bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Assessment of Large Membrane Structures Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Aided Photogrammetry: Determination of Flight Parameters and Trials at the Western Treatment Plant
Authors: Wong Leslie , Courtney Frank , Vien Benjamin Steven , Kuen Thomas , Douglas Peter , Ma Yue , Kodikara Jayantha , Chiu Wing Kong
Published: September 2019

Floating covers are examples of a large membrane structure used at sewage treatment plants. At the Western Treatment Plant (WTP), Werribee, Melbourne, Australia, floating covers are used in the anaerobic lagoons. They are deployed to assist with the anaerobic treatment of the raw sewage beneath, to harness the methane-rich biogas generated, and for odor control. In this respect, these floating covers are important assets for harnessing a sustainable and renewable energy source, as well as protecting the environment from the release of the damaging greenhouse methane-rich biogas from the treatment plant. Given the continuous nature of the biological process beneath the cover, the forces imposed on the floating cover will change with time. Hence, the monitoring and the assessment of the structural integrity of the floating cover are of paramount importance. These floating covers are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a polymeric material. The size of these covers, the hazardous environment, and the expected life span demand a novel, remotely piloted, unmanned aerial vehicle based noncontact technique for the structural health assessment. This assessment methodology will utilize photogrammetry as the basis for determining the surface deformation of the membrane. This paper reports on an experimental study to determine the flight parameters and to assess the accuracy of the measurement technique. It was conducted over an area having similar dimensions to the large covers at the WTP. There are also features in this area, which are of similar scale to those expected in the floating cover. A total of nine test flights were used to investigate the parameters for optimal definition of the significant features to describe the deformation of the floating cover. The findings inform the selection of the unmanned aerial vehicle assisted photogrammetry parameters for optimal flight altitude, photogrammetry image overlap, and flight grid path for future integrity assessment of the floating covers. Two trial flights at WTP are also discussed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this noncontact technique for the future structural health assessment and in assisting with the operation of this large high-value asset.
Overseas social work placements: Can a well-designed workflow contribute to the success of an overseas placement?
Authors: Henley Lee , Lowe Simon , Munro Claudia
Published: September 2019

This article reflects on the importance of workflow design for students completing field education as part of a social work degree. Specifically, this article examines this in the context of an Aotearoa New Zealand social work student from the University of Waikato (UoW) completing a final placement at a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Battambang Cambodia, Children’s Future International (CFI). The main body of the article reflects on the advantages of designing an overseas placement approach which is planned to flow from theory development to practice implementation, termed “knowledge development and flow” (Henley et al., in press).
Poverty, inequality and social work: The impact of neoliberalism and austerity politics on welfare provision
Authors: Darroch John
Published: September 2019

Book review.
Acoustic voice variation within and between speakers
Authors: Lee Yoonjeong , Keating Patricia , Kreiman Jody
Published: September 2019

Little is known about the nature or extent of everyday variability in voice quality. This paper describes a series of principal component analyses to explore within- and between-talker acoustic variation and the extent to which they conform to expectations derived from current models of voice perception. Based on studies of faces and cognitive models of speaker recognition, the authors hypothesized that a few measures would be important across speakers, but that much of within-speaker variability would be idiosyncratic. Analyses used multiple sentence productions from 50 female and 50 male speakers of English, recorded over three days. Twenty-six acoustic variables from a psychoacoustic model of voice quality were measured every 5 ms on vowels and approximants. Across speakers the balance between higher harmonic amplitudes and inharmonic energy in the voice accounted for the most variance (females = 20%, males = 22%). Formant frequencies and their variability accounted for an additional 12% of variance across speakers. Remaining variance appeared largely idiosyncratic, suggesting that the speaker-specific voice space is different for different people. Results further showed that voice spaces for individuals and for the population of talkers have very similar acoustic structures. Implications for prototype models of voice perception and recognition are discussed.
Epithelial Lining Fluid and Plasma Concentrations of Dalbavancin in Healthy Adults after a Single 1,500-Milligram Infusion
Authors: Rappo Urania , Dunne Michael W. , Puttagunta Sailaja , Baldassarre James S. , Su Shengfang , Desai-Krieger Daksha , Inoue Megumi
Published: September 2019

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic with a prolonged half-life. A phase 1 study assessed dalbavancin levels in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in 35 healthy adults using ELF bronchial microsampling up to 168 h after administration of 1,500 mg dalbavancin. The penetration of dalbavancin into ELF was 36%. ELF levels of dalbavancin exceeded the MIC
90
s of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and
Staphylococcus aureus
for ≥7 days.
GH30-7 Endoxylanase C from the Filamentous Fungus
Talaromyces cellulolyticus
Authors: Nakamichi Yusuke , Fujii Tatsuya , Fouquet Thierry , Matsushika Akinori , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: September 2019

