bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of Vermicompost and Biochar as Organic Soil Amendments on Growth and Yield of Brinjal in Red and Laterite Soil of Purulia District of West Bengal
Authors: Mahato B. , Ghosh Chinanshuk , Rahman F. H. , Biswas P. , Mahato D. C.
Published: July 2020

A field experiment was conducted at KVK Kalyan instructional farm at Jahajpur of Purulia district of West Bengal during rabi season of 2018-19 to assess the effect of Biochar and Vermicompost as organic soil amendments on yield of brinjal under red and lateritic soils of Purulia, West Bengal. Biochar and vermicompost applied alone additionally in the farmers practice. The experiment design adopted was Randomised Block Design (RBD) having four replications with three treatments The treatments comprises of T1: Application of N:P:K  70:30:30 kg/ha (Farmers’ practice) + FYM @ 2 t/ha, T2: Farmers practice  + Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha, T3: Farmers practice  + Biochar @ 10 t/ha. The growth and yield attributing characters recorded was plant height at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAT, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, yield per plant and total yield. Application of biochar and vermicompost had a significant effect on the growth and yield of Brinjal. Highest growth yield attributes and highest fruit yield (22.36 t/ha) were obtained due to the application of farmers practice + vermicompost @ 5 t/ha (T2). Application of biochar along with farmers’ practice did not show any significant results in brinjal yield as compare to vermicompost application treatment. The potential for long-term benefits of biochar remain to be explored through continued research in the red laterite soils of Purulia district of West Bengal.
Epidemiological Profile of End-Stage Renal Diseases in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alkhlaif A. A. , Alsuraimi A. K. , Bawazir A. A.
Published: July 2020

Background/Aims: The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) reported (2015) a total of 15,782 dialysis patients in Saudi Arabia. Out of these patients, 14,366 were treated via haemodialysis, whereas the remaining 1,416 underwent peritoneal dialysis.

Aims: This study aimed to assess common factors that led to ESRD among dialysis patients at King Abdullah’s Dialysis Care Project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Settings and Design: Cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted in the period May-September 2017, in King Abdullah’s Dialysis Care Project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods and Materials: This was a retrospective registry-based study using secondary data from the registry at King Abdullah’s Dialysis Care Project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (South Center). Registered male and female adult dialysis patients at this centre were included in this study. Patient medical records including disease state, laboratory profiles, and medical complications were analyzed.

Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS version 22) was used to analyse the data obtained. Various statistical analyses were conducted including means, frequencies, and regression analysis (odds ratio).A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant in the study.

Results: A total of 300 patients (55% males and 45% females) were included in this study. The mean age of the sample was 53 years (±SD 16). The prevalence of overweight and obese ESRD patients were 26% and 30%, respectively. The high frequent co-morbidities among ESRD patients were hypertension (82%) followed by diabetes mellitus (57%). The results showed that out of 90% of dialysis complications, 10% were cases of infection.

Conclusions: ESRD is an important public health problem in Saudi Arabia with alarming in its annual rates. For a better understanding of the aetiology and specific risk factors provoking ESRD in Saudi Arabia, further studies need to be conducted.
Investigation on High Velocity Plasmas and Field Aligned Currents at High Latitudes
Authors: Akhila J. C. K. , Kumar C. P. Anil
Published: July 2020

The interaction of high velocity plasma with Earth’s magnetic field is fundamental and offer many questions on high latitude electrodynamics. The problems associated with influence of electric field and Field Aligned Current (FAC) generation is investigated with the aid of spherical cap harmonic analysis at 830 Mag. Lat. in southern hemispheres. The investigation is done on the cases with different Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) conditions after the earth directed solar events. The helio-plasma parameters viz., density, velocity, energy, electron temperature are also noted during the field aligned current studies. It seems that, due to external magnetic field influence polarization of plasma electric field take place (reorientation of the convective cells). It happens with different orientation as per the magnitude and direction of By and Bz component and the horizontal currents. It is noted that the FAC value also depends on kinetic energy of the plasma streams and conductivity of external loading. As the plasma decelerates by force Jsw X Esw, the resultant current may extend along the field lines. Increases in the FAC density are seemed to be proportional to the transmission function.
Local Government Performance under a Federal System: The Nigerian Experience
Authors: Ukachukwu Chukwuma Chinedu
Published: July 2020

This paper examines the local government practice under the federal system of government in Nigeria. It highlights the performance of local government system in Nigeria as a federal entity. It accounts for the circumstances which underline the performance of the local government system in Nigeria and the impact on its efficiency and effectiveness. The secondary method of collecting data has been adopted in this paper and data collected were subjected to further documentary analysis.  David Easton’s systems theory is employed as the theoretical framework. The findings reveal that because the practice of federalism in Nigeria has failed to take into account the heterogeneous composition of its peoples, it adopted a uniform system of local government which has failed to make impact on the people within their localities. The paper recommends enthronement of genuine and practical democratic federal cultures across the country and a fundamental review of the laws that created the Nigerian local government system with a view to evolving fewer but stronger local governments that are relatively independent, functional and adapted to meet peculiar local needs.
Evaluation of Selective Fungicides and Biocontrol Agents for Suppression of Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight of Maize (Zea mays)
Authors: Venkateswarlu Bolla , Beura Surja Kanta
Published: July 2020

