bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hutchesonian Inspired Agent‐Based Virtue Ethics
Authors: Gelfand Scott
Published: December 2019

Francis Hutcheson's moral sense theory is the inspiration for both act utilitarianism and a contemporary virtue ethics approach that Michael Slote calls agent‐based virtue ethics. In this essay, I look at other possibilities for ethical theory that spring from Hutcheson's writings and conclude that the landscape of sentimentalist inspired ethics is richer than many realize. I begin this article with a short explanation of Hutcheson's moral sense theory. I explain that Hutcheson proposes and embraces three distinct criteria of moral evaluation, one of which is concerned with the evaluation of motives and two of which are concerned with the evaluation of acts. Act utilitarianism adopts one of the criteria of act evaluation, and Slote's agent‐based virtue ethics adopts the remaining criterion of act evaluation and the criterion of motive evaluation. Then, after pointing out what I believe are shortcomings of Slote's agent‐based virtue ethics, I propose two Hutchesonian inspired theories, each of which is a compromise between act utilitarianism and agent‐based virtue ethics. The first, which I call hypothetical agent‐based virtue ethics, adopts two of Hutcheson's three criteria and is similar structurally to a virtue ethics theory articulated by Rosalind Hursthouse and Linda Zabzebski. The second, which, for lack of a better name, I call Hutchesonian hybridism, adopts all three of Hutcheson's criteria and is a hybrid combination of Slote's actualist agent‐based virtue ethics and hypothetical agent‐based virtue ethics. I argue that both hypothetical agent‐based virtue ethics and Hutchesonian hybridism overcome the shortcomings (pointed out earlier in this essay) of Slote's actualist agent‐based virtue ethics, and that both of these theories are, therefore, worthy of further consideration.
Depression, Acquired Capability for Suicide, and Attempted Suicide
Authors: Ferriman Matthew , O'Gorman John , Hawgood Jacinta , Rimkeviciene Jurgita
Published: December 2019

Objective

The study sought to replicate, with a community sample and different measures of the critical variables, the finding of Chu et al. (Cognitive Therapy and Research, 2016, 40, 22) in a military sample that suicide attempts were more frequent for those reporting higher numbers of depressive episodes if acquired capability for suicide (ACS) was also high.

Method

An online survey (N = 251) collected data on episodes and severity of depression, number of suicide attempts, and a questionnaire measure of ACS.

Results

The interaction effect reported by Chu et al. (Cognitive Therapy and Research, 2016, 40, 22) was replicated, but depended on using the Fearlessness of Death component of ACS and the number and not the severity of depressive episodes.

Conclusion

The moderating effect of ACS on the relation between depression and suicide attempts can be demonstrated beyond a military and predominately male sample. Limitations of the study are noted.
Testing Mechanisms: Carceral Contact and Political Participation
Authors: Davis Brandon R.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

This article tests two of the mechanisms—civic duty and governmental trust—through which carceral contact is theorized to be affecting political participation. This article does not examine whether criminal justice contact affects participation, but rather tests the mechanisms through which carceral contact is theorized to be affecting participation.

Methods

I employ the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Wave III) and utilize four different statistical analysis methods.

Results

I find that carceral contact has a significant direct effect and indirect effect on participation. Twenty‐one and 24 percent of the negative effect on participation is an indirect effect of carceral contact on feelings of civic duty and governmental trust, respectively.

Conclusions

My results strongly suggest that the causal arrow points in my hypothesized direction—carceral contact depresses levels of civic duty and governmental trust, which subsequently suppresses political participation.
Unrelated question model with two decks of cards
Authors: Sedory Stephen A. , Singh Sarjinder , Olanipekun Oluwaseun L. , Wark Colin
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we propose a new unrelated question model for estimating the prevalence of a sensitive characteristic within a population by utilizing two decks of cards. The resultant estimator is then compared to its competitors as to efficiency and as to protection of respondents. A real data application analyzing e‐cigarette use among college students is considered.
Does foreign investment benefit the exporting activities of Vietnamese firms?
Authors: Ha Van , Holmes Mark J. , Hassan Gazi
Published: December 2019

Using firm‐level data, this paper examines the effects of foreign investment on the exporting behaviour of domestic firms in the Vietnamese manufacturing and service sectors. Applying the Heckman selection model on panel data and following the Wooldridge approach, we find that investment by foreign firms has a significant positive effect on the decision of domestic firms in the same and upstream sectors to export. The proportion of exports of domestic firms declines through horizontal and forward linkages, but increases through backward linkages in the manufacturing sector. However, there is only weak evidence in support of export spillovers on domestic firms in the service sector. We also find that the presence of foreign firms has differing effects on the exporting activities of low‐ versus high‐tech firms in the manufacturing sector.
CT findings in 20 dogs and six cats with confirmed nasal foreign bodies
Authors: Moreno‐Aguado Beatriz , Carrera Ines , Holdsworth Andrew , Agthe Petra , Maddox Thomas W. , Trevail Tim
Published: December 2019

