Regge and Okamoto symmetries

We will relate the surprising Regge symmetry of the Racah-Wigner 6j symbols to the surprising Okamoto symmetry of the Painleve VI differential equation. This then presents the opportunity to give a conceptual derivation of the Regge symmetry, as the representation theoretic analogue of the author's previous derivation of the Okamoto symmetry. [The resulting derivation is quite simple, so it would be surprising if it has not been previously observed. Any references would be appreciated!]Comment: 14 page

Point-Form Analysis of Elastic Deuteron Form Factors

Point-form relativistic quantum mechanics is applied to elastic electron-deuteron scattering. The deuteron is modeled using relativistic interactions that are scattering-equivalent to the nonrelativistic Argonne $v_{18}$ and Reid '93 interactions. A point-form spectator approximation (PFSA) is introduced to define a conserved covariant current in terms of single-nucleon form factors. The PFSA is shown to provide an accurate description of data up to momentum transfers of 0.5 ${\rm GeV}^2$, but falls below the data at higher momentum transfers. Results are sensitive to the nucleon form factor parameterization chosen, particularly to the neutron electric form factor.Comment: RevTex, 31 pages, 1 table, 13 figure

What drives sound symbolism? Different acoustic cues underlie sound-size and sound-shape mappings

Sound symbolism refers to the non-arbitrary mappings that exist between phonetic properties of speech sounds and their meaning. Despite there being an extensive literature on the topic, the acoustic features and psychological mechanisms that give rise to sound symbolism are not, as yet, altogether clear. The present study was designed to investigate whether different sets of acoustic cues predict size and shape symbolism, respectively. In two experiments, participants judged whether a given consonant-vowel speech sound was large or small, round or angular, using a size or shape scale. Visual size judgments were predicted by vowel formant F1 in combination with F2, and by vowel duration. Visual shape judgments were, however, predicted by formants F2 and F3. Size and shape symbolism were thus not induced by a common mechanism, but rather were distinctly affected by acoustic properties of speech sounds. These findings portray sound symbolism as a process that is not based merely on broad categorical contrasts, such as round/unround and front/back vowels. Rather, individuals seem to base their sound-symbolic judgments on specific sets of acoustic cues, extracted from speech sounds, which vary across judgment dimensions

The Energetics of Li Off-Centering in K1−x_{1-x}Lix_xTaO3_3; First Principles Calculations

K$_{1-x}$Li$_{x}$TaO$_3$ (KLT) solid solutions exhibit a variety of interesting physical phenomena related to large displacements of Li-ions from ideal perovskite A-site positions. First-principles calculations for KLT supercells were used to investigate these phenomena. Lattice dynamics calculations for KLT exhibit a Li off-centering instability. The energetics of Li-displacements for isolated Li-ions and for Li-Li pairs up to 4th neighbors were calculated. Interactions between nearest neighbor Li-ions, in a Li-Li pair, strongly favor ferroelectric alignment along the pair axis. Such Li-Li pairs can be considered "seeds" for polar nanoclusters in KLT. Electrostriction, local oxygen relaxation, coupling to the KT soft-mode, and interactions with neighboring Li-ions all enhance the polarization from Li off-centering. Calculated hopping barriers for isolated Li-ions and for nearest neighbor Li-Li pairs are in good agreement with Arrhenius fits to experimental dielectric data.Comment: 14 pages including 10 figures. To Physical Review B. Replaced after corrections due to referees' remark

Endogenous cholinergic inputs and local circuit mechanisms govern the phasic mesolimbic dopamine response to nicotine

Nicotine exerts its reinforcing action by stimulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and boosting dopamine (DA) output from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Recent data have led to a debate about the principal pathway of nicotine action: direct stimulation of the DAergic cells through nAChR activation, or disinhibition mediated through desensitization of nAChRs on GABAergic interneurons. We use a computational model of the VTA circuitry and nAChR function to shed light on this issue. Our model illustrates that the α4β2-containing nAChRs either on DA or GABA cells can mediate the acute effects of nicotine. We account for in vitro as well as in vivo data, and predict the conditions necessary for either direct stimulation or disinhibition to be at the origin of DA activity increases. We propose key experiments to disentangle the contribution of both mechanisms. We show that the rate of endogenous acetylcholine input crucially determines the evoked DA response for both mechanisms. Together our results delineate the mechanisms by which the VTA mediates the acute rewarding properties of nicotine and suggest an acetylcholine dependence hypothesis for nicotine reinforcement.Peer reviewe

Азотсодержащие вещества в снеге районов падения ступеней ракеты-носителя «Протон» в 2009–2019 гг.

