bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of High‐Dose Acyclovir Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis Failure in Abdominal Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Siodlak Magdalena , Jorgenson Margaret R. , Descourouez Jillian L. , Leverson Glen E. , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Smith Jeannina A. , Redfield Robert R.
Published: May 2018

Study Objective

To evaluate the clinical course and long‐term impact of high‐dose acyclovir (HD‐A, 800 mg 4 times/day) cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis failure in a CMV‐seropositive abdominal solid organ transplant population.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary academic medical center.

Patients

A total of 691 adults who received solid organ transplants between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2013, without lymphocyte‐depleting induction and were prescribed 3 months of HD‐A prophylaxis at the time of hospital discharge. Of those patients, 54 experienced prophylaxis failure, defined as CMV detected via molecular diagnostics or on biopsy while receiving HD‐A (prophylaxis failure group), and 637 did not (comparator group).

Measurements and Main Results

Mean ± SD time to failure was 64 ± 23 days; 98% (53/54 patients) was attributable to viremia diagnosed via positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of these 53 patients, 34% (18 patients) were below the quantifiable range when detected. Median initial and peak CMV PCR for quantifiable readings were 1531 IU/ml (interquartile range [IQR] less than 250–2947) and 4442 IU/ml (IQR less than 250–32,500); 19 (36%) had a single detectable CMV PCR. Treatment was required in 56% (30/54 patients), with a median duration of 63 days; 40% (12 patients) were treated with valganciclovir alone, and the remainder received intravenous ganciclovir. CMV disease resulted in hospitalization in 28% (15 patients). Immunosuppression was modified in 52% (28 patients). The rate of CMV recurrence after 100 days was significantly higher in the prophylaxis failure group (59% vs 13%, p<0.0001). Higher rates of rejection; higher rates of 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year graft failure; and higher rates of 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year mortality were noted in the prophylaxis failure group on univariate analysis (43% vs 30%, p=0.045; 8%, 17%, and 34% vs 4%, 12%, and 17%, p=0.006; and 6%, 17%, and 26% vs 1%, 6%, and 10%, p=0.003, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated an increased risk of graft failure in the prophylaxis failure group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1–3.1, p=0.0499) and a trend to increased mortality (HR 1.6, 95% CI 0.83–3.1, p=0.16).

Conclusion

Prophylaxis failure with HD‐A was mostly limited to mild viremia; however, it was associated with significantly reduced long‐term graft survival, likely reflecting the negative impact of CMV viremia.
Antihyperglycemic Medications and Impact on Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Gale Stormi E. , Poon Jeannie L. , Watson Kristin
Published: May 2018

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to be at an increased risk for macrovascular complications, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the greatest drivers of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Over the past decade, the number of treatment options for type 2 DM has increased. In 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration mandated an evaluation of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes associated with antihyperglycemic agents. Since that time, the CV risk‐benefit profile of many antihyperglycemic treatment modalities have been evaluated; however, results have remained inconsistent. This article will review the literature on the use of pharmacologic therapies in patients with type 2 DM and associated CVD risk, as well as provide recommendations for appropriate treatment selection in this population. Current evidence has demonstrated CV benefits with metformin, select glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (liraglutide), and sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (canagliflozin and empagliflozin).
Oxygen plasma etching of hydrocarbon‐like polymers: Part I Modeling
Authors: Bès Alexandre , Koo Min , Phan Thành L. , Lacoste Ana , Pelletier Jacques
Published: May 2018

This work on the etching of polymers in oxygen plasmas begins with a general review of experimental data and modeling attempts. Result analysis leads to an extended etching model based on the description of polymer surfaces composed of chain segments randomly distributed and taking into account the microscopic structure of polymers at the atomic and molecular level. Experimental data also suggest that thermally activated desorption of CO, in addition to CO2 desorption, and UV‐induced etching, in addition to ion‐induced etching, must be incorporated in the modeling. The analytical results confirm the impossibility to reach perfect anisotropy in presence of UV‐induced desorption and also to determine directly from Arrhenius plots the activation energies for CO and CO2 thermal desorption.
Cross‐resistance to diflufenican and picolinafen and its inheritance in oriental mustard (Sisymbrium orientale L.)
Authors: Dang Hue T , Malone Jenna M , Gill Gurjeet , Preston Christopher
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

An oriental mustard population (P40) was identified as resistant to diflufenican by screening at the field rate. As diflufenican and picolinafen both target phytoene desaturase (PDS), cross‐resistance to picolinafen was suspected. The mechanism of resistance and its inheritance to diflufenican and picolinafen were investigated.

RESULTS

At the lethal dose (LD50) level, population P40 was 237‐fold more resistant to diflufenican and seven‐fold more resistant to picolinafen compared to two susceptible populations. Population P40 also had a significantly higher resistance to diflufenican (237‐fold) than a previously described P3 population (143‐fold). In addition to the Leu‐498‐Val mutation in PDS identified in all individuals of the P3 and P40 populations, a Glu‐425‐Asp mutation was also found in P40. Neither mutation was detected in any individuals of the susceptible population. As the segregation of phenotype and genotype of the F2 individuals fitted the model for a single dominant allele, resistance to both diflufenican and picolinafen is likely encoded on the nuclear genome and is dominant.

