bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Riding on the Coat-Tails of Traditional Cultural Expressions
Authors: Olteanu Luminița
Published: May 2020

Matters related to the protection of traditional cultural expressions (‘TCEs’) or expressions of folklore (‘EoFs’) are sensitive and intricate as a blend of legal, economic, philosophical and anthropological considerations jostle to capture their core features. This results in disparate views surrounding what should qualify as TCEs or EoFs, who should be considered their ‘owner’ (assuming that ownership per se is conceptually compatible with these items), which is the most appropriate legal protection regime and how broad their scope of protection should be. Drawing from these various accounts on TCEs, this article focuses on the interaction between TCEs and EoFs originating on the European continent and the European Union (‘EU’) trade mark legislation. Specifically, this article examines whether the limitations of the effects of trade mark rights and of the absolute grounds of refusal, as developed by the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, are effective in preserving the cohesion of TCEs. This article advances the thesis that registration of TCEs and EoFs as trade marks generates an imbalance between the rights of the trade mark owner and the defences available to others under the EU trade mark law framework. Furthermore, such an imbalance is likely to hinder the unfettered circulation of TCEs and undermine their original meaning. Lastly, in some cases, trade mark registration of TCEs contributes to their appropriation and misappropriation. The article concludes that,de lege ferenda, the direct exclusion of TCEs as eligible subject matter for trade mark registration is preferable to seeking a post factum remedy.
Minding the Care Gap: Daycare Usage and the Negotiation of Work, Family and Gender Among Swedish Parents
Authors: Grönlund Anne , Öun Ida
Published: May 2020

The article asks whether daycare can alleviate work–family tensions in the dual-earner society or if perceptions of 'care gaps' will hamper women's careers. Using survey data from Swedish parents with pre-school children (n ≈ 2250) and qualitative interviews of survey respondents (n = 40), we explore how children’s daycare hours and parents’ reflections on daycare hours are related to mothers’ and fathers’ involvement in paid and unpaid work and to their perceptions of stress. The results show that parents have a strong ambition to limit daycare hours. This ambition provides a stressful dilemma for mothers but for fathers, daycare is not a source of stress. Maternal part-time work is an important tool for managing daycare hours, but collides with ideals of gender equality. Full-time work can be combined with short daycare hours, provided that the parents take shifts in the home and share care responsibilities. Sharing of care work also reduces mothers' stress. However, such arrangements require flexible schedules which are more available to parents in high-skill jobs. Single parents have little opportunity to keep daycare hours short.
Fertility preservation procedures in girls, adolescents and women
Authors: Böttcher Bettina , Goeckenjan Maren
Published: May 2020

Fertility preservation has become an integral part of standard treatment for young patients with planned gonadotoxic therapy. The decision-making process is an interdisciplinary challenge to both oncologists and radiotherapists involved in the process of diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, even today, not every patient receives adequate counselling about fertility preserving techniques. Current data on the options of fertility preservation for women, including cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos, ovarian tissue, transposition of ovaries and medical treatment, are summarized in this review.
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Sport Cardiology: a Growing Role in Clinical Dilemmas
Authors: Maestrini Viviana , Torlasco Camilla , Hughes Rebecca , Moon James C.
Published: May 2020

Exercise training induces morphological and functional cardiovascular adaptation known as the “athlete’s heart” with changes including dilatation, hypertrophy, and increased stroke volume. These changes may overlap with pathological appearances. Distinguishing athletic cardiac remodelling from cardiomyopathy is important and is a frequent medical dilemma. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has a role in clinical care as it can refine discrimination of health from a disease where ECG and echocardiography alone have left or generated uncertainty. CMR can more precisely assess cardiac structure and function as well as characterise the myocardium detecting key changes including myocardial scar and diffuse fibrosis. In this review, we will review the role of CMR in sports cardiology.
Periodic Orbits and Global Stability for a Discontinuous SIR Model with Delayed Control
Authors: Muqbel Khalil , Vas Gabriella , Röst Gergely
Published: May 2020

We propose and analyse a mathematical model for infectious disease dynamics with a discontinuous control function, where the control is activated with some time lag after the density of the infected population reaches a threshold. The model is mathematically formulated as a delayed relay system, and the dynamics is determined by the switching between two vector fields (the so-called free and control systems) with a time delay with respect to a switching manifold. First we establish the usual threshold dynamics: when the basic reproduction number $$\,{\mathcal {R}}_0\le 1$$

R
0

≤
1

, then the disease will be eradicated, while for $$\,{\mathcal {R}}_0>1$$

R
0

>
1

the disease persists in the population. Then, for $$\,{\mathcal {R}}_0>1$$

R
0

>
1

, we divide the parameter domain into three regions, and prove results about the global dynamics of the switching system for each case: we find conditions for the global convergence to the endemic equilibrium of the free system, for the global convergence to the endemic equilibrium of the control system, and for the existence of periodic solutions that oscillate between the two sides of the switching manifold. The proof of the latter result is based on the construction of a suitable return map on a subset of the infinite dimensional phase space. Our results provide insight into disease management, by exploring the effect of the interplay of the control efficacy, the triggering threshold and the delay in implementation.
Comprehensive Design of the High-Sulfur-Loading Li–S Battery Based on MXene Nanosheets
Authors: Zhang Shouzheng , Zhong Ning , Zhou Xing , Zhang Mingjie , Huang Xiangping , Yang Xuelin , Meng Ruijin , Liang Xiao
Published: May 2020

