bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing listening capability of humanoid robot by reduction of stationary ego‐noise
Authors: Wake Naoki , Fukumoto Masaaki , Takahashi Hirokazu , Ikeuchi Katsushi
Published: September 2019

Speech interfaces for household robots utilizing third‐party automatic speech recognition (ASR) services face the challenge of overcoming stationary ego‐noise that decreases ASR accuracy. Previous studies on signal processing have proposed numerous noise reduction methods that increase the signal‐to‐noise ratio of speech audio and subjective speech clarity. However, severe limitations on the cost of hardware of household robots and the use of closed ‘black box’ ASR services require us to re‐examine the efficacy of noise reduction methods in this context. Here we compare the effect of several basic noise filters on the performance of ASR services when speech sounds include the stationary ego‐noise of a humanoid Pepper robot. The result revealed that a spectrum subtraction filter improves the accuracy of ASR services best. We also demonstrate that the filter improves ASR performance on an actual Pepper robot system. This study not only provides practical knowledge on the selection of noise filters for a robot system but also discusses further improvements to the listening capabilities of the robot utilizing ASR. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A review of keyphrase extraction
Authors: Papagiannopoulou Eirini , Tsoumakas Grigorios
Published: September 2019

Keyphrase extraction is a textual information processing task concerned with the automatic extraction of representative and characteristic phrases from a document that express all the key aspects of its content. Keyphrases constitute a succinct conceptual summary of a document, which is very useful in digital information management systems for semantic indexing, faceted search, document clustering and classification. This article introduces keyphrase extraction, provides a well‐structured review of the existing work, offers interesting insights on the different evaluation approaches, highlights open issues and presents a comparative experimental study of popular unsupervised techniques on five datasets.

This article is categorized under:

Ensemble Methods > Web Mining

Ensemble Methods > Text Mining
Flexible modelling of spatial variation in agricultural field trials with the R package INLA
Authors: Selle Maria Lie , Steinsland Ingelin , Hickey John M. , Gorjanc Gregor
Published: September 2019

Key message

Established spatial models improve the analysis of agricultural field trials with or without genomic data and can be fitted with the open-source R package INLA.

The objective of this paper was to fit different established spatial models for analysing agricultural field trials using the open-source R package INLA. Spatial variation is common in field trials, and accounting for it increases the accuracy of estimated genetic effects. However, this is still hindered by the lack of available software implementations. We compare some established spatial models and show possibilities for flexible modelling with respect to field trial design and joint modelling over multiple years and locations. We use a Bayesian framework and for statistical inference the integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA) implemented in the R package INLA. The spatial models we use are the well-known independent row and column effects, separable first-order autoregressive ($$\mathrm{AR1} \otimes \mathrm{AR1}$$AR1⊗AR1) models and a Gaussian random field (Matérn) model that is approximated via the stochastic partial differential equation approach. The Matérn model can accommodate flexible field trial designs and yields interpretable parameters. We test the models in a simulation study imitating a wheat breeding programme with different levels of spatial variation, with and without genome-wide markers and with combining data over two locations, modelling spatial and genetic effects jointly. The results show comparable predictive performance for both the$$\mathrm{AR1} \otimes \mathrm{AR1}$$AR1⊗AR1and the Matérn models. We also present an example of fitting the models to a real wheat breeding data and simulated tree breeding data with the Nelder wheel design to show the flexibility of the Matérn model and the R package INLA.
Harmonic metrics on Higgs sheaves and uniformization of varieties of general type
Authors: Greb Daniel , Kebekus Stefan , Peternell Thomas , Taji Behrouz
Published: September 2019

We prove a criterion for the existence of harmonic metrics on Higgs bundles that are defined on smooth loci of klt varieties. As one application, we resolve the quasi-étale uniformisation problem for minimal varieties of general type to obtain a complete numerical characterisation of singular quotients of the unit ball by discrete, co-compact groups of automorphisms that act freely in codimension one. As a further application, we establish a nonabelian Hodge correspondence on smooth loci of klt varieties.
White matter DNA methylation profiling reveals deregulation of HIP1, LMAN2, MOBP, and other loci in multiple system atrophy
Authors: Bettencourt Conceição , Foti Sandrine C. , Miki Yasuo , Botia Juan , Chatterjee Aparajita , Warner Thomas T. , Revesz Tamas , Lashley Tammaryn , Balazs Robert , Viré Emmanuelle , Holton Janice L.
Published: September 2019

