bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new approach to modeling the microdosimetry of proton therapy beams
Authors: Abolfath Ramin , Helo Yusuf , Carlson David J. , Stewart Robert , Grosshans David , Mohan Radhe
Published: April 2020

Introduction

To revisit the formulation of the mean chord length in microdosimetry and replace it by the particle mean free path appropriate for modelings in radiobiology.

Methods

We perform a collision‐by‐collision followed by event‐by‐event Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation and calculate double‐averaged stepping length, 〈〈l〉〉, for a range of target sizes from mm down to μm and depth in water. We consider 〈〈l〉〉 to represent the particle mean free path.

Results

We show that 〈〈l〉〉 continuously drops as a function of depth and asymptotically saturates to a minimum value in low energies, where it exhibits a universal scaling behavior, independent of particle nominal beam energy. We correlate 〈〈l〉〉 to linear density of DNA damage, complexities of initial lethal lesions and illustrate a relative difference between predictive RBEs in model calculations using mean chord length vs the proposed mean free path. We demonstrate consistency between rapid increase in RBE within and beyond the Bragg peak and 〈〈l〉〉, a decreasing function of depth.

Discussion and conclusion

An interplay between localities in imparted energy at nanometer scale and subsequent physio‐chemical processes, causalities and pathways in DNA damage requires substitution of geometrical chord length of cell nuclei by mean‐free path of proton and charged particles to account for a mean distance among sequential collisions in DNA materials. To this end, the event averaging over cell volume in the current microdosimetry formalism must be superseded by the collision averaging scored within the volume. The former, is fundamentally a global attribute of the cell nuclei surfaces and boundaries and is characterized by their membrane diameters, hence such global indices are not appropriate to quantitatively represent the radiobiological strength of the particles and their RBE variabilities that is associated with the sensitivities to local structure of the collisions and their spatio‐temporal collective patterns in DNA materials.
Deliberative layering: Explaining diverse interest mobilization across the European Parliament's Policy Cycle
Authors: Coen David , Lehmann Wilhelm , Katsaitis Alexander
Published: April 2020

Drawing from work on deliberation and information‐access, this paper conceptually frames why and when different types of interests mobilize across the parliamentary policy cycle. We posit that each policy stage holds its own deliberative purpose and logic, leading to a variation in the type and volume of information demanded. The legitimacy of the expertise interest groups provide is affected by their organizational characteristics. To ensure the smooth flow of the policy process, members of parliament encourage groups that legitimately hold relevant information to mobilize at each policy stage, while lobbyists choose to mobilize when their expertise allows them to better influence policy‐makers' debates. We test our argument in the context of the European Parliament, following a unique survey of the 8th legislature (2014–2019). The responses lend support to our model. In a policy process that contains various stages of deliberation, different organizations hold an information‐expertise key that gives them access at different stages. Significantly, less studied groups, such as think tanks and consultancies, mobilize well ahead of others in the cycle's initial phases; while lobbyists representing public constituencies dominate in the final stages. The paper contributes to broader theoretical discussions on pluralism, bias, and deliberation in policy‐making.
U.S. workers weigh‐in on the issue of portable benefits
Authors: Quinn Floyd F. , Thorsteinsson Erik S. , Weaver Nicolina L.
Published: April 2020

As the sharing economy continues to grow and diversify, various institutes and members of government are contemplating the need for new employment regulations, including those related to portable benefits. However, there has been no known inquiry into this issue with those U.S. workers in the sharing economy. This paper presents exploratory research on the subject of portable benefits for workers engaged in the sharing economy and is intended to inform the development of future research questions and to determine the best research design and data collection method for a more extensive study. Arguably, rideshare drivers represent a large constituency of sharing economy workers in the United States and were utilized as the study population. Through authorized access to closed social media sites, this study explored the desire among rideshare drivers for portable benefits, how these benefits should be funded, and how such programs would be administered. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents were interested in the availability of portable benefits, although the preference for specific benefits varied widely among respondents. More than half believe companies, along with workers, should fund these benefits, and slightly less than half believe private sector third parties like insurance companies should administer these programs. However, given the transient nature of this workforce, administering such programs could prove to be quite challenging for organizations and plan administrators alike.
Synthesis and microstructure investigation of heterogeneous metal‐plasma polymer Ag/HMDSO nanoparticles
Authors: Košutová Tereza , Horák Lukáš , Shelemin Artem , Vaidulych Mykhailo , Hanuš Jan , Biederman Hynek , Kylián Ondřej , Solař Pavel , Cieslar Miroslav , Choukourov Andrei , Dopita Milan
Published: April 2020

