bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tube‐based robust economic model predictive control with practical and relaxed stability guarantees and its application to smart grid
Authors: Sebghati Ashkan , Shamaghdari Saeed
Published: September 2020

This article deals with an improved scheme of tube‐based robust economic model predictive control (TEMPC). The controller is robust to unknown but bounded disturbances where guarantees recursive feasibility, robust stability, and convergence to the economically optimal operating point. Time‐varying economic criteria are considered in the stage cost function of the control design. Initial states of the nominal—nondisturbed—system are considered as decision variables. It lets the controller know more information about the real—disturbance affected—system to take advantage of the recursive horizon approach. It also increases the control degree of freedom and enlarges the region of attraction. Making the closed‐loop system work at the economically optimal operating point contradicts with the economic behavior. A convex optimization problem is represented to keep the economic performance from degradation as much as possible. It modifies the control optimization problem to economic optimally guarantee the closed‐loop robust stability, which is called practical stability. It is shown that more economic behavior could be achieved under some conditions by relaxing the stability but maintaining the recursive feasibility guarantee, which is called relaxed stability. To show the efficiency of the proposed method, it is applied to the building energy management of smart grid. A commercial microgrid with battery energy storage dynamics and refrigeration dynamics of a supermarket are considered as a smart building system where the time‐varying electricity price of the main grid is considered in the objective function. The results show valuable achievements in the TEMPC economic performance.
Moving horizon estimation with multirate measurements and correlated noises
Authors: Zou Lei , Wang Zidong , Dong Hongli , Han Qing‐Long
Published: September 2020

This article is concerned with the moving horizon estimation (MHE) problem for a class of linear discrete‐time systems subject to multirate measurements and correlated noises. The sensors of the plant are grouped into two nodes with different sampling periods, which give rise to the multirate measurements. Under the effects of multirate measurements, the underlying system is then described by a periodic system with correlated noises. A MHE strategy is formulated and the corresponding analytical solution of the state estimation is derived by using the “completing the square” technique. Based on the lifting approach, the dynamics of the estimation error covariance is analyzed and the desired estimator parameters are obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. An illustrative example is given to show the effectiveness of our proposed MHE method.
Prepare for on‐campus, virtual protests during pandemic
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: September 2020

If you're among the student affairs professionals who think the pandemic‐driven, remote‐learning environment eliminates the need to prepare for managing student‐led campus protests — think again. That's the message conveyed by members of the Student Affairs Today Advisory Board who discussed the topic with us recently.
Performance of variable and function selection methods for estimating the nonlinear health effects of correlated chemical mixtures: A simulation study
Authors: Lazarevic Nina , Knibbs Luke D. , Sly Peter D. , Barnett Adrian G.
Published: September 2020

Statistical methods for identifying harmful chemicals in a correlated mixture often assume linearity in exposure‐response relationships. Nonmonotonic relationships are increasingly recognized (eg, for endocrine‐disrupting chemicals); however, the impact of nonmonotonicity on exposure selection has not been evaluated. In a simulation study, we assessed the performance of Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), Bayesian additive regression trees (BART), Bayesian structured additive regression with spike‐slab priors (BSTARSS), generalized additive models with double penalty (GAMDP) and thin plate shrinkage smoothers (GAMTS), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and lasso penalized regression. We simulated realistic exposure data based on pregnancy exposure to 17 phthalates and phenols in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey using a multivariate copula. We simulated data sets of size N = 250 and compared methods across 32 scenarios, varying by model size and sparsity, signal‐to‐noise ratio, correlation structure, and exposure‐response relationship shapes. We compared methods in terms of their sensitivity, specificity, and estimation accuracy. In most scenarios, BKMR, BSTARSS, GAMDP, and GAMTS achieved moderate to high sensitivity (0.52‐0.98) and specificity (0.21‐0.99). BART and MARS achieved high specificity (≥0.90), but low sensitivity in low signal‐to‐noise ratio scenarios (0.20‐0.51). Lasso was highly sensitive (0.71‐0.99), except for quadratic relationships (≤0.27). Penalized regression methods that assume linearity, such as lasso, may not be suitable for studies of environmental chemicals hypothesized to have nonmonotonic relationships with outcomes. Instead, BKMR, BSTARSS, GAMDP, and GAMTS are attractive methods for flexibly estimating the shapes of exposure‐response relationships and selecting among correlated exposures.
Discovery of Novel Procaine‐Imidazole Derivative as Inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase‐B for Potential Benefit in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Wu Jiane , Liu Qionghua , Hu Yuping , Wang Wenhua , Gao Xinming
Published: September 2020

