bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The formation of continental roots
Authors: Priestley Keith , Ho Tak , McKenzie Dan
Published: September 2020

New evidence from seismic tomography reveals a unique mineral fabric restricted to the thick mantle lithosphere beneath ancient continental cratons, providing an important clue to the formation of these prominent and influential features in Earth’s geological history. Olivine, the dominant mineral of Earth’s upper mantle, has elastic properties that differ along its three crystallographic axes, and preferential alignment of individual olivine grains during plastic deformation can affect the bulk nature of seismic-wave propagation. Surface-wave tomography has shown that over most of Earth, deformation of the mantle lithosphere has oriented olivine crystals with the fast axis in the horizontal plane, but at depths centered at ∼150 km within cratonic continental-lithosphere roots, the fast crystallographic axis is preferentially aligned vertically. Because of the high viscosity of the cratonic roots, this fabric is likely to be a vestige from craton formation. Geochemical and petrological studies of upper-mantle garnet-peridotite nodules demonstrate that the cratonic mantle roots are stabilized by their reduced density, which was caused by melt removal at much shallower depths than those from which the nodules were subsequently extracted. The mineral fabric inferred from surface-wave tomography suggests that horizontal shortening carried the depleted zone downward after the melt-depletion event to form the thick continental roots, stretching the depleted material in the vertical dimension by pure shear and causing the fast crystallographic axis to be aligned vertically. This seismological fabric at ∼150 km is evidence of the shortening event that created the cratonic roots.
Supplemental Material: The eruptive history, magmatic evolution, and influence of glacial ice at long-lived Akutan volcano, eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA
Authors: Coombs Michelle L. , al. et
Published: September 2020

Table S1: Sample descriptions, locations, and all major- and trace-element data; Table S2: Complete 40Ar/39Ar data; Figure S1: Photographs of lava-sample outcrops; Figure S2: Plateau and isochron figures for all 40Ar/39Ar experiments; Figure S3: Chondrite-normalized (McDonough and Sun, 1995) REE plots of eruptive products from Akutan Island, sorted by geologic unit.
Supplemental Material: Clumped isotope thermometry of modern and fossil snail shells from the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau: Implications for paleoclimate and paleoelevation reconstructions
Authors: Wang Yang , al. et
Published: September 2020

Supplementary figures and tables.
Bullous central serous chorioretinopathy and retinal pigment epithelium sequelae postblunt trauma
Authors: Gunna Nithin Teja , C Parameswarappa Deepika , Rani Padmaja Kumari
Published: September 2020

A 68-year-old man presented with diminution of distance and near vision in the right eye for a duration of 1 month postblunt trauma with a stick. On examination, his visual acuity in the right eye was 20/320 and near vision was <N36. Right eye fundus showed bullous neurosensory retinal detachment at posterior pole and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophic area temporal to fovea. Optical coherence tomography showed subretinal fluid with pigment epithelial detachment and an area of RPE and photoreceptor loss temporal to fovea. Fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography showed focal leaks and transmitted hyperfluorescence corresponding to the area of RPE loss. Left eye examination was unremarkable except for senile cataract of nuclear opalescence grade 3. A diagnosis of right eye bullous central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and RPE sequelae postblunt trauma was made. Our patient was managed conservatively with no specific treatment for CSCR. One month later, there was improvement in vision with decrease in neurosensory detachment. The area of RPE loss remained the same with photoreceptor loss. Since this area of RPE and photoreceptor loss were temporal to fovea, our patient’s visual acuity was not affected significantly.
Down syndrome with co-occurring Marfan syndrome
Authors: Wei Miao , Lepore Natasha , Paulsen Kelli , Santoro Jonathan D
Published: September 2020

Down syndrome (DS) and Marfan syndrome (MFS) are two unique genetic disorders that share limited phenotypic overlap. There are very few reported cases in the existing literature on overlapping DS and MFS. Although these two disorders are phenotypically unique, features present in these cases are variable, resulting in mixed and dominant expressions of particular features. We present the first adolescent case of trisomy 21 associated DS and fibrillin-1 gene associated MFS in the literature who had a height at 90th percentile for an 11-year old boy and discuss the implications of this case in terms of future medical care when these two genetic syndromes are present in the same individual. Understanding of certain features of the ‘non-dominating’ syndrome is crucial for clinicians to recognise when DS co-occurs with MFS. Close monitoring of the cardiovascular, ophthalmologic and musculoskeletal systems is recommended if both syndromes are diagnosed given that both can be independently associated with disorders in these organ systems.
Association of physical activity with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in 7666 adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): more physical activity is better
Authors: Kwon Soonil , Lee Hyun-Jung , Han Kyung-Do , Kim Da Hye , Lee Seung-Pyo , Hwang In-Chang , Yoon Yeonyee , Park Jun-Bean , Lee Heesun , Kwak Soongu , Yang Seokhun , Cho Goo-Yeong , Kim Yong-Jin , Kim Hyung-Kwan , Ommen Steve R
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Recommendations on physical activity (PA) for adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are not well established. We investigated the association of PA intensity with mortality in the general adult HCM population.

