bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent pixel‐level detection of multiple distresses and surface design features on asphalt pavements
Authors: Zhang Allen A. , Wang Kelvin C. P. , Liu Yang , Zhan You , Yang Guangwei , Wang Guolong , Yang Enhui , Zhang Hang , Dong Zishuo , He Anzheng , Xu Jie , Shang Jing
Published: August 2022

Simultaneous pixel‐level detection of multiple distresses and surface design features on complex asphalt pavements is a critical challenge in intelligent pavement survey. This paper proposes a deep‐learning model named ShuttleNet to provide an efficient solution for this challenge by implementing robust semantic segmentation on asphalt pavements. The proposed ShuttleNet aims at repeating the encoding–decoding round freely or even endlessly such that the contexts at different resolution levels can be learned and integrated many times for enhanced latent representations. Additionally, a new and efficient connection method called memory connection is also proposed in the paper and deployed in the ShuttleNet model to provide shortcut connections between successive encoding–decoding rounds. The proposed memory connection can partially or entirely carry the decoded information at different resolution levels into the next encoding–decoding round. Pairing 3D pavement images with 2D pavement images, the proposed ShuttleNet model is applied to detect multiple distresses and surface design features on asphalt pavements simultaneously, including pavement cracks, potholes, sealed cracks, patches, markings, expansion joints, and the pavement background. Experimental results demonstrate that the mean F‐measure and mean intersection‐over‐union attained by the recommended architectural variation of the proposed ShuttleNet model on 1500 testing image pairs are 92.54% and 0.8657 respectively. According to the performance comparisons using both private and public datasets, the proposed ShuttleNet model can yield a noticeably higher detection accuracy, compared with four state‐of‐the‐art models for semantic segmentation.
A multipoint prediction model for nonlinear displacement of concrete dam
Authors: Yao Kefu , Wen Zhiping , Yang Lifu , Chen Jian , Hou Huiwei , Su Huaizhi
Published: August 2022

Measurement points are installed in concrete dams to monitor nonlinear displacement behavior of dam systems working in complex and aggressive environment. Most modeling works for predicting displacements of these measurement points are limited to single output in point‐by‐point modeling way, with little attention paid to partition‐based multipoint combined modeling. Therefore, a novel multipoint prediction model (MPM) for concrete dam displacement is proposed whose novelty lies in, first, a partition method for measurement points of dam engineering that considers waveform used to identify dam deformation trend and chaos used to describe overall stability and inherent stochasticity in nonlinear displacement series of dam system, and second, a multi‐output support vector machine optimized by an improved grey wolf optimizer with better hierarchy and information transmission. The monitoring data of a super‐high concrete arch dam are used to verify the proposed model. Results indicate that the MPM shows feasibility and generalization capability regarding dam engineering and reaches the performance level of single‐point benchmark models. Robustness, sensitivity, and reasonability of the model are also discussed by random noise, sliding window, and perturbations.
Riboflavin salvage by Borrelia burgdorferi supports carbon metabolism and is essential for survival in the tick vector
Authors: Ramos Darlene , Lasseter Amanda G. , Richards Crystal L. , Schwarz Benjamin , Ghosh Susmita , Victoria Berta , Bosio Catharine M. , Gherardini Frank C. , Jewett Mollie W.
Published: August 2022

The Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, harbors a significantly reduced genome and relies on the scavenging of critical nutrients from its tick and mammalian hosts for survival. Riboflavin salvage has been shown to be important for B. burgdorferi infection of mice, yet the contributions of riboflavin to B. burgdorferi metabolism and survival in the tick remain unknown. Using a targeted mass spectrometry approach, we confirmed the importance of bb0318, the putative ATPase component of an ABC‐type riboflavin transporter, for riboflavin salvage and the production of FMN and FAD. This analysis further revealed that Δbb0318 B. burgdorferi displayed increased levels of glycerol 3‐phosphate compared to the wild‐type. The glycerol 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity of GlpD was found to be FAD‐dependent and the transcription and translation of glpD were significantly decreased in Δbb0318 B. burgdorferi. Finally, gene bb0318 was found to be important for maximal spirochete burden in unfed larvae and essential for survival in feeding ticks. Together, these data demonstrate the importance of riboflavin salvage for B. burgdorferi carbon metabolism and survival in ticks.
Comparison of kidney transplant outcomes in HLA compatible and incompatible transplantation: A national cohort study
Authors: Rennie Trijntje J. W. , Battle Richard K. , Abel Angela A. , McConnell Sylvia , McLaren Robert , Phelan Paul J. , Geddes Colin , Padmanabhan Neal , Clancy Marc J. , Little Ann‐Margaret , Turner David M.
Published: August 2022

Background

Reports of HLA incompatible (HLAi) kidney transplant outcomes are inconclusive, especially in the context of lower level Donor Specific Antibodies (DSA).

Methods

Multi‐centre national cohort study of HLAi kidney transplant recipients matched in 1:2 ratio with HLA compatible (HLAc) kidney transplant recipients. HLAi defined as DSA identified by Luminex. Antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and transplant‐survival were analysed using Kaplan–Meier plots. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to compare recipient and transplant survival between groups.

