bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distal Predominance of Electrodiagnostic Abnormalities in Early‐Stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Shayya Luay , Babu Suma , Pioro Erik P. , Li Jianbo , Li Yuebing
Published: May 2018

Introduction: In this study we compared the electrodiagnostic (EDX) yield of limb muscles in revealing lower motor neuron (LMN) dysfunction by electromyography (EMG) in early‐stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: This investigation was undertaken as a retrospective review at a single center. Results: Our study included 122 consecutive patients with possible ALS, as defined by revised El Escorial criteria. Distal limb muscles showed more frequent EMG abnormalities than proximal muscles. EDX yield was found to be higher in the limb where weakness began and when clinical signs of LMN dysfunction were evident. Adoption of the Awaji criteria significantly increased the yield of EMG‐positive segments in the cervical (P < 0.0005) and lumbosacral (P < 0.0001) regions, and upgraded 19 patients into the probable category and 1 patient into the definite category. Discussion: EMG abnormalities are predominant in the distal limb in early‐stage ALS. A redefinition of an EDX‐positive cervical or lumbosacral segment, with an emphasis on distal limb muscles, may result in an earlier ALS diagnosis. Muscle Nerve 58: 389–395, 2018
Mutated cancer autoantigen implicated cause of paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis
Authors: Zekeridou Anastasia , Griesmann Guy E. , Lennon Vanda A.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Antitumor immune responses are postulated to initiate paraneoplastic neurological disorders when proteins that are normally restricted to neural cells are expressed as oncoproteins. Mutated oncopeptides could bypass self‐tolerant T cells to activate cytotoxic effector T lymphocytes and requisite helper T lymphocytes to stimulate autoantibody production by B lymphocytes. Methods: We investigated muscle‐type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antigen expression at transcriptional and protein levels in a small‐cell lung cancer line (SCLC) established from a patient with AChR‐immunoglobulin G (IgG)‐positive myasthenia gravis. Results: We identified messenger RNA transcripts encoding the 2 AChR α1‐subunit isoforms and 7 alternative‐splicing products, 3 of which yielded premature stop codons. Despite detecting native muscle‐type AChR pentamers in the tumor, we did not identify mutant α1‐peptides. However, we found α1‐subunit‐derived peptides bound to tumor major histocompatibility complex (MHC)1‐protein. In a control SCLC from an antineuronal nuclear autoantibody, type 1 (anti‐Hu)‐IgG‐positive patient, we identified MHC1‐complexed Hu protein‐derived peptides but not AChR peptides. Discussion: Our findings support onconeural protein products as pertinent immunogens initiating paraneoplastic neurological autoimmunity. Muscle Nerve 58: 600–604, 2018
Provincial intervention outcomes in Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province
Authors: Zolani Teyisi , Nzewi Ogochukwu Iruoma
Published: May 2018

The main aim of this article is to assess Provincial intervention outcomes in Makana Local Municipality, identify factors, which cause unsuccessful Provincial intervention, and lastly, measure the extent to which these factors played a role during intervention in Makana Local Municipality. Provincial interventions have been granted a legal and constitutional status by South African Constitution, Section 100 – 139 and 216. Therefore, Provincial interventions have been used to assist municipalities that are failing to achieve their constitutional mandate as a result of multiple issues, such as, financial instability, corruption, maladministration, poor leadership and management, and political tensions. Interventions by the Province are therefore meant to find long‐term solutions to the problems municipalities find themselves in. It is against this background that this article assess the outcomes of the Provincial intervention in Makana Local Municipality. The research utilized a qualitative approach in a form of documentary sources and open‐ended interviews with a range of actors in Makana Local Municipality. The study found that Provincial intervention in Makana has resulted to some extent successful outcomes; however, there are still areas needing further improvements in the municipality as evident by the current state of the municipality.

The key findings of the study include an increase of 8 million in Revenue Collection, the development of a clear, firm Creditor Payment Procedure, and the recruitment process to start filling up critical positions; further to this, Makana received a qualified audit opinion in 2015; in addition, the municipality is honoring the Creditors' debt repayment plans in accordance. This is the presentation of findings on the outcomes of Provincial intervention in Makana Municipality. The article concludes by providing lessons for both the Province and Local government for effective interventions.
Gradually failure simulation and energy absorption characteristics of GFRP composite tubes subjected to axial dynamic impact
Authors: Luo Haibo , Yan Ying , Zhang Taihua
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to investigate the energy absorption characteristics of glass fiber cloth‐reinforced epoxy resin (GFRP) composites. The axial dynamic impact test and numerical simulation study on 759/5224 circular tubes were conducted, as well as analyzed and discussed the relevant energy‐absorption parameters and failure morphology. Based on continuum‐damage mechanics, considering the anisotropic constitutive model of composites, the failure criterion including stiffness degradation was embedded into the second subroutine of MSC.Dytran platform and then introduced damage variables to update the material parameters. A progressive damage‐analysis model of composites with shear nonlinear effect was also established. Based on the improved secondary subroutine damage evolution model, the dynamic impact damage morphology of 759/5224 glass–fiber composite tube was accurately simulated; used the finite element simulation to obtain the absorption evaluation parameters of average load, special energy absorption and crushing stroke; and comparatively analyzed the simulation and test results. The maximum relative error of special energy absorption of the glass–fiber composite tube was <8.5%, which met engineering requirements. Therefore, the finite‐element method adopted in this paper can reasonably evaluate the gradual failure of dynamic impact of glass–fiber composite tubes. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1545–1555, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
A role for two‐component signaling elements in the Arabidopsis growth recovery response to ethylene
Authors: Binder Brad M. , Kim Hyo Jung , Mathews Dennis E. , Hutchison Claire E. , Kieber Joseph J. , Schaller G. Eric
Published: May 2018

