bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile Solution Synthesis of Quasi‐0D/2D ZnO/CuO and ZnO/CuO/NiO Composites for Improved Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Han Weining , Luo Zhanzhou , Zhao Yi , Li Jibiao , Li Ping
Published: March 2020

Heterostructure ZnO/CuO (ZC) and ZnO/CuO/NiO (ZCN) composites are synthesized using a simple solution method. X‐ray diffraction and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy show that quasispherical (0D) monoclinic CuO and/or cubic NiO nanoparticles are found on the surface of the 2D hexagonal ZnO sheets. The photocatalytic properties of the composites in organic pollutant degradation and water splitting can be regulated by adjusting the proportions of Cu/Zn and Ni/Zn added during sample preparation. When ZnO is integrated with high levels of CuO, the binary ZC composites exhibit outstanding photocatalytic performance in degrading methylene blue. Photocatalytic water splitting for H2 production is improved after considerably reducing CuO levels. When ZnO is codoped with low CuO and NiO levels, the photocatalytic performance of ternary ZCN in H2 production is significantly enhanced. Herein, a method for designing ZnO‐based sheet/nanoparticle heterostructures is provided, which are widely used as efficient photocatalysts.
Detection of α‐defensin in synovial fluids by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry as an innovative and cost‐effective assay for improved definition of periprosthetic joint infections
Authors: Petrucca Andrea , Santino Iolanda , Gentile Giovanna , Mazza Daniele , Viglietta Edoardo , Iorio Raffaele , Simmaco Maurizio , Ferretti Andrea , Borro Marina
Published: March 2020

Rationale

Detection of α‐defensins in synovial fluid is gaining more and more interest in the field of correct diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). At present, they can be assessed by a quantitative enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay which is expensive and time‐consuming and by a qualitative lateral flow immunoassay which is rapid but quite expensive and whose clinical sensitivity is debated. Thus, developing an alternative rapid, accurate, and low‐cost assay for α‐defensins is important to make α‐defensins actionable as novel key clinical markers.

Methods

Synovial fluid (SF) samples were obtained from 18 patients undergoing revision of primary joint arthroplasty. Of these, eight met the 2013 Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria for PJIs, the remaining were classified as aseptic failure. Microbiological analysis and Synovasure assays were carried out on all samples. Sample preparation and the matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) settings were adjusted to detect human neutrophil peptide (HNP)‐1, ‐2 and ‐3 and to obtain optimal results in term of sensitivity and stability.

Results

MALDI‐TOF MS was able to detect HNPs in SF from septic patients. No signals for HNPs were detected in SF from aseptic failure. The limits of detection (LOD) were 2.5 and 1.25 μg/mL for HNP‐2 and HNP‐1, respectively. The turnaround time of the analysis is 20 min, and SF samples are stable at −20°C for up to 3 days. Assay sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were 100% for all parameters. On the same SF samples, the Synovasure assay showed lower sensitivity specificity, and PPV and NPV of 87.5%, 90%, 87.5% and 90%, respectively. Microbiological analysis of SF confirmed the presence of bacteria only in SF MSIS‐positive patients.

Conclusions

The reported MALDI‐TOF MS assay was able to detect and differentiate HNPs in SF samples and showed a slightly better diagnostic accuracy than the Synovasure assay.
Safe reinforcement learning for dynamical games
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Vamvoudakis Kyriakos G. , Modares Hamidreza
Published: March 2020

This article presents a novel actor‐critic‐barrier structure for the multiplayer safety‐critical systems. Non‐zero‐sum (NZS) games with full‐state constraints are first transformed into unconstrained NZS games using a barrier function. The barrier function is capable of dealing with both symmetric and asymmetric constraints on the state. It is shown that the Nash equilibrium of the unconstrained NZS guarantees to stabilize the original multiplayer system. The barrier function is combined with an actor‐critic structure to learn the Nash equilibrium solution in an online fashion. It is shown that integrating the barrier function with the actor‐critic structure guarantees that the constraints will not be violated during learning. Boundedness and stability of the closed‐loop signals are analyzed. The efficacy of the presented approach is finally demonstrated by using a simulation example.
Enhanced Anti‐Bacterial Activity of Non‐Antibacterial Drug Candesartan Cilexetil by Delivery through Polymeric Micelles
Authors: Kareem Faheem , Abdul‐Karim Rubina , Maharjan Rukesh , Shah Muhammad Raza , Simjee Shabana U. , Khan Khalid M. , Malik Muhammad Imran
Published: March 2020