The diagnosis and treatment of nasal foreign bodies usually includes a combination of rhinoscopy and imaging techniques, such as CT. The purpose of this retrospective, multicenter study was to describe the CT characteristics of nasal foreign bodies in dogs and cats and to determine if different nasal CT features exist between acute and chronic cases. Twenty dogs and six cats met the inclusion criteria. Eleven nasal foreign bodies (42%) were detected confidently with CT. The foreign body had a linear shape in 81% of cases and displayed a “tubular‐like appearance” in 54% of cases. In five cases (19%), a foreign body was suspected but not clearly visible. Additional CT changes were present in the nasal passages in 96% of the cases. The presence of turbinate destruction (P = .021) and mucosal thickening (P = .014) on CT were associated with the presence of a chronic nasal foreign body. In this sample, the nature of the foreign body did not influence its visibility and was not associated with specific CT characteristics. Computed tomography may be useful in the investigation of nasal foreign bodies, however, a negative CT examination does not exclude their presence.
Recent measurements with a synthetic two-layer model of the vocal folds and extension of Titze's surface wave model to a body-cover model
Authors: Fulcher Lewis P. , Scherer Ronald C.
Published: December 2019

The experiments of Mendelsohn and Zhang in 2011 (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 130, 2961–2968) with six synthetic, two-layer models of the vocal folds were undertaken to better understand the role that the body layer plays in determining the properties of phonation. This rich data set provides an opportunity to extend Titze's surface wave model to a body-cover model. Much of Mendelsohn and Zhang's data can be interpreted with this model by assuming that the ratio of the spring constants of the two oscillators is that of the ratio of the Young's moduli for the two layers, and that the ratio of the masses of the oscillators is proportional to the ratio of the depths of the two layers.
Spectral and temporal measures of coarticulation in child speech
Authors: Cychosz Margaret , Edwards Jan R. , Munson Benjamin , Johnson Keith
Published: December 2019

Speech produced by children is characterized by a high fundamental frequency which complicates measurement of vocal tract resonances, and hence coarticulation. Here two whole-spectrum measures of coarticulation are validated, one temporal and one spectral, that are less sensitive to these challenges. Using these measures, consonant-vowel coarticulation is calculated in the speech of a large sample of 4-year-old children. The measurements replicate known lingual coarticulatory findings from the literature, demonstrating the utility of these acoustic measures of coarticulation in speakers of all ages.
Clinical Perceptions on the Physiological, Psychological, and Clinical Influence of Kinesio Tex Tape (KTT) in Health Care Practice
Authors: Boehm Kayla E. , Long Blaine C. , Millar Mitchell T. , Miller Kevin C.
Published: December 2019

Effectiveness of Kinesiology Tex Tape (KTT) is conflicting, with some clinicians supporting and others refuting its effects. There is limited information on the psychological effects of KTT or whether its increased use has been influenced by professional athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological, psychological, and use of KTT. A descriptive survey on the use of KTT was performed with athletic trainers and other health care providers. Many reported that KTT benefited patients physiologically and psychologically. Those who thought KTT provided a physiological benefit indicated that they use it. Many indicated KTT benefited patients psychologically, without impacting them physiologically. In addition, clinicians indicated KTT use has been influenced by professional athletes.
Coaching Strategies Used to Deliver Quality Youth Sport Programming
Authors: Bean Corliss , Shaikh Majidullah , Forneris Tanya
Published: December 2019

Coaches are primary influencers in helping youth achieve positive developmental outcomes in sport; however, it is not well understood how coaches achieve quality program delivery. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to understand strategies that coaches used to facilitate program quality in youth sport and (b) explore differences in strategies between recreational and competitive programs. Twenty-five coaches participated in semistructured interviews, where they discussed strategies employed for program delivery. Interviews were guided, in-part, by Eccles and Gootman’s eight setting features that should be present within a program for youth to achieve positive developmental outcomes. An inductive-deductive thematic analysis was employed, in which strategies associated with facilitating program quality were interpreted inductively, and then categorised deductively under a relevant setting feature. Results indicated that coaches used unique strategies across all eight setting features, with a predominant focus on strategies to support youth’s efficacy and mattering (e.g., giving positive reinforcement) and opportunities for skill-building (e.g., valuing holistic development of youth), with lesser focus on strategies that involved integrating family, school, and community. Practical implications are discussed on how coaches can use strategies to address multiple setting features and recommendations are provided for improving program delivery.
Clinical effects of epidurally administered dexmedetomidine with or without lidocaine in sheep
Authors: Mattos‐Junior Ewaldo , Flaherty Derek , Nishimura Lilian Toshiko , Carregaro Adriano Bonfim , de Carvalho Leonardo Lamarca
Published: December 2019

Background

The aims of this study were evaluate cardiopulmonary, sedative and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine–lidocaine combination via lumbosacral epidural injection in sheep.

