bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyposmia as a marker of (non-)motor disease severity in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Roos Dareia S. , Twisk Jos W. R. , Raijmakers Pieter G. H. M. , Doty Richard L. , Berendse Henk W.
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of hyposmia in Parkinson’s disease (PD) with other motor and non-motor symptoms and with the degree of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cell loss. A total of 295 patients with a diagnosis of PD were included. Olfactory function was measured using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). Motor symptoms were rated using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor subscale (UPDRS III). To evaluate other non-motor symptoms, we used the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a measure of global cognitive function and validated questionnaires to assess sleep disturbances, psychiatric symptoms, and autonomic dysfunction. A linear regression model was used to calculate correlation coefficients between UPSIT score and motor and non-motor variables [for psychiatric symptoms a Poisson regression was performed]. In a subgroup of patients (n = 155) with a dopamine transporter (DaT) SPECT scan, a similar statistical analysis was performed, now including striatal DaT binding. In the regression models with correction for age, sex, disease duration, and multiple testing, all motor and non-motor symptoms were associated with UPSIT scores. In the subgroup of patients with a DaT-SPECT scan, there was a strong association between olfactory test scores and DaT binding in both putamen and caudate nucleus. Hyposmia in PD is associated with various motor and non-motor symptoms, like cognition, depression, anxiety, autonomic dysfunction and sleep disturbances, and with the degree of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cell loss. This finding adds further confirmation that hyposmia holds significant promise as a marker of disease progression.
Microstructural and histochemical analysis of aboveground organs of Centaurea cyanus used in herbal medicine
Authors: Haratym Weronika , Weryszko-Chmielewska Elżbieta , Konarska Agata
Published: September 2019

Centaurea cyanus L. is a valuable source of many different bioactive substances. It is used in herbal medicine, but the structure of its organs used as raw material and secretory tissues has been insufficiently examined. The aim of this paper was to investigate the microstructure of C. cyanus flowers, bracts, stems and leaves with particular emphasis on secretory structures. Moreover, the main classes of secondary metabolites present in the secretion were identified and the taxonomic value of some micromorphological and anatomical features was analysed. Histochemical, micromorphological and ultrastructural analyses of aboveground organs of C. cyanus were carried out using light, fluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The analyses revealed the presence of petal papillae and a characteristic cuticular pattern on the petals, stamens and stylar hairs. There were four types of non-glandular trichomes on the bracts, leaves and stem surfaces. The epidermal cells of the bracts contained prismatic calcium oxalate crystals. Two kinds of secretory structures, i.e. glandular trichomes and ducts, were observed in the C. cyanus organs. The glandular trichomes were located on the bract and stem surfaces, and the ducts were detected in the leaves and stems. Ultrastructural analyses of the epithelium of the ducts showed the presence of strongly osmiophilic insoluble phenolic material in vacuoles as well as moderately osmiophilic insoluble lipidic material in elaioplasts and vesicles. The results of histochemical assays showed a heterogeneous nature of the duct secretion, which contained essential oil, lipids, flavonoids, tannins and terpenes containing steroids.
Performance of polarization-consistent vs. correlation-consistent basis sets for CCSD(T) prediction of water dimer interaction energy
Authors: Kupka Teobald , Buczek Aneta , Broda Małgorzata A. , Mnich Adrianna , Kar Tapas
Published: September 2019

Detailed study of Jensen’s polarization-consistent vs. Dunning’s correlation-consistent basis set families performance on the extrapolation of raw and counterpoise-corrected interaction energies of water dimer using coupled cluster with single, double, and perturbative correction for connected triple excitations (CCSD(T)) in the complete basis set (CBS) limit are reported. Both 3-parameter exponential and 2-parameter inverse-power fits vs. the cardinal number of basis set, as well as the number of basis functions were analyzed and compared with one of the most extensive CCSD(T) results reported recently. The obtained results for both Jensen- and Dunning-type basis sets underestimate raw interaction energy by less than 0.136 kcal/mol with respect to the reference value of − 4.98065 kcal/mol. The use of counterpoise correction further improves (closer to the reference value) interaction energy. Asymptotic convergence of 3-parameter fitted interaction energy with respect to both cardinal number of basis set and the number of basis functions are closer to the reference value at the CBS limit than other fitting approaches considered here. Separate fits of Hartree-Fock and correlation interaction energy with 3-parameter formula additionally improved the results, and the smallest CBS deviation from the reference value is about 0.001 kcal/mol (underestimated) for CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVXZ calculations. However, Jensen’s basis set underestimates such value to 0.012 kcal/mol. No improvement was observed for using the number of basis functions instead of cardinal number for fitting.
A continuum model for yttria-stabilized zirconia incorporating triple phase boundary, lattice structure and immobile oxide ions
Authors: Vágner Petr , Guhlke Clemens , Miloš Vojtěch , Müller Rüdiger , Fuhrmann Jürgen
Published: September 2019

