bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different methods of measuring angle of progression in prediction of labor outcome
Authors: Frick A. , Kostiv V. , Vojtassakova D. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

First, to compare the manual sagittal and parasagittal and automated parasagittal methods of measuring the angle of progression (AoP) by transperineal ultrasound during labor, and, second, to develop models for the prediction of time to delivery and need for Cesarean section (CS) for failure to progress (FTP) in a population of patients undergoing induction of labor.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of transperineal ultrasound in a cohort of 512 women with a singleton pregnancy undergoing induction of labor. A random selection of 50 stored images was assessed for inter‐ and intraobserver reliability of AoP measurements using the manual sagittal and parasagittal and automated parasagittal methods. In cases of vaginal delivery, univariate linear, multiple linear and quantile regression analyses were performed to predict time to delivery. Univariate and multivariate binomial logistic regression analyses were performed to predict CS for FTP in the first stage of labor.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the manual parasagittal method for a single observer was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95–0.98) and for two observers it was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93–0.98), indicating good reliability. The ICC for the sagittal method for a single observer was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.88–0.96) and for two observers it was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.58–0.84), indicating moderate reliability for a single observer and poor reliability between two observers. Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated narrower limits of agreement for the manual parasagittal approach than for the sagittal approach for both a single and two observers. The automated parasagittal method failed to capture an image in 19% of cases. The mean difference in AoP measurements between the sagittal and manual parasagittal methods was 11°. In pregnancies resulting in vaginal delivery, 54% of the variation in time to delivery was explained in a model combining parity, epidural and syntocinon use during labor and the sonographic findings of fetal head position and AoP. In the prediction of CS for FTP in the first stage of labor, a model which combined maternal factors with the sonographic measurements of AoP and estimated fetal weight was superior to one utilizing maternal factors alone (area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve, 0.80 vs 0.76).

Conclusions

First, the method of measuring AoP with the greatest reliability is the manual parasagittal technique and future research should focus on this technique. Second, over half of the variation in time to vaginal delivery can be explained by a model that combines maternal factors, pregnancy characteristics and ultrasound findings. Third, the ability of AoP to provide clinically useful prediction of CS for FTP in the first stage of labor is limited. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Crime reconstruction and the role of trace materials from crime scene to court
Authors: Morgan Ruth M. , Meakin Georgina E. , French James C. , Nakhaeizadeh Sherry
Published: November 2019

Crime reconstruction takes place in a complex ecosystem and needs to be responsive to the context of each case. For accurate, reproducible and transparent crime reconstructions to take place, a holistic approach is needed that considers the different stakeholders, different types of trace material, integral human decision‐making and interconnected nature of the forensic science process. For robust reconstruction, there needs to be a consideration of both the distinctive types of trace material that can contribute to the reconstruction, and an understanding of the interplay of human decision‐making within reconstruction approaches. In addition, it is also necessary to consider source attribution of a trace material in addition to the activities that led to the generation, identification, transfer, and persistence of the trace. This requires explicit and tacit forms of knowledge, and an incorporation of the inherent uncertainty and risk in the reconstruction approach. The communication of conclusions reached in a crime reconstruction that address what the evidence means is also an important consideration given the different requirements of intelligence and evidence. Therefore, undertaking a crime reconstruction within a holistic framework that seeks to incorporate the complexity of the forensic science ecosystem is valuable for achieving a problem solving approach that offers reproducible, transparent reconstructions with a clear articulation of risk and uncertainty that can be of value to investigators and the courts.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Reconstruction

Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > From Traces to Intelligence and Evidence
Internet of Things and data analytics: A current review
Authors: Mohindru Gaurav , Mondal Koushik , Banka Haider
Published: November 2019

With the advent of Internet and computing, we entered into an era with more people exchanging information over the Internet using devices like desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and similar data transmitting and receiving gadgets. This was a host centric communication approach. Internet of Things (IoT) is the next stage of technological advancement in computation, networking and communication with physical objects around the world getting connected to the network and exchanging data. This is an information centric approach. Thus it can be defined as an expanding physical network of dynamically increasing physical objects. The objects share information derived from their environments, reliably, and securely over the communication medium leveraging multiple protocols. The protocols involved are getting standardized to address the compatibility and interoperability issues. Each object connected is uniquely identified and controlled in the network. IoT finds its applications in many fields as environment monitoring, logistics, health care, automobile, controlled industrial environment, smart cities, and many more. As the devices, their cardinality and alignment, the data type, the data rate and specifics of the domain of the IoT applications vary; there is also a need to define architectures that incorporate the devices, communication mediums, storage, and analysis capabilities and the consumers of the derived output. Advancements in data analytics, machine learning, and digital technologies offer possibilities of derive meaningful intelligence for actionable output and in creating useful and context aware applications.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Web Mining

