bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Excited and exotic bottomonium spectroscopy from lattice QCD
Authors:   for the Hadron Spectrum Collaboration, Ryan Sinéad M. , Wilson David J.
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We explore the spectrum of excited and exotic bottomonia using lattice QCD. Highly excited states are identified with masses up to 11,000 MeV, many of which can be grouped into supermultiplets matching those of the quark model while exotic spin-parity-charge-conjugation quantum numbers JPC = 0+−, 1−+, 2+− that cannot be formed from $$ \overline{q}q $$

q
¯

q
alone are also identified. Single-meson operator constructions are used that have good JPC in the continuum, these are found to overlap well onto heavy quark states up to J ≤ 4. A continuum JPC is assigned to each level, based on the distribution amongst lattice irreps and dominant operator overlaps. States with a dominant gluonic component are identified and form a hybrid supermultiplet with JPC = (0, 1, 2)−+, 1−−, approximately 1500 MeV above the ground-state ηb, similar to previous computations with light, strange and charm quark systems.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 consistent truncations from wrapped M5-branes
Authors: Cassani Davide , Josse Grégoire , Petrini Michela , Waldram Daniel
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We discuss consistent truncations of eleven-dimensional supergravity on a six-dimensional manifold M, preserving minimal $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry in five dimensions. These are based on GS ⊆ USp(6) structures for the generalised E6(6) tangent bundle on M, such that the intrinsic torsion is a constant GS singlet. We spell out the algorithm defining the full bosonic truncation ansatz and then apply this formalism to consistent truncations that contain warped AdS5×wM solutions arising from M5-branes wrapped on a Riemann surface. The generalised U(1) structure associated with the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 solution of Maldacena-Nuñez leads to five-dimensional supergravity with four vector multiplets, one hypermultiplet and SO(3) × U(1) × ℝ gauge group. The generalised structure associated with “BBBW” solutions yields two vector multiplets, one hypermultiplet and an abelian gauging. We argue that these are the most general consistent truncations on such backgrounds.
Calcium-alginate beads as a formulation for the application of entomopathogenic nematodes to control rootworms
Authors: Kim Jinwon , Hiltpold Ivan , Jaffuel Geoffrey , Sbaiti Ilham , Hibbard Bruce E. , Turlings Ted C. J.
Published: February 2021

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have great potential as biological control agents against root-feeding insects. They have a rapid and long-lasting mode of action, minimal adverse effects on the environment and can be readily mass-produced. However, they have a relatively short shelf-life and are susceptible to desiccation and UV light. These shortcomings may be overcome by encapsulating EPN in Ca2+-alginate hydrogels, which have been shown to provide a humid and UV protective shelter. Yet, current Ca2+-alginate formulations do not keep EPN vigorous and infectious for a prolonged period of time and do not allow for their controlled release upon application. Here, we introduce solid Ca2+-alginate beads which we supplemented with glycerol to better retain the EPN during storage and to ensure a steady release when applied in soil. Glycerol-induced metabolic arrest in EPN (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) resulting in quiescence and total retainment of EPN when added to beads made with 0.5% sodium alginate and 2% CaCl2·2H2O solutions. More than 4,000 EPN could be embedded in a single 4–5-mm diameter bead, and quiescence could be broken by adding water, after which the EPN readily emerged from the beads. In a field trial, the EPN beads were as effective in reducing root damage by the western corn rootworm (WCR, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) as EPN that were applied in water. Although further improvements are desirable, we conclude that Ca2+-alginate beads can provide an effective and practical way to apply EPN for the control of WCR larvae.
Longitudinal CTCs gene expression analysis on metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with docetaxel reveals new potential prognosis markers
Authors: Pereira-Veiga Thais , González-Conde Miriam , León-Mateos Luis , Piñeiro-Cid Roberto , Abuín Carmen , Muinelo-Romay Laura , Martínez-Fernández Mónica , Brea Iglesias Jenifer , García González Jorge , Anido Urbano , Aguín-Losada Santiago , Cebey Víctor , Costa Clotilde , López-López Rafael
Published: February 2021

CTCs have extensively been used for the monitoring and characterization of metastatic prostate cancer, but their application in the clinic is still very scarce. Besides, the resistance mechanisms linked to prostate cancer treatment remain unclear. Liquid biopsies represent the most promising alternative due to the complexity of biopsying bone metastasis and the duration of the disease. We performed a prospective longitudinal study in CTCs from 20 castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with docetaxel. For that, we used CellSearch® technology and a custom gene expression panel with qRT-PCR using a CTCs negative enrichment approach. We found that CTCs showed a hybrid phenotype during the disease, where epithelial features were associated with the presence of ≥ 5 CTCs/7.5 mL of blood, while high relative expression of the gene MYCL was observed preferentially in the set of samples with < 5 CTCs/7.5 mL of blood. At baseline, patients whose CTCs had stem or hybrid features showed a later progression. After 1 cycle of docetaxel, high relative expression of ZEB1 indicated worse outcome, while KRT19 and KLK3 high expression could predisposed the patients to a worse prognosis at clinical progression. In the present work we describe biomarkers with clinical relevance for the prediction of early response or resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. Besides, we question the utility of targeted isolated CTCs and the use of a limited number of markers to define the CTCs population.
Using Network Theory for Psychoeducation in Eating Disorders
Authors: Meier Marieke , Jansen Katrin , Summers Berta J. , Dreier Melissa J. , Farrell Nicholas R. , Buhlmann Ulrike
Published: February 2021

