bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Economical Efficiency of Intermodal Chains in Global Trade
Authors: Wiśnicki Bogusz , Milewski Dariusz
Published: December 2018

The paper relates to the development of intermodal technologies used in international trade, together with factors which will influence that development at present and in the future. The aim of the paper is to assess impact of the integration of intermodal chains on logistics costs and thus on global trade. The special emphasize is laid on the problem of the diversity of standards of containers and transport technology in different parts of the world. This research is based on the available statistical data and information obtained from leading logistics operators. The authors conducted comparative analysis of the economic efficiency of usage of different sizes of cargo units, both standard and non-standard, relating to representative intermodal chain between the USA and Europe. In order to assess different scenarios a model was elaborated for calculating the total costs of such a chain, and transport efficiency analysis with the use of this model were conducted. The results of research presented in the paper confirm that integration of intermodal chains thanks to standardization of loading units in a global scale could be profitable. The results of logistics cost analysis prove measurable benefits for logistics operators and as well as their customers.
Hepatitis-C-Therapie: State of the Art 2018
Authors: Zeuzem Stefan
Published: December 2018

Was ist neu?

Ziele der antiviralen Therapie Ziel der individuellen antiviralen Therapie ist die dauerhafte Viruseradikation, populationsbezogen die Elimination des Hepatitis-C-Virus (HCV) (Ziel der WHO bis 2030).

Antivirale Medikamente und Medikamenteninteraktionen Zur antiviralen Therapie stehen Inhibitoren der RNA-abhängigen RNA-Polymerase, der NS3/4A-Protease und des NS5A-Proteins des HCV sowie Ribavirin zur Verfügung. Typischerweise werden 2 spezifische Inhibitoren kombiniert, die Therapiedauer liegt für die Mehrheit der Patienten bei 8 – 12 Wochen.

Pan-genotypische und Genotypen-restringierte Kombinationstherapien Zwei pan-genotypische Kombinationstherapien stehen zur Verfügung: Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir sowie Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir. In der Differenzialtherapie sind die Leber- und Nierenfunktion sowie Medikamenteninteraktionen zu berücksichtigen. Die dauerhaften virologischen Ansprechraten liegen über 95 %, die Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit der Medikamente ist sehr gut.

Therapie spezieller Patientenpopulationen Protease-Inhibitoren sind bei Patienten mit einer dekompensierten Zirrhose kontraindiziert. Sofosbuvir ist bei Patienten mit schwerer Niereninsuffizienz nicht zugelassen. Die Re-Therapie von Nonrespondern auf die Interferon-freie Therapie erfolgt mit Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/ Voxilaprevir.
Diagnostik und Therapie bei interstitiellen Lungenerkrankungen
Authors: Jakubczyc Anna , Neurohr Claus
Published: December 2018

Was ist neu?

Anamnese Der neue Fragebogen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pneumologie (DGP) erleichtert die Erhebung der komplexen Anamnese bei interstitiellen Lungenerkrankungen.

Bildgebende Diagnostik Die Veröffentlichung des Fleischner Society White Papers betont die Bedeutung der hochauflösenden Computertomografie (HRCT) bei der Diagnostik der IPF. Die neuen internationalen Leitlinien betonen den Stellenwert der interdisziplinären Diskussion auch bereits vor der invasiven Diagnostik, insbesondere bei nicht eindeutigen interstitiellen Veränderungen.

Invasive Diagnostik Die histologische Diagnostik der fibrotischen Veränderungen wird bei untypischen CT-Befunden bzw. bei den unstimmigen Ergebnissen der Anamnese, der Laborbefunde und der bildgebenden Diagnostik gefordert. Die videoassistierte Thorakoskopie (VATS) mit Keilexzision ist weiterhin der Goldstandard. Die Bronchoskopie mit transbronchialer Kryobiopsie als diagnostische Alternative hat zunehmend an Bedeutung gewonnen.

Therapie Die 2017 veröffentlichten deutschen Leitlinien zur medikamentösen Therapie der IPF standardisieren das therapeutische Vorgehen. Die Behandlung mit einem der beiden zugelassenen antifibrotischen Medikamente (Pirfenidon, Nintedanib) sollte zeitnah nach Diagnosestellung begonnen werden und ist als Dauertherapie durchzuführen. Bei Unverträglichkeit bzw. Krankheitsprogress kann auf ein Alternativpräparat umgestellt werden. Von Kombinationstherapie beider Wirkstoffe wird abgeraten.
Opportunistische Infektionen: Was gibt es Neues?
Authors: Boesecke Christoph , Rockstroh Jürgen , Thoden Jan
Published: December 2018

Was ist neu?

Zerebrale Toxoplasmose Als intravenöse Therapie ist die Gabe von Trimethoprim und Sulfamethoxazol möglich. Auch als orale Prophylaxe können sie nun schon ab einer CD4-T-Helferzellzahl von < 200/µl eingesetzt werden.

Pneumocystis jiroveci Zur Prophylaxe und Therapie der Pneumocystis-jiroveci-Pneumonie ist die Kombination aus Trimethoprim und Sulfamethoxazol weiterhin Mittel der Wahl.

Kryptokokkose Eine neue Therapieoption besteht aus liposomalem Amphotericin B plus Fluconazol.

Tuberkulose Um ein Immunrekonstitutions-Inflammations-Syndrom (IRIS) zu vermeiden, kann eine präventive Steroidbehandlung in Betracht gezogen werden.

