bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of a Nine−Membered Aromatic Heterocyclic 1,4,7−triazacyclononatetraenyl anion and its Sandwich Complexes with Divalent Lanthanides
Authors: Joshi Meenakshi , Ghanty Tapan K.
Published: September 2019

The sandwich complexes of heterocyclic ligands have attracted immense attention of scientists because of their applications in anticancer, antibacterial and antitumor activities. Moreover, lanthanide sandwich complexes possess wide range of applications as single molecule magnet, optical materials, and in spintronics and catalysis. Designing a new aromatic ring is very important for the creation of magnetically coupled one−dimensional sandwich molecular wires, which are of significant recent interests. In the present work for the first time we have theoretically proposed a nine−membered novel aromatic heterocyclic anionic ligand, 1,4,7−triazacyclononatetraenyl ion, C6H6N3− (tacn), associated with three hetero atoms and 10 π delocalized electrons. The aromaticity of tacn has been analyzed using NICS, HOMA and Hückel rule. Subsequently, sandwich complexes of divalent lanthanides with the tacn ligand, Ln(C6H6N3)2 (Ln=Nd(II), Pm(II), Sm(II), Eu(II), Tm(II) and Yb(II)) have been investigated. The structural properties, nature of bonding and thermodynamic stability of the predicted Ln(C6H6N3)2 complexes have been investigated using dispersion corrected density functional theory. One to one correspondence in the various properties of the predicted C6H6N3− ligand and Ln(C6H6N3)2 complexes with the experimentally observed corresponding C9H9− ligand and Ln(C9H9)2 complexes shows the feasibility of formation of the predicted Ln(C6H6N3)2 complexes.
pH‐Responsive Studies of Bacterial Cellulose /Chitosan Hydrogels Crosslinked with Genipin: Swelling and Drug Release Behaviour
Authors: Arikibe Joachim E. , Lata Roselyn , Kuboyama Keiichi , Ougizawa Toshiaki , Rohindra David
Published: September 2019

Semi interpenetrating hydrogels (semi‐IPN) of bacterial cellulose (BC) and chitosan (Ch) crosslinked with genipin were prepared and characterised using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Infrared spectra showed amide I and II absorption peaks at 1632 and 1554 cm−1 and C−N stretching absorptions at 1250 and 1020 cm−1, respectively, for crosslinked hydrogels. The fibrous structure of BC and the porosity in the hydrogels were revealed by SEM. Swelling of hydrogels was sensitive to pH, and maximum at pH 1.0. Swelling of non‐crosslinked samples decreased as the pH increased. However, with crosslinked hydrogels, swelling increased as chitosan ratio increased at low pH, as well as with increase in BC ratio at high pH. Free, bound and intermediate water types in hydrogels were revealed by DSC. The release kinetics of Quetiapine fumarate (QF), an antipsychotic drug used for the treatment of Schizophrenia was studied using UV spectrometry, followed predominantly, the Higuchi model at all pH for crosslinked hydrogels. The transport mechanism of hydrogels was a combination of non‐Fickian and Super Case II. Crosslinked hydrogels showed controlled drug release behaviour. These hydrogel systems possess potential application in pharmaceutical field as all chemicals used in the development of the hydrogels are non‐toxic, with BC−Ch 60:40 showing most promising potential.
The Dehydrogenation Mechanism and Cycling Property of MgH2 Modified by CoB/CNTs Addition
Authors: Gao Shichao , Wang Xinhua , Liu Haizhen , He Ting , Li Shouquan , Yan Mi
Published: September 2019

In this paper, the dehydrogenation process of MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs was studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) at various temperatures. The results indicated that a part of CoB/CNTs might react with MgH2 to form the new phase Co3MgC as the temperature increases from room temperature to 500 °C. Furthermore, it was found that the hydrogen desorption processes of the MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs and as‐milled MgH2 were controlled by the three‐dimensional phase boundary and the one‐dimensional diffusion kinetic mechanism, respectively. This difference is attributed to the fact that the in‐situ formed Co3MgC can provide many pathways and act as “hydrogen pumps” for accelerating the hydrogen dissociation and association. Moreover, the cycling property of the MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs composite was also studied. The hydrogen storage capacity and the hydrogen de/absorption kinetics can remain stable over 6 cycles. MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs can steadily release about 6.3 wt% of H2 within about 40 min at 300 °C, and hydrogen absorption can be completed rapidly. XRD measurements show that Co3MgC remains unchanged after 6 cycles, which has positive effect on the cycling stability.
Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performance through Body Enrichment of Co‐Based Bimetallic Nanoparticles In Situ Embedded Porous N‐Doped Carbon Spheres
Authors: Song Qianqian , Li Junqi , Wang Shaolan , Liu Junli , Liu Xiaoxu , Pang Lingyan , Li Hu , Liu Hui
Published: September 2019

