bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superhydrophobic nanostructured coatings for electrical insulators
Authors: Ribeiro Arthur C. , Furtado José G. M. , Silva Luiz A. F. , Soares Bluma G.
Published: February 2020

Controlling surface wettability of ceramic electrical insulators is one of the proposed alternatives to avoid undesired electrical events when these devices are installed in polluted environments. In this sense, the application of super‐hydrophobic nanostructured coatings has recently been proposed due to its high water repellency and possibility of surface self‐cleaning. In this present study, coatings based on polysiloxane, alumina trihydrate (ATH), and several types of silica (SiO2) were developed using a spray‐coating method. Contact angle (CA), sliding angle (SA), thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy, and inclined plane test (IPT) were applied to characterize fillers and coatings. The results showed that a high quantity of nanoparticles is necessary to achieve superhydrophobicity. The type of silica significantly affected the surface wettability leading to CA from 107 to 160° and SA from 3 to 90°. SEM analysis showed that coatings with hydrophilic silica present a more pronounced topography with microstructured aggregates. The resistance of superhydrophobic coatings to leakage current development was also dependent on type and amount of silica. The superhydrophobic coating with PDMS treated with silica had the best performance during the IPT showing fewer peaks and less accumulated electrical charge.
A review of recent advancements in soft and flexible robots for medical applications
Authors: Zhang Yongde , Lu Mingyue
Published: February 2020

Background

Soft and flexible robots for medical applications are needed to change their flexibility over a wide range to perform tasks adequately. The mechanism and theory of flexibility has been a scientific issue and is of interest to the community.

Methods

Recent advancements of bionics, flexible actuation, sensing, and intelligent control algorithms as well as tunable stiffness have been referenced when soft and flexible robots are developed. The benefits and limitations of these relevant studies and how they affect the flexibility are discussed, and possible research directions are explored.

Results

The bionic materials and structures that demonstrate the potential capabilities of the soft medical robot flexibility are the fundamental guarantee for clinical medical applications. Flexible actuation that used to provide power, intelligent control algorithms which are the exact executors, and the wide range stiffness of the soft materials are the three important influence factors for soft medical robots.

Conclusion

Some reasonable suggestions and possible solutions for soft and flexible medical robots are proposed, including novel materials, flexible actuation concepts with a built‐in source of energy or power, programmable flexibility, and adjustable stiffness.
Ultrathin MoSe2 Nanosheets Confined in N‐doped Macroporous Carbon Frame for Enhanced Potassium Ion Storage
Authors: Liu Yuanlin , Zhai Yanjun , Wang Nana , Zhang Yaohui , Lu Zhenxiao , Xue Pan , Bai Long , Guo Meiqing , Huang Di , Bai Zhongchao
Published: February 2020

Potassium ion batteries (PIBs), as a promising next‐generation electrochemical energy storage device, have drawn great attention in recent years due to the low price and abundant reserves of potassium resource. However, the severe electrode pulverization caused by repeatedly insertion/extraction of large radius of K+ hinders their application. Herein a novel strategy is employed to fabricate hierarchical macroporous hybrid composite, ultrathin MoSe2 nanosheets vertical growth on three‐dimension nitrogen‐doped cross‐linked macroporous carbon (HM‐MoSe2/N−C), via a template route and subsequent selenization process to alleviate the volume expansion and structure pulverization of the electrode. The electrochemical results demonstrate that the HM‐MoSe2/N−C is a good anode for PIBs including high specific capacity (222.8 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), superior rate capability, and long‐term cycling stability (172.5 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 400 cycles). The extraordinary electrochemical performance of this HM‐MoSe2/N−C electrode is attributed to the elegant and adequate nanostructure design, which can offer abundant exposed active sites (ultrathin MoSe2 nanosheets), adequate volume accommodation (3D interconnected macropores), and highly conductive carbon frame with fast ion diffusion.
Laser‐induced lithotripsy: a review, insight into laboratory work, and lessons learned
Authors: Strittmatter Frank , Eisel Maximilian , Brinkmann Ralf , Cordes Jens , Lange Birgit , Sroka Ronald
Published: February 2020

This manuscript summarizes the laser‐induced method for the destruction of kidney stones. Special emphasis is placed on laser‐induced lithotripsy, and a historical overview is given from the early beginnings in 1968 to the current developments. New laser parameter settings have to be tested in order to characterize novel laser devices for best clinical results and to meet demanding medical needs. At present, the stones are usually dusted, which makes it possible to flush these tiny fragments out of the urinary system without having to remove larger fragments additionally. Two in vitro setups were used to quantitatively evaluate the dust content and stone movement (propulsion) in a defined laboratory environment. The autofluorescence of stones can be used either to verify a stone‐free environment or to introduce safety measures such as differentiation between stone and tissue. In addition to describing these state‐of‐the‐art methods, a historical overview is given from the early beginnings in 1968 to the current developments.
Green and Functional Aerogels by Macromolecular and Textural Engineering of Chitosan Microspheres
Authors: El Kadib Abdelkrim
Published: February 2020

