neutron star (NS) and the chemical compositions of the companion star on the formation of BMSPs. Our results show that the final orbital period becomes longer with increasing NS mass, and the WD mass becomes larger with decreasing metallicity. In particular, to reproduce the properties of PSR J1640+2224, the NS was likely born massive (>2.0 M
⊙).
The FAST Discovery of an Eclipsing Binary Millisecond Pulsar in the Globular Cluster M92 (NGC 6341)
Authors: Pan Zhichen , Ransom Scott M. , Lorimer Duncan R. , Fiore William C. , Qian Lei , Wang Lin , Stappers Benjamin W. , Hobbs George , Zhu Weiwei , Yue Youling , Wang Pei , Lu Jiguang , Liu Kuo , Peng Bo , Zhang Lei , Li Di
Published: March 2020

We report the discovery of an eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster M92 (NGC 6341) with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). PSR J1717+4308A, or M92A, has a pulse frequency of 316.5 Hz (3.16 ms) and a dispersion measure of 35.45 pc cm−3. The pulsar is a member of a binary system with an orbital period of 0.20 days around a low-mass companion that has a median mass of ∼0.18 M
⊙. From observations so far, at least two eclipsing events have been observed in each orbit. The longer one lasted for ∼5000 s in the orbital phase range 0.1–0.5. The other lasted for ∼500 s and occurred between 1000 and 2000 s before or after the longer eclipsing event. The lengths of these two eclipsing events also change. These properties suggest that J1717+4308A is a “red-back” system with a low-mass main-sequence or sub-giant companion. Timing observations of the pulsar and further searches of the data for additional pulsars are ongoing.
Extension of the Electron Diffusion Region in a Guide Field Magnetic Reconnection at Magnetopause
Authors: Zhong Z. H. , Zhou M. , Tang R. X. , Deng X. H. , Khotyaintsev Y. V. , Giles B. L. , Paterson W. R. , Pang Y. , Man H. Y. , Russell C. T. , Burch J. L.
Published: March 2020

The structure of the electron diffusion region (EDR) in different plasma regimes is an outstanding question related to magnetic reconnection. Here we report a long EDR that extended at least 20 ion inertial lengths downstream of an X line at the Earth’s magnetopause, which was observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. This EDR was detected in the exhaust of an asymmetric magnetic reconnection with a moderate guide field, the reconnection rate of which was ∼0.1. It corresponds to strong positive energy dissipation (

) and enhancement of electron nongyrotropy. The energy dissipation was contributed by the electron jet and non-ideal electric field along the outflow direction, which suggests that the EDR probably plays more important roles in the energy conversion in magnetic reconnection than previously thought. Our result could be a significant step toward fully understanding the structure of the EDR.
The Birth of Binary Direct-collapse Black Holes
Authors: Latif Muhammad A. , Khochfar Sadegh , Whalen Daniel
Published: March 2020

Supermassive primordial stars forming during catastrophic baryon collapse in atomically cooling halos at z ∼ 15–20 may be the origin of the first quasars in the universe. However, no simulation to date has followed the evolution of these halos at resolutions that are high enough or for times that are long enough to determine if collapse actually produces supermassive stars (SMSs). Here we report new cosmological simulations of baryon collapse in atomically cooled halos for times that are long enough for SMSs to form and die as direct-collapse black holes (DCBHs). We find that the high infall rates required to build up such stars persist until the end of their lives and could fuel the rapid growth of their BHs thereafter. Our simulations also demonstrate that binary and even small multiples of SMSs can form in low-spin and high-spin halos, respectively. This discovery raises the exciting possibility of detecting gravitational waves from DCBH mergers with LISA and tidal disruption events in the near-infrared with the James Webb Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes in the coming decade.
Lifestyle-related predictors affecting prediabetes and diabetes in 20-30-year-old young Korean adults
Authors: Park Kyong Sil , Hwang Seon Young
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES: To investigate lifestyle-related predictors of prediabetes and diabetes in young adults aged 20–39 years using data from the 2014-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional, secondary analysis using the KNHANES data. Participants were classified into normal group (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] <100 mg/dL and/or hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] <5.7%), prediabetes group (FPG 100-125 mg/dL and/or HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), and diabetes group (FPG ≥126 mg/dL and/or HbA1c ≥ 6.5%). The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.RESULTS: Out of 4,190 participants, 27.7% of men and 16.3% of women were in the prediabetes group and 1.4% of men and 1.3% of women were in the diabetes group. Logistic regression confirmed that age and obesity are predictors of prediabetes and diabetes in both men and women. Additionally low physical activity and low education level are predictors of prediabetes in men and women, respectively (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: This study has found that age and increased obesity are predictors of elevated blood glucose in young men and women in their 20s and 30s. A strategy to lower obesity by promoting physical activity in men in their 30s is essential to prevent metabolic syndrome and progression to prediabetes.
Calibration and validation of the Polarimetric Radio Occultation and Heavy Precipitation experiment aboard the PAZ satellite
Authors: Padullés Ramon , Ao Chi O. , Turk F. Joseph , de la Torre Juárez Manuel , Iijima Byron , Wang Kuo Nung , Cardellach Estel
Published: March 2020

