bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling of constrained layer damping for bending waves in frequency domain using finite shell elements
Authors: Dorn Matthias , Langer Sabine Christine
Published: December 2018

Constrained layer damping (CLD) is a damping principle which utilizes a viscoelastic layer between two elastic covering layers. Bending of the resulting plate structure mainly causes shear deformation in the viscoelastic layer which in theory leads to more efficient dissipation than damping due to pure strain deformation. This principle is brought into application by applying damping tape to the surface of a metallic base plate. Since extensive use of damping tape is economically expensive, a common aim is to achieve maximum dissipation with a limited amount of modified area. Therefore, there is an interest in predicting the optimal distribution of a given amount of damping tape by numerical simulations. In most applications where the Finite Element Method (FEM) is applied, shell elements are preferred over volume elements, because the shell elements are computationally more efficient. To be able to model CLD with shell elements, a mechanical model has to be derived first that represents the three layer structure with homogenized parameters. In this contribution, CLD is modelled in two different ways and solved with FEM: First, an experimentally validated volume model of a CLD‐structure and second, an effective material model using shell elements. The frequency responses of both models are compared.
Construction of efficient desalting layer on a cellulose acetate membrane by acetalized surface crosslinking treatment
Authors: Xiang Li , Yang Jingkui , Luo Dajun , Su Xiangqiao , Qin Shuhao
Published: December 2018

For the purpose of enhancing the desalination performance, a desalting layer was successfully constructed on a cellulose acetate (CA) virgin membrane via acetalized surface crosslinking treatment. The acetalization crosslinking reaction consists of two hydroxyl groups reacting with one aldehyde group to remove one molecule of water. Results showed that the reaction occurred on the surface of the CA membrane, as measured by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The water flux and desalination performance were compared before and after crosslinking, and the formation of the desalting layer greatly improved the desalination performance of the membrane. In addition, the crosslinking temperature, crosslinking time, and formaldehyde solution mass fraction of the CA membrane structure and performance were explored. It was observed that the CA flat membrane showed better desalination performance, with a salt rejection rate of 98.55% and a water flux of 9.88 L/(m2·h), under a processing temperature of 100 °C 11% formaldehyde solution mass fraction and a crosslinking time of 60 min. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:913–918, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Analyzing the Secretome of Gut Microbiota as the Next Strategy For Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Megat Mohd Azlan Putri‐Intan‐Hafizah , Chin Siok‐Fong , Low Teck Yew , Neoh Hui‐min , Jamal Rahman
Published: December 2018

Dysbiosis of gut microbiome can contribute to inflammation, and subsequently initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Throughout these stages, various proteins and metabolites are secreted to the external environment by microorganisms or the hosts themselves. Studying these proteins may help enhance our understanding of the host–microorganism relationship or they may even serve as useful biomarkers for CRC. However, secretomic studies of gut microbiome of CRC patients, until now, are scarcely performed. In this review article, the focus is on the roles of gut microbiome in CRC, the current findings on CRC secretome are highlighted, and the emerging challenges and strategies to drive forward this area of research are addressed.
UCP2 Overexpression Redirects Glucose into Anabolic Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Sreedhar Annapoorna , Cassell Teresa , Smith Parker , Lu Daiwei , Nam Hyung W. , Lane Andrew N. , Zhao Yunfeng
Published: December 2018

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is often upregulated in cancer cells. The UCP2 upregulation is positively correlated with enhanced proliferation, tumorigenesis, and metabolic alterations, thus suggesting that UCP2 upregulation can play a key role in sensing metabolic changes to promote tumorigenesis. To determine the global metabolic impact of UCP2 upregulation, 13C6 glucose as a source molecule is used to “trace” the metabolic fate of carbon atoms derived from glucose. UCP2 overexpression in skin epidermal cells enhances the incorporation of 13C label to pyruvate, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, nucleotides, and amino acids, suggesting that UCP2 upregulation reprograms cellular metabolism toward macromolecule synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to bring to light the overall metabolic differences caused by UCP2 upregulation.
Our Process Safety Journey Continues: Operational Discipline Today
Authors: Vaughen Bruce K. , Klein James A. , Champion John W.
Published: December 2018

In the late 1980s, DuPont defined Operational Discipline (OD) as the deeply rooted dedication and commitment by each member of an organization to carry out each task, the right way, each time. Many other companies have similar “operational discipline” definitions, and this emphasis has not changed. Furthermore, the dedication and commitment to OD has grown stronger. Operational discipline continues to reflect the strength of an organization's safety culture in making process safety programs effective and in providing tangible results for preventing injuries and incidents through effective process safety systems. What has changed is how we better apply Operational Discipline as one of the three essential process safety foundations. When combined with both a strong safety culture and leadership and robust process safety systems, the company's strong Operational Discipline foundation helps improve process safety performance. This article describes how collaborative efforts have helped us to better evaluate Operational Discipline in context of the Risk Based Process Safety's element Conduct of Operations, briefly presents how OD programs can be implemented using an example from the Dow Chemical Company, and provides some practical guidance and approaches that a company can use on their process safety journey to improve their OD program. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 37: 478–492, 2018
Shear Stiffness and Energy Absorption of Auxetic Open Cell Foams as Sandwich Cores
Authors: Cheng Hong Chun , Scarpa Fabrizio , Panzera Tulio Hallak , Farrow Ian , Peng Hua‐Xin
Published: December 2018

