bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From monomer to fibril: Abeta‐amyloid binding to Aducanumab antibody studied by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Frost Christina V. , Zacharias Martin
Published: July 2020

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common causes of dementia. It is believed that the aggregation of short Aβ‐peptides to form oligomeric and protofibrillar amyloid assemblies plays a central role for disease‐relevant neurotoxicity. In recent years, passive immunotherapy has been introduced as a potential treatment strategy with anti‐amyloid antibodies binding to Aβ‐amyloids and inducing their subsequent degradation by the immune system. Although so far mostly unsuccessful in clinical studies, the high‐dosed application of the monoclonal antibody Aducanumab has shown therapeutic potential that might be attributed to its much greater affinity to Aβ‐aggregates vs monomeric Aβ‐peptides. In order to better understand how Aducanumab interacts with aggregated Aβ‐forms compared to monomers, we have generated structural model complexes based on the known structure of Aducanumab in complex with an Aβ2 − 7‐eptitope. Structural models of Aducanumab bound to full‐sequence Aβ1 − 40‐monomers, oligomers, protofilaments and mature fibrils were generated and investigated using extensive molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the flexibility and possible additional interactions. Indeed, an aggregate‐specific N‐terminal binding motif was found in case of Aducanumab binding to oligomers, protofilaments and fibrils that is located next to but not overlapping with the epitope binding site found in the crystal structure with Aβ2 − 7. Analysis of binding energetics indicates that this motif binds weaker than the epitope but likely contributes to Aducanumab's preference for aggregated Aβ‐species. The predicted aggregate‐specific binding motif could potentially serve as a basis to reengineer Aducanumab for further enhanced preference to bind Aβ‐aggregates vs monomers.
Self‐catalytic mechanism of prebiotic reactions: From formamide to purine bases
Authors: Slavova Sofia , Enchev Venelin
Published: July 2020

Complete reaction pathway of prebiotic reactions for formation of the purine nucleobases adenine, hypoxanthine, guanine, isoguanine, 2,6‐diaminopurine, and xanthine from pure formamide are presented. All reactants (hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, water, formic acid, urea) and catalysts (formamide and formimidic acid) needed in the self‐catalyzed reactions are available from a starting compound, formamide. The required raw materials are obtained by partial decomposition of formamide.
Indwelling pleural catheter and successful autopleurodesis of refractory inflammatory lupus effusion
Authors: Ng Boon Hau , Nik Abeed Nik Nuratiqah , Abdul Hamid Mohamed Faisal , Soo Chun Ian , Low Hsueh Jing , Ban Andrea Yu‐Lin
Published: July 2020

Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is a useful tool for refractory malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). It allows palliation by intermittent symptomatic relief of the effusion and improves quality of life. Its use in benign pleural effusions comes mainly from retrospective studies, case series, and case reports. Lupus effusion is common, causes minimal symptoms, and usually responds to either steroid therapy or immunosuppressants. Refractory lupus effusion is less common and treatment may require invasive surgical pleurectomy. We describe a 52‐year‐old woman whose first presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was a pleural effusion refractory to steroids and immunosuppressants. She successfully achieved spontaneous pleurodesis with intermittent IPC drainage at three months.
A‐Orbital feedback linearization of multiinput control affine systems
Authors: Fetisov Dmitry A.
Published: July 2020

This article deals with transformations of multiinput nonlinear control systems into linear controllable systems. For multiinput control affine systems, the notion of A‐orbital feedback linearizability is introduced which generalizes the notion of orbital feedback linearizability and is based on input‐dependent time scalings. A necessary and sufficient condition for A‐orbital feedback linearizability is derived for multiinput control affine systems. On the basis of this condition, an A‐orbital feedback linearization algorithm is developed. It is revealed that the proposed concept extends the existing approaches to orbital feedback linearization. More precisely, it is proved that if a system is A‐orbitally feedback linearizable in a neighborhood of some point, the dimension of the state is greater than that of the input by at least three, and the time scaling essentially depends on the input, then the system cannot be orbitally feedback linearized around that point.
Investigating the turbulent flow behaviour through partially distributed discontinuous rigid vegetation in an open channel
Authors: Anjum Naveed , Tanaka Norio
Published: July 2020

