bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graphite reinforced silane crosslinked high density polyethylene: The effect of filler loading on the thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Kourtidou Dimitra , Symeou Elli , Terzopoulou Zoi , Vasileiadis Isaak , Kehagias Thomas , Pavlidou Eleni , Kyratsi Theodora , Bikiaris Dimitrios N. , Chrissafis Konstantinos
Published: December 2020

Crosslinked polyethylene is a promising polymer regarding its mechanical properties and wear resistance, predominantly used in pipework systems. However, it suffers from low thermal conductivity, which limits its application in geothermal heating/cooling systems. In this work, crosslinked high‐density polyethylene (PEX) composites with spherical graphite (SG) as a reinforcing filler are examined in terms of their thermal and mechanical properties. Thermal conductivity measurements showed a significant improvement of the thermal conductivity of PEX with increasing filler content (40.6% augmentation for 5 wt% SG content), while the experimental data are in good agreement with the Chauhan theoretical model for spherical particles. Tensile tests revealed that the elastic modulus of PEX/SG composites presented a considerable improvement (23.6% augmentation for 5 wt% SG content). Various micromechanical models for the prediction of the composites' elastic behavior were applied to the experimental data, which present a satisfactory agreement with the Takayanagi I two‐phase model for low concentrations of SG, and the Takayanagi II two‐phase model for higher filler content.
Hollow glass spheres in sheet molding compound composites: Limitations and potential
Authors: Berman Arielle , DiLoreto Edward , Moon Robert J. , Kalaitzidou Kyriaki
Published: December 2020

Sheet molding compounds (SMC) are commonly used in automotive applications as they lead to increased fuel efficiency of vehicles due to their high strength to weight ratios. This study focuses on understanding the effect of replacing calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with hollow glass spheres (HGS) in an unsaturated polyester resin matrix SMC composite with the ultimate goal to further reduce density without compromising performance. The resulting glass fiber (GF)‐reinforced syntactic foam laminate composites with GF content ranging from 10 to 15 vol% have densities of 1.2 and 1 g/cm3, respectively. This is significantly lower than the industry standard SMC density of 1.9 g/cm3. The HGS parameters of interest are primarily HGS type (S28HS and S32HS), loading level (33–44 vol%), and surface functionalization (methacrylsilane). The syntactic foam composites were characterized in terms of tensile, flexural, and impact properties, and their properties were compared to those of standard density SMC. As expected, the flexural, tensile, and impact properties were compromised with a decrease of density. However, they were higher than the corresponding properties of low‐ and ultra‐low density composites reported in the literature, as we were able to add higher GF content in these low‐density SMC formulations. It was also concluded that methacrylsilanized surface treated HGS showed promise in maintaining the mechanical properties, especially at high sphere loadings. The impact energy of the low‐density formulations was relatively unaffected by HGS type or loading.
Effects of mineral fillers addition and preparation method on the morphology and electrical conductivity of epoxy/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Authors: Tokobaro Paulo Eduardo Asito , Larocca Nelson Marcos , Backes Eduardo Henrique , Pessan Luiz Antonio
Published: December 2020

This study investigated the correlation between the electrical conductivity and the micro and nanomorphology of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites with and without the inorganic fillers montmorillonite (MMT), sepiolite and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing the MWCNT and fillers through ultrasonication directly in the resin or solvent. For nanocomposites without fillers, the compositions prepared with solvent demonstrated higher electrical conductivities, which correlate with a microscale morphology formed by networks of highly interconnected MWCNT agglomerates. The addition of MMT induced a deleterious effect on the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites since this filler hinders the formation of MWCNT agglomerate networks. The effect of sepiolite on electrical conductivity is also negative, but in this case, nonmorphological effects are likely of greater importance. The addition of CaCO3 improved the electrical conductivity of the binary nanocomposites under specific conditions. For this filler, a synergic effect was achieved for the composition prepared with solvent, which resulted in an approximately sixfold increase in electrical conductivity relative to the nanocomposite without filler.
Limiting mechanisms for photon recycling in thin‐film GaAs solar cells
Authors: Gruginskie Natasha , Cappelluti Federica , Bauhuis Gerard , Tibaldi Alberto , Giliberti Gemma , Mulder Peter , Vlieg Elias , Schermer John
Published: December 2020

Photon recycling mechanisms in single junction thin‐film GaAs solar cells are evaluated in this study. Modelling supported by experimentally obtained results is used in order to correlate the reflectance of the cell's rear layers, the photon recycling probability, and the solar cell performance. Solar cells with different top and bottom metallization configurations are produced, and their performance is analyzed from the optical and electrical point of view. It is shown that the photon recycling probability increases with the rear mirror reflectance and solar cell thickness, which results in the increase of the devices open circuit voltage. However, the front grid coverage, usually disregarded in rear mirror focused studies, strongly reduces the photon recycling probability. Furthermore, perimeter and interface recombination hinder the internal radiative efficiency of the solar cells, preventing further increase of the devices' open circuit voltage as a result of improvements of the rear mirror reflectivity. In order to exploit the significant benefit of increased photon recycling probability to the solar cell performance, these limiting mechanisms need to be properly addressed.
Registration of ‘UC Southwest Gold’ heirloom‐like gold and white mottled bean
Authors: Parker Travis , Palkovic Antonia , Brummer E. Charles , Gepts Paul
Published: December 2020

