bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One‐to‐one registration of en‐face optical coherence tomography attenuation coefficients with histology of a prostatectomy specimen
Authors: Swaan Abel , Muller Berrend G. , Wilk Leah S. , Almasian Mitra , van Kollenburg Rob A. A. , Zwartkruis Evita , Rozendaal L. Rence , de Bruin Daniel M. , Faber Dirk J. , van Leeuwen Ton G. , van Herk Marcel B.
Published: December 2018

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), enables high‐resolution 3D imaging of the morphology of light scattering tissues. From the OCT signal, parameters can be extracted and related to tissue structures. One of the quantitative parameters is the attenuation coefficient; the rate at which the intensity of detected light decays in depth. To couple the quantitative parameters with the histology one‐to‐one registration is needed. The primary aim of this study is to validate a registration method of quantitative OCT parameters to histological tissue outcome through one‐to‐one registration of OCT with histology. We matched OCT images of unstained fixated prostate tissue slices with corresponding histology slides, wherein different histologic types were demarcated. Attenuation coefficients were determined by a supervised automated exponential fit (corrected for point spread function and sensitivity roll‐off related signal losses) over a depth of 0.32 mm starting from 0.10 mm below the automatically detected tissue edge. Finally, the attenuation coefficients corresponding to the different tissue types of the prostate were compared. From the attenuation coefficients, we produced the squared relative residue and goodness‐of‐fit metric R2. This article explains the method to perform supervised automated quantitative analysis of OCT data, and the one‐to‐one registration of OCT extracted quantitative data with histopathological outcomes.
Stigmatized‐Identity Cues and Consumer Applications Revisited
Authors: Sanchez Diana T. , Chaney Kimberly E. , Maimon Melanie R.
Published: December 2018

This article responds to thoughtful commentaries provided by Lamberton (2019–this issue) and Wooten & Rank‐Christman (2019—this issue) on Chaney, Sanchez, & Maimon (2019—this issue), an article in which we discussed the implications of social psychological research on stigmatized‐identity safety cues for consumer behavior. In Chaney, et al. (2019–this issue), we contend that stigmatized‐identity cues can signal belonging to marginalized groups via the ideological assumptions made about companies. In this article, we first clarify our definition of stigmatized identities beyond the limitation assumed by Wooten & Rank‐Christman (2019—this issue). In addition, we join the conversation regarding when cues lead to divergent responses in social groups. We also consider how using identity cues can “backfire” and the importance of using marketing goals to assess the extent to which strategies using such cues succeeded. Lastly, we integrate Lamberton's (2019–this issue) framework of dignity architecture and related empirical findings to discuss some of the challenges of research on stigmatized‐identity cues.
Formation of a defect‐free polyimide/zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 composite membrane for gas separation: in‐depth analysis of organic–inorganic compatibility
Authors: Tan Peng Chee , Ooi Boon Seng , Ahmad Abdul Latif , Low Siew Chun
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The incompatibility between polymer matrix and filler usually leads to the formation of nonselective voids at the polymer/filler interface, which subsequently lowers the gas separation performance. In view of this, the effectiveness of (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) in promoting the interaction between alumina and polyimide (PI), as well as PI and zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) during the synthesis of PI/ZIF‐8 composite membrane was assessed experimentally. The experimental data also were verified through the calculation of binding energy via molecular simulation.

RESULTS

It was found that APTES improved the adhesion between alumina‐PI and allowed the formation of a defect‐free alumina‐supported PI membrane up to five layers of PI dip‐coating. Similarly, the compatibility between PI–ZIF‐8 also was shown to be improved by APTES. Indeed, the optimum CO2 permeance and CO2/N2 selectivity were found at 93.47 GPU and 7.50, respectively, at five layers of ZIF‐8 dip‐coating. In this work, the polymer‐filler compatibility also was verified through molecular simulation whereby a lower binding energy was obtained for system incorporated with APTES.

CONCLUSION

In short, the results indicated that APTES was effective in stabilizing the PI/ZIF‐8 composite membrane. The polymer‐filler compatibility also was successfully evaluated through the simple molecular simulation approach without requiring time‐consuming experiments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Influential role of inter‐decadal explosive cyclone activity on the increased frequency of winter storm events in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan
Authors: Tsukijihara Takumi , Kawamura Ryuichi , Kawano Tetsuya
Published: December 2018

