bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bird species that occupy river edge in continuous forest tend to be less sensitive to forest fragmentation
Authors: Lindsey Barbara Rocha Arakaki , Bochio Gabriela Menezes , Anjos Luiz dos
Published: February 2020

Along a distance gradient from a given river, two types of habitat can be recognized: natural river edge and forest interior, each one with its own vegetation characteristics and dynamics. In a continuous area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, we investigated (1) if bird communities are different between a riverbank of a small stream and an inland forest habitat; (2) if the species of the river edge habitat are the ones that persist in the most in forest fragments after deforestation of a continuous forest; (3) if the river edge habitat species are those that are less sensitive to forest fragmentation. It is expected that there are differences in the bird communities and the occupancy of some species between the two habitats. We allocated 16 sampling points in each of the habitats and sampled the birds by point counts with a short radius of 30 m. Results suggest that there is a significant difference between the composition of the bird communities of the river edge and forest interior habitats, although the species richness is similar. Six species were more likely to occupy the river edge and 14 species had a greater probability of occupancy in the forest interior. Species associated with the river edge habitat (15 species) tend not to be sensitive to forest fragmentation (12 species). In this study, we demonstrated that river-border species of continuous forest areas form a significant part of the bird communities that persist in small forest fragments, with intense edge effect. This shows that not all forest edge species are the result of the colonization from open areas. Congruently, species that occupy the most distant areas from the river vegetation in a continuous forest are those more sensitive to forest fragmentation.
Some information theoretic aspects of de-Sitter holography
Authors: Geng Hao
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Built on our observation that entangling surfaces of the boundary field theory are great co-dimension one spheres in the context of DS/dS correspondence, we study some information theoretic quantities of the field theory dual intensively using holographic proposals. We will focus on entanglement entropy (EE), entanglement of purification (EoP) and complexity. Several fundamental observations and analysis are provided. For EE, we focus on its scaling behavior, which indicates the nature of the relevant degrees of freedom. Moreover, we find that EE provides us with important information of the energy spectrum in pure dS and it also leads us to the speculation that the field theory dual is chaotic or non-integrable. For EoP, an interesting phenomenon we call “Entanglement Wedge Cross Section (EWCS) Jump” is observed according to which we propose two puzzles regarding EoP and EE in the context of dS holography. For complexity, we find that the Complexity=Volume proposal does not provide a well-defined way to compute complexity for pure dS. However, it does provide a well-defined way to compute complexity in the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

+ Λ2 deformed case. At the end, we will use the surface/state correspondence to resolve all the puzzles and hence reach a consistent information theoretic picture of dS holography. Moreover, we will provide evidence for our former proposal that the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

+ ⋯ deformations are operating quantum circuits and study the non-locality of the field theory algebra suggested by the surface/state correspondence.
A cosmological Higgs collider
Authors: Lu Shiyun , Wang Yi , Xianyu Zhong-Zhi
Published: February 2020

Abstract

The quantum fluctuations of the Higgs field during inflation could be a source of primordial density perturbations through Higgs-dependent inflaton decay. By measuring primordial non-Gaussianities, this so-called Higgs-modulated reheating scenario provides us a unique chance to probe Higgs interactions at extremely high energy scale, which we call the Cosmological Higgs Collider (CHC). We realize CHC in a simple scenario where the inflaton decays into Higgs-portal scalars, taking account of the decay of the Higgs fluctuation amplitude after inflation. We also calculate the CHC signals of Standard Model particles, namely their imprints in the squeezed bispectrum, which can be naturally large. The concept of CHC can be straightforwardly generalized to cosmological isocurvature colliders with other types of isocurvature perturbations.
Scattering amplitude annihilators
Authors: Nützi Andrea , Reiterer Michael
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Several second order differential operators are shown to annihilate the YM and GR tree scattering amplitudes. In particular we prove a conjecture of Loebbert, Mojaza and Plefka from their investigation of a hidden conformal symmetry in GR.
Misfolded amyloid-β-42 impairs the endosomal–lysosomal pathway
Authors: Marshall Karen E. , Vadukul Devkee M. , Staras Kevin , Serpell Louise C.
Published: February 2020

Misfolding and aggregation of proteins is strongly linked to several neurodegenerative diseases, but how such species bring about their cytotoxic actions remains poorly understood. Here we used specifically-designed optical reporter probes and live fluorescence imaging in primary hippocampal neurons to characterise the mechanism by which prefibrillar, oligomeric forms of the Alzheimer’s-associated peptide, Aβ42, exert their detrimental effects. We used a pH-sensitive reporter, Aβ42-CypHer, to track Aβ internalisation in real-time, demonstrating that oligomers are rapidly taken up into cells in a dynamin-dependent manner, and trafficked via the endo-lysosomal pathway resulting in accumulation in lysosomes. In contrast, a non-assembling variant of Aβ42 (vAβ42) assayed in the same way is not internalised. Tracking ovalbumin uptake into cells using CypHer or Alexa Fluor tags shows that preincubation with Aβ42 disrupts protein uptake. Our results identify a potential mechanism by which amyloidogenic aggregates impair cellular function through disruption of the endosomal–lysosomal pathway.
Open Water Flow in a Wet/Dry Multiply-Connected Channel Network: A Robust Numerical Modeling Algorithm
Authors: Kivva Sergii , Zheleznyak Mark , Pylypenko Oleksandr , Yoschenko Vasyl
Published: February 2020

