bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correcting observation model error in data assimilation
Authors: Hamilton Franz , Berry Tyrus , Sauer Timothy
Published: May 2019

Standard methods of data assimilation assume prior knowledge of a model that describes the system dynamics and an observation function that maps the model state to a predicted output. An accurate mapping from model state to observation space is crucial in filtering schemes when adjusting the estimate of the system state during the filter’s analysis step. However, in many applications, the true observation function may be unknown and the available observation model may have significant errors, resulting in a suboptimal state estimate. We propose a method for observation model error correction within the filtering framework. The procedure involves an alternating minimization algorithm used to iteratively update a given observation function to increase consistency with the model and prior observations using ideas from attractor reconstruction. The method is demonstrated on the Lorenz 1963 and Lorenz 1996 models and on a single-column radiative transfer model with multicloud parameterization.
Vacancy-type defects in GaN self-assembled nanowires probed using monoenergetic positron beam
Authors: Uedono Akira , Siladie Alexandra-Madalina , Pernot Julien , Daudin Bruno , Ishibashi Shoji
Published: May 2019

Vacancy-type defects in GaN nanowires (NWs) and the trapping of electrons by the vacancies were studied by positron annihilation. Undoped, Si-, and Mg-doped GaN NWs were grown on Si substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The major species of vacancies in the undoped and Si-doped samples was identified as a complex between a Ga vacancy and impurities such as oxygen and hydrogen. For the Mg-doped samples, the trapping rate of positrons for such defects decreased with the increase in Mg concentration because of the downward shift of Fermi level position and a resultant shift of the vacancy charge states from neutral (negative) to positive. Under the illumination of a 325-nm He-Cd laser, positrons were found to be trapped by vacancy-type defects, which was attributed to the trapping of excited electrons by these defects.
Discussion on hole traps of amorphous films of N,N′-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (
α-
NPD) deposited at different substrate temperatures
Authors: Esaki Yu , Matsushima Toshinori , Adachi Chihaya
Published: May 2019

The hole current in amorphous films of N,N′-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD) strongly depends on substrate temperature during vacuum deposition (Tsub) and is the highest at a Tsub value of around 275 K. However, the reason for this enhancement of hole current at this Tsub is not clearly understood. In this study, we performed thermally stimulated current (TSC) measurements, which is a versatile method used to obtain information about carrier traps, on α-NPD films. The TSC results revealed that hole traps were uniformly distributed throughout the films and that hole traps were the shallowest for films fabricated at a Tsub value of around 275 K. Thus, the shallowest hole traps at this Tsub are believed to be one reason for the highest hole current for α-NPD films. This is the demonstration of how Tsub affects carrier traps, contributing to a better understanding of the underlying physics in organic amorphous films.
Uncovering temporal regularity in atmospheric dynamics through Hilbert phase analysis
Authors: Zappalà Dario A. , Barreiro Marcelo , Masoller Cristina
Published: May 2019

Uncovering meaningful regularities in complex oscillatory signals is a challenging problem with applications across a wide range of disciplines. Here, we present a novel approach, based on the Hilbert transform (HT). We show that temporal periodicity can be uncovered by averaging the signal in a moving window of appropriated length, τ, before applying the HT. As a case study, we investigate global gridded surface air temperature (SAT) datasets. By analyzing the variation of the mean rotation period, T¯, of the Hilbert phase as a function of τ, we discover well-defined plateaus. In many geographical regions, the plateau corresponds to the expected 1-yr solar cycle; however, in regions where SAT dynamics is highly irregular, the plateaus reveal non-trivial periodicities, which can be interpreted in terms of climatic phenomena such as El Niño. In these regions, we also find that Fourier analysis is unable to detect the periodicity that emerges when τ increases and gradually washes out SAT variability. The values of T¯ obtained for different τs are then given to a standard machine learning algorithm. The results demonstrate that these features are informative and constitute a new approach for SAT time series classification. To support these results, we analyze the synthetic time series generated with a simple model and confirm that our method extracts information that is fully consistent with our knowledge of the model that generates the data. Remarkably, the variation of T¯ with τ in the synthetic data is similar to that observed in the real SAT data. This suggests that our model contains the basic mechanisms underlying the unveiled periodicities. Our results demonstrate that Hilbert analysis combined with temporal averaging is a powerful new tool for discovering hidden temporal regularity in complex oscillatory signals.
Deformation and rupture of compound cells under shear: A discrete multiphysics study
Authors: Rahmat Amin , Barigou Mostafa , Alexiadis Alessio
Published: May 2019

