bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of a cross-band relativistic Cherenkov oscillator based on the cathode adjustment
Authors: Zhang Peng , Ge Xingjun , Dang Fangchao , Huang Chao , Zhao Chenyu , Cheng Xinbing , Zhang Qiang , Ling Junpu
Published: March 2019

The mechanism and realization of a cross-band relativistic Cherenkov oscillator based on the cathode adjustment are presented. The device adopts coaxial dual-annular cathode to emit the inner and the outer electron beams, independently. When the inner annular cathode is extended and the outer annular cathode is retracted, the electron beams are emitted from the inner cathode and interact with the internal electromagnetic structure to generate Ka-band microwaves. On the contrary, the outer electron beams interact with the external electromagnetic structure to generate X-band microwaves. Thus, the cross-band microwave generation can be achieved only by adjusting the protrusion and retraction of dual-annular cathode. By the particle-in-cell (PIC) method, the physical process of beam-wave interaction in the device is studied, and the high efficiency internal-external double electromagnetic structures are designed. Simulation results show that the X-band microwave with a power of 1.50 GW and a frequency of 8.55 GHz is generated, corresponding to an efficiency of 32%. Meanwhile, the Ka-band microwave with power of 650 MW and frequency of 31.80 GHz is generated, corresponding to efficiency of 28%.
Host-Guest Inclusion Systems of Morin Hydrate and Quercetin with Two Bis(β-cyclodextrin)s: Preparation, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Zhao Li-Juan , Yang Song-Lin , Jin Wen , Yang Hui-Wen , Li Fei-Yang , Chi Shao-Ming , Zhu Hong-You , Lei Ze , Zhao Yan
Published: March 2019

The inclusion complexation behaviour of morin hydrate (MH) and quercetin (QCT) with the two amide-bridged bis(β-cyclodextrin (β-CD))s, 1 and 2, was investigated in both solution and the solid state. The inclusion complexations were characterised by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, 2D rotating-frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Ultraviolet titration analysis indicated that 1 and 2 form 1:1 molar stoichiometry inclusion complexes with MH and QCT, and the data obtained showed that 2 with two guests has a higher complex stability constant (KS) when compared with that of 1. Moreover, 1 and 2 were able to solubilize MH and QCT to high levels, up to ~200-fold. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of MH, QCT and their inclusion compounds were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging. Together, these results showed that the inclusion complexes exhibited a more effective antioxidant activity when compared with free MH. The satisfactory antioxidant activity and high water solubility of the bis(β-CD)s/flavonoid complexes may have potential use as healthcare products and herbal medicine.
No chromosome left behind: The importance of metaphase alignment for mitotic fidelity
Authors: Orr Bernardo , Maiato Helder
Published: March 2019

Chromosome alignment is a hallmark of mitosis in metazoans, but the physiological relevance of this orderly behavior has remained unclear. In this issue, Fonseca et al. (2019. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201807228) show that chromosome alignment ensures mitotic fidelity by promoting interchromosomal compaction during anaphase.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K2 of the air-kerma standards of the NRC, Canada, and the BIPM in low-energy x-rays
Authors: Burns D T , Kessler C , Mainegra-Hing E , Shen H , McEwen M R
Published: March 2019

A key comparison has been made between the air-kerma standards of the NRC and the BIPM in the low-energy x-ray range. The results show the standards to be in agreement at the level of the combined standard uncertainty of 3.4 parts in 103. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

Radiation dosimetry, key comparison, low-energy x-rays

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Optimizing Git for handling database backups: findings and insights from another 6,000 hours of experimentation
Authors: Roig JV
Published: March 2019

This is the second in a series of papers detailing results from on-going investigations of using Git - a distributed source control system - as a database backup and disaster recovery tool. The first paper, published early 2017 after 2,000 hours of data processing and simulations, warns that the default configuration of Git is unsuitable for database backups, but also shares configuration tweaks that make it safe and more space-efficient than zipped .sql archives - as low as only 1% of the storage space needed by .sql archives. This second paper focuses on optimization, looking specifically to identify which configuration tweaks and factors affect the reliability, scalability and efficiency of a Git-based database backup and disaster recovery system. Critical insights regarding the reliability and scalability of a Git-based database backup system were found after 6,000 hours of experimentation, centered around the problem of configuring Git to be able to handle .sql files measured in gigabytes.
Effect of Girth Supersizing on Patient Satisfaction After Semi-Rigid Penile Implant Insertion: A Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Salem Ahmed Mahmoud , Osman Ihab Abdel Latef , Zaghloul Ahmed Said , Shokr Mohamed Mohamed , Sadek Mohamed Nasreldin , GamalEl Din Sameh Fayek
Published: March 2019

Background

Penile length and girth have long been sources of anxiety for men.

Objectives

The authors sought to measure satisfaction with intercourse and erectile function 3 and 6 months after girth augmentation in patients with semi-rigid penile implants who received autologous fat injections.

