bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distributed model predictive control with saturated inputs by a saturation‐dependent Lyapunov function
Authors: Zhang L. , Xie W. , Wang J.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, distributed model predictive control (MPC) problems are considered for input‐saturated polytopic uncertain systems by a saturation‐dependent Lyapunov function approach. The actuator saturation is processed by the transformation into the linear convex combination form. By the decomposition of the control input, distributed MPC controllers are designed in parallel for each subsystems. The Lyapunov Function we select is saturation dependent, which is less conservative than the general Lyapunov Function approach. An invariant set condition is provided and min–max distributed MPC is proposed based on the invariant set. The robust distributed MPC controllers are determined by solving a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem. To reduce the conservatism, we present a robust distributed MPC algorithm, which is not only saturation dependent but also parameter dependent. A Jacobi iterative algorithm is developed to coordinate the distributed MPC controllers. A simulation example with multi‐subsystem is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed distributed MPC algorithms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of water‐soluble electrical steel coating with SiO2 modified by glycine
Authors: Zhang Xiaorui , Liu Lizhu , Weng Ling
Published: May 2016

The composite coating with glycine modified SiO2 used as the fillers was prepared in this study. The methods of glycine modify SiO2 were discussed, the modified results were characterized by FTIR, XRD, XPS, and TEM. The results of the comparison among the coating filled with SiO2 modified by different methods indicated that glycine grafted could enhance the compatibility between the polyester solvent and the SiO2 particles. The curing speed of the coating was not changed, the insulation performances were enhanced and the mechanical properties were not affected by the glycine modified, and the mechanism of the enhancement was the reunite of the particles was reduced and the wettability against polyester was enhanced. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1255–1260, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Prenatal sonographic features of triploidy at 12–16 weeks
Authors: Zalel Yaron , Shapiro Israel , Weissmann‐Brenner Alina , Berkenstadt Michal , Leibovitz Zvi , Bronshtein Moshe
Published: May 2016

Objective

The purpose of our study was to describe the sonographic appearance of triploidy in early pregnancy.

Methods

We report the sonographic characteristics of a cohort of fetal triploid cases detected at targeted ultrasonographic vaginal examinations between 12 and 16 weeks of gestation from 2008 to 2014. Indications for fetal karyotype following ultrasound were maternal request, advanced maternal age, increased nuchal translucency, and/or fetal abnormalities.

Results

Triploidy was detected in 25 cases during the 6 years of the study period with an estimated incidence of ~1 in 5000 pregnancies. Four cases had molar changes in the placenta. Among the remaining 21 cases, a consistent sonographic pattern was noted, which included the combination of asymmetric growth restriction with abdominal circumference lagging 2 weeks behind head circumference in 21/21, oligohydramnios in 20/21, abnormal posterior fossa or enlarged fourth ventricle in 20/21, and absent gall bladder in 17/21. Other findings present in more than 50% of cases included cardiac (70%) and renal (55%) abnormalities, clenched hands (55%), and hypoplastic lungs (67%).

Conclusion

Fetal triploidy can manifest at 12–16 weeks with molar changes in the placenta or with a cluster of unusual sonographic findings whose presence should prompt appropriate testing for diagnosis in early pregnancy. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Haften wie ein Gecko
Authors: Greiner Christian , Hölscher Hendrik
Published: May 2016

Seit der Antike gibt es verschiedene Theorien über die phänomenale Haftfähigkeit von Geckos. Heute ist klar, dass das Aufteilen der Kontaktfläche in sehr viele kleine Kontaktflächen ihre Haftkraft enorm steigert. Dafür sorgt eine hierarchisch aufgespaltene Härchenstruktur an den Zehen. Auf der molekularen Ebene dominieren Van‐der‐Waals‐Kräfte. Wichtig sind zudem die Fähigkeit zur Selbstreinigung und das Aufrollen der Zehen beim Ablösen. Diese drei Eigenschaften müssen künstliche Strukturen imitieren, wenn sie den Fähigkeiten der Geckos nahekommen sollen. Im Labor gelingen erste Ansätze, doch eine erfolgreiche Übertragung auf kommerzielle Gecko‐Klebebänder steht noch aus.
Skyrmionen – magnetische Wirbel als Datenspeicher
Authors: Büttner Felix , Kläui Mathias
Published: May 2016

In bestimmten Festkörpern lassen sich magnetische Wirbelstrukturen, sogenannte Skyrmionen, erzeugen. Gemeinsam mit Physikern des Massachusetts Institute of Technology ist es unserer Gruppe von der Universität Mainz kürzlich gelungen, gezielt einzelne Skyrmionen bei Raumtemperatur in einem Festkörper durch Strominjektion zu verschieben. Das ist ein wichtiger Schritt auf dem Weg, Skyrmionen als zukünftige Datenspeicher einzusetzen.
The solvolysis mechanism of simple secondary tosylates in 50% aqueous TFE
Authors: Li Dian , Williams Nicholas H.
Published: May 2016