This paper develops a three-dimensional numerical model for the simulation of cells in simple shear flow. The model is based on Discrete Multi-Physics (DMP), a meshless particle-based method that couples the smoothed particle hydrodynamics and the mass-spring model. In this study, the effect of the nucleus in cells is investigated for a broad range of capillary numbers. It is shown that the nucleus size affects the deformation of the cell. Moreover, oscillations are observed in the tank-treading motion of the membrane when capillary number and nucleus size are both sufficiently large. Additionally, DMP shows that the cell and nuclei may experience rupture under extreme flow conditions.
A numerical study on bubble dynamics in sinusoidal channels
Authors: Patel Tejas , Patel Darshan , Thakkar Nihar , Lakdawala Absar
Published: May 2019

In the present work, we investigate the dynamics of a bubble, rising inside a vertical sinusoidal wavy channel. We carry out a detailed numerical investigation using a dual grid level set method coupled with a finite volume based discretization of the Navier–Stokes equation. A detailed parametric investigation is carried out to identify the fate of the bubble as a function of Reynolds number, Bond number, and the amplitude of the channel wall and represented as a regime map. At a lower Reynolds number (high viscous force), we find negligible wobbling (path instability) in the dynamics of the bubble rise accompanied only with a change in shape of the bubble. However, at a higher Reynolds number, we observe an increase in the wobbling of the bubble due to the lowered viscous effects. Conversely, at a lower Bond number, we predict a stable rise of the bubble due to higher surface tension force. However, with a gradual increase in the Bond number, we predict a periodic oscillation which further tends to instigate the instability in the dynamics. With a further increase in the Bond number, a significant reduction in instability is found unlike a higher Reynolds number with only change in the shape of the bubble. At lower values of Reynolds numbers, Bond numbers, and channel wall amplitudes, the instability is discernible; however, with an increase in the channel wall amplitude, the bubble retains integrity due to higher surface tension force. At a higher Bond number and channel wall amplitude, a multiple breakup in the form of secondary bubbles is observed. We propose a correlation which manifests the average bubble rise velocity and the fluctuating velocity (due to channel waviness) as a function of Reynolds number, Bond number, and channel wall amplitude. Finally, we conclude that the bubble dynamics pertinent to the offset channels with varying amplitudes does not remain the same as that of the symmetric channel.
Phase stabilization of a relativistic backward wave oscillator by controlling the cathode characteristics for a slowly rising voltage pulse
Authors: Xiao Renzhen , Deng Yuqun , Shi Yanchao , Yang Dewen
Published: May 2019

We found that the start time in microwave generation of a relativistic backward wave oscillator (RBWO) for a slowly rising voltage pulse demonstrates a large jitter, which can be explained by the spread of explosive electron emission thresholds and plasma formation rates of the explosive emission cathode, and this large jitter is reduced greatly by a weak external RF signal. So, the effects of the emission threshold and plasma formation rate on the oscillation start time of a single RBWO and on the phase synchronization in two parallel RBWOs are investigated using particle-in-cell simulations. The 2D simulations show that a larger emission threshold and a faster plasma formation rate lead to a shorter start time due to the stronger shock excitation provided by the sharper beam current leading edge. For some special emission thresholds, the start time is abnormally long, which is due to the generation of other frequencies because of the shock excitation. The 3D simulations illustrate that with a larger emission threshold and a faster plasma formation rate, phase synchronization can be obtained in two parallel RBWOs even for a large voltage rise time. Therefore, we expect that by choosing the appropriate cathode emission threshold and plasma formation rate, it is possible to realize phase stabilization of an RBWO for a slowly rising voltage pulse even without an external RF signal.
High performance of AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light emitting diodes due to improved vertical carrier transport by delta-accelerating quantum barriers
Authors: Lang J. , Xu F. J. , Ge W. K. , Liu B. Y. , Zhang N. , Sun Y. H. , Wang M. X. , Xie N. , Fang X. Z. , Kang X. N. , Qin Z. X. , Yang X. L. , Wang X. Q. , Shen B.
Published: May 2019

AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light emitting diodes adopting an embedded delta-AlGaN thin layer with an Al composition higher than that in conventional barriers have been investigated. The experimental result shows that when the current is below 250 mA, the maximum of the external quantum efficiency and light output power for the proposed structure reach severally 1.38% and 10.1 mW, which are enhanced significantly by 160% and 197%, respectively, compared to the conventional ones, showing a tremendous improvement. We attribute that to the inserted delta-thin layer's modulation effect on the energy band, namely, accelerating holes to cross the high barrier with very large kinetic energy, thus increasing the hole injection into the active regions. Meanwhile, the electron concentration within the active regions is enhanced as well because of the accompanying additional effect of the delta-AlGaN thin layer being an electron barrier to block electrons escaping from the active region.
Exciton localization in MoSe2 monolayers induced by adsorbed gas molecules
Authors: Venanzi Tommaso , Arora Himani , Erbe Artur , Pashkin Alexej , Winnerl Stephan , Helm Manfred , Schneider Harald
Published: May 2019

