bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying the fragmentation mechanism of selected components present in crude oil by collision‐induced dissociation mass spectrometry
Authors: Vetere Alessandro , Alachraf M. Wasim , Panda Saroj K. , Andersson Jan T. , Schrader Wolfgang
Published: September 2018

Rationale

Structural characterization of individual compounds in very complex mixtures is difficult to achieve. One important step in structural elucidation is understanding the mass spectrometric fragmentation mechanisms of the compounds present in such mixtures. Here, different individual compounds presumed to be present in a complex crude oil mixture have been synthesized and structurally characterized by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) studies.

Methods

Model compounds with different aromatic cores and various substitutents were synthesized. Major effort has been put into producing isomerically pure compounds to better understand the fragmentation pattern. Each synthesized compound has been subjected to MSn studies using either a triple quadrupole or a linear ion trap mass spectrometer with electrospray or atmospheric pressure photoionization. The results are used to analyze individual compounds from a complex vacuum gas oil (VGO).

Results

The synthesized compounds and a chromatographically simplified vacuum gas oil were used for structural analysis. The major fragmentation mechanism is the benzylic cleavage of the aliphatic side chain. Each side chain can be separately removed from the aromatic core by using MSn methods. At the end of a series of fragmentations, the base aromatic core structure remains and can be chararcterized.

Conclusions

By defining the fragmentation mechanism in complex oil samples it was possible to structurally characterize individual compounds present in a chromatographically simplified VGO. The compounds consist of an aromatic core with aliphatic side chains. Cleavage of all side chains can be achieved by MSn measurements, allowing characterization of the remaining core structure.
Formic Acid Electrooxidation on Platinum, Resolution of the Kinetic Mechanism in Steady State and Evaluation of the Kinetic Constants
Authors: Gennero de Chialvo María R. , Luque Gisela C. , Chialvo Abel C.
Published: September 2018

A kinetic mechanism recently proposed for the formic acid oxidation (FAO) on platinum in acid solutions was analytically solved in order to verify its capability to correlate experimental measurements in steady state conditions. It involves three adsorbed reaction intermediates (COad, HCOOad, OHad) and two reaction pathways. The derived kinetic equations enabled the fitting of the experimental current‐potential curves at three different formic acid concentrations, as well as the evaluation of the corresponding kinetic constants of the elementary steps involved in the mechanism. An expression for the variation of the COad surface coverage on potential was included in the calculations, obtained from measurements of the oxidation charges by voltammetric stripping. Finally, the dependences of the surface coverages of OHad and HCOOad on potential could be simulated, which are consistent with results obtained by other authors through spectroscopic techniques.
HCI in practice: An empirical study with software process capability maturity model consultants in Brazil
Authors: Guidini Gonçalves Taisa , Marçal de Oliveira Káthia , Kolski Christophe
Published: September 2018

Human‐computer interaction (HCI) and software engineering (SE) are undoubtedly important domains for the development of interactive systems. The quality of an interactive system is usually considered dependent on the user interface design and evaluation, which implies the use of HCI and SE approaches on the adequate software process. With the wide use of software process capability maturity (SPCM) models in the industry and their role of proposing best practices for software development and maintenance, some questions come up: To what extent are HCI approaches known and used to develop interactive systems? What is their level of use compared to SE approaches? To answer these questions, we conducted an empirical study in the Brazilian industry. Thirty‐six official consultants for the 2 SPCM models used in Brazil (CMMI‐DEV and MR‐MPS‐SW) provided us with their perception of knowledge and use concerning a set of predefined categories of approaches for HCI and SE that support the engineering practices of those SPCM models. By using a paired t test, we concluded that consultants of those models do not know and do not use HCI approaches as well as they know and use SE approaches. Moreover, they know little about HCI approaches, which may justify their poor use.
Structural characterization and quantitative determination of bioactive compounds in ethanolic extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa L. by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Singh Awantika , Singh Bikarma , Maurya Rakesh , Kumar Brijesh
Published: September 2018

Rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry methods were developed for structural characterization and quantitative determination of bioactive compounds in Boerhaavia diffusa using high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization hybrid triple quadrupole‐linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry in negative ionization mode. Fifty seven compounds were identified and characterized in ethanolic extracts of root, stem and leaf of B. diffusa. Ten compounds that include characteristic compounds eupalitin‐3‐O‐galactopyranoside, eupalitin, and boeravinone B were successfully separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH™ C18 column (1.7 μm, 2.1 mm × 50 mm) within 6 min. The validation parameters showed satisfactory linearities (R2 ≥ 0.9991), accuracy (limit of detection: 0.01–1.40 ng mL−1 and limit of quantitation: 0.05–4.26 ng mL−1) and precision (% relative standard deviation: 0.25–3.45 for intra‐day, and 0.26–3.25 for inter‐day), stability (% relative standard deviation: 0.16–1.87) and recoveries with relative standard deviation (98.67–104.16, % relative standard deviation: 0.20–4.06). Eupalitin‐3‐O‐galactopyranoside (18530.00 μg g−1) was one of the most abundant among the quantified compounds followed by eupalitin (1258.00 μg g−1) in leaf of Samba district. The developed methods could be effectively used for quality control of B. diffusa due to its accuracy, stability, and repeatability.
Social science perspectives on drivers of and responses to global climate change
Authors: Jorgenson Andrew K. , Fiske Shirley , Hubacek Klaus , Li Jia , McGovern Tom , Rick Torben , Schor Juliet B. , Solecki William , York Richard , Zycherman Ariela
Published: September 2018

