bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interface Inversion: A Promising Strategy to Configure Ultrafine Nanoparticles over Graphene for Fast Sodium Storage
Authors: Wang Zhao , Yu Chang , Zhao Changtai , Guo Wei , Yu Jinhe , Qiu Jieshan
Published: December 2020

Due to the merits of high activity and rapid reaction kinetics, ultrafine nanoparticles loaded on conductive scaffolds are of great potential in energy‐related fields. Usually, the nucleation and uniform growth of these active nanoparticles in high density on scaffolds is governed by the local ion concentration gradient and nucleation sites at the interfaces. On account of this, a novel interface‐inverting strategy is developed to modulate the diffusion of metal ions toward the nucleation sites, leading to the tuned growth of ultrafine nanoparticles anchored on graphene. Typically, the Ni(OH)2 deposited on graphene initially enables the interface inverting from oil–water–solid consisting of liquid paraffin (LP), water, and GO to water–oil–solid, finally resulting in LP‐enveloped Ni(OH)2/GO structure. In response, the inert‐infiltrated LP layer inhibits the solubility and diffusion of nickel ions, which functions to modulate the growth and aggregation of adjacent nanoparticles. As a demonstration, the phosphorized Ni2P@C/G as anode in sodium‐ion capacitor can deliver a high energy density of 54 Wh kg−1 at a high power density of 23 kW kg−1 yet with a remarkable rate performance due to the surface‐enhanced energy storage and fast Na+ transport enabled by the tuned surface/interface.
Ethical consumerism: Veganism
Authors: Beck Valentin , Ladwig Bernd
Published: December 2020

In this article, we review an array of positions in the contemporary literature that concern the moral reasons for vegan consumerism. We situate veganism within the broader field of ethical consumerism, present a variety of motivations and justifications for veganism, and discuss criticisms of vegan consumerism. The arguments presented in the article ultimately pertain to the question of whether concerns for animals, human rights, or climate justice entail strong moral reasons to adopt a vegan lifestyle. Additionally, we address issues of particular relevance for political philosophy, such as whether organized vegan consumer campaigns are a politically legitimate means to strive for structural change. We hope to show that there are anthropocentric, as well as animal‐centered, reasons that speak in favor of radically reformed human–animal relations, including diets that are at least predominantly plant‐based.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Ethics and Climate Change
Spatially modulated and supersymmetric mass deformations of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM
Authors: Arav Igal , Cheung K. C. Matthew , Gauntlett Jerome P. , Roberts Matthew M. , Rosen Christopher
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We study mass deformations of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4, d = 4 SYM theory that are spatially modulated in one spatial dimension and preserve some residual supersymmetry. We focus on generalisations of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1∗ theories and show that it is also possible, for suitably chosen supersymmetric masses, to preserve d = 3 conformal symmetry associated with a co-dimension one interface. Holographic solutions can be constructed using D = 5 theories of gravity that arise from consistent truncations of SO(6) gauged supergravity and hence type IIB supergravity. For the mass deformations that preserve d = 3 superconformal symmetry we construct a rich set of Janus solutions of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory which have the same coupling constant on either side of the interface. Limiting classes of these solutions give rise to RG interface solutions with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM on one side of the interface and the Leigh-Strassler (LS) SCFT on the other, and also to a Janus solution for the LS theory. Another limiting solution is a new supersymmetric AdS4× S1× S5 solution of type IIB supergravity.
Spontaneous breaking of U(1) symmetry in coupled complex SYK models
Authors: Klebanov Igor R. , Milekhin Alexey , Tarnopolsky Grigory , Zhao Wenli
Published: December 2020

Abstract

As shown in [1], two copies of the large N Majorana SYK model can produce spontaneous breaking of a Z2 symmetry when they are coupled by appropriate quartic terms. In this paper we similarly study two copies of the complex SYK model coupled by a quartic term preserving the U(1) × U(1) symmetry. We also present a tensor counterpart of this coupled model. When the coefficient α of the quartic term lies in a certain range, the coupled large N theory is nearly conformal. We calculate the scaling dimensions of fermion bilinear operators as functions of α. We show that the operator $$ {c}_{1i}^{\dagger }{c}_{2i} $$

