bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The expanded endonasal approach in pediatric skull base surgery: A review
Authors: London Nyall R. , Rangel Gustavo G. , Walz Patrick C.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Surgery of the pediatric skull base has multiple unique challenges and has seen recent rapid advances. The objective of this review is to assess key issues in pediatric skull base surgery (SBS), including anatomic limitations, surgical approaches, reconstruction techniques, postoperative care, complications, and outcomes.

Data Sources

PubMed literature review.

Review Methods

A review of the literature was conducted to assess the challenges, recent advances, and reported outcomes in pediatric SBS.

Results

The pediatric skull base presents multiple anatomic challenges, including variable patterns of pneumatization, narrow piriform aperture width, and narrow intercarotid distance at the level of the cavernous sinus but not the superior clivus. These issues may be particularly challenging in patients less than 2 years of age. Endoscopic endonasal approaches in the sagittal and coronal plane have been applied to the pediatric skull base while open approaches may still be necessary in the setting of extensive intracranial or orbital disease, as well as disease lateral to critical neurovascular structures. While the nasoseptal flap was initially called into question for pediatric cases, it has been shown through multiple reports to be a feasible and robust reconstructive option. Complications and outcomes often depend upon the pathology. In children, response to noxious stimuli, ability to avoid Valsalva, and adherence to nasal precautions is variable. The use of lumbar drains is more common in pediatric than adult patients.

Conclusion

While the pediatric skull base presents unique challenges, outcomes data support that endoscopic endonasal approaches are a pertinent surgical technique in appropriately selected patients.

Level of Evidence

3a
Stray current‐induced corrosion in cathodic protection installations of steel‐reinforced concrete structures: FEM study of the critical parameters
Authors: Eichler Thorsten , Isecke Bernd
Published: March 2020

A wide range of parameters was investigated by numerical calculations concerning their impact on DC stray current corrosion of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. A simplified model geometry was used to extract the relevant parameters and their interaction in terms of stray current‐affected structures. This study mainly focuses on RC structures that are fitted with cathodic protection installations. The findings reveal a complex interaction between the investigated parameters. The possible relevance of further parameters, which is not the subject of this study, was emphasised.
Bulk Alignment of Chromonic Aggregates During Swelling of Hydrogels
Authors: Shiraishi Koji , Takahashi Sawako , Le Khoa V. , Naka Yumiko , Sasaki Takeo
Published: March 2020

This study demonstrates that the bulk alignment of chromonic aggregates can be achieved during the swelling of hydrogels. Swelling of an ionic hydrogel immersed in an aqueous solution of disodium cromoglycate reorients the chromonic aggregates, and millimeter‐thick optically anisotropic hydrogels are obtained. These anisotropic hydrogels contain the chromonic aggregates at a condensed concentration as high as in the columnar phase of a normal chromonic aqueous solution, although the X‐ray diffraction results show much less stacking order and orientational order of the aggregates. Furthermore, anisotropic mechanical properties of the hydrogels are observed due to the anisotropic alignment of the chromonic aggregates.
A Family with Late‐Onset and Predominant Choreic Niemann Pick Type C: A Treatable Piece in the Etiological Puzzle of Choreas
Authors: Rodriguez‐Quiroga Sergio , Zavala Lucia , Pérez Maturo Josefina , González‐Morón Dolores , Garretto Nelida , Kauffman Marcelo A.
Published: March 2020

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Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytokines and Neurodegeneration‐Associated Proteins in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Wijeyekoon Ruwani S. , Moore Sarah F. , Farrell Krista , Breen David P. , Barker Roger A. , Williams‐Gray Caroline H.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Immune markers are altered in Parkinson's disease (PD), but relationships between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma cytokines and associations with neurodegeneration‐associated proteins remain unclear.

Methods

CSF and plasma samples and demographic/clinical measures were obtained from 35 PD patients. CSF samples were analyzed for cytokines (together with plasma) and for α‐synuclein, amyloid β(1‐42) peptide, total tau, and phospho(Thr231)‐tau.

Results

There were no CSF–plasma cytokine correlations. Interleukin (IL)‐8 was higher and interferon‐γ, IL‐10, and tumor necrosis factor–α were lower in CSF versus plasma. In CSF, total tau correlated positively with IL‐8 and IL‐1β, whereas α‐synuclein correlated positively with amyloid β(1‐42) and negatively with semantic fluency (a known marker of PD dementia risk).

