bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive microwave ablation provides excellent long‐term outcomes for otherwise inaccessible hepatocellular cancer
Authors: Altman Ariella M. , Coughlan Alexandria , Shukla Dip M. , Schat Robben , Spilseth Benjamin , Marmor Schelomo , Hui Jane Y. C. , Tuttle Todd M. , Jensen Eric H.
Published: April 2020

Background and Objectives

Thermal ablation can be used as a bridge to transplant or with curative intent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We report our experience with laparoscopic ablation of HCC in patients deemed inaccessible by the percutaneous approach.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of surgical ablations from 2009 to 2017. Patient demographics, disease and treatment characteristics, and outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Kaplan‐Meier modeling was performed for survival and recurrence.

Results

Thirty‐three patients were included with a median age of 62 (interquartile range [IQR], 57‐67). Most patients were male (76%) and Caucasian (70%). Ninety‐seven percent had underlying cirrhosis. Median model for end stage liver disease‐sodium was 9.5 (IQR, 8‐12). The median maximal diameter of ablated lesions was 2.6 cm (IQR, 1.8‐3.0). Thirty‐nine lesions were ablated; 97% were completed laparoscopically. The median maximal diameter of the ablation zone was 4.8 cm (IQR, 3.8‐5.7) with a median difference of ablation zone to the tumor of 2.0 cm (IQR, 1.5‐2.75). Twelve patients received additional treatment. Median disease‐free survival was 66.7 months and median follow‐up 42.9 months. Disease recurrence occurred in 13 patients (39%)—systemic recurrence in 6%, intrahepatic recurrence in 27% and local recurrence in 6%.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic thermal ablation of HCC is safe and provides good oncologic outcomes for otherwise inaccessible tumors.
A Chip‐Scale Oscillation‐Mode Optomechanical Inertial Sensor Near the Thermodynamical Limits
Authors: Huang Yongjun , Flor Flores Jaime Gonzalo , Li Ying , Wang Wenting , Wang Di , Goldberg Noam , Zheng Jiangjun , Yu Mingbin , Lu Ming , Kutzer Michael , Rogers Daniel , Kwong Dim‐Lee , Churchill Layne , Wong Chee Wei
Published: April 2020

Modern navigation systems integrate the global positioning system (GPS) with an inertial navigation system (INS), which complement each other for correct attitude and velocity determination. The core of the INS integrates accelerometers and gyroscopes used to measure forces and angular rate in the vehicular inertial reference frame. With the help of gyroscopes and by integrating the acceleration to compute velocity and distance, precision and compact accelerometers with sufficient accuracy can provide small‐error location determination. Solid‐state implementations, through coherent readout, can provide a platform for high performance acceleration detection. In contrast to prior accelerometers using piezoelectric or capacitive readout techniques, optical readout provides narrow‐linewidth high‐sensitivity laser detection along with low‐noise resonant optomechanical transduction near the thermodynamical limits. Here an optomechanical inertial sensor with an 8.2 µg Hz−1/2 velocity random walk (VRW) at an acquisition rate of 100 Hz and 50.9 µg bias instability is demonstrated, suitable for applications, such as, inertial navigation, inclination sensing, platform stabilization, and/or wearable device motion detection. Driven into optomechanical sustained‐oscillation, the slot photonic crystal cavity provides radio‐frequency readout of the optically‐driven transduction with an enhanced 625 µg Hz−1 sensitivity. Measuring the optomechanically‐stiffened oscillation shift, instead of the optical transmission shift, provides a 220× VRW enhancement over pre‐oscillation mode detection.
A pilot study to assess the learning environment and use of reliability enhancing work practices in VHA cardiac catheterization laboratories
Authors: Gilmartin Heather M. , Hess Edward , Mueller Candice , Plomondon Mary E. , Waldo Stephen W. , Battaglia Catherine
Published: April 2020

Introduction

A learning health system (LHS) harnesses data and analytics to learn from clinical encounters to implement the best care with high reliability. The 81 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) cardiac catheterization laboratories (cath lab) are a model LHS. The quality and safety of coronary procedures are monitored and reported by the Clinical Assessment, Reporting and Tracking (CART) Program, which has identified variation in care across cath labs. This variation may be due to underappreciated aspects of LHSs, the learning environment and reliability enhancing work practices (REWPs). Learning environments are the educational approaches, context, and settings in which learning occurs. REWPs are the organizational practices found in high reliability organizations. High learning environments and use of REWPs are associated with improved outcomes. This study assessed the learning environments and use of REWPs in VHA cath labs to examine factors supportive of learning and high reliability.

Methods

In 2018, the learning organization survey‐27 and the REWP survey were administered to 732 cath lab staff. Factor analysis and linear models were computed. Unit‐level analyses and site ranking (high, low) were conducted on cath labs with >40% response rate using Bayesian methods.

