bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smartphone LIDAR can measure tree cavity dimensions for wildlife studies
Authors: Stitt Jessica M. , Svancara Leona K. , Vierling Lee A. , Vierling Kerri T.
Published: February 2019

Remote sensing technologies are increasingly able to measure environmental characteristics important for wildlife, but remain limited in measuring small‐scale structures like tree cavities. Tree cavities are essential structures in many systems, including use for breeding and roosting by multiple animal species that vary in size. However, obtaining cavity dimensions directly is often difficult, dangerous, or impossible. During September–October 2017 at the University of Idaho Experimental Nursery in Moscow (ID, USA), we tested a handheld Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device that interfaces with smartphones and tablets called Spike® by IkeGPS (Wellington, New Zealand) to determine whether it could be used to remotely measure tree‐cavity entrance dimensions. The Spike laser range‐finding device pairs with a mobile app to allow users to photograph a target (i.e., a tree cavity) on their phone or tablet and measure dimensions of that target onscreen. We designed an experiment to test the accuracy of Spike across 4 cavity entrance sizes ranging from 8.25 cm2 to 80.11 cm2, based on average cavity dimensions of Pacific Northwest woodpecker (Picidae) species. We varied height of target off the ground, obliqueness of the viewing angle (i.e., offset from target azimuth), and distance from target. Correlations between Spike measurements and cavity dimensions were high (r > 0.91 across 3 dimensions; n = 294). Measurement error for both vertical and horizontal diameters of cavity entrances was <1 cm on average. Accuracy was most influenced by taking photos from a large oblique viewing angle, high target height, and large distance from the target combined, based on results from generalized linear models. Spike proved to be a low‐cost, portable technology that can noninvasively measure structures that are small and difficult to access. Because of the ease with which it can be used, handheld LIDAR likely has potential future applications in wildlife research as well as citizen science education and outreach efforts. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Injury scores and spatial responses of wolves following capture: Cable restraints versus foothold traps
Authors: Gese Eric M. , Terletzky Patricia A. , Erb John D. , Fuller Kevin C. , Grabarkewitz Jeffery P. , Hart John P. , Humpal Carolin , Sampson Barry A. , Young Julie K.
Published: February 2019

Wolves (Canis lupus) have been captured with foothold traps for several decades to equip them with radiocollars for population monitoring. However, trapping in most areas is limited to spring, summer, and autumn as cold winter temperatures can lead to frozen appendages in trapped animals. In addition, conflicts arise when domestic dogs encounter these traps in nonwinter seasons. An alternative capture method is the use of cable restraint devices (modified neck snares) in the winter. We evaluated injury scores, movement patterns, and space use of wolves captured in cable restraint devices and foothold traps in north‐central Minnesota, USA, during 2012–2016. Injury scores did not differ between capture techniques; however, movement patterns and space use were different. We found that the movement away from the capture site appeared to plateau by approximately 8–10 days for wolves captured by either foothold traps or cable restraints, but wolves captured in traps travelled farther away. Daily movement rates reached an asymptote approximately 14 days earlier for wolves captured with cable restraints as compared with wolves caught with foothold traps. We found the space use among wolves caught with cable restraint devices plateaued in a shorter time frame than wolves caught with foothold traps whether using days since capture (38 days earlier) or number of locations (149 locations earlier). When we controlled for seasonal effects and the presence of a capture using locational data collected 6 months later, there was no difference in space use. We concluded that wolves captured in cable restraints recovered more quickly from the capture and resumed space use and activity patterns more rapidly than wolves captured with foothold traps. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Use of visual stimuli increases count estimates for prairie dogs
Authors: Boulerice Jesse T. , Saldo Elizabeth A. , Brito Brittany T. , Mahoney Peter J.
Published: February 2019

Throughout North America, all 5 species of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) have experienced drastic population declines over the past century, which has subsequently affected a host of affiliated species. Tools and techniques used to monitor prairie dogs have important implications for the management and conservation of grassland ecosystems. Behavioral responses by prairie dogs to predators may offer an opportunity to improve techniques that rely on visually based survey techniques by increasing the visibility of individuals. We evaluated whether the use of a visual stimulus resembling a common predator could increase the number of white‐tailed prairie dogs (C. leucurus) observed during visual count surveys conducted in June and July of 2017 in Wyoming, USA. We designed a visual stimulus consisting of a remote‐controlled toy car fitted with a badger (Taxidea taxus) pelt. We found counts of prairie dogs increased from 14.2 (95% CI = 10.4–18.0) to 32.6 (95% CI = 24.1–41.1) individuals/4‐ha plot when this visual stimulus was deployed. Our top model predicted counts to be 2.3 times greater when a visual stimulus was used. The increase in counts elicited by use of a visual stimulus may therefore improve the accuracy and efficiency of traditional visual counts and other visually based monitoring techniques for prairie dogs. By enabling managers to take advantage of behavioral responses, use of a visual stimulus as described here could aid efforts to monitor and manage prairie dog populations and consequently conserve prairie ecosystems. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
A comparison of the finite‐difference and finite‐volume methods for a numerical solution of a hyperbolic thermoelasticity problem utilizing the implicit and explicit schemes
Authors: Matias Dmitrii V. , Vitokhin Evgeniy Yu.
Published: February 2019

