bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toda theory in AdS2 and 𝒲An-algebra structure of boundary correlators
Authors: Beccaria Matteo , Landolfi Giulio
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We consider the conformal A
n
Toda theory in AdS2. Due to the bulk full Virasoro symmetry, this system provides an instance of a non-gravitational AdS2/CFT1 correspondence where the 1d boundary theory enjoys enhanced

$$ ``\frac{1}{2}- Virasoro" $$

“

1
2

−
Virasoro
”

symmetry. General boundary correlators are expected to be captured by the restriction of chiral correlators in a suitable WAn Virasoro extension. At next-to-leading order in weak coupling expansion they have been conjectured to match the subleading terms in the large central charge expansion of the dual 𝒲A
n
correlators. We explicitly test this conjecture on the boundary four point functions of the Toda scalar fields dual to 𝒲A
n
generators with next-to-minimal spin 3 and 4. Our analysis is valid in the generic rank case and extends previous results for specific rank-2 Toda theories. On the AdS side, the extension is straightforward and requires the computation of a finite set of tree Witten diagrams. This is due to simple rank dependence and selection rules of cubic and quartic couplings. On the boundary, we exploit crossing symmetry and specific meromorphic properties of the W-algebra correlators at large central charge. We present the required 4-point functions in closed form for any rank and verify the bulk-boundary correspondence in full details.
Entanglement branes, modular flow, and extended topological quantum field theory
Authors: Donnelly William , Wong Gabriel
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Entanglement entropy is an important quantity in field theory, but its definition poses some challenges. The naive definition involves an extension of quantum field theory in which one assigns Hilbert spaces to spatial sub-regions. For two-dimensional topological quantum field theory we show that the appropriate extension is the open-closed topological quantum field theory of Moore and Segal. With the addition of one additional axiom characterizing the “entanglement brane” we show how entanglement calculations can be cast in this framework. We use this formalism to calculate modular Hamiltonians, entanglement entropy and negativity in two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory and relate these to singularities in the modular ow. As a byproduct we find that the negativity distinguishes between the “log dim R” edge term and the “Shannon” edge term. We comment on the possible application to understanding the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy in two-dimensional gravity.
Exotic decays of top partners with charge 5/3: bounds and opportunities
Authors: Xie Ke-Pan , Cacciapaglia Giacomo , Flacke Thomas
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Exotic decays of top partners in new bosons are the norm in realistic models of a composite Higgs. We focus on the custodial charge-5/3 partner, which normally decays exclusively into tW
+. The new channels include a colour-sextet, X
5/3
→

$$ \overline{b} $$

b
¯

π
6, as well as singly and doubly charged scalars, X
5/3
→ t𝜙+, b𝜙++. We use existing same-sign lepton searches to show that the new final states are constrained at the same level as the standard one. At the same time, exotic final states also offer opportunities for improvement: examples include a hard photon in X
5/3
→ t𝜙+
→ tW
+
γ decays, and top-rich channels which arises in several exotic X
5/3 decays.
Boundary-to-bulk maps for AdS causal wedges and RG flow
Authors: Del Grosso Nicolás , Garbarz Alan , Palau Gabriel , Pérez-Nadal Guillem
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We consider the problem of defining spacelike-supported boundary-to-bulk propagators in AdS
d+1 down to the unitary bound ∆ = (d − 2)/2. That is to say, we construct the ‘smearing functions’ K of HKLL but with different boundary conditions where both dimensions ∆+ and ∆
−
are taken into account. More precisely, we impose Robin boundary conditions, which interpolate between Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions and we give explicit expressions for the distributional kernel K with spacelike support. This flow between boundary conditions is known to be captured in the boundary by adding a double-trace deformation to the CFT. Indeed, we explicitly show that using K there is a consistent and explicit map from a Wightman function of the boundary QFT to a Wightman function of the bulk theory. In order to accomplish this we have to study first the microlocal properties of the boundary two-point function of the perturbed CFT and prove its wavefront set satisfies the microlocal spectrum condition. This permits to assert that K and the boundary two-point function can be multiplied as distributions.
Fluoroscopically guided acetabular posterior column screw fixation via an anterior approach
Authors: Krappinger Dietmar , Schwendinger Peter , Lindtner Richard A.
Published: October 2019

Objective

Safe posterior column screw fixation via an anterior approach under two-dimensional fluoroscopic control.

Indications

Anterior column with posterior hemitransverse fractures (ACPHF); transverse fractures; two-column fractures and T‑type fractures without relevant residual displacement of the posterior column after reduction of the anterior column and the quadrilateral plate.

Contraindication

Acetabular fractures requiring direct open reduction via a posterior approach; very narrow osseous corridor in preoperative planning; insufficient intraoperative fluoroscopic visualization of the anatomical landmarks.

Surgical technique

Preoperative planning of the starting point and screw trajectory using a standard pelvic CT scan and a multiplanar reconstruction tool. Intraoperative fluoroscopically controlled identification of the starting point using the anterior–posterior (ap) view. Advancing the guidewire under fluoroscopic control using the lateral–oblique view. Lag screw fixation of the posterior column with cannulated screws.

