bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coherence and chattering of a one‐way valve
Authors: Corli Andrea , Rosini Massimiliano D.
Published: March 2019

In this paper we analyze the effects of a one‐way valve on the isothermal gas flow through a pipe. The valve keeps the flow at a constant value, if possible; otherwise it is closed. First, for fixed, we define a Riemann solver and characterize the coherence of its initial data; coherence is a necessary condition for the construction of solutions to a general initial‐value problem based on a wave‐front tracking scheme. We also give an example of an invariant and coherent domain where the valve can be either open or closed. Second, for suitable compact sets of initial data we make precise the range of valuesthat guarantee the coherence. At last, in the case of a real valve with finite reaction time, we show the chattering (rapid switch on and off) of the valve in correspondence with incoherent initial data.
Europeanization in the Making: Perceptions of the Economic Effects of European Integration in Romania
Authors: Toader Florența , Radu Loredana
Published: March 2019

Using data collected through a national omnibus survey conducted in September 2017, this contribution studies the Romanian public’s attitude towards the European Union. Our goal is to observe and explain patterns of EU support in Romania, a country that continues to keep its pro-European orientation despite little economic progress after European integration and the low salience of European issues in the Romanian public space. In this sense, we challenge one of the most frequent approaches towards EU support: the utilitarian theory, according to which citizens’ perceptions of CEE countries’ European integration are shaped by the economic benefits brought by integration. The study first analyses hard data on the economic effects of European integration and then it aims to assess Romanian citizens’ perceptions of the EU. The aim of the investigation is to identify shifts (if any) in Romanians’ attitudes towards the EU and factors that can explain citizens’ apparent unreserved trust in the EU. Our assumption is that the pro-European attitudes in a country where Europeanization is still “in the making” are shaped by the perceived desirability of European values and the disenchantment with the national governments’ performance.
Unable to Stop Inequality from Rising: Evidence from Romania
Authors: Dobrescu Paul , Durach Flavia
Published: March 2019

The different perspectives on inequality and its evolution in the post-crisis period have emerged in recent years. The first was introduced by Piketty (Capital in the twenty-first century. Transl. Arthur Goldhammer. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 2014), who emphasized cyclicity as an inherent feature of inequality. According to the author, inequality tends to increase or decrease according to the variations of the economy. In times of robust economic growth, the rate of return on capital (consisting of profits, dividends, interest, rents) and the labour force can both be satisfied to reasonable extents. When the rate of economic growth is low, wealth accumulates in favour of the capital instead of labour, thus increasing inequality. The second view on inequality is authored by Milanovic (Global inequality: A new approach for the age of globalisation. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 2016), who focuses on the evolution of inequality in a global setting. He draws attention to the growing gaps between nations that pose a threat to international stability. Lastly, Graham (Happiness for all? Unequal hopes and lives in pursuit of the American dream. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2017) contrasts objective inequality to its subjective perceptions. There are cases in which factual inequality is high, but the existence of social mobility policies based on personal merit leads to acceptance and tolerance towards inequality. The most obvious example is “the American dream”, with all the hope it encompasses. According to Graham, during the last decade, tolerance to inequality has decreased, leading to a crisis of trust.

By relating to the three aforementioned ways of understanding inequality, and other prominent views in the literature, this paper investigates through quantitative methods the different faces of inequality within Romania, with an emphasis on regional disparities. Furthermore, we aim to find the country’s ranking in its geographic region (Central and Eastern Europe). A secondary focus of the study is on the Romanian citizens’ perceptions of inequality.

The findings suggest that, in its post-communist existence, Romania did experience economic growth but, unfortunately, little development, while inequalities became more severe.
New Frontiers in Sovereign Wealth Fund Capitalization
Authors: Braunstein Juergen , Ali Asim
Published: March 2019

In the debate over the creation of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), the discussion is often focused on either oil-based (e.g. Norway, Qatar, Kuwait, etc.) or non-commodity-based SWFs (e.g. South Korea, China, Singapore, etc.). Yet we are seeing a new development in the sovereign wealth fund arena; more and more countries are seeding sovereign wealth funds by leveraging non-traditional financial sources and are increasingly motivated by domestic developmental (including infrastructural development) imperatives. Interestingly, this process is taking place in a global context of rising nationalist sentiments and backlash against trade and migration. This paper outlines recent developments in SWF creation—especially by countries that are neither endowed with oil wealth nor possess sizable export surpluses to create SWFs with a development mandate. While contextualizing this study in the broader SWF literature, the aim is to provide a comprehensive overview on how different funding sources could be leveraged to meet long-term financial and socio-development objectives. Thus, the overall objective is to map out existing work on non-traditional sources of SWF growth and draw attention to hitherto unnoticed sources of funding: remittances.
Supersymmetric black hole non-uniqueness in five dimensions
Authors: Breunhölder Veronika , Lucietti James
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We present a systematic study of the moduli space of asymptotically flat, supersymmetric and biaxisymmetric black hole solutions to five-dimensional minimal supergravity. Previously, it has been shown that such solutions must be multi-centred solutions with a Gibbons-Hawking base. In this paper we perform a full analysis of three-centred solutions with a single black hole, for which there are seven regular black hole solutions. We find that four of these can have the same conserved charges as the BMPV black hole. These consist of a black lens with L(3, 1) horizon topology and three distinct families of spherical black holes with nontrivial topology outside the horizon. The former provides the first example of a nonspherical black hole with the same conserved charges as the BMPV black hole. Moreover, of these four solutions, three can have a greater entropy than the BMPV black hole near the BMPV upper spin bound. One of these is a previously known spherical black hole with nontrivial topology and the other two are new examples of a spherical black hole with nontrivial topology and an L(3, 1) black lens.
Conformal truncation of chern-simons theory at large Nf
Authors: Delacrétaz Luca V. , Fitzpatrick A. Liam , Katz Emanuel , Vitale Lorenzo G.
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We set up and analyze the lightcone Hamiltonian for an abelian Chern-Simons field coupled to N

