bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of metabolic abnormalities in high‐grade glioma using MRSI and convex NMF
Authors: Pedrosa de Barros Nuno , Meier Raphael , Pletscher Martin , Stettler Samuel , Knecht Urspeter , Reyes Mauricio , Gralla Jan , Wiest Roland , Slotboom Johannes
Published: May 2019

Clinical use of MRSI is limited by the level of experience required to properly translate MRSI examinations into relevant clinical information. To solve this, several methods have been proposed to automatically recognize a predefined set of reference metabolic patterns. Given the variety of metabolic patterns seen in glioma patients, the decision on the optimal number of patterns that need to be used to describe the data is not trivial. In this paper, we propose a novel framework to (1) separate healthy from abnormal metabolic patterns and (2) retrieve an optimal number of reference patterns describing the most important types of abnormality. Using 41 MRSI examinations (1.5 T, PRESS, TE 135 ms) from 22 glioma patients, four different patterns describing different types of abnormality were detected: edema, healthy without Glx, active tumor and necrosis. The identified patterns were then evaluated on 17 MRSI examinations from nine different glioma patients. The results were compared against BraTumIA, an automatic segmentation method trained to identify different tumor compartments on structural MRI data. Finally, the ability to predict future contrast enhancement using the proposed approach was also evaluated.
On the optimization of the fixed‐stress splitting for Biot's equations
Authors: Storvik Erlend , Both Jakub W. , Kumar Kundan , Nordbotten Jan M. , Radu Florin A.
Published: May 2019

In this work, we are interested in efficiently solving the quasi‐static, linear Biot model for poroelasticity. We consider the fixed‐stress splitting scheme, which is a popular method for iteratively solving Biot's equations. It is well known that the convergence properties of the method strongly depend on the applied stabilization/tuning parameter. We show theoretically that, in addition to depending on the mechanical properties of the porous medium and the coupling coefficient, they also depend on the fluid flow and spatial discretization properties. The type of analysis presented in this paper is not restricted to a particular spatial discretization, although it is required to be inf‐sup stable with respect to the displacement‐pressure formulation. Furthermore, we propose a way to optimize this parameter that relies on the mesh independence of the scheme's optimal stabilization parameter. Illustrative numerical examples show that using the optimized stabilization parameter can significantly reduce the number of iterations.
Investigation of spatial and temporal variability of site response in the Arunachal Himalaya using ambient seismic noise and earthquake waveforms
Authors: Singh A.P. , Kumar M. Ravi , Pandey Abhay , Roy Ketan Singha
Published: May 2019

The Arunachal region that constitutes the easternmost segment of the Himalaya has experienced two great earthquakes in the past. This portion is geologically and seismo‐tectonically unique compared to the other parts of Himalaya. In this study, the ambient seismic noise and earthquake waveforms registered at 34 broadband seismograph stations with a flat frequency response between 120 and 0.02 seconds are analysed to understand the stability and reliability of the horizontal‐to‐vertical spectral ratio method. Also, we use the bootstrapping method to estimate the uncertainty and variations in the horizontal‐to‐vertical spectral ratio in different seasons. Although the predominant frequency does not show any seasonal variation, the amplitudes reveal a slight dependence. The predominant frequencies in the area mainly vary from 1.1 to 7.0 Hz. At a few sites, two peaks well separated in frequency, indicate shallower and deeper structures with impedance contrast. Our results show that the average predominant frequencies are around 3.5 Hz for the undifferentiated granite gneiss, 4.3 Hz for the Bomdila granite gneiss, 2.1 Hz for the Bomdila group of rocks (Paleoproterozoic), 2.8 Hz for the Gandise batholiths, 2.6 Hz for the Gondwana succession and 1.8 Hz for the Abor formation. The amplification estimated by the site‐to‐reference method varies between 1.5 and 6.2, which is lower than that obtained from the HVSR method. Validation of the results from ambient seismic noise was performed by comparing them with those from the earthquake waveforms and correlation with local geology.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(N‐(2‐mercaptoethyl) acrylamide) microgel for biomedical applications
Authors: Sengel Sultan B. , Sahiner Nurettin
Published: May 2019

N‐(2‐mercaptoethyl) acrylamide (MEAM) monomer was synthesized by acrylation of cysteamine and was cross‐linked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) via dispersion polymerization forming poly(N‐(2‐mercaptoethyl) acrylamide) (p(MEAM)) microgel. Then, the prepared microgels were tested for potential biomedical use, eg, antioxidant capacity and blood compatibility, cytotoxicity, apoptotic, and necrotic cell death; drug delivery properties were determined. Antioxidant studies of p(MEAM) microgels revealed a super antioxidant capability with total phenol content and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity as 6.05 ± 1.15 mg/L gallic acid equivalency and 40.96 ± 2.40 mM trolox/g, respectively. Moreover, the blood compatibility of p(MEAM) microgels on fresh blood was resulted in lower than 1.0% hemolysis ratios for all the studied concentration range, and the blood clotting index was determined as 60.66% at 2.0 mg/mL at microgel concentration. The biocompatibility studies employing WST‐1 test on L929 fibroblast cells and DLD‐1 colon cancer cells have shown that p(MEAM) microgel was biocompatible up to 200 μg/mL concentration with the cell viability values of 84.54% and 86.15% on L929 fibroblast and DLD‐1 colon cancer cells, respectively. Using Captopril was used as model drug to test p(MEAM) microgel as drug delivery device for in vitro release studies at different pHs. Release profile of Captopril was found linear up to 5 hours with the released amounts of 9.81, 12.24, and 13.78 mg g‐1microgel at the pH 1.5, 7.4, and 9.0, respectively.
Fibrinogen Columbus II: A novel c.1075G>T mutation in the FGG gene causing hypodysfibrinogenemia and thrombosis in an adolescent male
Authors: Kumar Riten , Dawson Jennifer , Varga Elizabeth , Canini Joan T. , Monda Kay L. , Dunn Amy L.
Published: May 2019