This study examined explosively developing extratropical cyclone activity in the vicinity of Japan in boreal winter from 1979/1980 to 2016/2017 mainly using the Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis data. The in situ observation and reanalysis data revealed increased frequencies of both strong winds and heavy precipitation in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, after the end of the last century, which is consistent with the fact that the cyclones migrating along the Kuroshio Current (KC cyclones) have tended to approach the Hokkaido region in recent years. To examine factors controlling the cyclone track and rapid development, we performed composite analyses of the northwards migrating type (N type) and eastwards migrating type (E type) KC cyclones. In the N‐type cyclone, wave trains prevailed along the polar front and subtropical jets over the Eurasian continent, thereby forming an upper‐level trough (ridge) to the west (east) of the cyclone. An upper‐level divergence accompanied by rapid development of the N‐type cyclone excited wave packets downstream as a Rossby wave source, leading to further reinforcement of the upper‐level ridge east of the cyclone. The anomalous anticyclone with a barotropic nature is capable of forcing the cyclone track to shift northwards. Furthermore, a combination of the N‐type cyclone and the anomalous anticyclone to its east facilitates moisture import into the cyclone system from lower latitudes, contributing to enhanced moisture flux convergence. In reality, diabatic heating in the vicinity of the cyclone centre is larger in the N‐type cyclone than in the E‐type one. It is also suggested that the pronounced Rossby wave propagation along the subtropical jet related to a climate regime shift in the Tropics is responsible for the recent increase in the number of N‐type cyclones.
Modeling audible detection of prairie grouse booming informs survey design
Authors: Holt R. Douglas , Butler Matthew J.
Published: December 2018

Many wildlife surveys, especially surveys of birds, are reliant upon audible detection of individuals. Many factors can affect call frequency and sound attenuation, which influence audible detection. Prairie grouse surveys are conducted during lekking and courtship (i.e., booming) to take advantage of frequent vocalization, resulting in greater detectability. Some researchers assume booming can be detected >1.6 km away. To test this assumption and determine factors affecting attenuation and detectability of booming, we established artificial lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) leks. We conducted sound detection trials at these leks using playback of recordings of male lesser prairie‐chickens calibrated to appropriate sound intensity. We modeled detectability using generalized linear mixed‐effects models with distance from lek and weather conditions as covariates. Our model suggested the odds of detecting lesser prairie‐chicken booming decreased 96.8% with each 1‐km increase in distance. Detectability decreased with increased wind speed and temperature, increased with relative humidity, and was influenced by wind direction. We use this model to predict probability of missing leks for line‐transects or point counts. For example, a survey of 1.6‐km‐wide transects during average weather (17.0°C and 60% relative humidity) with 12 km/hour winds would have a 25.6% (95% CI = 3.0–77.2%) to 77.6% (95% CI = 27.3–97.6%) chance, depending on wind direction, of detecting booming lesser prairie‐chickens within the surveyed strip. If point counts with a 0.8‐km radius were conducted under the same conditions, detectability would range from 17.7% (95% CI = 1.7–70.3%) to 70.3% (95% CI = 18.5–96.7%) depending on wind direction. To improve the overall chances of detecting lesser prairie‐chicken booming to ≥80%, surveys would have to be repeated 3 to 4 times. Our model describes the audibility of lesser prairie‐chicken booming and can be used to optimize tradeoffs among survey logistics (e.g., number of surveys needed, point spacing, wind speed thresholds) and detectability. © 2018 The Authors.Journal of Wildlife ManagementPublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Comparing the real and perceived cost of adenotonsillectomy using time‐driven activity‐based costing
Authors: Simmonds Jonathan C. , Hollis Russell J. , Tamberino Ruby K. , Vecchiotti Mark A. , Scott Andrew R.
Published: December 2018

Objective

This study aims to measure the costs of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with an adenotonsillectomy using time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC) and explore how this differs from cost estimates using traditional forms of hospital accounting.

Study Design

Prospective observational study.

Methods

A total of 53 pediatric patients with symptoms of OSA or sleep‐related breathing disorder were followed from their initial appointment through surgery to their postoperative visit at an academic medical center. Personnel timing and overhead costs were calculated for TDABC analysis.

Results

Treating OSA with an adenotonsillectomy in a pediatric patient costs $1,192.61. On average, outpatient adenotonsillectomy costs $957.74 (80.31%); $412.18 of this cost ($4.89 per minute) was attributed to the overhead cost of the operating room. Traditional hospital accounting estimates outpatient adenotonsillectomy costs $2,987, with overhead attributing $11.27 per minute or $949.23 per case. 57% ($6.38 per minute) of the hospital's estimate for overhead was actually for equipment and implants used by different hospital services and not for equipment used in adenotonsillectomies.

Conclusion

Through TDABC, we were able to highlight how traditional RVU‐based hospital accounting systems apportion all overhead costs, including items such as orthopedic implants, evenly across specialties, thus increasing the perceived cost of equipment‐light procedures such as adenotonsillectomies. We suspect that providers who perform a TDABC analysis at their home institution or practice will find their own unique insights, which will help them understand and control the different components of healthcare costs.

Level of Evidence

2

Laryngoscope, 129:1347–1353, 2019
Lingual tonsil lymphatic tissue regrowth in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery
Authors: Iannella Giannicola , Magliulo Giuseppe , Montevecchi Filippo , De Vito Andrea , Polimeni Antonella , De Vincentiis Marco , Meccariello Giuseppe , D'Agostino Giovanni , Gobbi Riccardo , Cammaroto Giovanni , Stomeo Francesco , Pang Kenny P. , Rotenberg Brian , Vicini Claudio
Published: December 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate a possible regrowth of lingual tonsil lymphatic tissue in patients submitted to lingual tonsil resection with transoral robotic surgery (TORS).

Study Design

Retrospective Study.

