bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gauging the Rigor of Qualitative Case Studies in Comparative Lobbying Research. A Framework and Guideline for Research and Analysis
Authors: Lock Irina , Seele Peter
Published: May 2018

Engaging in comparative lobbying research is a challenging task, because public affairs is complex and highly context‐dependent. Thus, qualitative case studies have been researchers' primary choice. However, the case method has been subject to much debate surrounding its rigor, in terms of reliability, internal validity, and generalizability, and particularly its potential for theory building. To propose a framework for researchers conducting lobbying case studies as well as for reviewers receiving such work, we apply a positivistic approach on case study rigor from management studies and expand the framework to tackle the specific challenges of comparative qualitative lobbying research. Thus, we expand the research framework by a set of variables specific to public affairs: We add enrichment for internal validity, contextuality, and comparability for external validity, interdisciplinarity for construct validity, and hypertext‐searchable databases for reliability. Thereby, we aim to transfer the lessons learned from management studies in terms of rigorous qualitative case studies to public affairs to help build novel and explanatory theory in the field and to provide guidance to researchers how to design a rigorous case study.
Synthesis of a linear low‐density polyethylene/MgO@Mg(OH)2 nanocomposite using modified in situ polymerization
Authors: Käselau Sven , Scheel Saskia , Petersson Linnea , Ho Chau‐Hon , Luinstra Gerrit A
Published: May 2018

Composites of linear low‐density polyethylene were obtained in toluene slurry by in situ copolymerization of ethylene and 1‐octene in the presence of untreated magnesium oxide–hydroxide nanoparticles (MgO@Mg(OH)2) of ±50 nm and such treated with dibutylmagnesium (DBM) as support for a bis(n‐butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride–methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst system. Treatment of the nanoparticles with DBM (0.5–6 mmol g−1 MgO@Mg(OH)2) allows one to decrease the amount of MAO by 1.2 mmol Al g−1 MgO@Mg(OH)2, while reaching the same average catalyst activity and a finer distribution of the particles. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray mapping shows that the MAO is mainly associated with the filler. The crystallinity of the matrix polymer decreases with filler content. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The influence of different glycerine purities on chemical recycling process of polyurethane waste and resulting semi‐products
Authors: Jutrzenka Trzebiatowska Patrycja , Dzierbicka Agata , Kamińska Natalia , Datta Janusz
Published: May 2018

Chemical recycling is the most favourable recycling method due to the possibility of polyol recovery. This work is dedicated to the utilisation of crude glycerine and polyurethane waste. It aims at determining the impact of the use of glycerine from the production of biodiesel with various degrees of purity as a cleavage agent on the decomposition process of polyurethane foam. The influence of glycerine purity on the chemical structure of recycling products was analysed using Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopies and gel permeation chromatography. Hydroxyl and amine values were determined, and rheological measurements were performed. Glycerolysates showed minor structural differences due to the presence of amine groups and exhibited heterogeneous structure compared to original polyols. The ones obtained in decomposition using 84 and 99.5% glycerine had a lower viscosity below 0.45 Pa s at 50 °C and higher hydroxyl number of 183 and 220 mg KOH g−1, respectively, compared to the ones obtained with glycerine purity of 40 and 62% due to a different chemical structure. All of the products of decomposition were defined as non‐Newtonian fluids, where viscosity depended on the shear rate. Selected glycerolysates were used in the production of cast polyurethanes with satisfactory mechanical properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Ghost‐Free Completion of An Effective Matter Coupling in Bimetric Theory
Authors: Lüben Marvin , Schmidt‐May Angnis
Published: May 2018

We consider a particular set of ghost‐free interactions for three spin‐2 fields in which we freeze out the dynamics of the metric tensor that couples to the matter sector. Integrating out the non‐dynamical degrees of freedom in vacuum results in a ghost‐free bimetric theory. In the presence of the matter source, which we treat as a small perturbation, the equations for the non‐dynamical field can be solved perturbatively for its vierbein. This results in ghost‐free bimetric theory in vierbein formulation with a modified matter coupling. To lowest order in matter perturbations, we precisely obtain an effective matter coupling that has been suggested earlier in the literature. This coupling contains a linear combination of the two vierbeine whose corresponding metric fluctuation coincides with the massless spin‐2 mode. In the past, bimetric theory with this symmetric coupling has been treated as an effective theory valid at low energies without a ghost‐free completion. Our results demonstrate that the effective matter coupling can be rendered entirely ghost‐free by including the higher‐order corrections obtained from the trimetric setup.
Heritable methylation marks associated with breast and prostate cancer risk
Authors: Dugué Pierre‐Antoine , Dowty James G. , Joo Jihoon E. , Wong Ee M. , Makalic Enes , Schmidt Daniel F. , English Dallas R. , Hopper John L. , Pedersen John , Severi Gianluca , MacInnis Robert J. , Milne Roger L. , Giles Graham G. , Southey Melissa C.
Published: May 2018

Background

DNA methylation can mimic the effects of germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes. Recently, we identified twenty‐four heritable methylation marks associated with breast cancer risk. As breast and prostate cancer share genetic risk factors, including rare, high‐risk mutations (eg, in BRCA2), we hypothesized that some of these heritable methylation marks might also be associated with the risk of prostate cancer.