Metal‐polymer nanocomposites have gained increasing attention due to the wide potential applications field. Synthesis of nanoparticles from the gas phase is an intensively studied alternative to the chemical preparation methods. We present a one‐step procedure that combines magnetron‐based gas aggregation cluster source of silver nanoparticles and simultaneous plasma‐enhanced chemical vapour deposition of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). The key parameter of the process, significantly influencing the morphology and microstructure of studied nanoparticles, was found to be the amount of HMDSO added to the deposition chamber as witnessed by small angle X‐ray scattering and X‐ray diffraction methods combined with transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The presence of HMDSO in the chamber leads to changes in the size distribution and also in the architecture of prepared nanoparticles. The increasing amount of HMDSO induces the formation of individual core‐shell nanoparticles, chains of core‐shell nanoparticles, and for the highest concentration of HMDSO, the synthesis of multi‐core‐shell nanoparticles. The size of crystallites in the silver cores of nanoparticles decreases with addition of HMDSO, which prevents further aggregation.
Minimizing Side Product Formation in Alkyne Functionalization of Ruthenium Complexes by Introduction of Protecting Groups
Authors: Wintergerst Pascal , Witas Kamil , Nauroozi Djawed , Schmid Marie‐Ann , Dikmen Ebru , Tschierlei Stefanie , Rau Sven
Published: April 2020

The synthesis of alkyne functionalized bipyridine ruthenium complexes are reported. The improved synthetic approach through application of stable protecting groups prevents formation of possible side products while facilitating purification. By applying copper‐catalysed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reactions (CuAAC) pyrene units with flexible alkyl linkers are introduced at the periphery of the complex, opening up various applications including surface immobilization and DNA intercalation. All complexes are characterized structurally as well as photophysically, especially regarding the influence of the introduced alkyne and triazolyl substituents on their photophysical behavior.
Singularity variables for missing energy event kinematics
Authors: Matchev Konstantin T. , Shyamsundar Prasanth
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We discuss singularity variables which are properly suited for analyzing the kinematics of events with missing transverse energy at the LHC. We consider six of the simplest event topologies encountered in studies of leptonic W -bosons and top quarks, as well as in SUSY-like searches for new physics with dark matter particles. In each case, we illustrate the general prescription for finding the relevant singularity variable, which in turn helps delineate the visible parameter subspace on which the singularities are located. Our results can be used in two different ways — first, as a guide for targeting the signal-rich regions of parameter space during the stage of discovery, and second, as a sensitive focus point method for measuring the particle mass spectrum after the initial discovery.
Integrating genomics for chickpea improvement: achievements and opportunities
Authors: Roorkiwal Manish , Bharadwaj Chellapilla , Barmukh Rutwik , Dixit Girish P. , Thudi Mahendar , Gaur Pooran M. , Chaturvedi Sushil K. , Fikre Asnake , Hamwieh Aladdin , Kumar Shiv , Sachdeva Supriya , Ojiewo Chris O. , Tar’an Bunyamin , Wordofa Nigusie Girma , Singh Narendra P. , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: April 2020

Key message

Integration of genomic technologies with breeding efforts have been used in recent years for chickpea improvement. Modern breeding along with low cost genotyping platforms have potential to further accelerate chickpea improvement efforts.

The implementation of novel breeding technologies is expected to contribute substantial improvements in crop productivity. While conventional breeding methods have led to development of more than 200 improved chickpea varieties in the past, still there is ample scope to increase productivity. It is predicted that integration of modern genomic resources with conventional breeding efforts will help in the delivery of climate-resilient chickpea varieties in comparatively less time. Recent advances in genomics tools and technologies have facilitated the generation of large-scale sequencing and genotyping data sets in chickpea. Combined analysis of high-resolution phenotypic and genetic data is paving the way for identifying genes and biological pathways associated with breeding-related traits. Genomics technologies have been used to develop diagnostic markers for use in marker-assisted backcrossing programmes, which have yielded several molecular breeding products in chickpea. We anticipate that a sequence-based holistic breeding approach, including the integration of functional omics, parental selection, forward breeding and genome-wide selection, will bring a paradigm shift in development of superior chickpea varieties. There is a need to integrate the knowledge generated by modern genomics technologies with molecular breeding efforts to bridge the genome-to-phenome gap. Here, we review recent advances that have led to new possibilities for developing and screening breeding populations, and provide strategies for enhancing the selection efficiency and accelerating the rate of genetic gain in chickpea.
Three Tertiary Euphorbia species persisted in the forests of the Balkan Peninsula
Authors: Caković Danka , Frajman Božo
Published: April 2020

The Balkan Peninsula is renowned as a refugium of forest species, which were more widespread in the Tertiary. We here investigated three species from one of the largest genera of flowering plants, Euphorbia, which survived the Pleistocene glaciations in the Balkan Peninsula, but responded differently to Holocene warming. Using ITS sequences, multivariate morphometrics and relative genome size (RGS) measurements, we explored relationships among E. amygdaloides, E. heldreichii and E. orjeni, for which different taxonomic treatments have been proposed. The ITS-inferred phylogenies indicate that all three species form independent evolutionary lineages, which have similar RGS, but differ morphologically, and should thus be treated as independent species. The most enigmatic of them, E. orjeni, was found for the first time after 100 years at its type locality in Montenegro, and, based on herbarium revision, was discovered also in the surroundings of Belgrade. Euphorbia heldreichii is more widespread, distributed in the southern Balkan Peninsula, whereas E. amygdaloides occurs in forests throughout Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. Our study emphasises the importance of further botanical exploration of the Balkan Peninsula, a hotspot of European biotic diversity.
The instability of globalization: applying evolutionary game theory to global trade cooperation
Authors: Krapohl Sebastian , Ocelík Václav , Walentek Dawid M.
Published: April 2020

