bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extending Transition Path Theory: Periodically Driven and Finite-Time Dynamics
Authors: Helfmann Luzie , Ribera Borrell Enric , Schütte Christof , Koltai Péter
Published: September 2020

Given two distinct subsets A, B in the state space of some dynamical system, transition path theory (TPT) was successfully used to describe the statistical behavior of transitions from A to B in the ergodic limit of the stationary system. We derive generalizations of TPT that remove the requirements of stationarity and of the ergodic limit and provide this powerful tool for the analysis of other dynamical scenarios: periodically forced dynamics and time-dependent finite-time systems. This is partially motivated by studying applications such as climate, ocean, and social dynamics. On simple model examples, we show how the new tools are able to deliver quantitative understanding about the statistical behavior of such systems. We also point out explicit cases where the more general dynamical regimes show different behaviors to their stationary counterparts, linking these tools directly to bifurcations in non-deterministic systems.
Normative video head impulse test data in subjects with and without vascular risk factors
Authors: Hansson Anders , Salzer Jonatan
Published: September 2020

Purpose

There is a paucity of age- and vascular risk factor-stratified video head impulse test (vHIT) vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) data in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the vHIT VOR properties in healthy subjects of different ages and subjects with vascular risk factors.

Methods

This was a prospective observational single-center study at a tertiary referral university hospital in northern Sweden. Healthy participants and subjects with vascular risk factors were investigated with a floor standing external camera vHIT device. Age-stratified mean VOR gain among healthy adults and between group gain and gain asymmetry differences were calculated.

Results

We included eighty-eight healthy adults with a mean (range) age of 50 (22–85) years and n = 48 stroke ward patients with vascular risk factors (but without vestibular disease) with a mean (range) age of 74 (42–92) years. The mean VOR gain of horizontal canals decreased at higher ages in healthy subjects (r = − 0.32, p < 0.01, n = 167 canals). The age-stratified mean (SD) VOR gains were < 30 years: 0.98 (0.07), 30–39 years: 0.97 (0.07), 40–49 years: 0.98 (0.06), 50–59 years: 0.99 (0.06), 60–69 years: 0.93 (0.08), ≥ 70 years: 0.89 (0.15). No consistent differences between healthy subjects and subjects with vascular risk factors were seen except for a trend towards more pronounced gain asymmetries in the latter group.

Conclusions

Age, but not vascular risk factors influence VOR gain. Age-adjusted vHIT-measurements may be useful in acute vertigo stroke risk differentiation.
An advanced shell model for the analysis of geometrical and material nonlinear shells
Authors: Gruttmann F. , Wagner W.
Published: September 2020

In this paper layered shells subjected to static loading are considered. The displacements of the Reissner–Mindlin theory are enriched by a an additional part. These so-called fluctuation displacements include warping displacements and thickness changes. They lead to additional terms for the material deformation gradient and the Green–Lagrangian strain tensor. Within a nonlinear multi-field variational formulation the weak form of the boundary value problem accounts for the equilibrium of stress resultants and couple resultants, the local equilibrium of stresses, the geometrical field equations and the constitutive equations. For the independent shell strains an ansatz with quadratic shape functions is chosen. This leads to a significant improved convergence behaviour especially for distorted meshes. Elimination of a set of parameters on element level by static condensation yields an element stiffness matrix and residual vector of a quadrilateral shell element with the usual 5 or 6 nodal degrees of freedom. The developed model yields the complicated three-dimensional stress state in layered shells for elasticity and elasto-plasticity considering geometrical nonlinearity. In comparison with fully 3D solutions present 2D shell model requires only a fractional amount of computing time.
U–Pb zircon geochronology and phase equilibria modelling of HP-LT rocks in the Ossa-Morena Zone, Portugal
Authors: Akker Ismay Vénice , Tajčmanová Lucie , Marques Fernando O. , Burg Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2020

The Ossa-Morena Zone (OMZ) has a complex geological history including both Cadomian and Variscan orogenic events. Therefore, the OMZ plays an important role in understanding the geodynamic evolution of Iberia. However, the P–T–t evolution of the OMZ is poorly documented. Here, we combine structural and metamorphic analyses with new geochronological data and geochemical analyses of mafic bodies in Ediacaran metasediments (in Iberia known as Série Negra) to constrain the geodynamic evolution of the OMZ. In the studied mafic rocks, two metamorphic stages were obtained by phase equilibria modelling: (1) a high-pressure/low-temperature event of 1.0 ± 0.1 GPa and 470–510 °C, and (2) a medium-pressure/higher-temperature event of 0.6 ± 0.2 GPa and 550–600 °C. The increase in metamorphic temperature is attributed to the intrusion of the Beja Igneous Complex (around 350 Ma) and/or the Évora Massif (around 318 Ma). New U–Pb dating on zircons from the mafic rocks with tholeiitic affinity yields an age between 815 and 790 Ma. If the zircons crystallised from the tholeiitic magma, their age would set a minimum age for the pre-Cadomian basement. The ca. 800 Ma protolith age of HP-LT tholeiitic dykes with a different metamorphic history than the host Série Negra lead us to conclude that: (1) the HP-LT mafic rocks and HP-LT marbles with dykes were included in the Ediacaran metasediments as olistoliths; (2) the blueschist metamorphism is older than 550 Ma (between ca. 790 Ma and ca. 550 Ma, e.g., Cadomian).
Native forests but not agroforestry systems preserve arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species richness in southern Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Zerihun , Negash Mesele , Kaseva Janne , Vestberg Mauritz , Kahiluoto Helena
Published: September 2020

