bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lab‐scale data and microbial community structure suggest shortcut nitrogen removal as the predominant nitrogen removal mechanism in post‐aerobic digestion (PAD)
Authors: Sabba Fabrizio , McNamara Patrick , Redmond Eric , Ruff Caitlin , Young Mike , Downing Leon
Published: June 2022

Implementing an aerobic digestion step after anaerobic digestion, referred to as “post aerobic digestion” (PAD), can remove ammonia without the need for an external carbon source and destroy volatile solids. While this process has been documented at the lab‐scale and full‐scale, the mechanism for N removal and the corresponding microbial community that carries out this process have not been established. This research gap is important to fill because the nitrogen removal pathway has implications on aeration requirements and carbon demand, that is, short‐cut N‐removal requires less oxygen and carbon than simultaneous nitrification–denitrification. The aims of this research were to (i) determine if nitrite (NO2−) or nitrate (NO3−) dominates following ammonia removal and (ii) characterize the microbial community from PAD reactors. Here, lab‐scale PAD reactors were seeded with biomass from two different full‐scale PAD reactors. The lab‐scale reactors were fed with biomass from full‐scale reactors and operated in batch mode to quantify nitrogen species concentrations (ammonia, NH4+, NO2−, and NO3−) over time. Experimental results revealed that NO2−production rates were several orders of magnitude greater than NO3−production rates. Indeed, nitrite accumulation rate (NAR) was greater than 90% at most temperatures, confirming that shortcut nitrogen removal was the dominant NH4+removal mechanism in PAD. Microbial community analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were much more abundant than nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Overall, this study suggests that aeration requirements for post‐aerobic digestion should be based on NO2−shunt and not complete simultaneous nitrification denitrification.

Practitioner Points

AOB are a key feature of PAD microbial communities

NOB are present, but in much lower abundance than AOB

High nitrite accumulation ratio suggests shortcut nitrite as the main mechanism for nitrogen removal

Nitritation in PAD reactors is sustained at temperatures as high as 40°C

No ammonia oxidation occurred at 50°C implying different mechanisms of nitrogen removal including ammonia stripping
Seasonal differences in hair growth rates of captive aye‐aye, red ruffed, and black‐and‐white ruffed lemurs
Authors: Guilfoyle Kevin J. , McIntosh Apryl M. , Hatch Kent A.
Published: June 2022

Hair can be an important source of biological information, providing a record of such things as pollutant exposure, hormonal levels, and stable isotope ratios. Hair as a biological sample is easily accessible, easily stored, and resists degradation. Analysis of hair is particularly useful when studying rare and endangered species, such as lemurs, since it can be sampled noninvasively. However, to better interpret the results of stable isotope or other analyses, it is important to understand hair growth rates. We measured hair growth rates in captive aye‐ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis), red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra), and black‐and‐white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), both in winter (December 23, 2013, to January 13, 2014) and summer (July 10–31, 2013) at the Duke Lemur Center. Hair growth per week in all three species of lemurs differed significantly between the boreal summer and boreal winter. The aye‐aye, black‐and‐white ruffed lemur, red ruffed lemur had a mean weekly hair growth of 0.195, 0.209, and 0.232 cm, respectively, in the summer. While the aye‐aye, black‐and‐white ruffed lemur, and red ruffed lemur had a mean weekly hair growth of 0.239, 0.464, and 0.479 cm, respectively, in winter. We found no effect of age on hair growth rates, neither in the boreal summer, nor in the boreal winter for black‐and‐white ruffed lemurs and red ruffed lemurs. A pregnant black‐and‐white ruffed female displayed negligible hair growth during the northern winter, suggesting that pregnancy may affect the partitioning of resources away from such things as hair growth.
Gearing up for the next generation of LFV experiments, via on-shell methods
Authors: Miró Joan Elias , Fernandez Clara , Gümüş Mehmet Asım , Pomarol Alex
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Lepton Flavor Violating (LFV) observables such as μ → eγ, μ → 3e and μN → eN are among the best probes for new physics at the TeV scale. In the near future the bounds on these observables will improve by many orders of magnitude. In this work we use the SM EFT to understand the impact of these measurements. The precision reach is such that the interpretation of the bounds requires an analysis of the dimension-six operator mixing up to the two-loop level. Using on-shell amplitude techniques, which make transparent many selection rules, we classify and calculate the different operator mixing chains. At the leading order, on-shell techniques allow to calculate anomalous dimensions of SM EFT operators from the product of tree-level amplitudes, even for two-loop renormalization group mixings. We illustrate the importance of our EFT approach in models with extra vector-like fermions.
Taxation and evasion: a dynamic model
Authors: Biondo A. E. , Burgio G. , Pluchino A. , Puglisi D.
Published: June 2022

