bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐Reported Weight‐Loss Methods and Weight Change: Ten‐Year Analysis in the Swedish Obese Subjects Study Control Group
Authors: Zenténius Edit , Andersson‐Assarsson Johanna C. , Carlsson Lena M.S. , Svensson Per‐Arne , Larsson Ingrid
Published: June 2018

Objective

The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study was designed to compare outcomes in patients with obesity treated by bariatric surgery and a matched control group given usual care. The aim of this study was to analyze self‐reported weight‐loss methods and weight changes over 10 years in the SOS control group.

Methods

Self‐reported weight‐loss methods in the control group (n = 2,037; 71% women; 48.7 ± 6.3 years; BMI 40.1 ± 4.7 kg/m2) were analyzed at baseline and after 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years of follow‐up and studied in relation to weight changes.

Results

The average 10‐year weight change was +2.1% (95% CI: 1.4%‐2.8%). At every follow‐up, 82.7% (95% CI: 81.3%‐84.1%) of participants reported weight‐loss attempts. At 10 years, 12.5% of the participants had ≥ 10% weight loss and 22.3% had ≥ 10% weight gain. Participants who lost or gained weight reported similar usage of weight‐loss methods.

Conclusions

Over 10 years, the majority of the participants of the SOS control group reported continuous efforts to lose weight. These results illustrate the constant struggle individuals with severe obesity are facing and that, on average, the results of long‐term weight loss and weight maintenance were discouraging.
Making Skins: Initiation, Sorcery, and Eastern Min Notions of Knowledge
Authors: Eggertsson Sveinn
Published: June 2018

In this paper I consider the Kwermin notion of knowledge as ‘making skin’ of physical experience. The skin is acted upon in women's scarification and male initiations with the aim of instilling dispositions in the novices that are conducive to their becoming competent adult beings in their particular sociocultural environment. The scarification of women's abdominal skin is thought to enhance the fertility of their wombs, whereas the acts upon male novices’ skins in the initiation rituals are focused upon making them fierce warriors, vigorous husbands, and respectful communicators with ancestral spirits. It is argued that through the male initiations the Min reenact their joint origins from the ground at Yam (‘mother’) on Oksapmin land. Contrary to this initiatory emphasis on proper skin‐knowledge as fitness of being, sorcerers, and witches are greatly feared as they wrongfully penetrate the skin, either infusing the victim with suicidal desire or extracting its life‐substance until the victim withers and dies.
The changing clinical pattern of endemic Burkitt lymphoma in Western Africa: Experience from a tertiary center in Ghana
Authors: Offor Ugonna T. , Akyea Ralph K. , Neequaye Janet E. , Renner Lorna A. , Segbefia Catherine I.
Published: June 2018

Background

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is the most common childhood cancer in Ghana, where the endemic variant is the predominant subtype and historically presents as a highly chemo‐sensitive jaw tumor. This study aimed to update the current epidemiological characteristics of childhood BL in our institution.

Procedure

Patient data for all children diagnosed with BL and seen at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between January 2007 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

BL was diagnosed in 173 children (<13 years) during the study period, with the abdomen as the most common tumor site (46%) followed by the jaw (31%). Abdominal tumors were associated with advanced/disseminated disease (P = 0.002), and were more likely to occur in females irrespective of tumor stage (relative risk = 1.56 [95% CI; 1.1–12.3]). Twenty‐five percent (43/173) of the study cohort died and mortality was influenced by increasing age (P = 0.02) and advanced disease (P = 0.03). Treatment delay was experienced by nine in ten patients primarily due to familial financial constraint (75%). Treatment abandonment was observed as a first event in 94% of patients and two thirds of children in the study were eventually lost to follow‐up.

Conclusion

The predominance of primary abdominal tumors in our study cohort may indicate a changing epidemiological pattern of BL in Ghana. High rates of treatment delay and abandonment were evident and are likely to be contributing factors to the poor childhood cancer survival outcomes seen in resource‐limited countries in Africa.
Random mixtures of antimicrobial peptides inhibit bacteria associated with pasteurized bovine milk
Authors: Stern Bauer Tal , Hayouka Zvi
Published: June 2018

The shelf life of pasteurized bovine milk is limited by microorganism activity as surviving bacteria continue to grow in the bovine milk, eventually causing milk spoilage. In the current study, we used matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry to identify pasteurized bovine milk‐associated mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria. We have recently designed random cationic peptide mixtures that possess strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. These compounds are cheap and easy to synthesize and represent a new class of antimicrobial agents. Here, we show that the random peptide mixtures are able to efficiently eradicate the bacteria identified as associated with pasteurized bovine milk, and reduced significantly the growth of Bacillus subtilis in milk. We propose these antimicrobial peptides as potential candidates for integration in bioactive milk and food packaging to prevent bacterial growth and extend the shelf life of food.
Hierarchical Nanostructured MWCNT–MnF2 Composites With Stable Electrochemical Properties as Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Bensalah Nasr , Turki Dorra , Kamand Fadi Z. , Saoud Khaled
Published: June 2018

