bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theory and experiments of a low sampling frequency broadband digital predistortion with cyclostationarity
Authors: Lan Rong , Hu Xin , Wang Gang , Luo Jirun , Yang Yi , Song Jingyan
Published: July 2020

To reduce the sampling rate from analog to digital converter for the feedback loop of digital predistortion (DPD) in a microwave power amplifier (MPA), a model was proposed and used to obtain the formulae for the cyclostationarity of the digital modulation signal, which shows that the nonlinear parameter of the MPA model is only determined by the correlation matrix of the signal and can be estimated with the under‐sampled output signal. The output signal of the MPA, similar to a high sampling rate, can be recovered by combining the nonlinear parameter with the input signal. Then the DPD of the MPA is implemented through indirect learning architecture to realize its linearization. A Ka‐band traveling wave tube amplifier is used to the circuit for performing a low sampling rate DPD process to validate the rationality of the proposed model and formulae.
Efficient interaction selection for clustered data via stagewise generalized estimating equations
Authors: Vaughan Gregory , Aseltine Robert , Chen Kun , Yan Jun
Published: July 2020

Model selection in the presence of interaction terms is challenging as the final model must maintain a hierarchy between main effects and interaction terms. This work presents two stagewise estimation approaches to appropriately select models with interaction terms that can utilize generalized estimating equations to model clustered data. The first proposed technique is a hierarchical lasso stagewise estimating equations approach, which is shown to directly correspond to the hierarchical lasso penalized regression. The second is a stagewise active set approach, which enforces the variable hierarchy by conforming the selection to a properly growing active set in each stagewise estimation step. The effectiveness in interaction selection and the superior computational efficiency of the proposed techniques are assessed in simulation studies. The new methods are applied to a study of hospitalization rates attributed to suicide attempts among 15 to 19 year old at the school district level in Connecticut.
Cationic Covalent‐Organic Framework as Efficient Redox Motor for High‐Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Fei , Chen Hong , Wang Rui , Zang Shuang‐Quan , Mak Thomas C. W.
Published: July 2020

The shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) leads to the rapid decay of sulfur cathode, severely hindering the practical applications of lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. To this point, a covalent‐organic framework (COF) with proper cationic sites, which can be utilized as the cathode host of high‐performance Li–S batteries, is reported. The chemical sulfur anchoring within micropores effectively suppresses the dissolution of LiPSs into the electrolyte. During the discharge step, the cationic sites can accept electrons from anode and deliver them to polysulfides to facilitate the polysulfides' disintegration. Meanwhile, the cationic sites can receive electrons from polysulfides and then send them to the anode during the charge process, which promotes the polysulfides oxidation. Thus, both experiments and computational modeling show that the cationic COF can effectively inhibit the shuttle effect of LiPSs and improve the batteries' performances. Compared with electrically neutral COFs, the cationic COF‐based batteries show much better cycling stability even at high current density, for instance, a high specific capacity of 468 mA h g−1 is retained after 300 cycles at a current density of 4.0 C.
Costs of repair of wind turbine blades: Influence of technology aspects
Authors: Mishnaevsky Leon , Thomsen Kenneth
Published: July 2020

The influence of repair technology of wind turbine blades on the levelized costs of energy (LCOE) is analyzed. The contribution of minor and major failure to the operational expenditures (OPEX) of wind turbines is estimated. It is demonstrated that the minor failure, mainly, surface erosion, is the largest contributor to the unplanned repair, 12 times higher than structural failure. The shortening of material curing procedure can lead to the significant reduction of repair costs, and LCOE, and expand the so‐called “repair window.” The analysis of the role of defects and voids in adhesives on the post‐repair lifetime of wind turbine blades and energy costs is carried out. Using the continuum damage mechanics approach, it is demonstrated that the voids in adhesives drastically reduce the post‐repair lifetime of wind turbine blades.
Lights up on organelles: Optogenetic tools to control subcellular structure and organization
Authors: Kichuk Therese C. , Carrasco‐López César , Avalos José L.
Published: July 2020

Since the neurobiological inception of optogenetics, light‐controlled molecular perturbations have been applied in many scientific disciplines to both manipulate and observe cellular function. Proteins exhibiting light‐sensitive conformational changes provide researchers with avenues for spatiotemporal control over the cellular environment and serve as valuable alternatives to chemically inducible systems. Optogenetic approaches have been developed to target proteins to specific subcellular compartments, allowing for the manipulation of nuclear translocation and plasma membrane morphology. Additionally, these tools have been harnessed for molecular interrogation of organelle function, location, and dynamics. Optogenetic approaches offer novel ways to answer fundamental biological questions and to improve the efficiency of bioengineered cell factories by controlling the assembly of synthetic organelles. This review first provides a summary of available optogenetic systems with an emphasis on their organelle‐specific utility. It then explores the strategies employed for organelle targeting and concludes by discussing our perspective on the future of optogenetics to control subcellular structure and organization.