Results

Surveys from 40% of cath lab staff (n = 294) at 84% of cath labs (n = 68) were included. Learning environment and REWP strengths across cath labs include the presence of training programs, openness to new ideas, and respectful interaction. Learning environment and REWP gaps include lack of structured knowledge transfer (eg, checklists) and low use of forums for improvement. Survey dimensions matched established factor structures and demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's alpha >.76). Unit‐level analyses were conducted for 29 cath labs. One ranked as high and four as low learning environments.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates an approach to assess local learning environments and use of REWPs, providing insights for systems working to become a LHS.
Direct Observation of a Cyclic Vinyl Polymer Prepared by Anionic Polymerization using N‐Heterocyclic Carbene and Subsequent Ring‐Closure without Highly Diluted Conditions
Authors: Naruse Keiji , Takasu Akinori , Higuchi Masahiro
Published: April 2020

A 1:1 adduct of methyl sorbate (MS) and 1,3‐di‐tert‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidene (NHCtBu) initiates anionic polymerization of a nonconjugated polar alkene, allyl methacrylate (AMA) in toluene at −20 °C. After the monomer is consumed quantitatively using a bulky aluminum Lewis acid, methylaluminum bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenoxide) (MAD), as an additive, successive ring‐closure occurs without highly dilute conditions to give a cyclic poly(AMA) containing α‐terminal MS unit, and an Mn of 8.8 × 103−58.5 × 103 with a narrow molecular dispersity index (Mw/Mn = 1.14–1.37). The lack of a need for dilution is due to the fact that an α‐terminal NHCtBu group is acting as the counter cation for the propagating center in the polymerization. From 1H NMR and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra, combined with transmittance electron microscope (TEM) observation of a synthesized poly(AMA) with longer alkyl side chains prepared via a thiol‐ene click reaction, it is concluded that once the monomer is consumed, nucleophilic attack at the neighboring methine of the α‐terminal NHCtBu residue by the propagating anionic center causes ring‐closing to cyclic poly(AMA).
Mathematical analysis of memristor through fractal‐fractional differential operators: A numerical study
Authors: Abro Kashif Ali , Atangana Abdon
Published: April 2020

The newly generalized energy storage component, namely, memristor, which is a fundamental circuit element so called universal charge‐controlled mem‐element, is proposed for controlling the analysis and coexisting attractors. The governing differential equations of memristor are highly nonlinear for mathematical relationships. The mathematical model of memristor is established in terms of newly defined fractal‐fractional differential operators so called Atangana‐Baleanu, Caputo‐Fabrizio, and Caputo fractal‐fractional differential operator. A novel numerical approach is developed for the governing differential equations of memristor on the basis of Atangana‐Baleanu, Caputo‐Fabrizio, and Caputo fractal‐fractional differential operator. We discussed chaotic behavior of memristor under three criteria such as (i) varying fractal order, we fixed fractional order; (ii) varying fractional order, we fixed fractal order; and (ii) varying fractal and fractional orders simultaneously. Our investigated graphical illustrations and simulated results via MATLAB for the chaotic behaviors of memristor suggest that newly presented Atangana‐Baleanu, Caputo‐Fabrizio, and Caputo fractal‐fractional differential operators generate significant results as compared with classical approach.
Association between early informed diagnosis and survival time in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Su Tong , He Chen , Li Xiaopan , Xiao Lei , He Jingwen , Bai Yonghai , Tang Yunxiang
Published: April 2020

Objective

As a malignant tumor with high mortality, lung cancer (LC) often causes great trauma to patients, and a series of negative emotions and a heavy psychological burden accompanies poor prognosis. Whether or not to inform the patients of their condition has always been a controversial topic in the medical community. This retrospective cohort study investigated the association between early informed diagnosis and survival time in patients with LC.

Methods

A total of 29 825 patients with LC were enrolled between October 2002 and December 2016. The potential factors influencing LC survival were registered, including knowing their cancer diagnosis status, age, gender, pathological type, clinical stage, surgical history, hospital grade, and patient occupation. All participants were followed up every 6 months until June 2017.

Results

In June 2017, 23.1% of the participants still survived. Their median survival time (MST) was 11.20 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.98‐11.43). Generally, patients that knew their cancer diagnosis had longer MST than those who did not (18.33 months vs 8.77 months, P < .001). By stratified analysis, patients that knew their cancer diagnosis had longer survival time in each subgroup (P < .001, all subgroups). Cox regression analysis showed that knowing their cancer diagnosis was an independent influencing factor for survival in patients with LC (hazard ratio, 0.826; 95% CI, 0.802‐0.851; P < .001).

Conclusions

Knowing their cancer diagnosis contributed to longer survival time in patients with LC, providing clear evidence that medical staff and patients' families should fully disclose cancer diagnoses to patients.
A survey of falls in people with dystonia
Authors: Boyce Melani J. , Chang Florence C. F. , Mahant Neil , Fung Victor S. C. , Bradnam Lynley
Published: April 2020

Objective

Dystonia is a chronic and sometimes progressive neurological disorder causing abnormalities in movement and function. We conducted a preliminary survey to investigate whether people with dystonia experience falls and to identify contributing factors to falls in this population.

