pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
A Game-Theoretic Approach to Peer Disagreement

In this paper we propose and analyze a game-theoretic model of the epistemology of peer disagreement. In this model, the peers' rationality is evaluated in terms of their probability of ending the disagreement with a true belief. We find that different strategies---in particular, one based on the Steadfast View and one based on the Conciliatory View---are rational depending on the truth-sensitivity of the individuals involved in the disagreement. Interestingly, the Steadfast and the Conciliatory Views can even be rational simultaneously in some circumstances. We tentatively provide some reasons to favor the Conciliatory View in such cases. We argue that the game-theoretic perspective is a fruitful one in this debate, and this fruitfulness has not been exhausted by the present paper
Age difference between heterosexual partners in Britain : implications for the spread of Chlamydia trachomatis

Heterosexual partners often differ in age. Integrating realistic patterns of sexual mixing by age into dynamic transmission models has been challenging. The effects of these patterns on the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI) including Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia), the most common bacterial STI are not well understood. We describe age mixing between new heterosexual partners using age- and sex-specific data about sexual behavior reported by people aged 16-63 years in the 2000 and 2010 British National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles. We incorporate mixing patterns into a compartmental transmission model fitted to age- and sex-specific, chlamydia positivity from the same surveys, to investigate C. trachomatis transmission. We show that distributions of ages of new sex partners reported by women and by men in Britain are not consistent with each other. After balancing these distributions, new heterosexual partnerships tend to involve men who are older than women (median age difference 2, IQR -1, 5 years). We identified the most likely age combinations of heterosexual partners where incident C. trachomatis infections are generated. The model results show that in >50% of chlamydia transmitting partnerships, at least one partner is ≥25 years old. This study illustrates how sexual behavior data can be used to reconstruct detailed sexual mixing patterns by age, and how these patterns can be integrated into dynamic transmission models. The proposed framework can be extended to study the effects of age-dependent transmission on incidence in any STI
SCOPE model applied for rapeseed in Spain

The integrated SCOPE (Soil, Canopy Observation, Photochemistry and Energy balance) model, coupling radiative transfer theory and biochemistry, was applied to a biodiesel crop grown in a Spanish agricultural area. Energy fluxes and CO2 exchange were simulated with this model for the period spanning January 2008 to October 2008. Resultswere compared to experimentalmeasurements performed using eddy covariance and meteorological
instrumentation. The reliability of the model was proven by simulating latent (LE) and sensible (H) heat fluxes, soil heat flux (G), and CO2 exchanges (NEE and GPP). LAI data used as input in the model were retrieved from the MODIS and MERIS sensors. SCOPE was able to reproduce similar seasonal trends to those measured for NEE, GPP and LE. When considering H, the modelled values were underestimated for the period covering July
2008 to mid-September 2008. The modelled fluxes reproduced the observed seasonal evolution with determination coefficients of over 0.77 when LE and H were evaluated. The modelled results offered good agreement with observed data for NEE and GPP, regardless of whether LAI data belonged to MODIS or MERIS, showing slopes of 0.87 and 0.91 for NEE-MODIS and NEE-MERIS, and 0.91 and 0.94 for GPP-MODIS and GPP-MERIS, respectively.
Moreover, SCOPE was able to reproduce similar seasonal behaviou s to those observed for the experimental carbón fluxes, clearly showing the CO2 sink/source behaviour for the whole period studied
Polarization-Resolved Near-Field Spectroscopy of Localized States in m-Plane InxGa1−xN/GaN Quantum Wells

Producción CientíficaWe present a polarization, spectrally, and spatially resolved near-field photoluminescence (PL) measurement technique and apply it to the study of wide m-plane InxGa1−xN/GaN quantum wells grown on on-axis and miscut GaN substrates. It is found that PL originates from localized states; nevertheless, its degree of linear polarization (DLP) is high with little spatial variation. This allows an unambiguous assignment of the localized states to InxGa1−xN composition-related band potential fluctuations. Spatial PL variations, occurring due to morphology features of the on-axis samples, play a secondary role compared to the variations of the alloy composition. The large PL peak wavelength difference for polarizations parallel and perpendicular to the c axis, the weak correlation between the peak PL wavelength and the DLP, and the temperature dependence of the DLP suggest that effective potential variations and the hole mass in the second valence-band level are considerably smaller than that for the first level. DLP maps for the long wavelength PL tails have revealed well-defined regions with a small DLP, which have been attributed to a partial strain relaxation around dislocations.Swedish Energy Agency (Contract No. 36652-1)Swedish Research Council (Contract No. 621-2013- 4096
Scale-specific correlations between habitat heterogeneity and soil fauna diversity along a landscape structure gradient

