bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal dynamics of range expander and congeneric native plant responses during and after extreme drought events
Authors: Yang Qiang , Veen G. F. (Ciska) , Wagenaar Roel , Manrubia Marta , ten Hooven Freddy C. , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: April 2022

Climate change is causing range shifts of many species to higher latitudes and altitudes and increasing their exposure to extreme weather events. It has been shown that range‐shifting plant species may perform differently in new soil than related natives; however, little is known about how extreme weather events affect range‐expanding plants compared to related natives. In this study we used outdoor mesocosms to study how range‐expanding plant species responded to extreme drought in live soil from a habitat in a new range with and without live soil from a habitat in the original range (Hungary). During summer drought, the shoot biomass of the range‐expanding plant community declined. In spite of this, in the mixed community, range expanders produced more shoot biomass than congeneric natives. In mesocosms with a history of range expanders in the previous year, native plants produced less biomass. Plant legacy or soil origin effects did not change the response of natives or range expanders to summer drought. During rewetting, range expanders had less biomass than congeneric natives but higher drought resilience (survival) in soils from the new range where in the previous year native plant species had grown. The biomass patterns of the mixed plant communities were dominated by Centaurea spp.; however, not all plant species within the groups of natives and of range expanders showed the general pattern. Drought reduced the litter decomposition, microbial biomass, and abundances of bacterivorous, fungivorous, and carnivorous nematodes. Their abundances recovered during rewetting. There was less microbial and fungal biomass, and there were fewer fungivorous nematodes in soils from the original range where range expanders had grown in the previous year. We concluded that in mixed plant communities of range expanders and congeneric natives, range expanders performed better, under both ambient and drought conditions, than congeneric natives. However, when considering the responses of individual species, we observed variations among pairs of congenerics, so that under the present mixed‐community conditions there was no uniformity in responses to drought of range expanders versus congeneric natives. Range‐expanding plant species reduced soil fungal biomass and the numbers of soil fungivorous nematodes, suggesting that the effects of range‐expanding plant species can trickle up in the soil food web.
Universal programs to prevent eating disorders in children and adolescents: A scoping review of ethical, legal, organizational and social impacts
Authors: Torres‐Castaño Alezandra , Delgado‐Rodríguez Janet , Pino‐Sedeño Tasmania del , Estaña Malaret Daniel , de Pascual Ana Maria , Toledo‐Chávarri Ana , Serrano‐Aguilar Pedro
Published: April 2022

Background

Appropriate and timely consideration of ethical, legal, organizational, and social issues in universal preventive programs for eating disorders (UPPED) are relevant for the approval, funding and implementation of health‐policy decision making.

Objective

To identify and analyse the ethical, legal, organizational, and social aspects involved in interventions aimed at the universal prevention of eating disorders (ED) in children, pre‐adolescents and adolescents in the school settings.

Method

A scoping review of the literature was carried out. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and Social Science Citation Index were searched for studies published in English or Spanish. The quality of the studies was assessed using specific scales for each study design.

Results

Fourteen studies were included: one scoping review; four narrative reviews, six observational studies, two qualitative studies, and one mixed methods study. Results were narratively synthesised according to: (1) equity; (2) gender perspective; (3) potential harm; (4) participants and facilitators profile; (5) feasibility; and (6) acceptability.

Conclusions

Interactive programs with relevant contents for participants have greater acceptability. Programs focussed on developing competencies can reduce the risk of potential harm. Incorporating a gender perspective contributes to improving equity. Teachers with prior training in ED are well suited as facilitators of these programs.
Intrusion detection: A model based on the improved vision transformer
Authors: Yang Yu‐Guang , Fu Hong‐Mei , Gao Shang , Zhou Yi‐Hua , Shi Wei‐Min
Published: April 2022

We propose an intrusion detection model based on an improved vision transformer (ViT). More specifically, the model uses an attention mechanism to process data, which overcomes the flaw of the short‐term memory in recurrent neural network (RNN) and the difficulty of learning remote dependency in convolutional neural network. It supports parallelization and has a faster computing speed than RNN. A sliding window mechanism is presented to improve the capability of modeling local features for ViT. The hierarchical focal loss function is used to improve the classification effect, and solve the issue of the data imbalance. The public intrusion detection dataset NSL‐KDD is used for experimental simulations. By experimental simulations, the accuracy is up to 99.68%, the false‐positive rate is 0.22%, and the recall rate is 99.57%, which show that the improved ViT has better accuracy, false positive rate, and recall rate than existing intrusion detection models.
Healthcare performance management using integrated FUCOM‐MARCOS approach: The case of India
Authors: Abdullah Ahmad , Ahmad Shafi , Athar Mohd. Adnan , Rajpoot Nishant , Talib Faisal
Published: April 2022

Aims

The goal of this research is to propose a simpler and more efficient model for evaluating healthcare establishments (HCEs). With this motivation, this study aims to discover key performance indicators (KPIs) that affect HCE performance, present a ranking model for KPIs in Indian HCEs, and evaluate Indian HCEs using the identified and prioritised KPIs.