Postoperative management

Partial weight bearing as advised by the surgeon. Postoperative CT scan for the assessment of screw position and quality of reduction of the posterior column. Generally no implant removal.

Results

In a series of 100 pelvic CT scans, the mean posterior angle of the ideal posterior column screw trajectory was 28.0° (range 11.1–46.2°) to the coronal plane and the mean medial angle was 21.6° (range 8.0–35.0°) to the sagittal plane. The maximum screw length was 106.3 mm (range 82.1–135.0 mm). Twelve patients were included in this study: 10 ACPHF and 2 transverse fractures. The residual maximum displacement of the posterior column fracture component in the postoperative CT scan was 1.4 mm (0–4 mm). There was one intraarticular screw penetration and one perforation of the cortical bone in the transition zone between the posterior column and the sciatic tuber without neurological impairment.
Prognostic Impact of the Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio in Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Surgical Resection
Authors: Kubo Hirokazu , Murakami Takashi , Matsuyama Ryusei , Yabushita Yasuhiro , Tsuchiya Nobuhiro , Sawada Yu , Homma Yuki , Kumamoto Takafumi , Endo Itaru
Published: October 2019

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that cancer‐associated inflammation, as indicated by markers such as the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), predicts poor outcomes in pancreatic cancer. In this study, the associations between systemic inflammation markers and survival were examined in borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (BR‐PDAC) patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by surgical resection.

Methods

From April 2009 to December 2017, 119 patients diagnosed with BR‐PDAC and receiving NACRT followed by radical surgery were included in this retrospective study. The associations between the pre‐ and post‐NACRT NLR, PLR, mGPS, and clinicopathological characteristics, as well as their predictive values for survival outcomes, were analyzed. This study was approved by an institutional review board at Yokohama City University (B180600049).

Results

On multivariate analysis with a Cox's proportional hazards regression model, post‐NACRT NLR ≥3 (p = 0.040; hazard ratio, 2.24; 95% CI 1.28–3.91) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002; hazard ratio, 2.33; 95% CI 1.36–3.99) were significantly associated with shorter overall survival. The median survival time was 22.0 months for patients with post‐NACRT NLR ≥3 and 45.0 months for patients with post‐NACRT NLR <3 (p = 0.028).

Conclusions

The NLR following NACRT might predict survival in BR‐PDAC patients. Patients with an elevated post‐NACRT NLR or positive lymph node metastasis may be candidates for stronger adjuvant therapies.
Daratumumab plus bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone in East Asian patients with non-transplant multiple myeloma: subanalysis of the randomized phase 3 ALCYONE trial
Authors: Fujisaki Tomoaki , Ishikawa Takayuki , Takamatsu Hiroyuki , Suzuki Kenshi , Min Chang-Ki , Lee Jae Hoon , Wang Jianping , Carson Robin , Crist Wendy , Qi Ming , Nagafuji Koji
Published: October 2019

In the ALCYONE trial, daratumumab plus bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone (D-VMP) reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 50% versus bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone (VMP) in patients with transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Here, we report a subanalysis of East Asian patients from ALCYONE. After a median follow-up of 17.1 and 15.9 months for Japanese (n = 50) and Korean (n = 41) patients, respectively, median progression-free survival for D-VMP versus VMP was not reached (NR) versus 20.7 months in Japanese patients and NR versus 14.0 months in Korean patients. The overall response rate for D-VMP versus VMP was 96% versus 92% in Japanese patients and 91% versus 61% in Korean patients. Using next-generation sequencing, minimal residual disease negativity at 10−5 sensitivity for D-VMP versus VMP was 33% versus 8% among Japanese patients and 17% versus 0% among Korean patients. Rates of any grade and grade 3/4 pneumonia were consistent with the rates observed for the global safety population. Similar efficacy and safety findings were observed in the combined Japanese and Korean subgroup and ≥ 75 years of age subgroup. In conclusion, D-VMP was safe and efficacious in East Asian patients, consistent with the global ALCYONE population.
Analysis of the MIR160 gene family and the role of MIR160a_A05 in regulating fiber length in cotton
Authors: Liu Guoyuan , Liu Ji , Pei Wenfeng , Li Xihua , Wang Nuohan , Ma Jianjiang , Zang Xinshan , Zhang Jinfa , Yu Shuxun , Wu Man , Yu Jiwen
Published: October 2019

Main conclusion

The MIR160 family in Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense was characterized, and miR160a_A05 was found to increase cotton-fiber length by downregulating its target gene (ARF17) and several GH3 genes.

