bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loading, Unloading and Receiving of Selected Molecules with Nanomolar Sensitivity in Molecular Communication: Unprompted Carrier‐to‐Carrier Transformation
Authors: Karar Monaj , Paul Suvendu , Biswas Bhaskar , Paul Provakar , Majumdar Tapas , Mallick Arabinda
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a new concept of molecular communication that mimics the operations of some specific semiconductor based electronic devices. In this report, one molecule N,N'‐bis(salicyaldehydene)‐1,3‐diaminopropan‐2‐ol (2‐IMP) acted as sender while a similar analog 2,2′‐((1E,1′E)‐(1,2‐phenylenebis(methanylylidene))bis(azanylylidene))diphenol)) (hereafter PMP) molecule played the role of a receiver. 2‐IMP and PMP were designed, synthesized and then employed for the transportation of an information molecule, Zn(AcO)2 (ZA) after its selective detection and capturing from diversely crowded conditions. Upon exposure of 2‐IMP toward a diversified mixture, excluding the presence of CuII only, revealed a highly selective optical response for ZA at nanomolar sensitivity level. These were evidenced by significant changes in the absorption spectra and extensive consecutive rise and fall in emission intensity of 2‐IMP. Interestingly, the stepwise loading‐transporting‐unloading process was fully autonomous and did not require any external control. Therefore, this molecular machine might find promising applications in controllable molecular transport and release. They are of great importance in designing of next generation molecular devices.
Conjugation‐Curtailing of Benzodithionopyran‐Cored Molecular Acceptor Enables Efficient Air‐Processed Small Molecule Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Hao , Fan Haijun , Liu Wuyue , Chen Shanshan , Yang Changduk , Ye Long , Ade Harald , Zhu Xiaozhang
Published: September 2019

Small molecule solar cells (SMSCs) lag a long way behind polymer solar cells. A key limit is the less controllable morphology of small molecule materials, which can be aggravated when incorporating anisotropic nonfullerene acceptors. To fine‐tune the blending morphology within SMSCs, a π‐conjunction curtailing design is applied, which produces a efficient benzodithionopyran‐cored molecular acceptor for nonfullerene SMSCs (NF‐SMSCs). When blended with a molecular donor BDT3TR‐SF to fabricate NF‐SMSCs, the π‐conjunction curtailed molecular acceptor NBDTP‐M obtains an optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 10.23%, which is much higher than that of NBDTTP‐M of longer π‐conjunction. It retains 93% of the PCE of devices fabricated in a glove box when all spin‐coating and post‐treating procedures are conducted in ambient air with relative humidity of 25%, which suggests the good air‐processing capability of π‐conjunction curtailed molecules. Detailed X‐ray scattering investigations indicate that the BDT3TR‐SF:NBDTP‐M blend exhibits a blend morphology featuring fine interpenetrating networks with smaller domains and higher phase purity, which results in more efficient charge generation, more balanced charge transport, and less recombination compared to the low‐performance BDT3TR‐SF:NBDTTP‐M blend. This work provides a guideline for molecular acceptors' design toward efficient, low‐cost, air‐processed NF‐SMSCs.
Light Confinement Effect Induced Highly Sensitive, Self‐Driven Near‐Infrared Photodetector and Image Sensor Based on Multilayer PdSe2/Pyramid Si Heterojunction
Authors: Liang Feng‐Xia , Zhao Xing‐Yuan , Jiang Jing‐Jing , Hu Ji‐Gang , Xie Wei‐Qiang , Lv Jun , Zhang Zhi‐Xiang , Wu Di , Luo Lin‐Bao
Published: September 2019

In this study, a highly sensitive and self‐driven near‐infrared (NIR) light photodetector based on PdSe2/pyramid Si heterojunction arrays, which are fabricated through simple selenization of predeposited Pd nanofilm on black Si, is demonstrated. The as‐fabricated hybrid device exhibits excellent photoresponse performance in terms of a large on/off ratio of 1.6 × 105, a responsivity of 456 mA W−1, and a high specific detectivity of up to 9.97 × 1013 Jones under 980 nm illumination at zero bias. Such a relatively high sensitivity can be ascribed to the light trapping effect of the pyramid microstructure, which is confirmed by numerical modeling based on finite‐difference time domain. On the other hand, thanks to the broad optical absorption properties of PdSe2, the as‐fabricated device also exhibits obvious sensitivity to other NIR illuminations with wavelengths of 1300, 1550, and 1650 nm, which is beyond the photoresponse range of Si‐based devices. It is also found that the PdSe2/pyramid Si heterojunction device can also function as an NIR light sensor, which can readily record both “tree” and “house” images produced by 980 and 1300 nm illumination, respectively.
Promoting Oxygen Evolution Reaction of Co‐Based Catalysts (Co3O4, CoS, CoP, and CoN) through Photothermal Effect
Authors: Jin Baojie , Li Yinchang , Wang Jingnan , Meng Fanyu , Cao Shuaisheng , He Bing , Jia Songru , Wang Yang , Li Zhen , Liu Xueqin
Published: September 2019

