bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The fracture resistance of bi-axially orientated PMMA
Authors: Zhao J Y , Blackman B , Patel Y , Yan Y
Published: March 2020

The mechanical performance of the transparent polymer PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) can be significantly enhanced by the process of bi-axial stretching during manufacture. However, few studies have reported on the fracture properties of bi-axially oriented PMMA. In this work, the fracture toughness and resulting surface morphology of bi-axially orientated PMMA has been investigated by testing single edge notch bend fracture specimens under quasi-static test conditions. The orientation of the specimens with respect to the stretching direction was systematically varied such that the effect of in-plane orientation and out-of-plane orientation was determined. The out-of-plane fracture resistance was shown to be enhanced compared to the in-plane resistance and compared to amorphous PMMA. Both out-of-plane and in-plane crack orientations had little effect on fracture resistance. Complex crack growth behavior and surface morphologies were observed in the out-of-plane direction. The results have important implications for the study of damage tolerance of transparent canopies in the aircraft industry.
The effect of cement mortar composition on the pH value
Authors: Shafigh P , Yousuf S , Lee J C , Ibrahim Z
Published: March 2020

Cement-based materials (CBMs) initially start their life at a high pH of about 12.5-13.5, which is further reduced due to several factors. These include ageing, penetration of moisture, carbonation, chloride ingress, alkali leaching, corrosion, and other biodegradation processes. A less reported factor enhancing the above reduction is incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) as partial replacement of cement due to the consumption of Ca(OH)2 in their pozzolanic reaction. In this study, pH and effect of Ca(OH)2 contents of cement mortars having 50% of fly ash and ground granulated ballast furnace slag were studied up to the age of 150 days. The results obtained strongly indicate that pH is not only dependent on the Ca(OH)2 content in cement mortars as specified in the most previous studies.
Preparation of polyimide hollow fiber membrane
Authors: Li B L , Zhai Y , Liu Y , Jiu Y B
Published: March 2020

The polyimide hollow fiber membrane has the characteristics of high packing density, large specific surface area, simple membrane module structure, and good separation performance for CO2/CH4. Therefore, it has become a hotspot in the field of gas separation, while its preparation process needs further exploration. This study is aimed to prepare polyimide P84 hollow fiber membranes by the dry–wet phase transformation method and investigate the main influencing factors, such as spinning solution concentration, external coagulation bath selection, bore fluid selection, and air gap, in the preparation process. The results showed that the pore size of the dense layer of the hollow fiber membrane decreased with the spinning solution concentration. As the height of the air gap increased, the dense layer thickness on the outer surface also gradually rose. The external coagulation bath affected the internal finger holes of the hollow fiber membrane. As the external coagulation bath changed continuously from water, ethanol, and isopropanol to acetone, the finger pore structure decreased in turn. A mixed solution of water/isopropanol, water/ethanol, and water/acetone was used as the bore fluid. In the case of pure water application, the density of finger pores inside the film was remarkably reduced.
Inhibition effect of rosemary oil on mild steel corrosion in a water-based petrochemical drilling fluid
Authors: Loto R T , Busari A
Published: March 2020

Corrosion inhibition of carbon steels applied in water-based petrochemical drilling fluid solution (DFS) with non-toxic chemical compounds is an important focus of research. Rosemary oil (ROS) was evaluated for its corrosion inhibition effect on mild steel (MS) in DFS by the potentiodynamic polarization technique and optical microscopy characterization. The corrosion rate data show that ROS effectively inhibited MS corrosion with an average inhibition efficiency above 90%. ROS displayed anodic type inhibition mechanism. The polarization curves displayed the passivation region, which signified the total surface coverage of MS surface. Morphological images of inhibited MS surface significantly differred from the control MS without ROS, whose surface was severely deteriorated by corrosion pits and grooves.
Influence of lap sequence on the Al/Steel FSKSW weld quality
Authors: Zhang Y H , Zhang Z K , Zheng J H , Zhao Z L
Published: March 2020

The joining of dissimilar metals of 5A02 aluminum alloy and DP600 galvanized steel was carried out by keyhole-free FSSW technique (FSKSW). The effect of lap sequences on the microstructure and mechanical properties of welded joints was also investigated. It was found that all keyholes of both stacking sequences were filled, and the steel on top of Al alloy could be stirred more thoroughly than that vice versa The microstructure of WNZ contained fine equiaxed grains, and TMAZ formed fully developed plastic flow, while HAZ had coarse grains. The temperature of two stacking sequences was similar during the welding process. Still, the axial force of the joints of steel on aluminum alloy was higher than that of aluminum alloy on steel. Similarly, the joint strength of the steel on aluminum alloy was also higher than that of aluminum alloy on steel. It was necessary to place the steel plates on the aluminum alloy sheets for metal plasticity and heat distribution.
The effect of graphite type on the growth of dense SiC ceramics prepared by the HTPVT method
Authors: Liu B B , Jing W J , Yang J F
Published: March 2020

