bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of cervical foraminal stenosis: comparison of 3D T2 SPACE with sagittal oblique 2D T2 TSE
Authors: Barnaure I. , Galley J. , Fritz B. , Sutter R.
Published: January 2022

Objective

The oblique orientation of the cervical neural foramina challenges the implementation of a short MRI protocol with concurrent excellent visualization of the spine. While sagittal oblique T2-weighted sequences permit good evaluation of the cervical neuroforamina, all segments may not be equally well depicted on a single sequence and conspicuity of foraminal stenosis may be limited. 3D T2-weighted sequences can be reformatted in arbitrary planes, including the sagittal oblique. We set out to compare 3D T2w SPACE sequences with sagittal oblique reformations and sagittal oblique 2D T2w TSE sequences for the evaluation of cervical foraminal visibility and stenosis.

Materials and methods

Sixty consecutive patients who underwent MRI of the cervical spine with sagittal oblique 2D T2w TSE and 3D T2w SPACE sequences were included. Image homogeneity of the sequences was evaluated. Imaging sets were assessed for structure visibility and foraminal stenosis by two independent readers. Results of the sequences were compared by Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests. Interreader agreement was evaluated by weighted κ.

Results

Visibility of most structures was rated good to excellent on both sequences (mean visibility scores ≥ 4.5 of 5), though neuroforaminal contents were better seen on sagittal oblique T2w TSE (mean scores 4.1–4.6 vs. 3.1–4.1 on 3D T2w SPACE, p < 0.01). Stenosis grades were comparable between sequences (mean 1.1–2.6 of 4), with slightly higher values for 3D T2w SPACE at some levels (difference ≤ 0.3 points).

Conclusion

3D T2w SPACE is comparable with sagittal oblique 2D T2w TSE in the evaluation of cervical neural foramina.
Bullying, Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and the Fear of Retaliation During Surgical Residency Training: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gianakos Arianna L. , Freischlag Julie A. , Mercurio Angela M. , Haring R. Sterling , LaPorte Dawn M. , Mulcahey Mary K. , Cannada Lisa K. , Kennedy John G.
Published: January 2022

Background

The negative effects of bullying, discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment (BDHS) on well‐being and productivity of surgical residents in training have been well documented. Despite this, little has changed over the past decade and these behaviors continue. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of each abusive behavior experienced by residents, identify the perpetrators, and examine the reporting tendency.

Methods

A systematic review of articles published between 2010 and 2020 in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed following PRISMA guidelines. The following search terms were used: bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, abuse, residency, surgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, otolaryngology, obstetrics, gynecology, urology, plastic surgery, and training.

Results

Twenty‐five studies with 29,980 surgical residents were included. Sixty‐three percent, 43, 29, and 27% of surgical residents experienced BDHS, respectively. Female residents reported experiencing all BDHS behaviors more often. Thirty‐seven percent of resident respondents reported burnout, and 33% reported anxiety/depression. Attending surgeons, followed by senior co‐residents, were the most common perpetrators. Seventy‐one percent did not report the behavior to their institution. Fifty‐one percent stated this was due to fear of retaliation. Of those who reported their experiences, 56% stated they had a negative experience reporting.

Conclusion

Our review demonstrates high prevalence rates of BDHS experienced by residents during surgical training, which have been associated with burnout, anxiety, and depression. The majority of residents did not report BDHS due to fear of retaliation. Residency programs need to devise methods to have a platform for residents to safely voice their complaints.
Preoperative Carbohydrate Drink Intake Increases Glycemic Variability in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Lee Bora , Kim So Yeon , Cho Byung Woo , Suh Sungmin , Park Kwan Kyu , Choi Yong Seon
Published: January 2022

Background

Preoperative carbohydrate treatment attenuates insulin resistance and improves metabolism to an anabolic state. Despite these benefits, impaired glycemic control and aspiration risk related to gastroparesis represent concerns for patients with diabetes undergoing surgery. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of oral carbohydrate therapy on perioperative glucose variability, metabolic responses, and gastric volume in diabetic patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Fifty diabetic patients scheduled to undergo elective total knee or hip arthroplasty during August 2019–October 2020 were randomly assigned to a control or carbohydrate therapy (CHO) group. CHO group of patients received a 400‐mL carbohydrate drink 2–3 h before anesthesia; control group of patients underwent overnight fasting from midnight, one night before surgery. Blood glucose levels were measured before intake of the carbohydrate drink, before spinal anesthesia, preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 1 h postoperatively. Insulin level and gastric volume were measured before spinal anesthesia.

Results

The glucose variability of patients in the CHO group was significantly higher than that of those in the control group (16.5 vs. 10.1%, P = 0.008). Similarly, insulin resistance was higher in the CHO group than in the control group (8.5 vs. 2.7, P < 0.001). The gastric volume did not differ significantly between the groups (61.3 vs. 15.2 ml, P = 0.082).

