bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of the 24 hr forecast of surface UV radiation using an ensemble approach
Authors: Krzyścin Janusz W. , Guzikowski Jakub , Pietruczuk Aleksander , Sobolewski Piotr S.
Published: December 2019

A methodology is proposed to improve the 24 hr forecast of the ultraviolet (UV) index and the duration of exposure to obtain the minimal erythemal dose (MED). A forecast ensemble consisting of 10 members (differing in initial and boundary conditions) is examined to search for the best performed ensemble member. Routine UV measurements are used for the forecast validation. These are carried out at Belsk (20.8 ° E, 51.8 ° N) and in Racibórz (18.2 ° E, 50.1 ° N) representing a rural and an urban site in Poland, respectively. Each ensemble member is built using the clear‐sky simulations by a radiative transfer model. The clear‐sky irradiance is attenuated using the cloud modification factor (CMF) depending on the cloud cover by low‐ and mid‐level clouds. The 24 hr forecast of cloudiness is obtained by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Every day, for each ensemble member, the optimal CMF values are built by the offline bootstrapping of the original CMF matrix. The performance of all ensemble members is evaluated for the day preceding the forecast. The best one is subsequently used for the next‐day forecast. This procedure provides a more accurate forecast than that based on a single member of the ensemble. For both sites, the root mean square percentage error for the duration of the MED exposure changes from about 30% to about 15%, and mean absolute percentage error from about 20–25% to about 10%.
CDC report: Suicide contributes to substantial number of TBIs
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2019

Noting that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) contribute to a substantial number of deaths each year, a new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report finds that nearly half of TBI–related deaths are classified as intentional injuries by suicide or homicide.
Analysis of the critical pool level of partially submerged slopes
Authors: Wang Wei , Griffiths D.V.
Published: December 2019

Partially submerged c′ − φ′ slopes with a horizontal water table exhibit a critical pool level at which the factor of safety becomes a minimum. The phenomenon was first identified using finite element methods, but in this paper, a more thorough analytical investigation is presented. The approach described herein assumes a rigid block sliding with a circular failure mechanism, combined with optimization software to identify the critical circle. The method is initially validated against known slope solutions that assume circular and log‐spiral mechanisms and shown to give excellent agreement, especially for flatter slopes. The method is then applied to partially submerged slopes with a focus on the critical pool level. Through detailed investigation of the overturning and restoring moments in the stability analyses, the critical pool level phenomenon is shown to lie in the trade‐off between the destabilizing effects of internal pore pressures on soil strength and the stabilizing effect of external hydrostatic water pressures on the slope surface.
Company's retention needs lead to university's enrollment boost
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: December 2019

CHICAGO — A few years ago, supervisors at FedEx realized they had a retention problem. For employees who worked at the company, turnover was about 92%. For the Memphis warehouse, which employed about 12,000 people, that meant replacing approximately 10,000 employees annually. “It cost them about $3,500 to train a new employee,” said Courtney Brafford, Coordinator of Student Success Initiatives and Retention Specialist at the University of Memphis. As an initiative to retain employees and build lasting skills, FedEx partnered with UM to develop online pathways to degrees available to employees with no upfront tuition cost.
Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics: A Critical Perspective on the Dawn of their Global Adoption
Authors: Ciriminna Rosaria , Pagliaro Mario
Published: December 2019

The global adoption of biodegradable and compostable plastics obtained from biomass‐derived monomers, we argue in this account, is now close to the inflection point. The first industrially significant impact will affect the packaging segment of the global chemical industry. In this process, China and India will play a pivotal role. Selected guidelines aiming to foster development of bioplastics industry in both developed and developing nations are provided.
Decomposition of Copper Formate Clusters: Insight into Elementary Steps of Calcination and Carbon Dioxide Activation
Authors: Pascher Tobias F. , Ončák Milan , van der Linde Christian , Beyer Martin K.
Published: December 2019

The decomposition of copper formate clusters is investigated in the gas phase by infrared multiple photon dissociation of Cu(II)n(HCO2)2n+1−, n≤8. In combination with quantum chemical calculations and reactivity measurements using oxygen, elementary steps of the decomposition of copper formate are characterized, which play a key role during calcination as well as for the function of copper hydride based catalysts. The decomposition of larger clusters (n>2) takes place exclusively by the sequential loss of neutral copper formate units Cu(II)(HCO2)2 or Cu(II)2(HCO2)4, leading to clusters with n=1 or n=2. Only for these small clusters, redox reactions are observed as discussed in detail previously, including the formation of formic acid or loss of hydrogen atoms, leading to a variety of Cu(I) complexes. The stoichiometric monovalent copper formate clusters Cu(I)m(HCO2)m+1−, (m=1,2) decompose exclusively by decarboxylation, leading towards copper hydrides in oxidation state +I. Copper oxide centers are obtained via reactions of molecular oxygen with copper hydride centers, species containing carbon dioxide radical anions as ligands or a Cu(0) center. However, stoichiometric copper(I) and copper(II) formate Cu(I)(HCO2)2− and Cu(II)(HCO2)3−, respectively, is unreactive towards oxygen.
Collaborating for improving diabetes care in Ealing, London: a time for cautious optimism, years 2011 to 2018
Authors: Chandok Raj , Baynes Kevin , Willis Tony , Birnbaum Maurice , Unadkat Neha
Published: December 2019

In 2011, providers and commissioners met to review diabetes care in Ealing, London, UK. The needs assessment showed that there was: a high prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed people with diabetes; a projected 50% increase in diagnosed people with diabetes during the ensuing decade; a lack of resources deployed in meeting the needs of people with diabetes; a necessity to involve people with diabetes to shape local diabetes care; and, worryingly, outcomes were poor.

