bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From humility to envy: Questioning the usefulness of sad passions as a means towards virtue in Spinoza's Ethics
Authors: Soyarslan Sanem 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the Ethics, Spinoza defines certain traditional virtues such as humility and repentance as species of sadness and denies that they are virtues. He nonetheless holds that they can turn out to be useful as a means towards virtue—in fact, the greatest virtue of blessedness—in the life of someone who is not guided by reason. In this paper, I examine Spinoza's relatively overlooked claim regarding the usefulness of sad passions as a means towards blessedness. In taking up Spinoza's treatment of humility as my case study, I show that there is a tension between this claim and his other explicit commitments in the Ethics. More specifically, after considering his views regarding the consequences of humility—including, most notably, its susceptibility to envy—and conditions of achieving blessedness, I show that humility cannot effectively be said to bring about cooperation and push “weak‐minded” people in the right direction so that, in the end, they may be free and enjoy blessedness. I conclude by suggesting that if we must rely on passions as a means towards virtue in the Spinozistic universe, we must rely not on debilitating sad passions such as humility, but on joy‐based social passions such as love.
Formation of mineral–mineral and organo–mineral composite building units from microaggregate‐forming materials including microbially produced extracellular polymeric substances
Authors: Guhra Tom , Ritschel Thomas , Totsche Kai Uwe 
Published: December 2018

Structures of colloidal compounds in soil, including organo–mineral and mineral–mineral associations, are considered as composite building units (CBUs) that may combine into soil microaggregates. Despite the ubiquitous occurrence of CBUs, the major formation mechanisms are rather obscure and little is known about whether they form primarily during weathering of the parent rocks or by aggregation processes from the soil suspension. We studied the formation of CBUs from suspensions composed of minerals and organic matter typical for temperate soils (i.e. quartz, goethite, illite and extracellular polymeric substances [EPS]). Without EPS, we found CBUs formed as mineral–mineral associations by hetero coagulation of illite and quartz that is bridged by goethite. The presence of EPS, in contrast, led to the formation of a stable suspension of clay‐sized CBUs with no involvement of quartz. We explained this by the rapid formation of organo–mineral CBUs made of EPS‐associated goethite and EPS‐associated illite. The sorption of EPS to goethite screened its surface charge, thereby reducing the electrostatic attraction between goethite and illite. This interaction effectively impeded the formation of mineral–mineral CBUs. Moreover, interactions of EPS with goethite resulted in a marked decrease of the phosphorus/carbon ratio in the suspension. This suggested a preferred adsorption of phosphorus‐containing EPS constituents to goethite and in turn to a compositional fractionation of EPS constituents between the solid and liquid phase as shown by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR–ATR). Laser light diffraction measurements revealed a shift from the fine silt fraction to that of the fine sand that also supports the role of EPS as a ‘binding’ agent.Highlights

Composite building units (CBUs) form in suspensions with different mineral and organic components.
Both, hetero mineral–mineral and organo–mineral CBUs were formed.
The initial composition of the suspension controls type and properties of resulting CBUs.
Depending on the mineral surfaces, EPS may serve as a separation or binding agent.
Antipredator behaviour of invasive geckos in response to chemical cues from snakes
Authors: Cornelis Jari , Nordberg Eric J. , Schwarzkopf Lin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAntipredator behaviours and the ability to appropriately assess predation risk contribute to increased fitness. Predator avoidance can be costly; however, so we expect prey to most strongly avoid predators that pose the greatest risk (i.e., prey should show threat sensitivity). For invasive species, effectively assessing the relative risk posed by predators in the new environment may help them establish in new environments. We examined the antipredator behaviour of introduced Asian house geckos, Hemidactylus frenatus (Schlegel), by determining if they avoided shelters scented with the chemical cues of native predatory snakes (spotted pythons, Antaresia maculosa [Peters]; brown tree snakes, Boiga irregularis [Merrem]; common tree snakes, Dendrelaphis punctulata [Grey]; and carpet pythons, Morelia spilota [Lacépède]). We also tested if Asian house geckos collected from vegetation vs. anthropogenic substrates (buildings) responded differently to the chemical cues of predatory snakes. Asian house geckos did not show a generalised antipredator response, that is, they did not respond to the chemical cues of all snakes in the same way. Asian house geckos avoided the chemical cues of carpet pythons more strongly than those of other snake species, providing some support for the threat‐sensitivity hypothesis. There was no difference in the antipredator behaviour of Asian house geckos collected from buildings vs. natural vegetation, suggesting that individuals that have invaded natural habitats have not changed their antipredator behaviour compared to urban individuals. Overall, we found some evidence indicating Asian house geckos are threat‐sensitive to some Australian predacious snakes.