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes–manganese(II) fluoride (MWCNT–MnF2) composite was prepared by a simple two‐step method. In the first step, a wet chemistry reaction between manganese (II) nitrate, Mn(NO3)2, and hexafluoroslicic acid, H2SiF6, produces manganese(II) hexafluorosilicate (MnSiF6). The thermal decomposition of MnSiF6 in presence of MWCNTs at 400 °C under argon atmosphere releases SiF4 gas and forms MWCNT–MnF2 composite. Powder X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of pure phases of MnF2 nanoparticles with rutile crystalline structure with no impurity phases. MnF2 nanoparticles were dispersed among MWCNTs networks and partially decorating MWCNTs forming a hierarchically nanostructured MWCNT–MnF2 composite. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests showed that the MWCNT–MnF2 composite electrode underwent electrochemical lithiation/delithiation reactions with enhanced reversibility and stabilized solid–electrolyte interface (SEI) during cycling. Charge–discharge tests demonstrated that the MWCNT–MnF2 electrode displayed an irreversible specific capacity in the first cycle mainly linked to the decomposition of the electrolyte and the formation of the SEI film. After 100 cycles, a charge specific capacity of 480 mAh g−1 MnF2 was measured (80% of the initial capacity) with high coulombic efficiency (CE) (≈100%), indicating the high reversibility of electrochemical conversion reactions. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM‐EDX analyses for non‐cycled and fully discharged MWCNT–MnF2 electrodes confirmed the irreversible lithiation of MnF2 into Mn and LiF during the ten first charge–discharge cycles. The higher electrochemical performance of the composite electrode compared to pure MnF2 can be attributed to the hierarchical structure of MWCNT–MnF2, which is capable to assimilate the volume changes, stabilize the solid–electrolyte interface (SEI), and facilitate Li+ ions and electrons transfer.
Passivation of Liquid‐Phase Crystallized Silicon With PECVD‐SiNx and PECVD‐SiNx/SiOx
Authors: Preissler Natalie , Amkreutz Daniel , Dulanto Jorge , Töfflinger Jan Amaru , Trinh Cham Thi , Trahms Martina , Abou‐Ras Daniel , Kirmse Holm , Weingärtner Roland , Rech Bernd , Schlatmann Rutger
Published: June 2018

Silicon nitride (SiNx) and silicon oxide (SiOx) grown with plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition are used to passivate the front‐side of liquid‐phase crystallized silicon (LPC‐Si). The dielectric layer/LPC‐Si interface is smooth and layers are well‐defined as demonstrated with transmission electron microscopy. Using electron energy loss spectroscopy a thin silicon oxynitride is detected which is related to oxidation of the SiNx prior to the silicon deposition. The interface defect state density (Dit) and the effective fixed charge density (QIL,eff) are obtained from high‐frequency capacitance‐voltage measurements on developed metal‐insulator‐semiconductor structures based on SiOx/SiNx/LPC‐Si and SiOx/SiNx/SiOx/LPC‐Si sequences. Charge transfer across the SiNx/LPC‐Si interface is observed which does not occur with the thin SiOx between SiNx and LPC‐Si. The SiOx/SiNx/LPC‐Si interface is characterized by QIL,eff > 1012 cm−2 and Dit,MG>1012 eV−1 cm−2. With SiOx/SiNx/SiOx stack, both parameters are around one order of magnitude lower. Based on obtained QIL,eff and Dit(E) and capture cross sections for electrons and holes of σn = 10−14 cm s−1 and σp = 10−16 cm s−1, respectively, a front‐side surface recombination velocity in the range of 10 cm s−1 at both interfaces is determined using the extended Shockley‐Read‐Hall recombination model. Results indicate that field‐effect passivation is strong, especially with SiOx/SiNx stack.
Photoluminescence Properties of Photochromic Yttrium Hydride Films Containing Oxygen
Authors: Montero José , Galeckas Augustinas , Karazhanov Smagul Z.
Published: June 2018

Oxidation of YHx±δ modulates its optical properties by converting it from optically opaque to transparent state to the visible light and electrical properties from metallic conductivity to insulating. The qualitative change of the materials properties are related to oxidation‐induced modulation of electronic properties of the material that will influence the band gap and luminescence properties of the oxygen‐containing yttrium hydride (YHO). This work presents the optical properties, studied by optical spectrophotometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy, of YHO thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering at different H2/Ar flow ratios between 0.18 and 0.28. The indirect and direct band gap of the YHO photochromic films in their clear state is estimated from optical absorption measurements performed at room temperature, and found in the range between 2.5 and 2.6 eV (indirect allowed transition) and between 3.0 and 3.3 eV (direct allowed transition). The study of photoluminescence (PL) properties is performed in the temperature range between 10 and 300 K. The luminescence yield corresponding to the clear state was found to be extremely low in all the YHO films, and it reduced even further once the films darkened under UV‐light exposure. The PL emission at room temperature covers the entire UV and visible range, comprising two broad bands centered at around 2.2 and 3.1 eV. The latter band became fine‐structured at low‐temperatures (10 K), showing a series of distinct PL peaks at energy positions between 2.8 and 3.4 eV which were independent of the H2/Ar flow ratio used during deposition. By the comparison of the PL measurements conducted in vacuum with the ones performed in air, it is possible to conclude that the environment plays an important role in the photochromic properties of YHO. The possible intrinsic and extrinsic origin of the structured PL emission is discussed in terms of excitonic features and/or luminescent surface defects. We report that the main optical transitions of the films deposited at different H pressures did not change by variation of temperature or by UV light‐induced color change.
Identification and characterization of reaction products of 5‐hydroxytryptamine with methylglyoxal and glyoxal by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Sai Sachin L. , Nagarjuna Chary R. , Pavankumar P. , Prabhakar S.
Published: June 2018