This article is categorized under:

Metabolic Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Valence‐to‐core X‐ray emission spectroscopy of titanium compounds using energy dispersive detectors
Authors: Miaja‐Avila Luis , O'Neil Galen C. , Joe Young Il , Morgan Kelsey M. , Fowler Joseph W. , Doriese William B. , Ganly Brianna , Lu Deyu , Ravel Bruce , Swetz Daniel S. , Ullom Joel N.
Published: July 2020

X‐ray emission spectroscopy (XES) of transition metal compounds is a powerful tool for investigating the spin and oxidation state of the metal centers. Valence‐to‐core (vtc) XES is of special interest, as it contains information on the ligand nature, hybridization, and protonation. To date, most vtc‐XES studies have been performed with high‐brightness sources, such as synchrotrons, due to the weak fluorescence lines from vtc transitions. Here, we present a systematic study of the vtc‐XES for different titanium compounds in a laboratory setting using an X‐ray tube source and energy dispersive microcalorimeter sensors. With a full‐width at half‐maximum energy resolution of approximately 4 eV at the Ti Kβ lines, we measure the XES features of different titanium compounds and compare our results for the vtc line shapes and energies to previously published and newly acquired synchrotron data as well as to new theoretical calculations. Finally, we report simulations of the feasibility of performing time‐resolved vtc‐XES studies with a laser‐based plasma source in a laboratory setting. Our results show that microcalorimeter sensors can already perform high‐quality measurements of vtc‐XES features in a laboratory setting under static conditions and that dynamic measurements will be possible in the future after reasonable technological developments.
A free field perspective of λ-deformed coset CFT’s
Authors: Georgiou George , Sfetsos Konstantinos , Siampos Konstantinos
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We continue our study of λ-deformed σ-models by setting up a $$ \frac{1}{k} $$

1
k

perturbative expansion around the free field point for cosets, in particular for the λ-deformed SU(2)/U(1) coset CFT. We construct an interacting field theory in which all deformation effects are manifestly encoded in the interaction vertices. Using this we reproduce the known β-function and the anomalous dimension of the composite operator perturbing away from the conformal point. We introduce the λ-dressed parafermions which have an essential Wilson- like phase in their expressions. Subsequently, we compute their anomalous dimension, as well as their four-point functions, as exact functions of the deformation and to leading order in the k expansion. Correlation functions with an odd number of these parafermions vanish as in the conformal case.
Spectral fluctuations in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model
Authors: Jia Yiyang , Verbaarschot Jacobus J. M.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We present a detailed quantitative analysis of spectral correlations in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model. We find that the deviations from universal Random Matrix Theory (RMT) behavior are due to a small number of long-wavelength fluctuations (of the order of the number of Majorana fermions N) from one realization of the ensemble to the next one. These modes can be parameterized effectively in terms of Q-Hermite orthogonal polynomials, the main contribution being due to scale fluctuations for which we give a simple analytical estimate. Our numerical results for N = 32 show that only the lowest eight polynomials are needed to eliminate the nonuniversal part of the spectral fluctuations. The covariance matrix of the coefficients of this expansion can be obtained analytically from low-order double-trace moments. We evaluate the covariance matrix of the first six moments and find that it agrees with the numerics. We also analyze the spectral correlations in terms of a nonlinear σ-model, which is derived through a Fierz transformation, and evaluate the one and two-point spectral correlation functions to two-loop order. The wide correlator is given by the sum of the universal RMT result and corrections whose lowest-order term corresponds to scale fluctuations. However, the loop expansion of the σ-model results in an ill-behaved expansion of the resolvent, and it gives universal RMT fluctuations not only for q = 4 or higher even q-body interactions, but also for the q = 2 SYK model albeit with a much smaller Thouless energy while the correct result in this case should have been Poisson statistics. In our numerical studies we analyze the number variance and spectral form factor for N = 32 and q = 4. We show that the quadratic deviation of the number variance for large energies appears as a peak for small times in the spectral form factor. After eliminating the long-wavelength fluctuations, we find quantitative agreement with RMT up to an exponentially large number of level spacings for the number variance or exponentially short times in the case of the spectral form factor.
Pressure-driven flow in a thin pipe with rough boundary
Authors: Miroshnikova Elena
Published: July 2020

Stationary incompressible Newtonian fluid flow governed by external force and external pressure is considered in a thin rough pipe. The transversal size of the pipe is assumed to be of the order $$\varepsilon $$
ε
, i.e., cross-sectional area is about $$\varepsilon ^{2}$$

ε
2

, and the wavelength in longitudinal direction is modeled by a small parameter $$\mu $$
μ
. Under general assumption $$\varepsilon ,\mu \rightarrow 0$$

ε
,
μ
→
0

, the Poiseuille law is obtained. Depending on $$\varepsilon ,\mu $$

ε
,
μ

-relation ($$\varepsilon \ll \mu $$

ε
≪
μ

, $$\varepsilon /\mu \sim \mathrm {constant}$$

ε
/
μ
∼
constant

, $$\varepsilon \gg \mu $$

ε
≫
μ

), different cell problems describing the local behavior of the fluid are deduced and analyzed. Error estimates are presented.
Fourier Series Windowed by a Bump Function
Authors: Bergold Paul , Lasser Caroline
Published: July 2020

