bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Synthesis of Urchin‐Like Serried Hydroxyapatite (USHA) and its Reinforcing Effect for Dental Resin Composites
Authors: Qian Li , Wang Ruili , Li Wei , Chen Hongyan , Jiang Xiaoze , Zhu Meifang
Published: February 2019

The novel urchin‐like serried hydroxyapatite (USHA) is synthesized by homogeneous hydrothermal precipitation method through adjusting the pH value and temperature. The silanized USHA is thereby used as the reinforcing filler for dental resin composites. The structure and morphology of various HA nanostructures are characterized with X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field‐emission scanning electron microscope. Thermogravimetric analysis is used to analyze the grafting ratio of 3‐methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane on the surface of USHA. Mechanical performance of dental resin composites reinforced with silanized USHA at different filler loadings are measured by a universal mechanical testing machine. The neat resin matrix is served as the control group. Results demonstrate that the optimization of USHA morphology gave a better understanding of the effect of the pH value and temperature on its structure transformation. After trials, USHA with the complete globular structure and the serried whiskers is synthesized at pH value of 12.5 under 105 °C. When the USHA loading is 30 wt%, the corresponding dental composite significantly improved the mechanical properties in comparison with the neat resin, especially for the compressive strength.
Genome and transcriptome analysis of Bacillus velezensis BS‐37, an efficient surfactin producer from glycerol, in response to d‐/l‐leucine
Authors: Zhou Dayuan , Hu Fangxiang , Lin Junzhang , Wang Weidong , Li Shuang
Published: February 2019

Surfactin is one of the most widely studied biosurfactants due to its many potential applications in different fields. In the present study, Bacillus velezensis BS‐37, initially identified as a strain of Bacillus subtilis, was used to efficiently produce surfactin with the addition of glycerol, an inexpensive by‐product of biodiesel production. After 36 hr of growth in glycerol medium, the total surfactin concentration reached more than 1,000 mg/L, which was two times higher than that in sucrose medium. Moreover, the addition of l‐ and d‐Leu to the culture medium had opposite effects on surfactin production by BS‐37. While surfactin production increased significantly to nearly 2,000 mg/L with the addition of 10 mM l‐Leu, it was dramatically reduced to about 250 mg/L with the addition of 10 mM d‐Leu. To systemically elucidate the mechanisms influencing the efficiency of this biosynthesis process, we sequenced the genome of BS‐37 and analyzed changes of the transcriptome in glycerol medium in response to d‐/l‐leucine. The RPKM analysis of the transcriptome of BS‐37 showed that the transcription levels of genes encoding modular surfactin synthase, the glycerol utilization pathway, and branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) synthesis pathways were all at a relatively high level, which may offered an explanation why this strain can efficiently use glycerol to produce surfactin with a high yield. Neither l‐Leu nor d‐Leu had a significant effect on the expression of genes in these pathways, indicating that l‐Leu plays an important role as a precursor or substrate involved in surfactin production, while d‐Leu appears to act as a competitive inhibitor. The results of the present study provide new insights into the synthesis of surfactin and ways of its regulation, and enrich the genomic and transcriptomic resources available for the construction of high‐producing strains.
Miniaturization of a single‐ended mixer using T‐shaped Wilkinson power combiner for medical wireless communication applications
Authors: Yoon Ki‐Cheol , Kim Kwang Gi
Published: February 2019

In the modern day, wireless communications systems are widely used for medical services and medical information security. A wireless communication device for medical services is required for a high performance and small size technique. In this article, a proposed compact size of the single‐ended mixer using small size of the Wilkinson power divider with T‐shaped transmission line is presented. The compact size of the mixer used for small size is based on Wilkinson power divider using T‐shaped transmission line which is connected to amplifier circuit part. The electrical length of the transmission line for the conventional Wilkinson power divider was 90°. However, the electrical length of the T‐shaped transmission line was 30°. Therefore, the physical length was reduced by 1/2 times. The size of a proposed mixer was 22.21 × 18.32 mm2 at a center frequency of 2.165 GHz. It will be applied to a transceiver for wireless communication system of medical services.
Low field NMR for quality monitoring of 3D printed surimi from cod by‐products: Effects of the pH‐shift method compared with conventional washing
Authors: Gudjónsdóttir María , Napitupulu Romauli Juliana , Petty Kristinsson Holly T.
Published: February 2019

