bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilization of the response of cyclically loaded lattice spring models with plasticity
Authors: Gudoshnikov Ivan , Makarenkov Oleg
Published: July 2020

This paper develops an analytic framework to design both stress-controlled and displacement-controlledT-periodic loadings which make the quasistatic evolution of a one-dimensional network of elastoplastic springs converging to a unique periodic regime. The solution of such an evolution problem is a functiont↦(e(t),p(t)), whereei(t) is the elastic elongation andpi(t) is the relaxed length of springi, defined on [t0,∞) by the initial condition (e(t0),p(t0)). After we rigorously convert the problem into a Moreau sweeping process with a moving polyhedronC(t) in a vector spaceEof dimensiond, it becomes natural to expect (based on a result by Krejci) that the elastic componentt↦e(t) always converges to aT-periodic function ast→∞. The achievement of this paper is in spotting a class of loadings where the Krejci’s limit doesn’t depend on the initial condition (e(t0),p(t0)) and so all the trajectories approach the sameT-periodic regime. The proposed class of sweeping processes is the one for which the normals of anyddifferent facets of the moving polyhedronC(t) are linearly independent. We further link this geometric condition to mechanical properties of the given network of springs. We discover that the normals of anyddifferent facets of the moving polyhedronC(t) are linearly independent, if the number of displacement-controlled loadings is two less the number of nodes of the given network of springs and when the magnitude of the stress-controlled loading is sufficiently large (but admissible). The result can be viewed as an analogue of the high-gain control method for elastoplastic systems. In continuum theory of plasticity, the respective result is known as Frederick-Armstrong theorem.
Primary Intrathoracic Neurogenic Tumors: Clinical, Pathological, and Long-Term Outcomes
Authors: Galetta Domenico , Spaggiari Lorenzo
Published: July 2020

Background Intrathoracic neurogenic tumors (INTs) are uncommon neoplasms arising from nerve tissues. We report our single-center experience in treating these rare INTs.

Methods Using a prospective institutional database, clinical, surgical, and pathological records of patients receiving resection of INT between May 1998 and June 2018 were analyzed. Survival was calculated by Kaplan–Meier method.

Results There were 82 patients (24 females) with an average age of 53 years (29–75 years). Mean diameter was 32 mm (range, 12–68 mm). Histology included 49 schwannomas (11 malignant), 15 neurinomas (2 malignant), 14 neurilemmomas, and 4 paragangliomas. Tumor was located in the posterior mediastinum in 52 patients, in the thoracic inlet in 12, in the anterior mediastinum in 7, in the lung parenchyma in 5, and in the chest wall in 3. In three (3.6%) patients, the tumor showed an intraspinal extension. Symptoms were reported in 51 patients (62.2%) and included cough in 23, dyspnea in 15, neurologic symptoms in 11, and wheezing in 2. Operation was performed by thoracotomy in 42 (51.2%) cases and less invasive technique in 40 (48.8%) cases. Resection was completed in 80 patients (97.6%). Postoperative radiotherapy was administered in two cases. Intraoperative and postoperative mortalities were nil. Morbidity occurred in four patients (4.8%) including two prolonged air leaks, one hemothorax, and one chylothorax. Five-year survival was 97% (mean follow-up, 4.9 years). Malignant tumors had a worse prognosis (p = 0.02). No recurrence occurred during the follow-up neither for malignant nor for benign tumors.

Conclusion The treatment of choice for INTs is complete resection which will be tailored to tumor size, location, and extension. Long-term prognosis is favorable for benign neurogenic tumors.
Epidemics as an adaptive driving force determining lifespan setpoints
Authors: Lidsky Peter V. , Andino Raul
Published: July 2020

Significance

Aging is an evolutionary paradox. Traditionally, it is assumed as a maladaptive and nonprogrammed process of physical deterioration. Hypotheses of programmed aging are currently regarded as unfeasible since the evolutionary benefits of senescence are unclear. Here, we develop a model indicating that limiting lifespan is beneficial to control epidemics, providing a possible explanation for species lifespan setpoint selection and the absence of biologically immortal mutants. Our study suggests a unifying hypothesis in which lifespan is selected to prevent and limit outbreaks of chronic infectious diseases.
Pharmacologic induction of innate immune signaling directly drives homologous recombination deficiency
Authors: McLaughlin Lena J. , Stojanovic Lora , Kogan Aksinija A. , Rutherford Julia L. , Choi Eun Yong , Yen Ray-Whay Chiu , Xia Limin , Zou Ying , Lapidus Rena G. , Baylin Stephen B. , Topper Michael J. , Rassool Feyruz V.
Published: July 2020

