bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nature of Nitrogen Incorporation in BiVO4 Photoanodes through Chemical and Physical Methods
Authors: Irani Rowshanak , Ahmet Ibbi Y. , Jang Ji-Wook , Berglund Sean P. , Plate Paul , Höhn Christian , Böttger Roman , Schmitt Sebastian W. , Dubourdieu Catherine , Lardhi Sheikha , Cavallo Luigi , Harb Moussab , Bogdanoff Peter , van de Krol Roel , Abdi Fatwa F.
Published: September 2019

In recent years, BiVO4 has been optimized as a photoanode material to produce photocurrent densities close to its theoretical maximum under AM1.5 solar illumination. Its performance is, therefore, limited by its 2.4 eV bandgap. Herein, nitrogen is incorporated into BiVO4 to shift the valence band position to higher energies and thereby decreases the bandgap. Two different approaches are investigated: modification of the precursors for the spray pyrolysis recipe and post‐deposition nitrogen ion implantation. Both methods result in a slight red shift of the BiVO4 bandgap and optical absorption onset. Although previous reports on N‐modified BiVO4 assumed individual nitrogen atoms to substitute for oxygen, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy on the samples reveals the presence of molecular nitrogen (i.e., N2). Density functional theory calculations confirm the thermodynamic stability of the incorporation and reveal that N2 coordinates to two vanadium atoms in a bridging configuration. Unfortunately, nitrogen incorporation also results in the formation of a localized state of ≈0.1 eV below the conduction band minimum of BiVO4, which suppresses the photoactivity at longer wavelengths. These findings provide important new insights on the nature of nitrogen incorporation into BiVO4 and illustrate the need to find alternative lower‐bandgap absorber materials for photoelectrochemical energy conversion applications.
Quantification of Optimal Reaction Parameters for the Synthesis of a Polysaccharide‐Based Graft Copolymers Using Combined Shannon's Entropy and Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Yadav Ranjana , Malhotra Annu Vij , Mishra Anuradha
Published: September 2019

The traditional process of synthesis of desired materials involves a trial and error approach, which consumes considerable time and resources. Therefore, it is necessary to implement computer‐aided optimizing techniques for the precise synthesis of desired material. This paper presents a novel modeling approach for precise synthesis of graft copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) and Tamarind seed polysaccharide (xyloglucan). Different sets of variables generated through experimental study have been analyzed for the quantification of optimal reaction variables and parameters using combined Shannon's entropy and data envelopment analysis (DEA). Experimental data from the grafting reaction such as concentration of acrylic acid, temperature, and time are used to validate the model and a good agreement between model predictions and experimental data is observed. The proposed innovative green approach for designing the precise synthesis of xyloglucan based graft copolymers may help in identifying the optimal conditions for polymerization reaction to reach targeted materials more efficiently.
Validation of Delphi procedure consensus criteria for defining fetal growth restriction
Authors: Molina L. C. G. , Odibo L. , Zientara S. , Običan S. G. , Rodriguez A. , Stout M. , Odibo A. O.
Published: September 2019

Objective

Recently, a Delphi procedure was used to establish new criteria for defining fetal growth restriction (FGR). These criteria require clinical validation. We sought to validate the Delphi consensus criteria by comparing their performance with that of our current definition (estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10th percentile) in predicting adverse neonatal outcome (ANO).

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study of women referred for fetal growth assessment between 26 and 36 weeks' gestation. The current standard definition of FGR used in our clinical practice is EFW < 10th percentile using Hadlock's fetal growth standard. The Delphi consensus criteria for FGR include either a very small fetus (abdominal circumference (AC) or EFW < 3rd percentile) or a small fetus (AC or EFW < 10th percentile) with additional abnormal Doppler findings or a decrease in AC or EFW by two quartiles or more. The primary outcome was the prediction of a composite of ANO including one or more of: admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, cord pH < 7.1, 5‐min Apgar score < 7, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal seizures or neonatal death. The discriminatory capacities of the two definitions of FGR for composite ANO and delivery of a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonate, defined as birth weight < 10th percentile, were compared using area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve (AUC). The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the methods were also compared.

Results

Of 1055 pregnancies included in the study, composite ANO occurred in 139 (13.2%). There were only two cases of early FGR (before 32 weeks); therefore, the study focused on late FGR. Our current FGR diagnostic criterion of EFW < 10th percentile was not associated significantly with composite ANO (relative risk (RR), 1.1 (95% CI, 0.6–1.8)), while the Delphi FGR criteria were (RR, 2.0 (95% CI, 1.2–3.3)). Our current definition of FGR showed higher discriminatory ability in the prediction of a SGA neonate (AUC, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.65–0.73)) than did the Delphi definition (AUC, 0.64 (95% CI, 0.60–0.67)) (P = 0.001). The AUCs of both definitions were poor for the prediction of composite ANO, despite slightly improved performance using the Delphi consensus definition of FGR (AUC, 0.53 (95% CI, 0.50–0.55)) compared with that of our current definition (AUC, 0.50 (95% CI, 0.48–0.53)) (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