Implementation of three‐dimensional (3D) food printing and novel analytics can reduce food waste and increase utilization of seafood by‐products. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and chemometrics were used to investigate the printability and characteristics of surimi pastes from cod by‐products as affected by different processing methods (the pH‐shift method vs. conventional washing), addition of salt (0, 1.5, and 3%), length of cold storage (0, 4, and 7 days) until 3D printing, and steam cooking. The analysis revealed two to three water populations in the 3D printed samples. Increasing the salt concentration induced myofibrillar swelling in the conventionally prepared surimi, whereas a more salt‐induced gelling effect was observed in the pH‐shift processed surimi. Cooking had a decreasing effect on the T21 relaxation time and its corresponding apparent population (A21), corresponding to protein denaturation and water loss during cooking. Increasing the salt concentration to 3% had a protective effect towards water exchange between the A21 and A23 populations in the conventionally washed samples but more subtly in the pH‐shift samples. Similar trends in relaxation parameters were observed after 4 and 7 days of storage, although the intermediate population A22 seemed to be most affected by the storage. Overall LF‐NMR was an effective quality monitoring tool for the physicochemical changes occurring in the 3D printed surimi. The analysis showed both advantages and disadvantages of the two processing methods. However, it can clearly be concluded that increasing the salt content had a stabilizing effect on the surimi, and printing of fresh raw materials is recommended.
The views of people with joint hypermobility syndrome on its impact, management and the use of patient‐reported outcome measures. A thematic analysis of open‐ended questionnaire responses
Authors: Palmer Shea , Bridgeman Keely , Di Pierro Isabelle , Jones Rosanna , Phillips Caitlin , Wilson Megan
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) has been reported to have widespread impacts on people with the condition. However, our understanding of those impacts is still developing and we do not know if they can be captured effectively using patient‐reported outcome measures. The aim of the present study was to explore written qualitative comments from previously administered questionnaires, to identify the impacts of JHS and any issues related to using patient‐reported outcome measures to assess those impacts.

Methods

Previous research administered a draft condition‐specific questionnaire and Short Form‐36 questionnaire to adult members of a patient organization in the UK, incorporating an open text box for further comments. Those comments were transcribed, anonymized and analysed using thematic analysis. A coding list, themes and subthemes were developed through double coding, parallel independent analysis and consensus.

Results

A total of 393 of 614 eligible questionnaires (64%) contained qualitative comments and were analysed (mean respondent age 41 years, mean Bristol Impact of Hypermobility questionnaire score 228/360, 95% women). Three main themes were identified: (a) “Impacts of living with JHS”; (b) “Management strategies for JHS”; and (c) “Measurement and research into JHS”. Participants highlighted a range of impacts of JHS, incorporating physical, social and psychological domains. Respondents described difficult journeys to diagnosis, and feeling unsupported and misunderstood by their peers and healthcare professionals. They detailed helpful strategies for managing their condition and provided useful comments on using questionnaires to assess JHS.

Conclusions

The study yielded valuable findings that can be used to directly inform the assessment and management of JHS.
Development of a P2 element with optimal L2 convergence for biharmonic equation
Authors: Mu Lin , Ye Xiu , Zhang Shangyou
Published: February 2019

It is well known that convergence rate of finite element approximation is suboptimal in the L2 norm for solving biharmonic equations when P2 or Q2 element is used. The goal of this paper is to derive a weak Galerkin (WG) P2 element with the L2 optimal convergence rate by assuming the exact solution sufficiently smooth. In addition, our new WG finite element method can be applied to general mesh such as hybrid mesh, polygonal mesh or mesh with hanging node. The numerical experiments have been conducted on different meshes including hybrid meshes with mixed of pentagon and rectangle and mixed of hexagon and triangle.
Oxidation Chemistry of DNA and p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene
Authors: Jiang Di , Rusling James F.
Published: February 2019

The chemistry of DNA and its repair selectivity control the influence of genomic oxidative stress on the development of serious disorders such as cancer and heart diseases. DNA is oxidized by endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo or in vitro as a result of high energy radiation, non‐radiative metabolic processes, and other consequences of oxidative stress. Some oxidations of DNA and tumor suppressor gene p53 are thought to be mutagenic when not repaired. For example, site‐specific oxidations of p53 tumor suppressor gene may lead to cancer‐related mutations at the oxidation site codon. This review summarizes the research on the primary products of the most easily oxidized nucleobase guanine (G) when different oxidation methods are used. Guanine is by far the most oxidized DNA base. The primary initial oxidation product of guanine for most, but not all, pathways is 8‐oxoguanine (8‐oxoG). With an oxidation potential much lower than G, 8‐oxoG is readily susceptible to further oxidation, and the products often depend on the oxidants. Specific products may control the types of subsequent mutations, but mediated by gene repair success. Site‐specific oxidations of p53 tumor suppressor gene have been reported at known mutation hot spots, and the codon sites also depend on the type of oxidants. Modern methodologies using LC–MS/MS for codon specific detection and identification of oxidation sites are summarized. Future work aimed at understanding DNA oxidation in nucleosomes and interactions between DNA damage and repair is needed to provide a better picture of how cancer‐related mutations arise.
Investigation of morphologies and tensile impact toughness of immiscible polyphenylene sulfide/polyether sulfone films and carbon fiber composites by quantitative optical methods
Authors: Krooß Tim , Gurka Martin , Breuer Ulf
Published: February 2019