Our goal was to develop a robust algorithm for numerical simulation of one-dimensional shallow water flow in a complex multiply-connected channel network with arbitrary geometry and variable topography. We apply a central-upwind scheme with a novel reconstruction of the open water surface in partially flooded cells that does not require additional correction. The proposed reconstruction and an exact integration of source terms for the momentum conservation equation provide positivity preserving and well-balanced features of the scheme for various wet/dry states. We use two models based on the continuity equation and mass and momentum conservation equations integrated for a control volume around the channel junction to its treatment. These junction models permit to simulate subcritical and supercritical flows in a channel network. Numerous numerical experiments demonstrate the robustness of the proposed numerical algorithm and a good agreement of numerical results with exact solutions, experimental data, and results of the previous numerical studies. The proposed new specialized test on inundation and drying of an initially dry channel network shows the merits of the new numerical algorithm to simulate the subcritical/supercritical open water flows in the networks.
Morphometric study of the primary ossification center of the frontal squama in the human fetus
Authors: Grzonkowska Magdalena , Baumgart Mariusz , Badura Mateusz , Wiśniewski Marcin , Szpinda Michał
Published: February 2020

Purposes

Detailed morphometric data on the development of ossification centers in human fetuses is useful in the early detection of skeletal dysplasias associated with a delayed development of ossification centers and their mineralization. Quantitative analysis of primary ossification centers of cranial bones is sporadic due to limited availability of fetal material.

Material and methods

The size of the primary ossification center of the frontal squama in 37 human (16 males and 21 females) spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 18–30 weeks was studied by means of CT, digital-image analysis and statistics.

Results

With neither sex nor laterality differences, the best-fit growth dynamics for the primary ossification center of the frontal squama was modelled by the following functions: y = 13.756 + 0.021 × (age)2 ± 0.024 for its vertical diameter, y = 0.956 + 0.956 × age ± 0.823 for its transverse diameter, y = 38.285 + 0.889 × (age)2 ± 0.034 for its projection surface area, and y = 90.020 + 1.375 × (age)2 ± 11.441 for its volume.

Conclusions

Our findings for the primary ossification center of the frontal squama may be conducive in monitoring normal fetal growth and screening for inherited faults and anomalies of the skull in human fetuses.
Systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for colorectal and anal cancer: the extent of recommendations for managing long-term symptoms and functional impairments
Authors: Wiltink Lisette M. , White K. , King M. T. , Rutherford C.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Due to increasing numbers of colorectal and anal cancer survivors, more individuals are living with long-term symptoms after treatment. A systematic review was undertaken to assess the extent to which practice guidelines for colorectal and anal cancer provide recommendations for managing long-term symptoms and functioning impairments.

Methods

Four electronic databases and websites of 30 international cancer societies were searched for clinical practice guidelines, consensus statements, or best practice recommendations for colorectal or anal cancer. Quality of included guidelines was evaluated with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II tool. Results were narratively summarized.

Results

We included 51 guidelines or consensus statements. Recommendations for managing long-term symptoms or functioning impairments were reported in 13 guidelines (25.4%). All 13 recommend a healthy lifestyle, diet, body weight, and physical activity. The ASCO Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Care Guideline is the most comprehensive, including interventions targeting sexual and bowel function to pain and cognitive issues, and also highlights limited evidence for informing management strategies. Other guidelines recommend treating incontinence, chronic diarrhea, and distress, and stress the need for greater awareness for sexual dysfunction, survivorship clinics, and referrals to specific supportive care interventions.

Conclusions

Few clinical practice guidelines include recommendations for managing long-term symptoms and functioning impairments. It is unclear if this is due to limited evidence or absence of management strategies and interventions. Clear recommendations for managing long-term symptoms and functioning to help health professionals in supporting colorectal and anal cancer survivors are needed.
Orthographic knowledge predicts reading and spelling skills over and above general intelligence and phonological awareness
Authors: Zarić Jelena , Hasselhorn Marcus , Nagler Telse
Published: February 2020

It is widely accepted that general intelligence and phonological awareness contribute to children’s acquisition of reading and spelling skills. A further candidate in this regard is orthographic knowledge (i.e., the knowledge about permissible letter patterns). It consists of two components, word-specific (i.e., the knowledge of the spelling of specific words) and general orthographic knowledge (i.e., the knowledge about legal letter patterns of a writing system). Among German students, previous studies have shown that word-specific orthographic knowledge contributes to both reading and spelling. The results regarding general orthographic knowledge and its contribution to reading and spelling are inconsistent. The major goal of the present study was to determine the incremental predictive value of orthographic knowledge for reading and spelling skills among German elementary-school children (N = 66), over and above the contribution of general intelligence and phonological awareness. The second goal was to examine whether there is a difference between the two subtypes of orthographic knowledge in the amount of their respective contribution to reading and spelling performance. The results show that word-specific as well as general orthographic knowledge contribute to both reading and spelling performance, over and above intelligence and phonological awareness. Furthermore, it reveals that both word-specific and general orthographic knowledge explain more variance of spelling compared to reading. Possible explanations for these results, limitations, and implications of the study are being discussed.
Dynamics of Cell Death After Conventional IRE and H-FIRE Treatments
Authors: Mercadal Borja , Beitel-White Natalie , Aycock Kenneth N. , Castellví Quim , Davalos Rafael V. , Ivorra Antoni
Published: February 2020