Riparian vegetation does not only affect the channel flow carrying capacity, but also plays significant roles in water management, stream restoration, and river rehabilitation. This study numerically investigates the flow characteristics through longitudinally discontinuous rigid vegetation occupying half width of the channel, with the help of three‐dimensional software FLUENT in which a Reynolds stress turbulence model was adopted. Three varying conditions of vegetation were considered comprising of vertically double‐layered vegetation (DLV), submerged vegetation (SV), and emergent vegetation (EV) while keeping the same vegetation density, as well as a varying discharge condition against DLV was also tested. The results indicated that the flow distribution becomes more complex through DLV and SV followed by multiple layers with an inflectional instability in the vertical velocity profile around submerged canopy top, as compared to the flow through EV where the uniform distribution of flow over the canopy column was observed. The velocity in the canopy zone decreased considerably because of the resistance due to vegetation, which influenced the channel carrying capacity, in comparison to that in the non‐vegetated zone. The flow velocities through the obstructed part of the channel, that is, canopy zone, in DLV arrangement reduced by a percentage difference of approximately 42 and 37% compared to that of SV and EV arrangements, respectively; whereas it was reduced by approximately 55% when the discharge was twice while keeping the same configuration of DLV. The inflectional instabilities and estimated mixing layer over the interfacial zone suggested a stronger lateral exchange of momentum for DLV configuration in comparison to that of SV and EV. Within the gaps between the patch zones, the flow velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulent intensity reduced significantly due to blockage effect and sheltering offered by the vegetation patches, signifying a positive flow response towards aquatic life and sediment deposition.
Developing a systematic approach to the analysis of time‐varying main bearing loads for wind turbines
Authors: Hart Edward
Published: July 2020

This paper considers the time‐varying loads experienced by wind turbine main bearings. Radial load trajectories based on simulated data indicate that ‘looped’ structures, in the form of repeating changes in radial load magnitudes and directions that form elliptical patterns, are present, which have not been described before in the literature. In order to allow these identified structures to be described and studied, an automated method for identification and parameterisation of these loops is presented, along with preliminary results from applications on simulated data. In order to assess the relative importance and potential impacts of these identified structures on bearing rollers, an internal load model for double‐row spherical roller bearings is also developed. Results indicate that identified loops in radial main bearing applied loads lead to significant fluctuations in bearing roller loads, even within normally unloaded regions. These findings motivate further study with respect to the identified load structures and their impacts on wind turbine main bearing internal loading and failures. The methods developed in this paper provide the basis for a systematic approach and necessary tools for this future work.
Lie algebra expansion and integrability in superstring Sigma-models
Authors: Fontanella Andrea , Romano Luca
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Lie algebra expansion is a technique to generate new Lie algebras from a given one. In this paper, we apply the method of Lie algebra expansion to superstring σ-models with a ℤ4 coset target space. By applying the Lie algebra expansion to the isometry algebra, we obtain different σ-models, where the number of dynamical fields can change. We reproduce and extend in a systematic way actions of some known string regimes (flat space, BMN and non-relativistic in AdS5×S5). We define a criterion for the algebra truncation such that the equations of motion of the expanded action of the new σ-model are equivalent to the vanishing curvature condition of the Lax connection obtained by expanding the Lax connection of the initial model.
A path integral realization of joint $$ J\overline{T} $$, $$ T\overline{J} $$ and $$ T\overline{T} $$ flows
Authors: Aguilera-Damia Jeremías , Giraldo-Rivera Victor I. , Mazenc Edward A. , Landea Ignacio Salazar , Soni Ronak M
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We recast the joint $$ J\overline{T} $$
J

T
¯

, $$ T\overline{J} $$
T

J
¯

and $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformations as coupling the original theory to a mixture of topological gravity and gauge theory. This geometrizes the general flow triggered by irrelevant deformations built out of conserved currents and the stress-energy tensor, by means of a path integral kernel. The partition function of the deformed theory satisfies a diffusion-like flow equation similar to that found in the pure $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

case. Our proposal passes two stringent tests. Firstly, we recover the classical deformed actions from the kernel, reproducing the known expressions for the free boson and fermion. Secondly, we explicitly compute the torus path integral along the flow and show it localizes to a finite-dimensional, one-loop exact integral over base space torus moduli. The dressed energy levels so obtained match exactly onto those previously reported in the literature.
Pin-fin metal alloy structures enhancing heat transfer in PCM-based heat storage units
Authors: Dmitruk Anna , Naplocha Krzysztof , Kaczmar Jacek W. , Smykowski Daniel
Published: July 2020

PCMs (phase change materials) applied in heat storage technology are on the one hand characterised by relatively large specific heat capacity, and on the other hand by relatively low thermal conductivity (e.g. 0.2 W·m−1·K−1) for paraffin), which prolongs the charging/discharging cycles of heat accumulators based on such materials. In order to improve the heat transfer within PCMs, spatially shaped pin-fin metal alloy structures are being developed that have been immersed in the PCM material. Pin-fin metallic structures can be manufactured via investment casting technology. The 3D structures produced using this technique can be modified and adjusted in order to improve the heat transfer parameters (heat conductivity, specific heat transfer area). For this study, complex metal alloy pin-fin structures were immersed in paraffin, and an experimental test stand was built in order to examine the heat transfer characteristics of composite PCMs with pin-fin metal structures. Multiple heating/cooling cycles confirmed the enhanced transfer of heat inside the heat storage unit and allowed us to ascertain the decreased temperature gradient within the heat accumulator. The heat transfer phenomenon was simulated to show heating and melting course nearby metal inserts and confirm the beneficial influence of the applied pin-fin geometry, that can be further optimized. The thermal behaviour of the PCM, tested with DSC and TGA analysis, was used as an input for the simulation.
Functional positional eye and eyelid movements
Authors: Mustafa Mohamed Mabrouk , Akram Harry , Oliva-Domínguez Manuel , Kaski Diego
Published: July 2020

Background

Positional manoeuvres are an important part of the neurological examination, particularly in patients with vertigo where the presence and characteristics of provoked nystagmus can help differentiate central from peripheral neurological disorders.