The solvolysis of simple secondary tosylates in 50% trifluoethanol has been investigated using stereochemical and isotopic labels. 2‐butyl, 2‐pentyl and 2‐octyl tosylates all solvolyse at very similar rates (~1 × 10−5 s−1) at 30 °C. Slow racemisation of S‐2‐butyl tosylate (~4.6 × 10−7 s−1) was observed during solvolysis, but R‐2‐octyl tosylate did not show any significant racemisation. Competing rearrangement of 3‐pentyl tosylate to 2‐pentyl tosylate was observed during solvolysis and is attributed to 1,2‐hydride transfer, which occurs at a rate sufficient to account for the difference in the rates of racemisation of 2‐butyl and 2‐octyl tosylates. The stereochemistry of the alcohol product was studied for the reaction of R‐2‐octyl tosylate by derivatising the corresponding alcohol to 4‐nitrobenzoate and showed high but not complete stereoselectivity (92:8 inversion : retention of configuration). 18O isotope exchange at the leaving group tosylate showed that both 2‐butyl (5.4 × 10−7 s−1) and 2‐octyl (4.2 × 10−7 s−1) tosylates exchange at similar rates. Partitioning of a common carbenium ion intermediate accounts for all these data only if solvolysis proceeds through pre‐organisation of the solvent with 1,2‐hydride transfer and isotope exchange competing inefficiently with ion return and solvolysis. Alternatively, a series of parallel concerted reactions (solvolysis, 1,2‐hydride transfer and isotope exchange) would also account for these data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent progress in the synthesis of regio‐isomerically pure bis‐adducts of empty and endohedral fullerenes
Authors: Cerón Maira R. , Echegoyen Luis
Published: May 2016

Bis‐functionalized fullerenes have resulted in very effective acceptors in organic photovoltaic solar cells. Here we present a short overview of specific and recently reported pure bis‐adduct regioisomers of C60 using short tethers, a few recent examples of bis‐adducts of C70 and finally examples of bis‐adducts of endohedral cluster fullerenes. We also discuss the unexpected reactivity differences of empty fullerenes (C60 and C70) compared with those of trimetallic nitride cluster endohedral fullerenes (M3N@Ih‐C80, M = Sc, Lu) towards tethered‐bis‐addition reactions. Finally, we describe the remarkable endohedral‐cluster regiochemical control of multiple additions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The digital filtration preprocessing of variable magnetic field Hall data before mobility spectrum analysis for p‐MCT films
Authors: Trifanov A. V. , Protasov D. Yu. , Kostyuchenko V. Ya. , Mikhailov N. N. , Dvoretsky S. A.
Published: May 2016

The variable‐field Hall data of p‐MCT films were filtered by weighting low‐pass digital filter with Blackman win‐dow before mobility spectrum analysis. The used cutoff frequencies lay in range 0.1‐0.7 Hz. It was obtained that the digital filtration allows determining of minor elec‐tron's mobility at low temperatures (77‐90 K). The electron mobility values, obtained by mobility spectrum analysis in conjunction with multicarrier fitting well agreed with result of photoconductivity in magnetic field for Faradays geometry.(© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
How finely do we need to represent the stratocumulus radiative effect?
Authors: Bellon Gilles , Geoffroy Olivier
Published: May 2016

Cloud radiative cooling at the top of stratocumulus is crucial to power turbulence in the well‐mixed, stratocumulus‐topped atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). The present work uses a large‐eddy simulation model to understand how finely the spatial structure of the cloud radiative effect (CRE) has to be represented in order to sustain a stratocumulus‐topped ABL in equilibrium. We first explore whether the vertical structure of the CRE can be simplified, and it appears that the cloud radiative cooling in the upper part of the cloud is essential to the existence of the equilibrium stratocumulus, and that the CRE has to be represented in some detail around the cloud top to sustain this equilibrium. Second, we investigate how the horizontal heterogeneities of CRE impact the stratocumulus equilibrium. Horizontal homogenization of the radiative cooling has a small thinning impact on the stratocumulus‐topped ABL. Because of the nonlinear dependence of the cloud radiative cooling on the liquid water path (LWP), computing the CRE from the mean liquid water profile overestimates the vertically integrated CRE and yields an unstable, ever‐growing ABL. Assuming a simple sub‐domain distribution of LWP and adjusting the cloud radiative cooling accordingly is sufficient to correct for this overestimation and sustain a stratocumulus equilibrium. Finally, we check that vertical and horizontal simplifications of the CRE are compatible, which opens perspectives for its representation in bulk models and larger‐scale models.
The v‐algorithm for discovering software process lines
Authors: Rojas Blum Fabian , Simmonds Jocelyn , Bastarrica María Cecilia
Published: May 2016

A software company can define a software process line (SPrL) to deal with projects with different characteristics. This entails defining a base process and its variation points; the SPrL is then tailored to each project. This approach avoids the co‐evolution problems but is expensive to set up. In companies that register project events, this information could be used to discover the SPrL. However, traditional discovery algorithms focus on extracting a single process, which can be overly complex and would not be useful for managing future projects. Filtering out less frequent behavior leads to the discovery of simpler models, but these may not include relevant behavior. To address these issues, we propose the v‐algorithm, which discovers a SPrL from process logs. Two thresholds split the log into three clusters based on relation frequency. The first one is used to generate the base process, the second one is used to identify variable elements, and the last one is discarded. We used the v‐algorithm to discover the SPrL of Mobius, a small Chilean software company. We also discuss how the values of the thresholds affect the process discovery quality dimensions, extending existing metrics to the SPrL case. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ein Bauwerk in Bewegung
Authors: Klähne Thomas , Gülay Hakan
Published: May 2016