Rationale

Methylglyoxal (MGO) and glyoxal (GO) are known to be at high levels in humans with diabetes. They react with amine‐containing proteins and amino acids to form advanced glycation end products, however, their reactivity with other amine‐containing metabolites, such as neurotransmitters, has not been explored. In this study, we aimed at studying the reactivity of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) with MGO or GO, which may alter the metabolic function of 5‐HT.

Methods

Stock solutions of 5‐HT, MGO and GO were made in PBS buffer at pH 7.4 and 5‐HT was incubated with MGO or GO at different concentrations. The reactions were also performed at physiological concentrations. The reaction mixtures collected at different incubation times were analyzed by direct ESI‐HRMS, LC/MS and LC/MS/MS to detect/characterize the products. Agilent 6545 Q‐TOF and Agilent 6420 triple quadrupole mass spectrometers were used for the study, and LC separations were performed on a C18 column.

Results

The direct ESI‐HRMS data of the reaction mixtures showed formation of three and four reaction products when 5‐HT was reacted with MGO and GO, respectively. All the products showed dominant [M + H]+ ions. The products were characterized by HRMS, LC/MS/MS and literature reports on similar compounds. The products can easily be identified by LC/MS based on the accurate mass values together with retention time information. The MS/MS of the reaction products showed structure‐indicative fragment ions.

Conclusions

5‐HT reacts with one or two MGO/GO to form a set of reaction products. The reaction between 5‐HT and MGO or GO was faster at higher concentrations of MGO/GO (<10 min), and the same products were found even at physiological concentrations (<48 h). The LC/MS/MS (SRM) method can be used to screen the reaction products when present at low levels.
Defining sensemaking: Bringing clarity to a fragmented theoretical construct
Authors: Odden Tor Ole B. , Russ Rosemary S.
Published: June 2018

In recent years, science education researchers have increasingly studied the ways in which students “make sense” of science. However, although researchers might all agree intuitively on what it looks like, the literature on sensemaking is theoretically fragmented. In this paper, we address this fragmentation by proposing a coherent definition, arguing that sensemaking is the process of building an explanation to resolve a perceived gap or conflict in knowledge. We then present an overview of three primary approaches to describing sensemaking in the science education research literature, arguing that this body of literature has conceptualized sensemaking as a stance toward science learning, a cognitive process, and a particular form of discourse, and showing how the definition incorporates each conceptualization. We conclude by describing how sensemaking is distinct from general categories of activities like “thinking,” “learning,” and several scientific practices. We also highlight the implications of this definition for science instruction and future sensemaking research.
End‐of‐life vehicle recovery factors: Malaysian stakeholders' views and future research needs
Authors: Mohamad‐Ali Nurhasyimah , Ghazilla Raja Ariffin Raja , Abdul‐Rashid Salwa Hanim , Sakundarini Novita , Ahmad‐Yazid Aznijar , Stephenie Lydyaty
Published: June 2018

In this study, we identify the factors that affect end‐of‐life vehicle (ELV) recovery effectiveness in order to develop an improved ELV recovery model in Malaysia. We derived these factors from a literature survey and on‐site interviews with representatives of selected local companies who are the key stakeholders in ELV management. We used the system dynamics approach to identify the link between the ELV recovery factors and recovery effectiveness, and we present the results in the form of an aftermarket cognitive map, which provides a pictorial view of the interrelationships between the ELV recovery factors. Indeed, we found that the factors conform well with those identified in previous studies. We believe that the improved ELV recovery model will be beneficial to product designers and stakeholders in the ELV recovery network, and encourage them to take action in accordance with the National Automotive Policy in line with the ELV directive.
Photoacoustic Probes for Molecular Detection: Recent Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Zeng Leli , Ma Gongcheng , Lin Jing , Huang Peng
Published: June 2018