Xylooligosaccharides (XOSs), which are composed of xylose units with a β-1,4 linkage, have recently gained interest as prebiotics in the food and feed industry. Apart from linear XOSs, branched XOSs decorated with a substituent such as methyl glucuronic acid and arabinose also have potential applications. Endoxylanase is a promising tool in producing XOSs from xylan. The structural variety of XOSs generated depends on the substrate specificity of the enzyme as well as the distribution of the substituents in xylan. Thus, the exploration of endoxylanases with novel specificities is expected to be useful in the provision of a series of XOSs. In this study, the endoxylanase
Tc
Xyn30C from
Talaromyces cellulolyticus
was characterized as a unique glycoside hydrolase belonging to the family GH30-7, which specifically releases 2
2
-(4-
O
-methyl-α-
d
-glucuronosyl)-xylobiose from hardwood xylan. This study provides new insights into the production of linear and branched XOSs by GH30-7 endoxylanase.
Dependency of
Coxiella burnetii
Type 4B Secretion on the Chaperone IcmS
Authors: Larson Charles L. , Beare Paul A. , Heinzen Robert A.
Published: September 2019

The intracellular pathogen
Coxiella burnetii
employs a type 4B secretion system (T4BSS) that promotes growth by translocating effectors of eukaryotic pathways into host cells. T4BSS regulation modeled in
Legionella pneumophila
indicates IcmS facilitates effector translocation. Here, we characterized type 4B secretion by a
Coxiella
Δ
icmS
mutant that exhibits intracellular growth defects. T4BSS substrates demonstrated increased, equivalent, or decreased secretion by the Δ
icmS
mutant relative to wild-type
Coxiella
. Similar to the
Legionella
T4BSS, IcmS dependency in
Coxiella
was determined by C-terminal and/or internal secretion signals. However, IcmS inhibited secretion of some effectors by
Coxiella
that were previously shown to be translocated by
Legionella
. Thus,
Coxiella
has a unique IcmS regulatory mechanism that both positively and negatively regulates T4BSS export.
Transposon-Mediated Horizontal Transfer of the Host-Specific Virulence Protein ToxA between Three Fungal Wheat Pathogens
Authors: McDonald Megan C. , Taranto Adam P. , Hill Erin , Schwessinger Benjamin , Liu Zhaohui , Simpfendorfer Steven , Milgate Andrew , Solomon Peter S.
Published: September 2019

This work dissects the tripartite horizontal transfer
of ToxA
, a gene that has a direct negative impact on global wheat yields. Defining the extent of horizontally transferred DNA is important because it can provide clues to the mechanisms that facilitate HGT. Our analysis of
ToxA
and its surrounding 14 kb suggests that this gene was horizontally transferred in two independent events, with one event likely facilitated by a type II DNA transposon. These horizontal transfer events are now in various processes of decay in each species due to the repeated insertion of new transposons and subsequent rounds of targeted mutation by a fungal genome defense mechanism known as repeat induced point mutation. This work highlights the role that HGT plays in the evolution of host adaptation in eukaryotic pathogens. It also increases the growing body of evidence indicating that transposons facilitate adaptive HGT events between fungi present in similar environments and hosts.
Cathelicidin Peptides Restrict Bacterial Growth via Membrane Perturbation and Induction of Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Rowe-Magnus Dean A. , Kao Adenine Y. , Prieto Antonio Cembellin , Pu Meng , Kao Cheng
Published: September 2019

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an important part of the mammalian innate immune system in the battle against microbial infection. How AMPs function to control bacteria is not clear, as nearly all activity studies use nonphysiological levels of AMPs. We monitored peptide action in live bacterial cells over short time frames with single-cell resolution and found that the primary effect of cathelicidin peptides is to increase the production of oxidative molecules that cause cellular damage in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour in a patient with non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia: an uncommon duo
Authors: Kamani Sankeerthana , Sampathkumar Geethalakshmi , Asirvatham Adlyne Reena , Balachandran Karthik
Published: September 2019

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of hyperandrogenism in young females. Other causes are congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), androgen-producing tumours and drugs. The severity and tempo of virilisation help in distinguishing the tumoural from non-tumoural causes. We report a rare case of non-classic CAH and androgen-producing ovarian tumour in the same patient, causing hyperandrogenism. A 15-year-old female patient presented with secondary amenorrhea, excessive facial hair growth and clitoromegaly for 6 months. Due to severe virilisation, tumoural aetiology was considered. Investigations showed marked elevation of testosterone and mild elevation of 17 hydroxy progesterone (17OHP). Imaging confirmed right ovarian tumour. Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulated 17OHP, was elevated confirming the diagnosis of underlying non-classic CAH. Surgical removal of the tumour was followed by improvement in hyperandrogenism, but persistent elevation of 17OHP confirmed the underlying presence of non-classic CAH.
Analysis of gastric and duodenal biopsy results in patients presenting with dyspepsia: a cross-sectional study in a middle eastern population
Authors: Ghosn Youssef , Hussein Kamareddine Mohammed , Tawk Antonios , Bou-Ayash Naseem , Bou-Ayash Haneen , Mokamer Nader , Yared Rawad , Aoun Mouna , Khoury Salem , Cortas George , Jabbour Gide , Bedran Khalil , Farhat Said
Published: September 2019

Objective

Correa’s cascade is a ‘Model for Gastric Cancer Development’ described by Peleyo Correa. The reversibility of Correa’s cascade remains debatable. The literature contains insufficient data on the specific stage of the cascade during whichHelicobacterpyloriis detected, treated, and the effect on prognosis. Herein, we aim to determine the prevalence of various precancerous and cancerous gastric lesions in patients presenting with dyspepsia, the prevalence of gastritis andH. pyloriinfection, the prevalence of duodenal pathology in patients presenting with dyspepsia, identify the stage ofH. pyloridetection in relation to Correa’s cascade, and investigate a possible relationship betweenH. pyloriand celiac disease.