f
fermions in the limit of large N

f
using conformal truncation, i.e. with a truncated space of states corresponding to primary operators with dimension below a maximum cutoff Δmax. In both the Chern-Simons theory, and in the O(N) model at infinite N, we compute the current spectral functions analytically as a function of Δmax and reproduce previous results in the limit that the truncation Δmax is taken to ∞. Along the way, we determine how to preserve gauge invariance and how to choose an optimal discrete basis for the momenta of states in the truncation space.
Well-Being Trajectories Following Retirement: A Compensatory Role of Self-Enhancement Values in Disadvantaged Women
Authors: Gruszczyńska Ewa , Kroemeke Aleksandra , Knoll Nina , Schwarzer Ralf , Warner Lisa Marie
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study was to explore the well-being trajectories of adaptation to retirement in relation to individual and cultural differences, with a particular focus on gender. The sample consisted of 596 retirees (330 German, 266 Polish, 59% female) assessed four times within 12 months. Subjective well-being was evaluated with a multivariate approach that accounted for satisfaction with life, depression and subjective health. As potential correlates of well-being trajectories, age- and context-relevant psychological resources were examined, specifically, generalized self-efficacy, meaning in life, autonomy, religiousness and Schwartz’s values. Latent class growth curve modelling revealed four trajectories per well-being domain. After cross-tabulation, two groups that constantly had the best and worst well-being profiles were identified. One group mainly comprised German men, and another mainly comprised Polish women, who additionally reported the least pronounced socioeconomic and psychological resources. The main predictors of group membership were self-enhancement values (power and achievement), which were higher for the worst well-being group. These values may compensate for a lack of relevant psychological and social resources. Further studies are needed to examine whether this effect is observable in other socially disadvantaged groups.
Restricted Recalibration of Item Response Theory Models
Authors: Liu Yang , Yang Ji Seung , Maydeu-Olivares Alberto
Published: March 2019

In item response theory (IRT), it is often necessary to perform restricted recalibration (RR) of the model: A set of (focal) parameters is estimated holding a set of (nuisance) parameters fixed. Typical applications of RR include expanding an existing item bank, linking multiple test forms, and associating constructs measured by separately calibrated tests. In the current work, we provide full statistical theory for RR of IRT models under the framework of pseudo-maximum likelihood estimation. We describe the standard error calculation for the focal parameters, the assessment of overall goodness-of-fit (GOF) of the model, and the identification of misfitting items. We report a simulation study to evaluate the performance of these methods in the scenario of adding a new item to an existing test. Parameter recovery for the focal parameters as well as Type I error and power of the proposed tests are examined. An empirical example is also included, in which we validate the pediatric fatigue short-form scale in the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS), compute global and local GOF statistics, and update parameters for the misfitting items.
BisQue for 3D Materials Science in the Cloud: Microstructure–Property Linkages
Authors: Latypov Marat I. , Khan Amil , Lang Christian A. , Kvilekval Kris , Polonsky Andrew T. , Echlin McLean P. , Beyerlein Irene J. , Manjunath B. S. , Pollock Tresa M.
Published: March 2019

Accelerating the design and development of new advanced materials is one of the priorities in modern materials science. These efforts are critically dependent on the development of comprehensive materials cyberinfrastructures which enable efficient data storage, management, sharing, and collaboration as well as integration of computational tools that help establish processing–structure–property relationships. In this contribution, we present implementation of such computational tools into a cloud-based platform called BisQue (Kvilekval et al., Bioinformatics 26(4):554, 2010). We first describe the current state of BisQue as an open-source platform for multidisciplinary research in the cloud and its potential for 3D materials science. We then demonstrate how new computational tools, primarily aimed at processing–structure–property relationships, can be implemented into the system. Specifically, in this work, we develop a module for BisQue that enables microstructure-sensitive predictions of effective yield strength of two-phase materials. Towards this end, we present an implementation of a computationally efficient data-driven model into the BisQue platform. The new module is made available online (web address: https://bisque.ece.ucsb.edu/module_service/Composite_Strength/) and can be used from a web browser without any special software and with minimal computational requirements on the user end. The capabilities of the module for rapid property screening are demonstrated in case studies with two different methodologies based on datasets containing 3D microstructure information from (i) synthetic generation and (ii) sampling large 3D volumes obtained in experiments.
Associations between self‐harm and chronic disease among adolescents: Cohort study using statewide emergency department data
Authors: Lidón‐Moyano Cristina , Wiebe Deborah , Gruenewald Paul , Cerdá Magdalena , Brown Paul , Goldman‐Mellor Sidra
Published: March 2019

Introduction

We sought to understand the association between youthful self‐harm and subsequent chronic disease‐related healthcare utilization and whether self‐harm reflects unique vulnerability in comparison with severe psychiatric disorders.

