bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic monitoring of steel strip positioning error based on semantic segmentation
Authors: Lemos Aline de Faria , da Silva Leonardo Adolpho Rodrigues , Nagy Balázs Vince
Published: September 2020

The misalignment of steel strips in relation to the roller table centerline still is an impairment for the rolling mill production lines. Nowadays, the strip position correction remains largely in the purview of human analysis, in which the strip steering is traditionally a semi-manual operation. Automating the alignment process could reduce the maintenance costs, damage to the plant, and prevent material losses. The first step into the automatization is to determine the strip position and its referred error. This study presents a method that employs semantic segmentation based on convolution neural networks to estimate steel strips positioning error from images of the process. Additionally, the system mitigates the influences of mechanical vibration on the images. The system performance was assessed by standard semantic segmentation evaluation metrics and in comparison with the dataset ground truth. The results showed that 97% of the estimated positioning errors are within a 2-pixel margin. The method demonstrated to be a robust real-time solution as the networks were trained from a set of low-resolution images acquired in a complex environment.
Viscous flow through microfabricated axisymmetric contraction/expansion geometries
Authors: Pimenta Francisco , Toda-Peters Kazumi , Shen Amy Q. , Alves Manuel A. , Haward Simon J.
Published: September 2020

We employ a state-of-the-art microfabrication technique (selective laser-induced etching) to fabricate a set of axisymmetric microfluidic geometries featuring a 4:1 contraction followed by a 1:4 downstream expansion in the radial dimension. Three devices are fabricated: the first has a sudden contraction followed by a sudden expansion, the second features hyperbolic contraction and expansion profiles, and the third has a numerically optimized contraction/expansion profile intended to provide a constant extensional/compressional rate along the axis. We use micro-particle image velocimetry to study the creeping flow of a Newtonian fluid through the three devices and we compare the obtained velocity profiles with finite-volume numerical predictions, with good agreement. This work demonstrates the capability of this new microfabrication technique for producing accurate non-planar microfluidic geometries with complex shapes and with sufficient clarity for optical probes. The axisymmetric microfluidic geometries examined have potential to be used for the study of the extensional properties and non-linear dynamics of viscoelastic flows, and to investigate the transport and deformation dynamics of bubbles, drops, cells, and fibers.

Graphic abstract
Haptic exploration improves performance of a laparoscopic training task
Authors: Postema Roelf R. , van Gastel Leonie A. , Hardon Sem F. , Bonjer H. Jaap , Horeman Tim
Published: September 2020

Background

Laparoscopy has reduced tactile and visual feedback compared to open surgery. There is increasing evidence that visual and haptic information converge to form a more robust mental representation of an object. We investigated whether tactile exploration of an object prior to executing a laparoscopic action on it improves performance.

Methods

A prospective cohort study with 20 medical students randomized in two different groups was conducted. A silicone ileocecal model, on which a laparoscopic action had to be performed, was used inside an outside a ForceSense box trainer. During the pre-test, students either did a combined manual and visual exploration or only visual exploration of the caecum model. To track performance during the trials of the study we used force, motion and time parameters as representatives of technical skills development. The final trial data were used for statistical comparison between groups.

Results

All included time and motion parameters did not show any clear differences between groups. However, the force parameters Mean force non-zero (p = 004), Maximal force (p = 0.01) Maximal impulse (p = 0.02), Force volume (p = 0.02) and SD force (p = 0.01) showed significant lower values in favour of the tactile exploration group for the final trials.

Conclusions

By adding haptic sensation to the existing visual information during training of laparoscopic tasks on life-like models, tissue manipulation skills improve during training.
Patient outcomes, patient experiences and process indicators associated with the routine use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in cancer care: a systematic review
Authors: Graupner Caitlin , Kimman Merel L. , Mul Suzanne , Slok Annerika H. M. , Claessens Danny , Kleijnen Jos , Dirksen Carmen D. , Breukink Stéphanie O.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

In current cancer care, there is a growing debate about the value of using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in daily clinical follow-up. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to assess the evidence of the effectiveness of the routine use of PROMs in daily cancer care in terms of patient outcomes, patient experiences and process indicators and to identify the effect of giving feedback about PROM findings to patients and/or health care professionals (HCPs).

Methods

A systematic search was performed. Studies were eligible for inclusion when they (1) used a PROM as an intervention, with or without feedback to patients and/or HCPs, compared with not using a PROM, and (2) used a PROM as an intervention with feedback to patients and/or HCPs, compared with using a PROM without giving feedback to patients and/or HCPs.

Results

After screening of 8341 references, 22 original studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies found a positive effect on survival, symptoms, HRQoL and patient satisfaction. In general, using feedback to patient and/or HCPs about the PROM results led to better symptom control, HRQoL, patient satisfaction and patient-doctor communication. The majority of included studies had insufficient power to detect significant differences in the outcomes assessed.

