bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumption of Lactobacillus reuteri‐containing lozenges improves periodontal health in navy sailors at sea: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schlagenhauf Ulrich , Rehder Juliane , Gelbrich Götz , Jockel‐Schneider Yvonne
Published: February 2020

Background

The objective of this trial was to evaluate whether the regular consumption of probiotics may improve the known deterioration of periodontal health in navy sailors during deployments at sea.

Methods

72 healthy sailors of a naval ship on a practicing mission at sea were recruited and randomly provided with a blinded supply of lozenges to be consumed twice daily for the following 42 days containing either the probiotic strains Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938 and L. reuteri (ATTC PTA 5289) (test n = 36) or no probiotics (placebo n = 36). At baseline, at day 14 and day 42 bleeding on probing (primary outcome), gingival index, plaque control record, probing attachment level, and probing pocket depth were assessed at the Ramfjord teeth.

Results

At baseline there were no significant differences between the groups. At day 14 and day 42 test group scores of all assessed parameters were significantly improved (P < 0.001) compared to baseline and to the placebo group which by contrast showed a significant (P < 0.001) deterioration of all parameters at the end of the study.

Conclusions

The consumption of probiotic L. reuteri‐lozenges is an efficacious measure to improve and maintain periodontal health in situations with waning efficacy of personal oral hygiene.
Multiplane displays based on liquid crystals for AR applications
Authors: Liu Shuxin , Li Yan , Su Yikai
Published: February 2020

Multiplane displays are capable of displaying 3D scenes with correct focus cues by creating multilayer 2D images in the display volume. Hence, such a 3D display technique could effectively address the accommodation‐vergence conflict (AVC) problem, which is prevalent in augmented reality (AR) displays. In this paper, we review the recent progress on multiplane AR displays based on liquid crystals (LCs) for AR applications. The working principle of multiplane AR displays is illustrated, the electro‐optical properties of the tunable LC devices are investigated and display prototypes are demonstrated. Finally, we discuss the prospects and challenges of multiplane AR displays based on LCs.
The Importance of Cooperativity in Polymer Blending: Toward Controlling the Thermoresponsive Behavior of Blended Block Copolymer Micelles
Authors: Keogh Robert , Blackman Lewis D. , Foster Jeffrey C. , Varlas Spyridon , O'Reilly Rachel K.
Published: February 2020

Understanding, predicting, and controlling the self‐assembly behavior of stimuli‐responsive block copolymers remains a pertinent challenge. As such, the copolymer blending protocol provides an accessible methodology for obtaining a range of intermediate polymeric nanostructures simply by blending two or more block copolymers in the desired molar ratio to target specific stimuli‐responsiveness. Herein, thermoresponsive diblock copolymers are blended in various combinations to investigate whether the resultant cloud point temperature can be modulated by simple manipulation of the molar ratio. Thermoresponsive amphiphilic diblock copolymers composed of statistical poly(n‐butyl acrylate‐co‐N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) core‐forming blocks and four different thermoresponsive corona‐forming blocks, namely poly(diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate) (p(DEGMA)), poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide), and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate) (p(OEGMA)) are selected for evaluation. Using variable temperature turbidimetry, the thermoresponsive behavior of blended diblock copolymer self‐assemblies is assessed and compared to the thermoresponsive behavior of the constituent pure diblock copolymer micelles to determine whether comicellization is achieved and more significantly, whether the two blended corona‐forming thermoresponsive blocks exhibit cooperative behavior. Interestingly, blended diblock copolymer micelles composed of p(DEGMA)/p(OEGMA) mixed coronae display cooperative behavior, highlighting the potential of copolymer blending for the preparation of stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials in applications such as oil recovery, drug delivery, biosensing, and catalysis.
Vitamin E and cancer prevention: Studies with different forms of tocopherols and tocotrienols
Authors: Yang Chung S. , Luo Philip , Zeng Zishuo , Wang Hong , Malafa Mokenge , Suh Nanjoo
Published: February 2020

α‐Tocopherol (α‐T) is the major form of vitamin E (VE) in animals and has the highest activity in carrying out the essential antioxidant functions of VE. Because of the involvement of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis, the cancer prevention activity of α‐T has been studied extensively. Lower VE intake or nutritional status has been shown to be associated with increased cancer risk, and supplementation of α‐T to populations with VE insufficiency has shown beneficial effects in lowering the cancer risk in some intervention studies. However, several large intervention studies with α‐T conducted in North America have not demonstrated a cancer prevention effect. More recent studies have centered on the γ‐ and δ‐forms of tocopherols and tocotrienols (T3). In comparison with α‐T, these forms have much lower systemic bioavailability but have shown stronger cancer‐preventive activities in many studies in animal models and cell lines. γ‐T3 and δ‐T3 generally have even higher activities than γ‐T and δ‐T. In this article, we review recent results from human and laboratory studies on the cancer‐preventive activities of different forms of tocopherols and tocotrienols, at nutritional and pharmacological levels. We aim to elucidate the possible mechanisms of the preventive actions and discuss the possible application of the available information for human cancer prevention by different VE forms.
Hypertension, Antihypertensive Use and the Delayed‐Onset of Huntington's Disease
Authors: Steventon Jessica J. , Rosser Anne E. , Hart Emma , Murphy Kevin
Published: February 2020