The newly postulated criteria for defining FGR based on a Delphi procedure detects fewer cases of neonatal SGA than does our current definition of EFW < 10th percentile, but is associated with a slight improvement in predicting
ANO. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Predictions for energy correlators probing substructure of groomed heavy quark jets
Authors: Lee Christopher , Shrivastava Prashant , Vaidya Varun
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We develop an effective field theory (EFT) framework to perform an analytic calculation for energy correlator observables computed on groomed heavy-quark jets. A soft-drop grooming algorithm is applied to a jet initiated by a massive quark to minimize soft contamination effects such as pile-up and multi-parton interactions. We specifically consider the two-particle energy correlator as an initial application of this EFT framework to compute heavy quark jet substructure. We find that there are different regimes for the event shapes, depending on the size of the measured correlator observable, that require the use of different EFT formulations, in which the quark mass and grooming parameters may be relevant or not. We use the EFT to resum large logarithms in the energy correlator observable in terms of the momentum of a reconstructed heavy hadron to NLL′ accuracy and subsequently match it to a full QCD$$ \mathcal{O} $$O(αs) cross section, which we also compute. We compare our predictions to simulations in Pythia fore+e−collisions. We find a good agreement with partonic simulations, as well as hadronic ones with an appropriate shape function used to describe nonperturbative effects and the heavy quark hadron decay turned off. We also predict the scaling behavior for the leading nonperturbative power correction due to hadronization. Consequently, we can give a prediction for the energy correlator distribution at the level of the reconstructed heavy hadron. This work provides a general framework for the analysis of heavy quark jet substructure observables.
Double parton scattering and the proton transverse structure at the LHC
Authors: Rinaldi Matteo , Ceccopieri Federico Alberto
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We consider double parton distribution functions (dPDFs), essential quantities in double parton scattering (DPS) studies, which encode novel non perturbative insight on the partonic proton structure. We develop the formalism to extract this information from dPDFs and present results by using constituent quark model calculations within the Light-Front approach, focusing on radiatively generated gluon dPDFs. Moreover, we generalize the relation between the mean transverse partonic distance between two active partons in a DPS process and the so called σ
eff to include partonic correlations and the so called 2v1 mechanism contribution. Finally we investigate the impact of relativistic effects on digluon distributions and study the structure of the corresponding longitudinal and transverse correlations.
Action growth of dyonic black holes and electromagnetic duality
Authors: Liu Hai-Shan , Lü H.
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Electromagnetic duality of Maxwell theory is a symmetry of equations but not of the action. The usual application of the “complexity = action” conjecture would thus lose this duality. It was recently proposed in arXivid:1901.00014 that the duality can be restored by adding some appropriate boundary term, at the price of introducing the mixed boundary condition in the variation principle. We present universal such a term in both first-order and second-order formalism for a general theory of a minimally-coupled Maxwell field. The first-order formalism has the advantage that the variation principle involves only the Dirichlet boundary condition. Including this term, we compute the on-shell actions in the Wheeler-De Witt patch and find that the duality is preserved in these actions for a variety of theories, including Einstein-Maxwell, Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton, Einstein-Born-Infeld and Einstein-Horndeski-Maxwell theories.
On some hypergeometric solutions of the conformal Ward identities of scalar 4-point functions in momentum space
Authors: Corianò Claudio , Maglio Matteo Maria
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We discuss specific hypergeometric solutions of the conformal Ward identities (CWI’s) of scalar 4-point functions of primary fields in momentum space, in d spacetime dimensions. We determine such solutions using various dual conformal ansätze (DCA’s). We start from a generic dual conformal correlator, and require it to be conformally covariant in coordinate space. The two requirements constrain such solutions to take a unique hypergeometric form. They describe correlators which are at the same time conformal and dual conformal in any dimension. These specific ansätze also show the existence of a link between 3- and 4-point functions of a CFT for such class of exact solutions, similarly to what found for planar ladder diagrams. We show that in d = 4 only the box diagram and its melonic variants, in free field theory, satisfies such conditions, the remaining solutions being nonperturbative. We then turn to the analysis of some approximate high energy fixed angle solutions of the CWI’s which also in this case take the form of generalized hypergeometric functions. We show that they describe the behaviour of the 4-point functions at large energy and momentum transfers, with a fixed −t/s. The equations, in this case, are solved by linear combinations of Lauricella functions of 3 variables and can be rewritten as generalized 4K integrals. In both cases the CWI’s alone are sufficient to identify such solutions and their special connection with generalized hypergeometric systems of equations.
Yang–Mills Measure on the Two-Dimensional Torus as a Random Distribution
Authors: Chevyrev Ilya
Published: September 2019

