bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laboratory testing and numerical simulation of properties and thermal-induced cracking of Eibenstock granite at elevated temperatures
Authors: Wang Fei , Konietzky Heinz , Frühwirt Thomas , Dai Yajie
Published: February 2020

The knowledge about thermo-mechanical properties of granite is still limited to some extent. Individual measurements are necessary to obtain reliable properties for specific granite types. A reliable numerical model of thermal cracking behaviours of granite exposed to extreme high temperatures (e.g. 800–1000 °C) is missing. In this study, the impact of temperature up to 1000 °C on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties as well as thermo-mechanical coupled behaviour of Eibenstock granite was investigated by laboratory testing and numerical simulations. The physical properties including mineral composition, density, P-wave velocity, and open porosity are measured to be temperature dependent. Uniaxial compression and Brazilian tests were carried out to measure uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Young’s modulus, stress–strain relationship, and tensile strength of Eibenstock granite before and after thermal treatment, respectively. Thermal properties including specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and linear thermal expansion coefficient are also measured and found to be temperature dependent, especially the expansion coefficient which shows a steep increase around 573 °C as well as at 870 °C. The numerical simulation code FLAC3Dwas used to develop a numerical scheme to simulate the thermal-induced damage of granite at high temperatures. Statistical methods combined with real mineral composition were used to characterize the heterogeneity of granite. The numerical model is featured with reliable temperature-dependent parameters obtained from laboratory tests. It can well reproduce the laboratory results in form of thermal-induced micro- and macrocracks, as well as the stress–strain behaviour and the final failure pattern of Eibenstock granite after elevated temperatures up to 1000 °C. The simulation results also reveal that the thermal-induced microcracks are randomly distributed across the whole sample. Although most thermal-induced damages are tensile failures, shear failure begins to develop quickly after 500 °C. The obvious UCS reduction in granite due to heating is mainly caused by the increase in shear failure. The simulation also shows that the dominant impact ofα–βquartz transition is widening pre-existing cracks rather than the formation of new microcracks.
Effective design of massive open online courses for mathematics teachers to support their professional learning
Authors: Hollebrands Karen F. , Lee Hollylynne S.
Published: February 2020

Three MOOCs for Educators (MOOC-Eds) were designed for mathematics and statistics teachers based on principles of effective online professional development that include: self-directed learning, learning from multiple voices, job-connected learning, and peer-supported learning (Kleiman et al., in: Kim (ed) Massive Open Online Courses: the MOOC Revolution, Routledge, New York, 2015). We examined how these design principles were enacted in the development of the MOOC-Eds and how they influenced the engagement of 5767 participants. We also analyzed opportunities the MOOC-Eds provided for participants to develop their knowledge of, beliefs about, and attitudes towards teaching mathematics and statistics. The Interconnected Model of Professional Growth (Clarke and Hollingsworth in Teach Teach Educ 18(8):947–967, 2002) was used to guide analysis of click data, discussion forum posts, and interviews to consider the ways in which elements of the external domain influenced the personal domain of participants. Evidence is presented to illustrate the enactment of design principles and their effects.
Investigating UK consumers’ heterogeneous engagement in demand-side response
Authors: Li Pei-Hao , Keppo Ilkka , Xenitidou Maria , Kamargianni Maria
Published: February 2020

Demand-side response (DSR), the incentivised time-shifting of energy use by consumers away from peak times, is regarded as a potentially effective measure to balance electricity supply and demand. This will be even more important in the low-carbon energy system of the future, with a high share of non-dispatchable power, such as variable renewable energy and nuclear power. Most DSR programmes require consumers’ active engagement in shifting end-use activities. Previous studies have, however, rarely revealed socio-demographic factors influential for consumers’ willingness-to-shift specific end-use activities. This study thus aims to fill this research gap and, using a multinomial logistic model to analyse a nationwide survey, identify factors influential for DSR-related decisions. The nationwide survey for 1004 respondents was carried out to collect data about consumers’ willingness-to-shift their daily activities. We focused on the activities that constitute the major part of domestic energy consumption, i.e. cooking, dish-washing, entertainment, heating, laundry and showering. According to the results, consumers’ original timing of the end-use activities, socio-demographic factors, ownership of specific appliances and level of concern for energy-saving are influential for their willingness-to-shift activities. These findings can not only help policymakers make more targeted DSR promotion plans but also help to improve broader modelling tools to better consider consumers’ willingness-to-shift their demand.
Tephritidae fruit fly gut microbiome diversity, function and potential for applications
Authors: Raza Muhammad Fahim , Yao Zhichao , Bai Shuai , Cai Zhaohui , Zhang Hongyu
Published: February 2020

The family Tephritidae (order: Diptera), commonly known as fruit flies, comprises a widely distributed group of agricultural pests. The tephritid pests infest multiple species of fruits and vegetables, resulting in huge crop losses. Here, we summarize the composition and diversity of tephritid gut-associated bacteria communities and host intrinsic and environmental factors that influence the microbiome structures. Diverse members of Enterobacteriaceae, most commonly Klebsiella and Enterobacter bacteria, are prevalent in fruit flies guts. Roles played by gut bacteria in host nutrition, development, physiology and resistance to insecticides and pathogens are also addressed. This review provides an overview of fruit fly microbiome structure and points to diverse roles that it can play in fly physiology and survival. It also considers potential use of this knowledge for the control of economically important fruit flies, including the sterile insect technique and cue-lure baiting.
Multiplicity, Audibility, and Musical Continuity
Authors: ALWARD PETER
Published: February 2020