A continuum model for yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in the framework of non-equilibrium thermodynamics is developed. Particular attention is given to (i) modeling of the YSZ-metal-gas triple phase boundary, (ii) incorporation of the lattice structure and immobile oxide ions within the free energy model and (iii) surface reactions. A finite volume discretization method based on modified Scharfetter-Gummel fluxes is derived in order to perform numerical simulations. The model is used to study the impact of yttria and immobile oxide ions on the structure of the charged boundary layer and the double layer capacitance. Cyclic voltammograms of an air-half cell are simulated to study the effect of parameter variations on surface reactions, adsorption and anion diffusion.
Performance of vertical drains in liquefaction mitigation under structures
Authors: García-Torres Samy , Madabhushi Gopal Santana Phani
Published: September 2019

Several techniques have been developed in order to mitigate damage to buildings during and after liquefaction events. Benefits of using vertical drains have been verified by analysing their performance in the soil and evaluating their effectiveness in dissipation of excess pore pressures generated by the earthquake. However, the effect of drains in the soil below structures requires further investigation. In this paper, a dynamic centrifuge test series was carried out to evaluate the performance of a vertical drains arrangement below shallow foundations. High permeable rubble brick was used as coarse material inside the drains to provide positive results not only from a geotechnical point of view but also from an environmental and sustainable perspective. The behaviour of drains was analysed when they are located under shallow foundations of a building, in terms of the excess pore pressures generated during the earthquake and subsequent post-seismic dissipation, the foundation settlement and its dynamic response.
Differences in clinical valve size selection and valve size selection for patient-specific computer simulation in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): a retrospective multicenter analysis
Authors: El Faquir Nahid , Rocatello Giorgia , Rahhab Zouhair , Bosmans Johan , De Backer Ole , Van Mieghem Nicolas M. , Mortier Peter , de Jaegere Peter P. T.
Published: September 2019

Valve size selection for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently based on cardiac CT-scan. At variance with patient-specific computer simulation, this does not allow the assessment of the valve-host interaction. We aimed to compare clinical valve size selection and valve size selection by an independent expert for computer simulation. A multicenter retrospective analysis of valve size selection by the physician and the independent expert in 141 patients who underwent TAVR with the self-expanding CoreValve or Evolut R. Baseline CT-scan was used for clinical valve size selection and for patient-specific computer simulation. Simulation results were not available for clinical use. Overall true concordance between clinical and simulated valve size selection was observed in 47 patients (33%), true discordance in 15 (11%) and ambiguity in 79 (56%). In 62 (44%, cohort A) one valve size was simulated whereas two valve sizes were simulated in 79 (56%, cohort B). In cohort A, concordance was 76% and discordance was 24%; a smaller valve size was selected for simulation in 10 patients and a larger in 5. In cohort B, a different valve size was selected for simulation in all patients in addition to the valve size that was used for TAVR. The different valve size concerned a smaller valve in 45 patients (57%) and a larger in 34 (43%). Selection of the valve size differs between the physician and the independent computer simulation expert who used the same source of information. These findings indicate that valve sizing in TAVR is still more intricate than generally assumed.
Streamflow response to climate change in the Greater Horn of Africa
Authors: Hirpa Feyera A. , Alfieri Lorenzo , Lees Thomas , Peng Jian , Dyer Ellen , Dadson Simon J.
Published: September 2019

The Greater Horn of Africa region increasingly experiences high risk of water scarcity. A combination of frequent droughts, rapid population growth and rising urbanisation has reduced streamflow and intensified water abstraction, causing water and food shortages. Estimates of future streamflow changes in the region have so far been highly uncertain and evaluations using ground-based measurements are still limited. Here, future streamflow changes are estimated using a distributed hydrological model forced with an ensemble of high-resolution climate simulations produced using the European community Earth-System Model v3.1. The simulated streamflow is evaluated using observed data from 29 stations from river basins across different climate zones in the region. Evaluation results show large sub-regional variations in the performance of simulated streamflow. The sign and magnitude of future streamflow changes vary between climate simulations and river basins, highlighting the uncertainties in the hydrologic projections. Overall, the streamflow projections indicate large (seasonal, long-term mean and extreme) streamflow decreases for all major rivers in Ethiopia and increases in the equatorial parts of the region at the end of the century. The ensemble mean shows a 10 to 25% decrease in the long-term mean flow in Ethiopia and a 10% increase in the equatorial part of the region in 2080s. Similarly, there is a substantial change in high flows in 2080s, with up to − 50% reduction in the northern and 50% increase in the equatorial parts of the region. These findings are critical because the rivers provide water supply to a rapidly changing socio-economy of the region.
Beyond Superconductivity
Authors: Mannhart Jochen
Published: September 2019

