bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of stereo‐defect distribution on the crystallization and polymorphic behavior of β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide composites with different melt structures
Authors: Jiang Xi , Yu Yansong , Xu Ruizhang , Li Lu , Cao Ya , Xiang Ming , Kang Jian , Sheng Xingyue
Published: March 2019

In this study, we have prepared two β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide (β‐iPP/GO) composites with different stereo‐defect distribution (named NPP‐B and NPP‐A). The role of stereo‐defect distribution on the crystallization and polymorphic behaviors of samples with varied melt structures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that NPP‐B (who with more uniform stereo‐defect distribution) prefers β‐crystallization; while NPP‐A has a strong α‐nucleation tendency and can hardly form β‐phase; as fusion temperature decreases from 200°C to 168°C, the relative percentages of β‐phase of NPP‐B and NPP‐A exhibit the same trends, suggesting that the β‐nucleation efficiency is enhanced by the ordered structure effect (OSE) and causes β‐crystallization even in NPP‐A. Moreover, the lower limiting temperatures of Region‐II of NPP‐B and NPP‐A are the same but their upper limiting temperatures are different, indicating the uniformity of stereo‐defect distribution also influences temperature window for OSE. Related mechanisms were discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1097–1104 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Ant Colony Optimization and Local Weighted Structural Equation Modeling. A Tutorial on Novel Item and Person Sampling Procedures for Personality Research
Authors: Olaru Gabriel , Schroeders Ulrich , Hartung Johanna , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: March 2019

Measurement in personality development faces many psychometric problems. First, theory–based measurement models do not fit the empirical data in terms of traditional confirmatory factor analysis. Second, measurement invariance across age, which is necessary for a meaningful interpretation of age–associated personality differences, is rarely accomplished. Finally, continuous moderator variables, such as age, are often artificially categorized. This categorization leads to bias when interpreting differences in personality across age. In this tutorial, we introduce methods to remedy these problems. We illustrate how Ant Colony Optimization can be used to sample indicators that meet prespecified demands such as model fit. Further, we use Local Structural Equation Modeling to resample and weight subjects to study differences in the measurement model across age as a continuous moderator variable. We also provide a detailed illustration for both tools with the Neuroticism scale of the openly available International Personality Item Pool – NEO inventory using data from the UK sample ( N = 15 827). Combined, both tools can remedy persistent problems in research on personality and its development. In addition to a step–by–step illustration, we provide commented syntax for both tools. © 2019 European Association of Personality Psychology
Do cognitive heuristics underpin symptom appraisal for symptoms of cancer?: A secondary qualitative analysis across seven cancers
Authors: Kummer Sonja , Walter Fiona M. , Chilcot Joseph , Emery Jon , Sutton Stephen , Scott Suzanne E.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To explore the evidence for cognitive heuristics or “rules of thumb” used within patients' reports of symptom appraisal and decisions to seek help for symptoms of cancer.

Methods

A secondary analysis of interviews from existing studies that explored symptom appraisal in patients who had sought help for potential symptoms of cancer. Transcripts from n = 50 in‐depth interviews with patients referred with symptoms suspicious of cancer (pancreas, colorectal, oral, lung, melanoma, breast, and prostate) were re‐analysed using a deductive thematic approach underpinned by the heuristics outlined in the Common Sense Model of Illness Self‐regulation as set within the Model of Pathways to Treatment.

Results

The most dominant heuristic in patient reports was the Rate of change rule (ie, symptoms that are worsening, increasing, or have a sudden onset [rather than improving, stable or decreasing in number] are more likely to indicate illness). There was also support for the Duration rule, Pattern rule, Chronology rule, Severity (of interference) rule, Age‐illness rule, Novelty rule, Similarity rule, Location rule, and Optimistic bias rule. There was a lack of evidence for the Prevalence and Stress‐illness rules.

Conclusions

People do appear to use heuristics to guide their appraisal of symptoms and their perceived need for healthcare. Heuristics may be an important aspect underlying symptom misinterpretation, thus making them key targets for interventions. For instance, campaigns could tackle cognitive biases rather than focusing on specific symptom awareness. Myth‐busting messages could highlight that intermittent, mild symptoms, and symptoms that are not worsening can be signs of a serious health problem.
Health literacy and cancer care coordination in Chinese migrant patients and their carers: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Lim Bee Teng , Huang Yi‐Jing , Shepherd Heather L. , Shaw Joanne , Costa Daniel , Durcinoska Ivana , Young Jane M. , White Kate , Sze Minglo , Butow Phyllis
Published: March 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the levels of health literacy and experience of care coordination among Chinese migrant patients with cancer and their carers in Australia, and to examine factors associated with these.

Methods

Patients' self‐reported data were collected using the Health Literacy and Cancer Care Coordination questionnaires. We conducted multivariate linear regression analyses to investigate predictors of patients' health literacy and their care experience. Canonical correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between patients' health literacy and their care experience.