Discussion

CSF and peripheral cytokine profiles in PD are not closely related. Associations between CSF IL‐8 and IL‐1β and tau suggest that CSF inflammatory changes may relate to tau pathology within PD. CSF α‐synuclein/amyloid β may reflect the risk of developing PD dementia. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
An asymptotic expansion for 1D steady compressible Navier‐Stokes equations under nonuniform enthalpy
Authors: Zhang Fan , Cheng Jian , Liu Tiegang
Published: March 2020

The solutions of the one‐dimensional (1D) steady compressible Navier‐Stokes equations have been thoroughly discussed before, but restrained for uniform total enthalpy, which leads to only a shock wave profile possible in an infinite domain. To date, very little progress has been made for the case with nonuniform total enthalpy. In this paper, we affirm that under nonuniform total enthalpy, there also exists steady solution for the 1D compressible Navier‐Stokes equations, but the flow domain must be finite in the positive
‐axis. The 1D steady compressible Navier‐Stokes equations can be reduced to a singular perturbed nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE) for velocity with the assumptions of
and a constant viscosity coefficient. By analyzing the mathematical property of the nonlinear ODE for velocity, we propose an asymptotic expansion for the solution of it as an exponential type sequence and also prove the convergence. Unlike the case of uniform total enthalpy, where the solutions for all variables keep monotone, we show that under nonuniform total enthalpy and some specific boundary conditions, there exists extreme inside the thin boundary layer. Numerical results verify the accuracy and convergence of the asymptotic expansion. This asymptotic expansion solution can serve as an important testing to demonstrate the efficiency of numerical methods developed for compressible Navier‐Stokes equations at high Reynolds number.
An Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Gas Phase Prepolymerization of Propylene
Authors: Yu Yue , McKenna Timothy F. L.
Published: March 2020

A systematic investigation is carried out on the gas phase of propylene during the initial instants of polymerization. The results confirm the positive impact of small amounts of mineral oil on the initial reaction rate and morphology. It is shown that polymerizing under conditions of mild temperature and pressure alone are not enough to achieve the same result. It is found that the presence of mineral oil, and low temperature of polymerization can be used to control the morphology of polymer particles and to obtain high activity in the main reaction. If enough oil is used, moderate to high temperatures of prepolymerization are acceptable in terms of controlling morphology but can compromise the activity of the main polymerization. It is also observed that the way in which the oil is introduced has an impact on the kinetics and particle morphology. Separate addition of oil from the precatalyst gives rise to relatively flat kinetics during prepolymerization and highest rate during main polymerization. To account for the activity enhancement, a selective quench‐labeling study employing methyl propargyl ether shows that the presence of mineral oil appears to increase the fraction of active titanium by a factor of almost 2.
Motor unit number index in quantitatively assessing motor root lesions and monitoring treatment outcomes in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy
Authors: Zheng Chaojun , Chen Zhenhao , Zhu Yu , Lyu Feizhou , Ma Xiaosheng , Weber Robert , Tian Dong , Jiang Jianyuan , Xia Xinlei
Published: March 2020

Introduction

We investigated the feasibility of motor unit number index (MUNIX) in quantitatively assessing motor root lesions and tracking different treatment outcomes in lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR).

Methods

Bilateral MUNIX was recorded from the abductor hallucis, extensor digitorum brevis, and tibialis anterior in 44 normal controls and 108 patients with LR, and this was repeated approximately 12 months after treatment in 60 patients with LR.

Results

More abnormalities were observed when side‐to‐side differences of MUNIX measurements were used to evaluate LR (P < .05). Motor unit number index measurements worsened without progression of muscle weakness after conservative treatment, and MUNIX measurements improved with or without increased muscle strength after surgical treatment (P < .05).

Discussion

Motor unit number index may identify a specific L5 or S1 motor root lesion even before muscle weakness occurs, especially when side‐to‐side differences are used. Changes in MUNIX were larger than those in motor function measures after treatments for LR.
Decompositions of third‐order tensors: HOSVD, T‐SVD, and Beyond
Authors: Zeng Chao , Ng Michael K.
Published: March 2020

The higher order singular value decomposition, which is regarded as a generalization of the matrix singular value decomposition (SVD), has a long history and is well established, while the T‐SVD is relatively new and lacks systematic analysis. Because of the unusual tensor‐tensor product that the T‐SVD is based on, the form of the T‐SVD may be difficult to comprehend. The main aim of this article is to establish a connection between these two decompositions. By converting the form of the T‐SVD into the sum of outer product terms, we compare the forms of the two decompositions. Moreover, from establishing the connection, a new decomposition which has a specific nonzero pattern, is proposed and developed. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the useful ability of the new decomposition for approximation and data compression.
Medical device active surveillance of spontaneous reports: A literature review of signal detection methods
Authors: Chung Gary , Etter Katherine , Yoo Andrew
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The collection and analysis of real‐world data for the active monitoring of medical device performance and safety has become increasingly important. Spontaneous reports, such as those in the Food & Drug Administration's (FDA's) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE), provide early warning of potential issues with marketed devices. This review synthesizes the current literature on medical device surveillance signal detection and provides a framework for application of methods to active surveillance of spontaneous reports.

Methods

Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases were systematically searched up to January 2019. Additionally, five methods articles from pharmacovigilance were added that had potential applications to medical devices.