We present a novel device concept that utilizes the fascinating transition regime between quantum mechanics and classical physics. The devices operate by using a small number of individual quantum mechanical collapse events to interrupt the unitary evolution of quantum states represented by wave packets. Exceeding the constraints of the unitary evolution of quantum mechanics given by Schrödinger’s equation and of classical Hamiltonian physics, these devices display a surprising behavior.
Microorganisms’ effect on the wettability of carbonate oil-wet surfaces: implications for MEOR, smart water injection and reservoir souring mitigation strategies
Authors: Jahanbani Veshareh Moein , Ayatollahi Shahab
Published: September 2019

In upstream oil industry, microorganisms arise some opportunities and challenges. They can increase oil recovery through microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) mechanisms, or they can increase production costs and risks through reservoir souring process due to H2S gas production. MEOR is mostly known by bioproducts such as biosurfactant or processes such as bioclogging or biodegradation. On the other hand, when it comes to treatment of reservoir souring, the only objective is to inhibit reservoir souring. These perceptions are mainly because decision makers are not aware of the effect microorganisms’ cell can individually have on the wettability. In this work, we study the individual effect of different microorganisms’ cells on the wettability of oil-wet calcite and dolomite surfaces. Moreover, we study the effect of two different biosurfactants (surfactin and rhamnolipid) in two different salinities. We show that hydrophobe microorganisms can change the wettability of calcite and dolomite oil-wet surfaces toward water-wet and neutral-wet states, respectively. In the case of biosurfactant, we illustrate that the ability of a biosurfactant to change the wettability depends on salinity and its hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance (HLB). In distilled water, surfactin (high HLB) can change the wettability to a strongly water-wet state, while rhamnolipid only changes the wettability to a neutral-wet state (low HLB). In the seawater, surfactin is not able to change the wettability, while rhamnolipid changes the wettability to a strongly water-wet state. These results help reservoir managers who deal with fractured carbonate reservoirs to design a more effective MEOR plan and/or reservoir souring treatment strategy.
CO2 gasification of biogenic fuels in a dual fluidized bed reactor system
Authors: Mauerhofer Anna Magdalena , Müller Stefan , Benedikt Florian , Fuchs Josef , Bartik Alexander , Hofbauer Hermann
Published: September 2019

A 100 kWth dual fluidized bed steam gasification pilot plant has been developed at TU Wien to convert different types of biogenic fuels into a valuable product gas. In this paper, the conversion of different biogenic fuels in combination with the utilization of CO2 as alternative gasification agent was investigated in the mentioned pilot plant. For this purpose, five experimental campaigns were carried out aiming at the investigation of softwood as reference fuel, and rapeseed cake, bark and lignin as alternative fuels. Pure olivine as well as a mixture (90/10 wt%) of olivine and limestone were used as bed materials. The product gas compositions of the different biogenic fuels changed depending on the elemental composition of the biogenic fuels. Thus, a high amount of carbon in the fuel enhanced CO formation, whereas an increased content of oxygen led to higher CO2 contents. Additionally, the presence of alkali metals in the biomass ash favoured the production of CO. The addition of limestone enhanced the H2 and CO contents via the water gas shift reaction as well as steam and dry reforming reactions, but had no significant effect on tar contents. Overall, this paper presents the feasibility of the dual-fluidized bed gasification process of different biogenic fuels with CO2 as gasification agent.
Religious Service Attendance, Moral Foundations, God Concept, and In-Group Giving: Testing Moderated Mediation
Authors: Shepherd Abigail M. , Schnitker Sarah A. , Greenway Tyler S.
Published: September 2019

Studies demonstrate that religious people are more likely to donate money to charity, but these donations are more often given to in-group members (e.g., religiously affiliated organizations). Few studies test mechanisms by which religious attendance affects the bias toward in-group giving. Moral foundations are proposed as mediators of the association between religious attendance and the in-group giving bias, and traditional God concept is proposed as a moderator of the relation between attendance and moral foundations. Data were collected from Christians in the USA. ( N = 311), and participants were given an opportunity to donate their payment to Christian (in-group), Muslim (out-group), or secular charities. The traditional God concept variable moderated the indirect effect of the fairness/reciprocity foundation in explaining the relation between religious attendance and giving. People with highly traditional God concepts and higher religious attendance reported higher fairness/reciprocity scores, and they gave less to in-group charities and more to out-group charities.
Gender norms and relations: implications for agency in coastal livelihoods
Authors: Lawless Sarah , Cohen Philippa , McDougall Cynthia , Orirana Grace , Siota Faye , Doyle Kate
Published: September 2019

