bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hopf bifurcation analysis in a multiple delayed innovation diffusion model with Holling II functional response
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Sharma Anuj Kumar , Agnihotri Kulbhushan
Published: December 2019

A nonlinear mathematical model with Holling II functional response describing the dynamics of nonadopter and adopters population in a stage structured innovation diffusion model, which incorporates the evaluation stage (multiple delays), is proposed. Firstly, we study the stability and the existence of periodic solutions via Hopf bifurcation with respect to both delays at the positive equilibrium by analyzing the distribution of the roots of the corresponding exponential characteristic equation obtained through the variational matrix. The direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions are determined with the help of normal form theory and center manifold theorem. Meanwhile, various cases are discussed to examine the effect of different delays on the stability of delayed innovation diffusion system and are also established numerically. It is also observed that the cumulative density of external influences has a significant role in developing maturity stage (adoption stage) in the system. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to support and supplement the analytical findings.
Magnetic resonance and ultrasound image‐guided navigation system using a needle manipulator
Authors: Yamada Atsushi , Tokuda Junichi , Naka Shigeyuki , Murakami Koichiro , Tani Tohru , Morikawa Shigehiro
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Image guidance is crucial for percutaneous tumor ablations, enabling accurate needle‐like applicator placement into target tumors while avoiding tissues that are sensitive to injury and/or correcting needle deflection. Although ultrasound (US) is widely used for image guidance, magnetic resonance (MR) is preferable due to its superior soft tissue contrast. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an MR and US multi‐modal image‐guided navigation system with a needle manipulator to enable US‐guided applicator placement during MR imaging (MRI)‐guided percutaneous tumor ablation.

Methods

The MRI‐compatible needle manipulator with US probe was installed adjacent to a 3 Tesla MRI scanner patient table. Coordinate systems for the MR image, patient table, manipulator, and US probe were all registered using an optical tracking sensor. The patient was initially scanned in the MRI scanner bore for planning and then moved outside the bore for treatment. Needle insertion was guided by real‐time US imaging fused with the reformatted static MR image to enhance soft tissue contrast. Feasibility, targeting accuracy, and MR compatibility of the system were evaluated using a bovine liver and agar phantoms.

Results

Targeting error for 50 needle insertions was 1.6 ± 0.6 mm (mean ± standard deviation). The experiment confirmed that fused MR and US images provided real‐time needle localization against static MR images with soft tissue contrast.

Conclusions

The proposed MR and US multi‐modal image‐guided navigation system using a needle manipulator enabled accurate needle insertion by taking advantage of static MR and real‐time US images simultaneously. Real‐time visualization helped determine needle depth, tissue monitoring surrounding the needle path, target organ shifts, and needle deviation from the path.
Overdiscrete echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging with correlated higher‐order phase correction
Authors: Coello Eduardo , Hafalir Fatih S. , Noeske Ralph , Menzel Marion , Haase Axel , Menze Bjoern , Schulte Rolf F.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To introduce a robust methodology for fast 1H MRSI of the brain at 3T with improved SNR and reduced phase‐related artifacts.

Method

An accelerated acquisition scheme using echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) was combined with the overdiscrete reconstruction framework. This approach enables the interleaved acquisition of a water reference scan at each phase encoding step, maximizing its correlation with the water‐suppressed measurement. Moreover, a generalized high‐order phase correction was incorporated into the reconstruction pipeline. The spatial–temporal phase correction term was estimated from the reference scan and interpolated to high resolution using a polynomial basis. The method was implemented at 3T and validated with phantom and in vivo experiments.

Results

The methodology showed the elimination of spectral artifacts generated by phase disturbances and achieved mean SNR gains in vivo of 3.18 and 1.19 compared to standard reconstructions with corrections performed at nominal and high resolution, respectively. EPSI scans with interleaved water acquisition showed to be robust to system instabilities and potentially to patient motion. Moreover, phase distortions were effectively corrected in a single step, avoiding additional reference measurements and post‐processing steps.

Conclusion

The overdiscrete reconstruction framework with high‐order phase correction allowed to effectively correct for distortions, related to B0 inhomogeneities, B0 drift, eddy currents, and system vibrations. Furthermore, the presented reconstruction method, combined with EPSI acquisitions, demonstrated improved measurement stability, substantial SNR enhancement, better spectral linewidth, and effective artifact removal.
Correlations of cortical bone microstructural and mechanical properties with water proton fractions obtained from ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI tricomponent T2* model
Authors: Jerban Saeed , Lu Xing , Dorthe Erik W. , Alenezi Salem , Ma Yajun , Kakos Lena , Jang Hyungseok , Sah Robert L. , Chang Eric Y. , D'Lima Darryl , Du Jiang
Published: December 2019