Methods

Thirty married participants in Egypt were recruited and divided into 2 groups between January 2016 and August 2017. Fifteen patients who underwent semi-rigid penile implant insertion and 15 controls all received autologous fat injections and were followed-up for 3 and 6 months.

Results

Median penile girth increased significantly in both groups, although fat loss was noted after 6 months. There was a positive correlation between the amount of fat injected and the change in penile girth measured 6 months after the procedure in the controls.

Conclusions

Autologous fat transfer is a simple and safe procedure that can be used to augment penile girth in patients whose girth is less than 11.5 cm after penile prosthesis insertion.

Level of Evidence: 4
Gene-based association tests using GWAS summary statistics
Authors: Svishcheva Gulnara R , Belonogova Nadezhda M , Zorkoltseva Irina V , Kirichenko Anatoly V , Axenovich Tatiana I
Published: March 2019

Motivation

A huge number of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics freely available in databases provide a new material for gene-based association analysis aimed at identifying rare genetic variants. Only a few of the many popular gene-based methods developed for individual genotype and phenotype data are adapted for the practical use of the GWAS summary statistics as input.

Results

We analytically prove and numerically illustrate that all popular powerful methods developed for gene-based association analysis of individual phenotype and genotype data can be modified to utilize GWAS summary statistics. We have modified and implemented all of the popular methods, including burden and kernel machine-based tests, multiple and functional linear regression, principal components analysis and others, in the R package sumFREGAT. Using real summary statistics for coronary artery disease, we show that the new package is able to detect genes not found by the existing packages.

Availability and implementation

The R package sumFREGAT is freely and publicly available at: https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=sumFREGAT.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Testing for individual sphericity in heterogeneous panels
Authors: Broda Simon A
Published: March 2019

This manuscript considers locally best invariant tests for sphericity in heterogeneous panels. A new integral representation for the characteristic function of the test statistic under the null is presented, along with an algorithm for inverting it to obtain the distribution function. A saddlepoint approximation to the null distribution addresses the need to quickly compute approximate $p$-values in empirical work. The approximation shows substantial improvements over the normal approximation when the cross-sectional dimension is small.
Circulating (1→3)-β-D-glucan Is Associated With Immune Activation During Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Mehraj Vikram , Ramendra Rayoun , Isnard Stéphane , Dupuy Franck P , Ponte Rosalie , Chen Jun , Kema Ido , Jenabian Mohammad-Ali , Costiniuk Cecilia T , Lebouché Bertrand , Thomas Réjean , Coté Pierre , Leblanc Roger , Baril Jean-Guy , Durand Madeleine , Chartrand-Lefebvre Carl , Tremblay Cécile , Ancuta Petronela , Bernard Nicole F , Sheppard Donald C , Routy Jean-Pierre ,   Montreal Primary HIV Infection Study and Canadian HIV and Aging Cohort Study Groups, Milne C , Lavoie S , Friedman J , Duchastel M , Villielm F , Asselin F , Boissonnault M , Maziade P J , Lavoie S , Milne M , Miaki N Z , Thériault M E , Lessard B , Charron M A , Dufresne S , Turgeon M E , Vézina S , Huchet E , Kerba J P , Poliquin M , Poulin S , Rochette P , Junod P , Longpré D , Pilarski R , Sasseville E , Charest L , Hamel A , Cloutier-Blais A , Massoud S , Chano F , Trottier B , Labrecque L , Fortin C , Hal-Gagne V , Munoz M , Deligne B , Martel-Laferrière V , Trottier B , Goyer M E , Teltscher M , de Pokomandy A , Cox J , Beauchamp E , Haraoui L P
Published: March 2019

Background

Microbial translocation from the gut to systemic circulation contributes to immune activation during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is usually assessed by measuring plasma levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Fungal colonization in the gut increases during HIV-infection and people living with HIV (PLWH) have increased plasma levels of fungal polysaccharide (1→3)-β-D-Glucan (βDG). We assessed the contribution of circulating DG to systemic immune activation in PLWH.

Methods

Cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments of plasma βDG levels were conducted along with markers of HIV disease progression, epithelial gut damage, bacterial translocation, proinflammatory cytokines, and βDG-specific receptor expression on monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.

Results

Plasma βDG levels were elevated during early and chronic HIV infection and persisted despite long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). βDG increased over 24 months without ART but remained unchanged after 24 months of treatment. βDG correlated negatively with CD4 T-cell count and positively with time to ART initiation, viral load, intestinal fatty acid–binding protein, LPS, and soluble LPS receptor soluble CD14 (sCD14). Elevated βDG correlated positively with indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 enzyme activity, regulatory T-cell frequency, activated CD38+Human Leukocyte Antigen - DR isotype (HLA-DR)+ CD4 and CD8 T cells and negatively with Dectin-1 and NKp30 expression on monocytes and NK cells, respectively.