The rapid conversion of native forests to farmland in Ethiopia, the cradle of biodiversity, threatens the diversity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) pivotal to plant nutrition and carbon sequestration. This study aimed to investigate the impact of this land-use change on the AMF species composition and diversity in southern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from nine plots in each of three land-use types: native forest, agroforestry, and khat monocropping. The plots of the three land-use types were located adjacent to each other for each of the nine replicates. Three 10 × 10m subplots per plot were sampled. AMF spores were extracted from the soil samples, spore densities were determined, and species composition and diversity were evaluated through morphological analysis. Both spore density and species richness were statistically significantly higher in the native forest than in the agroforestry plots with no clear difference to khat, whereas the true diversity (exponential of Shannon–Wiener diversity index) did not differ among the three land-use types due to high evenness among the species in agroforestry. In total, 37 AMF morphotypes belonging to 12 genera in Glomeromycota were found, dominated by members of the generaAcaulosporaandGlomus. The highest isolation frequency index (78%) was recorded forAcaulospora koskeifrom native forest. Consequently, the agroforestry system did not appear to aid in preserving the AMF species richness of native forests relative to perennial monocropping, such as khat cultivation. In contrast, the native forest areas can serve as in situ genetic reserves of mycorrhizal symbionts adapted to the local vegetative, edaphic, and microbial conditions.
Avoiding unnecessary information loss: correct and efficient model synchronization based on triple graph grammars
Authors: Fritsche Lars , Kosiol Jens , Schürr Andy , Taentzer Gabriele
Published: September 2020

Model synchronization, i.e., the task of restoring consistency between two interrelated models after a model change, is a challenging task. Triple graph grammars (TGGs) specify model consistency by means of rules that describe how to create consistent pairs of models. These rules can be used to automatically derive further rules, which describe how to propagate changes from one model to the other or how to change one model in such a way that propagation is guaranteed to be possible. Restricting model synchronization to these derived rules, however, may lead to unnecessary deletion and recreation of model elements during change propagation. This is inefficient and may cause unnecessary information loss, i.e., when deleted elements contain information that is not represented in the second model, this information cannot be recovered easily. Short-cut rules have recently been developed to avoid unnecessary information loss by reusing existing model elements. In this paper, we show how to automatically derive (short-cut) repair rules from short-cut rules to propagate changes such that information loss is avoided and model synchronization is accelerated. The key ingredients of our rule-based model synchronization process are these repair rules and an incremental pattern matcher informing about suitable applications of them. We prove the termination and the correctness of this synchronization process and discuss its completeness. As a proof of concept, we have implemented this synchronization process in eMoflon, a state-of-the-art model transformation tool with inherent support of bidirectionality. Our evaluation shows that repair processes based on (short-cut) repair rules have considerably decreased information loss and improved performance compared to former model synchronization processes based on TGGs.
A dung beetle that path integrates without the use of landmarks
Authors: Dacke Marie , el Jundi Basil , Gagnon Yakir , Yilmaz Ayse , Byrne Marcus , Baird Emily
Published: September 2020

Unusual amongst dung beetles, Scarabaeus galenus digs a burrow that it provisions by making repeated trips to a nearby dung pile. Even more remarkable is that these beetles return home moving backwards, with a pellet of dung between their hind legs. Here, we explore the strategy that S. galenus uses to find its way home. We find that, like many other insects, they use path integration to calculate the direction and distance to their home. If they fail to locate their burrow, the beetles initiate a distinct looping search behaviour that starts with a characteristic sharp turn, we have called a ‘turning point’. When homing beetles are passively displaced or transferred to an unfamiliar environment, they initiate a search at a point very close to the location of their fictive burrow—that is, a spot at the same relative distance and direction from the pick-up point as the original burrow. Unlike other insects, S. galenus do not appear to supplement estimates of the burrow location with landmark information. Thus, S. galenus represents a rare case of a consistently backward-homing animal that does not use landmarks to augment its path integration strategy.
A Novel Hybrid Membrane VAD as First Step Toward Hemocompatible Blood Propulsion
Authors: Ferrari Aldo , Giampietro Costanza , Bachmann Björn , Bernardi Laura , Bezuidenhhout Deon , Ermanni Paolo , Hopf Raoul , Kitz Sarah , Kress Gerald , Loosli Christian , Marina Vita , Meboldt Mirko , Pellegrini Giovanni , Poulikakos Dimos , Rebholz Mathias , Schmid Daners Marianne , Schmidt Tanja , Starck Christoph , Stefopoulos Georgios , Sündermann Simon , Thamsen Bente , Zilla Peter , Potapov Evgenij , Falk Volkmar , Mazza Edoardo
Published: September 2020