High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) has emerged as an alternative to conventional irreversible electroporation (IRE) to overcome the issues associated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation that appear in IRE treatments. In H-FIRE, the monopolar pulses typically used in IRE are replaced with bursts of short bipolar pulses. Currently, very little is known regarding how the use of a different waveform affects the cell death dynamics and mechanisms. In this study, human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells were treated with a typical IRE protocol and various H-FIRE schemes with the same energized time. Cell viability, membrane integrity and Caspase 3/7 activity were assessed at different times after the treatment. In both treatments, we identified two different death dynamics (immediate and delayed) and we quantified the electric field ranges that lead to each of them. While in the typical IRE protocol, the electric field range leading to a delayed cell death is very narrow, this range is wider in H-FIRE and can be increased by reducing the pulse length. Membrane integrity in cells suffering a delayed cell death shows a similar time evolution in all treatments, however, Caspase 3/7 expression was only observed in cells treated with H-FIRE.
Ants Co-Occurring with Predatory Antlions Show Unsuccessful Rescue Behavior towards Captured Nestmates
Authors: Turza Filip , Zuber Gabriela , Bzoma Michał , Prus Monika , Filipiak Michał , Miler Krzysztof
Published: February 2020

The interaction of antlions and ants is postulated to be a predator-prey interaction in which the involved parties coevolve. Here, we investigated two issues of potential significance in terms of antlions and ants imposing selective pressures on one another. First, we determined whether trap-building antlions and sand-dwelling ants closely co-occurred in an area inhabited by both. In the field, we found that ants were the main potential prey items in artificial traps placed inside aggregation zones of antlions and thatFormica cinereaworkers comprised the majority of these ants. Second, we checked whether rescue behavior, a type of prosocial behavior displayed byF. cinereaworkers and performed towards nestmates captured by antlions, reduced the hunting success of the latter. In the laboratory, we found that rescue attempts were very rarely successful. Overall, caution must be used when considering the coevolution of antlions and ants. Clearly, even though these two organisms can closely co-occur, the rescue behavior of ants seems to be unrelated to the predatory threat from antlions.
A Concept Design of TES X-ray Microcalorimeter Array with Different Thickness Absorber Toward the Observation from 50 eV to 15 keV for STEM-EDS
Authors: Hayashi Tasuku , Muramatsu Haruka , Konno Ryohei , Yamasaki Noriko Y. , Mitsuda Kazuhisa , Takano Akira , Maehata Keisuke , Hara Toru
Published: February 2020

We herein report a concept study of a transition edge sensor (TES) X-ray microcalorimeter array with two different thickness absorbers. We developed an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) with a 64-pixel TES array and installed it on a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) for material analysis. One of the key applications of the proposed system is the microanalysis of astromaterials, for which the relative abundance of light elements such as boron, carbon, and oxygen against silicon are crucial. However, the line sensitivity below $$\sim$$∼ 500 eV for the our STEM TES EDS system was not enough to detect the X-ray from light elements because of the relatively high continuum emission and low detection efficiency, which occurs due to the X-ray window and the optical blocking filters. A simple solution to increase line sensitivity at low energy is the adoption of thin X-ray absorbers that leads to an improvement in the energy resolution. However, doing so causes the sensitivity to decrease for high energy lines. Utilizing the spot-size dependence of the polycapillary X-ray optics on energy, which are used in the STEM TES EDS system, we studied a design in which thin absorbers are distributed on the outer area of detector. We optimized the design using the raytracing analysis of optics. A thin (300 nm) absorber is placed on the 52 outer pixels, while a thick (3.5 $$\upmu$$μm) absorber is placed on the central 12 pixels. The thin pixels detect approximately 50–60% of the total counts in 0.1–2 keV, while the central thick pixels detect approximately 50–80% of the total counts in 2–10 keV. We also demonstrated the fabrication process of two-thickness absorber arrays.
Cyclophosphamide treatment evoked side effects on skeletal muscle monitored by DSC
Authors: Lőrinczy Dénes
Published: February 2020