Design

Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted on a middle eastern population at a Lebanese tertiary hospital centre. 1428 patients presenting with dyspepsia underwent gastroscopy with gastric and duodenal biopsies. Variables include age, sex, presence/absence ofH. pyloriinfection, and histopathological analysis of gastric and duodenal biopsies.

Results

Being above 40 years of age was associated with increased likelihood of exhibiting abnormal gastric biopsy result. Gastritis and metaplasia were detected more frequently than glandular atrophy (p<0.001) with gastritis being present the most (p<0.001). The presence ofH. pyloriand the gastric biopsy results were not associated with any of the duodenal biopsy results.

Conclusion

The burden ofH. pyloriinfection in patients with dyspepsia was high.H. pyloriwas detected at various precancerous lesions with varying significance. The prevalence of duodenal adenocarcinoma in dyspeptic patients is unexpectedly high. No association between gastric and duodenal pathologies was found.
Reporting and interpretation of results from clinical trials that did not claim a treatment difference: survey of four general medical journals
Authors: Gates Simon , Ealing Elizabeth
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To describe and summarise how the results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that did not find a significant treatment effect are reported, and to estimate how commonly trial reports make unwarranted claims.

Design

We performed a retrospective survey of published RCTs, published in four high impact factor general medical journals between June 2016 and June 2017.

Setting

Trials conducted in all settings were included.

Participants

94 reports of RCTs that did not find a difference in their main comparison or comparisons were included.

Interventions

All interventions.

Primary and secondary outcomes

We recorded the way the results of each trial for its primary outcome or outcomes were described in Results and Conclusions sections of the Abstract, using a 10-category classification. Other outcomes were whether confidence intervals (CIs) and p values were presented for the main treatment comparisons, and whether the results and conclusions referred to measures of uncertainty. We estimated the proportion of papers that made claims that were not justified by the results, or were open to multiple interpretations.

Results

94 trial reports (120 treatment comparisons) were included. In Results sections, for 58/120 comparisons (48.3%) the results of the study were re-stated, without interpretation, and 38/120 (31.7%) stated that there was no statistically significant difference. In Conclusions, 65/120 treatment comparisons (54.2%) stated that there was no treatment benefit, 14/120 (11.7%) that there was no significant benefit and 16/120 (13.3%) that there was no significant difference. CIs and p values were both presented by 84% of studies (79/94), but only 3/94 studies referred to uncertainty when drawing conclusions.

Conclusions

The majority of trials (54.2%) inappropriately interpreted a result that was not statistically significant as indicating no treatment benefit. Very few studies interpreted the result as indicating a lack of evidence against the null hypothesis of zero difference between the trial arms.
Changes in job satisfaction among doctors in Norway from 2010 to 2017: a study based on repeated surveys
Authors: Rosta Judith , Aasland Olaf G , Nylenna Magne
Published: September 2019

Objective

To assess job satisfaction for different categories of Norwegian doctors from 2010 to 2016–2017.

Design

Cross-sectional surveys in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016–2017 of partly overlapping samples.

Setting

Norway from 2010 to 2016–2017.

Participants

Doctors working in different job positions (hospital doctors, general practitioners (GPs), private practice specialists, doctors in academia). Response rates were 67% (1014/1520) in 2010, 71% (1279/1792) in 2012, 75% (1158/1545) in 2014 and 73% (1604/2195) in 2016–2017. The same 548 doctors responded at all four points in time.

Main outcome measure

Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS), a 10-item widely used instrument, with scores ranging from 1 (low satisfaction) to 7 (high satisfaction) for each item, and an unweighted mean total sum score.

Analysis

General Linear Modelling, controlling for gender and age, and paired t-tests.

Results

For all doctors, the mean scores of JSS decreased significantly from 5.52 (95% CI 5.42 to 5.61) in 2010 to 5.30 (5.22 to 5.38) in 2016–2017. The decrease was significant for GPs (5.54, 5.43 to 5.65 vs 5.17, 5.07 to 5.28) and hospital doctors (5.14, 5.07 to 5.21 vs 5.00, 4.94 to 5.06). Private practice specialists were most satisfied, followed by GPs and hospital doctors. The difference between the GPs and the private practice specialists increased over time.