Background

Hypertension is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor implicated in neurodegeneration and dementia risk. In Huntington's disease, a monogenic neurodegenerative disease, autonomic and vascular abnormalities have been reported. This study's objective was to examine the relationship between hypertension and disease severity and progression in Huntington's disease.

Methods

Using longitudinal data from the largest worldwide observational study of Huntington's disease (n = 14,534), we assessed the relationship between hypertension, disease severity, and rate of clinical progression in Huntington's disease mutation carriers. Propensity score matching was used to statistically match normotensive and hypertensive participants for age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, and CAG length.

Results

Huntington's disease patients had a lower prevalence of hypertension compared with age‐matched gene‐negative controls. Huntington's disease patients with hypertension had worse cognitive function, a higher depression score, and more marked motor progression over time compared with Huntington's disease patients without hypertension. However, hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive medication had less motor, cognitive, and functional impairment than Huntington's disease patients with untreated hypertension and a later age of clinical onset compared with untreated hypertensive patients and normotensive individuals with Huntington's disease.

Conclusions

We report the novel finding that hypertension and antihypertensive medication use are associated with altered disease severity, progression, and clinical onset in patients with Huntington's disease. These findings have implications for the management of hypertension in Huntington's disease and suggest that prospective studies of the symptomatic or disease‐modifying potential of antihypertensives in neurodegenerative diseases are warranted. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Traffic model based on synchronous and asynchronous exclusion processes
Authors: Yashina Marina , Tatashev Alexander
Published: February 2020

We consider an exclusive process on a closed one‐dimensional lattice. We have used a continuous time version of traffic model based on the deterministic‐stochastic approach developed by A.P. Buslaev. There are
cells and
particles in the closed contour. Particles can move in both directions. We consider two versions of the system. In the continuous time version, the time interval between attempts of a particle to move is distributed exponentially. The intensity of attempts depends on the particle. In the discrete time version, a particle tries to move in one of direction with a given probability at any discrete moment. The attempt is realized if the particle tries to move to a vacant cell. In the discrete time system, if two particles try to move to the same cell, then only one particle moves. We use equivalence of the continuous time system to a queueing network to find the system stationary state distribution of the system. Stationary probabilities of the discrete time system have been found under the assumptions that the number of particles is equal to two and the number of cells is even. We have proved that, under these assumptions, the system is time reversible, and in the general case, the system is not time reversible.
Automatic configuration of the reference point method for fully automated multi‐objective treatment planning applied to oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: van Haveren Rens , Heijmen Ben J. M. , Breedveld Sebastiaan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

In automated treatment planning, configuration of the underlying algorithm to generate high‐quality plans for all patients of a particular tumor type can be a major challenge. Often, a time‐consuming trial‐and‐error tuning procedure is required. The purpose of this paper is to automatically configure an automated treatment planning algorithm for oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Methods

Recently, we proposed a new procedure to automatically configure the reference point method (RPM), a fast automatic multi‐objective treatment planning algorithm. With a well‐tuned configuration, the RPM generates a single Pareto optimal treatment plan with clinically favorable trade‐offs for each patient. The automatic configuration of the RPM requires a set of computed tomography (CT) scans with corresponding dose distributions for training. Previously, we demonstrated for prostate cancer planning with 12 objectives that training with only 9 patients resulted in high‐quality configurations. This paper further develops and explores the new automatic RPM configuration procedure for head and neck cancer planning with 22 objectives. Investigations were performed with planning CT scans of 105 previously treated unilateral or bilateral oropharyngeal cancer patients together with corresponding Pareto optimal treatment plans. These plans were generated with our clinically applied two‐phase ε‐constraint method (Erasmus‐iCycle) for automated multi‐objective treatment planning, ensuring consistent high quality and Pareto optimality of all plans. Clinically relevant, nonconvex criteria, such as dose‐volume parameters and NTCPs, were included to steer the RPM configuration.

Results

Training sets with 20–50 patients were investigated. Even with 20 training plans, high‐quality configurations of the RPM were feasible. Automated plan generation with the automatically configured RPM resulted in Pareto optimal plans with overall similar or better quality than that of the Pareto optimal database plans.