‘UC Southwest Gold’ (Reg. no. CV‐337, PI 693470) is a dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) descended from ‘Zuni Gold’ and UCD 9634 pink bean. UC Southwest Gold is an F3:7 line with an heirloom‐like seed coat similar to Zuni Gold but with resistance to Bean common mosaic virus and yields 60% higher than its heirloom parent. Culinary evaluations have shown that it displays cooking properties comparable to Zuni Gold. Field trials were carried out on certified organic ground. UC Southwest Gold will contribute toward satisfying an increasing market demand for more productive and economical heirloom‐type common bean cultivars.
Determination of maximum possible contribution of porous particles in gas transport properties of their corresponding mixed matrix membranes
Authors: Maghami Saeid , Sadeghi Morteza , Mehrabani‐Zeinabad Arjomand , Simiari Mehdi
Published: December 2020

Due to the partial/total blockage of dispersed porous particles in polymer matrices, porous particles do not change the transport properties of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) as much as possible. Also, the determination of MMMs' intrinsic gas permeability is very difficult. Hence, a new modeling approach was developed to determine the maximum contribution of porous particles in gas separation properties of MMMs without any need to know the interfacial morphology type. Moreover, the approach allowed determination of the effect of the interfacial layer on gas transport properties of MMMs containing porous particles. The validity of the proposed method was evaluated using literature data in which the intrinsic permeability of the used particles and polymer matrix for the preparation of their MMMs has been measured.
Strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition polymerization as a route toward tailored functional polymers
Authors: Meichsner Eric , Fong Darryl , Ritaine Dialia E. M. , Adronov Alex
Published: December 2020

The preparation of polymers under mild conditions, using highly efficient reactions, allows the incorporation of new, functional monomer units. Here, we explore the use of strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) as a polymerization tool. We show that a polymer library with diverse thermal and stimulus‐responsive properties can be rapidly prepared in minutes. This polymerization proceeds without heating or the addition of catalyst, which enables the preservation of sensitive moieties, such as stimulus‐responsive spiropyran structures. Solid‐ and solution‐state stimulus‐responsiveness from these sensitive groups are demonstrated within the SPAAC‐polymerized products.
Distinctive patterns and characteristics of neon jet launched from plasma candle device
Authors: Abdelaziz Ayman A. , Kim Hyun‐Ha
Published: December 2020

This study reported the characterization of neon plasma jets emerging from a novel plasma device known as a plasma candle. The device launches stable, wide, and long cold plasmas in a shape resembling a flickering candle flame. The neon plasma candle (Ne‐PC) exhibited several interesting phenomena in terms of the discharge propagation and plume pattern, which are not common in other jet devices. A particular attention was paid to the dynamics of the gas flow, which was found to have significant effects on the discharge characteristics and jet shape. It is found that a porous disc in the Ne‐PC device distributed the gas flow uniformly, and subsequently enhanced the discharge initiation and formed a uniform conical jet. Moreover, the effect of the applied voltage on the flow dynamics led to a transformation in the conical shape of the jet to a fork‐like shape. This phenomenon did not appear in the helium plasma candle, and it is observed that the induced electrohydrodynamic (EHD) as well as the low velocity, diffusion coefficient, and momentum of the gas play a crucial role in this phenomenon. Optical emission spectroscopy measurements provided insights into the mechanism of the plume pattern and described its effect on the generated species. At higher applied voltages, a significant reduction in neon emissions was observed, but higher RONS were generated, due to the entrainment of the surrounding air. Furthermore, it is found that the Ne‐PC has a higher ability to generate RONS than the helium candle and neon in the conventional plasma jet devices (Ne‐CPJ), thereby suggesting its feasibility for material processing and biomedical applications.
Cultivar‐dependent increases in mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition by barley in response to elevated CO2
Authors: Thirkell Tom J. , Campbell Matthew , Driver Josephine , Pastok Daria , Merry Beverley , Field Katie J.
Published: December 2020

Societal Impact Statement

Modern agriculture is under pressure to meet yield targets while reducing reliance on finite resources to improve sustainability. Climate change represents an additional challenge—elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations may increase plant growth and boost yield, but the nutritional value of crops grown at elevated CO2 is often reduced. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve plant nutrition, although how this symbiosis will be affected by climate change is unclear. Here, we demonstrate mycorrhizal contribution to nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition in barley under current and future CO2 concentrations. In one cultivar, AMF substantially increased phosphorus uptake at elevated CO2 and prevented phosphorus dilution, suggesting the symbiosis may become more important for crop nutrient uptake in the future.

Summary

Globally important cereals such as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) often engage in symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on nutrient exchange between these symbionts remains unknown.

In controlled environment experiments, we used isotope tracers (15N, 33P, 14C) to quantify nutrient fluxes between two barley cultivars (Moonshine and Riviera) and their associated AMF at ambient (440 ppm) and elevated (800 ppm) CO2.