Methods

An online survey of people with dystonia was conducted in November 2015. Respondents were asked to complete demographic information, three questionnaires (the Falls Self‐Efficacy Scale International [FES‐I], the Activities‐based Balance Confidence Scale [ABC] and the Functional Disability Questionnaire [FDQ]), and to report any falls sustained during the previous 6 months.

Results

Thirty‐nine percent of the 122 respondents reported falling in the previous 6 months and 65% of fallers were diagnosed with dystonia not affecting the lower limbs. Fallers reported lower falls self‐efficacy and balance confidence with higher functional disability. Both falling scales correlated with self‐reported functional disability. Linear regression analysis for falls prediction revealed the variables FES‐I and FDQ accounted for almost 30% of the falls in this dystonia population.

Conclusion

This survey indicates that fear of falling and balance confidence are impaired in people with dystonia, possibly impacting on function and falls. Further investigation into balance, function and falls in this population is required.
Nitrogen isotopic analysis of nitrate in aquatic environment using cadmium–hydroxylamine hydrochloride reduction
Authors: Jin Jie , Jiang Shan , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2020

Rationale

The nitrogen isotopic ratio of nitrate (δ15N‐NO3− value) is a critical parameter for understanding nitrogen biogeochemical cycling in aquatic systems. Current approaches to the determination of δ15N‐NO3− values involve time‐intensive handling procedures, the use of toxic chemicals and complicated microbial incubation.

Methods

A chemical reduction method for measuring the δ15N‐NO3− values of aquatic samples was established. Nitrate was first quantitatively reduced to nitrite in a column filled with copper‐coated cadmium granules, and the produced nitrite further reduced to nitrous oxide gas with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The nitrogen isotope ratio of the produced nitrous oxide was measured using a continuous‐flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled with a purge and cryogenic trap system.

Results

The optimized experimental conditions were: solution acidity, H+ concentration of 0.46 M, pH = 0.34; dosage of hydroxylamine, molar ratio of NH2OH to NO2− of 4; reaction temperature, 45°C; and reaction time, 14–16 h. No salt effect was found for this method. The reproducibility of the δ15N‐NO3− value for the laboratory standard was better than 0.3‰ for long‐term measurements (20 nmol NO3− requirement).

Conclusions

This method provides a reliable approach for the determination of δ15N‐NO3− values at natural abundance. It provides (1) high measurement accuracy, (2) ease of operation, (3) environmental‐friendly procedure (less toxic regents used), and (4) suitability for both freshwater and saline water samples.
Systematic convergence of nonlinear stochastic estimators on the Special Orthogonal Group SO(3)
Authors: Hashim Hashim A.
Published: April 2020

This paper introduces two novel nonlinear stochastic attitude estimators developed on the Special Orthogonal Group with the tracking error of the normalized Euclidean distance meeting predefined transient and steady‐state characteristics. The tracking error is confined to initially start within a predetermined large set such that the transient performance is guaranteed to obey dynamically reducing boundaries and decrease smoothly and asymptotically to the origin in probability from almost any initial condition. The proposed estimators produce accurate attitude estimates with remarkable convergence properties using measurements obtained from low‐cost inertial measurement units. The estimators proposed in continuous form are complemented by their discrete versions for the implementation purposes. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed estimators against uncertain measurements and large initialization error, whether in continuous or discrete
form.
Transition‐Metal‐Free Catalyzed Dearomatizative Esterification of Indole
Authors: Gao Bao , Xu Shasha , Du Tianri , Li Yahui
Published: April 2020

3,3‐Disubstituted oxindoles are important intermediates and building blocks in organic synthesis. Herein, a domino procedure for the synthesis of various 3,3‐disubstituted oxindole from indoles has been developed. Without transition metal catalyst, indoles were selectivity dearomatized in an efficient manner without any halogen additives.
Workability, mechanical, and durability properties of self‐compacting concrete using the treated wastewater
Authors: Yahyaei Behnaz , Asadollahfardi Gholamreza , Salehi Amir Masood
Published: April 2020

Urban development, industrialization, and increasing population increase water consumption. Limited water resources, especially in an arid climate, are a challenging issue; therefore, water reuse is vital. A huge amount of treated wastewater is discharged to the rivers and groundwater daily. The construction industry, especially for producing concrete uses a huge amount of tap water. Hence, we studied the feasibility of using the treated domestic wastewater to produce self‐compacting concrete (SCC) with different concrete mix designs, using silica fume, fly ash, slag, zeolite, and a mixture of silica fume and fly ash according to ASTM and BS standards. The experimental work included workability, mechanical, and durability properties of different concrete mix designs using the treated wastewater. The results of workability (filling ability) including Slump flow, T50, and V funnel were 600–800 mm, 2–5 s, and 6–12 s, respectively, and satisfied the European guidelines for SCC. Also, the results of passing ability, including J‐ring and L box experiments, complied with the European guidelines. The compressive strength of different types of the concrete mixes using treated wastewater was found to be one to 8% below using the tap water in 7, 28, 56, and 90 days after the concrete samples were made. Scanning electron microscope images confirmed the results. Using the treated wastewater decreased the electrical resistivity of concrete in the SCC in different concrete mix designs. However, the results of chloride ion permeability remained in the very low range (37–254 Ω/m) of the AASHTO (95) standard.
Understanding and Designing Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters: Beyond the Energy Gap Approximation
Authors: Eng Julien , Penfold Thomas J.
Published: April 2020