Extending available body space loading active species and controllably tailoring the d‐band center to Fermi level of catalysts are of paramount importance but extremely challenging for the enhancement of electrocatalytic performance. Herein, a melamine‐bridged self‐construction strategy is proposed to in situ embed Co‐based bimetallic nanoparticles in the body of N‐doped porous carbon spheres (CoM‐e‐PNC), and achieve the controllable tailoring of the d‐band center position by alloying of Co and another transition metal M (M = Ni, Fe, Mn, and Cu). The enrichment and exposure of the active sites in the body interior of porous carbon spheres, and the best balance between the adsorption of OH species and the desorption of O2 induced by optimizing the d‐band center position, collectively enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Meanwhile, the relationship of d‐band center position and OER activity is found to exhibit the volcano curve rule, where the CoNi‐e‐PNC catalyst shows optimal OER performance with an overpotential of 0.24 V at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, outperforming those of the ever‐reported CoNi‐based catalysts. Besides, CoNi‐e‐PNC catalyst also demonstrates high OER stability with slight current decrease after 100 h.
Dynamic magnetic‐coupling effect of two‐degrees‐of‐freedom direct drive induction motor
Authors: Feng Haichao , Si Jikai , Wang Peixin , Hua Wei , Cheng Zhiping , Li Zhongwen
Published: September 2019

The special structure of the two‐degrees‐of‐freedom direct drive induction motor (2DoFDDIM) gives rise to the magnetic‐coupling between the rotary and linear magnetic fields. In this article, the dynamic magnetic‐coupling effect, which is against the static coupling effect and indicates the special phenomenon caused by coupling magnetic fields in helical motion, is exposed and investigated based on the 3D finite‐element model (3D FEM). The control variable method is adopted and only the coupling magnetic field in helical motion is considered in this research. The performance changes caused by the dynamic magnetic‐coupling effect of the motor are simulated and analyzed. The relationship between the coupling magnetic field and the dynamic magnetic‐coupling effect is disclosed. To validate the 3D FEM and the magnetic‐coupling effect of 2DoFDDIM, a prototype and an experimental platform were built and measured. For the induced voltages caused by the magnetic‐coupling effect, the finite element analysis results are in agreement with the experimental results. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Intracervical lakes as sonographic marker of placenta accreta spectrum disorder in patients with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta
Authors: di Pasquo E. , Ghi T. , Calì G. , D'Antonio F. , Fratelli N. , Forlani F. , Prefumo F. , Kaihura C. T. , Volpe N. , Dall'Asta A. , Frusca T.
Published: September 2019

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new ultrasound sign, intracervical lakes (ICL), in predicting the presence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder and delivery outcome in patients with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta.

Methods

This was a retrospective multicenter study of women with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta at ≥ 26 weeks' gestation, who were referred to three Italian tertiary units from January 2015 to September 2018. The presence of ICL, defined as tortuous anechoic spaces within the cervix which appeared to be hypervascular on color Doppler, was evaluated on ultrasound images obtained at the time of referral. The primary aim was to explore the diagnostic accuracy of ICL in detecting the presence and depth of PAS disorder. The secondary aim was to explore the accuracy of this sign in predicting total estimated blood loss, antepartum bleeding, major postpartum hemorrhage at the time of Cesarean section and need for Cesarean hysterectomy. The diagnostic accuracy of ICL in combination with typical sonographic signs of PAS disorder, was assessed by computing summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR).

Results

A total of 332 women with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta were included in the analysis, with a median maternal age of 33.0 (interquartile range, 29.0–37.0) years. ICL were noted in 15.1% of patients. On logistic regression analysis, the presence of ICL was associated independently with major postpartum hemorrhage (odds ratio (OR), 3.3 (95% CI, 1.6–6.5); P < 0.001), Cesarean hysterectomy (OR, 7.0 (95% CI, 2.1–23.9); P < 0.001) and placenta percreta (OR, 2.8 (95% CI, 1.3–5.8); P ≤ 0.01), but not with the presence of any PAS disorder (OR, 1.6 (95% CI, 0.7–3.5); P = 0.2). Compared with the group of patients without ultrasound signs of PAS disorder, the presence of at least one typical sonographic sign of PAS disorder in combination with ICL had a DOR of 217.2 (95% CI, 27.7–1703.4; P < 0.001) for placenta percreta and of 687.4 (95% CI, 121.4–3893.0; P < 0.001) for Cesarean hysterectomy.

Conclusion

ICL may represent a marker of deep villus invasion in women with suspected PAS disorder on antenatal sonography and anticipate the occurrence of severe maternal morbidity. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Sex‐specific reference ranges of cerebroplacental and umbilicocerebral ratios: longitudinal study
Authors: Acharya G. , Ebbing C. , Karlsen H. O. , Kiserud T. , Rasmussen S.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Observational studies have shown that low cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) values predict an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome. The inverse ratio, i.e. the umbilicocerebral ratio (UCR), has been suggested to be a better predictor as it rises with increasing degree of fetal compromise. However, longitudinal reference ranges for UCR have not been established, and whether gestational‐age‐dependent changes in CPR or UCR differ between male and female fetuses has not been studied. Thus, the aims of this study were to investigate sex‐specific, gestational‐age‐associated serial changes in CPR and UCR during the second half of pregnancy and to establish longitudinal reference ranges.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from a dual‐center longitudinal observational cohort study of low‐risk singleton pregnancies. Doppler blood‐flow velocity waveforms were obtained serially from the umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) from 19–41 weeks' gestation, and pulsatility indices (PIs) were determined. CPR and UCR were calculated as the ratios MCA‐PI/UA‐PI and UA‐PI/MCA‐PI, respectively. The course and outcome of pregnancies were recorded, and the sex of the fetus was determined after delivery. Reference intervals for CPR and UCR were constructed using multilevel modeling, and gestational‐age‐specific Z‐scores in male and female fetuses were compared.

