bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shelter planning for uncertain seismic hazards using multicriteria decision approach: A case of Nepal earthquake
Authors: Trivedi Ashish , Singh Amol
Published: May 2019

This paper explores the location and relocation decision problem of temporary shelters under uncertain damage situations in humanitarian relief contexts. The article proposes a multicriteria decision support framework based on fuzzy sets, analytic hierarchy process, technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution, and weighted goal programming to address the issue of temporary shelter planning. The paper formulates a multiobjective location–relocation model that considers multiple objectives of risk, number of sites, unmet demand, qualitative suitability of locations, unmet demand, and nature of land ownership while generating solutions under different scenarios of earthquake damage. The robustness and performance of the proposed model are illustrated using a real case study of 2015 Nepal earthquake. The framework can benefit governments and humanitarian agencies in high‐seismic areas for adequate shelter planning under damage uncertainties.
Seasonal Distribution and Habitat Preferences of Crimson Seabream Parargyrops edita: Implications for a Marine Protected Area in Beibu Gulf, Northern South China Sea
Authors: Wang Lifei , Wang Xuefeng , Li Chunhou , Jia Xiaoping
Published: May 2019

Understanding distribution patterns and habitat characteristics of ecologically or economically important species in marine protected areas is critical for identifying ecological boundaries and optimizing management strategies. However, studies on groundfish resources around marine protected areas are often limited because of economic, geographic, or jurisdictional constraints. This study investigated the seasonal distribution of Crimson Seabream Parargyrops edita, an important demersal fish species in the Beibu Gulf, northern South China Sea, based on bottom trawl surveys inside and outside of the experimental zone of a marine protected area. It examined habitat preferences of Crimson Seabream in terms of 11 abiotic and biotic factors (sea bottom temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, depth, transparency, zooplankton biomass, eastings, northings, season, and zone) using generalized additive models. The density of Crimson Seabream was highest in spring, with a mean ± SD density of 50,700 ± 15,100 individuals/km2 and an occurrence frequency of 92.3%, and lowest in winter, with a mean ± SD density of 20 ± 39 individuals/km2 and an occurrence frequency of 30.8%. Crimson Seabream were most aggregated in summer and least aggregated in winter. Results suggest that the distribution of Crimson Seabream was first and foremost influenced by season, sea bottom temperature, and salinity. Crimson Seabream were most likely to be found in areas with sea bottom temperature between 22.8°C and 25.0°C, salinity between 31.5‰ and 32.0‰, dissolved oxygen between 4.4 and 6.8 mg/L, and zooplankton biomass between 114.0 and 2,717.5 mg/m3. Further, findings suggest that dynamic management strategies with more effort on minimizing human activity around the marine protected area in winter and spring may provide more effective support for Crimson Seabream recruitment. Statistical approaches applied here and related outcomes may serve as a basis for determining the spillover effects of marine protected areas and enhancing fishery management units.
A new approach to developing diagnostics and therapeutics: Aggregation‐induced emission‐based fluorescence turn‐on
Authors: Guo Meichen , Song Hang , Li Kai , Ma Minchao , Liu Yang , Fu Qiang , He Zhonggui
Published: May 2019

Fluorescence imaging is a promising visualization tool and possesses the advantages of in situ response and facile operation; thus, it is widely exploited for bioassays. However, traditional fluorophores suffer from concentration limits because they are always quenched when they aggregate, which impedes applications, especially for trace analysis and real‐time monitoring. Recently, novel molecules with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics were developed to solve the problems encountered when using traditional organic dyes, because these new molecules exhibit weak or even no fluorescence when they are in free movement states but emit intensely upon the restriction of intramolecular motions. Inspired by the excellent performances of AIE molecules, a substantial number of AIE‐based probes have been designed, synthesized, and applied to various fields to fulfill diverse detection tasks. According to numerous experiments, AIE probes are more practical than traditional fluorescent probes, especially when used in bioassays. To bridge bioimaging and materials engineering, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the development of AIE bioprobes. It begins with a summary of mechanisms of the AIE phenomenon. Then, the strategies to realize accurate detection using AIE probes are discussed. In addition, typical examples of AIE‐active materials applied in diagnosis, treatment, and nanocarrier tracking are presented. In addition, some challenges are put forward to inspire more ideas in the promising field of AIE‐active materials.
Whole exome sequencing reveals novel LEPR frameshift mutation in severely obese children from Western India
Authors: Bhatt Arpan , Purani Charul , Bhargava Poonam , Patel Komal , Agarbattiwala Tanvi , Puvar Apurvasinh , Shah Krati , Joshi Chaitanya G. , Dhamecha Nidhi , Prabhakar Mukund , Joshi Madhvi
Published: May 2019

Background

Obesity, especially early onset of obesity is a serious health concern in both developed and developing countries. This is further associated with serious comorbidities like a fatty liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, type‐2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, renal complications and respiratory problems. Many times early onset of obesity is linked with heritable monogenic, polygenic and syndromic forms. Globally, studies on roles of genes involved in early onset of obesity are limited.