Methods

Medical records of patients surgically treated by means of TORS to remove excessive lymphatic tissue of the lingual tonsil were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative endoscopic data after long‐term follow‐up were analyzed to investigate possible lymphatic tissue regrowth. Preoperative and postoperative lingual tonsil lymphatic tissue were classified according to the standardized Friedman's grading scale ranging from 0 to 4.

Results

Sixty‐eight patients (41 male and 27 female; mean age = 51.3 years) were considered suitable for the study analysis. Clinical regrowth was observed in six (8.8%) patients: four (5.9%) and two (2.9%) patients with grade 2 and 3 lymphatic hypertrophy, respectively. No correlation between the grade of regrowth, the time interval from surgery, and the volume of lymphatic tissue removed was found.

Conclusions

The lymphatic tissue regrowth after TORS resection appears to be very low.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 129:2652–2657, 2019
Temporally Resolving Synchronous Degenerate and Nondegenerate Two‐Photon Absorption in 2D Semiconducting Monolayers
Authors: Cui Qiannan , Li Yuanyuan , Chang Jianhua , Zhao Hui , Xu Chunxiang
Published: December 2018

Degenerate and nondegenerate two‐photon absorption (TPA) in WS2 and MoSe2 monolayers are synchronously induced and temporally resolved by femtosecond laser pump‐probe. Differential transmission signals in the first 500 fs consist of negative and positive components, that originate from direct probe depletion via nondegenerate TPA and carrier accumulation via degenerate TPA, respectively. Temporal cross‐correlation of pump and probe pulses allows us to fully decouple the ultrafast nondegenerate and degenerate TPA signals. Subsequently, degenerate and nondegenerate TPA coefficients are calculated as a function of pump irradiance. Under nonresonant pumping, 100 ± 10 and 250 ± 25 cm GW−1 are obtained for degenerate and nondegenerate TPA coefficients of monolayer WS2, respectively, which both present linearly decreasing trends as increasing pump irradiances. However, under resonant pumping of 2p excitonic states in monolayer MoSe2, degenerate TPA coefficients exponentially decrease from 800 to 80 cm GW−1 as increasing pump irradiances, due to the interplay between band‐renormalization and band‐filling effects, while nondegenerate TPA coefficient is about 650 ± 50 cm GW−1. For comparison, a trilayer MoSe2 is also investigated. These results set a foundation for precisely measuring TPA coefficients and actively controlling nonlinear excitonic dynamics via TPA in 2D semiconducting monolayers.
Self‐Healing Supramolecular Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Saunders Laura , Ma Peter X.
Published: December 2018

Self‐healing supramolecular hydrogels have emerged as a novel class of biomaterials that combine hydrogels with supramolecular chemistry to develop highly functional biomaterials with advantages including native tissue mimicry, biocompatibility, and injectability. These properties are endowed by the reversibly cross‐linked polymer network of the hydrogel. These hydrogels have great potential for realizing yet to be clinically translated tissue engineering therapies. This review presents methods of self‐healing supramolecular hydrogel formation and their uses in tissue engineering as well as future perspectives.
Errata and addendum to “On the prime geodesic theorem for hyperbolic ‐manifolds” Math. Nachr. 291 (2018), no. 14–15, 2160–2167
Authors: Avdispahić Muharem
Published: December 2018

We correct the exponent in the error term of the prime geodesic theorem for hyperbolic 3‐manifolds and in Park's theorem for higher dimensions [, ].
Fabrication of Chemically Treated Pure‐Bred Coconut Leaf Sheath Fibre Reinforced Composites and Determination of Mechanical Properties
Authors: Srinivasababu Nadendla
Published: December 2018

In this work an effort was taken to introduce coconut leaf sheath individual fibre extracted from pure‐bred coconut tree. Durability of the fibres was assessed by exposing to the ambient conditions up to long time and reinforcing them after alkali treatment into aerospace Huntsman grade epoxy matrix for making composites by hand layup cum rolling. Mechanical properties of the composites were assessed according to ASTM D 638‐14, 790‐17 and 6110‐08 standards. Coconut epoxy composites had exhibited tensile strength, modulus of 50.68, 765.79 MPa, respectively at 25.3 wt% reinforcement. Three‐point bend test make known the flexural strength, modulus of 85.39 MPa, 5.7 GPa at 13.67, lowest i.e. 6.96 wt% fibre reinforcement. Charpy impact strength of 13.53 kJ/m2 was achieved at highest fibre reinforcement level of 25.03 wt%. Mechanically tested specimens were further examined under SEM to know the fibre‐matrix bonding.
Clinical application of chromosomal microarray analysis for the diagnosis of Williams–Beuren syndrome in Chinese Han patients
Authors: Xia Yu , Huang Shufang , Wu Yueheng , Yang Yongchao , Chen Shaoxian , Li Ping , Zhuang Jian
Published: December 2018

Background

Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS; OMIM #194,050) is a rare multisystem disorder of a variable phenotypic spectrum caused by a heterozygous microdeletion in the WBS chromosome region (WBSCR) in 7q11.23.

Methods

We screened 38 Chinese Han patients with suspected WBS using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA).