Methods

We studied 869 incident prostate cancers (430 aggressive and 439 non‐aggressive) and 869 matched controls nested within a prospective cohort study. DNA methylation was measured in pre‐diagnostic blood samples using the Illumina Infinium HM450K BeadChip. Conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for prostate cancer risk factors and blood cell composition, were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between the 24 methylation marks and the risk of prostate cancer.

Results

Five methylation marks within the VTRNA2‐1 promoter region (cg06536614, cg00124993, cg26328633, cg25340688, and cg26896946), and one in the body of CLGN (cg22901919) were associated with the risk of prostate cancer. In stratified analyses, the five VTRNA2‐1 marks were associated with the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

Conclusions

This work highlights a potentially important new area of investigation for prostate cancer susceptibility and adds to our knowledge about shared risk factors for breast and prostate cancer.
Suitability analysis of software reliability models for its applicability on NPP systems
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Singh Lalit Kumar , Kumar Chiranjeev
Published: May 2018

The advent of software components in the safety critical systems of nuclear power plant has introduced new challenges for software professionals to provide increased software reliability. Several proposals have been proposed for ensuring software reliability in different phases of software development life cycle. The present article is a novel attempt in providing an exhaustive survey of software reliability models for their applicability on safety critical systems of nuclear power plants. Our systematic review shows that none of the proposals for ensuring software reliability are applicable on such systems. The issues and challenges are discussed, and a software reliability model for safety critical system of nuclear power plants is proposed.
HNCR model following robust approach
Authors: Giorgetti Alessandro , Arcidiacono Gabriele , Ciappi Andrea , Barbieri Riccardo , Citti Paolo
Published: May 2018

This paper introduces a new model for Non‐Conformity Management, aimed at overcoming the limitations occurring when dealing with Non‐Conformities through traditional methods like Root Cause Analysis. The need to suggest a new approach to Non‐Conformities Management is connected to those situations where a large variety of Non‐Conformities is recorded, with a significant number of low‐impacting ones; addressing them directly through methods like Root Cause Analysis would often be not economically viable. In this context, the paper discusses Holistic Non‐Conformities Reduction (HNCR) approach as a suitable option to address this kind of business situations. In particular, the contribution of this paper is related to the development of HNCR model and the evaluation of how to properly structure the model and the flow that shall be followed. By clustering Non‐Conformities into flexible categories to be easily modified, expanded and rearranged through time, the HNCR model allows to identify new critical Non‐Conformity families, otherwise hardly detectable. A proof of concept relative to HNCR deployment is presented: 2 different scenarios are introduced, the first being the Non‐Conformities management within the extended supply chain of a large pharmaceutical distribution centre, while the second deals with Non‐Conformities in the context of a company's new programs development.
Size‐Tunable Synthesis of Colloidal Silver Sulfide Nanocrystals for Solution‐Processed Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Ahmad Razi , Srivastava Ritu , Bhardwaj Hema , Yadav Sushma , Nand Singh Vidya , Chand Suresh , Singh Nidhi , Sapra Sameer
Published: May 2018

Silver sulfide (Ag2S) quantum dots (QDs) exhibit promising candidature for low‐cost solution‐processed photovoltaic devices due to its narrow band gap, high optical absorption coefficient, and being composed of environment friendly materials. In this work, we have synthesized a series of different sized and nearly monodispersed Ag2S quantum dots by using thioacetamide as sulfur source at relatively low temperature (< 100 °C). Transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction studies suggests that the as‐synthesized QDS are nearly monodisperse and highly crystalline. The optical band gap and energy levels of valence and conduction bands were determined by absorption and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, respectively. A hybrid solar cell based on blends of poly (3‐hexylthiophene) and Ag2S QDs were fabricated and tested for photovoltaic application. The results indicate that Ag2S QDs are promising material for the fabrication of low cost and environment friendly polymer‐QDs hybrid optoelectronics devices.
Upconversion Luminescence Enhancement and Relative Intensity Changing Mechanism of β‐NaYF4:20%Yb3+,2%Er3+ Microcrystals in a Two‐Step Ion Exchange Process
Authors: Liu Wenting , Yang Zhenglin , Zhang Qiqi , Yan Jingyu , Wang Song
Published: May 2018

Efficient enhanced upconversion luminescence (UCL) in β‐NaYF4:20%Yb3+,2%Er3+ microcrystals has been synthesized via two‐step ion exchange reaction. The influence of NaF concentration in ion exchange step on the crystal structure and the UCL property are analyzed. High concentration of NaF in the ion exchange process can enhance the UCL efficiently. Time resolved spectra are utilized to investigate the UCL enhancement and relative intensity changing mechanism. Temperature dependent UCL spectra are utilized to understanding the influence of defects on relative intensity changing. It is found that ion exchange with high concentration of NaF will decrease the body defects, which contribute to the UCL enhancement and decrease of red to green emission intensity ratio.
Concentration Flow Cells for Efficient Salinity Gradient Energy Recovery with Nanostructured Open Framework Hexacyanoferrate Electrodes
Authors: Zhu Xiuping , Xu Wangwang , Tan Guangcai , Wang Ying
Published: May 2018

