bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study of Mass Transfer Mechanisms for Solute Mixing in a Gas‐Stirred Ladle Using the Particle Image Velocimetry and Planar Laser‐Induced Fluorescence Techniques
Authors: Jardón-Pérez Luis E. , González-Rivera Carlos , Trápaga-Martínez Gerardo , Amaro-Villeda Adrián , Ramírez-Argáez Marco A.
Published: July 2021

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser‐induced fluorescence (PLIF) are synergically used to study from first principles the relative importance of the mass transport mechanisms governing the mixing of tracers in a physical model of a gas‐stirred ladle. A scaled 1/17th physical model of a 200 ton prototype is used to obtain flow patterns and turbulent kinetic energy maps by PIV, while PLIF provides instantaneous measured concentration fields on a complete plane. Results of both techniques allow computing the convection and the turbulent diffusion instantaneous mass transport fluxes from measured data to analyze comprehensively the ladle mixing. Two single injection modes, i.e., centric and eccentric midradius position, are analyzed and compared; eccentric injection is found to promote better mixing. Convective fluxes are bigger than turbulent diffusion fluxes in both injection modes during mixing. Both mechanisms act cooperatively to promote mixing and turbulent diffusion is key on mixing, although it has a smaller effect than convection. The single loop flow pattern and the bigger and better distributed turbulence result in mass transfer combined fluxes (convective plus turbulent diffusion) twice as optimal in the eccentric injection as in the centric injection, which explains why mixing is faster in eccentric than in centric mode.
Total joint replacement surgeries: Making the case for a public–private partnership in Hong Kong
Authors: Ho Margaret K.
Published: July 2021

With the increased demand for health services given the growing ageing population and the reduced volume of elective operations performed due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, a public–private partnership for total joint replacement surgeries in Hong Kong may be a solution to these challenges. By contracting out a proportion of operations to the private sector, this can relieve pressure on the public system and allow for progression towards allocative efficiency. The public sector would benefit from a reduced case load while the private sector may enjoy increased profits from a larger volume of operations. This reform may also reduce long waiting times for surgeries, thus benefitting patients and health outcomes. The inclusion of price controls and government subsidies ensures that the reform remains equitable. As Hong Kong has had success with similar initiatives, this partnership would be a practical approach to address some of the city's most pressing health issues today.
Access to genetic testing for rare diseases: Existing gaps in public‐facing information
Authors: Robillard Julie M. , Feng Tanya L. , Kabacińska Katarzyna
Published: July 2021

Genetic testing plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and potential treatment of inherited and rare conditions, such as aniridia—a disease that leads to abnormal eye development, as well as in health research on these conditions. As genetic testing is increasingly sought for accurate and early diagnosis of rare genetic disorders and in the context of direct‐to‐consumer genomics, it is critical to examine the public‐facing information about access to these services and reimbursement policies. We conducted a targeted policy and public‐facing resource search. Our analysis of resources available for the patient community revealed that there is very little practical guidance available about access and reimbursement for genetic testing for rare diseases. Greater clarity in public‐facing resources about genetic testing would be beneficial to the patient community as it would promote informed choices about the procedure, mitigate potential harms associated with lack of information and enable patient engagement in their own health care.
Anticipating Policy, Orienting Services, Celebrating Provision: Reflecting on Scotland’s PrEP Journey
Authors: Young Ingrid
Published: July 2021

PrEP in Scotland came with great expectation and celebration. As the first country in the UK to offer PrEP through the National Health Service (NHS), Scotland was heralded as a leader in HIV prevention. This chapter asks: how has the anticipation of PrEP shaped provision and use within the health system; how does the emergent and ongoing orientation of PrEP towards specific risk practices affect awareness, access and use, but also wider narratives of prevention, inequalities and ‘progress’; and, what kinds of biosexual citizens does it demand and produce? The chapter explores how the implementation of PrEP and the specific nature of its roll-out contribute to an orientation towards certain (gendered) PrEP users and PrEP use. It considers how the anticipation of PrEP as a biotechnology for particular risk practices, bodies and communities shapes promissory HIV prevention futures and determines what success and ‘celebration’ could be.
Interpretation of Network Sovereignty
Authors: Li Hui , Yang Xin
Published: July 2021

In recent years, with the integration of the Internet and various economic and social fields, the security situation in cyberspace has been changing rapidly. There are more and more network games at the national level and the network attack and defense have become more intense. Network sovereignty has become one of sovereignty that all states are striving for. Cyber war against national targets has emerged and will not abate. Major countries have successively set up cyberspace forces. These facts have demonstrated the existence of a new frontier for humanity, national interests,  and digital sovereignty in cyberspace, and demonstrated the absence of international rules or laws that effectively coordinate the management of this space. The chaos in the online media during the US presidential election in 2020, in which the incumbent US president has been banned from several public accounts by major online social media, shows that there is still a long way to go in terms of citizens’ digital human rights and the reasonable and orderly legislative and judicial administration of domestic cyberspace management. All of these topics are discussed in detail in this chapter.
Prototype of Sovereignty Network and Application of Private Network Based on MIN
Authors: Li Hui , Yang Xin
Published: July 2021