Results

Pathogenic CNVs were identified in 34 of the patients, including 29 cases with a typical 7q11.23 microdeletion, three cases with atypical copy number variations (CNVs) within the WBS chromosome region and two cases with CNVs associated with other known syndromes. All 29 WBS patients with a typical microdeletion exhibited distinctive facial dysmorphisms and developmental delay. We observed that the incidence of pulmonary abnormalities was slightly higher than that of aortic abnormalities. We also found long philtrum and prominent lips with a thick lip that may warrant suspicion of WBS in the Chinese Han patients.

Conclusion

CMA facilitates diagnosis in individuals with classic/nonclassic features of WBS and demonstrated that when Chinese Han patients present with a less classical phenotype, such as pulmonary abnormalities, this may raise suspicion for a WBS diagnosis and suggest a referral for a genetics evaluation for a differential diagnosis.
Denver center becomes first to include human trafficking curriculum
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2018

Taking note of the fact that some patients or consumers may be vulnerable to human trafficking in an area that has reported numerous cases, a Colorado‐based community mental health center has been identified nationally for a pilot program by the federal government to conduct training sessions for clinical and nonclinical staff. The center is the first in the country to incorporate a human trafficking awareness curriculum into its training program.
Federal judge's ruling that ACA no longer constitutional concerns field
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2018

On the eve of the deadline for open enrollment in most states, a ruling by a federal district court judge in Texas that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional has raised some serious concerns in the field regarding the potential consequences such a ruling might have on consumers with serious mental illness and on Medicaid. Advocates are calling for an appeal effort to protect health care for everyone.
LQ control of unknown discrete‐time linear systems—A novel approach and a comparison study
Authors: Li Nan , Kolmanovsky Ilya , Girard Anouck
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to the linear quadratic (LQ) optimal control of unknown discrete‐time linear systems. We first describe an iterative procedure for minimizing a partially unknown static function. The procedure is based on simultaneous updates in the estimation of unknown parameters and in the optimization of controllable inputs. We then use the procedure for control optimization in unknown discrete‐time dynamic systems—we consider applications to the finite‐horizon and the infinite‐horizon LQ control of linear systems in detail. To illustrate the approach, an example of the pitch attitude control of an aircraft is considered. We also compare our proposed approach to several other approaches to finite/infinite‐horizon LQ control problems with unknown dynamics from the literature, including extremum seeking and adaptive dynamic programming/reinforcement learning. Our proposed approach is competitive with these approaches in speed of convergence and in implementation and computational complexity.
Should brands “nudge us for good”? Towards a critical assessment of neuro‐liberal corporate social responsibility
Authors: Brodmerkel Sven
Published: December 2018

This article critically investigates the recent emergence of neuro‐liberal corporate social responsibility (CSR). Neuro‐liberal CSR is inspired by libertarian paternalism, a form of behavioural governance popularised by behavioural economist Richard Thaler and legal scholar Cass Sunstein in their bestseller Nudge (2008). Libertarian paternalism presumes humans to be “predictably irrational” due to hardwired cognitive biases and thus advocates the design of policy interventions that use human psychology for correcting these shortcomings in ways that benefit individuals and society. Although the use of “nudging” interventions has been critically scrutinised in the context of public policy, little attention has been paid to the adoption of libertarian paternalist principles in the corporate world. This paper uses Nudging for Good, an initiative by the European Brands Association (AIM), to illustrate how major corporations adopt and frame corporate nudging as a new and purportedly highly effective form of CSR. However, as this paper argues, neuro‐liberal CSR raises concerns regarding its effectiveness, transparency, and its individualisation and de‐politicisation of social ills.
Preparation of carbon nanotube and polyurethane‐imide hybrid composites by sol–gel reaction
Authors: Behnam Reza , Roghani‐Mamaqani Hossein , Salami‐Kalajahi Mehdi
Published: December 2018

Polyurethane (PU) and carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid composites with improved thermal stability were prepared by sol–gel reaction. Here, pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and butanediol (BD) were used as two different chain extenders and the products were end‐functionalized with (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) to obtain PUI and PUBD, respectively. By incorporation of 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPS)‐functionalized CNT and PU samples into the silica/siloxane network, two different hybrid composites were obtained and compared in degradation temperature and char residues. Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed successful modification of CNT with MPS. Absence of FT‐IR band of isocyanate groups confirms successful reaction of APTES with isocyanate groups in both PUBD and PUI. According to TGA results, the PUI hybrid composites with 4 wt% of CNTS showed char contents of 22.5%. Addition of 4 wt% of CNTS into the PUBD hybrid resulted in char residue of 21.2%. Therefore, the hybrid composites formed from PMDA showed higher degradation temperature and char residues. X‐ray diffraction showed an amorphous peak for crosslinked PU at near 2θ = 21.7°. The tubular structure of CNTS was confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopies. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1903–E1909, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Bonded, Grounded, and Burned to a Crisp: Electrostatic Ignition of Flammable Gases
Authors: Cox Brenton L. , Bishop Justin A. , Ogle Russell A. , Traina Nicholas A. , Prigmore Jay R.
Published: December 2018