Methods

Here in this study, a consanguineous family of Western Indian origin having four siblings, one unaffected and three affected with severe early onset of obesity was enrolled. Affected siblings also displayed comorbidities like mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, raised Renal Resistance Index, oliguria, and severe anemia. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) of Trio with one affected and unaffected sibling was done. Data analysis was performed to check pathogenic mutation segregation in unaffected parents with affected and unaffected sibling.

Results

WES of trio identified novel frameshift mutation in the LEPR gene resulting in truncated leptin receptor (LEPR). The same mutation was confirmed in other affected siblings and two siblings of distant relatives by Sanger sequencing. The possible effects of truncating mutation in LEPR function by in silico analysis were also studied.

Conclusion

Understanding genetic basis of obesity might provide a clue for better management and treatment in times to come. This work demonstrates identification of novel mutation in LEPR gene resulting into early onset of obesity. Discovery of novel, population‐specific genomics markers will help population screening programs in creating base for possible therapeutic applications and prevention of this disease for next generations.
The 2D magneto‐micropolar equations with partial dissipation
Authors: Regmi Dipendra
Published: May 2019

We study the global existence and regularity of classical solutions to the 2D incompressible magneto‐micropolar equations with partial dissipation. We establish the global regularity for one partial dissipation case. The proofs of our main results rely on anisotropic Sobolev type inequalities and suitable combination and cancellation of terms.
Lower bound for the ratios of eigenvalues of Schrödinger with nonpositive single‐barrier potentials
Authors: Ben Amara Jamel , Jihed Hedhly
Published: May 2019

Horváth and Kiss (Proc. Amer. Math. Soc., 2005) proved the upper bound estimate
for Dirichlet eigenvalue ratios of the Schrödinger problem −y′′ + q(x)y  =  λy with nonnegative and single‐well potential q. In this paper, we prove that if q(x) is a nonpositive, continuous, and single‐barrier potential, then
for λn  >  λm≥ − 2q∗, where
. In particular, if q(x) satisfies the additional condition
, then λ1  >  0 and
for n  >  m  ≥  1. For this result, we develop a new approach to study the monotonicity of the modified Prüfer angle function.
Performance evaluation of the 5‐Ring GE Discovery MI PET/CT system using the national electrical manufacturers association NU 2‐2012 Standard
Authors: Pan Tinsu , Einstein Samuel A. , Kappadath Srinivas Cheenu , Grogg Kira S. , Lois Gomez Cristina , Alessio Adam M. , Hunter William C. , El Fakhri Georges , Kinahan Paul E. , Mawlawi Osama R.
Published: May 2019

The GE Discovery MI PET/CT system has a modular digital detector design allowing three, four, or five detector block rings that extend the axial field‐of‐view (FOV) from 15 to 25 cm in 5 cm increments. This study investigated the performance of the 5‐ring system and compared it to 3‐ and 4‐ring systems; the GE Discovery IQ system that uses conventional photomultiplier tubes; and the GE Signa PET/MR system that has a reduced transaxial FOV.

Methods

PET performance was evaluated at three different institutions. Spatial resolution, sensitivity, counting rate performance, accuracy, and image quality were measured in accordance with National Electrical Manufacturers Association NU 2‐2012 standards. The mean energy resolution, mean timing resolution, and PET/CT subsystem alignment were also measured. Phantoms were used to determine the effects of varying acquisition time and reconstruction parameters on image quality. Retrospective patient scans were reconstructed with various scan durations to evaluate the impact on image quality.

Results

Results from all three institutions were similar. Radial/tangential/axial full width at half maximum spatial resolution measurements using the filtered back projection algorithm were 4.3/4.3/5.0 mm, 5.5/4.6/6.5 mm, and 7.4/5.0/6.6 mm at 1, 10, and 20 cm from the center of the FOV, respectively. Measured sensitivity at the center of the FOV (20.84 cps/kBq) was significantly higher than systems with reduced axial FOV. The peak noise‐equivalent counting rate was 266.3 kcps at 20.8 kBq/ml, with a corresponding scatter fraction of 40.2%. The correction accuracy for count losses up to the peak noise‐equivalent counting rate was 3.6%. For the 10‐, 13‐, 17‐, 22‐, 28‐, and 37‐mm spheres, contrast recoveries in the image quality phantom were measured to be 46.2%, 54.3%, 66.1%, 71.1%, 85.3%, and 89.3%, respectively. The mean energy and timing resolution were 9.55% and 381.7 ps, respectively. Phantom and patient images demonstrated excellent image quality, even at short acquisition times or low injected activity.

Conclusion

Compared to other PET/CT models, the extended axial FOV improved the overall PET performance of the 5‐ring GE Discovery MI scanner. This system offers the potential to reduce scan times or injected activities through increased sensitivity.
Harmonization of chest CT scans for different doses and reconstruction methods
Authors: Vegas‐Sánchez‐Ferrero Gonzalo , Ledesma‐Carbayo Maria Jesus , Washko George R. , San José Estépar Raúl
Published: May 2019

Purpose

To develop and validate a computed tomography (CT) harmonization technique by combining noise‐stabilization and autocalibration methodologies to provide reliable densitometry measurements in heterogeneous acquisition protocols.