The clinically utility of selective monoamine oxidase (MAO)‐B inhibitors in Parkinson disease is widely recognized due to significant improvement in altered motor function and long‐term benefit. Therefore, in the present study, a series of procaine‐imidazole was synthesized and subsequently evaluated for MAO‐A and MAO‐B inhibitory activity in an enzymatic assay. Comparative inhibitory activity suggest that, target compounds selectively inhibit MAO‐B, as compared to MAO‐A. Among the tested derivatives, compound 8 i (2‐(diethylamino)ethyl4‐(4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzoate) selectively inhibited MAO‐B with IC50 of 0.032±0.002 (selectivity index over MAO‐A=475). The anti‐Parkinson effect of compound 8 i was further evaluated in MPTP (1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine) induced animal model of PD. It has been found that, compound 8 i causes significant improvement in motor function of mice as revealed by motor behavioral assessment using the footprint and horizontal wire test. Compound 8 i also improved the level of anti‐oxidant enzymes in the striatum of animal brains. Our study demonstrated the development of procaine‐imidazole derivatives as potent and selective MAO‐B inhibitor as potential agent against PD.
Base Promoted Cascade Reaction: A Convenient Route to Hybrid S and N Polyheterocycles
Authors: Jayarajan Ramasamy , Kottha Thirumalaswamy , Subbaramanian Sabarinathan , Vasuki Gnanasambandam
Published: September 2020

Biologically privileged fused pyrimidine spirocycles were synthesized via a metal‐free three‐component cascade reaction utilizing mercapto/aza lactam active methylene compounds. This rapid and efficient one‐pot operation quickly delivered seven different polycyclic and spirocyclic scaffolds such as pyranothiazolopyrimidine, benzothiazolopyranopyrimidine, pyranotriazolopyrimidine, benzoimidazolopyranopyrimidine, spiroindolinepyranothiazolopyrimidine, spirobenzothiazolopyranopyrimidineindoline, and spirobenzo‐imidazolopyranopyrimidineindoline at room temperature with excellent regio/chemoselectivity.
Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in Magnetic Doped Topological Insulators and Ferromagnetic Spin‐Gapless Semiconductors—A Perspective Review
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Hamilton Alex R. , Fuhrer Michael S. , Wang Xiaolin
Published: September 2020

Quantum anomalous Hall effect, with a trademark of dissipationless chiral edge states for electronics/spintronics transport applications, can be realized in materials with large spin–orbit coupling and strong intrinsic magnetization. After Haldane's seminal proposal, several models have been presented to control/enhance the spin–orbit coupling and intrinsic magnetic exchange interaction. After brief introduction of Haldane model for spineless fermions, following three fundamental quantum anomalous Hall models are discussed in this perspective review: i) low‐energy effective four band model for magnetic‐doped topological insulator (Bi,Sb)2Te3 thin films, ii) four band tight‐binding model for graphene with magnetic adatoms, and iii) two (three) band spinful tight‐binding model for ferromagnetic spin‐gapless semiconductors with honeycomb (kagome) lattice where ground state is intrinsically ferromagnetic. These models cover 2D Dirac materials hosting spinless, spinful, and spin‐degenerate Dirac points where various mass terms open bandgap and lead to quantum anomalous Hall effect. With emphasis on the topological phase transition driven by ferromagnetic exchange interaction and its interplay with spin–orbit‐coupling, various symmetry constraints on the nature of mass term and the materialization of these models are discussed. This study will shed light on the fundamental theoretical perspectives of quantum anomalous Hall materials.
High Carbonization Temperature to Trigger Enzyme Mimicking Activities of Silk‐Derived Nanosheets
Authors: Xiong Xueqing , Tang Yonghua , Xu Chengjie , Huang Yanyan , Wang Yupeng , Fu Lianlian , Lin Changxu , Zhou Dongfang , Lin Youhui
Published: September 2020

Herein, it is demonstrated that N‐rich carbonized silk fibroin materials (CSFs) can serve as efficient peroxidase, and oxidase mimics. Their enzyme‐like activities are highly dependent on carbonization conditions. CSFs obtained at low temperatures do not exhibit significant catalytic reactivity, while their enzyme‐like catalysis performance is greatly activated after high‐temperature treatment. Such a phenomenon is mainly ascribed to the increase of graphitization degree and graphitic nitrogen and the emergence of disordered graphitic structures during the formation of turbostratic carbon. In addition, inspired by the excellent photothermal conversion efficiency, and temperature‐dependent catalytic behavior of CSFs, near‐infrared light can be used to remotely control their enzyme‐like activities. More importantly, as‐prepared robust silk‐derived nanosheets can be applied to photothermal‐catalytic cancer therapy and sensing. It is believed that such a smart artificial enzyme system will throw up exciting new opportunities for the chemical industry and biotechnology.
Angular Trapping of Spherical Janus Particles
Authors: Gao Xiaoqing , Wang Yali , He Xuehao , Xu Mengjun , Zhu Jintao , Hu Xiaodong , Hu Xiaotang , Li Hongbin , Hu Chunguang
Published: September 2020