Results

A total of 68 patients and eight carers participated in the survey. Patients and carers reported similar levels of health literacy, with the lowest scores being in the “Having sufficient information to manage health” and “Navigating the health system” subscales. Gender (P = 0.026, partial η2 = 0.281) and educational attainment (P = 0.015, partial η2 = 0.250) had significant and large effects on patients' health literacy, after controlling for each other. Educational attainment showed a significant and medium association with patients' experience of cancer care coordination (P = 0.041, partial η2 = 0.101). A large and positive correlation was found between patients' health literacy and experience of cancer care coordination (canonical correlation = 0.81).

Conclusions

Our findings reveal the health literacy and care coordination needs of Chinese migrant patients with cancer in Australia, especially those with lower educational attainment. Future efforts are necessary to enhance Chinese migrants' health literacy and establish an accessible and easy‐to‐navigate care environment.
Intensity calibration for monochromated Al Kα XPS instruments using polyethylene
Authors: Shard Alexander G. , Spencer Steve J.
Published: March 2019

We describe a method for the intensity calibration of XPS instruments using polyethylene as the reference material. Previous methods have employed noble metals, such as gold, silver, and copper. Polyethylene has a number of advantages over these. It has far fewer photoelectron and Auger electron peaks than such metals, ie, the spectrum largely comprises inelastic background over a wide and continuous range of kinetic energies. The XPS spectrum can be described by a mathematical function enabling simple and noise‐free implementation of the reference spectrum. Polyethylene can be cleaned ex situ using a sharp knife or razor blade to remove trace oxygen and, due to its chemical composition, should not be affected by adventitious carbon contamination. Thus, an ion source for sputter cleaning is not required, although an electron flood source for charge compensation is required. The drawback to using polyethylene is that the photoelectron yield is far lower than gold or silver, and this necessitates longer acquisition times and removal of dark noise. Longer acquisition times carry the risk of damaging the polyethylene surface, and we show that, even if damage does occur, it has a negligible effect on the XPS background intensity. The reference spectrum is valid for monochromated Al Kα XPS instruments with a monochromator‐sample‐analyser angle close to 60°.
Ratiometric Fluorescent Detection of ClO− Based on Dual‐Emission F1‐Rubpy@Nanoscale Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Cai Keying , Zeng Mulan , Wang Li , Song Yonghai , Chen Lili
Published: March 2019

Herein, a facile one‐pot strategy was developed to synthesize novel dual‐emission nanoscale ZnMOF74 encapsulating with fluorescein o‐acrylate (F1) and tris(2,2’‐bipyridyl)‐dichroruthenium(II) hexahydrate (Rubpy) (F1‐Rubpy@ZnMOF74). The as‐prepared dual‐emission F1‐Rubpy@ ZnMOF74 nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms and fluorescence techniques. The results showed F1‐Rubpy@ZnMOF74 nanocomposites were spherical with diameter of 100–300 nm, and exhibited good water dispersion. F1 and Rubpy were uniformly encapsulated in the pores of ZnMOF74. The nanosensor displayed strong emission peaks of F1 at 512 nm and Rubpy at 600 nm. The I512nm/I600nm decreased with increasing concentration of ClO− in the range of 3.6 nM‐100 μM with low detection limit of 1.2 nM. The nanocomposites also showed high sensitivity, selectivity and stability, which was expected to apply in quality testing of industrial goods and further biological cell experiments. The work also provides a good method to construct ratiometric fluorescent sensors based on MOFs.
Design, Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Noscapine Glycoconjugates
Authors: Mishra Kunj B , Tiwari Neeraj , Bose Priyanka , Singh Rajan , Rawat Arun K , Singh Sumit K. , Mishra Ram C. , Singh Rakesh K , Tiwari Vinod K.
Published: March 2019

The present work is directed to design a series of molecules which are hybrids of two non‐toxic biocompatible chemical architectures, noscapine and carbohydrates. Fourteen, 7‐O‐noscapine analogues have been synthesized out of which one of the analogue is 7‐O‐propargylated derivative and others are in its glycoconjugate form with triazole bridging achieved via Click reaction, where dinuclear copper(I) thiodiacetate complex [(PPh3)2Cu(μ‐tda)Cu(PPh3)2].6H2O has been emerged as an excellent catalyst for the noscapine‐glyco Click‐coupling. All the developed noscapine glycoconjugates have been investigated for anticancer activity using HeLa cell line and anti‐leishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani. Result indicates that five of the developed noscapine glycoconjugates (5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 e and 5 l) showed significant anti‐proliferative activity. On the other hand, four of them (5 b, 5 c, 5 e, and 5 l) showed significant anti‐leishmanial activity.
Simple and Green Procedures for the Synthesis of 3,5‐Bis(alkylthio)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazoles via Oxidative Dimerization of Dithiocarbamates
Authors: Halimehjani Azim Ziyaei , Sharifi Ali , Rahimzadeh Hossein
Published: March 2019