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging (PAI) is a noninvasive and nonionizing biomedical imaging modality that combines the advantages of optical imaging and ultrasound imaging. Based on PAI, photoacoustic detection (PAD) is an emerging approach that is involved with the interaction between PA probes and analytes resulting in the changes of photoacoustic signals for molecular detection with rich contrast, high resolution, and deep tissue penetration. This Review focuses on the recent development of PA probes in PAD. The following contents will be discussed in detail: 1) the construction of PA probes; 2) the applications and mechanisms of PAD to different types of analytes, including microenvironments, small biomolecules, or metal ions; 3) the challenges and perspectives of PA probes in PAD.
Optimization of Belt Furnace Anneal to Reduce Light and Elevated Temperature Induced Degradation of Effective Carrier Lifetime of P‐Type Multicrystalline Silicon Wafers
Authors: Sharma Romika , Aberle Armin G. , Li Joel B.
Published: June 2018

Light and elevated temperature induced degradation (LeTID) of the effective charge carrier lifetime significantly lowers the efficiency of multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) solar cells and is a major challenge currently faced by the silicon photovoltaic industry. Optimization of the temperature profile used in the rapid thermal anneal (RTA) step of the metallization line has been found to significantly reduce LeTID of mc‐Si solar cells. Hence, the authors experimentally study the impacts of varying the RTA process parameters on the LeTID behavior of mc‐Si lifetime samples. It is shown that a low peak temperature, slow ramp‐up rate (slow belt speed) reduce LeTID in mc‐Si lifetime samples. Also, subsequent dark anneal at a moderate temperature (≈300–550 °C) further reduces LeTID. Samples already subjected to LeTID conditions also benefit from the post‐degradation dark anneal. The recovered effective carrier lifetime of the degraded samples dark annealed at 550 °C is even higher than the post‐firing effective carrier lifetime value. The defect state achieved post‐dark anneal at 550 °C is stable for the studied period of ≈60 h, unlike the well‐known case of low‐temperature dark anneals (<200 °C) where samples degrade again when subjected to LeTID conditions. The authors believe that the optimized conditions identified in this work can be applied to mass‐produced mc‐Si solar cells.
Overcoming public resistance to carbon taxes
Authors: Carattini Stefano , Carvalho Maria , Fankhauser Sam
Published: June 2018

Carbon taxes represent a cost‐effective way to steer the economy toward a greener future. In the real world, their application has however been limited. In this paper, we address one of the main obstacles to carbon taxes: public opposition. We identify drivers of and barriers to public support, and, under the form of stylized facts, provide general lessons on the acceptability of carbon taxes. We derive our lessons from a growing literature, as well as from a combination of policy “failures” and “successes.” Based on our stylized facts, we formulate a set of suggestions concerning the design of carbon taxes. We consider the use of trial periods, tax escalators, environmental earmarking, lump‐sum transfers, tax rebates, and advanced communication strategies, among others. This paper contributes to the policy debate about carbon taxes, hopefully leading to more success stories and fewer policy failures.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Economics of Mitigation
Review of recent trends in charging infrastructure planning for electric vehicles
Authors: Deb Sanchari , Tammi Kari , Kalita Karuna , Mahanta Pinakeswar
Published: June 2018

The exhaustive nature of fossil fuels and environmental concerns associated with greenhouse gases are the major causes of the paradigm shift from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). The electrification of the transportation sector and the increasing popularity of the EVs have driven scientists and researchers to delve into charging stations. Underdeveloped charging infrastructure, optimal placement of charging stations, and charge scheduling in the charging stations are the major concerns for the large‐scale deployment of EVs. Even few questions related to EVs, such as the vehicle price and driving range, can be partially solved with a well‐developed charging infrastructure. Existing old infrastructure may bring severe limitations in the realization of the optimal placement of charging stations as EVs have not existed when the road and grid infrastructure have been developed. For the past few years, the studies associated with the optimal placement and sizing of EV charging stations have drawn the consideration of the researchers. The researchers have used different approaches, objective functions, and applied different optimization algorithms while dealing with the problem of charging station placement. The complex and dynamic nature of the problem has led researchers to apply different optimization algorithms for the solution of the problem. In this particular review study, the research works bearing on the charging infrastructure planning for the EVs are considered. Thus, this review work will endow the research community with the latest developments and research findings in the paradigm of charging infrastructure planning for EVs.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy and Urban Design > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy and Transport > Science and Materials

Energy Systems Analysis > Science and Materials
BPS solutions of six-dimensional (1, 0) supergravity coupled to tensor multiplets
Authors: het Lam Huibert , Vandoren Stefan
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We derive a general local form for supersymmetric solutions of six-dimensional (1, 0) supergravity coupled to an arbitrary number of tensor multiplets. We consider some special cases in which the resulting equations can be solved explicitly. In particular we derive black string solutions and calculate their entropy. Upon reducing to five dimensions they yield spinning black hole solutions. We also discuss BPS pp-waves and black string solutions with traveling waves. Lastly, as an application, we study the attractor mechanism in this theory.
Dark matter-neutrino interaction in light of collider and neutrino telescope data
Authors: Primulando Reinard , Uttayarat Patipan
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We study the DM-neutrino interaction in the framework of simplified model. The phenomenology of such an interaction are derived. We also investigate the bound on DM-neutrino interaction from the LHC and neutrino telescopes. We find that for the case of a scalar dark matter, the LHC gives a stronger bound on dark matter annihilation cross-section than the neutrino telescopes. However, for the fermionic dark matter case the neutrino telescopes bounds are more stringent for dark matter mass, ≳ 200 MeV. In the case of lower DM mass, the neutrino telescopes provide better bounds for a light mediator, while the collider bounds are better for a heavy mediator. Possible UV completions of the simplified model are briefly discussed.
Backward Planning a Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Curriculum for the Surgical Workforce in Low‐Resource Settings
Authors: Shaye David A. , Tollefson Travis , Shah Irfan , Krishnan Gopal , Matic Damir , Figari Marcelo , Lim Thiam Chye , Aniruth Sunil , Schubert Warren
Published: June 2018