Methods

A nationwide population-based cohort of individuals with HCM who underwent health check-ups including questionnaires on PA levels were identified from the years 2009 to 2016 in the National Health Insurance Service database. Subjects who reported no PA at baseline were excluded. To estimate each individual’s PA level, the PA score (PAS) was calculated based on the self-reported questionnaires, and the study population was categorised into three groups according to tertiles of PAS. The associations of PAS with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were analysed.

Results

A total of 7666 participants (mean age 59.5 years, 29.9% were women) were followed up for a mean 5.3±2.0 years. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality progressively decreased from the lowest to the highest tertiles of PA intensity: 9.1% (4.7%), 8.9% (3.8%) and 6.4% (2.7%), respectively (p-for-trend=0.0144 and 0.0023, respectively). Of note, compared with the middle PA group, the highest PA group did not have an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.78, (95% CI 0.63 to 0.95) and HR 0.75 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.03), respectively). All subgroup and sensitivity analyses consistently showed that all-cause and cardiovascular mortality did not increase with higher PA levels.

Conclusions

Moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA, in a middle-aged population of patients with HCM, was associated with progressive reduction of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The impact of vigorous-intensity PA on a younger age group requires further investigation.
Adherence to dietary and physical activity guidelines among shift workers: associations with individual and work-related factors
Authors: Kelly Ciara , Nea Fiona M , Pourshahidi L Kirsty , Kearney John M , O'Brien Victoria , Livingstone M Barbara E , Corish Clare A
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Shift work is associated with adverse effects on the health and lifestyle behaviours of employees. This study aimed to examine factors associated with adherence among shift workers to selected indicators of dietary and physical activity guidelines.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1300 shift workers. Data were collected using a 15 minute telephone-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression methods were used for data analysis.

Results

Male shift workers (p<0.001, OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.74) and those of lower socioeconomic status (p=0.046, OR=0.75, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.99) were significantly less likely to consume five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Shift workers with access to workplace vending machines were significantly more likely to consume soft drinks at least weekly (p=0.003, OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.27). Middle-aged shift workers (p=0.012, OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.91) and those reporting insufficient break times at work (p=0.026, OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.96) were significantly less likely to be sufficiently active.

Conclusions

Individual, work schedule and workplace environment related factors were independently associated with selected indicators of adherence to dietary and physical activity guidelines in this cohort of shift workers.
Study for Improving Maternal Pregnancy And Child ouTcomes (IMPACT): a study protocol for a Swedish prospective multicentre cohort study
Authors: Bergman Lina , Sandström Anna , Jacobsson Bo , Hansson Stefan , Lindgren Peter , Larsson Anders , Imberg Henrik , Conner Peter , Kublickas Marius , Carlsson Ylva , Wikström Anna-Karin
Published: September 2020

Introduction

First-trimester pregnancy risk evaluation facilitates individualised antenatal care, as well as application of preventive strategies for pre-eclampsia or birth of a small for gestational age infant. A range of early intervention strategies in pregnancies identified as high risk at the end of the first trimester has been shown to decrease the risk of preterm pre-eclampsia (<37 gestational weeks). The aim of this project is to create the Improving Maternal Pregnancy And Child ouTcomes (IMPACT) database; a nationwide database with individual patient data, including predictors recorded at the end of the first trimester and later pregnancy outcomes, to identify women at high risk of pre-eclampsia. A second aim is to link the IMPACT database to a biobank with first-trimester blood samples.

Methods and analysis

This is a Swedish prospective multicentre cohort study. Women are included between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy. At inclusion, pre-identified predictors are retrieved by interviews and medical examinations. Blood samples are collected and stored in a biobank. Additional predictors and pregnancy outcomes are retrieved from the Swedish Pregnancy Register. Inclusion in the study began in November 2018 with a targeted sample size of 45 000 pregnancies by end of 2021. Creation of a new risk prediction model will then be developed, validated and implemented. The database and biobank will enable future research on prediction of various pregnancy-related complications.

Ethics and dissemination

Confidentiality aspects such as data encryption and storage comply with the General Data Protection Regulation and with ethical committee requirements. This study has been granted national ethical approval by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Uppsala 2018-231) and national biobank approval at Uppsala Biobank (18237 2 2018 231). Results from the current as well as future studies using information from the IMPACT database will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03831490.
Anaemia prevalence in children newly registered at UNRWA schools: a cross-sectional study
Authors: AbuKishk Nada , Turki Yassir , Saleh Suha , Albaik Shatha , Hababeh Majed , el-Khatib Zoheir , Kassim Nimer , Arab Hasan , Abu-Diab Khawalah , Zeidan Wafaa , Seita Akihiro
Published: September 2020

Objective

Children entering first grade at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools in West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria complete a comprehensive medical examination at UNRWA health centres (HCs) as a requirement for their acceptance. Our study aimed to assess anaemia prevalence and undernutrition indicators among new entrant school children during their preschool medical examination.

