bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemistry of Acidic and Neutralized Alum Shale Pit Lakes 50 Years After Mine Closure, Kvarntorp, Sweden
Authors: Åhlgren Kristina , Sjöberg Viktor , Grawunder Anja , Allard Bert , Bäckström Mattias 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSeveral large pits were left after alum shale was mined from 1942 to 1966 in the Kvarntorp area of Sweden. Of these, the pit lakes Pölen and Norrtorpssjön are the focus of this study. They have elevated levels of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Mn, Fe, and sulphate, as well as trace elements, from weathering of the exposed shale. Both lakes had a stable pH below 4 until 1996 when the pH in Norrtorpssjön started to increase, exceeding 8 in 2010, due to inflow of leachates from alkaline waste dumped in an adjacent waste deposit, similar to a large scale anoxic limestone drain (ALD). Iron and Al concentrations decreased as the pH increased, indicating formation of particulate species which accumulate as sediments. The Co, Ni, and Zn concentrations also decreased, probably due to association with the solid phases, while Cu was less affected by the increase in pH, possibly due to formation of complexes with dissolved organic matter. Vanadium concentrations show limited solubility, while Mo concentrations increased at higher pH. Uranium concentrations decreased from above 80 μg/L to below 10 μg/L before rising to 30–35 μg/L due to the formation of soluble carbonate complexes at higher pH levels. The elevated levels of Li, Sr, and U indicate that weathering has continued despite the pH change. Both pit lakes are stratified, but no seasonal overturn has been observed. Long-term behaviour of this large-scale ALD and its implications are also discussed.
The development of dynamic perceptual simulations during sentence comprehension
Authors: Hauf Juliane E. K. , Nieding Gerhild , Seger Benedikt T. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBased on an embodied account of language comprehension, this study investigated the dynamic characteristics of children and adults’ perceptual simulations during sentence comprehension, using a novel paradigm to assess the perceptual simulation of objects moving up and down a vertical axis. The participants comprised adults (N = 40) and 6-, 8-, and 10-year-old children (N = 116). After listening in experimental trials to sentences implying that objects moved upward or downward, the participants were shown pictures and had to decide as quickly as possible whether the objects depicted had been mentioned in the sentences. The target pictures moved either up or down and then stopped in the middle of the screen. All age groups’ reaction times were found to be shorter when the objects moved in the directions that the sentences implied. Age exerted no developmental effect on reaction times. The findings suggest that dynamic perceptual simulations are fundamental to language comprehension in text recipients aged 6 and older.
Comparing Fidelity Outcomes of Paraprofessional and Professional Delivery of a Perinatal Depression Preventive Intervention
Authors: Diebold Alicia , Ciolino Jody D. , Johnson Jessica K. , Yeh Chen , Gollan Jackie K. , Tandon S. Darius 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMothers and Babies (MB), a perinatal depression preventive intervention, has proven effective in decreasing depressive symptoms and preventing onset of major depression. An ongoing cluster-randomized trial is comparing the effectiveness of the six-session MB group intervention led by paraprofessionals versus mental health professionals. Twenty percent of all audio-recorded intervention sessions were randomly selected for fidelity checks. Analyses assessed mean facilitator adherence and competency overall, by study arm, and by session; and, examined site, facilitator, and client-specific effects. There were no significant differences found between study arms. Findings show paraprofessionals can deliver MB with similar fidelity as mental health professionals.
Using ultrasound to improve the sequential post-synthesis modification method for making mesoporous Y zeolites
Authors: Zhang Rongxin , Zhong Peinan , Arandiyan Hamidreza , Guan Yanan , Liu Jinmin , Wang Na , Jiao Yilai , Fan Xiaolei 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMesoporous Y zeolites were prepared by the sequential chemical dealumination (using chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, H4EDTA, and citric acid aqueous solutions) and alkaline desilication (using sodium hydroxide, NaOH, aqueous solutions) treatments. Specifically, the ultrasound-assisted alkaline treatment (i.e., ultrasonic treatment) was proposed as the alternative to conventional alkaline treatments which are performed under hydrothermal conditions. In comparison with the hydrothermal alkaline treatment, the ultrasonic treatment showed the comparatively enhanced efficiency (with the reduced treatment time, i.e., 5 min vs. 30 min, all with 0.2 mol·L−1 NaOH at 65°C) in treating the deal-uminated Y zeolites for creating mesoporosity. For example, after the treatment of a dealuminated zeolite Y (using 0.1 mol·L−1 H4EDTA at 100°C for 6 h), the ultrasonic treatment produced the mesoporous zeolite Y with the specific external surface area (Sexternal) of 160 m2·g·−1and mesopore volume (Vmeso) of 0.22 cm3·g−1, being slightly higher than that by the conventional method (i.e., Sextemal= 128 m2·g−1 and Vmeso = 0.19 cm3·g−1). The acidic property and catalytic activity (in catalytic cracking of n-octane) of mesoporous Y zeolites obtained by the two methods were comparable. The ultrasonic desilication treatment was found to be generic, also being effective to treat the dealuminated Y zeolites by citric acid. Additionally, the first step of chemical dealumination treatment was crucial to enable the effective creation of mesopores in the parent Y zeolite (with a silicon-to-aluminium ratio, Si/Al = 2.6) regardless of the subsequent alkaline desilication treatment (i.e., ultrasonic or hydrothermal). Therefore, appropriate selection of the condition of the chemical dealumination treatment based on the property of parent zeolites, such as Si/Al ratio and crystallinity, is important for making mesoporous zeolites effectively.