Conclusions

Automatic configuration of the RPM for automated treatment planning is feasible and drastically reduces the time and workload required when compared to manual tuning of an automated treatment planning algorithm.
Electron spin relaxation time of Ni(II) ion in hexapyrazole zinc(II) dinitrate at 300 K
Authors: K Amrutha , Kathirvelu Velavan
Published: February 2020

Understanding the electron spin relaxation properties of paramagnetic species is a fundamental requirement to use them as a probe to measure distances between sites in biomolecules by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Even though Ni(II) ion is an essential trace element for many species, relaxation properties are not well understood. Herein, the polycrystalline sample of Ni(II) ion magnetically diluted in Zn(Pyrazole)6(NO3)2 (Ni/ZPN) has been studied in detail by EPR spectroscopy to explore the electron spin relaxation time. Progressive continuous‐wave (CW) EPR power saturation study on Ni/ZPN at 300 K yielded 907 mW as the P1/2 value. The cavity constant (KQ) has been calculated using tempol in PVA‐BA glass matrix and the product of electron spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1) and spin–spin relaxation time (T2) for Ni/ZPN at 300 K has been reported for the first time.
Deletion of the mouse X‐linked Prame gene causes germ cell reduction in spermatogenesis
Authors: Lu Chen , Yang Mingyao , Rossi Randall M. , Wang Aihua , Feitosa Weber B. , Diaz Francisco J. , Liu Wan‐Sheng
Published: February 2020

Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is cancer/testis antigen and a transcriptional repressor, inhibiting the signaling of retinoic acid through the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) for promoting cell proliferation and preventing cell apoptosis in cancer cells. The role of PRAME in testis and germline is unknown. We report here the generation and characterization of an X‐linked Prame conditional knockout (cKO) mouse. Although fertile, the testis size (p < .01) and sperm count (p < .05) of the Prame cKO mice were significantly reduced by 12% at 4 months of age compared with the Prame floxed mice. Histological, immunofluorescence with germ cell‐specific markers and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling analyses of testis cross‐sections at postnatal day 7 (P7), P14, P21, P35, P120, and P365 indicated a significant increase in apoptotic germ cells at P7 and P14 and an increase in abnormal seminiferous tubules at P21 and P35. Germ cells were gradually lost resulting in two different phenotypes in the Prame cKO testes: Sertoli‐cell‐only for some of the affected tubules in young mice (at P35) and germ cell arrest at spermatogonia stage for other affected tubules in mature mice. Both phenotypes were a consequence of disruption in RAR signaling pathway by the depletion of Prame at a different time point during the first and subsequent rounds of spermatogenesis. The results suggest that Prame plays a minor, but important role in spermatogenesis and different paralogs in the Prame gene family may be functionally and partially redundant.
Stochastic production capacity: A bane or a boon for quick response supply chains?
Authors: Zhang Juzhi , Choi Tsan‐Ming , Cheng T. C. E.
Published: February 2020

The quick response (QR) system that can cope with demand volatility by shortening lead time has been well studied in the literature. Much of the existing literature assumes implicitly or explicitly that the manufacturers under QR can always meet the demand because the production capacity is always sufficient. However, when the order comes with a short lead time under QR, availability of the manufacturer's production capacity is not guaranteed. This motivates us to explore QR in supply chains with stochastic production capacity. Specifically, we study QR in a two‐echelon supply chain with Bayesian demand information updating. We consider the situation where the manufacturer's production capacity under QR is uncertain. We first explore how stochastic production capacity affects supply chain decisions and QR implementation. We then incorporate the manufacturer's ability to expand capacity into the model. We explore how the manufacturer determines the optimal capacity expansion decision, and the value of such an ability to the supply chain and its agents. Finally, we extend the model to the two‐stage two‐ordering case and derive the optimal ordering policy by dynamic programming. We compare the single‐ordering and two‐ordering cases to generate additional managerial insights about how ordering flexibility affects QR when production capacity is stochastic. We also explore the transparent supply chain and find that our main results still hold.
Content placement in 5G‐enabled edge/core data center networks resilient to link cut attacks
Authors: Natalino Carlos , de Sousa Amaro , Wosinska Lena , Furdek Marija
Published: February 2020

High throughput, resilience, and low latency requirements drive the development of 5G‐enabled content delivery networks (CDNs) which combine core data centers (cDCs) with edge data centers (eDCs) that cache the most popular content closer to the end users for traffic load and latency reduction. Deployed over the existing optical network infrastructure, CDNs are vulnerable to link cut attacks aimed at disrupting the overlay services. Planning a CDN to balance the stringent service requirements and increase resilience to attacks in a cost‐efficient way entails solving the content placement problem (CPP) across the cDCs and eDCs. This article proposes a framework for finding Pareto‐optimal solutions with minimal user‐to‐content distance and maximal robustness to targeted link cuts, under a defined budget. We formulate two optimization problems as integer linear programming (ILP) models. The first, denoted as K‐best CPP with minimal distance (K‐CPP‐minD), identifies the eDC/cDC placement solutions with minimal user‐to‐content distance. The second performs critical link set detection to evaluate the resilience of the K‐CPP‐minD solutions to targeted fiber cuts. Extensive simulations verify that the eDC/cDC selection obtained by our models improves network resilience to link cut attacks without adversely affecting the user‐to‐content distances or the core network traffic mitigation benefits.
Reputation‐Sets
Authors: Mitnick Barry M. , Mahon John F. , McGowan Richard A.
Published: February 2020