Methods

Six Santa Inês breed sheep, 16±6 months old and weighing 42.2 ± 5.7 kg were used. Sheep were subjected to epidural anaesthesia with three treatments: L, lidocaine (1.2 mg/kg), D, dexmedetomidine (2.5 μg/kg) or DL, dexmedetomidine plus lidocaine (2.5 μg/kg + 1.2 mg/kg). Drugs were injected via pre‐placed lumbosacral epidural catheters. Cardiopulmonary, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, degree of sedation and antinociceptive aspects were measured before drug administration (T0) and then at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after drug injection (T15–T120) in all treatments and at T0 to T240 in DL.

Results

There were significantly increases in PaCO2 at times T60 and T120 in D, and at T30–T120 in DL, compared to baseline. The antinociceptive effects were observed up to 240 min in DL and 60 min in L, and were more intense in DL. Treatment D provided analgesia only in the perineal region, and only at T15.

Conclusion

The combination of DEX with lidocaine produced similar cardiopulmonary changes compared with either drug alone, but with greater and more prolonged antinociceptive effects.
Revealing mass-degenerate states in Higgs boson signals
Authors: AbdusSalam Shehu , Cabrera Maria Eugenia
Published: December 2019

The observed Higgs boson signals to-date could be due to having two quasi-degenerate $$125 \,\text {GeV}$$125GeV scalar states in Nature. This kind of scenario tallies well with the predictions from the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM). We have analysed the phenomenological NMSSM Higgs boson couplings and derived a parameterization of the signal strengths within the two quasi-degenerate framework. With essentially two parameters, it is shown that the combined strengths of the two quasi-degenerate Higgs states in the leptonic (and b-quark) decay channels depart from the Standard Model values in the opposite direction to those in the vector boson channels. We identify experimental measurements for distinguishing a single from a double Higgs scenarios. The proposed parameterization can be used for benchmarking studies towards establishing the status of quasi-degenerate Higgs scenarios.
Instabilities of Nonconservative Fluid-Loaded Systems
Authors: Thompson J. Michael T. , Virgin Lawrence N.
Published: December 2019

Nonlinear bifurcations and instabilities of autonomous nonconservative systems, mainly involving the fluid loading of a solid or structure, are reviewed and described in this accessible, pictorial overview. In contrast to the earlier papers in this series (focusing on the instability of elastic deformable systems, and low-order periodically-forced mechanical systems), we focus on a handful of case studies in which the loss of stability is primarily driven by nonconservative forces, i.e. path-dependent forces not associated with a potential. Many systems involving fluid-structure interaction can lose stability under changing conditions in which there is a net flow of energy from the fluid to the structure, sometimes resulting in growing oscillatory behavior. Again, the generic manifestations of instability typically occur within the framework of bifurcation theory. Progression is from simple local bifurcations to more complex global events, and all are related to instructive and intriguing applications. Hopf bifurcations are presented in the context of the galloping and flutter of cables and pipes. Next, Neimark bifurcations appear in aircraft applications involving the free-play fluttering of aerofoils and the wing rock of the Harrier jump-jet. Turning to ships in wind and waves, a homoclinic saddle connection governs the surging and surf-riding of a vessel in stern seas, while an omega flow explosion can compromise the course-keeping of a passenger ferry in a side wind. Recent work on the dynamic step-buckling of a spherical shell illustrates the role of a center manifold, and the paper ends with a careful study of dissipation-generated instabilities, drawing on the historical struggles to understand the evolution of spinning liquid planets.
Hopf Bifurcations, Periodic Windows and Intermittency in the Generalized Lorenz Model
Authors: Wawrzaszek Anna , Krasińska Agata
Published: December 2019

In the present study, we analyze the dynamics of a four-dimensional generalized Lorenz system with one variable describing the profile of the magnetic field induced in a convected magnetized fluid. In particular, we identify the subcritical Hopf bifurcation, at which the dimension of the unstable manifold is increased or reduced by two. Moreover, the new four-dimensional system behavior depending on the control parameters is considered and bidirectional bifurcation structures are revealed. The results show the existence of several windows of nonchaotic variation (windows of order), in particular period-3 windows at the edge of which type I intermittency is observed.
Bifurcations of a Bouncing Ball Dynamical System
Authors: Deng Shengfu
Published: December 2019

