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Precocious male maturation causes reduced welfare and increased production costs in Atlantic salmon (

Child birth via Cesarean section accounts for approximately 32% of all births each year in the United States. A variety of risk factors and complications can lead caregivers and patients to plan for a Cesarean delivery in advance before onset of labor. However, a non-trivial subset of Cesarean sections (∼25%) are unplanned and occur after an initial trial of labor is attempted. Unfortunately, patients who deliver via unplanned Cesarean sections have increased maternal morbidity and mortality rates and higher rates of neonatal intensive care admissions. In an effort to develop models aimed at improving health outcomes in labor and delivery, this work seeks to explore the use of national vital statistics data to quantify the likelihood of an unplanned Cesarean section based on 22 maternal characteristics. Machine learning techniques are used to ascertain influential features, train and evaluate models, and assess accuracy against available test data. Based on cross-validation results from a large training cohort (n = 6,530,467 births), the gradient-boosted tree algorithm was identified as the best performer and was evaluated on a large test cohort (n = 10,613,877 births) for two prediction scenarios. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.77 or higher and recall scores of 0.78 or higher were obtained and the resulting models are well calibrated. Combined with feature importance analysis to explain why certain maternal characteristics lead to a specific prediction in individual patients, the developed analysis pipeline provides additional quantitative information to aid in the decision process on whether to plan for a Cesarean section in advance, a substantially safer option among women at a high risk of unplanned Cesarean delivery during labor.

We argue that the robustness analysis of idealized models can have confirmational power. This responds to concerns recently raised in the literature (especially by Odenbaugh & Alexandrova), according to which (a) the robustness analysis of models whose idealizations are not discharged is unable to confirm the causal mechanisms underlying these models, and (b) the robustness analysis of models whose idealizations are discharged is unnecessary. In response, we make clear that, where idealizations sweep out, in a specific way, the space of possibilities— which is sometimes, though not always, the case—they can be holistically discharged. In turn, this can be used to show that the robustness analysis of idealized models can have confirmational force after all.

While the existence of human cognitive and behavioral diversity is now widely recognized, it is not yet well established how to explain this diversity. In particular, it is still unclear how to determine whether any given instance of human cognitive and behavioral diversity is due to a common psychology that is merely “triggered” differently in different bio-cultural environments, or whether it is due to deeply and fundamentally different psychologies. This paper suggests that, to answer this question, we need to employ subtle theoretical considerations of theory choice—especially the consideration of the complexity-weighted differential predictive successes of the two accounts. To make this clearer, the paper develops a novel analysis of the observed differences in human sharing dispositions.

This paper investigates the philosophical and designerly questions of how the concepts of familiarity, orientation, and habituation can be used to understand a self-moving (semi-autonomous robot) table at home. Tables are familiar habituated objects in domestic settings for people with various abilities. We explore the idea of a self-moving table through the lens of universal design. Phenomenology is applied to get a grip on ways of orienting and being oriented by such habituated familiar objects. Specifically, we investigate how the t-able is used as a telephone table, where the telephone is always charged and in a fixed place on the table. This is an attempt to make the telephone easier to use and relate to at home. The paper aims to inform future robots' design for the independently living elderly by designing robots mainly from natural materials, such as wood. We also discuss similarities and differences between the universal design of the built environment and ICT environments with this paper.

The Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and National Institutes of Health have invested significantly in advancing prosthetic technologies over the past 25 years, with the overall intent to improve the function, participation and quality of life of Service Members, Veterans, and all United States Citizens living with limb loss. These investments have contributed to substantial advancements in the control and sensory perception of prosthetic devices over the past decade. While control of motorized prosthetic devices through the use of electromyography has been widely available since the 1980s, this technology is not intuitive. Additionally, these systems do not provide stimulation for sensory perception. Recent research has made significant advancement not only in the intuitive use of electromyography for control but also in the ability to provide relevant meaningful perceptions through various stimulation approaches. While much of this previous work has traditionally focused on those with upper extremity amputation, new developments include advanced bidirectional neuroprostheses that are applicable to both the upper and lower limb amputation. The goal of this review is to examine the state-of-the-science in the areas of intuitive control and sensation of prosthetic devices and to discuss areas of exploration for the future. Current research and development efforts in external systems, implanted systems, surgical approaches, and regenerative approaches will be explored.