Visual impact evaluation of mines and quarries: the updated Lvi method
Authors: Dentoni V. , Grosso B. , Massacci G. , Soddu G. P. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe article deals with the evaluation of the visual impact arising from quarrying, mining and civil engineering works that involve extensive surface excavation. An indirect method has been formerly proposed to quantify the level of visual impact (Lvi) based on the two physical variables that define the magnitude of change in a natural landscape: the solid angle subtended by the visible alteration from a given viewpoint (Ωv) and the chromatic contrast between the alteration and the surrounding landscape (ΔEμ). These two objective variables are determined by elaborating the digital images of the landscape under investigation, taken from the most representative viewpoints. The Lvi indicator has proven to be highly correlated with the judgement values expressed by potential observers and thus may represent a valuable operative tool in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures, both for the proponent of new projects and for the governmental authorities in charge of decision-making. This article describes a further development of the Lvi method, which aims at improving the repeatability of the impact evaluation by eliminating some critical issues related to the definition of both the excavation limits and the natural comparison surfaces representing the natural landscape. To that end, the original calculation code has been implemented with two image segmentation algorithms, which objectively designate the areas within the picture to be used for the automatic calculation of the impact level Lvi. The updated code has been validated against the original Lvi method, thus confirming the suitability of the revised methodology to represent the perception of potential observers.
Inter-brain Synchronization in the Practice of Tibetan Monastic Debate
Authors: van Vugt Marieke K. , Pollock Joshua , Johnson Bryce , Gyatso Kalden , Norbu Ngawang , Lodroe Thabkhe , Gyaltsen Thupten , Phuntsok Lobsang , Thakchoe Jampa , Khechok Jampa , Lobsang Jampa , Tenzin Lobsang , Gyaltsen Jampa , Moye Amir , Fresco David M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectivesAlthough mindfulness meditation is the familiar and researched form of mental training derived from Buddhism, it represents but one form of practice. Monastic debate is an interactive and dyadic analytical meditation practice that originates from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition where monastics seek to jointly deepen their understanding of complicated philosophical issues. To date, monastic debate and analytic meditation have yet to be examined in the context of scientific investigation.MethodsIn the current study, we examined the neural correlates of this analytical meditation practice by means of hyperscanning electroencephalography, a method well-suited for examining social interactions.ResultsConsistent with the idea that analytical meditation helps to train concentration, we observed that over the course of the debate, mid-frontal theta oscillations—a correlate of absorption—increased significantly. This increase was stronger for more experienced monks as compared with monks at the beginning of their education. In addition, we found evidence for increases in synchrony in frontal alpha oscillations between paired debaters during moments of agreement as compared with disagreement on a set of premises.ConclusionsTogether, these findings provide an initial understanding of Tibetan monastic debate and analytical meditation using neuroscientific methods.
State of groundwater resource: relationship between its depth and sewage contamination in Leh town of Union Territory of Ladakh
Authors: Dolma Konchok , Rishi Madhuri S. , Lata Renu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractGroundwater as a resource of wide-spectrum use, especially in the tourism sector, has evolved as the prime most source of water in Leh town in recent years. Unfortunately, the regulation on groundwater use and monitoring as well as scientific management of this resource is almost zero so the resource is over-exploited as well as ill managed. The skewed balance of technology required versus that already available in order to manage this fast urbanizing town is massive, and the place is already showing initial signs of management issues of waste, traffic, air and water pollution. The town is in dire need of innovative and cost-effective solutions for keeping alive its environmental sustainability quotient as it is undergoing a paradigm shift from an agricultural society into a class III urban agglomeration as per Indian Census. In the absence of constant monitoring of this resource, there is a wide data gap related with groundwater resources in Leh town, and so it is very difficult to derive an exact estimation of the water table all over the town. This paper thus gives an elaborate description of the status of groundwater resources in Leh town in dearth of baseline data. Further the risks posed by various factors which are threatening the proper management of this resource are mentioned, and the way forward for sustainable management of Leh town keeping groundwater as a focal point is rightly covered.