The article presents analysis of the snow pollution caused by flights of the Proton launch vehicles launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in 2009–2019. Data on 1477 snow samples collected in areas in Central Kazakhstan, south­east of Western Siberia, and north­east of the Altai are summarized to assess the pollution. In the uninhabited areas in Central Kazakhstan, where rocket fuel is spilled, pollution of snow was detected at 18 fall sites at a distance of up to 10 m from the fragments of the stages. The background value of pH is estimated as 6.6±0.9. The following nitrogen-­containing compounds (mg/l) were found in snow taken in the unpolluted territories of Central Kazakhstan: NO3­ (2.3±3.4), NH4+ (0.75±0.98) and to a lesser extent NO2– (0.015±0.019); asymmetric dimethylhydrazine and nitrosodimethylamine were not detected. The chemical composition of snow in the fall areas of the second stage of the Proton launch vehicle is in a good agreement with the background level of nitrogen­-containing substances of natural origin. There were no traces of the rocket fuel. Thus, in the snow on the Ketsko­Tym plain (south­east of Western Siberia) and north­east of Altai, the background content of nitrogen-­containing substances is equal, respectively (mg/l): NO3– (0.36±0.28 and 0.47±0.59); NH4+ (< 0.05 and 0.20±0.27); NO2– (0.048±0.016 and 0.027±0.073), which is determined by regional features and distance from sources of nitrogen­-containing substances. The data obtained allow us to conclude that the areas of the rocket falls on the above territories are not an environmental hazard to the environment by the concentration of nitrogen-­containing substances in the snow.Обобщены данные по 1477 пробам снега из районов падения ступеней ракеты-носителя «Протон» в Центральном Казахстане, на юго-востоке Западной Сибири и северо-востоке Алтая. В безлюдных территориях Центрального Казахстана, куда попадает ракетное топливо, достоверное загрязнение снега установлено на расстоянии не более 10 м от фрагментов падения первой ступени. Химический состав снега районов падения второй ступени (юго-восток Западной Сибири и северо-восток Алтая) отражает фоновые уровни азотсодержащих соединений природного происхождения и показывает отсутствие компонентов ракетного топлива. Очевидно, что районы падения и первой, и второй ступеней ракет-носителей «Протон», запускаемых с космодрома Байконур, не представляют собой зоны экологического бедствия

Author correction : a global database for metacommunity ecology, integrating species, traits, environment and space

Correction to: Scientific Data https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0344-7, published online 08 January 202

Author correction : a global database for metacommunity ecology, integrating species, traits, environment and space

Correction to: Scientific Data https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0344-7, published online 08 January 202

Prognostic Factors of Long Term Disability Due to Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review

Introduction In the past few decades, mental health problems have increasingly contributed to sickness absence and long-term disability. However, little is known about prognostic factors of return to work (RTW) and disability of persons already on sick leave due to mental health problems. Understanding these factors may help to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies to shorten the duration of disability and facilitate RTW. Method We reviewed systematically current scientific evidence about prognostic factors for mental health related long term disability, RTW and symptom recovery. Searching PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Cinahl and Business Source Premier, we selected articles with a publication date from January 1990 to March 2009, describing longitudinal cohort studies with a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Participants were persons on sick leave or receiving disability benefit at baseline. We assessed the methodological quality of included studies using an established criteria list. Consistent findings in at least two high quality studies were defined as strong evidence and positive findings in one high quality study were defined as limited evidence. Results Out of 796 studies, we included seven articles, all of high methodological quality describing a range of prognostic factors, according to the ICF-model categorized as health-related, personal and external factors. We found strong evidence that older age (>50 years) is associated with continuing disability and longer time to RTW. There is limited evidence for the association of other personal factors (gender, education, history of previous sickness absence, negative recovery expectation, socio-economic status), health related (stress-related and shoulder/back pain, depression/anxiety disorder) and external i.e., job-related factors (unemployment, quality and continuity of occupational care, supervisor behavior) with disability and RTW. We found limited evidence for the association of personal/external factors (education, sole breadwinner, partial/full RTW, changing work tasks) with symptom recovery. Conclusion This systematic review identifies a number of prognostic factors, some more or less consistent with findings in related literature (mental health factors, age, history of previous sickness absence, negative recovery expectation, socio-economic status, unemployment, quality and continuity of occupational care), while other prognostic factors (gender, level of education, sole breadwinner, supervisor support) conflict with existing evidence. There is still great need for research on modifiable prognostic factors of continuing disability and RTW among benefit claimants with mental health problems. Recommendations are made as to directions and methodological quality of further research, i.e., prognostic cohort studies