This paper describes how to integrate different contributions to health and care at community level – community‐oriented integrated care – as has been advocated worldwide for many years. Community‐oriented integrated care is complicated because it requires a whole system approach, involving collaboration between commissioners and providers, specialists and generalists, and a range of local organisations, patients and citizens. Commissioners and providers in Ealing collaborated with its neighbouring clinical commissioning groups between 2011 and 2018, in a significant number of initiatives, in improving diabetes care that enabled the achievement of certain initiatives more cost‐effectively, and at scale and pace. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2019; 36(6): 212–218
Optical and Mechanical Properties of Nanocomposite Films Based on Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) and Fumed Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Li Chi‐Ping , Tenent Robert C. , Wolden Colin A.
Published: December 2019

Nanocomposite polymer films are prepared by using ultrasonic spray deposition (USD) technique through mixing polymethyl methacrylate as matrix and fumed silica nanoparticles as second phase in dimethyl carbonate solvent. Annealing procedure improves the film uniformity and optical transmission. The addition of fumed silica nanoparticles impedes the transmission of the electrolyte films due to agglomeration of fumed silica nanoparticles. Fortunately, adding surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, disperses the fumed silica nanoparticles and retrieves the optical transmission of nanocomposite polymer films to around 90%. The hardness and elastic modulus of the nanocomposite polymer films are better than the commercial bulk. The USD deposited nanocomposite polymer film comprises of PMMA and fumed silica nanoparticles is a promising candidate of solid‐state electrolyte for EC windows application. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:553–557, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Evaluation of Mechanical and Thermal Performance of Polyethylene Terephthalate Recycled Ribbon and Carbon‐Reinforced Compatibilized Polypropylene
Authors: Saifullah Abul B.M. , Inampudi Venkata V.K. , Nikzad Mostafa , Sbarski Igor , Hussain Manwar
Published: December 2019

Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the two most widely used plastics, which are not compatible with recycling as a blend. In this research work, two different compositions of recycled PP/PET ribbon 65/35 (v/v %) and 78/22 (v/v%) along with 5% (wt%) of polypropylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MAH) as compatibilizer were blended, 2– 5 wt% of carbon fiber (CF) was further added for reinforcement. The compositions of these materials are mechanically mixed and extruded by a twin‐screw extruder to make pellets. These pellets are then used to produce standard samples by injection molding for evaluation. The molded samples were tested under tensile, flexural and impact loads to evaluate mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted on the fracture surface of the impact‐tested samples to understand polymer blend morphology. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) also carried out to check the thermal properties, mainly transition temperatures (Tg) and heat flow. These test results compared, which show substantial improvement in mechanical properties by adding CF and compatibilizer, without much change in transition temperatures. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:575–580, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Demonstration of Observation of Dislocations in GaN by Novel Birefringence Method
Authors: Tanaka Atsushi , Inotsume Syo , Harada Shunta , Hanada Kenji , Honda Yoshio , Ujihara Toru , Amano Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

Herein, a newly developed birefringence microscope is used to observe dislocations in gallium nitride (GaN) substrates. The comparison results of the observation method using this microscope with other observation methods, such as X‐ray topography and Raman microscopy, confirms that dislocations in a GaN substrate can be detected with a birefringence microscope. In addition, the observation can be carried out as easily as with an optical microscope. It is also found that under certain observation conditions, the direction of the edge component of dislocations can be determined.
Stabilization and second‐order optimization for multimodule impulsive switched linear systems
Authors: Ai Zidong , Peng Lianghong
Published: December 2019

In this work, we investigate stabilization and optimization issues for a class of multimodule impulsive switched linear systems. First, we establish a necessary and sufficient criterion on asymptotic stabilizability via a pathwise state‐feedback scheme, which achieves the merits of both time‐driven and state‐feedback mechanisms. Then, we present an impulse/switching instant optimization problem that usually arises in finite‐horizon optimal control. To reduce the computational burden, we propose a novel method via developing efficiently computable expressions for the cost function, the gradient vector, and the Hessian matrix. Next, we design a second‐order optimization algorithm searching for the optimal impulse/switching instants. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
UAV‐derived estimates of forest structure to inform ponderosa pine forest restoration
Authors: Belmonte Adam , Sankey Temuulen , Biederman Joel A. , Bradford John , Goetz Scott J. , Kolb Thomas , Woolley Travis
Published: December 2019