We study the Fourier transform windowed by a bump function. We transfer Jackson’s classical results on the convergence of the Fourier series of a periodic function to windowed series of a not necessarily periodic function. Numerical experiments illustrate the obtained theoretical results.
Heritable epigenetic diversity for conservation and utilization of epigenetic germplasm resources of clonal East African Highland banana (EAHB) accessions
Authors: Kitavi M. , Cashell R. , Ferguson M. , Lorenzen J. , Nyine M. , McKeown P. C. , Spillane C.
Published: July 2020

Key message

Genetically identical East African Highland banana (EAHB) clones are epigenetically diverse with heritable epialleles that can contribute to morphological diversity.

Heritable epigenetic variation can contribute to agronomic traits in crops and should be considered in germplasm conservation. Despite the genetic uniformity arising from a genetic bottleneck of one ancestral clone, followed by subsequent vegetative propagation, East African Highland bananas (EAHBs) display significant phenotypic diversity potentially arising from somatic mutations, heritable epialleles and/or genotype-by-environment interactions. Here, we use DNA methylation profiling across EAHB accessions representing most of the primary EAHB genepool to demonstrate that the genetically uniform EAHB genepool harbours significant epigenetic diversity. By analysing 724 polymorphic DNA methylation sites by methylation-sensitive AFLP across 90 EAHB cultivars, we could differentiate the EAHB varieties according to their regions (Kenya and Uganda). In contrast, there was minimal association of DNA methylation variation with the five morphological groups that are used to classify EAHBs. We further analysed DNA methylation patterns in parent–offspring cohort, which were maintained in offspring generated by sexual (seed) and asexual (vegetative) propagation, with higher levels of altered DNA methylation observed in vegetatively generated offspring. Our results indicate that the phenotypic diversity of near-isogenic EAHBs is mirrored by considerable DNA methylation variation, which is transmitted between generations by both vegetative reproduction and seed reproduction. Genetically uniform vegetatively propagated crops such as EAHBs harbour considerable heritable epigenetic variation, where heritable epialleles could arise in offspring and contribute to functional traits. This study provides a basis for developing strategies for conservation of epigenetic resources and for integration of epimarkers into crop breeding programmes.
Digital technology and changing roles: a management accountant’s dream or nightmare?
Authors: Andreassen Roy-Ivar
Published: July 2020

Recent developments in digital technology have revitalized interest in the relationship between technology and management accounting. Yet, few empirical in-depth studies have assessed how digital technologies influence the roles of management accountants. This paper builds on the concept of jurisdiction to illuminate the relationship between management accountants, expert knowledge and digital technology. The study identifies and describes competition over jurisdiction between management accountants and other groups of employees. The study describes a shift for divisional management accountants towards narrower roles in their tasks and expectations, while business-oriented roles at group level are found to entail expanding tasks and expectations. In doing so, management accountants are divided into two divergent categories facing different expectations: divisional and group level management accountants. Through a case study in the technology-oriented finance sector, the paper contributes to the debate on the roles of management accountants in a number of ways. First, it describes how digital technology can contribute to narrower and more specialized roles. Second, it describes how digital technology can contribute to competition between professions. Third, it elucidates how digital technology contributes to changes in the behaviour of decision makers, and in their expectations toward, and the involvement of, management accountants. Fourth, it details how the changes contributed by digital technology in the roles of management accountants can act as mediators in the identity-work of management accountants. Finally, it empirically describes the relationships between digital technology and management accountants’ roles.
FvatfA regulates growth, stress tolerance as well as mycotoxin and pigment productions in Fusarium verticillioides
Authors: Szabó Zsuzsa , Pákozdi Klaudia , Murvai Katalin , Pusztahelyi Tünde , Kecskeméti Ádám , Gáspár Attila , Logrieco Antonio F. , Emri Tamás , Ádám Attila L. , Leiter Éva , Hornok László , Pócsi István
Published: July 2020