This work describes the identification of the shear modulus of open cell polyurethane thermoformed auxetic foams from 3‐ and 4‐point bending tests. The foams are incorporated in sandwich beams with carbon fibre/epoxy face skins, and benchmarked against similar sandwich structures made with the conventional counterpart open cell foam. Three types of beams are tested: one with auxetic foams, another type related to a conventional foam core with the same thickness of the auxetic porous materials, and a third type of beam consisting in conventional foam with a thickness corresponding to an iso‐weight configuration to the auxetic specimen. The auxetic foam has a shear modulus 7% lower than the one of the bulk conventional specimens, but higher shear stresses at large deformations and a smoother strain stiffening response compared to the beams with the conventional thinner core. The paper also highlights the low shear wave speed of these auxetic foams compared to other porous polymers used in helmet and head protection applications, as well as potential uses of the quasi‐zero‐stiffness behavior here observed for the auxetic foam sandwich beam.
Revisiting reweighted robust standard deviation estimators for univariate Shewhart S‐charts
Authors: Mutlu Ece Çiğdem , Alakent Burak
Published: December 2018

Phase I outliers, unless screened during process parameter estimation, are known to deteriorate Phase II performance of process control charts. Reweighting estimators, ie, trimming outlier subgroups and individual observations, were suggested in the literature to improve both the robustness and efficiency of the resulting parameter estimates. In the current study, effects of various reweighted estimators at different trimming levels on the Phase II performance of S‐charts are elucidated using computer simulations including isolated and mixtures of contamination models. Outlier magnitudes in the simulations are held at a moderately low level to mimic industrial practice. Subtleties, such as varying Type I error rate among different trimming levels with respect to quantiles of dispersion estimates, prevent a single method to be revealed as the best performing one under all circumstances, and choice of estimators and trimming levels should depend on the number of subgroups in Phase I and the specifics of the process. Nevertheless, S‐chart using scale M‐estimator with logistic ρ and location M‐estimator at 2% trimming generally stands out in terms of Phase II performance, and high trimming levels are particularly recommended for high number of Phase I subgroups.
Strong Surface‐Bound Sulfur in Carbon Nanotube Bridged Hierarchical Mo2C‐Based MXene Nanosheets for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Lv Li‐Ping , Guo Chao‐Fei , Sun Weiwei , Wang Yong
Published: December 2018

In this work, hydroxyl‐functionalized Mo2C‐based MXene nanosheets are synthesized by facilely removing the Sn layer of Mo2SnC. The hydroxyl‐functionalized surface of Mo2C suppresses the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) through strong interaction between Mo atoms on the MXenes surface and LiPSs. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are further introduced into Mo2C phase to enlarge the specific surface area of the composite, improve its electronic conductivity, and alleviate the volume change during discharging/charging. The strong surface‐bound sulfur in the hierarchical Mo2C‐CNTs host can lead to a superior electrochemical performance in lithium–sulfur batteries. A large reversible capacity of ≈925 mAh g−1 is observed after 250 cycles at a current density of 0.1 C (1 C = 1675 mAh g−1) with good rate capability. Notably, the electrodes with high loading amounts of sulfur can also deliver good electrochemical performances, i.e., initial reversible capacities of ≈1314 mAh g−1 (2.4 mAh cm−2), ≈1068 mAh g−1 (3.7 mAh cm−2), and ≈959 mAh g−1 (5.3 mAh cm−2) at various areal loading amounts of sulfur (1.8, 3.5, and 5.6 mg cm−2) are also observed, respectively.
Bayesian bootstrap inference for the receiver operating characteristic surface
Authors: Inácio de Carvalho Vanda , de Carvalho Miguel , Branscum Adam
Published: December 2018

Accurate diagnosis of disease is of great importance in clinical practice and medical research. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) surface is a popular tool for evaluating the discriminatory ability of continuous diagnostic test outcomes when there exist three‐ordered disease classes (e.g., no disease, mild disease, and advanced disease). We propose the Bayesian bootstrap, a fully nonparametric method, for conducting inference about the ROC surface and its functionals, such as the volume under the ROC surface (VUS). The proposed method is based on a simple, yet interesting, representation of the ROC surface in terms of placement variables and has the appealing feature of producing point and interval estimates for the ROC surface and its corresponding VUS in a single integrated framework. Results from a simulation study demonstrate the ability of our method to successfully recover the true ROC surface and to produce valid inferences in a variety of complex scenarios. An application to data from the Trail Making Test to assess cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease patients is provided.
Overview of the blood compatibility of nanomedicines: A trend analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Urbán Patricia , Liptrott Neill J. , Bremer Susanne
Published: December 2018