Settings

In 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 59 UNRWA HCs, targeting children entering first grade at UNRWA schools in four of UNRWA’s countries of operation (known as fields), namely Gaza, West Bank, Syria and Lebanon.

Participants

2419 completed the study. Boys and girls living inside or outside Palestine refugee camps were included. Verbal consent was obtained from their parents.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Sociodemographic and anthropometric data on each child were collected. Underweight (weight-for-age z-score <−2 SD), stunting (height-for-age z-score <−2 SD), thinness (body mass index-for-age z-score <−2 SD) and obesity (body mass index-for-age z-score >+2 SD) were examined according to WHO growth indicators (5–10 years).

Results

2419 students (1278 girls and 1141 boys) aged 6.1±0.4 years were examined. The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin (Hb) <11.5 g/L) was 25.0% (Gaza: 29.3%; West Bank: 22.0%; Syria: 30.0%; Lebanon: 18.3%). The mean Hb level was 12.0±0.9 g/L. The overall prevalence of stunting, thinness and underweight was 3.2%, 3.5% and 5.6%, respectively, with the highest levels found in Syria (4.3%, 6.3% and 10.1%, respectively). The highest prevalence of overweight was in Lebanon (8.6%), and the lowest was in Gaza (2.6%). Significant differences were found among fields with regard to undernutrition indicators (p=0.001). Also, children with anaemia had significantly higher prevalence of being underweight (5.2%) in comparison with those without anaemia (p=0.001).

Conclusions

The prevalence of anaemia among the surveyed children increased to 25.0%, compared with the previous study conducted by UNRWA in 2005 (19.5%). Thus, it is recommended that Hb testing be included in the medical examination of new entrant school children attending UNRWA schools.
The AEDUCATE Collaboration. Comprehensive antenatal education birth preparation programmes to reduce the rates of caesarean section in nulliparous women. Protocol for an individual participant data prospective meta-analysis
Authors: Levett Kate M , Lord Sarah J , Dahlen Hannah G , Smith Caroline A , Girosi Federico , Downe Soo , Finlayson Kenneth William , Fleet Julie , Steen Mary , Davey Mary-Ann , Newnham Elizabeth , Werner Anette , Arnott Leslie , Sutcliffe Kerry , Seidler Anna Lene , Hunter Kylie Elizabeth , Askie Lisa
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Rates of medical interventions in normal labour and birth are increasing. This prospective meta-analysis (PMA) proposes to assess whether the addition of a comprehensive multicomponent birth preparation programme reduces caesarean section (CS) in nulliparous women compared with standard hospital care. Additionally, do participant characteristics, intervention components or hospital characteristics modify the effectiveness of the programme?

Methods and analysis

Population: women with singleton vertex pregnancies, no planned caesarean section (CS) or epidural.

Intervention: in addition to hospital-based standard care, a comprehensive antenatal education programme that includes multiple components for birth preparation, addressing the three objectives: preparing women and their birth partner/support person for childbirth through education on physiological/hormonal birth (knowledge and understanding); building women’s confidence through psychological preparation (positive mindset) and support their ability to birth without pain relief using evidence-based tools (tools and techniques). The intervention could occur in a hospital-based or community setting.

Comparator: standard care alone in hospital-based maternity units.

Outcomes

Primary: CS.

Secondary: epidural analgesia, mode of birth, perineal trauma, postpartum haemorrhage, newborn resuscitation, psychosocial well-being.

Subgroup analysis: parity, model of care, maternal risk status, maternal education, maternal socio-economic status, intervention components.

Study design

An individual participant data (IPD) prospective meta-analysis (PMA) of randomised controlled trials, including cluster design. Each trial is conducted independently but share core protocol elements to contribute data to the PMA. Participating trials are deemed eligible for the PMA if their results are not yet known outside their Data Monitoring Committees.

Ethics and dissemination

Participants in the individual trials will consent to participation, with respective trials receiving ethical approval by their local Human Research Ethics Committees. Individual datasets remain the property of trialists, and can be published prior to the publication of final PMA results. The overall data for meta-analysis will be held, analysed and published by the collaborative group, led by the Cochrane PMA group.

Trial registration number

CRD42020103857.
Multiprofessional perspectives on the identification of latent safety threats via in situ simulation: a prospective cohort pilot study
Authors: Rusiecki Daniel , Walker Melanie , Douglas Stuart L , Hoffe Sharleen , Chaplin Timothy
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To describe the association between participant profession and the number and type of latent safety threats (LSTs) identified during in situ simulation (ISS). Secondary objectives were to describe the association between both (a) participants’ years of experience and LST identification and (b) type of scenario and number of identified LSTs.