The lithium-sulfur battery is the subject of much recent attention due to the high theoretical energy density, but practical applications are challenged by fast decay owing to polysulfide shuttle and electrode architecture degradation. A comprehensive study of the sulfur host microstructure design and the cell architecture construction based on the MXene phase (Ti3C2Tx nanosheets) is performed, aiming at realize stable cycling performance of Li–S battery with high sulfur areal loading. The interwoven KB@Ti3C2Tx composite formed by self-assembly of MXene and Ktejen black, not only provides superior conductivity and maintains the electrode integrality bearing the volume expansion/shrinkage when used as the sulfur host, but also functions as an interlayer on separator to further retard the polysulfide cross-diffusion that possibly escaped from the cathode. The KB@Ti3C2Tx interlayer is only 0.28 mg cm−2 in areal loading and 3 μm in thickness, which accounts a little contribution to the thick sulfur electrode; thus, the impacts on the energy density is minimal. By coupling the robust KB@Ti3C2Tx cathode and the effective KB@Ti3C2Tx modified separator, a stable Li–S battery with high sulfur areal loading (5.6 mg cm−2) and high areal capacity (6.4 mAh cm−2) at relatively lean electrolyte is achieved.
Brave New World? On AI and the Management of Customer Relationships
Authors: Libai Barak , Bart Yakov , Gensler Sonja , Hofacker Charles F. , Kaplan Andreas , Kötterheinrich Kim , Kroll Eike Benjamin
Published: May 2020

In light of the emerging discourse on AI systems’ effect on society, whose perception swings widely between utopian and dystopian, we conduct herein a critical analysis of how artificial intelligence (AI) affects the essential nature of customer relationship management (CRM). To do so, we survey the AI capabilities that will transform CRM into AI-CRM and examine how the transformation will influence customer acquisition, development, and retention. We highlight in particular how AI-CRM's improving ability to predict customer lifetime value will generate an inexorable rise in implementing adapted treatment of customers, leading to greater customer prioritization and service discrimination in markets. We further consider the consequences for firms and the challenges to regulators.
Vowel-consonant metathesis in Nivaĉle
Authors: Gutiérrez Analía
Published: May 2020

Vowel-consonant metathesis is observed in a variety of contexts throughout the Nivaĉle (Mataguayan) grammar. It occurs in both verbal and nominal domains, characteristically resulting from the affixation of a consonant-initial suffix to a consonant-final stem. This paper provides an optimality theoretic account for vowel-consonant metathesis and vowel epenthesis in Nivaĉle. It is demonstrated that metathesis responds to phonological requirements; specifically, it serves to avoid marked structures in the language: complex codas, derived complex onsets, and bad syllable contacts. The prosodic analysis of syllable structure constraints aims to provide broad empirical coverage, as well as a coherent and integrated theoretical interpretation.
Justifying New Rights: Affectedness, Vulnerability, and the Rights of Peasants
Authors: Heri Corina
Published: May 2020

Over the last decades, various groups seeking international legal recognition of new human rights claims have succeeded in their endeavors. Some movements have crafted such convincing demands that their participation has even become an implicit condition of the legitimacy of the resulting human rights documents. But what are the bases of claims for new human rights, and how do they help to confront the argument that human rights’ expansion also entails their dilution? This Article explores narratives based on two different concepts, namely the political-science concept of affectedness and the legal-ethical concept of vulnerability. It does so by drawing on the process for the recognition of peasant human rights at the United Nations. The Article explores what it understands as the peasant critique of existing human rights by looking at the differences and interrelations between affectedness and vulnerability-based argumentation. It argues that an approach premised purely on affectedness, and thus focused on participation, is less empowering than one that includes a regard for vulnerability, which serves as a heuristic device for identifying and challenging inequalities, demands substantive outcomes, and can serve to craft a convincing theoretical account of human rights protections.
Legendierte Polizeikontrollen: Judgment from the German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) of April 26, 2017, 2 StR 247/16
Authors: Karbe Dorothee , Jawurek Charlotte , Sarder Philipp
Published: May 2020

The German police stopped and searched a car crossing the border from the Netherlands and thereby detected large quantities of drugs. What sounds like a standard procedure is actually a very controversial case recently heard at the German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof; BGH), dealing with so called legendierte Polizeikontrollen. These are apparently random police checks that are, in reality, well prepared and specifically targeted at the subject of the police check due to ongoing investigations. This case raised the issue of lawful evidence gathering by the police when pursuing both preventive and repressive objectives, as well as the question of the subsequent exploitation in court of the evidence obtained. Addressing issues of the utmost significance, such as the circumvention of the rights of the accused, this BGH judgment was critically reviewed among legal scholars.
Pushing the boundaries of diode-pumped solid-state lasers for high-energy applications
Authors: Banerjee Saumyabrata , Mason Paul , Phillips Jonathan , Smith Jodie , Butcher Thomas , Spear Jacob , De Vido Mariastefania , Quinn Gary , Clarke Danielle , Ertel Klaus , Hernandez-Gomez Cristina , Edwards Chris , Collier John
Published: May 2020