Restoring forest ecosystems has become an increasingly high priority for land managers across the American West. Millions of hectares of forest are in need of drastic yet strategic reductions in density (e.g., basal area). Meeting the restoration and management goals requires quantifying metrics of vertical and horizontal forest structure, which has relied upon field‐based measurements, manned airborne or satellite remote sensing datasets. We used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image‐derived Structure‐from‐Motion (SfM) models and high‐resolution multispectral orthoimagery in this study to quantify vertical and horizontal forest structure at both the fine‐ (<4 ha) and mid‐scales (4–400 ha) across a forest density gradient. We then used these forest structure estimates to assess specific objectives of a forest restoration treatment. At the fine‐scale, we found that estimates of individual tree height and canopy diameter were most accurate in low‐density conditions, with accuracies degrading significantly in high‐density conditions. Mid‐scale estimates of canopy cover and forest density followed a similar pattern across the density gradient, demonstrating the effectiveness ofUAVimage‐derived estimates in low‐ to medium‐density conditions as well as the challenges associated with high‐density conditions. We found that post‐treatment conditions met a majority of the prescription objectives and demonstrate theUAVimage application in quantifying changes from a mechanical thinning treatment. We provide a novel approach to forest restoration monitoring usingUAV‐derived data, one that considers varying density conditions and spatial scales. Future research should consider a more spatially extensive sampling design, including different restoration treatments, as well as experimenting with different combinations of equipment, flight parameters, and data processing workflows.
Marmots from space: assessing population size and habitat use of a burrowing mammal using publicly available satellite images
Authors: Koshkina Alyona , Grigoryeva Irina , Tokarsky Viktor , Urazaliyev Ruslan , Kuemmerle Tobias , Hölzel Norbert , Kamp Johannes
Published: December 2019

Social, burrowing mammals such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels or marmots are keystone species in grassland ecosystems. Grasslands have been converted into cropland or pastures globally, yet it remains virtually unknown how this has affected the biogeography of burrowing mammals, as efficient, broad‐scale survey methods are lacking. We aimed to test whether structures created by burrowing rodents can be reliably detected on publicly available, very‐high‐resolution satellite images, in order to assess rodent distribution and abundance. We identified burrows of Bobak marmot (Marmota bobak), a keystone burrowing steppe rodent, on 1300 randomly selected plots of 1 km diameter (78.53 ha) across the species’ range (~950 000 km²) in Kazakhstan and southern Russia using Google Earth and Bing images. We then used burrow occurrences and species distribution models to map marmot distribution. We assessed how marmot occurrence and density vary across land‐use types. We also combined satellite‐based burrow densities and ground‐survey data to derive a new population estimate for the species across Kazakhstan. We mapped a total of 7425 burrows from the satellite imagery. Field visits at a subsample of burrows suggested that burrow occurrence was detected reliably. Broad‐scale marmot distribution was mainly determined by summer rainfall, land use and elevation. Occurrence probability was highest on arable croplands, followed by abandoned croplands and grazed steppe. The current Bobak marmot population size for Kazakhstan was estimated at 6.1 (±2.4) million individuals. Our results demonstrate that publicly available, very‐high‐resolution images can be used to reliably map the distribution of burrowing mammals across large geographic scales. The observed and predicted distributions indicate that the Bobak's range has remained almost unchanged in Kazakhstan since the 1950s, despite several drastic episode of land‐use change. This suggests that burrowing mammals can be remarkably resilient to land‐use pressure, questioning prevailing narratives of population collapse in these species following agricultural expansion.
Mesoporous Carbons Derived from Pyrolysis of Organosilica‐Based Ionogels for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zheng Jianqi , Sun Dexin , Huang Baobing , Liu Yuchuan , Xie Zailai
Published: December 2019

Developing of novel carbon‐based materials for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction is highly important for sustainable energy conversion. In this work, iron‐containing ionogels were prepared from functional ionic liquid 1‐propionic acid‐2‐methyl imidazole bromide as the linker and an organically‐modified silica framework as the host, which were polymerized in the presence of iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate. The ionogels are mechanically stable, yellowish and transparent. After pyrolysis and washing by acid, unique mesoporous carbon materials were innovatively synthesized. Moreover, the as‐obtained carbon materials possess very high surface areas (1127 m2 g−1), significant mesoporosity and abundant catalytic sites (e. g., effective N configurations). The optimal catalyst exhibits remarkable ORR activity with an onset potential (Eonset) of 0.98 V vs. RHE, a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.823 V vs. RHE and a diffusion‐limited current density (jL) of 5.75 mA cm−2 in 0.1 M KOH, comparable to the commercial Pt/C catalyst in the same condition. This work provided a new strategy to fabricate promising electrocatalyts for application in fuel cells.
Synthesis of Enantiomerically Enriched Alkynylaryl‐Substituted α‐Amino Acids through Sonogashira Reactions
Authors: Saghyan Ashot S. , Mkrtchyan Anna F. , Mardiyan Zorayr Z. , Hayriyan Liana A. , Karapetyan Ani J. , Belokon Yuri N. , Ehlers Peter , Langer Peter
Published: December 2019