Significance

Combining DNMTi with PARPi induces HRD in a BRCA-proficient setting. We now uncover an unexpected mechanism for generation of HRD that joins drug induction of a broad, innate immune signaling to directly drive HRD. The findings have important translational implications for broadening the scope of PARPi therapy and potentially for immunotherapy.
River basin salinization as a form of aridity
Authors: Perri Saverio , Suweis Samir , Holmes Alex , Marpu Prashanth R. , Entekhabi Dara , Molini Annalisa
Published: July 2020

Significance

Combining observations and model results, we show that soil salinization does affect the long-term soil–water balance of saline river basins, eventually acting as an aridity enhancer. The strength of this control depends on the capability of vegetation to cope with salt stress through specific functional traits—i.e., salt tolerance—and is key to the understanding of vegetation–water relations in arid and transitional watersheds. Our approach can also be applied to infer crucial data about the salinization level and vegetation salt tolerance of river basins. Such information is essential to develop reverse-engineering measures to mitigate catchment-scale aridity and salinization, based on salt-tolerance plant traits.
Regulation of ERK basal and pulsatile activity control proliferation and exit from the stem cell compartment in mammalian epidermis
Authors: Hiratsuka Toru , Bordeu Ignacio , Pruessner Gunnar , Watt Fiona M.
Published: July 2020

Significance

Understanding how intracellular signaling cascades control cell fate is a key issue in stem cell biology. Here we show that exit from the stem cell compartment in mammalian epidermis is characterized by pulsatile ERK MAPK activity. Basal activity and pulses are differentially regulated by DUSP10 and DUSP6, two phosphatases that have been shown previously to regulate differentiation commitment in the epidermis. ERK activity is controlled both transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally. Spatial segregation of mean ERK activity and pulses is observed both in reconstituted human epidermis and in mouse epidermis. Our findings demonstrate the tight spatial and temporal regulation of ERK MAPK expression and activity in mammalian epidermis.
The impact of COVID-19 on small business outcomes and expectations
Authors: Bartik Alexander W. , Bertrand Marianne , Cullen Zoe , Glaeser Edward L. , Luca Michael , Stanton Christopher
Published: July 2020

Significance

Drawing on a survey of more than 5,800 small businesses, this paper provides insight into the economic impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on small businesses. The results shed light on both the financial fragility of many small businesses, and the significant impact COVID-19 had on these businesses in the weeks after the COVID-19–related disruptions began. The results also provide evidence on businesses’ expectations about the longer-term impact of COVID-19, as well as their perceptions of relief programs offered by the government.
Working memory capacity predicts individual differences in social-distancing compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
Authors: Xie Weizhen , Campbell Stephen , Zhang Weiwei
Published: July 2020

Significance

Before vaccination and other intervention measures become available, successful containment of an unknown infectious disease critically relies on people’s voluntary compliance with the recommended social-distancing guidelines. This involves a decision process of prioritizing the merits of social distancing over its costs, which may depend on one’s ability to compare multiple pieces of potentially conflicting information regarding social distancing in working memory. Our data support this hypothesis, highlighting the critical role of one’s working memory capacity in social-distancing compliance during the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This observation reveals a core cognitive limitation in one’s response to a public health crisis and suggests a possible cognitive venue for the development of strategies to mitigate this challenge.
The application of bilingual phonological learning models to
early second language development
Authors: Meziane R. Sabah , MacLeod Andrea A.N.
Published: July 2020

The goal of this chapter is to review how
bilingual phonological learning models can be applied to
understanding early second language development among children in
kindergarten. Specifically, we review Best’s Perceptual Assimilation
Model, Flege’s Speech Learning Model, Kuhl’s Language Magnet Model,
and Willem van Leussen & Escudero’s Second Language Phonetic Model. We
present results from a study of 25 children who were attending
kindergarten in French and who spoke Tagalog and English at home.
The children’s consonant productions in a word naming task were
transcribed and analysed. Although the results did not align with a
single model, it was useful conceptually to contrast “shared” versus
“unshared” phonemes as the “unshared” phonemes were produced with
lower accuracy overall.
Issues for second language pronunciation in children
Authors: Derwing Tracey M.
Published: July 2020

Many L2 children exhibit native-like phonology,
which can result in false assumptions about overall language
development. For instance, teachers may assume that a child’s
difficulties understanding schoolwork are due to cognitive delays
rather than attributable to incomplete language acquisition. These
suppositions can lead to the placement of L2 students in special
education classes rather than language enrichment programming.
Studies of children’s second language (L2) pronunciation development
reveal that, contrary to popular opinion, some children have foreign
accents. Although some L2 accents are easy to understand, requiring
no intervention, pronunciation instruction research has identified
strategies to enhance intelligibility when children’s productions
are difficult to understand. Suggestions for assisting children and
youth with intelligibility difficulties are made.
Two solitudes?
Authors: Enns Robyn , Lemire Nicole , Nicoladis Elena
Published: July 2020