Musical works are both multiple — they have a plurality of instances — and audible — they can be heard by listening to their instances. Two prominent approaches to musical ontology designed to explain these features of musical works are the type-token model and the continuant-stage model. Julian Dodd has argued that the type-token model has an advantage over the continuant-stage model because it can offer a direct explanation of the audibility of musical works in terms of their ontological category. In this paper, I defend the continuant-stage model against Dodd's argument by invoking a work-unifying continuity relation.
THE MEXICAN EXPEDITION OF 1862–1867 AND THE END OF THE FRENCH SECOND EMPIRE
Authors: GREENFIELD JEROME
Published: February 2020

The French expedition to Mexico from 1862 to 1867 rarely features in accounts of the origins of the Franco-Prussian War or of the liberalization of the French Second Empire in its final years. By contrast, this article uses a range of archival and published sources to argue that the failure of the Mexican expedition was an important factor in the crisis that convulsed French politics in the late 1860s. The legitimacy of the fiscal-military system was undermined, partly because of the burdens that the expedition imposed on the French people. There resulted difficulties over finance and the army, which hindered the Second Empire's ability to confront the Prussian threat and accelerated the emergence of the ‘Liberal Empire’ with the constitutional reforms of 1867–70. Liberalization, though, could not rescue the imperial regime, and the legitimacy crisis of the Second Empire was only resolved by a transition to a parliamentary democracy under the Third Republic.
US Topographics: Imaging National Landscapes
Authors: BLINDER CAROLINE , LLOYD CHRISTOPHER
Published: February 2020

In 1975, the New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-Altered Landscape exhibition, organized by William Jenkins, at George Eastman House, changed the scope and aesthetics of American landscape photography. Ostensibly pared-back and banal, these black-and-white images formally presented the United States as a series of streets, suburban new builds, industrial sites and warehouses. None bigger than eleven inches by four or thirteen by thirteen, the photographs were also small and unassuming, refusing the grandness and potential sublimity of previous evocations of the US landscape. Rather than present the United States as a series of locations marked by regional and economic differences, photographers such as Robert Adams, Frank Gohlke, Lewis Baltz and Bernd and Hilla Becher now focussed on an increasing homogeneity across terrains, terrains often indeterminable in terms of actual locations, and, more often than not, eerily devoid of human presence. In Neil Campbell's words, the images were “unemotional, flat and appeared everyday, aspiring to ‘neutrality’ with a ‘disembodied eye.’” The New Topographics – according to such readings – differed from earlier depictions of the United States, moving away from the documentary focus on agrarian poverty and urban slums as seen during the Depression, as well as the humanist vision of postwar photographers such as Robert Frank. As William Jenkins put it in the original introduction to the exhibition, New Topographics was a study more “anthropological than critical,” one that would recentre everyday lived experience – not as a collection of individualized narratives, but as a cultural landscape marked by commercial interests above all.
Minimally invasive surgery under local anaesthesia for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: our experience in older adults
Authors: Casale M , Costantino A , Sabatino L , Luchena A , Moffa A , Cassano M , Rinaldi V , Baptista P M
Published: February 2020

Objective

This paper aims to report our experience with a minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, performed in a day-surgery setting under local anaesthesia.

Methods

A retrospective study of 30 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps was conducted. Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 and modified Lund–Kennedy scores were collected. Intra- and post-operative pain was evaluated using a 10-point visual analogue scale.

Results

The mean Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 score decreased from 41.8 ± 15.8 pre-operatively to 13.3 ± 9.5 post-operatively (p < 0.001). Accordingly, the mean endoscopic score decreased from 6.8 ± 1.8 to 0.2 ± 0.7 (p < 0.001). The mean intra-operative pain score was 2.9 ± 3.2, and 29 patients (96.7 per cent) reported no pain in the post-operative period (visual analogue scale score = 0).

Conclusion

Our study confirms that minimally invasive surgery represents a safe, repeatable procedure that results in remarkable subjective and objective improvement, without intra- and post-operative pain or discomfort.
The effects of job characteristics on retirement
Authors: Hudomiet Péter , Hurd Michael D. , Parker Andrew M. , Rohwedder Susann
Published: February 2020

Along with data about actual, desired, and anticipated job characteristics, this paper uses a novel data element, the subjective conditional probability of working at age 70, to estimate the causal effects of job characteristics on retirement in the United States. Having flexible work hours is the most consistent predictor of retirement preferences and expectations: if all current workers had flexible hours, the fraction working at age 70 would be 0.322, but it would be just 0.172 if none had this option. Job stress, physical, and cognitive job demands, the option to telecommute, and commuting times were additional predictors of retirement expectations.
Assessment of Model Drifts in Seasonal Forecasting: Sensitivity to Ensemble Size and Implications for Bias Correction
Authors: Manzanas Rodrigo
Published: February 2020