Dense silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics were prepared by the high-temperature physical vapor transport (HTPVT) method at 2300°C using three types of graphite materials, namely common graphite (CP), isostatic graphite (IG), and graphite paper (GP), as crucible lids. The results indicated that the nucleation of SiC on CG was much easier than that on GP at the initial stage, but the polycrystalline growth on GP was faster. Moreover, the polycrystalline SiC ceramics growing on CG and IG lids were smaller than that grown on GP lid because many pores appeared at the interfaces between the grown polycrystalline SiC and CG and IG lids. As a result, the strength of the grown dense SiC ceramics on GP lid was about 8%–20%, higher than the strength of ceramics grown on the CG and IG lids.
Review of the test methods of the interface characterization of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Zhu Z H , Zhang Y , Zhang N , Hao M Y , Wu H W
Published: March 2020

How to measure the interfacial strength of matrix and reinforcement is one of the key problems in the study of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. The measurement technologies to study interface strength include destructive methods and non-destructive methods, which principles are introduced in this paper. Different tests can provide theoretical complementarity. Reasonable combination and improvement of interface strength tests can provide strong practical support for the study of interface property.
Effect of process temperature on mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy with warm laser shock peening
Authors: Pan X L , Zhou L C , He W F , Shi X S , Li R K , Feng X T , Wang X D
Published: March 2020

Warm laser shock peening (WLSP) is a thermomechanical strengthening technique with tempering treatment during laser shock peening (LSP) to optimize the mechanical properties of a metallic material. In WLSP, processing temperature plays a key role in regulating the final product’s mechanical properties. In this work, Ti6Al4V titanium alloy is used to evaluate effect of temperature on mechanical properties during warm laser shock peening. The compressive residual stress (CRS) generated by WLSP at different temperature was measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the surface hardness was investigated to reveal the surface strength features under different heat treatments as well. It was found that regardless of which temperature applied during the WLSP process, the treated specimens all displayed high-amplitude CRS on the surface or in depth, but the surface peak CRS decreases gradually as temperature increases. Specially, when the WLP temperature exceeded 250°C, the decreasing slope raised. The CRS affected width increased first, and then decreased with the increases of temperature. The maximum CRS affected width was about 6.25 mm, appearing at a temperature of 250 °C. For the affected depth of CRS, firstly, as the temperature increases from 20 to 250 °C, the thickness of affected layer rises with temperature. However, when the temperature exceeds 300°C, the affected depth of CRS sharply declines. In addition, the WLSP technology could improve the hardness of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy from 389 HV at room temperature to 418 HV at 350 °C
A simulation model and experimental study of X-ray transmission through a polycapillary focusing X-ray lens
Authors: Wang X Y , Luo H , Zhou M , Duan J Y , Li Y D , Lin X Y
Published: March 2020

A simulation model is established to simulate the X-ray transmission performance through a polycapillary focusing X-ray lens whose configuration curve was described by a piecewise function. The shape of the lens is segmented, and each segment uses different function curve. The ray tracing principle is used to simulate the transmission performance of X-rays through the polycapillary focusing X-ray lens. And the simulation results were compared with the experimental results.
Tribological behavior of TiAlN-coated TA19 alloy at elevated temperatures
Authors: Ding Z , Miao Q , Liang W P , Yang Z G , Yi J W , Lin H
Published: March 2020

TiAlN coating was deposited through the magnetron sputtering technology on the TA19 titanium alloy. The microstructure, composition, and binding force of the TiAlN coating were systematically evaluated. The friction and wear performance of coated specimens at elevated temperature were studied in detail. For elastic modulus E, the values of hardness H, H/E, and H3/E2 of the TiAlN coating were much higher than those of the matrix, which directly reduced the friction coefficient, wear volume, and wear rate of the TiAlN coating in high-temperature friction and wear. The friction mechanism of matrix and coating was mainly abrasive wear at room temperature. However, the coating and matrix suffered from tribo-oxidation at 300 and 500°C. In the process of friction and wear, the coating had no obvious characteristics of spalling and mechanical failure, showing good abrasive resistance at high temperature. This makes the TiAlN coating an effective high-temperature protective coating for titanium alloys.
Application of Mount Pinatubo lahar sand as fine aggregate in controlled low-strength materials
Authors: Alzona A R , Matriano K M , Galarosa A J , Malabanan A J , Mortel M S , Somera R J , Taguba M A , Santos M S Delos , Vahdanipour C M , Santos F D
Published: March 2020