Results

We included 61 HLAi and 122 HLAc recipients; mean age 46 years; 60% female. MFIT0: 3327 (IQR 1352–6458), 23 (38%) were Flow cytometry crossmatch positive (FC‐XMPOS). DSAPOS/FC‐XMPOS transplantation carried an increased risk of AMR at 1 year (52%) compared to DSAPOS/FC‐XMNEG (27%) and HLAc (0%). Unadjusted death censored graft loss at 3 years was 13% (HLAi) and 8% (HLAc). Three‐year patient survival was 95% in HLAc, 84% in DSAPOS/FC‐XMNEG and 69% in DSAPOS/FC‐XMPOS recipients; 58% of HLAi deaths were infection‐related. HLA incompatibility was associated with a decreased 3‐year survival in our PS‐matched cohort.

Conclusion

In kidney transplantation, DSA and positive FC‐XM carries an increased risk of AMR. Despite inferior transplant and survival outcomes compared to HLAc transplantation, it remains a realistic option for highly sensitized patients facing prolonged waiting times and reduced survival on dialysis.
Comparative transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal specialized metabolite drought stress responses in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Authors: Tiedge Kira , Li Xingxing , Merrill Amy T. , Davisson Danielle , Chen Yuxuan , Yu Ping , Tantillo Dean J. , Last Robert L. , Zerbe Philipp
Published: August 2022

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a bioenergy model crop valued for its energy efficiency and drought tolerance. The related monocot species rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays) deploy species‐specific, specialized metabolites as core stress defenses. By contrast, specialized chemical defenses in switchgrass are largely unknown.

To investigate specialized metabolic drought responses in switchgrass, we integrated tissue‐specific transcriptome and metabolite analyses of the genotypes Alamo and Cave‐in‐Rock that feature different drought tolerance.

The more drought‐susceptible Cave‐in‐Rock featured an earlier onset of transcriptomic changes and significantly more differentially expressed genes in response to drought compared to Alamo. Specialized pathways showed moderate differential expression compared to pronounced transcriptomic alterations in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. However, diterpenoid‐biosynthetic genes showed drought‐inducible expression in Alamo roots, contrasting largely unaltered triterpenoid and phenylpropanoid pathways. Metabolomic analyses identified common and genotype‐specific flavonoids and terpenoids. Consistent with transcriptomic alterations, several root diterpenoids showed significant drought‐induced accumulation, whereas triterpenoid abundance remained predominantly unchanged. Structural analysis verified select drought‐responsive diterpenoids as oxygenated furanoditerpenoids.

Drought‐dependent transcriptome and metabolite profiles provide the foundation to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying switchgrass drought responses. Accumulation of specialized root diterpenoids and corresponding pathway transcripts supports a role in drought stress tolerance.
Anatomy of a justified sinner in Sartre's “L'enfance d'un chef” through the object‐relations psychology
Authors: Dalmas Franck
Published: August 2022

Jean‐Paul Sartre coined a psychoanalytic method in his biographical works to evidence existential choices while distancing himself from Freudian models. The novella “L'enfance d'un chef” (1939) is the pretext to explore the life plan of an individual prone to schizoid syndromes due to his upbringing and social binds. This article examines the itinerary of Lucien Fleurier through his misconstrued edification and empowerment, stemming from childhood fallacies, anxiety buildup, and ego splitting. The maturing process in his life story would assuredly reveal the emergence of Sartre's existential psychoanalysis. My vantage point, however, tackles striking similarities with a concurrent psychoanalytic revision, the object‐relations theory, articulated by W. R. D. Fairbairn in the 1940s. It is my contention that this original and coincidental endopsychic structure proposes a remarkable parallel for the errant choices in Sartre's antihero.
Effect of C1 Single‐door Laminoplasty on Symptomatic Atlas Canal Stenosis
Authors: Chen Linwei , Zhu Xiuliang , He Bin , Chen Qixin , Li Fangcai
Published: August 2022

Objective

To verify the effect of single‐door laminoplasty combined with atlantoaxial fusion in the treatment of symptomatic atlas canal stenosis.

Methods

This is a single‐center retrospective analysis. From February 2014 to January 2019, 16 patients (five were females) with an average age of 63.4 years (56–71 years) were enrolled in this study. Patients with compressive cervical myelopathy with CT scan showed an inner sagittal diameter (ISD) of C1 less than 29 mm or C1 canal space available for cord (SAC) of <12 mm were included, while isolated C1 stenosis without myelopathy or isolated C1 stenosis without atlantoaxial subluxation were excluded in this study. All patients underwent continuous heavy‐weight skull traction, atlas single‐door laminoplasty and atlantoaxial fusion. The differences in the pre‐ and post‐operative inner sagittal diameter, space available for cord, atlas‐dens interval (ADI) and compression of the spinal cord were analyzed by using CT and MRI. Functional evaluation was performed by using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system and the Neck Disability Index scoring system.