This article provides a review of recent anthropological, archeological, geographical, and sociological research on anthropogenic drivers of climate change, with a particular focus on drivers of carbon emissions, mitigation and adaptation. The four disciplines emphasize cultural, economic, geographic, historical, political, and social‐structural factors to be important drivers of and responses to climate change. Each of these disciplines has unique perspectives and makes noteworthy contributions to our shared understanding of anthropogenic drivers, but they also complement one another and contribute to integrated, multidisciplinary frameworks. The article begins with discussions of research on temporal dimensions of human drivers of carbon emissions, highlighting interactions between long‐term and near‐term drivers. Next, descriptions of the disciplines' contributions to the understanding of mitigation and adaptation are provided. It concludes with a summary of key lessons offered by the four disciplines as well as suggestions for future research.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Economics and Climate Change
Perspective on computational simulations of glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Nagarajan Balaji , Sankaranarayanan Nehru Viji , Desai Umesh R.
Published: September 2018

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) represent a formidable frontier for chemists, biochemists, biologists, medicinal chemists, and drug delivery specialists because of massive structural complexity. GAGs are arguably the most complex, natural linear biopolymers with theoretical diversity orders of magnitude higher than proteins and nucleic acids. Yet, this diversity remains generally untapped. Computational approaches offer major routes to understand GAG structure and dynamics so as to enable novel applications of these biopolymers. In fact, computational algorithms, softwares, online tools, and techniques have reached a level of sophistication that help understand atomistic details of conformational variation and protein recognition of individual GAG sequences. This review describes current approaches and challenges in computational study of GAGs. It presents a history of major findings since the earliest mention of GAGs (the 1960s), the development of parameters and force fields specific for GAGs, and the application of these tools in understanding GAG structure–function relationship. This review also presents a section on how to perform simulation of GAGs, which is directed toward researchers interested in entering this promising field with potential to impact therapy.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Dynamics and Monte‐Carlo Methods

Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
Conceptual jacket design by structural optimization
Authors: Sandal Kasper , Verbart Alexander , Stolpe Mathias
Published: September 2018

We present an approach for sizing optimization of jacket structures and apply it to investigate the conceptual design of jackets for offshore wind turbines. Conceptual design is an input to early structural and financial models, and we assume simplified analysis and load models. A four‐legged jacket for the DTU 10‐MW wind turbine in 50‐m water depth is modelled by Timoshenko beam finite elements, and the structural dimensions of the beam cross sections are considered as continuous design variables. A structural optimization problem is formulated to minimize the jacket mass, with constraints on fatigue and ultimate limit states. The optimal design problem is then used to investigate how the optimized mass depends on the number of bays and the jacket leg distance. The conceptual design investigation led to a new conceptual design with 14% lower mass compared with the original conceptual design. We conclude that structural optimization can provide useful insights in the conceptual design phase and lead to a better starting point for the further design and planning processes.
Fractional‐order sliding mode control for hybrid drive wind power generation system with disturbances in the grid
Authors: Rui Xiaoming , Yin Wenliang , Dong Yongxing , Lin Lanlan , Wu Xin
Published: September 2018

The proposal of hybrid drive grid‐connected wind turbine based on speed regulating differential mechanism (SRDM) has been made in this paper to generate constant‐frequency power without fully‐ or partially‐rated frequency converters so as well improve electric power quality. However, disturbances in the power grid including sudden load fluctuation and sub‐synchronous resonance (SSR) can lead to the pulsating torque to act on the shaft section between SG and exciter at the main generator collector, such that the speed regulating accuracy of SRDM is seriously affected. As a result, this paper synthesizes a new‐type fractional‐order sliding mode controller (FOSMC) with a load torque observer (LTO) for the high‐accuracy speed control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) in SRDM. Taking advantage of ridge regression algorithm, related parameters including rotational inertia and viscous friction coefficient of speed regulating system are calculated accurately. Finally, comparative experiments are carried out under four cases of mean of 5, 10, 13, and 21 m/s wind speeds to verify the satisfactory performances of designed FOSMC with LTO. Comparative experimental results show that FOSMC with LTO can effectively eliminate undesirable chattering effect. Additionally, under operating conditions of changing wind speeds, SSR, and sudden load fluctuation in power grid, the output speed of SRDM that corresponds directly to the frequency output of SG can be steadily and accurately regulated by using proposed control scheme. SRDM equipped with designed controller enables the power frequency to meet the National Standard of PR China perfectly.
Leading low-energy effective action in 6D, $$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,1\right) $$ SYM theory
Authors: Buchbinder I. L. , Ivanov E. A. , Merzlikin B. S.
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We elaborate on the low-energy effective action of 6D,