Targeting the transfer and improvement of impact toughness in composites deriving from polymer mixtures, we investigated the effectiveness of immiscible polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)/polyether sulfone (PES) blends reinforced by endless carbon fibers. Tensile impact testing of films and composites was performed. Impact strengths of films showed high dependency of the PPS crystallinity and crystal orientation influenced by the present amount of PES. Intermolecular interactions between the immiscible phases and the presence of amorphous areas were assumed to be the driving factor for the load transfer in these films. Optical evaluation of local and global strain at break of films revealed a significant increase in plasticization. Tensile impact tested ±45° carbon composites exhibited high improvements of toughness and deformation ability provided by the PES spheres. The quantification of morphologies evidenced a strong correlation of PES profile's mean diameters and next neighbor distances with impact toughness and deformation ability, qualifying these novel materials as potential alternatives for conventional high‐end composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3725–3736, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Initiation and Overdriven Detonation of High Explosives Using Multipoint Initiation
Authors: Guo Junfeng , Zeng Qingxuan , Qin Guosheng , Li Mingyu
Published: February 2019

High explosives (HE) with desirable safety and detonation performances are widely used in weapon system and aerospace engineering. Multipoint initiation is utilized to initiate TATB and thus create overdriven state. High‐pressure areas of colliding shock waves are observed by measuring steel dent value and the whole processes, involving multiple wave interactions and overdriven detonation formation, are reproduced using LS‐DYNA3D program. Results indicate that the quadruple point is at the center where four shock waves collide, and the double point is between two initiation points where two shock waves collide. When the height of donor explosive exceeds 5 mm, the retardation time of the quadruple point compared to the double point and the individual point are 180 ns and 260 ns, respectively. In addition, overdriven state may disappear when the height of UF‐TATB exceeds 9 mm, and the delay effect is negligible for initiating PBX‐9502 when the simultaneity of slapper detonators is within 100 ns.
Dimerization of a ubiquitin variant leads to high affinity interactions with a ubiquitin interacting motif
Authors: Manczyk Noah , Veggiani Gianluca , Gish Gerald D. , Yates Bradley P. , Ernst Andreas , Sidhu Sachdev S. , Sicheri Frank
Published: February 2019

We previously described structural and functional characterization of the first ubiquitin variant (UbV), UbV.v27.1, engineered by phage display to bind with high affinity to a specific ubiquitin interacting motif (UIM). We identified two substitutions relative to ubiquitin (Gly10Val/His68Tyr) that were critical for enhancing binding affinity but could only rationalize the mechanism of action of the Tyr68 substitution. Here, we extend our characterization and uncover the mechanism by which the Val10 substitution enhances binding affinity. We show that Val10 in UbV.v27.1 drives UbV dimerization through an intermolecular β‐strand exchange. Dimerization serves to increase the contact surface between the UIM and UbV and also affords direct contacts between two UIMs through an overall 2:2 binding stoichiometry. Our identification of the role of Val10 in UbV dimerization suggests a general means for the development of dimeric UbVs with improved affinity and specificity relative to their monomeric UbV counterparts. Statement: Previously, we used phage display to engineer a UbV that bound tightly and specifically to a UIM. Here, we discovered that tight binding is partly due to the dimerization of the UbV, which increases the contact surface between the UbV and UIM. We show that UbV dimerization is dependent on the Gly10Val substitution, and posit that dimerization may provide a general means for engineering UbVs with improved binding properties.
Optical Features of Vapor‐Phase Epitaxial Re‐Grown Long Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Fedotov Pavel V. , Chernov Alexander I. , Obraztsova Ekaterina A. , Obraztsova Elena D.
Published: February 2019

The monodispersed long single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with controlled morphology are promising in various research fields and many applications, such as optoelectronics, nanoelectronics and recently upon utilizing them as nanoreactors. In this work the long aligned semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes as well as the extended semiconducting nanotube networks are synthesized via a vapor‐phase epitaxial (VPE) cloning growth method. The semiconducting nanotubes are grown on ST‐cut quartz substrates using acetylene and ethanol as a precursors from the seeds of sorted SWCNTs. According to the conducted study the length of the grown nanotubes can reach up to 70 μm. The extensive optical study confirms the preservation of SWCNTs chirality during re‐growth from nanotube seeds and the high quality of the obtained long semiconducting nanotubes. Polarization dependent Raman demonstrates the high alignment degree of the re‐grown SWCNTs. In dense growth regime SWCNTs demonstrate strong Raman response due to the smaller amount of defects. Such networks of SWCNTs can be a good candidate for optoelectronic applications.
Estimating model evidence using ensemble‐based data assimilation with localization – The model selection problem
Authors: Metref Sammy , Hannart Alexis , Ruiz Juan , Bocquet Marc , Carrassi Alberto , Ghil Michael
Published: February 2019

