Facets of Distribution Identities in Probabilistic Team Semantics

We study probabilistic team semantics which is a semantical framework allowing the study of logical and probabilistic dependencies simultaneously. We examine and classify the expressive power of logical formalisms arising by different probabilistic atoms such as conditional independence and different variants of marginal distribution equivalences. We also relate the framework to the first-order theory of the reals and apply our methods to the open question on the complexity of the implication problem of conditional independence.Peer reviewe

Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society (BERAS project) - a case of Juva milk system

The aim of the study was to determine the potential, impact and prerequisites of localization and enhanced recycling in a rural food system, illustrated by the case of Juva milk. An interdisciplinary scenario based on the increase of local, organic milk to 50 % of milk comsumption was created and the sustainability was compared, on the basis of the statistics and data collected from the actors, with the present milk system

Reasoning about embedded dependencies using inclusion dependencies

The implication problem for the class of embedded dependencies is undecidable. However, this does not imply lackness of a proof procedure as exemplified by the chase algorithm. In this paper we present a complete axiomatization of embedded dependencies that is based on the chase and uses inclusion dependencies and implicit existential quantification in the intermediate steps of deductions

CHARACTERISATION AND IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EVALUATION OF SUPERCRITICAL-CO2-FOAMED B-TCP/PLCL COMPOSITES FOR BONE APPLICATIONS

Most synthetic bone grafts are either hard and brittle ceramics or paste-like materials that differ in applicability from the gold standard autologous bone graft, which restricts their widespread use. Therefore, the aim of the study was to develop an elastic, highly porous and biodegradable beta-tricalciumphosphate/poly(L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) (beta-TCP/PLCL) composite for bone applications using supercritical CO2 foaming. Ability to support osteogenic differentiation was tested in human adipose stem cell (hASC) culture for 21 d. Biocompatibility was evaluated for 24 weeks in a rabbit femur-defect model. Foamed composites had a high ceramic content (50 wt%) and porosity (65-67 %). After 50 % compression, in an aqueous environment at 37 degrees C, tested samples returned to 95 % of their original height. Hydrolytic degradation of beta-TCP/PLCL composite, during the 24-week follow-up, was very similar to that of porous PLCL scaffold both in vitro and in vivo. Osteogenic differentiation of hASCs was demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase activity analysis, alizarin red staining, soluble collagen analysis, immunocytochemical staining and qRT-PCR. In vitro, hASCs formed a pronounced mineralised collagen matrix. A rabbit femur defect model confirmed biocompatibility of the composite. According to histological Masson-Goldner's trichrome staining and micro-computed tomography, beta-TCP/PLCL composite did not elicit infection, formation of fibrous capsule or cysts. Finally, native bone tissue at 4 weeks was already able to grow on and in the beta-TCP/PLCL composite. The elastic and highly porous beta-TCP/PLCL composite is a promising bone substitute because it is osteoconductive and easy-to-use and mould intraoperatively.Peer reviewe

Distinguishing adaptive from routine expertise with rational number arithmetic

Adaptive expertise is a valued, but under-examined, feature of students' mathematical development (e.g. Hatano & Oura, 2012). The present study investigates the nature of adaptive expertise with rational number arithmetic. We therefore examined 394 7th and 8th graders’ rational number knowledge using both variable-centered and person-centered approaches. Performance on a measure of adaptive expertise with rational number arithmetic, the arithmetic sentence production task, appeared to be distinct from more routine features of performance. Even among the top 45% of students, all of whom had strong routine procedural and conceptual knowledge, students varied greatly in their performance on the arithmetic sentence production task. Strong performance on this measure also predicted later algebra knowledge. The findings suggest that it is possible to distinguish adaptive expertise from routine expertise with rational numbers and that this distinction is important to consider in research on mathematical development.</div

Predicting adaptive expertise with rational number arithmetic

Background. Adaptive expertise is a highly valued outcome of mathematics curricula. One aspect of adaptive expertise with rational numbers is adaptive rational number knowledge, which refers to the ability to integrate knowledge of numerical characteristics and relations in solving novel tasks. Even among students with strong conceptual and procedural knowledge of rational numbers, there are substantial individual differences in adaptive rational number knowledge.Aims. We aimed to examine how a wide range of domain-general and mathematically specific skills and knowledge predicted different aspects of rational number knowledge, including procedural, conceptual, and adaptive rational number knowledge.Sample. 173 6th and 7th grade students from a school in the southeastern US (51% female) participated in the study.Methods. At three time points across 1.5 years, we measured students’ domaingeneral and domain-specific skills and knowledge.Weused multiple hierarchal regression analysis to examine how these predictors related to rational number knowledge at the third time point.Result. Prior knowledge of rational numbers, general mathematical calculation knowledge, and spontaneous focusing on multiplicative relations (SFOR) tendency uniquely predicted adaptive rational number knowledge, after taking into account domain-general and mathematically specific skills and knowledge. Although conceptual knowledge of rational numbers and general mathematical achievement also predicted later conceptual and procedural knowledge of rational numbers, SFOR tendency did not.Conclusion. Results suggest expanding investigations of mathematical development to also explore different features of adaptive expertise as well as spontaneous mathematical focusing tendencies.</p

