bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chirped Pulse Amplification
Authors: Arrigoni Marco , Tapié Jean‐Luc
Published: May 2019

Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland were jointly awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics for inventing the use of chirped pulse amplification (CPA) as a means to raise ultrafast laser pulses to extreme power levels without destroying the gain material or other optics. They first demonstrated CPA more than thirty years ago. The fundamental importance of CPA is reflected in the fact that today all the commercial ultrafast lasers that produce energy per pulse in the µJ to mJ range rely on CPA. In this article, we briefly review the importance of CPA and take a look at three very different amplifiers that enable applications in fields as diverse as femtochemistry, terahertz imaging, attosecond physics, 2D spectroscopy, biology, and materials processing.
Laser Beam Polishing of Polymers
Authors: Layher Michel , Hopf Andreas , Eckhardt Lukas , Bliedtner Jens
Published: May 2019

Fused layer manufacturing (FLM) is an additive manufacturing process in which parts are built in layers by localized extrusion of molten polymer through a nozzle. It offers a high degree of geometrical flexibility as well as a wide range of suitable materials. Unfortunately, a characteristically high surface roughness is limiting the number of possible applications. The following article provides investigations regarding the remelting of FLM surfaces via laser beam polishing as an effective method for achieving a reduced roughness.
Thickness Determination of Transparent Coatings
Authors: Quinten Michael
Published: May 2019

Thickness determination of transparent objects or thick transparent layers can be carried out rather simpy using a chromatic confocal sensor. One obtains the thickness as the difference between two distance peaks multiplied with the refractive index of the object's material. A more detailed analysis however reveals that this result should be corrected by a factor that considers the refraction in detail. In this paper we derive and discuss this correction factor and give tabulated values for different refractive indices and aperture angles of the chromatic probe.
Multiline Lasers for Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Haahr Melissa
Published: May 2019

Fluorescence microscopy instrumentation relies on illumination sources to excite fluorophores. Common illumination sources are LEDs, super‐continuum white‐light sources, or single‐wavelength lasers. Lasers are primarily used for high‐resolution and high‐throughput imaging techniques, and each wavelength excites a different set of fluorophores. In order to efficiently excite multiple fluorophores, it is necessary to use many single‐wavelength lasers in one instrument or experiment. This strengthens the content and quality of results. Along with the advantage of activating more fluorophores comes the challenge of integrating each of the individual wavelengths required.
Motor performance improvement through virtual reality task is related to fatigue and cognition in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Al‐Sharman Alham , Khalil Hanan , El‐Salem Khalid , Alghwiri Alia A. , Khazaaleh Shada , Khraim Mohammad
Published: May 2019

Background and Purpose

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who undergo rehabilitation need to perform new motor skills or relearn old motor skills. It is not clear whether people with MS retain the ability to improve motor performance or learning. Furthermore, factors that influence motor performance in people with MS need to be investigated. This study explored motor performance in people with MS using virtual reality (VR). The effect of fatigue and cognitive function on motor performance improvement in people with MS was investigated.

Methods

Twenty MS participants and 20 controls were recruited into the study. To assess motor performance, each participant was asked to perform a VR game for five times (blocks). The main outcome was time to complete the VR game and number of recorded errors. To assess fatigue level and cognitive function, participants were asked to complete the Arabic versions of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the Montréal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), respectively.

Results

MS participants and controls demonstrated a practice‐related improvement in performance as shown by the main effect of block for each of the outcome measures (p < .001, time required to complete VR game; p < .001, errors recorded). Strong and significant negative correlations between recorded errors and MOCA (r = .75, p < .001) and between recorded errors and MFIS (r = .55, p = .011) were found in people with MS.

Conclusions

Ability to improve motor performance in people with MS is preserved and related to cognitive function and fatigue impact. Health‐care professionals should be made aware of the negative impact of cognitive function and fatigue on motor performance. A multicomponent intervention that targets these factors is advisable. Future research, however, is required to determine the content and potential benefits of such an intervention in the MS population.
Agricultural insect hybridization and implications for pest management
Authors: Corrêa Alberto S , Cordeiro Erick MG , Omoto Celso
Published: May 2019

Biological invasions, the expansion of agricultural frontiers, and climate change favor encounters of divergent lineages of animals and plants, increasing the likelihood of hybridization. However, hybridization of insect species and its consequences for agroecosystems have not received sufficient attention. Gene exchange between distinct and distant genetic pools can improve the survival and reproduction of insect pests, and threaten beneficial insects in disturbed agricultural environments. Hybridization may be the underlying explanation for the recurrent pest outbreaks and control failures in putative hybrid zones, as suspected for bollworm, corn borer, whiteflies, and stink bugs. Reliable predictions of the types of changes that can be expected in pest insect genomes and fitness, and of their impacts on the fate of species and populations remain elusive. Typical steps in pest management, such as insect identification, pest monitoring, and control are likely affected by gene flow and adaptive introgression mediated by hybridization, and we do not have ways to respond to or mitigate the problem. To address the adverse effects of farming intensification and global trade, we must ensure that current integrated pest management programs incorporate up‐to‐date monitoring and diagnostic tools. The rapid identification of hybrids, quantification of levels of introgression, and in‐depth knowledge of what genes have been transferred may help to explain and predict insect population outbreaks and control failures in the future. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Nation‐dyadic history and cross‐border corporate deals: Role of conflict, trade, generational distance, and professional education
Authors: Arikan Ilgaz , Arikan Asli M. , Shenkar Oded
Published: May 2019