Conclusions

Preoperative oral carbohydrate therapy increases glucose variability and insulin resistance in diabetic patients. Therefore, carbohydrate beverages should be cautiously administered to diabetic patients, considering metabolic and safety aspects.

Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04013594).
Rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in PM/Scl antibody-associated disease: case-based review
Authors: Srikantharajah Denesh , Lloyd Mark E. , Kiely Patrick D. W.
Published: January 2022

Autoantibodies to the 75-kDa and 100-kDa subunits of the PM/Scl nucleolar protein complex are associated with an overlap syndrome, manifesting with clinical features of systemic sclerosis and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. We describe the diverse clinical features in a series of 4 cases with anti-PM/Scl-75 and/or anti-PM/Scl-100 antibodies, including severe proximal muscle weakness, oesophageal dysfunction, respiratory weakness requiring mechanical ventilation, Raynaud’s, calcinosis cutis, sclerodactyly and critical digital ischaemia. Despite the severity of striated and oesophageal muscle weakness, all patients responded very well to immune suppression, and calcinosis cutis in one case regressed substantially. We highlight the efficacy of Rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg) in these cases, enabling return to normal muscle function within six months. Rituximab was preferentially chosen for cases with hyper-gammaglobulinemia and multiple autoantibodies in addition to anti-PM/Scl, and IVIg was utilised for cases where a rapid onset of effect was required, such as severe ventilator-dependent respiratory muscle weakness and oesophageal dysfunction.
An alternative look at the linear regression model
Authors: Baksalary Oskar Maria , Trenkler Götz
Published: January 2022

An alternative look at the linear regression model is taken by proposing an original treatment of a full column rank model (design) matrix. In such a situation, the Moore–Penrose inverse of the matrix can be obtained by utilizing a particular formula which is applicable solely when a matrix to be inverted can be columnwise partitioned into two matrices of disjoint ranges. It turns out that this approach, besides simplifying derivations, provides a novel insight into some of the notions involved in the model and reduces computational costs needed to obtain sought estimators. The paper contains also a numerical example based on astronomical observations of the localization of Polaris, demonstrating usefulness of the proposed approach.
The pan-immune-inflammation value and systemic immune-inflammation index in advanced melanoma patients under immunotherapy
Authors: Susok L. , Said S. , Reinert D. , Mansour R. , Scheel C. H. , Becker J. C. , Gambichler T.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM) under immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

Methods

PIV and SII were calculated before the start of ICI therapy and at time of progression/death in patients with metastatic CM (stage III/IV). Sex–age-matched CM patients in stage I/II and healthy subjects (HC) served as controls.

Results

The median PIV of stage III/IV patients was significantly (P = 0.0011) higher than in stage I/II patients and HC. SII was significantly (P = 0.00044) lower in HC than in CM patients. At baseline, PIV and SII did significantly correlate with lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.045/0.017). However, ROC curve statistics revealed that SII and PIV were not significantly associated with clinical parameters, including best response to ICI treatment (P = 0.87/0.64), progression-free survival (P = 0.73/0.91), and melanoma-specific survival (P = 0.13/0.17). Moreover, there were no significant changes of PIV and SII from baseline to progression/death (P = 0.38/0.52).

Conclusions

Even though both immune-inflammation biomarkers showed some power to differentiate between CM stages and HC, respectively, PIV and SII seem not to be significant predictors for clinical outcome measures of CM patients under ICI therapy.
Geochemical characterization of clastic sediments sheds light on energy sources and on alleged anthropogenic impacts in cave ecosystems
Authors: Addesso Rosangela , De Waele Jo , Cafaro Simona , Baldantoni Daniela
Published: January 2022

Caves are usually oligotrophic ecosystems, where the organic matter represents a limiting factor to the hypogeal community and sediments are often a significant energy source. With a view to identifying the energy input influencing the ecological processes occurring in caves, as well as the potential alteration sources of the natural equilibriums, geochemical features of several typologies of clastic sediments from the Pertosa-Auletta Cave (Italy) were investigated. The collected sediments, analyzed for a number of chemical (organic matter, Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Zn concentrations) and mineralogical (quartz, calcite, dolomite, clay minerals) characteristics, showed a different composition. Overall, their origin is supposed to be allochthonous, related to the important fluviokarst activities interesting the cave in the past, whereas the abundance of calcitic and dolomitic compounds can be autochthonous, being the carbonate the main host rock. The highest concentrations of organic matter, together with C, Cu, Mo, N, P, Pb, S and Zn, highlighted in one sample composed mainly of bats guano, revealed an important bioavailable energy input as well as a pollutant accumulation, mainly of anthropogenic origin.
Die therapieresistente Depression (TRD) – Herausforderungen und praktisches Management
Authors: Fugger Gernot , Bartova Lucie , Dold Markus , Kasper Siegfried
Published: January 2022

