bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparable outcomes in studio vs. traditional delivery of an introductory soil science course
Authors: Rees Gordon L. , Winberry Emily
Published: February 2020

Studio‐style course delivery involves the integration of laboratory activities with lecture elements of the course, with the goal of increasing student learning and satisfaction through directly linking laboratory and lecture concepts while focusing on active learning. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of studio delivery of an introductory soil science class at California Polytechnic State University, we first redesigned the course to integrate appropriate technology and to align lectures with laboratory activities. We then offered multiple test sections of the course, including concurrent studio and traditional lecture/laboratory sections taught by the same instructor using the same materials and activities. Student learning was measured at the end of the course with exam questions, including sets with or without direct connection to laboratory activities. Student attitudes were evaluated with a survey. Few significant differences were found between studio and traditional sections, gender, grade point average, or major. Some students seemed to struggle with the extended time commitment for each meeting of the studio‐style section, but overall, results were very positive for both styles of delivery. Careful design and delivery of the course, including aligning lecture and laboratory materials and incorporating active‐learning strategies, resulted in a high degree of satisfaction with the course, with or without integration of the laboratory and lecture components.
On energy‐absorbing mechanisms of metal/WF‐CFRP hybrid composite columns
Authors: Zhu Guohua , Yu Qiang , Zhao Xuan , Zhang Shuo , Hu Po , Jiang Hongyong
Published: February 2020

Hybrid material system, comprised of metal and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), combines the excellent mechanical performance and lightweight feature of CFRP with the competitive material cost and superior toughness of metal. By virtue of such mingled feature, metal/CFRP hybrid structure exhibits great potential in automotive components. This study aims to investigate the crushing behavior of aluminum/WF‐CFRP (woven fabric CFRP) hybrid columns subjected to dynamic loading condition by comparing with the corresponding individual columns made of single material (aluminum column and WF‐CFRP column). The dynamic axial crushing tests indicate that specific energy absorption of WF‐CFRP column is 45% higher than that of the aluminum column and 27% superior to that of the hybrid column, while the total energy absorption of the hybrid column is about 8% higher than the summation of WF‐CFRP column and aluminum column. Afterward, several finite element models are developed to reveal the underlying energy‐absorbing mechanisms and the influences of each factor for the hybrid columns. The numerical results show that specific energy absorption of the hybrid columns is negatively correlated with the metal volume fraction (F
m), when inner aluminum wall thickness (t
m) equals to 1.0 mm. It is also found that crushing process of the hybrid columns with l = 2 (2 CFRP layers) is dominated by the progressive folding of inner aluminum column, leading to a lower damage level of CFRP and lower load carrying capacity. With increasing wrapped CFRP layer number up to 8, the inner aluminum column starts to generate internal inversion deformation mode due to the restriction of the outer CFRP layers, and outer CFRP layers exhibit progressive failure. The energy‐absorbing mechanisms analysis indicates that the internal energy of the internally inversed aluminum column is significantly higher than that of the progressively folded aluminum column, and thus such special deformation mode is capable to offer a more stable and higher load carrying capacity for the hybrid columns. Besides, it is also found that the plastic deformation of the inner aluminum column is the major energy‐absorbing mechanism, which is followed by the crushing failure of outer CFRP layers. The combination mode of thinner aluminum column and thicker CFRP layers tends to offer higher energy‐absorbing capacity, which is much higher than that of the summation of corresponding individual columns. Finally, a complex proportional assessment method is considered to select the optimal configuration achieving the balance of material cost and structural crashworthiness. The present study is expected to provide guideline for design of metal/CFRP hybrid columns.
Safeguarding human and planetary health demands a fertilizer sector transformation
Authors: Bindraban Prem S. , Dimkpa Christian O. , White Jason C. , Franklin Frank A. , Melse‐Boonstra Alida , Koele Nina , Pandey Renu , Rodenburg Jonne , Senthilkumar Kalimuthu , Demokritou Philip , Schmidt Susanne
Published: February 2020

Societal Impact Statement

Fertilizer nutrients are essential for food and nutrition security, but a large proportion of nutrients applied to soil are lost because they are unavailable to plants. The extent of these nutrient losses exceeds safe and sustainable limits. Societal awareness of this is limited because it can take many seasons for nutrient‐loss impacts to become visible. We propose that Innovative Fertilizers and Application Technologies (IFAT) could help reduce nutrient losses and thus reduce pressure on resources, and provide important micronutrients for human health. However, transformation of the fertilizer sector through stakeholder engagement, policy interventions, and public–private initiatives will be required to unlock the full potential of IFAT.

