bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Photo-catalytic Efficiency and Durability of Nano-TiO2 in Permeable Concrete Pavement Structure
Authors: Zhao Liandi , Chen Renshan , Pang Lai Xue , Zhang Wei , Tan Xuxiang
Published: December 2019

In terms of the problems of photo-catalytic degradation of exhaust gas, especially the low efficiency and short durability of NOx, an integrated loading method of fully reclaimed permeable concrete structure from the selection of photo-catalysts, aggregate infiltration and internal incorporation was designed and tested in this study. Through systematic tests, all those methods have fully improved the photo-catalytic oxidation effect, and the NOx degradation efficiency can reach more than 80%. The realization of stereoscopic degradation of exhaust gas and the improvement of photo-catalytic durability provide a technological support for the application of nano-TiO2 in the permeable concrete pavement structure.
Development path of regional integrated energy system
Authors: Xu Bo , Zhang Yumin
Published: December 2019

Regional integrated energy system integrates the gas supply system, heating system and power system. In order to build regional integrated energy system, this paper summarizes four kinds of development paths of regional integrated energy system represented by the system side, the supply side, energy network and the user side. This paper can provide a very useful reference for future integrated energy system construction in China.
Experimental Research and Theoretical Analysis of Surface Contact Angles of Different Materials
Authors: Xia Peng , Li Shuaicai , Tao Leren
Published: December 2019

Surface properties play an important role in the formation of frost crystals. The smaller the contact angle formed by droplets on the metal wall, the larger the contact area with the cold surface, thus accelerating the freezing process and making frost crystals easier to form. In this paper, the water droplets on the surface of zinc, aluminium, brass and red copper with the same specifications were observed microscopically. The images were binarized by Rising View software. The contact angles of the surfaces of different materials were measured, and the theoretical analysis and calculation were made by geometric method. It is found that the water droplets are spherical coronal on the horizontal surface. With the increase of the inclination angle of the specimen, the water droplets will incline downward, and the contact angle of the surface will be larger in front and smaller in back, and the difference between the two is equal to the inclination angle of the specimen. When the inclination angle exceeds the critical inclination angle, the water droplets will slip and no longer adhere to the metal surface.
Tourism Image Endorsement Based on Experiment and Variance Analysis
Authors: Lei Hongzhen , Liu Jianqi , Zhang Lijun
Published: December 2019

This study chooses tourist attractions as the research object, and explores the response of female tourists to spokesmen of different tourist attractions. Inter-group experimental design was used to combine online network survey with off-line field survey. In data analysis, MATLAB software was used to analyze the variance of the experimental results, and to test the significance of the experimental results. In the aspect of result drawing, Origin software was used to render the result pictures. During the experiment, the subjects were randomly assigned to different experimental conditions to balance or reduce the errors caused by the differences between the subjects, so as to analyze the different responses of the subjects to stimuli. The results show that female tourists differ in their involvement of spokespersons for tourism products with different involvement degrees. On this basis, the brand strategy of tourist attractions is discussed and some suggestions are put forward.
The Influence of International Oil Price Fluctuations on Chinese Economy Based on VAR Model
Authors: Lv Qingzhi
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the VAR model is used to construct the dynamic relationship between crude oil price and economic growth, price level and monetary policy. Granger causality analysis shows that oil price fluctuations are the Granger cause of economic growth rate, monetary policy and other economic indicators. Through VAR(2) model and impulse response analysis, the main impacts of oil price rise on China’s economy are: it will increase the economic growth rate in a short time; through the aggregate demand to pull and increase the cost of such two ways to increase the price level; it makes it more difficult to implement monetary policy effectively. On the whole, although the international oil price and China’s economic variables are complex and changeable, the economic system composed of international oil price, economic growth, price level and money supply is stable.
Modeling and Analysis of DC Magnetic Bias Effect for 1000kV Ultra-High Voltage Transformer
Authors: Yuan Pei , Liu Weiguo , Mao Wenqi , Ye Huisheng , Ou Lezhi
Published: December 2019

DC magnetic bias refers to a series of complicated electrical, magnetic, force, sound, heat and other abnormal phenomena caused by DC current intrusion into the transformer winding, which causes half-cycle saturation of core flux, which will seriously endanger the safe and stable operation of the transformer. Since the 1000kV UHV substation is very important in the power system, and the UHV transformer has lower DC current tolerance than the general transformer, it is necessary to accurately evaluate the DC bias risk of the UHV transformer during the design phase. This paper provides a reference for the DC bias magnetization prevention and control of UHV transformers by modelling and analysing the DC bias magnetization of 1000 kV UHV substation in Changsha. .
Intersection Signal Timing Optimization based on Webster Timing Method
Authors: Yin Mengjie
Published: December 2019