A deceptively simple difference system of a bouncing ball is investigated. Applying the center manifold theorem and the normal form analysis, we first give the parameter conditions for the flip bifurcation. Then we discuss the 1:2 resonance. Because the nondegeneracy conditions are not satisfied, we use the approximation of mappings by a flow and change this difference system into an ordinary differential system with dimension two. With the aid of the Melnikov method, the homoclinic bifurcation and the Poincaré bifurcation are analyzed, which imply the existence of the invariant circles for the difference system. Furthermore, we compute the normal forms to provide the parameter conditions for the Chenciner bifurcation and also obtain the stability of the fixed point. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to verify the obtained results.
A Novel Threshold Across which the Negative Stimulation Evokes Action Potential Near a Saddle-Node Bifurcation in a Neuronal Model with Ih Current
Authors: Guan Linan , Jia Bing , Gu Huaguang
Published: December 2019

The negative or hyperpolarization pulse stimulation induces action potential, i.e. the post-inhibitory rebound spike, which has been widely observed in various single neurons with hyperpolarization-activated cation current ([Formula: see text]) in neuroscience and is suggested to be evoked from a focus near the Hopf bifurcation according to the traditional viewpoint of nonlinear dynamics. In the present paper, a novel viewpoint that post-inhibitory rebound spike can be evoked from a stable node near the saddle-node bifurcation on invariant circle (SNIC) is proposed, which can be well interpreted with hyperpolarization activation characteristic of [Formula: see text] current, bifurcation analysis, and threshold. Especially, the boundary between the subthreshold and suprathreshold initial values which respectively evoke subthreshold potential and action potential is acquired to be a threshold surface containing the saddle. [Formula: see text] current after the negative pulse stimulation for small conductance [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is low enough to evoke just a subthreshold potential while for large [Formula: see text] is high enough to evoke a post-inhibitory rebound spike. For small [Formula: see text], the pulse induces the decrease of membrane potential [Formula: see text] and then the phase trajectory always stays within the subthreshold initial value region locating lower to the threshold surface with a nearly fixed [Formula: see text] value. For large [Formula: see text], the threshold surface changes and is composed of two parts: one part with a nearly fixed [Formula: see text] value and the other with a nearly fixed value of [Formula: see text] variable to describe [Formula: see text] inactivation probability. Although the negative pulse stimulation induces the decrease of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] increases to a level high enough and then the phase trajectory runs across the part with a nearly fixed [Formula: see text] value to form a post-inhibitory rebound spike. The appearance of the novel [Formula: see text] threshold is the internal dynamical mechanism for the generation of post-inhibitory rebound spike, and the external cause is that the negative pulse stimulation induces the phase trajectory to run across the [Formula: see text] threshold surface. The results present a novel nonlinear phenomenon and the corresponding dynamical mechanism related to post-inhibitory rebound spike induced by [Formula: see text] current near the SNIC bifurcation point.
Controlling Coexisting Attractors of Conditional Symmetry
Authors: Lu Tianai , Li Chunbiao , Jafari Sajad , Min Fuhong
Published: December 2019

Conditional symmetry is known as a new regime for providing coexisting duplicate oscillations with opposite polarity. Polarity balance can be obtained from a function for hosting conditional symmetry. In this paper, new cases of chaotic systems with conditional symmetry are coined from 1D and 2D offset boosting based on a suitable polarity adjustment. Conditional symmetric attractors are controlled effectively by a simple absolute value function, where the distance between two coexisting attractors of conditional symmetry is modified linearly by the offset boosting constant, meanwhile the size of the coexisting attractors gets controlled by the slope. Coexisting attractors of conditional symmetry are thereafter implemented based on the develop kit of STM32.
A note on large deviations for unbounded observables
Authors: Nicol Matthew , Török Andrew
Published: December 2019

We consider exponential large deviations estimates for unbounded observables on uniformly expanding dynamical systems. We show that uniform expansion does not imply the existence of a rate function for unbounded observables no matter the tail behavior of the cumulative distribution function. We give examples of unbounded observables with exponential decay of autocorrelations, exponential decay under the transfer operator in each [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and strictly stretched exponential large deviation. For observables of form [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] periodic, on uniformly expanding systems we give the precise stretched exponential decay rate. We also show that a classical example in the literature of a bounded observable with exponential decay of autocorrelations yet with no rate function is degenerate as the observable is a coboundary.
ACCELERATING THE EMERGENCE OF ORDER IN SWARMING SYSTEMS
Authors: XIAO YANDONG , SONG CHULIANG , TIAN LIANG , LIU YANG-YU
Published: December 2019

Our ability to understand and control the emergence of order in swarming systems is a fundamental challenge in contemporary science. The standard Vicsek model (SVM) — a minimal model for swarming systems of self-propelled particles — describes a large population of agents reaching global alignment without the need of central control. Yet, the emergence of order in this model takes time and is not robust to noise. In many real-world scenarios, we need a decentralized protocol to guide a swarming system (e.g., unmanned vehicles or nanorobots) to reach an ordered state in a prompt and noise-robust manner. Here, we find that introducing a simple adaptive rule based on the heading differences of neighboring particles in the Vicsek model can effectively speed up their global alignment, mitigate the disturbance of noise to alignment, and maintain a robust alignment under predation. This simple adaptive model of swarming systems could offer new insights in understanding the prompt and flexible formation of animals and help us design better protocols to achieve fast and robust alignment for multi-agent systems.
Humanoid Robot RGB-D SLAM in the Dynamic Human Environment
Authors: Zhang Tianwei , Nakamura Yoshihiko
Published: December 2019

