bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating Financial Sector Issues and FSAP Assessments into Surveillance - Progress Report
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

Improving the quality of the Fund’s financial sector analysis and integrating it with surveillance is a major undertaking that involves action on several fronts. The 2007 Financial Sector Taskforce Report (“Taskforce Report”) provided a comprehensive assessment of the status of financial sector analysis in the Fund and established a broad organizing framework on how to integrate better finance into Article IV surveillance.

The 2008 Triennial Surveillance Review (TSR) and supplements developed this theme further, and the Board’s ensuing Statement on Surveillance Priorities made the integration of macroeconomic and financial sector surveillance one of the four overarching operational priorities for Fund surveillance.
Heavily Indebted Countries (HIPC) Initiative and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI)--Status of Implementation
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

This report provides an update on the status of implementation, impact, and costs of the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI).

Debt relief provided under the Initiatives has substantially alleviated debt burdens in recipient countries. Through the continued use by IDA and the Fund of the flexibility available in the framework governing the HIPC Initiative and the MDRI, significant progress has been achieved under the Initiatives since the last report.
Review of the Flexible Credit Line and Precautionary Credit Line
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

With the creation of the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) and Precautionary Credit Line (PCL), the Fund’s GRA toolkit was overhauled to address gaps in the Fund’s crisis prevention and resolution toolkit. The innovative and flexible nature of the new instruments was meant to reduce stigma from using Fund resources, underpinning confidence in its users amid stressed market conditions. Yet, there have been a limited number of members with these Using a variety of methodological tools, this review assesses experience with the instruments, arrangements. Using a variety of methodological tools, this review assesses experience with the instruments, reflects on the appropriateness of their design, and recommends refinements to enhance their effectiveness.
The Multilateral Aspects of Policies Affecting Capital Flows - Background Paper
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

The case studies document the regulatory and supervisory dimension of episodes during the recent crisis involving capital flows that generated systemic stress. Source country regulation and supervision is the main focus, although recipient country policies also were important in some cases and are thus covered as well.

Three of the case studies are motivated by systemic stress that arose from flows between advanced economies. Strong demand by foreign investors for U.S. financial products helped drive gross flows between the United States and other countries, especially Europe, and induced the U.S. financial sector to develop products that transformed their risky assets into highly-rated securities. In turn, large European banks came to depend on short-term liquidity provided from the U.S. These two-way capital flows created a complex web among markets and institutions, some regulated and some not. Against this background, case studies were prepared for European banks and U.S. money market mutual funds (MMMFs) and for German banks and U.S. mortgage-backed securities (MBSs). Another important case is that of the near failure of the American International Group (AIG), which turned out to have complex and systemically cross-border linkages with other global institutions and markets.
Recent Experiences in Managing Capital Inflows—Cross-Cutting Themes and Possible Policy Framework
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

Emerging markets (EMs) are experiencing a surge in capital inflows, lifting asset prices and growth prospects. While inflows are typically beneficial for receiving countries, inflow surges can carry macroeconomic and financial stability risks. This paper reviews the recent experience of EMs in dealing with capital inflows and suggests a possible framework for IMF policy advice on the spectrum of measures available to policymakers to manage inflows, including macroeconomic policies, prudential measures and capital controls. Illustrative applications of this framework suggest that it may be appropriate for several countries, based on their current circumstances, to consider prudential measures or capital controls in response to capital inflows. The suggested framework is intended to inform staff policy advice to all Fund members with open capital accounts. It forms part of a broader effort to sharpen Fund surveillance, preserve evenhandedness, and foster greater global policy coordination. As indicated in the Supplement to this paper, this broader effort includes the development of “global rules of the game” on macroprudential policies, capital account liberalization, and reserve adequacy, and the preparation of spillover reports assessing spillovers from the five systemic economies—all of which will inform the current and broader framework being developed.
Progress Report to the International Monetary and Financial Committee on the Activities of the Independent Evaluation Office of the IMF
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

This progress report presents the key conclusions and recommendations of the IEO evaluation of data and statistics at the IMF that was discussed by the Executive Board on March 17, 2016. It also summarizes the IMF's plan, approved by the Board in December 2015, for implementing the recommendations from the IEO evaluation of the IMF Response to the Financial and Economic Crisis and describes the IEO’s ongoing work.
Adequacy of the Global Financial Safety Net—Review of the Flexible Credit Line and Precautionary and Liquidity Line, and Proposals for Toolkit Reform
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

protracted global uncertainty combined with frequent episodes of capital flow volatility have intensified demand for liquidity support. In response to calls from the IMFC and the G20, the Fund has identified gaps in the global financial safety net (GFSN) and the Fund’s lending toolkit for crisis prevention, including insufficient coverage against liquidity pressures resulting from volatile capital flows. The proposals in this paper draw on the previous Fund work on the adequacy of the GFSN, the review of the Fund’s current toolkit for crisis prevention, and extensive consultations with the membership.