Methods

We propose to reduce the effects of spatially variant noise such as nonuniform patterns of noise and biases. The method combines the statistical characterization of the signal‐to‐noise relationship in the CT image intensities, which allows us to estimate both the signal and spatially variant variance of noise, with an autocalibration technique that reduces the nonuniform biases caused by noise and reconstruction techniques. The method is firstly validated with anthropomorphic synthetic images that simulate CT acquisitions with variable scanning parameters: different dosage, nonhomogeneous variance of noise, and various reconstruction methods. We finally evaluate these effects and the ability of our method to provide consistent densitometric measurements in a cohort of clinical chest CT scans from two vendors (Siemens, n = 54 subjects; and GE, n = 50 subjects) acquired with several reconstruction algorithms (filtered back‐projection and iterative reconstructions) with high‐dose and low‐dose protocols.

Results

The harmonization reduces the effect of nonhomogeneous noise without compromising the resolution of the images (25% RMSE reduction in both clinical datasets). An analysis through hierarchical linear models showed that the average biases induced by differences in dosage and reconstruction methods are also reduced up to 74.20%, enabling comparable results between high‐dose and low‐dose reconstructions. We also assessed the statistical similarity between acquisitions obtaining increases of up to 30% points and showing that the low‐dose vs high‐dose comparisons of harmonized data obtain similar and even higher similarity than the observed for high‐dose vs high‐dose comparisons of nonharmonized data.

Conclusion

The proposed harmonization technique allows to compare measures of low‐dose with high‐dose acquisitions without using a specific reconstruction as a reference. Since the harmonization does not require a precalibration with a phantom, it can be applied to retrospective studies. This approach might be suitable for multicenter trials for which a reference reconstruction is not feasible or hard to define due to differences in vendors, models, and reconstruction techniques.
Structure elucidation and NMR assignment of two new eudesmane derivatives from Merremia yunnanensis
Authors: Li Qian , Yuan Mingrui , Li Jinyu , Wei Di , Mei Shuangxi , Cui Tao , Wang Jingkun , Zhu Zhaoyun , Dong Xun , Wan Jinfu
Published: May 2019

Two new eudesmane derivatives, 1α,6β,9β‐trihydroxy‐eudesm‐3‐ene‐1‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (1) and 1α,6β,9β‐trihydroxy‐eudesm‐3‐ene‐1‐(6‐cinnamoyl)‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (2) were discovered from Merremia yunnanensis. The structures were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data including HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D, and 2D NMR. It should be noted that this is the first report about structure elucidation and NMR assignment of compounds from M. yunnanensis.
Association of Maternal Obesity in Early Pregnancy with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Chinese Prospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Zhou Yubo , Li Hongtian , Zhang Yali , Zhang Le , Liu Jufen , Liu Jianmeng
Published: May 2019

Objective

This study aimed to examine the associations of maternal obesity in early pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

A prospective cohort analysis was performed among 18,481 Chinese nulliparous women, using data from a 2006 to 2009 trial of prenatal micronutrient supplementation. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2. Interested outcomes included fetal loss (spontaneous abortion plus stillbirth), infant death, total mortality, and preterm and birth weight outcomes.

Results

Compared with normal weight, obesity was associated with total mortality (adjusted relative risks [ARR] 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03‐1.74) and fetal loss (ARR 1.51; 95% CI: 1.15‐1.99) but not with infant death (ARR 0.53; 95% CI: 0.20‐1.46). Further analyses showed that obesity was particularly associated with spontaneous abortion (ARR 1.51; 95% CI: 1.13‐2.02) rather than stillbirth (ARR 1.52; 95% CI: 0.65‐3.57). Moreover, obesity was associated with preterm birth (ARR 1.59; 95% CI: 1.25‐2.02), macrosomia (ARR 3.71, 95% CI: 3.01‐4.59), and large for gestational age (ARR 2.93; 95% CI: 2.49‐3.47).

Conclusions

Maternal obesity in early pregnancy is associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes in Chinese nulliparous women, suggesting the importance of an appropriate weight before and during pregnancy.
Preparation and characterization of biomedical collagen–chitosan scaffolds with entrapped ibuprofen and silver nanoparticles
Authors: Rubina Margarita S. , Said‐Galiev Ernest E. , Naumkin Alexander V. , Shulenina Alexandra V. , Belyakova Olga A. , Vasil'kov Alexander Yu.
Published: May 2019

