bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The route and rate of thiamethoxam soil degradation in laboratory and outdoor incubated tests, and field studies following seed treatments or spray application
Authors: Hilton Martin J , Emburey Simon N , Edwards Paul A , Dougan Christine , Ricketts Dean C
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The route and rate of degradation of thiamethoxam in the laboratory and field was investigated. The effect of dark incubation versus light/dark cycles, seed treatment versus spray, and watering‐in for spray application was explored in side‐by‐side trials.

RESULTS

Geometric mean DT50 values were 75.4 days in OECD307 studies, and 18.3 (spray) and 16.5 (seed treatment) days in the field. In laboratory soil core studies DT50 values were 24.9 to 43.5 days, with the lowest value from the light/dark incubated soil core. Mean clothianidin formation was 19.7% applied thiamethoxam [mol/mol] in OECD307 studies and 17.5 (spray) and 3.4% (seed) in field trials.

CONCLUSION

Soil DT50 values decreased with increasingly realistic tests (laboratory OECD307 to soil cores to soil cores with a light/dark cycle to field trials). The majority of the differences were associated with the soil treatment in OECD307 studies which destroys soil structure and retards the degradation rate; and from the impact on soil pore water movement in light/dark conditions. Degradation rates in the field were comparable between spray application and seed treatments. Maximum clothianidin concentrations were four‐fold lower for seed treatments than for spray application in field studies. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Uncertainty in situations of forced displacement:Acritical interpretative synthesis of refugee literature
Authors: Schiltz Julie , Vindevogel Sofie , Derluyn Ilse , Vanderplasschen Wouter
Published: August 2018

References to uncertainty are omnipresent in literature on forced displacement. This article presents a critical interpretative synthesis of literature about uncertainty in refugee situations and explores common assumptions that underlie the narrative of uncertainty. The analysis of the literature shows that uncertainty appears to be inherent to refugee situations. Also, uncertainty is mainly seen as a constraining and abnormal experience. We critically question these assumptions and try to illustrate how they tend to obscure both the processes that render refugee situations uncertain and the varied ways in which uncertainty can be understood and is made sense of by refugees themselves. Finally, we suggest potential areas and directions for future research on uncertainty in refugee situations.
What Happens to the Employers Involved in Mass Layoffs?
Authors: Weber Handwerker Elizabeth , Mason Lowell
Published: August 2018

We apply the empirical framework of the displaced worker literature to the study of outcomes for displacing employers. Long‐term patterns of employment, average wages, and closure probabilities before and after mass layoffs vary by the reason for layoffs, the industry of employers, employer age, and the period in which the layoff took place. Employers with mass layoffs during the Great Recession and the recovery that has followed have milder patterns of employment levels and closure probabilities than employers with layoffs in previous periods. These differences are not fully explained by changes in the observable characteristics of employers and layoffs.
Effect of Stress on Later‐Life Health: Evidence from the Vietnam War Draft
Authors: Grossman Daniel , Cawley John , de Walque Damien
Published: August 2018

This article contributes to the literature examining how stress during the early stages of life impacts later‐life health using a novel proxy for stress: risk of military induction during the Vietnam War. The article estimates that an increase in induction risk in young adulthood is associated with higher rates of obesity, endocrine disease, and hypertension later in life. These findings do not appear to be cohort effects; these associations exist only for men who did not serve in the war, not for same‐aged women. These results suggest stress experienced during early adulthood can have adverse health consequences later in life.
Gate Tunable Organic Light Emitting Diodes: Principles and Prospects
Authors: Li Huaping
Published: August 2018

This record summarizes our recent developments on gate‐tunable organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). The key point is to modulate the charge carrier injection barrier by the applied gate potential. One way is to electrochemically dope charge carrier injection layer through porous electrodes. The electrochemically doped charge carrier layer thus form gate‐tunable contact with porous electrodes. Another way is to modulate the work‐function of electrodes that can have varied charge carrier injection barriers following the applied gate potential. Gate‐tunable OLEDs based on these two working principles have been fabricated, characterized and demonstrated for displaying simple digitals and letters. New materials including dielectric, porous electrodes, work function tunable electrodes, and charge carrier injection materials have been further explored for performance improvement.
A journey across the solid state polymerization to assess the role of critical factors influencing the molecular weight of polylactic acid
Authors: Montazeri Davoodi Vida , Ahmadi Zahed , Afshar Taromi Faramarz
Published: August 2018

Solid state polymerization (SSP) offers an effective route for synthesizing green polymers with variable molecular weights depending on polymerization condition. In this work, critical factors governing the molecular weight of polylactic acid (PLA) in the course of SSP are manipulated systematically and their contributions to the efficiency of SSP process are discussed. The initial molecular weight of the prepolymer formed, the degree of crystallinity of prepolymer, and the SSP time are changed and analyzed for their effects through different analyses including differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. It was observed that PLA having highest molecular weight would be the result of formation of a prepolymer having low‐molecular weight, as detected by the analysis of functional group concentration. For the optimized sample, the rate of mass loss in SSP was 12,263 g/mol.day and a crystallinity drop over the hydrolysis process was 3.14 per day. The crystallinity of prepolymers was optimized at ca. 26% in regard with the PLA showing the highest molecular weight. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:165–171, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Overview of catalytic upgrading of biomass pyrolysis vapors toward the production of fuels and high‐value chemicals
Authors: Iliopoulou Eleni F. , Triantafyllidis Kostas S. , Lappas Angelos A.
Published: August 2018