CONCLUSION

Resistance to diflufenican and picolinafen in the P40 population is likely conferred by Leu‐498‐Val and Glu‐425‐Asp mutations in the PDS gene. Inheritance of resistance to these herbicides is managed by a single dominant gene. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Vapor toxicity of five volatile pyrethroids against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Bibbs Christopher S , Tsikolia Maia , Bloomquist Jeffrey R , Bernier Ulrich R , Xue Rui‐De , Kaufman Phillip E
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Mosquito mortality has been documented in numerous studies of spatial repellents but the concentration‐dependent toxicity of spatial repellent vapors has not been documented. To address this issue, prallethrin, flumethrin, metofluthrin, transfluthrin, and meperfluthrin were selected for comparative study against Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Ae. aegypti (L.), Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say. Mosquito were exposed to vapors of each chemical for 2, 4, and 24 h with mortality recorded at each time point. A second experiment involved exposing mosquitoes to vapors for 2 h, then transferring them to untreated holding containers and held for 24 h. For these mosquitoes, readings were only taken after 24 h to allow for metabolic detoxification and recovery.

RESULTS

LC50 and LC90 data indicated that transfluthrin and meperfluthrin had the greatest toxicity across all species, followed by metofluthrin, prallethrin, and flumethrin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings, through the direct comparison of these compounds, suggest that transfluthrin, meperfluthrin, and metofluthrin be considered for further development. The vapor toxicity for the aforementioned compounds significantly exceeds prallethrin, which is currently market available as an adulticidal active ingredient in public health pest control. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Singlet Exciton Diffusion in Vacuum‐Evaporated Films of Amine‐Based Materials as Studied by Photocurrent and Photoluminescence Quenching Methods
Authors: Pelczarski Daniel , Grygiel Piotr , Stampor Waldemar
Published: May 2018

The singlet exciton diffusion lengths are determined by the photoconductivity as well as the luminescence surface quenching technique, in vacuum‐evaporated layers of (4,4′,4″‐tris(N‐(3‐methylphenyl)‐N‐phenylylamino) triphenylamine) (m‐MTDATA), 4,4′,4″‐tris[2‐naphthyl(phenyl)amino] triphenylamine (2TNATA), and N,N′‐diphenyl‐N,N′‐bis(3‐methylphenyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐diamine (TPD) which are frequently used for fabrication of electroluminescent and photovoltaic devices. The values are found to be as high as (30 ± 10) nm in 2TNATA and m‐MTDATA, as well as (46 ± 9) nm in TPD films. The corresponding singlet diffusion coefficients of the range between 1 × 10−3and 1 × 10−2 cm2 s−1, according to a comprehensive study undertaken, are assigned to a sizable electronic coupling induced by strong interactions of intra‐ and inter‐molecular origin in the investigated materials.
A Wiener‐based degradation model with logistic distributed measurement errors and remaining useful life estimation
Authors: Shen Yan , Shen Lijuan , Xu Wangtu
Published: May 2018

Degradation data analysis, which investigates degradation processes of products to extrapolate the lifetime properties, is an effective method for reliability analysis. But degradation data that reflect a product's inherent randomness of degradation are often contaminated by measurement errors. To deal with the problem, this paper proposes a Wiener‐based model with an assumption of logistic distributed measurement errors and adopts the Monte Carlo expectation‐maximization method together with the Gibbs sampling for parameter estimation. Based on the model and parameter estimates, an efficient algorithm is proposed for a quick calculation of maximum likelihood value. Also, the estimation of remaining useful lifetime is discussed. Simulation results show that the proposed model is relatively better and more robust in comparison with the Wiener process with Gaussian noises. Finally, the application of the proposed model is illustrated by an example.
Spatial structure of large‐river fish populations across main‐stem and tributary habitats
Authors: Spurgeon J.J. , Pegg M.A. , Hamel M.J. , Steffensen K.D.
Published: May 2018

The spatial variability in demographic parameters represents fundamental information for conservation and management of large‐river fish populations. We assessed demographic processes including survival and movement across macroscale habitats in a large‐river network using 2 candidate large‐river species with contrasting life history strategies. We used mark–recapture data and a multistate model framework to estimate survival and transition probabilities between main‐stem and tributary habitats for both channel catfish and shovelnose sturgeon. Annual survival for channel catfish was similar in main‐stem and tributary habitats (range in S = 0.47–0.58). Annual survival for shovelnose sturgeon was less in the tributary (S = 0.68) compared with the main stem (S = 0.83). The probability of movement among macroscale habitats differed between species. However, the greatest probability of movement occurred from the tributary to the main‐stem for both channel catfish (ψ = 0.42) and shovelnose sturgeon (ψ = 0.27). Movement between main‐stem and tributary rivers may be a prominent characteristic for both channel catfish and shovelnose sturgeon and could influence population demographic rates and abundance across systems. Riverine fish populations are likely structured across multiple salient scales—including tributary and main‐stem habitats. Consideration of connectivity across tributary and main‐stem habitats with respect to species' life history strategy and life stage may better integrate a systems' perspective for conservation and management of large‐river fish populations.
Study on the capacity of mesoporous alumina with different pore sizes absorb silane inhibitors
Authors: Wei Hu , Shchukin Dmitry G. , Li Cheng
Published: May 2018