c

1
i

†

c

2
i

, which is charged under the axial U(1) symmetry, acquires a complex dimension outside of the line of fixed points. We derive the large N Dyson-Schwinger equations and show that, outside the fixed line, this U(1) symmetry is spontaneously broken at low temperatures because this operator acquires an expectation value. We support these findings by exact diagonalizations extrapolated to large N.
Generalized planar Feynman diagrams: collections
Authors: Borges Francisco , Cachazo Freddy
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Tree-level Feynman diagrams in a cubic scalar theory can be given a metric such that each edge has a length. The space of metric trees is made out of orthants joined where a tree degenerates. Here we restrict to planar trees since each degeneration of a tree leads to a single planar neighbor. Amplitudes are computed as an integral over the space of metrics where edge lengths are Schwinger parameters. In this work we propose that a natural generalization of Feynman diagrams is provided by what are known as metric tree arrangements. These are collections of metric trees subject to a compatibility condition on the metrics. We introduce the notion of planar col lections of Feynman diagrams and argue that using planarity one can generate all planar collections starting from any one. Moreover, we identify a canonical initial collection for all n. Generalized k = 3 biadjoint amplitudes, introduced by Early, Guevara, Mizera, and one of the authors, are easily computed as an integral over the space of metrics of planar collections of Feynman diagrams.
Classical gravitational self-energy from double copy
Authors: Almeida Gabriel Luz , Foffa Stefano , Sturani Riccardo
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We apply the classical double copy to the calculation of self-energy of composite systems with multipolar coupling to gravitational field, obtaining next-to-leading order results in the gravitational coupling GN by generalizing color to kinematics replacement rules known in literature. When applied to the multipolar description of the two-body system, the self-energy diagrams studied in this work correspond to tail processes, whose physical interpretation is of radiation being emitted by the non-relativistic source, scattered by the curvature generated by the binary system and then re-absorbed by the same source. These processes contribute to the conservative two-body dynamics and the present work represents a decisive step towards the systematic use of double copy within the multipolar post-Minkowskian expansion.
Knitting wormholes by entanglement in supergravity
Authors: Balasubramanian Vijay , DeCross Matthew , Sárosi Gábor
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We construct a single-boundary wormhole geometry in type IIB supergravity by perturbing two stacks of N extremal D3-branes in the decoupling limit. The solution interpolates from a two-sided planar AdS-Schwarzschild geometry in the interior, through a harmonic two-center solution in the intermediate region, to an asymptotic AdS space. The construction involves a CPT twist in the gluing of the wormhole to the exterior throats that gives a global monodromy to some coordinates, while preserving orientability. The geometry has a dual interpretation in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SU(2N) Super Yang-Mills theory in terms of a Higgsed SU(2N) → S(U(N) × U(N)) theory in which $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(N2) degrees of freedom in each SU(N) sector are entangled in an approximate thermofield double state at a temperature much colder than the Higgs scale. We argue that the solution can be made long-lived by appropriate choice of parameters, and comment on mechanisms for generating traversability. We also describe a construction of a double wormhole between two universes.
Fermi seas from Bose condensates in Chern-Simons matter theories and a bosonic exclusion principle
Authors: Minwalla Shiraz , Mishra Amiya , Prabhakar Naveen
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We generalize previously obtained results for the (all orders in the ’t Hooft coupling) thermal free energy of bosonic and fermionic large N Chern-Simons theories with fundamental matter, to values of the chemical potential larger than quasiparticle thermal masses. Building on an analysis by Geracie, Goykhman and Son, we present a simple explicit formula for the occupation number for a quasiparticle state of any given energy and charge as a function of the temperature and chemical potential. This formula is a generalization to finite ’t Hooft coupling of the famous occupation number formula of Bose-Einstein statistics, and implies an exclusion principle for Chern-Simons coupled bosons: the total number of bosons occupying any particular state cannot exceed the Chern-Simons level. Specializing our results to zero temperature we construct the phase diagrams of these theories as a function of chemical potential and the UV parameters. At large enough chemical potential, all the bosonic theories we study transit into a compressible Bose condensed phase in which the runaway instability of free Bose condensates is stabilized by the bosonic exclusion principle. This novel Bose condensate is dual to — and reproduces the thermodynamics of — the fermionic Fermi sea.
5-dimensional space-periodic solutions of the static vacuum Einstein equations
Authors: Khuri Marcus , Weinstein Gilbert , Yamada Sumio
Published: December 2020

Abstract

An affirmative answer is given to a conjecture of Myers concerning the existence of 5-dimensional regular static vacuum solutions that balance an infinite number of black holes, which have Kasner asymptotics. A variety of examples are constructed, having different combinations of ring S1 × S2 and sphere S3 cross-sectional horizon topologies. Furthermore, we show the existence of 5-dimensional vacuum solitons with Kasner asymptotics. These are regular static space-periodic vacuum spacetimes devoid of black holes. Consequently, we also obtain new examples of complete Riemannian manifolds of nonnegative Ricci curvature in dimension 4, and zero Ricci curvature in dimension 5, having arbitrarily large as well as infinite second Betti number.
A simple quantum test for smooth horizons
Authors: Papadodimas Kyriakos , Raju Suvrat , Shrivastava Pushkal
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We develop a new test that provides a necessary condition for a quantum state to be smooth in the vicinity of a null surface: “near-horizon modes” that can be defined locally near any patch of the null surface must be correctly entangled with each other and with their counterparts across the surface. This test is considerably simpler to implement than a full computation of the renormalized stress-energy tensor. We apply this test to Reissner-Nordström black holes in asymptotically anti-de Sitter space and provide numerical evidence that the inner horizon of such black holes is singular in the Hartle-Hawking state. We then consider BTZ black holes, where we show that our criterion for smoothness is satisfied as one approaches the inner horizon from outside. This results from a remarkable conspiracy between the properties of mode-functions outside the outer horizon and between the inner and outer horizon. Moreover, we consider the extension of spacetime across the inner horizon of BTZ black holes and show that it is possible to define modes behind the inner horizon that are correctly entangled with modes in front of the inner horizon. Although this provides additional suggestions for the failure of strong cosmic censorship, we lay out several puzzles that must be resolved before concluding that the inner horizon will be traversable.
Twin Higgs with exact Z2
Authors: Csáki Csaba , Guan Cong-Sen , Ma Teng , Shu Jing
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We present a novel mechanism for realistic electroweak symmetry breaking in Twin Higgs/neutral naturalness models where the Z2 exchange symmetry can remain exactly unbroken. The exchange symmetry in the Yukawa sector will be implemented as an “N-trigonometric parity” $$ \sin N\frac{h}{f}\leftrightarrow \cos N\frac{h}{f} $$
sin
N