Results

Of a total of 299 pregnancies enrolled, 284 (148 male and 136 female fetuses) were included in the final analysis, and 979 paired measurements of UA‐PI and MCA‐PI were used to construct sex‐specific longitudinal reference intervals. The relationship of both CPR and UCR with gestational age was U‐shaped, but in opposite directions. There was a small but significant difference in Z‐scores of CPR and UCR between male and female fetuses throughout the second half of pregnancy (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

We have established longitudinal reference ranges for CPR and UCR suitable for serial monitoring, with the possibility of refining assessment by using fetal sex‐specific ranges and conditioning by a previous measurement. The clinical significance of such refinements needs further evaluation. © 2019 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Syllable as a unit of information transfer in linguistic communication: The entropy syllable parsing model
Authors: Malaia Evie A. , Wilbur Ronnie B.
Published: September 2019

To understand human language—both spoken and signed—the listener or viewer has to parse the continuous external signal into components. The question of what those components are (e.g., phrases, words, sounds, phonemes?) has been a subject of long‐standing debate. We re‐frame this question to ask: What properties of the incoming visual or auditory signal are indispensable to eliciting language comprehension? In this review, we assess the phenomenon of language parsing from modality‐independent viewpoint. We show that the interplay between dynamic changes in the entropy of the signal and between neural entrainment to the signal at syllable level (4–5 Hz range) is causally related to language comprehension in both speech and sign language. This modality‐independent Entropy Syllable Parsing model for the linguistic signal offers insight into the mechanisms of language processing, suggesting common neurocomputational bases for syllables in speech and sign language.

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Linguistic Theory

Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain

Linguistics > Computational Models of Language

Psychology > Language
The Notch pathway in CNS homeostasis and neurodegeneration
Authors: Ho Diana M. , Artavanis‐Tsakonas Spyros , Louvi Angeliki
Published: September 2019

The role of the Notch signaling pathway in neural development has been well established over many years. More recent studies, however, have demonstrated that Notch continues to be expressed and active throughout adulthood in many areas of the central nervous system. Notch signals have been implicated in adult neurogenesis, memory formation, and synaptic plasticity in the adult organism, as well as linked to acute brain trauma and chronic neurodegenerative conditions. NOTCH3 mutations are responsible for the most common form of hereditary stroke, the progressive disorder cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy. Notch has also been associated with several progressive neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although numerous studies link Notch activity with CNS homeostasis and neurodegenerative diseases, the data thus far are primarily correlative, rather than functional. Nevertheless, the evidence for Notch pathway activity in specific neural cellular contexts is strong, and certainly intriguing, and points to the possibility that the pathway carries therapeutic promise.

This article is categorized under:

Nervous System Development > Flies

Signaling Pathways > Cell Fate Signaling

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles
Wind turbine reliability data review and impacts on levelised cost of energy
Authors: Dao Cuong , Kazemtabrizi Behzad , Crabtree Christopher
Published: September 2019

Reliability is critical to the design, operation, maintenance, and performance assessment and improvement of wind turbines (WTs). This paper systematically reviews publicly available reliability data for both onshore and offshore WTs and investigates the impacts of reliability on the cost of energy. WT failure rates and downtimes, broken down by subassembly, are collated from 18 publicly available databases including over 18 000 WTs, corresponding to over 90 000 turbine‐years. The data are classified based on the types of data collected (failure rate and stop rate) and by onshore and offshore populations. A comprehensive analysis is performed to investigate WT subassembly reliability data variations, identify critical subassemblies, compare onshore and offshore WT reliability, and understand possible sources of uncertainty. Large variations in both failure rates and downtimes are observed, and the skew in failure rate distribution implies that large databases with low failure rates, despite their diverse populations, are less uncertain than more targeted surveys, which are easily skewed by WT type failures. A model is presented to evaluate the levelised cost of energy as a function of WT failure rates and downtimes. A numerical study proves a strong and nonlinear relationship between WT reliability and operation and maintenance expenditure as well as annual energy production. Together with the cost analysis model, the findings can help WT operators identify the optimal degree of reliability improvement to minimise the levelised cost of energy.
The future of forecasting for renewable energy
Authors: Sweeney Conor , Bessa Ricardo J. , Browell Jethro , Pinson Pierre
Published: September 2019

