bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do You Have to Reply to This Paper?
Authors: Smilansky Saul
Published: November 2020

I explore the question of whether one has to reply to a paper such as this, and consider what a positive answer (in any respect) would teach us. I argue for a qualified Yes. By “reply” I refer to an attempt to write a paper responding to the original one, which addresses (some of) the major claims made in it. I first ask what philosophical papers are for, and note the important role played by replies to them. I consider special obligations to reply to philosophical papers; and the weaker pro tanto obligations that might exist for most professional philosophers. Finally, I consider objections to my claims; and the broader implications if my case is plausible.
Zur Normativität von Praktiken
Authors: Wagenknecht Susann
Published: November 2020

Der Aufsatz widmet sich der Diskussion neuerer praxistheoretischer Ansätze und ihrem Umgang mit Normativität. Wie können Praktiken gerade in und durch ihre Normativität gefasst werden, ohne hinter grundlegende praxistheoretische Positionen zurückzufallen? Im Rückgriff auf Rouse beantwortet der Aufsatz diese Frage mit einem normativen Begriff von Praktiken, der deren Kohärenz nicht über ihre Regelmäßigkeit, sondern über normative Verweiszusammenhänge bestimmt. Mit Bezug zu Schatzki lässt sich zudem die Rolle von expliziten Regeln in jenen Verweiszusammenhängen hervorheben. Die so gewonnene normative Perspektive auf Praktiken kann neuere praxistheoretische Ansätze sowohl in begrifflicher als auch in methodischer Hinsicht ergänzen.
Minimum energy optimal external torque control of human binocular vision
Authors: Ghosh Bijoy K. , Athukorallage Bhagya
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we consider eyes from the human binocular system, that simultaneously gaze on stationary point targets in space, while optimally skipping from one target to the next, by rotating their individual gaze directions. The head is assumed fixed on the torso and the rotating gaze directions of the two eyes are assumed restricted to pass through a point in the visual space. It is further assumed that, individually the rotations of the two eyes satisfy the well known Listing’s law. We formulate and study a combined optimal gaze rotation for the two eyes, by constructing a single Riemannian metric, on the associated parameter space. The goal is to optimally rotate so that the convergent gaze changes between two pre-specified target points in a finite time interval [0, 1]. The cost function we choose is the total energy, measured by the $$L^2$$

L
2

norm, of the six external torques on the binocular system. The torque functions are synthesized by solving an associated ‘two-point boundary value problem’. The paper demonstrates, via simulation, the shape of the optimal gaze trajectory of the focused point of the binocular system. The Euclidean distance between the initial and the final point is compared to the arc-length of the optimal trajectory. The consumed energy, is computed for different eye movement chores and discussed in the paper. Via simulation we observe that certain eye movement maneuvers are energy efficient and demonstrate that the optimal external torque is a linear function in time. We also explore and conclude that splitting an arbitrary optimal eye movement into optimal vergence and version components is not energy efficient although this is how the human oculomotor control seems to operate. Optimal gaze trajectories and optimal external torque functions reported in this paper is new.
A Functional Polymorphism in HIF-3α Is Related to an Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Gu Xi-Xi , Tang Zhuan-Zhi , He Yong-Ling , Zeng Zhi-Neng , Shi Wu-Xiang , Qiao Yong-Chao , Wei Ye-Sheng
Published: November 2020

Hypoxia-inducible factor-3α (HIF-3α), a member of HIF family, can mediate adaptive responses to low oxygen and ischemia. It is believed that HIF plays crucial roles in stroke-related diseases. However, there are no reports on the association between HIF-3α genetic variants and ischemic stroke (IS) susceptibility. Therefore, we examined the association between HIF-3α gene polymorphisms (rs3826795, rs2235095, and rs3764609) and IS risk. The study population included 302 controls and 310 patients with ischemic stroke. Three polymorphisms in HIF-3α (rs3826795, rs2235095, and rs3764609) were genotyped using SNPscan technique. Our study showed a strong association of rs3826795 in HIF-3α with the risk of IS. The genotype and allele frequencies were shown to differ between the two groups. The rs3826795 in an intron of HIF-3α was related to a prominent increased IS risk (AA vs GG adjusted odd ratio [OR], 2.21; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI], 1.10–4.44; P = 0.03; AA vs AG/GG OR = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.02–2.97, P = 0.04; A vs G OR = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.05–2.07, P = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis suggested that rs3826795 posed a risk factor for IS in addition to common factors. Furthermore, when compared to controls, increased levels of homocysteic acid and level of non-esterified fatty acid were found in the cases (P < 0.01). However, no significant association was found between rs2235095 or rs3264609 and IS risk. These findings indicated that the rs3826795 polymorphism may be a potential target for predicting the risk of IS.
Dolomitization of the Ordovician subsalt Majiagou Formation in the central Ordos Basin, China: fluid origins and dolomites evolution
Authors: Xiong Ying , Wang Li-Chao , Tan Xiu-Cheng , Liu Yun , Liu Ming-Jie , Qiao Zhan-Feng
Published: November 2020