In this article recent progress in the development of molecules exhibiting Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) is discussed with a particular focus upon their application as emitters in highly efficient organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The key aspects controlling the desirable functional properties, e. g. fast intersystem crossing, high radiative rate and unity quantum yield, are introduced with a particular focus upon the competition between the key requirements needed to achieve high performance OLEDs. The design rules required for organic and metal organic materials are discussed, and the correlation between them outlined. Recent progress towards understanding the influence of the interaction between a molecule and its environment are explained as is the role of the mechanism for excited state formation in OLEDs. Finally, all of these aspects are combined to discuss the ability to implement high level design rules for achieving higher quality materials for commercial applications. This article highlights the significant progress that has been made in recent years, but also outlines the significant challenges which persist to achieve a full understanding of the TADF mechanism and improve the stability and performance of these materials.
Development of three‐phase unbalanced power flow using local control of connected photovoltaic systems
Authors: Chanhome Anuwat , Chaitusaney Surachai
Published: April 2020

With the increased number of installations of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems within electricity distribution systems, power flow analysis is required to handle multiple PV systems. At present, PV systems are equipped with a local control function (LCF). The conventional algorithm is then applied for power flow analysis with the LCF of each PV system, where the power output of LCF of each PV system is calculated and used in the power flow calculation. The conventional algorithm is terminated when the voltage at each iteration of the power flow algorithm is converged. However, the conventional algorithm inevitably requires a lengthy calculation. This paper proposes a power flow algorithm that applies the Newton–Raphson technique to handle multiple PV systems with an LCF for a faster calculation. The LCF is approximated to have a continuous characteristic. The developed power flow algorithm can be used for a three‐phase unbalanced distribution system and its effectiveness was demonstrated in a modified 19‐node distribution system. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
T‐cell targeted pulmonary siRNA delivery for the treatment of asthma
Authors: Keil Tobias W. M. , Baldassi Domizia , Merkel Olivia M.
Published: April 2020

Despite the large number of drugs available for the treatment of asthma, in 5–10% of the patients this disease is not well controlled. While most treatments palliate symptoms, those suffering from severe and uncontrolled asthma could benefit more from a therapeutic approach addressing the root problem. An siRNA‐based therapy targeting the transcription factor GATA3 in activated T helper cells subtype 2 (TH2 cells), one of the key upstream factors involved in asthma, could therefore represent a promising strategy. However, the difficult‐to‐transfect cell type has not extensively been explored for nucleic acid therapeutics. In this regard, our group first identified a suitable pathway, that is, transferrin receptor mediated uptake, to target efficiently and specifically activated TH2 cells with a transferrin‐polyethyleneimine (PEI) conjugate which forms polyplexes with siRNA. This system, despite efficient uptake in activated T cells (ATCs) in vivo, suffered from poor endosomal release and was later improved by a combination with a melittin‐PEI conjugate. The new formulation showed improved endosomal escape and gene silencing efficacy. Additionally, in order to develop a clinically relevant dosage form for pulmonary delivery of siRNA we have lately focused on a dry powder formulation by spray drying (SD) for the production of inhalable nano‐in‐microparticles. In proof‐of‐concept experiments, DNA/PEI polyplexes were used in order to implement analytics and engineer process parameters to pave the way for SD also siRNA containing polyplexes and more sophisticated systems in general. Ultimately, our efforts are devoted to the development of a novel treatment of asthma that can be translated from bench to bedside and are reviewed and discussed here in the context of the current literature.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Respiratory Disease

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid‐Based Structures

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures
Soft theorems and the KLT-relation
Authors: Aoude Rafael , Helset Andreas
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We find new relations for the non-universal part of the Yang-Mills amplitudes by combining the KLT-relation and the soft behavior of gauge and gravity amplitudes. We also extend the relations to include contributions from effective operators.
Decreased plasma kallikrein activity is associated with reduced kidney function in individuals with type 1 diabetes
Authors:   on behalf of the FinnDiane Study Group, Härma Mari-Anne , Dahlström Emma H. , Sandholm Niina , Forsblom Carol , Groop Per-Henrik , Lehto Markku
Published: April 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Plasma kallikrein is the central mediator of the plasma kallikrein–kinin system, which is involved both in vascular control and thrombin formation cascades. The plasma kallikrein–kinin system has also been considered protective in pathological conditions, but the impact of plasma kallikreins on diabetic nephropathy remains unknown. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore the association of plasma kallikrein with diabetic nephropathy.