Summary

Strategies for delivering sustainable food systems require significant reduction in yield gaps and food system inefficiencies. Mineral fertilizers will play a critical role in achieving both of these aims. However, reduction in nutrient losses from mineral fertilizer use to levels that are considered sustainable has not been achieved and has been estimated to be unachievable, even with optimized practices for current products. We argue that Innovative Fertilizers and Application Technologies (IFAT) are needed to address the daunting and interlinked food, agricultural, and environmental challenges facing humanity and the planet. We define IFAT as a set of fertilizer products and technologies that are designed by taking the physiological needs of plants (such as nutrient uptake, redistribution, and utilization) as the entry point in the fertilizer development process, rather than starting first with chemistry. This approach aims for the timely and targeted delivery of nutrients in balanced quantities. We propose that this can result in multiple food, agricultural, and environmental benefits, including increased yield, improvements in nutritional quality, enhanced crop resilience, and reduced emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), and leaching losses. However, the benefits of IFAT for human and environmental health have remained elusive. The major challenge for optimal use of IFAT is a transformation of the vast fertilizer sector by means of government policy interventions, societal responses, and significant investment in public and private research and development.
Micro‐ and meso‐regulatory spaces of labour mobility power: The role of ethnic and kinship networks in shaping work‐related movements of post‐2004 Central Eastern European migrants to the United Kingdom
Authors: Ciupijus Zinovijus , Forde Christopher , MacKenzie Robert
Published: February 2020

European Union (EU) enlargement in 2004 produced a multi‐layered regulatory space structuring labour mobility between Central Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom. Building on a critical revaluation of the concept of labour mobility power as a phenomenon that cannot be reduced to earnings' maximisation, the paper contends that although post‐2004 migration was nested in the macro‐regulatory mechanism of EU freedom of movement of labour, kinship and ethnic networks constituted additional layers in regulating migrants' mobility trajectories. Drawing on migratory biographies, the analysis examines how these regulatory mechanisms shaped migrants' actions and intentions related to transnational exit, contributed in creating linkages through which migrants sought to actualise their labour power on a transnational scale, and provided directions for labour mobility power's use within the receiving country. By embedding labour mobility power within kinship (micro) and ethnic (meso) networks, this paper offers a complimentary understanding of labour mobility power that takes it beyond thehomo economicusexplanatory model.
Comparison of conditional main effects analysis to the analysis of follow‐up experiments for separating confounded two‐factor interaction effects in 2IVk−p fractional factorial experiments
Authors: Lawson John
Published: February 2020

Two‐factor interactions, where the effect of one factor depends on the level of another factor, are common, and understanding them is often the key to solving quality problems or making process improvements using designed experiments. Resolution IV 2
fractional factorial designs are efficient and require fewer experiments or runs than resolution V or full factorial experiments. However, two‐factor interactions are confounded with other two‐factor interactions in resolution IV designs and their effects cannot be separated. Follow‐up experiments have been recommended in the literature to separate the effects of significant but confounded strings of two‐factor interactions in resolution IV designs.

Recently, an analysis based on conditional main effects (or CMEs) has been shown to be useful in determining which interaction in a confounded string of two‐factor interactions is actually causing the significance without the need for follow‐up experiments. In this article, I investigate the value of this method of analysis by comparing its use with the analysis of follow‐up experiments using the data from three published experiments where follow‐up experiments were used to “de‐alias” confounded interactions.
Death and dying: A systematic review into approaches used to support bereaved children
Authors: Duncan David A.
Published: February 2020

Supporting, caring for and working with bereaved children is both daunting and challenging, yet not much is known about how schools can help children to cope with death and dying. The main objective of this study was to identify approaches used to support children who are grieving, and to explore implications for teachers. The use of retrospective autoethnography sets out this review as a practitioner enquiry‐based project. A systematic review of literature involving school‐aged children was undertaken. The focus of these studies was on approaches to death and dying taken by children, parents and teachers—which helped recently bereaved children to cope. The studies all relate to children aged 3–18. Four databases were searched, up to and including the spring of 2019: British Education Index; Child Development & Adolescent Studies; ERIC; and PsycINFO. The included studies were analysed using a qualitative enquiry model which draws on metaethnography. Abstracts and titles of 765 articles were examined. Following the selection process, 15 studies were included. All of the studies were peer‐reviewed, published after 2000 and used qualitative methods of data collection (interviews, ethnographies, a case study and observations). Encouraging children to openly communicate, find comfort in various ways and express emotion regularly were the most common approaches. The results indicate that if the correct approaches are taken, children can feel supported during a challenging and fearful time in their lives. Future research is required on the effects of specific teacher‐led approaches in schools.
Optimal event‐triggered transmission scheduling for privacy‐preserving wireless state estimation
Authors: Lu Jingyi , Leong Alex S. , Quevedo Daniel E.
Published: February 2020