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal late-onset neurodegenerative disease. Although presenting with distinct pathological hallmarks, which in MSA consist of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) containing fibrillar α-synuclein in oligodendrocytes, both MSA and Parkinson’s disease are α-synucleinopathies. Pathologically, MSA can be categorized into striatonigral degeneration (SND), olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) or mixed subtypes. Despite extensive research, the regional vulnerability of the brain to MSA pathology remains poorly understood. Genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors have been proposed to explain which brain regions are affected by MSA, and to what extent. Here, we explored for the first time epigenetic changes in post-mortem brain tissue from MSA cases. We conducted a case–control study, and profiled DNA methylation in white mater from three brain regions characterized by severe-to-mild GCIs burden in the MSA mixed subtype (cerebellum, frontal lobe and occipital lobe). Our genome-wide approach using Illumina MethylationEPIC arrays and a powerful cross-region analysis identified 157 CpG sites and 79 genomic regions where DNA methylation was significantly altered in the MSA mixed-subtype cases. HIP1, LMAN2 and MOBP were amongst the most differentially methylated loci. We replicated these findings in an independent cohort and further demonstrated that DNA methylation profiles were perturbed in MSA mixed subtype, and also to variable degrees in the other pathological subtypes (OPCA and SND). Finally, our co-methylation network analysis revealed several molecular signatures (modules) significantly associated with MSA (disease status and pathological subtypes), and with neurodegeneration in the cerebellum. Importantly, the co-methylation module having the strongest association with MSA included a CpG in SNCA, the gene encoding α-synuclein. Altogether, our results provide the first evidence for DNA methylation changes contributing to the molecular processes altered in MSA, some of which are shared with other neurodegenerative diseases, and highlight potential novel routes for diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
Sensitivity analysis based multi-scale methods of coupled path-dependent problems
Authors: Zupan Nina , Korelc Jože
Published: September 2019

In the paper, a generalized essential boundary condition sensitivity analysis based implementation of $$\text {FE}^2$$FE2 and mesh-in-element (MIEL) multi-scale methods is derived as an alternative to standard implementations of multi-scale analysis, where the calculation of Schur complement of the microscopic tangent matrix is needed for bridging the scales. The paper presents a unified approach to the development of an arbitrary MIEL or $$\text {FE}^2$$FE2 computational scheme for an arbitrary path-dependent material model. Implementation is based on efficient first and second order analytical sensitivity analysis, for which automatic-differentiation-based formulation of essential boundary condition sensitivity analysis is derived. A fully consistently linearized two-level path-following algorithm is introduced as a solution algorithm for the multi-scale modeling. Sensitivity analysis allows each macro step to be followed by an arbitrary number of micro substeps while retaining quadratic convergence of the overall solution algorithm.
Establishing an online physical exercise program for people with hemophilia
Authors: Wagner Barbara , Seuser Axel , Krüger Steffen , Herzig Marie Luca , Hilberg Thomas , Ay Cihan , Hasenöhrl Timothy , Crevenna Richard
Published: September 2019

Background

Hemophilia is a congenital bleeding disorder with an estimated frequency of 1:10,000 births. Repeated joint bleeding is a hallmark of the disorder and leads to painful hemophilic arthropathy. Regular exercise can help improve joint stability and function, reduce the risk of injury and bleeding and improve physical fitness and quality of life. This method paper describes an online training concept aiming to offer access to appropriate exercise instructions for people with hemophilia who are not able to attend regular training at a hemophilia center.

Methods

The online exercise program is accessible through the homepage of the Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine of the Medical University Vienna as well as through scanning a QR code printed on information material using a smart phone or tablet.

Results

The program contains exercises to improve mobility, coordination, muscular strength and flexibility. A brief introduction is given by a hematologist, a pediatrician and a physiatrist. An introductory video informs about contraindications and essential precautions, such as medical attendance and sufficient factor therapy to consider before starting the training. Another video gives advice on the exercise composition. The demonstrated exercises are explained by a physician and are available for adults and children. To individualize training recommendations and offer further diagnostic tools and physical treatment options as necessary, the Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine of the Medical University of Vienna will establish consultation hours for people with hemophilia.

Conclusion

As hemophilia is an orphan disease, patients are mainly treated in specialized centers. For patients who live far from these centers or have limited access to a training there for other reasons, the physical medicine consultation hour and the implementation of online exercise instructions offer individually adapted exercise information for a regular home-based training to benefit from increased physical fitness and joint stability.
Influence of chitosan addition on the mechanical and antibacterial properties of carrot cellulose nanofibre film
Authors: Szymańska-Chargot Monika , Chylińska Monika , Pertile Giorgia , Pieczywek Piotr M. , Cieślak Krystian J. , Zdunek Artur , Frąc Magdalena
Published: September 2019

Films of carrot cellulose nanofibrils (CCNFs) with the addition of low-viscosity chitosan (CHIT) were prepared by the vacuum filtration. The chitosan content in the films varied from 9 to 33% (dry wt. basis). The surface morphology of the films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, and it was found that chitosan was dispersed in the CCNF matrix. The interaction between CCNFs and CHIT was evaluated in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The obtained results suggested physical interactions rather than hydrogen bonding between CCNFs and CHIT. This finding also supports the results of the water wettability experiment. The addition of chitosan to the nanocellulose matrix causes an increase in the water contact angle, i.e., the surface of the composites becomes more hydrophobic. This increase is probably connected to an interaction between nanocellulose and chitosan forming a denser structure. Analyses of thermal properties showed that the composites are stable under high temperature, and the degradation occurred above 300 °C. It was found that the addition of CHIT to CCNF matrices caused a decrease in the Young’s modulus—the higher that the concentration of chitosan in the composite was, the lower the Young’s modulus (decreased from 14.71 GPa for CCNFs to 8.76 GPa for CCNF/CHIT_5). Additionally, the tensile strength of composites, i.e., the maximum force that causes a fracture decreased after the addition of chitosan (decreased from 145.83 MPa for CCNFs to 129.43 MPa for CCNF/CHIT_5). The results indicated the highest inhibitory effect of the investigated composites against E. coli and S. epidermidis. Whereas M. luteus was inhibited only by the higher concentration of chitosan in the tested composites, inhibition was not found against C. krissii and all tested filamentous fungi.