Humanes Herpes-Virus Typ 8 (HHV8) Das „Kaposi-Sarkom-Herpesvirus-Inflammations-Zytokin-Syndrom“ (KICS) wurde als neue HHV8-assoziierte Erkrankung beschrieben.

Varizella zoster In der Therapie sollte man Lokalisation und Ausbreitung berücksichtigen.
Die Pathophysiologie des Lungenemphysems – Laënnec (1781–1826) hatte Recht!
Authors: Koehler U. , Hildebrandt O. , Dittrich M. , Koehler N. , Weissflog A.
Published: December 2018

Das Lungenemphysem ist definiert als irreversible Erweiterung des Luftraums distal der terminalen Bronchiolen. Die kleinen Atemwege < 2 mm Durchmesser sind der Bereich, bei dem es bei Patienten mit einer chronischen obstruktiven Atemwegserkrankung (COPD) zu einer chronischen Inflammation mit bronchialer Obstruktion kommt. 80 – 90 % der terminalen Bronchiolen sind bei Patienten mit schwergradiger COPD zerstört. Neuere Daten belegen, dass bereits bei leichter bis moderater COPD GOLD 1 und 2 etwa 40 % der terminalen und 60 % der transitionalen Bronchiolen destruiert sind. Morphologische Zeichen des Emphysems weisen diese Patienten jedoch noch nicht auf. Erst bei einer kritischen Prozentzahl zerstörter terminaler und respiratorischer Bronchiolen scheint es zum Auftreten einer klinischen Symptomatik sowie zur Emphysementstehung zu kommen.
Acute Exercise Increases the Expression of KIR2DS4 by Promoter Demethylation in NK Cells
Authors: Schenk Alexander , Pulverer Walter , Koliamitra Christine , Bauer Claus , Ilic Suzana , Heer Rudolf , Schier Robert , Schick Volker , Böttiger Bernd , Gerhäuser Clarissa , Bloch Wilhelm , Zimmer Philipp
Published: December 2018

Positive effects of exercise on cancer prevention and progression have been proposed to be mediated by stimulating natural killer (NK) cells. Because NK cell receptors are regulated by epigenetic modifications, we investigated whether acute aerobic exercise and training change promoter DNA methylation and gene expression of the activating KIR2DS4 and the inhibiting KIR3DL1 gene. Sixteen healthy women (50–60 years) performed a graded exercise test (GXT) and were randomized into either a passive control group or an intervention group performing a four-week endurance exercise intervention. Blood samples (pre-, post-GXT and post-training) were used for isolation of DNA/RNA of NK cells to assess DNA promoter methylation by targeted deep-amplicon sequencing and gene expression by qRT-PCR. Potential changes in NK cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Acute and chronic exercise did not provoke significant alterations of NK cell proportions. Promoter methylation decreased and gene expression increased for KIR2DS4 after acute exercise. A high gene expression correlated with a low methylation of CpGs that were altered by acute exercise. Chronic exercise resulted in a minor decrease of DNA methylation and did not alter gene expression. Acute exercise provokes epigenetic modifications, affecting the balance between the activating KIR2DS4 and the inhibiting KIR3DL1, with potential benefits on NK cell function.
Sex Differences in Aortic Hemodynamics Following Acute Exercise: Wave Separation Analysis
Authors: Wee Sang , Yan Huimin , Lane-Cordova Abbi , Ranadive Sushant , Rosenberg Alexander , White Daniel , Fernhall Bo
Published: December 2018

The importance of sex differences in the control of blood pressure responses to exercise is controversial. It is unknown whether the potential sex differences are a result of magnitude differences in forward or reflected pressure waves. The purpose of this study was to investigate sex differences in BP following acute exercise using wave separation analysis. Sixty-eight adults (36 females) participated in the study. Aerobic capacity was measured during a graded cycle ergometry test. Central pulse wave analysis was derived from the radial pulse using applanation tonometry and separated into forward and reflected pressure waves before, and 15 min and 30 min after maximum aerobic exercise. Both males and females exhibited significantly decreased brachial SBP (p<0.05) following acute exercise. However, only males exhibited a significant decrease in forward wave pressure (p<0.05). Reflected wave pressure was decreased following exercise in both sex (p<0.05) with no sex difference. Males and females differ in blood pressure control following maximal exercise. Results show that males rely on both central and peripheral hemodynamic modifications, whereas females mostly rely on peripheral modifications. The preferential peripheral adaptations in females may provide insight regarding mechanisms of blood pressure control and the disproportionate development of hypertension in young men compared to women.
Beeinflussung der Muskelaktivität von Unterarm und Schultergürtel durch verschiedene Computer-Eingabegeräte am Arbeitsplatz
Authors: Sturm Jeanette , Brockhaus Fabienne , Briest Juliane , Gutenbrunner Christoph , Sturm Christian
Published: December 2018

Fragestellung Wegen epidemiologisch hoher Prävalenz von Schulter- und Nackenschmerzen besteht Anlass zur Ursachenforschung, weshalb wir Muskelaktivitäten bei Nutzung verschiedener PC-Eingabegeräte verglichen.

Material und Methoden Wir maßen bei 34 Probanden die Muskelaktivität des Armes und Schultergürtels mittels Oberflächen-EMG in standardisiertem Arbeitsplatzsetting und erhoben durch Fragebögen die Nutzerakzeptanz.