Multi-Identifier Network (MIN) is compatible with IP network, and supports naturally and gradually de-IP, which will be promoted by users and the market for its performance gains rather than by compulsively. It is a predictable circumstance that the IP network may still be mainstream at United States of American in the future. But other countries will move away from IP to MIN in order to safeguard their sovereignty over cyberspace, and the connectivity between them and IP network are guaranteed through MIN. In other words, IP network will become the internal network of the United States, while other countries will constitute a multilateral governance network system based on MIN. In brief, the applications scenarios of Co-governed Sovereignty Network based on MIN could be classified into three scales: the small-scale scenarios such as high-security private networks for enterprises, industries, and government departments; the medium-scale scenarios of industrial Internet, private network of Internet of vehicles and smart city; the United Nations of Cyberspace: raplacing the current IP network with the large-scale high-security cyberspace for multilateral condominium and sovereign autonomy.
Komorbiditäten bei Typ-1-Diabetes im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Fröhlich-Reiterer Elke
Published: July 2021

Typ-1-Diabetes (T1D) ist eine der häufigsten Stoffwechselerkrankungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter. Komorbiditäten beim T1D können in physische und psychische unterteilt werden. Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit physischen/organspezifischen Komorbiditäten. Die Assoziation zwischen T1D und anderen Autoimmunerkrankungen ist gut bekannt. Die beiden häufigsten assoziierten Autoimmunerkrankungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit T1D sind die Autoimmunthyreoiditis und die Zöliakie. Da diese oft asymptomatisch sind, sollen regelmäßige Screeninguntersuchungen auf eine assoziierte Autoimmunthyreoiditis und Zöliakie durchgeführt werden. Weitere Komorbiditäten können die Haut, das Gewicht und Längenwachstum sowie die Knochen und Gelenke betreffen. Regelmäßige Messungen von Körperlänge und -gewicht (Perzentilen), Blutdruck (Perzentilen), die Beurteilung der Pubertätsentwicklung (Tanner-Stadien) sowie die regelmäßige Überprüfung der Haut, hier v. a. die Injektions‑/Katheter- und Sensor-Stellen, sollen fixer Bestandteil der Langzeitbetreuung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit T1D sein.
How Many Inflections are There in the Lyapunov Spectrum?
Authors: Jenkinson O. , Pollicott M. , Vytnova P.
Published: July 2021

Iommi and Kiwi (J Stat Phys 135:535–546, 2009) showed that the Lyapunov spectrum of an expanding map need not be concave, and posed various problems concerning the possible number of inflection points. In this paper we answer a conjecture in Iommi and Kiwi (2009) by proving that the Lyapunov spectrum of a two branch piecewise linear map has at most two points of inflection. We then answer a question in Iommi and Kiwi (2009) by proving that there exist finite branch piecewise linear maps whose Lyapunov spectra have arbitrarily many points of inflection. This approach is used to exhibit a countable branch piecewise linear map whose Lyapunov spectrum has infinitely many points of inflection.
Complementary use of the Ecosystem Service Concept and Multi-criteria Decision Analysis in Water Management
Authors: Marttunen Mika , Mustajoki Jyri , Lehtoranta Virpi , Saarikoski Heli
Published: July 2021