Ignition by electrostatic discharge of clean flammable gas, such as natural gas, being released to the atmosphere during blowdown operations is unlikely. However, the presence of foreign material in the form of solid particles or liquid droplets changes the risk level significantly. The discharge of a flammable gas stream with a cloud of foreign material poses a potential electrostatic hazard, even if the piping system and associated equipment is otherwise bonded and grounded. The foreign material may be capable of accumulating sufficient electrostatic potential to ignite the flammable gas. There have been several documented incidents where ignition has occurred during a flammable gas blowdown. In some instances, gas lines were being cleaned, while in others, the blowdown was completed as a safety measure for another process. This article will focus on a case study where a stream of flammable gas was ignited during a blowdown and an obvious ignition source (other than electrostatic discharge) was not present, but foreign material was observed. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12024, 2019
Multi‐Well Sensor Platform Based on a Partially Etched Structure of a Light‐Addressable Potentiometric Sensor
Authors: Truong Hoang Anh , Werner Carl Frederik , Miyamoto Ko‐ichiro , Yoshinobu Tatsuo
Published: December 2018

A multi‐well‐structured light‐addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) plate is developed for measuring a plurality of sample solutions on a single sensor plate. It is also capable of high‐resolution chemical imaging inside the well structure. It can be applied, for example, to quantification of metabolic activities and imaging of biological samples incubated in the well structure. A minimum pattern size of 20 µm line is visualized and a wider frequency bandwidth of up to 200 kHz for the sensor signal is obtained in the well structure, which will be suitable for recording chemical images at a high‐frame‐rate.
A 4D feature‐tracking algorithm: A multidimensional view of cyclone systems
Authors: Lakkis Susan Gabriela , Canziani Pablo , Yuchechen Adrián , Rocamora Leandro , Caferri Agustin , Hodges Kevin , O'Neill Alan
Published: December 2018

An objective four‐dimensional (4D) algorithm developed to track extratropical relative vorticity anomaly 3D structure over time is introduced and validated. The STACKER algorithm, structured with the TRACKER single‐level tracking algorithm as source of the single‐level raw tracks, objectively combines tracks from various levels to determine the 3D structure of the cyclone (or anticyclone) events throughout their life cycle. STACKER works progressively, beginning with two initial levels and then adding additional levels to the stack in a bottom‐up and/or top‐down approach. This allows an iterative stacking approach, adding one level at a time, resulting in an optimized 4D determination of relative vorticity anomaly events.

A two‐stage validation process is carried out with the ECMWF reanalysis ERA‐Interim dataset for the 2015 austral winter. First the overall tracking capability during an austral winter, taking into account a set of climate indicators and their impacts on Southern Hemisphere circulation, was compared to previous climatologies, in order to verify the density and distribution of the cyclone events detected by STACKER. Results show the cyclone density distribution is in very good agreement with previous climatologies, after taking into account potential differences due to climate variability and different tracking methodologies. The second stage focuses on three different long‐lived events over the Southern Hemisphere during the winter of 2015, spanning seven different pressure levels. Both GOES satellite imagery, infrared and water vapour channels, and ERA‐Interim cloud cover products are used in order to validate the tracks obtained as well as the algorithm's capability and reliability. The observed 3D cyclone structures and their time evolution are consistent with current understanding of cyclone system development. Thus, the two‐stage validation confirms that the algorithm is suitable to track multilevel events, and can follow and analyse their 3D life cycle and develop full 3D climatologies and climate variability studies.
Mechanical and durability properties of concrete containing zeolite mixed with meta‐kaolin and micro‐nano bubbles of water
Authors: Mohsen Zadeh Pouria , Saghravani Seyed F. , Asadollahfardi Gholamreza
Published: December 2018

This research investigates the effect of using pozzolans as a substitution for a part of cement in concrete sample production, and using micro‐nano bubbles of water as a replacement for water in the mixture of concrete samples. We also sought to determine the optimal combination of zeolite and meta‐kaolin mixed with micro‐nano bubbles of water on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete samples. The results of the experiments indicate that using 10% zeolite in the concrete samples increased compressive strength and flexural strength by 3.7 and 17.85%, respectively. It also decreased 30 min water absorption, 24 hr water absorption and chloride permeability by 4.34, 16.61, and 41.52%, respectively, at the age of 28 days compared to the control sample. In addition, samples containing micro‐nano bubbles of water with 50 and 100% replacement for water in mixed concrete increased the compressive strength by 8.82 and 13.2%, increased the tensile strength by 10 and 19.64%, and decreased 24‐hr water absorption by 14.13 and 18.96% at the age of 28 days compared to the control samples. The best outcomes were achieved with a combination of 10% zeolite, and 10% meta‐kaolin mixed with 100% micro‐nano bubbles of water, which increased compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength by 14.85, 18.37, and 5.92%, respectively, compared to the control sample. Moreover, it decreased 24‐hr water absorption and chloride penetration at the age of 90 days by 17.56 and 80.45%, respectively, as compared to the control sample.
Zn(NCS)2‐3‐cyanopyridine Coordination Compounds: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Jochim Aleksej , Jess Inke , Näther Christian
Published: December 2018

