bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods for studying allometry in geometric morphometrics: a comparison of performance
Authors: Klingenberg Christian Peter
Published: March 2022

Allometry has been the focus of growing interest in studies using geometric morphometric methods to address a wide range of research questions at the interface of ecology and evolution. This study uses computer simulations to compare four methods for estimating allometric vectors from landmark data: the multivariate regression of shape on a measure of size, the first principal component (PC1) of shape, the PC1 in conformation space, and a recently proposed method, the PC1 of Boas coordinates. Simulations with no residual variation around the allometric relationship showed that all four methods are logically consistent with one another, up to minor nonlinearities in the mapping between conformation space and shape tangent space. In simulations that included residual variation, either isotropic or with a pattern independent of allometry, regression of shape on size performed consistently better than the PC1 of shape. The PC1s of conformation and of Boas coordinates were very similar and very close to the simulated allometric vectors under all conditions. An extra series of simulations to elucidate the relation between conformation and Boas coordinates indicated that they are almost identical, with a marginal advantage for conformation. Empirical examples of ontogenetic allometry in rat skulls and rockfish body shape illustrate simple biological applications of the methods. The paper concludes with recommendations how these methods for estimating allometry can be used in studies of evolution and ecology.
Drivers of Users’ Embracement of 3D Digital Educational Spaces in Higher Education: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Ghanbarzadeh Reza , Ghapanchi Amir Hossein
Published: March 2022

Three-Dimensional Virtual Worlds (3DVW) have significant promise for the development of teaching and learning environments. Educational communities have become interested in such virtual platforms, and this technology has widely benefited educational settings. This study aims to identify the factors that drive the acceptance of 3DVWs as means for distance learning by higher education students, and provides a taxonomy of such drivers. A qualitative approach was employed for data collection to enable a detailed exploration. Two data collection instruments were used in the experiment: a virtual synchronous focus group and an open-ended question. One hundred twenty-one students participated in 13 virtual focus groups, and 124 students responded to the open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data, and as a result, 26 factors were identified as antecedents to the acceptance of 3DVW in higher education. Those factors are then classified into 12 categories based on their definition and similarities. Twenty-one out of the 26 factors impact the user acceptance of 3DVW positively, and five factors impact it negatively. The findings of this study indicate advances in theory, methodology, and pedagogical practice.
Outcomes of combined single-use dual blade goniotomy and cataract surgery
Authors: Baumgarten Sabine , Plange Niklas , Htoon Hla Myint , Lohmann Tibor , Videa Andreas , Koutsonas Antonis , Schellhase Hannah , Kuerten David , Walter Peter , Fuest Matthias
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Single-use dual blade goniotomy (SBG) is a novel ab interno procedure that removes three to five clock hours of trabecular meshwork (TM). We analysed the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and topical glaucoma medication (Meds) in eyes following combined cataract surgery and SBG (Cat-SBG).

Methods

IOP and Meds were evaluated retrospectively in 55 eyes of 38 patients. 44 eyes had high tension glaucoma (HTG) and eleven eyes had normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Complete success (no Meds) and qualified success (with Meds) for IOP levels ≤ 21, ≤ 18 , ≤ 16 mmHg or ≥ 20% IOP reduction at the two- and six-month follow-up were evaluated.

Results

IOP and Meds were significantly reduced from before to two months after Cat-SBG in HTG- and NTG-patients (HTG: IOP 19.4 ± 3.3 to 15.1 ± 3.3 mmHg; p < 0.001; Meds 2.1 ± 1.3 to 0.8 ± 1.3; p < 0.001; NTG: IOP 14.0 ± 2.3 to 11.5 ± 2.3 mmHg; p = 0.004; Meds 1.6 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.7; p < 0.001). IOP and Meds did not change significantly from two to six months after Cat-SBG.

In HTG, complete and qualified success rates were 43% (19/44) and 93% (41/44) for IOP ≤ 18 mmHg, 36% (16/44) and 64% (28/44) for IOP ≤ 16 mmHg and 30% (13/44) and 43% (19/44) for ≥ 20% IOP reduction six months after surgery. In NTG, complete and qualified success was 81% (9/11) and 100% (11/11) for IOP ≤ 18 and ≤ 16 mmHg, and 27% (3/11) for IOP reduction ≥ 20%.

IOP and Meds reduction were comparable between HTG and NTG eyes.

Only minor postoperative complications occurred.