By modifying and optimizing the procedures, which were well described and understood for the synthesis of macroporous alumina, mesoporous alumina–based film has been successfully prepared, In this paper, the orderly mesoporous Al2O3 thin film was prepared by electrochemical workstation, and via supported N‐octyltriethoxysilane (NOS) coupling agent, corrosion inhibitors be loaded into the different pore sizes of mesoporous alumina films. The physicochemical properties of this thin inhibitors carrier film were characterized. Corrosion resistance of mesoporous alumina and honeycomb ceramic macroporous alumina were compared; the conclusion shows that mesoporous alumina film can be used as good corrosion inhibitors carrier and bring out a high‐efficiency inhibition result. Simultaneously, by compared with corrosion inhibition of different pore sizes (20‐50 nm) mesoporous alumina who absorbed NOS, and a general relationship between the different mesoporous alumina pore sizes and the adsorption capacity of NOS was obtained.
Hypoglycemic Effect of Dry Heat Treated Starch With Xanthan: An In Vitro and In Vivo Comparative Study
Authors: Oh Im Kyung , Bae In Young , Lee Hyeon Gyu
Published: May 2018

The hypoglycemic effects of dry heated starches are evaluated based on the correlation between their in vitro starch digestibility and in vivo glucose responses. High amylose rice starch is modified by dry heat treatment with xanthan at 130 °C for 2 h, and all starch samples are gelatinized for further analysis. Dry heat treatment reduces rapidly digestible starch content by 10.2–38.9% and increases resistant starch content by 9.3–28.1% in the results of in vitro starch digestibility. Regarding in vivo glucose responses, dry heat‐treated starches also lower the postprandial increase in blood glucose level than native starch, and dry heat treated starch with xanthan has the lowest glycemic index (GI, 71.4), showing the similar tendency of in vitro results. The linear regression equation obtained from the correlation analysis with the in vitro and in vivo data was GI = 1.69 (hydrolysis index) − 18.30. This new equation based on a gelatinized modified starch sample can be used as a predictor of GI in mice from in vitro data to develop new functional materials. Dry heat treatment with xanthan is an effective method to lower GI in gelatinized form in vivo as well as in vitro.
Key Morphological Features Favor the Success of Nonnative Fish Species under Reduced Turbidity Conditions in the Lower Colorado River Basin
Authors: Moran Clinton J. , Ward David L. , Gibb Alice C.
Published: May 2018

As a result of anthropomorphic alterations to the lower Colorado River basin and other southwestern rivers, water turbidity has been greatly reduced and introduced, nonnative fishes thrive in these waterways. To quantify key morphological features that may allow nonnative fishes to displace native fishes, we compared eye diameter (a proxy for visual acuity) and maximum anatomical gape (a proxy for maximum prey size) in native and nonnative fishes of the lower Colorado River basin. In general, nonnative fishes have larger eyes and larger gapes relative to native fishes. Native invertivorous and piscivorous fishes may be at a particular disadvantage when compared with nonnative species from the same trophic guild because native midwater predators have proportionally smaller eyes and mouths. In the historically turbid conditions of the Colorado River, native fish likely had a limited ability to use vision to locate prey and avoid predators. Similarly, native fishes could not identify potential food items from a distance in turbid waters so suction‐based prey capture (where the predator is in close proximity to the prey) may have been favored over ram‐based prey capture (where fish swim from a distance to overtake prey). Many nonnative fish species have a large eye diameter and maximum anatomical gape; these features likely facilitate their ability to visually identify and capture large, elusive prey. These results suggest that the large eyes and large gapes of nonnative fishes make them superior predators and competitors in the clear, anthropomorphically altered southwestern rivers of the USA.
Piscivore Diet Shifts and Trophic Level Change after Alewife Establishment in Lake Champlain
Authors: Simonin Paul W. , Rudstam Lars G. , Parrish Donna L. , Pientka Bernard , Sullivan Patrick J.
Published: May 2018

Invasions and deliberate introductions of new prey species are likely to affect the prey choice and trophic level of resident predators. Rainbow Smelt Osmerus mordax and Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus are common prey fish species in lakes throughout North America, either as native or nonnative species. The establishment of Alewives in the 2000s in a lake with a native Rainbow Smelt population (Lake Champlain) presented an opportunity to study changes in the diet and trophic level of fish already established in the system. Using stable isotope analysis, we found that Alewives became a major component of predator diets, in particular of the diets of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Walleye Sander vitreus. Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush consumed relatively few Alewives. For Walleyes (the predator with both pre‐ and post‐Alewife isotope ratios available), the δ15N values decreased significantly from the pre‐Alewife period of the late 1990s, indicating that Walleyes feed at lower trophic levels when Alewives are present. Predation on Alewives was correlated with the amount of spatial overlap of predators and prey. Our results show that the introduction of Alewives has altered the predator–prey linkages in Lake Champlain, alterations that can have major effects on food web structure and trophic cascades.
Ab initio computations of molecular systems by the auxiliary‐field quantum Monte Carlo method
Authors: Motta Mario , Zhang Shiwei
Published: May 2018

