bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity analysis of the artificial neural networks in a system for durability prediction of forging tools to forgings made of C45 steel
Authors: Mrzygłód Barbara , Hawryluk Marek , Janik Marta , Olejarczyk-Wożeńska Izabela
Published: July 2020

The article presents the results of a sensitivity analysis of artificial neural networks developed for a system which predicts the durability of forging tools used in the selected hot die forging process. The developed system makes it possible to calculate the geometric loss of the examined tool for the given values of its operating parameters (number of forgings, tool temperature at selected points, type of the applied protective layer, pressure and path of friction) and estimates the intensity of the occurrence of typical mechanisms of tool destruction, i.e. thermo-mechanical fatigue, mechanical wear, abrasive wear and plastic deformation. Nine neural networks operate in the developed system. Five of them determine the geometric loss of the material used for tools operating with protective layers, including a nitrided layer, a pad welded layer and three hybrid layers, i.e. AlCrTiSiN, Cr/CrN and Cr/AlCrTiN. Four networks make calculations determining the intensity of the occurrence of typical destructive mechanisms. The developed sensitivity analysis allows for each neural network to show which input parameters are most important and have the greatest impact on the explained variables. This is determined based on the network error analysis in the case of elimination of individual variables from the input data. The greater the network error calculated after rejecting an input variable relative to the error obtained for the network with all the input variables, the more sensitive the network to the lack of this variable. The best compliance was obtained for the first developed set of networks regarding the geometric loss of material, while the lowest compliance was obtained for the second developed set of networks regarding the applied protective layers, and in particular for plastic deformation and mechanical fatigue, probably due to the smallest size of these sets in the knowledge base. The obtained results of this analysis are important for the system operation, i.e. supporting the technologist’s decision in the selection of such process parameter values that will increase the die’s lifetime.
An energy gap phenomenon for the Whitney sphere
Authors: Zhang Liuyang
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we study Lagrangian surfaces satisfying $$\nabla ^*T=0$$

∇
∗

T
=
0

, where $$T=-2\nabla ^*(\check{A}\lrcorner \omega )$$

T
=
-
2

∇
∗

(

A
ˇ

⌟
ω
)

and $$\check{A}$$

A
ˇ

is the Lagrangian trace-free second fundamental form. We obtain a gap lemma for such a Lagrangian surface.
The influence of a porous, compliant layer with overlying discrete roughness elements as exhaust pipe wall on friction and heat transfer
Authors: Reurings C. , Koussios S. , Bergsma O. K. , Breugem W.-P. , Vergote K. , Paeshuyse L. , Benedictus R.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this work is to experimentally establish the combined influence on the flow and thermal resistance of an exhaust pipe wall formed by a porous, compliant layer with overlying discrete roughness elements exposed to the pulsating exhaust gas flow of a combustion engine. Through measuring the streamwise pressure drop over and radial temperature differences in different pipe samples for a range of flow states with different Reynolds numbers and non-dimensional pulsation frequencies, the effects were discerned. The configurations of the sample walls covered a range of mesh pitches, compliant-layer densities, and compliant-layer compression ratios. The (non-sinusoidally) pulsating exhaust gas flow spanned the following range: Reb (= ubD/νb) = 1⋅ 104 - 3⋅ 104, Tb = 500 - 800 ∘C, ω+(= $\omega \nu _{b} / u_{\tau }^{2} $
ω

ν

b

/

u

τ

2

) = 0.003 - 0.040. The friction factors were found to be effectively constant with Reynolds number and non-dimensional pulsation frequency while the variation with insulation density/compression was not significant. Additionally, for both mesh pitches, the measured friction factors were in line with those reported in literature for similar geometries with steady flow and solid walls. Together this indicates that neither compliance nor the pulsations in the exhaust gas flow significantly affect the friction for this configuration. Comparison of the samples based on the derived thermal resistance showed a similar influence of the fluid-wall interface as for the friction. Additionally a distinct influence of compression, independent of the insulation density, was observed that increases with increasing temperature. It was concluded that the increased resistance was due to additional radiation resistance because of fibre reorientation due to compression.
Muography and Its Potential Applications to Mining and Rock Engineering
Authors: Zhang Zong-Xian , Enqvist Timo , Holma Marko , Kuusiniemi Pasi
Published: July 2020

