bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A∞ algebras from slightly broken higher spin symmetries
Authors: Sharapov Alexey , Skvortsov Evgeny
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We define a class of A
∞-algebras that are obtained by deformations of higher spin symmetries. While higher spin symmetries of a free CFT form an associative algebra, the slightly broken higher spin symmetries give rise to a minimal A
∞-algebra extending the associative one. These A
∞-algebras are related to non-commutative deformation quantization much as the unbroken higher spin symmetries result from the conventional deformation quantization. In the case of three dimensions there is an additional parameter that the A
∞-structure depends on, which is to be related to the Chern-Simons level. The deformations corresponding to the bosonic and fermionic matter lead to the same A
∞-algebra, thus manifesting the three-dimensional bosonization conjecture. In all other cases we consider, the A
∞-deformation is determined by a generalized free field in one dimension lower.
On the replica structure of Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model
Authors: Wang Hanteng , Bagrets D. , Chudnovskiy A. L. , Kamenev A.
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We investigate existence of replica off-diagonal solutions in the field-theoretical description of Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model. To this end we evaluate a set of local and non-local dynamic correlation functions in the long time limit. We argue that the structure of the soft-mode Schwarzian action is qualitatively different in replica-diagonal vs. replica-off-diagonal scenarios, leading to distinct long-time predictions for the correlation functions. We then evaluate the corresponding correlation functions numerically and compare the simulations with analytical predictions of replica-diagonal and replica-off-diagonal calculations. We conclude that all our numerical results are in a quantitative agreement with the theory based on the replica-diagonal saddle point plus Schwarzian and massive Gaussian fluctuations (the latter do contain replica off-diagonal components). This seems to exclude any contributions from replica-off-diagonal saddle points, at least on the time scales shorter than the inverse many-body level spacing.
Clocks and rods in Jackiw-Teitelboim quantum gravity
Authors: Blommaert Andreas , Mertens Thomas G. , Verschelde Henri
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We specify bulk coordinates in Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity using a boundary-intrinsic radar definition. This allows us to study and calculate exactly diff-invariant bulk correlation functions of matter-coupled JT gravity, which are found to satisfy microcausality. We observe that quantum gravity effects dominate near-horizon matter correlation functions. This shows that quantum matter in classical curved spacetime is not a sensible model for near-horizon matter-coupled JT gravity. This is how JT gravity, given our choice of bulk frame, evades an information paradox. This echoes into the quantum expectation value of the near-horizon metric, whose analysis is extended from the disk model to the recently proposed topological completion of JT gravity [1]. Due to quantum effects, at distances of order the Planck length to the horizon, a dramatic breakdown of Rindler geometry is observed.
Leptogenesis after superconformal subcritical hybrid inflation
Authors: Gunji Yoshihiro , Ishiwata Koji
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We consider an extended version of superconformal subcritical hybrid inflation model by introducing three right-handed neutrinos that have the Majorana mass terms. In the model one of the right-handed sneutrinos plays a role of the inflaton field, and it decays to reheat the universe after inflation. The vacuum expectation value for the waterfall field gives an unconventional pattern of the light neutrino mass matrix, and the neutrino Yukawa couplings that determine the reheating temperature are not constrained by the neutrino oscillation data. Consequently thermal leptogenesis or sneutrino leptogenesis is realized.
Information transfer and black hole evaporation via traversable BTZ wormholes
Authors: Hirano Shinji , Lei Yang , van Leuven Sam
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We study traversable wormholes by considering the duality between BTZ black holes and two-dimensional conformal field theory on the thermofield double state. The BTZ black holes can be rendered traversable by a negative energy shock wave. Following Gao, Jafferis and Wall [1], we show that the negative energy shock wave is dual to the infinite boost limit of a specific double trace deformation which couples the left and right CFTs. We spell out the mechanism of information transfer through traversable BTZ wormholes, treating the backreaction of the message as a positive energy shockwave. The corresponding spacetime is that of colliding spherical shells in the BTZ black hole, which we explicitly construct. This construction allows us to obtain a bound on the amount of information that can be sent through the wormhole, which is consistent with previous work in the context of nearly AdS
2 gravity [2]. Consequently, we define a notion of traversibility of the wormhole and study it in the context of a multiple shock geometry. We argue that the time-dependence of traversibility in this geometry can be connected to certain aspects of the black hole evaporation process, such as the second half of the Page curve. Finally, we examine the claim that traversable wormholes are fast decoders. We find evidence for this by computing the scrambling time in the shockwave background and showing that it is delayed by the presence of the negative energy shock wave.
Entanglement of a chiral fermion on the torus
Authors: Blanco David , Garbarz Alan , Pérez-Nadal Guillem
Published: September 2019

Abstract

In this paper we present the detailed calculation of a new modular Hamiltonian, namely that of a chiral fermion on a circle at non-zero temperature. We provide explicit results for an arbitrary collection of intervals, which we discuss at length by checking against known results in different limits and by computing the associated modular flow. We also compute the entanglement entropy, and we obtain a simple expression for it which appears to be more manageable than those already existing in the literature.
A connection between R-invariants and Yang-Baxter R-operators in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory
Authors: Kozin V.K.
Published: September 2019