FvatfA from the maize pathogen Fusarium verticillioides putatively encodes the Aspergillus nidulans AtfA and Schizasaccharomyces pombe Atf1 orthologous bZIP-type transcription factor, FvAtfA. In this study, a ΔFvatfA deletion mutant was constructed and then genetically complemented with the fully functional FvatfA gene. Comparing phenotypic features of the wild-type parental, the deletion mutant and the restored strains shed light on the versatile regulatory functions played by FvAtfA in (i) the maintenance of vegetative growth on Czapek-Dox and Potato Dextrose agars and invasive growth on unwounded tomato fruits, (ii) the preservation of conidiospore yield and size, (iii) the orchestration of oxidative (H2O2, menadione sodium bisulphite) and cell wall integrity (Congo Red) stress defences and (iv) the regulation of mycotoxin (fumonisins) and pigment (bikaverin, carotenoid) productions. Expression of selected biosynthetic genes both in the fumonisin (fum1, fum8) and the carotenoid (carRA, carB) pathways were down-regulated in the ΔFvatfA strain resulting in defected fumonisin production and considerably decreased carotenoid yields. The expression of bik1, encoding the polyketide synthase needed in bikaverin biosynthesis, was not up-regulated by the deletion of FvatfA meanwhile the ΔFvatfA strain produced approximately ten times more bikaverin than the wild-type or the genetically complemented strains. The abolishment of fumonisin production of the ΔFvatfA strain may lead to the development of new-type, biology-based mycotoxin control strategies. The novel information gained on the regulation of pigment production by this fungus can be interesting for experts working on new, Fusarium-based biomass and pigment production technologies.

Key points• FvatfA regulates vegetative and invasive growths of F. verticillioides.• FvatfA also orchestrates oxidative and cell wall integrity stress defenses.• The ΔFvatfA mutant was deficient in fumonisin production.• FvatfA deletion resulted in decreased carotenoid and increased bikaverin yields.
Vereinbarkeit von Pflege bei Demenz, Familie und Beruf
Authors: Neubert Lydia , Gottschalk Sophie , König Hans-Helmut , Brettschneider Christian
Published: July 2020

Hintergrund

Pflegende Angehörige (PA) von Menschen mit Demenz (MMD) sind eine vulnerable Personengruppe, die nicht nur mit den Belastungen aufgrund der Pflege, sondern auch mit Anforderungen aus ihrem Familien- und Berufsleben konfrontiert sein können. Der nationale Forschungsstand zum Erleben des Spannungsfelds zwischen Pflege, Familie und Beruf ist unzureichend.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die vorliegende Studie ist eine rekonstruktive Analyse der Vereinbarkeit der Pflege eines MMD mit den Lebensbereichen Familie und Beruf, in der Haupt- und Nebenpflegende des MMD berücksichtigt wurden.

Methoden

Es wurden 14 narrative Interviews mit PA von MMD geführt. Die Auswertung erfolgte anhand der Dokumentarischen Methode nach Nohl und mündete in Typenbildungen.

Ergebnisse

In pflegenden Familien eines MMD bedingen sich Beziehungsqualität und Aufgabenverteilung gegenseitig. Dies hat Auswirkungen auf das Erleben der Pflege. Stabile Beziehungen und fair verteilte Aufgaben können die Pflege erleichtern, wohingegen konfliktbelastete Beziehungen und ungleich verteilte oder ungeteilte Aufgaben die Pflegebelastung der Familie erhöhen. Erwerbstätige PA nehmen die Lebensbereiche Pflege und Beruf als getrennt voneinander, miteinander in Konflikt geratend oder sich gegenseitig unterstützend wahr.

Diskussion

Die Belastungen aufgrund der Pflege eines MMD führen zu Beeinträchtigungen im Familien- und Berufsleben, was negative Folgen für die Gesundheit der PA haben kann. Doch ebenso können die Familie sowie der Beruf die Belastung reduzieren, wenn PA beispielsweise durch therapeutische Angebote darin unterstützt werden, positive Pflegeerfahrungen wie gestärkte Familienbeziehungen und -funktionalität zu erleben, und wenn erwerbstätige PA den Beruf als einen stärkenden Lebensbereich erfahren.
Availability of synchronous information in an additional sensory modality does not enhance the full body illusion
Authors: Swinkels Lieke M. J. , Veling Harm , Dijksterhuis Ap , van Schie Hein T.
Published: July 2020

The Full body illusion (FBI) is an illusion in which participants experience a change in self-location to a body that is perceived from a third-person perspective. The FBI is usually induced through experimenter generated stroking but can also be induced through self-generated stroking. In four experiments (three preregistered) we compared a self-generated stroking induction condition to a self-generated movement condition, where the only difference between conditions was the presence or absence of touch. We investigated whether the illusion reflects an all-or-nothing phenomenon or whether the illusion is influenced by the availability of synchronous information in an additional sensory modality. As a prerequisite, we investigated whether the FBI can also be induced using just self-generated movement in the absence of synchronous touch. Illusion strength was measured through illusion statements. Participants reported an equally strong illusion for both induction methods in Experiments 1, 2 and 3. In the third experiment, we additionally measured the time of illusion onset. Like the illusion strength measures, the illusion onset times did not differ between the two induction methods. In the fourth experiment participants only completed the self-generated movement condition. Again, they reported the FBI, demonstrating that the findings of Experiments 1, 2 and 3 were not dependent on the presence of a condition that used synchronous touch. Together, these findings confirm the hypothesis that the FBI is an all-or-nothing phenomenon and that adding additional multisensory synchronicity does not help to enhance the strength, onset time or onset probability of the illusion.
Number of pathologists in Germany: comparison with European countries, USA, and Canada
Authors: Märkl Bruno , Füzesi Laszló , Huss Ralf , Bauer Svenja , Schaller Tina
Published: July 2020