Abstract. This paper presents the calibration and validation studies for the Radio Occultation and Heavy Precipitation experiment aboard the PAZ satellite. These studies, necessary to assess and characterize the noise level and robustness of the differential phase shift (ΔΦ) observable of polarimetric radio occultations (PROs), confirm the good performance of the experiment and the capability of this technique in sensing precipitation. It is shown how all the predicted effects that could have an impact into the PRO observables (e.g., effect of metallic structures nearby the antenna, the Faraday rotation at the ionosphere, signal impurities in the transmission, and altered cross-polarization isolation) are effectively calibrated and corrected, and they have a negligible effect on the final observable. The on-orbit calibration, performed using an extensive dataset of free-of-rain and low-ionospheric activity observations, is successfully used to correct all the collected observations, which are further validated against independent precipitation observations confirming the sensitivity of the observables to the presence of hydrometeors. The validation results also show how vertically averaged ΔΦ can be used as a proxy for precipitation.
Validating HY-2A CMR Precipitable Water Vapor Using Ground-based and Shipborne GNSS Observations
Authors: Wu Zhilu , Liu Yanxiong , Liu Yang , Wang Jungang , He Xiufeng , Xu Wenxue , Ge Maorong , Schuh Harald
Published: March 2020

Abstract. The calibration microwave radiometer (CMR) onboard Haiyang-2A satellite provides wet tropospheric delays correction for altimetry data, which can also contribute to the understanding of climate system and weather processes. Ground-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide precise PWV with high temporal resolution and could be used for calibration and monitoring of the CMR data, and shipborne GNSS provides accurate PWV over open oceans, which can be directly compared with uncontaminated CMR data. In this study, the HY-2A CMR water vapor product is validated using ground-based GNSS observations of 100 IGS stations along the coastline and 56-day shipborne GNSS observations over the Indian Ocean. The processing strategy for GNSS data and CMR data is discussed in detail. Special efforts were made to the quality control and reconstruction of contaminated CMR data. The validation result shows that HY-2A CMR PWV agrees well with ground-based GNSS PWV with 2.67 mm in RMS within 100 km. Geographically, the RMS is 1.12 mm in the polar region and 2.78 mm elsewhere. The PWV agreement between HY-2A and shipborne GNSS shows a significant correlation with the distance between the ship and the satellite footprint, with an RMS of 1.57 mm for the distance threshold of 100 km. Ground-based GNSS and shipborne GNSS agree with HY-2A CMR well with no obvious system error.
Design and applications of drilling trajectory measurement instrumentation in an ultra-deep borehole based on a fiber-optic gyro
Authors: Liu Yimin , Wang Chenghu , Luo Guangqiang , Ji Weifeng
Published: March 2020

Abstract. The working environment in hot dry rock boreholes, encountered in deep
geothermal investigation drilling and ultra-deep geological drilling
(up to 5000 m), is very difficult at the present stage. We
have developed a drilling trajectory measuring instrumentation (DTMI),
which is based on the interference fiber-optic gyro (FOG). This can
work continuously, for 4 h, in an environment where the ambient
temperature does not exceed 270 ∘C and the pressure
does not exceed 120 MPa. The DTMI is mainly divided into three
parts: an external confining tube, a metal vacuum flask, and a FOG
measurement probe. Here, we focus on the mechanical design, strength,
and pressure field simulation analysis for the external tube, the
structural design and temperature field simulation analysis for the
vacuum flask, and the FOG Shupe error analysis and compensation in the
temperature field. Finally, through the engineering applications of the
SK-2 east borehole of the China Continental Scientific Drilling
(CCSD) project and the geothermal well of Xingreguan-2, the data
measurements of the drilling trajectory were used to analyze the
stability of the DTMI. The instrument realizes long-duration, high-stability work in the process of making trajectory measurements in an
ultra-deep hole. The instrument has the characteristic of
anti-electromagnetic interference and enables work to be carried out
in the blind zone of existing technologies and instrumentation.
Therefore, DTMI has great potential in the promotion and development
of geological drilling technology.
A new form of the Saint–Venant equations for variable topography
Authors: Yu Cheng-Wei , Hodges Ben R. , Liu Frank
Published: March 2020