Elevated CO2 reduced shoot N concentration in Moonshine, and shoot N and P concentration in Riviera. Elevated CO2 substantially increased mycorrhizal 33P acquisition in Moonshine. Mycorrhizal contribution to P uptake in Moonshine may have prevented dilution of tissue P concentration at elevated CO2. In Riviera, AMF did not improve 33P acquisition. Both cultivars received 15N from their AMF symbionts, and this acquisition was not influenced by CO2 concentration, although Moonshine received more 15N than Riviera.

Our results suggest that AMF may provide substantial contributions to barley nutrition at current and projected future CO2 concentrations. This is especially noteworthy for barley, which is generally considered to have low mycorrhizal receptivity. AMF may help alleviate or avoid nutrient dilution normally observed at elevated CO2. Variation between cultivars indicates that mycorrhizal contribution to cereal nutrition could be improved through selective breeding practices.
Cyclic nucleotide selectivity of protein kinase G isozymes
Authors: Kim Choel , Sharma Rajesh
Published: December 2020

The intrinsic activity of the C‐terminal catalytic (C) domain of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)‐dependent protein kinases (PKG) is inhibited by interactions with the N‐terminal regulatory (R) domain. Selective binding of cGMP to cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB) domains within the R‐domain disrupts the inhibitory R–C interaction, leading to the release and activation of the C‐domain. Affinity measurements of mammalian and plasmodium PKG CNB domains reveal different degrees of cyclic nucleotide affinity and selectivity; the CNB domains adjacent to the C‐domain are more cGMP selective and therefore critical for cGMP‐dependent activation. Crystal structures of isolated CNB domains in the presence and absence of cyclic nucleotides reveal isozyme‐specific contacts that explain cyclic nucleotide selectivity and conformational changes that accompany CNB. Crystal structures of tandem CNB domains identify two types of CNB‐mediated dimeric contacts that indicate cGMP‐driven reorganization of domain–domain interfaces that include large conformational changes. Here, we review the available structural and functional information of PKG CNB domains that further advance our understanding of cGMP mediated regulation and activation of PKG isozymes.
Growth and Characterization of GaN/AlN Resonant Tunneling Diodes for High‐Performance Nonvolatile Memory
Authors: Nagase Masanori , Takahashi Tokio , Shimizu Mitsuaki
Published: December 2020

GaN/AlN resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) are studied to realize a high‐speed nonvolatile memory based on the intersubband transactions and electron accumulation in the quantum well, which has the potential to operate at picosecond time scales. The crystal quality of GaN/AlN RTDs is improved by changing the growth conditions and structure of the buffer layer. The surface roughness and dislocation density of the GaN/AlN RTDs are successfully suppressed, and clear ON/OFF switching due to intersubband transitions is observed by inputting pulse voltage sequences. However, the voltages for write and erase operations are changed by improving the crystal quality of GaN/AlN RTDs. The theoretical analysis of resonant levels in the GaN/AlN RTDs indicates that the voltages for write and erase operations are very sensitive to the well and barrier widths and the density of electrons accumulating in the quantum well. Based on the results, the design of GaN/AlN RTDs for higher‐performance nonvolatile memory operations is investigated.
Rotation vibration spectrum of potassium molecules via the improved generalized Pöschl‐Teller oscillator
Authors: Horchani Ridha , Jelassi Haikel , Ikot Akpan N. , Okorie Uduakobong S.
Published: December 2020

In this work, we used the improved generalized Pöschl‐Teller potential (IGPT) to calculate the rotational‐vibrational (ro‐vibrational, hereinafter) energies of potassium molecules in the excited electronic state . In doing this, we first solved the Schrödinger equation for the (IGPT) by applying both the Pekeris‐type and the Greene‐Aldrich approximations to the centrifugal term. The obtained energy spectra are compared with that of the experimental Rydberg‐Klein‐Rees (RKR) data. We also showed that the IGPT potential is a good potential function in fitting experimental RKR data for the 39K2 () molecule. Finally, we have proved that Pekeris‐type approximation is better than Greene‐Aldrich approximation in calculating the accurate ro‐vibrational energies spectra for the potassium molecular dimers.
Hyaluronic acid in viscous malignant mesothelioma pleural effusion
Authors: Cheah Hui Min , Fitzgerald Deirdre , Louw Amber , Creaney Jenette , Lee Y. C. Gary
Published: December 2020

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is common with mesothelioma. We report two cases of extraordinarily viscous MPEs associated with mesothelioma. The viscosity prohibited spontaneous gravity‐dependent drainage via indwelling pleural catheters. Our ex vivo experiments found very high hyaluronic acid (HA) content within the fluid. Treatment of the fluid with hyaluronidase, but not with deoxyribonucleases, significantly reduced fluid viscosity. The results provide proof that HA can contribute to high viscosity of pleural fluid in mesothelioma. Research into strategies of counteracting HA properties in the management of MPEs may provide further insight.
Towards diverse representation and inclusion in soil science in the United States
Authors: Carter Tiffany L. , Jennings Lydia L. , Pressler Yamina , Gallo Adrian C. , Berhe Asmeret Asefaw , Marín‐Spiotta Erika , Shepard Christopher , Ghezzehei Teamrat , Vaughan Karen L.
Published: December 2020

