bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barth's christological ecclesiology as theological resource for evangelical free church ecclesiology
Authors: Fields C. Ryan
Published: February 2020

This essay argues that Barth's christological ecclesiology is worthy of consideration as a resource to fund a more robust and distinctly theological evangelical free church ecclesiology. Specifically, Barth's articulation of the church as witness, combined with his emphases on the gathering, upbuilding and sending of the church, all resonate with a distinctly free church vantage point. Additionally, I argue that Barth's theological interpretation of Matthew 18:20 (a verse of great significance for the free church tradition) further reveals his compatibility with free church ecclesiology. I conclude that while the traditional problems associated with evangelical reception of Barth need to be addressed and his doctrine of the church as grounded in Christ (and thus election) critically assessed, Barth does end up offering a resource that can inform the development of a theologically robust evangelical free church ecclesiology.
Rhythmic grouping biases in simultaneous bilinguals
Authors: Boll-Avetisyan Natalie , Bhatara Anjali , Unger Annika , Nazzi Thierry , Höhle Barbara
Published: February 2020

This study provides a novel approach for testing the universality of perceptual biases by looking at speech processing in simultaneous bilingual adults learning two languages that support the maintenance of this bias to different degrees. Specifically, we investigated the Iambic/Trochaic Law, an assumed universal grouping bias, in simultaneous French–German bilinguals, presenting them with streams of syllables varying in intensity, duration or neither and asking them whether they perceived them as strong-weak or weak-strong groupings. Results showed robust, consistent grouping preferences. A comparison to monolinguals from previous studies revealed that they pattern with German-speaking monolinguals, and differ from French-speaking monolinguals. The distribution of simultaneous bilinguals' individual performance was best explained by a model fitting a unimodal (not bimodal) distribution, failing to support two subgroups of language dominance. Moreover, neither language experience nor language context predicted their performance. These findings suggest a special role for universal biases in simultaneous bilinguals.
SURVEY: SIXTY YEARS OF DOUGLAS–RACHFORD
Authors: LINDSTROM SCOTT B. , SIMS BRAILEY
Published: February 2020

The Douglas–Rachford method is a splitting method frequently employed for finding zeros of sums of maximally monotone operators. When the operators in question are normal cone operators, the iterated process may be used to solvefeasibilityproblems of the following form: Find$x\in \bigcap _{k=1}^{N}S_{k}$. The success of the method in the context of closed, convex, nonempty sets$S_{1},\ldots ,S_{N}$is well known and understood from a theoretical standpoint. However, its performance in the nonconvex context is less well understood, yet it is surprisingly impressive. This was particularly compelling to Jonathan M. Borwein who, intrigued by Elser, Rankenburg and Thibault’s success in applying the method to solving sudoku puzzles, began an investigation of his own. We survey the current body of literature on the subject, and we summarize its history. We especially commemorate Professor Borwein’s celebrated contributions to the area.
Evaluation on the Vertical Distribution of Liquid and Ice Phase Cloud Fraction in Community Atmosphere Model Version 5.3 using Spaceborne Lidar Observations
Authors: Guo Zengyuan , Wang Minqi , Peng Yiran , Luo Yong
Published: February 2020

Cloud partition between liquid and ice phases and their vertical distributions are crucial to energy budget and global climate. Liquid and ice cloud fractions simulated by Community Atmosphere Model version 5.3 and Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project Observational Simulator Package version 1.4 are evaluated by comparing to satellite retrieval data from Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation. Model underestimates liquid cloud by 3.3%, 5.5%, and 3.1% and overestimates ice cloud by 1.5%, 6.3%, and 4.6% in high, medium, and low levels, respectively. The misclassification of liquid cloud to ice cloud occurs in all model levels, leading to an overall underestimation of supercooled liquid fraction (SLF) globally and a shift of 50% SLF line from about −20°C in observation to −5°C in model. Specifically, model produces excessive ice cloud in extratropics and insufficient liquid cloud in tropics at mixed‐phase levels with temperature between 0 and −40°C.
Analyzing Wildland Fire Smoke Emissions Data Using Compositional Data Techniques
Authors: Weise David R. , Palarea‐Albaladejo Javier , Johnson Timothy J. , Jung Heejung
Published: February 2020

By conservation of mass, the mass of wildland fuel that is pyrolyzed and combusted must equal the mass of smoke emissions, residual char, and ash. For a given set of conditions, these amounts are fixed. This places a constraint on smoke emissions data that violates key assumptions for many of the statistical methods ordinarily used to analyze these data such as linear regression, analysis of variance, and t tests. These data are inherently multivariate, relative, and nonnegative parts of a whole and are then characterized as so‐called compositional data. This paper introduces the field of compositional data analysis to the biomass burning emissions community and provides examples of statistical treatment of emissions data. Measures and tests of proportionality, unlike ordinary correlation, allow one to coherently investigate associations between parts of the smoke composition. An alternative method based on compositional linear trends was applied to estimate trace gas composition over a range of combustion efficiency that reduced prediction error by 4% while avoiding use of modified combustion efficiency as if it were an independent variable. Use of log‐ratio balances to create meaningful contrasts between compositional parts definitively stressed differences in smoke emissions from fuel types originating in the southeastern and southwestern United States. Application of compositional statistical methods as an appropriate approach to account for the relative nature of data about the composition of smoke emissions and the atmosphere is recommended.
Paleomagnetic Constraints of the Lower Triassic Strata in South Qinling Belt: Evidence for a Discrete Terrane Between the North and South China Blocks
Authors: Zhao Jie , Dong Yunpeng , Huang Baochun
Published: February 2020