Mechanical and microstructural evaluations of cortical bone using ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance imaging (UTE‐MRI) have been performed increasingly in recent years. UTE‐MRI acquires considerable signal from cortical bone and enables quantitative bone evaluations. Fitting bone apparent transverse magnetization (T2*) decay using a bicomponent model has been regularly performed to estimate bound water (BW) and pore water (PW) in the quantification of bone matrix and porosity, respectively. Human cortical bone possesses a considerable amount of fat, which appears as MRI T2* signal oscillation and can subsequently lead to BW overestimation when using a bicomponent model. Tricomponent T2* fitting model has been developed to improve BW and PW estimations by accounting for fat contribution in the MRI signal. This study aimed to investigate the correlations of microstructural and mechanical properties of human cortical bone with water pool fractions obtained from a tricomponent T2* model. 135 cortical bone strips (~4 × 2 × 40 mm3) from tibial and femoral midshafts of 37 donors (61 ± 24 years old) were scanned using ten sets of dual‐echo 3D‐UTE‐Cones sequences (TE = 0.032–24.0 ms) on a 3 T MRI scanner for T2* fitting analyses. Average bone porosity and pore size were measured using microcomputed tomography (μCT) at 9 μm voxel size. Bone mechanical properties were measured using 4‐point bending tests. Using a tricomponent model, bound water fraction (FracBW) showed significant strong (R = 0.70, P < 0.01) and moderate (R = 0.58–0.62, P < 0.01) correlations with porosity and mechanical properties, respectively. Correlations of bone microstructural and mechanical properties with water pool fractions were higher for tricomponent model results compared with the bicomponent model. The tricomponent T2* fitting model is suggested as a useful technique for cortical bone evaluation where the MRI contribution of bone fat is accounted for.
The relationship between ante‐mortem molar loss and mandibular ramus shape in an archaeological population from Korea
Authors: Jung Hyunwoo , Woo Eun Jin , von Cramon‐Taubadel Noreen
Published: December 2019

The relationship between age, ante‐mortem tooth loss (AMTL) of molars, and mandibular ramus shape was examined in the context of function‐induced alteration. It was hypothesized that age, as well as molar AMTL, would be significant factors for predicting ramus shape variation in an archaeological skeletal sample from Korea. Mandibles of 90 adults from the Joseon Dynasty in Korea were analysed using 3D geometric morphometrics. Molars were counted as functional units when mandibular–maxillary occlusion would have been possible, and the tooth socket was not shallow and remodelled. The relationships among age, AMTL, and ramus shape were tested, and nonparametric multivariate (rank‐based) one‐way tests were conducted to test the effects of age and AMTL on mandibular shape, both with and without considering age and AMTL as factors, respectively. The results showed that AMTL had no significant effect on mandibular shape variation irrespective of whether age was considered (without age: p = .104; with age: p = .088). In contrast, age had a significant effect on mandibular shape variation when AMTL was also considered (p = .044). Most of the shape variation among age groups occurred in the mandibular regions where the main masticatory muscles insert. However, the effect of age on mandibular shape among individuals with all three molar functional units intact was not statistically significant (p = .221). Thus, it is clear that age alone cannot explain all of the variation in mandibular shape. Rather, the results suggest that age and AMTL are highly correlated and combine to affect mandibular ramus shape variation throughout ontogeny.
Clinicopathological and molecular characterisation of ‘multiple‐classifier’ endometrial carcinomas
Authors: León‐Castillo Alicia , Gilvazquez Ester , Nout Remi , Smit Vincent THBM , McAlpine Jessica N , McConechy Melissa , Kommoss Stefan , Brucker Sara Y , Carlson Joseph W , Epstein Elisabeth , Rau Tilman T , Soslow Robert A , Ganesan Raji , Matias‐Guiu Xavier , Oliva Esther , Harrison Beth T , Church David N , Gilks C Blake , Bosse Tjalling
Published: December 2019

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) molecular classification based on four molecular subclasses identified in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has gained relevance in recent years due to its prognostic utility and potential to predict benefit from adjuvant treatment. While most ECs can be classified based on a single classifier (POLE exonuclease domain mutations – POLEmut, MMR deficiency – MMRd, p53 abnormal – p53abn), a small but clinically relevant group of tumours harbour more than one molecular classifying feature and are referred to as ‘multiple‐classifier’ ECs. We aimed to describe the clinicopathological and molecular features of multiple‐classifier ECs with abnormal p53 (p53abn). Within a cohort of 3518 molecularly profiled ECs, 107 (3%) tumours displayed p53abn in addition to another classifier(s), including 64 with MMRd (MMRd–p53abn), 31 with POLEmut (POLEmut–p53abn), and 12 with all three aberrations (MMRd–POLEmut–p53abn). MMRd–p53abn ECs and POLEmut–p53abn ECs were mostly grade 3 endometrioid ECs, early stage, and frequently showed morphological features characteristic of MMRd or POLEmut ECs. 18/28 (60%) MMRd–p53abn ECs and 7/15 (46.7%) POLEmut–p53abn ECs showed subclonal p53 overexpression, suggesting that TP53 mutation was a secondary event acquired during tumour progression. Hierarchical clustering of TCGA ECs by single nucleotide variant (SNV) type and somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) revealed that MMRd–p53abn tumours mostly clustered with single‐classifier MMRd tumours (20/23) rather than single‐classifier p53abn tumours (3/23), while POLEmut–p53abn tumours mostly clustered with single‐classifier POLEmut tumours (12/13) and seldom with single‐classifier p53abn tumours (1/13) (both p ≤ 0.001, chi‐squared test). Finally, the clinical outcome of patients with MMRd–p53abn and POLEmut–p53abn ECs [stage I 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) of 92.2% and 94.1%, respectively] was significantly different from single‐classifier p53abn EC (stage I RFS 70.8%, p = 0.024 and p = 0.050, respectively). Our results support the classification of MMRd–p53abn EC as MMRd and POLEmut–p53abn EC as POLEmut. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Fluorescence imaging analysis of depth‐dependent degradation in photovoltaic laminates: insights to the failure
Authors: Lyu Yadong , Fairbrother Andrew , Kim Jae Hyun , Gong Mengyan , Sung Li‐Piin , Watson Stephanie S. , Gu Xiaohong
Published: December 2019