Previous studies indicate that the ability of Arabidopsis seedlings to recover normal growth following an ethylene treatment involves histidine kinase activity of the ethylene receptors. As histidine kinases can function as inputs for a two‐component signaling system, we examined loss‐of‐function mutants involving two‐component signaling elements. We find that mutants of phosphotransfer proteins and type‐B response regulators exhibit a defect in their ethylene growth recovery response similar to that found with the loss‐of‐function ethylene receptor mutant etr1‐7. The ability of two‐component signaling elements to regulate the growth recovery response to ethylene functions independently from their well‐characterized role in cytokinin signaling, based on the analysis of cytokinin receptor mutants as well as following chemical inhibition of cytokinin biosynthesis. Histidine kinase activity of the receptor ETR1 also facilitates growth recovery in the ethylene hypersensitive response, which is characterized by a transient decrease in growth rate when seedlings are treated continuously with a low dose of ethylene; however, this response was found to operate independently of the type‐B response regulators. These results indicate that histidine kinase activity of the ethylene receptor ETR1 performs two independent functions: (a) regulating the growth recovery to ethylene through a two‐component signaling system involving phosphotransfer proteins and type‐B response regulators and (b) regulating the hypersensitive response to ethylene in a type‐B response regulator independent manner.
New Architecture of ZnGeN2/In0.16Ga0.84N Type‐II Quantum Well‐Based Green Emitting LED
Authors: Rolles Mélanie , Hyot Bérangère , Miska Patrice
Published: May 2018

We report here on a new green‐emitting light emitting device (LED) architecture containing only 16% of indium. The structure is based on the use of a new type‐II ZnGeN2/In0.16Ga0.84N quantum well. The zinc germanium nitride (ZnGeN2) is a new promising semiconductor for optoelectronic devices such as LEDs or photovoltaic cells due to its large, direct, and adjustable band gap, most particularly considered to overcome the green‐gap issue in LED technology. Studies of ZnGeN2‐based quantum well behaviors are scarce and no information on the overall electro‐optical operation of such LED is available. We simulate here the complete behavior of a green LED structure in which the active region is a type‐II ZnGeN2/In0.16Ga0.84N quantum well. A thin AlGaN layer is used as a barrier for a better carrier confinement. The position and the thickness of the ZnGeN2 layer are parameters used to examine the luminous and electrical behavior as well as the external quantum efficiency of this LED compared to a standard In0.22Ga0.78N LED emitting at the same wavelength. We demonstrate a significant enhancement of the spontaneous emission and the possibility to reach both a better quantum efficiency and light output when using the type‐II structure.
Nano Co3O4 as Anode Material for Li–Ion and Na‐Ion Batteries: An Insight into Surface Morphology
Authors: Subalakshmi Palani , Sivashanmugam Arumugam
Published: May 2018

Co3O4 is regarded as a competent anode material for lithium and sodium ion batteries having high theoretical capacity of 890 mAh g‐1 obtained through metal displacement reaction with Li or Na. Nano Co3O4 consisting of 20–30 nm‐sized particles was synthesized through a simple precipitation method and characterized through X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical evaluation of the nano Co3O4 as anode material for Li‐ion and Na‐ion batteries was performed through cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and charge‐discharge cycling studies. Nano Co3O4 delivered high discharge capacity of 423 mAh g‐1 at 0.1 C even after 40 cycles as Li‐ion battery anode and exhibited stable discharge behaviour up to 130 cycles with high rate capability. Nano Co3O4 in Na‐ion configuration delivered discharge capacity of 101 mAh g‐1 at 0.1 C rate even after 30 cycles. At higher current rates Co3O4 electrodes exhibited severe capacity fading due to the huge volume change occurred during sodiation / desodiation. Ex‐situ SEM and elemental analyses evidenced that disintegration of electrode structure resulting from volume change and continuous decomposition of electrolyte were responsible for the poor electrochemical performance of Co3O4 with Na+ ions while in Li‐ion configuration nano Co3O4 outshined in cycling performance.
Microwave Accelerated Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐4H‐Chromenes Catalyzed by WELFSA: A Green Protocol
Authors: Kantharaju Kamanna. , Khatavi Santosh. Y.
Published: May 2018

