bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and outcomes of invasive fungal infection among solid organ transplant recipients: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Hosseini‐Moghaddam Seyed M. , Ouédraogo Alexandra , Naylor Kyla L. , Bota Sarah E. , Husain Shahid , Nash Danielle M. , Paterson J. Michael
Published: January 2020

Background

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The long‐term probability of post‐transplant IFI is poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based cohort study using linked administrative healthcare databases from Ontario, Canada, to determine the incidence rate; 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year cumulative probabilities of IFI; and post‐IFI all‐cause mortality in SOT recipients from 2002 to 2016. We also determined post‐IFI, death‐censored renal allograft failure.

Results

We included 9326 SOT recipients (median follow‐up: 5.35 years). Overall, the incidence of IFI was 8.3 per 1000 person‐years. The 1‐year cumulative probability of IFI was 7.4% for lung, 5.4% for heart, 1.8% for liver, 1.2% for kidney‐pancreas, and 1.1% for kidney‐only allograft recipients. Lung transplant recipients had the highest incidence rate and 10‐year probability of IFI: 43.0 per 1000 person‐years and 26.4%, respectively. The 1‐year all‐cause mortality rate after IFI was 34.3%. IFI significantly increased the risk of mortality in SOT recipients over the entire follow‐up period (hazard ratio: 6.50, 95% CI: 5.69‐7.42). The 1‐year probability of death‐censored renal allograft failure after IFI was 9.8%.

Conclusion

Long‐term cumulative probability of IFI varies widely among SOT recipients. Lung transplantation was associated with the highest incidence of IFI with considerable 1‐year all‐cause mortality.
Foreign sourcing and exporting
Authors: Máñez Juan A. , Rochina‐Barrachina María E. , Sanchis Juan A.
Published: January 2020

The aim of this paper was analysing the role of sourcing intermediate inputs internationally on export decisions and distinguishing whether intermediates are sourced from firms belonging to the same business group or from independent suppliers. To analyse firms' export decisions, we use a specification that also accounts for sunk costs and accumulated experience in export markets (i.e., export market learning). We consider that importing intermediates might have direct and indirect effects (operating through enhanced productivity) on the export participation decision. The direct effects on exporting are isolated once we control for productivity and the effects of belonging to an international group. We use a manufacturing panel data set drawn from the Spanish Survey on Business Strategies (ESEE) for the period 2006–14. Both productivity and inward or outward FDI increase the probability of exporting. Moreover, our results uncover the existence of sunk costs and export market learning, and also the relevant role played by intermediate imports in firms' export choices. Their effects act both through the (indirect) channel of enhancing firms' productivity and through a direct effect related to product upgrading, more competitive selling prices or learning from the firm's import experience.
Board of directors and export spillovers: What is the impact on extensive margins of trade?
Authors: Lööf Hans , Viklund‐Ros Ingrid
Published: January 2020

Increased export experience on the board of nonexporting firms has a causal effect on their propensity to enter foreign markets in later periods. Using a universal set of Swedish employer–employee panel data for the period 2000–14, this paper finds evidence on spillover from exporters to non‐exporting SMEs through outside board directors. The identification strategy to account for endogenous selection of external board members relies on external instruments and applications of different instrumental variable approaches, capturing also unobserved heterogeneity. Our findings are robust to controlling for export background among managers and employees, as well as firm size, human capital, total factor productivity, productivity spillovers, firm location and industry classification.
Coping with the crisis and export diversification
Authors: Abreha Kaleb Girma , Smeets Valérie , Warzynski Frédéric
Published: January 2020

Using a highly disaggregated firm–product–destination level data from Denmark, we analyse how Danish exporters responded to the global recession in 2008–09 and the recovery that followed. We show that firms reacted mainly by adjusting their scale of export shipments and by extending their export portfolio outside of their core products and markets. More importantly, we also find that export diversification into fast‐growing economies like China was associated with better export growth performance. Hence, trade reorientation beyond traditional market destinations accelerated export growth and as such constitutes an important mechanism for understanding the various determinants of firm heterogeneity.
Firm‐level export duration: The importance of market‐specific ownership linkages
Authors: Kostevc Črt , Zajc Kejžar Katja
Published: January 2020

This paper explores the impact of a firm's market‐specific ownership linkages and trade complementarities on different dimensions of its exporting longevity. Unlike previous studies that were mostly based on country‐product‐level data, this paper uses transaction‐level trade data on the population of firms in Slovenia in the 2002–11 period, matched with detailed origin/direction of inward/outward FDI information to determine a firm's integration in international production networks. Our results indicate that firm's bilateral inward and outward FDI flows with an export‐destination country have a strong positive effect on a firm's export survival in that market. Importance of market‐specific ownership linkages for export duration is exclusively driven by intermediate goods which suggests prolonged export duration through production network involvement. However, the perseverance effect of bilateral FDI ties on export spells has been weakened during the crisis period. We find pronounced market‐ and product‐related trade complementarities as either exporting or importing experience with the relevant market/product substantially improves the chances of a product–market export spell continuing. Finally, the risk of exports termination is lower for a firm's core export products.
Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography imaging of normal foveae: A pilot study in 17 diurnal birds of prey
Authors: Espinheira Gomes Filipe , Abou‐Madi Noha , Ledbetter Eric C. , McArt Jessica
Published: January 2020

Objective

To describe and to establish normative data for the foveae of diurnal birds of prey using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT).