The traffic conditions at the intersection have an increasingly high impact on the normal operation of the road. Improving the signal timing can effectively improve the congestion at the intersection. Taking Xi’an North Street intersection as an example, this paper improves signal timing by Webster timing method. The results before and after the improvement are simulated by VISSIM simulation software. The delay, queue length, parking time and parking times before and after the improvement are compared and analyzed, and the conclusion is drawn. The simulation results show that after optimizing the signal timing, the vehicle delay is reduced by 25.24%, the parking time is reduced by 35.16%, and the maximum queue length, average queue length and number of stops are also reduced. It can be seen that the optimized intersection operation status significant improvements have been made.
Quantifying seasonal transpiration of winter wheat with different root length distributions
Authors: Hu Zhengfeng , Tan Min , Zhang Kefeng
Published: December 2019

In this study the effect of root growth and root length distribution on seasonal transpiration of winter wheat grown in a medium European soil under a temperate maritime climate was numerically investigated using an agro-hydrological model. Rooting depth of the crop was assumed to be proportional to the above-ground dry weight, and root length distribution was exponential from the soil surface with a shape parameter controlling root distribution. Results show that in dry growing years only about half potential transpiration was met, and more than 90% potential transpiration was supplied in wet growing years in both scenarios with a different shape parameter value. The seasonable transpiration with the shape parameter equal to 1 increased by 0.7% to 12.8% with the overall value of 5.6% over the simulation period of 21 years, compared with those from the shape parameter value of 3.
Analysis of urban heat island intensity using multi temporal landsat data; case study of Kendari City, Indonesia
Authors: Aris A , Syaf H , Yusuf D N , Nurgiantoro
Published: December 2019

The urban air temperature has gradually increased in almost all cities in the world, including Kendari City. This is indicated by the increase in building materials and reduced vegetation biomass in urban areas that have consequences of increasing surface temperatures and forming a micro-climate phenomenon called urban heat island (UHI). The aim of this study is to analyse of UHI intensity in Kendari region for the periods 2001-2014-2019, based on the distribution of land surface temperature (LST), which was analysed through thermal infrared (TIRS) and operational land imager (OLI) sensors onboard Landsat-7 and Landsat-8, each image has an atmospheric correction and brightness temperature. The results show the intensity of UHI during the 2001 to 2014 period increased by 2.44 °C, while in 2019 the intensity decreased by 2.27 °C from the previous period. These fluctuations are closely related to the land cover (LC) changes especially in built-up areas, vegetation, and bare soil as the effects of the urbanization process, and parameters of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).
Preliminary site characteristics for urban seismic hazard in pasuruan fault from microtremor measurements
Authors: Baskoro W T , Warnana D D , Widodo A , Rochman J P G N , Santosa B J
Published: December 2019

The Pasuruan fault is one of active faults in East-Java with the minimum estimated earthquake magnitude to be 6.6 Mw. Although the Pasuruan fault is relatively small in term of estimated earthquake magnitude, because the area is highly populated, earthquake along the fault could pose a significant hazard to the densely populated region and infrastructure. This study mainly focuses on site characteristics of along the Pasuruan fault based on microtremor Horizontal-to-Vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) as a part of the seismic hazard assessment. Through this measurement, the output the site natural frequency, the amplification and the soil vulnerability maps which will be used to make an urban seismic hazard map for along Pasuruan fault. The microtremor measurements were carried out at 48 locations to investigate the natural frequencies and the amplifications at sites. The results showed that the natural frequency (f0) values range from 1 Hz to 10 Hz and the amplification factor (A0) values range from 2 to 8. Correlations between the natural frequency with the geological formation and topographic were established. Variations of both parameters are also indicated as a result of variations in surface soil parameters. The vulnerability index (Kg) is indicated the soil damage level due to ground motions. The weak zone failed during an earthquake on the Southwest site was identified by the highest Kg value.
Potential mapping of limestone using Landsat 8 and Quickbird imagery in Tuban Regency
Authors: Sukojo B M , Majid D A
Published: December 2019

Indonesia is a country rich in minerals. Limestone is one of the non-metallic mineral industry is very large potential and spread almost throughout the territory of Indonesia. Tuban regency is one of the regencies located on the north coast of Java Island, precisely in East Java. As an area located in the northern part of East Java basin and is possible as a potential area of various mineral resources, one of them is limestone or limestone rock. The potential of limestone in Tuban Regency is very possible to be managed and processed to become an industry. Moreover, there are still many sources of limestone that have not been explored, With technological advances in the field of sensory, calculation of limestone potential estimation can be done by using remote sensing data and geographic information system. Remote sensing data used is Landsat 8 satellite image data reinforced with satellite data data of extremely high resolution Quickbird. This study aims to determine the potential of limestone rock in Tuban Regency. Parameters used for the identification of limestone potential in this study were 4, ie land cover, surface temperature, vegetation index, and geological elements. The result of this research is potential map of limestone of Tuban Regency which is divided into 5 classes namely very low potency, low potency, medium potency, high potential, and very high potential. From data processing resulted in Tuban Regency dominated by medium potency level with wide of 56483.70 hectare while for level of potency tinngi and very high have wide 33074.12 hectare and 31336.82 hectare.
Spatial pattern of sediment transport for analysis of precipitation direction and magnitude in the upper Lematang river sub-basin
Authors: Sarino  , Yuono Agus Lestari , Putranto Dinar DA
Published: December 2019

