bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stock prices' interdependence during the South Sea boom and bust
Authors: Choudhry Taufiq
Published: August 2018

This paper empirically investigates interdependence between major companies' stock prices during the 1720 South Sea boom and bust. This was one of the first documented major financial crashes in the European market. Empirical tests are conducted by means of rolling coefficients, multivariate cointegration, rolling cointegration, and causality tests. Results indicate a substantial interdependence among the stock prices during the boom but not during the bust period. This result implies the failure of the efficient market hypothesis and the diminishing ability of the investors to reduce portfolio risk via diversification during the boom period. The causality test results provide ample evidence of short‐term interaction between shares during the period of increasing prices.
A large posterior encephalocele associated with severe ventriculomegaly, cerebellar atrophy and transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Inan Cihan , Cenk Sayin Niyazi , Gurkan Hakan , Erzincan Selen Gursoy , Uzun Isil , Sutcu Havva , Atli Emine Ikbal , Varol Fusun
Published: August 2018

Posterior encephalocele is a neural tube defect, which is a sac‐like protrusion of the neural tissue and cerebrospinal fluid through a defect in the occipital bone. This embryonic anomaly may coexist with cortical dysplasia, agenesis of the corpus callosum, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, craniofacial abnormalities, ventricular and atrial septal defect. We report a case of a large posterior encephalocele in a fetus accompanied by unexpected major abnormalities including transposition of the great arteries, severe ventriculomegaly and cerebellar atrophy. Postnatal surgical corrections of the posterior encephalocele and then of the transposition of the great arteries were performed but the neonate died 2 months after delivery.
The impact of Arctic sea ice on the inter‐annual variations of summer Ural blocking
Authors: Zhang Ruonan , Sun Chenghu , Zhang Renhe , Jia Liwei , Li Weijing
Published: August 2018

The influence of Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) on the inter‐annual variations of the frequency of summertime Ural blocking (UB) during the period of 1980–2013 is investigated using observational and reanalysis data sets and version 5.0 of the Community Atmospheric Model. The results reveal that the variations in the UB frequency display a statistically significant association with a persistent spring–summer SIC pattern in the Barents Sea. Related to high UB frequencies, heavy SICs exert a dynamic influence by increasing the meridional temperature gradient (MTG) in the lower troposphere and cause stronger (weaker) zonal winds in high‐latitude (mid‐latitude) areas through the thermal wind balance. This zonal wind pattern establishes the background conditions for the blocking activity and thus helps to initiate summertime UB events. Moreover, persistent heavy SICs tend to enhance the low‐level atmospheric baroclinicity to the south and decreases in mid‐latitude areas, inducing weakened synoptic‐scale transient eddy activity (STEA) that stretches from eastern Europe to the Ural Mountains. This reduced STEA is accompanied by a locally intensified eddy‐vorticity forcing that may exert a downstream influence on the onset of UB events. In terms of thermodynamic processes, heavy SICs‐induced water vapour content anomalies are expected to cause deficits in precipitation over the East European Plateau in late spring and subsequently desiccate the underlying soil. Both of these effects are expected to increase surface heat fluxes and thickness of the lower‐middle troposphere, thus favouring anomalous anticyclonic circulation over the Ural Mountains. On the other hand, the opposite dynamic and thermodynamic effects are expected to result from light SICs with respect to low UB frequencies. Therefore, these two effects identified in this study each contribute to an increased probability of more frequent (rare) UB events in summer as the spring–summer sea ice within the regions surrounding the Barents Sea expands (disappears).
Assessing the impact of customer knowledge management on organizational performance
Authors: Zand Jafar Danesh , Keramati Abbas , Shakouri Farzaneh , Noori Hamid
Published: August 2018

This study aims to discover how customer knowledge management (CKM) enhances organizational performance. For this purpose, a process‐oriented framework is developed to examine the relationship among organizational knowledge infrastructure, CKM processes, CKM capabilities, and organizational performance. Organizational knowledge infrastructure includes both “customer relationship management infrastructure” and “knowledge management infrastructures.” The balanced scorecard dimensions are used for measuring organizational performance. Based on process‐oriented approach, infrastructures enhance CKM capabilities through CKM processes and consequently improve firm performance. The research framework is evaluated by a questionnaire survey in 51 software companies in Iran. The empirical work indicated that constructed measures demonstrate the key psychometric properties including reliability and validity. The findings also demonstrate mediating role of CKM processes and CKM capabilities on the relationship between CKM and organizational performance. It means that firms with improved CKM process capabilities enjoy better organizational performance.
Application of continuum damage mechanics model in terms of fatigue life assessment for low cycle and quasi static loadings
Authors: Skibicki D. , Ligaj B.
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study is to test the classical Lemaitre model based on continuum damage mechanics (CDM) approach in the range of low cycle and quasi‐static fatigue life. Study is carried out with the use of results of experimental tests for C45 steel (according to AISI: 1045 steel) carried out under variable‐amplitude loading. Loading programs are of two‐step character and include blocks of cycles of different lengths and R =  ‐1 coefficients. Fatigue lives are calculated according to Lemaitre model from experimentally obtained stress and strain histories recorded during fatigue tests. The results are compared with experimental tests results and with fatigue lives calculated with the use of by traditional fatigue approach based on Palmgren‐Miner damage summation hypothesis. Experimental test of fatigue life calculation results for C45 steel reveals that continuum damage method, using the recorded stresses and strains, predicts fatigue life better as compared to the remaining methods. The study also contains many detailed analyses of experimental results.
Untersuchungen zum Elektronenstrahl‐Randschichtumschmelzen einer sprühkompaktierten übereutektischen eisenhaltigen Al‐Si‐Legierung
Authors: Hegelmann E. , Jung A. , Hengst P. , Buchwalder A. , Zenker R.
Published: August 2018

Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird der Einfluss verschiedener Strahlführungstechniken auf das Behandlungsergebnis des Elektronenstrahl‐Randschichtumschmelzens einer sprühkompaktierten übereutektischen Aluminiumlegierung (AlSi17Fe5Cu4Mg) untersucht. Durch Nutzung der verfahrensspezifischen hohen Erwärm‐ und Abkühlraten beim Elektronenstrahlumschmelzen einerseits und dem hohen Legierungsgehalt des Werkstoffs andererseits, konnte das Randschichtgefüge so modifiziert werden, dass eine ca. 3‐fach höhere Härte (284 HV 0,1) im Vergleich zum Grundwerkstoff eingestellt wurde (104 HV 0,1). Das liegt deutlich über dem Niveau einer konventionellen Wärmebehandlung (ca. 170 HV 0,1). Als härtesteigernde Mechanismen konnten dabei neben der Phasenneubildung, die Kornfeinung und die Übersättigung des Aluminiummischkristalls ermittelt werden. Es wird dargelegt, welche Einflüsse die Strahlführung sowohl auf die Oberflächendeformation als auch die Gefügebildung hat. Letzteres beeinflusst im entscheidendem Maße das Verschleißverhalten unter abrasiven (Ritztest) sowie abrasiv‐adhäsiven (Stift‐Scheibe) Beanspruchungsbedingungen. Umschmelzschichten, die mittels einer Mäandertechnik erzeugt wurden, zeigten eine deutliche Verbesserung hinsichtlich des Verschleißverhaltens.
Common holdings and strategic manager compensation: The case of an asymmetric triopoly
Authors: Neus Werner , Stadler Manfred
Published: August 2018

We study an asymmetric triopoly in a heterogeneous product market where quantity decisions are delegated to managers. The two biggest firms are commonly owned by shareholders such as index funds, whereas the smallest firm is owned by independent shareholders. Under such a common holding owner structure, the owners have an incentive to coordinate when designing their manager compensation schemes. This coordination leads to a reallocation of production and induces a redistribution of profits. The trade volume in the market is reduced so that shareholder coordination is detrimental to consumer surplus as well as welfare.
Children with HbSβ0 thalassemia have higher hemoglobin levels and lower incidence rate of acute chest syndrome compared to children with HbSS
Authors: Day Melissa E. , Rodeghier Mark , DeBaun Michael R.
Published: August 2018

Background

Based on the presumed clinical similarity between the two most severe sickle cell disease (SCD) genotypes, hemoglobin (Hb) Sβ0 thalassemia and HbSS, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have included both genotypes. Our group has demonstrated that healthcare providers inadequately distinguish the two diagnoses through clinical and laboratory parameters.

Procedure

In a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from the Silent Cerebral Infarct Transfusion trial (NCT00072761), we tested the hypothesis that children with genotypic diagnoses of HbSβ0 thalassemia, when compared to HbSS, have significantly different rates of SCD comorbidities. Exclusion criteria included those with previous overt stroke or treatment with hydroxyurea or regular blood transfusion therapy.

Results

Among children with HbSβ0 thalassemia (n = 22) and HbSS (n = 786), the mean hemoglobin was higher in children with HbSβ0 thalassemia (9.2 g/dl) compared to HbSS (8.1 g/dl, P < 0.001). In children with HbSβ0 thalassemia, when compared to HbSS, the incidence rate of acute chest syndrome (ACS) was 3.0 and 14.4 events per 100 patient‐years (P = 0.028), and mean transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocities were 112.6 and 135.6 cm/sec, respectively (P = 0.026). The number of children with HbSβ0 thalassemia and HbSS with conditional TCD velocities were zero (0%) and 26 (4.9%), respectively (P = 1.00), and the number with silent cerebral infarcts were five (27.8%) and 209 (30.8%), respectively (P = 0.78).

