bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Determination of Attitudes and Orbits of Micro-satellites only by 3-axis Magnetometer
Authors: Jang MyongChol
Published: August 2019

This paper explains a method to determine the attitude and orbit only using onboard magnetometer. This method, only using 3-axis magnetometer, makes it efficient and possible to get the attitude and orbit information, without high-priced and complicated sensors. This method comprises 2 parts-one is the attitude determination and the other is the orbit determination by the magnetometer. In the attitude determination, 2-stage filter (Linear Kalman filter and Unscented Kalman filter) is applied and in the orbit determination, the Extended Kalman filter. The attitude determination accuracy is below 1°, the attitude angular rate determination accuracy below 0.005°/s and the orbital position determination accuracy below 10 kms when the measurement error of magnetometer is about 200nT. Thus, this study contributes to the mission of the micro satellites.
Ultrafast dynamics observation during femtosecond laser-material interaction
Authors: Guo Baoshan , Sun Jingya , Lu YongFeng , Jiang Lan
Published: August 2019

Femtosecond laser technology has attracted significant attention from the viewpoints of fundamental and application; especially femtosecond laser processing materials present the unique mechanism of laser-material interaction. Under the extreme nonequilibrium conditions imposed by femtosecond laser irradiation, many fundamental questions concerning the physical origin of the material removal process remain unanswered. In this review, cutting-edge ultrafast dynamic observation techniques for investigating the fundamental questions, including time-resolved pump-probe shadowgraphy, ultrafast continuous optical imaging, and four-dimensional ultrafast scanning electron microscopy, are comprehensively surveyed. Each technique is described in depth, beginning with its basic principle, followed by a description of its representative applications in laser-material interaction and its strengths and limitations. The consideration of temporal and spatial resolutions and panoramic measurement at different scales are two major challenges. Hence, the prospects for technical advancement in this field are discussed finally.
Acute Effect of Eating Sweets on Alcohol Cravings in a Sample with At-Risk Drinking
Authors: Cummings Jenna R , Ray Lara A , Nooteboom Peter , Tomiyama A Janet
Published: August 2019

Background

Alcohol craving, or the desire to drink alcohol, has been identified as a key experience preceding alcohol use. Alcoholics Anonymous has long claimed that individuals can allay alcohol cravings by eating sweets. Empirical tests of this strategy are limited to a few preclinical studies in rats, and there is no existing experiment testing the acute effect of eating sweets on alcohol cravings in humans.

Purpose

The current study sought to experimentally test the acute effect of eating sweets on alcohol cravings in a sample with at-risk drinking.

Methods

After being exposed to an alcohol cue, individuals with at-risk drinking (N = 150) were randomly assigned to eat sweets (n = 60), eat calorie-equivalent bland food (n = 60), or watch a video (n = 30). Caloric amounts were manipulated. Individuals with at-risk drinking were then exposed to a second alcohol cue. Changes in alcohol cravings from after the first to after the second alcohol cue were measured via visual analog scale and heart rate.

Results

There were no significant between-group differences in changes in alcohol cravings. Caloric amounts did not modify effects.

Conclusions

Experimental findings did not provide evidence to support the clinical lore that eating sweets can reduce alcohol cravings, albeit only acutely and for those with at-risk drinking. Other empirically supported strategies for managing alcohol cravings (e.g., pharmacotherapies, mindfulness) could instead be promoted.
Trail Making Test, Stroop, and Verbal Fluency: Regression-Based Norms for the Icelandic Population
Authors: Magnusdottir B B , Haraldsson H M , Sigurdsson E
Published: August 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to construct regression-based norms for 3 executive-function tests: the Trail Making Test, Stroop, and Verbal Fluency.

Method

A sample of 1,034 healthy Icelandic adults (18–64 years) was used to calculate predicted scores for test measures from all 3 tests, controlled for the effects of age, gender, and education, as well as the interaction between these variables.

Results

The 3 demographic variables showed significant effects on most test measures and were included in the final equation for estimating predicted scores. An older age and less education predicted worse cognitive performances in most cases, and women tended to outperform men.

Conclusion

These results highlight the importance of adjusting for age, gender, and educational level when constructing normative data. Controlling for age alone may be insufficient or misleading in clinical-practice settings. A simple, user-friendly program for predicting executive-function test scores is provided.
A benchmarking of pipelines for detecting ncRNAs from RNA-Seq data
Authors: Di Bella Sebastiano , La Ferlita Alessandro , Carapezza Giovanni , Alaimo Salvatore , Isacchi Antonella , Ferro Alfredo , Pulvirenti Alfredo , Bosotti Roberta
Published: August 2019

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a high-throughput technology widely applied to genome sequencing and transcriptome profiling. RNA-Seq uses NGS to reveal RNA identities and quantities in a given sample. However, it produces a huge amount of raw data that need to be preprocessed with fast and effective computational methods. RNA-Seq can look at different populations of RNAs, including ncRNAs. Indeed, in the last few years, several ncRNAs pipelines have been developed for ncRNAs analysis from RNA-Seq experiments. In this paper, we analyze eight recent pipelines (iSmaRT, iSRAP, miARma-Seq, Oasis 2, SPORTS1.0, sRNAnalyzer, sRNApipe, sRNA workbench) which allows the analysis not only of single specific classes of ncRNAs but also of more than one ncRNA classes. Our systematic performance evaluation aims at guiding users to select the appropriate pipeline for processing each ncRNA class, focusing on three key points: (i) accuracy in ncRNAs identification, (ii) accuracy in read count estimation and (iii) deployment and ease of use.
Endothermy, offspring size and evolution of parental provisioning in vertebrates
Authors: Meiri Shai
Published: August 2019