In this paper we study tax evasion by means of a unified framework, based on a behavioral approach, where each individual decision with respect to tax compliance is driven by either personal evaluations of the available information, correlated to income and the perception of the quality of the public good, and social influences, derived by the known decision of neighbors. Our model relies on individual utility functions and describes the tax-evasion problem by means of a personal evolutionary scheme, in which each citizen dynamically adapts her behavior as a response to changing economic and social factors. We will show basic economic intuitions on the relevance of penalties, imitation, satisfaction and risk aversion by means of an analytical model and its agent-based companion version, in order to analyse different elements influencing tax evasion and their dynamic effects. In particular, it is shown how the tax-evasion probability changes as a function of the risk-aversion and specific focus is dedicated to the role played by non-monetary elements of utility in inducing high levels of tax compliance also at substantially reduced fines.
Cellular Distribution Pattern of tjp1 (ZO-1) in Xenopus laevis Oocytes Heterologously Expressing Claudins
Authors: Brunner Nora , Stein Laura , Amasheh Salah
Published: June 2022

Epithelial barriers constitute a fundamental requirement in every organism, as they allow the separation of different environments and set boundaries against noxious and other adverse effectors. In many inflammatory and degenerative diseases, epithelial barrier function is impaired because of a disturbance of the paracellular seal. Recently, the Xenopus laevis oocyte has been established as a heterologous expression model for the analysis of transmembrane tight junction protein interactions and is currently considered to be a suitable screening model for barrier effectors. A prerequisite for this application is a physiological anchoring of claudins to the cytoskeleton via the major scaffolding protein tjp1 (tight junction protein 1, ZO-1). We have analyzed the oocyte model with regard to the interaction of heterologously expressed claudins and tjp1. Our experiments have revealed endogenous tjp1 expression in protein and mRNA analyses of unfertilized Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human claudin 1 (CLDN1) to claudin 5 (CLDN5). The amphibian cell model can therefore be used for the analysis of claudin interactions.

Graphical Abstract
Diversity in radiology: the right thing to do, the smart thing to do
Authors: Hall Theodore R. , Brown Kathleen
Published: June 2022

In the 10-year period between the last two U.S. population censuses there have been significant changes in the U.S. population demography. The changes in self-reporting of racial and ethnic identity afforded by the most recent U.S. population census in 2020 have given citizens the opportunity to be represented in ways that truly reflect how they wish to be identified. At the same time, the diversity of the health care workforce in radiology has not reflected a similar change. While there have been small incremental changes for underrepresented groups (African Americans/Blacks, Hispanic ethnicity, and the group American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander), these changes have not kept pace with the ever-changing demographics of the U.S. population. Part of the answer for these very modest gains must lie with our selection processes for identifying potential candidates from underrepresented in medicine groups (URiM) for acceptance to our medical schools, residency programs and employment opportunities as practicing physicians and faculty members. While the strategies employed have had some measure of success, our best efforts to increase diversity in our specialty, and in medicine in general, are being undermined by our biases and our traditional methods for identifying talents.
Imaging joint infections using D-methyl-11C-methionine PET/MRI: initial experience in humans
Authors: Polvoy Ilona , Seo Youngho , Parker Matthew , Stewart Megan , Siddiqua Khadija , Manacsa Harrison S. , Ravanfar Vahid , Blecha Joseph , Hope Thomas A. , Vanbrocklin Henry , Flavell Robert R. , Barry Jeffrey , Hansen Erik , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E. , Engel Joanne , Rosenberg Oren S. , Wilson David M. , Ohliger Michael A.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Non-invasive imaging is a key clinical tool for detection and treatment monitoring of infections. Existing clinical imaging techniques are frequently unable to distinguish infection from tumors or sterile inflammation. This challenge is well-illustrated by prosthetic joint infections that often complicate joint replacements. D-methyl-11C-methionine (D-11C-Met) is a new bacteria-specific PET radiotracer, based on an amino acid D-enantiomer, that is rapidly incorporated into the bacterial cell wall. In this manuscript, we describe the biodistribution, radiation dosimetry, and initial human experience using D-11C-Met in patients with suspected prosthetic joint infections.

Methods

614.5 ± 100.2 MBq of D-11C-Met was synthesized using an automated in-loop radiosynthesis method and administered to six healthy volunteers and five patients with suspected prosthetic joint infection, who were studied by PET/MRI. Time-activity curves were used to calculate residence times for each source organ. Absorbed doses to each organ and body effective doses were calculated using OLINDA/EXM 1.1 with both ICRP 60 and ICRP 103 tissue weighting factors. SUVmax and SUVpeak were calculated for volumes of interest (VOIs) in joints with suspected infection, the unaffected contralateral joint, blood pool, and soft tissue background. A two-tissue compartment model was used for kinetic modeling.

Results

D-11C-Met was well tolerated in all subjects. The tracer showed clearance from both urinary (rapid) and hepatobiliary (slow) pathways as well as low effective doses. Moreover, minimal background was observed in both organs with resident micro-flora and target organs, such as the spine and musculoskeletal system. Additionally, D-11C-Met showed increased focal uptake in areas of suspected infection, demonstrated by a significantly higher SUVmax and SUVpeak calculated from VOIs of joints with suspected infections compared to the contralateral joints, blood pool, and background (P < 0.01). Furthermore, higher distribution volume and binding potential were observed in suspected infections compared to the unaffected joints.