Accurate evaluation of the reliability of photovoltaic (PV) packaging materials is critically important for the long‐term safe operation of modules. However, the complexity of the laminated systems due to their multilayered and multicomponent structures and diverse aging mechanisms makes a thorough system evaluation very challenging, especially when the degradation is non‐uniform through the thickness. In such a case, neither surface nor bulk measurements can present a clear picture of the degradation profile. In this study, fluorescence imaging was developed to visualize the degradation depth‐profiles of an aged laminated PV system. A glass/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)‐PET‐EVA (PPE) backsheet laminate was weathered with the glass‐side facing an ultraviolet (UV) light source for 3840 h. Cross‐sectional fluorescence images revealed a non‐uniform distribution of degradation species across the thickness of the EVA encapsulant, providing greater insight into the mechanisms of degradation, which are unavailable by traditional bulk‐based methods. In addition, strong fluorescence emissions were observed from the two thin adhesive layers of the aged backsheet, indicating severe degradation of the adhesives and a potential for interlayer delamination. This method is further confirmed with other microscale characterization techniques. The changes in optical (yellowness index), chemical (oxidation, UV absorber concentration), mechanical (Derjaguin‐Muller‐Toporov modulus), and thermal (melting enthalpy) properties of the EVA encapsulant were found to be related to fluorescence profiles, following the attenuation of UV light. This study highlights that fluorescence imaging is a spatially‐resolved and sensitive method for rapid failure assessment and in‐depth mechanism study for complex PV‐laminated system.
Reflection of nonlinear mountain waves by critical levels: behaviour of the reflection coefficient
Authors: Teixeira M. A. C. , Argaín J. L. , Xu Xin
Published: December 2019

Critical levels, where the wind vanishes in the atmosphere, are of key importance for gravity wave drag parametrization. The reflectivity of these levels to mountain waves is investigated here using a combination of high‐resolution numerical simulations and insights from linear theory. A methodology is developed for relating the reflection coefficient of 2D hydrostatic orographic gravity waves to the extrema of the associated drag as a function of an independent flow parameter. This method is then used to infer the variation of the reflection coefficient with flow nonlinearity. To isolate the effect of critical levels, a wind profile with negative shear is adopted, which is characterized by its Richardson number and the dimensionless mountain height , based on the mountain height , Brunt‐Väisälä frequency and surface incoming wind speed . Subject to the assumptions of linear theory, the drag is shown to be modified by wave refraction and reflection. The modulation of the drag by wave reflection is used to derive the reflection coefficient from the drag diagnosed from the numerical simulations. Despite considerable uncertainty, the critical level is found to have an that first increases with for low values of this parameter, and for stronger nonlinearity saturates to a value of about 0.6. The flow configuration in this saturated regime is characterized in the case of high‐drag states by constructive wave interference, resembling downslope windstorms. Wave reflection by critical levels enhances the flow nonlinearity and the associated drag amplification, more than doubling it for values of as low as 0.12. These results emphasize the need to represent this process in orographic gravity wave drag parametrizations, and suggest a possible way of doing it using a prescribed critical level reflection coefficient, derived using the present methodology.
Exact reliability evaluation of infrastructure networks using graph theory
Authors: Zarghami Seyed Ashkan , Gunawan Indra , Schultmann Frank
Published: December 2019

Reliability analysis of Infrastructure Networks (INs) is gaining recognition in the research literature. However, most of the work on reliability evaluation of INs have focused on simulation analysis and, therefore, unable to calculate the exact reliability. Additionally, these methods lack the capability of achieving a closer adherence to INs. The presented paper aims at filling these gaps by simplifying the process of computing the exact reliability of an IN through the decomposition of the network into a set of series and parallel configuration of its elements. In exemplifying the method, an illustrative example is presented and a brief discussion on the usefulness and limitation of the method is described.
Activated Carbon and Attapulgite as Adsorbent Composite Carrier for Removing H2S at Low Temperature
Authors: Zhang Yaolei , Zhang Zhihong , Liu Xuedong , Liu Lin , Peng Jian
Published: December 2019