Muography is a novel imaging method using natural cosmic-ray radiation for characterising and monitoring variation in average material density in a diverse range of objects that cannot be imaged by conventional imaging techniques. Muography includes muon radiography and muon tomography. Cosmic-ray-induced muons were discovered in the 1930’s, but rapid development of both muographic techniques has only occurred in the last two decades. With this rapid development, muography has been applied or tested in many fields such as volcano imaging, archaeology, underground structure and tunnel detection, rock mass density measurements, cargo scanning, imaging of nuclear waste and reactors, and monitoring of historical buildings and the inside of blast furnaces. Although applications of muography have already touched mining and rock engineering, such applications are still rare and they are just beginning to enter the market. Based on this background, this paper aims to introduce muography into the fields of mining and rock engineering. First, the basic properties of muons are summarized briefly. Second, potential applications of muography to mining and rock engineering are described. These applications include (1) monitoring temporal changes in the average material density of fracturing and deforming rock mass; (2) detecting geological structures and isolated ore bodies or weak zones in mines; (3) detecting a reservoir or boulders during tunnelling or drifting; (4) monitoring caving bodies to search remaining ore; (5) evaluating and classifying rock masses; (6) exploring new mineral deposits in operating underground mines and their surrounding brownfields. Finally, some issues such as maximum depth muons can reach are discussed.
Is postnatal depression a distinct subtype of major depressive disorder? An exploratory study
Authors: O’ Brien Suzanne , Sethi Arjun , Gudbrandsen Maria , Lennuyeux-Comnene Laura , Murphy Declan G. M. , Craig Michael C.
Published: July 2020

Postnatal depression (PND) has an estimated prevalence of 6.5 to 12.9%. In addition to the direct consequences for women, PND also interferes with the maternal-infant interaction, contributing to long-term cognitive and emotional impairments in exposed offspring. It is unclear how PND differs from major depressive disorder (MDD) more generally, and if PND represents a distinct subtype of depression. We explored whether women with a history of PND have specific differences in brain activation associated with sex hormone changes during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, compared to parous women with either a past history of MDD outside of the postnatal period, or an absent history of MDD (‘never depressed’). Thirty mothers (history of PND (n = 10), history of MDD (n = 10), and ‘never depressed’ (n = 10)) underwent blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquisition during an emotional faces task. Amygdala activity was analysed using a region of interest (small volume correction) approach. There was a significant reduction in BOLD response to positive emotional faces in the right amygdala in women with a history of PND compared to women with a history of MDD. A similar but non-significant trend was found in the left amygdala in women with a history of PND compared to ‘never depressed’ women. Our findings support the hypothesis that women with vulnerability to PND represent a distinct subgroup of women with a differential sensitivity to changes in sex hormones. Further, albeit highly tentative, they provide a putative biomarker that could assist in detection of women at-risk to PND.
Intelligibility versus comprehension: understanding quality of accessible next-generation audio broadcast
Authors: Shirley Ben , Ward Lauren
Published: July 2020

For traditional broadcasting formats, implementation of accessible audio strategies for hard of hearing people have used a binary, intelligibility-based approach. In this approach, sounds are categorized either as speech, contributing to comprehension of content, or non-speech, which can mask the speech and reduce intelligibility. Audio accessibility solutions have therefore focused on speech enhancement type methods, for which several useful standard objective measures of quality exist. Recent developments in next-generation broadcast audio formats, in particular the roll out of object-based audio, facilitate more in-depth personalisation of the audio experience based on user preferences and needs. Recent research has demonstrated that many non-speech sounds do not strictly behave as maskers but can be critical for comprehension of the narrative for some viewers. This complex relationship between speech, non-speech audio and the viewer necessitate a more holistic approach to understanding quality of experience of accessible media. This paper reviews previous work and outlines such an approach, discussing accessibility strategies using next-generation audio formats and their implications for developing effective assessments of quality.
Disturbance observer enhanced variable gain controller for robot teleoperation with motion capture using wearable armbands
Authors: Huang Darong , Yang Chenguang , Ju Zhaojie , Dai Shi-Lu
Published: July 2020

Disturbance observer (DOB) based controller performs well in estimating and compensating for perturbation when the external or internal unknown disturbance is slowly time varying. However, to some extent, robot manipulators usually work in complex environment with high-frequency disturbance. Thereby, to enhance tracking performance in a teleoperation system, only traditional DOB technique is insufficient. In this paper, for the purpose of constructing a feasible teleoperation scheme, we develop a novel controller that contains a variable gain scheme to deal with fast-time varying perturbation, whose gain is adjusted linearly according to human surface electromyographic signals collected from Myo wearable armband. In addition, for tracking the motion of operator’s arm, we derive five-joint-angle data of a moving human arm through two groups of quaternions generated from the armbands. Besides, the radial basis function neural networks and the disturbance observer-based control (DOBC) approaches are fused together into the proposed controller to compensate the unknown dynamics uncertainties of the slave robot as well as environmental perturbation. Experiments and simulations are conducted to demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Controlled ovarian stimulation and progesterone supplementation affect vaginal and endometrial microbiota in IVF cycles: a pilot study
Authors: Carosso Andrea , Revelli Alberto , Gennarelli Gianluca , Canosa Stefano , Cosma Stefano , Borella Fulvio , Tancredi Annalisa , Paschero Carlotta , Boatti Lara , Zanotto Elisa , Sidoti Francesca , Bottino Paolo , Costa Cristina , Cavallo Rossana , Benedetto Chiara
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Does controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and progesterone (P) luteal supplementation modify the vaginal and endometrial microbiota of women undergoing in vitro fertilization?

Methods

Fifteen women underwent microbiota analysis at two time points: during a mock transfer performed in the luteal phase of the cycle preceding COS, and at the time of fresh embryo transfer (ET). A vaginal swab and the distal extremity of the ET catheter tip were analyzed using next-generation 16SrRNA gene sequencing. Heterogeneity of the bacterial microbiota was assessed according to both the Bray-Curtis similarity index and the Shannon diversity index.