Polyneuropathy is defined as a simultaneous malfunction of several peripheral nerves, which could be a side effect of cancer therapy as well. Many kinds of drugs, supposedly cyclophosphamide, also can induce a disease classified as toxic polyneuropathy. It is well known that a severe problem in the locomotor activity can join to it. Recently, we have no enough information about the attacked points in the structure of muscle proteins, as well as about the change in the interaction of myosin actin. In the present study, we analyse this side effect on skeletal muscle (m. gastrocnemius) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as an established thermal analysis method, to follow the possible consequence of drug treatment in the most important muscle protein. We used cyclophosphamide-treated in vitro animal model (guinea pig) with a comparable dosage and time handling of human protocol to show evidences of this drug-induced effects. According to our results, we could show a dose-dependent difference between thermal parameters (denaturation temperature and calorimetric enthalpy) of untreated and treated samples assigned to their contractile proteins (actin and myosin), which can be detected by DSC. It proved that we can create new possibilities in the detection and prognosis of expected and unwanted side effects of cyclophosphamide, such as change of locomotor activity joined to polyneuropathy.
Computed tomographic evaluation of myocardial ischemia
Authors: Tanabe Yuki , Kurata Akira , Matsuda Takuya , Yoshida Kazuki , Baruah Dhiraj , Kido Teruhito , Mochizuki Teruhito , Rajiah Prabhakar
Published: February 2020

Myocardial ischemia is caused by a mismatch between myocardial oxygen consumption and oxygen delivery in coronary artery disease (CAD). Stratification and decision-making based on ischemia improves the prognosis in patients with CAD. Non-invasive tests used to evaluate myocardial ischemia include stress electrocardiography, echocardiography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Invasive fractional flow reserve is considered the reference standard for assessment of the hemodynamic significance of CAD. Computed tomography (CT) angiography has emerged as a first-line imaging modality for evaluation of CAD, particularly in the population at low to intermediate risk, because of its high negative predictive value; however, CT angiography does not provide information on the hemodynamic significance of stenosis, which lowers its specificity. Emerging techniques, e.g., CT perfusion and CT-fractional flow reserve, help to address this limitation of CT, by determining the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis. CT perfusion involves acquisition during the first pass of contrast medium through the myocardium following pharmacological stress. CT-fractional flow reserve uses computational fluid dynamics to model coronary flow, pressure, and resistance. In this article, we review these two functional CT techniques in the evaluation of myocardial ischemia, including their principles, technology, advantages, limitations, pitfalls, and the current evidence.
Auf den Spuren eines Politikfeldes: Die Institutionalisierung von Internetpolitik in der Ministerialverwaltung
Authors: Hösl Maximilian , Kniep Ronja
Published: February 2020

Neue Politikfelder entstehen auch in alten Institutionen. Der Beitrag zeichnet am Beispiel der Internetpolitik in Deutschland die Institutionalisierung eines Politikfeldes nach. Auf der Grundlage einer Kombination von soziologischer Feldtheorie und diskursivem Institutionalismus und gestützt auf Organigramm-Historien, Interviews mit Ministerialbeamten und Behördenpublikationen nimmt er die Entstehung von internetpolitischen Abteilungen in zwei Ministerien in den Blick: dem Wirtschaftsministerium und dem Innenministerium. Der Aufbau von Abteilungen für Internetpolitik ist zugleich eine Form von Diskursinstitutionalisierung und eine Positionierung der Ministerien im Politikfeld, die sich um die Etablierung und Auslegung neuer gemeinwohlrelevanter Schutzgüter dreht. Neben der Wirtschaft und der nationalen Sicherheit tritt nun auch das Internet als Schutzgut hervor, das von den Ministerien im Kontext der bereits bestehenden Schutzgüter semantisch unterschiedlich, jedoch aufbauorganisatorisch ähnlich ausgelegt und als partiell autonomes Politikfeld institutionalisiert wird.
Towards a Personalized Treatment of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Rabian Florence , Lengline Etienne , Rea Delphine
Published: February 2020

Purpose of Review

Treatment goals and ambitions have even been upwardly revised since demonstration was made that under certain conditions, treatment-free remission was possible. Herein, we will discuss on how to try tailoring treatment choices to the unique characteristics of each patient.

Recent Findings

Since the first-generation ATP-competitive TKI imatinib was made available in the clinic in 2001, second-generation drugs such as dasatinib, nilotinib and bosutinib and the third-generation TKI ponatinib have broadened the therapeutic armamentarium, providing effective salvage against intolerance and different types of resistance, or as frontline options.

Management and outcomes of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia have been revolutionized by the discovery, development, and approval of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Most patients can now expect a near-to normal life expectancy and acceptable quality of life on life-long treatment, providing awareness and avoidance of harmful adverse events, which depend on each TKI safety profile and patient personal background.
Neuropathic Pain Dysregulates Gene Expression of the Forebrain Opioid and Dopamine Systems
Authors: Wawrzczak-Bargieła Agnieszka , Ziółkowska Barbara , Piotrowska Anna , Starnowska-Sokół Joanna , Rojewska Ewelina , Mika Joanna , Przewłocka Barbara , Przewłocki Ryszard
Published: February 2020