The high level of erosion that occur in Musi river basin has improved a tremendous impact on sedimentation in downstream areas and has resulted in many infrastructure of water is disturbed, such as silting of irrigation channels, siltation of rivers which disrupt the flow of transport stream and increasing the risk of flooding, high sedimentation in the port basin, low quality of water and the rising costs of water treatment. This study utilizes techniques terrain models Digital (Digital Elevation Model/DEM) to analysis the spatial distribution of the potential for erosion and sources of sedimentation, as well as the direction of the flow of sediment into channels as well as its relationship with outlet in branching river as the supplies to be sediment to the river flow. The method used in this study using a spatial model analysis with the help of GIS in analysing and presenting the level of erosion and deposition by utilizing modelling slope and kinetic energy of rainfall to estimate the index erosivity and distribution pattern of sediment into the river channel. This research was conducted at the upper Lematang river sub basin with area 412,638 Ha, which are classified into 11 sub-chatments with the highest altitude is 3.159 m above sea level (Dempo Valley) and the lowest is 126 m above sea level (Talang tinggi Valley). Analytical results have been tested by taking a fine sediment sampling in each sub-watershed in the analysis and is taken along the channel network and compare the observed patterns with the results predicted by the model analysis of soil erosion. Overall, erosion by high intensity tends to occur in the relationship between the different vegetation coverage, the barren land and open land used for farms and land used for mining. Approximately 45-65.5% slope bad condition because the vegetation has been open, so it can be seen the amount of erosion in the area is 2.139 ton/ha/year, at the sloping is 1.8239 ton / ha / year
Determination of Ground Profile and Peak Surface Acceleration (PSA) using single station microtremor Inversion method for earthquake hazard zonation of Lombok Island
Authors: Hakim A C , Pramono S , Warnana D D , Rochman J P G N , Rahmatullah F S
Published: December 2019

There were two fairly destructive earthquake phenomena in 2018 of M 6.4 and M 7 at East Lombok District. However, severe damage occurred in the West Lombok District, Mataram City, and North Lombok District where the three locations were far from the earthquake epicenter. This proves that the potential for infrastructure damage does not only depend on the magnitude and the earthquake source distance, but rather the presence of local site effects. This study aims to determine the dynamic characteristics of the soil and the distribution of Peak Surface Acceleration (PSA). The method used are HVSR analysis (Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio) and inversion of Rayleigh wave ellipticity curve from single station microtremor measurements. The results showed that West Lombok Regency, Mataram City, and the western part of North Lombok Regency were dominated by sedimentary layers which were softly and included in the SD (stiff soil / soft soil) site category. These regions are soil deformation vulnerable due to the earthquake. Based on PSA distribution, the southern part of Lombok Island and Mataram City have a relatively high PSA value. The high value of PSA has the potential to cause ground shaking hazard that are strong enough when an earthquake occurs. This research is expected to be a reference for the design of spectra response to minimize damage of building infrastructure at various levels due to earthquake events.
Airborne gravity survey, towards a precise Indonesian geoid model (case study: Sumatera Island)
Authors: Pahlevi A M , Bramanto B , Triarahmadhana B , Huda S , Pangastuti D , Nur A , Wijaya D D , Prijatna K , Julianto M , Wijanarto A B
Published: December 2019

Airborne gravity method for high-resolution geoid model in Indonesia held in Sumatera Island using Lacoste & Romberg Air-Sea Gravity Meter S-130 and Trimble R9S GNSS installed in the cessna grand caravan type C208B. Flight altitude ranging from 3000 to 4000 meters and the aircraft speed is 277 km/h. Processing GNSS are using differential processing which is tied to SRGI2013 with a standard deviation tolerance <7 cm in high position and 90% data fix. The gravity raw data (LCR file) is filtered using the lowpass filtering filter mode with the weight function blackman window, the filter window used is 150-seconds. From crossover analysis, some cross over misfit relatively large difference with more than ±20 mGal difference, the average and standard deviation of crossover misfit were -0.0023 mGal and 9.0214 mGal respectively. The result of spectral analysis, airborne gravity signal has minimum 10 km of wavelength while the EGM2008 degree 2190 has minimum 18 km of wavelength.
Scan-to-Building Information Modelling vs. HBIM in Parametric Heritage Building Documentation
Authors: Elsaid Mohamed E. , Ayoub Mohammed , Hassan Hamad
Published: December 2019

This paper introduces some studies developed regarding the Greco-Roman Museum at Alexandria, in Egypt. The heritage building was built by Dietriche and Steinon and had 11 halls were completed in 1895 and opened by Khedive Abbas Helmy II. The museum embodies many elements of the Italian Renaissance, including the columns, the entablature, and the pediment, as well as a staircase of white marble in the front façade, follows the Doric order. The museum was surveyed using terrestrial laser scanning to produce a model with high detail level translated into a Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) prototype. The Scan-to-Building Information Modelling (BIM) approach was obtained with a generation of semantics and components proper of Dietriche and Steinon’s architectural grammar, first of all defining the object, then geometry, and then their parameterization. This method of modelling the Museum’s main facade, used to better understand the architectural composition of the volumes, producing particular hypothesis on its form according to the architectural patterns books, to understand the restrictions of the method and the perception of a research that goes from a digital survey to the HBIM model.
A review of processing of Cu/C base plate composites for interfacial control and improved properties
Authors: Silvain Jean-François , Heintz Jean-Marc , Veillere Amélie , Constantin Loic , Lu Yong Feng
Published: December 2019