Results

Single‐door laminoplasty provided a full decompression for the spinal cord while retaining the whole posterior arch. No complications were encountered except a superficial wound infection in one patient. At final follow‐up, The ADI was significantly reduced from 5.2 ± 1.8 mm to 1.7 ± 0.6 mm after surgery on average (P < 0.05). Average inner sagittal diameter of C1 was increased from 26.3 ± 2.6 mm to 34.9 ± 2.9 mm and the space available for cord was increased from 6 ± 1.7 mm to 17.8 ± 3.6 mm (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score of the 16 cases was improved from 11.4 ± 1.8 to 14.1 ± 1.4 on average (P < 0.05). The postoperative neck pain VAS score decreased significantly, from 2.6 ± 1.0 preoperatively to 1.3 ± 0.9 postoperatively (P < 0.05). The influence of neck pain on patient's life was improved from 17.8 ± 3.9 to 13.9 ± 3.3 after surgery (P < 0.05). At the last follow‐up, the healing of the hinge fracture and the fusion between atlas and axis were observed in all patients.

Conclusions

Single‐door laminoplasty combined with atlantoaxial fusion not only provides enough space for decompression but also offers intact arch for bone grafting, suggesting that it might provide a more feasible method for the correction of symptomatic atlas canal stenosis.
Pulsed electrical field in arrhythmia treatment: Current status and future directions
Authors: Qiu Jie , Lan Lan , Wang Yan
Published: August 2022

Pulsed electrical field (PEF) ablation is a promising novel ablation modality for the treatment of arrhythmia, especially for atrial fibrillation (AF). There have been several important advances in PEF ablation over the past several years, such as the parameters of PEF delivery and electrode Design. And the results in almost all clinical studies of PEF for AF ablation are optimistic, both in terms of effectiveness and safety. This article provides a brief overview of the mechanism and technical progress of PEF ablation in cardiac arrhythmia treatment, and discuss it’s potential applications and the future development.
Self‐reported pain during the initial postoperative period following open lumbar spine fusion surgery does not correlate with the number of levels fused: A prospective trial of 40 patients
Authors: Shani Adi , Baron Shahaf Dana , Ciubotaru Dan , Rod Alon , Rahamimov Nimrod
Published: August 2022

Background

Current spine postoperative pain control protocols consider the expected pain following spine fusion surgery to correlate with surgical extent, that is, the greater the number of operated vertebrae, the greater the postoperative pain. Due to this assumption, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are principally applied to minimally invasive and percutaneous spine surgery and less to open extensive spine fusion operations. The aim of this study was to determine whether postoperative pain does in fact correlate with the surgical extent, potentially opening the door to non‐narcotic postoperative pain protocols for this patient subset.

Materials and methods

Forty consecutive patients, undergoing open posterior spine surgery, were evaluated for postoperative pain during the first 72 after surgery. All patients were then divided into two groups according to the number of spine levels fused, and the correlation between the number of fusion levels and self‐reported pain was analyzed statistically.

Results

Self‐reported pain levels were not found to correlate with the extent of the spine operation.

Conclusions

As “bigger operation” does not necessarily equate with “bigger pain,” adequate postoperative pain control after extensive spine fusion surgery might be achieved without the routine use of narcotic medication, as practiced after minimally invasive and percutaneous surgery. Additional prospective randomized trials are needed to further substantiate this conclusion.
Health situation and perceived health status among women experiencing homelessness: A longitudinal study in Spain
Authors: Lenta Malena , Panadero Sonia , Cabrera Adrian , Vázquez José Juan
Published: August 2022

The paper analyses the health situation and the perceived health status of a sample of women experiencing homelessness (n = 138) in Madrid, Spain. All participants were adults, and the night before the baseline interview, they had slept on the street, at a shelter or any facility provided to care for people living homeless. The information was collected using structured interviews, repeated twice a year for a 3‐year follow‐up period. The findings of this study show that women experiencing homelessness presented poor health, particularly in comparison with the general Spanish population. Over half of the women questioned claimed to have a diagnosed serious or chronic illness, with a correlation between these conditions and the age, time spent homeless or high levels of drug use. There was a positive correlation found between women's perceived health status and being younger and having access to independent accommodation, while having suffered a number of stressful life events and having spent long periods of time living homeless presented a negative correlation with a good perceived health status.
Power Line Extraction and Obstacle Inspection of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Oblique Images Constrained by the Vertical Plane
Authors: Li Cailin , Zhu Fuhong , Guo Baoyun , Wang Zhiyong , Jiang Xiaobin , Wang Jiawen , Liao Xiangcan
Published: August 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection of vegetation or other obstacles in power transmission line corridors is an economical and efficient method. Spatial power lines cannot be directly restored in the single airborne photographic geometry, and automatic robust extraction of power lines under complex background is a bottleneck problem in the current transmission line reconstruction. Thus, a robust restoration method of the power line spatial position based on the vertical plane constraint was proposed that can restore the entire power line three‐dimensional (3D) points. First, the spatial position of the hanging points at both ends of the power line was solved based on an insulator plumb, and the vertical plane of the power line was determined. A light beam passing through the photographing centre and the image point could then be determined for any image point on the image power line. The intersection point of the light beam and the vertical plane of the power line was the point of the spatial power line. The proposed method was used to select a few (three or more) power line seed points manually to calculate the corresponding 3D space points and then fit these points to obtain the dense and uniform 3D points of power line. After restoring the spatial power line, the minimum distance error line segment based on splitting was used to approximate the 3D point sequence of the power line, and it was divided into several straight‐line segments. The spatial buffer zone was established with each line segment as the centre and a safety distance as the radius to detect possible obstacles in the power line corridor. Finally, a set of simulated and actual data were used for verification and analysis. Results show that the method can effectively detect obstacles around the power line, and the accuracy is within 0.25 m.
Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and its Impacts on Cutaneous Phosphorylation Signaling in Carcinogenesis: Focusing on Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases†
Authors: Asare Obed , Ayala Yasmin , Hafeez Bilal Bin , Ramirez‐Correa Genaro A. , Cho Yong‐Yeon , Kim Dae Joon
Published: August 2022