Improving livelihoods and livelihood opportunities is a popular thrust of development investments. Gender and other forms of social differentiation influence individual agency to access, participate in, and benefit from existing, new, or improved livelihood opportunities. Recent research illustrates that many initiatives intended to improve livelihoods still proceed as “gender blind,” failing to account for the norms and relations that will influence how women and men experience opportunities and outcomes. To examine gender in livelihoods, we employed empirical case studies in three coastal communities in Solomon Islands; a small island developing state where livelihoods are predominantly based on fisheries and agriculture. Using the GENNOVATE methodology (a series of focus groups) we investigated how gender norms and relations influence agency (i.e., the availability of choice and capacity to exercise choice). We find that men are able to pursue a broader range of livelihood activities than women who tend to be constrained by individual perceptions of risk and socially prescribed physical mobility restraints. We find the livelihood portfolios of women and men are more diverse than in the past. However, livelihood diversity may limit women’s more immediate freedoms to exercise agency because they are simultaneously experiencing intensified time and labor demands. Our findings challenge the broad proposition that livelihood diversification will lead to improvements for agency and overall wellbeing. In community-level decision-making, men’s capacity to exercise choice was perceived to be greater in relation to livelihoods, as well as strategic life decisions more broadly. By contrast, capacity to exercise choice within households involved spousal negotiation, and consensus was considered more important than male or female dominance in decision-making. The prevailing global insight is that livelihood initiatives are more likely to bring about sustained and equitable outcomes if they are designed based on understandings of the distinct ways women and men participate in and experience livelihoods. Our study provides insights to make these improvements in a Solomon Islands setting. We suggest that better accounting for these gendered differences not only improves livelihood outcomes but also presents opportunity to catalyze the re-negotiation of gender norms and relations; thereby promoting greater individual agency.
Data analytics approach for travel time reliability pattern analysis and prediction
Authors: Chen Zhen , Fan Wei
Published: September 2019

Travel time reliability (TTR) is an important measure which has been widely used to represent the traffic conditions on freeways. The objective of this study is to develop a systematic approach to analyzing TTR on roadway segments along a corridor. A case study is conducted to illustrate the TTR patterns using vehicle probe data collected on a freeway corridor in Charlotte, North Carolina. A number of influential factors are considered when analyzing TTR, which include, but are not limited to, time of day, day of week, year, and segment location. A time series model is developed and used to predict the TTR. Numerical results clearly indicate the uniqueness of TTR patterns under each case and under different days of week and weather conditions. The research results can provide insightful and objective information on the traffic conditions along freeway segments, and the developed data-driven models can be used to objectively predict the future TTRs, and thus to help transportation planners make informed decisions.
Towards onsite, modular robotic carbon-fibre winding for an integrated ceiling structure
Authors: Reinhardt Dagmar , Titchkosky Ninotschka , Bickerton Chris , Watt Rodney , Wozniak-O’Connor Dylan , Candido Christhina , Cabrera Densil , Page Mitchell , Bohnenberger Sascha
Published: September 2019

Among current adoptions of standard industrial robotic arms for automation and mass customisation in the building industry, robotic fabrication is of interest for bespoke manufacturing and advancing mobile and onsite construction processes. The use of robotic arms can be of significance particularly where access and site conditions limit further construction of building elements to be inserted in an existing architectural fabric. This paper introduces research and development of robotic carbon-fibre winding of an integrated ceiling structure to support open and flexible workspaces scenarios. The project Systems Reef 1.0 explores the potential and viability for an integrated infrastructure that expands standard office-ceiling grid systems to support flexible workspace scenario and the agency of networked, dynamic and self-organising teams. To this extent, multiple soffit-hung, rotational and retractable data booms provide fibre-optic data, electrical cabling and integrated lighting. Through geometrically complex, fibre-reinforced building elements that are robotically manufactured onsite, a new distribution system for data and light can be provided to support individual and multi-group collaborations in a contemporary open-plan office for maximum flexibility. In this paper, we discuss research into the development of robotic carbon-fibre threading sequences and physical demonstrators for an integrated ceiling structure that takes into account local ceiling constraints. Using a KUKA KR10 industrial robot and mobile platform, carbon-fibre threading prototypes were integrated with onsite conditions and synthesised in four physical demonstrators that support data provision for flexible desking in open-plan office environment where prefabrication of large-sized building modules is restricted due to access constraints. The paper discusses challenges in integrating robotic carbon-fibre threading, data-driven occupancy, structural performance and results for workspace flexibility, and concludes with an outlook towards future potentials.
Effects of Timing of Flibanserin Administration Relative to Alcohol Intake in Healthy Premenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study
Authors: Simon James A. , Clayton Anita H. , Kingsberg Sheryl A. , Parish Sharon J. , Kim Noel N. , Millheiser Leah
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Flibanserin is approved in the United States and Canada for the treatment of acquired, generalized, hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Sedation-related side effects are among the most prevalent adverse events. Although infrequent, hypotension and syncope remain safety concerns because of possible interaction of flibanserin with alcohol.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of the timing of alcohol consumption on flibanserin safety and tolerability.

