bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A CMB Millikan experiment with cosmic axiverse strings
Authors: Agrawal Prateek , Hook Anson , Huang Junwu
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study axion strings of hyperlight axions coupled to photons. Hyperlight axions — axions lighter than Hubble at recombination — are a generic prediction of the string axiverse. These axions strings produce a distinct quantized polarization rotation of CMB photons which is $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(αem). As the CMB light passes many strings, this polarization rotation converts E-modes to B-modes and adds up like a random walk. Using numerical simulations we show that the expected size of the final result is well within the reach of current and future CMB experiments through the measurement of correlations of CMB B-modes with E- and T-modes. The quantized polarization rotation angle is topological in nature and can be seen as a geometric phase. Its value depends only on the anomaly coefficient and is independent of other details such as the axion decay constant. Measurement of the anomaly coefficient by measuring this rotation will provide information about the UV theory, such as the quantization of electric charge and the value of the fundamental unit of charge. The presence of axion strings in the universe relies only on a phase transition in the early universe after inflation, after which the string network rapidly approaches an attractor scaling solution. If there are additional stable topological objects such as domain walls, axions as heavy as 10−15 eV would be accessible. The existence of these strings could also be probed by measuring the relative polarization rotation angle between different images in gravitationally lensed quasar systems.
Traintrack Calabi-Yaus from twistor geometry
Authors: Vergu Cristian , Volk Matthias
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We describe the geometry of the leading singularity locus of the traintrack integral family directly in momentum twistor space. For the two-loop case, known as the elliptic double box, the leading singularity locus is a genus one curve, which we obtain as an intersection of two quadrics in ℙ3. At three loops, we obtain a K3 surface which arises as a branched surface over two genus-one curves in ℙ1× ℙ1. We present an analysis of its properties. We also discuss the geometry at higher loops and the supersymmetrization of the construction.
R package for statistical inference in dynamical systems using kernel based gradient matching: KGode
Authors: Niu Mu , Wandy Joe , Daly Rónán , Rogers Simon , Husmeier Dirk
Published: July 2020

Many processes in science and engineering can be described by dynamical systems based on nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Often ODE parameters are unknown and not directly measurable. Since nonlinear ODEs typically have no closed form solution, standard iterative inference procedures require a computationally expensive numerical integration of the ODEs every time the parameters are adapted, which in practice restricts statistical inference to rather small systems. To overcome this computational bottleneck, approximate methods based on gradient matching have recently gained much attention. The idea is to circumvent the numerical integration step by using a surrogate cost function that quantifies the discrepancy between the derivatives obtained from a smooth interpolant to the data and the derivatives predicted by the ODEs. The present article describes the software implementation of a recent method that is based on the framework of reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces. We provide an overview of the methods available, illustrate them on a series of widely used benchmark problems, and discuss the accuracy–efficiency trade-off of various regularization methods.
Recurrent stress urinary incontinence surgery in the United Kingdom: an analysis of the British Society of Urogynaecology database (2007–2015)
Authors: El-Hamamsy Dina , Tincello Douglas G.
Published: July 2020

Introduction and hypothesis

There is a lack of robust evidence guiding treatment options for recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and limited comparative outcome data. The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of surgery for recurrent SUI performed by gynaecologists in the UK and compare subjective success rates.

Methods

Retrospective review of the British Society of Urogynaecologists database for patients having repeat incontinence procedures (2007–2015) including the number of each procedure and outcome recorded by the International Consultation on Incontinence Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) questionnaire. Procedures were compared by year and outcomes by operation. Categorical comparisons were performed using Chi-squared test and numerical comparisons using appropriate non-parametric tests.

Results

A total of 2,938 records were obtained (269 were excluded) and 2,164 women (88.8%) had undergone one previous procedure, most commonly retropubic midurethral sling (MUS; 28.6%). Pelvic floor exercises were offered to 76.2% women. Urodynamic investigation was carried out in 96.2% women: 76.5% had urodynamic stress incontinence. Repeat MUS was the most common procedure (77.3%), followed by bladder neck injections (BNI; 10.2%). Follow-up details were available for 66.1%. Outcome data were poorly reported. Median ICIQ-UI-SF score fell from 16 (0–21) to 0 (0–21) (p < 0.001), 81.6% felt “much better” or “very much better” on Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), and 89.3% “cured” or “improved”. MUS, colposuspension and fascial sling showed the best results with regard to the PGI-I score and “change in SUI” (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

MUS and BNI were the most common repeat continence procedures. Follow-up data suggest that MUS, colposuspension and fascial sling are most effective.
Financial intermediation and the welfare theorems in incomplete markets
Authors: Bettzüge Marc Oliver , Hens Thorsten , Zierhut Michael
Published: July 2020