Methods

All animals (9 red‐tailed hawks, 3 Cooper's hawks, 3 American kestrels, 1 sharp‐shinned hawk, and 1 broad‐winged hawk) had an ophthalmic examination performed with slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Following ophthalmic examination, SD‐OCT was performed in each eye that had a visible fundus and normal fovea on SD‐OCT. Temporal foveae depth, central foveae depth, pecten‐temporal foveae distance, and pecten‐central foveae distance (PCFD) were measured using SD‐OCT. Differences in measured outcomes between species were determined using generalized linear mixed effects models.

Results

The central foveae (mean ± SD) displayed a small but significant depth variation between species (P = .002) and was deepest in red‐tailed hawks (293 ± 16 µm), followed by American kestrels (260 ± 12 µm), broad‐winged hawks (256 ± 16 µm), Cooper's hawks (250 ± 9 µm), and sharp‐shinned hawks (239 ± 16 µm). The temporal foveae were shallower than the central foveae in all species tested, and there was a significant variation between species (P < .001). The temporal foveae (mean ± SD) were deepest in American kestrels (137 ± 8 µm), followed by red‐tailed hawks (129 ± 3 µm), broad‐winged hawks (59.5 ± 3.5 µm), Cooper's hawks (20.3 ± 6.4 µm), and sharp‐shinned hawks (17.5 ± 0.7 µm). Pecten‐temporal foveae distance was approximately 30% shorter than PCFD in all species. There were no differences in the parameters tested between the eyes within each species (P ≥ .47).

Conclusion

Normative foveae SD‐OCT data were obtained in four species of diurnal birds of prey. Further studies are warranted to provide structural and functional information regarding normal and pathologic changes that can affect the foveae.
Prosumers Everywhere: Investigating the Driving Forces Behind Prosumer Behavior in Different Socioeconomic Strata
Authors: El Mahmoudi Faysal , Gaillard Julie , Hendrickx Mante , Suh Hyoung Min , Spiessens Reine , Vandamme Anne-Mieke , Nova Blanco Jorge Ricardo , Van den Eede Astrid
Published: January 2020

Abstract A systematic change towards a circular economy can alleviate some of the problems associated with today’s linear economy, such as pollution. In a circular economy products are recycled, repurposed, re-manufactured, re-used, repaired, and upcycled, thereby minimizing
the use of materials, devaluation of products, and output of waste. This requires that producers change manufacturing and design, whilst consumers become ‘prosumers’, more actively involved in prolonging the life cycle of products through applying methods like repair and re-use.The
consumer to prosumer change is urgently needed, given the current climate and pollution problems. To explore this wicked problem and identify how such a change in behavior can be accelerated a transdisciplinary approach is needed. Therefore, a team of students from different disciplines joined
forces, engaging stakeholders with various domains of expertise in and outside the context of the city of Leuven. The need arose for more knowledge about prosumer behavior within the diverse population groups in Leuven, and the team focused on the possible relationship between socioeconomic
status and certain reasons for prosuming. It felt that the growth model of the linear economy, aiming at increasing consumption, in the context of a growing world population that strives for welfare, is also indirectly related to social inequality. A questionnaire was created together with
several stakeholders asking about socioeconomic status, drivers for prosumption - more specifically necessity, information, and awareness - and perceived downsides to prosumption, aimed at the clients of a second-hand store in Leuven. A similar questionnaire
can be used at other circular economy hot spots in the city, to collect a broad database of responses.The key to facilitating a transition is to change the behavior, mindset, and attitudes of consumers. The questionnaire was intended to generate a better understanding of why people prosume
in certain conditions, and the team assumed this will allow to develop strategies to encourage people to act as prosumers.
Inorganic phosphate and lactate potentiate the pressor response to acidic stimuli in rats
Authors: Ducrocq Guillaume P. , Kaufman Marc P.
Published: January 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the contribution of the main acidic compounds accumulated during contractions, namely H+, lactic acid and inorganic phosphate, to evoke the metabolic component of the exercise pressor reflex?

What is the main finding and its importance?

We found that the pressor response to acidic stimuli is driven by the concentration of hydrogen ions and that lactate and inorganic phosphate act as potentiating agents.

H+ ions, lactate and inorganic phosphate are produced by contracting skeletal muscles and evoke, in part, the metabolic component of the exercise pressor reflex. Owing to their disparate dissociation constants (i.e. pKa), the contribution of each acid to the muscle metaboreflex is unclear. This lack of information prompted us to determine the reflex pressor responses to injection of acidic saline, lactate (24 mm) and inorganic phosphate (86 mm) at various values of pH (from 2.66 to 7.5), alone or in combination, into the arterial supply of hindlimb skeletal muscle of decerebrate rats. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that the pressor response to an injection of a combination of lactate and phosphate at an acidic pH is greater than that evoked by injection of either phosphate or lactate alone at the same pH. We found that injection of acidic saline produced a pressor response only at a pH of 2.66 (7 ± 4 mmHg), an effect that was potentiated when the solution contained lactate (50 ± 20 mmHg). At a pH of 6.0, however, this effect was lost. At a pH of 6.0, only the injection of inorganic phosphate produced a significant pressor response (23 ± 12 mmHg). A large potentiating effect was found when lactate was added to the inorganic phosphate solution (39 ± 18 mmHg), an effect that was lost at a pH >7.0. Our findings led to the conclusion that the pressor response to injection of acidic solutions was driven by H+ ions and that inorganic phosphate and lactate functioned as sensitizing agents.
A New Approach to Generalization of Experimental Data on Heat Transfer to Fluids in Supercritical Region
Authors: Deev V. I. , Kharitonov V. S. , Baisov A. M. , Churkin A. N.
Published: January 2020