Lattice defects and dielectric environment play a crucial role for 2D materials. Gas molecules can get physisorbed easily on the surface through van der Waals forces and can modify dramatically their electronic and optical properties. In this work, we investigate the impact of the physisorbed gas molecules on the optical properties of MoSe2 monolayers by means of low-temperature photoluminescence (PL). More specifically, we focus on the physics of excitons localized by gas molecules. The associated PL peak is observed to show a systematic and large red-shift with temperature and a blue-shift with laser irradiation. Both energy shifts are explained in terms of thermal instability of the localization in combination with hopping effects. Finally, a model is presented, which can reproduce the experimental data with excellent agreement.
Recovery of the electron–phonon interaction function in superconducting tantalum ballistic contacts
Authors: Bobrov N. L.
Published: May 2019

The experimentally observed nonlinearities of the current–voltage characteristics (CVCs) of tantalum-based point homo- and heterocontacts in both normal and superconducting states related to electron–phonon interaction (EPI) were analyzed. It was taken into account that additional nonlinearity of CVCs arising upon contact transition to the superconducting state (superconducting spectral component) is formed not only near the constriction in the region roughly equal to the contact diameter (as is the case for the normal state, and as predicted theoretically for the superconducting state), but also in a markedly larger region that is about the size of the coherence length. In this case, a considerable role in the formation of this superconducting component is played by nonequilibrium phonons with low group velocity, which account for the experimentally observed sharpening of the phonon peaks in the EPI spectra (the second derivatives of the CVCs) during the superconducting transition of the contacts, instead of the theoretically expected peak broadening (spreading), and for the increase in the superconducting contribution to the point contact spectrum in the low and medium energy regions. The high-energy part of the EPI spectrum changes much less significantly during the superconducting transition, which is attributable to suppression of the excess contact current by nonequilibrium quasi-particles. A detailed procedure was proposed for the recovery of the EPI spectral function from the point contact spectrum contribution (the second derivative of the CVC) that arises during the superconducting transition of one or both contacting metals.
Torsion studies of relaxation magnetic effects in C60 fullerite in magnetic field
Authors: Chigvinadze J. G. , Ashimov S. M. , Dolbin A. V.
Published: May 2019

Highly sensitive torsion technique was used in dynamic low-frequency (0.1–1 Hz) oscillatory and static (without oscillations) experiments to study temperature dependences of the magnetic properties of C60 fullerite in the magnetic fields transverse and longitudinal with respect to the oscillation axis. The temperature position of observed oscillation attenuation peaks that are related with phase transitions depends on the direction in which temperature changes (cooling or heating). The most clearly pronounced transitions accompanied by reorientation of magnetic dipole moments have been observed in the region of the structural (Fm3m–Pa3) transition at Т ≈ 260 K and at temperatures Т ≈ 180–200 K. The region of “chaos” has been discovered where magnetic properties and the direction of the “spontaneous” rotation of the fullerite specimen with respect to magnetic field change rapidly. We have shown that under certain conditions the relaxation time of the magnetic moments of molecular rotators, after elapsing of which the fullerite specimen experiences multiple changes in its rotational movement direction, if temperature increases from 77 K to 280 K, coincides with the “magic” time that was observed in static experiments at room temperatures Т = 295 K. An assumption has been made that the phenomena observed are related with relaxation processes in the rotational subsystem of molecular C60 rotators and with the magnetic flux trapped by fullerite.
Doubling the coexisting attractors
Authors: Li Chunbiao , Lu Tianai , Chen Guanrong , Xing Hongyan
Published: May 2019

When the offset boosting technique is introduced into a chaotic system for attractor shifting, the number of coexisting attractors in the system can be doubled under the application of the employed absolute-value function. Consequently, the offset booster becomes a doubling parameter determining the distance between the two coexisting attractors, and therefore can polymerize these attractors to become a pseudo-multi-scroll attractor. This paper demonstrates that the attractor doubling operation can be applied to any dimension of the system and can also be nested at any time leading to the geometric growth of the coexisting attractors. Furthermore, various regimes of coexistence can be merged and composed together to reproduce an integrated attractor in the system.
Expanding the reach of quantum stochastic models
Authors: Kish Stacy W.
Published: May 2019

New paper introduces a way to explore a range of values in quantum stochastic models.
Nellore bulls in Brazilian feedlots can be safely adapted to high-concentrate diets using 14-day restriction and step-up protocols
Authors: Parra F. S. , Ronchesel J. R. , Martins C. L. , Perdigão A. , Pereira M. C. S. , Millen D. D. , Arrigoni M. D. B.
Published: May 2019