Soil science is one of the least diverse subdisciplines within the agricultural, earth, and natural sciences. Representation within soil science does not currently reflect demographic trends in the United States. We synthesize available data on the representation of historically marginalized groups in soil science in the United States and identify historical mechanisms contributing to these trends. We review education and employment information within academia and the federal government, land‐grant university participation, and available Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) membership data to gain insight into the current state of representation within soil sciences and implications for the future of this discipline. Across all domains of diversity, historically marginalized groups are under‐represented in soil science. We provide recommendations toward recognizing diversity within the field and improving and encouraging diversity within the SSSA, and suggested responses for both individuals and institutions toward improving diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Upstream downstream divergence and hydro‐socioeconomic distress in South Asia
Authors: Arfanuzzaman Md.
Published: December 2020

The issue of transboundary river management is highly pertinent to South Asia with conflicts emerging in water resource management and utilization which indeed affect the beneficial uses of downstream states. The paper considers the situation of the Teesta river basin to assess the water unavailability driven agricultural shock, cost of loss and damage of the downstream region, identify the mutual benefits of water collaboration, and suggest potential adaptation options for water unavailability. The study found during 1995–2010, the annual mean discharge in the upper Teesta floodplain was 707 cumec, where the downstream discharge was 140 cumec and during 2005–2010 the downstream region received less than 8% of the mean annual discharge which may be attributed to reduced flow from the upstream region due to the intense operation of dams and barrage. Consequently, the water reliant 5,000 villages and 12 sub‐districts of lower Teesta basin of Bangladesh were found to be experiencing immense hydro‐socioeconomic impairment and food insecurity. The study estimates that in the Rangpur region, total loss and damage of Boro rice production is 15,08,020 metric tons during 2006–2015, and in the Nilphamri total loss and damage is estimated 9,83,054 metric tons during the same period. Here, the total computed economic loss for both the region is $564 million from 2006–15 FY, which remarkably trims down the overall agricultural production and socio‐economic situation in the lower Teesta region of Bangladesh and fuel the hydro‐economic and political tension between the close riparian.
Case for Climate Smart Agriculture in Addressing the Threat of Climate Change
Authors: Eleblu John Saviour Yaw , Darko Eugene Tenkorang , Danquah Eric Yirenkyi
Published: December 2020

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) embodies a blend of innovations, practices, systems, and investment programmes that are used to mitigate against the adverse effects of climate change and variability on agriculture for sustained food production. Food crop production under various climate change scenarios requires the use of improved technologies that are called climate smart agriculture to ensure increased productivity under adverse conditions of increased global temperatures, frequent and more intense storms, floods and drought stresses. This chapter summarizes available information on climate change and climate smart agriculture technologies. It is important to evaluate each climate change scenario and provide technologies that farmers, research scientists, and policy drivers can use to create the desired climate smart agriculture given the array of tools and resources available.
Die Rolle der Medien bei Entstehung, Verlauf und Bewältigung von Essstörungen
Authors: Peter Christina , Brosius Hans-Bernd
Published: December 2020

Essstörungen gehören in westlichen Gesellschaften zu den häufigsten psychosomatischen Erkrankungen. Die Medien werden seit geraumer Zeit dafür verantwortlich gemacht, einer der Auslöser von Essstörungen zu sein. Beispielsweise konnte in mehreren Studien gezeigt werden, dass Medien ein unrealistisches Schönheitsideal vermitteln und dieses gerade bei jungen Rezipientinnen eine Unzufriedenheit mit dem eigenen Körper bewirken kann.

Allerdings wurden 2 zentrale Aspekte bisher kaum betrachtet.

Zum einen fehlt es an Studien, in denen die Erkrankten selbst im Mittelpunkt stehen und die Rolle der Medien in der Entstehungs‑, Verlaufs- und Bewältigungsphase einer Essstörung betrachtet wird. Zum anderen gibt es kaum Untersuchungen dazu, wie und in welchem Umfang die Krankheit in den Medien thematisiert wird und wie solche Darstellungen auf die betroffene Gruppe wirken.

Auf Basis der bisherigen Forschung in diesem Bereich ist zu vermuten, dass die Wahrnehmung dessen, wie die eigene Krankheit in den Medien dargestellt wird, Konsequenzen für die Selbstwahrnehmung, das Wohlbefinden und das Handeln der erkrankten Personen hat. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die komplexe Rolle von Medien im Rahmen einer Essstörung und zeigt vor allem Lücken in der kommunikationswissenschaftlichen Forschung zu diesem Thema auf.
Microwatt power management: challenges of on-chip energy harvesting
Authors: Schmickl Stefan , Faseth Thomas , Pretl Harald
Published: December 2020

IoT devices become more and more popular which implies a growing interest in easily maintainable and battery-independent power sources, as wires and batteries are unpractical in application scenarios where billions of devices get deployed. To keep the costs low and to achieve the smallest possible form factor, SoC implementations with integrated energy harvesting and power management units are a welcome innovation.