The investigation was carried out for managing leaf and sheath blight of maize (Zea mays L.) by using different fungicides and bio control agents. The bio control agents and fungicides exhibited inhibitory action against the test pathogen under laboratory condition. Field experiment conducted during  kharif  season 2016 revealed that two sprays of  validamycin (0.2%), 30 and 40 days after sowing, gave maximum grain yield (30.0 q/ha) and 100-seed weight (208.0 g) with minimum percentage disease incidence (7%), (severity 1 on 1-5 scale), followed by difenoconazole @ 0.15% and hexaconazole (0.2%) for effective control of BSLB. Use of bio control agents Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens was found as best strategy for BSLB management.
Bio-efficacy of Mineral Oil against Yellow Mite in Dark Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) under Terai Region of West Bengal
Authors: Sarkar Prahlad , Das Srima , Kheroar Shyamal , Kundu Avijit , Barman Swapan Kumar , Mandal Kausik , Mitra Sabyasachi
Published: July 2020

An experiment was conducted during pre-kharif season of 2016 and 2017 to determine the efficacy of relatively cheaper, safer horticultural mineral oil on yellow mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments [T1- mineral oil @ 3 ml/litre at 35 and 50 days after sowing, T2- mineral oil @ 6 ml/litre at 35 and 50 DAS, T3- mineral oil @ 9 ml/litre at 35 and 50 DAS, T4-Neem oil @ 3 ml/litre at 35 and 50 DAS, T5- mineral oil @ 3 ml/litre + neem oil @ 3 ml/litre at 35 and 50 DAS and T6- Control] replicated four times. Two scheduled spraying of each treatment was done on standing jute crop at 15 days interval. The effect of treatments was significant on post treatment mite population recorded after spray for both the cropping season. Among the treatments, T5 was found to be the most effective combination. The post treatment observation during 2016 and 2017 at 7 days after treatment indicated significantly less number of mites i.e. (1.08 and 0.84 mites cm-2) and (0.83 and 0.41 mites cm-2) respectively in the treatment T5. Within the treatments, maximum plant height (216.92 and 206.64 cm) and yield (34.68 and 28.28 q ha-1) were also observed in treatment T5. Considering the effectiveness against mite on jute as well as the environmental safety, mineral oil might be suggested as biorational component of IPM for effective management of yellow mite.
Nurses' livingness about palliative care
Authors: Santos Andrea Moreira dos , Narciso Antonio Carlos , Evangelista Carla Braz , Filgueiras Thaynara Ferreira , Costa Marta Miriam Lopes , Cruz Ronny Anderson de Oliveira
Published: July 2020

Objetivo: analisar a percepção de enfermeiros acerca da sua vivência em cuidados paliativos. Método: estudo descritivo e exploratório com abordagem qualitativa realizado em um hospital de referência em cuidados paliativos. A amostra foi constituída por 12 enfermeiros assistenciais. Para coleta de dados foi realizada uma entrevista com um roteiro semiestruturado composto por duas partes: a primeira abrangendo dados sociodemográficos e a segunda contemplava quatro questões para atender aos objetivos do estudo. Os dados oriundos da entrevista foram transcritos e em seguida avaliados mediante análise de conteúdo que permitiu a construção de três categorias: percepções acerca do que são cuidados paliativos; pontos relevantes a serem considerados para a realização dos cuidados paliativos; e o manejo da dor em cuidados paliativos. Resultados: os enfermeiros destacam que os cuidados paliativos devem contemplar não só a atenção aos pacientes, mas a família, ainda revelando sentimentos e medidas importantes como afeto, carinho e conforto. Conclusão: há um processo de efetivação acerca dos princípios que permeiam esse tipo de cuidado e cabe salientar que é um serviço novo que está em processo de formação e capacitação contínuo, o que tem contribuído para os resultados.
Syndrome of frailty and the use of assistive technologies in elderly
Authors: Grden Cloris Regina Blanski , Sousa Jacy Aurélia Vieira de , Cabral Luciane Patricia Andreani , Reche Péricles Martim , Bordin Danielle , Borges Pollyanna Kássia de Oliveira
Published: July 2020

Objetivo: analisar a associação entre a síndrome da fragilidade e o uso de tecnologias assistivas em idosos de um ambulatório. Método: pesquisa transversal, com 374 idosos, entre fevereiro de 2016 a fevereiro de 2017. A coleta de dados contemplou instrumento estruturado e Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton. Para análise utilizou-se o Stata®12, verificou-se a associação por meio dos testes F de Fisher e t de Student (p≤0,05). Resultados: predomínio de mulheres (67,4%), média de idade de 67,9 anos, casados (56,4%), baixa escolaridade (55,1%). Dos participantes, 4,5% utilizavam bengala, 1,3% muleta e 0,3% andador, 29,4% faziam uso de lentes corretivas, 40,1% dos idosos apresentaram algum grau de fragilidade. As análises bivariada e multivariada apontaram associação positiva entre a fragilidade e bengala (p=0,001). Importante do profissional de saúde, realize o rastreio precoce da fragilidade com destaque para os idosos em uso de tecnologias assistivas, pois podem indicar o comprometimento e perda funcional.
High Curie Temperature Ferromagnetism and High Hole Mobility in Tensile Strained Mn‐Doped SiGe Thin Films
Authors: Wang Huanming , Sun Sen , Lu Jiating , Xu Jiayin , Lv Xiaowei , Peng Yong , Zhang Xi , Wang Yuan , Xiang Gang
Published: July 2020