The reaction of different stoichiometric amounts of Zn(NCS)2 with 3‐cyanopyridine in different solvents leads to the formation of several new coordination compounds, which were structurally characterized and investigated for their thermal behavior. In Zn(NCS)2(3‐cyanopyridine)4 (1) and Zn(NCS)2(3‐cyanopyridine)2(H2O)2·(3‐cyanopyridine)2 (2) the zinc cations are octahedrally coordinated by two terminally N‐bonded thiocyanate anions and four 3‐cyanopyridine (1) or two 3‐cyanopyridine and two water molecules (2) within slightly distorted octahedra. Zn(NCS)2(3‐cyanopyridine)2 (3) and Zn(NCS)2(3‐cyanopyridine)2·(H2O)0.5 (3‐H2O) also form discrete complexes but with tetrahedrally coordinated Zn cations. Upon heating compound 1 decomposes without the formation of any intermediate compound. In contrast, compound 2 loses the water molecules in the first step and transforms into compound 1. Surprisingly, upon further heating a second TG step is observed, in which compound 3 is formed as an intermediate, which is not observed if compound 1 is heated directly. The tetrahedral complex 3 melts leading to the formation of an amorphous phase. If the hemihydrate 3‐H2O is heated, it transforms into 3 via melting and crystallization but there are hints that a metastable phase might form as intermediate on water removal.
Electroweak phase transition and baryogenesis in composite Higgs models
Authors: Bruggisser Sebastian , von Harling Benedict , Matsedonskyi Oleksii , Servant Géraldine
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We present a comprehensive study of the electroweak phase transition in composite Higgs models, where the Higgs arises from a new, strongly-coupled sector which confines near the TeV scale. This work extends our study in ref. [1]. We describe the confinement phase transition in terms of the dilaton, the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson of broken conformal invariance of the composite Higgs sector. From the analysis of the joint Higgs-dilaton potential we conclude that in this scenario the electroweak phase transition can naturally be first-order, allowing for electroweak baryogenesis. We then extensively discuss possible options to generate a sufficient amount of CP violation — another key ingredient of baryogenesis — from quark Yukawa couplings which vary during the phase transition. For one such an option, with a varying charm quark Yukawa coupling, we perform a full numerical analysis of tunnelling in the Higgs-dilaton potential and determine regions of parameter space which allow for successful baryogenesis. This scenario singles out the light dilaton region while satisfying all experimental bounds. We discuss future tests. Our results bring new opportunities and strong motivations for electroweak baryogenesis.
Genotype-by-environment interaction for seed quality traits in interspecific cross-derived Brassica lines using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model
Authors: Bocianowski Jan , Niemann Janetta , Nowosad Kamila
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to assess genotype by environment interaction for seed quality traits in interspecific cross-derived Brassica lines by the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. The study comprised of 25 winter rapeseed genotypes i.e.: B. napus cultivar Californium, twenty three cross-derived Brassica lines and male sterile line of an F8 generation of B. napus (MS8), selected from resynthesized oilseed rape (B. rapa ssp. chinensis × B. oleracea var. gemmifera) using in vitro cultures of isolated embryos. Field trials were performed at three locations in 3 years in a randomized complete block design, with three replicates. AMMI analyses revealed significant genotype and environmental effects as well as genotype by environmental interaction with respect to all five observed traits. The lines 16 (B. napus line MS8 × B. rapa ssp. pekinensis) and 7 (B. napus line MS8 × B. carinata) are recommended for further inclusion in the breeding programs because their stability and good average values of observed traits, except total glucosinolates content for line 16 (the best total genotype selection indexes were equal to 81 and 97, respectively).
Machine Learning Models for Genetic Risk Assessment of Infants with Non-Syndromic Orofacial Cleft
Authors: Zhang Shi-Jian , Meng Peiqi , Zhang Jieni , Jia Peizeng , Lin Jiuxiang , Wang Xiangfeng , Chen Feng , Wei Xiaoxing
Published: December 2018

The isolated type of orofacial cleft, termed non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P), is the second most common birth defect in China, with Asians having the highest incidence in the world. NSCL/P involves multiple genes and complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors, imposing difficulty for the genetic assessment of the unborn fetus carrying multiple NSCL/P-susceptible variants. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered dozens of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in different ethnic populations, the genetic diagnostic effectiveness of these SNPs requires further experimental validation in Chinese populations before a diagnostic panel or a predictive model covering multiple SNPs can be built. In this study, we collected blood samples from control and NSCL/P infants in Han and Uyghur Chinese populations to validate the diagnostic effectiveness of 43 candidate SNPs previously detected using GWAS. We then built predictive models with the validated SNPs using different machine learning algorithms and evaluated their prediction performance. Our results showed that logistic regression had the best performance for risk assessment according to the area under curve. Notably, defective variants in MTHFR and RBP4, two genes involved in folic acid and vitamin A biosynthesis, were found to have high contributions to NSCL/P incidence based on feature importance evaluation with logistic regression. This is consistent with the notion that folic acid and vitamin A are both essential nutritional supplements for pregnant women to reduce the risk of conceiving an NSCL/P baby. Moreover, we observed a lower predictive power in Uyghur than in Han cases, likely due to differences in genetic background between these two ethnic populations. Thus, our study highlights the urgency to generate the HapMap for Uyghur population and perform resequencing-based screening of Uyghur-specific NSCL/P markers.
A polynomial-exponential variation of Furstenberg’s theorem
Authors: ABRAMOFF M. , BEREND D.
Published: December 2018