Ergebnisse Bei Nutzung einer weit verbreiteten Standard-Maus zeigte sich in allen gemessenen Muskeln statistisch signifikant gegenüber ergonomischeren Eingabegeräten die höchste Aktivität. Die Auswertung der Fragebögen ergab stark variierende Bewertungen: geringere Aktivierung der Muskulatur korrelierte nicht mit subjektivem Komfort.

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung Zur Reduktion von Muskelbeanspruchungen im Schulter-/Nackenbereich kann der Wechsel auf ein ergonomischeres Eingabegerät hilfreich sein. Je nach Beschwerdebild kann das passende Gerät nach unseren Daten ausgewählt werden. Zu berücksichtigen ist die zu erwartende Akzeptanz der Nutzer.
In Würde zu sich stehen – Konzept und Wirksamkeit eines peer-geleiteten Programms zu Offenlegung und Stigmabewältigung
Authors: Rüsch Nicolas , Oexle Nathalie , Reichhardt Lea , Ventling Stephanie
Published: December 2018

Hintergrund Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen stehen aufgrund verbreiteter Stigmatisierung oft vor der schwierigen Entscheidung, ob sie ihre Erkrankung anderen gegenüber offenlegen sollen.

Methode Konzept und Inhalte von ‚In Würde zu sich stehen‘ (IWS), einem kompakten peer-geleiteten Gruppenprogramm, werden beschrieben.

Ergebnisse IWS unterstützt Teilnehmer mit psychischen Erkrankungen bei Offenlegungsentscheidungen und Stigmabewältigung. Drei RCTs zeigen positive Effekte von IWS.

Schlussfolgerungen Fragen der Wirksamkeit, Implementierung und Weiterentwicklung von IWS werden diskutiert.
The Hantzsch Pyrrole Synthesis: Non-conventional Variations and Applications of a Neglected Classical Reaction
Authors: Menéndez J. , Leonardi Marco , Estévez Verónica , Villacampa Mercedes
Published: December 2018

Pyrrole is one of the most important one-ring heterocycles because of its widespread presence in natural products and unnatural bioactive compounds and drugs in clinical use. The preparation of pyrroles by reaction between primary amines, β-dicarbonyl compounds, and α-halo ketones, known as the Hantzsch pyrrole synthesis, is reviewed here for the first time. In spite of its age and its named reaction status, this method has received little attention in the literature. Recent work involving the use of non-conventional conditions has rejuvenated this classical reaction and this is emphasized in this review. Some applications of the Hantzsch reaction in target-oriented synthesis are also discussed.

1 Introduction

2 The Conventional Hantzsch Pyrrole Synthesis

3 Hantzsch Pyrrole Synthesis under Non-conventional Conditions

4 Applications of the Hantzsch Pyrrole Synthesis

5 Conclusions
Synthesis of 5,6-Diaminoacenaphthylene by Reduction of Sterically Crowded Nitro Groups with Sodium Dithionite
Authors: Dood Amber , Fisher Patrick , Bodden Christine , Peterson Luke , Lindberg Kathryn , Coeling Trevor , Yarbrough Douglas , Gillmore Jason
Published: December 2018

5,6-Diaminoacenaphthylene was synthesized in four steps from acenaphthene. This seemingly simple molecule provides unique synthetic challenges because it is relatively difficult to reduce the nitro groups and the molecule contains a particularly reactive double bond. It was determined that the only feasible sequence for the synthesis was to nitrate acenaphthene, then brominate, eliminate, and finally selectively reduce. Several reduction methods were attempted before finding one that would completely reduce both nitro groups while leaving the double bond intact.
Hyperfine-interaction-induced g/u mixing and its implication on the existence of the first excited vibrational level of the A+ Σu+2 state of H2+ and on the scattering length of the H + H+ collision
Authors: Beyer Maximilian , Merkt Frédéric
Published: December 2018

Ab initio calculations of the energy level structure of H2+ that include relativistic and radiative corrections to nonrelativistic energies and the diagonal part of the hyperfine interaction have predicted the existence of four bound rovibrational levels [(v = 0, N = 0 − 2) and (v = 1, N = 0)] of the first electronically excited (A+ Σu+2) state of H2+, the (v = 1, N = 0) level having a calculated binding energy of only Eb = 1.082 219 8(4)·10−9 Eh and leading to an extremely large scattering length of 750(5) a0 for the H+ + H collision [J. Carbonell et al., J. Phys. B: At., Mol. Opt. Phys. 37, 2997 (2004)]. We present an investigation of the nonadiabatic coupling between the first two electronic states (X+ Σg+2 and A+ Σu+2) of H2+ induced by the Fermi-contact term of the hyperfine-coupling Hamiltonian. This interaction term, which mixes states of total spin quantum number G = 1/2, is rigorously implemented in a close-coupling approach to solve the spin-rovibronic Schrödinger equation. We show that it mixes states of gerade and ungerade electronic symmetry, that it shifts the positions of all weakly bound rovibrational states of H2+, and that it affects both the positions and widths of its shape resonances. The calculations demonstrate that the G = 1/2 hyperfine component of the A+ (v = 1, N = 0) state does not exist and that, for G = 1/2, the s-wave scattering lengths of the H+ + H(1s) collision are −578(6) a0 and −43(4) a0 for the F = 0 and F = 1 hyperfine components of the H(1s) atom, respectively. The binding energy of the G = 3/2 hyperfine component of the A+ (v = 1, N = 0) state is not significantly affected by the hyperfine interaction and the corresponding scattering length for the H+ + H(1s, F = 1) collision is 757(7) a0.
Gate-tunable superconductivity at SrTiO3 surface realized by Al layer evaporation
Authors: Sengupta Shamashis , Tisserond Emilie , Linez Florence , Monteverde Miguel , Murani Anil , Rödel Tobias , Lecoeur Philippe , Maroutian Thomas , Marrache-Kikuchi Claire , Santander-Syro Andrés F. , Fortuna Franck
Published: December 2018

