bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing Cyclic Voltammetry to Understand the Energy Storage Mechanisms for Copper Oxide and its Graphene Oxide Hybrids as Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Day Cameron , Greig Katie , Massey Alexander , Peake Jennifer , Crossley David , Dryfe Robert A. W.
Published: March 2020

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Robert A. W. Dryfe at the University of Manchester in collaboration with William Blythe Ltd. (Lancashire). The image shows bees building a graphene‐containing battery that powers an external circuit, depicted by a purple curve. This curve represents a cyclic voltammogram, specifically of copper oxide during a charge/discharge cycle in a Li‐ion half‐cell, as presented in the article. The use of bees has both scientific and geographic significance. For the former, bees are assisting in building the honeycomb‐like hexagonal graphene lattice, just as they do in nature. Geographically, bees are symbolic to the locations of both collaborators on this project, the University of Manchester and William Blythe (Lancashire). The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201902784.
An energy‐efficient task‐scheduling algorithm based on a multi‐criteria decision‐making method in cloud computing
Authors: Khorsand Reihaneh , Ramezanpour Mohammadreza
Published: March 2020

The massive growth of cloud computing has led to huge amounts of energy consumption and carbon emissions by a large number of servers. One of the major aspects of cloud computing is its scheduling of many task requests submitted by users. Minimizing energy consumption while ensuring the user's QoS preferences is very important to achieving profit maximization for the cloud service providers and ensuring the user's service level agreement (SLA). Therefore, in addition to implementing user's tasks, cloud data centers should meet the different criteria in applying the cloud resources by considering the multiple requirements of different users. Mapping of user requests to cloud resources for processing in a distributed environment is a well‐known NP‐hard problem. To resolve this problem, this paper proposes an energy‐efficient task‐scheduling algorithm based on best‐worst (BWM) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methodology. The main objective of this paper is to determine which cloud scheduling solution is more important to select. First, a decision‐making group identify the evaluation criteria. After that, a BWM process is applied to assign the importance weights for each criterion, because the selected criteria have varied importance. Then, TOPSIS uses these weighted criteria as inputs to evaluate and measure the performance of each alternative. The performance of the proposed and existing algorithms is evaluated using several benchmarks in the CloudSim toolkit and statistical testing through ANOVA, where the evaluation metrics include the makespan, energy consumption, and resource utilization.
Numerical methods for sedimentary‐ancient‐DNA‐based study on past biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Chen Wentao , Ficetola Gentile Francesco
Published: March 2020

Sedimentary ancient DNA (SedaDNA) is an emerging tool to reconstruct past biodiversity with high taxonomic resolution. Its growing popularity has stimulated an increasing complexity of SedaDNA data production (e.g., DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing; authentication of molecules; bioinformatics). Conversely, less attention has been devoted to how appropriate statistical analyses can help to extract ecological information from SedaDNA. Until now, ecological studies based on SedaDNA have taken limited advantage of the multiple statistical and numerical methods available for analysis. Here, we present a range of numerical approaches that can be particularly useful to multispecies ecological analysis on SedaDNA, with a special focus on biodiversity studies on macroorganisms. We discuss the advantages and complexity of such methods and describe how some of them can be optimized for ecological analyses of SedaDNA‐based metabarcoding data, with a special focus on SedaDNA studies. First, site occupancy‐detection models can help to better ascertain the variation through time of the occurrence of target species and to identify the factors determining their detection through time. Second, several approaches can be used to estimate variation of relative abundance. Even though methods for abundance estimation have major limitations, they can provide useful information on temporal variation of ecosystem functions. Third, approaches exist to obtain better measures of species diversity, while taking into account the uncertainties of species abundance and identification. Fourth, techniques of clustering, ordination, and constrained ordination allow identification of temporal trends and testing of candidate drivers of community variation. Finally, structural equation models can be used to assess complex causal relationships among biodiversity, human activities, and environment. SedaDNA studies can make use of a broad panel of analytical approaches, which can improve our understanding of long‐term biodiversity changes, maximizing the information we can obtain from past ecosystems.
Ant colony optimization and firefly algorithms for robotic motion planning in dynamic environments
Authors: Gangadharan Mohanan M. , Salgaonkar Ambuja
Published: March 2020

Metaheuristic algorithms such as ant colony optimization (ACO) and firefly (FF) have been successfully employed to solve the optimization problems such as robot motion planning in dynamic environments. The systematic plantation of rubber trees on a rectangular grid motivated us to explore application of grid search algorithms. We compared the ACO and FF algorithms in various scenarios by changing simulation parameters like density of the environment, land size, number of robots simultaneously available, and hillock plantations. In all different scenarios, we evaluated the performance of ACO and FF in terms of path length and time of execution, we found that later is outperforming the former. Regression equations are framed to establish the contributions of different parameters. Statistical significance of the results has been in favor of this hypothesis. The shortest path on a plain land is the relatively simplest scenario, while the Hamiltonian on a concave surface is arguably the most difficult. The novelty of this work lies in the very idea of an autonomous robot for the rubber tapping and then path optimization by employing soft computing techniques. This proposal of rubber harvesting robot if implemented for latex collection, has a potential to drive the rubber farming and allied businesses to scale up the economy of the coastal areas of India, say for example, Kerala.
Mitigating distributed denial of service attacks in satellite networks
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Qaraqe Marwa , Asghar Muhammad Rizwan , Shafique Ansari Imran
Published: March 2020