The increase in both power and packing densities in power electronic devices has led to an increase in the market demand for effective heat-dissipating materials with a high thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient compatible with chip materials while still ensuring the reliability of the power modules. Metal matrix composites, especially copper matrix composites, containing carbon fibers, carbon nanofibers, or diamond are considered very promising as the next generation of thermal-management materials in power electronic packages. These composites exhibit enhanced thermal properties, as compared to pure copper, combined with lower density. This paper presents powder metallurgy and hot uniaxial pressing fabrication techniques for copper/carbon composite materials which promise to be efficient heat-dissipation materials for power electronic modules. Thermal analyses clearly indicate that interfacial treatments are required in these composites to achieve high thermal and thermomechanical properties. Control of interfaces (through a novel reinforcement surface treatment, the addition of a carbide-forming element inside the copper powders, and processing methods), when selected carefully and processed properly, will form the right chemical/mechanical bonding between copper and carbon, enhancing all of the desired thermal and thermomechanical properties while minimizing the deleterious effects. This paper outlines a variety of methods and interfacial materials that achieve these goals.
On hyperbolic cobordisms and Hurwitz classes of holomorphic coverings
Authors: Cabrera Carlos , Makienko Peter , Sienra Guillermo
Published: December 2019

In this article we show that for every collection

C

\mathcal {C}

of an even number of polynomials, all of the same degree

d
>
2

d>2

and in general position, there exist two hyperbolic

3
3

-orbifolds

M
1

M_1

and

M
2

M_2

with a Möbius morphism

α
:

M
1

→

M
2

\alpha :M_1\rightarrow M_2

such that the restriction of

α
\alpha

to the boundaries

∂

M
1

\partial M_1

and

∂

M
2

\partial M_2

forms a collection of maps

Q
Q

in the same conformal Hurwitz class of the initial collection

C

\mathcal {C}

. Also, we discuss the relationship between conformal Hurwitz classes of rational maps and classes of continuous isomorphisms of sandwich products on the set of rational maps.
Understanding the delayed expression of Al resistance in signal grass (Urochloa decumbens)
Authors: Li Zhigen , Wehr J Bernhard , Wang Peng , Menzies Neal W , Kopittke Peter M
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

Signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) is a widely used pasture grass in tropical and sub-tropical areas due to its high aluminiun (Al) resistance. However, the underlying mechanisms conferring this resistance are not clearly understood.

Methods

The Al concentrations of bulk root tissues and the intracellular compartment were examined, including the impact of a metabolic inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP). Next, we examined changes in the properties of signal grass root tissues following exposure to toxic levels of Al, including the cell wall cation exchange capacity (CEC), degree of methylation and concentrations of cell wall fractions.

Key Results

Although signal grass was highly resistant to Al, there was a delay of 24–48 h before the expression of this resistance. We found that this delay in the expression of Al resistance was not related to the total Al concentration in the bulk apical root tissues, nor was it related to changes in the Al bound to the cell wall. We also examined changes in other properties of the cell wall, including the CEC, degree of methylation and changes in the concentration of pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose. We noted that concentrations of intracellular Al decreased by approx. 50 % at the same time that the root elongation rate improved after 24–48 h. Using CCCP as a metabolic inhibitor, we found that the intracellular Al concentration increased approx. 14-fold and that the CCCP prevented the subsequent decrease in intracellular Al.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the delayed expression of Al resistance was not associated with the Al concentration in the bulk apical root tissues or bound to the cell wall, nor was it associated with changes in other properties of the cell wall. Rather, signal grass has an energy-dependent Al exclusion mechanism, and this mechanism requires 24–48 h to exclude Al from the intracellular compartment.
Beyond the group: how food, mates, and group size influence intergroup encounters in wild bonobos
Authors: Lucchesi Stefano , Cheng Leveda , Janmaat Karline , Mundry Roger , Pisor Anne , Surbeck Martin
Published: December 2019

