bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Absorbing phase transitions in a non-conserving sandpile model
Authors: Göbel Marvin , Gros Claudius 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
We introduce and study a non-conserving sandpile model, the autonomously adapting sandpile (AAS) model, for which a site topples whenever it has two or more grains, distributing three or two grains randomly on its neighboring sites, respectively with probability p  and

. The toppling process is independent of the actual number of grains z

i
of the toppling site, as long as

. For a periodic lattice the model evolves into an inactive state for small p , with the number of active sites becoming stationary for larger values of p . In one and two dimensions we find that the absorbing phase transition occurs for

and

.
The symmetry of bipartite lattices allows states in which all active sites are located alternatingly on one of the two sublattices, A and B, respectively for even and odd times. We show that the AB-sublattice symmetry is spontaneously broken for the AAS model, an observation that holds also for the Manna model. One finds that a metastable AB-symmetry conserving state is transiently observable and that it has the potential to influence the width of the scaling regime, in particular in two dimensions.
The AAS model mimics the behavior of integrate-and-fire neurons which propagate activity independently of the input received, as long as the threshold is crossed. Abstracting from regular lattices, one can identify sites with neurons and consider quenched networks of neurons connected to a fixed number G of other neurons, with G being drawn from a suitable distribution. The neuronal activity is then propagated to G other neurons. The AAS model is hence well suited for theoretical studies of nearly critical brain dynamics. We also point out that the waiting-time distribution allows an avalanche-free experimental access to criticality.
Modelling approach for predicting the superplastic deformation behaviour of titanium alloys with strain hardening/softening characterizations
Authors: Mosleh A O , Mestre-Rinn P , Khalil A M , Kotov A D , Mikhaylovskaya A V 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
This paper introduces an approach for modelling the flow behaviour of different titanium alloys (VT6, OT4-1 and VT14 alloys by Russian specifications) in superplastic deformation temperature and strain rate ranges. The initial microstructure parameters (

