bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parties’ Changing Political Projects and Workers’ Political Attitudes
Authors: Rennwald Line
Published: July 2020

This chapter reviews possible explanations of workers’ new voting patterns. It focuses on the contrast between changes in the way parties mobilise (or do not mobilise) workers’ social class and changes in workers’ political attitudes. In a first step, it discusses significant transformations in social democracy’s political project and attempts by new political parties to mobilise the votes of workers. In a second step, it examines the political attitudes of workers on issues of redistribution and immigration. Workers display a particular combination of political attitudes: they support redistribution and at the same time they are opposed to immigration. Importantly, the chapter shows a strong continuity over time of this particular combination of attitudes. This suggests, therefore, that a transformation in the political supply of parties is more decisive to understand new voting patterns than changes in workers’ demands.
Introduction to Robot Introspection
Authors: Zhou Xuefeng , Wu Hongmin , Rojas Juan , Xu Zhihao , Li Shuai
Published: July 2020

In this chapter, we mainly introduce the definition, background, significance, and the start-of-the-art methods of collaborative robot multimodal introspection. The current issues of robot introspection are also introduced, which including the complex task representation, anomaly monitoring, diagnoses and recovery by assessing the quality of multimodal sensory data during robot manipulation. The overall content of this book is presented at the end.
Nonparametric Bayesian Modeling of Multimodal Time Series
Authors: Zhou Xuefeng , Wu Hongmin , Rojas Juan , Xu Zhihao , Li Shuai
Published: July 2020

In this chapter, we take a Bayesian nonparametric approach in defining a prior on the hidden Markov model that allows for flexibility in addressing the problem of modeling the complex dynamics during robot manipulation task. At first, considering the underlying dynamics that can be well-modeled as a hidden discrete Markov process, but in which there is uncertainty about the cardinality of the state space. Through the use of the hierarchical Dirichlet process (HDP), one can examine an HMM with an unbounded number of possible states. Subsequently, the sticky HDP-HMM is investigated for allowing more robust learning of the complex dynamics through a learned bias by increasing the probability of self-transitions. Additionally, although the HDP-HMM and its sticky extension are very flexible time series models, they make a strong Markovian assumption that observations are conditionally independent given the discrete HMM state. This assumption is often insufficient for capturing the temporal dependencies of the observations in real data. To address this issue, we consider extensions of the sticky HDP-HMM for learning the switching dynamical processes with switching linear dynamical system. In the later chapters of this book, we will verify the performances in modeling mulitmodal time series and present the results of robot movement identification, anomaly monitoring, and anomaly diagnose.
Defect CFT in the 6d (2,0) theory from M2 brane dynamics in AdS7 × S4
Authors: Drukker Nadav , Giombi Simone , Tseytlin Arkady A. , Zhou Xinan
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Surface operators in the 6d (2,0) theory at large N have a holographic description in terms of M2 branes probing the AdS7×S4 M-theory background. The most symmetric, 1/2-BPS, operator is defined over a planar or spherical surface, and it preserves a 2d superconformal group. This includes, in particular, an SO(2, 2) subgroup of d conformal transformations, so that the surface operator may be viewed as a conformal defect in the 6d theory. The dual M2 brane has an AdS3 induced geometry, reflecting the 2d conformal symmetry. Here we use the holographic description to extract the defect CFT data associated to the surface operator. The spectrum of transverse fluctuations of the M2 brane is found to be in one-to-one correspondence with a protected multiplet of operator insertions on the surface, which includes the displacement operator. We compute the one-loop determinants of fluctuations of the M2 brane, and extract the conformal anomaly coefficient of the spherical surface to order N0. We also briefly discuss the RG flow from the non-supersymmetric to the 1/2-BPS defect operator, and its consistency with a “b-theorem” for the defect CFT. Starting with the M2 brane action, we then use AdS3 Witten diagrams to compute the 4-point functions of the elementary bosonic insertions on the surface operator, and extract some of the defect CFT data from the OPE. The 4-point function is shown to satisfy superconformal Ward identities, and we discuss a related sub- sector of “twisted” scalar insertions, whose correlation functions are constrained by the residual superconformal symmetry.
Renormalization and scale evolution of the soft-quark soft function
Authors: Liu Ze Long , Mecaj Bianka , Neubert Matthias , Wang Xing , Fleming Sean
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Soft functions defined in terms of matrix elements of soft fields dressed by Wilson lines are central components of factorization theorems for cross sections and decay rates in collider and heavy-quark physics. While in many cases the relevant soft functions are defined in terms of gluon operators, at subleading order in power counting soft functions containing quark fields appear. We present a detailed discussion of the properties of the soft-quark soft function consisting of a quark propagator dressed by two finite-length Wilson lines connecting at one point. This function enters in the factorization theorem for the Higgs-boson decay amplitude of the h → γγ process mediated by light-quark loops. We perform the renormalization of this soft function at one-loop order, present a conjecture for its two-loop anomalous dimension and discuss solutions to its renormalization-group evolution equation in momentum space, in Laplace space and in the “diagonal space”, where the evolution is strictly local in the momentum variable.
Electromagnetic dual Einstein-Maxwell-scalar models
Authors: Herdeiro Carlos A. R. , Oliveira João M. S.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Electromagnetic duality is discussed in the context of Einstein-Maxwell-scalar (EMS) models including axionic-type couplings. This family of models introduces two non-minimal coupling functions f(ϕ) and g(ϕ), depending on a real scalar field ϕ. Interpreting the scalar field as a medium, one naturally defines constitutive relations as in relativistic non-linear electrodynamics. Requiring these constitutive relations to be invariant under the SO(2) electromagnetic duality rotations of Maxwell’s theory, defines 1-parameter, closed duality orbits in the space of EMS models, connecting different electromagnetic fields in “dual” models with different coupling functions, but leaving both the scalar field and the spacetime geometry invariant. This mapping works as a solution generating technique, extending any given solution of a specific model to a (different) solution for any of the dual models along the whole duality orbit. We illustrate this technique by considering the duality orbits seeded by specific EMS models wherein solitonic and black hole solutions are known. For dilatonic models, specific rotations are equivalent to S-duality.
Vacuum structure of large N QCD3 from holography
Authors: Argurio Riccardo , Armoni Adi , Bertolini Matteo , Mignosa Francesco , Niro Pierluigi
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study the vacuum structure of three-dimensional SU(N ) gauge theory coupled to a Chern-Simons term at level k and to F fundamental Dirac fermions. We use a large N holographic description based on a D3/D7 system in type IIB string theory compactified on a supersymmetry breaking circle. The multiple vacua of the theory and the transitions between them are nicely captured by the dual holographic background. The resulting phase diagram, which we derive both at leading and first subleading orders in the 1/N expansion, shows a rich structure where topological field theories, non-linear sigma models and first-order phase transitions appear.
A model of electroweakly interacting non-abelian vector dark matter
Authors: Abe Tomohiro , Fujiwara Motoko , Hisano Junji , Matsushita Kohei
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We propose an electroweakly interacting spin-1 dark matter (DM) model. The electroweak gauge symmetry, SU(2)L×U(1)Y , is extended into SU(2)0×SU(2)1×SU(2)2×U(1)Y . A discrete symmetry exchanging SU(2)0 and SU(2)2 is imposed. This discrete symmetry stabilizes the DM candidate. The spin-1 DM particle (V0) and its SU(2)L partners (V±) interact with the Standard Model (SM) electroweak gauge bosons without any suppression factors. Consequently, pairs of DM particles efficiently annihilate into the SM particles in the early universe, and the measured value of the DM energy density is easily realized by the thermal freeze-out mechanism. The model also predicts a heavy vector triplet (W′± and Z′) in the visible sector. They contribute to the DM annihilation processes. The mass ratio of Z′ and V0 determines values of various couplings, and constraints on W′ and Z′ restrict regions of the parameter space that are viable for DM physics. We investigate the constraints from perturbative unitarity of scalar and gauge couplings, the Higgs signal strength, W′ search at the LHC, and DM direct detection experiments. It is found that the relic abundance of V0 explains the right amount of the DM energy density for 3 TeV $$ \underset{\sim }{<}{m}_Vo\underset{\sim }{<} $$