Material and Methods

Through extensive literature review and expert opinions, this research identifies the various KPIs in HCEs, classifies them into six main categories, and prioritises them using the full consistency method (FUCOM). Further, well‐known HCEs across northern India were evaluated and ranked using Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution.

Results

The ‘technology adoption related indicators’ is found as the most important main KPIs, whereas ‘adequate number of hospital beds and bathrooms (IE5)' as the most dominating sub‐category KPIs. Also, amongst the 20 evaluated Indian HCEs ‘healthcare establishment‐1 (HCE1)’ was found to be the best performing HCE while ‘healthcare establishment‐12 (HCE12)’ was found to be the worst‐performing HCE. The stability and consistency of the results are ascertained by performing sensitivity analysis and comparing the results with other existing methodologies.

Conclusion

The findings of this study are quite important for HCEs management to fully comprehend the key areas to improve upon so that managers can improve medical standards in a targeted manner. The developed prioritisation model and methodology shown in this paper will help and motivate managers and intellectuals of HCEs to evaluate and improve the HCE's performance.
Nonsimilar solution of a boundary layer flow of a Reiner–Philippoff fluid with nonlinear thermal convection
Authors: Tijani Yusuf O. , Oloniiju Shina D. , Kasali Kazeem B. , Akolade Mojeed T.
Published: April 2022

The thermodynamics modeling of a Reiner–Philippoff‐type fluid is essential because it is a complex fluid with three distinct probable modifications. This fluid model can be modified to describe a shear‐thinning, Newtonian, or shear‐thickening fluid under varied viscoelastic conditions. This study constructs a mathematical model that describes a boundary layer flow of a Reiner–Philippoff fluid with nonlinear radiative heat flux and temperature‐ and concentration‐induced buoyancy force. The dynamical model follows the usual conservation laws and is reduced through a nonsimilar group of transformations. The resulting equations are solved using a spectral‐based local linearization method, and the accuracy of the numerical results is validated through the grid dependence and convergence tests. Detailed analyses of the effects of specific thermophysical parameters are presented through tables and graphs. The study reveals, among other results, that the buoyancy force, solute and thermal expansion coefficients, and thermal radiation increase the overall wall drag, heat, and mass fluxes. Furthermore, the study shows that amplifying the space and temperature‐dependent heat source parameters allows fluid particles to lose their cohesive force and, consequently, maximize flow and heat transfer.
Changing patterns of the prevalence of burnout and secondary traumatic stress in health‐system pharmacists throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Mohammad Rima A. , Jones Adam M. , Clark John S.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The demands posed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic have led to greater stress and frustration, which in turn can fuel exhaustion, cynicism, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and burnout. More evidence is needed regarding the prevalence of burnout and STS throughout the pandemic.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the changing pattern of the prevalence of burnout and STS in health‐system pharmacists throughout the pandemic (early to 20 months into the pandemic).

Methods

A cross‐sectional, listserv‐based online survey was conducted in health‐system pharmacists. The survey was administered between April and May 2020 (early group) and again between October and December 2021 (20‐month group). The survey questionnaire included demographics, employment characteristics, COVID‐19‐related questions, survey of respondent's perceptions of prevalence and severity of burnout, and Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) which assessed compassion satisfaction and fatigue (burnout and STS).

Results

A total of 1126 health‐system pharmacists completed the survey (484 in the early group and 642 in the 20‐month group). Based on respondents' self‐rating of burnout, significantly more respondents reported feeling burned out in the 20‐month group vs the early group (69% vs 47.7%; P < .001). Based on ProQOL, significantly more respondents were identified with moderate–high likelihood of burnout (83.8% vs 65.3%; P < .001) and moderate–high probability of STS (63.2% vs 51.4%; P < .001) in the 20‐month group vs the early group. Approximately 99% of respondents in both groups were identified with moderate–high probability of compassion satisfaction.

Conclusion

Twenty months into the COVID‐19 pandemic, almost 83% of health‐system pharmacist respondents were identified with burnout, 63% with STS, and 99% with compassion satisfaction. These rates are significantly higher compared with rates early in the pandemic. Unfortunately, the development of burnout and STS in these pharmacists may lead to several work‐related consequences (eg, increase risk of medical errors); therefore, further studies are critical to develop and assess effective interventions to address the long‐term effects of the pandemic and well‐being of health‐system pharmacists.
Effects of photobiomodulation in experimental spinal cord injury models: A systematic review
Authors: da Cruz Tobelem Daysi , Silva Tamiris , Araujo Tamires , Andreo Lucas , Malavazzi Tainá Caroline dos Santos , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Mesquita‐Ferrari Raquel Agnelli
Published: April 2022