Methods

We measured plasma kallikrein activity in 295 individuals with type 1 diabetes at various stages of diabetic nephropathy, and we tested the genetic association between the plasma kallikrein–kinin system and kidney function in 4400 individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Results

Plasma kallikrein activity was associated with diabetes duration (p < 0.001) and eGFR (p < 0.001), and plasma kallikrein activity was lower with more advanced diabetic nephropathy, being lowest in individuals on dialysis. The minor alleles of the KNG1 rs5030062 and rs710446 variants, which have previously been associated with increased plasma pre-kallikrein and/or factor XI (FXI) protein levels, were associated with higher eGFR (rs5030062 β = 0.03, p = 0.01; rs710446 β = 0.03, p = 0.005) in the FinnDiane cohort of 4400 individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions/interpretation

Plasma kallikrein activity and genetic variants known to increase the plasma kallikrein level are associated with higher eGFR in individuals with type 1 diabetes, suggesting that plasma kallikrein might have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy.
Feasibility of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol for Elective Pancreatoduodenectomy: A Multicenter International Cohort Study
Authors: Roulin Didier , Melloul Emmanuel , Wellg Björn Erik , Izbicki Jakob , Vrochides Dionisios , Adham Mustapha , Hübner Martin , Demartines Nicolas
Published: April 2020

Background

The first enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidelines for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) were developed in 2012. The study aimed to assess compliance and outcomes of an ERAS protocol for PD, to study correlation between compliance and outcomes, and to identify risk factors for complications.

Methods

Retrospective cohort analysis is based on a prospective database, including all consecutive patients undergoing elective PD within an ERAS program in four centers: Lausanne University Hospital (Switzerland), Carolinas Medical Center (United States), Edouard Herriot Hospital (France), and University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf (Germany). Patients’ characteristics, postoperative outcome and ERAS compliance were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of postoperative complications.

Results

Between October 2012 and June 2017, 404 consecutive patients underwent PD. Median length of stay was 14 days with 11.3% readmission rate. Mean overall compliance was 62%, with pre‐, intra‐ and postoperative compliance of 93%, 80% and 30%, respectively. Overall compliance ≥ 70% versus < 70% was significantly associated with a reduction in complications (p = 0.029) and length of stay (p < 0.001). Avoidance of postoperative nasogastric tube (OR = 0.31, p = 0.043), mobilization on day of surgery (OR = 0.28, p = 0.043), and mobilization more than 6 h on postoperative day 2 (OR = 0.45, p = 0.001) were independent predictors of reduced overall complications.

Conclusions

Implementation of enhanced recovery for PD is challenging, especially in the postoperative period. Overall compliance with ERAS protocol ≥ 70% was associated with decreased complications and length of stay. Specific ERAS elements, such as avoidance of postoperative nasogastric tube and early mobilization, independently improved outcomes.
Design of resilient socio-technical systems by human-system co-creation
Authors: Sawaragi Tetsuo
Published: April 2020

The concept of resilience is commonly used to represent “an ability to adapt to a changing environment and to survive flexibly despite facing difficulties.” This definition of resilience emphasized its aspects of unpredictable responsiveness to external disturbances as well as self-organized phenomena, which seemed to be close to the definition of complex adaptive systems. This article summarizes the technical challenges to consider the implementation of a concept of resilience into systems from a variety of perspectives. Then, challenges to tackle with the resilience to variabilities in production plans, in work quality, in empirical knowledge, in human-automation systems, and in organizations are presented.
Complexity of packing common bases in matroids
Authors: Bérczi Kristóf , Schwarcz Tamás
Published: April 2020

One of the most intriguing unsolved questions of matroid optimization is the characterization of the existence of k disjoint common bases of two matroids. The significance of the problem is well-illustrated by the long list of conjectures that can be formulated as special cases, such as Woodall’s conjecture on packing disjoint dijoins in a directed graph, or Rota’s beautiful conjecture on rearrangements of bases. In the present paper we prove that the problem is difficult under the rank oracle model, i.e., we show that there is no algorithm which decides if the common ground set of two matroids can be partitioned into k common bases by using a polynomial number of independence queries. Our complexity result holds even for the very special case when $$k=2$$

k
=
2

. Through a series of reductions, we also show that the abstract problem of packing common bases in two matroids includes the NAE-SAT problem and the Perfect Even Factor problem in directed graphs. These results in turn imply that the problem is not only difficult in the independence oracle model but also includes NP-complete special cases already when $$k=2$$

k
=
2

, one of the matroids is a partition matroid, while the other matroid is linear and is given by an explicit representation.
Effects of using certain tree species in forest regeneration on regional wind damage risks in Finnish boreal forests under different CMIP5 projections
Authors: Ikonen V.-P. , Kilpeläinen A. , Strandman H. , Asikainen A. , Venäläinen A. , Peltola H.
Published: April 2020