Despite its systematic presence in state‐of‐the‐art seasonal forecasts, the model drift (leadtime‐dependent bias) has been seldom studied to date. To fill this gap, this work analyzes its spatiotemporal distribution, and its sensitivity to the ensemble size in temperature and precipitation forecasts. Our results indicate that model continues to drift well beyond the first month after initialization, leading to significant, highly space‐ and time‐varying drifts over vast regions of the world. Nevertheless, small ensembles (less than 10 members) are enough to robustly estimate the mean model drift and its year‐to‐year fluctuations in skillful regions. Differently, in regions of low model skill, larger ensembles are required to appropriately characterize this interannual variability, which is often larger than the drift itself. This points out a necessity to develop new strategies that allow for efficiently dealing with model drift, especially when bias correcting seasonal forecasts—most of the techniques used to this aim rely on the assumption of stationary model errors. We demonstrate here that the use of moving windows can help to remove not only the mean forecast bias but also the unwanted effects coming out from the drift, which can lead to important intraseasonal biases if it is not properly taken into account. The results from this work can help to identify the nature and causes of some of the systematic errors in current coupled models and can have large implications for a wide community of users who need long, continuous unbiased seasonal forecasts to run their impact models.
Alternate approach to stroke phenotyping identifies a genetic risk locus for small vessel stroke
Authors: von Berg Joanna , van der Laan Sander W. , McArdle Patrick F. , Malik Rainer , Kittner Steven J. , Mitchell Braxton D. , Worrall Bradford B. , de Ridder Jeroen , Pulit Sara L.
Published: February 2020

Ischemic stroke (IS), caused by obstruction of cerebral blood flow, is one of the leading causes of death. While neurologists agree on delineation of IS into three subtypes (cardioembolic stroke (CES), large artery stroke (LAS), and small vessel stroke (SVS)), several subtyping systems exist. The most commonly used systems are TOAST (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment) and CCS (Causative Classification System for Stroke), but agreement is only moderate. We have compared two approaches to combining the existing subtyping systems for a phenotype suited for a genome-wide association study (GWAS). We used the NINDS Stroke Genetics Network dataset (SiGN, 11,477 cases with CCS and TOAST subtypes and 28,026 controls). We defined two new phenotypes: the intersect, for which an individual must be assigned the same subtype by CCS and TOAST; and the union, for which an individual must be assigned a subtype by either CCS or TOAST. The union yields the largest sample size while the intersect yields a phenotype with less potential misclassification. We performed GWAS for all subtypes, using the original subtyping systems, the intersect, and the union as phenotypes. In each subtype, heritability was higher for the intersect compared with the other phenotypes. We observed stronger effects at known IS variants with the intersect compared with the other phenotypes. With the intersect, we identify rs10029218:G>A as an associated variant with SVS. We conclude that this approach increases the likelihood to detect genetic associations in ischemic stroke.
Disease Classification in Eggplant Using Pre-trained VGG16 and MSVM
Authors: Krishnaswamy Rangarajan Aravind , Purushothaman Raja
Published: February 2020

Currently, the application of deep learning in crop disease classification is one of the active areas of research for which an image dataset is required. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is one of the important crops, but it is susceptible to serious diseases which hinder its production. Surprisingly, so far no dataset is available for the diseases in this crop. The unavailability of the dataset for these diseases motivated the authors to create a standard dataset in laboratory and field conditions for five major diseases. Pre-trained Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG16) architecture has been used and the images have been converted to other color spaces namely Hue Saturation Value (HSV), YCbCr and grayscale for evaluation. Results show that the dataset created with RGB and YCbCr images in field condition was promising with a classification accuracy of 99.4%. The dataset also has been evaluated with other popular architectures and compared. In addition, VGG16 has been used as feature extractor from 8th convolution layer and these features have been used for classifying diseases employing Multi-Class Support Vector Machine (MSVM). The analysis depicted an equivalent or in some cases produced better accuracy. Possible reasons for variation in interclass accuracy and future direction have been discussed.
Return to work and clinical outcome after surgical treatment and conservative management of patients with intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma
Authors: Behmanesh Bedjan , Gessler Florian , Won Sae-Yeon , Dubinski Daniel , Quick-Weller Johanna , Imoehl Lioba , Seifert Volker , Marquardt Gerhard
Published: February 2020

The ability to return to work after treatment of diseases is an important issue. Aim of this study is to compare surgery and conservative management focusing on clinical outcome and ability to return to work in patients with intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma. Retrospective, single center study. The neurological status at first presentation, as well as in long-term follow-up, were assessed using the modified McCormick Disability Scale and modified Rankin Scale. The study population consisted of 56 patients, 23 (41%) were managed conservatively and 33 (59%) underwent microsurgical resection. The median age was 47.5 years in the conservative group and 44.5 in the surgical group. At first admission 18 of conservatively treated and 28 of surgically treated patients were employed, p = 0.7. At the last follow-up 15 (83%) of conservatively and 10 (36%) of surgically treated patients returned to work, p = 0.002. The median modified McCormick score in both groups (conservative vs. surgical) was at admission 1 vs. 1, p = 1.0 and at last follow up 1 vs. 2.5, p = 0.001. Patients clinical outcome in the surgical group was significantly reduced at last follow up as assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRs score of 0–2) at admission 100% vs. 100% and last follow-up 94% vs. 57%, p = 0.007. In our investigated study population, conservatively managed patients revealed a significantly better outcome and were more often able to return to work.
Noninvasive blood glucose detection using a quantum cascade laser
Authors: Rassel Shazzad , Xu Chao , Zhang Steven , Ban Dayan
Published: February 2020