Oxidative dimerization of S‐alkyl dithiocarbamates with molecular iodine and oxone were applied as efficient protocols for the synthesis of 3,5‐bis(alkylthio)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazoles. Performing the reactions in green solvents, obtaining excellent yield of products under mild reaction conditions, avoiding the use of transition metals and hypervalent iodines, and using inexpensive, readily available, safe and environmentally benign oxidants are the main advantages of these protocols. In addition, the reported methods in this paper allow chemists to synthesize the title compounds both in organic and aqueous media.
Solvent‐Induced Self‐Assembly of Naphthalenediimide Conjugated to Tetraphenylethene through D‐ and L‐Alanine
Authors: Goskulwad Santosh P. , More Vishal G. , Kobaisi Mohammad Al , Bhosale Rajesh S. , La Dung Duc , Antolasic Frank , Bhosale Sidhanath V. , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: March 2019

Herein, the synthesis and supramolecular self‐assembly of naphthalenediimide (NDI)‐tetraphenylethene (TPE) conjugates with l‐alanine (coded as: 1) and d‐alanine (coded as: 2) was investigated. The pair stereoisomer molecules were designed to undergo self‐assembly under solvophobic effects. Mixtures of THF–water was used to fine tune the solvophobic effect leading to microbelt for both 1 and 2 in 40% v/v of THF in H2O, while microbelt and particulate microsphere supramolecular structures were observed in 20%, v/v THF in H2O. When 10% THF in H2O was employed derivative 1 produces belt‐like structures, however, 2 produces microsphere. Less uniformly defined microstructure morphologies of 1 and 2 were formed in THF/hexane and DCM/hexane. The solvophobic effect on self‐assembly further evidenced using UV/Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopies. DLS used to evaluate formation of assembly in solution, DFT (density functional theory) and TD‐DFT (time dependent density functional theory) molecular modelling support the hypothesis. Scanning electron microscopy used to visualise formation of supramolecular self‐assembled nano‐ and micro‐structures.
Redox Additive Electrolyte Study of Mn–MOF Electrode for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Sundriyal Shashank , Shrivastav Vishal , Sharma Meenu , Mishra Sunita , Deep Akash
Published: March 2019

The selection of appropriate electrode materials and electrolytes in addition to optimization of their combinations is a key to improve the performance of supercapacitors. Among the new electrode materials, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) based electrodes are attracting attention in energy storage devices, including supercapacitors and batteries. In recent years, the redox additive electrolytes have been projected as efficient options over simple aqueous electrolytes. The present work reports the synthesis of a layered MOF, i. e., manganese‐1,4‐ benzene dicarboxylate (Mn‐BDC) and explores its utility as a supercapacitor electrode in the presence of an optimized redox additive electrolyte (0.2 M K3[Fe(CN)6] in 1 M Na2SO4 (0.2 M KFCN)). As demonstrated for the first time in this study, the combined use of the porous Mn‐BDC electrode and KFCN electrolyte has provided a synergistic enhancement in the supercapacitor performance. The present Mn‐BDC/KFCN combination has delivered a high specific capacitance of 1590 F/g at a current density of 3 A/g. Furthermore, the Mn‐BDC electrode could retain around 82% of its initial specific capacitance even after 3000 continuous charge‐discharge cycles. In view of its encouraging electrochemical performance parameters, the proposed system can be touted as an efficient supercapacitor assembly.
Depolymerization of End‐of‐Life Poly(bisphenol A carbonate) via Transesterification with Acetic Anhydride as Depolymerization Reagent
Authors: Alberti Christoph , Scheliga Felix , Enthaler Stephan
Published: March 2019

The chemical recycling, a combination of depolymerization and polymerization processes, of end‐of‐life plastics/polymers can contribute to a more sustainable, resource‐conserving and environmental‐benign society. In this regard, we have set up a capable procedure for the chemical recycling of the bisphenol A unit of poly(bisphenol A carbonate). In more detail, acetic acid or acetic anhydride were used as depolymerization reagent in the DMAP‐catalyzed conversion of end‐of‐life poly(bisphenol A carbonate) to obtain bisphenol A diacetate as well‐defined product. Moreover, it was demonstrated that bisphenol A diacetate in combination with diphenyl carbonate can be applied in the potassium tert‐butoxide catalyzed synthesis of new poly(bisphenol A carbonate). In consequence a recycling of poly(bisphenol A carbonate) is feasible.
Passivating Crystal Boundaries with Potassium‐Rich Phase in Organic Halide Perovskite
Authors: Kuai Liang , Wang Yusheng , Zhang Zixiang , Yang Yingguo , Qin Yuanshuai , Wu Tian , Li Yajuan , Li Youyong , Song Tao , Gao Xingyu , Wang Lu , Sun Baoquan
Published: March 2019

