bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of ionic interactions to stationary phase selectivity in hydrophilic interaction chromatography
Authors: Gilar Martin , Berthelette Kenneth D. , Walter Thomas H.
Published: March 2022

We compared the separation selectivities of 19 different hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns. The stationary phases included underivatized silica and hybrid particles, cyano‐bonded silica, materials with neutral ligands such as amide, diol, pentahydroxy, and urea, zwitterionic sorbents, and mixed‐mode materials with amine functionalities. A set of 77 small molecules was used to evaluate the columns. We visualized the retention behavior of the different columns using retention time correlation plots. The analytes were classified as cations, anions, or neutral based on their estimated charge under the separation conditions. This involved adjusting the dissociation constants of the analytes for the acetonitrile content of the mobile phase and experimentally determining the pH of the mobile phase containing 70% acetonitrile. The retention correlation plots show that the selectivity differences strongly depended on ionic interactions. Comparisons of the neutral stationary phases (e.g., diol vs. amide) showed more similar selectivity than did comparisons of neutral columns versus columns with cation or anion exchange activity (bare silica or amine columns, respectively). The zwitterionic columns did not behave as perfectly neutral. The correlation plots indicated that they exhibited either cation or anion exchange activity, although to a lesser degree than the silica and amine‐containing stationary phases.
COVID‐19 pandemic influence on organizational knowledge management systems and practices: Insights from an Indian engineering services organization
Authors: Apte Shantanu , Lele Abhijeet , Choudhari Atul
Published: March 2022

COVID‐19 pandemic unleashed uncertainties around the world. Organizations scrambled to ensure business continuity. COVID‐19 pandemic was unprecedented as disruptions were far beyond business continuity scenarios planning with respect to severities, timelines, and geographies. Initially, business disruptions were assumed to last just for a few days or weeks at a local governing region, county, or state level. However, the pandemic lasted much longer and sustained efforts were needed to stay compliant with ever‐evolving and changing local, state, federal, and international guidelines, rules, and regulations. Prolonged work from home became an unavoidable and only way to ensure business continuity for many service‐oriented organizations. Organizations not only tried to leverage existing knowledge management (KM) practices but also were compelled to critically relook at the efficacy and effectiveness of KM practices. Organizational KM systems and practices (OKMSP) in a typical Indian engineering consulting and design organization were studied. The changes in employee perceptions about OKMSP during the pandemic period were captured and critically analyzed. The study evaluated employee perceptions related to four critical aspects of OKMSP namely, KM processes, usage of KM tools, KM effectiveness, and KM culture. Lack of face‐to‐face meetings during the COVID‐19 period made an important change in the way of working. This paper captures COVID‐19 pandemic‐induced changes and provides pointers to further research opportunities in the field of OKMSP. The study highlights the need for robust knowledge management systems to face pandemic‐induced disruptions.
Mass spectrometric studies of the variety of beta‐amyloid proteoforms in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zakharova Natalia V. , Kononikhin Alexey S. , Indeykina Maria I. , Bugrova Anna E. , Strelnikova Polina , Pekov Stanislav , Kozin Sergey A. , Popov Igor A. , Mitkevich Vladimir , Makarov Alexander A. , Nikolaev Evgeny N.
Published: March 2022

This review covers the results of the application of mass spectrometric (MS) techniques to study the diversity of beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptides in human samples. Since Aβ is an important hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is a socially significant neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly worldwide, analysis of its endogenous variations is of particular importance for elucidating the pathogenesis of AD, predicting increased risks of the disease onset, and developing effective therapy. MS approaches have no alternative for the study of complex samples, including a wide variety of Aβ proteoforms, differing in length and modifications. Approaches based on matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight and liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem MS are most common in Aβ studies. However, Aβ forms with isomerized and/or racemized Asp and Ser residues require the use of special methods for separation and extra sensitive and selective methods for detection. Overall, this review summarizes current knowledge of Aβ species found in human brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood plasma; focuses on application of different MS approaches for Aβ studies; and considers the potential of MS techniques for further studies of Aβ‐peptides.
Manufacturer selling mode choice for new‐version product introduction
Authors: Zhong Boyuan , Shen Houcai
Published: March 2022

This paper constructs a game‐theoretic model to examine one manufacturer's optimal selling mode choice for the new‐version product between reselling and agency selling, given the old‐version product already sold in different selling modes ex ante. We find that the manufacturer would formulate reselling for the new‐version product when its unit production cost remains high but agency selling when such cost becomes low. Moreover, we show the manufacturer may be better off through discontinuing the sale of the old‐version product when selling modes are additionally considered. Finally, we discuss optimal selling mode choices from the aspect of the retailer.
Grassmannian diffusion maps based surrogate modeling via geometric harmonics
Authors: dos Santos Ketson R. M. , Giovanis Dimitris G. , Kontolati Katiana , Loukrezis Dimitrios , Shields Michael D.
Published: March 2022