Background

Negative illness representations such as self-blame impede treatment-seeking behavior and therapy motivation in individuals with eating disorders (EDs). However, only one study so far has investigated how different explanatory models influence these beliefs in EDs. We aimed to expand these findings by introducing an explanatory model based on network theory (NT).

Methods

We presented three explanatory models to a diverse web-recruited sample (n = 290, 141 females, 149 males) with clinically elevated ED symptomatology. Participants either watched a video with a biological-genetic (BG), cognitive-behavioral (CB) or an NT explanatory model and were asked about illness representations before and after watching the video.

Results

The BG group showed significantly greater reductions in self-blame but a significant decrease in personal control and less optimistic expectation regarding timeline compared to the CB and NT groups. There were no group differences regarding the perception of the clinician, comprehensibility of the explanatory model and credibility of a CBT intervention.

Conclusions

Given the increasing popularity of biological-genetic explanatory models of EDs, it is important to note the disadvantages we found to be associated with these models. Our findings indicate that explanatory models emphasizing cognitive-behavioral (CB) principles and/or network theoretical (NT) underpinnings of EDs may serve to promote optimism and greater perceptions of personal agency in affected populations.

This trial's registration number is 316.
MicroRNA-384 inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma growth and metastasis via binding to Smad5 and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin axis
Authors: Zeng Xinyu , Liao Huiqun , Wang Fusen
Published: February 2021

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a major otorhinolaryngological disease with limited effective therapeutic options. This work focused on the function of microRNA-384 (miR-384) on the NPC pathogenesis and the molecules involved. miR-384 expression in cancer tissues and cells was detected. Gain- and loss-of-functions of miR-384 were performed to identify its role in NPC progression. The target mRNA of miR-384 was predicted on an online system and validated through a luciferase reporter assay. The activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was detected. Consequently, miR-384 was found to be poorly expressed in NPC tissues and cell lines and was linked to unfavorable survival rates in patients. Overexpression of miR-384 in 6-10B cells suppressed growth, migration, invasion and resistance to apoptosis of cells, but inverse trends were presented in C6661 cells where miR-384 was downregulated. miR-384 targeted Smad5 mRNA. Upregulation of Smad5 counteracted the roles of miR-384 mimic in cells. The NPC-inhibiting effects of miR-384 mimic were also blocked by Wnt/β-catenin activation. To conclude, miR-384 targets Smad5 and inactivates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which exerts a suppressing role in NPC cell behaviors as well as tumor growth in vivo. The findings may offer novel thoughts into NPC therapy.
Towards Inquiry-Based Flipped Classroom Scenarios: a Design Heuristic and Principles for Lesson Planning
Authors: Schallert Stefanie , Lavicza Zsolt , Vandervieren Ellen
Published: February 2021

The effectiveness of flipped classroom approaches can be improved by combining it with other pedagogical models such as inquiry-based learning. Implementing inquiry-based learning in flipped classroom scenarios requires teachers to plan arrangements for in- and out-of-class activities carefully. In this study, a design heuristic based on the 5E inquiry model was developed to support teachers’ practice of planning inquiry-based flipped classroom lessons. Following a design-based research approach, the design heuristic progressed through two cycles within 2 years. The design heuristic was implemented in both cycles in an online professional development course for secondary mathematics teachers. In the first cycle, 18 lesson plans were collected and analysed using the 5E lesson plan scoring instrument. Results showed that the design heuristic helped teachers to set up lesson plans for flipped classroom scenarios which were mostly in line with the 5E model. However, the evaluation phase was insufficiently addressed. Revision decisions were made at the end of the first cycle, and the design heuristic was revised and re-implemented in a second cycle. Results of the second cycle showed another 19 participating teachers who also struggled in choosing appropriate assessment techniques, an issue which could not be resolved with the proposed design heuristic. This paper describes the development of the design heuristic as well as relevant design principles for inquiry-based flipped classroom scenarios. The proposed design heuristic is not domain specific. Hence, further research could examine its use in other subjects or interdisciplinary as inquiry-based flipped classroom approaches are one of the emerging pedagogies.
Globally Optimal Point Set Registration by Joint Symmetry Plane Fitting
Authors: Hu Lan , Kneip Laurent
Published: February 2021