Methods

Case series of functional positional eye and eyelid movements.

Results

We report four patients with functional eye and eyelid movements provoked during positional manoeuvres. The range of abnormalities observed included positional convergence spasm, brief functional saccadic oscillations, and excessive positional blinking mimicking upbeat nystagmus. The functional movements described were present on a background of pre-existing peripheral or central nystagmus, or positional vertigo.

Conclusion

Functional positional eye and eyelid movements may co-exist with organic nystagmus that renders an accurate interpretation of the manoeuvre more challenging. A thorough understanding of the clinical features that differentiate these two categories of eye/eyelid movements makes the analysis easier, thus preventing misdiagnosis and avoiding unnecessary investigations.
Dynamic and Internal Longest Common Substring
Authors: Amir Amihood , Charalampopoulos Panagiotis , Pissis Solon P. , Radoszewski Jakub
Published: July 2020

Given two strings S and T, each of length at most n, the longest common substring (LCS) problem is to find a longest substring common to S and T. This is a classical problem in computer science with an $$\mathcal {O}(n)$$

O
(
n
)

-time solution. In the fully dynamic setting, edit operations are allowed in either of the two strings, and the problem is to find an LCS after each edit. We present the first solution to the fully dynamic LCS problem requiring sublinear time in n per edit operation. In particular, we show how to find an LCS after each edit operation in $$\tilde{\mathcal {O}}(n^{2/3})$$

O
~

(

n

2
/
3

)

time, after $$\tilde{\mathcal {O}}(n)$$

O
~

(
n
)

-time and space preprocessing. This line of research has been recently initiated in a somewhat restricted dynamic variant by Amir et al. [SPIRE 2017]. More specifically, the authors presented an $$\tilde{\mathcal {O}}(n)$$

O
~

(
n
)

-sized data structure that returns an LCS of the two strings after a single edit operation (that is reverted afterwards) in $$\tilde{\mathcal {O}}(1)$$

O
~

(
1
)

time. At CPM 2018, three papers (Abedin et al., Funakoshi et al., and Urabe et al.) studied analogously restricted dynamic variants of problems on strings; specifically, computing the longest palindrome and the Lyndon factorization of a string after a single edit operation. We develop dynamic sublinear-time algorithms for both of these problems as well. We also consider internal LCS queries, that is, queries in which we are to return an LCS of a pair of substrings of S and T. We show that answering such queries is hard in general and propose efficient data structures for several restricted cases.
Correction to: Comparison of 8-year knee osteoarthritis progression in 2 siblings: a case-based review
Authors: Gourlay Margaret L. , Gourlay Linda L.
Published: July 2020

The original version of this article was revised due to a retrospective Open Access order.
The ultimate cost of carbon
Authors: Archer David , Kite Edwin , Lusk Greg
Published: July 2020

We estimate the potential ultimate cost of fossil-fuel carbon to a long-lived human population over a one million–year time scale. We assume that this hypothetical population is technologically stationary and agriculturally based, and estimate climate impacts as fractional decreases in economic activity, potentially amplified by a human population response to a diminished human carrying capacity. Monetary costs are converted to units of present-day dollars by multiplying the future damage fractions by the present-day global world production, and integrated through time with no loss due from time-preference discounting. Ultimate costs of C range from $10k to $750k per ton for various assumptions about the magnitude and longevity of economic impacts, with a best-estimate value of about $100k per ton of C. Most of the uncertainty arises from the economic parameters of the model and, among the geophysical parameters, from the climate sensitivity. We argue that the ultimate cost of carbon is a first approximation of our potential culpability to future generations for our fossil energy use, expressed in units that are relevant to us.
Ethnic Diversity in Children’s Books in the Netherlands
Authors: de Bruijn Ymke , Emmen Rosanneke A. G. , Mesman Judi
Published: July 2020

The present study examined the representation of authors, illustrators, and characters of color in books for young children (6 years old and under) that (1) have won awards, (2) were purchased most often, and (3) were borrowed most often from libraries in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2018. Factors influencing the prominence of characters were explored. In total, 64 books and 2053 characters were coded, and representation statistics were compared to statistics of the national population. Results suggest a slight underrepresentation of authors of color as compared to population statistics, and an underrepresentation of characters of color as compared to the target audience. Results on some factors influencing prominence suggest that White characters and characters of color play an equally prominent role in the books. Results on other factors, however, suggest that characters of color, especially females, are less prominent in terms of their role in the story, whether they have a name, and in relation to the number of other characters in the book. The results provide an insight in to ethnic diversity in popular books for young children in the Netherlands, and show some room for improvement in terms of representation and prominence of characters of color, so that children of color might have more opportunities to identify with characters and that readers could be exposed to ethnic diversity as represented in society.
Limits to learning: the struggle to adapt to unintended effects of international payment for environmental services programmes
Authors: Koch Dirk-Jan , Verholt Marloes
Published: July 2020