We consider a remote state estimation problem in the presence of an eavesdropper over packet dropping links. A smart sensor transmits its local estimates to a legitimate remote estimator, in the course of which an eavesdropper can randomly overhear the transmission. This problem has been well studied for unstable dynamical systems, but seldom for stable systems. In this article, we target at stable and marginally stable systems and aim to design an event‐triggered scheduling strategy by minimizing the expected error covariance at the remote estimator and keeping that at the eavesdropper above a user‐specified lower bound. To this end, we model the evolution of the error covariance as an infinite recurrent Markov chain and develop a recurrence relation to describe the stationary distribution of the state at the eavesdropper. Monotonicity and convergence properties of the expected error covariance are further investigated and employed to solve the optimization problem. Numerical examples are provided to validate the theoretical results.
A robust constrained control approach for flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicles
Authors: Bu Xiangwei , Wei Daozhi , He Guangjun
Published: February 2020

This article investigates the robust adaptive control system design for the longitudinal dynamics of a flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicle (FAHV) subject to parametric uncertainties and control input constraints. A combination of back‐stepping and nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) is utilized for exploiting an adaptive output‐feedback controller to provide robust tracking of velocity and altitude reference trajectories in the presence of flexible effects and system uncertainties. The dynamic surface control is introduced to solve the problem of “explosion of terms.” A new NDO is developed to guarantee the proposed controller's disturbance attenuation ability and to performance robustness against uncertain aerodynamic coefficients. To deal with the problem of actuator saturation, a novel auxiliary system is exploited to compensate the desired control laws. The stability of the presented NDO and controller is analyzed. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented control strategy.
Strategies to enhance the reliability of flow quantile prediction in the gauged and ungauged basins
Authors: Tegegne Getachew , Kim Young‐Oh
Published: February 2020

The precise reproduction of different flow regimes in both gauged and ungauged watersheds is crucial for managing environmental flow and water quality requirements. However, the ability of hydrological models to reproduce flow quantiles (FQs) is often influenced by the process of calibrating the most dominant parameters through traditional parameter estimation methods. This research proposes a systematic parameter estimation approach to improve the credibility of the hydrologic model in reproducing FQs in gauged and ungauged watersheds through the following steps: (a) implementation of parameter sensitivity analysis to identify the dominant parameters, (b) initial estimation of the sensitive parameter values, (c) an iterative search for the optimal value of the dominant parameter in reproducing FQs and (d) regionalization of parameters to estimate FQs in the ungauged watersheds. The analysis shows the highest sensitivity of the runoff curve number (CN2) in simulating the hydrologic process in all test watersheds. Moreover, the best value of CN2 was found to be different for each flow quantile. Therefore, CN2 was updated for reproduction of FQs, which resulted in an overall average improvement of the regionalized model accuracy (across all test watersheds and flow quantiles) by 37 and 46% during the calibration and validation periods, respectively. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the water balance components that often control the behaviours of FQs in both the gauged and ungauged watersheds were also quantified. The results show a wide range of spatiotemporal variations for the majority of the water balance components.
Biased interpretation of performance feedback: The role of CEO overconfidence
Authors: Schumacher Christian , Keck Steffen , Tang Wenjie
Published: February 2020

Research summary

This study examines how managerial biases in the form of overconfidence change the interpretation of performance feedback and, consequently, shape a firm's risk taking in response to it. Our formal analysis suggests that CEO overconfidence is associated with a lower willingness to increase firm risk taking when facing negative performance feedback and a higher willingness to decrease risk when facing positive feedback. An extension of our model also shows that, when firms are operating close to their survival level, the effects of CEO overconfidence will reverse. We test our predictions empirically with a sample of 847 American manufacturing firms in the years 1992 to 2014. Our results are consistent with our hypotheses and are robust to different empirical operationalizations of CEO overconfidence.

Managerial summary

Managers evaluate the success of their current business strategy through feedback in the form of their firm's current financial results relative to their own previous performance or that of their peers. Our results show that overconfident CEOs interpret information about the financial situation of their firms more optimistically than non‐overconfident CEOs, which in turn causes them to exhibit a less pronounced reaction to both positive or negative performance feedback. It is thus crucial that managers are clearly aware of how their interpretations and reactions to feedback are affected by their own deeply held personal beliefs and dispositions.
Immigration and the Health of U.S. Natives
Authors: Gunadi Christian
Published: February 2020

Immigration may put a strain on the health care system, adversely impacting the health of the native population. At the same time, recent studies have documented the role of immigration in nudging native workers from risk‐intensive, physically demanding jobs toward occupations that require more communication and interactive ability, potentially improving their health. In this article, I examine the relationship between immigration and the health of the native population in the United States. The results of the analysis fail to show that immigration adversely affects the health of U.S. natives. Instead, the findings suggest that the presence of low‐skilled immigrants may improve the health of low‐skilled U.S.‐born individuals.
Mesoscale fracture analysis of recycled aggregate concrete based on digital image processing technique
Authors: Peng Yijiang , Ying Liping , Kamel Mahmoud M. A. , Wang Yao
Published: February 2020