We report on the successful demonstration of a 150 J nanosecond pulsed cryogenic gas cooled, diode-pumped multi-slab Yb:YAG laser operating at 1 Hz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest energy ever recorded for a diode-pumped laser system.
Fracturing the “Exception”: The Legal Sanctioning of Violent Interrogation Methods in Israel since 1987
Authors: Ballas Irit
Published: May 2020

This article examines the legal constructs governing the use of violent interrogation methods in Israel since 1987. It explores the shift from a sweeping suspension of the prohibition on torture to a fractured legal regime in which the different elements of interrogation—the perpetrator, the victim, the time of the interrogation, and the space in which it takes place—are effectively excluded from the prohibition on torture by means of separate legal constructs. I show how each of these constructs creates a narrow, seemingly proportional exception to ordinary law. Together, the four types of exception facilitate the sanctioning of state violence. I use this case to analyze the available configurations of the state of exception, distinguishing them from each other by what they exclude from ordinary law. By showing how the proliferation of legal constructs produces an entire ecosystem of different exceptions, I point to the inherent link between the suspension of the law and its proliferation: both create legal categories that rationalize and legitimize state violence.
Constraining Governments: New Indices of Vertical, Horizontal, and Diagonal Accountability
Authors: LÜHRMANN ANNA , MARQUARDT KYLE L. , MECHKOVA VALERIYA
Published: May 2020

Accountability—constraints on a government’s use of political power—is one of the cornerstones of good governance. However, conceptual stretching and a lack of reliable measures have limited cross-national research on this concept. To address this research gap, we use V-Dem data and innovative Bayesian methods to develop new indices of accountability and its subtypes: the extent to which governments are accountable to citizens (vertical accountability), other state institutions (horizontal accountability), and the media and civil society (diagonal accountability). In this article, we describe the conceptual and empirical framework underlying these indices and demonstrate their content, convergent, and construct validity. The resulting indices have unprecedented coverage (1900–present) and offer researchers and policymakers new opportunities to investigate the causes and consequences of accountability and its disaggregated subtypes. Furthermore, the methodology provides a framework for theoretically driven index construction to scholars working with cross-national panel data.
The Newly-Recognised Refugees Most at Risk of Homelessness in England
Authors: MITTON LAVINIA
Published: May 2020

The contribution of this paper is to analyse statistical data to assess whether homelessness among people who have recently been granted refugee status in England is concentrated amongst particular groups of these refugees. The methodology was quantitative analysis using logistic regression of the Home Office’s Survey of New Refugees (SNR), which they carried out in 2005-7. We tested the relative role played by pre-migration demographic factors, post-migration life experience factors, and government immigration policy in accounting for patterns found, and drew on literature to interpret the meaning of our statistical results. Our analysis clearly suggests that refugee and asylum policy contribute to homelessness among newly-recognised refugees. This interpretation is supported by the qualitative evidence from services providing assistance to refugees, and evidence put to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees (2017). Action to address the housing problems of refugees moving on from accommodation provided for asylum seekers should be considered a high policy priority, albeit that associations between homelessness, household size, and age also present intervention opportunities.
The experience of animal therapy in residential aged care in New Zealand: a narrative analysis
Authors: Wong Gemma , Breheny Mary
Published: May 2020

Animal therapy has been shown to have both physiological and psychological benefits for older people, including improvements in outlook and social interaction. Volunteer-led animal visitation programmes are common within residential aged care facilities in New Zealand. Visits by animals and handlers are intended to improve the quality of life of people in residential care. Very little research has been conducted on the informal animal visitation programmes typical in care facilities in New Zealand. This project examined the experience of animal therapy in two residential aged care homes that receive animal visits from an animal welfare organisation. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven older people about their experiences of the programme and analysed using narrative analysis. Three overarching narratives were identified: animal therapy as a fleeting pleasure, residential care as a sad environment, and identity outside residential care as highly valued. Older people in residential care do value animal therapy, but it is narrated as a fleeting pleasure, rather than having a long-lasting or far-reaching impact on the daily experience of residential care. In some ways, the structure of the animal therapy programme may underscore the challenges to everyday autonomy and identity experienced in residential aged care. These findings can be used to develop animal visiting programmes which recognise the importance of a valued social identity in later life.
‘I'm going to live my life for me’: trans ageing, care, and older trans and gender non-conforming adults’ expectations of and concerns for later life
Authors: Willis Paul , Raithby Michele , Dobbs Christine , Evans Elizabeth , Bishop Jenny-Anne
Published: May 2020