This article pioneers new thinking on learning by organizations created by international environmental agreements, especially the boundaries within which learning can take place. It hypothesizes that there are ideological, institutional and technical boundaries to learning, which negatively impact the effectiveness of international environmental programming. This theory is rigorously tested by applying it to a group of new programmes, the forest-focused payment for environmental services programmes, which find their origin in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The article systematically researches unintended effects of these programmes and clusters them into four categories. The uncovering of these unintended effects leads to the main research question: do international organizations actually succeed in adapting to these unintended effects? By combining three methods (a structured literature review, a systemic internal programme document analysis and expert interviews), the research finds that organizations struggle to adapt to these unintended effects. Whereas some of the limits to learning can be overcome by enhancing technical capacities, other limits, notably those that are induced by ideological thinking and institutional imperatives, are hard to overcome.
Severe Autoinflammatory Manifestations and Antibody Deficiency Due to Novel Hypermorphic PLCG2 Mutations
Authors: Martín-Nalda Andrea , Fortuny Claudia , Rey Lourdes , Bunney Tom D. , Alsina Laia , Esteve-Solé Ana , Bull Daniel , Anton Maria Carmen , Basagaña María , Casals Ferran , Deyá Angela , García-Prat Marina , Gimeno Ramon , Juan Manel , Martinez-Banaclocha Helios , Martinez-Garcia Juan J , Mensa-Vilaró Anna , Rabionet Raquel , Martin-Begue Nieves , Rudilla Francesc , Yagüe Jordi , Estivill Xavier , García-Patos Vicente , Pujol Ramon M. , Soler-Palacín Pere , Katan Matilda , Pelegrín Pablo , Colobran Roger , Vicente Asun , Arostegui Juan I.
Published: July 2020

Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) were first described as clinical disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of seemingly unprovoked sterile inflammation. In the past few years, the identification of novel AIDs expanded their phenotypes toward more complex clinical pictures associating vasculopathy, autoimmunity, or immunodeficiency. Herein, we describe two unrelated patients suffering since the neonatal period from a complex disease mainly characterized by severe sterile inflammation, recurrent bacterial infections, and marked humoral immunodeficiency. Whole-exome sequencing detected a novel, de novo heterozygous PLCG2 variant in each patient (p.Ala708Pro and p.Leu845_Leu848del). A clear enhanced PLCγ2 activity for both variants was demonstrated by both ex vivo calcium responses of the patient’s B cells to IgM stimulation and in vitro assessment of PLC activity. These data supported the autoinflammation and PLCγ2-associated antibody deficiency and immune dysregulation (APLAID) diagnosis in both patients. Immunological evaluation revealed a severe decrease of immunoglobulins and B cells, especially class-switched memory B cells, with normal T and NK cell counts. Analysis of bone marrow of one patient revealed a reduced immature B cell fraction compared with controls. Additional investigations showed that both PLCG2 variants activate the NLRP3-inflammasome through the alternative pathway instead of the canonical pathway. Collectively, the evidences here shown expand APLAID diversity toward more severe phenotypes than previously reported including dominantly inherited agammaglobulinemia, add novel data about its genetic basis, and implicate the alternative NLRP3-inflammasome activation pathway in the basis of sterile inflammation.
Conductive heating mattress leads to ECG changes that mimic pacemaker spikes
Authors: Bräuer A. , Franke R. , von Hammerstein-Equord A.
Published: July 2020

Hypothermia is a common perioperative complication. To prevent perioperative hypothermia amongst other things electrical heating mattresses are used. We have made an observation with the use of an electrical heating mattress that may confuse users. In this case the ECG monitoring suddenly showed spikes that looked like spikes from an implanted pacemaker. When turning off the heating mattress the spikes disappeared and returned after turning on the heating mattress again.
Focus in wh-questions
Authors: Bocci Giuliano , Bianchi Valentina , Cruschina Silvio
Published: July 2020