The Middle Ordovician subsalt Majiagou Formation in the Ordos Basin comprises pervasively dolomitized shallow marine limestone and is a major reservoir rich in natural gas resources. Four types of dolomite matrix and cement were identified based on petrographic textures: (very) finely crystalline, non-planar to planar-s matrix dolomite (Md1); finely to medium crystalline, planar-s to planar-e matrix dolomite (Md2); microbialites comprising dolomite microcrystals (Md3); and finely to coarsely crystalline dolomite cement (Cd). The Md1 and Md2 dolomites were controlled by alternating lagoon-shoal facies and have δ13C values (− 1.89 to + 1.45‰ VPDB for Md1, − 1.35 to + 0.42‰ VPDB for Md2) that fall within or are slightly higher than the coeval seawater, suggesting the dolomitizing fluid of evaporated seawater. Md2 dolomite was then subjected to penecontemporaneous karstification by meteoric water and burial recrystallization by sealed brines during diagenesis, as indicated by its relatively lower δ18O values (− 8.89 to − 5.73‰ VPDB) and higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.708920–0.710199). Md3 dolomite comprises thrombolite and stromatolite and is interpreted to form by a combination of initial microbial mediation and later replacive dolomitization related to evaporated seawater. Cd dolomite was associated with early-formed karst system in the Md2 host dolomite. The lowest δ18O values (− 11.78 to − 10.18‰ VPDB) and 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.708688–0.708725) and fluid inclusion data (Th: 123–175 °C) indicate involvement of hydrothermal fluid from which the Cd dolomite precipitated during deep burial. These results reveal the multi-stage dolomitization history of the Majiagou Formation and provide new constraints on fluid origins and dolomites evolution during deep burial in old superimposed basins, such as the Ordos Basin and elsewhere.
The Devonian/Carboniferous boundary interval in Poland: multidisciplinary studies in pelagic (Holy Cross Mountains and Sudetes) and ramp (Western Pomerania) successions
Authors: Matyja Hanna , Woroncowa-Marcinowska Tatiana , Filipiak Paweł , Brański Paweł , Sobień Katarzyna
Published: November 2020

A multidisciplinary study of the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary interval in pelagic successions of the Holy Cross Mountains and Sudetes and the ramp successions in the Western Pomerania region (Poland) is presented herein. The analysis applies the results of new palaeontological and biostratigraphic studies based mainly on conodonts, ammonoids and palynomorphs, biostratigraphic results interpreted earlier by different authors that have been re-examined, and geochemical and mineralogical characteristics, as well as magnetic susceptibility measurements across the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary interval. The study is focused on the interval from the Famennianultimusconodont Zone to the Tournaisianduplicataconodont Zone, and from the Famennianlepidophyta–explanatus(LE) miospore Zone to the Tournaisianverrucosus–incohatus(VI) miospore Zone, respectively. The paper highlights sections, which are the most representative for the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary in each region, illustrates and summarises current knowledge on the uppermost Famennian to lowermost Tournaisian in these regions, gives data and correlation of the important stratigraphic markers for each region, and briefly correlates them outside the region. The sedimentary successions and specific phenomena, together with microscale environmental perturbations, recognised close to the Devonian/Carboniferous boundary in Poland, display a pattern similar to that observed in many areas in Europe during the Hangenberg Event.
Land Subsidence due to Leakage of Aquitard-aquifer Pore Water in an Under-construction Tunnel of East-West Metro Railway Project, Kolkata
Authors: Banerjee S. , Sikdar P. K.
Published: November 2020

Palaeo-geographical conditions control the sedimentological and hydrological heterogeneity within the upper aquitard and late Pleistocene aquifers beneath Kolkata. Such complexity at Bowbazar was unmapped prior to the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) of East-West metro project which hit the local aquifer at 14 m depth. This led to development of cracks in tens of buildings due to land subsidence; few of which collapsed immediately, and some stood in such a precarious position to be eventually razed. Mass evacuation was undertaken from the area. This paper assesses the local hydrogeological conditions and hydrostatic pressure of the aquitard-aquifer system that caused the disastrous land subsidence.
A Comparative Heavy Mineral Study of the Cenozoic Sediments of Assam and Siwalik Foreland Basins, Northeast Himalaya
Authors: Rai Priti , Borgohain Biraj , Chettri Nisha , Mathew George
Published: November 2020

