bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precursors of northeast monsoon rainfall variability during extreme epochs of the global warming era
Authors: Prasanna K. , Vinay Kumar P. , Naidu C. V.
Published: March 2020

The smoothed time series of northeast monsoon rainfall over south peninsular (SP) India has revealed two extreme active epochs (1877–1887 and 2005–2015) and two extreme weak epochs (1899–1909 and 1980–1990) during 1871–2016. Only the recent two epochs 1980–1990 and 2005–2015 were chosen due to data constraints. For these two epochs, the distribution of zonal wind pattern at the 850 and 200 hPa levels, latent heat flux, vertical shear in the zonal wind between 850 and 200 hPa, sea surface temperature and outgoing long wave radiation (OLR) were studied. The vertical profile of zonal wind over the mean position of the subtropical westerly jet and the maximum wind reversal were also analysed. Further, the frequencies of dry days, little rainfall days (0–20 mm), moderate rainfall days (20–60 mm), heavy rainfall days (60–100 mm) and very heavy rainfall days (>100 mm) were evaluated. SP India has experienced active/weak monsoon conditions every one to two decades alternately. An active monsoon epoch shows a higher north–south temperature gradient over the Bay of Bengal than a weak monsoon epoch. An upper level subtropical westerly jet over north India, strong tropical easterlies in the lower troposphere and low vertical shear in the zonal wind over the Bay of Bengal were observed during the active epoch, which facilitates the transportation of good amounts of moisture to SP India. The low OLR values over SP India in the active monsoon epoch indicate more convective activity over that region. Enhanced rainfall activity over SP India in the active monsoon epoch is due to the enhanced frequency of very heavy, heavy, moderate and little rainfall events and the reduced frequency of dry days.
Drought trend, frequency and extremity across a wide range of climates over Iran
Authors: Nouri Milad , Homaee Mehdi
Published: March 2020

This study was conducted to assess drought trend, frequency and extremity during 1966–2012 over widely different climatic regimes in Iran. Two drought indicators, i.e. the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), were employed to characterize the droughts at 3, 6, 12 and 24 month time scales. In addition, the Mann–Kendall test was used for trend analysis. There was a declining (drying) trend in the SPI and SPEI at 76% and 85% or more, respectively, of the investigated sites. The SPIs were not well correlated with the SPEIs over the hyper‐arid/arid regions, demonstrating the significance of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) inclusion for drought identification over these water‐limited areas. Furthermore, the SPEI appears not to be calculated reliably using temperature‐based ET0 equations and also when wind speed data are missing at hyper‐arid/arid sites. More frequent droughts were detected during 1998–2012, which can be attributed to more recurrent La Niña events in this period. Seasonally, a greater increment in drought frequency at 3 and 6 month time scales was found in the March–April–May period. The most extended droughts and the most intensive dry months were also captured over 1998–2012 for most locations. In the majority of cases, it seems that the 1998–2001, 2007–2009 and 2010–2012 La Niña events caused long and severe droughts. The drought frequency increment and the most extreme drought incidences seem to have adversely impacted the agricultural sector over the studied areas. Consequently, there is a need for adaptation to negate the influences of frequent intensive dry episodes in Iran.
RETRACTED: Haplotype diversity and phylogenetic characteristics for Guanzhong Han population from Northwest China via 38 Y‐STRs using Yfiler™ Platinum Amplification System
Authors: Li Luyao , Yao Lilan , He Xin , Gong Huilin , Deng Yuan , Luan Mei , He Guanglin , Jia Fuquan , Chen Pengyu
Published: March 2020

Background

For better application in human forensic cases and population genetics research, it is imperative to investigate the genetic characteristics of Guanzhong Han population using enhanced Y‐chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y‐STR) detecting system with higher discriminating power than previous ones.

Methods

In this study, 38 Y‐STRs were profiled in 430 unrelated Chinese Han male individuals from Guanzhong region of Shaanxi Province, Northwest China, using the Yfiler™ Platinum PCR Amplification Kit. Haplotype frequencies and forensic parameters were calculated. Comprehensive population comparisons with geographically/ethnically different populations in China and other worldwide countries were performed.

Results

A total of 422 different haplotypes were observed with the overall haplotype diversity (HD), discriminatory power (DC) and haplotype match probability (HMP) were 0.9999, 0.9814, and 0.0024, respectively. Guanzhong Han showed genetically affinity with Han ethnicity from Shanxi and Henan provinces, while far distant from Tibetan populations.