Satellite communication is becoming a complementary technology in future 5G and beyond networks due to its wider coverage. Similar to any terrestrial network, security has become a major concern in satellite networks. Due to a long distance between ground stations (GS) and satellite transponders and due to its inherited broadcast nature, satellite communication encounters certain limitations such as high bit error rate, high link delays, power control, and large round trip delays. The aforementioned limitations make security techniques proposed for terrestrial networks more challenging in satellite settings. Denial‐of‐service (DoS) and distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks have become one of the most popular security threats in both the terrestrial and satellite networks. In this article, we present a DDoS mitigation technique that can be employed at the GS end in satellite networks. In particular, we simulate Internet Control Message Protocol echo request (ping) flooding across a satellite network and propose a proactive mitigation technique by restricting the number of echo requests a network entity can generate. The simulation results demonstrate that DDoS attacks can be mitigated in satellite networks without affecting the quality of experience of legitimate users.
Connecting EEG signal decomposition and response selection processes using the theory of event coding framework
Authors: Takacs Adam , Zink Nicolas , Wolff Nicole , Münchau Alexander , Mückschel Moritz , Beste Christian
Published: March 2020

The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the integration of perception and action are an important topic in cognitive neuroscience. Yet, connections between neurophysiology and cognitive theoretical frameworks have rarely been established. The theory of event coding (TEC) details how perceptions and actions are associated (bound) in a common representational domain (the “event file”), but the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these processes are hardly understood. We used complementary neurophysiological methods to examine the neurophysiology of event file processing (i.e., event‐related potentials [ERPs], temporal EEG signal decomposition, EEG source localization, time‐frequency decomposition, EEG network analysis). We show that the P3 ERP component and activity modulations in inferior parietal regions (BA40) reflect event file binding processes. The relevance of this parietal region is corroborated by source localization of temporally decomposed EEG data. We also show that temporal EEG signal decomposition reveals a pattern of results suggesting that event file processes can be dissociated from pure stimulus and response‐related processes in the EEG signal. Importantly, it is also documented that event file binding processes are reflected by modulations in the network architecture of theta frequency band activity. That is, when stimulus–response bindings in event files hamper response selection this was associated with a less efficient theta network organization. A more efficient organization was evident when stimulus–response binding in event files facilitated response selection. Small‐world network measures seem to reflect event file processing. The results show how cognitive‐theoretical assumptions of TEC can directly be mapped to the neurophysiology of response selection.
Effects of perceived overqualification on career distress and career planning: Mediating role of career identity and moderating role of leader humility
Authors: Ma Chao , Ganegoda Deshani B. , Chen (George) Zhen Xiong , Jiang Xinhui , Dong Chunyan
Published: March 2020

In this study, we examined how perceived overqualification influences employees' career distress and career planning. Specifically, we drew on role identity theory to hypothesize that perceived overqualification is positively related to individuals' career identity. Based on internal self‐processing dynamics of role identity, we further hypothesized that career identity predicts reduced career distress and increased career planning. We expected career identity to mediate the effects of overqualification on career distress and career planning. Based on the symbolic interactionism perspective of identity, we hypothesized that this mediation is moderated by leader humility so that overqualified employees exhibit stronger career identities in the presence of a humble leader. We found support for our hypotheses in a multi‐wave time‐lagged study of 220 supervisor–subordinate dyads from 50 groups. Overall, our studies highlight that perceived overqualification can have positive effects on employees and organizations under appropriate management conditions. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of these results.
MHD rotating flow of a Maxwell fluid with Arrhenius activation energy and non‐Fourier heat flux model
Authors: Ramaiah K. Dasaradha , P. Surekha , Kotha Gangadhar , Thangavelu Kannan
Published: March 2020

In the present work, the effects of the transfer of heat, as well as the mass phenomenon of a Maxwell fluid in revolving flow over a unidirectional stretching surface are discussed. The result of the magnetic field within the boundary layer is considered. In the energy equation, the heat flux model of non‐Fourier Cattaneo–Christov is employed. The customized Arrhenius function for energy activation is used. By using the transformation strategy, nondimensional expressions are achieved. To predict the highlights of the current effort, the result of the emerging nonlinear differential structure is calculated with the aid of the shooting procedure as well as the Runge–Kutta Fehlberg procedure. The influence of velocity and temperature along with concentration profiles for various physical parameters is analyzed. The involvement of fluid relaxation and thermal retardation phenomena is unequivocally mentioned. The evolution of heat transfer, as well as the rate of mass in the flow of fluids, is illustrated by the use of graphs in addition to tables. Furthermore, the current effort is confirmed by examination with previously published results, which establishes a strategy for the execution of a numerical approach. It is observed that the concentration of a solute in dual combination is relative to both rotation parameters along with activation energy. Besides this, a diminishing pattern in the distribution of temperature is described within the existence of the Cattaneo–Christov flux law by association with the rate of heat transfer because of Fourier's law. The present investigation can be applied in numerous engineering and technical procedures including the development of thin sheets, modeling of plastic sheets, in the lubrication system industry related to polymers, compression, and injection shaping in the area of chemical production and bimolecular reactions. Inspired by those applications, the present work is undertaken.
The impact of aging on the subregions of the fusiform gyrus in healthy older adults
Authors: Shah Mahima , Kurth Florian , Luders Eileen
Published: March 2020