A numerical solution for a coupled hyperbolic thermoelasticity problem of the Lord‐Shulman type is presented. An infinite layer with free boundaries that are kept at a constant temperature is irradiated by a short laser impulse. In this case the problem can be studied in the one‐dimensional formulation. An impact of the laser impulse on a medium is modeled by an internal heat source. The laser impulse intensity decays with a distance from an irradiated surface according to the Bouguer law. The layer is in an unperturbed state at the initial moment of time. The material properties of copper are taken to be the thermo‐mechanical properties of the layer.

Two approaches for the boundary value problem are considered: the finite‐difference method (FDM) and the finite‐volume method (FVM). In the first case the system of two second‐order PDE is investigated, in the second case a system of integral balance equations and an integral thermal conductivity equation are composed. To integrate these equations both the explicit and implicit schemes are used. The obtained results are compared with each other and with an analytical solution. A numerical error is estimated for different time and space step sizes. The features inherent in various ways of integration of the coupled hyperbolic thermoelastic problem with the thermal excitation are found.
Solving partial differential equations in computational mechanics via nonlocal numerical approaches
Authors: Martowicz Adam , Roemer Jakub , Staszewski Wieslaw J. , Ruzzene Massimo , Uhl Tadeusz
Published: February 2019

The work addresses solving partial differential equations (PDE)s for a continuum solid body using a nonlocal formulation. Second order spatial derivatives are of concern as they enable to deal with many dynamic problems in physics. The authors introduce a nonlocal finite difference (FD) scheme to show its applicability to computational mechanics. In the theoretical part of the work exemplary solutions of the second order ordinary derivatives are discussed. The capability of numerical dispersion reduction, which is identified for the proposed approach, is demonstrated for the crude spatial domain discretization. Based on the provided nonlocal FD scheme, discrete forms for the two types of PDEs are derived to indicate potential areas of practical applications for the presented method. Elastic wave equation and thermal diffusion equation are taken into account. Moreover, for the former case, the peridynamics – which is also a nonlocal approach – is also used to derive an alternative discrete formulation. The stability conditions for the provided numerical schemes are determined using von Neumann stability analysis. The limits for the allowed simulation time steps are found. The second part of the paper is devoted to the practical applications of the elaborated nonlocal formulations. There are studied selected thermal and mechanical properties of a gas foil bearing (GFB) component. A rod‐like structural part of GFB made of superalloy Inconel 625 is analyzed. A one‐dimensional model is built to determine temperature and displacement distributions via transient simulations. Again, reduced numerical dispersion is confirmed for the model with a crude mesh.
Landscape Response to Climate and Human Impact in Western China During the Han Dynasty
Authors: Mischke Steffen , Zhang Chengjun , Liu Chenglin , Zhang Jiafu , Lai Zhongping , Long Hao
Published: February 2019

The Chinese empire experienced a large expansion to the arid regions in the west during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). The Hexi Corridor, the Yanqi Basin, the southeastern part of the Junggar Basin and the Tarim Basin became part of the empire. The expansion of the Han Dynasty was accompanied by the significant intensification of irrigation farming along rivers draining the Qilian, Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains. Sedimentological and geochemical analyses and dating of lake sediments and shorelines revealed that four large lakes in the region experienced falling levels, or were almost or completely desiccating. The level of Zhuyeze Lake was falling rapidly ca. 2100 years before present (a BP), and the accumulation of lake sediments was replaced by an alluvial fan setting in large parts of the basin. Lake Eastern Juyan desiccated ca. 1700 a BP. Lake Bosten experienced low levels and increasing salinities at ca. 2200 a BP. Lake sediments in the Lop Nur region were mostly replaced by aeolian sands during a period of near-desiccation at 1800 a BP. In contrast, records from fifteen lakes farther in the west, north or south of the Han Dynasty realm indicate relatively wet climate conditions ca. 2000 years ago. Thus, dramatic landscape changes including the near and complete desiccation of large lakes in the arid western part of today’s China probably resulted from the withdrawal of water from tributaries during the Han Dynasty. These changes likely represent the earliest man-made environmental disasters comparable to the recent Aral-Sea crisis.
Quantitative Evaluation of the Impact on Aral Sea Levels by Anthropogenic Water Withdrawal and Syr Darya Course Diversion During the Medieval Period (1.0–0.8 ka BP)
Authors: Sala Renato
Published: February 2019