Hypodysfibrinogenemia, the least frequently reported congenital fibrinogen disorder is characterized by low circulating levels of a dysfunctional protein, and is associated with phenotypic features of both hypo‐ and dysfibrinogenemia. Herein, we report an adolescent male with unprovoked venous thromboembolism and hypodysfibrinogenemia. Patient had recurrent, progressive thrombosis despite therapeutic anticoagulation with both low molecular weight heparin and warfarin. He had clinical and radiological improvement after transition to a direct thrombin inhibitor. Sequencing of the FGG gene identified a novel heterozygous mutation, c.1075G>T. Structural visualization of the identified variant was pursued and suggested that the mutation likely destabilizes the Ca2+‐binding site of fibrinogen resulting in pathogenicity.
Theoretical study on the electronic structure nature of single and double walled carbon nanotubes and its role on the electron transport
Authors: Espinosa‐Torres Néstor David , Guillén‐López Alfredo , Martínez‐Juárez Javier , Hernández de la Luz José Álvaro David , Rodríguez‐Victoria Ángel Pedro , Muñiz Jesús
Published: May 2019

Density functional theory and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations were used to evaluate electronic structure properties in a series of nanotubes with smallest possible diameters (both types: armchair and zigzag), and the corresponding chiral nanotubes (8,m) for 0 ≤ m ≤ 8. The calculations were performed considering a length of 16.5 Å. We evaluated a set of 26 combinations of dual nanotubes (armchair/armchair, zigzag/zigzag, armchair/zigzag, and zigzag/armchair), where the first label corresponds to the outer tube. We extended our study with nine additional systems of double‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNT) with semiconductor nature. In this regard, we gave insight into the semiconductive or metallic nature inherited to the dual tubes. DWCNT systems were possible to construct by maintaining a radial distance of 3.392 Å for the armchair/armchair arrangement and 3.526 Å for the zigzag/zigzag type. It was considered as a reference, the interplanar distance of graphite (3.350 Å). Electronic transport calculations were also performed on selected DWCNT systems in order to understand the role played by the different symmetries under study. It was evidenced that the electronic structure nature of the systems rules the ability to transport electrons through the DWCNT interface.
Effect of electron‐withdrawing groups on photovoltaic performance of thiophene‐vinyl‐thiophene derivative and benzochalcogenadiazole based copolymers: A computational study
Authors: Bhattacharya Labanya , Sahoo Smruti R. , Sharma Sagar , Sahu Sridhar
Published: May 2019

We report a density functional theory study of the effect of electron‐withdrawing groups such as –F, –CN, –NO2 on the geometrical, optoelectronic, intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), and photovoltaic properties of (E)‐1,2‐bis(5‐alkyl‐[2,3′‐bithiophene]‐2′‐yl)ethene (TVT‐T) based donor‐acceptor (D‐A) copolymers with different acceptor units, that is, benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole, benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole, and benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole. The computed optical absorption spectra of the designed compounds lie in the visible and near‐infrared regions. Of all the studied copolymers, ‐CN substituted and Se‐based compound displays the lowest HOMO‐LUMO (E
H ‐ L) gap and optical band gap (E
opt). The exciton binding energy (E
b) is found to be smaller for O‐incorporated compounds and ‐CN substituted copolymer as well, inferring more ICT. The electron‐hole coherence concentrated over the D‐A units is nearly the same for ‐CN and ‐NO2 substituted compounds, but larger in ‐F derivatives, indicating weak electron‐hole coupling in the formers. Comparatively larger dipole moment (6.421 Debye‐9.829 Debye) and charge transfer length (D
CT) (1.976 Å‐3.122 Å) for ‐CN derivatives lead to enhanced ICT properties. The designed donors yield good hole mobilities (0.127‐6.61 cm2 V−1 s−1) and the predicted power conversion efficiencies are calculated to be as high as ~6%‐7% for –CN and –NO2 substituted compounds.
An investigation on the metabolic pathways of synthetic isoflavones by gas chromatography coupled to high accuracy mass spectrometry
Authors: Iannone Michele , Botrè Francesco , Parenti Silvia , Jardines Daniel , de la Torre Xavier
Published: May 2019

Rationale

Isoflavones are a group of flavonoids that may be of interest in sport doping because they can be used by athletes in the recovery periods after the administration of anabolic steroids, with the aim of increasing the natural production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and, consequently, the biosynthesis of endogenous androgens.