A novel surrogate model based on the Grassmannian diffusion maps (GDMaps) and utilizing geometric harmonics (GH) is developed for predicting the response of complex physical phenomena. The method utilizes GDMaps to obtain a low‐dimensional representation of the underlying behavior of physical/mathematical systems with respect to uncertain input parameters. Using this representation, GH, an out‐of‐sample extension technique, is employed to create a global map from the input parameter space to a Grassmannian diffusion manifold. GH is further employed to locally map points on the diffusion manifold onto the tangent space of a Grassmann manifold. The exponential map is then used to project the points in the tangent space onto the Grassmann manifold, where reconstruction of the full solution is performed. The performance of the proposed surrogate model is verified with three examples. The first problem is a toy example used to illustrate the technique. In the second example, errors associated with the various mappings are assessed by studying response predictions of the electric potential of a dielectric cylinder in a homogeneous electric field. The last example applies the method for uncertainty prediction in the strain field evolution in a model amorphous material using the shear transformation zone theory of plasticity.
Skill development using interdisciplinary problem solving in a natural resources capstone course
Authors: Anderson Zach D. , Hargiss Christina L. M. , Norland Jack E.
Published: March 2022

Postsecondary curriculum is designed to prepare students for their careers following graduation, which traditionally revolves around technical aspects of their respected career field. Capstone courses were introduced to help ease students’ transition from the university into their careers. However, little research containing empirical evidence exists on the effectiveness of capstone courses in natural resources. This study evaluated 6 yr of course graduates from an interdisciplinary problem‐solving capstone course in natural resources, seeking to understand the skills gained and what portions of the course were most useful in transitioning students to their future careers. Results show the course was able to enhance students’ writing, communication, job preparation, and teamwork skills. Students valued knowledge gained on soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, over technical skills specific to their major. Overall, the students valued the interdisciplinary problem solving nature of the course, as most natural resource issues are interdisciplinary. Areas that could be improved in this capstone model were focused on improving individual student's verbal communication and presentation skills. Information from this study is useful to colleges and universities considering and using capstone courses to determine skills that can be taught and to determine if using real world problems in an interdisciplinary setting in their courses would be beneficial.
Donor advised funds: Ethical issues on the new frontier of philanthropy
Authors: Biagi James B. , Hefter Mark L.
Published: March 2022

This paper analyzes critical ethical and legal issues related to the administration and use of Donor Advised Funds for charitable fundraising in American philanthropy. With the swift and profound reshaping of the philanthropic landscape caused by Donor Advised Funds, the mainstream charitable world continues to both digest how these changes affect their work and address the myriad of legal, ethical and donor/public relations issues that arise in connection with gifts to and distributions from them. This paper discusses the most relevant legal and ethical principles governing the sponsorship of, receipt from and contribution to Donor Advised Funds, sets forth the significant legal and ethical issues faced by each of these parties, and finally, puts forth recommendation for them to follow.
Changes in food reward and intuitive eating after weight loss and maintenance in former athletes with overweight or obesity
Authors: Nunes Catarina L. , Carraça Eliana V. , Jesus Filipe , Finlayson Graham , Francisco Rúben , Silva Marlene N. , Santos Inês , Bosy‐Westphal Anja , Martins Paulo , Minderico Cláudia , Sardinha Luís B. , Silva Analiza M.
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study aimed to explore the following: 1) the impact of Champ4Life’s intervention on intuitive eating and food reward; and 2) associations between changes in eating behavior and changes in body composition.

Methods

A total of 94 former athletes (mean [SD], BMI = 31.1 [4.3] kg/m2, age = 43.0 [9.4] years, 34% female) assigned to intervention (n = 49) and control groups (n = 45) underwent 4 months of active weight loss (WL) followed by 8 months of WL maintenance. Intuitive eating and food reward were assessed by the Intuitive Eating Scale and the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire, respectively.

Results

The WL was −4.8% (4.9%) and 0.3% (2.6%) for the intervention and control groups, respectively. Participants reported a decrease in fat bias for explicit/implicit wanting and explicit liking after 4 months and 1 year. For intuitive eating, the unconditional permission to eat decreased after 4 months, and the body–food choice congruence increased after 1 year. Changes in unconditional permission to eat and in body–food choice congruence were positively and negatively associated with both Δweight and with Δfat mass, respectively. Changes in explicit wanting for fat and taste bias were associated with Δweight.