This systematic review investigated the repercussions of photobiomodulation using low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) in experimental models. Studies were identified from relevant databases published between January 2009 and December 2021. Nineteen original articles were selected and 68.4% used light at an infrared wavelength. There was a considerable variation of the power used (from 25 to 200 mW), total application time (8–3000 s) and total energy (0.3–450 J). In 79% of the studies, irradiation was initiated immediately after or within 2 h of the SCI, and treatment time ranged continuously from 5 to 21 days. In conclusion, LLLT can be an auxiliary therapy in the treatment of SCI, playing a neuroprotective role, enabling functional recovery, increasing the concentration of nerve connections around the injury site and reducing pro‐inflammatory cytokines. However, there is a need for standardization in the dosimetric parameters.
Testing delay of gratification in rats using a within‐session increasing‐delay task
Authors: Haynes Jeremy M. , Odum Amy L.
Published: April 2022

In delay discounting, preference reversals refer to shifts in preference from a larger‐later reward to a smaller‐sooner reward. Steep hyperbolic discounting predicts a preference reversal when a smaller‐sooner and larger‐later reward both become temporally proximal; prior research is consistent with this prediction. Hyperbolic discounting does not predict a preference reversal, however, after an individual chooses a larger‐later reward over a smaller‐immediate reward; prior research is inconsistent with this prediction. We sought to replicate and extend these findings using a delay of gratification task in rats. The task included a defection response which allowed rats to reverse their preference after choosing a larger‐later sucrose reinforcer to instead obtain a smaller‐immediate sucrose reinforcer. In Experiment 1, we found that rats would defect on their choice of the larger‐later reinforcer, systematically replicating prior research. We also found that experience on the delay of gratification task led to decreases in defection responses. In Experiment 2, we found that prior experience on an intertemporal choice task, with no opportunity to defect, also led to few defection responses on the delay of gratification task. We discuss our findings in the context of whether inhibitory control or temporal learning could be involved in delay of gratification.
Non‐factor therapies for bleeding disorders: A primer for the general haematologist
Authors: Swan Dawn , Mahlangu Johnny , Thachil Jecko
Published: April 2022

Management of patients with severe bleeding disorders, particularly haemophilia A and B, and to a lesser extent, von Willebrand disease, has come on leaps and bounds over the past decade. Until recently, patients relied upon the administration of factor concentrates to prevent or treat bleeding episodes. Factor administration requires intravenous access and, in up to one‐third of patients, leads to the development of neutralising antibodies, or inhibitors, which are associated with more frequent bleeding episodes and higher morbidity. Novel non‐factor therapies may offer a solution to these unmet needs. In this review, we discuss the factor mimetics, particularly emicizumab, and the rebalancing agents, which inhibit antithrombin, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and activated protein C, and novel treatments to enhance von Willebrand factor levels. We review the available trial data, unanswered questions and challenges associated with these new treatment modalities. Finally, we provide practical management algorithms to aid the general haematologist when faced with a patient receiving emicizumab who requires surgery or may develop bleeding.
Picosecond 755‐nm alexandrite laser treatment for oral lentiginosis in Peutz–Jeghers disease
Authors: Agud‐Dios Manuel , Perandones‐Gonzalez Hector , Fernández‐Domper Leopoldo , Dominguez Santas Miguel , Boixeda de Miquel Pablo
Published: April 2022

We present the case of a 16‐year‐old boy with Peutz–Jeghers disease with successful treatment of oral lentiginosis with one session of picosecond 755‐nm alexandrite laser. To date, only in one other article picosecond laser is used for lentiginosis in Peutz–Jeghers disease. Other therapeutical options include Q‐switched 755‐nm alexandrite, 1064‐nm Nd:YAG, 532‐nm KTP‐laser, ruby and intense pulsed light, which generally require more sessions, are less pigment‐selective and have overall worse results than picosecond laser treatment.
Effect of Hofmeister Salts on the LCST of Poly(diethyl vinylphosphonate) and Poly(2‐vinylpyridine‐block‐diethyl vinylphosphonate)
Authors: Wenisch Sandra E. , Schaffer Andreas , Rieger Bernhard
Published: April 2022

Herein, the effect of Hofmeister anions on the cloud point of poly(diethyl vinylphosphonate) (PDEVP) homopolymers and poly(2‐vinylpyridine‐block‐diethyl vinylphosphonate) (P(2VP‐b‐DEVP)) block copolymers using their sodium salts is reported. The change in the cloud point temperature (TCP) of these two polymers upon the addition of coordinating transition metal salts is investigated. The TCP of the different solutions is determined by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy at different temperatures. Additionally, dynamic light scattering (DLS) is applied to investigate the behavior of the block copolymer below and above the TCP. Both polymers follow the trend of the Hofmeister series using the different sodium salts. This indicates that the P2VP block of the copolymer does not affect the TCP when noncoordinating cations are used. In contrast, a linear increase in the TCP is observed when the block copolymer is used in the presence of copper(II) or iron(III), whereas the TCP of the homopolymer in the same concentration range remains unchanged. The cloud point is increased due to an increase in hydrophilicity and electrostatic repulsion, resulting from the transition metal ion coordination. The coordination to the P2VP units is confirmed by the DLS. These findings can lead to potential applications as sensors or in wastewater purification.
Variation of the Electrical Conductivity of PLA‐Based Composites with a Hybrid of Graphene and Carbon Black During 3D Printing
Authors: Ahn Jung Hyun , Kim Dahong , Park Su A , Hong Joung Sook , Ahn Kyung Hyun
Published: April 2022