Abstract

The BCFW recursion relation in

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 super-Yang-Mills theory is solved using Yang-Baxter R-operators in the NMHV sector. Explicit expressions for ℛ-invariants are obtained in terms of the chains of R-operators acting on an appropriate basic state.
Prescribed Schouten Tensor in Locally Conformally Flat Manifolds
Authors: Carvalho Marcos Tulio , Pieterzack Mauricio , Pina Romildo
Published: September 2019

We consider the pseudo-Euclidean space $$({\mathbb {R}}^n,g)$$(Rn,g), with $$n \ge 3$$n≥3 and $$g_{ij} = \delta _{ij} \varepsilon _{i}$$gij=δijεi, where $$\varepsilon _{i} = \pm 1$$εi=±1, with at least one positive $$\varepsilon _{i}$$εi and non-diagonal symmetric tensors $$T = \sum \nolimits _{i,j}f_{ij}(x) dx_i \otimes dx_{j} $$T=∑i,jfij(x)dxi⊗dxj. Assuming that the solutions are invariant by the action of a translation $$(n-1)$$(n-1)- dimensional group, we find the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a metric $$\bar{g}$$g¯ conformal to g, such that the Schouten tensor $$\bar{g}$$g¯, is equal to T. From the obtained results, we show that for certain functions h, defined in $$\mathbb {R}^{n}$$Rn, there exist complete metrics $$\bar{g}$$g¯, conformal to the Euclidean metric g, whose curvature $$\sigma _{2}(\bar{g}) = h$$σ2(g¯)=h.
Integrating physiologically based kinetic (PBK) and Monte Carlo modelling to predict inter-individual and inter-ethnic variation in bioactivation and liver toxicity of lasiocarpine
Authors: Ning Jia , Rietjens Ivonne M. C. M. , Strikwold Marije
Published: September 2019

The aim of the present study was to predict the effect of inter-individual and inter-ethnic human kinetic variation on the sensitivity towards acute liver toxicity of lasiocarpine in the Chinese and the Caucasian population, and to derive chemical specific adjustment factors (CSAFs) by integrating variation in the in vitro kinetic constants Vmax and Km, physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modelling and Monte Carlo simulation. CSAFs were derived covering the 90th and 99th percentile of the population distribution of pyrrole glutathione adduct (7-GS-DHP) formation, reflecting bioactivation. The results revealed that in the Chinese population, as compared to the Caucasian population, the predicted 7-GS-DHP formation at the geometric mean, the 90th and the 99th percentile were 2.1-, 3.3- and 4.3-fold lower respectively. The CSAFs obtained using the 99th percentile values were 8.3, 17.0 and 19.5 in the Chinese, the Caucasian population and the two populations combined, respectively, while the CSAFs were generally 3.0-fold lower at the 90th percentile. These results indicate that when considering the formation of 7-GS-DHP the Caucasian population may be more sensitive towards acute liver toxicity of lasiocarpine, and further point out that the default safety factor of 3.16 for inter-individual human kinetic differences may not be sufficiently protective. Altogether, the results obtained demonstrate that integrating PBK modelling with Monte Carlo simulations using human in vitro data is a powerful strategy to quantify inter-individual variations in kinetics, and can be used to refine the human risk assessment of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
On the Number of Containments in P-free Families
Authors: Gerbner Dániel , Methuku Abhishek , Nagy Dániel T. , Patkós Balázs , Vizer Máté
Published: September 2019

A subfamily $$\{F_1,F_2,\dots ,F_{|P|}\}\subseteq {{\mathcal {F}}}$${F1,F2,⋯,F|P|}⊆F is a copy of the poset P if there exists a bijection $$i:P\rightarrow \{F_1,F_2,\dots ,F_{|P|}\}$$i:P→{F1,F2,⋯,F|P|}, such that $$p\le _P q$$p≤Pq implies $$i(p)\subseteq i(q)$$i(p)⊆i(q). A family $${{\mathcal {F}}}$$F is P-free, if it does not contain a copy of P. In this paper we establish basic results on the maximum number of k-chains in a P-free family $${{\mathcal {F}}}\subseteq 2^{[n]}$$F⊆2[n]. We prove that if the height of P, $$h(P) > k$$h(P)>k, then this number is of the order $$\Theta (\prod _{i=1}^{k+1}\left( {\begin{array}{c}l_{i-1}\\ l_i\end{array}}\right) )$$Θ(∏i=1k+1li-1li), where $$l_0=n$$l0=n and $$l_1\ge l_2\ge \dots \ge l_{k+1}$$l1≥l2≥⋯≥lk+1 are such that $$n-l_1,l_1-l_2,\dots , l_k-l_{k+1},l_{k+1}$$n-l1,l1-l2,⋯,lk-lk+1,lk+1 differ by at most one. On the other hand if $$h(P)\le k$$h(P)≤k, then we show that this number is of smaller order of magnitude. Let $$\vee _r$$∨r denote the poset on $$r+1$$r+1 elements $$a, b_1, b_2, \ldots , b_r$$a,b1,b2,…,br, where $$a < b_i$$a<bi for all $$1 \le i \le r$$1≤i≤r and let $$\wedge _r$$∧r denote its dual. For any values of k and l, we construct a $$\{\wedge _k,\vee _l\}$${∧k,∨l}-free family and we conjecture that it contains asymptotically the maximum number of pairs in containment. We prove that this conjecture holds under the additional assumption that a chain of length 4 is forbidden. Moreover, we prove the conjecture for some small values of k and l. We also derive the asymptotics of the maximum number of copies of certain tree posets T of height 2 in $$\{\wedge _k,\vee _l\}$${∧k,∨l}-free families $${{\mathcal {F}}}\subseteq 2^{[n]}$$F⊆2[n].
Distress, problems, referral wish, and supportive health care use in breast cancer survivors beyond the first year after chemotherapy completion
Authors: Admiraal J. M. , Hoekstra-Weebers J. E. H. M. , Schröder C. P. , Tuinier W. , Hospers G. A. P. , Reyners Anna K. L.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