Conclusions

Food reward decreased after a moderate WL intervention. Participants successfully maintained their reduced weight, and most of the changes in eating behavior remained significant at the end of the follow‐up period. Lifestyle interventions aiming at WL should also consider intuitive eating and food reward.
Plasma polymers from oregano secondary metabolites: Antibacterial and biocompatible plant‐based polymers
Authors: Romo‐Rico Jesus , Murali Krishna Smriti , Golledge Jonathan , Hayles Andrew , Vasilev Krasimir , Jacob Mohan V.
Published: March 2022

Bacterial infection of chronic wounds is a major healthcare problem that affects the quality of life of millions of patients worldwide and leads to a substantial healthcare cost burden. This project focused on the manufacture of a potential wound healing agent. Plasma polymers from oregano secondary metabolites (PP‐OSMs) were fabricated by radiofrequency plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF‐PECVD) in continuous and pulse plasma modes at room temperature. The surface, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties of the PP‐OSMs were investigated. Polymers fabricated by RF‐PECVD retained the functional groups of OSMs, promoted human dermal fibroblast adhesion, inhibited Staphylococcus aureus attachment, and eliminated Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The PP‐OSM coatings are potential candidates for use in medical applications where cell biocompatibility and antibacterial properties are required.
Achieving High Dielectric Constants in Tetragonal Single‐Phase ZrHfO2 Thin Films through the Atomic Layer Deposition Process Using a Mixed Precursor
Authors: Kim Jenam , Ryu Young Uk , Lee Ae Jin , Kim Ye Won , Hwang Ji Hyeon , Kim Youngjin , Oh Hansol , Park YongJoo , Jeon Woojin
Published: March 2022

Herein, the deposition of homogeneous ZrxHf(1−x)O2 (x < 1) thin films for dynamic random‐access memory (DRAM) capacitor dielectric layers by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using a mixed precursor mixture of two precursors is investigated. ZrO2‐ and HfO2‐based thin films are widely used as capacitor dielectric layers because of their high dielectric constant (k) values and low leakage current properties. Herein, particularly, films with mixed structures of ZrO2/HfO2 are investigated because ZrO2 supports the growth of HfO2 in the tetragonal phase. However, the mixed structures deposited by ALD remain inhomogeneous even after the annealing process. The inhomogeneity results in part of the HfO2 remaining in the monoclinic phase, which reduces the k value. Herein, the formation of homogeneous tetragonal‐phase ZrxHf1−xO2 using a mixed precursor consisting of CpZr and CpHf precursors is investigated. The formation of the tetragonal phase in the ZrxHf(1−x)O2 thin films is determined through chemical and structural analysis. The variation of the electrical properties with the Zr/Hf concentration ratio is investigated. The electrical properties are enhanced compared to laminated ZrO2/HfO2 and single thin films.
Photocorrosion of n‐ and p‐Type Semiconducting Oxide‐Covered Metals: Case Studies of Anodized Titanium and Copper
Authors: Wilson Håvard , Van Rooij Arnoul , Jenewein Ken , Knöppel Julius , Kormányos Attila , Cherevko Serhiy , Sunde Svein , Erbe Andreas
Published: March 2022

Illumination affects corrosion of oxide‐covered metals via photoinitiated dissolution processes. Herein, anodized titanium with n‐type semiconducting anatase TiO2 and anodized copper with p‐type semiconducting cuprite Cu2O of thicknesses up to ≈90 nm are prepared, and investigated under controlled convection in photoelectrochemical experiments illuminated at grazing incidence. Illumination with photon energies above the bandgap triggers anodic photocurrents for titanium above the flat band potential, and cathodic photocurrents for copper below the flat band potential. Increased corrosion rates are evidenced via measurements of polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and concentration determination via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The increase in corrosion current with illumination is slightly lower than photocurrents, and scales linearly with intensity as expected if triggered by linear absorption. Following the Gerischer model, for titanium, electron‐hole pairs cause oxide dissolution by hole annihilation through cation dissolution. For copper, increased corrosion rates are caused by increased cathodic reaction rate through photoexcitation. The maximum nonthermal increase in corrosion rate is ≈1 μA cm−2 for copper, and ≈7 μA cm−2 for titanium, few micrometers per year and negligible for structural materials. Photocorrosion may affect localized corrosion, and nanostructures, for example, if morphology is crucial for a functional surface, as in catalysts.
Supercapacitor Based on Nanostructured Multilayer Films Consisting of Polyelectrolyte/Graphene Oxide‐MnO2‐ZnO for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Oliveira Danilo A. , da Silva Ranilson A. , Orlandi Marcelo O. , Siqueira José R.
Published: March 2022