Methods

Emergency staff physicians (MDs), registered nurses (RNs) and respiratory therapists (RTs) participated in ISS sessions in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Adult and paediatric scenarios were designed to be high-acuity, low-occurrence resuscitation cases. Simulations were 10 min in duration. A written survey was administered to participants immediately postsimulation, collecting demographic data and perceived LSTs. Survey data was collated and LSTs were grouped using a previously described framework.

Results

Thirteen simulation sessions were completed from July to November 2018, with 59 participants (12 MDs, 41 RNs, 6 RTs). Twenty-four unique LSTs were identified from survey data. RNs identified a median of 2 (IQR 1, 2.5) LSTs, significantly more than RTs (0.5 (IQR 0, 1.25), p=0.04). Within respective professions, MDs and RTs most commonly identified equipment issues, and RNs most commonly identified medication issues. Participants with ≤10 years of experience identified a median of 2 (IQR 1, 3) LSTs versus 1 (IQR 1, 2) LST in those with >10 years of experience (p=0.06). Adult and paediatric patient scenarios were associated with the identification of a median of 4 (IQR 3.0, 4.0) and 5 LSTs (IQR 3.5, 6.5), respectively (p=0.15).

Conclusions

Inclusion of a multidisciplinary team is important during ISS in order to gain a breadth of perspectives for the identification of LSTs. In our study, participants with ≤10 years of experience and simulations with paediatric scenarios were associated with a higher number of identified LSTs; however, the difference was not statistically significant.
Early impact of COVID-19 social distancing measures on reported sexual behaviour of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users in Wales
Authors: Gillespie David , Knapper Carys , Hughes Dyfrig , Couzens Zoe , Wood Fiona , de Bruin Marijn , Ma Richard , Jones Adam Thomas , Williams Adam , Hood Kerenza
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To describe the early impact of COVID-19 and associated control measures on the sexual behaviour of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Wales.

Methods

Data were obtained from an ecological momentary assessment study of PrEP use and sexual behaviour. Participants were individuals accessing PrEP through the National Health Service (NHS) sexual health clinics across four health boards in Wales. Weekly data documenting condomless sex in the preceding week were analysed between 03/02/2020 and 10/05/2020. The introduction of social distancing measures and changes to sexual health clinics in Wales occurred on the week starting 16/03/2020. Two-level logistic regression models were fitted to condomless sex (yes/no) over time, included an indicator for the week starting 16/03/2020, and were extended to explore differential associations by relationship status and sexual health clinic.

Results

Data were available from 56 participants and included 697 person-weeks (89% of the maximum number that could have been obtained). On average, 42% of participants reported condomless sex in the period prior to the introduction of social distancing measures and 20% reported condomless sex after (OR=0.16, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.37, p<0.001). There was some evidence to suggest that this association was moderated by relationship status (OR for single participants=0.09, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.23; OR for not single participants=0.46, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.25).

Conclusions

The introduction of social distancing measures and changes to PrEP services across Wales was associated with a marked reduction in reported instances of condomless sexual intercourse among respondents, with a larger reduction in those who were single compared with those who were not. The long-term impact of COVID-19 and associated control measures on this population’s physical and mental health and well-being requires close examination.
Are sexual minority adults differentially exposed to smoke-free laws and televised anti-tobacco media campaigns compared to the general US population? A descriptive analysis
Authors: Titus Andrea R , Gamarel Kristi E , Thrasher James F , Emery Sherry L , Elliott Michael R , Fleischer Nancy L
Published: September 2020

Background

Sexual minority (SM) (gay, lesbian and bisexual) adults are at higher risk of smoking compared with heterosexual individuals, yet little is known about how the tobacco control policy landscape interacts with sexual orientation smoking disparities.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive analysis to explore differential exposure to smoke-free laws and televised anti-tobacco media using two sources of national data from the United States: Census data on same-sex couple households/all households and data on SM adults/all adults from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). We combined this information with variables representing the proportion of individuals in each county covered by smoke-free laws (2013–2017), and average county-level exposure to televised anti-tobacco media campaigns (2013–2015). We compared average coverage levels for SM populations to average coverage levels for the broader US population.

Results

Between 2013 and 2017, same-sex couple households/SM adults lived in counties with higher levels of smoke-free law coverage compared with all US households/adults for workplaces (Census: 71.3% vs 68.0%; NHIS: 70.7% vs 67.9%) and hospitality venues (Census: 82.3% vs 77.0%; NHIS: 80.5% vs 77.2%). There were no consistent differences in exposures to anti-tobacco media campaigns across datasets.