Sunlight exposure is a significant risk factor for UV‐induced deteriorating transformations of epidermal homeostasis leading to skin carcinogenesis. The ability of UVB radiation to cause melanoma, as well as basal and squamous cell carcinomas, makes UVB the most harmful among the three known UV ranges. UVB‐induced DNA mutations and dysregulation of signaling pathways contribute to skin cancer formation. Among various signaling pathways modulated by UVB, tyrosine phosphorylation signaling which is mediated by the action of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) on specific tyrosine residues is highly implicated in photocarcinogenesis. Following UVB irradiation, PTKs get activated and their downstream signaling pathways contribute to photocarcinogenesis by promoting the survival of damaged keratinocytes and increasing cell proliferation. While UVB activates oncogenic signaling pathways, it can also activate tumor suppressive signaling pathways as initial protective mechanisms to maintain epidermal homeostasis. Tyrosine dephosphorylation is one of the protective mechanisms and is mediated by the action of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). PTP can counteract UVB‐mediated PTK activation and downregulate oncogenic signaling pathways. However, PTPs have not been studied extensively in photocarcinogenesis with previous studies regarding their inactivation induced by UVB. This current review will summarize the recent progress in the protective function of PTPs in epidermal photocarcinogenesis.
Still a poster child for social investment? Changing regulatory dynamics of early childhood education and care in Denmark and Sweden
Authors: de la Porte Caroline , Larsen Trine P. , Lundqvist Åsa
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the regulation of publicly organized early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Denmark and Sweden, through the regulatory welfare state (RWS) framework. The analysis focuses on how alterations in funding and quality of care are shaped by governmental and nongovernmental actors at national and local levels of government. Through focused structured analysis, we examine how various actors have shaped the funding and quality of childcare in Denmark and Sweden, from the early 2000s to 2020, with special attention to the period during and after the 2008 financial crisis. In the aftermath of the financial crisis, concerns about quality in care were raised on the political agenda by various actors in both countries, leading to decisions to improve the quality of care. Yet, the regulatory dynamics differ: In Denmark, the debate led to a decision in 2019, to implement a minimum statutory requirement of regulatory quality standards. From an RWS perspective, this outcome can be qualified as “double expansion,” because regulatory quality standards, and public funding for childcare increased. In Sweden, the debates about quality of ECEC led, in 2016, to political guidelines about quality standard, but with no additional national funds, and no mandatory regulatory quality requirements. Analytically, this can be qualified as “regulatory‐led expansion,” that is requirements for quality standards, although the lack of additional national funds suggests that it will be difficult to improve ECEC quality substantially. The RWS perspective, which focuses on national and municipal levels of governance, also gives insights into hidden inequalities between municipalities regarding funding and quality of ECEC, which are more pronounced in Sweden than in Denmark.
Does combining traditional and information and communications technology–based extension methods improve agricultural outcomes? Evidence from field experiments in Mali
Authors: Dzanku Fred Mawunyo , Osei Robert Darko
Published: August 2022

Adequate flow of appropriate information to farmers is vital for accelerating the uptake of modern agricultural technologies and improving access to markets, all of which are important for the transformation of African economies. Yet there is limited evidence regarding how information should be disseminated to farmers to achieve the needed impact. Should ICT‐based approaches be used together with traditional methods, or should they be used alone? We used cluster quasi‐random and randomized experiments involving 140 villages in southern Mali to study three chains of causality: does farmer training increase knowledge? Does knowledge lead to change in behavior? Do the different actions generate varying economic outcomes? We show that the role of farmer training in the uptake of extension advice may be overstated in some settings; that procrastination and inattention are more binding constraints to recommendation adherence than information per se; and that such constraints could be mitigated by timely voice SMS reminders. Although timely reminders nudged farmers to take‐up recommendations, leading to meaningful improvements in some intermediate outcomes, these impacts were not large enough to generate improvements in output, prices and profits in the short term. These findings must be interpreted within the context of imperfect compliance with experimental protocols, which pose threats to both the internal and external validity of some of the impact estimates.
Self‐reported dental attendance, oral hygiene habits, and dietary habits of adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Coffey Niamh , O’ Leary Fiona , Burke Francis , Plant Barry , Roberts Anthony , Hayes Martina
Published: August 2022

Aims

To evaluate the dental attendance, oral hygiene habits, and dietary habits of adults with Cystic Fibrosis in the Republic of Ireland.