Estimating the relative fitness of escaped farmed salmon offspring in the wild and modelling the consequences of invasion for wild populations
Authors: Sylvester Emma V. A. , Wringe Brendan F. , Duffy Steven J. , Hamilton Lorraine C. , Fleming Ian A. , Castellani Marco , Bentzen Paul , Bradbury Ian R. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThroughout their native range, wild Atlantic salmon populations are threatened by hybridization and introgression with escapees from net‐pen salmon aquaculture. Although domestic–wild hybrid offspring have shown reduced fitness in laboratory and field experiments, consequential impacts on population abundance and genetic integrity remain difficult to predict in the field, in part because the strength of selection against domestic offspring is often unknown and context‐dependent. Here, we follow a single large escape event of farmed Atlantic salmon in southern Newfoundland and monitor changes in the in‐river proportions of hybrids and feral individuals over time using genetically based hybrid identification. Over a three‐year period following the escape, the overall proportion of wild parr increased consistently (total wild proportion of 71.6%, 75.1% and 87.5% each year, respectively), with subsequent declines in feral (genetically pure farmed individuals originating from escaped, farmed adults) and hybrid parr. We quantify the strength of selection against parr of aquaculture ancestry and explore the genetic and demographic consequences for populations in the region. Within‐cohort changes in the relative proportions of feral and F1 parr suggest reduced relative survival compared to wild individuals over the first (0.15 and 0.81 for feral and F1, respectively) and second years of life (0.26, 0.83). These relative survivorship estimates were used to inform an individual‐based salmon eco‐genetic model to project changes in adult abundance and overall allele frequency across three invasion scenarios ranging from short‐term to long‐term invasion and three relative survival scenarios. Modelling results indicate that total population abundance and time to recovery were greatly affected by relative survivorship and predict significant declines in wild population abundance under continued large escape events and calculated survivorship. Overall, this work demonstrates the importance of estimating the strength of selection against domestic offspring in the wild to predict the long‐term impact of farmed salmon escape events on wild populations.
Ultrathin ceramic nanowires for high interface interaction and energy density in PVDF nanocomposites
Authors: Qu Peng , Zhu Xinfeng , Peng Xiaohan , Zhang Meiyu , Yang Bing , Liu Xiaolin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDielectric nanocomposites with ceramic fillers have a crucial role in energy storage applications. Therefore, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based nanocomposites filled with 20 nm diameter, surface hydroxylated BaTiO3 nanowires (BTnws) were produced by solution‐casting method in this work, in which BTnws were synthesized via solvothermal method. The dielectric constant of BTnws/PVDF nanocomposites was 24 when the content of fillers was 10vol% at 100 Hz and the breakdown strength could increase up to 417 kV/mm before decreasing. The nanocomposites showed enhanced energy density performance and the maximum energy density could reach to 8.1J/cm3 at 320 kV/mm with 10vol% BTnws, nearly tripled that of pure PVDF at 300 kV/mm. Finite element and molecular dynamic simulation results revealed that thin BTnws could create dielectric homogeneity in the nanocomposites and have strong interface interaction with PVDF molecular. The ultrathin BTnws provided the possibility that single PVDF molecular could wrap on its surface, but this molecular wrapping pattern would not occur when the diameter of BTnws was large. Besides, the wrapping pattern could be reinforced by interactions between surface hydroxyl groups of BTnws and F atoms of PVDF molecular. Such contributions could induce good interface compatibility and lead to the improvement of energy density.