Conclusions

We have provided preliminary evidence that clinically relevant differences occur in ACS rates and TCD velocities between children with HbSβ0 thalassemia and HbSS. Future SCD RCTs should consider balanced allocation of these SCD genotypes, particularly when ACS and abnormal TCD velocities are primary outcome measures.
Acquired ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency in pediatric and adolescent patients with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Bartlett Allison L. , Leslie Nancy D. , Gupta Anita , Geller James I.
Published: August 2018

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) disrupts the metabolic pathway responsible for converting nitrogenous waste to urea, allowing for excretion. When impaired, ammonia levels accumulate in the blood resulting in severe, sometimes life‐threatening toxicities. Abnormalities of the urea cycle are often inherited, though there are some rarer acquired forms. We describe two cases of acquired OTCD in pediatric patients with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL‐HCC). We detail its presentation and management, explore potential underlying pathophysiology, and propose a practice change to optimize care of FL‐HCC patients.
Chromosomal microarray analysis on uncultured chorionic villus sampling can be complicated by confined placental mosaicism for aneuploidy and microdeletions
Authors: Gu Shen , Jernegan Madison , Van den Veyver Ignatia B. , Peacock Sandra , Smith Janice , Breman Amy
Published: August 2018

Objective

This study aims to establish the incidence and implications of confined placental mosaicism (CPM) in the context of prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed prenatal array data on 1382 consecutive chorionic villus sampling (CVS) specimens spanning the past 6 years, focusing on those for which whole CVS biopsy (both cytotrophoblast and mesenchymal cells) was used for CMA and cultured cells (primarily mesenchyme) was also analyzed or amniotic fluid (AF)/newborn blood was used for confirmation, to determine the frequency of mosaic abnormal findings that were the result of CPM.

Results

Out of a total of 1382 consecutive CVS cases, we identified 42 (42/1382 = 3.0%) cases with abnormal array findings suggestive of mosaicism. Among them, 10 cases were unequivocally interpreted as CPM based on a normal AF/newborn blood confirmatory result. In addition, another 10 cases were interpreted as provisional CPM based on normal results on cultured cells. Notably, 40% (8/20) of the cases revealed complex findings, including multiple mosaic aneuploidies, mosaic submicroscopic copy number variation (CNV), and mosaic aneuploidy plus mosaic CNV.

Conclusion

Abnormal CMA results from CVS specimens should be interpreted with caution when mosaicism is evident or suspected. Furthermore, confirmatory testing on amniotic fluid, which contains cells derived from the fetus, is recommended in these cases.
UV‐curable sol–gel based protective hybrid coatings
Authors: İnan Tülay , Gürtekin Seden Merve , Baştürk Emre , Al‐Shafei Mansour
Published: August 2018

UV‐curable, novel, fluorinated polyether ether ketone urethane acrylate oligomer (FPEEKUA) has been synthesized and used as corrosion‐protector in sol–gel hybrid coatings for metallic substrates. Incorporation of FPEEKUA and sol–gel in the formulations improved coatings’ physical properties such as gel content, hardness, adhesion, gloss, flexibility, and contact angle. Due to strong interaction between acrylate and highly crosslinked structures, mechanical properties improved drastically with homogenously dispersed structures throughout the organic matrix, while water uptake values decreased and thermal stability and char yields increased. Highest contact angle values were measured up to 94° with shinny coatings. The results are important for two reasons. First, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) immiscibility problem are overcome by using reactive oligomer and benefitted from high performance properties of poly(arylene ether ketones) (PAEK)s in hybride coating applications. Second, Coatings combine the advantages of sol–gel with poly(arylene ether ketone urethane acrylate) (PAEKUA) oligomer and they can be used as barrier coatings in metal corrosion protection. Performance tests in corrosive mediums at room temperature of chlorine solution (bleach) for 24 h and also in a 10 wt% HCl solution for 92 h produced promising results for use in corrosion mitigation applications in highly corrosive downstream oil and gas industry. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E146–E154, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Degradable alternating polyperoxides from poly(ethylene glycol)‐substituted styrenic monomers with water solubility and thermoresponsiveness
Authors: Mete Sourav , Choudhury Neha , De Priyadarsi
Published: August 2018

Water soluble alternating copolymers were prepared by oxidative free radical copolymerization of 4‐vinylbenzyl methoxypoly(oxyethylene) ether (PEGSt) and molecular oxygen at 50 °C. NMR spectroscopy established alternate sequence of PEGSt and peroxy bonds (OO) along the polymer main‐chain. The obtained polymers show temperature induced hydrophilic to hydrophobic phase separation, confirmed by UV‐visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The cloud point temperature (TCP) of the polymers can be tuned by changing the chain length of side‐chain poly(ethylene oxide) and incorporation of hydrophobic methyl methacrylate in the copolyperoxides. Exothermic degradation of these polyperoxides was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and the degradation products have been characterized by electron impact mass spectroscopy. Finally, N,N‐dimethylacrylamide was polymerized in the presence of these polyperoxides in toluene, highlighting their potential as polymeric free radical initiator during polymerization of vinyl monomers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2030–2038
Characterization of the two conformations adopted by the T3SS inner‐membrane protein PrgK
Authors: Bergeron Julien R. C. , Brockerman Jacob A. , Vuckovic Marija , Deng Wanyin , Okon Mark , Finlay B. Brett , McIntosh Lawrence P. , Strynadka Natalie C. J.
Published: August 2018