We studied how the use of certain tree species in forest regeneration affected the regional wind damage risks to Finnish boreal forests under the current climate (1981–2010) and recent-generation global climate model (GCM) predictions (i.e., 10 GCMs of CMIP5, with wide variations in temperature and precipitation), using the representative concentration pathways RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 over the period 2010–2099. The study employed forest ecosystem and mechanistic wind damage risk model simulations on upland national forest inventory plots throughout Finland. The amount of wind damage was estimated based on the predicted critical wind speeds for uprooting trees and their probabilities. In a baseline management regime, forest regeneration was performed by planting the same tree species that was dominant before the final cut. In other management regimes, either Scots pine, Norway spruce or silver birch was planted on medium-fertility sites. Other management actions were performed as for a baseline management. The calculated amount of wind damage was greatest in southern and central Finland under CNRM-CM5 RCP8.5, and the smallest under HadGEM2-ES RCP8.5. The most severe climate projections (HadGEM2-ES RCP8.5 and GFDL-CM3 RCP8.5) affected the wind damage risk even more than did the tree species preferences in forest regeneration. The situation was the opposite for the less severe climate projections (e.g., MPI-ESM-MR RCP4.5 and MPI-ESM-MR RCP8.5). The calculated amount of wind damage was clearly greater in the south than in the north, due to differences in forest structure. The volume of growing stock is much higher in the south for the more vulnerable Norway spruce (and birch) than in the north, which is opposite for the less vulnerable Scots pine. The increasing risk of wind damage should be taken into account in forest management because it could amplify, or even cancel out, any expected increases in forest productivity due to climate change.
Structure-based design, synthesis, and evaluation of the biological activity of novel phosphoroorganic small molecule IAP antagonists
Authors: Łupicka-Słowik Agnieszka , Psurski Mateusz , Grzywa Renata , Cuprych Monika , Ciekot Jarosław , Goldeman Waldemar , Wojaczyńska Elżbieta , Wojaczyński Jacek , Oleksyszyn Józef , Sieńczyk Marcin
Published: April 2020

One of the strategies employed by novel anticancer therapies is to put the process of apoptosis back on track by blocking the interaction between inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and caspases. The activity of caspases is modulated by the caspases themselves in a caspase/procaspase proteolytic cascade and by their interaction with IAPs. Caspases can be released from the inhibitory influence of IAPs by proapoptotic proteins such as secondary mitochondrial activator of caspases (Smac) that share an IAP binding motif (IBM). The main purpose of the present study was the design and synthesis of phosphorus-based peptidyl antagonists of IAPs that mimic the endogenous Smac protein, which blocks the interaction between IAPs and caspases. Based on the structure of the IAP antagonist and recently reported thiadiazole derivatives, we designed and evaluated the biochemical properties of a series of phosphonic peptides bearing the N-Me-Ala-Val/Chg-Pro-OH motif (Chg: cyclohexylglycine). The ability of the obtained compounds to interact with the binding groove of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis protein repeat (XIAP BIR3) domain was examined by a fluorescence polarization assay, while their potential to induce autoubiquitination followed by proteasomal degradation of cellular IAP1 was examined using the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. The highest potency against BIR3 was observed among peptides containing C-terminal phosphonic phenylalanine analogs, which displayed nanomolar Ki values. Their antiproliferative potential as well as their proapoptotic action, manifested by an increase in caspase-3 activity, was examined using various cell lines.
Factors influencing the acceptability of object fronting in German
Authors: Wierzba Marta , Fanselow Gisbert
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we address some controversially debated empirical questions concerning object fronting in German by a series of acceptability rating studies. We investigated three kinds of factors: (i) properties of the subject (given/new, pronoun/full DP), (ii) emphasis, (iii) register. The first factor is predicted to play a crucial role by models in which object fronting possibilities are limited by prosodic properties. Two experiments provide converging evidence for a systematic effect of this factor: we find that the relative acceptability of object fronting across subjects that require an accent (new DPs) is lower than across deaccentable subjects (pronouns and given DPs). Other models predict object fronting across full phrases (but not across pronouns) to be limited to an emphatic interpretation. This prediction is also borne out, suggesting that both types of models capture an empirically valid generalization and can be seen as complementing each other rather than competing with each other. Finally, we find support for the view that informal register facilitates object fronting. In sum, our experiments contribute to clarifying the empirical basis concerning a phenomenon influenced by a range of interacting factors. This, in turn, informs theoretical approaches to the prefield position and helps to identify factors that need to be carefully controlled in this field of research.
Not stupid, but lazy? Psychological benefits of disruptive classroom behavior from an attributional perspective
Authors: Kessels Ursula , Heyder Anke
Published: April 2020

Disruptive student behavior is a frequent part of school life, most often shown by male students and related to many negative academic outcomes. In this study, we examined the psychological benefits of engaging in disruptive behavior for low-achieving students from an attributional perspective. In an experimental vignette study of 178 ninth graders from Germany, we tested whether the students’ ratings of a target student who displayed disruptive behavior (instead of unobtrusive behavior) in a vignette would evoke lack-of-effort attributions for academic failure through students’ expectations of teachers’ reprimands. In order to account for the nested data structure (vignettes nested in participants), we applied multilevel analysis while testing for mediation effects. Results showed that the disruptive behavior of a target student triggered lack-of-effort attributions in students instead of lack-of-ability attributions for low academic achievement. This effect was mediated by students’ expectations of teachers’ reprimands. In addition, low-achieving students showing disruptive behavior were perceived as more popular but less liked personally and as more masculine and less feminine. The study adds to the understanding of disruptive behavior in class as an attempt of poor-performing students to elicit face-saving attributions for academic failure and enhance their peer status.
An Examination of the Lived Experience of Attending Twelve-Step Groups for Co-dependency
Authors: Bacon Ingrid , McKay Elizabeth , Reynolds Frances , McIntyre Anne
Published: April 2020