d

α
,
β

,

V

α
,
β

) before starting the deformation test were included in the constructed model for each alloy. The investigated alloys have different initial microstructures and flow behaviour characteristics. The isothermal uniaxial tensile deformation tests were performed at the superplastic deformation temperature and strain rate ranges of each alloy. The VT6, OT4-1 alloys were characterized by strain hardening effect during the deformation test, while VT14 alloy was characterized by strain softening effect. A comparison study between the experimental and modelled data was performed. The general equation of the constructed models was affected by the flow behaviour of the investigated alloys. The comparison results proved the good capability of the constructed models to predict the flow behaviour of the studied alloys. The correlation coefficient R was 0.98, 0.95 and 0.97 for VT6, OT4-1 and VT14, respectively. The predictability of the constructed model was assessed by the cross-validation technique, which ascertained the quality of the constructed model.
Urban carbon footprints: a consumption-based approach for Swiss households
Authors: Pang Melissa , Meirelles João , Moreau Vincent , Binder Claudia 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories form the basis of evidence-based climate change planning across the local, regional, national, and international levels. In this letter, we present a consumption-based GHG accounting approach for estimating the carbon footprint (CF) comprising direct and indirect emissions of households in Switzerland for 2008, 2011, and 2014 and examine the impact of urbanity and socioeconomic variables on these estimates. The CF model used herein couples regionalized household budget surveys (HBS) with environmentally-extended input-output analysis (EEIOA). We provide greater insight into the obscure process of combining bottom-up consumption data (i.e., HBS) and top-down input-output tables (IOT) in a CF model. The findings show that urban households tend to have lower direct emissions than rural households whereas indirect emissions are higher. Therefore, the nature of both direct and indirect emissions should be considered when evaluating the role of urbanization, as each has a different focus. Overall, our results indicate that income is the most important driver of household total cf Some local features specific to Switzerland have also been found to be important in shaping the relationship between the household CF and its drivers. We argue that household composition should be the focal point for future study of CF mitigation in Switzerland, and that policies should prioritise measures that target consumer behaviour and lifestyles, rather than solely focus on improving physical infrastructure and adopting new technologies.
Changes of precipitation and moisture extremes in ERA-interim reanalysis viewed from a new space
Authors: Zhang Banglin , Zhang Renhe , Wu Lin , Nie Changchun 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
We investigate changes of total column water vapor (TCWV) and total precipitation (TP) from the reanalysis ERA-Interim monthly data (1979–2016) in a new space spanned by their ascending values and show that TP extremes increase much more than TCWV extremes do. The trend of the maximum TCWV is 0.47 kg m−2/decade, which is equivalent to approximately 0.76%/decade. The trend of the maximum TP is 3.78 mm day−1/decade, which is approximately 8 times the TCWV trend. The trends of extreme TP, defined as the 90th, 95th, 99th, 99.9th, 99.99th percentiles and the maximum of the monthly precipitation values, are 0.63, 1.05, 1.26, 3.29, 10.4, and 12.0%/decade, respectively. These values are larger than the trends of extreme TCWV, ranging from 0.41% to 0.76%/decade.
Female-to-Male Gender-Confirming Drainless Mastectomy May Be Safe in Obese Males
Authors: Pittelkow Eric M , Duquette Stephen P , Rhamani Farrah , Rogers Corianne , Gallagher Sidhbh 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundGender dysphoria is a medical condition associated with suicidality. Transgender men who have undergone female-to-male (FTM) chest reconstruction report higher quality of life and reduced gender dysphoria. It has been reported that transgender men are at higher risk of obesity.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes and complications between different classes of obesity in FTM transgender patients who underwent chest masculoplasty.MethodsA retrospective review of 145 consecutive patients who underwent mastectomy with free nipple graft was conducted. Postoperative outcomes and complications were collected. Patients were divided into nonobese (body mass index [BMI] &lt;30 kg/m2), obese (BMI 30-39.9 kg/m2), morbidly obese (BMI 40-49.9 kg/m2), and super obese (BMI &gt;50 kg/m2) groups.ResultsSixty-six of the 145 patients were not obese, 52 were obese, 22 were morbidly obese, and 5 were super obese. There was a statistically significant increase in amount of breast tissue resected between each of the 4 groups (866.8 g vs 1672.4 g vs 3157.1 g vs 4827.6 g; P ≤ 0.0005) as BMI increased, respectively. There was a significant difference in operative time between the nonobese and obese groups (128.7 vs 134.6 vs 150.5 vs 171 minutes; P = 0.026). A significant increase in postoperative infections was observed between the morbidly obese, super obese, and the nonobese group (P = 0.048).ConclusionsChest wall reconstruction in FTM and nonbinary transgender people is important in relieving gender dysphoria. Postoperative complications were not significantly increased in obese patients (30-39.9 kg/m2). Delaying surgery for weight loss may not be necessary unless patients are morbidly obese.Level of Evidence: 4
Easy-HLA: a validated web application suite to reveal the full details of HLA typing
Authors: Geffard Estelle , Limou Sophie , Walencik Alexandre , Daya Michelle , Watson Harold , Torgerson Dara , Barnes Kathleen C ,   on behalf of CAAPA, Cesbron Gautier Anne , Gourraud Pierre-Antoine , Vince Nicolas 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Motivation
The HLA system plays a pivotal role in both clinical applications and immunology research. Typing HLA genes in patient and donor is indeed required in hematopoietic stem cell and solid-organ transplantation, and the histocompatibility complex region exhibits countless genetic associations with immune-related pathologies. Since the discovery of HLA antigens, the HLA system nomenclature and typing methods have constantly evolved, which leads to difficulties in using data generated with older methodologies.

Results
Here, we present Easy-HLA, a web-based software suite designed to facilitate analysis and gain knowledge from HLA typing, regardless of nomenclature or typing method. Easy-HLA implements a computational and statistical method of HLA haplotypes inference based on published reference populations containing over 600 000 haplotypes to upgrade missing or partial HLA information: ‘HLA-Upgrade’ tool infers high-resolution HLA typing and ‘HLA-2-Haplo’ imputes haplotype pairs and provides additional functional annotations (e.g. amino acids and KIR ligands). We validated both tools using two independent cohorts (total n = 2500). For HLA-Upgrade, we reached a prediction accuracy of 92% from low- to high-resolution of European genotypes. We observed a 96% call rate and 76% accuracy with HLA-2-Haplo European haplotype pairs prediction. In conclusion, Easy-HLA tools facilitate large-scale immunogenetic analysis and promotes the multi-faceted HLA expertise beyond allelic associations by providing new functional immunogenomics parameters.

Availability and implementation
Easy-HLA is a web application freely available (free account) at: https://hla.univ-nantes.fr.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Bayesian sparse multiple regression for simultaneous rank reduction and variable selection
Authors: Chakraborty Antik , Bhattacharya Anirban , Mallick Bani K 
Published: November 2019