Conclusions

SM adults may be more likely to live in areas with smoke-free laws, compared with the general population. Findings point to the need to examine other potential drivers of smoking in SM populations.
Menthol e-cigarette sales rise following 2020 FDA guidance
Authors: Diaz Megan C , Donovan Emily M , Schillo Barbara A , Vallone Donna
Published: September 2020

Objective

To explore patterns in flavoured e-cigarette sales following Juul Labs’ 2019 removal of mint-flavoured products and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2020 e-cigarette flavour guidance which prohibits flavoured cartridge-based sales, but allows for the sale of tobacco-flavoured and menthol-flavoured cartridges, open-system and disposable e-cigarettes.

Methods

We examined Nielsen Retail Scanner data from September 2013 to March 2020. Inflation-adjusted sales dollars for e-liquid-containing products were classified into five flavour categories (fruit, menthol, mint, tobacco and other).

Results

Following the Juul Labs 2019 and FDA 2020 actions, total e-cigarette sales declined; however, menthol-flavoured e-cigarette sales dollars increased, while mint-flavoured e-cigarette sales dollars decreased in both instances. Juul Labs’ removal of mint-flavoured products was followed by a 59.4% increase in the market share of menthol-flavoured e-cigarettes over 4 weeks. The FDA’s 2020 guidance was followed by a 42.7% increase in the market share of menthol-flavoured e-cigarettes over 4 weeks and a 104.9% increase over 8 weeks.

Conclusions

Juul Labs’ self-regulation and the current FDA flavour guidance were followed by a shift towards menthol-flavoured e-cigarettes. Industry self-regulation and current federal guidance appear insufficient in reversing the youth vaping epidemic. E-cigarettes must be fully regulated as a tobacco product including the removal of flavoured e-cigarettes, including menthol, from the market to reduce youth e-cigarette use.
Multimodality imaging characteristics of arterial aneurysm in a juvenile goat
Authors: Dressel Susann , Devaux David , Rosato Giuliana , Nuss Karl , Del Chicca Francesca
Published: September 2020

Peripheral arterial aneurysm is a rarely documented condition in animals. In the present report, the authors describe a four‐month‐old male goat with a persisting firm mass in the scapular region with no signs and history of previous trauma. A multimodal imaging approach was used to visualise characteristic features attributed to peripheral aneurysmal formation. Gross and histopathological analysis confirmed the antemortem diagnosis of a true, saccular aneurysm originating from the axillary artery.
On manifolds with infinitely many fillable contact structures
Authors: Fauck Alexander
Published: September 2020

We introduce the notion of asymptotically finitely generated contact structures, which states essentially that the Symplectic Homology in a certain degree of any filling of such contact manifolds is uniformly generated by only finitely many Reeb orbits. This property is used to generalize a famous result by Ustilovsky: We show that in a large class of manifolds (including all unit cotangent bundles and all Weinstein fillable contact manifolds with torsion first Chern class) each carries infinitely many exactly fillable contact structures. These are all different from the ones constructed recently by Lazarev. Along the way, the construction of Symplectic Homology is made more general. Moreover, we give a detailed exposition of Cieliebak’s Invariance Theorem for subcritical handle attaching, where we provide explicit Hamiltonians for the squeezing on the handle.
Car accident in synchronized traffic flow: A stochastic cellular automaton model
Authors: Karakhi A. , Laarej A. , Khallouk A. , Lakouari N. , Ez-Zahraouy H.
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we study the probability of car accidents in the modified Nagel–Schreckenberg (mNaSch) under the periodic boundary condition. In order to understand the quality of interaction between vehicles in each phase of the mNaSch, the velocity correlation coefficients were investigated. The effect of the evacuation of damaged vehicles was also studied. The fundamental diagram of the system is constructed in both cases with and without the evacuation. We found that the synchronized phases in the mNaSch are manifested into two aspects. In the first phase, the velocity correlation coefficients are zero where all vehicles move at the same speed. Hence, in the other phase, the speed of vehicles shows a synchronization as the form of clusters of moving vehicles where two speeds predominate simultaneously and the velocity correlation coefficients are higher. In addition, the car accidents in the modified mNaSch depend strongly on the initial configuration especially, if we consider those car accidents really happening in the system. The evacuation of damaged vehicles enhances the traffic situation and qualitatively changes the traffic phases in the mNaSch.
Characteristics of the projectile and target fragments produced in 84Kr36 — emulsion interaction at 1GeV per nucleon
Authors: Kumar S. , Singh M. K. , Jain R. K. , Singh V.
Published: September 2020