In social-living animals, interactions between groups are frequently agonistic, but they can also be tolerant and even cooperative. Intergroup tolerance and cooperation are regarded as a crucial step in the formation of highly structured multilevel societies. Behavioral ecological theory suggests that intergroup tolerance and cooperation can emerge either when the costs of hostility outweigh the benefits of exclusive resource access or when both groups gain fitness benefits through their interactions. However, the factors promoting intergroup tolerance are still unclear due to the paucity of data on intergroup interactions in tolerant species. Here, we examine how social and ecological factors affect the onset and termination of intercommunity encounters in two neighboring communities of wild bonobos, a species exhibiting flexible patterns of intergroup interactions, at Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We recorded the timing and location of intercommunity encounters and measured fruit abundance and distribution, groups’ social characteristics, and space-use dynamics over a 19-month period. We found that intercommunity tolerance was facilitated by a decrease in feeding competition, with high fruit abundance increasing the likelihood of communities to encounter, and high clumpiness of fruit patches increasing the probability to terminate encounters likely due to increased contest. In addition, the possibility for extra-community mating, as well as the potential benefits of more efficient foraging in less familiar areas, reduced the probability that the communities terminated encounters. By investigating the factors involved in shaping relationships across groups, this study contributes to our understanding of how animal sociality can extend beyond the group level.
Using deep learning to associate human genes with age-related diseases
Authors: Fabris Fabio , Palmer Daniel , Salama Khalid M , de Magalhães João Pedro , Freitas Alex A
Published: December 2019

Motivation

One way to identify genes possibly associated with ageing is to build a classification model (from the machine learning field) capable of classifying genes as associated with multiple age-related diseases. To build this model, we use a pre-compiled list of human genes associated with age-related diseases and apply a novel Deep Neural Network (DNN) method to find associations between gene descriptors (e.g. Gene Ontology terms, protein–protein interaction data and biological pathway information) and age-related diseases.

Results

The novelty of our new DNN method is its modular architecture, which has the capability of combining several sources of biological data to predict which ageing-related diseases a gene is associated with (if any). Our DNN method achieves better predictive performance than standard DNN approaches, a Gradient Boosted Tree classifier (a strong baseline method) and a Logistic Regression classifier. Given the DNN model produced by our method, we use two approaches to identify human genes that are not known to be associated with age-related diseases according to our dataset. First, we investigate genes that are close to other disease-associated genes in a complex multi-dimensional feature space learned by the DNN algorithm. Second, using the class label probabilities output by our DNN approach, we identify genes with a high probability of being associated with age-related diseases according to the model. We provide evidence of these putative associations retrieved from the DNN model with literature support.

Availability and implementation

The source code and datasets can be found at: https://github.com/fabiofabris/Bioinfo2019.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Effectiveness of Shorter Versus Longer Durations of Therapy for Common Inpatient Infections Associated With Bacteremia: A Multicenter, Propensity-Weighted Cohort Study
Authors: Hojat Leila S , Bessesen Mary T , Huang Misha , Reid Margaret , Knepper Bryan C , Miller Matthew A , Shihadeh Katherine C , Fugit Randolph V , Jenkins Timothy C
Published: December 2019

Background

National guidelines for pneumonia (PNA), urinary tract infection (UTI), and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) do not address treatment duration for infections associated with bacteremia. We evaluated clinical outcomes of patients receiving shorter (5–9 days) versus longer (10–15 days) duration of antibiotics.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of inpatients with uncomplicated PNA, UTI, or ABSSSI and associated bacteremia. The primary outcome was clinical failure, a composite of rehospitalization, reinitiation of antibiotics, or all-cause mortality within 30 days of antibiotic completion. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary outcome, Clostridioides difficile infection, and antibiotic-related adverse effects necessitating change in therapy. A propensity score-weighted logistic regression model was used to mitigate potential bias associated with nonrandom assignment of treatment duration.

Results

Of 408 patients included, 123 received a shorter treatment duration (median 8 days) and 285 received a longer duration (median 13 days). In the propensity-weighted analysis, the probability of the primary outcome was 13.5% in the shorter group and 11.1% in the longer group (average treatment effect, 2.4%; odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], .65–2.40; P = .505). However, shorter courses were associated with higher probability of restarting antibiotics (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.01–2.61; P = .046) and C. difficile infection (OR, 4.01; 95% CI, 2.21–7.59; P < .0001).

Conclusions

Shorter courses of antibiotic treatment for PNA, UTI, and ABSSSI with bacteremia were not associated with increased overall risk of clinical failure; however, prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of shorter treatment durations.
Early modern receptions of Iphigenia at Aulis
Authors: Miola Robert S
Published: December 2019

The sacrifice of Iphigenia, appearing influentially in Euripides’ Iphigenia at Aulis, assumes various forms in early modern translation, reading, and adaptation. Early modern receptions variously constrict, domesticate, Romanize, and Christianize the story. Publication in Latin, especially in Erasmus’ translation (1506) transposes Greek linguistic and cultural referents to later hermeneutics, rendering mysterious ancient elements into familiar Roman analogues — Stoic ideals, fortuna, prudentia, and the like. Caspar Stiblin’s Latin translation (1562) and Gabriel Harvey’s copious marginalia in his copy of Erasmus’ translation show that constriction and domestication often take the form of fragmentation of the text into sententiae, or wise sayings. The search for rhetorical figures, political maxims, or moral lessons generates many Christian applications and culminates in Buchanan’s biblical reworking of Iphigenia’s story in Jephthes, wherein Artemis gives way to the Judaeo-Christian god and Iphigenia, here Iphis, becomes a type of Christ. The Vernacular Adaptations of Jane Lumley, Jean Racine, and Abel Boyer continue to dismantle the heroic ethos of Euripides play and re-imagine the story: Achilles dwindles into a romantic lead, Agamemnon, into a vicious ruler and father, and Iphigenia becomes a pious and submissive daughter.
ISDE Presidential Biography: David B. Skinner, MD
Authors: Ferguson M K
Published: December 2019