Results

Among 105 articles included, the most common source of data (84%) was registries; median time between data collection and publication was 8 years. Surgical procedure outcome signal detection articles comprised 83% while 14% were on device outcome signal detection. The most common family of methods cited (70%) was Sequential Probability Ratio.

Conclusion

Application of any signal detection algorithm requires careful consideration of influential factors, data limitations, and algorithmic assumptions. We recommend approaches using disproportionality, statistical process control, and sequential probability tests and provide R packages to further development efforts. The small number of published examples suggest that further development of statistical methods and technological solutions to analyze large amounts of data for device safety and performance is needed. Fundamental differences in products, data infrastructure, and the regulatory landscape suggest that medical device vigilance requires its own body of research distinct from pharmacovigilance.
Effect of Dopant Ordering on the Stability of Ferroelectric Hafnia
Authors: Dutta Sangita , Aramberri Hugo , Schenk Tony , Íñiguez Jorge
Published: March 2020

Films of the all‐important compound hafnia (HfO2) can be prepared in an orthorhombic ferroelectric (FE) state that is ideal for applications, e.g., in memories or negative‐capacitance field‐effect transistors. The origin of this FE state remains a mystery, though, as none of the proposed mechanisms for its stabilization—from surface and size effects to formation kinetics—is fully convincing. Interestingly, it is known that doping HfO2 with various cations favors the occurrence of the FE polymorph; however, existing first‐principles works suggest that doping by itself is not sufficient to stabilize the polar phase over the usual nonpolar monoclinic ground state. Herein, first‐principles methods are used to re‐examine this question. Two representative isovalent substitutional dopants, Si and Zr, are considered, and their preferred arrangement within the HfO2 lattice is studied. The results reveal that small atoms like Si can adopt very stable configurations (forming layers within specific crystallographic planes) in the FE orthorhombic phase of HfO2 but comparatively less so in the nonpolar monoclinic one. Further, it is found that, at low concentrations, such a dopant ordering yields a FE ground state, the usual paraelectric phase becoming a higher‐energy metastable polymorph. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Three‐Body Topology Entanglement Generation via a Six‐Wave Mixing: Competing and Coexisting of Linear and Nonlinear Optics Responses in Triphoton Temporal Correlation
Authors: Li Kangkang , Cai Yin , Wu Ji , Liu Yuliang , Xiong Siqi , Li Yameng , Zhang Yanpeng
Published: March 2020

Compared with biphotons, the three‐body photons have a more plentiful energy construction. Further, excellent properties such as entangled multiqubit states, high security, flexibility, and information capacity are observed as the increased number of photons is manipulated, in turn increasing the need for a multiple‐body quantum information process. Here, a novel method is proposed to generate natural narrowband three‐body photons of W state, entangled in time (or energy) via a single step of six‐wave mixing process (SWMP). Emphasizing on the linear and nonlinear susceptibilities of the SWMP, the properties of temporal correlation of the generated triphoton in the photon coincidence counting measurements are studied. Based on the photon–atom interfaces, these susceptibilities compete or coexist with each other. Meanwhile, in a dressed‐state picture, the nonlinear susceptibility decides the temporal correlation of the triphoton wave packet as damped multiperiodic Rabi oscillation, suggesting the property of the high‐dimensional time−energy entangled triphoton state. Moreover, combining the topology energy level constructions with the optical responses is a significant method for investigating the peculiarity in the temporal correlation of the generated three‐body photons.
Path selection with Nash Q‐learning for remote state estimation over multihop relay network
Authors: Zhang Yunlin , Gan Ruimeng , Shao Jinliang , Zhang Heng , Cheng Yuhua
Published: March 2020

In this article, the security issue of remote state estimation is investigated for multihop relay networks interrupted by an attacker launching denial‐of‐service attacks. Since the presence of the relay enriches the communication topology, there might exist several paths connecting the sensor and the estimator, consisting of the corresponding channels. Thus, it is reasonable for the sensor to select the path with a lower dropout rate to enhance the system performance measured by the estimation error, due to the dropout rate changing with the channel. However, as an adversary, the objective of the jammer is to deteriorate the corresponding performance through launching attack on the communication path selectively. For addressing the problem on the behalf of both of the sensor and the jammer, we first formulate this problem as a two‐player zero‐sum stochastic game model, and then present a Nash Q‐learning algorithm to explore the equilibrium point for both players, under the assumption that both of them are rational players. Furthermore, the existence of equilibrium point for this problem is proved analytically. Moreover, a more general case of the channel attack, under which the jammer can attack any channels among this network, is considered. Finally, numerical results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm proposed and the theorem results.
Effect of Molybdenum and Cooling Regime on Microstructural Heterogeneity in Bainitic Steel Wires
Authors: Ackermann Marc , Resiak Bernard , Buessler Pascal , Michaut Bertrand , Bleck Wolfgang
Published: March 2020