Proficient adult bilinguals likely have one
conceptual store encompassing both languages: in experimental tasks,
they produce many translation equivalents. In contrast, bilingual
preschoolers often produce few translation equivalents on similar
tasks, perhaps because they have not yet developed the hierarchical
semantic organization to access concepts consistently across
languages. We test this possibility in two studies. In Study 1,
French-English bilingual children between 4–6 years of age generated
examples of animals, clothes, food and drinks in both languages. The
results showed 15% conceptual overlap. In Study 2, French-English
bilingual children between 7–10 years of age completed a
picture-naming task in both languages. The results showed 8%
overlap. These results are consistent with hierarchical organization
being necessary for producing many translation equivalents.
Using a novel sorting game to explore the role of phonotactic
probability and linguistic environment in nonword processing by
Spanish-English bilingual children
Authors: Betancourt Kyna R. , Frisch Stefan A.
Published: July 2020

Bilingual children process distinct phonotactics
of two languages in a mixed linguistic environment. The Unified
Competition Model (MacWhinney,
2005), which posits language processing via weighing
informational cues, would predict that bilingual children rely more
on phonotactic probability than linguistic environment when
organizing new words into languages. This chapter presents a study
testing this hypothesis. Using nonwords of differing phonotactic
probabilities, bilingual children were tested in predominantly
Spanish or English contexts and asked to classify nonwords as
English or Spanish. Data analyzed using a mixed effects generalized
linear model indicated that bilingual children rely on phonotactic
probabilities, not linguistic environment, to encode language
membership supporting predictions of the Unified Competition Model
and extending its explanatory function to bilingual language
membership encoding.
Second first language acquisition following international
adoption
Authors: Pollock Karen E.
Published: July 2020

Children adopted internationally typically
experience an abrupt and total switch from the language of their
birth country to the language of their adoptive family, a process
referred to as second first language acquisition.
Age at adoption, quality of pre-adoption care, health and
developmental status, and post-adoption environment may influence
the ease with which children make the shift to the new language and
how quickly and completely they catch up to non-adopted peers. This
chapter chronicles the author’s multiple experiences with second
first language acquisition as a clinician, parent and researcher.
Longitudinal data from children adopted internationally are
presented, including case studies and larger group studies. Changing
trends in international adoption and directions for future research
are also explored.
Using Phon to analyze phonological and speech data
Authors: Rose Yvan
Published: July 2020

Phon, the software program behind the PhonBank
database, offers a set of functions useful to the analysis of
phonological and acoustic data. In this paper, I provide an
illustrated description of the most central query and reporting
functions currently available within Phon, including a discussion of
how these functions are readily applicable to research on second
language acquisition. I also describe, however with a lesser amount
of detail, how the Phon query functions can be used to obtain
acoustic measurements of audio recordings. Finally, I provide an
overview of pre-defined analyses built into Phon which are commonly
used in research on phonological development and speech disorders.
Throughout the paper, I discuss related topics, which range from
technical issues in data preparation to the larger, community-level
importance of data sharing as a condition for the future of this
software and database development projects.
Wordlikeness and nonword repetition in Spanish-speaking bilingual
children
Authors: Brea-Spahn Maria R. , Frisch Stefan A. , Bryant Judith B.
Published: July 2020

Some variation in linguistic skill within the
typical bilingual (L1 and L2 learning) population may be attributed
to differences in language exposure (MacDonald & Christiansen, 2002). One
component of language exposure is the frequency of a particular
phonological pattern (e.g., syllabic and subsyllabic word
components) within a language, as well as the regularity of the
pattern, or its similarity to other patterns in the language.
Measures of language processing, such as nonword repetition, provide
a dynamic medium for analyzing the effects of language-specific
patterns on production. Currently available Spanish nonword
repetition tasks are based on Peninsular Spanish (or Castilian),
although most Latinos living in the United States represent Latin
American Spanish-speaking countries. Therefore, a Latin American
Spanish nonword repetition tool that is equivalent to English tasks
would be a beneficial addition to the research literature.
Additionally, Spanish nonword repetition tasks in the literature
vary in the degree to which they manipulate wordlikeness. In this
chapter, we describe the stages involved in developing a task
composed of two-, three-, and four- syllable nonwords which ranged
in their similarity to real Latin American Spanish words. These
nonwords were used to assess repetition performance in a group of
young Spanish-speaking children. Results suggest that wordlikeness
affects Spanish nonword repetition performance in young emerging
bilingual children, providing some support to usage-based accounts
of language learning.
The impact of learning context on L2 Chinese word order structure development
Authors: Zhang Yanyin
Published: July 2020