Developing angular trapping methods, which enable optical tweezers to rotate a micronsized bead, is of great importance for studies of biomacromolecules in a wide range of torque‐generation processes. Here a novel controlled angular trapping method based on model composite Janus particles is reported, which consist of two hemispheres made of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate). Through computational and experimental studies, the feasibility to control the rotation of a Janus particle in a linearly polarized laser trap is demonstrated. The results show that the Janus particle aligned its two hemispheres interface parallel to the laser propagation direction and polarization direction. The rotational state of the particle can be directly visualized by using a camera. The rotation of the Janus particle in the laser trap can be fully controlled in real time by controlling the laser polarization direction. The newly developed angular trapping technique has the great advantage of easy implementation and real‐time controllability. Considering the easy chemical preparation of Janus particles and implementation of the angular trapping, this novel method has the potential of becoming a general angular trapping method. It is anticipated that this new method will significantly broaden the availability of angular trapping in the biophysics community.
Easily solving dynamic programming problems in Haskell by memoization of hylomorphisms
Authors: Llorens David , Vilar Juan Miguel
Published: September 2020

Dynamic programming is a well‐known algorithmic technique that solves problems by a combination of dividing a problem into subproblems and using memoization to avoid an exponential growth of the costs. We show how to implement dynamic programming in Haskell using a variation of hylomorphisms that includes memoization. Our implementation uses polymorphism so the same function can return the best score or the solution to the problem based on the type of the returned value.
Teacher learning in communities of practice: The affordances of co‐planning for novice and veteran teachers' learning
Authors: Eshchar‐Netz Livat , Vedder‐Weiss Dana
Published: September 2020

Collaborative reflective inquiry in teacher communities of practice (CoP) supports their professional situated learning. However, the CoP model entails at least three limitations and challenges for teacher learning: novice teachers can seldom act as legitimate peripheral participants since they are obliged to do the same work that veterans do; veterans' learning is neglected since they are expected to teach the novices; and power dynamics between veterans and novices may constrain the group's reflective inquiry and, consequently, its learning. In this case‐study, we explore the dynamics between veteran and novice science teachers in a purposefully sampled case of three teachers engaged in collaborative planning in a professional development community. We examine the implications of these dynamics for the group's reflective inquiry, using linguistic ethnographic micro‐analytic methods to analyze audio‐ and video‐recordings of the planning session. The findings demonstrate how in a collaborative planning context, legitimate peripheral participation is afforded, thereby mitigating face threats and supporting learning for both novice and veteran teachers. The study highlights the unique affordances of collaborative planning for science teachers' reflective inquiry, advancing our understanding of the social dimension of teacher learning. This study contributes to the fields of teacher learning in CoPs and teacher planning.
Soil hydraulic properties estimation from one‐dimensional infiltration experiments using characteristic time concept
Authors: Rahmati Mehdi , Vanderborght Jan , Šimůnek Jirka , Vrugt Jasper A. , Moret‐Fernández David , Latorre Borja , Lassabatere Laurent , Vereecken Harry
Published: September 2020

Many different equations ranging from simple empirical to semi‐analytical solutions of the Richards equation have been proposed for quantitative description of water infiltration into variably saturated soils. The sorptivity, S, and the saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, in these equations are typically unknown and have to be estimated from measured data. In this paper, we use so‐called characteristic time (tchar) to design a new method, referred to as the characteristic time method (CTM) that estimates S, and Ks, from one‐dimensional (1D) cumulative infiltration data. We demonstrate the usefulness and power of the CTM by comparing it with a suite of existing methods using synthetic cumulative infiltration data simulated by HYDRUS‐1D for 12 synthetic soils reflecting different USDA textural classes, as well as experimental data selected from the Soil Water Infiltration Global (SWIG) database. Results demonstrate that the inferred values of S and Ks are in excellent agreement with their theoretical values used in the synthetically simulated infiltration experiments with Nash–Sutcliffe criterion close to unity and RMSE values of 0.04 cm h−1/2 and 0.05 cm h−1, respectively. The CTM also showed very high accuracy when applied on synthetic data with added measurement noise, as well as robustness when applied to experimental data. Unlike previously published methods, the CTM does not require knowledge of the time validity of the applied semi‐analytical solution for infiltration and, therefore, is applicable to infiltrations with durations from 5 min to several days. A script written in Python of the CTM method is provided in the supplemental material.
Nano‐sensing and nano‐therapy targeting central players in iron homeostasis
Authors: Wu Linyuan , Li Yan , Gu Ning
Published: September 2020

Iron plays vital roles in many life activities and it is strictly controlled via elaborate metabolic system. Growing evidence has suggested that the dysfunctional iron homeostasis is implicated to many refractory diseases including cancers and neurodegenerations. Systemic and cellular iron are regulated through different pathways but are meanwhile interconnecting with each other via a few key regulators, whose abnormal expressions are often found to be the root causes of many iron disorders. Nano‐sensing techniques have enabled the detection and monitoring of such central players, which provide rich information for the iron homeostasis profile through multiplexing and flexible designs. In addition to general sensing, nanoprobes are capable of target imaging and precise local access, which are particularly beneficial for revealing the conditions of intra‐/extracellular environments. Nanomaterials have also been applied in some therapies, targeting the aberrant iron metabolism. Various iron uptake pathways have been utilized for target drug delivery and iron level manipulation, while abnormal iron content is notably useful in tumor killing. With brief introduction to the significance of iron homeostasis, this review includes recent works regarding the nanotechnology that has been applied in iron‐related diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Estimating Migration Impacts of Wildfire: California’s 2017 North Bay Fires
Authors: Sharygin Ethan
Published: September 2020