The ecosystem service (ES) concept has increasingly been applied in environmental planning, while there are several decades of experience in applying multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in complex planning situations. The aim of this article is to assess how the ES concept has been used in water management projects together with MCDA and to examine the experiences gained and make recommendations to overcome any identified challenges. Our conclusions are based on a systematic analysis of 23 articles that were selected among 206 articles focused on water-related studies using, for example, the terms multi-criteria and ecosystem services in the title, abstract or keywords. Here, we explore (i) at what level of detail ESs are included in the decision hierarchy, (ii) the pros and cons of the complementary use of the two approaches, and (iii) how the potential challenges related to the use of MCDA, such as the large number of criteria, double-counting, or assigning criteria weights, are addressed in the selected cases. The results reveal large differences between the case studies. It is shown that only a few case studies used ES categories to classify criteria in the decision hierarchy, that these cases included different numbers of ES criteria and non-ES criteria, and that most case studies elicited stakeholder preferences in MCDA. Although the paper focuses on water management projects, the conclusions regarding the advantages and pitfalls of the complementary use of the methods, as well as our recommendations, are also applicable to other environmental management contexts.
Cross-platform transcriptional profiling identifies common and distinct molecular pathologies in Lewy body diseases
Authors: Feleke Rahel , Reynolds Regina H. , Smith Amy M. , Tilley Bension , Taliun Sarah A. Gagliano , Hardy John , Matthews Paul M. , Gentleman Steve , Owen David R. , Johnson Michael R. , Srivastava Prashant K. , Ryten Mina
Published: July 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD), Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are three clinically, genetically and neuropathologically overlapping neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as the Lewy body diseases (LBDs). A variety of molecular mechanisms have been implicated in PD pathogenesis, but the mechanisms underlying PDD and DLB remain largely unknown, a knowledge gap that presents an impediment to the discovery of disease-modifying therapies. Transcriptomic profiling can contribute to addressing this gap, but remains limited in the LBDs. Here, we applied paired bulk-tissue and single-nucleus RNA-sequencing to anterior cingulate cortex samples derived from 28 individuals, including healthy controls, PD, PDD and DLB cases (n = 7 per group), to transcriptomically profile the LBDs. Using this approach, we (i) found transcriptional alterations in multiple cell types across the LBDs; (ii) discovered evidence for widespread dysregulation of RNA splicing, particularly in PDD and DLB; (iii) identified potential splicing factors, with links to other dementia-related neurodegenerative diseases, coordinating this dysregulation; and (iv) identified transcriptomic commonalities and distinctions between the LBDs that inform understanding of the relationships between these three clinical disorders. Together, these findings have important implications for the design of RNA-targeted therapies for these diseases and highlight a potential molecular “window” of therapeutic opportunity between the initial onset of PD and subsequent development of Lewy body dementia.
A glutaminyl cyclase-catalyzed α-synuclein modification identified in human synucleinopathies
Authors: Hartlage-Rübsamen Maike , Bluhm Alexandra , Moceri Sandra , Machner Lisa , Köppen Janett , Schenk Mathias , Hilbrich Isabel , Holzer Max , Weidenfeller Martin , Richter Franziska , Coras Roland , Serrano Geidy E. , Beach Thomas G. , Schilling Stephan , von Hörsten Stephan , Xiang Wei , Schulze Anja , Roßner Steffen
Published: July 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is neuropathologically characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and formation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites composed of aggregated α-synuclein. Proteolysis of α-synuclein by matrix metalloproteinases was shown to facilitate its aggregation and to affect cell viability. One of the proteolysed fragments, Gln79-α-synuclein, possesses a glutamine residue at its N-terminus. We argue that glutaminyl cyclase (QC) may catalyze the pyroglutamate (pGlu)79-α-synuclein formation and, thereby, contribute to enhanced aggregation and compromised degradation of α-synuclein in human synucleinopathies. Here, the kinetic characteristics of Gln79-α-synuclein conversion into the pGlu-form by QC are shown using enzymatic assays and mass spectrometry. Thioflavin T assays and electron microscopy demonstrated a decreased potential of pGlu79-α-synuclein to form fibrils. However, size exclusion chromatography and cell viability assays revealed an increased propensity of pGlu79-α-synuclein to form oligomeric aggregates with high neurotoxicity. In brains of wild-type mice, QC and α-synuclein were co-expressed by dopaminergic SN neurons. Using a specific antibody against the pGlu-modified neo-epitope of α-synuclein, pGlu79-α-synuclein aggregates were detected in association with QC in brains of two transgenic mouse lines with human α-synuclein overexpression. In human brain samples of PD and dementia with Lewy body subjects, pGlu79-α-synuclein was shown to be present in SN neurons, in a number of Lewy bodies and in dystrophic neurites. Importantly, there was a spatial co-occurrence of pGlu79-α-synuclein with the enzyme QC in the human SN complex and a defined association of QC with neuropathological structures. We conclude that QC catalyzes the formation of oligomer-prone pGlu79-α-synuclein in human synucleinopathies, which may—in analogy to pGlu-Aβ peptides in Alzheimer’s disease—act as a seed for pathogenic protein aggregation.
Correlation between functional outcome and the SAMEO-ATO framework
Authors: Pontillo Vito , Damiani Marialessia , Graziano Giusi , Quaranta Nicola
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the recently proposed SAMEO-ATO framework for middle ear and mastoid surgery, by correlating it with the functional outcome in a large cohort of patients operated for middle ear and mastoid cholesteatoma in a tertiary referral center.

Methods

We retrospectively included all surgeries for middle ear and mastoid cholesteatoma undergone in our Department between January 2009 and December 2014, by excluding revision surgeries, congenital and petrous bone cholesteatoma. All surgeries were classified according to the SAMEO-ATO framework. The post-operative air bone gap (ABG) was calculated and chosen as benchmark parameter for the correlation analysis.

Results

282 consecutive surgeries for middle ear and mastoid cholesteatoma were released in the study period on a total of 273 patients, with a mean age of 41.2 years. All patients were followed for an average period of 55.3 months. 54% of patients underwent M2c mastoidectomy (Canal Wall Down, CWD), while the remaining underwent Canal Wall Up (CWU) procedures, being M1b2a mastoidectomy the most common one (33%). Mean pre-operative and post-operative ABGs were 29.2 and 23.5 dB, with a significant improvement (p < 0.0001). ‘Mastoidectomy’ and ‘Ossicular reconstruction’ parameters of SAMEO-ATO showed significant association with postoperative ABG, with smaller residual gaps for the classes Mx and On, and worse hearing results for M3a and Ox.