Conclusion

This review shows that predominantly positive findings were found in the use of a PROM in daily cancer care. Additionally, more positive effects were seen when feedback is provided to patient and/or health care professionals, and it is thus highly recommended that this is always done.
Reducing the burden of brain tumor surgery
Authors: ter Laan Mark , Roelofs Suzanne , Adang Eddy M. M. , Bartels Ronald H. M. A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Even though the need has been challenged, admitting patients to an intensive care or medium care unit (ICU/MCU) after adult supratentorial tumor craniotomy remains common practice. We have introduced a “no ICU, unless” policy for tumor craniotomy patients and evaluate costs, complications, and length of stay.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed comparing patients that underwent tumor craniotomy for supratentorial tumors during 2 years after introduction of the new policy with the year before.

Results

A reduction in ICU/MCU admittance from 88 to 23% of patients was found resulting in 13% cost reduction. Also, the new policy resulted in a 1.4-day shorter post-operative length of stay. Minor complications were reduced, while major complications remained the same. All major complications are reviewed.

Conclusions

We show that routine post-operative ICU/MCU admittance after tumor craniotomy does not reduce complications, but actually interferes with recovery of our patients. Changing the paradigm results in earlier discharge and cost reduction.
Cellular responses to deproteinized bovine bone mineral biofunctionalized with bone-conditioned medium
Authors: Parisi Ludovica , Buser Daniel , Chappuis Vivianne , Asparuhova Maria B.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the osteoinductive properties of bone-conditioned medium (BCM) harvested from cortical bone chips within a clinically relevant short-term period can enhance the biologic characteristics of deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) in vitro.

Materials and methods

To assess the biofunctionalization of DBBM, the adhesive, proliferative, and differentiation properties of mesenchymal stromal ST2, pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1, and primary bone-derived cells grown on BCM-coated DBBM were examined by crystal violet staining of adherent cells, BrdU ELISA, and qRT-PCR, respectively.

Results

BCM extracted within 20 min or 24 h in either Ringer’s solution (BCM-RS) or RS mixed with autologous serum (BCM-RS + S) increased the adhesive properties of all three cell types seeded on DBBM. The 20-min BCM-RS preparation appeared more potent than the 24-h preparation. BCM-RS made within 20 min or 24 h had strong pro-proliferative effects on all cell types grown on DBBM. RS + S alone exhibited a considerable pro-proliferative effect, suggesting an impact of the serum on cellular growth. DBBM coated with BCM-RS or BCM-RS + S, made within 20 min or 24 h each, caused a significant induction of osteogenic differentiation marker expression with a higher potency of the BCM-RS + S. Finally, a strong additive effect of fresh bone chips combined with BCM-coated DBBM on the osteogenic differentiation of the three cell types was observed.

Conclusions

Altogether, the data strongly support the biofunctionalization of DBBM with BCM extracted within a clinically relevant time window of 20 min.

Clinical relevance

Pre-activation of non-osteoinductive biomaterials with BCM, prepared from autologous bone chips during a guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure, bears the potential of an optimal treatment modality for bone defects in daily practice.
Understanding economic openness: a review of existing measures
Authors: Gräbner Claudius , Heimberger Philipp , Kapeller Jakob , Springholz Florian
Published: September 2020

This paper surveys measures of economic openness, the latter being understood as the degree to which non-domestic actors can or do participate in a domestic economy. Based on the existing literature, the authors introduce a typology of openness indicators, which distinguishes between ‘real’ and ‘financial’ openness as well as ‘de-facto’ and ‘de-jure’ measures of openness. They use data collected on these indicators to analyze trends in openness over time and to conduct a correlation analysis across indicators. Finally, they illustrate the potential consequences of employing different openness measures in a growth regression framework.
Ice-on and ice-off dynamics of ciliates and metazooplankton in the Łuczański Canal (Poland)
Authors: Kalinowska Krystyna , Karpowicz Maciej
Published: September 2020

The ciliate–metazooplankton trophic coupling is well documented from both laboratory and field experiments. The knowledge about these relationships during winter ice-covered periods is very scarce. The abundance and composition of planktonic ciliates, rotifers and crustaceans were studied during the ice-covered and ice-free periods in the Łuczański Canal (Masurian Lakeland, Poland). We hypothesised that in winter, rotifers play a major role in the top-down control of ciliates and that ciliate–metazooplankton relationships differ not only between the ice-covered and ice-free periods, but also between ice-covered months. Our study showed that ciliates formed a significant part of zooplankton biomass during the winter ice-covered period when crustaceans occurred in very low abundances. Despite cold water temperature and the presence of ice cover, time was probably a cue that initiates zooplankton development. The ciliate, rotifer and crustacean numbers and biomass, as well as chlorophyll a concentrations, were lower in February than in ice-free periods. In the winter month with ice cover, bottom-up control by resources was more important than top-down control by zooplankton grazing in regulating ciliates. In the spring month with ice cover, crustaceans and rotifers may include ciliates as an important part of their diets. In April, the studied groups of organisms were not related to each other in contrast to the summer, when zooplankton communities were closely related to each other. In autumn, rotifers may play an important role in controlling ciliates. The abundance, composition and ciliate–metazoan relationships can vary considerably not only across seasons, but also across ice-covered months.
Unraveling the medical residency selection game
Authors: Gennissen Lokke M. , Stegers-Jager Karen M. , de Graaf Jacqueline , Fluit Cornelia R. M. G. , de Hoog Matthijs
Published: September 2020