In production economies with incomplete markets, shareholders disagree about the objective of the firm. We show that a weak financial intermediary, who is unable to complete markets, can offer just enough spanning to resolve this disagreement. The intermediary is limited to offering one customized contract per consumer. Knowledge of demand functions is sufficient for offering the right contracts. Once agreement among shareholders is reached, productive efficiency is restored, which in turn permits a Pareto efficient market outcome. This result shows that the first welfare theorem does not depend on complete spanning, but merely on institutions that provide the right span. However, this cannot be said about the second welfare theorem: For some wealth distributions, equilibria with transfers fail to exist due to nonconvexities caused by market incompleteness.
Transoral management of adult benign laryngeal stenosis
Authors: Incandela Fabiola , Missale Francesco , Mora Francesco , Marchi Filippo , Fiz Ivana , Piazza Cesare , Peretti Giorgio
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Management of benign laryngeal stenosis (BLS) remains challenging even though transoral treatments in selected cases have shown satisfactory results, at least comparable to open-neck approaches, with reduced invasiveness. To date, no overall consensus has been reached on many issues. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a purely transoral treatment in a cohort of patients affected by BLS.

Methods

We evaluated 40 patients affected by BLS, treated by transoral surgery between 2013 and 2017. The European Laryngological Society classification for laryngotracheal stenosis was applied for the staging. Improvement in airway patency and quality of life was assessed by decannulation rate, Airway-Dyspnea-Voice-Swallowing (ADVS) score, Voice handicap index (VHI)-30, and Eating assessment tool (EAT)-10 questionnaires.

Results

Mean age was 61 years and M:F ratio was 1.4:1. Previous laryngeal surgery was the most common cause of stenosis (50%), followed by radiotherapy (20%), idiopathic etiology (12%), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (10%), and prolonged intubation (8%). Transoral treatment entailed an improvement in quality of life with a significant decrease in the VHI score (p < 0.0001) and improvement in Airway (p = 0.008), Dyspnea (p < 0.0001), and Voice (p < 0.0001) scores. No major perioperative complications were observed. The decannulation rate among patients with a tracheostomy in place (N = 16) was 63%.

Conclusions

Transoral treatment of selected BLS managed by a team with high-level expertise in surgery and anesthesiology is associated with significant improvement of quality of life, especially with regard to voice and breathing functions.
Treatment outcomes after uncomplicated and complicated crown fractures in permanent teeth
Authors: Bissinger Ricarda , Müller Daniel David , Reymus Marcel , Khazaei Yegane , Hickel Reinhard , Bücher Katharina , Kühnisch Jan
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The objectives of this retrospective clinical study were to describe characteristics of crown fractures in permanent teeth and to investigate the survival of pulp vitality and restorations in uncomplicated and complicated crown fractures.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study collected information from patients suffering from dental trauma who were treated between January 2004 and June 2017. The study population consisted of 434 patients (253 males/181 females; mean age 20.7 years) with 489 uncomplicated and 127 complicated crown fractures. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to explore the data statistically.

Results

The mean observation time was 522 days. Uncomplicated crown fractures without luxation showed a higher success rate of 82.3% (345/419) than complicated crown fractures without luxation (72.3%, 73/101). An additional luxation in uncomplicated crown fractures resulted in significantly reduced success rates in terms of survival of the pulp and restoration. Direct restorations survived significantly better independent of the fracture mode than did adhesively reattached crown fragments. No superiority of mineral trioxide aggregate or calcium hydroxide as pulp capping agent in complicated crown fractures was documented. Approximately 85.5% of all complications occurred within 2 years after the accident.

Conclusion

The treatment of crown fractures resulted mostly in successful outcomes and only a moderate number of complications were observed.

Clinical relevance

Primary dental management of crown fractures should follow recently published clinical guidelines, and close monitoring over at least 2 years seems to be justified.
On efficient testing of capacity constraints in pickup-and-delivery problems with trailers
Authors: Drexl Michael
Published: July 2020

Efficient feasibility tests are important in many heuristics for routing problems. This paper considers several variants of pickup-and-delivery problems with trailers. Its contribution consists in the description of constant-time procedures for testing observance of capacity constraints when inserting tasks into routes. It is demonstrated that the presence of vehicles with detachable trailers makes capacity feasibility tests considerably more involved.
Age-related differences in reproductive success support the selection hypothesis in a Mute Swan population
Authors: Włodarczyk Radosław , Minias Piotr
Published: July 2020