Paleo-climatic, environmental, archaeological studies and historical accounts concerning the behavior of the Aral Sea during the last 2000 years point to a number of water level regressions similar or deeper than the modern one. This article is focused on the causes of such regressions, which are variously attributed to climatic change, diversion of river courses and anthropogenic water withdrawal. The first factor has been researched by several geo-specialists and its potential impact has been preliminarily evaluated. The second factor has been considered only in the case of the Amu Darya river. The third factor—water withdrawal for irrigation purposes—has been hypothesized, though never deserved specific analysis. The article provides a quantitative evaluation of the total hectares covered by the medieval urban systems of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins, and of the coefficient of water use per hectare of walled towns during the X-XII centuries AD. Estimates of annual volumes of anthropogenic water withdrawal allow the investigation of the complex interaction of the three factors above in determining the hydrological conditions of the Aral Sea. On the basis of the calculation of possible scenarios of water mass balance, the occurrence of transmission losses by medieval diversions of the Syr Darya course has been suspected as the main cause of lake regressions, which is supported by geological considerations, archaeological data and historical accounts.
Evaluation of the Operationalisation of the TATA-BOX Process
Authors: Taverne Marie , Clément Sarah , Prost Lorène , Barcellini Flore
Published: February 2019

The chapter evaluates how the TATA-BOX process supported the collective design of an agroecological transition. In order to carry out this evaluation, we interviewed a panel of 24 participants about their experience of the process and their opinions on it. In this chapter we set out the results in relation to three questions: How did the workshops go? What characterised the outputs? What effects were identified? On these bases, we discuss some possible improvements in the TATA-BOX process and the ways in which this process supported the design of an agroecological transition. We show in particular that the TATA-BOX process successfully initiated a collective design process as it allowed the participants to establish a common ground, define a range of goals to meet, and identify actionable means that could help to reach these goals. The process will nevertheless have to be continued through actual implementation. Various actors will most likely take responsibility for limited actions, rather than for the territorial agricultural transition project in its entirety. They will select the design solutions they need and might revise them. The TATA-BOX participatory process thus appears to be one step in the process of designing the territory’s transition.
Minimally unbalanced quivers
Authors: Cabrera Santiago , Hanany Amihay , Zajac Anton
Published: February 2019

Abstract

We develop a classification of minimally unbalanced 3d

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

quiver gauge theories. These gauge theories are important because the isometry group G of their Coulomb branch contains a single factor, which is either a classical or an exceptional Lie group. Concurrently, this provides a classification of hyperkähler cones with isometry group G which are obtainable by Coulomb branch constructions. HyperKähler cones such as Coulomb branches of 3d

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

quivers are indispensable tools for describing Higgs branches of different theories in various dimensions. In particular, they are used to describe Higgs branches of 5d

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

SQCD with gauge group SU(N

c
) and 6d

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,0\right) $$

N
=

1
0

SQCD with gauge group Sp(N
c) at the respective UV fixed points.
Holographic Weyl anomaly for GJMS operators: one Laplacian to rule them all
Authors: Bugini F. , Diaz D. E.
Published: February 2019

Abstract

The holographic Weyl anomaly for GJMS operators (or conformal powers of the Laplacian) are obtained in four and six dimensions. In the context of AdS/CFT correspondence, free conformal scalars with higher-derivative kinetic operators are induced by an ordinary second-derivative massive bulk scalar. At one-loop quantum level, the duality dictionary for partition functions entails an equality between the functional determinants of the corresponding kinetic operators and, in particular, it provides a holographic route to their Weyl anomalies. The heat kernel of a single bulk massive scalar field encodes the Weyl anomaly (type-A and type-B) coefficients for the whole tower of GJMS operators whenever they exist, as in the case of Einstein manifolds where they factorize into product of Laplacians.

While a holographic derivation of the type-A Weyl anomaly was already worked out some years back, in this note we compute holographically (for the first time to the best of our knowledge) the type-B Weyl anomaly for the whole family of GJMS operators in four and six dimensions. There are two key ingredients that enable this novel holographic derivation that would be quite a daunting task otherwise: (i) a simple prescription for obtaining the holographic Weyl anomaly for higher-curvature gravities, previously found by the authors, that allows to read off directly the anomaly coefficients from the bulk action; and (ii) an implied WKB-exactness, after resummation, of the heat kernel for the massive scalar on a Poincaré-Einstein bulk metric with an Einstein metric on its conformal infinity.

The holographically computed Weyl anomaly coefficients are explicitly verified on the boundary by exploiting the factorization of GJMS operators on Einstein manifolds and working out the relevant heat kernel coefficient.
Silica-silk fibroin hybrid (bio)aerogels: two-step versus one-step hybridization
Authors: Maleki Hajar , Huesing Nicola
Published: February 2019