The present work proposes a solution to the challenging problem of registering two partial point sets of the same object with very limited overlap. We leverage the fact that most objects found in man-made environments contain a plane of symmetry. By reflecting the points of each set with respect to the plane of symmetry, we can largely increase the overlap between the sets and therefore boost the registration process. However, prior knowledge about the plane of symmetry is generally unavailable or at least very hard to find, especially with limited partial views. Finding this plane could strongly benefit from a prior alignment of the partial point sets. We solve this chicken-and-egg problem by jointly optimizing the relative pose and symmetry plane parameters. We present a globally optimal solver by employing the branch-and-bound paradigm and thereby demonstrate that joint symmetry plane fitting leads to a great improvement over the current state of the art in globally optimal point set registration for common objects. We conclude with an interesting application of our method to dense 3D reconstruction of scenes with repetitive objects.
Inequalities in Frailty Among Older Turkish and Moroccan Immigrants and Native Dutch: Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam
Authors: Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Muntinga Maaike E. , de Breij Sascha , Huisman Martijn , Klokgieters Silvia S.
Published: February 2021

Very few studies have investigated frailty among older immigrants in Europe. The aim of the current study was to investigate inequalities in frailty in young-olds related to gender, educational level and country of origin, as well as intersections between these characteristics. Cross-sectional data were used from older Turkish and Moroccan immigrants (n = 466) and native Dutch (n = 1,020), all aged 55–65 years and participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Frailty was assessed with a 30-item frailty index, based on the deficit accumulation approach. Frailty was higher among women, lower educated, and people with a migration background. Of all groups considered, frailty levels were the highest among Turkish immigrants. No statistically significant interaction effects between gender, educational level and country of origin were found. When targeting frailty interventions, special attention should be devoted to older immigrants, as they are the most vulnerable group with the highest frailty levels.
Dirac and normal states on Weyl–von Neumann algebras
Authors: Hörmann Günther
Published: February 2021

We study particular classes of states on the Weyl algebra$$\mathcal {W}$$Wassociated with a symplectic vector spaceSand on the von Neumann algebras generated in representations of$$\mathcal {W}$$W. Applications in quantum physics require an implementation of constraint equations, e.g., due to gauge conditions, and can be based on the so-called Dirac states. The states can be characterized by nonlinear functions onS, and it turns out that those corresponding to non-trivial Dirac states are typically discontinuous. We discuss general aspects of this interplay between functions onSand states, but also develop an analysis for a particular example class of non-trivial Dirac states. In the last part, we focus on the specific situation with$$S = L^2(\mathbb {R}^n)$$S=L2(Rn)or test functions on$$\mathbb {R}^n$$Rnand relate properties of states on$$\mathcal {W}$$Wwith those of generalized functions on$$\mathbb {R}^n$$Rnor with harmonic analysis aspects of corresponding Borel measures on Schwartz functions and on temperate distributions.
On the Juridical Relevance of the Phenomenological Notion of Person in Max Scheler and Edith Stein
Authors: Galofaro Francesco
Published: February 2021

The paper presents a semiotic interpretation of the phenomenological debate on the notion of person, focusing in particular on Edmund Husserl, Max Scheler, and Edith Stein. The semiotic interpretation lets us identify the categories that orient the debate: collective/individual and subject/object. As we will see, the phenomenological analysis of the relation between person and social units such as the community, the association, and the mass shows similarities to contemporary socio-semiotic models. The difference between community, association, and mass provides an explanation for the establishment of legal systems. The notion of person we inherit from phenomenology can also be useful in facing juridical problems raised by the use of non-human decision-makers such as machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence applications.
Decreased myelin content of the fornix predicts poorer memory performance beyond vascular risk, hippocampal volume, and fractional anisotropy in nondemented older adults
Authors: Bangen Katherine J. , Delano-Wood Lisa , Deoni Sean C. L. , Clark Alexandra L. , Evangelista Nicole D. , Hoffman Samantha N. , Sorg Scott F. , Holmqvist Sophia , Osuna Jessica , Weigand Alexandra J. , Jak Amy J. , Bondi Mark W. , Lamar Melissa
Published: February 2021

