bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stage I‐laparoscopy partial ALPPS procedure for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Balci Deniz , Kirimker Elvan Onur , Üstüner Evren , Yilmaz Ali Abbas , Azap Alpay
Published: February 2020

The treatment for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is a challenge for the surgeon requiring complex resections with a reported perioperative mortality rate between 15% and 48%. In PHC patients with future liver remnant (FLR) less than 30%, it is advised that hepatectomy can be safely performed after the FLR is modified. Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) procedure is criticized heavily due to its high morbidity and mortality rate in this setting. Hereby, we are reporting a modification of ALPPS procedure for PHC. Clinical presentation, preoperative work‐up as well as operation and postoperative course of two cases were described in detail. Both patients were jaundiced preoperatively, stage 1 partial‐ALPPS procedures were performed laparoscopically, there was sufficient remnant hypertrophy during the interval stage and there was no posthepatectomy liver failure after the second stage (Supporting Information Video). We have followed patients with a mean follow up of 35 months without any recurrence. Here we describe the key technical aspects of this approach that are discussed in three parts: minimally invasive first stage, biliary drainage of both FLR, and deportalized liver at first stage and biliary reconstruction at the second stage. This technique, in selected patients, can extend the indication of ALPPS procedure for PHC with preoperative jaundice.
Thermally Triggered Injectable Underwater Adhesives
Authors: Vahdati Mehdi , Ducouret Guylaine , Creton Costantino , Hourdet Dominique
Published: February 2020

A novel bioinspired underwater adhesive based on the injectable aqueous solution of a graft copolymer with a thermoresponsive backbone is reported, which turns into a sticky hydrogel just below body temperature. With this topology, the collapse of the backbones upon the thermal transition leads to the formation of a percolating network of strong hydrophobic domains. Similar to pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs), the hydrogel goes through fibrillation and extensive energy dissipation in large deformations, giving it an edge over conventional chemical hydrogels, which are typically elastic and inherently nonsticky. This capability comes from the hydrophobic nanoscaffold, which resists large deformations to minimize its contact with water. Since hydrophobic interactions are not weakened in water, the behavior of the hydrogel is maintained in aqueous medium. Chemistry‐insensitive adhesion of this hydrogel offers a major advantage over current injectable adhesives, which rely on in situ chemical crosslinking reactions with tissues.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Chemical Sensors Based on Amorphous Chalcogenide Waveguides
Authors: Baschir Laurentiu , Popescu Aurelian A. , Savastru Dan , Miclos Sorin
Published: February 2020

Software uses matrices method for finding the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is developed and calculations are provided for four‐layer thin‐film geometry. Numerical simulations concerning SPR curves with As2S3 amorphous chalcogenide film are done. The structure is very sensitive to changes of refractive indices of liquids that are in contact with amorphous film. The SPR sharpness is higher in comparison with well‐known three‐layer Kretschmann configuration that means better sensibility up to 10−5 of chemical sensors based on optical SPR.
A Novel Polystyrene Nanocomposite with Fully Phenyl POSSs Functionalized
Authors: Blanco Ignazio , Bottino Francesco A. , Ognibene Giulia , Cicala Gianluca
Published: February 2020

Two novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes/polystyrene (POSS/PS) nanocomposites are synthesized by in situ polymerization of styrene, in the presence of 5% w/w of POSS in which two identical silicon cages Ar7(SiO1.5)8 (with Ar═Phenyl) are linked to different rigid molecular bridges. The obtained nanocomposites are characterized by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The resistance to the thermal degradation is evaluated by measuring the temperature at 5% mass loss (T5%), whose values for the prepared nanocomposites are largely higher than those found for PS, in the same experimental conditions. SEM analysis showed a good dispersion of the molecular filler within the matrix, thus providing a justification for the increasing in PS/POSSs thermal stability.
Improper Plastic Rim Design
Authors: Tres Paul A.
Published: February 2020

Plastic product design involves actual part design, material selection, tool design, processing, testing, and final product validation. This paper discusses all the above steps for a component which catastrophically failed while being used by the customer.
Statical Analysis of Slosh Noise Baffle
Authors: Manta (Balaş) Oana‐Maria , Balaş Radu , Murzac Roman , Ulmeanu Mihaela , Doicin Cristian Vasile
Published: February 2020