Graphic abstract
Photosystem II core quenching in desiccated Leptolyngbya ohadii
Authors: Ranjbar Choubeh Reza , Bar-Eyal Leeat , Paltiel Yossi , Keren Nir , Struik Paul C. , van Amerongen Herbert
Published: September 2019

Cyanobacteria living in the harsh environment of the desert have to protect themselves against high light intensity and prevent photodamage. These cyanobacteria are in a desiccated state during the largest part of the day when both temperature and light intensity are high. In the desiccated state, their photosynthetic activity is stopped, whereas upon rehydration the ability to perform photosynthesis is regained. Earlier reports indicate that light-induced excitations in Leptolyngbya ohadii are heavily quenched in the desiccated state, because of a loss of structural order of the light-harvesting phycobilisome structures (Bar Eyal et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci 114:9481, 2017) and via the stably oxidized primary electron donor in photosystem I, namely P700+ (Bar Eyal et al. in Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenergy 1847:1267–1273, 2015). In this study, we use picosecond fluorescence experiments to demonstrate that a third protection mechanism exists, in which the core of photosystem II is quenched independently.
Construction of Electrocatalytic and Heat-Resistant Self-Supporting Electrodes for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Wei Yunhong , Wang Boya , Wang Mei , Zhang Yun , Wang Qian , Wu Hao
Published: September 2019

Boosting the utilization efficiency of sulfur electrodes and suppressing the “shuttle effect” of intermediate polysulfides remain the critical challenge for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). However, most of reported sulfur electrodes are not competent to realize the fast conversion of polysulfides into insoluble lithium sulfides when applied with high sulfur loading, as well as to mitigate the more serious shuttle effect of polysulfides, especially when worked at an elevated temperature. Herein, we reported a unique structural engineering strategy of crafting a unique hierarchical multifunctional electrode architecture constructed by rooting MOF-derived CoS2/carbon nanoleaf arrays (CoS2–CNA) into a nitrogen-rich 3D conductive scaffold (CTNF@CoS2–CNA) for LSBs. An accelerated electrocatalytic effect and improved polysulfide redox kinetics arising from CoS2–CNA were investigated. Besides, the strong capillarity effect and chemisorption of CTNF@CoS2–CNA to polysulfides enable high loading and efficient utilization of sulfur, thus leading to high-performance LIBs performed not only at room temperature but also up to an elevated temperature (55 °C). Even with the ultrahigh sulfur loading of 7.19 mg cm−2, the CTNF@CoS2–CNA/S cathode still exhibits high rate capacity at 55 °C.
La parentalité des personnes handicapées mentales sous vigilance
Authors: Parentelli Adeline
Published: September 2019

La parentalité est aujourd’hui érigée en compétence, ce qui accentue la responsabilité des parents. L’expertise/conseil se développe dans divers champs scientifiques et produit des normes de parentalité utilisées par les pouvoirs publics pour construire leurs dispositifs destinés à des parents catégorisés comme vulnérables. Au niveau de la loi, les personnes handicapées mentales sont considérées comme vulnérables sur appréciation du juge et, de ce fait, plus ou moins capables juridiquement de se protéger et de défendre leurs intérêts. Pour autant, elles peuvent être amenées à protéger un enfant et à défendre ses intérêts, puisqu’elles ont la liberté de devenir parents. Cette liberté, longtemps entravée, est de nos jours considérée comme possible, ce qui amène les dispositifs à prendre en compte la parentalité des personnes handicapées mentales dans leur accompagnement. Cette note de recherche s’appuie sur une étude qualitative menée auprès de douze professionnels accompagnant ces parents ou futurs parents. L’auteure y analyse les tensions et enjeux auxquels les professionnels sont soumis et la manière dont ils construisent leur expertise. Au regard des résultats et de leurs intérêts pour les champs professionnels concernés, elle envisage des perspectives d’innovation destinées à optimiser les dispositifs existants.
Turbulent wake behind a concave curved cylinder
Authors: Jiang Fengjian , Pettersen Bjørnar , Andersson Helge I.
Published: September 2019