Conclusions

From 2010 to 2016–2017 job satisfaction for Norwegian doctors decreased, but it was still at a relatively high level. Several healthcare reforms and regulations over the last decade and changes in the professional culture may explain some of the reduced satisfaction.
Efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a systematic literature review for the 2019 update of EULAR recommendations
Authors: Rondaan Christien , Furer Victoria , Heijstek Marloes W , Agmon-Levin Nancy , Bijl Marc , Breedveld Ferdinand C , D’Amelio Raffaele , Dougados Maxime , Kapetanovic Meliha C , van Laar Jacob M , Ladefoged de Thurah Annette , Landewé Robert , Molto Anna , Müller-Ladner Ulf , Schreiber Karen , Smolar Leo , Walker Jim , Warnatz Klaus , Wulffraat Nico M , van Assen Sander , Elkayam Ori
Published: September 2019

Aim

To present a systematic literature review (SLR) on efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD), aiming to provide a basis for updating the EULAR evidence-based recommendations.

Methods

An SLR was performed according to the standard operating procedures for EULAR-endorsed recommendations. Outcome was determined by efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in adult patients with AIIRD, including those receiving immunomodulating therapy. Furthermore, a search was performed on the effect of vaccinating household members of patients with AIIRD on the occurrence of vaccine-preventable infections in patients and their household members (including newborns). The literature search was performed using Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library (October 2009 to August 2018).

Results

While most investigated vaccines were efficacious and/or immunogenic in patients with AIIRD, some were less efficacious than in healthy control subjects, and/or in patients receiving immunosuppressive agents. Adverse events of vaccination were generally mild and the rates were comparable to those in healthy persons. Vaccination did not seem to lead to an increase in activity of the underlying AIIRD, but insufficient power of most studies precluded arriving at definite conclusions. The number of studies investigating clinical efficacy of vaccination is still limited. No studies on the effect of vaccinating household members of patients with AIIRD were retrieved.

Conclusion

Evidence on efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of vaccination in patients with AIIRD was systematically reviewed to provide a basis for updated recommendations.
Meteorological factors affecting the risk of transmission of HPAI in Miyazaki, Japan
Authors: Arikawa Genki , Fujii Yoshinori , Abe Maiku , Mai Ngan Thi , Mitoma Shuya , Notsu Kosuke , Nguyen Huyen Thi , Elhanafy Eslam , Daous Hala El , Kabali Emmanuel , Norimine Junzo , Sekiguchi Satoshi
Published: September 2019

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks engender a severe economic impact on the poultry industry and public health. Migratory waterfowl are considered the natural hosts of HPAI virus, and HPAI viruses are known to be transmitted over long distances during seasonal bird migration. Bird migration is greatly affected by the weather. Many studies have shown the relationship between either autumn or spring bird migration and climate. However, few studies have shown the relationship between annual bird migration and annual weather. This study aimed to establish a model for the number of migratory waterfowl involved in HPAI virus transmission based on meteorological data. From 136 species of waterfowl that were observed at Futatsudate in Miyazaki, Japan, from 2008 to 2016, we selected potential high‐risk species that could introduce the HPAI virus into Miyazaki and defined them as ‘risky birds’. We also performed cluster analysis to select meteorological factors. We then analysed the meteorological data and the total number of risky birds using a generalised linear mixed model. We selected 10 species as risky birds: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern pintail (Anas acuta), Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope), Eurasian teal (Anas crecca), Common pochard (Aythya ferina), Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) and Herring gull (Larus argentatus). We succeeded in clustering 35 meteorological factors into four clusters and identified three meteorological factors associated with their migration: (1) the average daily maximum temperature; (2) the mean value of global solar radiation and (3) the maximum daily precipitation. We thus demonstrated the relationship between the number of risky birds and meteorological data. The dynamics of migratory waterfowl was relevant to the risk of an HPAI outbreak, and our data could contribute to cost and time savings in strengthening preventive measures against epidemics.
Experimental study on the behavior of thermally insulated RC beams strengthened with CFRP after their exposure to high temperatures compared to non- insulated ones
Authors: Zarifian A. , Izadi fard R.A. , Khalighi A.
Published: September 2019

With regard to the expansion of the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in strengthening civil engineering structures due to its high positive points (like high tensile strength and low thickness) as well as its weaknesses in high temperatures especially in buildings and weak points of existing thermal insulators, the experiments mentioned in this article have been carried out to investigate the post-fire conditions of CFRP retrofitting systems using the externally bonded reinforcement technique which resulted from the need to use insulation for this type of reinforcement system to improve its heat performance, as well as the weak points of common insulations. In the first phase, 12 samples of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (UD200) were heated at 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C and loaded after cooling, then they were compared with the results of the second phase of the tests which have been explained completely, consisting of 11 RC beams strengthened with CFRP having exactly the same properties as those in the first phase. They were also thermally insulated with intumescent paint that had some advantages like low thickness (1.1 mm) and the speed and ease of implementation and restoration. These results have clearly shown that the new insulating layer not only can maintain the positive feature of common insulations, but also unlike other common insulators, does not add to the thickness of the specimens. Moreover, the application of the intumescent paint both increased the performance of the specimens at high temperatures and covered the weaknesses of CFRP reinforcement system against heat so that the CFRP sheets unlike the ones on the non-insulated specimens did not completely disappear at the highest temperature.
Nonclassicality revival of photon-added displaced thermal states in the amplitude decay channel
Authors: Zhang Ran , Meng Xiang-Guo , Sun Jian-Meng , Wang Ji-Suo
Published: September 2019