Various enantiomerically enriched non‐proteinogenic (S)‐α‐amino acids were obtained in high chemical and optical yields through Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions and Glaser couplings. The Schiff base Ni(II)complexes of the chiral auxiliary (S)‐BPB (BPB=N‐benzyl proline benzophenone) and an amino acid containing an aryl bromide moiety in the α‐position were synthesized and subsequently used in Sonogashira coupling reactions. The obtained Ni(II) complexes were hydrolyzed with aqueous HCl and novel amino acids, containing an alkynylaryl moiety, were isolated in good yields and with high enantiomeric excess (>99% ee). The chiral auxiliary (S)‐BPB can be recycled and reused for the synthesis of the starting Ni(II) complex.
Base‐Promoted Metal‐Free Arylation of Benzoxazoles with Phenylglyoxylic Acids
Authors: Yang Zhiyong , Zhou Liang , Liu Ying , Lu Hongwen , Wu Fengxuan , Xie Yuxin , Liu Jianle
Published: December 2019

An efficient and environmental protocol for the arylation of benzoxazoles with phenylglyoxylic acids promoted by base has been developed. This protocol provides expedient access to substituted 2‐aryl benzoxazoles with CO2 as the only byproduct. The present transformation provided high yields at a relatively low temperature and tolerated chloro‐, bromo‐, fluoro‐, and methoxy‐ groups, even heterocycles.
The Change in the Nature of the Chemical Bond through Hydrogen Tunneling Process in BN‐Ethylamine
Authors: Lopez‐Castillo Alejandro , Morgon Nelson H.
Published: December 2019

The change process in the nature of the chemical bond between BN single covalent (…H2B‐NH2) and coordinate covalent (…H2B‐NH3) bonds was studied considering the BN‐ethylamine molecule (NH2BH2NH3). This molecule is an inorganic ethylamine in which the C atoms were substituted by BN pairs and the B atom is in the center of molecule.
Solar‐Inspired Water Purification Based on Emerging 2D Materials: Status and Challenges
Authors: Xie Zhongjian , Peng Ya-Pei , Yu Li , Xing Chenyang , Qiu Meng , Hu Junqing , Zhang Han
Published: December 2019

Water shortage and the energy crisis are two major global challenges in this century. The solution for water crisis should be based on a sustainable energy source. Solar‐inspired water purification is an efficient and green technology for tackling the water challenge using abundant and clean solar energy through photothermal evaporation‐induced water production, photoinduced antimicrobial treatment, and photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants. 2D nanomaterials draw significant attention for their use these three water‐purification methods because of their large surface area, broadband and strong absorption in the solar spectral range, and efficient photothermal and photocatalytic transformation. Herein, the recent development of 2D nanomaterials applied in photothermal evaporation, photoinduced antimicrobial treatment, and photocatalytic capability is comprehensively overviewed. Various strategies in enhancing the light‐absorption and light‐conversion efficiency for different 2D nanomaterials are presented. The challenges and perspectives of these 2D nanomaterials are further discussed for practical water purification. This Review highlights these green energy–driven water‐purification methods based on emerging 2D materials.
Oxidation Behavior and Subsurface Phase Transformation of Novel High Mn Cryogenic Steel during Heat Treatment
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Yong , Li Guangqiang , Cai Huan , Wang Honghong , Wan Xiangliang
Published: December 2019

The oxidation behavior and subsurface phase transformation of novel high Mn cryogenic steel Fe–(0.35–0.45)C–(0.2–0.25)Si–(25–25.8)Mn–(3–5)Cr are investigated in the temperature range of 600–1200 °C under air atmosphere. The results show that the weight gain curves of oxidation with time are in good agreement with linear equations during 90 min holding below 800 °C, implying that the interface reaction is the rate‐controlling process. Above 900 °C, the oxidation reaction kinetics is governed by the parabolic rate law due to the formation of thick oxide scale. The inner oxide scale mainly consisting of Cr oxide at 1000 °C is thicker than that at 900 °C, but the thickness of the whole oxide scale is thinner than that at 900 °C. After 90 min holding, the oxidation weight gain at 900 °C is more than that at 1000 °C, which is dominated by the combined effect of thermodynamic and kinetic factors. The Mn‐depleted zone occurs in the steel matrix epidermis, leading to the subsurface phase transformation. The γ‐Fe transforms into α‐Fe in the steel matrix epidermis, which will result in deterioration of steel properties. Protective atmosphere should be adopted for heat treatment process of the novel high Mn steel.
Twenty Years of the Polyvinyl Chloride Sustainability Challenges
Authors: Everard Mark
Published: December 2019