The paleoposition of the South Qinling Belt is a crucial key to understanding the collisional process between the North and South China blocks. In order to identify the paleogeography of the South Qinling Belt during the Early Triassic and its correlation to the North and the South China blocks, combined paleomagnetic studies have been conducted on the Lower Triassic sedimentary rocks in the South Qinling Belt. After systematic thermal demagnetization, a high‐temperature characteristic remanence was isolated from 133 specimen embracing 22 sites with a mean direction ofD= 330.5°,I= 27.7° (α95= 2.5°). The positive fold and reversal tests suggest that the characteristic remanence was acquired during deposition. This characteristic remanence corresponds to a mean paleopole atφp= 7.2°E,λp= 62.5°N (A95= 2.4°), indicating a paleolatitude of ~23.6°N for the South Qinling Belt. These new data are in concordance with the coeval paleomagnetic pole of the North China Block but are distinctly different from that of the South China Block with ~10.0° paleolatitude and ~73.6°declination differences. Together with the regional geology, our new data suggest that the South Qinling Belt had amalgamated with the North China Block along the Shangdan Suture by the Early Triassic times; however, it was still separated from the South China Block by the Mianlue Ocean up to the Early Triassic. The final collision between the North and South China blocks resulted from a ~73.6° clockwise rotation of the South China Block relative to the South Qinling Belt along the Mianlue Suture during the Late Triassic.
Improving Simulation Efficiency of MCMC for Inverse Modeling of Hydrologic Systems With a Kalman‐Inspired Proposal Distribution
Authors: Zhang Jiangjiang , Vrugt Jasper A. , Shi Xiaoqing , Lin Guang , Wu Laosheng , Zeng Lingzao
Published: February 2020

Bayesian analysis is widely used in science and engineering for real‐time forecasting, decision making, and to help unravel the processes that explain the observed data. These data are some deterministic and/or stochastic transformations of the underlying parameters. A key task is then to summarize the posterior distribution of these parameters. When models become too difficult to analyze analytically, Monte Carlo methods can be used to approximate the target distribution. Of these, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods are particularly powerful. Such methods generate a random walk through the parameter space and, under strict conditions of reversibility and ergodicity, will successively visit solutions with frequency proportional to the underlying target density. This requires a proposal distribution that generates candidate solutions starting from an arbitrary initial state. The speed of the sampled chains converging to the target distribution deteriorates rapidly, however, with increasing parameter dimensionality. In this paper, we introduce a new proposal distribution that enhances significantly the efficiency of MCMC simulation for highly parameterized models. This proposal distribution exploits the cross covariance of model parameters, measurements, and model outputs and generates candidate states much alike the analysis step in the Kalman filter. We embed the Kalman‐inspired proposal distribution in the DiffeRential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis algorithm during burn‐in and present several numerical experiments with complex, high‐dimensional, or multimodal target distributions. Results demonstrate that this new proposal distribution can greatly improve simulation efficiency of MCMC. Specifically, we observe a speedup on the order of 10–30 times for groundwater models with more than 100 parameters.
Unraveling the Historical Economies of Scale and Learning Effects for Desalination Technologies
Authors: Mayor B.
Published: February 2020

As a technology develops and matures, both economies of scale and the lessons learned through experience drive down the cost over time. This article analyzes and separates the effects of economies of scale and learning through experience on historical cost reductions for three mature desalination technologies: multi‐effect distillation (MED), multi‐stage flash (MSF) distillation, and reverse osmosis (RO). The analysis suggests that learning has been the dominant driver for cost reductions, with learning rates of 23%, 30%, and 12% for MED, MSF, and RO, respectively, when the effects of scale are removed. The highest influence of economies of scale is found for MED, with an exponential scale coefficient of 0.71 and the largest difference between a traditional or scale‐free estimation of the learning rate. MSF and RO showed smaller differences between the traditional and de‐scaled learning rates (only 3%), pointing at learning as the main factor driving their historical cost reductions. However, a trend break observed over the last 10 years mirrors an exhaustion of the potential for technical improvements, as well as an increasing complexity and nonlinearity of the factors influencing the systems' cost. The findings provide useful data and insights for integrated and economic modeling frameworks, while providing guidance to prevent overestimations of the learning effect due to the confounding influence of economies of scale effects associated to historical unit upscaling processes.
Small-molecule-mediated reprogramming: a silver lining for regenerative medicine
Authors: Kim Yohan , Jeong Jaemin , Choi Dongho
Published: February 2020