On-chip energy harvesting solutions are typically only capable of supplying power in the order of microwatts. A significant design challenge exists for the functional blocks of the IoT-SoC as well as for the power management unit itself as the harvested voltage has to be converted to a higher and more usable voltage. Simultaneously, the power management blocks have to be as efficient as possible with the lowest possible quiescent currents.

In this paper, we provide a look at on-chip microwatt power management. Starting with the energy-harvesting from RF power or light, we then show state-of-the-art implementations of ultra-low power voltage references and ultra-low power low-dropout regulator (LDO) designs.
Disease knowledge and patient education are key players for a better quality of life in vascular surgery patients
Authors: Udelnow Andrej , Hecht Verena , Buschmann Ivo , Wilbrandt Catharina , Barth Udo , Meyer Frank , Halloul Zuhir
Published: December 2020

Background

The aim of this prospective investigation was to determine factors that influence the verbal disease knowledge level of the patient after the informed consent (IC) talk and to assess whether it can be improved by additional education. Furthermore, the factors underlying quality of life (QoL) after treatment, among them knowledge, education, and ambulatory care, were investigated.

Methods

Consecutive patients who had undergone vascular surgical intervention for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), thrombendarteriectomy (TEA) of the femoral bifurcation, or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with or without endovascular intervention for arterial occlusive disease (AOD) were included over a defined study time period. They were divided randomly into (i) standard IC talk, (ii) extended IC talk with a PowerPoint lecture (PP; Microsoft Inc., Redmond, WA, USA), and (iii) extended IC talk with a walking diary (WD). The patients filled out questionnaires before and after treatment and a RAND36 Health Survey during follow-up. The disease knowledge level was quantified by six verbal items. Group comparisons were performed by matched-pair analysis (MPA) and factor analysis by multiple regression analysis and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).

Results

From January 2015 until November 2016, n = 198 patients were enrolled. Remembrance and comprehension rates were in general low and did not improve significantly with additional PP or WD. Age was inversely associated with disease knowledge. Age was also inversely and WD/PP and knowledge level directly associated with mid-term QoL. However, other factors such as care provision and social status were important as well.

Conclusion

Communication with and education of vascular surgery patients is one of the mainstays of treatment and should be continued beyond the legal and formal requirements during treatment and after discharge from hospital in order to keep the QoL as high as possible.
Gluing Compact Matrix Quantum Groups
Authors: Gromada Daniel
Published: December 2020

We study glued tensor and free products of compact matrix quantum groups with cyclic groups – so-called tensor and free complexifications. We characterize them by studying their representation categories and algebraic relations. In addition, we generalize the concepts of global colourization and alternating colourings from easy quantum groups to arbitrary compact matrix quantum groups. Those concepts are closely related to tensor and free complexification procedures. Finally, we also study a more general procedure of gluing and ungluing.
Degenerate Affine Flag Varieties and Quiver Grassmannians
Authors: Pütz Alexander
Published: December 2020

We study finite dimensional approximations to degenerate versions of affine flag varieties using quiver Grassmannians for cyclic quivers. We prove that they admit cellular decompositions parametrized by affine Dellac configurations, and that their irreducible components are normal Cohen-Macaulay varieties with rational singularities.
Usefulness of mirror image processing software for creating images of expected appearance after blepharoptosis surgery
Authors: Mawatari Yuki , Kawaji Takahiro , Kakizaki Hirohiko , Vaidya Aric , Takahashi Yasuhiro
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of creating images of expected appearance after blepharoptosis surgery using mirror image processing software.

Methods

This prospective, observational study included 60 sides from 30 patients with bilateral aponeurotic blepharoptosis who underwent levator resection or aponeurotic repair on both sides. Before surgery, facial photographs were taken after the eyelid on one side was lifted with a curved hook. The mirror images were created from these photographs and were merged with the original photographs for making the whole facial images, which were shown to each patient at the preoperative counseling. At 1 month postoperatively, we asked patients about the usefulness of the mirror images to predict the postoperative appearance at the preoperative counseling and the similarity between the expected and the resultant postoperative appearance using questionnaires. Margin reflex distance-1, eyebrow height, and pretarsal skin height measured on predictive images were compared with those measured at 1 month postoperatively.

Results

Twenty-nine patients (96.7%) favorably responded to the usefulness of the mirror images to predict the postoperative appearance, and twenty-five patients (83.3%) accepted the similarity between the expected appearance and the actual postoperative appearance. The predictive images showed significantly lower margin reflex distance-1, higher eyebrow height, and higher pretarsal skin height than the postoperative results (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The creation of expected postoperative images was a useful simulation procedure before blepharoptosis surgery for patients to predict the probable postoperative appearance.
Woody plant species diversity as a predictor of ecosystem services in a social–ecological system of southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Shumi Girma , Rodrigues Patrícia , Hanspach Jan , Härdtle Werner , Hylander Kristoffer , Senbeta Feyera , Fischer Joern , Schultner Jannik
Published: December 2020

Context

Human-dominated landscapes in the tropics need to be managed for biodiversity and the maintenance of ecosystem services (ES). Nevertheless, integrating both biodiversity conservation and ES management remains a challenge.