The fusiform gyrus is known to decrease in size with increasing age. However, reported findings are inconsistent and existing studies differ in terms of the cohorts examined and/or the methods applied. Here, we analyzed age‐related links in four distinct subregions of the fusiform gyrus through integrating imaging‐based intensity information with microscopically defined cytoarchitectonic probabilities. In addition to age effects we investigated sex effects as well as age‐by‐sex interactions in a relatively large sample of 468 healthy subjects (272 females/196 males) covering a broad age range (42–97 years). We observed significant negative correlations between age and all four subregions of the fusiform gyrus indicating volume decreases over time, albeit with subregion‐specific trajectories. Additionally, we observed significant negative quadratic associations with age for some subregions, suggesting an accelerating volume loss over time. These findings may serve as a frame of reference for future cross‐sectional as well as longitudinal studies, not only for normative samples but also potentially for clinical conditions that present with abnormal atrophy of the fusiform gyrus. We did not detect any significant sex differences or sex‐by‐age interactions, suggesting that the size of the fusiform gyrus is similar in male and female brains and that age‐related atrophy follows a similar trajectory in both men and women.
Volumetric Raman chemical imaging of drug delivery systems
Authors: Slipets Roman , Ilchenko Oleksii , Mazzoni Chiara , Tentor Fabio , Nielsen Line Hagner , Boisen Anja
Published: March 2020

The ability to image drug distribution inside a several hundred micron thick polymer matrix, encapsulated by a protective coating, would greatly contribute to the understanding of the performance and shortcomings of drug delivery devices. Here, we present an experimental framework for deep volumetric Raman imaging (dVRI), where common challenges such as low Raman cross section, fluorescence, and low transparency of samples are overcome. We apply dVRI to a selection of drug delivery forms, tablets with thin protective coatings and drug‐loaded microdevices. We demonstrate three‐dimensional visualization of the different drug/polymeric materials, constituting a drug delivery device, with imaging depth of 225 μm.
Cytokine profiles in maternal serum are candidates for predicting an optimal timing for the delivery in early‐onset fetal growth restriction
Authors: Kawashima Akihiro , Oba Tomohiro , Yasuhara Rika , Sekiya Bunbu , Sekizawa Akihiko
Published: March 2020

Objective

We examined whether maternal serum cytokine profiles of mothers with early‐onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) were associated with delivery within 2 weeks after sampling during the third trimester.

Study design

This exploratory prospective cross‐sectional study included a total of 20 singleton fetuses with early‐onset FGR and 31 healthy controls. Maternal serum samples during the early third trimester were analyzed for 23 cytokines.

Results

Of 20 fetuses with early‐onset FGR, 14 had delivery within 2 weeks after sampling. Multivariate analysis revealed that maternal serum concentrations of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (sVEGFR‐1) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) were independently associated with delivery within 2 weeks in early‐onset FGR. Among cases of early‐onset FGR, concentrations of almost all maternal serum cytokines were similar. Maternal serum sVEGFR‐1 concentrations were high when delivery occurred within 2 weeks. Maternal serum sCD40L concentrations were elicited only in cases in which delivery within 2 weeks occurred due to fetal deterioration.

Conclusion

We identified two biomarkers, one specific for FGR and the other dependent on severity, that were significant components of angiogenic activities and inflammation factors. Imbalances in serum protein expression may have a substantial effect on the pathogenesis of FGR.
Correlation analysis of solvent effects on solvolysis rates: What can the empirical parameters of solvents actually say?
Authors: Laurence Christian , Mansour Sergui , Vuluga Daniela , Legros Julien
Published: March 2020

The logarithm of heterolysis rates of 4‐methoxyneophyl tosylate, Et3CBr,tert‐BuCl, andtert‐BuBr in a set of 12 to 28 hydrogen‐bond (HB) and non‐HB donor solvents are correlated to four sets of solvent parameters: (a)ET(30), (b)π*,α,β, (c)SP,SdP,SA,SB, and (d)DI,ES,α1,β1. Disjointed results are found for Et3CBr because of an insufficient diversity of solvents. For the other solvolyses, the determination coefficientsr2are good to excellent, the gas‐phase values are fairly predicted, and the contributions of various intermolecular forces to the global solvent effect agree satisfactorily within the four solvent sets. However, the most complete description of the solvent effect is given by the four‐parameter sets because their parameters refer to a single intermolecular force, whereasET(30) andπ*correspond to a fixed blend of solute/solvent interactions. For the application of theDI,ES,α1, andβ1set to correlatetert‐BuCl solvolysis,r2= .976, lgk(gas) = −18.6 (experimental −19.3), and the contributions of HB donation (α1), electrostatic forces (ES), and dispersion‐induction (DI) to the solvent effect amounts to 59%, 21%, and 14%, respectively. The dependence of rates on the solvent HB basicity is nearly zero. The inclusion of the solvent cohesive energy density parameterinto the correlation equations does not improve these correlations.
Effect of pressure rise time on ventilator parameters and gas exchange during neonatal ventilation
Authors: Chong David , Kayser Sabrina , Szakmar Eniko , Morley Colin J. , Belteki Gusztav
Published: March 2020