Dr. David Skinner, the 4th President of the ISDE, was a world-renowned surgeon, educator, scholar, and leader. He participated in the formation of the ISDE, hosted two international congresses in 1983 and 1989, and made important advances in the ISDE during his presidential tenure 1992–1995.
Existence of Cocompact Lattices in Lie Groups With a Bi-invariant Metric of Index 2
Authors: Kath Ines
Published: December 2019

We study the existence of cocompact lattices in Lie groups with bi-invariant metric of signature $(2,n-2)$. We assume in addition that the Lie groups under consideration are simply-connected, indecomposable, and solvable. Then their centre is one- or two-dimensional. In both cases, a parametrisation of the set of such Lie groups is known. We give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a lattice in terms of these parameters. For groups with one-dimensional centre this problem is related to Salem numbers.
Set-theoretical solutions to the reflection equation associated to the quantum affine algebra of type $\boldsymbol{A^{(1)}_{n-1}}$
Authors: Kuniba Atsuo , Okado Masato
Published: December 2019

A trick to obtain a solution to the set-theoretical reflection equation from a known one to the Yang–Baxter equation is applied to crystals and geometric crystals associated to the quantum affine algebra of type $A^{(1)}_{n-1}$.
A Cost-Utility Analysis of Switching from Reference to Biosimilar Infliximab Compared to Maintaining Reference Infliximab in Adult Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Hughes Avery , Marshall John K , Moretti Myla E , Ungar Wendy J
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

Lower-cost biosimilar infliximab may address affordability concerns in the treatment of adults with Crohn’s disease (CD), however, evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of switching from reference to biosimilar is warranted. The aim of this research was to assess the incremental cost of switching from treatment with reference infliximab to biosimilar compared with maintaining reference infliximab in adults with CD per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained.

Methods

A probabilistic cohort Markov model with 8-week cycle lengths was constructed to estimate the incremental costs and effects of switching over a 5-year time horizon from a public payer perspective. Base-case clinical inputs were obtained from NOR-SWITCH subgroup analyses and other published trials. Costs were obtained from Canadian sources. A total of 10,000 simulations were run. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the robustness of the results to variations in uncertain parameters.

Results

Switching to biosimilar infliximab was less costly but also less effective with incremental savings of $46,194 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $42,420, $50,455) and a loss in QALYs of −0.13 (95% CI: −0.16, −0.07). Eighty-three per cent of the simulations demonstrated incremental cost savings and an incremental loss of effectiveness. The model was sensitive to differences in rates of disease worsening between reference and biosimilar infliximab.

Conclusions

While biosimilar infliximab is associated with incremental savings for patients on maintenance therapy who are switched from reference infliximab, funding decision makers must decide whether a small loss of effectiveness is justified. Further evidence will help to inform reimbursement policy.
Spinosad and Mixtures of an Entomopathogenic Fungus and Pyrethrins for Control of Sitona lineatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Field Peas
Authors: Shrestha Govinda , Mettupalli Sindhura , Gadi Ramadevi , Miller Debra A , Reddy Gadi V P
Published: December 2019

The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus L., is an important pest of field peas and faba beans in most temperate regions. As no information is currently available on efficacy of biopesticides for S. lineatus control, laboratory bioassays were performed to evaluate the impact of biopesticides (spinosad, Beauveria bassiana strain GHA, pyrethrins, B. bassiana GHA + pyrethrins, and B. bassiana GHA + azadirachtin) against adults of this pest. The concentrations used in this bioassay were 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 times the lowest labeled application rate of each product. Results were further verified in cage experiments by assessing biopesticide effects on adult mortality and feeding damage in pea plants. The impact of biopesticides on mortality of larvae of two beneficial species, Chrysoperla carnea and Adalia bipunctata, was also tested in laboratory conditions. We found spinosad to be the most promising candidate, causing 100% adult mortality at high and medium concentrations. Beauveria bassiana and its combination with pyrethrins caused 60–62% adult mortality, but only at the highest concentration. In contrast, B. bassiana + azadirachtin and pyrethrins treatments caused only minimal adult mortality at all concentrations. In cage experiments, spinosad and B. bassiana + pyrethrins had significant effects on adult mortality and provided foliage protection from adult feeding. Conversely, the fungus treatment alone showed inconsistent performance. Beauveria bassiana and spinosad were generally harmless to C. carnea and A. bipunctata larvae, but B. bassiana + pyrethrins was toxic toward beneficial species. These results could help to improve integrated pest management programs intended to control S. lineatus.
Changes in carbon storages of Fagus forest ecosystems along an elevational gradient on Mt. Fanjingshan in Southwest China
Authors: Cai Qiong , Ji Chengjun , Zhou Xuli , Bruelheide Helge , Fang Wenjing , Zheng Tianli , Zhu Jiangling , Shi Lei , Li Haibo , Zhu Jianxiao , Fang Jingyun
Published: December 2019

Aims

There are different components of carbon (C) pools in a natural forest ecosystem: biomass, soil, litter and woody debris. We asked how these pools changed with elevation in one of China’s ecologically important forest ecosystem, i.e. beech (Fagus L., Fagaceae) forests, and what were the underlying driving factors of such variation.