Methods

We used a retrospective matched cohort design with statewide, all‐payer, individually linked emergency department (ED) data from California, USA. Risk of future ED visits for common chronic conditions in adolescence (headaches, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders, assessed using ICD‐9 diagnoses) were compared between three adolescent study groups presenting to an ED in 2010: self‐harm patients (n = 5,484), patients with psychiatric complaints but no self‐harm (n = 14,235), and patients with other complaints (n = 16,452). Cohort follow‐up ended on Sept. 30, 2015. Analyses were adjusted for patients' prior histories of ED utilization for chronic conditions as well as patient‐ and area‐level sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Risk of subsequent ED visits was higher among self‐harm patients compared to non‐psychiatric control patients for subsequent epilepsy‐ (aRR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.42, 2.21]). Risk of subsequent ED visits was higher among psychiatric patients compared to non‐psychiatric control patients for subsequent headache‐ (aRR = 1.31, 95% CI [1.21, 1.42]), and epilepsy‐related problems (aRR = 1.85, 95% CI [1.55, 2.21]). Self‐harm patients were at higher risk than psychiatric patients for subsequent gastrointestinal disorder (aRR = 1.76, 95% CI [1.03, 3.01]).

Conclusions

Findings suggest that self‐harm behavior and psychiatric disorders are associated with increased ED utilization for subsequent chronic disease‐related ED utilization. Chronic disease among adolescent psychiatric patients should be attended to, potentially involving new models of clinical follow‐up care.
An Armenian Involvement in Mid-Nineteenth-Century Ethiopia
Authors: Phillipson David W.
Published: March 2019

Two Armenian ecclesiastics from Jerusalem, Isaac and Dimothéos, visited Abyssinia in 1867–1869. The latter’s detailed account of their journey was promptly published, grandiloquently dedicated (with formal permission) to Queen Victoria. The journey has nonetheless received little attention from historians, and the reasons it was made have been poorly understood. An intention to seek release of Europeans imprisoned by King Tewodros (Theodore) of Ethiopia was overtaken by events, the captives’ release being achieved by an expedition from British India before the Armenians arrived. Emphasis was consequently placed on involvement with local politics and ecclesiastical intrigue, both of which are discussed in this paper.
Unstable jets generated by a sphere descending in a very strongly stratified fluid
Authors: Akiyama Shinsaku , Waki Yusuke , Okino Shinya , Hanazaki Hideshi
Published: March 2019

The flow around a sphere descending at constant speed in a very strongly stratified fluid ($Fr\lesssim 0.2$) is investigated by the shadowgraph method and particle image velocimetry. Unlike the flow under moderately strong stratification ($Fr\gtrsim 0.2$), which supports a thin cylindrical jet, the flow generates an unstable jet, which often develops into turbulence. The transition from a stable jet to an unstable jet occurs for a sufficiently low Froude number $Fr$ that satisfies $Fr/Re<1.57\times 10^{-3}$. The Froude number $Fr$ here is in the range of $0.0157<Fr<0.157$ or lower, while the Reynolds number $Re$ is in the range of $10\lesssim Re\lesssim 100$ for which the homogeneous fluid shows steady and axisymmetric flows. Since the radius of the jet can be estimated by the primitive length scale of the stratified fluid, i.e. $l_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}^{\ast }=\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}^{\ast }/N^{\ast }}$ or $l_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}^{\ast }/2a^{\ast }=\sqrt{Fr/2Re}$, this predicts that the jet becomes unstable when it becomes thinner than approximately $l_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}^{\ast }/2a^{\ast }=0.028$, where $N^{\ast }$ is the Brunt–Väisälä frequency, $a^{\ast }$ the radius of the sphere and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}^{\ast }$ the kinematic viscosity of the fluid. The instability begins when the boundary-layer thickness becomes thin, and the disturbances generated by shear instabilities would be transferred into the jet. When the flow is marginally unstable, two unstable states, i.e. a meandering jet and a turbulent jet, can appear. The meandering jet is thin with a high vertical velocity, while the turbulent jet is broad with a much smaller velocity. The meandering jet may persist for a long time, or develop into a turbulent jet in a short time. When the instability is sufficiently strong, only the turbulent jet could be observed.
Investigation of the influence of combustion-induced thermal expansion on two-point turbulence statistics using conditioned structure functions
Authors: Sabelnikov V. A. , Lipatnikov A. N. , Nishiki S. , Hasegawa T.
Published: March 2019