Research Summary

This paper explores why and how nation‐dyadic history impacts aggregated firm decisions involving cross‐border activities (acquisitions, joint ventures, and alliances). We contextualize history and illustrate the negative effect of historical conflict on cross‐border deals. Nation‐dyads with historical conflict incorporate negative sentiments into their social and collective memories and national identities. Members of society assume the socially constructed national identity via primary and secondary socialization. National identities incorporate sentiments towards other nations and condition individuals' preferences, culminating in a preference‐biased search for or preference‐supporting evaluation of information concerning cross‐border deals. An increased generational distance from prior conflict and a higher percentage of graduates with common professional identities constructed by higher education in the social sciences, law, and business dampen the negative influence of historical conflict.

Managerial Summary

There is a reciprocal relationship between international trade and conflict across two nations: as the potential for conflict increases, trade levels fall, and as trade levels increase, the potential for conflict rises. We disentangle this relationship and determine the implications of historical conflict between two nations for cross‐border corporate deals (i.e., acquisitions/joint ventures/alliances). We show that, controlling for other factors, more frequent historical conflict discourages cross‐border corporate deals. We see this finding as a result of biased decision making based on preferences which reflect sentiments formed by national identities. Two mechanisms dampen the negative relationship between binational conflict and cross‐border deals: a higher percentage of business/law/social sciences graduates and a higher number of generations passed since the last conflict.
Centers of gravity: The effect of stable shared leadership in top management teams on firm growth and industry evolution
Authors: Agarwal Rajshree , Braguinsky Serguey , Ohyama Atsushi
Published: May 2019

Research Summary

We study the processes of firm growth in the evolution of the Japanese cotton spinning industry during 1883–1914 by integrating strategy and historical approaches and utilizing rich quantitative firm‐level data and detailed business histories. The resultant conceptual model highlights growth outcomes of path dependencies as firms evolve across periods of single versus shared leadership, establish stability in shared leadership, or experience repeated discord‐induced top management team (TMT) leader departures. While most firms do not experience smooth transitions to stable shared TMT leadership, a focus on value creation, in conjunction with talent recruitment and promotion, enabled some firms to achieve stable shared leadership despite discord‐induced departures, engage in long‐term expansion, and emerge as “centers of gravity” for output and talent in the industry.

Managerial Summary

We demonstrate stable shared leadership is at root of firms who emerge as centers of gravity in an industry and account for the lion's share of output. Stable shared leadership enables growth strategies such as talent recruitment, product diversification, downstream integration, and acquisitions. Stable shared leadership, however, is extremely difficult to maintain. Most firms experience discord‐induced departures in TMTs due to politics and power struggles. Firms that deviate from this norm to become industry leaders achieve stable shared leadership by adhering to fundamental principles related to long‐term value creation as opposed to short‐term gain, adoption of merit‐based promotion systems in defiance of stereotypes, sharing of power within TMT leadership to enable efficient division of labor, and honorable resolution of conflicts and ethical breaches.
Beyond tokenism: How strategic leaders influence more meaningful gender diversity on boards of directors
Authors: Guldiken Orhun , Mallon Mark R. , Fainshmidt Stav , Judge William Q. , Clark Cynthia E.
Published: May 2019

Research Summary

We employ an exploratory approach to understand what differentiates boards that retain limited, potentially tokenistic, gender diversity (i.e., a single female director), and boards that more genuinely diversify their composition by appointing additional female directors. Previous studies have speculated that strategic leaders responsible for board appointments may influence this occurrence. Using longitudinal data on U.S. firms, we find that more female top managers and having the sole female director serve on the nominating committee increase the likelihood of additional female director appointments. Boards and nominating committees with younger members amplify these effects, respectively. We use interviews with board members and professional corporate governance consultants to discuss the probable causal mechanisms that underpin these relationships, highlighting novel theoretical insights related to gatekeeping and social psychology.