As nanomedicines have the potential to address many currently unmet medical needs, the early identification of regulatory requirements that could hamper a smooth translation of nanomedicines from the laboratory environment to clinical applications is of utmost importance. The blood system is especially relevant as many nanomedicinal products that are currently under development are designed for intravenous administration and cells of the blood system will be among the first biological systems exposed to the injected nanomedicine. This review collects and summarizes the current knowledge related to the blood compatibility of nanomedicines and nanomaterials with a potential use in biomedical applications. Different types of nanomedicines were analyzed for their toxicity to the blood system, and the role of their physicochemical properties was further elucidated. Trends were identified related to: (a) the nature of the most frequently occurring blood incompatibilities such as thrombogenicity and complement activation, (b) the contribution of physicochemical properties to these blood incompatibilities, and (c) the similarities between data retrieved from in vivo and in vitro studies. Finally, we provide an overview of available standards that allow evaluating the compatibility of a material with the blood system.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine
Structure, Optical, and Photocatalytic Properties of Oxynitride Solid Solutions Ca1–xSrxNbO2N, CaNb1–xTaxO2N, and SrNb1–xTaxO2N Prepared from Soft‐Chemistry Precursors
Authors: Jacobs Jonas , Oehler Florian , Schettlock Johannes , Ebbinghaus Stefan G.
Published: December 2018

Three perovskite oxynitride solid solutions Ca1–xSrxNbO2N, CaNb1–xTaxO2N, and SrNb1–xTaxO2N were prepared by low temperature ammonolysis of soft‐chemistry precursors. In particular, we present for the first time a way to synthesize the substitution series Ca1–xSrxNbO2N, which cannot be prepared by ammonolysis of classical solid state precursors. All samples were phase‐pure and exhibit bandgaps in the visible light range that can be tailored by substitutions both of the A‐ and B‐type cations. Rietveld analysis was applied to determine cell parameters and crystal structures. In the case of Ca1–xSrxNbO2N a structural change from orthorhombic to tetragonal was found. After loading with CoOx the photocatalytic activities in the solution‐based methyl orange degradation were investigated and for SrNb1–xTaxO2N a considerable activity was found.
Optimizing the Synthesis of Zinc‐rich Gallium Zinc Oxynitrides by Combining Co‐Precipitation and Moisture‐Assisted Nitridation
Authors: Jansen Henning , Menze Jasper , Muhler Martin
Published: December 2018

ZnO‐co‐doped GaN is a promising catalyst for photocatalytic overall water splitting in the visible light range. The conventional high‐temperature synthesis has the drawback that only low amounts of Zn2+ ions can be incorporated into the GaN:ZnO matrix due to a substantial loss of volatile Zn metal during the nitridation of the binary oxides in flowing NH3. By applying moisture‐assisted nitridation of a co‐precipitated GaZn precursor under milder conditions it was possible to significantly reduce the Zn loss during nitridation. Using a GaZn precursor with a high Zn content, GaN:ZnO nanoparticles containing high amounts of Zn were obtained. The bandgap was found to decrease nearly linearly with increasing Zn content. Concomitantly, the defect density and structural disorder increased with increasing Zn content.
Correction to: You Can’t Lose What You Haven’t Got: Citizenship Acquisition and Loss in Africa
Authors: Manby Bronwen
Published: December 2018

The footnote given by the author was inadvertently missed in the previously published original version. The footnote is added as “* This blog posting was written in November 2014 and reflects events at that time.
Summary: Zivilgesellschaft im Überblick
Authors: Krimmer Holger
Published: December 2018

Vereine sind die am häufigsten genutzte Rechtsform der organisierten Zivilgesellschaft. 2016 gab es 603 886 eingetragene Vereine in Deutschland (S. 13).
Politische und gesellschaftliche Einstellungen: soziokulturelle Grundlagen von Selbstorganisation
Authors: Burkhardt Luise , Kausmann Corinna , Siegers Pascal
Published: December 2018

In diesem Kapitel soll auf der Personenebene der Engagierten in Deutschland ein Einblick in die politischen und gesellschaftlichen Einstellungen gegeben werden, die ihrem Engagement zugrunde liegen. Hierzu gehören beispielsweise Wertorientierungen, religiöse Weltanschauungen, demokratische Orientierungen sowie auch die Wahlbeteiligung der Engagierten. Auch Informationen darüber, in welchen gesellschaftlichen und persönlichen Bereichen sich die Engagierten Sorgen machen und wie zufrieden sie allgemein mit ihrem Leben sind, können Aufschluss über die Motivationen der Engagierten geben. Als Datengrundlage dienen der Deutsche Freiwilligensurvey (FWS), die Allgemeine Bevölkerungsumfrage der Sozialwissenschaften (ALLBUS) und das Sozio-oekonomische Panel (SOEP).
Recursive Measures of Edge Accuracy on Digital Images
Authors: Zheng Jeffrey , Zheng Chris
Published: December 2018