The increase of reaction temperature of electrocatalysts is regarded as an efficient method to improve the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. Herein, it is reported that the electrocatalytic performance of dual functional (i.e., electrocatalytic and photothermal functions) Co3O4 can be dramatically improved via its photothermal effect. The operating temperature of the Co3O4 electrode is elevated in situ under near infrared (NIR) light irradiation, resulting in enhanced oxygen evolution activity due to its accelerated electrical conductivity, reaction kinetics, and desorption rate of O2 bubbles from the electrode. In addition, photothermal effect can also enhance the electrocatalytic reaction rates of metal‐doped Co3O4 electrodes, indicating that it is able to significantly improve the OER activities of electrodes together with other modification strategies. With the assistance of the photothermal effect, the obtained Ni‐doped Co3O4 catalyst requires an extremely low overpotential of 208 mV to achieve a benchmark of 10 mA cm−2 with a small Tafel slope, superior to most reported Co‐based catalysts. Significantly, the electrocatalytic performance of other electrodes with photothermal effect, such as CoN, CoP, and CoS, are also boosted under NIR light irradiation, indicating opportunities for implementing photothermal enhancement in electrocatalytic water splitting.
Do State Minimum Wages Affect the Incarceration Rate?
Authors: Ghosh Pallab K. , Hoover Gary A. , Liu Zexuan
Published: September 2019

Because of historically unprecedented increases in the prison population since the late 1970s, the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Using Becker's (1968) framework on crime, this study investigates the causal relationship between incarceration rates and state minimum wages. Our identification strategy consists of a state‐level fixed effects model and Autor and Dorn's (2013) two‐stage least‐squares (2SLS) approach. Using the historical local industry structure, we predict the change in employment shares of manual task‐intensive occupations and use those as an instrument for state minimum wages. The fixed effects and 2SLS estimates suggest that a one‐dollar increase in state minimum wage leads to approximately 12–25 fewer incarcerations per 100,000 state residents. Estimates of the heterogeneous impacts by race and gender indicate that the aggregate impact of state minimum wages is entirely driven by men.
Effects of pollution on marine organisms
Authors: Mearns Alan J. , Bissell Mathew , Morrison Ann Michelle , Rempel‐Hester Mary Ann , Arthur Courtney , Rutherford Nicolle
Published: September 2019

This review covers selected 2018 articles on the biological effects of pollutants, including human physical disturbances, on marine and estuarine plants, animals, ecosystems, and habitats. The review, based largely on journal articles, covers field and laboratory measurement activities (bioaccumulation of contaminants, field assessment surveys, toxicity testing, and biomarkers) as well as pollution issues of current interest including endocrine disrupters, emerging contaminants, wastewater discharges, marine debris, dredging, and disposal. Special emphasis is placed on effects of oil spills and marine debris due largely to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico and proliferation of data on the assimilation and effects of marine debris. Several topical areas reviewed in the past (e.g., mass mortalities ocean acidification) were dropped this year. The focus of this review is on effects, not on pollutant sources, chemistry, fate, or transport. There is considerable overlap across subject areas (e.g., some bioaccumulation data may be appear in other topical categories such as effects of wastewater discharges, or biomarker studies appearing in oil toxicity literature). Therefore, we strongly urge readers to use keyword searching of the text and references to locate related but distributed information. Although nearly 400 papers are cited, these now represent a fraction of the literature on these subjects. Use this review mainly as a starting point. And please consult the original papers before citing them.
Numerical approximation of a frictional contact problem in elasto‐plasticity based on the penalty approach
Authors: Benkhira El‐Hassan , Fakhar Rachid , Mandyly Youssef
Published: September 2019

A numerical model based on the penalty method for the unilateral contact problem with friction between an elasto‐plastic body and a rigid foundation is presented in this paper. The process is supposed to be static, the material's behavior is described by the nonlinear elastic constitutive Hencky's law, the contact and friction are modeled, respectively, with Signorini's condition and a version of Coulomb's law in which the coefficient of friction depends on the slip. Next, the existence of a unique weak solution to the penalized problem is proved, and its convergence towards that of the variational problem is confirmed. Then, the finite element method is a numerical method that can be successfully used to generate an approximate solution for a problem of this kind. Afterward, a successive iteration technique to solve the problem numerically is proposed, and a convergence result is established. Finally, to prove the reliability and the performance of this approach, numerical experiments of two‐dimensional test problems are carried out.
Novel color superconducting phases of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 super Yang-Mills at strong coupling
Authors: Henriksson Oscar , Hoyos Carlos , Jokela Niko
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We revisit the large-N
c phase diagram of