Floating offshore wind turbines are a promising concept for expanding offshore wind energy. In comparison with fix-founded offshore wind turbines, the overall costs are less dependent on wa...

We argue that there are two different kinds of altruistic motivation: classical psychological altruism, which generates ultimate desires to help other organisms at least partly for those organisms’ sake, and nonclassical psychological altruism, which generates ultimate desires to help other organisms for the sake of the organism providing the help. We then argue that classical psychological altruism is adaptive if the desire to help others is intergenerationally reliable and, thus, need not be learned. Nonclassical psychological altruism is adaptive when the desire to help others is adaptively learnable. This theory opens new avenues for the interdisciplinary study of psychological altruism.

Entering meiosis strictly depends on stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8) gene function in mammals. This gene is missing in a number of fish species, including medaka and zebrafish, but is present in the majority of fishes, including Atlantic salmon. Here, we have examined the effects of removing stra8 on male fertility in Atlantic salmon. As in mammals, stra8 expression was restricted to germ cells in the testis, transcript levels increased during the start of puberty, and decreased when blocking the production of retinoic acid. We targeted the salmon stra8 gene with two gRNAs one of these were highly effective and produced numerous mutations in stra8, which led to a loss of wild-type (WT) stra8 expression in F0 salmon testis. In maturing stra8 crispants, the spermatogenetic tubuli were partially disorganized and displayed a sevenfold increase in germ cell apoptosis, in particular among type B spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The production of spermatogenic cysts, on the other hand, increased in maturing stra8 crispants. Gene expression analysis revealed unchanged (lin28a, ret) or reduced levels (egr1, dusp4) of transcripts associated with undifferentiated spermatogonia. Decreased expression was recorded for some genes expressed in differentiating spermatogonia including dmrt1 and ccnd2 or in spermatocytes, such as ccna1. Different from Stra8-deficient mammals, a large number of germ cells completed spermatogenesis, sperm was produced and fertilization rates were similar in WT and crispant males. While loss of stra8 increased germ cell apoptosis during salmon spermatogenesis, crispants compensated this cell loss by an elevated production of spermatogenic cysts, and were able to produce functional sperm. It appears that also in a fish species with a stra8 gene in the genome, the critical relevance this gene has attained for mammalian spermatogenesis is not yet given, although detrimental effects of the loss of stra8 were clearly visible during maturation.

Recent anthropological, archaeological, and psychological findings support the view that humans have long been driven by a deep sense of curiosity that needs little if any special external material reward. Apart from being inherently interesting, these findings also turn out to have some wide-ranging consequences for central debates in other social sciences—such as economics. In particular, it is still often thought that, without extensive patent protections, economic actors lack the incentive to engage in innovative activity. However, as this chapter makes clear, the recent anthropological, archaeological, and psychological findings concerning human curiosity provide compelling reasons for thinking that this material interest-based view of innovative activity is unconvincing. In this manner, the chapter has two key upshots: first and most importantly, it shows how and why paying attention to anthropological, archaeological, and psychological findings can have wide-ranging implications throughout the social sciences. Second, it develops reasons for being skeptical about the need for the kinds of extensive patent regimes seen in many countries.

PurposeTissue-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is increasingly utilized for treatment selection in patients with advanced solid tumors, however real-world tissue availability may limit widespread implementation. Here we established real-world CGP tissue availability and assessed CGP performance on consecutively received samples.Patients and MethodPost-hoc, non-prespecified analysis of 32,048 consecutive tumor tissue samples received for StrataNGS, a multiplex PCR based-CGP (PCR-CGP) test, as part of an ongoing observational trial (NCT03061305). Tumor tissue sample characteristics and PCR-CGP performance were assessed across all tested tumor samples, including exception samples not meeting minimum input requirements (2 tumor surface area [TSA], DNA or RNA yield 5yrs). Tests reporting at least one prioritized alteration or meeting all sequencing QC metrics (and ≥20% TC) were considered successful. For prostate carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma, tests reporting at least one actionable/informative alteration or those meeting all sequencing QC metrics (and ≥20% TC) were considered actionable.ResultsPCR-CGP was attempted in 31,165 of 32,048 (97.2%) consecutively received solid tumor tissue samples. Among the 31,165 tested samples, 10.7% had low (2 TSA), highlighting the challenging nature of samples received for CGP. Of the 31,101 samples evaluable for input requirements, 8,079 (26.0%) were exceptions not meeting requirements. However, 94.2% of the 31,101 tested samples were successfully reported, including 80.6% of exception samples. Importantly, 80.6% of 1,344 tested prostate carcinomas and 87.8% of 1,144 tested lung adenocarcinomas yielded results informing treatment selection.ConclusionMost real-world tumor tissue samples from patients with advanced cancer desiring CGP are limited, requiring optimized CGP approaches to produce meaningful results. An optimized PCR-CGP test, coupled with an inclusive exception testing policy, delivered reportable results for >94% of samples, potentially expanding the proportion of CGP-testable patients, and thus the impact of biomarker-guided targeted and immunotherapies.

