bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Survey of the Implementation and Usage of Electronic Dental Records in Private Dental Practices in Mississippi
Authors: Brent Barbara , Sullivan Amy , Garner Angelia
Published: August 2020

Implementation of electronic health records by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health has led to the implementation of electronic dental records in dental offices. The study was conducted to determine the state of implementation and usage of electronic dental records by the private general and pediatric dental practices in Mississippi as well as reasons why the dental practices are not moving forward with the advanced technology. A survey consisting of six research questions was emailed via SurveyMonkey to 712 private general and pediatric dental practices in Mississippi with an invitation to participate in the study: 116 responded (16% response rate) and 104 consented to participate (89.66%). The data collection process transpired over a six-week period (September 18 – October 29, 2017). Results of the survey indicated dental practices in Mississippi using electronic dental records were 46.07%, electronic dental records with paper records were 42.70%, and only paper records were 11.24%. Dissemination of the study results among medical and dental practitioners may raise awareness and thus encourage more dentists to embrace EDRs. The response rate was affected by the number of dental practices that chose not to participate or did not open the survey email as well as the number of emails that were undeliverable. A second limitation was the lack of certainty of collecting all email addresses through the collection method. Third, there was no certainty that the person who responded knew the correct answers.
A Weighted Evidence Combination Method Based on the Pignistic Probability Distance and Deng Entropy
Authors: Sun Lifan , Chang Yuting , Pu Jiexin , Yu Haofang , Yang Zhe
Published: August 2020

The Dempster-Shafer (D-S) theory is widely applied in various fields involved with multi-sensor information fusion for radar target tracking, which offers a useful tool for decision-making. However, the application of D-S evidence theory has some limitations when evidences are conflicting. This paper proposed a new method combining the Pignistic probability distance and the Deng entropy to address the problem. First, the Pignistic probability distance is applied to measure the conflict degree of evidences. Then, the uncertain information is measured by introducing the Deng entropy. Finally, the evidence correction factor is calculated for modifying the bodies of evidence, and the Dempster’s combination rule is adopted for evidence fusion. Simulation experiments illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method dealing with conflicting evidences.
Aeronautics and COVID-19: a Reciprocal Cause-and-Effect Phenomenon
Authors: Devezas Tessaleno
Published: August 2020

On February 26th, 2020, Brazil’s Health Ministry confirmed the first Brazilian case of COVID-19, in São Paulo: a 61-year-old businessman who was in Lombardy, northern Italy. A second case was reported few days later of another person also returning from Italy. In Portugal, the first two cases were announced on March 2nd, 2020, a 60-year-old physician who returned from holidays in Lombardy, and a 33-year-old businessman returning from Spain.
Scattered coal is the largest source of ambient volatile organic compounds during the heating season in Beijing
Authors: Shi Yuqi , Xi Ziyan , Simayi Maimaiti , Li Jing , Xie Shaodong
Published: August 2020

Abstract. We identified scattered coal burning as the largest contributor to
ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs), exceeding traffic-related
emissions, during the heating season (the cold season when fossil fuel
is burned for residential heating) in Beijing prior to the rigorous
emission limitations enacted in 2017. However, scattered coal is
underestimated in emission inventories generally because the activity
data are incompletely recorded in official energy statistics. Results
of positive matrix factorization (PMF) models confirmed that coal
burning was the largest contributor to VOC mixing ratios prior to the
emission limitations of 2017, and a reduction in scattered coal
combustion, especially in the rural residential sector, was the primary
factor in the observed decrease in ambient VOCs and secondary organic
aerosol (SOA) formation potential in urban Beijing after
2017. Scattered coal burning was included in a corrected emission
inventory, and we obtained comparable results between this corrected
inventory and PMF analysis particularly for the non-control period.
However, a refined source subclassification showed that passenger car
exhaust, petrochemical manufacturing, gas stations, traffic
evaporation, traffic equipment manufacturing, painting, and
electronics manufacturing are also contributors to ambient VOCs. These
sources should focus on future emission reduction strategies and
targets in Beijing. Moreover, in other regions with scattered
coal-based heating, scattered coal burning is still the key factor to
improve the air quality in winter.
The impact of biomass burning on upper tropospheric carbon monoxide: a study using MOCAGE global model and IAGOS airborne data
Authors: Cussac Martin , Marécal Virginie , Thouret Valérie , Josse Béatrice , Sauvage Bastien
Published: August 2020