The diversity of modern society is often not represented in the medical workforce. This might be partly due to selection practices. We need to better understand decision-making processes by selection committees in order to improve selection procedures with regard to diversity. This paper reports on a qualitative study with a socio-constructivist perspective conducted in 2015 that explored how residency selection decision-making occurred within four specialties in two regions in the Netherlands. Data included transcripts of the decision-making meetings and of one-on-one interviews with committee members before and after the group decision-making meetings. Candidates struggled to portray themselves favorably as they had to balance playing by the rules and being authentic; between fitting in and standing out. Although admissions committees had a welcoming stance to diversity, their practices were unintentionally preventing them from hiring underrepresented minority (URM) candidates. While negotiating admissions is difficult for all candidates, it is presumably even more complicated for URM candidates. This seems to be having a negative influence on attaining workforce diversity. Current beliefs, which make committees mistakenly feel they are acting fairly, might actually justify biased practices. Awareness of the role of committee members in these processes is an essential first step.
What Sexual and Gender Minority People Want Researchers to Know About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Suen Leslie W. , Lunn Mitchell R. , Katuzny Katie , Finn Sacha , Duncan Laura , Sevelius Jae , Flentje Annesa , Capriotti Matthew R. , Lubensky Micah E. , Hunt Carolyn , Weber Shannon , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Obedin-Maliver Juno
Published: September 2020

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people—including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities—are understudied and underrepresented in research. Current sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions do not sufficiently engage SGM people, and there is a critical gap in understanding how SOGI questions reduce inclusion and accurate empirical representation. We conducted a qualitative study to answer the question, “For SGM people, what are the major limitations with current SOGI questions?” Focus groups probed reactions to SOGI questions adapted from prior national surveys and clinical best practice guidelines. Questions were refined and presented in semi-structured cognitive interviews. Template analysis using a priori themes guided analysis. There were 74 participants: 55 in nine focus groups and 19 in cognitive interviews. Participants were diverse: 51.3% identified as gender minorities, 87.8% as sexual minorities, 8.1% as Hispanic/Latinx, 13.5% as Black or African-American, and 43.2% as Non-white. Two major themes emerged: (1) SOGI questions did not allow for identity fluidity and complexity, reducing inclusion and representation, and (2) SOGI question stems and answer choices were often not clear as to which SOGI dimension was being assessed. To our knowledge, this represents the largest body of qualitative data studying SGM perspectives when responding to SOGI questions. We present recommendations for future development and use of SOGI measures. Attention to these topics may improve meaningful participation of SGM people in research and implementation of such research within and for SGM communities.
Perceptual breakdown during a global pandemic: introducing phenomenological insights for digital mental health purposes
Authors: van Grunsven Janna
Published: September 2020

Online therapy sessions and other forms of digital mental health services (DMH) have seen a sharp spike in new users since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having little access to their social networks and support systems, people have had to turn to digital tools and spaces to cope with their experiences of anxiety and loss. With no clear end to the pandemic in sight, many of us are likely to remain reliant upon DMH for the foreseeable future. As such, it is important to articulate some of the specific ways in which the pandemic is affecting our self and world-relation, such that we can identify how DMH services are best able to accommodate some of the newly emerging needs of their users. In this paper I will identify a specific type of loss brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and present it as an important concept for DMH. I refer to this loss as loss of perceptual world-familiarity. Loss of perceptual world-familiarity entails a breakdown in the ongoing effortless responsiveness to our perceptual environment that characterizes much of our everyday lives. To cash this out I will turn to insights from the phenomenological tradition. Initially, my project is descriptive. I aim to bring out how loss of perceptual world-familiarity is a distinctive form of loss that is deeply pervasive yet easily overlooked—hence the relevance of explicating it for DMH purposes. But I will also venture into the space of the normative, offering some reasons for seeing perceptual world-familiarity as a component of well-being. I conclude the paper with a discussion of how loss of perceptual world-familiarity affects the therapeutic setting now that most if not all therapeutic interactions have transitioned to online spaces and I explore the potential to augment these spaces with social interaction technologies. Throughout, my discussion aims to do justice to the reality that perceptual world-familiarity is not an evenly distributed phenomenon, that factors like disability, gender and race affect its robustness, and that this ought to be reckoned with when seeking to incorporate the phenomenon into or mitigate it through DMH services.
The effect of storms on Finnish dairy farms: electrical outage statistics and the effect on milk production
Authors: Huitu Hanna , Kaustell Kim , Pastell Matti
Published: September 2020