The application of heterogeneous catalysis in biomass pyrolysis is considered as one of the most promising methods to improve bio‐oil quality by minimizing its undesirable properties (high viscosity, corrosivity, instability, etc.) and producing renewable fuels and high‐value chemicals. Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of biomass refers both to the “in situ” and “ex situ or two‐stage” upgrading. A plethora of catalytic materials have been investigated in the literature for both approaches, including conventional microporous zeolites, ordered mesoporous aluminosilicates, promoted or not with several transition metals, as well as various metal (nano)oxide catalysts with Lewis acidity. Recently, hybrid micro/mesoporous and basic materials have been also suggested exhibiting most promising results due to combined micro/mesoporosity and adequate balance of acid and basic sites. Optimum catalysts are required to retain deoxygenation, enhance yields of aromatics, and other valuable compounds (such as phenolics), while limiting coke formation. Coke formation is one of the reasons of catalyst deactivation; a very challenging issue during biomass CFP, especially using zeolites. The deactivation process is affected by many factors, including the composition of the feedstock (inorganic minerals present in the feedstock may also deposit on the catalyst), reaction conditions, and the nature/properties of the catalysts used in CFP. Precoking on the surface of zeolites or MgO deposition are among the proposed effective ways to suppress coke formation and thus, catalyst deactivation.

This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Science and Materials

Energy Research & Innovation > Science and Materials

Energy and Transport > Science and Materials
Equations of motion from Cederwall’s pure spinor superspace actions
Authors: Berkovits Nathan , Guillen Max
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Using non-minimal pure spinor superspace, Cederwall has constructed BRST-invariant actions for D = 10 super-Born-Infeld and D = 11 supergravity which are quartic in the superfields. But since the superfields have explicit dependence on the non-minimal pure spinor variables, it is non-trivial to show these actions correctly describe super-Born-Infeld and supergravity. In this paper, we expand solutions to the equations of motion from Cederwall’s actions to leading order around the linearized solutions and show that they correctly describe the interactions of D = 10 super-Born-Infeld and D = 11 supergravity.
4d $$ \mathcal{N}=1/2d $$ Yang-Mills duality in holography
Authors: Fluder Martin
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We study the supergravity dual of four-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

superconformal field theories arising from wrapping M5-branes on a Kähler two-cycle inside a Calabi-Yau threefold. We derive an effective three-dimensional theory living on the cobordism between the infrared and ultraviolet Riemann surfaces, describing the renormalization group flows between AdS7 and AdS5 as well as between different AdS5 fixed points. The realization of this system as an effective theory is convenient to make connections to known theories, and we show that upon imposing (physical) infrared boundary conditions, the effective three-dimensional theory further reduces to two-dimensional SU(2) Yang-Mills theory on the Riemann surface.
Scattering forms, worldsheet forms and amplitudes from subspaces
Authors: He Song , Yan Gongwang , Zhang Chi , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We present a general construction of two types of differential forms, based on any (n−3)-dimensional subspace in the kinematic space of n massless particles. The first type is the so-called projective, scattering forms in kinematic space, while the second is defined in the moduli space of n-punctured Riemann spheres which we call worldsheet forms. We show that the pushforward of worldsheet forms, by summing over solutions of scattering equations, gives the corresponding scattering forms, which generalizes the results of [1]. The pullback of scattering forms to subspaces can have natural interpretations as amplitudes in terms of Bern-Carrasco-Johansson double-copy construction or Cachazo-He-Yuan formula. As an application of our formalism, we construct in this way a large class of d log scattering forms and worldsheet forms, which are in one-to-one correspondence with non-planar MHV leading singularities in

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

super-Yang-Mills. For every leading singularity function, we present a new determinant formula in moduli space, as well as a (combinatoric) polytope and associated scattering form in kinematic space. These include the so-called Cayley cases, where in each case the scattering form is the canonical forms of a convex polytope in the subspace, and scattering equations admit elegant rewritings as a map from the moduli space to the subspace.
The large charge expansion at large N
Authors: de la Fuente Anton
Published: August 2018

Abstract

The scaling dimensions of charged operators in conformal field theory have recently been predicted to exhibit universal behavior in the large charge limit. We verify this behavior in the 2+1 dimensional ℂP