The pathogenic bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium utilizes two type III secretion systems (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into target cells upon infection. The T3SS secretion apparatus (the injectisome) is a large macromolecular assembly composed of over twenty proteins, many in highly oligomeric states. A sub‐structure of the injectisome, termed the basal body, spans both membranes and the periplasmic space of the bacterium. It is primarily composed of three integral membranes proteins, InvG, PrgH, and PrgK, that form ring structures through which components are secreted. In particular, PrgK possesses a periplasmic region consisting of two globular domains joined by a linker polypeptide. We showed previously that in isolation, this region adopts two distinct conformations, of with only one is observed in the assembled basal body complex. Here, using NMR spectroscopy, we further characterize these two conformations. In particular, we demonstrate that the interaction of the linker region with the first globular domain, as found in the intact basal body, is dependent upon the cis conformation of the Leu77‐Pro78 peptide. Furthermore, this interaction is pH‐dependent due to coupling with hydrogen bond formation between Tyr75 and His42 in its neutral Nδ1H tautomeric form. This pH‐dependent interaction may play a role in the regulation of the secretion apparatus disassembly in the context of bacterial infection.
Liposome encapsulation and EDTA formulation of dsRNA targeting essential genes increase oral RNAi‐caused mortality in the Neotropical stink bug Euschistus heros
Authors: Castellanos Nathaly L , Smagghe Guy , Sharma Rohit , Oliveira Eugênio E , Christiaens Olivier
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The Neotropical stink bug Euschistus heros is a major pest in soybean fields. Development of highly species‐specific pesticides based on RNA interference (RNAi) could provide a new sustainable and environmentally friendly control strategy.

RESULTS

Here, the potential of RNAi as a pest control tool against E. heros was assessed. First, target gene selection using a microinjection approach was performed. Seven of the 15 candidate genes tested exhibited > 95% mortality after hemolymph injection of 27.5 ng dsRNA. Subsequently, dsRNA was administered orally using different formulations: naked dsRNA, liposome‐encapsulated‐dsRNA and dsRNA formulated with EDTA. Liposome‐encapsulated dsRNA targeting vATPase A and muscle actin led to significant mortality after 14 days (45% and 42%, respectively), whereas EDTA‐formulated dsRNA did so for only one of the target genes. Ex vivo analysis of the dsRNA stability in collected saliva indicated a strong dsRNA‐degrading capacity by E. heros saliva, which could explain the need for dsRNA formulations.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that continuous ingestion of dsRNA with EDTA or liposome‐encapsulated dsRNA can prevent dsRNA from being degraded enzymatically and suggest great potential for using these formulations in dsRNA delivery to use RNAi as a functional genomics tool or for pest management of stink bugs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Resilient control for wireless networked control systems under DoS attack via a hierarchical game
Authors: Yuan Huanhuan , Xia Yuanqing , Yang Hongjiu , Yuan Yuan
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the resilient control problem is investigated for a wireless networked control system (WNCS) under denial‐of‐service (DoS) attack via a hierarchical game approach. In the presence of a wireless network, a DoS attacker leads to extra packet dropout in the cyber layer of WNCS by launching interference power. A zero‐sum Markov game is exploited to model the interaction between the transmitter and the DoS attacker under dynamic network environment. Additionally, with the attack‐induced packet loss, an H∞ minimax controller is designed in the physical layer by using a delta operator approach. Both value iteration and Q‐learning methods are used to solve the hierarchical game problem for the WNCS. The proposed method is applied to a load frequency control system to illustrate the effectiveness.
Comparing predictive abilities of longitudinal child growth models
Authors: Anderson Craig , Hafen Ryan , Sofrygin Oleg , Ryan Louise ,   members of the HBGDki Community
Published: August 2018

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Healthy Birth, Growth and Development knowledge integration project aims to improve the overall health and well‐being of children across the world. The project aims to integrate information from multiple child growth studies to allow health professionals and policy makers to make informed decisions about interventions in lower and middle income countries. To achieve this goal, we must first understand the conditions that impact on the growth and development of children, and this requires sensible models for characterising different growth patterns. The contribution of this paper is to provide a quantitative comparison of the predictive abilities of various statistical growth modelling techniques based on a novel leave‐one‐out validation approach. The majority of existing studies have used raw growth data for modelling, but we show that fitting models to standardised data provide more accurate estimation and prediction. Our work is illustrated with an example from a study into child development in a middle income country in South America.
Physico‐mechanical properties of NBR/CPVC blend vulcanizates and foams
Authors: Luo Peng , Wen Shibao , Prakashan K. , Zhang Zhen‐xiu , Sinha Tridib K. , Kim Jin Kuk
Published: August 2018

Foams were prepared from acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR)/chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) blend compounds using a chemical blowing agent during compression molding. The effect of varying NBR/CPVC blend ratio and the time on the foams were investigated. The curing parameters showed that both the maximum torque and the difference between the maximum and minimum torque decreased with increase of CPVC content. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the blend vulcanizate increased with increase of CPVC content, reached up to 30% for the NBR/CPVC blend with blend ratio 50/50. The SEM micrographs of the NBR/CPVC blend indicate semi‐compatibility between the blend phases. The NBR/CPVC foams prepared using a chemical blowing agent, showed closed cell structures, which were uniformly distributed across the blend phases. The average cell sizes increased and foam density decreased with increase of CPVC content. Tensile strength and tear strength of both vulcanizates and foams increased with increase CPVC content. Hardness of the foams increased but resilience of the foams decreased with increase of CPVC content. Density, tensile strength, tear strength, and hardness of the foams increased but resilience decreased when the compression molding time of the foam was increased. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:182–188, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Unusual Stabilization of Dication Diradical Intermediate of Dizinc(II) Porphyrin Dimer
Authors: Pandit Younis Ahmad , Shah Syed Jehanger , Rath Sankar Prasad
Published: August 2018