A new wave of protectionism is threatening the open and cooperative international order. This paper applies evolutionary game theory to analyze the stability of international trade cooperation. Global trade liberalization is modeled as an iterated prisoner’s dilemma between all possible pairs of WTO member states. Empirical data are used to model the sizes and competitiveness of the respective markets, which then determine the resulting gains and costs of trade cooperation. Because of the large number of WTO member states and repeated rounds of their interactions, we use computer simulations to calculate the strategies that lead to the maximum ‘fitness’ of the respective member states and consequently diffuse through the population of countries. The results of our simulations show that international trade cooperation is not a stable equilibrium and that extreme levels of trade liberalization can be exploited successfully by protectionist trade policies.
The Best of Both Worlds or the Worst of Both Worlds? Multilateral Development Banks, Immunities and Accountability to Rights-Holders
Authors: Erdem Türkelli Gamze
Published: April 2020

Multilateral development banks (MDBs) are accorded immunities and privileges as agents of their member states as justified by functionalist arguments. They are also operationally hybrid: they are actors in their own right in addition to being functional agents. Navigating the functionalist imagery and relying on the argument that they are delegated purely economic pursuits (i.e. financing economic development), MDBs are able to eschew accountability to rights-holders that are affected by their decisions and operations. Although administrative law approaches have succeeded in increasing transparency, instilling self-regulatory frameworks and providing for independent review, the absence of external oversight of such review mechanisms and the broad immunities to suit enjoyed by MDBs have impeded true accountability to rights-holders. This article argues that, in so far as they engage in private sector financing operations, MDBs and their constituent arms share the form, function and relationships of an economic corporation to a large extent. Consequently, their immunities should be limited to render them bound—like ordinary corporations- by the domestic norms with respect to rule of law and human rights of the home and host countries in which they operate in order to make them accountable to rights-holders and to provide recourse for wrongdoings.
Gender, Race and Political Ambition: The Case of Ontario School Board Elections
Authors: Davidson Adrienne M. , McGregor R. Michael , Siemiatycky Myer
Published: April 2020

The political underrepresentation of women and racial minorities in Canadian politics is well documented. One political arena that has yet to be examined in this respect, however, is school boards. Using data from a candidate survey conducted during the course of the 2018 Ontario school board elections, as well as demographic data collected on the entire population of school board candidates, we explore the unique characteristics of school board elections. The research note begins by describing the gender and racial composition of candidates and trustees in Canada's most populous province. It then considers the ways in which school board elections may serve as a launchpad to higher office for either of these two traditionally underrepresented groups, as we explore the features of progressive political ambition, recruitment into school board campaigns and the relative electoral success of racialized candidates and women in this local office. While women do very well in school board elections, they are significantly less likely than their male counterparts to have the desire to move up to provincial or federal politics. Meanwhile, racialized candidates contest school board election in significant numbers and report similar levels of progressive ambition relative to their white counterparts, but they fare exceptionally poorly in school board elections.
Impact of comorbidity on health-related quality of life among type 2 diabetic patients in primary care
Authors: Pati Sandipana , Pati Sanghamitra , Akker Marjan van den , Schellevis F. (François) G. , Jena Sunita , Burgers Jako S.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an important outcome for chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus that is associated with complications, comorbidities, and lifelong care.

Objectives:

The present study aims to explore the impact of comorbidities on the different dimensions of HRQL among type 2 diabetic patients attending primary care.

Methods:

A total of 912 type 2 diabetic patients attending primary care centers in India were assessed using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire – Diabetes Comorbidity Evaluation Tool in Primary Care. The HRQL was measured by physical and mental health summary scores [physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS)] of the Short Form Health Survey 12. The associations of sociodemographic variables and clinical variables with PCS and MCS were assessed, and a minimal difference of 5 in the scores (on a scale of 0–100) was kept as clinically relevant difference for this study. Mean differences in mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) scores of quality of life by number and type of comorbid conditions in type 2 diabetic patients were calculated.

Result:

The presence of comorbid conditions was associated with lower scores of PCS and MCS (P < 0.001). Significant reduction in HRQL was found with increase in number of comorbid conditions, and negative association was established between the number of comorbidities and the PCS (r = −0.25, P < 0.0001) and MCS scores (r = −0.21, P < 0.0001). Among comorbidities, acid peptic disease, chronic lung disease, visual impairment, depression, and stroke had significantly and clinically relevant reduced scores. Duration of diabetes, use of insulin, and obesity were also associated with poor HRQL.