In this study, silk fibroin as a highly promising naturally occurring biopolymer extracted from silkworm cocoon is applied to mechanically reinforce silica aerogels. To this aim, two different approaches for the incorporation of silk fibroin into the silica network are compared: (1) a one-step acid catalyzed and (2) a two-step acid-base catalyzed sol–gel reaction. The total organosilane concentration, as well as the SF to silane mass fractions, regulated the hybridization process to proceed either through a one-step or two-step sol–gel reaction. In both processes, for an efficient chemical mixing the silk fibroin components with the silane phase, a silane coupling agent, 5-(trimethoxysilyl) pentanoic acid (TMSPA), comprising carboxylic acid groups and a pentyl hydrocarbon chain has been used. For a low organosilane content (3.4 mmol) along with a high SF to silane mass ratio (15–30%), the gelation of the silane and silk fibroin phases took place in a one-pot/one-step process in the presence of an acid catalyst in an entirely aqueous system. In the two-step synthesis approach, which was applied for high initial silane contents (17 mmol), and low SF to silane mass ratios (1–4%), first, the gelation of the silk fibroin phase was triggered by addition of an acid catalyst followed by a more pronounced condensation of the silane catalyzed by the addition of the base. Both synthesis approaches led to materials with promising mechanical properties—being 1) the one-step process resulting in gels with much better compressibility (up to 70% of strain), low density (0.17–0.22 g cm−3) and three orders of magnitude improvement in the Young’s modulus (13.5 MPa) compared to that of the pristine silica aerogel but with rather high shrinkage (30–40%). The two-step process in principle could result in the hybrid aerogel with interesting bulk density (0.17–0.28 g cm−3) with lower shrinkage (10%), but the resultant aerogel was stiff and fragile. Also, both approaches led to a significant reduction in the time required to prepare strong hybrid aerogels compared to conventional hybrid polymer-silica aerogels with the utilization of an entirely aqueous synthesis approach for a wide range of applications.
Outcome of Pregnancies with Isolated Absent Fetal Nasal Bone in the Second Trimester
Authors: Desai Purvi , Chauhan Binodini , Jhawar Manisha
Published: February 2019

Absent nasal bone is associated with 58 genetic syndromes, Trisomy 18 and trisomy 21. It increases the sensitivity of second trimester scan for aneuploidy from 83 to 90%. Since 2003, absent or unossified nasal bone is therefore an integral part of the second trimester scan. The present study aimed at confirming the sensitivity of isolated absent NB in the second trimester USG, by reviewing the karyotypes and/or postnatal outcomes of such pregnancies up till at least 6 months of postnatal life. Facial profile was seen in 2D and 3D reconstructed view in all the cases to avoid missing the unilateral absence of nasal bone. Complete detailed scan and FISH on amniotic fluid cells was advised for all the cases with absent nasal bone. The present study concluded that isolated absence of NB in the second trimester may not be an effective marker for diagnosis of Down’s syndrome. Amniocentesis should be advised only if absent nasal bone is associated with any other structural abnormality or additional soft marker.
Editorial
Authors: Barrett Steve
Published: February 2019

Spain has a small but busy fuel cell and hydrogen energy sector, and the Spanish Hydrogen Association (AeH2) is an effective grouping of businesses and research centres working in this field.
Benefit-Cost Analysis of a Package of Early Childhood Interventions to Improve Nutrition in Haiti
Authors: Wong Brad , Radin Mark
Published: February 2019

We conduct a benefit-cost analysis of a package of early childhood interventions that can improve nutrition outcomes in Haiti. Using the Lives Saved Tool, we expect that this package can prevent approximately 55,000 cases of child stunting, 7,600 low-weight births and 28,000 cases of maternal anemia annually, if coverage reaches 90% of the target population. In addition, we expect these nutrition improvements will avoid 1,830 under-five deaths, 80 maternal deaths and 900,000 episodes of child illness every year. Those who avoid stunting will experience lifetime productivity benefits equivalent to five times gross national income per capita in present value terms, at a 5% discount rate. While previous benefit-cost analyses of this specific package have only estimated the lifetime productivity benefits of avoided stunting, this paper also accounts for reductions in fatal and non-fatal health risks. In the base case scenario, the annualized net benefits of the intervention equal Haitian gourdes 13.4 billion (USD 211 million) and the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is 5.2. Despite these substantial benefits, the package may not be the most efficient use of a marginal dollar, with alternative interventions to improve human capital yielding BCRs approximately three to four times higher than the base estimate.
Cholinergic Neurons in Nucleus Subputaminalis in Primary Progressive Aphasia
Authors: Hamodat Hayam , Fisk John D. , Darvesh Sultan
Published: February 2019

Background: Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a syndrome characterized by an isolated impairment of language function at disease onset. The cholinergic system is implicated in language function and cholinergic deficits are seen in the brains of individuals with PPA. One major source of cholinergic innervation of the cerebral cortex is the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) within which lies the nucleus subputaminalis (NSP). This nucleus is postulated to be involved in language function. We compared the abundance of cholinergic neurons in the NBM and NSP of controls and individuals with PPA. Also explored was whether the individuals presenting with PPA, who subsequently developed different clinical and neuropathological profiles, showed similar cholinergic deficits in the NSP. Methods: Cytoarchitecture of the basal forebrain was studied using Nissl staining in control (n = 5) and PPA (n = 5) brains. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemical staining labeled cholinergic neurons were quantified using Neurolucida software. Results: In comparison to matched controls, PPA showed reduction of cholinergic neurons in the NBM (t(8) = 4.04, p = 0.0037; Cohen’s effect size value d = 2.62) and the NSP (t(6) = 4.62, p = 0.0042; Cohen’s d effect size d = 2.92). The average percent of cholinergic neuronal loss was relatively higher in the NSP (64.7%) compared to the NBM (47.7%). Conclusion: Regardless of underlying pathology, all cases presenting with PPA showed a marked loss of cholinergic neurons in the NSP, providing further evidence for the importance of this nucleus in language function.
Misdemeanor Disenfranchisement? The Demobilizing Effects of Brief Jail Spells on Potential Voters
Authors: WHITE ARIEL
Published: February 2019