The composite carrier was prepared by ultrasonication of activated carbon and attapulgite in aqueous solution, and Fe−Cu/ activated carbon‐attapulgite adsorbent was prepared by co‐precipitation method. The effects of different activated carbon: attapulgite ratios and calcination temperatures on the removal of H2S were investigated by solid bed reactor. The adsorbents were characterized by XRD, XPS TG and N2 adsorption‐desorption. The results showed that the mechanical strength of the composite carrier adsorbent was increased and the scatter ratio was reduced with the addition of attapulgite. The adsorbent showed better desulfurization activity after calcination. When the calcination temperature was 500 °C, the adsorbent formed Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 crystal form to improve the desulfurization performance significantly, and the sulfur capacity reached 279.90 mg g−1. After the adsorbent removed H2S at low temperature, the formation of elemental sulfur, metal sulfide and sulfate in the pores of the adsorbent led to desulfurization activity of the adsorbent decreasing.
Metal‐Free and Selective Oxidation of Benzylic Alcohols to Aromatic Aldehydes by Hexachloroacetone
Authors: Sheikhi Ehsan , Adib Mehdi , Akherati Karajabad Morteza , Rezaei Narjes
Published: December 2019

A metal‐free and selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols which leads to the direct and sustainable production of benzaldehydes has been developed. Compared with former known oxidation reactions like Swern, Pfitzner‐Moffatt, Parikh‐Doering, and Corey‐Kim oxidations, this oxidation approach introduces the HCA as an easily available, safer and less expensive reagent, and also because of the simple removing of chloroform. In addition, it is not necessary to add any metal, acid or base for the oxidation of benzylic alcohols. The oxidation is proceeded in DMSO and also under solvent‐free conditions in excellent yields.
Chemometrics‐assisted development of a liquid chromatography method for estimation of lapatinib in tablets: A case study on a novel quality concept
Authors: Panda Sagar Suman , Bera Ravi Kumar Venkata Varaha , Behera Aswini Kumar , Beg Sarwar
Published: December 2019

A new validated liquid chromatography method was developed based on the chemometric principles involving quality risk management and design of experiments for estimation of anticancer agent lapatinib. Also, the current research work envisions providing a case study for a novel quality concept. Risk management tools such as fishbone diagram, risk estimation and risk scoring were utilized to derive critical to quality method variables viz. methanol%, flow rate and mobile phase pH. Influence of these variables was studied on critical analytical attributes such as analyte retention, plate count and peak tailing. In addition to the above approaches, the Monte Carlo simulation was applied to assess the procedure performance capability. The optimized chromatographic conditions used methanol: 0.01 M KH2PO4 (80:20, v/v) of pH 7. A flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detection at 331 nm using a diode array detector provided elution of the analyte at 3.5 min. The method validation results were acceptable for parameters such as linearity (1–160 μg/mL), accuracy (99.85–100.8%), precision (< 1%), limit of detection and limit of quantification. In a nutshell, the novel concept was found befitting for robust and reliable analysis of lapatinib in its pharmaceutical dosage form.
Ladder‐Wise calculation method for z‐coordinate of transformer PD source based on planar layout UHF antenna sensors
Authors: Zhang Guozhi , Zhang Xiaoxing , Cheng Hongtu , Tang Ju
Published: December 2019

In locating a transformer partial discharge (PD) source, there is a large fluctuation error in the z‐coordinate of the location, which results with planar layout ultrahigh‐frequency (UHF) antenna sensors. For the large fluctuation error, this paper first theoretically analyzes the reason. According to the theoretical analysis results, a ladder‐wise calculation method of the PD source z‐coordinate is proposed: first, the x‐ and y‐coordinates of the PD source are calculated, then the univariate equation f(z) is derived, and the z‐coordinate of the PD source is obtained by f(z). Finally, the positioning effect of the ladder‐wise calculation method for PD source z‐coordinate is verified experimentally. Experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce the fluctuation of the z‐coordinate of the PD source from 0.6 to 0.2, and when the PD location sample set is ≥10, the average absolute error of the z‐coordinate is reduced from about 0.4 m to less than 0.1 m. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
VeloxChem: A Python‐driven density‐functional theory program for spectroscopy simulations in high‐performance computing environments
Authors: Rinkevicius Zilvinas , Li Xin , Vahtras Olav , Ahmadzadeh Karan , Brand Manuel , Ringholm Magnus , List Nanna Holmgaard , Scheurer Maximilian , Scott Mikael , Dreuw Andreas , Norman Patrick
Published: December 2019

An open‐source program named VeloxChem has been developed for the calculation of electronic real and complex linear response functions at the levels of Hartree–Fock and Kohn–Sham density functional theories. With an object‐oriented program structure written in a Python/C++ layered fashion, VeloxChem enables time‐efficient prototyping of novel scientific approaches without sacrificing computational efficiency, so that molecular systems involving up to and beyond 500 second‐row atoms (or some 10,000 contracted and in part diffuse Gaussian basis functions) can be routinely addressed. In addition, VeloxChem is equipped with a polarizable embedding scheme for the treatment of the classical electrostatic interactions with an environment that in turn is modeled by atomic site charges and polarizabilities. The underlying hybrid message passing interface (MPI)/open multiprocessing (OpenMP) parallelization scheme makes VeloxChem suitable for execution in high‐performance computing cluster environments, showing even slightly beyond linear scaling for the Fock matrix construction with use of up to 16,384 central processing unit (CPU) cores. An efficient—with respect to convergence rate and overall computational cost—multifrequency/gradient complex linear response equation solver enables calculations not only of conventional spectra, such as visible/ultraviolet/X‐ray electronic absorption and circular dichroism spectra, but also time‐resolved linear response signals as due to ultra‐short weak laser pulses. VeloxChem distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 (LGPLv2.1) license and made available for download from the homepage https://veloxchem.org.