Salinity gradient (SG) energy is a large and renewable resource for clean energy production, which naturally exists between seawater and river water, and can also be created during desalination processes and at various industry sites. Recently, a new approach for efficient SG energy recovery was proposed based on concentration flow cells. However, it is not clear what the working principle of this new system is and how the electrode properties will affect the performance of this system. In this study, four different hexacyanoferrate electrodes (copper hexacyanoferrate, CuHCF; nickel hexacyanoferrate, NiHCF; manganese hexacyanoferrate, MnHCF; zinc hexacyanoferrate, ZnHCF) were explored in this system and the properties of these electrodes after discharging in synthetic seawater and freshwater were fully examined. Na+ intercalation/deintercalation processes on the hexacyanoferrate electrodes were confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, X‐ray powder diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which significantly depend on the crystal structures and elemental compositions of the electrodes. NiHCF and CuHCF worked well, while MnHCF and ZnHCF showed much worse performance. Additionally, it is clearly demonstrated that this system works likely to sodium‐ion batteries and cation intercalation desalination, with Na+ intercalation at the cathode and Na+ deintercalation at the anode during discharging, but charged by salinity gradients instead of electrical power.
A Flexible, Binder‐Free Graphene Oxide/Copper Sulfides Film for High‐Performance Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Wen , Shi Bin , Wang Yong , Li Yong , Pei Haijuan , Guo Rui , Hou Xuwang , Zhu Kai , Xie Jingying
Published: May 2018

A flexible, binder‐free graphene oxide/copper sulfides (GO/CuS) film with 3D sandwich‐like structure and porous architecture is assembled by a vacuum filtration approach for sodium ion batteries. GO sheets in this flexible film‐electrode play a key role in enhancing the electrochemical performance. The CuS film‐electrode with a thickness of 50 μm delivers an initial discharge capacity of 639.0 mAh g−1 and remains a capacity retention of 81.3% (the second cycle) after 100 cycles at 0.10 C, significantly higher than those of conventional CuS electrode with Al current collector. Furthermore, the flexible, binder‐free GO/CuS electrode displays notably improved rate performance, evidencing the potential for wearable energy storage devices.
Transport Properties of Light Gases in Nanochannels of L–Leu‐L‐Ser Dipeptide Crystals: A Comparative Study by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Biernacki Krzysztof , Sousa Sergio F. , Gales Luis , Ramos Maria J. , Magalhães Alexandre L.
Published: May 2018

Dipeptide crystals are stable microporous organic materials which have shown potential to be applied on storage and selective separation techniques with lower environmental impact than other traditional inorganic materials. We present a Molecular Dynamics study on the flow of gas molecules, namely Ar, N2, O2, CH4, CO and CO2 through porous L–Leucyl‐L‐Serine (LS) crystals, at 298 K and elevated pressures, when nanochannels are under saturation conditions.
Efficient Synthesis of 2,4,5‐Substituted Thiazoles via Intramolecular Knoevenagel Condensation–Cyclization Reaction Using TEA under Microwave Irradiation Conditions
Authors: Kumbar Suresh S. , Hosamani Kallappa M.
Published: May 2018

An approach to 2,4,5‐substituted thiazoles containing coumarins were synthesized via Intramolecular Knoevenagel condensation–cyclization reaction using triethylamine (TEA) as a base and are confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. In‐vitro screening, molecular docking (performed to preferred binding mode and supports the interaction of thiazole‐coumarin derivatives with enzyme) studies are reported. A detailed study subsidized by theoretical calculations directed us to determine that: an intact thiazole and coumarin rings appear to be needful for a strong antifungal activity, dis similarly determined by the substituents on coumarin and change in nitrogen rings. All the derived conjugates are fungicide and enhancing their antifungal inhibition due to different substitutions. The presence of flexible connecting N‐substitutions found to be required for antifungal inhibition, although its ring size shows reciprocally with antifungal nature in most fungi. Some active derivatives did not found effective inhibitor against bacterial strains, indicating that their inhibition is selective to pathogenic fungi and also they are non‐toxic at MIC concentrations.
Synthesis of Novel α‐Aminophosphonate Derivatives, Biological Evaluation as Potent Antiproliferative Agents and Molecular Docking
Authors: Deshmukh Satish U. , Kharat Kiran R. , Yadav Ashok R. , Shisodia Suresh U. , Damale Manoj G. , Sangshetti Jaiprakash N. , Pawar Rajendra P.
Published: May 2018