Managerial Summary

We explore what compels firms to appoint additional female directors after the first one, as only one female director could be considered a token. Using data on U.S. firms, we find that more female top managers and having the sole female director serve on the nominating committee make firms more likely to appoint additional female directors. These likelihoods are highest when younger directors make up the board at large and/or nominating committee. Chief executive officers can be change agents for gender diversity in their organizations by hiring female top managers and pushing for better representation of women on boards. Likewise, younger directors appear to enhance board gender diversity. These findings can inform the director selection process.
Infrared Vibrational Spectroscopy of Functionalized Atomic Force Microscope Probes using Resonantly Enhanced Infrared Photoexpansion Nanospectroscopy
Authors: Jin Mingzhou , Belkin Mikhail A.
Published: May 2019

Reported is the measurement of infrared absorption spectra of 4‐nitrothiophenol and hydroxyl‐terminated hexa(ethylene glycol) molecules at apices of functionalized atomic force microscope (AFM) probes using resonantly enhanced infrared photoexpansion nanospectroscopy, also known as resonantly enhanced AFM‐IR technique. The experiment demonstrates the applicability of the AFM‐IR technique to perform spectroscopy of only a few tens of molecules on AFM tip apices and demonstrates the potential of the AFM‐IR technique to perform vibrational spectroscopic studies of chemical reactions and molecular conformational changes on the apices of functionalized AFM tips.
An evaluation of pure spectrum‐based fault localization techniques for large‐scale software systems
Authors: Heiden Simon , Grunske Lars , Kehrer Timo , Keller Fabian , van Hoorn Andre , Filieri Antonio , Lo David
Published: May 2019

Pure spectrum‐based fault localization (SBFL) is a well‐studied statistical debugging technique that only takes a set of test cases (some failing and some passing) and their code coverage as input and produces a ranked list of suspicious program elements to help the developer identify the location of a bug that causes a failed test case. Studies show that pure SBFL techniques produce good ranked lists for small programs. However, our previous study based on the iBugs benchmark that uses the AspectJ repository shows that, for realistic programs, the accuracy of the ranked list is not suitable for human developers. In this paper, we confirm this based on a combined empirical evaluation with the iBugs and the Defects4J benchmark. Our experiments show that, on average, at most ∼40%, ∼80%, and ∼90% of the bugs can be localized reliably within the first 10, 100, and 1000 ranked lines, respectively, in the Defects4J benchmark. To reliably localize 90% of the bugs with the best performing SBFL metric D∗, ∼450 lines have to be inspected by the developer. For human developers, this remains unsuitable, although the results improve compared with the results for the AspectJ benchmark. Based on this study, we can clearly see the need to go beyond pure SBFL and take other information, such as information from the bug report or from version history of the code lines, into consideration.
Risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling: systematic review of literature and updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Salomon L. J. , Sotiriadis A. , Wulff C. B. , Odibo A. , Akolekar R.
Published: May 2019

Objective

To estimate the procedure‐related risk of miscarriage after amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) based on a systematic review of the literature and an updated meta‐analysis.

Methods

A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library was carried out to identify studies reporting complications following CVS or amniocentesis. Eligible for inclusion were large controlled studies reporting data for pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks' gestation. Study authors were contacted when required to identify additional necessary data. Data for cases that had an invasive procedure and controls were inputted into contingency tables and the risk of miscarriage was estimated for each study. Summary statistics based on a random‐effects model were calculated after taking into account the weighting for each study included in the systematic review. Procedure‐related risk of miscarriage was estimated as a weighted risk difference from the summary statistics for cases and controls. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the similarity in risk levels for chromosomal abnormality between the invasive‐testing and control groups. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Egger's bias was estimated to assess reporting bias in published studies.

Results

The electronic search yielded 2943 potential citations, from which 12 controlled studies for amniocentesis and seven for CVS were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. A total of 580 miscarriages occurred following 63 723 amniocentesis procedures, resulting in a weighted risk of pregnancy loss of 0.91% (95% CI, 0.73–1.09%). In the control group, there were 1726 miscarriages in 330 469 pregnancies with a loss rate of 0.58% (95% CI, 0.47–0.70%). The weighted procedure‐related risk of miscarriage following amniocentesis was 0.30% (95% CI, 0.11–0.49%; I2 = 70.1%). A total of 163 miscarriages occurred following 13 011 CVS procedures, resulting in a risk of pregnancy loss of 1.39% (95% CI, 0.76–2.02%). In the control group, there were 1946 miscarriages in 232 680 pregnancies with a loss rate of 1.23% (95% CI, 0.86–1.59%). The weighted procedure‐related risk of miscarriage following CVS was 0.20% (95% CI, −0.13 to 0.52%; I2 = 52.7%). However, when studies including only women with similar risk profiles for chromosomal abnormality in the intervention and control groups were considered, the procedure‐related risk for amniocentesis was 0.12% (95% CI, −0.05 to 0.30%; I2 = 44.1%) and for CVS it was −0.11% (95% CI, −0.29 to 0.08%; I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