Conclusion

Our results show the utility of SAMEO-ATO framework, and in particular of ‘M’ (Mastoidectomy) and ‘O’ (Ossicular reconstruction) parameters, in predicting the hearing outcome.
Missing lawsonite and aragonite found: P–T and fluid composition in meta-marls from the Combin Zone (Western Alps)
Authors: Manzotti Paola , Ballèvre Michel , Pitra Pavel , Schiavi Federica
Published: July 2021

We report the first findings of several occurrences of lawsonite and metamorphic aragonite in the meta-sediments from the Combin Zone (Piemonte–Liguria ocean, Western Alps), where the early blueschist-facies episode is poorly documented. New field and metamorphic data (thermodynamic modelling and Raman spectroscopy on carbonaceous material) are used to elucidate the P–T evolution and fluid composition of the Combin Zone and investigate the lawsonite growth and breakdown reactions. Two tectonometamorphic units have been identified within the Combin Zone with distinct geometry, lithological content and P–T conditions. In the higher grade unit, metamorphic aragonite occurs as inclusions in titanite. Lawsonite and garnet were stable at peak P–T conditions (~ 16–17 kbar and 460–480 °C) at very low X(CO2) values. Lawsonite is systematically pseudomorphed, but preserves hourglass zoning or internal fabric associated with the prograde ductile deformation. The lower grade unit (~ 8 ± 1 kbar ~ 370–400 °C) is discontinuously exposed along the western base of the continental Dent Blanche nappe and records P–T conditions similar to those recorded by the Dent Blanche nappe. A metamorphic discontinuity is, therefore, documented between the largest part of the Combin Zone on the one hand, and the Dent Blanche nappe on the other hand. The discovery of lawsonite and metamorphic aragonite allows a better understanding of the large-scale metamorphic structure of the Western Alps.
Application of biomarkers in the diagnosis of uncertain samples of core needle biopsy of thyroid nodules
Authors: Xiong Yan , Li Xin , Liang Li , Li Dong , Yan Limin , Li Xueying , Di Jiting , Li Ting
Published: July 2021

Core needle biopsy (CNB) is now more frequently used for the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Based on morphology alone, 5–20% of CNB samples cannot be determined as malignant or benign. Compared to fine-needle biopsy (FNB), samples collected by CNB are more accessible for various tests. Therefore, studying biomarkers’ application in distinguishing uncertain CNB samples of thyroid nodules is a practical need. Patients of thyroid nodules with both CNB and matched resected specimens were reviewed. Cases classified as indeterminate lesions, follicular neoplasms, and suspicious for malignancy were retrieved. All CNB samples were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using antibodies against CK19, galectin-3, HBME-1, and CD56 and detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using an OncoAim® thyroid cancer multigene assay kit (Singlera Genomics) that detected 26 genes. Taking the resected specimens’ classification as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy of a single biomarker, and various combinations for discriminating malignancy from benignity were calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for preoperative malignancy evaluation were as follows. In the cohort of non-follicular-neoplasm-lesions (non-FN-lesion), they were 95.16%, 53.85%, 90.77%, 70.00%, and 88.00% for CK19; 95.16%, 38.46%, 88.06%, 62.50%, and 85.33% for galectin-3; 77.42%, 76.92%, 94.12%, 41.67%, and 58.00% for HBME-1; 66.13%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 38.24%, and 72.00% for CD56; 90.32%, 92.31%, 98.25%, 66.67%, and 90.67% for NGS; and 88.71%, 92.30%, 98.21%, 63.16%, and 89.33% for integrated IHC. In the cohort of follicular neoplasms (FN), they were 30.43%, 77.77%, 77.77%, 30.43%, and 43.75% for CK19; 73.91%, 66.67%, 85.00%, 50.00%, and 71.88% for galectin-3; 26.09%, 88.89%, 85.71%, 32.00%, and 43.75% for HBME-1; 26.09%, 100.00%, 100.00%, 34.62%, and 46.88% for CD56; 52.17%, 88.89%, 92.31%, 42.11%, and 62.50% for NGS; 82.61%, 66.67%, 86.36%, 60.00%, and 78.13% for integrated IHC; and 100%, 66.67%, 88.46%, 100%, and 90.63% for integrated IHC-NGS. The application of biomarkers in distinguishing uncertain CNB samples of thyroid nodules is available and capable. CD56 negative or NGS positive suggests malignancy strongly for both FN and non-FN-lesion, which may be used as a “rule in” tool. The negative predictive value of the integrated IHC and the integrated IHC-NGS implies a high possibility to be benign for non-FN-lesion and FN separately, which can work as a “rule out” tool. Considering the balance of specificity and sensitivity, NGS is the best for non-FN-lesion and the integrated IHC-NGS is the best for FN.
Reversal of left-sided colostomy utilizing single-port laparoscopy a multicenter European audit and overview of the literature
Authors: van Loon Y. T. , Clermonts S. H. E. M. , Belgers E. H. J. , Kurihara H. , Spinelli A. , Joshi H. M. , Gorissen K. J. , Zimmerman D. D. E.
Published: July 2021

Background

Stoma reversal surgery can result in considerable morbidity and even mortality. Feasibility of utilizing single-port laparoscopy through the stoma fenestration have been shown before. Aim of the present observational study is to evaluate multicenter experiences of single-port reversal of left-sided colostomy (SPRLC) throughout Europe and to provide an overview of available literature on this topic.

Methods

All patients undergoing SPRLC in four different teaching hospitals throughout Europe are included. Primary outcome was 30-day postoperative complication rate. Secondary outcomes were postoperative length of stay (LOS), single-port success rate and conversion rates. Appraisal of the available literature in PubMed was performed.