Heavy mineral assemblages of sedimentary units are used as an essential provenance constraint. The sedimentary successions of the southern Assam and Siwalik foreland basins were analyzed for their heavy mineral suits and provenance determination. Heavy minerals were identified using the petrological microscope, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) analyses. The study demonstrates that heavy minerals weight percentage in the southern Assam basin is lower than that of the northeast (NE) Siwalik basin. In the Assam basin, the weight percentage of dense minerals varies from 0.08% to 1.31%; however, in the Siwalik sediments, it varies from 2.27% to 5.78%. The relative dominance of opaque minerals over transparent heavy minerals is observed throughout the Cenozoic rocks of Assam basin, except for the Tipam unit. At the same time, the Siwalik basin successions show a low percentage of opaque minerals and high amount of non-opaque heavies. Detritus in the Assam basin reveals a distinct change in the occurrence of heavy mineral assemblages (amphibole, aluminosilicates, staurolite and a high percentage of epidote, pyroxene and sphene) in the Mio-Pliocene unit (Tipam sandstone) compared to Barail and Surma older units, implying involvement of an additional orogenic source. This study suggests that NE Siwalik sediments were primarily derived from Himalayan rocks of the Siang window, while heavies in the detritus of the southern Assam basin exhibits a mixed provenance both from the eastern Himalaya, chiefly from Dibang and Lohit valley and Indo-Burman-Ranges (IBR).
Slope Stability Analysis along NH 1D from Sonamarg to Kargil, J&K, India: Implications for Landslide Risk Reduction
Authors: Nanda Aadil M. , Yousuf Maqbool , Islam Zahoor Ul , Ahmed Pervez , Kanth T. A.
Published: November 2020

The present work attempts to analyze the slope stability of road section along the national highway NH-1D from Sonamarg to Kargil in the erstwhile J&K, India. The rugged and treacherous terrain in this region is prone to frequent slope failures taking heavy toll of life, property and inconveniences to commuters due to disruption of vehicular movement. For slope study analysis twenty facets were chosen for detail based kinematic analysis and Rock Mass Rating (RMR) to identify the causes and types of failure and potential failure directions. The RMR values obtained from the study range from17 to 96, representing very poor to very good rating and the slopes range from completely unstable to completely stable. The kinematic analysis reveals that most joint planes intersect with each other in different directions consequently forming different potential failure modes. The study concludes that the existing slopes require urgent mitigation measures to thwart the failure.
A GIS-based Methodology for Assigning a Flux Boundary to a Numerical Groundwater Flow Model and Its Effect on Model Calibration
Authors: Kumar Satyendra , Vivekanand   , Narjary Bhaskar , Kumar Neeraj , Kaur Samanpreet , Yadav R. K. , Kamra S. K.
Published: November 2020

Groundwater flow modeling is an important tool for understanding and computing hydrology and water availability of an aquifer zone. However, an accurate representation of boundaries and their initial conditions are vital for simulation of the groundwater flow phenomena. In this study, efforts have been made to develop a GIS based methodology for estimating flux across boundaries of the study area using Darcy flow tool. The spatial maps of topography, bore log, transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, porosity and groundwater levels for the study area were created in ArcGIS 9.3.1 using krigging method. A buffer zone of 1×1 km2 cell size was created on inner and outer side of the boundaries and Darcy flow model was used to estimate specified flux across boundaries. The groundwater behavior of the study area was simulated with specified flux boundary condition (Neumann boundary condition) and no flow boundary condition to assess importance and estimation accuracy of estimated flux. Darcy model output indicates that flux across the boundaries contributed about 36.20 mm in average annual change in groundwater table depth. With estimated specified flux, simulation accuracy of groundwater flow model (R2) increased to 0.97 from 0.90. The satisfactory level (R2=0.97) of simulation accuracy reveals that developed methodology can be used for estimating flux across boundaries in the absence of physical boundaries.
Strategic generation investment using a stochastic rolling-horizon MPEC approach
Authors: Kallabis Thomas , Gabriel Steven A. , Weber Christoph
Published: November 2020

Investments in power generation assets are multi-year projects with high costs and multi-decade lifetimes. Since market circumstances can significantly change over time, investments into such assets are risky and require structured decision-support systems. Investment decisions and dispatch in electricity spot markets are connected, thus requiring anticipation of expected market outcomes. This strategic situation can be described as a bilevel optimization problem. At the upper level, an investor decides on investments while anticipating the market results. At the lower level, a market operator maximizes welfare given consumer demand and installed generation assets as well as producer price bids. In this paper, we formulate this problem as a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC). We consider this model to include a dynamic, rolling-horizon optimization. This structure splits the investment process into multiple stages, allowing the modification of wait-and-see decisions. This is a realistic representation of actors making their decision under imperfect information and has the advantage of allowing the players to adjust their data in between rolls. This more closely models real-world decision-making and allows for learning and other feedback in between rolls. The rolling-horizon formulation also has the beneficial byproduct of computational advantage over a fixed-horizon stochastic optimization formulation since smaller problems are solved and we provide supporting numerical results to this point.
Effect of contact geometry on the friction of acrylamide hydrogels with different surface structures
Authors: Liu Wenrui , Simič Rok , Liu Yuhong , Spencer Nicholas D.
Published: November 2020

Polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels with brush-covered or crosslinked surfaces were produced and their tribological behavior was studied over a wide range of sliding speeds for two different contact geometries: sphere-on-flat and flat-pin-on-flat. Irrespective of the contact geometry, the brushy hydrogel surfaces displayed up to an order of magnitude lower coefficients of friction μ (COF) compared to the crosslinked surfaces, even achieving superlubricity (μ < 0.01). In general, a hydrogel sphere showed a lower coefficient of friction than a flat hydrogel pin at a similar contact pressure over the entire range of sliding speeds. However, after normalizing the friction force by the contact area, the shear stress of hydrogels with either crosslinked or brushy surfaces was found to be similar for both contact geometries at low speeds, indicating that hydrogel friction is unaffected by the contact geometry at these speeds. At high sliding speeds, the shear stress was found to be lower for a sphere-on-flat configuration compared to a flat-pin-on-flat configuration. This can be attributed to the larger equivalent hydrodynamic thickness due to the convergent inlet zone ahead of the sphere-on-flat contact, which presumably enhances the water supply in the contact, promotes rehydration, and thus reduces the friction at high sliding speeds compared to that measured for the flat-pin-on-flat contact.
Exploring the role of −NH2 functional groups of ethylenediamine in chemical mechanical polishing of GCr15 bearing steel
Authors: Wu Hanqiang , Jiang Liang , Zhong Xia , Liu Jinwei , Qin Na , Qian Linmao
Published: November 2020

Ethylenediamine with two −NH2functional groups was used as a critical complexing agent in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurries for a high carbon chromium GCr15 bearing steel (equivalent to AISI 52100). The polishing performance and corresponding mechanism of −NH2functional groups were thoroughly investigated as a function of pH. It is revealed that, when polished with ethylenediamine and H2O2-based slurries, the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughnessRaof GCr15 steel gradually decrease as pH increases. Compared with acidic pH of 4.0, at alkaline pH of 10.0, the surface film of GCr15 steel has much higher corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and thus the material removal caused by the pure corrosion and corrosion-enhanced wear are greatly inhibited, resulting in much lower MRR andRa. Moreover, it is confirmed that a more protective composite film, consisting of more Fe3+hydroxides/oxyhydroxides and complex compounds with −NH2functional groups of ethylenediamine, can be formed at pH of 10.0. Additionally, the polishing performance of pure iron and a medium carbon 45 steel exhibits a similar trend as GCr15 steel. The findings suggest that acidic pH could be feasible for amine groups-based complexing agents to achieve efficient CMP of iron-based metals.
A Brief Review and Advances of Thermographic Image - Processing Methods for IRT Inspection: a Case of Study on GFRP Plate
Authors: Panella F.W. , Pirinu A. , Dattoma V.
Published: November 2020

The present work introduces a different data processing strategy, proposed in order to improve sub-surface defect detection on industrial composites; in addition, a resume of thermal data processing with most common algorithms in literature is presented and applied with new data. A deep comparison between the common absolute contrast, DAC, PCT, TSR and derivative methods and a new proposed contrast mapping procedure is implemented. Thermographic inspection was done in reflection mode on a Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic plate, with flat bottom hole defects. Thermal data computation method is found to be critical for simultaneous defect detection and automatic mapping, optimized to identify defect boundaries at specific depth, with help of accurate image processing, implemented in a Matlab GUI for a reliable and rapid characterization of internal damage. The new processing approach, the Local Boundary Contrast method, elaborates different contrast maps and facilitates recognition of damage extension. Tanimoto criterion and the signal-to-noise ratio method were applied as a criterion to assess defect detectability of various processing methods.
Dual‐centered ANCOVA: Resolving contradictory results from Lord's paradox with implications for reducing bias in longitudinal analyses☆
Authors: Lin Hua , Larzelere Robert E.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Valid causal inferences are necessary to use developmental research to improve adolescent outcomes. What type of change should be analyzed to approximate causal inferences from longitudinal data? Difference‐score and ANCOVA‐type analyses often produce contradictory results, a problem known as Lord's paradox. This study investigates 2‐group, 2‐wave difference‐score analyses and ANCOVA, and introduces a method that produces consistent results, namely dual‐centered ANCOVA, which is compared to pretest matching.

Methods

These methods are tested first on two datasets simulated to fit each of Lord's contrasting results. The methods are then applied to data investigating the longitudinal associations of parent‐adolescent discussions about sexual risks on subsequent unprotected sexual behaviors in 4753 American adolescents (62.2% whites).

Results

The results replicate Lord's contradictory results for all datasets. Dual‐centered ANCOVA and pretest matching both produce consistent results, but dual‐centered ANCOVA replicates the original results for difference‐score analyses, whereas pretest matching replicates the original ANCOVA results. Thus, the two sets of consistent results differ from each other as much as the original discrepancy rather than reducing bias.

Conclusion

The least biased analysis is the one whose null hypothesis best approximates a plausible change pattern to represent a no‐treatment effect. When difference‐score analyses are thought to approximate valid causal inferences as closely as ANCOVA‐type analyses, dual‐centered ANCOVA estimates the difference‐score effect while retaining the advantages of ANCOVA in statistical power and covariate inclusion. These findings are widely applicable to longitudinal analyses that incorporate one or both of these basic methods to analyze change.
Using shock control bumps to improve engine intake performance and operability
Authors: John A. , Bower J. , Qin N. , Shahpar S. , Smith A.
Published: November 2020