While research on the health and wellbeing of older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults is gradually expanding, research on older trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) adults lags behind. Current scholarship about this group raises important questions about the intersection of ageing and gender identity for enhancing care and support for older TGNC adults and the lack of preparedness of health and social professionals for meeting these needs. In this paper, we examine the accounts of 22 TGNC individuals (50–74 years) on the topic of ageing and unpack their concerns for and expectations of later life. We present qualitative findings from a study of gender identity, ageing and care, based in Wales, United Kingdom. Data were generated from two-part interviews with each participant. Four key themes are identified: (a) facilitative factors for transitioning in mid- to later life; (b) growing older as a new lease of life; (c) growing older: regrets, delays and uncertainties; and (d) ambivalent expectations of social care services. We argue that growing older as TGNC can be experienced across a multitude of standpoints, ranging from a new lease of life to a time of regret and uncertainty. We critically discuss emergent notions of trans time, precarity and uncertainty running across participants’ accounts, and the implications for enhancing recognition of gender non-conformity and gender identity in social gerontology.
Using a Redundant User Interface in Teleoperated Surgical Systems for Task Performance Enhancement
Authors: Torabi Ali , Khadem Mohsen , Zareinia Koroush , Sutherland Garnette Roy , Tavakoli Mahdi
Published: May 2020

The enhanced dexterity and manipulability offered by master–slave teleoperated surgical systems have significantly improved the performance and safety of minimally invasive surgeries. However, effective manipulation of surgical robots is sometimes limited due to the mismatch between the slave and master robots’ kinematics and workspace. The purpose of this paper is first to formulate a quantifiable measure of the combined master–slave system manipulability. Next, we develop a null-space controller for the redundant master robot that employs the proposed manipulability index to enhance the performance of teleoperation tasks by matching the kinematics of the redundant master robot with the kinematics of the slave robot. The null-space controller modulates the redundant degrees of freedom of the master robot to reshape its manipulability ellipsoid (ME) towards the ME of the slave robot. The ME is the geometric interpretation of the kinematics of a robot. By reshaping the master robot’s manipulability, we match the master and slave robots’ kinematics. We demonstrate that by using a redundant master robot, we are able to enhance the master–slave system manipulability and more intuitively transfer the slave robot’s dexterity to the user. Simulation and experimental studies are performed to validate the performance of the proposed control strategy. Results demonstrate that by employing the proposed manipulability index, we can enhance the user’s control over the force/velocity of a surgical robot and minimize the user’s control effort for a teleoperated task.
Canadian cost-effectiveness model of BRCA-driven surgical prevention of breast/ovarian cancers compared to treatment if cancer develops
Authors: Hurry Manjusha , Eccleston Anthony , Dyer Matthew , Hoskins Paul
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To assess the cost effectiveness from a Canadian perspective of index patient germline BRCA testing and then, if positive, family members with subsequent risk-reducing surgery (RRS) in as yet unaffected mutation carriers compared with no testing and treatment of cancer when it develops.

Methods

A patient level simulation was developed comparing outcomes between two groups using Canadian data. Group 1: no mutation testing with treatment if cancer developed. Group 2: cascade testing (index patient BRCA tested and first-/second-degree relatives tested if index patient/first-degree relative is positive) with RRS in carriers. End points were the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and budget impact.

Results

There were 29,102 index patients: 2,786 ovarian cancer and 26,316 breast cancer (BC). Using the base-case assumption of 44 percent and 21 percent of women with a BRCA mutation receiving risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and risk-reducing mastectomy, respectively, testing was cost effective versus no testing and treatment on cancer development, with an ICER of CAD 14,942 (USD 10,555) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), 127 and 104 fewer cases of ovarian and BC, respectively, and twenty-one fewer all-cause deaths. Testing remained cost effective versus no testing at the commonly accepted North American threshold of approximately CAD 100,000 (or USD 100,000) per QALY gained in all scenario analyses, and cost effectiveness improved as RRS uptake rates increased.

Conclusions

Prevention via testing and RRS is cost effective at current RRS uptake rates; however, optimization of uptake rates and RRS will increase cost effectiveness and can provide cost savings.
An A*-based Bacterial Foraging Optimisation Algorithm for Global Path Planning of Unmanned Surface Vehicles
Authors: Long Yang , Zuo Zheming , Su Yixin , Li Jie , Zhang Huajun
Published: May 2020

The bacterial foraging optimisation (BFO) algorithm is a commonly adopted bio-inspired optimisation algorithm. However, BFO is not a proper choice in coping with continuous global path planning in the context of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). In this paper, a grid partition-based BFO algorithm, named AS-BFO, is proposed to address this issue in which the enhancement is contributed by the involvement of the A* algorithm. The chemotaxis operation is redesigned in AS-BFO. Through repeated simulations, the relative optimal parameter combination of the proposed algorithm is obtained and the most influential parameters are identified by sensitivity analysis. The performance of AS-BFO is evaluated via five size grid maps and the results show that AS-BFO has advantages in USV global path planning.
Tight typings and split bounds, fully developed
Authors: ACCATTOLI BENIAMINO , GRAHAM-LENGRAND STÉPHANE , KESNER DELIA
Published: May 2020