Conclusion:

Comorbidities considerably impair the HRQL among type 2 diabetic patients. National programs designed for diabetes management should also take into account the challenges of coexisting chronic conditions and its substantial effect on HRQL.
Centrist anti-establishment parties and their protest voters: more than a superficial romance?
Authors: Engler Sarah
Published: April 2020

New centrist anti-establishment parties (CAPs) are successful competitors in Central and Eastern Europe. Due to their emphasis on anti-establishment rhetoric and a moderate ideological platform, their breakthrough is usually explained by voters’ dissatisfaction with existing parties. However, little is known about the ideological component of their support. Expectations on the impact of ideology on vote choice in the protest voting literature range from ‘pure protest voting’, which denies any impact of ideology, to a more moderate approach, which combines protest and ideological considerations. Using survey data, I confirm that CAPs attract voters with lower levels of political trust, but ideology also matters. The degree of ideological sorting, however, varies. While some CAPs mainly attract voters from one side of the political spectrum, others attract voters from the left to the right more equally. The differences in the initial composition of their electorates have implications for the parties’ future.
The Association of Dyslexia and Developmental Speech and Language Disorder Candidate Genes with Reading and Language Abilities in Adults
Authors: Doust Catherine , Gordon Scott D. , Garden Natalie , Fisher Simon E. , Martin Nicholas G. , Bates Timothy C. , Luciano Michelle
Published: April 2020

Reading and language abilities are critical for educational achievement and success in adulthood. Variation in these traits is highly heritable, but the underlying genetic architecture is largely undiscovered. Genetic studies of reading and language skills traditionally focus on children with developmental disorders; however, much larger unselected adult samples are available, increasing power to identify associations with specific genetic variants of small effect size. We introduce an Australian adult population cohort (41.7–73.2 years of age, N = 1505) in which we obtained data using validated measures of several aspects of reading and language abilities. We performed genetic association analysis for a reading and spelling composite score, nonword reading (assessing phonological processing: a core component in learning to read), phonetic spelling, self-reported reading impairment and nonword repetition (a marker of language ability). Given the limited power in a sample of this size (~80% power to find a minimum effect size of 0.005), we focused on analyzing candidate genes that have been associated with dyslexia and developmental speech and language disorders in prior studies. In gene-based tests, FOXP2, a gene implicated in speech/language disorders, was associated with nonword repetition (p < .001), phonetic spelling (p = .002) and the reading and spelling composite score (p < .001). Gene-set analyses of candidate dyslexia and speech/language disorder genes were not significant. These findings contribute to the assessment of genetic associations in reading and language disorders, crucial for understanding their etiology and informing intervention strategies, and validate the approach of using unselected adult samples for gene discovery in language and reading.
Topological Properties of Epidemic Aftershock Processes
Authors: Baró Jordi
Published: April 2020

Earthquakes in seismological catalogs and acoustic emission events in lab experiments can be statistically described as point events in linear Hawkes processes, where the spatiotemporal rate is a linear superposition of background intensity and aftershock clusters triggered by preceding activity. Traditionally, statistical seismology interpreted these models as the outcome of epidemic branching processes, where one‐to‐one causal links can be established between mainshocks and aftershocks. Declustering techniques are used to infer the underlying triggering trees and relate their topological properties with epidemic branching models. Here, we review how the standard Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) model extends from the Galton‐Watson branching processes and bridges two extreme cases: Poisson and scale‐free power law trees. We report the statistical laws expected in triggering trees regarding some topological properties. We find that the statistics of such topological properties depend exclusively on two parameters of the standard ETAS model: the average branching ratio nb and the ratio between exponents α and b characterizing the production of aftershocks and the distribution of magnitudes, respectively. In particular, the classification of clusters into bursts and swarms proposed by Zaliapin and Ben‐Zion (2013b, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrb.50178) appears naturally in the aftershock sequences of the standard ETAS model depending on nb and α/b. On the other hand swarms can also appear by false causal connections between independent events in nontectonic seismogenic episodes. From these results, one can use the memory‐less Galton‐Watson as a null model for empirical triggering processes and assess the validity of the ETAS hypothesis to reproduce the statistics of natural and artificial catalogs.
Microstructure Evolution of Hydrate‐Bearing Sands During Thermal Dissociation and Ensued Impacts on the Mechanical and Seepage Characteristics
Authors: Wu Peng , Li Yanghui , Liu Weiguo , Liu Yu , Wang Dayong , Song Yongchen
Published: April 2020

In this study, a microfocus X‐ray computed tomography‐based triaxial testing apparatus was used to observe and quantify the microstructure evolution of hydrate‐bearing sands during thermal dissociation of hydrate. Three triaxial shear tests with X‐ray computed tomography were conducted to study the influence of hydrate dissociation on the mechanical behavior of hydrate‐bearing sands. The results show that hydrate covering the sand particle surface dissociates first and then at the menisci between sand particles. The secondary hydrate formation mainly occurs on the menisci between sand particles and the surfaces of the hydrate shells where hydrates already exist. Hydrate dissociation could cause fabric changes in hydrate‐bearing sands, resulting in a more isotropic orientation distribution of sand particles. The failure behavior of the hydrate‐free sand specimen is similar to that of the specimen after hydrate dissociation, which shows an obvious drum‐shaped failure pattern with X‐shaped shear bands. However, the hydrate‐bearing sand specimen exhibits a shear band with a determined thickness and inclination angle. Hydrate dissociation could cause a significant loss of supporting cementation, resulting in a decline in the stiffness and failure strength. The failure strength of hydrate‐free sand specimen is slightly higher than that of the specimen after hydrate dissociation; this may due to that the homogeneous orientation frequency distribution can enhance the stability of the force chain between sand particles. The secondary hydrate formation causes sediment deformation resulting in a decrease in absolute permeability due to pore blockage.
Gas‐Pyroclast Motions in Volcanic Conduits During Strombolian Eruptions, in Light of Shock Tube Experiments
Authors: Salvatore Valentino , Cigala Valeria , Taddeucci Jacopo , Arciniega‐Ceballos Alejandra , Peña Fernández Juan José , Alatorre‐Ibargüengoitia Miguel Angel , Gaudin Damien , Palladino Danilo M. , Kueppers Ulrich , Scarlato Piergiorgio
Published: April 2020