Disturbances in the function of the mesostriatal dopamine system may contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic pain, including its sensory and emotional/cognitive aspects. In the present study, we assessed the influence of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve on the expression of genes coding for dopamine and opioid receptors as well as opioid propeptides in the mouse mesostriatal system, particularly in the nucleus accumbens. We demonstrated bilateral increases in mRNA levels of the dopamine D1 and D2 receptors (the latter accompanied by elevated protein level), opioid propeptides proenkephalin and prodynorphin, as well as delta and kappa (but not mu) opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens at 7 to 14 days after CCI. These results show that CCI-induced neuropathic pain is accompanied by a major transcriptional dysregulation of molecules involved in dopaminergic and opioidergic signaling in the striatum/nucleus accumbens. Possible functional consequences of these changes include opposite effects of upregulated enkephalin/delta opioid receptor signaling vs. dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor signaling, with the former most likely having an analgesic effect and the latter exacerbating pain and contributing to pain-related negative emotional states.
A brittleness evaluation method based on breaking energy theory for tight reservoir in Dagang Oilfield
Authors: Zhao Yudong , Gou Xiaoting
Published: February 2020

The tight reservoirs in Dagang Oilfield are deep in burial depth and complex in lithology, and the brittleness evaluation methods commonly used at home and abroad are not accurate enough to effectively guide the design of fracturing. As a result, the fracturing in the early days was low in success rate and not ideal in effect. In this study, from the perspective of breaking energy theory, based on a large number of core experiments, the factors affecting rock failure morphology have been analysed by using the breaking energy theory, and a brittleness evaluation method more suitable for the physical properties of tight reservoirs in Dagang Oilfield has been worked out. The results show that the main parameters affecting brittleness of tight reservoirs in Dagang Oilfield are Young’s modulus, dilatancy angle and peak strain. The correlation coefficient between the brittle index from the new method based on breaking energy theory and rock failure complexity increases to 0.789 compared with 0.329 of the brittle index from Rickman’s evaluation method. The new method solves the problem that previous brittleness index models at home and abroad are not suitable for tight reservoirs in Dagang Oilfield, and provides a theoretical basis for evaluating the fracability of tight reservoirs and improving fracturing effect in Dagang Oilfield.
The challenge of monoculturalism: what books are educators sharing with children and what messages do they send?
Authors: Adam Helen , Barratt-Pugh Caroline
Published: February 2020

The importance of recognising, valuing and respecting a child’s family, culture, language and values is increasingly articulated in educational policy. Diversity and inclusion are central themes of the guiding principles of early childhood education and care in Australia. Children’s literature can be a powerful tool for extending children’s knowledge and understandings of themselves and others who may be different culturally, socially or historically. However, evidence suggests many settings provide monocultural book collections which are counterproductive to principles of diversity. This paper reports on a larger study investigating factors and relationships influencing the use of children’s literature to support principles of cultural diversity in the kindergarten rooms of long day care centres. The study was conducted within an ontological perspective of constructivism and an epistemological perspective of interpretivism informed by sociocultural theory. A mixed methods approach was adopted and convergent design was employed to interpret significant relationships and their meanings. Twenty-four educators and 110 children from four long day care centres in Western Australia participated. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, video-based observations, field notes, document analysis and a book audit. This study identified that current book collections in these four kindergarten rooms of long day care centres promote monocultural viewpoints and ‘othering’ of minority groups through limited access to books portraying inclusive and authentic cultural diversity. These findings have important social justice implications. The outcomes of this study have implications for educators, policy makers, early childhood organisations and those providing higher education and training for early childhood educators.
Knowledge, skills and beetles: respecting the privacy of private experiences in medical education
Authors: Veen Mario , Skelton John , De la Croix Anne
Published: February 2020

In medical education, we assess knowledge, skills, and a third category usually called values or attitudes. While knowledge and skills can be assessed, this third category consists of ‘beetles’, after the philosopher Wittgenstein’s beetle-in-a-box analogy. The analogy demonstrates that private experiences such as pain and hunger are inaccessible to the public, and that we cannot know whether we all experience them in the same way. In this paper, we claim that unlike knowledge and skills, private experiences of medical learners cannot be objectively measured, assessed, or directly accessed in any way. If we try to do this anyway, we risk reducing them to knowledge and skills—thereby making curriculum design choices based on what can be measured rather than what is valuable education, and rewarding zombie-like student behaviour rather than authentic development. We conclude that we should no longer use the model of representation to assess attitudes, emotions, empathy, and other beetles. This amounts to, first of all, shutting the door on objective assessment and investing in professional subjective assessment. Second, changing the way we define ‘fuzzy concepts’ in medical education, and stimulating conversations about ambiguous terms. Third, we should reframe the way we think of competences and realize only part of professional development lies within our control. Most importantly, we should stop attempting to measure the unmeasurable, as it might have negative consequences.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antifungal Drugs: Another Tool to Improve Patient Outcome?
Authors: Vena Antonio , Muñoz Patricia , Mateos Miriam , Guinea Jesus , Galar Alicia , Pea Federico , Alvarez-Uria Ana , Escribano Pilar , Bouza Emilio
Published: February 2020

Introduction

This study aimed to examine the relationship among adequate dose, serum concentration and clinical outcome in a non-selected group of hospitalized patients receiving antifungals.