Tremendous interest was recently devoted to the preparation of porous and functional materials through sustainable route, including primarily the use of renewable biopolymers instead of petroleum‐sourced synthetic chemicals. Among the biopolymers available in enormous quantity, chitosan – obtained by deacetylation of chitin – stands as the sole nitrogen‐containing cationic amino‐sugar carbohydrate. This distinctively provides chitosan derivatives with plenty of opportunities in materials science. Particularly, its pH switchable solubility allowed the preparation of three‐dimensional entangled nanofibrillated self‐standing microspheres. These porous hydrogels behave as nano‐reactors to confine exogenous nanoobjects within the polysaccharide network, including sol‐gel metal alkoxide species, organometallic derivatives and isotropic and oriented nanoparticles. Besides, the interfacial interplay of chitosan with lamellar clay and graphene oxide allowed the penetration of the biopolymer inside of the galleries, which result in a complete delamination of the layered nanomaterials. The preserved gelation memory of chitosan in these formulations provides a way to access porous microspheres entangling exfoliated nanometric sheets. CO2 supercritical drying of functional hydrogel beads enabled efficient removal of water and other liquid solvents without wall collapsing, allowing large‐scale preparation of millimetric hydrocolloidal microspheres with an open macroporous network. These functionalized lightweight biopolymer aerogels find applications in heterogeneous catalysis, sensing, adsorption, insulation and for the design of other sophisticated porous nanostructures. Beyond their tailorable molecular and textural‐engineering, the possibility for macroscopic shaping of these intriguing nanostructures opens many new opportunities, especially in additive‐manufacturing for soft and hybrid robotics.
Detection and recognition of human body posture in motion based on sensor technology
Authors: Zhao Lei , Chen Wenjing
Published: February 2020

The recognition of human motion posture is of great values in the field of sports. In this paper, inertial sensor technology is employed to recognize four postures including dribbling, passing, catching, and shooting in basketball. The data are collected by four nine‐axis inertial sensors worn on the arm. The time domain and frequency domain features are extracted after the process of smoothing and normalizing. Then 30 eigenvectors are obtained by dimensionality reduction of principal component analysis (PCA), and the support vector machine (SVM) method is used for posture recognition. The experimental results show that after PCA dimensionality reduction, the recognition accuracy of the features as the SVM input is significantly high. Compared with the recognition accuracy of back propagation neural network (BPNN) (85.4%), the average recognition accuracy of SVM is 96%, which verifies the reliability of the method proposed in this study. This research proves the effectiveness of sensor technology in basketball posture recognition, which can provide a reliable guidance for basketball training. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Determination of residual quantity of tetracycline antibiotics in shrimp pool water by UPLC‐HRMS method
Authors: Giang Le Truong , Thien Tran Lam Thanh
Published: February 2020

In Vietnam, antibiotics have been intensively used in daily life, especially in aquaculture. Therein, tetracyline antibiotics including tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and demeclocycline have been primarily harnessed in shrimp farming. However, the abuse of these compounds in farming has detrimentally affected the environment as well as human's health. Moreover, the relative complication associated with water sample matrix of shrimp farming readily have an effect on analysis results. Therefore, in this study, we have developed an analytical method for determination of tetracycline antibiotics in shrimp farming water samples by ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry detector (Q‐Orbitrap). The optimized separation was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1 % formic acid at pH 2.6 and methanol, reversed phase C18 column (1.7 μm, 2.1×100 mm) operated at 40 °C with a gradient time of 11.0 min (0‐95 % methanol) at a flowrate of 0.3 mL/min. By means of using SPE Oasis HLB, optimization of pH loading samples and utilzing EDTA as a competitive ligand to form complexes with Ca and Mg, recoveries of the tetracycline compounds ranged from 87.9 % to 109.2 %. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were 0.05 μg/L and 0.15 μg/L, respectively.
Assessing Nutritional Condition of Mule Deer Using a Photographic Index
Authors: Smiley Rachel A. , Rittenhouse Chadwick D. , Mong Tony W. , Monteith Kevin L.
Published: February 2020