Conclusion

D-11C-Met has a favorable radiation profile, minimal background uptake, and fast urinary extraction. Furthermore, D-11C-Met showed increased uptake in areas of suspected infection, making this a promising approach. Validation in larger clinical trials with a rigorous gold standard is still required.
Sisters doing it for themselves: extensive reproductive plasticity in workers of a primitively eusocial bee
Authors: Price Thomas N. , Field Jeremy
Published: June 2022

Plasticity is a key trait when an individual’s role in the social environment, and hence its optimum phenotype, fluctuates unpredictably. Plasticity is especially important in primitively eusocial insects where small colony sizes and little morphological caste differentiation mean that individuals may find themselves switching from non-reproductive to reproductive roles. To understand the scope of this plasticity, workers of the primitively eusocial sweat bee Lasioglossum malachurum were experimentally promoted to the reproductive role (worker-queens) and their performance compared with foundress-queens. We focussed on how their developmental trajectory as workers influenced three key traits: group productivity, monopolisation of reproduction, and social control of foraging nest-mates. No significant difference was found between the number of offspring produced by worker-queens and foundress-queens. Genotyping of larvae showed that worker-queens monopolised reproduction in their nests to the same extent as foundress queens. However, non-reproductives foraged less and produced a smaller total offspring biomass when the reproductive was a promoted worker: offspring of worker-queens were all males, which are the cheaper sex to produce. Greater investment in each offspring as the number of foragers increased suggests a limit to both worker-queen and foundress-queen offspring production when a greater quantity of pollen arrives at the nest. The data presented here suggest a remarkable level of plasticity and represent one of the first quantitative studies of worker reproductive plasticity in a non-model primitively eusocial species.

Significance statement

The ability of workers to take on a reproductive role and produce offspring is expected to relate strongly to the size of their colony. Workers in species with smaller colony sizes should have greater reproductive potential to insure against the death of the queen. We quantified the reproductive plasticity of workers in small colonies of sweat bees by removing the queen and allowing the workers to control the reproductive output of the nest. A single worker then took on the reproductive role and hence prevented her fellow workers from producing offspring of their own. These worker-queens produced as many offspring as control queens, demonstrating remarkable worker plasticity in a primitively eusocial species.
Einfluss der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die ambulante psychotherapeutische Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Plötner Maria , Moldt Katja , In-Albon Tina , Schmitz Julian
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund

Seit Beginn der COVID-19-Pandemie mehren sich Befunde zu ihrem negativen Einfluss auf die psychische Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen. Bisher ist jedoch wenig darüber bekannt, ob und wie sich dies auf die psychotherapeutische Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen niederschlägt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die psychische Situation von Kindern und Jugendlichen sowie ihre psychotherapeutische Versorgung seit Beginn der COVID-19-Pandemie sollen aus Sicht von Kinder- und JugendlichenpsychotherapeutInnen (KJP) erfasst werden.

Material und Methoden

Es wurden 324 KJP aus Deutschland in einer Online-Umfrage gebeten, die letzten 6 Monate mit einem 6‑monatigen Zeitraum vor 2 Jahren zu vergleichen. Fünf- und 7‑stufige Likert-Skalen, Fragen mit Mehr- und Einfachauswahl sowie numerische und ein freies Antwortformat wurden verwendet.

Ergebnisse

Seit Pandemiebeginn haben sich die Wartezeiten nahezu verdoppelt. Es werden mehr Behandlungsstunden angeboten, v. a. mehr Erstgespräche durchgeführt. Therapieverlängerungen kommen häufiger, -abbrüche seltener vor. Bei der Hälfte der PatientInnen ist eine pandemieassoziierte Symptomverschlechterung aufgetreten. Alle erfragten psychischen Störungen treten z. T. deutlich häufiger auf (v. a. Depressionen, Angststörungen, Medienabhängigkeit, Schlaf‑, Anpassungs‑, Zwangs- und Essstörungen). Es erfolgen mehr Telefon- und Videositzungen als vor der Pandemie. Die Zusammenarbeit mit Eltern hat sich verstärkt, die mit dem interdisziplinären Netzwerk verringert.

Diskussion

Die Pandemie hat einen deutlichen Einfluss auf die psychische Verfassung und die psychotherapeutische Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland. Eine Anpassung des Versorgungssystems an den gestiegenen Bedarf wird vorgeschlagen, um mögliche Folgeschäden der Pandemie zu begrenzen.
Treatment outcomes of patients with Cutibacterium acnes-positive cultures during total joint replacement revision surgery: a minimum 2-year follow-up
Authors: Hoch A. , Fritz Y. , Dimitriou D. , Bossard D. A. , Fucentese S. F. , Wieser K. , Achermann Y. , Zingg P. O.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following total joint replacement (TJR). Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a low virulent skin commensal, commonly found during TJR revision surgery for “aseptic” causes. The purpose of the present study was to report the treatment outcomes of patients with C. acnes contamination or infection in the presence of a TJR treated with a revision surgery ± implant exchange ± prolonged (≥ 8 weeks) postoperative antibiotics.

Methods

Medical records of patients with at least one positive C. acnes culture in intraoperative tissue samples or sonication fluid from a TJR revision surgery between January 2005 and December 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. The primary endpoint was infection eradication according to Delphi criteria. The diagnostic accuracy of preoperative TJR aspiration regarding the diagnosis of C. acnes PJI was also investigated.