Der Berliner U‐Bahnhof Mendelssohn‐Bartholdy‐Park wird durch ein 14‐geschossiges Gebäude überbaut, wobei die Baugruben sehr dicht an die Bahnsteigbrücken des Bahnhofes heranreichen. Durch die Baumaßnahmen des Hochbaus entstehen Baugrundbewegungen, die die Gründungen des Bahnhofes und seiner Brücken beeinflussen. Zur Sicherung der Stand‐ und Verkehrssicherheit der östlichen Bahnsteigbrücke wurde eine justierbare Abfangkonstruktion entworfen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird über die Planung und Ausführung der Abfangkonstruktion sowie das Dauer‐Monitoring des Bahnhofes über die Bauzeit berichtet.

A structure in motion – The Metro Station Mendelssohn Bartholdy Park. The Berlin Metro Station Mendelssohn‐Bartholdy‐Park is being overbuilt by a 14‐storey building of which the construction pits are situated very close to the existing platform bridges of the station. The construction measures lead to ground movements that have an effect on the foundations of the station and its bridges. In order to secure the structural integrity and the traffic safety of the eastern platform bridge an adjustable support structure has been designed. This article reports on the planning and execution of this structure as well as the permanent monitoring of the station over the whole construction period.
Die Dachkonstruktion des Aquamotion in Courchevel
Authors: Auger Gabriel , De Rycke Klaas , Bollinger Klaus , Grohmann Manfred , Weilandt Agnes
Published: May 2016

Das Freizeit‐ und Wellnessbad “Aquamotion de Courchevel” ‐befindet sich im Herzen der Grandes Combes im Eingangsbereich des Ski‐Resorts auf einer Höhe von 1?500 m. Das Schwimmzentrum liegt als horizontale Plattform zwischen den Ausläufern der benachbarten Berge. Die Tragstruktur des Gebäudes besteht aus einem grundständigen Massivbau und einem Stahldach mit Abmessungen von 120 m × 80 m, das gleichsam aus dem Boden heraus wächst und den Massivbau mit einer minimalen Anzahl von 25 tragenden Stützen, zwei Wänden und drei Widerlagern überspannt.

An einigen Stellen kragt das Dach bis zu 17 m aus. Seine Struktur wird durch vier große Dachöffnungen unterbrochen, die für die notwendige Belichtung im Innenraum sorgen und einen Blick über das Tal und über das großartige Alpenpanorama bieten.

Courchevel's Aquamotion roof structure Saint‐Bon‐Courchevel, Frankreich. The Recreation and Wellness Spa “Aquamotion” in Saint‐Bon Courchevel is located in the heart of the Grandes Combes at the entrance of the ski resort at an elevation of 1?500 m. The Aquatic Centre is lies as a horizontal platform, wedged between the flanks of the neighbouring mountain scenery. The solid construction of the building has a steel roof area of 120 m × 80 m, rising up from the ground and providing a minimum of load‐bearing points: 25 columns, two walls and three abutments.

At some points, the roof cantilevers up to 17 m. The necessary light enters through four different‐sized roof openings and offers a view over a remarkable Alpine panorama.h
Pure Gold for Broken Bodies: Discursive Techniques Constructing Milk Banking and Peer Milk Sharing in U.S. News
Authors: Carter Shannon K. , Reyes‐Foster Beatriz M.
Published: May 2016

Technological advances provide increased ability to transfer human tissues—blood, organs, milk—from one body to another. This article analyzes mechanisms of reality construction in U.S. news to construct shared human breast milk. Articles used typifications and human interest stories to convey participants as victims, lay heroes, and villains. Milk banking was portrayed as institutionally integrated through associations, expert testimonies, and formalized procedures, making banked milk “pure gold.” Peer sharing was portrayed as institutionally opposed through institutional warnings, expert testimonies, informal procedures, and hypothetical atrocities, making peer milk “fool's gold.” Findings suggest that “biovalue” of human milk is interconnected with institutional processing.
Consequentialism with Wrongness Depending on the Difficulty of Doing Better
Authors: Gustafsson Johan E. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: May 2016

Moral wrongness comes in degrees. On a consequentialist view of ethics, the wrongness of an act should depend, I argue, in part on how much worse the act’s consequences are compared with those of its alternatives and in part on how difficult it is to perform the alternatives with better consequences. I extend act consequentialism to take this into account, and I defend three conditions on consequentialist theories. The first is consequentialist dominance, which says that, if an act has better consequences than some alternative act, then it is not more wrong than the alternative act. The second is consequentialist supervenience, which says that, if two acts have equally good consequences in a situation, then they have the same deontic status in the situation. And the third is consequentialist continuity, which says that, for every act and for any difference in wrongness δ greater than zero, there is an arbitrarily small improvement of the consequences of the act which would, other things being equal, not change the wrongness of that act or any alternative by more than δ. I defend a proposal that satisfies these conditions.
Influence of nanoclay and graft copolymer on the thermal and flammability properties of poly(lactic acid)/banana fiber biocomposites
Authors: Sajna VP , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay K.
Published: May 2016