This paper introduces the concept ofreputation‐set, identifies and discusses two major bases for reputation that characterize such sets, specifyingascription‐setsandachievement‐sets, and proposes a series of theoretical propositions about the functioning of reputation‐sets. In addition, we introduce the concept ofreputation maps, which are heuristic depictions of the central variables in reputation‐set management, and provide a means to track and assist in management of such sets. The growth of social media outlets (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) has accelerated attacks on reputation, and the speed with which such attacks can be launched. This requires a more systematic understanding of the structure and functioning of reputational systems and, in particular, of reputation‐sets.
Coatings based on mucin‐tannic acid assembled multilayers. Influence of pH
Authors: Olaret Elena , Ghitman Jana , Iovu Horia , Serafim Andrada , Stancu Izabela‐Cristina
Published: February 2020

Although widely used as implantable materials due to their mechanical properties, metal devices show several disadvantages, such as the lack of cellular binding sites, antibacterial properties, or lubricant properties. To this end, the development of engineered surfaces through protein coatings has been largely investigated. Due to their natural origin and complex structure which allows the formation of hydrogels, mucins have been proposed and investigated as effective coatings for metallic implants. The present study evaluates the ability of porcine gastric mucin (PGM) to form stable coatings on a model metal surface, using three buffers with different pH values, ranging from acid to alkaline, as dispersion media. Considering its large number of hydroxyl groups and its ability to form hydrogen bonds with the protein, tannic acid (TA) was used as cross‐linker. In addition to coatings' thickness and elasticity assessed through Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM‐D), the study also evaluates the interactions between PGM and TA at various pH values of the dispersion media through DLS. The corroborated results show that the neutral pH allows the best interactions between PGM and TA leading to the formation of a stable, less elastic coating when compared with that obtained using as dispersion media the other two investigated buffers. Moreover, the hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the dried coatings were assessed through contact angle measurements and nanoindentation, respectively.
Processing and wear response study of glass‐polyester composites with waste marble dust as particulate filler
Authors: Nayak Sandip K. , Satapathy Alok , Mantry Sisir
Published: February 2020

Proper management of any waste lies in using its potential in the development of some value added products. In line with this, the present research has explored the use of marble dust, an industrial/construction waste as a secondary filler in the glass‐polyester material system to prepare wear‐resistant hybrid composites. Such hybrid composites are fabricated through a simple hand layup route. The composites are characterized in regard to their density and porosity. Mechanical properties, such as tensile and flexural strength, are evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. Dry sliding wear trials are conducted under different test conditions using a pin‐on‐disc test rig as per ASTM G 99‐05 following Taguchi's L25 orthogonal array. Significant control factors influencing the specific wear rates (SWRs) are identified and an optimal factor setting based on minimum wear is found out. Scanning electron microscopy of the worn composite surfaces is done to ascertain the possible wear mechanisms. Analysis revealed that the incorporation of filler helps in reducing the wear rate of the composites. Thus, the wear resistance of glass‐polyester composites is improved significantly by the incorporation of marble dust. Furthermore, a prediction model based on artificial neural networks is developed to estimate the SWR within and beyond the experimental domain.
Refined protocol for δ13C analysis of calcite and dolomite in carbonate mixture samples
Authors: Du Yong , Song Huyue
Published: February 2020

Rationale

The carbon isotope composition of carbonates is widely used in petrology and paleoenvironments as a proxy for carbon sources and environmental parameters during mineral formation or late diagenesis. However, most carbonate minerals in nature are complicated mixtures (i.e., coexisting calcite and dolomite). Precise separation of individual signals in mixed carbonate minerals is essential to obtain information regarding these indexes because of the diverse isotopic behavior of different minerals.

Methods

The conditions for pretreating calcite–dolomite mixtures to determine each of their δ13C values were optimized with a series of experiments varying the purging and reaction conditions using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer equipped with an online GasBench II interface. Sequential phosphoric acid reactions of pure calcite and dolomite were performed to measure the characteristics of single minerals under different temperatures and reaction times. Artificial mixtures with varied proportions of calcite and dolomite were used to verify the precision of the proposed method.

Results

The optimized pretreatment conditions for δ13C analysis of calcite in the mixture involved purging the sample bottle using helium and then reacting it with 99% H3PO4 for 100 min in a cold water bath at 2°C. The optimized pretreatment conditions for δ13C analysis of dolomite in the mixture involved purging the sample bottle using helium gas after δ13Ccal measurement and reacting it with H3PO4 on a heating plate for 10 h at 45°C.