The aim of this article is to analyze the behavior of baffle solution assembled on a pump module inside an automotive fuel tank. The originality comes from the baffle design which is adapted to a serial life tank definition to decrease the slosh noise impact generated by over storage of kinetic energy. The hypothesis that stays at the basis of the static analysis is to evaluate the deformation and the yielding strength considering a calculated maximum possible theoretical force existent in the fuel tank. The added value of this study is to identify the limitations of the technical solution to decide if design modifications for further studies should be considered for physical tests.
Directional beaming of surface plasmon polaritons from a metallic nanochannels with defected surface cavity
Authors: Mudhafer A. , Shaaban Raed M. , Shary Diyah K.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, the directional excitation of surface plasmon polarities (SPPs) was investigated with numerical simulations in two plasmonic structures based on the metallic nanochannels with bumps. The simulation of SPPs and directional propagating fields on the output interface was carried out by employing a finite element method implemented by COMSOL Multiphysics. By analyzing behavior of the instantaneous electric field and power flow, the introduction of dielectric‐metal (DM) bumps produced an enhancement of the directionality and confinement of the output field in comparison with the case of metallic bumps. Since the DM bumps can form the vertical MDM Fabry‐Pérot (FP) cavity modes which are coupling with FP surface cavity modes between two bumps. The simulation results show that the optimized FP cavity length, dielectric thickness of layer in DM bumps and dielectric thickness of the layer between two bumps is crucial for the enhancement of the directional beaming effects. It is hoped that these outcomes can be used in several potential applications such as directional coupler (generator), plasmonic circuits, and nanoresolution optical beaming.
Position of Ibero‐American Society of Neurourology and UroGynecology (SINUG) on the use of vaginal meshes in pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Martín‐Martínez Alicia , Müller‐Arteaga Carlos , Blasco‐Hernández Pedro , Padilla‐Fernández Bárbara , Martínez‐García Roberto , Errando‐Smet Carlos , Vicente‐Palacio Eduardo , Cruz Francisco , Castro‐Díaz David , López‐Fando Luis , Ros‐Cerro Cristina , Arlandis‐Guzmán Salvador , Espuña‐Pons Montserrat
Published: February 2020

Aims

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a very prevalent condition with a great impact on women's quality of life. At present, there is great controversy regarding the use of mesh in POP surgery. To understand the current moment, it is advisable to make a brief summary of the historical evolution of mesh use for pelvic floor pathology. The aim of this paper is to establish the position of the Ibero‐American Society of Neurourology and UroGynecology (SINUG for its acronym in Spanish) regarding vaginal mesh reconstructive surgery.

Methods

A working committee from the SINUG's scientific board performed a literature search about the use of vaginal meshes for pelvic organ prolapse reconstructive surgery and about the position of different societies. We analyzed the evolution into three periods: before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement, FDA statement, and after the statement. SINUG drew up a position statement regarding vaginal mesh reconstructive surgery, based on the available scientific evidence and the evolution of its use in different contexts.

Results

Before mesh appearance in the 1990s, native tissue repair was the surgical treatment of choice for POP. Vaginal mesh reconstructive surgery has been frequently accompanied by procedure underestimation by inexperienced surgeons, besides inadequate diagnoses and indications. This situation led to the presentation of serious complications including mesh extrusion, exposure, and contraction.

Conclusions

Once reviewed the available evidence and the position of different societies, SINUG presents its vision in this communication, which is a summary of the document prepared by the society's scientific board.
Outcomes of Macroplastique injections for stress urinary incontinence after suburethral sling removal
Authors: Rodríguez Dayron , Carroll Timothy , Alhalabi Feras , Carmel Maude , Zimmern Philippe E.
Published: February 2020

Introduction

To evaluate outcomes following urethral Macroplastique (MPQ) injection in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following suburethral sling removal (SSR) for synthetic sling complications.

Methods

Following Institutional Review Board approval, charts of non‐neurogenic women with SUI after SSR who underwent MPQ injection(s) and had at least 6 months minimum follow‐up were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Demographic data, questionnaire (Urogenital Distress Inventory‐6 [UDI‐6] and Quality of Life) scores, and pad usage were recorded. Patients were followed with repeat questionnaires and three‐dimensional ultrasound evaluating MPQ volume. Success following MPQ was defined as a composite score of a UDI‐6 question 3 score of 0 to 1 at last visit and no additional anti‐incontinence therapy.

Results

From 2011 to 2018, 70 women with mean age 62.7 years met study criteria. At a mean follow‐up of 46.4 ± 1.5 months, the success rate after the first MPQ injection was 46%. Following a repeat MPQ injection when indicated, the overall success rate for the entire cohort was 69%. Despite the objective failure, the majority of patients reported subjective improvement (83%) and reduced pad usage (78%). On multivariate analysis: age, body mass index, previous hysterectomy, hormone replacement therapy, type of sling removed and baseline urodynamics (UDS) parameters were not predictors of MPQ failure. Higher parity was a predictor of MPQ failure (hazard ratio = 1.980; P = .032).

Conclusion

MPQ injection is a durable and effective management option for SUI following SSR, although a second injection may be required to achieve the desired success.
Design optimization using multiple dominance relations
Authors: Cook Laurence W. , Willcox Karen E. , Jarrett Jerome P.
Published: February 2020

A challenge in engineering design is to choose suitable objectives and constraints from many quantities of interest, while ensuring an optimization is both meaningful and computationally tractable. We propose an optimization formulation that can take account of more quantities of interest than existing formulations, without reducing the tractability of the problem. This formulation searches for designs that are optimal with respect to a binary relation within the set of designs that are optimal with respect to another binary relation. We then propose a method of finding such designs in a single optimization by defining an overall ranking function to use in optimizers, reducing the cost required to solve this formulation. In a design under uncertainty problem, our method obtains the most robust design that is not stochastically dominated faster than a multiobjective optimization. In a car suspension design problem, our method obtains superior designs according to a k‐optimality condition than previously suggested multiobjective approaches to this problem. In an airfoil design problem, our method obtains designs closer to the true lift/drag Pareto front using the same computational budget as a multiobjective optimization.
Mechanical, tribological, and biological properties of carbon fiber/hydroxyapatite reinforced hybrid composites
Authors: Akgul Yasin , Ahlatci Hayrettin , Turan Muhammet E. , Simsir Hamza , Erden Mehmet A. , Sun Yavuz , Kilic Ali
Published: February 2020