In this chapter, an edge accuracy model is proposed on digital images and five types of edge detection methods are discussed as examples to investigate their edge maps undertaken recursive operations. Using invariant criterion, it is possible to compare different schemes in accuracy, consistency, completeness and simplicity. This provides general mechanism in relation to accurate edge extractions from digital images.
Hierarchical Organization of Variant Logic
Authors: Zheng Jeffrey
Published: December 2018

In modern logic, various systems have been proposed extending classical Boolean logic & switching theory. Such logic frameworks include multiple-valued logic, probability logic, fuzzy logic, module logic, quantum logic and various other frameworks. Although these extensions have been applied to many applications in mathematics, in science and in engineering, all extensions to Boolean logic invalidates at least one of the six fundamental rules of Boolean logic shown in L1 to L6. We propose a new framework of logic, variant logic, extending Boolean logic whilst satisfying the six fundamental rules (L1–L6). By defining the Variant–Invariant behaviour of logical operations, this framework can be constructed using four types of general operators. Main results of the chapter are summarized in Theorems 8–10, respectively. To show significant differences between classical logic and new variant logic, invariant properties of this hierarchical organization are discussed. Simplest cases of one-variable conditions are illustrated. Variant logic can provide the necessary framework to support analysis and description of Cellular Automata, Fractal Theory, Chaos Theory and other systems dealing with complexity. Such applications of this framework will be explored in future papers.
Refined Stationary Randomness of Quantum Random Sequences on Variant Maps
Authors: Zheng Jeffrey , Luo Yamin , Li Zhefei
Published: December 2018

In this chapter, a testing model is used to apply statistical probability in multiple distributions on three maps for a selected sequence to check refined stationary randomness on quantum sequences. Three random data sequences are collected from two quantum random resources: one from Australian National University (ANU) and two (initial and secure) from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Multiple results are created on three maps, and measurements of stationary randomness are illustrated and compared. Three samples show distinct stationary properties.
Successful Creation of Regular Patterns in Variant Maps from Bat Echolocation Calls
Authors: Heim D. M. , Heim O. , Zeng P. A. , Zheng Jeffrey
Published: December 2018

We created variant maps based on bat echolocation call recordings and outline here the transformation process and describe the resulting visual features. The maps show regular patterns while characteristic features change when bat call recording properties change. By focusing on specific visual features, we found a set of projection parameters which allowed us to classify the variant maps into two distinct groups. These results are promising indicators that variant maps can be used as basis for new echolocation call classification algorithms.
Variant Map System of Random Sequences
Authors: Zheng Jeffrey
Published: December 2018

Sequences of random variables play a key role in probability theory, stochastic processes, and statistics to analyze dynamic behavior. Speckle patterns have emerged as useful tools to explore space–time variations of random sequences in various measurement applications of comprehensive properties in complex space–time variation events. In this chapter, a variant map system is proposed to analyze statistical properties of random sequences in visual representations. An input 0–1 sequence will be divided into multiple segments and each segment of a fixed length will be transformed into a 2-tuple pair of measures. Five measuring sets are identified and rearranged in a 1D or 2D numerical array as a histogram representing a visual map. These five types of maps consist of two types in 1D format as classical maps and three types in 2D format as variant maps. Properties are analyzed on all five types of maps. A cryptographic sequence of the AES cipher is selected as a sample stream. The five types of visual maps are generated and refined clustering characteristics are organized into four groups on changes of segmented and shifted lengths for visual comparisons on enlarged 2DP maps. Speckle patterns of various distributions are observed. Three variant maps with distinct statistic distributions could be useful to provide new visual tools to explore comprehensive cryptographic sequences on complex nonlinear dynamic behavior in global network environments.
Stationary Randomness of Three Types of Six Random Sequences on Variant Maps
Authors: Zheng Jeffrey , Luo Yamin , Li Zhefei , Zheng Chris
Published: December 2018

Various random streams have different stationary properties. It is necessary to use statistical probability and time series to evaluate quality of stationary randomness. In this chapter, a testing model is used on three maps for a random sequence. Multiple segments are divided on the shifted sequence as three measuring sets. For a map, the maxima are extracted and three maximal values are identified. 2D maps represent stationary randomness. Conditions of station random/stationary sequences are investigated. Testing sets are collected from three types of six random resources: AES, DES, A5, RC4, Australian National University (ANU), and University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) (two block ciphers, two stream ciphers, and two quantum ciphers). Six random sequences are selected. Measurements of stationary randomness are compared. There are only 0.0034–4.27% differences that are recognized. Using variation ratios, six samples are composed of three variation categories on {AES, DES}, {A5, RC4}, and {ANU, USTC}, respectively. From a measuring viewpoint, all six samples are showing distinguished stationary randomness properties.
Complexity and behind the horizon cut off
Authors: Akhavan Amin , Alishahiha Mohsen , Naseh Ali , Zolfi Hamed
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Motivated by

$$ T\overline{T} $$

T

T
¯

deformation of a conformal field theory we compute holographic complexity for a black brane solution with a cutoff using “complexity=action” proposal. In order to have a late time behavior consistent with Lloyd’s bound one is forced to have a cutoff behind the horizon whose value is fixed by the boundary cutoff. Using this result we compute holographic complexity for two dimensional AdS solutions where we get expected late times linear growth. It is in contrast with the naively computation which is done without assuming the cutoff where the complexity approaches a constant at the late time.
Scientific realism with historical essences: the case of species
Authors: Godman Marion
Published: December 2018