Results

Of 156 SPRLC procedures, 98.7% of them were technically successful and 71.8% were without postoperative complications. No postoperative mortality was encountered. Superficial site infection occurred in 14.7%, anastomotic leakage in 3.9% and major complications in 8.3%. Median LOS was 4.0 days (1–69), single-port success rate was 64.7%, 12.8% and 21.2% (33/154) were converted to an open and multiport laparoscopic procedure, respectively. Literature shows equally favorable results in 131 patients divided over 5 cohorts with morbidity ranging from 0 to 30.4% and mortality from 0 to 2.2% and median LOS of 4–8 days.

Conclusion

This study confirms the safety, feasibility and favorable results of the use of single-port approach in the reversal of left-sided colostomy in different centers in Europe with laparoscopic experienced colorectal surgeons. The available literature on this topic support and show equally favorable results using single-port laparoscopy for left-sided colostomy reversal surgery.
The impact of splinting timepoint of mobile mandibular incisors on the outcome of periodontal treatment—preliminary observations from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sonnenschein Sarah K. , Ciardo Antonio , Kilian Samuel , Ziegler Philipp , Ruetters Maurice , Spindler Marcia , Kim Ti-Sun
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To compare the outcome of periodontal parameters in mobile mandibular incisors which were splinted before or after full-mouth disinfection (FMD).

Materials and methods

Thirty-four periodontitis patients with ≥ 1 mobile mandibular incisor (mobility degree II/III, clinical attachment loss (CAL) ≥ 5 mm, relative bone loss ≥ 50%) were randomly allocated to group A or B. Patients received periodontal treatment (PT) including splinting of teeth 33–43 before (A) or after FMD (B). Patient (age/sex/smoking status/systemic diseases/number of teeth) and tooth-related parameters (mean probing pocket depth (PPD)/CAL/oral hygiene indices; for the overall dentition and region 33–43) were assessed prior to PT and 12 months after FMD by a blinded examiner. Therapy-related information was added (group/antibiotic therapy/surgical intervention).

Results

Twenty-six patients (A: 12; B:14) were re-examined. Two patients of group B did not need splinting after FMD because of reduction in mobility after FMD. Regression analysis revealed a positive association of antibiotic therapy with CAL_overall, PPD_overall, and PPD_33-43 (p ≤ 0.01). There is a trend toward a higher reduction of periodontal parameters at teeth 33–43 in group A (PPD_33-43: − 0.91 vs. − 0.27 mm; CAL_33-43: − 1.02 vs. − 0.47 mm).

Conclusions

Teeth splinted before or after FMD show a significant improvement in periodontal parameters 12 months after FMD. Splinting after FMD offered the option to detect reduction in mobility.

Clinical relevance

Despite a higher, but not statistically significant, improvement in periodontal parameters on teeth splinted before FMD, the results do not indicate which timepoint of splinting is more beneficial. The decision for the therapeutic procedure should therefore be made individually.
Domestic cats (Felis catus) prefer freely available food over food that requires effort
Authors: Delgado Mikel M. , Han Brandon Sang Gyu , Bain Melissa J.
Published: July 2021

Contrafreeloading is the willingness of animals to work for food when equivalent food is freely available. This behavior is observed in laboratory, domesticated, and captive animals. However, previous research found that six laboratory cats failed to contrafreeload. We hypothesized that cats would contrafreeload in the home environment when given a choice between a food puzzle and a tray of similar size and shape. We also hypothesized that more active cats would be more likely to contrafreeload. We assessed the behavior of 17 neutered, indoor domestic cats (Felis catus) when presented with both a food puzzle and a tray across ten 30-min trials. Each cat wore an activity tracker, and all sessions were video recorded. Cats ate more food from the free feed tray than the puzzle (t(16) = 6.77,p < 0.001). Cats made more first choices to approach and eat from the tray. There was no relationship between activity and contrafreeloading, and there was no effect of sex, age, or previous food puzzle experience on contrafreeloading. Our results suggest that cats do not show strong tendencies to contrafreeload in the home environment, although some cats (N = 4) ate most food offered in the puzzle or showed weak contrafreeloading tendencies (N = 5). Eight cats did not contrafreeload. Cats who consumed more food from the puzzle, consumed more food in general, suggesting a relationship between hunger and effort. Further research is required to understand why domestic cats, unlike other tested species, do not show a strong preference to work for food.
Factors Impacting Video Telehealth Appointment Completion During COVID-19 Pandemic Among People Living with HIV in a Community-Based Health System
Authors: Ennis Nicole , Armas Laura , Butame Seyram , Joshi Hemali
Published: July 2021

As the threat of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations continues, mitigation protocols have escalated the use of telehealth platforms, secure 2-way video platforms with audio capabilities. The goal of the current study was to examine factors associated with successful completion of video telehealth appointments in HIV care. We utilized a random effects logistic model to assess characteristics of patient encounters that predicted completed telehealth visits. Results show that factors such as identifying as black (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.23–0.40, p < 0.01), identifying as heterosexual (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI, 0.29–0.55, p < 0.01), identifying as Hispanic/Latinx (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.48–0.95), having public insurance (e.g., Ryan White funding, Medicare/Medicaid) (AOR = .25, 95% CI 0.19–0.33, p < .001), and having detectable viral load (AOR = .049, 95% CI, 0.31–0.76) are negatively associated with completion of telehealth appointments. Results suggest that greater efforts to address the digital divide are needed to increase access to video telehealth.
Insights on the supramolecular polymorphism of poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) rod-like peptides from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Dattola Giovanna , Zerbetto Mirco
Published: July 2021