In order to develop conductive‐biocompatible 3D parts, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is mixed with a hybrid of carbon black (CB, 4%) and graphene (GP, 0.1–0.5%) and the change of the particle dispersion under a flow is investigated based on rheological and electrical characterizations. In CB/PLA composite, CB aggregates are rearranged and percolation structure is disrupted under the given flow, resulting in a decrease in the modulus of the composite and lower electrical conductivity. During the 3D printing process, assemblies of CB aggregates do not remain close enough to maintain the percolation structure. When CB/PLA composite is mixed with GP, CB aggregates come into contact with GP aggregates to form percolation, maintaining a durable particle percolation against a flow and realizing electrical conductivity in 3D part. Despite the orientation effect of GP, the presence of GP enhances connectivity between the aggregates under a flow and maintains electrical percolation. A cell viability test of a 3D composite part shows good adsorption and growth of the cell due to the rough surface and biocompatibility of PLA. The addition of CB and GP to PLA improves not only the electrical properties of the 3D printing part but also enhances the cell viability.
Global stability and control strategies of a SIQRS epidemic model with time delay
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Cui Yue , Wang Min
Published: April 2022

The existing research models of SIQRS are often defined by linear incidence, ignoring the impact of lagging public awareness during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Their research results often deviate from the actual situation. For decision‐makers, the delay of quarantine measures according to its formulation is liable to bring losses. Given this, we establish a new class of SIQRS models based on the nonlinear incidence and focus on the effect of time delay on the propagation characteristics of the system. Firstly, we calculate the basic reproduction number of the transmission dynamics model to obtain the expression of the transmission threshold. Secondly, by constructing suitable Lyapunov functions, we prove the stability of the disease‐free equilibrium point and endemic equilibrium point of the system. Thirdly, we add model immune parameters to study three different immunization strategies, namely, uniform immunization, targeted immunization, and acquaintance immunization. Studies show that compared with uniform immunization, targeted and acquaintance immunization have better control effects. When the immunization ratio increases, the number of infected people decreases, and immune factors can control the spread of the disease. Meanwhile, we calculate the optimal quarantine level value
to solve the problem of financial costs in quarantine measures to control infectious diseases. Finally, we verify conclusions of the theoretical research by numerical simulation and further discover that when an infection is in the high‐density outbreak, the time delay will lead to a slower convergence rate of the disease. And with the increase of time delay, the control cost
will also increase gradually.
Glasindustrie in Deutschland: Von schmückend bis lebenswichtig
Authors: Richardt Dorothée
Published: April 2022

Die Glasindustrie besteht im Wesentlichen aus fünf Branchen. Alle fußen auf der jahrtausendealten Tradition des Glasmachens. Dazu kommen neue Anwendungen wie Glasfasern und neue Herausforderungen wie die Dekarbonisierung.
Start‐ups: Genau jetzt
Authors: Bellof Martin , Weber Stefan
Published: April 2022

Ausgründungen aus Hochschulen und außeruniversitären Forschungseinrichtungen werden wichtiger denn je. Denn die Klimakrise verlangt von der chemischen Industrie Innovationen in nie gekannter Geschwindigkeit. Mit dem Innovationsdruck steigen jedoch auch die Erfolgschancen für Start‐ups.
Measuring healthy female nulliparous pubovisceral muscle from diffusion kurtosis imaging
Authors: Zhou Huiqing , Shang Hua , Li Xiaodong , Tian Miaomiao , Wei Rongchen
Published: April 2022

This study explores the feasibility of using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the pelvic floor region and assesses the water diffusivity of the pubovisceral muscle. Twenty‐seven healthy young nulliparous females underwent DKI at 3.0 T that included 15 gradient directions and three b values (0, 750, and 1500 s/mm2). The diffusion tensor and diffusion kurtosis metrics values of the pubovisceral muscle were measured after image processing. Two independent sample t‐tests, a paired‐samples t‐test, and a nonparametric hypothesis test were performed as appropriate to compare the differences among different metrics. Twenty‐six subjects (mean ± standard deviation age, 25 ± 2 years) were successfully analyzed by measuring the diffusion tensor and diffusion kurtosis metrics of the bilateral pubovisceral muscles. The metrics included mean kurtosis, axial kurtosis, radial kurtosis, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. We found no statistically significant differences for these measurement values between the left and right pubovisceral muscles (p = 0.271–0.931). However, radial kurtosis was greater than axial kurtosis in both pubovisceral muscles (p < 0.001) and axial diffusivity was lower than radial diffusivity in both pubovisceral muscles (p < 0.001). We deem the application of DKI technology to the pelvic floor region to be feasible.
Effects of green tea on prostate carcinogenesis in rat models and a human prostate cancer xenograft model
Authors: Bosland Maarten C. , Horton Lori , Condon Mark S.
Published: April 2022

Background

There is evidence to suggest that green tea soy may have protective effects against prostate cancer, but there are several epidemiologic and clinical studies that did not identify such an effect. We tested the notion of protective effects in a rat model of prostate carcinogenesis that has been predictive of the effects of selenium and vitamin E in randomized clinical trials and a human prostate cancer xenograft model in nude mice and rat prostate tumor cells transplanted in immune‐competent syngeneic animals.