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 super Yang-Mills theory at finite R-charge density and strong coupling, by means of the AdS/CFT correspondence. We conjecture new phases that result from a black hole shedding some of its charge through the nucleation of probe color D3-branes that remain at a finite distance from the black hole when the dual field theory lives on a sphere. In the corresponding ground states the color group is partially Higgsed, so these phases can be identified as having a type of color superconductivity. The new phases would appear at intermediate values of the R-charge chemical potential and we expect them to be metastable but long-lived in the large-N

c
limit.
Interleukin-6 selectively induces drug metabolism to potentiate the genotoxicity of dietary carcinogens in mammary cells
Authors: Malik Durr-e-shahwar , David Rhiannon M. , Gooderham Nigel J.
Published: September 2019

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in females, the etiology being multifactorial and includes the role of lifestyle exposure to DNA-damaging chemicals such as dietary carcinogens benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4, 5-b] pyridine (PhIP). Both compounds require cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolic activation to DNA-damaging species, and both induce transcriptional responses through the nuclear receptors Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estrogen receptor α (ERα). BaP and PhIP are mammary carcinogens in rodents. Clinically, circulating IL-6 expression is linked with poor prognosis of cancer and 35% of the deaths in breast cancer are linked with inflammation. The objective of this work was to investigate the molecular toxicology and local activation of BaP and PhIP in the presence of IL-6. Our laboratory has previously reported that miR27b can regulate CYP1B1 expression in colorectal cells, here we have investigated if this mechanism is working in mammary cell models, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment (24 h) of cells with BaP (10 nM-10 µM) and PhIP (100 nM-100 µM) significantly induced genetic damage (micronuclei formation) in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines. This effect was potentiated in the presence of human IL-6 at concentrations reported to be expressed in clinical breast cancer. On its own, IL-6 treatment failed to induce micronuclei frequency above the control levels in these cells. Compared to BaP or PhIP treatment alone, IL-6 plus BaP or PhIP selectively induced CYP1B1 significantly in both cell lines. Additionally, miR27b expression was downregulated by IL-6 treatments and transfection with miR27b inhibitor confirmed that miR27b is a regulator of CYP1B1 in both cell lines. These data show that BaP- and PhIP-induced DNA damage in mammary cells is potentiated by the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and that inflammation-induced CYP expression, specifically CYP1B1 via miR27b, is responsible for this effect.
Systematic comparison of post-column isotope dilution using LC-CO-IRMS with qNMR for amino acid purity determination
Authors: Dunn Philip J. H. , Malinovsky Dmitry , Achtar Eli , Clarkson Cailean , Goenaga-Infante Heidi
Published: September 2019

Determination of the purity of a substance traceable to the International System of Units (SI) is important for the production of reference materials affording traceability in quantitative measurements. Post-column isotope dilution using liquid chromatography-chemical oxidation-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (ID-LC-CO-IRMS) has previously been suggested as a means to determine the purity of organic compounds; however, the lack of an uncertainty budget has prevented assessment of the utility this approach until now. In this work, the previously published ID-LC-CO-IRMS methods have not only been improved by direct gravimetric determination of the mass flow of 13C-labelled spike but also a comprehensive uncertainty budget has been established. This enabled direct comparison of the well-characterised ID-LC-CO-IRMS method to quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (qNMR) for purity determination using valine as the model compound. The ID-LC-CO-IRMS and qNMR methods provided results that were in agreement within the associated measurement uncertainty for the purity of a sample of valine of (97.1 ± 4.7)% and (99.64 ± 0.20)%, respectively (expanded uncertainties, k = 2). The magnitude of the measurement uncertainty for ID-LC-CO-IRMS determination of valine purity precludes the use of this method for determination of purity by direct analysis of the main component in the majority of situations; however, a mass balance approach is expected to result in significantly improved measurement uncertainty.
Needle Tract Implantation Following Fine‐Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Hayashi Toshitetsu , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Higuchi Miyoko , Kudo Takumi , Ito Yasuhiro , Miyauchi Akira
Published: September 2019

Background

Needle tract implantation (NTI) can occur after thyroid fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). To date, no studies enrolling a large number of patients and studying the cumulative incidence (CI) of NTI have been published. This study analyzed the clinicopathological features of NTI and calculated the CI.

Methods

A total of 11,745 patients who underwent first FNAC, resection for thyroid carcinomas and related lymph node metastases, and postoperative ultrasonography in Kuma Hospital between 2006 and 2017 were evaluated. NTI was defined as macroscopically visible and/or sonographically detected recurrent tumors at the sites of the previous aspiration. Lymphovascular invasion and/or nodal metastasis were excluded.

Results

We found 22 NTI‐THY (originated from aspiration of thyroid tumors) and 8 NTI‐LN (originating from lymph nodes) cases with CI of 0.15% and 0.37%, and 0.37% and 0.58% at 5 and 10 years after FNAC, respectively. A large percentage (53%) of cases are presented as more aggressive histologic subtypes than their original tumors. Of these NTI patients, 4 (12.1%) died of disease and 10 (33.3%) developed distant metastases but remained alive with stable disease, three (9.1%) developed local recurrences, and the remaining 15 (10%) were free of recurrence.