Methods

Prospective cross-sectional study performed between March 2015 and June 2015. Dosage of antifungals was considered adequate according to the IDSA guidelines, whereas trough serum concentrations (determined with HPLC) were considered adequate as follows: fluconazole > 11 µg/ml, echinocandins > 1 µg/ml, voriconazole 1–5.5 µg/ml and posaconazole > 0.7 µg/ml.

Results

During the study period, 84 patients (65.4% male, 59.6 years) received antifungals for prophylaxis (40.4%), targeted (31.0%) and empirical therapy (28.6%). The most frequent drug was micafungin (28/84; 33.3%) followed by fluconazole (23/84; 27.4%), voriconazole (15/84; 17.9%), anidulafungin (8/84; 9.5%), posaconazole (7/84; 8.3%) and caspofungin (3/84; 3.6%). Considerable interindividual variability was observed for all antifungals with a large proportion of the patients (64.3%) not attaining adequate trough serum concentrations, despite receiving an adequate antifungal dose. Attaining the on-target serum antifungal level was significantly associated with a favorable clinical outcome (OR = 0.02; 95% CI 0.01–0.64; p = 0.03), whereas the administration of an adequate antifungal dosage was not.

Conclusions

With the standard antifungal dosage, a considerable proportion of patients have low drug concentrations, which are associated with poor clinical outcome.
Molten salt synthesis, formation mechanism, and oxidation behavior of nanocrystalline HfB2 powders
Authors: Liu Da , Fu Qiangang , Chu Yanhui
Published: February 2020

Nanocrystalline HfB2 powders were successfully synthesized by molten salt synthesis technique at 1373 K using B and HfO2 as precursors within KCl/NaCl molten salts. The results showed that the as-synthesized powders exhibited an irregular polyhedral morphology with the average particle size of 155 nm and possessed a single-crystalline structure. From a fundamental aspect, we demonstrated the molten-salt assisted formation mechanism that the molten salts could accelerate the diffusion rate of the reactants and improve the chemical reaction rate of the reactants in the system to induce the synthesis of the high-purity nanocrystalline powders. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the oxidation of the as-synthesized HfB2 powders at 773–1073 K in air was the weight gain process and the corresponding oxidation behavior followed parabolic kinetics governed by the diffusion of oxygen in the oxide layer.
Mn-Co-Ni-O thin films prepared by sputtering with alloy target
Authors: Li Ruifeng , Fu Qiuyun , Zou Xiaohua , Zheng Zhiping , Luo Wei , Yan Liang
Published: February 2020

The thin film of heat-sensitive materials has been widely concerned with the current trend of miniaturization and integration of sensors. In this work, Mn1.56Co0.96Ni0.48O4 (MCNO) thin films were prepared on SiO2/Si substrates by sputtering with Mn–Co–Ni alloy target and then annealing in air at different temperatures (650–900 °C). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis indicated that the main crystalline phase of MCNO thin films was spinel crystal structure; the surface of the thin films was very dense and uniform. The electrical properties of the thin films were studied in the temperature range of–5–50 °C. The MCNO thin film with a low room temperature resistance R25 of 71.1 kΩ and a high thermosensitive constant B value of 3305 K was obtained at 750 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that the concentration of Mn3+ and Mn4+ cations in MCNO thin films is the highest when annealing temperature is 750 °C. The complex impedance analysis revealed internal conduction mechanism of the MCNO thin film and the resistance of the thin film was dominated by grain boundary resistance.
Electrical properties and luminescence properties of 0.96(K0.48Na0.52)(Nb0.95Sb0.05)–0.04Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5ZrO3-xSm lead-free ceramics
Authors: Li Wei , Hao Jigong , Li Wei , Du Juan , Fu Peng , Sun Wenzhi , Chen Chong , Xu Zhijun , Chu Ruiqing
Published: February 2020

In this paper, Sm-doped 0.96(K0.48Na0.52)(Nb0.95Sb0.05)–0.04Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5ZrO3(abbreviated as KNSN–0.04BNKZ) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state sintering method and the effects of Sm2O3on the phase structure, microstructure, electrical and luminescent properties of KNSN–0.04BNKZ potteries were studied. Results revealed that a single solid solution phase with pseudo-cubic perovskite structure was formed between KNSN–0.04BNKZ and Sm2O3. Existence of weak dielectric/ferroelectric properties with a diffuse dielectric anomaly and slimP–Ehysteresis loops of the Sm-doped KNSN–0.04BNKZ demonstrated the ferroelectric relaxor behavior of the KNNS–0.04BNKZ–xSm ceramics. Accordingly, the temperature stability and fatigue behavior of the modified ceramics were significantly improved. It was found that the KNSN–0.04BNKZ ceramics with 0.002 mol Sm addition exhibited nearly temperature independent properties and fatigue-free behavior. Moreover, Sm-modified KNSN–0.04BNKZ exhibits a bright photoluminescence with a strong orange emission under visible light irradiation. As a material with both electrical and luminescent properties, it has good application prospect in future optoelectronic components by integrating its luminescent and electrical properties.
The impact of food-related behaviours and emotional functioning on body mass index in an adult sample
Authors: Czepczor-Bernat Kamila , Brytek-Matera Anna
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of food-related behaviours (emotional eating, snacking) and emotional functioning (negative emotions, stress, emotional dysregulation) on body mass index in an adult sample. Direct and indirect relationships of the above-mentioned variables were examined.