Conclusions

PLWH have elevated plasma βDG in correlation with markers of disease progression, gut damage, bacterial translocation, and inflammation. Early ART initiation prevents further βDG increase. This fungal antigen contributes to immune activation and represents a potential therapeutic target to prevent non–acquired immunodeficiency syndrome events.
Association Between Normothermia at the End of Surgery and Postoperative Complications Following Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Yamada Koji , Nakajima Koji , Nakamoto Hideki , Kohata Kazuhiro , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Oka Hiroyuki , Yamakawa Kiyofumi , Matsumoto Takuya , Tokimura Fumiaki , Kanai Hiroyuki , Takeshita Yujiro , Karita Tatsuro , Tajiri Yasuhito , Okazaki Hiroshi , Tanaka Sakae
Published: March 2019

Background

Maintaining perioperative normothermia is recommended by recent guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). However, the majority of supporting data originates outside the field of orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

The effect of normothermia was explored using the prospectively collected data of consecutive patients who underwent single-site surgery in 7 tertiary referral hospitals between November 2013 and July 2016. SSIs, urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory tract infections (RTIs), cardiac and cerebral events (CCE), and all-cause mortality rates within 30 days after surgery were compared between patients with normothermia (body temperature ≥36°C) and those with hypothermia (<36°C) at the end of surgery, after closure. Multivariable adjusted and inverse-probability weighted regression analyses were performed.

Results

The final cohort included 8841 patients. Of these, 11.4% (n = 1008) were hypothermic. More than 96% were evaluated in person by the physicians. After adjusting for multiple covariates, normothermia was not significantly associated with SSIs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59–2.33), UTIs (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 0.66–1.95), RTIs (aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.31–1.19), or CCE (aOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.26–1.09). In contrast, normothermia was associated with a lower risk of 30-day mortality (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.64; P < .01; weighted hazard ratio 0.21, 95% CI 0.07–0.68; P = .002). In a subgroup analysis, normothermia was associated with reduced mortality in all types of surgical procedures.

Conclusions

Whereas our findings suggest no clear association with SSI risks following orthopedic surgery, our study supports maintaining perioperative normothermia, as it is associated with reduced 30-day mortality.
Preoperative esophageal stenting and short-term outcomes of surgery for esophageal cancer in a population-based study from Finland and Sweden
Authors: Helminen Olli , Kauppila Joonas H , Kytö Ville , Gunn Jarmo , Lagergren Jesper , Sihvo Eero
Published: March 2019

Population-based studies examining whether preoperative esophageal stenting influences the short-term outcomes after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer are lacking. This nationwide cohort combining data from Finland and Sweden was conducted to cover this gap. Patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (T ≥ 3 and/or N ≥ 1, M0) who underwent esophagectomy between 2007 and 2014 were identified from nationwide registries in Finland and Sweden. The study exposure was preoperative stenting. The primary outcomes were 30- and 90-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and 30- and 90-day readmission rates. Multivariable Cox and linear regression analyses provided hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, tumor histology, year of surgery, and country. Of all 1029 participating patients who underwent surgery for locally advanced esophageal cancer, 127 (12.3%) had an esophageal stent inserted preoperatively. The absolute 30-day mortality rates were higher in stented patients (3.9%) than in those without a stent (1.6%), but the HR was not statistically significantly increased (HR 2.42; 95% CI 0.85–6.92). Similarly, the absolute 90-day mortality rates were increased after preoperative stenting (11.8%) compared to no stenting (7.0%), but again the HR was not statistically significantly increased (HR 1.68; 95% CI 0.95–2.98). Preoperative stenting did not influence length of hospital stay or readmission rates. The possibly increased short-term mortality after preoperative stenting in patients who undergo esophagectomy for esophageal cancer indicated in this study suggests a cautious approach to preoperative stenting until future research or meta-analyses provide a more definite answer.
The dual personality of ‘topic’ in the IELTS Speaking Test
Authors: Seedhouse Paul
Published: March 2019

This article investigates the central role of topic in the IELTS Speaking Test (IST). Topic has developed a dual personality in this interactional setting: topic-as-script is the scripted statement of topic on the examiner’s cards prior to the interaction, whereas topic-as-action is how topic is developed by the candidate during the course of the interaction, which is consequential for the grades they receive. The key interactional structure in the IST is the ‘topic-scripted Question–Answer adjacency pair’ produced by the examiner. In order to obtain a high score, candidates need to do the following: (a) understand the question they have been asked; (b) provide an answer to the question; (c) identify the topic inherent in the question; and (d) develop the topic inherent in the question. Comparing the two personalities of topic enables methodological analysis and evaluation of the interaction and can be used for preparing candidates for the IST.
Is Rapamycin a Dietary Restriction Mimetic?
Authors: Unnikrishnan Archana , Kurup Kavitha , Salmon Adam B , Richardson Arlan
Published: March 2019