In the present study, the effects of restricted intake of the final finishing diet as a means of dietary adaptation compared with diets increasing in concentrate content (step-up) over periods of 14 and 21 days on growth performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behaviour and rumen morphometrics of Nellore cattle were evaluated. One hundred and twenty 20 months old Nellore bulls (initial BW = 372.2 kg, s.d. = 21.5 kg) were randomly allocated in 24 pens (n = 5 per pen) and fed for 84 days. The study had a completely randomised design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: adaptation using both 14-day and 21-day step-up and restriction protocols. Each treatment was replicated 6 times. One bull per pen was slaughtered (n = 24) at the end of adaptation period to evaluate rumen morphometrics. The remaining bulls (n = 96) were slaughtered at the end of experimental period. Interactions were observed (P < 0.05) for growth performance, feeding behaviour and rumen morphometrics variables. Overall, no protocol or adaptation length main effect (P > 0.05) was observed for any of the growth rate and carcass traits evaluated, except for hot carcass weight (P = 0.03) and dressing percentage (P = 0.04), where bulls adapted for 14 days had heavier carcasses and increased dressing percentage when compared with cattle adapted for 21 days. Cattle adapted for 21 days had a larger (P = 0.005) rumen wall absorptive surface area at the end of adaptation period than those adapted for 14 days; however, no differences were detected at the end of finishing period. Thus, Nellore yearling bulls could be adapted for 14 days regardless of the protocol.
Incorporating data into grazing management decisions: supporting farmer learning
Authors: Turner Lydia , Irvine Lesley , Kilpatrick Sue
Published: May 2019

Pasture consumption is an important contributor to farm business profitability in pasture based dairy systems around the world, including Tasmania. Research, development and extension prioritises further increasing pasture consumption in the Tasmanian dairy industry, through progressing technical innovations and providing services to support increased farmer adoption of proven practices. Increasing farmer adoption of best practice grazing management recommendations relies on the continued development of extension delivery to meet farmer information and skill-development needs. A social research study identified some of these needs by exploring pasture management approaches and associated learning processes of farmers whose practices were more aligned versus less aligned to recommended practices. The aim was to improve understanding of the grazing management learning process and implications for extension in the context of data made available through new technology. Qualitative interview data showed that pasture managers whose practices are more closely aligned to recommended practices have used pasture measurement tools and performed associated calculations intensively for an extended period (≥1 year), before adapting best practices to suit their farm management approach. Less aligned pasture managers were aware of the importance of grazing management but were less aware that they lacked knowledge and skills required to implement recommended practices. These findings suggest that introducing innovative ways to acquire pasture growth data will not result in practice change unless dairy farmers have progressed through the grazing management learning process and come to understand how to use data effectively.
Anton Linder Hales 1911–2006
Authors: Lambeck Kurt
Published: May 2019

Anton Linder Hales died in Canberra on 11 December 2006. He was a distinguished geophysicist of international renown who made major contributions to understanding the structure and evolution of the deep Earth through the combination of theoretical developments, field experimentation and laboratory measurements, including in whole-mantle convection, palaeomagnetism, geochronology and seismology. He was also a creative and highly successful builder of research institutions on three continents, in South Africa, the USA and Australia. The last of these was as Foundation Director of the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University, leaving behind one of the leading geoscience research institutions in the world. His career spanned a period in which earth science was undergoing rapid evolution—from a ‘fixist’ view of the planet to the ‘highly dynamic’ view that we have today, an evolution to which he made important contributions both through his own research and his scientific leadership at institutional and international level.
‘Ideophone’ as a comparative concept
Authors: Dingemanse Mark
Published: May 2019

This chapter makes the case for ‘ideophone’ as a comparative concept: a notion that captures a recurrent typological pattern and provides a template for understanding language-specific phenomena that prove similar. It revises an earlier definition to account for the observation that ideophones typically form an open lexical class, and uses insights from canonical typology to explore the larger typological space. According to the resulting definition, a canonical ideophone is a member of an open lexical class of marked words that depict sensory imagery. The five elements of this definition can be seen as dimensions that together generate a possibility space to characterise cross-linguistic diversity in depictive means of expression. This approach allows for the systematic comparative treatment of ideophones and ideophone-like phenomena. Some phenomena in the larger typological space are discussed to demonstrate the utility of the approach: phonaesthemes in European languages, specialised semantic classes in West-Chadic, diachronic diversions in Aslian, and depicting constructions in signed languages.
The phonological structure of Japanese mimetics and motherese
Authors: Kubozono Haruo
Published: May 2019

Japanese is known to have a rich inventory of words both in mimetics and motherese (baby talk words). The purpose of this chapter is to examine interesting similarities that these two types of vocabulary exhibit in phonological structure. First of all, words in both mimetics and motherese are basically disyllabic although mimetic words also permit longer strings of syllables. Second, they are subject to a prosodic restriction by which word-final sequences of a light syllable plus a heavy one are prohibited. Third, all baby talk words are lexically ‘accented’, i.e., pronounced with an abrupt pitch fall, as opposed to ‘unaccented’. This prosodic feature is also shared by mimetic words. This fact is astonishing because a majority of native words in adult Japanese are lexically unaccented, which raises the interesting question of why mimetics and motherese are accentually different from the adult language.