Conclusion

This study offered a unique insight into Guanzhong Han population, the 38 Y‐STRs included in the the Yfiler™ Platinum system are highly polymorphic and informative and can be used for forensic practice and human genetic research.
Input of solid‐state 13C NMR to study permeation of wet archaeological bones by dicarboxylic fatty diacid‐based chemicals
Authors: Chaumat Gilles , Duval Florent , Blinder Rémi , Bayle Pierre‐Alain , Bardet Michel
Published: March 2020

Conservation treatment of degraded archaeological osseous materials is still an open challenge, since no specific conservation protocol is currently available for restorers or museum curators. This work aims to test the efficiency of two original consolidant solutions in consolidating archaeological material. Archaeological osseous materials remain rare and sparsely available, it is a real drawback for optimization of conservation treatments, therefore in the present work a set of representative samples was chosen. The consolidants tested were a solution of disodium sebacate and a novel polyalcohol (SG1.2) obtained by esterification of 5 succinic diacids with 6 molecules of glycerol at 150°C. Characterization studies of archaeological bones, combining SEM microscopy, IR spectroscopy and high‐resolution solid‐state 13C NMR investigations, have been carried out to assess the effective permeation of bone by the consolidant solutions and to determine their chemical interactions with the residual components of archaeological bones. Although both water solutions significantly impregnate bone, we show that, the solution with disodium sebacate leads to chemical attack on the mineral component due to preferential precipitation of endogenous calcium by the sebacate ions. Such deleterious behaviour is not observed at all with the SG1,2 chemicals. The added value of the polyalcohol treatment as strengthening agent suitable for archaeological bony materials should be further demonstrated by mechanical and ageing tests.
Creating a clinical platform for carbon‐13 studies using the sodium‐23 and proton resonances
Authors: Grist James T. , Hansen Esben S.S. , Sánchez‐Heredia Juan D. , McLean Mary A. , Tougaard Rasmus , Riemer Frank , Schulte Rolf F. , Kaggie Joshua D. , Ardenkjaer‐Larsen Jan Henrik , Laustsen Christoffer , Gallagher Ferdia A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Calibration of hyperpolarized13C‐MRI is limited by the low signal from endogenous carbon‐containing molecules and consequently requires13C‐enriched external phantoms. This study investigated the feasibility of using either23Na‐MRI or1H‐MRI to calibrate the13C excitation.

Methods

Commercial13C‐coils were used to estimate the transmit gain and center frequency for13C and23Na resonances. Simulations of the transmitB1profile of a Helmholtz loop were performed. Noise correlation was measured for both nuclei. A retrospective analysis of human data assessing the use of the1H resonance to predict [1‐13C]pyruvate center frequency was also performed. In vivo experiments were undertaken in the lower limbs of 6 pigs following injection of hyperpolarized13C‐pyruvate.

Results

The difference in center frequencies and transmit gain between tissue23Na and [1‐13C]pyruvate was reproducible, with a mean scale factor of 1.05179 ± 0.00001 and 10.4 ± 0.2 dB, respectively. Utilizing the1H water peak, it was possible to retrospectively predict the13C‐pyruvate center frequency with a standard deviation of only 11 Hz sufficient for spectral–spatial excitation‐based studies.

Conclusion

We demonstrate the feasibility of using the23Na and1H resonances to calibrate the13C transmitB1using commercially available13C‐coils. The method provides a simple approach for in vivo calibration and could improve clinical workflow.
The contribution of bisfurfurylamine to the development and properties of polyureas
Authors: Trovatti Eliane , Gonçalves Isabela G , Carvalho Antonio JF , Gandini Alessandro
Published: March 2020

Polyureas are versatile polymers with diversified properties dependent on their chemical composition. Furan diamines can be interesting monomers for such materials because of their renewable character and ready availability from furfural, but they have not been extensively studied. The synthesis of furfurylamine‐based diamine and its condensation with an aliphatic and an aromatic diisocyanate to generate polyureas are described here together with the structure and properties of the ensuing materials. The thermoplastic features of both polymers were exploited through hot pressing of their respective powders, indicating the versatile properties of these polyureas based on a renewable comonomer. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Unraveling the role of the enigmatic MatK maturase in chloroplast group IIA intron excision
Authors: Barthet Michelle M. , Pierpont Christopher L. , Tavernier Emilie‐Katherine
Published: March 2020

Maturases are prokaryotic enzymes that aid self‐excision of introns in precursor RNAs and have evolutionary ties to the nuclear spliceosome. Both the mitochondria and chloroplast, due to their prokaryotic origin, encode a single intron maturase, MatR for the mitochondria and MatK for the chloroplast. MatK is proposed to aid excision of seven different chloroplast group IIA introns that reside within precursor RNAs for essential elements of chloroplast function. We have developed an in vitro activity assay to test chloroplast group IIA intron excision. Using this assay, we demonstrate self‐excision of the group IIA intron of the second intron of rps12 and the group IIA intron of rpl2. We further show that the addition of heterologously expressed MatK protein increases efficiency of group IIA intron self‐splicing for the second intron of rps12 but not the group IIA intron of rpl2. These data, to our knowledge, provide the first direct evidence of MatK’s maturase activity.
Design and Firing and Safety Performance of Metal Film Igniting Component
Authors: Jiang Xinguang , Zhang Changfu , Yu Hongtao , Yan Zhenghu
Published: March 2020

The substrate, metal film and heat dissipation zone of metal film igniting component were designed and analyzed. By theoretical analysis and experiment, alumina ceramics were identified as the substrate material, and nickel‐chromium alloy was used as metal film material. The metal film shape is V‐shaped notch. Its size is 1 mm×2.732 mm, the thickness of the metal film is 0.5 μm, and the notch angle is 60°. Deposited copper is used as heat dissipation zone for increasing heat dissipation. Test results show that the metal film igniting component satisfies the safety requests of no firing under the condition of 1A1W5 min. The firing time is about 500 μs at a current of 5 A.
Intriguing generative metabolism discovery of reactive metabolite nitroso of lapatinib and relevant structural modification
Authors: Huang Hong , Bai Xue , Yang Lijun
Published: March 2020