Since the initial suggestion that rapamycin, an inhibitor of target of rapamycin (TOR) nutrient signaling, increased lifespan comparable to dietary restriction, investigators have viewed rapamycin as a potential dietary restriction mimetic. Both dietary restriction and rapamycin increase lifespan across a wide range of evolutionarily diverse species (including yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, and mice) as well as reducing pathology and improving physiological functions that decline with age in mice. The purpose of this article is to review the research comparing the effect of dietary restriction and rapamycin in mice. The current data show that dietary restriction and rapamycin have different effects on many pathways and molecular processes. In addition, these interventions affect the lifespan of many genetically manipulated mouse models differently. In other words, while dietary restriction and rapamycin may have similar effects on some pathways and processes; overall, they affect many pathways/processes quite differently. Therefore, rapamycin is likely not a true dietary restriction mimetic. Rather dietary restriction and rapamycin appear to be increasing lifespan and retarding aging largely through different mechanisms/pathways, suggesting that a combination of dietary restriction and rapamycin will have a greater effect on lifespan than either manipulation alone.
Reduced Mitochondrial Content, Elevated Reactive Oxygen Species, and Modulation by Denervation in Skeletal Muscle of Prefrail or Frail Elderly Women
Authors: Sonjak Vita , Jacob Kathryn J , Spendiff Sally , Vuda Madhusudanarao , Perez Anna , Miguez Kayla , Minozzo Fabio C , Spake Carole , Morais José A , Hepple Russell T
Published: March 2019

Denervation and mitochondrial impairment are implicated in age-related skeletal muscle atrophy and may play a role in physical frailty. We recently showed that denervation modulates muscle mitochondrial function in octogenarian men, but this has not been examined in elderly women. On this basis, we tested the hypothesis that denervation plays a modulating role in mitochondrial impairment in skeletal muscle from prefrail or frail elderly (FE) women. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity and reactive oxygen species emission were examined in permeabilized myofibers obtained from vastus lateralis muscle biopsies from FE and young inactive women. Muscle respiratory capacity was reduced in proportion to a reduction in a mitochondrial marker protein in FE, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species emission was elevated in FE versus young inactive group. Consistent with a significant accumulation of neural cell adhesion molecule-positive muscle fibers in FE (indicative of denervation), a 50% reduction in reactive oxygen species production after pharmacologically inhibiting the denervation-mediated reactive oxygen species response in FE women suggests a significant modulation of mitochondrial function by denervation. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that denervation plays a modulating role in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in FE women, suggesting therapeutic strategies in advanced age should focus on the causes and treatment of denervation.
Life-course socioeconomic differences and social mobility in preventable and non-preventable mortality: a study of Swedish twins
Authors: Ericsson Malin , Pedersen Nancy L , Johansson Anna L V , Fors Stefan , Dahl Aslan Anna K
Published: March 2019

Background

Despite advances in life expectancy, low socioeconomic status is associated with a shorter lifespan. This study was conducted to investigate socioeconomic differences in mortality by comparing preventable with non-preventable causes of death in 39 506 participants from the Swedish Twin Registry born before 1935.

Methods

Childhood social class, own education, own social class and social mobility were used as separate indicators of socioeconomic status. These data were linked to the Swedish Cause of Death Register. Cause of death was categorized as preventable or non-preventable mortality according to indicators presented in the Avoidable Mortality in the European Union (AMIEHS) atlas. Using Cox proportional hazard models, we tested the association between the socioeconomic measures and all-cause mortality, preventable mortality and non-preventable mortality. Additional co-twin control analyses indicated whether the associations reflected genetic confounding.

Results

The social gradient for mortality was most prominent for the adult socioeconomic measures. There was a social gradient in both preventable mortality and non-preventable mortality, but with an indication of a moderately stronger effect in preventable causes of death. In analyses of social mobility, those who experienced life-time low socioeconomic status (SES) or downward social mobility had an increased mortality risk compared with those with life-time high SES and upward social mobility. Adjustments for genetic confounding did not change the observed associations for education, social class or social mobility and mortality. In the co-twin control analyses of reared-apart twins, the association between childhood social class and mortality weakened, indicating possible genetic influences on this association.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that there is an association between low adult socioeconomic status and increased mortality independent of genetic endowment. Thus, we do not find support for indirect social selection as the basis for mortality inequalities in Sweden
Plasmodium falciparum Clearance Is Pitting-Dependent With Artemisinin-Based Drugs but Pitting-Independent With Atovaquone-Proguanil or Mefloquine
Authors: Wojnarski Mariusz , Mouri Oussama , Chambrion Charlotte , Roussel Camille , Chartrel Nathalie , Smith Bryan , Smith Philip , Thellier Marc , Buffet Pierre , Ndour Papa Alioune
Published: March 2019