Methods

Prostate cancer was induced in rats with methylnitrosourea and testosterone and tumor incidence was determined. Subcutaneous tumor growth was measured resulting from injected cells isolated from rat prostate cancers grafted in syngeneic animals and from the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐producing human prostate cancer PC346 xenografted in nude mice. Brewed decaffeinated green tea infusion or caffeinated green tea extract and the same 300 mg/ml concentration of caffeine were provided in drinking water of the rats and nude mice.

Results

Caffeinated green tea extract and caffeine provided in drinking water did not modify the induction of prostate cancer in the rat model compared with control rats. The same drinking water treatments also did not affect the growth and PSA production of PC346 human prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice and the growth of two transplantable rat prostate cancer tumor lines in Wistar Firth rats. Brewed green tea infusion as drinking water did also not affect tumor growth in these xeno‐ and allograft models.

Conclusion

These animal studies with drinking water exposure to green tea and caffeine do not support the idea that green tea is protective against prostate cancer.
Herbicidal activity of atrazine to barnyard grass depends upon soil characteristics
Authors: He Shuhong , Lang Hongbin , Shen Jiatao , Zhang Luqing , Fang Hua , Yu Yunlong
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of a herbicide as soil treatment agent may be largely affected by soil characteristics. Understanding the relationship between herbicide efficacy and soil characteristics can provide decision basis for herbicide application according to local conditions. This study was aimed towards exploring the effect of soil characteristics on herbicidal activity of atrazine as a model herbicide to barnyard grass and thus to find an indicator for the herbicidal activity assessment of a herbicide against weeds.

RESULTS

The herbicidal activity of atrazine to barnyard grass varied greatly among the tested soils with the medium inhibition concentration (IC50), based on the amended concentration, ranging from 1.07 to 10.91 mg kg−1. Uptake of atrazine by barnyard grass was negatively correlated with its adsorption onto soils, whereas it was positively related to the concentration of the herbicide in in situ pore water (CIPW). Comparable IC50 values ranging from 1.14 to 1.38 were obtained from CIPW in the tested soils with much smaller variation coefficient compared to those based on the traditional concentration (Csoil) of this herbicide in soils determined by extraction with organic solvents.

CONCLUSION

The concentration of atrazine in in situ pore water could be reliable to evaluate its bioavailability and herbicidal activity to barnyard grass. CIPW of a herbicide in soil could be an indicator for guiding the practical application rate. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pore structure alteration in a reclaimed saline–sodic soil identified by multiscale X‐ray tomography
Authors: Yu Xiuling , Qi Dongmei , Lu Shenggao
Published: April 2022

Soil structure is one of the major factors to affect soil salinization in high evaporation areas. Revealing the effects of desulfurization steel slag (DSS) on the pore structures in saline–sodic soil is critical for evaluating the remediation effects and understanding the mechanisms of various soil processes involved. In this study, the multiscale pore structure in DSS‐amended soil was quantified by multiscale X‐ray tomography. Soil macroaggregates (>5 mm in diameter) and intact soil cores (5 × 20 cm in size) were collected from a field experiment of DSS reclamation for 1 yr (T1) and 4 yr (T4), respectively. The saline–sodic soil without DSS treatments was taken as the control (CK). For soil aggregates, the difference in total porosity between T1 and T4 treatments is insignificant. For soil cores, the total porosity of the T4 treatment significantly decreased compared with the T1 treatment. The compact and homogeneous pore structures of CK benefits the ascension of the capillary water, which directly related to soil salinization. However, the alteration of pore structure in DSS‐amended soils posed negative effects on soil salinization, which could be summarized by three possible mechanisms. The elimination of the unique pore structure in the saline–sodic soil markedly reduced the ascension of the capillary water. Secondly, the DSS application significantly increased the total porosity and macroporosity in the soil. Thirdly, DSS addition enhanced the root activity and further prevented the capillary water from ascending. These findings are crucial in developing and optimizing soil reclamation strategies.
Contracting for innovation: Designing contracts that account for exchange hazards and the need for innovation
Authors: Mayer Kyle J. , Xing Zhe (Adele) , Mondal Pablo
Published: April 2022

Research Summary

We examine how organizations govern interfirm transactions that involve innovative tasks. Designing contracts that foster innovation is challenging and becomes more complex when exchange hazards are present. We draw on regulatory focus theory to examine the effects of promotion and prevention effects in contract framing contracts to address how firms should design their contracts to balance the need for promoting innovation and protecting against opportunistic behavior. Using a sample of contracts from the information technology services industry, we find that in the presence of exchange hazards, task innovation involves hybrid payment systems, less use of detailed description of requirements, and more use of extensive contingency planning.