Heart failure is a raising cause of mortality. Heart transplantation and ventricular assist device (VAD) support represent the only available lifelines for end stage disease. In the context of donor organ shortage, the future role of VAD as destination therapy is emerging. Yet, major drawbacks are connected to the long-term implantation of current devices. Poor VAD hemocompatibility exposes the patient to life-threatening events, including haemorrhagic syndromes and thrombosis. Here, we introduce a new concept of artificial support, the Hybrid Membrane VAD, as a first-of-its-kind pump prototype enabling physiological blood propulsion through the cyclic actuation of a hyperelastic membrane, enabling the protection from the thrombogenic interaction between blood and the implant materials. The centre of the luminal membrane surface displays a rationally-developed surface topography interfering with flow to support a living endothelium. The precast cell layer survives to a range of dynamically changing pump actuating conditions i.e., actuation frequency from 1 to 4 Hz, stroke volume from 12 to 30 mL, and support duration up to 313 min, which are tested both in vitro and in vivo, ensuring the full retention of tissue integrity and connectivity under challenging conditions. In summary, the presented results constitute a proof of principle for the Hybrid Membrane VAD concept and represent the basis for its future development towards clinical validation.
From “Angels” to “Vice Smugglers”: the Criminalization of Sea Rescue NGOs in Italy
Authors: Cusumano Eugenio , Villa Matteo
Published: September 2020

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a crucial role in conducting Search and Rescue (SAR) operations off the Libyan coast, assisting almost 120,000 migrants between 2014 and 2019. Their activities, however, have been increasingly criticized. The accusation that NGOs facilitate irregular migration has escalated into investigations by Italian and Maltese courts and various policy initiatives restricting non-governmental ships and their access to European ports. Although all NGOs investigated to date have been acquitted, the combination of criminal investigations and policy restrictions that has taken place in Italy since 2017 has severely hindered non-governmental SAR operations. Given the humanitarian repercussions of reducing NGOs’ presence at sea, the merits and shortcomings of the arguments underlying the criminalization of non-governmental maritime rescue warrant in-depth research. To that end, this article fulfils two interrelated tasks. First, it provides a genealogy of the accusation against NGOs and the ensuing combination of legal criminalization, policy restrictions, and social stigmatization in restraining their activities. Second, it uses quantitative data to show that empirically verifiable accusations like the claim that NGOs serve as a pull factor of migration, thereby causing more people to day at sea, are not supported by available evidence. By doing so, our study sheds new light onto the criminalization of humanitarianism and its implications.
A review of municipal solid waste in China: characteristics, compositions, influential factors and treatment technologies
Authors: Zhu Yanli , Zhang Youxian , Luo Dongxia , Chong Zhongyi , Li Erqiang , Kong Xuepeng
Published: September 2020

Municipal solid waste (MSW) severely threatens human health and the ecological environment owing to its toxicity, mutagenic activity and carcinogenicity. The continuous increase in MSW together with stringent regulations makes sanitary disposal imperative. Waste sorting and recycling has been recognized as an efficient and economical treatment strategy. By analysing research data from 31 provinces between 2000 and 2017, the overarching goal of this work was to determine the characterizations and the compositions of MSW in China and then provide advices for sorting, transporting, storing and disposing of MSW. The results showed that the amount of MSW that was generated ranged from 0.08 to 2.34 kg d−1 ca−1 and averaged 0.73 kg d−1 ca−1 in China. The average bulk density, moisture content and the wet basis of the low calorific value of the MSW were 325 kg m−3, 50.3% and 4649 kcal kg−1. The MSW in China could be classified into four main categories, food waste, recycling waste, landfill waste and hazardous substances, and could be further classified into ten sub-categories. Overall, food waste was the most common and could be best managed via compost production. Bulk density was highly positively correlated with the ratio of the dust and bricks in all MSW and highly negatively correlated with the ratio of the food waste, metal, glass, plastic and rubber. The wet basis of the low calorific value was highly positively correlated with the ratio of the plastic and rubber, and the water content was highly positively correlated with the ratio of the food waste. Temporally, most of the components, especially waste paper and plastics, increased, while wood, dust and bricks decreased.

Graphic abstract
Critical joint identification for efficient sequencing
Authors: Sadeghi Tabar Roham , Wärmefjord Kristina , Söderberg Rikard , Lindkvist Lars
Published: September 2020

Identifying the optimal sequence of joining is an exhaustive combinatorial optimization problem. On each assembly, there is a specific number of weld points that determine the geometrical deviation of the assembly after joining. The number and sequence of such weld points play a crucial role both for sequencing and assembly planning. While there are studies on identifying the complete sequence of welding, identifying such joints are not addressed. In this paper, based on the principles of machine intelligence, black-box models of the assembly sequences are built using the support vector machines (SVM). To identify the number of the critical weld points, principle component analysis is performed on a proposed data set, evaluated using the SVM models. The approach has been applied to three assemblies of different sizes, and has successfully identified the corresponding critical weld points. It has been shown that a small fraction of the weld points of the assembly can reduce more than 60% of the variability in the assembly deviation after joining.
The Optimization of Jc, Birr, n value, Wires Diameter, and Research of the Dominant Pinning Mechanism for Applications of Undoped MgB2 in Superconducting Multi-section Coils
Authors: Gajda D. , Zaleski A. J. , Morawski A. , Cetner T. , Małecka M. , Rindfleisch M.
Published: September 2020