Diluted magnetic semiconductors based on group‐IV materials are desirable for spintronic devices compatible with current silicon technology. In this work, amorphous Mn‐doped SiGe thin films are first fabricated on Ge substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering and then crystallized by rapid thermal annealing (RTA). After the RTA, the samples become ferromagnetic semiconductors, in which the Curie temperature increases with increasing Mn doping concentration and reaches 280 K with 5% Mn concentration. The data suggest that the ferromagnetism comes from the hole‐mediated process and is enhanced by the tensile strain in the SiGe crystals. Meanwhile, the Hall effect measurement up to 33 T to eliminate the influence of anomalous Hall effect reveals that the hole mobility of the annealed samples is greatly enhanced and the maximal value is ≈1000 cm2 V−1 s−1, owing to the tensile strain‐induced band structure modulation. The Mn‐doped SiGe thin films with high Curie temperature ferromagnetism and high hole mobility may provide a promising platform for semiconductor spintronics.
Structural Relaxation and Crystalline Phase Effects on the Exchange Bias Phenomenon in FeF2/Fe Core/Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Velásquez Ever A. , Mazo‐Zuluaga Johan , Tangarife Edwin , Mejía‐López José
Published: July 2020

In this study, the power of first‐principles methods along with molecular dynamics and atomistic Monte Carlo simulations is employed to elucidate the effects of the structural relaxation on the exchange bias (EB) behavior of FeF2/Fe core/shell nanoparticles. The effects of the crystalline phase are also explored by studying the EB features on the related nanoparticles modeled through simple cubic, body centered cubic, and face centered cubic systems. The results indicate that effects of both structural relaxation and crystalline phase on the EB phenomenon are crucial. Noticeable differences are found in the quantitative and qualitative results, as well as in conclusions from studies which, for the sake of simplicity, have used simple cubic crystalline structures for modeling the sample of study instead of its own crystalline model. To compare these results with experimental systems, hysteresis behaviors under field cooling procedures and for a sample made up by a particle diameter distribution D = 4.3 ± 0.7 nm, which is easily affordable at present, are presented. In that sense, this study raises a warning about the conclusions derived from previous works, and offers a suggestion to pay close attention to both the crystalline model and the structural relaxation of the nanoparticle systems exhibiting EB effects.
Highly shape‐selective Zn‐P/HZSM‐5 zeolite catalyst for methanol conversion to light aromatics
Authors: Jia Yanming , Wang Junwen , Zhang Kan , Ding Chuanmin
Published: July 2020

A highly shape‐selective and relatively long‐lifetime HZSM‐5‐based catalyst (Zn‐2P/HZSM‐5) was prepared by chemical modification with both ZnSiF6·6H2O and H3PO4 solution. The phosphoric acid modification could effectively modulate the Brønsted acid strength of the HZSM‐5 catalyst, which promotes the oligomerization, alkylation, cyclization, and hydrogen transfer reactions. The introduction of Zn‐Lewis acid sites significantly improved the dehydroaromatization of higher olefins. All of these were very beneficial for the generation of BTX (i.e. benzene, toluene, and xylene) hydrocarbons in aromatization of methanol. The coke amount and the average rate of coke formation decreased over the Zn‐2P/HZSM‐5 catalysts, which may largely be ascribed to its lower strong acid sites and lower outer surface acidity. The catalytic performance of methanol aromatization showed that the Zn‐2P/HZSM‐5 catalyst exhibited the highest BTX selectivity of about 46.76% and the longest catalytic lifetime of about 498 h at T = 400 °C, P = 0.1 MPa, and weight hourly space velocity = 0.7 h−1.
Reconcile VAWA amendments with tech tools that make compliance easier — and harder
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: July 2020

When it comes to Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act amendments to the Clery Act, technology has made compliance more complicated, but certain technological tools can make compliance a bit easier. That's according to Joseph C. Storch, J.D., Associate Counsel in the Office of General Counsel at The State University of New York; Gemma Rinefierd, Ed.D., Director of the Student Conduct Institute, also at SUNY; and Taylor Sinclair, J.D., System Director for Title IX at the Nebraska State College System. They spoke at Stetson University's Annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education about how to use technology to better meet compliance requirements. They also provided insight about how technology can make the proper response to violence more complicated for higher ed officials, yet easier for students to commit certain violations, and how you can mitigate that.
How campus security agencies can plan for an uncertain fall
Authors: Rahn Josh
Published: July 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic that emerged early this year forced colleges and universities across the country to radically alter how they deliver instruction. Besides moving courses online, the COVID‐19 pandemic has also required campus security to rethink their operations. Having few or no students on campus resulted in changes to security posture and an increased awareness of how communicable diseases spread.
An abnormal clinical Allen's Test is not a contraindication for free radial forearm flap
Authors: Miller Travis J. , Safa Bauback , Watt Andrew J. , Chen Mang L. , Lin Walter C.
Published: July 2020

