bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust and nonfragile consensus of positive multiagent systems via observer‐based output‐feedback protocols
Authors: Liu Jason J. R. , Lam James , Wang Yamin , Cui Yukang , Shu Zhan
Published: July 2020

This article investigates the consensus problem for positive multiagent systems via an observer‐based dynamic output‐feedback protocol. The dynamics of the agents are modeled by linear positive systems and the communication topology of the agents is expressed by an undirected connected graph. For the consensus problem, the nominal case is studied under the semidefinite programming framework while the robust and nonfragile cases are investigated under the linear programming framework. It is required that the distributed state‐feedback controller and observer gains should be structured to preserve the positivity of multiagent systems. Necessary and/or sufficient conditions for the analysis of consensus are obtained by using positive systems theory and graph theory. For the nominal case, necessary and sufficient conditions for the codesign of state‐feedback controller and observer of consensus are derived in terms of matrix inequalities. Sufficient conditions for the robust and nonfragile consensus designs are derived and the codesign of state‐feedback controller and observer can be obtained in terms of solving a set of linear programs. Numerical simulations are provided to show the effectiveness and applicability of the theoretical results and algorithms.
Resources
Authors: Liu Zhiyuan , Lin Yankai , Sun Maosong
Published: July 2020

Deep learning has been shown as a powerful method for a variety of artificial intelligence tasks, including some critical tasks in NLP. However, training a deep neural network is usually a very time-intensive process and requires lots of code to build related models. To alleviate these issues, some deep learning frameworks have been developed and released, which incorporate some existing and necessary arithmetic operators for neural network constructions. And these frameworks exploit hardware features such as multi-core CPUs and many-core GPUs to shorten the training time. Each framework has its advantages and disadvantages. In this chapter, we aim to exhibit features and running performance of these frameworks so that users can select an appropriate framework for their usage.
Cross-Modal Representation
Authors: Liu Zhiyuan , Lin Yankai , Sun Maosong
Published: July 2020

Cross-modal representation learning is an essential part of representation learning, which aims to learn latent semantic representations for modalities including texts, audio, images, videos, etc. In this chapter, we first introduce typical cross-modal representation models. After that, we review several real-world applications related to cross-modal representation learning including image captioning, visual relation detection, and visual question answering.
One-loop finiteness of Chiral Higher Spin Gravity
Authors: Skvortsov Evgeny , Tran Tung
Published: July 2020

Abstract

One of the main ideas behind Higher Spin Gravities is that the higher spin symmetry is expected to leave no room for counterterms, thereby eliminating UV divergences that make the pure gravity non-renormalizable. However, until recently it has not been clear if such a mechanism is realized. We show that Chiral Higher Spin Gravity is one-loop finite, the crucial point being that all one-loop S-matrix elements are UV-convergent despite the fact that the theory is naively not renormalizable by power counting. For any number of legs the one-loop S-matrix elements coincide with all-plus helicity one-loop amplitudes in pure QCD and SDYM, modulo a certain higher spin dressing, which is an unusual relation between the non-gravitational theories and a higher spin gravity.
Black holes, oscillating instantons and the Hawking-Moss transition
Authors: Gregory Ruth , Moss Ian G. , Oshita Naritaka
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Static oscillating bounces in Schwarzschild de Sitter spacetime are investigated. The oscillating bounce with many oscillations gives a super-thick bubble wall, for which the total vacuum energy increases while the mass of the black hole decreases due to the conservation of Arnowitt-Deser-Misner (ADM) mass. We show that the transition rate of such an “up-tunneling” consuming the seed black hole is higher than that of the Hawking- Moss transition. The correspondence of analyses in the static and global coordinates in the Euclidean de Sitter space is also investigated.
Die Aussagekraft sozialpädagogischer Altersschätzungen im Vergleich zur forensischen Altersdiagnostik
Authors: Hagen M. , Schmidt S. , Rudolf E. , Schmeling A.
Published: July 2020

In der vorliegenden Studie sollte die Aussagekraft sozialpädagogischer Altersschätzungen im Vergleich zu forensischen Altersbegutachtungen, die entsprechend den Empfehlungen der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forensische Altersdiagnostik durchgeführt worden waren, analysiert werden. Hierfür wurden 47 Fälle ausgewertet, bei denen sowohl sozialpädagogische Altersschätzungen von in Jugendhilfeeinrichtungen betreuten unbegleiteten minderjährigen Flüchtlingen als auch forensische Altersgutachten zur Verfügung standen. In 44 Fällen, in denen die Einrichtungen von Minderjährigkeit ausgingen, bescheinigten die forensischen Altersgutachten in 12 Fällen zweifelsfreie Volljährigkeit und in 24 weiteren Fällen wahrscheinliche Volljährigkeit. In 2 Fällen, in denen die Einrichtungen die Minderjährigkeit anzweifelten, wurden im Ergebnis der forensischen Altersbegutachtung in dem einen Fall zweifelsfreie Volljährigkeit und in dem anderen Fall wahrscheinliche Volljährigkeit festgestellt. In einem Fall, in dem die Einrichtung von Volljährigkeit ausging, wurde auf der Grundlage der forensischen Altersbegutachtung wahrscheinliche Volljährigkeit mit noch möglicher Minderjährigkeit attestiert. Objektivierbare psychosoziale Kriterien, mit denen Volljährigkeit zweifelsfrei festgestellt werden kann, ließen sich nicht erkennen. Es ist davon auszugehen, dass der Anteil falsch-positiver Minderjährigkeitsfeststellungen bei sozialpädagogischen Altersschätzungen deutlich höher als bei forensischen Altersbegutachtungen ist. Ebenso scheint ein relevantes Risiko falsch-positiver Volljährigkeitsfeststellungen bei sozialpädagogischen Altersschätzungen zu bestehen. Es wurde geschlussfolgert, dass sozialpädagogische Altersschätzungen keine überzeugende Alternative zu forensischen Altersbegutachtungen darstellen.
Gehört die statistische Signifikanz aufs Altenteil?
Authors: Richter A. , Zink A.
Published: July 2020