Abstract. The solution stability of river models using the one-dimensional (1D) Saint–Venant equations can be easily undermined when source terms in the discrete equations do not satisfy the Lipschitz smoothness condition for partial differential equations. Although instability issues have been previously noted, they are typically treated as model implementation issues rather than as underlying problems associated with the form of the governing equations. This study proposes a new reference slope form of the Saint–Venant equations to ensure smooth source terms and eliminate potential numerical oscillations. It is shown that a simple algebraic transformation of channel geometry provides a smooth reference slope while preserving the correct cross-sectional flow area and the total Piezometric pressure gradient that drives the flow. The reference slope method ensures the slope source term in the governing equations is Lipschitz-continuous while maintaining all the underlying complexity of the real-world geometry. The validity of the mathematical concept is demonstrated with the open-source SPRNT model in a series of artificial test cases and simulation of a small urban creek. Validation comparisons are made with analytical solutions and the HEC-RAS model. The new method reduces numerical oscillations and instabilities without requiring ad hoc smoothing algorithms.
Groundwater mean residence times of a subtropical barrier sand island
Authors: Hofmann Harald , Newborn Dean , Cartwright Ian , Cendón Dioni I. , Raiber Matthias
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Fresh groundwater on barrier islands is affected by changing sea levels and precipitation variability due to climate change and is also vulnerable to anthropogenic processes, such as contamination and groundwater over-abstraction. Constraining groundwater mean residence times (MRTs) and flow paths is essential for understanding and managing these resources. This study uses tritium (3H) and carbon-14 (14C) to determine the MRTs of groundwater along a transect across subtropical North Stradbroke Island, south-east Queensland, Australia. Hydraulic properties, major ion geochemistry and stable isotopes are used to validate residence times and to identify the processes responsible for their variability. 3H activities range from less than 0.01 to 1 TU (tritium units), which are values lower than those of local average rainfall (1.6–2.0 TU). 14C concentrations range from 62.5 to 111 pMC (percent modern carbon). Estimated MRTs determined using lumped parameter models and 3H activities range from 37 to more than 50 years. Recharge occurs over the entire island, and groundwater MRTs generally increase vertically and laterally towards the coastal discharge areas, although no systematic pattern is observed. MRTs estimated from 14C concentrations display similar spatial relationships but have a much greater range (from modern to approximately 5000 years). Water diversion and retention by lower-permeability units in the unsaturated parts of the dune systems are the most likely course for relatively long MRTs to date. The results indicate that the internal structures within the dune systems increase MRTs in the groundwater system and potentially divert flow paths. The structures produce perched aquifer systems that are wide-spread and have a significant influence on regional recharge. The geochemical composition of groundwater remains relatively consistent throughout the island, with the only irregularities attributed to old groundwater stored within coastal peat. The outcomes of this study enhance the understanding of groundwater flow, recharge diversion and inhibition for large coastal sand masses in general, especially for older sand masses that have developed structures from pedogenesis and dune movement. With respect to south-east Queensland, it allows the existing regional groundwater flow model to be refined by incorporating independent MRTs to test models' validity. The location of this large fresh groundwater reservoir, in dry and populous south-east Queensland, means that its potential to be used as a water source is always high. Background information on aquifer distribution and groundwater MRTs is crucial to better validate impact assessment for water abstraction.
Distance measurement between trityl radicals by pulse dressed electron paramagnetic resonance with phase modulation
Authors: Wili Nino , Hintz Henrik , Vanas Agathe , Godt Adelheid , Jeschke Gunnar
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Distance measurement in the nanometer range is among the most important applications of pulse electron paramagnetic resonance today, especially in biological applications. The longest distance that can be measured by all presently used pulse sequences is determined by the phase memory time Tm of the observed spins. Here we show that one can measure the dipolar coupling during strong microwave irradiation by using an appropriate frequency- or phase-modulation scheme, i.e. by applying pulse sequences in the nutating frame. This decouples the electron spins from the surrounding nuclear spins and thus leads to significantly longer relaxation times of the microwave-dressed spins (i.e. the rotating frame relaxation times T1ρ and T2ρ) compared to Tm. The electron-electron dipolar coupling is not decoupled as long as both spins are excited, which can be implemented for trityl radicals at Q-band frequencies (35 GHz, 1.2 T). We show results for two bis-trityl rulers with inter-electron distances of about 4.1 nm and 5.3 nm and discuss technical challenges and possible next steps.
Trivariate copula to design coastal structures
Authors: Orcel Olivier , Sergent Philippe , Ropert François
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Some coastal structures must be redesigned in the future due to rising sea levels caused by global warming. The design of structures subjected to the actions of waves requires an accurate estimate of the long return period of such parameters as wave height, wave period, storm surge and more specifically their joint exceedance probabilities. The Defra method that is currently used makes it possible to directly connect the joint exceedance probabilities to the product of the univariate probabilities by means of a simple factor. These schematic correlations do not, however, represent all the complexity of the reality and may lead to damaging errors in coastal structure design. The aim of this paper is therefore to remedy the lack of accuracy of these current approaches. To this end, we use copula theory with a copula function that aggregates joint distribution function to its univariate margins. We select a bivariate copula that is adapted to our application by the likelihood method with a copula parameter that is obtained by the error method. In order to integrate extreme events, we also resort to the notion of tail dependence. We can select the copulas with the same tail dependence as data. In the event of an opposite tail dependence structure, we resort to the survival copula. The tail dependence parameter makes it possible to estimate the optimal copula parameter. The most accurate copulas for our practical case with applications in Saint-Malo and Le Havre (France), are the Clayton normal copula and the Gumbel survival copula. The originality of this paper is the creation of a new and accurate trivariate copula. Firstly, we select the fittest bivariate copula with its parameter for the two most correlated univariate margins. Secondly, we build a trivariate function. For this purpose, we aggregate the bivariate function with the remaining univariate margin with its parameter. We show that this trivariate function satisfies the mathematical properties of the copula. We can finally represent joint trivariate exceedance probabilities for a return period of 10, 100 and 1000 years.
Anthropological Foundations of Aggression and Personal Safety on the Example of Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan
Authors: Grabińska Teresa
Published: March 2020