We have demonstrated here how the nature of a metal ion controls the reactivity of a metalloporphyrin π‐cation radical. One‐electron oxidations of diethylpyrrole‐bridged dicopper(II) and dipalladium(II) porphyrin dimers using iodine as an oxidant result in the formation of strongly interacting cofacial mixed‐valent π‐cation radical dimers. The mixed‐valent cation radical so generated being highly reactive drives a spontaneous and rapid transformation to form an indolizinium‐fused chlorin‐porphyrin heterodimer. In sharp contrast to this, similar addition of iodine leads to 1e‐oxidation of dizinc(II) porphyrin dimer, which is followed by a second oxidation to produce a dication diradical complex. The axial coordination of iodine upon 1e‐oxidation of dizinc(II) porphyrin dimer lowers the overall oxidation potential of the system, and thereby, making the second oxidation easily accessible. This has resulted in the stabilization of a dication diradical complex, in which two porphyrin π‐cation radicals undergo electronic communication through the bridging pyrrole group. Interestingly, despite being well‐separated from each other, the two radical spins undergo strong antiferromagnetic coupling to form a diamagnetic compound. The conjugation also leads to a change in identity of the bridge, which further highlights the critical role played by the bridge in the electronic communication between the two rings. DFT calculations clearly support the experimental observations.
Exotic massive 3D gravity
Authors: Ozkan Mehmet , Pang Yi , Townsend Paul K.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

The linearized equations of “New Massive Gravity” propagate a parity doublet of massive spin-2 modes in 3D Minkowski spacetime, but a different non-linear extension is made possible by “third-way” consistency. There is a “Chern-Simons-like” action, as for other 3D massive gravity models, but the new theory is “exotic”: its action is parity odd. This “Exotic Massive Gravity” is the next-to-simplest case in an infinite sequence of third-way consistent 3D gravity theories, the simplest being the “Minimal Massive Gravity” alternative to “Topologically Massive Gravity”.
Risk Communication in Families of Children with Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Identifying Motivators and Barriers to Cascade Screening to Improve Diagnosis at a Single Medical Center
Authors: Wurtmann Elisabeth , Steinberger Julia , Veach Pat McCarthy , Khan Mindi , Zierhut Heather
Published: August 2018

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is severely underdiagnosed in the USA; yet, factors influencing family notification about risk for FH in the US pediatric setting have not been well elucidated. Most previous research on these factors has occurred in adult patient populations in European countries with organized cascade screening programs; therefore, we sought to characterize parent experiences with cascade screening in the US pediatric setting. A quantitative survey measuring family notification of FH risk information was administered to 38 parents of children with FH identified within a pediatric cardiology clinic. Participants were also asked if family notification was impacted by intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, and public policy factors identified previously in other populations. Notification of at least one of the proband's living grandparents or aunts/uncles was reported by 76% (n = 25/33) and 71% (n = 24/34) of participants, respectively. The most common reason for notification was to protect relatives from heart disease. Two of the most common reasons participants did not notify relatives were a lack of information about FH and concern that the relative would have difficulty understanding the information. Yet, only a minority of participants (39%) accessed institutional resources such as educational materials to share with relatives or assistance drafting a family letter that could address these barriers. Based on the identified barriers and motivators for family communication, we suggest facilitators to improve implementation of cascade screening.
Magneto-acoustic Interfacial Reaction-Based Nanoparticle Synthesis: A Direct Path to Manufacturing Metal Matrix Nanocomposites
Authors: Henderson Hunter B. , Rios Orlando , McCall Scott K. , Bryan Zachary L. , Ludtka Gerard M. , Manuel Michele V.
Published: August 2018

This work investigates a novel nanoparticle fabrication methodology: combined reaction and acoustic cavitation abrasion of a solid in contact with a liquid. Magneto-Acoustic Mixing Technology is used to produce nanometer- to micron-sized particles by chemical and acoustic mechanisms between diamond particles and a stainless steel surface in the presence of a metallic liquid (Mg), where it is found that particle–surface interactions and cavitation generate particles more efficiently together than independently, producing unique chemistries. The individual and combined influence of sonic power and chemical reaction on particle size, volume fraction, chemistry, magnetic properties, and applicability to metal matrix nanocomposite fabrication are studied.
Behavioural public policies and charitable giving
Authors: BOVENS LUC
Published: August 2018

Some of the challenges in Sanders et al. (2018, this issue) can be aptly illustrated by means of charity nudges; that is, nudges designed to increase charitable donations. These nudges raise many ethical questions. First, Oxfam's triptychs with suggested donations are designed to increase giving. If successful, do our actions match ex ante or ex post preferences? Does this make a difference to the autonomy of the donor? Second, the Behavioural Insights Team conducted experiments using social networks to nudge people to give more. Do these appeals steer clear of exploiting power relations? Do they respect boundaries of privacy? Third, in an online campaign by Kiva, donors are asked to contribute directly to personalised initiatives. In many cases, the initiative has already been funded and donor money is funnelled to a new cause. Is such a ‘pre-disbursal’ arrangement truthful and true to purpose as a social business model?
Behavioural Insights Team: ethical, professional and historical considerations
Authors: DELANEY LIAM
Published: August 2018