Abstract. In this paper, the fate of biomass burning emissions of carbon monoxide is studied with the global chemistry–transport model MOCAGE (MOdélisation de Chimie Atmosphérique à Grande Échelle) and IAGOS (In-Service Aircraft for a Global Observing System) airborne measurements for the year 2013. The objectives are firstly to improve their representation within the model and secondly to analyse their contribution to carbon monoxide concentrations in the upper troposphere.
At first, a new implementation of biomass burning injection is developed for MOCAGE, using the latest products available in Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS) biomass burning inventory on plume altitude and injection height. This method is validated against IAGOS observations of CO made in fire plumes, identified thanks to the SOFT-IO source attribution data. The use of these GFAS products leads to improved MOCAGE skill to simulate fire plumes originating from boreal forest wildfires. It is also shown that this new biomass burning injection method modifies the distribution of carbon monoxide in the free and upper troposphere, mostly at northern boreal latitudes.
Then, MOCAGE performance is evaluated in general in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere in comparison to the IAGOS observations and is shown to be very good, with very low bias and good correlations between the model and the observations. Finally, we analyse the contribution of biomass burning to upper tropospheric carbon monoxide concentrations. This is done by comparing simulations where biomass are toggled on and off in different source regions of the world to assess their individual influence. The two regions contributing the most to upper tropospheric CO are found to be the boreal forests and equatorial Africa, in accordance with the quantities of CO they emit each year and the fact that they undergo fast vertical transport: deep convection in the tropics and pyroconvection at high latitudes. It is also found that biomass burning contributes more than 11 % on average to the CO concentrations in the upper troposphere and up to 50 % at high latitudes during the wildfire season.
Anthropogenic and natural controls on atmospheric
δ13C-CO2 variations in the Yangtze River Delta: Insights from a carbon isotope modeling framework
Authors: Hu Cheng , Xu Jiaping , Liu Cheng , Chen Yan , Yang Dong , Huang Wenjing , Deng Lichen , Liu Shoudong , Griffis Timothy J. , Lee Xuhui
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The atmospheric CO2 mixing ratio and its δ13C-CO2 composition contain important CO2 sink and source information spanning from ecosystem to global scales. The observation and simulation for both CO2 and its carbon isotope ratio (δ13C-CO2) can be used to constrain regional emissions and better understand the anthropogenic and natural mechanisms that control δ13C-CO2 variations. Such work remains rare for urban environments, especially megacities. Here, we used near-continuous CO2 and δ13C-CO2 measurements, from September 2013 to August 2015, and inverse modeling to constrain the CO2 budget and investigate the main factors that dominated δ13C-CO2 variations for the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, one of the largest anthropogenic CO2 hotspots and densely populated regions in China. We used the WRF-STILT model framework with category-specified EDGAR v432 CO2 inventories to simulate hourly CO2 mixing ratios and δ13C-CO2, evaluated these simulations with observations, and constrained the anthropogenic CO2 emission categories. Our study shows that: (1) Top-down and bottom-up estimates of anthropogenic CO2 emissions agreed well (bias
An empirical evaluation of bias correction methods for palaeoclimate simulations
Authors: Beyer Robert , Krapp Mario , Manica Andrea
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Even the most sophisticated global climate models are known to have significant biases in the way they simulate the climate system. Correcting model biases is therefore an essential step towards realistic palaeoclimatologies, which are important for many applications such as modelling long-term ecological dynamics. Here, we evaluate three widely used bias correction methods – the delta method, generalised additive models (GAMs), and quantile mapping – against a large global dataset of empirical temperature and precipitation records from the present, the mid-Holocene (∼ 6000 years BP), the Last Glacial Maximum (∼21 000 years BP), and the last interglacial period (∼125 000 years BP). In most cases, the differences between the bias reductions achieved by the three methods are small. Overall, the delta method performs slightly better, albeit not always to a statistically significant degree, at minimising the median absolute bias between empirical data and debiased simulations for both temperature and precipitation than GAMs and quantile mapping; however, there is considerable spatial and temporal variation in the performance of each of the three methods. Our data also indicate that it could soon be possible to use empirical reconstructions of past climatic conditions not only for the evaluation of bias correction methods but for fitting statistical relationships between empirical and simulated data through time that can inform more effective bias correction methods.
Expanding the Design Space of Stratospheric Aerosol Geoengineering to Include Precipitation-Based Objectives and Explore Trade-offs
Authors: Lee Walker , MacMartin Douglas , Visioni Daniele , Kravitz Ben
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Previous climate modeling studies demonstrate the ability of feedback-regulated, stratospheric aerosol geoengineering with injection at multiple independent latitudes to meet multiple simultaneous temperature-based objectives in the presence of anthropogenic climate change. However, the impacts of climate change are not limited to rising temperatures, but also include changes in precipitation, loss of sea ice, and many more; knowing how a given geoengineering strategy will affect each of these climate metrics is vital to understanding the limits and trade-offs of geoengineering. In this study, we first introduce a new method of visualizing the design space in which desired climate outcomes are represented by 2-D surfaces on a 3-D graph. Surface orientations represent how different injection choices influence that objective, and intersecting surfaces represent objectives which can be met simultaneously. Using this representation as a guide, we present simulations of two new strategies for feedback-regulated aerosol injection, using the Community Earth System Model with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model CESM1 (WACCM). The first simultaneously manages global mean temperature, tropical precipitation centroid, and Arctic sea ice extent, while the second manages global mean precipitation, tropical precipitation centroid, and Arctic sea ice extent. Both simulations control the tropical precipitation centroid to within 5 % of the goal, and the latter controls global mean precipitation to within 1 % of the goal. Additionally, the first simulation over-compensates sea ice, while the second under-compensates sea ice; all of these results are consistent with the expectations of our design space model. In addition to showing that precipitation-based climate metrics can be managed using feedback alongside other goals, our simulations validate the utility of our design space visualization in predicting our climate model behavior under a given geoengineering strategy, and together they help illustrate the fundamental limits and trade-offs of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering.
SoDaH: the SOils DAta Harmonization database, an open-source
synthesis of soil data from research networks, version 1.0
Authors: Wieder William R. , Pierson Derek , Earl Stevan , Lajtha Kate , Baer Sara , Ballantyne Ford , Berhe Asmeret Asefaw , Billings Sharon , Brigham Laurel M. , Chacon Stephany S. , Fraterrigo Jennifer , Frey Serita D. , Georgiou Katerina , de Graaff Marie-Anne , Grandy A. Stuart , Hartman Melannie D. , Hobbie Sarah E. , Johnson Chris , Kaye Jason , Kyker-Snowman Emily , Litvak Marcy E. , Mack Michelle C. , Malhotra Avni , Moore Jessica A. M. , Nadelhoffer Knute , Rasmussen Craig , Silver Whendee L. , Sulman Benjamin N. , Walker Xanthe , Weintraub Samantha