h
f

↔
cos
N

h
f

. The Yukawa couplings will be suppressed leading to an N-suppressed Higgs quadratic term, without significantly affecting the quartic. We present a concrete implementation of this idea for general (odd) values of N using maximal symmetry, and a realistic benchmark model for N = 3. We find that the tuning in the resulting Higgs potential is negligible, and also show that two-loop N-suppression violating gauge contributions can be sufficiently small. The Higgs potential and its couplings in top sector are different from other neutral naturalness models, which are the main predictions of our model and can be tested in colliders.
New 2d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (0, 2) dualities from four dimensions
Authors: Sacchi Matteo
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We propose some new infra-red dualities for 2d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (0, 2) theories. The first one relates a USp(2N) gauge theory with one antisymmetric chiral, four fundamental chirals and N Fermi singlets to a Landau-Ginzburg model of N Fermi and 6N chiral fields with cubic interactions. The second one relates SU(2) linear quiver gauge theories of arbitrary length N − 1 with the addition of N Fermi singlets for any non-negative integer N. They can be understood as a generalization of the duality between an SU(2) gauge theory with four fundamental chirals and a Landau-Ginzburg model of one Fermi and six chirals with a cubic interaction. We derive these dualities from already known 4d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 dualities by compactifications on $$ {\mathbbm{S}}^2 $$

S
2

with suitable topological twists and we further test them by matching anomalies and elliptic genera. We also show how to derive them by iterative applications of some more fundamental dualities, in analogy with similar derivations for parent dualities in three and four dimensions.
Quantum simulation of quantum field theories as quantum chemistry
Authors: Liu Junyu , Xin Yuan
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Conformal truncation is a powerful numerical method for solving generic strongly-coupled quantum field theories based on purely field-theoretic technics without introducing lattice regularization. We discuss possible speedups for performing those computations using quantum devices, with the help of near-term and future quantum algorithms. We show that this construction is very similar to quantum simulation problems appearing in quantum chemistry (which are widely investigated in quantum information science), and the renormalization group theory provides a field theory interpretation of conformal truncation simulation. Taking two-dimensional Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) as an example, we give various explicit calculations of variational and digital quantum simulations in the level of theories, classical trials, or quantum simulators from IBM, including adiabatic state preparation, variational quantum eigensolver, imaginary time evolution, and quantum Lanczos algorithm. Our work shows that quantum computation could not only help us understand fundamental physics in the lattice approximation, but also simulate quantum field theory methods directly, which are widely used in particle and nuclear physics, sharpening the statement of the quantum Church-Turing Thesis.
B anomalies under the lens of electroweak precision
Authors: Alasfar Lina , Azatov Aleksandr , de Blas Jorge , Paul Ayan , Valli Mauro
Published: December 2020

Abstract

The measurements carried out at LEP and SLC projected us into the precision era of electroweak physics. This has also been relevant in the theoretical interpretation of LHCb and Belle measurements of rare B semileptonic decays, paving the road for new physics with the inference of lepton universality violation in $$ {R}_{K^{\left(\ast \right)}} $$

R

K

∗

ratios. The simplest explanation of these flavour anomalies — sizeable one-loop contributions respecting Minimal Flavour Violation — is currently disfavoured by electroweak precision data. In this work, we discuss how to completely relieve the present tension between electroweak constraints and one-loop minimal flavour violating solutions to $$ {R}_{K^{\left(\ast \right)}} $$

R

K

∗

. We determine the correlations in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory that highlight the existence of such a possibility. Then, we consider minimal extensions of the Standard Model where our effective-field-theory picture can be realized. We discuss how these solutions to b → sℓℓ anomalies, respecting electroweak precision and without any new source of flavour violation, may point to the existence of a Z′ boson at around the TeV scale, within the discovery potential of LHC, or to leptoquark scenarios.
New boundary conditions for AdS2
Authors: Godet Victor , Marteau Charles
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We describe new boundary conditions for AdS2 in Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity. The asymptotic symmetry group is enhanced to Diff(S1) ⋉ C∞(S1) whose breaking to SL(2, ℝ) × U(1) controls the near-AdS2 dynamics. The action reduces to a boundary term which is a generalization of the Schwarzian theory and can be interpreted as the coadjoint action of the warped Virasoro group. This theory reproduces the low-energy effective action of the complex SYK model. We compute the Euclidean path integral and derive its relation to the random matrix ensemble of Saad, Shenker and Stanford. We study the flat space version of this action, and show that the corresponding path integral also gives an ensemble average, but of a much simpler nature. We explore some applications to near-extremal black holes.
Towards a classification of rank r $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 SCFTs. Part II. Special Kahler stratification of the Coulomb branch
Authors: Argyres Philip C. , Martone Mario
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We study the stratification of the singular locus of four dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 Coulomb branches. We present a set of self-consistency conditions on this stratification which can be used to extend the classification of scale-invariant rank 1 Coulomb branch geometries to two complex dimensions, and beyond. The calculational simplicity of the arguments presented here stems from the fact that the main ingredients needed — the rank 1 deformation patterns and the pattern of inclusions of rank 2 strata — are discrete topological data which satisfy strong self-consistency conditions through their relationship to the central charges of the SCFT. This relationship of the stratification data to the central charges is used here, but is derived and explained in a companion paper [1] by one of the authors. We illustrate the use of these conditions by re-analyzing many previously-known examples of rank 2 SCFTs, and also by finding examples of new theories. The power of these conditions stems from the fact that for Coulomb branch stratifications a conjecturally complete list of physically allowed “elementary slices” is known. By contrast, constraining the possible elementary slices of symplectic singularities relevant for Higgs branch stratifications remains an open problem.
Impact of leptonic unitarity and dark matter direct detection experiments on the NMSSM with inverse seesaw mechanism
Authors: Cao Junjie , He Yangle , Pan Yusi , Yue Yuanfang , Zhou Haijing , Zhu Pengxuan
Published: December 2020