Multi types – aka non-idempotent intersection types – have been used. to obtain quantitative bounds on higher-order programs, as pioneered by de Carvalho. Notably, they bound at the same time the number of evaluation steps and the size of the result. Recent results show that the number of steps can be taken as a reasonable time complexity measure. At the same time, however, these results suggest that multi types provide quite lax complexity bounds, because the size of the result can be exponentially bigger than the number of steps. Starting from this observation, we refine and generalise a technique introduced by Bernadet and Graham-Lengrand to provide exact bounds. Our typing judgements carry counters, one measuring evaluation lengths and the other measuring result sizes. In order to emphasise the modularity of the approach, we provide exact bounds for four evaluation strategies, both in the λ-calculus (head, leftmost-outermost, and maximal evaluation) and in the linear substitution calculus (linear head evaluation). Our work aims at both capturing the results in the literature and extending them with new outcomes. Concerning the literature, it unifies de Carvalho and Bernadet & Graham-Lengrand via a uniform technique and a complexity-based perspective. The two main novelties are exact split bounds for the leftmost strategy – the only known strategy that evaluates terms to full normal forms and provides a reasonable complexity measure – and the observation that the computing device hidden behind multi types is the notion of substitution at a distance, as implemented by the linear substitution calculus.
Twiddler’s syndrome with occult lead insulation damage in a child with epicardial pacemaker leads
Authors: Kramer Peter , Berger Felix , Peters Björn
Published: May 2020

We present a rare case of incidentally diagnosed Twiddler’s syndrome in a child 7 years after implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker system with epicardial leads. During revision, an insulation defect of the ventricular lead was evident, despite unremarkable prior pacemaker lead testing. The lead was repaired and a new generator was suture-fixated to prevent re-occurrence of generator manipulation.
Expired Measures, Excess Duty Drawbacks and Causation: The Appellate Body Report in EU–PET (Pakistan)
Authors: Gnutzmann-Mkrtchyan Arevik , Van Damme Isabelle
Published: May 2020

The Appellate Body report in EU–PET (Pakistan) raises distinct questions regarding the need for findings in relation to expired measures, the conditions under which duty drawback schemes may constitute subsidies and the causation methodology to apply under the SCM Agreement. We conclude that the report offers no clear guidance on whether the function and design of WTO dispute settlement require or preclude findings in case of expired measures. We welcome the Appellate Body's conclusion that, in case of duty drawback schemes, the financial contribution element of the subsidy is limited to the excess remission or drawback of import charges. Finally, although the Appellate Body rightly found that authorities are free to choose the methodology for the causation analysis provided that the analysis is complete and objective, the methodology used by the investigating authority in this case shows a number of deficiencies that were not recognized by the Appellate Body.
Auswirkungen einer Reduktion der Verfügbarkeit von Glücksspielen auf die Prävalenz der Spielteilnahme und glücksspielbezogener Störungen: Ein systematischer Review
Authors: Meyer Gerhard , Kalke Jens , Hayer Tobias
Published: May 2020

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die aktuellen Spielhallengesetze in Deutschland sehen eine deutliche Reduktion der Anzahl von Spielstätten vor. Ziel: Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, den internationalen Forschungsstand zu den Auswirkungen einer Reduktion der Verfügbarkeit von Glücksspielen auf die Prävalenz der Spielteilnahme und glücksspielbezogener Störungen in der Bevölkerung systematisch zu erfassen und zu bewerten. Methodik: Mit Hilfe von Schlüsselbegriffen wurde in den elektronischen Datenbanken PsycINFO, Psyindex, Cinahl, Web of Science und Medline in systematischer Weise nach relevanter Literatur gesucht. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt konnten 8 Studien identifiziert werden, die die Einschlusskriterien erfüllen. Die wenigen, teilweise inkonsistenten Befunde belegen für die Zeit nach der Angebotsreduktion im Wesentlichen einen Rückgang der Spielteilnahme, der Anzahl der Häufigspieler, der Behandlungsnachfrage und der Anzahl der Problemspieler. Parallel dazu war in Einzelfällen ein Anstieg der Teilnahmehäufigkeit bei anderen Spielformen erkennbar. Schlussfolgerungen: Potentielle Ursachen der lückenhaften und uneinheitlichen Befundlage werden diskutiert und Limitationen des Reviews aufgezeigt. Im Ergebnis sollte effektive Prävention aufeinander abgestimmte, breit angelegte und nachhaltige Bestrebungen umfassen, die sowohl Aspekte der Verhaltens- als auch der Verhältnisprävention beinhalten.
The Influence of Disturbance Dynamo Electric Field in the Formation of Strong Sporadic E Layers Over Boa Vista, a Low‐Latitude Station in the American Sector
Authors: Resende L. C. A. , Shi J. K. , Denardini C. M. , Batista I. S. , Nogueira P. A. B. , Arras C. , Andrioli V. F. , Moro J. , Da Silva L. A. , Carrasco A. J. , Barbosa P. F. , Wang C. , Liu Z.
Published: May 2020