Lapatinib is required as a therapy for advanced or metastatic breast cancer. However, its reactive metabolite (RM) nitroso was implicated in idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. Density functional theory was performed to explore the metabolism of nitroso formation. Primary hydroxylation amine is a critical intermediate to produce nitroso. Three pathways from secondary alkylamine lapatinib to primary hydroxylation amine were designed and discussed. Calculation results show that it is difficult to form primary hydroxylation amine through common proposed hydrolysis nitrone with a barrier of 36.67 kcal/mol (path A), but it is smoothly formed by paths B and C with moderate determined barriers of 15.09 kcal/mol and 16.56 kcal/mol, respectively. Subsequently, we demonstrate that the mechanism of nitroso formation from primary hydroxylation amine should be a double hydrogen atom transfer rather than the previously proposed hydrolysis primary dihydroxylation amine. The barrier of the former is obviously lower than the latter. Based on metabolism results and structure analysis, several lapatinib derivatives are designed. Molecular docking of designed compounds with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) shows that they share a similar binding mode with lapatinib. In particular, 2a to 2d show similar binding energy to lapatinib. This work showed metabolism details of nitroso formation from lapatinib and its structure modification, which can enrich the metabolism of amine drugs and provide guidance for drug optimization and design.
The Soil Water Isotope Storage System (SWISS): An integrated soil water vapor sampling and multiport storage system for stable isotope geochemistry
Authors: Havranek Rachel E. , Snell Kathryn E. , Davidheiser‐Kroll Brett , Bowen Gabriel J. , Vaughn Bruce
Published: March 2020

Rationale

Soil water stable isotopes are a powerful tool for tracking interactions among the hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The challenges associated with creating high‐temporal‐resolution soil water stable isotope datasets from a diversity of sites have limited the utility of stable isotope geochemistry in addressing a range of complex problems. A device that can enable further development of high‐temporal‐resolution soil water isotope datasets that are created with minimal soil profile disruption from remote sites would greatly expand the utility of soil water stable isotope analyses.

Methods

We designed a method for sampling and storing soil water vapor for stable isotope analysis that leverages recent advances in soil water sampling strategies. Here, we test the reliability of the storage system by introducing water vapor of known oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition into the storage system, storing the water vapor for a predetermined amount of time, and then measuring the stable isotope composition of the vapor after the storage period.

Results

We demonstrate that water vapor stored in our flasks reliably maintains its isotope composition within overall system uncertainty (±0.5‰ for δ18O values and ±2.4‰ for δ2H values) for up to 30 days.

Conclusions

This method has the potential to enable the collection of high‐temporal‐resolution soil water isotope datasets from remote sites that are not accessed daily in a time‐ and cost‐effective manner. All the components used in the system can be easily controlled using open‐source microcontrollers, which will be used in the future to automate sampling routines for remote field deployment. The system is designed to be an open‐source tool for use by other researchers.
Self‐adaptive brainstorming for jobshop scheduling in multicloud environment
Authors: Bhatt Ashutosh , Dimri Priti , Aggarwal Ambika
Published: March 2020

Cloud computing is a popular platform for processing the tasks by utilizing Virtual Machines as executing elements. The problems such as utilization and makespan persist in task scheduling in cloud which has to be solved and hence this article presents a human‐inspired approach for solving the job shop scheduling issue in the cloud environment. Since the job shop scheduling is challenging under multicloud environment, this article improves the well‐known method which is termed as self‐adaptive Brain Storm Optimization scheme. As a result, the recommendation of solutions is improved and so the desired updating is done. With this context, the scheduling process is performed. Here, the allocation of jobs for resources of heterogeneous cloud is encoded as brain storming process. Furthermore, the resultant scheduling scheme is evaluated for different performance constraints such as resource utilization rate, job completion, and makes span and the outcomes are verified. Next, to the implementation, the proposed model is compared with BSO, Particle Swarm Optimization, Genetic Algorithm, and Differential Evolution and the analysis proves its better performance.
Erneuerung des Stahlwasserbaus am Sylvensteinspeicher
Authors: Lang Tobias , Mayer Sabine , Lehmann Steffen
Published: March 2020

Der Sylvensteinspeicher – Bayerns ältester staatlicher Wasserspeicher – wurde 1954–1959 gebaut und liegt ca. 60 km südlich von München. Die Talsperre, ein 48,5 m hoher Erddamm, schützt die Unterlieger vor Hochwasser, sichert eine ausreichende Niedrigwasseraufhöhung und liefert umweltfreundlichen Strom aus Wasserkraft. Um die Betriebssicherheit der Anlage zu erhalten, wurde bereits 1994 mit umfangreichen Nachrüstungs‐ und Ertüchtigungsmaßnahmen begonnen. Diese umfassen den Neubau einer zusätzlichen Hochwasserentlastung, eine Dammerhöhung um 3 m, den Einbau einer zusätzlichen Dichtwand in Damm und Untergrund sowie ein an den Stand der Technik angepasstes neues Sickerwassermesssystem. Die Erneuerung des gesamten Stahlwasserbaus ist derzeit in der letzten Phase. Die besonderen Herausforderungen, speziell für den Stahlwasserbau, waren das Bauen im Bestand unter sehr beengten Platzverhältnissen sowie die zwingenden Vorgaben des laufenden Betriebs der Talsperre.
Rye Flour and Cellulose Reinforced Starch Biocomposite: A Green Approach to Improve Water Vapor Permeability and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Beigmohammadi Faranak , Barzoki Zahra Mahdizadeh , Shabanian Meisam
Published: March 2020