Techniques for reprogramming somatic cells create new opportunities for drug screening, disease modeling, artificial organ development, and cell therapy. The development of reprogramming techniques has grown exponentially since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by the transduction of four factors (OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC, and KLF4) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Initial studies on iPSCs led to direct-conversion techniques using transcription factors expressed mainly in target cells. However, reprogramming transcription factors with a virus risks integrating viral DNA and can be complicated by oncogenes. To address these problems, many researchers are developing reprogramming methods that use clinically applicable small molecules and growth factors. This review summarizes research trends in reprogramming cells using small molecules and growth factors, including their modes of action.
Effectiveness of the GumChucks flossing system compared to string floss for interdental plaque removal in children: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lin Joshua , Dinis Márcia , Tseng Chi-Hong , Agnello Melissa , He Xuesong , Silva Daniela R. , Tran Nini C.
Published: February 2020

Flossing, an important oral hygiene skill, is technique-sensitive and challenging for children with developing manual dexterity. GumChucks is a novel flossing device designed to assist children with proper flossing technique. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the GumChucks flossing device compared to string floss (SF). We conducted a randomized trial with 40 children aged 4–15 years at the UCLA Children’s Dental Center from January- April 2017. Participants were randomly assigned to either GumChucks or SF. Interdental plaque score (IPS) and gingival index (GI) were recorded at baseline and 4-week post-usage. Flossing speed and interdental plaque reduction were also determined immediately after first use. In addition, questionnaires were completed by children, parents and dentists. Overall, children flossed significantly faster (p < 0.001) and achieved greater IPS reduction after first use (47.0% vs. 26.8%) with GumChucks compared to SF. After 4-week post-usage, children ages 10–15 in the GumChucks group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in GI and IPS from baseline (p < 0.01) and greater efficacy in interdental plaque removal compared to the SF group (p < 0.01). Children ages 4–9 flossed more effectively (p < 0.01) with GumChucks after first use, but no significant IPS and GI improvement after 4-week post-usage. Children preferred GumChucks (92.5%) over SF, with a similar positive attitude reported by parents and dentists. GumChucks is an effective alternative interdental plaque removal aid that allows children to floss with greater speed and efficacy, with recommended parental supervision for children under age 10.
Clinical and radiographic analysis of unilateral versus bilateral instrumented one-level lateral lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Fukushima Masayoshi , Oshima Yasushi , Yuzawa Yohei , Tanaka Sakae , Inanami Hirohiko
Published: February 2020

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a widely applied and useful procedure for spinal surgeries. However, posterior fixation has not yet been decided. We compared the radiographic and clinical outcomes of unilateral versus bilateral instrumented one-level LLIF for degenerative lumbar disease. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 100 patients, who underwent unilateral (group U) or bilateral (group B) instrumented one-level LLIF for degenerative lumbar disease. Forty-one patients in group U were undergoing unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation, and 59 patients in group B were undergoing bilateral pedicle screw instrumentation. Clinical characteristic and demographic data before surgery were compared. The intraoperative data, including operative time with changes in positions, intraoperative blood loss, and X-ray exposure time, as well as the perioperative data, including postoperative hospital stay and clinical and radiographic data were compared. As a result, Group U required a significantly shorter operating time than group B. The subsidence grade and fusion rates exhibited no significant differences in the postoperative radiographic evaluation. Group U had better results in clinical assessments than group B. However, group U required more additional surgeries owing to complications.
Field assessment of 4-hydroxycoumarin as an attractant for anthropophilic Anopheles spp. vectors of malaria in Madagascar
Authors: Andrianjafy Tovo Mbolatiana , Ramanandraibe Voahangy Vestalys , Andrianarijaona Elodie Toavina , Ramarosandratana Niry Hasinandrianina , Ravaomanarivo Lala Harivelo , Mavingui Patrick , Lemaire Marc
Published: February 2020

Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria are a major public health problem in tropical countries, such as Madagascar. Female Anopheles mosquito vectors the human malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) and is important indicator in malaria surveillance activities. Among the various means of vector control in Madagascar, the use of attractants for mass trapping of target species could be an alternative to insecticides. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether 4-hydroxycoumarin can be used as an attractant for anthropophilic Anopheles spp. vectors of malaria. For this, a field study was conducted using CDC light traps in the village of Ambohidray, Madagascar. 16 days of trapping was conducted and four replicates nights were performed for each product tested. 4-hydroxycoumarin, octenol and two types of blend of these products were tested. The results showed that 4-hydroxycoumarin (2 mg) have a significant attractive effect on Anopheles spp. and significant selectivity towards Anopheles gambiae s.l, and Anopheles mascarensis which are both significant malaria vectors in Madagascar. A synergy of 4-hydroxycoumarin with octenol was found to attract these mosquito vectors. A significant decrease in vector populations was observed during this experiment. These results suggest that 4-hydroxycoumarin could be useful for malaria surveillance and the control of vector populations.
UV oxidation of cyclic AMP receptor protein, a global bacterial gene regulator, decreases DNA binding and cleaves DNA at specific sites
Authors: Leinisch Fabian , Mariotti Michele , Andersen Sofie Hagel , Lindemose Søren , Hägglund Per , Møllegaard Niels Erik , Davies Michael J.
Published: February 2020