This article is categorized under:

Software > Quantum Chemistry

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Spectroscopy
Feasibility of Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery: 146 Cases
Authors: Cadière Guy‐Bernard , Himpens Jacques , Germay Olivier , Izizaw Rachel , Degueldre Michel , Vandromme Jean , Capelluto Elie , Bruyns Jean
Published: December 2019

Theoretically, in laparoscopic surgery, a computer interface in command of a mechanical system (robot) allows the surgeon: (1) to recover a number a number of lost degrees of freedom,
thanks to intra‐abdominal articulations; (2) to obtain better visual control of instrument manipulation, thanks to three‐dimensional vision;
(3) to modulate the amplitude of surgical motions by downscaling and stabilization; (4) to work at a distance from the patient. These advances improve the quality of surgical tasks in a perfect ergonomic position. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing a robot in laparoscopic surgery. The first robot‐assisted procedure in humans was performed in March 1997 by our team. One hundred forty‐six patients underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic surgery. Between March 1997 and February 2001 a nonconsecutive series was performed of 39 antireflux procedures, 48 cholecystectomies,
28 tubal reanastomoses, 10 gastroplasties for obesity, 3 inguinal hernias, 3 intrarectal procedures, 2 hysterectomies, 2 cardiac procedures, 2 prostactectomies, 2 arteriovenous fistulas, 1 lumbar sympathectomy, 1 appendectomy, 1 laryngeal exploration, 1 varicocele ligation, 1 endometriosis cure, 1 neosalpingostomy, 1 deferent canal.
The robot (Da Vinci system, Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA),
consists of a console and a cart with three articulated robot arms. The surgeon sits in front of the console, manipulating joysticklike handles while observing the operative field through binoculars that provide a three‐dimensional picture. This computer is capable of modulating these data by eliminating physiologic tremor and by downscaling the amplitude of motions by a factor 5 or 3 to one. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of several laparoscopic robotic procedures. There is no morbidity related to the system. Operating time and the hospital stay were within acceptable limits. The system seems most beneficial in intra‐abdominal microsurgery or for manipulations in a very small space. Optimized ergonomics and increased mobility of the instrument tips are beneficial in many steps of abdominal surgical procedures.
The effect of consistency on the shear rheology of aqueous suspensions of cellulose micro- and nanofibrils: a review
Authors: Koponen Antti I.
Published: December 2019

While the raw material type and the production method of cellulose micro- and nanofibrils (CMNFs) strongly affect the absolute values of the rheological parameters of their aqueous suspensions, the dependence of these parameters on consistency,c, is found to be uniform. The consistency index and yield stress of CMNF suspensions follow generally the scaling laws$$K \sim c^{2.43}$$K∼c2.43and$$\tau_{y} \sim c^{2.26}$$τy∼c2.26, respectively, and a decent approximation for flow index is$$n = 0.30 \times c^{ - 0.43}$$n=0.30×c-0.43. The variability of reported scaling exponents of these materials is likely mainly due to experimental uncertainties and not so much due to fundamentally different rheology. It is suggested that the reason behind the apparently universal rheological behavior of CMNF suspensions is the strong entanglement of fibrils; the flow dynamics of typical CMNF suspensions is dominated by interactions between fibril flocs and not by interactions between individual fibrils.

Graphic abstract
The Danger for an Underestimation
of Necessary Precautions for
the Admissibility of Admissions
in Section 219A of the South African
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
Authors: Monyakane ’Mampolokeng ’Mathuso Mary-Elizabet
Published: December 2019