This chapter examines a cluster of wildfire conflagrations that hit northern California during October 2017, which resulted in significant loss of housing units (6874 residential structures destroyed or damaged). To assess the magnitude of the migration response and network of destinations, a method to estimate migration drawing from a proxy universe of households with students enrolled in public schools was proposed, using data on school exits and re-enrollments from a longitudinal student database. The analysis finds that a small minority of households affected by the fires moved out of the area. Out of nearly 7800 persons displaced by the central fire complex in one city, this study estimated fewer than 1000 changed neighborhoods; of those, fewer than 500 moved out of Sonoma County. These findings are applicable to other wildfires and localized disasters where a substantial portion of housing is lost but public infrastructure in the region remains intact.
Disasters and Demographic Change of ‘Single-Industry’ Towns—Decline and Resilience in Morwell, Australia
Authors: Bird Deanne , Taylor Andrew
Published: September 2020

In 2014, an open-cut coal mine fire burned for 45 days in the small single-industry town of Hazelwood in Victoria (Australia) spreading smoke and ash across the adjacent community of Morwell. This chapter examines the extent to which the mine fire acted as a catalyst for demographic and socio-economic change and considers how, if at all, it impacted Morwell’s resilience to disasters. We report on a range of secondary data analyses augmented with qualitative insights captured in government reports (namely, the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports), as well as from related research papers and media articles. We suggest that a succession of structural and demographic changes meant that the town and its residents were accustomed and resilient to relatively large shocks. In this sense, the Morwell and broader Latrobe Valley population banded together around various community-led initiatives to fight for a better future for their community.
The Competitiveness Issue of the Japanese Economy Under Carbon Pricing: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis of 2050
Authors: Takeda Shiro
Published: September 2020

Using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, this paper investigates the impact of carbon regulations on the Japanese economy. We use an 11-sector, 15-region global dynamic CGE model with a time span from 2011 to 2050. We assume that Japan (along with other developed regions) reduces CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050 and analyze the impact on the Japanese economy. In particular, we consider multiple scenarios of CO2 reduction rates in less developed regions and analyze how changes in CO2 reduction in these regions affect Japan. In addition, we also consider multiple scenarios of the use of a border adjustment policy and analyze its impact. Our simulation results are summarized as follows. First, an 80% CO2 reduction in Japan generates large negative impacts on the Japanese economy in terms of both the macroeconomy and individual sectors. Second, changes in the reduction rates in less developed regions have only a small impact on Japan. Third, the use of border adjustment in Japan has a small impact on the GDP and welfare of Japan overall but a large impact on output in the energy intensive sectors. When future climate change policies in Japan are discussed, much attention is usually paid to climate policy in less developed regions. However, the second result of our analysis suggests that climate change policy in less developed regions has only a small impact on Japan. In addition, the third result indicates that the effectiveness of border adjustment is limited.
The Economic Effects of Equalizing the Effective Carbon Rate of Sectors: An Input-Output Analysis
Authors: Sugino Makoto
Published: September 2020

The 2 °C target of the Paris Agreement has stimulated the implementation of carbon reducing policies such as carbon taxes and emission trading schemes, which explicitly applies a price on carbon emitting fuels. However, OECD (2016) reports that the effective carbon rate must be at least 30 Euros per ton of CO2. The effective carbon rate includes the implicit carbon price, e.g. energy taxes, along with the explicit carbon price. Previous studies have focused on the effects of explicit carbon prices. In this chapter, we will focus on the effective carbon rate and estimate the effects of carbon policies that increase the effective carbon rate to the 30 Euro threshold. We find that the short-term effect of a carbon tax that raises the effective carbon rate for all industries above 30 Euros will not only effect energy intensive industries, but also downstream industries that already have high effective carbon rates. Furthermore, we find that the carbon tax implemented in 2012 increase the average effective carbon rate, but increases the difference between taxed emitters and non-taxed emitters. Thus, tax exemption for energy intensive industries sacrifices economic efficiency.
Climate Policy in the Commercial Sector: A Survey of Commercial Buildings in Japan
Authors: Onuma Hiroki , Arimura Toshi H.
Published: September 2020

In Japan, the government has set a target for a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26% from 2013 levels by 2030. The commercial sector has the highest reduction target—39.8%—among all Japanese sectors. This chapter first presents the current GHG situation in Japan and Japanese climate policy in the commercial sector. Second, we introduce a nationwide survey that we conducted on the implementation of energy efficiency measures (EEMs) in office buildings with large-scale emissions in Japan. The survey results show that energy-saving technology adoption is more advanced in Tokyo than in other prefectures and that there is more space for the adoption of energy-efficient technologies nationwide. To accelerate EEM adoption to achieve the 2030 target, regulatory agencies must improve the way they promote energy audits and subsidies and provide information on energy savings.
An Empirical Study of the Tokyo Emissions Trading Scheme: An Ex Post Analysis of Emissions from University Buildings
Authors: Abe Tatsuya , Arimura Toshi H.
Published: September 2020