We introduce a space of distributional 1-forms$$\Omega ^1_\alpha $$Ωα1on the torus$$\mathbf {T}^2$$T2for which holonomies along axis paths are well-defined and induce Hölder continuous functions on line segments. We show that there exists an$$\Omega ^1_\alpha $$Ωα1-valued random variableAfor which Wilson loop observables of axis paths coincide in law with the corresponding observables under the Yang–Mills measure in the sense of Lévy (Mem Am Math Soc 166(790), 2003). It holds furthermore that$$\Omega ^1_\alpha $$Ωα1embeds into the Hölder–Besov space$$\mathcal {C}^{\alpha -1}$$Cα-1for all$$\alpha \in (0,1)$$α∈(0,1), so thatAhas the correct small scale regularity expected from perturbation theory. Our method is based on a Landau-type gauge applied to lattice approximations.
The prognosis of stage IA synchronous endometrial endometrioid and ovarian carcinomas
Authors: Zhan Xiangbo , Li Lei , Wu Ming , Lang Jinghe
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Little is known about the prevalence and prognosis of synchronous endometrial and ovarian carcinomas. This report explores the survival outcomes of synchronous stage IA endometrioid endometrial and stage IA ovarian carcinomas in a retrospective cohort study.

Methods

All cases of pathological confirmed synchronous stage IA endometrial endometrioid and ovarian carcinomas from June 1, 2010, to June 1, 2017, in a teaching hospital were reviewed. Patients were followed up to February 1, 2019. Survival outcomes were compared between patients with and without synchronous carcinomas.

Results

In total, 841 cases with confirmed FIGO stage IA endometrioid endometrial carcinomas were included in the study; 33 patients (3.9%) had synchronous stage IA ovarian carcinomas, including 27 (81.8%) and 6 (18.2%) cases of endometrioid and mixed endometrioid/clear cell subtypes, respectively. After a median follow-up time of 56.8 months, 829 patients (97.9%) had definitive survival outcomes. Synchronous ovarian carcinomas had no impact on disease-free, overall or cancer-specific overall survival in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Conclusion

In these patients with stage IA endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, the genuine incidence of synchronous stage IA ovarian carcinoma was very low, and synchronous carcinoma had no significant effects on survival outcomes.
Diagnosis of myocardial infarction at autopsy: AECVP reappraisal in the light of the current clinical classification
Authors:   on behalf of the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology (AECVP), Michaud Katarzyna , Basso Cristina , d’Amati Giulia , Giordano Carla , Kholová Ivana , Preston Stephen D. , Rizzo Stefania , Sabatasso Sara , Sheppard Mary N. , Vink Aryan , van der Wal Allard C.
Published: September 2019

Ischemic heart disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and death worldwide. Consequently, myocardial infarctions are often encountered in clinical and forensic autopsies, and diagnosis can be challenging, especially in the absence of an acute coronary occlusion. Precise histopathological identification and timing of myocardial infarction in humans often remains uncertain while it can be of crucial importance, especially in a forensic setting when third person involvement or medical responsibilities are in question. A proper post-mortem diagnosis requires not only up-to-date knowledge of the ischemic coronary and myocardial pathology, but also a correct interpretation of such findings in relation to the clinical scenario of the deceased. For these reasons, it is important for pathologists to be familiar with the different clinically defined types of myocardial infarction and to discriminate myocardial infarction from other forms of myocardial injury. This article reviews present knowledge and post-mortem diagnostic methods, including post-mortem imaging, to reveal the different types of myocardial injury and the clinical-pathological correlations with currently defined types of myocardial infarction.
Effects of 1-year anti-TNF-α therapies on bone mineral density and bone biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Gulyás Katalin , Horváth Ágnes , Végh Edit , Pusztai Anita , Szentpétery Ágnes , Pethö Zsófia , Váncsa Andrea , Bodnár Nóra , Csomor Péter , Hamar Attila , Bodoki Levente , Bhattoa Harjit Pal , Juhász Balázs , Nagy Zoltán , Hodosi Katalin , Karosi Tamás , FitzGerald Oliver , Szücs Gabriella , Szekanecz Zoltán , Szamosi Szilvia , Szántó Sándor
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been associated with generalized and localized bone loss. We conducted a comprehensive study using imaging (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA) and laboratory biomarkers in order to determine bone health and to study the effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologics in RA and AS.

Patients and methods

Thirty-six RA and 17 AS patients undergoing 1-year etanercept (ETN) or certolizumab-pegol (CZP) therapy were studied. Bone density was assessed by DXA at baseline and after 12 months. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3, osteocalcin, procollagen type I N-propeptide (P1NP), C-terminal telopeptide (βCTX), osteoprotegerin, sclerostin (SOST), Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), soluble receptor activator nuclear kappa B ligand (sRANKL), and cathepsin K (cathK) levels were determined at baseline and after 6 and 12 months.