We examined distress levels, problems, referral wish, and supportive health care use in a cross-sectional group of breast cancer survivors at two-time points with a 1-year time interval. Also, factors related to continuing elevated distress were explored.

Methods

Breast cancer survivors, 1–5 years after chemotherapy completion, filled in the Dutch Distress Thermometer/Problem List (DT/PL) and questions on background characteristics at study inclusion (T1). DT/PL responses and health care use were discussed during semi-structured interviews. One year later, re-assessment took place (T2). The data were analyzed by descriptive and univariate analyses. Continuing elevated distress was defined as a DT score ≥ 5 at T1 and T2.

Results

Seventy-three survivors completed all questionnaires (response = 84.6%). Eighteen (25%) experienced continuing elevated distress. Fatigue (T1 N = 48 (66%); T2 N = 41 (56%)) and lack of physical fitness (T1 N = 44 (60%); T2 N = 36 (49%)) were most often reported. Time since diagnosis, health care use, and practical, social, emotional and physical problems were significantly associated with continuing elevated distress. Between diagnosis and T1, N = 49(67%) used supportive healthcare services, mostly a psychologist and/or a physical/lymphedema therapist, and between T1 and T2, 39 (53%) did. At T1, 8 (11%) expressed a referral wish and at T2, 11 (16%) did.

Conclusions

Screening and management of distress, problems, and referral wish are important, even years after chemotherapy completion as a substantial proportion of breast cancer survivors continue to report elevated distress and problems. Special attention should be paid to survivors reporting physical problems, especially fatigue and lack of physical fitness, since these problems are most strongly related to continuing elevated distress.
Metabolic adaptability shifts of cell membrane fatty acids of Komagataeibacter hansenii HDM1-3 improve acid stress resistance and survival in acidic environments
Authors: Li Yuanjing , Yan Pengfei , Lei Qingyun , Li Bingyu , Sun Yue , Li Shuangfei , Lei Hong , Xie Ning
Published: September 2019

Komagataeibacter hansenii HDM1-3 (K. hansenii HDM1-3) has been widely applied for producing bacterial cellulose (BC). The yield of BC has been frequently limited by the acidification during sugar metabolism, due to the generation of organic acids such as acetic acid. In this study, the acid resistance mechanism of K. hansenii HDM1-3 has been investigated from the aspect of metabolic adaptability of cell membrane fatty acids. Firstly, we observed that the survival rate of K. hansenii HDM1-3 was decreased with lowered pH values (adjusted with acetic acids), accompanied by increased leakage rate. Secondly, the cell membrane adaptability in response to acid stress was evaluated, including the variations of cell membrane fluidity and fatty acid composition. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids was increased (especially, C18-1w9c and C19-Cyc), unsaturation degree and chain length of fatty acids were also increased. Thirdly, the potential molecular regulation mechanism was further elucidated. Under acid stress, the fatty acid synthesis pathway was involved in the structure and composition variations of fatty acids, which was proved by the activation of both fatty acid dehydrogenase (des) and cyclopropane fatty acid synthase (cfa) genes, as well as the addition of exogenous fatty acids. The fatty acid synthesis of K. hansenii HDM1-3 may be mediated by the activation of two-component sensor signaling pathways in response to the acid stress. The acid resistance mechanism of K. hansenii HDM1-3 adds to our knowledge of the acid stress adaptation, which may facilitate the development of new strategies for improving the industrial performance of this species under acid stress.
Computable upper error bounds for Krylov approximations to matrix exponentials and associated $${\varvec{\varphi }}$$-functions
Authors: Jawecki Tobias , Auzinger Winfried , Koch Othmar
Published: September 2019

An a posteriori estimate for the error of a standard Krylov approximation to the matrix exponential is derived. The estimate is based on the defect (residual) of the Krylov approximation and is proven to constitute a rigorous upper bound on the error, in contrast to existing asymptotical approximations. It can be computed economically in the underlying Krylov space. In view of time-stepping applications, assuming that the given matrix is scaled by a time step, it is shown that the bound is asymptotically correct (with an order related to the dimension of the Krylov space) for the time step tending to zero. This means that the deviation of the error estimate from the true error tends to zero faster than the error itself. Furthermore, this result is extended to Krylov approximations of $$\varphi $$φ-functions and to improved versions of such approximations. The accuracy of the derived bounds is demonstrated by examples and compared with different variants known from the literature, which are also investigated more closely. Alternative error bounds are tested on examples, in particular a version based on the concept of effective order. For the case where the matrix exponential is used in time integration algorithms, a step size selection strategy is proposed and illustrated by experiments.
Prevalence and relevance of abnormal glucose metabolism in acute coronary syndromes: insights from the PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial
Authors:   the PLATO Investigators, Åkerblom Axel , Wojdyla Daniel , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Wallentin Lars , James Stefan K. , Budaj Andrzej , Katus Hugo A. , Himmelmann Anders , Huber Kurt , Siegbahn Agneta , Storey Robert F. , Becker Richard C.
Published: September 2019