Unter der Schlagzeile „Retire statistical significance“ haben Amrhein et al. in der ZeitschriftNaturedazu aufgerufen, sich vom Konzept der statistischen Signifikanz zu verabschieden. Dieser von rund 800 weiteren Forschern unterzeichnete Aufruf löste eine kontroverse Diskussion aus. Ein Grund für die bewusst provokante Forderung ist die gelebte wissenschaftliche Praxis, in der das Konzept der statistischen Signifikanz häufig eine falsche Anwendung findet, indem sie für Ja/nein-Entscheidungen herangezogen wird. Die Kritik ist nicht neu und wurde in den letzten 50 Jahren wiederholt geäußert. Wir verweisen auf aktuelle und zurückliegend publizierte Vorbehalte, geben einen Überblick über unterschiedliche Anwendungen des Konzepts der statistischen Signifikanz sowie mögliche Alternativen. Der durch Amrhein et al. geäußerten Kritik am Konzept ist grundsätzlich zuzustimmen. Mangels konsentierter Alternativen und einer zu geringen Berücksichtigung der vielen verschiedenen Anwendungsfälle des Konzepts der statistischen Signifikanz sehen wir die Forderung nach ihrer Abschaffung aber als überzogen an. Ein pragmatischerer Umgang mit der Problematik, unterstützt durch gezielte Handreichungen für Wissenschaftler und Reviewer, erscheint uns der geeignetere Weg.
Portal vein stent placement after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery
Authors: Khan Ammar , Kleive Dyre , Aandahl Einar Martin , Fosby Bjarte , Line Pål-Dag , Dorenberg Eric , Guvåg Steinar , Labori Knut Jørgen
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of percutaneous transhepatic stent placement for portal vein (PV) stenosis after liver transplantation (LT) and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery.

Methods

Retrospective study of 455 patients who underwent LT and 522 patients who underwent resection of the pancreatic head between June 2011 and February 2016. Technical success, clinical success, patency, and complications were evaluated for both groups.

Results

A total of 23 patients were confirmed to have postoperative PV stenosis and were treated with percutaneous transhepatic PV stent placement. The technical success rate was 100%, the clinical success rate was 80%, and the long-term stent patency was 91.3% for the entire study population. Two procedure-related hemorrhages and two early stent thromboses occurred in the HPB group while no complications occurred in the LT group. A literature review of selected studies reporting PV stent placement for the treatment of PV stenosis after HPB surgery and LT showed a technical success rate of 78–100%, a clinical success rate of 72–100%, and a long-term patency of 57–100%, whereas the procedure-related complication rate varied from 0–33.3%.

Conclusions

Percutaneous transhepatic PV stent is a safe and effective treatment for postoperative PV stenosis/occlusion in patients undergoing LT regardless of symptoms. Due to increased risk of complications, the indication for percutaneous PV stent placement after HPB surgery should be limited to patients with clinical symptoms after an individual assessment.
Seeing red? Colour biases of foraging birds are context dependent
Authors: Teichmann Marianne , Thorogood Rose , Hämäläinen Liisa
Published: July 2020

Colours are commonly used as visual cues when measuring animals’ cognitive abilities. However, animals can have innate biases towards certain colours that depend on ecological and evolutionary contexts, therefore potentially influencing their performance in experiments. For example, when foraging, the colour red can advertise profitable fruits or act as a warning signal about chemically defended prey, and an individual’s propensity to take food of that colour may depend on experience, age or physical condition. Here, we investigate how these contexts influence blue tits’ (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tits’ (Parus major) responses to red-coloured almond flakes. We found that juvenile birds preferred red both when it was presented simultaneously with green, and when it was presented with three alternative colours (orange, purple, green). Adult birds, however, only preferred red after a positive experience with the colour, or when it was presented with the three alternative colours. We then tested whether colour influenced avoidance learning about food unpalatability. Despite the prediction that red is a more salient warning signal than green, we found only weak evidence that birds discriminated red unpalatable almonds from a green palatable alternative more quickly than when the colours were reversed. Our results suggest that biases towards red food may depend on birds’ age and previous experience, and this might influence their performance in experiments that use red stimuli. Considering the ecological relevance of colours is, therefore, important when designing experiments that involve colour cues.
The learning styles neuromyth: when the same term means different things to different teachers
Authors: Papadatou-Pastou Marietta , Touloumakos Anna K. , Koutouveli Christina , Barrable Alexia
Published: July 2020