Methods

The in vivo metabolism of methoxyisoflavone (5‐methyl‐7‐methoxyisoflavone) and ipriflavone (7‐isopropoxyisoflavone), respectively present in a dietary supplement and in a pharmaceutical preparation, was investigated. The study was carried out by the analysis of urinary samples collected from male Caucasian subjects before, during and after the oral administration of methoxyisoflavone or ipriflavone. After enzymatic hydrolysis and liquid–liquid extraction, all urinary samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight (qTOF MS system/qTOF) electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI‐MS).

Results

Eight metabolites of methoxyisoflavone and six metabolites of ipriflavone were isolated. The corresponding accurate mass spectra are specific for isoflavone structures and revealed also a retro‐Diels‐Alder fragmentation.

Conclusions

When excreted in large amounts, the urinary metabolites of methoxyisoflavone and ipriflavone can be traced to potential confounding factors in doping analysis. As methoxyisoflavone and ipriflavone have been shown to inhibit the enzyme aromatase, thus interfering with the normal metabolic pathways of testosterone, the detection of their intake, by screening for the presence of their main metabolites in urine, might be helpful in routine doping control analysis.
Bivariate network meta‐analysis for surrogate endpoint evaluation
Authors: Bujkiewicz Sylwia , Jackson Dan , Thompson John R. , Turner Rebecca M. , Städler Nicolas , Abrams Keith R. , White Ian R.
Published: May 2019

Surrogate endpoints are very important in regulatory decision making in healthcare, in particular if they can be measured early compared to the long‐term final clinical outcome and act as good predictors of clinical benefit. Bivariate meta‐analysis methods can be used to evaluate surrogate endpoints and to predict the treatment effect on the final outcome from the treatment effect measured on a surrogate endpoint. However, candidate surrogate endpoints are often imperfect, and the level of association between the treatment effects on the surrogate and final outcomes may vary between treatments. This imposes a limitation on methods which do not differentiate between the treatments. We develop bivariate network meta‐analysis (bvNMA) methods, which combine data on treatment effects on the surrogate and final outcomes, from trials investigating multiple treatment contrasts. The bvNMA methods estimate the effects on both outcomes for all treatment contrasts individually in a single analysis. At the same time, they allow us to model the trial‐level surrogacy patterns within each treatment contrast and treatment‐level surrogacy, thus enabling predictions of the treatment effect on the final outcome either for a new study in a new population or for a new treatment. Modelling assumptions about the between‐studies heterogeneity and the network consistency, and their impact on predictions, are investigated using an illustrative example in advanced colorectal cancer and in a simulation study. When the strength of the surrogate relationships varies across treatment contrasts, bvNMA has the advantage of identifying treatment comparisons for which surrogacy holds, thus leading to better predictions.
pH‐Responsive Nanoparticles Loaded with Graphene Quantum Dots and Doxorubicin for Intracellular Imaging, Drug Delivery and Efficient Cancer Therapy
Authors: Liang Junlong , Huang Qianwei , Hua Chenxiang , Hu Jinhua , Chen Biling , Wan Junmin , Hu Zhiwen , Wang Bing
Published: May 2019

Multifunctional core‐shell structural nanoparticles (NPs) integrating of therapeutic and imaging modalities have presented superior prospects as drug delivery systems in the treatment of cancer. In this work, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and doxorubicin (DOX) were encapsulated into the cores of PLGA (Poly (D, L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide)) nanoparticles coated with bovine serum albumin via a double emulsion‐solvent evaporation method to construct pH‐responsive nanoparticles (DOX/PB and GQDs@DOX/PB NPs) with spherical core‐shell structures. Subsequently, the cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the NPs were studied via in vitro experiments. The results demonstrated that DOX/PB NPs and GQDs@DOX/PB NPs exhibit high drug‐loading efficiency and promote the release of DOX in a mild acidic microenvironment, which was expected to result in intelligent intracellular drug carriers. In vitro cytotoxicity measurements showed that all the NPs exhibit dose‐ and time‐dependent cytotoxicity to the HeLa cells and PLGA NPs loaded with GQDs contribute to reducing cancer cell viability. Moreover, no significant difference in ROS level was determined during the endocytosis. In addition, all the NPs displayed excellent blood compatibility by hemolysis assay. These results demonstrate that pH‐responsive NPs may be excellent candidates for efficient cancer therapy and in vivo biological imaging probes.
Fractionation of Wheat Straw Catalyzed by Recyclable Terephthalic Acid
Authors: Hronec Milan , Fulajtárová Katarína , Klempová Tatiana , Čertík Milan
Published: May 2019

Here, we described an efficient method for the separation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin from the biomass. Solvent treatment in the presence of terephthalic acid was used to separate the lignin and hemicellulose fragments from the wheat straw. The obtained aqueous solution containing mostly xylooligomers, is free of the acid catalyst and the concentration of inhibitors in the solution which deteriorate the fermentation process is very low. About 50.9% of sugars present in the aqueous hydrolysate can be converted into microbial oils by Actinomucor elegans microorganisms. Terephthalic acid accumulated in the pulp enhances subsequent heteropoly acid H4[PMo11VO40] catalyzed oxidative conversion of cellulose into formic acid.
Modular Assembly of Tunable Fluorescent Chemosensors Selective for Pb2+ and Cu2+ Metal Ions via the Multicomponent Castagnoli‐Cushman Reaction
Authors: Bakulina Olga , Rashevskii Artem , Dar'in Dmitry , Halder Sandipan , Khagar Prerna , Krasavin Mikhail
Published: May 2019