Shock control bumps can be used to control and weaken the shock waves that form on engine intakes at high angles of attack. In this paper, it is demonstrated how shock control bumps applied to an engine intake can reduce or eliminate shock-induced separation at high incidence, and also increase the incidence at which critical separation occurs. Three-dimensional Reynolds-average Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations are used to model the flow through a large civil aircraft engine intake at high incidence. The variation in shock strength and separation with incidence is first studied, along with the flow distribution around the nacelle. An optimisation process is then employed to design shock control bumps that reduce shock strength and separation at a fixed high incidence condition. The bump geometry is allowed to vary in shape, size, streamwise position and circumferential direction around the nacelle. This is shown to be key to the success of the shock control geometry. A further step is then taken, using the optimisation methodology to design bumps that can increase the incidence at which critical separation occurs. It is shown that, by using this approach, the operating range of the engine intake can be increased by at least three degrees.
Omissions and Their Effects
Authors: MONTMINY MARTIN
Published: November 2020

According to what I call theidentity view, omissions are actual events. For example, the nominal ‘Ali's non-jogging’ denotes whatever Ali is doing at the time she is said not to be jogging. Some have objected that omissions (and more generally absences) cannot be events, since the two do not have the same causal relations. I show how advocates of the identity view can offer a pragmatic account of the data the objection relies on.
Career-related teacher support: A review of roles that teachers play in supporting students’ career planning
Authors: Wong Lawrence P.W. , Yuen Mantak , Chen Gaowei
Published: November 2020

Preparing adolescents for transitioning from school to work has become a priority across all developed countries due to the increasingly difficult labour market conditions and changes related to technological advances. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional uncertainties in the world of work. This article reviews the concept of career-related teacher support (CRTS) and illustrates the different roles that school teachers can have in influencing students’ career planning and decision making. The information should be beneficial to teachers, counsellors, researchers and policy-makers seeking to optimise school-based career guidance and counselling practices. Brief suggestions are also provided for future research and practice.
Arnebolagus, the oldest eulagomorph, and phylogenetic relationships within the Eocene Eulagomorpha new clade (Mammalia, Duplicidentata)
Authors: Lopatin Alexey V. , Averianov Alexander O.
Published: November 2020

Arnebolagus leporinusLopatin and Averianov, 2008, known previously from a single tooth (P3) from the early Eocene Bumban Member of Naran Bulak Formation at Tsagan-Khushu locality in Mongolia, is redescribed based on additional specimens from the type locality. Phylogenetic relationships of Eocene stem lagomorphs from Asia and North America are reconstructed for the first time based on a parsimony analysis of 54 morphological characters and 32 taxa. Two new node-based clades are proposed, stemming from the most-recent common ancestor ofLepusLinnaeus, 1758 andDawsonolagusLi, Meng, and Wang, 2007 (Eulagomorpha new clade, ‘lagomorphs of the modern aspect’) and from the most-recent common ancestor ofLepusandGobiolagusBurke, 1941 (Epilagomorpha new clade).ArnebolagusLopatin and Averianov, 2008 is geologically oldest and the most plesiomorphic eulagomorph, similar toDawsonolagusfrom the early Eocene Arshanto Formation of China in its weakly pronounced, unilateral hypsodonty of the upper cheek teeth and its brachyodont lower cheek teeth with separate roots.Arnebolagusis more plesiomorphic thanDawsonolagusin having two roots of P4.Arnebolagusis the oldest known eulagomorph, the only taxon known from the earliest Eocene Bumbanian Asiatic Land Mammal Age (ALMA). The other Asiatic early Eocene eulagomorphs (Dawsonolagus,AktashmysAverianov, 1994, andRomanolagusShevyreva, 1995) come from the Arshantan ALMA.
Maximizing the pth moment of the exit time of planar brownian motion from a given domain
Authors: Boudabra Maher , Markowsky Greg
Published: November 2020

In this paper we address the question of finding the point which maximizes the pth moment of the exit time of planar Brownian motion from a given domain. We present a geometrical method for excluding parts of the domain from consideration which makes use of a coupling argument and the conformal invariance of Brownian motion. In many cases the maximizing point can be localized to a relatively small region. Several illustrative examples are presented.
The empirical mean position of a branching Lévy process
Authors: Cheek David , Shneer Seva
Published: November 2020

We consider a supercritical branching Lévy process on the real line. Under mild moment assumptions on the number of offspring and their displacements, we prove a second-order limit theorem on the empirical mean position.
A temporal factorization at the maximum for certain positive self-similar Markov processes
Authors: Vidmar Matija
Published: November 2020

For a spectrally negative self-similar Markov process on $[0,\infty)$ with an a.s. finite overall supremum, we provide, in tractable detail, a kind of conditional Wiener–Hopf factorization at the maximum of the absorption time at zero, the conditioning being on the overall supremum and the jump at the overall supremum. In a companion result the Laplace transform of this absorption time (on the event that the process does not go above a given level) is identified under no other assumptions (such as the process admitting a recurrent extension and/or hitting zero continuously), generalizing some existing results in the literature.
Multivariate finite-support phase-type distributions
Authors: Pavithra Celeste R. , Deepak T. G.
Published: November 2020