The phenomenon of aggression is the subject of neurophysiology, psychology, sociology and political science. The influence of cultural factors on the occurrence and the level of aggression between groups is raised especially in sociology. In the article – on the example of the analysis of Thomas Hobbes’s philosophical anthropology and his theory of the state (commonwealth) – the deeper level of cultural sources of aggression is considered, namely the impact of ontological assumptions on the model of human functioning and their translation into social and political practice. The original analysis of the influence of Hobbes’s antropology shows that man-mechanism is especially exposed to aggression and depression. Such a diagnosis has consequences in low level of personal safety and in high demand for external security structure. Personal safety is here analysed in three layers: ontic-cultural, psychological-social, and instrumental-defensive.
Análise Comparativa de Abordagens de Associação entre os Estilos de Aprendizagem de Felder–Silverman e os Metadados do Padrão IEEE LOM
Authors: Aguiar Janderson , Fechine Joseana , Costa Evandro
Published: March 2020

Estilos de Aprendizagem (EA) e Objetos de Aprendizagem (OA) são termos cada vez mais encontrados em pesquisas relativas à Informática na Educação. Esses conceitos podem ser associados para, por exemplo, otimizar a busca e utilização dos OA em repositórios, com base nos EA do aluno. Neste artigo, é apresentada uma análise comparativa de duas pesquisas recentes que realizaram associações entre os atributos dos OA, baseados no padrão IEEE LOM, e os EA, baseados na teoria de Felder–Silverman. O objetivo deste artigo é expor que alguns aspectos dessas associações não são triviais, havendo abordagens com diferenças significativas e que, portanto, mais estudos relativos a essas associações precisam ser realizados.
Processos Participativos de Desenvolvimento de Jogos Digitais em Contextos Escolares
Authors: De Morais Dyego , Falcão Taciana
Published: March 2020

A motivação, o engajamento e a imersão que os nativos digitais apresentam ao interagir com mídias digitais em ambientes extra-escolares deveriam, idealmente, ser de mesma intensidade para estudantes interagindo com conteúdos curriculares na educação formal. Atrelada a isso, está a crescente necessidade de construção de habilidades relacionadas a pensamento computacional na sociedade contemporânea. Nesse sentido, este artigo discute desafios da inserção do pensamento computacional no currículo escolar atrelada à aplicação construcionista de jogos digitais por meio de metodologias participativas, visando possibilitar uma aprendizagem mais autônoma, dialógica e divertida.
Jenseits des Postmodernen
Authors: Boehm Robert
Published: March 2020