Studies on the impact of learning context in second language (L2) acquisition seldom look atab-initiolearners and their learning journey from the very beginning. Consequently, it is difficult to know for certain whether the findings of study-abroad vs. at-home research are applicable to this group of learners. The present study examines sixab-initiolearners’ L2 developmental processes of three Chinese word order structures in two settings: China and Australia. The analysis of two longitudinal corpora showed no impact of the learning setting on the acquisition sequence. The impact, however, was found in learning efficiency. Measured by the number of hours of formal instruction, the three learners in Australia progressed faster than the three learners in China although the latter had received much more classroom instruction and were in an immersive environment. The findings suggest that learning an L2 at home is not inferior for early L2 grammatical development.
Glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl D-aspartate-associated protein 1, a potential target of miR-296, facilitates proliferation and migration of rectal cancer cells
Authors: Ma Huan , Zhang Xianyu , Li Na , Lu Xiurong , Wei Yulei , Yuan Na , Tian Guiying , Li Shuguang
Published: July 2020

The purpose of our article was to probe the influence of GRINA on rectal cancer and how GRINA is regulated in rectal cancer. Based on the public data, we found that GRINA was highly expressed in rectal cancer tissues and related to worse prognosis in rectal cancer patients. MiR-296 was predicted as an upstream regulatory miRNA of GRINA, which was further verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, we revealed that up-regulation/down-regulation of GRINA facilitated/suppressed SW1463/SW837 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Rescue assays indicated that the facilitating impact of GRINA on SW1463 cell proliferation and motility was abolished by miR-296 over-expression whilst the suppressing influence of GRINA on SW837 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was reversed by miR-296 depletion. These consequences indicated that GRINA, which might be regulated by miR-296, acted stimulative important impact on rectal cancer cells, insinuating that GRINA might be a novel potential target for rectal cancer therapy.
Effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1-regulating hepatic steatosis in HepG2 cells induced by free fatty acid
Authors: Gao Yue , Zhang Shujun , Li Jiajun , Zhao Jinqiu , Xiao Qing , Zhu Yali , Zhang Jia , Huang Wenxiang
Published: July 2020

Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) is a bioactive phytochemical that has been found to be beneficial for the treatment of several diseases including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). But there is a lack of literature reporting the effect of G-Rg1 on lipid metabolism balance in NAFLD. We investigated the effect and mechanism of G-Rg1 on lipid metabolism in vitro. We found that G-Rg1 decreased the levels of TG, TC, and MDA, and increased activity of SOD. Results of RT-PCR and western blotting showed that supplementation with G-Rg1 downregulated the expression of PPAR γ, FABP1, FATP2/5, CD36, SREBP1 c, and FASN, while the expression of PPAR ɑ, CPT1, ACOX1, MTTP, and ApoB100 was upregulated, after induction by a free fatty acid. Taken together, we conclude that G-Rg1 inhibits lipid synthesis and lipid uptake, and enhances lipid oxidation and lipid export to reduce hepatic steatosis of HepG2 cells by regulating PPAR ɑ and PPAR γ expression.
Validation of the Test of Memory Malingering in a Clinical Population from Singapore
Authors: Chan Ivana , Ong Isabelle Shu Min , Gwee Dpsych Kenji
Published: July 2020

The present research aims to establish the predictive validity of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) in a Singaporean sample with mood and psychotic disorders. Its clinical utility was compared against other performance validity tests: Dot Counting Test (DCT), Rey 15-Item Memory Test II (Rey II), Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT), Nonverbal Medical Symptom Validity Test (NV-MSVT), Word Memory Test (WMT) and Victoria Symptom Validity Test (VSVT). Findings revealed that TOMM, MSVT, NV-MSVT, WMT and VSVT preserved the ability to distinguish between Clinical participants' simulation groups, and TOMM outperformed all tests except NVMSVT. Overall, findings supported continued use of TOMM.
Understanding, Values, and the Aims of Science
Authors: de Regt Henk W.
Published: July 2020

The understanding that comes with scientific explanation is regarded as one of the central epistemic aims of science. In earlier work I have argued that scientists achieve understanding of phenomena by basing their explanations on intelligible theories, where intelligibility is a contextually determined value. In this article, I address the question of how the aim of understanding relates to other epistemic aims of science, such as prediction of empirical evidence and accurate description of phenomena. Moreover, I examine the associated values and analyze their role and interaction through a historical case study.
Commercial Interests and the Erosion of Trust in Science
Authors: Pinto Manuela Fernández
Published: July 2020

The article examines the idea that commercialized science is a central factor in the erosion of trust in science. I claim that commercial interests have a negative impact on the trustworthiness of science by leading the public to mistakenly trust or distrust scientific results. I identify two mechanisms. First, commercial interests can directly encourage the production of consensus or dissent that is industry friendly but not epistemically reliable. Second, commercial interests support a narrow understanding of trustworthiness that allows the industry to claim that their research is reliable when it is not. A more fine-grained analysis is needed.
Varieties of Subjectivity
Authors: Godfrey-Smith Peter
Published: July 2020