The multicomponent Castagnoli‐Cushman reaction followed by post‐condensational modifications allowed for a flexible, modular construction of fluorescent chemosensor compounds. When tested against a panel of fourteen metal ions, one of the eight compounds investigated in this work was found to selectively respond to Cu2+ ions by fluorescence quenching (thus being a “turn‐off” chemosensor for this metal). Another compound was found to produce fluorescence increase in response to Pb2+ ions. Interestingly, the sensitivity of this “turn‐on” chemosensor to lead(II) ions was unaffected by the presence of a large excess of other metals. Analysis of the structure‐sensing property relationships of these sensors allowed developing a general understanding of the factors influencing the chemosensor properties. All of the critical structural factors employed in the chemosensor design were found to be important for the metal sensing and selectivity. These findings will allow designing next‐generation chemosensors based on the same modular construction approach in the future.
Room‐Temperature C‐H Bromination and Iodination with Sodium Bromide and Sodium Iodide Using N‐Fluorobenzenesulfonimide as an Oxidant
Authors: Shi Cuiying , Miao Qi , Ma Lifang , Lu Tao , Yang Dong , Chen Jiaming , Li Ziyuan
Published: May 2019

A transition‐metal‐free electrophilic bromination and iodination of arene through C−H cleavage at room temperature has been developed in excellent to quantitative yields with broad arene scope and good regioselectivity, in which environment‐benign and readily available sodium halides, NaBr or NaI, were employed as halogen sources in accompany with N‐fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as an oxidant. Studies have also demonstrated that, in this air‐ and moisture‐resistant scalable halogenation under mild conditions, the oxidant NFSI is reduced to dibenzenesulfonimide which usually serves as the starting material for the preparation of NFSI, rendering this facile and versatile protocol promising potentials for future applications in organic synthesis.
Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Thiophenes and Pyrido[3,2‐c]Coumarines from 3‐Carbamoyl/3‐Thiocarbamoyl Chromones
Authors: Demin Dmitrii Y. , Myannik Ksenia A. , Lyssenko Konstantin A. , Krayushkin Mikhail M. , Yarovenko Vladimir N.
Published: May 2019

New transformations of N‐substituted 3‐carbamoylchromones and virtually uninvestigated 3‐thiocarbamoylchromones are described. The domino reactions result in the formation of pyridocoumarins and polyfunctional thiophene derivatives, respectively.
Strategically Constructed Bilayer Tin (IV) Oxide as Electron Transport Layer Boosts Performance and Reduces Hysteresis in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Lin Liangyou , Jones Timothy W. , Wang Jacob Tse‐Wei , Cook Andre , Pham Ngoc Duy , Duffy Noel W. , Mihaylov Blago , Grigore Mihaela , Anderson Kenrick F. , Duck Benjamin C. , Wang Hongxia , Pu Jian , Li Jian , Chi Bo , Wilson Gregory J.
Published: May 2019

Nanostructured tin (IV) oxide (SnO2) is emerging as an ideal inorganic electron transport layer in n–i–p perovskite devices, due to superior electronic and low‐temperature processing properties. However, significant differences in current–voltage performance and hysteresis phenomena arise as a result of the chosen fabrication technique. This indicates enormous scope to optimize the electron transport layer (ETL), however, to date the understanding of the origin of these phenomena is lacking. Reported here is a first comparison of two common SnO2 ETLs with contrasting performance and hysteresis phenomena, with an experimental strategy to combine the beneficial properties in a bilayer ETL architecture. In doing so, this is demonstrated to eliminate room‐temperature hysteresis while simultaneously attaining impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) greater than 20%. This approach highlights a new way to design custom ETLs using functional thin‐film coatings of nanomaterials with optimized characteristics for stable, efficient, perovskite solar cells.
Tiefenpsychische Dimensionen männlicher Sozialisation
Authors: Böhnisch Lothar
Published: May 2019

In der männlichen Sozialisation wirkt ein tiefenpsychischer Mechanismus der Idolisierung des Männlich-Starken und Abwertung des Weiblich-Schwachen, der in allen Jungen und Männern in unserer Kultur steckt und je nach biographischem Vermögen und sozialem Umfeld bewältigt werden muss. Trotz veränderter Rollenmodelle von Männlichkeit und Weiblichkeit ist dieser Mechanismus weiterhin, wenn auch heute oft verdeckt, wirksam. Im Folgenden wird versucht, diesen tiefenpsychischen Prozess entlang biografischer Stationen – frühe Kindheit, Pubertät, Adoleszenz und Integration ins Erwachsenenalter – zu beschreiben. Dabei wird deutlich, dass es vor allem männliche Gruppendynamiken sind, die diesen Mechanismus immer wieder freisetzen.
Lagos Art World: The Emergence of an Artistic Hub on the Global Art Periphery
Authors: Castellote Jess , Okwuosa Tobenna
Published: May 2019