Ein neues Genre wagt Utopismus jenseits postmoderner Skepsis. Angesichts der Dekonstruktion sinnstiftender Narrative wird Narrativierung selbst zum Ideal.
Besonders die zunehmende Digitalisierung des Alltags eröffnet Möglichkeiten, das eigene Leben als Geschichte aufzubereiten, sowie zum effizienten Einsatz personalisierter Propaganda.
Das in diesem Buch definierte Genre setzt sich kritisch mit der Thematik auseinander – und lotet zugleich aus, inwiefern es für das Individuum sinnstiftend wirken kann, sich aktiv selbst zu manipulieren. Die dabei zum Ausdruck kommenden Perspektiven spiegeln sich im Denken populärer Kulturkritiker wie Slavoj Žižek, Jordan Peterson und Yuval Noah Harari.
Untersucht werden Erzählungen in unterschiedlichen Medien: darunter Spielfilme wie Donnie Darko, Star Wars: The Last Jedi sowie Annihilation und Videospiele wie BioShock oder Life is Strange. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Analyse der TV-Serien Dark, American Gods und Westworld.
Rufino difensore dell’ortodossia niceno-costantinopolitana. La versione latina di h. e. 1, 1-3 a confronto con l’originale.
Authors: Robbe Sabrina Antonella ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: March 2020

The paper focuses on Rufinus’ translation of Eusebius’ Historia Ecclesiastica 1, 1-3, which discusses trinitarian and christological matters. Firstly, I will analyze how Rufinus amends or removes statements which are close to Origenism and Arianism, sometimes replacing them with orthodox ones; I will then examine Rufinus’ way of citing and interpreting the Bible, by correcting Eusebius’ reading, when it is suspected of heresy, or by explaining passages himself. This work of emendation reveals, on the one hand, Rufinus’ desire to give the readers a text which fits perfectly with the nicen-constantinopolitan creed, and, on the other hand, his aim of protecting himself from accusations.
Aesthetic outcomes after surgical repair of pectus excavatum in females: Differences between patients and professional evaluators
Authors: Wachter Tanja , Del Frari Barbara , Edlinger Michael , Morandi Evi Maria , Mayerl Christina , Verstappen Ralph , Celep Emre , Djedovic Gabriel , Kinzl Johann , Schwabegger Anton Herbert , Wolfram Dolores
Published: March 2020

Background Pectus excavatum is less common in females than in males, and it often aggravates a coexistent breast asymmetry. We conducted a study comparing female patients’ versus medical professionals’ evaluation of pectus excavatum repair to assess differences in aesthetic outcome ratings. Moreover, we evaluated the influence of surgical correction on patients’ self-perception.

Methods Of 30 female patients who were initially screened, 18 patients (mean age, 20 years) who underwent bar removal after surgical correction of pectus excavatum deformity participated in the survey (60%). They completed a questionnaire rating their appearance before and after surgery and responded to a psychological questionnaire about the changes that they had experienced. The mean interval between pectus bar removal and evaluation was 28 months. Standardized preoperative and postoperative patient photographs were evaluated using the same questionnaire by a panel of medical professionals and students (n=24) and the results were compared.

Results Patients rated their preoperative deformity as more severe than the other evaluators, revealing the significant impact of the deformity on patients’ self-perception. Postoperatively, patient and professional evaluations were much better than before and were very similar. The psychological evaluation showed a clear improvement in well-being. The ratings of the medical professionals were not influenced by their degree of medical education.

Conclusions Surgical correction of pectus excavatum in female patients positively influences body perception and psychological well-being. It should therefore not be considered as a merely aesthetic correction, but as an important procedure to restore a patient’s self-perception.
Reconstruction of a long defect of the median nerve with a free nerve conduit flap
Authors: Campodonico Andrea , Pangrazi Pier Paolo , De Francesco Francesco , Riccio Michele
Published: March 2020

Upper limb nerve damage is a common condition, and evidence suggests that functional recovery may be limited following peripheral nerve repair in cases of delayed reconstruction or reconstruction of long nerve defects. A 26-year-old man presented with traumatic injury from a wide, blunt wound of the right forearm caused by broken glass, with soft tissue loss, complete transection of the radial and ulnar arteries, and a large median nerve gap. The patient underwent debridement and subsequent surgery with a microsurgical free radial fasciocutaneous flap to provide a direct blood supply to the hand; the cephalic vein within the flap was employed as a venous vascularized chamber to wrap the sural nerve graft and to repair the wide gap (14 cm) in the median nerve. During the postoperative period, the patient followed an intensive rehabilitation program and was monitored for functional performance over 5 years of follow-up. Our assessment demonstrated skin tropism and sufficient muscle power to act against strong resistance (M5) in the muscles previously affected by paralysis, as well as a good localization of stimuli in the median nerve region and an imperfect recovery of two-point discrimination (S3+). We propose a novel and efficient procedure to repair >10-cm peripheral nerve gap injuries related to upper limb trauma.
Attachment distribution of pectoral muscle origins identified in dual-plane breast implant insertion
Authors: Nam Su Bong , Song Kyung Ho , Seo Jung Yeol , Choi June Seok , Park Tae Seo , Lee Jae Woo , Kim Ju Hyung , Kim Min Wook , Kim Hyun Yeol , Jung Yun Ju , Kim Choongrak
Published: March 2020

Background Implant-based dual-plane augmentation mammoplasty requires accurate separation of the pectoralis major muscle (PMM) at its origins. The authors identified the PMM origins during breast reconstruction surgery with the goal of providing additional information on subpectoral implant insertion for reconstructive or aesthetic purposes.