Methods and Results

A cross‐sectional study was carried out using a structured anonymous questionnaire. A total of 71 adults with Cystic Fibrosis responded. While the majority of respondents (66.2%) saw a dentist in the preceding year, 15.5% had not attended a dentist for over 2 years. Smoking and alcohol consumption levels were low. 63.4% brushed twice or more daily, with 70.4% using a Fluoride containing toothpaste. 62% did not use any interdental cleaning aid. 5.6% changed their toothbrush at least once a month, but for 22.5% it was over 6 months. 70.4% used fluoride toothpaste. 38% snacked three or more times daily and 29.5% consumed fizzy drinks at least once daily.

Conclusions

The alcohol and tobacco consumption in this study group was low. However, a large proportion frequently consumed sugar‐rich foods, and they did not change their toothbrush, brush their teeth, or attend the dentist as regularly as is advised. More targeted advice may be necessary to improve the oral hygiene habits of adults with Cystic Fibrosis.
Diminished body trust uniquely predicts suicidal ideation and nonsuicidal self‐injury among people with recent self‐injurious thoughts and behaviors
Authors: Gioia Ayla N. , Forrest Lauren N. , Smith April R.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Self‐injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) are difficult to predict, and novel risk factors must be identified. While diminished interoception is associated with SITBs cross‐sectionally, the current study assesses whether multiple measures of interoception predict future SITBs.

Methods

Adults (N = 43) with recent SITBs completed assessments of interoception during a baseline visit. Participants then completed biweekly assessments for 6 months in which they reported the presence and severity/frequency of suicidal ideation and nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI).

Results

Multilevel models were performed, where baseline interoceptive measures predicted presence and severity/frequency of suicidal ideation and NSSI at follow‐up. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) Trusting subscale was the only significant predictor of the presence/severity of suicidal ideation. The MAIA Trusting, Emotional Awareness, and Body Listening subscales significantly predicted the presence of NSSI. The MAIA Emotional Awareness subscale and the Body Perception Questionnaire significantly predicted NSSI frequency.

Discussion

Diminished body trust predicted both suicidal ideation and NSSI, indicating a potential shared risk pathway. However, two interoception measures (Body Listening subscale and Body Perception Questionnaire) were associated with NSSI only, indicating potentially unique risk pathways. Given the differential associations between interoception measures and SITBs, results highlight the importance of clearly defining how interoception is measured.
Is science really for me? Gender differences in student attitudes toward science
Authors: Iwuanyanwu Paul Nnanyereugo
Published: August 2022

The question of whether single‐sex or co‐ed schooling has any impact on students' attitudes toward science is highly contested and warrants research from all corners of the world. This study adds to our current knowledge by investigating different attitudinal indices of Grade 9 science students (N = 356, Mage = 14.5 years) in single‐sex and co‐ed schools in terms of involvement in science instruction, enjoyment of science, value of science, engagement in practical work, influences of family, teachers, peers, and friends, interest in, and confidence for future participation in science. A total of 356 questionnaires was completed using a 43 Likert‐type attitude questionnaire, and these served as the basis for data analysis in the study. The analyses indicated a relationship between gender and school type on students' attitudes toward science across all seven attitudinal dimensions examined. The findings revealed that: (a) attitudes toward science among students from co‐ed schools were significantly lower than those of single‐sex schools (p < 0.001) and (b) compared to boys in co‐ed schools, girls in single‐sex schools had a similar attitude toward science in terms of enjoyment, confidence, and future participation in science, and they were more engaged in science activities such as displaying experiments or doing small group activities. The findings also show that, in addition to students' personalities, gender, and other factors, there is a school factor involved in shaping their attitude toward science.
Incarceration risk, asset pricing, and black‐white wealth inequality
Authors: Price Gregory N.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Historically, black Americans have been disproportionately at the bottom quantiles of the wealth distribution. As the choice of making any investment that can increase future wealth requires equating an asset's price to its return adjusted by a stochastic discount factor, this article considers if black‐white differences in the risk of incarceration, which can reduce the intertemporal marginal rate of substitution in consumption, matters for black‐white differences in wealth.

Methods

With repeated cross‐section data from the U.S. General Social Survey, we estimate the parameters of ordinal regression treatment specifications of individual wealth levels to measure the effects of incarceration risk on wealth.

Results

Parameter estimates reveal that individual wealth levels vary inversely with incarceration risk. As black Americans have relatively higher incarceration risks, this suggests that at least part of the black‐white wealth gap can be explained by racial differences in incarceration risk.

