bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical‐Mode Structure of Micropillar Microcavities Containing a Fluorescent Conjugated Polymer
Authors: Al‐Jashaam Faleh L. , Jayaprakash Rahul , Coles David M. , Musser Andrew J. , Georgiou Kyriacos , Lidzey David G.
Published: November 2019

The light emission from a series of micropillar microcavities containing a fluorescent, red‐emitting conjugated polymer, is explored. Cavities are fabricated by defining two dielectric mirrors either side of a polymer active region. Focused ion‐beam (FIB) lithography is then used to etch pillar structures into the planar cavity having diameters between 1 and 11 µm. The photoluminescence (PL) emission of the cavities is characterized using real‐space tomographic and Fourier‐space imaging techniques, with emission shown to be quantized into a mode‐structure resulting from both vertical and lateral optical confinement within the pillar. The optical‐confinement effects which result in a blue‐shift of the fundamental mode as the pillar diameter is reduced is demonstrated, with a model applied to describe the energy and distribution of the confined optical modes.
Quantum Phase Estimation with Time‐Frequency Qudits in a Single Photon
Authors: Lu Hsuan‐Hao , Hu Zixuan , Alshaykh Mohammed Saleh , Moore Alexandria Jeanine , Wang Yuchen , Imany Poolad , Weiner Andrew Marc , Kais Sabre
Published: November 2019

The Phase Estimation Algorithm (PEA) is an important quantum algorithm used independently or as a key subroutine in other quantum algorithms. Currently most implementations of the PEA are based on qubits, where the computational units in the quantum circuits are 2D states. Performing quantum computing tasks with higher dimensional states—qudits —has been proposed, yet a qudit‐based PEA has not been realized. Using qudits can reduce the resources needed for achieving a given precision or success probability. Compared to other quantum computing hardware, photonic systems have the advantage of being resilient to noise, but the probabilistic nature of photon–photon interaction makes it difficult to realize two‐photon controlled gates that are necessary components in many quantum algorithms. In this work, an experimental realization of a qudit‐based PEA on a photonic platform is reported, utilizing the high dimensionality in time and frequency degrees of freedom (DoFs) in a single photon. The controlled‐unitary gates can be realized in a deterministic fashion, as the control and target registers are now represented by two DoFs in a single photon. This first implementation of a qudit PEA, on any platform, successfully retrieves any arbitrary phase with one ternary digit of precision.
Sustained oscillations in MIMO nonlinear systems through limit cycle shaping
Authors: Hakimi Ali Reza , Binazadeh Tahereh
Published: November 2019

This paper studies on generating periodic behaviors through shaping stable limit cycles in multiple‐input‐multiple‐output nonlinear systems. For this purpose, first, limit cycles are shaped with respect to the desired sustained oscillations of the system's outputs. Then, the Lyapunov analyses, which are appropriate for stability analysis of invariant sets, are employed to design the control law and conclude the asymptotic convergence toward the predefined limit cycles. The problem is studied in two cases. In the first case, some assumptions in the mathematical model are assumed that leads to simplification in the design procedure. In the second case, the design procedure is discussed in more general cases. Finally, the validity and performance of the proposed method for shaping limit cycles with different geometric shapes are illustrated by computer simulations for practical and numerical examples.
Gram‐Scale Bottom‐Up Synthesis of Macrographene
Authors: Prakash Sadasivan P. , Daisymol Kurisingal B. , Gopidas Karical R.
Published: November 2019

Herein we report a very facile, bottom‐up synthesis of macrographene sheets of up to 1–2 μm size, in two steps from readily available starting materials under mild reaction conditions. The synthesis involved the reduction of 4,4’‐biphenylene bisdiazonium salt in aqueous solution at room temperature using methanolic sodium borohydride. The reduction reaction results in the formation of 4,4’‐biphenylele biradicals which underwent rapid addition reactions to give a cross‐linked polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon frame work. Scholl oxidation of the aromatic frame work gave macrographene sheets in good yields in gram quantities. Formation of the graphene sheets was confirmed by several technique including X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, TEM and AFM analysis.
Isolation of Nanocellulose from Broomcorn Stalks and Its Application for Nanocellulose/Xanthan Film Preparation
Authors: Langari Mahsa Mousavi , Nikzad Maryam , Ghoreyshi Ali Asghar , Mohammadi Maedeh
Published: November 2019

Nanocellulose extraction from broomcorn stalk was conducted using acid hydrolysis followed by sonication. The influence of acid concentration, hydrolysis time and temperature on nanocellulose isolation was studied. The minimum size and maximum yield of isolated nanocellulose were 40 nm and 71%, respectively obtained at acid concentration of 45 wt%, temperature of 45 °C and time of 75 min. The isolated nanocellulose was characterized through dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The results demonstrated the extraction of highly charged nanocellulose (–42.4 mV) with entangled network, high crystallinity (53%) and thermal stability (initial degradation at 268 °C). Xanthan gum films with different contents of isolated nanocellulose were prepared by solution casting method. The mechanical behavior of developed films was analyzed through tensile test. From the results, the sample with the loading of 60 wt% of nanocellulose displayed best properties with the tensile strength of 6.0125 MPa and Young's modulus of 14.64 MPa.
Methoxylpoly(ethylene glycol)‐retinoic acid Micelles Loaded with Dimethylcurcumin for Efficient Castration‐Resistant Prostate Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hu Hang , Zhou Huan , Zhen Zihan , Wu Zhe , Zhang Rong , Xu Defeng
Published: November 2019