This paper presents new causal estimates of incarceration’s effect on voting, using administrative data on criminal sentencing and voter turnout. I use the random case assignment process of a major county court system as a source of exogenous variation in the sentencing of misdemeanor cases. Focusing on misdemeanor defendants allows for generalization to a large population, as such cases are very common. Among first-time misdemeanor defendants, I find evidence that receiving a short jail sentence decreases voting in the next election by several percentage points. Results differ starkly by race. White defendants show no demobilization, while Black defendants show substantial turnout decreases due to jail time. Evidence from pre-arrest voter histories suggest that this difference could be due to racial differences in exposure to arrest. These results paint a picture of large-scale, racially-disparate voter demobilization in the wake of incarceration.
Subjective morbidity following radial free flap reconstruction in head and neck tumour patients
Authors: Minkara A , Simmons M R , Goodale A , Patil Y J
Published: February 2019

Objective

Evaluation of post-operative donor site disability remains unaddressed in radial forearm free flap cases. This study aimed to assess donor site dysfunction following radial forearm free flap harvest using validated general, disease-specific and site-specific disability questionnaires.

Methods

In this retrospective case series of 24 patients at a tertiary academic medical centre, patients were assessed using the Short Form 36 Health Survey, Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. One-sample z-tests were performed, comparing means of the cohort to controls.

Results

Compared to population controls, the cohort had higher mean scores for the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (18.22vs10.1,p< 0.01), and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire bothersome index (21.44vs13.77,p= 0.04), and a lower mean score for the Short Form 36 Health Survey physical component (38.88vs50,p< 0.01), indicating a greater disability for the cohort compared to controls.

Conclusion

Radial forearm free flap harvest causes significant long-term donor site disability in head and neck tumour patients. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire is a concise tool for measuring this dysfunction.
Factors influencing local attitudes towards the conservation of leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis in rural Taiwan
Authors: Best Ian , Pei Kurtis Jai-Chyi
Published: February 2019

Understanding the human dimension is critical for effective conservation management of species involved in human–carnivore conflict. There is also a need to recognize who among the local human population is supportive of wildlife conservation. We investigated how local people's attitudes and knowledge of the leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis are influenced by socio-demographic variables, encounter rates and the nature of encounters with the felid in Taiwan. During June–August 2014 we interviewed 150 residents in Miaoli County in northern Taiwan, where the leopard cat is known to occur. More than half of the participants indicated they were supportive of leopard cat conservation. The majority of those who expressed positive attitudes towards protection of the leopard cat belonged to younger, more educated socio-demographic groups. Negative attitudes towards leopard cat conservation were most prevalent among farmers, who also reported the highest incidence of negative experiences, mainly involving predation of poultry. We provide recommendations to mitigate human–felid conflict, including changes to animal husbandry practices. We also describe how conservation efforts for this species and wildlife in general in Taiwan could be improved, for example through incentive and awareness-raising programmes.
Shoring up divine simplicity against modal collapse: a powers account
Authors: LENOW JOSEPH E.
Published: February 2019

This article defends a broadly Thomist understanding of the doctrine of divine simplicity from the objection that such a position inevitably leads to a modal collapse. To do so, it draws upon Barbara Vetter's recent dispositionalist account of modality, in which irreducibly modal multi-track powers are the truthmakers of modal claims. Conceiving of God's power on the analogy of these dispositional properties enables us to hold that the divine life is itself the truthmaker of modal truths, without requiring a real distinction between what is necessary and contingent in God that would compromise divine simplicity.
Grammatical thomism
Authors: HEWITT SIMON
Published: February 2019

Centred on figures like Herbert McCabe, David Burrell, and Brian Davies the loose tradition known as grammatical thomism is undervalued within analytic philosophy of religion. This is particularly unfortunate, since a grammatical thomist approach offers the prospect of both a reorientation towards a more apophatic conception of God, consonant with the theology and practice of many religious traditions, and of moving beyond certain debates in the philosophy of religion. In this article, a grammatical thomist approach to the word ‘God’ is laid out: the conditions for introducing the word constrain its grammar, such that it cannot be understood as designating anything within our world. Accordingly inferential moves which we might otherwise find tempting are blocked. The result is an apophatic theology grounded in linguistic considerations. Objections against linguistic approaches to philosophy and theology, owing to Williamson and Murphy respectively, are considered and counter-arguments presented. The potential for therapeutic approaches to both the problem of evil and questions around theology and politics is then flagged.
Asymmetry and Non-Identity
Authors: Algander Per , Berndt Rasmussen Katharina
Published: February 2019