Conclusion

Criminal justice reforms that reduce black‐white disparities in incarceration rates could also reduce black‐white disparities in wealth.
Delayed union, non‐union and mal‐union in 442 dogs
Authors: Marshall William George , Filliquist Barbro , Tzimtzimis Emmanouil , Fracka Agnieszka , Miquel Jose , Garcia Javier , Fontana Maria Dalla
Published: August 2022

Objectives

(1) To estimate the prevalence of delayed union, non‐union and mal‐union in canine fractures; (2) to describe fracture, demographic, and treatment characteristics for these outcomes; (3) to identify risk factors for delayed or non‐union.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Sample population

Four hundred and forty two dogs (461 fractures).

Methods

A review was conducted of clinical records and radiographs from 2 teaching hospitals. “Union,” “delayed union,” “non‐union” and “mal‐union” were defined, and fracture, demographic, treatment, and outcome variables described. Differences in proportions or medians between “union,” “delayed union” and “non‐union” were tested using χ2 and Mann‐Whitney U‐tests for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Potential explanatory variables for “delayed or non‐union” were tested using logistic regression to identify risk factors.

Results

Median radiographic follow up was 53 days (14‐282). Delayed union occurred in 13.9% of fractures (64/461), non‐union in 4.6% (21/461), and mal‐union in 0.7% (3/461). Risk factors for delayed or non‐union were age (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.12‐1.31); comminuted fracture (OR 4.24, 95% CI 2.4‐7.5); treatment with bone graft (all types) (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.3‐8.5); surgical site infection (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.17‐8.97), and major implant failure (OR 12.94, 95% CI 5.06‐33.1).

Conclusion

Older dogs, dogs with comminuted fractures, surgical site infection, or major implant failure were at increased odds of delayed or non‐union. Radius and ulna fractures in toy breed dogs were not at increased odds of delayed or non‐union.

Clinical significance

The identified risk factors should inform fracture planning and prognosticating. The prognosis for radial fractures in toy breeds appears better than historically believed.
Chiropterans as a potential hosts of Leishmania spp. in endemic areas for leishmaniasis in northeastern Brazil
Authors: Ramos Luis Gustavo Siqueira Matias , Costa Valéria Almeida , Louzeiro Nayara Mendes , Carvalho Clauberth César Alves , de Maria Seabra Nogueira Rita , Speranca Marcia Aparecida , Cabral Aline Diniz , Costa Francisco Borges , Barros Maria Claudene , da Costa Fraga Elmary , Marcili Arlei , da Costa Andréa Pereira
Published: August 2022

The species of the genus Leishmania are protozoa that are widely distributed from Asia to the Americas, affecting humans and wild and domestic animals. Little is known about infection by Leishmania in bats in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Leishmania in bats in Maranhão. Blood samples were collected from bat species for parasitological diagnosis. Samples of spleen and liver were collected for molecular analysis. All the blood cultures were negative. In two blood smears, organisms similar to amastigotes of Leishmania sp. were detected. Of the 116 samples, two spleen samples were positive and showed similarity to Leishmania infantum. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate whether bats take part in the epidemiological chain of leishmaniasis.
Pf4 Phage Variant Infection Reduces Virulence-Associated Traits in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Tortuel Damien , Tahrioui Ali , David Audrey , Cambronel Mélyssa , Nilly Flore , Clamens Thomas , Maillot Olivier , Barreau Magalie , Feuilloley Marc G. J. , Lesouhaitier Olivier , Filloux Alain , Bouffartigues Emeline , Cornelis Pierre , Chevalier Sylvie
Published: August 2022

Filamentous bacteriophages can become superinfective and infect
P. aeruginosa
, even though they are inserted in the genome as lysogens. Despite this productive infection, growth of the host is only mildly affected, allowing the study of the interaction between the phage and the host, which is not possible in the case of lytic phages killing rapidly their host.
Fuel Oil Conversion in the Plasma Catalytic Mode, Stimulated by Microwave Radiation in the Presence of Nanosized Iron-Containing Systems
Authors: Tsodikov M. V. , Konstantinov G. I. , Chistyakov A. V. , Borisov R. S. , Gekhman A. E.
Published: August 2022

Conversion of mixtures of fuel oil with iron-containing substrates (carbon adsorbent and lignin, both modified with 0.5 wt % Fe) to hydrocarbon products and hydrogen was studied. The use of microwave radiation in the presence of the above-indicated iron-containing substrates capable of its absorption with the generation of breakdown phenomena and plasma is a promising approach to rapid processing of stable organic compounds of petroleum and natural origin into hydrocarbon products used in organic synthesis and for production of fuel components.
Erratum to: High-Performance Heterogeneous Oxidative Desulfurization Catalyst with Brønsted Acid Sites
Authors: Akopyan A. V. , Shlenova A. O. , Polikarpova P. D. , Vutolkina A. V.
Published: August 2022

Erratum
Erratum to: Composition and Preparation Method of Rhenium- and Tungsten-Containing Porous Ceramic Converters Influence on the Cumene Dehydrogenation to α-Methylstyrene Process Specific Features
Authors: Fedotov A. S. , Bagdatov R. A. , Grachev D. Yu. , Uvarov V. I. , Kapustin R. D. , Alymov M. I. , Paul S. , Tsodikov M. V.
Published: August 2022