Biocomposites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with silane treated banana fiber (SiB) were prepared using melt blending technique. To improve the compatibility, a secondary reinforcing filler (Cloisite 30B (C30B) nanoclay) as well as graft copolymer, poly(lactic acid)‐graft‐glycidyl methacrylate (PLA‐g‐GMA) as a compatibilizing agent were incorporated in to PLA/SiB biocomposites. PLA‐g‐GMA was synthesized by free radical copolymerization of different concentration (10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with PLA and was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy and titration method. The influence of C30B nanoclay as well as PLA‐g‐GMA on the thermal and flammability characteristics of PLA/SiB have been studied. The thermal characteristics of composites have been evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The activation energy of the composites has been estimated using Friedman, Kissinger, and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) methods by employing TGA. The obtained activation energy revealed that PLA‐g‐GMA compatibilized bionanocomposites had better thermal stability. Furthermore, flammability properties were obtained from UL‐94 horizontal burning test and cone calorimetry showed enhancement of flame retardant properties after addition of C30B and PLA‐g‐GMA. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:E81–E91, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Crystallization and stress relaxation behaviors of UHMWPE/CNT fibers
Authors: Guo Chengyue , Sun Fu , Ling Ronggen , Yao Juming , Zhang Zhaoxia , Zhang Guoqing
Published: May 2016

Crystallization and stress relaxation behaviors of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been investigated by X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and single strand strength testing. Compared with UHMWPE, crystallinity of the UHMWPE/CNT composites significantly increases from 71.95 to 82.92% while crystallization activation energy decreases from 679.4 to 535.8 KJ/mol. CNTs as the nucleating agent changes the nucleation type of UHMWPE from homogenous to heterogeneous and accelerates the nucleation and growing of crystalline grains. Above crystallization changes also affect the mechanical properties of the UHMWPE/CNTs composites. Stress relaxation testing indicates that the relaxation stability of UHMWPE/CNT composites increases while the relaxation rate decreases. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:229–232, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
An investigation of TiO2nanoparticles effect on morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of epoxy/silica composites
Authors: Bayani Maryam , Ehsani Morteza , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Seyfi Javad , HosseinAbadi‐Ghaeni Mojtaba Hassani
Published: May 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on properties of epoxy/silica flour systems. To this end, nanocomposites containing different amounts of TiO2were prepared by a casting method. Thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermo‐gravimetrical analysis (TGA) and flexural test. Morphology of the nanocomposites i.e., dispersion and distribution of nanoparticles within the matrix was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX). Based on EDX results, it was found that nanoparticles' dispersion was rather good once very low content (1 wt%) of nanoparticles was added to the system. Conversely, poor dispersion was attained in high loadings of TiO2due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles. SEM micrographs confirmed a brittle mode of failure for the nanocomposites by incorporation of nano TiO2.The TGA results indicated that the thermal stability of epoxy/silica flour system in the temperature range of 300–600°C was enhanced by addition of 1 wt% TiO2nanoparticles while no significant improvement was observed upon further increment in the nanoparticle content. The DMTA results also exhibited that storage modulus was increased with increasing TiO2content, and tan δ peak shifted to higher temperatures upon addition of 5% nanoparticles. The highest flexural strength was achieved by incorporation of 5 wt% of TiO2; however, beyond this limit, no further enhancement was observed in mechanical properties of the system due to the poor dispersion of nano TiO2within the epoxy matrix. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:E216–E221, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Hollow glass microsphere as a light‐weight composites with good gas barrier property
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Li Lin , Xia Lin , Du Aihua , Xin Zhenxiang
Published: May 2016

In many polymer applications such as inner tire liners and fuel hoses, imparting excellent gas barrier properties and light‐weight properties are of prime importance. Research into this direction have been completed based on a judicious choice of polymer type or a blend thereof and the compounding ingredients. Although butyl rubber has been the polymer of choice because of its excellent gas barrier property, yet investigations were targeted to improve these properties with further modification in the polymer type and variation in compounding ingredients. In this study, a (90:10) blend of Chlorobutyl Rubber and Epoxidized Natural Rubber by weight was used as the base. Hollow glass microsphere (HGM) at fixed concentrations were used to optimize the gas barrier and light‐weight properties. It was observed that the physical properties decrease, especially the tensile strength with increasing HGM. In this blend, HGMs were effective in imparting the best overall combination of properties. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:224–228, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Crystal Structure and Properties of 7‐Imino‐3‐Nitroimino‐2,4,6,8‐Tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]Octane Hydrochloride
Authors: Jin Xinghui , Hu Bingcheng
Published: May 2016

The chemical and physical properties of the energetic intermediate 7‐imino‐3‐nitroimino‐2,4,6,8‐tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane hydrochloride (compound A) were investigated. The crystal structure and thermal behavior were measured by X‐ray diffraction and TG‐DTG‐DSC coupling system, respectively. The electronic structure was also studied by electronic density, nature bond orbital charges, frontier molecular orbital, density of state, and electrostatic potentials. Compound A crystallizes orthorhombic in space group Pna21. Thermodynamic properties indicate that it has moderate thermal stability with a sharp exothermic peak (298.5 °C, 10 K·min–1) and high critical temperature of thermal explosion (558.5 K). The positive electrostatic potentials of compound A were stronger than that of the negative electrostatic potentials, which can stabilize the molecule. Compound A can also be considered as an energetic intermediate, which may shine light on the exploring of other 7‐imino‐3‐nitroimino‐2,4,6,8‐tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane hydrochloride based high density energetic materials.
Robotic Liver Resection For Primary Hepatolithiasis: Is It Beneficial?
Authors: Lee Kit‐fai , Fong Anthony K. W. , Chong Charing C. N. , Cheung Sunny Y. S. , Wong John , Lai Paul B. S.
Published: May 2016

Background

Primary hepatolithiasis is a disease characterized by primary biliary ductal abnormality with stone formation predominantly within the intrahepatic bile ducts. Its management is difficult, but liver resection has emerged as a promising treatment option.