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Data collected from research networks present opportunities to test theories and develop models about factors responsible for the long-term persistence and vulnerability of soil organic matter (SOM). Synthesizing datasets collected by different research networks presents opportunities to expand the ecological gradients and scientific breadth of information available for inquiry. Synthesizing these data, are challenging, especially considering the legacy of soils data that has already been collected and an expansion of new network science initiatives. To facilitate this effort, here we present the SOils DAta Harmonization database (SoDaH; https://lter.github.io/som-website, last accessed 15 July 2020), a flexible database designed to harmonize diverse SOM datasets from multiple research networks. SoDaH is built on several network science efforts in the United States, but the tools built for SoDaH aim to provide an open-access resource to facilitate and automate further harmonization and synthesis of soil carbon data. Moreover, SoDaH allows for individual locations to contribute results from experimental manipulations, repeated measurements from long-term studies, and local- to regional-scale gradients across ecosystems or landscapes. Finally, we also provide data visualization and analysis tools that can be used to query and analyze the aggregated database. The SoDaH v1.0 dataset is archived and available at https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/9733f6b6d2ffd12bf126dc36a763e0b4 (Wieder et al., 2020).
Improving the representation of cropland sites in the
Community Land Model (CLM) version 5.0
Authors: Boas Theresa , Bogena Heye , Grünwald Thomas , Heinesch Bernard , Ryu Dongryeol , Schmidt Marius , Vereecken Harry , Western Andrew , Hendricks-Franssen Harrie-Jan
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The incorporation of a comprehensive crop module in land surface models offers the possibility to study the effect of agricultural land use and land management changes on the terrestrial water, energy and biogeochemical cycles. It may help to improve the simulation of biogeophysical and biogeochemical processes on regional and global scales in the framework of climate and land use change. In this study, the performance of the crop module of the Community Land Model version 5 (CLM5) was evaluated at point scale with site specific field data focussing on the simulation of seasonal and inter-annual variations in crop growth, planting and harvesting cycles, and crop yields as well as water, energy and carbon fluxes. In order to better represent agricultural sites, the model was modified by (1) implementing the winter wheat subroutines after Lu et al. (2017) in CLM5; (2) implementing plant specific parameters for sugar beet, potatoes and winter wheat, thereby adding these crop functional types (CFT) to the list of actively managed crops in CLM5; (3) introducing a cover cropping subroutine that allows multiple crop types on the same column within one year. The latter modification allows the simulation of cropping during winter months before usual cash crop planting begins in spring, which is a common agricultural management technique in humid and sub-humid regions. We compared simulation results with field data and found that both the parameterization of the CFTs, as well as the winter wheat subroutines, led to a significant simulation improvement in terms of energy fluxes, leaf area index (LAI), net ecosystem exchange (RMSE reduction for latent and sensible heat by up to 57 % and 59 % respectively) and crop yield (up to 87 % improvement in winter wheat yield prediction) compared with default model results. The cover cropping subroutine yielded a substantial improvement in representation of field conditions after harvest of the main cash crop (winter season) in terms of LAI curve and latent heat flux (reduction of winter time RMSE for latent heat flux by 42 %). We anticipate that our model modifications offer opportunities to improve yield predictions, to study the effects of large-scale cover cropping on energy fluxes, soil carbon and nitrogen pools, and soil water storage in future studies with CLM5.
Future streamflow regime changes in the United States: assessment using functional classification
Authors: Brunner Manuela I. , Melsen Lieke A. , Newman Andrew J. , Wood Andrew W. , Clark Martyn P.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Streamflow regimes are changing and expected to further change under
the influence of climate change, with potential impacts on flow variability and the seasonality of extremes. However, not all types of
regimes are going to change in the same way. Climate change impact
assessments can therefore benefit from identifying classes of
catchments with similar streamflow regimes. Traditional catchment
classification approaches have focused on specific meteorological
and/or streamflow indices, usually neglecting the temporal information stored in the data. The aim of this study is 2-fold: (1) develop a catchment classification scheme that enables incorporation of such
temporal information and (2) use the scheme to evaluate changes in
future flow regimes. We use the developed classification scheme, which relies on a
functional data representation, to cluster a large set of catchments
in the conterminous United States (CONUS) according to their mean
annual hydrographs. We identify five regime classes that summarize the
behavior of catchments in the CONUS: (1) intermittent regime, (2) weak winter regime, (3) strong winter regime,
(4) New Year's regime, and (5) melt regime. Our
results show that these spatially contiguous classes are not only
similar in terms of their regimes, but also their flood and drought
behavior as well as their physiographical and meteorological characteristics. We therefore deem the functional regime classes
valuable for a number of applications going beyond change assessments, including model validation studies or predictions of streamflow
characteristics in ungauged basins. To assess future regime changes, we use simulated discharge time
series obtained from the Variable Infiltration Capacity hydrologic
model driven with meteorological time series generated by five general
circulation models. A comparison of the future regime classes derived
from these simulations with current classes shows that robust regime
changes are expected only for currently melt-influenced regions in the
Rocky Mountains. These changes in mountainous, upstream regions may
require adaption of water management strategies to ensure sufficient water supply in dependent downstream regions.
Highlights.
Functional data clustering enables formation of clusters of catchments with similar hydrological regimes and a similar drought and flood behavior. We identify five streamflow regime clusters: (1) intermittent regime, (2) weak winter regime, (3) strong winter regime, (4) New Year's regime, and (5) melt regime. Future regime changes are most pronounced for currently melt-dominated regimes in the Rocky Mountains. Functional regime clusters have widespread utility for predictions in
ungauged basins and hydroclimate analyses.
Characterization of the unsteady aerodynamic response of a floating offshore wind turbine
Authors: Mancini Simone , Boorsma Koen , Caboni Marco , Cormier Marion , Lutz Thorsten , Schito Paolo , Zasso Alberto
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The disruptive potential of floating wind turbines has attracted the interest of both industry and scientific community. Lacking a rigid foundation, such machines are subject to large displacements whose impact on the aerodynamic performance is not yet fully acknowledged. In this work, the unsteady aerodynamic response to an harmonic surge motion of a scaled version of the DTU10MW turbine is investigated in detail. The imposed displacements have been chosen representative of typical platform motions. The results of different numerical models are validated against high fidelity wind tunnel tests specifically focused on the aerodynamics. Also a linear analytical model, relying on the quasi-steady assumption, is presented as a theoretical reference. The unsteady responses are shown to be dominated by the first surge harmonic and a frequency domain characterization, mostly focused on the thrust oscillation, is conducted involving aerodynamic damping and mass parameters. A very good agreement among codes, experiments and quasi-steady theory has been found clarifying some literature doubts. A convenient way to describe the unsteady results in non-dimensional form is proposed, hopefully serving as reference for future work.
Silvopastoral System Mitigates the Thermal Stress and Benefits Water Buffaloes’ Comfort in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Santos Núbia De Fátima Alves dos , Silva Jamile Andréa Rodrigues da , Araújo Airton Alencar de , Garcia Alexandre Rossetto , Beldini Troy Patrick , Rodrigues Laurena Silva , Lourenço Júnior José De Brito , Bezerra Andréia Santana
Published: August 2020