This article discusses the influence of MgB2 wire diameter on critical parameters, dominant pinning mechanism, and n value. Studies were conducted on multifilament MgB2 wires of the 0.84 mm and 0.64 mm diameter. The wires were annealed under 1 GPa isostatic pressure, between 650 and 730 °C. Studies show that the best results (Jc, Birr, n value, and point pinning mechanism) for a 0.64-mm wire were obtained with annealing temperature of 650 °C. However, the best results for wires with a 0.84-mm diameter were obtained with annealing temperature of 730 °C. This research was conducted for exploring the use of MgB2 wires in multi-section superconducting coils, e.g., main coils generating magnetic fields and compensation coils—increasing the homogeneity of the magnetic field. Our research indicates that the main coil made with larger diameter wires should be heated at higher temperature (730 °C). In contrast, compensating coils with smaller diameter wires should be heated at a lower temperature (650 °C).
Role of starch in the ceramic powder synthesis: a review
Authors: Mastalska-Popławska Joanna , Sikora Marek , Izak Piotr , Góral Zuzanna
Published: September 2020

The main goal of this work was to demonstrate a broad range of starch applications in ceramic powder synthesis, and to point out that starch and its derivatives can successfully replace polyvinyl derivatives commonly used in ceramic formulations, as they are water-soluble saccharides, burn out more easily, reduce the exothermicity of the combustion reaction, and allow to receive fine and uniform ceramic powders. Starch is an eco-friendly and easily transformable natural carbohydrate polymer that is found in a variety of applications in ceramics and materials science. In this paper, we review the influence of starch on the physicochemical properties of the ceramic powders obtained by means of various synthesis methods (sol–gel method, combustion process, combined methods, and hydrothermal synthesis). Starch plays a differentiated role in each of these methods, i.e., it is a polymerizing agent in sol–gel method, a fuel in combustion process, and a substrate for carbon spheres in hydrothermal synthesis.
The existential/uniqueness presupposition of wh-complements projects from the answers
Authors: Uegaki Wataru
Published: September 2020

The projection pattern of the existential/uniqueness presupposition of awh-complement varies depending on the predicate that embeds it. This variation poses problems for existing accounts that treat the presupposition as a semantic contribution of an operator merging with thewh-complement (Dayal in Locality in Wh-quantification: questions and relative clauses in Hindi. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1996) or of the embedding predicate (Uegaki in Interpreting questions under attitudes. Massachusetts Institute of Technology PhD dissertation, Cambridge, 2015). I propose that the problems can be solved if the existential/uniqueness presupposition is contributed by the propositions corresponding to the answers of the embedded question, under the Hamblin/Karttunen semantics for questions.
Bibliometrics in Academic Recruitment: A Screening Tool Rather than a Game Changer
Authors: Reymert Ingvild
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates the use of metrics to recruit professors for academic positions. We analyzed confidential reports with candidate evaluations in economics, sociology, physics, and informatics at the University of Oslo between 2000 and 2017. These unique data enabled us to explore how metrics were applied in these evaluations in relation to other assessment criteria. Despite being important evaluation criteria, metrics were seldom the most salient criteria in candidate evaluations. Moreover, metrics were applied chiefly as a screening tool to decrease the number of eligible candidates and not as a replacement for peer review. Contrary to the literature suggesting an escalation of metrics, we foremost detected stable assessment practices with only a modestly increased reliance on metrics. In addition, the use of metrics proved strongly dependent on disciplines where the disciplines applied metrics corresponding to their evaluation cultures. These robust evaluation practices provide an empirical example of how core university processes are chiefly characterized by path-dependency mechanisms, and only moderately by isomorphism. Additionally, the disciplinary-dependent spread of metrics offers a theoretical illustration of how travelling standards such as metrics are not only diffused but rather translated to fit the local context, resulting in heterogeneity and context-dependent spread.
Cellular retinol binding protein 1 transfection reduces proliferation and AKT-related gene expression in H460 non-small lung cancer cells
Authors: Ferlosio Amedeo , Doldo Elena , Agostinelli Sara , Costanza Gaetana , Centofanti Federica , Sidoni Angelo , Orlandi Augusto
Published: September 2020