Hot‐rolled wire is often further processed into complex components and therefore has to meet high demands on mechanical properties. Above all, during wire production, close control of the cooling parameters after hot rolling is required if strength and toughness must be set within narrow limits. Parameter studies are conducted in laboratory investigations to adjust bainitic microstructures, that consist of bainitic ferrite as the primary phase, whereas retained austenite films and martensite–austenite (M–A) constituents represent the secondary phase. Hot deformation trials with subsequent continuous cooling are conducted in a thermomechanical treatment simulator using two microalloyed steels with 0.25% C, 2% Mn, 0.03% Nb, and 0.03% Ti with or without Mo. The cooling parameters are set according to the process window of the cooling conveyor at the wire rod rolling mill. A microstructural analysis shows inhomogeneities in the appearance of the secondary phase depending on the cooling schedule. A quantitative analysis of the microstructural constituents indicates that the distribution function of the morphological characteristics of the M–A constituents corresponds to the mechanical properties. Therefore, cooling cycle and chemical composition are adjusted precisely to adjust the bainitic microstructure and achieve the desired mechanical properties.
The effect of too stiff rail to base fastening on damage mechanism in RC ballastless track structure
Authors: Derkowski Wit , Ślaga Łukasz
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the influence of overly stiff rail fasteners, which are used to stabilize rails on a ballastless track structure, on the mechanism of the occurrence of defects in concrete baseplates. During the analysis, there was a series of field tests performed on a real track, the purpose of which was the assessment of the technical condition of the ballastless track, the assessment of concrete baseplate strength and the verification of the correctness of the rail attachment by means of a fastener. In addition, there was a series of supplementary laboratory tests performed which assessed the relationship between the anchor clamping force and the torque at the assembly stage (the first tightening of the anchors) as well as after the adjustment of the fastening rigidity (loosening and tightening the fastening anchors again). On the basis of the obtained results, a three‐dimensional numerical model of a section of the ballastless track structure was prepared with the use of adaptive solid finite elements. The performed numerical analysis reflecting the real work of a fastener in a track structure were used to identify the causes of defects in concrete baseplates in the analyzed ballastless track structure.
A simplified method for fundamental period prediction of steel frames with steel plate shear walls
Authors: Jiang Rui , Jiang Liqiang , Hu Yi , Jiang Lizhong , Ye Jihong
Published: March 2020

Steel plate shear wall (SPSW) has been widely used as a lateral force resisting system (LFRS) for medium or high‐rise buildings. The fundamental period is an important parameter for seismic design and seismic risk assessment of building structures. In this paper, a simplified method is developed for the period prediction of SPSW structures based on the basic theory of engineering mechanics. It estimates a SPSW structure as a shear system of steel frame and a shear‐flexure system of SPSWs separately. The fundamental period of the SPSW structure is calculated according to the integration of the lateral stiffness of the steel frame and SPSWs along the height. A corrected formula is proposed based on the fitting analysis of the ratio of the FEM period to the estimated period. A shaking table test is used to validate the corrected formula, the relative error between the corrected result and the test result is 5.0%. Besides, the proposed method is also compared to some existing methods for the period prediction of SPSW structures, the results indicate that the proposed method has good accuracy and can be hand‐calculated. Finally, a probability‐based method is proposed for the corrected formula, and the fundamental period could be determined with a certain guarantee. A confidence interval estimation could be determined via the proposed method according to the demand of structural design.
Simulation of spatial variability in crop leaf area index and yield using agroecosystem modeling and geophysics‐based quantitative soil information
Authors: Brogi C. , Huisman J. A. , Herbst M. , Weihermüller L. , Klosterhalfen A. , Montzka C. , Reichenau T. G. , Vereecken H.
Published: March 2020