The second-order structure functions (SFs) of the velocity field, which characterize the velocity difference at two points, are widely used in research into non-reacting turbulent flows. In the present paper, the approach is extended in order to study the influence of combustion-induced thermal expansion on turbulent flow within a premixed flame brush. For this purpose, SFs conditioned to various combinations of mixture states at two different points (reactant–reactant, reactant–product, product–product, etc.) are introduced in the paper and a relevant exact transport equation is derived in the appendix. Subsequently, in order to demonstrate the capabilities of the newly developed approach for advancing the understanding of turbulent reacting flows, the conditioned SFs are extracted from three-dimensional (3-D) direct numerical simulation data obtained from two statistically 1-D planar, fully developed, weakly turbulent, premixed, single-step-chemistry flames characterized by significantly different (7.53 and 2.50) density ratios, with all other things being approximately equal. Obtained results show that the conditioned SFs differ significantly from standard mean SFs and convey a large amount of important information on various local phenomena that stem from the influence of combustion-induced thermal expansion on turbulent flow. In particular, the conditioned SFs not only (i) indicate a number of already known local phenomena discussed in the paper, but also (ii) reveal a less recognized phenomenon such as substantial influence of combustion-induced thermal expansion on turbulence in constant-density unburned reactants and even (iii) allow us to detect a new phenomenon such as the appearance of strong local velocity perturbations (shear layers) within flamelets. Moreover, SFs conditioned to heat-release zones indicate a highly anisotropic influence of combustion-induced thermal expansion on the evolution of small-scale two-point velocity differences within flamelets, with the effects being opposite (an increase or a decrease) for different components of the local velocity vector.
Rotating planar gravity currents at moderate Rossby numbers: fully resolved simulations and shallow-water modelling
Authors: Salinas Jorge S. , Bonometti Thomas , Ungarish Marius , Cantero Mariano I.
Published: March 2019

The flow of a gravity current of finite volume and density $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{1}$ released from rest from a rectangular lock (of height $h_{0}$) into an ambient fluid of density $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}$ (${<}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{1}$) in a system rotating with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$ about the vertical $z$ is investigated by means of fully resolved direct numerical simulations (DNS) and a theoretical model (based on shallow-water and Ekman layer spin-up theories, including mixing). The motion of the dense fluid includes several stages: propagation in the $x$-direction accompanied by Coriolis acceleration/deflection in the $-y$-direction, which produces a quasi-steady wedge-shaped structure with significant anticyclonic velocity $v$, followed by a spin-up reduction of $v$ accompanied by a slow $x$ drift, and oscillation. The theoretical model aims to provide useful insights and approximations concerning the formation time and shape of wedge, and the subsequent spin-up effect. The main parameter is the Coriolis number, ${\mathcal{C}}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}h_{0}/(g^{\prime }h_{0})^{1/2}$, where $g^{\prime }=(\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{1}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}-1)g$ is the reduced gravity. The DNS results are focused on a range of relatively small Coriolis numbers, $0.1\leqslant {\mathcal{C}}\leqslant 0.25$ (i.e. Rossby number $Ro=1/(2{\mathcal{C}})$ in the range $2\leqslant Ro\leqslant 5$), and a large range of Schmidt numbers $1\leqslant Sc<\infty$; the Reynolds number is large in all cases. The current spreads out in the $x$ direction until it is arrested by the Coriolis effect (in ${\sim}1/4$ revolution of the system). A complex motion develops about this state. First, we record oscillations on the inertial time scale $1/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$ (which are a part of the geostrophic adjustment), accompanied by vortices at the interface. Second, we note the spread of the wedge on a significantly longer time scale; this is an indirect spin-up effect – mixing and entrainment reduce the lateral (angular) velocity, which in turn decreases the Coriolis support to the $\unicode[STIX]{x2202}h/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x$ slope of the wedge shape. Contrary to non-rotating gravity currents, the front does not remain sharp as it is subject to (i) local stretching along the streamwise direction and (ii) convective mixing due to Kelvin–Helmholtz vortices generated by shear along the spanwise direction and stemming from Coriolis effects. The theoretical model predicts that the length of the wedge scales as ${\mathcal{C}}^{-2/3}$ (in contrast to the Rossby radius $\propto 1/{\mathcal{C}}$ which is relevant for large ${\mathcal{C}}$; and in contrast to ${\mathcal{C}}^{-1/2}$ for the axisymmetric lens).
FAITH-BASED ARBITRATION EVALUATED: THE POLICY ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST RELIGIOUS ARBITRATION IN AMERICA
Authors: Broyde Michael J.
Published: March 2019