In human conscious experience, many features are present in combination: objects are presented through the senses, information from different sensory modalities is integrated, events are marked with value, and we have a sense of our own location and state. Which of these might come before others in plausible evolutionary trajectories, or do they form a tight package of correlated features that cannot readily be dissociated? I take a comparative approach to these questions, focusing on a distinction between sensory and evaluative aspects of experience and looking at the distribution of subjectivity-relevant features in a range of invertebrate animals.
Understanding, Truth, and Epistemic Goals
Authors: Khalifa Kareem
Published: July 2020

Several argue that truth cannot be science’s sole epistemic goal, for it would fail to do justice to several scientific practices that advance understanding. I challenge these arguments but only after making a small concession: science’s sole epistemic goal is not truth as such; rather, its goal is finding true answers to relevant questions. Using examples from the natural and social sciences, I then show that scientific understanding’s epistemically valuable features are either true answers to relevant questions or a means thereof.
Polychrony and the Process View of Computation
Authors: Klein Colin
Published: July 2020

Some realistic models of neural spiking take into account spike timing, yet the practical relevance of spike timing is often unclear. In Eugene Izhikevich’s model, timing plays a crucial role by allowing for the natural formation of polychronous circuits. In such circuits, individual elements may figure in a number of distinct assemblies, their role in each determined by their timing relative to other neurons. I show that this reflects a distinct organizational principle from notions of pluripotency, redundancy, or reuse and argue that properly understanding this phenomenon requires a shift to a time-sensitive, process-based view of computation.
Functions and Functioning in Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic and in Ecology
Authors: Millstein Roberta L.
Published: July 2020

I examine the use of the termfunctionin Aldo Leopold’s land ethic, invoked as (1) the healthy functioning of the land community, which is dependent on (2) the maintenance of the characteristic functions of populations that are parts of the land community. The latter can be understood as referring to interactions between species that are the products of coevolution (such as parasite-host, predator-prey) and, thus, in terms of the “selected effect” account of function. The performance of these functions under certain conditions maintain what Leopold took to be the healthy functioning of a land community.
Toward a Pluralist Account of the Imagination in Science
Authors: Murphy Alice
Published: July 2020

Typically, the imagination in thought experiments has been taken to consist in mental images; we visualize the state of affairs described. A recent alternative from Fiora Salis and Roman Frigg maintains that it is only the propositional imagination that is necessary for the conduct of a thought experiment. I set out problems with these monistic accounts and develop a pluralist stance. Thought experiments appeal to a variety of our imaginative capacities, and we ought to focus on the function of particular thought experiments when considering what type of imaginative engagement they invite.
Local Model-Data Symbiosis in Meteorology and Climate Science
Authors: Parker Wendy
Published: July 2020

I introduce a distinction between general and local model-data symbiosis and offer three examples of local symbiosis in the fields of meteorology and climate science. Local model-data symbiosis refers to a beneficial, two-way interdependence between a particular model and data set or between closely related models and data sets. For each example presented here, I show how the symbiotic relationship works—what the interdependence consists in and how it is supposed to be beneficial—and I consider whether, alongside the benefits, there is some risk of problematic circularity.
Idealization and Many Aims
Authors: Potochnik Angela
Published: July 2020

In this article, I first outline the view developed in my recent book on the role of idealization in scientific understanding. I discuss how this view leads to the recognition of a number of kinds of variability among scientific representations, including variability introduced by the many different aims of scientific projects. I then argue that the role of idealization in securing understanding distances understanding from truth but that this understanding nonetheless gives rise to scientific knowledge. This discussion will clarify how my view relates to three other recent books on understanding by Henk de Regt, Catherine Elgin, and Kareem Khalifa.
Universality and Modeling Limiting Behaviors
Authors: Rice Collin
Published: July 2020

Most attempts to justify the use of idealized models to explain appeal to the accuracy of the model with respect to difference-making causes. In this article, I argue for an alternative way to justify using idealized models to explain that appeals to universality classes. In support of this view, I show that scientific modelers seeking to explain stable limiting behaviors often explicitly appeal to universality classes in order to justify their use of idealized models to explain.
Stable Engrams and Neural Dynamics
Authors: Robins Sarah K.
Published: July 2020

The idea that remembering involves an engram, becoming stable and permanent via consolidation, has guided the neuroscience of memory since its inception. The shift to thinking of memory as continuous and dynamic, as part of a trend toward neural dynamics, has challenged this commitment, with some, such as Lynn Nadel, calling for “the demise of the fixed trace” and others, such as Alcino J. Silva, urging rejection of the “consolidation dogma.” Does consideration of neural dynamics offer reasons to reject engram theory? No. I argue that they are compatible. At most, shifting to a dynamic view of neural processes compels revision of the implementational details.
The Division of Replication Labor
Authors: Romero Felipe
Published: July 2020