In this paper, the decoherence features of the photon-added displaced thermal state (PADTS) in the amplitude decay channel were studied by analytically and numerically investigating the time evolution of the Wigner function. The normal product representation of density for the PADTS is presented. The results indicate that the nonclassicality of PADTS can revive after disappearing with time. This kind of revival can maintain for a period of time and inevitably disappear eventually. However, we find that the operation of adding photons has the effect of reducing the decoherence rate of PADTS in the amplitude decay channel, although it also can decrease the PADTS’s nonclassicality markedly.
Existence of realistic stellar objects in Rastall gravity with linear equation of state
Authors: Zubair M. , Lodhi Maham , Abbas G. , Bari Mehwish
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we have discussed the anisotropic matter configuration to explore the existence of realistic stellar objects in non-conservative theory named as Rastall theory of gravity. We have assumed a static spherically symmetric metric with linear equation of state (EoS) to formulate the dynamical equations. The Durgapal and Banerji transformation is employed to investigate the gravitational behavior of compact objects. In this regard, a particular gravitational potential is selected to solve the system of dynamical equations numerically. We compared change in behavior of physical quantities like energy density, anisotropy parameter, and radial and tangential pressures by plotting three particular cases. With the help of physical analysis, it can be seen that the solutions of compact spheres hold physical acceptability criteria and depict stability.
Strength and competitiveness are more strongly predictive of retrospective sport participation than 2D:4D in university-aged women
Authors: Vandenborn Elizabeth T. , Wood Cayla N. , Munroe-Chandler Krista J. , Milne Kevin J.
Published: September 2019

Objective: Females continue to participate in sport at lower rates than males. Girls who participate in sport gain many advantages. Even with programs designed to emphasize participation, some females continue with sport participation while others do not. Given the advantages and controversies surrounding testosterone and female sport, it is possible that testosterone may predispose females toward sport participation. Our objective was to determine if the second to fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio, a proxy for prenatal androgen exposure, correlates with sport participation throughout female adolescence and young adulthood. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of indirect prenatal androgen exposure (i.e., 2D:4D) was completed on 18–30-year-old women ( n = 92) using demographics, anthropometrics, sport-specific behaviour tendencies, and retrospective sport participation. Results: 2D:4D was not significantly correlated with total sport participation (TSP) ( r = −0.065, p = 0.538). Secondary analyses revealed significant correlations between TSP and maximum hand grip ( r = 0.406, p = 0.000) and the Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQcomp ( r = 0.513475, p = 0.000), SOQgoal ( r = 0.253, p = 0.015), SOQwin ( r = 0.366, p = 0.000)). Conclusion: Although strength and competitiveness are strongly correlated with female sport participation, the impact of prenatal androgen exposure (i.e., 2D:4D) remains to be determined given its weak and negative association with female sport participation. Given that females participate in sport at lower rates than males, continuing to determine what factors influence sport participation is an important goal.
Spatial Distribution of Eye-Movements After Central Vision Loss is Consistent with an Optimal Visual Search Strategy
Authors: Vasilyev A. , Hansard M.
Published: September 2019

The problem of gaze allocation has previously been studied in the framework of eye-movement control models, which require prior knowledge of visibility maps (VMs). These encode the signal-to-noise ratio, at each point in the visual field, which can be used to define an optimal policy of gaze allocation. However, it is not always possible to estimate the VM, in a given experimental setting, as it depends on many factors, including the visual system of the individual observer. Hence, few eye-movement datasets include the corresponding VM estimates. This can be problematic for the analysis of certain clinical conditions, such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which are associated with reduced sensitivity in the affected locations of the visual field. The corresponding VMs are highly idiosyncratic, and cannot be modeled by estimates obtained from healthy observers. We propose an algorithm for maximum likelihood VM estimation, working directly from eye-movement sequences. We apply this algorithm to two eye-tracking datasets, based on visual search tasks, obtained from AMD patients. We show that the inferred VMs are spatially consistent with the measured visual field sensitivities. We also show that simulations with the estimated VMs can account for the asymmetric distribution of saccade vectors, which is typical of AMD patients.
Quotients of del Pezzo surfaces
Authors: Trepalin Andrey
Published: September 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be any field of characteristic zero, [Formula: see text] be a del Pezzo surface and [Formula: see text] be a finite subgroup in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study when the quotient surface [Formula: see text] can be non-rational over [Formula: see text]. Obviously, if there are no smooth [Formula: see text]-points on [Formula: see text] then it is not [Formula: see text]-rational. Therefore, under assumption that the set of smooth [Formula: see text]-points on [Formula: see text] is not empty we show that there are few possibilities for non-[Formula: see text]-rational quotients.