Conclusion

Cat-SBG is an efficient method to significantly lower IOP in patients with HTG and NTG.
Responding to flood risk in Louisiana: the roles of place attachment, emotions, and location
Authors: Holley Jason R. , McComas Katherine A. , Lambert Catherine E. , Snider Natalie P. , Tucker Grace K.
Published: March 2022

Drawing from protection motivation theory (PMT), we examined how place attachment and negative emotions, alongside threat and coping appraisals, personal experiences, and demographic characteristics, relate to behavioral intentions to mitigate exposure to flood risks in southern Louisiana. We administered a statewide, representative telephone survey to 807 Louisiana residents, oversampling residents living in southern and coastal parishes particularly vulnerable to flood risk. While the results showed no difference depending on participants’ location in the state, there were strong effects of coping appraisals on individuals’ intentions to mitigate their exposure to flood risk, consistent with prior PMT findings. The addition of place attachment to standard PMT variables revealed a nuanced relationship with behavioral intentions. Results show that participants’ place attachment decreased the effects of threat and coping appraisals on some behavioral intentions, such as moving out of the state, while posing no significant effect of threat and coping appraisals on other intentions, such as supporting flood risk mitigation policies. Feeling negative emotions increased the likelihood of participants’ indicating a willingness to move or elevate their home, among other actions. While this study supports the consistency of threat and coping appraisals to predict discrete behavioral intentions, the results also provide insight that may be critical for risk communication initiatives in Louisiana. Namely, individuals with high levels of place attachment may be less willing to leave their community but more willing to engage in behaviors that enhance community resilience, although the more negative emotions they feel, the more willing they may be to take more drastic measures.
From waste to waste: iron blast furnace slag for heavy metal ions removal from aqueous system
Authors: Abdelbasir Sabah M. , Khalek Mohamed A. Abdel
Published: March 2022

Inordinate levels of heavy metals in water sources have long been a matter of concern, posing serious environmental and public health risks. Adsorption, on the other hand, is a viable technique for removing heavy metals from water due to its high efficiency, low cost, and ease of operation. Blast furnace slag (BFS) is considered a cheap sorbent for the get rid of Co2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous media. The nonmodified slag is characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and zeta potential. The removal of Co2+ and Pb2+ ions was carried out using batch adsorption experiments from an aqueous medium. The influence of several variables as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, temperature, and initial ions concentration was considered. The isotherm, kinetic, thermodynamic, and recyclability were also conducted. The maximum uptake capacity for Co2+ and Pb2+ was 43.8 and 30.2 mg g−1 achieved at pH 6 after 60 min contact time. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of BFS for Co2+ and Pb2+ fitted well to Avrami and Freundlich models, respectively. The main adsorption mechanism between BFS and the metal ions was ion exchange. The regeneration of the used slag was studied for reuse many cycles. In terms of economics and scalability, nonmodified BFS treatment has great potential as a cost-effective adsorbent that could be used in water pollution treatment.

Graphical abstract
Gaming in China Before the COVID-19 Pandemic and After the Lifting of Lockdowns: a Nationwide Online Retrospective Survey
Authors: Wu Qiuxia , Luo Tao , Tang Jinsong , Wang Yunfei , Wu Zhenzhen , Liu Yueheng , Chen Wei , Deng Qijian , Liao Yanhui
Published: March 2022

With the lockdown and social distancing during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), gaming has become a popular leisure activity. This study aimed to explore changes in gaming behavior after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns and risk factors for increased gaming behavior. This online retrospective study included 5268 gamers. A total of 5% gamers scored 32 or higher on the 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale—Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), suggesting diagnosis of internet gaming disorder (IGD). Over one-third of gamers reported an increase in time spent on gaming per day after the lockdowns were lifted. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gamers who were female, students, experienced stress, or scored higher on IGDS9-SF were more likely to spend more time on gaming per day after the lifting of lockdowns. These findings highlighted the needs for more effective coping strategies or interventions to prevent excessive gaming, especially for females and students.
Reducing prediction volatility in the surgical workflow recognition of endoscopic pituitary surgery
Authors: Das Adrito , Bano Sophia , Vasconcelos Francisco , Khan Danyal Z. , Marcus Hani J , Stoyanov Danail
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

Workflow recognition can aid surgeons before an operation when used as a training tool, during an operation by increasing operating room efficiency, and after an operation in the completion of operation notes. Although several methods have been applied to this task, they have been tested on few surgical datasets. Therefore, their generalisability is not well tested, particularly for surgical approaches utilising smaller working spaces which are susceptible to occlusion and necessitate frequent withdrawal of the endoscope. This leads to rapidly changing predictions, which reduces the clinical confidence of the methods, and hence limits their suitability for clinical translation.

Methods:

Firstly, the optimal neural network is found using established methods, using endoscopic pituitary surgery as an exemplar. Then, prediction volatility is formally defined as a new evaluation metric as a proxy for uncertainty, and two temporal smoothing functions are created. The first (modal, $$M_n$$

M
n

) mode-averages over the previous n predictions, and the second (threshold, $$T_n$$

T
n

) ensures a class is only changed after being continuously predicted for n predictions. Both functions are independently applied to the predictions of the optimal network.

Results:

The methods are evaluated on a 50-video dataset using fivefold cross-validation, and the optimised evaluation metric is weighted-$$F_1$$

F
1

score. The optimal model is ResNet-50+LSTM achieving 0.84 in 3-phase classification and 0.74 in 7-step classification. Applying threshold smoothing further improves these results, achieving 0.86 in 3-phase classification, and 0.75 in 7-step classification, while also drastically reducing the prediction volatility.

Conclusion:

The results confirm the established methods generalise to endoscopic pituitary surgery, and show simple temporal smoothing not only reduces prediction volatility, but actively improves performance.
Surgical biomicroscopy-guided intra-operative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) image super-resolution
Authors: Komninos Charalampos , Pissas Theodoros , Mekki Lina , Flores Blanca , Bloch Edward , Vercauteren Tom , Ourselin Sébastien , Da Cruz Lyndon , Bergeles Christos
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Intra-retinal delivery of novel sight-restoring therapies will require the precision of robotic systems accompanied by excellent visualisation of retinal layers. Intra-operative Optical Coherence Tomography (iOCT) provides cross-sectional retinal images in real time but at the cost of image quality that is insufficient for intra-retinal therapy delivery.This paper proposes a super-resolution methodology that improves iOCT image quality leveraging spatiotemporal consistency of incoming iOCT video streams.

Methods

To overcome the absence of ground truth high-resolution (HR) images, we first generate HR iOCT images by fusing spatially aligned iOCT video frames. Then, we automatically assess the quality of the HR images on key retinal layers using a deep semantic segmentation model. Finally, we use image-to-image translation models (Pix2Pix and CycleGAN) to enhance the quality of LR images via quality transfer from the estimated HR domain.

Results

Our proposed methodology generates iOCT images of improved quality according to both full-reference and no-reference metrics. A qualitative study with expert clinicians also confirms the improvement in the delineation of pertinent layers and in the reduction of artefacts. Furthermore, our approach outperforms conventional denoising filters and the learning-based state-of-the-art.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the learning-based methods using the estimated, through our pipeline, HR domain can be used to enhance the iOCT image quality. Therefore, the proposed method can computationally augment the capabilities of iOCT imaging helping this modality support the vitreoretinal surgical interventions of the future.
Greening global governance: INGO secretariats and environmental mainstreaming of IOs, 1950 to 2017
Authors: Dörfler Thomas , Heinzel Mirko
Published: April 2022

The last decades have seen a remarkable expansion in the number of International Organizations (IOs) that have mainstreamed environmental issues into their policy scope—in many cases due to the pressure of civil society. We hypothesize that International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), whose headquarters are in proximity to the headquarters of IOs, are more likely to affect IOs' expansion into the environmental domain. We test this explanation by utilizing a novel dataset on the strength of environmental global civil society in proximity to the headquarters of 76 IOs between 1950 and 2017. Three findings stand out. First, the more environmental INGOs have their secretariat in proximity to the headquarter of an IO, the more likely the IO mainstreams environmental policy. Second, proximate INGOs’ contribution increases when they can rely on domestically focused NGOs in member states. Third, a pathway case reveals that proximate INGOs played an essential role in inside lobbying, outside lobbying and information provision during the campaign to mainstream environmental issues at the World Bank. However, their efforts relied to a substantial extent on the work of local NGOs on the ground.
The role of indigenous knowledge and local knowledge in water sector adaptation to climate change in Africa: a structured assessment
Authors: Zvobgo Luckson , Johnston Peter , Williams Portia Adade , Trisos Christopher H. , Simpson Nicholas P. ,   Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative Team
Published: April 2022

Evidence is increasing of human responses to the impacts of climate change in Africa. However, understanding of the effectiveness of these responses for adaptation to climate change across the diversity of African contexts is still limited. Despite high reliance on indigenous knowledge (IK) and local knowledge (LK) for climate adaptation by African communities, potential of IK and LK to contribute to adaptation through reducing climate risk or supporting transformative adaptation responses is yet to be established. Here, we assess the influence of IK and LK for the implementation of water sector adaptation responses in Africa to better understand the relationship between responses to climate change and indigenous and local knowledge systems. Eighteen (18) water adaptation response types were identified from the academic literature through the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative (GAMI) and intended nationally determined contributions (iNDCs) for selected African countries. Southern, West, and East Africa show relatively high evidence of the influence of IK and LK on the implementation of water adaptation responses, while North and Central Africa show lower evidence. At country level, Zimbabwe displays the highest evidence (77.8%) followed by Ghana (53.6%), Kenya (46.2%), and South Africa (31.3%). Irrigation, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and ecosystem-based measures, mainly agroforestry, were the most implemented measures across Africa. These were mainly household and individual measures influenced by local and indigenous knowledge. Adaptation responses with IK and LK influence recorded higher evidence of risk reduction compared to responses without IK and LK. Analysis of iNDCs shows the most implemented water adaptation actions in academic literature are consistent with water sector adaptation targets set by most African governments. Yet only 10.4% of the African governments included IK and LK in adaptation planning in the iNDCs. This study recommends a coordinated approach to adaptation that integrates multiple knowledge sources, including IK and LK, to ensure sustainability of both current and potential water adaptation measures in Africa.
Current applications and limitations of European guidelines on blood pressure measurement: implications for clinical practice
Authors: Tocci Giuliano , Citoni Barbara , Nardoianni Giulia , Figliuzzi Ilaria , Volpe Massimo
Published: March 2022

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of major CV outcomes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal disease and death due to CV causes. Effective control of hypertension is of key importance for reducing the risk of hypertension-related CV complications, as well as for reducing the global burden of CV mortality. However, several studies reported relatively poor rates of control of high blood pressure (BP) in a setting of real-life practice. To improve hypertension management and control, national and international scientific societies proposed several educational and therapeutic interventions, among which the systematic implementation of out-of-office BP measurements represents a key element. Indeed, proper assessment of individual BP profile, including home, clinic and 24-h ambulatory BP levels, may improve awareness of the disease, ensure high level of adherence to prescribed medications in treated hypertensive patients, and thus contribute to ameliorate BP control in treated hypertensive outpatients. In line with these purposes, recent European guidelines have released practical recommendations and clear indications on how, when and how properly measuring BP levels in different clinical settings, with different techniques and different methods. This review aimed at discussing current applications and potential limitations of European guidelines on how to measure BP in office and out-of-office conditions, and their potential implications in the daily clinical management of hypertension.
Hydrophilized Ultrafiltration Membranes Synthesized from Acrylic Acid Grafted Polyethersulfone for Downstream Processing of Therapeutic Insulin and Cobalamin
Authors: Prasad N. Shiva , Gayatri N. Lakshmi , Sandhya B. Naga , Kalyani S. , Bhargava Suresh K. , Sridhar Sundergopal
Published: March 2022

The present study focuses on synthesis of novel high-performance acrylic acid (AA) grafted polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes for purification of small therapeutic biomolecules such as urea, insulin, and cobalamin. The membranes were indigenously synthesized by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) of 6 kDa M.Wt. as a pore former and subsequent grafting of AA using 2 to 6 wt.% concentrations under UV-induced photo grafting. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the PEG additive profoundly influences the pore density on the membrane surface. FTIR spectra confirm the graft polymerization of AA with the PES substrate. Separation performance of the grafted membranes was evaluated to establish the trade-off between the degree of grafting and MWCO. From the experimental results, the pure water flux (PWF) of 6% grafted PES membrane was enhanced from 8.5 (PES [0] [6]) to 18.20 l m−2 h−1 (PES [6 +] [6]) in the presence of PEG pore former, respectively. The grafting concentration window of 2–6% resulted in selective membranes to altogether remove uremic toxins into the permeate with retention of high molecular size proteins. Hence, 5 and 6 wt.% AA grafted membranes exhibited > 90% rejection for insulin and cobalamin biomolecules along with 24.5 and 23.8 l m−2 h−1 bar−1 permeability towards urea, respectively. The process results correlate well with the MWCO values of membranes ranging from 1 to 10 kDa. This work provides the efficacy of these grafted membranes for potential application in the downstream processing of therapeutic biomolecules such as insulin and cobalamin.
Enhancing the accountability and comparability of different campuses’ energy profiles through an energy cluster approach
Authors: Sonetti G. , Cottafava D.
Published: March 2022

International sustainability ranking systems generally set criteria in order to monitor global achievement of universities in terms of sustainability. However, current sustainability ranking systems do not provide specific consumption thresholds according to the different buildings’ function or characteristic and the comparison among universities lacks of precise criteria. Thus, this paper proposes different energy clusters enabling a meaningful comparison among campuses within the international rankings. Energy profiles of two university campuses—Politecnico di Torino (Italy) and Hokkaido University (Japan)—similar for climate, surface, and population have been collected for 4 years as a relevant case study. Five different clusters of homogeneous consumption have been identified: cluster 1 (around 1 GJ/m2/year) includes the Art departments, cluster 2 (2 GJ/m2/year) includes the Science faculties, cluster 3 (3 GJ/m2/year) includes the hospital and the medicine departments, cluster 4 includes the Data Centre (9 GJ/m2/year), and cluster 5 includes special research facilities with consumption over 10 GJ/m2/year. Findings show how comparisons between different buildings should also take into account the electrification rate (dependence on electricity) and the leveling rate (variation of consumption during a year), which variations are directly related to the main building function (e.g., hospitals/data centers have high values, while arts or humanities departments have low values for both rates). The proposed energy cluster approach and the introduction of proper weights for energy performances based on the proposed clusters can significantly enhance the accountability and comparability of different campuses’ energy profiles, contributing to a better evaluation of universities’ energy performances.
Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent health complaints: A multilevel latent class analysis in 45 countries
Authors: Hammami Nour , Gobina Inese , Lukoševičiūtė Justė , Kostičová Michaela , Lyyra Nelli , Gariepy Genevieve , Šmigelskas Kastytis , Baban Adriana , Malinowska-Cieślik Marta , Elgar Frank J.
Published: April 2022

Our study evaluated the relationship between adolescent health complaints and socioeconomic position in 45 countries. Data are from the 2017/2018 international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey which used proportionate sampling among adolescents aged 11 to 15 years old (n=228,979). Multilevel, multinomial regression analysis assessed the association between the multilevel latent classes with socioeconomic status (SES; at the household and country level). Three distinct latent classes were identified: No Complaints, Psychological Complaints, and a Physical and Psychological Complaints class; where, low household SES was highest for the physical and psychological complaints class. The findings suggest that health promotion policies and interventions among adolescents should consider the specific needs of adolescents living with low household SES as they report more subjective health complaints.
Character identification is predicted by narrative transportation, immersive tendencies, and interactivity
Authors: Felnhofer Anna , Wittmann Lena , Reichmann Adelais , König-Teshnizi Dorothea , Kothgassner Oswald D.
Published: April 2022

The question of what contributes to users’ identification with media characters remains an open issue in research. Apart from media interactivity, user characteristics like gender, age, immersive tendencies, and factual transportation into the narrative are promising factors. Yet, research is still in its infancy, and the usage of different media limits cross-study comparability. Hence, the current study set out to examine predictors of character identification using a text-based fiction with purported interactivity which was inspired by interactive fiction (IF) games. In an online experiment, 228 participants aged 15–65 years were randomly assigned to either an active condition where they could choose from different options, or a passive condition where they only read the story. Additionally, participants filled out questionnaires assessing immersive tendencies, level of identification, and narrative transportation. A multiple linear regression model tested for predictors of character identification. Apart from age and gender which remained non-significant, interactivity, immersive tendencies, and transportation into narrative significantly predicted identification with the IF’s main character. The current findings support theoretical models on media interactivity and identification, yet several open issues such as the role of media content (engaging vs. mundane) and character features (e.g., similarity with user) remain to be answered.
Recording Business Transactions in Textbook and Receipt Form
Authors: Rohr-Mentele Silja , Holtsch Doreen
Published: April 2022

An important prerequisite for meeting professional demands upon completion of an apprenticeship is for apprentices to possess the ability to transfer the professional knowledge and skills they acquire in vocational education and training (VET) to various professional situations. This paper presents the empirical results on knowledge and skills transfer from an exploratory study in commercial VET. In a computer-based test environment, 470 commercial apprentices performed business transactions with the same content but with two different forms of presentation. The results indicated that the apprentices did not fully transfer their knowledge and skills within the same context. However, interest in finance and accounting, prior school knowledge and learning opportunities were able to explain their performances. The results suggest that further research on transfer processes that reflect different theoretical approaches is needed.
A dynamic data driven application system for real-time simulation of resin transfer moulding processes
Authors: Garate Gorka , Harismendy Isabel , Echeverria-Altuna Oihane , Estévez Julián
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a numerical solution to optimize RTM processes based on a DDDAS methodology, taking permeability as stochastic. The model proposed in this investigation allows real-time accurate prediction of the filling rate by adjusting the parameters with the on-line captured process data. The suitability of the proposed model was tested and validated under different process parameters variations like pressure and preform permeability.
Nexuses between crude oil imports, renewable energy, transport services, and technological innovation: a fresh insight from Germany
Authors: Yu Zhang , Zia-ul-haq Hafiz Muhammad , Irshad Ateeq ur Rehman , Tanveer Muhammad , Jameel Kiran , Janjua Laeeq Razzak
Published: March 2022

This research attempts to model the association of crude oil imports with several macroeconomic factors such as renewable energy, transport services, trade, industrial value-added, and patents, using Germany’s annual data covering the period of 1990–2020. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model, this study finds a significant co-integration relationship among targeted variables. Moreover, this study provides empirical evidence on the influence of given macroeconomic factors in determining crude oil imports of Germany. Results reveal that transport services and industrial value-added positively and significantly influence crude oil imports in the long and short run. Similarly, trade is discovered to have a significant positive impact on oil imports only in the long run. In contrast, findings reveal a significant negative association of renewable energy with crude oil imports. Hence, this research implies that the transportation sector and industrial production strongly depend on crude oil consumption. At the same time, promoting renewable energy in these segments could significantly help economies control crude oil demand and achieve sustainability by reducing the economic burden and protecting the environment.
Quantitative evaluation of SPH in TIG spot welding
Authors: Jeske Stefan Rhys , Simon Marek Sebastian , Semenov Oleksii , Kruska Jan , Mokrov Oleg , Sharma Rahul , Reisgen Uwe , Bender Jan
Published: April 2022

While the application of the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method for the modeling of welding processes has become increasingly popular in recent years, little is yet known about the quantitative predictive capability of this method. We propose a novel SPH model for the simulation of the tungsten inert gas (TIG) spot welding process and conduct a thorough comparison between our SPH implementation and two finite element method (FEM)-based models. In order to be able to quantitatively compare the results of our SPH simulation method with grid-based methods, we additionally propose an improved particle to grid interpolation method based on linear least-squares with an optional hole-filling pass which accounts for missing particles. We show that SPH is able to yield excellent results, especially given the observed deviations between the investigated FEM methods and as such, we validate the accuracy of the method for an industrially relevant engineering application.
An adaptive model switch-based surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm for noisy expensive multi-objective optimization
Authors: Zheng Nan , Wang Handing , Yuan Bo
Published: April 2022

To solve noisy and expensive multi-objective optimization problems, there are only a few function evaluations can be used due to the limitation of time and/or money. Because of the influence of noises, the evaluations are inaccurate. It is challenging for the existing surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms. Due to the influence of noises, the performance of the surrogate model constructed by these algorithms is degraded. At the same time, noises would mislead the evolution direction. More importantly, because of the limitations of function evaluations, noise treatment methods consuming many function evaluations cannot be applied. An adaptive model switch-based surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm is proposed to solve such problems in this paper. The algorithm establishes radial basis function networks for denoising. An adaptive model switch strategy is adopted to select suited surrogate model from Gaussian regression and radial basis function network. It adaptively selects the sampling strategies based on the maximum improvement in the convergence, diversity, and approximation uncertainty to make full use of the limited number of function evaluations. The experimental results on a set of test problems show that the proposed algorithm is more competitive than the five most advanced surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithms.
Treatments, resource utilization, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients presenting to emergency departments across pandemic waves: an observational study by the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN)
Authors: Hohl Corinne M. , Rosychuk Rhonda J. , Hau Jeffrey P. , Hayward Jake , Landes Megan , Yan Justin W. , Ting Daniel K. , Welsford Michelle , Archambault Patrick M. , Mercier Eric , Chandra Kavish , Davis Philip , Vaillancourt Samuel , Leeies Murdoch , Small Serena , Morrison Laurie J. ,   the Canadian COVID-19 Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN) investigators for the Network of Canadian Emergency Researchers, for the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group
Published: April 2022

Background

Treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) evolved between pandemic waves. Our objective was to compare treatments, acute care utilization, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients presenting to emergency departments (ED) across pandemic waves.

Methods

This observational study enrolled consecutive eligible COVID-19 patients presenting to 46 EDs participating in the Canadian COVID-19 ED Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN) between March 1 and December 31, 2020. We collected data by retrospective chart review. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included treatments, hospital and ICU admissions, ED revisits and readmissions. Logistic regression modeling assessed the impact of pandemic wave on outcomes.

Results

We enrolled 9,967 patients in 8 provinces, 3,336 from the first and 6,631 from the second wave. Patients in the second wave were younger, fewer met criteria for severe COVID-19, and more were discharged from the ED. Adjusted for patient characteristics and disease severity, steroid use increased (odds ratio [OR] 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.2–8.9), and invasive mechanical ventilation decreased (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.4–0.7) in the second wave compared to the first. After adjusting for differences in patient characteristics and disease severity, the odds of hospitalization (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.6–0.8) and critical care admission (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.6–0.9) decreased, while mortality remained unchanged (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.5–1.1).

Interpretation

In patients presenting to cute care facilities, we observed rapid uptake of evidence-based therapies and less use of experimental therapies in the second wave. We observed increased rates of ED discharges and lower hospital and critical care resource use over time. Substantial reductions in mechanical ventilation were not associated with increasing mortality. Advances in treatment strategies created health system efficiencies without compromising patient outcomes.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04702945.
Psychometric Validation of the Sexual Distress Scale in Male and Female Portuguese Samples
Authors: Tavares Inês M. , Santos-Iglesias Pablo , Nobre Pedro J.
Published: March 2022

Background

The Female Sexual Distress Scale and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised—herein called the Sexual Distress Scale (SDS and SDS-R)—are among the most widely used self-report instruments to assess sexual distress, but no version for use in the Portuguese population is available to date.

Aim

The current study aimed to validate the Portuguese version of the SDS/SDS-R in samples of women and men with and without distressing sexual problems.

Methods

A sample of 1,109 participants without distressing sexual problems (761 women) and 382 participants with distressing sexual problems (283 women), ages ranging from 18 to 72 years, were used to examine the psychometric properties of the Portuguese SDS and SDS-R.

Outcomes

Participants completed a survey that included a sociodemographic and health questionnaire, the Portuguese version of the SDS and SDS-R, and measures of sexual satisfaction, sexual quality of life, sexual function, dyadic adjustment, and psychological distress.

Results

Results indicated that the Portuguese SDS and the SDS-R assess 1 general domain of sexual distress and showed good evidences of validity based on content and on relations with other variables. Sexual distress was associated with poorer sexual function, satisfaction, and quality of life, with higher psychological distress, and lower dyadic adjustment. Internal consistency and test-retest (1 month) reliabilities were excellent. Tests of differential functioning of items indicated that the SDS and SDS-R scores can be used to compare women and men on sexual distress, but the SDS/SDS-R scores flagged differential functioning of items and test (DFIT) between participants with and without distressing sexual problems.

Clinical translation

Clinicians and researchers can now make use of the SDS and of the SDS-R in the Portuguese population, facilitating the assessment of sexual distress in clinical settings.

Strengths & Limitations

The Portuguese SDS/SDS-R scores can be compared between women and men, providing information on sexual distress independently of sexual function. With the current evidence, comparisons between individuals with and without distressing sexual problems should be made with caution, as the scores may be biased against the former.

Conclusion

This study provides a validation of the Portuguese version of the SDS/SDS-R that can be used to assess sexual distress in Portuguese women and men and can be used to compare between these 2 groups.
Defection Denied
Authors: Siroky David S. , Dzutsati Valery , Bustikova Lenka
Published: March 2022

How can researchers obtain reliable responses on sensitive issues in dangerous settings? This Element elucidates ways for researchers to use unobtrusive experimental methods to elicit answers to risky, taboo, and threatening questions in dangerous social environments. The methods discussed in this Element help social scientists to encourage respondents to express their true preferences and to reduce bias, while protecting them, local survey organizations, and researchers. The Element is grounded in an original study of civilian support for the jihadi insurgency in the Russian North Caucasus in Dagestan that assesses theories about wartime attitudes toward militant groups. We argue that sticky identities, security threats, and economic dependence curb the ability of civilians to switch loyalties.
Properties of Rent
Authors: Pati Sushmita
Published: March 2022

We live in cities whose borders have always been subject to expansion. What does such transformation of rural spaces mean for cities and vice-versa? This book looks at the spatial transformation of villages brought into the Delhi's urban fray in the 1950s. As these villages transform physically; their residents, an agrarian-pastoralist community - the Jats - also transform into dabblers in real estate. A study of two villages - Munirka and Shahpur Jat - both in the heart of bustling urban economies of Delhi, reveal that it is 'rent' that could define this suburbanisation. 'Bhaichara', once a form of land ownership in colonial times, transforms into an affective claim of belonging, and managing urban property in the face of a steady onslaught from the 'city'. Properties of Rent is a study of how vernacular form of capitalism and its various affects shape up in opposition to both state, finance capital and the city in contemporary urban Delhi.
Modeling the influence of workaholism on career success: a PLS–SEM approach
Authors: Gomes Patrícia , Diogo Ana , Santos Eulália , Ratten Vanessa
Published: March 2022

Organizations characterized by a climate and culture of competition and overwork facilitate the emergence of the workaholism phenomenon, as they provide favorable conditions for employees to spend more time in the workplace. Many of these employees are successful in their careers both in financial terms and in job satisfaction. This article aims to study the influence of workaholism on the perception of career success. The sample consists of 234 Portuguese individuals who were working in a professional context. The results reveal that pleasure at work influences career success perception in both objective and subjective dimensions and that work involvement influences only the subjective dimension of the career success perception. The findings of this study will contribute to the increase of knowledge in the workaholism and career success areas in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic so that companies are able to adopt strategies in order to optimize their resources and increase their productivity.
New and revised cyrtospiriferid (Spiriferida) brachiopods from the lower Famennian (Upper Devonian) of Armenia
Authors: Serobyan Vahram , Danelian Taniel , Crônier Catherine , Grigoryan Araik , Mottequin Bernard
Published: March 2022

The Upper Devonian sedimentary sequences of Central Armenia, which mainly consist of shallow water, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposits, contain abundant and diverse brachiopods that are dominated by spiriferides. Based on newly collected material from the lower Famennian Aramazdospirifer orbelianus brachiopod zone (coeval to the Palmatolepis crepida conodont zone) of Armenia, we here introduce two new cyrtospiriferid genera and fully document their type species, including their intraspecific variability. Pentagonospirifer n. gen. is a monospecific genus assigned to the subfamily Cyrtospiriferinae that is currently known only from the lower Famennian of Armenia; it is likely that its type species, P. abrahamyanae n. sp., evolved from the species Cyrtospirifer verneuili sensu Abrahamyan, known from the Frasnian and lower Famennian of Armenia. The second new genus, Tornatospirifer n. gen., is assigned to the subfamily Cyrtiopsinae and defined on the basis of one of the most biostratigraphically valuable cyrtospiriferid species, namely T. armenicus n. comb., described previously from the lower Famennian Aramazdospirifer orbelianus Zone of Armenia. It is likely that it evolved from a Frasnian ancestral stock of Tiocyrspis Sartenaer, known from northwestern Europe, which probably migrated during the early Frasnian to the north Gondwanan margin. A neotype is selected for Abrahamyan's species because the type material is lost. Epibionts (Cornulites, Hederella) attached to brachiopods are also documented for the first time from the Upper Devonian of Armenia.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/923d232f-cd6a-48bb-8a05-27c689058b65.
FOSSIL BONES FROM THE NORTH SEA: RADIOCARBON AND STABLE ISOTOPE (13C/15N) DATA
Authors: van der Plicht J , Kuitems M
Published: March 2022

The North Sea is considered a unique heritage site that yielded a huge amount of zoological and archaeological data. More than 200 palaeozoological and archaeological fossil bone samples from the North Sea bed are dated by 14C. About 2/3 of these dated bones are Pleistocene in age; the majority of the bones are from extinct species (in particular woolly mammoth); about 1/3 of the sample date to the Holocene. The presented dataset is important in its kind, but interpretation is limited because of a lack of context of the finds. The stable isotopes (13C, 15N) of the dated samples provide additional information on palaeoenvironmental conditions and dietary habits in the past. We present primarily a Groningen list of data; a few fossils dated in other laboratories are included for completeness.
The globally threatened epiphytic cyanolichenErioderma pedicellatumdepends on a rare combination of habitat factors
Authors: Nilsson Alexander R. , Solhaug Knut Asbjørn , Gauslaa Yngvar
Published: March 2022

Lichen extinction occurs at rapid rates as a result of human activity, although species could potentially be rescued by conservation management based on ecophysiological knowledge. The boreal old forest cyanolichenErioderma pedicellatumcurrently occurs in few sites worldwide. To protect it from extinction, it is essential to learn more about it. The last remaining good European site is a canyon with a waterfall, in a low-rainfall region of Norway. Here, a spatially restricted population of 1500–2000 thalli dominates the epiphytic vegetation of a small number ofPicea abiescanopies. We were able to document that 1)E. pedicellatumgrew on thin branches with higher bark pH than is normal forP. abiesin a canyon that provided an unusual combination of very high light, high air humidity, and cool temperatures in the growing season. However, the species did not inhabit the main waterfall spray zone. 2)Erioderma pedicellatumhad a high light saturation point, high CO2uptake at high light (≥ 600 μmol m−2s−1) and cool temperatures (5–20 °C), and experienced strong suprasaturation depression of photosynthesis when fully hydrated. 3) It showed good tolerance of desiccation and high light; it was slightly more tolerant than the morphologically similar, but more common cyanolichenPectenia plumbea. 4) The European population in its sunny habitat had higher water holding capacity than previously recorded in slightly shaded rainforest populations in Newfoundland, consistent with acclimation to compensate for high evaporative demands. Understanding the ecological niche and responses to critical environmental factors is essential for action plans to avoid extinction ofE. pedicellatum. Methods used in this study could also be applicable for ecological understanding of other threatened lichen species.
Detection of Dirofilaria DNA and host blood-meal identification in Culicoides paolae biting midges
Authors: Napoli E. , Panarese R. , La Russa F. , Cambera I. , Mendoza-Roldan J. A. , Otranto D. , Brianti E.
Published: March 2022

The vectorial role of blood-sucking arthropods, other than mosquitoes, has been explored for Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens which are filarioids of increasing interest due to their zoonotic potential. Given the expansion of canine heartworm infection in southern Europe due to D. immitis and the report of the infection in Linosa Island (Sicily, Italy), we investigated and focused on the potential involvement of Culicoides spp. in Dirofilaria spp. transmission as well as the blood-meal source in Dirofilaria spp. molecularly positive biting midges. Out of 1791 specimens collected 1773 were morphologically and molecularly identified as Culicoides paolae and 18 as Culicoides obsoletus complex. Of the 1596 females, 4 (0.26%) parous C. paolae tested positive for D. immitis and D. repens (i.e. 2 Culicoides specimens for each filarial species), of which D. immitis-positive samples fed on both humans and dogs and D. repens-positive samples fed only on humans. The detection of D. immitis and D. repens DNA in Culicoides midges suggests their potential involvement in the epidemiology of the filarial nematodes, which may be of medical and veterinary importance in hyper-endemic areas. Findings of this study shed new light on the epidemiology of Dirofilaria spp. infections indicating that further investigations are needed.
Racism is not just hate speech: Ethnonationalist victimhood in YouTube comments about the Roma during Covid-19
Authors: Breazu Petre , Machin David
Published: March 2022

Research shows that racism and xenophobia soared during the Covid-19 pandemic and this was certainly the case with the Roma in Romania. In this article, using critical discourse analysis, we analyse comments left below a television news clip posted on YouTube early in the crisis. This gives us valuable access to the way racism and xenophobia are linguistically expressed in social media, particularly in this Romanian context. It yields insights into how more overt forms of racism can sit alongside others which are less so, all united by a sense of shared embittered victimhood on behalf of Romanian citizens. We show how this takes place as the affordances of social media allow for a collective expression of frustration and mobilisation, reflecting on how social media may increase exposure to more extreme forms of racism. (Critical discourse analysis, Covid-19, online racism, Roma, social media, white victimhood)