Understanding nutritional condition of animals can provide insight into underlying drivers of population dynamics. To estimate nutritional condition, indices require capture or mortality of animals to obtain measurements of body fat. Advances in technology provide an opportunity to acquire estimates of nutritional condition in a noninvasive way if ocular estimates can be validated. We developed and evaluated a noninvasive, visual index of nutritional condition for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) intended to be applied to camera‐trap images or videos. Our index was based on the visibility of 4 skeletal regions that are covered in varying amounts of subcutaneous fat depending upon the nutritional condition of the animal. We compared the visual index of nutritional condition to estimates of percent ingesta‐free body fat (IFBFat) obtained from ultrasonography and physical palpation of captured mule deer (n = 89) in western Wyoming, USA, in December 2015, March 2016, and November 2018. Our visual index of nutritional condition related positively to IFBFat (r2 = 0.41). Although further refinement may be warranted to increase predictive power of visual estimates, use of visual approaches to estimate nutritional condition can enhance knowledge that can be gained with a minimal budget, or where more invasive approaches are not possible. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
AdS Q-soliton and inhomogeneously mass-deformed ABJM model
Authors: Ahn Byoungjoon , Hyun Seungjoon , Kim Kyung Kiu , Kwon O-Kab , Park Sang-A
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We study dual geometries to a deformed ABJM model with spatially dependent source functions at finite temperature. These source functions are proportional to the mass function m(x) = m0 sin kx and its derivative m′(x). As dual geometries, we find hairy black branes and AdS solitons corresponding to deconfinement phase and confining phase of the dual field theory, respectively. It turns out that the hairy AdS solitons have lower free energy than the black branes when the Hawking temperature is smaller than the confining scale. Therefore the dual system undergoes the first order phase transition. Even though our study is limited to the so-called Q-lattice ansatz, the solution space contains a set of solutions dual to a supersymmetric mass deformation. As a physical quantity to probe the confining phase, we investigate the holographic entanglement entropy and discuss its behavior in terms of modulation effect.
Constructing SU(N) fractional instantons
Authors: González-Arroyo Antonio
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We study self-dual SU(N) gauge field configurations on the 4 torus with twisted boundary conditions, known as fractional instantons. Focusing on the minimum non-zero action case, we generalize the constant field strength solutions discovered by ‘t Hooft and valid for certain geometries. For the general case, we construct the vector potential and field strength in a power series expansion in a deformation parameter of the metric. The next to leading term is explicitly computed. The methodology is an extension of that used by the author for SU(2) fractional instantons and for vortices in two-dimensional Abelian Higgs models. Obviously, these solutions can also be seen as self-dual configurations in ℝ4 having a crystal structure, where each node of the crystal carries a topological charge of 1/N .
Anxiety and depression in women with urinary incontinence using E-health
Authors: Hansson Vikström Nils , Wasteson Elisabet , Lindam Anna , Samuelsson Eva
Published: February 2020

Introduction and hypothesis

Previous studies have found high prevalence rates of anxiety and depression in women with urinary incontinence (UI). This study investigates the prevalence in women who had turned to eHealth for treatment of UI and identifies possible factors associated with depression.

Methods

We analyzed data from two randomized controlled trials evaluating eHealth treatment for UI, including 373 women with stress UI (SUI), urgency UI (UUI), or mixed UI (MUI). We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and defined a score of ≥8 as depression or anxiety. The ICIQ-UI-SF questionnaire was used to score incontinence severity. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with depression and anxiety.

Results

Women with UUI or MUI were older than women with SUI, mean age 58.3 vs 48.6 years (p = <0.001). Four out of five participating women had a university education. The prevalence of anxiety and depression in women with SUI was 12.4% and 3.2% respectively. In women with MUI/UUI, 13.8% had anxiety and 10.6% had depression. In multivariate analyses, the odds ratio of having depression was 4.2 (95% CI = 1.4–12.3) for women with MUI/UUI compared with SUI when controlling for other risk factors.

Conclusion

The odds of depression in women with MUI/UUI were increased compared with SUI. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was considerably lower than reported in large cross-sectional surveys. Socioeconomic differences may partly explain this finding, as the use of eHealth still is more common among highly educated women.
Postpartum sexual function; the importance of the levator ani muscle
Authors: Roos Anne-Marie , Speksnijder Leonie , Steensma Anneke B.
Published: February 2020

Introduction and hypothesis

Pelvic floor muscle function plays an important role in female sexual functioning. Smaller genital hiatal dimensions have been associated with sexual dysfunction, mainly dyspareunia. On the other hand, trauma of the levator ani muscle sustained during childbirth is associated with increased genital hiatus, which potentially can affect sexual functioning by causing vaginal laxity. This study aims to determine the association between levator hiatal dimensions and female sexual dysfunction after first vaginal delivery.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study. Two hundred four women who had a first, spontaneous vaginal delivery at term between 2012 and 2015 were recruited at a minimum of 6 months postpartum. Thirteen pregnant women were excluded. We analyzed the association of total PISQ-12 score, as well as individual sexual complaints (desire, arousal, orgasm and dyspareunia), with levator hiatal dimensions at rest, with maximum Valsalva and during pelvic floor muscle contraction as measured by 4D transperineal ultrasound. Statistical analysis was performed using linear regression analysis and Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

One hundred ninety-one women were evaluated at a median of 11 months postpartum. There was no significant association between total PISQ-12 score and levator hiatal dimensions. Looking at individual sexual complaints, women with dyspareunia had significantly smaller levator hiatal area and anterior-posterior diameter on maximum Valsalva. By using multivariate logistic regression analysis however we found dyspareunia was not independently associated with levator hiatal dimensions.

Conclusions

After first vaginal delivery sexual dysfunction is not associated with levator hiatal dimensions as measured by 4D transperineal ultrasound.
Localization of Small Pulmonary Nodules Using Augmented Fluoroscopic Bronchoscopy: Experience from 100 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Yang Shun‐Mao , Yu Kai‐Lun , Lin Kun‐Hsien , Liu Yueh‐Lun , Sun Shao‐En , Meng Ling‐Hsuan , Ko Huan‐Jang
Published: February 2020

Background

We developed augmented fluoroscopic bronchoscopy (AFB) for the localization of small pulmonary nodules. Here, we review the results of 100 consecutive cases of AFB localization performed in our institute in order to evaluate its efficacy, safety, and procedural details.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Between July 2018 and September 2019, a total of 100 patients with 124 small lung nodules underwent AFB localization with dye marking and/or microcoil placement. All localizations were performed in a cone‐beam computed tomography examination room followed by thoracoscopic resection within 3 days.