Candesartan Cilexetil (CC) is a prodrug of candesartan and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. It is used as a drug for different diseases like myocardial infarction, hypertension, and heart failure. The applicability of CC is impeded due to its poor water solubility, low permeability, and low bioavailability. This study is targeted to improve the efficacy and bioavailability of CC by its delivery through MeO‐PEO5K‐PCL micelles. The effect of length of hydrophobic block (PCL) on size of the micelles, drug encapsulation efficiency, and drug release behavior is evaluated. MeO‐PEO5K‐PCL based micelles were prepared by solvent evaporation method. The size of PMs was determined by dynamic light scattering, morphology by atomic force microscopy, and critical micelles concentration by fluorescence method. Encapsulation efficiency and drug release behaviors of MeO‐PEO5K‐PCL based PMs were evaluated by UV‐visible spectroscopy and dispersion method, respectively. The size of micelles increased and drug release rate decreased with increase in the length of PCL block. Maximum encapsulation efficiency of 96.42 % for CC is achieved with ABCs having equal PEO and PCL block lengths. A comparison of antibacterial activity of CC in pure form and encapsulated in PMs against MRSA is conducted. The MIC50 for CC loaded PMs has decreased to more than half in comparison to pure drug. AFM based morphological analysis also confirmed the decrease in MIC50 by delivery through PMs.
B, N‐codoped Cu–N/B–C Composite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Liao Li–Mei , Zhao Ye‐Min , Xu Chao , Zhou Xin‐You , Wei Ping‐Jie , Liu Jin‐Gang
Published: March 2020

As an alternative for platinum‐based electrocatalysts, the development of non‐precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly desirable for fuel cell applications. In this paper, we propose a facile preparation method for a B, N‐codoped Cu–N/B–C nanomaterial as an efficient electrocatalyst for ORR in alkaline electrolytes. One‐step heat treatment of cyanamide/melamine, boric acid, and cupric chloride loaded on carbon black produces a Cu–N/B–C composite with a high specific surface area. The Cu–N/B–C‐800 composite pyrolyzed at 800 °C has the best ORR performance among all tested composites. Cu–N/B–C‐800 saw an ORR onset potential at 0.95 V and a half‐wave potential (E1/2) at 0.84 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in 0.1 M KOH solution, which is comparable to the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst. Moreover, Cu–N/B–C‐800 has a small negatively shifted E1/2 value (−8.0 mV) under the accelerated‐durability test condition, demonstrating superior stability and higher tolerance to the methanol‐crossover effect compared with the Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, the anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) loaded with Cu–N/B–C‐800 as the cathode catalyst has an open cell voltage of 0.85 V and a peak power density of 80 mW/cm2 at 60 °C without backpressure, which is in the list of optimal non‐precious metal catalysts for ORR in AEMFC.
6,7‐Dihydro‐5H‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazine Ring Cleavage and Tautomerism of the Products: Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Kolodina Alexandra A. , Tsaturyan Arshak A. , Galkina Maria S. , Borodkina Inna G. , Vetrova Elena V. , Demidov Oleg P. , Berezhnaya Alexandra G. , Metelitsa Anatoly V.
Published: March 2020

Electronic effects of aryl substituents at the C(7)‐atom play a crucial role in the cleavage of a six‐membered ring of 6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazines. Our experiments show that electron‐withdrawing 2‐nitrophenyl and 4‐nitrophenyl groups promote the N−N‐bond cleavage, whereas a phenyl group and a bulky 4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl substituent are favored for the C−S‐bond cleavage, affording novel triazole derivatives. UV‐vis, electrochemical, and dynamic NMR studies as well as DFT calculations of product's tautomeric equilibria were performed.
Continuous Casting Secondary Cooling: Laboratory Heat Transfer Measurements and Accuracy Considerations by Comparison with the Real Situation
Authors: Javurek Mirko , Mittermair Andreas
Published: March 2020

In secondary cooling of continuous casting, it is very important to know the cooling heat flux for the actual spray cooling situation with respect to various parameters like the local position, the nozzle types, distances, and the water and air flow rates, to be able to control the cooling conditions precisely. As heat flux measurements on a casting machine are too challenging, experimental laboratory test rigs are designed and used for measurements by different research groups. Therefore, metal probes of different dimensions and materials are heated up to the desired temperature and then exposed to spray nozzles. The heat flux is usually measured by temperature sensors immersed in the probe body, and then determined from the measured temperature using inverse modelling methods. Herein, the differences between the real and laboratory conditions are focused on using a mathematical heat transfer simulation model. The influence of strand surface temperature, nozzle spray water flow conditions, and Leidenfrost effect are pointed out. A procedure to use heatflux data measured on a test rig for cooling control on a real caster despite the different conditions is proposed.
Electrochemical Energy Storage Electrodes via Citrus Fruits Derived Carbon: A Minireview
Authors: Ehsani Ali , Parsimehr Hamidreza
Published: March 2020

This review investigates the synthesis and electrochemical performance of the electrode of the electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices obtained from peels and scraps of the citrus fruits. The EES devices include batteries, supercapacitors, and hybrid systems that have considerable value and various applications. The electrode is considered as the most important part of all EES devices. Tremendous efforts have been done to enhance the electrochemical energy storage electrode (EESE). The citrus fruits abundance leads to a decrease in their price and makes possible to use them as ingredients to fabricate EESE. Also, the electrochemical analyses determined that citrus fruits have considerable potential to use as the EESE. Using citrus fruits peels and scraps as biomass substances to prepare EESE leads to the electrodes which have low cost, environmentally friendly and appropriate electrochemical applications.
Genetic control of root anatomical plasticity in maize
Authors: Schneider Hannah M. , Klein Stephanie P. , Hanlon Meredith T. , Kaeppler Shawn , Brown Kathleen M. , Lynch Jonathan P.
Published: March 2020