In many bird species, we observe age-related differences in reproductive success, which usually increases early in life and later decreases due to senescence. At the individual level, an early-life improvement in breeding performance may be associated with experience acquired during early reproductive events (experience hypothesis). At the population level, higher average reproductive success of older age cohorts can result from a disappearance of low-quality individuals from the population (selection hypothesis). Here, we tested these hypotheses in a wild population of the Mute SwanCygnus olorfrom central Poland. In 1996–2016, we collected information on breeding success of 150 marked individuals (70 females and 80 males; 590 breeding attempts). At the population level, there was an initial increase in reproductive success (1–5 years), followed by a plateau (5–8 years), and then by a decrease in older age classes. Both within- and between-individual age variation contributed to the linear increase in reproductive success at the population level, but the latter effect was much more apparent. Short-term breeders (≤ 2 breeding events) had significantly lower reproductive success than long-term breeders (≥ 3 breeding events) during their first two breeding attempts, providing support for selection hypothesis and disappearance of low-quality phenotypes. After exclusion of short-term breeders, a positive age-related increase in reproductive success lost significance, suggesting that under-specific condition (rapid population growth and strong human disturbance) experience may have a limited effect on reproductive success in long-lived species with strong pair bonds, such as the Mute Swan.
Genetic variation of litter meadow species reflects gene flow by hay transfer and mowing with agricultural machines
Authors: Lehmair Theresa Anna , Pagel Ellen , Poschlod Peter , Reisch Christoph
Published: July 2020

Litter meadows, historically established for litter production, are species-rich and diverse ecosystems. These meadows drastically declined during the last decades along with decreasing litter use in modern livestock housing. The aim of our study was to identify the drivers of genetic variation in litter meadow species. Therefore, we tested whether genetic diversity and differentiation depend on habitat age, landscape structure, habitat quality, and/or population size. We analysed 892 individuals of Angelica sylvestris, Filipendula ulmaria, and Succisa pratensis from 20 litter meadows across the Allgäu in Baden-Württemberg (Germany) using AFLP analyses. All study species showed moderate levels of genetic diversity, while genetic differentiation among populations was low. Neither genetic diversity nor differentiation were clearly driven by habitat age. However, landscape structure, habitat quality as well as population size revealed different impacts on the genetic diversity of our study species. Past and present landscape structures shaped the genetic diversity patterns of A. sylvestris and F. ulmaria. The genetic diversity of F. ulmaria populations was, moreover, influenced by the local habitat quality. S. pratensis populations seemed to be affected only by population size. All explanatory variables represent past as well as present gene flow patterns by anthropogenic land use. Therefore, we assume that genetic diversity and differentiation were shaped by both historical creation of litter meadows via hay transfer and present mowing with agricultural machines. These land use practices caused and still cause gene flow among populations in the declining habitats.
Maximum-Entropy Based Estimates of Stress and Strain in Thermoelastic Random Heterogeneous Materials
Authors: Krause Maximilian , Böhlke Thomas
Published: July 2020

Mean-field methods are a common procedure for characterizing random heterogeneous materials. However, they typically provide only mean stresses and strains, which do not always allow predictions of failure in the phases since exact localization of these stresses and strains requires exact microscopic knowledge of the microstructures involved, which is generally not available. In this work, the maximum entropy method pioneered by Kreher and Pompe (Internal Stresses in Heterogeneous Solids, Physical Research, vol. 9, 1989) is used for estimating one-point probability distributions of local stresses and strains for various classes of materials without requiring microstructural information beyond the volume fractions. This approach yields analytical formulae for mean values and variances of stresses or strains of general heterogeneous linear thermoelastic materials as well as various special cases of this material class. Of these, the formulae for discrete-phase materials and the formulae for polycrystals in terms of their orientation distribution functions are novel. To illustrate the theory, a parametric study based on Al-Al2O3composites is performed. Polycrystalline copper is considered as an additional example. Through comparison with full-field simulations, the method is found to be particularly suited for polycrystals and materials with elastic contrasts of up to 5. We see that, for increasing contrast, the dependence of our estimates on the particular microstructures is increasing, as well.
Verifying Indigenous based-claims to forest rights using image interpretation and spatial analysis: a case study in Gunung Lumut Protection Forest, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Nugroho Hunggul Y. S. H. , Skidmore Andrew , Hussin Yousif A.
Published: July 2020

The decision of Indonesian’s constitutional court in May 2013, to review Law Number 41/1999 on Forestry, marked a significant step forward in Indonesian policy related to recognition of the rights of Indigenous people to forest. Under the decision, Indigenous forest is no longer considered State forest and rights to it should be granted to Indigenous communities inhabiting them as long as there is proof of their Indigenous status. However, at the implementation level, special measures are required to ascertain who is truly Indigenous. Bogus claims of indigeneity and rights to land are not uncommon. This paper examines the verification mechanism employed for spatial analysis to assess traditional knowledge and Indigenous law implementation as substantial evidences for Indigenous rights recognition to a forest area. We conducted a case study in the Gunung Lumut Protection Forest with two groups of Indigenous communities living around the forest using image interpretation and spatial analysis supported by socio-economic and cultural analysis. We also assessed the capacity and awareness of Indigenous communities to manage their forest. This case study illustrates that in general Indigenous people apply ancestral norms, beliefs and traditional knowledge and wisdom in managing their livelihoods and daily life. Nonetheless, increasing necessities of life, better accessibility, and socio-cultural assimilation has changed the Indigenous people’s behavior towards nature. Holistic approaches in transferring land rights, effective long-term engagement, and revitalization of Indigenous law in line with formal law enforcement, are among the essential measures that must be conducted systematically to ensure that the Indigenous forest remains and is sustainably managed for the benefit of the Indigenous community and the environment.
Reducing the Susceptibility of Lumped-Element KIDs to Two-Level System Effects
Authors: Hornsby A. L. , Barry P. S. , Doyle S. M. , Tang Q. Y. , Shirokoff E.
Published: July 2020