In this work, the preparation and characterization of a novel multifunctional collagen–chitosan material containing silver nanoparticles and nonsteroid anti‐inflammatory drug ibuprofen is described. As a starting material, the commercially available collagen–chitosan scaffold was used. Drug‐loading procedure was performed via supercritical CO2‐assisted impregnation technique. Silver nanoparticles were prepared via metal vapor synthesis and introduced into the composite biopolymer matrix. An analysis of the small‐angle X‐ray scattering profiles revealed that silver nanoparticles are characterized by having a logarithmic normal size distribution with the maximum at 25 nm. The average size of particles determined from the broadening of diffraction peaks is in a good agreement with this result. The surface of the materials was characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The in vitro release kinetics of ibuprofen in phosphate buffer solution with pH = 7.4 from prepared materials was studied. The drug release to solution is governed by Fickian diffusion and can be described within the Ritger–Peppas model. Introduction of silver nanoparticles has no effect on the diffusion mechanism. The as‐prepared materials are promising for the medical applications such as dressings for treatments of infected wounds and infection preventing. These materials can act as a matrix for transdermal drug administration. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2479–2487, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Universal Hall Coefficient Correction in Strongly Coupled Cr‐SiO2 Nanogranular Metals
Authors: Zheng Bin , He Zhi‐Hao , Li Zhi‐Qing
Published: May 2019

The microstructure and electrical transport properties of Crx(SiO2)1−x nanogranular films with Cr volume faction x≃0.67 and 0.72 are systematically investigated. The transmission electron microscopy images and elemental mappings indicate that the films are quite inhomogeneous: some Cr granules directly connect to others while some Cr granules with size ≈1–3 nm disperse in the SiO2 dielectric matrix. For each film, the Hall coefficient RH varies linearly with the natural logarithm of temperature, i.e., ΔRH ∝ lnT, above ≈60 K, saturates at ≈60 K, and retains the saturating value below ≈60 K. The temperature dependence of Hall coefficient can be explained by the recent theory in granular metals and originates from virtual diffusion of electrons through the metallic granules. For the conductivity σ, a robust law is observed from ≈50 down to 2 K. The behavior of the conductivity stems from the “Altshuler–Aronov” correction, whose influence on the Hall coefficient is not present in the films.
Choosing between the BP and BN sequential strategies
Authors: McClish Donna K. , Wilk Amber R. , Schubert Christine M.
Published: May 2019

Cost and burden of diagnostic testing may be reduced if fewer tests can be applied. Sequential testing involves selecting a sequence of tests, but only administering subsequent tests dependent on results of previous tests. This research provides guidance to choosing between single tests or the believe the positive (BP) and believe the negative (BN) sequential testing strategies, using accuracy (as measured by the Youden Index) as the primary determinant. Approximately 75% of the parameter combinations examined resulted in either BP or BN being recommended based on a higher accuracy at the optimal point. In about half of the scenarios BP was preferred, and the other half, BN, with the choice often a function of the value of the ratio of standard deviations of those without and with disease (b). Large values of b for the first test of the sequence tended to be associated with preference for BN as opposed to BP, while small values of b appear to favor BP. When there was no preference between sequences and/or single tests based on the Youden Index, cost of the sequence was considered. In this case, disease prevalence plays a large role in the selection of strategies, with lower values favoring BN and sometimes higher values favoring BP. The cost threshold for the sequential strategy to be preferred over a single, more accurate test, was often quite high. It appears that while sequential strategies most often increase diagnostic accuracy over a single test, sequential strategies are not always preferred.
DNA Nanotechnology as an Emerging Tool to Study Mechanotransduction in Living Systems
Authors: Ma Victor Pui‐Yan , Salaita Khalid
Published: May 2019

The ease of tailoring DNA nanostructures with sub‐nanometer precision has enabled new and exciting in vivo applications in the areas of chemical sensing, imaging, and gene regulation. A new emerging paradigm in the field is that DNA nanostructures can be engineered to study molecular mechanics. This new development has transformed the repertoire of capabilities enabled by DNA to include detection of molecular forces in living cells and elucidating the fundamental mechanisms of mechanotransduction. This Review first describes fundamental aspects of force‐induced melting of DNA hairpins and duplexes. This is then followed by a survey of the currently available force sensing DNA probes and different fluorescence‐based force readout modes. Throughout the Review, applications of these probes in studying immune receptor signaling, including the T cell receptor and B cell receptor, as well as Notch and integrin signaling, are discussed.
The influences of curriculum area and student background on mindset to learning in the veterinary curriculum: a pilot study
Authors: Armitage‐Chan Elizabeth , Maddison Jill
Published: May 2019