UV light is a widely-employed, and environmentally-sensitive bactericide but its mechanism of action is not fully defined. Proteins are major chromophores and targets for damage due to their abundance, but the role of proteins in inducing damage to bound DNA, and the effects on DNA-protein interactions is less well characterized. InE. coli(and other Gram-negative bacteria) the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP/CAP) regulates more than 500 genes. In this study we show that exposure of isolated dimeric CRP-cAMP to UV modifies specific Met, Trp, Tyr, and Pro side-chains, induces inter-protein Tyr63-Tyr41 cross-links, and decreases DNA binding via oxidation of Met114/Pro110 residues in close proximity at the CRP dimer interface. UV exposure also modifies DNA-bound cAMP-CRP, with this resulting in DNA cleavage at specific G/C residues within the sequence bound to CRP, but not at other G/C sites. Oxidation also increases CRP dissociation from DNA. The modifications at the CRP dimer interface, and the site-specific DNA strand cleavage are proposed to occur via oxidation of two species Met residues (Met114 and Met189, respectively) to reactive persulfoxides that damage neighbouring amino acids and DNA bases. These data suggest that modification to CRP, and bound DNA, contributes to UV sensitivity.
Comparing Groups of Independent Solvers and Transmission Chains as Methods for Collective Problem-Solving
Authors: Yahosseini Kyanoush Seyed , Moussaïd Mehdi
Published: February 2020

Groups can be very successful problem-solvers. This collective achievement crucially depends on how the group is structured, that is, how information flows between members and how individual contributions are merged. Numerous methods have been proposed, which can be divided into two major categories: those that involve an exchange of information between the group members, and those that do not. Here we compare two instances of such methods for solving multi-dimensional problems: (1) transmission chains, where individuals tackle the problem one after the other, each one building on the solution of the predecessor and (2) groups of independent solvers, where individuals tackle the problem independently, and the best solution found in the group is selected afterwards. By means of numerical simulations and experimental observations, we show that the best performing method is determined by the interplay between two key factors: the individual’s degrees of freedom as an aspect of skill and the complexity of the problem. We find that transmission chains are superior either when the problem is rather smooth, or when the group is composed of rather unskilled individuals with a low degree of freedom. On the contrary, groups of independent solvers are preferable for rugged problems or for groups of rather skillful individuals with a high degree of freedom. Finally, we deepen the comparison by studying the impact of the group size and diversity. Our research stresses that efficient collective problem-solving requires a good matching between the nature of the problem and the structure of the group.
Depths and limits of spontaneous categorization in a family dog
Authors: Fugazza Claudia , Miklósi Ádám
Published: February 2020

Categorization has been tested in non-human animals after extensive training procedures under laboratory conditions and it is assumed that in non-primate species categorization relies on perceptual similarity. We report evidence of the ability to categorize objects in absence of specific training in a family dog with vocabulary knowledge of multiple toys, including exemplars of 4 categories. Our experimental design was devised to test categorization in absence of specific training and based on the spontaneously learned vocal labels of the categories, a condition that mirrors human studies more than previous experiments on non-human animals. We also observed that the dog’s categorization skills were more accurate when, prior to the categorization test, she was given the opportunity to play with the novel exemplars, suggesting that category representations arise not only from physical resemblance, but also from objects’ affordances (function).
Iron oxide nanocatalyst with titanium and silver nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity on the degradation of Rhodamine B dye
Authors: Muraro Pâmela Cristine Ladwig , Mortari Sérgio Roberto , Vizzotto Bruno Stefanello , Chuy Gabriela , dos Santos Cristiane , Brum Luís Fernando Wentz , da Silva William Leonardo
Published: February 2020

Nowadays, there is a growing concern about the environmental impacts of colored wastewater. Thus, the present work aims the synthesis, characterization and determination of photocatalytic activity of iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanocatalyst, evaluating the effect of hybridization with titanium (TiNPs-Fe2O3) and silver (AgNPs-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, on the degradation of Rhodamine B dye (RhB). Nanocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, N2 porosimetry (BET/BJH method), zeta potential and DRS. Photocatalytic tests were performed in a slurry reactor, with the nanocatalyst in suspension, using RhB as a target molecule, under ultraviolet (UV) and visible radiation. Therefore, the photocatalytic activity of the nanocatalysts (non-doped and hybridized) was evaluated in these ideal conditions, where the AgNPs-Fe2O3 sample showed the best photocatalytic activity with a degradation of 94.1% (k = 0.0222  min−1, under UV) and 58.36% (k = 0.007  min−1, under visible), while under the same conditions, the TiO2-P25 commercial catalyst showed a degradation of 61.5% (k = 0.0078  min−1) and 44.5% (k = 0.0044  min−1), respectively. According with the ideal conditions determined, reusability of the AgNPs-Fe2O3 nanocatalyst was measured, showing a short reduction (about 8%) of its photocatalytic activity after 5 cycles. Thus, the Fe2O3 nanocatalyst can be considered a promising catalyst in the heterogeneous photocatalysis for application in the degradation of organic dyes in aqueous solution.
Comment on “Revisiting π backbonding: the influence of d orbitals on metal–CO bonds and ligand red shifts” by D. Koch, Y. Chen, P. Golub and S. Manzhos, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2019, 21, 20814
Authors: Pan Sudip , Frenking Gernot
Published: February 2020