Root anatomical phenes have important roles in soil resource capture and plant performance; however, their phenotypic plasticity and genetic architecture is poorly understood. We hypothesized that (a) the responses of root anatomical phenes to water deficit (stress plasticity) and different environmental conditions (environmental plasticity) are genetically controlled and (b) stress and environmental plasticity are associated with different genetic loci than those controlling the expression of phenes under water‐stress and well‐watered conditions. Root anatomy was phenotyped in a large maize (Zea mays L.) association panel in the field with and without water deficit stress in Arizona and without water deficit stress in South Africa. Anatomical phenes displayed stress and environmental plasticity; many phenotypic responses to water deficit were adaptive, and the magnitude of response varied by genotype. We identified 57 candidate genes associated with stress and environmental plasticity and 64 candidate genes associated with phenes under well‐watered and water‐stress conditions in Arizona and under well‐watered conditions in South Africa. Four candidate genes co‐localized between plasticity groups or for phenes expressed under each condition. The genetic architecture of phenotypic plasticity is highly quantitative, and many distinct genes control plasticity in response to water deficit and different environments, which poses a challenge for breeding programs.
Neurodevelopment at 2 years and umbilical artery Doppler in cases of very preterm birth after prenatal hypertensive disorder or suspected fetal growth restriction:EPIPAGE‐2 prospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Delorme P. , Kayem G. , Lorthe E. , Sentilhes L. , Zeitlin J. , Subtil D. , Rozé J. C. , Vayssière C. , Durox M. , Ancel P. Y. , Pierrat V. , Goffinet F. ,   the EPIPAGE‐2 Obstetric Writing Group
Published: March 2020

Objective

To investigate the association between absent or reversed end‐diastolic flow (ARED) on umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound and poor neurological outcome at 2 years of age after very preterm birth associated with suspected fetal growth restriction (FGR) or maternal hypertensive disorders.

Methods

The study population comprised all very preterm (22–31 completed weeks) singleton pregnancies delivered because of suspected FGR and/or maternal hypertensive disorders that had umbilical artery Doppler and 2‐year follow‐up available included in EPIPAGE‐2, a prospective, nationwide, population‐based cohort of preterm births in France in 2011. Univariate and two‐level multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of ARED in the umbilical artery, as compared with normal or reduced end‐diastolic flow, with severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability and with an Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) score below a threshold. This was defined as a score more than 2 SD below the mean in any of the five domains, at age 2, adjusting for gestational age at delivery. ASQ is used to identify children at risk of developmental delay requiring reinforced follow‐up and further evaluation. Descriptive statistics and bivariate tests were weighted according to the duration of the inclusion periods.

Results

The analysis included 484 children followed up at 2 years of age, for whom prenatal umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound was available. Among them, 8/484 (1.6%) had severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability, and 156/342 (45.4%) had an ASQ score below the threshold. Compared with normal or reduced end‐diastolic flow in the umbilical artery (n = 305), ARED (n = 179) was associated with severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 11.3; 95% CI, 1.4–93.2) but not with an ASQ score below the threshold (adjusted OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8–1.9).

Conclusion

Among children delivered before 32 weeks of gestation due to suspected FGR and/or maternal hypertensive disorder who survived until 2 years of age, prenatal ARED in the umbilical artery was associated with a higher incidence of severe or moderate neuromotor and/or sensory disability. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Irregular Migration Theories
Authors: Echeverría Gabriel
Published: March 2020

While in the second chapter a general and introductory overview of the main research lines on irregular migration was presented, in this chapter the focus will centre on the theoretical accounts that have been proposed to explain irregular migration. The aim is to analyse how the main research question of this book – how can irregular migration be explained? – has been addressed and what have been the main theoretical hypotheses proposed so far. The chapter will be divided into four parts. In the first part, the so-called gap hypothesis and the debate that has surrounded it will be discussed. This debate is particularly relevant for the discussion because the arguments and positions that have emerged in that context have strongly influenced the theoretical treatment of irregular migration. Since irregular migration was one of the main indicators of the existence of a gap between policy goals and outcomes, the explanations for the latter became an immediate way to understand the former. Irregular migration, from this perspective, was interpreted as the result of whether policy failure or policy choice. As the debate evolved, interpretations become more varied and the two phenomena were more clearly distinguished. Nevertheless, the gap logic remained the dominant framework behind most theories of irregular migration. Accordingly, almost all these theories, although in different ways, have followed one of two basic arguments that have been offered to explain the gap hypothesis. In the second part of the chapter, those theories that have followed the first argument, i.e. the idea of irregular migration as the result of states’ diminished control capacities will be presented. In the third part, the theories influenced by the second argument, i.e. irregular migration intended as the outcome of states’ implicit or explicit choices will be discussed. Finally, in the last part, there will be a critical discussion of the strengths and weaknesses discernible in the current theoretical understanding of irregular migration.
Existence of flows for linear Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equations and its connection to well-posedness
Authors: Rehmeier Marco
Published: March 2020

