pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Degradation mechanisms of bioresorbable polyesters. Part 2. Effects of initial molecular weight and residual monomer

This paper presents an understanding of how initial molecular weight and initial monomer fraction affect the degradation of bioresorbable polymers in terms of the underlying hydrolysis mechanisms. A mathematical model was used to analyse the effects of initial molecular weight for various hydrolysis mechanisms including noncatalytic random scission, autocatalytic random scission, noncatalytic end scission or autocatalytic end scission. Different behaviours were identified to relate initial molecular weight to the molecular weight half-life and to the time until the onset of mass loss. The behaviours were validated by fitting the model to experimental data for molecular weight reduction and mass loss of samples with different initial molecular weights. Several publications that consider initial molecular weight were reviewed. The effect of residual monomer on degradation was also analysed, and shown to accelerate the reduction of molecular weight and mass loss. An inverse square root law relationship was found between molecular weight half-life and initial monomer fraction for autocatalytic hydrolysis. The relationship was tested by fitting the model to experimental data with various residual monomer contents.Peer-reviewedPost-prin
The grammar of the essential indexical.

Like proper names, demonstratives, and definite descriptions, pronouns have referential uses. These can be 'essentially indexical' in the sense that they cannot be replaced by non-pronominal forms of reference. Here we show that the grammar of pronouns in such occurrences is systematically different from that of other referential expressions, in a way that illuminates the differences in reference in question. We specifically illustrate, in the domain of Romance clitics and pronouns, a hierarchy of referentiality, as related to the topology of the grammatical phase. Our explanation is based on extending the 'Topological Mapping Hypotheses' of Longobardi (2005) and Sheehan & Hinzen (2011). The extended topology covers the full range of interpretations, from purely predicative to quantificational (scope-bearing), to referential and deictic. Along this scale, grammatical complexity increases, and none of these forms of reference is lexical. This provides evidence for the foundational conclusion that the source of essential indexicality is grammatical rather than lexical, semantic or pragmatic
Effect of GIA models with 3D composite mantle viscosity on GRACE mass balance estimates for Antarctica.

Seismic data indicate that there are large viscosity variations in the mantle beneath Antarctica. Consideration of such variations would affect predictions of models of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA), which are used to correct satellite measurements of ice mass change. However, most GIA models used for that purpose have assumed the mantle to be uniformly stratified in terms of viscosity. The goal of this study is to estimate the effect of lateral variations in viscosity on Antarctic mass balance estimates derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data. To this end, recently-developed global GIA models based on lateral variations in mantle temperature are tuned to fit constraints in the northern hemisphere and then compared to GPS-derived uplift rates in Antarctica.\ud
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We find that these models can provide a better fit to GPS uplift rates in Antarctica than existing GIA models with a radially-varying (1D) rheology. When 3D viscosity models in combination with specific ice loading histories are used to correct GRACE measurements, mass loss in Antarctica is smaller than previously found for the same ice loading histories and their preferred 1D viscosity profiles. The variation in mass balance estimates arising from using different plausible realizations of 3D viscosity amounts to 20 Gt/yr for the ICE-5G ice model and 16 Gt/yr for the W12a ice model; these values are larger than the GRACE measurement error, but smaller than the variation arising from unknown ice history. While there exist 1D Earth models that can reproduce the total mass balance estimates derived using 3D Earth models, the spatial pattern of gravity rates can be significantly affected by 3D viscosity in a way that cannot be reproduced by GIA models with 1D viscosity. As an example, models with 1D viscosity always predict maximum gravity rates in the Ross Sea for the ICE-5G ice model, however, for one of the three preferred 3D models the maximum (for the same ice model) is found near the Weddell Sea. This demonstrates that 3D variations in viscosity affect the sensitivity of present-day uplift and gravity rates to changes in the timing of the ice history. In particular, low viscosities (View the MathML source) found in West Antarctica make the mantle very sensitive to recent changes in ice thickness
Increasing cognitive inhibition with a difficult prior task: implications for mathematical thinking

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11858-014-0656-1Dual-process theories posit two distinct types of cognitive processing: Type 1, which does not use working memory making it fast and automatic, and Type 2, which does use working memory making it slow and effortful. Mathematics often relies on the inhibition of pervasive Type 1 processing to apply new skills or knowledge that require Type 2 processing. In two studies, we demonstrate that giving participants a difficult task (Raven’s Matrices) before a task that requires the inhibition of intuitive responses (the Cognitive Reflection Test) significantly improves performance. Our findings suggest that encountering a difficult task that requires Type 2 processing before completing a task that requires inhibition of Type 1 processing may encourage an enduring ‘Type 2’ mindset, whereby participants are more likely to spontaneously use Type 2 processing for a period of time. Implications for mathematics education are discussed
Developing robust composite measures of healthcare quality : ranking intervals and dominance relations for Scottish Health Boards