In the present analysis, we have focused on the emission characteristics of the projectile and target fragments produced from the interaction of [Formula: see text]Kr with nuclear emulsion at 1 A GeV. We have studied the variation of the fragmentation parameter for singly charged [Formula: see text], doubly charged [Formula: see text], lower multiple-charged [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text], medium multiple-charged [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] and higher multiple-charged [Formula: see text], projectile fragments with respect to mass of the projectile and found that they are showing the different behaviors for different projectile fragments. We have also studied the emission behavior of shower particles, with respect to the black and gray particles. The present studies show that the production of shower particles strongly depends on the incident kinetic energy of the projectile and also depending on the interaction of the different types of target nuclei of nuclear emulsion.
Estimation of Stress–Strength Reliability Based on Ranked Set Sampling for Generalized Exponential Distribution
Authors: Esemen Melek , Gurler Selma , Sevinc Busra
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we consider the estimation of the reliability in a stress–strength model by the maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods under generalized exponential distribution. We provide the estimation of the reliability with simple random sampling and ranked set sampling methods. Lindley’s algorithm is used to obtain the approximate Bayesian estimation of the reliability with gamma priors. The results are compared in terms of relative efficiency in different sample sizes through a simulation study with R-software. Finally, two real data examples are presented to estimate reliability.
An Intelligent Analysis Method for Human-Induced Vibration of Concrete Footbridges
Authors: Fu Bo , Wei Xinxin
Published: September 2020

It is essential to reliably predict the human-induced vibrations in serviceability design of footbridges to ensure the vibration levels to be within the acceptable comfort limits. The human-induced structural responses are dependent on the dynamic properties of structures and human-induced excitations. For concrete footbridges, the elastic modulus of concrete is a vital parameter for determining the dynamic structural properties. To this end, a two-stage machine learning (ML)-based method is first proposed for modeling the elastic modulus of concrete. At the first stage, the ensemble algorithm, i.e. the gradient boosting regression tree (GBRT), is used to predict the compressive strength by selecting eight parameters, including concrete ingredients and curing time, as the inputs. At the second stage, the elastic modulus of concrete is modeled by using the GBRT method with the compressive strength as the input. Pedestrian crowd-induced load is the most common and crucial design load for footbridges. To consider the inter- and intra-subject variability in walking parameters and induced forces among persons in a crowd, a load model is developed by associating a modified social force model with a walking force model. By integrating the two submodels of structure and excitation, an intelligent analysis method for human-induced vibration is finally developed. A concrete footbridge with typical box cross-section subjected to human-induced excitation is analysed to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF INTACT COLON DEFORMATION UNDER LOCAL FORCES APPLIED BY MAGNETIC CAPSULE ENDOSCOPES
Authors: ZHANG PEISEN , LI JING , HAO YANG , CIUTI GASTONE , ARAI TATSUO , HUANG QIANG , DARIO PAOLO
Published: September 2020

Magnetically guided capsule endoscopy is a promising technology for clinical application. A platform that simulates the magnetic capsule endoscope system is built to study the deformation process of the colon when its lumen suffers local forces. Force-displacement curves of the porcine large intestine under various experiment conditions, including different loading positions (haustra or taeniae coli), loading directions, colon inner pressures and specimen lengths, were measured to analyze the mechanical behavior of the intact large intestine during interactions with magnetic capsule endoscopes. In the practical application of the magnetic capsule endoscope, these data are imperative to optimize the control scheme and reduce operation risks. Based on our experiments, the taeniae coli of the intact large intestine show higher linear stiffness than the haustra, and inflation reduces the linear stiffness of the colon. Magnetic capsule with small edge radii can more easily damage or even perforate the colon. Based on our test results, we suggest that the force applied to the colon should be limited to below 17[Formula: see text]N when the capsule is actuated forward along the colon and limited to below 10[Formula: see text]N when the capsule is vertical to the colon during lesion screening.
A PHOTOELASTIC MODEL OF THE PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT TO STUDY PATELLAR HEIGHT
Authors: APARICIO GUSTAVO
Published: September 2020

Background: Patellar height has been related to anterior knee pain and Osgood–Schlatter disease. To study the influence of patellar height on knee biomechanics, a bidimensional photoelastic prototype of the patellofemoral joint was developed. Methods: Nine tests were performed at different knee flexion angles and patellar heights. A free body diagram was constructed for each test. The following parameters were calculated: lengths (patella, patella thickness and ligamentum patellae); patellar height index; angles (knee flexion, patellar flexion, quadriceps and ligamentum patellae force and reaction force at the ankle); moment arms (extensor, quadriceps and ligamentum patellae in relation to both the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral contact points), effective moment arm and forces around the extensor mechanism relative to the applied force. Results: Femoropatellar and femorotibial reaction forces were greater with increased knee flexion and a fixed patellar height. With fixed knee flexion and different patellar heights, these forces were greater if the patella was elevated. A decrease in the angle between the tibial axis and ligamentum patellae was observed when patellar height increased. Patellar flexion angle increased when patellar height increased. This was accompanied by an increase in the angle of action of the quadriceps force. Extensor moment arm decreased with increased patellar height when knee flexion and the tibiofemoral contact point were fixed. Conclusion: A new application of photoelasticity is presented. The preliminary findings obtained confirm the influence of patellar height on patellar biomechanics, and specifically on forces around the extensor mechanism of the knee.
A Reply to the Discussion of “What Turns the Taxman On? Tax Aggressiveness, Financial Statement Audits, and Tax Return Adjustments in Small Private Companies”
Authors: Ojala H. , Kinnunen J. , Niemi L. , Troberg P. , Collis J.
Published: September 2020