<
∼

m
V

o

<
∼

19 TeV.
On Bianchi Type VI$$_0$$ Spacetimes with Orthogonal Perfect Fluid Matter
Authors: Oude Groeniger Hans
Published: July 2020

We study the asymptotic behaviour of Bianchi type VI$$_0$$

0

spacetimes with orthogonal perfect fluid matter satisfying Einstein’s equations. In particular, we prove a conjecture due to Wainwright about the initial singularity on such backgrounds. Using the expansion-normalized variables of Wainwright–Hsu, we demonstrate that for a generic solution the initial singularity is vacuum dominated, anisotropic and silent. In addition, by employing known results on Bianchi backgrounds, we obtain convergence results on the asymptotics of solutions to the Klein–Gordon equation on all backgrounds of this type, except for one specific case.
The international discussion and the new regulations concerning transvaginal mesh implants in pelvic organ prolapse surgery
Authors: Ng-Stollmann Nathalie , Fünfgeld Christian , Gabriel Boris , Niesel Achim
Published: July 2020

The use of transvaginal mesh implants for POP and urinary incontinence is currently being extensively debated among experts as well as the general public. Regulations surrounding the use of these implants differ depending on the country. Although in the USA, the UK, in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France, transvaginal mesh implants have been removed from the market, in most mainland European countries, Asia, and South America, they are still available as a surgical option for POP correction. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the historical timeline and the current situation worldwide, as well as to critically discuss the implications of the latest developments in urogynecological patient care and the training of doctors.
Derivation of the 2d Gross–Pitaevskii Equation for Strongly Confined 3d Bosons
Authors: Boßmann Lea
Published: July 2020

We study the dynamics of a system of N interacting bosons in a disc-shaped trap, which is realised by an external potential that confines the bosons in one spatial dimension to an interval of length of order $$\varepsilon $$
ε
. The interaction is non-negative and scaled in such a way that its scattering length is of order $$\varepsilon /N$$

ε
/
N

, while its range is proportional to $$(\varepsilon /N)^{\beta }$$

(
ε
/
N
)

β

with scaling parameter $$\beta \in (0,1]$$

β
∈
(
0
,
1
]