Arrays of lumped-element kinetic inductance detectors (LEKIDs) optically coupled through an antenna-coupled transmission line are a promising candidate for future cosmic microwave background experiments. However, the dielectric materials used for the microstrip architecture are known to degrade the performance of superconducting resonators. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of microstrip coupling to a LEKID, focusing on a systematic study of the effect of depositing amorphous silicon nitride on a LEKID. The discrete and spatially separated inductive and capacitive regions of the LEKID allow us to vary the degree of dielectric coverage and determine the limitations of the microstrip coupling architecture. We show that by careful removal of dielectric from regions of high electric field in the capacitor, there is minimal degradation in dielectric loss tangent of a partially covered lumped-element resonator. We present the effects on the resonant frequency and noise power spectral density and, using the dark responsivity, provide an estimate for the resulting detector sensitivity.
Hijab No More: A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Syahrivar Jhanghiz
Published: July 2020

The consumption of Islamic products has been discussed quite extensively in many studies, yet the opposite case which is the dissociation from Islamic products is rarely discussed. This study aims to investigate the phenomena in which Muslim women who were raised with conservative values at home countries choose to dissociate from hijab when they live in the western countries. Moreover, they become activists who discourage other Muslim women from wearing hijab. This study adopts a phenomenological research design. The results suggest that hijab dissociation is a form of compensatory mechanism aimed at minimizing self-discrepancy, restoring self-esteem, gaining personal control, reducing perceived alienation and coping with psychological trauma. This study contributes to the theoretical gap in compensatory consumption literature by linking the theory with the non-consumption of religious products.
Trends over Time in Adolescent Emotional Wellbeing in the Netherlands, 2005-2017: Links with Perceived Schoolwork Pressure, Parent-Adolescent Communication and Bullying Victimization
Authors: De Looze M. E. , Cosma A. P. , Vollebergh W. A. M. , Duinhof E. L. , de Roos S. A. , van Dorsselaer S. , van Bon-Martens M. J. H. , Vonk R. , Stevens G. W. J. M.
Published: July 2020

In some Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom and the United States, there is evidence of a dramatic decline in adolescent emotional wellbeing, particularly among girls. It is not clear to what extent this decline can be generalised to other high-income countries. This study examines trends over time (2005-2009-2013-2017) in adolescent wellbeing in the Netherlands, a country where young people have consistently reported one of the highest levels of wellbeing across Europe. It also assesses parallel changes over time in perceived schoolwork pressure, parent-adolescent communication, and bullying victimization. Data were derived from four waves of the nationally representative, cross-sectional Dutch Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (N = 21,901; 49% girls; Mage = 13.78, SD = 1.25). Trends in emotional wellbeing (i.e., emotional symptoms, psychosomatic complaints, life satisfaction) were assessed by means of multiple regression analyses with survey year as a predictor, controlling for background variables. Emotional wellbeing slightly declined among adolescent boys and girls between 2009 and 2013. A substantial increase in perceived schoolwork pressure was associated with this decline in emotional wellbeing. Improved parent-adolescent communication and a decline in bullying victimization may explain why emotional wellbeing remained stable between 2013 and 2017, in spite of a further increase in schoolwork pressure. Associations between emotional wellbeing on the one hand and perceived schoolwork pressure, parent-adolescent communication, and bullying victimization on the other were stronger for girls than for boys. Overall, although increasing schoolwork pressure may be one of the drivers of declining emotional wellbeing in adolescents, in the Netherlands this negative trend was buffered by increasing support by parents and peers. Cross-national research into this topic is warranted to examine the extent to which these findings can be generalised to other high-income countries.
Activity of the human immortalized endothelial progenitor cell line HEPC-CB.1 supporting in vitro angiogenesis
Authors: Kantor Aneta , Krawczenko Agnieszka , Bielawska-Pohl Aleksandra , Duś Danuta , Grillon Catherine , Kieda Claudine , Charkiewicz Karol , Paprocka Maria
Published: July 2020