The auxiliary‐field quantum Monte Carlo (AFQMC) method provides a computational framework for solving the time‐independent Schrödinger equation in atoms, molecules, solids, and a variety of model systems. AFQMC has recently witnessed remarkable growth, especially as a tool for electronic structure computations in real materials. The method has demonstrated excellent accuracy across a variety of correlated electron systems. Taking the form of stochastic evolution in a manifold of nonorthogonal Slater determinants, the method resembles an ensemble of density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations in the presence of fluctuating external potentials. Its computational cost scales as a low‐power of system size, similar to the corresponding independent‐electron calculations. Highly efficient and intrinsically parallel, AFQMC is able to take full advantage of contemporary high‐performance computing platforms and numerical libraries. In this review, we provide a self‐contained introduction to the exact and constrained variants of AFQMC, with emphasis on its applications to the electronic structure of molecular systems. Representative results are presented, and theoretical foundations and implementation details of the method are discussed.

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science

Computer and Information Science > Computer Algorithms and Programming
Resummation for (boosted) top-quark pair production at NNLO+NNLL′ in QCD
Authors: Czakon Michal , Ferroglia Andrea , Heymes David , Mitov Alexander , Pecjak Ben D. , Scott Darren J. , Wang Xing , Yang Li Lin
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We construct predictions for top quark pair differential distributions at hadron colliders that combine state-of-the-art NNLO QCD calculations with double resummation at NNLL′ accuracy of threshold logarithms arising from soft gluon emissions and of small mass logarithms. This is the first time a resummed calculation at full NNLO+NNLL′ accuracy in QCD for a process with non-trivial color structure has been completed at the differential level. Of main interest to us is the stability of the

$$ {M}_{t\overline{t}} $$

M

t

t
¯

and top-quark p

T
distributions in the boosted regime where fixed order calculations may become strongly dependent on the choice of dynamic scales. With the help of numeric and analytic arguments we confirm that the choice for the factorization and renormalization scales advocated recently by some of the authors is indeed optimal. We further derive a set of optimized kinematics-dependent scales for the matching functions which appear in the resummed calculations. Our NNLO+NNLL′ prediction for the top-pair invariant mass is significantly less sensitive to the choice of factorization scale than the fixed order prediction, even at NNLO. Notably, the resummed and fixed order calculations are in nearly perfect agreement with each other in the full

$$ {M}_{t\overline{t}} $$

M

t

t
¯

range when the optimal dynamic scale is used. For the top-quark p

T
distribution the resummation performed here has less of an impact and instead we find that upgrading the matching with fixed-order from NLO+NNLL′ to NNLO+NNLL′ to be an important effect, a point to be kept in mind when using NLO-based Monte Carlo event generators to calculate this distribution.
Entanglement entropy in (1+1)D CFTs with multiple local excitations
Authors: Guo Wu-zhong , He Song , Luo Zhu-Xi
Published: May 2018

Abstract

In this paper, we use the replica approach to study the Rényi entropy S

L
of generic locally excited states in (1+1)D CFTs, which are constructed from the insertion of multiple product of local primary operators on vacuum. Alternatively, one can calculate the Rényi entropy S

R
corresponding to the same states using Schmidt decomposition and operator product expansion, which reduces the multiple product of local primary operators to linear combination of operators. The equivalence S

L
= S

R
translates into an identity in terms of the F symbols and quantum dimensions for rational CFT, and the latter can be proved algebraically. This, along with a series of papers, gives a complete picture of how the quantum information quantities and the intrinsic structure of (1+1)D CFTs are consistently related.
2PI effective action for the SYK model and tensor field theories
Authors: Benedetti Dario , Gurau Razvan
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We discuss the two-particle irreducible (2PI) effective action for the SYK model and for tensor field theories. For the SYK model the 2PI effective action reproduces the bilocal reformulation of the model without using replicas.

In general tensor field theories the 2PI formalism is the only way to obtain a bilocal reformulation of the theory, and as such is a precious instrument for the identification of soft modes and for possible holographic interpretations. We compute the 2PI action for several models, and push it up to fourth order in the 1/N expansion for the model proposed by Witten in [1], uncovering a one-loop structure in terms of an auxiliary bilocal action.
Constraining the Seismic Potentiality Analysis for Andaman Arc System, NE Indian Ocean
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Basab , Mukhopadhyay Manoj , Mishra Om Prakash , Sengupta Diptansu , Dasgupta Sujit , Elawadi Eslam , Mondal Prabir Kumar , Gonnade Ghanshyam Dharamchand
Published: May 2018