Dimethylcurcumin (ASC−J9, DMC), a newly developed anti‐AR agent, suppresses androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways by degradation of full‐length and splice variant of ARs, showing efficient growth inhibition effect on castration‐resistant prostate cancer (PCa). However, DMC is extremely hydrophobic, which significantly limits its applications. Here, we developed DMC‐loaded methoxylpoly (ethylene glycol)‐retinoic acid (DMC@mPEG2000‐RA) micelles in order to improve the solubility of DMC and its effect on growth inhibition of castration‐resistant PCa. DMC@mPEG2000‐RA micelles with hydrodynamic diameter around 200 nm and drug loading content of 6.0% were prepared by thin film hydration‐ultrasonic method. The as prepared micelles show good colloidal stability in PBS buffer and 10% FBS containing PBS buffer. The in vitro drug release study shows that DMC@mPEG2000‐RA micelles exhibit initially relative fast drug release followed by sustained drug release behaviors. The cellular uptake study reveals that the cellular uptake amount of DMC@mPEG2000‐RA micelles is significantly higher than that of free DMC and caveolae plays important roles in cellular uptake of DMC@mPEG2000‐RA micelles. Finally, DMC@mPEG2000‐RA micelles exhibit significantly enhanced in vitro antitumor activity against C4‐2 and 22Rv1 cells as compared to free DMC. DMC@mPEG2000‐RA micelles were proved to be an efficient formulation of DMC for suppression of castration‐resistant PCa.
3D Printing of Gelatine/Alginate/β‐Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Constructs for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Kalkandelen Cevriye , Ulag Songul , Ozbek Burak , Eroglu Gunes O. , Ozerkan Dilsad , Kuruca Serap E. , Oktar Faik N. , Sengor Mustafa , Gunduz Oguzhan
Published: November 2019

Bone tissue engineering studies have brought three‐dimensional scaffolds into focus that can provide tissue regeneration with designed porosity and strengthened structure. Current research has concentrated on the fabrication of natural and synthetic polymer‐based complex structures that closely mimic biological tissues due to their superior biocompatibility and biodegradabilities. Gelatine/Sodium Alginate hydrogels reinforced with different concentrations of β‐Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP) (10, 13, and 15 wt.%) were studied to form 3D bone tissue. Physical, mechanical, chemical, morphological properties and biodegradability of the constructs were investigated. Furthermore, in vitro biological assay with human osteosarcoma cell line (SAOS‐2) was performed to determine the biocompatibility of the constructs. It is found that cell viability rates for all constructs were increased and maximum cell viability rate was attained for 20%Gelatine/2%Alginate/10%TCP (wt.). The present work demonstrates that 3D printed Gelatine/Alginate/TCP constructs with porous structures are potential candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.
Impact experiments with reinforced concrete plates of different thicknesses
Authors: Hering Marcus , Bracklow Franz , Kühn Tino , Curbach Manfred
Published: November 2019

A test series of 15 reinforced concrete (RC) plates was carried out in the drop tower of the Otto Mohr Laboratory of Technische Universität Dresden. In these tests, the structural behavior of RC plates of different thicknesses was investigated under impact load. Within this report, the investigated specimen and the used drop tower facility are introduced. Furthermore, the experimental program and the experimental results will be shown. Following, the influence of different thicknesses and impact velocities are presented and discussed. The different damage levels of the RC plates influenced by the specific variation of the impact speed form a very good basis for further investigations in this scientific field. Especially the view into the plates, which was made possible by saw cuts, extends the understanding of the impact behavior considerably.
Asymptotic Properties of Linear Field Equations in Anti-de Sitter Space
Authors: Holzegel Gustav , Luk Jonathan , Smulevici Jacques , Warnick Claude
Published: November 2019

We study the global dynamics of the wave equation, Maxwell’s equation and the linearized Bianchi equations on a fixed anti-de Sitter (AdS) background. Provided dissipative boundary conditions are imposed on the dynamical fields we prove uniform boundedness of the natural energy as well as both degenerate (near the AdS boundary) and non-degenerate integrated decay estimates. Remarkably, the non-degenerate estimates “lose a derivative”. We relate this loss to a trapping phenomenon near the AdS boundary, which itself originates from the properties of (approximately) gliding rays near the boundary. Using the Gaussian beam approximation we prove that non-degenerate energy decay without loss of derivatives does not hold. As a consequence of the non-degenerate integrated decay estimates, we also obtain pointwise-in-time decay estimates for the energy. Our paper provides the key estimates for a proof of the non-linear stability of the anti-de Sitter spacetime under dissipative boundary conditions. Finally, we contrast our results with the case of reflecting boundary conditions.
Preclinical development of T-cell receptor-engineered T-cell therapy targeting the 5T4 tumor antigen on renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Xu Yuexin , Morales Alicia J. , Cargill Michael J. , Towlerton Andrea M. H. , Coffey David G. , Warren Edus H. , Tykodi Scott S.
Published: November 2019