N − 1 model. Specifically, we numerically compute the scaling dimensions of the lowest dimension monopole operators with charges Q = 1, 2, · · · , 100 to subleading order in large N . The coefficients of the large Q expansion are extracted through a fit, and the predicted universal

$$ \mathcal{O}\left({Q}^0\right) $$

O

Q
0

contribution is verified to the subpercent level.
Toward precision holography in type IIA with Wilson loops
Authors: Aguilera-Damia Jeremías , Faraggi Alberto , Pando Zayas Leopoldo A. , Rathee Vimal , Silva Guillermo A.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We study the one-loop effective action of certain classical type IIA string configurations in AdS4 × ℂℙ3. These configurations are dual to Wilson loops in the

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

U(N)
k
× U(N)−k
Chern-Simons theory coupled to matter whose expectation values are known via supersymmetric localization. We compute the one-loop effective actions using two methods: perturbative heat kernel techniques and full ζ-function regularization. We find that the result of the perturbative heat kernel method matches the field theory prediction at the appropriate order while the ζ-function approach seems to lead to a disagreement.
An elliptic vertex of Awata-Feigin-Shiraishi type for M-strings
Authors: Zhu Rui-Dong
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We write down a vertical representation for the elliptic Ding-Iohara-Miki algebra, and construct an elliptic version of the refined topological vertex of Awata, Feigin and Shiraishi. We show explicitly that this vertex reproduces the elliptic genus of M-strings, and that it is an intertwiner of the algebra.
On multi-spin classical strings with NS-NS flux
Authors: Banerjee Aritra , Biswas Sagar , Panigrahi Kamal L.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We study multi spin semiclassical strings in AdS
3 × S
3 × T
4 background supported by a mixture of Neveu-Schwarz-Neveu-Schwarz (NS-NS) and Ramond-Ramond (R-R) fluxes. This ‘mixed flux’ background has been recently proved to be classically integrable. We start with a particular rigidly spinning fundamental string in AdS
3 ×S
1 coupled to the NS-NS flux and classify the possible profiles. We also find out how the scaling relation among the energy and angular momenta of such a string changes due to presence of these fluxes. We emphasize on pure NS-NS flux case and discuss the fate of such solutions in that limit.
A UTP approach for rTiMo
Authors: Xie Wanling , Xiang Shuangqing , Zhu Huibiao
Published: August 2018

rTiMo is a real-time version of  TiMo (Timed Mobility), which is a process algebra for mobile distributed systems. In this paper, we investigate the denotational semantics for rTiMo. A trace variabletris introduced to record the communications among processes as well as the location where the communication action takes place. Based on the formalized model, we study a set of algebraic laws, especially the laws about the migration and communication with real-time constraints. In order to facilitate the algebraic reasoning about the parallel expansion laws, we enrich rTiMo with a form ofguardedchoice. This can enable us to convert every parallel program to the guarded choice form. Moreover, we also provide a set of proof rules, which can be used to verify the correctness and real-time properties of programs.
Prognostic Significance of Acute Kidney Injury Following Emergency Laparotomy: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Dewi F. , Egan R. J. , Abdelrahman T. , Morris C. , Stechman M. J. , Lewis W. G.
Published: August 2018

Aims

Post‐operative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and independent mortality risk factor carrying high clinical and economic cost. This study aimed to establish the incidence of AKI in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy (EL), to determine patients’ risk profile and consequent mortality.

Methods

Consecutive 239 patients of median age 68 (IQR 51–76) years, undergoing EL in a UK tertiary hospital, were studied. Primary outcome measure was AKI and in‐hospital operative mortality.

Results

Ninety‐five patients (39.7%) developed AKI, which was associated with in‐hospital mortality in 32 patients (33.7%) compared with 7 patients (4.9%) without AKI. AKI occurred in 81.1% of all mortalities, but none occurred when AKI resolved within 48 h of EL. AKI was associated with chronic kidney disease, age, serum lactate, white cell count, pre‐EL systolic blood pressure and tachycardia (p < 0.010). Median length of hospital stay in AKI survivors was 15 days compared with 11 days in the absence of AKI (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, only AKI at 48 h post‐EL was significantly and independently associated with mortality [HR 10.895, 95% CI 3.152–37.659, p < 0.001].

Conclusion

Peri‐operative AKI after EL was common and associated with a more than sixfold significant greater mortality. Pre‐operative risk profile assessment and prompt protocol‐driven intervention should minimise AKI and reduce EL mortality.
Modeling and analysis of RNA‐seq data: a review from a statistical perspective
Authors: Li Wei Vivian , Li Jingyi Jessica
Published: August 2018

Background

Since the invention of next‐generation RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) technologies, they have become a powerful tool to study the presence and quantity of RNA molecules in biological samples and have revolutionized transcriptomic studies. The analysis of RNA‐seq data at four different levels (samples, genes, transcripts, and exons) involve multiple statistical and computational questions, some of which remain challenging up to date.

Results

We review RNA‐seq analysis tools at the sample, gene, transcript, and exon levels from a statistical perspective. We also highlight the biological and statistical questions of most practical considerations.