The review of the FCL concludes that the FCL has been effective in providing precautionary support against external tail risks. Successor FCL arrangements and associated access levels have been in line with the assessment of external risks and potential balance of payments needs. However, there is scope to strengthen the transparency and predictability of the qualification framework by adding indicator-based thresholds to complement and inform judgment.

To enhance crisis resilience while improving the Fund’s toolkit coherence and resource use, the paper proposes three complementary reforms:

The establishment of a Short-term Liquidity Swap to provide renewable and reliable liquidity support against potential short-term moderate volatility of capital flows. The proposed instrument is for members with very strong fundamentals and economic policies, and tailored to improve reliability and appeal to users.
The use of a core set of indicators with thresholds to guide judgment in FCL qualification. This will improve predictability and transparency while keeping the standards unchanged.
The elimination of the PLL to maintain a streamlined and coherent toolkit, given the low use of the PLL, likely reflecting issues of tiering with the FCL.

The paper also discusses possible reforms of the current commitment fee policy to promote a more balanced use of Fund resources. Possible options include increasing the commitment fee at high access levels or introducing a new time-based commitment fee.
Aerosol direct radiative effect over clouds from a synergy of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) reflectances
Authors: de Graaf Martin , Tilstra L. Gijsbert , Stammes Piet
Published: September 2019

Abstract. The retrieval of geophysical parameters is increasingly
dependent on synergistic use of satellite instruments. More
sophisticated parameters can be retrieved and the accuracy of retrievals
can be increased when more information is combined. In this paper,
a synergistic application of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), on the Aura platform, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), on the Aqua platform, Level 1B reflectances is described, enabling the retrieval of the aerosol direct
radiative effect (DRE) over clouds using the differential aerosol
absorption (DAA) technique. This technique was first developed for
reflectances from the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for
Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) on the Environmental Satellite (Envisat), which had the unique
capability of measuring contiguous radiances from the ultraviolet (UV)
at 240 to 1750 nm in the shortwave-infrared (SWIR), at a moderate
spectral resolution of 0.2 to 1.5 nm. However, the spatial resolution
and global coverage of SCIAMACHY was limited, and Envisat stopped
delivering data in 2012. In order to continue the DRE data retrieval,
reflectances from OMI and MODIS, flying in formation, were combined from
the UV to the SWIR. This resulted in reflectances at a limited but
sufficient spectral resolution, available at the OMI pixel grid, which
have a much higher spatial resolution and coverage than SCIAMACHY. The
combined reflectance spectra allow the retrieval of cloud microphysical
parameters in the SWIR, and the subsequent retrieval of aerosol DRE over
cloud scenes using the DAA technique. For liquid cloud scenes in the
south-east Atlantic region with cloud fraction (CF) >0.3, the area-averaged instantaneous aerosol DRE over clouds in June to August 2006 was 25 Wm−2 with a
standard deviation of 30 Wm−2. The maximum area-averaged
instantaneous DRE from OMI–MODIS in August 2006 was 75.6±13 Wm−2. The new aerosol DRE over-cloud dataset from OMI–MODIS is
compared to the SCIAMACHY dataset for the period 2006 to 2009, showing a
very high correlation. The OMI–MODIS DRE dataset over the Atlantic Ocean
is highly correlated to above-cloud AOT measurements from OMI and MODIS.
It is related to AOT measurements over Ascension Island in 2016, showing
the transport of smoke all the way from its source region in Africa over
the Atlantic to Ascension and beyond.
Estrutura dimensional da satisfação dos usuários da Saúde da Família
Authors: Lago Eliana Campêlo , Tapety Fabrício Ibiapina , Almeida Camila Aparecida Pinheiro Landim , Matos Matheus Costa Brandão , Sousa Laelson Rochelle Milanês , Martins Maria do Carmo de Carvalho E , Oliveira Adélia Dalva da Silva , Moura Luana Kelle Batista , Neiva Luciana Barros de Moura
Published: September 2019

O estudo objetiva analisar a estrutura dimensional do instrumento SERVQUAL, utilizado para mensuração da satisfação dos usuários de serviço de saúde pública na atenção básica. Estudo quantitativo, realizado por meio de um survey com 353 usuários da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Os participantes foram: gênero feminino (71,7%); idades entre 31 e 40 anos (30,9%) e com Ensino Médio completo (43,3%).  Na análise do ajuste do modelo, os resultados foram insatisfatórios para os critérios estabelecidos. Sugeriu-se um novo modelo dado o contexto específico da saúde pública que apresentou resultados adequados para todos os critérios. Os resultados foram satisfatórios para validade convergente e discriminante. O estudo implica na indicação de um novo modelo ajustado, utilizado para a compreensão da satisfação de usuários da saúde da família, que, testado em estudos futuros na área de enfermagem e saúde pública, com análise aprofundadas que discutam os achados desta pesquisa, consolidem um novo instrumento analítico.
WATER BALANCE BASED ON REMOTE SENSING DATA IN PANTANAL
Authors: Macedo Hudson De Azevedo , Stevaux José Cândido , Silva Aguinaldo , Bergier Ivan
Published: September 2019