5T4 (trophoblast glycoprotein, TPBG) is a transmembrane tumor antigen expressed on more than 90% of primary renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and a wide range of human carcinomas but not on most somatic adult tissues. The favorable expression pattern has encouraged the development and clinical testing of 5T4-targeted antibody and vaccine therapies. 5T4 also represents a compelling and unexplored target for T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T-cell therapy. Our group has previously isolated high-avidity CD8+T-cell clones specific for an HLA-A2-restricted 5T4 epitope (residues 17–25; 5T4p17). In this report, targeted single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 5T4p17-specific T-cell clones to sequence the highly variable complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of T-cell receptor α chain (TRA) and β chain (TRB) genes. Full-lengthTRAandTRBsequences were cloned into lentiviral vectors and transduced into CD8+T-cells from healthy donors. Redirected effector T-cell function against 5T4p17was measured by cytotoxicity and cytokine release assays. Seven uniqueTRA-TRBpairs were identified. All seven TCRs exhibited high expression on CD8+T-cells with transduction efficiencies from 59 to 89%. TCR-transduced CD8+T-cells demonstrated redirected cytotoxicity and cytokine release in response to 5T4p17on target-cells and killed 5T4+/HLA-A2+kidney-, breast-, and colorectal-tumor cell lines as well as primary RCC tumor cells in vitro. TCR-transduced CD8+T-cells also detected presentation of 5T4p17inTAP1/2-deficient T2 target-cells. TCR-transduced T-cells redirected to recognize the 5T4p17epitope from a broadly shared tumor antigen are of interest for future testing as a cellular immunotherapy strategy for HLA-A2+subjects with 5T4+tumors.
Usefulness of a 3D‐Printed Thyroid Cancer Phantom for Clinician to Patient Communication
Authors: Hong Dayeong , Lee Sangwook , Kim Taehun , Baek Jung Hwan , Kim Won Woong , Chung Ki‐Wook , Kim Namkug , Sung Tae‐Yon
Published: November 2019

Background

Thyroid glands and surrounding structures are very complex, and this complexity can pose a challenge for clinicians when explaining and communicating to the patient the details of a proposed surgery for thyroid cancer. A three‐dimensional (3D) thyroid cancer model could help and improve this communication.

Methods

A 3D‐printed phantom of a thyroid gland and its presenting cancer was produced from segmented head and neck contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) data from a patient with thyroid cancer. The phantom reflects the complex anatomy of the arteries, veins, nerves, and other surrounding organs, and the printing materials and techniques were adjusted to represent the texture and color of the actual structures. Using this phantom, patients and clinicians completed surveys on the usefulness of this 3D‐printed thyroid cancer phantom. Participants: patients (n = 33) and clinicians (n = 10).

Results

In the patient survey, the patients communicated that the quality of understanding of their thyroid disease status was enhanced when clinicians explained using the phantom. The clinicians communicated that the 3D phantom was advantageous for explaining complex thyroid surgery procedures to patients, and that the 3D phantom was helpful in educating patients with relatively poor anatomical knowledge.

Conclusions

Using 3D printing technology, we produced a CT‐based 3D thyroid cancer phantom, and patient and clinician surveys on its utility indicated that it successfully helped educate patients, providing them with an improved understanding of the disease.
EmbNum+: Effective, Efficient, and Robust Semantic Labeling for Numerical Values
Authors: Nguyen Phuc , Nguyen Khai , Ichise Ryutaro , Takeda Hideaki
Published: November 2019

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in numerical semantic labeling, in which the meaning of an unknown numerical column is assigned by the label of the most relevant columns in predefined knowledge bases. Previous methods used the p value of a statistical hypothesis test to estimate the relevance and thus strongly depend on the distribution and data domain. In other words, they are unstable for general cases, when such knowledge is undefined. Our goal is solving semantic labeling without using such information while guaranteeing high accuracy. We propose EmbNum+, a neural numerical embedding for learning both discriminant representations and a similarity metric from numerical columns. EmbNum+ maps lists of numerical values of columns into feature vectors in an embedding space, and a similarity metric can be calculated directly on these feature vectors. Evaluations on many datasets of various domains confirmed that EmbNum+ consistently outperformed other state-of-the-art approaches in terms of accuracy. The compact embedding representations also made EmbNum+ significantly faster than others and enable large-scale semantic labeling. Furthermore, attribute augmentation can be used to enhance the robustness and unlock the portability of EmbNum+, making it possible to be trained on one domain but applicable to many different domains.
Perfluorocarbons for the treatment of decompression illness: how to bridge the gap between theory and practice
Authors: Mayer Dirk , Ferenz Katja Bettina
Published: November 2019