Methods

Robotic liver resection (RLR) has been adopted in our center for the management of patients with hepatolithiasis. The operative and short‐term outcomes of this cohort of patients were compared with a historical cohort of patients using open approach (OLR). A subgroup analysis was performed for left lateral sectionectomy.

Results

Between September 2010 and April 2015, 15 RLRs were performed on patients with primary hepatolithiasis. The historical cohort consisted of 42 OLRs with operation done between January 2005 and January 2014. No differences were found in patient demographics, disease characteristics, or types of resection. No operative deaths occurred, and no difference was seen in complication rates. RLR had significantly less blood loss (100 vs. 235 ml; p = 0.011) and shorter hospital stays (6 vs. 8 days; p = 0.003). After a median follow‐up of 19.4 months for RLRs and 79.2 months for OLRs (p < 0.001), there were no differences in residual stone rate, recurrent stone rate, or rate of recurrent cholangitis. Subgroup analysis of lateral sectionectomy (10 RLRs vs. 27 OLRs) revealed similar outcomes, i.e., less blood loss and shorter hospital stays in RLR.

Conclusions

Robotic liver resection reduces blood loss and shortens hospital stays compared with OLR. A longer follow‐up is needed to assess the long‐term outcomes of RLR regarding prevention of recurrent stones and cholangitis.
Fast-Pitch Softball Pitchers Experience a Significant Increase in Pain and Fatigue During a Single High School Season
Authors: Yang Justin S. , Stepan Jeffrey G. , Dvoracek Lucas , Wright Rick W. , Brophy Robert H. , Smith Matthew V.
Published: May 2016

Background

Fast-pitch softball is one of the fastest growing sports, but there is little research regarding pitcher fatigue. Currently, there are no pitch limits or game counts.

Questions/Purposes

To study the effect of fatigue on youth fast-pitch softball pitchers during a high school season, we hypothesized increased games pitched during the season would correlate with increased player-reported pain and fatigue and decreased with upper extremity strength and range of motion (ROM).

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated pre- and postgame shoulder and elbow strength, ROM, pain, and fatigue in 17 high school fast-pitch softball pitchers. These measures were recorded at two games, one at the beginning and one at the end of the season. Pitch count and number of games pitched during the season were recorded. We compared pre- and postgame measurements and measurements made at the beginning and end of the season.

Results

Supraspinatus, forward flexion strength, and external rotation strength in abduction decreased significantly postgame compared to pregame. Pregame pain and fatigue increased with a greater number of games pitched during the season. Forward flexion, supraspinatus, and external rotation strength decreased with increasing number of games pitched during the season.

Conclusions

Fast-pitch softball pitchers experience increased pain and fatigue during a single game and over the entire season. The increase in fatigue may predispose the player to injury. Further studies are needed to understand the relationship of pain and fatigue with predisposition to injury.
Effects of methylmercury and alcohol exposure in Drosophila melanogaster: Potential risks in neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Chauhan Ved , Chauhan Abha
Published: May 2016

Extensive evidence suggests the role of oxidative stress in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we investigated whether methylmercury (MeHg) and/or alcohol exposure has deleterious effects in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies). A diet containing different concentrations of MeHg in Drosophila induced free radical generation and increased lipid peroxidation (markers of oxidative stress) in a dose‐dependent manner. This effect of MeHg on oxidative stress was enhanced by further exposure to alcohol. It was observed that alcohol alone could also induce free radical generation in flies. After alcohol exposure, MeHg did not affect the immobilization of flies, but it increased the recovery time in a concentration‐dependent manner. MeHg significantly inhibited the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in a dose‐dependent manner. Linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between ADH activity and recovery time upon alcohol exposure in the flies fed a diet with MeHg. This relationship between ADH activity and recovery time after alcohol exposure was confirmed by adding 4‐methyl pyrazole (an inhibitor of ADH) to the diet for the flies. These results suggest that consumption of alcohol by pregnant mothers who are exposed to MeHg may lead to increased oxidative stress and to increased length of time for alcohol clearance, which may have a direct impact on the development of the fetus, thereby increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Selecting for neurogenic potential as an alternative for Alzheimer's disease drug discovery
Authors: Prior Marguerite , Goldberg Joshua , Chiruta Chandramouli , Farrokhi Catherine , Kopynets Mariya , Roberts Amanda J. , Schubert David
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Neurons die in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are not effectively replaced. An alternative approach to maintain nerve cell number is to identify compounds that stimulate the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in old individuals to replace lost neurons. However, unless a neurogenic drug is also neuroprotective, the replacement of lost neurons will not be sufficient to stop disease progression.