Water storage in a drainage basin determines its water security. The quantity of water retained in the watershed can be measured by means of the water balance calculation. This balance can be defined by the input of water subtracted from the outputs. However, for the Pantanal, the measurements of water inlet and outlet are expensive, which makes the use of remote sensing data a high impact tool with clear socioeconomic advantages. Studies of water availability with orbital sensors are relatively scarce in the Upper Paraguay Basin (BAP). This work is an attempt to estimate the BAP water balance using rainfall and evapotranspiration remote sensing data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the MODIS Global Evapotranspiration Project (MOD16), respectively. The results indicate that BAP had an annual surplus of water between 2000 and 2014, though water parameters seem weakly correlated at annual basis. However, there may be atmospheric-climatic phenomena that maximize the correlation between the hydrological parameters and the temperature anomaly with delays of 2 to 5 years, suggesting lagged teleconnections with QBO and ENSO.
NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY OF THE JAURU RIVER BASIN-MATO GROSSO, BRAZIL
Authors: Da Silva Luz Camila Calazans , Ramos Alexander Webber Perlandim , Silva Gessica De Jesus Oliveira
Published: September 2019

The disorderly use of land is currently one of the main causes of environmental problems. From this perspective, the objective of this study was to determine the natural and environmental vulnerability of the Jauru river basin in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. This goal was made from the perspective that the results generated contribute to environmental planning and management, considering that the Jauru river is tributary of the Paraguay river, responsible for the flooding of the Pantanal plain and, that possible impacts caused by the basin may compromise the dynamic equilibrium of the Pantanal's flood pulse. The model of assessment of natural and environmental vulnerability was adopted, with the identification of the following environmental characteristics: geology, slope, agricultural aptitude and vegetation cover and land use. Data were related through Geographic Information Systems to generate natural and environmental vulnerability maps. It was verified, through the data obtained, that in both vulnerabilities studied there was a predominance of the middle class, mainly resulting from the presence of fragile soils. Also, the predominance of the classes of agricultural aptitude found in the basin, as well as the suppression of the natural vegetation to expand the pasture areas. It was concluded that the areas covered by natural vegetation and/or pastures, in the Jauru river basin, present average natural vulnerability and state of medium to high environmental vulnerability, evidencing that livestock, the main activity regional economic development, has been developed in disagreement with environmental aptitude, contributing to the elevation of the state of environmental vulnerability in the basin.
A nova cláusula de barreira e a sobrevivência das minorias
Authors: Fernandes Neto Raimundo Augusto , Cunha Jânio Pereira
Published: September 2019

Analisa a nova cláusula de barreira aprovada na Emenda Constitucional nº 97/2017, que limita o acesso dos partidos políticos ao fundo partidário e ao programa gratuito de rádio e televisão, em virtude do percentual de votos mínimos recebidos nas eleições proporcionais à Câmara dos Deputados, ou, alternativamente, a eleição de 15 deputados federais distribuídos em um terço dos Estados. Averigua a incidência histórica da cláusula de desempenho no Brasil e nos sistemas proporcionais democráticos no Direito comparado. Utiliza-se de referências bibliográficas de teor clássico sobre os partidos políticos, democracia e Direito Eleitoral para questionar sua constitucionalidade. Projeta a incidência da nova emenda constitucional, com base nos elementos estatísticos fornecidos pelo Tribunal Superior Eleitoral das eleições gerais de 2014, comparativamente às eleições gerais de 2006, empregada como referência na ADI nº 1.351/DF do STF, que julgou inconstitucional a cláusula de barreira originária da Lei nº 9.096/95. Conclui que a Emenda Constitucional nº 97/2017, na parte que altera o § 3º do art. 17 da Constituição Federal, viola a democracia brasileira que elegeu o sistema proporcional, o pluralismo político, o pluripartidarismo e a igualdade (de chances) como princípios, submetendo a risco a sobrevivência das minorias partidárias, pressuposto de um Estado Democrático de Direito, em benefício dos poderes estabelecidos.
Drug and alcohol related health problems in primary care — what do GPs think?
Authors: Weller David P , Litt John C B , Pols Rene G , Southgate Deane O , Harris Ross D , Ali Robert L
Published: September 2019

Objective

To examine knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of general practitioners (GPs) in the field of drug and alcohol related health problems.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey in which self‐completion postal questionnaires were sent to all identifiable GPs in the Adelaide metropolitan area. Non‐responders received a reminder letter and second questionnaire.

Setting, participants

The target population was doctors whose principal activity was general practice, or who were in training for general practice.

Main outcome measures

Demographic and “practice characteristic” information on participants. Measures of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding alcohol consumption, smoking and over the counter medication.