A series of novel fluorine containing α‐aminophosphonate derivatives (4 a–4 q) were synthesized in excellent yield and high purity. All these novel Fluorinated α‐aminophosphonate compounds were screened for antiproliferative and apoptosis activity on human non small cell lung carcinoma cells (A549) and human skin melanoma cells (SK‐MEL‐2). Compounds 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 f, 4 i, 4 j and 4 m were found to be more active antiproliferative agent against A549 and SK‐MEL‐2 cells with IC50 value 0.22 to 1.25 μM. Molecular docking study related to binding affinity and binding mode analysis showed that synthesized compounds had potential to inhibit human Topoisomerase IIa enzyme system. Flow cytometric study showed some of these derivatives also induced cell apoptosis and arrest cell cycle at G1 and at G2/M phase. Overall, this study provides future perspective of lead candidate for the future anticancer drug discovery initiatives.
Acetylated Lignins: A Potential Bio‐Sourced Photosensitizer
Authors: Marchand Guillaume , Calliste Claude A. , Williams René M. , McLure Charlotte , Leroy‐Lhez Stéphanie , Villandier Nicolas
Published: May 2018

Nowadays, lignins are receiving an increasing interest from the scientific community. Indeed, this biopolymer, formerly considered a waste‐product of the paper industry, appears today as an interesting oil equivalent in many fields. In this context, many chemical modifications of lignins have been presented to valorize this attractive feedstock. However, spectroscopic properties of these modified materials remain poorly studied, in particular their capacity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light irradiation. Thus, the purpose of this work is to monitor the production of singlet oxygen and superoxide anion under light irradiation of three different acetylated lignins. The results obtained show that those modified lignins can generate ROS levels, allowing to consider a use of these materials as photosensitizers for applications such as photodynamic treatments.
High‐Efficiency Ternary Polymer Solar Cells Based on Intense FRET Energy Transfer Process
Authors: Chen Weichao , Jiang Huanxiang , Huang Gongyue , Zhang Jun , Cai Mian , Wan Xiaobo , Yang Renqiang
Published: May 2018

A new wide band gap polymer PBDTPS‐FTAZ is designed and synthesized to form complementary absorption with non‐fullerene acceptor 3,9‐bis(2‐methylene‐(3‐(1,1‐dicyanomethylene)indanone)‐5,5,11,11‐tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)dithieno[2,3‐d':2,3'‐d']‐s‐indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b'] dithiophene (ITIC). The optimized device utilizing PBDTPS‐FTAZ:ITIC as active layer exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.53%. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectrum indicates that the binary‐blend device suffers relatively low photo response in the 450–550 nm region. Therefore, the fullerene derivative PC71BM and a wide band gap donor polymer P(p‐FDBND‐2T) with the absorption region of 450–550 nm are added to the PBDTPS‐FTAZ:ITIC system to construct ternary blend solar cell, respectively. As a result, ternary‐blend solar cells based on two configurations (D:A1:A2 and D1:D2:A) both deliver high PCE over 10% using the conventional device structure. Interestingly, the D1:D2:A type ternary solar cell exhibits a higher open circuit voltage (VOC) along with an intense energy transfer process regardless of the undesirable energy level alignment and reached a high PCE of 11.46%.
Influence of Nb Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Medium‐Mn Low‐Density Steels
Authors: Zhou Naipeng , Song Renbo , Song Renfeng , Li Xuan , Li Jiajia
Published: May 2018

The microstructural modifications and mechanical properties are investigated in two kinds of hot‐rolled Fe–8Mn–6Al–0.15C (0Nb steel) and Fe–8Mn–6Al–0.15C–0.02Nb (0.02Nb steel) medium‐Mn low‐density steels, subjected to an intercritical annealing treatment. Two experimental alloys presented an extraordinary bimodal duplex microstructure made of coarse δ‐ferrite grains and fine‐grained (FG) {intrecritical ferrite + retained austenite} regions after annealing at 800–1000 °C for 1 h. In the 0.02Nb steel annealed at 700 °C in particular, martensite lath and niobium‐contained M5C2‐type carbides in spherical nanoscale shape are found. The 0.02Nb steel exhibited excellent mechanical properties of tensile strength of 940 MPa and elongation of 36%, which are 11.1% and 12.5% higher than those of 0Nb steel. The addition of Nb in 0.02Nb steel led to partitioning of C and Mn from austenite and retardation of the γ/α transformation. The improvement of the mechanical properties in 0.02Nb steel is mainly attributed to the sufficient transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect during tensile behavior resulted from the higher austenite volume fraction and lower austenite stability.
Corrosion Resistance of Carbon Steel Under Different Hydrophobicity Conditions
Authors: Li Jing , Pan Lida , Li Hong , Du Feng , Yu Huadong
Published: May 2018

A simple and efficient method has been developed that combines sandblasting and electro‐brush plating to achieve carbon steel surface hydrophobicity and excellent corrosion inhibition. The Ni coating surface morphology, hydrophobicity, chemical constituents, and corrosion resistance are characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical workstation, respectively. Results suggest that cauliflower‐like compound microstructures fabricated via electro‐brush plating play a key role in surface hydrophobicity. Further, hydrophobicity is a function of sub‐millimeter irregular rough structures formed through sandblasting. Specifically, sandblasting increases the hydrophobicity of the cauliflower‐like structure surface, with a contact angle reaching 150.0°. Different surface structure parameters lead to different surface hydrophobicity values, and corrosion resistance is higher with better surface hydrophobicity. The academic and applied implications of these findings are discussed.
Automatic supervisory control for the self‐healing of smart grids based on colored Petri nets
Authors: Jiang Zhongyuan , Khalgui Mohamed , Al‐Ahmari Abdulrahman , Li Zhiwu , Wu Naiqi , Zhou Mengchu
Published: May 2018