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,1\right) $$

N
=

1
1

supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theory in the

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,0\right) $$

N
=

1
0

harmonic superspace formulation. The theory is described in terms of analytic

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,0\right) $$

N
=

1
0

gauge superfield V
++ and analytic ω-hypermultiplet, both in the adjoint representation of gauge group. The effective action is defined in the framework of the background superfield method ensuring the manifest gauge invariance along with manifest

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,0\right) $$

N
=

1
0

supersymmetry. We calculate leading contribution to the one-loop effective action using the on-shell background superfields corresponding to the option when gauge group SU(N) is broken to SU(N − 1) × ϒ(1) ⊂ SU(N). In the bosonic sector the effective action involves the structure

$$ \sim \frac{F^2}{X^2} $$

∼

F
2

X
2

, where F
4 is a monomial of the fourth degree in an abelian field strength F

M N
and X stands for the scalar fields from the ω-hypermultiplet. It is manifestly demonstrated that the expectation values of the hypermultiplet scalar fields play the role of a natural infrared cutoff.
Meta-analysis of short- and long-term outcomes after pure laparoscopic versus open liver surgery in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Witowski Jan , Rubinkiewicz Mateusz , Mizera Magdalena , Wysocki Michał , Gajewska Natalia , Sitkowski Mateusz , Małczak Piotr , Major Piotr , Budzyński Andrzej , Pędziwiatr Michał
Published: September 2018

Background

The advantages of laparoscopy are widely known. Nevertheless, its legitimacy in liver surgery is often questioned because of the uncertain value associated with minimally invasive methods. Our main goal was to compare the outcomes of pure laparoscopic (LLR) and open liver resection (OLR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases to find eligible studies. The most recent search was performed on December 1, 2017. Studies were regarded as suitable if they reported morbidity in patients undergoing LLR versus OLR. Extracted data were pooled and subsequently used in a meta-analysis with a random-effects model. Clinical applicability of results was evaluated using predictive intervals. Review was reported following the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

From 2085 articles, forty-three studies (N = 5100 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. Our findings showed that LLR had lower overall morbidity than OLR (15.59% vs. 29.88%, p < 0.001). Moreover, major morbidity was reduced in the LLR group (3.78% vs. 8.69%, p < 0.001). There were no differences between groups in terms of mortality (1.58% vs. 2.96%, p = 0.05) and both 3- and 5-year overall survival (68.97% vs. 68.12%, p = 0.41) and disease-free survival (46.57% vs. 44.84%, p = 0.46).

Conclusions

The meta-analysis showed that LLR is beneficial in terms of overall morbidity and non-procedure-specific complications. That being said, these results are based on non-randomized trials. For these reasons, we are calling for randomization in upcoming studies. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42018084576.
Research involvement and obstacles among trainees enrolled in a pediatric residency program in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlSohime Fahad
Published: September 2018

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate pediatric residents' involvement in research and their attitudes toward potential barriers to conducting research.

Methods:

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in February 2017 and targeted residents enrolled in the Saudi Pediatric Residency Program. An online self-administered questionnaire was designed to assess residents' involvement in different domains of scholarly activity and their perception of barriers to research. All items used a five-point Likert-type scale with response options varying depending on the question. The relative importance index (RII) approach was used to analyze the relative contribution of each indicator to its main theme.

Results:

A total of 314 pediatric residents agreed to complete the survey. Of these, 168 (53.5%) were female. Residents rated their involvement in all aspects of research as low. The top-ranked item was residents' participation in data collection for research (mean [standard deviation, SD] rating, 2.74 [1.3]; RII, 54.2%), followed by residents' participation in a structured literature review of a topic (mean [SD] rating, 2.6 [1.3]; RII, 52.1%). The lowest-rated items were residents' involvement in manuscript writing (mean [SD] rating, 2.3 [1.24]; RII, 46.1%) and their participation in statistical analysis (mean [SD] rating, 1.23 [1.21]; RII, 44.5%). The residents ranked the lack of dedicated time as the most significant barrier to their participation in scholarly activities (mean [SD] rating, 3.44 [1.3]; RII, 68.83%). Conversely, they ranked the lack of interest as the lowest barrier to research participation (mean [SD] rating, 2.85 [1.2]; RII, 56.96%)