Abstract  Habitat heterogeneity contributes to the maintenance of diversity, but the extent that landscape-scale rather than local-scale heterogeneity influences the diversity of soil invertebrates—species with small range sizes—is less clear. Using a Scottish habitat heterogeneity gradient we correlated Collembola and lumbricid worm species richness and abundance with different elements (forest cover, habitat richness and patchiness) and qualities (plant species richness, soil variables) of habitat heterogeneity, at landscape (1 km2) and local (up to 200 m2) scales. Soil fauna assemblages showed considerable turnover in species composition along this habitat heterogeneity gradient. Soil fauna species richness and turnover was greatest in landscapes that were a mosaic of habitats. Soil fauna diversity was hump-shaped along a gradient of forest cover, peaking where there was a mixture of forest and open habitats in the landscape. Landscape-scale habitat richness was positively correlated with lumbricid diversity, while Collembola and lumbricid abundances were negatively and positively related to landscape spatial patchiness. Furthermore, soil fauna diversity was positively correlated with plant diversity, which in turn peaked in the sites that were a mosaic of forest and open habitat patches. There was less evidence that local-scale habitat variables (habitat richness, tree cover, plant species richness, litter cover, soil pH, depth of organic horizon) affected soil fauna diversity: Collembola diversity was independent of all these measures, while lumbricid diversity positively and negatively correlated with vascular plant species richness and tree canopy density. Landscape-scale habitat heterogeneity affects soil diversity regardless of taxon, while the influence of habitat heterogeneity at local scales is dependent on taxon identity, and hence ecological traits, e.g. body size. Landscape-scale habitat heterogeneity by providing different niches and refuges, together with passive dispersal and population patch dynamics, positively contributes to soil faunal diversity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007-0766-
Estimating the joint roughness coefficient of discontinuities found in metamorphic rocks

Abstract  The paper presents the results of different methods of determining the roughness of joints in quartzites, metagreywackes and phyllites obtained from road cuts in central Portugal. The evaluation of the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) was carried out using graphical and analytical procedures. Differences were found between the JRC graphic and the JRC calculated, depending on the method used. The JRC calculated values obtained by the tilt tests and the Schmidt rebound hammer tests were compared to the JRC calculated values established from the rock joint shear tests. It is concluded that if JRC is to be used, it is essential to specify how it was established.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10064-008-0151-
Applying quality status criteria to a temperate estuary before and after the mitigation measures to reduce eutrophication symptoms

The Mondego estuary is a well-described polyhaline type of transitional water located at the North Atlantic Ocean Ecoregion, where cultural eutrophication progressed over the last decades of the 20th century. Consequently, and due to huge productivity of Ulva spp. Zostera noltii meadows were severely reduced causing the whole ecosystem to become impoverished in terms of macrofaunal abundance, biomass and species richness with a concomitant lowering of secondary production. In 1998, experimental mitigation measures were implemented, via changes in hydrology to increase circulation and diversion of nutrient rich freshwater inflow, to reverse the process in the most affected area of the estuary – its south arm. Thus, the system quality status was assessed before and after 1998, over a ten year period. The OSPAR comprehensive procedure, the first phase of the US-NEEA procedure and the proposed EU-WFD physicochemical status criteria were applied to the data before and after the modifications and all show that the system health has improved. Nonetheless, the annual means of the oxidised forms of nitrogen  and of phosphate were not reduced. In fact, applying criteria used in classifying the nutrient levels in transitional waters and the Baltic sea trophic condition, the system has not improved. Meaning that, to look forward to a “higher” quality status, future measures should also consider longer term solutions such as improved agriculture practices in the Mondego River valley through environmental friendly technological solutions that will reduce the nutrient loads to this systemhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.10.01
Towards a Concurrent and Distributed Route Selection for Payment Channel Networks

Payment channel networks use off-chain transactions to provide virtually arbitrary transaction rates. In this paper, we provide a new perspective on payment channels and consider them as a flow network. We propose an extended push-relabel algorithm to find payment flows in a payment channel network. Our algorithm enables a distributed and concurrent execution without violating capacity constraints. To this end, we introduce the concept of capacity locking. We prove that flows are valid and present first results
A Note on Instanton Effects in ABJM Theory

We consider the quantum spectral problem appearing the Fermi gas formulation
of the ABJM (Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena) matrix model. This is known to
related to the refined topological string on local P^1*P^1 Calabi-Yau geometry.
In the ABJM setting the problem is formulated by an integral equation, and is
somewhat different from the one formulated directly in terms of the Calabi-Yau
geometry and studied in our earlier paper. We use the similar method in our
earlier paper to determine the non-perturbative contributions to the quantum
phase volume in the ABJM case from the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization condition.
As in our earlier paper, the non-perturbative contributions contain higher
order smooth corrections beyond those required by singularity cancellations
with the perturbative contributions proposed by Kallen and Marino. Our results
imply possible new contributions to the grand potential of the ABJM matrix
model.Comment: 18 page
Recommendations on methods for the detection and control of biological pollution in marine coastal waters