The procedure‐related risks of miscarriage following amniocentesis and CVS are lower than currently quoted to women. The risk appears to be negligible when these interventions were compared to control groups of the same risk profile. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Black hole microstate counting in Type IIB from 5d SCFTs
Authors: Fluder Martin , Hosseini Seyed Morteza , Uhlemann Christoph F.
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We use recently established AdS6/CFT5 dualities to count the microstates of magnetically charged AdS6 × S
2 × Σ black holes in Type IIB. The near-horizon limit is described by solutions with AdS2 ×

$$ {\varSigma}_{{\mathfrak{g}}_1} $$

Σ

g
1

×

$$ {\varSigma}_{{\mathfrak{g}}_2} $$

Σ

g
2

× S
2 × Σ geometry, where

$$ {\varSigma}_{{\mathfrak{g}}_i} $$

Σ

g
i

are Riemann surfaces of constant curvature and Σ is a further Riemann surface over which the geometry is warped. Our results show that the topologically twisted indices of the proposed dual superconformal field theories precisely reproduce the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of this class of black holes. This provides further support for a prescription to compute fivedimensional topologically twisted indices put forth recently, and for the proposed dualities. We confirm the N
4 scaling found in the sphere partition functions and extend previous matches of sphere partition functions to AdS6 solutions with monodromy.
Discrete gauge symmetries and the weak gravity conjecture
Authors: Craig Nathaniel , Garcia Isabel Garcia , Koren Seth
Published: May 2019

Abstract

In theories with discrete Abelian gauge groups, requiring that black holes be able to lose their charge as they evaporate leads to an upper bound on the product of a charged particle’s mass and the cutoff scale above which the effective description of the theory breaks down. This suggests that a non-trivial version of the Weak Gravity Conjecture (WGC) may also apply to gauge symmetries that are discrete, despite there being no associated massless field, therefore pushing the conjecture beyond the slogan that ‘gravity is the weakest force’. Here, we take a step towards making this expectation more precise by studying ℤ
N
and ℤ
2

N

gauge symmetries realised via theories of spontaneous symmetry breaking. We show that applying the WGC to a dual description of an Abelian Higgs model leads to constraints that allow us to saturate but not violate existing bounds on discrete symmetries based on black hole arguments. In this setting, considering the effect of discrete hair on black holes naturally identifies the cutoff of the effective theory with the scale of spontaneous symmetry breaking, and provides a mechanism through which discrete hair can be lost without modifying the gravitational sector. We explore the possible implications of these arguments for understanding the smallness of the weak scale compared to M

Pl
.
Quantum consistency in supersymmetric theories with R-symmetry in curved space
Authors: An Ok Song , Kang Jin U. , Kim Jong Chol , Ko Yong Hae
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We discuss consistency at the quantum level in the rigid$$ \mathcal{N} $$N= 1 supersymmetric field theories with a U(1)Rsymmetry in four-dimensional curved space which are formulated via coupling to the new-minimal supergravity background fields. By analyzing correlation functions of the current operators in the$$ \mathrm{\mathcal{R}} $$ℛ-multiplet, we show that the quantum consistency with the (unbroken) supersymmetry requires the U(1)Ranomaly coefficient, which depends only on the field content of the theory, to vanish. This consistency condition is obtained under the assumption that the supercurrent Ward identity is non-anomalous and that the vacuum is supersymmetric.
Fast radio
bursts
Authors: Petroff E. , Hessels J. W. T. , Lorimer D. R.
Published: May 2019

The discovery of radio pulsars over a half century ago
was a seminal moment in astronomy. It demonstrated the existence of
neutron stars, gave a powerful observational tool to study them, and
has allowed us to probe strong gravity, dense matter, and the
interstellar medium. More recently, pulsar surveys have led to the
serendipitous discovery of fast radio bursts (FRBs). While FRBs
appear similar to the individual pulses from pulsars, their large
dispersive delays suggest that they originate from far outside the
Milky Way and hence are many orders-of-magnitude more luminous.
While most FRBs appear to be one-off, perhaps cataclysmic events,
two sources are now known to repeat and thus clearly have a longer
lived central engine. Beyond understanding how they are created,
there is also the prospect of using FRBs—as with pulsars—to probe
the extremes of the Universe as well as the otherwise invisible
intervening medium. Such studies will be aided by the high-implied
all-sky event rate: there is a detectable FRB roughly once every
minute occurring somewhere on the sky. The fact that less than a
hundred FRB sources have been discovered in the last decade is
largely due to the small fields-of-view of current radio telescopes.
A new generation of wide-field instruments is now coming online,
however, and these will be capable of detecting multiple FRBs per
day. We are thus on the brink of further breakthroughs in the
short-duration radio transient phase space, which will be critical
for differentiating between the many proposed theories for the
origin of FRBs. In this review, we give an observational and
theoretical introduction at a level that is accessible to
astronomers entering the field.
A global perspective on the challenges and opportunities in learning about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in undergraduate medical education
Authors: Al Maini Mustafa , Al Weshahi Yousef , Foster Helen E. , Chehade Mellick J. , Gabriel Sherine E. , Saleh Jamal Al , Al Wahshi Humaid , Bijlsma Johannes W. J. , Cutolo Maurizio , Lakhanpal Sharad , Venkatramana Manda , Pineda Carlos , Woolf Anthony D.
Published: May 2019