Electronic properties of low dimensional superconductors are determined by many-body-effects. This physics has been studied traditionally with superconducting thin films and in recent times with two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) at oxide interfaces. In this work, we show that a superconducting 2DEG can be generated by simply evaporating a thin layer of metallic Al under ultrahigh vacuum on a SrTiO3 crystal, whereby Al oxidizes into amorphous insulating alumina, doping the SrTiO3 surface with oxygen vacancies. The superconducting critical temperature of the resulting 2DEG is found to be tunable with a gate voltage with a maximum value of 360 mK. A gate-induced switching between superconducting and resistive states is demonstrated. Compared to conventionally-used pulsed-laser deposition, our work simplifies to a large extent the process of fabricating oxide-based superconducting 2DEGs. It will make such systems accessible to a broad range of experimental techniques useful to understand low-dimensional phase transitions and complex many-body-phenomena in electronic systems.
Twisted beam shaping by plasma photonic crystal
Authors: Nobahar D. , Hajisharifi K. , Mehdian H.
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we investigate the strong modification and reshaping of the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beam using a tailored magnetized plasma photonic crystal (PPC), based on the angular spectrum expansion and 4×4 matrix method. It is numerically shown that by manipulating both external magnetic field and plasma number density, the reflected and transmitted beam shape is perfectly controlled. In addition, to show the domain role of magnetized PPC birefringence in the shaping of the twisted beam (TB), vertical incidence and oblique incidence of the LG beam are analyzed. We believe that these results open the door to use PPC structures in modulating the shape of a reference TB for new optical traps. Meanwhile, this study gives a new insight into the diagnostic of plasma systems using analyses of TB shapes.
Robust chaos in 3-D piecewise linear maps
Authors: Patra Mahashweta , Banerjee Soumitro
Published: December 2018

A chaotic attractor is called robust if there is no periodic window or any coexisting attractor in some open subset of the parameter space. Such a chaotic attractor cannot be destroyed by a small change in parameter values since a small change in the parameter value can only make small changes in the Lyapunov exponents. Earlier investigations have calculated the existence and the stability conditions of robust chaos in 1D and 2D piecewise linear maps. In this work, we demonstrate the occurrence of robust chaos in 3D piecewise linear maps and derive the conditions of its occurrence by analyzing the interplay between the stable and unstable manifolds.
Fragmentation and stress diversification in diamond powder under high pressure
Authors: Guan Shixue , Peng Fang , Liang Hao , Fan Cong , Tan Lijie , Wang Zhiwei , Zhang Yuanfen , Zhang Jiawei , Yu Hong , He Duanwei
Published: December 2018

Studying the fragmentation and refinement of diamond powder as well as the diversification in the intergranular stress is crucial to produce a high-quality polycrystalline diamond. In this paper, using different micron-size diamond powders as the initial materials, the samples were compressed under different pressures at ambient temperature. The fragmentation behavior of the diamond powder was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and with a laser particle size analyzer. The results show that the fragmentation of diamond comprises three stages with increasing pressure: (i) fracturing of edges and corners, (ii) cracking of the crystal plane, and (iii) refinement of particle disorder; the particle deformation tends to become relatively stable after a certain pressure. In situ high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to study the intergranular stress distribution under non-hydrostatic compression to 35.1 GPa. A heterogeneous stress distribution was found in compressed diamond bulk, in which under the highest load, the maximum stress reached 69.5 GPa, whereas the minimum stress was only 18.8 GPa.
Super-bandgap light stimulated reversible transformation and laser-driven mass transport at the surface of As2S3 chalcogenide nanolayers studied in situ
Authors: Holomb R. , Kondrat O. , Mitsa V. , Veres M. , Czitrovszky A. , Feher A. , Tsud N. , Vondráček M. , Veltruská K. , Matolín V. , Prince K. C.
Published: December 2018

The super-bandgap laser irradiation of the in situ prepared As-S chalcogenide films was found to cause drastic structural transformations and unexpected selective diffusion processes, leading to As enrichment on the nanolayer surface. Excitation energy dependent synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy showed complete reversibility of the molecular transformations and selective laser-driven mass transport during “laser irradiation”-“thermal annealing” cycles. Molecular modeling and density functional theory calculations performed on As-rich cage-like clusters built from basic structural units indicate that the underlying microscopic mechanism of laser induced transformations is connected with the realgar-pararealgar transition in the As-S structure. The detected changes in surface composition as well as the related local and molecular structural transformations are analyzed and a model is proposed and discussed in detail. It is suggested that the formation of a concentration gradient is a result of bond cleavage and molecular reorientation during transformations and anisotropic molecular diffusion.
Impact of electrodes on the extraction of shift current from a ferroelectric semiconductor SbSI
Authors: Nakamura M. , Hatada H. , Kaneko Y. , Ogawa N. , Tokura Y. , Kawasaki M.
Published: December 2018