Forecasting for wind and solar renewable energy is becoming more important as the amount of energy generated from these sources increases. Forecast skill is improving, but so too is the way forecasts are being used. In this paper, we present a brief overview of the state‐of‐the‐art of forecasting wind and solar energy. We describe approaches in statistical and physical modeling for time scales from minutes to days ahead, for both deterministic and probabilistic forecasting. Our focus changes then to consider the future of forecasting for renewable energy. We discuss recent advances which show potential for great improvement in forecast skill. Beyond the forecast itself, we consider new products which will be required to aid decision making subject to risk constraints. Future forecast products will need to include probabilistic information, but deliver it in a way tailored to the end user and their specific decision making problems. Businesses operating in this sector may see a change in business models as more people compete in this space, with different combinations of skills, data and modeling being required for different products. The transaction of data itself may change with the adoption of blockchain technology, which could allow providers and end users to interact in a trusted, yet decentralized way. Finally, we discuss new industry requirements and challenges for scenarios with high amounts of renewable energy. New forecasting products have the potential to model the impact of renewables on the power system, and aid dispatch tools in guaranteeing system security.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure

Wind Power > Systems and Infrastructure

Photovoltaics > Systems and Infrastructure
Detection and occurrence of indicator organisms and pathogens
Authors: Motlagh Amir M. , Yang Zhengjian
Published: September 2019

This review paper focuses on detection and quantification techniques of indicator organisms that can be used for water quality assessment. The environmental pathogens that are critical to understand and better evaluate water quality are also discussed in this paper. Several recent studies using culture‐independent methods such as microbial source tracking, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, mitochondrial DNA, and next generation sequencing to assess various environmental samples and water bodies have been reviewed.

Practitioner points

Various waterborne pathogens and cases of outbreak occurances due to presence of pathogens are studied in this review paper.

Recent studies for detecting major indicator organisms to evaluate the presence of pathogens in water bodies are reviewed.

Culture‐independent techniques as robust tools to detect and quantify waterborne pathogens are discussed in this review paper.
Broadening conservation funding
Authors: Echols Alex , Front Alan , Cummins James
Published: September 2019

Funding for natural resource conservation has been largely static or declining over the past 30 years. Environmental challenges are increasing in number and intensity, requiring improvements in efficiency of conservation delivery and broadening of the base of financial support to address these challenges. The conservation community would benefit from de‐siloing environmental foci and movement to more of a systems approach to intensify conservation. There are new partnerships and opportunities to increase the base and variety of sources of funding. To protect and possibly enhance funding for conservation, key innovations in finance and establishing additional funding sources are required. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Red oak acorn yields in green‐tree reservoirs and nonimpounded forests in Mississippi
Authors: Straub Jacob N. , Leach Alan G. , Kaminski Richard M. , Ezell Andrew W. , Leininger Theodor D.
Published: September 2019

Although bottomland hardwood forests in southeastern United States are among the most productive ecosystems in North America, indigenous flora, wildlife, and system dynamics have been altered and affected by natural and anthropogenic effects. Historic spatio‐temporal dynamic flooding in hardwood bottomlands caused managers to create green‐tree reservoirs (GTR; i.e., impounded forested tracts) to enhance predictability of seasonal inundation chiefly for waterfowl habitat and hunting. Bottomland red oaks (Quercus spp.) are valuable trees for wildlife that consume acorns they produce. There was inconsistent evidence in the scientific literature, so we tested the null hypotheses of no differences in annual yield, percentage of sound acorns, and proportion of ‘high‐yielding’ red oaks in GTRs and nonimpounded naturally flooded forests (NFF) in western and east‐central Mississippi, USA, during autumn–winter, 2008–2012. Mean annual yields of sound acorns from GTRs and NFFs at Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge and Delta National Forest had overlapping confidence intervals in all years of our study; however, percentages of sound acorns were greater in GTRs in 3 of 8 site‐year comparisons. We also found conflicting results between study sites regarding which flood regime had the greatest proportion of high‐yielding oaks. Our results demonstrate differences in total acorn yield by red oaks may be neither statistically nor biologically different between GTRs and NFFs in Mississippi; however, the proportion of sound acorns may be greater in GTRs relative to NFFs in some years. Future research may determine whether these phenomena are related to surviving trees producing increased seed propagules in response to long‐term flooding stress in GTRs or residual trees possessing traits for increased acorn production in some years. Nonetheless, deleterious effects from persistent or prolonged within‐ and among‐year flooding of GTRs are well‐documented, suggesting managers should consider these possible consequences in sustaining and regenerating lowland red oak populations. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Electrochemical Behavior of Dental Ni‐Cr Wirolloy Coated with Eco‐friendly Films in Artificial Saliva
Authors: Ghoneim Azza A. , Abdellatif Ahmad , Ameer Magda A.
Published: September 2019