Conclusion:

Overall, pediatric residents rated their involvement in all aspects of research as low, especially in manuscript writing and statistical analysis. These findings suggest the need to provide support for the development of a mentoring program as well as to develop a robust and longitudinal research curriculum for the pediatric residency program to encourage the involvement of trainees in research.
The cost of managing complex surgical site infections following primary hip and knee arthroplasty: A population-based cohort study in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Rennert-May Elissa D. , Conly John , Smith Stephanie , Puloski Shannon , Henderson Elizabeth , Au Flora , Manns Braden
Published: September 2018

Objective

Nearly 800,000 primary hip and knee arthroplasty procedures are performed annually in North America. Approximately 1% of these are complicated by a complex surgical site infection (SSI), leading to very high healthcare costs. However, population-based studies to properly estimate the economic burden are lacking. We aimed to address this knowledge gap.

Design

Economic burden study.

Methods

Using administrative health and clinical databases, we created a cohort of all patients in Alberta, Canada, who received a primary hip or knee arthroplasty between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2015. All patients who developed a complex SSI postoperatively were identified through a provincial infection prevention and control database. A combination of corporate microcosting data and gross costing methods were used to determine total mean 12- and 24-month costs, enabling comparison of costs between the infected and noninfected patients.

Results

Mean 12-month total costs were significantly greater in patients who developed a complex SSI compared to those who did not (CAD$95,321 [US$68,150] vs CAD$19,893 [US$14,223];P< .001). The magnitude of the cost difference persisted even after controlling for underlying patient factors. The most commonly identified causative pathogen (38%) wasStaphylococcus aureus(95% MSSA).

Conclusions

Complex SSIs following hip and knee arthroplasty lead to high healthcare costs, which are expected to rise as the yearly number of surgeries increases. Using our costing estimates, the cost-effectiveness of different strategies to prevent SSIs should be investigated.
Bomb Peak: Radiocarbon Dating of Skeletal Remains in Routine Forensic Medical Practice
Authors: Handlos Petr , Svetlik Ivo , Horáčková Ladislava , Fejgl Michal , Kotik Lukas , Brychová Veronika , Megisová Natália , Marecová Klára
Published: September 2018

When human remains are found, apart from helping explain the cause of death and determining the extent of any injuries, forensic pathologists are usually requested to determine the identity of the deceased and how much time has elapsed since his death. In the Czech Republic, the criminal liability for murder is set to a statute of limitations of 20 years. In our pilot study, tissue samples of human remains from two decedents were radiocarbon (14C) dated to estimate the date of death. In agreement with published literature, we have confirmed relatively short carbon turnover time in hair, nail, and bone fat. Therefore these samples are the most appropriate for determining date of death. Other samples, such as teeth (collagen and carbonate form) and collagen isolated from bone samples, which exhibit relatively long carbon turnover time, can be used to reduce ambiguity of dating results and to indicate some interfering influences. Given the possibility of processing multiple sample types, we also propose brief guidelines for comparing and interpreting the results of individual analyses.
From conflict to collaboration: the contribution of co-management in mitigating conflicts in Mole National Park, Ghana
Authors: Soliku Ophelia , Schraml Ulrich
Published: September 2018

Few studies exist about the extent to which co-management in protected areas contributes to conflict prevention or mitigation and at what level of the conflicts such collaborative efforts are possible. Following varying degrees of conflict, Mole National Park, Ghana, embarked on a collaborative community-based wildlife management programme in 2000. Using Glasl's conflict escalation model, we analysed the contribution of co-management to mitigating and preventing conflicts from escalating. We conducted a total of 22 interviews with local traditional leaders, Park officials and local government officials, and 26 focus group discussions with farmers, hunters, women and representatives of co-management boards, selected from 10 of the 33 communities surrounding the Park. Our findings indicate that co-management can help mitigate or prevent conflicts from escalating when conflicting parties engage with each other in a transparent manner using deliberative processes such as negotiation, mediation and the use of economic incentives. It is, however, difficult to resolve conflicts through co-management when dialogue between conflicting parties breaks down, as parties take entrenched positions and are unwilling to compromise on their core values and interests. We conclude that although co-management contributes to successful conflict management, factors such as understanding the context of the conflicts, including the underlying sources and manifestations of the conflict, incorporating local knowledge, and ensuring open dialogue, trust and transparency between conflicting parties are key to attaining sustainable conflict management in protected areas.
High-through identification of T cell-specific phage-exposed mimotopes using PBMCs from tegumentary leishmaniasis patients and their use as vaccine candidates against Leishmania amazonensis infection
Authors: Carvalho Gerusa B. , Costa Lourena E. , Lage Daniela P. , Ramos Fernanda F. , Santos Thaís T. O. , Ribeiro Patrícia A. F. , Dias Daniel S. , Salles Beatriz C. S. , Lima Mariana P. , Carvalho Lívia M. , Dias Ana C. S. , Alves Patrícia T. , Franklin Michelle L. , Silva Renata A. M. , Duarte Mariana C. , Menezes-Souza Daniel , Roatt Bruno M. , Chávez-Fumagalli Miguel A. , Goulart Luiz Ricardo , Teixeira Antonio L. , Coelho Eduardo A. F.
Published: September 2018