Noncentrosymmetric bulk crystals generate photocurrent without any bias voltage. One of the dominant mechanisms, shift current, comes from the quantum interference of electron wave functions being distinct from the classical current caused by electrons' drift or diffusion. The dissipation-less nature of shift current, however, has not been fully verified, presumably due to the premature understanding of the role of electrodes. Here, we show that the photocurrent dramatically enhanced by choosing electrodes with large work functions for a p-type ferroelectric semiconductor SbSI. An optimized device shows a nearly constant zero-bias photocurrent despite the significant dependence of photocarrier mobility on temperature, which could be a clear hallmark for the dissipation-less nature of shift current. Distinct from conventional photovoltaic devices, the shift current generator operates as a majority carrier device. The present study provides fundamental design principles for energy-harvesting and photo-detecting devices with novel architectures optimal for the shift current photovoltaic effect.
Impact of band to band tunneling in In0.53Ga0.47As tunnel diodes on the deep level transient spectra
Authors: Gupta S. , Simoen E. , Loo R. , Smets Q. , Verhulst A. S. , Lauwaert J. , Vrielinck H. , Heyns M.
Published: December 2018

Peculiar features of the deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements on p+−i−n+ In0.53Ga0.47As tunnel diodes are explained. It is shown that due to the high doping of the tunnel diodes and the large band to band tunneling conductance under reverse bias, the DLTS spectrum is prone to erroneous interpretations. We discuss a procedure to identify the cause. In the tunnel diodes, a donor-like hole trap (H1) associated with a point defect, with an activation energy of EV + 0.09 eV and a capture cross-section of (2.4 ± 1) × 10−19 cm2, is identified. In addition to the thermal emission, we report the observation of tunneling emission of holes from the H1 trap.
Acoustic perfect absorbers via spiral metasurfaces with embedded apertures
Authors: Huang Sibo , Fang Xinsheng , Wang Xu , Assouar Badreddine , Cheng Qian , Li Yong
Published: December 2018

In this work, we analytically and experimentally present perfect acoustic absorbers via spiral metasurfaces composed of coiled channels and embedded apertures. Perfect absorption (reaching 0.999 in experiments) is realized with an ultra-thin thickness down to ∼1/100th of the operating wavelength. Owing to the superior impedance manipulation provided by the embedded apertures, perfect absorption with tunable frequencies is demonstrated. Our results would contribute to paving a way towards designing thin and light absorbers for the low frequency absorption challenge.
Parity violating energy difference for mirror conformers of DABCO linker between two M2+ cations (M = Zn, Cd, and Hg)
Authors: Mirzaeva Irina V. , Kozlova Svetlana G.
Published: December 2018

We have studied the potential energy surface of [M2DABCO]4+ cations (M = Zn, Cd, and Hg), which are considered as a model for the DABCO linker in metal-organic frameworks, a new prospective class of materials. Relativistic four-component and two-component calculations of parity violating energy difference (PVED) for twisted isomers of [M2DABCO]4+ cations have been performed. The right-twisted conformers of [M2DABCO]4+ are more stable than the left-twisted ones. The increase in PVED with the nuclear charge of the transition metal atom M (ZM) is discussed.
Chemical model for positively charged dust particles
Authors: Davletov A. E. , Kurbanov F. , Mukhametkarimov Ye. S.
Published: December 2018

A chemical model of electron-dust plasmas consisting of electrons and dust particles is systematically developed. An insight is exploited that a single dust particle forms a potential well for electrons, whose depth is determined by the work function of the dust material. The whole electron fluid, initially concentrated inside the dust particles, is somehow reallocated between the bulk of the dust matter and the ambient space available, which is then interpreted as thermionic emission. An expression is employed for the Helmholtz free energy of the system, which includes the ideal and excess parts to thoroughly deal with interactions between the dusty plasma constituents. Numerical calculations of dust particle charge are performed in quite a broad domain of plasma parameters, and a straightforward comparison is made with the orbital motion limited (OML) approximation to demonstrate that the proposed calculation scheme predicts higher positive charge values of dust grains. It is also proved that the OML approximation exactly corresponds to the ideal-gas model when interactions between plasma particles are entirely neglected.
Correcting symmetry imperfections in linear multipole traps
Authors: Pedregosa-Gutierrez J. , Champenois C. , Houssin M. , Kamsap M. R. , Knoop M.
Published: December 2018

Multipole radio-frequency (RF) traps are central to collisional experiments in cryogenic environments. They also offer possibilities to generate new type of ion crystals topologies and in particular the potential to create infinite 1D/2D structures: ion rings and ion tubes. However, multipole traps have also been shown to be very sensitive to geometrical misalignment of the trap rods, leading to additional local trapping minima. The present work proposes a method to correct non-ideal potentials, by modifying the applied RF amplitudes for each trap rod. This approach is discussed for the octupole trap, leading to the restitution of the ideal Mexican-Hat-like pseudo-potential, expected in multipole traps. The goodness of the compensation method is quantified in terms of the choice of the diagnosis area, the residual trapping potential variations, the required adaptation of the applied RF voltage amplitudes, and the impact on the trapped ion structures. Experimental implementation for macroscopic multipole traps is also discussed, in order to propose a diagnostic method with respect to the resolution and stability of the trap drive. Using the proposed compensation technique, we discuss the feasibility of generating a homogeneous ion ring crystal, which is a measure of quality for the obtained potential well.
Singularities of solutions to the compressible Euler equations and Euler-Poisson equations with damping
Authors: Liu Jianli , Fang Yaoli
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we consider the formation of singularities of solutions to the compressible Euler equations with damping and pressureless Euler-Poisson equations with damping. Under certain assumptions of the initial data, we can get the blow up result of the solutions in the finite time.
Lessons learned from mapping diamond powder stresses can lead to improved compactness
Authors: Agner Mary Alexandra
Published: December 2018