In a Strombolian volcanic eruption, bursting of a pressurized gas pocket accelerates a mixture of gas and pyroclasts along a conduit and out of a vent. While mixture ejection at the vent is the subject of direct geophysical measurements, and a key to eruption understanding, the dynamics of how the mixture moves in the conduit are not observable and only partly understood. Here, we use analog, transparent shock tube experiments to study the dynamics of gas and particles under fast gas decompression in a vertical tube. Maximum particle exit velocity increases linearly with increasing energy (pressure times volume) of the pressurized gas and, subordinately, with decreasing particle size and depth in the tube. Particles, initially at rest, are at first accelerated and dispersed in the conduit by the expanding gas. When the gas decelerates or even reverses its motion due to pressure changes in the tube, the particles, moving under their inertia, are then decelerated by the gas drag. Deceleration lasts longer for lower initial gas energy and for deeper particle starting position. Experiments and eruptions share two key vent ejection features: (1) particles exit the vent already decelerating, and (2) the exit velocity of the particles decays over time following the same nonlinear law. Friction with slower or even backflowing gas likely causes pyroclast deceleration in volcanic conduits during Strombolian explosions. Pyroclast deceleration, in turn, affects their exit velocity at the vent, as well as estimates of the explosion source depth based on temporal changes in exit velocity.
LMDZ6A: The Atmospheric Component of the IPSL Climate Model With Improved and Better Tuned Physics
Authors: Hourdin Frédéric , Rio Catherine , Grandpeix Jean‐Yves , Madeleine Jean‐Baptiste , Cheruy Frédérique , Rochetin Nicolas , Jam Arnaud , Musat Ionela , Idelkadi Abderrahmane , Fairhead Laurent , Foujols Marie‐Alice , Mellul Lidia , Traore Abdoul‐Khadre , Dufresne Jean‐Louis , Boucher Olivier , Lefebvre Marie‐Pierre , Millour Ehouarn , Vignon Etienne , Jouhaud Jean , Diallo F. Bint , Lott François , Gastineau Guillaume , Caubel Arnaud , Meurdesoif Yann , Ghattas Josefine
Published: April 2020

This study presents the version of the LMDZ global atmospheric model used as the atmospheric component of the Institut Pierre Simon Laplace coupled model (IPSL‐CM6A‐LR) to contribute to the 6th phase of the international Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). This LMDZ6A version includes original convective parameterizations that define the LMDZ “New Physics”: a mass flux parameterization of the organized structures of the convective boundary layer, the “thermal plume model,” and a parameterization of the cold pools created by reevaporation of convective rainfall. The vertical velocity associated with thermal plumes and gust fronts of cold pools are used to control the triggering and intensity of deep convection. Because of several shortcomings, the early version 5B of this New Physics was worse than the previous “Standard Physics” version 5A regarding several classical climate metrics. To overcome these deficiencies, version 6A includes new developments: a stochastic triggering of deep convection, a modification of the thermal plume model that allows the representation of stratocumulus and cumulus clouds in a unified framework, an improved parameterization of very stable boundary layers, and the modification of the gravity waves scheme targeting the quasi‐biennal oscillation in the stratosphere. These improvements to the physical content and a more well‐defined tuning strategy led to major improvements in the LMDZ6A version model climatology. Beyond the presentation of this particular model version and documentation of its climatology, the present paper underlines possible methodological pathways toward model improvement that can be shared across modeling groups.
Intraocular Lens Power Calculation after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction
Authors: Luft Nikolaus , Siedlecki Jakob , Schworm Benedikt , Kreutzer Thomas C. , Mayer Wolfgang J. , Priglinger Siegfried G. , Dirisamer Martin
Published: April 2020

With more than 1.5 million Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) procedures having already been performed worldwide in an ageing population, intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in post-SMILE eyes will inevitably become a common challenge for ophthalmologists. Since no refractive outcomes of cataract surgery following SMILE have been published, there is a lack of empirical data for optimizing IOL power calculation. Using the ray tracing as the standard of reference – a purely physical method that obviates the need for any empirical optimization - we analyzed the agreement of various IOL power calculation formulas derived from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) post-keratorefractive surgery online calculator. In our study of 88 post-SMILE eyes, the Masket formula showed the smallest mean prediction error [−0.36 ± 0.32 diopters (D)] and median absolute error (0.33D) and yielded the largest percentage of eyes within ±0.50D (70%) in reference to ray tracing. Non-inferior refractive prediction errors and ±0.50D accuracies were achieved by the Barrett True K, Barrett True K No History and the Potvin-Hill formula. Use of these formulas in conjunction with ray tracing is recommended until sufficient data for empirical optimization of IOL power calculation after SMILE is available.
“Sweet” ionic liquids comprising the acesulfame anion – synthesis, physicochemical properties and antifeedant activity towards stored product insects
Authors: Stachowiak Witold , Rzemieniecki Tomasz , Klejdysz Tomasz , Pernak Juliusz , Niemczak Michał
Published: April 2020