Methods

The neuroprotective AD drug candidate J147 is shown to enhance memory, improve dendritic structure, and stimulate cell division in germinal regions of the brains of very old mice. Based on the potential neurogenic potential of J147, a neuronal stem cell screening assay was developed to optimize derivatives of J147 for human neurogenesis.

Results

The best derivative of J147, CAD‐031, maintains the neuroprotective and memory enhancing properties of J147, yet is more active in the human neural stem cell assays.

Discussion

The combined properties of neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and memory enhancement in a single drug are more likely to be effective for the treatment of age‐associated neurodegenerative disorders than any individual activity alone.
Waist circumference is correlated with poorer cognition in elderly type 2 diabetes women
Authors: West Rebecca K. , Ravona‐Springer Ramit , Heymann Anthony , Schmeidler James , Leroith Derek , Koifman Keren , D'Arcy Ryan C.N. , Song Xiaowei , Guerrero‐Berroa Elizabeth , Preiss Rachel , Hoffman Hadas , Sano Mary , Silverman Jeremy M. , Schnaider‐Beeri Michal
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Waist circumference is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cognition, yet the relationship between waist circumference and cognition in individuals with T2D is not well understood.

Methods

We studied the relationship of waist circumference with five cognitive outcomes (executive functioning, language/semantic categorization, attention/working memory, episodic memory, and an overall cognition measure) in 845 cognitively normal elderly with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Results

In women, waist circumference was correlated with significantly lower language and/or semantic categorization performance (P < .0001), executive functioning (P = .026), and overall cognition (P = .003) after controlling for age, education, BMI, and cardiovascular, diabetes‐related, APOE ε4, and inflammatory potential confounders. Attention/working memory (P = .532) and episodic memory (P = .144) were not associated with waist circumference. These correlations were not found in men.

Discussion

These results suggest that central adiposity in elderly women with T2D may increase their risk for dementia.
Planning for science and technology in China and India
Authors: PHALKEY JAHNAVI , WANG ZUOYUE
Published: May 2016

Planning for science and technology was a global phenomenon in the mid-twentieth century. A few countries drew up comprehensive five-year plans adapting from the Soviet model: China and India were two new developing countries to do so. In this paper we examine the early efforts at national planning for science and technology as seen in the Chinese twelve-year science and technology plan (1956–1967) and the five-year (1974–1979) science and technology plan of India. These are two historically distinct moments globally and two separate attempts specifically. What tie them together are the goals both sought to accomplish: of science- and technology-led industrialization and development, many times in comparison and sometimes in competition with each other. We show that these two incomplete exercises show us the complex histories of institutions and processes that confirm state-led faith in and engagement with science and technology.
Minority Governments and Pledge Fulfilment: Evidence from Portugal
Authors: Moury Catherine , Fernandes Jorge M.
Published: May 2016

In an age of rampant distrust and disaffection, pledge fulfilment is important for the quality of delegation between voters and elected officials. In this article, we make an empirical appraisal of pledge fulfilment in Portugal. Do Portuguese minority governments fulfil their pledges? How do they fulfil those pledges? What is the role of opposition parties? Using an original data set with over 3,000 electoral pledges for three Socialist governments, as well as interviews with former ministers and party leaders, our evidence suggests that: (1) minority governments fulfil at least as many pledges as their majority counterparts; (2) the main opposition party manages to extract the most policy benefits; and (3) economic conditions and cohabitation situations matter for pledge fulfilment.
A squirmer across Reynolds numbers
Authors: Chisholm Nicholas G. , Legendre Dominique , Lauga Eric , Khair Aditya S.
Published: May 2016

The self-propulsion of a spherical squirmer – a model swimming organism that achieves locomotion via steady tangential movement of its surface – is quantified across the transition from viscously to inertially dominated flow. Specifically, the flow around a squirmer is computed for Reynolds numbers ($Re$) between 0.01 and 1000 by numerical solution of the Navier–Stokes equations. A squirmer with a fixed swimming stroke and fixed swimming direction is considered. We find that fluid inertia leads to profound differences in the locomotion of pusher (propelled from the rear) versus puller (propelled from the front) squirmers. Specifically, pushers have a swimming speed that increases monotonically with $Re$, and efficient convection of vorticity past their surface leads to steady axisymmetric flow that remains stable up to at least $Re=1000$. In contrast, pullers have a swimming speed that is non-monotonic with $Re$. Moreover, they trap vorticity within their wake, which leads to flow instabilities that cause a decrease in the time-averaged swimming speed at large $Re$. The power expenditure and swimming efficiency are also computed. We show that pushers are more efficient at large $Re$, mainly because the flow around them can remain stable to much greater $Re$ than is the case for pullers. Interestingly, if unstable axisymmetric flows at large $Re$ are considered, pullers are more efficient due to the development of a Hill’s vortex-like wake structure.
Glacier area changes in the central Chilean and Argentinean Andes 1955–2013/14
Authors: MALMROS JEPPE K. , MERNILD SEBASTIAN H. , WILSON RYAN , YDE JACOB C. , FENSHOLT RASMUS
Published: May 2016