Scientists are becoming increasingly aware of a “replicability crisis” in the behavioral, social, and biomedical sciences. Researchers have made progress identifying statistical and methodological causes of the crisis. However, the social structure of science is also to blame. In the fields affected by the crisis, nobody is explicitly responsible and rewarded for doing confirmation and replication work. This article makes the case for a social structural reform to address the problem. I argue that we need to establish a reward system that supports a dedicated group of confirmation researchers and formulate a proposal that would achieve this.
Convention and the Origins of Ownership
Authors: Smead Rory , Forber Patrick
Published: July 2020

We examine contemporary game-theoretic accounts of ownership as a convention. New results from dynamic networks complicate matters, suggesting that if ownership is conventional, it should not be as prevalent as it seems to be. In fact, such models reveal a tendency toward antiownership norms. The value of resources may be crucial: low stakes lead to conventional ownership, but ownership norms rarely evolve; high stakes lead to a predominance of ownership at the cost of its conventionality. We argue that conventional ownership norms can originate in nonconventional ways and discuss some philosophical implications.
The Productive Anarchy of Scientific Imagination
Authors: Stuart Michael T.
Published: July 2020

Imagination is important for many things in science: solving problems, interpreting data, designing studies, and much else. Philosophers of imagination typically account for the productive role played by imagination in science by focusing on how imagination is constrained, for example, by self-imposed rules to infer logically or model events accurately. But the constraints offered by these philosophers constrain either too much or not enough, and they can never account for uses of imagination that are needed to break today’s constraints in order to make progress tomorrow. Thus, epistemology of imagination needs to make room for an element of epistemological anarchy.
Causal Complexity, Conditional Independence, and Downward Causation
Authors: Woodward James
Published: July 2020

This article defends the notion of downward causation, relating it to a notion of conditional independence.
Optimal Control of Ship Microgrid Based on Improved Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Xiaodi Zhang , Ruicheng Dai , Jianrui Song , Jiyun Liu , Bin Ren
Published: July 2020

Wind energy and solar energy are natural clean energy. If wind power is used to generate electricity, rational allocation of wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, storage batteries, and diesel engines to supply the ship’s electricity will be of great significance for energy conservation and emission reduction. This article proposes a specific research object, that is, research on the optimal configuration of the hybrid power generation system for small-scale barges berthed at the port, the establishment of a hybrid power system mathematical model of wind turbines, photovoltaic cells, batteries and diesel engines, and the use of improved genetic algorithms to the total cost of the system is the minimum. The power supply reliability of the system is the constraint condition to solve the mathematical model of the optimized configuration. Finally, the simulation results are analyzed in MATLAB.
Study on the variable pitch control of the wind power unit based on mamdani inference and conventional control algorithm
Authors: Rashid Asif , Ying Deng
Published: July 2020

This paper firstly analysed the theory of the Wind Turbine (WT) pitch control algorithms to maximize energy yield, and then based on the analysis, 3 MW wind turbine model with a servo system and Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) is developed. The blade pitch ß angle is controlled to ensure that the variable speed WT system operate safely and the optimum power is achieved. Variation in rotor speed as a result of unsteady wind velocity is controlled using PI(D) method. Fuzzy technique is developed and implemented simultaneously. Control Algorithms reveal dynamic performance of the blade pitch angle, rotor speed and rated power characteristics. Within the wind turbine standard operating regimes, controllers have shown promising results. Proposed Fuzzy technique validates superior performance. Finally, MATLAB/SIMULINK tool box establishes the corresponding model to simulation test in order to verify the effectiveness and correctness of the analysed algorithms. Simulation result demonstrates that the developed pitch servo control system has good dynamic, steady state performance and robustness.
Research on evaluation algorithm and index of resilience power system under energy transformation
Authors: He Hailei , Zhou Qinyong , Guo Jianbo , Zhang Yantao , Zhao Shanshan , Zhang Jian
Published: July 2020

In order to solve the problem of increasing vulnerability and decreasing stability of power system under energy transformation, the resilience indexes that should be considered are summarized and an evaluation algorithm of elastic power system is proposed. Firstly, the overall idea and framework of elastic power system evaluation under energy transformation are given; secondly, the evaluation indexes of elastic power system are studied from three aspects: power supply side, transmission network side and distribution side; finally, based on proposed elastic indexes and PSD-BPA power flow and transient program, the algorithm of resilience power system evaluation is proposed. Effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by IEEE RTS39 system, reasonable suggestions for resilience grid are also given.
Numerical study of the non-uniform channel width arrangement effect on mini-channel heat sink performance
Authors: Ren Kexian , Yuan Weixing , Miao Ze , Yang Bo , Yang Tongzhi
Published: July 2020