Pitting, the removal of dead parasites from their host erythrocyte, has been studied in patients with severe malaria treated parenterally with quinine or artesunate, and was recently shown to contribute to delayed hemolysis, a frequent adverse event of artesunate. We quantified pitting in 81 travelers treated with oral antimalarial therapy. Pitting rate was high (55.8%) with artemisinin-based combinations, but <10% with the nonartemisinin drugs quinine, mefloquine, and atovaquone-proguanil. This may, in part, explain the slower parasite clearance in patients treated with antimalarial drugs lacking an artemisinin component, as well as the absence of posttreatment hemolysis with these drugs.
Chatbots and Gender Stereotyping
Authors: McDonnell Marian , Baxter David
Published: March 2019

Chatbots are very much an emerging technology, and there is still much to learn about how conversational user interfaces will affect the way in which humans communicate not only with computers but also with one another. Further studies on anthropomorphic agents and the projection of human characteristics onto a system are required to further develop this area. Gender stereotypes operate a profound effect on human behaviour. The application of gender to a conversational agent brings along with it the projection of user biases and preconceptions. These feelings and perceptions about an agent can be used to develop mental models of a system. Users can be inclined to measure the success of a system based on their biases and emotional connections with the agent rather than that of the system’s performance. There have been many studies that show how gender affects human perceptions of a conversational agent. However, there is limited research on the effect of gender when applied to a chatbot system. This chapter presents early results from a research study which indicate that chatbot gender does have an effect on users overall satisfaction and gender-stereotypical perception. Subsequent studies could focus on examining the ethical implications of the results and further expanding the research by increasing the sample size to validate statistical significance, as well as recruiting a more diverse sample size from various backgrounds and experiences.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Many studies have indicated how gender affects human perceptions of a conversational agent. However, there is limited research on the effect of gender when applied to a chatbot system. This research study presents early results which indicate that chatbot gender does have an effect on users overall satisfaction and gender-stereotypical perception. Users are more likely to apply gender stereotypes when a chatbot system operates within a gender-stereotypical subject domain, such as mechanics, and when the chatbot gender does not conform to gender stereotypes. This study raise ethical issues. Should we exploit this result and perpetuate the bias and stereotyping? Should we really have a male chatbot for technical advice bots? Is this perpetuating stereotyping, the dilemma being that a male version would elicit more trust?
The Tacit Dimension of Public Sector Attraction in Multi-Incentive Settings
Authors: Asseburg Julia , Hattke Judith , Hensel David , Homberg Fabian , Vogel Rick
Published: March 2019

The public sector provides a broad range of incentives to apply for jobs, but these incentives have rarely been studied in concert. The present study disentangles how job candidates form intentions to apply for a public sector job in multi-incentive settings and how this process depends on public service motivation (PSM). Using a speeded categorization task in an experimental vignette methodology with 340 current job seekers in the United Kingdom, we focus on perceptions that potential applicants have, or do not have, of a range of employment attributes (i.e., extrinsic, intrinsic, and prosocial) when they screen job advertisements. Results of multilevel analyses suggest that perceptions of intrinsic and extrinsic attributes are similarly strong predictors of the intent to apply for public sector jobs, whereas perceptions of prosocial employment attributes do not yield such an overall effect. However, PSM moderates the relationship between perceptions of prosocial attributes and application intentions, but only among nonstudents. Theoretical implications for the alignment of PSM with extrinsic rewards are discussed. Findings are also important for human resource managers in the public sector who want to adjust their recruitment strategies to specific target groups.
The star formation activity of IllustrisTNG galaxies: main sequence, UVJ diagram, quenched fractions, and systematics
Authors: Donnari Martina , Pillepich Annalisa , Nelson Dylan , Vogelsberger Mark , Genel Shy , Weinberger Rainer , Marinacci Federico , Springel Volker , Hernquist Lars
Published: March 2019