This article explores whether allowing such expansive arbitration is a wise idea for the United States (and other western democracies). Like all arbitration, religious arbitration starts with a contract to arbitrate, but frequently does not invoke the law of the United States as the law to be used to resolve disputes, but instead allows parties to resolve disputes according to their own religious principles, both procedurally and substantively. The article is organized into two substantive parts. One part explores the strengths and weaknesses of the seven arguments against faith-based arbitration, which are (1) one law for one people; (2) religious arbitration produces substantive injustice; (3) religious arbitration produces procedural injustice; (4) religious arbitration is often subtly coercive to its members; (5) liberal society has a difficult time policing religious arbitration; (6) enforcement of religious arbitration sometimes violates people's rights to religious freedom; and (7) allowing religious arbitration promotes isolation and non-integration of religious communities. The next part explains and criticizes the five arguments in favor of religious arbitration, which are (1) religious arbitration is a religious freedom imperative; (2) religious arbitration can resolve some commercial disputes more accurately than secular courts can; (3) religious arbitration is the only way to resolve certain religious problems; (4) secular regulation of religious arbitration helps moderate and integrate religion; and (5) religious arbitration promotes value sharing between religious and secular cultures and as such enriches public discourse. The article concludes with an endorsement of the value of religious arbitration subject to reasonable procedural and substantive limitations.
When Insecure Attachment Dispositions Affect Mentoring Relationship Quality: An Exploration of Interactive Mentoring Contexts
Authors: Larose Simon , Tarabulsy George M. , Boisclair-Châteauvert Geneviève , Karcher Michael
Published: March 2019

In this study, we explored the effects of mentor and mentee insecure attachment dispositions (ambivalence and avoidance) on mentoring relationship quality while considering the specific nature of the interactive mentoring context. Participants (N = 252 matches) were enrolled in the MIRES program, a one-year college-based mentoring program that matches late adolescent mentees (17-year-olds) with young adult mentors (23-year-olds), designed to facilitate the transition to college. Using data drawn from mentors’ logbooks (at nine time points), two interactive contexts were addressed: (1) situations involving mentee academic issues and mentor proactive academic support (academically oriented), and (2) situations involving mentee personal issues and mentor emotional support, and caring (emotionally oriented). Linear regression results showed that both mentors’ and mentees’ avoidance uniquely predicted lower reports of mentoring relationship quality, but especially in emotionally oriented matches and when their partners’ attachment ambivalence was high. In matches less focused on emotional support, mentors’ attachment avoidance interacted with mentees’ ambivalence to predict positive mentoring relationship quality. Theoretical, practical, and mentor training issues are discussed.
Electronic cigarette use and tobacco cessation in a state-based quitline
Authors: Brady Benjamin R. , Crane Tracy E. , O'Connor Patrick A. , Nair Uma S. , Yuan Nicole P.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Evidence is mixed on e-cigarette's effectiveness as a tobacco cessation aid. Research suggests that e-cigarette users face greater barriers to quitting tobacco.

Aim

To examine the association between e-cigarette use and tobacco cessation outcomes among quitline callers.

Methods

We examined 2,204 callers who enrolled and completed 7-month follow-up surveys between April 2014 and January 2017. We examined the association between any e-cigarette use and tobacco cessation. We also evaluated these relationships by e-cigarette use patterns between enrollment and 7-month follow-up: sustained, adopted, discontinued, and non-use. We used multivariable logistic regression to control for caller characteristics, tobacco history, and program utilization.

Results

Overall, 18% of callers reported using e-cigarettes at enrollment, follow-up, or both. Compared to non-users, e-cigarette users were more likely to be younger, non-Hispanic, and report a mental health condition. The adjusted odds of tobacco cessation were not statistically different for callers who used e-cigarettes compared to those who did not (adjusted odds ratios = 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.79–1.32). Results were similar when examining cessation by patterns of e-cigarette use.

Conclusions

E-cigarette use was not associated with tobacco cessation. This suggests that e-cigarette use may neither facilitate nor deter tobacco cessation among quitline callers. Future research should continue exploring how e-cigarette use affects quitting.
Among the water-soluble vitamins, dietary intakes of vitamins C, B2and folate are associated with the reduced risk of diabetes in Japanese women but not men
Authors: Eshak Ehab S. , Iso Hiroyasu , Muraki Isao , Tamakoshi Akiko
Published: March 2019

Recent studies have shown that micronutrients are involved in the pathology of type 2 diabetes. Antioxidant effects of vitamins C and B2and homocysteine-lowering effects of vitamins B6, folate and B12may have protective roles. However, a few reports have investigated the association between dietary water-soluble vitamin intakes and risk of diabetes. In a prospective study encompassing 19 168 healthy Japanese men and women aged 40–79 years, we examined the associations between dietary intakes of water-soluble vitamins, determined by a validated self-administered FFQ, with the risk of 5-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes by using the logistic regression model. Within the 5-year period, there were 494 self-reported new cases of diabetes. Higher dietary intakes of vitamins C, B2and folate were associated with lower risk of incident diabetes only in women, whereas no associations of dietary intakes of vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6and B12were observed in either sex. The multivariable OR in the highestv. the lowest quartile of intakes among women were 0·61 (95 % CI 0·44, 0·94;P-trend = 0·04) for vitamin C, 0·56 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·93;P-trend = 0·03) for vitamin B2and 0·70 (95 % CI 0·46, 0·98;P-trend = 0·03) for folate. Other than that for sex (P< 0·05), theP-interactions with age, BMI, smoking status or having a family history of diabetes were >0·10. In conclusion, higher dietary intakes of vitamins C, B2and folate, but not other water-soluble vitamins, were associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese women.
Multiple-bean varieties as a strategy for minimizing production risk and enhancing yield stability in smallholder systems
Authors: Ochieng Hannington O. , Ojiem John O. , Kamwana Simon M. , Mutai Joyce C. , Nyongesa James W.
Published: March 2019