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and abnormal glucose metabolism are associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease. We investigated the prevalence and prognostic importance of dysglycaemia in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial. Diabetes was defined as known diabetes or HbA1c ≥ 6.5% or non-fasting glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L on admission, prediabetes as HbA1c ≥ 5.7% but < 6.5%, and no diabetes as HbA1c < 5.7%. The primary endpoint was the composite of CV death, spontaneous myocardial infarction type 1 (sMI) or stroke at 12 months. Multivariable Cox regression models, adjusting for baseline characteristics, and biomarkers NT-proBNP and troponin I, were used to explore the association between glycaemia and outcome. On admission, 16,007 (86.1%) patients had HbA1c and/or glucose levels available and were subdivided into DM 38.5% (6160) (1501 patients had no previous DM diagnosis), prediabetes 38.8% (6210), and no DM 22.7% (3637). Kaplan Meier event rates at 12 months for CV death, sMI or stroke per subgroups were 14.5% (832), 9.0% (522), and 8.5% (293), respectively with multivariable adjusted HRs, versus no diabetes, for diabetes: 1.71 (1.50–1.95) and for prediabetes 1.03 (0.90–1.19). Corresponding event rates for CV death were 6.9% (391), 3.4% (195) and 3.0% (102), respectively, with adjusted HRs for patients with DM of: 1.92 (1.42–2.60) and for prediabetes 1.02 (0.79–1.32). Abnormal glucose metabolism is common in ACS patients, but only patients with definite DM have an increased CV risk, indicating that prediabetes is not immediately associated with worse CV outcomes.
CIGuide: in situ augmented reality laser guidance
Authors: Bárdosi Zoltán , Plattner Christian , Özbek Yusuf , Hofmann Thomas , Milosavljevic Srdjan , Schartinger Volker , Freysinger Wolfgang
Published: September 2019

Purpose 

A robotic intraoperative laser guidance system with hybrid optic-magnetic tracking for skull base surgery is presented. It provides in situ augmented reality guidance for microscopic interventions at the lateral skull base with minimal mental and workload overhead on surgeons working without a monitor and dedicated pointing tools.

Methods 

Three components were developed: a registration tool (Rhinospider), a hybrid magneto-optic-tracked robotic feedback control scheme and a modified robotic end-effector. Rhinospider optimizes registration of patient and preoperative CT data by excluding user errors in fiducial localization with magnetic tracking. The hybrid controller uses an integrated microscope HD camera for robotic control with a guidance beam shining on a dual plate setup avoiding magnetic field distortions. A robotic needle insertion platform (iSYS Medizintechnik GmbH, Austria) was modified to position a laser beam with high precision in a surgical scene compatible to microscopic surgery.

Results 

System accuracy was evaluated quantitatively at various target positions on a phantom. The accuracy found is 1.2 mm ± 0.5 mm. Errors are primarily due to magnetic tracking. This application accuracy seems suitable for most surgical procedures in the lateral skull base. The system was evaluated quantitatively during a mastoidectomy of an anatomic head specimen and was judged useful by the surgeon.

Conclusion 

A hybrid robotic laser guidance system with direct visual feedback is proposed for navigated drilling and intraoperative structure localization. The system provides visual cues directly on/in the patient anatomy, reducing the standard limitations of AR visualizations like depth perception. The custom- built end-effector for the iSYS robot is transparent to using surgical microscopes and compatible with magnetic tracking. The cadaver experiment showed that guidance was accurate and that the end-effector is unobtrusive. This laser guidance has potential to aid the surgeon in finding the optimal mastoidectomy trajectory in more difficult interventions.
Supportive care needs of patients following treatment for colorectal cancer: risk factors for unmet needs and the association between unmet needs and health-related quality of life—results from the ColoREctal Wellbeing (CREW) study
Authors:   Members of Study Advisory Committee, Sodergren S. C. , Wheelwright S. J. , Permyakova N. V. , Patel M. , Calman L. , Smith P. W. F. , Din A. , Richardson A. , Fenlon D. , Winter J. , Corner J. , Foster C.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To investigate unmet needs of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) at the end of treatment and whether unmet needs improve over time. Identify predictors of need following treatment and whether unmet need is associated with worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

As part of the UK ColoREctal Wellbeing (CREW) cohort study, patients treated for CRC completed the Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form-34 (SCNS SF-34) 15 and 24 months following surgery, along with questionnaires measuring HRQoL, wellbeing, life events, social support, and confidence to manage their cancer before surgery, 3, 9, 15, and 24 months post-surgery.