Results

A total of 52 TJR (28 shoulders, 17 hips, 7 knees) in 52 patients (35 males, 17 females) with an average age of 63 ± 11 (33–86) years were included. At an average follow-up of 67 ± 33 (24–127) months, the infection eradication of C. acnes PJI was 97% regardless of the surgical treatment or administration of prolonged postoperative antibiotics. The incidence of unsuspected C. acnes PJI was 28.8%. The sensitivity and specificity of preoperative joint aspiration in detecting C. acnes PJI were 59% and 88%, whereas the PPV and NNV were 83% and 67%, respectively.

Conclusion

Infection eradication of C. acnes PJI was very high at a minimum follow-up of 24 months, suggesting that C. acnes PJI could be adequately treated with a combination of revision surgery and prolonged postoperative antibiotics. The preoperative diagnosis of C. acnes PJI might be challenging with more than one-quarter of patients presenting without suspicion of C. acnes PJI. The appropriate treatment of patients with a single positive culture remains still unclear. A negative TJR aspiration should not rule out a C. acnes PJI, especially in the presence of clinical correlates of infection.

Level of evidence

Retrospective case–control study, Level III.

IRB approval

Kantonale Ethikkommission Zürich, BASEC Nr.:2017-00567.
Estimation of fault probability in medium voltage feeders through calibration techniques in classification models
Authors: De Santis Enrico , Arnò Francesco , Rizzi Antonello
Published: June 2022

Machine Learning is currently a well-suited approach widely adopted for solving data-driven problems in predictive maintenance. Data-driven approaches can be used as the main building block in risk-based assessment and analysis tools for Transmission and Distribution System Operators in modern Smart Grids. For this purpose, a suitable Decision Support System should be able of providing not only early warnings, such as the detection of faults in real time, but even an accurate probability estimate of outages and failures. In other words, the performance of classification systems, at least in these cases, needs to be assessed even in terms of reliable outputting posterior probabilities, a really important feature that, in general, classifiers very often do not offer. In this paper are compared several state-of-the-art calibration techniques along with a set of simple new proposed techniques, with the aim of calibrating fuzzy scoring values of a custom-made evolutionary-cluster-based hybrid classifier trained on a set of a real-world dataset of faults collected within the power grid that feeds the city of Rome, Italy. Comparison results show that in real-world cases calibration techniques need to be assessed carefully depending on the scores distribution and the proposed techniques are a valid alternative to the ones existing in the technical literature in terms of calibration performance, computational efficiency and flexibility.
Reduktion der pluvialen Überflutungsgefahr durch standortangepasste landwirtschaftliche Nutzung
Authors: Monschein Miriam , Schmaltz Elmar , Krebs Gerald , Zenz Gerald , Harrer Christian , Gamerith Valentin
Published: June 2022

Aufgrund des Klimawandels treten immer häufiger Starkregenereignisse auf, die im urbanen und im ländlichen Raum durch Überflutungen Schäden verursachen. Um das Gefahrenpotenzial für die bestehende Bebauung und Infrastruktur zu reduzieren, sind Maßnahmen, wie z. B. der flächige Rückhalt von Niederschlagswasser, erforderlich.

In Österreich werden rund 32 % der Gesamtfläche landwirtschaftlich genutzt. Landwirtschaftliche Flächen können damit maßgebend zur Entstehung, aber auch zur Reduktion von pluvialen Überflutungen beitragen. Durch Maßnahmen, wie z. B. die Änderung der Bodenbearbeitung oder der Kulturpflanzen, kann die Infiltrationsrate des Bodens und damit das Ausmaß von Überflutungen und die Grundwasseranreicherung beeinflusst werden. Es besteht jedoch noch Quantifizierungsbedarf, wie stark durch welche landwirtschaftlichen Maßnahmen der oberflächliche Abfluss reduziert werden kann.

Der vorliegende Beitrag diskutiert die Auswirkungen von zwei unterschiedlichen landwirtschaftlichen Nutzungen (konventioneller Maisacker und regenerativ bewirtschaftetes Grünland) auf den Oberflächenabfluss mittels einer numerischen Niederschlags-Abflussmodellierungen von drei unterschiedlichen Starkregenszenarien (1-, 30- und 100-jährlich) basierend auf innerhalb eines Untersuchungsgebiets durch Labor- und Felduntersuchungen ermittelten physikalischen Bodenparameter.

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass im Untersuchungsgebiet, durch eine vollflächige Bewirtschaftung als Grünland anstatt Ackerland, das Abflussvolumen, insbesondere bei häufig wiederkehrenden Starkregenereignissen, signifikant (bis zu 87 %) reduziert werden kann.