Seismic-potential for the Andaman Arc System (AAS) is evaluated using a three-tier approach: (i) the seismic b-values derived using a revised and homogenized earthquake catalog for Mw ≥ 4.7, with uniform Mw, for the period 1964 – 2013 created from ISC Data, (ii) Free-air gravity-anomalies for AAS and their geologic interpretation and (iii) deep crustal structure from seismic reflection surveys and 3D seismic tomography results. Both long-term spatial b-value anomalies for the period 1964-2013 and temporal b-value anomalies for a shorter period (2002 – 2013) have been estimated. The b-value maps are interpreted in terms of the stress regime acting across AAS and stressed asperities inferred along the strike of AAS. Eight distinguishable seismic-zones are identified and their seismic potential is examined by temporal b-value anomalies in producing moderate to large earthquakes. The latter demonstrates ‘low-high’ or ‘high-low’ couplet over years, and that a variation in b-value more than 20% compared to the previous year value is likely to produce an earthquake event with Mw ≥ 6.0. Some support to this interpretation comes from the regional Free-air gravity-anomalies and deep crustal structure interpreted from hypocentral distribution of earthquakes. The high b-values are seemingly associated with magma chambers or low velocity crust; creating asperity zones due to multiple batholithic intrusions at plate boundary. This geologic interpretation is evidenced by 3D P-wave seismic tomography and velocity heterogeneity study for AAS reported by us elsewhere.
Soil Loss Estimation based on RUSLE along the Central Hunter Valley Region, NSW, Australia
Authors: Joshi Veena U.
Published: May 2018

Soil erosion by water has been a major problem since man introduced agriculture in the landscape. Soil erosion is a common hazard which is steadily increasing as a result of human activities in many parts of the world. Hunter Valley of NSW is located in subtropical eastern Australia. The region is known for its diversity in landscape that includes wide floodplains, extensive estuarine wetlands, undulating country, escarpments and rugged sandstone gorges. The region is also well known for wine production. The Hunter Valley has a long history of soil erosion following the European settlement 150 years ago. Currently there have been renewed human activities in the south central part of the region for coal mining, leading to clearance of vegetation and disturbance of soil. The present study addresses the issue of soil erosion in a part of Hunter Region by employing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE, Renard et al., 1977) model. The results indicate that the average annual soil loss from the area is 0.7 kg/m2/year, which is well beyond the tolerance limit of the soil. Statistical relationships between soil loss and each parameter of the RUSLE equation were obtained and it was found that C factor has significant influence on the average soil loss in the area. An overall picture that emerges out of the study is that the region is continuing to suffer as a result of disturbance in natural environment from the historical times till present.
Response of Mollusk Assemblages to Environmental Conditions: A Case Study from the Burullus Lagoon, Egypt
Authors: Orabi Orabi H. , El-Badry Abd El-Monsef A. , Alhejoj Ikhlas
Published: May 2018

The identified mollusks from the Burullus lagoon of Egypt (Eastern Mediterranean) are represented by four bivalve species and four gastropod species. Sources of heavy metals pollution in the Burullus lagoon include phosphate fertilizers, sewage and oil spills from fishing boats.

The Cerastoderma glaucum species has a wide distribution in the central part of the studied area with satisfying criteria required for good bio-monitors of pollution. High concentrations of heavy metals are found in water, at the eastern side of the lagoon, while low concentrations were detected in the central and western sides of the lagoon. Pirenella conica constitutes the total gastropods assemblages, reflecting this species tolerance to the high concentration of heavy metals. Meanwhile, the total pelecypods in bottom lagoon sediments are completely absent in the eastern parts of the lagoon, which may be due to the sensitivity of pelecypods to the accumulation of heavy metals.
Geochemical Characterization of the Tazareh Coals, Iran
Authors: Pazand Kaveh
Published: May 2018

This study investigates the abundance, modes of occurrence and origin of major and trace elements in the Jurassic Tazareh coal in the northern Iran. A total of 27 samples (coal, coaly shale and siltstones) were collected and analyzed for trace elements by neutron activation analysis (INAA) and for major elements by X-ray fluorescence. The abundance of these elements is discussed in relation to local geological conditions. The correlation between the various elements is demonstrated through scatter diagrams and the possible genetic associations are discussed. Most elements (Al, Si, Na, K, Fe, Mg, Ti, Ba, Cr and REE) are positively correlated with ash yields that are inorganically associated. Bromine displays statistically signiûcant negative correlations with ash yield. The Ca, Zn, Se, As and Co present mixed modes of occurrence in the coal and probably associate with organic fraction.
Effect of microemulsion on foam stability
Authors: Jong Stephen Yin-Chyuan , Nguyen Quoc Phuc
Published: May 2018

Microemulsion–foam interactions are significant in the low tension gas process, an emerging enhanced oil recovery method. As oil–water–surfactant systems are subjected to various salinity environments and microemulsion phase behavior varies, foam strength has also been observed to vary. This may be due to the action of oil-swollen micelles within liquid lamellae. Winsor Type I microemulsions were characterized according to surface tension, oil content, oil-swollen micelle size, and viscosity. Their impact on foam stability was quantified via dynamic Bikerman-style glass column tests and static decay tests in a physical rock network microfluidic chip to observe behavior and trends across scales. Foam stability tests demonstrated up to 90% decrease in stability with similar trends at both scales as oil-swollen micelle diameter increased from 9.30 to 27.08 nm and concentration decreased over 80%. Decrease in micelle availability and micellar structuring effectiveness, with interaction effects, explains the impact of microemulsion on foam stability.
Optimizing the debarking and cutting schedule of cork oak stands
Authors: Pasalodos-Tato María , Pukkala Timo , Cañellas Isabel , Sánchez-González Mariola
Published: May 2018

Key message

Optimal management of cork oak forest stands was analyzed for different site indices and cork growth rates. Optimal debarking intervals varied during the rotation and were sometimes shorter or longer than the officially recommended range of 9–14 years.