In recent years, new treatments with novel action mechanisms have been explored for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Retinoids promote cancer cell differentiation and death and their trafficking and action is mediated from specific cytoplasmic and nuclear receptors, respectively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Cellular retinol binding protein-1 (CRBP-1) transfection in H460 human NSCLC cell line, normally not expressing CRBP-1. H460 cells were transfected by using a vector pTargeT Mammalian expression system carrying the whole sequence of CRBP-1 gene. For proliferation and apoptosis studies, cells were treated with different concentrations of all-trans Retinoic Acid (atRA) and retinol. AKT-related gene expression was analyzed by using western blot and Signosis array and results analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or by t-student test. CRBP-1+ showed reduced proliferation and viability in basal condition and after atRA treatment when compared to empty-transfected H460 cells. Reduced proliferation in CRBP-1+ H460 cells associated to the down-regulation of pAKT/pERK/pEGFR-related genes. In particular, gene array documented the down-regulation of AKT and Stat-3-related genes, including M-Tor, Akt1, Akt2, Akt3, Foxo1, p27, Jun. Restoration of CRBP-1 expression in H460 cells reduced proliferation and viability in both basal condition and after atRA treatment, likely by down-regulating AKT-related gene level. Further studies are needed to better clarify how those CRBP-1-related intracellular pathways contribute to counteract NSCLC progression in order to suggest a potential tool to improve efficacy of retinoid anti lung cancer adjuvant therapy.
Perturbation Theory of Transformed Quantum Fields
Authors: Balduf Paul-Hermann
Published: September 2020

We consider a scalar quantum field ϕ with arbitrary polynomial self-interaction in perturbation theory. If the field variable ϕ is repaced by a global diffeomorphism ϕ(x) = ρ(x) + a1ρ2(x) + …, this field ρ obtains infinitely many additional interaction vertices. We propose a systematic way to compute connected amplitudes for theories involving vertices which are able to cancel adjacent edges. Assuming tadpole graphs vanish, we show that the S-matrix of ρ coincides with the one of ϕ without using path-integral arguments. This result holds even if the underlying field has a propagator of higher than quadratic order in the momentum. The diffeomorphism can be tuned to cancel all contributions of an underlying ϕt-type self interaction at one fixed external offshell momentum, rendering ρ a free theory at this momentum. Finally, we mention one way to extend the diffeomorphism to a non-diffeomorphism transformation involving derivatives without spoiling the combinatoric structure of the global diffeomorphism.
Reduplication and the structure of nouns in Xining Chinese
Authors: Wang Qi , Holmberg Anders
Published: September 2020

In Xining Chinese, especially as used by older people, free nouns are always reduplicated, as a purely formal condition without any semantic effects. We argue that the reduplication takes place when an acategorial root is merged with a null nominal categorizer which copies the phonological matrix of the root, as an effect of a condition ruling out free monosyllabic nouns. When the condition is not independently satisfied, as in a compound or derived noun, reduplication is how the condition is met. Reduplication also occurs optionally in compounds or derived nouns. In conjunction with a minimalist theory of word formation, this will be shown to predict the distribution of reduplication in various contexts. For instance, the head of a compound can be reduplicated, but not the modifier, some affixes but not others permit reduplication of the base, non-compositional compounds do not allow reduplication, and so-called ‘bound roots’ (really, bound words) are not reduplicated. The phenomenon provides very strong evidence that simple content words are made up of an acategorial root and a categorizer which is often null, but can be overt in some languages, including Xining Chinese, where it is overt in nouns by virtue of reduplication.
Hayabusa2’s Superior Solar Conjunction Phase
Authors: Soldini Stefania , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Tsuda Yuichi , Takanao Saiki , Nakazawa Satoru
Published: September 2020

Hayabusa2 is the ongoing JAXA’s sample and return mission to the asteroid Ryugu. In late 2018, Ryugu was in superior solar conjunction with the Earth. It is the first time that a spacecraft experiences the blackouts in the communication link with the Earth while hovering around a small celestial body. In this article, the design of the nominal conjunction trajectory flown by the Hayabusa2’s spacecraft is presented. The requirements for the conjunction trajectory were (1) to guarantee a low fuel consumption, (2) to ensure the visibility of the asteroid by the spacecraft’s wide angle camera ($60^{\circ }$

60
∘

FoV), and (3) to increase the spacecraft altitude to a safety location ($\sim109~\mbox{km}$
∼
109

km
) from the nominal BOX-A operation of 20 km (Home Position - HP). Finally, (4) to return at BOX-A after the conjunction phase. Given the mission constraints, the designed conjunction trajectory appears to have a fish-shape in the Hill coordinates therefore we renamed it as “ayu” (sweetfish in Japanese) trajectory. The optNEAR tool was developed for the guidance ($\Delta V\mbox{s}$
Δ
V
s
planning) and navigation design of the Hayabusa2’s conjunction mission phase. A preliminary sensitivity analysis in the Hill reference frame proved that the ayu trajectory is a good candidate for the conjunction operation of hovering satellite. The solution in the Hill coordinates is refined in the full-body planetary dynamics (optNEAR Tool) before flight. The ayu conjunction trajectory requires (a) two deterministic $\Delta V\mbox{s}$
Δ
V
s
at the Conjunction Orbit Insertion (COI) point and at the Home-position Recovery Maneuver (HRM) point respectively. (b) Two stochastic $\Delta V\mbox{s}$
Δ
V
s
, known as Trajectory Correction Manoeuvres (TCMs), before and after the deep conjunction phase are also required. The constraint linear covariance analysis in the full-body dynamics is here derived and used for the preliminary guidance and navigation planning. The results of the covariance analysis were validated in a nonlinear sense with a Monte Carlo approach which proved the validity of the semi-analytic method for the stochastic $\Delta V\mbox{s}$
Δ
V
s
planning derived in this paper.
Abscisic acid in preservation of Taraxacum pieninicum in the form of synthetic seeds in slow growth conditions
Authors: Kamińska Monika , Kęsy Jacek , Trejgell Alina
Published: September 2020