Since recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is valuable for green concrete and global sustainability, it has attracted many numerical research studies as a five‐phase material in mesolevel. In this study, the digital image processing (DIP) technique is used to obtain the real aggregate and mortar distribution of recycled concrete specimens. By applying the DIP MATLAB model, the real mesoheterogeneity of RAC is well represented. Based on the base force element method (BFEM), a mesomechanical model is constructed to simulate the uniaxial tension and compression tests of recycled concrete specimens subjected to displacement loads. The damage and the cracking mechanisms of RAC are analyzed in the mesolevel. Moreover, the failure process and the failure mode are investigated. Results indicate the nonlinearity deformation, stress redistribution, and cracks propagation of RAC. The stress–strain curve, fracture energy, and fracture distribution are also figured. The comparative analysis between the simulation and the experimental results of in situ RAC samples shows the applicability of the model; therefore, the failure mechanism is revealed. It also extends the application of the BFEM in the field of failure mechanism analysis of RAC as a heterogeneous composite material.
Catchment systems engineering: An holistic approach to catchment management
Authors: Hewett Caspar J. M. , Wilkinson Mark E. , Jonczyk Jennine , Quinn Paul F.
Published: February 2020

Hydrological catchments today are largely the product of human activity. They have been engineered. The negative impacts of some of this engineering such as deforestation and agriculture intensification need to be addressed but the solution is not simply a matter of doing the opposite, for example through afforestation or moving to less‐intensive farming. We propose a catchment systems engineering (CSE) approach that utilizes and expands on existing catchment‐based approaches, combining interventions that work with or mimic natural processes with traditional “hard” engineering to provide a practical route to improved catchment function. The approach is predicated on the need to take an holistic view of catchments and to make proactive interventions that provide and enhance multiple ecosystem services. CSE seeks to address problems that are international in scope, recognizing the need to understand better how hydrological processes have changed due to human activity and how those changes influence frequency, duration, and severity of environmental problems such as floods, droughts, and poor water quality. The emphasis is placed on how we can act to engineer catchment systems to a safer functionally appropriate level utilizing measures such as nature‐based solutions alongside traditional engineering structures. CSE is the means to provide multiple ecosystem services while recognizing trade‐offs between reducing flood and drought risk directly, improving water quality and creating healthy habitats for wildlife. By targeting local hydrological flow pathways in defined spatial and temporal windows (e.g., during rainfall events at key locations such as riparian zones), CSE can deliver holistic water resource management now.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Science of Water > Water Extremes

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Photodegradation of ibuprofen and four other pharmaceutical pollutants on natural pigments sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Patterson Kristen , Howlett Kevin , Patterson Kelsey , Wang Bo , Jiang Lin
Published: February 2020

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water system have drawn increasing concerns in recent years. TiO2‐based photodegradation has shown great potential as a low‐cost and sustainable technology in water treatment, however, can only use the UV light range of solar radiation which makes the system less efficient. Dyes have been studied to improve the TiO2 system light‐harvesting range, but studies on environmental friendly natural dyes are rare. In this study, a screening method using UV‐Vis spectra analysis was carried out on a group of 22 different tropical natural plants for the potential applications on dye‐sensitized TiO2 in PPCP treatment. As a result, Begonia “Martin's Mystery” significantly increased TiO2 photodegradation efficiency toward ibuprofen treatments which is first time reported in literature as our best knowledge. Moreover, the promising discovery of Begonia application in ibuprofen treatment has been successfully applied to warfarin and famotidine treatment. Similar results were expanded to many other Begonia species which indicate that Begonia extracts could be excellent sensitizers for TiO2‐based photodegradation of PPCPs. Our discovery suggested that the screening process may potentially open a brand‐new way for future TiO2 photodegradation studies before the complex and time‐consuming detailed mechanism studies.

Practitioner points.

Natural dyes were screened as sensitizers for TiO2 photodegradation of ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen photodegradation efficiency was increased twice using Begonia “Martin's Mystery.”

The Begonia applications were extended to warfarin, trimethoprim, and famotidine.

Promising results were also observed using five other Begonia species.
Erratum zu: Survey-Welten
Authors: Vogel Raphael
Published: February 2020

Dieses Buch wurde vormals ohne Hinweis auf die Fördergesellschaft und Zuschußgewährung publiziert. Der Fördervermerk wurde in der aktuellen Version ergänzt und ist auf der Impressumsseite des Buches zu finden.
Higher Order Methods of the Basic Family of Iterations via S-Iteration Scheme with s-Convexity
Authors: Gdawiec Krzysztof , Shahid Abdul Aziz , Nazeer Waqas
Published: February 2020