Twenty female Murrah buffaloes between four and five years old were randomly distributed into two groups (traditional system - TS and silvopastoral system - SPS) with 10 animals each and an average weight of 377.78 kg and 356.10 kg, respectively, for the TS and the SPS. The TS had a management regime with no canopy cover and no shade coverage over the drinking and feeding troughs. In the SPS, Racosperma mangium (Fabaceae) trees were used to provide shade, with an estimated 10% shading. The physiological variables studied were rectal temperature and respiratory frequency measured every three days from 6 to 7 AM and from 12 to 1 PM. The following environmental indices were calculated: Temperature Humidity Index (THI), Black Globe Humidity Comfort Index (BGHI), and Benezra’s Index of Adaptability (BIA). The THI values were high in both management systems, between 76.27 and 86.73, higher than the limit of comfort level for buffaloes, which is 75. The maximum values of BGHI for the afternoon were 92.0 and 87.62, for TS and SPS, respectively, and the maximum values of BIA for the afternoon were 4.4 and 3.8, for TS and SPS respectively, which were higher than the critical level of adaptability and represented an uncomfortable condition that causes a reduction in animal performance. It was concluded that the silvopastoral management system is more efficient in terms of animal comfort for the female buffaloes as a result of the shade that provides a more amenable microclimate.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Use of Various Types of Interbody Implants in Cervical Spine Surgery. Critical Review of the Literature
Authors: Godlewski( Bartosz , Dominiak Maciej
Published: August 2020