The present study aims to investigate the effect of short carbon fiber (SCFs) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) content on mechanical, tribological, and biological properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composites. The proposed HDPE/SCFs‐HAp hybrid composites with good mechanical‐tribological behavior and biocompatibility might be used as novel implants in orthopedics. The composites were developed using twin‐screw extrusion and compression molding methods. Hardness, tensile, and 3‐point bending tests were performed to investigate the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. To evaluate wear performance of the samples, three different loads (10, 20, and 30 N) were applied in simulated body fluid. Biological activities of the hybrid composite samples were investigated. Results show that HDPE‐10%SCFs‐10%HAp sample provides optimum mechanical, tribological, and biological properties.
Effectiveness by gender and age of renin‐angiotensin system blockade in heart failure—A national register‐based cohort study
Authors: Ohlsson Anna , Lindahl Bertil , Pingel Ronnie , Hanning Marianne , Westerling Ragnar
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Investigate effectiveness by gender and age and equity implications of treatment with renin‐angiotensin system blockade (RASb) in heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods

In this population‐based register study, we used inpatient data from 2006 to 2010 for patients age 20 years or older with no HF hospitalisation for minimum of 1 year before an index hospitalisation. A wash‐out period for RASb of 6 months preceding admission was used.

Hospital data were linked with drug dispensation data and cause of death data. The associations between time‐dependent RASb exposure and all‐cause death and HF death, respectively, were examined by Cox regression models. Interactions by gender and age were also investigated on the multiplicative and additive scales.

Results

Thirty thousand seven hundred twenty‐one patients were analysed. Fifty‐one percent were women. Median age was 83. Fifty‐three percent of women and 64% of men received RASb after the index hospitalisation. Younger patients were more likely to receive RASb than older ones. One‐year mortality was 28%. RASb was associated with an overall hazard ratio (HR) for all‐cause death of 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.69‐0.75), and an HR of 0.85 (0.77‐0.93) for HF death. Interaction analyses showed HRs for all‐cause death associated with RASb between 0.12 (0.10‐0.13) in the youngest, and 0.80 (0.76‐0.84) in the oldest patients.

Conclusions

RASb appeared effective for women and men and for patients of all ages in this hospitalised HF cohort. No gender difference in effectiveness was found. RASb exposure was low overall, indicating a need for improved adherence to treatment guidelines. Treatment with RASb may be inequitable for women and older patients.
Registration of glandless ‘NuMex COT 17 GLS’ upland cotton cultivar with Fusarium wilt race 4 resistance
Authors: Zhang Jinfa , Idowu Omololu J. , Wedegaertner Tom
Published: February 2020

The New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station announces the release of a glandless ‘NuMex COT 17 GLS’ cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (Reg. no. CV‐141, PI 691837), which carries the incomplete dominant glandless allele Gl2e. NuMex COT 17 GLS was derived from an advanced backcross progeny of a cross between the Gl2e allele donor ‘Bahtim 110’ (G. barbadense L.) and glanded upland cotton ‘CRI 12’, followed by five backcrosses with glanded upland ‘CRI 35’ as the recurrent parent. It is resistant to Fusarium wilt (FW) race 4, with a level of resistance similar to the resistant checks ‘PHY 802RF’ and ‘PHY 811RF’, when evaluated in two naturally infected fields in California, and it is more resistant than ‘Acala 1517‐08’ when evaluated in the greenhouse in New Mexico. This new cultivar was tested in seven replicated field trials in New Mexico in 2013–2017 and in 11 tests across nine states in 2014. Compared with glandless ‘Acala GLS’, ‘Acala 1517‐18 GLS’, and ‘NuMex COT 15 GLS’, NuMex COT 17 GLS yielded 26, 16, and 13% more lint, respectively, and produced 93% of glanded Acala 1517‐08 yield. It had significantly higher lint percentage than all the check cultivars. It is classified as a medium staple with fiber quality inferior to long‐staple Acala cotton cultivars. NuMex COT 17 GLS is especially adapted to the Mississippi Delta and was the top yielder in the region. It is resistant to four races of bacterial blight and less susceptible to Alternaria leaf spot than Acala 1517‐08. The release of NuMex COT 17 GLS represents one of the first successful introgressions from G. barbadense germplasm with FW race 4 resistance.
A comparison of prostate cancer cell transcriptomes in 2D monoculture vs 3D xenografts identify consistent gene expression alterations associated with tumor microenvironments
Authors: Brady Lauren , Gil da Costa Rui M. , Coleman Ilsa M. , Matson Clinton K. , Risk Michael C. , Coleman Roger T. , Nelson Peter S.
Published: February 2020

Background

Prostate cancer (PC) research has relied heavily on patient‐derived cell lines, which may be used for in vitro (two‐dimensional [2D]) studies or cultivated as three‐dimensional (3D) xenografts in mice. These approaches are likely to have differential impacts on cell phenotypes, with implications for experimental outcomes. Therefore, defining and comparing the transcriptional signatures associated with 2D and 3D approaches may be useful for designing experiments and interpreting research results.