We challenge the statement of Koch et al. that the M → CO charge transfer and the decrease of the CO stretching frequency in metal carbonyl complexes do not depend on the metal d orbitals.
The quest to uncover the nature of benzonitrile anion
Authors: Gulania Sahil , Jagau Thomas-C. , Sanov Andrei , Krylov Anna I.
Published: February 2020

Anionic states of benzonitrile are investigated by high-level electronic structure methods.
Deep oxidative desulfurization of model fuels catalyzed by polyoxometalates anchored on amine-functionalized ceria doped MCM-41 with molecular oxygen
Authors: Wang Chaowei , Liu Zhe , Gao Ruimin , Liu Jinhua , An Siying , Zhang Ronglan , Zhao Jianshe
Published: February 2020

The synergistic effect between the vanadium-substituted POM and ceria doped MCM-41 results in extraordinary catalytic activity for oxidative desulfurization.
Anisotropic and heterogeneous dynamics in an aging colloidal gel
Authors: Jain Avni , Schulz Florian , Lokteva Irina , Frenzel Lara , Grübel Gerhard , Lehmkühler Felix
Published: February 2020

We investigate the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of a colloidal gel obtained by quenching a suspension of soft polymer-coated gold nanoparticles close to and below its gelation point using X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS).
Graphyne-anchored single Fe atoms as efficient CO oxidation catalysts as predicted by DFT calculations
Authors: Ma Jiapeng , Wu Si , Yuan Yuan , Mao Hui , Lee Jin Yong , Kang Baotao
Published: February 2020

Atom-defective α-graphyne anchored Fe atoms act as a SAC for effective CO oxidation at low temperature.
The antibacterial activity of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene and its effect on a membrane model: molecular dynamics and Langmuir film studies
Authors: Wrobel Ellen C. , de Lara Lucas S. , do Carmo Taiza A. S. , Castellen Patrícia , Lazzarotto Márcio , de Lázaro Sérgio R. , Camilo Alexandre , Caseli Luciano , Schmidt Rolf , DeWolf Christine E. , Wohnrath Karen
Published: February 2020

Expulsion of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene molecules from a monolayer in a biologically relevant pressure regime, π = 30 mN m−1, correlates with their lack of antibacterial activity.
Towards practical sample preparation in point-of-care testing: user-friendly microfluidic devices
Authors: Park Juhwan , Han Dong Hyun , Park Je-Kyun
Published: February 2020

An overview and future perspectives of user-friendly microfluidic devices have been reported in terms of practical sample preparation in point-of-care testing.
Electrochemical performance of a self-assembled two-dimensional heterostructure of rGO/MoS2/h-BN
Authors: Alegaonkar Ashwini P. , Alegaonkar Prashant S. , Pardeshi Satish K.
Published: February 2020

We report the preparation and electrochemical performance evaluation of a two-dimensional (2D) self-assembled heterostructure of graphene oxide (rGO), molybdenum disulphide (MoS2), and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN).
NaK15[B4O5(OH)4]6(NO2)2(CO3)·7H2O: assembly of an unprecedented mixed anion inorganic compound via a facile hydrothermal route
Authors: Cao Yuchen , Zhang Bingbing , Liu Hongkun , Li Danni , Wang Ying
Published: February 2020

The first borate–nitrite–carbonate that simultaneously possesses [B4O5(OH)4]2−, [NO2]−, and [CO3]2− fundamental building blocks, has been obtained by a hydrothermal method.
Equivalent circuit model for analysis of frequency selective surfaces with ring and double concentric ring apertures
Authors: da Silva Bruno Sátiro , Campos Antonio Luiz Pereira de Siqueira , Neto Alfredo Gomes
Published: February 2020

In this study, the authors present two new proposals for representation by the equivalent circuit model for aperture‐type circular ring geometries, not yet studied in the literature. The study consists of the frequency response representation of frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) formed by circular ring aperture and concentric circular ring apertures. At first, the authors performed an equivalent circuit analysis for a single cell formed by a single circular ring. Then, they extend the analysis to concentric circular rings, which when used as FSS unit elements, present two passband responses. They compare results of the proposed method with results obtained with the commercial software ANSYS HFSS, showing a good agreement between the results. They built four prototypes and compared measured results with simulated results obtained with the suggested method and it completes the proposed equivalent circuit validation.
Bidirectional multi‐port dc–dc converter with low voltage stress on switches and diodes
Authors: Jalilzadeh Tohid , Rostami Naghi , Babaei Ebrahim , Hosseini Seyed Hossein
Published: February 2020

In this study, a new transformer‐less multi‐port dc–dc converter with bidirectional capability is proposed. The proposed converter has dual inputs and dual outputs in which one of the inputs is considered energy storage (ES) such as a battery. Owing to the bidirectional capability, charging and discharging of the ES are provided. In the charging mode, the energy of the regenerative braking can charge the battery. These features make the proposed converter suitable for hybrid energy systems. Continuous charging and discharging current of the battery, low normalised peak voltage stress (NPVS) on semiconductors, and step‐up capability are other advantages of the proposed converter. Reduced NPVS causes the semiconductors with low turn‐on resistance and reduced rating voltage to be utilised. The performance analysis of the proposed converter in charging and discharging modes is described. Finally, the performance of the converter and mathematical analysis are validated by experimental results.
PV hosting capacity of LV distribution networks using smart inverters and storage systems: a practical margin
Authors: Sousa Jader F.B. , Borges Carmen L.T. , Mitra Joydeep
Published: February 2020