A student's mindset influences their achievement and response to challenge, with a ‘fixed mindset’ encouraging disengagement from challenging tasks and avoidance of learning and feedback opportunities. These behaviours resemble those reported for professional and non‐clinical curriculum areas, which are important for employability and resilience in veterinary practice. Students with a ‘growth mindset’ to learning are more persistent when faced with challenges and actively seek more demanding tasks. They also demonstrate higher levels of psychological well‐being. The objectives of this study were to explore whether variation in veterinary students’ mindset to learning exists across different curriculum areas, and to identify whether students’ backgrounds influence their learning mindset. The mindsets of veterinary students at a UK veterinary school were measured using an adapted version of the Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale. The survey was constructed to compare mindset in clinical reasoning, professional reasoning (incorporating ethics and critical thinking), communication skills and reflection. More students demonstrated a growth mindset to communication skills (59%), reflection (84%) and clinical reasoning (83%) than to professional reasoning (34%). There were more students with a fixed mindset to professional reasoning (10%) than in other areas (0–5%). Students’ background (international or non‐traditional university access) did not appear to influence mindset to learning. Disengagement from professional studies curricula may be a consequence of students lacking a growth mindset in professional reasoning. Curriculum interventions that encourage engagement and the development of a growth mindset to learning non‐clinical competences may be beneficial.
Evaluating agricultural weather and climate services in Africa: Evidence, methods, and a learning agenda
Authors: Vaughan Catherine , Hansen James , Roudier Philippe , Watkiss Paul , Carr Edward
Published: May 2019

Weather and climate services (WCS) are expected to improve the capacity of Africa's agricultural sector to manage the risks of climate variability and change. Despite this, a lack of evidence prevents a realistic analysis of whether such services are delivering on their potential. This paper reviews 66 studies that have evaluated outcomes and/or impacts of agricultural WCS in Africa, highlighting areas that have received relatively more attention as well as persistent gaps. While the evaluation of WCS outcomes is relatively straightforward, estimates of the number of people who access and use these services are uneven (covering a small number of communities in 23 of 54 African countries) and highly variable (with access estimates ranging from ~2 to 86%, depending on the service and the population). Meanwhile, 22 documents estimate the impact of WCS with respect to yields and/or income. Developed with a variety of methods, these estimates are also wide ranging and illustrate how impact is conditioned on a number of characteristics of the service, the user, and the context in which both operate. The paper uses lessons developed through this review to develop a “learning agenda,” or evidence‐building roadmap, to establish priorities that can guide work to improve the design, delivery, and impact of agricultural WCS in Africa. Priority learning areas include activities that can strengthen the evidence of access, use, and impacts of WCS, along with those that can advance the use and usability of evidence so as to improve the design and targeting of WCS services.

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies
Application of biparametric perturbation method to functionally graded thin plates with different moduli in tension and compression
Authors: He Xiao‐Ting , Li Xue , Yang Zhi‐Xin , Liu Guang‐Hui , Sun Jun‐Yi
Published: May 2019

In this study, a biparametric perturbation method is used for the solution of the large‐deflection bending problem of a functionally graded thin plate with different moduli in tension and compression. First, the Föppl‐von Kármán equations for the bimodular functionally graded thin plate are established in rectangular coordinates system, thus obtaining the axisymmetric simplified form in polar coordinates system. By adopting two groups of perturbation parameters, one group is gradient index and central deflection, another is gradient index and load, the biparametric perturbation solution for the established governing equations are obtained, respectively, under different boundary constrains. The result indicates that the two groups of parameter selections are valid, and the biparametric perturbation solution is also consistent to single‐parameter perturbation solution. The bimodular effects on stiffness and deformation of thin plates are also discussed via biparametric perturbation solutions obtained. The study indicates that the dominant factor influencing the stiffness is the relative magnitudes relation among the tensile modulus, the neutral layer modulus and the compressive modulus.
A critical point in the distribution of lepton energies from the decay of a spin-1 resonance
Authors: Bianchini L. , Rolandi G.
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We consider a spin-1 resonance produced with an arbitrary spectrum of velocities and decaying into a pair of massless leptons, and we study the probability density function of the energy of the leptons in the laboratory frame. A special case is represented by the production of W bosons in proton-proton collisions, for which the energy of the charged lepton from the decaying W can be measured with sufficient accuracy for a high-precision measurement of M

W
. We find that half of the resonance mass is a special value of the lepton energy, since the probability density function at this point is in general not analytic for a narrow-width resonance. In particular, the higher-order derivatives of the density function are likely to develop singularities, such as cusps or poles. A finite width of the resonance restores the regularity, for example by smearing cusps and poles into local stationary points. The quest for such points offers a handle to estimate the resonance mass with much reduced dependence on the underlying production and decay dynamics of the resonance.
λϕ4 theory — Part II. the broken phase beyond NNNN(NNNN)LO
Authors: Serone Marco , Spada Gabriele , Villadoro Giovanni
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We extend the study of the two-dimensional euclidean ϕ
4 theory initiated in ref. [1] to the ℤ2 broken phase. In particular, we compute in perturbation theory up to N4LO in the quartic coupling the vacuum energy, the vacuum expectation value of ϕ and the mass gap of the theory. We determine the large order behavior of the perturbative series by finding the leading order finite action complex instanton configuration in the ℤ2 broken phase. Using an appropriate conformal mapping, we then Borel resum the perturbative series. Interestingly enough, the truncated perturbative series for the vacuum energy and the vacuum expectation value of the field is reliable up to the critical coupling where a second order phase transition occurs, and breaks down around the transition for the mass gap. We compute the vacuum energy using also an alternative perturbative series, dubbed exact perturbation theory, that allows us to effectively reach N8LO in the quartic coupling. In this way we can access the strong coupling region of the ℤ2 broken phase and test Chang duality by comparing the vacuum energies computed in three different descriptions of the same physical system. This result can also be considered as a confirmation of the Borel summability of the theory. Our results are in very good agreement (and with comparable or better precision) with those obtained by Hamiltonian truncation methods. We also discuss some subtleties related to the physical interpretation of the mass gap and provide evidence that the kink mass can be obtained by analytic continuation from the unbroken to the broken phase.
Easy as (Happiness) Pie? A Critical Evaluation of a Popular Model of the Determinants of Well-Being
Authors: Brown Nicholas J. L. , Rohrer Julia M.
Published: May 2019