Targeting the most relevant organic micropollutants (OMP) in routine analysis appears difficult due to formation of transformation products of unknown concentration or toxicity. Performance assessment of water purification processes is still based upon limited target data. Therefore, we broadened the assessment of the removal efficiencies with combined non-target and effect-directed analysis at four riverbank filtration (RBF) sites in Germany. To assess micropollutant elimination, constancy and formation during different seasons, considering local redox conditions, travel distances and total component number in the river, non-target analysis features were grouped into categories. Furthermore, RBF sites were investigated with four endpoints (baseline toxicity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antibiotic effects and estrogenic effects) for thin-layer chromatography - effect-directed analysis for the first time. Results showed elimination or reduction of many features and effects, but also constancy and formation of varying proportions. Fall river samples showed precipitation-caused dilution in both tests. Spring samples showed increased effects only in acetylcholinesterase inhibition and estrogenic effects, probably due to phytoestrogens or algae bloom during vegetation period. Sites were ranked considering the total number of features, group proportions, seasonal variations and intensity and number of effects in abstraction wells. Oxic conditions and low initial component numbers in the river (Ruhr sites) resulted in less effects and fewer formations. Longer travel distances were important for a more efficient reduction of effects and features. Combination of non-target and effect-directed analysis proved to be valuable for a more comprehensive assessment of process performance beyond target analysis as also unknown OMP are observed with both methods.

Resource-rational analysis would profit from being integrated more explicitly with an evolutionary psychological perspective. In particular, by taking more strongly into consideration the fact that efficiency considerations are a key driver of the evolution of human and animal minds, it becomes clearer: (1) why it is reasonable to assume that cognitive mechanisms trade-off accuracy against effort, (2) how this trade-off occurs, and (3) how to overcome some of the challenges of resource-rational analysis.

All universities in the world have international partners. The common experience is that these partnerships are often neither visible, nor operational, within the single university and not well known to others. At best the homepage displays the names of numerous international partners like colourful butterflies displayed in a vitrine of the Natural Science Museum.

Thin films of wear-resistant tungsten carbide were deposited on steel substrates by sputtering of WC with magnetron sputtering in a mixed argon/acetylene atmosphere. Variation of the acetylene supply during the deposition led to the growth of the tungsten carbide films with different excesses of carbon with respect to the stoichiometric WC. Variation of bias voltage influences mainly the [C]/([C]+[W]) ratio and secondary the mechanical properties hardness and Young's modulus. The films are supposed to combine good wear-resistant properties with a low friction under dry conditions. A tribometric analysis of friction and wear shows that an excess of carbon in the hard material layer can reduce the coefficient of friction by up to 40%. However, the volume of wear increased with increasing amount of carbon, while the nanoindentation measurements revealed higher hardness and lower elastic modulus.

We argue that some organisms are altruistically motivated and such altruistic motivation is adaptive. We lay out the helper’s decision problem—determining whether to help another organism. We point out that there are more ways of solving this problem than most people recognize. Specifically, we distinguish two kinds of altruistic motivations, depending on whether a desire to help is produced for one’s own sake or for others’ sake. We identify circumstances in which either kind of psychological altruism provides the most adaptive solution to the helper’s decision problem. As a result, we show that both kinds of psychological altruism are likely to be instantiated and selected for.