Recently, considerable researches have reported that the incorporation of potassium cation (K+) in lead halide perovskites obviously improves the performance of perovskite solar cells. The recent finding indicates that the interstitial occupancy position of K+ in perovskite lattice can increase ion‐migration barrier, which dramatically suppresses the hysteresis of the device. However, the enhancement of photoluminescence (PL) as well as bandgap variation cannot be interpreted by K+ interstitial state in perovskite. Considering this discrepancy, it has been found out that potassium‐rich phase grows in three dimensional (3D) perovskite crystal grain boundary through both experiments and theoretical simulations, which can efficiently passivate the grain boundaries on the 3D crystal surface and decrease trap states. Meanwhile, the dielectric confinement effect between potassium‐rich phase and 3D perovskite crystal, contributing to improvement of radiative recombination in perovskite absorber, can further support the enhancement and red‐shift of photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Therefore, a power conversion efficiency of 20.4% has been achieved in K+ doped halide perovskite solar cell, and still maintains 90% initial efficiency after stored in 30% humidity at room temperature for 1000 h. These findings offer a new path for the structural manipulation by incorporating multi cations in perovskite materials.
Effect of Interface Morphology on Tensile Properties of Carbon Steel Sheet with Sandwich Structure
Authors: Ueji Rintaro , Inoue Tadanobu
Published: March 2019

Tensile properties of steel sheet with the sandwich mesostructure are studied to clarify the influence of interface morphology. The 0.05%C and the 0.45%C steel flat plates with the same volume fractions to each other are stacked as the surface and the center layers, respectively, and the stacked sheets are welded by hot compression in plain strain condition. Additionally, before the stacking, V‐shaped grooves are cut along the direction perpendicular to the tensile axis on the surfaces, where the different two carbon steel sheets contact in the stacking. The compression of the grooved sheets realizes the sandwich mesostructure with largely waved interfaces. The microstructures of the surface and the center layers are ferrite–pearlite and lath martensite, respectively. The tensile test at room temperature clarifies that the grooved interface deteriorates the fracture stress. The fracture occurrs where the local tensile stress increases due to the restraint effect by the interface.
Das Schalentragwerk des Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 – Bemessung und Ausführung einer komplexen Megastruktur in Zeiten der Digitalisierung
Authors: Blandini Lucio , Nieri Guido , Sobek Werner
Published: March 2019

Der internationale Flughafen von Kuwait wird bis 2022 um ein neues Terminalgebäude nach einem Entwurf von Foster + Partner erweitert. Das neue Terminal hat eine Kantenlänge von fast 1,2 km, eine lichte Höhe von bis zu 25 m und eine Dachfläche von 320 000 m 2. Das Gebäude zeichnet sich aber nicht nur durch seine Größe, sondern auch durch die Komplexität seines Dachtragwerks aus. Trotz seines großen Umfangs musste das Dach ohne Dehnfugen geplant werden. Dies hatte umfangreiche Auswirkungen auf Bemessung und Berechnung aller Bauteile. Das Dachtragwerk ist ein statisch hochgradig unbestimmtes System. Die Interaktion zwischen den verschiedenen Komponenten ist hierdurch sehr komplex, sodass jede Steifigkeitsänderung bei einem Element maßgeblichen Einfluss auf die statische Auslastung der anderen Bauteile hat. Der vorliegende Aufsatz beschreibt, wie dieser anspruchsvolle Entwurf mithilfe komplexer digitaler Methoden und Werkzeuge realisierbar gemacht werden konnte.
Torque distribution strategy for modular cascade machines used in EVs
Authors: Han Shouliang , Li Kaibo , Cui Shumei , Zhu Chunbo , Zheng Wei
Published: March 2019

A modular cascade machine (MCM) system is employed as the driving system in electric vehicles (EVs). It is comprised of unit motors like series batteries, which can expand the high‐efficiency region effectively and can be regarded as a redundant system with excellent fault‐tolerance ability. In this paper, an improved rule‐based torque distribution strategy for the MCM system is developed. First, the simulation model of EVs using the MCM system is built with the ideology of reverse simulation, providing a platform for the study of the torque distribution strategy. Then, according to the power requirement of the EV, a rule‐based strategy of output torque distribution is proposed, which can improve vehicle economy and the motor's working conditions. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Intelligent wind turbine gearbox diagnosis using VMDEA and ELM
Authors: Isham Muhammad Firdaus , Leong Muhammad Salman , Lim Meng Hee , Bin Ahmad Zair Asrar
Published: March 2019

Wind turbine gearbox diagnosis is a vital tool for maintaining wind turbine operation and safety. The gearbox vibration signal is invariably complex and variable, and useful information and features are difficulty of extraction. Recently, a new and adaptive signal decomposition method, known as variational mode decomposition (VMD), has been proposed, which helps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of extracting features from gearbox vibration signals. However, the performance of the VMD method mainly depends on its input parameters, especially the mode number and balancing parameter (also called the quadratic penalty term). Hence, this paper proposes a selection method for an optimized VMD parameter using differential evolution algorithm (DEA), also called VMDEA. Firstly, the VMDEA is used to select optimized VMD input parameters for each of the vibration signals. Following this, VMD decomposes each vibration signal into sets of subsignals using the selected optimized parameter. Multidomain features are extracted from VMD reconstructed signals and are passed on to the extreme learning machine (ELM) for fault classification. This study can thus provide a good solution for determining an optimized VMD parameter for decomposing vibration signals and can also provide a more efficient and effective diagnostic approach to wind turbine gearbox maintenance.
Open forest management for early successional birds
Authors: Hanberry Brice B. , Thompson Frank R.
Published: March 2019