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the non‐precious Ni‐Cr Wirolloy, being used in dentistry, was investigated before and after applying of two types of eco‐friendly coatings, polyvinyl silsesquioxane (PVS) and nano‐hydroxyapatite (nHAP) separately in artificial saliva solution at 37 °C for 14 d of immersion. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the introduced coating films in enhancing the corrosion resistance of the alloy, and in decreasing the leaching of the toxic Ni ions from the alloy into the environment. The electrochemical corrosion investigation methods used are; open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The evaluated results revealed that the electrochemically coated alloy with PVS. prepared at cathodic potential showed higher corrosion resistance and more stable film compared to that prepared by conventional dip‐coating method. At the same time, the nHAP electrochemically coated film provided the best anti‐corrosion properties over all examined time intervals. The obtained results were confirmed via surface analysis, which assured the formation of the prepared coatings on the alloy surface. Chemical analysis of the corrosion product/solutions showed that the effect of electrochemically deposited nHAP and PVS. polymer films in suppression of Ni ions leaching is similar and slightly higher than that of the chemically coated PVS. one; however, all of them are efficient in decreasing the leaching of the risky Ni ions into the solution.
Evaluation Machinery, Qualocrats, and the Seemingly Inevitable Problem of Expansion
Authors: Lindgren Joakim , Rönnberg Linda , Hult Agneta , Segerholm Christina
Published: September 2019

In this chapter, we revisit our observations on Swedish higher education from the previous chapters. We initially discuss the relation between governing, evaluation, and knowledge. Then, we go back to the ideal typical notion of increasingly institutionalised evaluation machinery and locate the important work of what we label as qualocrats and what may be termed the burden of judgements within this overall frame. We finally discuss the expansion and the increasing complexity of evaluation and quality assurance work in higher education and point to some possible implications and problems.
Appendix
Authors: Segerholm Christina
Published: September 2019

This appendix serves the purpose of informing readers about the design, the overall theoretical approach and methodology, and the different sub-studies, methods and materials in the research project that is reported in the book: Governing by evaluation in higher education in Sweden, 2013–2018. Two particular issues concerning our research process are also included: the redirection of one sub-study due to unforeseen policy developments, and the problem of denied access. Both, we believe, may be concerns for researchers in the social sciences in general, that can open possibilities or restrict the knowledge generation process so vital for democratic societies.
A general proof of the quantum null energy condition
Authors: Balakrishnan Srivatsan , Faulkner Thomas , Khandker Zuhair U. , Wang Huajia
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We prove a conjectured lower bound on 〈T__(x)〉
ψ
in any state ψ of a CFT on Minkowski space, dubbed the Quantum Null Energy Condition (QNEC). The bound is given by the second order shape deformation, in the null direction, of the geometric entanglement entropy of an entangling cut passing through x. Our proof involves a combination of the two independent methods that were used recently to prove the weaker Averaged Null Energy Condition (ANEC). In particular the properties of modular Hamiltonians under shape deformations for the state ψ play an important role, as do causality considerations. We study the two point function of a “probe” operator

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

in the state ψ and use a lightcone limit to evaluate this correlator. Instead of causality in time we consider causality on modular time for the modular evolved probe operators, which we constrain using Tomita-Takesaki theory as well as certain generalizations pertaining to the theory of modular inclusions. The QNEC follows from very similar considerations to the derivation of the chaos bound and the causality sum rule. We use a kind of defect Operator Product Expansion to apply the replica trick to these modular flow computations, and the displacement operator plays an important role. We argue that the proof extends to more general relativistic QFT with an interacting UV fixed point and also prove a higher spin version of the QNEC. Our approach was inspired by the AdS/CFT proof of the QNEC which follows from properties of the Ryu-Takayanagi (RT) surface near the boundary of AdS, combined with the requirement of entanglement wedge nesting. Our methods were, as such, designed as a precise probe of the RT surface close to the boundary of a putative gravitational/stringy dual of any QFT with an interacting UV fixed point.
Supersymmetry anomalies in new minimal supergravity
Authors: Papadimitriou Ioannis
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We determine the general structure of quantum anomalies for theR-multiplet of four dimensional$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 1 supersymmetric quantum field theories in the presence of background fields for an arbitrary number of Abelian flavor multiplets. By solving the Wess-Zumino consistency conditions for off-shell new minimal supergravity in four dimensions with an arbitrary number of Abelian vector multiplets, we compute the anomaly in the conservation of the supercurrent to leading non trivial order in the gravitino and vector multiplet fermions. We find that bothR-symmetry and flavor anomalies necessarily lead to a supersymmetry anomaly, thus generalizing our earlier results to non superconformal theories with Abelian flavor symmetries. The anomaly in the conservation of the supercurrent leads to an anomalous transformation for the supercurrent under rigid supersymmetry on bosonic backgrounds that admit new minimal Killing spinors. The resulting deformation of the supersymmetry algebra has implications for supersymmetric localization computations on such backgrounds.
Changes in neurovascular coupling during cycling exercise measured by multi-distance fNIRS: a comparison between endurance athletes and physically active controls
Authors: Seidel Oliver , Carius Daniel , Roediger Julia , Rumpf Sebastian , Ragert Patrick
Published: September 2019