Background

Trauma is a significant contributor to global disease, and low‐income countries disproportionately shoulder this burden. Education and training are critical components in the effort to address the surgical workforce shortage. Educators can tailor training to a diverse background of health professionals in low‐resource settings using competency‐based curricula. We present a process for the development of a competency‐based curriculum for low‐resource settings in the context of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma education.

Methods

CMF trauma surgeons representing 7 low‐, middle‐, and high‐income countries conducted a standardized educational curriculum development program. Patient problems related to facial injuries were identified and ranked from highest to lowest morbidity. Higher morbidity problems were categorized into 4 modules with agreed upon competencies. Methods of delivery (lectures, case discussions, and practical exercises) were selected to optimize learning of each competency.

Results

A facial injuries educational curriculum (1.5 days event) was tailored to health professionals with diverse training backgrounds who care for CMF trauma patients in low‐resource settings. A backward planned, competency‐based curriculum was organized into four modules titled: acute (emergent), eye (periorbital injuries and sight preserving measures), mouth (dental injuries and fracture care), and soft tissue injury treatments. Four courses have been completed with pre‐ and post‐course assessments completed.

Conclusions

Surgeons and educators from a diverse geographic background found the backward planning curriculum development method effective in creating a competency‐based facial injuries (trauma) course for health professionals in low‐resource settings, where contextual aspects of shortages of surgical capacity, equipment, and emergency transportation must be considered.
The increase of O-acetylation and N-deacetylation in cell wall promotes acid resistance and nisin production through improving cell wall integrity in Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Cao Lijie , Liang Dongmei , Hao Panlong , Song Qianqian , Xue Ershu , Caiyin Qinggele , Cheng Zihao , Qiao Jianjun
Published: June 2018

Cell wall is closely related to bacterial robustness and adsorption capacity, playing crucial roles in nisin production in Lactococcus lactis. Peptidoglycan (PG), the essential component of cell wall, is usually modified with MurNAc O-acetylation and GlcNAc N-deacetylation, catalyzed by YvhB and XynD, respectively. In this study, increasing the two modifications in L. lactis F44 improved autolysis resistance by decreasing the susceptibility to PG hydrolases. Furthermore, both modifications were positively associated with overall cross-linkage, contributing to cell wall integrity. The robust cell wall rendered the yvhB/xynD-overexpression strains more acid resistant, leading to the increase of nisin production in fed-batch fermentations by 63.7 and 62.9%, respectively. Importantly, the structural alterations also reduced nisin adsorption capacity, resulting in reduction of nisin loss. More strikingly, the co-overexpression strain displayed the highest nisin production (76.3% higher than F44). Our work provides a novel approach for achieving nisin overproduction via extensive cell wall remodeling.
The phenotype of adult versus pediatric patients with inborn errors of metabolism
Authors: Saudubray Jean‐Marie , Mochel Fanny
Published: June 2018

Until recently, inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) were considered a pediatric specialty, as emphasized by the term “inborn,” and the concept of adult onset IEM has only very recently reached the adult medical community. Still, an increasing number of adult onset IEM have now been recognized, as new metabolomics and molecular diagnostic techniques have become available. Here, we discuss possible mechanisms underlying phenotypic variability in adult versus children with IEM. Specifically, phenotypic severity and age of onset are expected to be modulated by differences in residual protein activity possibly driven by various genetic factors. Phenotypic variability may also occur in the context of similar protein expression, which suggests the intervention of environmental, ontogenic, and aging factors.
Indicators of climate change in agricultural systems
Authors: Hatfield Jerry L. , Antle John , Garrett Karen A. , Izaurralde Roberto Cesar , Mader Terry , Marshall Elizabeth , Nearing Mark , Philip Robertson G. , Ziska Lewis
Published: June 2018