Wildlife biologists classify some bird species as early successional because of apparent dependence on early successional vegetation such as forbs, grasses, shrubs, and small trees. We propose that many “early successional” species were more often associated with open forests such as savannas and woodlands, which covered a much greater extent of the eastern United States under historical disturbance regimes than more ephemeral early successional forest. We draw on several lines of evidence, including knowledge of historical ecosystems and disturbance, landscape analyses, and general literature review to evaluate benefits of open forest ecosystems for early successional birds. Early successional forests covered 1–13% of forestlands in the eastern United States prior to Euro‐American settlement, whereas open forests covered large extents of the United States. Many early successional songbirds reach great densities in open forests and potentially greater numbers in landscapes with historical amounts of open forest than in present‐day landscapes and those under intensive even‐aged forest management. Restoration and management of open forests has not been prioritized or well‐articulated for management of early successional birds and other species. Although both early successional forests and open forests provide habitat for birds, we suggest the great reduction in the historical extent of open forests needs to be addressed through greater restoration and management of open forests if we want to better meet the needs of some early successional birds and other wildlife. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
How manyFanofactors should characterize anX‐ray scintillation spectrometer?
Authors: Samedov Victor V.
Published: March 2019

Bousselham et al. in their article “Photoelectron Anticorrelations and Sub‐Poissonian Statistics in Scintillation Detectors” introduced two Fano factors—the Fano factor for scintillation photons and the Fano factor for photoelectrons. The exact mathematical description of processes at registration of X‐rays by a scintillation detector allows receiving correct formulae for the mean value and the variance of the amplitude at the output of a detector. From the analysis of these formulae, it follows that a scintillation detector should be characterized by only the one Fano factor determining fluctuations in the process of electron‐hole pairs generation. Only this Fano factor is determined by the electronic structure of the scintillation crystal and does not depend on the transparency and coating of the scintillation crystal, and the characteristic of photodetectors, and the crystal‐photodetector interfaces.
Entanglement-assisted quantum error-correcting codes over arbitrary finite fields
Authors: Galindo Carlos , Hernando Fernando , Matsumoto Ryutaroh , Ruano Diego
Published: March 2019

We prove that the known formulae for computing the optimal number of maximally entangled pairs required for entanglement-assisted quantum error-correcting codes (EAQECCs) over the binary field hold for codes over arbitrary finite fields as well. We also give a Gilbert–Varshamov bound for EAQECCs and constructions of EAQECCs coming from punctured self-orthogonal linear codes which are valid for any finite field.
Tighter Blood Pressure Control Is Associated with Lower Incidence of Erectile Dysfunction in Hypertensive Men
Authors: Hsiao Wayland , Bertsch Ruth Ann , Hung Yun-Yi , Aaronson David S.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Tighter blood pressure control is widely thought to be associated with better erectile function, although the preponderance of data is limited to dichotomous representations of hypertension without an attempt to look at degree of blood pressure control.

Aim

To determine the association between optimal blood pressure control over time and the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a cohort of potent men.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed hypertensive men without major medical comorbidities in an integrated healthcare system. Patients were stratified by exposure to hypertension, with varying levels of blood pressure control, as measured by ordinal categories of systolic blood pressure and deviation from the mean systolic pressure.

Main Outcome Measures

Incidence of ED was defined by at least 2 primary care or urology diagnoses of ED in our electronic health records within 2 years, at least 2 filled prescriptions for ED medications within 2 years, or 1 diagnosis of ED and 2 filled prescriptions for ED medications.

Results

We identified 39,320 newly diagnosed hypertensive men. The overall incidence for ED was 13.9%, with a mean follow-up of 55.1 ± 28.7 months. Higher average systolic blood pressure was associated with a higher risk of ED in a dose-dependent manner (trend test, P < .001). Wide variation in blood pressure control was associated with a higher incidence of ED (OR [95% CI]; 1.359 [1.258–1.469]) and a shorter time to the development of ED (log rank, P < .0001).

Clinical Implications

We believe these data may serve as a motivator for hypertensive men to better adhere to their hypertension treatment regimen.

Strength & Limitations

The retrospective nature of our study precludes us from drawing more than an association between tighter blood pressure control and ED. Strengths of our study include the large sample size, community cohort, and completeness of follow-up.

Conclusion

Among adults diagnosed with hypertension, tighter blood pressure control, as measured by average systolic blood pressure and deviation from the average, is associated with a lower incidence and a longer time to the development of ED.
Advances in Documentation of Commingled and Fragmentary Remains
Authors: Osterholtz Anna J.
Published: March 2019

Commingled and fragmentary remains are found in numerous contexts worldwide. These assemblages typically require large scale, long term study to fully extract and contextualize meaningful data. However, when uncovered in CRM and foreign settings where remains cannot leave their country of origin, there is a need for quick, reliable data collection. Presented here is a recording system for use in field- and research-based laboratory settings. Utilizing visual forms and a minimal set of observations for skeletal elements from the cranium to the foot, the database facilitates data collection of fragment identification, age at death and sex estimation, dental observations, trauma recording, and taphonomic observations. A data dictionary is also provided, with definitions and value lists used in the database itself. The database has been used in field labs throughout the old world and by numerous researchers who have modified it to meet their own research needs. By presenting a minimal standard of data in a highly adaptable database, the recording system described here provides consistent baseline data in a user-friendly, quick-access format
Field Conservation of Skeletal Remains: Stabilization Treatment Techniques and Implications for Future Analysis
Authors: Beaubien Harriet F.
Published: March 2019