Cotton fiber is the most important raw material for the textile industry. MicroRNAs are involved in regulating cotton-fiber development, but a role in fiber elongation has not been demonstrated. In this study, miR160a was found to be differentially expressed in elongating fibers between two interspecific (between Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense) backcross inbred lines (BILs) with different fiber lengths. The gene MIR160 colocalized with a previously mapped fiber-length quantitative trait locus. Its target gene ARF17 was differentially expressed between the two BILs during fiber elongation, but in the inverse fashion. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the MIR160 family in both G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. Moreover, qRT–PCR analysis identified MIR160a as the functional MIR160 gene encoding the miR160a precursor during fiber elongation. Using virus-induced gene silencing and overexpression, overexpressed MIR160a_A05 resulted in significantly longer fibers compared with wild type, whereas suppression of miR160 resulted in significantly shorter fibers. Expression levels of the target gene auxin-response factor 17 (ARF17) and related genes GH3 in the two BILs and/or the virus-infected plants demonstrated similar changes in response to modulation of miR160a level. Finally, overexpression or suppression of miR160 increased or decreased, respectively, the cellular level of indole-3-acetic acid, which is involved in fiber elongation. These results describe a specific regulatory mechanism for fiber elongation in cotton that can be utilized for future crop improvement.
Interobserver, intraobserver, and interlaboratory variability in reporting pT4a colon cancer
Authors: Klaver Charlotte E. L. , Bulkmans Nicole , Drillenburg Paul , Grabsch Heike I. , van Grieken Nicole C. T. , Karrenbeld Arend , Koens Lianne , van Lijnschoten Ineke , Meijer Jos , Nagtegaal Iris D. , Sagaert Xavier , Seldenrijk Kees , van Velthuysen M. F. , Bruggink Annette H. , Tanis Pieter J. , Snaebjornsson Petur
Published: October 2019

Clinical significance of the pT4 category in colon cancer is increasing with several therapeutic implications. The aim of this study was to evaluate variability in diagnosing pT4a colon cancer. Twelve pathologists classified 66 preselected scanned Hematoxylin/Eosin-stained slides with tumor cells at a distance of 25–1500 μm (n = 22), 0–25 μm (n = 22), or on (n = 22) the peritoneal surface. Inter- and intraobserver variability were calculated using Kappa statistics. For interlaboratory variability, pathology reports of pT3 and pT4a colon cancer were extracted from the Dutch Pathology Registry between 2012 and 2015. The proportion of pT4a (pT4a/(pT3+pT4a)) was compared between 33 laboratories. Potential risk of understaging was assessed by determining the average number of blocks taken from pT3 and pT4a N0-2M0 tumors with metachronous peritoneal metastasis. Interobserver variability among 12 pathologists was 0.50 (95%CI 0.41–0.60; moderate agreement). Intraobserver variability (8 pathologists) was 0.71 (substantial agreement). A total of 7745 reports with pT3 or pT4aN0-2M0 colon cancer from 33 laboratories were included for interlaboratory analysis. Median percentage of pT4a was 15.5% (range 3.2–24.6%). After adjustment for case mix, 8 labs diagnosed pT4a significantly less or more frequently than the median lab. Metachronous peritoneal metastases were histologically verified in 170 of 6629 pT3 and in 129 of 1116 pT4a tumors, with a mean number of blocks of 4.03(SD 1.51) and 4.78 (SD 1.76) taken from the primary tumors, respectively (p < 0.001). A substantial variability in diagnosing pT4a colon cancer exists, both at pathologist and laboratory level. Diagnosis of pT4a stage appears to be challenging and there is a need for standardizing assessment of this pathological entity.
Legacy samples in Finnish biobanks: social and legal issues related to the transfer of old sample collections into biobanks
Authors: Salokannel Marjut , Tarkkala Heta , Snell Karoliina
Published: October 2019

Biobank operations started officially in Finland in 2013 when the Biobank Act defining and regulating biobank operations came into force. Since then, ten biobanks have been established and they have started to collect new prospective samples with broad consent. The main corpus of biobank samples, however, consists of approximately 10 million “legacy samples”. These are old diagnostic or research samples that were transferred to biobanks in accordance with the Biobank Act. The focus of this article is on ambiguities concerning these legacy samples and their transfer in terms of legality, human rights, autonomy, and social sustainability. We analyse the Finnish biobank operations in the context of international regulation, such as the European Convention of Human Rights, the Oviedo Convention, European Charter of Fundamental Rights, the GDPR, and EU Clinical Trials Regulation, and show that the practice of using legacy samples is at times problematic in relation to this regulatory framework. We argue that the prevailing interpretations of these regulations as translated into the Finnish biobank practices undermine the autonomy of individuals by not giving individuals a right to consent or an actionable right to opt-out of the transfer of these legacy samples to the biobank. This is due to the fact that individuals are not given effective notification of such transfers. Thus, issues regarding the legal status of the biobank samples and the social sustainability of biobank operations remain a challenge for biobanks in Finland despite governmental efforts to create pioneering, comprehensive, and enabling legislation.
A honeybees-inspired heuristic algorithm for numerical optimisation
Authors: Düğenci Muharrem , Aydin Mehmet Emin
Published: October 2019