A closer look at the cold compaction phase of diamond sintering could lead to increased production of high-quality crystalline diamond.
Dietary supplementation with glucogenic precusors and fatty acids improves performance and health of periparturient dairy cows
Authors: Klebaniuk R. , Kochman G. , Kowalczuk-Vasilev E. , Grela E. R. , Kowalczyk-Pecka D. , Bąkowski M.
Published: December 2018

This experiment aimed to make a comparison between the effect of a mix of two energy preparations (a glucogenic preparation (G) and a free fatty acid preparation (F)), administered in the diet during the transition period over different periods of time (5 or 8 weeks), on the animal condition, feed intake, yield and composition of milk, and blood and urine parameters. The experimental additive was a mixture (1:1) of two energy preparations, namely, a loose mixture of propylene glycol and sodium propionate and a free fatty acid preparation in the form of rumen-undegradable pellets. The study included 50 Polish Black-and-White Holstein–Friesian dairy cows, allocated into five treatment groups, including one control (C) and four experimental ones (G1F1, G2F2, G2F1 and G1F2). The preparations were mixed at a 1:1 weight ratio (500 g per head, comprising 250G and 250F) and they were administered to all experimental groups of cows daily as a component of the experimental concentrate for 5 weeks (from the 2nd week before the expected calving and until the 3rd week of lactation). From the 4th until the 6th week of lactation, the supplementation in the experimental groups changed and animals received either no additive (G1F1), or were continuously supplemented with the G–F mix (G2F2), or received only G (G2F1) or only F (G1F2). The preparations used in the study had a long-term influence on the increase in the milk yield of cows, on the improvement of their health condition, and on the reduction of weight loss. The study results confirmed that prolongation of the supplementation until the 6th week of lactation may cause favourable changes in animal performance and milk quality. Due to different modes of action, the simultaneous supplementation of G and F reduced the negative energy balance in the cow and improved milk production and composition. The best results were obtained after administration of the mixture (1:1) of the G and F at the dose of 500 g/cow.day over the 8-week periparturient period.
Performance, carcass and meat quality traits of grazing cattle with different exit velocity
Authors: Della Rosa M. M. , Pavan E. , Maresca S. , Spetter M. , Ramiro F.
Published: December 2018

To evaluate the effect of grazing cattle temperament on performance, as well as carcass and meat quality traits, exit velocity (EV) was assessed throughout two production cycles (PC1, n = 38 and PC2, n = 52). Individual EV determinations were assessed throughout each PC and then 100-days period averages were calculated for each animal. Animals were ranked based on their EV (EV-RANK) in the first 100-days period as SLOW, FAST and MEDIUM. The EV decreased from weaning to slaughter in FAST and MEDIUM (P < 0.05); but did not change in SLOW (P > 0.10). Initial liveweight was lowest in FAST and highest in MEDIUM (P = 0.03). DM intake (P = 0.08) and average daily gain (P = 0.94) were not affected by EV-RANK, but carcass subcutaneous fat thickness was lowest in FAST and highest in MEDIUM (P = 0.02). Longissimus muscle colour and shear-force were not affected by EV-RANK (P > 0.05), but muscle glycogen content at slaughter was higher in MEDIUM than in SLOW or FAST (P = 0.047). No EV-RANK effects were observed in the present study on meat colour and shear-force. However, its effects on subcutaneous fat thickness and muscle glycogen could result in low meat quality of temperamental cattle under more stressful handling situations.
A comparison of profitability between farms that milk once or twice a day
Authors: Edwards J. P.
Published: December 2018

To attract and retain quality staff, dairy farming must be competitive with industries offering conventional hours of work. Full lactation once-a-day (OAD) milking is one option that could help achieve this goal. The present study analysed the profitability of milking OAD, using data from commercial farms for the production seasons 2005–2006 to 2015–2016. Once-a-day herds were matched with herds milking twice-a-day (TAD) by district and herd size to create 927 OAD–TAD pairs. Milksolids (MS; kg fat + kg protein) per hectare decreased by an average of 13% after adopting OAD; however, farm working expenses (FWE) per hectare did not decrease, resulting in an increase in FWE per kilogram MS and a decrease in profitability per hectare. Labour efficiency (cows/full time equivalent (FTE)) increased in the OAD herds by an average of only 6%. To investigate this result further, a subset of 33 OAD herds, with at least one season of pre-OAD data, were grouped into quartiles on the basis of their pre-OAD labour efficiency. The operating profit/ha of quartile one (lowest pre-OAD cows/FTE; least efficient) increased by 23% after adopting OAD, with quartile two, three and four decreasing by –1%, –10% and –32%. Quartile one herds had the largest increase in cows/FTE, highlighting the importance of labour efficiency and cost reduction to profit when milking OAD. Some herds in the top quartiles were able to increase cows/FTE. These results indicated that profitability can be maintained or increased after adopting OAD. Whether the lifestyle benefits of OAD are retained when increasing labour efficiency warrants further investigation.
Applying and Advancing Best Practices in Opioid use Disorder and Addiction Treatment: Introduction to the Special Issue on Implementation Science and Quality Improvement Scholarship
Authors: Gordon Adam J. , Oliva Elizabeth M.
Published: December 2018