The global geography of art has changed greatly in recent years. Whereas global art hubs were formerly found only in the West, they now exist in locations all over the world, including Africa. Though some art worlds in Asia and Latin America have been studied in recent times, there is insufficient empirical data on art worlds in Africa. This is a study of the Lagos art world, which shows how an “art system,” with all of its attendant structures and agents, has emerged in the city of Lagos, Nigeria, in the last few years. Lagos reflects the dynamics of globalization and is building up the art infrastructure and the critical mass needed for a sustainable art world: an ambitious and fast-growing group of young local collectors, an art fair, an international photography festival, regular art auctions, new art galleries, historical and critical publications, a university art museum, symposiums, art foundations, residencies, and competitions. Lagos is becoming not only a “global city,” but also a “global art hub.”
Recruitment and retention of US South Asians for an epidemiologic cohort: Experience from the MASALA study
Authors: Kanaya Alka M. , Chang Ann , Schembri Michael , Puri-Taneja Ankita , Srivastava Shweta , Dave Swapna S. , Vijayakumar Evangeline N. , Qamar Zubaida , Naik Hemalatha D. , Siddiqui Faiza , Kandula Namratha R.
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

There are few longitudinal studies about South Asians (SAs) and little information about recruitment and retention approaches for this ethnic group.

Methods:

We followed 906 SAs enrolled in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) cohort for 5 years. Surviving participants were invited for a second clinical exam from 2015 to 2018. A new wave of participants was recruited during 2017–2018. We assessed the yields from different methods of recruitment and retention.

Results:

A total of 759 (83%) completed the second clinical exam, and 258 new participants were enrolled. Providing a nearby community hospital location for the study exam, offering cab/shared ride reimbursement, and conducting home visits were the most effective methods for enhancing retention. New participant recruitment targeted women and individuals with lower socioeconomic status, and we found that participant referrals and active community engagement were most effective. Mailing invitational letters to those identified by electronic health records had very low yield.

Conclusion:

Recruitment and retention strategies that address transportation barriers and increase community engagement will help increase the representation of SAs in health research.
Temperature effects on three downy brome (Bromus tectorum) seed collections inoculated with the fungal pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda
Authors: Ehlert Krista A. , Miller Zachariah , Mangold Jane M. , Menalled Fabian , Thornton Alexandra
Published: May 2019

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L., syn. cheatgrass) is a winter annual grass that invades North American cropping, forage, and rangeland systems. Control is often difficult to achieve, because B. tectorum has a large seedbank, which results in continuous propagule pressure. Pyrenophora semeniperda (Brittlebank and Adam) Shoemaker, a soilborne fungal pathogen, has been investigated as a biological control for B. tectorum, because it can kill seeds that remain in the seedbank, thereby reducing propagule pressure. Temperature influences P. semeniperda and has not been investigated in the context of seeds collected from different B. tectorum locations, that may vary in susceptibility to infection. We compared the effects of temperature (13, 17, 21, 25 C) and B. tectorum seed locations (range, crop, subalpine) with different mean seed weights on infection rates of P. semeniperda using a temperature-gradient table. Infection differed by seed location (P < 0.001) and temperature (P < 0.001), with lighter-weight seeds (i.e., range and subalpine) more susceptible to P. semeniperda infection. Infection increased as temperature increased and was higher at 21 C (66.7 ± 6.7%) and 25 C (73.3 ± 6.0%). Germination was affected by seed location (P < 0.001) and temperature (P = 0.019). Germination was highest for the crop seed location (45.4 ± 4.2%) and overall decreased at higher temperatures (21 and 25 C). Our results suggest that B. tectorum seeds from a crop location are less affected by P. semeniperda than those from range and subalpine locations. Moreover, this demonstrates a temperature-dependent effect on all populations.
Retrospective study of a first-episode psychosis service embedded within a home-based treatment team
Authors: Murray Nuala , O’Connor Karen
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To evaluate if having an early intervention service (EIS), which is embedded within a home-based treatment team (HBTT), is associated with (1) shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), (2) lower rates of hospital admissions at first presentation, (3) a lesser number of hospital admissions within 6 months of presentation and (4) a reduced mean bed usage for the first 6 months.

Methods

The files of those who presented with a first-episode psychosis (FEP) to the South Lee Mental Health Service from January 2016 to February 2017 were identified and a retrospective case review was carried out. The demographics, clinical characteristics and hospital admissions were compared for those admitted to either the EIS or community mental health teams.

Results

Forty patients were assessed. DUP was found to be longer for those who presented to the EIS (U= 121,p= 0.03). There were fewer admissions at first presentation (χ2(1) = 6.51p= 0.01), fewer admissions within the first 6 months of presentation (χ2(1) = 5.56p= 0.02) and less bed usage overall (U= 131,p= 0.047) for those who presented to the EIS.

Conclusion

The study provides a baseline clinical and demographic profile of patients with FEP in an Irish mental health service and demonstrates current pathways to care. EIS embedded within an HBTT was associated with fewer hospital admissions and less bed usage. It is unclear whether these findings may have occurred due to the EIS or due to the benefits provided by an HBTT.
Who Will Safeguard Transnational Surrogates’ Interests? Lessons from the Israeli Case Study
Authors: Zafran Ruth , Hacker Daphna
Published: May 2019