Alterations to cerebral white matter tracts have been associated with cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In particular, the fornix has been implicated as especially vulnerable given that it represents the primary outflow tract of the hippocampus. Despite this, little work has focused on the fornix using a potential early marker of white matter degeneration—myelin water fraction (MWF; an in vivo marker of myelin content). Therefore, we sought to (1) clarify associations between MWF in the fornix and memory functioning, and (2) examine whether fornix MWF relates to memory performance above and beyond hippocampal volume and conventional imaging measures of white matter that may not be as specific to alterations in myelin content. Forty nondemented older adults (mean age = 72.9 years) underwent an MRI exam and neuropsychological assessment. Multicomponent driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T1 and T2 (mcDESPOT) was used to quantify fornix MWF and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to measure fornix fractional anisotropy (FA). Adjusting for age, sex, education, and vascular risk factors, linear regression models revealed that, lower fornix MWF was significantly associated with poorer memory functioning (β = 0.405, p = .007) across our sample of older adults. Notably, fornix MWF remained a significant predictor of memory functioning (β = 0.380, p = .015) even after adjusting for fornix DTI FA and hippocampal volume (in addition to the above covariates). Given the observed associations between myelin and memory in older adults without dementia, MWF may be a useful early marker of dementia risk.
Development of a numerical compensation framework for geometrical deviations in bulk metal forming exploiting a surrogate model and computed compatible stresses
Authors: Scandola Lorenzo , Büdenbender Christoph , Till Michael , Maier Daniel , Ott Michael , Behrens Bernd-Arno , Volk Wolfram
Published: February 2021

The optimal design of the tools in bulk metal forming is a crucial task in the early design phase and greatly affects the final accuracy of the parts. The process of tool geometry assessment is resource- and time-consuming, as it consists of experience-based procedures. In this paper, a compensation method is developed with the aim to reduce geometrical deviations in hot forged parts. In order to simplify the transition process between the discrete finite-element (FE) mesh and the computer-aided-design (CAD) geometry, a strategy featuring an equivalent surrogate model is proposed. The deviations are evaluated on a reduced set of reference points on the nominal geometry and transferred to the FE nodes. The compensation approach represents a modification of the displacement-compatible spring-forward method (DC-SF), which consists of two elastic FE analyses. The compatible stress originating the deviations is estimated and subsequently applied to the original nominal geometry. After stress relaxation, an updated nominal geometry of the part is obtained, whose surfaces represent the compensated tools. The compensation method is verified by means of finite element simulations and the robustness of the algorithm is demonstrated with an additional test geometry. Finally, the compensation strategy is validated experimentally.
Hydrochemical appraisal of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation: a case study in parts of southwest coast of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Stanly Rajkumar , Yasala Srinivas , Oliver D. Hudson , Nair Nithya. C. , Emperumal Karthikeyan , Subash Arunbose
Published: February 2021

The quality of groundwater standards in Muttom–Mandaikkadu coastal stretch is the focus of the present study, whose coastal aquifers are particularly at risk due to intrusion of marine water. Thirty groundwater samples were scrutinized for the assessment of physical and chemical parameters during January and June. Hydrochemical characteristics were spatially depicted to understand the spatial variations such as (pH, EC, TDS, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, SO42−, HCO3−, and Cl−). Drinking water quality index based on those 11 parameters and irrigation water quality index based on EC, Na%, sodium adsorption ratio and permeability index was used to assess the water quality for drinking and irrigation, respectively. These results demonstrate that dominant hydrochemical facies for groundwater in both months are Na-K-Cl-SO4 type and Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 type. The USSL diagram endorses that most of the water samples belong to low-medium salinity with low sodium hazards. Cl−/HCO3− ratio indicates that the majority of the samples show low to moderate seawater intrusion in the study area. Additionally, six vertical electrical sounding measuring points (Schlumberger array) were carried out in order to determine the number of the underlying layers, aquifer depths and their thicknesses as well as its influence by the marine water. The geophysical self-potential measurements suggest that the groundwater in the Manavalakurichi area is prone to contamination by seawater intrusion, confirmed by the use of Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding. For better understanding, the subsurface layers were shown in a 2D model using the constructed geoelectrical cross section.
Interval type-2 fuzzy aggregation operator in decision making and its application
Authors: Lathamaheswari M. , Nagarajan D. , Kavikumar J. , Broumi Said
Published: February 2021

Type-2 fuzzy sets (T2FSs) can deal with higher modeling and uncertainties which exist in the real-world application, specifically in the control systems. Particularly the climate changes are always uncertain and thus, the type-2 fuzzy controller is an effective system to handle those situations. Polyhouse is a methodology used to cultivate the plants. It breaks the seasonal hurdle of the formulation and it is also suitable for the conflictive climate conditions. Controlling and directing internal parameters of the polyhouse play an essential role in the growth of the plant. Among those, humidity is an important element when one deals with the growth of the plant in polyhouse. It affects the weather, as well as the global change of the climate and hence, the inner climate of the polyhouse will be disturbed. In this paper, operational laws for triangular interval type-2 fuzzy numbers and derived triangular interval type-2 weighted geometric (TIT2WG) operator with their desired mathematical properties using Dombi triangular norms. Also, humidity control is analyzed using interval type-2 fuzzy controller (IT2FC) with the use of derived aggregation operator which is the aim of the paper. Further stability of the system has been analyzed by applying four different defuzzification methods and the method is recommended which gives a better response.
A novel WC–W2C composite synthesis by arc plasma melt cast technique: microstructural and mechanical studies
Authors: Nayak N. , Dash T. , Debasish D. , Palei B. B. , Rout T. K. , Bajpai S. , Nayak B. B.
Published: February 2021