Research on starch‐based biopolymers has increased because of their potential as environmentally friendly biodegradable substitutes to typical plastics. This study investigates the effect of rye flour as a main reinforcement agent as well as cellulose and citric acid in biocomposite starches on improving their water vapor permeability (WPF) and mechanical properties. The optimum point of the starch biocomposites obtained by Design of Experiments software 7.1.5 is run with 10% cellulose,and 10% rye flour with a WPF value equal to 8.7E‐10 g s−1m−1Pa−1, water uptake (WU) of 3.42%, and good mechanical properties. Validation of the optimum point does not show significant difference between the predicted and the actual values. There is some strong hydrogen and physical bonding in the optimized starch biocomposite that changes the intensity of the absorption bands and improves the mechanical properties.
Commercial Starch Behavior When Impregnated with Food Additives by Moderate Temperature Supercritical CO2 Processing
Authors: Villegas Maria Eugenia , Aredo Victor , Asevedo Kayque Julio Egg , Lourenço Rodrigo Vinicius , Bazito Reinaldo Camino , Oliveira Alessandra Lopes
Published: March 2020

The behavioral analysis of carrier materials in supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) is important for particle formation applications. In this work, the behavior of modified starches (Hi‐Cap 100, Purity Gum Ultra, and Fluidex) in supercritical CO2 at 15 MPa and 60 °C is studied. Morphology and size profile of starch particles before and after contact with supercritical CO2 and their solubility and volumetric expansion in supercritical CO2 are analyzed. Morphology and size profiles of starch particles show physical changes; Purity Gum Ultra and Fluidex particularly show incremental changes in particle size. Solubility values for Hi‐Cap 100 and Purity Gum Ultra are 0.06 g/kg of CO2; for Fluidex it is 0.14 g/kg of CO2. No volumetric expansion of pure starches mixed with ethanol is visibly detected; alterations are observed only in starches mixed with hydrated ethanol. Although the starches are chemically modified, which gives them hydrophobicity, their interaction with supercritical CO2 is minimal.
Optical imaging techniques for vulnerable plaque detection
Authors: Eldomi Suleiman , Zafar Junaid , Sengupta Ritasree , Sharif Faisal , Zafar Haroon
Published: March 2020

Vulnerable plaque rupture is the most important cause of myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, identifying vulnerable plaques is of prime importance, which will in turn aid in the development of treatments to stabilise them. Currently, there are a number of techniques to detect vulnerable plaques. This review article gives a brief understanding about the current optical imaging techniques used to detect vulnerable plaques. The methods used currently are spectroscopy, angioscopy, near‐infrared spectroscopy, photoacoustic imaging and, optical coherence tomography. Moreover, this article aims at assessing the state‐of‐the‐art optical imaging techniques used for vulnerable plaque detection.
Protective effects of valproic acid on 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced neuroinjury
Authors: Hsu Shih‐Wei , Hsu Pei‐Chen , Chang Wen‐Shin , Yu Chien‐Chih , Wang Yun‐Chi , Yang Jai‐Sing , Tsai Fuu‐Jen , Chen Kai‐Yuan , Tsai Chia‐Wen , Bau Da‐Tian
Published: March 2020

Oxidative stress may play critically important roles in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). 6‐Hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) is a physiological neurotoxin reported to induce oxidative‐induced apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in PD mice models. Valproic acid (VPA), a clinical mood stabilizer, is a HDAC inhibitor with neuroprotective capacities. In the study, we aim at examining the feasibility of VPA as a protector for dopaminergic neurons against damage from 6‐OHDA, and the intracellular mechanisms. The 6‐OHDA‐induced neurotoxicity to the human dopaminergic cell line SH‐SY5Y was applied for examining VPA protective effects. Pretreatment with VPA was able to improve cell viability and reduce 6‐OHDA‐induced reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, a significant suppression of apoptotic caspases including cleaved caspase‐3, caspase‐7, and caspase‐9 was observed. The results also revealed VPA decreased the 6‐OHDA‐induced Bax/Bcl2 ratio, as measured at protein level. These novel findings indicate that VPA may be capable of protecting the SH‐SY5Y dopaminergic neuronal cells from 6‐OHDA‐induced toxicity via the deceasing of apoptotic caspases (cleaved caspase‐3, caspase‐7, and caspase‐9) and reducing of the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Very possibly, VPA could serve as not only a mood stabilizer but also a potential antidote for PD prevention.
The Scattering Map on Oppenheimer–Snyder Space-Time
Authors: Alford Fred
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we analyse the boundedness of solutions $$\phi $$ϕ of the wave equation in the Oppenheimer–Snyder model of gravitational collapse in both the case of a reflective dust cloud and a permeating dust cloud. We then proceed to define the scattering map on this space-time and look at the implications of our boundedness results on this scattering map. Specifically, it is shown that the energy of $$\phi $$ϕ remains uniformly bounded going forwards in time and going backwards in time for both the reflective and the permeating cases. It is then shown that the scattering map is bounded going forwards, but not backwards. Therefore, the scattering map is not surjective onto the space of finite energy on $$\mathcal {I}^+\cup \mathcal {H}^+$$I+∪H+. Thus, there does not exist a backwards scattering map from finite energy radiation fields on $$\mathcal {I}^+\cup \mathcal {H}^+$$I+∪H+ to finite energy radiation fields on $$\mathcal {I}^-$$I-. We will then contrast this with the situation for scattering in pure Schwarzschild.
A re-evaluation of diastatic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and their role in brewing
Authors: Krogerus Kristoffer , Gibson Brian
Published: March 2020