. We consider the simultaneous limit $$(N,\varepsilon )\rightarrow (\infty ,0)$$

(
N
,
ε
)
→
(
∞
,
0
)

and assume that the system initially exhibits Bose–Einstein condensation. We prove that condensation is preserved by the N-body dynamics, where the time-evolved condensate wave function is the solution of a two-dimensional non-linear equation. The strength of the non-linearity depends on the scaling parameter $$\beta $$
β
. For $$\beta \in (0,1)$$

β
∈
(
0
,
1
)

, we obtain a cubic defocusing non-linear Schrödinger equation, while the choice $$\beta =1$$

β
=
1

yields a Gross–Pitaevskii equation featuring the scattering length of the interaction. In both cases, the coupling parameter depends on the confining potential.
Quality Comparison of 3 Tesla multiparametric MRI of the prostate using a flexible surface receiver coil versus conventional surface coil plus endorectal coil setup
Authors: Ullrich T. , Kohli M. D. , Ohliger M. A. , Magudia K. , Arora S. S. , Barrett T. , Bittencourt L. K. , Margolis D. J. , Schimmöller L. , Turkbey B. , Westphalen A. C.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To subjectively and quantitatively compare the quality of 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate acquired with a novel flexible surface coil (FSC) and with a conventional endorectal coil (ERC).

Methods

Six radiologists independently reviewed 200 pairs of axial, high-resolution T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted image data sets, each containing one examination acquired with the FSC and one with the ERC, respectively. Readers selected their preferred examination from each pair and assessed every single examination using six quality criteria on 4-point scales. Signal-to-noise ratios were measured and compared.

Results

Two readers preferred FSC acquisition (36.5–45%) over ERC acquisition (13.5–15%) for both sequences combined, and four readers preferred ERC acquisition (41–46%). Analysis of pooled responses for both sequences from all readers shows no significant preference for FSC or ERC. Analysis of the individual sequences revealed a pooled preference for the FSC in T2WI (38.7% vs 17.8%) and for the ERC in DWI (50.9% vs 19.6%). Patients’ weight was the only weak predictor of a preference for the ERC acquisition (p = 0.04). SNR and CNR were significantly higher in the ERC acquisitions (p<0.001) except CNR differentiating tumor lesions from benign prostate (p=0.1).

Conclusion

Although readers have strong individual preferences, comparable subjective image quality can be obtained for prostate MRI with an ERC and the novel FSC. ERC imaging might be particularly valuable for sequences with inherently lower SNR as DWI and larger patients whereas the FSC is generally preferred in T2WI. FSC imaging generates a lower SNR than with an ERC.
Leukotriene receptor antagonists enhance HCC treatment efficacy by inhibiting ADAMs and suppressing MICA shedding
Authors: Arai Jun , Goto Kaku , Otoyama Yumi , Nakajima Yoko , Sugiura Ikuya , Kajiwara Atsushi , Tojo Masayuki , Ichikawa Yuki , Uozumi Shojiro , Shimozuma Yuu , Uchikoshi Manabu , Sakaki Masashi , Nozawa Hisako , Nakagawa Ryo , Muroyama Ryosuke , Kato Naoya , Yoshida Hitoshi
Published: July 2020

In our previous genome-wide association study, we demonstrated the association between MHC class I-related chain A (MICA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Increasing membrane-bound MICA (mMICA) in cancer cells by reducing MICA sheddases facilitates natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our recent study clarified that A disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAM), including ADAM9, are MICA sheddases in HCC, and that the suppression of ADAMs increases mMICA, demonstrating the rationality of mMICA-NK targeted therapy. Furthermore, we showed that regorafenib suppresses ADAM9 transcriptionally and translationally. A library of FDA-approved drugs was screened for more efficient inhibitors of ADAM9. Flow cytometry evaluation of the expression of mMICA after treatment with various candidate drugs identified leukotriene receptor antagonists as potential ADAM9 inhibitors. Furthermore, leukotriene receptor antagonists alone or in combination with regorafenib upregulated mMICA, which was in turn downregulated by leukotriene C4 and D4 via ADAM9 function. Our study demonstrates that leukotriene receptor antagonists could be developed as novel drugs for immunological control and suppression of ADAM9 in HCC. Further, leukotriene receptor antagonists should be explored as combination therapy partners with conventional multi-kinase inhibitors for developing therapeutic strategies with enhanced efficacies for HCC management and treatment.
Parameterization of mechanistic models from qualitative data using an efficient optimal scaling approach
Authors: Schmiester Leonard , Weindl Daniel , Hasenauer Jan
Published: July 2020

Quantitative dynamical models facilitate the understanding of biological processes and the prediction of their dynamics. These models usually comprise unknown parameters, which have to be inferred from experimental data. For quantitative experimental data, there are several methods and software tools available. However, for qualitative data the available approaches are limited and computationally demanding. Here, we consider the optimal scaling method which has been developed in statistics for categorical data and has been applied to dynamical systems. This approach turns qualitative variables into quantitative ones, accounting for constraints on their relation. We derive a reduced formulation for the optimization problem defining the optimal scaling. The reduced formulation possesses the same optimal points as the established formulation but requires less degrees of freedom. Parameter estimation for dynamical models of cellular pathways revealed that the reduced formulation improves the robustness and convergence of optimizers. This resulted in substantially reduced computation times. We implemented the proposed approach in the open-source Python Parameter EStimation TOolbox (pyPESTO) to facilitate reuse and extension. The proposed approach enables efficient parameterization of quantitative dynamical models using qualitative data.
The role of internal climate variability in projecting Antarctica’s contribution to future sea-level rise
Authors: Tsai Chii-Yun , Forest Chris E. , Pollard David
Published: July 2020