We select galaxies from the IllustrisTNG hydrodynamical simulations ($M_{\rm stars}\gt 10^9 \, {\rm M}_\odot$ at 0 ≤ z ≤ 2) and characterize the shapes and evolutions of their UVJ and star formation rate–stellar mass (SFR–Mstars) diagrams. We quantify the systematic uncertainties related to different criteria to classify star-forming versus quiescent galaxies, different SFR estimates, and by accounting for the star formation measured within different physical apertures. The TNG model returns the observed features of the UVJ diagram at z ≤ 2, with a clear separation between two classes of galaxies. It also returns a tight star-forming main sequence (MS) for $M_{\rm stars}\lt 10^{10.5} \, ({\rm M}_\odot)$ with a ∼0.3 dex scatter at z ∼ 0 in our fiducial choices. If a UVJ-based cut is adopted, the TNG MS exhibits a downwardly bending at stellar masses of about 1010.5−10.7 M⊙. Moreover, the model predicts that ${\sim }80\, (50)$ per cent of 1010.5−11 M⊙ galaxies at z = 0 (z = 2) are quiescent and the numbers of quenched galaxies at intermediate redshifts and high masses are in better agreement with observational estimates than previous models. However, shorter SFR-averaging time-scales imply higher normalizations and scatter of the MS, while smaller apertures lead to underestimating the galaxy SFRs: overall we estimate the inspected systematic uncertainties to sum up to about 0.2−0.3 dex in the locus of the MS and to about 15 percentage points in the fraction of quenched galaxies. While TNG colour distributions are clearly bimodal, this is not the case for the SFR logarithmic distributions in bins of stellar mass (SFR ≳ 10−3 M⊙yr−1). Finally, the slope and z = 0 normalization of the TNG MS are consistent with observational findings; however, the locus of the TNG MS remains lower by about 0.2−0.5 dex at 0.75 ≤ z < 2 than the available observational estimates taken at face value.
Stellar binaries that survive supernovae
Authors: Kochanek C S , Auchettl K , Belczynski K
Published: March 2019

The number of binaries containing black holes (BH) or neutron stars (NS) depends critically on the fraction of binaries that survive supernova (SN) explosions. We searched for surviving star plus remnant binaries in a sample of 49 supernova remnants (SNR) containing 23 previously identified compact remnants and three high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXB), finding no new interacting or non-interacting binaries. The upper limits on any main-sequence stellar companion are typically $\lesssim 0.2\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ and are at worst $\lesssim 3\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$. This implies that f < 0.1 of core-collapse SNRs contain a non-interacting binary, and f = 0.083 (0.032 < f < 0.17) contain an interacting binary at 90 per cent confidence. We also find that the transverse velocities of HMXBs are low, with a median of only 12 km s−1 for field HMXBs, so surviving binaries will generally be found very close to the explosion centre. We compare the results to a ‘standard’ StarTrack binary population synthesis (BPS) model, finding reasonable agreement with the observations. In particular, the BPS models predict that 6 per cent of initial binaries leave a star plus remnant binary, or 5 per cent of SNRs assuming an 84 per cent binary fraction.
Maximizing quality of life remains an ultimate goal in the era of precision medicine: exemplified by lung cancer
Authors: Yang Ping
Published: March 2019

An ultimate goal of precision medicine in lung cancer treatment is to restore patient health with maximized quality of life (QOL). Results from Mayo Clinic studies show that a significant improvement in fatigue, dyspnea, and pain scales could lead to better overall QOL. Although treatments and guidelines for clinical implementation to alleviate these key symptoms are available, few cancer patients receive adequate therapy, mostly because of limitations in current care delivery systems and unclear clinicians’ roles. For optimal care of lung cancer survivors in different subpopulations, three barriers must be overcome: physicians’ lack of knowledge, unwarranted practice variation, and uncertainty regarding care provider roles. Appropriate culturally adapted, tested and validated tools for QOL measures must be developed, rather than directly translating existing tools between different languages and across cultures or diverse subpopulations. Finally, lack of sensitive, adequate, and relevant tools in measuring health-related QOL (HRQOL) has long been an issue for effective data collection, demanding a global consensus on a set of core components that reflect the needs of all critical parties for the best cure and care, supporting patients to achieve optimal HRQOL.
News Media Framing of Police Body-Worn Cameras: A Content Analysis
Authors: Naoroz Carolyn , Cleary Hayley M D
Published: March 2019

Content analysis using established media frames was conducted on newspaper articles from 6 of the top 10 circulated newspapers spanning a 4-year period from May 2012 to May 2016. A total of 819 newspaper articles from the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post were coded using five media frames: conflict, human interest, attribution of responsibility, morality/accountability, and economics. Results show an increase in articles reporting on body-worn cameras (BWCs) and police following the events of August 2014 in Ferguson, MO, and that conflict (57%) was the most prevalent frame, followed by attribution of responsibility (52%), and morality/accountability (52%). Usage of the five media frames varied significantly by newspaper outlet. Findings inform police practitioners how newspapers are framing BWCs, allowing police departments to better manage public expectations of the technology and address officer concerns regarding media coverage.
Objectively-measured sedentary time, habitual physical activity and bone strength in adults aged 62 years: the Newcastle Thousand Families Study
Authors: Hind K , Hayes L , Basterfield L , Pearce M S , Birrell F
Published: March 2019

Background

The influence of sedentary time and habitual physical activity on the bone health of middle aged adults is not well known.

Methods

Bone mineral density (BMD) and hip bone geometry were evaluated in 214 men (n = 92) and women (n = 112) aged 62.1 ± 0.5 years from the Newcastle Thousand Families Study birth cohort. Accelerometry was used to measure physical activity (PA) and sedentary time over 4 days. Regression models were adjusted for clinical risk factor covariates.