This paper addresses two long-standing issues concerning focus: first, the question of whether the focal interpretation is directly read off the prosodic structure of a sentence, or it is rather mediated by a [focus] feature encoded in the syntactic representation; second, whether interrogativewh-phrases are inherently endowed with a [focus] feature. We provide evidence from two prosodic experiments on directwh-questions in Italian, showing that the Nuclear Pitch Accent (NPA) and main stress fall on the lexical verb, without a concomitant focal interpretation of the latter. Furthermore, we show that NPA assignment is sensitive to the derivational history of thewh-phrase under short-distance vs. long-distance extraction. We account for the observed NPA distribution in terms of a [focus] feature which is bundled with the [wh] in direct questions, and is specified on each phase head that hosts in its edge one link of thewh-chain. Thus, v° is specified for the feature bundle {wh, focus} and attracts the assignment of the NPA, which is then realized on the lexical verb. Our findings, thus, cast doubt on the direct association between prosodic prominence and a focal interpretation.
Access to Finance, Technology Investments and Exporting Decisions of Indian Services Firms
Authors: Yang Shubin , Milner Chris , Lancheros Sandra , Gunessee Saileshsingh
Published: July 2020

This study provides fresh empirical evidence on the influence of various financing sources on firms’ technology investments and exporting decisions using a panel of firms from the service sector in India during the period 1999–2010. Allowing both activities to be jointly determined, our results show that the source of finance matters for exporting and investing in technology. Moreover, the importance of different types of finance varies across industries in the service sector. Overall, we find that internal funds and non-conventional sources of finance play an important role for exporting and investing in technology in both modern and traditional services. However, funding from conventional financial markets exerts divergent effects across service industries: while traditional service firms use resources from the banking sector to fund their technological investments, firms in the modern service sector rely more on funds raised through equity markets to support their exporting and technological efforts. These results contribute to the academic literature and policy debate on the importance of financial mechanisms to promote firms’ strategic investment decisions.
Critically Important: The Heterogeneous Effect of Diplomatic Tensions on Trade
Authors: Hinz Julian , Leromain Elsa
Published: July 2020

With global value chains interlocking today’s economies, what is the impact of diplomatic tensions on international trade? We exploit variation in monthly data on imports, a measure of imported input use in the domestic economy, and the incidence of bilateral diplomatic tensions to show that their impact on trade is heterogeneous across countries and industries. Trade in industries that are crucial for domestic production is more sensitive to political tensions. We expose the underlying mechanism in a simple framework before testing it in reduced form.
Endogenous production of specific flavonoids and verbascoside in agar and agitated microshoot cultures of Scutellaria lateriflora L. and biotransformation potential
Authors: Kawka Beata , Kwiecień Inga , Ekiert Halina
Published: July 2020

Methanolic extracts of microshoots from agar cultures and of microshoots and media from agitated cultures of Scutellaria lateriflora grown on identical five variants of the Murashige-Skoog (MS) and Linsmaier-Skoog (LS) media with different 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) concentrations (0.5–3.0 mg/l) were analyzed for flavonoids (27 compounds), phenylpropanoid glycosides (2 compounds) and phenolic acids (19 compounds) using the DAD-HPLC method. The amounts of individual compounds and total amounts of the above mentioned metabolite groups in the biomass from both types of the tested cultures were dependent on the composition of basal media and concentrations of BA and NAA in the media variants. In media extracts, no metabolites were confirmed. Higher total amounts of flavonoids were obtained in agar cultures (max. 722.04 and 2989.55 mg/100 g DW on MS and LS media variants, respectively), which were 1.1 and 1.7 times higher, respectively, than in agitated cultures. In both types of cultures, glycosidic conjugates: baicalin and wogonoside were the main flavonoids (max. amounts: 513.93 and 1838.18 mg/100 g DW, and 305.92 and 700.85 mg/100 g DW in agar cultures on MS and LS variants, respectively). High amounts of verbascoside in agar cultures were also confirmed (max. 384.99 and 543.17 mg/100 g DW on MS and LS media variants, respectively). The cells grown in agitated cultures converted exogenous precursors, i.e. hydroquinone (HQ) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBAc) into arbutin (β-d-glucoside of HQ). The highest amount of this product reached 5.63 and 1.45 g/100 g DW after the addition of these two precursors, respectively. This is the first large-scale report documenting in vitro biosynthetic potential of Scutellaria lateriflora microshoots cultivated in two tested culture.
Profiles of fungal metabolites including regulated mycotoxins in individual dried Turkish figs by LC-MS/MS
Authors: Sulyok Michael , Krska Rudolf , Senyuva Hamide
Published: July 2020

Fungal metabolites including regulated mycotoxins were identified by a validated LC-MS/MS method in 180 individual Turkish dried figs from 2017 and 2018 harvests. Hand-selected dried figs were subjectively classified based on the extent of fluorescence. Forty-three fungal metabolites including eight EU-regulated mycotoxins were identified and quantified. Figs classified as being uncontaminated mostly did not contain aflatoxins above 1 μg/kg. Despite being “uncontaminated” from an aflatoxin perspective, kojic acid was present in significant quantities with a maximum level of 3750 mg/kg (0.375% w/w) and tenuazonic acid was also found (2 μg/kg to 298 mg/kg) in some figs. Notable in the screening of figs has been the presence of significant amounts of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in figs also containing significant levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which is the first time that AFM1 has been reported as naturally occurring in dried figs.
Key indicators for monitoring food system disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from Bangladesh towards effective response
Authors: Amjath-Babu T. S. , Krupnik Timothy J. , Thilsted Shakuntala H. , McDonald Andrew J.
Published: July 2020