The contribution of QCL in detecting blood glucose levels noninvasively by midinfrared and photoacoustic spectroscopy.
Host–guest recognition coupled with triple signal amplification endows an electrochemiluminescent biosensor with enhanced sensitivity
Authors: Zhao Min-hui , Cui Lin , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: February 2020

Host–guest recognition coupled with triple signal amplification endows an electrochemiluminescent biosensor with enhanced sensitivity for uracil DNA glycosylase assay.
Theory meets experiment for elucidating the structure and stability of non-covalent complexes: water–amine interaction as a proof of concept
Authors: Chen Junhua , Zheng Yang , Melli Alessio , Spada Lorenzo , Lu Tao , Feng Gang , Gou Qian , Barone Vincenzo , Puzzarini Cristina
Published: February 2020

A joint experimental-theoretical spectroscopic investigation has focused on a better understanding of the nature of weak, non-covalent interactions in amine-water model systems.
Wide-field, high-resolution lensless on-chip microscopy via near-field blind ptychographic modulation
Authors: Jiang Shaowei , Zhu Jiakai , Song Pengming , Guo Chengfei , Bian Zichao , Wang Ruihai , Huang Yikun , Wang Shiyao , Zhang He , Zheng Guoan
Published: February 2020

We report a novel lensless on-chip microscopy platform based on near-field blind ptychographic modulation.
All-electrochemical synthesis of a three-dimensional mesoporous polymeric g-C3N4/PANI/CdO nanocomposite and its application as a novel sensor for the simultaneous determination of epinephrine, paracetamol, mefenamic acid, and ciprofloxacin
Authors: Bonyadi S. , Ghanbari Kh. , Ghiasi M.
Published: February 2020

mpg-C3N4/PANI/CdO nanocomposite was electrochemically synthesized and used for simultaneous determination of EPI, PAR, MFA, and CIP. Also, HOMO and LUMO eigenvalues of the EPI, PAR, MFA and CIP molecules have been evaluated using the DFT method.
Straightening out halogen bonds
Authors: Setter Caitlin J. , Whittaker Jacob J. , Brock Aidan J. , Athukorala Arachchige Kasun S. , McMurtrie John C. , Clegg Jack K. , Pfrunder Michael C.
Published: February 2020

A new parameter is proposed to quantify the linearity of halogen bonds.
Identification of prognostic significance of BIRC5 in breast cancer using integrative bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Dai Jian-bo , Zhu Bei , Lin Wei-jia , Gao Hai-yan , Dai Hong , Zheng Lin , Shi Wei-hai , Chen Wei-xian
Published: February 2020

Aims: Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) plays vital roles in carcinogenesis by influencing cell division and proliferation and by inhibiting apoptosis. However, the prognostic significance of BIRC5 remains unclear in breast cancer.

Methods: BIRC5 expression and methylation status were evaluated using the Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The relevance between BIRC5 and different clinicopathological features as well as survival information was analyzed using the bc-GenExMiner database and Kaplan–Meier Plotter. BIRC5–drug interaction network was obtained using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database.

Results: Based on the results from databases and own hospital data, BIRC5 was higher expressed in different breast cancer subtypes compared with the matched normal individuals. Hormone receptors were negatively correlated with BIRC5 expression, whereas the Scarff–Bloom–Richardson (SBR) grade, Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) status, basal-like status, and triple-negative status were positively related to BIRC5 level in breast cancer samples with respect to normal tissues. High BIRC5 expression was responsible for shorter relapse-free survival, worse overall survival, reduced distant metastasis free survival, and increased risk of metastatic relapse event. BIRC5–drug interaction network indicated that several common drugs could modulate BIRC5 expression. Furthermore, a positive correlation between BIRC5 andcell-division cycle protein 20 (CDC20) gene was confirmed.

Conclusion: BIRC5 may be adopted as a promising predictive marker and potential therapeutic target in breast cancer. Further large-scale studies are needed to more precisely confirm the value of BIRC5 in treatment of breast cancer.
Clinical Practice Recommendations for Improving Life Participation for People With Aphasia in Long-Term Care
Authors: Azios Jamie H. , Damico Jack S.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this clinical focus article is to present an overview of the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia as it relates to issues in long-term care (LTC) and provide practical recommendations for implementing the approach in this setting. The Framework for Living With Aphasia is used as a guide to (a) highlight specific challenges to life participation for residents with aphasia in LTC and (b) propose clinical tools that might help clinicians move through the therapeutic process when implementing the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia.