This work reports an all-atom molecular dynamics study of the first stages of aggregation of poly($$\gamma$$
γ
-benzyl-L-glutamate)—PBLG—polymers end-capped with C60. PBLG self-assembles in water and shows polymorphism when specific changes in the molecular structure are made. Three variants of PBLG are compared, which differ for the location of the C60 moiety: N-terminus, C-terminus, or both. The aim of the computational experiments was to rationalize the key molecular properties that are relevant to the supramolecular polymorphism. Single-peptide simulations in tetrahydrofuran and in water allowed to quantify the strength of the self-assembly driving force in terms of the overall order parameter of the phenyl rings that are “coating” the peptides. Two-peptide simulations for the singly capped peptides showed that two kinds of aggregates can be formed: one “slow” thermodynamically more stable, and one “fast” kinetically favoured. These first-stage aggregates are interpreted as the seeds leading to different self-assemblies.

Graphical abstract
Metainferences from a Proof-Theoretic Perspective, and a Hierarchy of Validity Predicates
Authors: Golan Rea
Published: July 2021

I explore, from a proof-theoretic perspective, the hierarchy of classical and paraconsistent logics introduced by Barrio, Pailos and Szmuc in (Journal o f Philosophical Logic, 49, 93-120, 2021). First, I provide sequent rules and axioms for all the logics in the hierarchy, for all inferential levels, and establish soundness and completeness results. Second, I show how to extend those systems with a corresponding hierarchy of validity predicates, each one of which is meant to capture “validity” at a different inferential level. Then, I point out two potential philosophical implications of these results. (i) Since the logics in the hierarchy differ from one another on the rules, I argue that each such logic maintains its own distinct identity (contrary to arguments like the one given by Dicher and Paoli in 2019). (ii) Each validity predicate need not capture “validity” at more than one metainferential level. Hence, there are reasons to deny the thesis (put forward in Barrio, E., Rosenblatt, L. & Tajer, D. (Synthese, 2016)) that the validity predicate introduced in by Beall and Murzi in (Journal o f Philosophy, 110(3), 143–165, 2013) has to express facts not only about what follows from what, but also about the metarules, etc.
Factors contributing to prefixation of biaspectual verbs in Croatian
Authors: Kolaković Zrinka
Published: July 2021

One of the distinctive features of Slavic verbs is their aspectual morphology: typically each finite and non-finite form of a verb has a constant aspectual value: either perfective (PFV) or imperfective (IPFV). Nevertheless, in all Slavic languages, besides these prototypical verbs with only one assigned aspectual value, there are also verbs with underspecified aspectual value, usually called biaspectual verbs (BVs).

As argued in the literature, on the sentence level such verbs have the potential to express both aspectual values, PFV and IPFV, without any further aspectual affixation. However, some scholars assert that the intended aspectual value of such verbs can rarely be unambiguously signaled. To resolve the ambiguous aspectual value, native speakers often provide additional context signals or derive a new aspectually defined verb to indicate the intended aspectual value. The latter possibility has been addressed in numerous papers, but mainly with the goal of detecting the (most common) prefixes used in this process.

This study aimed to examine the patterns behind BV prefixation in Croatian. In order to detect factors with a statistically significant impact on prefixation of BVs in Croatian, a random stratified sample of 237 Croatian BVs (BVs of Slavic origin and biaspectual borrowings) was compiled. The data regarding the existence of perfective derivatives were extracted from three different corpora of contemporary Croatian and one subcorpus: the Croatian National Corpus, the Croatian Language Repository, and the Croatian Web Corpus and its subcorpus Forum, and afterwards analyzed using R software with the help of the lme4 package.

The results obtained with the generalized linear mixed model revealed five factors statistically significant for prefixation of BVs in Croatian, which can be attributed to the lexical (semantical), morphological and sociolinguistic domains.
Risk aversion for losses and the Nash bargaining solution
Authors: Peters Hans
Published: July 2021

We call a decision maker risk averse for losses if that decision maker is risk averse with respect to lotteries having alternatives below a given reference alternative in their support. A two-person bargaining solution is called invariant under risk aversion for losses if the assigned outcome does not change after correcting for risk aversion for losses with this outcome as pair of reference levels, provided that the disagreement point only changes proportionally. We present an axiomatic characterization of the Nash bargaining solution based on this condition, and we also provide a decision-theoretic characterization of the concept of risk aversion for losses.
To hop or not, that is the question: Towards effective multi-hop reasoning over knowledge graphs
Authors: Liao Jinzhi , Zhao Xiang , Tang Jiuyang , Zeng Weixin , Tan Zhen
Published: July 2021