Swarm intelligence is all about developing collective behaviours to solve complex, ill-structured and large-scale problems. Efficiency in collective behaviours depends on how to harmonise the individual contributors so that a complementary collective effort can be achieved to offer a useful solution. The main points in organising the harmony remain as managing the diversification and intensification actions appropriately, where the efficiency of collective behaviours depends on blending these two actions appropriately. In this paper, a hybrid bee algorithm is presented, which harmonises bee operators of two mainstream well-known swarm intelligence algorithms inspired of natural honeybee colonies. The parent algorithms have been overviewed with many respects, strengths and weaknesses are identified, first, and the hybrid version has been proposed, next. The efficiency of the hybrid algorithm is demonstrated in comparison with the parent algorithms in solving two types of numerical optimisation problems; (1) a set of well-known functional optimisation benchmark problems and (2) optimising the weights of a set of artificial neural network models trained for medical classification benchmark problems. The experimental results demonstrate the outperforming success of the proposed hybrid algorithm in comparison with two original/parent bee algorithms in solving both types of numerical optimisation benchmarks.
Current management strategies for visceral artery aneurysms: an overview
Authors: Obara Hideaki , Kentaro Matsubara , Inoue Masanori , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: October 2019

Visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) are rare and affect the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, and inferior mesenteric artery, and their branches. The natural history of VAAs is not well understood as they are often asymptomatic and found incidentally; however, they carry a risk of rupture that can result in death from hemorrhage in the peritoneal cavity, retroperitoneal space, or gastrointestinal tract. Recent advances in imaging technology and its availability allow us to diagnose all types of VAA. VAAs can be treated by open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, endovascular therapy, or a hybrid approach. However, there are still no specific indications for the treatment of VAAs, and the best strategy depends on the anatomical location of the aneurysm as well as the clinical presentation of the patient. This article reviews the literature on the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and anatomic characteristics of each type of VAA and discusses the current options for their treatment and management.
Random dictatorship for privacy-preserving social choice
Authors: Torra Vicenç
Published: October 2019

Social choice provides methods for collective decisions. They include methods for voting and for aggregating rankings. These methods are used in multiagent systems for similar purposes when decisions are to be made by agents. Votes and rankings are sensitive information. Because of that, privacy mechanisms are needed to avoid the disclosure of sensitive information. Cryptographic techniques can be applied in centralized environments to avoid the disclosure of sensitive information. A trusted third party can then compute the outcome. In distributed environments, we can use a secure multiparty computation approach for implementing a collective decision method. Other privacy models exist. Differential privacy andk-anonymity are two of them. They provide privacy guarantees that are complementary to multiparty computation approaches, and solutions that can be combined with the cryptographic ones, thus providing additional privacy guarantees, e.g., a differentially private multiparty computation model. In this paper, we propose the use of probabilistic social choice methods to achieve differential privacy. We use the method called random dictatorship and prove that under some circumstances differential privacy is satisfied and propose a variation that is always compliant with this privacy model. Our approach can be implemented using a centralized approach and also a decentralized approach. We briefly discuss these implementations.
How players across gender and age experience Pokémon Go?
Authors: Malik Aqdas , Hiekkanen Kari , Hussain Zaheer , Hamari Juho , Johri Aditya
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study is to provide insights into player experiences and motivations in Pokémon Go, a relatively new phenomenon of location-based augmented reality games. With the increasing usage and adoption of various forms of digital games worldwide, investigating the motivations for playing games has become crucial not only for researchers but for game developers, designers, and policy makers. Using an online survey (N = 1190), the study explores the motivational, usage, and privacy concerns variations among age and gender groups of Pokémon Go players. Most of the players, who are likely to be casual gamers, are persuaded toward the game due to nostalgic association and word of mouth. Females play Pokémon Go to fulfill physical exploration and enjoyment gratifications. On the other hand, males seek to accomplish social interactivity, achievement, coolness, and nostalgia gratifications. Compared to females, males are more concerned about the privacy aspects associated with the game. With regard to age, younger players display strong connotation with most of the studied gratifications and the intensity drops significantly with an increase in age. With the increasing use of online and mobile games worldwide among all cohorts of society, the study sets the way for a deeper analysis of motivation factors with respect to age and gender. Understanding motivations for play can provide researchers with the analytic tools to gain insight into the preferences for and effects of game play for different kinds of users.
Educational differences in macro-level determinants of early exit from paid work: a multilevel analysis of 14 European countries
Authors: de Breij Sascha , Huisman Martijn , Deeg Dorly J. H.
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to identify macro-level determinants of early work exit and investigate whether the effects of these determinants differ across educational groups. We used data from the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) (2011–2013) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (2010/2011–2012/2013) as well as macro-level data and included 10,584 participants in 14 European countries. We used logistic multilevel analyses to examine educational differences in macro-level determinants of early work exit. Macro-level determinants were: minimum unemployment replacement rates, expenditure on active labour market policies (aimed to help the unemployed find work) and passive labour market policies (unemployment and early retirement benefits), employment protection legislation (costs involved in dismissing individuals), unemployment rates, statutory pension age and implicit tax on continued work. We found low-educated workers to be more at risk of early work exit than higher educated workers. In low-educated men, higher unemployment replacement rates, higher expenditure on passive labour market policies, stricter employment protection legislation and a higher implicit tax on continued work were associated with a higher risk of early work exit, whereas no macro-level factors were associated with early work exit in highly educated men. In women, a higher expenditure on passive labour market policies and a higher implicit tax on continued work were determinants of early work exit, regardless of educational level. To conclude, low-educated men seem to be especially responsive to the effects of pull factors that make early retirement financially more attractive.
A Prescription Trend Analysis of Methylphenidate: Relation to Study Reports on Efficacy
Authors: Sluiter Maruschka N. , de Vries Ymkje Anna , Koning Lotte G. , Hak Eelko , Bos Jens H. J. , Schuiling-Veninga Catharina C. M. , Batstra Laura , Doornenbal Jeannette M. , de Jonge Peter
Published: October 2019