Conclusions

This study introduced a workflow with ultimate precision for the selective δ13C measurements of calcite–dolomite mixtures combining a GasBench II with a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
Field of experts optimization‐based noisy image retrieval
Authors: Guo Junqi , Shen Guicheng , Sun Yichen , Zhao Jin , Wu Hao , Zhu Zhilin
Published: February 2020

The value of image retrieval has become more and more prominent in the era of big data. However, large numbers of images are missed from current method since the image retrieval precision largely depends on the high quality of images. By common methodology, when the quality of images decreases a little, the accuracy of retrieval would decrease significantly. In particular, it is difficult to retrieve noisy images effectively by conventional approach. Yet large number of the noisy images could not be ignored at the age of data explosion. Aiming at the problem above, we proposed noisy image retrieval model based on field of experts (FoE) optimization. High‐quality learning images could be selected by sparse coding, which is based on similarity calculation model, and the multioption filter combination model enhances the power of FoE model. We set up a database containing a large numbers of noisy images. Over this database, adequate groups of experiments are conducted. The verification of the method concluded its effectiveness and superiority.
A game based on successive events
Authors: Hussain Abid , Cheema Salman A. , Hanif Muhammad
Published: February 2020

In this article, we provide the general expressions for the classic two‐player gambler's ruin problem when the decision process relies on the occurrence of
successive and nonoverlapping events. The rationale of the proposed strategy is motivated by its exhibition in various sports events. For example, in tennis, a player is required to win two successive serves to win a game after achieving deuce. Similarly, in cricket, a bowler needs three wickets in three successive balls to secure the prestigious hallmark of a hat trick. The advantage of the proposed scheme is two‐folded. It provides ample opportunity for the competitors to come back in the game. Second, the decision process favours the player with a better skill set and reduces the chances of win or loss based only on luck. We provide expressions of ruin probability and expected and conditional durations of the game. The results are generalized for any number of successive events, say
. The devised portfolio is then verified through rigorous simulation studies by considering more practical values of
, that is,
and
.
The Everyday Drama of Coproduction in Community Mental Health Services: Analyzing Welfare Workers' Performance as the “Undercover Agent”
Authors: Kirkegaard Sine
Published: February 2020

Current welfare policy encourages “coproduction” between citizens and welfare workers so that “lay expertise” effectively becomes part of the provision of services. Drawing on fieldwork from Danish mental health services, this article analyzes how expertise and authority are organized and performed in a network linking welfare workers and users as well as new participants (e.g., volunteers) and artifacts. Theoretically, the article employs Goffman's dramaturgical distinction between “frontstage” and “backstage.” The findings indicate that welfare workers coproduce services by covering their authority and expertise in “frontstage” meetings with users. However, relational and material resources in encounters “backstage” make welfare workers appear as accountable experts, which both fosters and threatens their credibility.
Effect of add‐on administration of kamikihito with donepezil monotherapy in a patient with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ishida Kazuyuki
Published: February 2020

Case

A 69‐year‐old male presented with a two‐year history of memory decline. Results of his cognitive function tests suggested cognitive impairment and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed cortical atrophy, predominantly in the temporal lobes. Based on these findings, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Outcome

Although treatment with donepezil was commenced, the patient's cognitive function deteriorated in the year after initiation. However, his cognitive impairment improved in the year after add‐on administration of kamikihito, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, with donepezil monotherapy.

Conclusion

Combination therapy with donepezil and kamikihito seems to be beneficial and worth considering for patients who are secondarily non‐responsive to donepezil monotherapy.
Path integration in a three-dimensional world: the case of desert ants
Authors: Ronacher Bernhard
Published: February 2020

Desert ants use path integration to return from foraging excursions on a shortcut way to their nests. Intriguingly, when walking over hills, the ants incorporate the ground distance, the paths’ projection to the horizontal plane, into their path integrator. This review discusses howCataglyphismay solve this computational feat. To infer ground distance, ants must incorporate the inclination of path segments into the assessment of distance. Hair fields between various joints have been eliminated as likely sensors for slope measurement, without affecting slope detection; nor do postural adaptations or changes in gait provide the relevant information. Changes in the sky’s polarization pattern due to different head inclinations on slopes were ruled out as cues. Thus, the mechanisms by which ants may measure slopes still await clarification. Remarkably, the precision of slope measurement is roughly constant up to a 45° inclination, but breaks down at 60°. An encounter of sloped path segments during a foraging trip induces a general acceptance of slopes, however, slopes are not associated with specific values of the home vector. All current evidence suggests thatCataglyphisdoes not compute a vector in 3-D: path integration seems to operate exclusively in the horizontal plane.
Overloaded! Critical revision and a new conceptual approach for snow indicators in ski tourism
Authors: Abegg B. , Morin S. , Demiroglu O. C. , François H. , Rothleitner M. , Strasser U.
Published: February 2020