Application Areas > Internet

Application Areas > Data Mining Software Tools

Application Areas > Industry Specific Applications
Conformally invariant boundary conditions in the antiferromagnetic Potts model and the SL(2, ℝ)/U(1) sigma model
Authors: Robertson Niall F. , Jacobsen Jesper Lykke , Saleur Hubert
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We initiate a study of the boundary version of the square-lattice Q-state Potts antiferromagnet, with Q ∈ [0, 4] real, motivated by the fact that the continuum limit of the corresponding bulk model is a non-compact CFT, closely related with the SL(2, ℝ)
k

/U(1) Euclidian black-hole coset model. While various types of conformal boundary conditions (discrete and continuous branes) have been formally identified for the the SL(2, ℝ)
k

/U(1) coset CFT, we are only able in this work to identify conformal boundary conditions (CBC) leading to a discrete boundary spectrum. The CBC we find are of two types. The first is free boundary Potts spins, for which we confirm an old conjecture for the generating functions of conformal levels, and show them to be related to characters in a non-linear deformation of the W

∞
algebra. The second type of CBC — which corresponds to restricting the values of the Potts spins to a subset of size Q
1, or its complement of size Q − Q
1, at alternating sites along the boundary — is new, and turns out to be conformal in the antiferromagnetic case only. In the following, we refer to these new boundary conditions as “alt” boundary conditions. Using algebraic and numerical techniques, we show that the corresponding spectrum generating functions produce all the characters of discrete representations for the coset CFT. The normalizability bounds of the associated discrete states in the coset CFT are found to have a simple interpretation in terms of boundary phase transitions in the lattice model. In the two-boundary case, with two distinct alt conditions, we obtain similar results, at least in the case when the corresponding boundary condition changing operator also inserts a number of defect lines. For

$$ \sqrt{Q} $$

Q

= 2

$$ \cos \frac{\pi }{k} $$

cos

π
k

, with k ≥ 3 integer, we show also how our boundary conditions can be reformulated in terms of a RSOS height model. The spectrum generating functions are then identified with string functions of the compact SU(2)
k−2
/U(1) parafermion theory (with symmetry Z

k−2). The new alt conditions are needed to cover all the string functions. We provide an algebraic proof that the two-boundary alt conditions correctly produce the fusion rules of string functions. We expose in detail the special case of Q = 3 and its link with three-colourings of the square lattice and a corresponding boundary six-vertex model. Finally, we discuss the case of an odd number of sites (in the loop model) and the relation with wired boundary conditions (in the spin model). In this case the RSOS restriction produces the disorder operators of the parafermion theory.
Scrambling in hyperbolic black holes: shock waves and pole-skipping
Authors: Ahn Yongjun , Jahnke Viktor , Jeong Hyun-Sik , Kim Keun-Young
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We study the scrambling properties of (d + 1)-dimensional hyperbolic black holes. Using the eikonal approximation, we calculate out-of-time-order correlators (OTOCs) for a Rindler-AdS geometry with AdS radius ℓ, which is dual to a d-dimensional conformal field theory (CFT) in hyperbolic space with temperature T = 1/(2π ℓ). We find agreement between our results for OTOCs and previously reported CFT calculations. For more generic hyperbolic black holes, we compute the butterfly velocity in two different ways, namely: from shock waves and from a pole-skipping analysis, finding perfect agreement between the two methods. The butterfly velocity v

B
(T) nicely interpolates between the Rindler-AdS result

$$ {v}_B\left(T=\frac{1}{2\pi \ell}\right)=\frac{1}{d-1} $$

v
B

T
=

1

2
π
ℓ

=

1

d
−
1

and the planar result

$$ {v}_B\left(T\gg \frac{1}{\ell}\right)=\sqrt{\frac{d}{2\left(d-1\right)}} $$

v
B

T
≫

1
ℓ

=

d

2

d
−
1

.
Modular invariance, tauberian theorems and microcanonical entropy
Authors: Mukhametzhanov Baur , Zhiboedav Alexander
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We analyze modular invariance drawing inspiration from tauberian theorems. Given a modular invariant partition function with a positive spectral density, we derive lower and upper bounds on the number of operators within a given energy interval. They are most revealing at high energies. In this limit we rigorously derive the Cardy formula for the microcanonical entropy together with optimal error estimates for various widths of the averaging energy shell. We identify a new universal contribution to the microcanonical entropy controlled by the central charge and the width of the shell. We derive an upper bound on the spacings between Virasoro primaries. Analogous results are obtained in holographic 2d CFTs. We also study partition functions with a UV cutoff. Control over error estimates allows us to probe operators beyond the unity in the modularity condition. We check our results in the 2d Ising model and the Monster CFT and find perfect agreement.
Shadow of a rotating squashed Kaluza-Klein black hole
Authors: Long Fen , Wang Jieci , Chen Songbai , Jing Jiliang
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We study the shadow of a rotating squashed Kaluza-Klein (KK) black hole and the shadow is found to possess distinct properties from those of usual rotating black holes. It is shown that the shadow for a rotating squashed KK black hole is heavily influenced by the specific angular momentum of photon from the fifth dimension. Especially, as the parameters lie in a certain special range, there is no any shadow for a black hole, which does not emerge for the usual black holes. In the case where the black hole shadow exists, the shadow shape is a perfect black disk and its radius decreases with the rotation parameter of the black hole. Moreover, the change of the shadow radius with extra dimension parameter also depends on the rotation parameter of black hole. Finally, with the latest observation data, we estimate the angular radius of the shadow for the supermassive black hole Sgr A
∗ at the centre of the Milky Way galaxy and the supermassive black hole in M 87.
Antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activity of 3-acetyl-2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazolines: a review
Authors: Paruch Kinga , Popiołek Łukasz , Wujec Monika
Published: November 2019