Although learning styles (LS) have been recognised as a neuromyth, they remain a virtual truism within education. A point of concern is that the term LS has been used within theories that describe them using completely different notions and categorisations. This is the first empirical study to investigate education professionals’ conceptualisation, as well as means of identifying and implementing LS in their classroom. A sample of 123 education professionals were administered a questionnaire consisting both closed- and open-ended questions. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis. LS were found to be mainly conceptualised within the Visual-Auditory-(Reading)-Kinaesthetic (VAK/VARK) framework, as well as Gardner’s multiple intelligences. Moreover, a lot of education professionals confused theories of learning (e.g., behavioural or cognitive theories) with LS. In terms of identifying LS, educators reported using a variety of methods, spanning from observation and everyday contact to the use of tests. The ways LS were implemented in the classroom were numerous, comprising various teaching aids, participatory techniques and motor activities. Overall, we argue that the extended use of the term LS gives the illusion of a consensus amongst educators, when a closer examination reveals that the term LS is conceptualised, identified and implemented idiosyncratically by different individuals. This study aims to be of use to pre-service and in-service teacher educators in their effort to debunk the neuromyth of LS and replace it with evidence-based practices.
The ability of seeds to float with water currents contributes to the invasion success of Impatiens balfourii and I. glandulifera
Authors: Najberek Kamil , Olejniczak Paweł , Berent Katarzyna , Gąsienica-Staszeczek Magdalena , Solarz Wojciech
Published: July 2020

Two alien species in Europe,Impatiens glanduliferaandI. balfourii, are closely related, have similar growth rates and reproductive capacities, and are very attractive to pollinators. Nevertheless, onlyI. glanduliferais a highly invasive alien species in Europe, whileI. balfouriiis non-invasive. We assumed that the varying levels of invasiveness are driven by differences in the floating ability of their seeds, which may determine the invasion success of riparian alien plants, such as theImpatiensspecies. By mimicking two types of aquatic conditions, we determined seed floating ability for each species from younger and older populations. We also analyzed four seed traits: seed viability, surface, shape and coat structure. Seeds of the non-invasiveI. balfouriifloat less well than seeds of the invasiveI. glandulifera. We also found that the seeds ofI. balfouriifrom the younger population have a higher floating ability in comparison with that of the seeds from the older population. The results forI. glanduliferawere the opposite, with decreased floating ability in the younger population. These differences were associated with seed surface, shape and coat structure. These results indicate that the floating ability ofI. balfouriiseeds may increase over time following its introduction into a given area, while in the case ofI. glandulifera, this ability may gradually decrease. Therefore, the former species, currently regarded as a poor disperser, has the potential to become invasive in the future, whereas the latter does not seem to benefit from further investments in the floating ability of its seeds.
Angular segregation of fibres in pipe flow: floc formation and utilization for length-based fibre separation
Authors: Redlinger-Pohn Jakob D.
Published: July 2020

Cellulose fibres are prone to flocculate and form aggregates that are deformable by the hydrodynamic stress. In this work I document for coiled pipe flow, known to have secondary motion in the pipe cross-sectional plane, an accumulation of fibre flocs and fibre aggregates at the outer bend. That is the segregation into a section in the pipe cross-section and hence presents a case of angular segregation. The segregation was studied for non-coherent crowded fibre flocs. For that, segregation benefited from fibre concentration and suffered from increased hydrodynamic stress expressed by increasing Reynolds number. Based on the observed segregation of fibres a flow splitter was designed that separated the flow at 1/3 of the tube diameter measured from the inner bend. The outer bend suspension length-weighted fibre length was found to increase. For the best case in this work, the difference between outer and inner bend relative to the feed fibre length was 22%. As for radial and axial segregation, which are known, also angular segregation is fibre-length sensitive. As such it can be exploited for length fractionation of networking and aggregating elongated particles, for example fibres.
Variation in groundwater manganese in Finland
Authors: Kousa Anne , Komulainen Hannu , Hatakka Tarja , Backman Birgitta , Hartikainen Sirpa
Published: July 2020