In the current study, phage-exposed mimotopes as targets against tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) were selected by means of bio-panning cycles employing sera of TL patients and healthy subjects, besides the immune stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from untreated and treated TL patients and healthy subjects. The clones were evaluated regarding their specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in the in vitro cultures, and selectivity and specificity values were calculated, and those presenting the best results were selected for the in vivo experiments. Two clones, namely A4 and A8, were identified and used in immunization protocols from BALB/c mice to protect against Leishmania amazonensis infection. Results showed a polarized Th1 response generated after vaccination, being based on significantly higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF); which were associated with lower production of specific IL-4, IL-10 and immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibodies. Vaccinated mice presented significant reductions in the parasite load in the infected tissue and distinct organs, when compared with controls. In conclusion, we presented a strategy to identify new mimotopes able to induce Th1 response in PBMCs from TL patients and healthy subjects, and that were successfully used to protect against L. amazonensis infection.
Crystal structure of lubiprostone Polymorph B, C20H32F2O5
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: September 2018

The crystal structure of lubiprostone has been refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Lubiprostone crystallizes in space group P1 (#1) with a = 9.02025(2), b = 10.72121(2), c = 12.32817(4) Å, α = 78.5566(2), β = 69.6858(2), γ = 77.3292(2)°, V = 1081.069(3) Å3, and Z = 2. The two independent molecules occur in an extended conformation, aligned approximately along the c-axis. The hydrophobic side chains are adjacent to each other, resulting in layers parallel to the ac plane. The two carboxylic acid groups form an eight-membered ring, resulting in dimers of the two independent molecules. Each hydroxyl group acts as a hydrogen bond donor to the ketone of the fused ring system. The powder pattern is included in the Powder Diffraction File™ as entry 00-066-1622.
The Rural Land Market in Early Modern Inland Flanders and Brabant: A Long Run Perspective
Authors: DE VIJLDER NICOLAS
Published: September 2018

The emergence of factor markets during the transition from the Middle Ages to the early modern period was of crucial importance for long-term economic development. Despite Flanders and Brabant being situated in one of the most densely urbanised regions within Europe at the time, the current historiographical debate lacks a quantitative analysis of the market for land in the late medieval and early modern Low Countries. This article focuses on the transmission of rural property in the southern Low Countries from the 1400s up until the end of the eighteenth century. Using time-series data on the rural land market for a selection of case studies within Inland Flanders and Brabant has enabled me to present a long-run analysis of the changes in the market value of land, the market activity and the overall nature of the rural peasant land market. My findings show a tendency towards fewer but larger holdings being transferred on the land market. The path-dependent nature of this process had a significant impact upon the changing proto-capitalistic nature of agriculture within the southern Low Countries. As per capita market activity declined and the average transfer size increased, the farmers’ dependency on the lease market grew effectively speeding up the pauperisation processes in Inland Flanders.
Opposing population trajectories in two Bustard species: A long-term study in a protected area in Central Spain
Authors: CASAS FABIÁN , MOUGEOT FRANÇOIS , ARROYO BEATRIZ , MORALES MANUEL B. , HERVÁS ISRAEL , GARCÍA DE LA MORENA ELADIO L. , FAGAN WILLIAM F. , VIÑUELA JAVIER
Published: September 2018

In conservation biology, population monitoring is a critical step, particularly for endangered groups, such as steppe birds in European agro-ecosystems. Long-term population monitoring allows for determination of species population trends and also provides insights into the relative roles that environmental variability and human activities have on priority species. Here, we compare the population trends of two sympatric, closely related farmland bird species, the Little BustardTetrax tetraxand Great BustardOtis tarda, in a protected area of Central Spain, which is their main stronghold in Europe. Over 12 years of monitoring, the abundance of Little and Great Bustards shifted in opposite directions in our study area. Little Bustard abundance decreased significantly (both males [-56%], and harder-to-detect females [-55%]), while Great Bustard abundance increased significantly (1,800%). Future surveys should be more precise and frequent for Little Bustards to facilitate evaluation of their population status and trends. We recommend annual surveys in 2–3 important locations by region throughout the breeding range for Little Bustards, while for Great Bustard the current regional monitoring programmes would be sufficient.
Two Problematic Foundations of Neuroethics and Pragmatist Reconstructions
Authors: RACINE ERIC , SAMPLE MATTHEW
Published: September 2018