Summary
We develop a Bayesian methodology aimed at simultaneously estimating low-rank and row-sparse matrices in a high-dimensional multiple-response linear regression model. We consider a carefully devised shrinkage prior on the matrix of regression coefficients which obviates the need to specify a prior on the rank, and shrinks the regression matrix towards low-rank and row-sparse structures. We provide theoretical support to the proposed methodology by proving minimax optimality of the posterior mean under the prediction risk in ultra-high-dimensional settings where the number of predictors can grow subexponentially relative to the sample size. A one-step post-processing scheme induced by group lasso penalties on the rows of the estimated coefficient matrix is proposed for variable selection, with default choices of tuning parameters. We additionally provide an estimate of the rank using a novel optimization function achieving dimension reduction in the covariate space. We exhibit the performance of the proposed methodology in an extensive simulation study and a real data example.
The Ventral Striatum is a Key Node for Functional Recovery of Finger Dexterity After Spinal Cord Injury in Monkeys
Authors: Suzuki Michiaki , Onoe Kayo , Sawada Masahiro , Takahashi Nobuaki , Higo Noriyuki , Murata Yumi , Tsukada Hideo , Isa Tadashi , Onoe Hirotaka , Nishimura Yukio 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In a recent study, we demonstrated that the ventral striatum (VSt) controls finger movements directly during the early recovery stage after spinal cord injury (SCI), implying that the VSt may be a part of neural substrates responsible for the recovery of dexterous finger movements. The VSt is accepted widely as a key node for motivation, but is not thought to be involved in the direct control of limb movements. Therefore, whether a causal relationship exists between the VSt and motor recovery after SCI is unknown, and the role of the VSt in the recovery of dexterous finger movements orfinger movements in general after SCI remains unclear. In the present study, functional brain imaging in a macaque model of SCI revealed a strengthened functional connectivity between motor-related areas and the VSt during the recovery process for precision grip, but not whole finger grip after SCI. Furthermore, permanent lesion of the VSt impeded the recoveryof precision grip, but not coarse grip. Thus, the VSt was needed specifically for functional recovery of dexterous finger movements. These results suggest that the VSt is the key node of the cortical reorganization required for functional recovery of finger dexterity.
Public health events in the maritime transport sector
Authors: Martinez C Varela , Hadjichristodoulou C , Mouchtouri B 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Introduction
A literature review to describe evidence on communicable diseases affecting people on ships or at ports, from 1990 to 2013 was carried out. Also, a literature review on radiological and chemical events of public health relevance associated with ships or at ports, from 1940 to 2013 was performed.

Methodology
Databases reviewed were: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Spanish Society of Maritime Medicine, and WebPages of WHO, The International Radio Medical Advice Centre, International Atomic Energy Agency, European Maritime Safety Agency, Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Spanish Nuclear Safety Council and the Major Accident Reporting System.

Results
From 1990 to 2013, 196 outbreaks relating to ships or ports with more than 24,000 cases and 19 deaths were published. 59% of outbreaks (n = 116) were food- and waterborne, causing 82% (n = 19741) of cases and 12 deaths (11 deaths due to Legionella, case fatality ratio of 7%); almost a third was caused by norovirus. Respiratory diseases, mainly Influenza, caused 18% of outbreaks and 2 deaths. Thirteen radiological events were published that affected 500 persons and caused 47 deaths, 24 due to exposure to elevated levels of radiation. During the study period 94 chemical events were published, of which 69 events affected people and in the remaining events only a public health risk was present. These 69 chemical events generated almost 12,000 cases and more than 2,000 deaths. Thirty countries, including all EU Member States, Norway and Iceland, were requested to complete the questionnaires regarding identification of authorities and practices for management of radiological and chemical events.

Conclusions
Food- and waterborne diseases are most reported; followed by respiratory diseases. Legionellosis accounted for the highest case fatality ratio. Tuberculosis was reported only on seafarers from cargo or fishing vessels and vaccine preventable diseases was mainly reported on crew members from cruise ships.
Ethnic disparity in health literacy related to interaction with the health care provider
Authors: Villadsen S F 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
With the current orientation towards patient-centered care, the health literacy level is an important predictor for the engagement in preventive health care services. Research has shown that adult immigrants have lower levels of health literacy compared to the host populations, however little is known about the health literacy of pregnant, immigrant women. The aim of this study was to analyze whether ethnic minority women found it more difficult to actively engage with their health professionals than ethnic Danish women did.
Using cross-sectional data we studied the difference in the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) domain on actively engagement with health care providers between non-Western born and ethnic Danish women (n = 406). Pregnant women were recruited in 2016 from the largest maternity ward in Denmark. The mean health literacy level of actively engagement for ethnic Danish women was 4.15 and for non-Western born women, it was 3.97. In an adjusted model the non-Western born women had 1.15 (CI:-0.30; -0.01) lower levels of actively engagement compared to ethnic Danish women.
These results indicate that this domain of the HLQ seems to be a useful link in understanding ethnic inequality in birth outcomes and thus relevant in the effect evaluation of the MAMAACT study. Currently, the health care system in Denmark has not focused on intercultural competence. The lower levels of self-reported ability to engage with health care providers and the known perspectives of lower patient safety in immigrant groups calls for more research in the interactional dynamics. A theoretical analysis using the concept of cultural health capital could be interesting for assessing how health care providers and non-Western women might value certain attitudes and behaviors exchanged during the encounter differently, which could lead to imbalance as the health care provider has more influence in this setting.
General practitioners’ considerations when deciding whether to initiate end-of-life conversations: a qualitative study
Authors: Thomas Hayley R , Deckx Laura , Sieben Nicolas A , Foster Michele M , Mitchell Geoffrey K 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
End-of-life discussions often are not initiated until close to death, even in the presence of life-limiting illness or frailty. Previous research shows that doctors may not explicitly verbalize approaching end-of-life in the foreseeable future, despite shifting their focus to comfort care. This may limit patients’ opportunity to receive information and plan for the future. General Practitioners (GPs) have a key role in caring for increasing numbers of patients approaching end-of-life.