Taraxacum pieninicum Pawł. is listed as critically endangered species, for which currently applied protection methods are insufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of T. pieninicum storage in the form of synthetic seeds under slow-growth conditions in combination with ABA treatment, as one of the ex situ protection methods of this species. The obtained results indicated that darkness was much more favorable condition for synseed storage and did not generate additional stress during cold exposure in contrast to the light conditions. The preculture of shoot tips on the medium supplemented with ABA led to a decrease in the shoots proliferation rate and inhibition of their growth. ABA clearly inhibited growth of the encapsulated shoot tips also during cold storage. Biochemical parameters showed that ABA effectively reduced the negative effect of the cold stress, what was found on the basis of analyzes of H2O2 and TBARS levels in the stored material. Moreover, synseeds stored under light conditions and treated with ABA exhibited decreased level of endogenous jasmonic acid what indicated interaction between those two phytohormones at a low temperature. The study also demonstrated that in vitro culture, cold storage and ABA treatment had no effect on the flowering process of this species after acclimatization to ex vitro conditions.
Housing Stability and Hepatitis C Infection for Young Adults Who Inject Drugs: Examining the Relationship of Consistent and Intermittent Housing Status on HCV Infection Risk
Authors: Morris Meghan D. , Yen Irene H. , Shiboski Steve , Evans Jennifer L. , Page Kimberly
Published: September 2020

Housing status affects drug using behaviors, but less is known about the relationship between housing patterns and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV-negative young people who inject drugs (PWID) were enrolled into a prospective cohort (2003–2019) with quarterly study visits. We used Cox regression to estimate the independent association of recent housing status (housed vs. unhoused, housing stability, and housing trajectory) on HCV incidence. Among 712 participants, 245 incident HCV infections occurred over 963.8 person-years (py) (cumulative incidence 24.4/100 py). An inverse relationship between time housed and HCV incidence was observed (always unhoused 45.0/100 py, 95% confidence interval (CI) 37.1, 54.5; variably housed 18.0/100 py, 95% CI 15.0, 21.3; and always housed 7.0/100 py, 95% CI 3.0, 17.3). In Cox regression models controlling for confounders, those unhoused versus housed at baseline had a 1.9-fold increased infection risk (95% CI 1.4, 2.6). Those always unhoused versus always housed had a 1.5 times greater risk of HCV (95% CI 1.0, 2.3), and those spending a portion of time in stable housing a lower risk (adjusted relative hazard 0.05, 95% CI 0.3, 0.9) with a similar trend for those being housed for less time. Young adult PWID experiencing both recent and chronic states of being unhoused are at elevated risk for HCV infection. Importantly for this group of PWID, our findings indicate that some frequency of residential housing significantly reduces HCV infection risk.
The LEAP Program: Quality Improvement Training to Address Team Readiness Gaps Identified by Implementation Science Findings
Authors: Damschroder Laura J. , Yankey Nicholas R. , Robinson Claire H. , Freitag Michelle B. , Burns Jennifer A. , Raffa Susan D. , Lowery Julie C.
Published: September 2020

Background

Integrating evidence-based innovations (EBIs) into sustained use is challenging; most implementations in health systems fail. Increasing frontline teams’ quality improvement (QI) capability may increase the implementation readiness and success of EBI implementation.

Objectives

Develop a QI training program (“Learn. Engage. Act. Process.” (LEAP)) and evaluate its impact on frontline obesity treatment teams to improve treatment delivered within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Design

This was a pre-post evaluation of the LEAP program. MOVE! coordinators (N = 68) were invited to participate in LEAP; 24 were randomly assigned to four starting times. MOVE! coordinators formed teams to work on improvement aims. Pre-post surveys assessed team organizational readiness for implementing change and self-rated QI skills. Program satisfaction, assignment completion, and aim achievement were also evaluated.

Participants

VHA facility-based MOVE! teams.

Interventions

LEAP is a 21-week QI training program. Core components include audit and feedback reports, structured curriculum, coaching and learning community, and online platform.

Main Measures

Organizational readiness for implementing change (ORIC); self-rated QI skills before and after LEAP; assignment completion and aim achievement; program satisfaction.

Key Results

Seventeen of 24 randomized teams participated in LEAP. Participants' self-ratings across six categories of QI skills increased after completing LEAP (p< 0.0001). The ORIC measure showed no statistically significant change overall; the change efficacy subscale marginally improved (p < 0.08), and the change commitment subscale remained the same (p = 0.66). Depending on the assignment, 35 to 100% of teams completed the assignment. Nine teams achieved their aim. Most team members were satisfied or very satisfied (81–89%) with the LEAP components, 74% intended to continue using QI methods, and 81% planned to continue improvement work.