Results

The SCNS SF-34 was completed by 526 patients at 15 months and 510 patients at 24 months. About one-quarter of patients had at least one moderate or severe unmet need at both time points. Psychological and physical unmet needs were the most common and did not improve over time. Over 60% of patients who reported 5 or more moderate or severe unmet needs at 15 months experienced the same level of unmet need at 24 months. HRQoL at the beginning of treatment predicted unmet needs at the end of treatment. Unmet needs, specifically physical, psychological, and health system and information needs, were associated with poorer health and HRQoL at the end of treatment.

Conclusions

Unmet needs persist over time and are associated with HRQoL. Evaluation of HRQoL at the start of treatment would help inform the identification of vulnerable patients. Assessment and care planning in response to unmet needs should be integrated into person-centred care.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Early identification of CRC patients at risk of unmet needs will help infrom personalised survivorship care plans. The implementation of personalised and tailored services are likely to confer HRQoL gains.
Assessment of Livelihood Vulnerability to Drought: A Case Study in Dak Nong Province, Vietnam
Authors: Thao Nguyen Thi Thanh , Khoi Dao Nguyen , Xuan Tran Thanh , Tychon Bernard
Published: September 2019

In recent years, droughts have strongly affected the Central Highlands of Vietnam and have resulted in crop damage, yield decline, and serious water shortage. This study investigated the livelihood vulnerability of five communities of farmers who are exposed to droughts in one of the more vulnerable regions of Vietnam—Dak Nong Province. A survey of 250 households was conducted in the five communities to collect data on the region’s sociodemographic profile, livelihood systems, social networks, health status, food and water security, drought conditions, and climate variability. Data were aggregated using a livelihood vulnerability index and the IPCC vulnerability index. The survey results indicate that Quang Phu community is the most vulnerable of the study’s communities, followed by Nam N’dir, Dak Nang, Duc Xuyen, and Dak D’ro in descending order of vulnerability. Water availability and livelihood strategies are the most important variables in determining the vulnerability of the five surveyed communities. In order to reduce vulnerability to droughts, water management practices and livelihood diversification in farming and nonfarming activities are recommended for the study area.
The Acute Neuromuscular Responses to Cluster Set Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Latella Christopher , Teo Wei-Peng , Drinkwater Eric J. , Kendall Kristina , Haff G. Gregory
Published: September 2019

Background

Cluster sets (CSs) are a popular resistance training (RT) strategy categorised by short rest periods implemented between single or groups of repetitions. However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of CSs on acute intra-session neuromuscular performance is still equivocal.

Objective

The objective of this investigation was to determine the efficacy of a single session of CSs to attenuate losses in force, velocity and power compared to traditional set (TS) training.

Methods

Screening consisted of a systematic search of EMBASE, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and SPORTDiscus. Inclusion criteria were (1) measured one or more of mean/peak force, velocity or power; (2) implemented CSs in comparison to TSs; (3) an acute design, or part thereof; and (4) published in an English-language, peer-reviewed journal. Raw data (mean ± standard deviation) were extracted from included studies and converted into standardised mean differences (SMDs) and ± 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twenty-five studies were used to calculate SMD ± 95% CI. Peak (SMD = 0.815, 95% CI 0.105–1.524, p = 0.024) and mean (SMD = 0.863, 95% CI 0.319–1.406, p = 0.002) velocity, peak (SMD = 0.356, 95% CI 0.057–0.655, p = 0.019) and mean (SMD = 0.692, 95% CI 0.395–0.990, p < 0.001) power, and peak force (SMD = 0.306, 95% CI − 0.028 to 0.584, p = 0.031) favoured CS. Subgroup analyses demonstrated an overall effect for CS across loads (SMD = 0.702, 95% CI 0.548–0.856, p < 0.001), included exercises (SMD = 0.664, 95% CI 0.413–0.916, p < 0.001), experience levels (SMD = 0.790, 95% CI 0.500–1.080, p < 0.001) and CS structures (SMD = 0.731, 95% CI 0.567–0.894, p < 0.001) with no difference within subgroups.

Conclusion

CSs are a useful strategy to attenuate the loss in velocity, power and peak force during RT and should be used to maintain neuromuscular performance, especially when kinetic outcomes are emphasised. However, it remains unclear if the benefits translate to improved performance across all RT exercises, between sexes and across the lifespan.
Imagining Modernization: The Symbolic Embrace of GDP in China
Authors: van Heijster Joan
Published: September 2019

In China, economic development has been almost exclusively defined through the lens of gross domestic product (GDP). Additionally, the indicator is deeply ingrained in national and local policymaking. Despite its power, we know almost nothing about how GDP gained such a politically prominent position in China. This paper therefore asks: how was GDP embraced politically and integrated into the Chinese governance system in the mid-1980s and 1990s? The paper argues that in China GDP appropriated a symbolic function. Chinese politicians used the indicator as an ‘instrument of imagination’ and conceptualized the political goal of achieving modernization in terms of GDP. GDP improved the practical applicability and persuasiveness of the modernization narrative by reducing uncertainty and strengthening China’s socialist identity. Furthermore, the symbolic appropriation shaped the adoption of GDP targets in Five-Year Plans as well as the uptake of GDP in the local performance assessment system as a control tool. The Chinese case shows that macroeconomic indicators have different social functions, which make them dynamic tools that can be adjusted to a diverse range of societies. The empirical analysis is based on personal interviews with statisticians in China and the World Bank and extensive document analysis.
Optimization of end milling on Al–SiC-fly ash metal matrix composite using Topsis and fuzzy logic
Authors: Tamiloli N. , Venkatesan J. , Murali G. , Kodali Shyam Prasad , Sampath Kumar T. , Arunkumar M. P.
Published: September 2019