It is well known that endurance exercise modulates the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal system. However, knowledge about its effects on brain function and structure is rather sparse. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate exercise-dependent adaptations in neurovascular coupling to different intensity levels in motor-related brain regions. Moreover, expertise effects between trained endurance athletes (EA) and active control participants (ACP) during a cycling test were investigated using multi-distance functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Initially, participants performed an incremental cycling test (ICT) to assess peak values of power output (PPO) and cardiorespiratory parameters such as oxygen consumption volume (VO2max) and heart rate (HRmax). In a second session, participants cycled individual intensity levels of 20, 40, and 60% of PPO while measuring cardiorespiratory responses and neurovascular coupling. Our results revealed exercise-induced decreases of deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), indicating an increased activation in motor-related brain areas such as primary motor cortex (M1) and premotor cortex (PMC). However, we could not find any differential effects in brain activation between EA and ACP. Future studies should extend this approach using whole-brain configurations and systemic physiological augmented fNIRS measurements, which seems to be of pivotal interest in studies aiming to assess neural activation in a sports-related context.
The Financial Burden of Road Traffic Injuries in Mozambique: A Hospital‐Related Cost‐of‐Illness Study of Maputo Central Hospital
Authors: Prakash Ipshita , Neves Otilia , Cumbe Eduardo , Hamadani Fadi , Razek Tarek , Fata Paola , Beckett Andrew , Khwaja Kosar , Grushka Jeremy , Wong Evan G. , Jacobe Mario , de Costa Assis , Deckelbaum Dan L. , Yohannan Prem
Published: September 2019

Background

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are increasingly being recognized for their significant economic impact. Mozambique, like other low‐income countries, suffers staggering rates of road traffic collisions. To our knowledge, this is the first study to estimate direct hospital costs of RTIs using a bottom‐up, micro‐costing approach in the Mozambican context. This study aims to calculate the direct, inpatient costs of RTIs in Mozambique and compare it to the financial capacity of the Mozambican public health care system.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐centre study. Charts of all patients with RTIs admitted to Maputo Central Hospital over a period of 2 months were reviewed. The costs were recorded and analysed based on direct costs, human resource costs, and overhead costs. Costs were calculated using a micro‐costing approach.

Results

In total, 114 patients were admitted and treated for RTIs at Maputo Central Hospital during June–July 2015. On average, the hospital cost per patient was US$ 604.28 (IQR 1033.58). Of this, 44% was related to procedural costs, 23% to diagnostic imaging costs, 17% to length‐of‐stay costs, 9% to medication costs, and 7% to laboratory test costs. The average annual inpatient cost of RTIs in Mozambique was almost US$ 116 million (0.8% of GDP).

Conclusion

The financial burden of RTIs in Mozambique represents approximately 40% of the annual public health care budget. These results help highlight the economic impact of trauma in Mozambique and the importance of an organized trauma system to reduce such costs.
Correction to: Largely Unchanged Annual Incidence and Overall Survival of Pleural Mesothelioma in the USA
Authors: Keshava Hari B. , Tang Andrew , Siddiqui Hafiz Umair , Raja Siva , Raymond Daniel P. , Bribriesco Alejandro , Stevenson James , Murthy Sudish C. , Ahmad Usman
Published: September 2019

The following disclaimer is missing from the original article:
Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy versus isolated upper abdominal perfusion for advanced pancreatic cancer: a retrospective cohort study on 454 patients
Authors: Aigner Karl R. , Gailhofer Sabine , Selak Emir , Aigner Kornelia
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The treatment of pancreatic carcinoma remains a challenge as prognosis is poor, even if confined to a single anatomical region. A regional treatment of pancreatic cancer with high drug concentrations at the tumor site may increase response behaviour. Intra-arterial administration of drugs generates homogenous drug distribution throughout the entire tumor volume.

Methods

We report on treatment outcome of 454 patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma (WHO stage III: 174 patients, WHO stage IV: 280 patients). Patients have been separated to two different treatment protocols. The first group (n = 233 patients) has been treated via angiographically placed celiac axis catheters. The second group (n = 221 patients) had upper abdominal perfusion (UAP) with stopflow balloon catheters in aorta and vena cava. Both groups have been treated with a combination of cisplatin, adriamycin and mitomycin.

Results

For stage III pancreatic cancer, median survival rates of 8 and 12 months were reached with IA and UAP treatment, respectively. For stage IV pancreatic cancer, median survival rates of 7 and 8.5 months were reached with IA and UAP treatment, respectively. Resolution of ascites has been reached in all cases by UAP treatment. Toxicity was generally mild, WHO grade I or II, toxicity grade III or IV was only noted in patients with severe systemic pretreatment. The techniques, survival data and detailed results are demonstrated.