Background. Most cervical spine procedures in patients with degenerative disc disease involve discectomy and remo­val of osteophytes in posterior vertebral body surfaces followed by interbody stabilisation with an interbody implant. Interbody implants are made of a variety of materials, differing in structural design, shape and surface topography. Considering that fusion between the implant and host bone is crucial for long-term positive outcomes, the choice of an appropriate implant is significantly important clinically and continues to be an important area of study.
Material and methods. Relevant published studies indexed by Medline were identified via PubMed and reviewed. The findings were combined with the authors’ experiences. The database query was based on keywords related to implants in cervical spine surgery. This article presents the currently most popular types of implants by describing their properties and indicating their strengths and weaknesses as well as differences between different implant types.
Results. Currently, the most popular interbody cages in cervical spine surgery are polyetheretherketone (PEEK) im­plants, titanium-coated PEEK implants and titanium implants. Besides the type of material used, the shape and surface structure of an implant appear to be of significant importance for a successful bony fusion.
Conclusions. 1. 3D printing and the ability to produce 3-dimensional porous-surfaced implants opens up considerable pro­spects for this technique in the production of modern interbody implants. 2. Implants that facilitate the engagement (interlocking) of greater volumes of bone (e.g. porous implants) offer better implant fixation, with the type of material used being less important.
Do spontaneously decreasing estradiol levels prior to triggering of ovulation adversely impact in vitro fertilization outcomes?
Authors: Grin Leonti , Berkovitz-Shperling Roza , Zohav Eyal , Namazov Ahmet , Leyetes Sophia , Friedler Shevach
Published: August 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the potential adverse effect of spontaneously decreasing serum estradiol (SE) levels on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.Methods: This retrospective single-subject study analyzed IVF cycles conducted at a hospital IVF unit between 2010 and 2017. Overall, 2,417 cycles were analyzed. Only cycles with spontaneously decreasing SE before human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) triggering were included. Each patient served as her own control, and subsequent cycles were analyzed for recurrent SE decreases. The main outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved.Results: Cycle characteristics were similar between the study (SE decrease) and control groups, with the exception of the median SE on the day of hCG triggering (899.7 pg/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 193–2,116 pg/mL vs. 1,566.8 pg/mL; IQR, 249–2,970 pg/mL; p< 0.001). The study group, relative to the control group, had significantly fewer total oocytes (5 [IQR, 2–9] vs. 7 [IQR, 3–11]; p= 0.002) and significantly fewer metaphase II (MII) oocytes (3 [IQR, 1–6] vs. 4 [IQR, 2–8]; p= 0.001) retrieved. The study group had fewer cleavage-stage embryos than the control cycles (3 [IQR, 1–6] vs. 4 [IQR, 2–7]; p= 0.012). Compared to cycles with a ≤ 20% SE decrease, cycles with a > 20% decrease had significantly fewer total and MII oocytes retrieved. SE decrease recurred in 12% of patients.Conclusion: A spontaneous decrease in SE levels adversely affected IVF outcomes, with a linear correlation between the percentage decrease and the number of oocytes retrieved. SE decrease can repeat in later cycles.
An Adaptive Protection Technique for Smart Distribution Network
Authors: Shobole Abdulfetah , Baysal Mustafa , Wadi Mohammed , Tur Mehmet Rida
Published: August 2020