Recommendations

Clinicians in LTC facilities have the responsibility of delivering services that have a positive impact on communication, social relationships, emotional health, and quality of life. Clinical tools and approaches most appropriate for LTC settings are identified that help to address these goals. Approaches are discussed across several stages representing the therapeutic process, which is ultimately aimed at moving a resident toward recovery and increased independence. Case demonstrations are provided to illustrate approaches.
Assessing the viability of silicate nanoclusters as carriers of the anomalous microwave emission: a quantum mechanical study
Authors: Escatllar A. Macià , Bromley S. T.
Published: February 2020

Nanosized silicate dust is likely to be abundant in many astronomical environments and it is a prime candidate for being the source of the anomalous microwave emission (AME). To assess the viability of silicate nanoclusters as AME carriers, their detailed properties need to be established. Using quantum chemical calculations, we compute the accurate chemical and electronic structures of three families of nanoclusters with astrophysically relevant compositions: Mg-rich olivine (Mg2SiO4)N, Mg-rich pyroxene (MgSiO3)N, and silicon monoxide (SiO)N, all in the ≤1 nm diameter size regime and for neutral and ± 1 charge states. From these fundamental data, we directly derive the shapes, ionization potentials, electron affinities, and dipole moments of all nanoclusters. The aspect ratio of the nanoclusters fluctuates significantly with N for small sizes, but especially for the olivine and pyroxene nanoclusters, it tends to stabilize towards ~1.3 for the largest sizes considered. These latter two nanocluster families tend to have mass distributions consistent with approximately prolate ellipsoidal shapes. Our calculations reveal that the dipole moment of all our nanoclusters can be substantially affected by changes in chemical structure (i.e. different isomers for a fixed N), ionisation, and substitution of Mg by Fe. Although all these factors are important, the dipole moments of our Mg-rich nanoclusters are always found to be large enough to account for the observed AME. However, (SiO)N nanoclusters are only likely to be potential AME contributors when they are both charged and their chemical structures are anisotropically segregated. We also model the emissivity per H of a representative (Mg2SiO4)3 nanocluster by directly calculating the quantum mechanical rotational energy levels and assuming a distribution of occupied levels in accordance with equilibrium Boltzmann statistics. We compare our bottom-up results with previously published classical models and show that a population of silicate nanoclusters containing only 1% of the total Si budget can reproduce the AME emissivity.
Iterative Learning Control Combination with Adaptive Sliding Mode Technique for a Hypersonic Vehicle
Authors: Lu Xiaodong , Zhang Hao , Guo Jianguo , Zhou Jun
Published: February 2020

Aiming at the complicated nonlinearities, high uncertainties and strong coupling of hypersonic vehicle, a new adaptive iterative learning control method is put forward. The proposed controller combined iterative learning control with sliding mode control. Firstly, a nonlinear design model for the attitude control is established according to the attitude motion equations of hypersonic vehicle. With regard to a class of nonlinear system, a new iterative learning control combination with sliding mode control is proposed and then applied to the nonlinear design model. Finally, Lyapunov-like function method is used to prove the boundedness of all signals of the closed-loop system and the convergence of the tracking errors to zero over iterations. Simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control scheme compared with traditional sliding mode control. Furthermore, it also possesses stronger robustness against uncertainties and disturbances.
Untersuchung des Dickdarm-Mikrobioms in der klinischen Forschung
Authors: Hiergeist Andreas , Manook André , Gessner André , Rupprecht Rainer , Baghai Thomas C.
Published: February 2020

Gegenstand und Ziel: Analysen des Dickdarm-Mikrobioms sind ein international zunehmend intensiver untersuchter Forschungsschwerpunkt. Die zahlreichen Schwierigkeiten solcher Studien sind oft nicht bekannt, worauf hier vermehrt aufmerksam gemacht werden soll. Antidepressiva und Antibiotika zeigen teils ähnliche Wirkmechanismen, weshalb erneut psychiatrische Indikationen für Antibiotika geprüft werden. Vor diesem Hintergrund zeigen wir Daten einer Feldbeobachtung an der Universität Regensburg.

Material und Methoden: 179 Teilnehmer spendeten eine Stuhlprobe und füllten das Regensburg Microbiome Questionnaire (ReMBiQ) aus. Das bakterielle Mikrobiom aller Stuhlproben wurde mittels 16S-rRNA-Hochdurchsatz-Sequenzierung analysiert. Anhand des ReMBiQ wurde eine Subkohorte ausgewählt: Zu einer Teilnehmerin mit seit 18 Monaten behandelter MDR-Tuberkulose wurden 4 gesunde Kontrollen anhand zahlreicher und für das Dickdarm-Mikrobiom relevanter Kriterien ausgewählt.

Ergebnisse: Mikrobiomtypische Parameter wie Alpha- und Beta-Diversität grenzten die Teilnehmerinnen innerhalb der Subkohorte klar voneinander ab. Hierbei half auch die Messung absoluter Bakterienmengen mittels spike-in-based calibration to total microbial load (SCML). Insgesamt fiel im Vergleich insbesondere eine deutliche Zunahme der Gattung Bacteroides auf, die mit 94,5 % dominierte.