Conclusions

Responsiveness of pancreatic cancer to regional chemotherapy is drug exposure dependent. The isolated perfusion procedure is superior to intra-arterial infusion in survival times.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Different Forms of Bullying Perpetration, Bullying Victimization, and Their Co-occurrence
Authors: Veldkamp Sabine A. M. , Boomsma Dorret I. , de Zeeuw Eveline L. , van Beijsterveldt Catharina E. M. , Bartels Meike , Dolan Conor V. , van Bergen Elsje
Published: September 2019

Bullying comes in different forms, yet most previous genetically-sensitive studies have not distinguished between them. Given the serious consequences and the high prevalence of bullying, it is remarkable that the aetiology of bullying and its different forms has been under-researched. We present the first study to investigate the genetic architecture of bullying perpetration, bullying victimization, and their co-occurrence for verbal, physical and relational bullying. Primary-school teachers rated 8215 twin children on bullying perpetration and bullying victimization. For each form of bullying, we investigated, through genetic structural equation modelling, the genetic and environmental influences on being a bully, a victim or both. 34% of the children were involved as bully, victim, or both. The correlation between being a bully and being a victim varied from 0.59 (relational) to 0.85 (physical). Heritability was ~ 70% for perpetration and ~ 65% for victimization, similar in girls and boys, yet both were somewhat lower for the relational form. Shared environmental influences were modest and more pronounced among girls. The correlation between being a bully and being a victim was explained mostly by genetic factors for verbal (~ 71%) and especially physical (~ 77%) and mostly by environmental factors for relational perpetration and victimization (~ 60%). Genes play a large role in explaining which children are at high risk of being a victim, bully, or both. For victimization this suggests an evocative gene-environment correlation: some children are at risk of being exposed to bullying, partly due to genetically influenced traits. So, genetic influences make some children more vulnerable to become a bully, victim or both.
Correction to: The science case of the FRS Ion Catcher for FAIR Phase-0
Authors:   for the Super-FRS Experiment Collaboration, Plaß Wolfgang R. , Dickel Timo , Mardor Israel , Pietri Stephane , Geissel Hans , Scheidenberger Christoph , Amanbayev Daler , Andrés Samuel Ayet San , Äystö Juha , Balabanski Dimiter L. , Beck Sönke , Bergmann Julian , Charviakova Volha , Constantin Paul , Eronen Tommi , Grahn Tuomas , Greiner Florian , Haettner Emma , Hornung Christine , Hucka Jean-Paul , Jokinen Ari , Kankainen Anu , Miskun Ivan , Moore Iain D. , Pikthtelev Alexander , Pohjalainen Ilkka , Purushothman Sivaji , Patyk Zygmunt , Reiter Moritz P. , Rink Ann-Kathrin , Rinta-Antila Sami , Spataru Anamaria , Weick Helmut , Winfield John S. , Yavor Mikhail I.
Published: September 2019

Due to technical constraints this article was published in volume 240:1 with erroneous article citation ID number 3 whereas this should have been 73 which is corrected as such. Springer Nature sincerely apologizes towards the author(s) for the inconvenience caused.
Site-selective 1H/2H labeling enables artifact-free 1H CPMG relaxation dispersion experiments in aromatic side chains
Authors: Raum Heiner N. , Schörghuber Julia , Dreydoppel Matthias , Lichtenecker Roman J. , Weininger Ulrich
Published: September 2019

Aromatic side chains are often key residues in enzyme active sites and protein binding sites, making them attractive probes of protein dynamics on the millisecond timescale. Such dynamic processes can be studied by aromatic 13C or 1H CPMG relaxation dispersion experiments. Aromatic 1H CPMG relaxation dispersion experiments in phenylalanine, tyrosine and the six-ring moiety of tryptophan, however, are affected by 3J 1H–1H couplings which are causing anomalous relaxation dispersion profiles. Here we show that this problem can be addressed by site-selective 1H/2H labeling of the aromatic side chains and that artifact-free relaxation dispersion profiles can be acquired. The method has been further validated by measuring folding–unfolding kinetics of the small protein GB1. The determined rate constants and populations agree well with previous results from 13C CPMG relaxation dispersion experiments. Furthermore, the CPMG-derived chemical shift differences between the folded and unfolded states are in excellent agreement with those obtained directly from the spectra. In summary, site-selective 1H/2H labeling enables artifact-free aromatic 1H CPMG relaxation dispersion experiments in phenylalanine and the six-ring moiety of tryptophan, thereby extending the available methods for studying millisecond dynamics in aromatic protein side chains.
Patient-Specific Simulation of Pneumoperitoneum for Laparoscopic Surgical Planning
Authors: Dawda Shivali , Camara Mafalda , Pratt Philip , Vale Justin , Darzi Ara , Mayer Erik
Published: September 2019