In the context of developing countries, early evidence suggests that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food production systems is complex, heterogenous, and dynamic. As such, robust monitoring of the impact of the health crisis and containment measures across agricultural value chains will likely prove vitally important. With Bangladesh as a case study, we discuss the building blocks of a comprehensive monitoring system for prioritizing and designing interventions that respond to food system disruptions from COVID-19 and preemptively avoid further cascading negative effects. We also highlight the need for parallel research that identifies pathways for enhancing information flow, analysis, and action to improve the efficiency and reliability of input and output value chains. In aggregate, this preliminary work highlights the building blocks of resilient food systems to external shocks such as COVID-19 pandemic in the context of developing nations. In doing so, we call attention to the importance of ‘infection safe’ agricultural input and output distribution logistics, extended social safety nets, adequate credit facilities, and innovative labor management tools alongside, appropriate farm mechanization. In addition, digital extension services, circular nutrient flows, enhanced storage facilities, as well as innovative and robust marketing mechanisms are required. These should be considered in parallel with effective international trade management policies and institutions as crucial supportive measures.
Predictions of elemental composition of coal and biomass from their proximate analyses using ANFIS, ANN and MLR
Authors: Lawal Abiodun Ismail , Aladejare Adeyemi Emman , Onifade Moshood , Bada Samson , Idris Musa Adebayo
Published: July 2020

The elemental composition of coal and biomass provides significant parameters used in the design of almost all energy conversion systems and projects. The laboratory tests to determine the elemental composition of coal and biomass is time-consuming and costly. However, limited research has suggested that there is a correlation between parameters obtained from elemental and proximate analyses of these materials. In this study, some predictive models of the elemental composition of coal and biomass using soft computing and regression analyses have been developed. Thirty-one samples including parameters of elemental and proximate analyses were used during the analyses to develop multiple prediction models. Dependent variables for multiple prediction models were selected as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Using volatile matter, fixed carbon, moisture and ash contents as independent variables, three different prediction models were developed for each dependent parameter using ANFIS, ANN, and MLR. In addition, a routine for selecting the best predictive model was suggested in the study. The reliability of the established models was tested by using various prediction performance indices and the models were found to be satisfactory. Therefore, the developed models can be used to determine the elemental composition of coal and biomass for practical purposes.
Speed and concentration of the covering time for structured coupon collectors
Authors: Falgas-Ravry Victor , Larsson Joel , Markström Klas
Published: July 2020

LetVbe ann-set, and letXbe a random variable taking values in the power-set ofV. Suppose we are given a sequence of random coupons$X_1, X_2, \ldots $, where the$X_i$are independent random variables with distribution given byX. The covering timeTis the smallest integer$t\geq 0$such that$\bigcup_{i=1}^t X_i=V$. The distribution ofTis important in many applications in combinatorial probability, and has been extensively studied. However the literature has focused almost exclusively on the case whereXis assumed to be symmetric and/or uniform in some way.

In this paper we study the covering time for much more general random variablesX; we give general criteria forTbeing sharply concentrated around its mean, precise tools to estimate that mean, as well as examples whereTfails to be concentrated and when structural properties in the distribution ofXallow for a very different behaviour ofTrelative to the symmetric/uniform case.
The Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN): a collaborative platform to advance bioinformatics and genomics in Nigeria
Authors: Fatumo Segun , Ebenezer ThankGod E. , Ekenna Chinwe , Isewon Itunuoluwa , Ahmad Umar , Adetunji Charles , Oladipo Elijah Kolawole , Adebiyi Marion , Adebiyi Ezekiel , Nashiru Oyekanmi ,   The Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network
Published: July 2020

Africa plays a central importance role in the human origins, and disease susceptibility, agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Nigeria as the most populous and most diverse country in Africa, owing to its 250 ethnic groups and over 500 different native languages is imperative to any global genomic initiative. The newly inaugurated Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN) becomes necessary to facilitate research collaborative activities and foster opportunities for skills’ development amongst Nigerian bioinformatics and genomics investigators. NBGN aims to advance and sustain the fields of genomics and bioinformatics in Nigeria by serving as a vehicle to foster collaboration, provision of new opportunities for interactions between various interdisciplinary subfields of genomics, computational biology and bioinformatics as this will provide opportunities for early career researchers. To provide the foundation for sustainable collaborations, the network organises conferences, workshops, trainings and create opportunities for collaborative research studies and internships, recognise excellence, openly share information and create opportunities for more Nigerians to develop the necessary skills to exceed in genomics and bioinformatics. NBGN currently has attracted more than 650 members around the world. Research collaborations between Nigeria, Africa and the West will grow and all stakeholders, including funding partners, African scientists, researchers across the globe, physicians and patients will be the eventual winners. The exponential membership growth and diversity of research interests of NBGN just within weeks of its establishment and the unanticipated attendance of its activities suggest the significant importance of the network to bioinformatics and genomics research in Nigeria.
Polarized Pluralism: Organizational Preferences and Biases in the American Pressure System
Authors: CROSSON JESSE M. , FURNAS ALEXANDER C. , LORENZ GEOFFREY M.
Published: July 2020