In the last 20 years there has been a significant increase in interest in the structure of oxadiazole derivatives, especially 3-acetyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolines. It is known that these derivatives possess: antibacterial, antifungal, antitubercular, antiprotozoal, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, many medicinal chemists choose 3-acetyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline scaffold for the synthesis of new potentially active substances with a better effectiveness and less toxicity. This article is a literature review since 2000 presenting new derivatives with proven antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activity, containing in its structure a 3-acetyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline system.
Endovascular Treatment of Small Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (<5 mm)
Authors: Peng Fei , Feng Xin , Tong Xin , Zhang Baorui , Wang Luyao , Guo Erkang , Qi Peng , Lu Jun , Wu Zhongxue , Wang Daming , Liu Aihua
Published: November 2019

Purpose

To investigate the long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes and their related predictors in endovascular treatment (EVT) of small (<5 mm) ruptured intracranial aneurysms (SRA).

Methods

The study retrospectively reviewed patients with SRAs who underwent EVT between September 2011 and December 2016 in two Chinese stroke centers. Medical charts and telephone call follow-up were used to identify the overall unfavorable clinical outcomes (OUCO, modified Rankin score ≤2) and any recanalization or retreatment. The independent predictors of OUCO and recanalization were studied using univariate and multivariate analyses. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the predictors of retreatment.

Results

In this study 272 SRAs were included with a median follow-up period of 5.0 years (interquartile range 3.5–6.5 years) and 231 patients with over 1171 aneurysm-years were contacted. Among these, OUCO, recanalization, and retreatment occurred in 20 (7.4%), 24 (12.8%), and 11 (7.1%) patients, respectively. Aneurysms accompanied by parent vessel stenosis (AAPVS), high Hunt-Hess grade, high Fisher grade, and intraoperative thrombogenesis in the parent artery (ITPA) were the independent predictors of OUCO. A wide neck was found to be a predictor of recanalization. The 11 retreatments included 1 case of surgical clipping, 6 cases of coiling, and 4 cases of stent-assisted coiling. A wide neck and AAPVS were the related predictors.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated relatively favorable clinical and angiographic outcomes in EVT of SRAs in long-term follow-up of up to 5 years. THE AAPVS, as a morphological indicator of the parent artery for both OUCO and retreatment, needs further validation.
Correction to: Arthroscopic primary repair of proximal anterior cruciate ligament tears seems safe but higher level of evidence is needed: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature
Authors: van der List Jelle P. , Vermeijden Harmen D. , Sierevelt Inger N. , DiFelice Gregory S. , van Noort Arthur , Kerkhoffs Gino M. M. J.
Published: November 2019

Unfortunately
The resolution of inflammation through omega-3 fatty acids in atherosclerosis, intimal hyperplasia, and vascular calcification
Authors: Carracedo Miguel , Artiach Gonzalo , Arnardottir Hildur , Bäck Magnus
Published: November 2019

Omega-3 fatty acids serve as the substrate for the formation of a group of lipid mediators that mediate the resolution of inflammation. The cardiovascular inflammatory response in atherosclerosis and vascular injury is characterized by a failure in the resolution of inflammation, resulting in a chronic inflammatory response. The proresolving lipid mediator resolvin E1 (RvE1) is formed by enzymatic conversion of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and signals resolution of inflammation through its receptor ChemR23. Importantly, the resolution of cardiovascular inflammation is an active, multifactorial process that involves modulation of the immune response, direct actions on the vascular wall, as well as close interactions between macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells. Promoting anti-atherogenic signalling through the stimulation of endogenous resolution of inflammation pathways may provide a novel therapeutic strategy in cardiovascular prevention.
Long-term feeding issue and its impact on the daily life of congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors: results of the first patient-led survey
Authors: Power Beverley , Shibuya Soichi , Lane Brenda , Eaton Simon , De Coppi Paolo
Published: November 2019

Background

CDH UK is a registered charity governed by a volunteer committee and providing informal support to patients, families and healthcare workers affected directly or indirectly with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) internationally. This is the first patient-led survey undertaken by CDH UK aiming for highlighting the feeding problems and their impact on the daily life of CDH survivors.