Natural kinds, real kinds, or, following J.S. Mill simply,Kinds, are thought to be an important asset for scientific realists in the non-fundamental (or “special”) sciences. Essential natures are less in vogue. I show that the realist would do well to couple her Kinds with essential natures in order to strengthen their epistemic and ontological credentials. I argue that these essential natures need not however be intrinsic to the Kind’s members; they may be historical. I concentrate on assessing the merits of historical essential natures in a paradigm case of Kinds in the non-fundamental sciences: species. I specify two basic jobs for essential natures: (1) offering individuation criteria, and (2) providing a causal explanation of the Kind’s multiple projectable properties. I argue that at least in the case of species historical essences are fit for both tasks. The principled resistance to Kinds with historical essences should also be cleared.
Digital Sensory Marketing: Integrating New Technologies into Multisensory Online Experience
Authors: Petit Olivia , Velasco Carlos , Spence Charles
Published: December 2018

People are increasingly purchasing (e.g., food, clothes) and consuming (e.g., movies, courses) online where, traditionally, the sensory interaction has mostly been limited to visual, and to a lesser extent, auditory inputs. However, other sensory interfaces (e.g., including touch screens, together with a range of virtual, and augmented solutions) are increasingly being made available to people to interact online. Moreover, recent progress in the field of human–computer interaction means that online environments will likely engage more of the senses and become more connected with offline environments in the coming years. This expansion will likely coincide with an increasing engagement with the consumer's more emotional senses, namely touch/haptics, and possibly even olfaction. Forward-thinking marketers and researchers will therefore need to appropriate the latest tools/technologies in order to deliver richer online experiences for tomorrow's consumers. This review is designed to help the interested reader better understand what sensory marketing in a digital context can offer, thus hopefully opening the way for further research and development in the area.
A randomized, single ascending dose study of intravenous BIIB092 in healthy participants
Authors: Qureshi Irfan A. , Tirucherai Giridhar , Ahlijanian Michael K. , Kolaitis Gerry , Bechtold Clifford , Grundman Michael
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Extracellular tau is hypothesized to mediate the onset and progression of tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and a subset of frontotemporal lobar degenerations. A putative strategy for treating these disorders is to reduce extracellular tau levels using tau‐directed immunotherapy. The results of the first‐in‐human study of BIIB092 (formerly BMS‐986168/IPN007), a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to N‐terminal tau, are reported here. This randomized, double‐blind, single ascending dose study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity profile of BIIB092 after a single intravenous infusion in healthy participants.

Methods

Sixty‐five participants were randomized to receive a single intravenous infusion of placebo or BIIB092 at doses of 21, 70, 210, 700, 2100, or 4200 mg (or 700 or 2100 mg for Japanese participants). Serial blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained for assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters and unbound N‐terminal tau suppression.

Results

There were no deaths, serious adverse events (AEs), severe AEs, or discontinuations due to an AE. The majority of AEs were mild. Serum BIIB092 concentrations increased in a dose‐proportional manner and suppressed unbound cerebrospinal fluid N‐terminal tau by 67%–97% at 28 days after dose, with doses of ≥210 mg producing persistent unbound N‐terminal tau suppression over 12 weeks. Levels of cerebrospinal fluid N‐terminal tau suppression were similar for Japanese and non‐Japanese participants.

Discussion

BIIB092 was generally safe and well tolerated after a single dose of up to 4200 mg, and up to 2100 mg in Japanese participants. BIIB092 exhibited a dose‐dependent increase in the extent and duration of unbound N‐terminal tau suppression.
How agents change institutions: Coalitional dynamics and the reform of commercial training in Switzerland
Authors: Seitzl Lina , Emmenegger Patrick
Published: December 2018

Historical institutionalist research has long struggled to come to terms with agency. Yet injecting agency into historical-institutionalist accounts is no easy task. If institutions are structuring agents’ actions, while they are simultaneously being structured by these very agents’ behavior, the ontological status of institutions remains unclear. Hence, most historical-institutional accounts, at the conceptual level, tend to downplay the role of agency. However, in this way, they also remain incomplete. Following the “coalitional turn” in historical institutionalism, we develop a new account of institutional change and stability that awards a central role to agency. At the heart of our approach is the notion that both stability and change in institutions presuppose constant coalition building by organized entrepreneurial actors. However, for several reasons, such coalition building is complicated, which ultimately leads to institutional stability. In addition, we argue that relevant state agencies actively shape whether the incumbent coalition or the challenger coalition prevails. We illustrate the potential of our actor-centered approach to institutional change by analyzing the reform of commercial training in Switzerland, tracing developments from the beginning of the 1980s until today.
Fearing the “Nicas”: Perceptions of Immigrants and Policy Choices in Costa Rica
Authors: Malone Mary Fran T.
Published: December 2018