In this work, agro‐waste stuff was employed as a natural source catalyst for the synthesis of 2‐amino‐4H‐chromene as green protocol. The synthesis was carried out in three component one‐pot condensation of aldehyde, malononitrile and naphthol/resorcinol in the presence of Water Extract of Lemon Fruit Shell Ash (WELFSA) as a greener catalyst. Different synthetic methods were examined for the synthesis of 2‐amino‐4H‐chromene under WELFSA extract, and found microwave assisted reaction gave faster reaction rate with the separation of solid in high yield. The isolated products were checked for its purity by TLC. The final product was characterized by FT‐IR, 1H‐, 13C‐NMR and mass spectrometry.
Partially Exfoliated Graphite Paper as Free‐Standing Electrode for Supercapacitors
Authors: Raghunandanan Aswathy , Yeddala Munaiah , Padikassu Periasamy , Pitchai Ragupathy
Published: May 2018

Free standing electrodes have grabbed attention among the researchers around the globe due to its ease of fabrication, scale‐up and flexibility for stack development. In the present communication, we have described a novel approach to improve the areal capacitance of graphite fiber paper (GP) from 4.5 ×10−3 F cm−2 to 0.677 F cm−2 by surface modification. Surface functionalised graphite paper (Oxd‐GP) and its chemically reduced counterpart (Red‐GP) are explored as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The materials synthesized are structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive analysis of X‐rays (EDAX) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical performance of the electrodes is assessed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge‐discharge (GC) analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) where both Oxd‐GP and Red‐GP exhibit appreciable areal capacitance while Red‐GP shows excellent cycle life over 2600 cycles. Red‐GP showed an increment in capacitance over 1000 cycles while attaining stability. This work suggests that modified graphite paper can be a low‐cost and free‐standing electrode for high performance energy storage devices.
Design and Synthesis of New Etodolac‐Pyridazinones as Potent Anticancer Agents Using Pb(OAc)4 to Assist N‐N Bond Formation
Authors: Kummari Bhaskar , Ramesh Perla , Parsharamulu Rayam , Allaka Tejeswara Rao , Anantaraju Hasithashilpa , Yogeeswari Perumal , Balasubramanian Sridhar , Guggilapu Sravanthi Devi , Babu Bathini Nagendra , Anireddy Jaya Shree
Published: May 2018

Pb(OAc)4 to assist N−N bond formation via dehydrogenative cyclization of hydrazide‐hydrazones to generate the pyridazinones as bioactive molecules have been described. All the products were well characterized by various spectroscopic analyses. Furthermore, the structure of (E)‐3a,7‐diethyl‐6‐((thiophen‐2‐ylmethylene)amino)‐1,2,3a,4‐tetrahydro‐3‐oxa‐6,6a‐diazafluoranthen‐5(6H)‐one was unambiguously conformed by single crystal X‐ray analysis. The in vitro biological evaluation revealed that several of these compounds exhibited greater cytotoxic potency than that of doxorubicin drug. (E)‐N′‐(4‐chlorobenzylidene)‐2‐(1,8‐diethyl‐1,3,4,9‐tetrahydropyrano[3,4‐b]indol‐1‐yl)acetohydrazide exhibited most cytotoxic activity against both A549 and PC3 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 1.77±0.08 and 1.88±0.33 μM, respectively.
Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Biocompatible and Easily Available Polymer Films
Authors: Srither Satturappa R. , Shankar Rao Doddamane S. , Krishna Prasad Subbarao
Published: May 2018

We have fabricated robust triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) employing different polymer films which are biocompatible and easily available. The combination of polyurethane and PTFE layers is seen to provide the highest TENG parameters with an open circuit peak‐to‐peak output voltage of ∼33.5 V and a current value of 27.4 μA with a gentle tapping force of 0.33 N. The topography of the film surface has been characterized using atomic force microscopy in conjunction with image analysis. We find a very good, albeit non‐linear, correlation between the TENG electrical output and the surface roughness. Our studies do not support any relation between the permittivity of the medium and the TENG output. Employing cellulose acetate and Kapton as the triboelectric layers, we have constructed a simple force sensor, whose output is seen to be highly linear over a large range of force varying from 0.24 to 5.2 N, and a significantly high output of 1.5 V/N.
Spurious mode distinguish by modal response contribution index in eigensystem realization algorithm
Authors: Qu Chun‐Xu , Mei Da‐Peng , Yi Ting‐Hua , Li Hong‐Nan
Published: May 2018