The future distribution networks (DNs), commonly known as the smart grid is expected to be reliable, efficient, and can accommodate renewable energy resources. The smart distribution network has to withstand the technical challenges related to the integration of distributed generations (DGs). Among these technical challenges, protection malfunctioning with the increased integration of DGs is one of the important issues, which requires a great concern. Thus, a protection philosophy, which can suit the future smart grid requirements with respect to increased integration of DGs, has to be devised. In this paper, an adaptive protection technique, which is based on the characteristics of fault-current and load-current variation, is proposed. In the proposed method, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) monitor the status of circuit breakers (CBs) and DGs. If any status change occurs, the calculation and relay agents are triggered to update the IEDs. DigSILENT PowerFactory is used to verify the suggested philosophy. Especially DigSILENT Programming Language (DPL) is used to model the adaptive protection. The solar power plant in the Antalya vicinity in Turkey is used to verify the proposed method. The results of the simulation study show the correct operation and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Evaluation of GaN Power Transistor Switching Performance on Characteristics of Bidirectional DC-DC Converter
Authors: Frivaldsky Michal , Morgos Jan , Zelnik Richard
Published: August 2020

The paper deals with the experimental analysis of the switching performance of selected GaN (Galium Nitride) power transistor, whose use is then expected in bidirectional buck/boost DC-DC converter. The switching performance was evaluated through highly accurate and verified simulation models of GS61008P transistor from GaN systems. Experiments have been provided for a wide spectrum of switching frequency and load current in order to verify transistor performance. Then, based on the results, it was expected that high-frequency operation (above 500 kHz) should not distort the efficiency performance of the designed bidirectional converter. This was confirmed after laboratory measurements of the efficiency of the proposed DC-DC converter, while operation under very high switching frequency was more effective compared to low-frequency operation. Over 95 % of efficiency was achieved for both buck and boost mode (125 W), even switching frequency was above 500 kHz.
La aplicación de la doctrina del Public Trust en Estados Unidos: de la protección de los bienes comunes a la conservación del medio ambiente
Authors: De Armenteras Cabot Marcos
Published: August 2020

En la protección de los bienes comunes en Estados Unidos desde el siglo xix hasta la actualidad, la doctrinal del public trust ha jugado un papel determinante. Esta doctrina, heredera de la tradición jurídica romana, basa su estructura conceptual en una relación fideicomisaria entre agente y principal y fue inicialmente invocada para la salvaguarda de los bienes comunes de su cercamiento y privatización. Con el paso de los años, se ha transformado en un instrumento jurídico clave para la protección ambiental. En este artículo doy cuenta de su evolución y aplicación actual.
Enemigo a las puertas. La libertad política en el socialismo británico
Authors: Martínez-Cava Aguilar Julio
Published: August 2020

El objetivo de este artículo es proporcionar algunas claves históricas y conceptuales para comprender la historia del socialismo británico libertarian y su relación con la concepción fiduciaria del poder político y del poder económico. Las expresiones de este socialismo no son homogéneas, convivieron con otras ideas rivales llegando en ocasiones a mezclarse con ellas; y fueron formuladas siempre como respuestas concretas ante los problemas que planteaba cada momento histórico. Desde el socialismo republicano de algunos seguidores de Robert Owen hasta los desafíos que planteó la New Left, las teorías fiduciarias encontraron hueco para abrirse paso en los escritos de estos socialistas libertarian.

 

The objective of this paper is to provide some historical and conceptual keys to understand the history of libertarian British socialism, and its relationship with the fiduciary conception of political power and economic power. The expressions of this libertarian socialism are not homogeneous, they coexisted with other rival conceptions, sometimes mixing with them. Those articulations were always formulated as concrete responses to the problems laid out by different historical moments. From the republican socialism of some Robert Owen’s followers to the challenges exposed by the New Left, fiduciary theory found room to break through in the writings of these libertarian socialists.
Marx y la tradición iusnaturalista en un mundo industrializado
Authors: Manjarin Edgar
Published: August 2020

La obra de Marx presenta una base normativa congruente con un núcleo de presupuestos procedentes de la tradición iusnaturalista. Esta tradición de origen medieval partió de una revisión de la codificación tardía del derecho romano. La evolución conceptual de derechos naturales subjetivos culminó, en su forma más radical, con el impulso de la movilización popular democrático-fraternal de la Revolución francesa. Para Marx la defensa de los derechos naturales no se correspondía con las condiciones objetivas. Adecuó una tarea teórico-práctica para sintetizar este núcleo normativo en la comprensión de las transformaciones económicas en curso así como en el programa político socialista.
Democracia republicana y autoridad política fiduciaria
Authors: Herranz Adrián
Published: August 2020

En este artículo propongo una justificación de la democracia, y de la autoridad política derivada de ella, a partir del ideal republicano de libertad como no-dominación. Argumento que los procedimientos democráticos tienen valor por sí mismos porque son mecanismos de decisión donde hay libertad de forma recíproca. Después muestro que la autoridad debe ser adecuadamente controlada para evitar que exista dominación, razón por la cual tiene que concebirse como una relación fiduciaria, en la que los gobernantes actúan como agentes de la ciudadanía. Finalmente, establezco la necesidad de que los gobernantes cumplan con deberes fiduciarios y que los ciudadanos desarrollen virtudes cívicas.

In this article I propose a justification of democracy, and of the political authority derived from it, based on the republican ideal of freedom as non-domination.  I argue that democratic procedures have value in themselves because they are decision-making mechanisms where there is freedom on a reciprocal basis. I then show that political authority must be adequately controlled in order to avoid the existence of domination. This is why it must be conceived as a fiduciary relationship, in which the rulers act as agents of the citizenry. Finally, I establish the need for rulers to comply with fiduciary duties and for citizens to develop civic virtues.
Modeling the metabolic interplay between a parasitic worm and its bacterial endosymbiont allows the identification of novel drug targets
Authors: Curran David M , Grote Alexandra , Nursimulu Nirvana , Geber Adam , Voronin Dennis , Jones Drew R , Ghedin Elodie , Parkinson John
Published: August 2020