Abstract

In the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with the inverse seesaw mechanism to generate neutrino masses, the lightest sneutrino may act as a feasible dark matter candidate in vast parameter space. In this case, the smallness of the leptonic unitarity violation and the recent XENON-1T experiment can limit the dark matter physics. In particular, they set upper bounds of the neutrino Yukawa couplings λν and Yν. We study such effects by encoding the constraints in a likelihood function and carrying out elaborated scans over the parameter space of the theory with the Nested Sampling algorithm. We show that these constraints are complementary to each other in limiting the theory, and in some cases, they are very strict. We also study the impact of the future LZ experiment on the theory.
Tidal effects in quantum field theory
Authors: Haddad Kays , Helset Andreas
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We apply the Hilbert series to extend the gravitational action for a scalar field to a complete, non-redundant basis of higher-dimensional operators that is quadratic in the scalars and the Weyl tensor. Such an extension of the action fully describes tidal effects arising from operators involving two powers of the curvature. As an application of this new action, we compute all spinless tidal effects at the leading post-Minkowskian order. This computation is greatly simplified by appealing to the heavy limit, where only a severely constrained set of operators can contribute classically at the one-loop level. Finally, we use this amplitude to derive the $$ \mathcal{O}\left({G}^2\right) $$
O

G
2

tidal corrections to the Hamiltonian and the scattering angle.
Holographic cosmology solutions of problems with pre-inflationary cosmology
Authors: Nastase Horatiu
Published: December 2020

Abstract

In this paper we describe in detail how to solve the problems of pre-inflationary cosmology within the holographic cosmology model of McFadden and Skenderis [1]. The solutions of the smoothness and horizon problems, the flatness problem, the entropy and perturbation problems and the baryon asymmetry problem are shown, and the mechanisms for them complement the inflationary solutions. Most of the paper is devoted to the solution of the monopole relic problem, through a detailed calculation of 2-loop correlators of currents in a toy model which we perform inddimensions, in order to extract its leading dependence on$$ {g}_{\mathrm{eff}}^2={g}_{\mathrm{YM}}^2N/q $$geff2=gYM2N/qand find a dilution effect. Taken together with the fact that holographic cosmology gives as good a fit to CMBR as the standard paradigm of Λ CDM with inflation, it means holographic cosmology extends the inflationary paradigm into new corners, explorable only through a dual perturbative field theory in 3 dimensions.
Quantum chaos in topologically massive gravity
Authors: Liu Yan , Raju Avinash
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We study quantum chaos of rotating BTZ black holes in Topologically Massive gravity (TMG). We discuss the relationship between chaos parameters including Lyapunov exponents and butterfly velocities from shock wave calculations of out-of-time-order correlators (OTOC) and from pole-skipping analysis. We find a partial match between pole-skipping and the OTOC results in the high temperature regime. We also find that the velocity bound puts a chaos constraint on the gravitational Chern-Simons coupling.
Global symmetries, hidden sectors and emergent (dark) vector interactions
Authors: Betzios P. , Kiritsis E. , Niarchos V. , Papadoulaki O.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Hidden theories coupled to the SM may provide emergent (dark) vectors, that are composites/bound-states of the hidden fields. This is motivated by paradigms emerging from the AdS/CFT correspondence but it is a more general phenomenon. We explore the general setup and find that UV interactions among currents or charged fields give rise to emergent vectors in the IR. We study the general properties of such vectors and argue that they can be generically different from fundamental dark photons that have been studied so far.
On the origin of long-lived particles
Authors: Barron Jared , Curtin David
Published: December 2020