WC–W2C composites of three different compositions have been synthesized from mixture of WC + W (0, 5 and 16 wt% W) by thermal arc plasma melt-cast technique. Various grown phases observed in the composites consisting of major phases of WC and W2C and minor phases of unbound C (graphite) and tungsten (W) were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, selected area electron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared studies. Transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy show polycrystalline nature of composites. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (of X-ray) infers the absence of any impurity in the composite. Almost porous free nature of composites were observed from X-ray micro computed tomography and BET analysis studies. WC–W2C composite (16 wt% W) shows 25% and 21% higher micro hardness (2535 VHN) and Young’s modulus (625 GPa) values than that of pure melt cast WC sample.
Traumatic aortic transection in a teenager presenting with hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Esmat Habib Ahmad , Naseri Mohammad Wali
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Blunt chest trauma is usually associated with a rapid deceleration of the heart and aorta, leading to aortic injury and transection. The patients may be asymptomatic or present with non-specific clinical manifestations.

Case presentation:

A 16-year-old male was brought to the emergency unite of our hospital by land ambulance intubated as a Level 1 trauma activation, after having fallen from the 4th floor of a housing block at midnight and landed on the ground. His blood pressure was: 88/56 mmHg, HR: 145 b/min, and RR: 35 cycle/min. The physical examination revealed Glasgow Coma Scale; E1M3V4, equally in diameter and reactive pupils with negative bilateral corneal reflexes. The thoracoabdominal CT images showed a type-4 transection in the descending aorta and a pseudoaneurysm of 8.5mm in diameter adjacent to the postvertebral segment of the left subclavian artery. The patient was successfully managed by the endovascular intervention.

Discussion:

The clinical symptoms of aortic transection are non-specific. Thus the literature review and our findings highlight that the diagnosis of blunt thoracic aortic injury should be considered in any serious polytrauma in children.

Conclusion:

Traumatic aortic transection is extremely rare in children than in adults and a potentially life-threatening condition with myriad clinical manifestations that may present as hemorrhagic shock. Computed tomography is an excellent imaging tool to assess the extent of the aortic injury and is used as a standard diagnostic method in cases of multiple trauma for the diagnosis of aortic transection. The endovascular repair can be used as a first-line treatment and open surgical therapy is best reserved for patients with a failed endovascular approach or complications of post-endovascular therapy and patients without an endovascular option.

Highlights
Beyond Pain: A Study on the Variance of Pain Thresholds Within BDSM Interactions in Dominants and Submissives
Authors: Wuyts Elise , De Neef Nele , Coppens Violette , Schuerwegen Alana , de Zeeuw-Jans Ilona , Van Der Pol Maarten , Morrens Manuel
Published: February 2021

Background

BDSM is an acronym describing bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. Afflicting or receiving pain is usually an important part of the BDSM interaction.

Aim

This research will focus on better understanding the aspect of pain within a BDSM interaction.

Methods

Submissive and dominant counterparts of 35 couples were recruited to participate in a BDSM interaction, of which 34 dominants and 33 submissives were included in the analyses. A non-BDSM interested control group (n = 27) was included to control for social interaction, of which 24 were included in the analyses.

Outcomes

This research investigates the differences in (i) baseline pain thresholds, (ii) the impact of a BDSM interaction on those thresholds, and (iii) threshold moderating factors like pain cognition between submissive and dominant BDSM participants and control individuals.

RESULTS

BDSM practitioners have a higher pain threshold overall and a BSDM interaction will result in a temporary elevation of pain thresholds for submissives. Additionally, pain thresholds in dominants will be dependent upon their fear of pain and tendency to catastrophize pain and submissives will experience less fear of pain than the control group.

Clinical Implications

By further enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms behind a BDSM interaction in this way, we aspire to relieve the stigma these practitioners still endure.

Strengths & Limitations

This is one of the first studies of its kind with a large sample size compared to similar research, which makes it a significant contribution to the field. It must be mentioned that there is a possible selection bias because recruitment was only done through the Flemish BDSM community and specifically those who visit clubs. Additionally, pain threshold remains a subjective measurement, which must be taken into account.