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) encompass a spectrum of degenerative, inflammatory conditions predominantly affecting the joints. They are a leading cause of disability worldwide and an enormous socioeconomic burden. However, worldwide deficiencies in adult and paediatric RMD knowledge among medical school graduates and primary care physicians (PCPs) persist. In October 2017, the World Forum on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WFRMD), an international think tank of RMD and related experts, met to discuss key challenges and opportunities in undergraduate RMD education. Topics included needs analysis, curriculum content, interprofessional education, teaching and learning methods, implementation, assessment and course evaluation and professional formation/career development, which formed a framework for this white paper. We highlight a need for all medical graduates to attain a basic level of RMD knowledge and competency to enable them to confidently diagnose, treat/manage or refer patients. The importance of attracting more medical students to a career in rheumatology, and the indisputable value of integrated, multidisciplinary and multiprofessional care are also discussed. We conclude that RMD teaching for the future will need to address what is being taught, but also where, why and to whom, to ensure that healthcare providers deliver the best patient care possible in their local setting.
The role of methane in future climate strategies: mitigation potentials and climate impacts
Authors: Harmsen Mathijs , van Vuuren Detlef P. , Bodirsky Benjamin Leon , Chateau Jean , Durand-Lasserve Olivier , Drouet Laurent , Fricko Oliver , Fujimori Shinichiro , Gernaat David E. H. J. , Hanaoka Tatsuya , Hilaire Jérôme , Keramidas Kimon , Luderer Gunnar , Moura Maria Cecilia P. , Sano Fuminori , Smith Steven J. , Wada Kenichi
Published: May 2019

This study examines model-specific assumptions and projections of methane (CH4) emissions in deep mitigation scenarios generated by integrated assessment models (IAMs). For this, scenarios of nine models are compared in terms of sectoral and regional CH4emission reduction strategies, as well as resulting climate impacts. The models’ projected reduction potentials are compared to sector and technology-specific reduction potentials found in literature. Significant cost-effective and non-climate policy related reductions are projected in the reference case (10–36% compared to a “frozen emission factor” scenario in 2100). Still, compared to 2010, CH4emissions are expected to rise steadily by 9–72% (up to 412 to 654 Mt CH4/year). Ambitious CO2reduction measures could by themselves lead to a reduction of CH4emissions due to a reduction of fossil fuels (22–48% compared to the reference case in 2100). However, direct CH4mitigation is crucial and more effective in bringing down CH4(50–74% compared to the reference case). Given the limited reduction potential, agriculture CH4emissions are projected to constitute an increasingly larger share of total anthropogenic CH4emissions in mitigation scenarios. Enteric fermentation in ruminants is in that respect by far the largest mitigation bottleneck later in the century with a projected 40–78% of total remaining CH4emissions in 2100 in a strong (2 °C) climate policy case.
Phase I study of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 inhibitor navoximod (GDC-0919) as monotherapy and in combination with the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours
Authors: Ebata Takahiro , Shimizu Toshio , Fujiwara Yutaka , Tamura Kenji , Kondo Shunsuke , Iwasa Satoru , Yonemori Kan , Shimomura Akihiko , Kitano Shigehisa , Koyama Takafumi , Sato Natsuko , Nakai Kiyohiko , Inatani Michiyasu , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: May 2019

Navoximod (GDC-0919) is a small molecule inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1. This study investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of navoximod alone and in combination with atezolizumab in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours. This was a phase I, open-label, dose-escalation study. Patients received monotherapy with navoximod 400 mg, 600 mg or 1000 mg orally twice daily (BID) in Stage 1 and navoximod 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg or 1000 mg orally BID plus atezolizumab 1200 mg intravenously every 21 days in Stage 2. Objectives included safety, tolerability, efficacy and pharmacokinetic outcomes.Overall, 20 patients were enrolled (Stage 1: n = 10; Stage 2: n = 10). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. In Stage 1, treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade that occurred in ≥20% of patients were chromaturia (50%) and maculopapular rash (20%). Grade ≥ 3 TRAEs were reported in two patients (20%; maculopapular rash and lipase increased). In Stage 2, TRAEs that occurred in ≥30% of patients were chromaturia (60%) and, decreased appetite (40%). Grade ≥ 3 TRAEs were reported in three patients (30%; hyponatraemia, aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, lymphopaenia and neutropaenia). Stable disease was observed in five patients (50%) in Stage 1 and eight patients (80%) in Stage 2. Navoximod showed linear pharmacokinetics. The recommended dose of navoximod monotherapy was determined as 1000 mg orally BID, and could be considered 1000 mg orally BID in combination with atezolizumab. Navoximod as monotherapy and in combination with atezolizumab was well tolerated in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumours.
Entrectinib resistance mechanisms in ROS1-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ku Bo Mi , Bae Yeon Hee , Lee Kyoung Young , Sun Jong-Mu , Lee Se-Hoon , Ahn Jin Seok , Park Keunchil , Ahn Myung-Ju
Published: May 2019