The paper contains the results of analysis of heat transfer regimes in the case of forced turbulent flow of water and modeling fluids in channels of various configurations at supercritical pressures. Two new complex criteria were proposed for describing heat transfer in the pseudo-phase transition region. A system of equations suitable for the engineering calculation of heat transfer in fuel assemblies of nuclear supercritical water reactors is presented. A comparison of the calculations of heat transfer coefficient (HTC) with experimental data for the regimes of normal, deteriorated and mixed heat transfer is made.
The Effect of Chemical Cleaning on Mechanical Properties of Three-Dimensional Printed Polylactic Acid
Authors: Fleischer Julie C. , Diehl Jan C. , Wauben Linda S. G. L. , Dankelman Jenny
Published: January 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) printing may be a solution to shortages of equipment and spare parts in the healthcare sector of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Polylactic acid (PLA) for 3D printing is widely available and biocompatible, but there is a gap in knowledge concerning its compatibility with chemical disinfectants. In this study, 3D-printed PLA tensile samples were created with six different printer settings. Each of these six batches consisted of five sets with five or six samples. The first set remained untreated, the others were soaked in Cidex OPA or in a chlorine solution. These were applied for seven consecutive days or in 25 short cycles. All samples were weighed before and after treatment and subjected to a tensile test. Results showed that a third of the treatments led to an increase of the median weight with a maximum of 8.3%, however, the samples with the best surface quality did not change. The median strength increase was 12.5% and the largest decrease was 8.8%. The median stiffness decreased 3.6% in one set and increased in three others up to 13.6%. When 3D printing PLA medical tools, surface porosity must be minimized to prevent transfer of disinfectants to people. The wide variability of mechanical properties due to 3D printing itself and as a consequence of disinfection must be considered when designing medical tools by selecting appropriate printer settings. If these conditions are met, reusing 3D-printed PLA medical tools seems safe from a mechanical point of view.
Individualizing Training in Swimming: Evidence for Utilizing the Critical Speed and Critical Stroke Rate Concepts
Authors: Piatrikova Eva , Willsmer Nicholas J. , Sousa Ana C. , Gonzalez Javier T. , Williams Sean
Published: January 2020

Purpose: To monitor physiological, technical, and performance responses to individualized high-intensity interval training (HIIT) prescribed using the critical speed (CS) and critical stroke rate (CSR) concepts in swimmers completing a reduced training volume program (≤30 km·wk−1) for 15 weeks. Methods: Over the 15-week period, 12 highly trained swimmers (age 16 [1] y, height 179 [8] cm, weight 66 [8] kg) completed four 3-minute all-out tests to determine CS and the finite capacity to work above CS (D′), and four 200-m tests at CS to establish a CSR estimate. Combining CS and D′, 2 HIIT sessions designed as 5 × 3-minute intervals depleting 60% of D′ and 3 × 3.5-minute intervals depleting 80% of D′ were prescribed once per week, respectively. An additional HIIT session was prescribed using CS and CSR as 10 × 150 m or 200 m at CS with 2 cycles per minute lower stroke rate than the CSR estimate. Additional monitored variables included peak speed, average speed for 150 seconds (speed150s) and 180 seconds (speed180s), competition performance and stroke length (SL), stroke count (SC), and stroke index (SI) adopted at CS. Results: At the end of the intervention, swimmers demonstrated faster CS (mean change ± 90% confidence limits: +5.4 ± 1.6%), speed150s (+2.5 ± 0.9%), speed180s (+3.0 ± 0.9%), and higher stroke rate (+6.4 ± 3.0%) and stroke index (+4.2 ± 3.6%). D′ was reduced (−25.2 ± 7.5%), whereas peak speed, SL, and SC changed only trivially. The change in the swimmers’ personal best times in the first and second main event was −1.2 ± 1.3% and −1.6 ± 0.9%, respectively. Conclusion: HIIT prescribed based on the CS and CSR concepts was associated with improvements in several physiological, technical, and performance parameters in highly trained swimmers while utilizing time- and resource-efficient approach. This was achieved despite a ≥25% reduction in training volume.
Quadriceps and Hamstring Strength Symmetry After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective Study
Authors: Harput Gulcan , Tunay Volga B. , Ithurburn Matthew P.
Published: January 2020