An abnormal clinical Allen's test is not a definitive exclusion criterion for free radial forearm flap use. A surgical Allen's test may be useful to determine whether flap harvest is feasible in patients with an abnormal clinical Allen's test.
Iatrogenic hepatic granuloma (suspected liver metastatic lesion on imaging) caused by liver retraction during laparoscopic gastrectomy: A case report
Authors: Bekki Tomoaki , Yamamoto Yuji , Saeki Yoshihiro , Arihiro Koji , Tanabe Kazuaki , Ohdan Hideki
Published: July 2020

There are no previous reports of hepatic granuloma secondary to intraoperative liver retraction. Using softer hepatic retraction instruments and keeping hepatic retraction time to a minimum are vital in preventing postoperative liver damage.
Ectopic hyperparathyroidism due to an auto‐transplanted parathyroid gland
Authors: Harada Ko , Otsuka Fumio
Published: July 2020

Hyperparathyroidism due to the autografted parathyroid gland should be suspected in patients who undergone parathyroid auto‐transplantation.
Five‐day fever: The main presentation of childhood‐onset Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Javadi Parvaneh Vadood , Jari Mohsen , Rahmani Khosro , Azma Roxana , Shiari Reza
Published: July 2020

In children with a nonspecific constitutional presentation such as prolonged fever, the physician should pay attention to primary vasculitides after ruling out the more common diseases such as infectious diseases, malignancies, and the other rheumatic disorders. The past history of autoimmunity may be a clue for this.
Rill network development on loessial hillslopes in China
Authors: Shen Haiou , Zheng Fenli , Zhang Xunchang John , Qin Chao
Published: July 2020

Rill network development not only potentially affects hillslope and drainage network evolution, but also causes severe soil degradation. However, the studies on rill network development remain inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the temporal and spatial development of hillslope rill networks and their characteristics based on rainfall simulations and field observations. A soil pan (10.0 m long × 3.0 m wide × 0.5 m deep) on a 20° slope was applied three successive simulated rains at two intensities of 50 and 100 mm h–1. The field observations were performed on two bare hillslope runoff plots (10.0 m long × 3.0 m wide) at 20°. Three typical erosive natural rainfall events were observed in the field, and rills were measured in detail, similar to the laboratory rainfall simulation. The results indicated that with increases in rainfall events, the rill network morphology varied from incipient formation to the maximum drainage network density. Four rill network development indicators (rill distribution density, distance between rills, rill bifurcation number, and confluence point number) exhibited different changes over time and space. Among the four indicators, the rill bifurcation number was the best indicator for describing rill network development. Rill flow energy increased and decreased cyclically on a slope ranging between ~3 and 4 m. Moreover, rill networks on loessial hillslopes generally evolved into dendritic rather than parallel forms. The development characteristics of the rill network were relatively similar between the laboratory simulation and natural field conditions. Over time, rill erosion control measures become increasingly difficult to implement as the rill network develops. The morphology of eroding rills evolved over time and space, which led to corresponding rill network development. Further study should quantify the impacts of rill network development on soil degradation and land development. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of programmed death‐ligand 1 in predicting the treatment outcome of salvage chemotherapy after nivolumab in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ueki Yushi , Takahashi Takeshi , Ota Hisayuki , Shodo Ryusuke , Yamazaki Keisuke , Horii Arata
Published: July 2020

Background

It was reported that treatment outcomes of the salvage chemotherapy (SCT) following nivolumab are fairly good compared with those of nivolumab itself. However, predictive factors of SCT for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) were not determined.

Methods

Twenty‐one R/M HNSCC patients received SCT following nivolumab. The treatment outcome and predictive factors for the favorable response to SCT were investigated.

Results

The objective response rate (ORR) and the disease control rate of SCT were 52.4% and 81.0%, respectively. The median progression‐free survival and the median overall survival time were 5.4 and 12.9 months, respectively. Patients with positive programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression showed greater tumor shrinkage evaluated by the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors and higher ORR than those with negative PD‐L1 expression.