Diastatic strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae possess the unique ability to hydrolyze and ferment long-chain oligosaccharides like dextrin and starch. They have long been regarded as important spoilage microbes in beer, but recent studies have inspired a re-evaluation of the significance of the group. Rather than being merely wild-yeast contaminants, they are highly specialized, domesticated yeasts belonging to a major brewing yeast lineage. In fact, many diastatic strains have unknowingly been used as production strains for decades. These yeasts are used in the production of traditional beer styles, like saison, but also show potential for creation of new beers with novel chemical and physical properties. Herein, we review results of the most recent studies and provide a detailed account of the structure, regulation, and functional role of the glucoamylase-encoding STA1 gene in relation to brewing and other fermentation industries. The state of the art in detecting diastatic yeast in the brewery is also summarized. In summary, these latest results highlight that having diastatic S. cerevisiae in your brewery is not necessarily a bad thing.

Key Points

•Diastatic S. cerevisiae strains are important spoilage microbes in brewery fermentations.

•These strains belong to the ‘Beer 2’ or ‘Mosaic beer’ brewing yeast lineage.

•Diastatic strains have unknowingly been used as production strains in breweries.

•The STA1-encoded glucoamylase enables efficient maltotriose use.
Prospective evaluation of changes in choroidal vascularity index after half-dose photodynamic therapy versus micropulse laser treatment in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: van Rijssen Thomas J. , Singh Sumit Randhir , van Dijk Elon H. C. , Rasheed Mohammed A. , Vupparaboina Kiran Kumar , Boon Camiel J. F. , Chhablani Jay
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To assess whether treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and high-density subthreshold micropulse laser (HSML) results in choroidal vascularity index (CVI) changes that may account for the treatment effect.

Methods

Patients with cCSC were prospectively included and analyzed. Patients received either half-dose PDT or HSML treatment. CVI of the affected and unaffected eye was obtained before treatment, 6 to 8 weeks after treatment, and 7 to 8 months after treatment.

Results

At baseline, 29 eyes (29 patients) were included both in the PDT and in the HSML group. The mean (± standard deviation) CVI change in the HSML group between before PDT and 6 to 8 weeks after PDT was − 0.009 ± 0.032 (p = 0.127), whereas this was 0.0025 ± 0.037 (p = 0.723) between the visit before PDT and final visit. The patients in the PDT group had a CVI change of − 0.0025 ± 0.037 (p = 0.723) between the visit before PDT and first visit after PDT, and a mean CVI change of − 0.013 ± 0.038 (p = 0.080) between the visit before PDT and final visit. There was no significant correlation between CVI and BCVA at the measured time points, in both the HSML group (p = 0.885), and in the PDT group (p = 0.904). Moreover, no significant changes in CVI occurred in the unaffected eye at any time point.

Conclusions

PDT and HSML do not significantly affect CVI, and therefore a CVI change may not be primarily responsible for the treatment effect. The positive treatment effect of both interventions may rely on other mechanisms, such as an effect on choriocapillaris and/or retinal pigment epithelium function.
Energy-dense, low-volume paediatric oral nutritional supplements improve total nutrient intake and increase growth in paediatric patients requiring nutritional support: results of a randomised controlled pilot trial
Authors: Hubbard Gary P. , Fry Catherine , Sorensen Katy , Casewell Catherine , Collins Lydia , Cunjamalay Annaruby , Simpson Michelle , Wall Amanda , Van Wyk Elmarie , Ward Matthew , Hallowes Sophie , Duggan Hannah , Robison Jennifer , Gane Helen , Pope Lucy , Clark Jennifer , Stratton Rebecca J.
Published: March 2020

Children with or at risk of faltering growth require nutritional support and are often prescribed oral nutritional supplements (ONS). This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of energy-dense paediatric ONS (2.4 kcal/ml, 125 ml: cONS) versus 1.5 kcal/ml, 200 ml ONS (sONS) in community-based paediatric patients requiring oral nutritional support. Fifty-one patients (mean age 5.8 years (SD 3)) with faltering growth and/or requiring ONS to meet their nutritional requirements were randomised to cONS (n = 27) or sONS (n = 24) for 28 days. Nutrient intake, growth, ONS compliance and acceptability, appetite and gastro-intestinal tolerance were assessed. Use of the cONS resulted in significantly greater mean total daily energy (+ 531 kcal/day), protein (+ 10.1 g/day) and key micronutrient intakes compared with the sONS group at day 28 and over time, due to high ONS compliance (81% of patients ≥ 75%), maintained intake from diet alone and improved appetite in the cONS group, compared with the sONS group. Although growth increased in both intervention groups, results were significant in the cONS group (weight (p = 0.007), height (p < 0.001) and height z-score (p = 0.006)).