We present a detailed study of the turbulent wake behind a quarter-ring curved cylinder at Reynolds number$Re=3900$(based on cylinder diameter and incoming flow velocity), by means of direct numerical simulation. The configuration is referred to as a concave curved cylinder with incoming flow aligned with the plane of curvature and towards the inner face of the cylinder. Wake flows behind this configuration are known to be complex, but have so far only been studied at low$Re$. This is the first direct numerical simulation investigation of the turbulent wake behind the concave configuration, from which we reveal new and interesting wake dynamics, and present in-depth physical interpretations. Similar to the low-$Re$cases, the turbulent wake behind a concave curved cylinder is a multi-regime and multi-frequency flow. However, in addition to the coexisting flow regimes reported at lower$Re$, we observe a new transitional flow regime at$Re=3900$. The flow field in this transitional regime is dominated not by von Kármán-type vortex shedding, but by periodic asymmetric helical vortices. Such vortex pairs exist also in some other wake flows, but are then non-periodic. Inspections reveal that the periodic motion of the asymmetric helical vortices is induced by vortex shedding in its neighbouring oblique shedding regime. The oblique shedding regime is in turn influenced by the transitional regime, resulting in a unified and remarkably low dominating frequency in both flow regimes. Owing to this synchronized frequency, the new wake dynamics in the transitional regime might easily be overlooked. In the near wake, two distinct peaks are observed in the time-averaged axial velocity distribution along the curved cylinder span, while only one peak was observed at lower$Re$. The presence of the additional peak is ascribed to a strong favourable base pressure gradient along the cylinder span. It is noteworthy that the axially directed base flow exceeded the incoming velocity behind a substantial part of the quarter-ring and even persisted upwards along the straight vertical extension. As a by-product of our study, we find that a straight vertical extension of 16 cylinder diameters is required in order to avoid any adverse effects from the upper boundary of the flow domain.
Experimental investigation of intermittent airflow separation and microscale wave breaking in wavy two-phase pipe flow
Authors: Vollestad P. , Ayati A. A. , Jensen A.
Published: September 2019

We perform an experimental analysis of co-current, stratified wavy pipe flow, with the aim of investigating the effect of small scale wave breaking (microscale breaking) on the airflow. Particle image velocimetry is applied simultaneously in the gas and liquid phases. Active wave breaking is identified by high levels of vorticity on the leeward side of individual waves, and the statistics of the airflow above breaking and non-breaking waves are extracted from the gas-phase velocity fields. Keeping the liquid superficial velocity constant ($U_{sl}=0.1~\text{m}~\text{s}^{-1}$), we consider two experimental cases of different gas flow rates. The lowest flow rate ($U_{sg}=1.85~\text{m}~\text{s}^{-1}$) is slightly higher than the onset of microscale breaking, while the higher flow rate ($U_{sg}=2.20~\text{m}~\text{s}^{-1}$) is within the regime where wave breaking is observed to be frequent, and the root-mean-square interface elevation $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}_{rms}$ is independent of gas flow rate. Results show that for the lowest gas flow rate considered, active wave breaking has a stabilizing effect on the airflow above the waves, reducing the sheltered region on the leeward side of the wave and the turbulence above the wave crest compared with non-breaking waves at similar steepness. At the higher gas flow rate the effect of active wave breaking is found to be small, and the main geometrical properties of the waves are found to dominate the evolution of the separated flow region.
The Persistence of Harvest Shocks in Medieval England
Authors: Bekar Cliff T.
Published: September 2019

I present evidence that shocks to the Medieval English harvest persisted. Hypothesized mechanisms include varying supplies of seed corn and other complementary harvest inputs. Peasants are modeled as trading off current consumption against grain stores and sow rates so that subsistence-level shocks may persist. For my sample I find that a failed harvest increased the probability of subsequent harvest failure by 20–30 percent. Grain yields are analyzed as a strongly balanced panel by year, manor, and crop. While I reject the hypothesis that harvests were self-contained annual events, I caution against linking harvest persistence directly to runs in grain prices.
The relationship between depressive symptoms and negative symptoms in people with non-affective psychosis: a meta-analysis
Authors: Edwards Clementine Jane , Garety Philippa , Hardy Amy
Published: September 2019

The negative symptoms of psychosis and depressive symptomatology share several features, e.g. low motivation, apathy and reduced activity. Understanding the associations between these two sets of symptoms will support improved assessment and the development of interventions targeting these difficulties in people with psychosis. This is the first large systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the relationship between these two categories of symptoms, as measured in studies to date. PsycInfo, Embase and Medline were systematically searched to identify eligible studies. Inclusion criteria ensured the studies measured both depression and negative symptoms using validated measures in a sample of over 8000 participants with non-affective psychosis diagnoses. The search led to 2020 records being screened and 56 included in the meta-analysis and review. Both meta-analyses and meta-regressions were conducted to explore the main effect and potential moderating variables. A clear pattern emerges showing that higher ratings of negative symptoms are associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, with a small effect [standardised effect size = 0.19,p< 0.05). This did not vary greatly with the measures used (SES = 0.19–0.26) and was not moderated by demographic variables or quality ratings. Interestingly, higher depressive symptoms predict a significant relationship with co-occurring negative symptoms. However, higher negative symptoms predict that it is less likely there will be a relationship with co-occurring depressive symptoms. Heterogeneity was high across these analyses. The findings support the adoption of a symptom-specific approach to understanding the interplay between negative and depressive symptoms in psychosis, to improve assessment and intervention.
Genetic heterogeneity in self-reported depressive symptoms identified through genetic analyses of the PHQ-9
Authors: Thorp Jackson G. , Marees Andries T. , Ong Jue-Sheng , An Jiyuan , MacGregor Stuart , Derks Eske M.
Published: September 2019

Background

Depression is a clinically heterogeneous disorder. Previous large-scale genetic studies of depression have explored genetic risk factors of depression case–control status or aggregated sums of depressive symptoms, ignoring possible clinical or genetic heterogeneity.