Mammals and birds provide food for their young after birth, but such provisioning is almost absent in other vertebrates. A recent theory suggested that, in addition to thermoregulation, the large discrepancy in size between adult and young ectothermic vertebrates precludes them from providing for their young, whereas the relatively large offspring of endotherms are easier to provision. I show here that reptile neonates and hatchlings are as large as those of mammals and birds. Differences in size between adults and young thus cannot explain the lack of parental provisioning in reptiles. I suggest that the large size at birth is the ancestral condition in amniotes as a whole and that provisioning has thus evolved after endothermy.
Speciation of North American pygmy shrews (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) supports spatial but not temporal congruence of diversification among boreal species
Authors: Hope Andrew G , Stephens Ryan B , Mueller Sarah D , Tkach Vasyl V , Demboski John R
Published: August 2019

Speciation among many animals was rapid through the Pleistocene, impacted by climate and periodic isolation and reconnection. As such, species limits among often morphologically cryptic lineages may remain unresolved despite clear mitogenomic partitioning. Accumulating evidence from phylogeographical studies is revealing congruent regional differentiation of lineages across taxonomic groups that share ecological and evolutionary traits. Here, we analyse multiple DNA loci and morphology to resolve the geography and timeframe associated with evolutionary history of North American pygmy shrews (genus Sorex). We then assess lineage diversification among three co-distributed shrew complexes using phylogenetic and approximate Bayesian computation approaches to test a hypothesis of spatial congruence but temporal incongruence of species formation on a continental scale. Our results indicate consistency in regional lineage distributions, partial congruence of the sequence of divergence, and strong but not definitive support for temporal incongruence, suggesting that successive glacial cycles initiated the process of diversification repeatedly through the Pleistocene. Our results emphasize a continuing need for greater genomic coverage in comparative phylogeography, with persistent challenges. We recognize distinct eastern (Sorex hoyi Baird, 1857) and western (Sorex eximius Osgood, 1901) species of pygmy shrew based on available evidence, but discuss issues with taxonomic designations considering the continuum of speciation throughout the boreal biome.
On causal discovery with an equal-variance assumption
Authors: Chen Wenyu , Drton Mathias , Wang Y Samuel
Published: August 2019

Prior work has shown that causal structure can be uniquely identified from observational data when these follow a structural equation model whose error terms have equal variance. We show that this fact is implied by an ordering among conditional variances. We demonstrate that ordering estimates of these variances yields a simple yet state-of-the-art method for causal structure learning that is readily extendable to high-dimensional problems.
The endemic ‘sugar canes’ of Madagascar (Poaceae, Saccharinae: Lasiorhachis) are close relatives of sorghum
Authors: Vorontsova Maria S , Besnard Guillaume , Razanatsoa Jacqueline , Hackel Jan
Published: August 2019

Crop wild relatives are important but often poorly known. This is the case for subtribe Saccharinae (Poaceae: Andropogoneae), which includes sugarcane (Saccharum) and sorghum (Sorghum). We present a phylogenetic and taxonomic account of the Malagasy endemic genus Lasiorhachis, previously included in Saccharum. New plastome and nuclear sequences were assembled from genome skimming data. Phylogenetic analyses of whole plastomes place Lasiorhachis as sister to Sorghum and only distantly related to the interbreeding Saccharum complex. This is also supported by analyses of nuclear ITS and partial assemblies for eight low-copy regions. Some nuclear regions suggest that Lasiorhachis is closer to Sorghum section Sorghum than other Sorghum spp. sometimes segregated as Vacoparis. We present a full taxonomic treatment of Lasiorhachis with an identification key, synonymy, typification, descriptions, drawings and a distribution map of the three species, all endemic to the central highlands of Madagascar. Lasiorhachis species occupy contrasting ecological niches and at least one of them, L. viguieri, has significance for ecosystem function. As crop wild relatives of sorghum, Lasiorhachis species should be included in germplasm collections.
Variable effects of a changing climate on lay dates and productivity across the range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Authors: DeMay Stephanie M , Walters Jeffrey R
Published: August 2019