Power transmission lines of traditional power transmission systems (PTSs) may suffer from some faults that can lead to blackouts. This work proposes a methodology to construct hierarchical distributed control systems (DCSs) for the automatic fault detection and restoration of PTSs using colored Petri nets (CPNs). If faults occur in power transmission lines, they can be detected by supervisors, and local solutions can be computed to restore the faults. Each supervisor is coordinated by a coordination protocol to perform the computation of local solutions. The structures of traditional PTSs are simplified and defined by CPNs, and the derivation processes of fault detection and restoration based on the proposed coordination protocol are verified by the mathematical methods of CPNs. Finally, the complexity of the proposed hierarchical DCS and coordination protocol is discussed and an example is given to illustrate the proposed method. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Geographic export diversification: Determinants and their link with export performance
Authors: Cos Pilar , Colom Antonio , Cabasés Angels
Published: May 2018

This study examines company‐specific factors that may help explain the choice of an export‐market strategy and explores how the selected export strategy contributes to explaining company's export performance (XP). Concentrating on a specific area within a broad spectrum of export behavior analysis has enabled us to examine these factors in greater depth. The results of our research, which was carried out using a sample comprising Spanish exporting companies, show a firm's size, a firm's age, and a firm's greater foreign ownership in its share capital are all determining factors for adopting a strategy geared to export‐market diversification. A greater level of investment in R&D and greater international commitment are also important in this regard. We suggest reinforcing these two factors because there is evidence of a better XP among firms that have a wider range of foreign markets.
Phonological regularity, perceptual biases, and the role of phonotactics in speech error analysis
Authors: Alderete John , Tupper Paul
Published: May 2018

Speech errors involving manipulations of sounds tend to be phonologically regular in the sense that they obey the phonotactic rules of well‐formed words. We review the empirical evidence for phonological regularity in prior research, including both categorical assessments of words and regularity at the granular level involving specific segments and contexts. Since the reporting of regularity is affected by human perceptual biases, we also document this regularity in a new data set of 2,228 sublexical errors that was collected using methods that are demonstrably less prone to bias. These facts validate the claim that sound errors are overwhelmingly regular, but the new evidence suggests speech errors admit more phonologically ill‐formed words than previously thought. Detailed facts of the phonological structure of errors, including this revised standard, are then related to model assumptions in contemporary theories of phonological encoding.

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Linguistic Theory

Linguistics > Computational Models of Language

Psychology > Language
Cognitive and linguistic biases in morphology learning
Authors: Finley Sara
Published: May 2018

Morphology is the study of the relationship between form and meaning. The study of morphology involves understanding the rules and processes that underlie word formation, including the use and productivity of affixes, and the systems that create novel word forms. The present review explores these processes by examining the cognitive components that contribute to typological regularities among morphological systems across the world's language. The review will focus on research in morpheme segmentation, the suffixing preference, acquisition of morphophonology, and acquiring morphological categories and inflectional paradigms. The review will highlight research in a range of areas of linguistics, from child language acquisition, to computational modeling, to adult language learning experiments. In order to best understand the cognitive biases that shape morphological learning, a broad, interdisciplinary approach must be taken.

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Linguistic Theory

Linguistics > Language Acquisition

Psychology > Language
Status of the semileptonic B decays and muon g-2 in general 2HDMs with right-handed neutrinos
Authors: Iguro Syuhei , Omura Yuji
Published: May 2018