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is perhaps the most important grain legume in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) smallholder systems for food security and household income. Although a wide choice of varieties is available, smallholder farmers in western Kenya realize yields that are low and variable since they operate in risky production environments. Significant seasonal variations exist in rainfall and severity of pests and diseases. This situation is worsened by the low and declining soil fertility, coupled with low capacity of farmers to purchase production inputs such as fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides, and land scarcity. The objective of this study was to investigate whether growing multiple-bean varieties instead of a single variety can enable farmers enhance yield stability over seasons and ensure food security. Five common bean varieties were evaluated in multiple farms for 11 seasons at Kapkerer in Nandi County, western Kenya. Data were collected on grain yield, days to 50% flowering and major diseases. In addition, daily rainfall was recorded throughout the growing seasons. The five varieties were combined in all possible ways to create 31 single- and multiple-bean production strategies. The strategies were evaluated for grain yield performance and yield stability over seasons to determine the risk of not attaining a particular yield target. Results indicated that cropping multiple-bean varieties can be an effective way for reducing production risks in heterogeneous smallholder systems. Yield stability can be greatly enhanced across diverse environments, leading to improved food security, especially for the resource-poor smallholder farmers operating in risk-prone environments. Although the results show that some of the single-bean variety strategies were high yielding, their yield stability was generally lower than those of multiple strategies. Resource-poor risk averse farmers can greatly increase the probability of exceeding their yield targets by cropping multiple-bean varieties with relatively low yields but high grain yield stability. Trading-off high grain yield for yield stability might be an important strategy for minimizing bean production risks.
Peer Monitoring, Syndication, and the Dynamics of Venture Capital Interactions: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Bayar Onur , Chemmanur Thomas J. , Tian Xuan
Published: March 2019

We develop a theoretical model providing a new rationale for venture capitalist (VC) syndicate formation and empirically test our model predictions. An entrepreneur obtains financing and two different value-adding inputs from a single VC or from two different VCs, each operating in his area of expertise. We characterize the entrepreneur’s equilibrium choice between contracting with a single VC, individually with multiple VCs, or with a VC syndicate. We show that syndicates mitigate VCs’ moral hazard problem in value addition. We also analyze the dynamics of VC syndicate composition. The results of our empirical analysis are consistent with our model’s predictions.
Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design
Authors: Salmon Rhian A. , Roop Heidi A.
Published: March 2019

The International Polar Year 2007–2008 stimulated a wide range of education, outreach and communication (EOC) related to polar research, and catalysed enthusiasm and networks that persist ten years on. Using a multi-method approach that incorporates case studies, auto-ethnographic interviews, and survey data, we interrogate the opportunities and limitations of polar EOC activities and propose a new framework for practical, reflexive, engagement design. Our research suggests that EOC activities are under-valued and often designed based on personal instinct rather than strategic planning, but that there is also a lack of accessible tools that support a more strategic design process. We propose three foci for increasing the professionalisation of practitioner approaches to EOC: (1) improved articulation of goals and objectives; (2) acknowledgement of different drivers, voices and power structures; and (3) increased practical training, resources and reporting structures. We respond to this by proposing a framework for planning and design of public engagement that provides an opportunity to become more transparent and explicit about the real goals of an activity and what “success” looks like. This is critical to effectively evaluate, learn from our experiences, share them with peers, and ultimately deliver more thoughtfully designed, effective engagement.
The effectiveness of vaccination to prevent the papillomavirus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: García-Perdomo Herney Andrés , Osorio Julio Cesar , Fernandez Adrian , Zapata-Copete James Alejandro , Castillo Andrés
Published: March 2019