Common understandings of neuroethics, that is, of its distinctive nature, are premised on two distinct sets of claims: (1) neuroscience can change views about the nature of ethics itself and neuroethics is dedicated to reaping such an understanding of ethics, and (2) neuroscience poses challenges distinct from other areas of medicine and science and neuroethics tackles those issues. Critiques have rightfully challenged both claims, stressing how the first may lead to problematic forms of reductionism whereas the second relies on debatable assumptions about the nature of bioethics specialization and development. Informed by philosophical pragmatism and our experience in neuroethics, we argue that these claims are ill founded and should give way to pragmatist reconstructions; namely, that neuroscience, much like other areas of empirical research on morality, can provide useful information about the nature of morally problematic situations, but does not need to promise radical and sweeping changes to ethics based on neuroscientism. Furthermore, the rationale for the development of neuroethics as a specialized field need not to be premised on the distinctive nature of the issues it tackles or of neurotechnologies. Rather, it can espouse an understanding of neuroethics as both a scholarly and a practical endeavor dedicated to resolving a series of problematic situations raised by neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Amplio, Ergo Sum
Authors: LAWRENCE DAVID R.
Published: September 2018

This article aims to explore the idea that enhancement technologies have been and will continue to be an essential element of what we might call the “human continuum,” and are indeed key to our existence and evolution into persons. Whereas conservative commentators argue that enhancement is likely to cause us to lose our humanity and become something other, it is argued here that the very opposite is true: that enhancement is the core of what and who we are. Using evidence from paleoanthropology to examine the nature of our predecessor species, and their proclivities for tool use, we can see that there is good reason to assume that the development ofHomo sapiensis a direct result of the use of enhancement technologies. A case is also made for broad understandings of the scope of enhancement, based on the significant evolutionary results of acts that are usually dismissed as “unremarkable.” Furthermore, the use of enhancement by modern humans is no different than these prehistoric applications, and is likely to ultimately have similar results. There is no good reason to assume that whatever we may become will not also consider itself human.
Thoracic endovascular aortic repair of a late aortic aneurysm after patch repair of an interrupted aortic arch
Authors: Takeuchi Daiji , Azuma Takashi , Niinami Hiroshi
Published: September 2018

We reported a successful case of thoracic endovascular aortic repair of a late aortic aneurysm after patch repair of an interrupted aortic arch and favourable outcome 4 years after the procedure.
Impact of age at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis on haemodynamics after Fontan operation
Authors: Shiraishi Shuichi , Nakano Toshihide , Oda Shinichiro , Kado Hideaki
Published: September 2018

Backgrounds

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of age at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis on haemodynamics after total cavopulmonary connection.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection from 2010 to 2014. All patients had previously undergone bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis. These patients were classified into two groups according to age at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis: younger group, <6 months (n=33), and older group, >6 months (n=67).

Results

The proportion of hypoplastic left heart syndrome was higher in the younger group (48 versus 4%). After total cavopulmonary connection, the chest tube period was longer in the younger group (10.1±6.6 versus 6.7±4.5 days; p=0.009). Catheterisation 6 months after total cavopulmonary connection revealed that pulmonary artery pressure was higher (11.5±1.9 versus 10.4±2.1 mmHg; p=0.017) and Nakata index was lower (219±79 versus 256±70 mm2/m2; p=0.024) in the younger group. In patients with a non-hypoplastic left heart syndrome, there was no difference in post-operative haemodynamics between two groups, but the total amount of chest drainage after total cavopulmonary connection was larger in the younger group (109±95 versus 55±40 ml/kg; p=0.044).

Conclusions

Early bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis did not affect the outcome of total cavopulmonary connection. Longer chest tube period, smaller pulmonary artery, and higher pulmonary artery pressure after total cavopulmonary connection were recognised in early bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis patients, especially in hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Neuronal underpinnings of cognitive impairment and - improvement in mood disorders
Authors: Miskowiak Kamilla W. , Petersen Cecilia S.
Published: September 2018