Abstract

In this paper, we study the extended Standard Model (SM) with an extra Higgs doublet and right-handed neutrinos. If the symmetry to distinguish the two Higgs doublets is not assigned, flavor changing neutral currents (FCNCs) involving the scalars are predicted even at the tree level. We investigate the constraints on the FCNCs at the one-loop level, and especially study the semileptonic B meson decays, e.g. B → D
(∗)
τ ν and B → K
(∗)
ll processes, where the SM predictions are more than 2σ away from the experimental results. We also consider the flavor-violating couplings involving right-handed neutrinos and discuss if the parameters to explain the excesses of the semileptonic B decays can resolve the discrepancy in the anomalous muon magnetic moment. Based on the analysis, we propose the smoking-gun signals of our model at the LHC.
Light axions with large hadronic couplings
Authors: Marques-Tavares Gustavo , Teo Mae
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We present models in which axions have large couplings to hadrons while remaining naturally light. By assigning U(1)
PQ
charges to Standard Model quarks such that U(1)
PQ
is not anomalous under QCD, the derivative couplings naturally arise while no potential is generated for the axion upon QCD confinement. We present simple models that implement this idea both for an axion-like particle and for the QCD axion. We show that both models lead to sizable flavor violations that could be probed by future experiments. Our construction shows that the axion coupling to hadrons can be essentially independent from its mass and thus motivates experimental searches in a wide range of axion parameter space.
The soft mode in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model and its gravity dual
Authors: Kitaev Alexei , Suh S. Josephine
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We give an exposition of the SYK model with several new results. A non-local correction to the Schwarzian effective action is found. The same action is obtained by integrating out the bulk degrees of freedom in a certain variant of dilaton gravity. We also discuss general properties of out-of-time-order correlators.
A d-dimensional stress tensor for Minkd+2 gravity
Authors: Kapec Daniel , Mitra Prahar
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We consider the tree-level scattering of massless particles in (d+2)-dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes. The$$ \mathcal{S} $$S-matrix elements are recast as correlation functions of local operators living on a space-like cut ℳdof the null momentum cone. The Lorentz group SO(d+ 1,1) is nonlinearly realized as the Euclidean conformal group on ℳd. Operators of non-trivial spin arise from massless particles transforming in non-trivial representations of the little group SO(d), and distinguished operators arise from the soft-insertions of gauge bosons and gravitons. The leading soft-photon operator is the shadow transform of a conserved spin-one primary operatorJa, and the subleading soft-graviton operator is the shadow transform of a conserved spin-two symmetric traceless primary operatorTab. The universal form of the soft-limits ensures thatJaandTabobey the Ward identities expected of a conserved current and energy momentum tensor in a Euclidean CFTd, respectively.
Risk Factors for Postoperative Delirium After Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Honda Shinsaku , Furukawa Kenichiro , Nishiwaki Noriyuki , Fujiya Keiichi , Omori Hayato , Kaji Sanae , Makuuchi Rie , Irino Tomoyuki , Tanizawa Yutaka , Bando Etsuro , Kawamura Taiichi , Terashima Masanori
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The incidence of postoperative delirium is reported to range from 9 to 87%; however, no report has focused on cases of postoperative delirium in gastric cancer surgery alone. Therefore, we investigated the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative delirium after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

A total of 1037 patients who underwent surgery were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups—those with (delirium group) or without (non‐delirium group) postoperative delirium—and their backgrounds were compared. The short‐term outcomes and the overall survival were also investigated.

Results

Postoperative delirium was observed in 47 of 1037 patients (4.5%). A multivariate analysis revealed that male gender, age ≥ 75 years, a history of cerebrovascular disease, and the habitual use of sleeping pills were independent predictive factors for postoperative delirium. The postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the postoperative delirium group than in the non‐delirium group. Postoperative delirium was significantly associated with postoperative complications. The 3‐year overall survival was 74.3% in the delirium group and 85.5% in the non‐delirium group (log‐rank p = 0.006). A multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative delirium was an independent prognostic factor, along with the age and cancer stage.

Conclusion

The incidence of postoperative delirium was 4.5% in gastric cancer patients. Male gender, age ≥ 75 years, a history of cerebrovascular disease, and the habitual use of narcoleptic agents were risk factors for postoperative delirium after gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients. Postoperative delirium was strongly associated with other postoperative complications and a poor survival after surgery.
The Estimate of the Impact of Coccyx Resection in Surgical Field Exposure During Abdominal Perineal Resection Using Preoperative High‐Resolution Magnetic Resonance
Authors: São Julião Guilherme Pagin , Ortega Cinthia D. , Vailati Bruna Borba , Coutinho Francisco A. B. , Rossi Gustavo , Habr‐Gama Angelita , Fernandez Laura Melina , Araújo Sérgio Eduardo Alonso , Brown Gina , Perez Rodrigo Oliva
Published: May 2018

Objective

To estimate the improvement in surgical exposure by removal of the coccyx, during abdomino‐perineal resection (APR), in rectal cancer patients.

Methods

Retrospective study of 29 consecutive patients with rectal cancer was carried out. Using MR T2 sagittal series, the solid angle was estimated using the angle determined by the anterior resection margin and the tip of coccyx (no coccyx resection) or the tip of last sacral vertebra (coccyx resection). The solid angle provides an estimate of the tridimensional surface area provided by an original angle resulting in the best estimate of the surgeon’s view/exposure to the critical dissecting point of choice (anterior rectal wall). The difference (“Gain”) in surgical field exposure by removal of the coccyx was compared by the solid angle variation between the two estimates (with and without the coccyx).

Results

Routine removal of the coccyx determines an average 42% (95% CI 27–57%) gain in surgical field exposure area facing the anterior rectal wall at the level of the prostate/vagina by the surgeon. Fifteen (51%) patients had ≥30% (median) estimated gain in surgical field exposure by coccygectomy. There was no association between BMI, age or gender and estimated gain in surgical field exposure area.