Adverse effects of invasive alien species (IAS), or biological pollution, is an increasing problem in marine coastal waters, which remains high on the environmental management agenda. All maritime countries need to assess the size of this problem and consider effective mechanisms to prevent introductions, and if necessary and where possible to monitor, contain, control or eradicate the introduced impacting organisms. Despite this, and in contrast to more enclosed water bodies, the openness of marine systems indicates that once species are in an area then eradication is usually impossible. Most institutions in countries are aware of the problem and have sufficient governance in place for management. However, there is still a general lack of commitment and concerted action plans are needed to address this problem. This paper provides recommendations resulting from an international workshop based upon a large amount of experience relating to the assessment and control of biopollution
Bevacizumab treatment induces metabolic adaptation toward anaerobic metabolism in glioblastomas

Anti-angiogenic therapy in glioblastoma (GBM) has unfortunately not led to the anticipated improvement in patient prognosis. We here describe how human GBM adapts to bevacizumab treatment at the metabolic level. By performing 13C6-glucose metabolic flux analysis, we show for the first time that the tumors undergo metabolic re-programming toward anaerobic metabolism, thereby uncoupling glycolysis from oxidative phosphorylation. Following treatment, an increased influx of 13C6-glucose was observed into the tumors, concomitant to increased lactate levels and a reduction of metabolites associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This was confirmed by increased expression of glycolytic enzymes including pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase in the treated tumors. Interestingly, l-glutamine levels were also reduced. These results were further confirmed by the assessment of in vivo metabolic data obtained by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography. Moreover, bevacizumab led to a depletion in glutathione levels indicating that the treatment caused oxidative stress in the tumors. Confirming the metabolic flux results, immunohistochemical analysis showed an up-regulation of lactate dehydrogenase in the bevacizumab-treated tumor core as well as in single tumor cells infiltrating the brain, which may explain the increased invasion observed after bevacizumab treatment. These observations were further validated in a panel of eight human GBM patients in which paired biopsy samples were obtained before and after bevacizumab treatment. Importantly, we show that the GBM adaptation to bevacizumab therapy is not mediated by clonal selection mechanisms, but represents an adaptive response to therapy
Effect of electroless coating parameters and ceramic particle size on fabrication of a uniform Ni–P coating on SiC particles

The formation of a uniform nickel phosphorous (Ni–P) electroless (EL) coating on micronsized SiC particles was investigated in this study. Metal coated ceramic particles could be used in applications including as the fabrication of cast metal matrix composites.Such ceramic particles have a better wettability in molten metal. In this work, the effects of EL coating parameters, SiC particle size and morphology on the coating uniformity and mechanical bonding at the SiC/Ni–P interface were studied. The results indicated that etching treatment was very effective (especially for coarse powders) on the mechanical bonding at the interface. Theoptimum values of bath temperature and pH were determined to be 50+_2 0C and 8+_0.2, respectively. The best uniformity and mechanical bonding were obtained for SiC particles with average particle size of 80 μm (considered relatively as coarse powders in this study). The ball milling of SiC particles (with the average particle size of 80 μm) for 1 h led to the formation of a multi-modal particle size distribution which resulted in a non-uniform quality of particulate coating. The larger SiC particles after ball milling were more completely covered by the Ni–P coating compared to the smaller more fragmented particles. The smaller ceramic particles processed via Ni–P EL coating lead to formation of segregated clusters of Ni–P and therefore such ceramic particles contained many uncoated parts
Sociodemographic, behavioral and genetic determinants of allostatic load in a Swiss population-based study.

Allostatic load (AL) is a marker of physiological dysregulation which reflects exposure to chronic stress. High AL has been related to poorer health outcomes including mortality. We examine here the association of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors with AL. Additionally, we investigate the extent to which AL is genetically determined. We included 803 participants (52% women, mean age 48±16years) from a population and family-based Swiss study. We computed an AL index aggregating 14 markers from cardiovascular, metabolic, lipidic, oxidative, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal and inflammatory homeostatic axes. Education and occupational position were used as indicators of socioeconomic status. Marital status, stress, alcohol intake, smoking, dietary patterns and physical activity were considered as lifestyle factors. Heritability of AL was estimated by maximum likelihood. Women with a low occupational position had higher AL (low vs. high OR=3.99, 95%CI [1.22;13.05]), while the opposite was observed for men (middle vs. high OR=0.48, 95%CI [0.23;0.99]). Education tended to be inversely associated with AL in both sexes(low vs. high OR=3.54, 95%CI [1.69;7.4]/OR=1.59, 95%CI [0.88;2.90] in women/men). Heavy drinking men as well as women abstaining from alcohol had higher AL than moderate drinkers. Physical activity was protective against AL while high salt intake was related to increased AL risk. The heritability of AL was estimated to be 29.5% ±7.9%. Our results suggest that generalized physiological dysregulation, as measured by AL, is determined by both environmental and genetic factors. The genetic contribution to AL remains modest when compared to the environmental component, which explains approximately 70% of the phenotypic variance
Hybridizing concentrated solar power (CSP) with biogas and biomethane as an alternative to natural gas: Analysis of environmental performance using LCA