Furstenberg’s $\times 2\times 3$ theorem asserts that the double sequence $(2^{m}3^{n}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC})_{m,n\geq 1}$ is dense modulo one for every irrational $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$. The same holds with $2$ and $3$ replaced by any two multiplicatively independent integers. Here we obtain the same result for the sequences $((\begin{smallmatrix}m+n\\ d\end{smallmatrix})a^{m}b^{n}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC})_{m,n\geq 1}$ for any non-negative integer $d$ and irrational $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$, and for the sequence $(P(m)a^{m}b^{n})_{m,n\geq 1}$, where $P$ is any polynomial with at least one irrational coefficient. Similarly to Furstenberg’s theorem, both results are obtained by considering appropriate dynamical systems.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TESTED FOR CONFESSIONALISM: THE VATICAN II DOCTRINAL PRINCIPLES
Authors: Visioli Matteo
Published: December 2018

In Catholic doctrine, church and state are two different and autonomous institutional subjects, but they are mutually linked. Therefore, a believer, as a citizen, is a subject simultaneously of two legal systems; the state is bound to recognize the confessional dimension of its own members, and the church is called to realize its proper ends within a precise political-social context. The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) constitutes for the Catholic Church a point of change and renewal. It did not limit itself to affirming the coexistence of the two systems in their independence, but it declared the necessity of a mutual alliance for the good of citizens and believers.

Therefore, the church offers its own contribution to the state, favoring in this way the right to religious liberty; and the state allows the church to establish itself and carry out its proper mission in an institutional form, guaranteeing the protection of the rights of citizens as believers for the free expression of their faith, whether in a private dimension or in an organized form. Vatican II abandons, therefore, the concept of “state religion” in the classic sense of the term, and thus the privilege reserved to one among numerous religious expressions, and opens an authentic collaboration between parties as a prerequisite for the good not only for individual believers and religious organizations, but also for society itself. In particular, religious liberty finds its foundation no longer in the concept of truth (that legitimized the exclusion of other confessions in that they were “not true”), but in the concept of the dignity of the person, which must be protected as such.
THE (NOT SO) EXCEPTIONAL ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
Authors: Scharffs Brett G.
Published: December 2018

Since the end of World War II and the beginning of the human rights era, a common narrative has dominated international discussions of law and religion, especially in Europe, that emphasizes the alleged idiosyncrasy and uniqueness of U.S. Constitutional law regarding freedom of religion. What I call the “standard story” notes that unlike human rights instruments, and the constitutions of most European States, the U.S. Constitution contains an “Establishment Clause” prohibiting an establishment of religion, while European countries do not have prohibitions on state establishments, and indeed the relationships between religion and the state fall along a continuum running from cooperation, favored religions, to actual state establishments of religion. According to the standard story, the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. First Amendment is a precursor of and has analogues in the human rights instruments’ provisions protecting freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, but the Establishment Clause is characterized as being sui generis, a thing unto itself. The U.S. experience with the antiestablishment principle, symbolized by Jefferson's wall of separation, the standard story notes, is so unique and so different that the lessons gleaned there have very little to offer Europe, or indeed perhaps the rest of the world. In this article I argue, as my title suggests, that the American experience is not as unique as some (especially Europeans) sometimes think it is.
Combining efficiency and innovation to enhance performance: Evidence from firms in emerging economies
Authors: Tian Xiaowen , Lo Vai Io , Zhai Xiaoxuan
Published: December 2018

This paper extends the resource-capability-based view in strategic management and discusses the capabilities for the firms to stay competitive in emerging economies. Faced with low levels of efficiency, technology, and skills, firms in emerging economies need to implement best management practices to overcome operational inefficiency while engage in innovation processes to address new opportunities. They have to develop the capabilities to enhance efficiency, the capabilities to undertake innovation, and the synthesis capabilities to combine the two to keep rivals at bay. The paper tests hypotheses against a data set of more than 20,000 firms from 36 emerging economies provided by the World Bank in 2012–2015 and finds strong evidence to support the arguments. The paper finds that the three sets of capabilities are positively related to productivity and, through it, financial performance.
Uniqueness of the shock velocity determined from the magnetohydrodynamic jump conditions
Authors: Podesta John J.
Published: December 2018