The quotients of del Pezzo surfaces of degree [Formula: see text] and greater are considered in the author’s previous papers. In this paper, we study the quotients of del Pezzo surfaces of degree [Formula: see text]. We show that they can be non-[Formula: see text]-rational only for the trivial group or cyclic groups of order [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. For the trivial group and the group of order [Formula: see text], we show that both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are not [Formula: see text]-rational if the [Formula: see text]-invariant Picard number of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]. For the groups of order [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we construct examples of both [Formula: see text]-rational and non-[Formula: see text]-rational quotients of both [Formula: see text]-rational and non-[Formula: see text]-rational del Pezzo surfaces of degree [Formula: see text] such that the [Formula: see text]-invariant Picard number of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text].

As a result of complete classification of non-[Formula: see text]-rational quotients of del Pezzo surfaces we classify surfaces that are birationally equivalent to quotients of [Formula: see text]-rational surfaces, and obtain some corollaries concerning fields of invariants of [Formula: see text].
An adaptive grid-based curvelet optimized solution for nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Sharma Deepika , Singla Rohit K. , Goyal Kavita
Published: September 2019

In this work, a dynamically adaptive curvelet technique has been developed for solving nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLS). Central finite difference method is used for approximating the one- and two-dimensional differential operators and radial-basis functions (RBFs) are utilized for approximating the differential operators on the sphere. The grid on which the equation is solved, is obtained using curvelets. For test problems 1 and [Formula: see text] (1d & 2d problems) considered in this paper, the computational time carried out by the proposed technique is analyzed with the computational time carried out by the finite difference technique. Moreover, the problem on the sphere has been considered, for which the computational time carried out by the RBF collocation technique is analyzed with the computational time carried out by the proposed technique. It is found that the developed technique performs better in terms of computational time, for example, on sphere, computational effort reduces by four times using the proposed method.
Fair Allocation Fixed Cost Using Cross-Efficiency Based on Pareto Concept
Authors: Sharafi Hamid , Lotfi Farhad Hosseinzadeh , Jahanshahloo Gholam Reza , Razipour-GhalehJough Somayeh
Published: September 2019

Among homogeneous entities, there are some shared resources from which all the entities benefit. A significant point is to allocate the fixed costs of these shared resources equitably between entities. Data envelopment analysis is a technique applied for decision-making, concerning and evaluating the performance of decision-making units. One of the functions of these units is to solve the fair fixed cost allocation problem, based on the performance of a set of homogeneous decision-making units. In this paper, a method for allocating fixed costs using cross efficiency has been suggested, where the obtained result is Pareto cross-efficient. Moreover, the proposed method helps estimate the value of [Formula: see text] (lower bound of weights) and the mode of selecting [Formula: see text] for the suggested model using the standard deviation. Finally, by using a numerical example, the proposed method of allocating fixed costs is compared to the previous ones.
Quark degrees of freedom and nuclear matter saturation
Authors: Baldo Marcello , Aghbolaghi Zahra Asadi , Vidaña Isaac , Bigdeli Mohsen
Published: September 2019

It has been found in previous works [M. Baldo and K. Fukukawa, Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 241501 (2014); K. Fukukawa, M. Baldo, G. F. Burgio, L. Lo Monaco and H.-J. Schulze, Phys. Rev. 92, 065802 (2015)] that the nucleon–nucleon potential of [Y. Fujiwara, M. Kohno, C. Nakamoto and Y. Suzuki Phys. Rev. C 64, 054001 (2001); Y. Fujiwara et al., Phys. Rev. C 65, 014002 (2001)] gives an accurate saturation point in symmetric nuclear matter once the three hole-line contributions are included in the Brueckner–Bethe–Goldstone expansion without the addition of three-body forces in the nuclear Hamiltonian. The potential is based on a quark model of nucleons and on the quark–quark interaction together with quark exchange processes. These features introduce an intrinsic nonlocality of the nucleon–nucleon interaction. In order to clarify the role of the quark degrees of freedom and of the nonlocality in the saturation, we perform a comparative study of this potential and the traditional meson exchange models, exemplified in the CD-Bonn potential. We find that at the Brueckner–Hartree–Fock approximation, which corresponds to the two hole-line level of approximation, the dominant modification of the nucleon–nucleon interaction with respect to CD-Bonn is incorporated in the s-wave channels, where the quark degrees of freedom should be more relevant, in particular for the short range quark exchange processes. However, when the three hole-line contribution is included, we find that the higher partial waves play a relevant role, mainly in the term that describes the effect of the medium on the off-shell propagation of the nucleon.
μ − τ reflection symmetry and its explicit breaking for leptogenesis in a minimal seesaw model
Authors: Nath Newton
Published: September 2019