Let the coefficients $$a_{ij}$$

a

ij

and $$b_i$$

b
i

, $$i,j \le d$$

i
,
j
≤
d

, of the linear Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equation (FPK-eq.) $$\begin{aligned} \partial _t\mu _t = \partial _i\partial _j(a_{ij}\mu _t)-\partial _i(b_i\mu _t) \end{aligned}$$

∂
t

μ
t

=

∂
i

∂
j

(

a

ij

μ
t

)

-

∂
i

(

b
i

μ
t

)

be Borel measurable, bounded and continuous in space. Assume that for every $$s \in [0,T]$$

s
∈
[
0
,
T
]

and every Borel probability measure $$\nu $$
ν
on $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

there is at least one solution $$\mu = (\mu _t)_{t \in [s,T]}$$

μ
=

(

μ
t

)

t
∈
[
s
,
T
]

to the FPK-eq. such that $$\mu _s = \nu $$

μ
s

=
ν

and $$t \mapsto \mu _t$$

t
↦

μ
t

is continuous w.r.t. the topology of weak convergence of measures. We prove that in this situation, one can always select one solution $$\mu ^{s,\nu }$$

μ

s
,
ν

for each pair $$(s,\nu )$$

(
s
,
ν
)

such that this family of solutions fulfills $$\begin{aligned} \mu ^{s,\nu }_t = \mu ^{r,\mu ^{s,\nu }_r}_t \text { for all }0 \le s \le r \le t \le T, \end{aligned}$$

μ
t

s
,
ν

=

μ
t

r
,

μ
r

s
,
ν

for all

0
≤
s
≤
r
≤
t
≤
T
,

which one interprets as a flow property of this solution family. Moreover, we prove that such a flow of solutions is unique if and only if the FPK-eq. is well-posed.
Simulation of fatigue small crack growth in additive manufactured Ti–6Al–4V material
Authors: Gupta A. , Sun W. , Bennett C. J.
Published: March 2020

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers design freedom and ability to fabricate parts of complex shapes which are not often possible with the conventional methods of manufacturing. In an AM part, even with optimum build parameters, a complete elimination of defects is not possible and this makes it hard to fully deploy the AM technology to build load bearing parts operating under cyclic loading conditions. Many of these defects are < 1 mm in size and are categorised as ‘small cracks’. Local interaction of cracks with microstructural features and closure effects at the wake of the crack tip are some of the factors which make the growth behaviour of small and long cracks different. A crack growth life prediction method, which effectively considers the small crack growth behaviour, has been discussed in this paper. This proposed method includes a detailed finite element-based crack growth simulation using the ANSYS SMART fracture technology. The lifing calculations utilise the modified NASGRO equation and small crack growth data which was obtained from the published long crack growth data, corrected for closure effects. The predicted stress versus number of cycles curves were compared against the fatigue test results for the AM specimens in Ti–6Al–4V material. A good correlation between the predictions and test results suggests that the proposed method can be used to assess the small crack growth life of AM parts where the fatigue effects of cyclic loading can be quite significant.
Laser-arc hybrid welding of 12- and 15-mm thick structural steel
Authors: Bunaziv Ivan , Dørum Cato , Nielsen Steen Erik , Suikkanen Pasi , Ren Xiaobo , Nyhus Bård , Eriksson Magnus , Akselsen Odd M.
Published: March 2020

High-power lasers are very effective in welding of plates thicker than 10 mm due to the keyhole mode. High-power intensity generates a vapor-filled cavity which provides substantial penetration depth. Due to the narrow and deep weld geometry, there is susceptibility to high hardness and weld defects. Imperfections occur due to keyhole instability. A 16-kW disk laser was used for single-pass welding of 12- to 15-mm thick plates in a butt joint configuration. Root humping was the main imperfection and persisted within a wide range of process parameters. Added arc source to the laser beam process may cause increased root humping and sagging due to accelerated melt flow. Humping was mitigated by balancing certain arc and other process parameters. It was also found that lower welding speeds (< 1.2 m/min) combined with lower laser beam power (< 13 kW) can be more positive for suppression of humping. Machined edges provided more consistent root quality and integrity compared with plasma cut welded specimens. Higher heat input (> 0.80 kJ/mm) welds provided hardness level below 325 HV. The welded joints had good Charpy toughness at − 50 °C (> 50 J) and high tensile strength.
Volumetric PIV measurement for capturing the port flow characteristics within annular gas turbine combustors
Authors: Brend Mark A. , Denman Paul A. , Carrotte Jon F.
Published: March 2020