Conclusions

LEAP is scalable and does not require travel or time away from clinical responsibilities. While QI skills improved among participating teams and most completed the work, they struggled to do so amid competing clinical priorities.
Permanent Bilateral Carotid Filters for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: De Potter Tom , Yodfat Ofer , Shinar Guy , Neta Avraham , Reddy Vivek Y. , Neuzil Petr , Veltkamp Roland , Connolly Stuart J.
Published: September 2020

Purpose of Review

A novel permanent carotid filter device for percutaneous implantation was developed for the purpose of stroke prevention. In this review, we cover rationale, existing preclinical and clinical data, and potential future directions for research using such a device.

Recent Findings

The Vine™ filter was assessed for safety in sheep and in 2 observational human studies, the completed CAPTURE 1 (n = 25) and the ongoing CAPTURE 2 (planned n = 100). CAPTURE 1 has shown high procedural and long-term implant safety. A control group was not available for comparison.

A mechanical filter for permanent stroke prevention can be implanted bilaterally in the common carotid artery safely and efficiently. A randomized trial is planned for 2021 (n = 3500, INTERCEPT) to demonstrate superiority of a filter + anticoagulation strategy over anticoagulation alone in patients at high risk for ischemic stroke.
Psychological aspects of atrial fibrillation: A systematic narrative review
Authors: Ladwig Karl-Heinz , Goette Andreas , Atasoy Seryan , Johar Hamimatunnisa
Published: September 2020

Purpose of the review

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia in the general population. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the psychological aspects of AF, compiling evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and basic research sources.

Recent findings

Findings from large-scale population-based and clinical longitudinal studies reveal an association between negative affectivity (e.g. depression) and the incidence and clinical prognosis of AF. Studies investigating the impact of work stress parameters on AF onset show conflicting results. Researchers have reported the impact of AF on cognitive decline and on health-related quality of life, and have highlighted the role of interoceptive cues in the development of AF symptom burden and gender differences in psychological covariates of AF. Among biological pathways linking psychosocial factors to AF, research on autonomic regulation has yielded the most evidence so far, showing that the onset of AF is associated with simultaneous sympatho-vagal activation rather than an increase in vagal or sympathetic drive alone. Thus, modulation of the autonomic nervous system is likely to be a promising strategy for protecting the myocardium from pro-arrhythmic autonomic influences.

In total, the findings show that AF is embedded as a disease condition in a psycho-societal context and is not an isolated medical problem per se. A broader perspective than a focus on the electrophysiology alone is urgently needed.
Atezolizumab in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer: a pooled analysis from the Spanish patients of the IMvigor 210 cohort 2 and 211 studies
Authors: Sotelo M. , Alonso-Gordoa T. , Gajate P. , Gallardo E. , Morales-Barrera R. , Pérez-Gracia J. L. , Puente J. , Sánchez P. , Castellano D. , Durán I.
Published: September 2020

Background

The studies IMvigor 210 cohort 2 and IMvigor211 evaluated the efficacy of atezolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) upon progression to platinum-based chemotherapy worldwide. Yet, the real impact of this drug in specific geographical regions is unknown.

Materials and methods

We combined individual-level data from the 131 patients recruited in Spain from IMvigor210 cohort 2 and IMvigor211 in a pooled analysis. Efficacy and safety outcomes were assessed in the overall study population and according to PD-L1 expression on tumour-infiltrating immune cells.

Results

Full data were available for 127 patients; 74 (58%) received atezolizumab and 53 (42%) chemotherapy. Atezolizumab patients had a numerically superior median overall survival although not reaching statistical significance (9.2 months vs 7.7 months). No statistically significant differences between arms were observed in overall response rates (20.3% vs 37.0%) or progression-free survival (2.1 months vs 5.3 months). Nonetheless, median duration of response was superior for the immunotherapy arm (non-reached vs 6.4 months; p = 0.005). Additionally, among the responders, the 12-month survival rates seemed to favour atezolizumab (66.7% vs 19.9%). When efficacy was analyzed based on PD-L1 expression status, no significant differences were found. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade occurred more frequently in the chemotherapy arm [46/57 (81%) vs 44/74 (59%)].

Conclusion

Patients who achieved an objective response on atezolizumab presented a longer median duration of response and numerically superior 12 month survival rates when compared with chemotherapy responders along with a more favorable safety profile. PD-L1 expression did not discriminate patients who might benefit from atezolizumab.
Axial mechanical experiments of unbonded flexible pipes
Authors: Liu Jun-Peng , Vaz Murilo Augusto , Chen Rong-Qi , Duan Meng-Lan , Hernandez Irving
Published: September 2020

Axial structural damping behavior induced by internal friction and viscoelastic properties of polymeric layers may have an inevitable influence on the global analysis of flexible pipes. In order to characterize this phenomenon and axial mechanical responses, a full-scale axial tensile experiment on a complex flexible pipe is conducted at room temperature, in which oscillation forces at different frequencies are applied on the sample. The parameters to be identified are axial strains which are measured by three kinds of instrumentations: linear variable differential transformer, strain gauge and camera united particle-tracking technology. The corresponding plots of axial force versus axial elongation exhibit obvious nonlinear hysteretic relationship. Consequently, the loss factor related to the axial structural damping behavior is found, which increases as the oscillation loading frequency grows. The axial strains from the three measurement systems in the mechanical experiment indicate good agreement, as well as the values of the equivalent axial stiffness. The damping generated by polymeric layers is relatively smaller than that caused by friction forces. Therefore, it can be concluded that friction forces maybe dominate the axial structural damping, especially on the conditions of high frequency.
Reassessing the taxonomic diversity of Plagiothecium section Orthophyllum in the North American bryoflora
Authors: Wolski Grzegorz J.
Published: September 2020