Entrectinib is a pan-tyrosine-kinase inhibitor that targets oncogenic rearrangements in NTRK, ROS1 and ALK. The combined results of two clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of entrectinib in ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Because the development of drug resistance is inevitable, it would be helpful to determine the mechanisms of entrectinib resistance in a ROS1-rearranged tumor model so that future therapeutic strategies can be developed. Here, we characterized the molecular basis of resistance in entrectinib-resistant ROS1-rearranged HCC78 cells (HCC78ER cells). These cells were analyzed by next-generation sequencing and genetic profiling, which revealed the acquisition of KRAS G12C and the amplification of KRAS and FGF3. However, there were no secondary mutations in the ROS1 kinase domain. We also found that sustained ERK activation was involved in entrectinib resistance, and that combined treatment with selumetinib resensitized HCC78ER cells to entrectinib in cell viability and colony formation assays. Our data suggest that activation of the RAS signaling pathway can cause entrectinib resistance in ROS1-rearranged NSCLC, and is unlikely to be overcome by sequential single agent ROS1-targeting strategies against such tumors. Instead, co-targeting ROS1 and MEK may be an effective strategy for overcoming entrectinib resistance in ROS1-rearranged NSCLC.
Humor creation during efforts to find humorous cognitive reappraisals of threatening situations
Authors: Papousek Ilona , Rominger Christian , Weiss Elisabeth M. , Perchtold Corinna M. , Fink Andreas , Feyaerts Kurt
Published: May 2019

This interdisciplinary study examined the structure of humor creation in the specific context of efforts to positively reappraise stressful situations for effective coping. In a sample of n = 101 participants, a performance test was used to assess the quantity (fluency, number of generated ideas that qualified as humor) and quality (rated funniness) of humor creation in cognitive reappraisal. Linguistic mechanisms were identified and quantified using cognitive-linguistic methods of corpus analysis, and their employment was correlated with humor production performance on the level of the individual. Almost all individuals were able to come up with reappraisal ideas that qualified as humorous. Depressive symptoms, a negative mood state, and high perceptions of threat did not compromise the participants’ capability to create humor. Individuals who were more serious-minded as a trait produced ideas that were rated as less funny, but their basic ability to create humor was unaffected. Metonymy (a contiguity-based principle of meaning extension) emerged as by far the most prominent semantic mechanism in the creation of humorous re-interpretations. Furthermore, its use was related to good humor creation performance in terms of quantity and quality, which is in line with its assumed importance in the extension of meaning in general and the creation of humor in particular. Further effective linguistic mechanisms and conceptual phenomena were identified. The empirical data may be valuable for the development of interventions involving the creation of humorous ideas for cognitive reappraisal.
A Systems Design Study Introducing a Collection Point for Baggage Transfer Services at a Railway Station in the UK
Authors: Yeung Ho Ki , Marinov Marin
Published: May 2019

Railway transport has shown a steady growth in passenger numbers over the past 20 years across the UK. Passengers travel with luggage. It has been forecasted that there will be a reduction of “luggage racks-to-seats” ratio in the future passenger train fleet. There are currently no baggage transfer systems at any of the train stations as part of the urban rail transit system in the UK. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of having a baggage transfer service at Newcastle Central Station, which can serve different travel destinations. A simulation modelling study of different parts of the baggage check-in shop within the railway station is offered. Check-in point, movement of luggage around Newcastle Central, baggage reclaims and storage areas have been contemplated and evaluated using SIMUL8 event-based simulation package. The results for the simulation model developed show that a baggage transfer service at Newcastle Central Station is possible with a mixture of walk-in and online check-in options.
Right Ventricular Function and Sexual Function: Exploring Shadows in Male and Female Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Koutsampasopoulos Konstantinos , Vogiatzis Ioannis , Ziakas Antonios , Papadopoulos Christodoulos , Imprialos Konstantinos P. , Stavropoulos Konstantinos , Katsimardou Alexandra , Patoulias Dimitrios , Bakogiannis Constantinos , Vasilikos Vasilios , Karagiannis Asterios , Doumas Michael
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Sexual health plays an important role in heart failure (HF) patients, and the relationship between HF and sexual dysfunction is well established; however, the role of right ventricular function in sexual dysfunction has not been investigated sufficiently.

Aim

To investigate the potential association between right ventricular dysfunction and sexual dysfunction in both male and female patients with HF.

Methods

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of HF were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Patients from the whole spectrum of HF were included in the study, regardless of cause, duration, and classification of HF. Sexual function in men was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function and in women with the Female Sexual Functioning Index.

Main Outcome Measures

We demonstrate that right ventricular dysfunction is associated with worse sexual function in both men and women.