Methods

We analyse data from 148 752 subjects of white British ancestry in the UK Biobank who completed nine items of a self-rated measure of current depressive symptoms: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Genome-Wide Association analyses were conducted for nine symptoms and two composite measures. LD Score Regression was used to calculate SNP-based heritability (h2SNP) and genetic correlations (rg) across symptoms and to investigate genetic correlations with 25 external phenotypes. Genomic structural equation modelling was used to test the genetic factor structure across the nine symptoms.

Results

We identified nine genome-wide significant genomic loci (8 novel), with no overlap in loci across symptoms. h2SNP ranged from 6% (concentration problems) to 9% (appetite changes). Genetic correlations ranged from 0.54 to 0.96 (all p < 1.39 × 10−3) with 30 of 36 correlations being significantly smaller than one. A two-factor model provided the best fit to the genetic covariance matrix, with factors representing ‘psychological’ and ‘somatic’ symptoms. The genetic correlations with external phenotypes showed large variation across the nine symptoms.

Conclusions

Patterns of SNP associations and genetic correlations differ across the nine symptoms, suggesting that current depressive symptoms are genetically heterogeneous. Our study highlights the value of symptom-level analyses in understanding the genetic architecture of a psychiatric trait. Future studies should investigate whether genetic heterogeneity is recapitulated in clinical symptoms of major depression.
On value frameworks and opportunity costs in health technology assessment
Authors: Booth Neill
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Proceeding from a basic concept underpinning economic evaluation, opportunity cost, this study aims to explain how different approaches to economics diverge quite dramatically in their ideas of what constitutes appropriate valuation, both in principle and practice. Because the concept of opportunity cost does not inherently specify how valuation should be undertaken or specify how appropriate any economic value framework (EVF) might be, the three main economics-based approaches to providing evidence about value for health technology assessment are described.

Methods

This paper describes how the three main EVFs—namely, the extra-welfarist, welfarist, and classical—are most typically understood, applied, and promoted. It then provides clarification and assessment of related concepts and terminology.

Results

Although EVFs differ, certain underlying characteristics of valuation were identified as fundamental to all approaches to economic evaluation in practice. The study also suggests that some of the rhetoric and terms employed in relation to the extra-welfarist approach are not wholly justified and, further, that only the welfarist approach ensures adherence to welfare-economic principles. Finally, deliberative analysis, especially when connected with a classical economic approach, can serve as a useful supplement to other analytical approaches.

Conclusions

All three approaches to economic evaluation have something to offer assessment processes, but they all display limitations too. Therefore, the author concludes that the language of economic evaluation should be used with sufficient humility to prevent overselling of EVFs, especially with regard to the qualities of evidence they provide for priority setting processes.
Neo-Expressivism: (Self-)Knowledge, Meaning, and Truth
Authors: Bar-On Dorit
Published: September 2019

Philosophers are often interested in explaining significant contrasts between ordinary descriptive discourses, on the one hand, and discourses – such as ethics, mathematics, or mentalistic discourse – that are thought to be more problematic in various ways. But certain strategies for ‘saving the differences’ can make it too difficult to preserve notable similarities across discourses. My own preference is for strategies that ‘save the differences’ without sacrificing logico-semantic continuities or committing to deflationism about truth, but also without embracing either truth-pluralism or global expressivism.

I motivate my preference by examining, as a test case, mentalistic discourse. I begin by reconstructing three philosophical puzzles that have led philosophers to think of mentalistic discourse as problematic (Section 2). These puzzles concern the semantic, epistemological, and metaphysical status of contrasts between first-person present-tense attributions – ‘avowals’ – and all other ordinary contingent attributions. I then briefly present my own,neo-expressiviststrategy for addressing the puzzles (Section 3). Unlike traditional ‘simple expressivism’ (which is the analogue in the mentalistic realm of ethical emotivism), neo-expressivism is not committed to avowals’ being non-truth-apt or having non-propositional meanings. And yet it does not require embracing either deflationism about truth or global expressivism. It preserves continuities between mentalistic and other discourses while allowing us to capture discontinuities. Moreover, it is possible to apply the neo-expressivist framework in other areas where the notion of expression is deemed explanatorily useful, as illustrated by consideringethical neo-expressivism(Section 4). In the final section (5), I make more general comments on truth and meaning and tease out some of the commitments of the approach I advocate.
Palliative care in primary care: European Forum for Primary Care position paper
Authors: Rotar Pavlič Danica , Aarendonk Diederik , Wens Johan , Rodrigues Simões José Augusto , Lynch Marie , Murray Scott
Published: September 2019

Aim:

The aim of this position paper is to assist primary health care (PHC) providers, policymakers, and researchers by discussing the current context in which palliative health care functions within PHC in Europe. The position paper gives examples for improvements to palliative care models from studies and international discussions at European Forum for Primary Care (EFPC) workshops and conferences.