Abstract

MATHUSLA is a proposed large-volume displaced vertex (DV) detector, situated on the surface above CMS and designed to search for long-lived particles (LLPs) produced at the HL-LHC. We show that a discovery of LLPs at MATHUSLA would not only prove the existence of BSM physics, it would also uncover the theoretical origin of the LLPs, despite the fact that MATHUSLA gathers no energy or momentum information on the LLP decay products. Our analysis is simple and robust, making it easily generalizable to include more complex LLP scenarios, and our methods are applicable to LLP decays discovered in ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, or other external detectors. In the event of an LLP detection, MATHUSLA can act as a Level-1 trigger for the main detector, guaranteeing that the LLP production event is read out at CMS. We perform an LLP simplified model analysis to show that combining information from the MATHUSLA and CMS detectors would allow the LLP production mode topology to be determined with as few as ∼ 100 observed LLP decays. Underlying theory parameters, like the LLP and parent particle masses, can also be measured with ≲ 10% precision. Together with information on the LLP decay mode from the geometric properties of the observed DV, it is clear that MATHUSLA and CMS together will be able to characterize any newly discovered physics in great detail.
Degradation state prediction of rolling bearings using ARX-Laguerre model and genetic algorithms
Authors: Najeh Taoufik , Lundberg Jan
Published: December 2020

This study is motivated by the need for a new advanced vibration-based bearing monitoring approach. The ARX-Laguerre model (autoregressive with exogenous) and genetic algorithms (GAs) use collected vibration data to estimate a bearing’s remaining useful life (RUL). The concept is based on the actual running conditions of the bearing combined with a new linear ARX-Laguerre representation. The proposed model exploits the vibration and force measurements to reconstruct the Laguerre filter outputs; the dimensionality reduction of the model is subject to an optimal choice of Laguerre poles which is performed using GAs. The paper explains the test rig, data collection, approach, and results. So far and compared to classic methods, the proposed model is effective in tracking the evolution of the bearing’s health state and accurately estimates the bearing’s RUL. As long as the collected data are relevant to the real health state of the bearing, it is possible to estimate the bearing’s lifetime under different operating conditions.
Comprehensive genomic and immunophenotypic analysis of CD4 T cell infiltrating human triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Zhang He , Qin Guohui , Yu Hui , Han Xu , Zhu Sha
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate the gene expression module of tumor-infiltrating CD4+T cells and its potential roles in modulating immune cell functions in triple-negative breast cancer. Differentially expressed genes were identified by comparison of the expression profile in CD4+T cells isolated from tumor tissues and peripheral blood of TNBC patients respectively. The differential expression analysis was conducted using R, and then the functional and pathway enrichment of the DEGs were analyzed using GSEA, followed by integrated regulatory network construction and genetic analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells based on a scientific deconvolution algorithm. As a result, abundant Treg and exhausted lymphocytes were detected, accompanied by largely decreased of effector/memory and cytotoxic T cells. Immune-related gene correlation analysis showed that the extent of follicular helper T cells gene expression signatures were inversely associated with those of CD4+ naive T cells and CD4+ memory resting T cells, but positively correlated with that of CD4+ memory activated T cells. In addition, we found five core genes including IFNG, CTLA4, FAS, CXCR6, and JUN were significantly over expressed in CD4+ TILs which may contribute to exhaustion of lymphocytes and participate in biological processes associated with regulation of chemotaxis. Study provides a comprehensive understanding of the roles of DEGs associated with the chemotactic and exhausted immunophenotypes of CD4+ TILs that are a valuable resource from which future investigation may be carried out to better understand the mechanisms that promote TNBC progression.
Medizinethik und Ökonomie im Krankenhaus – die Kluft zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Studie
Authors: Wehkamp Karl-Heinz
Published: December 2020

In einer qualitativen Interviewstudie zur Situation und zu Veränderungen in deutschen Krankenhäusern berichteten GeschäftsführerInnen und ÄrztInnen übereinstimmend von hohem und zunehmendem Druck, mittels der medizinisch-pflegerischen Leistungen Gewinne machen zu müssen. Während die GeschäftsführerInnen dabei jedoch bei patientenbezogenen ärztlichen Entscheidungen keine ethischen Konflikte sahen, berichteten ÄrztInnen von erheblichen Verletzungen des ärztlichen Ethos. Während die GeschäftsführerInnen erklärten, sie würden von den ÄrztInnen „ethisch korrektes Entscheiden“ erwarten, berichteten ÄrztInnen, dass die Rahmenbedingungen ihrer Arbeit die Unabhängigkeit ärztlicher Entscheidungen untergrüben, indem betriebswirtschaftliche Interessen die Medizin korrumpierten. Entscheidungen zur stationären Aufnahme, zur Wahl der Behandlungsprozesse und zur Entlassung der PatientInnen seien in zunehmendem Maße an wirtschaftlichen Interessen des Hauses und damit nicht allein an den medizinischen Bedarfen der PatientInnen orientiert. GeschäftsführerInnen bewerteten die Unabhängigkeit ärztlicher Entscheidungen hoch, während ÄrztInnen diese als deutlich eingeschränkt bezeichneten. Die Ergebnisse verweisen auf ungelöste Konflikte zwischen Medizinethik und „Ökonomie“. Organisationsethik ist zur Vermittlung auf der Ebene der Krankenhäuser und des Gesundheitswesens insgesamt gefordert. Sie muss sich darüber hinaus mit der Wissensproduktion im Feld der Versorgungs- und Qualitätsforschung kritisch auseinandersetzen.
Borderline? Oder doch eher hochsensibel?
Authors: Konrad Sandra
Published: December 2020