Intense campaigning pressure on the UK polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sector up to the late 1990s forced strategic engagement with sustainable development. Simplified outcomes from a detailed, consensus‐based analysis by science‐based NGO The Natural Step (TNS) took the form of five TNS sustainability challenges for PVC published in 2000. UK manufacturing companies initially used these challenges to direct strategic progress. The challenges have since been progressively taken up across European PVC value chains. The VinylPlus® program uses an updated version of the five challenges as a basis for voluntary commitments and transparent auditing of progress against published targets. Initial framing of the five TNS sustainability challenges for PVC was drafted consciously for generic relevance to other materials. Assessing the sustainability performance of some alternative materials to PVC against the five sustainability challenges reveals different sustainability performance in a range of potential applications. This highlights the danger inherent in automatic selection or deselection of materials in the absence of assessment of options on a “level playing field” of sustainability principles. The five TNS sustainability challenges for PVC remain valid today and into the longer‐term future as a basis for making stepwise, profitable progress toward the goal of sustainability for PVC and other materials. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:390–402, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Definitions for Loss of Domain: An International Delphi Consensus of Expert Surgeons
Authors: Parker Samuel G. , Halligan Steve , Liang Mike K. , Muysoms Filip E. , Adrales Gina L. , Boutall Adam , de Beaux Andrew C. , Dietz Ulrich A. , Divino Celia M. , Hawn Mary T. , Heniford Todd B. , Hong Joon P. , Ibrahim Nabeel , Itani Kamal M. F. , Jorgensen Lars N. , Montgomery Agneta , Morales‐Conde Salvador , Renard Yohann , Sanders David L. , Smart Neil J. , Torkington Jared J. , Windsor Alastair C. J.
Published: December 2019

Background

No standardized written or volumetric definition exists for ‘loss of domain’ (LOD). This limits the utility of LOD as a morphological descriptor and as a predictor of peri‐ and postoperative outcomes. Consequently, our aim was to establish definitions for LOD via consensus of expert abdominal wall surgeons.

Methods

A Delphi study involving 20 internationally recognized abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) surgeons was performed. Four written and two volumetric definitions of LOD were identified via systematic review. Panelists completed a questionnaire that suggested these definitions as standardized definitions of LOD. Consensus on a preferred term was pre‐defined as achieved when selected by ≥80% of panelists. Terms scoring <20% were removed.

Results

Voting commenced August 2018 and was completed in January 2019. Written definition: During Round 1, two definitions were removed and seven new definitions were suggested, leaving nine definitions for consideration. For Round 2, panelists were asked to select all appealing definitions. Thereafter, common concepts were identified during analysis, from which the facilitators advanced a new written definition. This received 100% agreement in Round 3. Volumetric definition: Initially, panelists were evenly split, but consensus for the Sabbagh method was achieved. Panelists could not reach consensus regarding a threshold LOD value that would preclude surgery.

Conclusions

Consensus for written and volumetric definitions of LOD was achieved from 20 internationally recognized AWR surgeons. Adoption of these definitions will help standardize the use of LOD for both clinical and academic activities.
Are Rural Hospitals in Pakistan Responding to the Global Surgery Movement? An Analysis of the Gaps, Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Siddiqi Sameen , Khan Muhammad Sohaib , Rizvi Narjis , Naeem Imran , Rozi Shafquat , Enam Ather , Khan Sadaf
Published: December 2019

Background

Access to essential surgical care is vital for reduction in mortality and morbidity as a result of surgical conditions. These account for 28–32% of the overall global burden of disease, yet billions of people lack access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care when needed. The purpose of this study was to assess the capacity for surgical care in rural hospitals across four provinces of Pakistan.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study undertaken in 10 rural hospitals across four provinces of the country. Of these, six were district and four sub‐district hospitals that were purposively selected in consultation with the government. Data were gathered using the WHO‐PGSSC Surgical Assessment Tool.

Results

This study estimated 3 of the 6 indicators proposed by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. While most hospitals had basic provisions of infrastructure and equipment, severe shortage of specialists was observed with 0.56 specialists (surgeons, gynecologists and anesthetists) present per 100,000 population. Two‐hour access was possible for the catchment population of 7 out of the 10 hospitals. Of the 43 essential surgical procedures assessed, 13 or 30% procedures were available per hospital. The three Bellwether procedures were provided by only 1 hospital. Mean number of surgeries performed was 753 ± 979 per 100,000 population.

Conclusions

Our study has demonstrated major gaps in the provision of surgical care in rural hospitals in Pakistan. While developing a strategy and national action plan is necessary, implementation can immediately begin at the local level to address the gaps that need urgent attention.
International student migration and the postcolonial heritage of European higher education: perspectives from Portugal and the UK
Authors: Ploner Josef , Nada Cosmin
Published: December 2019

Whilst the presence of international students from so-called ‘developing’ or ‘newly industrialised’ countries has become a ubiquitous phenomenon in European higher education, few scholars have explored the underlying postcolonial trajectories that facilitate student migration to many European countries today. In this article, we seek to narrow this gap by critically engaging with the postcolonial heritage of European higher education and the ways in which it informs much student migration in today’s era of neoliberal globalisation. We propose a three-fold approach to reading this postcolonial heritage of higher education which comprises its historical, epistemic, and experiential (or ‘lived’) dimensions. Whilst such an approach requires a close examination of existing postcolonial theory in higher education studies, we also draw on qualitative research with student migrants in Portugal and the UK to show how the postcolonial heritage of European higher education is negotiated in everyday contexts and may become constitutive of students’ identity formations.
Late-Holocene variability in chironomid functional assemblages and carbon utilization in a tundra lake food web
Authors: Kivilä E. Henriikka , Luoto Tomi P. , Rantala Marttiina V. , Nevalainen Liisa
Published: December 2019