En bloc laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy: A single‐institution experience
Authors: Tohi Yoichiro , Makita Noriyuki , Suzuki Issei , Suzuki Ryosuke , Kubota Masashi , Sugino Yoshio , Inoue Koji , Kawakita Mutsushi 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveTo report the outcomes of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy for right renal cell carcinoma at Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.MethodA retrospective review of the clinical records of five patients who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy for right renal cell carcinoma between 2013 and 2017 was carried out. The surgical procedure included ligation and cutting of the right renal artery, followed by kidney mobilization. The left renal vein, and the caudal and cephalad sides of the inferior vena cava thrombus were clamped using laparoscopic vascular clamps, and the inferior vena cava was incised. The free kidney and tumor thrombus were placed en bloc in a retrieval bag. Subsequently, the inferior vena cava was laparoscopically closed using a continuous suture.ResultsThe median operative time, pneumoperitoneum time, blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 316 min, 266 min, 400 mL and 7 days, respectively. The median clamp time was 28 min (range 13–105 min). One patient (20%) required a perioperative blood transfusion. The surgical margin was negative in all patients. Only one patient experienced a major complication (Clavien–Dindo grade ≥3), namely a postoperative hemorrhage requiring transarterial embolism.ConclusionEn bloc laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy is a challenging yet feasible procedure for experienced surgeons in carefully selected patients. Further studies of this surgical procedure are required for standardization and safe application.
Bayesian Calibration ofp‐Values from Fisher's Exact Test
Authors: Ott Manuela , Held Leonhard 
Published: December 2018

Summaryp‐Values are commonly transformed to lower bounds on Bayes factors, so‐called minimum Bayes factors. For the linear model, a sample‐size adjusted minimum Bayes factor over the class ofg‐priors on the regression coefficients has recently been proposed (Held & Ott, The American Statistician 70(4), 335–341, 2016). Here, we extend this methodology to a logistic regression to obtain a sample‐size adjusted minimum Bayes factor for 2 × 2 contingency tables. We then study the relationship between this minimum Bayes factor and two‐sidedp‐values from Fisher's exact test, as well as less conservative alternatives, with a novel parametric regression approach. It turns out that for allp‐values considered, the maximal evidence against the point null hypothesis is inversely related to the sample size. The same qualitative relationship is observed for minimum Bayes factors over the more general class of symmetric prior distributions. For thep‐values from Fisher's exact test, the minimum Bayes factors do on average not tend to the large‐sample bound as the sample size becomes large, but for the less conservative alternatives, the large‐sample behaviour is as expected.
Preparation of ultra‐low temperature sintering ceramics with ultralow dielectric loss in Na2O–WO3 binary system
Authors: Yuan Xiaofeng , Xue Xian , Wang Hong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA series of new microwave dielectric ceramics with ultralow dielectric loss in Na2O–WO3 binary system were prepared by the modified solid‐state reaction method at ultra‐low sintering temperatures. Three stable phases, namely Na2WO4, Na2W2O7 and Na2W4O13, were formed in the system. Their stability in the air, phase composition, compatibility with metal electrodes, microstructures, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. In this binary system, the cubic structure Na2WO4 ceramic sintered at 565°C exhibited the best microwave dielectric properties with a permittivity of 5.6, a Q × f value of 124 200 GHz and a temperature coefficient of −63 ppm/°C at a frequency of 13.1 GHz. The Na2WO4 ceramic is chemically compatible with Ag and Al electrodes. Besides, the Na2WO4 ceramic has favorable stability in the air. Due to the excellent dielectric properties and favorable stability in the air, the Na2WO4 ceramic is a great candidate for LTCC devices.