This research project aimed at obtaining an in-depth analysis of the experiences of self-identified co-dependents, who chose twelve-steps groups as a way for dealing with difficulties identified as co-dependency. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used as the methodology for the research. Eight participants volunteered from local support groups for co-dependency in the UK. Data were collected through 3 in-depth interviews with each participant over a period of 3–6 months. A visual method was used to gain a more in-depth phenomenological perspective. It included photographs, drawings and images chosen by the participants to describe their experiences. The analysis revealed 2 contradicting and complementary themes: (1) representations of the twelve-step group as a helpful tool and (2) representations of the twelve-step group as no longer meaningful. It demonstrated that the participants found their groups useful as an initial pathway for recovery; however, it did not feature as a central aspect in their recovery, as different levels of engagement were described. The results of this study provide a base for developing a more empathic and contextualised understanding of the experience of individuals who attend twelve-step groups for co-dependency, which in turn will enable health professionals to offer support which is relevant to these individuals’ experiences.
Crowdworking: Neue Realitäten der Führung
Authors: von der Oelsnitz Dietrich , Staiger Anna-Maria , Schmidt Johannes
Published: April 2020

Dieser Beitrag in der Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation.“ erhellt im Rahmen einer aktuellen qualitativen Befragung von Crowdworkern, welche Motive und Erwartungen in diesem gegenwärtig stark wachsenden Bereich der sog. neuen Arbeitswelt auf deren Seite bestehen. Deutlich wird u. a., dass die Personalführung im plattformbasierten Raum diffuser wird. In unpersönlichen, digitalen Arbeitswelten existiert neben der zunächst offensichtlichen Führungssubstitution durch Selbstmanagement letztlich dennoch eine dem virtuellen Raum angepasste Führungserwartung der Crowdworker. Diesen Erwartungen müssen Portale wie Kunden im Sinne einer für alle Seiten effektiven Leistungsbeziehung gerecht werden.
Getting to know our non-traditional and rejected medical school applicants
Authors: Wouters Anouk
Published: April 2020

None
Recidivism After a Prison-Based Treatment Program: a Comparison Between a Treatment and Control Group Using Proportional Weighting Within Strata
Authors: Bosma Anouk Q. , Kunst Maarten J. J. , Dirkzwager Anja J. E. , Nieuwbeerta Paul
Published: April 2020

Given the large potential of prison-based treatment programs, it is highly important to empirically evaluate such programs in various populations in various geographic regions. The current study focused on the Dutch Prevention of Recidivism Program, a prison-based treatment program that aims to lower re-offending rates among participants by administering an individualized treatment program that addresses the criminogenic needs of an individual offender. It aimed to assess the extent to which the program was effective in reducing the post-release re-offending rates of program participants. This was studied by analyzing official prison data, risk assessment data, and re-offending records of a population-based sample of males incarcerated in The Netherlands. Proportional weighting within strata was applied to minimize selection effects. Study results showed that prisoners who completed a standard treatment program (which only consisted of phased re-entry), re-offended less in the 24 months post-release, compared to offenders in the control condition. This treatment effect was, however, not found when comparing prisoners who had completed a standard program plus cognitive skill training or substance abuse treatment, to those who had not. It was consequently concluded that participation in the prison-based Prevention of Recidivism program had a positive effect on post-release re-offending, for offenders who had engaged in a standard program that did not include any behavioral treatment modules. Results were discussed in light of theoretical and empirical considerations.
Thermomagnetic Processing of Aluminum Alloys During Heat Treatment
Authors: Weiss David , Murphy Bart , Thompson Michael J. , Henderson Hunter B. , Rios Orlando , Ludtka Gerard M. , Perron Aurelien , Kesler Michael S.
Published: April 2020

Processing materials under magnetic fields is an underexplored technique to improve structure and mechanical properties in metals and alloys. Magnetic fields can alter phase stability, modify diffusion characteristics, and alter material flow substantially. In castings, magnetic fields can be used during melting of the alloy, during solidification, or during postprocessing operations such as heat treatment to achieve structural changes. This work investigates the effectiveness of thermomagnetic processing during heat treatment of Al alloys containing in the Al–Cu, Al–Si–Cu, and Al–Mg–Ce systems. We demonstrate an improvement in mechanical properties and a reduction in required heat treatment times for all alloys.
High-cadence optical transient searches using drift scan imaging I: Proof of concept with a pre-prototype system
Authors: Tingay Steven
Published: April 2020