Decompression illness (DCI) is a complex clinical syndrome caused by supersaturation of respiratory gases in blood and tissues after abrupt reduction in ambient pressure. The resulting formation of gas bubbles combined with pulmonary barotrauma leads to venous and arterial gas embolism. Severity of DCI depends on the degree of direct tissue damage caused by growing bubbles or indirect cell injury by impaired oxygen transport, coagulopathy, endothelial dysfunction, and subsequent inflammatory processes. The standard therapy of DCI requires expensive and not ubiquitously accessible hyperbaric chambers, so there is an ongoing search for alternatives. In theory, perfluorocarbons (PFC) are ideal non-recompressive therapeutics, characterized by high solubility of gases. A dual mechanism allows capturing of excess nitrogen and delivery of additional oxygen. Since the 1980s, numerous animal studies have proven significant benefits concerning survival and reduction in DCI symptoms by intravenous application of emulsion-based PFC preparations. However, limited shelf-life, extended organ retention and severe side effects have prevented approval for human usage by regulatory authorities. These negative characteristics are mainly due to emulsifiers, which provide compatibility of PFC to the aqueous medium blood. The encapsulation of PFC with amphiphilic biopolymers, such as albumin, offers a new option to achieve the required biocompatibility avoiding toxic emulsifiers. Recent studies with PFC nanocapsules, which can also be used as artificial oxygen carriers, show promising results. This review summarizes the current state of research concerning DCI pathology and the therapeutic use of PFC including the new generation of non-emulsified formulations based on nanocapsules.
Effects of DTL electrode position on the amplitude and implicit time of the electroretinogram
Authors: Brouwer Anna H. , de Wit Gerard C. , de Boer Joke H. , van Genderen Maria M.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study sought to investigate whether there is an optimal position of the Dawson, Trick, and Litzkow (DTL) electrodes when measuring the full-field electroretinogram (ERG) for monitoring purposes.

Methods

In 200 uveitis patients, an extended light-adapted (LA) ERG protocol was measured twice, incorporating the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision standards. First, a LA ERG was measured with the DTL in the lower lid position (LLP) and thereafter in the fornix position. Differences in amplitudes and implicit times of a-waves, b-waves, and the 30 Hz peak were investigated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) as well as coefficients of variation (CoV) were calculated, to assess both reliability and relative variability between the two DTL positions.

Results

Implicit times showed no statistically significant differences between the two DTL positions. As expected, amplitudes at the different stimulus strengths were 1.12–1.19 higher in the LLP, but there were no significant differences in the CoV between the two DTL positions. The ICC was high for the b-wave and 30 Hz flicker response (0.842–0.979), but lower for the a-wave, especially for amplitudes (0.584–0.716).

Conclusions

For monitoring purposes in patients, we conclude that based on relative variability, no position is preferable above the other. However, because in most diseases amplitudes are decreased, the LLP may be chosen because it yields higher amplitudes. Whatever the choice, it is important to ensure that the DTL position remains stable during an ERG recording.
Absolute Distant Simultaneity in Special Relativity
Authors: Ben-Yami Hanoch
Published: November 2019

What is simultaneous with an event is what can interact with it; events have duration; therefore, any given event has distant events simultaneous with it, even according to Special Relativity. Consequently, the extension of our pre-relativistic judgments of distant simultaneity are largely preserved.
Maritime Archaeology and Capacity Development in the Global South
Authors: Blue Lucy , Breen Colin
Published: November 2019

The Honor Frost Foundation sponsored a session, ‘Maritime Archaeology, Capacity Building and Training in the Developing World’ at the Sixth International Congress on Underwater Archaeology (IKUWA VI) held in Freemantle, Australia, in November 2016, dedicated to capacity development in the context of maritime archaeology. The papers presented in this special issue of this journal represent an attempt to understand different approaches to capacity building and development within the sphere of maritime cultural heritage. This paper, by way of an introduction to the subject, and this special issue, aims to explore the nature of capacity building and development in relation to maritime cultural heritage.
Quantitative trait locus for resistance to the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L. in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is not linked with a genomic region for gramine concentration
Authors: Macaulay Malcolm , Ramsay Luke , Åhman Inger
Published: November 2019

Gramine is an indole alkaloid found in certain grass species. Results of previous studies have diverged as to whether this compound might cause resistance to aphids or not. In a breeding program aiming to introduce resistance to the cereal pestRhopalosiphum padiL. in barley, a cultivar has been crossed with the progenitor of cultivated barley,Hordeum vulgaressp.spontaneum,and an F1-derived population of doubled haploid (DH) lines was screened both for seedling gramine concentration and resistance toR. padi. The resistance was measured as individual aphid growth in the laboratory. The present study aims to determine if there is a genetic relationship between aphid growth retardation and gramine concentration. To do so, the lines were genotyped with a 384 SNP oligonucleotide pool assay and QTL analyses were performed for both traits. A previously identified aphid resistance locus on the distal part of chromosome 2HS was thereby confirmed, with resistance inherited fromH. v.ssp.spontaneum, whereas one or more QTL for gramine concentration were potentially indicated on chromosome 3H, thus corroborating that the two traits are not linked genetically.
Major Advances and Discoveries in Diabetes - 2019 in Review
Authors: Zierath Juleen R.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This review is based on a recent invited lecture at the American Diabetes Association’s 79th annual Scientific Sessions entitled “Major Advances and Discoveries in Diabetes - The Year in Review.”