Do attitudes toward immigrants shape public policy preferences? To answer this question, this article analyzes a prominent example of South-South migration: the Nicaraguan immigrant community in Costa Rica. Over the past two decades, Costa Rica has experienced extensive socioeconomic changes, and Nicaraguans have been frequent scapegoats for the fears and worries generated by these changes. Relying on the 2014 AmericasBarometer survey, this analysis finds that respondents who perceive immigrants as an economic threat are significantly more supportive of punitive crime control policies. Attitudes toward immigrants were also significantly linked to support for government policies to reduce income inequality. However, given the historically strong support for the Costa Rican social welfare state, attitudes toward immigrants did not significantly affect support for government services.
Mexican Movers and Shakers: Protest Mobilization and Political Attitudes in Mexico City
Authors: Inclán María
Published: December 2018

Using an innovative survey of six major street demonstrations in Mexico City between 2011 and 2013, this study compares political attitudes of protest participants and nonparticipants. The analysis offers three relevant findings. The results suggest that in comparison to protest nonparticipants, demonstrators tend to be more politically involved and experienced individuals, mobilized through their personal and organizational networks. The intensity of these factors’ effects as protest participation predictors varied across demonstrations, showing that protest participation is triggered by different factors. And the diversity of mobilizing factors shows that protest participation in Mexico City is complex, and is a common form of political participation for the plural, mobilized civil society.
Mobilising Mothers: The 1917 National Baby Week
Authors: Bryder Linda
Published: December 2018

This article focuses on Britain’s 1917 National Baby Week and specifically how it played out in London. Pageantry and celebration were an important part of the event, and possibly a welcome distraction from the trials and horrors of war, and they were embraced by women of all social classes. But there was much more to it, as women who led the event seized the opportunity for political purposes, in what appeared to be an unthreatening environment of celebrating motherhood. Their goal was to promote the material wellbeing of, and state support for, women and children, and in this they were remarkably successful. Baby Week was also seized upon as an opportunity to showcase other welfare systems as a model for Britain, focusing in particular on New Zealand, with its free and comprehensive health service for infants. Rather than reflecting the eugenic and pronatalist concerns of the establishment, the event should be seen as a moment of politicisation of women arguing for cross-class social reform targeted at mothers.
The POlarised GLEAM Survey (POGS) I: First results from a low-frequency radio linear polarisation survey of the southern sky
Authors: Riseley C. J. , Lenc E. , Van Eck C. L. , Heald G. , Gaensler B. M. , Anderson C. S. , Hancock P. J. , Hurley-Walker N. , Sridhar S. S. , White S. V.
Published: December 2018

The low-frequency polarisation properties of radio sources are poorly studied, particularly in statistical samples. However, the new generation of low-frequency telescopes, such as the Murchison Widefield Array (the precursor for the low-frequency component of the Square Kilometre Array) offers an opportunity to probe the physics of radio sources at very low radio frequencies. In this paper, we present a catalogue of linearly polarised sources detected at 216 MHz, using data from the Galactic and Extragalactic All-sky Murchison Widefield Array survey. Our catalogue covers the Declination range –17° to –37° and 24 h in Right Ascension, at a resolution of around 3 arcminutes. We detect 81 sources (including both a known pulsar and a new pulsar candidate) with linearly polarised flux densities in excess of 18 mJy across a survey area of approximately 6 400 deg2, corresponding to a surface density of 1 source per 79 deg2. The level of Faraday rotation measured for our sources is broadly consistent with those recovered at higher frequencies, with typically more than an order of magnitude improvement in the uncertainty compared to higher-frequency measurements. However, our catalogue is likely incomplete at low Faraday rotation measures, due to our practice of excluding sources in the region where instrumental leakage appears. The majority of sources exhibit significant depolarisation compared to higher frequencies; however, a small sub-sample repolarise at 216 MHz. We also discuss the polarisation properties of four nearby, large-angular-scale radio galaxies, with a particular focus on the giant radio galaxy ESO 422–G028, in order to explain the striking differences in polarised morphology between 216 MHz and 1.4 GHz.
Mean, variance, and trends of Levant precipitation over the past 4500 years from reconstructed Dead Sea levels and stochastic modeling
Authors: Morin Efrat , Ryb Tamar , Gavrieli Ittai , Enzel Yehouda
Published: December 2018