Retreat of the Antarctic ice sheet (AIS) is likely to be a major contributor to future sea-level rise (SLR). Current projections of SLR due to ice-sheet mass loss remain highly uncertain. Better understanding of how ice sheets respond to future climate forcing and variability is essential for assessing long-term risk of SLR. However, predictability of future climate is limited by uncertainties from emission scenarios, model structural differences, and internal climate variability (ICV) that is inherently generated within the fully coupled climate system. Among those uncertainties, the impact of ICV on the AIS changes has not been explicitly assessed. Here we quantify the effects of ICV on the AIS evolutions by employing climate fields from two large-ensemble experiments using the Community Earth System Model to force a three-dimensional ice-sheet model. We find that ICV of climate fields among ensemble members leads to significantly different AIS responses, and that most of the effect is due to atmospheric variability compared to oceanic. Our results show that ICV can cause about 0.08 m differences of AIS contribution to SLR by 2100 compared to the ensemble-mean AIS contribution of 0.38–0.45 m. Moreover, using ensemble-mean climate forcing fields as the forcing in an ice-sheet model significantly delays retreat of the West AIS for up to 20 years and significantly underestimates the AIS contribution to SLR by 0.07–0.11 m in 2100 and up to 0.34 m in the 2250’s. This study highlights the need to take internal climate variability into account in assessing uncertainty associated with the AIS contribution in sea-level rise projections.
The impacts of climate change on the winter water cycle of the western Himalaya
Authors: Hunt Kieran M. R. , Turner Andrew G. , Shaffrey Len C.
Published: July 2020

Some 180 million people depend on the Indus River as a key water resource, fed largely by precipitation falling over the western Himalaya. However, the projected response of western Himalayan precipitation to climate change is currently not well constrained: CMIP5 GCMs project a reduced frequency and vorticity of synoptic-scale systems impacting the area, but such systems would exist in a considerably moister atmosphere. In this study, a convection-permitting (4 km horizontal resolution) setup of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to examine 40 cases of these synoptic-scale systems, known as western disturbances (WDs), as they interact with the western Himalaya. In addition to a present-day control run, three experiments are performed by perturbing the boundary and initial conditions to reflect pre-industrial, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 background climates respectively. It is found that in spite of the weakening intensity of WDs, net precipitation associated with them in future climate scenarios increases significantly; conversely there is no net change in precipitation between the pre-industrial and control experiments despite a significant conversion of snowfall in the pre-industrial experiment to rainfall in the control experiment, consistent with the changes seen in historical observations. This shift from snowfall to rainfall has profound consequences on water resource management in the Indus Valley, where irrigation is dependent on spring meltwater. Flux decomposition shows that the increase in future precipitation follows directly from the projected moistening of the tropical atmosphere (which increases the moisture flux incident on the western Himalaya by 28%) overpowering the weakened dynamics (which decreases it by 20%). Changes to extreme rainfall events are also examined: it is found that such events may increase significantly in frequency in both future scenarios examined. Two-hour maxima rainfall events that currently occur in 1-in-8 WDs are projected to increase tenfold in frequency in the RCP8.5 scenario; more prolonged (1-week maxima) events are projected to increase fiftyfold.
Sindbis viral structural protein cytotoxicity on human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Saito Eriko Y. , Saito Kengo , Hishiki Tomoro , Takenouchi Ayako , Saito Takeshi , Sato Yoshiharu , Terui Keita , Matsunaga Tadashi , Shirasawa Hiroshi , Yoshida Hideo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Oncolytic viral therapy for neuroblastoma (NB) cells with Sindbis virus (SINV) is a promising strategy for treating high-risk NB. Here, we evaluated the possibility of using SINV structural proteins as therapeutic agents for NB since UV-inactivated SINV could induce cytopathogenic effects.

Methods

The cytotoxicity of UV-inactivated SINV toward human NB cell lines NB69, NGP, GOTO, NLF, SK-N-SH, SH-SY5Y, CHP134, NB-1, IMR32, and RT-BM-1 were analyzed. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL assays. To determine the components of SINV responsible for the cytotoxicity of UV-inactivated SINV, expression vectors encoding the structural proteins, namely capsid, E2, and E1, were transfected in NB cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assays.