An underlying principle behind much of the research in positive psychology is that individuals have considerable leeway to increase their levels of happiness. In an influential article that is frequently cited in support of such claims, Lyubomirsky et al. (Rev Gen Psychol 9:111–131, 2005. 10.1037/1089-2680.9.2.111) put forward a model (subsequently popularized under the name of the “happiness pie”) in which approximately 50% of individual differences in happiness are due to genetic factors and 10% to life circumstances, leaving 40% available to be changed via volitional activities. We re-examined Lyubomirsky et al.’s claims and found several apparent deficiencies in their chain of arguments on both the empirical and the conceptual level. We conclude that there is little empirical evidence for the variance decomposition suggested by the “happiness pie,” and that even if it were valid, it is not necessarily informative with respect to the question of whether individuals can truly exert substantial influence over their own chronic happiness level. We believe that our critical re-examination of Lyubomirsky et al.’s seminal article offers insights into some common misconceptions and pitfalls of scientific inference, and we hope that it might contribute to the construction of a more rigorous and solid empirical basis for the field of positive psychology.
The association between particulate matter 2.5 exposure and children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Geng Ruihua , Fang Suqin , Li Guizhi
Published: May 2019

Objective

Particulate matter (PM) as an environmental pollutant is suspected to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to assess whether exposures to PM2.5 during the first three years of life in relation to the risk and degree of the severity of ASD.

Methods

A total of two hundred and ninety‐seven 3–6 years old Chinese children (99 confirmed autism cases and 198 their age‐gender matched control subjects) were included. Children's exposures to PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) during the first three years after birth were estimated. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the PM2.5‐ASD association.

Results

The mean levels of PM2.5 exposures in ASD and typical developmental children during the first three years of life were 89.8[standard deviations (SD): 6.1] μg/m3 and 87.3(6.6) μg/m3, respectively (p = 0.002). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the serum levels of PM2.5 and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score indicating severity of autism (r = 0.259; p = 0.010). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cutoff value of PM2.5 levels as an indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of ASD was projected to be 89.5ug/m3, which yielded a sensitivity of 65.4% and a specificity of 63.2%, with the area under the curve at 0.61 (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.54−0.68; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis models were used to assess ASD risk according to PM2.5 quartiles (the lowest quartile [Q1] as the reference), with the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% CIs) were recorded. As shown in the Table 2, the 3rd and 4th quartile of PM2.5 were compared against the Q1, and the risks were increased by 103% (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.13–5.54; p = 0.015) and 311% (4.15; 2.04–9.45; p = 0.002), respectively.

Conclusions

To conclude, the evidence from this study allowed us to conclude that there was an association between PM2.5 exposure and ASD risk and severity.
Opioid prescribing patterns within otolaryngology
Authors: Murphey Alexander W. , Munawar Suqrat , Nguyen Shaun A. , Meyer Ted A. , O'Rourke Ashli K.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Determine current opioid prescribing patterns for adult procedures within an academic Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery training program in order to establish a general guideline and more uniform approach to narcotic prescribing practices.

Methods

The is a prospective, single‐center pilot study. An online, anonymous survey was sent to all members of the Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery training program at Medical University of South Carolina including residents, fellows, and attending surgeons, and advanced practice providers (APP). The survey consisted of questions including demographics, most commonly prescribed analgesic and the average number of opioid tablets prescribed post‐operatively for eleven of the most common adult procedures within Otolaryngology.

Results

Forty‐two participants responded to the survey. Of the 42 respondents, 20 were attending surgeons, 11 junior level residents (year 1–3), 6 senior level residents (year 4–5), and 5 A.P.P.s. The most commonly prescribed narcotic was hydrocodone‐acetaminophen with 83.3% (35/42) of respondents prescribing this medication. Tonsillectomy or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty had the highest average number of tablets prescribed at 32.3 (Range: 5 to 90). Neck dissection, parotidectomy, and thyroidectomy procedures all averaged over 20 tablets. Direct laryngoscopy opioid dose was the lowest at 4.8 tablets (range 0–20). Opioid prescriptions by surgery were broken down by provider class with only septoplasty showing a significant difference with attending physicians prescribing an average of 20 tablets vs 14.1 tablets for residents (P = 0.034).