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants typically incorporate one or various auxiliary boilers operating in parallel to the solar field to facilitate start up operations, provide system stability, avoid freezing of heat transfer fluid (HTF) and increase generation capacity. The environmental performance of these plants is highly influenced by the energy input and the type of auxiliary fuel, which in most cases is natural gas (NG). Replacing the NG with biogas or biomethane (BM) in commercial CSP installations is being considered as a means to produce electricity that is fully renewable and free from fossil inputs. Despite their renewable nature, the use of these biofuels also generates environmental impacts that need to be adequately identified and quantified. This paper investigates the environmental performance of a commercial wet-cooled parabolic trough 50 MWe CSP plant in Spain operating according to two strategies: solar-only, with minimum technically viable energy non-solar contribution; and hybrid operation, where 12 % of the electricity derives from auxiliary fuels (as permitted by Spanish legislation). The analysis was based on standard Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology (ISO 14040-14040). The technical viability and the environmental profile of operating the CSP plant with different auxiliary fuels was evaluated, including: NG; biogas from an adjacent plant; and BM withdrawn from the gas network. The effect of using different substrates (biowaste, sewage sludge, grass and a mix of biowaste with animal manure) for the production of the biofuels was also investigated. The results showed that NG is responsible for most of the environmental damage associated with the operation of the plant in hybrid mode. Replacing NG with biogas resulted in a significant improvement of the environmental performance of the installation, primarily due to reduced impact in the following categories: natural land transformation, depletion of fossil resources, and climate change. However, despite the renewable nature of the biofuels, other environmental categories like human toxicity, eutrophication, acidification and marine ecotoxicity scored higher when using biogas and BM
The role of regulation in the origin and synthetic modelling of minimal cognition

In this paper we address the question of minimal cognition by investigating the origin of some crucial cognitive properties from the very basic organisation of biological systems. More specifically, we propose a theoretical model of how a system can distinguish between specific features of its interaction with the environment, which is a fundamental requirement for the emergence of minimal forms of cognition. We argue that the appearance of this capacity is grounded in the molecular domain, and originates from basic mechanisms of biological regulation. In doing so, our aim is to provide a theoretical account that can also work as a possible conceptual bridge between Synthetic Biology and Artificial Intelligence. In fact, we argue, Synthetic Biology can contribute to the study of minimal cognition (and therefore to a minimal AI), by providing a privileged approach to the study of these mechanisms by means of artificial systems
Pandemics of focal plant disease: A model

An analytical model of a pandemic, initiated by a single focus and spreading over a continent, is developed using foci as the smallest units of disease and fields as the smallest units of host. A few generalizing assumptions lead to a parameter-sparse model that may answer general questions on pandemics in a qualitative manner. For pandemic spread of disease during one season, a 'within-season velocity of pandemic spread,' C, is expressed as a set of integral equations. Reduction of inoculum during the off-season is expressed by a 'survival ratio' of inoculum, e. The effect of the off-season is a 'push-back' of the pandemic front over a distance delta h. It will be shown how delta h is related to C and e. The mean pandemic spread over successive years is calculated as the 'polyetic velocity of pandemic spread,' V, which depends on C and the push-back distance. The concept of 'pandemic effectiveness' is parameterized. Relations between the two velocities of pandemic spread and several model parameters are studied. Somewhat unexpectedly, velocities of pandemic spread depend only in a very limited way on field density represented by the 'cropping ratio' x. This implies that our model and methods will also apply to situations with inhomogeneous field distributions. The effect of parameter values on rates of severity increase are analyzed. Finally, generalizations of the model are developed and their applications discussed
Translation invariant time-dependent massive gravity:
Hamiltonian analysis

The canonical structure of the massive gravity in the first order moving frame formalism is studied. We work in the simplified context of translation invariant fields, with mass terms given by general non-derivative interactions, invariant under the diagonal Lorentz group, depending  on the moving frame as well as a fixed reference frame.   We prove that the only mass terms which give 5 propagating degrees of freedom are the dRGT mass terms, namely those which are linear in the lapse. We also complete the Hamiltonian analysis with  the dynamical evolution of the system