Use of methylphenidate in children has increased substantially, despite conflicting evidence regarding efficacy. In this study, prescription data were analyzed in relation to the publication of new evidence regarding efficacy. Incidence rates and prescribed doses of methylphenidate increased, with a decline during the last few years. Duration of use is still increasing. In half of the cases, starting dosages are higher than recommended in guidelines. There was little evidence that publication of new evidence directly influenced the use of methylphenidate. Recent and critical study findings should receive more attention to contribute to the development and use of treatment guidelines for ADHD and evidence-based methylphenidate use.
Assessing agri-environmental schemes for semi-natural grasslands during a 5-year period: can we see positive effects for vascular plants and pollinators?
Authors: Berg Åke , Cronvall Erik , Eriksson Åsa , Glimskär Anders , Hiron Matthew , Knape Jonas , Pärt Tomas , Wissman Jörgen , Żmihorski Michal , Öckinger Erik
Published: October 2019

An important function of agri-environmental schemes (AES) is to change management of pastures to better conserve biodiversity. However, the effects of most AES on biodiversity are poorly understood, especially when it comes to effects of AES management over time. The main aim of this study is to investigate if the species richness and abundance of grassland specialists of vascular plants and two important insect pollinator groups (bumblebees and butterflies) differ over time (5 years) in pastures with AES management (two value levels; general values and special values) and pastures without AES management. We also investigate if local vegetation characteristics and landscape composition relate to species richness in semi-natural grasslands. Using data from more than 400 sites we found that species richness of vascular plants (grassland specialists) was higher in pastures with AES management (for special and general values) compared to those without AES, which implies that these schemes do have value of the conservation of plant diversity. However, species richness and abundance of butterflies (grassland specialists) and bumblebees (all species) did not differ significantly among the three AES categories. We found no evidence that the type of AES management caused any changes in species richness of plants, butterflies or bumblebees during the 5 year period of our investigation. It appears that AES management that encourages uniform and minimum levels of grazing can have both positive and negative effects on biodiversity. For example, pollinators may benefit from a lower grazing intensity that could increase flower richness and heterogeneity in vegetation height. However, low grazing intensity may lead to increased cover of trees and shrubs, which can have negative effects for both insect pollinators and vascular plants. The effects of landscape composition were weak and only species richness of bumble bees were associated with landscape composition. Designing management regimes to maintain suitably heterogeneous vegetation layer, and continued long-term monitoring of biodiversity will be critical for safeguarding culturally and functionally important semi-natural grasslands.
Correction to: exploratory mathematics talk in a second language: a sociolinguistic perspective
Authors: Robertson Sally-Ann , Graven Mellony
Published: October 2019

The article “Exploratory mathematics talk in a second language: a sociolinguistic perspective”, written by Sally-Ann Robertson and Mellony Graven, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 16 August 2018 without open access.
Increasing Response Diversity to Intraverbals in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Lee Gabrielle T. , Hu Xiaoyi , Liu Yanhong , Zou Chouyun , Cheng Xia , Zhao Qi , Huang Jingjing
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of intraverbal prompts on response diversity and novelty in intraverbals posed to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The intraverbal prompts involving function, feature, and class (FFC) of an item were used in the training of three questions requiring multiple responses. Two Chinese boys with ASD (aged 5–6 years) served as participants. A multiple-probe across three behaviors design was employed. The results indicated that the intraverbal prompts effectively increased the number of divergent responses to all three questions. Novel responses emerged at a low level while generalization to similar questions was not observed following the training.
Enhancing Empathy in Emotion-Focused Group Therapy for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Conceptualization Model for Interpersonal Rupture and Repair
Authors: Robinson Anna
Published: October 2019