Conclusions

We demonstrated for the first time the CI and detailed clinicopathological features of thyroid NTI associated with possible histological transformation. Despite the low CI, the risk of death and distant metastases increase manifold in NTI patients than that in patients without recurrence. Therefore, NTI could be an important prognostic variable and impact patient survival.
Anterolateral thigh free flap in reconstruction of lateral skull base defects after oncological resection
Authors: Trojanowski Piotr , Szymański Marcin , Trojanowska Agnieszka , Andrzejczak Adrian , Szczepanek Dariusz , Klatka Janusz
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Evaluation of the utility of the free anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction of the defects resulting from radical temporal bone resection in the management of lateral skull base malignancies in a single institution.

Methods

An analysis of 17 en bloc subtotal petrosectomies for removal of malignant tumours was performed. There were 12 squamous cell carcinomas, 4 basal cell carcinomas and 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma. The tumours were staged with the University of Pittsburgh TNM system. In all patients, the lateral temporal bone with the preservation of the petrous apex and carotid artery was performed. All patients had parotid gland resection. The post-resection defect was reconstructed with an ALT free flap.

Results

Tumour radical resection and defect reconstruction with an ALT flap was achieved in all patients without intraoperative complications. The transplants were harvested as fasciocutaneous flaps, 11 perfused by musculocutaneous and 6 by septocutaneous perforators. The ALT flaps had a mean pedicle length of 8 cm (6–12 cm), and the flap size ranged between 6 × 15 cm and 15 × 30 cm. The flaps were supplied by nine facial, five occipital and three maxillary arteries. Recipient-site veins included eight internal jugular, seven facial, one retromandibular and one external jugular vein. All arterial pedicles were anastomosed in an end-to-end manner. The veins were anastomosed with interrupted sutures and in 11 cases with Synovis-Coupler® devices. All the flap transfers were performed successfully. Three patients experienced postoperative complications.

Conclusions

The ALT flap proved to be effective for covering large temporal skull base defects resulting from the radical removal of temporal bone malignancies. The functional and cosmetic results were acceptable with a low complication rate.
What goes up must come down: insights from studies on descending controls acting on spinal pain processing
Authors: Lockwood Stevie , Dickenson Anthony H.
Published: September 2019

Descending controls link higher processing of noxious signals to modulation of spinal cord responses to their noxious inputs. It has become possible to study one key inhibitory system in animals and humans using one painful stimulus to attenuate another distant response and so eliciting diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) or the human counterpart, conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Here, we discuss the neuronal pathways in both species, their pharmacology and examine changes in descending controls with a focus on osteoarthritis. We will also discuss the opposing descending facilitatory system. Strong parallels between DNIC and CPM emphasize the possibility of forward and reverse translation.
Analysis of the quinoa genome reveals conservation and divergence of the flowering pathways
Authors: Golicz Agnieszka A. , Steinfort Ursula , Arya Hina , Singh Mohan B. , Bhalla Prem L.
Published: September 2019

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a grain crop grown in the Andes renowned as a highly nutritious plant exhibiting tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought, cold and high salinity. Quinoa grows across a range of latitudes corresponding to differing day lengths, suggesting regional adaptations of flowering regulation. Improved understanding and subsequent modification of the flowering process, including flowering time, ensuring high yields, is one of the key factors behind expansion of cultivation zones and goals of the crop improvement programs worldwide. However, our understanding of the molecular basis of flower initiation and development in quinoa is limited. Here, we use a computational approach to perform genome-wide identification and analysis of 611 orthologues of the Arabidopsis thaliana flowering genes. Conservation of the genes belonging to the photoperiod, gibberellin and autonomous pathways was observed, while orthologues of the key genes found in the vernalisation pathway (FRI, FLC) were absent from the quinoa genome. Our analysis indicated that on average each Arabidopsis flowering gene has two orthologous copies in quinoa. Several genes including orthologues of MIF1, FT and TSF were identified as homologue-rich genes in quinoa. We also identified 459 quinoa-specific genes uniquely expressed in the flower and/or meristem, with no known orthologues in other species. The genes identified provide a resource and framework for further studies of flowering in quinoa and related species. It will serve as valuable resource for plant biologists, crop physiologists and breeders to facilitate further research and establishment of modern breeding programs for quinoa.
The impact of body size changes on recurrence risk depends on age and estrogen receptor status in primary breast cancer
Authors: Tryggvadottir Helga , Ygland Rödström Maria , Markkula Andrea , Kenéz Xuyian , Isaksson Karolin , Borgquist Signe , Jernström Helena
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic impact of body size changes during the first postoperative year in breast cancer.

Methods

A cohort of 1,317 primary breast cancer patients included in Sweden (2002–2014) underwent body size measurements at the preoperative and 1-year visits (n = 1,178). Landmark survival analyses were used to investigate how postoperative weight gain or loss (> 5%) or change in waist–hip ratio (WHR) categories (≤ 0.85 or > 0.85) impact prognosis.