This study analyzes strong sporadic E layer (Es) formation in Boa Vista (BV, 2.8°N, 60.7°W, dip: 18°), a low‐latitude region in the Brazilian sector, which occurred far after the onset of a magnetic storm recovery phase. Such occurrences were observed during seven magnetic storms with available data for BV. Thus, the ionospheric behavior on days around the magnetic storm that occurred on 20 January 2016 was investigated to search for possible explanations. This analysis indicated that the probable mechanism acting during the Es layer strengthening is the zonal westward electric field caused by a disturbance dynamo. The same evidence was also observed in two other magnetic storms at the same location. Hence, a numerical model of the E region dynamics, called MIRE (Portuguese acronym for E Region Ionospheric Model), was used to confirm whether the disturbance dynamo could cause the Es layer intensification. The inputs for the model were the electric field deduced from the vertical drift and the wind components provided by GSWM‐00 model. The simulations indicate that the Es layer density is significantly enhanced when the zonal electric field is present compared to the reference scenario with only the winds. Therefore, it is concluded that the disturbance dynamo electric field is the likely cause of the strong Es layers in the analyzed cases. Finally, the combined results from the model and observational data seem to contribute significantly to advance our understanding of the role of the electric fields in the Es layer formation at low latitudes.
New Modes and Mechanisms of Long‐Term Ionospheric TEC Variations From Global Ionosphere Maps
Authors: Calabia Andres , Jin Shuanggen
Published: May 2020

The ionosphere is very active and complex due to photo‐ionization from the solar activity, while traditional empirical models can only give a rough description of its actual variations. Nowadays, global ionosphere maps (GIMs) derived from denser Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) world‐tracking data provide an excellent total electron content (TEC) data set for global ionospheric research and modeling. In this paper, long‐tern variations of 16‐year (2003–2018) TEC time series from GIMs are investigated by using the principal mode analysis (PCA) technique. We analyze the resulting modes in the time‐spectral domain and parameterize the main contributions in terms of solar and magnetospheric forcing, local solar time (LST), and annual variations. The results show that the TEC variability is strongly dependent on the geographical location of the Earth's magnetic field, and the Earth's diurnal rotation modulates its spatial patterns of variability. The latitudinal asymmetry in the global distribution of TEC variations is due to the effects caused by the irregular shape of the Earth's magnetic field along with its diurnal rotation. The analyses of residuals show that periodicities are correlated to the solar wind speed and magnetospheric forcing, especially those located near the southern dip pole at the night side. Furthermore, we found a TEC anomaly at about 15° from the South magnetic dip at the night side, more prominent around 52°S 155°E.
High-performance position-sensitive detector based on the lateral photoelectrical effect of two-dimensional materials
Authors: Hu Chang , Wang Xianjie , Song Bo
Published: May 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and transition-metal chalcogenides have been extensively studied because of their superior electronic and optical properties. Recently, 2D materials have shown great practical application in position-sensitive detectors (PSDs), originating from the lateral photoelectrical effect of the materials or junctions. The high position sensitivity and ultrafast photoresponse of PSDs based on 2D materials, especially compatibility with Si technology, may enable diverse optoelectronic applications. In this review, recent studies of PSDs based on 2D materials are summarized, providing a promising route for high-performance PSDs.
Brief ex vivo Fas-ligand incubation attenuates GvHD without compromising stem cell graft performance
Authors: Levy-Barazany Hilit , Shachnai-Pinkas Liat , Rodionov Galina , Saar Alex , Rosenzwaig Michal , Gez Liron , Rodin Anastasia , Marelly Nitzan , Abraham Michal , Mishalian Inbal , Wildbaum Hila , Katz Tamar , Baar Yuval , Yarkoni Shai , Bakimer-Kleiner Ronit , Peled Amnon , Zuckerman Tsila , Stein Jerry
Published: May 2020

Graft versus host disease (GvHD) remains a limiting factor for successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are major components of the hematopoietic G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood cell (MPBC) graft. Here we show that a short incubation (2 h) of MPBCs with hexameric Fas ligand (FasL) selectively induces apoptosis of specific donor T cell subsets and APCs but not of CD34+cells. FasL treatment preferentially induces apoptosis in mature T cell subsets which express high levels of Fas (CD95), such as T stem cell memory, T central memory, and T effector memory cells, as well as TH1 and TH17 cells. Anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated T cells derived from FasL-treated-MPBCs express lower levels of CD25 and secrete lower levels of IFN-γ as compared to control cells not treated with FasL. FasL treatment also induces apoptosis of transitional, naïve, memory and plasmablastoid B cells leading to a reduction in their numbers in the graft and following engraftment in transplanted mice. Most importantly, ex vivo treatment of MPBCs with FasL prior to transplant in conditioned NOD-scid IL2Rγnull(NSG) mice prevented GvHD while preserving graft versus leukemia (GvL) effects, and leading to robust stem cell engraftment.
Representation of visual uncertainty through neural gain variability
Authors: Hénaff Olivier J. , Boundy-Singer Zoe M. , Meding Kristof , Ziemba Corey M. , Goris Robbe L. T.
Published: May 2020