Unsteady locomotion and the dynamic environment are two problems that block humanoid robots to apply visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) approaches. Humans are often considered as moving obstacles and targets in humanoid robots working space. Thus, in this paper, we propose a robust dense RGB-D SLAM approach for the humanoid robots working in the dynamic human environments. To deal with the dynamic human objects, a deep learning-based human detector is combined in the proposed method. After the removal of the dynamic object, we fast reconstruct the static environments through a dense RGB-D point clouds fusion framework. In addition to the humanoid robot falling problem, which usually results in visual sensing discontinuities, we propose a novel point clouds registration-based method to relocate the robot pose. Therefore, our robot can continue the self localization and mapping after the falling. Experimental results on both the public benchmarks and the real humanoid robot SLAM experiments indicated that the proposed approach outperformed state-of-the-art SLAM solutions in dynamic human environments.
Deep Learning-Based Stair Segmentation and Behavioral Cloning for Autonomous Stair Climbing
Authors: Panchi Navid , Agrawal Khush , Patil Unmesh , Gujarathi Aniket , Jain Aman , Namdeo Harsha , Chiddarwar Shital S.
Published: December 2019

Mobile robots are widely used in the surveillance industry, for military and industrial applications. In order to carry out surveillance tasks like urban search and rescue operation, the ability to traverse stairs is of immense significance. This paper presents a deep learning-based approach for semantic segmentation of stairs, behavioral cloning for stair alignment, and a novel mechanical design for an autonomous stair climbing robot. The main objective is to solve the problem of locomotion over staircases with the proposed implementation. Alignment of a robot with stairs in an image is a traditional problem, and the most recent approaches are centered around hand-crafted texture-based Gabor filters and stair detection techniques. However, we could arrive at a more scalable and robust pipeline for alignment schemes. The proposed deep learning technique eliminates the need for manual tuning of parameters of the edge detector, the Hough accumulator and PID constants. The empirical results and architecture of stair alignment pipeline are demonstrated in this paper.
The coloring of the cozero-divisor graph of a commutative ring
Authors: Akbari S. , Khojasteh S.
Published: December 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with unity. The cozero-divisor graph of [Formula: see text] denoted by [Formula: see text] is a graph with the vertex set [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the set of all nonzero and non-unit elements of [Formula: see text], and two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent if and only if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] denote the clique number and the chromatic number of [Formula: see text], respectively. In this paper, we prove that if [Formula: see text] is a finite commutative ring, then [Formula: see text] is perfect. Also, we prove that if [Formula: see text] is a commutative Artinian non-local ring and [Formula: see text] is finite, then [Formula: see text]. For Artinian local ring, we obtain an upper bound for the chromatic number of cozero-divisor graph. Among other results, we prove that if [Formula: see text] is a commutative ring, then [Formula: see text] is a complete bipartite graph if and only if [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are fields. Moreover, we present some results on the complete [Formula: see text]-partite cozero-divisor graphs.
Tiling Optimizations for Stencil Computations Using Rewrite Rules in L
ift
Authors: Stoltzfus Larisa , Hagedorn Bastian , Steuwer Michel , Gorlatch Sergei , Dubach Christophe
Published: December 2019

Stencil computations are a widely used type of algorithm, found in applications from physical simulations to machine learning. Stencils are embarrassingly parallel, therefore fit on modern hardware such as Graphic Processing Units perfectly. Although stencil computations have been extensively studied, optimizing them for increasingly diverse hardware remains challenging. Domain-specific Languages (DSLs) have raised the programming abstraction and offer good performance; however, this method places the burden on DSL implementers to write almost full-fledged parallelizing compilers and optimizers.

Lift
has recently emerged as a promising approach to achieve
performance portability
by using a small set of reusable parallel primitives that DSL or library writers utilize. L
ift
’s key novelty is in its encoding of optimizations as a system of extensible rewrite rules which are used to explore the optimization space.