Climate change affects all segments of the agricultural enterprise, and there is mounting evidence that the continuing warming trend with shifting seasonality and intensity in precipitation will increase the vulnerability of agricultural systems. Agricultural is a complex system within the USA encompassing a large number of crops and livestock systems, and development of indicators to provide a signal of the impact of climate change on these different systems would be beneficial to the development of strategies for effective adaptation practices. A series of indicators were assembled to determine their potential for assessing agricultural response to climate change in the near term and long term and those with immediate capability of being implemented and those requiring more development. The available literature reveals indicators on livestock related to heat stress, soil erosion related to changes in precipitation, soil carbon changes in response to increasing carbon dioxide and soil management practices, economic response to climate change in agricultural production, and crop progress and productivity. Crop progress and productivity changes are readily observed data with a historical record for some crops extending back to the mid-1800s. This length of historical record coupled with the county-level observations from each state where a crop is grown and emerging pest populations provides a detailed set of observations to assess the impact of a changing climate on agriculture. Continued refinement of tools to assess climate impacts on agriculture will provide guidance on strategies to adapt to climate change.
The strategy of endogenization in evolutionary biology
Authors: Okasha Samir
Published: June 2018

Evolutionary biology is striking for its ability to explain a large and diverse range of empirical phenomena on the basis of a few general theoretical principles. This article offers a philosophical perspective on the way that evolutionary biology has come to achieve such impressive generality, by focusing on “the strategy of endogenization”. This strategy involves devising evolutionary explanations for biological features that were originally part of the background conditions, or scaffolding, against which such explanations take place. Where successful, the strategy moves biology a step closer to the ideal of explaining as much as possible from evolutionary first principles. The strategy of endogenization is illustrated through a series of biological examples, historical and recent, and its philosophical implications are explored.
Open-source VRPLite Package for Vehicle Routing with Pickup and Delivery: A Path Finding Engine for Scheduled Transportation Systems
Authors: Zhou Xuesong , Tong Lu , Mahmoudi Monirehalsadat , Zhuge Lijuan , Yao Yu , Zhang Yongxiang , Shang Pan , Liu Jiangtao , Shi Tie
Published: June 2018

Recently, automation, shared use, and electrification are viewed as the “three revolutions” in the future transportation sector, and the traditional scheduled public transit system will be greatly enhanced with flexible services and autonomous vehicle scheduling capabilities. Many emerging scheduled transportation applications include the fully automatic operation system in urban rail transit, joint line planning, and timetabling for high-speed rail as well as emerging self-driving vehicle dispatching. The vehicle routing problem (VRP) holds promise for seeking an optimal set of vehicle routes and schedules to meet customers’ requirements and plays a vital role in optimizing services for feature scheduled transportation systems. Due to the difficulty of finding optimal solutions for large-scale instances, enormous research efforts have been dedicated to developing efficient algorithms, while our paper presents a unique perspective based on a time-dependent and state-dependent path searching framework. An open-source and light-weight VRP with pickup and delivery with time windows (VRPPDTW) modeling package, namely VRPLite, has been developed in this research to provide a high-quality and computationally efficient solution engine for transportation on demand applications. This paper describes the space–time–state modeling process of VRPPDTW using a hyper-network representation. This solution framework can be embedded in a column generation or Lagrangian relaxation framework to handle many general applications. A number of illustrated examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the path search algorithm under various traffic conditions and passenger travel requirements.
Radiocarbon Wiggle Matching on Laminated Sediments Delivers High-Precision Chronologies
Authors: Rey Fabian , Gobet Erika , Szidat Sönke , Lotter André F , Gilli Adrian , Hafner Albert , Tinner Willy
Published: June 2018

High-resolution sediment chronologies with the best possible time control are essential for comparing palaeoecological studies with independent high-precision climatic, archaeological or historic data in order to disentangle causes and effects of past environmental, ecological and societal change. We present two varved lake sediment sequences from Moossee and Burgäschisee (Swiss Plateau) that have chronologies developed with Bayesian models and radiocarbon (14C) dating of terrestrial plant macrofossils extracted from sediment samples with constant age ranges. We illustrate the potential of high-resolution14C dating for the construction of robust, high-precision sediment chronologies. The mean 2σ age uncertainties were reduced to±19 cal yr for Moossee and to±54 cal yr for Burgäschisee over the entire period of 3000 cal yr, while 2σ uncertainties of only±13 cal yr and±18 cal yr respectively, were achieved for shorter time intervals. These precisions are better than or comparable to those of previous varve studies. Our results imply that a sophisticated subsampling strategy and a careful selection of short-lived and well-defined terrestrial plant remains are crucial to avoid outlying14C ages. A direct linkage between palaeoeological studies with dendrochronologically dated, local archaeological sites as well as a precise comparison with high-resolution climate proxy data have become feasible.
Concealing Corruption: How Chinese Officials Distort Upward Reporting of Online Grievances
Authors: PAN JENNIFER , CHEN KAIPING
Published: June 2018

A prerequisite for the durability of authoritarian regimes as well as their effective governance is the regime’s ability to gather reliable information about the actions of lower-tier officials. Allowing public participation in the form of online complaints is one approach authoritarian regimes have taken to improve monitoring of lower-tier officials. In this paper, we gain rare access to internal communications between a monitoring agency and upper-level officials in China. We show that citizen grievances posted publicly online that contain complaints of corruption are systematically concealed from upper-level authorities when they implicate lower-tier officials or associates connected to lower-tier officials through patronage ties. Information manipulation occurs primarily through omission of wrongdoing rather than censorship or falsification, suggesting that even in the digital age, in a highly determined and capable regime where reports of corruption are actively and publicly voiced, monitoring the behavior of regime agents remains a challenge.
THE ‘IMPARTIALITY’ OF NARCISSUS LUTTRELL'S READING PRACTICES AND HISTORICAL WRITING, 1679–1710
Authors: SOMERS TIM
Published: June 2018