The human HEPC-CB.1 cell line with many characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) was tested for its proangiogenic properties as a potentially therapeutic compound. HEPC-CB.1 cells’ potential to differentiate into endothelial cells was revealed after treating the cells with a mixture of ATRA, cAMP and VEGF, as shown by the reduced expression levels of CD133, CD271 and CD90 antigens, augmentation of CD146 and CD31, and a decrease in cell clonogenicity. The cooperation of HEPC-CB.1 with the endothelial cell line HSkMEC.2 resulted in the formation of a common network. Tube formation was significantly more effective when resulting from HEPC-CB.1 and HSkMEC.2 cell co-culture as compared to a monoculture of each cell line. The exocrine mechanism of HEPC-CB.1 and HSkMEC.2 cross talk by secreted factors was evidenced using the HEPC-CB.1 supernatant to increase the efficacy of HSkMEC.2 tube formation. The proangiogenic factors produced by HEPC-CB.1 were identified using cytokine antibody array. Out of 120 examined factors, the HEPC-CB.1 cell line produced 63, some with known angiogenic activity. As in vivo the angiogenic process occurs at low oxygen tension, it was observed that in hypoxia, the production of defined factors was augmented. The presented results demonstrate that HEPC-CB.1 cells are able to both cooperate and integrate in a newly formed network and produce factors that help the network formation. The results suggest that HEPC-CB.1 cells are indeed endothelial progenitors and may prove to be an effective tool in regenerative medicine.
Seasonal timing and recurrence of methyl jasmonate treatment influence pine weevil damage to Norway spruce seedlings
Authors: Chen Yayuan , Bylund Helena , Björkman Christer , Fedderwitz Frauke , Puentes Adriana
Published: July 2020

Defense can be induced in conifer seedlings to reduce pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage, by treatment with the plant hormone methyl jasmonate (MJ). Few studies have addressed important practical issues regarding the use of MJ such as treatment incidence and timing, seedling age and its compatibility with plant nursery practices. We examined if levels of pine weevil damage depend on seasonal timing and recurrence of MJ treatment, and if the observed effects depend on plant age. Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings from two age cohorts (1 year and 1.5 years old) received four MJ treatments: MJ application before winter storage in the previous year, after winter storage but before spring/summer planting, repeated MJ application (both before winter storage, and before planting) or no MJ application at all. Pine weevil damage was evaluated in a lab and field experiment. We found that the timing and recurrence of MJ treatment affected the amount of damage inflicted by pine weevils in different ways, but these effects were consistent among age cohorts. MJ application before winter storage provided the most effective protection, and this reduction in damage was comparable to that provided by a currently used physical protection method against pine weevil feeding. Our results indicated that MJ can be applied in line with nursery practices (before winter storage) and provides adequate protection for two growing seasons.
A Review of Possible Planetary Atmospheres in the TRAPPIST-1 System
Authors: Turbet Martin , Bolmont Emeline , Bourrier Vincent , Demory Brice-Olivier , Leconte Jérémy , Owen James , Wolf Eric T.
Published: July 2020

TRAPPIST-1 is a fantastic nearby (∼39.14 light years) planetary system made of at least seven transiting terrestrial-size, terrestrial-mass planets all receiving a moderate amount of irradiation. To date, this is the most observationally favourable system of potentially habitable planets known to exist. Since the announcement of the discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system in 2016, a growing number of techniques and approaches have been used and proposed to characterize its true nature. Here we have compiled a state-of-the-art overview of all the observational and theoretical constraints that have been obtained so far using these techniques and approaches. The goal is to get a better understanding of whether or not TRAPPIST-1 planets can have atmospheres, and if so, what they are made of. For this, we surveyed the literature on TRAPPIST-1 about topics as broad as irradiation environment, planet formation and migration, orbital stability, effects of tides and Transit Timing Variations, transit observations, stellar contamination, density measurements, and numerical climate and escape models. Each of these topics adds a brick to our understanding of the likely—or on the contrary unlikely—atmospheres of the seven known planets of the system. We show that (i) Hubble Space Telescope transit observations, (ii) bulk density measurements comparison with H2-rich planets mass-radius relationships, (iii) atmospheric escape modelling, and (iv) gas accretion modelling altogether offer solid evidence against the presence of hydrogen-dominated—cloud-free and cloudy—atmospheres around TRAPPIST-1 planets. This means that the planets are likely to have either (i) a high molecular weight atmosphere or (ii) no atmosphere at all. There are several key challenges ahead to characterize the bulk composition(s) of the atmospheres (if present) of TRAPPIST-1 planets. The main one so far is characterizing and correcting for the effects of stellar contamination. Fortunately, a new wave of observations with the James Webb Space Telescope and near-infrared high-resolution ground-based spectrographs on existing very large and forthcoming extremely large telescopes will bring significant advances in the coming decade.
It just feels right: an account of expert intuition
Authors: Fridland Ellen , Stichter Matt
Published: July 2020