Schlussfolgerungen: Unterschiedliche Ergebnisse bei gleichen oder ähnlichen, starken Eingriffen im Dickdarm, verdeutlichen die Notwendigkeit strenger methodischer Standards. Dies gilt insbesondere für die Beobachtung vergleichsweise kleiner Effektgrößen in den Neurowissenschaften.

Klinische Relevanz: Die neurowissenschaftliche Bewertung des Dickdarm-Mikrobioms unter kombiniert antidepressiv-antimikrobieller Therapie wird wichtige Hinweise auf die Wirksamkeit neuer Therapieformen liefern.
Workload Intensity and Rest Periods in Professional Ballet:
Connotations for Injury
Authors: Kozai Andrea C. , Twitchett Emily , Morgan Sian , Wyon Matthew Alexander
Published: February 2020

Fatigue and overwork have been cited as the main cause of injury with the dance
profession. Previous research has shown a difference in workload between
professional dancers of different rank, but the role of sex has not been
examined. The purpose of this study was to determine workload intensity, rest,
and sleep profiles of professional ballet dancers. 48 professional ballet
dancers (M=25, F=23) took part in an observational design over
7–14 days using triaxial accelerometer devices. Minutes in METS at
different intensities, total time asleep and rest breaks were analysed.
Significant main effects for rank (p<0.001) and rank by sex
(p=0.003) for total PA, working day activity, post work activity and
sleep. Sleep ranged between 2.4–9.6 h per night. All
participants spent more time between 1.5–3 METS outside of work.
Significant amounts of exercise where carried out outside of their work day,
therefore when injury is reported per 1000 h dance activity, this
extra-curricular activity might need to be included. When looking at potential
causes of injury in dance, a global perspective of physical activity is required
that includes activity outside of work and sleep patterns, all activities that
influence physiological recovery.
Updates on the Management of Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Araque Katherine A. , Gubbi Sriram , Klubo-Gwiezdzinska Joanna
Published: February 2020

The diagnostic modalities, stratification tools, and treatment options for
patients with thyroid cancer have rapidly evolved since the development of
the American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in 2015. This review
compiles newer concepts in diagnosis, stratification tools and treatment
options for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), medullary
thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Newer
developments apply precision medicine in thyroid cancer patients to avoid
over-treatment in low risk disease and under-treatment in high risk disease.
Among novel patient-tailored therapies are selective RET inhibitors that
have shown efficacy in the treatment of MTC with limited systemic toxicity
compared with non-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The combination of
BRAF and MEK inhibitors have revolutionized management of BRAF V600E
mutant ATC. Several immunotherapeutic agents are being actively investigated
in the treatment of all forms of thyroid cancer. In this review, we describe
the recent advances in the diagnosis and management of DTC, MTC, and ATC,
with an emphasis on novel treatment modalities.
The Influence of Thyroid Hormones on Brain Structure and Function in
Humans
Authors: Göbel Anna , Göttlich Martin , Reinwald Jonathan , Rogge Berenike , Uter Jan-Christoph , Heldmann Marcus , Sartorius Alexander , Brabant Georg , Münte Thomas F.
Published: February 2020

The pleiotropic function of thyroid hormones (TH) is mediated by an organ
specific expression of thyroid hormone transporters, deiodinases and TH
receptors. In a series of studies we used the model of an experimentally induced
hyper- or hypothyroidism in human volunteers to delineate TH action on the
brain. A battery of neuropsychological testing paradigms was employed and
complemented by structural and functional multimodal neuroimaging.
Experimentally induced mild thyrotoxicosis for 6 weeks was associated with
changes in brain structure (determined with voxel-based morphometry), resting
state functional connectivity, and task-related functional activation in a
working memory paradigm. Partial withdrawal of TH replacement in patients
without thyroid (subclinical hypothyroidism) likewise lead to changes on
multiple functional and structural brain measures. Importantly, the series of
studies reviewed here identified the cerebellum as one crucial site of
action.
Current Trends in Operative Treatment of Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Osteoarthritis: A Survey among European Hand Surgeons
Authors: Berkhout Merel J.-L. , Yin Qiqi , Ritt Marco J. P. F.
Published: February 2020

Objective Based on the available evidence, the optimal surgical treatment for isolated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid oarthritis (STT OA) remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the prevailing surgical practice for isolated STT OA among European hand surgeons. We hypothesized that a considerable variance exists in the current surgical practice among hand surgeons in Europe.

Methods An online survey was distributed to 20 participating member states of the Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH). Respondents were questioned on their country of practice, surgical experience, preferred surgical procedure, frequency of performing this procedure, factors in decision-making, and other performed surgical procedures.

Results Four hundred and sixty-five responses were received with an estimated response rate of 19%. Trapeziectomy with partial trapezoidal excision was the surgical treatment of choice among the participating hand surgeons in Europe (38%), followed by STT joint fusion (30%), and distal scaphoid excision (14%).