Neuropsychiatric illnesses including mood disorders are accompanied by cognitive impairment, which impairs work capacity and quality of life. However, there is a lack of treatment options that would lead to solid and lasting improvement of cognition. This is partially due to the absence of valid and reliable neurocircuitry-based biomarkers for pro-cognitive effects. This systematic review therefore examined the most consistent neural underpinnings ofcognitive impairment and cognitive improvementin unipolar and bipolar disorders. We identified 100 studies of the neuronal underpinnings of working memory and executive skills, learning and memory, attention, and implicit learning and 9 studies of the neuronal basis for cognitive improvements. Impairments across several cognitive domains were consistently accompanied by abnormal activity in dorsal prefrontal (PFC) cognitive control regions—with thedirectionof this activity depending on patients’ performance levels—and failure to suppress default mode network (DMN) activity. Candidate cognition treatments seemed toenhancetask-related dorsal PFC and temporo-parietal activity when performance increases were observed, and toreducetheir activity when performance levels were unchanged. These treatments also attenuated DMN hyper-activity. In contrast, nonspecific cognitive improvement following symptom reduction was typically accompanied by decreased limbic reactivity and reversal of pre-treatment fronto-parietal hyper-activity. Together, the findings highlight some common neural correlates of cognitive impairments and cognitive improvements. Based on this evidence, studies are warranted to examine the reliability and predictive validity of target engagement in the identified neurocircuitries as a biomarker model of pro-cognitive effects.
Retrograde Personal Semantic Memory During Post-Traumatic Amnesia and Following Emergence
Authors: Roberts Caroline M. , Spitz Gershon , Mundy Matthew , Ponsford Jennie L.
Published: September 2018

Objectives:Anecdotal reports suggest that following traumatic brain injury (TBI) retrograde memories are initially impaired and recover in order of remoteness. However, there has been limited empirical research investigating whether a negative gradient in retrograde amnesia—relative preservation of remote over recent memory—exists during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) compared with the acute phase post-emergence. This study used a repeated-measures design to examine the pattern of personal semantic (PS) memory performance during PTA and within two weeks of emergence to improve understanding of the nature of the memory deficit during PTA and its relationship with recovery.Methods:Twenty patients with moderate-severe TBI and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were administered the Personal Semantic Schedule of the Autobiographical Memory Interview. The TBI group was assessed once during PTA and post-emergence. Analysis of variance was used to compare the gradient across lifetime periods during PTA relative to post-emergence, and between groups.Results:PS memory was significantly lower during PTA than post-emergence from PTA, with no relative preservation of remote memories. The TBI group was still impaired relative to HCs following emergence from PTA. Lower overall PS memory scores during PTA were associated with increased days to emerge from PTA post-interview.Conclusions:These results suggest a global impairment in PS memory across lifetime periods particularly during PTA, but still present within 2 weeks of emergence from PTA. PS memory performance may be sensitive to the diffuse nature of TBI and may, therefore, function as a clinically valuable indicator of the likely time to emerge from PTA. (JINS, 2018,24, 1064–1072)
Artificial sweeteners in food and beverage products at school
Authors: Schermbeck Rebecca M , Leider Julien , Piekarz-Porter Elizabeth , Chriqui Jamie F
Published: September 2018

Objective

Experts recommend that products containing artificial sweeteners are not marketed to children or sold at schools. The present study aimed to provide a baseline assessment of the extent to which state laws and local school district wellness policies (LWP) address restrictions on the use of artificial sweeteners in competitive foods and beverages (CF&B) sold at schools.

Design

A descriptive, cross-sectional study of policies in place for the 2014–15 school year.

Setting

Data were collected on laws in all fifty states and Washington, DC. LWP were compiled for 496/518 school food authorities (SFA) for which data were collected as part of the US Department of Agriculture’s School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study.

Subjects

State laws and LWP respectively were coded on a 0–3 ordinal scale for the strength of their restrictions on artificial sweeteners in CF&B sold in each of five CF&B venues, separately by grade level. Prevalence of state laws and LWP for SFA nationwide was computed.

Results

Thirteen states addressed the use of artificial sweeteners. Six states addressed the use of artificial sweeteners in both CF&B. District-level artificial sweetener policies were most frequently addressed for beverages in elementary schools’ vending machines. District policies also were more likely to address artificial sweeteners in states with laws addressing artificial sweeteners.

Conclusions

Most state laws and LWP do not address artificial sweeteners in CF&B. This is not surprising given the Food and Drug Administration has approved eight artificial sweeteners for consumption and the Smart Snacks regulation does not limit artificial sweeteners for CF&B.
How Fast Can We Reliably Estimate the Magnitude of Subduction Earthquakes?
Authors: Leyton F. , Ruiz S. , Baez J. C. , Meneses G. , Madariaga R.
Published: September 2018

Fast and reliable characterization of earthquakes can provide vital information to the population, even reducing the effects of strong shaking produced by them. In this study, we explore the minimum time required to estimate the magnitude for subduction earthquakes. Using traditional P wave earthquake early warning parameters and considering a progressively increasing time window, we are able to estimate magnitude for subduction earthquakes ~30 s from the origin time (with an average residual of 0.01 ± 0.28). However, estimations for larger events (Mw ≥ 7.5) present larger errors (average residual of −0.70 ± 0.30). We complement our data with Global Navigational Satellite System observations for these events, enabling magnitude estimations ~70 s from the origin time (average residual of −0.42 ± 0.41). We propose that rapid estimations of magnitude should consider, initially, P waves in a progressively increasing time window, and complemented with GNSS data, for large events.
Polar Nighttime Chemistry Produces Intense Reactive Bromine Events
Authors: Simpson W. R. , Frieß U. , Thomas J. L. , Lampel J. , Platt U.
Published: September 2018