CONCLUSION

This study helps shed further light on the biological processes behind a BDSM interaction through pain threshold measurements.
Sociophonetics
Authors: Kendall Tyler , Fridland Valerie
Published: February 2021

Sociophonetics focuses on the relationship between phonetic or phonological form on the one hand, and social and regional factors on the other, working across fields as diverse as sociolinguistics, phonetics, speech sciences and psycholinguistics. Covering methodological, theoretical and computational approaches, this engaging introduction to sociophonetics brings new insights to age-old questions about language variation and change, and to the broader nature of language. It includes examples of important work on speech perception, focusing on vowels and sibilants throughout to provide detailed exemplification. The accompanying website provides a range of online resources, including audio files, data processing scripts and links. Written in an accessible style, this book will be welcomed by students and researchers in sociolinguistics, phonetics, speech sciences and psycholinguistics.
Local involvement in modern Greek revivals of ancient theatres: Delphi and Epidaurus in the inter-war period
Authors: Balaskas Vasileios
Published: February 2021

Local community participation in the revival of ancient theatres as venues in Greece shaped the dynamics of the cultural reception of inter-war performances at Delphi and Epidaurus. Here I analyse local involvement within and beyond the theatrical context of the Delphic Festivals, as well as the long-standing identification of the village of Ligourio with the theatre of Epidaurus. These relationships reflect distinctive dimensions of the clash between community-led and institutional archaeology, which dominated national discourse on authenticity and identity. At the same time, the prospects of economic development through tourism in such remote areas encouraged local receptiveness to the revival of ancient theatres.
Living by his wit: Tzetzes' Aristophanic variations on the conundrums of a ‘professional writer’
Authors: Lovato Valeria Flavia
Published: February 2021

John Tzetzes’ Letter 75 does not simply provide useful information on the scholar's professional status, but is crucial for a deeper understanding of his self-fashioning. By connecting this epistle to the related passages of the Chiliads, I show that not only the references to Plato, Simonides and Pythagoras, but also the comic and iambic overtones of this missive contribute to the construction of a multifaceted – and deliberately self-ironizing – authorial persona. Thus, this study engages with recent discussions on the polyphonic nature of Byzantine authorial voices, while also contributing to the renewed interest in the reception of Aristophanes in the Komnenian era.
If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants
Authors: Combs Todd B. , Carothers Bobbi J. , Liu Yuanchen , Evanoff Bradley , Luke Douglas A.
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program supports the creation of program infrastructure promoting scientific collaboration and improvement in translational research. While most evaluations of these and similar programs focus on scientific outcomes such as grants and publications, few studies investigate the underlying mechanisms through which large infrastructure grants produce scientific or translational benefits. This study investigated how engagement – researchers’ interactions with CTSA-funded resources – can help to increase scientific productivity.

Methods:

Authors 1) developed process indicators to define engagement in the CTSA infrastructure at Washington University in St. Louis in four general categories (core service use, internal funding, mentor-mentee opportunities, and leadership roles); 2) explored the relationship between CTSA engagement and scholarly productivity; and 3) compared the relationships between engagement and productivity across gender and race/ethnicity. Mixed effects Poisson regressions modeled productivity outcomes on engagement, controlling for demographic and academic characteristics.

Results:

CTSA members who were engaged were more likely to publish papers and submit grants when compared to others. They were more likely to receive external grant awards – 10% to 20% percent more – than those who were not engaged. Productivity disparities between men and women and to a lesser extent across categories of race and ethnicity persisted even in samples matched on previous productivity levels.

Conclusions:

CTSAs could see larger growth in scientific productivity by increasing researcher engagement and addressing demographic disparities – possibly through focused communications to raise awareness of opportunities – and dissemination of case studies and success stories of engagement to membership.
A (Needle) Case in Point: Transformations in the Carpathian Basin During the Early Middle Ages (Late Avar Period, 8th–9thcenturyad)
Authors: Szenthe Gergely , Gáll Erwin
Published: February 2021

In the late Avar period (eighth to ninth centuryad), vast quantities of utilitarian artefacts were produced in series in the Carpathian Basin, a phenomenon not seen since the end of the Roman period. The distribution of these articles reflects not only the region's settlement pattern, but also how these artefacts were disseminated. The communication network in the Carpathian Basin underwent a significant transformation between the early and late Avar period: its major nodes, equated with population centres but not necessarily with elite centres, contributed to moulding a social and cultural milieu that included specialized craftsmen. An early single hub in southern Transdanubia was replaced by multiple centres by the late Avar period. Aroundad700, a bipolar settlement pattern emerges in the southern part of the Carpathian Basin. It seems that the Great Hungarian Plain began to play an equal, if not dominant, role in the communication network of the Carpathian Basin at this time.
THE CHRONOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF EARLY ANGLO-SAXON GRAVES AND GRAVE GOODS: NEW RADIOCARBON DATA FROM RAF LAKENHEATH, ERISWELL, SUFFOLK, AND A NEW CALIBRATION CURVE (IntCal20)
Authors: Hines John
Published: February 2021