Agroecosystem models that simulate crop growth as a function of weather conditions and soil characteristics are among the most promising tools for improving crop yield and achieving more sustainable agricultural production systems. This study aims at using spatially distributed crop growth simulations to investigate how field‐scale patterns in soil properties obtained using geophysical mapping affect the spatial variability of soil water content dynamics and growth of crops at the square kilometer scale. For this, a geophysics‐based soil map was intersected with land use information. Soil hydraulic parameters were calculated using pedotransfer functions. Simulations of soil water content dynamics performed with the agroecosystem model AgroC were compared with soil water content measured at two locations, resulting in RMSE of 0.032 and of 0.056 cm3cm−3, respectively. The AgroC model was then used to simulate the growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), silage maize (Zea maysL.), potato (Solanum tuberosumL.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.), winter barley (Hordeum vulgareL.), and winter rapeseed (Brassica napusL.) in the 1‐ by 1‐km study area. It was found that the simulated leaf area index (LAI) was affected by the magnitude of simulated water stress, which was a function of both the crop type and soil characteristics. Simulated LAI was generally consistent with the observed LAI calculated from normalized difference vegetation index (LAINDVI) obtained from RapidEye satellite data. Finally, maps of simulated agricultural yield were produced for four crops, and it was found that simulated yield matched well with actual harvest data and literature values. Therefore, it was concluded that the information obtained from geophysics‐based soil mapping was valuable for practical agricultural applications.
Non-standard interactions in radiative neutrino mass models
Authors: Babu K.S. , Dev P.S. Bhupal , Jana Sudip , Thapa Anil
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Models of radiative Majorana neutrino masses require new scalars and/or fermions to induce lepton-number-violating interactions. We show that these new particles also generate observable neutrino non-standard interactions (NSI) with matter. We classify radiative models as type-I or II, with type-I models containing at least one Standard Model (SM) particle inside the loop diagram generating neutrino mass, and type- II models having no SM particle inside the loop. While type-II radiative models do not generate NSI at tree-level, popular models which fall under the type-I category are shown, somewhat surprisingly, to generate observable NSI at tree-level, while being consistent with direct and indirect constraints from colliders, electroweak precision data and charged-lepton flavor violation (cLFV). We survey such models where neutrino masses arise at one, two and three loops. In the prototypical Zee model which generates neutrino masses via one-loop diagrams involving charged scalars, we find that diagonal NSI can be as large as (8%, 3.8%, 9.3%) for (εee, εμμ, εττ), while off-diagonal NSI can be at most (10−3%, 0.56%, 0.34%) for (εeμ, εeτ, εμτ). In one-loop neutrino mass models using leptoquarks (LQs), (εμμ, εττ) can be as large as (21.6%, 51.7%), while εee and (εeμ, εeτ, εμτ) can at most be 0.6%. Other two- and three-loop LQ models are found to give NSI of similar strength. The most stringent constraints on the diagonal NSI are found to come from neutrino oscillation and scattering experiments, while the off-diagonal NSI are mostly constrained by low-energy processes, such as atomic parity violation and cLFV. We also comment on the future sensitivity of these radiative models in long-baseline neutrino experiments, such as DUNE. While our analysis is focused on radiative neutrino mass models, it essentially covers all NSI possibilities with heavy mediators.
Preparative supercritical fluid chromatography for lipid class fractionation—a novel strategy in high-resolution mass spectrometry based lipidomics
Authors: Schoeny Harald , Rampler Evelyn , Hermann Gerrit , Grienke Ulrike , Rollinger Judith M. , Koellensperger Gunda
Published: March 2020

In this work, a lipidomics workflow based on offline semi-preparative lipid class-specific fractionation by supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) followed by high-resolution mass spectrometry was introduced. The powerful SFC approach offered separation of a wide polarity range for lipids, enabled enrichment (up to 3 orders of magnitude) of lipids, selective fractionation of 14 lipid classes/subclasses, and increased dynamic range enabling in-depth characterization. A significantly increased coverage of low abundant lipids improving lipid identification by numbers and degree (species and molecular level) was obtained in Pichia pastoris when comparing high-resolution mass spectrometry based lipidomics with and without prior fractionation. Proof-of-principle experiments using a standard reference material (SRM 1950, NIST) for human plasma showed that the proposed strategy enabled quantitative lipidomics. Indeed, for 70 lipids, the consensus values available for this sample could be met. Thus, the novel workflow is ideally suited for lipid class-specific purification/isolation from milligram amounts of sample while not compromising on omics type of analysis (identification and quantification). Finally, compared with established fractionation/pre-concentration approaches, semi-preparative SFC is superior in terms of versatility, as it involved only volatile modifiers and salt additives facilitating any follow-up use such as qualitative or quantitate analysis or further purification down to the single lipid species level.
Structural and mechanical properties of amorphous AlMgB14 thin films deposited by DC magnetron sputtering on Si, Al2O3 and MgO substrates
Authors: Noroozi Mohammad , Petruhins Andrejs , Greczynski Grzegorz , Rosen Johanna , Eklund Per
Published: March 2020