At the beginning of the twentieth century,Plagiothecium nemorales.l. andP. succulentum, both belonging toP.sect.Orthophyllum, were considered to be distributed across almost the entire Northern Hemisphere. However, in the mid-twentieth century these taxa were recircumscribed resulting in their exclusion from the North American bryoflora and restricting their distributions to Asia and Europe, and in the case ofPlagiothecium nemorales.l., also North Africa. More recently, it was found thatP. nemorales.l. is a taxonomic complex comprising three distinct species:P. nemorales.s.,P. longisetum, andP.angusticellum. I revised the North American material ofP.sectionOrthophyllumdeposited in three herbaria (NY, FH, F) and found that five examined taxa of the section are present in the North America. Two of the speciesP.angusticellumandP. longisetum, have not been recorded from North America previously, while two others,P. nemoraleandP. succulentum, had not been listed in the North American bryoflora for 50 years. One taxon is new for the U.S.A. –P. succulentumf.propaguliferum. Here I provide detailed descriptions of the anatomical and morphological features of the recorded taxa along with photographic documentation of their most important characteristics. I also summarize their known distributions in North America and ecological preferences and provide a key for their identification.
Downlink channel estimation for millimeter wave communication combining low-rank and sparse structure characteristics
Authors: Zhou Jin
Published: September 2020

The acquisition of channel state information (CSI) is essential in millimeter wave (mmWave) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The mmWave channel exhibits sparse scattering characteristics and a meaningful low-rank structure, which can be simultaneously employed to reduce the complexity of channel estimation. Most existing works recover the low-rank structure of channels using nuclear norm theory. However, solving the nuclear norm-based convex problem often leads to a suboptimal solution of the rank minimization problem, thus degrading the accuracy of channel estimation. Previous contributions recover the channel using over-complete dictionary with the assumption that the mmWave channel can be sparsely represented under some dictionary. While over-complete dictionary may increase the computational complexity. To address these problems, we propose a channel estimation framework based on non-convex low-rank approximation and dictionary learning by exploring the joint low-rank and sparse representations of wireless channels. We surrogate the widely used nuclear norm theory with non-convex low-rank approximation method and design a dictionary learning algorithm based on channel feature classification employing deep neural network (DNN). Our simulation results reveal the proposed scheme outperform the conventional dictionary learning algorithm, Bayesian framework algorithm, and compressed sensing-based algorithms.
Performance of surfactant blend formulations for controlling gas mobility and foam propagation under reservoir conditions
Authors: Memon Muhammad Khan , Elraies Khaled Abdalla , Al-Mossawy Mohammed Idrees Ali
Published: September 2020

The use of surfactant is one of the possible solutions to minimize the mobility of gases and improve the sweep efficiency, but the main problem with this process is its stability in the presence of injection water and crude oil under reservoir conditions. In this study, the three types of surfactant anionic, nonionic and amphoteric are examined in the presence of brine salinity at 96 °C and 1400 psia. To access the potential blended surfactant solutions as gas mobility control, laboratory test including aqueous stability, interfacial tension (IFT) and mobility reduction factor (MRF) were performed. The purpose of MRF is to evaluate the blocking effect of selected optimum surfactant solutions. Based on experimental results, no precipitation was observed by testing the surfactant solutions at reservoir temperature of 96 °C. The tested surfactant solutions reduced the IFT between crude oil and brine. The effectiveness and strength of surfactant solutions without crude oil under reservoir conditions were evaluated. A high value of differential pressure demonstrates that the strong foam was generated inside a core that resulted in delay in breakthrough time and reduction in the gas mobility. High mobility reduction factor result was measured by the solution of blended surfactant 0.6%AOS + 0.6%CA406H. Mobility reduction factor of other tested surfactant solutions was found low due to less generated foam by using CO2 under reservoir conditions. The result of these tested surfactant solutions can provide the better understanding of the mechanisms behind generated foam stability and guideline for their implementation as gas mobility control during the process of surfactant alternating gas injection.
COVID-19: update of the Italian situation
Authors: Prezioso Carla , Pietropaolo Valeria
Published: September 2020

On the March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic. The first cases in Italy were reported on January 30, 2020, and quickly the number of cases escalated. On March 20, 2020, according to the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) and National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), the peak of COVID-19 cases reported in Italy reached the highest number, surpassing those in China. The Italian government endorsed progressively restrictive measures initially at the local level, and finally, at the national level with a lockdown of the entire Italian territory up to 3 May 2020. The complete Italian territory closing slowed down the contagion. This review retraces the main numbers of the pandemic in Italy. Although in decline, the new reported cases remain high in the northern regions. Since drugs or vaccines are still not available, the described framework highlights the importance of the containment measures to be able to quickly identify all the potential transmission hotspots and keep control subsequent epidemic waves of COVID-19.