Due to technological advancement, agricultural production is increasingly dependent on electricity. At the same time, power delivery infrastructures are challenged by extreme weather events. Losses in primary food production due to electrical outages are still largely unquantified. This paper reports the effect of storm-induced power outages on milk production in Finland. The study used detailed, farm-level records of power cuts from 2010 to 2015 available from two power companies and contrasted them to the respective monthly milk production statistics collected at farm level. For each major storm event, deviation in the milk production compared to previous month was calculated for each farm. Effect of power outages onto milk production was estimated using linear mixed modeling. Power outages mainly occurred during and after storm events, and dairy farms experienced more outages than what was a national average for rural power customers. The power outages decreased the monthly milk yield of the most affected farms by 4.6% (farms experiencing outages longer than 72 h), and production recovered already for the month following the storm event. The results imply that milk production in Finland is prepared and resilient toward power outages shorter than 3 days and that the current magnitude of power outages in dairy farms is higher than what was known previously.
Comparison of nonlinear mappings for reduced-order modelling of vibrating structures: normal form theory and quadratic manifold method with modal derivatives
Authors: Vizzaccaro Alessandra , Salles Loïc , Touzé Cyril
Published: September 2020

The objective of this contribution is to compare two methods proposed recently in order to build efficient reduced-order models for geometrically nonlinear structures. The first method relies on the normal form theory that allows one to obtain a nonlinear change of coordinates for expressing the reduced-order dynamics in an invariant-based span of the phase space. The second method is the modal derivative approach, and more specifically, the quadratic manifold defined in order to derive a second-order nonlinear change of coordinates. Both methods share a common point of view, willing to introduce a nonlinear mapping to better define a reduced-order model that could take more properly into account the nonlinear restoring forces. However, the calculation methods are different and the quadratic manifold approach has not the invariance property embedded in its definition. Modal derivatives and static modal derivatives are investigated, and their distinctive features in the treatment of the quadratic nonlinearity are underlined. Assuming a slow/fast decomposition allows understanding how the three methods tend to share equivalent properties. While they give proper estimations for flat symmetric structures having a specific shape of nonlinearities and a clear slow/fast decomposition between flexural and in-plane modes, the treatment of the quadratic nonlinearity makes the predictions different in the case of curved structures such as arches and shells. In the more general case, normal form approach appears preferable since it allows correct predictions of a number of important nonlinear features, including the hardening/softening behaviour, whatever the relationships between slave and master coordinates are.
Ultra-low frequency energy harvesting using bi-stability and rotary-translational motion in a magnet-tethered oscillator
Authors: Fu Hailing , Theodossiades Stephanos , Gunn Ben , Abdallah Imad , Chatzi Eleni
Published: September 2020

Harvesting ultra-low frequency random vibration, such as human motion or turbine tower oscillations, has always been a challenge, but could enable many potential self-powered sensing applications. In this paper, a methodology to effectively harness this type of energy is proposed using rotary-translational motion and bi-stability. A sphere rolling magnet is designed to oscillate in a tube with two tethering magnets underneath the rolling path, providing two stable positions for the oscillating magnet. The generated magnetic restoring forces are of periodic form with regard to the sphere magnet location, providing unique nonlinear dynamics and allowing the harvester to operate effectively at ultra-low frequencies (< 1 Hz). Two sets of coils are mounted above the rolling path, and the change of magnetic flux within the coils accomplishes the energy conversion. A theoretical model, including the magnetic forces, the electromagnetic conversion and the occurring bi-stability, is established to understand the electromechanical dynamics and guide the harvester design. End linear springs are designed to maintain the periodic double-well oscillation when the excitation magnitude is high. Parametric studies considering different design factors and operation conditions are conducted to analyze the nonlinear electromechanical dynamics. The harvester illustrates its capabilities in effectively harnessing ultra-low frequency motions over a wide range of low excitation magnitudes.
Does calcium carbonate influence clay mineral transformation in soils developed from slope deposits in Southern Poland?
Authors: Kowalska Joanna Beata , Skiba Michał , Maj-Szeliga Katarzyna , Mazurek Ryszard , Zaleski Tomasz
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Literature reported that soils characterized by heterogeneity would reveal the different direction of clay minerals transformation. Hence, in this study, four soils developed on menilite shales slope deposits were investigated to test if the clay minerals transformations in soils with varied calcium carbonate distribution would show multidirectional paths of clay mineral weathering, or if transformation of secondary phases in such stratified materials would reveal only one trajectory.

Methods

The separated clay fractions were analysed using X-ray diffractometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Geochemical analyses were performed using ICP-ES and ICP-MS after sample fusion with lithium borate and an alloy dissolution with nitric acid.