Modal identification process has played an important role for civil engineering structures. Among the identification methods, eigensystem realization algorithm is one of the most popular one. However, the noises in practical environment can influent the effectiveness of eigensystem realization algorithm, which can introduce spurious modes due to the overestimated physical order for the structure. This paper proposes a new index named the modal response contribution index (MRCI) for the eigensystem realization algorithm, which can determine the structural physical order and then distinguish spurious mode more precisely. First, the structural responses are divided into different modal response by the well‐known modal superposition theory. Then the square root summation of each modal response is obtained and named as MRCI. A modified stabilization diagram is also presented, which increases the row number of Hankel matrix with the determined order by MRCI. The straight lines formed by the stable points in the modified stabilization diagram designate the structural modal parameters. Finally, one numerical example and the monitoring data of a practical cable‐stayed bridge are employed. The results show that the proposed MRCI and modified stabilization diagram can identify the structural physical mode more precisely.
Nonadiabatic dynamics: The SHARC approach
Authors: Mai Sebastian , Marquetand Philipp , González Leticia
Published: May 2018

We review the Surface Hopping including ARbitrary Couplings (SHARC) approach for excited‐state nonadiabatic dynamics simulations. As a generalization of the popular surface hopping method, SHARC allows simulating the full‐dimensional dynamics of molecules including any type of coupling terms beyond nonadiabatic couplings. Examples of these arbitrary couplings include spin–orbit couplings or dipole moment–laser field couplings, such that SHARC can describe ultrafast internal conversion, intersystem crossing, and radiative processes. The key step of the SHARC approach consists of a diagonalization of the Hamiltonian including these couplings, such that the nuclear dynamics is carried out on potential energy surfaces including the effects of the couplings—this is critical in any applications considering, for example, transition metal complexes or strong laser fields. We also give an overview over the new SHARC2.0 dynamics software package, released under the GNU General Public License, which implements the SHARC approach and several analysis tools. The review closes with a brief survey of applications where SHARC was employed to study the nonadiabatic dynamics of a wide range of molecular systems.

This article is categorized under:

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Reaction Dynamics and Kinetics

Software > Simulation Methods

Software > Quantum Chemistry
Exploring the spectrum of planar AdS4/CFT3 at finite coupling
Authors: Bombardelli Diego , Cavaglià Andrea , Conti Riccardo , Tateo Roberto
Published: May 2018

Abstract

The Quantum Spectral Curve (QSC) equations for planar

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

super-conformal Chern-Simons (SCS) are solved numerically at finite values of the coupling constant for states in the

$$ \mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{l}\left(2\Big|1\right) $$

s
l

2
|
1

sector.

New weak coupling results for conformal dimensions of operators outside the

$$ \mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{l}(2) $$

s
l

2

-like sector are obtained by adapting a recently proposed algorithm for the QSC perturbative solution. Besides being interesting in their own right, these perturbative results are necessary initial inputs for the numerical algorithm to converge on the correct solution.

The non-perturbative numerical outcomes nicely interpolate between the weak coupling and the known semiclassical expansions, and novel strong coupling exact results are deduced from the numerics. Finally, the existence of contour crossing singularities in the TBA equations for the operator 20 is ruled out by our analysis.

The results of this paper are an important test of the QSC formalism for this model, open the way to new quantitative studies and provide further evidence in favour of the conjectured weak/strong coupling duality between

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

SCS and type IIA superstring theory on AdS4 × CP
3. Attached to the arXiv submission, a Mathematica implementation of the numerical method and ancillary files containing the numerical results are provided.
Quantum space and quantum completeness
Authors: Jurić Tajron
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Motivated by the question whether quantum gravity can “smear out” the classical singularity we analyze a certain quantum space and its quantum-mechanical completeness. Classical singularity is understood as a geodesic incompleteness, while quantum completeness requires a unique unitary time evolution for test fields propagating on an underlying background. Here the crucial point is that quantum completeness renders the Hamiltonian (or spatial part of the wave operator) to be essentially self-adjoint in order to generate a unique time evolution. We examine a model of quantum space which consists of a noncommutative BTZ black hole probed by a test scalar field. We show that the quantum gravity (noncommutative) effect is to enlarge the domain of BTZ parameters for which the relevant wave operator is essentially self-adjoint. This means that the corresponding quantum space is quantum complete for a larger range of BTZ parameters rendering the conclusion that in the quantum space one observes the effect of “smearing out” the singularity.
On exponentially suppressed corrections to BMPV black hole entropy
Authors: Lal Shailesh , Narayan Prithvi
Published: May 2018