There are many methods for solving a polynomial equation and many different modifications of those methods have been proposed in the literature. One of such modifications is the use of various iteration processes taken from the fixed point theory. In this paper, we propose a modification of the iteration processes used in the Basic Family of iterations by replacing the convex combination with ans-convex one. In our study, we concentrate only on theS-iteration withs-convexity. We present some graphical examples, the so-called polynomiographs, and numerical experiments showing the dependency of polynomiograph’s generation time on the value of thesparameter in thes-convex combination.
Is the immediate effect of marathon running on novice runners’ knee joints sustained within 6 months after the run? A follow-up 3.0 T MRI study
Authors: Horga Laura Maria , Henckel Johann , Fotiadou Anastasia , Hirschmann Anna C. , Di Laura Anna , Torlasco Camilla , D’Silva Andrew , Sharma Sanjay , Moon James C. , Hart Alister J.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To evaluate changes in the knee joints of asymptomatic first-time marathon runners, using 3.0 T MRI, 6 months after finishing marathon training and run.

Materials and methods

Six months after their participation in a baseline study regarding their knee joints, 44 asymptomatic novice marathoners (17 males, 27 females, mean age 46 years old) agreed to participate in a repeat MRI investigation: 37 completed both a standardized 4-month-long training programme and the marathon (marathon runners); and 7 dropped out during training (pre-race dropouts). The participants already underwent bilateral 3.0 T MRIs: 6 months before and 2 weeks after their first marathon, the London Marathon 2017. This study was a follow-up assessment of their knee joints. Each knee structure was assessed using validated scoring/grading systems at all time points.

Results

Two weeks after the marathon, 3 pre-marathon bone marrow lesions and 2 cartilage lesions showed decrease in radiological score on MRI, and the improvement was sustained at the 6-month follow-up. New improvements were observed on MRI at follow-up: 5 pre-existing bone marrow lesions and 3 cartilage lesions that remained unchanged immediately after the marathon reduced in their extent 6 months later.

No further lesions appeared at follow-up, and the 2-week post-marathon lesions showed signs of reversibility: 10 of 18 bone marrow oedema-like signals and 3 of 21 cartilage lesions decreased on MRI.

Conclusion

The knees of novice runners achieved sustained improvement, for at least 6 months post-marathon, in the condition of their bone marrow and articular cartilage.
Mosaicism in Fanconi anemia: concise review and evaluation of published cases with focus on clinical course of blood count normalization
Authors: Nicoletti Eileen , Rao Gayatri , Bueren Juan A. , Río Paula , Navarro Susana , Surrallés Jordi , Choi Grace , Schwartz Jonathan D.
Published: February 2020

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a DNA repair disorder resulting from mutations in genes encoding for FA DNA repair complex components and is characterized by variable congenital abnormalities, bone marrow failure (BMF), and high incidences of malignancies. FA mosaicism arises from reversion or other compensatory mutations in hematopoietic cells and may be associated with BMF reversal and decreased blood cell sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents (clastogens); this sensitivity is a phenotypic and diagnostic hallmark of FA. Uncertainty regarding the clinical significance of FA mosaicism persists; in some cases, patients have survived multiple decades without BMF or hematologic malignancy, and in others hematologic failure occurred despite the presence of clastogen-resistant cell populations. Assessment of mosaicism is further complicated because clinical evaluation is frequently based on clastogen resistance in lymphocytes, which may arise from reversion events both in lymphoid-specific lineages and in more pluripotent hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). In this review, we describe diagnostic methods and outcomes in published mosaicism series, including the substantial intervals (1–6 years) over which blood counts normalized, and the relatively favorable clinical course in cases where clastogen resistance was demonstrated in bone marrow progenitors. We also analyzed published FA mosaic cases with emphasis on long-term clinical outcomes when blood count normalization was identified. Blood count normalization in FA mosaicism likely arises from reversion events in long-term primitive HSPCs and is associated with low incidences of BMF or hematologic malignancy. These observations have ramifications for current investigational therapeutic programs in FA intended to enable gene correction in long-term repopulating HSPCs.
Quantitative DCE-MRI demonstrates increased blood perfusion in Hoffa’s fat pad signal abnormalities in knee osteoarthritis, but not in patellofemoral pain
Authors: de Vries Bas A. , van der Heijden Rianne A. , Poot Dirk H. J. , van Middelkoop Marienke , Meuffels Duncan E. , Krestin Gabriel P. , Oei Edwin H. G.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) fat-suppressed T2 (T2FS) hyperintense regions on MRI are an important imaging feature of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and are thought to represent inflammation. These regions are also common in non-OA subjects, and may not always be linked to inflammation. Our aim was to evaluate quantitative blood perfusion parameters, as surrogate measure of inflammation, within T2FS-hyperintense regions in patients with OA, with patellofemoral pain (PFP) (supposed OA precursor), and control subjects.