Results

Lactobacillus was the most prevalent genus in the vaginal samples, although its relative proportion was reduced by COS plus P supplementation (71.5 ± 40.6% vs. 61.1 ± 44.2%). In the vagina, an increase in pathogenic species was observed, involving Prevotella (3.5 ± 8.9% vs. 12.0 ± 19.4%), and Escherichia coli-Shigella spp. (1.4 ± 5.6% vs. 2.0 ± 7.8%). In the endometrium, the proportion of Lactobacilli slightly decreased (27.4 ± 34.5% vs. 25.0 ± 29.9%); differently, both Prevotella and Atopobium increased (3.4 ± 9.5% vs. 4.7 ± 7.4% and 0.7 ± 1.5% vs. 5.8 ± 12.0%). In both sites, biodiversity was greater after COS (p < 0.05), particularly in the endometrial microbiota, as confirmed by Bray-Curtis analysis of the phylogenetic distance among bacteria genera. Bray-Curtis analysis confirmed significant differences also for the paired endometrium-vagina samples at each time point.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that COS and P supplementation significantly change the composition of vaginal and endometrial microbiota. The greater instability could affect both endometrial receptivity and placentation. If our findings are confirmed, they may provide a further reason to encourage the freeze-all strategy.
Investigation on binary copper-based catalysts used in the ethanol steam reforming process
Authors: Hamryszak Łukasz , Madej-Lachowska Maria , Kulawska Maria , Ruggiero-Mikołajczyk Małgorzata , Samson Katarzyna , Śliwa Michał
Published: July 2020

The use of copper-based binary catalysts, Cu/Zr oxides and Cu/Al oxides, has been examined to produce hydrogen from ethanol in the ethanol steam reforming process. The examined catalysts were compared with non-noble bicomponent catalysts consisting of oxides of nickel and cobalt: Ni/Zr Co/Zr, Ni/Al and Co/Al, prepared and tested in the identical way. Catalytic tests were carried out in the fixed-bed reactor in the temperature range 433–873 K for initial molar ratio of ethanol to water equal to 1:3. Ethanol conversion approached near 100%. Catalysts were characterized by XRD, TPR. Cu/Zr oxides. The catalyst showed very good selectivity. It is significant that carbon monoxide appeared only above 600 K and its selectivity has not exceeded 3% in the higher temperature range. No methane has been detected. Hydrogen yield was relatively stable in the temperature range from 513 to 873 K. Similarly, in the presence of Cu/Al oxides neither CO nor CH4 were found in the products. The correlation between activity of examined catalysts and textural properties was not found.
Proof-Theoretic Analysis of the Logics of Agency: The Deliberative STIT
Authors: Negri S. , Pavlović E.
Published: July 2020

A sequent calculus methodology for systems of agency based on branching-time frames with agents and choices is proposed, starting with a complete and cut-free system for multi-agent deliberative STIT; the methodology allows a transparent justification of the rules, good structural properties, analyticity, direct completeness and decidability proofs.
Who are Volunteers in Urban China?
Authors: Liu Fengqin , Zhang Xiulan
Published: July 2020

Although government-organized volunteering is common in China, the Chinese government has also sought to encourage the development of grassroots volunteer service organizations (VSOs) given the tremendous social service burden and the complexity of social governance. Motivated by the lack of systematic studies on volunteering in China, this study explores predictors of volunteering in urban China using data from the 2013 Survey on Philanthropic Behaviors of Urban Citizens in China. The findings indicate that generalized trust, membership in the Chinese Communist Party and type of work unit are significantly associated with the government-organized volunteering. Similar to Western countries, education, religiosity and social capital variables all help in explaining grassroots VSO-organized volunteering. Interestingly, the association between grassroots VSO-organized volunteering and trust in the central government with regard to both participation probability and time devoted to volunteering is significantly positive, whereas the association between grassroots VSO-organized volunteering and trust in local government, for both participation probability and time devoted to volunteering, is significantly negative.
Optimal Design of Experiments for Hybrid Nonlinear Models, with Applications to Extended Michaelis–Menten Kinetics
Authors: Huang Yuanzhi , Gilmour Steven G. , Mylona Kalliopi , Goos Peter
Published: July 2020

Biochemical mechanism studies often assume statistical models derived from Michaelis–Menten kinetics, which are used to approximate initial reaction rate data given the concentration level of a single substrate. In experiments dealing with industrial applications, however, there are typically a wide range of kinetic profiles where more than one factor is controlled. We focus on optimal design of such experiments requiring the use of multifactor hybrid nonlinear models, which presents a considerable computational challenge. We examine three different candidate models and search for tailor-made D- or weighted-A-optimal designs that can ensure the efficiency of nonlinear least squares estimation. We also study a compound design criterion for discriminating between two candidate models, which we recommend for design of advanced kinetic studies.

Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line
Erreichbarkeit: Symptom oder Merkmal der Arbeit? Was bedeutet das Ergebnis für die Arbeitsgestaltung?
Authors: Göllner Melanie , Rau Renate
Published: July 2020

Ziel der Untersuchung war es zu klären, ob sich die Arbeitsmerkmale erreichbar Beschäftigter von denen ohne Erreichbarkeit unterscheiden. Daher wurde die Arbeit von Erreichbaren (n = 79) und von nicht Erreichbaren (n = 48) mittels objektiv-bedingungsbezogener Arbeitsanalysen über eine Arbeitsschicht hinweg analysiert. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass die Arbeit ständig Erreichbarer in fast allen Merkmalen entsprechend der DIN EN ISO 6385 (2016) gesundheitsförderlich gestaltet ist. Sie weist im Vergleich zur Arbeit nicht Erreichbarer eine signifikant höhere Vollständigkeit, höhere Handlungs‑/Entscheidungsspielräume, umfassendere Rückmeldungen und Informationen zur Arbeitsorganisation, höhere Kooperationsanforderungen und kognitive Anforderungen, aber auch eine höhere Arbeitsintensität auf. Diskutiert werden die Ergebnisse hinsichtlich der möglichen Zeitverluste aufgrund signifikant häufigerer Störungen/Unterbrechungen und fehlender Berücksichtigung von Zeit für die Erfüllung kooperativer und kognitiver Anforderungen. Diese Zeitverluste bieten in Kombination mit dem hohen Handlungs‑/Entscheidungsspielraum eine Erklärungsmöglichkeit für das Auftreten von Erreichbarkeit als eine Form der Kompensation fehlender Zeit.

Praktische Relevanz: In der bisherigen Erreichbarkeitsforschung fanden Merkmale der regulären Arbeit wenig Beachtung. Erreichbarkeit wurde i. d. R. als eigenständiges Merkmal der Arbeit und nicht als Symptom für eine bestimmte Art der Arbeitsgestaltung betrachtet. Durch die Berücksichtigung von Erreichbarkeit als Symptom anderer Arbeitsmerkmale eröffnen sich neue Gestaltungsansätze.
Dispersive blow-up for solutions of the Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation
Authors: Drumond Silva J. , Linares F. , Pastor A.
Published: July 2020

The main purpose here is the study of dispersive blow-up for solutions of the Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation. Dispersive blow-up refers to point singularities due to the focusing of short or long waves. We will construct initial data such that solutions of the linear problem present this kind of singularities. Then we show that the corresponding solutions of the nonlinear problem present dispersive blow-up inherited from the linear component part of the equation. Similar results are obtained for the generalized Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation.
On isolated singularities of fractional semi-linear elliptic equations
Authors: Yang Hui , Zou Wenming
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we study the local behavior of nonnegative solutions of fractional semi-linear equations

(−\mathrm{\Delta })^{\sigma }u = u^{p}

with an isolated singularity, where

\sigma \in (0,1)

and

\frac{n}{n−2\sigma } < p < \frac{n + 2\sigma }{n−2\sigma }

. We first use the blow up method and a Liouville type theorem to derive an upper bound. Then we establish a monotonicity formula and a sufficient condition for removable singularity to give a classification of the isolated singularities. When

\sigma = 1

, this classification result has been proved by Gidas and Spruck (1981) [23], Caffarelli et al. (1989) [7].
Emerging Needs for Creative Mitigation: Recent Trends in Archaeology and Historic Preservation in Albania
Authors: Bejko Lorenc
Published: July 2020

This article discusses recent trends in archaeological and historic preservation practices in Albania that are leading to new and innovative approaches to what is often termed “mitigation.” To understand this in an Albanian context, it is necessary to review the historical, political, and social context that has shaped the stand of this postcommunist society toward its past as well as the role that this context plays in heritage practices today. I argue that the nationalistic approach toward heritage as a key component of “nation building” in the twentieth century still resonates strongly in the current discourse. This review leads to the conclusion that standard mitigation based on avoidance, recovery/excavation, and documentation phases is the most dominant practice. Experience has shown that this is not always effective in the harmonization of conflicting interests. Public-private benefits, definition of values and significance associated with historic properties, and costs of requested mitigations have all made it clear in the last decade that alternative solutions must be found, even within the rigid boundaries of the existing legal framework. The concept of “creative mitigation” is emerging as a logical need in the practice of historic preservation.
The Origins of Cartesian Dualism
Authors: DIKA TAREK R.
Published: July 2020

In the recently discovered Cambridge manuscript, widely regarded as an early draft ofRules for the Direction of the Mind, Descartes does not describe the mind as a ‘purely spiritual’ force ‘distinct from the whole body’. This has led some readers to speculate that Descartes did not embrace mind-body dualism in the Cambridge manuscript. In this article, I offer a detailed interpretation of Descartes's mind-body dualism in the established Charles Adam and Paul Tannery edition ofRules, and argue that, while differences between the Cambridge manuscript and the established version ofRulesare significant, the relevant passages in the Cambridge manuscript preclude interpretation along both materialist and hylomorphic lines. I then offer an account of the development of Descartes's mind-body dualism between the Cambridge manuscript and the established version ofRules. What the Cambridge manuscript reveals is not Descartes before dualism, but rather Cartesian dualism in its barest form.
Explicit asymptotics on first passage times of diffusion processes
Authors: Dassios Angelos , Li Luting
Published: July 2020