Results

The response rate was 59.8%. More responders than non‐responders were affiliated with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Alcohol consumption was perceived to be a more difficult issue than smoking to raise during consultations. GPs indicated that significant proportions of their patients were participating in hazardous drinking (mean estimate was 13.8% of patients), but only a third of respondents believed their effort in changing alcohol related behaviour would be effective. Sixty‐ one per cent of respondents identified hazardous daily levels of alcohol consumption for men consistent with National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines. In the case of women this figure was 42%. Longer reported appointment times were associated with greater reported levels of enquiry about alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

New developments in medical training and systems of payment in general practice need to address both the pessimistic attitude of GPs in dealing with drug and alcohol related health problems, and apparent inconsistencies in defining hazardous alcohol consumption.
Bauldia
Authors: Staley James T. , Vasilyeva Lina , Yee Benjamin
Published: September 2019

Bauld'i.a. N.L. fem. n.Bauldiaof Bauld, named in honor of John Bauld, an Australian microbiologist who isolated and investigated members ofProsthecomicrobiumandPlanctomyces maris.

Proteobacteria / Alphaproteobacteria / Rhizobiales / Hyphomicrobiaceae / Bauldia

Gram‐negative, aerobic heterotrophicbudding bacteria with cellular appendages (prosthecae)less than 0.65 µm in length. Found in brackish and marine aquatic habitats as well as soils. Aerobic. Nonmotile.

DNA G+C content (mol%): 66–68.5.

Type species:Bauldia litoralisYee, Oertli, Fuerst and Staley 2010, 2965VP.
Phylogenetic and geographic distribution of nickel hyperaccumulation in neotropical Psychotria
Authors: McCartha Grace L. , Taylor Charlotte M. , van der Ent Antony , Echevarria Guillaume , Navarrete Gutiérrez Dulce M. , Pollard A. Joseph
Published: September 2019

Premise

Hyperaccumulation of heavy metals in plants has never been documented from Central America or Mexico. Psychotria grandis, P. costivenia, and P. glomerata (Rubiaceae) have been reported to hyperaccumulate nickel in the Greater Antilles, but they also occur widely across the neotropics. The goals of this research were to investigate the geographic distribution of hyperaccumulation in these species and explore the phylogenetic distribution of hyperaccumulation in this clade by testing related species.

Methods

Portable x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy was used to analyze 565 specimens representing eight species of Psychotria from the Missouri Botanical Garden herbarium.

Results

Nickel hyperaccumulation was found in specimens of Psychotria costivenia ranging from Mexico to Costa Rica and in specimens of P. grandis from Guatemala to Ecuador and Venezuela. Among related species, nickel hyperaccumulation is reported for the first time in P. lorenciana and P. papantlensis, but no evidence of hyperaccumulation was found in P. clivorum, P. flava, or P. pleuropoda. Previous reports of hyperaccumulation in P. glomerata appear to be erroneous, resulting from taxonomic synonymy and specimen misidentification.

Conclusions

Hyperaccumulation of nickel by Psychotria is now known to occur widely from southern Mexico through Central America to northwestern South America, including some areas not known to have ultramafic soils. Novel aspects of this research include the successful prediction of new hyperaccumulator species based on molecular phylogeny, use of XRF technology to nondestructively obtain elemental data from herbarium specimens, and documentation of previously unknown areas of ultramafic or nickel‐rich soil based on such data.
Location‐specific factors influence patterns and effects of subsistence sea otter harvest in Southeast Alaska
Authors: Raymond Wendel W. , Tinker M. Tim , Kissling Michelle L. , Benter Brad , Gill Verena A. , Eckert Ginny L.
Published: September 2019

To better understand the spatial context of population dynamics of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in Southeast Alaska (SEAK), we investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of subsistence sea otter harvest and assessed the effect of harvest on population growth. U.S. federal law permits subsistence harvest of sea otters and sale of clothing and handicrafts made by coastal Alaska Natives. Hunters are required to self‐report these harvests along with information on date, location, age class, and sex. Using harvest data collected from 1988 to 2015, we developed a spatially explicit, age‐structured, density‐dependent population simulation model to explore the potential impacts of harvest on sea otter population dynamics. We examined patterns of harvest and simulation model results at two spatial scales: the SEAK stock and three smaller subregions that vary in sea otter occupation time and carrying capacity: Sitka Sound, Keku Strait, and the Maurelle Islands. Annual sea otter harvest in SEAK increased from 55 animals in 1988 to a reported maximum of 1449 animals in 2013. Estimated mean annual harvest rate was 2.8% at the SEAK stock scale, but ranged from 0% to 39.3% across the three focal subregions described above. Across all subregions (n = 55), annual sea otter harvest rate was strongly influenced by time since recolonization, sea otter population density, and proximity to communities with sea otter hunters. The simulation model predicted population trends and per capita harvest rates similar to those estimated from aerial survey data, providing a reasonable approximation of population dynamics. Results of the simulation model suggested that current harvest levels can reduce population size at both the SEAK and subregional scales. Variation in harvest impacts was a function of subregion‐specific factors, including time since recolonization and population status with respect to carrying capacity. We found that subsistence harvest and its population effects were scale‐ and location‐dependent, indicating that higher spatial and temporal resolution of sea otter population and hunting data could help address emerging sea otter management and conservation concerns in this region.
A Flexible and Multipurpose Piezoresistive Strain Sensor Based on Carbonized Phenol Formaldehyde Foam for Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Wang Lei , Xiang Dong , Harkin‐Jones Eileen , Zhang Xuezhong , Li Yuntao , Zheng Yongfeng , Zhao Chunxia , Wang Ping
Published: September 2019