Results

TNF-α inhibition was clinically effective. Anti-TNF-α halted further bone loss over 1 year. In general, anti-TNF therapy significantly increased P1NP, SOST levels, and the P1NP/βCTX ratios, while decreased DKK-1 and CathK production at different time points in most patient subsets. In the full cohort and in RA, baseline and/or 12-month bone mineral density (BMD) at multiple sites exerted inverse relationships with CRP and βCTX, and positive correlation with SOST. In AS, L2-4 BMD after 1-year biologic therapy inversely correlated with baseline βCTX, while femoral neck BMD rather showed inverse correlations with CRP.

Conclusions

Anti-TNF therapy slowed down generalized bone loss, in association with clinical improvements, in both diseases. TNF blockade may enhance bone formation and suppress joint destruction. Anti-TNF therapy may act inversely on DKK-1 and SOST. Independent predictors of BMD were SOST and βCTX in RA, whilst CRP in AS.Key Points• One-year anti-TNF therapy halted generalized bone loss in association with clinical improvement in arthritides.• Anti-TNF therapy may inversely act on DKK-1 and SOST.• Independent predictors of BMD were SOST and βCTX in RA, while CRP in AS.
Analysis on the Meiosis-Related Gene (Dmc1, Ph1) Expression in Autotriploid Carassius auratus
Authors: Qin Qinbo , Zhou Yuwei , Wang Chongqing , Zhang Minghe , Qin Huan , Zhao Chun , Liu Shaojun
Published: September 2019

Triploid is usually considered to be unable to perform normal meiosis due to the abnormal behavior of the three sets of chromosomes. But autotriploid Carassius auratus in the Dongting water system (3n = 150, abbreviated as 3nCC) can perform normal meiosis. In artificial autotriploid Carassius auratus (3n = 150, abbreviated as 3nRR), female individuals undergo normal meiosis and produce mature gametes, while male individuals cannot. To better understand the effects of triploidization on meiosis in fish, we study the structure, methylation level, and expression level of meiosis-related genes (Dmc1, Ph1) in diploid Carassius auratus (2n = 100, abbreviated as 2nCC), Carassius auratus red var.(2n = 100, abbreviated as RCC), 3nCC and 3nRR. The results show that, compared with their diploid ancestors (2nCC and RCC), Dmc1 and Ph1 genes are hypomethylated in all 3nCC and female 3nRR, while are hypermethylated in male 3nRR. Correspondingly, Dmc1 and Ph1 genes are highly expressed in all 3nCC and female 3nRR, while are lowly expressed in male 3nRR. These results indicate that high expression of meiosis-related genes can contribute to restoration of bivalent pairing during meiosis in autotriploid Carassius auratus. This study provides new insights into the effect of DNA methylation on the fertility in triploid fish.
Primary and secondary breast angiosarcoma: single center report and a meta-analysis
Authors: Abdou Yara , Elkhanany Ahmed , Attwood Kristopher , Ji Wenyan , Takabe Kazuaki , Opyrchal Mateusz
Published: September 2019

Background

Primary and secondary breast angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy with limited published literature. Optimal management is mostly based on expert opinion. Our study aims to describe a single institution experience with breast angiosarcoma and evaluate other publications on this topic to further clarify prognostic outcomes and treatment modalities in this disease.

Methods

Twenty two cases of breast angiosarcoma from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center were retrospectively analyzed. Additionally, a systemic review and meta-analysis was conducted to study the association between survival outcomes, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in both primary (PAS) and secondary breast angiosarcoma (SAS).

Results

9 PAS patients (41%) and 13 SAS patients (59%) were retrospectively analyzed. No significant differences were noted in tumor characteristics and survival outcomes between PAS and SAS. Treatment modality had no significant effects on survival outcomes although adjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated a trend towards improved RFS in high grade tumors. 380 PAS and 595 SAS patients were included in the outcome meta-analysis. Survival outcomes were significantly worse with high grade tumors and tumor size of > 5 cm. Adjuvant radiation therapy demonstrated significantly better RFS, while adjuvant chemotherapy had no effect on survival outcomes.

Conclusion

Tumor size and grade seem to be reliable predictors of survival in both PAS and SAS. Mastectomy does not seem to be adding any additional benefit to BCS. Adjuvant radiation therapy showed statistically significant RFS benefit, while adjuvant chemotherapy can be beneficial in high grade tumors.
Simple Hybrids Based on Mo or W Oxides and Diamines: Structure Determination and Catalytic Properties
Authors: Bożek Barbara , Neves Patrícia , Oszajca Marcin , Valente Anabela A. , Połtowicz Jan , Pamin Katarzyna , Łasocha Wiesław
Published: September 2019

Crystalline hybrid catalysts based on molybdenum or tungsten oxide and aliphatic diamines were synthesized via simple, eco-friendly reproducible methodologies, starting from commercially available and relatively inexpensive organic and inorganic precursors, and using water as solvent under mild conditions. The crystal structures of the obtained fine powdered solids were solved ab initio from powder X-ray diffraction data. The type of organic component (1,2-diaminoethane, 1,2-diaminopropane, 1,3-diaminopropane) may play a structure-directing role. On the other hand, different metals (M = Mo, W) may lead to isostructural one-dimensional hybrids of the type MO3(L) with the same bidentate diamine ligand L. The prepared catalysts were investigated for the liquid phase oxidation of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons (cis-cyclooctene, cyclooctane), using different types of oxidants (O2, H2O2, tert-butyl hydroperoxide). Differences in catalytic performances associated with distinct structural features were investigated.