A novel quantitative assessment of late Holocene precipitation in the Levant is presented, including mean and variance of annual precipitation and their trends. A stochastic framework was utilized and allowed, possibly for the first time, linking high-quality, reconstructed rises/declines in Dead Sea levels with precipitation trends in its watershed. We determined the change in mean annual precipitation for 12 specific intervals over the past 4500 yr, concluding that: (1) the twentieth century was substantially wetter than most of the late Holocene; (2) a representative reference value of mean annual precipitation is 75% of the present-day parameter; (3) during the late Holocene, mean annual precipitation ranged between −17 and +66% of the reference value (−37 to +25% of present-day conditions); (4) the driest intervals were 1500–1200 BC and AD 755–890, and the wettest intervals were 2500–2460 BC, 130–40 BC, AD 350–490, and AD 1770–1940; (5) lake-level rises and declines probably occurred in response to trends in precipitation means and are less likely to occur when precipitation mean is constant; (6) average trends in mean annual precipitation during intervals of ≥200 yr did not exceed 15 mm per decade. The precipitation trends probably reflect shifts in eastern Mediterranean cyclone tracks.
Adherence to UK dietary guidelines is associated with higher dietary intake of total and specific polyphenols compared with a traditional UK diet: further analysis of data from the Cardiovascular risk REduction Study: Supported by an Integrated Dietary Approach (CRESSIDA) randomised controlled trial
Authors: Castro-Acosta Monica L. , Sanders Thomas A. B. , Reidlinger Dianne P. , Darzi Julia , Hall Wendy L.
Published: December 2018

Adherence to dietary guidelines (DG) may result in higher intake of polyphenols via increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. We compared polyphenol dietary intake and urinary excretion between two intervention groups in the Cardiovascular risk REduction Study: Supported by an Integrated Dietary Approach study: a 12-week parallel-arm, randomised controlled trial (n161; sixty-four males, ninety-seven females; aged 40–70 years). One group adhered to UK DG, whereas the other group consumed a representative UK diet (control). We estimated polyphenol dietary intake, using a 4-d food diary (4-DFD) and FFQ, and analysed 24-h polyphenol urinary excretion by liquid chromatography-tandem MS on a subset of participants (n46 control;n45 DG). A polyphenol food composition database for 4-DFD analysis was generated using Phenol-Explorer and USDA databases. Total polyphenol intake by 4-DFD at endpoint (geometric means with 95 % CI, adjusted for baseline and sex) was significantly higher in the DG group (1279 mg/d per 10 MJ; 1158, 1412) compared with the control group (1084 mg/d per 10 MJ; 980, 1197). The greater total polyphenol intake in the DG group was attributed to higher intake of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and hydroxycinnamic acids, with the primary food sources being fruits, cereal products, nuts and seeds. FFQ estimates of flavonoid intake also detected greater intake in DG compared with the control group. 24-h urinary excretion showed consistency with 4-DFD in their ability to discriminate between dietary intervention groups for six out of ten selected, individual polyphenols. In conclusion, following UK DG increased total polyphenol intake by approximately 20 %, but not all polyphenol subclasses corresponded with this finding.
Effect of cocoa on the brain and gut in healthy subjects: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fox Mark , Meyer-Gerspach Anne Christin , Wendebourg Maria Janina , Gruber Maja , Heinrich Henriette , Sauter Matthias , Woelnerhanssen Bettina , Koeberle Dieter , Juengling Freimut
Published: December 2018

Dark chocolate is claimed to have effects on gastrointestinal function and to improve well-being. This randomised controlled study tested the hypothesis that cocoa slows gastric emptying and intestinal transit. Functional brain imaging identified central effects of cocoa on cortical activity. Healthy volunteers (HV) ingested 100 g dark (72 % cocoa) or white (0 % cocoa) chocolate for 5 d, in randomised order. Participants recorded abdominal symptoms and stool consistency by the Bristol Stool Score (BSS). Gastric emptying (GE) and intestinal and colonic transit time were assessed by scintigraphy and marker studies, respectively. Combined positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) imaging assessed regional brain activity. A total of sixteen HV (seven females and nine males) completed the studies (mean age 34 (21–58) years, BMI 22·8 (18·5–26·0) kg/m2). Dark chocolate had no effect on upper gastrointestinal function (GE half-time 82 (75–120) v. 83 (60–120) min; P=0·937); however, stool consistency was increased (BSS 3 (3–5) v. 4 (4–6); P=0·011) and there was a trend to slower colonic transit (17 (13–26) v. 21 (15–47) h; P=0·075). PET–CT imaging showed increased [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the visual cortex, with increased FDG uptake also in somatosensory, motor and pre-frontal cortices (P<0·001). In conclusion, dark chocolate with a high cocoa content has effects on colonic and cerebral function in HV. Future research will assess its effects in patients with functional gastrointestinal diseases with disturbed bowel function and psychological complaints.
Cyclostratigraphy, stratigraphic gaps and the duration of the Hettangian Stage (Jurassic): insights from the Blue Lias Formation of southern Britain
Authors: Weedon Graham P. , Page Kevin N. , Jenkyns Hugh C.
Published: December 2018