Objectives: To evaluate change in involved and uninvolved quadriceps and hamstring strength and limb symmetry indices (LSI) in regular intervals over the first 6 months following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Design: Prospective cohort study. Participants: Thirty-eight male participants (mean age: 24.2 [6.4] y, mean body mass index: 23.6 [4.2] kg/m2), who underwent ACLR were included. Main Outcome Measures: Isometric strength testing of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was performed at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after ACLR. Quadriceps and hamstring peak torques for each limb and LSI were calculated. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance and paired t tests were used to evaluate changes in strength over time and between limbs, respectively. Results: Quadriceps and hamstring peak torques of the involved limb consistently increased between each time point from 1 to 6 months (P < .001 and P = .01, respectively), whereas the uninvolved limb values did not change after ACLR (P > .05). In addition, uninvolved limb peak torque values were higher than involved limb values at each time point after ACLR for both the quadriceps and hamstrings (all P < .01). At 6 months after ACLR, 28.9% of participants demonstrated LSI greater than 90% for quadriceps strength, 36.8% demonstrated LSI greater than 90% for hamstring strength, and 15.8% of participants demonstrated greater than 90% LSI for both quadriceps and hamstring strength. Conclusions: Participants demonstrated a consistent increase in quadriceps and hamstring strength of the involved limb, with no notable change in uninvolved limb strength over the 6 months after ACLR. However, at 6 months after ACLR, only approximately 16% of participants demonstrated both quadriceps and hamstring strength LSI greater than 90%, the typically recommended cutoff value for return to sport.
Correlations Between Range of Motion and Elasticity of the Coracohumeral Ligament Evaluated With Shear-Wave Elastography
Authors: Kanazawa Kenji , Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Sekiguchi Takuya , Fujita Ryo , Suzuki Kazuaki , Koide Masashi , Ando Akira , Yabe Yutaka
Published: January 2020

Context:Range of motion (ROM) in the glenohumeral joint decreases with age in healthy subjects; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The process of aging of the joint capsule, including the coracohumeral ligament (CHL), could affect ROM limitation.Objective:This study investigated correlations between elasticity of the CHL, evaluated by means of shear-wave elastography, and age, side dominance, and ROM in healthy individuals.Design:Experimental study.Setting:Laboratory.Subjects:Eighty-four healthy volunteers (39 men and 45 women, mean age: 42.6 y) were included.Main Outcome Measures:Subjects were divided into 3 age groups: younger (20–39 y), middle (40–59 y), and older (≥60 y) age groups. With participants in the supine position, CHL elasticity in both shoulders was evaluated in both neutral and 30° external rotation, with arms at the sides. ROM, including forward flexion, lateral elevation, external rotation, 90° abduction with external rotation, and hand behind the back were measured with participants in the standing position.Results:The CHL elastic modulus was higher in the older group than in the younger group in the neutral (78.4 kPa [SD: 37.1] and 56.6 kPa [SD: 31.7], respectively) and 30° external rotation positions (135.5 kPa [SD: 63.5] and 71.4 kPa [SD: 32.2], respectively). Negative correlations were found between the CHL elastic modulus and ROM in terms of 30° external rotation and both external rotation (R = −.59,P = .02) and 90° abduction with external rotation (R = −.71,P = .003) in the older group, with correlation coefficients increasing with age.Conclusions:Significant correlations were identified between CHL elasticity and ROM in both external rotation and 90° abduction with external rotation with increasing age. Decreased CHL elasticity was strongly associated with decreased shoulder ROM in middle-aged and older individuals.
On Primitives in Motor Control
Authors: Latash Mark L.
Published: January 2020

The concept of primitives has been used in motor control both as a theoretical construct and as a means of describing the results of experimental studies involving multiple moving elements. This concept is close to Bernstein’s notion of engrams and level of synergies. Performance primitives have been explored in spaces of peripheral variables but interpreted in terms of neural control primitives. Performance primitives reflect a variety of mechanisms ranging from body mechanics to spinal mechanisms and to supraspinal circuitry. This review suggests that primitives originate at the task level as preferred time functions of spatial referent coordinates or at mappings from higher level referent coordinates to lower level, frequently abundant, referent coordinate sets. Different patterns of performance primitives can emerge depending, in particular, on the external force field.
Community detection in networks without observing edges
Authors: Hoffmann Till , Peel Leto , Lambiotte Renaud , Jones Nick S.
Published: January 2020

We present a principled approach for detecting communities in networks that uses only observations of interdependent node signals.
Can polarity-inverted membranes self-assemble on Titan?
Authors: Sandström H. , Rahm M.
Published: January 2020

Can polarity-inverted membranes self-assemble on Titan, and what does it mean for astrobiology under cryogenic conditions?
A highly scalable dielectric metamaterial with superior capacitor performance over a broad temperature
Authors: Zhang Tian , Chen Xin , Thakur Yash , Lu Biao , Zhang Qiyan , Runt J. , Zhang Q. M.
Published: January 2020

Interface effects in a new class of nanocomposites generate superior energy storage performance over broad temperatures.
Bioinspired structural color patch with anisotropic surface adhesion
Authors: Wang Yu , Shang Luoran , Chen Guopu , Sun Lingyu , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: January 2020

Multifunctional bioinspired structural color patch with anisotropic surface adhesion was designed for biomedical applications.
Direct observation of glucose fingerprint using in vivo Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Kang Jeon Woong , Park Yun Sang , Chang Hojun , Lee Woochang , Singh Surya Pratap , Choi Wonjun , Galindo Luis H. , Dasari Ramachandra R. , Nam Sung Hyun , Park Jongae , So Peter T. C.
Published: January 2020

Noninvasive optical sensor can measure blood glucose levels based on the glucose Raman signal from in vivo skin.
Cargo capture and transport by colloidal swarms
Authors: Yang Yuguang , Bevan Michael A.
Published: January 2020