We introduce a multivariate class of distributions with support I, a k-orthotope in
$[0,\infty)^{k}$
, which is dense in the set of all k-dimensional distributions with support I. We call this new class ‘multivariate finite-support phase-type distributions’ (MFSPH). Though we generally define MFSPH distributions on any finite k-orthotope in
$[0,\infty)^{k}$
, here we mainly deal with MFSPH distributions with support
$[0,1)^{k}$
. The distribution function of an MFSPH variate is computed by using that of a variate in the MPH
$^{*} $
class, the multivariate class of distributions introduced by Kulkarni (1989). The marginal distributions of MFSPH variates are found as FSPH distributions, the class studied by Ramaswami and Viswanath (2014). Some properties, including the mixture property, of MFSPH distributions are established. Estimates of the parameters of a particular class of bivariate finite-support phase-type distributions are found by using the expectation-maximization algorithm. Simulated samples are used to demonstrate how this class could be used as approximations for bivariate finite-support distributions.
The pleasure principle
Authors: Wuttke Alexander
Published: November 2020

Existing theories struggle when political engagement is an end in itself. To explain intrinsically motivated engagement in politics, this study synthesizes psychological theories to deduce a need-based theory of political motivation. It posits that intrinsic political motivation has roots in seemingly apolitical processes of need satisfaction that are universal and deeply ingrained in the human psyche. However, in a high-powered survey experiment, 14 of 15 preregistered analytical tests did not yield the expected evidence for the basic tenet that previous need-related experiences with politics affect the quality and quantity of future activities in the political domain. Showcasing a stepwise approach to engage with null results in hypothesis-driven research, post hoc analyses solidify the null findings, which call into question the validity of the presented theory and the previous evidence on which it was built. This study thus enhances our understanding of what does and does not underlie intrinsic motivation for political engagement.
A randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young men (the ‘AMMEND’ study): a study protocol
Authors: Bayes Jessica , Schloss Janet , Sibbritt David
Published: November 2020

Depression affects approximately 350 million people worldwide. Evidence suggests that diet plays an important role with the Mediterranean diet (MD) displaying promising preliminary results. Currently, most of the research is conducted on women and older adults; however, the majority of mental illnesses occur before the age of 25 years. Men are less likely to seek help than women with only 13 % of young men aged 15–24 years seeking help for their mental health. Young men are hugely underrepresented in the current research which poses a significant issue. A 12-week randomised controlled trial will be conducted to examine the effect of a MD on the symptoms of depression in young men aged 18–25 years. Participants will be randomised to either follow a MD or receive the inactive control therapy befriending. Participants will attend three appointments at baseline, week 6 and week 12. The main outcome will be changes to the Beck’s Depression Inventory score. This research aims to answer the question of whether diet can be used effectively in this population. This will be the first trial to examine the effect of a MD on the symptoms of depression in young men. This trial will help fill a significant research gap, contribute to the growing field of nutritional psychiatry, guide future research and inform advice given by clinicians to this specific demographic.
Saraiki
Authors: Atta Firdos , van de Weijer Jeroen , Zhu Lei
Published: November 2020

Saraiki (ISO 639-3:skr) is an Indo-Aryan language widely used in Pakistan and India (Bashir, Conners & Hefright 2019). The variety described here is Central Saraiki, spoken in the districts of Multan, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and the northern parts of Dera Ghazi Khan in Pakistan, which form the largest of the Saraiki-speaking areas.1 Geographically, Pakistan is divided into four provinces, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pukhton Khaw (KPK) and Balochistan. Punjabi is spoken in Punjab, and Sindhi is the dominant language in Sindh. Most Pashto speakers live in KPK and Balochistan, while the inhabitants of Balochistan speak Balochi, Brahui and Saraiki. Other than Urdu, Saraiki is the only language which is spoken in all four provinces of Pakistan, with a majority of speakers in southern Punjab.
The Power of Compromise
Authors: Brutger Ryan
Published: November 2020

In an era of increasingly public diplomacy, conventional wisdom assumes that leaders who compromise damage their reputations and lose the respect of their constituents, which undermines the prospects for international peace and cooperation. This article challenges this assumption and tests how leaders can negotiate compromises and avoid paying domestic approval and reputation costs. Drawing on theories of individuals’ core values, psychological processes, and partisanship, the author argues that leaders reduce or eliminate domestic public constraints by exercising proposal power and initiating compromises. Employing survey experiments to test how public approval and perceptions of reputation respond to leaders’ strategies across security and economic issues, the author finds attitudes toward compromise are conditioned by the ideology of the audience and leader, with audiences of liberals being more supportive of compromise. In the US case, this results in Republican presidents having greater leeway to negotiate compromises. The article’s contributions suggest that leaders who exercise proposal power have significant flexibility to negotiate compromise settlements in international bargaining.
Social capital in retirement villages: a literature review
Authors: Schwitter Nicole
Published: November 2020