Conclusion

We believe there remains an unacceptably high variability in current opioid prescribing patterns within otolaryngology especially within more painful procedures. Establishment of standardized post‐operative narcotic guidelines is warranted.
EmboDIYing Disruption: Queer, Feminist and Inclusive Digital Archaeologies
Authors: Cook Katherine
Published: May 2019

Inclusive approaches to archaeology (including queer, feminist, black, indigenous, etc. perspectives) have increasingly intersected with coding, maker, and hacker cultures to develop a uniquely ‘Do-It-Yourself’ style of disruption and activism. Digital technology provides opportunities to challenge conventional representations of people past and present in creative ways, but at what cost? As a critical appraisal of transhumanism and the era of digital scholarship, this article outlines compelling applications in inclusive digital practice but also the pervasive structures of privilege, inequity, inaccessibility, and abuse that are facilitated by open, web-based heritage projects. In particular, it evaluates possible means of creating a balance between individual-focused translational storytelling and public profiles, and the personal and professional risks that accompany these approaches, with efforts to foster, support, and protect traditionally marginalized archaeologists and communities.
The NorthernZanj, Demadim, Yamyam, Yam/Yamjam,Habasha/Ahabish,Zanj-Ahabish, andZanj ed-Damadam– The Horn of Africa between the Ninth and Fifteenth Centuries
Authors: Ayana Daniel
Published: May 2019

This article argues that historians will have a new understanding of northeast and east Africa if they recall the medieval meaning of the termsZanjandAhabish, orHabasha. Before the fifteenth century the termZanjincluded the diverse populations of northeast Africa, so should not be exclusive of the populations of coastal east Africa. Likewise,HabashaorAhabishwas not confined to the peoples of the northern Horn but included the diverse peoples of coastal east Africa. Uncovering older meanings ofZanjandAhabishhelps to identify elusive groups of ancient northeast Africans referred to as northernZanj, Zanj-Ahabish, Ahabish, andDamadim. For identification, this article presents three types of historical data overlooked in the sources. The first consists of the interchangeable names northernZanj,Damadim, Ahabish, Zanj-Ahabish, andZanj ed-Damadimto recast the termZanjand identify theDamadimorYamyam.The second is the broadly inclusive meaning before the fifteenth century of the termHabasha. The third is the reported eloquence in theirButtaaceremony of the northernZanj, and the institutional setting of theButtaawithin the OromoGadaasystem.
Radical Steele: Popular Politics and the Limits of Authority
Authors: Marshall Ashley
Published: May 2019

In modern critical imagination, Richard Steele is almost always seen as Joseph Addison's friend and collaborator, as half of the periodical essay-writing team devoted to the promotion of civility, urbanity, and a moral and well-mannered lifestyle. Scholars focus almost exclusively on the Tatler, the Spectator, and Steele's sentimental drama, The Conscious Lovers (1722), virtually ignoring his substantial canon of party journalism and pamphlets. Partly because of Steele's bitter and extensive quarrel with Jonathan Swift—or because most scholars assume that Swift got the best of him—he is now rarely taken seriously as a political player in late Stuart and early Hanoverian England. This essay focuses on Steele the party writer—and especially on his attitude toward religio-political authority and the sanctity of vox populi. Though Steele is now described as (like Addison) “not so enthusiastic about the potential for public politics,” he was for excellent reasons regarded by contemporaries as a writer not only trying to politicize the people but actually succeeding in doing so. This essay attempts to recontextualize Steele's polemical contributions; he has been read alongside Addison and other Whig wits, but he rarely figures in discussions of the history of political ideas in early eighteenth-century England, in discussions of debates about authority, resistance, and the nature of obligation, about public religion and liberty of conscience, the political implications of heterodoxy, and the use of reason as a challenge to dogmatic clerical authority.
Ten Demi-Culverins for Aldeburgh: Whitehall, the Dunkirkers, and a Suffolk Fishing Community, 1625–1630
Authors: Cogswell Thomas
Published: May 2019

Historians have not paid close attention to the activities of freebooters operating out of Dunkirk in the late 1620s. This essay corrects that omission by first studying the threat from Dunkirk to England's east coast and then addressing how the central government, counties, and coastal towns responded. A surprisingly rich vein of manuscript material from Great Yarmouth and particularly from the Suffolk fishing community of Aldeburgh informs this case study of the impact of this conflict around the North Sea.
Spatial reconstruction of steady scalar sources from remote measurements in turbulent flow
Authors: Wang Qi , Hasegawa Yosuke , Zaki Tamer A.
Published: May 2019