AlMgB14 coatings have been deposited by DC magnetron sputtering from elemental targets on Si (001), Al2O3 (0001) and MgO (001) substrates at temperatures in the range of 25–350 °C. The structural and mechanical properties of AlMgB14 films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, and analyzed as a function of deposition conditions and substrate materials. The results show that all films are X-ray amorphous, and the mechanical properties of the deposited films depend on the substrate and growth temperature. AlMgB14 thin films deposited at 350 °C are found to have smoother surfaces and containing more well-formed B12 icosahedra than the films deposited at lower temperature, which consequently increase the hardness of the deposited films. The maximum hardness and Young’s modulus of the as-deposited films are about 32.3 GPa and 310 GPa, respectively, for films deposited on Al2O3 substrate at 350 °C.
Inline monitoring of hydrogenous plasma-induced defect formation within fused silica via plasma emission spectroscopy
Authors: Gerhard Christoph , Letien Emilie , Cressent Thomas , Hofmann Mandy
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the indirect monitoring of plasma-induced defect formation within fused silica via plasma emission spectroscopy is presented. It is shown that low-pressure plasma treatment with hydrogen as process gas leads to a decrease in UV transmission of fused silica. This decrease can be directly attributed to oxygen vacancy-related defects and the presence of hydrogen within the silicon dioxide glass network. By the analysis of the plasma composition, it was observed that the amount of oxygen within the plasma increases with increasing treatment duration. Hence, oxygen was continuously released from glass network in the course of the plasma treatment. It was further observed that this release is strongly dependent on the applied plasma power where the lowest process efficiency occurs at the highest plasma power. It is shown that an increase in plasma power leads to a remarkable increase in light emission from the working gas, hydrogen. This observation indicates that the higher the degree of excitation and ionisation of the plasma, the lower the efficiency of plasma-induced formation of oxygen deficiency-related defects. This finding is of mentionable relevance for a better understanding of plasma-induced surface modification and coating processes.
Perceptual information supports transfer of learning in coordinated rhythmic movement
Authors: Leach Daniel , Kolokotroni Zoe , Wilson Andrew D.
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we trained people to produce 90° mean relative phase using task-appropriate feedback and investigated whether and how that learning transfers to other coordinations. Past work has failed to find transfer of learning to other relative phases, only to symmetry partners (identical coordinations with reversed lead–lag relationships) and to other effector combinations. However, that research has all trained people using transformed visual feedback (visual metronomes, Lissajous feedback) which removes the relative motion information typically used to produce various coordinations (relative direction, relative position; Wilson and Bingham, in Percept Psychophys 70(3):465–476, 2008). Coordination feedback (Wilson et al., in J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform 36(6):1508, 2010) preserves that information and we have recently shown that relative position supports transfer of learning between unimanual and bimanual performance of 90° (Snapp-Childs et al., in Exp Brain Res 233(7), 2225–2238, 2015). Here, we ask whether that information can support the production of other relative phases. We found large, asymmetric transfer of learning bimanual 90° to bimanual 60° and 120°, supported by perceptual learning of relative position information at 90°. For learning to transfer, the two tasks must overlap in some critical way; this is additional evidence that this overlap must be informational. We discuss the results in the context of an ecological, task dynamical approach to understanding the nature of perception–action tasks.
Thermal properties of Na2O–P2O5–Fe2O3 polyphosphate glasses
Authors: Goj Paweł , Ciecińska Małgorzata , Szumera Magdalena , Stoch Paweł
Published: March 2020

Iron phosphate glasses are materials that can have many applications like durable matrixes in waste immobilization techniques, biomaterials, optoelectronic devices, etc. Their possible usage is related to their glass network and thermal properties. The influence of Na2O content on thermal properties and crystallization ability of iron phosphate glass of base composition 30 Fe2O3–70 P2O5 mol% were studied. Increasing the content of Na2O causes a decrease in transformation temperature and increase in ΔCp. Characteristic temperatures, thermal stability and crystallizing phases were determined. Increasing content of sodium causes depolarization of iron phosphate glass network which causes a continuous change in ΔCp and glass transformation temperature. Discontinuous change in some glass properties suggests structure rebuilding about 30 mol% of Na2O.
Thermal behavior of ethylene copolymers with di- and tri-alkenylsilsesquioxane comonomers synthesized by post-metallocene catalysts
Authors: Groch Paweł , Dziubek Katarzyna , Czaja Krystyna , Sacher-Majewska Beata
Published: March 2020

This paper reported thermal properties of ethylene copolymers with di- and tri-alkenylsilsesquioxanes (POSS) synthesized by bis(phenoxy-imine) Ti, Zr, V, and V salen-type complexes. Ethylene copolymers with multi-alkenyl POSS obtained by such complexes contain multi-alkenyl POSS incorporated into the polymer chain as a side group. They were characterized by different thermal behavior depending on the kind of multi-alkenyl POSS comonomer, and type of the catalyst used, as well as polymerization conditions and thus the structure of the copolymer chain. Ethylene/POSS copolymers differed in incorporation of POSS into the polymer chain, content of specific unsaturation groups, and molecular weight, as well as heterogeneity of polymer chain compositions. The incorporation of multi-alkenyl POSS into the polymer chain affected melting and crystallization processes of copolymers in different ways. The POSS units could act as a nucleating agent of macromolecules. The increasing POSS content in E/POSS copolymers resulted in increasing thermal stability of obtained products, regardless of the kind of multi-alkenylsilsesquioxanes used. Thermal stability of such copolymers increased with decreasing content of trisubstituted vinylene groups (internal saturations) as well. The highest improvement of thermal stability over 85 °C in comparison with PE was observed in case of E/POSS copolymers synthesized by bis(phenoxy-imine) zirconium catalyst. The composition heterogeneity of E/POSS copolymers was found to affect markedly thermal stability of E/POSS copolymers.
Monoaminergic and Kynurenergic Characterization of Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum
Authors: Janssens Jana , Vermeiren Yannick , van Faassen Martijn , van der Ley Claude , Kema Ido P. , De Deyn Peter P.
Published: March 2020