We introduce a unified framework for solving first passage times of time-homogeneous diffusion processes. Using potential theory and perturbation theory, we are able to deduce closed-form truncated probability densities, as asymptotics or approximations to the original first passage time densities, for single-side level crossing problems. The framework is applicable to diffusion processes with continuous drift functions; in particular, for bounded drift functions, we show that the perturbation series converges. In the present paper, we demonstrate examples of applying our framework to the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck, Bessel, exponential-Shiryaev, and hypergeometric diffusion processes (the latter two being previously studied by Dassios and Li (2018) and Borodin (2009), respectively). The purpose of this paper is to provide a fast and accurate approach to estimating first passage time densities of various diffusion processes.
Samples with a limit shape, multivariate extremes, and risk
Authors: Balkema Guus , Nolde Natalia
Published: July 2020

Large samples from a light-tailed distribution often have a well-defined shape. This paper examines the implications of the assumption that there is a limit shape. We show that the limit shape determines the upper quantiles for a large class of random variables. These variables may be described loosely as continuous homogeneous functionals of the underlying random vector. They play an important role in evaluating risk in a multivariate setting. The paper also looks at various coefficients of tail dependence and at the distribution of the scaled sample points for large samples. The paper assumes convergence in probability rather than almost sure convergence. This results in an elegant theory. In particular, there is a simple characterization of domains of attraction.
Fluctuation identities for Omega-killed spectrally negative Markov additive processes and dividend problem
Authors: Czarna Irmina , Kaszubowski Adam , Li Shu , Palmowski Zbigniew
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we solve exit problems for a one-sided Markov additive process (MAP) which is exponentially killed with a bivariate killing intensity
$\omega(\cdot,\cdot)$
dependent on the present level of the process and the current state of the environment. Moreover, we analyze the respective resolvents. All identities are expressed in terms of new generalizations of classical scale matrices for MAPs. We also remark on a number of applications of the obtained identities to (controlled) insurance risk processes. In particular, we show that our results can be applied to the Omega model, where bankruptcy takes place at rate
$\omega(\cdot,\cdot)$
when the surplus process becomes negative. Finally, we consider Markov-modulated Brownian motion (MMBM) as a special case and present analytical and numerical results for a particular choice of piecewise intensity function
$\omega(\cdot,\cdot)$
.
Absorption probabilities for Gaussian polytopes and regular spherical simplices
Authors: Kabluchko Zakhar , Zaporozhets Dmitry
Published: July 2020

The Gaussian polytope
$\mathcal P_{n,d}$
is the convex hull of n independent standard normally distributed points in
$\mathbb{R}^d$
. We derive explicit expressions for the probability that
$\mathcal P_{n,d}$
contains a fixed point
$x\in\mathbb{R}^d$
as a function of the Euclidean norm of x, and the probability that
$\mathcal P_{n,d}$
contains the point
$\sigma X$
, where
$\sigma\geq 0$
is constant and X is a standard normal vector independent of
$\mathcal P_{n,d}$
. As a by-product, we also compute the expected number of k-faces and the expected volume of
$\mathcal P_{n,d}$
, thus recovering the results of Affentranger and Schneider (Discr. and Comput. Geometry, 1992) and Efron (Biometrika, 1965), respectively. All formulas are in terms of the volumes of regular spherical simplices, which, in turn, can be expressed through the standard normal distribution function
$\Phi(z)$
and its complex version
$\Phi(iz)$
. The main tool used in the proofs is the conic version of the Crofton formula.
Limit theorems for sequential MCMC methods
Authors: Finke Axel , Doucet Arnaud , Johansen Adam M.
Published: July 2020

Both sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods (a.k.a. ‘particle filters’) and sequential Markov chain Monte Carlo (sequential MCMC) methods constitute classes of algorithms which can be used to approximate expectations with respect to (a sequence of) probability distributions and their normalising constants. While SMC methods sample particles conditionally independently at each time step, sequential MCMC methods sample particles according to a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) kernel. Introduced over twenty years ago in [6], sequential MCMC methods have attracted renewed interest recently as they empirically outperform SMC methods in some applications. We establish an
$\mathbb{L}_r$
-inequality (which implies a strong law of large numbers) and a central limit theorem for sequential MCMC methods and provide conditions under which errors can be controlled uniformly in time. In the context of state-space models, we also provide conditions under which sequential MCMC methods can indeed outperform standard SMC methods in terms of asymptotic variance of the corresponding Monte Carlo estimators.
Shadowing as a Tool for Studying Political Elites
Authors: Bussell Jennifer
Published: July 2020