Methods

In this study, LNCaP, VCaP, and 22Rv1 human PC cells were either cultivated in monolayers or as xenografts in NOD SCID mice, and their gene transcription profiles were quantitated and compared using microarray and real‐time polymerase chain reaction techniques. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate protein expression in cancer cell xenografts.

Results

Comparisons of gene expression profiles of tumor cells grown in 2D vs 3D environments identified gene sets featuring similar expression patterns in all three cancer cell lines and unique transcriptional signatures associated with 3D vs 2D growth. Pathways related to cell‐cell interactions, differentiation, and the extracellular matrix were enriched in 3D conditions. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that gene upregulation in xenografts occurred in implanted cancer cells and not in mouse stromal cells. Cultivating cells in vitro in the presence of mouse, rather than bovine serum failed to elicit the gene transcription profile observed in xenografts, further supporting the hypothesis that this profile reflects 3D growth and enhanced microenvironmental interactions, rather than exposure to species‐specific serum factors.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings define the expression profiles observed in PC cells cultivated in 2D monolayers and in 3D xenografts, highlighting differentially regulated pathways in each setting and providing information for interpreting research results in model systems.
Time‐Resolved Quantification of Nanoparticle Uptake, Distribution, and Impact in Precision‐Cut Liver Slices
Authors: Bartucci Roberta , Åberg Christoffer , Melgert Barbro N. , Boersma Ykelien L. , Olinga Peter , Salvati Anna
Published: February 2020

Much effort within the nanosafety field is currently focused on the use of advanced in vitro models to reduce the gap between in vitro and in vivo studies. Within this context, precision‐cut tissue slices are a unique ex vivo model to investigate nanoparticle impact using live tissue from laboratory animals and even humans. However, several aspects of the basic mechanisms of nanoparticle interactions with tissue have not yet been elucidated. To this end, liver slices are exposed to carboxylated and amino‐modified polystyrene known to have a different impact on cells. As observed in standard cell cultures, amino‐modified polystyrene nanoparticles induce apoptosis, and their impact is affected by the corona forming on their surface in biological fluids. Subsequently, a detailed time‐resolved study of nanoparticle uptake and distribution in the tissue is performed, combining fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry on cells recovered after tissue digestion. As observed in vivo, the Kupffer cells accumulate high nanoparticle amounts and, interestingly, they move within the tissue towards the slice borders. Similar observations are reproduced in liver slices from human tissue. Thus, tissue slices can be used to reproduce ex vivo important features of nanoparticle outcomes in the liver and study nanoparticle impact on real tissue.
Numerical Study on the Effect of a Novel Swirling Flow Generator for Submerged Entry Nozzle in Tundish
Authors: Yan Jianchuan , Li Tao , Yang Shufeng , Shang Zhiqiang , Tan Min
Published: February 2020

The swirling flow in the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is found to significantly improve the flow pattern in the mold, as well as the quality of the steel products. However, the devices generating swirling flow designed so far are mostly limited to be applied in the industries due to the cost, lifetime, external facility, and so on. Herein, a novel swirling flow generator (SFG) is intended to be installed in the conventional tundish to generate a swirling flow in the SEN driven by the gravitational potential energy of the molten steel. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to investigate the effects of the SFG by comparing the flow pattern in the conventional tundish. The result shows that a swirling flow is produced in the SEN without bringing a serious disturbance to the flow distribution in the tundish. The flow in the SEN becomes much even by adopting the SFG and the swirling velocity is found to decrease with the increasing distance from the bottom of the tundish. A parameter called swirling intensity is proposed to quantitatively evaluate the intensity of the swirling in the SEN.
Phylogeny, biogeography, and morphological evolution among and within the Neotropical and Asian clades of Schefflera (Araliaceae)
Authors: Plunkett Gregory M. , Lowry Porter P. , Fiaschi Pedro , Frodin David G. , Nicolas Antoine N.
Published: February 2020