Menschen mit Hochsensibilität (SPS; Aron und Aron 1997) und einer Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung (BPS) weisen, basierend auf ihrem Temperament, Gemeinsamkeiten in Bezug auf ihre hohe Empfindsamkeit und Verletzlichkeit auf. Beide Personenkreise zeigen beispielsweise Beziehungsängste und Sorge vor interpersoneller Zurückweisung. Erste Hinweise auf einen Zusammenhang zwischen einer BPS und SPS liefert eine Studie von Meyer et al. (2005). Im Zeitraum 2015–2016 wurden im deutschsprachigen Raum N = 1105 Erwachsene (MW-Alter 39,75 Jahre; SD = 11,50, 954 Frauen) online zu ihrer Feinfühligkeit und ihren BPS Symptomen befragt. SPS wurde mit der validierten deutschen Fassung der High Sensitiv Person Scale (HSPS-G) erhoben. Die BPS Symptome wurden mithilfe der Subskala Borderline (BL) des Persönlichkeits-Stil- und Störungs-Inventar (PSSI) erfasst. Die Korrelationen zwischen PSSI-BL und SPS zeigten schwache bis mittlere Zusammenhänge, jedoch waren die Zusammenhänge nach Auspartialisierung der jeweils anderen beiden Subskalen der HSPS‑G mit BL (spontaner-Borderline-Typus) geringer und finden sich eher im Zusammenhang mit dem Faktor EOE (Leichte Erregbarkeit) wieder. Im Gruppenvergleich berichten hochsensible Menschen höhere Werte auf der PSSI-BL-Subskala als Nicht-Hochsensible. Da BPS und SPS Überschneidungspunkte aufweisen, sollte SPS bei BPS gegebenenfalls mit in Erwägung gezogen werden. Behandlungsimplikationen nach kognitiv-behavioralen Ansätzen werden vorgeschlagen.
A Neonate with Acquired Factor VII Deficiency Successfully Managed with Immunomodulatory Therapy
Authors: Alqarni Nof Saadi , Algiraigri Ali H.
Published: December 2020

Acquired factor VII deficiency secondary to circulating inhibitors is rare in children but is a potentially life-threatening condition. Such a disease is challenging to diagnose and often difficult to manage. Here, we report on a newborn that presented with a catastrophic intracranial hemorrhage who failed to respond to conventional supportive measures including multiple doses of fresh frozen plasma and factor VII replacement; however, he had a complete correction of prothrombin time 8 h after immunomodulatory therapies in the form of steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin. Such measures helped stabilize his bleeding and allowed urgent neurosurgical intervention.
Wretched Refuse?
Authors: Nowrasteh Alex , Powell Benjamin
Published: December 2020

Economic arguments against immigration suggest that immigrants undermine the culture, institutions, and productivity of destination countries. But is that true? Nowrasteh and Powell systematically analyze cross-country evidence and case studies of the potential negative effects of immigration on economic freedom, corruption, culture, and terrorism. They find that immigrants do not destroy the institutions responsible for prosperity and, in some cases, even improve them.
Lectures and Drafts on Political Philosophy
Authors: Kant Immanuel
Published: December 2020

This book is the first translation into English of the Reflections which Kant wrote whilst formulating his ideas in political philosophy: the preparatory drafts for Theory and Practice, Toward Perpetual Peace, the Doctrine of Right, and Conflict of the Faculties; and the only surviving student transcription of his course on Natural Right. Through these texts one can trace the development of his political thought, from his first exposure to Rousseau in the mid 1760s through to his last musings in the late 1790s after his final system of Right was published. The material covers such topics as the central role of freedom, the social contract, the nature of sovereignty, the means for achieving international peace, property rights in relation to the very possibility of human agency, the general prohibition of rebellion, and Kant's philosophical defense of the French Revolution.
European Coasts of Bohemia
Authors: Janác Jirí
Published: December 2020

The Danube-Oder-Elbe Canal promised to create an integrated waterway system across Europe, linking Black Sea ports to Atlantic markets and giving landlocked Czech nation its own connections to the ocean. The fascinating history of this never-completed project, 'European Coasts of Bohemia' tells the story of the experts who confronted and contributed to different and often conflicting geopolitical visions of Europe. Jirí Janác shows how the canal-backers adapted themselves to various political developments, such as the break-up of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and the integration into the Soviet Bloc, while still managing to keep the canal project alive.
Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Individuals with Anxiety Disorders: An Open Trial
Authors: Pearl Shaun , Norton Peter J.
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy (tCBT) protocol in an individual delivery format, adapted from a protocol that has been extensively evaluated in a group delivery format.

Method:

tCBT was provided to a cohort (N = 18) of adults with a range of anxiety disorders (55.6% male; M age = 40.6, SD = 17.6), at a speciality anxiety disorder research clinic. A within-subjects repeated measures design was employed. Pre-to-post-treatment diagnostic assessments were analysed through repeated measures analysis of variance, and session-by-session self-reported measures of anxiety, depression, and quality of life were modelled through mixed-effect regression modelling (MRM) to maximise the sample of treatment initiators.