The rapid development of pathology is in contrast to a shortage of qualified staff. The aims of the present study are to compile basic information on the numbers of German physicians in pathology and to compare it with the situation in Europe and overseas. In addition, model calculations will shed light on the effects of part-time working models. Various publicly accessible databases (EuroStat) as well as publications of medical associations and professional associations of European countries and the USA/Canada were examined. In addition, a survey was carried out among the institutes of German universities. Figures from 24 European countries and the USA/Canada were evaluated. With one pathologist per 47,989 inhabitants, the density of pathologists in Germany in relation to the population is the second-lowest in Europe (average: 32,018). Moreover, the proportion of pathologists among the physicians working in Germany is the lowest in Europe and at the same time lower than in the USA and Canada (Germany: 1:200, USA: 1:70, Canada: 1:49). The ratio of pathologists to medical specialists is shifted in the same direction. The survey among university pathologists revealed a relevant increase in the workload over the last 10 years. The majority of institutes can manage this workload only with considerable difficulties. With a ratio between specialists and residents of 1:1, the university institutes show a high commitment in the area of training. The results of this study indicate a shortage of pathologists in Germany that could lead to a bottleneck in large parts of the health system.
Flip Distances Between Graph Orientations
Authors: Aichholzer Oswin , Cardinal Jean , Huynh Tony , Knauer Kolja , Mütze Torsten , Steiner Raphael , Vogtenhuber Birgit
Published: July 2020

Flip graphs are a ubiquitous class of graphs, which encode relations on a set of combinatorial objects by elementary, local changes. Skeletons of associahedra, for instance, are the graphs induced by quadrilateral flips in triangulations of a convex polygon. For some definition of a flip graph, a natural computational problem to consider is the flip distance: Given two objects, what is the minimum number of flips needed to transform one into the other? We consider flip graphs on orientations of simple graphs, where flips consist of reversing the direction of some edges. More precisely, we consider so-called $$\alpha$$
α
-orientations of a graph G, in which every vertex v has a specified outdegree $$\alpha (v)$$

α
(
v
)

, and a flip consists of reversing all edges of a directed cycle. We prove that deciding whether the flip distance between two $$\alpha$$
α
-orientations of a planar graph G is at most two is -complete. This also holds in the special case of perfect matchings, where flips involve alternating cycles. This problem amounts to finding geodesics on the common base polytope of two partition matroids, or, alternatively, on an alcoved polytope. It therefore provides an interesting example of a flip distance question that is computationally intractable despite having a natural interpretation as a geodesic on a nicely structured combinatorial polytope. We also consider the dual question of the flip distance between graph orientations in which every cycle has a specified number of forward edges, and a flip is the reversal of all edges in a minimal directed cut. In general, the problem remains hard. However, if we restrict to flips that only change sinks into sources, or vice-versa, then the problem can be solved in polynomial time. Here we exploit the fact that the flip graph is the cover graph of a distributive lattice. This generalizes a recent result from Zhang et al. (Acta Math Sin Engl Ser 35(4):569–576, 2019).
Correction to: Insights into the mechanism(s) of digestion of crystalline cellulose by plant class C GH9 endoglucanases
Authors: Kundu Siddhartha
Published: July 2020

The article Insights into the mechanism(s) of digestion of crystalline cellulose by plant class C GH9 endoglucanases, written by Siddhartha Kundu, was originally published Online First without Open Access.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Mapping of Human Meniscus Biochemical Constituents
Authors: Ala-Myllymäki Juho , Paakkonen Tommi , Joukainen Antti , Kröger Heikki , Lehenkari Petri , Töyräs Juha , Afara Isaac O.
Published: July 2020

Degenerative changes in meniscus are diagnosed during surgery by means of mechanical testing and visual evaluation. This method is qualitative and highly subjective, providing very little information on the internal state of the meniscus. Thus, there is need for novel quantitative methods that can support decision-making during arthroscopic surgery. In this study, we investigate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for mapping the biochemical constituents of human meniscus, including water, uronic acid, and hydroxyproline contents. Partial least squares regression models were developed using data from 115 measurement locations of menisci samples extracted from 7 cadavers and 11 surgery patient donors. Model performance was evaluated using an independent test set consisting of 55 measurement locations within a meniscus sample obtained from a separate cadaver. The correlation coefficient of calibration (ρtraining), test set (ρtest), and root-mean-squared error of test set (RMSEP) were as follows:water(ρtraining= 0.61,ρtest= 0.39, and RMSEP = 2.27 percentage points),uronic acid(ρtraining= 0.68,ρtest= 0.69, and RMSEP = 6.09 basis points), andhydroxyproline(ρtraining= 0.84,ρtest= 0.58, and error = 0.54 percentage points). In conclusion, the results suggest that NIRS could enable rapid arthroscopic mapping of changes in meniscus biochemical constituents, thus providing means for quantitative assessment of meniscus degeneration.
The development and initial evaluation of the Diarrhoea Management Diary (DMD) in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Harder Helena , Shilling Valerie M. , May Shirley F. , Cella David , Schmid Peter , Fallowfield Lesley J.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID) is a common, but often underreported problem in patients with breast cancer that has a profound effect on quality of life. It is best measured from a patient’s perspective, but tools are limited. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the Diarrhoea Management Diary (DMD), a self-report measure to assess CID, use of self-management strategies and treatment adherence.