In recent years, there has been increased interest in applying data assimilation (DA) methods, originally designed for state estimation, to the model selection problem. In this setting, previous studies introduced the contextual formulation of model evidence, or contextual model evidence (CME), and showed that CME can be efficiently computed using a hierarchy of ensemble‐based DA procedures. Although these studies analysed the DA methods most commonly used for operational atmospheric and oceanic prediction worldwide, they did not study these methods in conjunction with localization to a specific domain. Yet, any application of ensemble DA methods to realistic, very high‐dimensional geophysical models requires the implementation of some form of localization. The present study extends CME estimation to ensemble DA methods with domain localization. Domain‐localized CME (DL‐CME) developed in this article is tested for model selection with two models: (a) the Lorenz 40‐variable midlatitude atmospheric dynamics model (Lorenz‐95); and (b) the simplified global atmospheric SPEEDY model. CME is compared to the root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) as a metric for model selection. The experiments show that CME systematically outperforms RMSE in model selection skill, and that this skill improvement is further enhanced by applying localization to the CME estimate using DL‐CME. The potential use and range of applications of CME and DL‐CME as a model selection metric are also discussed.
Atomic pseudopotentials for reproducing π‐orbital electron behavior in sp2 carbon atoms
Authors: Punter Alexander , Nava Paola , Carissan Yannick
Published: February 2019

A pseudopotential system for an sp2 carbon atom is built and tested as a building block for various pseudohydrocarbon polyenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This pseudosystem has a central charge of Z = 1; it contains only one electron. It is employed in ab‐initio calculations in which several physical characteristics including the orbital energies and first ionization energy, as well as first excitation energy and UV spectra, are found to be well‐reproduced by the pseudosystem. Remarkably, not only are the π excitation energies in good agreement with the reference calculations, but also transition densities and intensities, confirming that the virtual space obtained with the pseudopotentials is of excellent quality. Finally, this approach is capable of reproducing the π electron systems of small or large, planar or nonplanar hydrocarbons at low computational cost.
Asymptotic output tracking for a class of semilinear parabolic equations: A semianalytical approach
Authors: Yang Kaijun , Zheng Jun , Zhu Guchuan
Published: February 2019

This paper addresses the problem of asymptotic output tracking of a class of semilinear parabolic equations with pointwise in‐domain actuation. First, the assessment of the well‐posedness of the considered systems is performed, and then, the stability of boundary controlled systems is analyzed via Chaffee‐Infante equation and Fisher's equation. The application of the zero dynamics inverse design results in a dynamic control scheme that is implemented by using the technique of trajectory planning for flat systems and the Adomian decomposition method. The convergence of the solution of the original systems to that of the corresponding zero dynamics and the convergence of the solution expressed by an Adomian series are also analyzed. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed approach.
Reduction of matched and unmatched uncertainties for a class of nonlinear perturbed systems via robust control
Authors: Ordaz Patricio , Ordaz Mario , Cuvas Carlos , Santos Omar
Published: February 2019

The aim of this paper is to design a robust control for stabilization of a class of nonlinear perturbed system subject to matched and unmatched disturbances. Here, the concept of dynamic sliding mode control and the attractive ellipsoid method advantages are used to design a robust nonlinear control algorithm, which reduces considerably the perturbation effects. Hence, in finite time, the dynamic sliding mode control brings the system trajectory to a specific configuration. After this time, the controller reduces the perturbation effects by using the high‐gain control obtained in the attractive ellipsoid method. Thus, based on the solution of a specific matrix inequality, the feedback control of the system guarantees that the trajectory will be stabilized in the ultimate uniform bounded sense. To illustrate the theoretical results, a numerical example with a comparative study is introduced. Finally, the performance of the controller designed in this paper is tested on an electromechanical real‐time system.
Correlation‐adjusted regression survival scores for high‐dimensional variable selection
Authors: Welchowski Thomas , Zuber Verena , Schmid Matthias
Published: February 2019

Background:The development of classification methods for personalized medicine is highly dependent on the identification of predictive genetic markers. In survival analysis, it is often necessary to discriminate between influential and noninfluential markers. It is common to perform univariate screening using Cox scores, which quantify the associations between survival and each of the markers to provide a ranking. Since Cox scores do not account for dependencies between the markers, their use is suboptimal in the presence of highly correlated markers.

Methods:As an alternative to the Cox score, we propose the correlation‐adjusted regression survival (CARS) score for right‐censored survival outcomes. By removing the correlations between the markers, the CARS score quantifies the associations between the outcome and the set of “decorrelated” marker values. Estimation of the scores is based on inverse probability weighting, which is applied to log‐transformed event times. For high‐dimensional data, estimation is based on shrinkage techniques.

Results:The consistency of the CARS score is proven under mild regularity conditions. In simulations with high correlations, survival models based on CARS score rankings achieved higher areas under the precision‐recall curve than competing methods. Two example applications on prostate and breast cancer confirmed these results. CARS scores are implemented in theRpackagecarSurv.