Fine aggregates are key components of controlled low-strength materials (CLSM). These act as structural fillers that are integrally held together by cement paste controlling the mechanical properties and strength. In general, natural sand is the most common material used in the production of CLSM. Despite their low minimum compressive strength, CLSMs are used in highway construction as an alternative to compacted backfill. However, sand supply to road and infrastructure projects may be not sustainable. Meanwhile, in the low lying areas surrounding Mount Pinatubo in Phillippines, huge volumes of pyroclastic material and ashes were deposited due to the mountain’s cataclysmic eruption on 1991. To this date, the lahar washed down by the rains to the lowland municipalities and towns induce hazards during extreme rainfall events. Therefore, this study investigated the feasibility of lahar sand as fine aggregate in CLSM. Characterization of the controlled mixtures was performed via flowability, setting time, and compressive strength. Two controlled parameters (water-to-solid and cement-to-water ratios) were defined to show the statistical relationship among investigated properties with the different mixture proportions. Empirical results show acceptable characteristic values for the CLSM’s hardened state, making lahar sand be suitable as fine aggregates. The recommended water-to-solid and cement-to-water ratios for the CLSM mixture should be both 0.30.
Classification algorithms in the material science and engineering data mining techniques
Authors: Dardzinska A , Zdrodowska M
Published: March 2020

Data mining is an analytical process, which deals with the study of large data sets in search of patterns, correlations between data, and later their evaluation. The goal of data mining is usually prediction, among others sales volume, customer activities, extension ratios or the scale of customer loss. Data mining techniques allow finding previously unknown dependencies and schemas that can be used to support decision making or database description. Data mining techniques are developing very quickly and are more and more often used not only in typical fields such as customer relationship or management, but also in medicine, biomechanics, industry, materials sciences or mechanical engineering. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of selected data mining techniques for predicting the concrete compressive strength, and to identify the features having the greatest impact on its compressive strength. The study analyzed the data of 1030 concrete samples using five known classification algorithms (C4.5, Random Forest, Naive Bayes Classifier, Supporting Vector Machine SVM) and neural networks (Multilayer Percepton), which allowed to build an exploration model given with an accuracy of over 99%. Potential features of concrete that may affect its compressive strength are also pointed out.
Determination of focal spot size of high-energy microfocal X-ray source based on HfO2-coated single-bounce ellipsoidal glass monocapillary X-ray condenser
Authors: Wang Y B , Shao S K , Zhang X Y , Li Y F , Sun X P , Liu Z G , Sun T X
Published: March 2020

A method based on the single-bounce ellipsoidal monocapillary X-ray condenser (SEGMXC) was improved for determining the focal spot size of the high-energy microfocal X-ray source. HfO2 was selected as the high-density material (∼9.68g/cm3) and coated on the inner surface of the SEGMXC by the atomic layer deposition method. The focal spot size of a microfocal spot X-ray source was obtained as 33.14 ± 0.02 μm and the relative deviation of the effective size given by the manufacturer was 5.3%.
Process parameters and mechanical properties of SAPH440 steel in pulse arc welding with different heat inputs
Authors: Liang S F , Chi L X , Gao X Z , Yan B L
Published: March 2020

Thermal cycling parameters of pulse arc welding for SAPH440 steel was experimentally determined for different heat inputs. The welding thermal cycle curves of the weld fusion and heat-affected zones were successfully constructed based on the thermocouple measurements through the back drilling hole. The hardness and tensile strength variations under different heat inputs were also analyzed. This provided a database for the determination and optimization of process parameters, improvement of microstructure and properties of weld fusion and heat affected zones, and overall quality of pulse arc welding of steels.
Shot peening effect on fatigue life of EN GJS 600-3 grade ductile iron wheel hubs
Authors: Arshad W , Bilal H A , Sun Z G , Shi W , Godfrey A
Published: March 2020

Durability of wheel hubs is limited by their fatigue failure. Wheel hubs are mostly manufactured by casting process using ductile iron, and their fatigue strength can be improved by shot peening, which induces compressive stresses at their surfaces. In this study, fatigue life of wheel hubs manufactured from grade EN GJS 600-3 iron was studied. Shot-peened and untreated wheel hubs were subjected to fatigue test with the number of loading cycles up to 1 million. The test results showed that all untreated wheel hubs failed the test, while all shot-peened ones passed the 1 million cycle’s milestone. This study proved that fatigue life of wheel hubs manufactured from grade EN GJS 600-3 iron was improved almost by 100 percent via shot peening.
Prenatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in a Brooklyn study of Afro-Caribbean women
Authors: Hoepner Lori A , Halden Rolf U , Pycke Benny F G , Abulafia Ovadia , Sherer David M , Geer Laura A
Published: March 2020

Prior studies suggest ubiquitous fetal exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Insufficient information is available on the effects of BPA in underserved urban populations in the US. We describe prenatal BPA exposures in a predominately Afro-Caribbean immigrant population. Maternal third-trimester urinary concentrations of total BPA were measured in 181 mothers in Brooklyn, NY from 2007 to 2009. Mothers aged 18–45 y presenting at a prenatal clinic consented to study participation. Spot urine samples were collected once between the sixth and ninth month of pregnancy. The geometric mean concentration of total BPA was 0.12 μg l−1 (95% CI: 0.05–0.31). Total BPA concentrations were above the limit of detection in 9% of the mothers. Our results suggest that prenatal BPA exposure is low to non-detectable (< 0.02 μg l−1 in urine) among African American and Afro-Caribbean immigrant women residing in Brooklyn, NY. These results contradict evidence of prenatal exposure in prior studies of urban populations. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether there are associations between recent immigrant status and BPA exposures during pregnancy.
CNV-BAC: Copy number Variation Detection in Bacterial Circular Genome
Authors: Wu Linjie , Wang Han , Xia Yuchao , Xi Ruibin
Published: March 2020

Motivation

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is widely used for copy number variation (CNV) detection. However, for most bacteria, their circular genome structure and high replication rate make reads more enriched near the replication origin. CNV detection based on read depth could be seriously influenced by such replication bias.