Increasing evidence has emerged that Mn derived from drinking water could be a health risk, especially for children. This study aimed to provide more information on the variation in Mn concentrations in well water and factors that affect manganese concentrations in groundwater in the natural environment. The geochemical data consisted of analyses of single water samples (n = 5311) that were taken only once and data from monitoring sites where water samples (n = 4607) were repeatedly taken and analyzed annually from the same wells. In addition, the well-specific results from six wells at monitoring sites were described in detail. We obtained the data on water samples from the groundwater database of Geological Survey of Finland. In single samples, Mn concentrations varied from < 0.02 µg/l to 5800 µg/l in bedrock well waters and up to 6560 µg/l in Quaternary deposit well waters. Results from single water samples from bedrock wells and Quaternary deposit wells indicated that the dissolved oxygen content has an inverse association with the Mn concentration. When the dissolved oxygen O2 levels were lower, the Mn concentrations were higher. No clear association was found between the Mn concentration and the pH or depth of the well for single samples. Part of Mn was particle bound, because total Mn was higher than soluble Mn in most measured samples. In the monitoring survey, large variation in Mn concentrations was found in bedrock well water in Kemijärvi, 114–352 µg/l, and in dug well water in Hämeenkoski, 8.77–2640 µg/l. Seasonal and spatial variability in Mn concentrations in water samples from two bedrock wells was large at monitoring sites in northern Finland. Variability in the Mn concentrations in groundwater can be large, even in the same area. These data suggest that single measurements of the Mn concentration from a water source may not reveal the Mn status, and measurement of both the total and soluble Mn concentrations may be recommended.
Trace elements in Athyrium distentifolium from alpine vegetation in the Karkonosze, SW Poland
Authors: Kazienko Aleksandra , Torzewski Karol , Wojtuń Bronisław , Samecka-Cymerman Aleksandra , Mróz Lucyna , Kempers Alexander J.
Published: July 2020

The Karkonosze National Park is affected by long-distance metal air transport of anthropogenic contamination as well as by tourist activity. Therefore, concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were evaluated in soil as well as in vital and non-vital fronds of Athyrium distentifolium Opiz collected in the middle of the growing season from glacial cirques in the Karkonosze. Additionally, fronds of the same species turning brown in autumn were collected from the same sampling sites. The health of ferns was impacted by the contents of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in fronds, which may indicate that A. distentifolium uses elements accumulated in its tissues as defence against pathogens. Individuals from higher altitudes contained higher concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe and Pb than those from lower altitudes. Autumn fronds of A. distentifolium contained a significantly higher concentration of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb than vital summer fronds, which may indicate sequestration of these elements in senescing fronds probably to remove potentially harmful metals. Non-vital ferns were a better accumulator of Pb than vital ones, while both types of ferns accumulated Mn in a similar way.
Corporate social responsibility in agribusiness: climate-related empirical findings from Hungary
Authors: Biró Kinga , Szalmáné Csete Mária
Published: July 2020

The corporate sector is one of the most important contributors to the global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. According to a representative public opinion survey 34% of Hungarian citizens believe that corporations are responsible for climate change. The business sector is motivated to take an active role in the mitigation and adaptation of climate change. As a result, the last few decades saw a marked increase in corporate measures aiming at the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other initiatives to tackle climate-related problems which result in numerous social issues. The aim of this paper is to assess whether Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be applied as a tool in agribusiness fostering steps towards the implementation of the climate-oriented and sustainable agriculture in Hungary. The research makes an effort to explore the role and opportunities of the Hungarian agricultural sector in adapting to climate change, it also examines the extent of the mitigation and adaptation activities appearing in the CSR portfolio of the companies and what specific measures are taken to realize them. The results of the evaluation show that climate-oriented CSR activities of the companies are relatively undeveloped, but businesses are working to reduce the impact of climate change on the usage of exercising adaptation strategies. There are several actions that can help to reduce vulnerability to the consequences of climate change in the agriculture sector. The results can support not only companies but other decision-makers decisions in climate-oriented CSR activities in agribusiness.
An Archaeology of Affect: Art, Ontology and the Carved Stone Balls of Neolithic Britain
Authors: Jones Andrew Meirion
Published: July 2020

This paper aims to shift debate in the study of archaeological art away from epistemological questions of definition towards ontological approaches. To this aim, the paper proposes a non-representational study of archaeological art based on the twin concepts of affect and agential intra-action. As an example of this approach, the paper examines the carved stone balls of Neolithic Scotland. The analysis of carved stone balls focuses on their making and on their inter-regional circulation and exchange as a way of approaching the affective character of these artefacts. The paper finishes with a detailed consideration of the concepts of affect and intra-action and advocates their use in the archaeology of art.
NMR pseudocontact shifts in a symmetric protein homotrimer
Authors: Müntener Thomas , Böhm Raphael , Atz Kenneth , Häussinger Daniel , Hiller Sebastian
Published: July 2020

NMR pseudocontact shifts are a valuable tool for structural and functional studies of proteins. Protein multimers mediate key functional roles in biology, but methods for their study by pseudocontact shifts are so far not available. Paramagnetic tags attached to identical subunits in multimeric proteins cause a combined pseudocontact shift that cannot be described by the standard single-point model. Here, we report pseudocontact shifts generated simultaneously by three paramagnetic Tm-M7PyThiazole-DOTA tags to the trimeric molecular chaperone Skp and provide an approach for the analysis of this and related symmetric systems. The pseudocontact shifts were described by a “three-point” model, in which positions and parameters of the three paramagnetic tags were fitted. A good correlation between experimental data and predicted values was found, validating the approach. The study establishes that pseudocontact shifts can readily be applied to multimeric proteins, offering new perspectives for studies of large protein complexes by paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy.
A kernel machine for hidden object-ranking problems (HORPs)
Authors: Mondonneix Gaël , Mari Jean Martial , Chabrier Sébastien , Gabillon Alban
Published: July 2020