Conclusions: This study shows that use of energy-dense (2.4 kcal/ml) low-volume paediatric-specific ONS leads to improved nutrient intakes, growth and appetite in paediatric patients requiring oral nutrition support compared with standard energy density ONS.

Trial registration: The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, identification number NCT02419599.

What is Known:• Faltering growth is the failure of children to achieve adequate growth at a normal rate for their age and requires nutritional support, including the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS).• Energy-dense, low-volume ONS have benefits over standard ONS in adults.

What is New:• This is the first RCT to investigate the effects of energy-dense, low-volume ONS (2.4 kcal/ml, 125 ml) in children with faltering growth, showing significant improvements in total nutrient intake and increased growth.• Energy-dense, low-volume ONS can play a key role in the management of faltering growth.
How Do Academic Elites March Through Departments? A Comparison of the Most Eminent Economists and Sociologists’ Career Trajectories
Authors: Korom Philipp
Published: March 2020

This article compares the career trajectories and mobility patterns of Nobel Laureates in economics with those of highly cited sociologists to evaluate a theory advanced by Richard Whitley that postulates a nexus between the overall intellectual structure of a discipline and the composition of its elite. The theory predicts that the most eminent scholars in internally fragmented disciplines such as sociology will vary in their departmental affiliations and academic career paths, while disciplines such as economics with strong linkages between specialties and shared standards of excellence will be dominated by a more homogeneous elite. The comparison provides strong empirical evidence in favor of Whitley’s theory. The careers of the most eminent economists are closely tied to the top five departments of the discipline, whereas the career pathways to eminence in sociology are largely unpredictable.
Insisting on Action in Education: Students are Unique but not Irreplaceable
Authors: Noordegraaf-Eelens Liesbeth , Kloeg Julien
Published: March 2020

Biesta distinguishes three functions of education: qualification, socialization and subjectification. We focus on subjectification. When first addressing this concept, Biesta referred to action as defined by Arendt, thereby stressing the importance of ‘the question of freedom’. More recently, the question of freedom (Arendt) is replaced by ‘the question of responsibility’ (Levinas). For Levinas responsibility is related to irreplaceability. While the concept of responsibility is valuable, we question the call upon irreplaceability in education. Actively taking responsibility where irreplaceability might not be either present or felt should be central to education. Unlike the morally clear examples invoked by Biesta, complex societal issues like the climate and refugee crisis are not accessible as an immediate appeal to a specific subject. Therefore, we propose a return to Arendt and her concept of action. Action allows and requires students to create the world anew, to take a position without pretending that the outcome can be controlled. Biesta refers to this as the impossibility of education. However, rather than repeating the theme of impossibility, we focus on the possibilities of education: there are several ways to create the world anew.
Refinement of the Hardening Soil model within the small strain range
Authors: Cudny Marcin , Truty Andrzej
Published: March 2020

The popularity of the elasto-plastic Hardening Soil (HS) model is based on simple parameter identification from standard testing and empirical formulas. The HS model is implemented in many commercial FE codes designed to analyse geotechnical problems. In its basic version, the stress–strain behaviour within the elastic range is subject to the hypoelastic power law, which assures the barotropy of the elastic stiffness. However, a proper modelling within the small strain range, i.e. strain-induced stiffness degradation and correct reproduction of the hysteretic behaviour, was one of the most important drawbacks in the HS formulation. The first small strain stiffness extension to the HS model was proposed by Benz (Small strain stiffness of soils and its numerical consequences, 2007), and the new model was called Hardening Soil Small (HSS). Despite the simple isotropic formulation, its applicability was proved in various numerical simulations in geotechnics. However, the HSS formulation exhibits a serious fault known in the literature as overshooting, i.e. uncontrolled reset of the loading memory after tiny unloading–reloading cycles. The authors' main aim was to retain the set of material parameters for the HSS formulation and to propose a new small strain extension to the HS model without overshooting. The new proposal is based on theBrickmodel which represents the concept of nested yield surfaces in strain space. The implementation aspects of the new HS-Brick model are described, and its performance is presented in some element tests and selected boundary value problems by comparisons with the HSS formulation.
Protests in Hong Kong (2019–2020): a Perspective Based on Quality of Life and Well-Being
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: March 2020

Triggered by the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 in Hong Kong (Extradition Bill), many protests have taken place in Hong Kong in 2019–2020. Using a perspective based on quality of life and well-being in different ecological systems, it is argued that the process of introducing the Bill is the “heat” which has ignited the “fuels” represented by 12 pre-existing and new issues in quality of life and well-being. These issues included distrust in the Central Government, lack of national identity, political dissatisfaction, economic strains, mental health threats, drop in family quality of life, lack of life skills education, lack of evidence-based national education in the formal curriculum, slow response of the Government, and alleged excessive use of force by the police. The fire has been intensified by “four strong winds”, including disinformation and misinformation, anonymity of the protesters, public support for the students, and support given by parties outside Hong Kong. Possible solutions in terms of promotion of quality of life and well-being with reference to the fire triangle are discussed.
David Martin’s The Religious and the Secular (1969): an Underestimated Masterwork in the Study of Western Secularization
Authors: Brewitt-Taylor Sam
Published: March 2020