The development of new technologies has increased the demand for energy storage devices with high performance. In this sense, supercapacitors appear as a prominent alternative due to their high power density, fast charge–discharge time, environment friendly, and long‐term cycle stability. Carbon materials and transition metal oxides have been reported as attractive materials to achieve supercapacitors with enhanced properties. This study investigates nanostructured films, using the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) method, consisting of MnO2‐ZnO nanostructures embedded into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and combined with polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) polyelectrolyte for supercapacitor applications. The film morphology and the incorporation of MnO2‐ZnO nanostructures in rGO layers are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy images. The electrochemical properties are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. A high capacitance is reached for a 20‐bilayer PAH/rGO‐MnO2‐ZnO LbL film at a 1 mV s−1 and 1.15 A g−1 with values of 1650 F g−1 and 26 mF cm−2. Furthermore, the film exhibits high energy and power densities of 112.3 Wh kg−1 and 404.4 W kg−1, respectively, as well as high capacitive retention and cycle stability. These findings indicate the potential application of PAH/rGO‐MnO2‐ZnO LbL films as supercapacitor electrodes and envisage further studies of LbL nanostructured systems for energy storage applications.
Global status of oral health provision: Identifying the root of the problem
Authors: O'Brien Kate J. , Forde Vivian M. , Mulrooney Michelle A. , Purcell Emma C. , Flaherty Gerard T.
Published: March 2022

Dental health is deeply rooted in the primary care of an individual such that an individual's overall health status and behaviours may be determined by their oral health status. Oral diseases are a major cause of morbidity and are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Despite the risk these diseases pose to global health, they remain a largely neglected facet of healthcare. In this article, we discuss why predominantly preventable oral diseases persist with high prevalence and suggest how to address the global oral disease epidemic. People living in rural areas are particularly disadvantaged, due to insufficient oral care in remote locations, lack of transport and an overall under‐resourced health care infrastructure. In cases where oral health programmes exist, they are usually directed only at certain groups. Dental tourism has been increasing in popularity over the last two decades. Eastern Europe has become one of the leading destinations for patients seeking dental care across borders. However, negative findings regarding the quality of dental procedures in these destinations have been highlighted in many studies, with some pointing out that only a small fraction of patients received sufficient quality, and that only very simple dental treatments were actually evaluated as cost‐effective. Low‐income countries are hindered not only by lack of dentists, but by lack of public health initiatives such as fluoridation of water and toothpastes. The integration of oral health into medical education and primary care could improve the common risk factor approach between the specialties and improve preventative measures and screening for better patient outcomes and reduction in cost of care.
Correlation‐driven multivariate degradation modeling and RUL prediction based on Wiener process model
Authors: Yan Bingxin , Wang Han , Ma Xiaobing
Published: March 2022

For degraded products with multiple performance characteristics (PCs), one way to model their degradation process is by using a multivariate independent Wiener process model with random drift. However, it fails to capture the latent correlation in degradation paths for multiple PCs caused by the common environmental condition. In this paper, we model the degradation processes of multiple PCs using multiple correlated Wiener processes. The commonly shared environmental condition function incorporates the degradation correlation and random effect. Thus, it directly catches the strong correlation of degradation rates and volatilities to all dimensions of multiple PCs. Our model is more economical in the number of parameters than the multivariate independent Wiener process. The correlation coefficients and RUL distribution approximation are provided in closed forms. We extend the proposed model to a two‐stage degradation process to correlate multiple PCs in each stage. An adaptive drift is adopted in the Wiener process model for the real‐time degradation states updating with the help of the Bayesian and the expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm. The proposed model's effectiveness is illustrated by numerical studies and a real‐world application to the wheel treads on high‐speed trains.
Sustainable supply chain finance adoption and firm performance: Is green supply chain integration a missing link?
Authors: Guo Xiaoli , Xia Weili , Feng Taiwen , Sheng Hongyan
Published: March 2022

Despite the importance of sustainable supply chain finance (SSCF), how it influences firm performance is still inconclusive. On the basis of social exchange theory, we examine how SSCF adoption affects firm performance via green supply chain integration (GSCI), as well as the moderating effect of environmental leadership. Employing data from 317 Chinese manufacturers, we conduct hierarchical regression analyses to examine research hypotheses. Our findings reveal that SSCF adoption positively affects GSCI. Green customer integration partially mediates the influence of SSCF adoption on firm performance. Green supplier integration partially mediates the effect of SSCF adoption on environmental performance, but does not mediate the effect of SSCF adoption on financial performance. Furthermore, environmental leadership negatively moderates the SSCF adoption–GSCI link. This research adds knowledge to the theory and practice by unveiling the “black box” between SSCF adoption and firm performance.
Empowering Shepreneurs to achieve the sustainable development goals: Exploring the impact of interest‐free start‐up credit, skill development and ICTs use on entrepreneurial drive
Authors: Mazhar Saman , Sher Ali , Abbas Azhar , Ghafoor Abdul , Lin Guanghua
Published: March 2022