Objectives

This study aimed to quantify woody plant species diversity and associated ES in farmland and forests, and investigate the relationship between species and ES diversity.

Methods

The study was conducted in southwestern Ethiopia. We surveyed woody plants in 181 20 m by 20 m plots in farmland, forest with, and forest without coffee management. We also interviewed 180 randomly selected households about woody plant benefits. We then (a) quantified species and ES diversity; and (b) investigated the relationship between species and ES diversity.

Results

We recorded 128 woody plant species in total. Most ES were available in all land uses, although they differed in their mean availability. ES composition was significantly different among land uses. ES diversity was positively related with species diversity in all land uses.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that all examined land-use types were multifunctional in terms of key ES provided by woody plants and that maintaining high species diversity also benefits ES diversity. Given these findings, we suggest to: (1) strengthen landscape multifunctionality by drawing on the positive relationship between biodiversity and ES diversity; (2) devise conservation policies that encompass entire landscape mosaics and enhance co-benefits of conservation and ES provision across land uses; and (3) conduct further social–ecological studies that use mixed data to elicit socially relevant relationships between biodiversity and ES diversity.
The value of the high, low and close in the estimation of Brownian motion
Authors: Riedel Kurt
Published: December 2020

The conditional density of Brownian motion is considered given the max,$$B(t|\max )$$B(t|max), as well as those with additional information:$$B(t|close, \max )$$B(t|close,max),$$B(t|close, \max , \min )$$B(t|close,max,min)where the close is the final value:$$B(t=1)=c$$B(t=1)=cand$$t \in [0,1]$$t∈[0,1]. The conditional expectation and conditional variance of Brownian motion are evaluated subject to one or more of the statistics: the close (final value), the high (maximum), the low (minimum). Computational results displaying both the expectation and variance in time are presented and compared with the theoretical values. We tabulate the time averaged variance of Brownian motion conditional on knowing various extremal properties of the motion. The final table shows that knowing the high is more useful than knowing the final value among other results. Knowing the open, high, low and close reduces the time averaged variance to$$42\%$$42%of the value of knowing only the open and close (Brownian bridge).
Hyper-acute EEG alterations predict functional and morphological outcomes in thrombolysis-treated ischemic stroke: a wireless EEG study
Authors: Ajčević Miloš , Furlanis Giovanni , Naccarato Marcello , Miladinović Aleksandar , Buoite Stella Alex , Caruso Paola , Cillotto Tommaso , Accardo Agostino , Manganotti Paolo
Published: December 2020

Owing to the large inter-subject variability, early post-stroke prognosis is challenging, and objective biomarkers that can provide further prognostic information are still needed. The relation between quantitative EEG parameters in pre-thrombolysis hyper-acute phase and outcomes has still to be investigated. Hence, possible correlations between early EEG biomarkers, measured on bedside wireless EEG, and short-term/long-term functional and morphological outcomes were investigated in thrombolysis-treated strokes. EEG with a wireless device was performed in 20 patients with hyper-acute (< 4.5 h from onset) anterior ischemic stroke before reperfusion treatment. The correlations between outcome parameters (i.e., 7-day/12-month National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale NIHSS, 12-month modified Rankin Scale mRS, final infarct volume) and the pre-treatment EEG parameters were studied. Relative delta power and alpha power, delta/alpha (DAR), and (delta+theta)/(alpha+beta) (DTABR) ratios significantly correlated with NIHSS 7-day (rho = 0.80, − 0.81, 0.76, 0.75, respectively) and NIHSS 12-month (0.73, − 0.78, 0.74, 0.73, respectively), as well as with final infarct volume (0.75, − 0.70, 0.78, 0.62, respectively). A good outcome in terms of mRS ≤ 2 at 12 months was associated with DAR parameter (p = 0.008). The neurophysiological biomarkers obtained by non-invasive and portable technique as wireless EEG in the early pre-treatment phase may contribute as objective parameters to the short/long-term outcome prediction pivotal to better establish the treatment strategies.

Graphical abstract
„Patient-reported outcome measures“ (PROMs) in der Schulter- und Ellenbogenchirurgie
Authors: Jessen Malik , Lappen Sebastian , Schneider Marco
Published: December 2020

„Patient-reported outcome measures“ (PROMs) sind Instrumente, mit denen der subjektive Gesundheitszustand eines Patienten gemessen werden kann. Sie gewinnen zunehmend an wissenschaftlicher, klinischer und gesundheitsökonomischer Bedeutung. Man unterscheidet zwischen generischen, gelenkspezifischen und krankheitsspezifischen PROMs. Um das Risiko von Verzerrungen oder erhöhter Variabilität zu vermeiden, müssen geeignete Übersetzungen mit transkulturellen Anpassungen und anschließender Validierung gemäß definierten Richtlinien durchgeführt werden. Für viele gängige Schulter- und Ellenbogenwerte existiert bis dato noch keine validierte Übersetzung. Die weltweit am häufigsten verwendeten Schulter-PROMs sind der Constant-Murley Score, der American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Form und der Simple Shoulder Test. Studien zu Ellenbogenpathologien verwenden am häufigsten den Mayo Elbow Performance Score und den Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score. Derzeit besteht jedoch kein wissenschaftlicher Konsens über die Verwendung von Schulter- und Ellenbogen-PROMs.
Approaching Retirement After a Working Life in Poverty
Authors: Swain Jon , Carpentieri J. D. , Parsons Samantha , Goodman Alissa
Published: December 2020