Methods

The total sample comprised 298 adults. All participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Feeling of Stress Questionnaire and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire.

Results

Our findings showed that food-related behaviours and emotional functioning are related to body mass index in adults. In addition, emotional dysregulation and negative emotions did not have direct impact on snacking. Moreover, snacking did not have a direct impact on body mass index. However, snacking had an indirect effect on body mass index (through emotional eating). The other relationships were significant and consistent with the hypothesised positive direction.

Conclusion

We found significant relationships among (almost all) food-related behaviours, emotional functioning and body mass index in adults. However, future research on pathways from negative emotions/emotional dysregulation to snacking and from snacking to BMI should be conducted.

Level of evidence

Level V, descriptive study.
Atmospheric disturbance on the gas explosion in closed fire zone
Authors: Duan Yulong , Wang Shuo , Wang Wenhe , Zheng Kai
Published: February 2020

In order to avoid serious safety accidents caused by closed fire zone, based on the continuous monitoring of atmospheric pressure at different monitoring points in multiple mines, the atmospheric pressure fluctuation model and the air leakage model were established and analyzed. The change law with time of oxygen concentration and gas concentration in the fire zone were obtained due to atmospheric disturbances under the influence of different pressure difference, volume and size of fire area, wind resistance, gas emission, sealing moments, etc. so as to evaluate the explosion risk of a closed fire zone. Research showed that the mine atmosphere fluctuates with the atmosphere of ground, and the pressure difference between the inner and outer sides of the enclosed fire zone is affected by the periodic fluctuation of atmosphere, which has about 16-h cosine fluctuation and approximate 8-h fixed value. Compared with the fire zone with poor sealing quality, good sealing fire zone has better resistance to atmospheric disturbance. The reduction of oxygen concentration in the inner side of a well-sealed fire zone mainly depends on the dilution of methane, which is more likely to accumulate and rise rapidly. And the fire zone with poor sealing quality is easy to be interfered. The inner oxygen concentration and gas concentration are easily affected by the absolute gas emission and the air leakage in the fire zone. Fire zone with small wind resistance and small volume is especially obvious. At the initial stage of the closed fire zone it's very possible to happen explosion. The time duration of explosion danger varies under different conditions, and the atmospheric disturbance may lead to repeated explosions in some cases. It's suggested to take some methods to avoid explosions according to the real-time situation, closure time, oxygen concentration and gas concentration of fire zone.
CO2 and SO2 emission characteristics of the whole process industry chain of coal processing and utilization in China
Authors: Zhu Tao , Wang Ruonan , Yi Nengjing , Niu Wenfeng , Wang Lifeng , Xue Zeyu
Published: February 2020

The total coal consumption in China is on the rise. The characteristics of CO2 and SO2 emissions in the whole process of coal processing and utilization in China are worthy of study. Based on the five links of the whole process of coal production and utilization, including coal production, raw coal processing, logistics and transportation, conversion and utilization and resource utilization, this paper summarized and analyzed the energy consumption and pollutant emission sources of these five links, combined with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s AP-42 method and IPCC method, to calculate total pollutant discharge and emission factors, where the emission factors were corrected by conversion efficiency. At the same time, uncertainty analysis is performed about CO2 and SO2 emissions. The results showed that CO2 emissions were 3.657 billion tons, and emission reductions were 61 million tons, and SO2 emissions were 4,844,500 tons, and emission reductions were 10.3595 million tons in 2015.
Rationalitätsforderungen als konstitutive Normen
Authors: Zahn Jonas
Published: February 2020

In der zeitgenössischen metaethischen Literatur gibt es eine gängige Unterscheidung zwischen zwei Arten von Sollen: dem Sollen substanzieller normativer Gründe und dem Sollen struktureller Forderungen oder Prinzipien der Rationalität (I.). Diese Unterscheidung zwischen Gründesollen und rationalem Sollen führt zur Frage, wie beide zusammenhängen. Eine weit verbreitete Theorie behauptet, dass die Normativität des rationalen Sollens durch die Normativität des Gründesollens zu erklären ist (II.). Ich argumentiere dafür, dass keine Variante dieser Theorie des Primats normativer Gründe in der Lage ist, die Normativität des rationalen Sollens befriedigend zu erklären (III.). Aus meiner Kritik leite ich zwei Adäquatheitsbedingungen ab, die eine Theorie der Normativität der Rationalität einholen muss. Im letzten Teil skizziere ich eine alternative Theorie, deren grundlegender Gedanke ist, dass Rationalitätsforderungen als konstitutive Normen vernünftiger Aktivität zu verstehen sind. Wie ich zeigen werde, verspricht sie beide Adäquatheitsbedingungen einzuholen (IV.).
The Role of Mathematics in Evolutionary Theory
Authors: Otsuka Jun
Published: February 2020