Our purpose was to determine the effectiveness and harms of vaccination in patients with any sexual history to prevent the prevalence of papillomavirus infection. A search strategy was conducted in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE and LILACS databases. Searches were also conducted in other databases and unpublished literature. The risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Analysis of fixed effects was conducted. The primary outcome was the infection by any and each human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype, serious adverse effects and short-term adverse effects. The measure of the effect was the risk difference (RD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The planned interventions were bivalent vaccine/tetravalent/nonavalent vs. placebo/no intervention/other vaccines. We included 29 studies described in 35 publications. Bivalent HPV vaccine offers protection against HPV16 (RD −0.05, 95% CI −0.098 to −0.0032), HPV18 (RD −0.03, 95% CI −0.062 to −0.0004) and HPV16/18 genotypes (RD of −0.1, 95% CI −0.16 to −0.04). On the other side, tetravalent HPV vaccine offered protection against HPV6 (RD of −0.0500, 95% CI −0.0963 to −0.0230), HPV11 (RD −0.0198, 95% CI −0.0310 to −0.0085). Also, against HPV16 (RD of −0.0608, 95% CI −0.1126 to −0.0091) and HPV18 (RD of −0.0200, 95% CI −0.0408 to −0.0123). There was a reduction in the prevalence of HPV16, 18 and 16/18 genotypes when applying the bivalent vaccine, with no increase in adverse effects. Regarding the tetravalent vaccine, we found a reduction in the prevalence of HPV6, 11, 16 and 18 genotypes, with no increase in adverse effects.
Estimating seasonal variation in Australian pertussis notifications from 1991 to 2016: evidence of spring to summer peaks
Authors: Leong R. N. F. , Wood J. G. , Turner R. M. , Newall A. T.
Published: March 2019

Unlike for many other respiratory infections, the seasonality of pertussis is not well understood. While evidence of seasonal fluctuations in pertussis incidence has been noted in some countries, there have been conflicting findings including in the context of Australia. We investigated this issue by analysing the seasonality of pertussis notifications in Australia using monthly data from January 1991 to December 2016. Data were made available for all states and territories in Australia except for the Australian Capital Territory and were stratified into age groups. Using a time-series decomposition approach, we formulated a generalised additive model where seasonality is expressed using cosinor terms to estimate the amplitude and peak timing of pertussis notifications in Australia. We also compared these characteristics across different jurisdictions and age groups. We found evidence that pertussis notifications exhibit seasonality, with peaks observed during the spring and summer months (November–January) in Australia and across different states and territories. During peak months, notifications are expected to increase by about 15% compared with the yearly average. Peak notifications for children <5 years occurred 1–2 months later than the general population, which provides support to the theory that older household members remain an important source of pertussis infection for younger children. In addition, our results provide a more comprehensive spatial picture of seasonality in Australia, a feature lacking in previous studies. Finally, our findings suggest that seasonal forcing may be useful to consider in future population transmission models of pertussis.
Dynamic and stochastic propagation of the Brenier optimal mass transport
Authors: BARTON ALISTAIR , GHOUSSOUB NASSIF
Published: March 2019

Similar to how Hopf–Lax–Oleinik-type formula yield variational solutions for Hamilton–Jacobi equations on Euclidean space, optimal mass transportations can sometimes provide variational formulations for solutions of certain mean-field games. We investigate here the particular case of transports that maximize and minimize the following ‘ballistic’ cost functional on phase space TM, which propagates Brenier’s transport along a Lagrangian L,
$$b_T(v, x):=\inf\left\{\langle v, \gamma (0)\rangle +\int_0^TL(t, \gamma (t), {\dot \gamma}(t))\, dt; \gamma \in C^1([0, T], M); \gamma(T)=x\right\}\!,$$
where $M = \mathbb{R}^d$, and T >0. We also consider the stochastic counterpart:
\begin{align*}
\underline{B}_T^s(\mu,\nu):=\inf\left\{\mathbb{E}\left[\langle V,X_0\rangle +\int_0^T L(t, X,\beta(t,X))\,dt\right]\!; X\in \mathcal{A}, V\sim\mu,X_T\sim \nu\right\}\!,
\end{align*}
where $\mathcal{A}$ is the set of stochastic processes satisfying dX = βX (t, X) dt + dWt, for some drift βX (t, X), and where Wt is σ(Xs: 0 ≤ s ≤ t)-Brownian motion. Both cases lead to Lax–Oleinik-type formulas on Wasserstein space that relate optimal ballistic transports to those associated with dynamic fixed-end transports studied by Bernard–Buffoni and Fathi–Figalli in the deterministic case, and by Mikami–Thieullen in the stochastic setting. While inf-convolution easily covers cost minimizing transports, this is not the case for total cost maximizing transports, which actually are sup-inf problems. However, in the case where the Lagrangian L is jointly convex on phase space, Bolza-type dualities – well known in the deterministic case but novel in the stochastic case – transform sup-inf problems to sup–sup settings. We also write Eulerian formulations and point to links with the theory of mean-field games.
Use of winter habitat at an early age: spatial ecology and association with human activities of juvenile Olrog’s GullLarus atlanticus
Authors: RAVASI MARÍA TERESA , SECO PON JUAN PABLO , PAZ JESICA ANDREA , FAVERO MARCO , COPELLO SOFÍA
Published: March 2019