This article demonstrates how complex multi-dimensional stencil code and optimizations are expressed using compositions of simple 1D L
ift
primitives and rewrite rules. We introduce two optimizations that provide high performance for stencils in particular: classical overlapped tiling for multi-dimensional stencils and 2.5D tiling specifically for 3D stencils. We provide an in-depth analysis on how the tiling optimizations affects stencils of different shapes and sizes across different applications. Our experimental results show that our approach outperforms existing compiler approaches and hand-tuned codes.
A story of paradise
Authors: Nathan Lisa P. , Parvin Nassim
Published: December 2019

In this forum we highlight innovative thought, design, and research in the area of interaction design and sustainability, illustrating the diversity of approaches across HCI communities. ---
Roy Bendor, Editor
Considering cultural probes in HCI4D/ICTD research
Authors: Wyche Susan
Published: December 2019

This is a forum for perspectives on designing for communities marginalized by economics, social status, infrastructure, or policies. It will discuss design methods, theoretical and conceptual contributions, and methodological engagements for underserved communities. ---
Nithya Sambasivan, Editor
The Anatomy of Distressed Debt Markets
Authors: Altman Edward I. , Benhenni Robert
Published: December 2019

Over the last 30 years, the distressed debt market has come a long way and is now a legitimate investment asset class, albeit with periodic dramatic activity. Despite the benign credit cycle in US markets since the last great financial crisis, there are still more than 200 financial institutions in the United States, and a large number operating in other countries, such as Italy, Brazil, and India, specializing in investment in distressed and defaulted bonds and nonperforming loans. We document this novel and intriguing investment market, with a discussion of size, strategies, and performance. We also present new empirical results on pre- and postdefault experience, leveraging our unique databases on bond and loan prices and our indexes of performance of defaulted bonds and bank loans. The results show that the investment performance in distressed debt is not particularly impressive over the entire sample (1987–2016). For the last 10 years (2006–2016), however, the results are much better for overall outperformance, especially those using several strategies with respect to the seniority of the debt and market timing. This is due perhaps to favorable changes for creditors in the US bankruptcy code in 2005.
Bioenergetics underlying single-cell migration on aligned nanofiber scaffolds
Authors: Padhi Abinash , Thomson Alexander H. , Perry Justin B. , Davis Grace N. , McMillan Ryan P. , Loesgen Sandra , Kaweesa Elizabeth N. , Kapania Rakesh , Nain Amrinder S. , Brown David A.
Published: December 2019

Cell migration is centrally involved in a myriad of physiological processes, including morphogenesis, wound healing, tissue repair, and metastatic growth. The bioenergetics that underlie migratory behavior are not fully understood, in part because of variations in cell culture media and utilization of experimental cell culture systems that do not model physiological connective extracellular fibrous networks. In this study, we evaluated the bioenergetics of C2C12 myoblast migration and force production on fibronectin-coated nanofiber scaffolds of controlled diameter and alignment, fabricated using a nonelectrospinning spinneret-based tunable engineered parameters (STEP) platform. The contribution of various metabolic pathways to cellular migration was determined using inhibitors of cellular respiration, ATP synthesis, glycolysis, or glucose uptake. Despite immediate effects on oxygen consumption, mitochondrial inhibition only modestly reduced cell migration velocity, whereas inhibitors of glycolysis and cellular glucose uptake led to striking decreases in migration. The migratory metabolic sensitivity was modifiable based on the substrates present in cell culture media. Cells cultured in galactose (instead of glucose) showed substantial migratory sensitivity to mitochondrial inhibition. We used nanonet force microscopy to determine the bioenergetic factors responsible for single-cell force production and observed that neither mitochondrial nor glycolytic inhibition altered single-cell force production. These data suggest that myoblast migration is heavily reliant on glycolysis in cells grown in conventional media. These studies have wide-ranging implications for the causes, consequences, and putative therapeutic treatments aimed at cellular migration.
A Method for Cavity Scale Estimation Based on Ground‐Penetrating Radar (GPR) Explorations: An Experimental Study
Authors: Park Jeong-Jun , Chung Yoonseok , Hong Gigwon
Published: December 2019

This study described the results of experiments comparing the cavity scales obtained from the GPR exploration with the direct excavation of the identified cavity scales. The first experiment was carried out on the actual roadway, and the additional experiment was carried out on the mock‐up site to prevent the cavity collapse under the ground. It was confirmed that the soil depth of the predicted cavity and the identified cavity was similar, but the predicted cavity scales by GPR exploration overestimated the longitudinal and cross‐sectional widths compared with the identified cavity scales. Based on the correlation between the cavity scales predicted by GPR exploration and the cavity scales identified in the mock‐up test, an empirical formula for estimating the cavity scales was proposed.
From Catch‐Up to Transcend: The Development of Emerging Countries’ Green Economy
Authors: Lin Bie-Yu , Wang Shi-Xiao
Published: December 2019