Spacecraft measurements of propagating interplanetary shocks are often interpreted using the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of a planar shock wave travelling with constant velocity $\boldsymbol{V}_{\text{sh}}$ through a spatially uniform plasma. In particular, measurements of the plasma variables upstream and downstream have long been used in conjunction with the Rankine–Hugoniot conditions, also known as the MHD jump conditions, to determine shock velocities and other physical parameters of interplanetary shocks. This procedure is justified only if the shock velocity determined by the MHD jump conditions is unique. In this study the important property of uniqueness is demonstrated for non-perpendicular shocks in MHD media characterized by an isotropic pressure tensor. The primary conclusion is that the shock velocity is uniquely determined by the jump conditions regardless of the type of shock (slow, intermediate or fast). Several new formulas for the shock speed are also derived including one that is independent of the shock normal $\hat{\boldsymbol{n}}$. In principle, the solution technique developed here can be applied to estimate $\boldsymbol{V}_{\text{sh}}$ using solar wind data provided the measurements obey the MHD shock model with sufficient accuracy. That is not its intended purpose, however, and such applications are beyond the scope of this work.
Darmstädter Ferienkurse 2018
Authors: Erwin Max
Published: December 2018

If this review contained a single sentence on every piece that was performed – let alone every lecture, discussion or open forum – from 14 to 28 July in Darmstadt, it would easily be book-length. Like, big book – maybe not Taruskin big, but definitely Rutherford-Johnson big. I have, for the most part, written about the bits that particularly struck me and tried to make sense of them both in themselves and in the context of the courses. This was especially difficult to do this year, because there really was no singular takeaway being presented, advocated or otherwise offered, which is quite remarkable, but makes narrowing down review material even more fraught. None of the pieces discussed below get the full description and analysis that they deserve – this is just a first attempt to make sense of things that happened.
Fiscal difficulties of cities, the labor market, and health care
Authors: Hsu John , Newhouse Joseph , Overhage Lindsay Nicole , Zuvekas Samuel
Published: December 2018

We investigated labor force and health outcomes in cities experiencing fiscal difficulties to assess how those difficulties might impact their employees. We matched 23 cities with bond downgrades and 31 cities with stable bond ratings to sampling units in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Starting the year before the downgrade and for the four subsequent years, the rate of separation from local public employment fell in the cities with downgrades relative to the comparison group. Self-reported health may have worsened, but there were no statistically significant effects on health care use or spending.
The effectiveness of CBT training on service delivery systems: a benchmarking study
Authors: Hadden L.M. , Groom M. , Waddington L.
Published: December 2018

Wales has not adopted the English IAPT system and has no centralized training plan for developing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in Wales. However, Welsh Government policy expresses an ambition to improve access to evidence-based psychological therapies for people in Wales. This study focuses on one Welsh Health Board's plan to improve access to CBT. The study aims to benchmark support for effective delivery of CBT in the Health Board against NICE and Department of Health standards, and to establish whether the Health Board's plan is succeeding in developing staff capability and access to evidence-based CBT. Mental health staff funded by the Health Board to complete accredited training in CBT were asked to complete an online questionnaire asking about their training, accreditation, use of CBT, and experience of workplace support for delivering CBT. The standards were taken from the Department of Health competency framework for CBT, NICE guidelines and BABCP safety and confidentiality criteria. The Health Board performed well across seven standards of workplace support for the delivery of evidence-based CBT. Staff funded to undertake accredited CBT training continued to develop and to use CBT in their everyday clinical practice. The study indicates that the Health Board is succeeding in offering good standards of workplace support for CBT, including access to accredited CBT training. A recommendation is made that this be shared with other Welsh Health Boards and that a comparable study be undertaken within an IAPT service.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies	Depression Scale in Oncology With Examination of Invariance Between Younger and	Older Patients
Authors: Saracino Rebecca M. , Cham Heining , Rosenfeld Barry , Nelson Christian J.
Published: December 2018

Abstract. Accurate measurement of depressive symptoms in the cancer setting is critical for ensuring optimal quality of life and patient outcomes. The present study compared the one-factor, correlated two-factor, correlated four-factor, and second-order factor models of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a commonly used measure in oncology settings. Given the importance of adequate psychometric performance of the CES-D across age groups, a second aim was to examine measurement invariance between younger and older adults with cancer. Participants ( N = 663) were recruited from outpatient clinics at a large cancer center. Over one-fourth of the sample endorsed clinically significant depressive symptoms (25.9%, n = 165). Confirmatory factor analysis of the CES-D supported the hypothesized correlated four-factor model as the best fit. The second-order factor also demonstrated good fit, but interpretations of the factors were more complex. Factors were highly correlated (range = .38–.91). There was also support for full scalar invariance between age groups, suggesting that regardless of age, respondents endorse the same response category for the same level of the latent trait (i.e., depression) on the CES-D. Taken together, the results suggest that the CES-D is a viable depression screening option for oncology settings and does not require scoring adjustments for respondent age.
Davis, Immerzeel, Santos, Turner, and Ummenhofer Receive 2018 James B. Macelwane Medals
Authors:   AGU
Published: December 2018

Steven J. Davis, Walter Immerzeel, Isaac Santos, Drew Turner, and Caroline C. Ummenhofer were awarded the 2018 James B. Macelwane Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony on 12 December 2018 in Washington, D. C. The medal is for “significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by an outstanding early career scientist.”