This article seeks to establish the extent to which the voices and interests of transnational commercial surrogates—women who are paid by intended parents from another country for carrying a pregnancy—are accounted for by those with power to shape the policy around this complex area in the country of the intended parents. Through a first-of-its-kind qualitative study of the viewpoints of policy makers and government officials, taking Israel as a case study, the research maps the hierarchy of interests in Israel as the country of the intended parents, in which the rights and well-being of the transnational surrogates are largely neglected. The study finds that, even when awareness of the vulnerability of transnational surrogates is relatively evolved among officials, they admit that the motivation and ability of the country of the intended parents to supervise the protection of the surrogates—during a process that takes place in another country—are extremely limited. Equipped with the empirical findings, the article examines the actual and potential regulative arenas relevant to transnational surrogacy (also known as international surrogacy), and offers an alternative normative framework to correct the current regulative failure in providing much-needed legal protection for transnational surrogates.
Optimized Volume Determinations and Uncertainties for Accurate and Precise Manometry
Authors: Lu Xi , Beaupré Steven R
Published: May 2019

Precise manometric pressure, volume, and temperature (P-V-T) measurements of carbon in samples, standards, and blanks are critical for radiocarbon studies. While P and T uncertainties depend on instrument choice and environmental stability, V uncertainties depend on their method of measurement and are often overlooked. We used numerical simulations and error propagation to find optimum procedures for measuring “cold-finger” volumes equipped with capacitance diaphragm gauges (CDGs) by two common application of Boyle’s Law: cryogenic transfers and serial gas expansions with a reference flask of known volume. Minimum relative uncertainties of cold-finger volumes are comparable for these two methods (∼0.002), but the serial gas expansion method is preferred due to its convenience. Serial gas expansions can be performed to high precision by using dry air, an initial pressure ∼76% full-scale (e.g., 760 Torr), and a reference flask with an optimal volume based on preliminary estimates of cold-finger volumes and an empirical power function. The volumes of cold-fingers ≥ 12 cm3 can be determined with minimum achievable relative uncertainties of 0.0021 to 0.0023. This limit translates to minimum achievable relative uncertainties of 0.0026 to 0.0027 for P-V-T measurements of moles of gas simulated here.
Modeling Unstratified Burials via Bayesian Analysis with Log-Normal Interval Priors
Authors: Kidd R S
Published: May 2019

Tombs and cairns present a dating challenge when the human remains are unstratified, incomplete and dispersed. By considering the distribution of time intervals between deaths as a possiblea prioricondition of multiple burials of select groups, a Bayesian model is suggested that may constrain the uncertainty date range of the group. The method may also address the wide uncertainties seen in radiocarbon calibration on a calibration curve plateau. The mathematical justification for the choice of Log Normal intervals, between death events, is first presented, followed by worked examples that compare the treatment of groups of 22 dates using Phase then Sequence with interval gaps. Finally, scenarios of potential Select Groups are examined, to demonstrate the efficacy of this alternative heuristic model to current model treatments.
Intervalidation of Dendrochronology and14C Dating on a 700-yr Tree-Ring Sequence Originating from the Eastern Carpathians
Authors: Sava Gabriela O , Popa Ionel , Sava Tiberiu B , Meghea Aurelia , Mănăilescu Cristian , Ilie Maria , Robu Andrei , Tóth Boglárka
Published: May 2019

We present a comparative study on a 700-yr sequence of dendrochronologically ordered tree-rings ofPinus cembraoriginating from Eastern Carpathians for the period AD 1009–1709. This period covers the solar minima of the Little Ice Age. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of our radiocarbon (14C) determinations interpreted on the IntCal13 calibration data and to observe any apparent offsets. The14C measurements on single and double tree-rings were “wiggle-matched” to secure the dendrochronology cross-matching of all thePinus cembrawood pieces. The results showed a very good agreement between the age datasets for four out of five wood trunks. However, for one of them a new cross-matching was performed after a quality assurance test, establishing an earlier 48-yr position, recommended by wiggle-matching Bayesian statistics and dendrochronological analysis. Following this adjustment, the quantification of the14C level variability with respect to the IntCal13 calibration curve was obtained by calculating Δ14C for all tree-ring samples. As a final conclusion, an insignificant14C concentration offset of –0.63 ± 3.76‰ was found for the Romanian samples.
A Note on the Thin-Shock-Layer Approximation
Authors: Hillier R , Woods B A
Published: May 2019

This Note proposes a restriction on possible solution procedures for thin-shock-layer theory. This restriction has been widely violated in solutions presented hitherto, although with negligible error apparently. Those cases are indicated where failure to apply the restriction leads to definite errors.
The Effect of Sweep on Conditions at Separation in Turbulent Boundary-Layer/Shock-Wave Interaction
Authors: Myring D F
Published: May 2019

An approximate analysis of conditions at separation produced by turbulent boundary-layer/shock-wave interaction is presented for swept, cylindrically symmetric flows. An integral boundary-layer prediction method is used, incorporating Johnston crossflow profiles. The results indicate a marked reduction in pressure rise required to produce separation as sweep is increased. At low Reynolds numbers the skin friction at separation is inferred to be small, whereas at higher Reynolds numbers the presence of a vigorous streamwise flow may be detected. In the limiting case of zero sweep, or two-dimensional flow, predictions using the approximate analysis are shown to compare well with experimental results of pressure rise to separation.
Finite Elements for Curved Sandwich Beams
Authors: Holt P J , Webber J P H
Published: May 2019