High‐performance flexible strain sensors are extensively studied for various applications including healthcare, robots, and human–computer interaction. In most of the reported research, the fabrication of these sensors involves conductive polymer composites containing expensive metallic or carbon nanomaterials. In this study, commercial phenol formaldehyde foam (PFF) is carbonized by a simple high‐temperature pyrolysis treatment and encapsulated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to fabricate a flexible and multipurpose piezoresistive strain sensor. The as‐fabricated PDMS‐cPFF strain sensor is capable of detecting various strain modes, including tension, compression, and three‐point bending. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits a high sensitivity with a gauge factor (GF) of −20.5 under tension and stable signal responses in a frequency range of 0.01–0.5 Hz. The sensor is also capable of accurately monitoring a subtle bending strain of 0.05%. In addition, the sensor shows excellent durability in cyclic loading/unloading tests up to 1000 cycles. The applications of this strain sensor in both large‐ (finger bending and neck movement) and small‐scale human motion monitoring (facial micro‐expression and phonation) are demonstrated, showing its potential for applications in wearable electronics. This work also offers an alternative route to reuse waste thermosetting resins which would otherwise be difficult to recycle.
Challenges to Delivering Home Parenteral Nutrition in Adult Patients With Limited English Proficiency
Authors: Singh Kevin , Bestgen Ashley N. , Dugan Ann , Singh Amandeep , Kirby Donald F.
Published: September 2019

Failure to properly administer parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions can have deleterious effects on patients prescribed such therapies. The last few decades have seen diversification of the general population in the United States and elsewhere, with healthcare systems serving an increasing number of non‐English‐speaking patients and a more ethnically diverse population. Clinicians who provide care to this patient population encounter challenges in ensuring compliance and safe use of PN because of cultural and language barriers. Here we describe our experience of treating patients with limited English proficiency with respect to the barriers that prevent compliant and safe use of PN, especially in those discharged with home PN. We also describe the methods that we use to navigate these common issues to help clinicians provide the safest level of care to patients regardless of the patient's English proficiency.
Properties and inference for a new class of XGamma distributions with an application
Authors: Demirci Biçer Hayrinisa
Published: September 2019

The current paper introduces a new flexible probability distribution model called transmuted XGamma distribution which pullulates from the XGamma distribution and possesses the characteristics of XGamma distribution in special cases. In the paper, we obtain the explicit expressions for some important statistical properties of the introduced distribution such as hazard rate and survival functions, mean residual life, moment-generating function, moments, skewness, kurtosis, distribution of its order statistics, Lorenz and Bonferroni curves. Besides obtaining the various effective estimators for the parameters of the distribution, estimation performances of these estimators are comparatively examined with a series of Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, to demonstrate the modeling ability of the proposed distribution on real-world phenomena, an illustrative example is performed by using an actual data set in connection with the field of the lifetime.
Forecasting the progression of Alzheimer's disease using neural networks and a novel preprocessing algorithm
Authors: Albright Jack ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2019

Introduction

There is a 99.6% failure rate of clinical trials for drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease, likely because Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients cannot be easily identified at early stages. This study investigated machine learning approaches to use clinical data to predict the progression of AD in future years.

Methods

Data from 1737 patients were processed using the “All‐Pairs” technique, a novel methodology created for this study involving the comparison of all possible pairs of temporal data points for each patient. Machine learning models were trained on these processed data and evaluated using a separate testing data set (110 patients).

Results

A neural network model was effective (mAUC = 0.866) at predicting the progression of AD, both in patients who were initially cognitively normal and in patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment.

Discussion

Such a model could be used to identify patients at early stages of AD and who are therefore good candidates for clinical trials for AD therapeutics.
Estimating Preference Heterogeneity for Grass-fed Beef Cattle Traits
Authors: Sitienei Isaac , Gillespie Jeffrey , Harrison Robert W. , Scaglia Guillermo
Published: September 2019

This paper examines grass-fed beef producer preferences for cattle traits using data from a mail survey of 384 U.S. grass-fed beef producers. Conjoint analysis and Likert scale questions were used to determine preferences. Generally, results indicated that producers preferred easy-to-handle, heavy, black, and relatively lower-priced feeders raised from their own cows. The Kernel density figures for source, color, and temperament confirm the mixed logit standard deviation estimates that suggest heterogeneity in producer preferences.
The Effects of Female Leadership on Women's Voice in Political Debate
Authors: Blumenau Jack
Published: September 2019