By carefully analyzing various phenomena in adult phonology, this chapter presents evidence that the phonological biases commonly shown by mimetics and motherese represent unmarked phonological structures of the language that emerge in derived words in adult phonology. This allows us to link mimetics and motherese on the one hand, and adult and child phonology, on the other.
Classification of nominal compounds containing mimetics
Authors: Toratani Kiyoko
Published: May 2019

In Japanese, some nominal compounds have mimetic components (Nominal Compounds with Mimetics (NCMs)) (e.g., zaazaa-buri [mimetic(the sound of heavy rain)-a fall(from the sky)] ‘a downpour’). This paper examines how mimetics participate in word-formation of nominal compounds, applying Construction Morphology. Examination of representative NCMs indicates: (i) NCMs are mostly right-headed, although some are double-headed, and (ii) mimetics combine with the types of nouns that combine with non-mimetic components. Given this, the paper proposes NCMs are part of the inheritance hierarchy for nominal compounds; specifically, their top node diverges according to the head position, building on Booij (2010: 7). The hierarchy consists of different constructional schemas, such as <[x
i-hada]
nk ↔ [hada ‘skin’ with attribute SEMi]k>, wherein the variable x can be replaced by a mimetic, as in gasagasa-hada ‘rough skin’, or a non-mimetic, as in yawa-hada ‘soft skin’. The paper argues that mimetics are an integral part of nominal compound word formation, enriching lexical varieties of nominal compounds. The Construction Morphology representational system proves useful to indicate where NCMs appear in the word network.
Mimetics, gaze, and facial expression in a multimodal corpus of Japanese
Authors: Akita Kimi
Published: May 2019

Mimetic/ideophonic utterances are often accompanied by expressive prosody and iconic gesture. This chapter reports the speaker’s facial expression and eye contact with the hearer as two more possible nonverbal correlates of mimetics on the basis of a multimodal corpus of Japanese interviews. It is shown that, unlike prosody and gesture, these somewhat frequent facial behaviors are not correlated with the morphosyntactic features of mimetics because of their primarily affective and interactional nature. However, a weak correlation with morphosyntax is suggested for the speaker’s gaze redirected away from the hearer, which is considered a signal of ‘depictive’ signification prototypical mimetics illustrate.
The Gender of Subscribers to Eighteenth-Century Music Publications
Authors: Fleming Simon D. I.
Published: May 2019

One of the most important and valuable resources available to researchers of eighteenth-century social history are the lists of subscribers that were attached to a wide variety of publications. Yet, the study of this type of resource remains one of the areas most neglected by academics. These lists shed considerable light on the nature of those who subscribed to music, including their social status, place of employment, residence, and musical interests. They naturally also provide details as to the gender of individual subscribers.

As expected, subscribers to most musical publications were male, but the situation changed considerably as the century progressed, with more females subscribing to the latest works by the early nineteenth century. There was also a marked difference in the proportion of male and female subscribers between works issued in the capital cities of London and Edinburgh and those written for different genres. Female subscribers also appear on lists to works that they would not ordinarily be permitted to play. Ultimately, a broad analysis of a large number of subscription lists not only provides a greater insight into the social and economic changes that took place in Britain over the course of the eighteenth century, but also reveals the types of music that were favoured by the members of each gender.
Arabization of Nijmegen questionnaire and study of the prevalence of hyperventilation in dizzy patients
Authors: Talaat Hossam Saneyelbahaa , Moaty Asmaa Salah , Elsayed Mai Ahmed
Published: May 2019

Objectives:

To develop and adapt the Arabic version of Nijmegen questionnaire (NQ) for assessment of hyperventilation and to determine the prevalence of hyperventilation in dizzy patients.

Methods:

The adapted NQ was translated following cross-cultural adaptation guidelines which includes forward and backward translation, Expert committee review, pretesting and final version of NQ. The adapted Arabic NQ was completed by 100 normal controls (control group) and 50 patients with hyperventilation symptoms (hyperventilation group) then the Arabic NQ was administered to 100 dizzy patients (dizzy group). Patients with disturbed consciousness and severe mental health disorders were excluded. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were examined. Reliability included internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The validation of the questionnaire including content and construct validity was performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the possible cutoff points. The prevalence of hyperventilation in dizzy patients was determined.

Results:

The Arabic NQ showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.819 for controls and Cronbach’s alpha = 0.920 for hyperventilation group). Test-retest correlation for repeatability was high (r = 0.987 among controls, and r = 0.927 among cases). Construct validity showed high negative correlations between the total score of the questionnaire and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) outcome (r = –0.916, p < .001). Twenty-eight percent of patients in the dizzy group give positive NQ score.