Background:

Palliative care is a holistic approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with terminal illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and diligent assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial, or spiritual. Unfortunately, some Europeans, unless they have cancer, still do not have access to generalist or specialist palliative care.

Methods:

A draft of this position paper was distributed electronically through the EFPC network in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Active collaboration with the representatives of the International Primary Palliative Care Network was established from the very beginning and more recently with the EAPC Primary Care Reference Group. Barriers, opportunities, and examples of good and bad practices were discussed at workshops focusing on palliative care at the international conferences of Southeastern European countries in Ljubljana (2015) and Budva (2017), at regular conferences in Amsterdam (2015) and Riga (2016), at the WONCA Europe conferences in Istanbul (2015), Copenhagen (2016), and Prague (2017), and at the EAPC conference in Madrid (2017).

Findings:

There is great diversity in the extent and type of palliative care provided in primary care by European countries. Primary care teams (PCTs) are well placed to encourage timely palliative care. We collected examples from different countries. We found numerous barriers influencing PCTs in preparing care plans with patients. We identified many facilitators to improve the organization of palliative care.
Divide and Conquer
Authors: Beran Michael J. , Kelly Andrew J. , Perdue Bonnie M. , Whitham Will , Love Melany , Kelly Victoria , Parrish Audrey E.
Published: September 2019

Abstract. We assessed the ability of preschool children to assign the most difficult tasks to a symbolic helper. First, children were taught that a toy “helper” could aid them in remembering the location of a hidden item. Children preferentially assigned the helper to the objectively most difficult locations to remember. Each child then completed eight more tests, assessing a range of different skills such as counting, object identification, and word reading. Children again could assign some stimuli in each task to the helper, leaving the remaining stimuli for themselves to respond to in the given tasks. They were not explicitly told to assign the hardest stimulus to the helper. However, children consistently still did so in most tasks, although some tasks showed an effect of age where older children were more proficient in assigning the objectively more difficult stimuli to the helper. These results highlight a potential form of metacognition in young children in which they can monitor difficulty across varied kinds of assessments and use a generalized tool for asking for help that does not require verbal responding.
Results from a multicenter, noninterventional registry study for multiple myeloma patients who received stem cell mobilization regimens with and without plerixafor
Authors: Morris Curly , Chabannon Christian , Masszi Tamas , Russell Nigel , Nahi Hareth , Kobbe Guido , Krejci Marta , Auner Holger W. , Pohlreich David , Hayden Patrick , Basak Grzegorz W. , Lenhoff Stig , Schaap Nicolaas , van Biezen Anja , Knol Cora , Iacobelli Simona , Liu Qianying , Celanovic Marina , Garderet Laurent , Kröger Nicolaus
Published: September 2019

Plerixafor plus granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) enhances the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for collection and subsequent autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). This international, multicenter, noninterventional registry study (NCT01362972), evaluated long-term outcomes for MM patients who received plerixafor versus other mobilization regimens. The comparisons were: G-CSF + plerixafor (G-CSF + P) versus G-CSF-; G-CSF + P versus G-CSF + chemotherapy (G-CSF + C); and G-CSF + P + C versus G-CSF + C. Propensity score matching was used to balance groups. Primary outcome measures were progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) after transplantation. After propensity matching, 77 versus 41 patients in the G-CSF + P versus G-CSF cohorts, 129 versus 129 in the G-CSF + P versus G-CSF + C cohorts, and 117 versus 117 in the G-CSF + P + C versus G-CSF + C cohorts were matched, respectively. Propensity score matching resulted in a smaller sample size and imbalances were not completely overcome. For both PFS and OS, the upper limits of the hazard ratio 95% confidence intervals exceeded prespecified boundaries; noninferiority was not demonstrated. CIR rates were higher in the plerixafor cohorts. G-CSF + P remains an option for the mobilization of HSCs in poor mobilizers with MM with no substantial differences in PFS, OS, and CIR in comparison with other regimens.
Enabling long-lived organic room temperature phosphorescence in polymers by subunit interlocking
Authors: Cai Suzhi , Ma Huili , Shi Huifang , Wang He , Wang Xuan , Xiao Leixin , Ye Wenpeng , Huang Kaiwei , Cao Xudong , Gan Nan , Ma Chaoqun , Gu Mingxing , Song Lulu , Xu Hai , Tao Youtian , Zhang Chunfeng , Yao Wei , An Zhongfu , Huang Wei
Published: September 2019

Long-lived room temperature phosphorescence (LRTP) is an attractive optical phenomenon in organic electronics and photonics. Despite the rapid advance, it is still a formidable challenge to explore a universal approach to obtain LRTP in amorphous polymers. Based on the traditional polyethylene derivatives, we herein present a facile and concise chemical strategy to achieve ultralong phosphorescence in polymers by ionic bonding cross-linking. Impressively, a record LRTP lifetime of up to 2.1 s in amorphous polymers under ambient conditions is set up. Moreover, multicolor long-lived phosphorescent emission can be procured by tuning the excitation wavelength in single-component polymer materials. These results outline a fundamental principle for the construction of polymer materials with LRTP, endowing traditional polymers with fresh features for potential applications.
Double negative T cells mediate Lag3-dependent antigen-specific protection in allergic asthma
Authors: Tian Dan , Yang Lu , Wang Song , Zhu Yanbing , Shi Wen , Zhang Chunpan , Jin Hua , Tian Yue , Xu Hufeng , Sun Guangyong , Liu Kai , Zhang Zhongtao , Zhang Dong
Published: September 2019