Identifying the source of passive scalar transported in a turbulent environment from remote measurements is an ill-posed problem due to the irreversibility of diffusive processes. A significant difficulty of the source reconstruction is due to different potential source locations generating very highly correlated signals at the sensor. A variational algorithm is formulated, which utilizes high-fidelity simulations to reconstruct the spatial distribution of the source. A cost functional is defined based on the difference between the true measurements and their prediction from the simulations with the estimated source. Using forward–adjoint looping, the gradient of the cost functional with respect to the source distribution is evaluated, and the estimate of the source is updated. The adjoint-variational approach naturally accommodates measurements from multiple sensors, with essentially the same computational cost. The algorithm is evaluated for scalar dispersion in turbulent channel flow. When a single sensor is placed directly downstream of the source, the reconstruction is accurate in the cross-stream directions and is elongated in the streamwise direction. The estimated source, however, can reproduce the measurements and the scalar plume downstream of the sensor location. In the channel centre and log layer, the scalar fields are dominated by dispersion, and therefore the reconstruction is better than in the near-wall regions, where the scalar fields are dominated by diffusion. When a sensor is placed near the wall, the accuracy of the source recovery deteriorates due to diffusive effects. By using more sensors that span the plume cross-section, improvement of performance can be demonstrated despite an enlarged domain of dependence.
Measurement of vortex shedding in the wake of a sphere at
Authors: Eshbal L. , Rinsky V. , David T. , Greenblatt D. , van Hout R.
Published: May 2019

Flow in the wake of a sphere has been studied for at least the last hundred years. The three-dimensional (3-D) flow structure has been observed many times using dye visualization and prior to the direct numerical simulations by Johnson & Patel (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 378, 1999, pp. 19–70), its structure at a Reynolds number of approximately 300, was believed to consist of a one-sided chain of hairpin-like vortices. However, the numerical simulations by Johnson & Patel (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 378, 1999, pp. 19–70) also showed that so-called ‘induced’ vortices were generated. The present results are the first spatially resolved measurements that elucidate the 3-D vortex shedding cycle in the wake of a sphere at a Reynolds number of 465. Tomographic particle image velocimetry (tomo-PIV) enabled snapshots of the vortical structure and by combining these results with temporally resolved planar PIV, the ensemble averaged shedding cycle in the wake of the sphere was reconstructed. The present results clearly indicate that besides the ‘primary’ vortex chain shed from the sphere, secondary (‘induced’) vortices are generated by transforming transverse vorticity into streamwise vorticity as a result of the interaction between the sphere’s separating shear layer and the counter-rotating longitudinal vortices extending downstream from the sphere.
Political skill and organizational identification: Preventing role ambiguity from hindering organizational citizenship behaviour
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Belausteguigoitia Imanol
Published: May 2019

This research investigates how employees' perceptions of role ambiguity might inhibit their propensity to engage in organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), with a particular focus on the potential buffering roles of two personal resources in this process: political skill and organizational identification. Survey data collected from a manufacturing organization indicate that role ambiguity diminishes OCB, but this effect is attenuated when employees are equipped with political skill and have a strong sense of belonging to their organization. The buffering role of organizational identification also is particularly strong when employees have adequate political skills, suggesting the reinforcing, buffering roles of these two personal resources. Organizations that want to foster voluntary work behaviours, even if they cannot provide clear role descriptions for their employees, should nurture adequate personal resources within their employee ranks.
And now for something completely different: Reframing social processes of leadership theory using positive organisational behaviour
Authors: Muchiri Michael , Shahid Sehrish , Ayoko Oluremi
Published: May 2019

Prof. Ken Parry's (1998) conceptualisation of leadership as a social process provoked a shift in the understanding of the processes of influence in the context of achieving adaptation and change in response to changes in an organisation's environment. Reflecting on the state of leadership literature in recent years, we answer Ken's (2013) challenge to broaden our understanding of the positive outcomes achieved by social processes of leadership. Building on Ken's work, we propose a research framework that makes a linkage between the social processes of leadership, positive organisational behaviour, and specifically psychological capital.
Ancient canids of the Aleutian Islands (new archaeological discoveries from the Islands of Four Mountains)
Authors: Vasyukov Dmitry D. , Krylovich Olga A. , West Dixie L. , Hatfield Virginia , Savinetsky Arkady B.
Published: May 2019

We discuss the cultural roles of dog and red fox recovered from Carlisle Island, Islands of Four Mountains, Alaska, within the context of Aleutian ethnographic and zooarchaeological records. Three dog bones were recovered from the Ulyagan archaeological site, Unit 5, in levels that date to AD 1450–1645. Three red fox bones come from the Ulyagan site, Unit 4, in levels that date 460 BC–AD 95. Our analyses show that both red fox and domestic dog date earlier than the contact with Russians and that these canids do not extend west of the Islands of Four Mountains archipelago. Given the rich history of human intervention on the Aleutians ecosystems over the last 250 years, we argue that indigenous red fox inhabited the Islands of the Four Mountains region prior to western contact; however, foxes did not have a pronounced cultural role for prehistoric Aleuts. Domestic dogs accompanied humans in the Aleutians after AD 950, suggesting that these canids might be linked with the Neo-Aleut culture. In the light of Arctic and oceanic cases of human use of dogs considered in the paper, we suggest that dogs might have served as reserve food sources during long trips for people migrating west.