Results

UV-inactivated SINV elicited more significant cytotoxicity in NB69, NGP, and RT-BM-1 than in normal human fibroblasts. Results of the transfection experiments showed that all NB cell lines susceptible to UV-inactivated SINV were highly susceptible to the E1 protein, whereas fibroblasts transfected with vectors harboring capsid, E1, or E2 were not.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of the UV-inactivated SINV is due to apoptosis induced by the E1 structural protein of SINV, which can be used selectively as a therapeutic agent for NB.
Multidimensional evaluation of voice outcomes following total laryngectomy: a prospective multicenter cohort study
Authors: van Sluis Klaske E. , van Son Rob J. J. H. , van der Molen Lisette , MCGuinness Anthony John , Palme Carsten E. , Novakovic Daniel , Stone Danielle , Natsis Lydia , Charters Emma , Jones Kelly , Dirven Richard , van den Brekel Michiel W. M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the general course of acoustic, patient rated, and clinician-rated voice outcomes from pre- up to 12 months post total laryngectomy.

Methods

Patients admitted to a total laryngectomy in five participating hospitals in Australia and The Netherlands were included. Assessments took place at pre-, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery. Voice outcomes are evaluated with the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), perceptual scales, and patient-reported outcome measures including VHI-10 and EQ-5D-5L. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, t tests (pre- to 6 months post-surgery), Linear Mixed Effect models.

Results

The study included 43 participants. A significant worsening of AVQI is seen from pre- to post-surgery evaluated with t test (p < 0.001). The Linear Mixed Effect model confirmed Time as a significant factor in predicting AVQI score (p ≤ 0.001), as well as perceptual rated voice quality by the clinician (p = 0.015) and patient-reported perceptual rated voice quality (p = 0.002). No statistical significance was found in VHI-10 scores over time.

Conclusion

Successful TE-speech was achieved in most participants, some had to rely on augmentative alternative communication methods. Patient-reported outcomes indicate acceptance of the condition and sufficient coping in the long term. However, acoustic rated voice quality is abnormal at all post-surgery time-points. AVQI proved to be a useful instrument to evaluate TE-speech. There is a need for validation and determination of cut-off values for VHI-10 and AVQI for use in TE-speech.
Oncological outcomes of robotic-assisted versus open pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Weng Yuanchi , Jiang Yu , Fu Ningzhen , Jin Jiabin , Shi Yusheng , Huo Zhen , Deng Xiaxing , Peng Chenghong , Shen Baiyong
Published: July 2020

Background

Robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery is associated with worse oncologic outcomes for some but not other types of cancers. We conducted a propensity score-matched analysis to compare oncologic outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic (RPD) vs. open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

Treatment-naïve PDAC patients undergoing either RPD or OPD at our hospital between January 2013 and December 2017 were included. Propensity score matching was conducted at a ratio of 1:2. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 672 cases were identified. The propensity score-matched cohort included 105 patients receiving RPD and 210 patients receiving OPD. The 2 groups did not differ in the number of retrieved lymph nodes [11 (7–16) vs. 11 (6–17), P = 0.622] and R0 resection rate (88.6% vs. 89.0%, P = 0.899). There was no statistically significant difference in median DFS (14 [95% CI 11–22] vs. 12 [95% CI 10–14] months (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.87–1.50; log-rank P = 0.345) and median OS (27 [95% CI 22–35] vs. 20 [95% CI 18–24] months (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.57–1.04; log-rank P = 0.087) between the two groups. Multivariate COX analysis showed that RPD was not an independent predictor of DFS (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.68–1.19, P = 0.456) or OS (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.57–1.05, P = 0.094).

Conclusion

Comparable DFS and OS were observed between patients receiving RPD and OPD. This preliminary finding requires further confirmation with prospective randomized controlled trials.
Study on the pattern of vegetative growth in young dioecious trees of Idesia polycarpa maxim
Authors: Rana Sohel , Liu Zhen
Published: July 2020

Key message

The dioeciousIdesia polycarpaall that males and females do not invest in the same way in growth and branching in quantity, type of axes and in time (annual growth and sequence of these events over time).

The annual growth of plants is an important indicator for growth and development, especially for younger trees. The aim of this study was to decide the physiological basis for vegetative growth effects on the trunk and crown development in Idesia polycarpa by assessing the effects on variations in bud growth, leaf, and canopy size. This study focused on the annual vegetative growth of young (3-year old) female and male I. polycarpa Maxim trees and their functions are separate. The phenology provides a challenge in the production of resources (seed, oil) and to investigate the effect of sexual specialization. Here we describe the variations between two sexes in terms of vegetative growth in our field studies. The study began in the sprouting season with observations of the gradual growth of the newly sprouting buds. The length of expansion, diameter growth, and leaf production from the terminal bud (TB), lateral terminal bud (LTB) of the first tier of branches (1Y), second tier of branches (2Y), and third tier of branches (3Y) of the trees were measured. The results showed growth differences between female and male groups in the growing year. The length of shoot expansion, diameter, and leaf production were higher for female trees than for male trees. Male trees grew more long and short branches (SB) than the female trees, with large numbers of short branches on the 1Y and 2Y of the male trees. Further investigation needed to analyze factors of annual fluctuation of the shoot expansion of the tree, with more studies investigating complex branching phenomenon, flowering, and fruit production in I. polycarpa Maxim.
CDSMOTE: class decomposition and synthetic minority class oversampling technique for imbalanced-data classification
Authors: Elyan Eyad , Moreno-Garcia Carlos Francisco , Jayne Chrisina
Published: July 2020