The three-dimensional flows within a full featured, unmodified annular gas turbine combustor have been investigated using a scanned stereoscopic PIV measurement technique. Volumetric measurements have been achieved by rigidly translating a stereoscopic PIV system to scan measurements around the combustor, permitting reconstruction of volumetric single-point statistics. Delivering the measurements in this way allows the measurement of larger volumes than are accessible using techniques relying upon high depth of field imaging. The shallow depth of field achieved in the stereoscopic configuration furthermore permits measurements in close proximity to highly detailed geometry. The measurements performed have then been used to assess the performance of the combustor port flows, which are central to the emissions performance and temperature/velocity profile at turbine inlet. Substantially differing performance was observed in the primary ports with circumferential position, which was found to influence the behaviour of the second secondary port jets. The measurements indicated that the interaction between the primary and secondary jets occurred due to variations in the external boundary conditions imposed by the annular passages in which the combustor is located.

Graphic abstract
Increased regional homogeneity modulated by metacognitive training predicts therapeutic efficacy in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Shan Xiaoxiao , Liao Rongyuan , Ou Yangpan , Pan Pan , Ding Yudan , Liu Feng , Chen Jindong , Zhao Jingping , Guo Wenbin , He Yiqun
Published: March 2020

Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of metacognitive training (MCT) in schizophrenia. However, the underlying mechanisms related to therapeutic effect of MCT remain unknown. The present study explored the treatment effects of MCT on brain regional neural activity using regional homogeneity (ReHo) and whether these regions’ activities could predict individual treatment response in schizophrenia. Forty-one patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls were scanned using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were randomly divided into drug therapy (DT) and drug plus psychotherapy (DPP) groups. The DT group received only olanzapine treatment, whereas the DPP group received olanzapine and MCT for 8 weeks. The results revealed that ReHo in the right precuneus, left superior medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), right parahippocampal gyrus and left rectus was significantly increased in the DPP group after 8 weeks of treatment. Patients in the DT group showed significantly increased ReHo in the left ventral MPFC/anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left superior MPFC/middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left precuneus, right rectus and left MFG, and significantly decreased ReHo in the bilateral cerebellum VIII and left inferior occipital gyrus (IOG) after treatment. Support vector regression analyses showed that high ReHo levels at baseline in the right precuneus and left superior MPFC could predict symptomatic improvement of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) after 8 weeks of DPP treatment. Moreover, high ReHo levels at baseline and alterations of ReHo in the left ventral MPFC/ACC could predict symptomatic improvement of PANSS after 8 weeks of DT treatment. This study suggests that MCT is associated with the modulation of ReHo in schizophrenia. ReHo in the right precuneus and left superior MPFC may predict individual therapeutic response for MCT in patients with schizophrenia.
Males and females exhibit similar muscle glycogen recovery with varied recovery food sources
Authors: Flynn Shannon , Rosales Alejandro , Hailes Walter , Ruby Brent
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Research has elucidated the impact of post-exercise carbohydrate nutrition and environmental conditions on muscle glycogen re-synthesis. However, research has minimally considered the implications of glycogen recovery in females and has mostly focused on commercial sport nutrition products. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of varied mixed macronutrient feedings on glycogen recovery and subsequent exercise performance in both sexes.

Methods

Males (n = 8) and females (n = 8) participated in a crossover study. Subjects completed a 90-min cycling glycogen depletion trial, then rested for 4 h. Two carbohydrate feedings (1.6 g kg−1) of either sport supplements or potato-based products were delivered at 0 and 2 h post-exercise. Muscle biopsies (glycogen) and blood samples (glucose, insulin) were collected during the recovery. Afterwards, subjects completed a 20 km cycling time trial.

Results

There was no difference between sexes or trials for glycogen recovery rates (male: 7.9 ± 2.7, female: 8.2 ± 2.7, potato-based: 8.0 ± 2.5, sport supplement: 8.1 ± 3.1 mM kg wet wt−1 h−1, p > 0.05). Time trial performance was not different between diets (38.3 ± 4.4 and 37.8 ± 3.9 min for potato and sport supplement, respectively, p > 0.05).

Conclusions

These results indicate that food items, such as potato-based products, can be as effective as commercially marketed sports supplements when developing glycogen recovery oriented menus and that absolute carbohydrate dose feedings (g kg−1) can be effectively applied to both males and females.
Multi-dimensional well-being associated with economic dependence on ecosystem services in deltaic social-ecological systems of Bangladesh
Authors: Adams Helen , Adger W. Neil , Ahmad Sate , Ahmed Ali , Begum Dilruba , Matthews Zoe , Rahman Mohammed Mofizur , Nilsen Kristine , Gurney Georgina Grace , Streatfield Peter Kim
Published: March 2020