Objective
To explore GPs’ thought processes when deciding whether to initiate end-of-life discussions.

Methods
A qualitative approach was used. We purposively recruited 15 GPs or GP trainees from South-East Queensland, Australia, and each participated in a semi-structured interview. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results
Australian GPs believe they have a responsibility to initiate end-of-life conversations, and identify several triggers to do so. Some also describe caution in raising this sensitive topic, related to patient, family, cultural and personal factors.

Conclusions
These findings enable the development of approaches to support GPs to initiate end-of-life discussions that are cognizant both of GPs’ sense of responsibility for these discussions, and factors that may contribute to caution initiating them, such as anticipated patient response, cultural considerations, societal taboos, family dynamics and personal challenges to doctors.
Titer regulation in arthropod-Wolbachia symbioses
Authors: López-Madrigal Sergio , Duarte Elves H 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
Symbiosis between intracellular bacteria (endosymbionts) and animals are widespread. The alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia pipientis is known to maintain a variety of symbiotic associations, ranging from mutualism to parasitism, with a wide range of invertebrates. Wolbachia infection might deeply affect host fitness (e.g. reproductive manipulation and antiviral protection), which is thought to explain its high prevalence in nature. Bacterial loads significantly influence both the infection dynamics and the extent of bacteria-induced host phenotypes. Hence, fine regulation of bacterial titers is considered as a milestone in host-endosymbiont interplay. Here, we review both environmental and biological factors modulating Wolbachia titers in arthropods.
Rage against the machine: does machine-to-machine communication fall within the scope of the confidentiality principle?
Authors: Storms Stijn , Valcke Peggy , Kindt Els 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In this paper we confront the technological notion of machine-to-machine communication (M2M) to the legal principle of confidentiality of communications (art. 5.1 ePrivacy Directive) in order to determine whether M2M is a protected communication. After demonstrating the answer is not straightforwardly found in the legal text we turn our attention to other aspects which can have an impact on the matter. We build up our case by considering four different levels. At the first level we ask whether the concepts used in the legal definition of ‘communication’ allow for the inclusion of M2M. At the second level we involve the history of the ePrivacy Directive in the discussion. At the third level the values behind the confidentiality principle come into play. Lastly at the fourth level we look at the issue from a practical stance. The resulting picture points towards the inclusion of M2M in the scope of the confidentiality principle.
Uniformizing the Moduli Stacks of Global G-Shtukas
Authors: Arasteh Rad E , Hartl Urs 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
This is the 2nd in a sequence of articles, in which we explore moduli stacks of global $\mathfrak{G}$-shtukas, the function field analogs for Shimura varieties. Here $\mathfrak{G}$ is a flat affine group scheme of finite type over a smooth projective curve $C$ over a finite field. Global $\mathfrak{G}$-shtukas are generalizations of Drinfeld shtukas and analogs of abelian varieties with additional structure. We prove that the moduli stacks of global $\mathfrak{G}$-shtukas are algebraic Deligne–Mumford stacks separated and locally of finite type. They generalize various moduli spaces used by different authors to prove instances of the Langlands program over function fields. In the 1st article we explained the relation between global $\mathfrak{G}$-shtukas and local ${{\mathbb{P}}}$-shtukas, which are the function field analogs of $p$-divisible groups. Here ${{\mathbb{P}}}$ is the base change of $\mathfrak{G}$ to the complete local ring at a point of $C$. When ${{\mathbb{P}}}$ is smooth with connected reductive generic fiber we proved the existence of Rapoport–Zink spaces for local ${{\mathbb{P}}}$-shtukas. In the present article we use these spaces to (partly) uniformize the moduli stacks of global $\mathfrak{G}$-shtukas for smooth $\mathfrak{G}$ with connected fibers and reductive generic fiber. This is our main result. It has applications to the analog of the Langlands–Rapoport conjecture for our moduli stacks.