Many temperate bird species are breeding earlier in response to warming temperatures. We examined the effects of climate on breeding phenology and productivity in 19 populations across the range of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis), an endangered species endemic to pine (Pinus spp.) forests in the southeastern United States. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers nested earlier in warmer springs and delayed nesting in wetter springs. Earlier nesting and larger group sizes resulted in higher productivity. Spring temperatures have warmed over time across the range, but this has not led to range-wide advances in nesting date over time. Coastal and northern populations have exhibited a trend of earlier nesting over time, but the response of inland populations has been variable, including some populations in which nesting has become later over time. Geographic patterns included high and increasing productivity at higher latitudes, and declining productivity in the southwestern portion of the range, suggesting a possible shift in acceptable climate conditions for the species. Earlier nesting over time was associated with increasing productivity at higher latitudes, while elsewhere earlier nesting over time was associated with declining or stable productivity, suggesting that populations differ in their ability to adjust to a changing climate. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a habitat specialist heavily reliant on habitat management and has little capacity to shift its range, so its long-term viability will depend on its ability to adjust in place to changing local conditions.
Thermal physiology and activity in relation to reproductive status and sex in a free-ranging semelparous marsupial
Authors: Parker Cassandra A , Geiser Fritz , Stawski Clare
Published: August 2019

In a changing climate, southern hemisphere mammals are predicted to face rising temperatures and aridity, resulting in food and water shortages, which may further challenge already constrained energetic demands. Especially semelparous mammals may be threatened because survival of the entire population depends on the success of a single breeding event. One of these species, the yellow-footed antechinus, Antechinus flavipes, a small, heterothermic marsupial mammal, commences reproduction during winter, when insect prey is limited and energetic constraints are high. We examined the inter-relations between thermal and foraging biology of free-ranging A. flavipes and examined whether they use torpor for energy conservation, despite the fact that reproduction and torpor are considered to be incompatible for many mammals. Females used torpor during the reproductive season, but patterns changed with reproductive status. Prior to breeding, females used frequent (86% of days), deep and long torpor that was more pronounced than any other reproductive group, including pre-mating males (64% of days). Pregnant females continued to use torpor, albeit torpor was less frequent (28% of days) and significantly shorter and shallower than before breeding. Parturient and lactating females did not express torpor. During the mating period, males reduced torpor use (24% of days). Pre-reproductive females and pre-mating males were the least active and may use torpor to minimize predator exposure and enhance fat deposition in anticipation of the energetic demands associated with impending mating, gestation and lactation. Reproductive females were most active and likely foraged and fed to promote growth and development of young. Our data show that A. flavipes are balancing energetic demands during the reproductive season by modifying torpor and activity patterns. As the timing of reproduction is fixed for this genus, it is probable that climate change will render these behavioural and physiological adaptations as inadequate and threaten this and other semelparous species.
3-D mechanical analysis of complex reservoirs: a novel mesh-free approach
Authors: van Wees Jan-Diederik , Pluymaekers Maarten , Osinga Sander , Fokker Peter , Van Thienen-Visser Karin , Orlic Bogdan , Wassing Brecht , Hegen Dries , Candela Thibault
Published: August 2019

Building geomechanical models for induced seismicity in complex reservoirs poses a major challenge, in particular if many faults need to be included. We developed a novel way of calculating induced stress changes and associated seismic moment response for structurally complex reservoirs with tens to hundreds of faults. Our specific target was to improve the predictive capability of stress evolution along multiple faults, and to use the calculations to enhance physics-based understanding of the reservoir seismicity. Our methodology deploys a mesh-free numerical and analytical approach for both the stress calculation and the seismic moment calculation. We introduce a high-performance computational method for high-resolution induced Coulomb stress changes along faults, based on a Green's function for the stress response to a nucleus of strain. One key ingredient is the deployment of an octree representation and calculation scheme for the nuclei of strain, based on the topology and spatial variability of the mesh of the reservoir flow model. Once the induced stress changes are evaluated along multiple faults, we calculate potential seismic moment release in a fault system supposing an initial stress field. The capability of the approach, dubbed as MACRIS (Mechanical Analysis of Complex Reservoirs for Induced Seismicity) is proven through comparisons with finite element models. Computational performance and suitability for probabilistic assessment of seismic hazards are demonstrated though the use of the complex, heavily faulted Gullfaks field.
Genome-wide SNP based population structure in European hake reveals the need for harmonizing biological and management units
Authors: Leone Agostino , Álvarez Paula , García Dorleta , Saborido-Rey Fran , Rodriguez-Ezpeleta Naiara
Published: August 2019

Despite its economic importance, the population structure of the European hake, Merluccius merluccius, is unresolved, and the species is assessed based on two stocks (northern and southern) separated by the Capbreton Canyon. In order to shed light into the European hake population structure, we used Restriction-site-Associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) to discover and genotype thousands of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms in more than a hundred samples. Our population genetic inferences confirm differentiation of Mediterranean and northeast Atlantic locations and reveal management relevant information within the latter. First, hake in the Norwegian Sea is genetically different from that of the rest of the locations under study and, second, samples from the eastern Bay of Biscay and the northwestern Iberian Peninsula are not genetically different. These results imply that samples from the northern stock belong to different genetic populations, and that samples belonging to locations included in the northern and southern stocks are part of a single genetically homogeneous population. Although the definition of the boundary between the northern and southern stocks and the potential need for additional stocks still requires further analyses, the mismatch between biological and management units should already be considered in further assessments of European hake.
Evidentiary Burden of Proof regarding Exclusion Grounds for Asylum: The Case of the Turkish Military Asylum Seekers in Greece
Authors: Kouvaras Ilias
Published: August 2019