The filarial nematode Brugia malayi represents a leading cause of disability in the developing world, causing lymphatic filariasis in nearly 40 million people. Currently available drugs are not well-suited to mass drug administration efforts, so new treatments are urgently required. One potential vulnerability is the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia—present in many filariae—which is vital to the worm. Genome scale metabolic networks have been used to study prokaryotes and protists and have proven valuable in identifying therapeutic targets, but have only been applied to multicellular eukaryotic organisms more recently. Here, we present iDC625, the first compartmentalized metabolic model of a parasitic worm. We used this model to show how metabolic pathway usage allows the worm to adapt to different environments, and predict a set of 102 reactions essential to the survival of B. malayi. We validated three of those reactions with drug tests and demonstrated novel antifilarial properties for all three compounds.
Irisin directly stimulates osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Estell Eben G , Le Phuong T , Vegting Yosta , Kim Hyeonwoo , Wrann Christiane , Bouxsein Mary L , Nagano Kenichi , Baron Roland , Spiegelman Bruce M , Rosen Clifford J
Published: August 2020

Irisin, a skeletal-muscle secreted myokine, facilitates muscle-bone crosstalk and skeletal remodeling in part by its action on osteoblasts and osteocytes. In this study, we investigated whether irisin directly regulates osteoclasts. In vitro, irisin (2–10 ng/mL) increased osteoclast differentiation in C57BL/6J mouse bone marrow progenitors; however, this increase was blocked by a neutralizing antibody to integrin αVβ5. Irisin also increased bone resorption on several substrates in situ. RNAseq revealed differential gene expression induced by irisin including upregulation of markers for osteoclast differentiation and resorption, as well as osteoblast-stimulating ‘clastokines’. Forced expression of the irisin precursor Fndc5 in transgenic C57BL/6J mice resulted in lower bone mass at three ages and greater in vitro osteoclastogenesis from Fndc5-transgenic bone marrow progenitors. This study demonstrates that irisin acts directly on osteoclast progenitors to increase differentiation and promote bone resorption, supporting the tenet that irisin not only stimulates bone remodeling but may also be an important counter-regulatory hormone.
Magnitude of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy and associated factors among adult people living with HIV/AIDS in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Nigusso Fikadu Tadesse , Mavhandu-Mudzusi Azwihangwisi Helen
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Following global efforts to increase antiretroviral therapy (ART) access and coverage, Ethiopia has made significant achievement with a 6.3% annual decline in the HIV/AIDS incidence rate between 1990 and 2016. Such success depends not only on access to ART but also on attaining optimum treatment adherence. Emerging studies in Ethiopia has shown the increasing prevalence of poor adherence and lack of the desired viral suppression, but the extent and factors associated with non-adherence to ART are not well known, especially in the current study setup. In this study, we examined the magnitude and factors associated with treatment and non-adherence to ART among people living with HIV in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional facility based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among adult people living with HIV/AIDS from mid-December 2016 to February 2017 with only 98.9% response rate. Sociodemographic factors (age, gender, marital status and residential area), economic factors (educational status, income, asset possession, employment status, dietary diversity, nutritional status and food security), and clinical characteristics (CD4 count, duration on ART and history of opportunistic infections) were explanatory variables. ART non-adherence was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). We used binary logistic regression and subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the factors associated with ART non-adherence.

Result

Overall, 39.7% of the participants were found non-adherent to ART. Strong association was found between non-adherence to ART and young age below 25 years (AOR: 4.30, 95% CI [1.39–3.35]; p = 0.011), urban residential area (AOR: 2.78, CI [1.23–7.09], p = 0.043), lack of employment (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI [1.05–2.91], p = 0.032), food insecurity (AOR: 2.67, 95% CI [7.59–8.97]; p < 0.0001), malnutrition (AOR: 1.55, 95% CI [1.94–2.56]; p = 0.027) and opportunistic infections (AOR: 1.81, 95% CI [1.11–2.97]; p = 0.018).

Conclusion

The prevalence of non-adherence to ART in this study was high. Sociodemographic and economic factors such as young age of below 25 years, urban residential area, lack of employment, food insecurity, malnutrition and opportunistic infections were among the factors associated with non-adherence to ART.
Design and Implementation of a Smart & Portable Wireless FM Transmitter for Wide Range Communication
Authors: Basu Deborsi , Bhowmik Abhishek
Published: August 2020

The evolution of smart technologies makes end users to choose portable, cost-effective and reliable devices for their daily life usage. The optimum service and superior quality of any such devices are always remain the centers of attraction for any customer. The advent of new technologies gives the smart FM transmitters also a unique shape. Depending on the dynamic requirements, the customer needs always changes with time. Keeping this fundamental issue in mind, in this work, we have designed and implemented a smart FM transmitter model keeping the key features in mind. Its small size, long battery life, and easy portability make it very useful to be used in day to day life. It has the potential of real-time noise cancellation features to get the optimum sound quality at the receiver end. The Digital Frequency Modulation Scheme has been used here to boost the signal strength for long-range communication. The used components are very cost-effective and reliable for prolonged use. The test case has given high-quality sound reception at the receiving end from the source end using our model. This smart transmitter section model has been found to be very effective for the future digital communication system. The specific station catching ability and low tone scanning capability make it superior to other existing similar kinds of devices. It can be used at home, or institutional premises, or any other distant trials for effective information exchange.
The catalytic domain of the histone methyltransferase NSD2/MMSET is required for the generation of B1 cells in mice
Authors: Dobenecker Marc‐Werner , Marcello Jonas , Becker Annette , Rudensky Eugene , Bhanu Natarajan V. , Carrol Thomas , Garcia Benjamin A. , Prinjha Rabinder , Yurchenko Vyacheslav , Tarakhovsky Alexander
Published: August 2020