Die unipolare Depression zählt weltweit zu den häufigsten psychischen Erkrankungen und ist mit einer enormen Krankheitslast assoziiert. Trotz Verfügbarkeit von zahlreichen effektiven und gut verträglichen antidepressiv wirksamen Psychopharmakotherapeutika erreicht nur etwa ein Drittel unserer Patientinnen und Patienten auf eine etablierte antidepressive „First-line-Therapie“ eine vollständige Remission. Im Gegensatz dazu spricht ein weiteres Drittel aller Betroffenen auf zwei konsekutive, adäquate antidepressive Therapien mit gleich oder unterschiedlich wirkenden Antidepressiva, die ausreichend hoch dosiert und genügend lange verabreicht wurden, nur unzureichend an und erfüllt somit die Kriterien einer therapieresistenten Depression (TRD). Das Vorhandensein einer TRD stellt für Behandler häufig eine sehr anspruchsvolle, klinische Herausforderung dar. Der folgende Artikel unterstreicht die Wichtigkeit der therapeutischen Beziehung und effektiver, transparenter Kommunikation sowie die absolute Notwendigkeit, das therapeutische Vorgehen strikt nach bestehenden Leitlinien auszurichten, um einen optimalen Therapieerfolg zu gewährleisten. Ein Fallbericht skizziert eine erfolgreiche Anwendung von Esketamin-Nasenspray als höchst effektive neu zugelassene Behandlungsoption.
Affine-invariant contracting-point methods for Convex Optimization
Authors: Doikov Nikita , Nesterov Yurii
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we develop new affine-invariant algorithms for solving composite convex minimization problems with bounded domain. We present a general framework of Contracting-Point methods, which solve at each iteration an auxiliary subproblem restricting the smooth part of the objective function onto contraction of the initial domain. This framework provides us with a systematic way for developing optimization methods of different order, endowed with the global complexity bounds. We show that using an appropriate affine-invariant smoothness condition, it is possible to implement one iteration of the Contracting-Point method by one step of the pure tensor method of degree $$p \ge 1$$

p
≥
1

. The resulting global rate of convergence in functional residual is then $${\mathcal {O}}(1 / k^p)$$

O
(
1
/

k
p

)

, where k is the iteration counter. It is important that all constants in our bounds are affine-invariant. For $$p = 1$$

p
=
1

, our scheme recovers well-known Frank–Wolfe algorithm, providing it with a new interpretation by a general perspective of tensor methods. Finally, within our framework, we present efficient implementation and total complexity analysis of the inexact second-order scheme $$(p = 2)$$

(
p
=
2
)

, called Contracting Newton method. It can be seen as a proper implementation of the trust-region idea. Preliminary numerical results confirm its good practical performance both in the number of iterations, and in computational time.
Enhancing strategic defensive positioning and performance in the outfield
Authors: Murray Alan T. , Ortiz Antonio , Cho Seonga
Published: January 2022

Over the past 20 years, professional and collegiate baseball has undergone a transformation, with statistics and analytics increasingly factoring into most of the decisions being made on the field. One particular example of the increased role of analytics is in the positioning of outfielders, who are tasked with tracking down balls hit to the outfield to record outs and minimize potential offensive damage. This paper explores the potential of location analytics to enhance the strategic positioning of players, enabling improved response and performance. We implement a location optimization model to analyze collegiate ball-tracking data, seeking outfielder locations that simultaneously minimize the average distance to a batted ball and maximize the weighted importance of batted ball coverage within a response standard. Trade-off outfielder configurations are compared to observed fielder positioning, finding that location models and spatial optimization can lead to performance improvements ranging from 1 to 3%, offering a significant strategic advantage over the course of a season.
Scalar Forcing Methodology for Direct Numerical Simulations of Turbulent Stratified Mixture Combustion
Authors: Brearley Peter , Ahmed Umair , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: January 2022

Scalar forcing in the context of turbulent stratified flame simulations aims to maintain the fuel-air inhomogeneity in the unburned gas. With scalar forcing, stratified flame simulations have the potential to reach a statistically stationary state with a prescribed mixture fraction distribution and root-mean-square value in the unburned gas, irrespective of the turbulence intensity. The applicability of scalar forcing for Direct Numerical Simulations of stratified mixture combustion is assessed by considering a recently developed scalar forcing scheme, known as the reaction analogy method, applied to both passive scalar mixing and the imperfectly mixed unburned reactants of statistically planar stratified flames under low Mach number conditions. The newly developed method enables statistically symmetric scalar distributions between bell-shaped and bimodal to be maintained without any significant departure from the specified bounds of the scalar. Moreover, the performance of the newly proposed scalar forcing methodology has been assessed for a range of different velocity forcing schemes (Lundgren forcing and modified bandwidth forcing) and also without any velocity forcing. It has been found that the scalar forcing scheme has no adverse impact on flame-turbulence interaction and it only maintains the prescribed root-mean-square value of the scalar fluctuation, and its distribution. The scalar integral length scale evolution is shown to be unaffected by the scalar forcing scheme studied in this paper. Thus, the scalar forcing scheme has a high potential to provide a valuable computational tool to enable analysis of the effects of unburned mixture stratification on turbulent flame dynamics.
Climate change or mismanagement?
Authors: Froese Rainer , Papaioannou Eva , Scotti Marco
Published: January 2022