Although composite indicators are widely used to inform health system performance comparisons, such measures typically embed contentious assumptions, for instance about the weights assigned to constituent indicators. Moreover, although many comparative measures are constructed as ratios, the choice of denominator is not always straightforward. The conventional approach is to determine a single set of weights and to choose a single denominator, even though this involves considerable methodological difficulties. This study proposes an alternative approach to handle the lack of information about an appropriate set of weights and about a defensible denominator in composite indicators which considers all feasible weights and can incorporate multiple denominators. We illustrate this approach for comparative quality assessments of Scottish Health Boards. The results (displayed as ranking intervals and dominance relations) help identify Boards which cannot be ranked, say, worse than 4th or better than 7th. Such rankings give policy-makers a sense of the uncertainty around ranks, indicating the extent to which action is warranted. By identifying the full range of rankings that the organizations under comparison may attain, the approach proposed here acknowledges imperfect information about the “correct” set of weights and the appropriate denominator and may thus help to increase transparency of and confidence in health system performance comparisons
Multi-model Cross Pollination in Time

Predictive skill of complex models is often not uniform in model-state space;
in weather forecasting models, for example, the skill of the model can be
greater in populated regions of interest than in "remote" regions of the globe.
Given a collection of models, a multi-model forecast system using the cross
pollination in time approach can be generalised to take advantage of instances
where some models produce systematically more accurate forecast of some
components of the model-state. This generalisation is stated and then
successfully demonstrated in a moderate ~40 dimensional nonlinear dynamical
system suggested by Lorenz. In this demonstration four imperfect models, each
with similar global forecast skill, are used. Future applications in weather
forecasting and in economic forecasting are discussed. The demonstration
establishes that cross pollinating forecast trajectories to enrich the
collection of simulations upon which the forecast is built can yield a new
forecast system with significantly more skills than the original multi-model
forecast system
Massive vectors and loop observables: the $g-2$ case

We discuss the use of massive vectors for the interpretation of some recent
experimental anomalies, with special attention to the muon $g-2$. We restrict
our discussion to the case where the massive vector is embedded into a
spontaneously broken gauge symmetry, so that the predictions are not affected
by the choice of an arbitrary energy cut-off. Extended gauge symmetries,
however, typically impose strong constraints on the mass of the new vector
boson and for the muon $g-2$ they basically rule out, barring the case of
abelian gauge extensions, the explanation of the discrepancy in terms of a
single vector extension of the standard model. We finally comment on the use of
massive vectors for $B$-meson decay and di-photon anomalies.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figure. References added, to appear in JHE
Negative mood reverses devaluation of goal-directed drug-seeking favouring an incentive learning account of drug dependence

Journal ArticleBackground: Two theories explain how negative mood primes smoking behaviour. The stimulus-response (S-R) account argues that in the negative mood state, smoking is experienced as more reinforcing, establishing a direct (automatic) association between the negative mood state and smoking behaviour. By contrast, the incentive learning account argues that in the negative mood state smoking is expected to be more reinforcing, which integrates with instrumental knowledge of the response required to produce that outcome. Objectives: One differential prediction is that whereas the incentive learning account anticipates that negative mood induction could augment a novel tobacco-seeking response in an extinction test, the S-R account could not explain this effect because the extinction test prevents S-R learning by omitting experience of the reinforcer. Methods: To test this, overnight-deprived daily smokers (n∈=∈44) acquired two instrumental responses for tobacco and chocolate points, respectively, before smoking to satiety. Half then received negative mood induction to raise the expected value of tobacco, opposing satiety, whilst the remainder received positive mood induction. Finally, a choice between tobacco and chocolate was measured in extinction to test whether negative mood could augment tobacco choice, opposing satiety, in the absence of direct experience of tobacco reinforcement. Results: Negative mood induction not only abolished the devaluation of tobacco choice, but participants with a significant increase in negative mood increased their tobacco choice in extinction, despite satiety. Conclusions: These findings suggest that negative mood augments drug-seeking by raising the expected value of the drug through incentive learning, rather than through automatic S-R control.MR
Topology optimization for minimum weight with compliance and simpli ed nominal stress constraints for fatigue resistance