Between 1998 and 2008, 450 inhumation burials of the fifth to eighth centuries ad were excavated in four separate but adjacent burial grounds within RAF Lakenheath airbase in Suffolk. Study of the evidence has been based on the typology of the national chronological framework of sixth- and seventh-century graves and grave goods published in 2013, and correlated also with a related East Anglian regional scheme. Fifty high-precision radiocarbon dates allow for thorough evaluation of the scope for applying the phase-structure and estimated date-boundaries of the national framework to this one large site. The results can be held to reproduce the core sequence of the national framework, albeit with necessary modifications that provide greater insights into the processes used to generate models of the data, besides significant modifications to the perceived date-ranges of certain artefact-types. The results have also been markedly influenced (and apparently improved) by a new standard calibration curve, IntCal20, launched in August 2020. This study thus suggests key agenda for further productive research into this contextually vital body of information.
A genome-wide association study on confection consumption in a Japanese population: the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study
Authors: Suzuki Taro , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Doi Yukio , Narita Akira , Shimizu Atsushi , Imaeda Nahomi , Goto Chiho , Matsui Kenji , Kadota Aya , Miura Katsuyuki , Nakatochi Masahiro , Tanaka Keitaro , Hara Megumi , Ikezaki Hiroaki , Murata Masayuki , Takezaki Toshiro , Nishimoto Daisaku , Matsuo Keitaro , Oze Isao , Kuriyama Nagato , Ozaki Etsuko , Mikami Haruo , Nakamura Yohko , Watanabe Miki , Suzuki Sadao , Katsuura-Kamano Sakurako , Arisawa Kokichi , Kuriki Kiyonori , Momozawa Yukihide , Kubo Michiaki , Takeuchi Kenji , Kita Yoshikuni , Wakai Kenji ,   for the J-MICC Research Group
Published: February 2021

Differences in individual eating habits may be influenced by genetic factors, in addition to cultural, social or environmental factors. Previous studies suggested that genetic variants within sweet taste receptor genes family were associated with sweet taste perception and the intake of sweet foods. The aim of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to find genetic variations that affect confection consumption in a Japanese population. We analysed GWAS data on confection consumption using 14 073 participants from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort study. We used a semi-quantitative FFQ to estimate food intake that was validated previously. Association of the imputed variants with confection consumption was performed by linear regression analysis with adjustments for age, sex, total energy intake and principal component analysis components 1–3. Furthermore, the analysis was repeated adjusting for alcohol intake (g/d) in addition to the above-described variables. We found 418 SNP located in 12q24 that were associated with confection consumption. SNP with the ten lowest P-values were located on nine genes including at the BRAP, ACAD10 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 regions on 12q24.12-13. After adjustment for alcohol intake, no variant was associated with confections intake with genome-wide significance. In conclusion, we found a significant number of SNP located on 12q24 genes that were associated with confections intake before adjustment for alcohol intake. However, all of them lost statistical significance after adjustment for alcohol intake.
AUTOMOBILES AND TOURISM AS INDICATORS OF DEVELOPMENT IN SPAIN, 1918–1939
Authors: VILAR-RODRÍGUEZ MARGARITA , VALLEJO-POUSADA RAFAEL
Published: February 2021

The development of motor vehicles and their mass production and consumption during the first decades of the twentieth century had significant economic and social effects. The developed Atlantic countries, world leaders in vehicle production, were the protagonists of the success of the car. However, the globalization brought about by the second industrial revolution drew in other countries on the periphery, thanks to transport technologies, telecommunications, and the media. Thus, the consumption patterns and lifestyles of the ‘centres’ and the ‘peripheries’ tended to become more uniform, especially among the urban population. This included an interest in travelling and leisure activities in general. The link between the use of motor vehicles and new tourism practices in Spain between 1918 and 1939 provides an excellent viewpoint from which both to analyse the country's economic and social transformation during this period and to relativize the degree of backwardness observed in Spain in other studies. In this respect, we provide evidence which shows that, despite being a country of the so-called European periphery, Spain had similar patterns of consumption of durable consumer goods, such as the motor vehicle, as other, more advanced countries. There is therefore room to reconsider what has been termed ‘Spanish backwardness’.
Standardization, Bureaucratization, and Convergence: The Transformation of Governance of Religion in Urbanizing China
Authors: Wang Xiaoxuan
Published: February 2021

This article explores critical shifts in the governance of religion amid massive urbanization and technological advances in contemporary China. Since the turn of the millennium, along with rapid urban transformation, the Chinese state has greatly expanded its reach into and surveillance of religious communities. At the same time, tensions between state initiatives and religious communities have come to the forefront of public attention. So far, scholarly attention has mostly focused on the repression of religious communities, especially Christians. The goal of this article is to highlight broader transitions in the ways religion is governed in China and to reflect on how these transitions should be understood alongside the government's social and political agendas. The advancement of technologies and the extension of the bureaucratic system to maintain control of a rapidly urbanizing society, I argue, have brought about a “technological turn” of secularism in China, which will have a far-reaching impact on religious life.
Associations between insomnia and reward learning in clinical depression
Authors: Liverant Gabrielle I. , Arditte Hall Kimberly A. , Wieman Sarah T. , Pineles Suzanne L. , Pizzagalli Diego A.
Published: February 2021

Background

Depression and insomnia commonly co-occur. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms through which insomnia influences depression. Recent research and theory highlight reward system dysfunction as a potential mediator of the relationship between insomnia and depression. This study is the first to examine the impact of insomnia on reward learning, a key component of reward system functioning, in clinical depression.