This study proposes an approach to evaluate a practical margin for photovoltaic (PV) generation hosting capacity (HC) of low voltage distribution networks. This HC is determined considering the randomness of the connection points and is supposed to be the maximum value of PV penetration up to which the utility can authorise any interconnection without performing additional case studies. Smart inverter control strategies and battery storage systems are used to avoid costly network expansion solutions. The simulations are performed using actual solar radiation data and residential demand profiles. The results show an increase in the network HC, bringing benefits by deferring network investments such as conductors and asset upgrades.
Radar imaging using pseudo‐coherent marine radar technology
Authors: Aljohani Mansour , Mrebit Abdulmajid , Lo Monte Lorenzo , Wicks Michael C.
Published: February 2020

Magnetron‐based marine radar technology is mature, affordable, reliable, and very effective for maritime safety applications. Commercial systems may be procured at a modest cost as compared to fully coherent solid‐state systems. Magnetron oscillators inherently generate random phase signals. Phase instability on a pulse‐to‐pulse basis impedes this class of marine radars from success in applications requiring coherency such as moving target indication (MTI) or in generating target imagery. This limitation may be overcome by incorporating radio frequency sampling and cross‐correlation of the transmit and receive signal technology to augment the current capability of available systems. In this research, the pulse train on transmit and receive is correlated in order to reject interference and detect image targets. Sampling the transmit signal and target echo on receive permits fully coherent processing. Marine radars traditionally operate non‐coherently, and as such, offer limited surveillance in clutter rich environments. In this study, the authors report on a non‐coherent marine radar that has been modified to produce a pseudo‐coherent or coherent‐on‐receive sensor system. This is crucial to MTI and target image formation. In laboratory experiments, they employed a magnetron oscillator‐based system to generate an inverse synthetic aperture radar image. The image was formed using four different algorithms: filtered back‐projection (FBP), time domain back‐projection (TDBP), an algebraic reconstruction technique, and frequency domain back‐projection. In their research, TDBP produces exquisite imagery of steel rods, and it is the standard developed in this study. FBP performed poorly as compared to all other algorithms.
Trees with unique minimum global offensive alliance
Authors: Bouzefrane Mohamed , Bouchemakh Isma , Zamime Mohamed , Ikhlef-Eschouf Noureddine
Published: February 2020

Let G = (V, E) be a simple graph. A non-empty set D ⊆ V is called a global offensive alliance if D is a dominating set and for every vertex ν in V − D, |NG [ν] ∩ D|≥|NG [ν] − D|. The global offensive alliance number is the minimum cardinality of a global offensive alliance in G. In this paper, we give a constructive characterization of trees having a unique minimum global offensive alliance.
Fusionsbildgebung – neue Entwicklungen in der interventionellen Kardiologie
Authors: Weber Marcel , Vogelhuber Johanna
Published: February 2020

Mit der Etablierung der kathetergestützten Aortenklappenimplantation rückte die multimodale Bildgebung mittels Fluoroskopie und Computertomografie immer mehr ins Augenmerk der interventionellen Kardiologie. Im Zuge der minimalinvasiven Möglichkeiten zur Therapie der Mitral- und Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz hat zusätzlich die interventionelle Echokardiografie an Bedeutung gewonnen. Zur weiteren Optimierung der kathetergestützten Herzklappentherapien können 2 dieser 3 Bildmodalitäten übereinander gelegt bzw. fusioniert werden, um dem Untersucher einen bestmöglichen Blick auf die jeweilige Herzklappe oder -struktur zu ermöglichen. Die unterschiedlichen Fusionslösungen könnten in Zukunft zu einer verbesserten periprozeduralen Sichtbarkeit führen und damit die Prozedurzeit verkürzen bzw. Kontrastmittel einsparen. Die hybride Fusionsbildgebung hat somit das Potenzial, die prozedurale Sicherheit sowie die Effektivität hinsichtlich der Device-Platzierung zu steigern. Diese Techniken sind jedoch derzeit noch im Erprobungsstadium und noch nicht in der klinischen Routine etabliert.
Videosprechstunden im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Heilverfahren – Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und ökonomische Evaluation
Authors: Fahlbusch Lisa , Achenbach Jannis , Hoffmann Felix R.
Published: February 2020

Ziel Videosprechstunden erlangen eine immer größere Bedeutung im Gesundheitswesen, da sie neue Behandlungskonzepte ermöglichen. Seit 2017 haben Videosprechstunden Einzug in die Regelversorgung der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung gehalten, für das berufsgenossenschaftliche Heilverfahren fehlen bisher vergleichbare Angebote. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags werden Anwendungsmöglichkeiten für eine Videosprechstunde im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Heilverfahren erörtert und eine ökonomische Bewertung vorgenommen.

Methodik Auf der Grundlage einer erfahrungsgestützten Analyse werden potentielle Anwendungsmöglichkeiten einer Videosprechstunde im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Heilverfahren erörtert. Die jeweiligen Leistungsinhalte wurden mit existierenden Gebührenordnungsziffern der UV-GOÄ bewertet.