Results

The mean nodule size was 9.7 mm, and the mean distance from the pleural space was 18.6 mm. Sixty‐three patients received dye marking only, and 37 patients received microcoil placement with/without additional dye marking. The mean bronchoscopy duration was 10.4 min, and the mean fluoroscopy duration was 3.4 min. The mean radiation exposure (expressed as the dose‐area product) was 3140.8 μGy × m2. The AFB procedures were successful in 94 patients [augmented fluoroscopy discrepancy (n = 2), incomplete C‐arm confirmation (n = 3), microcoil unlooping (n = 1)]; of those, 91 received successful marker‐guided resection [invisible dye (n = 2), failed nodule resection with first wedge (n = 1)]. The mean length of postoperative stay and chest drainage was 4.2 and 2.9 days, respectively.

Conclusions

The AFB technique is a safe and reproducible alternative for localizing small pulmonary nodules, and various localization strategies can be implemented for different nodule locations and resection plans.
The risk and consequences of multiple breadbasket failures: an integrated copula and multilayer agent-based modeling approach
Authors: Naqvi Asjad , Gaupp Franziska , Hochrainer-Stigler Stefan
Published: February 2020

Climate shocks to food systems have been thoroughly researched in terms of food security and supply chain management. However, sparse research exists on the dependent nature of climate shocks on food-producing breadbasket regions and their subsequent cascading impacts. In this paper, we propose that a copula approach, combined with a multilayer network and an agent-based model, can give important insights on how tail-dependent shocks can impact food systems. We show how such shocks can potentially cascade within a region through the behavioral interactions of various layers. Based on our suggested framework, we set up a model for India and show that risks due to drought events multiply if tail dependencies during extremes drought is explicitly taken into account. We further demonstrate that the risk is exacerbated if displacement also takes place. In order to quantify the spatial–temporal evolution of climate risks, we introduce a new measure of multilayer vulnerability that we term Vulnerability Rank orVRank. We find that with higher food production losses, the number of agents that are affected increases nonlinearly due to cascading effects in different network layers. These effects spread to the unaffected regions via large-scale displacement causing sudden changes in production, employment and consumption decisions. Thus, demand shifts also force supply-side adjustments of food networks in the months following the climate shock. We suggest that our framework can provide a more accurate picture of food security-related systemic risks caused by multiple breadbasket failures which, in turn, can better inform risk management and humanitarian aid strategies.
Age differences in night-time metabolic rate and body temperature in a small passerine
Authors: Andreasson Fredrik , Nord Andreas , Nilsson Jan-Åke
Published: February 2020

Spending the winter in northern climes with short days and cold ambient temperatures (Ta) can be energetically challenging for small birds that have high metabolic and heat loss rates. Hence, maintaining body temperature (Tb) in Ta below thermoneutrality can be energetically costly for a small bird. We still know little about how increased heat production below thermoneutrality affects the level at which Tb is maintained, and if these patterns are age specific. To test this, we measured subcutaneous body temperature (Ts) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) simultaneously in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) during winter nights in Ta’s ranging from 25 to − 15 °C. RMR increased below the lower critical temperature (LCT, estimated at 14 °C) and was 6% higher in young (birds in their first winter) compared to old birds (birds in their second winter or older). The higher RMR was also mirrored in higher Ts and thermal conductance (C) in young birds, which we suggest could be caused by age differences in plumage quality, likely driven by time constraints during moult. Reduction in nightly predicted Tb was modest and increased again at the coldest ambient temperatures, suggesting that either heat retention or heat production (or both) improved when Ta reached levels which are cold by the standards of birds in our population. Our results show that levels of heat production and Tb can be age specific. Further studies should address age-specific differences on quality, structure, and thermal conductivity of plumage more explicitly, to investigate the role of variation in insulation in age-linked metabolic phenotypes.
Kardiogener Schock
Authors: Zilberszac Robert , Heinz Gottfried
Published: February 2020

Kardiogener Schock (KS) ist ein Zustand kritischer Endorganhypoperfusion aufgrund eines kardialen Versagens. Zum Bild des klassischen KS gehören ein systolischer Blutruck < 90 mmHg, eine Lungenstauung, Nierenversagen, ischämische Hepatitis (Schockleber) sowie die klinischen Zeichen der Zentralisierung (Zyanose, kühle Extremitäten). Allgemein akzeptierte hämodynamische Cutoffs sind ein Herzzeitindex < 2,2 (l/min)/m2sowie ein pulmonalkapillärer Verschlussdruck > 15 mmHg. Es gibt auch eine sogenannte nichthypotensive Velaufsform des KS mit erhaltehem Blutdruck.