Results

Calcium carbonate did not influence the composition and transformation of clay minerals. Despite the fact that soils were characterized by different content and distribution of calcium carbonate within the solum and additionally indicated various morphological features, the mineralogical composition of clay fraction was very uniform. Among the secondary phases, chlorite, illite, vermiculite, kaolinite and mixed phases illite-smectite and vermiculite-chlorite were detected in all horizons.

Conclusions

The uniform composition of the clay minerals in the studied soils suggested that mass movement, which controlled the formation of slope covers, was probably of a similar character and intensity across the whole of the slope. Furthermore, it seems that the pedogenesis in all soils proceeded on the same scale of advancement. This was indicated by a similar degree of weathering of soil material and lack of depth-dependent weathering in the profiles, confirmed by values of weathering indices (CIA and ICV) as well as by micromorphologically visible, highly weathered coarse fragments. Moreover, weak intensity of the illuviation process within the homogeneous substrate could have resulted in the very uniform composition of clay minerals in the studied soils.
Empowering Implementation Teams with a Learning Health System Approach: Leveraging Data to Improve Quality of Care for Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Rattray Nicholas A. , Damush Teresa M. , Miech Edward J. , Homoya Barbara , Myers Laura J. , Penney Lauren S. , Ferguson Jared , Giacherio Brenna , Kumar Meetesh , Bravata Dawn M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Questions persist about how learning healthcare systems should integrate audit and feedback (A&F) into quality improvement (QI) projects to support clinical teams’ use of performance data to improve care quality.

Objective

To identify how a virtual “Hub” dashboard that provided performance data for patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), a resource library, and a forum for sharing QI plans and tools supported QI activities among newly formed multidisciplinary clinical teams at six Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.

Design

An observational, qualitative evaluation of how team members used a web-based Hub.

Participants

External facilitators and multidisciplinary team members at VA facilities engaged in QI to improve the quality of TIA care.

Approach

Qualitative implementation process and summative evaluation of observational Hub data (interviews with Hub users, structured field notes) to identify emergent, contextual themes and patterns of Hub usage.

Key Results

The Hub supported newly formed multidisciplinary teams in implementing QI plans in three main ways: as an information interface for integrated monitoring of TIA performance; as a repository used by local teams and facility champions; and as a tool for team activation. The Hub enabled access to data that were previously inaccessible and unavailable and integrated that data with benchmark and scientific evidence to serve as a common data infrastructure. Led by champions, each implementation team used the Hub differently: local adoption of the staff and patient education materials; benchmarking facility performance against national rates and peer facilities; and positive reinforcement for QI plan development and monitoring. External facilitators used the Hub to help teams leverage data to target areas of improvement and disseminate local adaptations to promote resource sharing across teams.

Conclusions

As a dynamic platform for A&F operating within learning health systems, hubs represent a promising strategy to support local implementation of QI programs by newly formed, multidisciplinary teams.
Enhanced indexation via chance constraints
Authors: Beraldi Patrizia , Bruni Maria Elena
Published: September 2020

The enhanced index tracking (EIT) represents a popular investment strategy designed to create a portfolio of assets that outperforms a benchmark, while bearing a limited additional risk. This paper analyzes the EIT problem by the chance constraints (CC) paradigm and proposes a formulation where the return of the tracking portfolio is imposed to overcome the benchmark with a high probability value. Besides the CC-based formulation, where the eventual shortage is controlled in probabilistic terms, the paper introduces a model based on the Integrated version of the CC. Here the negative deviation of the portfolio performance from the benchmark is measured and the corresponding expected value is limited to be lower than a given threshold. Extensive computational experiments are carried out on different set of benchmark instances.
Both the proposed formulations suggest investment strategies that track very closely the benchmark over the out-of-sample horizon and often achieve better performance. When compared with other existing strategies, the empirical analysis reveals that no optimization model clearly dominates the others, even though the formulation based on the traditional form of the CC seems to be very competitive.
The Easternmost European Palaeolithic Artists: Iconography and Graphic Features at Kapova Cave (Southern Urals, Russia)
Authors: Ruiz-Redondo Aitor , Yanovskaya Katherin , Zhitenev Vladislav S.
Published: September 2020

Palaeolithic rock art is one of the most distinctive cultural traits of Upper Palaeolithic societies in Europe. Traditionally restricted to South-western Europe, especially to the Franco-Cantabrian province, in recent years, the geographic distribution of this phenomenon has noticeably expanded. Several years before these discoveries, the first decorated site found beyond southern Europe was Kapova cave, in Russia. This site, at the edge of the distribution area of European Palaeolithic art and far away from other cave sanctuaries, is key to define and understand potential long-distance cultural networks during the Upper Palaeolithic. In this paper, we present the first comprehensive inventory of the artworks, a renewed documentation of the graphic units (including the first digital tracings), the spatial distribution and the stylistic analysis of the different motifs. This led us to understand the role of Kapova within the Palaeolithic symbolism and to better integrate it in the Palaeolithic cultural dynamics.
GÖDEL DIFFEOMORPHISMS
Authors: FOREMAN MATTHEW
Published: September 2020