To improve our knowledge of glacier area changes in the central Chilean and Argentinean Andes (32°9′S–33°4′S), two new glacier inventories from 1989 to 2013/14 are compared with a reinterpreted inventory from 1955. Comparisons show glacier area retreat of 30 ± 3% since 1955, decreasing from 134 to 94 km2in 2013/14, whilst the annual rate of area loss showed a small increase (insignificant) between the periods of 1955–1989 and 1989–2013/14. Separate analysis of the 1989 and 2013/14 inventories, including a larger sample, revealed a higher rate of glacier change compared with the smaller samples of these inventories. Additionally, an analysis at ~5 year intervals for six major glaciers (1955–2013) indicates large variability in response times and area loss magnitudes. Glacier Olivares Alfa, for example, lost 63% of its ice area, while the Juncal Norte Glacier lost only 10% (1955–2013). The findings from this study improve our current knowledge base concerning widespread glacier decline in the southern Andes, and furthers monitoring efforts in this poorly described region of the world, a region containing vital water resources for populated areas in South America.
Potential of RADARSAT-2 stereo radargrammetry for the generation of glacier DEMs
Authors: PAPASODORO C. , ROYER A. , LANGLOIS A. , BERTHIER E.
Published: May 2016

The study of glaciers and ice caps in remote and cloudy regions remains difficult using current remote sensing tools. Here the potential of stereo radargrammetry (SRG) with RADARSAT-2 Wide Ultra-Fine images is explored for DEM extraction, elevation changes and mass-balance calculations on Barnes Ice Cap (Nunavut, Canada). Over low-relief terrain surrounding Barnes, a vertical precision of ~7 m (1σ confidence level) is measured, as well as an average vertical bias of ~4 m. Moreover, we show that the C-band penetration depth over the ice cap is insignificant at this time of the year (i.e. late ablation season). This is likely due to a wet surface and the presence of superimposed ice that leads to a surface radar response. Comparing the SRG DEMs with other datasets, an historical glacier-wide mass balance of −0.52 ± 0.19 m w.e. a−1is estimated for 1960–2013, whereas it decreases to −1.06 ± 0.84 m w.e. a−1between 2005 and 2013. This clear acceleration of mass loss is in agreement with other recent studies. Given its all-weather functionality and its possible use without ground control points, the RADARSAT-2 SRG technology represents an appropriate alternative for glacier monitoring in cloudy and remote regions.
A multiplex PCR test to identify four common cattle-adapted Cryptosporidium species
Authors: THOMSON SARAH , INNES ELISABETH A. , JONSSON NICHOLAS N. , KATZER FRANK
Published: May 2016

Cryptosporidiumis a well-known cause of neonatal enteritis in cattle worldwide. Cattle are commonly infected with four different species ofCryptosporidiumbut only one of these,Cryptosporidium parvum, is associated with clinical disease. Identification of species in cases of calf scour can give an indication ifCryptosporidiumis the causative agent or not. In addition,C. parvumis a zoonotic species and so has implications for human health, for this reason it is important to identify the species ofCryptosporidiuminfecting cattle particularly where a farm is implicated in an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in humans. Here a multiplex PCR test, which can identify the four common cattle-adaptedCryptosporidiumspecies, includingC. parvum, has been developed. This test allows quick and accurate detection ofCryptosporidiumspecies in cattle fecal samples including mixed infections, which could be missed by the more common method of sequencing the same gene.
REDRESS COMPLIANCE AND CHOICE: ENHANCED CONSUMER MEASURES AND THE RETREAT FROM PUNISHMENT IN THE CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT 2015
Authors: Cartwright Peter
Published: May 2016

This article examines critically the extent to which the availability of Enhanced Consumer Measures (ECMs) created by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 addresses the problems associated with the enforcement of consumer protection law in the UK. The article explains the genesis of the provisions by establishing the limitations of the previous law before moving on to consider the extent to which ECMs are successful in addressing those limitations. The article argues that, while the availability of ECMs will potentially improve the ability of both enforcers and courts to achieve some objectives of consumer protection law, the measures raise some significant concerns. Of particular concern is the extent to which they signal a move away from prosecution in cases in which that would be the optimal response, and so compromise the ability of consumer protection law to achieve some of its most important objectives.
WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND WATER DISTRIBUTION RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT PLANTING PATTERNS IN MAIZE–SOYBEAN RELAY STRIP INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS
Authors: RAHMAN TANZEELUR , YE LIN , LIU XIN , IQBAL NASIR , DU JUNBO , GAO RENCAI , LIU WEIGUO , YANG FENG , YANG WENYU
Published: May 2016