Multiagent stochastic control enables self-propelled colloidal swarms to perform cooperative tasks as micromachines.
Large-scale synthesis of crystalline g-C
3
N
4
nanosheets and high-temperature H
2
sieving from assembled films
Authors: Villalobos Luis Francisco , Vahdat Mohammad Tohidi , Dakhchoune Mostapha , Nadizadeh Zahra , Mensi Mounir , Oveisi Emad , Campi Davide , Marzari Nicola , Agrawal Kumar Varoon
Published: January 2020

Atom-thick poly(triazine imide) nanosheets hosting ordered triangular nanopores led to high-performance hydrogen sieving.
Mutual inhibition between Prkd2 and Bcl6 controls T follicular helper cell differentiation
Authors: Misawa Takuma , SoRelle Jeffrey A. , Choi Jin Huk , Yue Tao , Wang Kuan-wen , McAlpine William , Wang Jianhui , Liu Aijie , Tabeta Koichi , Turer Emre E. , Evers Bret , Nair-Gill Evan , Poddar Subhajit , Su Lijing , Ou Feiya , Yu Liyang , Russell Jamie , Ludwig Sara , Zhan Xiaoming , Hildebrand Sara , Li Xiaohong , Tang Miao , Murray Anne R. , Moresco Eva Marie Y. , Beutler Bruce
Published: January 2020

Prkd2-dependent phosphorylation of Bcl6 inhibits T
FH
cell differentiation.
Combination of diabetes mellitus and lack of habitual physical activity is a risk factor for functional disability in Japanese
Authors: Fujihara Kazuya , Matsubayashi Yasuhiro , Harada Yamada Mayuko , Kitazawa Masaru , Yamamoto Masahiko , Kaneko Masanori , Kodama Satoru , Yahiro Takuya , Tsutsui Ayumu , Kato Kiminori , Sone Hirohito
Published: January 2020

Objective

Declining healthy life expectancy due to functional disability is relevant and urgent because of its association with decreased quality of life and also for its enormous socioeconomic impact. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and physical activity habits on functional disability among community-dwelling Japanese adults.

Research design and methods

This is a population-based retrospective cohort study including 9673 people aged 39–98 years in Japan (4420, men). Functional disability was defined as a condition meeting Japan’s new long-term care insurance certification requirements for the need of assistance in the activities of daily living whether by caregivers or assistive devices. Cox proportional-hazards regression model identified variables related to functional disability.

Results

Median follow-up was 3.7 years. During the study period, 165 disabilities occurred in the overall study population. Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes (HR 1.74 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.68)) and no physical activity habit (HR 1.83 (1.27 to 2.65)) presented increased risks for disability. HR for disability increased with the number of risk factors (HR of individuals with four conditions, 3.96 (1.59 to 9.99) vs individuals with none of those conditions as a reference). HR for disability among patients with diabetes with and without a physical activity habit was 1.68 (0.70 to 4.04) and 3.19 (1.79 to 5.70), respectively, compared with individuals without diabetes with a physical activity habit.

Conclusions

The combination of diabetes and lack of habitual physical activity is predictive of functional disability in Japanese. Habitual physical activity attenuates the risk of functional disability in patients with diabetes.
Broad angular anisotropy of multiple scattering in a Si crystal
Authors: Mazzolari A. , Sytov A. , Bandiera L. , Germogli G. , Romagnoni M. , Bagli E. , Guidi V. , Tikhomirov V. V. , De Salvador D. , Carturan S. , Durigello C. , Maggioni G. , Campostrini M. , Berra A. , Mascagna V. , Prest M. , Vallazza E. , Lauth W. , Klag P. , Tamisari M.
Published: January 2020

We observed reduction of multiple Coulomb scattering of 855 MeV electrons within a Si crystalline plate w.r.t. an amorphous plate with the same mass thickness. The reduction owed to complete or partial suppression of the coherent part of multiple scattering in a crystal vs crystal orientation with the beam. Experimental data were collected at Mainz Mikrotron and critically compared to theoretical predictions and Monte Carlo simulations. Our results highlighted maximal 7% reduction of the r.m.s. scattering angle at certain beam alignment with the [100] crystal axes. However, partial reduction was recorded over a wide range of alignment of the electron beam with the crystal up to 15$$^{\circ }$$∘. This evidence may be relevant to refine the modelling of multiple scattering in crystals for currently used software, which is interesting for detectors in nuclear, medical, high energy physics.
Canonical interpretation of Y(10750) and $$\Upsilon (10860)$$ in the $$\Upsilon $$ family
Authors: Li Qi , Liu Ming-Sheng , Lü Qi-Fang , Gui Long-Cheng , Zhong Xian-Hui
Published: January 2020