Context

Quercus suberL. is one of the most important multipurpose tree species in the Mediterranean area. Its main product is cork, appreciated for its elasticity, impermeability, and thermal insulation properties. Cork oaks are debarked at constant intervals, which vary from 9 to 14 years depending on the area. However, since the growth rate of cork is not constant during the rotation, it may be optimal to use variable debarking intervals.

Aims

This study optimized the debarking and cutting schedules ofQuercus suberstands and analyzed the influence of economic and stand-related factors on optimal management.

Methods

The study employed a simulation system where the existing growth and yield models forQuercus suberwere used with a non-linear derivative-free optimization algorithm. Discount rates and cork prices were tested as economic factors and cork growth rate and site productivity as stand-related factors.

Results

The optimal debarking interval varied during the rotation. Increasing cork growth rate increased the optimal number of debarkings and shortened their interval. Decreasing discount rate increased the optimal number of debarkings during rotation while decreasing cork price decreased the number of debarkings.

Conclusion

The profitability of the management of cork oak stands depends on site fertility and stand density; management is not profitable on poor sites or at high discount rates. This study is the first that simultaneously optimizes the cutting and debarking schedule of cork oak stands, allowing the debarking interval to vary.
Reconceptualising the Scholarship of Marketing Education–Some Futurescapes
Authors: Snuggs Elizabeth , Jevons Colin
Published: May 2018

Teaching is an important part of marketing academics’ work. However research into the scholarship of marketing education (SoME) has not enjoyed the same standing as discipline-based research, a regrettable gap. We present comparative data from other business disciplines, which all value educational research higher than the marketing discipline does. We then discuss the underlying factors and collate various scenarios into three futurescapes as bases for discussion of how to increase SoME's value and reputation in a rapidly-changing environment.
Variation of genes encoding KAT1, AADAT and IDO1 as a potential risk of depression development
Authors: Wigner Paulina , Czarny Piotr , Synowiec Ewelina , Bijak Michał , Talarowska Monika , Galecki Piotr , Szemraj Janusz , Sliwinski Tomasz
Published: May 2018

Background:

Numerous data suggests that the disorders of tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) pathway, including a decreased level of tryptophan or evaluated concentration of harmful TRYCATs −kynurenine, quinolinic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, 3-hydroxytryptophan − may cause the occurrence of DD symptoms. In this work, we assessed the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KAT1, KAT2 and IDO1 gene encoding, and the risk of depression development. Our study was performed on the DNA isolated from peripheral blood of 281 depressed patients and 236 controls. We genotyped, by using TaqMan probes, four polymorphisms: c.*456G > A of KAT1 (rs10988134), c.975-7T > C of AADAT (rs1480544), c.-1849C > A (rs3824259) and c.-1493G > C(rs10089084)of IDO1. We found that only the A/A genotype of c.*456G > A − KAT1 (rs10988134) increased the risk of depression occurrence. Interestingly, when we stratified the study group according to gender, this relationship was present only in male population. However, a gene–gene analysis revealed a link between the T/T-C/C genotype of c.975-7T > C − AADAT (rs1480544)or c.-1493G > C − IDO1 (rs10089084) and C/C-C/A genotype of c.975-7T > C − AADAT (rs1480544)and c. −1849C > A − IDO1 (rs3824259) and the disease. Moreover, we found, that the c.975-7T > C − AADAT and c. *456G > A KAT1 (rs10988134) polymorphisms may modulate the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors therapy. Concluding, our results confirm the hypothesis formulated in our recently published article that the SNPs of genes involved in TRYCATs pathway may modulate the risk of depression. This provides some further evidence that the pathway plays the crucial role in development of the disease.
Collimated gamma rays from laser wakefield accelerated electrons
Authors: Li Minghua , Chen Liming , Li Dazhang , Huang Kai , Li Yifei , Ma Yong , Yan Wenchao , Tao Mengze , Tan Junhao , Sheng Zhengming , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2018