Methods

Twenty-two knee OA patients, 35 PFP patients and 43 healthy controls were included and underwent MRI, comprising T2 and DCE-MRI sequences. T2FS-hyperintense IPFP regions were delineated and a reference region was drawn in adjacent IPFP tissue with normal signal intensity. After fitting the extended Tofts pharmacokinetic model, quantitative DCE-MRI perfusion parameters were compared between the two regions within subjects in each subgroup, using a paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

T2FS-hyperintense IPFP regions were present in 16 of 22 (73%) OA patients, 13 of 35 (37%) PFP patients, and 14 of 43 (33%) controls. DCE-MRI perfusion parameters were significantly different between regions with and without a T2FS-hyperintense signal in OA patients, demonstrating higher Ktrans compared to normal IFPF tissue (0.039 min−1 versus 0.025 min−1, p = 0.017) and higher Ve (0.157 versus 0.119, p = 0.010). For PFP patients and controls no significant differences were found.

Conclusions

IPFP T2FS-hyperintense regions are associated with higher perfusion in knee OA patients in contrast to identically appearing regions in PFP patients and controls, pointing towards an inflammatory pathogenesis in OA only.

Key Points

• Morphologically identical appearing T2FS-hyperintense infrapatellar fat pad regions show different perfusion in healthy subjects, subjects with patellofemoral pain, and subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

• Elevated DCE-MRI perfusion parameters within T2FS-hyperintense infrapatellar fat pad regions in patients with osteoarthritis suggest an inflammatory pathogenesis in osteoarthritis, but not in patellofemoral pain and healthy subjects.
Non-Newtonian coefficient condition for a stable long-time behavior of a single bubble: existence and characteristics of stable solutions
Authors: Wolf Alexandre , Rauh Cornelia , Delgado Antonio
Published: February 2020

The present paper takes up the underlying nonlinear initial value problem from a preceding author’s work about the dynamics of a single bubble in a highly viscous liquid medium under different pressure impacts. The arising ordinary differential equation is mainly based on the constitutive relation of a second-order liquid that in particular includes two non-Newtonian material constants. In this article, the significance of these coefficients is mathematically analyzed in detail by proving the existence of stable solutions of the named initial value problem. This is achieved by special transformations of the differential equation at hand and the introduction of appropriate Lyapunov functions. It particularly turns out that a combined condition of the non-Newtonian coefficients and diverse restrictions to the external pressure impact are decisive for the validity of the existence results. Furthermore, the convergence speed of solutions is investigated by considering the linearized equation associated with the present initial value problem and by applying a special variant of Gronwall’s lemma. The main theoretical result, being the prementioned strong condition for the non-Newtonian coefficients, is finally compared to real data sets.
Two-year outcome data suggest that less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is safe. Results from the follow-up of the randomized controlled AMV (avoid mechanical ventilation) study
Authors:   for the German Neonatal Network (GNN), Herting Egbert , Kribs Angela , Härtel Christoph , von der Wense Axel , Weller Ursula , Hoehn Thomas , Vochem Matthias , Möller Jens , Wieg Christian , Roth Bernhard , Göpel Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is a method to deliver surfactant to spontaneously breathing premature infants via a thin catheter. Here we report the two-year outcome from the AMV (avoid mechanical ventilation) study, the first randomized controlled trial on this mode of surfactant delivery. No statistically significant differences in weight, length or neurodevelopmental outcome (Bayley II scores) were found between the LISA intervention group (n = 95) and the control group (n = 84) that received standard treatment.

Conclusion: No differences in outcome were observed at 2 years. LISA seems safe in that aspect.

What is Known:• LISA is a method that is in increasing use for surfactant delivery to spontaneously breathing infants. LISA reduces the need for mechanical ventilation.

What is New:• Outcome data at 2 years from the first randomized study with LISA raise no safety concerns in comparison to a group of infants that received standard treatment.
Human genetics of meningococcal infections
Authors: Hodeib Stephanie , Herberg Jethro A. , Levin Michael , Sancho-Shimizu Vanessa
Published: February 2020

Neisseria meningitidisis a leading cause of bacterial septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. Meningococcal disease is rare but can be life threatening with a tendency to affect children. Many studies have investigated the role of human genetics in predisposition toN. meningitidisinfection. These have identified both rare single-gene mutations as well as more common polymorphisms associated with meningococcal disease susceptibility and severity. These findings provide clues to the pathogenesis ofN. meningitidis,the basis of host susceptibility to infection and to the aetiology of severe disease. From the multiple discoveries of monogenic complement deficiencies to the associations of complement factor H and complement factor H-related three polymorphisms to meningococcal disease, the complement pathway is highlighted as being central to the genetic control of meningococcal disease. This review aims to summarise the current understanding of the host genetic basis of meningococcal disease with respect to the different stages of meningococcal infection.
Correction to: Binomial nomenclature for virus species: a consultation
Authors: Siddell Stuart G. , Walker Peter J. , Lefkowitz Elliot J. , Mushegian Arcady R. , Dutilh Bas E. , Harrach Balázs , Harrison Robert L. , Junglen Sandra , Knowles Nick J. , Kropinski Andrew M. , Krupovic Mart , Kuhn Jens H. , Nibert Max L. , Rubino Luisa , Sabanadzovic Sead , Simmonds Peter , Varsani Arvind , Zerbini Francisco Murilo , Davison Andrew J.
Published: February 2020