Relations between Turkey and Greece were recently put to the test by the case of eight Turkish military personnel who fled their country by helicopter, following an attempted coup d’état on 15 July 2016. They landed in Greek territory, where they claimed political asylum. The legal dimension of the complex asylum procedures turned out to be decisive to the final outcome of the case. The judgment by the Greek Council of State integrates the international perception of onus of proof in its review of the exclusion grounds for applicants for international protection.
A Polynomial Sieve and Sums of Deligne Type
Authors: Bonolis Dante
Published: August 2019

Let $f\in \mathbb{Z}[T]$ be any polynomial of degree $d>1$ and $F\in \mathbb{Z}[X_{0},...,X_{n}]$ an irreducible homogeneous polynomial of degree $e>1$ such that the projective hypersurface $V(F)$ is smooth. In this paper we present a new bound for $N(f,F,B):=|\{\textbf{x}\in \mathbb{Z}^{n+1}:\max _{0\leq i\leq n}|x_{i}|\leq B,\exists t\in \mathbb{Z}\textrm{ such that}\ f(t)=F(\textbf{x})\}|.$ To do this, we introduce a generalization of the power sieve [ 14, 28] and we extend two results by Deligne and Katz on estimates for additive and multiplicative characters in many variables.
Sectors, Pollution, and Trade: How Industrial Interests Shape Domestic Positions on Global Climate Agreements
Authors: Genovese Federica
Published: August 2019

It is usually assumed that the cost of abating pollution is the main deterrent of domestic support for international climate cooperation. In particular, some scholars have argued that, due to the burden of pollution abatement, businesses commonly constrain governments, which then take less cooperative positions on global climate agreements. I suggest that this argument needs further qualification: pollution-related costs rarely have unconditional effects on preferences for global climate agreements. Instead, a sector's pollution level is more likely to influence preferences for climate cooperation if mediated by its trade exposure. If pollution is high, firms in high-trade sectors may be less able to absorb climate regulation, and hence they should be more sensitive to climate cooperation. If pollution is low, firms in high-trade sectors may support climate cooperation, because by being more efficient they are more capable of adjusting to regulation. These dynamics should then affect governmental positions on global climate politics. I test my sectoral argument with original data from business statements and national communications at the United Nations climate negotiations. In line with my argument, I find that businesses in trade-open sectors are more likely to oppose climate agreement as their sector's emissions increase. I also find that in countries where high-emission sectors are open to trade, governments have low preferences for climate cooperation. The findings have implications for the domestic politics of environmental agreements and the distributive politics of global public good provision.
Automated meal detection from continuous glucose monitor data through simulation and explanation
Authors: Zheng Min , Ni Baohua , Kleinberg Samantha
Published: August 2019

Background

Artificial pancreas systems aim to reduce the burden of type 1 diabetes by automating insulin dosing. These systems link a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pump with a control algorithm, but require users to announce meals, without which the system can only react to the rise in blood glucose.

Objective

We investigate whether CGM data can be used to automatically infer meals in daily life even in the presence of physical activity, which can raise or lower blood glucose.

Materials and Methods

We propose a novel meal detection algorithm that combines simulations with CGM, insulin pump, and heart rate monitor data. When observed and predicted glucose differ, our algorithm uses simulations to test whether a meal may explain this difference. We evaluated our method on simulated data and real-world data from individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Results

In simulated data, we detected meals earlier and with higher accuracy than was found in prior work (25.7 minutes, 1.2 g error; compared with 48.3 minutes, 17.2 g error). In real-world data, we discovered a larger number of plausible meals than was found in prior work (30 meals, 76.7% accepted; compared with 33 meals, 39.4% accepted).

Discussion

Prior research attempted meal detection from CGM, but had delays and lower accuracy in real data or did not allow for physical activity. Our approach can be used to improve insulin dosing in an artificial pancreas and trigger reminders for missed meal boluses.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that meal information can be robustly inferred from CGM and body-worn sensor data, even in challenging environments of daily life.
Debridement of Sulfur Mustard Skin Burns: A Comparison of Three Methods
Authors: Barillo David J , Croutch Claire R , Barillo Anthony R , Thompson Charles K , Roseman Julie , Reid Frances
Published: August 2019

Sulfur mustard burns are characterized by delayed symptoms, slow healing, and recurrence after closure. Incomplete debridement at the level of the basement membrane is the postulated cause. Graham pioneered laser debridement of mustard burns. For field or mass-casualty use, saline wet-to-wet or antibiotic-soak debridement is more practical. In this study, we compared laser, saline, and antibiotic debridement in a porcine model of deep partial-thickness injury. Deep-dermal sulfur mustard burns were produced in 18 anesthetized Gottingen minipigs using 10-μl saturated vapor cap exposure time of 90 minutes. Debridement was started 48 hours postinjury and consisted of a single laser treatment; 5 days of 5% aqueous mafenide acetate wet-to-wet dressings; or 7 to 12 days of saline wet-to-wet dressings. Wounds were treated with daily silver sulfadiazine for 30 days and, then, assessed by histopathology, silver-ion analysis, colorimetry, and evaporimetry. All wounds healed well with no sign of infection. Antibiotic debridement showed no advantage over saline debridement. There were no significant differences between groups for colorimetry or evaporimetry. Histopathology was graded on a mustard-specific scale of 1 to 15 where higher values indicate better healing. Mean histology scores were 13.6 for laser, 13.9 for mafenide, and 14.3 for saline. Saline debridement statistically outperformed laser (P < .05) but required the longest debridement time. Laser debridement had the benefit of requiring a single treatment rather than daily dressing changes, significantly decreasing need for wound care and personnel resources. Development of a ruggedized laser for field use is a countermeasures priority.
Tumor cells educate mesenchymal stromal cells to release chemoprotective and immunomodulatory factors
Authors: Le Naour Augustin , Prat Mélissa , Thibault Benoît , Mével Renaud , Lemaitre Léa , Leray Hélène , Joubert Marie-Véronique , Coulson Kimberley , Golzio Muriel , Lefevre Lise , Mery Eliane , Martinez Alejandra , Ferron Gwénaël , Delord Jean-Pierre , Coste Agnès , Couderc Bettina
Published: August 2019