Retirement villages are a model of extra-care housing, offering purpose-designed housing that incorporates both care services and a range of non-care-related facilities and activities. These generate opportunities for formal and informal social activity, and promote community engagement, solidarity between residents, and active and independent ageing. Providers suggest that retirement villages are able to foster an environment rich in social capital. This study's purpose is to review and summarise key findings on the topic of social capital in retirement villages in the gerontological literature. Social capital is defined as both an individual attribute of single actors and a feature of communities as a whole. A clear conceptualisation of social capital is used to organise the reviewed studies along different dimensions: on an individual level, social networks, trustworthiness and obligations are differentiated, while the collective level distinguishes between system control, system trust and system morality. Thirty-four studies are reviewed. While retirement villages are generally described as friendly places with widespread helping behaviour where new friends are made, research has also highlighted the difficulty of socially integrating the frail and very old. While, in particular, social networks and system morality have received much attention, there is a clear need for future research into the other domains of social capital.
Directions in orbits of geometrically finite hyperbolic subgroups
Authors: LUTSKO CHRISTOPHER
Published: November 2020

We prove a theorem describing the limiting fine-scale statistics of orbits of a point in hyperbolic space under the action of a discrete subgroup. Similar results have been proved only in the lattice case with two recent infinite-volume exceptions by Zhang for Apollonian circle packings and certain Schottky groups. Our results hold for general Zariski dense, non-elementary, geometrically finite subgroups in any dimension. Unlike in the lattice case orbits of geometrically finite subgroups do not necessarily equidistribute on the whole boundary of hyperbolic space. But rather they may equidistribute on a fractal subset. Understanding the behavior of these orbits near the boundary is central to Patterson–Sullivan theory and much further work. Our theorem characterises the higher order spatial statistics and thus addresses a very natural question. As a motivating example our work applies to sphere packings (in any dimension) which are invariant under the action of such discrete subgroups. At the end of the paper we show how this statistical characterization can be used to prove convergence of moments and to write down the limiting formula for the two-point correlation function and nearest neighbor distribution. Moreover we establish a formula for the 2 dimensional limiting gap distribution (and cumulative gap distribution) which also applies in the lattice case.
The role of hepatitis B infection in anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury: a meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Zheng Jing , Guo Mei-Hong , Peng He-Wei , Cai Xiao-Ling , Wu Yun-Li , Peng Xian-E
Published: November 2020

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common adverse drug reaction leading to the interruption of tuberculosis (TB) therapy. We aimed to identify whether the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection would increase the risk of DILI during first-line TB treatment. A meta-analysis of cohort studies searched in PubMed, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure was conducted. Effect sizes were reported as risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and calculated by R software. Sixteen studies with 3960 TB patients were eligible for analysis. The risk of DILI appeared to be higher in TB patients co-infected with HBV (RR 2.66; 95% CI 2.13–3.32) than those without HBV infection. Moreover, patients with positive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were more likely to develop DILI (RR 3.42; 95% CI 1.95–5.98) compared to those with negative HBeAg (RR 2.30; 95% CI 1.66–3.18). Co-infection with HBV was not associated with a higher rate of anti-TB DILI in latent TB patients (RR 4.48; 95% CI 0.80–24.99). The effect of HBV infection on aggravating anti-TB DILI was independent of study participants, whether they were newly diagnosed with TB or not. Besides, TB and HBV co-infection patients had a longer duration of recovery from DILI compared to non-co-infected patients (SMD 2.26; 95% CI 1.87–2.66). To conclude, the results demonstrate that HBV infection would increase the risk of DILI during TB therapy, especially in patients with positive HBeAg, and close liver function monitoring is needed for TB and HBV co-infection patients.
Combatting Covid-19. Or, “All Persons Are Equal but Some Persons Are More Equal than Others?”
Authors: Harris John
Published: November 2020

Vaccines, when available, will prove to be crucial in the fight against Covid-19. All societies will face acute dilemmas in allocating scarce lifesaving resources in the form of vaccines for Covid-19. The author proposes The Value of Lives Principle as a just and workable plan for equitable and efficient access. After describing what the principle entails, the author contrasts the advantage of this approach with other current proposals such as the Fair Priority Model.
Experiential learning for trainee therapists through a shame attack exercise
Authors: Collard James , Clarke Michael
Published: November 2020

Research on self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR) programmes in training cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have shown promising outcomes over the past decade. To date, the SP/SR framework research has generally focused on entire programmes and has rarely assessed the utility of specific exercises as teaching tools. This study aimed to determine the utility of an exposure intervention known as a shame attack in helping to facilitate CBT training in a clinical psychology programe when delivered in a SP/SR framework. It also sought to examine the potential for the exercise to be used as a form of competency-based assessment. Forty-one student trainees engaged in self-directed shame attack exercises and provided written reflections on their experiences. The reflections were then studied via thematic analysis. The results indicate that the exercise provides an avenue for competency-based assessment of trainee therapists’ conceptual knowledge, formulation skills and intervention planning. It also promoted learning outcomes relating to a ‘deeper’ and more nuanced appreciation of CBT theory and practice. The shame attack exercise provided for personal development and the opportunity to experience typical client challenges with engaging in exposure interventions, which have the potential for enhancing empathy and cognitive behavioural skills.

Key learning aims

(1)

To understand the usefulness of a shame attack exercise for training within a SP/SR framework.

(2)

To examine the potential for using SP/SR as a form of competency-based training.