While the benefits humans gain from ecosystem functions and processes are critical in natural resource-dependent societies with persistent poverty, ecosystem services as a pathway out of poverty remain an elusive goal, contingent on the ecosystem and mediated by social processes. Here, we investigate three emerging dimensions of the ecosystem service-poverty relationship: economic contribution of provisioning ecosystem services to the household livelihood mix, social-ecological systems producing different bundles of ecosystem services and material wealth versus reported life satisfaction. We analyse these relationships in Bangladesh, using data from a bespoke 1586-household survey, stratified by seven social-ecological systems in the delta coastal region. We create poverty lines to ensure comparability with traditional poverty measures that overlook environmental factors and subjective measurements of well-being. We find that any contribution of ecosystem service-based income to the livelihood mix decreases the likelihood of the incidence of poverty, and of individuals reporting dissatisfaction. We find no relationship between the incidence of material poverty and the specific social-ecological systems, from agriculture to fishery-dominated systems. However, the probability of the household head being dissatisfied was significantly associated with social-ecological system. Individuals living in areas dominated by export-oriented shrimp aquaculture reported lower levels of life satisfaction as an element of their perceived well-being. These results highlight the need for social policy on poverty that accounts for the diversity of outcomes across social-ecological systems, including subjective as well as material dimensions of well-being. National poverty reduction that degrades ecosystem services can have negative implications for the subjective well-being of local populations.
Extending single- to multi-variant model transformations by trace-based propagation of variability annotations
Authors: Westfechtel Bernhard , Greiner Sandra
Published: March 2020

Model-driven engineering involves the construction of models on different levels of abstraction. Software engineers are supported by model transformations, which automate the transition from high- to low-level models. Product line engineering denotes a systematic process that aims at developing different product variants from a set of reusable assets. When model-driven engineering is combined with product line engineering, engineers have to deal with multi-variant models. In annotative approaches to product line engineering, model elements are decorated with annotations, i.e., Boolean expressions that define the product variants in which model elements are to be included. In model-driven product line engineering, domain engineers require multi-variant transformations, which create multi-variant target models from multi-variant source models. We propose a reuse-based gray-box approach to realizing multi-variant model transformations. We assume that single-variant transformations already exist, which have been developed for model-driven engineering, without considering product lines. Furthermore, we assume that single-variant transformations create traces, which comprise the steps executed in order to derive target models from source models. Single-variant transformations are extended into multi-variant transformations by trace-based propagation: after executing a single-variant transformation, the resulting single-variant target model is enriched with annotations that are calculated with the help of the transformation’s trace. This approach may be applied to single-variant transformations written in different languages and requires only access to the trace, not to the respective transformation definition. We also provide a correctness criterion for trace-based propagation, and a proof that this criterion is satisfied under the prerequisites of a formal computational model.
Female Entertainment Workers and Condom Use Negotiation in Post-100% Condom Use Era Cambodia
Authors: Brody Carinne , Reno Rebecca , Chhoun Pheak , Kaplan Kathryn , Tuot Sovannary , Yi Siyan
Published: March 2020

Beyond the monopoly environment of the early 100% Condom Use Program in Cambodia, less is known about how current female entertainment workers negotiate condom use on their own, and what factors impact that negotiation. This study aims to understand the experiences of current female entertainment workers in negotiating condom use with clients in Cambodia. Data collection occurred over a period of 3 weeks (August–September 2017) with concurrent data transcription and translation. A total of 27 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in the following groups: pilot FGD (5), karaoke bar (5), massage parlor (5), beer garden (5), on-call sex workers (3), cross-venue groups exploring parenting issues (2), and street-based sex workers (2). Female entertainment workers experience a range of control over negotiating condom use with clients. Participants reported times when they were able to take direct action and successfully insist on condom use, times when they agreed to participate in condomless sex for money in the face of economic insecurity, and times when male clients sabotaged their attempts to negotiate condom use with tricks, verbal threats or threats of violence. These experiences are influenced by alcohol use, economic shocks, trust between partners, and experiences with side effects. Our findings support the development of policies that re-invigorate the structural-level condom promotion programs while also acknowledging the many individual-level factors that shape condom use such as alcohol consumption, economic insecurity, trust, and side effects.
Curriculum Emphases, Mathematics and Teaching Practices: Swedish Upper-Secondary Physics Teachers’ Views
Authors: Hansson Lena , Hansson Örjan , Juter Kristina , Redfors Andreas
Published: March 2020

This article addresses physics teachers’ views about physics teaching in upper-secondary school. Their views have been investigated nationwide through a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire has been developed based on several published instruments and is part of an ongoing project on the role of mathematics in physics teaching at upper-secondary school. The selected part of the results from the analysis of the questionnaire reported on here cross-correlate physics teachers’ views about aims of physics teaching with their view of physics classroom activities, and perceived hindrances in the teaching of physics. Three hundred seventy-nine teachers responded to the questionnaire (45% response rate). The result indicates that teachers with a high agreement with aFundamental Physicscurriculum emphasis regarded mathematics as a problem for physics teaching, whereas teachers with high agreement with the curriculum emphasesPhysics,Technology and SocietyorKnowledge Development in Physicsdid not do so. This means that teachers with a main focus on fundamental theories and concepts believe that mathematics is a problem to a higher extent than teachers with main focus on the role of physics in society and applied aspects or physics knowledge development do. Consequences for teaching and further research are discussed.
Crowdinvesting in entrepreneurial projects: disentangling patterns of investor behavior
Authors: Goethner Maximilian , Luettig Sebastian , Regner Tobias
Published: March 2020