Do female leaders amplify the voices of other women in politics? The author addresses this question by examining parliamentary debates in the UK House of Commons. In the context of a difference-in-differences design that exploits over-time variation in the gender of cabinet ministers, the article demonstrates that female ministers substantially increase the participation of other female MPs in relevant debates, compared to when the minister is male. It also uses a measure of debate influence, based on the degree to which words used by one legislator are adopted by other members, to show that female ministers also increase the influence of female backbenchers. To explore the mechanisms behind these results, the author introduces a new metric of ministerial responsiveness and shows that female ministers are significantly more responsive than their male counterparts to the speeches of female backbenchers.
Ernst Jäckh and the National Internationalism of Interwar Germany
Authors: Weber Peter
Published: September 2019

In interwar Germany, internationalism and nationalism coexisted in a public sphere that often transcended national borders. This seeming contradiction helps explain the mindset of an era, which simultaneously recognized interconnectedness while privileging national identity. Historians’ interest in internationalism has primarily focused on liberal and cooperative actors and on some selected examples demonstrating the dark sides of internationalism. Fewer historians, however, have analyzed the ambiguities and contradictions of liberal internationalism and the perseverance of the national as a frame of reference in internationalist discourses. Ernst Jäckh, best known as the founder of theDeutsche Hochschule für Politik, perhaps best represented this collision of values while simultaneously being one of the biggest proponents of such a view. Jäckh's internationalism permeated all his endeavors and served the goal of reintegrating Germany in the international community.
The role of childhood generalized anxiety in the internalizing cluster
Authors: Lee Kirsty S. , Vaillancourt Tracy
Published: September 2019

Background

Anxiety, depression and somatization (the internalizing cluster) are highly comorbid, prevalent and associated with significant individual and societal costs. Although prior studies have examined their natural course, there has been a little investigation into how symptoms unfold at the individual level. We examined the intraindividual (within-person) temporal patterning of symptom development and the impact of risk factors (sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic indicators, bullying victimization, child maltreatment) on symptom means and trajectories (between-person), comparing youth and parent reports.

Method

Over a 7-year interval from age 11 to 17, children (n= 669; 54% girls; 79% White) and parents (89% mothers) reported on symptoms of anxiety and depression from age 11 and somatization from age 13. Autoregressive latent trajectory models with structured residuals were used to uncouple within- and between-person sources of variance.

Results

According to self-reports, generalized anxiety consistently predicted depression, while anxiety and depression consistently predicted somatization. Anxiety also had an indirect effect on somatization via depression. According to parent reports, there were several bidirectional effects between anxiety and depression and between depression and somatization. Experiences of abuse were consistent risk factors for self-reported internalizing symptoms, and across informants, girls had higher symptom means and rising trajectories compared to boys.

Conclusion

Generalized anxiety plays an important role in adolescent depressive and somatic symptoms. Primary prevention of anxiety may be warranted to curb symptom continuity and the development of comorbidity. Research is needed to determine whether self-reports of anxiety should be prioritized over parent reports and continued efforts are needed to reduce bullying and child maltreatment.
Enhanced wheat competition effects on the growth, seed production, and seed retention of major weeds of Australian cropping systems
Authors: Walsh Michael J.
Published: September 2019

The loss of herbicide options due to resistance and lack of new chemistries have delivered the realization that herbicides are a finite resource and weed control alternatives are desperately needed. In Australian conservation cropping, the only available alternatives suited to routine use are the recently introduced harvest weed seed control (HWSC) and the ever-present but undervalued crop competition. Target-neighbor design pot studies examined wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) competition effects on biomass and seed production of rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus Roth), and wild oat (Avena fatua L.). The influence of wheat competition on crop canopy distribution of weed biomass and seed production was also examined. At the current commercially targeted wheat density (120 plants m−2) weed biomass was reduced by 69%, 73%, 72%, and 49% and seed production by 78%, 78%, 77%, and 50% for L. rigidum, R. raphanistrum, B. diandrus, and A. fatua, respectively, when compared with no competition. These results highlighted the importance of uniform wheat crop establishment in minimizing the ongoing impact of weeds. Enhanced what competition (from 120 to 400 plants m−2) resulted in further smaller, but substantial, reductions in biomass (19%, 13%, 20%, and 39%) and seed production (12%, 13%, 17%, and 45%) for L. rigidum, R. raphanistrum, B. diandrus, and A. fatua, respectively. This enhanced competition also increased weed seed retention in the upper crop canopy (>40 cm) by 35% and 31% for L. rigidum and B. diandrus, respectively, but not for A. fatua and R. raphanistrum, for which weed seed retention was already >80% at the wheat density of 120 plants m−2. Enhanced wheat crop competition, then, has the dual effect of restricting the growth and development of L. rigidum, R. raphanistrum, B. diandrus, and A. fatua as well increasing the susceptibility of these weed species to HWSC.
Atmospheric Model Hierarchies: Connecting Theory and Models
Authors: Maher Penelope , Gerber Edwin
Published: September 2019