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are vulnerable to trauma-related experiences due to difficulties in emotion recognition, including recognising their own and others’ emotions, leading to interpersonal conflict and problems in making and maintaining friendships. There are limited intervention methodologies of how to work with interpersonal conflict and relational repair. This paper presents, for the first time, a case conceptualization model of relational rupture and repair as a clinical strategy to guide therapists working therapeutically with clients with ASD. The model is constructed from a task analysis applied to dyads of therapy and Interpersonal Process Recall sessions of Emotion-Focused Group Therapy with autistic adolescents (EFGT-AS). This model shows that when therapists use Interpersonal Process Recall of shared trauma-related experiences and misempathy encounters as a process-guiding method, it leads to a deepening of emotional processing in both cognitive and affective empathy. Autistic adolescents are able to use EFGT-AS to explore self-agency within interpersonal ruptures and enhance self and other cognitive-affective empathy within a relational repair process. This rational-empirical model for working with relational rupture and repair stands as a hypothesis for future testing.
Oxygen in Complex Oxide Thin Films Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition: a Perspective
Authors: Koster Gertjan , Blank Dave H. A. , Rijnders Guus A. J. H. M.
Published: October 2019

For thin film synthesis of complex oxides, one of the most important issues has always been how to oxidise the material. For a technique like pulsed laser deposition, a key benefit is the relatively high oxygen background pressure one can operate at, and therefor oxidation should be relatively straightforward. However, understanding the microscopic oxidation mechanisms turns out to be rather difficult. In this perspective, we give a brief overview of the sources of oxidation for complex oxide thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition. While it is clear what these sources are, their role in the kinetics of the formation of the crystal structure and oxygen stoichiometry is not fully understood.
The effects of inorganic phosphate on muscle force development and energetics: challenges in modelling related to experimental uncertainties
Authors: Månsson Alf
Published: October 2019

Muscle force and power are developed by myosin cross-bridges, which cyclically attach to actin, undergo a force-generating transition and detach under turnover of ATP. The force-generating transition is intimately associated with release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) but the exact sequence of events in relation to the actual Pi release step is controversial. Details of this process are reflected in the relationships between [Pi] and the developed force and shortening velocity. In order to account for these relationships, models have proposed branched kinetic pathways or loose coupling between biochemical and force-generating transitions. A key hypothesis underlying the present study is that such complexities are not required to explain changes in the force–velocity relationship and ATP turnover rate with altered [Pi]. We therefore set out to test if models without branched kinetic paths and Pi-release occurring before the main force-generating transition can account for effects of varied [Pi] (0.1–25 mM). The models tested, one assuming either linear or non-linear cross-bridge elasticity, account well for critical aspects of muscle contraction at 0.5 mM Pi but their capacity to account for the maximum power output vary. We find that the models, within experimental uncertainties, account for the relationship between [Pi] and isometric force as well as between [Pi] and the velocity of shortening at low loads. However, in apparent contradiction with available experimental findings, the tested models produce an anomalous force–velocity relationship at elevated [Pi] and high loads with more than one possible velocity for a given load. Nevertheless, considering experimental uncertainties and effects of sarcomere non-uniformities, these discrepancies are insufficient to refute the tested models in favour of more complex alternatives.
The application of the ‘Gene-deletor’ technology in banana
Authors: Hu Chun-hua , Yang Qiao-song , Shao Xiu-hong , Dong Tao , Bi Fang-cheng , Li Chun-yu , Deng Gui-ming , Li Yi , Yi Gan-jun , Dou Tong-xin
Published: October 2019

Banana (Musa spp.) is an important tropical crop. Banana industry is under biotic and abiotic stresses such as Fusarium wilt, typhoon, cold stress. Genetic engineering offers a powerful strategy to create germplasm of banana with enhanced resistance. The safety of genetically modified organisms has become a bottleneck restricting the popularization and application of genetically modified technology. In this study, a candidate promoter, LEAFY (LFY) for expression and flower initiation in Arabidopsis, was cloned and constructed to ‘Gene-deletor’ vector. Histochemical β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining results showed that the ‘Gene-deletor’ vector driven by LFY promoter could lead to 88.5% excision efficiency from Arabidopsis seeds based on more than 200 T3 progeny examined per event. GUS staining was found to be partially negative in transgenic bananas, however, polymerase chain reaction could still detect the presence of large fragments of the vector. These results suggest that although LFY promoter could not completely drive the ‘Gene-deletor’ vector to achieve the effect of complete elimination of exogenous gene in bananas, its efficiency of eliminating exogenous gene laid a theoretical foundation for cloning banana fruit-specific promoters, that is, ‘non-transgenic’ GM bananas.
Dual L1-Normalized Context Aware Tensor Power Iteration and Its Applications to Multi-object Tracking and Multi-graph Matching
Authors: Hu Weiming , Shi Xinchu , Zhou Zongwei , Xing Junliang , Ling Haibin , Maybank Stephen
Published: October 2019