Inspired by the new resonance Y(10750), we calculate the masses and two-body OZI-allowed strong decays of the higher vector bottomonium sates within both screened and linear potential models. We discuss the possibilities of $$\Upsilon (10860)$$Υ(10860) and Y(10750) as mixed states via the $$S-D$$S-D mixing. Our results suggest that Y(10750) and $$\Upsilon (10860)$$Υ(10860) might be explained as mixed states between 5S- and 4D-wave vector $$b{\bar{b}}$$bb¯ states. The Y(10750) and $$\Upsilon (10860)$$Υ(10860) resonances may correspond to the mixed states dominated by the 4D- and 5S-wave components, respectively. The mass and the strong decay behaviors of the $$\Upsilon (11020)$$Υ(11020) resonance are consistent with the assignment of the $$\Upsilon (6S)$$Υ(6S) state in the potential models.
Detecting and studying high-energy collider neutrinos with FASER at the LHC
Authors: Abreu Henso , Antel Claire , Ariga Akitaka , Ariga Tomoko , Boyd Jamie , Cadoux Franck , Casper David W. , Chen Xin , Coccaro Andrea , Dozen Candan , Denton Peter B. , Favre Yannick , Feng Jonathan L. , Ferrere Didier , Galon Iftah , Gibson Stephen , Gonzalez-Sevilla Sergio , Hsu Shih-Chieh , Hu Zhen , Iacobucci Giuseppe , Jakobsen Sune , Jansky Roland , Kajomovitz Enrique , Kling Felix , Kuehn Susanne , Levinson Lorne , Li Congqiao , McFayden Josh , Meehan Sam , Neuhaus Friedemann , Otono Hidetoshi , Petersen Brian , Pikhartova Helena , Queitsch-Maitland Michaela , Sato Osamu , Schmieden Kristof , Schott Matthias , Sfyrla Anna , Shively Savannah , Smolinsky Jordan , Soffa Aaron M. , Takubo Yosuke , Torrence Eric , Trojanowski Sebastian , Wilkinson Callum , Zhang Dengfeng , Zhang Gang
Published: January 2020

Neutrinos are copiously produced at particle colliders, but no collider neutrino has ever been detected. Colliders produce both neutrinos and anti-neutrinos of all flavors at very high energies, and they are therefore highly complementary to those from other sources. FASER, the Forward Search Experiment at the LHC, is ideally located to provide the first detection and study of collider neutrinos. We investigate the prospects for neutrino studies with FASER$$\nu $$ν, a proposed component of FASER, consisting of emulsion films interleaved with tungsten plates with a total target mass of 1.2 t, to be placed on-axis at the front of FASER. We estimate the neutrino fluxes and interaction rates, describe the FASER$$\nu $$νdetector, and analyze the characteristics of the signals and primary backgrounds. For an integrated luminosity of$$150~\text {fb}^{-1}$$150fb-1to be collected during Run 3 of the 14 TeV LHC in 2021–23, approximately 1300 electron neutrinos, 20,000 muon neutrinos, and 20 tau neutrinos will interact in FASER$$\nu $$ν, with mean energies of 600 GeV to 1 TeV. With such rates and energies, FASER will measure neutrino cross sections at energies where they are currently unconstrained, will bound models of forward particle production, and could open a new window on physics beyond the standard model.
Identity, Role Conception, and Status Dilemma: A Socio-Psychological Account of China-U.S. Relations
Authors: Liao Ning
Published: January 2020

This article examines the status politics in Chinese foreign policy and its implications on China-U.S. relations. The analysis of status recognition and the role it plays in Chinese diplomacy reveals the motivating factors behind China’s quest for respect in the international arena and the centrality of national identity in China’s status aspiration. Viewed from the socio-psychological perspective, China’s tenacious struggle to gain a prominent international status is a social action aimed at forging its identity security, whereby the Chinese “self” will interact on equal terms with the foreign “other.” Based on the argument, this paper compares Chinese and American role conceptions and dissects the status dilemma between the two powers by exploring the dynamics of disrespect in their status relations. The two nations’ distinctive self-role conceptions and their role expectations of the interacting parties have led to a widening gap between China’s international status that entitles it to equal treatment and the one accorded by the United States. The disquieting condition of this status dissonance has motivated Beijing to disrupt the asymmetric hierarchy wherein it used to exhibit deference to Washington. The effort of the established hegemon in upending the defiance of the status contestant has exacerbated the status dilemma, which has given rise to the current China-U.S. malaise.
Reduced Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Downregulated GTCPH I Pathway Related to Endothelial Dysfunction in Premenopausal Women with Isolated Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Liu Juan , Xing Xiangbin , Wu Xinlin , Li Xiang , Yao Shun , Ren Zi , Zeng Haitao , Wu Shaohong
Published: January 2020

Background. Individuals at a prediabetic stage have had an augmented cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and CVD-related mortality compared to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) individuals, which may be attributed to the impaired vascular endothelial repair capacity. In this study, circulating endothelial progenitor cells’ (EPCs) number and activity were evaluated, and the underlying mechanisms in premenopausal women with impaired glucose regulation were explored.Methods. Circulating EPCs’ number and activity and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were compared in premenopausal women with NGT, isolated impaired fasting glucose (i-IFG), or isolated impaired glucose tolerance (i-IGT). Plasma nitric oxide (NO), EPCs-secreted NO, and intracellular BH4 levels were also measured. The key proteins (Tie2, Akt, eNOS, and GTPCH I) in the guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase/tetrahydrobiopterin (GTPCH/BH4) pathway and Tie2/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway were evaluated in these women.Results. It was observed that the i-IGT premenopausal women not i-IFG premenopausal women had a significant reduction in circulating EPCs’ number and activity as well as reduced FMD when compared to NGT subjects. Plasma NO levels or EPCs-secreted NO also decreased only in i-IGT women. The expression of GTCPH I as well as intracellular BH4 levels declined in i-IGT women; however, the alternations of key proteins’ expression in the Tie2/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway were not observed in either i-IGT or i-IFG women.Conclusions. The endothelial repair capacity was impaired in i-IGT premenopausal women but was preserved in i-IFG counterparts. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the downregulated GTCPH I pathway and reduced NO productions.
The Effect of Grapefruit Juice on the Pharmacokinetics of Tadalafil in Rats
Authors: Shen Xiuwei , Chen Fan , Wang Fengwei , Huang Peng , Luo Wenchao
Published: January 2020