Conclusions

Routine removal of the coccyx during APR may result in an average increase in 42% in surgical field exposure during APR’s perineal dissection. Precise estimation of surgical field exposure gain by removal of the coccyx may be predicted by MR sagittal series for each individual patient.
On the Rapid Assessment of Mechanical Behavior of a Prototype Nickel-Based Superalloy using Small-Scale Testing
Authors: Sulzer Sabin , Alabort Enrique , Németh André , Roebuck Bryan , Reed Roger
Published: May 2018

An electro-thermal mechanical testing (ETMT) system is used to assess the mechanical behavior of a prototype single-crystal superalloy suitable for industrial gas turbine applications. Miniaturized testpieces of a few mm2 cross section are used, allowing relatively small volumes to be tested. Novel methods involving temperature ramping and stress relaxation are employed, with the quantitative data measured and then compared to conventional methods. Advantages and limitations of the ETMT system are identified; particularly for the rapid assessment of prototype alloys prior to scale-up to pilot-scale quantities, it is concluded that some significant benefits emerge.
A case of papilloma associated with topical tacrolimus ointment for tongue ulcers
Authors: Masui Atsushi , Hamada Masakazu , Yura Yoshiaki
Published: May 2018

We report a case of tongue papilloma that developed after the topical administration of tacrolimus. A 68‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital with pain in his mouth. The diagnosis was ulcerative stomatitis. Although corticosteroids were ineffective, marked improvements were noted with the use of tacrolimus ointment. During follow‐up observations, papillomas were observed on the tongue at the site of ointment application. The recurrence of papillary lesions was noted, but the lesions disappeared following the oral administration of a 5‐fluorouracil formulation after pancreatic cancer surgery. In this case, tacrolimus ointment may have been associated with the formation of papilloma on the tongue.
Herodotus: Histories Book VIII
Authors: Herodotus
Published: May 2018

The Battle of Salamis was the first great (and unexpected) victory of the Greeks over the Persian forces under Xerxes, whose defeat had important consequences for the subsequent history and self-image of Europe. This battle forms the centre-piece of book VIII of Herodotus' Histories. The book also illuminates Greek views of themselves and of peoples from the East, the problematic relationships between different Greek states in the face of the invasion, and the role of the divine in history. This introduction and commentary pays particular attention to the history and culture of Achaemenid Persia and the peoples of its empire. It offers much help with the language of the text (which has been prepared for ease of reading), and deals with major literary and historical questions. It will be of especial use to intermediate and advanced Greek students, but also provides up-to-date scholarly materials for graduate students and professional classicists.
EU External Relations Law
Authors: Van Vooren Bart , Wessel Ramses A.
Published: May 2018

This major new textbook for students in European law uses a text, cases and materials approach to explore the law, politics, policy and practice of EU external relations, and navigates the complex questions at the interface of these areas. The subject is explored by explaining major constitutional principles, and elaborating upon them in policy-specific chapters ranging from common commercial policy and development policy over CFSP/CSDP and AFSJ to energy and enlargement policy. Specific attention is given to the relationship between European integration, the role of law, and the EU as an effective international actor. Designed for easy navigation, chapters include key objectives, summaries and textboxes, which frame key issues and guide the reader through the functioning of legal principles. Students gain a detailed understanding of the historical development, context and present functioning of EU external relations law in a highly politicised European and international environment.
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics
Authors: Aristotle
Published: May 2018

This new edition of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is an accurate, readable and accessible translation of one of the world's greatest ethical works. Based on lectures Aristotle gave in Athens in the fourth century BCE, Nicomachean Ethics is one of the most significant works in moral philosophy, and has profoundly influenced the whole course of subsequent philosophical endeavour. It offers seminal, practically oriented discussions of many central ethical issues, including the role of luck in human well-being, moral education, responsibility, courage, justice, moral weakness, friendship and pleasure, with an emphasis on the exercise of virtue as the key to human happiness. This second edition offers an updated editor's introduction and suggestions for further reading, and incorporates the line numbers as well as the page numbers of the Greek text. With its emphasis on accuracy and readability, it will enable readers without Greek to come as close as possible to Aristotle's work.
Economic Community of West African States Disaster Preparedness Tabletop Exercise: Building Regional Capacity to Enhance Health Security
Authors: Morton Hamer Melinda J. , Reed Paul L. , Greulich Jane D. , Beadling Charles W.
Published: May 2018

Objective

The West African Disaster Preparedness Initiative held a disaster preparedness tabletop exercise with representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in November 2015. The tabletop exercise was hosted by the Republic of Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organization and partners in Accra, Ghana.

Methods

ECOWAS Commission delegates and representatives from 10 member states were confronted with a series of simulated crises. Participants utilized existing national preparedness plans and web-based information technologies to research and communicate about internal disaster threats and those from neighboring countries. After each of the exercise’s three phases, facilitators distributed participant surveys.

Results

A total of 106 individuals participated in the tabletop exercise. During the exercise, national teams utilizing well-developed disaster contingency plans and emergency operations center (EOC) standard operating procedures (SOPs) reached out to help less-prepared national teams. Key issues identified in the survey were language and cultural issues as barriers, effectiveness of disaster management agencies linked to heads of state, and the need for data sharing and real-time communication for situational awareness and multisector coordination.