Methods

Answers from CDH survivors were collected through an online questionnaire (SurveyMonkey®) undertaken by CDH UK. The questionnaire contained questions about their feeding problems and support they were receiving for it.

Main results

Overall, 151 patients answered some parts of the survey and 102 patients completed the questionnaire. Overall, 116 (76.8%) responders reported suffering from any type of feeding issue. Gastric acid reflux (GER) and growth retardation were the commonest symptoms experienced by 97 (91.5%) and 72 (62.2%) responders, respectively. Only 18 (17.0%) responders have received any written information on feeding or details of patient/parent support. Eighty (75.5%) responders are satisfied with the level of support they are receiving, but 78 (76.4%) answered that the whole experience associated with the disease has been very or extremely stressful.

Conclusions

CDH survivors frequently have various issues with feeding, which may not be adequately supported or discussed clinically. It is desirable to assist the patients to reliable resources of long-term support, including multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach.
Output feedback fault-tolerant control for a class of nonlinear systems via dynamic gain and neural network
Authors: Xi Xiaoye , Liu Tingzhang , Zhao Jianfei , Yan Limin
Published: November 2019

In this paper, by combining the dynamic gain and the self-adaptive neural network, an output feedback fault-tolerant control method was proposed for a class of nonlinear uncertain systems with actuator faults. First, the dynamic gain was introduced and the coordinate transformation of the state variables of the system was performed to design the corresponding state observers. Then, the observer-based output feedback controller was designed through the back-stepping method. The output feedback control method based on the dynamic gain can solve the adaptive fault-tolerant control problem when there are simple nonlinear functions with uncertain parameters in the system. For the more complex uncertain nonlinear functions in the system, in this paper, a single hidden layer neural network was used for compensation and the fault-tolerant control was realized by combining the dynamic gain. Finally, the height and posture control system of the unmanned aerial vehicle with actuator faults was taken as an example to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Understanding visitor interaction with a projection augmented relief model display: insights from an in-the-wild study in the English Lake District
Authors: Priestnall Gary , Cheverst Keith
Published: November 2019

Projection augmented relief models (PARMs) are a promising tangible display technology for assisting users in orientating themselves within the represented landscape. The production of physical models is now easier than ever thanks to more freely available digital terrain data and 3D fabrication technology. When placed in a public setting, such as a visitor centre, the physical nature of such displays coupled with digital surface projection is compelling, enticing passers-by to notice and interact playfully with the display. In this article, we describe findings from our in-the-wild study of a PARM display designed to engage and orient visitors to the rural landscape of a remote valley in the heart of the English Lake District. The deployment has involved close collaboration with the Lake District National Trust, and the results of our 3-day observation study (n = 221) contribute to the growing research community seeking to explore and uncover technology designs that are both playful and unobtrusive to the nature experience. Our research also contributes to the literature on public and situated digital displays and, in particular, understandings of visitor behaviour as considered through the so-called audience funnel framework. Our observations revealed that a significant portion (79%) of visitors noticed the PARM display and that, of these, 68% transitioned to giving the display their focal attention. We also observed an apparent expectation for the PARM display to support direct tangible interaction (such as pointing gestures) which contrasts to the phenomenon of interaction blindness discussed in the literature.
Efficacy is Not Everything: Eliciting Women’s Preferences for a Vaginal HIV Prevention Product Using a Discrete-Choice Experiment
Authors: Browne Erica N. , Montgomery Elizabeth T. , Mansfield Carol , Boeri Marco , Mange Brennan , Beksinska Mags , Schwartz Jill L. , Clark Meredith R. , Doncel Gustavo F. , Smit Jenni , Chirenje Zvavahera M. , van der Straten Ariane
Published: November 2019

As new female-initiated HIV prevention products enter development, it is crucial to incorporate women’s preferences to ensure products will be desired, accepted, and used. A discrete-choice experiment was designed to assess the relative importance of six attributes to stated choice of a vaginally delivered HIV prevention product. Sexually active women in South Africa and Zimbabwe aged 18–30 were recruited from two samples: product-experienced women from a randomized trial of four vaginal placebo forms and product-naïve community members. In a tablet-administered survey, 395 women chose between two hypothetical products over eight choice sets. Efficacy was the most important, but there were identifiable preferences among other attributes. Women preferred a product that also prevented pregnancy and caused some wetness (p < 0.001). They disliked a daily-use product (p = 0.002) and insertion by finger (p = 0.002). Although efficacy drove preference, wetness, pregnancy prevention, and dosing regimen were influential to stated choice of a product, and women were willing to trade some level of efficacy to have other more desired attributes.
No Evidence of Sexual Risk Compensation Following PrEP Initiation Among Heterosexual HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Kenya and Uganda
Authors: Ortblad Katrina F. , Stalter Randy M. , Bukusi Elizabeth A. , Ngure Kenneth , Mujugura Andrew , Celum Connie , Baeten Jared M. , Heffron Renee
Published: November 2019