Graphic Abstract
Assessing wood pulp reactivity through its rheological behavior under dissolution
Authors: Ceccherini Sara , Maloney Thad
Published: September 2019

Recent years have witnessed an increasing interest in man-made cellulosic fibers, whose production generally requires cellulose dissolution and regeneration. Cellulosic fibers are difficult to dissolve. Thus, the recalcitrance of wood pulp can be an estimate of its reactivity. Pulp reactivity is usually assessed via complex and time-consuming laboratory simulations of the viscose process. This study proposes a faster and more convenient approach. The dissolution-based torque reactivity (DTR) test measures the evolution of the rheological properties of a pulp suspension under dissolution in cupriethylenediamine. Reactivity is quantified in terms of initial dissolution rates (IDR) and dissolution times (DT). This study describes the measurement protocol for the DTR test and its application to some commercial pulps and a series of pulps hornified to different extents. The IDR and DT values were compared with other pulp features, including degree of polymerization, molecular weight distribution, specific surface area and water retention value. The DTR test proved to be reasonably precise and fast to carry out.

Graphic abstract
Factors Associated with Patient Satisfaction of Community Mental Health Services: A Multilevel Approach
Authors: Stamboglis Niccolò , Jacobs Rowena
Published: September 2019

Community care is increasingly the mainstay of mental healthcare provision in many countries and patient satisfaction is an important barometer of quality of patient care. This paper explores the key factors associated with patient satisfaction with community mental health services in England and then compares providers’ performance on patient satisfaction. Our analysis is based on patient-level responses from the community mental health survey, which is run annually by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the years 2010 to 2013. We perform a repeated cross-section analysis, identifying factors associated with patient satisfaction via a multi-level ordered probit model, including both patient- and provider-level variables. We identify hospital-specific effects via empirical Bayes estimation. Our analysis identifies a number of novel results. First, patient characteristics such as older age, being employed, and being able to work, are associated with higher satisfaction, while being female is associated with lower satisfaction. Service contact length, time since last visit, condition severity and admission to a mental health institution, are all associated with lower satisfaction. Second, treatment type affects satisfaction, with patients receiving talking therapies or being prescribed medications being more satisfied. Third, care continuity and involvement, as proxied by having a care plan, is associated with higher satisfaction. Fourth, seeing a health professional closer to the community improves satisfaction, with patients seeing a community-psychiatric nurse, a social worker or a mental-health support worker being more satisfied. Finally, our study identifies the need for service integration, with patients experiencing financial, accommodation, or physical health needs being less satisfied. At a provider level, we find a negative association between the percentage of occupied beds and satisfaction. We further identify significant provider-specific effects after accounting for observable differences in patient and provider characteristics which suggests significant differences in provider quality of care.
Investigating Preschool Educators’ Implementation of Computer Programming in Their Teaching Practice
Authors: Otterborn Anna , Schönborn Konrad J. , Hultén Magnus
Published: September 2019

Modern preschool education is seen as an essential foundation for nurturing children’s digital literacy. Early childhood education environments have witnessed increased emphasis on integrating programming activities in combination with digital tablets. However, little is known about how preschool teachers implement programming as part of pedagogical strategies during practice. In Sweden, although there is a mandate to develop children’s understanding of the digital world, programming is not formally mentioned in the revised preschool curriculum. This study systematically investigates how Swedish preschool teachers implement programming activities in their teaching practice. Data was collected through a national online survey (n = 199). Findings revealed a range of apps and resources used in combination with tablets, where activity integration takes place as unplugged programming, digital programming, or as a combination of the former. Teachers markedly attributed intended learning goals around programming to tenets of computational thinking and “twenty-first century skills”. Moreover, programming was often actively linked to learning in other domains such as science, technology, mathematics, and language, approaches that show traditional Swedish preschool teaching practices being recontextualized in terms of programming. Based on the reported findings that provide insight into the implementation of programming in preschools, a logical future research avenue lies in exploring the documented programming activities from the perspective of the children.
Affordability and Non-Perfectionism in Moral Action
Authors: Rumbold Benedict , Charlton Victoria , Rid Annette , Mitchell Polly , Wilson James , Littlejohns Peter , Max Catherine , Weale Albert
Published: September 2019