The central role of mathematical modeling in modern evolutionary theory has raised a concern as to why and how abstract formulae can say anything about empirical phenomena of evolution. This Element introduces existing philosophical approaches to this problem and proposes a new account according to which evolutionary models are based on causal, and not just mathematical, assumptions. The novel account features causal models both as the Humean 'uniform nature' underlying evolutionary induction and as the organizing framework that integrates mathematical and empirical assumptions into a cohesive network of beliefs that functions together to achieve epistemic goals of evolutionary biology.
STRANDED ASSETS AND SOVEREIGN STATES
Authors: Jaffe Amy Myers
Published: February 2020

There is evidence that the risk of stranded assets in the oil and gas sector is underpriced in financial markets. Publicly traded Western oil and gas companies are starting to write down assets, opening up the possibility that more rationalisation of value is likely to come. To the extent that large oil companies diversify portfolios to include cleaner energy and carbon sequestration technologies, it could reduce the risk of a sudden cascading change in the stock valuation of these firms and related bond and credit markets. Instead, the vast majority of oil and gas assets that will be stranded are in the control of sovereign states whose national budgets are highly dependent on oil and gas revenues. Thus, the problem of stranded asset risk for the oil and gas sector may be most relevant in markets for sovereign credit as well as risks that go beyond financial losses.
DOES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION CONSTITUTE A BARRIER TO RENEWABLE ENERGY? AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Li Jinkai , Omoju Oluwasola E. , Zhang Jin , Ikhide Emily E. , Lu Gang , Lawal Adedoyin I. , Ozue Vivian A.
Published: February 2020

This study uses an econometric approach to investigate the role of IPR protection on renewable energy adoption using panel data of 102 countries at five-year intervals over the period 1990–2005. The Ginarte-Park index is used as a measure of the strength of intellectual property protection while the adoption of renewable energy is measured by the share of renewable energy in total final energy use. The results reveal that the level of intellectual property rights protection and reform of the intellectual property rights regime do not have significant impact on renewable energy adoption, suggesting that IPR protection is not a cause for concern in the global quest for clean energy transition. On the contrary, we find that trade openness has a stronger influence in the transition to clean energy. Based on the findings of the study, we conclude that IPR protection does not influence renewable energy adoption except in high R&D countries; rather policy makers should concentrate efforts on economic factors, such as trade openness, that drive the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
New methods of geothermal potential assessment in the Pannonian basin
Authors: Nádor Annamária , Sebess-Zilahi László , Rotár-Szalkai Ágnes , Gulyás Ágnes , Markovic Tamara
Published: February 2020

The Pannonian basin in Central Europe is well known for its rich geothermal resources. Although geothermal energy has been utilised, mainly for direct use purposes, for a long time, there are still a lot of untapped resources. This paper presents novel methods for outlining and assessing the theoretical and technical potential of partly still unknown geothermal reservoirs, based on a case study from the Dráva basin, one of the sub-basins of the Pannonian basin along the Hungarian–Croatian border. The presented methods include reservoir delineation based on combining geological bounding surfaces of the Upper Pannonian basin-fill units with a set of isotherms deriving from a conductive geothermal model. The geothermal potential of each identified reservoir was calculated by a Monte Carlo method, which was considered as being represented by the heat content of the fluids stored in the effective pore space (‘moveable fluid’). The results underline the great untapped geothermal potential of the Dráva basin, especially that of the reservoir storing thermal water of 50–75°C, which has the largest volume and the greatest stored heat content.
Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy derived by reduced-rank regression and birth weight in the Chinese population
Authors: Liu Danmeng , Cheng Yue , Mi Baibing , Zeng Lingxia , Qu Pengfei , Li Shanshan , Zhang Ruo , Qi Qi , Wu Chenlu , Gao Xiangyu , Liu Yezhou , Dang Shaonong , Yan Hong
Published: February 2020

Few studies have investigated the association between maternal dietary patterns (DP) during pregnancy, derived from reduced-rank regression (RRR), and fetal growth. This study aims to identify DP during pregnancy associated with macro- and micronutrient intakes, using the RRR method, and to examine their relationship with birth weight (BW). We used data of 7194 women from a large-scale cross-sectional survey in Northwest China. Dietary protein, carbohydrate, haem Fe density and the ratio of PUFA and MUFA:SFA were used as the intermediate variables in the RRR model to extract DP. Generalised estimating equation models were applied to evaluate the associations between DP and BW and related outcomes (including BW z-score, low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA)). Four DP during pregnancy were identified. Socio-demographically disadvantaged pregnant women were more likely to have lower BW and lower adherence to DP1 (high legumes, soyabean products, vegetables and animal-source foods, with relative low wheat and oils). Women with medium and high adherence to DP1 had significantly increased BW (medium 28·6 (95 % CI 7·1, 50·1); high 25·2 (95 % CI 2·7, 47·6)) and BW z-score and had significantly reduced risks of LBW and SGA. The associations were stronger among women with babies <3100 g. There is no association between other DP and outcomes. Higher adherence to the DP that was high in legumes, soyabean products, vegetables and animal-source foods was associated with improved BW in the Chinese pregnant women, particularly among those with disadvantageous socio-demographic conditions.