High latitude freshwater systems are facing changes in catchment-mediated allochthonous input, as well as physical and chemical controls triggered by on-going climate change, which may alter their carbon processing and ecological characteristics. To explore changes in chironomid functional responses and carbon utilization in relation to long-term environmental change, we studied a sediment core covering ca. 2000 years from a tundra lake in northern Finland, which was analysed for sediment geochemistry, isotopic composition of chironomid remains and their functional assemblages. We aimed to relate changes in chironomid functional feeding assemblages and resource utilization, based on Bayesian stable isotope modelling, and determined that the long-term resource utilization was more controlled by sediment geochemistry (resource availability) and climatic variables, reflecting changes in habitat and lake ontogeny, rather than the functional feeding assemblage composition. Change horizons were observed for both sediment geochemistry and functional assemblage composition. However, different timing of these changes suggests different drivers affecting the dynamics of primary production and chironomid community functionality. We also compared the recent warming period to Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA), observing divergent patterns, which suggests that MCA may not be a good analogue for changes induced by on-going climate warming.
Optimizing Excitation Coil Currents for Advanced Magnetorelaxometry Imaging
Authors: Schier Peter , Liebl Maik , Steinhoff Uwe , Handler Michael , Wiekhorst Frank , Baumgarten Daniel
Published: December 2019

Magnetorelaxometry imaging is a highly sensitive technique enabling noninvasive, quantitative detection of magnetic nanoparticles. Electromagnetic coils are sequentially energized, aligning the nanoparticles’ magnetic moments. Relaxation signals are recorded after turning off the coils. The forward model describing this measurement process is reformulated into a severely ill-posed inverse problem that is solved for estimating the particle distribution. Typically, many activation sequences employing different magnetic fields are required to obtain reasonable imaging quality. We seek to improve the imaging quality and accelerate the imaging process using fewer activation sequences by optimizing the applied magnetic fields. Minimizing the Frobenius condition number of the system matrix, we stabilize the inverse problem solution toward model uncertainties and measurement noise. Furthermore, our sensitivity-weighted reconstruction algorithms improve imaging quality in lowly sensitive areas. The optimization approach is employed to real measurement data and yields improved reconstructions with fewer activation sequences compared to non-optimized measurements.
Orientation-dependent solid solution strengthening in zirconium: a nanoindentation study
Authors: Lodh Arijit , Pant Prita , Kumar Gulshan , Mani Krishna K. V. , Tewari Raghvendra , Samajdar Indradev
Published: December 2019

Orientation-dependent solid solution strengthening was explored through a combined microtexture plus nanoindentation study. Pure zirconium (6N purity crystal-bar Zr) and commercial Zircaloy-2 were investigated for comparison. Local mechanical properties were estimated through finite element (FE) simulations of the unloading part of the nanoindentation load–displacement response. Combinations of ‘averaging’ scheme and constitutive relationship were used to resolve uncertainty of FE-extracted mechanical properties. Comparing the two grades, non-basal oriented grains showed an overall hardening and increase in elastic modulus. In contrast, insignificant change was observed for basal (or near-basal) oriented grains. The strengthening of non-basal orientations appeared via elimination of the lowest hardness/stiffness values without a shift in the peak value. Such asymmetric development brought out the clear picture of orientation-dependent solid solution strengthening in zirconium.
A Signature-Based Algorithm for Computing Gröbner Bases over Principal Ideal Domains
Authors: Francis Maria , Verron Thibaut
Published: December 2019

Signature-based algorithms have become a standard approach for Gröbner basis computations for polynomial systems over fields, but how to extend these techniques to coefficients in general rings is not yet as well understood. In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept signature-based algorithm for computing Gröbner bases over commutative integral domains. It is adapted from a general version of Möller’s algorithm (J Symb Comput 6(2–3), 345–359, 1988) which considers reductions by multiple polynomials at each step. This algorithm performs reductions with non-decreasing signatures, and in particular, signature drops do not occur. When the coefficients are from a principal ideal domain (e.g. the ring of integers or the ring of univariate polynomials over a field), we prove correctness and termination of the algorithm, and we show how to use signature properties to implement classic signature-based criteria to eliminate some redundant reductions. In particular, if the input is a regular sequence, the algorithm operates without any reduction to 0. We have written a toy implementation of the algorithm in Magma. Early experimental results suggest that the algorithm might even be correct and terminate in a more general setting, for polynomials over a unique factorization domain (e.g. the ring of multivariate polynomials over a field or a PID).
Efficacy of a stewardship intervention focused on reducing unnecessary use of non–Clostridioides difficile antibiotics in patients with Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Hecker Michelle T. , Son Andrea H. , Alhmidi Heba , Wilson Brigid M. , Wiest Peter M. , Donskey Curtis J.
Published: December 2019