One rationale policy-makers sometimes give for declining to fund a service or intervention is on the grounds that it would be ‘unaffordable’, which is to say, that the total cost of providing the service or intervention for all eligible recipients would exceed the budget limit. But does the mere fact that a service or intervention is unaffordable present a reasonnotto fund it? Thus far, the philosophical literature has remained largely silent on this issue. However, in this article, we consider this kind of thinking in depth. Albeit with certain important caveats, we argue that the use of affordability criteria in matters of public financing commits what Parfit might have called a ‘mistake in moral mathematics’. First, it fails to abide by what we term a principle of ‘non-perfectionism’ in moral action: the mere fact that it is practically impossible for you to do all the good that you have reason to do does not present a reason not to do whatever good you can do. And second, when used as a means of arbitratingbetweenwhich services to fund, affordability criteria can lead to a kind of ‘numerical discrimination’. Various attendant issues around fairness and lotteries are also discussed.
The Relation Between Autistic Traits, the Degree of Synaesthesia, and Local/Global Visual Perception
Authors: Burghoorn Floor , Dingemanse Mark , van Lier Rob , van Leeuwen Tessa M.
Published: September 2019

Synaesthesia is highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder. We assessed the relation between the degree of autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient, AQ) and the degree of synaesthesia in a neurotypical population, and hypothesized both are related to a local bias in visual perception. A positive correlation between total AQ scores and the degree of synaesthesia was found, extending previous studies in clinical populations. Consistent with our hypothesis, AQ-attention to detail scores were related to increased performance on an Embedded Figures Task and reduced susceptibility to visual illusions. We found no relation between autistic traits and performance on a motion coherence task, and no relation between synaesthesia and local visual perception. Possibly, this relation is reserved for supra-threshold synaesthetes.
Acoustic focussing for sedimentation-free high-throughput imaging of microalgae
Authors: Hammarström Björn , Vassalli Massimo , Glynne-Jones Peter
Published: September 2019

Microalgae play a key role in aquatic ecology, and methods providing species determination and enumeration can provide critical information about—for instance—harmful algae blooms (HABs) or spreading of invasive species. A crucial step in current methods is the use of sedimentation. This provides the enrichment needed to achieve statistical counts of sometimes rare species within reasonable timeframes, but it comes with the drawback of aggregating the sample. This is a real challenge for computer-aided identification as particle aggregates can often be erroneously classified. In this paper, we propose an alternative method based on flow-through imaging aided by acoustic-focussing, as this provides better input-data for automated counting-methods while simultaneously removing the need for manual sample preparation. We demonstrate that by acoustically focussing microalgae and other particulates in a fast-flowing water sample, it is possible to analyse up to 8 mL sample per minute with sufficient image quality to discriminate the invasive species Ostreopsis ovata from other particulates in samples taken directly from the Mediterranean. We also showcase the ability to achieve sharp images in flow-through at magnifications up to × 50.
Understanding the Externalizing Behavior of School-Age Boys: The Role of a Mother’s Mentalization and Attachment
Authors: Dejko–Wańczyk Karolina , Janusz Bernadetta , Józefik Barbara
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Externalizing behavior problems are considered to be a serious impediment to a child’s development, and therefore it is important to identify their predictors. In this study, we investigated the connections between school-aged boys’ externalizing problems, the mother’s reflective functioning (RF) and the mother’s perception of her childhood relationship with her own caregivers.

Methods

The study sample comprised 39 school-age boys diagnosed with externalizing behavior problems together with their mothers. A child’s psychopathology was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher Report Form. Our assessment of the mothers’ mentalizing capacities was based on the Adult Attachment Interview and Reflective Functioning Scale. The perception of a mother’s childhood relationship with her parents was assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument.

Results

The analysis revealed that more severe cases of aggressive and rule-breaking behavior in boys were associated with lower RF in mothers, as well as with a mother’s perception of her childhood relationship with her own parents as less autonomous. More aggressive behavior in boys was also associated with a mother’s perception of herself as experiencing a higher degree of care from her father during her own childhood.

Conclusions

These are only preliminary findings and we have discussed them with a view to understanding the possible ways in which a mother’s RF and the intergenerational context of relationship quality are associated with externalizing behavior problems in middle childhood.
Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers for pollinators
Authors: Rollings Rosi , Goulson Dave
Published: September 2019