Die bei weitem häufigste Ursache des KS ist nach wie vor das durch ausgedehnten Myokardinfarkt ausgelöste Pumpversagen und die Mortalitätsrate konnte dank breiter Verfügbarkeit der primären PCI auf ca. 40–50% gesenkt werden. Bei der akuten PCI im infarktbedingten KS soll nach derzeitigem Kenntnisstand nur das schuldige Koronargefäß wiedereröffnet werden.

Weitere wichtige Ursachen sind mechanische Infrarktkomplikationen wie Papillarmuskelruptur, Ventrikelseptumruptur oder Ruptur der freien Wand (i. e. die Perikardtamponade), Myokarditis und Kardiomyopathien im fortgeschrittenen stadium, sowie Klappenerkrankungen, vor allem die hochgradige Aortenklappenstenose.

In der Diagnostik des KS spielen Anamnese, klinische Untersuchung, EKG und vor allem die Echokardiographie und die Herzkatheteruntersuchung eine entscheidende Rolle. Die Echokardiographie sollte immer vor der Herzkatheterdiagnostik durchgeführt werden, da sie bei Vorliegen mechanischer Komplikatonen das weitere Vorgehen (operativ vs interventionell) entscheidend beeinflusst. Bei Zeichen des KS in Gegenwart einer paradoxerweise guten Linksventrikelfunktion muss unbedingt an eine Papillarmuskelruptur gedacht werden, insbesondere wenn ein Lateralinfarkt vorliegt.

Die medikamentöse Stabilisierung sollte primär mit Noradrenalin und Dobutamin erfolgen, beim Versagen konventioneller Therapiemaßnahmen kann heute auf mechanische Unterstützungsverfahren wie z.b ECMO oder Impella© zurückgegriffen werden. Die Frage inwieweit, bzw. welchen Patienten diese Verfahren einen Vorteil bieten können, ist derzeit Gegenstand laufender klinischer Studien.
Microbial diversity in soils from antimony mining sites: geochemical control promotes species enrichment
Authors: Deng Renjian , Tang Zhie , Hou Baolin , Ren Bozhi , Wang Zhenghua , Zhu Chuanqu , Kelly Steven , Hursthouse Andrew
Published: February 2020

Elevated soil concentrations of antimony (Sb) and co-contaminants are frequently encountered where antimony has been mined on a large scale. For instance, the Xikuangshan antimony mine in central South China has sustained, over many centuries, dispersed and spatially variable input of toxic elements into the soil ecosystem. We utilized this unique environment to assess the impact of geochemical conditions on soil microbiology. Geochemical conditions were assessed by monitoring absolute and available fractions of toxic elements and disrupted soil properties. Soil microbiology was studied by high-throughput sequencing and statistical analysis, including principle component analysis and canonical correspondence analysis. Results show that Sb concentrations were ranged from 970 to more than 24,000 mg/kg. As concentrations were three times higher than the regional background values and ten times higher for Pb, 590 times higher for Cd and 30 times higher for Hg. About 5–10% of the total soil Sb was environmentally mobile. Microbial diversity was high, and soil properties such as pH, organic matter, iron and sulfate controlled the absolute microbial activity. We identified strong positive and negative correlations with specific bacterial taxonomic groups which show: (1) an intolerance of available fractions for all elements, e.g., Gemmatimonas, Pirellula, Spartobacteria; (2) a good tolerance of available fractions for all elements, e.g., Povalibacter, Spartobacteria; and (3) a mixed response, tolerating available Sb, Hg and Cd and inhibition by As, Pb, e.g., Escherichia/Shigella and Arthrobacter, and in reverse, e.g., Gemmatimonas and Sphingomonas. The site hosts great diversity dominated by Gram-negative organisms, many with rod (bacillus) morphologies but also some filamentous forms, and a wide range of metabolic capabilities: anaerobes, e.g., Saccharibacteria, metal oxidizing, e.g., Geobacter, chemoautotrophs, e.g., Gemmata, and sulfur reducing, e.g., Desulfuromonas. The bioremediation potential of Arthrobacter and Escherichia/Shigella for Sb control is highlighted.
The assessment of views on ageing: a review of self-report measures and innovative extensions
Authors: Klusmann Verena , Notthoff Nanna , Beyer Ann-Kristin , Blawert Anne , Gabrian Martina
Published: February 2020

This is a review of existing self-report measures for assessing views on ageing. It provides an overview of instruments, for which basic psychometric properties are available and describes them according to the purposes for which they are suitable. Literature search resulted in the inclusion of 89 instruments which were categorised along eight dimensions. The majority of measures focus on explicit cognitions about people’s own age and ageing or other (older) people. A substantial amount of tools account for the multidimensionality and multidirectionality of views on ageing, i.e. the idea that ageing is accompanied by both gains and losses in several different domains. To some extent, measures reflect that ageing is a long-term process and that views on ageing are malleable, rather than just stable traits. Cluster analysis revealed heterogeneity in instruments regarding the dimensions of Ecosystem, Balance, Stability, Dynamics, and Complexity. It becomes apparent, however, that approaches to measure views on ageing should be extended to more specifically target the implicit level as well as affective, physiological, and behavioural manifestations. Additionally, means for capturing views on ageing on the societal level and tools with a distinct time reference are needed. This is particularly important when one wants to account for the lifelong dynamics of views on ageing.
Solid angles and Seifert hypersurfaces
Authors: Borodzik Maciej , Dangskul Supredee , Ranicki Andrew
Published: February 2020