The Tokyo Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the first cap -and-trade program of CO2 emissions in Asia, and it is unique in regulating commercial and service sectors. We examine the impacts of the Tokyo ETS on CO2 emissions and energy consumption by universities in the first phase. Focusing on universities allows us to estimate the effects of the Tokyo ETS separately from the economic stagnation Japan experienced after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 because universities are less likely to be affected by economic fluctuations compared to other sectors. In addition to the ETS, other factors may have achieved CO2 emissions reductions in Tokyo in this phase due to the influence of the earthquake. To deal with the shortage of electricity supply after the Fukushima disaster, several measures were undertaken, such as rolling blackouts and power-saving orders, particularly in the Tokyo Electricity Power Company’s jurisdiction. To capture the characteristics for each university at the campus level and their experience with being regulation targets of the policies mentioned above, we conducted a mail survey for universities in Japan and obtained panel data that contain information about both regulated and unregulated universities over 5 years (2009–2013). The difference-in-differences approach reveals that the Tokyo ETS caused regulated universities to reduce their CO2 emissions and energy consumption by approximately 3–5% relative to unregulated universities in the first phase. In addition, we find that the quantitative regulations, such as rolling blackouts and power-saving orders, also had an impact on the universities’ behavior.
Operator thermalisation in d > 2: Huygens or resurgence
Authors: Engelsöy Julius , Larana-Aragon Jorge , Sundborg Bo , Wintergerst Nico
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Correlation functions of most composite operators decay exponentially with time at non-zero temperature, even in free field theories. This insight was recently codified in an OTH (operator thermalisation hypothesis). We reconsider an early example, with large N free fields subjected to a singlet constraint. This study in dimensions d > 2 motivates technical modifications of the original OTH to allow for generalised free fields. Furthermore, Huygens’ principle, valid for wave equations only in even dimensions, leads to differences in thermalisation. It works straightforwardly when Huygens’ principle applies, but thermalisation is more elusive if it does not apply. Instead, in odd dimensions we find a link to resurgence theory by noting that exponential relaxation is analogous to non- perturbative corrections to an asymptotic perturbation expansion. Without applying the power of resurgence technology we still find support for thermalisation in odd dimensions, although these arguments are incomplete.
Supersymmetric traversable wormholes
Authors: Anabalón Andrés , de Wit Bernard , Oliva Julio
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We study traversable wormhole solutions in pure gauged N = 2 supergravity with and without electromagnetic fields, which are locally isometric under SO(2, 1) × SO(1, 1). The model allows for 1/2-BPS wormhole solutions whose corresponding globally defined Killing spinors are presented. A non-contractible cycle can be obtained by compactifying one of the coordinates which leaves the residual supersymmetry unaffected, although not all the isometries will remain realized globally. The wormholes connect two asymptotic, locally AdS4 regions and depend on certain electric and magnetic charge parameters and, implicitly, on the range of the compact coordinate around the throat. We provide an analysis of the boundary of the spacetime and show that it can be either disconnected or not, depending on the values of the parameters in the metric. Finally, we show how a class of these space-times avoid a topological censorship theorem.
Brane-jet stability of non-supersymmetric AdS vacua
Authors: Guarino Adolfo , Tarrío Javier , Varela Oscar
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We classify the non-supersymmetric, and perturbatively stable within D = 4, AdS vacua of maximal D = 4 supergravity with a dyonic ISO(7) gauging in a large sector of the supergravity. Seven such vacua are established within this sector, all of them giving rise to non-supersymmetric AdS4× S6 type IIA backgrounds with and without non-trivial warpings and with internal fluxes. Then, we analyse the dynamics of various probe Dp- branes in these backgrounds searching for potential brane-jet instabilities. In all these cases, such instabilities are absent. Finally, an alternative decay channel through tunnelling is investigated, focusing on one of the seven backgrounds. We do not find instabilities either, but the analysis remains inconclusive.
An explanation for the muon and electron g − 2 anomalies and dark matter
Authors: Chen Kai-Feng , Chiang Cheng-Wei , Yagyu Kei
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We propose simple models with a flavor-dependent global U(1)ℓ and a discrete ℤ2 symmetries to explain the anomalies in the measured anomalous magnetic dipole moments of muon and electron, (g − 2)μ,e, while simultaneously accommodating a dark matter candidate. These new symmetries are introduced not only to avoid the dangerous lepton flavor-violating decays of charged leptons, but also to ensure the stability of the dark matter. Our models can realize the opposite-sign contributions to the muon and electron g − 2 via one-loop diagrams involving new vector-like leptons. Under the vacuum stability and perturbative unitarity bounds as well as the constraints from the dark matter direct searches and related LHC data, we find suitable parameter space to simultaneously explain (g − 2)μ,e and the relic density. In this parameter space, the coupling of the Higgs boson with muons can be enhanced by up to ∼ 38% from its Standard Model value, which can be tested in future collider experiments.
Antibiotische Standardtherapie häufiger Infektionskrankheiten in der ambulanten Pädiatrie
Authors: Hufnagel M. , Simon A. , Trapp S. , Liese J. , Reinke S. , Klein W. , Parlowsky T. , Pfeil J. , Renk H. , Berner R. , Hübner J. , Kummer S. , Tillmann R.
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund

Die zunehmende Verbreitung von Antibiotikaresistenzen und die fehlende Weiterentwicklung von neuen Antibiotika erfordern eine rationale, leitlinienkonforme Antibiotikatherapie. Das gilt v. a. für die ambulante Medizin, in deren Bereich 85 % aller Antibiotika verordnet werden.

Ziele

Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Antibiotic Stewardship ambulante Pädiatrie hat praxisnahe Empfehlungen zur antibiotischen Standardtherapie häufiger Infektionskrankheiten in der pädiatrischen Praxis formuliert.

Material und Methoden

Die Empfehlungen berücksichtigen Leitlinien zur rationalen Antibiotikatherapie und sind nach einem Konsentierungsprozess unter Beteiligung der Fachgesellschaften Berufsverband der Kinder- und Jugendärzte (BVKJ) und Deutsche Gesellschaft für pädiatrische Infektiologie (DGPI) erstellt worden.

Ergebnisse

Kurz gefasste Empfehlungen zur antibiotischen Standardbehandlung der häufigsten ambulant erworbenen Infektionskrankheiten der oberen und unteren Atemwege, Harnwege, Haut, Augen und Darm sowie in der Kinderchirurgie.

Schlussfolgerung

Mit den Empfehlungen soll sowohl eine Reduktion als auch eine Verbesserung der Qualität der Antibiotikaverordnungen in der ambulanten Pädiatrie erreicht werden. Unnötige Antibiotikatherapien sollen vermieden bzw. rasch beendet werden. Bei unklaren Situationen ohne Risikokonstellation soll statt einer antibiotischen Therapie eine kurzfristige Kontrolle vorgenommen werden. Antibiotika sollen so kurz und so schmal wie möglich verschrieben werden. Topische Antibiotika sollen vermieden werden, ebenso kritische Antibiotika wie Cephalosporine und Azithromycin (Risikofaktoren für eine Resistenzentwicklung). Es wird angeregt, die Empfehlungen in einem lokalen intersektoralen Konsensprozess anzupassen, um breite Akzeptanz und Verbindlichkeit zu steigern sowie Konflikte zu reduzieren, die sich aus der hohen Variabilität der Verordnungspraxis ergeben.
Low polyethylene creep and wear following mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement
Authors: Ghosh Priyanka , Mohammad Hasan R. , Martin Benjamin , Campi Stefano , Murray David W. , Mellon Stephen J.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) has a fully congruent mobile bearing to minimise wear. However, with younger higher demand patients, wear remains a concern. The aim of this study was to quantify the wear rate of Phase 3 Oxford UKR bearings over the course of 5 years and to identify the factors that influence it.

Methods

40 medial Oxford UKRs recruited for a randomised study of cemented and cementless fixation were studied with Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years post-operatively and bearing thickness was calculated. Penetration, defined as the change in thickness compared to the 1-week measurement, was determined. Creep (early penetration) and wear (late penetration at a constant rate) were calculated. The influence of demographic factors, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Tegner score, fixation and bearing overhang (determined by RSA) on wear was analysed.

Results

After 6 months the penetration rate was constant, indicating that wear alone was occurring. The wear rate was 0.07 mm/year (SD 0.03). The creep was 0.06 mm with about 95% occurring during the first 3 months. There was no significant relationship between fixation (cemented/cementless), age, component size, OKS and Tegner score with wear rate. Increasing BMI was associated with decreasing wear (p = 0.042). 37/40 bearings overhung the tibia to some extent and 23/40 overhung the tibia medially. An increase in the area of overhang (p = 0.036), amount of medial overhang (p = 0.028) and distance between the bearing and tibial wall (p = 0.019) were associated with increased wear. Bearings that did not overhang (0.06 mm/year) had less wear (p = 0.025) than those that did (0.08 mm/year). There was no relationship (p = 0.6) between the femoral contact area and wear.

Conclusion

During the first three to six months after implantation, the bearing becomes 0.06 mm thinner due to creep. The combined wear rate of the upper and lower surfaces of the bearing is constant (0.07 mm/year). The wear is lower if the bearing does not overhang the tibia so surgeons should aim for the bearing to be close to the tibial wall. The orientation of the femoral component does not influence wear.