Methods

The four C pools in nine beech forests were investigated along an elevational gradient (1095–1930 m) on Mt. Fanjingshan in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Variance partitioning was used to explore the relative effects of stand age, climate and other factors on C storage. In addition, we compared the four C pools to other beech forests in Guizhou Province and worldwide.

Important Findings

The total C pools of beech forest ecosystems ranged from 190.5 to 504.3 Mg C ha–1, mainly attributed to biomass C (accounting for 33.7–73.9%) and soil C (accounting for 23.9–65.5%). No more than 4% of ecosystem C pools were stored in woody debris (0.05–3.1%) and litter (0.2–0.7%). Ecosystem C storage increased significantly with elevation, where both the biomass and woody debris C pools increased with elevation, while those of litter and soil exhibited no such trend. For the Guizhou beech forests, climate and stand age were found to be key drivers of the elevational patterns of ecosystem and biomass C storage, while for beech forests globally, stand age was the most important predictor. Compared to beech forests worldwide, beech forests in Guizhou Province displayed a relatively higher biomass C accumulation rate, which may be explained by a much higher precipitation in this area. The present study provides basic data for understanding the C budgets of Chinese beech forests and their possible roles in regional C cycling and emphasizes the general importance of stand age and climate on C accumulation.
Uncooled microbolometer arrays for ground-based astronomy
Authors: Rashman M F , Steele I A , Bates S D , Copley D , Longmore S N
Published: December 2019

We describe the design and commissioning of a simple prototype, low-cost 10 μm imaging instrument. The system is built using commercially available components including an uncooled microbolometer array as a detector. The incorporation of adjustable germanium reimaging optics rescale the image to the appropriate plate scale for the 2 m diameter Liverpool Telescope. From observations of bright Solar system and stellar sources, we demonstrate a plate scale of 0.75 arcsec per pixel and confirm the optical design allows diffraction limited imaging. We record a ∼10 $\, {\rm per\, cent}$ photometric stability due to sky variability. We measure a 3σ sensitivity of 7 × 103 Jy for a single, ∼0.11 s exposure. This corresponds to a sensitivity limit of 3 × 102 Jy for a 60 s total integration. We present an example science case from observations of the 2019 January total lunar eclipse and show that the system can detect and measure the anomalous cooling rate associated with the features Bellot and Langrenus during eclipse.
Solar turbulence from sunspot records
Authors: Le Mouël J L , Lopes F , Courtillot V
Published: December 2019

It is generally assumed that coupling between the turbulent flow and the magnetic field at the top of the Sun's convection zone leads to a Kolmogorov cascade of kinetic to magnetic energy. An inertial range and a slope value close to −5/3 have been recognized in a log–log diagram of power spectral density versus frequency (or period). However, published values of the slope have large uncertainties and the inertial period range is limited to 0.1 s to 2 yr. We have applied an adapted version of the singular spectrum analysis (SSA) method to the series of (quasi-) daily sunspot numbers ISSN (an indirect way of monitoring solar activity) from 1868 to 2019. The log–log diagram of ISSN variance of SSA components versus frequency displays an inertial slope value of −1.66 ± 0.16 and an inertial range from about 4 to 100 yr. This is consistent with the existence of Kolmogorov turbulent behaviour in the Sun's convection zone.
A systematic study of the advection-dominated accretion flow for the origin of the X-ray emission in weakly magnetized low-level accreting neutron stars
Authors: Qiao Erlin , Liu B F
Published: December 2019

Observationally, the X-ray spectrum (0.5–10 keV) of low-level accreting neutron stars (NSs) ($L_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}\lesssim 10^{36}\ \rm erg \ s^{-1}$) can generally be well fitted by the model with two components, i.e., a thermal soft X-ray component plus a power-law component. Meanwhile, the fractional contribution of the power-law luminosity η ($\eta \equiv L^{\rm power\ law}_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}/L_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}$) varies with the X-ray luminosity $L_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}$. In this paper, we systematically investigate the origin of such X-ray emission within the framework of the advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF) around a weakly magnetized NS, in which the thermal soft X-ray component arises from the surface of the NS and the power-law component arises from the ADAF itself. We test the effects of the viscosity parameter α in the ADAF and thermalized parameter fth (describing the fraction of the ADAF energy released at the surface of the NS as thermal emission) on the relation of η versus $L_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}$. It is found that η is nearly a constant (∼zero) with $L_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}$ for different α with fth = 1, which is inconsistent with observations. Meanwhile, it is found that a change of fth can significantly change the relation of η versus $L_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}$. By comparing with a sample of non-pulsating NS-low mass X-ray binaries probably dominated by low-level accretion on to NSs, it is found that a small value of fth ≲ 0.1 is needed to match the observed range of $\eta \gtrsim 10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ in the diagram of η versus $L_{\rm 0.5{-}10\,\rm kev}$. Finally, we argue that the small value of fth ≲ 0.1 implies that the radiative efficiency of NSs with an ADAF accretion may not be as high as the predicted result previously of $\epsilon \sim {\dot{M} GM\over R_{*}}/{\dot{M} c^2}\sim 0.2$ despite the existence of the hard surface.
Circalunar variations of the night sky brightness – an FFT perspective on the impact of light pollution
Authors: Puschnig Johannes , Wallner Stefan , Posch Thomas
Published: December 2019