Eine standortangepasste landwirtschaftliche Nutzung kann damit das Gefahrenpotenzial für angrenzende Siedlungsgebiete potenziell wesentlich reduzieren. Auch bei der Planung und Dimensionierung von technischen Hochwasserschutzmaßnahmen kann die Einbeziehung der Landnutzungsplanung im Einzugsgebiet zielführend sein, um in Summe die Kosten für den Hochwasserschutz (bspw. durch Reduktion des erforderlichen Retentionsvolumens) zu reduzieren.
Upper and lower bounds to the overall incremental stiffness of hyperelastic composites
Authors: Krawietz Arnold
Published: June 2022

Bounds to the overall stiffness of a composite are well-known within the classical theory of elasticity. They are based on the positive-definiteness of the local stiffness. A transfer to a prestressed state is not trivial. We may study the incremental stiffness that connects the nominal stress rate with the velocity gradient. But when there are mainly compressive stresses, then positive-definiteness can only be secured if this stiffness is replaced by a pseudo-stiffness. Its existence is equivalent to a strengthened form of uniform infinitesimal polyconvexity and is independent of the geometry. The same is the case with the crude Voigt and Reuss bounds. More refined kinematic or dynamic approximations do, of course, depend on the geometry. This is demonstrated with the unidirectional reinforcement of a matrix.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from preschool to school age: change and stability of parent and teacher reports
Authors: Overgaard Kristin Romvig , Oerbeck Beate , Friis Svein , Pripp Are Hugo , Aase Heidi , Biele Guido , Ingeborgrud Christine Baalsrud , Polanczyk Guilherme V. , Zeiner Pål
Published: June 2022

Identifying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pre-schoolers may improve their development if treated, but it is unclear whether ADHD symptoms from this age are stable enough to merit treatment. We aimed to investigate the stability of parent- and teacher-reported ADHD symptoms and ADHD classified above the diagnostic symptom thresholds, including for hyperactivity-impulsivity (HI), inattention and combined presentations from age 3 to 8 years. This study is part of the longitudinal, population-based Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. At child age 3 years, parents were interviewed and teachers rated ADHD symptoms. At age 8 years, parents (n = 783) and teachers (n = 335) reported ADHD symptoms by the Child Symptom Inventory-4. We found a significant reduction in the mean number of parent-reported ADHD and HI symptoms from age 3 to 8 years, but otherwise similar mean numbers. Parent-reported ADHD symptoms were moderately correlated between ages, while correlations were low for teachers. A total of 77/108 (71%) of the children classified with parent-reported HI presentation at age 3 years were no longer classified within any ADHD presentation at age 8 years, the only clear trend across time for either informant. There was a low to moderate parent–teacher-agreement in the number of reported symptoms, and very low informant agreement for the classified ADHD presentations. Overall, clinicians should exercise caution in communicating concern about HI symptoms in preschool children. Age 3 years may be too early to apply the ADHD diagnostic symptom criteria, especially if parents and teachers are required to agree.
Biomolecular Effects of Dance and Dance/Movement Therapy: A Review
Authors: Lopez-Nieves Ivana , Jakobsche Charles E.
Published: June 2022

The positive health impacts of dance and dance/movement therapy can be seen all the way down to the molecular level. This narrative-style review illustrates this connection by presenting a collection of clinical and preclinical studies that evaluate the effects of dance activities on hormones and other small-molecule metabolites within the human body. The results of these studies show that dance activities can increase levels of nitric oxide, serotonin, estrogen hormones, and HDL cholesterol, while they can decrease levels of dopamine, serum glucose, serum triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. Levels of cortisol can either be increased or decreased, depending on the type of dance. Many of these results parallel the biomolecular effects of traditional (non-dance) exercise activities, although some contrasting results can also be seen. The concentrations of these molecules and their distributions throughout the body impact health and a wide variety of disease states. This connection to the molecular level provides a perspective for understanding how it is that dance activities are able to affect larger-scale physiological and psychological responses and lead to the positive health outcomes that are observed in many situations.
The Well-Being of Adolescents Conceived Through Medically Assisted Reproduction: A Population-Level and Within-Family Analysis
Authors: Remes Hanna , Palma Carvajal Maria , Peltonen Riina , Martikainen Pekka , Goisis Alice
Published: June 2022

Medically assisted reproduction (MAR) plays an increasingly important role in the realization of fertility intentions in advanced societies, yet the evidence regarding MAR-conceived children’s longer-term well-being remains inconclusive. Using register data on all Finnish children born in 1995–2000, we compared a range of social and mental health outcomes among MAR- and naturally conceived adolescents in population-averaged estimates, and within families who have conceived both through MAR and naturally. In baseline models, MAR-conceived adolescents had better school performance and the likelihood of school dropout, not being in education or employment, and early home-leaving were lower than among naturally conceived adolescents. No major differences were found in mental health and high-risk health behaviours. Adjustment for family sociodemographic characteristics attenuated MAR adolescents’ advantage in social outcomes, while increasing the risk of mental disorders. The higher probability of mental disorders persisted when comparing MAR adolescents to their naturally conceived siblings. On average, MAR adolescents had similar or better outcomes than naturally conceived adolescents, largely due to their more advantaged family backgrounds, which underscores the importance of integrating a sociodemographic perspective in studies of MAR and its consequences.
Changes in Sharing and Participation are Important Predictors of the Health of Traditional Harvest Practices in Indigenous Communities in Alaska
Authors: Brinkman Todd , Charles Billy , Stevens Benjamin , Wright Brooke , John Simeon , Ervin Bruce , Joe Jorene , Ninguelook Georgianna , Heeringa Krista , Nu Jennifer , Chapin Terry , Rasmus Stacy
Published: June 2022