Given a smooth closed oriented manifoldMof dimensionnembedded in$${\mathbb {R}}^{n+2}$$Rn+2, we study properties of the ‘solid angle’ function$$\varPhi :{\mathbb {R}}^{n+2}{{\setminus }} M\rightarrow S^1$$Φ:Rn+2\M→S1. It turns out that a non-critical level set of$$\varPhi$$Φis an explicit Seifert hypersurface forM. This gives an explicit analytic construction of a Seifert surface in higher dimensions.
Securing personal freedom through institutions: the role of electoral democracy and judicial independence
Authors: Berggren Niclas , Gutmann Jerg
Published: February 2020

We investigate empirically how electoral democracy and judicial independence relate to personal freedom. While judicial independence is positively and robustly related to personal freedom in all its forms, electoral democracy displays a robust, positive relationship with only two out of seven types of personal freedom (freedom of association, assembly and civil society; freedom of expression and information). Interaction terms and more refined indicators of the political system reveal that countries without elections or with only one political party benefit more from judicial independence than both democracies and multi-party systems without free elections.
Maultsby’s Rational Behavior Therapy: Background, Description, Practical Applications, and Recent Developments
Authors: Wirga Mariusz , DeBernardi Michael , Wirga Aleksandra , Wirga Marta L. , Banout Marta , Fuller Olga Gulyayeva
Published: February 2020

In this article we present Maultsby’s Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT) as a unique and distinct, but underutilized form of cognitive-behavior therapy, including its origins, theory (with psychosomatic learning theory), basic concepts, and practical applications, as well as never before published recent developments. As readers will see, many of Maultsby’s concepts, while pioneering and beckoning the third wave, still remain fresh, validated by current cognitive neuroscience, and are very relevant to modern psychotherapeutic practice. We describe RBT’s valuable concepts and effective techniques in such a way that readers may readily start using them to complement and enhance any other form of cognitive behavior therapy. An article comparing RBT with REBT and CBT will follow.
Expanding Use of Nurse Home Visiting for Community Psychiatric Care in Japan
Authors: Kayama Mami , Setoya Nozomi , Doyle Colleen
Published: February 2020

In Japan, Community-based integrated care systems are being built in response to a super-aged society and policies of de-institutionalization. In this paper, we present findings and discussion of our review about Japanese psychiatric home visit nursing services provided by Home Visit Nursing Stations (HVNS). We have examined documents, investigated the implementation rate and summarized findings of the surveys of home visiting services from 2006 to 2016. The number of users of psychiatric home visiting services during 2007 to 2015 increased from 13,532 to 52,203. From 2013 to 2015 there was a large increase in user numbers, from 31,248 to 52,208. The implementation rate of psychiatric home visiting also increased steadily from 35.5% in 2006 to 58.3% in 2016. These changes reflected the impact of policy on psychiatric service usage in Japan. We should be able to detect the outcome of psychiatric home visiting nursing in influencing patient’s quality of daily life and their recovery.
Metrics and barycenters for point pattern data
Authors: Müller Raoul , Schuhmacher Dominic , Mateu Jorge
Published: February 2020

We introduce the transport–transform and the relative transport–transform metrics between finite point patterns on a general space, which provide a unified framework for earlier point pattern metrics, in particular the generalized spike time and the normalized and unnormalized optimal subpattern assignment metrics. Our main focus is on barycenters, i.e., minimizers of aq-th-order Fréchet functional with respect to these metrics. We present a heuristic algorithm that terminates in a local minimum and is shown to be fast and reliable in a simulation study. The algorithm serves as a general plug-in method that can be applied to point patterns on any state space where an appropriate algorithm for solving the location problem for individual points is available. We present applications to geocoded data of crimes in Euclidean space and on a street network, illustrating that barycenters serve as informative summary statistics. Our work is a first step toward statistical inference in covariate-based models of repeated point pattern observations.
Better off dead: assessment of aquatic disinfectants and thermal shock treatments to prevent the spread of invasive freshwater bivalves
Authors: Coughlan Neil E. , Bradbeer Stephanie J. , Cuthbert Ross N. , Cunningham Eoghan M. , Crane Kate , Potts Stephen , Caffrey Joe M. , Lucy Frances E. , Dunn Alison M. , Davis Eithne , Renals Trevor , Quinn Claire , Dick Jaimie T. A.
Published: February 2020