Climate change and deoxygenation are affecting fish stocks on a global scale, but disentangling the impacts of these stressors from the effects of overfishing is a challenge. This study was conducted to distinguish between climate change and mismanagement as possible causes for the drastic decline in spawning stock size and reproductive success in cod (Gadus morhua) and herring (Clupea harengus) in the Western Baltic Sea, when compared with the good or satisfactory status and reproductive success of the other commercial species in the area. Available data on water temperature, wind speed, and plankton bloom during the spawning season did not reveal conclusive correlations between years with good and bad reproductive success of cod or herring. Notably, the other commercial species in the area have very similar life history traits suggesting similar resilience against stress caused by climate change or fishing. The study concludes that severe, sustained overfishing plus inappropriate size selectivity of the main fishing gears have caused the decline in spawning stock biomass of cod and herring to levels that are known to have a high probability of impaired reproductive success. It is pointed out that allowed catches were regulated by management and adhered to by the fishers, meaning that unregulated fishing did not occur. Thus, mismanagement (quotas that were too high and gears that selected too small sizes) and not climate change appears to be the primary cause of the bad status of cod and herring in the Western Baltic Sea.
Identification of the factors determining the concentration and spatial distribution of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soils of the non-forest Tatra Mountains (southern Poland)
Authors: Ciarkowska Krystyna , Miechówka Anna
Published: January 2022

We investigated trace-metal (TM)––Zn, Pb and Cd––concentrations and spatial distributions in the uppermost layers of non-forest soils from Tatra National Park (West Carpathians). We aimed to determine the main factors affecting the distribution of TMs, as well as the risk they posed to the environment. TM concentrations were compared to the target and intervention values established by the Dutch Ministry. Principle component analysis was used to identify the potential factors affecting TM accumulation, with two-factor analysis being applied to further examine the importance of any given factor. To examine the regularity of the TM distribution, semivariograms were created. The semivariograms of Cd and Pb were similar, suggesting a moderate spatial dependence for these metal concentrations, while the Zn variogram indicated a lack of spatial continuity for this metal. We established that the Zn, Pb and Cd exceeded target levels and at some sites, Cd exceeded the intervention values, posing a strong ecological risk to the environment. Our study confirmed that the parent rock was the most important factor affecting the TM accumulation. The carbonate-free soils differed from carbonate soils in the second important factor affecting TM accumulation, for carbonate-free soils it was location when for carbonate soils–TM content in the parent material. The Zn, Pb and Cd distribution patterns indicated that Cd, but also to a lesser degree Pb and Zn, accumulation mainly resulted from long-range transport from industrialised areas, while the Zn concentrations were also affected by local sources, such as the historical mining of Zn ore.
Cost-allocation problems for fuzzy agents in a fixed-tree network
Authors: Fernández Julio R. , Gallego Inés , Jiménez-Losada Andrés , Ordóñez Manuel
Published: January 2022

Cost-allocation problems in a fixed network are concerned with distributing the costs for use by a group of clients who cooperate in order to reduce such costs. We work only with tree networks and we assume that a minimum cost spanning tree network has already been constructed and now we are interested in the maintenance costs. The classic problem supposes that each agent stays for the entire time in the same node of the network. This paper introduces cost-allocation problems in a fixed-tree network with a set of agents whose activity over the nodes is fuzzy. Agent’s needs to pay for each period of time may differ. Moreover, the agents do not always remain in the same node for each period. We propose the extension of a very well-known solution for these problems: Bird’s rule.
Imaging Luminescence Thermometry to 750 °C for the Heat Treatment of Common Engineering Alloys and Comparison with Thermal Imaging
Authors: Sutton Gavin , Korniliou Sofia , Andreu Aurik , Wilson David
Published: January 2022

Accurate temperature measurements are critical in manufacturing, affecting both product quality and energy consumption. At elevated temperatures, non-contact thermometers are often the only option. However, such instruments require prior knowledge of the surface emissivity, which is often unknown or difficult to determine, leading to large errors. Here we present a novel imaging luminescence thermometer based on the intensity ratio technique using magnesium fluorogermanate phosphor, with the potential to overcome this limitation. We describe measurements performed on a number of engineering alloys undergoing heat treatment at temperatures of up to 750 °C and compare these measurements against a traditional contact thermocouple and thermal imager system. Agreement between the luminescence and embedded thermocouple temperatures was found to be better than 45 °C at all temperatures. However, the thermal imager measurement on the bare metal samples, with the instrument emissivity set to 1.0, showed differences of up to 500 °C at 750 °C, a factor of 10 larger. In an effort to improve the thermal imager accuracy, its instrument emissivity was adjusted until its temperature agreed with that of the thermocouple. When measuring on the bare metal, the effective emissivity was strongly sample dependent, with mean values ranging from 0.205 to 0.784. Since the phosphor derived temperatures exhibited substantially smaller errors compared to the thermal imager, it is suggested that this method can be used to compliment the thermal imaging technique, by providing a robust mechanism for adjustment of the instrument emissivity until agreement between the thermal imager and phosphor thermometer is obtained.
Measurement of clustering effectiveness for document collections
Authors: Yuan Meng , Zobel Justin , Lin Pauline
Published: January 2022