The well-being of Indigenous communities in Alaska is inextricably linked to traditional harvest practices (THPs) such as hunting, fishing, and gathering local wild foods. Regional trends in the health of THPs have not been quantitatively evaluated in Alaska. Therefore, we surveyed Indigenous residents in the Western Coastal (n = 623) and Interior (n = 437) Regions of Alaska to estimate perceptions of the extent and cause of change in the health of THPs over the last ten years. We found that THPs improved in Western Coastal and declined in Interior Alaska. The best predictors of improvement or decline in the health of THPs were 1) change in the ability to share the harvest, 2) change in participation in hunting and fishing activities, and 3) extent of challenges caused by climate change. The odds of a decline in the health of THPs were 8 to 13 times higher for households that reported a decrease in sharing of traditional foods.
Adaptive Integration of Nonlinear Evolution Equations on Tensor Manifolds
Authors: Rodgers Abram , Dektor Alec , Venturi Daniele
Published: June 2022

We develop new adaptive algorithms for temporal integration of nonlinear evolution equations on tensor manifolds. These algorithms, which we call step-truncation methods, are based on performing one time step with a conventional time-stepping scheme, followed by a truncation operation onto a tensor manifold. By selecting the rank of the tensor manifold adaptively to satisfy stability and accuracy requirements, we prove convergence of a wide range of step-truncation methods, including explicit one-step and multi-step methods. These methods are very easy to implement as they rely only on arithmetic operations between tensors, which can be performed by efficient and scalable parallel algorithms. Adaptive step-truncation methods can be used to compute numerical solutions of high-dimensional PDEs, which, have become central to many new areas of application such optimal mass transport, random dynamical systems, and mean field optimal control. Numerical applications are presented and discussed for a Fokker-Planck equation with spatially dependent drift on a flat torus of dimension two and four.
A reduced power budget and enhanced performance in a wdm system: a new fbg apodization function
Authors: Mustafa Fathy M. , Sayed Ahmed F. , Aly Moustafa H.
Published: June 2022

The apodization profiles improve chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) capability to compensate dispersion which enhances the performance of the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems. In this paper, a new apodization profile is proposed to enhance performance and reduces the power budget for a WDM system. The newly apodization profile is implemented to a CFBG as a post compensator in a WDM system for 100 km. It is found the proposed profile enhances the performance and reduces the transmitted power at BER of 10−9. The evaluation of the proposed profile is compared with a previously published work. It is found the proposed profile enhances the Q-factor by 1.08%, decreases BER by 52.8%, and reduces the power budget by 4% than the related work.
Parallelizing MCMC sampling via space partitioning
Authors: Hafych Vasyl , Eller Philipp , Schulz Oliver , Caldwel Allen
Published: June 2022

Efficient sampling of many-dimensional and multimodal density functions is a task of great interest in many research fields. We describe an algorithm that allows parallelizing inherently serial Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling by partitioning the space of the function parameters into multiple subspaces and sampling each of them independently. The samples of the different subspaces are then reweighted by their integral values and stitched back together. This approach allows reducing sampling wall-clock time by parallel operation. It also improves sampling of multimodal target densities and results in less correlated samples. Finally, the approach yields an estimate of the integral of the target density function.
16-ports indoor base station MIMO array for sub-6 GHz 5G applications
Authors: Abouelnaga Tamer Gaber , Zewail Ibrahim , Shokair Mona
Published: June 2022

A typical 5G multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) system must combine a high number of antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to realize spatial multiplexing capability. In this paper, a wideband 16- element indoor base station (BS) antenna array that can cover 3.3–6.0 GHz is proposed for 5G applications. A π-shaped monopole antenna is designed to cover the Lower band (LTE bands 42/43–N77–N78), the intermediate band (N79), and the higher band (LTE 46). The antenna elements are arranged in a limited space printed on a substrate take the Hexakaidecagon Polygon shape. As the antenna elements are arranged with good isolation, achieving good polarization diversity. The proposed BS array is simulated, fabricated, and tested. The typical results, S-parameters, antenna efficiency, and radiation patterns are investigated. Moreover, to validate the MIMO performances, a very low envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) below 0.02, high antenna efficiency of about 82–93.2% are achieved. The calculated ergodic channel capacity of the 16 × 16 MIMO system reached up to 85 bps/Hz. The proposed antenna array was compared to some other 5G MIMO indoor base station antennas.
SARS-CoV-2 infection in HIV-infected patients: potential role in the high mutational load of the Omicron variant emerging in South Africa
Authors: Tarcsai Katalin Réka , Corolciuc Oliga , Tordai Attila , Ongrádi József
Published: June 2022