Indicators are widely used in climate variability and climate change assessments to simplify the tracking of complex processes and phenomena in the state of the environment. Apart from the climatic criteria, the snow indicators in ski tourism have been increasingly extended with elements that relate to the technical, operational, and commercial aspects of ski tourism. These non-natural influencing factors have gained in importance in comparison with the natural environmental conditions but are more difficult to comprehend in time and space, resulting in limited explanatory power of the related indicators when applied for larger/longer scale assessments. We review the existing indicator approaches to derive quantitative measures for the snow conditions in ski areas, to formulate the criteria that the indicators should fulfill, and to provide a list of indicators with their technical specifications which can be used in snow condition assessments for ski tourism. For the use of these indicators, a three-step procedure consisting of definition, application, and interpretation is suggested. We also provide recommendations for the design of indicator-based assessments of climate change effects on ski tourism. Thereby, we highlight the importance of extensive stakeholder involvement to allow for real-world relevance of the achieved results.
Multiparametric radiomics methods for breast cancer tissue characterization using radiological imaging
Authors: Parekh Vishwa S. , Jacobs Michael A.
Published: February 2020

Background and purpose

Multiparametric radiological imaging is vital for detection, characterization, and diagnosis of many different diseases. Radiomics provide quantitative metrics from radiological imaging that may infer potential biological meaning of the underlying tissue. However, current methods are limited to regions of interest extracted from a single imaging parameter or modality, which limits the amount of information available within the data. This limitation can directly affect the integration and applicable scope of radiomics into different clinical settings, since single image radiomics are not capable of capturing the true underlying tissue characteristics in the multiparametric radiological imaging space. To that end, we developed a multiparametric imaging radiomic (mpRad) framework for extraction of first and second order radiomic features from multiparametric radiological datasets.

Methods

We developed five different radiomic techniques that extract different aspects of the inter-voxel and inter-parametric relationships within the high-dimensional multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging breast datasets. Our patient cohort consisted of 138 breast patients, where, 97 patients had malignant lesions and 41 patients had benign lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and areas under the curve (AUC) analysis were performed to assess diagnostic performance of the mpRad parameters. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The mpRad features successfully classified malignant from benign breast lesions with excellent sensitivity and specificity of 82.5% and 80.5%, respectively, with Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC) of 0.87 (0.81–0.93). mpRad provided a 9–28% increase in AUC metrics over single radiomic parameters.

Conclusions

We have introduced the mpRad framework that extends radiomic analysis from single images to multiparametric datasets for better characterization of the underlying tissue biology.
Learning Mathematics Problem Solving through Test Practice: a Randomized Field Experiment on a Global Scale
Authors: Avvisati Francesco , Borgonovi Francesca
Published: February 2020

We measure the effect of a single test practice on 15-year-old students’ ability to solve mathematics problems using large, representative samples of the schooled population in 32 countries. We exploit three unique features of the 2012 administration of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a large-scale, low-stakes international assessment. During the 2012 PISA administration, participating students were asked to sit two separate tests consisting of problem-solving tasks. Both tests included questions that covered the same internationally recognized and validated framework for mathematics assessment. Students were randomly assigned in the first, 2-h-long test to one of three test versions containing varying amounts of mathematics, reading, and science problems. We found that the amount of mathematics problems in the first test had a small positive effect on mean mathematics performance on the second test, but no effect on general reasoning and problem-solving ability. Subject-specific effects of test practice on subsequent test performance were found over both short lags (same day) and medium lags (1–7 days). The learning gains ascribed to mathematics problem-solving practice were larger for boys than for girls.
On the Tension Between Physics and Mathematics
Authors: Rédei Miklós
Published: February 2020

Because of the complex interdependence of physics and mathematics their relation is not free of tensions. The paper looks at how the tension has been perceived and articulated by some physicists, mathematicians and mathematical physicists. Some sources of the tension are identified and it is claimed that the tension is both natural and fruitful for both physics and mathematics. An attempt is made to explain why mathematical precision is typically not welcome in physics.
A Closeness- and Priority-Based Logical Study of Social Network Creation
Authors: Smets Sonja , Velázquez-Quesada Fernando R.
Published: February 2020

This paper is part of an on-going programme on the study of the logical aspects of social network formation. It recalls the so-calledsocial networkmodel, discussing the properties of a notion ofclosenessbetween agents (in terms of the number of traits they have in common); then introduces anextended social networkmodel in which different agents might assign different values to different traits, discussing the properties of the notion ofweighted closenessthat arises. These notions are used to define social network creation operations by means of athresholdstrategy. The paper studies the properties of the social networks the updates create, providing sound and complete axiom systems for formal languages describing these updates’ effects.
Quantitative trait loci analysis of potato tuber greening
Authors: Plich Jarosław , Zimnoch-Guzowska Ewa , Tatarowska Beata , Śliwka Jadwiga
Published: February 2020