Fabrication of bulk piezoelectric and dielectric BaTiO3 ceramics using paste extrusion 3D printing technique
Authors: Kim Hoejin , Renteria‐Marquez Anabel , Islam Md Didarul , Chavez Luis A. , Garcia Rosales Carlos A. , Ahsan Md Ariful , Tseng Tzu‐Liang Bill , Love Norman D. , Lin Yirong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA simple and facile method was developed to fabricate functional bulk barium titanate (BaTiO3, BT) ceramics using the paste extrusion 3D printing technique. The BT ceramic is a lead‐free ferroelectric material widely used for various applications in sensors, energy storage, and harvesting. There are several traditional methods (eg, tape casting) to process bulk BT ceramics but they have disadvantages such as difficult handing without shape deformation, demolding, complex geometric shapes, expansive molds, etc. In this research, we utilized the paste extrusion 3D printing technique to overcome the traditional issues and developed printable ceramic suspensions containing BT ceramic powder, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) through simple mixing method and chemical formulation. This PVDF solution erformed multiple roles of binder, plasticizer, and dispersant for excellent manufacturability while providing high volume percent and density of the final bulk ceramic. Based on empirical data, it was found that the maximum binder ratio with good viscosity and retention for desired geometry is 1:8.8, while the maximum BT content is 35.45 vol% (77.01 wt%) in order to achieve maximum density of 3.93 g/cm3 (65.3%) for 3D printed BT ceramic. Among different sintering temperatures, it was observed that the sintered BT ceramic at 1400°C had highest grain growth and tetragonality which affected high performing piezoelectric and dielectric properties, 200 pC/N and 4730 at 103 Hz respectively. This paste extrusion 3D printing technique and simple synthesis method for ceramic suspensions are expected to enable rapid massive production, customization, design flexibility of the bulk piezoelectric and dielectric devices for next generation technology.
Bond strength between composite repair and polymer‐infiltrated ceramic‐network material: Effect of different surface treatments
Authors: Bello Yuri Dal , Di Domenico Marielle B. , Magro Leticia Dal , Lise Mônica W. , Corazza Pedro H. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the bond strength of a polymer‐infiltrated ceramic‐network (PICN) material and to composite repair after different surface treatments.Materials and MethodsEighteen blocks of the PICN material were obtained from CAD/CAM blocks, aged and randomly divided into 2 groups: 5% hydrofluoric acid (HF) or sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles (SAND). For each condition, three treatments were tested: silane (Sil), silane‐containing adhesive (Ad), or silane + silane‐containing adhesive (SilAd). The treated PICN surfaces were restored with composite resin. The microtensile bond strength test was performed in a universal testing machine, and data (MPa) were compared with two‐way Analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey (α = 0.05). Roughness (Ra) and contact angle (CA) were obtained after HF and SAND conditions.ResultsThe greatest bond strength values were obtained for the groups Sil and SilAd, for both HF and SAND pretreatments. The Ra values of SAND were statistically greater than HF. The CA generated by the adhesive on SAND surface was lower than HF surface.ConclusionsThe use of silane improves the bond strength of the composite repair to PICN substrate compared to the single use of silane‐containing adhesive. The HF pretreatment is most indicated when the silane‐containing adhesive is applied alone.Clinical SignificanceFractured PICN restorations can be repaired with composite resin, because the surface is treated with hydrofluoric acid or sandblasting followed by the individual use of silane.
Gingival fibroblasts prevent BMP‐mediated osteoblastic differentiation
Authors: Ghuman Mandeep S. , Al‐Masri Maher , Xavier Guilherme , Cobourne Martyn T. , McKay Ian J. , Hughes Francis J. 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesThe inhibitory action of the superficial gingival connective tissues may limit the regenerative potential of alveolar bone in periodontal therapy or dental implant applications. The aims of this study were to investigate the hypothesis that gingival fibroblasts (GF) can inhibit bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐induced osteoblastic differentiation, to determine their expression of BMP inhibitors, and finally to determine whether reduction of these inhibitors can relieve suppression of osteoblastic differentiation.MethodsGingival fibroblasts were co‐cultured either directly or indirectly with calvarial osteoblasts to assess alkaline phosphatase inhibitory activity, a marker of osteoblastic differentiation. To test total BMP‐inhibitory activity of rat GF, conditioned media (GFCM) were collected from cultures. ROS 17/2.8 osteoblastic cells were stimulated with BMP2, together with GFCM. Inhibitor expression was tested using RT‐qPCR, Western blotting and in situ hybridization. Removal of inhibitors was carried out using immunoprecipitation beads.ResultsCo‐culture experiments showed GF‐secreted factors that inhibit BMP‐stimulated ALP activity. 10 ng/ml BMP2 increased alkaline phosphatase expression in ROS cells by 41%. GFCM blocked BMP activity which was equivalent to the activity of 100 ng/ml Noggin, a well‐described BMP inhibitor. Cultured gingival fibroblasts constitutively expressed BMP antagonist genes from the same subfamily, Grem1, Grem2 and Nbl1 and the Wnt inhibitor Sfrp1. Gremlin1 (6.7 × reference gene expression) had highest levels of basal expression. ISH analysis showed Gremlin1 expression was restricted to the inner half of the gingival lamina propria and the PDL. Removal of Gremlin1 protein from GFCM eliminated the inhibitory effect of GFCM on ALP activity in ROS cells. Subsequent addition of recombinant Gremlin1 restored the inhibitory activity.ConclusionsFactors secreted by gingival fibroblasts inhibit BMP‐induced bone formation and a range of BMP inhibitors are constitutively expressed in gingival connective tissues. These inhibitors, particularly Gremlin1, may limit coronal alveolar bone regenerative potential during oral and periodontal surgery.