Results

Men were more sedentary than women (P < 0.05), and sedentary time was negatively associated with spine BMD in men, with 84 minutes more sedentary time corresponding to 0.268 g.cm−2 lower BMD (β = −0.268; P = 0.017). In men, light PA and steps/day were positively associated with bone geometry and BMD. Steps/day was positively associated with bone geometry and femur BMD in women, with a positive difference of 1415 steps/day corresponding to 0.232 g.cm−2 greater BMD (β = 0.232, P = 0.015).

Conclusions

Sedentary time was unfavourably associated with bone strength in men born in North East England at age 62 years. Higher volumes of light PA, and meeting the public health daily step recommendations (10 000 steps/day) was positively associated with bone health in both sexes.
Multi-species test and calibration of an improved transient thermal dissipation system of sap flow measurement with a single probe
Authors: Nhean Sophea , Isarangkool Na Ayutthaya Supat , Rocheteau Alain , Do Frederic C
Published: March 2019

Transient thermal dissipation (TTD) systems provide a simple way to measure xylem sap flow with dual or single Granier-type probe, which gives lower energy consumption and higher accuracy due to its lessor sensitivity to thermal interferences. A new system, TTD heat within 5 min (TTD5), proposed on the reduction of the heating duration. This evolution captured interest through decreased energy consumption and increased temporal resolution. Within our study, the first objective was to test and calibrate this new system with a single probe for young rubber tree – Hevea brasiliensis. The second objective was to explore the sources of variability in calibration such as species, individual cut-stems and probe–wood contact. The complementary species consisted of two diffuse-porous species (mango tree – Mangifera indica, eucalyptus tree – Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and one ring-porous species (teak tree – Tectonia grandis). Twenty-eight response curves were assessed over a large range of flux densities from 0.5 to 10 l dm−2 h−1. The incremental rise of temperature from 30 to 300 s (T300–30) after commencement of heating was sensitive to flux density over the complete range. Compared with the full signal at 300 s, the incremental signal markedly reduced the variability between response curves within species and between species. Moreover, a new index K2, defined as (T0 – Tu)/T0, normalized the responses between 0 and 1. However, the responses had a non-linear trend above 5 l dm−2 h−1. Within diffuse-porous wood type, the species did not differ in calibration, whereas the ring-porous species was markedly different. A sigmoid function provided the best fit for the diffuse-porous species. Individual stems were identified as the main source of within-species variability in calibration. The normalizing K2 index removed the influence of probe–wood contacts, controlled through drilling difference; however, there was still an effect of individual stems interacting with flux density (P = 0.019). Replications of cut-stems and response curves are necessary to assess a reliable averaged calibration. In conclusion, the applicability of the TTD5 system with a single probe has been confirmed and several sources of variability in calibration have been evaluated.
“Turning a Blind Eye to Ratoon Stunting Disease of Sugarcane in Australia” May Be Putting It Too Strongly Without A Lot More Evidence
Authors: Hoy J. W.
Published: March 2019

A recent Feature article, “Turning a Blind Eye to Ratoon Stunting Disease of Sugarcane in Australia” by Dr. Anthony J. Young, claims “The potential RSD plays a significant, industry-wide role in reduced yields and crop deterioration in Australia has been widely overlooked.” As a result, “the industry has exhibited what amounts to an ideological attitude, repeatedly claiming the disease is economically managed.” These statements are the basis for the provocative title of the article. Dr. Young presents very elaborately constructed arguments that conclude RSD is likely to be more widespread than realized, is causing significant yield losses and loss of varieties, and is the unrecognized cause of multiple yield decline problems. His overall contention is that the RSD situation has been mismanaged to the detriment of the industry. Allegations such as these should be supported by well documented, direct evidence. Are they supported by solid evidence?
Live human–robot interactive public demonstrations with automatic emotion and personality prediction
Authors: Gunes Hatice , Celiktutan Oya , Sariyanidi Evangelos
Published: March 2019

Communication with humans is a multi-faceted phenomenon where the emotions, personality and non-verbal behaviours, as well as the verbal behaviours, play a significant role, and human–robot interaction (HRI) technologies should respect this complexity to achieve efficient and seamless communication. In this paper, we describe the design and execution of five public demonstrations made with two HRI systems that aimed at automatically sensing and analysing human participants’ non-verbal behaviour and predicting their facial action units, facial expressions and personality in real time while they interacted with a small humanoid robot. We describe an overview of the challenges faced together with the lessons learned from those demonstrations in order to better inform the science and engineering fields to design and build better robots with more purposeful interaction capabilities.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘From social brains to social robots: applying neurocognitive insights to human–robot interaction’.
Natural language generation for social robotics: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Foster Mary Ellen
Published: March 2019