Radhakrishnan and Janakiraman (hereafter RJ) provide an insightful and constructive discussion on our paper. In what follows, we briefly comment on some of the main points they take up in their discussion.
Chasing after cancellations: Revisiting a classic identity that implies the Rogers–Ramanujan identities
Authors: Chan Hei-Chi
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we revisit an identity which was proven by Ramanujan and from which he deduced the famous identities that are named after him and L. J. Rogers. Unlike Ramanujan’s proof (which uses the method of [Formula: see text]-difference equations), we examine directly the [Formula: see text]-coefficients involved. We isolate and identify terms that cancel each other. Once these terms are paired up and canceled, we only need the geometric series to complete the proof.
Dimension theory of the product of partial quotients in Lüroth expansions
Authors: Tan Bo , Zhou Qinglong
Published: September 2020

For [Formula: see text] let [Formula: see text] be its Lüroth expansion and [Formula: see text] be the sequence of convergents of [Formula: see text] Define the sets [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a positive function. In this paper, we calculate the Lebesgue measure of the set [Formula: see text] and the Hausdorff dimension of the sets [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
A higher weight analogue of Ogg’s theorem on Weierstrass points
Authors: Dicks Robert
Published: September 2020

For a positive integer [Formula: see text], we say that [Formula: see text] is a Weierstrass point on the modular curve [Formula: see text] if there is a non-zero cusp form of weight [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] which vanishes at [Formula: see text] to order greater than the genus of [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a prime with [Formula: see text], Ogg proved that [Formula: see text] is not a Weierstrass point on [Formula: see text] if the genus of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]. We prove a similar result for even weights [Formula: see text]. We also study the space of weight [Formula: see text] cusp forms on [Formula: see text] vanishing to order greater than the dimension.
High-k Boron Nitride Sheets/Polyimide Hybrid Dielectric Layers for the Fabrication of Flexible Organic Transistors on Commercial Graphite Paper
Authors: Zhu Miao , Wei Xiaoyun , Cao Jupeng , Xie Wei , Zou Changwei , Xiang Yanxiong , Meng Hong
Published: September 2020

Organic transistors are crucial components in future flexible electronics due to their excellent properties and ease of circuit integration. Previously, we demonstrated that flexible organic (polyimide) thermal transistors could be prepared using commercial graphite paper as the substrate. These materials exhibited excellent temperature sensitivity, linearity and recoverability due to the intrinsically high thermal conductivity of graphite. In this study, boron nitride (BN) sheets/polyimide hybrid dielectric layers were synthesized for the fabrication of flexible organic transistors using a commercial graphite paper. Under test, the results showed that the introduction of BN sheets was beneficial in improving the mobility and transistor characteristics of the device, as well as enhancing the overall stability. The as-fabricated transistors virtually exhibited no hysteresis at all BN contents.
The investigation on structural, electronic, elastic, adsorptive, catalytic and magnetic properties of precious metal materials via first-principles calculations based on density functional theory — a review
Authors: Zhou Yunxuan , Yu Wei , Khan Asim , Chong Xiaoyu , Feng Jing
Published: September 2020

The thermal, mechanical, catalytic and adsorptive properties, etc. are the key factors dominating the applied field of precious metal materials. High temperature alloys doped by precious metal elements have high strength, excellent room temperature, high temperature oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance, excellent in fatigue resistance, good long-term stability, which applies in many fields, such as industrial catalyst, coating materials and medical biological etc. The structural, electronic, elastic, adsorptive, catalytic and magnetic properties of the precious metal materials are summarized systemically via first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. Moreover, the density functional theory has been introduced which provided theoretical support for subsequent analysis. In this review, recent advances of calculating the electronic and mechanical properties of pure, binary and ternary precious metal materials via first-principles calculations methods are concluded comprehensively. Lastly, conclusion and outlook are assessed briefly to further refine calculation of precious metal materials and provided guidance for experiment and its application.
The Mesoproterozoic Stac Fada Member, NW Scotland: an impact origin confirmed but refined
Authors: Osinski G. R. , Ferrière L. , Hill P. J. A. , Prave A. R. , Preston L. J. , Singleton A. , Pickersgill A. E.
Published: September 2020