Conclusions

Treatment outcome of SCT following nivolumab in R/M HNSCC was favorable. PD‐L1 expression may be a predictive factor of SCT.
Cultural diversity, migration and education
Authors: Juang Linda P. , Schachner Maja K.
Published: July 2020

Migration is not a new phenomenon. However, recent data indicate that unprecedented numbers of people have experienced forced migration around the world with 51% under the age of 18 years. How can educational policies and practices respond sensitively to increasing cultural and migration‐based diversity? The purpose of this special section that includes eight studies is to consider these issues more deeply. As a frame for the special section, we address the main question: What are promotive or protective factors for positive development of children and youth attending culturally diverse school contexts? In the collection of papers, these promotive and protective factors range from peers and families, to teachers, to organisational context and climate. With continued disruptions in children's lives due to a pandemic, climate change, war, conflict and poverty, migration will remain a pressing concern and will continue to transform the student populations in our classrooms and schools for the foreseeable future. The need to address how we can best provide students from diverse backgrounds equitable and supportive education, continues.
A note on the polynomial decay of a weakly dissipative viscoelastic system
Authors: Hassan Jamilu Hashim , Messaoudi Salim A.
Published: July 2020

In this note we study an abstract class of weakly dissipative second‐order systems with finite memory. We establish the polynomial decay of Rivera, Naso and Vegni for the solution of the system under a very weak condition on the relaxation function.
Stable renal function in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease after nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Pedersen Sasia J. V. , Monagel Dania A. , Mammen Cherry , Lewis Victor A. , Guilcher Gregory M. T. , Bruce Aisha A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with renal complications starting as early as infancy. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) treatments using newer nonmyeloablative (NMA) conditioning regimens show promising results in treating SCD in the pediatric population, but renal outcome parameters after transplantation have not been described.

Aim

To describe baseline renal parameters as well as short‐ and long‐term renal outcomes in pediatric patients with SCD who underwent NMA‐HSCT.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who received NMA‐HSCT in Alberta, Canada. Short‐term renal outcomes evaluated were: (1) acute kidney injury (AKI), (2) fluid overload (FO), and (3) hypertension. Long‐term outcomes evaluated were: (1) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) development and at last follow‐up with hyperfiltration defined as eGFR ≥ 150 mL/min/1.73 m2, (2) proteinuria, and (3) hypertension.

Results

The mean follow‐up time was 128.6 weeks (standard deviations, 69.3). No posttransplant AKI events or FO were observed. eGFR remained > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 at last follow‐up in all patients, whereas hyperfiltration was present in eight (44.4%) and four (22.2%) patients pre‐ and post‐HSCT, respectively, which are significantly different (P < 0.0001). Consequently, median GFR was significantly higher pre‐HSCT compared with 24 months HSCT (P < 0.009). Long‐term hypertension post‐HSCT was present in six patients (33.3%).

Conclusion

This study describes stable kidney function in children with SCD after NMA‐HSCT without evidence of AKI or FO episodes. Rates of hyperfiltration decreased post‐HSCT, which signifies that NMA‐HSCT could potentially preserve long‐term renal function in this population at risk of progressive chronic kidney disease. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these novel findings.
Predicting phosphirane air stability using density functional theory
Authors: Gaston Jayden J. , McCosker Patrick M. , Yu Haibo , Keller Paul A.
Published: July 2020

Phosphorus 3‐membered heterocycles, phosphiranes, provide an interesting synthetic scaffold with a potentially diverse range of reactions that are currently underexplored. This is in part due to their difficulty in synthesis, with many products and intermediates containing low air stability. With the application and extension of a density functional theory (DFT) model to phosphiranes by calculation at the UB3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of their radical cation singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO), a correlation between calculated and relative experimental air stability has been demonstrated. The model also accounts for the stability of many synthesised substituted and unsubstituted phosphiranes and has allowed new synthetic targets to be identified, in particular, 1‐(2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butoxyphenyl)phosphirane exhibited high theoretical air stability. Because of the simplicity and efficiency of the model, its application enables phosphiranes to be screened for high bench stability, providing accessibility for their use in synthetic chemistry, in turn, realising the potential for incorporation of phosphiranes into complex synthetic strategies.
Near‐infrared‐induced photothermal decomposition of charge transfer complexes: A new way to initiate thermal polymerization
Authors: Caron Aurore , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: July 2020

A new approach for the near‐infrared (NIR)‐induced free‐radical photopolymerization of (meth)acrylate‐based polymers through the use of charge transfer complex (CTC) is proposed. This challenging strategy is based on near‐infrared sensitizers (e.g., cyanines) which act as very efficient heat generator (heater) upon NIR irradiation, allowing the activation of CTC in situ formed between an electron rich N‐aromatic amine and an iodonium salt used as an electron acceptor. The thermal ability of the different systems to initiate a polymerization upon thermal activation has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and their behaviors upon NIR irradiation have been examined by thermal imaging experiments. The role of cyanines has also been highlighted by spectrophotometry as well as Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Finally, to highlight the huge potential of the proposed approach, these systems have been tested on glass and carbon fibers prepregs to the composite's development.
Blackfly Larvae (Simulium spp.) Can Intensify Methylmercury Biomagnification in Boreal Food Webs
Authors: Karjalainen Anna K. , Salmelin Johanna , Dimock Brian , Hintelmann Holger
Published: July 2020