In the increasingly popular and diverse research area of social robotics, the primary goal is to develop robot agents that exhibit socially intelligent behaviour while interacting in a face-to-face context with human partners. An important aspect of face-to-face social conversation is fluent, flexible linguistic interaction; face-to-face dialogue is both the basic form of human communication and the richest and most flexible, combining unrestricted verbal expression with meaningful non-verbal acts such as gestures and facial displays, along with instantaneous, continuous collaboration between the speaker and the listener. In practice, however, most developers of social robots tend not to use the full possibilities of the unrestricted verbal expression afforded by face-to-face conversation; instead, they generally tend to employ relatively simplistic processes for choosing the words for their robots to say. This contrasts with the work carried out Natural Language Generation (NLG), the field of computational linguistics devoted to the automated production of high-quality linguistic content; while this research area is also an active one, in general most effort in NLG is focused on producing high-quality written text. This article summarizes the state of the art in the two individual research areas of social robotics and natural language generation. It then discusses the reasons why so few current social robots make use of more sophisticated generation techniques. Finally, an approach is proposed to bringing some aspects of NLG into social robotics, concentrating on techniques and tools that are most appropriate to the needs of socially interactive robots.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘From social brains to social robots: applying neurocognitive insights to human–robot interaction’.
Social behaviour as an emergent property of embodied curiosity: a robotics perspective
Authors: Gordon Goren
Published: March 2019

Social interaction is an extremely complex yet vital component in daily life. We present a bottom-up approach for the emergence of social behaviours from the interaction of the curiosity drive, i.e. the intrinsic motivation to learn as much as possible, and the embedding environment of an agent. Implementing artificial curiosity algorithms in robots that explore human-like environments results in the emergence of a hierarchical structure of learning and behaviour. This structure resembles the sequential emergence of behavioural patterns in human babies, culminating in social behaviours, such as face detection, tracking and attention-grabbing facial expressions. These results suggest that an embodied curiosity drive may be the progenitor of many social behaviours if satiated by a social environment.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘From social brains to social robots: applying neurocognitive insights to human–robot interaction’.
Predictive learning: its key role in early cognitive development
Authors: Nagai Yukie
Published: March 2019

What is a fundamental ability for cognitive development? Although many researchers have been addressing this question, no shared understanding has been acquired yet. We propose that predictive learning of sensorimotor signals plays a key role in early cognitive development. The human brain is known to represent sensorimotor signals in a predictive manner, i.e. it attempts to minimize prediction error between incoming sensory signals and top–down prediction. We extend this view and suggest that two mechanisms for minimizing prediction error lead to the development of cognitive abilities during early infancy. The first mechanism is to update an immature predictor. The predictor must be trained through sensorimotor experiences because it does not inherently have prediction ability. The second mechanism is to execute an action anticipated by the predictor. Interacting with other individuals often increases prediction error, which can be minimized by executing one's own action corresponding to others’ action. Our experiments using robotic systems replicated developmental dynamics observed in infants. The capabilities of self–other cognition and goal-directed action were acquired based on the first mechanism, whereas imitation and prosocial behaviours emerged based on the second mechanism. Our theory further provides a potential mechanism for autism spectrum condition. Atypical tolerance for prediction error is hypothesized to be a cause of perceptual and social difficulties.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘From social brains to social robots: applying neurocognitive insights to human–robot interaction’.
Fusing autonomy and sociality via embodied emergence and development of behaviour and cognition from fetal period
Authors: Kuniyoshi Yasuo
Published: March 2019

Human-centred AI/Robotics are quickly becoming important. Their core claim is that AI systems or robots must be designed and work for the benefits of humans with no harm or uneasiness. It essentially requires the realization of autonomy, sociality and their fusion at all levels of system organization, even beyond programming or pre-training. The biologically inspired core principle of such a system is described as the emergence and development of embodied behaviour and cognition. The importance of embodiment, emergence and continuous autonomous development is explained in the context of developmental robotics and dynamical systems view of human development. We present a hypothetical early developmental scenario that fills in the very beginning part of the comprehensive scenarios proposed in developmental robotics. Then our model and experiments on emergent embodied behaviour are presented. They consist of chaotic maps embedded in sensory–motor loops and coupled via embodiment. Behaviours that are consistent with embodiment and adaptive to environmental structure emerge within a few seconds without any external reward or learning. Next, our model and experiments on human fetal development are presented. A precise musculo-skeletal fetal body model is placed in a uterus model. Driven by spinal nonlinear oscillator circuits coupled together via embodiment, somatosensory signals are evoked and learned by a model of the cerebral cortex with 2.6 million neurons and 5.3 billion synapses. The model acquired cortical representations of self–body and multi-modal sensory integration. This work is important because it models very early autonomous development in realistic detailed human embodiment. Finally, discussions toward human-like cognition are presented including other important factors such as motivation, emotion, internal organs and genetic factors.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘From social brains to social robots: applying neurocognitive insights to human–robot interaction’.