Abstract

The microscopic formula for the degeneracy of BMPV black hole microstates contains a series of exponentially suppressed corrections to the leading Bekenstein Hawking expression. We identify saddle points of the quantum entropy function for the BMPV black hole which are natural counterparts to these corrections and discuss the matching of leading and next-to-leading terms from the microscopic and macroscopic sides in a limit where the black hole charges are large.
Holographic RG flows on curved manifolds and quantum phase transitions
Authors: Ghosh J. K. , Kiritsis E. , Nitti F. , Witkowski L. T.
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Holographic RG flows dual to QFTs on maximally symmetric curved manifolds (dSd, AdSd, andSd) are considered in the framework of Einstein-dilaton gravity ind+ 1 dimensions. A general dilaton potential is used and the flows are driven by a scalar relevant operator. The general properties of such flows are analyzed and the UV and IR asymptotics computed. New RG flows can appear at finite curvature which do not have a zero curvature counterpart. The so-called ‘bouncing’ flows, where theβ-function has a branch cut at which it changes sign, are found to persist at finite curvature. Novel quantum first-order phase transitions are found, triggered by a variation in thed-dimensional curvature in theories allowing multiple ground states.
Entanglement entropy and the colored Jones polynomial
Authors: Balasubramanian Vijay , DeCross Matthew , Fliss Jackson , Kar Arjun , Leigh Robert G. , Parrikar Onkar
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We study the multi-party entanglement structure of states in Chern-Simons theory created by performing the path integral on 3-manifolds with linked torus boundaries, called link complements. For gauge group SU(2), the wavefunctions of these states (in a particular basis) are the colored Jones polynomials of the corresponding links. We first review the case of U(1) Chern-Simons theory where these are stabilizer states, a fact we use to re-derive an explicit formula for the entanglement entropy across a general link bipartition. We then present the following results for SU(2) Chern-Simons theory: (i) The entanglement entropy for a bipartition of a link gives a lower bound on the genus of surfaces in the ambient S
3 separating the two sublinks. (ii) All torus links (namely, links which can be drawn on the surface of a torus) have a GHZ-like entanglement structure — i.e., partial traces leave a separable state. By contrast, through explicit computation, we test in many examples that hyperbolic links (namely, links whose complements admit hyperbolic structures) have W-like entanglement — i.e., partial traces leave a non-separable state. (iii) Finally, we consider hyperbolic links in the complexified

$$ \mathrm{S}\mathrm{L}\left(2,\mathrm{\mathbb{C}}\right) $$

S
L

2
ℂ

Chern-Simons theory, which is closely related to 3d Einstein gravity with a negative cosmological constant. In the limit of small Newton constant, we discuss how the entanglement structure is controlled by the Neumann-Zagier potential on the moduli space of hyperbolic structures on the link complement.
Remark about non-relativistic string in Newton-Cartan background and null reduction
Authors: Klusoň J.
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We analyze non-relativistic string in Newton-Cartan background that was found recently in arXiv:1705.03535. We find its Hamiltonian formulation and study structure of constraints. We also discuss a relation between string in Newton-Cartan Background and T-duality along null reduction.
Environmental factors affecting population level genetic divergence of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) in South Korea
Authors: Jo Yeong‐Seok , Lee Soo‐Rang , Baccus John Thomas , Jung Jongwoo , Forstner Michael R. J.
Published: May 2018

The cognizing of connectivity among small mammal populations across heterogeneous landscapes is complicated due to complex influences of landscape and anthropogenic factors on gene flow. A landscape genetics approach offers inferences on how landscape features drive population structure. Through a landscape genetics approach, we investigated influences of geographical, environmental, and anthropogenic features on populations of Apodemus agrarius, the striped field mouse, the prime vector of hemorrhagic fever by a landscape genetic approach. We identified landscape features that might affect the population structure of striped field mice by analyzing microsatellite markers of 197 striped field mice from 21 populations throughout South Korea. We developed Maximum‐likelihood population effects models based on landscape distances and resistance matrices and pairwise FST values for meta‐populations of striped field mouse. We also conducted Mantel and partial Mantel tests to investigate geographic patterns of genetic similarities. In Mantel and partial Mantel tests, the FST was significantly correlated with all three models of movement; movement cost, Euclidian distance and least‐cost distance, although the magnitudes of correlations varied. The 4 top‐ranked models included three variables; temperature, precipitation and one human disturbance factor (population). We did not attain a significant effect for anthropogenic factors on genetic similarities among populations in the Korean striped field mouse, but we confirmed a significant association for genetic similarity with climatic features (temperature and precipitation).
Effect of Sexual Intercourse on Lower Extremity Muscle Force in Strength-Trained Men
Authors: Valenti Leah M. , Suchil Claudia , Beltran Gabriel , Rogers Roman C. , Massey Emily A. , Astorino Todd A.
Published: May 2018

Background

Sex has been deemed taboo for athletic performance going back to ancient Rome and Greece, as the act of sex was thought to promote ease and a sense of relaxation.

Aim

This study examined the effect of sexual intercourse completed 12 hours before a bout of isokinetic dynamometry on muscle force production in strength-trained men.

Methods

12 Healthy physically active men (age = 25.6 ± 3.8 years) who were sexually active participated in this study. After men completed a familiarization session on day 1, muscle force was measured during 5 sets of maximal unilateral knee extension (KE) and knee flexion exercise at 30 deg/s after men engaged in or abstained from sexual intercourse within the previous 12 hours. The order of this treatment was randomized across participants, and time of day was maintained across all sessions.

Outcomes

Lower extremity muscle strength and endurance were measured.

Results

Data showed no significant effect (P = .34 and P = .39) of sexual intercourse on peak or average KE or knee flexion torque. For example, after sexual intercourse, KE torque was similar in set 1 (198.9 ± 39.1 ft/lb vs 190.2 ± 28.7 ft/lb) and set 5 (163.2 ± 30.8 ft/lb vs 159.4 ± 35.2 ft/lb) compared to when men abstained from sexual intercourse.