Recent Findings

Here I provide a written account of my presentation entitled “Major Discoveries in Diabetes over the Past Year.” I highlight several recent advances in basic science that are relevant for the diabetes field, with insight into how the key takeaways impact basic science. I also speculate on how these breakthroughs challenge the field to move the basic science “discovery” into the clinic, as well as offering a perspective on unanswered questions in relation to these advances.

The review should in no way be taken as an endorsement of the highlighted work or a denunciation of any work not selected. Rather, it is a personal reflection that provides a glimpse into what is on the horizon in this rapidly evolving and exciting field!
Metals and Metalloids Release from Orthodontic Elastomeric and Stainless Steel Ligatures: In Vitro Risk Assessment of Human Exposure
Authors: Olszewska Aneta , Hanć Anetta , Barałkiewicz Danuta , Rzymski Piotr
Published: November 2019

Elastomeric ligatures are increasingly used as a part of esthetic orthodontic treatment, particularly in children. The aim of the present study was to experimentally test whether these appliances may contribute to exposure to toxic elements. In the present study, elastomeric ligatures (ELs) were incubated in artificial human saliva for 1 month (a typical period of their use) and the release of 21 metals (Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Tl, Ti, Sb, Sr, Sn, Zn, U, V) and 2 metalloids (As and Ge) was studied using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. For comparison, stainless steel ligatures (SLs) were incubated for 1, 3, and 6 months (since sometimes their use is prolonged) under similar conditions. The determined metal levels were compared to the corresponding safety limits for human exposure. During 1 month, the ELs released Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Sn at total mean ± SD level of 0.31 ± 0.09, 0.98 ± 0.30, 3.96 ± 1.31, 14.7 ± 8.5, 13.8 ± 4.8, and 49.5 ± 27.7 μg, respectively. Other elements were always below the detection limits. In case of SL, the release of Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, Mn, and Sn was observed, and the determined values increased over the studied period. After 6 months, their total mean ± SD levels amounted to 28.6 ± 0.2, 21.7 ± 0.2, 623.5 ± 3.0, 1152.7 ± 1.8, 5.5 ± 0.3, and 22.6 ± 0.2 μg, respectively. The released metal levels from both ligature types were always below safety limits. The release of Ni from SL during 6 months would constitute 5.0 and 11.5% of tolerable intake in adults and children, respectively. The results of this in vitro study highlight that the use of ligatures in orthodontic treatment can be considered safe in terms of metal exposure although elastic ligatures replaced on a monthly basis appear to be advantageous in comparison to the prolonged use of stainless steel appliances.
Numerical modeling and assessment of natural gas pipeline separation in China: the data from Henan Province
Authors: Xiao Jian-zhong , Kong Wei-cheng , Wang Xiao-lin , Li Ming
Published: November 2019

China’s natural gas market is focusing on price reform and aims to reconstruct vertically integrated industrial chains in the future. Based on the mixed complementarity problem model of gas markets with nodes in Henan Province, China, as an example, this paper applies numerical modeling to simulate the effects of social welfare and equilibrium prices on nodes in two scenarios: pipeline integration and pipeline separation. The findings reveal the following: (1) Pipeline separation yields greater overall social welfare than pipeline integration, with the welfare shifting from gas producers to consumption markets. (2) Pipeline separation lowers the equilibrium consumption prices by driving competition among gas supply sources. (3) Pipeline separation will increase the contribution of natural gas to primary energy.
Assessing the intestinal carriage rates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) at a tertiary care hospital in Hungary
Authors: Franyó Dorottya , Kocsi Balázs , Bukta Evelin Erzsébet , Szabó Judit , Dombrádi Zsuzsanna
Published: November 2019

Excessive use of antibiotics contributes to the selection of resistant bacteria and intestinal colonization with multiresistant pathogens poses a risk factor for subsequent infections. The present study assessed vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) carriage rates in patients admitted to our tertiary care hospital. Stool samples sent for routine culturing were screened with vancomycin containing solid or broth enrichment media. VRE isolates were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and antibiotic susceptibilities were tested by E-test. Vancomycin resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Medical records of carriers were examined for suspected risk factors for colonization. Altogether 3025 stool specimens were analyzed. Solid media identified a VRE carriage rate of 2.2% while broth enrichment detected 5.8%. Seventy percent of the isolates were Enterococcus faecium. VanB genotype was detected in 38.2%, VanA in 37.3%, VanC1 in 22.6%, and VanC2 in 1.9%. All VRE were sensitive to linezolid, daptomycin, and tigecycline. Collective risk factors for carriage were diabetes, normal flora absence, Clostridioides difficile positivity, longer hospital stay, and advanced age. 78.5% of the carriers received antibiotic therapy which was metronidazole in most cases (47.3%). We recommend regular screening of risk groups such as patients with diabetes, history of recent hospitalization, or former C. difficile infection as an imperative step for preventing VRE dissemination.
Effect of alkali on alkali–surfactant flooding in an Upper Assam oil field
Authors: Hazarika Kalpajit , Gogoi Subrata Borgohain
Published: November 2019