Results

Median age at inclusion was 61 years and body mass index 25.1 kg/m2. After a median follow-up of 5.0 years from inclusion, 165 recurrences and 77 deaths occurred. Weight gain (17.0%) conferred over twofold recurrence risk only in patients < 50 years (Pinteraction = 0.033). Weight loss (8.6%) was only associated with a poor prognosis in patients ≥ 70 years, but not after restriction analysis. Weight change did not impact prognosis in patients 50 to < 70 years. Changes between WHR categories were associated with differential recurrence risk depending on estrogen receptor (ER) status (Pinteraction = 0.007), with higher recurrence risk in patients with ER+ tumors and lower recurrence risk with ER− tumors.

Conclusion

Both changes in terms of weight and WHR category yielded independent prognostic information. Further research is imperative before recommending weight loss for all overweight breast cancer patients.
Routine Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety and Depression is More Effective at Repairing Symptoms of Psychopathology than Enhancing Wellbeing
Authors: Widnall Emily , Price Alice , Trompetter Hester , Dunn Barnaby D.
Published: September 2019

The primary focus of classic cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression and anxiety is on decreasing symptoms of psychopathology. However, there is increasing recognition that it is also important to enhance wellbeing during therapy. This study investigates the extent to which classic CBT for anxiety and depression leads to symptom relief versus wellbeing enhancement, analysing routine outcomes in patients receiving CBT in high intensity Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) Services in the UK. At intake, there were marked symptoms of anxiety and depression (a majority of participants scoring in the severe range) and deficits in wellbeing (a majority of participants classified as languishing, relative to general population normative data). CBT was more effective at reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression than repairing wellbeing. As a result, at the end of treatment, a greater proportion of participants met recovery criteria for anxiety and depression than had moved from languishing into average or flourishing levels of wellbeing. Given the importance of wellbeing to client definitions of recovery, the present results suggest a greater emphasis should be placed on enhancing wellbeing in classic CBT.
On the Use of Electromagnetics for Earth Imaging of the Polar Regions
Authors: Hill Graham J.
Published: September 2019

The polar regions are host to fundamental unresolved challenges in Earth studies. The nature of these regions necessitates the use of geophysics to address these issues, with electromagnetic and, in particular, magnetotelluric studies finding favour and being applied over a number of different scales. The unique geography and climatic conditions of the polar regions means collecting magnetotelluric data at high latitudes, which presents challenges not typically encountered and may result in significant measurement errors. (1) The very high contact resistance between electrodes and the surficial snow and ice cover (commonly MΩ) can interfere with the electric field measurement. This is overcome by using custom-designed amplifiers placed at the active electrodes to buffer their high impedance contacts. (2) The proximity to the geomagnetic poles requires verification of the fundamental assumption in magnetotellurics that the magnetic source field is a vertically propagating, horizontally polarised plane wave. Behaviour of the polar electro-jet must be assessed to identify increased activity (high energy periods) that create strong current systems and may generate non-planar contributions. (3) The generation of ‘blizstatic’, localised random electric fields caused by the spin drift of moving charged snow and ice particles that produce significant noise in the electric fields during periods of strong winds. At wind speeds above ~ 10 m s−1, the effect of the distortion created by the moving snow is broad-band. Station occupation times need to be of sufficient length to ensure data are collected when wind speed is low. (4) Working on glaciated terrain introduces additional safety challenges, e.g., weather, crevasse hazards, etc. Inclusion of a mountaineer in the team, both during the site location planning and onsite operations, allows these hazards to be properly managed. Examples spanning studies covering development and application of novel electromagnetic approaches for the polar regions as well as results from studies addressing a variety of differing geologic questions are presented. Electromagnetic studies focusing on near-surface hydrologic systems, glacial and ice sheet dynamics, as well as large-scale volcanic and tectonic problems are discussed providing an overview of the use of electromagnetic methods to investigate fundamental questions in solid earth studies that have both been completed and are currently ongoing in polar regions.
Truth Diagrams Versus Extant Notations for Propositional Logic
Authors: Cheng Peter C.-H.
Published: September 2019

Truth diagrams (TDs) are introduced as a novel graphical representation for propositional logic (PL). To demonstrate their epistemic efficacy a set of 28 concepts are proposed that any comprehensive representation for PL should encompass. TDs address all the criteria whereas seven other existing representations for PL only provide partial coverage. These existing representations are: the linear formula notation, truth tables, a PL specific interpretation of Venn Diagrams, Frege’s conceptual notation, diagrams from Wittgenstein’s Tractatus, Pierce’s alpha graphs and Gardner’s shuttle diagrams. The comparison of the representations succeeds in distinguishing ideas that are fundamental to PL from features of common PL representations that are somewhat arbitrary.
Rhythmic Features of Movement Synchrony for Bonding Individuals in Dyadic Interaction
Authors: Fujiwara Ken , Kimura Masanori , Daibo Ikuo
Published: September 2019