By examining the origin of airmasses that arrive at Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, soon after polar sunrise (late January/early February), we identified periods when air arriving at Utqiaġvik had previously resided primarily at higher latitudes in near total darkness. Upon illumination, these airmasses produced high concentrations of reactive bromine, which was detected by differential optical absorption spectroscopy as bromine monoxide (BrO). These observations are consistent with nighttime production of a photolabile reactive bromine precursor (e.g., Br2 or BrCl). A large polar night source of photolabile reactive bromine precursors would contribute seed reactive bromine to daytime reactive bromine events and could export reactive halogens to lower latitudes and the free troposphere.
Alternative Model for Predicting Soil Hydraulic Conductivity Over the Complete Moisture Range
Authors: Wang Yunquan , Jin Menggui , Deng Zijuan
Published: September 2018

Considering film flow in the development of a soil hydraulic model has become a key method for improving model performance under dry conditions. With the considerable improvement in model performance, the trade‐off is often to increase the model complexity, thus limiting a model's application. In this paper, an alternative model is presented to predict soil hydraulic conductivities over the entire moisture range. In contrast to existing models that treat conductivity as a summation of the capillary and film components, the proposed model applies a single equation to capture the variation of the two conductivity components. The new model, therefore, presents a simple form, with no extra parameters added to the basic capillary models. Model testing with 24 soil data sets revealed that it was successful in predicting conductivities over the complete moisture range. A comparison with existing models demonstrated that the proposed model was generally in higher agreement with observations, achieving a much lower mean value of the root mean square errors for the predicted conductivities.
Connecting Pressure‐Saturation and Relative Permeability Models to Fracture Properties: The Case of Capillary‐Dominated Flow of Supercritical CO2 and Brine
Authors: Wang Lichun , Cardenas M. Bayani
Published: September 2018

Fractures are potential pathways for subsurface fluids. In the context of geologic CO2 sequestration, fractures could threaten the security of reservoirs since they are pathways for leakage. However, the constitutive equations describing the pressure‐saturation and relative permeability‐saturation, key inputs for flow modeling and prediction, are poorly understood for two‐phase fracture flow at the field scale where each fracture might be an element of a complex fracture network or dual‐porosity domain. This knowledge is required for the safe storage of CO2 under potentially fractured caprocks. To address this, we numerically simulated two‐phase viscous flow through horizontal heterogeneous fractures across a broad range of roughness and aperture correlation length. The numerical experiments, which solved the modified local cubic law, showed a weak to strong phase interference during the drainage process; that is, supercritical CO2 displaces brine if the imposed pressure + local viscous force > local capillary force. The drainage process ended when no new brine cells can be further invaded by CO2. Afterward, we froze the saturation field for each individual phase and calculated the relative permeability by single‐phase flow modeling. Thousands of simulated pressure‐saturation and relative permeability curves enabled us to estimate and connect the parameters of the Van‐Genuchten model and of the generalized ν‐type model to fracture roughness and aperture correlation length. This empirical connection will be useful for assessing and predicting immiscible two‐phase flow in horizontal rough fractures at the large scale.
Metasurface-based multi-harmonic free-electron light source
Authors: Rosolen Gilles , Wong Liang Jie , Rivera Nicholas , Maes Bjorn , Soljačić Marin , Kaminer Ido
Published: September 2018

Metasurfaces are subwavelength spatial variations in geometry and material where the structures are of negligible thickness compared to the wavelength of light and are optimized for far-field applications, such as controlling the wavefronts of electromagnetic waves. Here, we investigate the potential of the metasurface near-field profile, generated by an incident few-cycle pulse laser, to facilitate the generation of high-frequency light from free electrons. In particular, the metasurface near-field contains higher-order spatial harmonics that can be leveraged to generate multiple higher-harmonic X-ray frequency peaks. We show that the X-ray spectral profile can be arbitrarily shaped by controlling the metasurface geometry, the electron energy, and the incidence angle of the laser input. Using ab initio simulations, we predict bright and monoenergetic X-rays, achieving energies of 30 keV (with harmonics spaced by 3 keV) from 5-MeV electrons using 3.4-eV plasmon polaritons on a metasurface with a period of 85 nm. As an example, we present the design of a four-color X-ray source, a potential candidate for tabletop multicolor hard X-ray spectroscopy. Our developments could help pave the way for compact multi-harmonic sources of high-energy photons, which have potential applications in industry, medicine, and the fundamental sciences.