The mini/micro-channel heat sinks have already been a successful innovation for cooling of electronic devices, and many factors could affect their thermal performance. However, the flow distribution is one of the fatal factors influencing the performance of the mini/microchannel heat sinks. As we know, uniform flow strongly depends on the optimum structure design of the heat sinks. The particular focus of this work is the channel width arrangement effects on the flow uniformity and heat transfer inside mini-channel heat sinks (MCHSs). The mini-channel heat sinks with five non-uniform channel width arrangements were compared with a mini-channel heat sink with uniform channel width under four inlet flow rates and a fixed heat flux. Overall thermal resistance and pressure drop were used to evaluate the thermal performance of the heat sink. The simulation results show that the non-uniform channel width arrangement is significantly beneficial for achieving uniform flow distribution in the mini-channels and reduces the overall thermal resistance with up to 6.1%. It is found that the 5-type MCHS performs the best flow uniformity and the lowest thermal resistance with a moderate pressure drop. Besides, this study supplies a guideline to optimize the arrangement of channel width.
Design and Research of Big Data Platform Framework for Power Enterprises
Authors: Ma Rui , Li Weibing , Ma Nengwu , Zhang Xiong , Zhang Hang
Published: July 2020

Big data technology is one of the most fashionable computer science and technology. Through the rational use of big data technology, traditional enterprises can accelerate the promotion and transformation of business informatization and intelligence. After long-term accumulation and precipitation, the power industry has accumulated a large number of structured and unstructured data of production, operation and management. Based on the actual demand of the electric power industry and the characteristics of the existing information system and mass data, this paper studied the big data platform framework system of electric power enterprises, and carried out the big data framework design from the overall architecture, technical architecture, data architecture, logical deployment architecture and other aspects. The overall design idea conforms to the development concept of “big data +" and “Internet +", and has a good technical foundation and application support, which can be widely used in the design and construction of power big data platform.
An Integrated Energy System Coupling Biomass Gas and Hydrogen produced by Wind Power
Authors: Li Ren , Chen Kun , Li Tao , Wang Shunchao , He Zhao
Published: July 2020

The integrated energy system is gaining increasing attention due to its remarkable superiority in modern energy system. Hydrogen and biomass are two commonly used energy sources in integrated energy systems, but both of them have shortcomings. This paper presents a new type of integrated energy system for coupling biomass with hydrogen produced by wind power. This system not only avoids the energy loss caused by hydrogen storage and transportation, but also can increase the burning value of biomass gas, thereby improving power generation efficiency. The investment of proposed system is calculated based on a case study, which shows that the system has a relatively high return of investment.
Low Carbon Innovation: The Construction of Green Patent Pools in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
Authors: He J , Qiao L
Published: July 2020

In view of the features of technology transfer and patent licensing of low carbon technologies, it is necessary to explore a new green patent system, focusing on solving the problems of excessive licensing fees and complicated implementation conditions. Based on the analysis of the industrial foundation and technical reserves of low carbon industry in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, this paper proposes a concept of constructing green patent pools in the region. First, to construct enterprise-shared green patent pools, break through the traditional competition pattern by sharing innovative technologies, and promote the overall development of low carbon industry. Second, to construct public green patent pools, which are funded by government totally or partially, promote the innovation and application of low carbon technologies, and promote to take the road of low-carbon development in the Greater Bay Area.
Rhinoplasty Combined With Centrofacial Lipofilling to Optimize Facial Proportions
Authors: Carvas Marcelo , Tonnard Patrick , Verpaele Alexis
Published: July 2020

Background

The perceived appearance of the nose is influenced by its foundations (ie, malar areas, lip, and chin). The association of nasal hump and centrofacial volume deficiency is not uncommon.

Objectives

We evaluated and analyzed the role of centrofacial lipofilling simultaneously to rhinoplasty to sculpt facial proportions and shapes all in one procedure.

Methods

Volumes and placement of fat graft were determined preoperatively. Centrofacial microfat grafting was performed concomitantly to the rhinoplasty. Treated areas were malar, upper lip, pyriform aperture, and chin.

Results

From January 2016 to January 2019, concurrent lipofilling was performed in 23 rhinoplasties. Fat graft volumes ranged from 2 to 31 mL.

Conclusions

Centrofacial lipofilling is a simple and effective tool that can easily be associated with rhinoplasty techniques to optimize the results and may even influence the procedure towards a more conservative approach.