Background

Pressure rise time (PRT), also known as slope time to the peak inflating pressure can be set on some modern neonatal ventilators. On other ventilators, PRT is determined by the set circuit flow. Changing slope time can affect mean airway pressure (MAP), oxygenation, and carbon dioxide elimination. Our aim was to investigate the effect of PRT on ventilator parameters and gas exchange during volume‐guaranteed ventilation.

Methods

In a crossover study, 12 infants weighing greater than 2 kg were ventilated using a Dräger Babylog VN500 ventilator with synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation with volume guarantee (SIPPV‐VG) and pressure support ventilation with volume guarantee (PSV‐VG). During both modes PRTs between 0.08 and 0.40 seconds were used in 15‐minute epochs. Data from the ventilator and patient monitors were downloaded with 1‐ and 100‐Hz sampling rate and analyzed using the Python computer language.

Results

During PSV‐VG, longer PRTs were associated with longer inspiratory time (P < .0001) and with lower peak inflating pressure (PIP; P = .003), but the MAP was similar. During SIPPV‐VG the PIP was not significantly different; however, MAP was lower with longer PRT (P = .001). With a short PRT (0.08 seconds), the PIP was higher during PSV‐VG than during SIPPV‐VG (19.8 vs 16.5 mbar; P = .042). There were no significant differences in tidal volume delivery, respiratory rate, minute volume, oxygen saturations, or end‐tidal CO2 with different PRTs in either mode.

Conclusions

During SIPPV‐VG or PSV‐VG, using short or long PRTs affects some ventilation parameters but does not significantly change oxygenation or carbon dioxide elimination.
Science capital or STEM capital? Exploring relationships between science capital and technology, engineering, and maths aspirations and attitudes among young people aged 17/18
Authors: Moote Julie , Archer Louise , DeWitt Jennifer , MacLeod Emily
Published: March 2020

We previously proposed that science capital (science‐related forms of cultural and social capital) can be used as a theoretical lens for explaining the patterned nature of aspirations and educational participation among young people aged 11–16. Building on these findings, the present article investigates whether science capital is related to post‐18 aspirations to pursue further STEM study and whether science capital can be extended to related disciplines including engineering, maths and technology. Specifically, we report on correlational analyses exploring the relationships between science, technology, engineering and maths attitudes and science capital. Drawing on data from a new survey of 7,013 17/18 year old English secondary school students, analyses showed that science capital, while strongly related to engineering and physical science future study aspirations, was not strongly related to the pursuit of either maths or technology postsecondary study. The findings also suggest that engineering and maths attitudes have a stronger relationship to science capital than attitudes relating to technology. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings and propose that science capital might be more usefully applied to “SEM,” with links to technology fields and aspirations needing further exploration.
Prediction of exposure-driven myelotoxicity of continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil by a semi-physiological pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model in gastrointestinal cancer patients
Authors: Arshad Usman , Ploylearmsaeng Su-arpa , Karlsson Mats O. , Doroshyenko Oxana , Langer Dorothee , Schömig Edgar , Kunze Sabine , Güner Semih A. , Skripnichenko Roman , Ullah Sami , Jaehde Ulrich , Fuhr Uwe , Jetter Alexander , Taubert Max
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To describe 5-fluorouracil (5FU) pharmacokinetics, myelotoxicity and respective covariates using a simultaneous nonlinear mixed effect modelling approach.

Methods

Thirty patients with gastrointestinal cancer received 5FU 650 or 1000 mg/m2/day as 5-day continuous venous infusion (14 of whom also received cisplatin 20 mg/m2/day). 5FU and 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil (5FUH2) plasma concentrations were described by a pharmacokinetic model using NONMEM. Absolute leukocyte counts were described by a semi-mechanistic myelosuppression model. Covariate relationships were evaluated to explain the possible sources of variability in 5FU pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Results

Total clearance of 5FU correlated with body surface area (BSA). Population estimate for total clearance was 249 L/h. Clearances of 5FU and 5FUH2 fractionally changed by 77%/m2 difference from the median BSA. 5FU central and peripheral volumes of distribution were 5.56 L and 28.5 L, respectively. Estimated 5FUH2 clearance and volume of distribution were 121 L/h and 96.7 L, respectively. Baseline leukocyte count of 6.86 × 109/L, as well as mean leukocyte transit time of 281 h accounting for time delay between proliferating and circulating cells, was estimated. The relationship between 5FU plasma concentrations and absolute leukocyte count was found to be linear. A higher degree of myelosuppression was attributed to combination therapy (slope = 2.82 L/mg) with cisplatin as compared to 5FU monotherapy (slope = 1.17 L/mg).