An imaging technique with sensitivity to short duration optical transients is described. The technique is based on the use of wide-field cameras operating in a drift scanning mode, whereby persistent objects produce trails on the sensor and short duration transients occupy localised groups of pixels. A benefit of the technique is that sensitivity to short duration signals is not accompanied by massive data rates, because the exposure time is much greater than the transient duration. The technique is demonstrated using a pre-prototype system composed of readily available and inexpensive commercial components, coupled with common coding environments, commercially available software, and free web-based services. The performance of the technique and the pre-prototype system is explored, including aspects of photometric and astrometric calibration, detection sensitivity, characterisation of candidate transients, and the differentiation of astronomical signals from non-astronomical signals (primarily glints from satellites in Earth orbit and cosmic ray hits on sensor pixels). Test observations were made using the pre-prototype system, achieving sensitivity to transients with 21-ms duration, resulting in the detection of five candidate transients. An investigation of these candidates concludes they are most likely due to cosmic ray hits on the sensor and/or satellites. The sensitivity obtained with the pre-prototype system is such that, under some models for the optical emission from fast radio bursts (FRBs), the detection of a typical FRB, such as FRB181228, to a distance of approximately 100 Mpc is plausible. Several options for improving the system/technique in the future are described.
Validation of a nutrition knowledge questionnaire in Italian students attending the University of Parma
Authors: Rosi Alice , Martini Daniela , Grosso Giuseppe , Bonaccio Maria Laura , Scazzina Francesca , Angelino Donato
Published: April 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of a self-administered nutrition knowledge (NK) questionnaire for Italian university students.

Design:

The NK questionnaire included ninety questions on experts’ nutritional recommendations, nutritional content of food, health aspects of food and diets, relationship between diet and diseases, and proper food choices. It was administered to the same population under the same conditions on two different occasions with a time interval of 3 weeks between the two administrations.

Setting:

The survey was carried out at the University of Parma (Italy) during the 2018–2019 academic year.

Participants:

Data were collected for 132 bachelor and master degree students attending the University of Parma, either attending or not nutrition classes during their studies (19–30 years, 29·5 % males, 57·6 % with an academic nutrition background).

Results:

The questionnaire revealed high overall internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’sα> 0·8) and a good temporal stability with high correlation of the total score (r= 0·835,P< 0·001). Moreover, it showed a good ability to discriminate between subjects with potentially different NK.

Conclusions:

This NK questionnaire proved to be a reliable, valid and easy-to-use tool for assessing the NK of Italian university students, either with or without nutrition background.
Magnetic Fingerprinting of Fluvial Suspended Particles in the Context of Soil Erosion: Example of the Canche River Watershed (Northern France)
Authors: Franke Christine , Patault Edouard , Alary Claire , Abriak Nor‐Edine , Lagroix France
Published: April 2020

In Northern France, land use is dominated by agriculture. Erosion by runoff results in heavy loss of fertile soil into surface waters. There is a need for cost‐effective tools to trace the sediment flux in catchments. This study highlights the potential of environmental magnetism to provide rapid non‐destructive parameters to characterize the spatiotemporal runoff versus bedload signal in a watershed. Between 2015 and 2017, within the Canche River watershed, several spatiotemporal sampling campaigns of suspended particulate matter (SPM) were undertaken and two distinct “snapshot campaigns” of flood events were conducted at key locations acquiring, in addition, hydrodynamical observations (discharge, turbidity, sediment load, etc.). Agricultural soils and SPM within the watershed have similar values for bulk magnetic concentration (isothermal remanent magnetization, IRM). The magnetic mineral assemblage of the SPM is dominated by soft ferromagnetic (sensu lato) minerals during low water conditions and is enriched in high‐coercivity phases during high water stages associated with rainfall events. Low‐temperature remanence experiments identified goethite and hematite as the high‐coercivity phases. IRM acquisition component analysis of the room temperature results quantify the relative input of high‐ versus low‐coercivity components focused on a given confluence site. Results from snapshot campaigns highlight the link between the enhanced runoff input of high‐coercivity particles during flood events and show that the S ratio parameter is an effective tool to trace erosion of topsoils.
Turbulence and Transport During Guide Field Reconnection at the Magnetopause
Authors: Price L. , Swisdak M. , Drake J. F. , Graham D. B.
Published: April 2020

We analyze the development and influence of turbulence in three‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations of guide field magnetic reconnection at the magnetopause with parameters based on observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Along the separatrices the turbulence is a variant of the lower‐hybrid‐drift instability (LHDI) that produces electric field fluctuations with amplitudes much greater than the reconnection electric field. The turbulence controls the scale length of the density and current profiles while enabling significant transport across the magnetopause, despite the electrons remaining frozen‐in to the magnetic field. Transport of the out‐of‐plane current density exceeds that of the particle density. Near the X‐line the electrons are not frozen‐in and the turbulence, which differs from the LHDI, makes a significant net contribution to the generalized Ohm's law through an anomalous viscosity. The characteristics of the turbulence and associated particle transport are consistent with fluctuation amplitudes in the MMS observations. However, for this event the simulations suggest that the MMS spacecraft were not close enough to the core of the electron diffusion region to identify the region where anomalous viscosity is important.