The effect of alkali on immiscible alkali–surfactant (AS) flooding is studied by injecting surfactant individually and surfactant along with alkali. First, reservoir core samples were characterized with the help of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thin slide analysis. Based on the clay content of the reservoir, surfactant was selected. Second, AS formulations were designed through dynamic interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration analysis. Third, adsorption of surfactant on porous media was studied with or without alkali to find out the amount of surfactant adsorbed along with the isotherm mechanism. Fourth, core flooding experiments were conducted to find out the recovery efficiency after secondary brine flooding. XRD, SEM and thin slide analysis showed the presence of kaolinite, smectite, illite, silica, quartz in the rock sample. Based on the clay types, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was selected as surfactant for this study. Ultra-low dynamic IFT in the range of 10−3 was observed with SDS. Addition of alkali further reduced the IFT of the system. Initially, wettability of the reservoir under study was toward water wet, but during AS flooding it was altered to strongly water wet. Adsorption of surfactant on the porous media was reduced by the application of alkali. During secondary brine flooding, maximum recovery was found to be 49% of Initial Oil in Place. Another 14% of residual oil after secondary flooding was achieved by AS flooding.
Teenage mothers in later life: Time for a second look
Authors: Ellis‐Sloan Kyla
Published: November 2019

IntroductionTeenage motherhood is understood as a social problem by governments and in the public imagination. This is underpinned by studies linking teenage motherhood to a range of poor outcomes. This paper brings together key issues with measuring outcomes of teenage motherhood. It argues that to account for long‐term change as well as an understanding of what drives, facilitates and impedes development, longitudinal qualitative methodology is needed.

MethodsA narrative review of qualitative longitudinal studies of teenage motherhood was conducted with six studies meeting the inclusion criteria; (a) data collection at more than one point; (b) at least two points occurring after childbirth

ResultsThe search demonstrated the insights that these methods can bring to the field. Such studies demonstrate the ways in which pre and post pregnancy contexts impact on attainment and experiences. They are able to present a complex and nuanced picture to contextualise the claims made in the quantitative literature. Furthermore, they provide voice to young mothers so they can narrate their own lives and make clear what is important to them.

ConclusionThe paper argues that we need to work towards telling a more nuanced story of teenage motherhood by sensitising statistical work with qualitative studies. Moreover, research with teenage parents needs to take a longitudinal approach which accounts for change across the lifespan. Combining these approaches would enhance our understanding of outcomes as well as provide us with the means by which to better support young parents in the long‐term.
The emerging labour market and transformation from state amateurs to professional athletes
Authors: Liang Yiyong
Published: November 2019

Corporate governance and its associated concerns had no bearing on Chinese industry management before its national economic reform in the early 1980s. The government's intention has been tomake all state-owned enterprisesmore effective and efficient than they previously were by gradually introducing Western enterprise methods with a capitalist market approach. The article explores the notion of corporate governance in the context of Chinese football by studying the emerging labour markets and management of professional football players to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues concerning the governance of Chinese sports and its human resource management. It seeks to contribute to the development of stakeholder theory as an important analytical framework on Chinese management studies in the field of professional sport during its economic transition.
A Wavelet Analysis of Price Integration in Major Agricultural Markets
Authors: Nigatu Getachew , Adjemian Michael
Published: November 2019

We use linear time series and wavelets approach to study the relationships between U.S. and international prices for corn, soybeans, and cotton. We then compare results obtained with each approach and verify that structural breaks discovered with wavelet analysis match those produced with subsequent partial-period cointegration analysis. We find little evidence that short-term fluctuations between domestic and international prices are stable, while long-term relationships for many price pairs experience distinct structural breaks. We further find that even though China is among the largest importers of U.S. agricultural products, its commodity prices share little or no relationship with those prevailing in U.S. markets.
Constitutional Pluralism's Unspoken Normative Core
Authors: LAWRENCE Jessica C.
Published: November 2019

This article argues that discourses of constitutional pluralism contain a strong normative core which is made up of a series of largely unacknowledged implicit claims about legitimacy and community. This argument is illustrated by reference to various constitutional pluralist responses to the Hungarian Constitutional Court's ruling concerning the protection of constitutional identity in the context of EU asylum and refugee protection law and policy, demonstrating that whether this decision falls ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ constitutional pluralist tolerance depends on how the observer defines the minimum amount of shared substantive or procedural content that is fundamental to the EU order.
Emergency Medical Services Providers’ Experiences and Attitudes Toward Infection Prevention and Control Measures in Saudi Arabia: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Khan Anas A.
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

This study explores the experiences and practices of emergency medical services (EMS) providers, as well as the motivations that underpin perceptions toward standard infection prevention and control (IPC). The current literature suggests that EMS providers have a low compliance level with preventive measures, with misperceptions about risks and self-justification of personal skills reported.

Methods:

The study used qualitative methods and conducted 2 distinct focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with both prehospital and inter-facility EMS providers. Data were thematically analyzed using the Framework approach.

Results:

The participants considered respiratory infections the most significant nosocomial risks. Lack of full disclosure of medical history to EMS providers was considered a significant threat. Beliefs about low effectiveness and harmful effects of the influenza vaccine, as well as low perceptions of influenza risks, were common. While apparent misperceptions contributed largely to the inappropriate use of preventive measures, the reliance on intuition and individual experiences was attributed to the inaccessibility of appropriate guidelines, and lack of formal IPC training programs.