Crowdinvesting emerged recently as an alternative way of funding for start-up projects. Our dataset consists of 16,666 investments made at Companisto, one of the largest crowdinvesting platforms in Europe. Using cluster analysis based on individual investment decisions, we find that crowdinvestors differ in their investment strategies and motivations. We can distinguish three types of crowdinvestors: Casual Investors, Crowd Enthusiasts, and Sophisticated Investors. The types also vary in their response to project quality signals, project-related information reducing the degree of uncertainty, and social influence by fellow investors. We conclude that crowdinvestors are anything but a homogeneous group. Instead, they are motivated by different factors and respond to different signals when making investment decisions.
Objective data sets in qualitative research
Authors: Zahle Julie
Published: March 2020

Qualitative researchers sometimes talk about objectivity in relation to qualitative data sets. In this paper, I defend a reconstructed notion of objective qualitative data sets that may serve as a useful and reachable guiding ideal in qualitative data generation. In the first part of the paper, I develop the ideal. According to it, a qualitative data set is objective to the extent that it, in conjunction with true assumptions, possesses a combination of good-making features (epistemic values, epistemic virtues) in virtue of which the data set is suited to serve as evidence base for a satisfying answer to the research question under study. In the second part of the paper, I examine and reject two possible lines of objection to this ideal: One is that it picks out the wrong good-making features. The other is that the very focus on good-making features is misguided: the objectivity of a qualitative data set should instead be seen as a matter of how it was generated or evaluated.
The effect of temperature on environmental DNA degradation of Japanese eel
Authors: Kasai Akihide , Takada Shingo , Yamazaki Aya , Masuda Reiji , Yamanaka Hiroki
Published: March 2020

The environmental DNA (eDNA) technique is a convenient and powerful tool to detect rare species. Knowledge of the degradation rate of eDNA in water is important for understanding how degradation influences the presence and/or estimate biomass of aquatic animals. We developed a new set of species-specific primers and probe to detect eDNA of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica, which is a commercially important and endangered species, and then conducted a laboratory experiment to quantify the temperature-dependent degradation of emitted eDNA. Eels were held in tanks at five different temperature levels from 10 to 30 °C and water from each tank was sampled and kept in bottles at each temperature over 6 days. The concentration of eDNA was measured every day and the results showed that temperature (T) had a significant and positive effect on the degradation rate (k) as k = 0.02T + 0.18. Improved understanding of the effect of temperature on degradation rates would help data interpretations and adjustments would increase the reliability of eDNA analysis in future studies.
Effect of the experimental conditions on BTX formation from hydrotreated light cycle oil
Authors: Laredo Georgina C. , Pérez-Romo Patricia , Agueda-Rangel Ricardo , García-López Alfonso
Published: March 2020

The study of a light cycle oil (LCO) upgrading alternative involving hydrotreating and hydrocracking/transalkylation procedures for obtaining a benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) enriched fraction is presented. The research work was focused on the effect of the experimental conditions on the hydrocracking of an hydrotreated light cycle oil (HDT LCO) in order to produce the highest amounts of BTX, when the catalysts consisted of a mixture (50/50 in weight) of nickel–molybdenum on alumina (NiMo/Al2O3) and ZSM-5 materials (NiMo/ZSM-5 (50)). It was found that 7.4 MPa, up to 375 °C, LHSV of 1.2 h−1 and a H2/Oil value of 442 m3/m3 were the optimal experimental conditions for producing an enriched BTX fraction (31%). In order to facilitate the analysis, the study was carried out considering four types of hydrocarbons as lumps for the feed and HCK products: light hydrocarbons (LHC) composed by C4–C7 non-aromatic compounds, BTX, middle hydrocarbons (MHC) consisting of C7–C10 paraffins and isoparaffins, alkylbenzenes, tetralin and naphthalene derivatives and a small amount of high molecular weight hydrocarbons (HHC). Based on this description, HDT LCO used as feedstock for the hydrocracking (HCK) procedure, presents a 99% of a MHC fraction. The HCK conversion, BTX selectivity and yields were obtained from the chromatographic analysis of the products. A simple kinetic model considering only the MHC conversion was carried out. The obtained activation energy confirmed the endothermic nature of the HCK process. The activity decay of the catalytic mixture was also studied by varying the time on stream.
Radiation reaction in electron–beam interactions with high-intensity lasers
Authors: Blackburn T. G.
Published: March 2020