In a tertiary-care hospital and affiliated long-term care facility, a stewardship intervention focused on patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) was associated with a significant reduction in unnecessary non-CDI antibiotic therapy. However, there was no significant reduction in total non-CDI therapy or in the frequency of CDI recurrence.
“We Should Stop the Islamisation of Europe!”: Islamophobia and Right-Wing Radicalism of the Russian-Speaking Internet Users in Germany
Authors: Sablina Liliia
Published: December 2019

Starting from 2015, the Russian-speaking residents in Germany have expressed their anti-refugee position in the form of rallies and rising voting support for the right-wing populist party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Due to the absence of social cues, unlimited space, immediate responses, and minimal censorship online, platforms for communication have reflected the offline mobilization and became the major platforms for the spreadability of discriminatory discourse. This article sets out to investigate why Russian-speaking internet users residing in Germany justify anti-refugee discourse and how they construct the notion of “others.” Based on the netnographic analysis of the chosen online discussions and conducted interviews with its members, this article argues that, with the appearance of new “others,” Russian-speaking migrants have redefined their symbolic boundaries in order to draw the line between the incoming migrants and themselves—people with a migrant background. In many ways, participants of the analyzed discussions employed the politicized civilizational rhetoric that allowed them to redefine existing categorizations. This research explores, for the first time, the reasons lying behind the online populist activity of the Russian-speaking residents in Germany.
TempCourt: evaluation of temporal taggers on a new corpus of court decisions
Authors: Navas-Loro María , Filtz Erwin , Rodríguez-Doncel Víctor , Polleres Axel , Kirrane Sabrina
Published: December 2019

The extraction and processing of temporal expressions (TEs) in textual documents have been extensively studied in several domains; however, for the legal domain it remains an open challenge. This is possibly due to the scarcity of corpora in the domain and the particularities found in legal documents that are highlighted in this paper. Considering the pivotal role played by temporal information when it comes to analyzing legal cases, this paper presents TempCourt, a corpus of 30 legal documents from the European Court of Human Rights, the European Court of Justice, and the United States Supreme Court with manually annotated TEs. The corpus contains two different temporal annotation sets that adhere to the TimeML standard, the first one capturing all TEs and the second dedicated to TEs that are relevant for the case under judgment (thus excluding dates of previous court decisions). The proposed gold standards are subsequently used to compare ten state-of-the-art cross-domain temporal taggers, and to identify not only the limitations of cross-domain temporal taggers but also limitations of the TimeML standard when applied to legal documents. Finally, the paper identifies the need for dedicated resources and the adaptation of existing tools, and specific annotation guidelines that can be adapted to different types of legal documents.
Expression of connexin-43 in the cardiac muscle of children diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a Western blot and confocal laser scanning microscopy study
Authors: Lodi Fábio R. , Palma Luiz F. , de Victo Nathalia C. , Alonso Luís G. , de Moraes Luís O. C.
Published: December 2019

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome consists of several structural abnormalities in the left side of the heart and may be associated with a hereditary genetic cause, possibly related to the connexin gene GJA1; however, only a few studies have investigated it. The present study aimed to analyse the expression of connexin-43 in the cardiac muscle of hypoplastic left heart syndrome children by Western blot method and confocal laser scanning microscopy. For that, tissue samples were taken during corrective surgery to treat heart defects. Patients of control group (8) presented any type of heart defect not related to hypoplastic left heart syndrome, connexin-43, or its gene and those of hypoplastic left heart syndrome group (9) presented this disease singly, without any other associated congenital diseases. By means of confocal laser scanning microscopy, it was noticed no connexin-43 qualitative differences in positioning and location pattern between both groups. From Western blot analysis, the connexin-43 expression did not show a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0571) as well. Within the limits of this study, it is suggested that cardiomyocytes of hypoplastic left heart syndrome children are similar in connexin-43 location, distribution, and structural and conformational patterns to those of children with heart defects not related to this protein and its genes.
Are serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations related to brain structure and psychopathology in late childhood and early adolescence?
Authors: de Araujo Celia Maria , Swardfager Walter , Zugman Andre , Cogo-Moreira Hugo , Belangero Sintia I. , Ota Vanessa K. , Spindola Leticia M. , Hakonarson Hakon , Pellegrino Renata , Gadelha Ary , Salum Giovanni A. , Pan Pedro M. , Mansur Rodrigo B. , Hoexter Marcelo , Picon Felipe , Sato João R. , Brietzke Elisa , Grassi-Oliveira Rodrigo , Rohde Luis A. P. , Miguel Euripedes C. , Bressan Rodrigo A. , Jackowski Andrea P.
Published: December 2019

Objective

Mental disorders can have a major impact on brain development. Peripheral blood concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are lower in adult psychiatric disorders. Serum BDNF concentrations and BDNF genotype have been associated with cortical maturation in children and adolescents. In 2 large independent samples, this study tests associations between serum BDNF concentrations, brain structure, and psychopathology, and the effects of BDNF genotype on BDNF serum concentrations in late childhood and early adolescence.