Managerial Summary

Managers must understand how contract design can aid in the success of interfirm innovation endeavors as radical innovation is frequently developed in an interfirm context. Our findings suggest that contract negotiators should pay special attention to several contractual elements when designing contracts for tasks that require more radical innovation. In particular, the payment structure, specifications of outcomes and processes, and contingency planning clauses influence the innovative output of suppliers. Employees who understand the task should participate in contract negotiation and design, allowing them to outsource more innovative tasks and manage them more effectively.
Nanopore Sensing Technique for Studying the Hofmeister Effect
Authors: Wei Weichen , Chen Xiaojuan , Wang Xuejiao
Published: April 2022

The nanopore sensing technique is an emerging method of detecting single molecules, and extensive research has gone into various fields, including nanopore sequencing and other applications of single‐molecule studies. Recently, several researchers have explored the specific ion effects in nanopore channels, enabling a unique understanding of the Hofmeister effect at the single‐molecule level. Herein, the recent advances of using nanopore sensing techniques are reviewed to study the Hofmeister effect and the physicochemical mechanism of this process is attempted. The challenges and goals are also discussed for the future in this field.
Effect of Cold Treatment Temperature on Size Stability and Mechanical Properties of M50 Bearing Steel
Authors: Wei Yinghua , Yu Xingfu , Shen Xiangyang , Zheng Dongyue , Zhao Wenzeng , Li Yanbin , Yan Guobin , Su Yong , Xing Fei
Published: April 2022

By using field‐emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), and tensile‐property tests, the effect of cold treatment temperature on size stability and mechanical properties of M50 bearing steel is studied. Results show that when the thermal treatment temperature is fixed to be 440 °C, the number of precipitated secondary carbides (SC) in the steel increases first and then decreases with the decrease of cold treatment temperature in the range of −50 to −90 °C. The amount of the precipitated carbides and the transformed residual austenite (RA) reaches the maximum at −70 °C. Carbide precipitation during cold treatment reduces the size of M50 steel, while martensitic transformation leads to the size increase. The size change of M50 steel is the smallest at −80 °C, about 0.5 μm. The elongation of the steel is 3.16% before stabilization treatment, which is improved after stabilization treatment under different conditions. The tensile strength and yield strength decrease at −60 °C and increase at −80 °C, and the other cold treatment temperature has little effect on the tensile strength of the steel.
Evaluating ensemble post‐processing for wind power forecasts
Authors: Phipps Kaleb , Lerch Sebastian , Andersson Maria , Mikut Ralf , Hagenmeyer Veit , Ludwig Nicole
Published: April 2022

Capturing the uncertainty in probabilistic wind power forecasts is challenging, especially when uncertain input variables, such as the weather, play a role. Since ensemble weather predictions aim to capture the uncertainty in the weather system, they can be used to propagate this uncertainty through to subsequent wind power forecasting models. However, as weather ensemble systems are known to be biassed and underdispersed, meteorologists post‐process the ensembles. This post‐processing can successfully correct the biasses in the weather variables but has not been evaluated thoroughly in the context of subsequent forecasts, such as wind power generation forecasts. The present paper evaluates multiple strategies for applying ensemble post‐processing to probabilistic wind power forecasts. We use Ensemble Model Output Statistics (EMOS) as the post‐processing method and evaluate four possible strategies: only using the raw ensembles without post‐processing, a one‐step strategy where only the weather ensembles are post‐processed, a one‐step strategy where we only post‐process the power ensembles and a two‐step strategy where we post‐process both the weather and power ensembles. Results show that post‐processing the final wind power ensemble improves forecast performance regarding both calibration and sharpness whilst only post‐processing the weather ensembles does not necessarily lead to increased forecast performance.
Portable testing techniques for the analysis of drug materials
Authors: Alonzo Morgan , Alder Rhiannon , Clancy Laura , Fu Shanlin
Published: April 2022

The analysis of drug material in the field is an important function of law enforcement agencies, forensic drug laboratories, and drug checking services. Portable testing techniques employed by these different groups range from inexpensive screening tools with low discriminating power, such as presumptive chemical color tests, to more sophisticated portable analytical techniques that behave as miniaturized versions of their laboratory counterparts, such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Rapid non‐destructive analysis in the field and non‐laboratory environments is afforded by portable and handheld Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers with little to no sample preparation, while handheld Raman analyzers have the added potential for drug material identification through sealed packaging using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS). Utilization of the most suitable testing technique for the given environment is demonstrated at international borders and airports wherein ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) is frequently employed for the detection of drug (and explosive) residues owing to its ease of operation and rapid analysis. Advances in technology and materials have provided analysts with new portable testing techniques, including paper spray ionization–MS (PSI‐MS), an ambient MS technique that provides sensitive, rapid, and reliable analysis without the need for sample preparation steps. A growing area of research and interest in the development of sensitive and selective optical and electrochemical portable (bio)sensors for in‐field analysis of drug material indicates that new commercial sensors for drug detection will be available in the foreseeable future.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Controlled and Emerging Drug Compounds