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) has led in the promotion and adoption of behavioural science research in public policy. This comment addresses a number of issues that must be faced by BIT and the wider behavioural public policy agenda as the field becomes institutionalised and normalised within public policy internationally, in particular issues of ethics and professional codes.
Gravettian Figurative Art in the Western Pyrenees: Stratigraphy, Cultural Context, and Chronology
Authors: Ochoa Blanca , García-Diez Marcos , Maíllo-Fernández José-Manuel , Arrizabalaga Álvaro , Pettitt Paul
Published: August 2018

The timing and nature of the emergence of art in human evolution has been one of the more debated subjects in palaeoanthropology in the last few years, and one of the areas where archaeology has made impressive advances. Here, we discuss the first evidence of figurative art on portable materials in the north of Spain. After analysis of the stratigraphic contexts of all examples potentially of this age, which eliminated those of uncertain provenance, only three examples can be said to be Gravettian with a degree of confidence. We examine their stratigraphic provenance, the integrity of their archaeological contexts, and the absolute dates available for them. We then discuss their thematic and stylistic traits, comparing them to the wider database of material in the adjacent regions of the French Pyrenees and Mediterranean Iberia. We conclude that figurative depictions were scarce in the Gravettian of south-western Europe, in contrast to the relatively abundant examples of cave art assigned to this period in the region. If this is correct, we should nuance our discussions of ‘Palaeolithic art’ by considering that parietal and portable art had their own trajectories and functions, at least in the Early to mid-Upper Palaeolithic.
Entropy ratio for infinite sequences with positive entropy
Authors: MAUDUIT CHRISTIAN , MOREIRA CARLOS GUSTAVO
Published: August 2018

The complexity function of an infinite word $w$ on a finite alphabet $A$ is the sequence counting, for each non-negative $n$, the number of words of length $n$ on the alphabet $A$ that are factors of the infinite word $w$. For any given function $f$ with exponential growth, we introduced in [Complexity and fractal dimensions for infinite sequences with positive entropy. Commun. Contemp. Math. to appear] the notion of word entropy$E_{W}(f)$ associated to $f$ and we described the combinatorial structure of sets of infinite words with a complexity function bounded by $f$. The goal of this work is to give estimates on the word entropy $E_{W}(f)$ in terms of the limiting lower exponential growth rate of $f$.
Regular variation and rates of mixing for infinite measure preserving almost Anosov diffeomorphisms
Authors: BRUIN HENK , TERHESIU DALIA
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this paper is to establish mixing rates for infinite measure preserving almost Anosov diffeomorphisms on the two-dimensional torus. The main task is to establish regular variation of the tails of the first return time to the complement of a neighbourhood of the neutral fixed point.
On Curiosity: A Fundamental Aspect of Personality, a Practice of Network Growth
Authors: Zurn Perry , Bassett Danielle S.
Published: August 2018

Human personality is reflected in patterns—or networks—of behavior, either in thought or action. Curiosity is an oft-treasured component of one’s personality, commonly associated with information-seeking proclivities with distinct neurophysiological correlates. The markers of curiosity can differ substantially across people, suggesting the possibility that personality also determines the architectural style of one’s curiosity. Yet progress in defining those styles, and marking their neurophysiological basis, has been hampered by fairly fundamental difficulties in defining curiosity itself. Here, we offer and exercise a definition of the practice of curiosity as knowledge network building, one particular pattern of thought behavior. To unpack this definition and motivate its utility, we begin with a short primer on network science and describe how the mathematical object of a network can be used to map items and relations that are characteristic of bodies of knowledge. Next, we turn to a discussion of how networks grow, how their growth can be modeled, and how the practice of curiosity can be formalized as a process of network growth. We pay particular attention to how individuals may differ in how they build their knowledge networks, and discuss how the sort, manner, and action of building can be modulated by experience. We discuss how this definition of the practice of curiosity motivates new experiments and theory development at the interdisciplinary intersection of network science, personality neuroscience, education, and curiosity studies. We close with a note on the potential of network science to inform studies of other domains of personality, and the patterns of thought– or action–behavior characteristic thereof.
The Virtual Personalities Neural Network Model: Neurobiological Underpinnings
Authors: Read Stephen J. , Brown Ashley D. , Wang Peter , Miller Lynn C.
Published: August 2018

The Virtual Personalities Model is a motive-based neural network model that provides both a psychological model and a computational implementation that explicates the dynamics and often large within-person variability in behavior that arises over time. At the same time the same model can produce—across many virtual personalities—between-subject variability in behavior that when factor analyzed yields familiar personality structure (e.g., the Big Five). First, we describe our personality model and its implementation as a neural network model. Second, we focus on detailing the neurobiological underpinnings of this model. Third, we examine the learning mechanisms, and their biological substrates, as ways that the model gets “wired up,” discussing Pavlovian and Instrumental conditioning, Pavlovian to Instrumental transfer, and habits. Finally, we describe the dynamics of how initial differences in propensities (e.g., dopamine functioning), wiring differences due to experience, and other factors could operate together to develop and change personality over time, and how this might be empirically examined. Thus, our goal is to contribute to the rising chorus of voices seeking a more precise neurobiologically based science of the complex dynamics underlying personality.
Modelling the impact of bovine herpesvirus-1 seropositivity on the technical and economic performance of a pastoral-based suckler beef system
Authors: Lynch R. , Kenny D. A. , Parr M. H. , Barrett D. , Kelly A. K. , Crosson P.
Published: August 2018

Bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1) manifests as a latent viral infection putatively affecting bovines. Understanding its effect on cattle herds is critical to maintaining sustainable beef and dairy production systems, as well as aiding in the development of herd health policies. The primary objective of the current study was, therefore, to use a whole-farm bio-economic model to evaluate the effect of herd seroprevalence to BHV-1 on the productive and economic performance of a spring calving beef cow herd. As part of a wider epidemiological study of herd pathogen status, a total of 4240 cows from 134 spring calving beef cow herds across the Republic of Ireland were blood sampled to measure the seroprevalence to BHV-1. Using data from a national breeding database, productive and reproductive performance indicators were used to parameterize a single year, static and deterministic whole-farm bio-economic model. A spring-calving, pasture-based suckler beef cow production system with an emphasis on calf-to-weanling production was simulated. The impact of BHV-1 seropositivity on whole-farm technical and economic performance was relatively small, with a marginal drop in the net margin of 4% relative to a baseline seronegative herd. Subsequent risk factors for increased pathogenicity were considered such as total herd size, percentage of intra-herd movements and vaccination status for BHV-1. In contrast to all others, scenarios representing herds that were either small in size or those which indicated an active vaccination policy for BHV-1 had no reduction in net margin against the baseline as a result of seropositivity to BHV-1.
Developing a writing assistant to help EAP writers with collocations in real time
Authors: Frankenberg-Garcia Ana , Lew Robert , Roberts Jonathan C. , Rees Geraint Paul , Sharma Nirwan
Published: August 2018

Corpora have given rise to a wide range of lexicographic resources aimed at helping novice users of academic English with their writing. This includes academic vocabulary lists, a variety of textbooks, and even a bespoke academic English dictionary. However, writers may not be familiar with these resources or may not be sufficiently aware of the lexical shortcomings of their emerging texts to trigger the need to use such help in the first place. Moreover, writers who have to stop writing to look up a word can be distracted from getting their ideas down on paper. The ColloCaid project (www.collocaid.uk) aims to address these problems by integrating information on collocation with text editors. In this paper, we share the research underpinning the initial development of ColloCaid by detailing the rationale of (1) the lexicographic database we are compiling to support the collocation needs of novice users of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and (2) the preliminary visualisation decisions taken to present information on collocation to EAP users without disrupting their writing. We conclude the paper by outlining the next steps in the research.
Solving Horn Clauses on Inductive Data Types Without Induction
Authors: DE ANGELIS EMANUELE , FIORAVANTI FABIO , PETTOROSSI ALBERTO , PROIETTI MAURIZIO
Published: August 2018

We address the problem of verifying the satisfiability of Constrained Horn Clauses (CHCs) based on theories of inductively defined data structures, such as lists and trees. We propose a transformation technique whose objective is the removal of these data structures from CHCs, hence reducing their satisfiability to a satisfiability problem for CHCs on integers and booleans. We propose a transformation algorithm and identify a class of clauses where it always succeeds. We also consider an extension of that algorithm, which combines clause transformation with reasoning on integer constraints. Via an experimental evaluation we show that our technique greatly improves the effectiveness of applying the Z3 solver to CHCs. We also show that our verification technique based on CHC transformation followed by CHC solving, is competitive with respect to CHC solvers extended with induction.
Experimenting with robotic intra-logistics domains
Authors: GEBSER MARTIN , OBERMEIER PHILIPP , OTTO THOMAS , SCHAUB TORSTEN , SABUNCU ORKUNT , NGUYEN VAN , SON TRAN CAO
Published: August 2018

We introduce theasprilo1framework to facilitate experimental studies of approaches addressing complex dynamic applications. For this purpose, we have chosen the domain of robotic intra-logistics. This domain is not only highly relevant in the context of today's fourth industrial revolution but it moreover combines a multitude of challenging issues within a single uniform framework. This includes multi-agent planning, reasoning about action, change, resources, strategies, etc. In return,aspriloallows users to study alternative solutions as regards effectiveness and scalability. Althoughasprilorelies on Answer Set Programming and Python, it is readily usable by any system complying with its fact-oriented interface format. This makes it attractive for benchmarking and teaching well beyond logic programming. More precisely,aspriloconsists of a versatile benchmark generator, solution checker and visualizer as well as a bunch of reference encodings featuring various ASP techniques. Importantly, the visualizer's animation capabilities are indispensable for complex scenarios like intra-logistics in order to inspect valid as well as invalid solution candidates. Also, it allows for graphically editing benchmark layouts that can be used as a basis for generating benchmark suites.
Shape Neutral Analysis of Graph-based Data-structures
Authors: DUCK GREGORY J. , JAFFAR JOXAN , YAP ROLAND H. C.
Published: August 2018