Results

We show that the replication bias is widespread using ∼200 bacterial WGS data. We develop CNV-BAC (CNV-Bacteria) that can properly normalize the replication bias and other known biases in bacterial WGS data and can accurately detect CNVs. Simulation and real data analysis show that CNV-BAC achieves the best performance in CNV detection compared with available algorithms.

Availability and implementation

CNV-BAC is available at https://github.com/XiDsLab/CNV-BAC.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Gcluster: a simple-to-use tool for visualizing and comparing genome contexts for numerous genomes
Authors: Li Xiangyang , Chen Fang , Chen Yunpeng
Published: March 2020

Motivation

Comparing the organization of gene, gene clusters and their flanking genomic contexts is of critical importance to the determination of gene function and evolutionary basis of microbial traits. Currently, user-friendly and flexible tools enabling to visualize and compare genomic contexts for numerous genomes are still missing.

Results

We here present Gcluster, a stand-alone Perl tool that allows researchers to customize and create high-quality linear maps of the genomic region around the genes of interest across large numbers of completed and draft genomes. Importantly, Gcluster integrates homologous gene analysis, in the form of a built-in orthoMCL, and mapping genomes onto a given phylogeny to provide superior comparison of gene contexts.

Availability and implementation

Gcluster is written in Perl and released under GPLv3. The source code is freely available at https://github.com/Xiangyang1984/Gcluster and http://www.microbialgenomic.com/Gcluster_tool.html. Gcluster can also be installed through conda: ‘conda install -c bioconda gcluster’.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Kinship effects in quasi-social parasitoids I: co-foundress number and relatedness affect suppression of dangerous hosts
Authors: Abdi Mohamed Khadar , Lupi Daniela , Jucker Costanza , Hardy Ian C W
Published: March 2020

Explanations for the highest levels of sociality typically invoke the concept of inclusive fitness. Sclerodermus, a genus of parasitoid hymenopterans, is quasi-social, exhibiting cooperative brood care without generational overlap or apparent division of labour. Foundress females successfully co-exploit hosts that are too large to suppress when acting alone and the direct fitness benefits of collective action may explain their cooperation, irrespective of kinship. However, cooperation in animal societies is seldom free of conflicts of interest between social partners, especially when their relatedness, and thus their degree of shared evolutionary interests, is low. We screened components of the life-history of Sclerodermus brevicornis for effects of varying co-foundress number and relatedness on cooperative reproduction. We found that the time taken to paralyse standard-sized hosts is shorter when co-foundress number and/or relatedness is higher. This suggests that, while females must access a paralysed host in order to reproduce, individuals are reluctant to take the risk of host attack unless the benefits will be shared with their kin. We used Hamilton’s rule and prior data from studies that experimentally varied the sizes of hosts presented to congeners to explore how the greater risks and greater benefits of attacking larger hosts could combine with relatedness to determine the sizes of hosts that individuals are selected to attack as a public good. From this, we predict that host size and relatedness will interact to affect the timing of host paralysis; we test this prediction in the accompanying study.
Family physicians with mental disorders admitted to a physicians’ health programme: what can be learned?
Authors: Braquehais María Dolores , Nieva Gemma , González-Irizar Olga , Mozo Xulián , Valero Sergi , Bruguera Eugeni
Published: March 2020

Background

Family physicians (FPs) are said to be suffering from high rates of mental distress. Physicians’ health programmes (PHPs) have been developed in several countries to provide specialized care for those suffering from mental disorders.

Objective

To describe the profile of FPs admitted to the Integral Care Programme for Sick Physicians (PAIMM) compared to other physicians and the evolution of their referrals during a 20-year period.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1702 medical records of physicians registered at the Medical Council–Association of Barcelona and admitted to the PAIMM from 1998 to 2017. FPs represented 20% (n = 283) of all consultant-grade physicians (n = 1413).

Results

FPs’ admissions have increased over the years, mainly in the last decade. FPs were younger than other specialists (odds ratio [OR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96–0.99) and more likely to be women (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.89). All PAIMM physicians had a high prevalence of both adjustment and affective disorders and the prevalence of addictions has decreased in the last decade.