Conclusions:In research applications involving high‐dimensional genetic data, the use of CARS scores for marker selection is a favorable alternative to Cox scores even when correlations between covariates are low. Having a straightforward interpretation and low computational requirements, CARS scores are an easy‐to‐use screening tool in personalized medicine research.
Optimising the two‐stage randomised trial design when some participants are indifferent in their treatment preferences
Authors: Walter Stephen D. , Turner Robin M. , Macaskill Petra
Published: February 2019

Outcomes in a clinical trial can be affected by any underlying preferences that its participants have for the treatments under comparison and by whether they actually receive their preferred treatment. These effects cannot be evaluated in standard trial designs but are estimable in the alternative two‐stage randomised trial design, in which some patients can choose their treatment, while the rest are randomly assigned.

We have previously shown that, when all two‐stage trial participants have a preferred treatment, the preference effects can be evaluated, in addition to the usual direct effect of treatment. We also determined criteria by which to optimise how many participants should be given a choice of treatment vs being randomised. More recently, we extended our methodology to allow for participants who are unable or unwilling to express a treatment preference if they are assigned to the choice group.

In this paper, we show how to optimise the two‐stage design when some participants are undecided about their treatment. We demonstrate that the undecided group should be regarded as distinct in the analysis, to obtain valid estimates of the preference effects. We derive the optimal proportion of participants who should be offered a choice of treatment, which in many cases will be close to 50%. More generally, the optima depend on the preference rates for treatments and the proportion of undecided participants, and the parameters of primary interest. We discuss some advantages and disadvantages of the two‐stage trial design in this situation and describe a practical example.
Bias‐reduced and separation‐proof GEE with small or sparse longitudinal binary data
Authors: Mondol Momenul Haque , Rahman M. Shafiqur
Published: February 2019

Generalized estimating equation (GEE) is a popular approach for analyzing correlated binary data. However, the problems of separation in GEE are still unknown. The separation created by a covariate often occurs in small correlated binary data and even in large data with rare outcome and/or high intra‐cluster correlation and a number of influential covariates. This paper investigated the consequences of separation in GEE and addressed them by introducing a penalized GEE, termed as PGEE. The PGEE is obtained by adding Firth‐type penalty term, which was originally proposed for generalized linear model score equation, to standard GEE and shown to achieve convergence and provide finite estimate of the regression coefficient in the presence of separation, which are not often possible in GEE. Further, a small‐sample bias correction to the sandwich covariance estimator of the PGEE estimator is suggested. Simulations also showed that the GEE failed to achieve convergence and/or provided infinitely large estimate of the regression coefficient in the presence of complete or quasi‐complete separation, whereas the PGEE showed significant improvement by achieving convergence and providing finite estimate. Even in the presence of near‐to‐separation, the PGEE also showed superior properties over the GEE. Furthermore, the bias‐corrected sandwich estimator for the PGEE estimator showed substantial improvement over the standard sandwich estimator by reducing bias in estimating type I error rate. An illustration using real data also supported the findings of simulation. The PGEE with bias‐corrected sandwich covariance estimator is recommended to use for small‐to‐moderate size sample (N ≤ 50) and even can be used for large sample if there is any evidence of separation or near‐to‐separation.
8:2 Fluorotelomer alcohol causes G1 cell cycle arrest and blocks granulocytic differentiation in HL‐60 cells
Authors: Wang Xia , Zhou Chenqian , He Bingnan , Kong Baida , Wei Lai , Wang Rong , Lin Jiajia , Shao Yiyan , Zhu Jianbo , Jin Yuanxiang , Fu Zhengwei
Published: February 2019

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) are fluorinated intermediates used in manufacturing specialty polymer and surfactants, with 8:2 FTOH the homologue of largest production. FTOHs were found to pose acute toxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, developmental toxicity and endocrine‐disrupting risks, whereas research regarding immunotoxicity and its underlying mechanism, especially on specific immune cells is limited. Here, we investigated the immunotoxicity of 8:2 FTOH on immature immune cells in an in vitro system. We observed that exposure of HL‐60 cells, a human promyelocytic leukemic cell line, to 8:2 FTOH reduced cell viability in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. In addition, 8:2 FTOH exposure caused G1 cell cycle arrest in HL‐60 cells, while it showed no effect on apoptosis. Exposure to 8:2 FTOH inhibited the mRNA expression of cell cycle‐related genes, including CCNA1, CCNA2, CCND1, and CCNE2. Moreover, exposure to 8:2 FTOH inhibited the mRNA expression of granulocytic differentiation‐related genes of CD11b, CSF3R, PU.1, and C/EPBε in HL‐60 cells . Furthermore, 8:2 FTOH exhibited no effect on intracellular ROS level, while hydralazine hydrochloride (Hyd), one reactive carbonyl species (RCS) scavenger, partially blocked 8:2 FTOH‐caused cytotoxicity in HL‐60 cells. Overall, the results obtained in the study show that 8:2 FTOH poses immunotoxicity in immature immune cells and RCS may partially underline its mechanism.
Evolution of sustainable energy policies in India since 1947: A review
Authors: Bardhan Ronita , Debnath Ramit , Jana Arnab
Published: February 2019