Schefflera is the largest and most complex genus of Araliaceae, with ~600 described species (and many additional species awaiting formal description), but recent studies indicate that it is polyphyletic, forming five geographically centered clades spread across the major lineages of the family. Significant progress has been made in revising the three smallest clades, but the two largest groups, centered in Asia and the Neotropics, remain poorly understood. To advance our knowledge of these groups, a taxon set of 211 Schefflera samples and 38 samples representing other genera of Araliaceae (including all genera of the “Asian Palmate clade”) was assembled, from which sequences were obtained for six DNA spacer regions, including two nuclear (ITS, ETS) and four plastid markers (rpl32‐trnL, trnF‐rpl32, trnK‐rpl16, psbA‐trnH). Results were compared to an informal system of classification based on morphology. They confirm the monophyly of both the Asian and Neotropical groups, and their inclusion within the Asian Palmate clade, but not as sister groups. In the Neotropical clade, five major subclades can be recognized, four corresponding closely to morphological groupings (Cephalopanax, Crepinella, Didymopanax, Sciodaphyllum) and one that is geographically coherent (Gleasonia). Within Asian Schefflera, there are four major subclades, corresponding closely to currently recognized informal groups (Agalma, Heptaphyllum, Heptapleurum, Hypoleucoi). Biogeographic analyses suggest that both the Asian and Neotropical groups can trace their origins to SE Asia, where Asian Schefflera is still well represented and where Chengiopanax, the possible sister group of Neotropical Schefflera, is native. Trait‐evolution analyses of a remarkable series of convergences in habit, foliar, and reproductive characters suggest multiple independent origins (and some reversals), both within and between the Neotropical and Asian clades of Schefflera.
Experimental variation in the spatial deposition of trace metals in feathers revealed using synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Akhter Fardausi , Fairhurst Graham D. , Blanchard Peter E. R. , Machin Karen L. , Blyth Rob I. R. , Thompson Julie , McLeod Jamille , Feng Renfei , Soos Catherine
Published: February 2020

Feathers can be used to investigate exposure to pollution in birds because they are a secondary route for the excretion of trace elements. Evidence based on analytical imaging and spectroscopy suggests that the spatial distribution of the essential trace element zinc within feathers is related to melanin pigmentation. However, our understanding of how trace elements are deposited into growing feathers is poor and has been hampered by a lack of analytical tools to examine the localization of trace elements within a feather. Here, synchrotron micro X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to map zinc directly within the barb and barbules of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) feathers grown after experimental increases in dietary zinc. The results showed distinct spatial variation in zinc within barbs and barbules, with higher levels observed in the latter. Furthermore, increases in dietary zinc were found to increase the relative levels of zinc throughout the barbules from the base to the tip of the feather. Finally, analysis of feather cross sections revealed that regions of the feather barb and barbules with higher melanosome density also contained higher levels of zinc. These results provide a more detailed understanding of zinc and melanosome arrangement within the feather barb and barbules. Moreover, these results provide further support for the use of feathers as a noninvasive tool to study exposure to trace elements and highlight the utility of X‐ray spectroscopy in studies investigating impacts of a rapidly changing environment on wild bird health.
Super-exceptional geometry: origin of heterotic M-theory and super-exceptional embedding construction of M5
Authors: Fiorenza Domenico , Sati Hisham , Schreiber Urs
Published: February 2020

Abstract

In the quest for the mathematical formulation of M-theory, we consider three major open problems: a first-principles construction of the single (abelian) M5-brane Lagrangian density, the origin of the gauge field in heterotic M-theory, and the supersymmetric enhancement of exceptional M-geometry. By combining techniques from homotopy theory and from supergeometry to what we call super-exceptional geometry within super-homotopy theory, we present an elegant joint solution to all three problems. This leads to a unified description of the Nambu-Goto, Perry-Schwarz, and topological Yang-Mills Lagrangians in the topologically nontrivial setting. After explaining how charge quantization of the C-field in Cohomotopy reveals D’Auria-Fré’s “hidden supergroup” of 11d supergravity as the super-exceptional target space, in the sense of Bandos, for M5-brane sigma-models, we prove, in exceptional generalization of the doubly-supersymmetric super-embedding formalism, that a Perry-Schwarz-type Lagrangian for single (abelian) $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) M5-branes emerges as the super-exceptional trivialization of the M5-brane cocycle along the super-exceptional embedding of the “half ” M5-brane locus, super-exceptionally compactified on the Hořava-Witten circle fiber. From inspection of the resulting 5d super Yang-Mills Lagrangian we find that the extra fermion field appearing in super-exceptional M-geometry, whose physical interpretation had remained open, is the M-theoretic avatar of the gaugino field.
Quantization of a self-dual conformal theory in (2 + 1) dimensions
Authors: Andreucci Francesco , Cappelli Andrea , Maffi Lorenzo
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Compact nonlocal Abelian gauge theory in (2 + 1) dimensions, also known as loop model, is a massless theory with a critical line that is explicitly covariant under duality transformations. It corresponds to the large NF limit of self-dual electrodynamics in mixed three-four dimensions. It also provides a bosonic description for surface excitations of three-dimensional topological insulators. Upon mapping the model to a local gauge theory in (3 + 1) dimensions, we compute the spectrum of electric and magnetic solitonic excitations and the partition function on the three torus $$ {\mathbbm{T}}_3 $$

T
3

. Analogous results for the S2 × S1 geometry show that the theory is conformal invariant and determine the manifestly self-dual spectrum of conformal fields, corresponding to order-disorder excitations with fractional statistics.
Aussehensbezogene Zurückweisungssensitivität bei körperdysmorpher Störung und Essstörungen
Authors: Schmidt M. , Grocholewski A. , Kollei I. , Ritter V. , Hartmann A. S.
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund

Die körperdysmorphe Störung (KDS) und die Essstörungen (ESS) weisen erhebliche Symptomüberschneidungen auf, was die Differenzialdiagnose erschwert. Die Psychopathologie der beiden Störungen deutet auf die aussehensbezogene Zurückweisungssensitivität („appearance-based rejection sensitivity“, ARS) als mögliches differenzierendes Merkmal hin.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Studie soll Hinweise zu einer Verbesserung der Differenzialdiagnostik zwischen KDS und ESS geben. Dazu wurden die Störungen hinsichtlich der ARS miteinander verglichen. Auf Basis der bisherigen empirischen Forschung wurde davon ausgegangen, dass bei KDS höhere ARS-Werte vorliegen als bei ESS. Weiterhin sollte eine höhere Varianzaufklärung von KDS an der ARS unter Konstanthaltung von Störvariablen (sozialängstliche Symptome, Body-Mass-Index, Geschlecht) geprüft werden.