Class-imbalanced datasets are common across several domains such as health, banking, security, and others. The dominance of majority class instances (negative class) often results in biased learning models, and therefore, classifying such datasets requires employing some methods to compact the problem. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid approach aiming at reducing the dominance of the majority class instances using class decomposition and increasing the minority class instances using an oversampling method. Unlike other undersampling methods, which suffer data loss, our method preserves the majority class instances, yet significantly reduces its dominance, resulting in a more balanced dataset and hence improving the results. A large-scale experiment using 60 public datasets was carried out to validate the proposed methods. The results across three standard evaluation metrics show the comparable and superior results with other common and state-of-the-art techniques.
Ultrasound assessment of carpal tunnel in rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Smerilli Gianluca , Di Matteo Andrea , Cipolletta Edoardo , Carloni Sergio , Incorvaia Antonella , Di Carlo Marco , Grassi Walter , Filippucci Emilio
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To comparatively assess the sonographic spectrum of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in patients with idiopathic CTS.

Methods

Fifty-seven RA patients and 25 idiopathic CTS patients were consecutively enrolled. The diagnosis of CTS in RA patients was made according to clinical history and examination. The following sonographic findings were assessed at carpal tunnel level: median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at the carpal tunnel proximal inlet, finger flexor tendons tenosynovitis, radio-carpal synovitis and intraneural power Doppler (PD) signal.

Results

CTS was diagnosed in 15/57 RA patients (26.3%). Twenty-three RA wrists with CTS, 84 RA wrists without CTS and 34 idiopathic CTS wrists were evaluated. The average CSA of the median nerve was higher in idiopathic CTS than in RA wrists with CTS (17.7 mm2 vs 10.6 mm2, p < 0.01). A higher rate of inflammation of synovial structures (flexor tendons sheath and/or radio-carpal joint) was found in RA wrists with CTS compared with those without CTS (p = 0.04) and idiopathic CTS (p = 0.02). Intraneural PD signal was more common in CTS (in both RA and idiopathic CTS) wrists compared with wrists without CTS (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The sonographic spectrum of CTS in RA patients is characterized by an inflammatory pattern, defined by the presence of finger flexor tendons tenosynovitis and/or radio-carpal joint synovitis. Conversely, a marked median nerve swelling is the dominant feature in idiopathic CTS. Intraneural PD signal is a frequent finding in both conditions.

Key Points• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and idiopathic CTS have distinct ultrasound patterns.• The most characteristic sonographic features of CTS in RA patients are those indicative of synovial tissue inflammation at carpal tunnel level. Conversely, marked median nerve swelling is the dominant finding in idiopathic CTS.• Intraneural power Doppler signal is a frequent finding in both conditions.• In patients with CTS, differently from electrophysiology, US can provide clues prompting a rheumatology referral in case of prominent inflammatory findings at carpal tunnel level.
Detecting space–time agglomeration processes over the Great Recession using firm-level micro-geographic data
Authors: Cainelli Giulio , Ganau Roberto , Jiang Yuting
Published: July 2020

We analyze the spatio-temporal agglomeration dynamics that occurred in the Italian manufacturing industry during the recent period of the Great Recession. To study this phenomenon, we employ three different statistical methods—namely, Ellison and Glaeser’s index of industrial geographic concentration, the spatialK-function, and the space–timeK-function—, and rely on a large sample of geo-referenced, single-plant manufacturing firms observed over the period 2007–2012. First, we demonstrate that different statistical techniques can lead to (very) different results. Second, we find that most Italian manufacturing sectors experienced spatial dispersion processes during the period of the Great Recession. Finally, we show that space–time dispersion processes occurred at small spatial distances and short time horizon, although we do not detect statistically significant space–time interactions.
Large zonal and temporal shifts in crops and cultivars coincide with warmer growing seasons in Finland
Authors: Peltonen-Sainio Pirjo , Jauhiainen Lauri
Published: July 2020

In Finland, crop choices are limited, and cultivation is only possible in the regions where production risks and uncertainties are manageable. Climate change progresses rapidly at high latitudes and the thermal growing season is projected to become substantially longer in the future. This study aimed to monitor the regional shifts in major, secondary, minor and novel crops during 1996–2016 in Finland. We used long-term data from the Finnish Food Agency and evaluated changes in time to reach maturity of cultivars of model crops by using official variety trial data. Substantial changes were recorded in cultivation areas of crops, including expansion into new regions. Some of the traditional major crops such as oats (− 20%, i.e. − 75,700 ha from 1996 to 2016), barley (− 19%, − 105,700 ha) and potatoes (− 28%, − 4000 ha) have paved the way for emergent crops like faba beans (increase in area from 58 to 14,800 ha), peas (from 5700 to 13,400 ha), caraway (from 1900 to 18,400 ha) and spring oilseed rape (from 700 to 27,800 ha). Expansion per se was primarily enabled by climate warming, but success requires well-adapted cultivars, existing or emerging markets and industries or exports as well as motivating prices, policy support and valued ecosystem services.
Staatsprogramme gegen die Corona-Krise — eine Option für den Klimaschutz?
Authors: Gawel Erik , Lehmann Paul
Published: July 2020