The Prima facie view regarding the admissibility of admissions, as evidence, in criminal matters is that, to admit admissions as evidence, the court requires a single consideration as to whether the admission was made freely and voluntarily. Without too much ado, the simple view to this understanding presupposes that admission of an admission as evidence against its maker is of a lesser danger compared to the admission of a confession. The admissibility of confessions against their makers does not come as easily as that of admissions. There are many prescribed requirements to satisfy before confessions are admitted as evidence. This comparison has led to a questionable conclusion that requirements for the admissibility of admissions are of a less complexity equated to the requirements for the admission of confessions. This paper answers the question whether an inference that the requirements for the admissibility of admissions are of a less complexity compared to the requirements for the admission of confessions is rational? It equates this approach to the now done away with commonwealth states rigid differentiation perspective. In the 1800s the commonwealth states, especially those vowing on the Wigmorian perspective on the law of evidence, developed from a rigid interpretation of confessions and admissions and adopted a relaxed and wide definitions of the word, “confession.” To this extent there was a relaxed divide between confessions and admissions hence their common classification and application of similar cautionary rules. The article recounts admissibility requirement in section 219A of the South African Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (CPA) (Hereinafter CPA). It then analyses Section 219A of the CPA requirement in the light of the rationale encompassing precautions for the admission of confessions in terms of 217(1) of the CPA. It exposes the similarities of potential prejudices where confessions and admissions are admitted as evidence. It reckons that by the adherence to this rigid differentiation perspectives of confessions and admissions which used to be the practice in the commonwealth prior the 1800s developments, South African law of evidence remains prejudicial to accused persons. To do away with these prejudices this article, recommends that section 219A be amended to include additional admissibility requirements in section 217(1). In effect it recommends the merging of sections 217(1) and 219A of the CPA.
Migration,Group Agency, and Archaeology: A New Theoretical Model
Authors: McSparron Cormac , Donnelly Colm , Murphy Eileen , Geber Jonny
Published: December 2019

Unlike other social sciences, the archaeological discipline has been lacking a theoretical framework to discuss the mechanism of migration. Traditionally, patterns of population movements were denoted from material culture and interpreted within the context of ethnicity and the diffusion of ideas without considering underlying processes and incentives, despite active consideration of these issues by geographers and sociologists. It was not until the 1990s that a more integrated archaeological discussion on the various stimuli, influences, and mechanisms of why people choose to migrate was beginning to evolve. Since then, the debate on migration in archaeology has not only reflected on patterns of cultural and technological change but also increasingly on aspects of identity and self-realization; both in terms of how migrants themselves adapt and adjust to their new home environment, and how the host-communities themselves respond and interact with newcomers. Using four case studies, the current paper proposes a new theoretical model for how to assess patterns of group migrations. This new model considers the respective mode of agency related to both the intention and size of the group. “Very High and High Group Agency” represent situations where the migrant group is at a technological and quantitative advantage to the host community, while “Medium and Low Group Agency” represent situations where the newcomers are forced to respond to their new environment through adaptation and adjustment to their local host community.
Activity with Signs and Speaking About It: Exploring Students’ Mathematical Lines of Thought Regarding the Derivative
Authors: Wille Annika M.
Published: December 2019

In order to participate proficiently in mathematical activity, a student needs to become fluent in both mathematical sign activity and speaking about the activity with signs. From the theoretical viewpoint of the philosophers Wittgenstein and Peirce, on the one hand, mathematics is seen as a sign game, while on the other hand experiments with signs allow for observable, communicable and describable reasoning. In this article, the focus is on the student’s sign activity and his or her speaking about it and the question of how they are intertwined. To that end, a method is presented to display the interplay of student’s activity with signs and speaking about it, and in particular, to reconstruct the student’s line of argumentation. This is applied to a case study where imaginary dialogues written by a class of grade 11 students on the topic “derivative” were analyzed.
Sex Differences in Problem Alcohol Use in High School as a Function of Recent Sexual Violence Victimization or Perpetration
Authors: Badour Christal L. , Bell Samuel C. , Clear Emily R. , Bush Heather M. , Coker Ann L.
Published: December 2019

To investigate sex differences in associations between sexual violence victimization (SVV), sexual violence perpetration (SVP), and binge drinking and/or alcohol problems among high school students. While SVV has been linked to problem alcohol use among young women, little research has addressed the unique associations of SVV and SVP on alcohol use/problems within both sexes. A cross-sectional analysis of 16,992 high school students’ self-reports of past-year SVP and SVV was used where SVV/SVP was defined by three tactics (sexual coercion, drug/alcohol-facilitated or incapacitated sex, and physically forced sex). Alcohol measures included past-month binge drinking and past-year alcohol problems. Rates of SVV were twice as high in females (21.2% vs. 13.3%), and SVP rates were twice as high in males (10.9% vs. 5.2%). SVV and SVP were each associated with an increased rate of current binge drinking and problem alcohol use for both sexes, across increasing numbers of SV tactics and within each of three tactics. After controlling for demographic and other risk factors including SVP, drug/alcohol-facilitated or incapacitated SVV was more strongly linked to binge drinking and alcohol problems among females. SVP was more strongly linked to binge drinking and alcohol problems among males (adjusting for SVV and other covariates). No sex differences emerged in associations between coerced or physically forced SVV/SVP and alcohol-related outcomes. Both SVV and SVP are associated with an increased likelihood of binge drinking and alcohol problems for males and females. Important sex differences emerged when SV tactics are considered.
Analytical Three-dimensional Magnetohydrostatic Equilibrium Solutions for Magnetic Field Extrapolation Allowing a Transition from Non-force-free to Force-free Magnetic Fields
Authors: Neukirch Thomas , Wiegelmann Thomas
Published: December 2019