(3)

To demonstrate the benefits of experiential learning through SP/SR in training CBT.
Investigation of organic corn husk-based flat microwave absorber
Authors: Pattanayak Soumya Sundar , Laskar Shahedul Haque , Sahoo Swagatadeb
Published: November 2020

Design and development of cheap and eco-friendly microwave absorber are one of the challenging and interesting topics for the scientific community nowadays. This paper proposes the design and fabrication of corn husk-based low cost, light-weight, and flexible microwave absorber treated as a promising eco-friendly microwave absorber. In this work, an extensive study on microwave absorption efficiency of corn husk at different thicknesses is performed in the frequency range of 1–20 GHz. The absorber at 5.21 mm thickness possesses a return loss (RL) of −32.72247 dB at 2.255 GHz. The measured RL values agree well with simulated ones, indicating the utility of proposed absorber for various practical microwave absorption applications.
Complementary feeding practices and their association with adiposity indicators at 12 months of age
Authors: Rodríguez-Cano Ameyalli M. , Mier-Cabrera Jennifer , Rodríguez-Hernández Carolina , Allegre-Dávalos Ana L , Muñoz-Manrique Cinthya , Perichart-Perera Otilia
Published: November 2020

Nutrition during the first 1000 days of life represents a window of opportunity to reduce the risk of metabolic dysfunctions later in life. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and adequate introduction of solid foods are essential to promote metabolic and nutritional benefits. We evaluated the association of infant feeding practices from birth to 6 months (M) with adiposity indicators at 12 M. We performed a secondary analysis of 106 healthy term infants born from a cohort of healthy pregnant women. Type of breastfeeding (exclusive or nonexclusive), the start of complementary feeding (CF) (before (<4 M) or after (≥4 M)), and adiposity (body mass index – BMI, body mass index-for-age – BMI/A, waist circumference – WC, and waist circumference–length ratio – WLR) were evaluated at 12 M using descriptive statistics, mean differences, X2, and linear regression models. During the first 6 M, 28.3% (n = 30) of the infants received EBF. Early CF (<4 M) was present in 26.4% (n = 28) of the infants. Children who started CF < 4 M were less breastfed, received added sugars as the most frequently introduced food category, and showed higher BMI, BMI/A, WC, and WLR; those who consumed added sugars early (<4 M) had a higher WC. Starting CF < 4 M was the main factor associated with a higher WC at 12 M. Unhealthy infant feeding practices, such as lack of EBF, early CF, and early introduction of sugars, may be associated with higher adiposity at 12 M.
Psychological Contract Mutuality and Work-related Outcomes: Testing a Mediation Model
Authors: Cioca Iulia A. , Ramos José , Latorre M. Felisa , Estreder Yolanda
Published: November 2020

Psychological contract (PC) describes the labor relationships through the different promises made by the employer towards the employees and the promises made by employees to their employer. PC mutuality is defined as the agreement about whether these promises were actually made. Mutuality is a key element in PC theory. The aim of this study is to test a mediation model of relationships between PC mutuality and work related outcomes, through PC fulfillment. We analyze whether PC mutuality regarding promises made by the employer are significantly related to employees’ affective, attitudinal, and behavioral work-related outcomes, and whether fulfillment of PC promises mediates these relationships. The sample was composed of 942 employees and their HR managers from 47 organizations in three sectors (food, education, and sales). Mediation model is tested, using the bootstrapping technique developed by Hayes (2009). The study provides support for the hypothesized mediation model. Results show that PC mutuality predicts work-related outcomes such as job satisfaction, well-being, organizational commitment, intention to quit, in-role perceived performance, and perceptions of PC violation, and that PC fulfillment partially mediates these relationships. These findings provide theoretical insights into PC theory, highlighting the relevance of PC mutuality. They offer practical suggestions for companies about the importance of achieving mutuality in their relationships with employees in order to increase positive work-related outcomes.
Survey of glyphosate-resistant junglerice (Echinochloa colona) accessions in dicamba-resistant crops in Tennessee
Authors: Perkins Clay M. , Mueller Thomas C. , Steckel Lawrence E.
Published: November 2020

Junglerice has become a major weed in Tennessee cotton and soybean fields. Glyphosate has been relied on to control these accessions over the past two decades, but in recent years cotton and soybean producers have reported junglerice escapes after glyphosate + dicamba and/or clethodim applications. In the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019, a survey was conducted of weed escapes in dicamba-resistant (DR) crops. Junglerice was the most prevalent weed escape in these DR (Roundup Ready Xtend®) cotton and soybean fields in both years of the study. In 2018 and 2019, junglerice was found 76% and 64% of the time in DR cotton and soybean fields, respectively. Progeny from junglerice seeds collected during this survey was screened for glyphosate and clethodim resistance. Seventy percent of the junglerice accessions tested had an effective relative resistance factor to glyphosate of 3.1 to 8.5. In all, 13% of the junglerice accessions could no longer be effectively controlled with glyphosate. This research also showed that all sampled accessions could still be controlled with clethodim in a greenhouse environment, but less control was observed in the field. These data also suggest that another cause for the poor junglerice control is dicamba antagonism of glyphosate and clethodim activity.