Recent studies among men who have sex with men suggest that sexual behaviors associated with risk of sexually transmitted infections increase following initiation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. We used longitudinal data from HIV-uninfected participants (n = 1013) enrolled in an open-label study of PrEP delivered to Ugandan and Kenyan heterosexual HIV serodiscordant couples to understand the association between PrEP initiation and HIV risk-related sexual behaviors among these couples. In the month following PrEP initiation, the mean number of monthly sex acts within couples decreased from 7.9 to 6.9 (mean difference: − 1.1; 95% CI − 1.5, − 0.7) and the proportion of couples having condomless sex decreased from 65% to 32% (percentage point change: − 33%; 95% CI − 37%, − 30%); these behaviors then remained relatively constant over 2 years. We found no evidence of sexual risk compensation following PrEP initiation within African serodiscordant couples. However, roughly a third of couples continued to engage in condomless sex during follow up, emphasizing the importance of continued PrEP use to sustain HIV protection.
The Stability of Fe-Isotope Signatures During Low Salinity Mixing in Subarctic Estuaries
Authors: Conrad Sarah , Wuttig Kathrin , Jansen Nils , Rodushkin Ilia , Ingri Johan
Published: November 2019

We have studied iron (Fe)-isotope signals in particles (> 0.22 µm) and the dissolved phase (< 0.22 µm) in two subarctic, boreal rivers, their estuaries and the adjacent sea in northern Sweden. Both rivers, the Råne and the Kalix, are enriched in Fe and organic carbon (up to 29 µmol/L and up to 730 µmol/L, respectively). Observed changes in the particulate and dissolved phase during spring flood in May suggest different sources of Fe to the rivers during different seasons. While particles show a positive Fe-isotope signal during winter, during spring flood, the values are negative. Increased discharge due to snowmelt in the boreal region is most times accompanied by flushing of the organic-rich sub-surface layers. These upper podzol soil layers have been shown to be a source for Fe-organic carbon aggregates with a negative Fe-isotope signal. During winter, the rivers are mostly fed by deep groundwater, where Fe occurs as Fe(oxy)hydroxides, with a positive Fe-isotope signal. Flocculation during initial estuarine mixing does not change the Fe-isotope compositions of the two phases. Data indicate that the two groups of Fe aggregates flocculate diversely in the estuaries due to differences in their surface structure. Within the open sea, the particulate phase showed heavier δ56Fe values than in the estuaries. Our data indicate the flocculation of the negative Fe-isotope signal in a low salinity environment, due to changes in the ionic strength and further the increase of pH.
Finger Tapping Task Activation vs. TMS Hotspot: Different Locations and Networks
Authors: Wang Jue , Meng Hai-Jiang , Ji Gong-Jun , Jing Ying , Wang Hong-Xiao , Deng Xin-Ping , Feng Zi-Jian , Zhao Na , Zang Yu-Feng , Zhang Jian
Published: November 2019

Both functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have been used to non-invasively localize the human motor functional area. These locations can be clinically used as stimulation target of TMS treatment. However, it has been reported that the finger tapping fMRI activation and TMS hotspot were not well-overlapped. The aim of the current study was to measure the distance between the finger tapping fMRI activation and the TMS hotspot, and more importantly, to compare the network difference by using resting-state fMRI. Thirty healthy participants underwent resting-state fMRI, task fMRI, and then TMS hotspot localization. We found significant difference of locations between finger tapping fMRI activation and TMS hotspot. Specifically, the finger tapping fMRI activation was more lateral than the TMS hotspot in the premotor area. The fMRI activation peak and TMS hotspot were taken as seeds for resting-state functional connectivity analyses. Compared with TMS hotspot, finger tapping fMRI activation peak showed more intensive functional connectivity with, e.g., the bilateral premotor, insula, putamen, and right globus pallidus. The findings more intensive networks of finger tapping activation than TMS hotspot suggest that TMS treatment targeting on the fMRI activation area might result in more remote effects and would be more helpful for TMS treatment on movement disorders.
Unveiling the Structure Sensitivity for Direct Conversion of Syngas to C2-Oxygenates with a Multicomponent-Promoted Rh Catalyst
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Jansma Harrie , Miyama Toshihito , Sanjeewa Aluthge Rasika Dasanayake , Shinmei Kenichi , Yagihashi Noritoshi , Nishiyama Haruka , Osadchii Dmitrii , van der Linden Bart , Makkee Michiel
Published: November 2019