A conversion of amyloplasts into chloroplasts in the potato tuber after light exposure is known as tuber greening and is one of the major causes of tuber loss. We report here the first mapping of the factors affecting tuber greening in potato. We used an F1 mapping population of diploid potatoes and DArTseq™ markers to construct a genetic map. The individuals of the mapping population, parents and standards were phenotyped for two tuber greening parameters: external tuber greening and internal greening depth on 0–5 scales in three years 2015, 2016 and 2018. The results were used for the analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) by an interval QTL mapping. Two most important QTLs were covering large regions of chromosomes VII and X and had the strongest effect on both greening parameters in data sets obtained in particular years and in the mean data set. Variance observed in the mean tuber greening could be ascribed in 16.9% to the QTL on chromosome VII and in 23.4% to the QTL on chromosome X. The QTL on chromosome VII explained 13.1%, while the QTL on chromosome X explained up to 17.7% of the variance in the mean tuber greening depth. Additional, minor QTLs were year- and/or trait-specific. The QTLs on chromosomes VII and X determine big parts of the observed tuber greening variation and should be investigated further in order to identify the genes underlying their effects but also should be taken into account when selecting non-greening potato lines in the breeding process.
Stability and stabilization of linear positive systems on time scales
Authors: Bartosiewicz Zbigniew
Published: February 2020

It is shown that a positive linear system on a time scale with a bounded graininess is uniformly exponentially stable if and only if the characteristic polynomial of the matrix defining the system has all its coefficients positive. Then this fact is used to find necessary and sufficient conditions of positive stabilizability of a positive control system on a time scale.
Common Elements of Practice, Process and Implementation in Out-of-School-Time Academic Interventions for At-risk Children: a Systematic Review
Authors: Engell Thomas , Kirkøen Benedicte , Hammerstrøm Karianne Thune , Kornør Hege , Ludvigsen Kristine Horseng , Hagen Kristine Amlund
Published: February 2020

Academic achievement is a strong preventive factor against marginalization. Children at risk of academic failure and drop out can benefit from out-of-school-time academic (OSTA) interventions. Wide-scaled implementation and sustainment of effective interventions remain a struggle across education, welfare, and health. The need for approaches to increase implementability, effectiveness, and efficiency of interventions is pressing. Advancements in the field of education and mental health suggest identifying and studying discrete elements that are common across interventions for the purpose of hypothesis generation, intervention optimization, design improvement, and implementation. This review identified OSTA interventions for primary school children at risk of academic failure. Common elements methodology was used to code practice elements (n = 62), process elements (n = 49), and implementation elements (n = 36) in 30 effective and six ineffective OSTA interventions in matrices. Based on frequency counts, common practice, process, and implementation elements across the interventions were identified, and given frequency count values (FV) reflecting how often elements were included in effective studies as opposed to in ineffective studies. The five common practice elements with the highest FVs were homework support, training in positive parental school involvement, positive reinforcement, structured tutoring, and psychoeducation. The most common process element was regular support to intervention receiver, and the most common implementation element was quality monitoring. Common combinations of elements were also identified and given FVs. Results from this review can inform efforts to design or optimize OSTA interventions, and inform education, implementation, and practice to improve academic achievement for children at risk.
Oral health-related quality of life of patients after heart transplantation and those with heart failure is associated with general health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Schmalz Gerhard , Eisner Mirjam , Binner Christian , Wagner Justus , Rast Josephine , Kottmann Tanja , Haak Rainer , Oberbach Andreas , Borger Michael A. , Garbade Jens , Ziebolz Dirk
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients after heart transplantation (HTx) and those with heart failure (HF).

Methods

In total, 186 participants (HTx: 104, HF: 82) were recruited from the University Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Centre, Germany. OHRQoL was assessed with the German short form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-G14). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated using the short form 36 survey (SF-36). Furthermore, the dental and periodontal treatment need was recorded.

Results

With an OHIP-G14 sum score of 6.58 ± 6.40 [5; 2.5–8] in the HTx group and 5.54 ± 5.47 [5; 2–7] in the HF group, no clinically relevant or statistically significant difference was apparent (p = 0.39). The SF-36 scales for physical functioning, role-physical, general health and vitality were significantly worse in the HF group compared with the HTx group (pi < 0.01). A worse SF-36 physical component summary was significantly associated with a higher OHIP-G14 sum score (HTx:p < 0.01, HF:p = 0.04). In the HTx group, a significant association was also observed for the mental component summary (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed physical component summary (p = 0.04) and mental component summary (p < 0.01) in HTx, and physical component summary (p = 0.02), mental component summary (p = 0.02) and smoking (p < 0.01) as significant predictors for OHIP G14 in HF.