This paper uses a life course perspective to explore and understand how an individual’s experiences over their lifetime contribute to the formation of a growing consciousness about their impending retirement. The fieldwork took place in 2016 and was part of a wider mixed methods study about retirement in the UK, which used data from the 1958 birth cohort study (also known as the National Child Development Study). The paper focuses on the qualitative dimension of the study and uses in-depth case studies of four people approaching 60 to consider, in particular, the effects of health, financial resources and employment history on their views on retiring, including the anticipated timing of their exit from the labour market. All four were purposively chosen because they had experienced low pay or poverty during their lifetime and were employed in relatively low paid jobs. State Pension Ages (SPAs) are on the rise in many countries, including the UK, and the authors maintain that it is important to study the working poor, who, even though are more likely to continue working until SPA, are more prone to suffer from poor health, and less likely to be able to put savings aside for their retirement.
Bed type and flow mechanism of deep water sub-lacustrine fan fringe facies: an example from the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation in Southern Junggar Basin of NW China
Authors: Shan Xin , Yu Xing-He , Jin Lina , Li Ya-Long , Tan Cheng-Peng , Li Shun-Li , Wang Jun-Hui
Published: December 2020

Submarine or sub-lacustrine lobe deposits are important reservoirs, but the fan fringe deposits form heterogeneities within deep water fan deposits. Fan fringe facies records the complex sediment gravity flow types. By understanding of the bed types and flow mechanisms, we can identify the fan fringe deposit, which aids in the reconstruction of deep water fan and reservoir evaluations. The Jiucaiyuanzi and Dalongkou sections in the West Bogda Mountains preserve well-exposed 536-m and 171-m thick successions, respectively, of a deep water lacustrine depositional system from the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation. Bed types of the Lucaogou Formation include high-density turbidite, low-density turbidite, incomplete Bouma-type turbidite, hybrid event beds, and slump deposits. The Lucaogou Formation is interpreted here as a fan fringe facies due to the thin bed thickness that characterize turbidites and hybrid event beds, as well as the predominance of the isolated sheet architecture. Previous studies suggest that these deposits were considered as deposited in a deep water setting due to the absence of wave-related structures. The presence of abundant mud clasts in massive medium-coarse grained sandstone beds reflects the significant erosional capability and interactions between high-density turbidity currents and lake floor. The fan fringe facies here contains amalgamated and thick-bedded homolithic facies (~ 30%) and thin-bedded heterolithic facies (~ 70%). The examination of the bed type is of wider significance for facies prediction and reservoir heterogeneity in the sub-lacustrine fan fringe facies.
Estimation of heavy metal contamination in the Hindon River, India: an environmetric approach
Authors: Mishra Saurabh , Kumar Amit , Shukla Prabhakar
Published: December 2020

The Hindon River is a major freshwater resource predominantly for the rural population of the western region in Uttar Pradesh, India. The river receives industrial wastewaters having heavy metals concentration at potentially toxic levels. The focus of this study is to estimate the heavy metals (such as Fe, Cu, Zn and Cr) contamination in the Hindon River using Nemerow pollution index followed by environmetrics to identify their pollution source. The water samples are collected from 28 industrial discharge sites in the river to analyze metals concentration during pre- and post-monsoon months. The estimated Nemerow pollution index value is more than 3 indicating severely contaminated river water. Principal component analysis results confirm that Fe and Cu are the major contaminants in the river, which indicates the direct input of wastewater from electroplating industries. Therefore, it is suggested that a strategic eco-conservation plan should be formulated and implemented in advance to prevent the deterioration of the water quality and aquatic life.
Trans Rights as Risks: On the Ambivalent Implementation of Canada’s Groundbreaking Trans Prison Reform
Authors: Hébert William
Published: December 2020

This paper analyses policy documents and interviews conducted in federal prisons to trace the emergence and early effects of Canada’s recent wave of groundbreaking trans correctional reforms. I show that prison authorities were forced to adopt more inclusive policies due to the legal, financial, and reputational risks generated by new trans rights protections. Yet, by examining what rights both enabled and foreclosed once they materialized in the everyday of prison life, I argue that reform’s implementation was fraught with ambivalence. Namely, this ambivalence was felt by the correctional administrators tasked with translating nebulous policy principles into concrete guidelines; by staff, whose front-line duty involved weighing rights against risks; and by trans prisoners, who grappled with how to balance their new entitlements with risks and uncertainties. What trans correctional reforms reveal, then, is that rights and risks are caught in an ambivalent and co-constitutive relationship in Canada’s regime of prison governance.
Trans Justice and the Law : From Then to Now, From There to Here,Une conversation entre Viviane Namaste, Ph. D., et Dalia Tourki
Authors: Namaste Viviane , Tourki Dalia
Published: December 2020