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods

Toxicology > Drug Analysis
A nationally representative cross‐sectional survey on health information access for consumers in Japan: A protocol for the INFORM Study
Authors: Otsuki Aki , Saito Junko , Yaguchi‐Saito Akiko , Odawara Miyuki , Fujimori Maiko , Hayakawa Masayo , Katanoda Kota , Matsuda Tomohiro , Matsuoka Yutaka J. , Takahashi Hirokazu , Takahashi Miyako , Inoue Manami , Yoshimi Itsuro , Kreps Gary L. , Uchitomi Yosuke , Shimazu Taichi
Published: April 2022

In Japan, risk behaviors for cancer remain inadequately controlled, often due to a lack of necessary information and support to guide consumers in cancer control decisions. The use of strategic health communication efforts based on social marketing has substantial potential to provide groups of consumers who are underinformed or misinformed with relevant cancer information, both to reinforce their cancer awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs and to strengthen behaviors to prevent cancer. The INFORM Study monitors these variables nationally and identifies populations most in need of cancer‐related information. A nationally representative cross‐sectional mail survey was used to investigate consumer behaviors related to cancer prevention and screening, as well as cancer knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and access to and use of trusted cancer information. A total of 10,000 Japanese aged 20 years or older were selected by two‐stage stratified random sampling. The self‐administered questionnaire consisted of core items from the Health Information National Trends Survey in the United States with some additional items not covered in HINTS but important in Japan. This national survey is expected to play an important role in promoting effective dissemination of evidence‐based recommendations.
Large Scale Data Anonymisation for GDPR Compliance
Authors: Ortega-Fernandez Ines , Martinez Sara El Kortbi , Orellana Lilian Adkinson
Published: April 2022

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in place since May 2018 to give EU citizens more control over their personal data, applying principles like security and privacy by design. One of the most powerful tools to allow data processing while being compliant with data protection regulations is anonymisation, a procedure that consists of transforming data in such a way that makes no longer possible the re-identification of the data subjects. This chapter describes how anonymisation can be performed at a large scale, addressing common challenges to become GDPR compliant.
Simplifying and Accelerating Data Pipelines in Digital Finance and Insurance Applications
Authors: Kranas Pavlos , Burgos Diego , Jimenez-Peris Ricardo , Mahíllo Juan
Published: April 2022

To process their ever-increasing massive data, financial and insurance organizations are developing and deploying data pipelines. However, state-of-the-art data management platforms have limitations in handling many and complex pipelines that blend different kinds of data stores. This chapter introduces a novel Big Data database, namely the LeanXcale database, which enables the development and management of complex pipelines in a scalable fashion. Specifically, the presented database reduces data access time independently of data size and allows for efficient process parallelization. This combination of capabilities helps to reduce the data pipeline complexity and the total cost of ownership of pipeline management. Moreover, it unveils new ways of generating value with new use cases that were previously not possible.
Midline Shift in Chronic Subdural Hematoma
Authors: Zanolini Umberto , Austein Friederike , Fiehler Jens , McDonough Rosalie , Rai Hamid , Siddiqui Adnan , Shotar Eimad , Rouchaud Aymeric , Goyal Mayank , Kallmes Kevin , Gellissen Susanne , Bechstein Matthias ,   the Research Committee of the European Society of Minimally Invasive Neurological Therapy (ESMINT)
Published: April 2022

Objective

Evaluation of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) treatment success relies on radiologic measures, in particular hematoma volume, width and midline shift (MLS). Nevertheless, there are no validated standards for MLS measurement in cSDH. Aim of this study was to identify the most reliable measurement location and technique for MLS.

Methods

Admission CT scans of 57 patients with unilateral cSDH were retrospectively analyzed. Axial slices were evaluated by 4 raters with MLS measurement in 4 locations, foramen of Monro (FM), thalamus (Th), mid-septum pellucidum (SP), maximum overall MLS (max) with 2 different techniques: displacement perpendicular to anatomical (ideal) midline (MLS-M), and displacement relative to the tabula interna in relation to the width of the intracranial space (MLS-T). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess interrater reliability and agreement of MLS‑M and MLS‑T measurement techniques. Measurements of cSDH volume and width were conducted for further data alignment.

Results

The ICCs between readers were excellent (> 0.9) for all MLS‑M locations and for MLS-T_Th and ML-T_FM. The ICC was higher for MLS‑M than for MLS‑T in all locations. MLS-M_max showed the highest correlation coefficient of 0.78 with cSDH volume. Variance of MLS-M_max was explained in 64% of cases (adj. R squared) by cSDH volume based on a simple linear regression model. An increase of 10 ml cSDH volume resulted in an average increase of 0.8 mm MLS-M_max.