Clustering of the contents of a document corpus is used to create sub-corpora with the intention that they are expected to consist of documents that are related to each other. However, while clustering is used in a variety of ways in document applications such as information retrieval, and a range of methods have been applied to the task, there has been relatively little exploration of how well it works in practice. Indeed, given the high dimensionality of the data it is possible that clustering may not always produce meaningful outcomes. In this paper we use a well-known clustering method to explore a variety of techniques, existing and novel, to measure clustering effectiveness. Results with our new, extrinsic techniques based on relevance judgements or retrieved documents demonstrate that retrieval-based information can be used to assess the quality of clustering, and also show that clustering can succeed to some extent at gathering together similar material. Further, they show that intrinsic clustering techniques that have been shown to be informative in other domains do not work for information retrieval. Whether clustering is sufficiently effective to have a significant impact on practical retrieval is unclear, but as the results show our measurement techniques can effectively distinguish between clustering methods.
Character Strengths and Social Support as Protective Factors between Grandparents’ Caregiving and Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Noriega Cristina , Velasco Cristina , Pérez-Rojo Gema , López Javier
Published: January 2022

The number of grandparents providing supplementary care for their grandchildren has increased in the past decades. When analyzing the relationship between the amount of care provided by grandparents and their health, there are mixed results. Some studies suggest that the effects on supplementary caregivers’ health appear to be mediated by the context of caregiving (e.g., personal resources, social context, etc) instead of by its intensity. However, little data has examined the relationship between care intensity and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) (a concept that goes beyond health status) and what protective factors may mediate between care provided by grandparents and HRQoL. Based on the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin, 1993), we aimed to examine how the amount of care provided to grandchildren relates to grandparents’ mental and physical HRQoL and if social support and character strengths act as protective factors mediating this relationship. A sample of 300 grandparents from Spain participated in this study. We grouped participants by the type of supplementary care they were providing: regular or occasional. To test our hypotheses, we conducted path analysis. Character strengths and social support mediated the effect of the amount of care on grandparents’ mental HRQoL. Results also underlined the importance of character strengths as a mediator between the amount of care provided and grandparents’ physical HRQoL. This study highlights the importance of considering a positive orientation focused on protective factors (social support and character strengths) that may minimize the impact of the difficulties associated with grandparents’ caregiving.
Fear Conditioning Deficits in Children and Adolescents with Psychopathic Traits: a Study in a Clinical Population
Authors: Ivanova-Serokhvostova Anastasiya , Molinuevo Beatriz , Torrents-Rodas David , Bonillo Albert , Pérez-Bonaventura Iris , Corrales Montserrat , Pamias Montserrat , Ramos-Quiroga Josep Antoni , Torrubia Rafael
Published: January 2022

Deficits in fear conditioning related to psychopathy have been widely studied in adults. However, evidence in children and adolescents is scarce and inconsistent. This research aimed to expand knowledge about fear conditioning in psychopathy and its dimensions in child and early adolescent clinical populations. Participants were 45 boys (outpatients) aged 6–14 years (M = 10.59, SD = 2.04). They were assessed with the parents’ and teachers’ versions of the Child Problematic Traits Inventory (CPTI). A fear conditioning paradigm (Neumann et al., in Biological Psychology, 79(3), 337–342, 2008) for children and adolescents was used. Conditioned stimuli (CS+ and CS-) were geometric shapes and the unconditioned stimulus (US) was an unpleasant sound of metal scraping on slate (83 dB). Difference scores (CS+ minus CS-) in skin conductance responses (SCR) and self-reported cognitive and affective measures were considered as indices of fear conditioning. Results showed that: a) deficits in fear conditioning were related to some psychopathy dimensions but not to psychopathy as a unitary construct; b) the Impulsivity-Need for Stimulation dimension was a predictor of impaired fear conditioning at a cognitive level; c) the interaction of Callous-Unemotional and Impulsivity-Need for Stimulation dimensions was a significant predictor of impaired electrodermal fear conditioning; d) by contrast, the Grandiose-Deceitful dimension, was marginally associated with a greater electrodermal fear conditioning. In conclusion, psychopathy dimensions and their interactions, but not psychopathy as a whole, predicted deficits in fear conditioning as measured by SCR and cognitive indices. These findings confirm the notion that psychopathic traits are associated with deficits in fear conditioning in child and adolescent clinical populations and provide support for a multidimensional approach to youth psychopathy.
The bifunctional formalism: an alternative treatment of density functionals
Authors: Finzel Kati
Published: January 2022