Methods

The DMD was constructed using an iterative process of instrument development: concept elicitation (literature review), item generation and reduction (cognitive debriefing), and pilot testing in the target population. After translation into eight languages, the DMD was used in an international randomised trial for women receiving lapatinib and capecitabine for metastatic breast cancer with or without prophylactic octreotide. Patterns of missing data and sensitivity to change were examined.

Results

The understandability and completeness of the 8-item DMD was confirmed in cognitive interviews and pilot testing. Practicability of the DMD was evaluated in 62 women with metastatic breast cancer (median age 57). Up to 68% reported CID at any given time-point, and 19% had diarrhoea at each time-point. Patients also described efficacy of different strategies for diarrhoea management. Missing data were associated with study discontinuation. DMD missing item response was 0.9%. Sensitivity to change was good at most assessment points.

Conclusions

Although further psychometric testing is recommended, initial evaluation of the DMD showed good content validity and practicability in international research with cancer patients.
Co-benefits of black carbon mitigation for climate and air quality
Authors: Harmsen Mathijs J. H. M. , van Dorst Pim , van Vuuren Detlef P. , van den Berg Maarten , Van Dingenen Rita , Klimont Zbigniew
Published: July 2020

Mitigation of black carbon (BC) aerosol emissions can potentially contribute to both reducing air pollution and climate change, although mixed results have been reported regarding the latter. A detailed quantification of the synergy between global air quality and climate policy is still lacking. This study contributes with an integrated assessment model-based scenario analysis of BC-focused mitigation strategies aimed at maximizing air quality and climate benefits. The impacts of these policy strategies have been examined under different socio-economic conditions, climate ambitions, and BC mitigation strategies. The study finds that measures targeting BC emissions (including reduction of co-emitted organic carbon, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxides) result in significant decline in premature mortality due to ambient air pollution, in the order of 4 to 12 million avoided deaths between 2015 and 2030. Under certain circumstances, BC mitigation can also reduce climate change, i.e., mainly by lowering BC emissions in the residential sector and in high BC emission scenarios. Still, the effect of BC mitigation on global mean temperature is found to be modest at best (with a maximum short-term GMT decrease of 0.02 °C in 2030) and could even lead to warming (with a maximum increase of 0.05 °C in case of a health-focused strategy, where all aerosols are strongly reduced). At the same time, strong climate policy would improve air quality (the opposite relation) through reduced fossil fuel use, leading to an estimated 2 to 5 million avoided deaths in the period up to2030. By combining both air quality and climate goals, net health benefits can be maximized.
Multi-task learning based on question–answering style reviews for aspect category classification and aspect term extraction on GPU clusters
Authors: Wu Hanqian , Cheng Siliang , Wang Zhike , Zhang Shangbin , Yuan Feng
Published: July 2020

Cluster computing technologies are rapidly advancing and user-generated online reviews are booming in the current Internet and e-commerce environment. The latest question–answering (Q&A)-style reviews are novel, abundant and easily digestible product reviews that also contain massive valuable information for customers. In this paper, we mine valuable aspect information of products contained in these reviews on GPU clusters. To achieve this goal, we utilize two subtasks of aspect-based sentiment analysis: aspect term extraction (ATE) and aspect category classification (ACC). Most previous works focused on only one task or solved these two tasks separately, even though they are highly interrelated, and they do not make full use of abundant training resources. To address this problem, we propose a novel multi-task neural learning model to jointly handle these two tasks and explore the performance of our model on GPU clusters. We conducted extensive comparative experiments on an annotated corpus and found that our proposed model outperforms several baseline models in ATE and ACC tasks on GPU clusters, yielding significant strides in data mining for these types of reviews.
Life history variation in space and time: environmental and seasonal responses of a parthenogenetic invasive freshwater snail in northern Germany
Authors: Verhaegen Gerlien , von Jungmeister Kai , Haase Martin
Published: July 2020