In this article we distinguish two versions of the non-identity problem: one involving positive well-being and one involving negative well-being. Intuitively, there seems to be a difference between the two versions of the problem. In the negative case it is clear that one ought to cause the better-off person to exist. However, it has recently been suggested that this is not so in the positive case. We argue that such an asymmetrical treatment of the two versions should be rejected and that this is evidence against views according to which it is permissible to cause the less well-off person to exist in the positive non-identity case.
Characterizing polynomial Ramsey quantifiers
Authors: de Haan Ronald , Szymanik Jakub
Published: February 2019

Ramsey quantifiers are a natural object of study not only for logic and computer science but also for the formal semantics of natural language. Restricting attention to finite models leads to the natural question whether all Ramsey quantifiers are either polynomial-time computable or NP-hard, and whether we can give a natural characterization of the polynomial-time computable quantifiers. In this paper, we first show that there exist intermediate Ramsey quantifiers and then we prove a dichotomy result for a large and natural class of Ramsey quantifiers, based on a reasonable and widely believed complexity assumption. We show that the polynomial-time computable quantifiers in this class are exactly the constant-log-bounded Ramsey quantifiers.
ALTERNATIVE MONETARY POLICIES UNDER KEYNESIAN ANIMAL SPIRITS
Authors: Ho Tai-kuang , Lin Ya-chi , Yeh Kuo-chun
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we make the case that an argument for price-level targeting over inflation targeting need not to be based on some overly restrictive assumptions. We adopt a theoretical framework that deviates from the assumption of rational expectation, and that takes into account the cognitive limitations and a “trial and error” learning mechanism of the agents. The (im)perfect credibility of various monetary policies (e.g., a Taylor-type rule, strict domestic inflation targeting, strict consumer price index (CPI) inflation targeting, exchange rate peg, and domestic price-level and CPI-level targeting) may lead agents to react according to their expectation rules, and then create various degrees of booms and busts in output and inflation. Therefore, relaxing the rational expectation hypothesis has potential consequences for policy planning. We find that price-level targeting prevails over inflation targeting even under different expectation formation and even when the announced inflation target is not fully credible. The counterfactual analysis and sensitivity test confirm that CPI-level targeting is the most effective for improving social welfare and stability in an open economy. The business cycles induced by animal spirits are enhanced by strict inflation targeting.
Association of vitamin D status with liver and kidney disease: A systematic review of clinical trials, and cross-sectional and cohort studies
Authors: Parizadeh Seyed Mostafa , Rezayi Majid , Jafarzadeh-Esfehani Reza , Avan Amir , Ghazizadeh Hamideh , Emadzadeh Maryam , Sahebi Reza , Ferns Gordon A. , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a major public health problem. There are few comprehensive systematic reviews about the relationship between Vitamin D status and liver and renal disease in Iran.

Methods: We systemically searched the following databases: Web of Science; PubMed; Cochrane Library; Scopus; Science Direct; Google Scholar and two Iranian databases (Scientific Information Database (SID) and IranMedex) up until November 2017 to identify all randomized control trials (RCTs), case control, cross-sectional and cohort studies investigating the association between vitamin D and any form of liver or kidney disease.

Results: Vitamin D insufficiency, or deficiency (VDD), is highly prevalent in Iran, reports varying between 44.4% in Isfahan to 98% in Gorgan. There is also a high prevalence of VDD among patients with liver or kidney disease, and the administration of vitamin D supplements may have beneficial effects on lipid profile, blood glucose, liver function and fatty liver disease, and bone health. Low serum vitamin D levels are related with abnormalities in these laboratory and clinical parameters.

Conclusion: VDD is prevalent in patients with chronic liver or renal disease in Iran. There appear to be several beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient patients with liver or kidney disease.
Precursory Stress Changes and Fault Dilation Lead to Fault Rupture: Insights From Discrete Element Simulations
Authors: Blank D. G. , Morgan J. K.
Published: February 2019

We use the discrete element method to create numerical analogs to subduction megathrusts with natural roughness and heterogeneous fault friction. Boundary conditions simulate tectonic loading, inducing fault slip. Intermittently, slip develops into complex rupture events that include foreshocks, mainshocks, and aftershocks. We probe the kinematics and stress evolution of the fault zone to gain insight into the physical processes that govern these phenomena. Prolonged, localized differential stress drops precede dynamic failure, a phenomenon we attribute to the gradual unlocking of contacts as the fault dilates prior to rupture. Slip stability in our system appears to be governed primarily by geometrical phenomena, which allow both slow and fast slip to take place at the same areas along the fault. Similarities in slip behavior between simulated faults and real subduction zones affirm that modeled physical processes are also at work in nature.
The mesopelagic anoxic Black Sea as an unexpected habitat for Synechococcus challenges our understanding of global “deep red fluorescence”
Authors: Callieri Cristiana , Slabakova Violeta , Dzhembekova Nina , Slabakova Nataliya , Peneva Elisaveta , Cabello-Yeves Pedro J , Di Cesare Andrea , Eckert Ester M , Bertoni Roberto , Corno Gianluca , Salcher Michaela M , Kamburska Lyudmila , Bertoni Filippo , Moncheva Snejana
Published: February 2019