The bifunctional formalism presents an alternative how to obtain the functional value from its functional derivative by exploiting homogeneous density scaling. In the bifunctional formalism the density dependence of the functional derivative is suppressed. Consequently, those derivatives have to be treated as formal functional derivatives. For a pointwise correspondence between the true and the formal functional derivative, the bifunctional expression yields the same value as the density functional. Within the bifunctional formalism the functional value can directly be obtained from its derivative (while the functional itself remains unknown). Since functional derivatives are up to a constant uniquely defined, this approach allows for a pointwise comparison between approximate potentials and reference potentials. This aspect is especially important in the field of orbital-free density functional theory, where the burden is to approximate the kinetic energy. Since in the bifunctional approach the potential is approximated directly, full control is given over the latter, and consequently over the final electron densities obtained from variational procedure. Besides the bifunctional formalism itself another concept is introduced, dividing the total non-interacting kinetic energy into a known functional part and a remainder, called Pauli kinetic energy. Only the remainder requires further approximations. For practical purposes sufficiently accurate Pauli potentials for application on atoms, molecular and solid-state systems are presented.
Seasonal variations of natural products in European herbs
Authors: Li Yan , Zidorn Christian
Published: January 2022

The present review gives an overview about the status of research on seasonal variation of natural products in herbs growing in or grown in Europe. Due to pronounced differences in weather patterns, papers covering plants from the Mediterranean, the temperate, and the cold climate zones are reviewed separately. Apart from trying to give an overview of the existing newer literature after the year 2000, we try to identify some repeatedly found seasonal trends and discuss some possible explanations for these trends. Moreover, some suggestions, which encompass both research bias and desirable quality standards concerning experimental designs for future studies, are given. The covered investigations are mainly focused on aerial parts and leaves. Some publications are also dealing with flowers and roots. The composition of essential oils of aromatic plants are particularly well investigated. Phenolics are the most often studied compound class, including different types of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. Additionally, some papers assess the seasonal variation of alkaloids and lipophilic compounds.
Heavy metal–induced stress in eukaryotic algae—mechanisms of heavy metal toxicity and tolerance with particular emphasis on oxidative stress in exposed cells and the role of antioxidant response
Authors: Nowicka Beatrycze
Published: January 2022

Heavy metals is a collective term describing metals and metalloids with a density higher than 5 g/cm3. Some of them are essential micronutrients; others do not play a positive role in living organisms. Increased anthropogenic emissions of heavy metal ions pose a serious threat to water and land ecosystems. The mechanism of heavy metal toxicity predominantly depends on (1) their high affinity to thiol groups, (2) spatial similarity to biochemical functional groups, (3) competition with essential metal cations, (4) and induction of oxidative stress. The antioxidant response is therefore crucial for providing tolerance to heavy metal-induced stress. This review aims to summarize the knowledge of heavy metal toxicity, oxidative stress and antioxidant response in eukaryotic algae. Types of ROS, their formation sites in photosynthetic cells, and the damage they cause to the cellular components are described at the beginning. Furthermore, heavy metals are characterized in more detail, including their chemical properties, roles they play in living cells, sources of contamination, biochemical mechanisms of toxicity, and stress symptoms. The following subchapters contain the description of low-molecular-weight antioxidants and ROS-detoxifying enzymes, their properties, cellular localization, and the occurrence in algae belonging to different clades, as well as the summary of the results of the experiments concerning antioxidant response in heavy metal-treated eukaryotic algae. Other mechanisms providing tolerance to metal ions are briefly outlined at the end.
Perceived Gambling Availability and Adolescent Gambling Behavior: the Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Parrado-González Alberto , Fernández-Calderón Fermín , León-Jariego José C.
Published: January 2022

Geographic accessibility has been linked to gambling behavior, but little is known about whether the perception of gambling availability in both offline and online venues is prospectively associated with adolescent gambling behavior. Further, relatively few studies have analyzed the interaction between environmental and individual factors in explaining adolescent gambling and problem gambling. This prospective study examined the association between perceived gambling availability, gambling frequency, and problem gambling among 554 adolescents aged 13–17 years (mean = 15.1, female 47.4%) and explored the moderating role of self-efficacy to control gambling in these associations. Participants completed assessments of perceived gambling availability and gambling self-efficacy at baseline. Gambling frequency and problem gambling were measured at follow-up. Two separate hierarchical regression models were applied to analyze the relationship of perceived gambling availability with gambling behavior and the moderating role of gambling self-efficacy. Results showed that a greater perception of gambling availability was associated with a higher gambling frequency and more problem gambling in adolescents. The impact of perceived gambling availability on gambling frequency and problem gambling was lower among participants with moderate gambling self-efficacy in comparison with participants with low gambling self-efficacy. In those adolescents with high self-efficacy to control gambling, perceived gambling availability was not associated either with gambling frequency or problem gambling. These results suggest the usefulness of implementing regulatory policies aimed at reducing gambling availability in adolescents, and the design of preventative interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy to control gambling.
Diabetes Resolution at 10 Years After Biliopancreatic Diversion in Overweight and Class 1 Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Papadia Francesco Saverio , Carlini Flavia , Rubartelli Alice , Battistini Micaela , Cordera Renzo , Adami Gian Franco , Camerini Giovanni
Published: January 2022