Methods

In this single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-treatment crossover study, 64 healthy premenopausal women (mean age 32.5 ± 8.7 years; range 20‒52 years) received once-daily flibanserin 100 mg or placebo during each of two 10-day treatment periods. Study medication was administered on days 1–3 to achieve steady state. On days 4, 6, 8, and 10, after a standard breakfast, participants consumed 0.4 g/kg ethanol (approximately equivalent to two 5-oz glasses of wine) administered with orange juice 2, 4, or 6 hours before taking study medication or orange juice alone (no ethanol) 2 hours before taking study medication.

Outcomes

The primary endpoint was percentage of participants experiencing syncope or orthostatic hypotension–associated adverse events requiring medical intervention. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of hypotension, the incidence of orthostatic hypotension, and rates of adverse events of special interest (syncope, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, and somnolence).

Results

1 participant experienced a primary endpoint event (syncope) during treatment with placebo taken 4 hours after ethanol consumption. Within each ethanol dose–timing treatment, there were no statistically significant differences for flibanserin compared with placebo. Rates of hypotension were 53.3–66.7% after flibanserin dosing and 57.4–63.3% after placebo dosing. Rates for orthostatic hypotension were 0.0–5.0% after flibanserin dosing and 1.7–6.6% after placebo dosing.

Clinical Implications

Ethanol interaction with flibanserin was not observed in this study.

Strengths & Limitations

This study provides information regarding the use of flibanserin after the consumption of moderate amounts of ethanol (0.4 g/kg). However, daytime administration of flibanserin is not consistent with the drug’s indicated bedtime dosing.

Conclusion

Flibanserin, at steady state taken 2, 4, or 6 hours after 0.4 g/kg of ethanol intake did not increase the incidence of hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, or syncope compared with either flibanserin alone or ethanol alone.
Impacts of U.S., Mexican, and Canadian Trade Agreement on Commodity and Labor Markets
Authors: Zhao Xin , Devadoss Stephen , Luckstead Jeff
Published: September 2019

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation has resulted in an updated agreement known as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). Given the contentious nature of the renegotiation process, we analyze the impacts of the USMCA relative to a “what if” scenario of failed NAFTA renegotiation to examine the economy-wide impacts of USMCA on bilateral trade, production, consumption, prices, and domestic and cross-border labor markets. Our results show that, had NAFTA renegotiation failed, the ensuing economic conditions would have created incentive for more, not fewer, migrant workers to enter the United States. USMCA benefits Mexican and Canadian consumers marginally but harms U.S. consumers slightly.
Lung cancer screening in Appalachian Kentucky: The impact of Lung-RADS on subsequent testing and cancer identification
Authors: Cardarelli Roberto , Madabhushi Vashisht , Bledsoe Kacie , Weaver Anthony
Published: September 2019

The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated the use of low dose helical computed tomography (LDCT) scans for lung cancer screening. However, the NLST was implemented in urban hospitals and prior to the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS). In this retrospective cohort study, 774 eligible patients received LDCT screening using Lung-RADS criteria. Eighty-four patients (10.9%) had subsequent testing performed compared to 24.2% in the NLST study. Of those with subsequent testing, 21.4% were diagnosed with lung cancer compared to only 4.6% in the NLST study. Lung-RADS significantly reduced unnecessary testing while identifying higher rates of lung cancer compared to the NLST.
General Comment No. 36 (2018) on Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, on the Right to Life (H.R. Comm.)
Authors: Joseph Sarah
Published: September 2019

In October 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) adopted General Comment 36 on Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the guarantee of the right to life.
Asociación Profesional Élite Taxi v. Uber Systems Spain SL (C.J.E.U.)
Authors: Durri Ilda
Published: September 2019

In 2014, the Asociación Profesional Élite Taxi (Elite Taxi) brought an action before the Juzgado de lo Mercantil No 3 de Barcelona (Commercial Court No. 3, Barcelona, Spain) for the infringement of the national law on taxi services and the carrying out of misleading practices and acts of unfair competition by Uber Systems Spain SL (Uber). The two parties in the main proceedings are Elite Taxi, a taxi drivers' association in Barcelona, and Uber, a company related to Uber Technologies Inc. In the proceedings, Uber argued that its smartphone app constituted only a technical platform and should be regulated as an “information society service,” subject to EU law. However, the court ruled against Uber and found that it was providing a “service in the field of transport,” making the company subject to the potentially more stringent regulations of individual EU member states.
Grounding line stability in a regime of low driving and basal stresses
Authors: Sergienko O. V. , Wingham D. J.
Published: September 2019