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airway without satisfactory traditional therapies capable of controlling the underlying pathology. New approaches that can overcome the detrimental effects of immune dysregulation are thus desirable. Here we adoptively transfer ovalbumin (OVA) peptide-primed CD4−CD8− double negative T (DNT) cells intravenously into a mouse model of OVA-induced allergic asthma to find that OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, lung inflammation, mucus production and OVA-specific IgG/IgE production are significantly suppressed. The immunosuppressive function of the OVA-specific DNT cells is dependent on the inhibition of CD11b+ dendritic cell function, T follicular helper cell proliferation, and IL-21 production. Mechanistically, Lag3 contributes to MHC-II antigen recognition and trogocytosis, thereby modulating the antigen-specific immune regulation by DNT cells. The effectiveness of ex vivo-generated allergen-specific DNT cells in alleviating airway inflammation thus supports the potential utilization of DNT cell-based therapy for the treatment of allergic asthma.
A synthetic metabolic network for physicochemical homeostasis
Authors: Pols Tjeerd , Sikkema Hendrik R. , Gaastra Bauke F. , Frallicciardi Jacopo , Śmigiel Wojciech M. , Singh Shubham , Poolman Bert
Published: September 2019

One of the grand challenges in chemistry is the construction of functional out-of-equilibrium networks, which are typical of living cells. Building such a system from molecular components requires control over the formation and degradation of the interacting chemicals and homeostasis of the internal physical-chemical conditions. The provision and consumption of ATP lies at the heart of this challenge. Here we report the in vitro construction of a pathway in vesicles for sustained ATP production that is maintained away from equilibrium by control of energy dissipation. We maintain a constant level of ATP with varying load on the system. The pathway enables us to control the transmembrane fluxes of osmolytes and to demonstrate basic physicochemical homeostasis. Our work demonstrates metabolic energy conservation and cell volume regulatory mechanisms in a cell-like system at a level of complexity minimally needed for life.
A technology-assisted life of recovery from psychosis
Authors: Ben-Zeev Dror , Buck Benjamin , Kopelovich Sarah , Meller Suzanne
Published: September 2019

Developments in digital health technologies have the potential to expedite and strengthen the path towards recovery for people with psychosis. This perspective piece provides a snapshot of how a range of digital technologies can be deployed to support a young adult’s efforts to cope with schizophrenia-spectrum illness. In conjunction with a day in the life of this individual, we provide examples of innovations in digital health research designed for this clinical population, as well as brief summaries of the evidence supporting the usability, feasibility, or effectiveness of each approach. From early detection to ongoing symptom management and vocational rehabilitation, this day-in-the-life vignette provides an overview of the ways in which digital health innovations could be used in concert to augment, scaffold, and enhance schizophrenia-spectrum illness management and recovery.
Long-distance transmission patterns modelled from SNP barcodes of Plasmodium falciparum infections in The Gambia
Authors: Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Jeffries David , Mwesigwa Julia , Seedy-Jawara Aminata , Okebe Joseph , Achan Jane , Drakeley Chris , Volkman Sarah , D’Alessandro Umberto
Published: September 2019

Malaria has declined significantly in The Gambia and determining transmission dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum can help targeting control interventions towards elimination. This can be inferred from genetic similarity between parasite isolates from different sites and timepoints. Here, we imposed a P. falciparum life cycle time on a genetic distance likelihood model to determine transmission paths from a 54 SNP barcode of 355 isolates. Samples were collected monthly during the 2013 malaria season from six pairs of villages spanning 300 km from western to eastern Gambia. There was spatial and temporal hierarchy in pairwise genetic relatedness, with the most similar barcodes from isolates within the same households and village. Constrained by travel data, the model detected 60 directional transmission events, with 27% paths linking persons from different regions. We identified 13 infected individuals (4.2% of those genotyped) responsible for 2 to 8 subsequent infections within their communities. These super-infectors were mostly from high transmission villages. When considering paths between isolates from the most distant regions (west vs east) and travel history, there were 3 transmission paths from eastern to western Gambia, all at the peak (October) of the malaria transmission season. No paths with known travel originated from the extreme west to east. Although more than half of all paths were within-village, parasite flow from east to west may contribute to maintain transmission in western Gambia, where malaria transmission is already low. Therefore, interrupting malaria transmission in western Gambia would require targeting eastern Gambia, where malaria prevalence is substantially higher, with intensified malaria interventions.
Asexual thalli originated from sporophytic thalli via apomeiosis in the green seaweed Ulva
Authors: Ichihara Kensuke , Yamazaki Tomokazu , Miyamura Shinichi , Hiraoka Masanori , Kawano Shigeyuki
Published: September 2019