Metal matrix composites are extensively used in aerospace, automobile and other engineering applications as an alternative to a wide range of elements. High strength–weight ratio, durability and high corrosion resistance are benefits of metal matrix composites. The study that exhibits adopts optimal cutting parameters (speed, feed and depth of cut). The initial study is to explore end milling process of alumina (AA6082 with SiC 3% and fly ash 2%) molted metal matrix composite. The technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution and fuzzy logic for optimizing the cutting parameter values has been utilized in the MMC. The response surface methodology is being used to develop the numerical model between output responses and machining parameters. The second-order regression models are studied through analysis of variance. The experimental investigation exhibits that feed rate is the important factor on response variables.
Mental health and politics since the eurozone crisis: The role of mental
health professionals
Authors: Perera Isabel M.
Published: September 2019

Some of the most immediate health effects of the 2008 economic crisis
concerned the mind, not the body. Rates of generalized anxiety, chronic
depression, and even suicide spiked in many European societies. This
viewpoint highlights the role of mental health professionals in responding
to this emergency, and argues that their sustained mobilization is necessary
to its long-term resolution.
Hormonal and Psychogenic Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction in Men with HTLV-1
Authors: de Oliveira Cassius José Vitor , Carneiro Neto José Abraão , Andrade Rosana C.P. , de La Glória Orge Maria , Liberato de Matos Sheila Nunes F. , Rocha Paulo Novis , Marcelino de Carvalho Filho Edgar
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with neurological damage due to human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infection, but hormonal and psychogenic factors also cause ED.

Aim

To evaluate the association of psychogenic and hormonal factors with ED in men infected with HTLV-1.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we compared total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and neurologic manifestations in HTLV-1-infected men with or without ED. The International Index of Erectile Function was used to determine the degree of ED. Participants were grouped according to Osame’s Motor Disability Scale and the Expanded Disability Status Scale: HTLV-1-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), probable HAM/TSP, or HTLV-1 carrier. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare the groups, and regression analyses were used to show predictors of ED.

Main Outcome Measure

Sexual hormonal levels, psychogenic factors, and neurologic disabilities were found to be associated with ED.

Results

ED was associated with age older than 60 years (P < .001), degree of neurologic involvement (P < .001), depression (P = .009), and anxiety (P = .008). In the multivariate analyses, only age and degree of neurological injury remained as risk factors for ED.

Clinical Implications

Neurological manifestations are a stronger predictor of ED than hormonal and psychogenic factors in HTLV-1-infected men.

Strengths & Limitations

The statistical power of the study was limited due to the low number of participants, but neurologic manifestations were clearly associated with ED. There was no strong association between hormonal and psychogenic factors and ED.

Conclusion

Hormonal and psychogenic factors did not show a strong association with ED in individuals with HTLV-1, but neurological manifestations were strongly associated with ED in these individuals.
Sexual Intercourse for Induction of Spontaneous Onset of Labor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Carbone Luigi , De Vivo Valentino , Saccone Gabriele , D’Antonio Francesco , Mercorio Antonio , Raffone Antonio , Arduino Bruno , D’Alessandro Pietro , Sarno Laura , Conforti Alessandro , Maruotti Giuseppe Maria , Alviggi Carlo , Zullo Fulvio
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Sexual intercourse during pregnancy is commonly believed to trigger the onset of contractions and, therefore, labor. However, in low-risk pregnancies, there is neither association with preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, or low birth weight, nor with spontaneous onset of labor at term.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of sexual intercourse for spontaneous onset of labor at term in singleton pregnancies.

Methods

The systematic search was conducted using electronic databases from inception of each database to June 2019. Review of articles also included the abstracts of all references retrieved from the search. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials comparing sexual intercourse in singleton low-risk pregnancies at term with controls (either reduced number of coitus or no coitus) for spontaneous onset of labor. Estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was the incidence of spontaneous onset of labor. The summary measures were reported as summary relative risk with 95% CI using the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird.

Results

Data extracted from 3 trials, including 1,483 women with singleton pregnancy at term and cephalic presentation, were analyzed. Women who were randomized in the sexual intercourse group had similar incidence of spontaneous onset of labor compared with control subjects (0.82% vs 0.80%; relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.98–1.07).

Clinical Implication

Sexual intercourse should not be restricted in low-risk term pregnancies. Further studies are needed to properly evaluate the impact of orgasm, penetration, condom use, frequency of intercourse and other factors on induction of labor at term.

Strength & limitations

Our study has several strengths. The three included trials had low risk of allocation bias; intention-to-treat analysis was used; this is the first meta-analysis on this issue so far. Limitations mainly depend on the design of the included studies. Firstly, compliance to the protocol relied on self-reporting by patients; in addition, not all the features of sexual intercourse could be adequately assessed (orgasm, nipple stimulation, sexual positions, etc.).