Clinical Translation

Engaging in sexual intercourse on the night before exercise is not detrimental to muscular strength in active men.

Conclusions

This study is strengthened by use of a homogeneous sample of active men as well as precise determination of changes in muscle function via isokinetic dynamometry. However, completion of sexual intercourse was confirmed through self-report rather than direct observation, so it is not certain if participants actually met the requirements of each condition. Results demonstrate that sexual intercourse does not significantly impact lower extremity muscle force, which suggests that restricting sexual activity before short-term, high-force activity is unnecessary.
A Guide to the Use of Museum Collections for Archaeological Research
Authors: Stone Tammy
Published: May 2018

From a perusal of archaeological and museum journals it is apparent that there is a rich literature dealing with topics such as the place of museums and repositories in anthropological research, engagement with indigenous/descendant populations by archaeologists working in a variety of settings (including collections-based research), and research centered on the study of existing archaeological collections. Despite this rich literature, however, the archaeological researcher who wishes to use collections in archives, museums, or repositories for the first time is often perplexed by how to gain access to collections, how to communicate with archive/museum/repository professionals, the constraints that archive/museum/repository professionals work under, and—at an even more basic level—what the difference between an archive, a museum, and a repository actually is. This article addresses some of these questions and provides a practical guide to opening up the vast research opportunities presented by existing collections.
New Governance and Regulation in the Energy Sector: What does the Future Hold for EU Network Codes?
Authors: VLACHOU Charikleia
Published: May 2018

EU network codes are legally binding rules related to cross-border and market integration issues and elaborated through a complex procedure set by the third energy package. This article comments on the experience accumulated so far and identifies future challenges by following the “life cycle” of EU network codes from their elaboration phase to the current stage of their implementation.
The prevalence of major mental illness, substance misuse and homelessness in Irish prisoners: systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Gulati G. , Keating N. , O’Neill A. , Delaunois I. , Meagher D. , Dunne C. P.
Published: May 2018

Aims

To systematically review studies from Irish prisons that estimate the prevalence of major mental illness, alcohol and substance misuse, and homelessness at the time of committal.

Methods

Healthcare databases were searched for studies quantifying the point prevalence for each outcome of interest. Searches were augmented by scanning of bibliographies and searches of governmental and non-governmental websites. Proportional meta-analyses were completed for each outcome.

Results

We found eight, six and five studies quantifying the point prevalence of major mental illness, substance misuse, and homelessness respectively. Considerable heterogeneity was found for each subgroup (except psychosis where substantial heterogeneity was observed) and random effects models were used to calculate pooled percentages. The pooled percentage for psychotic disorder was 3.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0–4.2%], for affective disorder 4.3% (95% CI 2.1–7.1%), for alcohol use disorder 28.3% (95% CI 19.9–37.4%), for substance use disorder 50.9% (95% CI 37.6–64.2%) and for those who were homeless on committal 17.4% (95% CI 8.7–28.4%).

Conclusions

Estimates for the prevalence of psychotic illness and substance abuse amongst Irish prisoners are in keeping with international estimates of morbidity in prisons, whilst those for affective disorders are lower. The prevalence of homelessness in committal to Irish prisons is higher than some international estimates. Rates for psychoses, alcohol and substance misuse as well as homelessness in Irish prisons are significantly higher than the general population prevalence of these vulnerabilities. A need for service development is discussed.
Internal waves generated by a stratified wake: experiment and theory
Authors: Meunier P. , Le Dizès S. , Redekopp L. , Spedding G. R.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents experimental and theoretical results on the internal waves emitted by a bluff body moving horizontally in a linearly stratified fluid. Three different bluff bodies (a sphere, a spheroid and a cylinder) have been used in order to study the effect of the shape of the bluff body, although most of the results are obtained for the sphere. Two types of internal waves have been observed experimentally: large wavelength lee waves generated by the bluff body itself and small wavelength coherent wake waves generated by the turbulent wake. First, the lee waves are separated from the wake waves by averaging the experimental measurements in the frame moving with the bluff body. The velocity amplitude of the lee waves scales as the inverse of the Froude number $F=2U_{B}/(ND)$ for $F>2$ (where $U_{B}$ is the towing velocity, $D$ the diameter and $N$ the buoyancy frequency). This scaling proves that the internal waves are related to the drag of the bluff body which is due to the separation of the flow behind the bluff body. This separation is usually not taken into account in the classical models which assume that the flow is dipolar. The drag can be modelled as a point force in the Navier–Stokes equations, which gives a correct prediction of the structure and the amplitude of the lee waves. Second, the wake waves have been separated from the lee waves by averaging the velocity fields in the frame moving at the phase velocity of the waves. The phase velocity and the wavelength scale as $F^{-2/3}$ and $F^{1/3}$ respectively which correspond to the velocity and distance between same sign vortices of the von Kármán vortex street. A simplified model is derived for the internal waves emitted by the double row of moving point vortices of the von Kármán street. The amplitude of the wake waves is measured experimentally and seems to depend on the Reynolds number.
“Will the Jungle Take Over?”National Reviewand the Defense of Western Civilization in the Era of Civil Rights and African Decolonization
Authors: CURTIS JESSE
Published: May 2018