In 1932, von Neumann proposed classifying the statistical behavior of differentiable systems. Joint work of B. Weiss and the author proved that the classification problem is complete analytic. Based on techniques in that proof, one is able to show that the collection of recursive diffeomorphisms of the 2-torus that are isomorphic to their inverses is $\Pi ^0_1$-hard via a computable 1-1 reduction. As a corollary there is a diffeomorphism that is isomorphic to its inverse if and only if the Riemann Hypothesis holds, a different one that is isomorphic to its inverse if and only if Goldbach’s conjecture holds and so forth. Applying the reduction to the $\Pi ^0_1$-sentence expressing “ZFC is consistent” gives a diffeomorphism T of the 2-torus such that the question of whether $T\cong T^{-1}$ is independent of ZFC.
The German Federal Constitutional Court’s Exercise of Ultra Vires Review and the Possibility to Open an Infringement Action for the Commission
Authors: Poli Sara , Cisotta Roberto
Published: September 2020

The paper examines the possible opening of an infringement procedure against Germany as a result of the breaches that emerge from the declaration by the German Constitutional Court that the Court of Justice has acted ultra vires in the Weiss judgment (C-493/17). The proportionality assessment of the Public Sector Purchase Programme (PSPP) of the European Central Bank (ECB), carried by the Court of Justice, is contested by the domestic court. We recall that the Commission enjoys great discretion regarding the launch of an infringement action based upon Article 258 of the TFEU and may be reluctant to use its powers, considering the special position of the constitutional courts in the context of Article 267 TFEU as well as the present situation of emergency following the pandemic. Yet, the possibility to start an infringement procedure for breaches of Treaty obligations resulting from an incorrect interpretation of domestic courts was admitted in case C-129/00 Commission v. Italy and applied in two subsequent cases (C-154/08 Commission v. Spain and C-416/17 Commission v. France). As a result of the ruling of May 5, 2020, the Court of Justice may find that Germany failed to fulfil obligations stemming from Article 267 TFEU and the related case-law, Article 19 TEU, as well as Article 5(2) TEU. Other breaches concern the independence of the ECB and of the Bundesbank (being it a Member of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and of the Eurosystem) as defined in Articles 130, 282(3) TFEU and Article 7 of the Protocol (No. 4) on the Statute of the ESCB and of the ECB. We argue in favour of the violation of all these provisions read in conjunction with the duty of loyal cooperation, laid down in Article 4(3) TEU. Yet, we conclude that it is uncertain whether the Commission will open (or continue) an infringement procedure against Germany since the Bundesbank may act to satisfy the requests of the German Constitutional Court in relation to the proportionality of the PSPP. It is to be hoped that the German State organs will make sure that the PSPP may be continued, thus ensuring the functioning of the Eurozone, despite the attack of the BVerfG to the EU Judicature and to Weiss ruling in particular.
Against Bidimensional Supremacy in EU Constitutionalism
Authors: Perju Vlad
Published: September 2020

Scholarly consensus sees EU supremacy as “necessarily bidimensional”: the supranational dimension necessarily stands alongside the national dimension, which rejects the absolute and unconditional supremacy of EU law. I argue that this view of bidimensional supremacy is conceptually flawed and descriptively inaccurate. On the conceptual side, I identify the fallacy of symmetry (the idea that national and supranational perspectives on supremacy are similar in nature and equally reductionist), the fallacy of selection (the view that bidimensionalism alone can overcome what it perceives as an inevitable subjective bias in the choice between national and supranational supremacy claims), and the fallacy of construction (an originally shared popular sovereignty theory, which turns out to be riddled with biases that disrupt the equilibrium within the internally divided sovereign). On the interpretative side, I suggest that the empirical evidence in support of bidimensional supremacy is weaker than it is generally assumed. I then offer an interpretation of the PSPP judgment of the German Federal Constitutional Court, which holds a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union to be ultra vires, unlawful and thus non-binding. PSPP presents a problem of German origins and cast, rather than one stemming from the inner structure of EU constitutionalism. At most, PSPP represents a contingent, rather than necessary, and thus unexceptional instance of bidimensional supremacy.
AMS 14C DATING OF THE MAYAN CODEX OF MEXICO REVISITED
Authors: Solís Corina , Martínez Carrillo Miguel Á , Rodríguez-Ceja María , Chávez Efraín , Christen J Andrés , Jull A J Timothy
Published: September 2020