Conclusions

The development of statistical and computational methods for analyzing RNA‐seq data has made significant advances in the past decade. However, methods developed to answer the same biological question often rely on diverse statistical models and exhibit different performance under different scenarios. This review discusses and compares multiple commonly used statistical models regarding their assumptions, in the hope of helping users select appropriate methods as needed, as well as assisting developers for future method development.
Strengthening the 3D printing composites field
Authors: Nickels Liz
Published: August 2018

3D printed plastic composites is one of the growth markets of the innovative new technology also known as additive manufacturing (AM). Liz Nickels reviewed recent developments in the field.
Open Source Jihad
Authors: Nilsson Per-Erik
Published: August 2018

In Open Source Jihad, Per-Erik Nilsson provides a unique overview of the academic research and political legislation concerning “Islamic terrorism” in Europe. He scrutinises in detail how the concepts “terrorism,” “radicalisation,” and “counter-terrorism” have developed as academic objects of study and political objects of governance. In the Element, Nilsson brings to the fore systemic problems of the field of terrorism studies as well as the various anti-terrorist apparatuses developed by EU member states. Open Source Jihad should be required reading for anyone interested in current European political and social events.
Elements of Ritual and Violence
Authors: Kitts Margo
Published: August 2018

Ritualized violence is by definition not haphazard or random, but seemingly intentional and often ceremonial. It has a long history in religious practice, as attested in texts and artifacts from the earliest civilizations. It is equally evident in the behaviors of some contemporary religious activists and within initiatory practices ongoing in many regions of the world. Given its longevity and cultural expanse, ritualized violence presumably exerts a pull deeply into the sociology, psychology, anthropology, theology, perhaps even ontology of its practitioners, but this is not transparent. This short volume will sketch the subject of ritualized violence, that is, it will summarize some established theories about ritual and about violence, and will ponder a handful of striking instantiations of their link.
Hunting, Husbandry, and Human-Environment Interactions in the Neolithic Lakeshore Sites of Western Switzerland
Authors: Kerdy Manar , Chiquet Patricia , Schibler Jörg
Published: August 2018

The lakeshores of western Switzerland are one of Europe's best-known Neolithic settlement areas, thanks to dendrochronological dating and the exceptional preservation of organic materials. Against this outstanding background, this study uses zooarchaeological data to answer a series of questions regarding the Neolithic economy, environment and human-environment interactions at these lakeshore sites. It also discusses, within an interdisciplinary framework, the possible impact climatic fluctuations, cultural influence, topographical conditions, and demographic growth had on economic change. The results show that the faunal economy was mainly based on animal husbandry, with fluctuations in the cattle-pig ratio. Hunting also played an important role in the food system and focused mainly on large game, especially red deer, which contributed significantly to the meat supply. The results from comparing these animal bone remains also show that multiple factors, such as topography, climatic conditions, and cultural influence, played a part in the socio-economic organisation of the Neolithic communities. Exploratory procedures such as correspondence analysis support these interpretations.
On the computability of rotation sets and their entropies
Authors: BURR MICHAEL A. , SCHMOLL MARTIN , WOLF CHRISTIAN
Published: August 2018

Let$f:X\rightarrow X$be a continuous dynamical system on a compact metric space$X$and let$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}:X\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{m}$be an$m$-dimensional continuous potential. The (generalized) rotation set$\text{Rot}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7})$is defined as the set of all$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$-integrals of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$, where$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$runs over all invariant probability measures. Analogous to the classical topological entropy, one can associate the localized entropy$\unicode[STIX]{x210B}(w)$to each$w\in \text{Rot}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7})$. In this paper, we study the computability of rotation sets and localized entropy functions by deriving conditions that imply their computability. Then we apply our results to study the case where$f$is a subshift of finite type. We prove that$\text{Rot}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7})$is computable and that$\unicode[STIX]{x210B}(w)$is computable in the interior of the rotation set. Finally, we construct an explicit example that shows that, in general,$\unicode[STIX]{x210B}$is not continuous on the boundary of the rotation set when considered as a function of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$and$w$. In particular,$\unicode[STIX]{x210B}$is, in general, not computable at the boundary of$\text{Rot}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7})$.
(Dis)continuity of Lyapunov exponents
Authors: VIANA MARCELO
Published: August 2018

A survey of recent results on the dependence of Lyapunov exponents on the underlying data.
A transfer-operator-based relation between Laplace eigenfunctions and zeros of Selberg zeta functions
Authors: ADAM ALEXANDER , POHL ANKE
Published: August 2018

Over the last few years Pohl (partly jointly with coauthors) has developed dual ‘slow/fast’ transfer operator approaches to automorphic functions, resonances, and Selberg zeta functions for a certain class of hyperbolic surfaces$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\backslash \mathbb{H}$with cusps and all finite-dimensional unitary representations$\unicode[STIX]{x1D712}$of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$. The eigenfunctions with eigenvalue 1 of the fast transfer operators determine the zeros of the Selberg zeta function for$(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},\unicode[STIX]{x1D712})$. Further, if$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$is cofinite and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D712}$is the trivial one-dimensional representation then highly regular eigenfunctions with eigenvalue 1 of the slow transfer operators characterize Maass cusp forms for$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$. Conjecturally, this characterization extends to more general automorphic functions as well as to residues at resonances. In this article we study, without relying on Selberg theory, the relation between the eigenspaces of these two types of transfer operators for any Hecke triangle surface$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\backslash \mathbb{H}$of finite or infinite area and any finite-dimensional unitary representation$\unicode[STIX]{x1D712}$of the Hecke triangle group $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$. In particular, we provide explicit isomorphisms between relevant subspaces. This solves a conjecture by Möller and Pohl, characterizes some of the zeros of the Selberg zeta functions independently of the Selberg trace formula, and supports the previously mentioned conjectures.
Influence of the viscous boundary layer perturbations on single-mode panel flutter at finite Reynolds numbers
Authors: Bondarev Vsevolod , Vedeneev Vasily
Published: August 2018