As domestic concerns on clean economic growth arise, promoting green economy has become an urgent issue for emerging countries that are facing serious environment problems in industrialization. Through international imitation, emerging countries have the opportunity to adopt clean techniques of developed countries. Because of different industrial structures, it is unachievable to learn the green technology across all fields. Previous studies consider that innovations could create green production models to improve the production capacity that reduces energy input and waste discharge. However, while evaluating emerging countries’ economic growth, the environment indicators were often neglected. Empirical investigation of the role of innovation in green economy’s growth is still rare. The first objective of this study is to adopt an integrated framework to investigate emerging countries’ green economy by considering environmental factors. Secondly, environmentally sensitive productivity growth index was employed to decompose the productivity progress of green economy into catch‐up effect, innovation effect, and technical leadership to examine the role of innovation. Thirdly, implications were provided for the policy makers in relation to green growth. Thirty‐nine emerging countries were chosen as samples, which were divided into America, Asia, and Europe according to their locations. We found that America is still an imitator in developing green economy. In contrast, Asia starts to transition to innovation, which has become another critical promoter for green growth. Europe was found to lead on the technology frontier because of proper industrial planning and technology accumulation. The progress to innovation and technical leadership could ensure a stable green growth in the future. This research could be a route to open up the possibility of extending current study of green economy.
Insulin Enhances the In Vitro Osteogenic Capacity of Flexor Tendon-Derived Progenitor Cells
Authors: Durgam Sushmitha S. , Altmann Nadine N. , Coughlin Haley E. , Rollins Audrey , Hostnik Laura D.
Published: December 2019

There is increased incidence of tendon disorders and decreased tendon healing capacity in people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Recent studies have also suggested pathological ossification in repair tendon of people with DM. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the effects of insulin supplementation, an important pathophysiologic stimulus of DM, on tendon progenitor cell (TPC) proliferation and in vitro osteogenic capacity. Passage 3 TPCs were isolated from collagenase-digested, equine superficial digital flexor tendons. TPC proliferation was measured via MTT assay after 3 days of monolayer culture in medium supplemented with 0, 0.007, 0.07, and 0.7 nM insulin. In vitro osteogenic capacity of TPCs (Alizarin Red staining, osteogenic mRNA expression, and alkaline phosphatase bioactivity) was assessed with 0, 0.07, and 0.7 nM insulin-supplemented osteogenic induction medium. Insulin (0.7 nM) significantly increased TPC proliferation after 3 days of monolayer culture. Alizarin Red staining of insulin-treated TPC osteogenic cultures demonstrated robust cell aggregation and mineralized matrix secretion, in a dose-dependent manner. Runx2, alkaline phosphatase, and Osteonectin mRNA and alkaline phosphatase bioactivity of insulin-treated TPC cultures were significantly higher at day 14 of osteogenesis compared to untreated controls. Addition of picropodophyllin (PPP), a selective IGF-I receptor inhibitor, mitigated the increased osteogenic capacity of TPCs, indicating that IGF-I signaling plays an important role. Our findings indicate that hyperinsulinemia may alter TPC phenotype and subsequently impact the quality of repair tendon tissue.
Deep‐Mining Backtracking Search Optimization Algorithm Guided by Collective Wisdom
Authors: Li Zheng , Hu Zhongbo , Miao Yongfei , Xiong Zenggang , Xu Xinlin , Dai Canyun
Published: December 2019

The backtracking search optimization algorithm (BSA) is a recently proposed evolutionary algorithm with simple structure and well global exploration capability, which has been widely used to solve optimization problems. However, the exploitation capability of the BSA is poor. This paper proposes a deep‐mining backtracking search optimization algorithm guided by collective wisdom (MBSAgC) to improve its performance. The proposed algorithm develops two learning mechanisms, i.e., a novel topological opposition‐based learning operator and a linear combination strategy, by deeply mining the winner‐tendency of collective wisdom. The topological opposition‐based learning operator guides MBSAgC to search the vertices in a hypercube about the best individual. The linear combination strategy contains a difference vector guiding individuals learning from the best individual. In addition, in order to balance the overall performance, MBSAgC simulates the clusterity‐tendency strategy of collective wisdom to develop another difference vector in the above linear combination strategy. The vector guides individuals to learn from the mean value of the current generation. The performance of MBSAgC is tested on CEC2005 benchmark functions (including 10‐dimension and 30‐dimension), CEC2014 benchmark functions, and a test suite composed of five engineering design problems. The experimental results of MBSAgC are very competitive compared with those of the original BSA and state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.
Delivery of Euthyroid Baby following Hyperthyroidism in Twin Gestation with Coexisting Complete Hydatidiform Mole
Authors: Raj Rishi , Uy Edilfavia Mae , Hager Matthew , Asadipooya Kamyar
Published: December 2019