Reproductive biology of the 38 extant felid species: a review
Authors: Andrews Christopher J. , Thomas David G. , Yapura Jimena , Potter Murray A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractKnowledge of reproductive biology is crucial to improvingin situandex situbreeding programmes for felids. We reviewed the available literature (223 publications) on the reproductive biology of all 38 felid species.We found that 78% of the publications (173) were focused on either or both the oestrous cycles (84) or ejaculate traits (92) of felids. Literature was biased towards the domestic catFelis catus(31), the cheetahAcinonyx jubatus(27), and the panthera lineage (66). There was a paucity of literature on the caracal lineage (7), the bay cat lineage (3), members of the domestic cat lineage other than the domestic cat (11), and several species of the ocelot lineage.The mean duration of oestrus varies little between the different lineages and species (mean 5.2 days, range 1–10 days,nE = 2265). However, the duration of interoestrus varies greatly in most species (e.g. 1–118 days in the domestic cat). Gestation length also varies significantly between species, but is similar within each lineage and related to adult body size. Non‐pregnant luteal phases appear to persist for half the duration of pregnant luteal phases (48%, 21–71 days,nE = 256; c.f. previous reports of one‐third the duration of pregnant luteal phases).Sperm motility (sperm motility index), sperm viability, and acrosome intactness are high in the fresh ejaculates of most felid species [69% (26–90%,nE = 2104), 69% (49–87%,nE = 443), and 84% (21–100%,nE = 1763), respectively]. Teratospermia is highly prevalent within Felidae, but is particularly problematic for the puma and lynx lineages [ejaculates with 76% (63–94%) and 79% (63–98%) abnormal sperm, respectively]. Teratospermia appears to be linked to low genetic diversity.The maintenance and enhancement of genetic diversity through the use of assisted reproductive technologies should be a long‐term goal for felid conservation management. A short‐term management goal should be to improve the success of assisted reproductive technologies in felids by minimising captivity‐related stress, which can adversely affect fertility and ovarian activity.
Changes in physical activity over the lifespan: impact on body composition and sarcopenic obesity
Authors: Westerterp K. R. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryPhysical activity and body composition show a typical pattern over the lifecycle. Fat‐free mass and physical performance generally peak in early adulthood. Here, evidence for a relation between physical activity changes over the life span and the development of sarcopenic obesity is presented. Activity‐induced energy expenditure increases with body size and physical activity during growth. The physical activity level, calculated by expressing total energy expenditure as a multiple of resting energy expenditure, gradually increases from early age to adulthood to decrease again in old age. Habitual physical activity has a significant effect on growth of fat‐free mass during adolescence and thus on peak fat‐free mass and physical performance in early adulthood. Older subjects have a lower fat‐free mass and lower physical activity levels but there is no association, suggesting physical activity does not protect against loss of lean body mass at higher age. Prevention of sarcopenic obesity starts with a physically active lifestyle to develop a healthy peak fat‐free mass and subsequent prevention of excess fat gain. The change from a physically active to a more sedentary routine in later life requires restriction of energy intake to maintain energy balance.