Conclusion:

This study showed that the adapted Arabic version of NQ is a valid and reliable questionnaire for the assessment of hyperventilation in Egyptian adults and the most sensitive cutoff point for diagnosing hyperventilation was (26.5). The prevalence of hyperventilation in dizzy patients was 28%.
Photon diffusion in microscale solids
Authors: Das Avijit , Brown Andrew K , Mah Merlin L , Talghader Joseph J
Published: May 2019

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental investigation of photon diffusion in highly absorbing microscale graphite. A Nd:YAG continuous wave laser is used to heat the graphite samples with thicknesses of 40μm and 100μm. Optical intensities of 10 kW cm−2and 20 kW cm−2are used in the laser heating. The graphite samples are heated to temperatures of thousands of kelvins within milliseconds, which are recorded by a 2-color, high speed pyrometer. To compare the observed temperatures, differential equation of heat conduction is solved across the samples with proper initial and boundary conditions. In addition to lattice vibrations, photon diffusion is incorporated in the analytical model of thermal conductivity for solving the heat equation. The numerical simulations showed close matching between experiment and theory only when including the photon diffusion equations and existing material properties data found in the previously published works with no fitting constants. The results indicate that the commonly-overlooked mechanism of photon diffusion dominates the heat transfer of many microscale structures near their evaporation temperatures. In addition, the treatment explains the discrepancies between thermal conductivity measurements and theory that were previously described in the scientific literature.
High-speed digital light source photocurrent mapping system
Authors: Bausi Francesco , Koutsourakis George , Blakesley James C , Castro Fernando A
Published: May 2019

High-resolution spatial characterization of photovoltaic devices and photodetectors can reveal local defects that can have a detrimental impact on the lifetime and performance of such devices. Photocurrent mapping methods can provide high-resolution measurements and characterization can be achieved under actual operating conditions. However, such methods usually require costly, complicated systems and possess limited measurement speed. In this work an optical system based on a digital micro-mirror device is used for photocurrent mapping and a measurement protocol with a theoretical upper limit for scanning rate of 22 kHz is presented. The digital micromirror device itself provides synchronised spatial and temporal modulation in order to perform current mapping. Photocurrent maps of solar cells devices obtained with a scanning rate of 1000 pixels in less than 6 s are reported (the speed was limited by the device’s response time and its photon to current conversion efficiency). The speed of photocurrent mapping is thus increased by almost two orders of magnitude compared to other methods and is only limited by the response of the device under test. A lateral resolution of 34 µm is achieved, with the potential to increase it even further. The absence of any moving parts allows high repeatability of measurements. Combined with the high-speed control of the light field, this enables the development of novel measurement techniques for the simultaneous measurement of temporal and spatial parameters. The fully digital control of the mapping system also presents a high potential for integration in industrial automated systems as it can be fully controlled using machine learning algorithms to achieve fast detection of crucial defects and features of devices during manufacturing.
Availability and performance of image-based, non-contact methods of monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation: a systematic review
Authors: Harford M , Catherall J , Gerry S , Young JD , Watkinson P
Published: May 2019

Objective: Over the last 15 years, developments in camera technology have coincided with increased availability and affordability. This has led to an increasing interest in using these technologies in healthcare settings. Image-based monitoring methods potentially allow multiple vital signs to be measured concurrently using a non-contact sensor. We have undertaken a systematic review of the current availability and performance of these monitoring methods. Approach: A multiple database search was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, OpenGrey, IEEE Xplore Library and ACM Digital Library to July 2018. We included studies comparing image-based heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure monitoring methods against one or more validated reference device(s). Each included study was assessed using the modified GRRAS criteria for reporting bias. Main results: Of 30 279 identified studies, 161 were included in the final analysis. Twenty studies (20/161, 12%) were carried out on patients in clinical settings, while the remainder were conducted in academic settings using healthy volunteer populations. The 18–40 age group was best represented across the identified studies. One hundred and twenty studies (120/161, 75%) estimated heart rate, followed by 62 studies (62/161, 39%) estimating respiratory rate. Fewer studies focused on oxygen saturation (11/161, 7%) or blood pressure (6/161, 4%) estimation. Fifty-one heart rate studies (51/120, 43%) and 24 respiratory rate studies (24/62, 39%) used Bland–Altman analysis to report their results. Of the heart rate studies, 28 studies (28/51, 55%) showed agreement within industry standards of

5 beats per minute. Only two studies achieved this within clinical settings. Of the respiratory rate studies, 13 studies (13/24, 54%) showed agreement within industry standards of

3 breaths per minute, but only one study achieved this in a clinical setting. Statistical analysis was heterogeneous across studies with frequent inappropriate use of correlation. The majority of studies (99/161, 61%) monitored subjects for under 5 min. Three studies (3/161, 2%) monitored subjects for over 60 min, all of which were conducted in hospital settings. Significance: Heart rate and respiratory rate monitoring using video images is currently possible and performs within clinically acceptable limits under experimental conditions. Camera-derived estimates were less accurate in the proportion of studies conducted in clinical settings. We would encourage thorough reporting of the population studied, details of clinically relevant aspects of methodology, and the use of appropriate statistical methods in future studies.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42016029167

Protocol: https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-017-0615-3
Germline Predisposition to Hematolymphoid Neoplasia
Authors: Weinberg Olga K , Kuo Frank , Calvo Katherine R
Published: May 2019

Objectives

The 2017 Workshop of the Society for Hematopathology/European Association for Haematopathology aimed to review clinical cases with germline predisposition to hematolymphoid neoplasms.