The dynamics of a marine ice sheet's grounding lines determine the rate of ice discharge from the grounded part of ice sheet into surrounding oceans. In many locations in West Antarctica ice flows into ice shelves through ice streams experiencing low driving stress. However, existing simple theories of marine ice sheets are developed under the assumption of high basal and driving stress. Here we analyze the grounding line behavior of marine ice streams experiencing low basal shear and driving stress. We find that in this regime, the ice flux at the grounding line is a complex function of the geometry of the ice-stream bed, net accumulation rate and gradient of the net accumulation rate. Our analysis shows that the stability of distinct steady states is determined by the same parameters, suggesting a more complex (in)stability criterion than what is commonly referred to within the context of the ‘marine ice-sheet instability hypothesis’. We also determine characteristic timescales (e-folding time) of ice-sheet configurations perturbed from their steady states. These timescales can be used to determine whether particular configurations can be considered in isolation from other components of the climate system or whether their effects and feedbacks between the ice sheet and the rest of the climate system have to be taken into account.
LGBT Rights in Bosnia: The Challenge of Nationalism in the Context of Europeanization
Authors: Swimelar Safia
Published: September 2019

Nationalism has been one of the domestic constraints to progress on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, especially in the Balkans that are dealing with multiple postwar transition realities. Ethno-nationalist challenges, often influenced by religion, have been significant in Bosnia-Herzegovina given weak state identity and democracy, competing institutionalized ethno-national identities, and slow Europeanization. Through the lenses of gendered nationalism, the societal security dilemma, and political homophobia, this article analyzes how the politics and discourse of LGBT rights during the past decade in Bosnia reveal tensions between competing and multiple identities and narratives—European, multiethnic, ethno-nationalist, and religious—using the violent response to the 2008 Queer Sarajevo Festival as a key illustration. However, in the past decade, LGBT rights have progressed and antigay backlash to LGBT visibility (in addition to stronger external leverage and other factors) has resulted in stronger activism and change. The public discourse and response to the announcement of Bosnia’s first Pride Parade represents another turning point in LGBT visibility that seems to reveal that ethno-nationalist challenges may be lessening as LGBT rights norms gain strength.
Improved estimation of macroevolutionary rates from fossil data using a Bayesian framework
Authors: Silvestro Daniele , Salamin Nicolas , Antonelli Alexandre , Meyer Xavier
Published: September 2019

The estimation of origination and extinction rates and their temporal variation is central to understanding diversity patterns and the evolutionary history of clades. The fossil record provides the only direct evidence of extinction and biodiversity changes through time and has long been used to infer the dynamics of diversity changes in deep time. The software PyRate implements a Bayesian framework to analyze fossil occurrence data to estimate the rates of preservation, origination, and extinction while incorporating several sources of uncertainty. Building upon this framework, we present a suite of methodological advances including more complex and realistic models of preservation and the first likelihood-based test to compare the fit across different models. Further, we develop a new reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to estimate origination and extinction rates and their temporal variation, which provides more reliable results and includes an explicit estimation of the number and temporal placement of statistically significant rate changes. Finally, we implement a new C++ library that speeds up the analyses by orders of magnitude, therefore facilitating the application of the PyRate methods to large data sets. We demonstrate the new functionalities through extensive simulations and with the analysis of a large data set of Cenozoic marine mammals. We compare our analytical framework against two widely used alternative methods to infer origination and extinction rates, revealing that PyRate decisively outperforms them across a range of simulated data sets. Our analyses indicate that explicit statistical model testing, which is often neglected in fossil-based macroevolutionary analyses, is crucial to obtain accurate and robust results.
IDENTITY AND THE ABSTRACT SELF IN CAT HOPE'SSPEECHLESS
Authors: Milligan Kate B.
Published: September 2019

Cat Hope's compositional practice is guided by a belief that music is inherently socially situated and can therefore be used as a tool for change. Through her 2019 operaSpeechlessHope contributes to public discourse around the treatment of detainees in Australian offshore processing centres and engages more broadly with issues of nationality, human rights, displacement and the agency of voiceless minorities. This article demonstrates the way in which Hope presents identity in abstraction and complicates the binary of the self and the collective through musical acts of empathy. In doing so, she pioneers a new model which affords composers the ability to present progressive social arguments, crucial to a global political climate in desperate need of a recalibrated perspective of identity.
Sociocultural memory development research drives new directions in gadgetry science
Authors: Van Bergen Penny , Sutton John
Published: September 2019

Sociocultural developmental psychology can drive new directions in gadgetry science. We use autobiographical memory, a compound capacity incorporating episodic memory, as a case study. Autobiographical memory emerges late in development, supported by interactions with parents. Intervention research highlights the causal influence of these interactions, whereas cross-cultural research demonstrates culturally determined diversity. Different patterns of inheritance are discussed.
Could nonhuman great apes also have cultural evolutionary psychology?
Authors: Tennie Claudio
Published: September 2019

Attempted answers are given to (a) whether nonhuman great apes (apes) also have evolved imitation (answer: no); (b) whether humans can transmit imitation as a gadget to apes (answer: yes, partly); (c) whether human-to-ape transmission can kickstart subsequent and stable ape cultural evolutionary psychology (“CEP”; answer: unlikely); and (d) when CEP evolved in our lineage (answer: relatively late).
Cultural evolutionary psychology is still evolutionary psychology
Authors: Fenici Marco , Garofoli Duilio
Published: September 2019