India's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions in 2015 toward the Two‐Degree Celsius climate change goal has endorsed 15% of renewable integration in the primary energy mix by 2020. The energy space is strategy to meet the target without affecting its immediate sustainable development goals. This study documents this strategic effort by tracking the historical trajectory of energy policy planning since its independence in 1947. An objective ontological approach was adopted in reviewing the evolution of energy policy into five distinct phases. Phase I (1947–1970), focused on supply adequacy with the overall thrust on infrastructure development as the pillar of Indian economy. In Phase II (the 1970s) the focus shifted in addressing the energy access crisis. Phase III (the 1980s) was based on increment, diversification, and streamlining on supplies for energy security purposes. Phase IV (the 1990s) is the period of modernization of the overall Indian electricity system. Phase V (the 2000s) is the present phase of market transformation and climate change mitigation energy policies. A co‐assessment of India's policy to the international climate negotiations showed that India remained responsive to international climate goals. It became reactive in the planning for sustainable energy policy after its ratification of Kyoto Protocol in 2001. Since then, India has been instrumental in administering strict emission reduction norms and efficiency measures. This review concludes that the country needs to upgrade its inefficient transmission and distribution networks, which was broadly neglected. The subsidy allocations in domestic energy resources should be well‐adjusted without compromising on its social costs.

This article is categorized under:

Energy and Climate > Economics and Policy

Energy Infrastructure > Climate and Environment

Energy Policy and Planning > Climate and Environment
Differing Romani Mobilities? The Case of Cross-Border Migration of Roma Between Slovenia and Austria
Authors: Sardelić Julija
Published: February 2019

Different public debates discuss the position of Roma in Europe as if they were one of the most mobile populations in Europe. The position of mobile Romani individuals became especially visible after the 2004 and 2007 European Union (EU) Enlargements. However, only a certain type of mobility of intra EU Romani migrants became particularly highlighted by the headlines of European Media: the one that more or less corresponded to a stereotypical image of a “Roma nomad” and depicted Roma as a potential threat to the social welfare systems of host states. This chapter argues that the reasons why Romani individuals become mobile are more complex and diverse than of those presented in the European public domain. The chapter traces life histories of Slovenian citizens who identify as Roma and have been mobile for work between Slovenia and Austria. It offers counter-narratives on how differing mobility practices of different Romani individuals are.
Conformism or Inadequacy of Roma Inclusion Policies? Missed Opportunities at the European and Local Levels
Authors: Magazzini Tina , Chiozza Enrica , Rossi Monica
Published: February 2019

Roma populations have been part of European societies for centuries, yet they started to be perceived as a European “issue” in occasion of the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargement. In Eastern Europe several Roma, already struggling to cope with critical living conditions, fell into an ever-more negative spiral of deprivation as a result of the transition to an open market economy. The accession to the European Union eased internal migration of Roma from Central and Eastern Europe and triggered the emergence of problems associated with service provision of shelter, education and health. Meanwhile, those who found themselves in severe marginalized situations and could not afford to migrate began to be regarded as a “problem” for local authorities. The European Union has taken several soft policy actions to establish a framework for Roma integration, and has conditioned the use of structural funds to said strategies. The difficulty of implementing the National Roma Integration Strategy and of investing integration funds at the local level is however heavily affected by the lack of administrative capacity, political will, and practical obstacles. This chapter describes the EU efforts made in this field, focusing on the need to involve the local level through the concrete case of the ROMACT programme.
When Housing Policies Are Ethnically Targeted: Struggles, Conflicts and Contentions for a “Possible City”
Authors: Manca Marianna , Vergnano Cecilia
Published: February 2019

In November 2011 the Italian Council of State declared unlawful the state of emergency concerning Roma settlements that had been in force since 2008. This decision gave rise to a new political phase, which started in 2012, characterized by a new National Strategy for the Inclusion of Roma people. One year later, in the city of Turin, the still unspent financial resources that had been assigned to the ‘emergency’ were converted into funds for ‘Roma inclusion’. This chapter addresses the question of how the implementation of the National Strategy at the local level was influenced by the so-called ‘Roma emergency’ politics. Through fieldwork in the informal slum of Lungo Stura Lazio, which has turned into the biggest rehousing project ever implemented in the city, called La Città Possibile (The Possible City) we were able to detect the persistence of an emergency, punitive and strongly selective logic at work, applied to a neoliberal approach to housing policies. The role played by local NGOs has been particularly significant in the reproduction of this logic, through the arbitrary selection between “good” (deserving) and “bad” (undeserving) Roma. The investigation was carried out between 2011 and 2016 and is based on ethnographic fieldwork and in-depth interviews with 25 camp dwellers, 12 civil servants, 11 social workers from private NGOs, and 4 civil-society actors from grassroots movements.
Dwelling in Limbo. Temporality in the Governance of Romani Migrants in Spain
Authors: Vrăbiescu Ioana
Published: February 2019