Biosecurity protocols designed to prevent further spread of invasive alien species have become a key component of invader management strategies. Yet, the species-specific efficacy of many biosecurity treatments are frequently unclear or unknown. Invasive quagga,Dreissena bugensis, and zebra mussels,D. polymorpha, are a serious threat to freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Here, we examine the effectiveness of immersion (≤ 90 min) within 2% or 4% solutions for two commonly used disinfectants (Virasure® Aquatic and Virkon® Aquatic) to cause mortality of adultDreissenabivalves.Further, we assessed the effectiveness of thermal treatments: steam spray (≥ 100 °C; ≤ 120 s); hot air (− 500 °C; ≤ 60 s); and dry ice exposure (− 78 °C; ≤ 300 g; 15 min). Complete mortality ofD. polymorphawas observed following exposure to both disinfectants for 90 min, at both concentrations. However, high but incomplete mortality (40–90%) was recorded forD. bugensisacross disinfectant treatments. For both species, complete mortality was achieved following 30 s of steam. In addition, 10 s of hot air and 15 min exposure to 300 g of dry ice can both completely killed groups ofD. polymorpha. Overall, although the disinfectants did not cause complete mortality, it appears that relatively brief exposure to thermal treatments could be used to curtail the further spread ofDreissenaspecies.
Intelligent autonomous treatment of bedwetting using non-invasive wearable advanced mechatronics systems and MEMS sensors
Authors: Kuru Kaya , Ansell Darren , Jones Martin , Watkinson Benjamin Jon , Caswell Noreen , Leather Peter , Lancaster Andrew , Sugden Paula , Briggs Eleanor , Davies Carl , Oh Teik Chooi , Bennett Kina , De Goede Christian
Published: February 2020

Post-void alarm systems to monitor bedwetting in nocturnal enuresis (NE) have been deemed unsatisfactory. The aim of this study is to develop a safe, comfortable and non-invasive pre-void wearable alarm and associated technologies using advanced mechatronics. Each stage of development includes patient and public involvement and engagement (PPI). The early stages of the development involved children with and without NE (and parents) who were tested at a hospital under the supervision of physicians, radiologists, psychologists, and nurses. The readings of the wearable device were simultaneously compared with B-mode images and measurements, acquired from a conventional ultrasound device, and were found to correlate highly. The results showed that determining imminent voiding need is viable using non-invasive sensors. Following on from “proof of concept,” a bespoke advanced mechatronics device has been developed. The device houses custom electronics, an ultrasound system, intelligent software, a user-friendly smartphone application, bedside alarm box, and a dedicated undergarment, along with a self-adhesive gel pad—designed to keep the MEMS sensors aligned with the abdomen. Testing of the device with phantoms and volunteers has been successful in determining bladder volume and associated voiding need. Five miniaturised, and therefore more ergonomic, versions of the device are being developed, with an enabled connection to the cloud platform for location independent control and monitoring. Thereafter, the enhanced device will be tested with children with NE at their homes for 14 weeks, to gain feedback relating to wearability and data collection involving the cloud platform.
Preoperative Upper-GI Endoscopy Prior to Bariatric Surgery: Essential or Optional?
Authors: Moulla Yusef , Lyros Orestis , Mehdorn Matthias , Lange Undine , Hamade Haitham , Thieme Rene , Hoffmeister Albrecht , Feisthammel Jürgen , Blüher Matthias , Jansen-Winkeln Boris , Gockel Ines , Dietrich Arne
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The role of preoperative upper-gastrointestinal (GI) gastroscopy has been discussed with controversy in bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of upper-GI pathologies detected via endoscopy prior to bariatric surgery along with their clinical significance for patients’ management.

Material and Methods

In our single center prospectively established database of obese patients, who underwent bariatric surgery from January 2011 to December 2017, we retrospectively analyzed the perioperative endoscopic findings along with their influence on patients’ management.

Results

In total, 636 obese patients with median BMI (body mass index) of 49 kg/m2 [range 31–92] received an upper-GI endoscopy prior to bariatric surgery. Among the surgical procedures, laparoscopic Roux-Y-gastric bypass (72.6%; n = 462) was the most frequent operation. Endoscopically detected pathological conditions were peptic ulcer 3.5% (22/636), Helicobacter pylori (Hp) gastritis 22.4% (143/636), and gastric or duodenal polyps 6.8% (43/636). Reflux esophagitis could be detected in 139/636 patients (21.9%). Barrett’s esophagus (BE) was histologically diagnosed in 95 cases (15.0%), whereas BE was suspected endoscopically in 75 cases (11.3%) only. Esophageal adenocarcinomas were detected in 3 cases (0.5%). Change of the operative strategy due to endoscopically or histologically detected pathologic findings had to be performed in 10 cases (1.6%).

Conclusion

Preoperative upper-GI endoscopy identifies a wide range of abnormal endoscopic findings in obese patients, which may have a significant impact on decision-making, particularly regarding the most suitable bariatric procedure and the appropriate follow-up. Therefore, preoperative upper-GI endoscopy should be considered in all obese patients prior to bariatric procedure.
Advanced Sensing and Human Activity Recognition in Early Intervention and Rehabilitation of Elderly People
Authors: Schrader Lisa , Vargas Toro Agustín , Konietzny Sebastian , Rüping Stefan , Schäpers Barbara , Steinböck Martina , Krewer Carmen , Müller Friedemann , Güttler Jörg , Bock Thomas
Published: February 2020

Ageing is associated with a decline in physical activity and a decrease in the ability to perform activities of daily living, affecting physical and mental health. Elderly people or patients could be supported by a human activity recognition (HAR) system that monitors their activity patterns and intervenes in case of change in behavior or a critical event has occurred. A HAR system could enable these people to have a more independent life.