The synthesized “sweet” ionic liquids comprising acesulfame anion proved to be effective antifeedants with designer physicochemical properties.
What is “many-body” dispersion and should I worry about it?
Authors: Otero-de-la-Roza A. , LeBlanc Luc M. , Johnson Erin R.
Published: April 2020

“Many-body” dispersion can refer to two distinct phenomena, here termed electronic and atomic many-body effects, both of which cause the dispersion energy to be non-additive.
Unveiling the active isomer of cycloalanopine, a cyclic opine from Lactobacillus rhamnosus LS8, through synthesis and analog production
Authors: Antwi Isaac , Chiorean Sorina , van Belkum Marco J. , Vederas John C.
Published: April 2020

Stereochemistry of the antimicrobial isomer of a cyclic opine was determined by synthesis using oxidative cyclisation of a bis-hydrazide.
Titania nanotubes coated with graphene as a promising catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Cai Jiannan , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhang Yi , Yang Mingxing , Huang Baohua , Lin Shen
Published: April 2020

The enhanced electrocatalytic properties of rGO/TiO2NTs for the ORR are a result of increased specific surface area, number of active sites and accelerated electron conductivity.
Nickel(ii)-mediated cyanamide–pyrazole coupling highlights distinct reactivity of NCNR2 and NCR nitrile ligands
Authors: Zelenkov Lev E. , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Andrusenko Elena V. , Avdontceva Margarita S. , Starova Galina L. , Bokach Nadezhda A. , Kukushkin Vadim Yu.
Published: April 2020

The nickel(ii) center efficiently promotes the cyanamide–pyrazole coupling to give bis-chelate and tris-chelate products. The formation of the tris-chelate product for dialkylcyanamides is thermodynamically favorable.
Gas phase Elemental abundances in Molecular cloudS (GEMS)
Authors: Navarro-Almaida D. , Le Gal R. , Fuente A. , Rivière-Marichalar P. , Wakelam V. , Cazaux S. , Caselli P. , Laas J. C. , Alonso-Albi T. , Loison J. C. , Gerin M. , Kramer C. , Roueff E. , Bachiller R. , Commerçon B. , Friesen R. , García-Burillo S. , Goicoechea J. R. , Giuliano B. M. , Jiménez-Serra I. , Kirk J. M. , Lattanzi V. , Malinen J. , Marcelino N. , Martín-Domènech R. , Muñoz Caro G. M. , Pineda J. , Tercero B. , Treviño-Morales S. P. , Roncero O. , Hacar A. , Tafalla M. , Ward-Thompson D.
Published: April 2020

Context. Sulphur is one of the most abundant elements in the Universe. Surprisingly, sulphuretted molecules are not as abundant as expected in the interstellar medium and the identity of the main sulphur reservoir is still an open question.

Aims. Our goal is to investigate the H2S chemistry in dark clouds, as this stable molecule is a potential sulphur reservoir.

Methods. Using millimeter observations of CS, SO, H2S, and their isotopologues, we determine the physical conditions and H2S abundances along the cores TMC 1-C, TMC 1-CP, and Barnard 1b. The gas-grain model NAUTILUS is used to model the sulphur chemistry and explore the impact of photo-desorption and chemical desorption on the H2S abundance.

Results. Our modeling shows that chemical desorption is the main source of gas-phase H2S in dark cores. The measured H2S abundance can only be fitted if we assume that the chemical desorption rate decreases by more than a factor of 10 when nH > 2 × 104. This change in the desorption rate is consistent with the formation of thick H2O and CO ice mantles on grain surfaces. The observed SO and H2S abundances are in good agreement with our predictions adopting an undepleted value of the sulphur abundance. However, the CS abundance is overestimated by a factor of 5−10. Along the three cores, atomic S is predicted to be the main sulphur reservoir.

Conclusions. The gaseous H2S abundance is well reproduced, assuming undepleted sulphur abundance and chemical desorption as the main source of H2S. The behavior of the observed H2S abundance suggests a changing desorption efficiency, which would probe the snowline in these cold cores. Our model, however, highly overestimates the observed gas-phase CS abundance. Given the uncertainty in the sulphur chemistry, we can only conclude that our data are consistent with a cosmic elemental S abundance with an uncertainty of a factor of 10.
Radio spectral properties and jet duty cycle in the restarted radio galaxy 3C388
Authors: Brienza M. , Morganti R. , Harwood J. , Duchet T. , Rajpurohit K. , Shulevski A. , Hardcastle M. J. , Mahatma V. , Godfrey L. E. H. , Prandoni I. , Shimwell T. W. , Intema H.
Published: April 2020

Context.Restarted radio galaxies represent a unique tool for investigating the duty cycle of the jet activity in active galactic nuclei (AGN). The radio galaxy 3C388 has long been claimed to be a peculiar example of an AGN with multi-epoch activity because it shows a very sharp discontinuity in the GHz spectral index distribution of its lobes.