This work investigates a simpli ed approach to cope with the optimization of preliminary design of structures under local fatigue constraints along with a global enforcement on the overall compliance. The problem aims at the minimization of the weight of linear elastic structures
under given loads and boundary conditions. The expected sti ness of the optimal structure is provided by the global constraint, whereas a set of local stress-based constraints ask for a structure to be fatigue resistant. A modi ed Goodman fatigue strength comparison is implemented through the same formalism to address pressure-dépendent failure in materials as in Drucker-Prager strength criterion. As a simplification, the Sines approach is used to de ne the equivalent mean and alternating stresses to address the fatigue resistance for an infinite life time. Sines computation is based on the equivalent mean and alternate stress depending on the invariants of the stress tensor and itsdeviatoric part, respectively. The so-called singularity phenomenon is overcome by the implementation of a suitable qp-relaxation of the equivalent stress measures. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the features of the achieved optimal layouts and of the proposed algorithm.Peer reviewe
First measurement of time-dependent CP violation in B0s→K+K− decays

Direct and mixing-induced CP-violating asymmetries in B0s→K+K− decays are measured for the first time using a data sample of pp collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb−1, collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. The results are C KK  = 0.14 ± 0.11 ± 0.03 and S KK  = 0.30 ± 0.12 ± 0.04, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The corresponding quantities are also determined for B 0 → π + π − decays to be C ππ  = −0.38 ± 0.15 ± 0.02 and S ππ  = −0.71 ± 0.13 ± 0.02, in good agreement with existing measurements
Two particle azimuthal correlations at high transverse momentum in Pb - Au at 158 AGeV/c

The analysis of two-particle azimuthal angular correlations at high transverse momentum from Pb+Au collisions at 158 AGeV/c at SPS reveals substantial modifications of the away-side peak as compared to the distributions from p+p reactions. The data recorded with the CERES Time-Projection Chamber, which provides excellent tracking efficiency, suggest that the observed modification of the back-to-back structure implies significant re-interactions of the scattered partons within the medium. These findings at top SPS energy show features qualitatively similar to the results obtained at RHIC from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV/c and Cu+Cu collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 62$ GeV/c. We present the centrality and charge dependent conditional di-jet yields for similar transverse momentum windows as investigated by the RHIC experimentsThe analysis of two-particle azimuthal angular correlations at high transverse momentum from Pb+Au collisions at 158 AGeV/c at SPS reveals substantial modifications of the away-side peak as compared to the distributions from p+p reactions. The data recorded with the CERES Time-Projection Chamber, which provides excellent tracking efficiency, suggest that the observed modification of the back-to-back structure implies significant re-interactions of the scattered partons within the medium. These findings at top SPS energy show features qualitatively similar to the results obtained at RHIC from Au+Au collisions at 															s														=							200							 GeV							/							c						 and Cu+Cu collisions at 															s														=							62							 GeV							/							c						 [S.S. Adler et al., PHENIX Collaboration, arXiv:nucl-ex/0507004 , M. McCumber and J. Frantz, arXiv:nucl-ex/0511048 ]. We present the centrality and charge dependent conditional di-jet yields for similar transverse momentum windows as investigated by the RHIC experiments [S.S. Adler et al., PHENIX Collaboration, arXiv:nucl-ex/0507004 , M. McCumber and J. Frantz, arXiv:nucl-ex/0511048 , J. Adams et al., STAR Collaboration, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95 (2005) 152301, arXiv:nucl-ex/0501016 ]
Breather solutions of the discrete p-Schrödinger equation

To appear in Springer Series on Wave PhenomenaInternational audienceWe consider the discrete p-Schrödinger (DpS) equation, which approximates small amplitude oscillations in chains of oscillators with fully-nonlinear nearest-neighbors interactions of order alpha = p-1 >1. Using a mapping approach, we prove the existence of breather solutions of the DpS equation with even- or odd-parity reflectional symmetries. We derive in addition analytical approximations for the breather profiles and the corresponding intersecting stable and unstable manifolds, valid on a whole range of nonlinearity orders alpha. In the limit of weak nonlinearity (alpha --> 1^+), we introduce a continuum limit connecting the stationary DpS and logarithmic nonlinear Schrödinger equations. In this limit, breathers correspond asymptotically to Gaussian homoclinic solutions. We numerically analyze the stability properties of breather solutions depending on their even- or odd-parity symmetry. A perturbation of an unstable breather generally results in a translational motion (traveling breather) when alpha is close to unity, whereas pinning becomes predominant for larger values of alpha
From End-User’s Requirements to Web Services Retrieval: A Semantic and Intention-Driven Approach