The article Binomial nomenclature for virus species: a consultation, written by Stuart G. Siddell, Peter J. Walker, Elliot J. Lefkowitz, Arcady R. Mushegian, Bas E. Dutilh.
Calibration of Near-Infrared Detectors Using a Wavelength Tunable Light Source
Authors: Maham Kinza , Vaskuri Anna , Manoocheri Farshid , Ikonen Erkki
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the spectral responsivity calibrations of two indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) and one germanium based near-infrared photovoltaic detectors using a wavelength tunable laser source based on a supercontinuum laser developed at the Metrology Research Institute, Aalto University. The setup consists of a supercontinuum laser based on a photonic crystal fiber as the light source, a laser line tunable filter, and coupling optics. These responsivity calibrations are performed against a pyroelectric radiometer over a wide spectral range of 800–2000 nm. Our wavelength tunable laser source has a high spectral power up to 2.5 mW with a narrow spectral full-width-at-half-maximum of 3 nm at a wavelength of 1100 nm. Despite the sharp spectral intensity variations, no artifacts are observed in the spectral responsivities of the detectors. Comparison of the spectral responsivities of the InGaAs detectors measured using the wavelength tunable laser and the earlier calibrations performed at the Metrology Research Institute in 2010 and 2016, shows that the higher spectral power of wavelength tunable light source decreases the expanded uncertainty from approximately 4% to 2.2–2.6% over the spectral range of 820–1600 nm. Temperature dependence of the spectral responsivities near the band gap edges are also measured and analysed.
Determinants of food insecurity among smallholder farmer households in Central America: recurrent versus extreme weather-driven events
Authors: Alpízar Francisco , Saborío-Rodríguez Milagro , Martínez-Rodríguez M. Ruth , Viguera Bárbara , Vignola Raffaele , Capitán Tabaré , Harvey Celia A.
Published: February 2020

To ensure food security among rural communities under a changing climate, policymakers need information on the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity, the role of extreme weather events in exacerbating food insecurity, and the strategies that farmers use to cope with food insecurity. Using household surveys in Guatemala and Honduras, we explore the prevalence of food insecurity among smallholder farmers on both a recurrent (seasonal) and episodic (resulting from extreme weather events) basis, analyze the factors associated with both types of food insecurity, and document farmer coping strategies. Of the 439 households surveyed, 56% experienced recurrent food insecurity, 36% experienced episodic food insecurity due to extreme weather events, and 24% experienced both types. Food insecurity among smallholder farmers was correlated with sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, education, migration) and asset ownership. The factors affecting food insecurity differed between type and prevalence of food insecurity. Our results highlight the urgent need for policies and programs to help smallholder farmers improve their overall food security and resilience to extreme weather shocks. Such policies should focus on enhancing farmer education levels, securing land tenure, empowering women, promoting generational knowledge exchange, and providing emergency food support in the lean season or following extreme weather events.
The effects of strategy training on spatial memory in diencephalic amnesia: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Kessels Roy P. C. , Murk Sjoerd , Walvoort Serge J. W. , Hampstead Benjamin M.
Published: February 2020

Alcoholic Korsakoff’s syndrome is characterized by severe amnesia, also affecting spatial memory. To date, research on cognitive rehabilitation in these patients is scarce. Aim of the present study is to examine the efficacy of a mnemonic strategy training in patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome. A randomized controlled exploratory study was performed. A convenience sample of 14 patients with amnesia due to alcoholic Korsakoff’s syndrome was included and randomized into a mnemonic strategy training group (n = 7) and a control group (n = 7). The training group completed a 3-day 45–60 min mnemonic strategy training that focused on specific strategies to encode and retrieve information about specific objects and their locations in virtual rooms, using labeling, verbal reasoning and mental imagery. The control group only received care as usual. Outcome measure was an object-location memory task consisting of novel, untrained object locations administered 1 day before the intervention, as well as 1 day and 1 week after completing the intervention. Patients in the intervention group were able to acquire and use the strategies, but no significant differences were found between the intervention group and the control group, and no significant change in performance was demonstrated compared to baseline 1 day and 1 week after the intervention. To conclude, the mnemonic strategy training in KS patients did not result in a better spatial memory performance 1 day or 1 week after training completion compared to participation in the regular non-cognitive treatment program that focused on occupational therapy, music therapy and exercise.
Symptom Severity, Self-efficacy and Treatment-Seeking for Mental Health Among US Iraq/Afghanistan Military Veterans
Authors: Keeling Mary , Barr Nicholas , Atuel Hazel , Castro Carl A.
Published: February 2020