Aims.We present here for the first time a spatially resolved study of the radio spectrum of 3C388 down to MHz frequencies aimed at investigating the radiative age of the source and constraining its duty cycle.

Methods.We used new low-frequency observations at 144 MHz performed with the Low Frequency Array and at 350 MHz performed with the Very Large Array that we combined with archival data at higher frequencies (614, 1400, and 4850 MHz).

Results.We find that the spectral indices in the lower frequency range, 144−614 MHz, have flatter values (αlow∼ 0.55−1.14) than those observed in the higher frequency range, 1400−4850 MHz, (αhigh∼ 0.75−1.57), but they follow the same distribution across the lobes, with a systematic steepening towards the edges. However, the spectral shape throughout the source is not uniform and often deviates from standard models. This suggests that mixing of different particle populations occurs, although it remains difficult to understand whether this is caused by observational limitations (insufficient spatial resolution and/or projection effects) or by the intrinsic presence of multiple particle populations, which might be related to the two different outbursts.

Conclusions.Using single-injection radiative models, we compute that the total source age is ≲80 Myr and that the duty cycle is aboutton/ttot ∼ 60%, which is enough to prevent the intracluster medium from cooling, according to X-ray estimates. While to date the radio spectral distribution of 3C388 remains a rare case among radio galaxies, multi-frequency surveys performed with new-generation instruments will soon allow us to investigate whether more sources with the same characteristics exist.
Modeling and optimization of n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction using 2-dimensional numerical simulation
Authors: Manoua Mohamed , Jannane Tariq , Abouelala Otmane , Fazouan Nejma , Almaggoussi Abdelmajid , Kamoun Najoua , Liba Ahmed
Published: April 2020

In this work, n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction was investigated using two-dimensional numerical simulation. The effect of Zinc Oxide thickness, carrier concentration in Zinc Oxide layer, minority carrier lifetime of bulk Silicon and the interface states density on electrical properties were studied in dark and under illumination conditions. This study aimed to optimize these parameters in order to obtain n-ZnO/p-Si solar cell with high conversion efficiency and low cost. The simulation was carried out by Atlas silvaco software. As results, a very low saturation current Is, low series resistance Rs, an ideality factor n between 1 and 1.5 were obtained for optimal charge carrier concentrations in the range [5 × 1019–5 × 1021 cm−3] and a thickness of Zinc Oxide between 0.6 and 2 µm. Moreover, a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 24.75% was achieved without interfacial defect, which decreases to 5.49% for an interface defect density of 5 × 1014 cm−2.
Opportunities for detailed fission studies using light charged particle reactions
Authors: Back Birger B.
Published: April 2020

Since its discovery in 1939, the nuclear fission process has provided much insight into the behavior of nuclei under many different conditions. As part of the nuclear chain reaction, the fission process has had a profound impact on modern society and it has consequently attracted much attention to the field of nuclear physics. In this talk, I will argue that the time is ripe for a resumption of studies of the fission process induced by light charged particle reactions. Although fission can be induced in heavy nuclei by several means, in some cases these methods suffer from the complication that fission can occur at several points during the decay chain thus mixing up contributions from different excitation energies. Using instead light charged particle reactions to excite the nuclei in question, the precise excitation energy from which fission takes place, can be determined. In fact, a number of such studies were carried out previously, and a first set of results on fission barrier heights, mass, energy and angular distributions were obtained. Applying detection techniques developed over the last decades will allow researchers to obtain detailed, high-quality data from which to probe and refine our present understanding of the process. Based on these observations, I suggest that substantial advances in the study of this process can be achieved by using simple light charged particle reactions.
Role of the Surface Energy in Heavy-Ion Collisions
Authors: Stevenson P. D.
Published: April 2020

The surface energy is one of the fundamental properties of nuclei, appearing in the simplest form of the semi-empirical mass formula. The surface energy has an influence on e.g. the shape of a nucleus and its ability to deform. This in turn could be expected to have an effect in fusion reactions around the Coulomb barrier where dynamical effects such as the formation of a neck is part of the fusion process. Frozen Hartree-Fock and Time-Dependent Hartree-Fock calculations are performed for a series of effective interactions in which the surface energy is systematically varied, using 40Ca + 48Ca as a test case. The dynamical lowering of the barrier is greatest for the largest surface energy, contrary to naive expectations, and we speculate that this may be due to the variation in other nuclear matter properties for these effective interactions.
Dermatoskopie, sequenzielle Videodermatoskopie, Ganzkörperfotografie, künstliche Intelligenz – was bringt uns die Zukunft?
Authors: Deinlein T. , Hofmann-Wellenhof R. , Haenssle H. A. , Blum A.
Published: April 2020