This study examined ways in which rhythmic features of movement contribute to bonding between individuals. Though previous studies have described synchrony as a form of social glue, this research extends those findings to consider the impact of fast versus slow tempo on movement synchrony. This two-part experiment examined dyadic interactions as they occurred between same-sex strangers (Study 1) and friends (Study 2). Participants were video-recorded as they engaged in 5- or 6-min chats, and synchrony was evaluated using wavelet transform via calculations of cross-wavelet coherence. Study 1 employed regression commonality analysis and hierarchical linear modeling and found that among various frequency bands, rapport between individuals was positively associated with synchrony under 0.025 Hz (i.e., slower than once every 40 s) and 0.5–1.5 Hz (i.e., once every 0.67–2 s). On the contrary, Study 2 determined that synchrony of 0.5–1.5 Hz was not impactful among friend dyads and only predictive of the motivation to cultivate a friendly relationship during interactions with strangers. These results indicate the existence of a distinctive rhythm for bonding individuals, and the role of pre-existing friendship as a moderator of the bonding effect of synchrony. However, the role of relative phase (i.e., timing of movement; same versus opposite timing) remains unclear, as the ratio of in- and anti-phase patterning had no significant influence on perceived rapport and motivation to develop relationships. On the basis of the research results, a theoretical contribution is proposed to the study of interpersonal coordination.
The future is not always open
Authors: Grant James D. E. , Kunzinger Michael , Sämann Clemens , Steinbauer Roland
Published: September 2019

We demonstrate the breakdown of several fundamentals of Lorentzian causality theory in low regularity. Most notably, chronological futures (defined naturally using locally Lipschitz curves) may be non-open and may differ from the corresponding sets defined via piecewise$$C^1$$C1-curves. By refining the notion of a causal bubble from Chruściel and Grant (Class Quantum Gravity 29(14):145001, 2012), we characterize spacetimes for which such phenomena can occur, and also relate these to the possibility of deforming causal curves of positive length into timelike curves (push-up). The phenomena described here are, in particular, relevant for recent synthetic approaches to low-regularity Lorentzian geometry where, in the absence of a differentiable structure, causality has to be based on locally Lipschitz curves.
On the Whittle estimator for linear random noise spectral density parameter in continuous-time nonlinear regression models
Authors: Ivanov A. V. , Leonenko N. N. , Orlovskyi I. V.
Published: September 2019

A continuous-time nonlinear regression model with Lévy-driven linear noise process is considered. Sufficient conditions of consistency and asymptotic normality of the Whittle estimator for the parameter of spectral density of the noise are obtained in the paper.
Approaches and Alternatives to the Wealth Index to Measure Socioeconomic Status Using Survey Data: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis
Authors: Poirier Mathieu J. P. , Grépin Karen A. , Grignon Michel
Published: September 2019

Monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 requires the global community to disaggregate targets along socio-economic lines, but little has been published critically analyzing the appropriateness of wealth indices to measure socioeconomic status in low- and middle-income countries. This critical interpretive synthesis analyzes the appropriateness of wealth indices for measuring social health inequalities and provides an overview of alternative methods to calculate wealth indices using data captured in standardized household surveys. Our aggregation of all published associations of wealth indices indicates a mean Spearman’s rho of 0.42 and 0.55 with income and consumption, respectively. Context-specific factors such as country development level may affect the concordance of health and educational outcomes with wealth indices and urban–rural disparities can be more pronounced using wealth indices compared to income or consumption. Synthesis of potential future uses of wealth indices suggests that it is possible to quantify wealth inequality using household assets, that the index can be used to study SES across national boundaries, and that technological innovations may soon change how asset wealth is measured. Finally, a review of alternative approaches to constructing household asset indices suggests lack of evidence of superiority for count measures, item response theory, and Mokken scale analysis, but points to evidence-based advantages for multiple correspondence analysis, polychoric PCA and predicted income. In sum, wealth indices are an equally valid, but distinct measure of household SES from income and consumption measures, and more research is needed into their potential applications for international health inequality measurement.
Bonding or Bridging? Volunteering Among the Members of Six Thriving Evangelical Congregations in the Netherlands
Authors: Vermeer Paul , Scheepers Peer
Published: September 2019

The rise of conservative religion in the West threatens the enduring positive contribution of religion to civil society, if conservative churches, as often assumed, indeed generate more bonding than bridging social capital. Against this background, this study explores the civic engagement of evangelicals in the Netherlands. Two research questions are addressed: (1) To what extent are Dutch evangelicals more involved in religious than non-religious volunteering as compared to mainline Christians and non-church members? and (2) Which decisive factors determine the religious and non-religious volunteering of Dutch evangelicals as compared to mainline Christians and non-church members? Results show that these orthodox Christians are more involved in religious than in non-religious volunteering. Their religious volunteering is determined by their church attendance, Bible reading and social embeddedness in their congregation, while their non-religious volunteering is impeded by their mono-religious orientation and social embeddedness in their congregation and by the volunteering of their parents.
Short-term effects of organic amendments on soil fertility and root growth of rubber trees on Hainan Island, China
Authors: Huang Yanyan , Jing Yudan , Bei Meirong , Yang Hongzhu , Cha Zhengzao , Lin Qinghuo , Luo Wei
Published: September 2019