Mn and Li promoted Rh catalysts supported on SiO2 with a thin TiO2 layer were synthesized by stepwise incipient wetness impregnation approach. The thin TiO2 layer on the surface of SiO2 was proved to stabilize those small Rh nanoparticles and hinder their agglomeration. The reducibility of Rh on these catalysts depends on Rh particle size as well as the position of manganese oxide, and large Rh nanoparticles with MnO on Rh nanoparticles can be only reduced at an elevated temperature. Catalyst with large Rh particles exhibits a higher CO conversion and higher products selectivity towards long chain hydrocarbons and C2-oxygenates at the expense of decreasing methane formation than a similar catalyst with smaller Rh particles. This was attributed to the synergistic effect of Mn and Li promotion and molar ratio between Rh0 and Rhδ+ sites on the surface of Rh nanoparticles. Moreover, Rh nanoparticles on MnO are proved to be more efficient in promoting hydrogenation of acetaldehyde to ethanol than its counterpart with MnO on Rh nanoparticles. Finally, in order to target high C2-oxygenates selectivity, low reaction temperature together with a low H2/CO ratio in the feed is recommended.

Graphic Abstract
Coaching in design-based learning: a grounded theory approach to create a theoretical model and practical propositions
Authors: van Diggelen M. R. , Doulougeri K. I. , Gomez-Puente S. M. , Bombaerts G. , Dirkx K. J. H. , Kamp R. J. A.
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study is to determine what good coaching during design-based learning (DBL) entails by integrating theoretical and practical perspectives on good coaching. For this purpose, a grounded theory approach was used. For the practical perspective, themes on good coaching were derived from a qualitative study on coaching by observing and interviewing teachers and students involved in a DBL project. For the theoretical perspective, we consulted and analyzed literature on scaffolding, feedback, and formative assessment and coaching in problem-based learning from the learning sciences and the studio model from arts and design literature. Synthesizing themes from both perspectives led to the development of a theoretical coaching model consisting of three main categories (and four subcategories), seventeen themes and thirteen propositions. The model and propositions might be of use for those involved in coaching students in DBL and provide relevant directions for research on coaching in DBL.
Short Report: Social Perception of High School Students with ASD in Norway
Authors: Skafle Ingjerd , Nordahl-Hansen Anders , Øien Roald A.
Published: November 2019

An increasing number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enroll in inclusive schools and classrooms. The aim of this study was to research how students with ASD experience the social aspect of inclusive high schools. Five adolescences with Asperger syndrome were interviewed, and the results show that high school was perceived as an important platform for social training, and an equally important place to find new friends and acquaintances. A majority of the participants had experienced loneliness and bullying in junior high school. However, they experienced high school as a new start, with a more open and inclusive environment. Nevertheless, several of the participants expressed that they used quite a lot of energy on social settings, such as interpreting social situations and on being amongst a larger group of students. In order to support this group of adolescents in their schooling, it is important to look at their strength and resources, and not only focus on the challenges and difficulties.
On the König deficiency of zero-reducible graphs
Authors: Bartha Miklós , Krész Miklós
Published: November 2019

A confluent and terminating reduction system is introduced for graphs, which preserves the number of their perfect matchings. A union-find algorithm is presented to carry out reduction in almost linear time. The König property is investigated in the context of reduction by introducing the König deficiency of a graph G as the difference between the vertex covering number and the matching number of G. It is shown that the problem of finding the König deficiency of a graph is NP-complete even if we know that the graph reduces to the empty graph. Finally, the König deficiency of graphs G having a vertex v such that $$G-v$$G-v has a unique perfect matching is studied in connection with reduction.
Quantization of the Interacting Hall Conductivity in the Critical Regime
Authors: Giuliani Alessandro , Mastropietro Vieri , Porta Marcello
Published: November 2019

The Haldane model is a paradigmatic 2d lattice model exhibiting the integer quantum Hall effect. We consider an interacting version of the model, and prove that for short-range interactions, smaller than the bandwidth, the Hall conductivity is quantized, for all the values of the parameters outside two critical curves, across which the model undergoes a ‘topological’ phase transition: the Hall coefficient remains integer and constant as long as we continuously deform the parameters without crossing the curves; when this happens, the Hall coefficient jumps abruptly to a different integer. Previous works were limited to the perturbative regime, in which the interaction is much smaller than the bare gap, so they were restricted to regions far from the critical lines. The non-renormalization of the Hall conductivity arises as a consequence of lattice conservation laws and of the regularity properties of the current–current correlations. Our method provides a full construction of the critical curves, which are modified (‘dressed’) by the electron–electron interaction. The shift of the transition curves manifests itself via apparent infrared divergences in the naive perturbative series, which we resolve via renormalization group methods.
The Egalitarian Fallacy: Are Group Differences Compatible with Political Liberalism?
Authors: Anomaly Jonathan , Winegard Bo
Published: November 2019