Conclusion

This tabletop exercise helped improve and refine the ECOWAS regional and member states’ national SOPs that teams will employ to prepare for, respond to, and recover from future disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:400-404)
When domes are spandrels: on septation in turritellids (Cerithioidea) and other gastropods
Authors: Anderson Brendan M. , Allmon Warren D.
Published: May 2018

Although generally considered rare in gastropods, septation has long been noted in turritellids, but functional hypotheses do not survive strong scrutiny. Here we outline a methodology for testing spandrel hypotheses and apply it to the problem of turritellid septa. We follow Gould in using “spandrel” as a term for all features that are nonadaptive sequelae of adaptive features of organisms, including those that are structurally necessary, those that are developmentally correlated, and nondeterministic by-products that are correlated to features under selection.

In turritellids, septa are constructed in microstructural continuity with secondary internal thickening of the shell, are highly variable features infraspecifically, and are strongly associated with degree of shell thickening. We therefore conclude that rather than being themselves adaptive, turritellid septa are spandrels of shell thickening. Turritellid septa are composed of crossed lamellar aragonite, which appears to be constructed by mantle epithelium over the visceral mass. Septation was also found in 22 of 24 gastropod families examined from a broad phylogenetic distribution. Septa thus appear to be a widespread feature of caenogastropods, in strong contrast to previous assertions that septa are less common in modern or high-spired shells.
Local Spatial Heterogeneity of Holocene Carbon Accumulation throughout the Peat Profile of an Ombrotrophic Northern Minnesota Bog
Authors: McFarlane Karis J , Hanson Paul J , Iversen Colleen M , Phillips Jana R , Brice Deanne J
Published: May 2018

We evaluated the spatial heterogeneity of historical carbon accumulation rates in a forested, ombrotrophic bog in Minnesota to aid understanding of responses to an ongoing decade-long warming manipulation. Eighteen peat cores indicated that the bog has been accumulating carbon for over 11,000 years, to yield 176±40 kg C m−2 to 225±58 cm of peat depth. Estimated peat basal ages ranged from 5100 to 11,100 cal BP. The long-term apparent rate of carbon accumulation over the entire peat profile was 22±2 g C m−2 yr−1. Plot location within the study area did not affect carbon accumulation rates, but estimated basal ages were younger in profiles from plots closer to the bog lagg and farther from the bog outlet. In addition, carbon accumulation varied considerably over time. Early Holocene net carbon accumulation rates were 30±6 g C m−2 yr−1. Around 3300 calendar BP, net carbon accumulation rates dropped to 15±8 g C m−2 yr−1 until the last century when net accumulation rates increased again to 74±57 g C m−2 yr−1. During this period of low accumulation, regional droughts may have lowered the water table, allowing for enhanced aerobic decomposition and making the bog more susceptible to fire. These results suggest that experimental warming treatments, as well as a future warmer climate may reduce net carbon accumulation in peat in this and other southern boreal peatlands. Furthermore, our we caution against historical interpretations extrapolated from one or a few peat cores.
SUPERCONGRUENCES INVOLVING -ADIC GAMMA FUNCTIONS
Authors: LIU JI-CAI
Published: May 2018

We establish some supercongruences for the truncated $_{2}F_{1}$ and $_{3}F_{2}$ hypergeometric series involving the $p$-adic gamma functions. Some of these results extend the four Rodriguez-Villegas supercongruences on the truncated $_{3}F_{2}$ hypergeometric series. Related supercongruences modulo $p^{3}$ are proposed as conjectures.
Mediators and moderators of nutrition intervention effects in remote Indigenous Australia
Authors: Brimblecombe Julie , Ferguson Megan , Barzi Federica , Brown Clare , Ball Kylie
Published: May 2018

We conducted a longitudinal dietary intervention study to assess the impact of a store-based intervention on mediators and moderators and consequent dietary behaviour in Indigenous communities in remote Australia. We assessed dietary intake of fruit, vegetable, water and sweetened soft drink, mediators and moderators among 148, eighty-five and seventy-three adult participants (92 % women) at baseline (T1), end of intervention (T2) and at 24 weeks post intervention (T3), respectively. Mediators included perceived affordability and self-efficacy. Moderators were barriers to eat more fruit and vegetables and food security. Mixed-effects models were used to determine changes in mediators and moderators with time and associations between these and each dietary outcome. Perceived vegetable affordability increased from T1 (19 %; 95 % CI 11, 27) to T2 (38 %; 95 % CI 25, 51) (P=0·004) and returned to baseline levels at T3. High self-efficacy to eat more fruit and vegetables and to drink less soft drink decreased from T1 to T3. A reduction in soft drink intake of 27 % (95 % CI −44, −4; P=0·02) was reported at T3 compared with T1; no changes with time were observed for all other outcome measures. Regardless of time, vegetable intake was positively associated with self-efficacy to cook and try new vegetables, no barriers and food security. The dietary intervention went someway to improving perceived affordability of vegetables but was probably not strong enough to overcome other mediators and moderators constraining behaviour change. Meaningful dietary improvement in this context will be difficult to achieve without addressing underlying constraints to behaviour change.