Conclusion This survey provides an insight into the surgical management of isolated STT OA among hand surgeons in Europe. A wide variety of preferred treatment techniques were found. Evidence concerning the optimal surgical treatment has not been established. Future prospective randomized studies comparing different techniques are warranted.
The three-dimensional weakly nonlinear Rayleigh–Taylor instability in spherical geometry
Authors: Zhang J. , Wang L. F. , Wu J. F. , Ye W. H. , Zou S. Y. , Ding Y. K. , Zhang W. Y. , He X. T.
Published: February 2020

The fully three-dimensional Rayleigh–Taylor instability in spherical geometry is investigated in the weakly nonlinear regime. A theoretical model is developed for incompressible fluid and ideal Euler equations. Third-order solutions are derived for interface perturbations of spherical harmonic modes, Yn,m. Interface evolution, fundamental mode growth, the generated spectrum, and bubble growth are determined. It is found that the fastest growing modes satisfy the relation m≃(n+1)/2. The generated spectra demonstrate the feedback of mode coupling, which greatly depends on the azimuthal mode numbers. The growth factors are nearly the same for bubbles at different latitudes and bubbles with initially round cross-sectional perturbation shapes grow faster.
Emerging edge states on the surface of the epitaxial semimetal CuMnAs thin film
Authors: Nguyen Giang D. , Pitike Krishna Chaitanya , Wadley Peter , Cooper Valentino R. , Yoon Mina , Berlijn Tom , Li An-Ping
Published: February 2020

Epitaxial thin films of CuMnAs have recently attracted attention due to their potential to host relativistic antiferromagnetic spintronics and exotic topological physics. Here, we report on the structural and electronic properties of a tetragonal CuMnAs thin film studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT). STM reveals a surface terminated by As atoms, with the expected semi-metallic behavior. An unexpected zigzag step edge surface reconstruction is observed with emerging electronic states below the Fermi energy. DFT calculations indicate that the step edge reconstruction can be attributed to an As deficiency that results in changes in the density of states of the remaining As atoms at the step edge. This understanding of the surface structure and step edges on the CuMnAs thin film will enable in-depth studies of its topological properties and magnetism.
Magnetocaloric effect in Ni–Fe–Mn–Sn microwires with nano-sized γ precipitates
Authors: Zhang Hehe , Zhang Xuexi , Qian Mingfang , Yin Limeng , Wei Longsha , Xing Dawei , Sun Jianfei , Geng Lin
Published: February 2020

Ni45.6Fe3.6Mn38.4Sn12.4 microwires, with nanoscale γ-phase precipitates that enhance the magnetocaloric effects (MCEs) and mechanical properties, were prepared by a melt-extraction technique and subsequent high temperature annealing. The atomic ordering degree significantly increased after annealing, leading to a considerable increment in the structural entropy change (ΔStr) from 4.5 J/kg·K in the as-extracted microwire to 26.6 J/kg·K in the annealed one, and the magnetization difference (ΔM) from 35 A·m2/kg to 51 A·m2/kg under a magnetic field of 5.0 T. Consequently, a positive magnetic entropy change (ΔSM) peak of 15.2 J/kg·K with working temperature span (ΔTFWHM) of 12 K for the first-order martensite transformation followed by a negative ΔSM peak of −4.3 J/kg·K with ΔTFWHM = 50 K for the second-order magnetic transition under μ0ΔH = 5.0 T was achieved. By employing both magnetizing and demagnetizing processes for magnetic cooling, the two successive inverse and conventional MCEs in Ni–Fe–Mn–Sn microwires may show potential applications for micro-devices and systems.
Mid-infrared electroluminescence from type-II In(Ga)Sb quantum dots
Authors: Briggs Andrew F. , Nordin Leland J. , Muhowski Aaron J. , Petluru Priyanka , Silva David , Wasserman Daniel , Bank Seth R.
Published: February 2020

There exists significant interest in the demonstration and development of alternative mid-infrared emitters, with future applications for thermal scene projection, low-cost infrared sensing, and possible long-wavelength quantum communication applications. Type-II In(Ga)Sb quantum dots grown in InAs matrices have the potential to serve as a viable material system for wavelength-flexible, mid-infrared sources. Here, we dramatically expand the range of potential applications of these mid-infrared quantum emitters through the demonstration of surface-emitting electrically pumped mid-infrared light-emitting diodes with active regions utilizing type-II In(Ga)Sb quantum dots. Two device structures were studied, the first iteration being a single In(Ga)Sb insertion layer within a simple PIN structure and the second being a design engineered for improved room temperature emission with the addition of lattice matched AlAsSb cladding at the anode to block electrons and five layers of In(Ga)Sb dots to increase the effective volume of active material. Samples were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and the electrical and optical properties for each design were characterized as a function of temperature.
Numerical simulation and optimization of metallic network for highly efficient transparent conductive films
Authors: Zeng Zijing , Wang Changhong , Gao Jinwei
Published: February 2020