Conclusion

In women with singleton, cephalic, low-risk pregnancies, sexual intercourse at term does not significantly increase the incidence of spontaneous onset of labor.
Maritime Ritual Economies of Cosmic Synchronicity: Summer Solstice Events at a Civic-Ceremonial Center on the Northern Gulf Coast of Florida
Authors: Sassaman Kenneth E. , Blessing Meggan E. , Goodwin Joshua M. , Jenkins Jessica A. , Mahar Ginessa J. , Boucher Anthony , Barbour Terry E. , Donop Mark C.
Published: September 2019

Places such as Poverty Point, Mound City, and Chaco Canyon remind us that the siting of ritual infrastructure in ancient North America was a matter of cosmological precedent. The cosmic gravity of these places gathered persons periodically in numbers that challenged routine production. Ritual economies intensified, but beyond the material demands of hosting people, the siting of these places and the timing of gatherings were cosmic work that preconfigured these outcomes. A first millennium AD civic-ceremonial center on the northern Gulf Coast of Florida illustrates the rationale for holding feasts on the end of a parabolic dune that it shared with an existing mortuary facility. Archaeofauna from large pits at Shell Mound support the inference that feasts were timed to summer solstices. Gatherings were large, judging from the infrastructure in support of feasts and efforts to intensify production through oyster mariculture and the construction of a large tidal fish trap. The 250-year history of summer solstice feasts at Shell Mound reinforces the premise that ritual economies were not simply the amplification of routine production. It also suggests that the ecological potential for intensification was secondary to the cosmic significance of solstice-oriented dunes and their connection to mortuary and world-renewal ceremonialism.
The Portuguese Radical Left Parties Supporting Government: From Policy-Takers to Policymakers?
Authors: De Giorgi Elisabetta , Cancela João
Published: September 2019

How do parties that have long been confined to opposition behave once they take the decision to support government? This article analyses the case of the three Portuguese radical left parties that took such a move in the wake of the post-bailout 2015 election. Leveraging the concept of contract parliamentarism and the analysis of different data sources through different methods, we show that the three parties adopted a similar strategy after agreeing deals with the centre-left socialists. Specifically, while keeping close scrutiny on the executive action, the parties have voted consensually on most of the legislation proposed by the government. In exchange, the majority of policy pledges agreed with the socialists were implemented by the beginning of the legislature. Based on these findings, the article underlines the importance for supporting parties of conducting a thorough negotiation of policy goals and the timing of their implementation before joining the government, and of pursuing an autonomous discursive agenda.
The Meaning and Telos of Israel’s Election: An Interfaith Response to N.T. Wright’s Reading of Paul
Authors: Kaminsky Joel , Reasoner Mark
Published: September 2019

N. T. Wright offers a systematic and highly influential metanarrative to account for Paul’s theology of Israel. However, Wright overlooks or underemphasizes important dimensions of Paul’s thinking, leading to problematic distortions. Thus, Wright claims that God rejected the historic people of Israel due to their failure to missionize the gentile nations, an idea not easily found in the Hebrew Bible texts Paul utilizes or in Paul’s own statements concerning his fellow Jews. Wright relies heavily on the diatribe of Rom 2 to build a Pauline theology of Israel, but he downplays the many positive things Paul says elsewhere about Israel’s status. Particularly troubling is Wright’s use of Rom 5 to argue that Paul characterizes Torah as divinely intended to draw sin onto Israel, with the expected consequence that human sin would reach its zenith within Israel, a view that moves Wright toward the very supersessionism against which Paul cautioned his gentile followers. These exegetical decisions, which form a tightly structured messiah-oriented understanding of Israel’s election, ignore what the Hebrew Bible and Paul affirm: while God accomplishes certain larger aims through Israel, God’s election of Israel is ultimately grounded in God’s inalienable love for Israel and Israel’s ancestors.
Cetuximab in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma – a narrative review
Authors: Iqbal M S , Wilkinson D , Tin A , Bossi P , Gradwell-Nelson L , Kovarik J , O'Hara J , Kelly C
Published: September 2019

Background

Concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy is the standard treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer. Cetuximab can be used in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, the randomised studies that led to approval for its use in this setting excluded nasopharyngeal cancer. In the context of limited data for the use of cetuximab in nasopharyngeal cancer in the medical literature, this review aimed to summarise the current evidence for its use in both primary and recurrent or metastatic disease.

Method

A literature search was performed using the keywords ‘nasopharyngeal neoplasm’, ‘cetuximab’ and ‘Erbitux’.

Results

Twenty studies were included. There were no randomised phase III trials, but there were nine phase II trials. The use of cetuximab in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been tested in various settings, including in combination with induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and in the palliative setting.