The cognitive gadgets theory proposes to reform evolutionary psychology by replacing the standard nativist and internalist approach to modularity with a cultural constructivist one. However, the resulting “cultural evolutionary psychology” still maintains some controversial aspects of the original neo-Darwinian paradigm. These assumptions are unnecessary to the cognitive gadgets theory and can be eliminated without significant conceptual loss.
Twenty questions about cultural cognitive gadgets
Authors: Whiten Andrew
Published: September 2019

Heyes sets out an intriguing theory but it raises more questions than compelling answers concerning culturally shaped cognition. I set out what I see as the most pressing questions, ranging over the book's early chapters concerning the structure of the theory, to two of Heyes’ four exemplar cognitive domains, selective social learning and imitation.
Cognitive gadgets: A provocative but flawed manifesto
Authors: Del Giudice Marco
Published: September 2019

The argument against innatism at the heart of Cognitive Gadgets is provocative but premature, and is vitiated by dichotomous thinking, interpretive double standards, and evidence cherry-picking. I illustrate my criticism by addressing the heritability of imitation and mindreading, the relevance of twin studies, and the meaning of cross-cultural differences in theory of mind development. Reaching an integrative understanding of genetic inheritance, plasticity, and learning is a formidable task that demands a more nuanced evolutionary approach.
Cognition blindness and cognitive gadgets
Authors: Heyes Cecilia
Published: September 2019

Responding to commentaries from psychologists, neuroscientists, philosophers, and anthropologists, I clarify a central purpose of Cognitive Gadgets – to overcome “cognition blindness” in research on human evolution. I defend this purpose against Brunerian, extended mind, and niche construction critiques of computationalism – that is, views prioritising meaning over information, or asserting that behaviour and objects can be intrinsic parts of a thinking process. I argue that empirical evidence from cognitive science is needed to locate distinctively human cognitive mechanisms on the continuum between gadgets and instincts. Focussing on that requirement, I also address specific challenges, and applaud extensions and refinements, of the evidence surveyed in my book. It has been said that “a writer's idea of sound criticism is ten thousand words of closely reasoned adulation.” I cannot disagree with this untraceable wag, but the 30 commentators on Cognitive Gadgets provided some 30,000 words of criticism that are of much greater scientific value than adulation. I am grateful to them all. The response that follows is V-shaped. It starts with the broadest conceptual and methodological issues and funnels down to matters arising from specific empirical studies.
Farmers’ autonomous management or state regulation? The consolidation of local irrigation associations in Spain (nineteenth to twentieth centuries)
Authors: Calatayud Giner Salvador , D’Amaro Francesco
Published: September 2019

The collective management of irrigation is an essential factor in agrarian development, both present and past. However, the relationship of irrigation associations with the state remains underexplored, despite the increasingly important role played by water policies in the modern world. The present article examines this relationship in Spain over the last two centuries. Our results suggest that, first, the state played a decisive part in the emergence and evolution of irrigation associations, and this belies the assumption of the traditional origin of these institutions; second, that farmers, despite being subject to the regulatory framework, enjoyed substantial autonomy in the management of water resources; and, third, that the relationship between local associations and the state changed over time, in response to political regime changes and the transformation of irrigation agriculture. When the state tried to impose authoritarian policies upon irrigation users, these reacted by developing unprecedented forms of organisation.
The Materiality of Shabtis: Figurines over Four Millennia
Authors: Howley Kathryn E.
Published: September 2019

Miniature human figurines have inspired many theoretical advances in archaeological literature, centred around universal human reactions to the material affect of their form. However, confirmation that ancient audiences had such reactions to figurines can be difficult to access in the archaeological record. Egyptian shabtis, a type of funerary figurine, allow such reactions to be accessed by the archaeologist due to their widespread use throughout a long period of Egyptian history and their continuing popularity in other cultures since ancient times: evidence consists of a broad range of textual, artistic and archaeological data from many different cultures over a period of roughly 4000 years. This evidence confirms not only that ancient Egyptian craftsmen responded to and sought to maximize the material affect of the shabtis, but that a significant part of the human response to miniature human figurines is indeed conditioned by their material qualities, independent of the figurines’ original religious function and the cultural background of the viewer.
A Systematic Review of Neuropsychological Tests for the Assessment of Dementia in Non-Western, Low-Educated or Illiterate Populations
Authors: Franzen Sanne , van den Berg Esther , Goudsmit Miriam , Jurgens Caroline K. , van de Wiel Lotte , Kalkisim Yuled , Uysal-Bozkir Özgül , Ayhan Yavuz , Nielsen T. Rune , Papma Janne M.
Published: September 2019

Objective:

Neuropsychological tests are important instruments to determine a cognitive profile, giving insight into the etiology of dementia; however, these tests cannot readily be used in culturally diverse, low-educated populations, due to their dependence upon (Western) culture, education, and literacy. In this review we aim to give an overview of studies investigating domain-specific cognitive tests used to assess dementia in non-Western, low-educated populations. The second aim was to examine the quality of these studies and of the adaptations for culturally, linguistically, and educationally diverse populations.