We developed and validated a novel, sensitive, selective, and inexpensive high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of tadalafil in rats plasma and to investigate the effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of tadalafil in rats. The ZORBAX Eclipse XDB‐C18 (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) chromatography column can be used to separate tadalafil and carbamazepine (internal standard, IS). A mixture of acetonitrile‐0.2% trifluoroacetic acid‐water (48 : 10 : 42, V/V/V) was used as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 35.0°C. The detection wavelength was set at 286 nm. The tadalafil was extracted by ethyl acetate from plasma at the alkaline condition. 12 healthy male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups, Group A (experimental group, received grapefruit juice 5 mL/kg for 7 days) and Group B (control group, received normal saline for 7 days). All the rats were given a single dose of tadalafil (5 mg/kg) after the last administration. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0 software. Under the conditions of this experiment, the plasma concentrations of tadalafil in the range of 10–2000 ng/ml had a good linear relationship. The intra‐ and interday precision for tadalafil in plasma were less than 15%, and the relative recovery rate was good at low, medium, and high QC levels. The Cmax of tadalafil in the control group and the experimental group was (725.89 ± 161.59) ng/mL and (1271.60 ± 179.31) ng/mL, t1/2 was (9.28 ± 2.07) h and (11.70 ± 1.47) h, AUC (0-t) was (7399.61 ± 696.85) ng·h/mL and (9586.52 ± 2048.81) ng·h/mL, and AUC(0-∞) was (7995.50 ± 707.23) ng·h/mL and (10639.43 ± 2235.94) ng·h/mL, respectively. Results show that the Cmax of tadalafil in group A was 75.17% higher than that in group B, the Vz/F was also reduced, and the t1/2 was increased by 2.42 h. The developed HPLC–DAD method for the determination of tadalafil in rats plasma was accurate, reproducible, specific, and it was found to be suitable for the pharmacokinetics of tadalafil and food‐drug interactions. Grapefruit juice can inhibit the metabolism of tadalafil and increase the exposure of tadalafil in rats.
Mei Symmetry and New Conserved Quantities of Time-Scale Birkhoff’s Equations
Authors: Zhai Xiang-Hua , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2020

The time-scale dynamic equations play an important role in modeling complex dynamical processes. In this paper, the Mei symmetry and new conserved quantities of time-scale Birkhoff’s equations are studied. The definition and criterion of the Mei symmetry of the Birkhoffian system on time scales are given. The conditions and forms of new conserved quantities which are found from the Mei symmetry of the system are derived. As a special case, the Mei symmetry of time-scale Hamilton canonical equations is discussed and new conserved quantities for the Hamiltonian system on time scales are derived. Two examples are given to illustrate the application of results.
Gestational Exposure to Synthetic Steroid Hormones Impaired Sperm Quantity and Quality in Wistar Rats
Authors: Ahmed Samy Ismail , Magzoub Aamir , Al-Ayed Mohammed Saeed Zayed , Attia Gamal Ali , Abdel-Wahab Basel A. , Khateeb Masood M. , Abdalla Asim M. , Mohammed Heitham M. , Elkareem Aymen N. Eldeen A. , Salih Ali Gadkarim A.
Published: January 2020

This study was designed to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to synthetic sex steroid on sperm quantity and quality, relative testicular and epididymal weights, and reproductive hormones level in adult Wistar rats. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a test group (n = 20) that included mature rats that were born to dams exposed to gestational treatment with hydroxyprogesterone and a control group (n = 20) that included mature rats born to untreated dams. Compared to the control group, the test group showed a significant reduction in the sperm count, viability and motility, relative testicular and epididymal weights together with increased abnormal spermatozoa (p<0.001). The reproductive hormonal assay revealed significantly lower serum testosterone and higher levels of FSH and LH among the test groups compared to the control (p<0.05for all). Prenatal exposure to synthetic progesterone negatively affected sperm production and function, relative testicular and epididymal weights, and reproductive hormone levels.
Balance as an Additional Effect of Strength and Flexibility Aquatic Training in Sedentary Lifestyle Elderly Women
Authors: Vale Fernando Alves , Voos Mariana Callil , Brumini Christine , Suda Eneida Yuri , Silva Ronaldo Luis da , Caromano Fátima Aparecida
Published: January 2020

Context. Physiological changes due to the aging process cause balance deficit and increased risk of falls, more frequently in women. Exercises improve balance and prevent falls; and aquatic exercises are recommended as an alternative strategy to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, in a safer environment for older persons. Objective. To evaluate the additional effects of on balance an aquatic muscle strengthening and flexibility training program in healthy sedentary lifestyle elderly women. Method. This controlled clinical trial included 56 healthy sedentary women, aged from 65 to 70 years, divided into two groups. The aquatic group (AG) underwent aquatic training (45 minutes/session, 32 sessions), and the control group (CG) received no intervention. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention, during a one-week period. Lower limb muscle strength was measured by a force sensor (myometer). Flexibility was measured by biophotogrammetry. Functional balance was evaluated by the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results. Muscle strength, flexibility, and balance improved in AG (p<0.001), but not in CG. Conclusion. The aquatic exercises program, which was originally developed to promote muscle strength and flexibility, also improved functional balance. Aquatic training is an option for physical health promotion for sedentary lifestyle elderly women.
Tribological Behaviour of Neem Oil with and without Graphene Nanoplatelets Using Four-Ball Tester
Authors: Suresha B. , Hemanth G. , Rakesh Apurva , Adarsh K. M.
Published: January 2020