To help realize the promise of evidence-based practices to stem the opioid crisis, there is a glaring need for descriptions of how practices are effectively disseminated and implemented. Unfortunately, addiction journals do not often publish addiction implementation science and non-research descriptions of quality improvement projects. This is unfortunate as these projects are more representative of how research is translated into practice in the real-world and offer guidance and practical information to help speed implementation of evidence-based practices. To support translation of research into practice, primary, secondary, and tertiary intervention implementation science and quality improvement projects should be disseminated. We are excited to again partner with the Providers’ Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies in presenting implementation and quality improvement demonstration projects in this special issue: “Implementation and Quality Improvement: Applying and Advancing Best Practices in Opioid Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment.”
A fruitful tree: developing the dendritic nucleation model of actin-based cell motility
Authors: Higgs Henry N.
Published: December 2018

A fundamental question in cell biology concerns how cells move, and this has been the subject of intense research for decades. In the 1990s, a major leap forward was made in our understanding of cell motility, with the proposal of the dendritic nucleation model. This essay describes the events leading to the development of the model, including findings from many laboratories and scientific disciplines. The story is an excellent example of the scientific process in action, with the combination of multiple perspectives leading to robust conclusions.
Accuracy Validation of 8 Equations to Estimate 24-Hour Sodium by Spot Urine in Young Adolescents
Authors: Dong Jie , Yan Yinkun , Fan Hui , Zhao Xiaoyuan , Mi Jie
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Several formulas using spot urine have been developed to estimate 24-hour sodium excretion, but none of them have been validated in pediatrics. We aimed to evaluate the performance of 8 formulas—Kawasaki; Tanaka; International Cooperative Study on Salt, Other Factors, and Blood Pressure (INTERSALT1); INTERSALT without potassium (INTERSALT2); Mage; Whitton; Uechi simple-mean; and Uechi regression—in estimating 24-hour sodium excretion at both population and individual levels in Chinese young adolescents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study consisted of 284 students aged 10–15 years from Hunan, China. Two spot urine and 24-hour urine samples were collected from each participant.

RESULTS

The median 24-hour urinary sodium excretion was 2,742 mg. The mean differences (95% confidence intervals) of 24-hour sodium excretion by the 8 equations were 1,613 (1,491 to 1,735) mg for Kawasaki, −12 (−97 to 73) mg for Tanaka, −214 (−319 to −110) mg for INTERSALT1, −289 (−394 to −185) mg for INTERSALT2, −615 (−730 to −500) mg for Mage, 1,082 (967 to 1,198) mg for Whitton, −479 (−610 to −348) mg for Uechi simple-mean, and −620 (−716 to −525) mg for Uechi regression. The Tanaka formula performed best in relative and absolute difference distributions, with 35.2% participants having relative differences within 10%, and 45.8% participants having absolute differences within 393 mg. The misclassification rates were all >50% except for the Tanaka formula (43.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, Tanaka could offer a plausible alternative of mean populational 24-hour sodium estimation for young adolescents. However, the results did not support the use of these equations in pediatrics at individual levels.
Gender differences in cognitive function and grip strength: a cross-national comparison of four European regions
Authors: Ahrenfeldt Linda Juel , Scheel-Hincke Lasse Lybecker , Kjærgaard Søren , Möller Sören , Christensen Kaare , Lindahl-Jacobsen Rune
Published: December 2018

Background

Cross-national comparison studies on gender differences have mainly focussed on life expectancy, while less research has examined differences in health across countries. We aimed to investigate gender differences in cognitive function and grip strength over age and time across European regions.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study including 51 292 men and 62 007 women aged 50 + participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe between 2004–05 and 2015. Linear regression models were used to examine associations.

Results

In general, women had better cognitive function than men, whereas men had higher grip strength measures. Sex differences were consistent over time, but decreased with age. Compared with men, women had higher cognitive scores at ages 50–59, corresponding to 0.17 SD (95% CI 0.14, 0.20) but slightly lower scores at ages 80–89 (0.08 SD, 95% CI 0.14, 0.00). For grip strength, the sex difference decreased from 18.8 kg (95% CI 18.5, 19.1) at ages 50–59 to 8.5 kg (95% CI 7.1, 9.9) at age 90 + . Northern Europeans had higher cognitive scores (19.6%) and grip strength measures (13.8%) than Southern Europeans. Gender differences in grip strength were similar across regions, whereas for cognitive function they varied considerably, with Southern Europe having a male advantage from ages 60–89.

Conclusion

Our results illustrate that gender differences in health depend on the selected health dimension and the age group studied, and emphasize the importance of considering regional differences in research on cognitive gender differences.
Longitudinal Associations of Sensory and Cognitive Functioning: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: de la Fuente Javier , Hjelmborg Jacob , Wod Mette , de la Torre-Luque Alejandro , Caballero Francisco Félix , Christensen Kaare , Ayuso-Mateos José Luis
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Although visual and hearing impairments have been found to be associated with cognitive decline in the old age, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. This study aimed at assessing the predictive role of visual and hearing difficulties on subsequent cognitive functioning.

Method

From the cohort of the first (2002) and fifth waves (2010) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), 3,508 individuals aged 60 and older were included in the study. Five self-reported visual and hearing functioning items were used to assess sensory functioning at baseline. Cognition was assessed 8 years later by means of four measured tests covering immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency, and processing speed. A Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes approach was used to assess the longitudinal associations of visual and hearing functioning with cognitive difficulties. A multigroup longitudinal measurement invariance was used to estimate latent change in cognitive difficulties across groups of participants presenting either visual, hearing, or dual sensory impairment (i.e., those reporting difficulties in both visual and hearing functioning items).