The information potential of human skeletal remains—as for any excavated material—is impacted by the conditions of archaeological burial, and the environments and actions experienced during subsequent excavation, laboratory processing, study, and storage. A conservation approach emphasizes the mitigation of threats to material stability and integrity, which for excavated collections are often most critical at the point of archaeological exposure and recovery. Conservation techniques involving application of modern synthetic materials for stabilizing skeletal remains in the field are discussed, using case examples primarily from terrestrial archaeological projects in Mesoamerica. The potential effects of the use of various conservation materials on results of biomolecular instrumental analysis are included.
Linkages between geochemistry and microbiology in a proglacial terrain in the High Arctic
Authors: Wojcik Robin , Donhauser Jonathan , Frey Beat , Holm Stine , Holland Alexandra , Anesio Alexandre M. , Pearce David A. , Malard Lucie , Wagner Dirk , Benning Liane G.
Published: March 2019

Proglacial environments are ideal for studying the development of soils through the changes of rocks exposed by glacier retreat to weathering and microbial processes. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents as well as soil pH and soil elemental compositions are thought to be dominant factors structuring the bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities in the early stages of soil ecosystem formation. However, the functional linkages between C and N contents, soil composition and microbial community structures remain poorly understood. Here, we describe a multivariate analysis of geochemical properties and associated microbial community structures between a moraine and a glaciofluvial outwash in the proglacial area of a High Arctic glacier (Longyearbreen, Svalbard). Our results reveal distinct differences in developmental stages and heterogeneity between the moraine and the glaciofluvial outwash. We observed significant relationships between C and N contents,δ13Corgandδ15N isotopic ratios, weathering and microbial abundance and community structures. We suggest that the observed differences in microbial and geochemical parameters between the moraine and the glaciofluvial outwash are primarily a result of geomorphological variations of the proglacial terrain.
The smoothing of landscapes during snowfall with no wind
Authors: FILHOL SIMON , STURM MATTHEW
Published: March 2019

Every winter, snowy landscapes are smoothed by snow deposition in calm conditions (no wind). In this study, we investigated how vertically falling snow attenuates topographic relief at horizontal scales less than or approximately equal to snow depth (e.g., 0.1–10 m). In a set of three experiments under natural snowfall, we observed the particle-scale mechanisms by which smoothing is achieved, and we examined the cumulative effect at the snowpack scale. The experiments consisted of (a) a strobe-light box for tracking the trajectories of snowflakes at deposition, (b) allowing snow to fall through a narrow gap (40 mm) and examining snow accumulation above and below the gap, and (c) allowing snow to accumulate over a set of artificial surfaces. At the particle scale, we observed mechanisms enhancing (bouncing, rolling, ejection, breakage, creep, metamorphism) and retarding (interlocking, cohesion, adhesion, sintering) the rate of smoothing. The cumulative effect of these mechanisms is found to be driven by snowpack surface curvature, introducing a directional bias in the lateral transport of snow particles. Our findings suggest that better quantification of the mechanisms behind smoothing by snow could provide insights into the evolution of snow depth variability, and snow-vegetation interactions.
EPONYMY, ENCOUNTERS, AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE IN RUSSIAN PLACE NAMING IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS, 1804–1830
Authors: DOUGLAS BRONWEN , GOVOR ELENA
Published: March 2019

This history of Russian place naming in the Pacific Islands from 1804 to 1830 systematically juxtaposes, correlates, and compares toponyms inscribed in varied genres of Russian texts: map, atlas, journal, narrative, and hydrographic treatise. Its empirical core comprises place names bestowed or recorded by naval officers and naturalists in eastern and northern Pacific archipelagoes during expeditions led by the Baltic German circumnavigators Krusenstern (1803–6), Kotzebue (1815–18), Bellingshausen (1819–21), and Lütke (1826–9). We address the interplay of personality, precedent, circumstance, and embodied encounters in motivating voyagers’ toponymic choices and their material expressions. We consider diverse textual movements from located experience, to specific inscription, to synthesis. Russian toponyms constituted part of the vast stock of historical raw material from which Krusenstern later created the authoritative pioneerAtlas de l'Océan pacifique(1824–7). This toponymic focus is scaffolding for a dual ethnohistorical inquiry: into the implications for Russian toponymy of Indigenous agency during situated encounters with people and places; and into the relative significance of loca'l knowledge conveyed to Russian voyagers by Indigenous interlocutors, and its presence or absence in particular sets of toponyms or different genres of text.
On the Cable Pseudo-Drag Problem of Cable-Driven Parallel Camera Robots at High Speeds
Authors: Wei Huiling , Qiu Yuanying , Sheng Ying
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a control strategy for solving the cable pseudo-drag problem of cable-driven parallel camera robots at high speeds. The control strategy belongs to a hybrid position/tension control method based on cable tension optimization. The cable catenary model and cable pseudo-drag problem are considered firstly. Then, the dynamic model of the cable-driven parallel camera robot is established. The cable tension optimization is proposed. And then a control strategy is put forward and its stability is proved. Simulation results of a four-cable camera robot are presented and discussed.
The voting paradox … with a single voter? Implications for transitivity in choice under risk
Authors: Butler David , Blavatskyy Pavlo
Published: March 2019