Conclusion

There is no evidence of benefit from the addition of cetuximab to standard management protocols, and there is some evidence of increased toxicity. There is more promise for its use in metastatic or locally recurrent settings. This review draws together the existing evidence and could provide a focus for future studies.
Predicting psychosis risk using a specific measure of cognitive control: a 12-month longitudinal study
Authors: Guo Joyce Y. , Niendam Tara A. , Auther Andrea M. , Carrión Ricardo E. , Cornblatt Barbara A. , Ragland J. Daniel , Adelsheim Steven , Calkins Roderick , Sale Tamara G. , Taylor Stephan F. , McFarlane William R. , Carter Cameron S.
Published: September 2019

Background

Identifying risk factors of individuals in a clinical-high-risk state for psychosis are vital to prevention and early intervention efforts. Among prodromal abnormalities, cognitive functioning has shown intermediate levels of impairment in CHR relative to first-episode psychosis and healthy controls, highlighting a potential role as a risk factor for transition to psychosis and other negative clinical outcomes. The current study used the AX-CPT, a brief 15-min computerized task, to determine whether cognitive control impairments in CHR at baseline could predict clinical status at 12-month follow-up.

Methods

Baseline AX-CPT data were obtained from 117 CHR individuals participating in two studies, the Early Detection, Intervention, and Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP) and the Understanding Early Psychosis Programs (EP) and used to predict clinical status at 12-month follow-up. At 12 months, 19 individuals converted to a first episode of psychosis (CHR-C), 52 remitted (CHR-R), and 46 had persistent sub-threshold symptoms (CHR-P). Binary logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression were used to test prediction models.

Results

Baseline AX-CPT performance (d-prime context) was less impaired in CHR-R compared to CHR-P and CHR-C patient groups. AX-CPT predictive validity was robust (0.723) for discriminating converters v. non-converters, and even greater (0.771) when predicting CHR three subgroups.

Conclusions

These longitudinal outcome data indicate that cognitive control deficits as measured by AX-CPT d-prime context are a strong predictor of clinical outcome in CHR individuals. The AX-CPT is brief, easily implemented and cost-effective measure that may be valuable for large-scale prediction efforts.
Phan Chu Trinh's Democratic Confucianism
Authors: Pham Kevin D.
Published: September 2019

A consensus on three claims has emerged in literature that explores the relationship between Confucianism and democracy: democracy is not the exclusive property of Western liberalism, Confucianism and liberalism are opposed, and democracy in East Asia would be best buttressed by Confucianism, not liberalism. Why, then, does Phan Chu Trinh (1872–1926), Vietnam's celebrated nationalist of the French colonial period, argue that liberalism and democracy are Western creations that cannot be decoupled, and, if adopted by the Vietnamese, will allow Confucianism to find its fullest expression? The answer is that Trinh ignores liberalism's individualism while celebrating other aspects of liberalism and Western civilization. Trinh's interpretation of Western ideas, although naive, is a creative one that offers political theorists a lesson: it may be useful to view foreign ideas as foreign, to interpret them generously, and to import the creative distortion to revive our own cherished, yet faltering, traditions.
The Cambridge School and Kripke: Bug Detecting with the History of Political Thought
Authors: Bosworth William , Dowding Keith
Published: September 2019

We propose a two-step method for studying the history of political thought roughly in line with the contextualism of the Cambridge School. It reframes the early Cambridge School as a bug-detecting program for the outdated conceptual baggage we unknowingly accommodate with our political terminology. Such accommodation often entails propositions that are inconsistent with even our most cherished political opinions. These bugs can cause political arguments to crash. This reframing takes seriously the importance of theories of meaning in the formative methodological arguments of the Cambridge School and updates the argument in light of new developments. We argue the new orthodoxy of Saul Kripke's causal theory of meaning in the philosophy of language better demonstrates the importance of contextual analysis to modern political theory.
Emotions in the development of moral norms within cooperative relationships
Authors: Carpendale Jeremy I. M. , Wallbridge Beau
Published: September 2019

We support May's criticism of attempts to reduce morality to being primarily based on evolved emotional reactions. However, we question the clarity and consistence of his own position and suggest taking a developmental approach. We focus on providing a developmental approach to the role of emotions in the social origin of moral norms.
Moral reasoning performance determines epistemic peerdom
Authors: McAuliffe William H. B. , McCullough Michael E.
Published: September 2019

We offer a friendly criticism of May's fantastic book on moral reasoning: It is overly charitable to the argument that moral disagreement undermines moral knowledge. To highlight the role that reasoning quality plays in moral judgments, we review literature that he did not mention showing that individual differences in intelligence and cognitive reflection explain much of moral disagreement. The burden is on skeptics of moral knowledge to show that moral disagreement arises from non-rational origins.
Analyzing debunking arguments in moral psychology: Beyond the counterfactual analysis of influence by irrelevant factors
Authors: Demaree-Cotton Joanna
Published: September 2019

May assumes that if moral beliefs are counterfactually dependent on irrelevant factors, then those moral beliefs are based on defective belief-forming processes. This assumption is false. Whether influence by irrelevant factors is debunking depends on the mechanisms through which this influence occurs. This raises the empirical bar for debunkers and helps May avoid an objection to his Debunker's Dilemma.
Defending optimistic rationalism: A reply to commentators
Authors: May Joshua
Published: September 2019

In response, I elaborate on my conception of moral reasoning, as well as clarify the structure of debunking arguments and how my cautious optimism is only of the “glass half full” sort. I also explain how rationalism can capture insights purportedly only explained by sentimentalist and Humean views. The reply concludes by clarifying and admitting some limits of the book's scope.