Le texte qui suit est une transcription révisée du discours principal présenté au colloqueOn the Margins of Trans Legal Change(En marge des changements juridiques à l’égard des droits des personnes trans) financé par le Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada (CRSH). Cette conférence publique a été organisée par la faculté de droit et l’Institut Genre, sexualité et féminisme de l’Université McGill, en partenariat avec la faculté de droit de l’université Thompson Rivers. La prestation principale était une conversation entre Viviane Namaste, Ph. D., et Dalia Tourki où les deux intervenantes se questionnaient mutuellement.
Balanced strong shift equivalence, balanced in-splits, and eventual conjugacy
Authors: BRIX KEVIN AGUYAR
Published: December 2020

We introduce the notion of balanced strong shift equivalence between square non-negative integer matrices, and show that two finite graphs with no sinks are one-sided eventually conjugate if and only if their adjacency matrices are conjugate to balanced strong shift equivalent matrices. Moreover, we show that such graphs are eventually conjugate if and only if one can be reached by the other via a sequence of out-splits and balanced in-splits, the latter move being a variation of the classical in-split move introduced by Williams in his study of shifts of finite type. We also relate one-sided eventual conjugacies to certain block maps on the finite paths of the graphs. These characterizations emphasize that eventual conjugacy is the one-sided analog of two-sided conjugacy.
Voluntary and involuntary admissions with schizoaffective disorder: do they differ from schizophrenia?
Authors: Feeney A. , Umama-Agada E. , Curley A. , Anamdi C. , Asghar M. , Kelly B. D.
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia are common presentations to psychiatry services. Research to date has focussed on hypothesised biological differences between these two disorders. Little is known about possible variations in admission patterns. Our study compared demographic and clinical features of patients admitted voluntarily and involuntarily with diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia to three psychiatry admission units in Ireland.

Methods:

We studied all admissions to three acute psychiatry units in Ireland for periods between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018. We recorded demographic and clinical variables for all admissions. Voluntary and involuntary admissions of patients with schizoaffective disorder were compared to those with schizophrenia.

Results:

We studied 5581 admissions to the study units for varying periods between January 2008 and December 2018, covering a total of 1 976 154 person-years across the 3 catchment areas. The 3 study areas had 218.8, 145.5 and 411.2 admissions per 100 000 person-years, respectively. Of the 5581 admissions over the study periods, schizoaffective disorder accounted for 5% (n = 260) and schizophrenia for 17% (n = 949). Admissions with schizoaffective disorder were significantly more likely to be female and older, and less likely to have involuntary admission status, compared to those with schizophrenia. As first admissions were not distinguished from re-admissions in this dataset, these findings merit further study.

Conclusions:

Admissions with a schizoaffective disorder differ significantly from those with schizophrenia, being, in particular, less likely to be involuntary admissions. This suggests that psychotic symptoms might be a stronger driver of involuntary psychiatry admission than affective symptoms.
CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF “BELIEFS” IN INDONESIA
Authors: Butt Simon
Published: December 2020

Constitutionally, Indonesia is a state “based on Almighty God,” but the Constitution does not specify any religions or belief systems. This is left to statute, which establishes six official religions that the state supports and helps administer: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. But Indonesia is home to a rich kaleidoscope of other beliefs (kepercayaan), ranging from indigenous practices predating the arrival of many of the official religions to new age spiritual movements. The constitutional status of these beliefs is contentious, and their followers have long complained of government discrimination, primarily in matters of civil registration services, education, and employment. This reinforces the view, propounded by some adherents to official religions, that beliefs are inferior to official religions. This view, in turn, perpetuates the socioeconomic and cultural marginalization of belief-holders. In 2017, Indonesia's Constitutional Court was asked to examine the constitutional status of these beliefs. Its decision appears to constitutionally recognize these beliefs; accordingly, it has been heralded as an advance for religious freedom in Indonesia. Indeed, it has spurred limited administrative reforms to remove discrimination in several parts of Indonesia. But the Court's decision is muddled and inconsistent. It does not clearly establish that beliefs enjoy the same level of constitutional protection as do religions—if they are, in fact, constitutionally protected at all. The likely result is continuing faith-based discrimination and marginalization in Indonesia.
Imitation, network size, and efficiency
Authors: Alós-Ferrer Carlos , Buckenmaier Johannes , Farolfi Federica
Published: December 2020

A number of theoretical results have provided sufficient conditions for the selection of payoff-efficient equilibria in games played on networks when agents imitate successful neighbors and make occasional mistakes (stochastic stability). However, those results only guarantee full convergence in the long-run, which might be too restrictive in reality. Here, we employ a more gradual approach relying on agent-based simulations avoiding the double limit underlying these analytical results. We focus on the circular-city model, for which a sufficient condition on the population size relative to the neighborhood size was identified by Alós-Ferrer & Weidenholzer [(2006) Economics Letters, 93, 163–168]. Using more than 100,000 agent-based simulations, we find that selection of the efficient equilibrium prevails also for a large set of parameters violating the previously identified condition. Interestingly, the extent to which efficiency obtains decreases gradually as one moves away from the boundary of this condition.