For the extrapolation of magnetic fields into the solar corona from measurements taken in the photosphere (or chromosphere) force-free magnetic fields are typically used. This does not take into account that the lower layers of the solar atmosphere are not force-free. While some numerical extrapolation methods using magnetohydrostatic magnetic fields have been suggested, a complementary and numerically comparatively cheap method is to use analytical magnetohydrostatic equilibria to extrapolate the magnetic field. In this paper, we present a new family of solutions for a special class of analytical three-dimensional magnetohydrostatic equilibria, which can be of use for such magnetic field extrapolation. The new solutions allow for the more flexible modeling of a transition from non-force-free to (linear) force-free magnetic fields. In particular, the height and width of the region where this transition takes place can be specified by choosing appropriate model parameters.
Automated lifespan determination across Caenorhabditis strains and species reveals assay-specific effects of chemical interventions
Authors: Banse Stephen A. , Lucanic Mark , Sedore Christine A. , Coleman-Hulbert Anna L. , Plummer W. Todd , Chen Esteban , Kish Jason L. , Hall David , Onken Brian , Presley Michael P. , Jones E. Grace , Blue Benjamin W. , Garrett Theo , Abbott Mark , Xue Jian , Guo Suzhen , Johnson Erik , Foulger Anna C. , Chamoli Manish , Falkowski Ron , Melentijevic Ilija , Harinath Girish , Huynh Phu , Patel Shobhna , Edgar Daniel , Jarrett Cody M. , Guo Max , Kapahi Pankaj , Lithgow Gordon J. , Driscoll Monica , Phillips Patrick C.
Published: December 2019

The goal of the Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program is to identify robust and reproducible pro-longevity interventions that are efficacious across genetically diverse cohorts in the Caenorhabditis genus. The project design features multiple experimental replicates collected by three different laboratories. Our initial effort employed fully manual survival assays. With an interest in increasing throughput, we explored automation with flatbed scanner-based Automated Lifespan Machines (ALMs). We used ALMs to measure survivorship of 22 Caenorhabditis strains spanning three species. Additionally, we tested five chemicals that we previously found extended lifespan in manual assays. Overall, we found similar sources of variation among trials for the ALM and our previous manual assays, verifying reproducibility of outcome. Survival assessment was generally consistent between the manual and the ALM assays, although we did observe radically contrasting results for certain compound interventions. We found that particular lifespan outcome differences could be attributed to protocol elements such as enhanced light exposure of specific compounds in the ALM, underscoring that differences in technical details can influence outcomes and therefore interpretation. Overall, we demonstrate that the ALMs effectively reproduce a large, conventionally scored dataset from a diverse test set, independently validating ALMs as a robust and reproducible approach toward aging-intervention screening.
Probabilistic assessment of nectar requirements for nectar-foraging honey bees
Authors: Rodney Sara , Kramer Vincent J.
Published: December 2019

Recent concerns regarding potential effects of pesticides on pollinators have prompted regulatory agencies to estimate dietary ingestion rates for honey bees (Apis mellifera). The task is difficult because of the complex caste and food storage systems in honey bee colonies. Considerable data on the nutrition and energetics of honey bees have recently been collated. These data were used to parameterize a probabilistic model estimating nectar requirements of nectar foragers. Median estimates were more than 6× lower than the recommended median value from the North American government agencies, of 292 mg nectar/bee/day. The distribution of estimates had much greater variability than those of the agencies. The differences are due primarily to the disparate assumptions regarding how much time nectar foragers spend flying and foraging. Risk assessors considering honey bee dietary exposure should take account of current and emerging data providing insight into nectar forager dietary requirements, foraging activity, and feeding behavior.
Sex Hormones as Cognitive Enhancers?
Authors: Núñez Francisco , Maraver María J. , Colzato Lorenza S.
Published: December 2019

Understanding the differences in the way women and men think has made headway thanks to experiments showing how sex hormones influence cognitive capacities. Masculine and feminine sex hormones (androgens and estrogens, respectively) affect cognition in different ways and may account for some of the gender differences in cognitive abilities, allowing men and women to perform better in certain cognitive tests. In this opinion article, we discuss studies addressing differences in cognitive functions between males and females and the underlying neural substrates, as well as the effects of sex hormone supplementation. Even though some studies on patients receiving exogenous sex hormones showed gender differences that emerge at group levels on a few cognitive tasks, it is not yet clear whether these differences can be partially attributed to hormonal causes. Supplementation of female estrogen can enhance verbal skills, whereas masculine androgen can increase performance in mathematical and visuospatial tasks. Studies of the administration of exogenous sex hormones have allowed further insight into the use of sex hormones as possible cognitive enhancers.
Mass balance and area changes of glaciers in the Cordillera Real and Tres Cruces, Bolivia, between 2000 and 2016
Authors: Seehaus Thorsten , Malz Philipp , Sommer Christian , Soruco Alvaro , Rabatel Antoine , Braun Matthias
Published: December 2019