Gas insufflation in laparoscopy deforms the abdomen and stretches the overlying skin. This limits the use of surgical image-guidance technologies and challenges the appropriate placement of trocars, which influences the operative ease and potential quality of laparoscopic surgery. This work describes the development of a platform that simulates pneumoperitoneum in a patient-specific manner, using preoperative CT scans as input data. This aims to provide a more realistic representation of the intraoperative scenario and guide trocar positioning to optimize the ergonomics of laparoscopic instrumentation. The simulation was developed by generating 3D reconstructions of insufflated and deflated porcine CT scans and simulating an artificial pneumoperitoneum on the deflated model. Simulation parameters were optimized by minimizing the discrepancy between the simulated pneumoperitoneum and the ground truth model extracted from insufflated porcine scans. Insufflation modeling in humans was investigated by correlating the simulation’s output to real post-insufflation measurements obtained from patients in theatre. The simulation returned an average error of 7.26 mm and 10.5 mm in the most and least accurate datasets respectively. In context of the initial discrepancy without simulation (23.8 mm and 19.6 mm), the methods proposed here provide a significantly improved picture of the intraoperative scenario. The framework was also demonstrated capable of simulating pneumoperitoneum in humans. This study proposes a method for realistically simulating pneumoperitoneum to achieve optimal ergonomics during laparoscopy. Although further studies to validate the simulation in humans are needed, there is the opportunity to provide a more realistic, interactive simulation platform for future image-guided minimally invasive surgery.
Foreign institutional ownership and demand for accounting conservatism: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Khalil Mohamed , Ozkanc Aydin , Yildiz Yilmaz
Published: September 2019

This study investigates how foreign institutional ownership interacts with accounting conservatism in an emerging market setting. We posit that weak investor protection and a high degree of information asymmetry between insiders and outside investors increase demand for conservative reporting in firms operating in emerging markets. Foreign investors in this setting have informational disadvantages relative to their domestic peers and have difficulties in getting access to data. Using a sample of Turkish firms, we find that foreign institutions (particularly foreign corporate investors) demand more conservative reporting in the investee firms. Moreover, we show that this association is more pronounced among firms with greater asymmetric information problems and growth opportunities. Our additional tests reveal that the direction of causality flows from foreign institutional ownership to conservatism, and not vice versa.
Multi-level Monte Carlo methods for the approximation of invariant measures of stochastic differential equations
Authors: Giles Michael B. , Majka Mateusz B. , Szpruch Lukasz , Vollmer Sebastian J. , Zygalakis Konstantinos C.
Published: September 2019

We develop a framework that allows the use of the multi-level Monte Carlo (MLMC) methodology (Giles in Acta Numer. 24:259–328, 2015. 10.1017/S096249291500001X) to calculate expectations with respect to the invariant measure of an ergodic SDE. In that context, we study the (over-damped) Langevin equations with a strongly concave potential. We show that when appropriate contracting couplings for the numerical integrators are available, one can obtain a uniform-in-time estimate of the MLMC variance in contrast to the majority of the results in the MLMC literature. As a consequence, a root mean square error of $$\mathcal {O}(\varepsilon )$$O(ε) is achieved with $$\mathcal {O}(\varepsilon ^{-2})$$O(ε-2) complexity on par with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, which, however, can be computationally intensive when applied to large datasets. Finally, we present a multi-level version of the recently introduced stochastic gradient Langevin dynamics method (Welling and Teh, in: Proceedings of the 28th ICML, 2011) built for large datasets applications. We show that this is the first stochastic gradient MCMC method with complexity $$\mathcal {O}(\varepsilon ^{-2}|\log {\varepsilon }|^{3})$$O(ε-2|logε|3), in contrast to the complexity $$\mathcal {O}(\varepsilon ^{-3})$$O(ε-3) of currently available methods. Numerical experiments confirm our theoretical findings.
Recommendation and context: the missing links for increased life cycle impact in large industries
Authors: Rex Emma , Fernqvist Niklas , Ryding Sven-Olof
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This study takes an open and explorative approach to investigating the impact, or lack of impact, of life cycle information on behaviours throughout large production companies. Based on cases where life cycle information has been provided, this paper analyses how life cycle information has been interpreted and acted upon—not only by the life cycle assessment (LCA) practitioner conducting the study but also by employees outside the environmental departments.

Methods

To understand the impact of life cycle information on everyday actions in organisations and how this impact can be enhanced, this study takes a grounded approach to following flows of life cycle information from the environmental department through other departments of an organisation. From the flows of information, the research team selected rich descriptions of empirical data that reflect action and inaction. Using interviews and documents, we collected barriers and enablers for acting on life cycle information. Barriers and enablers were interpreted and clustered into categories and arranged into concepts. Next, we reviewed the empirical data using theories from social psychology.

Results and discussion

The results show that it is difficult for life cycle information to result in subsequent action outside of environmental departments. The barriers to this action were partly due to the life cycle information per se such as gaps between what life cycle information is available and what life cycle information is needed. Barriers and enablers were also found in relation to the context in which life cycle information was applied and new behaviours were adopted, including timing and software structures, reward systems, trade-offs, and personal beliefs about the profession. The results suggest a new role of the life cycle proponent that includes providing the right life cycle information and understanding and influencing the expected agents’ situations.

Conclusions

Assisted by theories from social psychology, we found that behaviour can be changed if ‘recommendations’ and ‘contexts’ are considered when providing life cycle information. The paper suggests that the impact of life cycle information could increase if normative arguments about environmental visions, strategies, and overarching goals are aligned with enablers that focus on personal goals, such as meeting a deadline, reducing uncertainty, and reaching the threshold for a bonus.