One of the hallmarks of virtue is reliably acting well. Such reliable success presupposes that an agent (1) is able to recognize the morally salient features of a situation, and the appropriate response to those features and (2) is motivated to act on this knowledge without internal conflict. Furthermore, it is often claimed that the virtuous person can do this (3) in a spontaneous or intuitive manner. While these claims represent an ideal of what it is to have a virtue, it is less clear how to make good on them. That is, how is it actually possible to spontaneously and reliably act well? In this paper, we will lay out a framework for understanding how it is that one could reliably act well in an intuitive manner. We will do this by developing the concept of an action schema, which draws on the philosophical and psychological literature on skill acquisition and self-regulation. In short, we will give an account of how self-regulation, grounded in skillful structures, can allow for the accurate intuitions and flexible expertise required for virtue. While our primary goal in this paper is to provide a positive theory of how virtuous intuitions might be accounted for, we also take ourselves to be raising the bar for what counts as an explanation of reliable and intuitive action in general.
Injectable Biologics for the Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease
Authors: Matta Ajay , Erwin W. Mark
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

Spinal pain and associated disability is a leading cause of morbidity worldwide that has a strong association with degenerative disc disease (DDD). Biologically based therapies to treat DDD face significant challenges posed by the unique milieu of the environment within the intervertebral disc, and many promising therapies are in the early stages of development. Patient selection, reasonable therapeutic goals, approach, and timing will need to be discerned to successfully translate potential therapeutics. This review provides a brief overview of the status of intradiscal biologic therapies.

Recent Findings

Proposed systemic delivery of therapeutic agents has not progressed very much in large part due to the risk of adverse events in remote tissues plus the very limited vascular supply and therefore questionable delivery to the intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus. Intradiscal delivery of therapeutic proteins shows good potential for clinical trials and translation with encouraging results from large animal pre-clinical studies plus an enhanced understanding of the biology of DDD. There are a few cell-based therapies currently under pre-clinical and clinical trial investigation; however, these attempts continue to be hampered by unknown if any, mechanism of action, no downstream detection of transplanted cells, mixed results concerning efficacy, small sample numbers, and a lack of objective evidence of pain mediation.

Treatment of DDD using biologically based therapeutics is a widely sought-after goal; however, potential therapies need to address pain and disability in larger, well-controlled studies.
Porosity model and pore evolution of transitional shales: an example from the Southern North China Basin
Authors: Yang Xiao-Guang , Guo Shao-Bin
Published: July 2020

The evolution of shale reservoirs is mainly related to two functions: mechanical compaction controlled by ground stress and chemical compaction controlled by thermal effect. Thermal simulation experiments were conducted to simulate the chemical compaction of marine-continental transitional shale, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), CO2 adsorption, N2 adsorption and high-pressure mercury injection (MIP) were then used to characterize shale diagenesis and porosity. Moreover, simulations of mechanical compaction adhering to mathematical models were performed, and a shale compaction model was proposed considering clay content and kaolinite proportions. The advantage of this model is that the change in shale compressibility, which is caused by the transformation of clay minerals during thermal evolution, may be considered. The combination of the thermal simulation and compaction model may depict the interactions between chemical and mechanical compaction. Such interactions may then express the pore evolution of shale in actual conditions of formation. Accordingly, the obtained results demonstrated that shales having low kaolinite possess higher porosity at the same burial depth and clay mineral content, proving that other clay minerals such as illite–smectite mixed layers (I/S) and illite are conducive to the development of pores. Shales possessing a high clay mineral content have a higher porosity in shallow layers (< 3500 m) and a lower porosity in deep layers (> 3500 m). Both the amount and location of the increase in porosity differ at different geothermal gradients. High geothermal gradients favor the preservation of high porosity in shale at an appropriate Ro. The pore evolution of the marine-continental transitional shale is divided into five stages. Stage 2 possesses an Ro of 1.0%–1.6% and has high porosity along with a high specific surface area. Stage 3 has an Ro of 1.6%–2.0% and contains a higher porosity with a low specific surface area. Finally, Stage 4 has an Ro of 2.0%–2.9% with a low porosity and high specific surface area.
The Dynamics of U.S. Household Economic Circumstances Around a Birth
Authors: Stanczyk Alexandra B.
Published: July 2020

With the arrival of an infant, many households face increased demands on resources, changes in the composition of income, and a potentially heightened risk of income inadequacy. Changing household economic circumstances around a birth have implications for child and family well-being, women’s economic security, and public program design, yet have received little research attention in the United States. Using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation, this study provides new descriptive evidence of month-to-month changes in household income adequacy and the composition of household income in the year before and after a birth. Results show evidence of significant declines in household income adequacy in the months around a birth, particularly for single mothers who live without other adults. Income from public benefit programs buffers but does not eliminate declines in income adequacy. Results have implications for policies targeted at this period, including public benefit and parental leave programs.
New insight and future perspective of mesothelin-targeted agents in nuclear medicine
Authors: Conte Miriam , Frantellizzi Viviana , Matto Antonio , De Vincentis Giuseppe
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The aim of this review is to summarize the main applications of mesothelin-targeting agents in the diagnosis of different types of cancers with a brief mention of nuclear magnetic resonance.