Methods This study was conducted on 67 patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery at the breast center of our hospital between November 2016 and June 2018. In total, 34 left and 39 right hemithoraces were examined. The left and right hemithoraces were each divided into 15 zones to determine the percentage of PMM attachments in each zone. The distribution of PMM origins in each zone was examined to identify any statistically significant differences.

Results There were no statistically significant differences in the origins of the PMM between the right and left hemithoraces. The percentage of attachments increased moving from the fourth to the sixth rib and from the lateral to the medial aspect.

Conclusions The anatomical findings of this study could be used as a reference for accurate dissection of the origins of the PMM for the preparation of the subpectoral pocket for subpectoral implant placement.
The suprafascial course of lower leg perforators: An anatomical study
Authors: Vaienti Luca , Cottone Giuseppe , De Francesco Francesco , Borelli Francesco , Zaccaria Giovanna , Amendola Francesco
Published: March 2020

Background Perforator mapping has been well described in the literature. Once the suprafascial plane is reached, the course of perforators is considered constant. However, the surgeon must be aware of whether an anastomosis exists between perforators superficially to the fascia, in order to choose the best vessel upon which to base the reconstruction. Our retrospective in vivo anatomical study of lower leg perforator flaps presents the first description of variations in the suprafascial path of perforators, which may influence preoperative flap design.

Methods An anatomical study of lower limb perforators was performed on 46 nonconsecutive patients who were referred to our department from June 2012 to October 2018. Reconstruction with perforator-based propeller flaps was planned for each of the patients. In total, 72 perforators were preoperatively identified and surgically isolated. The suprafascial course of each perforator was reported.

Results During suprafascial surgical exploration, branching patterns were observed in four perforators. These perforators had been classified as single vessels in the preoperative ultrasonographic analysis. However, after surgical dissection, distal converging branches were noted in two of them.

Conclusions Our study is the first description in the literature of suprafascial converging perforators, which might constitute an obstacle to planned reconstruction procedures. Despite the accuracy of preoperative evaluations, anatomical variations were present. Knowledge of suprafascial perforator variations may help surgeons to choose the correct perforator upon which to base a planned flap.
Chest wall perforator flaps for partial breast reconstruction: Surgical outcomes from a multicenter study
Authors: Soumian Soni , Parmeshwar Rishikesh , Chandarana Mihir , Marla Sekhar , Narayanan Sankaran , Shetty Geeta
Published: March 2020

Background Perforator artery flaps based on the branches of intercostal arteries and lateral thoracic artery can be used for reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Although described more than a decade ago, these have not been adopted widely in clinical practice. We report on short-term and long-term surgical outcomes of partial breast reconstruction using chest wall perforator flaps from a prospective multicenter audit.

Methods All patients operated for BCS and partial breast reconstruction using intercostal artery perforator or lateral thoracic artery perforator flaps from January 2015 to October 2018 were included in the analysis. Oncoplastic breast surgeons with appropriate level of training performed all tumor excisions and reconstructions as a single-stage procedure. Patient characteristics, treatment details and surgical outcomes were noted. Specific outcomes recorded were margin re-excision and complication rates.

Results One hundred and twelve patients underwent the procedure in the given study period. The median age was 54 years. Median specimen weight was 62.5 g and median volume of excision was 121.4 mL. Fifteen patients (13.39%) underwent a margin re-excision for close or positive margins without additional morbidity. One patient required a completion mastectomy. Eight patients (7.14%) had an early complication. None of the patients required a contralateral symmetrization procedure. The results were comparable across the participating centers.