Results

306 consecutive patients with HF participated in the study. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction ranged from 24.2–39.1% and right ventricular diastolic dysfunction from 16.1–83.1%, depending on the echocardiographic parameter that was assessed. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), TAPSE/pulmonary artery systolic pressure ratio, and right ventricular basal diameter was associated with a lower International Index of Erectile Function score (P = .031, P = .009, and P < .001, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that erectile function was independently associated only with TAPSE/pulmonary artery systolic pressure ratio and tricuspid late tricuspid diastolic flow velocity wave (β = 32.84, P = .006; and β = −0.47, P = .026, respectively), whereas female sexual function was independently associated only with the early tricuspid diastolic flow velocity/late tricuspid diastolic flow velocity ratio (β= −0.47, P = .026).

Clinical Implications

Our study demonstrates that right ventricular dysfunction in patients with HF reflects an impaired sexual function status. Physicians should be aware of this association and closely evaluate those patients for sexual dysfunction.

Strengths & Limitations

We innovatively assessed the correlation between right ventricular dysfunction and sexual function using validated questionnaires. The main limitation is the relatively small sample size.

Conclusions

Our study provides some new insights into the relationship between sexual dysfunction and right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction in HF patients, also suggesting potential interventions to improve sexual and right ventricular function and prognosis in this population.
Pressure-driven flow across a hyperelastic porous membrane
Authors: Song Ryungeun , Stone Howard A. , Jensen Kaare H. , Lee Jinkee
Published: May 2019

We report an experimental investigation of pressure-driven flow of a viscous liquid across thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes. Our experiments revealed a nonlinear relation between the flow rate $Q$ and the applied pressure drop $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}p$, in apparent disagreement with Darcy’s law, which dictates a linear relationship between flow rate, or average velocity, and pressure drop. These observations suggest that the effective permeability of the membrane decreases with pressure due to deformation of the nanochannels in the PDMS polymeric network. We propose a model that incorporates the effects of pressure-induced deformation of the hyperelastic porous membrane at three distinct scales: the membrane surface area, which increases with pressure, the membrane thickness, which decreases with pressure, and the structure of the porous material, which is deformed at the nanoscale. With this model, we are able to rationalize the deviation between Darcy’s law and the data. Our result represents a novel case in which macroscopic deformations can impact the microstructure and transport properties of soft materials.
On the stability of a Blasius boundary layer subject to localised suction
Authors: Brynjell-Rahkola Mattias , Hanifi Ardeshir , Henningson Dan S.
Published: May 2019

In this study the origins of premature transition due to oversuction in boundary layers are studied. An infinite row of circular suction pipes that are mounted at right angles to a flat plate subject to a Blasius boundary layer is considered. The interaction between the flow originating from neighbouring holes is weak and for the parameters investigated, the pipe is always found to be unsteady regardless of the state of the flow in the boundary layer. A stability analysis reveals that the appearance of boundary layer transition can be associated with a linear instability in the form of two unstable eigenmodes inside the pipe that have weak tails, which extend into the boundary layer. Through an energy budget and a structural sensitivity analysis, the origin of this flow instability is traced to the structures developing inside the pipe near the pipe junction. Although the amplitudes of the modes in the boundary layer are orders of magnitude smaller than the corresponding amplitudes inside the pipe, a Koopman analysis of the data gathered from a nonlinear direct numerical simulation confirms that it is precisely these disturbances that are responsible for transition to turbulence in the boundary layer due to oversuction.
Two-dimensional unsteadiness map of oblique shock wave/boundary layer interaction with sidewalls
Authors: Rabey P. K. , Jammy S. P. , Bruce P. J. K. , Sandham N. D.
Published: May 2019

The low-frequency unsteadiness of oblique shock wave/boundary layer interactions (SBLIs) has been investigated using large-eddy simulation (LES) and high-frequency pressure measurements from experiments. Particular attention has been paid to off-centreline behaviour: the LES dataset was generated including sidewalls, and experimental pressure measurements were acquired across the entire span of the reflected shock foot. The datasets constitute the first maps of low-frequency unsteadiness in both streamwise and spanwise directions. The results reveal that significant low-frequency shock motion (with $St\approx 0.03$) occurs away from the centreline, along most of the central separation shock and in the corner regions. The most powerful low-frequency unsteadiness occurs off-centre, likely due to the separation shock being strengthened by shocks arising from the swept interactions on the sidewalls. Both simulation and experimental results exhibit asymmetry about the spanwise centre. In simulations, this may be attributed to a lack of statistical convergence; however, the fact that this is also seen in experiments is indicative that some SBLIs may exhibit some inherent asymmetry across the two spanwise halves of the separation bubble. There is also significant low-frequency power in the corner separations. The relation of the unsteadiness in the corner regions to that in the centre is investigated by means of two-point correlations: a key observation is that significant correlation does not extend across the attached flow channel between the central and corner separations.
Supporting Students With Communication Impairment in Australian Schools: Administering the Obligation to Make Reasonable Adjustment
Authors: Dickson Elizabeth
Published: May 2019