The formulation of curved finite elements to represent a two-dimensional circular sandwich ring with honeycomb core and laminated faces is investigated. Assumed stress hybrid and equilibrium methods are found to be easier to employ in this case than the displacement approach. Using these methods, an element stiffness matrix is developed. The approximations of membrane faces and an infinite core normal stiffness are then used to develop simpler elements. Test cases show that these assumptions may become invalid, but that they are adequate for most practical cases where the core thickness to radius ratio and the face thickness to core thickness ratio are both low.
Subcritical Flow without Circulation past a Swept Semi-Infinite Elliptic Cylinder
Authors: Clapworthy G J
Published: May 2019

The numerical calculation of the subcritical, steady, three-dimensional, potential flow past a semi-infinite swept elliptic cylinder attached to a plane wall is described. The full equations of motion are written in terms of the velocity potential and the exact body-surface conditions are applied. The equations are expressed in coordinates defined by the body shape and further transformations are necessary to reduce the infinite domain to a finite working space and to concentrate the grid points in regions of greatest variation of potential. The resulting equations are solved using a finite-difference scheme. The Mach number distribution for a typical case is presented.
An Intermittent High-Reynolds-Number Wind Tunnel
Authors: Stollery J L , Murthy A V
Published: May 2019

The paper suggests a simple method of generating intermittent reservoir conditions for an intermittent, cryogenic wind tunnel. Approximate performance estimates are given and it is recommended that further studies be made because this type of tunnel could be valuable in increasing the opportunities for research at high Reynolds numbers.
A Note Related to the Pressure Inside an Inflating Parachute Canopy
Authors: Payne P R , Band E G U
Published: May 2019

If a canopy is idealised as a cylinder with one end open to the free-stream flow, and the other end closed, then the internal flow during inflation is given by a simple analytic function. In this note the function is derived and then the internal pressures and corresponding forces associated with inflation are determined. It is found that, in addition to ram pressure and the von Kármán “virtual mass” terms in the pressure equations, there are other transient terms associated with radial velocity and acceleration.
ON A NONCRITICAL SYMMETRIC SQUARE -VALUE OF THE CONGRUENT NUMBER ELLIPTIC CURVES
Authors: SAMART DETCHAT
Published: May 2019

The congruent number elliptic curves are defined by $E_{d}:y^{2}=x^{3}-d^{2}x$, where $d\in \mathbb{N}$. We give a simple proof of a formula for $L(\operatorname{Sym}^{2}(E_{d}),3)$ in terms of the determinant of the elliptic trilogarithm evaluated at some degree zero divisors supported on the torsion points on $E_{d}(\overline{\mathbb{Q}})$.
ON THE FACTORISATION OF
Authors: GHADERMARZI AMIR
Published: May 2019

Let $D$ be a positive nonsquare integer, $p$ a prime number with $p\nmid D$ and $0<\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}<0.847$. We show that there exist effectively computable constants $C_{1}$ and $C_{2}$ such that if there is a solution to $x^{2}+D=p^{n}$ with $p^{n}>C_{1}$, then for every $x>C_{2}$ with $x^{2}+D=p^{n}m$ we have $m>x^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}}$. As an application, we show that for $x\neq \{5,1015\}$, if the equation $x^{2}+76=101^{n}m$ holds, then $m>x^{0.14}$.
ON A PROBLEM OF PRAEGER AND SCHNEIDER
Authors: BETTIO EGLE , JABARA ENRICO
Published: May 2019

This note provides an affirmative answer to Problem 2.6 of Praeger and Schneider [‘Group factorisations, uniform automorphisms, and permutation groups of simple diagonal type’, Israel J. Math. 228(2) (2018), 1001–1023]. We will build groups $G$ (abelian, nonabelian and simple) for which there are two automorphisms $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC},\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ of $G$ such that the map $$\begin{eqnarray}T=T_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\times T_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}:G\longrightarrow G\times G,\quad g\mapsto (g^{-1}g^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}},g^{-1}g^{\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}})\end{eqnarray}$$ is surjective.
Meister Eckhart's Conception of Union with God
Authors: Kieckhefer Richard
Published: May 2019

Although Meister Eckhart himself might have been puzzled by the term, he is traditionally known as a mystic. The designation surely does apply, in the sense that Eckhart sought and recommended a kind of union between the soul and God. But as soon as one proceeds to analyze the precise nature of that union, difficulties abound. In recent literature it has become clear that the Christian mystical tradition has employed various distinct concepts of union with God, and scholars have inquired what sort of union one or another mystic sought. This effort has been made, for example, in studies of John Tauler andThe Cloud of Unknowing. In examining these and other mystics, particularly those of the Western medieval tradition, scholars have asked whether they viewed union with God as a momentary experience or as an ongoing way of life, and whether they saw this union as continuous and compatible with ordinary religious experience and knowledge or as discontinuous and incompatible. The present article will attempt to answer such questions in regard to Meister Eckhart, in hopes of clarifying an aspect of his thought which, though fundamental, is most commonly approached only tangentially in the literature.
The Social Implications of the Doctrine of Divine Providence: A Nineteenth-Century Debate in American Theology
Authors: Cashdollar Charles D.
Published: May 2019

In a 1963 article in theJournal of Religion, Langdon Gilkey examined the troubled condition of the doctrine of providence and concluded that it had become “the forgotten stepchild of contemporary theology.” He attributed its demise to the violent eruptions of evil in our century, the unfortunate link between the doctrine and now defunct theories of natural theology, as well as the pervasive Arminianism and naturalism of contemporary thought. Current neglect of the concept was all the more striking, he reflected, because of its integral relationship to nearly all the theological systems of the preceding century.
The Calais Conference of December 1915
Authors: Dutton D. J.
Published: May 2019