Olrog’s GullLarus atlanticusis an endemic species of the Atlantic coast of southern South America and is currently listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List. The species breeds in coastal wetlands of Buenos Aires and Chubut provinces of Argentina and during winter migrates northwards as far as southern Brazil. During the breeding season the species is considered to have a specialised diet, foraging mostly on crabs. However, during the non-breeding season the gull presents a wider dietary spectrum (including fish) as a result of a potential association with commercial and sport fishing activities. The main goal of this study was to analyse the habitat use and overlap with natural and anthropogenic food resources of juvenile Olrog’s Gull during the winter in Mar Chiquita Lagoon, Buenos Aires. Twenty-two GPS devices were deployed during the winters of 2013 and 2014. A total of 1,088 fixes was gathered by GSM (both seasons combined). Analysis showed that the individuals were (kernel 95%) distributed in a limited area along the mouth of the lagoon. The core area (kernel 50%) covered only 0.3 km2and was located in the south of the mouth. The overlap between juveniles and crab densities was lower than expected, while the overlap between juveniles and fishing effort was higher than expected during weekdays and lower during weekends. These results are of value for the further development of marine conservation measures for wintering areas which have so far been somewhat neglected while addressing the conservation status of the species.
Altruism, environmental externality and fertility
Authors: Hirazawa Makoto , Kamada Kimiyoshi , Sato Takashi
Published: March 2019

We investigate the interaction between environmental quality and fertility in an altruistic bequest model with pollution externalities created by the aggregate production. Despite the negative externality related to the endogenous childbearing decisions, parents may choose to have fewer children in the competitive economy than in the social optimum. To achieve optimality, positive taxes on childbearing are required even with an insufficient number of children, if the social discount factor equals the parents' degree of altruism. On the other hand, child allowances may constitute the optimal policy if the social discount factor exceeds the parents' degree of altruism.
COULD OBESITY BE CONTAGIOUS? SOCIAL INFLUENCE, FOOD CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR, AND BODY WEIGHT OUTCOMES
Authors: Mathieu-Bolh Nathalie
Published: March 2019

This paper contributes to explaining the obesity epidemic and finding a potential remedy. We build a theoretical model of food consumption decisions that accounts for social influence. In our model, individuals’ rationality is affected by an endogenous social weight norm, which influences their calorie consciousness and perceived survival chances. Individuals are conformist, and the degree of conformism describes the extent to which individuals’ discounted utility is influenced by the social weight norm. With an endogenous social weight norm reflecting a heavier and heavier average body weight, we show that a high degree of conformism to the social norm could explain the obesity epidemic. In this environment, a government intervention decreasing energy density is ineffective at reducing steady-state body weight. This result could explain why this type of government dietary intervention seems to have had no effect on obesity, and suggests that the same type of intervention through the Food Stamps Program would be ineffective on its own. We also find that in the steady state, individuals can be overweight or underweight depending on their degree of conformism relative to the education they receive about the healthy weight. While education programs focusing on either diet or exercise have had moderate success, we show that focusing on healthy weight education could combat social influence and reduce obesity.
Verbesserung der Sprechstunde mit chronisch kranken Kindern: Gesundheits-, Funktions- und Wohlergehensampel
Authors: Klingler Selina , Padden Beth , Horridge Karen A. , van Hedel Hubertus J.A. , Meyer-Heim Andreas
Published: March 2019

Zusammenfassung. Eine effektive Kommunikation zwischen Patient und Arzt ist ein wichtiger Aspekt bei der Betreuung von Kindern mit chronischen Erkrankungen oder Behinderungen. Die Ampel Health, Functioning and Wellbeing Summary wurde als Kommunikationsmittel speziell für diese Patienten entwickelt. In einer zweimonatigen Pilotphase wurde die deutsche Version von Eltern und Ärzten in einer Rehabilitationsambulanz bewertet. 71 % (n = 35/49) gaben das Bewertungsformular zurück. Das Ampelwerkzeug wurde von 80 % der Teilnehmer und Ärzte positiv bewertet. Es kann als nützliches Werkzeug für eine verbesserte Kommunikation empfohlen werden. Die einfache Sprachversion sowie Übersetzungen in andere Sprachen und die Verwendung einer Mobile App werden die Nutzung erleichtern. Der Einsatz ist nicht auf die Pädiatrie beschränkt und könnte an andere Disziplinen angepasst werden.
A Passive Estimation Method of Scattering and Intrinsic Absorption Parameters From Envelopes of Seismic Ambient Noise Cross‐Correlation Functions
Authors: Hirose Takashi , Nakahara Hisashi , Nishimura Takeshi
Published: March 2019

We present a passive method to estimate the scattering and intrinsic absorption parameters of Rayleigh waves. Envelopes of seismic ambient noise cross‐correlation functions are calculated using the temporal flattening technique, and these parameters are estimated by modeling their space‐time distributions using radiative transfer theory. The scattering mean free paths are estimated to be 1.6–2.4 km at 0.5–1 Hz, 1.6–2.0 km at 1–2 Hz, and 1.6–3.2 km at 2–4 Hz at the Sakurajima volcano, Japan. Intrinsic absorption parameters are 0.04–0.06 s−1 at 0.5–1 Hz, 0.08–0.09 s−1 at 1–2 Hz, and 0.16–0.18 s−1 at 2–4 Hz. We validate these values by conducting a comparative study using active shot records at Sakurajima. Our passive method provides an effective way to measure scattering and intrinsic absorption parameters in various regions.