The processes that lead to a successful invasion are complex. Here, we investigated life history characteristics potentially explaining the invasion success ofPotamopyrgus antipodarum, a small parthenogenetic and ovoviviparous freshwater snail that was recently added to the top “hundred worst” alien species in Europe. We monitored monthly, over the course of 1 year, shell size, number of brooded embryos, and the presence of castrating parasites at three Northeast German sites: a lake (the Kiessee), a stream (Hohen Sprenz), and a small spring brook (Rügen) (N = 1165). We found that (1) despite sharing the same clonal lineage, drastic differences in space and time for size and fecundity were observed, and these differences were linked to specific environmental variables (water temperature, salinity, and current); (2)P. antipodarumreproduces all year around, except at one of our sites, the spring Rügen, where the reproduction was seasonal; (3) none of our dissected specimens was infected by parasites. Together with ovoviviparity and the ability to reproduce parthenogenetically while being released from parasite pressure, the ability to adapt readily to a wide range of habitat conditions is likely paramount for the invasive success ofP. antipodarum.
Mentalizing Failures, Emotional Dysregulation, and Cognitive Distortions Among Adolescent Problem Gamblers
Authors: Ciccarelli Maria , Nigro Giovanna , D’Olimpio Francesca , Griffiths Mark D. , Cosenza Marina
Published: July 2020

Over the past decade, several studies have investigated the relationship between cognitive distortions and emotion regulation among adolescent gamblers, demonstrating the exacerbating role of alcohol consumption when co-occurring with gambling problems. An important construct, that to date has been largely neglected, is mentalizing (i.e. the ability to reflect on one's own and others' mental states). The aim of the present study was (for the first time) to investigate the relative contribution of mentalization, emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortions, and alcohol consumption among adolescent gamblers. A total of 396 students (69.2% females) aged 14–19 years were recruited from secondary schools in Southern Italy. Assessment measures included the South Oaks Gambling Screen Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS), and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Regression analysis showed that, along with male gender, the best predictors of adolescent gambling were scores on two GRCS subscales (i.e., ‘inability to stop gambling’ and ‘interpretative bias’), the RFQ-8’s ‘uncertainty about mental states’ dimension, and the DERS ‘impulse control difficulties’ factor, with the overall model explaining more than one-third of the total variance. The results clearly indicated that, along with gambling-related cognitive distortions, uncertainty about mental states, and difficulties remaining in control of one’s behavior when experiencing negative emotions contributed significantly to problematic gambling among adolescents.
Embedding-based Silhouette community detection
Authors: Škrlj Blaž , Kralj Jan , Lavrač Nada
Published: July 2020

Mining complex data in the form of networks is of increasing interest in many scientific disciplines. Network communities correspond to densely connected subnetworks, and often represent key functional parts of real-world systems. This paper proposes the embedding-based Silhouette community detection (SCD), an approach for detecting communities, based on clustering of network node embeddings, i.e. real valued representations of nodes derived from their neighborhoods. We investigate the performance of the proposed SCD approach on 234 synthetic networks, as well as on a real-life social network. Even though SCD is not based on any form of modularity optimization, it performs comparably or better than state-of-the-art community detection algorithms, such as the InfoMap and Louvain. Further, we demonstrate that SCD’s outputs can be used along with domain ontologies in semantic subgroup discovery, yielding human-understandable explanations of communities detected in a real-life protein interaction network. Being embedding-based, SCD is widely applicable and can be tested out-of-the-box as part of many existing network learning and exploration pipelines.
Integrated vibration suppression attitude control for flexible spacecrafts with internal liquid sloshing
Authors: Colagrossi Andrea , Lavagna Michèle
Published: July 2020

Vibration suppression during attitude control is a fundamental research topic whenever control of the rotational motion of a spacecraft with flexible appendages and internal liquid sloshing is of interest. The proposed method is based on an attitude control system with centralized sensors and actuators, without the usage of collocated devices for vibration management. In this way, it is possible to develop and implement a computationally efficient real-time control system that is suitable for any kind of spacecraft, even with advanced control capabilities. An integrated vibration suppression attitude control is designed and analyzed, exploiting also a numerical simulation verification procedure based on validated code. The developed attitude control system applies two fundamental control schemes: classical proportional-derivative (PD) control, with nonadaptive band-stop filters, and wave-based control. The proposed wave-based control implementation allows managing three-dimensional attitude dynamics in steady state pointing, without cross-coupling between the separate body axes. To overcome this limitation, the paper presents the integration of the wave-based control with the filtered PD control scheme, allowing us to have a complete three-dimensional real-time MIMO controller, with vibration suppression capabilities and robustness to system uncertainties. The paper also presents the development of an accurate dynamical model of a generic flexible spacecraft with internal liquid sloshing based on a multibody formulation.
Frame loads accuracy assessment of semianalytical multibody dynamic simulation methods of a recreational vehicle
Authors: Joubert Nicolas , Boisvert Maxime , Blanchette Carl , St-Amant Yves , Desrochers Alain , Rancourt Denis
Published: July 2020

The design of a vehicle frame is largely dependent on the loads applied on the suspension and heavy parts mounting points. These loads can either be estimated through full analytical multibody dynamic simulations, or from semi-analytical simulations in which tire and road sub-models are not included and external vehicle loads, recorded during field testing, are used as inputs to the wheel hubs. Several semi-analytical methods exist, with various modeling architectures, yet, it is unclear how one method over another improves frame loads prediction accuracy.