Betatron radiation from laser wakefield accelerated electrons and X-rays scattered off a counter-propagating relativistic electron bunch are collimated and hold the potential to extend the energy range to hard X-ray or gamma ray band. The peak brightness of these incoherent radiations could reach the level of the brightest synchrotron light sources in the world due to their femtosecond pulse duration and source size down to a few micrometers. In this article, the principle and properties of these radiation sources are briefly reviewed and compared. Then we present our recent progress in betatron radiation enhancement in the perspective of both photon energy and photon number. The enhancement is triggered by using a clustering gas target, arousing a second injection of a fiercely oscillating electron bunch with large charge or stimulating a resonantly enhanced oscillation of the ionization injected electrons. By adopting these methods, bright photon source with energy over 100 keV is generated which would greatly impact applications such as nuclear physics, diagnostic radiology, laboratory astrophysics and high-energy density science.
Evaluation of sheep sinonasal endoscopic anatomy as a model for rhinologic research
Authors: Macias‐Valle Luis , Finkelstein‐Kulka Andres , Manji Jamil , Okpaleke Christopher , Al‐Salihi Salahuddin , Javer Amin R.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Despite many publications describing sheep models for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) procedures, accurate endoscopic anatomical studies are lacking. There are no publications correlating computed tomography (CT) and 3D models with endoscopic anatomical descriptions. This study evaluates and describes the endoscopic anatomy of a sheep model.

Methods

Ten live sheep (20‐sides) were included. Two cadaveric specimens, imaged using thin slice CT for 3D reconstruction correlation were also included. Using endoscopy, anatomical structures were measured and described. Measurement of the same structures was carried out using the 3D imaging model.

Results

Three sets of turbinates were identified at 2.3, 5.1 and 8.5 cm from the anterior nasal sill. Frontal recess and uncinate process were identified at 12.7 cm. The septum has a bony and cartilaginous component and measures 10.5 cm. The sphenopalatine foramen was measured at 12.1 cm. All anatomical measurements were correlated with the measurements on the CT scan 3D volume‐rendering model, thereby allowing for an accurate description of the sheep sinonasal anatomy.

Conclusion

This study describes the endoscopic sinonasal anatomical measurements of the adult sheep. It is the first study to evaluate the sheep CT and endoscopic anatomy in order to determine its feasibility as an animal model for research in FESS.
Extracranial invasion of a recurrent, transformed anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma: a case report
Authors: Langdon K.D. , Krivosheya D. , Hebb M.O. , Wehrli B. , Ang L.C.
Published: May 2018

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare tumour comprising <1% of all primary central nervous system tumours and the majority (~98%) occur supratentorially. We report on a 40-year-old female with a past medical history of a rare posterior fossa/cerebellar PXA who presented with a right-sided neck mass, decreased shoulder power and longstanding right tongue deviation with right-sided hemi-atrophy. The patient had prior tumour debulking. Recent MRI demonstrated an enhancing posterior fossa mass extending to the skull base at the jugular foramen and another mass in the upper neck along the jugular bulb with displacement and encasement of the right common carotid artery down to C5. Resection of the neck mass reveals an anaplastic PXA. The tumour has close approximation with adjacent peripheral nerves and is positive in 2 lymph nodes. Comparison with the original tumour molecular and immunohistochemical profiles reveals a conserved BRAF V600E mutation but the transformed malignant glioma now expresses dot-like EMA positivity and ATRX is completely lost (mutated). Transformation of a PXA (WHO Grade II) into an anaplastic PXA (WHO Grade III) has been well documented, but extracranial extension is extraordinarily rare. We report herein the first documented case of a posterior fossa PXA that underwent malignant transformation and extracranial invasion to the parapharyngeal space.
Eosinophil infiltrates in astrocytic tumors
Authors: Farnell D. , Lu J.Q.
Published: May 2018

Eosinophils may affect each stage of tumor development. The presence of eosinophils appears to correlate with longer patient survival in several non-CNS malignant tumors. Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) has been increasingly recognized. Two previous studies (Hayes RL, et al. 1995; 2001) revealed eosinophils in the intracavitary tissues of malignant gliomas following the infusion of IL-2 combined with activated autologous killer cells, but not in the primary operative specimens. Our recent study (Lu JQ, et al. 2014) demonstrated the infiltration of eosinophils in 19 of 44 pilocytic astrocytomas but not in 10 ependymomas. In the present study, we examined 7 cases of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA; 4 with tuberous sclerosis; age range: 13 – 33 years; 4 males and 3 females), as SEGA is well known to contain infiltrating mast cells and lymphocytes. Five of 7 SEGA contained eosinophils that were focally scattered to rare in frequency; intratumoral and/or perivascular in location. In comparison, only one of 8 consecutive cases of glioblastoma showed infiltrating eosinophils. The incidence of TATE is significantly higher in SEGA than that in glioblastoma (71.4 % versus 12.5%; p=0.04, by Fisher’s exact test) but is not significantly different from that in pilocytic astrocytoma (71.4 % versus 43.2%, previously reported; p=0.232). Our findings support the concept that eosinophils may play a functional role in the development of astrocytic tumors, especially those with longer patient survival.
Tools for Effective Regulation: Is “More” Always “Better”?
Authors: BLANC Florentin
Published: May 2018