Global pollution of mercury (Hg) threatens ecosystem and human health. We measured total Hg (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) concentrations in filter-feeding blackfly (Simulium spp.) larvae in the inflows and the outflows of six boreal lakes with no Hg point source pollution. THg in the larvae ranged from 0.03 to 0.31 mg kg−1 dw and MMHg between 0.02 and 0.25 mg kg−1 dw. The proportion of MMHg in the larvae was 74 ± 0.16% and ranged from 43 to 98% of THg, the highest proportions being comparable to those typically found in aquatic predatory insects and fish. We compared the larvae MMHg concentrations to river water quality, catchment land-use, and to size-adjusted lake pike THg data. Two of the investigated catchments have been affected by a multimetal biomine since 2008 and were characterized by higher conductivity and higher urban land-use activity. Larvae THg and MMHg concentrations were higher in the lake inflows than in outflows and associated with water conductivity and catchment land-use activity. Lake pike THg concentrations were highly correlated to lake outflow blackfly larvae MMHg concentrations. Our data illustrate that blackfly larvae take up high percentage of THg that is MMHg, which in turn is available for higher consumers in aquatic and terrestrial food webs.
Delivering Telerehabilitation to COVID-19 Inpatients: A Retrospective Chart Review Suggests it is a Viable Option
Authors: Rosen Kelsey , Patel Monika , Lawrence Cecelia , Mooney Brianne
Published: July 2020

Background

Guidelines for physical therapy management of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 recommend limiting physical therapists’ contact with patients when possible. Telehealth has been viewed as “electronic personal protective equipment” during the COVID-19 pandemic; although telerehabilitation has been shown to be effective with outpatients, it is unknown whether it is a viable option for hospitalized patients.

Purpose

Our facility developed an algorithm for the use of a physical therapy telerehabilitation program for inpatients with COVID-19. We sought to investigate the safety and viability of the program.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who received either telerehabilitation only or a combination of telerehabilitation and in-person rehabilitation. Based on the algorithm, COVID-19 inpatients were selected to receive telerehabilitation if they could ambulate independently, could use technology, had stable vital signs, required minimal supplemental oxygen, and were cognitively intact. We analyzed data of inpatients who received telerehabilitation only, which included patient education, therapeutic exercises, and breathing techniques.

Results

Of 33 COVID-19 inpatients who received telerehabilitation, in-person rehabilitation, or a combination of the two, 12 patients received telerehabilitation only (age range, 33 to 65 years; all but one male). They demonstrated independence with their individualized home exercise programs in one to two sessions, did not require an in-person rehabilitation consultation, did not require increased oxygen, experienced no exacerbation of symptoms, and were discharged home.

Conclusions

Inpatient telerehabilitation appears to be a viable option for selected hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and may be a safe way of delivering inpatient rehabilitation to isolated or at-risk populations. At our hospital, the use of inpatient telerehabilitation reduced staff exposure while providing important education and services to patients. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the use of telerehabilitation for hospitalized patients, including those with COVID-19. Our findings suggest that this innovative approach warrants further study.
On the characteristics of reporting ADL limitations and formal LTC usage across Europe
Authors: Fuino Michel , Rudnytskyi Iegor , Wagner Joël
Published: July 2020

The increase in the proportion of elderly people in most industrialized countries triggers higher demand for long-term care (LTC) associated with limitations in activities of daily living (ADL). The aim of this research is to derive the drivers affecting the probability of reporting limitations in ADL and the probability of demanding formal LTC, e.g., personal care and services in domestic tasks. By using the most recent wave of a cross-national European survey on individuals aged over 50 years (SHARE, wave 6), we develop econometric models for identifying the effect of demographic, social and medical factors on ADL limitations and formal LTC along five conjectures. On the one hand, we analyze functional limitations and we find that characteristics such as the age, the gender, the wealth status and the education level influence the probability to report limitations. Further, while we find that pathologies significantly increase the probability to become dependent in general, the effect of cancer is lower. On the other hand, we find again an influence of the demographic and social factors on the probability to use formal LTC. We emphasize on the decrease in the probability due to the presence of the partner in the household, in particular for housekeeping tasks. This is less the case for help related with personal care. In addition, we note that pathologies such as cancer have no influence on the probability to report formal LTC while others like mental and Parkinson diseases highly increase it. We find that elderly living in countries with LTC family care schemes report less formal care than in others. This indicates the importance of LTC policies. Finally, we validate the robustness of our results by applying the models to data from earlier waves of the survey. Our findings give insights for the underwriting standards to be used in future LTC insurance products and for the design of LTC policy environments across Europe.
In Defence of Non-Ideal Political Deference
Authors: Brinkmann Matthias
Published: July 2020

Many philosophers have claimed that relying on the testimony of others in normative questions is in some way problematic. In this paper, I consider whether we should be troubled by deference in democratic politics. I argue that (i) deference is less problematic in impure cases of political deference, and (ii) most non-ideal cases of political deference are impure. To establish the second point, I rely on empirical research from political psychology. I also outline two principled reasons why we should expect political deference to be untroubling: political problems are difficult and require a division of epistemic labour; furthermore, there is value in exercising epistemic solidarity with those one shares an identity or interests with.
Discretionary Power, Scientific Uncertainty and Right to Life in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learnt from the Administrative Tribunal of Guadeloupe and the French Council of State
Authors: DONATI Alessandra
Published: July 2020

Administrative Tribunal of Guadeloupe 28 March 2020, case n° 2000295 (Judge for interim relief); French Council of State 4 April 2020, cases n° 439904, 439905 (Judge for interim relief)