This chapter engages with the current debate on Romani mobility and Spanish state practices of implementing socio-educational programs and camp housing to migrant EU citizens. Taking the Madrid city as a case study, this chapter documents and analyses temporary devices of governance that both limit and force the mobility of Romani families from Romania. Implemented by local authorities through specific policies, temporary devices of governance deliver an enforced pressure on Romani migrants who are seen as prospective “failed” subjects of integration and potential returnees. While deterring migrants from accessing territorial social benefits, local authorities and private companies acting as state proxi assign Romani families a “social contract” that aims for their integration. The authorities not only implement problematic policies, but they interpret and label the mobility of Romani as a characteristic of their “provisional” way of living and dwelling. Following Cabot (2012) and Ringel (2016) on the temporality of governance and scholarship on the anthropology of time (Munn 1992; Fabian 2014), I aim to show two entangled processes in local governance: the subject formation of Romani migrants as an ethnicized mobile minority, and the long-term adverse results of project-based, profit-oriented social work. Romani migrants have become the target of a new type of social engineering by bringing into question the establishment of citizenship: agreeing to the social contract not only presumes that Romani migrants are not members of the same community, but also suggests that their lives have a different temporality.
The Migrating Poor: Romanian Roma Under Social Authoritarianism in Poland
Authors: Kostka Joanna
Published: February 2019

This chapter critically examines the discourse on “Roma exclusion” in the context of European migration policy, presenting key findings from the case study of Romanian Roma migrants in a city of Wroclaw in Poland. The concept of “Roma exclusion” has come to dominate political discussions about the marginalization of the largest European minority. Placed at the centre of the European Union political agenda it recognized that Roma poverty has multiple and interrelated causes, which require multifaceted policy responses. Nevertheless, while the concept has acquired strategic connotations, by stressing socio-economic processes, it has remained open to different interpretation influenced by political perceptions of Roma identity, migration as well as domestic policy approaches to integration. The pivotal instability in the discourse concerns the question of whether exclusion entitles an individual or a group to seek opportunities through migration and whether receiving countries are obliged to provide necessary support. Building on equality scholarship, this chapter argues that portrayal of Roma as “welfare migrants” who move across Europe exploiting generosity of welfare states, legitimizes hostile public interventions that negate official commitments to the Free Movement principle. The case of Wroclaw has received unprecedented political and media attention and demonstrates that anti-Gypsy discourse is used to mask unwillingness and inability of the state to design and implement coherent migration strategies, reflective of the European principles and recommendations. It also shows that “migration panic” is equally strong in the new EU members, largely unprepared to act as receiving countries.
Ultrasound is an Alternative to X-ray for Diagnosing Developmental Dysplasia of the Hips in 6-Month-Old Children
Authors: Kitay Alison , Widmann Roger F. , Doyle Shevaun M. , Do Huong T. , Green Daniel W.
Published: February 2019

Background

Infants previously treated for developmental dysplasia of the hips (DDH) are routinely imaged with ultrasound initially and reimaged with an anteroposterior (AP) pelvis X-ray at 6 months of age to assess for dysplasia. It has become convention to transition from ultrasound to AP X-ray at 6 months of age, but no study has demonstrated that ultrasound is inadequate at this age.

Question/Purpose

The purpose of this study was to confirm that ultrasound for the 6-month DDH evaluation is a feasible alternative to the standard X-ray.

Patients and Methods

Thirty-one 5- to 7-month-old infants undergoing AP pelvis X-ray related to previous Pavlik harness treatment for DDH or to a history of breech presentation were prospectively enrolled. All patients were imaged with an AP pelvis X-ray and bilateral hip ultrasounds. Three senior orthopedic surgeons unfamiliar with the patient histories evaluated both types of imaging for standard measures of hip dysplasia, including acetabular index (AI), alpha angle, and bony rim percent coverage of the femoral head. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the X-ray and ultrasound measures.

Results

Good quality ultrasound images were obtained in all patients, despite the presence of the ossific nucleus in 66% of the hips. All three reviewers correctly diagnosed the one dislocated hip via both X-ray and ultrasound. There were no false negatives on ultrasound, and none of the patients with negative ultrasounds required treatment during the mean 26 months of follow up. An increased AI on X-ray was correlated with lower percent coverage of the femoral head on ultrasound.

Conclusions

Ultrasound is a technically feasible DDH imaging modality that can be used as an alternative to X-ray for 6-month-olds.
Towards Ethical Guidelines of Using Telepresence Robots in Residential Care
Authors: Niemelä Marketta , van Aerschot Lina , Tammela Antti , Aaltonen Iina , Lammi Hanna
Published: February 2019

Robotic telepresence is a potential technology to help alleviating the loneliness of elderly people. The impacts of long-term use of telepresence robots in residential care are not well known. We were interested in how using a telepresence robot influences the resident, family members and care workers at a facility, and what challenges and solutions there are for wider adoption of such robots in residential care. With a telepresence robot Double, we arranged a series of three trials in two separate residential care facilities: one 12-week trial in a private facility and two successive 6-week trials in a public facility. In each trial, we installed the telepresence robot in a room of a long-term care home resident for communicating with her/his family members. Based on the results, telepresence robots do increase presence and possibly engagement of family members in residential care, but privacy is a central concern. The mobility of a telepresence robot is hard to utilize in residential care, and to be able to do so, ethical consideration and guidelines are needed. We provide a draft of such ethical guidelines.
Internet of Things – striking the balance between competition and security
Authors: Rutherford Robert
Published: February 2019

With a growing number of companies now recognising the vast benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is critical they put in place the right measures to protect their cyber security against the rising risk of scammers.