Uncertainty is intrinsic to perception. Neural circuits which process sensory information must therefore also represent the reliability of this information. How they do so is a topic of debate. We propose a model of visual cortex in which average neural response strength encodes stimulus features, while cross-neuron variability in response gain encodes the uncertainty of these features. To test this model, we studied spiking activity of neurons in macaque V1 and V2 elicited by repeated presentations of stimuli whose uncertainty was manipulated in distinct ways. We show that gain variability of individual neurons is tuned to stimulus uncertainty, that this tuning is specific to the features encoded by these neurons and largely invariant to the source of uncertainty. We demonstrate that this behavior naturally arises from known gain-control mechanisms, and illustrate how downstream circuits can jointly decode stimulus features and their uncertainty from sensory population activity.
Yield strength and misfit volumes of NiCoCr and implications for short-range-order
Authors: Yin Binglun , Yoshida Shuhei , Tsuji Nobuhiro , Curtin W. A.
Published: May 2020

The face-centered cubic medium-entropy alloy NiCoCr has received considerable attention for its good mechanical properties, uncertain stacking fault energy, etc, some of which have been attributed to chemical short-range order (SRO). Here, we examine the yield strength and misfit volumes of NiCoCr to determine whether SRO has measurably influenced mechanical properties. Polycrystalline strengths show no systematic trend with different processing conditions. Measured misfit volumes in NiCoCr are consistent with those in random binaries. Yield strength prediction of a random NiCoCr alloy matches well with experiments. Finally, we show that standard spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations of misfit volumes are not accurate for NiCoCr. This implies that DFT may be inaccurate for other subtle structural quantities such as atom-atom bond distance so that caution is required in drawing conclusions about NiCoCr based on DFT. These findings all lead to the conclusion that, under typical processing conditions, SRO in NiCoCr is either negligible or has no systematic measurable effect on strength.
Near-ideal spontaneous photon sources in silicon quantum photonics
Authors: Paesani S. , Borghi M. , Signorini S. , Maïnos A. , Pavesi L. , Laing A.
Published: May 2020

While integrated photonics is a robust platform for quantum information processing, architectures for photonic quantum computing place stringent demands on high quality information carriers. Sources of single photons that are highly indistinguishable and pure, that are either near-deterministic or heralded with high efficiency, and that are suitable for mass-manufacture, have been elusive. Here, we demonstrate on-chip photon sources that simultaneously meet each of these requirements. Our photon sources are fabricated in silicon using mature processes, and exploit a dual-mode pump-delayed excitation scheme to engineer the emission of spectrally pure photon pairs through inter-modal spontaneous four-wave mixing in low-loss spiralled multi-mode waveguides. We simultaneously measure a spectral purity of 0.9904 ± 0.0006, a mutual indistinguishability of 0.987 ± 0.002, and  >90% intrinsic heralding efficiency. We measure on-chip quantum interference with a visibility of 0.96 ± 0.02 between heralded photons from different sources.
Alkyne–Alkene [2 + 2] cycloaddition based on visible light photocatalysis
Authors: Ha Sujin , Lee Yeji , Kwak Yoonna , Mishra Akash , Yu Eunsoo , Ryou Bokyeong , Park Cheol-Min
Published: May 2020

UV-activated alkyne–alkene [2 + 2] cycloaddition has served as an important tool to access cyclobutenes. Although broadly adopted, the limitations with UV light as an energy source prompted us to explore an alternative method. Here we report alkyne–alkene [2 + 2] cycloaddition based on visible light photocatalysis allowing the synthesis of diverse cyclobutenes and 1,3-dienes via inter- and intramolecular reactions. Extensive mechanistic studies suggest that the localized spin densities at sp2 carbons of alkenes account for the productive sensitization of alkenes despite their similar triplet levels of alkenes and alkynes. Moreover, the efficient formation of 1,3-dienes via tandem triplet activation of the resulting cyclobutenes is observed when intramolecular enyne cycloaddition is performed, which may serve as a complementary means to the Ru(II)-catalyzed enyne metathesis. In addition, the utility of the [2 + 2] cycloaddition has been demonstrated by several synthetic transformations including synthesis of various extended π-systems.
Author Correction: ITK signalling via the Ras/IRF4 pathway regulates the development and function of Tr1 cells
Authors: Huang Weishan , Solouki Sabrina , Koylass Nicholas , Zheng Song-Guo , August Avery
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A meta-analysis of gene expression data highlights synaptic dysfunction in the hippocampus of brains with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hosseinian Saeedeh , Arefian Ehsan , Rakhsh-Khorshid Hassan , Eivani Mehdi , Rezayof Ameneh , Pezeshk Hamid , Marashi Sayed-Amir
Published: May 2020

Since the world population is ageing, dementia is going to be a growing concern. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is extensively studied, yet unknown remains. Therefore, we aimed to extract new knowledge from existing data. We analysed about 2700 upregulated genes and 2200 downregulated genes from three studies on the CA1 of the hippocampus of brains with Alzheimer’s disease. We found that only the calcium signalling pathway enriched by 48 downregulated genes was consistent between all three studies. We predicted miR-129 to target nine out of 48 genes. Then, we validated miR-129 to regulate six out of nine genes in HEK cells. We noticed that four out of six genes play a role in synaptic plasticity. Finally, we confirmed the upregulation of miR-129 in the hippocampus of brains of rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia as a model of Alzheimer’s disease. We suggest that future research should investigate the possible role of miR-129 in synaptic plasticity and Alzheimer’s disease. This paper presents a novel framework to gain insight into potential biomarkers and targets for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Evaluating White Matter Lesion Segmentations with Refined Sørensen-Dice Analysis
Authors: Carass Aaron , Roy Snehashis , Gherman Adrian , Reinhold Jacob C. , Jesson Andrew , Arbel Tal , Maier Oskar , Handels Heinz , Ghafoorian Mohsen , Platel Bram , Birenbaum Ariel , Greenspan Hayit , Pham Dzung L. , Crainiceanu Ciprian M. , Calabresi Peter A. , Prince Jerry L. , Roncal William R. Gray , Shinohara Russell T. , Oguz Ipek
Published: May 2020