An interdisciplinary assessment of private conservation areas in the Western United States
Authors: Quintas-Soriano Cristina , Gibson Dainee M. , Brandt Jodi S. , López-Rodríguez María D. , Cabello Javier , Aguilera Pedro A. , Castro Antonio J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractConservation easements are the fastest growing private conservation strategy in the United States. However, mechanisms to assess private land conservation as well as their support by the general public are not well understood. This study uses the ecosystem services framework for assessing existing private lands in Idaho and identifies areas for future conservation easements. Using conservation targets of the land trust as a guide for selecting ecosystem services, we (a) mapped the spatial delivery of conservation targets across public and private lands, (b) explored public awareness in terms of social importance and vulnerability, and (c) mapped future priority areas by characterizing conservation bundles. We found that public lands provided the highest levels of conservation targets, and we found no difference in conservation target provision between private areas and conservation easements. The spatial characterization of conservation target bundles identified potential future priority areas for conservation easements, which can guide planning of land trust conservation efforts.
Vertex rough graphs
Authors: Mathew Bibin , John Sunil Jacob , Garg Harish 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis article introduces the notion of vertex rough graph and discusses certain basic graph theoretic definitions and examples. Adjacency of vertices is used to create a matrix corresponding to a vertex rough graph. Also, the membership function of a vertex rough graph is introduced with the help of Pawlak’s Rough set theory, and using this certain results are obtained. The concepts of rough precision and rough similarity degree are extended to vertex rough graphs.
Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries in MgSO4/ZnSO4 Hybrid Electrolytes
Authors: Zhang Yingmeng , Li Henan , Huang Shaozhuan , Fan Shuang , Sun Lingna , Tian Bingbing , Chen Fuming , Wang Ye , Shi Yumeng , Yang Hui Ying 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMgSO4 is chosen as an additive to address the capacity fading issue in the rechargeable zinc-ion battery system of MgxV2O5·nH2O//ZnSO4//zinc. Electrolytes with different concentration ratios of ZnSO4 and MgSO4 are investigated. The batteries measured in the 1 M ZnSO4−1 M MgSO4 electrolyte outplay other competitors, which deliver a high specific capacity of 374 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and exhibit a competitive rate performance with the reversible capacity of 175 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1. This study provides a promising route to improve the performance of vanadium-based cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries with electrolyte optimization in cost-effective electrolytes.
Objective and Subjective Measures of Premature Ejaculation: How Closely Do They Correspond and How Well Are the Subjective Measures Recalled?
Authors: Althof Stanley , Rosen Raymond , Harty Brian , Osterloh Ian H. , Muirhead Gary J. , McMahon Christopher 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Clinical trials evaluating new treatments for premature ejaculation (PE) should ideally include both objective end points and patient reported outcomes (PROs), but there is no consensus currently over the optimal measures or combination of outcomes. In addition, many PROs use a 1-month recall period, despite concerns about potential recall bias.

Aims
Data from a clinical trial of men with lifelong PE were used to examine the consistency of 2 core items of the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP), a widely used PRO for assessing subjective aspects of PE. The specific aim was to assess the level of agreement between the original 1-month recall version compared with a new event-based version of the scale in men meeting current definitions of lifelong PE. A further aim was to investigate the convergent validity between an objective end point of intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), subjective PEP responses, and a patient's Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC) measure.

Methods
For assessment of consistency of PEP responses (short-term [ie, sexual event driven] vs 1-month recall), descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients (Pearson and Spearman), and Bland-Altman plots are presented for each time interval. For assessment of convergent validity, descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients (Pearson and Spearman) are presented for each assessment with geometric mean IELT values. Results are also depicted graphically. Geometric mean IELT over the last 4 weeks of treatment and change from baseline (absolute and fold change) were estimated via a general linear model for each category of change in PEP and CGIC, adjusting for baseline IELT.

Outcomes
PEP items administered via 1-month recall and short-term event-driven responses gave virtually identical results. There was a strong correlation (very good convergent validity) between IELT and responses to PEP and the CGIC.

Clinical translation
Men with lifelong PE can accurately recall their level of sexual functioning over the previous month. The PEP and CGIC are appropriate instruments to measure the subjective response of men with PE to new treatments.

Strengths and limitations
Our analyses address gaps in previously published research on PE assessment methodology. Men with acquired PE, men without partners, and men in homosexual relationships were not studied.

Conclusions
In a clinical trial setting, PEP and CGIC are appropriate end points and are likely the optimal combination of PROs for use with IELT to enable a global assessment of patient response to new PE treatments.