Metallic networks have been regarded as one of the promising indium tin oxide replacements due to its optoelectronic advantages and possible low-cost manufacturing cost. The electrothermal and optical properties of transparent conductive films (TCFs) are closely related to the geometry of the metallic networks. Therefore, the in-depth understanding of the geometry effect is quite important for designing a desirable metallic network TCF. In this paper, we conducted an in-depth theoretical study on the geometry effect on the electrothermal and optical properties of the metallic network TCF by using a coupled electrothermal model. We found that the metallic wire segments in different directions have different current densities and power densities, which mainly depends on the directions of the electric field. Besides, the inner corner of the branch junctions of networks has a current density 14.5 times higher than the average. The maximum temperature difference inside the network is up to 19.6 K. Importantly, the mechanisms for network breakdown under excessive operating power are summarized as thermal assisted electronic migration and excessive temperature. Finally, we proposed several optimized network geometries with a reduced sheet resistance (48.4%) and internal temperature difference (60.1%). We believed that the outcomes and analyses of this work help us to design the transparent metallic networks with optimal performance and potentially applicable to the transparent heaters and smart windows.
Longer-term post-fire succession on Wyoming big sagebrush steppe
Authors: Bates Jonathan D. , Boyd Chad S. , Davies Kirk W.
Published: February 2020

We assessed plant community succession following prescribed fire on ungrazed Wyoming big sagebrush steppe, eastern Oregon. Treatments were burned (Burn; September and October, 2002) and unburned (Control) sagebrush steppe. Herbaceous yield, vegetation canopy cover and density were compared between treatments after fire (2003–18). Herbaceous yield in the Burn treatment was about double the Control for most of the study period. Prior to fire, native perennials comprised 90–95% of herbaceous yield. After fire, native perennials represented 78% (range 67–93%) and exotic annuals 22% (range 7–33%) of total yield. Exotic annuals increased after fire and responded in two stages. In the first 8 years after fire, desert alyssum dominated the annual plant composition. In the last half of the study, cheatgrass co-dominated the annual component with alyssum. Sagebrush recovery was slow and we estimated sagebrush cover would return to pre-burn levels, at the earliest, in 115 years. Burning Wyoming big sagebrush steppe would be detrimental to sagebrush-obligate wildlife for an extended time period, because of lost cover and structure provided by sagebrush. The additional forage provided on burned areas may give livestock manager’s greater flexibility to rest or defer unburned habitat for wildlife species of critical concern.
Harnessing transition waves to realize deployable structures
Authors: Zareei Ahmad , Deng Bolei , Bertoldi Katia
Published: February 2020

Significance

From foldable chairs and umbrellas to tents and solar panels, many structures are capable of quickly changing their shape and therefore, function. The design of these deployable structures poses two main challenges. First, transformation needs to be reliable and autonomous, and second, systems have to be stable and locked in place in the deployed state. Using a combination of experiments and analyses, we demonstrate that bistable linkages and transition waves provide a powerful platform for realizing deployable structures. We first carefully design the bistable joints so that the transition wave propagates through the entire linkage, transforming the initial straight structure into a curved one. Then, we use these elements as building blocks to create deployable three-dimensional structures of arbitrary shape.
Aiming for advanced intelligibility and proficiency using mobile ASR
Authors: Mroz Aurore
Published: February 2020

This experimental study aimed to determine the impact of mobile-based Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) in Gmail
on intelligibility and proficiency, as well as whether any individual factors influenced learning outcomes. It focused on 26
Intermediate learners of French as a foreign language enrolled in two university courses geared towards the development of
advanced oral skills but with different approaches to integrated instruction. It innovatively combined human-based and
machine-based ratings within an ecological paradigm, following Levis’s (2005)
intelligibility principle and Thomson and Derwing’s (2015) call for research that is
readily useful for language instructors. Results show that ASR users significantly outperformed non-ASR users on intelligibility,
particularly when exposed to instruction on spelling-to-sound patterns, and demonstrated the biggest growth in proficiency. Gender
was also found to impact results. Pedagogical implications and venues for future research are offered.
Current interruption performance of ultrahigh-pressure nitrogen arc
Authors: Abid Fahim , Niayesh Kaveh , Espedal Camilla , Støa-Aanensen Nina
Published: February 2020

In this paper, the influence of gas filling pressure on the current interruption performance of different switch configurations with electric arcs burning in nitrogen has been experimentally investigated. A synthetic circuit generating a current of 130 A at 190 Hz is used and the initial rate of rise of recovery voltage just after current zero is varied from 9.8 V/µs to 84.9 V/µs. To evaluate the effect of forced gas flow on current interruption performance, three different test arrangements are investigated: a simple contact configuration with a free-burning arc, a contact and a cylindrical nozzle setup (tube-constricted arc), and finally a self-blast arrangement where the arc is cooled by a gas flow near current zero. In each arrangement, three different filling pressures are mainly studied: 1, 20, and 40 bar, the latter being in the supercritical region. In all cases, the interelectrode gap is fixed at 50 mm. It is observed that the interruption performance deteriorates with increased filling pressure in the absence of forced gas flow. A higher post-arc current is observed for the arcs burning at high filling pressures (i.e. 20 and 40 bar) compared to at atmospheric pressure in cases with no or little forced cooling. On the other hand, a forced gas flow near the current zero reduces the post-arc current and improves the interruption performance also at high filling pressures. Little effect of the supercritical state on the interruption performance of nitrogen is observed. Under the above-mentioned test conditions, the majority of the failures at high filling pressure are observed to be of thermal re-ignition type.