Conclusion

The OHRQoL in HF and HTx patients appears to be mainly associated with general HRQoL. Therefore, multidisciplinary dental care concepts may be recommended to improve oral health conditions in these patients.
Pre-service Teachers’ Knowledge and Perceptions of the Impact of Mitigative Climate Actions and Their Willingness to Act
Authors: Tolppanen Sakari , Claudelin Anna , Kang Jingoo
Published: February 2020

A 44-item questionnaire was created to examine pre-service teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of the impact of mitigative climate change actions and how willing they are to undertake these actions. Responses (N = 224) were collected from pre-service teachers at the University of Eastern Finland. The findings show that pre-service teachers have a very low level of knowledge of the impact of different mitigative climate change actions. Furthermore, the students tend to overestimate the carbon footprint of low-impact actions and underestimate the carbon footprint of high-impact actions and they are unable to make a clear distinction between low- and high-impact actions, though the impact of the high-impact actions may be many times greater than those of low-impact actions. In general, pre-service teachers were willing to take low-impact actions, somewhat willing to take mid-impact actions, but reluctant to take the highest-impact actions. Knowledge of the impact of actions did not correlate with willingness to act, possibly due to low levels of knowledge. Some correlation between confidence in knowledge and willingness to act was found. This article discusses the importance of considering confidence in knowledge in future research examining the relationship between knowledge and action. The implications of the findings on teacher education and environmental education are also discussed.
Source of Energetic Protons in the 2014 September 1 Sustained Gamma-ray Emission Event
Authors: Gopalswamy N. , Mäkelä P. , Yashiro S. , Akiyama S. , Xie H. , Thakur N.
Published: February 2020

We report on the source of ${>}\,300~\mbox{MeV}$>300MeV protons during the SOL2014-09-01 sustained gamma-ray emission (SGRE) event based on multi-wavelength data from a wide array of space- and ground-based instruments. Based on the eruption geometry we provide concrete explanation for the spatially and temporally extended $\gamma $γ-ray emission from the eruption. We show that the associated flux rope is of low inclination (roughly oriented in the east–west direction), which enables the associated shock to extend to the frontside. We compare the centroid of the SGRE source with the location of the flux rope’s leg to infer that the high-energy protons must be precipitating between the flux rope leg and the shock front. The durations of the SOL2014-09-01 SGRE event and the type II radio burst agree with the linear relationship between these parameters obtained for other SGRE events with duration $\geq 3~\mbox{hrs}$≥3hrs. The fluence spectrum of the SEP event is very hard, indicating the presence of high-energy (GeV) particles in this event. This is further confirmed by the presence of an energetic coronal mass ejection with a speed ${>}\,2000~\mbox{km}\,\mbox{s}^{-1}$>2000kms−1, similar to those in ground level enhancement (GLE) events. The type II radio burst had emission components from metric to kilometric wavelengths as in events associated with GLE events. All these factors indicate that the high-energy particles from the shock were in sufficient numbers needed for the production of $\gamma $γ-rays via neutral pion decay.
Detecting anomalies in fibre systems using 3-dimensional image data
Authors: Dresvyanskiy Denis , Karaseva Tatiana , Makogin Vitalii , Mitrofanov Sergei , Redenbach Claudia , Spodarev Evgeny
Published: February 2020

We consider the problem of detecting anomalies in the directional distribution of fibre materials observed in 3D images. We divide the image into a set of scanning windows and classify them into two clusters: homogeneous material and anomaly. Based on a sample of estimated local fibre directions, for each scanning window we compute several classification attributes, namely the coordinate wise means of local fibre directions, the entropy of the directional distribution, and a combination of them. We also propose a new spatial modification of the Stochastic Approximation Expectation-Maximization (SAEM) algorithm. Besides the clustering we also consider testing the significance of anomalies. To this end, we apply a change point technique for random fields and derive the exact inequalities for tail probabilities of a test statistic. The proposed methodology is first validated on simulated images. Finally, it is applied to a 3D image of a fibre reinforced polymer.
Fictional names and individual concepts
Authors: Stokke Andreas
Published: February 2020

This paper defends a version of the realist view that fictional characters exist. It argues for an instance of abstract realist views, according to which fictional characters are roles, constituted by sets of properties. It is argued that fictional names denote individual concepts, functions from worlds to individuals. It is shown that a dynamic framework for understanding the evolution of discourse information can be used to understand how roles are created and develop along with story content. Taking fictional names to denote individual concepts provides accounts of a number of uses of fictional names. These include non-fictional uses, fictional uses, metafictional uses, interfictional uses, counterfictional uses, and negative existentials. It is argued that this account is not open to objections that have been raised in the literature.