Rubber [Hevea brasiliensis(Willd. ex A.Juss.) Müll.Arg.] plantations are the largest cultivated forest type in tropical China. Returning organic materials to the soil will help to maintain the quality and growth of rubber trees. Although many studies have demonstrated that organic waste materials can be used to improve soil fertility and structure to promote root growth, few studies have studied the effects of organic amendments on soil fertility and root growth in rubber tree plantations. Here, bagasse, coconut husk or biochar were applied with a chemical fertilizer to test their effects on soil properties after 6 months and compared with the effects of only the chemical fertilizer. Results showed that the soil organic matter content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium after the chemical fertilizer (F) treatment were all significantly lower than after the chemical fertilizer + bagasse (Fba), chemical fertilizer + coconut husk (Fco) or chemical fertilizer + biochar (Fbi) (p < 0.05). Soil pH in all organic amendments was higher than in the F treatment, but was only significantly higher in the Fbi treatment. In contrast, soil bulk density in the F treatment was significantly higher than in treatments with the organic amendments (p < 0.05). When compared with the F treatment, soil root dry mass increased significantly by 190%, 176% and 33% in Fba, Fco and Fbi treatments, respectively (p < 0.05). Similar results were found for root activity, number of root tips, root length, root surface area and root volume. Conclusively, the application of bagasse, coconut husk and biochar increased soil fertility and promoted root growth of rubber trees in the short term. However, bagasse and coconut husk were more effective than biochar in improving root growth of rubber trees.
Simple pictorial mathematics problems for children: locating sources of cognitive load and how to reduce it
Authors: van Lieshout Ernest C. D. M. , Xenidou-Dervou Iro
Published: September 2019

Pictorial representations are often used to help children understand the situation described in a given number-sentence scheme. These static pictorial problems essentially attempt to depict a dynamic situation (e.g., one bird flies away while there are three birds still sitting on the fence). Previous research suggested that such pictorial decrease problems impose higher cognitive load on children than the corresponding increase problems, even though both are solved with addition. However, the source of this cognitive load is unclear. It could be the direction of the depicted change or the position of the unknown (start vs. end set). To address this question and disentangle the sources of the load, we presented the problems in two different formats: (1) the conventional static one-picture problems and, (2) an adapted three-picture problem-format, which depicted the dynamic change in sequential steps. We also examined whether the three-picture problem-format makes the decrease problems easier. Seventy-nine first-graders participated in this study. Results showed that, overall, problems with the position of the unknown at the end were easier to solve than the ones in which the unknown was at the start. Furthermore, three-picture decrease problems with the unknown in the last position were easier than the one-picture decrease problems, and therefore appear to be a meaningful way to make such problems easier for children to understand.
Primary immunodeficiencies in Central and Eastern Europe—the power of networking Report on the activity of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation Centers Network in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Sediva A. , Bataneant M. , Belevtsev M. , Blaziene A. , Ciznar P. , Förster-Waldl E. , Kelecic J. , Marodi J. , Naumova E. , Nasrullayeva G. , Ress K. , Serban M. , Sitkaustiene B. , Toth B. , Modell V. , Modell F. , Tenembaum V. , Marković M. , Avcin T.
Published: September 2019

Jeffrey Modell Foundation centers’ network activities in Central and Eastern Europe (JMF CEE) have contributed to the development of care for patients with primary immunodeficiencies. On the data continuously collected from individual centers in participating countries since 2011, we demonstrate a steady improvement in a number of aspects concerning complex care for patients with primary immunodeficiencies. The presented data show an improvement of awareness about these rare diseases across the whole Central and Eastern European region, an increase in newly diagnosed patients as well as genetically confirmed cases, earlier establishment of diagnosis, and improved access to clinical treatment. We also present an active patient involvement that is reflected in the expansion of patient organization centers and their activities. The cooperation within the JMF CEE network has also contributed to greater international exposure of participating centers and further to the gradual development of research activities in the rapidly evolving field of primary immunodeficiencies. The improvement of all important aspects of the complex field of primary immunodeficiencies within the JMF CEE network documents the strength and advantages of the joint and coordinated networking.
Pathways into organized crime: comparing founders and joiners
Authors: Kemp Luke , Zolghadriha Sanaz , Gill Paul
Published: September 2019