To increase efficiency, modern steam plants are pushing their operational regime from super-critical (600 °C/300 bar) to ultra-super-critical (740/760 °C/350 bar) stretching existing turbine materials to their limits. The focus is on new generation functional materials and technologies which complement the inherent properties of existing materials. Current work proposes a novel High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) deposition technology, for the first time, for deposition of a ceramic based CrN/NbN coating with a nanoscale multilayer structure (bi-layer thickness Δ = 1.9 nm) with superior adhesion (LC2 = 80 N) to protect low Chromium P92 steel widely used in steam power plants. Thermodynamic calculations predict the equilibrium phases and aggressive gaseous compounds generated by the interaction of steam with the coating. CrN/NbN coated P92 steel samples oxidised at 600 °C in a high pressure (50 bar) 100% steam atmosphere for up to 1000 h reveal the coating's superior oxidation resistance and protective mechanisms, especially against the detrimental effect of Hydrogen. High temperature (650 °C) Tensile Strength, Low Cycle Fatigue and Creep tests confirm that, unlike other state-of-the-art PVD technologies, HIPIMS is not detrimental to the mechanical properties of the substrate material. Water droplet erosion tests confirm no measurable weight loss after 2.4 × 106 impacts.

A model for laser cutting describing the movements of the two free boundaries of the melt will be presented. The model is an asymptotic approximation of a free boundary problem and involves the surface tension of the melt. The stationary solution will be given and investigated for linear stability. The results are illustrated with data from laser cutting experiments.

In 1947, Jacques Maritain argued before the UN that “men mutually opposed in their theoretical conceptions can come to a merely practical agreement regarding a list of human rights.” Maritain justified this thesis using a progressive theory of the natural law which rests on a distinction between the natural law as operative in human nature and the natural law as known and articulated. Drawing on Maritain’s 1951 Man and the State, this essay defends a MacIntyrian reading of Maritain’s thesis and its plausibility against four objections from Ralph McInerny, Charles Taylor, and Alasdair MacIntyre himself.

Die zerebrale Amyloidangiopathie (CAA) assoziiert mit Inflammation (CAA-RI) ist eine seltene Form einer potenziell reversiblen Enzephalopathie bei einer Untergruppe von Patienten mit CAA. Die zerebralen Amyloidablagerungen konnen in einzelnen Fallen eine Entzundung vorwiegend in den Gefaswanden und ein multifokales Marklagerodem hervorrufen. Dabei konnen monophasische, schubformige oder primar progrediente Verlaufsformen auftreten. Wir stellen sieben Kasuistiken mit unterschiedlichen Verlaufen der Erkrankung dar und geben einen Uberblick uber die Pathophysiologie, Klinik und Therapie der Erkrankung unter Berucksichtigung der aktuellen Literatur. Die dargestellten Falle weisen ein sehr unterschiedliches und oft differenzialdiagnostisch schwieriges klinisches Bild auf und verbesserten sich alle unter einer Steroidmedikation ohne Anhalt fur einen Ruckfall der Erkrankung im Verlauf. Dabei zeigt sich, dass das Erkennen und die fruhzeitige konsequente Behandlung der entzundlichen Verlaufsform der CAA mit und ohne direkte entzundliche Gefasbeteiligung fur die erfolgreiche Therapie entscheidend sind.

I distinguish two versions of kin selection theory—a purely genetic version (GKST) and a version that also appeals to cultural (i.e. non-genetically-derived) forms of cooperation (WKST)—and present an argument in favor of using the former when it comes to accounting for the evolution of cooperation in non-human organisms. Specifically, I first show that both GKST and WKST are equally mathematically coherent—they can both be derived from the Price equation—but not necessarily equally empirically plausible, as they are based on different assumptions about the inheritance system underlying the cooperative phenotype. Given this, I then, second, present a model selection theoretic argument in favor of GKST over WKST. This argument is based on the fact that, in non-human cases, the former theory is likely to be as empirically successful as WKST, while containing fewer degrees of freedom. I end by defending both the intrinsic importance of this argument and its relevance to the discussion surrounding the “gene’s eye view of evolution.”

Hypocrisy challenges religious belief in two ways.Arguments to Absurditycontend hypocrisy is defeasible evidence of the irrationality of a doctrine or practice.Arguments from Betrayalcontend that hypocrisy confronts institutionally loyal believers with a tragic dilemma: that because loyalty is justified by the goodness of its object, hypocrisy requires believers to sacrifice either their conscience (to remain loyal) or their character and identity (by abandoning their loyalty). This article presents philosophical and theological reasons that both arguments are unpersuasive.