Factors released by surrounding cells such as cancer-associated mesenchymal stromal cells (CA-MSCs) are involved in tumor progression and chemoresistance. In this study, we characterize the mechanisms by which naïve mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can acquire a CA-MSCs phenotype. Ovarian tumor cells trigger the transformation of MSCs to CA-MSCs by expressing pro-tumoral genes implicated in the chemoresistance of cancer cells, resulting in the secretion of high levels of CXC chemokine receptors 1 and 2 (CXCR1/2) ligands such as chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL2, and interleukin 8 (IL-8). CXCR1/2 ligands can also inhibit the immune response against ovarian tumor cells. Indeed, through their released factors, CA-MSCs promote the differentiation of monocytes towards M2 macrophages, which favors tumor progression. When CXCR1/2 receptors are inhibited, these CA-MSC-activated macrophages lose their M2 properties and acquire an anti-tumoral phenotype. Both ex vivo and in vivo, we used a CXCR1/2 inhibitor to sensitize ovarian tumor cells to carboplatin and circumvent the pro-tumoral effects of CA-MSCs. Since high concentrations of CXCR1/2 ligands in patients’ blood are associated with chemoresistance, CXCR1/2 inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy to revert carboplatin resistance.
‘More than devastating’—patient experiences and neurological sequelae of Japanese encephalitis§
Authors: Turtle Lance , Easton Ava , Defres Sylviane , Ellul Mark , Bovill Begona , Hoyle Jim , Jung Agam , Lewthwaite Penny , Solomon Tom
Published: August 2019

Background

Japanese encephalitis (JE), caused by the mosquito-borne JE virus, is a vaccine-preventable disease endemic to much of Asia. Travellers from non-endemic areas are susceptible if they travel to a JE endemic area. Although the risk to travellers of JE is low, the consequences may be severe.

Methods

Here, we describe three cases of JE in British travellers occurring in 2014–15. In addition, we report, through interviews with survivors and their families, personal experiences of life after JE.

Results

Three cases of JE were diagnosed in British travellers in 2014/15. One was acquired in Thailand, one in China and one in either Thailand, Laos or Cambodia. All three patients suffered severe, life-threatening illnesses, all were admitted to intensive care units and required medical evacuation back to the UK. One patient suffered a cardiac arrest during the acute stage but made a good recovery. The other two patients remain significantly paralysed and ventilator dependent. All three cases had clear indications for vaccination, and all have been left with life-changing neurological sequelae.

Conclusions

Travel health providers should be aware of the severity of JE, as well as the risk, allowing travellers to make fully informed decisions on JE vaccination.
Galaxy shape measurement with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Ribli Dezső , Dobos László , Csabai István
Published: August 2019

We present our results from training and evaluating a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict galaxy shapes from wide-field survey images of the first data release of the Dark Energy Survey (DES DR1). We use conventional shape measurements as ‘ground truth’ from an overlapping, deeper survey with less sky coverage, the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope Lensing Survey (CFHTLenS). We demonstrate that CNN predictions from single band DES images reproduce the results of CFHTLenS at bright magnitudes and show higher correlation with CFHTLenS at fainter magnitudes than maximum likelihood model fitting estimates in the DES Y1 im3shape catalogue. Prediction of shape parameters with a CNN is also extremely fast, it takes only 0.2 ms per galaxy, improving more than 4 orders of magnitudes over forward model fitting. The CNN can also accurately predict shapes when using multiple images of the same galaxy, even in different colour bands, with no additional computational overhead. The CNN is again more precise for faint objects, and the advantage of the CNN is more pronounced for blue galaxies than red ones when compared to the DES Y1 metacalibration catalogue, which fits a single Gaussian profile using riz band images. We demonstrate that CNN shape predictions within the metacalibration self-calibrating framework yield shear estimates with negligible multiplicative bias, m < 10−3, and no significant point spread function (PSF) leakage. Our proposed set-up is applicable to current and next-generation weak lensing surveys where higher quality ‘ground truth’ shapes can be measured in dedicated deep fields.
Modelling the light curve of ‘Oumuamua: evidence for torque and disc-like shape
Authors: Mashchenko Sergey
Published: August 2019