Methods

The articles taken into account were selected from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences, including research articles and abstracts that deal with radioimmunotherapy and new tracers for nuclear medicine and radiodiagnosis. Articles that are not in English have been excluded.

Results

Mesothelin-targeting agents were the subject of the selected articles in which tracers as 64Cu-DOTA-11-25mAb anti MSLN, 111In-MORAb-009-CHX-A″, 89Zr-MMOT0530A, 111In-amatuximab, 99mTc-A1, 89Zr-AMA, 89Zr-amatuximab, 64Cu-amatuximab, 89Zr-labeled MMOT0530A and 89Zr-B3 found application in detection of malignancies that overexpressed mesothelin. Only one article approached magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles linked to anti-mesothelin antibodies. The tracers proved to be highly sensitive in detecting mesothelin positive cells. 89Zr-labeled MMOT0530A could also be used to predict the suitability of patients to radioimmunotherapy.

Conclusions

Radiolabeled anti-mesothelin antibodies could be crucial as a treatment tool and for predicting the eligibility and the response of the patient to radioimmunotherapy through the study of the expression grade of mesothelin. They can be a relevant tool for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, lung cancer, human epidermoid carcinoma, ovarian cancer, malignant mesothelioma in which mesothelin is widely expressed.
Primary hemiarthroplasty for the elderly patient with cognitive dysfunction and a displaced femoral neck fracture: a prospective, observational cohort study
Authors: Chammout Ghazi , Kelly-Pettersson Paula , Hedbeck Carl-Johan , Bodén Henrik , Stark André , Mukka Sebastian , Sköldenberg Olof
Published: July 2020

Background

At least one-third of hip fracture patients have some degree of impaired cognitive status, which may complicate their postoperative rehabilitation.

Aim

We aimed to describe the outcome for elderly patients with cognitive dysfunction operated with hemiarthroplasty (HA) for a femoral neck fracture and to study the impact postoperative geriatric rehabilitation has on functional outcome up to 1 year after surgery.

Methods

98 patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture with a mean age of 86 years were included and followed up to 1 year. The outcomes were hip-related complications and reoperations, the capacity to return to previous walking ability, health-related quality of life, hip function and mortality.

Results

The prevalence of hip complications leading to a major reoperation was 6% and the 1-year mortality rate was 31%. The lack of geriatric rehabilitation was correlated with poorer outcomes overall and those who receive geriatric rehabilitation were less likely to be confined to a wheelchair or bedridden at the 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Hemiarthroplasty is an acceptable option for elderly patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture and cognitive dysfunction. A lack of structured rehabilitation is associated with a significant deterioration in walking ability despite a well-functioning hip. However, the causality of this could be due to selection bias of healthier patients being sent to geriatric rehabilitation.
Quick-Erect Stopping System for Radiation Protection and Mine Rescue in Small-scale Mining
Authors: Dehnert Jörg , Stopp Jens , Windisch Peter , Schönherrt Bernd
Published: July 2020

The Quick-Erect Stopping System (QESS) offers a new way of reducing the radon exposures of miners in Germany, especially during remediation work in old mines. The QESS is a light-weight, modular, and reusable construction kit of interlocking telescopic aluminum tubes, radon-proof foil, and expanding foam. It is designed to seal off radon-rich parts of galleries within only a few minutes. Originally, the QESS was developed to protect miners against radon exposures. Then, the QESS found the attention of several mine rescue teams at a German mining conference. The Student Mine Rescue of the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg and the Wismut Mine Rescue carried out first mine rescue drills in Freiberg and Schlema. Additionally, a mine rescue drill was carried out by the Front Range Mine Rescue in the Edgar Experimental Mine of the Colorado School of Mines. These drills helped to improve the system and highlighted its potential for mine rescue operations. Now, the QESS is well-suited for small-scale mining. The QESS can be used to seal off galleries in only a few minutes to both protect miners from radon exposures and to support mine rescue operations. Moreover, the QESS was also successfully used in ventilation experiments.
On Social Defeat
Authors: Madison B. J. C.
Published: July 2020

Influential cases have been provided that seem to suggest that one can fail to have knowledge because of the social environment. If not a distinct kind of social defeater, is there a uniquely social phenomenon that defeats knowledge? My aim in this paper is to explore these questions. I shall argue that despite initial appearances to the contrary, we have no reason to accept a special class of social defeater, nor any essentially social defeat phenomenon. We can explain putative cases of social defeat with our existing epistemological apparatus.
Intake of Calanus finmarchicus oil for 12 weeks improves omega-3 index in healthy older subjects engaging in an exercise programme
Authors: Wasserfurth Paulina , Nebl Josefine , Boßlau Tim Konstantin , Krüger Karsten , Hahn Andreas , Schuchardt Jan Philipp
Published: July 2020