Panel flutter is an aeroelastic instability of aircraft skin panels, which can lead to a reduction in service life and panel destruction. Despite the existence of many studies related to panel flutter, the influence of the boundary layer on the panel stability has been considered in only a few of them. Up to the present day, most papers on the boundary layer effect consider only a zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer over a flat plate. The only studies of a boundary layer of arbitrary form were conducted in our previous papers (Vedeneev, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 736, 2013, pp. 216–249 and Bondarev & Vedeneev, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 802, 2016, pp. 528–552), where the boundary layer was represented as an inviscid shear layer (the Reynolds number $R=\infty$). In this paper we investigate the problem, taking viscosity into account, at large but finite Reynolds numbers. As before, we assume that the panel length is large and use Kulikovskii’s global instability criterion to analyse the panel eigenmodes and consider two different types of boundary layer profiles: a generalised convex profile and a profile with a generalised inflection point. Results show that viscous perturbations can, in general, have both stabilising and destabilising effects on the system, depending on the velocity and temperature profiles of the boundary layer and on its thickness. However, surprisingly, we prove that if the boundary layer yields a significant growth rate in the inviscid approximation, then the viscosity always produces an even larger growth rate.
Dependence of small-scale energetics on large scales in turbulent flows
Authors: Howland M. F. , Yang X. I. A.
Published: August 2018

In a turbulent flow, small- and large-scale fluid motions are coupled. In this work, we investigate the small-scale response to large-scale fluctuations in turbulent flows and discuss the implications on large eddy simulation (LES) wall modelling. The interscale interaction in wall-bounded flows was previously parameterized in the predictive inner–outer (PIO) model, where the amplitude of the small scales responds linearly to the large-scale fluctuations. While this assumed linearity is valid in the viscous sublayer, it is an insufficient approximation of the true interscale interaction in wall-normal distances within the buffer layer and above. Within these regions, a piecewise linear response function (piecewise with respect to large-scale fluctuations being positive or negative) appears to be more appropriate. In addition to proposing a new response function, we relate the amplitude modulation process to the Townsend attached eddy hypothesis. This connection allows us to make theoretical predictions on the model parameters within the PIO model. We use these parameters to apply the PIO model to wall-modelled LES. Further, we present empirical evidence of amplitude modulation in isotropic turbulence. The evidence suggests that the existence of nonlinear interscale interactions in the form of amplitude modulation does not rely on the presence of a non-penetrating boundary, but on the presence of a range of viscosity-dominated scales and a range of inertial-dominated scales.
The effect of sowing date and nitrogen rate on the grain yield, grain quality and malt analyses of spring malting barley for distilling in Ireland
Authors: Potterton E. M. , McCabe T.
Published: August 2018

The significant expansion of whiskey distillation in Ireland has increased requirements on the Irish malting barley industry to supply spring barley with low grain nitrogen concentration (GNC). Published literature suggests that genetics, soil type and environmental conditions are the predominant drivers controlling production of malting barley with low GNC values. However, it is acknowledged that agronomic practices such as sowing date and nitrogen (N) application are also important factors in determining the grain yield (GY) and grain quality (GQ) of malting barley. The effects of four N fertilizer rates (90, 110, 130 and 150 kg N/ha) and two sowing dates (March and April) on GY and GQ of a two-row spring barley variety (Hordeum vulgare L. cvar Overture) was evaluated at two different sites over a 3-year period (2014–2016). Earlier sowing dates resulted in significantly higher mean GY (7.98 t/ha) compared with later sowing dates (7 t/ha). GY and GNC also increased consistently with greater increments of fertilizer N. Earlier sowing dates also significantly improved several distilling malt quality parameters, such as soluble extract (SE), fermentable extract, predicted spirit yield and fermentability. Later sowing dates increased diastatic power and soluble N. The results of the current study suggest that the likelihood of producing spring malting barley with low GNC values and better malting quality is enhanced through earlier sowing dates on suitable soil types. Earlier sowing dates also facilitated the use of higher fertilizer N rates, enabling high GY potential without crossing the GNC threshold for the distilling market.
Supercongruences for truncated hypergeometric series and p-adic gamma function
Authors: BARMAN RUPAM , SAIKIA NEELAM
Published: August 2018