Level of evidence

Retrospective Study, Level III.
A review on cutting tool technology in machining of Ni-based superalloys
Authors: Fan Wei , Ji Wei , Wang Lihui , Zheng Lianyu , Wang Yahui
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a state-of-the-art review on cutting tool technology in machining of Ni-based superalloys is presented to better understand the current status and to identify future directions of research and development of cutting tool technologies. First, past review articles related to the machining of Ni-based superalloys are summarized. Then machinability of superalloys is introduced, together with the reported methods used in cutting tool design. The current researches on cutting tools in the machining of superalloys are presented in different categories in terms of tool materials, i.e., carbide, ceramics, and Polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN). Moreover, a set of research issues are identified and highlighted to improve the machining of superalloys. Finally, discussions on the future development are presented, in the areas of new materials/geometries, functional surfaces on the cutting tool, and data-driven comprehensive optimization.
Converse growth estimates for ODEs with slowly growing solutions
Authors: Gröhn Janne
Published: September 2020

Let $$f_1,f_2$$

f
1

,

f
2

be linearly independent solutions of $$f''+Af=0$$

f

′
′

+
A
f
=
0

, where the coefficient A is an analytic function in the open unit disc $${\mathbb {D}}$$
D
of the complex plane $${\mathbb {C}}$$
C
. It is shown that many properties of this differential equation can be described in terms of the subharmonic auxiliary function $$u=-\log \, (f_1/f_2)^{\#}$$

u
=
-
log

(

f
1

/

f
2

)

#

. For example, the case when $$\sup _{z\in {\mathbb {D}}} |A(z)|(1-|z|^2)^2 < \infty $$

sup

z
∈
D

|
A

(
z
)

|
(
1

-

|
z
|

2

)

2

<
∞

and $$f_1/f_2$$

f
1

/

f
2

is normal, is characterized by the condition $$\sup _{z\in {\mathbb {D}}} |\nabla u(z)|(1-|z|^2) < \infty $$

sup

z
∈
D

|
∇
u

(
z
)

|
(
1

-

|
z
|

2

)
<
∞

. Different types of Blaschke-oscillatory equations are also described in terms of harmonic majorants of u. Even if $$f_1,f_2$$

f
1

,

f
2

are bounded linearly independent solutions of $$f''+Af=0$$

f

′
′

+
A
f
=
0

, it is possible that $$\sup _{z\in {\mathbb {D}}} |A(z)|(1-|z|^2)^2 = \infty $$

sup

z
∈
D

|
A

(
z
)

|
(
1

-

|
z
|

2

)

2

=
∞

or $$f_1/f_2$$

f
1

/

f
2

is non-normal. These results relate to sharpness discussion of recent results in the literature, and are succeeded by a detailed analysis of differential equations with bounded solutions. Analogues for the Nevanlinna class are also considered, by taking advantage of Nevanlinna interpolating sequences. It is shown that, instead of considering solutions with prescribed zeros, it is possible to construct a bounded solution of $$f''+Af=0$$

f

′
′

+
A
f
=
0

in such a way that it solves an interpolation problem natural to bounded analytic functions, while $$|A(z)|^2(1-|z|^2)^3\, dm(z)$$

|
A

(
z
)

|

2

(
1
-
|
z
|

2

)

3

d
m

(
z
)

remains to be a Carleson measure.
Assessing sleep-wake survival dynamics in relation to sleep quality in a placebo-controlled pharmacological intervention study with people with insomnia and healthy controls
Authors: Hermans Lieke W. A. , Regis Marta , Fonseca Pedro , Overeem Sebastiaan , Leufkens Tim R. M. , Vermeeren Annemiek , van Gilst Merel M.
Published: September 2020

Rationale

The mechanisms underlying impaired sleep quality in insomnia are not fully known, but an important role for sleep fragmentation has been proposed.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to explore potential mechanisms of sleep fragmentation influencing alterations of perceived sleep quality.

Methods

We analyzed polysomnography (PSG) recordings from a double-blind crossover study with zopiclone 7.5 mg and placebo, in elderly participants with insomnia complaints and age-matched healthy controls. We compared survival dynamics of sleep and wake across group and treatment. Subsequently, we used a previously proposed model to estimate the amount of sleep onset latency (SOL) misperception from PSG-defined sleep fragmentation. Self-reported and model-estimated amount of SOL misperception were compared across group and treatment, as well as model prediction errors.

Results

In the zopiclone night, the average segment length of NREM sleep was increased (group F = 1.16, p = 0.32; treatment F = 8.89, p< 0.01; group x treatment F = 0.44, p = 0.65), while the segment length of wake was decreased (group F = 1.48, p = 0.23; treatment F = 11.49, p< 0.01; group x treatment F = 0.36, p = 0.70). The self-reported and model-estimated amount of SOL misperception were lower during the zopiclone night (self-reported group F = 6.08, p< 0.01, treatment F = 10.8, p< 0.01, group x treatment F = 2.49, p = 0.09; model-estimated F = 1.70, p = 0.19, treatment F = 16.1, p< 0.001, group x treatment F = 0.60, p = 0.55). The prediction error was not altered (group F = 1.62, p = 0.20; treatment F = 0.20, p = 0.65; group x treatment F = 1.01, p = 0.37).