This article considers the content and reception of David Martin’s The Religious and the Secular (1969), a brilliant text whose revolutionary implications were overlooked by most of the next two generations of secularization scholarship because it was so far ahead of its time. The young Martin was able to unmask the ideological nature of the secular project partly due to his knowledge of theology, partly due to his eclectic reading, and partly because he was writing at a time when secularity was only just achieving cultural hegemony in Anglophone cultures. Fifty years later, now that postsecular scholarship is beginning to deconstruct the secular project, Martin’s anthology re-emerges as a vital early text in the new paradigm in secularization studies.
Alternative Strategies Toward Sustainable Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Li Chengcheng , Wang Tuo , Gong Jinlong
Published: March 2020

As one of the world’s most produced chemicals, ammonia (NH3) is synthesized by Haber–Bosch process. This century-old industry nourishes billions of people and promotes social and economic development. In the meantime, 3%–5% of the world’s natural gas and 1%–2% of the world’s energy reserves are consumed, releasing millions of tons of carbon dioxide annually to the atmosphere. The urgency of replacing fossil fuels and mitigating climate change motivates us to progress toward more sustainable methods for N2 reduction reaction based on clean energy. Herein, we overview the emerging advancement for sustainable N2 fixation under mild conditions, which include electrochemical, photo- , plasma-enabled and homogeneous molecular NH3 productions. We focus on NH3 generation by electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. We clarify the features and progress of each kind of NH3 synthesis process and provide promising strategies to further promote sustainable ammonia production and construct state-of-the-art catalytic systems.
The MASCOT separation mechanism
Authors: Grimm Christian D. , Lange Caroline , Lange Michael , Mierheim Olaf , Witte Lars , Sasaki Kaname , Chand Suditi , Ksenik Eugen , Grundmann Jan-Thimo , Ho Tra-Mi , Biele Jens , Hercik David , Auster Uli , Lorda Laurence , Torres Alex , Garmier Romain
Published: March 2020

The Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT), an Asteroid Lander carried by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, successfully landed on the Near-Earth Asteroid (162173) Ryugu on October 03, 2018. Thereby accomplishing the first-ever landing of a European spacecraft on the surface of this type of celestial body. MASCOT was a prototype design of a new class of nano-size surface science packages for the exploration of small solar system bodies. The very low gravity (thus, very low escape velocity) of the target body required the design of a miniaturized deployment mechanism with a relatively small, well-reproducible separation velocity. In addition, the mechanism also had to safely restrain the lander to the mother spacecraft during the launch and its 3.5-year cruise phase. In this paper, we describe in detail the design, numerical analysis and test of this newly developed separation mechanism. Furthermore, we compare the mechanism to other existing deployment systems and verify its performance with two independent analysis methods using actual flight data taken during the ultimate flight activation event, which initiated the successful delivery and surface operation of the MASCOT asteroid lander.
Local Gender Norms: Persistence or Change? Reply to “A Gendered Resource Curse? Mineral Ownership, Female Unemployment and Domestic Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa” by Mario Krauser, Tim Wegenast, Gerald Schneider, and Ingeborg Elgersmar
Authors: Neupert-Wentz Clara
Published: March 2020

In their recent article “A Gendered Resource Curse? Mineral Ownership, Female Unemployment and Domestic Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Mario Krauser, Tim Wegenast, Gerald Schneider, and Ingeborg Elgersmar argue that international mine ownership alters employment possibilities for women in comparison to domestically-owned mines. They make the case that this also alters gender norms and find that foreign ownership decreases domestic violence reporting from women. In this reply, I take a closer look at the proposed mechanisms that local gender norms change around international mines and will review literature that finds persisting effects of gender norms on gender equality. Finally, I will assess the circumstance under which norms may change in response to outside interventions and suggest avenues for future research.
Prevalence and Predictors of Climacturia and Associated Patient/Partner Bother in Patients with History of Definitive Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Jimbo Masaya , Alom Manaf , Pfeifer Zachary D. , Haile Eiftu S. , Stephens Dane A. , Gopalakrishna Ajay , Ziegelmann Matthew J. , Viers Boyd R. , Trost Landon W. , Kohler Tobias S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Climacturia is an under-reported complication of definitive therapy for prostate cancer (PCa) - that is, radical prostatectomy (RP) and/or radiation therapy (RT).

Aim

We sought to identify the prevalence and predictors of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother in patients with and without prior PCa treatment.

Methods

We analyzed a database of patients who presented to our Men's Health clinic and filled out a questionnaire related to sexual function and pertinent medical histories. The prevalence of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother in patients with/without prior RP/RT was calculated. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify predictors associated with climacturia and patient/partner bother.

Outcomes

The primary outcomes were the prevalence and predictors of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother in patients with/without history of definitive PCa treatment.