Hidden Object-Ranking Problems (HORPs) are object-ranking problems stated as classification or instance-ranking problems. There exists so far no dedicated algorithm for solving them properly and HORPs are usually solved as if they were classification (multi-class or ordinal) or instance-ranking problems. In the former case, item-related ordinal information is negated and only class-related information is retained; in the latter case, item-related ordinal information is considered, but in a way that emphasizes class-related information, so that the items are not only sorted but also clustered. We propose a kernel machine that allows retaining item-related ordinal information while avoiding emphasizing class-related information. We show how this kernel machine can be implemented with standard optimization libraries provided slight modifications on the original kernel. The proposed approach is tested on Tahitian pearls quality assessment and compared with four other classical methods. It yields better results (93.6% ± 3.9% of correct predictions without feature selection, 94.3% ± 3.4% with feature selection) than the best of the other tested methods (91.3% ± 3.4% and 92.6% ± 4.3% without and with feature selection for the instance-ranking approach), this improvement being significant (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, this method exhibits no significant difference in the results with and without feature selection (p-value = 0.33), which may be a hint that its learning bias fits the problem well and can thus alleviate the data preprocessing workload.
Tenant Mix and Retail Rents in High Street Shopping Districts
Authors: Zhang Song , van Duijn Mark , van der Vlist Arno J.
Published: July 2020

Urban areas have long had shopping districts in which retail properties are concentrated. It is argued that the diversity of retail tenants, often called tenant mix, contributes to the image and attractiveness of the high street shopping district. These districts are characterized by fragmented ownership and therefore the tenant mix is outside the control of individual property investors. We aim to explore the relationship between tenant mix and retail rents by studying high street shopping districts in the Netherlands. We start with delineating high street shopping districts using granular data on the spatial distribution of retail jobs. Within each shopping district, tenant mix is measured using detailed information on SBI sector classification and the number of retail properties. We find shopping districts with greater tenant mix show higher retail rents compared to districts with lower tenant mix.
Anticoagulation clinic drive-up service during COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar
Authors: Alhmoud Eman , Abdelsamad Osama , Soaly Ezeldin , Enany Rasha El , Elewa Hazem
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic affecting many countries worldwide. Given the increasing incidence especially in elderly and individuals with comorbid conditions, it is advised by health authorities to stay home if possible, maintain social distancing and stay away from those who are sick or could be infected. Patients with comorbidities especially cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19 and have worse prognosis. Among efforts to safely manage warfarin patients during this pandemic, we introduced a hospital drive-up anticoagulation testing service. This service can reduce the risk of exposure of anticoagulation patients to COVID-19 by reducing the contact time with the different personnel at the hospital and by maintaining those patients at a safe distance from others
The use of doxazosin before adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: is the duration related to intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative complications?
Authors: Kong Hao , Li Nan , Tian Jie , Bao Zhengqing , Liu Lu , Wu Kai , Gao Ying , Jin Bo , Zhang Zheng , Fang Dong , Zhang Junqing , Zhou Liqun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

No conclusion exists for the optimum duration of preoperative administration of doxazosin (DOX) before adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether perioperative hemodynamics and postoperative outcomes are related to the duration of DOX administration.

Methods

In total, 132 patients managed preoperatively with single α-receptor blocker DOX were enrolled. All patients underwent adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma in the Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, between January 2001 and July 2019. Patients were divided into three groups based on the duration of preoperative administration of DOX: group A (≤14 days), group B (15–30 days), and group C (>30 days). Patient and tumor characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamics, and postoperative outcomes were recorded and compared.

Results

These patients included 57 men and 75 women, with an average age of 48 years. Clinical characteristics, preoperative hemodynamics, medicine management and surgical approaches were comparable between the three groups. Among the three groups, we found that group C (>30 days) had the lowest intraoperative minimum heart rate [group A vs. group B vs. group C = 60 (52–67) vs. 59 (50–61) vs. 51.5 (50–58.75), p = 0.024] and highest risk of postoperative hypotension requiring vasopressor support [group A vs. group B vs. group C = 14 (20.3%) vs. 12 (27.9%) vs. 10 (50.0%), p = 0.032].