Background

Long-term anti-diabetic effects of BPD in overweight or class 1 obese T2DM patients were investigated reporting the results at 10 years after BPD performed in severely non-obese T2DM patients.

Material and Methods

Thirty T2DM patients with BMI lower than 35 kg/m2were investigated at 1, 5, and 10 years after BPD, and the results are compared with those of 30 T2DM patients followed for 10 years on pharmacological and/or behavioral conventional therapy.

Results

Mean levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) showed a marked reduction 1 year after BPD, values remaining slightly above the diabetic range throughout the entire follow-up. T2DM remission was observed in about 50% of the cases at 5 and 10 years after the operation. In 16 patients (53%), severe BPD-related complications developed, in ten cases requiring a surgical revision of the operation. In the BPD group, one patient died for malignant lymphoma and two patients after surgical revision. Within the control group, during the 10-year follow-up, no changes in the diabetic status were observed, being the FBG and HbA1Cmean values higher than those recorded in the BPD patients at any follow-up time. All T2DM subjects of the control group were alive at the end of the 10-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Despite satisfactory long-term metabolic outcomes, these data indicate that BPD should be used with caution as a metabolic procedure in the treatment of T2DM in overweight or class 1obese patients.

Graphical abstract
Diversity of marine benthic algae from Cantabria (Eastern Cantabrian, Spain): a historical overview of research and publications
Authors: Cires Eduardo , Cuesta Candela
Published: January 2022

The macroalgal flora of Cantabria (north of Spain) has attracted the interest of many researchers on past occasions. Currently published information only reflects occasional collections from sporadic field visits to this region of the Spanish Atlantic coast. To overcome this, a historical overview of research and publications, encompassing collections and presence data recording, has been undertaken. This work lists the resultant taxonomic records and provides information about macroalgal flora of Cantabria. A total of 425 species (25 Cyanobacteria, 55 Chlorophyta, 81 Ochrophyta, and 264 Rhodophyta) were identified. The number of specific, infraspecific taxa, and stages is 437: 25 Cyanobacteria, 57 Chlorophyta, 89 Ochrophyta, and 266 Rhodophyta. The floristic character of flora from the Cantabrian coast is compared over time and with nearby regions applying Cheney’s ratio [(Rhodophyta+Chlorophyta)/ Ochrophyta, or (R+C)/O]. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the research that has been conducted in the Cantabrian coast, not only found in international publications but also in local publications as well as unpublished theses.
Besonders, aber nicht besondernd zu betrachten
Authors: Sandermann Philipp , Wenzel Laura , Winkel Marek
Published: January 2022

Der Beitrag diskutiert kritisch den aktuellen Forschungsstand zum Thema fluchterfahrener Familien in Deutschland und reflektiert diesen für die Weiterentwicklung einer heterogenitätssensiblen Sozialen Arbeit. Dafür gleichen wir den Forschungsstand mit Erkenntnissen der allgemeinen Familienforschung und der Migrationsgesellschaftsforschung ab. Dabei zeigt sich, dass ein Großteil bisher vorliegender Studien zur Familialität fluchterfahrener Personen dazu tendiert, diese besondernd zu erfassen und dabei ordnungs- und sozialpolitisch tradierte Vorstellungen „der geflüchteten Familie“ zu reproduzieren. Wir zeigen auf, welche Optionen einer Vergegenständlichung von Familialitäten fluchterfahrener Personen zugunsten einer heterogenitätssensibel ansetzenden Sozialen Arbeit stärker zu reflektieren sind.
Alternative Metabolic Strategies are Employed by Endurance Runners of Different Body Sizes; Implications for Human Evolution
Authors: Longman Daniel P. , Merzbach Viviane , Pinto Jorge Marques , Atkinson Laura Hope , Wells Jonathan C. K. , Gordon Dan , Stock Jay T.
Published: January 2022

Objective

A suite of adaptations facilitating endurance running (ER) evolved within the hominin lineage. This may have improved our ability to reach scavenging sites before competitors, or to hunt prey over long distances. Running economy (RE) is a key determinant of endurance running performance, and depends largely on the magnitude of force required to support body mass. However, numerous environmental factors influence body mass, thereby significantly affecting RE. This study tested the hypothesis that alternative metabolic strategies may have emerged to enable ER in individuals with larger body mass and poor RE.