We present the first attempt to fit the light curve of the interstellar visitor ‘Oumuamua using a physical model that includes optional torque. We consider both conventional (Lommel–Seeliger triaxial ellipsoid) and alternative (‘black-and-white ball’, ‘solar sail’) brightness models. With all the brightness models, some torque is required to explain the timings of the most conspicuous features – deep minima – of the asteroid’s light curve. Our best-fitting models are a thin disc (aspect ratio 1:6) and a thin cigar (aspect ratio 1:8) that are very close to being axially symmetric. Both models are tumbling and require some torque that has the same amplitude in relation to ‘Oumuamua’s linear non-gravitational acceleration as in Solar system comets whose dynamics is affected by outgassing. Assuming random orientation of the angular momentum vector, we compute probabilities for our best-fitting models. We show that cigar-shaped models suffer from a fine-tuning problem and have only 16 per cent probability to produce light-curve minima as deep as the ones present in ‘Oumuamua’s light curve. Disc-shaped models, on the other hand, are very likely (at 91 per cent) to produce minima of the required depth. From our analysis, the most likely model for ‘Oumuamua is a thin disc (slab) experiencing moderate torque from outgassing.
Astrophysical implications of double-layer torsional oscillations in a neutron star crust as a lasagna sandwich
Authors: Sotani Hajime , Iida Kei , Oyamatsu Kazuhiro
Published: August 2019

In the crust of a neutron star, global torsional oscillations could occur in two elastic layers. The outer and inner layers are composed of spherical and cylindrical nuclei and of cylindrical holes (tubes) and spherical holes (bubbles), respectively, while between these two layers, a phase of slab-like (lasagna) nuclei with vanishingly small elasticity is sandwiched. In this work, we update systematic calculations of the eigenfrequencies of the fundamental oscillations in the inner layer by newly allowing for the presence of tubes. We find that the frequencies still depend strongly on the slope parameter of the nuclear symmetry energy, L, while being almost independent of the incompressibility of symmetric nuclear matter. We also find that the fundamental frequencies in the inner layer can become smaller than those in the outer layer because the tube phase has a relatively small shear modulus and at the same time dominates the inner layer in thickness. As a result, we can successfully explain not only the quasi-periodic oscillations originally discovered in the observed X-ray afterglow of the giant flare of SGR 1806–20 but also many others recently found by a Bayesian procedure.
Sensitivity of low-degree solar p modes to active and ephemeral regions: frequency shifts back to the Maunder minimum
Authors: Chaplin William J , Howe Rachel , Basu Sarbani , Elsworth Yvonne , Milbourne Timothy W , Haywood Raphaëlle D , Davies Guy R , Hale Steven J , Miglio Andrea , Ross Eddie
Published: August 2019

We explore the sensitivity of the frequencies of low-degree solar p modes to near-surface magnetic flux on different spatial scales and strengths, specifically to active regions with strong magnetic fields and ephemeral regions with weak magnetic fields. We also use model reconstructions from the literature to calculate average frequency offsets back to the end of the Maunder minimum. We find that the p-mode frequencies are at least 3 times less sensitive (at 95  per cent confidence) to the ephemeral-region field than they are to the active-region field. Frequency shifts between activity cycle minima and maxima are controlled predominantly by the change of active region flux. Frequency shifts at cycle minima (with respect to a magnetically quiet Sun) are determined largely by the ephemeral flux, and are estimated to have been $0.1\, \rm \mu Hz$ or less over the last few minima. We conclude that at epochs of cycle minimum, frequency shifts due to near-surface magnetic activity are negligible compared to the offsets between observed and model frequencies that arise from inaccurate modelling of the near-surface layers (the so-called surface term). The implication is that this will be the case for other Sun-like stars with similar activity, which has implications for asteroseismic modelling of stars.
Dasypus kappleri (Cingulata: Dasypodidae)
Authors: Aya-Cuero Carlos , Chacón-Pacheco Julio , Anacleto Teresa Cristina S
Published: August 2019

Dasypus kappleri Krauss, 1862, commonly known as greater long-nosed armadillo, is the second largest extant armadillo and readily distinguishable by the prominent spurs on the hind legs. It is diurnal-nocturnal, solitary, and insectivorous. It is a semi-fossorial species ranging east of the Andes across the central lowlands of South America. It occupies a wide range of habitats including rainforest, riparian forest, and grassland. D. kappleri is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in light of its wide distribution, which presumedly contains robust populations.
EANO guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Goldbrunner Roland , Weller Michael , Regis Jean , Lund-Johansen Morten , Stavrinou Pantelis , Reuss David , Evans D Gareth , Lefranc Florence , Sallabanda Kita , Falini Andrea , Axon Patrick , Sterkers Olivier , Fariselli Laura , Wick Wolfgang , Tonn Joerg-Christian
Published: August 2019