The origin of the Stac Fada Member has been debated for decades with several early hypotheses being proposed, but all invoking some connection to volcanic activity. In 2008, the discovery of shocked quartz led to the hypothesis that the Stac Fada Member represents part the continuous ejecta blanket of a meteorite impact crater, the location of which was, and remains, unknown. In this paper, we confirm the presence of shock-metamorphosed and -melted material in the Stac Fada Member; however, we also show that its properties are unlike any other confirmed and well documented proximal impact ejecta deposits on Earth. Instead, the properties of the Stac Fada Member are most similar to the Onaping Formation of the Sudbury impact structure (Canada) and impact melt-bearing breccias from the Chicxulub impact structure (Mexico). We thus propose that, like the Sudbury and Chicxulub deposits, Melt Fuel Coolant Interactions – akin to what occur during phreatomagmatic volcanic eruptions – played a fundamental role in the origin of the Stac Fada Member. We conclude that these rocks are not primary impact ejecta but instead were deposited beyond the extent of the continuous ejecta blanket as high-energy ground-hugging sediment gravity flows.
Two newly identified cheiracanthid acanthodians from the Mey Flagstone Formation (Givetian, Middle Devonian) of the Orcadian Basin, Scotland
Authors: Newman Michael J. , den Blaauwen Jan L. , Burrow Carole J.
Published: September 2020

Articulated cheiracanthid acanthodians are relatively rare above the
Dickosteus thrieplandi
biostratigraphic zone in the Orcadian Basin, with
Cheiracanthus peachi
den Blaauwen, Newman & Burrow the only species identified to date. Here we describe two other taxa
Fallodentus davidsoni
nov. gen. et sp. and
Markacanthus costulatus
Valiukevičius from the Mey Flagstone Formation.
F. davidsoni
occurs at the base of the formation, in the
Osteolepis panderi
biostratigraphic zone, and is readily identified by its robust fin spines which have a wide longitudinal ridge on each side below the groove separating the leading edge from the side of the spine. The taxon is most similar to
Homalacanthus concinnus
(Whiteaves) from the younger (Frasnian) Escuminac Formation in Quebec, Canada. The unique specimen of
Markacanthus costulatus
is from the top of the Mey Flagstone Formation. This taxon was previously only known from isolated scales from the upper Narva and Aruküla Regional Stages of the east Baltic region. The dorsoventral preservation of the head region in the
F. davidsoni
specimens reveals clearly the position of the ceratohyal cartilages in a cheiracanthid, as well as showing for the first time that there is a basihyal cartilage anterior to the ceratohyals.
Sociology for mineral exploration
Authors: Boon Jan A.
Published: September 2020

This chapter presents a sociological approach that links mineral exploration company characteristics such as management style, culture, skill sets, resources and social responsibility strategy to the core concepts of sociological theory. It is a practical framework for managing a mineral exploration project and its interaction with surrounding communities. The core concepts include interactions and relationships, interactional needs, meanings, normative reference communities and change processes. The chapter presents easy to use tools that include relationship characterization indicators, relationship matrices and a generalized model of the sociological processes that play a role in the start-up and operation of a mineral exploration project.
Geoscience, ethics and enforcement
Authors: Bonham Oliver , Waldie Andrea
Published: September 2020

With geoethics evolving into the philosophy uniting geoscience with ethics, three related practical matters must be kept in focus. What ethical behaviour – exactly – should be desired of geoscientists? How is that desired ethical behaviour best instilled? Finally, and most importantly, is ethical behaviour enforced when geoscientists conduct themselves unethically?

This chapter looks at how expectations concerning ethical behaviour (often referred to as ‘professional conduct’) in geoscience are typically established, articulated and instilled. It then explores the important role of enforcement in ethics compliance, including differences in enforcement approaches and actions. Future trends are also discussed. The chapter concludes with some considerations for going forward.
Using computer programs and search problems for teaching theory of computation
Authors: MacCormick John
Published: September 2020

Recognizing the significance of a cornerstone of computer science.
The history, status, and future of FPGAs
Authors: Mencer Oskar , Allison Dennis , Blatt Elad , Cummings Mark , Flynn Michael J. , Harris Jerry , Hewitt Carl , Jacobson Quinn , Lavasani Maysam , Moazami Mohsen , Murray Hal , Nikravesh Masoud , Nowatzyk Andreas , Shand Mark , Shirazi Shahram
Published: September 2020

Hitting a nerve with field-programmable gate arrays.
We need to automate the declaration of
conflicts of interest
Authors: Snodgrass Richard T. , Winslett Marianne
Published: September 2020

Leveraging existing data sources to improve the declaration and management of authorship conflicts of interest.
Protecting computers and people from viruses
Authors: Hill Robin K.
Published: September 2020

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Communications
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Communications
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Robin K. Hill considers why the comparison of organic viruses and computer viruses is so compelling.
Bouncing balls and quantum computing
Authors: Monroe Don
Published: September 2020

A lighthearted method for calculating π is analogous to a fundamental algorithm for quantum computing.
Thwarting side-channel attacks
Authors: Edwards Chris
Published: September 2020

Deep learning challenges chip security.
Privacy-preserving polling
Authors: Shasha Dennis
Published: September 2020

Can you answer a poll without revealing your true preferences and have the results of the poll still be accurate?