Conclusions

BSA should be taken into account for predicting 5FU exposure. Myelosuppression was influenced by 5FU exposure and concomitant administration of cisplatin.
Das Molekulare Tumorboard
Authors: Schickhardt Christoph , Horak Peter , Fröhling Stefan , Winkler Eva C.
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Molekulare Tumorboards (MTBs) spielen eine wichtige Vorreiterrolle für die genombasierte Präzisionsmedizin. Aufgrund ihrer Neuartigkeit und Schnittstellenfunktion zwischen verschiedenen Disziplinen sowie zwischen Forschung und Klinik weisen MTBs relevante ethische, rechtliche und soziale Herausforderungen auf.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel war die Darlegung der ethischen Herausforderungen des MTB und die Empfehlung von Lösungsansätzen für die Praxis.

Methoden

Zunächst werden die typischen Eigenschaften eines MTB in Grundzügen beschrieben. Daran anknüpfend werden die wichtigsten ethischen Herausforderungen des MTB auf Grundlage anerkannter Prinzipien der Medizin- und Forschungsethik analysiert und bewertet.

Schlussfolgerung

Das MTB hat eine klinische Funktion, aus der sich klinische Verantwortlichkeiten aller Beteiligten ergeben. Fragen der Verantwortlichkeiten und weitere Herausforderungen, u. a. bezüglich Evidenz, Aufklärung, Zusatzbefunden, Zugang, Schweigepflicht und „data sharing“, müssen im Zuge einer verantwortungsvollen Etablierung von MTB angegangen werden. Dabei sollen die hier gegebenen Praxisempfehlungen helfen.
Effect of sintering temperature on electrochemical performance of porous SrTi1-xFexO3-δ (x = 0.35, 0.5, 0.7) oxygen electrodes for solid oxide cells
Authors: Mroziński A. , Molin S. , Jasiński P.
Published: March 2020

This work evaluates the effects of the sintering temperature (800 °C, 900 °C, 1000 °C) of SrTi1-xFexO3-δ (x = 0.35, 0.5, 0.7) porous electrodes on their electrochemical performance as potential oxygen electrode materials of solid oxide cells. The materials were prepared by a solid-state reaction method and revealed the expected cubic perovskite structure. After milling, the powders were characterised by a sub-micrometre particle size with high sinter-activity. It was shown that the lowest area specific resistance was achieved after sintering SrTi0.65Fe0.35O3 electrodes at 1000 °C, and SrTi0.5Fe0.5O3 and SrTi0.30Fe0.70O3 electrodes at 800 °C, which can be considered to be a relatively low temperature. In general, EIS measurements showed that increasing the Fe content results in lowered electrode polarisation and a decrease of the series resistance. Even though the studied materials have much lower total conductivities than state-of-the-art electrode materials (e.g. (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3), the polarisation resistances obtained in this work can be considered low.
Impact of nutrients on photoacclimation of phytoplankton in an oligotrophic lake measured with long-term and high-frequency data: implications for chlorophyll as an estimate of phytoplankton biomass
Authors: Girdner Scott , Mack Jeremy , Buktenica Mark
Published: March 2020

Chlorophyll measurements are commonly used to estimate phytoplankton biomass. However, phytoplankton readily acclimate to variations in light through a range of phenotypic responses, including major adjustments in chlorophyll pigmentation at the cellular level. The ratio of pigment chlorophyll to carbon concentration (Chl:C) is a commonly used metric in the oceanographic community to explore photoacclimation responses to varied light levels, yet is relatively rare in freshwater studies. Here we explore how nutrient variability impacted summertime Chl:C ratios of a natural phytoplankton community throughout the water column of a stratified oligotrophic lake. We utilized both long-term (18–24 years) and high-frequency (daily) data from Crater Lake, Oregon, a deep mountain lake with little anthropogenic disturbance. As expected, fluctuation in nutrients had a strong impact on phytoplankton particle density, primary productivity, light penetration, and water clarity. However, chlorophyll concentration did not register predictable changes even though the vertical location of the deep chlorophyll maximum was responsive to the overlying algal density. The impact of elevated nutrients on the Chl:C ratio was further complicated by upward shifts in chlorophyll distribution. The muted response of chlorophyll concentration to nutrients may be partially explained by variations in phytoplankton community composition or iron stress.
Occurrence of selected endocrine disrupting compounds in the eastern cape province of South Africa
Authors: Farounbi Adebayo I. , Ngqwala Nosiphiwe P.
Published: March 2020