The multi-dimensional assignment problem is universal for data association analysis such as data association-based visual multi-object tracking and multi-graph matching. In this paper, multi-dimensional assignment is formulated as a rank-1 tensor approximation problem. A dualL1-normalized context/hyper-context aware tensor power iteration optimization method is proposed. The method is applied to multi-object tracking and multi-graph matching. In the optimization method, tensor power iteration with the dual unit norm enables the capture of information across multiple sample sets. Interactions between sample associations are modeled as contexts or hyper-contexts which are combined with the global affinity into a unified optimization. The optimization is flexible for accommodating various types of contextual models. In multi-object tracking, the global affinity is defined according to the appearance similarity between objects detected in different frames. Interactions between objects are modeled as motion contexts which are encoded into the global association optimization. The tracking method integrates high order motion information and high order appearance variation. The multi-graph matching method carries out matching over graph vertices and structure matching over graph edges simultaneously. The matching consistency across multi-graphs is based on the high-order tensor optimization. Various types of vertex affinities and edge/hyper-edge affinities are flexibly integrated. Experiments on several public datasets, such as the MOT16 challenge benchmark, validate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Changes in Body Mass Index and Quality of Life—Population-Based Follow-up Study COURAGE and COURAGE-POLFUS, Poland
Authors: Zawisza Katarzyna , Tobiasz-Adamczyk Beata , Galas Aleksander , Jabłońska Katarzyna , Grodzicki Tomasz
Published: October 2019

The study aimed to verify an association between changes in body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QoL) in a 4-year follow-up in a population-based study in Poland. The results covered data from 1557 adults from the general Polish population who participated in the follow-up survey, performed in two waves: 2011 (COURAGE in Europe); 2015/2016 (COURAGE-POLFUS). Anthropometric measurements and a structured questionnaire including the WHOQOL-AGE scale were used. Regression models were applied to verify whether the observed BMI–QoL association is linear or U-shaped. The inverse U-shaped association between BMI changes and QoL among Polish adults was found using a univariable model. This association was observed in women, whereas in men a linear relationship was found. At the population level, weight loss (BMI decrease of 5–10%) was associated with better QoL in healthy people. The reverse was true in sick people, whose weight loss was observed to be an indicator of poorer QoL. In conclusion, the study suggests an inverse U-shaped association between BMI and quality of life. Better QoL may be considered an additional benefit of public weight loss programs for healthy adults. Further studies focusing on people with some chronic diseases are needed.
Analysis of national and local governance systems to achieve the sustainable development goals: case studies of Japan and Indonesia
Authors: Morita Kanako , Okitasari Mahesti , Masuda Hiromi
Published: October 2019

To achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), all countries’ efforts are essential, and each country needs to recognize their level of achievement in terms of the SDGs, identify the goals and targets that require more effort, and build more effective and well-performed governance systems to accelerate their efforts toward achieving the SDGs. This study identifies different governance system structures for achieving the SDGs and the challenges they face in improving their performance using a new matrix tool to evaluate governance systems for the SDGs. We use Japan and Indonesia as case studies to provide perspectives from countries at different levels of economic development. The results show that the governance systems for the SDGs are structurally and functionally different in the two countries, which face different challenges. Japan has relatively well-structured “vision and objective setting”, “research and assessment”, and “strategy development”, but faces challenges in relation to “implementation” and “monitoring, evaluation, and review”, while Indonesia has relatively well-structured “research and assessment”, “strategy development”, and “monitoring, evaluation, and review.” However, Indonesia faces challenges in relation to “vision and objective setting” and “implementation.” We found that the differences in the governance systems for the SDGs have arisen in relation to three key elements: differences in the development of governance systems for the SDGs, differences in the lead ministries, and the existence or otherwise of a supportive legal framework. We argue that the proposed matrix tool is useful in identifying the structure of governance systems for the SDGs and the challenges that must be overcome to improve the performance of these systems. However, some analytical limitations must be overcome before the tool can be applied to other countries.
Is there a host-associated molecular and morphological differentiation between sympatrically occurring individuals of the invasive leaf miner Cameraria ohridella?
Authors: Melosik Iwona , Walczak Urszula , Staszak Julia , Winnicka Katarzyna , Baraniak Edward
Published: October 2019

The leaf-miner mothCameraria ohridella,a pest in Central Europe, causes severe damage to trees. Host-associated differentiation (HAD) for this species has been suggested previously based on the occurrence of a specific mitochondrial haplotype. We assessed genetic diversity and population structure for sympatrically occurring individuals collected in association with two host species, Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) and horse chestnut (Ae. hippocastanum), using six microsatellite loci (SSR) and mtDNA sequences that encode parts of cytochrome oxidase I and II. To infer population structure and assign individuals to clusters, we employed Bayesian clustering. We further characterized the relationships between genetic distance and geographical distance (IBD) in analyzed samples. Although our results derived from the SSR loci analyses demonstrating that there was no population substructuring caused by the hosts, we found evidence of differences in wing size, which might be attributed to the quality of food resources available to larvae. The population structure withK = 2 cannot be interpreted as the result of IBD; rather, it reflects a population differentiation due to demographic or genetic processes (e.g., an origin of invaders). Although genetic diversity was relatively high (He> 0.5), the population had a deficiency of heterozygotes (FIS > 0), which was most likely due to nonrandom mating and, possibly, a Wahlund effect. A star-like haplotype network and negative Tajima’s D support the genetic effect of bottleneck followed by population expansion. Based on presumably neutral markers, we conclude thatC. ohridellaappeared to be a good model for studying evolution toward a generalist invasive species, rather than HAD.
Debunking (the) Retribution (Gap)
Authors: Kraaijeveld Steven R.
Published: October 2019