During the 1950s and 1960s, conservative intellectuals in the United States described African decolonization and the civil rights movement as symptoms of a global threat to white, Western civilization. In the most influential conservative journal of the period,National Review, writers such as William F. Buckley grouped these events together as dangerous contributors to civilizational decline. In the crucible of transnational black revolt, some conservative intellectuals embraced scientific racism in the 1960s. These often-ignored features of conservative intellectual thought provided space for white supremacist ideals to continue to ferment on the American right into the twenty-first century.
Altered brain gyrification in deficit and non-deficit schizophrenia
Authors: Takayanagi Yoichiro , Sasabayashi Daiki , Takahashi Tsutomu , Komori Yuko , Furuichi Atsushi , Kido Mikio , Nishikawa Yumiko , Nakamura Mihoko , Noguchi Kyo , Suzuki Michio
Published: May 2018

Background

Patients with the deficit form of schizophrenia (D-SZ) are characterized by severe primary negative symptoms and differ from patients with the non-deficit form of schizophrenia (ND-SZ) in several aspects. No study has measured brain gyrification, which is a potential marker of neurodevelopment, in D-SZ and ND-SZ.

Methods

We obtained magnetic resonance scans from 135 schizophrenia patients and 50 healthy controls. The proxy scale for deficit syndrome (PDS) was used for the classification of D-SZ and ND-SZ. The local gyrification index (LGI) of the entire cortex was measured using FreeSurfer. Thirty-seven D-SZ and 36 ND-SZ patients were included in the LGI analyses. We compared LGI across the groups.

Results

SZ patients exhibited hyper-gyral patterns in the bilateral dorsal medial prefrontal and ventromedial prefrontal cortices, bilateral anterior cingulate gyri and right lateral parietal/occipital cortices as compared with HCs. Although patients with D-SZ or ND-SZ had higher LGI in similar regions compared with HC, the hyper-gyral patterns were broader in ND-SZ. ND-SZ patients exhibited a significantly higher LGI in the left inferior parietal lobule relative to D-SZ patients. Duration of illness inversely associated with LGI in broad regions only among ND-SZ patients.

Conclusions

The common hyper-gyral patterns among D-SZ and ND-SZ suggest that D-SZ and ND-SZ may share neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The different degrees of cortical gyrification seen in the left parietal regions, and the distinct correlation between illness chronicity and LGI observed in the prefrontal and insular cortices may be related to the differences in the clinical manifestations among D-SZ and ND-SZ.
ASYMPTOTIC THEORY FOR ESTIMATING DRIFT PARAMETERS IN THE FRACTIONAL VASICEK MODEL
Authors: Xiao Weilin , Yu Jun
Published: May 2018

This article develops an asymptotic theory for estimators of two parameters in the drift function in the fractional Vasicek model when a continuous record of observations is available. The fractional Vasicek model with long-range dependence is assumed to be driven by a fractional Brownian motion with the Hurst parameter greater than or equal to one half. It is shown that, when the Hurst parameter is known, the asymptotic theory for the persistence parameter depends critically on its sign, corresponding asymptotically to the stationary case, the explosive case, and the null recurrent case. In all three cases, the least squares method is considered, and strong consistency and the asymptotic distribution are obtained. When the persistence parameter is positive, the estimation method of Hu and Nualart (2010) is also considered.
Serum anti-tetanus and measles antibody titres in Ugandan children aged 4 months to 6 years: implications for vaccine programme
Authors: Warrener Lenesha , Bwogi Josephine , Andrews Nick , Samuel Dhanraj , Kabaliisa Theopista , Bukenya Henry , Brown Kevin , Roper Martha H , Featherstone David A , Brown David
Published: May 2018