Charged particles accelerated by electromagnetic fields emit radiation, which must, by the conservation of momentum, exert a recoil on the emitting particle. The force of this recoil, known as radiation reaction, strongly affects the dynamics of ultrarelativistic electrons in intense electromagnetic fields. Such environments are found astrophysically, e.g. in neutron star magnetospheres, and will be created in laser–matter experiments in the next generation of high-intensity laser facilities. In many of these scenarios, the energy of an individual photon of the radiation can be comparable to the energy of the emitting particle, which necessitates modelling not only of radiation reaction, but quantum radiation reaction. The worldwide development of multi-petawatt laser systems in large-scale facilities, and the expectation that they will create focussed electromagnetic fields with unprecedented intensities $$> 10^{23}\,\mathrm {W}\text {cm}^{-2}$$

>

10
23

W

cm

-
2

, has motivated renewed interest in these effects. In this paper I review theoretical and experimental progress towards understanding radiation reaction, and quantum effects on the same, in high-intensity laser fields that are probed with ultrarelativistic electron beams. In particular, we will discuss how analytical and numerical methods give insight into new kinds of radiation–reaction-induced dynamics, as well as how the same physics can be explored in experiments at currently existing laser facilities.
Positive Hankel operators, positive definite kernels and related topics
Authors: Niemiec Piotr
Published: March 2020

It is shown that a positive (bounded linear) operator on a Hilbert space with trivial kernel is unitarily equivalent to a Hankel operator that satisfies the double positivity condition if and only if it is non-invertible and has simple spectrum (that is, if this operator admits a cyclic vector). More generally, for an arbitrary positive (bounded linear) operator $$A$$
A
on a Hilbert space $$H$$
H
with trivial kernel the collection $${\mathscr {V}}(A)$$

V
(
A
)

of all linear isometries $$V:H \rightarrow H$$

V
:
H
→
H

such that $$A V$$

AV

is positive as well is investigated. In particular, operators $$A$$
A
such that $${\mathscr {V}}(A)$$

V
(
A
)

contains a pure isometry with a given deficiency index are characterized. Some applications to unbounded positive self-adjoint operators as well as to positive definite kernels are presented. In particular, positive definite matrix-type square roots of such kernels are studied and kernels that have a unique such root are characterized. The class of all positive definite kernels that have at least one such a square root is also investigated.
Change in Frequency and Predictors of Erectile Dysfunction with Changes in the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function Domain Score in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study
Authors: Karabay Emre , Karsiyakali Nejdet , Cinier Goksel , Zeren Gonul , Duvar Serdar , Simsek Barıs , Aslan Ahmet Ruknettin , Karabay Can Yucel
Published: March 2020

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been proposed as an early indicator for future coronary and peripheral vascular disease.

Aim

We aimed to investigate the longitudinal change in proportion and predictors for ED with changes in erectile function domain (EFD) of the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Methods

Between December 2018 and June 2019, 286 male patients aged between 40 and 70 years who were treated with PPCI for STEMI were included. The patients were asked to complete the IIEF-EFD form 3 days after the procedure for the evaluation of baseline erectile functions. During follow-up 3 months after the index procedure, the patients were asked to refill the IIEF-EFD form. Both baseline and third-month IIEF-EFD scores were calculated, and the patients were classified into ED severity groups as per the IIEF-EFD scores. A linear mixed model was used to identify predictors of ED at 3 months.

Outcomes

This study identifies the prevalence and predictors of ED with STEMI who underwent PPCI.

Results

The median age was 54 (range 48–61) years. The median IIEF-EFD scores at 3 days and 3 months were 25.5 (range 20.0–27.0) and 22.00 (range 18.25–25.00), respectively. Half of the patients were found to have ED with varying severity as per baseline IIEF-EFD scores. This rate increased to 79% at the 3-month follow-up visit. The IIEF-EFD scores of the patients decreased over time (P < .001). Advanced age (β = −0.603, se = 0.192, P = .002), presence of three-vessel coronary artery disease (β = −3.828, se = 0.783, P < .001), and diabetes (β = −2.934, se = 0.685, P < .001) were found to be inversely associated with the IIEF-EFD scores.

Clinical Implications

Advanced age, presence of three-vessel disease, and diabetes mellitus are the indicators of sexual rehabilitation needs in patients after STEMI.

Strengths & Limitations

This is the first study investigating the predictor variables for the development of ED after coronary artery disease treatment. The limitations include the lack of evaluation of anxiety and depression and the measurements of testosterone levels.

Conclusion

The prevalence of ED was high among patients with coronary artery disease, and the frequency of ED increased during 3-month follow-up. Advanced age, three-vessel disease, and diabetes were significant predictors of ED with changes in IIEF-EFD score in patients with STEMI who underwent PPCI.
Just the Facts: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and soft tissue abscess in the emergency department
Authors: Murray Heather , Leifso Kirk
Published: March 2020

Soft tissue abscess used to be an easy emergency department (ED) presentation: perform an incision and drainage (I + D) and discharge your patient. Times have changed. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is now a major cause of soft tissue abscess in ED patients. MRSA is, by definition, resistant to cloxacillin and cephalosporins. Almost all Canadian strains are susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid. MRSA strains are variably susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), tetra/doxycycline, and clindamycin, with pooled Canadian clindamycin resistance just over 40%.