Conclusion

The MLS measurement in cSDH patients should be standardized, and due to its high interrater reliability, the MLS‑M technique should be preferred.
Can current reanalyses accurately portray changes in Southern Annular Mode structure prior to 1979?
Authors: Marshall Gareth J. , Fogt Ryan L. , Turner John , Clem Kyle R.
Published: April 2022

Early reanalyses are less than optimal for investigating the regional effects of ozone depletion on Southern Hemisphere (SH) high-latitude climate because the availability of satellite sounder data from 1979 significantly improved their accuracy in data sparse regions, leading to a coincident inhomogeneity. To determine whether current reanalyses are better at SH high-latitudes in the pre-satellite era, here we examine the capabilities of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) fifth generation reanalysis (ERA5), the Twentieth Century Reanalysis version 3 (20CRv3), and the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) 55-year reanalysis (JRA-55) to reproduce and help explain the pronounced change in the relationship between the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Antarctic near-surface air temperatures (SAT) between 1950 and 1979 (EARLY period) and 1980–2020 (LATE period). We find that ERA5 best reproduces Antarctic SAT in the EARLY period and is also the most homogeneous reanalysis across the EARLY and LATE periods. ERA5 and 20CRv3 provide a good representation of SAM in both periods with JRA-55 only similarly skilful in the LATE period. Nevertheless, all three reanalyses show the marked change in Antarctic SAM-SAT relationships between the two periods. In particular, ERA5 and 20CRv3 demonstrate the observed switch in the sign of the SAM-SAT relationship in the Antarctic Peninsula: analysis of changes in SAM structure and associated meridional wind anomalies reveal that in these reanalyses positive SAM is linked to cold southerly winds during the EARLY period and warm northerly winds in the LATE period, thus providing a simple explanation for the regional SAM-SAT relationship reversal.
Space-Efficient Vertex Separators for Treewidth
Authors: Kammer Frank , Meintrup Johannes , Sajenko Andrej
Published: April 2022

For n-vertex graphs with treewidth $$k = O(n^{1/2-\epsilon })$$

k
=
O
(

n

1
/
2
-
ϵ

)

and an arbitrary $$\epsilon >0$$

ϵ
>
0

, we present a word-RAM algorithm to compute vertex separators using only O(n) bits of working memory. As an application of our algorithm, we give an O(1)-approximation algorithm for tree decomposition. Our algorithm computes a tree decomposition in $$c^k n (\log \log n) \log ^* n$$

c
k

n

(
log
log
n
)

log
∗

n

time using O(n) bits for some constant $$c > 0$$

c
>
0

. Together with the result of Banerjee et al. (Proceedings of 21st international conference on computing and combinatorics (COCOON 2015). LNCS, vol 9198, Springer, pp 349–360, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21398-9_28) we are able to compute a solution for all monadic-second-order problems (MSO) with $$O(n + \tau (k) \cdot p (\log _{p} n) \log n)$$

O
(
n
+
τ

(
k
)

·
p

(

log
p

n
)

log
n
)

bits in $$O(\tau (k) \cdot n^{2 + (2/\log p)})$$

O
(
τ

(
k
)

·

n

2
+
(
2
/
log
p
)

)

time where k is the treewidth of the given graph, p is some arbitrary parameter with $$2 \le p \le n$$

2
≤
p
≤
n

and $$\tau $$
τ
is some function depending on the MSO formula. We finally use the tree decomposition obtained by our algorithm to solve Vertex Cover, Independent Set, Dominating Set, MaxCut and q-Coloring by using polynomial time and O(n) bits as long as the treewidth of the graph is smaller than $$c' \log n$$

c
′

log
n

for some problem dependent constant $$0< c' < 1$$

0
<

c
′

<
1

.
Struggling with extensive informed consent procedures for cancer trials—is there even a benefit for the patients?
Authors: Tilch Marie-Kristin , Schranz Melanie , Moringlane Alice , Theobald Matthias , Hess Georg
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Informed consent procedures in clinical trials often differ in length and complexity to those in clinical routine care. Little is known about the benefit of extensive procedures as intended in clinical trials compared to procedures in routine cancer treatment.

Methods

In two different clinical studies performed at a comprehensive cancer center, we compared patients’ comprehension and satisfaction of current informed consent procedures in routine clinical care with the level of comprehension and satisfaction of patients treated within clinical trials. Patients with a new cancer diagnosis and recent informed consent received a questionnaire about satisfaction, comprehension, time management, and physician–patient relationship of the informed consent process. Patients in cohort 1 consented to cancer treatment within a clinical trial and were additionally interviewed in a structured way; patients in cohort 2 consented to “standard” chemotherapy and received a follow-up questionnaire after 6 months.

Results

In cohort 1, 82 patients completed the questionnaire and had an additional structured interview. They were treated in 41 different trials, receiving up to 40 pages of educational material. In cohort 2, 89 patients completed the first and 52 completed the follow-up questionnaire after receiving a standard informed consent form of 6 pages. Subjective understanding and satisfaction with the information provided was equally very high. However, deficits in objective understanding were observed in both cohorts.

Conclusion

Extensive informed consent procedures for clinical cancer trials have not been associated with a higher level of satisfaction or measurable objective understanding; therefore, the benefit seems to be limited.