This article offers a description and discussion of “shadowing” as a data collection and analytic tool, highlighting potential research opportunities related to the direct observation of individuals—principally political elites—in their normal daily routine for an extended period of time, often between one day and one week. In contrast with large-scale data collection methods, including surveys, shadowing enables researchers to develop detailed observations of political behavior that are not limited by the availability of administrative data or the constraints of a questionnaire or an interview guide. Unlike more in-depth qualitative methods, such as ethnography, shadowing is scalable in a manner that allows for larger sample sizes and the potential for medium-N inference. I provide a detailed account of how to design and conduct a shadowing study, including sampling strategies, techniques for coding shadowing data, and processes for drawing inferences about the behavior of shadowed subjects, drawing on examples from a completed shadowing-based study. I also discuss ways to mitigate selection and observer biases, presenting results that suggest these can be no more pronounced when shadowing political elites than in other forms of observational research.
Application of deconvolutional treatment to powder diffraction data collected with a Bragg-Brentano diffractometer with a contaminated Cu target and a Ni filter
Authors: Ida Takashi
Published: July 2020

A deconvolutional method for preprocessing powder diffraction data has been improved. The cumulants of instrumental aberration functions of Bragg-Brentano (Parrish) diffractometer calculated up to the fourth order are presented. The treatments of axial-divergence aberration and the effective spectroscopic profile of the source X-ray have been simplified from those used in previous methods. The current method has been applied to powder diffraction data collected with a Cu-target X-ray tube, used over 20 years, and a Ni-foil Kβ filter.
SSIEA: a hybrid evolutionary algorithm for supporting conceptual architectural design
Authors: Wang Likai , Janssen Patrick , Ji Guohua
Published: July 2020

Significant research has been undertaken focusing on the application of evolutionary algorithms for design exploration at conceptual design stages. However, standard evolutionary algorithms are typically not well-suited to supporting such optimization-based design exploration due to the lack of design diversity in the optimization result and the poor search efficiency in discovering high-performing design solutions. In order to address the two weaknesses, this paper proposes a hybrid evolutionary algorithm, called steady-stage island evolutionary algorithm (SSIEA). The implementation of SSIEA integrates an island model approach and a steady-state replacement strategy with an evolutionary algorithm. The combination aims to produce optimization results with rich design diversity while achieving significant fitness progress in a reasonable amount of time. Moreover, the use of the island model approach allows for an implicit clustering of the design population during the optimization process, which helps architects explore different alternative design directions. The performance of SSIEA is compared against other optimization algorithms using two case studies. The result shows that, in contrast to the other algorithms, SSIEA is capable of achieving a good compromise between design diversity and search efficiency. The case studies also demonstrate how SSIEA can support conceptual design exploration. For architects, the optimization results with diverse and high-performing solutions stimulate richer reflection and ideation, rendering SSIEA a helpful tool for conceptual design exploration.
Maturational patterns of left ventricular rotational mechanics in pre-term infants through 1 year of age
Authors: Lehmann Gloria C. , Levy Philip T. , Patel Meghna D. , Sekarski Timothy , Gu HongJie , Choudhry Swati , Hamvas Aaron , Singh Gautam K.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Pre-mature birth impacts left ventricular development, predisposing this population to long-term cardiovascular risk. The aims of this study were to investigate maturational changes in rotational properties from the neonatal period through 1 year of age and to discern the impact of cardiopulmonary complications of pre-maturity on these measures.

Methods:

Pre-term infants (<29 weeks at birth, n = 117) were prospectively enrolled and followed to 1-year corrected age. Left ventricular basal and apical rotation, twist, and torsion were measured by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and analysed at 32 and 36 weeks post-menstrual age and 1-year corrected age. A mixed random effects model with repeated measures analysis was used to compare rotational mechanics over time. Torsion was compared in infants with and without complications of cardiopulmonary diseases of pre-maturity, specifically bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, and patent ductus arteriosus.

Results:

Torsion decreased from 32 weeks post-menstrual age to 1-year corrected age in all pre-term infants (p < 0.001). The decline from 32 to 36 weeks post-menstrual age was more pronounced in infants with cardiopulmonary complications, but was similar to healthy pre-term infants from 36 weeks post-menstrual age to 1-year corrected age. The decline was due to directional and magnitude changes in apical rotation over time (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

This study tracks maturational patterns of rotational mechanics in pre-term infants and reveals torsion declines from the neonatal period through 1 year. Cardiopulmonary diseases of pre-maturity may negatively impact rotational mechanics during the neonatal period, but the myocardium recovers by 1-year corrected age.
What would people think? Perceived social norms, willingness to serve as a surrogate, and end-of-life treatment decisions
Authors: Spalding Rachael , Strough JoNell , Edelstein Barry
Published: July 2020

Background

Population aging has increased the prevalence of surrogate decision making in healthcare settings. However, little is known about factors contributing to the decision to become a surrogate and the surrogate medical decision-making process in general. We investigated how intrapersonal and social-contextual factors predicted two components of the surrogate decision-making process: individuals’ willingness to serve as a surrogate and their tendency to select various end-of-life treatments, including mechanical ventilation and palliative care options.