The Allies' conduct of the Great War has frequently been castigated by historians as inept and amateurish. But it is perhaps the conduct of their diplomacy which most merits this description. Until the creation of the Supreme War Council at the end of 1917 there existed, apart from a number of liaison officers, no machinery to synchronise the strategy and diplomacy of Great Britain and France other than the periodic meetings of the politicans and generals of the two countries. Yet, as David Lloyd George came to realize, these were not really conferences at all, but rather meetings of men with pre-conceived ideas who desired only to find a formula which could obscure the underlying differences of opinion from the general view. They were really nothing but a ‘tailoring’ operation at which different plans were stitched together. What was required was the construction of an inter-Allied General Staff, designed to examine and give advice on the changing military situation. Obviously no government could abdicate its right to issue orders, but if the Central Powers were to be defeated the Allies needed to concede that there was far more to participation in a coalition than the mere lip-service to unity involved in the periodic gatherings of soldiers and statesmen. An examination of the Calais Conference of December 1915, called at a time when Allied operations on all fronts were showing a marked lack of success, will illustrate many of the failings and dangers of this primitive form of war diplomacy.
The Ulster Rising of 1641, and the depositions
Authors: Perceval-Maxwell M.
Published: May 2019

‘We are now’, wrote James Anthony Froude, as he approached the topic of the outbreak of the civil war in Ulster in October 1641, ‘ upon the edge of the gravest event in Irish history, the turning-point on which all later controversies between England and Ireland hinge ’. Froude may have exaggerated, but few would quarrel with Lecky's comment on the same issue that ‘ hardly any page of history has been more misrepresented ’. It is well known that the reason for the controversy surrounding the events in Ulster in 1641 is that they have been linked with a charge against the Irish of perpetrating a ‘ general massacre ’ of British protestants at the outbreak of the war in which tens, even hundreds, of thousands of protestants were killed. The allegation of a ‘ general massacre ’ has, in turn, been used as a moral justification for subsequent English policy in Ireland.
Customary International Law: A Jurisprudential Analysis
Authors: Walden Raphael M.
Published: May 2019

In a previous paper it was argued that neither the tacit consent theory nor the opinio juris theory were by themselves capable of explaining the nature of customary international law, although each of them does indeed stress an important aspect—the tacit consent theory that custom is a lawmaking process, and the opinio juris theory that there must be some difference between customary law and practices which do not express, or do not give rise to law. What has to be done is to reformulate these approaches in such a way as to preserve the insights of each, while avoiding their errors.

A good starting point is the older tacit consent theories of the Civilians and Canonists, which were described in the previous paper. Their approach has the following characteristics:

i) By “consent” they mean, not contractual consent, but simply the intention to create law; therefore—

ii) they are able to admit that custom can bind individuals that have no part in its creation, even without their consent;

iii) they consider that the rules of customary law are binding absolutely, and not merely on a reciprocal basis; and

iv) finally, these jurists show an awareness of the fact that the conditions which regulate the formation of customary law are themselves rules of law, rather than necessary truths that can be deduced from the nature of custom.
Benjamin Akzin: A Tribute
Authors: Dror Yehezkel
Published: May 2019

Benjamin Akzin is distinguished by a unique combination of qualities, qualifications and experiences—on the basis of which he has made and continues to make unusual contributions both to scientific knowledge and to murky political realities.

A short resumé of his career may give some indication of its wide scope and variety. But no such list can do justice to a man of Professor Akzin's stature whose personality has so many facets. He has lived for extended periods in a number of countries, including Israel, Poland, France, Austria, England and the United States. He studied at the University of Vienna, the Sorbonne and Harvard University, receiving three doctorates in law and political science. He has combined an academic life with a life of active politics. His political activities have included serving as Foreign Secretary of the Revisionist movement under Jabotinsky, and in senior professional staff positions, such as in the service of the United States Congress, political functions in the Zionist movement, both in Washington and New York. His academic positions range from being an assistant to Hans Kelsen, to building up the Faculty of Law and the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University, as Dean and Department Head of these faculties respectively, and Haifa University, as its President.
Labour Law in Israel: New Directions
Authors: Zamir Itzhak
Published: May 2019

The study of labour law in Israel need not start before the occupation of Palestine by the British at the end of the First World War. The inheritance left to the British by the collapsing Ottoman Empire in many fields of law, and especially in labour law, was meagre and primitive. As a matter of fact, the Ottoman system did not even acknowledge the existence of labour law as such. Only a few provisions concerning labour could be found on the statute book, intermingled with provisions regulating the hire of chattels and animals.

During the Mandatory period, the British took it upon themselves to modernise local law. This, indeed, they accomplished in many fields of law. But labour law remained an exception. In this field they preferred to do as little as possible. This may be largely explained by their unwillingness to disturb the social and economic order which had prevailed in Arab society for centuries. Thus, the few labour laws enacted by the British up to the Second World War set very minimal standards. For example, the Women and Children (Industrial Employment) Ordinance of 1927 prohibited the employment of children under twelve years; but even this prohibition applied only to factories and workshops, and not to agriculture and other trades.