This paper outlines research on the engagement processes and pathways into organised crime (OC). In recent years research on OC has increased, however there is still little understanding of how individuals become engaged in OC, and specifically whether differences exist in engagement patterns between certain groups of OC offenders. A content analysis was undertaken on the auto/biographies of one-hundred OC offenders to collect data on engagement processes. Quantitative analysis was used to identify significant differences in the engagement processes between OC offenders who join (‘joiners’) or form (‘founders’) an OC operation. The results revealed that measures pertaining to risk-factors, criminal trajectories, turning points, criminal motivations and social influences in engagement statistically differed between the groups. It was concluded that ‘founders’ were influenced by short-term criminal opportunities and economic considerations towards OC engagement, whilst ‘joiners’ were impacted more so by long-term social dynamics arising from ties and exposure to OC, such as one’s parents being engaged in OC. Both groups however, directly engaged through social dynamics. The current study provides preliminary findings which increase academic and practical understanding of the OC fraternity, but also the findings offer a basis on which to target legal interventions. Additionally, the new knowledge may be instrumental for building theories of OC engagement. Specifically, it is theorised that the circumstances in how ‘joiners’ become engaged in OC represents a ‘contagion process’.
General trust scale: Validation in cross-cultural settings
Authors: Jasielska Dorota , Rogoza Radosław , Zajenkowska Anna , Russa Mary Bower
Published: September 2019

Trust plays a critical role in all aspects of social functioning. In attempting to better understand trust cross culturally, a valid tool is essential. We conducted two studies to investigate the cross-cultural validity and utility of the Generalized Trust Scale (Yamagishi and Yamagishi 1994). In Study 1, the structural and convergent validity of the GTS was examined in a large Polish sample (N = 727). Our findings provided important preliminary evidence for the validity of this scale in this sample. Subsequently, Study 2 compared responses to the GTS from two culturally different countries: Poland (N = 203) and the United States (N = 230). The structure of the GTS remained invariant across these two cultures, and the level of trust was comparable. As expected Americans showed higher levels of happiness than Poles, yet the relationship between trust and happiness was positive and similar in strength for both countries. Our data provide preliminary support for the use of the GTS in cross-cultural comparisons; however, consideration of data at the item level may also be relevant and cross culturally useful.
Developing fruit tree portfolios that link agriculture more effectively with nutrition and health: a new approach for providing year-round micronutrients to smallholder farmers
Authors: McMullin Stepha , Njogu Ken , Wekesa Brendah , Gachuiri Agnes , Ngethe Erick , Stadlmayr Barbara , Jamnadass Ramni , Kehlenbeck Katja
Published: September 2019

A sufficient intake of fruits can alleviate micronutrient deficiencies and reduces the risks of a number of associated diseases. In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, however, the production and consumption of fruits are inadequate on average and in particular so in specific seasons. To better incorporate fruits into local food systems while addressing the challenge of seasonal availability, World Agroforestry (ICRAF) has developed a methodology based on “fruit tree portfolios” that selects socio-ecologically suitable and nutritionally important fruit tree species for farm production, to meet local consumption needs. We here present this approach and illustrate it with data from a case study involving Western and Eastern Kenya. The approach uses mixed methods to capture on-farm fruit tree diversity and seasonality at a household level (n = 600 in our case study), the months of household’s food security and insecurity (n = 600) and food consumption patterns at an individual level, to identify dietary gaps (n = 294 women and child pairs in our example). In our case study, 31 fruit tree species were reported on farms in our Western Kenya sample (9 of which were indigenous) and 51 (27 indigenous) in Eastern Kenya. In addition, the median number of food-insecure months per household was four (ranging from 0 to 9 months) in Eastern Kenya and three (0 to 12 months) in Western Kenya. Finally, using 24-h recalls the proportion of women that had consumed a fruit the day before the interview was around 55% in Western Kenya and 80% in Eastern Kenya, with consumption averaging 93 and 131 g, respectively. Using these parameters for each site and fruit tree phenology and food composition data sets, we derived context-specific recommendations that involve promoting 11 fruit tree species to address micronutrient gaps.
The influence of spray drying parameters and carrier material on the physico-chemical properties and quality of chokeberry juice powder
Authors: Bednarska Magdalena Agnieszka , Janiszewska-Turak Emilia
Published: September 2019

Chokeberry juice is used in the food industry because of its antioxidant activity as well as anti-diabetes, anti-mutagenic, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory and anti-virus properties. However in a liquid form its active ingredients can be unstable, so conversion into powder form is required. To improve the quality of the final product and extend information about the properties of chokeberry powder the aim of the study was to examine the relationship of inlet air temperature (160 °C, 200 °C) and carrier type maltodextrin (MD) 10DE and 15.6DE, arabic gum (AG) and their mixtures (AG:MD10 and AG:MD15—1:1, 1:3, 3:1) with the amounts of anthocyanins and polyphenols and selected physical properties of powders obtained after spray drying. Moreover stability of anthocyanin was tested after storage Obtained powders were characterized by low water activity (< 0.26), high dry matter content (97–99%) and good hygroscopic properties. Saccharification level of maltodextrin had no impact on the amount of bioactive components enclosed inside the capsules. Moreover, the mixtures of carriers, AG:MD appeared to have a large potential to ensure a high quality of chokeberry powder with high content of anthocyanin (1694–2028 mg/100 g) and polyphenols (about 3000 mg/100 g d.m.). Storage temperature mostly has no statistically significant influence on content of active ingredients, but an increase in colour coefficents was observed. The contents of anthocyanins and polyphenols were higher in powders stored at 4 °C than at 25 °C.