The level of evidence to provide treatment recommendations for vestibular schwannoma is low compared with other intracranial neoplasms. Therefore, the vestibular schwannoma task force of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology assessed the data available in the literature and composed a set of recommendations for health care professionals. The radiological diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma is made by magnetic resonance imaging. Histological verification of the diagnosis is not always required. Current treatment options include observation, surgical resection, fractionated radiotherapy, and radiosurgery. The choice of treatment depends on clinical presentation, tumor size, and expertise of the treating center. In small tumors, observation has to be weighed against radiosurgery, in large tumors surgical decompression is mandatory, potentially followed by fractionated radiotherapy or radiosurgery. Except for bevacizumab in neurofibromatosis type 2, there is no role for pharmacotherapy.
Moonlighting
Authors: Waddell Nathan
Published: August 2019

How and why did the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) matter to experimental writers in the early twentieth century? Previous answers to this question have tended to focus on structural analogies between musical works and literary texts, charting the many different ways in which poetry and prose resemble Beethoven’s compositions. This book takes a different approach. It focuses on how early twentieth-century writers—chief among them E. M. Forster, Aldous Huxley, Wyndham Lewis, Dorothy Richardson, Rebecca West, and Virginia Woolf—profited from the representational conventions associated in the nineteenth century and beyond with Beethovenian culture. The emphasis of Moonlighting falls for the most part on how modernist writers made use of Beethovenian legend. It is concerned neither with formal similarities between Beethoven’s music and modernist writing nor with the music of Beethoven per se, but with certain ways of understanding Beethoven’s music which had long before 1900 taken shape as habit, myth, cliché, and fantasy, and with the influence they had on experimental writing up to 1930. Moonlighting suggests that the modernists drew knowingly and creatively on the conventional. It proposes that many of the most experimental works of modernist literature were shaped by a knowing reliance on Beethovenian consensus; in short, that the literary modernists knew Beethovenian legend when they saw it, and that they were eager to profit from it.
Nobeyama 45 m mapping observations toward Orion A. I. Molecular outflows
Authors: Tanabe Yoshihiro , Nakamura Fumitaka , Tsukagoshi Takashi , Shimajiri Yoshito , Ishii Shun , Kawabe Ryohei , Feddersen Jesse R , Kong Shuo , Arce Hector G , Bally John , Carpenter John M , Momose Munetake
Published: August 2019

We conducted an exploration of 12CO molecular outflows in the Orion A giant molecular cloud to investigate outflow feedback using 12CO ($J = 1\!-\!0$) and ${}^{13}$CO ($J = 1\!-\!0$) data obtained by the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. In the region excluding the center of OMC 1, we identified 44 12CO (including 17 newly detected) outflows based on the unbiased and systematic procedure of automatically determining the velocity range of the outflows and separating the cloud and outflow components. The optical depth of the 12CO emission in the detected outflows is estimated to be approximately 5. The total momentum and energy of the outflows, corrected for optical depth, are estimated to be $1.6 \times 10^{2}\, M_{\odot }\:$km$\:$s$^{-1}$ and $1.5\times 10^{46}\:$erg, respectively. The momentum and energy ejection rate of the outflows are estimated to be 36% and 235% of the momentum and energy dissipation rates of the cloud turbulence, respectively. Furthermore, the ejection rates of the outflows are comparable to those of the expanding molecular shells estimated by Feddersen et al. (2018, ApJ, 862, 121). Cloud turbulence cannot be sustained by the outflows and shells unless the energy conversion efficiency is as high as 20%.
Spinal Coronal and Sagittal Balance in 584 Healthy Individuals During Growth: Normal Plumb Line Values and Their Correlation With Radiographic Measurements
Authors: Negrini Alessandra , Vanossi Massimiliano , Donzelli Sabrina , Zaina Fabio , Romano Michele , Negrini Stefano
Published: August 2019

Background

Plumb line distances (PDs) are widely used in conservative clinical practice to evaluate the sagittal shape of the spine.

Objective

The objective was to assess the normative values of PDs in a large, healthy population in an age range representative of the adolescent population with spinal deformities, and to correlate it with x-ray measurements.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Participants were 584 healthy individuals (341 females) with x-rays showing no spine deformities. The whole sample (OVERALL) was divided into 5 groups: 6 to 9 years old (n = 106); >10 years, Risser 0 with triradiate cartilage open (n = 129) or closed (n = 104); Risser 1 to 2 (n = 126); and Risser 3 to 5 (n = 119).

PDs were taken by maintaining a tangent to the thoracic kyphosis apex at C7, T12, L3, and S2. Sagittal index (C7 + L3), and sagittal and coronal balances (C7 related to S2) were calculated.

Results

In OVERALL, PDs at C7, T12, L3, and S2 were 39.9 ± 16.7, 21.4 ± 15.3, 39.9 ± 15, 20.6 ± 17.0 mm, respectively. Sagittal index was 79.8 ± 26.8, sagittal balance was 19.3 ± 17 mm anterior to S2 plumb line; 13.5% had a coronal imbalance of 11.4 ± 5.4 mm to the right and 24.7% of 13.2 ± 6.0 mm to the left. C7 and L3 PDs, sagittal index, and sagittal balance were significantly lower in ages 6 to 9 compared to older patients in Risser 1 to 2 group. C7 and S2 PDs and sagittal index were significantly larger in males. Sagittal index correlated with thoracic kyphosis Cobb degrees (r = 0.47).

Limitations

The participants were not randomly chosen from the general population; and they had an x-ray because of spine pathology suspicion.