The Mayan Codex of Mexico (MCM), the only Mayan codex found in the 20th century, was unveiled in 1971 during the Ancient Maya Calligraphy exhibition at Club Grolier. The codex comprises 10 pages of bark paper in accordion format, coated with a layer of plaster on both sides. It illustrates the synodic cycles of Venus, with its four phases. Since its discovery, the MCM has been subject to controversy and discussions about its authenticity. In 2016, a group of specialists led by Baltazar Brito chief of the National Library of Anthropology and History, carried out an exhaustive study of the codex with the purpose of determining its temporality and authenticity. In this work, the pre-Columbian authenticity of the codex is verified by the radiocarbon (14C) technique using AMS. Two cleaning procedures were contrasted: the standard acid-base-acid (ABA) protocol and a second one with Soxhlet plus ABA. Results obtained when samples were prepared following ABA protocol only, placed the age of the bark paper between 991 and 1147 cal AD. The second cleaning method with Soxhlet plus ABA, resulted in younger ages, between 1159 and 1261 cal AD. However, we consider that when Sohxlet is used as part of the cleaning protocol, organic contaminants are reduced to a minimum, and 14C dates are more reliable. These results indicate that the vegetal support of the MCM belongs to Postclassical Mayan period and place it as the oldest known manuscript of America found to date.
UTOPIA/WUTUOBANGAS A TRAVELLING MARKER OF TIME
Authors: ANDOLFATTO LORENZO
Published: September 2020

This article argues for the understanding of ‘utopia’ as a cultural marker whose appearance in history is functional to the a posteriori chronologization (or typification) of historical time. I develop this argument via a comparative analysis of utopia between China and Europe. Utopia is a marker of modernity: the coinage of the wordwutuobang(‘utopia’) in Chinese around 1895 is analogous and complementary to More's invention of Utopia in 1516, in that both represent attempts at the conceptualizations of displaced imaginaries, encounters with radical forms of otherness – the European ‘discovery’ of the ‘New World’ during the Renaissance on the one hand, and early modern China's own ‘Westphalian’ refashioning on the other. In fact, a steady stream of utopian conjecturing seems to mark the latter: from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom borne out of the Opium wars, via the utopian tendencies of late Qing fiction in the works of literati such as Li Ruzhen, Biheguan Zhuren, Lu Shi'e, Wu Jianren, Xiaoran Yusheng, and Xu Zhiyan, to the reformer Kang Youwei's monumental treatiseDatong shu. Altogether, these sketches of utopia provide an imaginary counterpoint to the co-produced regimes of historicity whose genealogies are being traced in this issue.
Molecular detection of Trypanosoma spp. in Lipoptena cervi and Lipoptena fortisetosa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) and their potential role in the transmission of pathogens
Authors: Werszko Joanna , Steiner-Bogdaszewska Żaneta , Jeżewski Witold , Szewczyk Tomasz , Kuryło Grzegorz , Wołkowycki Marek , Wróblewski Piotr , Karbowiak Grzegorz
Published: September 2020

The family Hippoboscidae is a less known group of blood-sucking flies. Deer ked are particularly important for animal health; they may act as potential vectors of disease to ungulates, and may transmit pathogens to animals and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) DNA in deer keds using molecular methods. Results prove the presence of Megatrypanum trypanosome DNA in the studied winged adult deer keds and this is the first detection of this pathogen in Lipoptena fortisetosa. In addition, this paper evidences the occurrence of L. fortisetosa in two new locations: one in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, and another in the Strzałowo Forest Inspectorate (Piska Forest), both in north-eastern Poland.
Social inequalities over the lifecourse and healthy ageing in Aotearoa/New Zealand: differences by Māori ethnicity and gender
Authors: Stephens Christine , Szabó Ágnes , Breheny Mary
Published: September 2020

Lifecourse approaches to healthy ageing recognise that health in older age is affected by long-term cumulative inequalities between socio-economic status (SES), gender and ethnicity groups, which begin in childhood. Combining longitudinal survey data with lifecourse history interviews from 729 older New Zealanders aged 61–81 (mean = 72, standard deviation = 4.5), we tested a lifecourse model of predictors of physical, mental and social health in older age. Latent growth curve and mediation analysis showed that the link between childhood SES and late-life health (over 10 years) was mediated by education, occupation and adult wealth. To account for the moderating effects of gender and ethnicity, we modelled the effects for sub-groups separately (225 non-Māori women, 158 Māori women, 219 non-Māori men and 127 Māori men). Childhood SES was an important predictor of later-life health, mediated by education and adult SES for all participants and for non-Māori men. However, there were significantly different pathways for Māori men and for women. Māori men and women and non-Māori women did not attain the same health benefits from higher childhood SES and education as non-Māori men. Findings point to the importance of considering the mediators of lifelong impacts on health in older age, and recognition of how membership of different socially structured groups produces different pathways to late-life health.
Learner autonomy in music performance practices
Authors: Cheng Lee , Wong Paulina Wai Ying , Lam Chi Ying
Published: September 2020