The minimal seesaw framework, embroiling the Dirac neutrino mass matrix [Formula: see text] and the Majorana neutrino mass matrix [Formula: see text], is quite successful to explain the current global-fit results of neutrino oscillation data. In this context, we consider the most predictive forms of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with two simple parameters, respectively. Considering these matrices, we obtain the low-energy neutrino mass matrix under type-I seesaw formalism which obeys [Formula: see text] reflection symmetry and predicts [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In the given set-up, we also evaluate the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe (BAU) through successful leptogenesis and find that perturbation of [Formula: see text] leads to the observed BAU and breaks exactness of the symmetry. Moreover, we also perform various correlation studies among different parameters in the framework of broken symmetry.
Stueckelberg Bosons as ultralight dark matter candidate
Authors: Govindarajan T. R. , Kalyanapuram Nikhil
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we propose a novel model of scalar field fuzzy dark matter based on Stueckelberg theory. Dark matter is treated as a Bose–Einstein condensate of Stueckelberg particles and the resulting cosmological effects are analyzed. Fits are understood for the density and halo sizes of such particles and comparison with existing models is made. Certain attractive properties of the model are demonstrated and lines for future work are laid out.
Evanescent waves and superluminal behavior of matter
Authors: Nanni Luca
Published: September 2019

An evanescent wave is a nonpropagating wave with an imaginary wave vector. In this study, we prove that these are solutions of the tachyon-like Klein–Gordon equation, and that in the tunneling of ultrarelativistic spin-1/2 particles they describe superluminal states arising from the interactions between a particle and barrier. These states decay as a particle emerges from the opposite side of a potential barrier, conserving the same initial energy but not necessarily the same mass. The obtained theory is applied to the neutrino, to explain flavor oscillations during free flight and determine the conditions that maximize the probability of their occurrence.
Cross-connection structure of concordant semigroups
Authors: Azeef Muhammed P. A. , Romeo P. G. , Nambooripad K. S. S.
Published: September 2019

Cross-connection theory provides the construction of a semigroup from its ideal structure using small categories. A concordant semigroup is an idempotent-connected abundant semigroup whose idempotents generate a regular subsemigroup. We characterize the categories arising from the generalized Green relations in the concordant semigroup as consistent categories and describe their interrelationship using cross-connections. Conversely, given a pair of cross-connected consistent categories, we build a concordant semigroup. We use this correspondence to prove a category equivalence between the category of concordant semigroups and the category of cross-connected consistent categories. In the process, we illustrate how our construction is a generalization of the cross-connection analysis of regular semigroups. We also identify the inductive cancellative category associated with a pair of cross-connected consistent categories.
Gravitomagnetism in modified theory of gravity
Authors: Exirifard Qasem
Published: September 2019

We study the gravitomagnetism in the Scalar-Vector-Tensor theory or Moffat’s Modified theory of Gravity (MOG). We compute the gravitomagnetic field that a slow-moving mass distribution produces in its Newtonian regime. We report that the consistency between the MOG gravitomagnetic field and that predicted by the Einstein’s gravitational theory and measured by Gravity Probe B, LAGEOS and LAGEOS 2, and with a number of GRACE and Laser Lunar ranging measurements requires [Formula: see text].
A generalized empirical formula for half-lives of alpha-decay fine structure
Authors: Sreeja I. , Balasubramaniam M.
Published: September 2019

A model-independent and [Formula: see text]-dependent four parameter formula has been recently proposed for the studies of one proton and two proton radioactivity. The same form of the formula with different parameter sets worked well for 1p and 2p emission indicating the fact that the similar phenomenological law is able to successfully reproduce both 1p as well as 2p emission half-lives suggesting the identical descriptions of these phenomena. Retaining the same form of the formula, its applicability is studied in this work for calculating the ground state as well as excited state [Formula: see text] emission. For this study, we consider 22 odd–odd nuclei, 31 odd–even nuclei, 52 even–odd nuclei, 88 even–even nuclei with the parent nucleus charge numbers in the range of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively. For each of these subsets the emission of [Formula: see text] with different angular momentum values are considered. The general formula with four different parameter sets is proposed and the obtained results are compared with the experimental data. The study reveals that the general form of the proposed empirical formula is suitable for calculating the half-lives of 1p, 2p and [Formula: see text]-emission with different [Formula: see text]-values. With very minimal input like [Formula: see text]-values, and charge number of the daughter nucleus, this formula can be used as a handy tool for a systematic study as well as to plan new experiments.
NUMERICAL STABILITY OF A HYBRID METHOD FOR PRICING OPTIONS
Authors: BRIANI MAYA , CARAMELLINO LUCIA , TERENZI GIULIA , ZANETTE ANTONINO
Published: September 2019

We develop and study stability properties of a hybrid approximation of functionals of the Bates jump model with stochastic interest rate that uses a tree method in the direction of the volatility and the interest rate and a finite-difference approach in order to handle the underlying asset price process. We also propose hybrid simulations for the model, following a binomial tree in the direction of both the volatility and the interest rate, and a space-continuous approximation for the underlying asset price process coming from a Euler–Maruyama type scheme. We test our numerical schemes by computing European and American option prices.
Groups which satisfy a Thue–Morse identity
Authors: Khosravi H. , Faramarzi Salles A.
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we study 3-Thue–Morse groups, but these are the groups satisfying the semigroup identity [Formula: see text]. We prove that if [Formula: see text] is a 3-Thue–Morse group then [Formula: see text] is soluble for every [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, if [Formula: see text] is an Engel group without involution then we show that [Formula: see text] is locally nilpotent.
Power trace functions over finite fields
Authors: Fitzgerald Robert W. , Kottegoda Yasanthi
Published: September 2019