For decades, critics of pluralism have argued that the American interest group system exhibits a significantly biased distribution of policy preferences. We evaluate this argument by measuring groups’ revealed preferences directly, developing a set of ideal point estimates, IGscores, for over 2,600 interest groups and 950 members of Congress on a common scale. We generate the scores by jointly scaling a large dataset of interest groups’ positions on congressional bills with roll-call votes on those same bills. Analyses of the scores uncover significant heterogeneity in the interest group system, with little conservative skew and notable inter-party differences in preference correspondence between legislators and ideologically similar groups. Conservative bias and homogeneity reappear, however, when weighting IGscores by groups’ PAC contributions and lobbying expenditures. These findings suggest that bias among interest groups depends on the extent to which activities like PAC contributions and lobbying influence policymakers’ perceptions about the preferences of organized interests.
Disentangling the evolutionary and biogeographical history of the freshwater fish trematode genus Creptotrema (Digenea: Allocreadiidae) using an integrative taxonomy approach: the case of Creptotrema agonostomi in Middle American mountain mullets
Authors: Pérez-Ponce de León G. , Sereno-Uribe A.L. , García-Varela M. , Mendoza-Garfias B. , Hernández-Mena D.I. , Pinacho-Pinacho C.D. , Choudhury A.
Published: July 2020

Species of the allocreadiid genus Creptotrema are parasites of freshwater fishes in the Americas. Species in the genus possess one pair of muscular oral lobes on the oral sucker. Currently, the genus contains eight species, six distributed in South America, one in Middle America and one in North America. Genetic data are only available for the North American species, Creptotrema funduli, a parasite of fundulids originally described from Oneida Lake, New York State. In this study, we obtained 28S ribosomal DNA sequences of trematodes morphologically similar to Creptotrema agonostomi from the mountain mullet, Dajaus monticola, across a wide geographical range in Middle America. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that (1) the genus Creptotrema, as currently conceived, is not monophyletic; (2) the allocreadiids in mountain mullets should be re-allocated in the genus Pseudoparacreptotrema; and (3) the allocreadiid trematodes from D. monticola across Middle America represent four morphologically similar species, three of which can be distinguished genetically. These three new species are described herein using an integrative taxonomy approach. We contend that accurate estimates of species diversity and phylogenetic relationships among allocreadiids, and most likely other species of trematodes, necessarily require an integrative taxonomy approach that should consider at least DNA sequences and scanning electron microscopy.
Longitudinal effects of maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and Reminiscing and Emotion Training on children's diurnal cortisol regulation
Authors: Valentino Kristin , Hibel Leah C , Speidel Ruth , Fondren Kaitlin , Ugarte Elisa
Published: July 2020

Dysregulation in children's physiological stress systems is a key process linking early adversity to poor health and psychopathology. Thus, interventions that improve children's stress physiology may help prevent deleterious health outcomes. Reminiscing and Emotion Training (RET) is a brief relational intervention designed to improve maternal caregiving support by enhancing maltreating mothers’ capacity to reminisce with their young children. This study evaluated associations between maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and the RET intervention with changes in children's diurnal cortisol regulation across the 1 year following the intervention, and the extent to which improvements in maternal elaborative reminiscing differed between intervention groups and mediated change in children's physiological functioning. Participants were 237 children (aged 36 to 86 months) and their mothers. Results indicated that the RET intervention was associated with significant positive change in elaborative reminiscing, which was sustained over time. Mothers’ elaboration immediately after the intervention served as a mediator of RET's effects on improvements in children's diurnal cortisol regulation (steeper diurnal slopes) from baseline to 1 year following intervention. This suggests RET is effective in facilitating physiological regulation among maltreated children.
Sexual response in obsessive–compulsive disorder: the role of obsessive beliefs
Authors: Pozza Andrea , Marazziti Donatella , Mucci Federico , Angelo Nicole L. , Prestia Davide , Dèttore Davide
Published: July 2020

Background

Sexual response in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) research and practice is overlooked. According to the Dual Control Model, satisfactory sexual response is based upon a balance of sexual excitation and inhibition. The assessment of sexual response in OCD may have clinical implications, such as the integration of sex therapy in psychotherapeutic intervention. The present study was aimed at comparing sexual excitation and inhibition levels between OCD patients and matched control subjects, and investigating whether obsessive beliefs might predict sexual excitation/inhibition.

Methods

Seventy-two OCD patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD]: 34.50 ± 10.39 years) and 72 matched control subjects (mean age ± SD: 34.25 ± 10.18) were included (62.50% men and 37.50% women in both groups). The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-46 (OBQ-46), and the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) were administered.