Based on the precautionary principle and to protect the right to life under Article L. 521-2 of the French Code of Administrative Justice, the Administrative Tribunal of Guadeloupe (Judge for interim relief) ordered the Regional Health Agency of Guadeloupe and the University Hospital Centre of Guadeloupe to procure 200,000 COVID-19 screening tests corresponding to half of the population of Guadeloupe and to buy the doses necessary for the treatment of the COVID-19 epidemic with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for 20,000 patients. On appeal, the French Council of State, by disregarding the application of the precautionary principle and with controversial reasoning concerning the relationship between discretionary power and scientific uncertainty, annulled the decision of the Administrative Tribunal of Guadeloupe.
Tertiles and the time constant
Authors: Ahlberg Daniel
Published: July 2020

We consider planar first-passage percolation and show that the time constant can be bounded by multiples of the first and second tertiles of the weight distribution. As a consequence, we obtain a counter-example to a problem proposed by Alm and Deijfen (2015).
Solving gyrokinetic systems with higher-order time dependence
Authors: Sharma A. Y. , McMillan B. F.
Published: July 2020

We discuss theoretical and numerical aspects of gyrokinetics as a Lagrangian field theory when the field perturbation is introduced into the symplectic part. A consequence is that the field equations and particle equations of motion in general depend on the time derivatives of the field. The most well-known example is when the parallel vector potential is introduced as a perturbation, where a time derivative of the field arises only in the equations of motion, so an explicit equation for the fields may still be written. We will consider the conceptually more problematic case where the time-dependent fields appear in both the field equations and equations of motion, but where the additional term in the field equations is formally small. The conceptual issues were described by Burby (J. Plasma Phys., vol. 82 (3), 2016, 905820304): these terms lead to apparent additional degrees of freedom to the problem, so that the electric field now requires an initial condition, which is not required in low-frequency (Darwin) Vlasov–Maxwell equations. Also, the small terms in the Euler–Lagrange equations are a singular perturbation, and these two issues are interlinked. For well-behaved problems the apparent additional degrees of freedom are spurious, and the physically relevant solution may be directly identified. Because we needed to assume that the system is well behaved for small perturbations when deriving gyrokinetic theory, we must continue to assume that when solving it, and the physical solutions are thus the regular ones. The spurious nature of the singular degrees of freedom may also be seen by changing coordinate systems so the varying field appears only in the Hamiltonian. We then describe how methods appropriate for singular perturbation theory may be used to solve these asymptotic equations numerically. We then describe a proof-of-principle implementation of these methods for an electrostatic strong-flow gyrokinetic system; two basic test cases are presented to illustrate code functionality.
Langzeitkonsequenzen aversiver Kindheitserfahrungen: Auswirkungen auf zerebrale Strukturen
Authors: Wagner En-Young , Bürgy Vanessa , Pfister Susan , Schwegler Kyrill , Egloff Niklaus
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung. Frühkindliche Stresserfahrungen durch Vernachlässigung, körperliche, psychische oder sexuelle Misshandlung können zu dauerhaften Veränderungen zentralnervöser Strukturen führen. Das Zentralnervensystem unterliegt in dieser frühen biographischen Phase einer sehr hohen Plastizität. Objektiv zeigen sich diese Einflüsse in funktionellen und strukturell-morphologischen Veränderungen gewisser Hirnareale. Subjektiv zeigen sie sich durch Veränderungen im kognitiven, emotionalen, perzeptiven und sozialen Erleben. Diese Übersichtsarbeit möchte den aktuellen Stand der begrenzt vorhandenen Humanstudien zu Folgen frühkindlicher Stresserfahrungen mit Fokus auf das zentralnervöse System wiedergeben.
Langzeitkonsequenzen aversiver Kindheitserfahrungen: Auswirkungen auf die Inzidenz psychiatrischer Erkrankungen
Authors: Müller Fabian , Blättler Larissa , Holtforth Martin grosse , Schwegler Kyrill , Egloff Niklaus
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung. Frühkindliche Stresserfahrungen durch physischen, psychischen und sexuellen Missbrauch sowie emotionale oder physische Vernachlässigung führen oft zu dauerhaften Veränderungen des psychischen Befindens. Klinisch zeigt sich dies u. a. in einer erhöhten Inzidenz für verschiedene psychiatrische Erkrankungen. Diese narrative Überblicksarbeit möchte den aktuellen Stand der vorhandenen Studien zu frühkindlichen Stresserfahrungen und deren psychiatrischen Folgen wiedergeben. Als Datenbasis hierfür dienten wissenschaftliche Arbeiten aus den Onlinebibliotheken PubMed, PsycINFO und GoogleScholar. Gesucht wurde unter den Stichworten Adversive Childhood Events (ACE), Adverse Childhood, Childhood Trauma, Psychiatric Disorders, Health Consequences sowie deren deutschen Übersetzungen. Es fanden sich dabei 46 inhaltlich passende Studien.
Autonomous Detection of Particles and Tracks in Optical Images
Authors: Liounis Andrew J. , Small Jeffrey L. , Swenson Jason C. , Lyzhoft Joshua R. , Ashman Benjamin W. , Getzandanner Kenneth M. , Moreau Michael C. , Adam Coralie D. , Leonard Jason M. , Nelson Derek S. , Pelgrift John Y. , Bos Brent J. , Chesley Steven R. , Hergenrother Carl W. , Lauretta Dante S.
Published: July 2020