Robotization is an increasingly pervasive feature of our lives. Robots with high degrees of autonomy may cause harm, yet in sufficiently complex systems neither the robots nor the human developers may be candidates for moral blame. John Danaher has recently argued that this may lead to a retribution gap, where the human desire for retribution faces a lack of appropriate subjects for retributive blame. The potential social and moral implications of a retribution gap are considerable. I argue that the retributive intuitions that feed into retribution gaps are best understood as deontological intuitions. I apply a debunking argument for deontological intuitions in order to show that retributive intuitions cannot be used to justify retributive punishment in cases of robot harm without clear candidates for blame. The fundamental moral question thus becomes what we ought to do with these retributive intuitions, given that they do not justify retribution. I draw a parallel from recent work on implicit biases to make a case for taking moral responsibility for retributive intuitions. In the same way that we can exert some form of control over our unwanted implicit biases, we can and should do so for unjustified retributive intuitions in cases of robot harm.
Systemic Administration of Rejuvenated Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Liver Metabolism in Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)- New Approach in Veterinary Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Marycz Krzysztof , Szłapka-Kosarzewska J. , Geburek F. , Kornicka-Garbowska K.
Published: October 2019

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is characterized by adiposity, insulin dysregulation and increased risk for laminitis. Increased levels of specific liver enzymes in the peripheral blood are typical findings in horses diagnosed with EMS. Current management of EMS is based on caloric restriction and increased physical activity. However, new potential treatment options are arising such as the transplantation of autologous adipose stem cells (ASC). However, cytophysiological properties of ASC derived from EMS horses are impaired which strongly limits their therapeutic potential. We hypothesized, that in vitro pharmacotherapy of those cells with 5-azacytidine (AZA) and resveratrol (RES) before their clinical application can reverse the aged phenotype of those cells and improve clinical outcome of autologous therapy. A 9 year old Dutch Warmblood Horse used for driving, was presented with severe obesity, insulin resistance. After EMS diagnosis, the animal received three intravenous injections of autologous, AZA/RES treated ASCs at weekly intervals. The therapeutic effect was assessed by the analysis of liver specific enzymes in the blood. ASC-transplantation reduced levels of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate transaminase (AST). This case report demonstrates the therapeutic potential of this intervention for EMS as well as apt utility of autologous, rejuvenated ASC injections.
Geochemistry of Dalma metavolcanic Suite from Proterozoic Singhbhum Mobile Belt, Eastern India: Implications for Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting
Authors: Alvi Shabber H. , Mir Akhtar R. , Bhat Irfan M.
Published: October 2019

The Dalma metavolcanic belt is composed of ultramafics at the base, tuffs on top and basalts in-between. It extends for about 200kms east-west in the middle of the Proterozoic Singhbhum Mobile Belt. Ultramafics are chiefly composed of actinolite, hornblende, relic pyroxene and olivine. The main mineral constituents of basalts are actinolite, hornblende, chlorite, epidote, clinozoisite and plagioclase whereas; tuffs are composed of xenocrysts of biotite, quartz, k-feldspar, plagioclase and iron oxides. Ultramafic samples have high MgO (> 21 wt.%) and low SiO2 (< 42 wt.%), Al2O3 (< 10 wt.%) and Na2O+K2O (< 1 wt.%). CaO shows large variation in these samples from 3.91 to 7.77 wt. %. In studied basalt samples SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, MgO and alkalis (Na2O+K2O) show variation like (45.7-48.3 wt.%), (0.64-0.97 wt.%), (9.3-13.9 wt.%), (8.5-13.6 wt.%) and (0.95-4.64 wt.%) respectively. In studied tuffs the SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, MgO and alkalis show variation from (48.9-49.8 wt.%), (0.7-0.8 wt.%), (13.6-13.9 wt.%), (8.4-9.1 wt.%) and (2.39-2.85 wt.%) respectively. In general, studied samples show light rare earth element depleted patterns and flat patterns for heavy rare earth elements similar to MORBs on chondrite normalized REE diagrams. The overall enrichment of LILEs (e.g., Rb, K and Th) and depletion of HFSEs (e.g., Nb-Ta trough) on primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams are similar to subduction zone or islamd arc basalts. Ratios like Ti/Y, Ti/Zr, Zr/Nb and Ti/V are also similar to those found in arc related volcanic suites. Sm/Yb vs La/Sm diagram indicates generation of melts from the spinel lherzolite mantle source. On tectonic setting discrimination diagrams like Zr vs Zr/Y, Zr vs Ti and Ti vs V majority of studied samples clearly show island arc tectonic affinity.