Methods

A cohort of male (n = 25) and female (n = 19) ultra-endurance runners completed submaximal and exhaustive treadmill protocols to determine RE, and V̇O2Max.

Results

Body mass was positively associated with sub-maximal oxygen consumption at both LT1 (maler=0.66,p<0.001; female LT1r=0.23,p=0.177) and LT2 (maler=0.59,p=0.001; femaler=0.23,p=0.183) and also with V̇O2Max(maler=0.60,p=0.001; femaler=0.41,p=0.046). Additionally, sub-maximal oxygen consumption varied positively with V̇O2Maxin both male (LT1r=0.54,p=0.003; LT2r=0.77,p<0.001) and female athletes (LT1r=0.88,p<0.001; LT2r=0.92,p<0.001).

Conclusions

The results suggest that, while individuals with low mass and good RE can glide economically as they run, larger individuals can compensate for the negative effects their mass has on RE by increasing their capacity to consume oxygen. The elevated energy expenditure of this low-economy high-energy turnover approach to ER may bring costs associated with energy diversion away from other physiological processes, however.
Measuring adoption of industry 4.0 technologies via international trade data: insights from European countries
Authors: Castellani Davide , Lamperti Fabio , Lavoratori Katiuscia
Published: January 2022

The investigation of the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and its implications, both at the macro and micro level, has attracted growing interest in the recent literature. Most studies have looked at the production and diffusion of related innovations and knowledge, but what do we know about the adoption of these technologies over time and across countries? In this paper, we look at three I4.0 technologies and present a new empirical perspective able to overcome the limitations of existing attempts at measuring their adoption, generally based on small-scale and country-specific studies. Our study provides a methodology that allows measuring adoption across countries for a relatively long time period. In so doing, we build on the well-established idea in the international economics literature that trade of capital goods captures technology diffusion, and so adoption across countries. We provide preliminary and comprehensive evidence on the adoption of these I4.0 technologies in Europe and set the premise for monitoring its evolution and implications on a large scale and over time.
Hunters’ Willingness to Pay to Avoid Processing Costs Associated with Harvesting Infected Game
Authors: Adhikari Ram Kumar , Poudyal Neelam Chandra , Muller Lisa I. , Yoest Chuck
Published: January 2022

We assessed hunters’ willingness to participate in a scheme to recover the costs associated with processing diseased game. The results indicated that fifty-one percent of the hunters in a region affected by chronic wasting disease are interested in such a scheme and willing to pay an average of $20 per animal. Their willingness to participate is affected by risk perception, hunting experience, use of processing services, and income. Further, establishing such a market-based scheme would be financially profitable to game processors and helpful to wildlife agencies interested in encouraging hunters’ harvest to reduce herds and facilitate effective disease surveillance.
Three-dimensional finite-time guidance law based on sliding mode adaptive RBF neural network against a highly manoeuvering target
Authors: Wu G. , Zhang K. , Han Z.
Published: January 2022

In order to intercept a highly manoeuvering target with an ideal impact angle in the three-dimensional space, this paper promises to probe into the problem of three-dimensional terminal guidance. With the goal of the highly target acceleration and short terminal guidance time, a guidance law, based on the advanced fast non-singular terminal sliding mode theory, is designed to quickly converge the line-of-sight (LOS) angle and the LOS angular rate within a finite time. In the design process, the target acceleration is regarded as an unknown boundary external disturbance of the guidance system, and the RBF neural network is used to estimate it. In order to improve the estimation accuracy of RBF neural network and accelerate its convergence, the parameters of RBF neural network are adjusted online in real time. At the same time, an adaptive law is designed to compensate the estimation error of the RBF neural network, which improves the convergence speed of the guidance system. Theoretical analysis demonstrates that the state and the sliding manifold of the guidance system converge in finite time. According to Lyapunov theory, the stability of the system can be guaranteed by online adjusting the parameters of RBF neural network and adaptive parameters. The numerical simulation results verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed guidance law.
Economies of diversification and stochastic dominance analysis in French mixed sheep farms
Authors: Minviel Jean Joseph , Benoit Marc
Published: January 2022

Farm diversification is mainly driven by risk mitigation effects and economic gains related to complementarities between production activities. By combining these two aspects, we investigate diversification economies in a sample of French mixed sheep farming systems and rank these systems using stochastic dominance criteria. Partially diversified systems (Sheep-Grass, Sheep-Crop, Sheep-Landless) and fully diversified systems (Sheep-Grass-Crop-Landless) were evaluated. We find a high degree of diversification diseconomies in the sheep farming systems considered. The results also indicate that the fully diversified system is driven by its risk-reducing effects (including downside risk exposure) and that Sheep-Crop is the dominant system in terms of risk-adjusted returns.