When optical navigation images acquired by the OSIRIS‐REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security‐Regolith Explorer) mission revealed the periodic ejection of particles from asteroid (101955) Bennu, it became a mission priority to quickly identify and track these objects for both spacecraft safety and scientific purposes. The large number of particles and the mission criticality rendered time‐intensive manual inspection impractical. We present autonomous techniques for particle detection and tracking that were developed in response to the Bennu phenomenon but that have the capacity for general application to particles in motion about a celestial body. In an example OSIRIS‐REx data set, our autonomous techniques identified 93.6% of real particle tracks and nearly doubled the number of tracks detected versus manual inspection alone.
Seasonal Variation of O/N2 on Different Pressure Levels From GUVI Limb Measurements
Authors: Yu Tingting , Ren Zhipeng , Le Huijun , Wan Weixing , Wang Wenbin , Cai Xuguang , Li Xing
Published: July 2020

The ratio of O number density to N2 number density (O/N2) is an important parameter to describe thermospheric composition changes and its effects on the ionosphere. Based on Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI) limb measurements, we investigate the seasonal behaviors of O/N2 volume density ratio on different constant pressure levels during geomagnetically quiet periods. The global O/N2 shows the prominent annual and semiannual variations with solar activity dependence. An empirical model considering the solar activity and annual/semiannual variations can reasonably reproduce the original O/N2. The modeled O/N2 captures the hemispheric asymmetry of the annual variations in both length and magnitude. Global maps of the seasonal harmonic components of the modeled O/N2 indicate the latitudinal and altitudinal dependence of O/N2 seasonal variations. The annual component dominates over the semiannual component at mid‐latitudes, but it is smaller than the semiannual component at low latitudes. In the Northern Hemisphere, and at low geomagnetic latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, the annual component peaks around December solstice at all altitudes, whereas at middle geomagnetic latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, it peaks around June solstice. The semiannual component peaks at the equinoxes in almost all regions over the globe at all altitudes. The annual and semiannual amplitudes both increase with altitude. In addition, O/N2 annual variations and solar activity dependence are more influenced by the thermal expansion and contraction.
Relationship Between Presunset Wave Structures and Interbubble Spacing: The Seeding Perspective of Equatorial Plasma Bubble
Authors: Das S. K. , Patra A. K. , Kherani E. A. , Chaitanya P. Pavan , Niranjan K.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we study on the precursor seed structures well before the prospective occurrence of equatorial plasma bubble (EPB). We use the scanning mode observations made by the 30‐MHz Gadanki Ionospheric Radar Interferometer for estimating interbubble spacing and high time resolution observations made by a collocated digisonde for inferring horizontal wavelength of wave‐like variations prior to the onset of EPB. Horizontal wavelength of wave‐like variations has been inferred from plasma density variations and height variations of isodensity contours; both show consistent results. Remarkable agreement has been found between the estimated horizontal wavelength and interbubble spacing, which demonstrates the potential of digisonde in providing relevant seed structure for a prospective EPB formation. Further analysis based on observational results and numerical simulation of collisional interchange instability shows that while the eventual formation of EPB has a strong bearing on the height of the F layer and density gradient scale length, the growth perspective of the EPB depends on the seed wavelength. These results are presented and discussed keeping the future prospective of EPB forecasting/nowcasting.
Spatial Distribution of the Pedersen Conductance in the Jovian Aurora From Juno‐UVS Spectral Images
Authors: Gérard J.‐C. , Gkouvelis L. , Bonfond B. , Grodent D. , Gladstone G. R. , Hue V. , Greathouse T. K. , Versteeg M. , Kammer J. A. , Blanc M.
Published: July 2020

Ionospheric conductivity perpendicular to the magnetic field plays a crucial role in the electrical coupling between planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres. At Jupiter, it controls the flow of ionospheric current from above and the closure of the magnetosphere‐ionosphere circuit in the ionosphere. We use multispectral images collected with the Ultraviolet Spectral (UVS) imager on board Juno to estimate the two‐dimensional distribution of the electron energy flux and characteristic energy. These values are fed to an ionospheric model describing the generation and loss of different ion species, to calculate the auroral Pedersen conductivity. The vertical distributions of H3+, hydrocarbon ions, and electrons are calculated at steady state for each UVS pixel to characterize the spatial distribution of electrical conductance in the auroral region. We find that the main contribution to the Pedersen conductance stems from collisions of H3+and heavier ions with H2. However, hydrocarbon ions contribute as much as 50% to Σp when the auroral electrons penetrate below the homopause. The largest values are usually associated with the bright main emission, the Io auroral footprint and occasional bright emissions at high latitude. We present examples of maps for both hemispheres based on Juno‐UVS images, with Pedersen conductance ranging from less than 0.1 to a few mhos.