A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 named Omicron (B.1.1.529) was isolated from an HIV-infected patient in Botswana, South Africa, in November 2021. Whole genome sequencing revealed a multitude of mutations and its relationship to the mutation-rich Alpha variant that had been isolated from a cancer patient. It is conceivable that very high prevalence of HIV-infected individuals as susceptible hosts in South Africa and their immunocompromised state may predispose for accumulation of coronavirus mutations. Coronaviruses uniquely code for an N-terminal 3′ to 5′exonuclease (ExoN, nsp14) that removes mismatched nucleotides paired by the RNA dependent RNA polymerase. Its activity depends preferably on Mg2+ and other divalent cations (manganese, cobalt and zinc). On the contrary, methyl transferase activity of non-structural protein (nsp) 14 and nsp16 both complexed with nsp10 requires Mn2+. Enzymes in successive stages of HIV infections require the same cations. In HIV-infected organisms, a subsequent coronavirus infection encounters with altered homeostasis of the body including relative starvation of divalent cations induced by interleukin production of HIV-infected cells. It is hypothesized that selective diminished efficacy of ExoN in the absence of sufficient amount of magnesium may result in the accumulation of mutations. Unusual mutations and recombinations of heterologous viruses detected in AIDS patients also suggest that long-lasting persistence of superinfecting viruses may also contribute to the selection of genetic variants. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors partially restore divalent cations’ equilibrium. As a practical approach, implementation of highly active antiretroviral therapy against HIV replication and vaccination against coronaviruses may be a successful strategy to reduce the risk of selection of similar mutants.
Dynamic capabilities in tourism businesses: antecedents and outcomes
Authors: Nguyen Hang T. T. , Pham Hanh Song Thi , Freeman Susan
Published: June 2022

This paper examines dynamic capabilities as a second-order construct and the antecedents and outcomes of dynamic capabilities. Analyzing data collected from 242 tourism firms in Vietnam, this paper finds a positive influence of firms’ human capital, organizational learning, environmental dynamism, and digital marketing on the dynamic capabilities. Dynamic capabilities have a significant and positive impact on these firms’ competitive advantage. The paper contributes to ongoing efforts to measure dynamic capabilities and explore the micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities.
An Update on the Measurement of Motor Cerebellar Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Kenyon Katherine Hope , Boonstra Frederique , Noffs Gustavo , Butzkueven Helmut , Vogel Adam P. , Kolbe Scott , van der Walt Anneke
Published: June 2022

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease that often affects the cerebellum. It is characterised by demyelination, inflammation, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system. Damage to the cerebellum in MS is associated with increased disability and decreased quality of life. Symptoms include gait and balance problems, motor speech disorder, upper limb dysfunction, and oculomotor difficulties. Monitoring symptoms is crucial for effective management of MS. A combination of clinical, neuroimaging, and task-based measures is generally used to diagnose and monitor MS. This paper reviews the present and new tools used by clinicians and researchers to assess cerebellar impairment in people with MS (pwMS). It also describes recent advances in digital and home-based monitoring for people with MS.
Metagenomic analysis of the microbiome of the upper reproductive tract: combating ovarian cancer through predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine
Authors: Qin Xu , Zhou Jianglin , Wang Zizhuo , Feng Chenzhao , Fan Junpeng , Huang Jia , Hu Dianxing , Baban Babak , Wang Shengqi , Ma Ding , Sun Chaoyang , Zhou Zhe , Chen Gang
Published: June 2022

Purpose

We investigated whether ovarian cancer could alter the genital microbiota in a specific way with clinical values. Furthermore, we proposed how such changes could be envisioned in a paradigm of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM).

Methods

The samples were collected using cotton swabs from the cervical, uterine cavity, fallopian tubes, and ovaries of patients subjected to the surgical procedures for the malignant/benign lesions. All samples were then analyzed by metagenomic shotgun sequencing. The distribution patterns and characteristics of the microbiota in the reproductive tract of subjects were analyzed and were interpreted in relation to the clinical outcomes of the subjects.

Results

While the ovarian cancer was able to alter the genital microbiota, the bacteria were the dominant microorganisms in all samples across all cohorts in the study (median 99%). The microbiota of the upper female reproductive tract were mainly from the cervical, identified by low bacterial biomass and high bacterial diversity. Ovarian cancer had a distinct microbiota signature. The tubal ligation affects its microbial distribution. There were no different species on the surface of platinum-sensitive ovarian tissues compared to samples from platinum-resistant patients.

Conclusion

The ovarian cancer–induced changes in microbiota magnify the potential of microbiota as a biotherapeutic modality in the treatment of ovarian cancer in this study and very likely for several malignancies and other conditions. Our findings demonstrated, for the first time, that microbiota could be dissected and applied in more specific fashion based on a predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM) model in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Utilizing microbiota portfolio in a PPPM system in ovarian cancer would provide a unique opportunity to a clinically intelligent and novel approach in the treatment of ovarian cancer as well as several other conditions and malignancies.
Is a Guru as Good as God? A Vedāntic Perspective
Authors: Gupta Akshay
Published: June 2022

Within Hindu religious contexts, a guru plays a crucial soteriological role, and is sometimes viewed as being as good as God. Questions of a guru’s sphere of epistemic authority thus have far-reaching socioreligious implications. In this paper, I highlight one such implication within the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava tradition. I then analyze various Caitanya Vaiṣṇava texts in order to precisely define the parameters of a guru’s epistemic authority within this tradition. I suggest that the statements made by gurus within this tradition are of a bipartite nature and describe how an understanding of this bipartite nature can lead to social progress within the tradition. In particular, I highlight how the teachings of the Caitanya Vaiṣṇava tradition can be made consistent with contemporary socially progressive values. I also consider some objections and respond to these.
Sub-switching domain effect for analysis the non-linear dielectric behavior of (K0.49 Na0.49Li0.02) (Nb0.98Sb0.02)O3 ceramic based on Rayleigh model
Authors: Atito Ibrahim A. , Shaban H. T. , Salem A. , Ezzeldien Mohammed , Mahmoud Abd El-razek
Published: June 2022

The solid-state sintering technique has been implemented to synthesize (K0.5Na0.5NbO3)-0.02(LiSbO3) (KNN-LS) Pb-free ceramic. The crystal structure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of the prepared material were investigated. Pure orthorhombic perovskite phase [I(220)/I(002) = 1.68] with Amm2 space group has been detected at room temperature for sintered ceramic. Two anomalous permittivity peaks corresponding to orthorhombic–tetragonal (O–T) phase transition at T = 175 °C and tetragonal–cubic (T–C) phase transition at T = 355 °C have been observed. At polymorphic phase transition, the Rayleigh model shown the extrinsic contributions caused by domain wall motion is about 80%, while the intrinsic contribution attributed to the lattice distortion is about 20%. Ferroelectric properties were investigated in a wide range of temperatures (RT-225)°C. The results shown a conductive material at high temperature due to the higher cation disorder and leakage current above PPT. The present results are interested for understanding the mechanism of t permittivity–temperature behavior of KNN-doped LS ions based on Rayleigh model. The large remnant polarization and low coercive field below PPT make the material a suitable candidate for energy storage application.
Four dimensional spatial sustainability (4DSS): a revolutionary approach toward utopian sustainability
Authors: Najjar Raed
Published: June 2022

This research paper is composed of several interrelated sections that present thought-provoking concepts and debates concerning sustainability. Substantially, it argues the failure of the classical definition of sustainability and underlines serious worldwide challenges that face the planet and mankind due to the questionable current modes of development. Understanding the importance of adopting more comprehensive definition that ensures integrating critical missing aspects; mainly the cultural-historical and temporal analysis, as well as, rethinking the approach when applying that concept is more urgent than ever. In this sense, the author theorizes new ground-breaking definition for sustainability; namely the four dimensional spatial sustainability, and so, develops innovative approaches that effectively facilitate adopting a set of philosophical models pertaining to this revolutionary definition on different temporal scales. The social aspect has far-reaching impacts upon the different models, hence it is considered as chief factor that democratically supports, controls and enhances the other dimensions, i.e. economic, environmental, and cultural-historical. Basically, these models catalyze generating socially-driven synergy that fosters change in key systems, and creates therefore, spatial participative sustainability leading, on the long run, to standardized spatial sustainability featuring what the author calls ‘utopian sustainability’ on global scale.
Proposed EU AI Act—Presidency compromise text: select overview and comment on the changes to the proposed regulation
Authors: Kazim Emre , Güçlütürk Osman , Almeida Denise , Kerrigan Charles , Lomas Elizabeth , Koshiyama Adriano , Hilliard Airlie , Trengove Markus
Published: June 2022

With its proposed EU AI Act, the EU is aspiring to lead the world in admiral AI regulation (April 2021). In this brief, we summarise and comment on the ‘Presidency compromise text’, which is a revised version of the proposed act reflecting the consultation and deliberation by member states and actors (November 2021). The compromise text echoes the sentiment of the original text, much of which remains largely unchanged. However, there are important shifts and some significant changes. Our main comments focus on exemptions to the act with respect to national security; changes that seek to further protect research, development and innovation; and the attempt to clarify the draft legislation’s stance on algorithmic manipulation. Our target readership for this paper is those who are interested in tracking the evolution of the proposed EU AI act, such as policy-makers and those in the legal profession.
Responsibility in Hybrid Societies: concepts and terms
Authors: Meyer Stefanie , Mandl Sarah , Gesmann-Nuissl Dagmar , Strobel Anja
Published: June 2022

With increased digitalization and new technologies, societies are expected to no longer only include human actors, but artificial actors as well. Such a future of societies raises new questions concerning the coexistence, tasks and responsibilities of different actors. Manifold disciplines are involved in the creation of these future societies. This requires a common understanding of responsibility, and of definitions of actors in Hybrid Societies. This review aims at clarifying aforementioned terms from a legal and psychological perspective. Building from this common ground, we identified seven capacities in total which need to be met by actors in societies to be considered fully responsible, in both a legal and moral sense. From a legal perspective, actors need to be autonomous, have capacity to act, legal capacity, and the ability to be held liable. From a psychological perspective, actors need to possess moral agency and can be trusted. Both disciplines agree that explainability is a pivotal capacity to be considered fully responsible. As of now, human beings are the only actors who can, with regard to these capacities, be considered morally and legally responsible. It is unclear whether and to which extent artificial entities will have these capacities, and subsequently, whether they can be responsible in the same sense as human beings are. However, on the basis of the conceptual clarification, further steps can now be taken to develop a concept of responsibility in Hybrid Societies.