This article explores the influence of ‘impartiality’ on reading practices, print culture, and historical writing in later Stuart Britain. It sheds new light on the most prolific collector of ‘cheap print’ during this period, Narcissus Luttrell (1657–1732), by assessing his reading practices in relation to the ideal of impartiality. Luttrell is analysed using his hitherto unstudied commonplace books and historical manuscript collection made in reaction to the Exclusion Crisis (1679–81) and the Glorious Revolution (1688). Their analysis demonstrates the way Luttrell used impartiality rhetorically to justify and express his whiggish judgement and interpretation of modern history. The article also highlights key continuities and differences between the early and later Stuart publics by connecting Luttrell to humanist rhetoric, earlier manuscript culture, and shifts in reading practices.
Edith Wharton's Resource Aesthetics and the Dawn of the American Energy Crisis
Authors: ACKERMAN ALAN
Published: June 2018

Situating Edith Wharton in the context of America's accelerating petro-culture, this essay argues that her novels critique a society that takes for granted high-volume, nonrenewable energy, and specifically revolutionary new kinds of energy: petroleum, natural gas, and the fossil-fueled power stations necessary for the large-scale, continuous production of electricity. Attention to the idiom of energy inThe House of Mirthand its mirror text,The Custom of the Country, along with Ida Tarbell'sHistory of Standard Oiland Theodore Roosevelt's conservationism, sheds new light on assumptions about moral agency, personal freedom, changing modes of thought, and the environment between 1880 and World War I. The essay shows how Wharton's allegorical treatment of Lily Bart and Undine Spragg anticipates the notion of externalities or consequences of industrial activities that affect outside parties but are not reflected in the cost of production.
The Parable of the Unrighteous Steward (Luke 16.1–9): A Prudent Use of Mammon
Authors: Burkett Delbert
Published: June 2018

The parable of the unrighteous steward encouraged rich individuals outside the Christian community to use their wealth to make friends of Jesus’ poor disciples, specifically by reducing their debts, so that in the eschatological kingdom Jesus’ disciples would receive these benefactors into their eternal dwellings. It had its setting in the efforts of early Palestinian Christians to enlist the financial support of the wealthy. Since many of these did not wish to sell all their possessions and donate the proceeds to the Christian community, this parable suggested an alternative way that the rich could use their wealth to assist the community.
Tertius in the Margins: A Critical Appraisal of the Secretary Hypothesis
Authors: Cadwallader Alan H.
Published: June 2018

Much has been made in recent years about the role of the secretary in the construction of Paul's letters, most notably by Randolph Richards and Ian Elmer. This article focuses on the most famous secretary – Tertius. Through an analysis of what can be learned of Tertius’ identity and his relationship to Paul and to ancient authorial practices in households, it argues that Tertius was probably a slave in the household of one of the Corinthian Christ-followers, whose role was simply to inscribe the letter. His inability to use Paul's signature phrase ἐν κυρίῳ in a Pauline fashion highlights his lack of authorial input. Tertius’ self-initiated greeting in Rom 16.22 probably began life as a marginal comment that was moved early into the letter body.
Literary Eyewitnesses: The Appeal to an Eyewitness in John and Contemporaneous Literature
Authors: Litwa M. David
Published: June 2018

This essay supports the thesis that the Beloved Disciple is a purely literary character employed as a literary device of authentication recognisable during the late first and early second centuries CE. As evidence, three works are thoroughly compared with the Fourth Gospel in regard to their eyewitness appeals: Philostratus’Life of Apollonius of Tyana(a biography), theWonders beyond Thuleby Antonius Diogenes (a historiographical novel) and theDiary of the Trojan War(a revisionary history) attributed to Dictys of Crete. All three works are roughly contemporaneous with the Fourth Gospel and offer important insights into the sophisticated use of an eyewitness as a literary character to guarantee the (spiritual and moral) truth of a narrative.
Down the Rabbit Hole with Barnabas: Rewriting Moses in Barnabas 10
Authors: Rothschild Clare K.
Published: June 2018

Barnabas 10 offers an allegorical discussion ofkashrut. The writer addresses dietary laws in two groups of three: prohibitions against the eating of pig, vulture and eel, followed by prohibitions against eating hare, hyena and weasel. In each case, the allegorical interpretation construes diet as comportment (e.g. one should not behave like a pig, vulture etc.). Concerning the hare, readers are admonished not to emulate its corruption of children – a behaviour linked to its annual acquisition of an anus. Parallel allegorical interpretations of the Jewish food laws can be found in the Letter of Aristeas and Philo,De specialibus legibus4 and similar quasi-scientific observations about animals occur in texts ranging from the rabbis to Physiologus. However, the rabbit poses a particular problem since no known precedent exists for either its behaviour or its physiology. The present investigation thus focuses on the rabbit, attempting to reconstruct the literary and historical background for its unusual characterisation.
Paul's View of Israel's Misstep in Rom 9.32–3: Its Origin and Meaning
Authors: Thielman Frank
Published: June 2018