Model hierarchies are fundamental to how we model Earth’s climate, allowing us to apply our theoretical understanding, connect simple ideas to the real atmosphere, and test new hypotheses.
Long-term phase 3 study of esaxerenone as mono or combination therapy with other antihypertensive drugs in patients with essential hypertension
Authors: Rakugi Hiromi , Ito Sadayoshi , Itoh Hiroshi , Okuda Yasuyuki , Yamakawa Satoru
Published: September 2019

This study investigated the long-term antihypertensive effects of esaxerenone, a novel nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, alone or in combination with a calcium channel blocker (CCB) or a renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor, in Japanese patients with essential hypertension. Patients were treated with esaxerenone starting at 2.5 mg/day increasing to 5 mg/day if required to achieve blood pressure (BP) targets as a monotherapy or with a CCB or RAS inhibitor. After the first 12 weeks of treatment, an additional antihypertensive agent could be added if required to achieve the target BP; the total treatment period was 28 or 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was a change from baseline in sitting BP. Of the 368 enrolled patients, 245 received monotherapy, and 59 and 64, respectively, took a CCB or RAS inhibitor concurrently. Mean changes from baseline in sitting systolic/diastolic BP (95% confidence intervals) at weeks 12, 28 and 52 were −16.1 (−17.3, −14.9)/−7.7 (−8.4, −6.9), −18.9 (−20.2, −17.7)/−9.9 (−10.7, −9.2), and −23.1 (−25.0, −21.1)/−12.5 (−13.6, −11.3) mmHg, respectively (all P < 0.0001 vs baseline). Similar BP reductions at these weeks were observed between all patient subgroups stratified by age, and the observed decreases in 24-h ambulatory BP were consistent with the efficacy observed in sitting BP. Esaxerenone was also well-tolerated with a rate of hyperkalemia at 5.4% (serum potassium ≥5.5 mEq/L), indicating a good safety profile for treatment over the long-term or in combination with a CCB or RAS inhibitor. In conclusion, esaxerenone may be a promising treatment option for patients with hypertension.
Transient Mitomycin C-treatment of human corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts alters cell migration, cytokine secretion, and matrix accumulation
Authors: Pal-Ghosh Sonali , Tadvalkar Gauri , Lieberman Verna Rose , Guo Xiaoqing , Zieske James D. , Hutcheon Audrey , Stepp Mary Ann
Published: September 2019

A single application of Mitomycin C (MMC) is used clinically in ophthalmology to reduce scarring and enhance wound resolution after surgery. Here we show in vitro that a 3-hour MMC treatment of primary and telomerase immortalized human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) cells impacts their migration and adhesion. Transient MMC treatment induces HCLE expression of senescence associated secretory factors, cytokine secretion, and deposition of laminin 332 for several days. Transient MMC treatment also reduces migration and deposition of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1)-stimulated collagen by corneal fibroblasts. Using conditioned media from control and MMC treated cells, we demonstrate that factors secreted by MMC-treated corneal epithelial cells attenuate collagen deposition by HCFs whereas those secreted by MMC-treated HCFs do not. These studies are the first to probe the roles played by corneal epithelial cells in reducing collagen deposition by corneal fibroblasts in response to MMC.
High energy proton micro-bunches from a laser plasma accelerator
Authors: Sharma Ashutosh , Kamperidis Christos
Published: September 2019

Recent advances on laser-driven ion accelerators have sparked an increased interest in such energetic particle sources, particularly towards the viability of their usage in a breadth of applications, such as high energy physics and medical applications. Here, we identify a new ion acceleration mechanism and we demonstrate, via particle-in-cell simulations, for the first time the generation of high energy, monochromatic proton micro-bunches while witnessing the acceleration and self-modulation of the accelerated proton beam in a dual-gas target, consisting of mixed ion species. In the proposed ion acceleration mechanism due to the interaction of an ultra-short, ultra-intense (2 PW, 20 fs) laser pulses with near-critical-density partially ionized plasmas (C & H species), we numerically observed high energy monochromatic proton microbunches of high quality (peak proton energy 350 MeV, laser to proton conversion efficiency ~10−4 and angular divergence <10 degree), which can be of high relevance for medical applications. We envisage that through this scheme, the range of attained energies and the monochromaticity of the accelerated protons can be increased with existing laser facilities or allow for laser-driven ion acceleration investigations to be pursued at moderate energies in smaller scale laser laboratories, hence reducing the size of the accelerators. The use of mixed-gas targets will enable high repetition rate operation of these accelerators, free of plasma debris and electromagnetic pulse disruptions.
Construction and Operation for Utilities Tunnel Public Project in China: An Analysis Based on G-S Interactive Finance Framework
Authors: Sun Feng , Liu Cheng , Zhou Xiaoguang
Published: September 2019