Conclusions

This study shows normative data to be used in clinical practice. Sagittal spinopelvic alignment has gained more and more importance in the last decades because of its high correlation to Health-Related Quality of Life scores in adults. 1
An Evidence-Based Perspective on Movement and Activity Following Median Sternotomy
Authors: El-Ansary Doa , LaPier Tanya Kinney , Adams Jenny , Gach Richard , Triano Susan , Katijjahbe Md Ali , Hirschhorn Andrew D , Mungovan Sean F , Lotshaw Ana , Cahalin Lawrence P
Published: August 2019

Cardiac surgery via median sternotomy is performed in over 1 million patients per year worldwide. Despite evidence, sternal precautions in the form of restricted arm and trunk activity are routinely prescribed to patients following surgery to prevent sternal complications. Sternal precautions may exacerbate loss of independence and prevent patients from returning home directly after hospital discharge. In addition, immobility and deconditioning associated with restricting physical activity potentially contribute to the negative sequelae of median sternotomy on patient symptoms, physical and psychosocial function, and quality of life. Interpreting the clinical impact of sternal precautions is challenging due to inconsistent definitions and applications globally. Following median sternotomy, typical guidelines involve limiting arm movement during loaded lifting, pushing, and pulling for 6 to 8 weeks. This perspective paper proposes that there is robust evidence to support early implementation of upper body activity and exercise in patients recovering from median sternotomy while minimizing risk of complications. A clinical paradigm shift is encouraged, one that encourages a greater amount of controlled upper body activity, albeit modified in some situations, and less restrictive sternal precautions. Early screening for sternal complication risk factors and instability followed by individualized progressive functional activity and upper body therapeutic exercise is likely to promote optimal and timely patient recovery. Substantial research documenting current clinical practice of sternal precautions, early physical therapy, and cardiac rehabilitation provides support and the context for understanding why a less restrictive and more active plan of care is warranted and recommended for patients following a median sternotomy.
A longitudinal study of the protective influence of youth assets on juvenile arrest
Authors: Lensch Taylor , Clements-Nolle Kristen , Oman Roy F , Lu Minggen
Published: August 2019

Background

The objective of this study was to determine the separate and cumulative influence of individual, family and community assets on juvenile arrest rates in a cohort of youth.

Methods

Five waves of data were collected from 1111 youth and their parents living in randomly sampled census tracts in a Midwestern state. Computer-assisted, in-person data collection methods were used to measure assets within individual (six assets), family (four assets) and community (six assets) domains. Extended Cox models were used to assess the relationship between the number of assets and time to first juvenile arrest, while controlling for known confounders.

Results

Nine of 16 assets across individual, family and community domains were prospectively associated with a reduction in arrest rates. There was a relationship between the number of assets youth possess within individual, family and community domains and rates of arrest. For example, compared to youth with zero to one community assets, those with three [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR): 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30–0.88], four [AHR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.34–0.97] or five to six [AHR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.25–0.82] community assets had lower risk of arrest.

Conclusions

Public health efforts focused on developing policies and programs to promote asset building across multiple domains of influence are warranted.
INDOOR RADON CONCENTRATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT IN SOME DWELLINGS OF OBUASI, MINING TOWN
Authors: Opoku-Ntim Irene , Andam Aba Bentil , Roca Vicenzo , Fletcher J J , Akiti T T
Published: August 2019

222Rn concentration indoors was measured in 40 dwellings in the Obuasi municipality, a gold-mining town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana using the LR 115 type II strippable detectors for the two major seasons in Ghana, rainy and dry. The detectors were placed in the bed rooms of dwellers for 6 months each. Average indoor radon concentration varied from 63.9 to 364.9 Bqm−3 with a mean of 152.2 ± 10.9 Bqm−3 in the rainy season and 26.1–119.0 Bqm−3 with a mean of 50.5 ± 3.9 Bqm−3 in the dry season. The effective dose of 3.90 ± 0.3 mSvy−1 for the rainy season and for the dry season, effective dose of 0.6 mSvy−1 were recorded. The seasonal variation of 222Rn concentration indoors showed higher values in the rainy season than the dry season. A dependence was observed between the type of building materials used in building and the indoor radon level.
Positioning AIDS Activism in India: Civil Society Responses Between Development Aid, Global Health and the State, 1989 to 2001
Authors: Kanazawa Reiko
Published: August 2019

This article brings histories of medical activism in conversation with studies of international development to understand Ford Foundation-supported AIDS non-governmental organisations in India. While there were organisations with far-reaching visions for change through the voluntary sector, the article argues that the advocacy, caught between political critique and service delivery, was ultimately awkward and ambiguous. It demonstrates this by focusing on the Foundation’s support for Indian civil society after the Emergency, how it ‘learned’ activism from mainstream global and national responses and how AIDS was subsequently subsumed under a resurgent reproductive health movement after the 1994 Cairo Conference on Population and Development. Finally, it argues that AIDS activism declined after the early 2000s because the Indian government absorbed the developmental rhetoric and services of the NGOs. Ultimately, Ford’s career in AIDS activism showcases the limitations of sustained political critique by civil society and non-governmental actors.