Die Corona-Pandemie, insbesondere aber auch die Maßnahmen zu ihrer Eindämmung, führen aktuell zu einer schweren volkswirtschaftlichen Krise. Um diese zu bewältigen, wird von vielen Seiten staatliche Hilfe und Unterstützung erwartet. Zahlreiche Rettungs- und Ausgabenprogramme wurden beschlossen oder sind auf dem Weg. Eine wichtige Frage lautet dabei, in welcher Form Klima- und Umweltschutz bei der Ausgestaltung dieser Programme mitzudenken sind.
Corona-Krise fordert Wohnungspolitik heraus
Authors: Cischinsky Holger , Deschermeier Philipp , Krapp Max-Christopher , Vaché Martin
Published: July 2020

Die Corona-Pandemie führt auch im Bereich des Wohnens zu gravierenden Effekten. Kurzfristig hat die Bundesregierung mit temporären Ausnahmeregelungen bei den subjektorientierten Instrumenten sowie im Miet- und Darlehensrecht reagiert. Es zeigt sich jedoch, dass weitere temporäre Regelungen geboten sind. Aufgrund der großen Relevanz von nachfrageseitigen Entwicklungen ist im Verlauf der Rezession mit ausgeprägten Preisrückgängen auf den Wohnungsmärkten zu rechnen, die potenziell jedoch durch eine langfristig neu einsetzende Arbeitsmigration revidiert werden. Die Wohnungspolitik ist daher gut beraten, ihre Wohnungsbauaktivitäten zu stabilisieren bzw. antizyklisch auszurichten, um die langfristigen Wohnungsbedarfe auch bei wieder auflebender Zuwanderung decken zu können.
Social Commerce in Emerging Markets and its Impact on Online Community Engagement
Authors: Algharabat Raed S. , Rana Nripendra P.
Published: July 2020

This study aims to build on the understanding of social commerce in the emerging markets and how it influences online community engagement. The conceptual model was proposed using theories including the social support theory, the trust theory, the social presence theory, the flow theory and the service-dominant logic theory. Using Facebook online community, the data were collected from 400 respondents from Jordan and analysed using AMOS based structural equation modelling. Results revealed that social commerce constructs positively influence social support, community members’ trust and social presence. Furthermore, it was found that social support and social presence positively affect community members’ trust. We also found that community members’ trust positively influence flow whereas both community members’ trust and flow positively influence community engagement.
The Role of Paternal Accommodation of Paediatric OCD Symptoms: Patterns and Implications for Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Monzani Benedetta , Vidal-Ribas Pablo , Turner Cynthia , Krebs Georgina , Stokes Caroline , Heyman Isobel , Mataix-Cols David , Stringaris Argyris
Published: July 2020

Family accommodation (FA) refers to the participation of family members in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rituals. Most studies have focused on maternal accommodation; consequently, little is known about fathers’ accommodation of OCD. The current study aims to extend the existing literature by examining maternal versus paternal accommodation of OCD symptoms.

The sample consisted of 209 children with OCD (Mean [M] age = 14.1 years) and their parents (NMothers = 209, NFathers = 209) who had completed the Family Accommodation Scale- Parent Report (FAS-PR). Paired t-test and chi-square analyses were used to compare FA of OCD symptoms between mothers and fathers. Linear regression was used to examine correlates of maternal and paternal FA and its impact on treatment outcomes.

Mothers reported significantly higher levels of daily FA than fathers. Correlates of maternal and paternal accommodation included OCD symptom severity, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and parent psychopathology. Both maternal and paternal FA significantly predicted worse treatment outcomes.

Both mothers and fathers accommodate child OCD symptoms with high frequency, and in similar ways. Although mothers accommodate to a greater extent than fathers, both maternal and paternal involvement in rituals are a significant predictor of the child’s treatment response. Results emphasise the need to consider the whole family system, including fathers, in understanding and treating OCD in children.
Gevrey Estimates of Formal Solutions for Certain Moment Partial Differential Equations with Variable Coefficients
Authors: Suwińska Maria
Published: July 2020

The goal of this paper is to investigate Gevrey properties of formal solutions of certain generalized linear partial differential equations with variable coefficients. In particular, we extend the notion of moment partial differential equations to include differential operators that are not connected with kernel functions. Using the modified version of Nagumo norms and the properties of the Newton polygon we compute the Gevrey estimate for formal solutions of such generalized partial differential equations.
Can ‘Sufficiency’ reconcile social and environmental goals? A Q-methodological analysis of German housing policy
Authors: Bohnenberger Katharina
Published: July 2020

In housing policy, social and environmental targets often appear to be in conflict. This article examines to which degree the rising sustainability strategy ‘sufficiency’ has the potential to overcome this alleged trade-off between social and environmental goals in Germany. The positions of relevant stakeholders from social, environmental, and housing interest groups in Germany on housing policy are analysed by use of Q-methodology. Four distinct positions towards sufficiency-oriented housing policy are identified. The results show under which conditions sufficiency is a promising strategy to reconcile declared social and environmental targets in German housing policy. If pursued by a coalition of housing organizations and environmental interest groups, sufficiency has the potential of becoming a major paradigm in housing policy in Germany and beyond.
Pinning Force Scaling Analysis of Polycrystalline MgB2
Authors: Koblischka M. R. , Wiederhold A. , Koblischka-Veneva A. , Chang C.
Published: July 2020