Level of Evidence: 4
BIRD: identifying cell doublets via biallelic expression from single cells
Authors: Wainer-Katsir Kerem , Linial Michal
Published: July 2020

Current technologies for single-cell transcriptomics allow thousands of cells to be analyzed in a single experiment. The increased scale of these methods raises the risk of cell doublets contamination. Available tools and algorithms for identifying doublets and estimating their occurrence in single-cell experimental data focus on doublets of different species, cell types or individuals. In this study, we analyze transcriptomic data from single cells having an identical genetic background. We claim that the ratio of monoallelic to biallelic expression provides a discriminating power toward doublets’ identification. We present a pipeline called BIallelic Ratio for Doublets (BIRD) that relies on heterologous genetic variations, from single-cell RNA sequencing. For each dataset, doublets were artificially created from the actual data and used to train a predictive model. BIRD was applied on Smart-seq data from 163 primary fibroblast single cells. The model achieved 100% accuracy in annotating the randomly simulated doublets. Bonafide doublets were verified based on a biallelic expression signal amongst X-chromosome of female fibroblasts. Data from 10X Genomics microfluidics of human peripheral blood cells achieved in average 83% (±3.7%) accuracy, and an area under the curve of 0.88 (±0.04) for a collection of ∼13 300 single cells. BIRD addresses instances of doublets, which were formed from cell mixtures of identical genetic background and cell identity. Maximal performance is achieved for high-coverage data from Smart-seq. Success in identifying doublets is data specific which varies according to the experimental methodology, genomic diversity between haplotypes, sequence coverage and depth.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Characteristics of GII.4 Norovirus Versus Other Genotypes in Sporadic Pediatric Infections in Davidson County, Tennessee, USA
Authors: Haddadin Zaid , Batarseh Einas , Hamdan Lubna , Stewart Laura S , Piya Bhinnata , Rahman Herdi , Spieker Andrew J , Chappell James , Wikswo Mary E , Dunn John R , Payne Daniel C , Vinjé Jan , Hall Aron J , Halasa Natasha
Published: July 2020

Background

Norovirus is a leading cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis (AGE), with most outbreaks occurring during winter. The majority of outbreaks are caused by GII.4 noroviruses; however, data to support whether this is true for sporadic medically attended AGE are limited. Therefore, we sought to compare the clinical characteristics and seasonality of GII.4 vs non-GII.4 viruses.

Methods

Children aged 15 days -17 years with AGE symptoms were recruited from the outpatient, emergency department, and inpatient settings at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Davidson County, Nashville, Tennessee, from December 2012 -November 2015. Stool specimens were tested using qRT-PCR for GI and GII noroviruses and subsequently genotyped by sequencing a partial region of the capsid gene.

Results

A total of 3705 patients were enrolled, and stool specimens were collected and tested from 2885 (78%) enrollees. Overall, 636 (22%) samples were norovirus-positive, of which 567 (89%) were GII. Of the 460 (81%) genotyped GII-positive samples, 233 (51%) were typed as GII.4 and 227 (49%) as non-GII.4. Compared with children with non-GII.4 infections, children with GII.4 infections were younger, more likely to have diarrhea, and more likely to receive oral rehydration fluids. Norovirus was detected year-round and peaked during winter.

Conclusions

Approximately 40% of sporadic pediatric norovirus AGE cases were caused by GII.4 norovirus. Children infected with GII.4 had more severe symptoms that required more medical care. Seasonal variations were noticed among different genotypes. These data highlight the importance of continuous norovirus surveillance and provide important information on which strains pediatric norovirus vaccines should protect against.
Outcomes of β-Hemolytic Streptococcal Necrotizing Skin and Soft-tissue Infections and the Impact of Clindamycin Resistance
Authors: Horn Dara L , Roberts Emma A , Shen Jolie , Chan Jeannie D , Bulger Eileen M , Weiss Noel S , Lynch John B , Bryson-Cahn Chloe , Robinson Bryce R H
Published: July 2020

Background

β-Hemolytic streptococci are frequently implicated in necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs). Clindamycin administration may improve outcomes in patients with serious streptococcal infections. However, clindamycin resistance is growing worldwide, and resistance patterns in NSTIs and their impact on outcomes are unknown.

Methods

Between 2015 and 2018, patients with NSTI at a quaternary referral center were followed up for the outcomes of death, limb loss, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Surgical wound cultures and resistance data were obtained within 48 hours of admission as part of routine care. Risk ratios for the association between these outcomes and the presence of β-hemolytic streptococci or clindamycin-resistant β-hemolytic streptococci were calculated using log-binomial regression, controlling for age, transfer status, and injection drug use–related etiology.

Results

Of 445 NSTIs identified, 85% had surgical wound cultures within 48 hours of admission. β-Hemolytic streptococci grew in 31%, and clindamycin resistance was observed in 31% of cultures. The presence of β-hemolytic streptococci was associated with greater risk of amputation (risk ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–3.01), as was the presence of clindamycin resistance among β-hemolytic streptococci infections (1.86; 1.10–3.16).

Conclusions

β-Hemolytic streptococci are highly prevalent in NSTIs, and in our population clindamycin resistance was more common than previously described. Greater risk of limb loss among patients with β-hemolytic streptococci—particularly clindamycin-resistant strains—may portend a more locally aggressive disease process or may represent preexisting patient characteristics that predispose to both infection and limb loss. Regardless, these findings may inform antibiotic selection and surgical management to maximize the potential for limb salvage.