Conclusion

The current study indicated that preoperative management of pheochromocytoma with single α-receptor blocker DOX for more than 30 days after final dose adjustment might lead to intraoperative bradycardia and more postoperative hypotension requiring vasopressor support. Thus, our study does not support long-term (over 30 days) preoperative administration of pheochromocytoma with single α-receptor blocker DOX in the final dose.
Biological activity of mistletoe: in vitro and in vivo studies and mechanisms of action
Authors: Szurpnicka Anna , Kowalczuk Anna , Szterk Arkadiusz
Published: July 2020

Mistletoe has been used as treatment of many diseases in traditional and folk medicine. To date, anticancer, immunomodulatory, cardiac, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuropharmacological, antibacterial and antifungal properties of mistletoe extracts have been studied the most. In this review, we summarized in vitro and in vivo studies on the pharmacological activity of Viscum species. Furthermore, we proposed the possible mechanisms of action of this herb, which might include many signalling pathways. Mistletoe could regulate either similar or different targets in various pathways that act on membrane receptors, enzymes, ion channels, transporter proteins and transcriptional targets. Still, pharmacological activities of mistletoe have been investigated mainly for crude extracts. It is a new field for scientists to determined which chemical compounds are responsible for the individual biological activities of mistletoe and how these activities are achieved. As a result, mistletoe might become a source of new complementary therapies supporting the treatment of many diseases.
A Critical Analysis of Methodology Pitfalls in Duplex Doppler Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: Technical and Interpretation Deficiencies
Authors: Nascimento Bruno , Miranda Eduardo P. , Terrier Jean-Etienne , Carneiro Felipe , Mulhall John P.
Published: July 2020

Background

Penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU) is a minimally invasive tool to evaluate erectile hemodynamics in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Despite decades of use, there is still a large variability in PDDU protocols, and a high rate of false diagnosis is reported.

Aim

Review of PDDU methodology in the published literature addressing protocol heterogeneity, technical and interpretation challenges.

Methods

A PubMed literature search was performed using the search terms “penile doppler ultrasound”, “penile duplex ultrasound” or “penile ultrasound”, and “Erectile dysfunction”. Studies were analyzed for the presence of the following elements in reporting of the PDDU protocol: (i) intracavernosal vasoactive agents used, (ii) use of a redosing protocol, (iii) means of rigidity assessment, (iv) report of at-home best-quality erection, (v) normative criteria for peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and (vi) use of time-based hemodynamics assessment. Inclusion criteria were studies available in English, from 2005 onwards, and with full text. Exclusion criteria were review, descriptive or short communication articles, animal studies, and studies in populations other than those with ED.

Outcomes

A critical review of the heterogeneity in published literature was performed to guide a structured discussion of methodological challenges and to create a list of recommendations.

Results

Significant heterogeneity was seen in key methodological aspects. Fifty percent of studies reported the use of prostaglandin E1 only, and 12% of studies did not mention the agent used. Redosing as part of the PDDU protocol was mentioned in only 26% of studies. The majority (56%) did not mention any form of rigidity assessment. The most frequently used grading system was the Erection Hardness Score (14%). Overall, most studies (59%) used a timed-base protocol for hemodynamic assessment. No clear consensus was defined for normative criteria for PSV and EDV, 39% defining a normal PSV as ≥30 cm/s, and 57% using EDV values ≤5 cm/sec as normal.

Clinical Implications

The absence of standardization has led to inadequate reporting of key factors which has rendered data interpretation and comparison between studies challenging.

Strengths and Limitations

Our strengths include an extensive review of literature, with a structured analysis of the impact of each methodological pitfall. Our main limitation is the fact that protocol reporting, and not its application, was assessed.

Conclusion

Despite its widespread use, analysis of the literature on PDDU use in the ED population shows marked protocol heterogeneity, rendering data interpretation a problem.
Modelling performance an air transport network operated by subsonic and supersonic aircraft
Authors: Janić M.
Published: July 2020

This paper deals with modelling the performance of an air transport network operated by existing subsonic and the prospective supersonic commercial aircraft. Analytical models of indicators of the infrastructural, technical/technological, operational, economic, environmental, and social performance of the network relevant for the main actors/stakeholders involved are developed. The models are applied to the given long-haul air route network exclusively operated by subsonic and supersonic aircraft according to the specified “what-if” scenarios.

The results from application of the models indicate that supersonic flights powered by LH2 (Liquid Hydrogen) could be more feasible than their subsonic counterparts powered by Jet A fuel, in terms of about three times higher technical productivity, 46% smaller size of the required fleet given the frequency of a single flight per day, 20% lower sum of the aircraft/airline operational, air passenger time, and considered external costs, up to two times higher overall social-economic feasibility, and 94% greater savings in contribution to global warming and climate change. These flights could be less feasible in terms of about 70-85% higher aircraft/airline operational costs, 70% and 19% higher fuel consumption and emissions of Green House Gases, respectively, and 6-13% higher noise compared to the specified acceptable levels.
Joint Effects of Ownership and Competition on the Relationship between Innovation and Productivity: Application of the CDM Model to the Chinese Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Shi Junguo , Sadowski Bert , Li Sihan , Nomaler Önder
Published: July 2020

On the basis of a rich panel data set of large- and medium-sized Chinese manufacturing enterprises, we observe that different types of firms (i.e., state-owned enterprises [SOEs], foreign-funded ownership [FFO] of firms, Hong Kong-Macau-Taiwanese [HMT] companies and privately-owned firms) exploit different stages of the innovation – productivity chain depending on the extent of market concentration. By applying a modified CDM model, this study reveals that SOEs tend to be more active in making innovative decisions and pursuing innovative investments but are less efficient in terms of innovation output and labour productivity, whereas FFO firms have relatively high labour productivity but are less active in the first three stages of the innovation – productivity chain. Market competition favours SOEs in the production of additional innovation products. Foreign firms are efficient in labour productivity if they are operating in a concentrated market. By using the metaphor of DNA, this study explains the heterogeneity among these different forms of ownership and generates several managerial implications.
GRAPHS DETERMINED BY THEIR -GAIN SPECTRA
Authors: WANG SAI , WONG DEIN , TIAN FENGLEI
Published: July 2020