Method

An online sample (N= 172) of adults made hypothetical surrogate decisions about end-of-life treatments on behalf of an imagined person of their choice, such as a parent or spouse. Using self-report measures, we investigated key correlates of willingness to serve as surrogate (e.g., decision-making confidence, willingness to collaborate with healthcare providers) and choice of end-of-life treatments.

Results

Viewing service as a surrogate as a more typical practice in healthcare was associated with greater willingness to serve. Greater decision-making confidence, greater willingness to collaborate with patients’ physicians, and viewing intensive, life-sustaining end-of-life treatments (e.g., mechanical ventilation) as more widely accepted were associated with choosing more intensive end-of-life treatments.

Significance of results

The current study's consideration of both intrapersonal and social-contextual factors advances knowledge of two key aspects of surrogate decision making — the initial decision to serve as surrogate, and the surrogate's selection of various end-of-life treatment interventions. Providers can use information about the role of these factors to engage with surrogates in a manner that better facilitates their decision making. For instance, providers can be sensitive to potential cultural differences in surrogate decision-making tendencies or employing decision aids that bolster surrogates’ confidence in their decisions.
Leviathan on trial: should states be held criminally responsible?
Authors: Fleming Sean
Published: July 2020

Many political theorists, philosophers, and International Relations scholars argue that states are ‘corporate moral agents’, which can be held responsible in many of the same ways as individual moral agents. States can have debts, contractual obligations, reparative obligations, and duties. Should states also be subject to criminal responsibility and punishment? Thus far, the debate about state crime has focused on two general problems with corporate crime: whether corporate entities can have intentions (or mens rea); and whether it is possible to punish them. In this paper, I identify two problems with extending corporate criminal responsibility to the state. First, since there is no ‘international corporate law’ that regulates the internal structures of states, many states fail to meet the conditions for corporate agency (and hence for criminal responsibility). Second, since the most serious international crimes are not subject to a statute of limitations, the argument for state crime paves the way for forms of ‘historical punishment’ that few of its proponents would accept. Finally, I argue that it is unnecessary to hold states criminally responsible, and that state responsibility ought to be understood as reparative rather than punitive.
Informational demand across the globe: toward a comparative understanding of information exchange
Authors: Hanegraaff Marcel , De Bruycker Iskander
Published: July 2020

This study examines the information demands of decision-makers from across the globe in their exchanges with interest organizations. It proposes two explanatory factors that drive these information demands: democracy and development. We argue that decision-makers’ information demands vary depending on whether they hail from developed countries or developing countries, as well as the extent to which their political systems are democratically accountable. We test our expectations based on interviews with 297 decision-makers from 107 different countries who were active during transnational trade and climate change negotiations. Our findings demonstrate that decision-makers from less developed countries exhibit a higher preference for interactions with organizations that provide them with technical information. Decision-makers from democratically accountable countries, by contrast, tend to place relatively greater value on political information provided by interest groups.
Encouraging Indonesians to Pray From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kuipers Nicholas , Mujani Saiful , Pepinsky Thomas
Published: July 2020

Despite the introduction of social restrictions designed to stem the spread of COVID-19, many Indonesians have continued to attend places of worship. This poses a major public health threat, as congregational prayer involves large numbers of worshippers gathering under conditions known to enable the spread of the virus. Using a nationally representative survey, we evaluated the efficacy of messages delivered from different authorities in encouraging Indonesians to worship at home. We find no consistent evidence that public health messages change Indonesians’ attitudes toward communal prayer or their willingness to forgo communal prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, however, looking at well-defined subpopulations – non-Muslims and supporters of the president – we find suggestive evidence that messages were effective in increasing the likelihood of individuals to indicate a willingness to forgo communal prayer in the forthcoming week. Our results suggest that public health officials should eschew blanket messaging strategies in favor of more targeted approaches.
Klassifikation der dissoziativen Störungen und der Störung der körperlichen Belastung – ein Vergleich zwischen ICD-10 und ICD-11
Authors: Herpertz-Dahlmann Beate
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung. Die Klassifikation nach ICD-11 weist deutliche Veränderungen gegenüber der ICD-10 auf. Wesentliche Neuerungen bestehen im Wegfall des Begriffes der Konversionsstörung als auch jedweder Bewertung des Verhaltens. Eine hohe Bedeutung kommt den spezifischen funktionellen neurologischen Störungen zu, die an erster Stelle in dieser Kategorie genannt werden. Die dissoziative Identitätsstörung wird als eigenständige diagnostische Einheit definiert. Die Kategorie der Störung der körperlichen Belastung ersetzt die somatoformen Störungen und schließt die Neurasthenie ein, während die Hypochondrie hier nicht mehr zu finden ist. Pathognomonisch für die Störung der körperlichen Belastung sind spezifische psychologische Symptome wie eine intensive Beschäftigung mit der körperlichen Symptomatik, aber nicht das Vorhanden- oder Nichtvorhandensein von somatischen Befunden.
Distinct Change of Supercooled Liquid Cloud Properties by Aerosols From an Aircraft‐Based Seeding Experiment
Authors: Dong Xiaobo , Zhao Chuanfeng , Yang Yang , Wang Yang , Sun Yue , Fan Rong
Published: July 2020