Ergebnisse Videosprechstunden bergen im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Heilverfahren nicht nur als Verlaufskontrolle ein Nutzenpotenzial, sondern auch als Erstkontakt zur Vorbereitung aufwändiger Untersuchungstermine und bei Fallkonferenzen. Wenngleich Videosprechstunden in der UV-GoÄ bisher noch nicht abgebildet werden, existieren doch inhaltlich vergleichbare Abrechnungsziffern für andere Leistungen.

Schlussfolgerung Videosprechstunden bieten das Potenzial, sowohl die Qualität des berufsgenossenschaftlichen Heilverfahrens zu verbessern als auch zu einer Kostensenkung beizutragen. Da mit einer zunehmenden Bedeutung von Videosprechstunden zu rechnen ist, sollten Videosprechstunden als Regelleistung in das berufsgenossenschaftliche Heilverfahren aufgenommen und adäquate Abrechnungsmöglichkeiten erarbeitet werden.
Efficacy assessment of radiosynoviorthesis on the progression of radiological osteoarthritic features of hip and ankle joint in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Szerb Imre , Gál Tamás , Kiss Dániel , Nagy Viktória , Hangody László
Published: February 2020

Objective The study objective was to evaluate the long-term effect of radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) on the progression of radiological and nuclear-medical osteoarthritic features of hip and ankle joint in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients and Methods The study included 89 hip joints of 81 patients, of which 48 had osteoarthritis (OA) and 33 had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In terms of ankle joints, 64 patients were included of which 43 suffered from OA and 21 from RA. The mean follow-up time was 9.2 years for OA and 8.9 years for RA patients. Patients with RA were the active control group. Structural alterations of the hip joints were evaluated following Kellgren-Lawrence score and of ankle joint following Takakura score for both disease entities. For the evaluation of synovitis 2-phase bone scintigraphy was performed.

Results RSO could prevent radiologic status deterioration among 70.6 % of hip osteoarthritic patients and 73.7 % among the hip RA patients. No structural progression was observed in 79.1 % of the treated ankle joints in patients with OA and in 85.7 % of the ankle joints in patients with RA.

The scintigraphic response rate for the hip joints of OA patients was 68.6 %, 76.3 % for hip joints of RA patients, 83.1 %, ankle joints of OA patients, and 90.4 % ankle joints of RA patients.

The radiographic and scintigraphic RSO response rates were not significantly higher for both joints in RA than OA patients.

Conclusion RSO can be a good alternative in the treatment of synovitis and prevention of deterioration of inflammatory and radiographic features even in patients suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. RSO may have also a long-term effect to stop or delay progression of both diseases.
In Vivo Evaluation of Carvedilol Cardiac Protection Against Trastuzumab Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Beiranvand Elham , Ostad Seyed Nasser , Ardakani Esmat Mirabzadeh , Torkashvand Fatemeh , Sardari Soroush , Vaziri Behrouz
Published: February 2020

Cardiac dysfunction is a major side effect of trastuzumab therapy for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Beta blockers, such as carvedilol, have been used for protection of trastuzumab cardiotoxicity but there is no definitive conclusive clinical report on their efficacy. In the present study, the preservability effects of carvedilol on trastuzumab-induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and the reversibility of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity were evaluated in Wistar rats by echocardiography method. We showed that trastuzumab treatment of rats could induce the LV dysfunction through increasing the LV internal systolic diameter (LVIDs), increasing the end-systolic volume (ESV), decreasing the ejection fraction (EF), and decreasing the fractional shortening (FS). These parameters were not reversed after 14 days of stopping trastuzumab administration. Interestingly, carvedilol improved LVIDs, ESV, EF, and FS. Collectively, the results of this study have verified clinical observations which simultaneously administration of carvedilol may be considered as a possible therapeutic strategy to prevent trastuzumab-mediated LV dysfunction.
Serum Irisin Concentrations in Severely Inflamed Patients
Authors: Buscemi Silvio , Corleo Davide , Vasto Sonya , Buscemi Carola , Barile Anna Maria , Rosafio Giuseppe , Randazzo Cristiana , Currenti Walter , Galvano Fabio
Published: February 2020

Irisin is a recently discovered exercise-induced myokine that has been attributed the role of favoring white-to-brown adipose tissue trans-differentiation. We confirmed in a population-based cohort that irisin serum concentrations are independently correlated with the habitual level of physical activity, but we also observed an independent correlation with serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), thus suggesting that inflammation may influence irisin production. In order to investigate the association between irisin and inflammation, we measured serum irisin concentrations in a group of inflamed inpatients. We hypothesized that if an association between irisin and inflammation exists, severely inflamed patients, even though physically inactive, might also exhibit high serum irisin levels. We recruited 40 consecutive markedly inflamed inpatients on the basis of serum CRP levels. Their irisin serum concentrations (Phoenix Europe, Germany) were compared with those obtained in the population-based cohort of the ABCD_2 study (Alimentazione, Benessere Cardiovascolare e Diabete) (ISRCTN15840340). The inflamed patients exhibited higher serum irisin concentrations (median: 6.77 ng/ml; 95% CI for the median: 5.97–7.23) than those observed in the ABCD cohort (median: 5.21 ng/ml; 95% CI for the median: 5.08–5.30; p <0.001). Irisin concentrations were significantly correlated with age (r=−0.44; p <0.001), creatinine (r=−0.35; p <0.05), and fibrinogen (r=0.40; p <0.05) concentrations. No association was observed between irisin, interleukine-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. This study confirms the association between inflammation and irisin concentrations. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying this association and its possible clinical implications.
Chelation and Stereodirecting Group Effects on Regio- and Diastereoselective Samarium(II)-Water Allylic Benzoate Reductions
Authors: O’Neil Gregory W. , Stockdale Trevor F. , Leitch Michael A.
Published: February 2020