The Sørensen-Dice index (SDI) is a widely used measure for evaluating medical image segmentation algorithms. It offers a standardized measure of segmentation accuracy which has proven useful. However, it offers diminishing insight when the number of objects is unknown, such as in white matter lesion segmentation of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We present a refinement for finer grained parsing of SDI results in situations where the number of objects is unknown. We explore these ideas with two case studies showing what can be learned from our two presented studies. Our first study explores an inter-rater comparison, showing that smaller lesions cannot be reliably identified. In our second case study, we demonstrate fusing multiple MS lesion segmentation algorithms based on the insights into the algorithms provided by our analysis to generate a segmentation that exhibits improved performance. This work demonstrates the wealth of information that can be learned from refined analysis of medical image segmentations.
Temporal and spatial distribution of soil water and nitrate content affected by surface irrigation and fertilizer rate in silage corn fields
Authors: Liu Yuchun , Wang Ning , Jiang Changsong , Archer Leigh , Wang Yao
Published: May 2020

Among surface irrigation systems, long border and furrow are more adaptive to mechanized farming but may cause a non-uniform distribution of water and nutrients. In this study, field experiments were carried out in a flat silage corn field in Hebei, China to investigate the uniformity along the length of border or furrow to understand the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of soil water, electrical conductivity, and nitrate. This will guide irrigation and fertigation management recommendations, land consolidation, and high standard farmland construction. Border and furrow irrigation were tested using fertilizer rates of 750, 600, 450 and 300 kg/ha. Low quarter distribution uniformity (DUlq) and storage efficiency (E) were quantified to determine the distribution of soil water and soil nitrate content. The results indicate heterogeneity along the length of the border or furrow is weak for soil water content and is moderate for nitrate content, based on the uniformity coefficient (CV). The average low quarter distribution uniformity of soil water (DUlqW) was 96.34, there was a significant effect of irrigation type on DUlqW, and the DUlqW for border irrigation was 0.8% larger than that for furrow irrigation. The average low quarter distribution uniformity of nitrate content DUlqN was 79.04, and there was no significant influence of irrigation type and fertilizer rate on DUlqN. Spatial and temporal distribution analysis showed that the variation of soil water in the 0–60 cm soil layer was larger than that in 60–100 cm soil layer, and the electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrate content gradually decreased with increasing soil depth. There was a decreasing trend in soil EC and nitrate content with decreasing fertilizer rates. The storage efficiency of water (EW) for border irrigation was 56.63, and significantly lower than that for furrow irrigation over the whole growth duration. The nitrate storage efficiency (EN) was 65.47, and there was no significant effect of irrigation type or fertilizer rate on EN. Even with longer borders or furrows of 90 m, the uniformity of water and nitrate along the length of the border or furrow is weak or medium, which can create non-uniform conditions for crop growth. Furrow irrigation may store slightly more water in the top 60 cm of soil compared to border irrigation. Fertilizer rate had no significant effect on the uniformity and distribution of soil water or nitrate.
Induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) by non-enzymatic reagents targeting vitreous collagen liquefaction as well as vitreoretinal adhesion
Authors: Santra Mithun , Sharma Maryada , Katoch Deeksha , Jain Sahil , Saikia Uma Nahar , Dogra Mangat R. , Luthra-Guptasarma Manni
Published: May 2020

Induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) by pharmacologic vitreolysis has been largely attempted through the use of enzymatic reagents. Ocriplasmin has been the only FDA-approved clinical reagent so far. Several adverse effects of ocriplasmin have emerged, however, and the search for alternative PVD-inducing reagents continues. Since i) collagen forms an important structural component of the vitreous, and ii) strong vitreo-retinal adhesions exist between the cortical vitreous and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) of the retina, an effective PVD-inducing reagent would require both, vitreous liquefaction, and concurrent dehiscence of vitreoretinal adhesion, without being toxic to retinal cells. We designed a combination of two reagents to achieve these two objectives; a triple helix-destabilizing collagen binding domain (CBD), and a fusion of RGD (integrin-binding) tripeptide with CBD (RCBD) to facilitate separation of posterior cortical vitreous from retinal surface. Based on in vitro, ex-vivo, and in vivo experiments, we show that a combination of CBD and RCBD displays potential for safe pharmacologic vitreolysis. Our findings assume significance in light of the fact that synthetic RGD-containing peptides have already been used for inhibition of tumor cell invasion. Proteins such as variants of collagen binding domains could have extended therapeutic uses in the future.