French Wine Exports to China: Evidence from Intra-French Regional Diversification and Competition
Authors: Bargain Olivier 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWhile France leads the way in the Chinese import market of wine, China is France's third largest wine export market by value. In this article, I analyze the determinants of France's wine exports to China, differentiated by French wine growing regions. I estimate a simple demand using a dataset on wine shipments of 100 different types of French bottled wines to China between 1998 and 2015. I find a wide range of income and price effects across French regions—a range not unlike those found by studies spanning multiple countries. Bordeaux wines exhibit the largest Chinese income elasticity. However, other French regions appear to catch up. Price elasticity, meanwhile, is particularly low for highly reputable wines, but quite high for wines targeting middle-class customers and wines from regions traditionally known for white wines. (JEL Classifications: F10, F14, L66, Q17)
Oncological and functional outcomes after repeat transoral laser microsurgery for the treatment of recurrent early glottic cancer
Authors: Forner D , Rigby M H , Corsten M , Trites J R , Pyne J , Taylor S M 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundTransoral laser microsurgery for glottic squamous cell carcinoma is the standard of care at many institutions. Repeat transoral laser microsurgery for recurrence may avoid the need for radiotherapy and total laryngectomy. This study aimed to identify oncological and functional outcomes in a cohort of patients who had undergone repeat transoral laser microsurgery procedures.MethodA retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery for carcinoma in situ or tumour stages T1 or T2 glottic cancer, from 2003 to 2018.ResultsTwenty patients were identified. Additional treatment was not needed in 45 per cent of patients. The five-year overall survival rate was 90 per cent. The disease-specific survival rate was 100 per cent. The laryngeal preservation rate was 85 per cent. There was improvement in mean Voice Handicap Index-10 scores following repeat transoral laser microsurgery treatment, when comparing the pre- and post-operative periods (mean scores = 15.5 vs 11.5, p = 0.373).ConclusionRepeat transoral laser microsurgery can be an oncologically safe alternative to other salvage therapies for glottic squamous cell carcinoma recurrence, without sacrificing functional outcomes.
Co-occurrence of autistic and psychotic traits: implications for depression, self-harm and suicidality
Authors: Sampson Katie N. , Upthegrove Rachel , Abu-Akel Ahmad , Haque Sayeed , Wood Stephen J. , Reniers Renate 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is increasing interest in the clinical and aetiological overlap between autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, reported to co-occur at both diagnostic and trait levels. Individually, sub-clinical autistic and psychotic traits are associated with poor clinical outcomes, including increased depressive symptomatology, self-harming behaviour and suicidality. However, the implications when both traits co-occur remain poorly understood. The study aimed to (1) examine the relationship between autistic and psychotic traits and (2) determine if their co-occurrence increases depressive symptomatology, self-harm and suicidality.MethodsCross-sectional data from a self-selecting (online and poster advertising) sample of the adult UK population (n = 653) were collected using an online survey. Validated self-report measures were used to assess sub-clinical autistic and psychotic traits, depressive symptomatology, self-harming behaviour and suicidality. Correlation and regression analyses were performed.ResultsA positive correlation between sub-clinical autistic and positive psychotic traits was confirmed (rs = 0.509, p < 0.001). Overall, autistic traits and psychotic traits were, independently, significant predictors of depression, self-harm and suicidality. Intriguingly, however, depression was associated with a negative interaction between the autistic domain attention to detail and psychotic traits.ConclusionsThis study supports previous findings that sub-clinical autistic and psychotic traits are largely independently associated with depression, self-harm and suicidality, and is novel in finding that their combined presence has no additional effect on depression, self-harm or suicidality. These findings highlight the importance of considering both autistic and psychotic traits and their symptom domains in research and when developing population-based depression prevention and intervention strategies.
The challenges of commissioning home care for older people in England: commissioners’ perspectives
Authors: Davies Karen , Dalgarno Elizabeth , Davies Susan , Roberts Amy , Hughes Jane , Chester Helen , Jasper Rowan , Wilson David , Challis David 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHome care for older people in England is commissioned through local authorities working predominantly with independent providers of care. Commissioners operate in a market model, planning and procuring home care services for local populations. Their role involves ‘managing’ and ‘shaping’ the market to ensure an adequate supply of care providers. Another imperative, emerging from the principles of personalisation, is the drive to achieve user outcomes rather than ‘time and task’ objectives. Little formal research has investigated the way commissioners reconcile these different requirements and organise commissioning. This study investigated commissioning approaches using qualitative telephone interviews with ten commissioners from different local authorities in England. The characteristics of commissioning were analysed thematically. Findings indicated (a) commissioning involved complex systems and processes, uniquely shaped for the local context, but frequently changed, suggesting a constant need for reframing commissioning arrangements; (b) partnerships with providers were mainly transactional, with occasional examples of collaborative models, that were considered to facilitate flexible services more appropriate for commissioning for personalised outcomes; and (c) only a small number of commissioners had attempted to reconcile the competing and incompatible goals of tightly prescribed contracting and working collaboratively with providers. A better understanding of flexible contracting arrangements and the hallmarks of a trusting collaboration is required to move beyond the procedural elements of contracting and commissioning.