SmI2(H2O)n reductions of allylic benzoates adjacent to a trisubstituted alkene occur in high yields with complete regioselectivity and good diastereoselectivity (up to 90:10) for substrates containing properly positioned stereodirecting- and chelating groups. The outcome of these reactions can be rationalized by ring conformation considerations of a proposed chelated organosamarium intermediate, and a mechanism involving intramolecular protonation by a samarium-bound water.
Mycotic Abdominal Aortic and Iliac Aneurysm Caused by Streptococcus equi Subspecies zooepidemicus Bacteremia
Authors: Madani Anass , Zeebregts Clark J. , Lamprou Alexander , Tielliu Ignace F. J.
Published: February 2020

This report describes a case of a taxidermist who presented with sepsis and excruciating back pain a few weeks after contact with a deceased horse. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (SESZ) was isolated from patient’s blood and two isolated mycotic aneurysms were found. The first was located in the distal abdominal aorta and the second in the right common iliac artery. Treatment consisted of penicillin administration for 6 weeks and surgical debridement of the infected tissue combined with autologous vein reconstruction. The patient was infection-free without complaints 1 year after discharge and the venous reconstruction was patent. Reports in literature of bacteremia with SESZ leading to the development of mycotic aneurysms are very scarce and show that prognosis is generally unfavorable.
Navigation Improves the Survival Rate of Mobile-Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty by Severe Preoperative Coronal Deformity: A Propensity Matched Case–Control Comparative Study
Authors: Jenny Jean-Yves , Saragaglia Dominique , Bercovy Michel , Cazenave Alain , Gaillard Thierry , Châtain Frédéric , Jolles-Haeberli Brigitte , Rouvillain Jean-Louis
Published: February 2020

The primary hypothesis of this study was that the survival rate over 10 years of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) implanted with a navigation system was superior to that of TKAs implanted with a conventional technique. The secondary hypothesis was that the severity of the initial coronal deformity had a negative influence on the survival rate. A national, multicentric, retrospective study was performed in France, including eight university or private centers with high volumes in knee surgery. Cases operated on with either a conventional (control group) or a navigated (study group) technique were matched after calculating the propensity score using the logistic regression technique. All patients were contacted after 10 years or more to determine the survival of the TKA. The need for date and cause of revision were noted. The primary end point of the study was the occurrence of a revision for any mechanical reason. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier's technique, with the primary criterion as end point. The influence of the implantation technique was analyzed by a log-rank test at a 5% level of significance. The influence of severity of the preoperative coronal deformity was analyzed using the same technique. A total of 513 cases were included in each group. The survival rates after 13 years were 96.5% in the study group and 92.9% in the control group (not significant). There was no significant difference between both groups for the survival rates after 13 years for small deformity (96.0 vs. 97.0%), but the difference was significant for large deformity (97.0 vs. 89.0%, p = 0.04). The results suggest that the use of a navigation system, allowing a more consistent correction of the preoperative coronal deformity, thus allows a better long-term prosthetic survival in cases with a large initial coronal deformity. A navigation system should be routinely used in cases of initial coronal deformity greater than or equal to 10 degrees, as conventional techniques do not routinely provide satisfactory axial correction in these difficult cases.
Art of Making Artificial Liver: Depicting Human Liver Biology and Diseases in Mice
Authors: Sugahara Go , Ishida Yuji , Sun Jeffrey , Tateno Chise , Saito Takeshi
Published: February 2020

Advancement in both bioengineering and cell biology of the liver led to the establishment of the first-generation humanized liver chimeric mouse (HLCM) model in 2001. The HLCM system was initially developed to satisfy the necessity for a convenient and physiologically representative small animal model for studies of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection. Over the last two decades, the HLCM system has substantially evolved in quality, production capacity, and utility, thereby growing its versatility beyond the study of viral hepatitis. Hence, it has been increasingly employed for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, the investigation of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics and stem cell biology. To date, more than a dozen distinctive HLCM systems have been established, and each model system has similarities as well as unique characteristics, which are often perplexing for end-users. Thus, this review aims to summarize the history, evolution, advantages, and pitfalls of each model system with the goal of providing comprehensive information that is necessary for researchers to implement the ideal HLCM system for their purposes. Furthermore, this review article summarizes the contribution of HLCM and its derivatives to our mechanistic understanding of various human liver diseases, its potential for novel applications, and its current limitations.