Material und Methoden

Eine Verfügbarkeitsstichprobe (n = 736) füllte online die Appearance-based Rejection Sensitivity Scale, die Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, den Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire und ein DSM-5-Screening zu KDS aus.

Ergebnisse

Teilnehmer mit komorbid positivem KDS-ESS-Screening erzielten den höchsten ARS-Gesamtwert aber ähnlich hohe Werte wie Teilnehmer mit positivem ESS-Screening. Beide Gruppen erzielten signifikant höhere Werte als Teilnehmer mit positivem KDS-Screening, welche wiederum signifikant höhere Werte erzielten als symptomfreie Teilnehmer. Die Regressionsanalyse bestätigte eine höhere Varianzaufklärung an der ARS durch ESS als durch KDS bei Konstanthaltung von Störvariablen.

Diskussion

Die ARS konnte nicht als differenzierendes Merkmal zwischen KDS und ESS im Sinne der Hypothesen bestätigt werden. Allerdings könnten hohe ARS-Werte einen Hinweis auf eine ESS oder KDS darstellen, sehr hohe Werte für komorbide ESS-KDS-Symptome. Dies sollte diagnostisch abgesichert und ggf. in der Therapie berücksichtigt werden.
The consistency of market beliefs as a determinant of economic freedom
Authors: Czeglédi Pál
Published: February 2020

Accepting the view that beliefs about the market determine the policies and institutions of economic freedom, this paper considers the cross-country consequences of the fact that these beliefs are not one-dimensional and they may be inconsistently distributed over these dimensions. The paper asks the question of whether cross-country differences in the consistency of market beliefs help explain the cross-country differences in areas of economic freedom, especially the contrasting cross-country pattern of the size of government and the legal system and property rights area. It shows that under some plausible conditions in a probabilistic voting framework, a higher consistency leads to higher economic freedom in some areas and lower economic freedom in other areas. Therefore, the concept of the consistency of market beliefs helps us understand why countries with higher economic freedom score for legal system and property rights usually have a lower economic freedom score for the size of government. Using Cronbach’s (coefficient) alpha of four different market beliefs as a measure of consistency in cross-country regressions, the paper finds that consistency is an explanatory factor of the two economic freedom areas.
Modelling the functional connectivity of landscapes for greater horseshoe bats Rhinolophus ferrumequinum at a local scale
Authors: Finch Domhnall , Corbacho Diana P. , Schofield Henry , Davison Sophie , Wright Patrick G. R. , Broughton Richard K. , Mathews Fiona
Published: February 2020

Context

The importance of habitat connectivity for wildlife is widely recognised. However, assessing the movement of species tends to rely on radio-tracking or GPS evidence, which is difficult and costly to gather.

Objectives

To examine functional connectivity of greater horseshoe bats (GHS,Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) at a local scale using Circuitscape software; comparing our results against expert opinion ‘fly ways’.

Methods

Expert opinions were used to rank and score five environmental layers influencing GHS movement, generating resistance scores. The slope and resistance scores of these layers were varied, and validated against independent ground truthed GHS activity data, until a unimodal peak in correlation was identified for each layer. The layers were combined into a multivariate model and re-evaluated. Radio-tracking studies were used to further validate the model, and the transferability was tested at other roost locations.

Results

Functional connectivity models could be created using bat activity data. Models had the ability to be transferred between roost locations, although site-specific validation is strongly recommended. For all other bat species recorded, markedly more (125%) bat passes occurred in the top quartile of functional connectivity compared to any of the lower three quartiles.

Conclusion

The model predictions identify areas of key conservation importance to habitat connectivity for GHS that are not recognised by expert opinion. By highlighting landscape features that act as barriers to movement, this approach can be used by decision-makers as a tool to inform local management strategies.
Alkaloid Constituents of Ficus hispida and Their Antiinflammatory Activity
Authors: Jia Xin-Yu , Wu Yong-Mei , Li Jing-Ya , Lei Chun , Hou Ai-Jun
Published: February 2020

Four new alkaloids, ficuhismines A–D (1–4), together with three known ones, were isolated from Ficus hispida. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical method. The new compounds represent the first amine alkaloids with a rhamnosyl moiety (1–2) or with a N-oxide motif (2–4) from the genus Ficus. Compound 2 showed potent inhibitory effect in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway luciferase assay with IC50 value of 0.52 ± 0.11 μM.
Estimation of different entropies via Lidstone polynomial using Jensen-type functionals
Authors: Khan Khuram Ali , Niaz Tasadduq , Pečarić Đilda , Pečarić Josip
Published: February 2020