Erratum
The Variable CTCF Site from Drosophila melanogaster Ubx Gene is Redundant and Has no Insulator Activity
Authors: Ibragimov A. N. , Bylino O. V. , Kyrchanova O. V. , Shidlovskii Y. V. , White R. , Schedl P. , Georgiev P. G.
Published: August 2022

CTCF is the most thoroughly studied chromatin architectural protein and it is found in both Drosophila and mammals. CTCF preferentially binds to promoters and insulators and is thought to facilitate formation of chromatin loops. In a subset of sites, CTCF binding depends on the epigenetic status of the surrounding chromatin. One such variable CTCF site (vCTCF) was found in the intron of the Ubx gene, in close proximity to the BRE and abx enhancers. CTCF binds to the variable site in tissues where Ubx gene is active, suggesting that the vCTCF site plays a role in facilitating contacts between the Ubx promoter and its enhancers. Using CRISPR/Cas9 and attP/attB site-specific integration methods, we investigated the functional role of vCTCF and showed that it is not required for normal Drosophila development. Furthermore, a 2161-bp fragment containing vCTCF does not function as an effective insulator when substituted for the Fab-7 boundary in the Bithorax complex. Our results suggest that vCTCF function is redundant in the regulation of Ubx.
Acquired haemophilia A in a patient who is a Jehovah’s Witness
Authors: Brown Clare , Page Andrew
Published: August 2022

We detail the case of a man in his 80s who was a Jehovah’s Witness, presenting to hospital for the second time in 1 week with atraumatic, severe bruising affecting his right thigh and flank. He was subsequently diagnosed with idiopathic acquired haemophilia A (AHA) and was urgently treated with recombinant factor concentrate and immunosuppressive therapy. Management of his bleeding disorder and resultant severe anaemia was adapted in line with his religious beliefs. AHA is a rare bleeding disorder which should be considered in patients with an isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and a history of recent or acute bleeding. Prompt diagnosis and management are essential as delays may result in increased mortality. Given that this patient declined blood transfusion, management of his bleeding disorder presented a unique challenge.
Sports nutrition knowledge in athletes with a spinal cord injury and coaches of para sports
Authors: Madden Robyn F. , Lalonde-Bester Sophie , Manocha Ranita H.K. , Martin Julia M. , Flueck Joelle Leonie , Hertig-Godeschalk Anneke , Shearer Jane , Parnell Jill A.
Published: August 2022

Sports nutrition for athletes with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is complex, making it challenging for athletes to stay informed. The aim of this study was to assess sports nutrition knowledge in athletes with an SCI and coaches of para sports. The secondary aim was to report sources of sports nutrition information. Eighty athletes and 26 coaches across various adapted sports were recruited. The Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire was used to assess nutrition knowledge for both groups. Athletes achieved their highest score among the alcohol (65 ± 19%) category and the lowest in sports nutrition (43 ± 17%). Coaches demonstrated the most knowledge in the alcohol (73 ± 17%) category and lowest knowledge in the supplementation (45 ± 19%) category. Both groups relied on the internet, dietitians, and coaches for sports nutrition information. Future studies should explore the effects of nutrition education on nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes among these populations.
Exclusive semileptonic $$B_c$$-meson decays to radially excited charmonium and charm meson states
Authors: Nayak Lopamudra , Dash P. C. , Kar S. , Barik N.
Published: August 2022

In the wake of recent measurements of ratios of semileptonic branching fractions: $${\mathscr {R}}_{J/\psi }, {\mathscr {R}}_D$$

R

J
/
ψ

,

R
D

and $${\mathscr {R}}_{D^{*}}$$

R

D

∗

reported by the LHCb, BELLE and HFLAV Collaborations, we calculate invariant form factors for the exclusive semileptonic $$B_c$$

B
c

-meson decays to radially excited charmonium and charm meson states in the full kinematical region within the framework of relativistic independent quark (RIQ) model. We evaluate the lepton mass effect in the decay processes induced by $$b\rightarrow c,u$$

b
→
c
,
u

transition at the quark level. Our predictions on branching fractions for $$B_c\rightarrow \eta _c/\psi (nS)$$

B
c

→

η
c

/
ψ

(
n
S
)

are found $$\sim 10^{-2}-10^{-4}$$

∼

10

-
2

-

10

-
4

and that for $$B_c\rightarrow D^{*}(nS)$$

B
c

→

D

∗

(
n
S
)

are $$\sim 10^{-4}$$

∼

10

-
4

in their $$e^{-}$$

e
-

decay modes, which lie within the detection accuracy of current experiment. Our predictions on branching fractions, forward backward asymmetry and asymmetry parameter are found in reasonable agreement with other model predictions; which can hopefully be tested in future experiments at LHC and Tevatron. Our predicted observable $${\mathscr {R}}$$
R
in this sector are found comparable to other standard model (SM) predictions that violate the lepton flavor universality hinting at new physics beyond SM.
Enhancement of electro-strain performance of KTaO3 modified 0.94Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Wang Xinran , Nie Huanghui , Yan Yan , Liu Gang
Published: August 2022