Die Dermatoskopie ist mittlerweile ein fester Bestandteil einer jeden dermatologischen Untersuchung. Mit dieser Technik konnten die Früherkennung von Malignomen der Haut und deren Vorstufen deutlich verbessert und unnötige Exzisionen benigner Hautläsionen reduziert werden. Der Einsatz der Dermatoskopie umfasst mittlerweile auch die Beurteilung von entzündlichen und parasitären Dermatosen sowie Haarerkrankungen. Bei definierten Risikogruppen für ein Melanom sollte der Zwei-Schritte-Algorithmus, bestehend aus Ganzkörperfotografie und Videodermatoskopie, in entsprechenden Zeitintervallen zur Anwendung kommen. Mit dieser Methode können Melanome meist in einem sehr frühen Stadium entdeckt werden, da Veränderungen bestehender Muttermale sowie neu entstandene Läsionen früher festgestellt werden. In den letzten Jahren konnten mehrere Studien nachweisen, dass speziell geschulte neuronale Netzwerke Malignome der Haut, insbesondere Melanome, mit einer sehr hohen Treffsicherheit diagnostizieren können. Wie diese Computer-gestützte Diagnostik mithilfe einer künstlichen Intelligenz in den klinischen Alltag integriert werden kann und welche Vorteile sich hiervon ableiten lassen, ist derzeit noch nicht geklärt.
Kapillarmikroskopie – wann, wie und wofür?
Authors: Sander O. , Sunderkötter C.
Published: April 2020

Die Übersichtsarbeit stellt die aktuelle Datenlage zur Bedeutung der Kapillarmikroskopie in der nicht invasiven Abklärung von Akroperfusionsstörungen und insbesondere der Früherkennung der Sklerodermie/Systemsklerose dar. Hier sind die Kenntnis des Normalbefundes und die Differenzierung zum sklerodermietypischen Muster entscheidend. Aber auch für die Verlaufsbeurteilung und Prognoseabschätzung der Sklerodermie ist die Kapillarmikroskopie ein sinnvolles Instrument. Die solideste Prädiktion kann dabei die Kapillardichte liefern.
Ein Plädoyer für Leitlinien – Interventionsempfehlungen bei Morbus Parkinson
Authors: Janssen Christina
Published: April 2020

Welche Interventionen wenden Ergotherapeuten bei Klienten mit Morbus Parkinson an, um deren Performanz im häuslichen Leben zu verbessern und zu erhalten? Dieser Frage gingen Sarah Rutschmann und Josefin Franke in ihrer gemeinsamen Bachelorarbeit nach. Sie wollten insbesondere herausfinden, inwieweit Ergotherapeuten dafür Leitlinien nutzen.
Representation and reconstruction of covariance operators in linear inverse problems
Authors: Lila Eardi , Arridge Simon , Aston John A D
Published: April 2020

We introduce a framework for the reconstruction and representation of functions in a setting where these objects cannot be directly observed, but only indirect and noisy measurements are available, namely an inverse problem setting. The proposed methodology can be applied either to the analysis of indirectly observed functional images or to the associated covariance operators, representing second-order information, and thus lying on a non-Euclidean space. To deal with the ill-posedness of the inverse problem, we exploit the spatial structure of the sample data by introducing a flexible regularizing term embedded in the model. Thanks to its efficiency, the proposed model is applied to MEG data, leading to a novel approach to the investigation of functional connectivity.
Beach adaptation to intraseasonal sea level changes
Authors: Abessolo G O , Almar R , Jouanno J , Bonou F , Castelle B , Larson M
Published: April 2020

Coastal areas such as beaches with steep upper slope and flat low-tide terrace, are expected to be increasingly affected by sea level changes. Related impacts due to the paramount rise in sea level have been intensively investigated, but there is still little evidence of the impact of shorter timescales variations on the coast, particularly those induced by trapped coastal waves. Using the latest advances in video bathymetric estimation, daily observations over 3.5 years (February 2013 to June 2016) on Grand Popo Beach (West Africa) reveal that intraseasonal sea level variations impact the beach profile. The intraseasonal sea level variations are dominated by the propagation of wind forced coastal trapped waves with periods ranging 15–95 days. It is shown that the beach goes through a transient state with a deformation of the profile: an intraseasonal sea level rise leads to a 2 m erosion of the upper beach and a widening of the flat terrace at the lower beach. Although the underlying mechanism must be tested through beach profile modelling, this study highlights the active adaptation of the beach profile to variations in sea level.
Psychological support in times of COVID-19: the Essen community-based CoPE concept
Authors: Bäuerle Alexander , Skoda Eva-Maria , Dörrie Nora , Böttcher Juliane , Teufel Martin
Published: April 2020

The SARS CoV-2-virus (COVID-19) pandemic is pushing national and international structures to their limits. Little is known about treatment options to combat the novel virus, but the same applies to the effects of COVID-19 on people’s mental health. In Germany, as in many other countries, governmental actions impact peoples’ individual freedom. These highly necessary actions to slow down the spread of the virus, however, are a burden to the community. We established a structured concept to support psychological burdened people in Essen, which is located in the Ruhr area, a metropolitan region with more than 5.1 million inhabitants in the heart of the federal state North Rhine Westphalia. The psychological burden following the spread of the virus and individual restrictions should not be neglected.