The form of Paul's citation of Isa 28.16 and 8.14 in Rom 9.32–3 indicates not only that his source was an early Christian collection of stone texts but also that this collection followed a particular interpretation of Jesus’ death: Jerusalem's ruling class planned Jesus’ death because of his controversial approach to the law and the temple. Paul quotes these texts to help explain why unbelieving Israel has rejected the gospel. Like Israel's ruling elites, they have lost sight of the law's weightier matters. Punctuated correctly, 1 Thess 2.14–16 confirms this understanding of Rom 9.32–3.
The Politics of Minimum Income Protection in OECD Countries
Authors: NOËL ALAIN
Published: June 2018

Minimum income protection (MIP) determines the disposable income a person obtains when she has no market or social insurance income, few assets and no family support. This last-recourse income, usually social assistance benefits plus associated transfers, constitutes a significant indicator of a country's commitment to social justice. Yet, we know little about the politics of MIP, in part because welfare state scholars have focused on more encompassing social insurance programmes, and in part because of a lack of good comparative data. This article takes the measure of MIP adequacy in 18 OECD countries for the 1990–2010 period, for single, able-to-work individuals, tracks its comparative evolution, and proposes an explanation of its determinants, with a times-series cross-sectional model. The main positive determinant of adequacy is a generous welfare state; the main negative force is the importance of the public debt. Overall, the politics of MIP appears consistent with that of the welfare state.
Kinematic accuracy research of 2(3HUS+S) parallel manipulator for simulation of hip joint motion
Authors: Zhang Huizhen , Cheng Gang , Shan Xianlei , Guo Feng
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the kinematic accuracy problem caused by geometric errors of a 2(3HUS+S) parallel manipulator is described. The kinematic equation of the manipulator is obtained by establishing a D–H (Denavit–Hartenberg) coordinate system. A D–H transformation matrix is used as the error-modeling tool, and the kinematic error model of the manipulator integrating manufacturing and assembly errors is established based on the perturbation theory. The iterative Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is used to identify the geometric errors in the error model. According to the experimentally measured attitudes, the kinematic calibration process is simulated using MATLAB software. The simulation and experiment results show that the attitude errors of the moving platforms after calibration are reduced compared with before the calibration, and the kinematic accuracy of the manipulator is significantly improved. The correctness and effectiveness of the error model and the kinematic calibration method of the 2(3HUS+S) parallel manipulator for simulation of hip joint motion are verified.
Asymptotic models for transport in large aspect ratio nanopores
Authors: MATEJCZYK B. , PIETSCHMANN J.-F. , WOLFRAM M.-T. , RICHARDSON G.
Published: June 2018

Ion flow in charged nanopores is strongly influenced by the ratio of the Debye length to the pore radius. We investigate the asymptotic behaviour of solutions to the Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) system in narrow pore like geometries and study the influence of the pore geometry and surface charge on ion transport. The physical properties of real pores motivate the investigation of distinguished asymptotic limits, in which either the Debye length and pore radius are comparable or the pore length is very much greater than its radius This results in a quasi-one-dimensional (1D) PNP model, which can be further simplified, in the physically relevant limit of strong pore wall surface charge, to a fully 1D model. Favourable comparison is made to the two-dimensional (2D) PNP equations in typical pore geometries. It is also shown that, for physically realistic parameters, the standard 1D area averaged PNP model for ion flow through a pore is a very poor approximation to the (real) 2D solution to the PNP equations. This leads us to propose that the quasi-1D PNP model derived here, whose computational cost is significantly less than 2D solution of the PNP equations, should replace the use of the 1D area averaged PNP equations as a tool to investigate ion and current flows in ion pores.
A NEW MEASURE TO QUANTIFY HYSTERESIS LOSSES: THE CASE OF ITALIAN WINE EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Adamonis Jolita , Werner Laura M.
Published: June 2018

This paper introduces a new measure to capture dynamic losses for exporting firms on markets that exhibit hysteresis on the supply side. Our indicator aims to quantify dynamic losses caused by sunk adjustment costs in case of exchange rate fluctuations. While the standard procedure in welfare analysis is to compare two equilibria, we focus on welfare effects that take place during dynamics. We analyze negative dynamic effects on producers' income that are generated due to writing off sunk adjustment costs. As an example, we investigate Italian wine exports to the United States over the period 1995–2013. After testing for hysteresis on the market, we present the indicator of hysteresis losses. It captures a continuous increase of dynamic losses during the period 2003–2008. Moreover, over-proportionately large hysteresis losses are generated in comparison to the exchange rate changes if the pain threshold of the exchange rate (ca. 1.25$/€) is passed.