Regulatory inspections and enforcement are seen by many as a key instrument to ensure the effectiveness of regulations – it is broadly assumed to be essential to have supervision and “deterrence” to promote compliance with rules, and thus achievement of regulatory outcomes. However, this presupposes that rules are indeed adequate for reaching outcomes, and that control is what drives compliance with rules. A different approach suggests that compliance is more complex and driven by a combination of factors (ethics, social conformity, procedural justice and legitimacy etc), that rules are imperfect, and that risk-focused, risk-proportionate “regulatory delivery” will achieve better results, more “effectiveness”. Considering a case study of occupational safety inspections and outcomes in Britain, France and Germany, we observe that higher numbers of inspections are not correlated with less fatal incidents, and that, on the contrary, the best outcomes are achieved in the country having the least inspection visits, the most risk-focused system, and the broadest approach to “regulatory delivery”, combining engagement with regulated industries, guidance, responsive and risk-proportionate enforcement, and risk-based, targeted inspections.
The Anywhere, Anytime Market: The 800-Number, Direct Marketing, and the New Networks of Consumption
Authors: POPP RICHARD K.
Published: May 2018

This article explores how 800-service, or toll-free long-distance (In-WATS) lines, became an institutionalized part of direct marketing in the United States between the mid-1960s and early 1980s. Introduced by AT&T in 1967, 800-service attracted immediate attention in mail-order circles, where marketers saw it as means of automating long-distance selling and catering to an increasingly decentralized and credit-dependent populace. Although early initiatives, like that of catalog giant Aldens, fell flat, 800-service gained traction by the mid-1970s as a call-center industry developed and mail-order operations began using In-WATS lines in combination with bank-issued credit cards and private delivery services. By decade’s end, this trio of networks—long-distance telephony, credit/payment, and parcel delivery—were densely interwoven, forming the infrastructural basis for a new kind of “anywhere, anytime,” upscale shopping exemplified by the newly refashioned Spiegel. Ultimately, the article helps historicize the rise of electronic retailing and the marketization of telecommunications infrastructure.
Fossil fuel subsidies as a lose-lose: Fiscal and environmental burdens in Turkey
Authors: Acar Sevil , Challe Sarah , Christopoulos Stamatios , Christo Giovanna
Published: May 2018

Attempts at common agreements to phase out fossil fuel subsidies (FFS) have been increasing, as the topic generated momentum through the Rio Dialogues prior to the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and following the Paris Agreement in 2016. This study quantifies the magnitude and the relative importance of FFS in the Turkish economy and produces a relevant national FFS synthesis for policy design. FFS form a complex system of a self-contradictory nature that stands in stark contrast with the Turkish government’s statements regarding sustainable development. Based on available data from the 2000s, we find that Turkey provides state support for coal and the exploration of oil and natural gas that represents roughly 0.2 percent of its nominal GDP per year. Continuing to subsidize fossil fuels narrows down the fiscal options that could otherwise be used to support cleaner technologies and mitigation actions. Given the fact that fossil fuels have significantly negative implications for the environment and health, eliminating those subsidies has the potential to help combat environmental pollution, climate change, and related problems.
The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) revisited: The evolution of GAP over forty years
Authors: Bilgen Arda
Published: May 2018

The Southeastern Anatolia Project (Güneydoğu Anadolu Projesi, GAP) is arguably the largest regional development project ever witnessed in Turkey. Begun in the 1970s, GAP initially aimed primarily at the construction of 22 dams and 19 hydroelectric power plants on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and of extensive irrigation networks to produce hydroelectric energy and water 1.8 million hectares of land in southeastern Turkey. Later, the scope of GAP broadened significantly as it became a more ambitious and comprehensive scheme of modernization and transformation. Following this expansion, the multidimensionality of GAP and its multifaceted implications became clearer at both the national and international level. The project grew more visible and influential not only in political and public discourses, but also in the GAP region itself. Despite these developments, however, the question of how the project’s characteristics, vocabulary, rationales, and mechanisms have changed since its inception remains underdiscussed. This article asks what GAP was in the past and what it has more recently become. It examines the gradual transformation of GAP over forty years by specifically taking into account the continuities and ruptures in development discourse, theory, and practice since the 1950s. In this way, the article aims to provide a new perspective regarding the stages through which the project has passed to reach its current form.
Worth Weighting? How to Think About and Use Weights in Survey Experiments
Authors: Miratrix Luke W. , Sekhon Jasjeet S. , Theodoridis Alexander G. , Campos Luis F.
Published: May 2018

The popularity of online surveys has increased the prominence of using sampling weights to enhance claims of representativeness. Yet, much uncertainty remains regarding how these weights should be employed in survey experiment analysis: should they be used? If so, which estimators are preferred? We offer practical advice, rooted in the Neyman–Rubin model, for researchers working with survey experimental data. We examine simple, efficient estimators, and give formulas for their biases and variances. We provide simulations that examine these estimators as well as real examples from experiments administered online through YouGov. We find that for examining the existence of population treatment effects using high-quality, broadly representative samples recruited by top online survey firms, sample quantities, which do not rely on weights, are often sufficient. We found that sample average treatment effect (SATE) estimates did not appear to differ substantially from their weighted counterparts, and they avoided the substantial loss of statistical power that accompanies weighting. When precise estimates of population average treatment effects (PATE) are essential, we analytically show poststratifying on survey weights and/or covariates highly correlated with outcomes to be a conservative choice. While we show substantial gains in simulations, we find limited evidence of them in practice.