The Black Sea is the largest meromictic sea with a reservoir of anoxic water extending from 100 to 1000 m depth. These deeper layers are characterised by a poorly understood fluorescence signal called “deep red fluorescence”, a chlorophyll a- (Chl a) like signal found in deep dark oceanic waters. In two cruises, we repeatedly found up to 103 cells ml−1 of picocyanobacteria at 750 m depth in these waters and isolated two phycoerythrin-rich Synechococcus sp. strains (BS55D and BS56D). Tests on BS56D revealed its high adaptability, involving the accumulation of Chl a in anoxic/dark conditions and its capacity to photosynthesise when re-exposed to light. Whole-genome sequencing of the two strains showed the presence of genes that confirms the putative ability of our strains to survive in harsh mesopelagic environments. This discovery provides new evidence to support early speculations associating the “deep red fluorescence” signal to viable picocyanobacteria populations in the deep oxygen-depleted oceans, suggesting a reconsideration of the ecological role of a viable stock of Synechococcus in dark deep waters.
Leveraging brain cortex-derived molecular data to elucidate epigenetic and transcriptomic drivers of complex traits and disease
Authors: Hatcher Charlie , Relton Caroline L. , Gaunt Tom R. , Richardson Tom G.
Published: February 2019

Integrative approaches that harness large-scale molecular datasets can help develop mechanistic insight into findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We have performed extensive analyses to uncover transcriptional and epigenetic processes which may play a role in complex trait variation. This was undertaken by applying Bayesian multiple-trait colocalization systematically across the genome to identify genetic variants responsible for influencing intermediate molecular phenotypes as well as complex traits. In this analysis, we leveraged high-dimensional quantitative trait loci data derived from the prefrontal cortex tissue (concerning gene expression, DNA methylation and histone acetylation) and GWAS findings for five complex traits (Neuroticism, Schizophrenia, Educational Attainment, Insomnia and Alzheimer’s disease). There was evidence of colocalization for 118 associations, suggesting that the same underlying genetic variant influenced both nearby gene expression as well as complex trait variation. Of these, 73 associations provided evidence that the genetic variant also influenced proximal DNA methylation and/or histone acetylation. These findings support previous evidence at loci where epigenetic mechanisms may putatively mediate effects of genetic variants on traits, such as KLC1 and schizophrenia. We also uncovered evidence implicating novel loci in disease susceptibility, including genes expressed predominantly in the brain tissue, such as MDGA1, KIRREL3 and SLC12A5. An inverse relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression was observed more than can be accounted for by chance, supporting previous findings implicating DNA methylation as a transcriptional repressor. Our study should prove valuable in helping future studies prioritize candidate genes and epigenetic mechanisms for in-depth functional follow-up analyses.
Quantitative analysis of plant ER architecture and dynamics
Authors: Pain Charlotte , Kriechbaumer Verena , Kittelmann Maike , Hawes Chris , Fricker Mark
Published: February 2019

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly dynamic polygonal membrane network composed of interconnected tubules and sheets (cisternae) that forms the first compartment in the secretory pathway involved in protein translocation, folding, glycosylation, quality control, lipid synthesis, calcium signalling, and metabolon formation. Despite its central role in this plethora of biosynthetic, metabolic and physiological processes, there is little quantitative information on ER structure, morphology or dynamics. Here we describe a software package (AnalyzER) to automatically extract ER tubules and cisternae from multi-dimensional fluorescence images of plant ER. The structure, topology, protein-localisation patterns, and dynamics are automatically quantified using spatial, intensity and graph-theoretic metrics. We validate the method against manually-traced ground-truth networks, and calibrate the sub-resolution width estimates against ER profiles identified in serial block-face SEM images. We apply the approach to quantify the effects on ER morphology of drug treatments, abiotic stress and over-expression of ER tubule-shaping and cisternal-modifying proteins.
Continuous wave amplified spontaneous emission in phase-stable lead halide perovskites
Authors: Brenner Philipp , Bar-On Ofer , Jakoby Marius , Allegro Isabel , Richards Bryce S. , Paetzold Ulrich W. , Howard Ian A. , Scheuer Jacob , Lemmer Uli
Published: February 2019

Sustained stimulated emission under continuous-wave (CW) excitation is a prerequisite for new semiconductor materials being developed for laser gain media. Although hybrid organic-inorganic lead-halide perovskites have attracted much attention as optical gain media, the demonstration of room-temperature CW lasing has still not been realized. Here, we present a critical step towards this goal by demonstrating CW amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in a phase-stable perovskite at temperatures up to 120 K. The phase-stable perovskite maintains its room-temperature phase while undergoing cryogenic cooling and can potentially support CW lasing also at higher temperatures. We find the threshold level for CW ASE to be 387 W cm-2 at 80 K. These results indicate that easily-fabricated single-phase perovskite thin films can sustain CW stimulated emission, potential at higher temperatures as well, by further optimization of the material quality in order to extend the carrier lifetimes.
Coherent spin-wave processor of stored optical pulses
Authors: Mazelanik Mateusz , Parniak Michał , Leszczyński Adam , Lipka Michał , Wasilewski Wojciech
Published: February 2019