An undirected graph $G$ is determined by its $T$-gain spectrum (DTS) if every $T$-gain graph cospectral to $G$ is switching equivalent to $G$. We show that the complete graph $K_{n}$ and the graph $K_{n}-e$ obtained by deleting an edge from $K_{n}$ are DTS, the star $K_{1,n}$ is DTS if and only if $n\leq 2$, and an odd path $P_{2m+1}$ is not DTS if $m\geq 2$. We give an operation for constructing cospectral $T$-gain graphs and apply it to show that a tree of arbitrary order (at least $5$) is not DTS.
NOTE ON MINIMUM DEGREE AND PROPER CONNECTION NUMBER
Authors: WU YUEYU , ZHANG YUNQING , CHEN YAOJUN
Published: July 2020

An edge-coloured graph $G$ is called properly connected if any two vertices are connected by a properly coloured path. The proper connection number, $pc(G)$, of a graph $G$, is the smallest number of colours that are needed to colour $G$ such that it is properly connected. Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}(n)$ denote the minimum value such that $pc(G)=2$ for any 2-connected incomplete graph $G$ of order $n$ with minimum degree at least $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}(n)$. Brause et al. [‘Minimum degree conditions for the proper connection number of graphs’, Graphs Combin.33 (2017), 833–843] showed that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}(n)>n/42$. In this note, we show that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}(n)>n/36$.
REGULATING GENOME EDITING UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
Authors: Yotova Rumiana
Published: July 2020

This article offers a critical assessment of the role of international human rights law in the regulation of genome editing. Given the rapid scientific developments in the field of genetics, it is important to explore the implications of the human rights framework for the research into and the clinical application of genome editing. The broader normative question is whether the existing human rights standards are sufficient to address the challenges posed by this new technology. It will be argued that while international human rights law does not prohibit genome editing, it imposes important restrictions upon it. However, existing human rights are arguably insufficient to regulate germline genome editing as there are significant loopholes in the protection of embryos. Nor do they fully address the wide-ranging implications of the new technology for society and humankind. It will be suggested that new standards are needed, ideally set out in a new international instrument and supported by an institutional framework, which address the specific challenges posed by this new technology.
MARITIME AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES: NEW FRONTIERS IN THE LAW OF THE SEA
Authors: Klein Natalie , Guilfoyle Douglas , Karim Md Saiful , McLaughlin Rob
Published: July 2020

The ongoing development of diverse maritime autonomous vehicles for varied ocean activities—ranging from scientific research, security surveillance, transportation of goods, military purposes and commission of crimes—is prompting greater consideration of how existing legal frameworks accommodate these vehicles. This article brings together the core legal issues, as well as current developments in relation to commercial shipping, the law of naval warfare, and maritime security. This article captures how these issues are now being addressed and what other legal questions will likely emerge as the newest technology impacts on one of the oldest bodies of international law.
Research on Real-Time Obstacle Avoidance Planning for an Unmanned Surface Vessel based on the Grid Cell Mechanism
Authors: Li Yun , Zheng Jian
Published: July 2020

Obstacle avoidance navigation for an unmanned surface vessel is a research focus for ship autonomy in which the real-time requirement in practical application is very serious, and always necessitates a complicated structure model to guarantee real-time performance. This paper proposes the grid cell activation model to reduce the complexity of modelling and to simplify an obstacle avoidance algorithm. Combined with the goal-oriented probability model to design a dynamic positive-loss-rate expectation evaluation function, it produces the proper strategy for obstacle avoidance. Case studies on multi-obstacle layouts and special circumstances are conducted and presented. The results indicate that the grid cell obstacle avoidance algorithm can effectively implement obstacle avoidance planning and ensure real-time requirements. A comparison with the potential field algorithm is performed, which shows good results and verifies the feasibility of the algorithm.
The Academic Resizing of the War in Spain
Authors: Jorge David
Published: July 2020

Eighty years after both the end of the war in Spain and the beginning of a new war on European soil, we are facing a situation of both accelerated information and of reductionism in the stories about the past, often for very ‘presentist’ motivations. In such a context, it is even more difficult than usual to anticipate the place that the Spanish conflict will occupy in academic study and social debate in the next two decades, the period remaining until the conflict's 100-year anniversary. But historians seeking to re-evaluate or ‘re-size’ the Spanish war face two primary tasks: to place Spain back at the heart of our understanding of the interwar European crisis and to develop a robust interpretation of the war, one which can challenge presentist distortions of its history and help Spain build a healthier society around a fairly shared understanding of the past.
Management of fetal ductus arteriosus constriction with Digoxin and oxygen therapy
Authors: Naqvi Alina Z. , Lanni Susan M. , Rosenthal Joanna B.
Published: July 2020

Constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus is rare and usually attributed to medications or CHD. We describe a 24-year-old multigravida at 33 weeks 5 days gestation with echocardiographic findings of severe ductal constriction, a dilated, hypertrophied and hypocontractile right ventricle, and severe tricuspid regurgitation following BC powder® use. Treatment with Digoxin and oxygen resulted in a progressive 71% reduction in peak systolic ductal gradient, improved right ventricular function, and decreased tricuspid regurgitation.
Associations of dietary diversity with anaemia and iron status among 5- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in South Africa
Authors: Visser Marina , Van Zyl Tertia , Hanekom Susanna M , Baumgartner Jeannine , van der Hoeven Marinka , Taljaard-Krugell Christine , Smuts Cornelius M , Faber Mieke
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To examine the associations of dietary diversity with anaemia and iron status among primary school-aged children in South Africa.

Design:

An analysis was conducted with pooled individual data from the baseline surveys from three previously conducted independent intervention studies. Two different dietary diversity scores (DDS) were calculated based on data from 1-day (1-d) and 3-day (3-d) dietary recall periods, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations of dietary diversity with anaemia and iron status.

Setting:

KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces, South Africa.

Participants:

Children (n 578) 5- to 12-year-old.

Results:

A DDS ≤ 4 was associated with higher odds of being anaemic (1-d P = 0·001; 3-d P = 0·006) and being iron deficient (ID) (3-d P < 0·001). For both recall periods, consumption of ‘vegetables and fruits other than vitamin A-rich’ and ‘animal-source foods (ASF)’ was associated with lower odds of being anaemic (both P = 0·002), and ‘organ meats’ with lower odds of being ID (1-d P = 0·045; 3-d P < 0·001). Consumption of ‘meat, chicken and fish’ was associated with lower odds of being anaemic (P = 0·045), and ‘vegetables and fruits other than vitamin A-rich’, ‘legumes, nuts and seeds’ and ‘ASF’ with lower odds of being ID for the 3-d recall period only (P = 0·038, P = 0·020 and P = 0·003, respectively).

Conclusion:

In order to improve anaemia and iron status among primary school-aged children, dietary diversification, with emphasis on consumption of vegetables, fruits and ASF (including organ meats), should be promoted.
Ambient weathering of magnesium oxide for CO2 removal from air
Authors: McQueen Noah , Kelemen Peter , Dipple Greg , Renforth Phil , Wilcox Jennifer
Published: July 2020

To avoid dangerous climate change, new technologies must remove billions of tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year by mid-century. Here we detail a land-based enhanced weathering cycle utilizing magnesite (MgCO3) feedstock to repeatedly capture CO2 from the atmosphere. In this process, MgCO3 is calcined, producing caustic magnesia (MgO) and high-purity CO2. This MgO is spread over land to carbonate for a year by reacting with atmospheric CO2. The carbonate minerals are then recollected and re-calcined. The reproduced MgO is spread over land to carbonate again. We show this process could cost approximately $46–159 tCO2−1 net removed from the atmosphere, considering grid and solar electricity without post-processing costs. This technology may achieve lower costs than projections for more extensively engineered Direct Air Capture methods. It has the scalable potential to remove at least 2–3 GtCO2 year−1, and may make a meaningful contribution to mitigating climate change.
Rationally inattentive intertemporal choice
Authors: Gershman Samuel J. , Bhui Rahul
Published: July 2020

Discounting of future rewards is traditionally interpreted as evidence for an intrinsic preference in favor of sooner rewards. However, temporal discounting can also arise from internal uncertainty in value representations of future events, if one assumes that noisy mental simulations of the future are rationally combined with prior beliefs. Here, we further develop this idea by considering how simulation noise may be adaptively modulated by task demands, based on principles of rational inattention. We show how the optimal allocation of mental effort can give rise to the magnitude effect in intertemporal choice. In a re-analysis of two prior data sets, and in another experiment, we reveal several behavioral signatures of this theoretical account, tying choice stochasticity to the magnitude effect. We conclude that some aspects of temporal discounting may result from a cognitively plausible adaptive response to the costs of information processing.
Reconciling contrasting views on economic complexity
Authors: Sciarra Carla , Chiarotti Guido , Ridolfi Luca , Laio Francesco
Published: July 2020

Summarising the complexity of a country’s economy in a single number is the holy grail for scholars engaging in data-based economics. In a field where the Gross Domestic Product remains the preferred indicator for many, economic complexity measures, aiming at uncovering the productive knowledge of countries, have been stirring the pot in the past few years. The commonly used methodologies to measure economic complexity produce contrasting results, undermining their acceptance and applications. Here we show that these methodologies – apparently conflicting on fundamental aspects – can be reconciled by adopting a neat mathematical perspective based on linear-algebra tools within a bipartite-networks framework. The obtained results shed new light on the potential of economic complexity to trace and forecast countries’ innovation potential and to interpret the temporal dynamics of economic growth, possibly paving the way to a micro-foundation of the field.