Many people greet evidence of biologically based race and sex differences with extreme skepticism, even hostility. We argue that some of the vehemence with which many intellectuals in the West resist claims about group differences is rooted in the tacit assumption that accepting evidence for group differences in socially valued traits would undermine our reasons to treat people with respect. We call this theegalitarian fallacy. We first explain the fallacy and then give evidence that self-described liberals in the United States are especially likely to commit it when they reason about topics like race and sex. We then argue that people should not be as worried as they often are about research that finds psychological differences between men and women, or between people of different racial or ethnic groups. We conclude that if moral equality is believed to rest on biological identity, ethnically diverse societies are in trouble.
Diagnostik genetisch bedingter Epilepsien
Authors: Lemke Johannes R.
Published: November 2019

Je nach Anfallssemiologie und EEG-Befund werden Epilepsien klinisch zumeist in fokale bzw. generalisierte Formen unterteilt. Tritt bei einem Kind infolge einer Epilepsie zusätzlich eine Entwicklungsstörung auf, kann dies oft auf eine epileptische Enzephalopathie zurückgeführt werden. Das Mutationsspektrum genetischer Epilepsien ist ausgesprochen heterogen und kann am besten mithilfe der Hochdurchsatzsequenzierung erfasst werden. Insbesondere bei den Enzephalopathien besteht eine hohe Aufklärungsrate. Mittlerweile gibt es für diverse genetisch bedingte Epilepsieerkrankungen individualisierte Therapien, die auf den jeweiligen molekularen Pathomechanismus abzielen, und die Zahl solcher personalisierter Therapieoptionen steigt stetig.
Functions of p53 in pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Fu Xuemei , Wu Shouhai , Li Bo , Xu Yang , Liu Jingfeng
Published: November 2019

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are capable of unlimited self-renewal in culture and differentiation into all functional cell types in the body, and thus hold great promise for regenerative medicine. To achieve their clinical potential, it is critical for PSCs to maintain genomic stability during the extended proliferation. The critical tumor suppressor p53 is required to maintain genomic stability of mammalian cells. In response to DNA damage or oncogenic stress, p53 plays multiple roles in maintaining genomic stability of somatic cells by inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence to prevent the passage of genetic mutations to the daughter cells. p53 is also required to maintain the genomic stability of PSCs. However, in response to the genotoxic stresses, a primary role of p53 in PSCs is to induce the differentiation of PSCs and inhibit pluripotency, providing mechanisms to maintain the genomic stability of the self-renewing PSCs. In addition, the roles of p53 in cellular metabolism might also contribute to genomic stability of PSCs by limiting oxidative stress. In summary, the elucidation of the roles of p53 in PSCs will be a prerequisite for developing safe PSC-based cell therapy.
Forest cover enhances natural enemy diversity and biological control services in Brazilian sun coffee plantations
Authors: Medeiros Hugo Reis , Grandinete Yuri Campanholo , Manning Paul , Harper Karen A. , Cutler G. Christopher , Tyedmers Peter , Righi Ciro Abbud , Ribeiro Milton Cezar
Published: November 2019

Landscape structure and crop management directly affect insect communities, which can influence agriculturally relevant ecosystem services and disservices. However, little is known about the effect of landscape structure and local factors on pests, natural enemies, and biological control services in the Neotropics. We investigated how environmental conditions at local and landscape levels affect Leucoptera coffeella (insect pest), social wasps (natural enemies), and the provision of biological control services in 16 Brazilian coffee plantations under different crop management and landscape contexts. We considered microclimatic conditions, coffee plantation size, and management intensity at the local level; and forest cover, landscape diversity, and edge density at the landscape level. Pest population, wasp communities, and biocontrol services were monitored in wet and dry seasons when L. coffeella outbreaks occur. We found that the amount of forest in the surrounding landscape was more important for explaining patterns than the local environment, landscape diversity, or landscape configuration. In both seasons, L. coffeella was negatively affected by forest cover, whereas biological control and richness and abundance of social wasps increased with increasing forest cover at multiple spatial scales. Moreover, biological control was positively correlated with wasp abundance during pest outbreaks, suggesting that social wasps are important natural enemies and provide pest control services within coffee plantations. We provide the first empirical evidence that forest cover is important for the maintenance of social wasp diversity and associated pest control services in a Brazilian coffee-producing region.
Muscle Cramping During Exercise: Causes, Solutions, and Questions Remaining
Authors: Maughan Ronald J. , Shirreffs Susan M.
Published: November 2019

Muscle cramp is a temporary but intense and painful involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle that can occur in many different situations. The causes of, and cures for, the cramps that occur during or soon after exercise remain uncertain, although there is evidence that some cases may be associated with disturbances of water and salt balance, while others appear to involve sustained abnormal spinal reflex activity secondary to fatigue of the affected muscles. Evidence in favour of a role for dyshydration comes largely from medical records obtained in large industrial settings, although it is supported by one large-scale intervention trial and by field trials involving small numbers of athletes. Cramp is notoriously unpredictable, making laboratory studies difficult, but experimental models involving electrical stimulation or intense voluntary contractions of small muscles held in a shortened position can induce cramp in many, although not all, individuals. These studies show that dehydration has no effect on the stimulation frequency required to initiate cramping and confirm a role for spinal pathways, but their relevance to the spontaneous cramps that occur during exercise is questionable. There is a long history of folk remedies for treatment or prevention of cramps; some may reduce the likelihood of some forms of cramping and reduce its intensity and duration, but none are consistently effective. It seems likely that there are different types of cramp that are initiated by different mechanisms; if this is the case, the search for a single strategy for prevention or treatment is unlikely to succeed.
Two Realist Idealists Theorizing the Rule of Law
Authors: Taekema Sanne
Published: November 2019