Conclusions:

There is need to address EMS doubts and fears, improve IPC practices and awareness by institutionalizing IPC training programs, and ensure the design and accessibility of simplified and well-tailored IPC guidelines for EMS providers.
Long-Term Public Health Responses in High-Impact Weather Events: Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico as a Case Study
Authors: Cange Charles W. , McGaw-Césaire Jacy
Published: November 2019

This statement responds to the public health challenges in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria during September 2017. As a result of Maria, and to a certain extent Hurricane Irma, the territory sustained unprecedented damage. We call for a mid- and long-term public health response and research to assess the long-term impacts of high-impact weather events, such as Maria’s effects on Puerto Rico, including impacts on vulnerable populations’ environmental health and well-being.
Nudging In MicroBiology Laboratory Evaluation (NIMBLE): A scoping review
Authors: Langford Bradley J. , Leung Elizabeth , Haj Reem , McIntyre Mark , Taggart Linda R. , Brown Kevin A. , Downing Mark , Matukas Larissa M.
Published: November 2019

Background:

Nudging in microbiology is an antimicrobial stewardship strategy to influence decision making through the strategic reporting of microbiology results while preserving prescriber autonomy. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of nudging strategies in susceptibility result reporting to improve antimicrobial use.

Methods:

A search for studies in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and All EBM Reviews was conducted. All simulated and vignette studies were excluded. Two independent reviewers were used throughout screening and data extraction.

Results:

Of a total of 1,346 citations screened, 15 relevant studies were identified. Study types included pre- and postintervention (n = 10), retrospective cohort (n = 4), and a randomized controlled trial (n = 1). Most studies were performed in acute-care settings (n = 13), and the remainder were in primary care (n = 2). Most studies used a strategy to alter the default antibiotic choices on the antibiotic report. All studies reported at least 1 outcome of antimicrobial use: utilization (n = 9), appropriateness (n = 7), de-escalation (n = 2), and cost (n = 1). Moreover, 12 studies reported an overall benefit in antimicrobial use outcomes associated with nudging, and 4 studies evaluated the association of nudging strategy with subsequent antimicrobial resistance, with 2 studies noting overall improvement.

Conclusions:

The number of heterogeneous studies evaluating the impact of applying nudging strategies to susceptibility result reports is small; however, most strategies do show promise in altering prescriber’s antibiotic selection. Selective and cascade reporting of targeted agents in a hospital setting represent the majority of current research. Gaps and opportunities for future research identified from our scoping review include performing prospective randomized controlled trials and evaluating other approaches aside from selective reporting.
Effect of Supply Cooling Oil Temperature in Structural Cooling Channels on the Positioning Accuracy of Machine Tools
Authors: Li K.-Y. , Luo W.-J. , Yang M.-H. , Hong X.-H. , Luo S.-J. , Chen C.-N.
Published: November 2019

In this study, the thermal deformation of a machine tool structure due to the heat generated during operation was analyzed, and embedded cooling channels were applied to exchange the heat generated during the operation to achieve thermal error suppression. Then, the finite volume method was used to simulate the effect of cooling oil temperature on thermal deformation, and the effect of thermal suppression was experimentally studied using a feed system combined with a cooler to improve the positioning accuracy of the machine tool. In this study, the supply oil temperature in the structural cooling channels was found to significantly affect the position accuracy of the moving table and moving carrier. If the supply oil temperature in the cooling channels is consistent with the operational ambient temperature, the position accuracy of the moving table in the Y direction and the moving carrier in the X and Z directions has the best performance under different feed rates. From the thermal suppression experiments of the embedded cooling channels, the positioning accuracy of the feed system can be improved by approximately 25.5 % during the dynamic feeding process. Furthermore, when the hydrostatic guideway is cooled and dynamic feeding is conducted, positioning accuracy can be improved by up to 47.8 %. The machining accuracy can be improved by approximately 60 % on average by using the embedded cooling channels in this study. Therefore, thermal suppression by the cooling channels in this study can not only effectively improve the positioning accuracy but also enhance machining accuracy, proving that the method is effective for enhancing machine tool accuracy.
A WEAKLY 2-GENERIC WHICH BOUNDS A MINIMAL DEGREE
Authors: DOWNEY RODNEY G. , NANDAKUMAR SATYADEV
Published: November 2019

Jockusch showed that 2-generic degrees are downward dense below a 2-generic degree. That is, if a is 2-generic, and $0 < {\bf{b}} < {\bf{a}}$, then there is a 2-generic g with $0 < {\bf{g}} < {\bf{b}}.$ In the case of 1-generic degrees Kumabe, and independently Chong and Downey, constructed a minimal degree computable from a 1-generic degree. We explore the tightness of these results.