In this work, some new functional of Jensen-type inequalities are constructed using Shannon entropy, f-divergence, and Rényi divergence, and some estimates are obtained for these new functionals. Also using the Zipf–Mandelbrot law and hybrid Zipf–Mandelbrot law, we investigate some bounds for these new functionals. Furthermore, we generalize these new functionals for m-convex function using Lidstone polynomial.
The Effect of Food on the Pharmacokinetics of Buspirone After Single Administration of a Sublingual Testosterone and Oral Buspirone Combination Tablet in Healthy Female Subjects
Authors: Gerritsen Jeroen , Bloemers Jos , van Rooij Kim , de Leede Leo , van der Geest Ronald , Frijlink Henderik W. , Koppeschaar Hans P.F. , Olivier Berend , Tuiten Adriaan
Published: February 2020

Introduction

A new combination tablet containing sublingual testosterone and oral buspirone (T+B) was developed to benefit a subgroup of women suffering from female sexual interest/arousal disorder, caused by dysfunctionally overactive sexual inhibition.

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of food intake on the pharmacokinetics of buspirone, administered as a dual-route, dual-release combination tablet containing 0.5 mg testosterone (T) and 10 mg buspirone (B).

Methods

19 healthy women took T+B under fed and fasted conditions during 2 overnight visits. The blood was sampled over a 24-hour period to determine the pharmacokinetics of buspirone and its active metabolite 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine (1-PP). Total testosterone levels were also assessed, at 5 time points and for quality control purposes only, as sublingual testosterone uptake is not expected to be influenced by prior food intake.

Main Outcome Measure

PK profiles of buspirone and 1-PP.

Results

For buspirone, the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of the observed fed/fasted ratios for the plasma area under the curve (AUC)0-last, AUC0-inf, and Cmax after administration of T+B were not contained within the prespecified bounds of 80% and 125%, except for the lower bound of AUC0-inf. However, the 90% CIs of the observed fed/fasted ratios for the plasma AUC0-last, AUC0-inf, and Cmax of 1-PP were contained within the prespecified bounds, with the exception of the upper bound for Cmax. The mean AUCs and Cmax for 1-PP did not differ between fed and fasted conditions.

Conclusions

Administration of T+B after high-caloric food intake increased the bioavailability of buspirone but did not result in differences in Tmax when compared with fasted conditions. Both in fed and fasted conditions, T+B was generally well tolerated and safe. Exposure of 1-PP in fed and fasted conditions was comparable in both conditions. These results demonstrate that T+B can safely and effectively be used in both fed and fasted states.

Gerritsen J, Bloemers J, van Rooi j K, et al. The Effect of Food on the Pharmacokinetics of Buspirone After Single Administration of a Sublingual Testosterone and Oral Buspirone Combination Tablet in Healthy Female Subjects. J Sex Med 2020;8:186–194.
Review of the evidence for interventions to reduce perinatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Shukla Vivek V. , Carlo Waldemar A.
Published: February 2020

Low- and middle-income countries contribute to the overwhelming majority of the global perinatal and neonatal mortality. There is a growing amount of literature focused on interventions aimed at reducing the healthcare gaps and thereby reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries. The current review synthesizes available evidence for interventions that have shown to improve perinatal and neonatal outcomes. Reduction in important gaps in the availability and utilization of perinatal care practices is needed to end preventable deaths of newborns.
Practical aspects on the use of non-invasive respiratory support in preterm infants
Authors: Nasef Nehad , Rashed Hend ME. , Aly Hany
Published: February 2020

Preterm infants frequently present with respiratory insufficiency requiring respiratory assistance. Invasive mechanical ventilation has been associated with several short and long term complications. Therefore, the practice of early use of non-invasive ventilation has been adopted. Nasal CPAP proved efficacy as an initial therapy for preterm infants. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation is an alternative used to mitigate CPAP failure in infants with apnea or increased work of breathing. High flow nasal cannula gained popularity primarily due to the ease of its use, despite multiple prominent trials that demonstrated its inferiority. Bi-level positive airway pressure and neurally adjusted non-invasive ventilatory are used in infants with apnea and increased work of breathing. The effectiveness of non invasive ventilation tools can be augmented by having a proper protocol for initiation, weaning, skin care, positioning, and developmental care during their application.
Validation of a large eddy simulation methodology for accelerated nozzle flows
Authors: Wang P.C. , McGuirk J.J.
Published: February 2020