Results

Among 1,117 patients able to achieve orgasm, 192 patients (17%) had prior history of definitive therapy for PCa (RP alone = 139 [72%]; RT alone = 22 [11%]; RP + RT = 31 [16%]). Climacturia was reported by 39%, 14%, 52%, and 2.4% of patients with history of RP alone, RT alone, RP + RT, and neither RP nor RT, respectively (P < .05 between all groups). 33 to 45 percent of patients with climacturia noted significant patient/partner bother. Factors significantly associated with climacturia were prior RP, prior RT, history of other prostate surgery, and erectile dysfunction, although erectile dysfunction was not significant on multivariable analysis. Significant reduction in climacturia prevalence was noted for patients who were ≥1 year out from RP, compared with patients who were <1 year out.

Among patients with prior RP/RT, stress urinary incontinence was associated with increased risk of climacturia, whereas diabetes was associated with decreased risk. No factors were associated with patient/partner bother. Among patients with prior RP, nerve-sparing technique did not predict presence of climacturia but was associated with reduced patient/partner bother.

Clinical translation

Given significant prevalence of climacturia and associated patient/partner bother, patients should be counseled on the risk of climacturia before undergoing RP/RT.

Strengths and limitations

Strengths include the large study population and the focus on both RP and RT. Limitations include the facts that this is a single-institution study that primarily relies on patients’ subjective reporting and that the study population may not represent the general population.

Conclusions

Climacturia affects a significant proportion of patients with history of RP/RT for PCa, and many patients and their partners find this bothersome.
Democratising food: The case for a deliberative approach
Authors: Thompson Merisa S. , Cochrane Alasdair , Hopma Justa
Published: March 2020

Prevailing political and ethical approaches that have been used to both critique and propose alternatives to the existing food system are lacking. Although food security, food sovereignty, food justice, and food democracy all offer something important to our reflection on the global food system, none is adequate as an alternative to the status quo. This article analyses each in order to identify the prerequisites for such an alternative approach to food governance. These include a focus on goods like nutrition and health, equitable distribution, supporting livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and social justice. However, other goods, like the interests of non-human animals, are not presently represented. Moreover, incorporating all of these goods is incredibly demanding, and some are in tension. This raises the question of how each can be appropriately accommodated and balanced. The article proposes that this ought to be done through deliberative democratic processes that incorporate the interests of all relevant parties at the local, national, regional, and global levels. In other words, the article calls for adeliberativeapproach to thedemocratisationof food. It also proposes that one promising potential for incorporating the interests of all affected parties and addressing power imbalances lies in organising the scope and remit of deliberation aroundfood type.
Twenty-five Years of LIFT: Towards a Plurality of Positions
Authors: Fenton Rose ,   in conversation with Phoebe Patey-Ferguson
Published: March 2020

Rose Fenton and Lucy Neal were the Artistic Directors of LIFT – the London International Festival of Theatre – from its conception in 1979 until their joint resignation in 2004. In this interview they discuss with Phoebe Patey-Ferguson the initial motivations and challenges of establishing an international festival in London and how these changed in maintaining the organization over twenty-five years. This conversation took place in London on 15 February and 14 March 2018, and complements the preceding article in this issue of NTQ by Patey-Ferguson, analyzing the socio-political circumstances of its early years.
Labours of Seduction in Immersive and Interactive Performance
Authors: Biggin Rose
Published: March 2020

Much theatrical work that calls itself ‘immersive’ uses tropes of the erotic to achieve its intended effects. In this article Rose Biggin identifies structural and performative strategies in the use of the erotic in this genre. What does it mean to identify the process of performed seduction as central to much immersive dramaturgy? Through readings of contemporary productions that draw upon (or appropriate) pre-existing erotically charged environments, the inevitable responsibilities for makers working in this context of immersion are considered, as is the importance of considering the consequences for those working in immersive spaces. Stress is laid on the crucial role that this form of performative labour often plays in immersive performance, and a continued recognition of its influence is emphasized. Rose Biggin is an independent scholar and theatre artist based in London. She received her PhD from the University of Exeter, researching audience immersion and the work of Punchdrunk, and both writes and makes work on gender, history, and language. She is author of Immersive Theatre and Audience Experience (2017).
The Geography of Citizenship Practice: How the Poor Engage the State in Rural and Urban India
Authors: Auerbach Adam Michael , Kruks-Wisner Gabrielle
Published: March 2020

When and why do poor citizens expect the state to respond to their claims, and how do those expectations shape citizenship practice? Drawing on survey and qualitative research in northern India, our study reveals an expectations gap that complicates widely held views of the urban core versus the rural periphery. The urban poor residing in slums are dramatically less likely to believe that they will get a direct response from an official compared to similarly poor rural residents. Slum residents are also significantly more likely than villagers to report the presence of political brokers, who create mediated channels for claim-making. Reflecting on these patterns, we develop a place-based theory to explain sub-national variation in citizen-state engagement. We focus in the northern Indian context on three interrelated factors that shape the local terrain for citizenship practice: the greater visibility of social welfare provision in villages compared to slums; the greater depth of rural decentralization; and the greater strength of urban party organizations. Extending beyond northern India, we propose an analytical framework for the study of citizenship that examines how citizens’ local experiences of state institutions influence sub-national patterns of participation.