Results:

Significant and large reductions for clinician-rated primary diagnosis severity (Hedges g = 1.63), and overall clinical global impressions (g = 1.43) were observed, and self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms showed significant reductions over the course of treatment with medium-to-large effect sizes (g = 0.66 and 0.74, respectively). Significant improvement to quality of life was also observed with medium effect size (g = 0.53).

Conclusions:

There is now preliminary support for the use of an adaptation of an established group-based tCBT protocol for use with individuals. Implications and recommendations for future investigations are provided.
Change in hospital antibiotic use and acquisition of multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms after the onset of coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Bork Jacqueline T. , Leekha Surbhi , Claeys Kimberly , Seung Hyunuk , Tripoli Megan , Amoroso Anthony , Heil Emily L.
Published: December 2020

Interrupted time series segmented regression was conducted to trend antibiotic use and multidrug-resistant gram-negative (MDRGN) acquisition relative to COVID-19 in an academic hospital. Total antibiotic use and antibiotic use related to pneumonia was higher in the period after the onset of COVID-19 compared to the similar calendar period in 2019. Furthermore, MDRGN acquisition increased 3% for every increase in positive COVID-19 tests per week.
Manno-oligosaccharide attenuates inflammation and intestinal epithelium injury in weaned pigs upon enterotoxigenicEscherichia coliK88 challenge
Authors: Yu En , Chen Daiwen , Yu Bing , Huang Zhiqing , Mao Xiangbing , Zheng Ping , Luo Yuheng , Yin Heng , Yu Jie , Luo Junqiu , Yan Hui , He Jun
Published: December 2020

To explore the effect of manno-oligosaccharide (MOS) on intestinal health in weaned pigs upon enterotoxigenicEscherichia coliK88 (ETEC) challenge, thirty-two male weaned pigs were randomly assigned into four groups. Pigs fed with a basal diet or basal diet containing MOS (0·6 g/kg) were orally infused with ETEC or culture medium. Results showed that MOS significantly elevated the digestibility of crude protein and gross energy in both ETEC-challenged and non-challenged pigs (P< 0·05). MOS also elevated serum concentrations of IgA and IgM (P< 0·05), but decreased serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 (P< 0·05) in ETEC-challenged pigs. Interestingly, MOS increased villus height and the ratio of villus height:crypt depth in duodenum and ileum (P< 0·05). MOS also increased duodenal sucrase and ileal lactase activity in ETEC-challenged pigs (P< 0·05). MOS decreased the abundance ofE. coli, but increased the abundance ofLactobacillus,BifidobacteriumandBacillusin caecum (P< 0·05). Importantly, MOS not only elevated the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1 and GLUT-2 in duodenum (P< 0·05) but also elevated the expression levels of ZO-1, GLUT-2 and L-type amino acid transporter-1 in ileum (P< 0·05) upon ETEC challenge. These results suggested that MOS can alleviate inflammation and intestinal injury in weaned pigs upon ETEC challenge, which was associated with suppressed secretion of inflammatory cytokines and elevated serum Ig, as well as improved intestinal epithelium functions and microbiota.
Shelf life extension of mozzarella cheese packed in preserving liquid with calcium lactate and bergamot juice concentrate
Authors: Zappia Angela , Branca Maria Luisa , Piscopo Amalia , Poiana Marco
Published: December 2020

Traditional Mozzarella is a fresh cheese produced in Italian local market without additives that shows a short shelf life of about 5 d. This work tested the use of natural additives (bergamot juice concentrate-BJ and calcium lactate-CL) in preserving liquid for a Mozzarella cheese with the aim to extend its shelf life, regarding the microbial growth and overall cheese quality. Results of qualitative analyses showed that the preserving liquid with the mix of BJ and CL promoted an extension of mozzarella shelf life up to 20 d. A slightly reduced growth of Pseudomonas species was evidenced after 5 d of storage, whereas no inhibition of lactic acid bacteria was observed for the storage period. Moreover, mozzarella cheese packed in mixed preserving liquid possessed better textural properties, evidenced by the lowest proteolysis index measured after 13 d of storage, and a good antioxidant activity.
Habitat selection and populations ofCorynosoma(Acanthocephala) in the intestines of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and seals
Authors: Shanebeck K. , Lakemeyer J. , Siebert U. , Lehnert K.
Published: December 2020

Acanthocephalans are common intestinal parasites of marine mammals, the most widespread of which is the genusCorynosoma. In this study, parasite infrapopulations of two closely related species ofCorynosomawere examined:Corynosoma enhydrifrom sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in Alaska (n= 12) and California (n= 19), andCorynosoma strumosumfrom seals in Germany (n= 22). Prevalence ofC. enhydriwas 100% in Californian otters, with a mean abundance of 30, and 83% in Alaskan otters, with a mean abundance of 232. In seals,C. strumosumhad a prevalence of 65%, with a mean abundance of 33. FemaleC. enhydridominated both Californian (82%) and Alaskan (79%) infections, while, in seals, femaleC. strumosummade up 68% of the parasite population. Reproduction rates forC. enhydri, with 16% (California) and 18% (Alaska) of females mated, were low compared toC. strumosumin seals, of which 40% of females were mated. Habitat selection also differed significantly between the two species.Corynosoma enhydriwas found most frequently in the second and third fifths of the small intestine, whileC. strumosumwas found most frequently in the fourth. The differences in habitat selection and prevalence analysed in this study may be related to a trade-off between growth and reproduction between the two species.
Broad but restricted detection of malacosporeans in a Neotropical cradle of diversification
Authors: Naldoni Juliana , Okamura Beth , Hartikainen Hanna , Corrêa Lincoln L. , Adriano Edson A.
Published: December 2020