Conclusions

The increase in FPs accessing PHPs in recent years is notable; however, the reasons behind this trend require deeper analysis at the personal, professional and institutional levels.
Greater Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Capacity Is Associated With Higher Resting Metabolic Rate: Results From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Zampino Marta , Semba Richard D , Adelnia Fatemeh , Spencer Richard G , Fishbein Kenneth W , Schrack Jennifer A , Simonsick Eleanor M , Ferrucci Luigi
Published: March 2020

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) tends to decline with aging. The age-trajectory of decline in RMR is similar to changes that occur in muscle mass, muscle strength, and fitness, but while the decline in these phenotypes has been related to changes of mitochondrial function and oxidative capacity, whether lower RMR is associated with poorer mitochondrial oxidative capacity is unknown. In 619 participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, we analyzed the cross-sectional association between RMR (kcal/day), assessed by indirect calorimetry, and skeletal muscle maximal oxidative phosphorylation capacity, assessed as postexercise phosphocreatine recovery time constant (τ PCr), by phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between τ PCr and RMR, adjusting for potential confounders. Independent of age, sex, lean body mass, muscle density, and fat mass, higher RMR was significantly associated with shorter τ PCr, indicating greater mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Higher RMR is associated with a higher mitochondrial oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle. This association may reflect a relationship between better muscle quality and greater mitochondrial health.
Effects of dietary crude protein level and N-carbamylglutamate supplementation on nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activity of jejunum in growing pigs
Authors: Wang Yuming , Han Shuaijuan , Zhou Junyan , Li Peili , Wang Gang , Yu Haitao , Cai Shuang , Zeng Xiangfang , Johnston Lee J , Levesque Crystal L , Qiao Shiyan
Published: March 2020

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) level and N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and ileal digestibility of nutrients and digestive enzyme activity of jejunum in growing pigs. In experiment 1, 10 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire barrows (initial BW: 48.7 kg) were allotted to a three-period switchback design with five experimental diets and two replicate pigs per diet in each period. Diets were categorized as high CP (HP, 18% CP), moderate low CP (MLP, 15% CP), very low CP (VLP, 12% CP), and MLP and VLP with 0.1% NCG supplementation. Feces and urine were collected from day 6 to day 11 after a 5-d adaptation period. The DE, ME, and ATTD of GE, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and P decreased (P < 0.01) with a reduction of dietary CP, but no effect of dietary treatments on pig daily N retention was detected. The NCG supplementation increased (P < 0.01) DE and ATTD of ADF of the VLP diet. In experiment 2, 10 jejunal-cannulated Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire barrows (initial BW: 44.5 kg) were fed five diets for three periods as experiment 1. Jejunal fluid was collected on days 6 and 8 after a 5-d adaptation period. The digestive enzymes activity was not affected by dietary CP level, except for α-amylase, for which there was a decrease (P < 0.01) in pigs fed VLP diets compared to HP and MLP diets. In experiment 3, 12 ileal-cannulated Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire barrows (initial BW: 46.7 kg) were allotted to a three-period switchback design with six diets and two replicate pigs per diet in each period. The six experimental diets consisted of five experimental diets as experiment 1 and one N-free diet. Ileal digesta was collected from day 6 to day 8 after a 5-d adaptation period. Results indicated that apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and P and ileal digestibility of Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Phe, and all dispensable AA, except Pro, decreased (P < 0.01) in pigs fed VLP diet compared to HP and MLP diets, but AID of GE, OM, EE, NDF, and ADF were not affected. The supplementation of NCG in the VLP diet increased (P < 0.01) the AID of CP and ileal digestibility of Arg, His, Leu, Phe, Val, Ser, and Tyr. In conclusion, reducing dietary CP level decreased nutrient digestibility, but improved the efficiency of dietary N utilization and reduced N emission. Moderate reduction of dietary CP level had a minimal effect on nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activity. Additionally, NCG supplementation plays a beneficial effect on nutrient digestion only if the dietary CP level is extremely lowered.
Biological Control of Lepidopteran Pests in Rice: A Multi-Nation Case Study From Asia
Authors: Babendreier Dirk , Hou Maolin , Tang Rui , Zhang Feng , Vongsabouth Tiangkham , Win Khin Khin , Kang Min , Peng Haomin , Song Kai , Annamalai Sivapragasam , Horgan Finbarr G
Published: March 2020