Malformed data-structures can lead to runtime errors such as arbitrary memory access or corruption. Despite this, reasoning over data-structure properties for low-level heap manipulating programs remains challenging. In this paper we present a constraint-based program analysis that checks data-structure integrity, w.r.t. given target data-structure properties, as the heap is manipulated by the program. Our approach is to automatically generate a solver for properties using the type definitions from the target program. The generated solver is implemented using a Constraint Handling Rules (CHR) extension of built-in heap, integer and equality solvers. A key property of our program analysis is that the target data-structure properties are shape neutral, i.e., the analysis does not check for properties relating to a given data-structure graph shape, such as doubly-linked-lists versus trees. Nevertheless, the analysis can detect errors in a wide range of data-structure manipulating programs, including those that use lists, trees, DAGs, graphs, etc. We present an implementation that uses the Satisfiability Modulo Constraint Handling Rules (SMCHR) system. Experimental results show that our approach works well for real-world C programs.
The global context of the US farm bill in 2018: world markets, instability and policy preferences in agriculture
Authors: Winders Bill
Published: August 2018

As the 2018 farm bill approaches, some important trends have emerged regarding the policy preferences of different commodity producers. While some farm organizations like the American Farm Bureau advocate for expanding free trade, other groups argue for more trade protections and even greater support from the federal government. This paper examines the global context that shapes such divergent policy positions. I argue that global demand has expanded for particular commodities (especially, feed grains and meat), leading producers of those commodities to push for free trade and weaker political regulations of agriculture. At the same time, however, greater liberalization over the past 25 years has contributed to greater competition for some commodities, such as wheat. Liberalization in the world economy has also contributed to greater market instability, especially in terms of prices and production. This instability and increased competition have pushed some commodity producers to favor national regulations and trade protections for agriculture. Focusing corn, soybeans and wheat, I argue that these three aspects of the global context—global demand, international competition and price instability—shape the policy preferences of US producers regarding the 2018 farm bill. I draw on statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Agriculture Organization to illustrate these aspects of the global context.
Technologie und Alter in Japan
Authors: Gondo Yasuyuki
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Der Anteil älterer Menschen an der Bevölkerung hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten in Japan zugenommen. Dieser signifikante demographische Wandel hat Unternehmen neue geschäftliche Möglichkeiten eröffnet. Speziell für ältere Menschen sind innovative Technologien und Dienstleistungen entwickelt worden, von denen einige bereits angewendet werden. Die weitere, zu erwartende technologische Revolution scheint für die künftige Gesellschaft mit extrem vielen alten Menschen ein erfolgreiches Altern zu versprechen. Dieser Bericht vermittelt einen Überblick über Technologien, die derzeit von älteren Menschen angewandt werden. Er stellt ferner einige Beispiele für neue Technologien vor, die in Japan entwickelt werden.
Histoire des gérontechnologies
Authors: Misoch Sabina
Published: August 2018

Récapitulation. La gérontechnologie est une discipline très récente. L’article ci-dessous présente l’histoire de ce domaine de recherche multidisciplinaire ainsi que les plus importants domaines d’application des gérontechnologies.
Technologie in der Pflege: Ein Muss für die Zukunft
Authors: Frick Karin
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Keine andere Industrienation altert so schnell wie Japan – und verzichtet zugleich freiwillig auf Immigration. In Japan fehlen im 2020 voraussichtlich 400 000 Fachkräfte im Pflegebereich. Um diese Lücke zu schliessen, setzen die Japaner verstärkt auf Roboter, welche Dank verbesserter Feinmotorik und emotionaler Intelligenz auch für anspruchsvollere Pflegeaufgaben voll einsatzfähig sein werden. Vor einem Jahr wurde in Japan die Roboterdame Aiko Chihira vorgestellt. Sie ist lebensgross und hat eine menschliche Anmutung und soll künftig als Kommunikationsroboter am Empfang oder im sozialen Bereich eingesetzt werden.
Frühe mathematische Bildung
Authors: Lonnemann Jan , Hasselhorn Marcus
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden aktuelle Forschungstrends im Bereich der frühen mathematischen Bildung im Kontext jüngst formulierter Zieldimensionen für die frühe mathematische Bildung (siehe Benz et al., 2017 ) dargestellt. Es wird auf spielbasierte Fördermaßnahmen, Kompetenzen im Bereich „Raum und Form“, den Einfluss sprachlicher Parameter auf die Entwicklung mathematischer Kompetenzen sowie auf mathematikbezogene Kompetenzen frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte eingegangen. Darüber hinaus werden die Ergebnisse einer aktuellen Feldstudie zur Förderung früher mathematischer Kompetenzen (siehe Dillon, Kannan, Dean, Spelke & Duflo, 2017 ) vorgestellt. Abschließend wird die Entwicklung und Implementierung anschlussfähiger Bildungskonzepte als eine der zentralen Herausforderungen zukünftiger Forschungs- und Bildungsbemühungen diskutiert
Kevin Charles Antony Burke (1929–2018)
Authors: Şeng�r A. M.
Published: August 2018

Burke, a master geologist, traveled the world to inform his studies on plate tectonics, soil formation, erosion, sedimentology, and a host of other topics, including other planets.