The n-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA, play an important role in human health. As the intake of EPA and DHA from the diet is often inadequate, supplementation of those fatty acids is recommended. A novel source of n-3 PUFA is Calanus finmarchicus oil (CO) which contains fatty acids mainly bound in wax esters. To date, no data are available on the effects of long-term intake of this marine oil on n-3 PUFA blood levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CO on the n-3 PUFA blood levels using the omega-3 index (O3I). The data originate from a larger randomised controlled trial. For this analysis, samples from seventy-two participants (59·2 (sd 6·2) years, BMI 27·7 (sd 5·28) kg/m2) were analysed. Of those, thirty-six performed 2×/week exercise and received 2 g of CO, which provided 124 mg stearidonic acid (SDA), 109 mg EPA and 87 mg DHA daily (EXCO group), while the other group performed exercise only (EX group) and served as a control for this analysis. The O3I increased from 6·07 (sd 1·29) % at baseline to 7·37 (sd 1·10) % after 12 weeks within the EXCO group (P < 0·001), while there were no significant changes in the EX group (6·01 (sd 1·26)–6·15 (sd 1·32) %, P = 0·238). These data provide first evidence that wax ester-bound n-3 PUFA from CO can significantly increase the O3I despite relatively low EPA + DHA amounts. Further, the effects of exercise could be excluded.
Self-compassion and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity during sad self-face recognition in depressed adolescents
Authors: Liu Guanmin , Zhang Na , Teoh Jia Yuan , Egan Christine , Zeffiro Thomas A. , Davidson Richard J. , Quevedo Karina
Published: July 2020

Background

Given the prevalence of adolescent depression and the modest effects of current treatments, research ought to inform development of effective intervention strategies. Self-compassion is inversely associated with depression, and self-compassion interventions have demonstrated promising effects on reducing depression. However, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying that relationship. Maladaptive self-processing is a characteristic of depression that contributes to the onset and chronicity of depression. Because our own face is an automatic and direct cue for self-processing, this study investigated whether self-compassion was associated with neural responses during sad v. neutral self-face recognition and explore their relationship with depression severity in depressed adolescents and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

During functional magnetic resonance imaging, 81 depressed youth and 37 HCs were instructed to identify whether morphed self or other faces with sad, happy, or neutral expressions resembled their own.

Results

Self-compassion correlated negatively with activity during sad v. neutral self-face recognition in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in the total sample, and in the right posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus in HCs, respectively. In depressed adolescents, higher self-compassion correlated with lower activity during sad v. neutral self-face recognition in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), implying that less cognitive effort might be needed to avoid dwelling on sad self-faces and/or regulate negative affect induced by them. Moreover, higher self-compassion mediated the relationship between lower DLPFC activity and reduced depression severity.

Conclusions

Our findings imply that DLPFC activity might be a biological marker of a successful self-compassion intervention as potential treatment for adolescent depression.
The historical development of inverse marking in Khroskyabs: evidence from two modern varieties – Siyuewu and Wobzi
Authors: Lai Yunfan
Published: July 2020

This paper describes the inverse marking systems of two closely related Khroskyabs varieties, Siyuewu and Wobzi, and hypothesizes the historical development of the Khroskyabs inverse marking system. I propose that a hypothetical prefix, *Cə-, which is probably related to the second person markers attested in many Trans-Himalayan languages, existed in Proto-Khroskyabs, and that it has different reflexes in the two modern Khroskyabs varieties.
Fixed or mixed? Variation in tree functional types and vegetation structure in a forest-savanna ecotone in West Africa
Authors: Ametsitsi George K.D , Van Langevelde Frank , Logah Vincent , Janssen Thomas , Medina-Vega Jose A , Issifu Hamza , Ollivier Laurianne , den Hartogh Koos , Adjei-Gyapong Thomas , Adu-Bredu Stephen , Lloyd Jon , Veenendaal Elmar M
Published: July 2020

We analysed thirty-five 400-m2plots encompassing forest, savanna and intermediate vegetation types in an ecotonal area in Ghana, West Africa. Across all plots, fire frequency was over a period of 15 years relatively uniform (once in 2–4 years). Although woodlands were dominated by species typically associated with savanna-type formations, and with forest formations dominated by species usually associated with closed canopies, these associations were non-obligatory and with a discrete non-specialized species grouping also identified. Across all plots, crown area index, stem basal area and above-ground biomass were positively associated with higher soil exchangeable potassium and silt contents: this supporting recent suggestions of interplays between potassium and soil water storage potential as a significant influence on tropical vegetation structure. We also found an average NDVI cover increase of ~0.15% year−1(1984–2011) with plots dominated by non-specialized species increasing more than those dominated by either forest- or savanna-affiliated species. Our results challenge the traditional view of a simple forest vs. savanna dichotomy controlled by fire, and with our newly identified third non-specialized species grouping also potentially important in understanding ecotonal responses to climate change.