We provide a case study where Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for rice production systems has been introduced to the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Funded by the European Union (EU), this IPM initiative brought together local and international partners to develop an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable rice pest management strategy for southwestern China, Laos, and Myanmar. A key component of the strategy was to establish 12 Trichogramma spp. rearing facilities (TRFs) that mainly targeted rice stem borers. Four TRFs were established in each of the participating countries. The most promising strains of Trichogramma chilonis (Ishii) and T. japonicus (Ashmead) were selected for production in the TRFs based on extensive field surveys as well as laboratory and field release studies. The project also considered the potential for Trichogramma spp. of each strain to withstand the high temperatures expected under a changing climate. Implementation of the IPM strategy resulted in higher rice yields (2–10%), an increase in natural enemy abundance (e.g., twice as many spiders), and a reduction in insecticide applications (1.5 fewer applications). During a capacity-building program, IPM practices with strong cultural and biological control-based components were promoted among ca 50 IPM trainers and ca 6,400 rice farmers. This case study indicates the potential successes of advanced biological control-based IPM systems. We believe that these systems merit wider consideration, including adaptations for other regions and crops.
Drawing the Legal Family Tree: An Empirical Comparative Study of 170 Dimensions of Property Law in 129 Jurisdictions
Authors: Chang Yun-chien , Garoupa Nuno , Wells Martin T
Published: March 2020

Traditional comparative private law scholars have a firm grasp of laws in several countries, but rarely of those in more than one hundred countries. Quantitative comparative private law scholars have placed dozens of countries into a legal family genealogy, but not based on a systematic understanding of legal substance around the world. Using a unique, hand-coded data set on 108 property doctrines (transformed into 170 binary variables) in 129 jurisdictions, we ran supervised and unsupervised machine-learning algorithms. Some of our findings confirm the conventional wisdom: French and German property laws are influential; mixed jurisdictions like South Africa and Scotland are one of a kind; common law jurisdictions form a group of their own; and a handful of formerly socialist countries, led by Russia, cluster together. Unlike the prior literature, however, we do not find that East Asian jurisdictions warrant a category of their own; but belong to distant groups. Spain and many Latin American countries form a separate group. Rather than finding a clear-cut common versus civil law division, we observe that the France-inspired group is one supercluster, separate from other jurisdictions.
Anonymity in EU Health Law: Not an Alternative to Information Governance
Authors: Mourby Miranda
Published: March 2020

Data sharing has long been a cornerstone of healthcare and research and is only due to become more important with the rise of Big Data analytics and advanced therapies. Cell therapies, for example, rely not only on donated cells but also essentially on donated information to make them traceable. Despite the associated importance of concepts such as ‘donor anonymity’, the concept of anonymisation remains contentious. The Article 29 Working Party’s 2014 guidance on ‘Anonymisation Techniques’ has perhaps helped encourage a perception that anonymity is the result of data modification ‘techniques’, rather than a broader process involving management of information and context. In light of this enduring ambiguity, this article advocates a ‘relative’ understanding of anonymity and supports this interpretation with reference not only to the General Data Protection Regulation but also to European Union health-related legislation, which also alludes to the concept. Anonymity, I suggest, should be understood not as a ‘technique’ which removes the need for information governance but rather as a legal standard of reasonable risk-management, which can only be satisfied by effective data protection. As such, anonymity can be not so much an alternative to data protection as its mirror, requiring similar safeguards to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
The Webern in Mozart: Systems of Chromatic Harmony and Their Twelve-Tone Content
Authors: Agmon Eytan
Published: March 2020

Toward the end of his 2012 book, Audacious Euphony, Richard Cohn asks, “how does music that is heard to be organized by diatonic tonality [as in the age of Mozart] become music that is heard to be organized in some other way [as in the age of Webern]”? In the present article, a theory different from Cohn’s is offered as answer. The theory’s three sub-theories, harmonic hierarchy, within-key chromaticism, and “solar” key distance, lead to a distinction between four types of harmonic systems: the strictly diatonic, the first- and second-order chromatic, and the restricted twelve-tone system. As its name implies, the latter harmonic system allows for twelve-tone levels, though under a restriction (termed Principle of Diatonic Fusion) that holds “the Webern in Mozart” in check.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Treatment: A Review of Early and Emerging Options
Authors: McCreary Erin K , Pogue Jason M
Published: March 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has spread across the globe resulting in a pandemic. At the time of this review, COVID-19 has been diagnosed in more than 200 000 patients and associated with over 8000 deaths (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization).

On behalf of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, we herein summarize the current evidence as of March 18, 2020 to provide guidance on potential COVID-19 treatment options. It is important to caution readers that new data emerges daily regarding clinical characteristics, treatment options, and outcomes for COVID-19. Optimized supportive care remains the mainstay of therapy, and the clinical efficacy for the subsequent agents is still under investigation.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs, including infectious diseases pharmacists and physicians, are at the forefront of COVID-19 emergency preparedness.