This contribution discusses the links between Martin Krygier’s and Philip Selznick’s work on the ideal of the rule of law. The way Krygier explains and reconstructs Selznick’s theory is helpful, and yet raises questions about the content and application of the ideal. Understanding the development of the rule of law and the interrelation with another central legal ideal, justice, requires not only a realistic assessment but also a theoretical engagement with the ideals at stake.
Constitutional Values as the Normalisation of Societal Power: From a Moral Transvaluation to a Systemic Self-Valuation
Authors: Přibáň Jiří
Published: November 2019

In this article, I argue that values are fluid societal expectations which cannot be used as normative foundations of modern society. Despite their transcendental validity claims, they operate as immanent tools of the normalisation of societal power and contribute to the transformation ofpotentiaof societal forces to the constitutionalauctoritas. I subsequently argue that a sociology of constitutional values must address the distinction between moral values in law and law as a moral value. Constitutional processes of the transvaluation of values are complex forms of societal expectations in which understanding, consensus and conformity must be taken into account as much as confusion, dissent and deviance. I conclude by claiming that constitutional valuations and transvaluations need to be explained as part of the legal and political self-referentiality unlimited by nation-states and stretching into contemporary supranational and transnational regimes of law and their internal value productions.
Martin Krygier and the Tempering of Power
Authors: King Jeff
Published: November 2019

This piece reflects rather admiringly on the methods and conceptual framework of Martin Krygier’s various contributions to our understanding of the rule of law. It examines his use of the idea of the telos of the rule of law, contrasting it with the approaches of theorists who seek to analyse the essence or ‘anatomy’ of the rule of law idea or of law itself. It then examines his notion of how the rule of law should be understood as the tempering of power. Largely agreeing with Krygier’s conception, the essay nevertheless suggests that the project might be improved by focusing on the telos or social functions of law rather than those claimed to be immanent in the rule of law. It also nudges Krygier to deepen the metaphor of tempering by clarifying the relationship between the rule of law and other key concepts such as liberty, human rights, and democracy.
The Rule of Law at Risk: What is Next?
Authors: Uitz Renata
Published: November 2019

Written for a collection to celebrate the scholarship of Martin Krygier this brief essay explores some thorny questions surrounding the operation of the European Union’s mechanisms meant to safeguard the rule of law. It focuses on the hesitation of European constitutional actors to provide legal responses to the chicanery animating the actions of illiberal rulers as well as on the difficulties that follow from Article 7 TEU being framed as a risk assessment exercise.
Mobile application for the purpose of marketing, product distribution and location-based logistics for elderly farmers
Authors: Nuanmeesri Sumitra
Published: November 2019

This research has developed a one-stop service supply chain mobile application for the purpose of marketing, product distribution and location-based logistics for elderly farmers and consumers in accordance with the Thailand 4.0 economic model. This is an investigation into the agricultural product distribution supply chain which focuses on marketing, distribution and logistics using the Dijkstra’s and Ant Colony Algorithms to respectively explore the major and minor product transport routes. The accuracy rate was determined to be 97%. The application is congruent with the product distribution, supply chain, in a value-based economy. The effectiveness of the mobile application was indicated to be at the highest level of results of learning outcomes, user comprehension and user experience of users. That is, the developed mobile application could be effectively used as a tool to support elderly farmers to distribute their agricultural products in the one-stop service supply chain which emphasizes marketing, distribution and location-based logistics for elderly farmers and consumers with respect to Thailand 4.0.
Creative social media use and political participation in young people: The moderation and mediation role of online political expression
Authors: Zhu Alex Yue Feng , Chan Alex Lih Shing , Chou Kee Lee
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Educators and policymakers promote political participation in young people as a means to strengthen the legitimacy of democracy. Creative social media use has grown in popularity in the digital age; however, this creative usage still receives inadequate attention in the literature—particularly its association with political participation.

Method

This study collected three‐wave panel data from a sample of young people living in Hong Kong (56.9% male, mean age = 18.81, standard deviation = 2.70) and used cross‐lagged structural equation modeling to evaluate the mediating and moderating roles of online political expression in the link between creative social media and political participation.

Results and conclusions

The results showed that creative social media use positively predicted political participation indirectly by the full mediation of enhanced online political expression. Findings did not reveal the moderation role of online political expression in the link between creative use of social media and political participation. Findings make important theoretical contributions in the field linking social media usage to political engagement.