We prove three more general supercongruences between truncated hypergeometric series and p-adic gamma function from which some known supercongruences follow. A supercongruence conjectured by Rodriguez--Villegas and proved by E. Mortenson using the theory of finite field hypergeometric series follows from one of our more general supercongruences. We also prove a supercongruence for 7F6 truncated hypergeometric series which is similar to a supercongruence proved by L. Long and R. Ramakrishna.
Crystal structures and property characterization of two magnetic frustration compounds
Authors: Li Kunkun , Yuan Duanduan , Shen Shijie , Guo Jiangang
Published: August 2018

We report the structure and physical properties of two quasi-two-dimensional triangular antiferromagnetic materials, Co0.66Al2Se3.53 and Ni0.61Al2Se3.55, which show highly magnetically frustrated characters. Powder X-ray diffractions demonstrate that Co0.66Al2Se3.53 and Ni0.61Al2Se3.55 possess identical space group of P-3m1 with lattice parameters a = 3.8089(1) Å, c = 12.676(1) Å and a = 3.7880(1) Å, c = 12.650(1) Å, respectively. Analyzing the susceptibility data of Co0.66Al2Se3.53 reveal a Curie Weiss temperature of −216 K, and a spin-freezing transition temperature of 4.5 K, giving a frustration index f = −θcw/Tf ≈ 48. Ni0.61Al2Se3.55 possesses an effective moment of 2.38 µB, a Curie–Weiss temperature of −62 K with no sign of spin-freezing transition down to 2 K. The AC susceptibility data of Co0.66Al2Se3.53 suggest a spin glass-like transition, but no intersite mixing between Co2+ and Al3+ was observed from the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements.
Case–case analysis of Campylobacter and Salmonella – using surveillance data for outbreak investigations and monitoring routine risk factors
Authors: Pogreba-Brown K. , O'Connor P. , Matthews J. , Barrett E. , Bell M. L.
Published: August 2018

Utilising routine surveillance data, this study presents a method for generating a baseline comparison that can be used in future foodborne outbreak investigations following a case–case methodology. Salmonella and Campylobacter cases (2012–2015) from Maricopa County, AZ were compared to determine differences in risk factors, symptoms and demographics. For foods and other risk factors, adjusted odds ratios were developed using Campylobacter as the reference. Comparisons were also made for three major Salmonella subtypes, Typhimurium, Enteritidis and Poona as compared with Campylobacter. Salmonella cases were younger, while Campylobacter cases were more Hispanic and female. Campylobacter cases reported consuming peppers, sprouts, poultry, queso fresco, eggs and raw nuts more and reported contact with animal products, birds, visiting a farm or dairy, owning a pet, a sick pet, swimming in a river, lake or pond, or handling multiple raw meats more. Salmonella cases reported visiting a petting zoo and contact with a reptile more. There were significant variations by Salmonella subtype in both foods and exposures. We recommend departments conduct this analysis to generate a baseline comparison and a running average of relevant odds ratios allowing staff to focus on trace-back of contaminated food items earlier in the outbreak investigation process.
Seed traits and germination of native grasses and invasive forbs are largely insensitive to parental temperature and CO2concentration
Authors: Li Jin , Ren Lei , Bai Yuguang , Lecain Daniel , Blumenthal Dana , Morgan Jack
Published: August 2018

The structure and function of grassland ecosystems can be altered by a changing climate, including higher temperature and elevated atmospheric CO2concentration. Previous studies suggest that there is no consistent trend in seed germination and seedling recruitment as affected by these conditions. We collected seeds of two native and two invasive species over 6 years from a field study with elevated CO2(600 p.p.m.) and temperature (1.5/3.0°C day/night) on the mixed-grass prairie of Wyoming, USA. Seed fill, viability and mass were evaluated and germination tests were conducted under alternating temperatures in growth chambers. Thermal time requirements to reach 50% germination (θ50) and base temperatures (Tb) for germination were determined using thermal time models. Climate change conditions had limited effects on seed fill, viability and mass. The combination of CO2enrichment and warming increased germination ofBouteloua gracilis.Centaurea diffusaandLinaria dalmatica, two invasive species in this study, had the lowest θ50andTbrequired for germination among all the species studied. Although final germination percentages of these invasive species were not affected by treatments, previous studies reported increased seed production under future climate conditions, indicating that they could be more invasive at the regeneration stage in the future. We conclude that projected future temperature increases will have little effect on seed reproductive traits of native species. In addition, the distribution and abundance ofB. gracilisand invasive species may be favoured by global climate change due to enhanced germination or seed production traits caused by elevated parental CO2and temperature conditions.
Self-reported adherence to foot care in type 2 diabetes patients: do illness representations and distress matter?
Authors: Pereira M. Graça , Pedras Susana , Ferreira Gabriela
Published: August 2018

Aim

This study examined the differences and the predictive role of clinical variables, illness representations, anxiety, and depression symptoms, on self-reported foot care adherence, in patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and assessed no longer than a year after the diagnosis (T1) and four months later (T2).