We encourage all readers to continue to assess clinical data as it emerges and share their experience within our community in a well-controlled, adequately powered fashion.
Value Return Predictability across Asset Classes and Commonalities in Risk Premia
Authors: Baba Yara Fahiz , Boons Martijn , Tamoni Andrea
Published: March 2020

We show that returns to value strategies in individual equities, industries, commodities, currencies, global government bonds, and global stock indexes are predictable in the time series by their respective value spreads. In all these asset classes, expected value returns vary by at least as much as their unconditional level. A single common component of the value spreads captures about two-thirds of value return predictability and the remainder is asset class specific. We argue that common variation in value premia is consistent with rationally time-varying expected returns, because (i) common value is closely associated with standard proxies for risk premia, such as the dividend yield, intermediary leverage, and illiquidity, and (ii) value premia are globally high in bad times.
When norm violations are spontaneously detected: an electrocortical investigation
Authors: Salvador Cristina E , Mu Yan , Gelfand Michele J , Kitayama Shinobu
Published: March 2020

One fundamental function of social norms is to promote social coordination. Moreover, greater social coordination may be called for when tight norms govern social relations with others. Hence, the sensitivity to social norm violations may be jointly modulated by relational goals and a belief that the social context is tight (vs loose). We tested this analysis using an electrocortical marker of norm-violation detection (N400). Ninety-one young American adults were subliminally primed with either relational or neutral goals. Then they saw behaviors that were either norm-violating or normal. In the relational priming condition, the norm-violation N400 increased as a function of the perceived tightness of societal norms. In the control priming condition, however, the norm-violation N400 was weak regardless of perceived tightness. Thus, normative tightness was associated with increased neural processing of norm violations only when relational goals were activated. Implications for norm psychology are discussed.
Testing a self-determination theory-based process model of physical activity behavior change in rheumatoid arthritis: results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fenton Sally A M , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Jet JCS , Metsios George S , Rouse Peter C , Yu Chen-an , Ntoumanis Nikos , Kitas George D , Duda Joan L
Published: March 2020

Physical inactivity is prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, increasing the risk of poor physical health and compromised well-being. Interventions are therefore required to support physical activity (PA) behavior change in this population. This study examined whether a self-determination theory (SDT) based exercise intervention for people with RA, increased autonomous motivation for PA and in turn, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and subjective vitality RA patients (n = 115) were randomized to a 3-month SDT-based psychological intervention + RA-tailored exercise program (experimental group, n = 59) or a RA-tailored exercise program only (control group, n = 56). During the program, the SDT-based intervention group received one-on-one consultations with a PA advisor trained in delivering strategies to promote autonomous motivation for PA. Well-established questionnaires assessed autonomous and controlled motivation for PA, MVPA (min/week), and subjective vitality at baseline (T1) and 3 months (T2). Path analysis examined the hypothesized theoretical process model. The model demonstrated an excellent fit to the data (n = 70, χ2 (26) = 28.69, p = .33, comparative fit index = 0.99, root square mean error of approximation = 0.04). The intervention corresponded to higher autonomous motivation and lower controlled motivation for PA at T2, after controlling for T1 autonomous and controlled motivation. In turn, changes in autonomous motivation from T1 to T2 significantly positively predicted changes in MVPA and subjective vitality. Results suggest an SDT based psychological intervention comprising autonomy-supportive strategies for PA predicted greater reported autonomous reasons for PA in RA patients participating in a tailored 3-month exercise program. Increased autonomous motivation linked to increased engagement in MVPA and feelings of vitality in these patients.
Perilla Mosaic Virus Is a Highly Divergent Emaravirus Transmitted by Shevtchenkella sp. (Acari: Eriophyidae)
Authors: Kubota Kenji , Usugi Tomio , Tomitaka Yasuhiro , Shimomoto Yoshifumi , Takeuchi Shigeharu , Kadono Fujio , Yanagisawa Hironobu , Chiaki Yuya , Tsuda Shinya
Published: March 2020

Shiso (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) is widely grown as an important vegetable or herb crop in Japan. Beginning around the year 2000, occurrences of severe mosaic symptoms on shiso were documented and gradually spread across Kochi Prefecture, one of four major shiso production areas in Japan. Next generation sequencing and cloning indicated the presence of a previously unknown virus related to the members of the genus Emaravirus, for which we proposed the name Perilla mosaic virus (PerMV). The genome of PerMV consists of 10 RNA segments, each encoding a single protein in the negative-sense orientation. Of these proteins, P1, P2, P3a, P3b, P4, and P5 show amino acid sequence similarities with those of known emaraviruses, whereas no similarities were found in P6a, P6b, P6c, and P7. Characteristics of the RNA segments as well as phylogenetic analysis of P1 to P4 indicate that PerMV is a distinct and highly divergent emaravirus. Electron microscopy observations and protein analyses corresponded to presence of an emaravirus. Transmission experiments demonstrated that an eriophyid mite, Shevtchenkella sp. (family Eriophyidae), transmits PerMV with a minimum 30-min acquisition access period. Only plants belonging to the genus Perilla tested positive for PerMV, and the plant−virus−vector interactions were evaluated. The nucleotide sequences reported here are available in the DDBJ/ENA/GenBank databases under accession numbers LC496090 to LC496099.
DNP student mentorship
Authors: Higgins Karen , Newby Olivia
Published: March 2020

NP organizations can complement academic programs by providing DNP students with experiential learning and mentorship. This article focuses on a regional NP organization that provided mentoring to DNP students who joined their leadership board. Students gained leadership, advocacy, policy, and advanced practice experience, and the organization experienced growth and innovation.
Future use of musculoskeletal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Carstensen Stine Maya Dreier , Terslev Lene , Jensen Mogens Pfeiffer , Østergaard Mikkel
Published: March 2020

Purpose of review

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play important roles in diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of rheumatoid arthritis. This review highlights recent literature in this field and aims to provide insight into the future use in clinical practice.