Apomixis is an asexual reproduction system without fertilization, which is an important proliferation strategy for plants and algae. Here, we report on the apomeiosis in the green seaweed Ulva prolifera, which has sexual and obligate asexual populations. Genomic PCR of mating type (MT)-locus genes revealed asexual thalli carrying both MT genomes. Observation of the chromosomes during the formation of each type of reproductive cell revealed that cells in asexual thalli performed apomeiosis without chromosome reduction. Moreover, genotyping revealed that laboratory-cultured sporophytic thalli produced not only each type of gametophyte but also diploid thalli carrying the mt− and mt+ genome (mt± thallus strains). The mt± thallus strain released diploid biflagellate zoids, with ultrastructure and behavior similar to mt+ gametes. Additionally, a transcriptomic analysis revealed that some meiosis-related genes (Mei2L and RAD1) were highly expressed in the quadriflagellate zoosporoids. Our results strongly suggest that asexual thalli originally evolved via apomeiosis in sporophytic thalli.
Electrochemistry under Flow Conditions
Authors: Folgueiras-Amador Ana A. , Wirth T.
Published: September 2019

Organic electrosynthesis is recognised as a green enabling methodology to perform reactions in an efficient and straightforward way. Electrons are used as the reagent to form anion and cation radical species from neutral organic molecules achieving oxidations and reductions by replacing toxic and dangerous reagents. Within this field, the use of microreactors in continuous flow is also concurrent with electrochemistry because of its convenient advantages over batch, such as: (i) low loading or no supporting electrolyte at all, due to the small distance between electrodes, providing significant advantages in downstream processing; (ii) high electrode surface-to-reactor volume ratio; (iii) short residence time; (iv) improved mixing effect. In this chapter the most relevant electrochemical flow reactors and electrochemical transformations performed in continuous flow are presented and discussed.
High-content screening Raman spectroscopy (HCS-RS) of panitumumab-exposed colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Mondol Abdullah S. , El-Mashtoly Samir F. , Frick Tatjana , Gerwert Klaus , Popp Jürgen , Schie Iwan W.
Published: September 2019

Label-free screening for cancer cells exposed to monoclonal antibody-based drugs using HCS-RS.
A colorimetric probe for the real-time naked eye detection of cyanide and hydroxide ions in tap water: experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Uahengo Veikko , Naimhwaka Johannes , Daniel Likius S. , Rahman Ateeq , Elzagheid Mohamed I. , Rhyman Lydia , Ramasami Ponnadurai , Cai Ping
Published: September 2019

Herein, a naphthyl based sensor (L) was synthesized via a one-step reaction process, and its recognition properties towards biologically important anions were investigated by naked-eye observation and spectroscopic methods.
The application of three-phase solvent bar microextraction based on a deep eutectic solvent coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of flavonoids from vegetable and fruit juice samples
Authors: Nia Negar Nooraee , Hadjmohammadi Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2019

In the present study, a new three-phase solvent bar microextraction based on a deep eutectic solvent (SBME-DES) was developed for the preconcentration and extraction of quercetin (Qu) and morin (Mo) from vegetable and fruit juice samples.
Isolable diboryl radicals acting as highly efficient reaction intermediates under mild conditions
Authors: Feng Rui , Yang Wenbang , Wang Wenqing , Zhao Yue , Tan Gengwen , Zhang Li , Wang Xinping
Published: September 2019

Activation of the B–B bond in diborane with dimesitylpyridyl boranes afforded the stable diboryl radicals in moderate yields.
A gold(i)-catalysed three-component reaction via trapping oxonium ylides with allenamides
Authors: Liu Gengxin , Yu Sifan , Hu Wenhao , Qiu Huang
Published: September 2019

A gold(i)-catalysed three-component reaction between alcohols (and water), α-aryl-α-diazoesters and allenamides is reported, affording tert-allylic ethers (and alcohols), in moderate to excellent yields with excellent geometric selectivity.
A formal (5+1) annulation reaction from heterodimerization of two different isocyanides: stereoselective synthesis of 2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-2-one
Authors: Su Shikuan , Hu Jie , Cui Yongmei , Tang Chongrong , Chen Yali , Li Jian
Published: September 2019

A novel (5+1) annulation reaction of functionalized 2-isocyanophenyloxyacrylate and aromatic, aliphatic isocyanides has been disclosed. This strategy allows for a quick access to many 2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-2-one derivatives.
Structural, thermal and topological characterization of coordination networks containing flexible aminocarboxylate ligands with a central biphenylene scaffold
Authors: Balestri Davide , Scilabra Patrick , Carraro Claudia , Delledonne Andrea , Bacchi Alessia , Mazzeo Paolo Pio , Carlucci Lucia , Pelagatti Paolo
Published: September 2019

Flexible aminocarboxylate ligands have been used to construct coordination networks containing Zr, Zn and Cd featured by different dimensionalities and topologies.
Selective synthesis, reactivity and luminescence of unsymmetrical bis-cyclometalated Pt(iv) complexes
Authors: Vivancos Ángela , Poveda Dionisio , Muñoz Alonso , Moreno Julia , Bautista Delia , González-Herrero Pablo
Published: September 2019

The degree of MLCT admixture into the 3LC emitting state of unsymmetrical Pt(iv) complexes bearing two different cyclometalated ligands depends on the coordination position of the chromophoric ligand.