Background

The high rate of diabetes worldwide is one of the major public health challenges. Foot care is the behavior least performed by patients although regular foot care could prevent complications such as diabetic foot and amputation. Psychosocial processes such as illness representations and distress symptoms may contribute to explain adherence to foot self-care behaviors.

Methods

This is a longitudinal study with two assessment moments. The sample included 271 patients, who answered the Revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, Brief-Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Findings

Patients reported better foot care adherence at T2. Having a higher duration of T2DM and the perception of more consequences of diabetes were associated with better self-reported foot care adherence, at T1. At T2, the predictors were lower levels of HbA1c, better self-reported foot care adherence at T1, higher comprehension about T2DM, as well as fewer depressive symptoms. Interventions to promote adherence to foot care should have in consideration these variables. The results of the present study may help health professionals in designing interventions that early detect depressive symptoms and address illness beliefs, in order to promote foot self-care behaviors reducing the incidence of future complications.
First-order Answer Set Programming as Constructive Proof Search
Authors: SCHUBERT ALEKSY , URZYCZYN PAWEŁ
Published: August 2018

We propose an interpretation of the first-order answer set programming (FOASP) in terms of intuitionistic proof theory. It is obtained by two polynomial translations between FOASP and the bounded-arity fragment of the Σ1 level of the Mints hierarchy in first-order intuitionistic logic. It follows that Σ1 formulas using predicates of fixed arity (in particular unary) is of the same strength as FOASP. Our construction reveals a close similarity between constructive provability and stable entailment, or equivalently, between the construction of an answer set and an intuitionistic refutation. This paper is under consideration for publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming
An ASP Methodology for Understanding Narratives about Stereotypical Activities
Authors: INCLEZAN DANIELA , ZHANG QINGLIN , BALDUCCINI MARCELLO , ISRANEY ANKUSH
Published: August 2018

We describe an application of Answer Set Programming to the understanding of narratives about stereotypical activities, demonstrated via question answering. Substantial work in this direction was done by Erik Mueller, who modeled stereotypical activities as scripts. His systems were able to understand a good number of narratives, but could not process texts describing exceptional scenarios. We propose addressing this problem by using a theory of intentions developed by Blount, Gelfond, and Balduccini. We present a methodology in which we substitute scripts by activities (i.e., hierarchical plans associated with goals) and employ the concept of an intentional agent to reason about both normal and exceptional scenarios. We exemplify the application of this methodology by answering questions about a number of restaurant stories. This paper is under consideration for acceptance in TPLP.
Shared aggregate sets in answer set programming
Authors: ALVIANO MARIO , DODARO CARMINE , MARATEA MARCO
Published: August 2018

Aggregates are among the most frequently used linguistic extensions of answer set programming. The result of an aggregation may introduce new constants during the instantiation of the input program, a feature known as value invention. When the aggregation involves literals whose truth value is undefined at instantiation time, modern grounders introduce several instances of the aggregate, one for each possible interpretation of the undefined literals. This paper introduces new data structures and techniques to handle such cases, and more in general aggregations on the same aggregate set identified in the ground program in input. The proposed solution reduces the memory footprint of the solver without sacrificing efficiency. On the contrary, the performance of the solver may improve thanks to the addition of some simple entailed clauses which are not easily discovered otherwise, and since redundant computation is avoided during propagation. Empirical evidence of the potential impact of the proposed solution is given.
Cautious reasoning in ASP via minimal models and unsatisfiable cores
Authors: ALVIANO MARIO , DODARO CARMINE , JÄRVISALO MATTI , MARATEA MARCO , PREVITI ALESSANDRO
Published: August 2018

Answer Set Programming (ASP) is a logic-based knowledge representation framework, supporting—among other reasoning modes—the central task of query answering. In the propositional case, query answering amounts to computing cautious consequences of the input program among the atoms in a given set of candidates, where a cautious consequence is an atom belonging to all stable models. Currently, the most efficient algorithms either iteratively verify the existence of a stable model of the input program extended with the complement of one candidate, where the candidate is heuristically selected, or introduce a clause enforcing the falsity of at least one candidate, so that the solver is free to choose which candidate to falsify at any time during the computation of a stable model. This paper introduces new algorithms for the computation of cautious consequences, with the aim of driving the solver to search for stable models discarding more candidates. Specifically, one of such algorithms enforces minimality on the set of true candidates, where different notions of minimality can be used, and another takes advantage of unsatisfiable cores computation. The algorithms are implemented inwasp, and experiments on benchmarks from the latest ASP competitions show that the new algorithms perform better than the state of the art.
Optimal Scheduling for Exposed Datapath Architectures with Buffered Processing Units by ASP
Authors: DAHLEM MARC , BHAGYANATH ANOOP , SCHNEIDER KLAUS
Published: August 2018

Conventional processor architectures are restricted in exploiting instruction level parallelism (ILP) due to the relatively low number of programmer-visible registers. Therefore, more recent processor architectures expose their datapaths so that the compiler (1) can schedule parallel instructions to different processing units and (2) can make effective use of local storage of the processing units. Among these architectures, the Synchronous Control Asynchronous Dataflow (SCAD) architecture is a new exposed datapath architecture whose processing units are equipped with first-in first-out (FIFO) buffers at their input and output ports.