Exploring the neurochemical continuum between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with respect to monoamines and kynurenines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, may be useful to identify possible new research/therapeutic targets. Hence, we analysed monoamines and kynurenines in CSF and serum derived from patients with FTD (n = 39), ALS (n = 23), FTD-ALS (n = 4) and age-matched control subjects (n = 26), using reversed-phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-UHPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. We noted a shared dopaminergic disturbance in FTD and ALS when compared to CONTR, with significantly increased serum DA levels and decreased DOPAC concentrations, as well as decreased DOPAC/DA ratios in both disease groups. In CSF, significantly reduced DOPAC concentrations in FTD and ALS were observed as well. Here, a significant increase in DA levels and decrease in DOPAC/DA ratios was only found in FTD relative to CONTR. With respect to the kynurenine pathway (KP), we only found decreased HK/XA ratios, indicative for vitamin B6 status, in serum of ALS subjects compared to FTD. The dopaminergic commonalities observed in FTD and ALS might relate to a disturbance of dopaminergic nerve terminals in projection areas of the substantia nigra and/or ventral tegmental area, although these findings should first be confirmed in brain tissue. Lastly, based on the results of this work, the KP does not hold promise as a research/therapeutic target in FTD and ALS.
Poverty and Subjective Poverty in Rural China
Authors: Wang Hanjie , Zhao Qiran , Bai Yunli , Zhang Linxiu , Yu Xiaohua
Published: March 2020

China is undergoing a campaign which is called “The Targeted Poverty Alleviation Policy” to eradicate extreme poverty from rural China until 2020. Though poverty in rural China has been studied intensively in different objective dimensions, little attention has been paid to poverty line settings and subjective poverty, which are hinged to the policy effects. In order to fill in the research gap, this study employs a nationally representative survey of rural households in 2016, to measure subjective poverty in rural China, and analyze the determinants as well. Our results indicate that the mean subjective poverty line of the rural households is 8297 yuan per capita, which is far higher than the national poverty line (2800 yuan). Statistically, 29% of the surveyed rural households who are not objectively poor feel subjectively poor. The objective poverty line cannot fully reflect the subjective poverty perception. Thus, how to reduce the subjective poverty perception could be a major policy agenda in rural China after 2020, when extreme poverty is no longer a problem.
Integrated geophysical and geochemical methods applied for recognition of acid waste drainage (AWD) from Zn-Pb post-flotation tailing pile (Olkusz, southern Poland)
Authors: Pierwoła Jolanta , Szuszkiewicz Marcin , Cabala Jerzy , Jochymczyk Krzysztof , Żogała Bogdan , Magiera Tadeusz
Published: March 2020

Long-term underground exploitation of Zn-Pb ores has led to drainage of the area and formation of a huge dumping ground in the form of a pile. In its vicinity, processes of acid drainage have developed as a result of contamination of soils and groundwater. Geochemical transformations of mineral contents of waste can significantly affect physical and chemical properties of the soils and the bedrock. At the prospect of termination of the mining activity in the near future, determining the routes of the pollution migration, ability to monitor acid drainage processes and assessment of the risk of heavy metal pollution are really crucial. The paper presents a proposal for solving this problem by means of geophysical methods: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Time Domain-Induced Polarisation (TDIP), Frequency Domain Electromagnetics (FDEM) and shallow-depth magnetometric surveys combined with geochemical investigations. The obtained results of geophysical surveys have been confirmed by geochemical investigations. The applied ERT and TDIP methods make it possible to identify the spread of the zones of pollution around the tailing pile, but their effectiveness depends on humidity of the ground. Soil magnetometry and shallow-depth induction profiling are a good tool to identify the medium contaminated with minerals redeposited by aeolian processes and allow to determine the range of the dust spread from the pile. It has been shown that the range of impact of the geochemical changes around the tailing pile is high and depends not only on directions and dynamics of water flow from the pile but also on aeolian transport.
Early Progressive Changes in White Matter Integrity Are Associated with Stroke Recovery
Authors: Pinter Daniela , Gattringer Thomas , Fandler-Höfler Simon , Kneihsl Markus , Eppinger Sebastian , Deutschmann Hannes , Pichler Alexander , Poltrum Birgit , Reishofer Gernot , Ropele Stefan , Schmidt Reinhold , Enzinger Christian
Published: March 2020