Circa-monthly activity conducted by moonlight is observed in many species on Earth. Given the vast amount of artificial light at night (ALAN) that pollutes large areas around the globe, the synchronization to the circalunar cycle is often strongly perturbed. Using 2-yr data from a network of 23 photometers (Sky Quality Meters; SQM) in Austria (latitude ∼48°), we quantify how light pollution impacts the recognition of the circalunar periodicity. We do so via frequency analysis of nightly mean sky brightnesses using Fast Fourier Transforms. A very tight linear relation between the mean zenithal night sky brightness (NSB) given in $\mathrm {mag_{SQM}\, arcsec^{-2}}$ and the amplitude of the circalunar signal is found, indicating that for sites with a mean zenithal NSB brighter than 16.5 $\mathrm {mag_{SQM}\, arcsec^{-2}}$ the lunar rhythm practically vanishes. This finding implies that the circalunar rhythm is still detectable (within the broad bandpass of the SQM) at most places around the globe, but its amplitude against the light polluted sky is strongly reduced. We find that the circalunar contrast in zenith is reduced compared to ALAN-free sites by factors of $\frac{1}{9}$ in the state capital of Linz (∼200 000 inhabitants) and $\frac{1}{3}$ in small towns, e.g. Freistadt and Mattighofen, with less than 10 000 inhabitants. Only two of our sites, both situated in national parks (Bodinggraben and Zöblboden), show natural circalunar amplitudes. At our urban sites, we further detect a strong seasonal signal that is linked to the amplification of anthropogenic skyglow during the winter months due to climatological conditions.
Galaxy sizes and the galaxy–halo connection – I. The remarkable tightness of the size distributions
Authors: Zanisi Lorenzo , Shankar Francesco , Lapi Andrea , Menci Nicola , Bernardi Mariangela , Duckworth Christopher , Huertas-Company Marc , Grylls Philip , Salucci Paolo
Published: December 2019

The mass and structural assembly of galaxies is a matter of intense debate. Current theoretical models predict the existence of a linear relationship between galaxy size (Re) and the host dark matter halo virial radius (Rh). By making use of semi-empirical models compared to the size distributions of central galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we provide robust constraints on the normalization and scatter of the Re−Rh relation. We explore the parameter space of models in which the Re−Rh relation is mediated by either the spin parameter or the concentration of the host halo, or a simple constant the nature of which is in principle unknown. We find that the data require extremely tight relations for both early-type and late-type galaxies (ETGs, LTGs), especially for more massive galaxies. These constraints challenge models based solely on angular momentum conservation, which predict significantly wider distributions of galaxy sizes and no trend with stellar mass, if taken at face value. We discuss physically motivated alterations to the original models that bring the predictions into better agreement with the data. We argue that the measured tight size distributions of SDSS disc galaxies can be reproduced by semi-empirical models in which the Re−Rh connection is mediated by the stellar specific angular momenta jstar. We find that current cosmological models of galaxy formation broadly agree with our constraints for LTGs, and justify the strong link between Re and jstar that we propose, however the tightness of the Re−Rh relation found in such ab initio theoretical models for ETGs is in tension with our semi-empirical findings.
Type IV CRISPR–Cas systems are highly diverse and involved in competition between plasmids
Authors: Pinilla-Redondo Rafael , Mayo-Muñoz David , Russel Jakob , Garrett Roger A , Randau Lennart , Sørensen Søren J , Shah Shiraz A
Published: December 2019

CRISPR–Cas systems provide prokaryotes with adaptive immune functions against viruses and other genetic parasites. In contrast to all other types of CRISPR–Cas systems, type IV has remained largely overlooked. Here, we describe a previously uncharted diversity of type IV gene cassettes, primarily encoded by plasmid-like elements from diverse prokaryotic taxa. Remarkably, via a comprehensive analysis of their CRISPR spacer content, these systems were found to exhibit a strong bias towards the targeting of other plasmids. Our data indicate that the functions of type IV systems have diverged from those of other host-related CRISPR–Cas immune systems to adopt a role in mediating conflicts between plasmids. Furthermore, we find evidence for cross-talk between certain type IV and type I CRISPR–Cas systems that co-exist intracellularly, thus providing a simple answer to the enigmatic absence of type IV adaptation modules. Collectively, our results lead to the expansion and reclassification of type IV systems and provide novel insights into the biological function and evolution of these elusive systems.