Understanding crop water use in mixed crops over sole cropping is vital for developing optimum water management systems for crop production. In this study, a two-year field experiment with typical maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] relay strip intercropping (2:2 maize-to-soybean rows; 200 cm bandwidth) was carried out in the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The quantitative effects of various planting patterns on the water-use efficiency (WUE) and water distribution were investigated. Our results indicated that soil volumetric water content and soil evaporation in the intercropping systems showed decreasing trends in the order: maize row (MM) < maize-to-soybean row (MS) < soybean row (SS). The highest leaf transpiration (1.91 and 2.07 mmol m−2 s−1) for the intercropped maize was measured in each of the two years in the 20 cm maize narrow-row planting pattern and decreased thereafter. Opposite trend was observed for the intercropped soybean; the highest soybean leaf transpiration (7.01 and 6.80 mmol m−2 s−1 for 2013 and 2014, respectively) was recorded in the 70 cm. The WUE of maize and soybean intercrops was lower than that of sole crop counterparts. However, the maximum group water use efficiency (GWUE) of 26.08 and 26.20 kg ha−1 mm−1 in the 40–50 cm maize narrow-row planting pattern was, respectively, 39.6% and 23% higher compared with that of sole crops. The water equivalent ratio (WER) values ranged from 1.60–1.79, suggesting better crop water use in the intercrops over sole cropping. Planting patterns provided by 40–50 cm maize narrow-row spacing were considered the most efficient in terms of maximum total yields, GWUE and WER. These results suggest that an appropriate reduction in the spacing of narrow maize row with wide soybean row could be an efficient crop management method to achieve optimal WUE and homogeneous water distribution in maize–soybean intercropping systems.
OVERSEAS TERRITORIES IN THE WTO
Authors: Kennedy Matthew
Published: May 2016

In the wake of the Faroe Islands fishing dispute, this article seeks to clarify the status of overseas territories in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The article considers the rule of public international law regarding the territorial application of treaties, the impact of territorial limitations in WTO goods and services schedules and the treaty actions of individual States responsible for the international relations of overseas territories. The article then explores the implications of WTO rights and obligations in respect of Members' overseas territories, including limitations on free riding and preferential treatment.
Analyst Coverage and Real Earnings Management: Quasi-Experimental Evidence
Authors: Irani Rustom M. , Oesch David
Published: May 2016

We study how securities analysts influence managers’ use of different types of earnings management. To isolate causality, we employ a quasi-experiment that exploits exogenous reductions in analyst following resulting from brokerage house mergers. We find that managers respond to the coverage loss by decreasing real earnings management while increasing accrual manipulation. These effects are significantly stronger among firms with less coverage and for firms close to the zero-earnings threshold. Our causal evidence suggests that managers use real earnings management to enhance short-term performance in response to analyst pressure, effects that are not uncovered when focusing solely on accrual-based methods.
Phase mixing versus nonlinear advection in drift-kinetic plasma turbulence
Authors: Schekochihin A. A. , Parker J. T. , Highcock E. G. , Dellar P. J. , Dorland W. , Hammett G. W.
Published: May 2016

A scaling theory of long-wavelength electrostatic turbulence in a magnetised, weakly collisional plasma (e.g. drift-wave turbulence driven by ion temperature gradients) is proposed, with account taken both of the nonlinear advection of the perturbed particle distribution by fluctuating $\boldsymbol{E}\times \boldsymbol{B}$ flows and of its phase mixing, which is caused by the streaming of the particles along the mean magnetic field and, in a linear problem, would lead to Landau damping. It is found that it is possible to construct a consistent theory in which very little free energy leaks into high velocity moments of the distribution function, rendering the turbulent cascade in the energetically relevant part of the wavenumber space essentially fluid-like. The velocity-space spectra of free energy expressed in terms of Hermite-moment orders are steep power laws and so the free-energy content of the phase space does not diverge at infinitesimal collisionality (while it does for a linear problem); collisional heating due to long-wavelength perturbations vanishes in this limit (also in contrast with the linear problem, in which it occurs at the finite rate equal to the Landau damping rate). The ability of the free energy to stay in the low velocity moments of the distribution function is facilitated by the ‘anti-phase-mixing’ effect, whose presence in the nonlinear system is due to the stochastic version of the plasma echo (the advecting velocity couples the phase-mixing and anti-phase-mixing perturbations). The partitioning of the wavenumber space between the (energetically dominant) region where this is the case and the region where linear phase mixing wins its competition with nonlinear advection is governed by the ‘critical balance’ between linear and nonlinear time scales (which for high Hermite moments splits into two thresholds, one demarcating the wavenumber region where phase mixing predominates, the other where plasma echo does).
The Roman Period Name for Adel
Authors: Wilson Pete
Published: May 2016

Antiquarian and more recent discussions of Roman period place-names in western West Yorkshire are considered, along with possible locations for Cambodunum, with the Roman period site at Adel identified as the latter.
Politics of (in)visibility: Governance-resistance and the constitution of refugee subjectivities in Malaysia
Authors: Ansems de Vries Leonie
Published: May 2016

This article explores the relationality of governance and resistance in the context of the constitution of refugee subjectivities in Malaysia. Whilst recognising their precarity, the article moves away from conceiving of refugees merely as victims subjected to violence and control, and to contribute to an emerging body of literature on migrant resistance. Its contribution lies in examining practices of resistance, and the specific context in which they emerge, without conceptualising power-resistance as a binary, and without conceiving of refugees as preconstituted subjects. Rather, drawing on the thought of Michel Foucault, the article examines how refugee subjectivities come into being through a play of governance-resistance, of practices and strategies that may be simultaneously affirmative, subversive, exclusionary, and oppressive. The relationality and mobility of this play is illustrated through an examination of practices surrounding UNHCR identity cards, community organisations, and education. Secondly, governance-resistance is conceptualised as a play of visibility and invisibility, understood both visually and in terms of knowledge production. What I refer to as the politics of (in)visibility indicates that refugee subjectivities are both constituted and become other than ‘the refugee’ through a continuous play of coming into being, becoming governable, claiming a presence, blending in and remaining invisible.