In contrast to register-based machines, the optimal code generation for SCAD is still a matter of research. In particular, SAT and SMT solvers were used to generate optimal resource constrained and optimal time constrained schedules for SCAD, respectively. As Answer Set Programming (ASP) offers better flexibility in handling such scheduling problems, we focus in this paper on using an answer set solver for both resource and time constrained optimal SCAD code generation. As a major benefit of using ASP, we are able to generatealloptimal schedules for a given program which allows one to study their properties. Furthermore, the experimental results of this paper demonstrate that the answer set solver can compete with SAT solvers and outperforms SMT solvers.This paper is under consideration for acceptance in TPLP.
Certified Graph View Maintenance with Regular Datalog
Authors: BONIFATI ANGELA , DUMBRAVA STEFANIA , ARIAS EMILIO JESÚS GALLEGO
Published: August 2018

We employ the Coq proof assistant to develop a mechanically-certified framework for evaluating graph queries and incrementally maintaining materialized graph instances, also called views. The language we use for defining queries and views is Regular Datalog (RD) – a notable fragment of non-recursive Datalog that can express complex navigational queries, with transitive closure as native operator. We first design and encode the theory of RD and then mechanize a RD-specific evaluation algorithm capable of fine-grained, incremental graph view computation, which we prove sound with respect to the declarative RD semantics. By using the Coq extraction mechanism, we test an OCaml version of the verified engine on a set of preliminary benchmarks. Our development is particularly focused on leveraging existing verification and notational techniques to: a) define mechanized properties that can be easily understood by logicians and database researchers and b) attain formal verification with limited effort. Our work is the first step towards a unified, machine-verified, formal framework for dynamic graph query languages and their evaluation engines.
Constraint Answer Set Programming without Grounding
Authors: ARIAS JOAQUIN , CARRO MANUEL , SALAZAR ELMER , MARPLE KYLE , GUPTA GOPAL
Published: August 2018

Extending ASP with constraints (CASP) enhances its expressiveness and performance. This extension is not straightforward as the grounding phase, present in most ASP systems, removes variables and the links among them, and also causes a combinatorial explosion in the size of the program. Several methods to overcome this issue have been devised: restricting the constraint domains (e.g., discrete instead of dense), or the type (or number) of models that can be returned. In this paper we propose to incorporate constraints into s(ASP), a goal-directed, top-down execution model which implements ASP while retaining logical variables both during execution and in the answer sets. The resulting model, s(CASP), can constrain variables that, as in CLP, are kept during the execution and in the answer sets. s(CASP) inherits and generalizes the execution model of s(ASP) and is parametric w.r.t. the constraint solver. We describe this novel execution model and show through several examples the enhanced expressiveness of s(CASP) w.r.t. ASP, CLP, and other CASP systems. We also report improved performance w.r.t. other very mature, highly optimized ASP systems in some benchmarks.
Temporal Answer Set Programming on Finite Traces
Authors: CABALAR PEDRO , KAMINSKI ROLAND , SCHAUB TORSTEN , SCHUHMANN ANNA
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we introduce an alternative approach to Temporal Answer Set Programming that relies on a variation of Temporal Equilibrium Logic (TEL) for finite traces. This approach allows us to even out the expressiveness of TEL over infinite traces with the computational capacity of (incremental) Answer Set Programming (ASP). Also, we argue that finite traces are more natural when reasoning about action and change. As a result, our approach is readily implementable via multi-shot ASP systems and benefits from an extension of ASP's full-fledged input language with temporal operators. This includes future as well as past operators whose combination offers a rich temporal modeling language. For computation, we identify the class of temporal logic programs and prove that it constitutes a normal form for our approach. Finally, we outline two implementations, a generic one and an extension of the ASP systemclingo.

Under consideration for publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming (TPLP)
A Probabilistic Extension of Action Language
Authors: LEE JOOHYUNG , WANG YI
Published: August 2018

We present a probabilistic extension of action language${\cal BC}$+$. Just like${\cal BC}$+$is defined as a high-level notation of answer set programs for describing transition systems, the proposed language, which we callp${\cal BC}$+$, is defined as a high-level notation of LPMLNprograms—a probabilistic extension of answer set programs. We show how probabilistic reasoning about transition systems, such as prediction, postdiction, and planning problems, as well as probabilistic diagnosis for dynamic domains, can be modeled inp${\cal BC}$+$and computed using an implementation of LPMLN.
Ethische Fragen zur Technikanwendung im Kontext der Betreuung und Pflege alter Menschen
Authors: Rüegger Heinz
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung. Der Einbezug moderner, computerbasierter Technologie in Pflege und Betreuung alter Menschen wird rasant zunehmen. Damit stellen sich neue Möglichkeiten, aber auch Gefahren. Der Artikel identifiziert ethisch sensible Bereiche solcher Technikanwendungen und nennt ethische Kriterien, die beim Einsatz entsprechender Technologien beachtet werden sollten.