Endocrine-disrupting compounds are attracting attention worldwide because of their effects on living things in the environment. Ten endocrine disrupting compounds: 4-nonylphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, estrone, 17β-estradiol, bisphenol A, 4-tert-octylphenol, triclosan, atrazine, imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole were investigated in four rivers and wastewater treatment plants in this study. Rivers were sampled at upstream, midstream and downstream reaches, while the influent and effluent samples of wastewater were collected from treatment plants near the receiving rivers. Sample waters were freeze-dried followed by extraction of the organic content and purification by solid-phase extraction. Concentrations of the compounds in the samples were determined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The instrument was operated in the positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode. The results showed that these compounds are present in the samples with nonylphenol > dichlorophenol > bisphenol A > triclosan > octylphenol > imidazole > atrazine > triazole > estrone > estradiol. Nonylphenol has its highest concentration of 6.72 μg/L in King Williams Town wastewater influent and 2.55 μg/L in midstream Bloukrans River. Dichlorophenol has its highest concentration in Alice wastewater influent with 2.20 μg/L, while it was 0.737 μg/L in midstream Bloukrans River. Uitenhage wastewater effluent has bisphenol A concentration of 1.684 μg/L while it was 0.477 μg/L in the downstream samples of the Bloukrans River. Generally, the upstream samples of the rivers had lesser concentrations of the compounds. The wastewater treatment plants were not able to achieve total removal of the compounds in the wastewater while runoffs and wastes dump from the cities contributed to the concentrations of the compounds in the rivers.
Commercial glyphosate-based herbicides effects on springtails (Collembola) differ from those of their respective active ingredients and vary with soil organic matter content
Authors: Maderthaner Michael , Weber Maureen , Takács Eszter , Mörtl Mária , Leisch Friedrich , Römbke Jörg , Querner Pascal , Walcher Ronnie , Gruber Edith , Székács András , Zaller Johann G.
Published: March 2020

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are currently the most widely used agrochemicals for weed control. Environmental risk assessments (ERA) on nontarget organisms mostly consider the active ingredients (AIs) of these herbicides, while much less is known on effects of commercial GBH formulations that are actually applied in the field. Moreover, it is largely unknown to what extent different soil characteristics alter potential side effects of herbicides. We conducted a greenhouse experiment growing a model weed population ofAmaranthus retroflexusin arable field soil with either 3.0 or 4.1% soil organic matter (SOM) content and treated these weeds either with GBHs (Roundup LB Plus, Touchdown Quattro, Roundup PowerFlex) or their respective AIs (isopropylammonium, diammonium or potassium salts of glyphosate) at recommended dosages. Control pots were mechanically weeded. Nontarget effects were assessed on the surface activity of the springtail speciesSminthurinus niger(pitfall trapping) and litter decomposition in the soil (teabag approach). Both GBHs and AIs increased the surface activity of springtails compared to control pots; springtail activity was higher under GBHs than under corresponding AIs. Stimulation of springtail activity was much higher in soil with higher SOM content than with low SOM content (significant treatment x SOM interaction). Litter decomposition was unaffected by GBHs, AIs or SOM levels. We suggest that ERAs for pesticides should be performed with actually applied herbicides rather than only on AIs and should also consider influences of different soil properties.
Machine Learning Classification of Articular Cartilage Integrity Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Afara Isaac O. , Sarin Jaakko K. , Ojanen Simo , Finnilä Mikko A. J. , Herzog Walter , Saarakkala Simo , Korhonen Rami K. , Töyräs Juha
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Assessment of cartilage integrity during arthroscopy is limited by the subjective visual nature of the technique. To address this shortcoming in diagnostic evaluation of articular cartilage, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been proposed. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of NIRS, combined with machine learning techniques, to classify cartilage integrity.

Methods

Rabbit (n = 14) knee joints with artificial injury, induced via unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), and the corresponding contra-lateral (CL) joints, including joints from separate non-operated control (CNTRL) animals (n = 8), were used. After sacrifice, NIR spectra (1000–2500 nm) were acquired from different anatomical locations of the joints (nTOTAL = 313: nCNTRL = 111, nCL = 97, nACLT = 105). Machine and deep learning methods (support vector machines–SVM, logistic regression–LR, and deep neural networks–DNN) were then used to develop models for classifying the samples based solely on their NIR spectra.

Results

The results show that the model based on SVM is optimal of distinguishing between ACLT and CNTRL samples (ROC_AUC = 0.93, kappa = 0.86), LR is capable of distinguishing between CL and CNTRL samples (ROC_AUC = 0.91, kappa = 0.81), while DNN is optimal for discriminating between the different classes (multi-class classification, kappa = 0.48).

Conclusion

We show that NIR spectroscopy, when combined with machine learning techniques, is capable of holistic assessment of cartilage integrity, with potential for accurately distinguishing between healthy and diseased cartilage.
From Bush Mangoes to Bouillon Cubes: Wild Plants and Diet among the Baka, Forager-Horticulturalists from Southeast Cameroon
Authors: Gallois Sandrine , Heger Thomas , van Andel Tinde , Sonké Bonaventure , Henry Amanda G.
Published: March 2020