With a growing number of companies now recognising the vast benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is critical they put in place the right measures to protect themselves against scammers.

As the pressure to increase the level of connectivity intensifies, so too does the opportunity for systems to become compromised. It is vital that in their efforts to monetise services and keep pace with competitors, businesses are not overwhelmed by the applications on offer and become unwittingly vulnerable. The challenge is to strike a balance between enhancing their proposition and continuing to protect their security, explains Robert Rutherford of QuoStar.
THE HARRINGTON–SHELAH MODEL WITH LARGE CONTINUUM
Authors: GILTON THOMAS , KRUEGER JOHN
Published: February 2019

We prove from the existence of a Mahlo cardinal the consistency of the statement that 2ω = ω3 holds and every stationary subset of ${\omega _2}\mathop \cap \nolimits {\rm{cof}}\left( \omega \right)$ reflects to an ordinal less than ω2 with cofinality ω1.
A SEPARATION RESULT FOR COUNTABLE UNIONS OF BOREL RECTANGLES
Authors: LECOMTE DOMINIQUE
Published: February 2019

We provide dichotomy results characterizing when two disjoint analytic binary relations can be separated by a countable union of ${\bf{\Sigma }}_1^0 \times {\bf{\Sigma }}_\xi ^0$ sets, or by a ${\bf{\Pi }}_1^0 \times {\bf{\Pi }}_\xi ^0$ set.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (55 Gy in 20 fractions) for high-grade laryngeal dysplasia: report of acute toxicity and functional outcome
Authors: Kovarik J , Bhabra M , Tin A W , Shaikh G , Iqbal M S
Published: February 2019

Objective

Radiotherapy is an option to treat high-grade laryngeal dysplasia. This study aimed to evaluate the use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy, 55 Gy in 20 daily fractions, in treating this disease.

Methods

Acute toxicity was evaluated in all 14 patients treated. In 10 patients, functional voice outcome was measured using the Voice Handicap Index, and the Grade, Roughness, Breath, Asthenia, Strain (‘GRBAS’) scale. These measurements were performed pre-treatment and three months after intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Results

All but one patient managed to complete radiotherapy. Acute toxicity was significant (one patient developed grade 4 and three patients developed grade 3 dysphagia). Four patients required hospital admission. In 9 out of 10 patients, radiotherapy improved voice quality.

Conclusion

This radiotherapy regimen using intensity-modulated radiotherapy for laryngeal dysplasia is feasible and provided excellent functional outcome, but acute toxicity was significant. Dose de-escalation can be considered in the framework of clinical trials.
Paul, Plutarch and the Gender Dynamics of Prophecy
Authors: Marshall Jill E.
Published: February 2019

This article compares two first-century authors, Paul and Plutarch, on the mechanics of inspiration and the role of gender in the prophetic process. Paul's First Corinthians and Plutarch's Delphic Dialogues (De Pythiae oraculis and De defectu oraculorum) were written by men who were observers of and commentators on the religious phenomenon of prophecy – that is, the communication of divine messages through human speakers. They also make statements about women that indicate that gender influenced their perceptions of prophecy. When these authors discuss prophecy at the conceptual level, gender does not affect their arguments, but when they turn to actual women prophets, they introduce ideas about gender and sex that shape their views of the prophetic process and the women who prophesy.
Paragraphos, Not Obelos, in Codex Vaticanus
Authors: Krans Jan
Published: February 2019

There are serious problems with P. Payne's discussion of ‘distigmai’ in Codex Vaticanus, and more in particular with his identification and interpretation of so-called ‘distigme-obelos’ combinations. The ‘distigmai’ remain elusive and any ‘distigme-obelos’ is coincidental.
Production, perception, and communicative goals of American newscaster speech
Authors: Gasser Emily , Ahn Byron , Napoli Donna Jo , Zhou Z.L.
Published: February 2019

Listeners often have the intuition that the speech of broadcast news reporters somehow ‘sounds different’; previous literature supports this observation and has described some distinctive aspects of newscaster register. This article presents two studies further describing the characteristic properties and functions of American English newscaster speech, focusing specifically on prosody. In the first, we investigate the production of newscaster speech. We describe the measurable differences in pitch, speed, intensity, and melodic features between newscaster and conversational speech, and connect those traits to perceptions of authority, credibility, charisma, and related characteristics. In the second, we investigate the perception of newscaster speech. Our experiments demonstrate that listeners can distinguish newscaster from conversational speech given only prosodic information, and that they use a subset of the newscasters’ distinguishing features to do so. (News, prosody, discourse registers, speech perception, credibility, authority)*