The voting paradox occurs when a democratic society seeking to aggregate individual preferences into asocialpreference reaches an intransitive ordering. However it is not widely known that the paradox may also manifest for anindividualaggregating over attributes of risky objects to form a preference over those objects. When this occurs, the relation ‘stochastically greater than’ is not always transitive and so transitivity need not hold between those objects. We discuss the impact of other decision paradoxes to address a series of philosophical and economic arguments against intransitive (cyclical) choice, before concluding that intransitive choices can be justified.
China's UN Peacekeeping in Mali and Comprehensive Diplomacy
Authors: Lanteigne Marc
Published: March 2019

China's increasing participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations reached a milestone in 2013 when Beijing agreed to send a large detachment of personnel, including combat forces for the first time, to support UN peacekeeping operations in Mali after that country fell into civil war. This commitment was also distinct in that unlike other African countries where Beijing has supplied peacekeepers, Mali is not a major trading partner with China. However, this mission has both cemented Beijing's greater commitment to building African partnerships as well as demonstrating its determination to move beyond “resource diplomacy” and towards a more comprehensive approach to engaging the continent. Although China has warmed to the principles of humanitarian intervention in civil conflicts, Mali has been a critical test of China's ability to participate in UN operations in a country which is still facing ongoing violence. The Mali mission is an important step in Beijing's turn towards greater realpolitik in Chinese Beijing's peacekeeping policies in keeping with its great power status. At the same time, participation in the Mali mission has been beneficial for China, not only in helping to build the country's peacekeeping credentials in Africa but also in underscoring China's increasingly distinct views on addressing intervention in civil conflicts.
Microstructural Features of Recycled Aggregate Concrete: From Non-Structural to High-Performance Concrete
Authors: Pedro Diogo , Guedes Mafalda , de Brito Jorge , Evangelista Luís
Published: March 2019

The use of concrete-recycled aggregates to produce high-performance concrete is limited by insufficient correlation between resulting microstructure and its influence on mechanical performance reproducibility. This work addresses this issue in a sequential approach: concrete microstructure was systematically analyzed and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and results were correlated with concrete compressive strength and water absorption ability. The influence of replacing natural aggregates (NA) with recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), with different source concrete strength levels, of silica fume (SF) addition and of mixing procedure was tested. The results show that the developed microstructure depends on the concrete composition and is conditioned by the distinct nature of NA, recycled aggregates from high-strength source concrete, and recycled aggregates from low-strength source concrete. SF was only effective at concrete densification when a two-stage mixing approach was used. The highest achieved strength in concrete with 100% incorporation of RCA was 97.3 MPa, comparable to that of conventional high-strength concrete with NA. This shows that incorporation of significant amounts of RCA replacing NA in concrete is not only a realistic approach to current environmental goals, but also a viable route for the production of high-performance concrete.
SIW resonator fed horn mounted compact DRA with enhanced gain for multiband applications
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Kumar Jitendra , Singh Shailendra , Utkarsh  , Dwari Santanu
Published: March 2019

A novel design of compact and light-weight horn mounted cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (CDRA) fed by substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) resonator has been investigated for high gain and multiband applications. SIW resonator contains two closely spaced longitudinal slots of equal length and unequal width to excite the CDRA. These slots are responsible for introducing triple resonating bands. The excited mode in dielectric resonator by longitudinal slots is EH11δ mode. The achieved impedance bandwidths are 65, 180, and 240 MHz at resonant frequencies 9.78, 10.58, and 11.84 GHz, respectively, for |S11| <−10 dB. Copper-taped horn enhances the gain of antenna more than 2 dB for all resonating bands. The measured peak value of gain is 9.3 dBi at ~11.84 GHz.
Sexual dimorphism on aortic remodelling in rats offspring from diabetic mothers and the role of flaxseed oil in this effect
Authors: Vicente G. C. , Correia-Santos A. M. , Chagas M. A. , Boaventura G. T.
Published: March 2019

Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with aortic remodelling in the fetus, stimulating the development of cardiovascular diseases in adult life. However, studies suggest that the use of foods high in omega-3 fatty acid, such as flaxseed oil, may reverse this effect of metabolic programming. This study aimed at investigating whether the effects of diabetes in mothers are passed on to their offspring in a gender-specific manner and whether the flaxseed oil used during pregnancy and lactation reverses or not the possible negative effects of this programming. Diabetic female rats (n = 18) were mated and allocated into three groups (n = 6): high-fat group (HG); flaxseed oil group (FOG) and control group (CG) (nondiabetic rats) during pregnancy and lactation. On the 21st day, male and female pups were weaned on a standard diet until 180 days. Aorta histomorphometry was analysed. Intima-media layer thickness was larger in FOG than CG in male (+15%) and than HG in female (+13.7%). Male FOG (+11.5%) showed higher amount of elastic fibre than CG. Maternal intake of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation of diabetic mothers program the offspring to increase aorta intima-media layer thickness in adulthood and preserves aorta elastic fibres deposition in male offspring.
Electromagnetic Simulations of Solar Radio Emissions
Authors: Henri P. , Sgattoni A. , Briand C. , Amiranoff F. , Riconda C.
Published: March 2019

Solar radio emissions are electromagnetic waves emitted in the solar wind as a consequence of electron beams accelerated during solar flares or interplanetary shocks such as interplanetary coronal mass ejections. Different physical mechanisms have been suggested to describe their origin. A good understanding of the emission process would enable to infer the kinetic energy transferred from accelerated electrons to radio waves. Even if the electrostatic case has been extensively studied, full electromagnetic simulations were attempted only recently. In this work, we report large‐scale 2D3V electromagnetic particle‐in‐cell simulations that enable to identify the generation of both electrostatic and electromagnetic waves originated by a succession of plasma instabilities. They confirm that an efficient mechanism to generate solar radio emissions close to T2f, the harmonic of the plasma frequency, is a multistage model based on a succession of nonlinear three‐wave interaction processes. Through a parametric study of the electron beam parameters, we show that (i) the global efficiency of the multistep conversion mechanism from the electron beam kinetic energy to the T2f radio wave is independent of the beam parameters, approximately 10−5 in all tested configurations, while (ii) the directivity of the electromagnetic radio wave strongly depends on the origin electron beam. Those results represent a step forward toward the use of solar wind radio emissions, observed remotely, as a diagnostic for the properties of the electron beam located at the source of the radio emission, and therefore to eventually better characterize remotely electron acceleration mechanisms in space regions not directly accessible to in situ measurements.
Validation, Stability, and Consistency of MODIS Collection 6.1 and VIIRS Version 1 Deep Blue Aerosol Data Over Land
Authors: Sayer Andrew M. , Hsu N. Christina , Lee Jaehwa , Kim Woogyung V. , Dutcher Steven T.
Published: March 2019

The Deep Blue (DB) algorithm has been used to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE) over land from multiple satellite instruments, including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS) aboard the Terra and Aqua platforms and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). This study first validates the latest MODIS (Collection 6.1) and VIIRS (Version 1) DB data products against Aerosol Robotic Network observations. On global average, the typical level of uncertainty in AOD is slightly better than ±(0.05 + 20%) relative to Aerosol Robotic Network. AE is quantitatively more uncertain but qualitatively shows skill at distinguishing between fine‐mode and coarse‐mode dominated aerosol columns. Results are also compared with the previous MODIS Collection 6. The stability of the three DB data sets ranges from 0.005–0.01 AOD per decade. Second, spatial and temporal patterns in AOD and AE are compared between the three data sets. It is found that they all show similar patterns of spatial coverage, which is predominantly linked to cloud cover, snow, and polar night. Regional time series of AOD also show highly consistent seasonal and interannual variations and are strongly correlated, although have offsets in some regions due to a combination of algorithmic and sensor‐related differences.
Key Elements of Turbulence Closures for Simulating Deep Convection at Kilometer‐Scale Resolution
Authors: Shi Xiaoming , Chow Fotini Katopodes , Street Robert L. , Bryan George H.
Published: March 2019

Kilometer‐scale grid spacing is increasingly being used in regional numerical weather prediction and climate simulation. This resolution range is in the terra incognita, where energetic eddies are partially resolved and turbulence parameterization is a challenge. The Smagorinsky and turbulence kinetic energy 1.5‐order models are commonly used at this resolution range, but, as traditional eddy‐diffusivity models, they can only represent forward‐scattering turbulence (downgradient fluxes), whereas the dynamic reconstruction model (DRM), based on explicit filtering, permits countergradient fluxes. Here we perform large‐eddy simulation of deep convection with 100‐m horizontal grid spacing and use these results to evaluate the performance of turbulence schemes at 1‐km horizontal resolution. The Smagorinsky and turbulence kinetic energy 1.5 schemes produce large‐amplitude errors at 1‐km resolution, due to excessively large eddy diffusivities attributable to the formulation of the squared moist Brunt‐Väisälä frequency (
). With this formulation in cloudy regions, eddy diffusivity can be excessively increased in “unstable” regions, which produce downward (downgradient) heat flux in a conditionally unstable environment leading to destabilization and further amplification of eddy diffusivities. A more appropriate criterion based on saturation mixing ratio helps eliminate this problem. However, shallow clouds cannot be simulated well in any case at 1‐km resolution with the traditional models, whereas DRM allows for countergradient heat flux for both shallow and deep convection and predicts the distribution of clouds and fluxes satisfactorily. This is because DRM employs an eddy diffusivity model that is dynamically adjusted and a reconstruction approach that allows countergradient fluxes.