Increasing deforestation affects tropical forests, threatening the livelihoods of local populations who subsist on forest resources. The disappearance of wild plants and animals and the increasing influence of market economies affect local health, well-being, and diet. The impact of these changes on wild meat consumption has been well documented, but little attention has been given to wild edible plants, despite their importance as sources of calories and micronutrients. Furthermore, the relationships among food behavior strategies adopted by local populations, their psycho-cultural representations of food, and their food preferences have been poorly explored. In this study, we investigate food behaviors with an emphasis on the role of wild edible plants among a forager-horticulturalist society from the Congo Basin: the Baka. By combining an ethnobotanical survey with data from interviews (n = 536) related to food behaviors and representations of food, our data show that the Baka valorize both agricultural and marketable foods, and that wild plants represent a minor part of their diet, both in frequency and diversity. Finally, by examining how some wild edible plants have shifted from being eaten to being sold, we explore how market-oriented uses of wild edible plants may affect dietary behaviors and biocultural resilience.
Gesundheitliche Belastung von Armutsbetroffenen durch Beschämung und Abwertung vermeiden
Authors: Knecht Alban , Obermair Sebastian
Published: March 2020

Im Rahmen des Projektes „Gesundheitsförderung zwischen Wertschätzung und Beschämung – Gesundheitliche Belastungen von Armutsbetroffenen durch Abwertung und vorenthaltene Anerkennung vermeiden“ (Das Projekt wird vom Fond Gesundes Österreich der Gesundheit Österreich GmbH gefördert und läuft seit Mai 2019) entwickelt die österreichischeArmutskonferenzStrategien gegen Scham und Beschämung. Dazu wurden Beschämungserfahrungen erhoben sowie der Stand der Forschung zu Scham, Stigma, Diskriminierung und den gesundheitlichen Folgen in einem Bericht zusammengefasst (Weinberger 2018). Der zweite Teil des Projekts, der zusammen mit der BetroffenenorganisationPlattform Sichtbar Werdendurchgeführt wird, besteht in der partizipativen Erarbeitung von Gegenstrategien. Neben anderen Aktivitäten werden Armutsbetroffene in einem kurzen Training zu Multiplikatoren („Peers“) ausgebildet, die ihr Wissen zu Beschämung und Gegenstrategien in regionalen Workshops und den sozialen Einrichtungen, in denen sie wohnen oder die sie regelmäßig besuchen, an Betroffene weitergeben.
Active suspension in railway vehicles: a literature survey
Authors: Fu Bin , Giossi Rocco Libero , Persson Rickard , Stichel Sebastian , Bruni Stefano , Goodall Roger
Published: March 2020

Since the concept of active suspensions appeared, its large possible benefits has attracted continuous exploration in the field of railway engineering. With new demands of higher speed, better ride comfort and lower maintenance cost for railway vehicles, active suspensions are very promising technologies. Being the starting point of commercial application of active suspensions in rail vehicles, tilting trains have become a great success in some countries. With increased technical maturity of sensors and actuators, active suspension has unprecedented development opportunities. In this work, the basic concepts are summarized with new theories and solutions that have appeared over the last decade. Experimental studies and the implementation status of different active suspension technologies are described as well. Firstly, tilting trains are briefly described. Thereafter, an in-depth study for active secondary and primary suspensions is performed. For both topics, after an introductory section an explanation of possible solutions existing in the literature is given. The implementation status is reported. Active secondary suspensions are categorized into active and semi-active suspensions. Primary suspensions are instead divided between acting on solid-axle wheelsets and independently rotating wheels. Lastly, a brief summary and outlook is presented in terms of benefits, research status and challenges. The potential for active suspensions in railway applications is outlined.
Provider-Guided Emergency Support for Persons Living With Type 1 Diabetes During Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria
Authors: Dimentstein Karen , Leyva Jordán Carlos Alberto , Ponder Stephen W. , Matheson Della Lorraine , Sosenko Jay M. , Espinel Zelde , Shultz James M.
Published: March 2020

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was especially memorable for 3 major hurricanes—Harvey, Irma, and Maria—that devastated population centers across Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, respectively. Each storm had unique hazard properties that posed distinctive challenges for persons living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Diabetes care specialists and educators took on leadership roles for coordinating care and establishing insulin supply lifelines for people with T1D living in the hardest-hit neighborhoods affected by these extreme storms. Strategies and resources were customized for each population. Diabetes specialists strategized to provide mutual support and shared insulins and supplies across sites.
Voting at 16: Does lowering the voting age lead to more political engagement? Evidence from a quasi-experiment in the city of Ghent (Belgium)
Authors: Stiers Dieter , Hooghe Marc , Dassonneville Ruth
Published: March 2020

While youth suffrage is widely debated, the causal effects of being eligible to vote on adolescents' political attitudes are less well known. To gain insights into this question, we leverage data from a real-life quasi-experiment of voting at 16 in the city of Ghent (Belgium). We compare the attitudes of adolescents that were entitled to vote with their peers that just fell below the age cut-off. We also examine the effects of the enfranchisement at 18-years-old. While we find an effect of youth enfranchisement on attention to politics, there is no evidence for an effect of enfranchisement on political engagement overall.
A multi-centre, prospective epidemiological surveillance study considering ophthalmic complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Burgess S , Foulds J , White P , Foot B , MacEwen C
Published: March 2020

Objectives

This prospective, epidemiological British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit study into ophthalmic complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery aimed to determine the minimum incidence, presenting features and management throughout the UK.