Results

Patients with OCD showed significantly higher levels of sexual excitation, inhibition due to threat of performance failure, and inhibition due to threat of performance consequences than the controls. In addition, the patients with more severe symptoms showed lower excitation than those with less severe symptoms, and those with higher perfectionism had stronger inhibition due to threat of performance failure than those with lower perfectionism.

Conclusions

This is the first study exploring sexual response in OCD according to the Dual Control Model. Sexual response is an impaired quality of life outcome in OCD that should be assessed in routine clinical practice. These findings support the importance of addressing specific obsessive beliefs to improve sexuality in OCD patients.
PROTECTED REASONS AND PRECEDENTIAL CONSTRAINT
Authors: Mullins Robert
Published: July 2020

According to the prioritized reason model of precedent, precedential constraint is explained in terms of the need for decision-makers to reconcile their decisions with a settled priority order extracted from past cases. The prioritized reason model of precedent departs from the view that common law rules comprise protected reasons for action. In this article I show that a model utilizing protected reasons and the prioritized reason model of precedential constraint are, in an important sense, equivalent. I then offer some reflections on the philosophical significance of this result. I argue that the protected reason model is consistent with the phenomenology of precedential constraint. I suggest an account of precedential reasoning that reconciles the prioritized reason and protected reason models.
Found in translation: the global constitution of the modern international order
Authors: Heiskanen Jaakko
Published: July 2020

This paper brings the notion of translation into dialogue with the growing literature on international hierarchies and the historical origins of the modern international order. Leveraging on the writings of Karl Marx, I draw parallels between the exchange of commodities and the translation of linguistic signs in order to unmask the inequalities and asymmetries that pervade the practice of translation. I then deploy these theoretical insights to illuminate the global constitution of the modern international order. In this Marx-inspired reading, the modern international order is cast as the ‘universal equivalent’ that has crystallized out of the asymmetries and contradictions that pervaded the global political economy of conceptual exchange in the long 19thcentury. As universal equivalent, the modern international order effectively functions as the socially recognized ‘metalanguage’ that undergirds the miracle of global translatability and makes international/interlingual relations possible on a global scale. The paper concludes by considering the implications of the analysis for the future of international/interlingual hierarchies and world order.
Analytical solution of higher order modes of a dielectric-lined eccentric coaxial cable
Authors: Gholizadeh Mehdi , Hojjat Kashani Farrokh
Published: July 2020

This study provides an analytic method for the calculation of the cutoff frequencies and waveguide modes of a partially filled eccentric coaxial cable. The method is based on the expressions of the involved electromagnetic fields in bipolar coordinate systems and the validity range of the solution is discussed. It is shown how the waveguide geometry and dielectric parameters may be selected to engineer the lined waveguide's spectral response. Numerical results are included which show good agreement with the corresponding results from full-wave simulations by commercial software.
Flying Solo
Authors: Irwin Amy , Sedlar Nejc , Hamlet Oliver
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The paper examines general aviation (GA) pilot risk perception and decision-making via an online vignette study. GA is a high-risk area of aviation with many GA accidents considered to be the result of pilot performance rather than mechanical failure. Pilots ( n = 101) were presented with 12 go/no-go take-off decision scenarios across four risk categories (compromised performance, environment, faulty equipment, missing equipment). Scenarios depicting a missing checklist, missing sunglasses, and stress were considered less risky than illness, a faulty airspeed indicator (ASI), and a broken seatbelt. Pilots weighed their take-off decisions against mitigating factors, protective measures, and flight parameters. Situation awareness training and a focus on pre-flight planning may help to enhance flight safety within this group.
Ancient Sea Levels in South Africa May Offer Modern Analogues
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: July 2020

Largely spared from disruptive tectonic activity, the South African coastline offers a natural setting to study sea levels from when Earth’s atmospheric carbon dioxide last reached today’s levels.
COVID‐19 Pandemic Imperils Weather Forecast
Authors: Chen Ying
Published: July 2020

Weather forecasts play essential parts in economic activity. Assimilation of meteorological observations from aircraft improves forecasts greatly. However, global lockdown during the COVID‐19 pandemic (March to May 2020) has eliminated 50‐75% aircraft observations and imperiled weather forecasting. Here, we verify global forecasts against reanalysis to quantify the impact of the pandemic. We find a large deterioration in forecasts of surface meteorology over regions with busy air flights, such as North America, southeast China, and Australia. Forecasts over remote regions are also substantially worse during March to May 2020 than 2017–2019, and the deterioration increases for longer‐term forecasts. This could handicap early warning of extreme weather and cause additional economic damage on the top of that from the pandemic. The impact over Western Europe is buffered by the high density of conventional observations, suggesting that introduction of new observations in data‐sparse regions would be needed to minimize the impact of global emergencies on weather forecasts.