We count the number of solutions to a power trace function equal to a constant and use this to find the probability of a successful attack on an authentication code proposed by Ding et al. (2005) [C. Ding, A. Salomaa, P. Solé and X. Tian, Three constructions of authentication/secrecy codes, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 196 (2005) 149–168].
Local strong solutions to the Cauchy problem of two-dimensional nonhomogeneous magneto-micropolar fluid equations with nonnegative density
Authors: Zhong Xin
Published: September 2019

We study the Cauchy problem of nonhomogeneous magneto-micropolar fluid system with zero density at infinity in the entire space [Formula: see text]. We prove that the system admits a unique local strong solution provided the initial density and the initial magnetic field decay not too slowly at infinity. In particular, there is no need to require any Choe–Kim type compatibility condition for the initial data.
Problematic Roadmapping for Companies in Less Developed Regions of Slovakia
Authors: Jemala Marek
Published: September 2019

This economic research was based on the literary analysis, various empirical studies and statistical versus qualitative research in 500 problematic companies mainly in the East of Slovakia. Businesses received about 100 questions about innovation management, innovation support, strategic planning, roadmapping, risk management, etc. These statistical results were completed by the expert consultations in 2018–2019. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that these problematic companies are mainly micro-companies with up to 10 employees (mostly Ltd.), mainly in the construction, engineering, automotive, rubber, and plastic industries. These companies are dominated by piece and series production. The use of RM processes was minimal and only applied in larger companies (TR ≥ 500 000 €). The roadmapping processes have been greatly simplified and unsystematic, mainly based on the requirements of business owners or top managers.
Lepage forms in Finsler geometry: Second-order generalization
Authors: Krupka Demeter
Published: September 2019

Projectability of Lepage forms, defined on higher-order jet spaces, onto the corresponding Grassmann fibrations, is a basic requirement for the extension of the theory of Lepage forms to integral variational functionals for submanifolds. In this paper, projectability of second-order Lepage forms is considered for variational functionals of the Finsler type. Underlying geometric concepts such as regular 2-velocities, contact elements and second-order Grassmann fibrations of rank 1 are discussed. It is shown that a Lepage form is projectable if and only if its Hamiltonian vanishes identically. In this case, explicit formulas for the Lagrange functions and the projected Lepage forms are given in terms of the adapted coordinates.
One-Step Synthesis of Si@Ti3+ Self-Doped TiO2 Heterostructure with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Zhang Xingquan , Liu Yousong , Ji Hongjia , Wang Jun , Chen Jin , Huo Jichuan , Song Hongtao
Published: September 2019

Heterostructure construction and doping provide two powerful routes for manipulating charge carrier separation, electrical transport, optical response, and interface kinetics for photocatalysis. However, the literature reported synthetic methods until now were very time-consuming. In this work, a facile one-pot hydrothermal reaction route was designed to synthesize Si nanospheres @ Ti[Formula: see text] self-doped TiO2 nanosheet heterostructure with tunable Ti[Formula: see text] doping levels at different hydrothermal temperatures. It was found that the precursor Si nanospheres not only serve as supporter of TiO2 nanosheets, but also are the inducement of Ti[Formula: see text] doping. Due to the synergistic effect of Ti[Formula: see text] doping and Si/TiO2 heterojunctions, the optimal sample exhibited 6.74-fold enhancement for rhodamine B (RhB) photodegradation under Xe lamp irradiation compared with the pristine TiO2. The construction of Si/TiO2 heterojunction, as well as the introduced Ti[Formula: see text] doping and associated oxygen vacancies, extended the optical absorption of TiO2 into visible region and enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, which finally resulted in improved photocatalytic performance of the Si@Ti[Formula: see text] self-doped TiO2 core–shell nanospheres. The designed hydrothermal route opens up an opportunity to the synthesis of doped hetero-photocatalysts in an efficient way.
MoS2/SnS2 nanocomposite as stable sodium-ion battery anode
Authors: Yan Jingkai , Li Qinyi , Hao Yu , Dai Chen , Chen Yu
Published: September 2019

MoS2/SnS2 composite material with satisfactory electrochemical performance has been prepared through a facile two-step hydrothermal method followed by high temperature sintering. The as-synthesized nanocomposite exhibits both excellent reversible capacity and improved cycling durability as the anode material of sodium ion batteries. Based on electrochemical test results, MoS2/SnS2 shows an incipient capacity of 750[Formula: see text]mAh/g and a capacity reservation of 600[Formula: see text]mAh/g after 100 cycles at the current of 0.1[Formula: see text]A/g. Such a combination of MoS2 nanosheets and SnS2 nanoparticles alleviates the agglomeration problem and attributes strong synergic effect, making MoS2/SnS2 composite a potential sodium ion battery anode.