Methods

The sample consisted of 72 veterans with unipolar depression who endorsed sleep disturbance symptoms. Participants completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, self-report measures of insomnia, depression, and reward processing, and a previously validated signal detection task (Pizzagalli et al., 2005, Biological Psychiatry, 57(4), 319–327). Trial-by-trial response bias (RB) estimates calculated for each of the 200 task trials were examined using linear mixed-model analyses to investigate change in reward learning.

Results

Findings demonstrated diminished rate and magnitude of reward learning in the Insomnia group relative to the Hypersomnia/Mixed Symptom group across the task. Within the Insomnia group, participants with more severe insomnia evidenced the lowest rates of reward learning, with increased RB across the task with decreasing insomnia severity.

Conclusions

Among individuals with depression, insomnia is associated with decreased ability to learn associations between neutral stimuli and rewarding outcomes and/or modify behavior in response to differential receipt of reward. This attenuated reward learning may contribute to clinically meaningful decreases in motivation and increased withdrawal in this comorbid group. Results extend existing theory by highlighting impairments in reward learning specifically as a potential mediator of the association between insomnia and depression.
Attention allocation in posttraumatic stress disorder: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Lazarov Amit , Suarez-Jimenez Benjamin , Zhu Xi , Pine Daniel S. , Bar-Haim Yair , Neria Yuval
Published: February 2021

Background

Eye-tracking-based attentional research implicates sustained attention to threat in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, most of this research employed small stimuli set-sizes, small samples that did not include both trauma-exposed healthy participants and non-trauma-exposed participants, and generally failed to report the reliability of used tasks and attention indices. Here, using an established eye-tracking paradigm, we explore attention processes to different negatively-valenced cues in PTSD while addressing these limitations.

Methods

PTSD patients (n = 37), trauma-exposed healthy controls (TEHC; n = 34), and healthy controls (HC; n = 30) freely viewed three blocks of 30 different matrices of faces, each presented for 6 s. Each block consisted of matrices depicting eight negatively-valenced faces (anger, fear, or sadness) and eight neutral faces. Gaze patterns on negative and neural areas of interest were compared. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated for the entire sample and within groups.

Results

The two trauma-exposed groups dwelled longer on negatively-valenced faces over neutral faces, while HC participants showed the opposite pattern. This attentional bias was more prominent in the PTSD than the TEHC group. Similar results emerged for first-fixation dwell time, but with no differences between the two trauma-exposed groups. No group differences emerged for first-fixation latency or location. Internal consistency and 1-week test-retest reliability were adequate, across and within groups.

Conclusions

Sustained attention on negatively-valenced stimuli emerges as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in PTSD designed to divert attention away from negatively-valenced stimuli and toward neutral ones.
Fast Convergence of Multi-quadrotor Cooperation Using Weighted-Neighbor-based Control
Authors: Hou Zhicheng , Zhang Gong
Published: February 2021

In this paper, a weighted-neighbor-based cooperation control of multi-quadrotor systems is investigated. A formation tracking problem is treated, where the reference formation trajectory (RFT) is not given a priori. The RFT is only available to some of the quadrotors (i.e. the leaders). In order to attain the fast convergence of the agents, we propose an algorithm to calculate the neighbors’ weights in decentralized way. Then, the weights are used to compose the formation controller. Compared to the widely used average-neighbor-based control method, the proposed control protocol can increase the convergence speed of the cooperation error. Since the formation control is improved in topological scale, the utilization of the proposed algorithms can be extended on any multi-robot systems. We show the improvement of the proposed control protocol by theoretical proof, simulation, and real-time experiments.
Wide Angle: Eadweard Muybridge, the Pacific Coast, and Trans-Indigenous Representation
Authors: Aguirre Robert D.
Published: February 2021

Eadweard Muybridge's Pacific Coast photographs provide an important site for investigating Victorian visual practices of the “wide.” They do not simply expand a referential frame to encompass novel subjects; they also, and more critically, register powerful narratives of temporality and modernity. This essay's analysis of the “wide” as an incipient concept of critical spatiality is not set against the more familiar temporal dimension of the long nineteenth century (a false and ultimately unproductive opposition). Rather, it places these two concerns in some tension with each other, though the argument is less about periodicity than about the representation of timescales in nineteenth-century media. In Muybridge's photographs, thinking about the representational possibilities of width is impossible without also confronting temporality. The Pacific Coast photographs are important both as explorations of timescales and artifacts in an influential nineteenth-century medium and prompts to reconsider the politico-economic networks that were central to the progress of expeditionary photography itself.