Conclusions

Impaired subjective sleep quality is associated with decreased NREM stability, together with increased stability of wake. Furthermore, we conclude that zopiclone-induced changes in SOL misperception can be largely attributed to predictable changes of sleep architecture.
Regional surface temperature simulations over the Iberian Peninsula: evaluation and climate projections
Authors: Garrido J. L. , González-Rouco J. F. , Vivanco M. G. , Navarro J.
Published: September 2020

The realism of a specific configuration of the WRF Regional Climate Model (RCM) to represent the observed temperature evolution over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) in the 1971–2005 period has been analyzed. The E-OBS observational dataset was used for this purpose. Also, the $$\textit{added value}$$

added value

of the WRF simulations with respect to the IPSL Earth System Model (ESM) used to drive the WRF RCM was evaluated. In general, WRF presents lower temperatures than in the observations (negative biases) over the IP. These biases are comparatively larger than those of the driving ESM. Once the biases are corrected, WRF provides an added value in terms of a higher spatial representation. WRF introduces more variability in some regions in comparison to gridded observation. Warming trends according to the observations are also well represented by the RCM. In the second part of this study, the projections of future climate performed with both the ESM and the RCM were evaluated for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios during the 21st century. Although both models simulate temperature increases, the RCM simulates a smaller warming than the ESM after the mid-21st century, except for winter. Using the WRF model, the maximum temperature increase reaches $$6\, ^\circ \hbox {C}$$

6

∘

C

and $$3\, ^\circ \hbox {C}$$

3

∘

C

for RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 in the south east of the Iberian Peninsula by the end of the 21st century, respectively.
The value of CT imaging and CRP quotient for detection of postbariatric complications
Authors: Duprée Anna , de Heer Jocelyn , Tichby Michel , Ghadban Tarik , Mann Oliver , Grupp K. , Pinnschmidt Hans O. , Izbicki Jakob R. , Wolter Stefan
Published: September 2020

Background

The diagnosis of major complications seems to be more challenging in obese patients. We aimed to show the relevance of routinely assessed clinical and paraclinical parameters as well as the relevance of CT scans in the diagnosis of major complications after bariatric procedures.

Methods

All patients who underwent operations (primary or revisional) in a 3-year period were retrospectively studied after bariatric surgery with a specific focus on the routinely assessed clinical parameters (tachycardia, temperature), paraclinical parameters on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3 (C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocytes), and additional computed tomography (CT) scan results for the diagnosis of leakage, bleeding, intraabdominal abscess, superficial abscess, and other complications.

Results

A total of 587 patients were examined. In this cohort, 73 CT scans were performed due to suspected intraabdominal or pulmonary complication according to our hospital standard operating procedure. In total, 14 patients (2.4%) had a major complication (Clavien-Dindo grade IV/V). Of those, 10 patients (1.7%) had postoperative leakage. While the correct leakage diagnosis was only found in 33% of the patients by CT scan, the overall specificity of CT as a diagnostic tool for all kinds of complications remained high. Especially for abscess detection, CT scan showed a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Multivariate analysis showed a significantly higher risk of leakage development characterized by a doubling of postoperative CRP level (odds ratio 4.84 (95% confidence interval 2.01–11.66, p < 0.001)). To simplify the use of CRP as a predictive factor for the diagnosis of leakage, a cut-off value of 2.4 was determined for the CRP quotient (POD3/POD1) with a sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.89.

Conclusion

CT diagnostic after bariatric surgery has a high positive predictive value, especially for intraabdominal abscess formation. Nevertheless, CT scan for the diagnosis of leakage has a low sensitivity. Thus, a negative CT scan does not exclude the presence of a leakage. Using the described CRP quotient with a cut-off of 2.4, the risk of early leakage can be easily estimated. Furthermore, in any uncertain case of clinically suspected leakage, diagnostic laparoscopy should be performed.
The effect of climate change on laying dates, clutch size and productivity of Eurasian Coots Fulica atra
Authors: Halupka Lucyna , Czyż Beata , Macias Dominguez Carlos Moises
Published: September 2020

Climate change is affecting many living organisms; however, the responses of many of them remain unknown. In this paper, we present the results regarding the response of a bird species from the rallid family to the increased temperatures during the breeding season. We analysed the breeding data of Eurasian Coots nesting during 30 seasons between 1972 and 2019. During the study period, mean temperatures in April, the month when Coots start nesting, increased by 3.5 °C, and in months corresponding with the species breeding season by 2.6 °C. Breeding Coots advanced their earliest and median laying dates across the study period; however, the duration of their breeding season remained unchanged. We did not detect any significant temporal changes in clutch size, but clutches have become much more variable in size throughout the study period. Nest failures and production of offspring per nest did not change over the study period; however, the production of young per successful nest significantly declined. It is likely that this decline is the effect of mismatch between the period of food abundance (dipterans collected from water), and hatchling emergence, which is advanced due to change in climate. Future studies investigating the occurrence of dipteran resources at water bodies are needed to test this hypothesis.