Ecosystem coupling:A unifying framework to understand the functioning and recovery of ecosystems

Global change frequently disrupts the connections among species, as well as among species and their environment, before the most obvious impacts can be detected. Therefore, we need to develop a unified conceptual framework that allows us to predict early ecological impacts under changing environments. The concept of coupling, defined as the multiple ways in which the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems are orderly connected across space and/or time, may provide such a framework. Here, we operationally define the coupling of ecosystems based on a combination of correlational matrices and a null modeling approach. Compared with null models, ecosystems can be (1) coupled; (2) decoupled; and (3) anticoupled. Given that more tightly coupled ecosystems displaying higher levels of internal order may be characterized by a more efficient capture, transfer, and storage of energy and matter (i.e., of functioning), understanding the links between coupling and functioning may help us to accelerate the transition to planetary-scale sustainability. This may be achieved by promoting self-organized order

Ten steps or climbing a mountain: A study of Australian health professionals' perceptions of implementing the baby friendly health initiative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding

Background: The Baby Friendly Hospital (Health) Initiative (BFHI) is a global initiative aimed at protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and is based on the ten steps to successful breastfeeding. Worldwide, over 20,000 health facilities have attained BFHI accreditation but only 77 Australian hospitals (approximately 23%) have received accreditation. Few studies have investigated the factors that facilitate or hinder implementation of BFHI but it is acknowledged this is a major undertaking requiring strategic planning and change management throughout an institution. This paper examines the perceptions of BFHI held by midwives and nurses working in one Area Health Service in NSW, Australia. Methods: The study used an interpretive, qualitative approach. A total of 132 health professionals, working across four maternity units, two neonatal intensive care units and related community services, participated in 10 focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘Belief and Commitment’; ‘Interpreting BFHI’ and ‘Climbing a Mountain’. Participants considered the BFHI implementation a high priority; an essential set of practices that would have positive benefits for babies and mothers both locally and globally as well as for health professionals. It was considered achievable but would take commitment and hard work to overcome the numerous challenges including a number of organisational constraints. There were, however, differing interpretations of what was required to attain BFHI accreditation with the potential that misinterpretation could hinder implementation. A model described by Greenhalgh and colleagues on adoption of innovation is drawn on to interpret the findings. Conclusion: Despite strong support for BFHI, the principles of this global strategy are interpreted differently by health professionals and further education and accurate information is required. It may be that the current processes used to disseminate and implement BFHI need to be reviewed. The findings suggest that there is a contradiction between the broad philosophical stance and best practice approach of this global strategy and the tendency for health professionals to focus on the ten steps as a set of tasks or a checklist to be accomplished. The perceived procedural approach to implementation may be contributing to lower rates of breastfeeding continuation

A novel desmoplakin mutation causes dilated cardiomyopathy with palmoplantar keratoderma as an early clinical sign

Background PPKs represent a heterogeneous group of disorders with hyperkeratosis of palmar and/or plantar skin. PPK, hair shaft abnormalities, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias can be caused by mutations in desmosomal genes, e.g. desmoplakin (DSP). PPK should trigger genetic testing to reveal mutations with possible related cardiac disease. Objectives To report a large multigenerational family with a novel DSP mutation associated with early-onset PPK and adult-onset cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. Methods A custom-designed in-house panel of 35 PPK related genes was used to screen mutations in the index patient with focal PPK. The identified DSP mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing. DNA samples from 20 members of the large multigenerational family were sequenced for the DSP mutation. Medical records were reviewed. Clinical dermatological evaluation was performed, including light microscopy of hair samples. Cardiac evaluation included clinical examination, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitoring and laboratory tests. Results We identified a novel autosomal dominant truncating DSP c.2493delA p.(Glu831Aspfs*33) mutation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with arrhythmia susceptibility and focal PPK as an early cutaneous sign. The mutation was found in nine affected family members, but not in any unaffected members. Onset of dermatological findings preceded cardiac symptoms which were variable and occurred at adult age. Conclusions We report a novel truncating DSP mutation causing focal PPK with varying severity and left ventricular dilatation and ventricular extrasystoles. This finding emphasizes the importance of genetic diagnosis in patients with PPK for clinical counselling and management of cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias.Peer reviewe