There is great interest in planting urban areas to benefit pollinating insects, with the potential that urban areas and gardens could act as an extensive network of pollinator-friendly habitats. However, there are a great many different plant cultivars available to the gardener, and a paucity of evidence-based advice as to which plants are truly most attractive to flower-visiting insects. Here, we report insect visitation to metre square plots of 111 different ornamental plant cultivars at a site in central UK. Data were collected over 5 years, and comprise over 9000 insect observations, which were identified to species (for honeybees and bumblebees) or as ‘solitary bees’, Syrphidae, Lepidoptera and ‘others’. Unlike some previous studies, we found no difference in numbers of insects attracted to native or non-native species, or according to whether plants were annuals, biennials or perennials, but we did find that native plants attracted a significantly higher diversity of flower-visiting insects. Overall, the most-visited plants were Calamintha nepeta, Helenium autumnale and Geranium rozanne. However, patterns of visitation were quite different for every insect taxa examined. For example, different species of short-tongued bumblebees showed little overlap in their most-preferred plant cultivars. Interestingly, very similar plant cultivars often attracted different insect communities; for example, 72% of visitors to Aster novi belgii were honeybees or bumblebees, while the related Anthemis tinctoria, which also has daisy-like flowers, did not attract a single honeybee or bumblebee but was popular with solitary bees, hoverflies, and ‘other’ pollinators. Some plant cultivars such as Eryngium planum and Myosotis arvensis were attractive to a broad range of insects, while others attracted only a few species but sometimes in large numbers, such as Veronicastrum virginicum and Helenium autumnale which were both visited predominantly by honey bees. It is clear that we do not yet fully understand what factors drive insect flower preferences. Recommendations are made as to which flower cultivars could be combined to provide forage for a diversity of pollinator groups over the season from early spring to autumn, though it must be born in mind that some plants are likely to perform differently when grown in different environmental conditions.
The Near-Miss Effect in Slot Machines: A Review and Experimental Analysis Over Half a Century Later
Authors: Pisklak Jeffrey M. , Yong Joshua J. H. , Spetch Marcia L.
Published: September 2019

In games of chance, a near miss is said to occur when feedback for a loss approximates a win. For instance, obtaining “cherry–cherry–lemon” on a slot machine could be considered a near miss. Sixty-six years ago, B.F. Skinner first proposed the idea that near-miss events might reinforce continued play in slot machines, and despite some inconsistencies in the experimental literature, belief in this “near-miss effect” has remained strong. In the present manuscript, we will review this literature and present experimental assessments of the near-miss effect on the frequency of the gambling response. Experiment 1 used a tightly controlled resistance-to-extinction procedure in pigeons to evaluate the putative reinforcing effect of near misses relative to a control “far-miss” reel pattern. Experiment 2 extended Experiment 1’s procedure to human participants. The results of both experiments failed to support the near-miss effect hypothesis. Experiment 3 used a further simplified procedure to assess the validity of the resistance-to-extinction paradigm when a probable conditional reinforcer was present on the reel stimuli. Although a clear conditional response was obtained from the reel, subsequent testing in extinction revealed no conditionally reinforcing function of this stimulus on operant response frequency.
Does catchment geodiversity foster stream biodiversity?
Authors: Kärnä Olli-Matti , Heino Jani , Laamanen Tiina , Jyrkänkallio-Mikkola Jenny , Pajunen Virpi , Soininen Janne , Tolonen Kimmo T. , Tukiainen Helena , Hjort Jan
Published: September 2019

Context

One approach to maintain the resilience of biotic communities is to protect the variability of abiotic characteristics of Earth’s surface, i.e. geodiversity. In terrestrial environments, the relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity is well recognized. In streams, the abiotic properties of upstream catchments influence stream communities, but the relationships between catchment geodiversity and aquatic biodiversity have not been previously tested.

Objectives

The aim was to compare the effects of local environmental and catchment variables on stream biodiversity. We specifically explored the usefulness of catchment geodiversity in explaining the species richness on stream macroinvertebrate, diatom and bacterial communities.

Methods

We used 3 geodiversity variables, 2 land use variables and 4 local habitat variables to examine species richness variation across 88 stream sites in western Finland. We used boosted regression trees to explore the effects of geodiversity and other variables on biodiversity.

Results

We detected a clear effect of catchment geodiversity on species richness, although the traditional local habitat and land use variables were the strongest predictors. Especially soil-type richness appeared as an important factor for species richness. While variables related to stream size were the most important for macroinvertebrate richness and partly for bacterial richness, the importance of water chemistry and land use for diatom richness was notable.

Conclusions

In addition to traditional environmental variables, geodiversity may affect species richness variation in streams, for example through changes in water chemistry. Geodiversity information could be used as a proxy for predicting stream species richness and offers a supplementary tool for conservation efforts.
Development of a novel patient-reported measure for acromegaly: the Acro-TSQ
Authors: Fleseriu Maria , Fogelfeld Leon , Gordon Murray B. , Sisco Jill , Colwell Hilary H. , Ludlam William H. , Haviv Asi , Mathias Susan D.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) represent a mainstay of medical treatment for acromegaly, currently available as either intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injections. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are increasingly common as relevant outcomes in studies of acromegaly and its treatment, but there are no validated PRO measures available that focus on the disease burden and the impact of treatment, specifically designed for use in patients with acromegaly. We sought to develop a new and unique PRO measure, the Acromegaly Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (Acro-TSQ).

Methods

Concept elicitation (CE) interviews were conducted with acromegaly patients in the United States receiving SSA injections at a stable dose for ≥ 6 months. A questionnaire was drafted based on these interviews; combined CE and cognitive debriefing (CE/CD) interviews were then conducted to confirm the content, clarity, and relevance of the questionnaire.