Military veterans have high rates of mental health problems, yet the majority do not seek treatment. Understanding treatment-seeking in this population is important. This study investigated if symptom severity and self-efficacy are associated with treatment-seeking among US Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. Survey data from 525 veterans meeting clinical criteria for PTSD and depression were included of which, 54.4% had sought treatment in the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high symptom severity was associated with treatment seeking, whereas high self-efficacy was associated with a decreased likelihood to seek treatment. Self-efficacy could be an underlying mechanism of treatment seeking decisions.
Smallholder Farmers’ perception and adaptation to climate variability and change in Fincha sub-basin of the Upper Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia
Authors: Tessema Israel , Simane Belay
Published: February 2020

Climate variability and change make agricultural sector a risky venture for smallholders’ farmers. This paper presents an assessment of smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change, associated impacts on agricultural sector and the adaptive responses given in Fincha’a sub-basin of the Blue Nile River Basin of Ethiopia. We interviewed 380 head of households selected through systematic random sampling from eight Kebeles, two each from highland, midland, wetland, and lowland agro-ecosystems. Furthermore, focus group discussion and key informant interviews also performed to supplement and substantiate the quantitative data. Descriptive statistics used to summarize quantitative data and χ2 tests used to measure significance. The result revealed that increased temperature, frequency and severity of extreme weather events (drought and flood), and overall change in seasonality of rainfall over the last 20 years is a widely held perception. The associated impacts on agriculture include decline in length of growing period, the decreased and variability of water availability, increased crop damage by insects, pests, disease and weeds. In response, farmers practiced different adaptation measures like modification in crop and livestock production practices, and investment in land and water management activities at household and community level. The study also revealed the presence of multiple barriers that hindered the adoption of adaptation measures. To meet the impending challenges, situate by climate variability and change the adaptation measures implemented until now is not adequate. There is also extrication between farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and change, and actual adaptation level. Despite significant number of farmers’ perceived changes in temperature (about 93%) and rainfall (about 88%), the number of farmers adopted certain adaptation measures are below average. These necessitate the need for planned interventions to identify and support effective adaptation measures.
European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) and European Reference Network on Rare Primary Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases (ERN RITA) Complement Guideline: Deficiencies, Diagnosis, and Management
Authors: Brodszki Nicholas , Frazer-Abel Ashley , Grumach Anete S. , Kirschfink Michael , Litzman Jiri , Perez Elena , Seppänen Mikko R. J. , Sullivan Kathleen E. , Jolles Stephen
Published: February 2020

This guideline aims to describe the complement system and the functions of the constituent pathways, with particular focus on primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) and their diagnosis and management. The complement system is a crucial part of the innate immune system, with multiple membrane-bound and soluble components. There are three distinct enzymatic cascade pathways within the complement system, the classical, alternative and lectin pathways, which converge with the cleavage of central C3. Complement deficiencies account for ~5% of PIDs. The clinical consequences of inherited defects in the complement system are protean and include increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmune diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus), age-related macular degeneration, renal disorders (e.g., atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome) and angioedema. Modern complement analysis allows an in-depth insight into the functional and molecular basis of nearly all complement deficiencies. However, therapeutic options remain relatively limited for the majority of complement deficiencies with the exception of hereditary angioedema and inhibition of an overactivated complement system in regulation defects. Current management strategies for complement disorders associated with infection include education, family testing, vaccinations, antibiotics and emergency planning.
The methodological role of mechanistic-computational models in cognitive science
Authors: Harbecke Jens
Published: February 2020

This paper discusses the relevance of models for cognitive science that integrate mechanistic and computational aspects. Its main hypothesis is that a model of a cognitive system is satisfactory and explanatory to the extent that it bridges phenomena at multiple mechanistic levels, such that at least several of these mechanistic levels are shown to implement computational processes. The relevant parts of the computation must be mapped onto distinguishable entities and activities of the mechanism. The ideal is contrasted with two other accounts of modeling in cognitive science. The first has been presented by David Marr in combination with a distinction of “levels of computation”. The second builds on a hierarchy of “mechanistic levels” in the sense of Carl Craver. It is argued that neither of the two accounts secures satisfactory explanations of cognitive systems. Themechanistic-computationalideal can be thought of as resulting from a fusion of Marr’s and Craver’s ideals. It is defended as adequate and plausible in light of scientific practice, and certain metaphysical background assumptions are discussed.
Towards Generalized Riesz Systems Theory
Authors: Kamuda Alan , Kużel Sergiusz
Published: February 2020

Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians have recently become a field of wide investigation. Originally, the generalized Riesz systems (GRS) have been introduced as an auxiliary tool in this theory. In contrast, the current paper, GRSs are analysed in terms of basis theory. The relationship between semi-regular sequences and GRSs is provided. Various characterizations of GRSs are discussed.