également rapport de recherche I3S/RR–2010-03–FRInternational audienceIn this paper, we present SATIS, a framework to derive Web Service specifications from end-user's requirements in order to opera-tionalise business processes in the context of a specific application domain. The aim of SATIS is to provide to neuroscientists, which are not familiar with computer science, a complete solution to easily find a set of Web Services to implement an image processing pipeline. More precisely, our framework offers the capability to capture high-level end-user's requirements in an iterative and incremental way and to turn them into queries to retrieve Web Services description. The whole framework relies on reusable and combinable elements which can be shared out by a community of users sharing some interest or problems for a given topic. In our approach, we adopt Web semantic languages and models as a unified framework to deal with end-user's requirements and Web Service descriptions in order to take advantage of their reasoning and traceability capabilities
Effect of the mechanical harvest of drupes on the quality characteristics of green fermented table olives

Background: Because of damage caused by mechanical harvesting, the drupes for table olive production are traditionally hand harvested. Until now, no data have been available on the microbiological and chemical features of mechanically harvested drupes during fermentation. Results: Drupes mechanically harvested and inoculated with Lactobacillus pentosus OM13 were characterized by the lowest concentrations of potential spoilage microorganisms. On the other hand, drupes mechanically harvested and subjected to spontaneous fermentation showed the highest concentration of Enterobacteriaceae and pseudomonads during transformation. The lowest decrease of pH (4.20) was registered for the trials inoculated with the starter culture. Differences in terms of volatile organic compounds were estimated among trials. Multivariate analysis showed that the olives processed from the drupes mechanically harvested and inoculated with starter were closely related to control production (drupes manually harvested) in terms of microbiological and pH values. Sensory analysis evidenced negative evaluations only for the uninoculated trials. Conclusion: Drupes mechanically harvested and subjected to a driven fermentation with Lactobacillus pentosus OM13 determined the production of table olives with appreciable organoleptic features. Thus mechanical harvesting performed using a trunk shaker equipped with an inverse umbrella and the addition of starter lactic acid bacteria represents a valuable alternative to manual harvesting for table olive production at the industrial level
Nanostructured multilayer compartments : towards multifunctionality and ‘‘cell-like’’ hierarchical complexity

In living organisms, there are phenomena that require the presence of specific biomolecules with distinct function and in variable concentrations at a given time, such as the healing and regeneration of tissue and organ lesions. In this work, we propose the use of a compartmented drug delivery device for the multiple release of bioactive agents. It consists of nanostructured microcapsules confined within a millimetric container that can be easily handled, mimicking the concept of cells which possess organelles with specialized functions. Each hierarchical structure was conceived using the layer-by-layer (LbL) method to form micro and macrocapsules that could individually carry either molecules and release them with distinct kinetics or magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to be used in targeted therapies. Furthermore, the internal microcontainers were constructed with a temperature-responsive elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) to further add smart properties to the proposed system. Sacrificial CaCO3 microparticles empty or entrapping either rhodamine or Fe3O4 MNPs were incubated in chitosan and ELR solutions using LbL for the conception of the microcapsules. Then, the microcapsules were suspended in alginate which was ionically crosslinked in CaCl2 drop-wise. Rhodamine could be encapsulated at this point in the alginate. The bead was coated with chitosan and alginate
to build the external macrocapsule compartment. All structures were coated with 3 bilayers. The CaCO3 cores were chelated and the alginate beads liquefied using EDTA. Fluorescence microscopy using FITC and
rhodamine markers showed a uniform distribution of the microcapsules within the macroreservoir. The release of rhodamine from either in the micro or macrocapsule was assessed at 25 and 37 °C in PBS. While the release from the macrocapsule follows a profile similar to that of traditional drug delivery systems, it is more sustained and delayed when released from the internal compartments. Such retention is more pronounced at 37 ºC (65% of release in comparison to 90%). This is due to the temperature responsive behavior of ELRs, which undergo a phase transition and make the LbL shell less permeable. For the magnetic response, the incorporation of the MNPs was observed by transmitted light microscopy. The attraction of the devices was observed by applying an external magnetic field along a defined trajectory. The results let foresee the use of such multilayer devices as compartmented structures to encapsulate growth factors, MNPs and stem cells for their controlled differentiation and maintenance or for guided regeneration of tissues and organs.Fundo Social Europeu (FSE)Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Programa Diferencial de Potencial Humano (POPH