Method:

A systematic review was performed using six databases, without restrictions on the year or language of publication.

Results:

Forty-four studies were included, stemming mainly from Brazil, Hong Kong, Korea, and considering Hispanics/Latinos residing in the USA. Most studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease (n= 17) or unspecified dementia (n= 16). Memory (n= 18) was studied most often, using 14 different tests. The traditional Western tests in the domains of attention (n= 8) and construction (n= 15), were unsuitable for low-educated patients. There was little variety in instruments measuring executive functioning (two tests,n= 13), and language (n= 12, of which 10 were naming tests). Many studies did not report a thorough adaptation procedure (n= 39) or blinding procedures (n= 29).

Conclusions:

Various formats of memory tests seem suitable for low-educated, non-Western populations. Promising tasks in other cognitive domains are the Stick Design Test, Five Digit Test, and verbal fluency test. Further research is needed regarding cross-cultural instruments measuring executive functioning and language in low-educated people.
The impact of an income-generating activities programme on children and mothers’ undernutrition in extreme poor rural Bangladeshi households
Authors: Goto Rie , Devine Joe , Nicholas Mascie-Taylor C.G. , Ormand Justin , Jufry Abdul Jabber
Published: September 2019

Objective:

The current study assessed changes in children and mothers’ nutritional status before and after raising Bangladeshi households out of extreme poverty through an income-generating activities (IGA) programme.

Design:

Extreme poor households took part in the IGA programme for 2 years and recruitment took place over four waves in annual cycles. Children and mothers were measured with regarding their nutritional status before and after the IGA programme commenced.

Settings:

Rural Bangladesh.

Subjects:

Three-hundred and eighty-two children under 5 years of age at recruitment, and their mothers.

Results:

After 2 years of the IGA programme, the prevalence of stunting significantly declined from 40·3 % to 33·0 % (P= 0·003), anaemia declined from 51·6 % to 44·0 % (P= 0·020) while mothers’ CED (Chronic Energy Deficiency) declined from 52·0 % to 42·7 % (P< 0·001), but no significant changes were found in children’s wasting, declining from 25·4 % to 21·5 %, underweight which remained the same at 43·2 %, while mothers’ anaemia rose from 39·3 % to 42·7 %. There were also highly significant improvements in household socio-economic status. Increases in socio-economic security (especially in relation to cash savings and net income) and improvements in food quantity and quality (indicated by greater food diversity and animal food intake) were associated with normal nutritional status, and cessation of open defecation was associated with reduction in mothers’ and child anaemia.

Conclusion:

The IGA programme was associated with increased household socio-economic security, such as asset accumulation, food security and sanitation, and with improvements in the nutritional status of children and their mothers in extreme poor households.
Development of a diet quality index to assess adherence to Canadian dietary recommendations in 3-year-old children
Authors: Jarman Megan , Vashi Nisha , Angus Amy , Bell Rhonda C , Giesbrecht Gerald F ,   the APrON study team
Published: September 2019

Objective:

Little is known about the diet quality of preschool children in Canada. We adapted an established diet quality index for European preschool children to align with the Canadian context and applied the index to dietary data of 3-year-old children to assess patterns of diet quality.

Design:

Our diet quality index (DQI-C) consists of four components that align with Canada’s Food Guide (Vegetables and Fruit, Grain Products, Milk and Alternatives and Meat and Alternatives) and two components that account for less healthy intakes (Candy/Snacks, and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB)). The ratio between consumption v. recommended intakes is calculated for each component and summed to give a total score from 0 to 6.

Setting:

Alberta, Canada.

Participants:

The DQI-C was applied to FFQ data from 1260 3-year-old children.

Results:

Mean DQI-C was 3·69 (sd 0·6). Most children met recommendations for Vegetables and Fruit (73 %) and Meat and Alternatives (70 %); however, fewer met recommendations for Milk and Alternatives (38 %) and Grain Products (13 %). Children in the lowest quartile for DQI-C score consumed a mean of 82 g of Candy/Snacks and 193 g of SSB daily, whereas those in the highest quartile consumed 45 g/d and 17 g/d of Candy and Snacks and SSB, respectively.

Conclusion:

This DQI-C score is useful for ranking Canadian preschool children according to their overall diet quality. There is room for improvement for consumptions of Grain Products, Meat and Alternatives, Candy/Snacks and SSB, which could be a target for initiatives to improve diet quality of preschool children in Canada.