In our approach, we apply machine learning methods from the field of human activity recognition (HAR) to detect human activities. These algorithmic methods need a large database with structured datasets that contain human activities. Compared to existing data recording procedures for creating HAR datasets, we present a novel approach, since our target group comprises of elderly and diseased people, who do not possess the same physical condition as young and healthy persons.

Since our targeted HAR system aims at supporting elderly and diseased people, we focus on daily activities, especially those to which clinical relevance in attributed, like hygiene activities, nutritional activities or lying positions. Therefore, we propose a methodology for capturing data with elderly and diseased people within a hospital under realistic conditions using wearable and ambient sensors. We describe how this approach is first tested with healthy people in a laboratory environment and then transferred to elderly people and patients in a hospital environment.

We also describe the implementation of an activity recognition chain (ARC) that is commonly used to analyse human activity data by means of machine learning methods and aims to detect activity patterns. Finally, the results obtained so far are presented and discussed as well as remaining problems that should be addressed in future research.
Membrane-based downhole oil–water separation (DOWS) technology: an alternative to hydrocyclone-based DOWS
Authors: Patel Mohit , Patel Jigarkumar , Pawar Yogendrasingh , Patel Nehal , Shah Manan
Published: February 2020

Produced water handling has become one of the central concerns for the oil and gas industry today. Produce water (water cut) increases as the field grows old, which brings the additional handling cost to the project. The additional expense could be in terms of lifting cost, treatment, maintenance, tubular scaling, corrosion problems, bacteria, naturally occurring radioactive material and environmental regulations, etc. To address this problem, the hydrocarbon industry developed the downhole oil–water separation (DOWS) technology in the 1990s. In spite of having such cost-effective and environment-friendly solutions, the industry has limited sites using this technique. Thus, there is uttermost need to evaluate the problems in practicality of the current hydrocyclone-based and gravity-based DOWS and find a reliable solution to it. The membrane-based separation methodology represents the coherent solution to robust the downhole separation system that does not require any moveable equipment with advance sensors and mechanical tools. If the reservoir is well characterized and a reliable simulation model is built, it is possible to predict the optimal time for the placement of a specific length of membrane in the well depending on the layer concerned and inclination of the well. Apart from designing the thin and porous hydrophobic and oleophilic membranes, there are plenty of field challenges which have put constraints on the practicality of membrane-based DOWS. The major constraints are durable range of separation pressure, fouling, separation process design, membrane-shear durability. The objective of this study is to present a novel model of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane-based downhole oil–water separation system with its over all functionality and addresses the constraints mentioned above with promising existing working solutions. Moreover, the study also literature reviews and compares the expenditure and maintenance involved in manufacturing, installation, operating and maintenance of system, between the conventional hydrocyclone-based downhole water separation and the proposed (PTFE) membrane-based DOWS.
Design and experiment of energy-saving water injection pump
Authors: Zhao Junyou , Dong Yafei , Fu Jianwei , Zhao Luhao , Zhang Yaning
Published: February 2020

An energy-saving water injection pump aimed at high-energy consumption and low efficiency of the traditional water injection pump in the later stages of oilfield exploitation is proposed. The hydraulic pump is used as the main power source to control the movement of the piston through the mechanical reversing valve, thereby driving the plunger to move left and right, supercharging the water in the plunger cylinder. First, the structural parameters of the energy-saving water injection pump were determined. Then, dynamic analysis of the pump parts was carried out. The finite element simulation of the piston cylinder and the plunger cylinder showed that the structural strength meets the requirements. The hydraulic system dynamic simulation showed that the output pressure can reach the predetermined pressure. Finally, a field test was carried out in the Jiangsu Oilfield. The results show that the device can meet the water injection requirements of the oilfield.
Comprehensive investigation of low-salinity waterflooding in sandstone reservoirs
Authors: Snosy M. Fouad , Abu El Ela Mahmoud , El-Banbi Ahmed , Sayyouh Helmy
Published: February 2020

Waterflooding has been applied for many years as secondary recovery method with no or little regard to the effect of the injected water salinity on oil recovery. However, in the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in understanding the effects of changing injected water salinity on reservoir performance. The potential of low-salinity waterflooding (LSWF) has been studied in sandstone reservoirs by numerous core-flooding experiments. These experiments have shown diverse results. This paper aims to investigate the effects of changing water salinity on oil recovery. A comprehensive review and analysis of the results of more than 500 core-flood experiments from published work were investigated to study the effects of several parameters such as clay content, clay type, and temperature on oil recovery. The relation between incremental oil recovery and sodium adsorption ratio SAR, and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) parameters which control clay swelling was illustrated. The analysis of the results revealed that there is an optimum composition and optimum salinity for waterflooding in secondary flooding stage. However, for tertiary flooding stage, the results showed that the controlling factor may be not decreasing the salinity but rather changing the salinity (e.g., either increasing or decreasing) with minor improvement in oil recovery. It was clear also that applying the optimum salinity in the secondary recovery stage is more effective than applying it in the tertiary recovery stage. This study aims to develop important guidelines for screening and designing optimum salinity for waterflooding projects in sandstone reservoirs.