The lithostratigraphic characteristics of the iconic Blue Lias Formation of southern Britain are influenced by sedimentation rates and stratigraphic gaps. Evidence for regular sedimentary cycles is reassessed using logs of magnetic susceptibility from four sites as an inverse proxy for carbonate content. Standard spectral analysis, including allowing for false discovery rates, demonstrates several scales of regular cyclicity in depth. Bayesian probability spectra provide independent confirmation of at least one scale of regular cyclicity at all sites. The frequency ratios between the different scales of cyclicity are consistent with astronomical forcing of climate at the periods of the short eccentricity, obliquity and precession cycles. Using local tuned time scales, 62 ammonite biohorizons have minimum durations of 0.7 to 276 ka, with 94% of them <41 ka. The duration of the Hettangian Stage is ≥2.9 Ma according to data from the West Somerset and Devon/Dorset coasts individually, increasing to ≥3.7 Ma when combined with data from Glamorgan and Warwickshire. A composite time scale, constructed using the tuned time scales plus correlated biohorizon limits treated as time lines, allows for the integration of local stratigraphic gaps. This approach yields an improved duration for the Hettangian Stage of ≥4.1 Ma, a figure that is about twice that suggested in recent time scales.
An evaluation of efficiency in dairy production using structural equation modelling
Authors: Drews J. , Czycholl I. , Junge W. , Krieter J.
Published: December 2018

Optimization of production factors plays a central role in efficient milk production operations. Causal relationships between production parameters (health, fertility, feeding, performance and farm size) on the one hand and efficiency parameters on the other have been identified in several studies. In recent years, structural equation modelling (SEM) has not only gained importance in agriculture but also in milk production, providing the opportunity to investigate multilateral relationships. Additionally, SEM enables an estimation of parameters which are not themselves measurable, the so-called latent variables. The current study was based on the data of 943 branch settlements (including the years 2012 and 2013) of dairy farms keeping German Holstein cows in Schleswig-Holstein (Northern Germany) which provided a combination of the structural parameters, economic parameters and biological performance of the farms. An SEM using this combined data was applied to investigate the complexity of influences on efficiency parameters in milk production. Efficiency was sub-divided into and evaluated by two effect variables (economic efficiency and biological efficiency). Economic efficiency was defined as a conventional efficiency assessment criterion from full-cost accounting, whereas biological efficiency was used to evaluate the quality of herd management. Performance was identified as the key parameter for independent evaluation of efficiency by assessing biological (γ41 = 0.644) or economic efficiency (γ42 = 0.266). The SEM explained more than three times higher proportion of the variance in biological efficiency than in economic efficiency. The investigation proved the eligibility of partial least squares SEM for the evaluation of efficiency in milk production.
RecA kinetically selects homologous DNA by testing a five- or six-nucleotide matching sequence and deforming the second DNA
Authors: Takahashi Masayuki
Published: December 2018

RecA family proteins pair two DNAs with the same sequence to promote strand exchange during homologous recombination. To understand how RecA proteins search for and recognize homology, we sought to determine the length of homologous sequence that permits RecA to start its reaction. Specifically, we analyzed the effect of sequence heterogeneity on the association rate of homologous DNA with RecA/single-stranded DNA complex. We assumed that the reaction can start with equal likelihood at any point in the DNA, and that sequence heterogeneity abolishes some possible initiation sites. This analysis revealed that the effective recognition size is five or six nucleotides, larger than the three nucleotides recognized by a RecA monomer. Because the first DNA is elongated 1.5-fold by intercalation of amino acid residues of RecA every three bases, the second bound DNA must be elongated to pair with the first. Because this length is similar to estimates based on the strand-exchange reaction or DNA pair formation, the homology test is likely to occur primarily at the association step. The energetic difference due to the absence of hydrogen bonding is too small to discriminate single-nucleotide heterogeneity over a five- or six-nucleotide sequence. The selection is very likely to be made kinetically, and probably involves some structural factor other than Watson–Crick hydrogen bonding. It would be valuable to determine whether this is also the case for other biological reactions involving DNA base complementarity, such as replication, transcription, and translation.
“The God of This Lower World”: Leo Strauss's Critique of Historicism inNatural Right and History
Authors: Shaw Beau
Published: December 2018

This paper offers a new account of Leo Strauss's critique of historicism inNatural Right and History. According to the general view of this critique, Strauss tries to show that historicism wrongly denies the possibility of knowledge of universal and unchangeable principles of right. I argue that this view only reflects Strauss's exoteric critique of historicism, and that, apart from it, he gives an esoteric critique. According to this esoteric critique, historicism ignores the necessity of prudence, in the sense of making “concrete decisions” which suspend universal and unchangeable principles of right. In this light, I also show that Strauss's critique of historicism depends on Carl Schmitt's concept of the “decision,” but that Strauss simultaneously critiques Schmitt inNatural Right and History.