This study shows that a semi-analytical method that constrains the vehicle frame center of gravity movement along a recorded trajectory, using a control algorithm, leads to an accuracy within 1% for predicting frame loads, when compared to reference loads from a full analytical model. The control algorithm computes six degrees of freedom forces and moments applied at the vehicle center of gravity to closely follow the recorded vehicle trajectory. It is also shown that modeling the flexibility of the suspension arms and controlling wheel hub angular velocity both contribute in improving frame loads accuracy, while an acquisition frequency of 200 Hz appears to be sufficient to capture load dynamics for several maneuvers. Knowledge of these loads helps engineers perform appropriate dimensioning of vehicle structural components therefore ensuring their reliability under various driving conditions.
Teachers responding to cultural diversity: case studies on assessment practices, challenges and experiences in secondary schools in Austria, Ireland, Norway and Turkey
Authors: Herzog-Punzenberger Barbara , Altrichter Herbert , Brown Martin , Burns Denise , Nortvedt Guri A. , Skedsmo Guri , Wiese Eline , Nayir Funda , Fellner Magdalena , McNamara Gerry , O’Hara Joe
Published: July 2020

Global mobility and economic and political crises in some parts of the world have fuelled migration and brought new constellations of ‘cultural diversity’ to European classrooms (OECD 2019). This produces new challenges for teaching, but also for assessment in which cultural biases may have far-reaching consequences for the students’ further careers in education, occupation and life. After considering the concept of and current research on ‘culturally responsive assessment’, we use qualitative interview data from 115 teachers and school leaders in 20 lower secondary schools in Austria, Ireland, Norway and Turkey to explore the thinking about diversity and assessment practices of teachers in the light of increasing cultural diversity. Findings suggest that ‘proficiency in the language of instruction’ is the main dimension by which diversity in classrooms is perceived. While there is much less reference to ‘cultural differences’ in our case studies, we found many teachers in case schools trying to adapt their assessment procedures and grading in order to help students from diverse backgrounds to show their competencies and to experience success. However, these responses were, in many cases, individualistic rather than organised by the school or regional education authorities and were also strongly influenced and at times, limited by government-mandated assessment regimes that exist in each country. The paper closes with a series of recommendations to support the further development of a practicable and just practice of culturally responsive assessment in schools.
Visible lattice points along curves
Authors: Liu Kui , Meng Xianchang
Published: July 2020

This paper concerns the number of lattice points in the plane which are visible along certain curves to all elements in some set S of lattice points simultaneously. By proposing the concept of level of visibility, we are able to analyze more carefully about both the “visible” points and the “invisible” points in the definition of previous research. We prove asymptotic formulas for the number of lattice points in different levels of visibility.
The Causal Effects of Parental Divorce and Parental Temporary Separation on Children’s Cognitive Abilities and Psychological Well-being According to Parental Relationship Quality
Authors: Garriga Anna , Pennoni Fulvia
Published: July 2020

We explore the effects of parental divorce and parental temporary separation on well-being of children at a specific stage of their development according to the parental relationship quality. Despite the importance of this subject, among previous studies only few consider very young children and are based on statistical methods properly tailored to enhance causal evaluations. We attempt to establish the effects on both cognitive abilities and psychological dimensions of children at age five by using data drawn from the first three waves of the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Using an appropriate imputation method, we apply the augmented inverse propensity treatment weighted estimator to infer causality. Overcoming some of the limitations of previous research, we find that the dissolution of high-quality parental unions has the most harmful effects on children, especially concerning conduct problems. We demonstrate the substantial variation on consequences of parental divorce depending on the level of parental relationship quality. We show that parental temporary separation is a type of family disruption that has significant negative effects on young children. In fact, we infer that they have more conduct and hyperactivity problems than children from stable or divorced families. Our results also suggest children to be targeted with appropriate policies aimed to reduce the adverse effect of family disruption.
A response to the problem of wild coincidences
Authors: Taggart Christopher P.
Published: July 2020

Derk Pereboom has posed an empirical objection to agent-causal libertarianism: The best empirically confirmed scientific theories feature physical laws predicting no long-run deviations from fixed conditional frequencies that govern events. If agent-causal libertarianism were true, however, then it would be virtually certain, absent ‘wild coincidences’, that such long-run deviations would occur. So, current empirical evidence makes agent-causal libertarianism unlikely. This paper formulates Pereboom’s ‘Problem of Wild Coincidences’ as a five-step argument and considers two recent responses. Then, it offers a different response: The Problem of Wild Coincidences does not show that current empirical evidence makes agent-causal libertarianism unlikely, even if all events are governed by physical laws featuring fixed long-run conditional frequencies and even if agents can ‘overrule’ normal physical laws.
Quantum mechanics, emergence, and decisions
Authors: Bacciagaluppi Guido
Published: July 2020

I summarise some aspects of the relation between quantum mechanics and the macroscopic world in the context of the multiverse or Everett theory. I do so with particular reference to the results of the theory of decoherence, the notions of reduction and emergence, and agents' decisions.