In reality, non-profitable government organizations, other organizations or individuals (G part) and profitable social organizations or individuals (S part) usually construct and operate utilities tunnel together. As quasi public goods, utilities tunnel public project has the character of big scale construction, high investment and long recycle period. In China, utilities tunnel project is mainly fulfilled by non-profitable government organizations and profitable social companies. This paper uses G-S interactive finance framework to analyze finance design for utilities tunnel public project in China. It also develops and deepens G-S interactive finance framework for utilities tunnel project. China’s experience is useful for other countries to construct and operate utilities tunnel engineering project.
Physical methods for increasing press accuracy
Authors: Jirasko J , Hynek M , Keckstein T
Published: September 2019

This paper is focused on the design and use of less conventional and unconventional physical methods for achieving higher press accuracy. The methods are applied to three presses, and their contribution and possibilities for using them in practice are evaluated. The limitations, benefits, and options of their use are defined for each method. The generalized outputs are also applicable for other machines.
Microtension control for a yarn winding system with an IMC PID controller
Authors: Wang Qing , Li Anqing , Li Yuanyuan , Liu Jixin , Shen Hui , Li Guoyong
Published: September 2019

In this paper, feedforward compensation and an internal model control (IMC) PID tuning method to maintain the yarn tension within a micro-boundary range are proposed. The proposed method can be used to improve the quality of products in textile industry. We first develop a mathematical model of the AC servo motor and yarn tension system. Based on the results of the mathematical model, an IMC PID controller is designed to control the microtension of the yarn. The proposed IMC-PID controller can be directly calculated from the time constant and time delay. Feedforward control is used to compensate for the linear velocity of the winding roller. To reduce the lateral vibrations of the yarn, we designed an active roller to nip the moving yarn. The active roller compensates for the variation in the diameter of the unwinding roller. The proposed method effectively improves the dynamics performance and the robustness of the system, and is appropriate for industrial application. Experimental instruments, including a tension sensor, an AC servo motor and a motion controller, equipped with a computer, are used to test the proposed method. The simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed controller for the yarn microtension control system.
Clemens, Carl und Friedrich von Bönninghausen
Authors: Baschin Marion
Published: September 2019

Im vorliegenden Artikel werden die Homöopathen Clemens, Carl und Friedrich von Bönninghausen porträtiert. Deren homöopathische praktische Tätigkeit wird anhand der geführten Krankenjournale dargestellt. Zudem wird beleuchtet, welche Verdienste sie um die Homöopathie erworben haben.
The strategic use of argumentation from example in re-evaluating a people
Authors: Omar Ahmed Abdulhameed
Published: September 2019

With the help of the extended pragma-dialectical theory, this paper aims to analyze how Al Aswany, an Egyptian political columnist who argued in favor of the feasibility of democratization before the Arab Spring, maneuvered strategically by argumentation from example in two of his columns in supporting the standpoint that the Egyptian people had become no longer politically inactive. The analysis is conducted in view of the institutional preconditions of political columns and the specific rhetorical exigency a columnist may face in this specific argumentative situation.
The rearrangement number
Authors: Blass Andreas , Brendle Jörg , Brian Will , Hamkins Joel , Hardy Michael , Larson Paul
Published: September 2019

How many permutations of the natural numbers are needed so that every conditionally convergent series of real numbers can be rearranged to no longer converge to the same sum? We define the rearrangement number, a new cardinal characteristic of the continuum, as the answer to this question. We compare the rearrangement number with several natural variants, for example one obtained by requiring the rearranged series to still converge but to a new, finite limit. We also compare the rearrangement number with several well-studied cardinal characteristics of the continuum. We present some new forcing constructions designed to add permutations that rearrange series from the ground model in particular ways, thereby obtaining consistency results going beyond those that follow from comparisons with familiar cardinal characteristics. Finally, we deal briefly with some variants concerning rearrangements by a special sort of permutation and with rearranging some divergent series to become (conditionally) convergent.
A local to global argument on low dimensional manifolds
Authors: Nariman Sam
Published: September 2019

For an oriented manifold

M
M

whose dimension is less than

4
4

, we use the contractibility of certain complexes associated to its submanifolds to cut

M
M

into simpler pieces in order to do local to global arguments. In particular, in these dimensions, we give a different proof of a deep theorem of Thurston in foliation theory that says the natural map between classifying spaces

B

Homeo

δ

⁡
(
M
)
→

B

Homeo
⁡
(
M
)

\mathrm {B}\operatorname {Homeo}^{\delta }(M)\to \mathrm {B} \operatorname {Homeo}(M)

induces a homology isomorphism where

Homeo

δ

⁡
(
M
)

\operatorname {Homeo}^{\delta }(M)

denotes the group of homeomorphisms of

M
M

made discrete. Our proof shows that in low dimensions, Thurston’s theorem can be proved without using foliation theory. Finally, we show that this technique gives a new perspective on the homotopy type of homeomorphism groups in low dimensions. In particular, we give a different proof of Hacher’s theorem that the homeomorphism groups of Haken

3
3

-manifolds with boundary are homotopically discrete without using his disjunction techniques.