The present work was aimed to study the friction and wear behaviour of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) under extreme pressure conditions as an anti-weld additive for neem oil. The effect of neem oil, blended with various loading of GNPs on the friction and wear characteristics has been investigated. From the experimental results, it was found that 1 wt.% of GNPs in neem oil showed the least coefficient of friction and smoother wear scar diameter. The extreme pressure test was performed on neem oil with and without GNPs as per ASTM standards. The extreme pressure test results indicated the improvement in seizure load of neem oil by 27.8% at 0.5 wt.% of GNPs as compared to pure neem oil. Optical microscopy of worn steel ball surface revealed the pit formation and the formation of wedge cutting edge in GNPs modified neem oil.
Modeling and Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of Blade-Disk Dual-Rotor System
Authors: Lu Zhenyong , Zhong Shun , Chen Huizheng , Chen Yushu , Han Jiajie , Wang Chao
Published: January 2020

In this paper, a simplified dynamic model of a dual-rotor system coupled with blade disk is built, and the effects of blade parameters of an aircraft engine on the dynamic characteristics of a dual-rotor system are studied. In the methodology, the blade is simplified as a cantilever structure, and the dynamical equations are obtained by the means of a finite element method. The amplitude-frequency response curves and orbits of shaft centre-vibration shape diagram are used to analyze the effects of blade parameters on dynamic characteristics of a dual-rotor system. The results indicate that the properties of the blades have huge impacts on the critical speed and other dynamic characteristics of the system. With an increase of the length of the blade, the second-order critical speed decreases obviously, but the first-order critical speed is almost invariant; this means that the blades attached on the low-pressure compressor do not affect the first-order critical speed of the dual-rotor system. Meanwhile, note that the high-pressure rotor and low-pressure turbine rotor can excite the first-order resonance of the dual-rotor system, while the low-pressure compressor rotor can only excite the second-order resonance, and then the dynamic model of this six-point support dual-rotor system can further be simplified as a relatively independent single-rotor system with one disk and a four-support dual-rotor system with dual disks.
Displacement Prediction of a Complex Landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (China) Using a Hybrid Computational Intelligence Approach
Authors: Ma Junwei , Niu Xiaoxu , Tang Huiming , Wang Yankun , Wen Tao , Zhang Junrong
Published: January 2020

Displacement prediction of reservoir landslide remains inherently uncertain since a complete understanding of the complex nonlinear, dynamic landslide system is still lacking. An appropriate quantification of predictive uncertainties is a key underpinning of displacement prediction and mitigation of reservoir landslide. A density prediction, offering a full estimation of the probability density for future outputs, is promising for quantification of the uncertainty of landslide displacement. In the present study, a hybrid computational intelligence approach is proposed to build a density prediction model of landslide displacement and quantify the associated predictive uncertainties. The hybrid computational intelligence approach consists of two steps: first, the input variables are selected through copula analysis; second, kernel-based support vector machine quantile regression (KSVMQR) is employed to perform density prediction. The copula-KSVMQR approach is demonstrated through a complex landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), China. The experimental study suggests that the copula-KSVMQR approach is capable of construction density prediction by providing full probability density distributions of the prediction with perfect performance. In addition, different types of predictions, including interval prediction and point prediction, can be derived from the obtained density predictions with excellent performance. The results show that the mean prediction interval widths of the proposed approach at ZG287 and ZG289 are 27.30 and 33.04, respectively, which are approximately 60 percent lower than that obtained using the traditional bootstrap-extreme learning machine-artificial neural network (Bootstrap-ELM-ANN). Moreover, the obtained point predictions show great consistency with the observations, with correlation coefficients of 0.9998. Given the satisfactory performance, the presented copula-KSVMQR approach shows a great ability to predict landslide displacement.
Numerical Simulations and the Design of Magnetic Field-Enhanced Electron Impact Ion Source with Hollow Cylinder Structure
Authors: Qi Guochen , Tian Di , Gao Guolun , Liu Guangda , Qiu Chunling , Long Tao
Published: January 2020

An electron impact ion source-adopted magnetic field-enhanced technology has been designed for enhancing the electron intensity and the ionization efficiency. Based on the ion optic focus mechanism, an electron impact ionization source was designed, and the electron entrance into the ionization chamber was designed with a hollow cylinder structure to improve the ion extraction efficiency. Numerical simulation and optimal geometry were optimized by SIMION 8.0 to provide higher electron intensity and ion transmission efficiency. To improve the electron intensity, the influence of the filament potential and magnetic intensity was investigated, and the values of 70 eV and 150 Gs were chosen in our apparatus. Based on the optimal parameters, the air in the lab and oxygen gas was detected by the homemade apparatus, and the ion intensity was detected in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. The homemade electron impact ion source apparatus has the potential to enhance ionization efficiency applied in the mass spectrometer ionization source.