To study the antibody response to tetanus toxoid and measles by age following vaccination in children aged 4 months to 6 years in Entebbe, Uganda. Serum samples were obtained from 113 children aged 4–15 months, at the Mother-Child Health Clinic (MCHC), Entebbe Hospital and from 203 of the 206 children aged between 12 and 75 months recruited through the Outpatients Department (OPD). Antibodies to measles were quantified by plaque reduction neutralisation test (PRNT) and with Siemens IgG EIA. VaccZyme IgG EIA was used to quantify anti-tetanus antibodies. Sera from 96 of 113 (85.0%) children attending the MCHC contained Measles PRNT titres below the protective level (120 mIU/ml). Sera from 24 of 203 (11.8%) children attending the OPD contained PRNT titres <120 mIU/ml. There was no detectable decline in anti-measles antibody concentrations between 1 and 6 years. The anti-tetanus antibody titres in all 113 children attending MCHC and in 189 of 203 (93.1%) children attending the OPD were >0.15 IU/ml by EIA, a level considered protective. The overall concentration of anti-tetanus antibody was sixfold higher in children under 12 months compared with the older children, with geometric mean concentrations of 3.15 IU/ml and 0.49 IU/ml, respectively. For each doubling in age between 4 and 64 months, the anti-tetanus antibody concentration declined by 50%. As time since the administration of the third DTP vaccination doubled, anti-tetanus antibody concentration declined by 39%. The low measles antibody prevalence in the children presenting at the MCHC is consistent with the current measles epidemiology in Uganda, where a significant number of measles cases occur in children under 1 year of age and earlier vaccination may be indicated. The consistent fall in anti-tetanus antibody titre over time following vaccination supports the need for further vaccine boosters at age 4–5 years as recommended by the WHO.
Social contact patterns of infants in deciding vaccination strategy: a prospective, cross-sectional, single-centre study
Authors: Oguz M. M. , Camurdan A. D. , Aksakal F. N. , Akcaboy M. , Altinel Acoglu E.
Published: May 2018

Social contact between individuals is believed to be a fundamental cause in the transmission of many respiratory tract infections. Because they have not yet been fully vaccinated, infants are at high risk for contracting whooping cough, influenza and their serious complications. Therefore, determining infant social contact patterns is an important step in protecting them from respiratory tract infection. This study included 1200 healthy infants (<12 months of age). Social contact diaries were used to estimate the frequency and nature of the infants’ social contacts. This survey also gathered information regarding the infants’ respiratory symptoms and their frequency of attendance at crowded places over a period of 1 week. The diary return rate was 83.8% (N = 1006), and there was a total of 4706 contacts reported for these infants. The median daily contact number per capita was 4 (range 1–18). The median number of contacts with adolescents was 0 (range 0–7). Of the infants, 50.3% had contact with non-household individuals. The mothers had the longest contacts with their babies. Contacts with school children, frequency of attendance at crowded places and age were determined to be significant effective factors for reporting respiratory symptoms. Results suggest that school-age siblings and the mothers should be primarily vaccinated, and parents should keep their babies away from crowded places for protecting their infants.
UNFOLDING PARALLEL REASONING IN ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE
Authors: Rahman Shahid , Iqbal Muhammad
Published: May 2018

One of the epistemological results emerging from this initial study is that the different forms of co-relational inference, known in the Islamic jurisprudence as qiyās, represent an innovative and sophisticated form of reasoning that not only provides new epistemological insights into legal reasoning in general but also furnishes a fine-grained pattern for parallel reasoning which can be deployed in a wide range of problem-solving contexts and does not seem to reduce to the standard forms of analogical argumentation studied in contemporary philosophy of science. However, in the present paper we will only discuss the case of so-called co-relational inferences of the occasioning factor and only in the context of Islamic jurisprudence.
On ‘Strategic Frontiers’: Debating the Borders of the Post-Second World War Balkans
Authors: DRAGOSTINOVA THEODORA
Published: May 2018

This article examines debates between Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia concerning the post-Second World War Balkan borders in preparation for the Paris Peace Conference of 1946. While for most of the twentieth century Greece and Yugoslavia were close allies united in their position against revisionist Bulgaria, after 1944 the communist affiliations of the new Bulgarian and Yugoslav governments determined the rapprochement between the latter two states. As various proposals for border revisions and the possibility of a Balkan Federation were discussed, the Balkans became a prime battlefield in the emerging Cold War split between the Soviet Union, Britain and the United States. By examining a period of extreme political fluidity between 1944 and 1947, this article explores how the legacy of long-standing national tensions combined with the new political realities after the Second World War created the current borders of Bulgaria, Greece and the (former Yugoslav) Republic of Macedonia.
The Probability of Non-Existence of a Subgraph in a Moderately Sparse Random Graph
Authors: STARK DUDLEY , WORMALD NICK
Published: May 2018

We develop a general procedure that finds recursions for statistics counting isomorphic copies of a graph G0 in the common random graph models ${\cal G}$(n,m) and ${\cal G}$(n,p). Our results apply when the average degrees of the random graphs are below the threshold at which each edge is included in a copy of G0. This extends an argument given earlier by the second author for G0=K3 with a more restricted range of average degree. For all strictly balanced subgraphs G0, our results give much information on the distribution of the number of copies of G0 that are not in large ‘clusters’ of copies. The probability that a random graph in ${\cal G}$(n,p) has no copies of G0 is shown to be given asymptotically by the exponential of a power series in n and p, over a fairly wide range of p. A corresponding result is also given for ${\cal G}$(n,m), which gives an asymptotic formula for the number of graphs with n vertices, m edges and no copies of G0, for the applicable range of m. An example is given, computing the asymptotic probability that a random graph has no triangles for p=o(n−7/11) in ${\cal G}$(n,p) and for m=o(n15/11) in ${\cal G}$(n,m), extending results of the second author.