Information on microstructural white matter integrity has been shown to explain post-stroke recovery beyond clinical measures and focal brain damage. Especially, knowledge about early white matter changes might improve prediction of outcome. We investigated 42 acute reperfused ischemic stroke patients (mean age 66.5 years, 40% female, median admission NIHSS 9.5) with a symptomatic MRI-confirmed unilateral middle cerebral artery territory infarction 24–72 h post-stroke and after 3 months. All patients underwent neurological examination and brain MRI. Fifteen older healthy controls (mean age 57.3 years) were also scanned twice. We assessed fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Patients showed significantly decreased white matter integrity in the hemisphere affected by the acute infarction 24–72 h post-stroke, which further decreased over 3 months compared with controls. Less decrease in FA of remote white matter tracts was associated with better stroke recovery even after correcting for infarct location and extent. A regression model including baseline information showed that the modified Rankin Scale and mean FA of the genu of the corpus callosum explained 53.5% of the variance of stroke recovery, without contribution of infarct volume. Furthermore, early dynamic FA changes of the corpus callosum within the first 3 months post-stroke independently predicted stroke recovery. Information from advanced MRI measures on white matter integrity at the acute stage, as well as early dynamic white matter degeneration beyond infarct location and extent, improve our understanding of post-stroke reorganization in the affected hemisphere and contribute to an improved prediction of recovery.
Quantitative Measurement of γ-Ray and e-Beam Effects on Fiber Rayleigh Scattering Coefficient
Authors: Chen Yongxiang , Li Jiaqi , Wang Zinan , Stancălie Andrei , Ighigeanu Daniel , Neguţ Daniel , Sporea Dan , Peng Gangding
Published: March 2020

The effects of gamma ray (γ-ray) radiation and electron beam (e-beam) radiation on Rayleigh scattering coefficient in single-mode fiber are experimentally investigated. Utilizing an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR), the power distribution curves of the irradiated fibers are obtained to retrieve the corresponding radiation-induced attenuation (RIA). Based on the backscattering power levels and the measured RIAs, the Rayleigh scattering coefficients can be characterized quantitatively for each fiber sample. Under the given radiation conditions, Rayleigh scattering coefficients have been changed very little while RIAs have been changed significantly. Furthermore, simulations have been implemented to verify the validity of the measured Rayleigh scattering coefficient, including the splicing points.
Developing Inclusive Pedagogies in HE through an Understanding of the Learner-Consumer: Promiscuity, Hybridisation, and Innovation
Authors: Partington Angela
Published: March 2020

This article contributes to debates about how to respond to the changing profile of Higher Education (HE) students, and the marketisation of HE, by challenging prevailing views about student engagement, in order to develop learner-centric and inclusive pedagogies which are relevant to the twenty-first century. The concepts of ‘participatory culture’ and ‘co-creativity’ are often associated with the digital world in which the current generation of students have grown up. But it is a mistake to assume that some learning styles are inherently more participatory than others: participation is not an effect of the medium or form, (analog vs digital), or the space (actual vs virtual), or the mode of interaction a (face-to-face vs networked) through which the learner participates – it is an effect of the practices involved. Students engage with a complex network of both digital and analog texts and spaces, and it is this postdigital hybrid setting within which student engagement takes place. Marketisation provides an opportunity to actively demonstrate our commitments to student-centredness and inclusive practice, by transcending the binary opposition between ‘Student as Partner’ and ‘Student as Consumer’ and recognizing that students are learner-consumers, and allowing students’ diversity to drive innovation, rather than continuing to disempower students by bolstering practices which privilege some learning styles above others, informed by the assumption that innovation is technology-led.
Correction to: Notes on “refinements and higher order beliefs”
Authors: Kajii Atsushi , Morris Stephen
Published: March 2020

The article, Notes on “refinements and higher order beliefs”, written by Atsushi Kajii and Stephen Morris, was originally published Online First without Open Access. After publication in volume 71, issue 1, page 35–41 the Japanese Economic Association decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an Open Access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to ©The Author(s) 2020 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.
The application of dried amniotic membrane scaffold with adipose derived-mesenchymal stem cell seeding as graft in urethral reconstruction (experiment on rabbit)
Authors: Hariastawa IGB Adria , Rantam Fedik A. , Hardjowijoto Sunaryo
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Urethral reconstruction has been a problem for a long time and is a major challenge for surgeons. Surgical management of urethral defects is still controversial because there is no synthetic material that is considered ideal as a substitute for the urethra. With the development of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, this research aims to observe the difference between the use of dried amniotic membrane as a scaffold with and without mesenchymal stem cells seeding as graft in urethral reconstruction.

Methods:

This research was a pure experimental research with a post-test only control group design using 24 male New Zealand white rabbits. The samples were divided into 3 groups: one control group, one scaffold (dried amniotic membrane) without stem cell seeding group, and one stem cell-seeded scaffold group. The rabbits were evaluated at 28 days after treatment and the results were analyzed using Chi-Square test.

Results:

The number of urethras that were healed were higher in stem cell-seeded scaffold compared to scaffold without stem cell seeding group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Considering the promising result, application of dried amniotic membrane as a scaffold with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell seeding could be an option for urethral reconstruction.

Highlights: