bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regular black holes without mass inflation instability
Authors: Carballo-Rubio Raúl , Di Filippo Francesco , Liberati Stefano , Pacilio Costantino , Visser Matt
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Generic models of regular black holes have separate outer and inner horizons, both with nonzero surface gravity. It has been shown that a nonzero inner horizon surface gravity results in exponential instability at the inner horizon controlled by this parameter. This phenomenon takes the name of “mass inflation instability”, and its presence has put in question the physical viability of regular black holes as alternatives to their (singular) general relativity counterparts. In this paper, we show that it is possible to make the inner horizon surface gravity vanish, while maintaining the separation between horizons, and a non-zero outer horizon surface gravity. We construct specific geometries satisfying these requirements, and analyze their behavior under different kinds of perturbations, showing that the exponential growth characteristic of mass inflation instability is not present for these geometries. These “inner-extremal” regular black holes are thereby better behaved than singular black holes and generic regular black holes, thus providing a well-motivated alternative of interest for fundamental and phenomenological studies.
Two-dimensional massive integrable models on a torus
Authors: Kostov Ivan
Published: September 2022

Abstract

The finite-volume thermodynamics of a massive integrable QFT is described in terms of a grand canonical ensemble of loops immersed in a torus and interacting through scattering factors associated with their intersections. The path integral of the loops is evaluated explicitly after decoupling the pairwise interactions by a Hubbard-Stratonovich transformation. The HS fields are holomorphic fields depending on the rapidity and can be expanded in elementary oscillators. The torus partition function is expressed as certain expectation value in the Fock space of these oscillators. In the limit where one of the periods of the torus becomes asymptotically large, the effective field theory becomes mean field type. The mean field describes the infinite-volume thermodynamics which is solved by the Thermodynamical Bethe Ansatz.
Non-metricity signatures on the Higgs boson signal strengths at the LHC
Authors: Ilisie Victor
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In this work we study the high-energy Higgs boson phenomenology associated to the non-metricity scale ΛQ at the LHC. Non-metricity is present in more generic non-Riemannian geometries describing gravity beyond General Relativity and exhibits nice features in astronomy and cosmology, and it can be analysed perturbatively. Using effective field theory tools, we calculate the new physics contributions to the one-loop H → γγ and gg → H processes and, together with previous bounds from Compton scattering, we obtain relevant constraints and correlations in the model’s parameter space. This can help us take a step further, and no longer associate gravitational effects uniquely to astronomical phenomena, and to start analysing these effects by means of high energy experiments. In turn, this could also help us get a better grasp at quantum phenomena associated to gravity.
The massless thermal field and the thermal fermion bosonization in two dimensions
Authors: Akhmedov E. , Epstein H. , Moschella U.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We come back to the issue of bosonization of fermions in two spacetime dimension and give a new costruction in the steady state case where left and right moving particles can coexist at two different temperatures. A crucial role in our construction is played by translation invariant infrared states and the corresponding field operators which are naturally linked to the infrared behaviour of the correlation functions. We present two applications: a simple new derivation in the free relativistic case of a formula by Bernard and Doyon and a full operator solution of the massless Thirring model in the steady state case where the left and right movers have two distinct temperatures.
Italian Architectural Ratios in the British Rotunda Typology
Authors: Mols Nick M. L.
Published: September 2022

Stemming from centrally planned church architecture, the domestic rotunda type counts as one of the most renowned examples of Renaissance architectural conception. Often considered a physical and earthly manifestation of the divine, architects ordained rotunda symbolism through architectural ratio and proportion. While mostly linked to Italian examples, the rotunda typology also affected British architecture, as derived from the models of Serlio and Palladio. By combining 3D scanning and CAD analyses with historical methods, we scrutinise how commonplace architectural ratios shaped British rotunda plans in the cases of Hopetoun House and Chiswick House. At the same time, the architectural ratio proved a flexible tool to imitate and emulate Italian architectural models in its British context, making evident the richness and versatility of architectural models that British architects collated.
The rs1001179 SNP and CpG methylation regulate catalase expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Galasso Marilisa , Dalla Pozza Elisa , Chignola Roberto , Gambino Simona , Cavallini Chiara , Quaglia Francesca Maria , Lovato Ornella , Dando Ilaria , Malpeli Giorgio , Krampera Mauro , Donadelli Massimo , Romanelli Maria G. , Scupoli Maria T.
Published: September 2022

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an incurable disease characterized by an extremely variable clinical course. We have recently shown that high catalase (CAT) expression identifies patients with an aggressive clinical course. Elucidating mechanisms regulating CAT expression in CLL is preeminent to understand disease mechanisms and develop strategies for improving its clinical management. In this study, we investigated the role of the CAT promoter rs1001179 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and of the CpG Island II methylation encompassing this SNP in the regulation of CAT expression in CLL. Leukemic cells harboring the rs1001179 SNP T allele exhibited a significantly higher CAT expression compared with cells bearing the CC genotype. CAT promoter harboring the T -but not C- allele was accessible to ETS-1 and GR-β transcription factors. Moreover, CLL cells exhibited lower methylation levels than normal B cells, in line with the higher CAT mRNA and protein expressed by CLL in comparison with normal B cells. Methylation levels at specific CpG sites negatively correlated with CAT levels in CLL cells. Inhibition of methyltransferase activity induced a significant increase in CAT levels, thus functionally validating the role of CpG methylation in regulating CAT expression in CLL. Finally, the CT/TT genotypes were associated with lower methylation and higher CAT levels, suggesting that the rs1001179 T allele and CpG methylation may interact in regulating CAT expression in CLL. This study identifies genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying differential expression of CAT, which could be of crucial relevance for the development of therapies targeting redox regulatory pathways in CLL.

Graphical abstract
Concentration of solutions for fractional Kirchhoff equations with discontinuous reaction
Authors: Liu Zhisu , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D. , Yuan Ziqing
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we consider the following fractional Kirchhoff equation with discontinuous nonlinearity$$\begin{aligned} \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} \left( \varepsilon ^{2\alpha }a+\varepsilon ^{4\alpha -3}b\int _{{\mathbb {R}}^3}|(-\Delta )^{\frac{\alpha }{2}} u|^2{{\mathrm{d}}}x\right) (-\Delta )^\alpha {u}+V(x)u = H(u-\beta )f(u) &{} \quad \text{ in }\,\,{\mathbb {R}}^3, \\ u\in H^\alpha ({\mathbb {R}}^3),\quad u>0 &{} \quad \text{ in }\,\, {\mathbb {R}}^3, \end{array} \right. \end{aligned}$$ε2αa+ε4α-3b∫R3|(-Δ)α2u|2dx(-Δ)αu+V(x)u=H(u-β)f(u)inR3,u∈Hα(R3),u>0inR3,where$$\varepsilon ,\beta >0$$ε,β>0are small parameters,$$\alpha \in (\frac{3}{4},1)$$α∈(34,1)anda, bare positive constants,$$(-\Delta )^{\alpha }$$(-Δ)αis the fractional Laplacian operator,His the Heaviside function,Vis a positive continuous potential, andfis a superlinear continuous function with subcritical growth. By using minimax theorems together with the non-smooth theory, we obtain existence and concentration properties of positive solutions to this non-local system.
White Matter Characteristics of Damage Along Fiber Tracts in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Huang Haoming , Ma Xiaomeng , Yue Xiaomei , Kang Shangyu , Li Yifan , Rao Yawen , Feng Yue , Wu Jinjian , Long Wenjie , Chen Yuna , Lyu Wenjiao , Tan Xin , Qiu Shijun
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The white matter (WM) of the brain of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is susceptible to neurodegenerative processes, but the specific types and positions of microstructural lesions along the fiber tracts remain unclear.

Methods

In this study 61 T2DM patients and 61 healthy controls were recruited and underwent diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI). The results were reconstructed with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). WM microstructural abnormalities were identified using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). Pointwise WM tract differences were detected through automatic fiber quantification (AFQ). The relationships between WM tract abnormalities and clinical characteristics were explored with partial correlation analysis.

Results

TBSS revealed widespread WM lesions in T2DM patients with decreased fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity and an increased orientation dispersion index (ODI). The AFQ results showed microstructural abnormalities in T2DM patients in specific portions of the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), right arcuate fasciculus (ARC), left anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), and forceps major (FMA). In the right ARC of T2DM patients, an aberrant ODI was positively correlated with fasting insulin and insulin resistance, and an abnormal intracellular volume fraction was negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose. Additionally, negative associations were found between blood pressure and microstructural abnormalities in the right ARC, left ATR, and FMA in T2DM patients.

Conclusion

Using AFQ, together with DTI and NODDI, various kinds of microstructural alterations in the right SLF, right ARC, left ATR, and FMA can be accurately identified and may be associated with insulin and glucose status and blood pressure in T2DM patients.
Tripleosteotomie bei Morbus Perthes
Authors: Ziebarth Kai , Kaiser Nadine , Slongo Theddy
Published: September 2022

Operationsziel

Durch die Osteotomie des Ischium‑, Pubis- und Iliumknochens kann das Acetabulum über den Hüftkopf geschwenkt werden, sodass der meist anterolateral vorstehende Anteil des Hüftkopfes wieder überdacht wird. Das Ziel ist der Erhalt des Containments der Hüfte, hiermit ist die Wiederherstellung der Kongruenz zwischen dem lateralisierten Hüftkopf und dem Acetabulum gemeint. Das Acetabulum wirkt so als eine Art Schablone für den Hüftkopf, um eine möglichst sphärische Ausheilung des Hüftkopfes zu erreichen.

Indikationen

Schwere Morbus-Perthes-Erkrankung mit radiologisch sichtbarer Lateralisation des Hüftkopfes und Head-at-risk-Zeichen. Voraussetzung ist, dass der Hüftkopf sich konzentrisch reponieren lässt (Abduktionsaufnahme oder Arthrographie).

Kontraindikationen

„Hinged abduction“. Keine konzentrische Reposition des Hüftkopfes möglich.

Operationstechnik

Arthrographie des Hüftgelenkes zur Bestätigung der Operationsindikation. Darstellung und Osteotomie des Ischiums über einen modifizierten Ludloff-Zugang, Osteotomie des Iliums und Pubis über einen modifizierten Smith-Petersen-Zugang. Verbesserung der Hüftkopfüberdachung durch Schwenken des Acetabulums über den Hüftkopf. Fixation des azetabulären Fragmentes mit Vollgewinde-Kirschner-Drähten oder 3,5-mm-Kortikalisschrauben.

Weiterbehandlung

Mobilisation an Gehstöcken (kleine Kinder im Rollstuhl). Abstellen des Fußes erlaubt. Teilbelastung für 4 bis 6 Wochen (je nach Alter des Patienten). Danach bei im Röntgen guten Konsolidationszeichen Belastungsaufbau innerhalb 1 bis 2 Wochen.

Ergebnisse

Sehr gute Ergebnisse hinsichtlich Operationstechnik und Ausheilung in der eigenen Klinik. In einer eigenen noch nicht veröffentlichten Studie mit einem durchschnittlichen Untersuchungszeitraum von 5 Jahren zeigten sich bei 30 Patienten sehr gute klinische und radiologische Ergebnisse nach Tripleosteotomie bei Morbus Perthes.
Preoperative cardiac troponin I as a predictor of postoperative cardiac events in patients with end stage renal disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery
Authors: Park Bo Eun , Bae Myung Hwan , Park Yoon Jung , Kim Hong Nyun , Kim Namkyun , Jang Se Yong , Lee Jang Hoon , Yang Dong Heon , Park Hun Sik , Cho Yongkeun , Chae Shung Chull
Published: September 2022

We investigated if elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) serum levels before non-cardiac surgery were predictors of postoperative cardiac events in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis. In total, 703 consecutive patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis who underwent non-cardiac surgery were enrolled. Preoperative cTnI serum levels were measured at least once in all patients. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and pulmonary edema during hospitalization or within 30 days after surgery in patients with a hospitalization longer than 30 days after surgery. Postoperative cardiac events occurred in 48 (6.8%) out of 703 patients (cardiac death 1, MI 18, and pulmonary edema 33). Diabetes mellitus (DM), previous ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure were more common in patients with postoperative cardiac events. Peak cTnI serum levels were higher in patients with postoperative cardiac event (180 ± 420 ng/L vs. 80 ± 190 ng/L, p = 0.008), and also elevated peak cTnI levels > 45 ng/L were more common in patients with postoperative cardiac events (66.8% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that DM (odds ratio [OR]  2.509, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.178–5.345, p = 0.017) and serum peak cTnI levels ≥ 45 ng/L (OR 3.167, 95% CI 1.557–6.444, p = 0.001) were independent predictors for the primary outcome of cardiac death/MI/pulmonary edema. Moreover, cTnI levels ≥ 45 ng/L had an incremental prognostic value to the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) (Chi-square = 23, p < 0.001), and to the combined RCRI and left ventricular ejection fraction (Chi-square = 12, p = 0.001). Elevated preoperative cTnI levels are predictors of postoperative cardiac events including cardiac death, MI, and pulmonary edema in patients with ESRD undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
Aufsuchendes dyadisches Unterstützungsprogramm für Personen mit Demenz und Angehörige durch Pflegeexpert:innen Demenz: qualitative Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie im ländlichen Raum
Authors: Berkemer Esther , Bär Marion
Published: September 2022

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Die Lebensqualität von Personen mit Demenz und ihren Angehörigen wird entscheidend von einer stabilen häuslichen Versorgungssituation beeinflusst. Bislang spielen dyadische Interventionskonzepte keine große Rolle. In dieser Studie wurde ein aufsuchendes dyadisches Unterstützungsprogramm für Personen mit Demenz und Angehörige erstmals durch Pflegeexpert:innen Demenz (PED) durchgeführt. Der lebensweltliche Nutzen eines dyadischen Ansatzes zur Alltags- und zur Krisenbewältigung im häuslichen Umfeld steht dabei im Fokus. Erweist sich das Programm als ein passendes Angebot für Dyaden in ländlichen Regionen? Und kann das ursprünglich für Therapeuten entwickelte Programm von PED durchgeführt werden?

Methoden

Mit 12 Dyaden wurden episodische Interviews geführt, ergänzt durch Fokusgruppen (n = 5 Angehörige, n = 2 Pflegeexpert:innen). Die Interviews wurden aufgezeichnet, regelgeleitet transkribiert und qualitativ-inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Vorgestellt werden Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Evaluation mit multiperspektivischem Ansatz. Der Benefit der Teilnehmenden ist abhängig von verschiedenen Aspekten (z. B. Dyadenbeziehung, Demenzschweregrad), der aufsuchende Charakter ist dabei zentral. Der dyadische Ansatz wird als hilfreich angesehen, es besteht jedoch zusätzlich ein Bedarf an Einzelgesprächen. Das Programm kann durch PED angewendet werden; der Professionswechsel kann von Vorteil sein. Fraglich ist, ob eine zeitlich limitierte Unterstützung über den gesamten Krankheitsverlauf trägt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Lebenssituationen von Dyaden lassen sich durch das pflegegeleitete Programm verbessern. Die Möglichkeit von Einzelgesprächen sollte integriert und eine Folgebetreuung gegeben sein. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Notwendigkeit aufsuchende Angebote in der Versorgung von Personen mit Demenz auszubauen, um Stress zu reduzieren und Identitäts- und Handlungsressourcen zu stärken.
Hyperon Physics with BESIII
Authors: Schönning Karin ,   for the BESIII Collaboration
Published: September 2022

Hyperons constitute a unique diagnostic tool to shed light on various unresolved puzzles in contemporary physics. Prominent examples are the matter–antimatter asymmetry of the universe and how the strong interaction confines quarks into hadrons. The weak, parity violating decay of hyperons make their spin properties experimentally accessible. This can be exploited e.g. in searches for CP violation and in the decomposition of the inner, electromagnetic structure of hyperons. The BESIII experiment at BEPC-II, Beijing, China is excellently suited for hyperon physics. Recently collected large data samples have been analysed and a plethora of new results have emerged. In these proceedings, we discuss the virtues of polarised and entangled hyperons, and present a collection of recent results from BESIII.
Neurology of cancer immunotherapy
Authors: De Grado Amedeo , Cencini Federica , Priori Alberto
Published: September 2022

Background

Immunotherapy is nowadays considered a mainstay of cancer treatment, dramatically affecting the disease-free survival rate in several aggressive malignancies. Unfortunately, cancer immunotherapy can also trigger life-threatening autoimmune neurological complications named “neurological adverse effects” (NAEs). NAEs can affect both the central nervous system (CNS), as in ipilimumab-related aseptic meningitis, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), as in nivolumab-induced myasthenia gravis.

Current evidence

The incidence of NAEs is highly variable, ranging from 2 to 4% using checkpoint inhibitors to 50% using blinatumomab. Looking at these numbers, it appears clear that neurologists will soon be called more and more frequently to decide upon the best therapeutic strategy for a patient receiving immunotherapy and experiencing a NAE. Most of them can be treated or reverted withholding the offending drug and adding IVIg, plasmapheresis, or steroids to the therapy. Sometimes, however, for oncological reasons, immunotherapy cannot be stopped so the neurologist needs to know what countermeasures have proven most effective. Moreover, patients with a pre-existing autoimmune neurological disease (AID), such as myasthenia gravis or multiple sclerosis, might need immunotherapy during their life, risking a severe worsening of their symptoms. In that setting, the neurologist needs to properly counsel patients about the risk of a therapy-related relapse.

Conclusion

In this article, we describe the most frequently reported NAEs and aim to give neurologists a practical overview on how to deal with them.
An econometric approach to aggregating multiple cardiovascular outcomes in German hospitals
Authors: Meggiolaro Angela , Blankart Carl Rudolf , Stargardt Tom , Schreyögg Jonas
Published: September 2022

Objective

Development of an aggregate quality index to evaluate hospital performance in cardiovascular events treatment.

Methods

We applied a two-stage regression approach using an accelerated failure time model based on variance weights to estimate hospital quality over four cardiovascular interventions: elective coronary bypass graft, elective cardiac resynchronization therapy, and emergency treatment for acute myocardial infarction. Mortality and readmissions were used as outcomes. For the estimation we used data from a statutory health insurer in Germany from 2005 to 2016.

Results

The precision-based weights calculated in the first stage were higher for mortality than for readmissions. In general, teaching hospitals performed better in our ranking of hospital quality compared to non-teaching hospitals, as did private not-for-profit hospitals compared to hospitals with public or private for-profit ownership.

Discussion

The proposed approach is a new method to aggregate single hospital quality outcomes using objective, precision-based weights. Likelihood-based accelerated failure time models make use of existing data more efficiently compared to widely used models relying on dichotomized data. The main advantage of the variance-based weights approach is that the extent to which an indicator contributes to the aggregate index depends on the amount of its variance.
Minimal solutions to generalized $$\Lambda$$-semiflows and gradient flows in metric spaces
Authors: Fleißner Florentine Catharina
Published: September 2022

Generalized $$\Lambda$$
Λ
-semiflows are an abstraction of semiflows with nonperiodic solutions, for which there may be more than one solution corresponding to given initial data. A select class of solutions to generalized $$\Lambda$$
Λ
-semiflows is introduced. It is proved that such minimal solutions are unique corresponding to given ranges and generate all other solutions by time reparametrization. Special qualities of minimal solutions are shown. The concept of minimal solutions is applied to gradient flows in metric spaces and generalized semiflows. Generalized semiflows have been introduced by Ball.
Polyharmonic hypersurfaces into pseudo-Riemannian space forms
Authors: Branding V. , Montaldo S. , Oniciuc C. , Ratto A.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we shall assume that the ambient manifold is a pseudo-Riemannian space form $$N^{m+1}_t(c)$$

N
t

m
+
1

(
c
)

of dimension $$m+1$$

m
+
1

and index t ($$m\ge 2$$

m
≥
2

and $$1 \le t\le m$$

1
≤
t
≤
m

). We shall study hypersurfaces $${M}^{m}_{t'}$$

M

t
′

m

which are polyharmonic of order r (briefly, r-harmonic), where $$r\ge 3$$

r
≥
3

and either $$t'=t$$

t
′

=
t

or $$t'=t-1$$

t
′

=
t
-
1

. Let A denote the shape operator of $${M}^{m}_{t'}$$

M

t
′

m

. Under the assumptions that $${M}^{m}_{t'}$$

M

t
′

m

is CMC and $${{\rm{Tr}}}\,{A}^{2}$$

Tr

A

2

is a constant, we shall obtain the general condition which determines that $${M}^{m}_{t'}$$

M

t
′

m

is r-harmonic. As a first application, we shall deduce the existence of several new families of proper r-harmonic hypersurfaces with diagonalizable shape operator, and we shall also obtain some results in the direction that our examples are the only possible ones provided that certain assumptions on the principal curvatures hold. Next, we focus on the study of isoparametric hypersurfaces whose shape operator is non-diagonalizable and also in this context we shall prove the existence of some new examples of proper r-harmonic hypersurfaces ($$r \ge 3$$

r
≥
3

). Finally, we shall obtain the complete classification of proper r-harmonic isoparametric pseudo-Riemannian surfaces into a three-dimensional Lorentz space form.
Kriegsauswirkungen auf Unternehmen: Energieabhängigkeit und Preiserhöhungen
Authors: Bischof Jannis , Dörrenberg Philipp , Rostam-Afschar Davud , Simon Thomas , Voget Johannes
Published: September 2022

Der Beitrag präsentiert die Ergebnisse einer fortlaufenden Unternehmensbefragung im Rahmen des German Business Panels zu den betriebswirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Ukrainekriegs. Die derzeitigen Entwicklungen belasten den Ausblick deutscher Unternehmen und führen zu Zurückhaltung bei Investitionen und Neueinstellungen. Mehr als die Hälfte der befragten Unternehmen gibt an, dass sie Gas direkt in der Produktion einsetzen oder durch eine Gasrationierung ihre Lieferketten gestört würden. Preiserhöhungen, die sich in der aktuell hohen Inflationsrate widerspiegeln, sind eine direkte Antwort auf den Kostendruck, der insbesondere durch die Entwicklung der Energiepreise und Störungen der Lieferketten entsteht.
Reichen Gesetze gegen trickreiche digitale Nutzerschnittstellen? Politischer Handlungsbedarf bei Dark Patterns
Authors: Gerpott Torsten J.
Published: September 2022

Immer wieder werden auf der EU-Ebene und in den EU-Mitgliedstaaten neue Gesetze geschaffen, die unfaire Designmuster bei Nutzeroberflächen auf Websites vor allem durch Verbote beseitigen sollen. Diese legalistische Politik erfordert jedoch Ergänzungen, die von der Bundesregierung bislang nicht mit ausreichender Durchschlagskraft in Angriff genommen worden sind.
The effect of daylight exposure on the immune response and body condition of Great Tit nestlings
Authors: Podkowa Paweł , Surmacki Adrian
Published: September 2022

Natural light plays an important role in many aspects of birds’ biology, ecology and behaviour. Wild birds experience various light conditions, both in terms of its intensity and spectral properties, which vary within the nesting habitat of avian species. Recent study has shown that some bird species prefer to build their nests in bright nest sites. Light is one of the major factors affecting early development and condition of nestlings, but to date, this effect has not been tested in wild conditions. This study aims to answer whether birds could benefit from nesting in brighter light environment. Potential benefits may occur in nestlings’ condition, growth rate and breeding output. The research was carried out in the population of Great Tits (Parus major) breeding in two types nest boxes which differed with internal illumination. In “dark” boxes, the only source of light was the entrance hole. “Bright” boxes have additional side semi-transparent windows. We conducted two experiments in which light environment in nest box was set after (Experiment I) or before (Experiment II) birds settle in. Our study showed that light environment did not significantly affect nestlings body condition and growth. However, females in their first breeding attempt showed strong preference to the brightened nest boxes. In this group, the offspring were heavier and showed stronger immune responses than nestlings reared in dark nest boxes. Nestlings in bright nest boxes fledged about one day earlier. Nesting in brightened nest boxes may provide potential benefit for adult females in their first breeding attempt. The interaction between maternal effect and light environment is being discussed.
SUACC-IoT: secure unified authentication and access control system based on capability for IoT
Authors: Sivaselvan N. , Bhat K. Vivekananda , Rajarajan Muttukrishnan , Das Ashok Kumar , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C.
Published: September 2022

With the widespread use of Internet of Things (IoT) in various applications and several security vulnerabilities reported in them, the security requirements have become an integral part of an IoT system. Authentication and access control are the two principal security requirements for ensuring authorized and restricted accesses to limited and essential resources in IoT. The built-in authentication mechanism in IoT devices is not reliable, because several security vulnerabilities are revealed in the firmware implementation of authentication protocols in IoT. On the other hand, the current authentication approaches for IoT that are not firmware are vulnerable to some security attacks prevalent in IoT. Moreover, the recent access control approaches for IoT have limitations in context-awareness, scalability, interoperability, and security. To mitigate these limitations, there is a need for a robust authentication and access control system to safeguard the rapidly growing number of IoT devices. Consequently, in this paper, we propose a new secure unified authentication and access control system for IoT, called SUACC-IoT. The proposed system is based around the notion of capability, where a capability is considered as a token containing the access rights for authorized entities in the network. In the proposed system, the capability token is used to ensure authorized and controlled access to limited resources in IoT. The system uses only lightweight Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral (ECDHE), symmetric key encryption/decryption, message authentication code and cryptographic hash primitives. SUACC-IoT is proved to be secure against probabilistic polynomial-time adversaries and various attacks prevalent in IoT. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed protocol’s maximum CPU usage is 29.35%, maximum memory usage is 2.79% and computational overhead is 744.5 ms which are quite acceptable. Additionally, in SUACC-IoT, a reasonable communication cost of 872 bits is incurred for the longest message exchanged.
Potential role of lipoxin in the management of COVID-19: a narrative review
Authors: Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Al-Gareeb Ali I. , Elekhnawy Engy , Al-kuraishy Hayder M.
Published: September 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection leads to the development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes endothelial dysfunction (ED), oxidative stress (OS), and inflammatory disorders. These changes cause hypoxia and cytokine storm with the development of cardio-pulmonary complications. Bioactive lipids and other polyunsaturated fatty acids participate in a vital role in the SARS-CoV-2 infection process. One of these mediators is the anti-inflammatory compound, lipoxin (LX). LXs are produced from arachidonic acid (AA) by collaboration between 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 12–15 LO during cell interactions. Thus, our goal was to review the probable role of LXs in COVID-19 regarding the effects of LXs on the inflammatory signaling pathways that are linked with COVID-19 pathogenesis and complications.
The association between albumin corrected anion gap and ICU mortality in acute kidney injury patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Zhong Lei , Xie Bo , Ji Xiao-Wei , Yang Xiang-Hong
Published: September 2022

The relationship between albumin corrected anion gap (ACAG) and mortality in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients who received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has not been investigated in any previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ACAG at CRRT initiation and all-cause mortality among these patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients diagnosed with AKI and treated with CRRT in the ICU from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV version 1.0 (MIMIC IV) database and Huzhou Central Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups: the normal ACAG group (12–20 mmol/L) and high ACAG group (> 20 mmol/L). The Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare the survival rate between the two groups. Restricted cubic spine (RCS) and Cox proportional-hazards models were utilized to analyze the relationship between ACAG at CRRT initiation and ICU all-cause mortality of these patients. A total of 708 patients met the inclusion criteria in the study. The all-cause mortality of these patients during ICU hospitalization was 41.95%. Patients in the high ACAG group exhibited significantly higher ICU all-cause mortality rate than patients in the normal ACAG group (all P < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the normal ACAG group had a higher ICU cumulative survival rate than the high ACAG group (log-rank test, χ12 = 13.620, χ22 = 12.460, both P < 0.001). In the multivariate COX regression analyses, patients with higher ACAG (> 20 mmol/L) levels at the time of CRRT initiation in the MIMIC IV database and Huzhou Central Hospital were significantly correlated with ICU all-cause mortality after adjusting multiple potential confounding factors with hazard ratios of 2.852 (95% CI 1.718–4.734) and 2.637(95% CI 1.584–4.389), respectively. In critically AKI patients who undergo CRRT, higher ACAG (> 20 mmol/L) level at the initiation of CRRT was significantly correlated with ICU all-cause mortality. Therefore, clinicians should pay more attention to those patients with a higher ACAG value.
Representing Camera Response Function by a Single Latent Variable and Fully Connected Neural Network
Authors: Zhao Yunfeng , Ferguson Stuart , Zhou Huiyu , Rafferty Karen
Published: September 2022

Modelling the mapping from scene irradiance to image intensity is essential for many computer vision tasks. Such mapping is known as the camera response. Most digital cameras use a nonlinear function to map irradiance, as measured by the sensor to an image intensity used to record the photograph. Modelling of the response is necessary for the nonlinear calibration. In this paper, a new high-performance camera response model that uses a single latent variable and fully connected neural network is proposed. The model is produced using unsupervised learning with an autoencoder on real-world (example) camera responses. Neural architecture searching is then used to find the optimal neural network architecture. A latent distribution learning approach was introduced to constrain the latent distribution. The proposed model achieved state-of-the-art CRF representation accuracy in a number of benchmark tests, but is over twice as fast as the best current models when performing the maximum likelihood estimation during camera response calibration due to the simple yet efficient model representation.
Migrations in Italy and Perceptions of Ethnic Threat
Authors: Nese Annamaria
Published: September 2022

This work investigates anti-immigrant sentiment in Italy and to what extent any “perceived ethnic threat” is influenced by the actual presence of immigrants. Whereas previous studies in the Italian context provide evidence for various social and psychological explanations of anti-immigrant sentiment, this work underlines the role of economic factors focusing on competition theory as main theoretical explanation. The analysis examines microdata obtained from the European Social Survey and from the Labour Force Survey conducted in 2016. In line with the economic perspective, the results suggest that the percentage of unemployed immigrants—rather than just the number of immigrants—significantly increases natives’ perceptions of an “ethnic threat.”
A large Eomys antiquus (Aymard, 1853) (Mammalia, Rodentia) from the early Oligocene sedimentary deposits at Bouldnor Cliff (Isle of Wight, England, UK)
Authors: Bosma Anneke A. , de Bruijn Hans , Wessels Wilma
Published: September 2022

A collection of approx. 150 isolated cheek teeth of the eomyid rodentEomys antiquuswhich was obtained from a very thin layer in the Hamstead Member of the Bouldnor Formation at Bouldnor Cliff (Isle of Wight, England, UK) is described. The material is post-Grande Coupure, and earliest Oligocene in age. Comparison is made with and new data are given on teeth ofEomysfrom localities of a similar age situated elsewhere in Europe:Eomys antiquusfrom Hoogbutsel (Belgium), and Möhren 13, 19, and 20 (Germany), andEomysaff.antiquusfrom Montalbán 1D (Spain), and Kocayarma (Turkish Thrace, Turkey). Teeth from Bouldnor Cliff and Hoogbutsel (Mammal Paleogene zone 21) are morphologically close to those from Möhren 13 (Mammal Paleogene zone 22), but tend to be larger. Size decrease in the course of time is also suggested by the smaller size of the teeth from Montalbán 1D (Mammal Paleogene zone 23). The morphological differences observed between the English, Belgian, and German material at the one side, and the Spanish and Turkish material at the other, confirm that the species from Montalbán 1D and Kocayarma is a different, although closely related form. The taxonomic history ofEomys antiquusis reviewed. The species is the commoner of the two oldest European Eomyidae known. General knowledge on the ecology of the eomyids suggests that at the time of deposition of theEomys-containing layer in the Hampshire Basin forest was close by.
Transnational fishers’ movements: emergence, evolution, and contestation
Authors: Mills Elyse N.
Published: September 2022

Global transformations in fisheries have contributed to the expansion of transnational movements, as they continuously seek out new ways to strengthen their global linkages and find spaces and platforms for engagement. As more platforms emerge for addressing international concerns, intergovernmental bodies have become increasingly implicated in navigating the political integration of diverse global actors, such as transnational fishers’ movements. Focusing on the World Forum of Fisher Peoples and the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers, this article tracks their engagement in the politics of global fisheries. It explores the history of these movements, beginning with the first steps that were taken toward building an international fishers’ network between 1984 and 1997, and follows their evolution into the movements they are today. It also examines their political agendas and strategies, and their representation of small-scale fishers in international spaces over the last two decades. The article argues that three pivotal developments offer important insights into the politics of transnational fishers’ movements. First, they are internalizing overlapping fisheries, food and climate crises, and are aligning their activities and demands accordingly. Second, fishers’ and agrarian movements and platforms are increasingly converging around common struggles. Third, international intergovernmental bodies have broadened their attention to fisheries issues in their analysis and activities. These developments have been crucial in shaping the movements’ political agendas, and for building alliances in order to scale up and strengthen their advocacy work.
Interdialytic weight gain and educational/cognitive, counseling/behavioral and psychological/affective interventions in patients on chronic hemodialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Pepe Gilda , Antocicco Manuela , Severino Altea , Di Stasio Enrico
Published: September 2022

Background

This work aimed to shed light on the notorious debate over the role of an educational/cognitive/behavioral or psychological approach in the reduction of interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Methods

Searches were run from 1975 to January 2022 on Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The search terms included “hemodialysis/haemodialysis” AND “adherence” AND (“fluid intake” OR “water intake”) AND (“weight gain” OR “interdialytic weight gain” OR “IDWG”) AND “patient-level interventions. Randomized controlled studies were eligible if they were in English, published in a peer-reviewed journal and regarded adults patients with on chronic hemodialysis for at least 6 months; compared educational/cognitive and/or counseling/behavioral or psychological interventions to no intervention on interdialytic weight gain. Outcome of interest was interdialytic weight gain. The review was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews in Health and Social Care (PROSPERO, ID number CRD42022332401).

Results

Eighteen studies (1759 patients) were included in the analysis. Compared to the untreated group, educational/cognitive and/or counseling/behavioral interventions significantly reduced interdialytic weight gain with a pooled mean difference of − 0.15 kg (95% CI − 0.26, 30–0.05; P = 0.004). On the other hand, psychological/affective interventions reduced interdialytic weight gain with a pooled mean difference of − 0.26 kg (95% CI − 0.48, − 0.04; P = 0.020).

Conclusions

Educational/cognitive, counseling/behavioral or psychological/affective interventions significantly reduced the interdialytic weight gain in patients on chronic hemodialysis, although such reduction did not appear to be clinically relevant on hard outcomes.

Graphical abstract
Nuclear cataract classification in anterior segment OCT based on clinical global–local features
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Xiao Zunjie , Wu Xiao , Chen Yu , Higashita Risa , Chen Wan , Yuan Jin , Liu Jiang
Published: September 2022

Nuclear cataract (NC) is a priority ocular disease of blindness and vision impairment globally. Early intervention and cataract surgery can improve the vision and life quality of NC patients. Anterior segment coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging is a non-invasive way to capture the NC opacity objectively and quantitatively. Recent clinical research has shown that there exists a strong opacity correlation relationship between NC severity levels and the mean density on AS-OCT images. In this paper, we present an effective NC classification framework on AS-OCT images, based on feature extraction and feature importance analysis. Motivated by previous clinical knowledge, our method extracts the clinical global–local features, and then applies Pearson’s correlation coefficient and recursive feature elimination methods to analyze the feature importance. Finally, an ensemble logistic regression is employed to distinguish NC, which considers different optimization methods’ characteristics. A dataset with 11,442 AS-OCT images is collected to evaluate the method. The results show that the proposed method achieves 86.96% accuracy and 88.70% macro-sensitivity, respectively. The performance comparison analysis also demonstrates that the global–local feature extraction method improves about 2% accuracy than the single region-based feature extraction method.
Using word embedding models to capture changing media discourses: a study on the role of legitimacy, gender and genre in 24,000 music reviews, 1999–2021
Authors: Daenekindt Stijn , Schaap Julian
Published: September 2022

Studies suggest that popular music genres are increasingly discussed by cultural intermediaries in ‘legitimate’ or ‘highbrow’ terms, rather than merely ‘lowbrow’ commercial entertainment. In addition, popular music discourse as produced by such intermediaries has historically been decidedly masculine—a trait which tends to increase on par with legitimation. However, seeing that women are gradually gaining symbolic and numerical representation in popular music production, this may have been changing over the last decade(s). In this article, we assess how popular music discourse within a key music media outlet (Pitchfork) changed between 1999 and 2021. We use word embedding models—a novel technique in computational social science—to assess legitimacy and gender in the discourses used in 23,992 reviews, and how this varies between genres. We find four notable patterns. First, reviews increasingly use a discourse that legitimates popular music, while, second, also increasingly using more feminine terms. This does not, third, occur simultaneously; however, discourse is either legitimate or feminine. Finally, these patterns also differ based on which popular music genres are discussed. The overall pattern is consistently found in pop, electronic and experimental, but not in historically masculine genres rap/hip-hop, metal and jazz which seem rather resistant to discursive change.
Experimental confirmation of high-temperature phase boundaries in the nickel-rich part of Ni-Al-Cr system
Authors: Maciąg T. , Migas D. , Płachta A.
Published: September 2022

Precise determination of the course of phase boundaries is particularly important for alloys operating at elevated temperatures. In the case of multi-component materials such as nickel superalloys, computational methods are often used for this purpose. They are based on binary and ternary systems and require reliable experimental data. Commonly used research methods for determining phase boundaries at elevated temperature have a number of limitations and it is difficult to interpret their results without the support of other studies. This work presents a series of experiments to confirm the course of phase boundaries γ′/(γ′ + γ) and (γ′ + γ)/γ in Ni-Al-Cr system, particularly at 600 °C. For this purpose, a series of alloys from Ni-rich part of Ni–Al-Cr ternary system was prepared by vacuum induction melting (VIM) and casting into graphite mold under an argon protective atmosphere. Samples after machining were subjected to compression tests using the Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator at room temperature as well as directly at 600 °C after pre-heating at 1100 °C. Stress–strain curves of various character were obtained and were associated with the appropriate phase structure confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The relationship between the phase structure of the studied alloys and their mechanical properties has been proven. Compression results were compared with the results of hardness measurements, high-temperature calorimetric solution method and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The obtained results showed a very good agreement in terms of the course of the γ′/(γ′ + γ) and (γ′ + γ)/γ phase boundary in Ni-Al-Cr system.
Assessing Environmentally Effective Post-COVID Green Recovery Plans for Reducing Social and Economic Inequality
Authors: Sokolnicki James R. , Woodhatch Annabel L. , Stafford Richard
Published: September 2022

Given the current environmental crisis there have been multiple calls for a green recovery from COVID-19 which address environmental concerns and provide jobs in industries and communities economically damaged by the pandemic. Here, we holistically evaluate a range of recovery scenarios, evaluated on environmental and socio-economic equity metrics. Using a modified version of a Bayesian belief network, we show that economic stimuli across green sectors, including jobs in renewable energy, waste management, retrofitting of buildings, heat-pump installation and public transport can help economic growth, but will have limited environmental benefits. The inclusion of carbon taxes and ending fossil fuel subsidies, alongside investment in nature-based solutions and jobs in ecological conservation, can greatly increase the environmental gains as well as socio-economic equality. Additionally, jobs not associated with green industries, but with low carbon footprints, such as those in social care can further improve social equality with minimal negative environmental effects. However, in these latter scenarios involving taxation and ending fossil fuel subsidies, economic growth is reduced. We suggest a comprehensive green recovery and green new deal are needed, and we should reimagine economies, without the focus on economic growth.
A Proposed Biometric Technique for Improving Iris Recognition
Authors: Farouk Rahmatallah Hossam , Mohsen Heba , El-Latif Yasser M. Abd
Published: September 2022

Recently, the Iris Recognition system has been considered an effective biometric model for recognizing humans. This paper introduces an effective hybrid technique combining edge detection and segmentation, in addition to the convolutional neural network (CNN) and Hamming Distance (HD), for extracting features and classification. The proposed model is applied to different datasets, which are CASIA-Iris-Interval V4, IITD, and MMU. For validating the results of the proposed models, detailed modeling and simulation procedures took place using the mentioned three datasets. A comparison between the obtained results from the current work and published results from open literature was carried out as well. The Proposed Biometric Technique showed desirable recognition accuracies of 94.88% based on applying HD on CASIA, 96.56% based on applying CNN on IITD, and 98.01% based on applying CNN on MMU. The obtained accuracies illustrated the superiority of such a classifier compared to other classifiers used in the published literature.