Methods

The Workshop Panel reviewed 51 cases with germline mutations and rendered consensus diagnoses. Of these, six cases were presented at the meeting by the submitting pathologists.

Results

The cases submitted to the session covering germline predisposition included 16 cases with germline GATA2 mutations, 10 cases with germline RUNX1 mutations, two cases with germline CEBPA mutations, two germline TP53 mutations, and one case of germline DDX41 mutation. The most common diagnoses were acute myeloid leukemia (15 cases) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, 14 cases).

Conclusions

The majority of the submitted neoplasms occurring in patients with germline predisposition were myeloid neoplasms with germline mutations in GATA2 and RUNX1. The presence of a germline predisposition mutation is not sufficient for a diagnosis of a neoplasm until the appearance of standard diagnostic features of a hematolymphoid malignancy manifest: in general, the diagnostic criteria for neoplasms associated with germline predisposition disorders are the same as those for sporadic cases.
Shift Work and Leukocyte Count Changes among Workers in Bangkok
Authors: Hanprathet Nitt , Lertmaharit Somrat , Lohsoonthorn Vitool , Rattananupong Thanapoom , Ammaranond Palanee , Jiamjarasrangsi Wiroj
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Previous epidemiological evidence for the association of shift work exposure and increased leukocyte count is cross-sectional in nature, thus limiting cause-effect inference. We therefore used a longitudinal design to: (i) compare leukocyte counts at baseline between shift and day workers and (ii) examine the time trend of leukocyte counts over the follow-up period for these workers.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 6737 workers aged <60 years at two large organizations (a humanitarian organization and a university) in Bangkok, Thailand who had participated in at least two annual health check-ups during the period 2005–2016. Shift work exposure history was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire and categorized into day, former, and current shift workers. Data on leukocyte count were collected annually as part of worksite health screening during the observation period. Association of shift work exposure and increased leukocyte count was then examined cross-sectionally and longitudinally by using multiple linear regression and multilevel analysis of repeated measures data, respectively. In addition, trends for leukocyte count over the follow-up period and work years were examined using LOWESS smooth curves.

Results

Compared to day work, the current shift work was associated with increased leukocyte counts. The magnitude of percentage increase was the highest for basophil counts, followed by eosinophil and lymphocyte counts. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence revealed this association, although it was less pronounced longitudinally. For total leukocyte count, the magnitude of difference was constant across the 11-year follow-up period. However, for lymphocyte and basophil counts, these discrepancies tapered over the work years until they no longer differed (for lymphocyte count) or even differed in the opposite direction (for basophil count) in later work years.

Conclusion

This study confirmed previous cross-sectional evidence that shift work exposure-increased leukocyte counts and that this was reversible. Whether this increase in immune cell count also results in an increased immune cell activity and serves as the intermediary in the association between shift work exposure and subsequent chronic disease development needs further investigation.
Updated Management of Malar Edema, Mounds, and Festoons: A Systematic Review
Authors: Newberry C Ian , Mccrary Hilary , Thomas J Regan , Cerrati Eric W
Published: May 2019

To deliver a natural, aesthetically pleasing periorbital rejuvenation, restoration of the youthful lid-cheek junction and malar eminence is often essential. However, the management of malar bags is complex secondary to the diverse pathophysiology and varying severity of malar edema, mounds, and festoons. Treatment must be individualized based on extent and content. This scoping review updates the audience on the anatomy, pathophysiology, and evaluation of malar bags in addition to the latest literature regarding minimally invasive intervention and surgical refinements. A modernized treatment algorithm is proposed.

Level of Evidence: 4
Pilot Study of Markers for High-grade Anal Dysplasia in a Southern Cohort From the Women’s Interagency Human Immunodeficiency Virus Study
Authors: Lahiri Cecile D , Nguyen Minh Ly , Mehta C Christina , Mosunjac Marina , Tadros Talaat , Unger Elizabeth R , Rajeevan Mangalathu S , Richards Jendai , Ofotokun Ighovwerha , Flowers Lisa
Published: May 2019

Background

Anal cancer rates have increased, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected (HIV+) women. We assessed factors associated with anal precancer in HIV+ and at-risk HIV-negative women from the Atlanta Women’s Interagency HIV Study cohort.

Methods

All participants underwent high-resolution anoscopy and anal cytology and had anal and cervical samples collected. Specimens were tested for 37 human papillomavirus (HPV) types and for FAM19A4 and microRNA124-2 promoter methylation. Binary logistic regression and multivariate analysis were conducted with histologic anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (A-HSIL) as the dependent variable.