Methods

Cases of ophthalmic complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, between February 2016 and February 2018, were identified through the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting card system. Reporting ophthalmic consultants were sent an initial questionnaire, followed by a second questionnaire at six months.

Results

Twenty-six cases of ophthalmic complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery were reported. The majority (16 cases (62 per cent)) had limitations of ocular motility at presentation. The most common final diagnosis was rectus muscle (33 per cent) and nasolacrimal duct trauma (27 per cent). Using national data, this study reports a minimum incidence of ophthalmic complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the UK of 0.2 per cent over two years.

Conclusion

In terms of ophthalmic complications, functional endoscopic sinus surgery is shown to be safe. Ophthalmic complications are rare, but when they do occur, they commonly result in rectus muscle trauma, often requiring surgical intervention.
Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for schizophrenia or all non-affective psychoses
Authors: King Michael , Jones Rebecca , Petersen Irene , Hamilton Fiona , Nazareth Irwin
Published: March 2020

Background

Smoking tobacco is regarded as an epiphenomenon in patients with schizophrenia when it may be causal. We aimed to examine whether smoking status is related to the onset of schizophrenia or the broader diagnosis of non-affective psychosis, including schizophrenia.

Methods

We used data from The Health Improvement Network primary care database to identify people aged 15–24 between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2009. We followed them until the earliest of: first diagnosis of schizophrenia (or psychosis), patient left the practice, practice left THIN, patient died or 31 December 2014.

Results

In men, incidence rates for schizophrenia per 100 000 person years at risk were higher in smoking initiators (non-smoker who became a smoker during the study) than in non-smokers (adjusted IRR 1.94; 95% CI 1.29–2.91) and higher still in smokers (adjusted IRR 3.32; 95% CI 2.67–4.14). Among women, the incidence rate of schizophrenia was higher in smokers than in non-smokers (adjusted IRR 1.50; 95% CI 1.06–2.12), but no higher in smoking initiators than non-smokers. For non-affective psychosis, the pattern was similar for men but more evident in women where psychosis incidence rates were higher in smoking initiators (adjusted IRR 1.90; 95% CI 1.40–2.56) and in smokers (adjusted IRR 2.13; 95% CI 1.76–2.57) than in non-smokers.

Conclusions

We found an important and strong association between smoking and incidence of schizophrenia. Smoking may increase risk through as yet unknown pathways or smoking may share genetic risk with schizophrenia and non-affective psychoses.
COMPARISONS ON LARGEST ORDER STATISTICS FROM HETEROGENEOUS GAMMA SAMPLES
Authors: Zhang Ting , Zhang Yiying , Zhao Peng
Published: March 2020

This paper deals with stochastic comparisons of the largest order statistics arising from two sets of independent and heterogeneous gamma samples. It is shown that the weak supermajorization order between the vectors of scale parameters together with the weak submajorization order between the vectors of shape parameters imply the reversed hazard rate ordering between the corresponding maximum order statistics. We also establish sufficient conditions of the usual stochastic ordering in terms of the p-larger order between the vectors of scale parameters and the weak submajorization order between the vectors of shape parameters. Numerical examples and applications in auction theory and reliability engineering are provided to illustrate these results.
On minimal Ramsey graphs and Ramsey equivalence in multiple colours
Authors: Clemens Dennis , Liebenau Anita , Reding Damian
Published: March 2020

For an integerq⩾ 2, a graphGis calledq-Ramsey for a graphHif everyq-colouring of the edges ofGcontains a monochromatic copy ofH. IfGisq-Ramsey forHyet no proper subgraph ofGhas this property, thenGis calledq-Ramsey-minimal forH. Generalizing a statement by Burr, Nešetřil and Rödl from 1977, we prove that, forq⩾ 3, ifGis a graph that is notq-Ramsey for some graphH, thenGis contained as an induced subgraph in an infinite number ofq-Ramsey-minimal graphs forHas long asHis 3-connected or isomorphic to the triangle. For suchH, the following are some consequences.

For 2 ⩽r<q, everyr-Ramsey-minimal graph forHis contained as an induced subgraph in an infinite number ofq-Ramsey-minimal graphs forH.

For everyq⩾ 3, there areq-Ramsey-minimal graphs forHof arbitrarily large maximum degree, genus and chromatic number.

The collection$\{\mathcal M_q(H) \colon H \text{ is 3-connected or } K_3\}$forms an antichain with respect to the subset relation, where$\mathcal M_q(H)$denotes the set of all graphs that areq-Ramsey-minimal forH.

We also address the question of which pairs of graphs satisfy$\mathcal M_q(H_1)=\mathcal M_q(H_2)$, in which caseH1andH2are calledq-equivalent. We show that two graphsH1andH2areq-equivalent for evenqif they are 2-equivalent, and that in generalq-equivalence for someq⩾ 3 does not necessarily imply 2-equivalence. Finally we indicate that for connected graphs this implication may hold: results by Nešetřil and Rödl and by Fox, Grinshpun, Liebenau, Person and Szabó imply that the complete graph is not 2-equivalent to any other connected graph. We prove that this is the case for an arbitrary number of colours.