With the proliferation of large-scale knowledge graphs (KGs), multi-hop knowledge graph reasoning has been a capstone that enables machines to be able to handle intelligent tasks, especially where some explicit reasoning path is appreciated for decision making. To train a KG reasoner, supervised learning-based methods suffer from false-negative issues, i.e., unseen paths during training are not to be found in prediction; in contrast, reinforcement learning (RL)-based methods do not require labeled paths, and can explore to cover many appropriate reasoning paths. In this connection, efforts have been dedicated to investigating several RL formulations for multi-hop KG reasoning. Particularly, current RL-based methods generate rewards at the very end of the reasoning process, due to which short paths of hops less than a given threshold are likely to be overlooked, and the overall performance is impaired. To address the problem, we propose , a revised RL formulation of multi-hop KG reasoning that is characterized by two novel designs—the stop signal and the worth-trying signal. The stop signal instructs the agent of RL to stay at the entity after finding the answer, preventing from hopping further even if the threshold is not reached; meanwhile, the worth-trying signal encourages the agent to try to learn some partial patterns from the paths that fail to lead to the answer. To validate the design of our model , comprehensive experiments are carried out on three benchmark knowledge graphs, and the results and analysis suggest the superiority of over state-of-the-art methods.
The Political Integration of Immigrants: How Pre- and Postmigration Contexts Matter
Authors: Dollmann Jörg
Published: July 2021

This study examines the political integration of immigrants in Germany and asks whether immigrants and their descendants show similar rates of political participation and expression of political attitudes as the population without an immigrant background. Furthermore, the study focusses on the pre- and postmigration context of immigrants and analyses whether immigrants differ in their level of political integration depending on (1) whether they come from more or less authoritarian regimes and (2) whether they have experienced discrimination in the receiving context. Using data from CILS4EU-DE, with a large representative sample of (children of) immigrants and non-immigrants in Germany, we observe differences in the political integration between immigrants and non-immigrants only on the attitudinal level, with immigrants showing lower levels of political trust but also slightly higher levels of satisfaction with the democratic system in Germany. When focussing on the effects of the pre- and the postmigration context, we observe differential results for the behavioural and attitudinal dimension: when immigrants stem from more authoritarian countries as well as when they have experienced more discrimination in the receiving context, this seems to mobilise respondents with respect to their political behaviour; however, it results in lower levels of political integration on the attitudinal dimension.
The comprehensive inventory of thriving: a systematic review of published validation studies and a replication study
Authors: Sorgente Angela , Zambelli Michela , Tagliabue Semira , Lanz Margherita
Published: July 2021

In this study we sought to collect evidence regarding the validity of the Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving (CIT), systematically reviewing studies that tested its psychometric properties (Study 1) and trying to replicate validity evidence collected across previous validation studies (Study 2). We found five studies that tested the validity of CIT scores through the collection of different kinds of evidence (score structure validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion-related validity, incremental validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability). Results were often inconsistent across studies (especially for the score structure validity evidence). Using a sample of 483 Italian participants (63.0% female; aged 18–71 years), we replicated the tests performed in the previous validation studies. Findings suggest that the best fitting model is the one that (1) adds the overarching latent construct of thriving, which can be measured using the total scale score; and (2) merges the Skills and Flow factors in just one factor, named “Skills for Flow”. At the same time, the different kinds of validity evidence collected both in previous validation studies and in the current replication study indicate high overlap among thriving sub-dimensions and poor validity evidence. We concluded that the CIT in its present form is not an adequate instrument to assess thriving, thus mono-dimensional scales (e.g. Brief Inventory of Thriving) should be currently preferred. Suggestions to develop a multi-dimensional scale measuring thriving (both using a theory-driven approach or a data-drive approach) are discussed.
Not a matter of quantity: quality of relationships and personal interests predict university students’ resilience to anxiety during CoViD-19.
Authors: Nola Marta , Guiot Cecilia , Damiani Stefano , Brondino Natascia , Milani Roberta , Politi Pierluigi
Published: July 2021

During the CoViD-19 pandemic, University students may have suffered from increased anxiety due to interferences in their relationships and in academic requirements, as didactic activities have moved to distance learning systems. However, being surrounded by supportive relationships and being motivated to cultivate personal interests might have decreased anxiety. In this pilot study, we collected the responses of 174 students from Italian University merit colleges to an online questionnaire, investigating their perceived anxiety, the quality of surrounding relationships, whether they were cultivating any personal interests and whether they had spent the period of lockdown in college or at home. Regression analyses indicated that both quality of relationships and personal interests predicted low levels of anxiety (p < 0.001). However, simple slope analyses showed that personal interests were negatively related to anxiety only at medium and high quality of relationships (p < 0.001), while no association was found at low quality of relationships. No differences were found between students who stayed in college or at home. These results suggest that Universities should promote accessibility to relationships and cultivation of personal interests to protect students’ mental health during mass emergencies such as the current pandemic, in the perspective of improving community resilience.
Taxonomic, Temporal, and Spatial Variations in Zooplankton Fatty Acid Composition in Puget Sound, WA, USA
Authors: Hiltunen Minna , Strandberg Ursula , Brett Michael T. , Winans Amanda K. , Beauchamp David A. , Kotila Miika , Keister Julie E.
Published: July 2021