Results

Visual (β = 0.140, p < .001) and hearing (β = 0.115, p < .001) difficulties predicted cognitive difficulties 8 years later. The latent increase in cognitive difficulties was steeper in people with visual impairment (d = 0.52, p < .001), hearing impairment (d = 0.50, p < .001), and dual-sensory impairment (d = 0.68, p < .001) than those non-impaired (d = 0.12, p < .001).

Discussion

Visual and hearing difficulties were identified as predictors of subsequent cognitive decline in the old age. Interventions to prevent visual and hearing difficulties may have a substantial impact to slow down subsequent age-related cognitive decline.
A spectral interpolation scheme on the unit sphere based on the nodes of spherical Lissajous curves
Authors: Erb Wolfgang
Published: December 2018

For sampling values along spherical Lissajous curves we establish a spectral interpolation and quadrature scheme on the sphere. We provide a mathematical analysis of spherical Lissajous curves and study the characteristic properties of their intersection points. Based on a discrete orthogonality structure we are able to prove the unisolvence of the interpolation problem. As basis functions for the interpolation space we use a parity-modified double Fourier basis on the sphere that allows us to implement the interpolation scheme in an efficient way. We further show that the numerical condition number of the interpolation scheme displays a logarithmic growth. As an application, we use the developed interpolation algorithm to estimate the rotation of an object based on measurements at the spherical Lissajous nodes.
High quality of care did not imply increased hospital spending— nationwide cohort study among hip fracture patients
Authors: Kristensen Pia Kjær , Søgaard Rikke , Thillemann Theis Muncholm , Søballe Kjeld , Johnsen Søren Paaske
Published: December 2018

Objective

To examine whether fulfilment of process performance measures reflecting national guidelines is associated with in-hospital costs among hip fracture patients.

Design

Nationwide, population-based follow-up study.

Setting

Public hospitals in Denmark.

Participants

A total of 20 458 patients 65 years or older admitted with a hip fracture between 2010 and 2013.

Intervention

Quality of care defined as fulfilment of process performance measures reflecting recommendations from national clinical guidelines, which previously have been shown to be associated with lower mortality and readmission risk. The measures included systematic pain assessment; mobilisation within 24 h post-operatively; assessment of basic mobility before admission and discharge; and receiving a rehabilitation programme before discharge, anti-osteoporotic medication and fall prevention.

Main outcome measures

Total costs defined as the sum of hospital costs used for treating the individual patients according to the Danish Reference Cost Database.

Results

Within the index admission, fulfilling 50 to >75% of the performance measures was associated with lower adjusted costs (EUR 2643) than was fulfilling 0–50% of these measures (EUR 3544). The lower costs were mainly due to savings on further treatment and fewer bed days. Mobilisation within 24 h after surgery and assessment for need of anti-osteoporotic medication were associated with the largest cost differences, corresponding to adjusted cost differences of EUR 3030 and EUR 3538, respectively. The cost difference was lower when all costs related to hospitalisation within the first year were considered.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that high quality of care does not imply higher hospital spending and may be associated with cost savings.
Business services and the financing of global production networks: the case of global law firms in Southeast Asia
Authors: Faulconbridge James R
Published: December 2018

Financial and business services (FABSs) as intermediaries play a significant role in global production networks (GPNs). Yet, the mechanisms through which they influence the activities of lead and supplier firms in GPNs have received little in-depth attention. This article addresses the shortcoming and examines how global legal business services configure the financial discipline of transnational corporations (TNCs) in Southeast Asia. It documents the way FABS articulate financial imperatives and encourages the reproduction of ‘global financial architectures’. It also shows, however, that temporal dynamics and spatial specificities in the power relations between FABS and TNCs generate variegated financial configurations. Southeast Asian TNCs adopt and adapt in ways that serve their interests. This implies that the governance effects of FABS have important temporal and spatial contingencies that need to be accounted for in analyses of GPNs.
“To Board & Nurse a Stranger”: Poverty, Disability, and Community in Eighteenth-Century Massachusetts
Authors: Daen Laurel
Published: December 2018

In 1786, Betty Trifle, a woman the townspeople described as “furiously insane,” arrived in Uxbridge, MA. Lacking family, property, town settlement, and the “wherewithall to support herself,” the Uxbridge selectmen arranged for Trifle to be boarded with local residents Nathan and Nancy Tyler. For the next twenty-three years, the Tylers and other townspeople housed, clothed, fed, and nursed Trifle—sending receipts for their expenses and labor to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which issued them annual disbursements.

Trifle’s experience of poverty and disability was not unusual in eighteenth-century Massachusetts nor was the town-provided but state-funded care she received. Drawing on nearly two thousand requests for reimbursement from townspeople and selectmen to the Massachusetts General Court between 1786 and 1799, this paper recovers the extensive system of boarding sick and disabled “strangers,” or people without settlement rights, in the homes of town residents—a method of poor relief that historians have almost entirely overlooked.

Accounts of the intimate caregiving and receiving relationships between boarders and hosts—which often continued for years and bridged racial, ethnic, and social divides—suggest that the bounds of eighteenth-century Massachusetts communities were flexible and capacious in ways that scholars have not fully recognized. At the same time, the labor associated with nursing ailing nonresidents laid bare the hierarchies of gender, race, class, and ability within these communities, corroborating scholarship on the gendered and racialized dynamics of care. Lodging arrangements that bound strangers and residents together depended on the unrecognized and uncompensated work of women.