Flux pinning force scaling $f=F_{p}/F_{p,\max \limits }$
f
=

F

p

/

F

p
,
max

vs. h = Ha/Hirr was performed on a variety of pure MgB2 samples, including a spark plasma sintered (SPS) one and a series of samples sintered at various reaction temperatures ranging between 775 and 950 ∘C. The SPS sample exhibits a well-developed scaling at all temperatures, and also the sintered samples prepared at 950 ∘C; however, the obtained peak positions of the pinning force scalings are distinctly different: The SPS sample reveals dominating pinning at grain boundaries, whereas the dominating pinning for the other one is point-pinning. All other samples studied reveal an apparent non-scaling of the pinning forces. The obtained pinning parameters are discussed in the framework of the Dew–Hughes’ pinning force scaling approach.
Mechanisms for texture in BaTiO3 thin films from aqueous chemical solution deposition
Authors: Bakken Kristine , Blichfeld Anders Bank , Chernyshov Dmitry , Grande Tor , Glaum Julia , Einarsrud Mari-Ann
Published: July 2020

The prototype piezoelectric material BaTiO3 is widely used in e.g., capacitators. Chemical solution deposition (CSD) of BaTiO3 films is a simple and environmentally friendly processing route, but insight in the crystallization process is crucial to tailor the film properties. In this work, the influence of the annealing conditions on the crystallization behavior of BaTiO3 thin films from aqueous chemical solution deposition is presented. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to reveal the phase evolution, crystallization of the films, and to study how the degree of crystallographic texture in the polycrystalline films evolved. Our results revealed that the formation of an intermediate metastable oxycarbonate phase is critical for the formation of BaTiO3 thin films prepared by aqueous CSD. The pyrolysis products present in the film before crystallization determine the degree of preferential orientation and by tuning the heating program, especially the heating rate through nucleation (<0.2 °C/s), control of the microstructure and degree of preferential orientation in the films was demonstrated.
Experimental investigation of rheological properties and thermal conductivity of SiO2–P25 TiO2 hybrid nanofluids
Authors: Le Ba Thong , Várady Zalán István , Lukács István Endre , Molnár János , Balczár Ida Anna , Wongwises Somchai , Szilágyi Imre Miklós
Published: July 2020

Over many years, great efforts have been made to develop new fluids for heat transfer applications. In this paper, the thermal conductivity (TC) and viscosity of SiO2–P25 TiO2 (SiO2–P25) hybrid nanofluids were investigated for different nanoparticle volume concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 vol%) at five various temperatures (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C). The mixture ratio (SiO2:P25) in all prepared hybrid nanofluids was 1:1. Besides, pure SiO2, P25 nanofluids were prepared with the same concentrations for comparison with the hybrid nanofluids. The base fluid used for the preparation of nanofluids was a mixture of deionized water and ethylene glycol at a ratio of 5:1. Before preparing the nanofluids, the nanoparticles were analyzed with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscope, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The zeta potentials of the prepared nanofluids except SiO2 nanofluids were above 30 mV. These nanofluids were visually observed for stability in many days. The TC enhancement of the hybrid nanofluid was higher than the pure nanofluid. In particular, with 1.0 vol% concentration, the maximum enhancement of SiO2, P25 and SiO2–P25 nanofluids were 7.5%, 9.9% and 10.5%, respectively. The rheology of the nanofluids was Newtonian. The viscosity increment of SiO2, P25 and hybrid nanofluids were 19%, 32% and 24% with 0.5 vol% concentration. A new correlation was developed for the TC and dynamic viscosity of SiO2–P25 hybrid nanofluid.
Codimension-two border collision bifurcation in a two-class growth model with optimal saving and switch in behavior
Authors: Sushko Iryna , Commendatore Pasquale , Kubin Ingrid
Published: July 2020

We consider a two-class growth model with optimal saving and switch in behavior. The dynamics of this model is described by a two-dimensional (2D) discontinuous map. We obtain stability conditions of the border and interior fixed points (known as Solow and Pasinetti equilibria, respectively) and investigate bifurcation structures observed in the parameter space of this map, associated with its attracting cycles and chaotic attractors. In particular, we show that on thex-axis, which is invariant, the map is reduced to a 1D piecewise increasing discontinuous map, and prove the existence of a corresponding period adding bifurcation structure issuing from a codimension-two border collision bifurcation point. Then, we describe how this structure evolves when the related attracting cycles on thex-axis lose their transverse stability via a transcritical bifurcation and the corresponding interior cycles appear. In particular, we show that the observed bifurcation structure, being associated with the 2D discontinuous map, is characterized by multistability, that is impossible in the case of a standard period adding bifurcation structure.
On the condition number of Vandermonde matrices with pairs of nearly-colliding nodes
Authors: Kunis Stefan , Nagel Dominik
Published: July 2020

We prove upper and lower bounds for the spectral condition number of rectangular Vandermonde matrices with nodes on the complex unit circle. The nodes are “off the grid,” pairs of nodes nearly collide, and the studied condition number grows linearly with the inverse separation distance. Such growth rates are known in greater generality if all nodes collide or for groups of colliding nodes. For pairs of nodes, we provide reasonable sharp constants that are independent of the number of nodes as long as non-colliding nodes are well-separated.