Conclusions Chest wall artery perforator-based flaps are an excellent option for lateral and inferior quadrant partial breast reconstructions. The short and long-term surgical outcomes are comparable across sites and can be performed with minimal morbidity. Patient-reported outcome measures need to be studied.
Las redes que los parieron: arte y artistas nacidos en internet
Authors: Martorell Sandra
Published: March 2020

La apertura de internet a lo social y al intercambio ha supuesto en los últimos años la oportunidad para numerosos artistas de mostrar sus trabajos al público masivo. Así, las redes sociales son hoy por hoy una nueva vía de exposición y una lanzadera de artistas que han ido creciendo y revalorizándose de un modo que de no haber sido por los nuevos canales y el manejo de las tecnologías hubiera sido prácticamente imposible, dada la complejidad y la idiosincrasia del mercado del arte.
Actividad antimicrobiana de hongos endófitos de las plantas medicinales Mammea americana (Calophyllaceae) y Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae)
Authors: Mosquera Wilmer Giovanny , Criado Libeth Yajaira , Guerra Beatriz Elena
Published: March 2020

Introducción. Las enfermedades infecciosas son una causa importante de muertes en el mundo. La resistencia antimicrobiana es un problema global, por lo que es conveniente la investigación de nuevas fuentes de agentes antimicrobianos de origen natural potencialmente efectivos.Objetivo. Evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana de hongos endófitos de Mammea americana y Moringa oleifera en la cepa sensible (ATCC 29213) y en la cepa resistente (USb003) de Staphylococcus aureus, así como en la cepa sensible (ATCC 25922) y la cepa resistente (USb007) de Escherichia coli.Materiales y métodos. Se aislaron 14 hongos endófitos de las hojas, semillas y tallos de las dos plantas en estudio. Se evaluó su actividad antimicrobiana mediante la formación de halos de sensibilidad por ensayo dual in vitro y pruebas con extractos etanólicos crudos provenientes de los endófitos a los que se les evaluó la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI), la concentración bactericida mínima (CBM) y la citotoxicidad.Resultados. Tres extractos etanólicos de Penicillium sp., Cladosporium sp. (001) y Cladosporium sp. (002) presentaron mayores halos de inhibición en cepas sensibles y resistentes de E. coli y S. aureus. La CMI y la CBM halladas fueron estadísticamente significativas (p≤0,05), comparadas con el control de gentamicina. Las pruebas de citotoxicidad (concentración citotóxica, CC50>1.000) demostraron que los hongos endófitos poseen características bactericidas y no ocasionan daño alguno.Conclusión. Se halló una fuente de metabolitos secundarios activos con propiedades antimicrobianas y no tóxicas en los hongos endófitos de M. oleifera y M. americana; estos hallazgos son importantes para continuar con la identificación química de los compuestos y el estudio de sus mecanismos de acción en estas plantas en las que el aislamiento de endófitos ha sido escaso.
Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers in Colombia: One-year follow-up
Authors: Beltrán Elkin , Díaz Diana , Díaz Cindy , Zarco Luis
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease associated with neurological disability. Clinical features include motor, cerebellar, visual, and sensory function alterations, as well as psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. There is little literature available on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers.Objective: To assess the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers in Colombia given that there is no information on the subject in this particular population to establish comprehensive management plans.Materials and methods: We used the MusiQol and CareQol questionnaires and the Beck Depression Inventory. A prospective analytical observational protocol was designed to include patients aged 18 to 65 years with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis between October, 2014, and October, 2015, at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. We evaluated quantitative variables and Spearman correlations. The data analysis was carried out with Student t and Mann-Whitney U tests.Results: A total of 55 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis participated in the study. Chronic fatigue was the most common comorbidity in 27%. The MusiQol questionnaire revealed a good basal quality of life, which remained at similar levels in the follow-ups at six and 12 months. Quality of life was good during the study since there were no statistically significant differences between baseline and follow-up MusiQol scores. Good quality of life was also observed in caregivers.Conclusions: The quality of life of several Colombian patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was very good. This positive result was also observed in caregivers as evidenced by the results of the CareQol questionnaire. We also observed and indicated an inversely proportional correlation between the Expanded Disability Status Scale and the quality of life indexes.
A technical review and guide to RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Young Alexander P. , Jackson Daniel J. , Wyeth Russell C.
Published: March 2020

RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful tool to visualize target messenger RNA transcripts in cultured cells, tissue sections or whole-mount preparations. As the technique has been developed over time, an ever-increasing number of divergent protocols have been published. There is now a broad selection of options available to facilitate proper tissue preparation, hybridization, and post-hybridization background removal to achieve optimal results. Here we review the technical aspects of RNA-FISH, examining the most common methods associated with different sample types including cytological preparations and whole-mounts. We discuss the application of commonly used reagents for tissue preparation, hybridization, and post-hybridization washing and provide explanations of the functional roles for each reagent. We also discuss the available probe types and necessary controls to accurately visualize gene expression. Finally, we review the most recent advances in FISH technology that facilitate both highly multiplexed experiments and signal amplification for individual targets. Taken together, this information will guide the methods development process for investigators that seek to perform FISH in organisms that lack documented or optimized protocols.
Ship rats and island reptiles: patterns of co-existence in the Mediterranean
Authors: Escoriza Daniel
Published: March 2020

Background

The western Mediterranean archipelagos have a rich endemic fauna, which includes five species of reptiles. Most of these archipelagos were colonized since early historic times by anthropochoric fauna, such as ship rats (Rattus rattus). Here, I evaluated the influence of ship rats on the occurrence of island reptiles, including non-endemic species.