The (1−[Formula: see text])(0.94Bi[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text]TiO3–0.06BaTiO 3)–[Formula: see text]KTaO3(BNBT–[Formula: see text]KT) lead-free ferroelectric ceramics were produced using the traditional solid-state sintering technique, and the phase structure, surface morphology, electrical properties were all thoroughly examined. Every ceramic has a single perovskite structure and there is no second phase, as shown by the XRD patterns and Raman spectra. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that all samples displayed dense microstructure and cubic grain. In addition, KT encourages grain growth due to the oxygen vacancies induced by doping or volatilization of ions at high temperatures. The [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]of the ceramics decreases with increasing doping levels due to oxygen vacancies acting as dipoles upon the addition of KT, and the dielectric loss of all samples is low at ambient temperature. In comparison to the pure BNBT ceramic’s bipolar strain value of 0.12%, the BNBT–2KT ceramic achieved a maximum bipolar strain of [Formula: see text]0.506% and unipolar strain of [Formula: see text] 0.430% with the corresponding [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]*up to 538 pm/V under 80 kV/cm field. Performance significantly improved as a result of this. A test of the correlation between temperature and ferroelectric properties shows that the largest strain value of the BNBT–2KT ceramic occurs at ambient temperature and that the phase change from ferroelectric to relaxor is complete. Additionally, it is discovered that the BNBT–3KT ceramic can sustain a stable strain across a broad temperature range, suggesting that it has good temperature stability. The aforementioned findings demonstrate that lead-based ceramics may be replaced with BNBT–[Formula: see text]KT ceramics.
An Extended Ultimatum Game for Multi-Party Access Control in Social Networks
Authors: Squicciarini Anna , Rajtmajer Sarah , Gao Yang , Semonsen Justin , Belmonte Andrew , Agarwal Pratik
Published: August 2022

In this article, we aim to answer an important set of questions about the potential longitudinal effects of repeated sharing and privacy settings decisions over jointly managed content among users in a social network.

We model user interactions through a repeated game in a network graph. We present a variation of the one-shot Ultimatum Game, wherein individuals interact with peers to make a decision on a piece of shared content. The outcome of this game is either success or failure, wherein success implies that a satisfactory decision for all parties is made and failure instead implies that the parties could not reach an agreement. Our proposed game is grounded in empirical data about individual decisions in repeated pairwise negotiations about jointly managed content in a social network. We consider both a “continuous” privacy model as well the “discrete” case of a model wherein privacy values are to be chosen among a fixed set of options. We formally demonstrate that over time, the system converges toward a “fair” state, wherein each individual’s preferences are accounted for. Our discrete model is validated by way of a user study, where participants are asked to propose privacy settings for own shared content from a small, discrete set of options.
The Internet with Privacy Policies: Measuring The Web Upon Consent
Authors: Jha Nikhil , Trevisan Martino , Vassio Luca , Mellia Marco
Published: August 2022

To protect user privacy, legislators have regulated the use of tracking technologies, mandating the acquisition of users’ consent before collecting data. As a result, websites started showing more and more consent management modules–i.e., Consent Banners–the visitors have to interact with to access the website content. Since these banners change the content the browser loads, they challenge web measurement collection, primarily to monitor the extent of tracking technologies, but also to measure web performance. If not correctly handled, Consent Banners prevent crawlers from observing the actual content of the websites.

In this paper, we present a comprehensive measurement campaign focusing on popular websites in Europe and the US, visiting both landing and internal pages from different countries around the world. We engineer
Priv-Accept
, a Web crawler able to accept the Consent Banners, as most users would do in practice. It lets us compare how webpages change before and after accepting such policies, if present. Our results show that all measurements performed ignoring the Consent Banners offer a biased and partial view of the Web. After accepting the privacy policies, web tracking is far more pervasive, and webpages are larger and slower to load.
From False-Free to Privacy-Oriented Communitarian Microblogging Social Networks
Authors: Marquès Puig Joan Manuel , Rifà-Pous Helena , Oukemeni Samia
Published: August 2022

Online Social Networks (OSNs)
have gained enormous popularity in recent years. They provide a dynamic platform for sharing content (text messages or multimedia) and for facilitating communication between friends and acquaintances. Microblogging services are a popular form of OSNs. They allow sending small messages in a one-to-many messaging model so that users can communicate with their favorite celebrity, brand, politician, or other regular users without the obligation of a pre-existing social relationship. A chain of privacy-related scandals linked to questionable data handling practices in microblogging services has arisen in the last past few years. Most current microblogging service providers offer centralized services and their business model is based on monitoring, analyzing, and selling users’ activity and patterns. In the end, the personal information shared by the users to benefit from the free-of-charge services is used for the underlying payment in such systems. In this paper, we present Garlanet, a privacy-aware censorship-resistant microblogging social network that does not rely on a centralized service provider as all data is hosted in computers voluntarily contributed by the users of the system. Garlanet provides microblogging functionalities while protecting privacy and preserving the confidentiality and integrity of users and data. It ensures that users’ identities and their social graphs are hidden from the system and adversaries and it provides availability and scalability of the services. We also evaluate the privacy level of Garlanet and we compare it with the privacy level of eight other microblogging systems.