Results

Nineteen subjects completed interviews [n = 9 CE, n = 10 CE/CD; n = 15 Lanreotide Depot/Autogel (Somatuline), n = 4 Octreotide LAR (Sandostatin LAR)]. Most subjects responded positively when asked about the effectiveness of their current treatment; however, breakthrough symptoms, injection site reactions, and side effects were commonly reported and had negative impacts on social and emotional well-being and daily activities. All 10 subjects involved in debriefing interviews found the questionnaire to be relevant, easy to complete, and found the response options to be clear. The resulting 26-item Acro-TSQ covers symptoms and symptom control, gastrointestinal side effects and their impact on daily activities, the emotional impact of treatment, convenience and ease of use, and overall satisfaction.

Conclusions

The Acro-TSQ is a novel PRO, focused on both disease burden and impact of treatment; it was found to be comprehensive, clear, and relevant for patients with acromegaly receiving injectable SSA treatment.
Dopamine agonist resistant prolactinomas: any alternative medical treatment?
Authors: Souteiro P. , Karavitaki N.
Published: September 2019

Consensus guidelines recommend dopamine agonists (DAs) as the mainstay treatment for prolactinomas. In most patients, DAs achieve tumor shrinkage and normoprolactinemia at well tolerated doses. However, primary or, less often, secondary resistance to DAs may be also encountered representing challenging clinical scenarios. This is particularly true for aggressive prolactinomas in which surgery and radiotherapy may not achieve tumor control. In these cases, alternative medical treatments have been considered but data on their efficacy should be interpreted within the constraints of publication bias and of lack of relevant clinical trials. The limited reports on somatostatin analogues have shown conflicting results, but cases with optimal outcomes have been documented. Data on estrogen modulators and metformin are scarce and their usefulness remains to be evaluated. In many aggressive lactotroph tumors, temozolomide has demonstrated optimal outcomes, whereas for other cytotoxic agents, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and for inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), higher quality evidence is needed. Finally, promising preliminary results from in vitro and animal reports need to be further assessed and, if appropriate, translated in human studies.
Software review: COCI, the OpenCitations Index of Crossref open DOI-to-DOI citations
Authors: Heibi Ivan , Peroni Silvio , Shotton David
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we present COCI, the OpenCitations Index of Crossref open DOI-to-DOI citations (http://opencitations.net/index/coci). COCI is the first open citation index created by OpenCitations, in which we have applied the concept of citations as first-class data entities, and it contains more than 445 million DOI-to-DOI citation links derived from the data available in Crossref. These citations are described using the resource description framework by means of the newly extended version of the OpenCitations Data Model (OCDM). We introduce the workflow we have developed for creating these data, and also show the additional services that facilitate the access to and querying of these data via different access points: a SPARQL endpoint, a REST API, bulk downloads, Web interfaces, and direct access to the citations via HTTP content negotiation. Finally, we present statistics regarding the use of COCI citation data, and we introduce several projects that have already started to use COCI data for different purposes.
The effect of collaborations on scientific research output: the case of nanoscience in Chinese regions
Authors: Scarazzati Stefano , Wang Lili
Published: September 2019

The pattern and impact of scientific collaborations depends on a country’s or region’s development stage. Prior to promoting scientific collaborations, it is crucial to understand what types of collaboration are more beneficial. By taking the stage of regional scientific development into consideration, this paper investigates the effect of various collaborations on regional scientific output. Our results highlight the differences between collaboration effects across regions at various capability levels. Scientifically weak regions benefit from more concentrated collaboration, in particular with advanced domestic regions. However, scientifically strong regions can benefit from a centrally located position in a broader collaboration network. Findings from this analysis indicate that international collaborations might not be beneficial a priori. Whether or not one region benefits from international collaborations depends on this region’s local capacity. Being embedded in a broad network structure can help increase one region’s publication output. However, such benefit is limited only to regions that have relatively higher research capacity.
The relationship between usage and citations in an open access mega-journal
Authors: McGillivray Barbara , Astell Mathias
Published: September 2019

How do the level of usage of an article, the timeframe of its usage and its subject area relate to the number of citations it accrues? This paper aims to answer this question through an observational study of usage and citation data collected about the multidisciplinary, open access mega-journal Scientific Reports. This observational study answers these questions using the following methods: an overlap analysis of most read and top-cited articles; Spearman correlation tests between total citation counts over two years and usage over various timeframes; a comparison of first months of citation for most read and all articles; a Wilcoxon test on the distribution of total citations of early cited articles and the distribution of total citations of all other articles. All analyses were performed in using the programming language R. As Scientific Reports is a multidisciplinary journal covering all natural and clinical sciences, we also looked at the differences across subjects. We found a moderate correlation between usage in the first year and citations in the first two years since publication (Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.49, α = 0.05), and that articles with high usage in the first six months are more likely to have their first citation earlier (Wilcoxon = 1,811,500, p < 0.0001), which is also related to higher citations in the first two years (Wilcoxon = 8,071,200, p < 0.0001). As this final assertion is inferred based on the results of the other elements of this paper, it would require further analysis.