Methods

Children and adolescents (7-14 years old) from 2 cities (n = 267 in Porto Alegre; n = 273 in São Paulo) were evaluated as part of the Brazilian high-risk cohort (HRC) study. Serum BDNF concentrations were quantified by sandwich ELISA. Genotyping was conducted from blood or saliva samples using the SNParray Infinium HumanCore Array BeadChip. Subcortical volumes and cortical thickness were quantified using FreeSurfer. The Development and Well-Being Behavior Assessment was used to identify the presence of a psychiatric disorder.

Results

Serum BDNF concentrations were not associated with subcortical volumes or with cortical thickness. Serum BDNF concentration did not differ between participants with and without mental disorders, or between Val homozygotes and Met carriers.

Conclusions

No evidence was found to support serum BDNF concentrations as a useful marker of developmental differences in brain and behavior in early life. Negative findings were replicated in 2 of the largest independent samples investigated to date.
Reflections on the Role of the International Law Commission in Consideration of the Final Form of Its Work
Authors: RIM Yejoon
Published: December 2019

This paper examines the changing trend in the final form of International Law Commission [ILC] outcomes, and implications vis-à-vis the role of the ILC in the development of international law. To this end, the paper considers changes in the form of ILC outcomes and recommendations, the reasons for such changes, and finally, implications for the development of international law. It argues that, in opting for various forms appropriate for dealing with a wider scope of topics, the ILC is providing for its continuing role in the development of international law by ensuring the flexibility and efficacy of its deliberations.
Melatonin reduces high levels of lipid peroxidation induced by	potassium iodate in porcine thyroid
Authors: Iwan Paulina , Stepniak Jan , Karbownik-Lewinska Malgorzata
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Under normal iodine supply, calculated physiological iodine concentration in the thyroid is approx. 9 mM. Either potassium iodide (KI) or potassium iodate (KIO3) are used in iodine prophylaxis. KI is confirmed as absolutely safe. KIO3 possesses chemical properties suggesting its potential toxicity. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Study aims: to evaluate potential protective effects of melatonin against oxidative damage to membrane lipids (lipid peroxidation, LPO) induced by KI or KIO3 in porcine thyroid. Homogenates of twenty four (24) thyroids were incubated in presence of either KI or KIO3 without/with melatonin (5 mM). As melatonin was not effective against KI-induced LPO, in the next step only KIO3 was used. Homogenates were incubated in presence of KIO3 (200; 100; 50; 25; 20; 15; 10; 7.5; 5.0; 2.5; 1.25 mM) without/with melatonin or 17ß-estradiol. Five experiments were performed with different concentrations of melatonin (5.0; 2.5; 1.25; 1.0; 0.625 mM) and one with 17ß-estradiol (1.0 mM). Malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA + 4-HDA) concentration (LPO index) was measured spectrophotometrically. KIO3 increased LPO with the strongest damaging effect (MDA + 4-HDA level: ≈1.28 nmol/mg protein, p < 0.05) revealed at concentrations of around 15 mM, thus corresponding to physiological iodine concentrations in the thyroid. Melatonin reduced LPO (MDA + 4-HDA levels: from ≈0.97 to ≈0,76 and from ≈0,64 to ≈0,49 nmol/mg protein, p < 0.05) induced by KIO3 at concentrations of 10 mM or 7.5 mM. Conclusion: Melatonin can reduce very strong oxidative damage to membrane lipids caused by KIO3 used in doses resulting in physiological iodine concentrations in the thyroid.
Mendel and Darwin: untangling a persistent enigma
Authors: Fairbanks Daniel J.
Published: December 2019

Mendel and Darwin were contemporaries, with much overlap in their scientifically productive years. Available evidence shows that Mendel knew much about Darwin, whereas Darwin knew nothing of Mendel. Because of the fragmentary nature of this evidence, published inferences regarding Mendel’s views on Darwinian evolution are contradictory and enigmatic, with claims ranging from enthusiastic acceptance to outright rejection. The objective of this review is to examine evidence from Mendel’s published and private writings on evolution and Darwin, and the influence of the scientific environment in which he was immersed. Much of this evidence lies in Mendel’s handwritten annotations in his copies of Darwin’s books, which this review scrutinises in detail. Darwin’s writings directly influenced Mendel’s classic 1866 paper, and his letters to Nägeli. He commended and criticised Darwin on specific issues pertinent to his research, including the provisional hypothesis of pangenesis, the role of pollen in fertilisation, and the influence of “conditions of life” on heritable variation. In his final letter to Nägeli, Mendel proposed a Darwinian scenario for natural selection using the same German term for “struggle for existence” as in his copies of Darwin’s books. His published and private scientific writings are entirely objective, devoid of polemics or religious allusions, and address evolutionary questions in a manner consistent with that of his scientific contemporaries. The image that emerges of Mendel is of a meticulous scientist who accepted the tenets of Darwinian evolution, while privately pinpointing aspects of Darwin’s views of inheritance that were not supported by Mendel’s own experiments.