In this article, I address the problem that education support for students with communication impairment may be delivered in an inconsistent manner within schools, or school systems, exposing affected students to harm and affected schools to the risk of litigation. Analysis of relevant Australian disability discrimination legislation and related case law demonstrates that there is a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustment for students with communication impairment and that a fair and equitable system may be postulated to administer that obligation. The Australian Government has recently committed to a needs-based funding model for Australian schools but further work needs to be done to establish how resources that flow to schools under that model should best be applied. This article aims to provide some guidance to those who will make decisions within schools about the management of the sometimes scarce and often expensive support resources for students with communication impairment.
AMS Dating of Potentially the Oldest Wooden Sculptures in Japan from a Shinto Shrine in Akita
Authors: Fukuyo Naoto , Yokoyama Yusuke , Miyairi Yosuke , Igarashi Yusuke
Published: May 2019

We analyzed rare wooden Komainu found at Akagami Shrine in Akita prefecture, Japan. The formation of historical objects is often thoroughly recorded in documents, although the formation age of this particular Komainu sculpture is still unknown due to its antiquity. Thus, age determination exercises have been conducted using radiocarbon (14C)-wiggle-matching techniques. Although only a limited quantity was available for sampling, we have successfully measured 14C samples in the sculptures along with several sets of tree rings. We interpret the Komainu sculptures age considering the age of the trees and the result obtained from the wooden construction materials used for the Akagami shrine. The results obtained from Komainu show a range from 550 CE to 1020 CE, which is consistent with the dates of the shrine’s formation. Thus, the multiple 14C-wiggle-matching method can determine precise calendar ages of wood, as well as provide some supportive information for the periods when there are no reliable historical documents.
CATEGORY AND TOPOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY OF THE CONFIGURATION SPACE
Authors: ZAPATA CESAR A. IPANAQUE
Published: May 2019

The Lusternik–Schnirelmann category cat and topological complexity TC are related homotopy invariants. The topological complexity TC has applications to the robot motion planning problem. We calculate the Lusternik–Schnirelmann category and topological complexity of the ordered configuration space of two distinct points in the product $G\times \mathbb{R}^{n}$ and apply the results to the planar and spatial motion of two rigid bodies in $\mathbb{R}^{2}$ and $\mathbb{R}^{3}$ respectively.
ESSENTIAL AMENABILITY OF DUAL BANACH ALGEBRAS
Authors: ZIAMANESH MOHSEN , SHOJAEE BEHROUZ , MAHMOODI AMIN
Published: May 2019

We show that an essentially amenable Banach algebra need not have an approximate identity. This answers a question posed by Ghahramani and Loy [‘Generalized notions of amenability’, J. Funct. Anal.  208 (2004), 229–260]. Essentially Connes-amenable dual Banach algebras are introduced and studied.
Antisthenes and Odysseus, and Paul at War
Authors: Malherbe Abraham J.
Published: May 2019

Paul's use of military imagery in 2 Cor 10:3–6 deserves closer attention than it has received. Moffatt's translation vividly reflects the descriptions of ancient sieges which underlie Paul's statements:

I do live in the flesh, but I do not make war as the flesh does; the weapons of my warfare are not weapons of the flesh, but divinely strong to demolish fortresses-I demolish theories and any rampart thrown up to resist the knowledge of God, I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ, I am prepared to court-martial anyone who remains insubordinate, once your submission is complete.
Theodicy?
Authors: Surin Kenneth
Published: May 2019

Theodicy, in its classical form, requires the adherent of a theistic faith to reconcile the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient and morally perfect God with the existence of evil. The so-called problem of evil has a venerable ancestry, extending beyond the Christian era, and was apparently first formulated by Epicurus (341–270 B.C.) in the form of a dilemma which perhaps receives its most succinct formulation in the words of David Hume:

Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?
Lex Talionis in the Apocalypse of Peter
Authors: Fiensy David
Published: May 2019

The Ethiopic text of the second-century Apocalypse of Peter may be divided into two parts. The first section (chaps. 1–6) begins with aprediction by Jesus while on the Mount of Olives about the coming of false Christs and is evidently based on Matthew 24. Next, Jesus shows his disciples the future in the palm of his right hand, revealing events typical of Jewish eschatology: resurrection, judgment, and eschatological woes.
“Hel our Queen”: An Old Norse Analogue to an old English Female Hell
Authors: Bell L. Michael
Published: May 2019

One of the most arresting characters in medieval literature, appearing in the Old English Gospel of Nicodemus, isseo hell, an apparently female chthonic figure who engages in a memorableflytingwith Satan and orders him out of “her” dwelling (ut of mýnre onwununge) Her vivid personification in a dramatically excellent scene suggests that her gender is more than grammatical, and invites comparison with the Old Norse underworld goddess Hel and the Frau Hölle of German folklore, to say nothing of underworld goddesses in other cultures.