Humoral immunity in mammals relies on the function of two developmentally and functionally distinct B‐cell subsets—B1 and B2 cells. While B2 cells are responsible for the adaptive response to environmental antigens, B1 cells regulate the production of polyreactive and low‐affinity antibodies for innate humoral immunity. The molecular mechanism of B‐cell specification into different subsets is understudied. In this study, we identified lysine methyltransferase NSD2 (MMSET/WHSC1) as a critical regulator of B1 cell development. In contrast to its minor impact on B2 cells, deletion of the catalytic domain of NSD2 in primary B cells impairs the generation of B1 lineage. Thus, NSD2, a histone H3 K36 dimethylase, is the first‐in‐class epigenetic regulator of a B‐cell lineage in mice.
Essential updates 2018/2019: Current topics in the surgical treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ishido Keinosuke , Hakamada Kenichi , Kimura Norihisa , Miura Takuya , Wakiya Taiichi
Published: August 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly malignant. While cancers in other organs have shown clear improvements in 5‐year survival, the 5‐year survival rate of pancreatic cancer is approximately 10%. Early relapse and metastasis are not uncommon, making it difficult to achieve an acceptable prognosis even after complete surgical resection of the pancreas. Studies have been performed on various treatments to improve the prognosis of PDAC, and multidisciplinary approaches including non‐surgical treatments have led to gradual improvement. In the present literature review, we have described the significance of anatomical and biological resectability criteria, the concept of R0 resection in surgical treatment, the feasibility of minimally invasive surgery, the remarkable development of perioperative chemotherapy, the effectiveness of conversion surgery for unresectable PDAC, and ongoing challenges in PDAC treatment. We also provide an essential update on these subjects by focusing on recent trends and topics.
Quality‐of‐life impact after in‐office treatment of nasal valve obstruction with a radiofrequency device: 2‐year results from a multicenter, prospective clinical trial
Authors: Ephrat Moshe , Jacobowitz Ofer , Driver Mark
Published: August 2020

Background

Insufficiency of the nasal valve is increasingly being recognized as a cause of nasal airway obstruction. The condition is associated with many symptoms, including nasal congestion, sleep disturbance, snoring, and an overall decline in quality of life (QoL). An in‐office, minimally invasive radiofrequency treatment of the nasal valve has been associated with improved symptoms of nasal obstruction and patients’ QoL for a 6‐month period in a noncontrolled, prospective, single‐arm study. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the results achieved with radiofrequency treatment at 6 months would be sustained through 24 months.

Methods

Thirty‐nine adult patients from an original cohort of 49 patients with severe to extreme Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale scores and dynamic or static internal nasal valve obstruction as the primary or significant contributor to obstruction were studied. Patients received intranasal bilateral radiofrequency treatment in a clinical study with a follow‐up to 6 months, and were prospectively evaluated at 12, 18, and 24 months at 8 community‐based otolaryngology practices. The patient‐reported NOSE Scale score and 21 QoL questions were assessed.

Results

Clinically significant improvement from baseline in NOSE Scale score change demonstrated at 6 months (mean, 55.9; standard deviation [SD], 23.6; p < 0.0001) was maintained through 24 months (mean, 53.5; SD, 24.6; p < 0.0001). Responders (≥15‐point improvement) consisted of 92.3% of participants at 6 months and 97.2% at 24 months. Responses to the QoL questions also showed improvement in patients’ QoL.

Conclusion

Treatment of the nasal valve with an in‐office, transnasal temperature‐controlled radiofrequency procedure was associated with stable and lasting improvement in symptoms of nasal obstruction and QoL through 24 months in this noncontrolled, single‐arm study.
Keeping company: Educating for online friendship
Authors: Healy Mary
Published: August 2020

The possibility of online Aristotelian virtue friendships via social network sites continues to be raised by philosophers, but as yet this has not been positioned within the realm of children or adolescents, who are known to be amongst the largest users of social media. Governmental agencies across the globe still struggle to define the boundaries of online usage for children, often depending on school‐based curricula highlighting ‘safe‐guarding’ online or some form of character education. This, however, often leaves the philosophical thinking behind virtual relationships as incompletely addressed in educational theory, policy and practice, despite there being some very real difficulties for children. Utilising the insights of Aristotle on friendship, I offer a view that may hold potential for a philosophically based policy. I outline three different ways this philosophical literature could have implications for education and indicate the types of policy that each might entail. I will contend that there are three distinct stakeholders here that can be identified as having a significant role to play in what we should do: the schools themselves, educational researchers and policy writers. Finally, I suggest ways in which research, policy and practice might link together.