Recent findings

Recent studies concerning the use of MSUS and MRI in clinical practice show how MSUS and MRI can improve diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis and how they can predict both radiographic progression and clinical outcome (e.g., successful tapering of medical treatment). Moreover, novel technical developments of the two imaging modalities, such as 3D ultrasonography, ultrasound image reading with convolutional neural network, image fusion (MSUS and MRI) and whole-body MRI show promising results. Further validation of these novel techniques is required prior to implementation.

MSUS and MRI will be important parts of the future management of rheumatoid arthritis patients, mostly because of their ability to detect rheumatoid arthritis changes at a very early stage and to predict the course of disease. However, the exact role in routine clinical practice is still to be defined.
Risk Factors for 90-day Readmissions With Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders Following Posterior Lumbar Fusion
Authors: Ranti Daniel , Mikhail Christopher M. , Ranson William , Cho Brian , Warburton Andrew , Rutland John W. , Cheung Zoe B. , Cho Samuel K.
Published: March 2020

Study Design.

Retrospective cohort study of the 2012 to 2014 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Objective.

To identify risk factors for 30- and 90-day readmission due to fluid and electrolyte disorders following posterior lumbar fusion.

Summary of Background Data.

Thirty- and 90-day readmission rates are important quality and outcome measures for hospitals and physicians. These measures have been tied to financial penalties for abnormally high rates of readmission. Furthermore, complex and high cost surgeries have been increasingly reimbursed in the form of bundled disease resource group payments, where any treatment within 90-day postdischarge is covered within the original bundled payment scheme.

Methods.

A total of 65,121 patients in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database met our inclusion criteria, of which 1128 patients (1.7%) were readmitted within 30 days, and 1669 patients (2.6%) were readmitted within 90 days due to fluid and electrolyte abnormalities. A bivariate analysis was performed to compare baseline characteristics between patients readmitted with fluid and electrolyte disorders and the remainder of the cohort. A multivariate regression analysis was then performed to identify independent risk factors for readmission due to fluid and electrolyte disorders at 30 and 90 days.

Results.

The strongest independent predictors of 30-day readmissions were age ≥80 years, age 65 to 79 years, age 55 to 64 years, liver disease, and drug use disorder. The five strongest predictors of 90-day readmissions were age ≥80 years, age 65 to 79 years, age 55 to 64 years, liver disease, and fluid and electrolyte disorders.

Conclusion.

Patients with baseline liver disease, previously diagnosed fluid and electrolyte disorders, age older than 55 years, or drug use disorders are at higher risk for readmissions with fluid and electrolyte disorders following posterior lumbar fusion. Close monitoring of fluid and electrolyte balance in the perioperative period is essential to decrease complications and reduce unplanned readmissions.

Level of Evidence: 3
Development and Validation of Finite Element Analysis Model (FEM) of Craniovertebral Junction
Authors: Gupta Deepak , Zubair Mohd , Lalwani Sanjeev , Gamanagatti Shiva , Roy Tara Sankar , Mukherjee Sudipto , Kale Shashank Sharad
Published: March 2020

Study Design.

Experimental Cadaveric Biomechanical Study.

Objective.

To establish an experimental procedure in cadavers to estimate joint stiffness/stability at craniovertebral junction (CVJ) region with various implant systems and to develop/validate an indigenous cost effective 3D—FEM (three-dimensional finite element model) of CVJ region.

Summary of Background Data.

Finite element analysis (FEM) tools can provide estimates of internal stress and strain in response to external loading of various implant systems used in CVJ fixations.

Methods.

Experimental setup for conducting biomechanical movements on CVJ region of cadaver was developed using cost effective innovative tools. A manually actuated seven- degrees of freedom parallel manipulator motion testing system (MA7DPM) was designed and developed to impart designed trajectories and to conduct various biomechanical motion studies at CVJ region for the present study.

Results.

FEM model of CVJ region was developed and subsequently validated with CVJ morphometry data of 15 human subjects of Asian origin. Validated FEM was subjected to force motion studies at the CVJ region. The force-motion maps obtained from the FEM studies were subsequently validated against biomechanical experiment results from cadaveric experiment results obtained with three different implant fixations.

Conclusions.

A cost effective biomechanical tool (which did not require decapitation of cadaveric head) and a customised chair (to place cadaver in sitting position during conduct of biomechanical movements simulating real-life scenario) was indigenously designed and developed. Developed biomechanical tool (MA7DPM) for this study is likely to be useful for stress-testing analysis of various implant systems for individual patients undergoing surgery at CVJ region in near future.

Level of Evidence: 5