Fatty acid (FA) content and composition of zooplankton in Puget Sound, Washington (USA) was studied to investigate the nutritional quality of diverse zooplankton prey for juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) in terms of their essential fatty acid (EFA) content. The study focus was on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) as these are key FA needed to maintain growth and development of juvenile fish. The different zooplankton taxa varied in their FA composition. Much of the variation in FA composition was driven by 18:1ω9 (a biomarker of carnivory), ARA, DHA, and FA characteristic of diatoms, which are linked to zooplankton diet sources. Gammarid and hyperiid amphipods contained the highest amount of EFA, particularly the gammarid amphipod Cyphocaris challengeri, while shrimp and copepods had much lower EFA content. Crab larvae, which are important prey for juvenile salmon in Puget Sound, had intermediate EPA + DHA content and the lowest DHA/EPA ratio, and were rich in diatom biomarkers. Temporal and spatial trends in zooplankton lipids were less apparent than the taxonomic differences, although the EFA content increased from spring to summer in Cancridae zoeae and the amphipod C. challengeri. These results on taxon-specific EFA content provide baseline information on the nutritional quality of zooplankton that can be applied in food web models. Combining zooplankton fatty acid data (quality) with taxon-specific zooplankton biomass data (quantity) enables development of new, sensitive indicators of juvenile fish production to help assess recent declines in salmon production in the Pacific Northwest and predict future adult returns.
Investigation on microstructure and selected properties of aluminum oxide–copper–nickel ceramic–metal composites
Authors: Zygmuntowicz J. , Kosiorek J. , Piotrkiewiecz P. , Zacharko B. , Wachowski M. , Kaszuwara W.
Published: July 2021

A new ternary system of ceramic–metal composites has been fabricated from alumina, copper, and nickel powders by the slip casting method. The research aimed to avoid copper leaking during the sintering process of the formation while processing the CuNi phase. Five different compositions were examined, differing in the ratio of nickel to copper. Stable slurries with good casting properties were prepared for all compositions. The final composites after the sintering process were characterized by a homogeneous distribution of the metallic phase, but they differed in the microstructure characteristics. The addition of nickel limits the outflow of the liquid phase (copper) during sintering but does not eliminate it. This resulted in a reduction in the hardness of the samples compared to the reference material.
Enhanced giant dielectric properties and improved nonlinear electrical response in acceptor-donor (Al3+, Ta5+)-substituted CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics
Authors: Boonlakhorn Jakkree , Chanlek Narong , Manyam Jedsada , Srepusharawoot Pornjuk , Krongsuk Sriprajak , Thongbai Prasit
Published: July 2021

The giant dielectric behavior of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) has been widely investigated owing to its potential applications in electronics; however, the loss tangent (tanδ) of this material is too large for many applications. A partial substitution of CCTO ceramics with either Al3+ or Ta5+ ions generally results in poorer nonlinear properties and an associated increase in tanδ (to ~0.29–1.15). However, first-principles calculations showed that self-charge compensation occurs between these two dopant ions when co-doped into Ti4+ sites, which can improve the electrical properties of the grain boundary (GB). Surprisingly, in this study, a greatly enhanced breakdown electric field (~200–6588 V/cm) and nonlinear coefficient (~4.8–15.2) with a significantly reduced tanδ (~0.010–0.036) were obtained by simultaneous partial substitution of CCTO with acceptor-donor (Al3+, Ta5+) dopants to produce (Al3+, Ta5+)-CCTO ceramics. The reduced tanδ and improved nonlinear properties were attributed to the synergistic effects of the co-dopants in the doped CCTO structure. The significant reduction in the mean grain size of the (Al3+, Ta5+)-CCTO ceramics compared to pure CCTO was mainly because of the Ta5+ ions. Accordingly, the increased GB density due to the reduced grain size and the larger Schottky barrier height (Φb) at the GBs of the co-doped CCTO ceramics were the main reasons for the greatly increased GB resistance, improved nonlinear properties, and reduced tanδ values compared to pure and single-doped CCTO. In addition, high dielectric constant values (ε′ ≈ (0.52–2.7) × 104) were obtained. A fine-grained microstructure with highly insulating GBs was obtained by Ta5+ doping, while co-doping with Ta5+ and Al3+ resulted in a high Φb. The obtained results are expected to provide useful guidelines for developing new giant dielectric ceramics with excellent dielectric properties.
Safer Tripping: Serotonergic Psychedelics and Drug Checking. Submission and Detection Rates, Potential Harms, and Challenges for Drug Analysis
Authors: Hirschfeld Tim , Smit-Rigter Laura , van der Gouwe Daan , Reiche Simon , Stöver Heino , Majić Tomislav
Published: July 2021

Purpose of Review

With the continuous emergence of new psychoactive substances, drug checking (DC) services are challenged by an increasingly complex drug market. Considering the resumed scientific and public interest in serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) like LSD, psilocybin, and 2C-B, we present the results of a literature search investigating the presence and proportion of SPs in DC samples.

Recent Findings

In 15 identified reports, submission and detection rates of SPs were comparably low, but increasing. Samples contained considerable amounts of adulterations or analogues, mostly novel SPs with unknown toxicological profiles and in some cases potentially life-threatening effects. The detection of SPs, however, requires advanced analysis techniques currently not available to most DC services.

Given the substantial proportion of novel SPs in DC samples and the associated risks, DC can be a valuable harm reduction and monitoring tool for SPs if analysis techniques with high sensitivity are employed.