Prediction of aeroengine exhaust plume near-field development requires knowledge of velocity and turbulence distributions at nozzle exit. The high Reynolds number nozzle inlet boundary layers of engineering practice are fully turbulent, but acceleration can induce re-laminarisation. Thus, to reproduce nozzle exit conditions accurately, large eddy simulation (LES) for plume prediction must be capable of capturing re-laminarisation and any subsequent boundary layer recovery. Validation is essential to establish a credible LES methodology, but previous studies have suffered from lack of nozzle inlet/exit measurements in the test cases selected. Validation data were here taken from an experiment on a convergent round nozzle with a parallel exit extension to allow boundary layer recovery. LES inlet condition generation applied a rescaling/recycling method (R2M), whose performance was validated against measurements of first and second moment statistics as well as the turbulence integral length scale. Simulations employed two sub-grid-scale (SGS) models; these produced similar predictions up to the end of the nozzle convergent section, but marked differences appeared for the nozzle exit turbulence field. The Smagorinsky model predicted much lower turbulence levels than measured, whereas the Piomelli and Geurts model revealed the presence of a small separation region at the convergence/parallel section corner, which led to higher exit turbulence and much better agreement with measured data.
Random Notes From the Secretariat
Authors: Williams W.L.G.
Published: February 2020

The new Bulletin has started off most successfully and congratulations to Peter Scherk, Jim Lambek, John Peck and all the others who have worked together to launch it so successfully. The reports on the Seminar at Edmonton and the Congress at Banff, which appeared in the first number of the Bulletin, happily make it unnecessary for me to do more than to say that these seemed to be as successful meetings as any we have held. The settings both at Edmonton and Banff were ideal, but without our hosts1 careful planning and continued attention to detail, these would have been of no avail.
Comparison of microwave ablation and chemical cautery used to control adult idiopathic recurrent anterior epistaxis
Authors: Lou Z
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study compared the efficacy of microwave ablation and silver nitrate cautery as treatments for idiopathic recurrent anterior epistaxis in adults.

Methods

A case series with chart review was conducted. Adults with recurrent anterior epistaxis intra-operatively treated via microwave ablation or silver nitrate chemical cautery of the anterior nasal septum were enrolled. The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients in each group for whom bleeding ceased within 24 hours of treatment, and the time to successful haemostasis. The secondary outcomes were re-bleeding rates at 1 and 12 weeks and 6 months, and complications.

Results

The haemostasis success rate within 24 hours’ treatment of convex lesions was significantly higher in the microwave ablation group than in the cautery-only group. Of patients with convex lesions, the recurrence rate to six months was significantly higher in the cautery group than in the microwave ablation group, but this was not the case for those with flat lesions.

Conclusion

Microwave ablation afforded rapid and simple haemostasis for adults with recurrent anterior epistaxis in an out-patient setting. Microwave ablation had significant advantages compared to silver nitrate cautery when used to treat epistaxis in patients with convex lesions.
Cover crop residue components and their effect on summer annual weed suppression in corn and soybean
Authors: Pittman Kara B. , Barney Jacob N. , Flessner Michael L.
Published: February 2020

Cover crop residue can act as a mulch that will suppress weeds, but as the residue degrades, weed suppression diminishes. Biomass of cover crop residue is positively correlated to weed suppression, but little research is available regarding the composition of cover crop residue and its effect on weed suppression. Field experiments were conducted to determine the impact of cover crop residue properties (i.e., total carbon, total nitrogen, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose) on summer annual weed suppression and cash crop yield. Cover crop monocultures and mixtures were planted in the fall and designed to provide a range of biomass and residue properties. Cover crops were followed by corn (Zea maysL.) or soybean [Glycinemax (L.) Merr.]. At termination, cover crop biomass and residue components were determined. Biomass ranged from 3,640 to 8,750 kg ha−1, and the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio ranged from 12:1 to 36:1. As both cover crop biomass and C:N ratio increased, weed suppression and duration of suppression increased. For example, a C:N ratio of 9:1 is needed to suppress redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL.) 50% at 4 wk after termination (WAT), and that increases to 16:1 and 20:1 to have 50% suppression at 6 and 8 WAT, respectively. Similarly, with biomass, 2,800 kg ha−1is needed for 50%A. retroflexussuppression at 4 WAT, which increases to 5,280 kg ha−1and 6,610 kg ha−1needed for 50% suppression at 6 and 8 WAT, respectively. In general, similar trends were observed for pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosaL.) and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis(L.) Scop.]. Corn and soybean yield increased as both cover crop biomass and C:N ratio increased where no weed control measures were implemented beyond cover crop. The same trend was observed with cash crop yield in the weed-free subblocks, with one exception. This research indicates that cover crop residue composition is important for weed control in addition to biomass.
Analysis of Intraseasonal Oscillation Characteristics of Arctic Summer Sea Ice
Authors: Qian Shimeng , Zhang Lujun , Yang Ben , Huang Anning , Zhang Yaocun
Published: February 2020

This study investigates the intraseasonal variations of the Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) based on daily data band‐passed for 20–80 days. Results show that the areas with strong intraseasonal signal of SIC move northward and then southward before and after the Arctic summer (i.e., from August to October), respectively, and the signal reaches its maximum intensity in summer. Power spectrum analyses indicate that the SIC over the region bounded by 0–180°E and 70–80°N (60–180°W and 70–80°N) in summer exhibits remarkable intraseasonal variation with a dominant period of 40–60 days (two typical periods of 40–60 and 70–80 days). These two kinds of oscillations move eastward along the Arctic marginal sea. In addition, the intensity of SIC intraseasonal oscillation has an apparent interdecadal change that is closely related to the decrease of Arctic sea ice extent.