Results

Seventy-five women were enrolled: 52 (69%) were HIV+ with three-fourths having undetectable viral load; 64 (86%) were black; mean age was 49 ± 8 years. Forty-nine (65%) anal cytology samples were abnormal, and 38 (51%) of anal samples were positive for at least 1 of 13 high-risk HPV (hrHPV) types. Thirteen (18%) anal biopsies identified A-HSIL. Hypermethylation of FAM19A4 and/or microRNA124-2 was found in 69 (95%) anal samples and 19 (26%) cervical samples. In multivariate analyses, the odds of having A-HSIL were >6 times higher in women with anal hrHPV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.08 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.27–29.18], P = .02) and with positive cervical methylation (aOR, 6.49 [95% CI, 1.66–25.35], P = .007), but not significantly higher in women with positive anal methylation.

Conclusions

Anal hrHPV and promoter hypermethylation in the cervix show promise as biomarkers for anal cancer screening in HIV+ and at-risk HIV-negative women. Greater understanding of gene silencing by promoter hypermethylation in anal carcinogenesis is needed.
Clinical Impact and Cost-effectiveness of Genotype Testing at Human Immunodeficiency Virus Diagnosis in the United States
Authors: Hyle Emily P , Scott Justine A , Sax Paul E , Millham Lucia R I , Dugdale Caitlin M , Weinstein Milton C , Freedberg Kenneth A , Walensky Rochelle P
Published: May 2019

Background

US guidelines recommend genotype testing at human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis (“baseline genotype”) to detect transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and protease inhibitors. With integrase strand inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens now recommended as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART), the of baseline genotypes is uncertain.

Methods

We used the Cost-effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications model to examine the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of baseline genotype compared to no baseline genotype for people starting ART with dolutegravir (DTG) and an NRTI pair. For people with no TDR (83.8%), baseline genotype does not alter regimen selection. Among people with transmitted NRTI resistance (5.8%), baseline genotype guides NRTI selection and informs subsequent ART after adverse events (DTG AEs, 14%). Among people with transmitted NNRTI resistance (7.2%), baseline genotype influences care only for people with DTG AEs switching to NNRTI-based regimens. The 48-week virologic suppression varied (40%–92%) depending on TDR. Costs included $320/genotype and $2500–$3000/month for ART.

Results

Compared to no baseline genotype, baseline genotype resulted in <1 additional undiscounted quality-adjusted life-day (QALD), cost an additional $500/person, and was not cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio: $420 000/quality-adjusted life-year). In univariate sensitivity analysis, clinical benefits of baseline genotype never exceeded 5 QALDs for all newly diagnosed people with HIV. Baseline genotype was cost-effective at current TDR prevalence only under unlikely conditions, eg, DTG-based regimens achieving ≤50% suppression of transmitted NRTI resistance.

Conclusions

With INSTI-based first-line regimens in the United States, baseline genotype offers minimal clinical benefit and is not cost-effective.
Towards (de-)financialisation: the role of the state
Authors: Karwowski Ewa
Published: May 2019

Understanding the nature of state financialisation is crucial to ensure de-financialisation efforts are successful. Therefore, this article provides a structured overview of the emerging literature on financialisation and the state. We define financialisation of the state broadly as the changed relationship between the state, understood as sovereign with duties and accountable towards its citizens, and financial markets and practices, in ways that can diminish those duties and reduce accountability. We then argue that there are four ways in which financialisation works in and through public institutions and policies: adoption of financial logics, advancing financial innovation, embracing financial accumulation strategies and directly financialising the lives of their citizens. Organising our review around the two main policy fields of fiscal and monetary policy, four definitions of financialisation in the context of public policy and institutions emerge. When dealing with public expenditure on social provisions, financialisation most often refers to the transformation of public services into the basis for actively traded financial assets. In the context of public revenue, financialisation describes the process of creating and deepening secondary markets for public debt, with the state turning into a financial market player. Finally, in the realm of monetary policy, financial deregulation is perceived to have paved the way for financialisation, while inflation targeting and the encouragement, or outright pursuit, of market-based short-term liquidity management among financial institutions constitute financialised policies.
Transformation of banking reconsidered: how feasible is ‘de-financialisation’?
Authors: Sweeney Robert
Published: May 2019

A defining feature of financialisation has been the transformation of banking, especially the expansion of investment banking. This article argues that the financialisation literature has, to date, failed to adequately explain this transformation. Neither disintermediation processes on the one hand, nor liberalisation of financial service activities on the other hand can explain the increase in scale and scope of the sector. The growth in investment banking activities should instead be seen in terms of the overall expansion of financial markets. In particular, demographic pressures and neoliberal restructuring have led to the growth of capital markets and modern asset management. The rise of capital markets and asset management, and the associated growth of money and derivatives markets have, in turn, put pressures on the banking system for expanded investment services, which it has met. Understanding financialisation as a structural change implies limits on how much economies can be ‘de-financialised’.