This study undertook the first investigation of malacosporean infections in Neotropical fish. We used polymerase chain reaction detection with a primer set generally targeting known malacosporeans to assay for infection in the kidney of 146 fish in 21 species belonging to 12 families collected from two areas in the Amazon Basin. Infections were found in 13 fish variously belonging to seven species in six families and included the first identification of a malacosporean infection in cartilaginous fish (a freshwater stingray). Based on ssrDNA, all infections represented a singleBuddenbrockiaspecies (Buddenbrockiasp. E) that demonstrates an exceptionally broad range of fish species infected, and countered our expectations of high Neotropical malacosporean diversity. Infections were characterized at varying and often high prevalences in fish species but sample sizes were small. Ascertaining whether highly divergent malacosporeans have not been detected by current primers, and more comprehensive sampling may reveal whether malacosporeans are truly as species poor in the Amazon Basin as present data suggest. Our results prompt speculations about evolutionary scenarios including introductionviamarine incursions and patterns of host use over time.
Does childhood maltreatment or current stress contribute to increased risk for major depression during the menopause transition?
Authors: Bromberger Joyce T , Chang Yuefang , Colvin Alicia B , Kravitz Howard M , Matthews Karen A
Published: December 2020

Background

The menopausal transition (MT) poses an increased risk for major depression (MD), but not for all women. Current and past stress are toxic risk factors for depression throughout life. The MT may be a time of increased sensitivity to stress, especially among women with a lifetime history of major depressive disorder (MDD). We evaluated whether women who experienced childhood maltreatment (CM) or current stressful events or ongoing problems were at increased risk for MD during the MT.

Methods

At the Pittsburgh site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, 333 midlife women were interviewed approximately annually over 15 years with the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnosis of DSM-IV Axis I Disorders and provided health and psychosocial data including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Repeated measures logistic regression analyses were conducted separately for women with and without lifetime MDD at study entry.

Results

Among women with lifetime MDD, CM, but not current stress, interacted with menopausal status to increase the risk for MD during postmenopause (ORs ranged from 2.71 to 8.04). All stressors were associated with increased odds of MD. Among women without lifetime MDD, current stress was related to risk for MD, but the effect did not vary by menopausal status.

Conclusions

Women with MDD prior to midlife and who experienced CM were at greatest risk for MD after the MT. Women without prior MDD were at increased risk for MD during peri- and postmenopause. Healthcare providers should monitor women at risk for MD even after the MT.
Coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, mistrust, and compliance: taking measurement seriously
Authors: Garry John , Ford Rob , Johns Rob
Published: December 2020

Background

Freemanet al. (2020a,Psychological Medicine, 21, 1–13) argue that there is widespread support for coronavirus conspiracy theories in England. We hypothesise that their estimates of prevalence are inflated due to a flawed research design. When asking respondents to their survey to agree or disagree with pro-conspiracy statements, they used a biased set of response options: four agree options and only one disagree option (and no ‘don't know’ option). We also hypothesise that due to these flawed measures, the Freeman et al. approachunder-estimates the strength of the correlation between conspiracy beliefs and compliance. Finally, we hypothesise that, due to reliance on bivariate correlations, Freeman et al.over-estimate the causal connection between conspiracy beliefs and compliance.

Methods

In a pre-registered study, we conduct an experiment embedded in a survey of a representative sample of 2057 adults in England (fieldwork: 16−19 July 2020).

Results

Measured using our advocated ‘best practice’ approach (balanced response options, with a don't know option), prevalence of support for coronavirus conspiracies is only around five-eighths (62.3%) of that indicated by the Freeman et al. approach. We report mixed results on our correlation and causation hypotheses.

Conclusions

To avoid over-estimating prevalence of support for coronavirus conspiracies, we advocate using a balanced rather than imbalanced set of response options, and including a don't know option.
Quantifying individual differences in native and nonnative sentence processing
Authors: Cunnings Ian , Fujita Hiroki
Published: December 2020

Research in sentence processing has increasingly examined the role of individual differences in language comprehension. In work on native and nonnative sentence processing, examining individual differences can contribute crucial insight into theoretical debates about the extent to which nativelike processing is possible in a nonnative language. Despite this increased interest in individual differences, whether commonly used psycholinguistic tasks can reliably measure individual differences between participants has not been systematically examined. As a preliminary examination of this issue in nonnative processing, we report a self-paced reading experiment on garden-path sentences in native and nonnative comprehension. At the group level we replicated previously observed findings in native and nonnative speakers. However, while we found that our self-paced reading experiment was a reliable way of assessing individual differences in overall reading speed and comprehension accuracy, it did not consistently measure individual differences in the size of garden-path effects in our sample (N = 64 native and 64 nonnative participants, and 24 experimental items). These results suggest that before individual differences in sentence processing can be meaningfully assessed, the question of whether commonly used tasks can consistently measure individual differences requires systematic examination.