We solve a question of Barmpalias and Lewis-Pye by constructing a minimal degree computable from a weakly 2-generic one. While there have been full approximation constructions of ${\rm{\Delta }}_3^0$ minimal degrees before, our proof is rather novel since it is a computable full approximation construction where both the generic and the minimal degrees are ${\rm{\Delta }}_3^0 - {\rm{\Delta }}_2^0$.
JOHN TUTCHIN'SOBSERVATOR, COMMENT SERIALS, AND THE ‘RAGE OF PARTY’ IN BRITAIN, 1678 – c. 1730
Authors: TAYLOR EDWARD
Published: November 2019

The importance of print in the ‘rage of party’ of late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century Britain is well known, but scholars have paid insufficient attention to the press phenomenon that provided the most persistent and undiluted partisan voices of the era, the comment serial. Comment serials – regular printed publications designed explicitly to present topical analysis, opinion, and advice – were fashioned as powerful weapons for partisan combat. Due to their regularity and flexibility, they could be more potent than other forms of topical print, especially pamphlets and newspapers. Although many publications have been individually recognized as comment serials, such as Roger L'Estrange'sObservator(1681–7), Daniel Defoe'sReview(1704–13), and Jonathan Swift and others’Examiner(1710–14), their development as a holistic phenomenon has not been properly understood. They first appeared during the Succession Crisis (1678–82), and proliferated under Queen Anne (1702–14), supporting both tory and whig causes. Through widespread consumption, both direct and indirect, they shaped partisan culture in various ways, including by reinforcing and galvanizing partisan identities, facilitating the development of partisan ‘reading communities’, and manifesting and representing party divisions in public. This article focuses on John Tutchin'sObservator(1702–12) as a case-study of a major comment serial.
Corporate Liquidity, Acquisitions, and Macroeconomic Conditions
Authors: Erel Isil , Jang Yeejin , Minton Bernadette A. , Weisbach Michael S.
Published: November 2019

This paper evaluates how the relation between firms’ cash holdings and their acquisition decisions changes over macroeconomic cycles using a sample of 47,615 acquisitions from 36 countries between 1997 and 2014. Higher cash holdings and stronger macroeconomic conditions each increase the likelihood that a firm will make an acquisition. However, larger cash holdings decrease the sensitivity of acquisitions to macroeconomic factors, suggesting that cash holdings lower financing constraints during times when the cost of external finance is high. Announcement day abnormal returns for acquirers follow a consistent pattern: They decrease with acquirer cash holdings and with better macroeconomic conditions.
Fire Sales and Impediments to Liquidity Provision in the Corporate Bond Market
Authors: Wang Z. Jay , Zhang Hanjiang , Zhang Xinde
Published: November 2019

We examine impediments to liquidity provision by mutual funds to insurance companies during corporate bond fire sales. We find that financial regulation and limited capital capacity significantly affect liquidity provision. Mutual funds reduced their purchase of fire-sale bonds following regulatory changes after the 2008–2009 financial crisis. Funds facing more capital constraints (proxied by smaller cash and Treasury holdings, less liquid corporate bond investments, higher redemption risk, and less active investment styles) provide less liquidity. Mutual funds actively investing in fire-sale bonds earn significant returns from liquidity provision and demonstrate superior overall skills in corporate bond investments.
Endoparasite infection hotspots in Estonian urban areas
Authors: Tull A. , Moks E. , Laurimaa L. , Keis M. , Süld K.
Published: November 2019

The human–animal bond is beneficial for human health, but companion animals also pose a potential threat as vectors of zoonotic parasites, especially in urban areas where both human and dog densities are high. However, the knowledge about parasitic spillover in the urban environment is relatively scarce. The aim of the present study was to reveal which factors determine parasitic contamination in Estonian towns and provide up-to-date information about intestinal parasites of the Estonian dog population. In total, 657 samples of dog excrement was collected over one year of investigation from five towns in Estonia. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate factors predicting infection risk in urban areas. In general, infection risk and intensity models predicted higher infection with endoparasites for small dogs in smaller towns, especially in apartment-house districts and in potential hazard zones. Helminth eggs andGiardia/Cystoisosporaoocysts were detected in 64 samples, with an overall prevalence of 9.8%.
Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Tracheophilus cymbius (Digenea), the first representative from the family Cyclocoelidae
Authors: Li Y. , Ma X.X. , Lv Q.B. , Hu Y. , Qiu H.Y. , Chang Q.C. , Wang C.R.
Published: November 2019

Tracheophilus cymbius (Trematoda: Cyclocoelidae) is a common tracheal fluke of waterfowl, causing serious loss in the poultry industry. However, taxonomic identification of T. cymbius remains controversial and confused. Mitochondrial (mt) genomes can provide genetic markers for the identification of closely related species. We determined the mt genome of T. cymbius and reconstructed phylogenies with other trematodes. The T. cymbius mt genome is 13,760 bp in size, and contains 12 protein-coding genes (cox 1–3, nad 1–6, nad 4L, cyt b and atp 6), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and one non-coding region. All are transcribed in the same direction. The A + T content is 62.82%. ATG and TAG are the most common initiation and termination codons, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences show T. cymbius grouping in suborder Echinostomata, and clustering together, with high statistical support, as a sister taxon with Echinochasmus japonicus (Echinochasmidae), the two forming a distinct branch rooted to the ancestor of all Echinostomatidae and Fasciolidae species. This is the first report of the T. cymbius mt genome, and the first reported mt genome within the family Cyclocoelidae. These data will provide a significant resource of molecular markers for studying the taxonomy, population genetics and systematics of trematodes.