Methodology

I analysed a presence-absence database encompassing 159 islands (Balearic Islands, Provence Islands, Corso-Sardinian Islands, Tuscan Archipelago, and Galite) using Bayesian-regularized logistic regression.

Results

The analysis indicated that ship rats do not influence the occurrence of endemic island reptiles, even on small islands. Moreover,Rattus rattusco-occurred positively with two species of non-endemic reptiles, including a nocturnal gecko, a guild considered particularly vulnerable to predation by rats. Overall, the analyses showed a very different pattern than that documented in other regions of the globe, possibly attributable to a long history of coexistence.
A thiopyrylium salt for PET/NIR‐II tumor imaging and image‐guided surgery
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Ding Bingbing , Qu Chunrong , Li Huiling , Sun Yu , Gai Yongkang , Chen Hao , Fang Hanyi , Qian Kun , Zhang Yongxue , Cheng Zhen , Lan Xiaoli
Published: March 2020

All tumor imaging modalities have resolution limits below which deeply situated small metastatic foci may not be identified. Moreover, incomplete lesion excision will affect the outcomes of the patients. Scintigraphy is adept in locating lesions, and second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) imaging may allow precise real‐time tumor delineation. To achieve complete excision of all lesions, multimodality imaging is a promising method for tumor identification and management. Here, a NIR‐II thiopyrylium salt, XB1034, was first synthesized and bound to cetuximab and trans‐cyclooctene (TCO) to produce XB1034‐cetuximab‐TCO. This probe provides excellent sensitivity and high temporal resolution NIR‐II imaging in mice bearing tumors developed from human breast cancer cells MDA‐MB‐231. To enable PET imaging, 68Ga‐NETA‐tetrazine is subsequently injected into the mice to undergo a bio‐orthogonal reaction with the preinjected XB1034‐cetuximab‐TCO. PET images achieved in the tumor models using the pretargeting strategy are of much higher quality than those obtained using the direct radiolabeling method. Moreover, real‐time NIR‐II imaging allows accurate tumor excision and sentinel lymph node mapping. In conclusion, XB1034 is a promising molecular imaging probe for tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Fundamental Principles of Battery Electrochemistry
Authors: Nobili Francesco , Marassi Roberto
Published: March 2020

The operation principles of batteries and, more generally, of all classes of electrochemical power sources, are introduced. Then, the roles of electrodes and electrolyte during charge and discharge processes are presented.

The energy content of batteries is explained in terms of theoretical cell voltage and capacity. The basic thermodynamics laying the foundations of the redox processes which take places at the electrodes is presented, and the Nernst's equation is introduced, with the aim to describe the electrode potentials generating the cell voltage. At the same time, the capacity of the active materials is derived on the basis of Faraday's law. The kinetics of the interfacial redox processes is described with particular attention to the mechanisms of charge‐transfer and to electron and ion conduction, explaining the origin of cell polarization and overvoltage.

The impact of thermodynamics and kinetics onto performances is then rationalized by introducing practical operating parameters such as coulombic efficiency, capacity retention, cycle life, and rate capability.

Finally, an overview of some of the main classes of primary and secondary batteries, as well as a comparison with alternative electrochemical storage systems such as fuel cells, is given.
Lead‐Acid – Still the Battery Technology with the Largest Sales
Authors: Buengeler Johannes , Riegel Bernhard
Published: March 2020

While the market share of li‐ion and lead‐acid batteries was nearly the same in terms of calendar year 2017 revenue, the lead‐acid battery is still the most prevalent battery technology, with 75% market share in terms of the entire rechargeable battery market.

Since the lead‐acid battery has been used and improved for over 150 years, one major benefit of today's lead‐acid batteries is that they have been cost‐effectively adapted to every application, whereas, with li‐ion batteries, the practice has been to deploy mass‐produced standard cell types in the different applications due to cost and safety concerns.

Further advantages of lead‐acid batteries are their tolerance of customer abuse and mistreatment as well as the well‐established worldwide recycling with over 98% of the lead battery materials being reused.

From the 150‐year history to additional new development trends such as bipolar and thin plate pure lead, the main characteristics of lead‐acid batteries, including their thermodynamic, current/voltage behavior as well as the main aging mechanisms, are described in this article.