A device being a pinnacle of development of an optical quantum memory should combine the capabilities of storage, inter-communication, and processing of stored information. In particular, the ability to capture a train of optical pulses, interfere them in an arbitrary way and finally, perform on-demand release could realize arbitrary optical computation. Here we demonstrate the operation of a coherent optical memory being able to store optical pulses in the form of collective spin-wave excitations in a two-dimensional wavevector space. During storage, we perform complex beamsplitter operations and demonstrate a variety of protocols implemented at the processing stage, including real-time controlled interference of a pair of spin-wave modes with 95% visibility. The highly multimode structure of the presented memory lends itself to enhancing classical optical telecommunication, as well as parallel processing of optical qubits at the single-photon level.
ImmtorLig_DB: repertoire of virtually screened small molecules against immune receptors to bolster host immunity
Authors: Chatterjee Deepyan , Kaur Gurkirat , Muradia Shilpa , Singh Balvinder , Agrewala Javed N.
Published: February 2019

Host directed therapies to boost immunity against infection are gaining considerable impetus following the observation that use of antibiotics has become a continuous source for the emergence of drug resistant strains of pathogens. Receptors expressed by the cells of immune system play a cardinal role in initiating sequence of events necessary to ameliorate many morbid conditions. Although, ligands for the immune receptors are available; but their use is limited due to complex structure, synthesis and cost-effectiveness. Virtual screening (VS) is an integral part of chemoinformatics and computer-aided drug design (CADD) and aims to streamline the process of drug discovery. ImmtorLig_DB is a repertoire of 5000 novel small molecules, screened from ZINC database and ranked using structure based virtual screening (SBVS) against 25 immune receptors which play a pivotal role in defending and initiating the activation of immune system. Consequently, in the current study, small molecules were screened by docking on the essential domains present on the receptors expressed by cells of immune system. The screened molecules exhibited efficacious binding to immune receptors, and indicated a possibility of discovering novel small molecules. Other features of ImmtorLig_DB include information about availability, clustering analysis, and estimation of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties of the screened small molecules. Structural comparisons indicate that predicted small molecules may be considered novel. Further, this repertoire is available via a searchable graphical user interface (GUI) throughhttp://bioinfo.imtech.res.in/bvs/immtor/.
Curvilinear MetaSurfaces for Surface Wave Manipulation
Authors: La Spada Luigi , Spooner Chris , Haq Sajad , Hao Yang
Published: February 2019

Artificial sheet materials, known as MetaSurfaces, have been applied to fully control both space and surface waves due to their exceptional abilities to dynamically tailor wave fronts and polarization states, while maintaining small footprints. However, previous and current designs and manufactured MetaSurfaces are limited to specific types of surfaces. There exists no general but rigorous design methodology for MetaSurfaces with generic curvature. The aim of this paper is to develop an analytical approach to characterize the wave behavior over arbitrary curvilinear MetaSurfaces. The proposed method allows us to fully characterize all propagating and evanescent wave modes from the MetaSurfaces. We will validate the proposed technique by designing, realizing and testing an ultrathin MetaSurface cloak for surface waves. Good results are obtained in terms of bandwidth, polarization independence and fabrication simplicity.
Author Correction: The role of functional and structural interhemispheric auditory connectivity for language lateralization - A combined EEG and DTI study
Authors: Steinmann Saskia , Amselberg Rom , Cheng Bastian , Thomalla Götz , Engel Andreas K. , Leicht Gregor , Mulert Christoph
Published: February 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Adaptation reveals multi-stage coding of visual duration
Authors: Heron James , Fulcher Corinne , Collins Howard , Whitaker David , Roach Neil W.
Published: February 2019

In conflict with historically dominant models of time perception, recent evidence suggests that the encoding of our environment’s temporal properties may not require a separate class of neurons whose raison d'être is the dedicated processing of temporal information. If true, it follows that temporal processing should be imbued with the known selectivity found within non-temporal neurons. In the current study, we tested this hypothesis for the processing of a poorly understood stimulus parameter: visual event duration. We used sensory adaptation techniques to generate duration aftereffects: bidirectional distortions of perceived duration. Presenting adapting and test durations to the same vs different eyes utilises the visual system’s anatomical progression from monocular, pre-cortical neurons to their binocular, cortical counterparts. Duration aftereffects exhibited robust inter-ocular transfer alongside a small but significant contribution from monocular mechanisms. We then used novel stimuli which provided duration information that was invisible to monocular neurons. These stimuli generated robust duration aftereffects which showed partial selectivity for adapt-test changes in retinal disparity. Our findings reveal distinct duration encoding mechanisms at monocular, depth-selective and depth-invariant stages of the visual hierarchy.