Context. Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a rare complication of pregnancy, ranging from molar pregnancy to choriocarcinoma. Twin pregnancies with GTD and coexisting normal fetus are extremely rare with an estimated incidence of 1 case per 22,000–100,000 pregnancies. Molecular mimicry between human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) leads to gestational trophoblastic hyperthyroidism (GTH) which is further associated with increased maternal and fetal complications. This is the first reported case in literature describing the delivery of a baby with biochemical euthyroid status following a twin pregnancy with hydatidiform mole (HM) associated with gestational trophoblastic hyperthyroidism (GTH). Case Description. A 24-year-old G4 P3 Caucasian female with twin gestation was admitted to hospital for gestation trophoblastic hyperthyroidism. She was later diagnosed to have twin pregnancy with complete mole and coexisting normal fetus complicated by gestational trophoblastic hyperthyroidism (GTH). Despite the risk associated with the continuation of molar pregnancy, per patient request, pregnancy was continued till viability of the fetus. The patient underwent cesarean section due to worsening preeclampsia and delivered a euthyroid baby at the 24th week of gestation. Conclusions. Twin pregnancy with gestational trophoblastic disease and coexisting normal fetus is associated with high risk of hyperthyroidism, and careful monitoring of the thyroid function test along with dose titration of thionamides is of utmost importance throughout the gestation. If normal thyroid hormone levels are maintained during the pregnancy, euthyroidism could be successfully achieved in the baby.
The Therapeutic Effect of Nordic Walking on Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wróblewska Agata , Gajos Agata , Smyczyńska Urszula , Bogucki Andrzej
Published: December 2019

Introduction. The effectiveness of the currently utilized therapies for FoG is limited. Several studies demonstrated a beneficial impact of Nordic walking (NW) on several gait parameters in Parkinson’s disease, but only one paper reported reduction of freezing.Research Question. In the present study, the question is whether NW is an effective therapeutic intervention in FoG.Methods. Twenty PD subjects trained NW for 12 weeks, with a frequency of twice per week. Each session lasted about 60 minutes. Twenty patients in the control group did not use any form of physiotherapy (no-intervention group). Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Provocative Test for Freezing and Motor Blocks (PTFMB) were performed at baseline, immediately after the end of NW program, and three months later.Results. The results of FOGQ, TUG, and total PTFMB revealed significant improvement after completing the exercise program, and this effect persisted at follow-up. The results of the PTFMB subtests showed a different effect of NW on particular subtypes of FoG. Start hesitation, sudden transient blocks that interrupt gait, and blocks on turning improved considerably, while motor blocks, when walking through narrow space and on reaching the target, did not respond to NW training.Significance. The results show, for the first time, that FoG during turning and step initiation, two most common forms of this gait disorder, has been significantly reduced by NW training. Different responses of particular subtypes of FoG to NW probably reflect their different pathophysiologies.Conclusions. The present study showed that NW training had a beneficial effect on FOG in PD and that the achieved improvement is long-lasting. Future research should clarify whether the observed improvement limited to FoG triggered by only some circumstances reflects different pathomechanisms of FoG subtypes.
Analysis of Acoustic Characteristics of Arbitrary Triangular Prism and Quadrangular Prism Acoustic Cavities
Authors: Shi Dongyan , Zhang Ying , Xiuhai Lv
Published: December 2019

This paper proposes a method for the analysis of acoustic modals and steady‐state responses of arbitrary triangular prism and quadrangular prism acoustic cavities based on the three‐dimensional improved Fourier series. First, the geometric models of arbitrary triangular prism and quadrangular prism acoustic cavities are established. To facilitate the calculation, the bottom and top surfaces of the irregular cavity are converted into the unit square domain by a coordinate transformation. Internal sound pressure‐admissible functions are constructed, and energy expressions are derived after coordinate transformation based on the three‐dimensional improved Fourier series. The acoustic modals of arbitrary triangular prism and quadrangular prism acoustic cavities are obtained by the Rayleigh–Ritz technique. At the same time, a point sound source excitation is introduced into the cavity to further study the steady‐state responses of prismatic acoustic cavities with different acoustic impedance boundary conditions. The reliability and universality of the method are verified by comparing with the finite element results. The method and results can provide some references and benchmarks for future research and application.
GLP-1 Gene-Modified Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Line Improves Blood Glucose Level in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Chang Ying , Dong Mingxin , Wang Yan , Yu Haotian , Sun Chengbiao , Jiang Xin , Chen Wei , Wang Xin , Xu Na , Liu Wensen , Jin Ningyi
Published: December 2019

Type 2 diabetes constitutes a serious threat to the health of patients, but there is currently no ideal treatment in the clinic. Glucagon-like peptide-1 and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have been confirmed to have antidiabetic effects, but both of them have certain defects in the process of antidiabetes, which cannot meet the need of clinical treatment. We hypothesized that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can be used as a vector to construct a novel cell line that expresses GLP-1 in vivo for a long time. And this cell strain results in lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetic mice. The results showed that after 3 weeks of intramuscular injection of the new cell line, the fasting blood glucose of type 2 diabetic mice returned to the normal range, and the hypoglycemic effect was maintained within 3 weeks after putting an end to the drug. At the same time, during the administration, the mice lost weight, the food intake decreased, the half-life of GLP-1 in the body prolonged, the IR reduced, and the pancreatic function recovered. The results of this study indicate that the novel cell line can prolong the half-life of GLP-1 in vivo and effectively lower blood sugar, which is a feasible method to improve type 2 diabetes.