Cloud plays essential roles to Earth's energy balance and hydrological cycle. Its characteristics could be modified by human activities through cloud seeding. However, there is long‐lasting debate whether the cloud seeding can modify the clouds to introduce or change precipitation effectively, due to the challenge that the effect of cloud seeding is difficult to be evaluated. Using the data from a cloud seeding experiment, this study investigates the differences of cloud properties between before and after the cloud seeding for a supercooled liquid cloud. It shows that before the cloud seeding, the clouds are supercooled liquid phase clouds. After cloud seeding, the observations from both the cloud particle images and cloud particle size distributions indicate the occurrence of large ice crystal particles and the broadening of particle size distribution. Thus, much larger and much more ice crystal particles occurred after the cloud seeding, which could further grow into precipitation particles through collision‐coalescence process. Satellite image further shows the formation of precipitation clearly after the cloud seeding experiment. This study suggests that cloud seeding can work efficiently for supercooled liquid clouds.
Ghostly Particles from the Sun Confirm Nuclear Fusion
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: July 2020

Using the Borexino particle detector—located deep underground in Italy—researchers spot elusive neutrinos from the Sun’s CNO cycle.
Deep learning for small and big data in psychiatry
Authors: Koppe Georgia , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Durstewitz Daniel
Published: July 2020

Psychiatry today must gain a better understanding of the common and distinct pathophysiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders in order to deliver more effective, person-tailored treatments. To this end, it appears that the analysis of ‘small’ experimental samples using conventional statistical approaches has largely failed to capture the heterogeneity underlying psychiatric phenotypes. Modern algorithms and approaches from machine learning, particularly deep learning, provide new hope to address these issues given their outstanding prediction performance in other disciplines. The strength of deep learning algorithms is that they can implement very complicated, and in principle arbitrary predictor-response mappings efficiently. This power comes at a cost, the need for large training (and test) samples to infer the (sometimes over millions of) model parameters. This appears to be at odds with the as yet rather ‘small’ samples available in psychiatric human research to date (n < 10,000), and the ambition of predicting treatment at the single subject level (n = 1). Here, we aim at giving a comprehensive overview on how we can yet use such models for prediction in psychiatry. We review how machine learning approaches compare to more traditional statistical hypothesis-driven approaches, how their complexity relates to the need of large sample sizes, and what we can do to optimally use these powerful techniques in psychiatric neuroscience.
Early triage of critically ill COVID-19 patients using deep learning
Authors: Liang Wenhua , Yao Jianhua , Chen Ailan , Lv Qingquan , Zanin Mark , Liu Jun , Wong SookSan , Li Yimin , Lu Jiatao , Liang Hengrui , Chen Guoqiang , Guo Haiyan , Guo Jun , Zhou Rong , Ou Limin , Zhou Niyun , Chen Hanbo , Yang Fan , Han Xiao , Huan Wenjing , Tang Weimin , Guan Weijie , Chen Zisheng , Zhao Yi , Sang Ling , Xu Yuanda , Wang Wei , Li Shiyue , Lu Ligong , Zhang Nuofu , Zhong Nanshan , Huang Junzhou , He Jianxing
Published: July 2020

The sudden deterioration of patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into critical illness is of major concern. It is imperative to identify these patients early. We show that a deep learning-based survival model can predict the risk of COVID-19 patients developing critical illness based on clinical characteristics at admission. We develop this model using a cohort of 1590 patients from 575 medical centers, with internal validation performance of concordance index 0.894 We further validate the model on three separate cohorts from Wuhan, Hubei and Guangdong provinces consisting of 1393 patients with concordance indexes of 0.890, 0.852 and 0.967 respectively. This model is used to create an online calculation tool designed for patient triage at admission to identify patients at risk of severe illness, ensuring that patients at greatest risk of severe illness receive appropriate care as early as possible and allow for effective allocation of health resources.
Spontaneous creation and annihilation dynamics and strain-limited stability of magnetic skyrmions
Authors: Rendell-Bhatti Frederic , Lamb Raymond J. , van der Jagt Johannes W. , Paterson Gary W. , Swagten Henk J. M. , McGrouther Damien
Published: July 2020

Magnetic skyrmions are topological magnetic spin structures exhibiting particle-like behaviour. They are of strong interest from a fundamental viewpoint and for application, where they have potential to act as information carriers in future low-power computing technologies. Importantly, skyrmions have high physical stability because of topological protection. However, they have potential to deform according to their local energy environment. Here we demonstrate that, in regions of high exchange energy density, skyrmions may exhibit such extreme deformation that spontaneous merging with nearest neighbours or spawning new skyrmions is favoured to attain a lower energy state. Using transmission electron microscopy and a high-speed imaging detector, we observe dynamics involving distinct configurational states, in which transitions are accompanied by spontaneous creation or annihilation of skyrmions. These observations raise important questions regarding the limits of skyrmion stability and topological charge conservation, while also suggesting a means of control of skyrmion creation and annihilation.