Climate change has led to a significant shrinkage of glaciers in the Tropical Andes during the last decades. Recent multi-temporal quantifications of ice mass loss at mountain range to regional scale are missing. However, this is fundamental information for future water resource planning and glacier change projections. In this study, we measure temporally consistent glacier area changes and geodetic mass balances throughout the Bolivian Cordillera Real and Tres Cruces based on multi-sensor remote-sensing data. By analyzing multi-spectral satellite images and interferometric SAR data, a glacier recession of 81 ± 18 km2 (29%; 5.1 ± 1.1 km2 a−1), a geodetic mass balance of −403 ± 78 kg m−2 a−1 and a total ice mass loss of 1.8 ± 0.5 Gt is derived for 2000–2016. In the period 2013–2016, ice mass loss was 21% above the average rate. A retreat rate of 15 ± 5 km2 a−1 and a mass budget of −487 ± 349 kg m−2 a−1 are found in this more recent period. These higher change rates can be attributed to the strong El Niño event in 2015/16. The analyses of individual glacier changes and topographic variables confirmed the dependency of the mass budget and glacier recession on glacier aspect and median elevation.
Late-stage tectonic evolution of the Al-Hajar Mountains, Oman: new constraints from Palaeogene sedimentary units and low-temperature thermochronometry
Authors: Corradetti A , Spina V , Tavani S , Ringenbach JC , Sabbatino M , Razin P , Laurent O , Brichau S , Mazzoli S
Published: December 2019

Mountain building in the Al-Hajar Mountains (NE Oman) occurred during two major shortening stages, related to the convergence between Africa–Arabia and Eurasia, separated by nearly 30 Ma of tectonic quiescence. Most of the shortening was accommodated during the Late Cretaceous, when northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean was followed by the ophiolites obduction on top of the former Mesozoic margin. This shortening event lasted until the latest Santonian – early Campanian. Maastrichtian to Eocene carbonates unconformably overlie the eroded nappes and seal the Cretaceous foredeep. These neo-autochthonous post-nappe sedimentary rocks were deformed, along with the underlying Cretaceous tectonic pile, during the second shortening event, itself including two main exhumation stages. In this study we combine remotely sensed structural data, seismic interpretation, field-based structural investigations and apatite (U–Th)/He (AHe) cooling ages to obtain new insights into the Cenozoic deformation stage. Seismic interpretation indicates the occurrence of a late Eocene flexural basin, later deformed by an Oligocene thrusting event, during which the post-nappe succession and the underlying Cretaceous nappes of the internal foredeep were uplifted. This stage was followed by folding of the post-nappe succession during the Miocene. AHe data from detrital siliciclastic deposits in the frontal area of the mountain chain provide cooling ages spanning from 17.3 to 42 Ma, consistent with available data for the structural culminations of Oman. Our work points out how renewal of flexural subsidence in the foredeep and uplift of the mountain belt were coeval processes, followed by layer-parallel shortening preceding final fold amplification.
Beings in the moment
Authors: Elliott Mark A.
Published: December 2019

Hoerl & McCormack's theory defines temporal behavior from an awareness of time, but lacks one critical element: the impact of “psychological presence” in the “moment now.” Central to experience of temporal non-stationarity: “Nowness” links future with past in the context of time flow. Does this differ between species? Evidence suggests not: Different temporal experiences between species requires greater critical evaluation.
Thinking about time and number: An application of the dual-systems approach to numerical cognition
Authors: Lohse Karoline , Sixtus Elena , Lonnemann Jan
Published: December 2019

Based on the notion that time, space, and number are part of a generalized magnitude system, we assume that the dual-systems approach to temporal cognition also applies to numerical cognition. Referring to theoretical models of the development of numerical concepts, we propose that children's early skills in processing numbers can be described analogously to temporal updating and temporal reasoning.
The “now moment” is believed privileged because “now” is when happening is experienced
Authors: Kenward Ben , Pilling Michael
Published: December 2019

Hoerl & McCormack risk misleading people about the cognitive underpinnings of the belief in a privileged “now moment” because they do not explicitly acknowledge that the sense of existing in the now moment is an intrinsically temporally dynamic one. The sense of happening that is exclusive to the now moment is a better candidate for the source of belief in a privileged now.
Im/possible Choreographies: Diffractive Processes and Ethical Entanglements in Current British Dance Practices
Authors: Perazzo Domm Daniela
Published: December 2019

This article considers the ethico-aesthetic potential of British choreographic practices that respond to questions raised by the current sociopolitical moment by staging im/possibilities and dis/orientation and by envisioning alternative understandings of the present. It embraces Karen Barad's new materialist onto-epistemology as an inspiring framework to discuss the significance of choreography that troubles accepted patterns of relationality and engages in a creative-critical remapping of experience.
Mapping Touring: Remediating Concert Dance Archives
Authors: Bench Harmony
Published: December 2019

This article introduces the digital humanities and dance studies project Mapping Touring, and employs it in an analysis of Denishawn's touring prior to and immediately following the company's 1925–26 tour to Asia. Situated within the archival turn in dance, Mapping Touring emphasizes the possibilities of spatial and comparative analysis for touring dance artists, with information about their location and repertory drawn from archival sources, gathered and stored in a database, and plotted on interactive maps. With Denishawn as a case study, I contend that digital mapping can make visible some of the implications of travel and touring for the circulation and spread of theories of embodiment contained in dance repertory.