The language of music shares a number of basic processing mechanisms with natural languages, yet studies of learner autonomy in music education are rare. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of fostering music students’ learner autonomy in performance practice through a series of curriculum changes. A mixed-methods approach, including a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews, was used to investigate two cohorts of music education students (N= 74) from Hong Kong. The analysis reveals the students’ autonomous learner characteristics, including the ability to formulate their own learning strategies, identify both musical and non-musical weaknesses and take appropriate steps to improve their performance skills.
Prosodic realizations ofnew,given, andcorrectivereferents in the spontaneous speech of toddlers
Authors: THORSON Jill C. , MORGAN James L.
Published: September 2020

Our motivation was to examine how toddler (2;6) and adult speakers of American English prosodically realize information status categories. The aims were three-fold: 1) to analyze how adults phonologically make information status distinctions; 2) to examine how these same categories are signaled in toddlers’ spontaneous speech; and 3) to analyze the three primary acoustic correlates of prosody (F0, intensity, and duration). During a spontaneous speech task designed as an interactive game, a set of target nouns was elicited as one of three types (new, given, corrective). Results show that toddlers primarily used H* across information status categories, with secondary preferences for deaccentinggiveninformation and for using L+H* forcorrectiveinformation. Only duration distinguished information status, and duration, average pitch, and intensity differentiated pitch accent types for both adults and children. Discussion includes how pitch accent selection and input play a role in guiding prosodic realizations of information status.
Stød in unexpected morphological contexts in Standard Danish: An experimental approach to sound change in progress
Authors: Grønnum Nina , Pharao Nicolai , Basbøll Hans
Published: September 2020

In recent years stød has appeared in words where the current phonological and morphological principles of its distribution would exclude it. Thus, a disyllable like [ˈsiːðə]side‘page’ is without stød, also in a compound likebagside‘back page’, but it has lately been heard with stød:. In a controlled experiment, speakers were required to produce compounds consisting of an existing initial word succeeded by a final nonce noun. The results indicate that stød may be spreading in this context. Furthermore, its distribution across the 40 nonce nouns was found to be similar to its distribution among existing nouns in the vocabulary: There are more nonce nouns with stød (i) in the definite singular, (ii) especially with short stressed vowels, and (iii) particularly if the initial word is monosyllabic. A change is apparently underway which will eventually partially suspend a non-stød principle which relieves disyllabic lexemes of stød.
The effects of foods available through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) on inflammation response, appetite and energy intake
Authors: Smith Melinda , Rink Elizabeth , Held Suzanne , Byker Shanks Carmen , Miles Mary P
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To compare the effects of a typical Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) diet with an FDPIR diet that meets Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) on inflammation response, appetite and energy intake on a combination of American Indian (AI) and non-AI individuals.

Design:

A within-subjects, randomised, crossover design was used to compare two dietary conditions: (1) a FDPIR diet that met DGA and (2) a FDPIR diet that did not meet DGA. Each participant served as their own control and was exposed to both dietary conditions. Repeated-measures ANOVA and t tests assessed significance between the two dietary conditions.

Setting:

This took place in the Montana State University Nutrition Research Laboratory in the USA.

Participants:

Female and male participants (n 13) aged 18–55 years from the university and local community.

Results:

There were no significant differences in inflammatory response and appetite sensations between the two dietary conditions. Findings indicated that participants ate 14 % more (P < 0·01) kcal on a typical FDPIR diet compared with a FDPIR diet that met DGA.

Conclusions:

Higher energy intake during a typical FDPIR diet compared with a FDPIR diet that meets DGA may increase risk for obesity and nutrition-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and other chronic inflammatory conditions.
Managing herbicide resistance in China
Authors: Liu Xiangying , Merchant Austin , Xiang Shihai , Zong Tao , Zhou Xuguo , Bai Lianyang
Published: September 2020

Since its initial introduction in the late 1950s, chemical control has dominated weed management practices in China. Not surprisingly, the development of herbicide resistance has become the biggest threat to long-term, sustainable weed management in China. Given that China has followed the same laissez-faire approach toward resistance management that has been practiced in developed countries such as the United States, herbicide resistance has evolved rapidly and increased steadily over the years. Previously, we carried out a systematic review to quantitatively assess herbicide-resistance issues in China. In this review, our main objective is to focus on mechanistic studies and management practices to document the (1) history of herbicide application in China; (2) resistance mechanisms governing the eight most resistance-prone herbicide groups, including acetolactate synthase inhibitors, acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors, synthetic auxin herbicides, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase inhibitors, protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors, photosystem I electron diverters, photosystem II inhibitors, and long-chain fatty-acid inhibitors; and (3) herbicide-resistance management strategies commonly used in China, including chemical, cultural, biological, physical, and integrated approaches. At the end, perspectives and future research are discussed to address the pressing need for the development of integrated herbicide-resistance management in China.