Recent debates—like agenda 2030—emphasize that women are not just the potential beneficiaries of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), yet they are also active change agents in achieving them. This study used non‐parametric techniques to investigate and compare the impact of three entrepreneur‐supporting interventions—interest‐free start‐up credit, skill‐development short courses, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) use—in lowering the impediments defying women entrepreneurs in Punjab‐Pakistan. We identified 33 barriers and three groups of respondents based on intervention(s) availed. Mean score ranking analysis reveals 25 out of 33 barriers as critical in affecting women entrepreneurs in category one, whereas women entrepreneurs in category two and three are found to face 20 and 14 critical barriers, respectively. Furthermore, we used factor analysis to group these 25 critical barriers into five principal groups: (1) business management & marketing barriers, (2) gender & social barriers, (3) client and customer‐related barriers, (4) public policy and governance barriers, and (5) innovation & knowledge‐management barriers. Moreover, the study advances a comprehensive understanding of underlying grouped barriers to devise coherent plans and collaborative actions—involving local institutions, stakeholders, academia, and industry—for containing these snags and to better harvest the impacts of development initiatives. The study extends the existing literature on techno‐economic disclosure, digital transformation and entrepreneurship, and sustainable knowledge management.
Effective Therapy of Drug‐Resistant Bacterial Infection by Killing Planktonic Bacteria and Destructing Biofilms with Cationic Photosensitizer Based on Phosphindole Oxide
Authors: Li Jianqing , Meng Zijuan , Zhuang Zeyan , Wang Bingnan , Dai Jun , Feng Guangxue , Lou Xiaoding , Xia Fan , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: March 2022

Developing effective therapies to fight against biofilm‐associated infection is extremely urgent. The complex environment of biofilm forces the bacteria to evade the elimination of antibiotics, resulting in recalcitrant chronic infections. To address this issue, a cationic antibacterial agent based on phosphindole oxide (β‐PM‐PIO) is designed and prepared. The unique molecular structure endows β‐PM‐PIO with aggregation‐induced emission feature and efficient singlet oxygen generation ability. β‐PM‐PIO shows excellent visual diagnostic function to planktonic bacteria and biofilm. In addition, owing to the synergistic effect of phototoxicity and dark toxicity, β‐PM‐PIO can achieve superb antibacterial and antibiofilm performance against Gram‐positive bacteria with less potential of developing drug resistance. Notably, β‐PM‐PIO also holds excellent anti‐infection capacity against drug‐resistant bacteria in vivo with negligible side effects. This work offers a promising platform to develop advanced antibacterial agents against multidrug‐resistant bacterial infection.
On the analysis of makespan and performance of the task‐based execution model for enterprise application integration platforms: An empirical study
Authors: Frantz Rafael Z. , Sawicki Sandro , Roos‐Frantz Fabricia , Basso Fábio P. , Zucoloto Benjamim , Pillat Raquel M.
Published: March 2022

Increasingly enterprises rely on software applications to support their business processes. Since such processes are continually evolving to keep up with market dynamism, companies strive to increase their efficiency, for example, by optimising the integration of applications supporting these processes. Integration platforms are specialised software tools that allow creating integration processes so that applications can share data and functionality. However, this integration involves several challenges, especially when large volumes of heterogeneous data should be integrated and shared. The performance of an integration process, in terms of message processing, is directly related to the run‐time system of the integration platform. This article investigates the impact of the volume of messages and the number of threads used by a run‐time system on makespan and performance of an integration process. The greater is the number of messages per second received by the integration process, the high is the volume of messages. The study was based on a run‐time system with task‐based execution model and follows a strict protocol to conduct and report our empirical study. We observed an increment of makespan when increasing the volume of messages to integration processes and different behaviours when increasing the number of threads used in their executions. Makespan reduces as the number of threads increases, but only when the volume of inbound messages is not very high. We confirmed that there is a performance gain by increasing the number of threads to execute an integration process, but observed that the continuous increment of threads leads to degradation of the performance in this model.
GC content strongly influences the role of poly(dA) in the intrinsic nucleosome positioning in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Trotta Edoardo
Published: March 2022

The nucleosome is the basic structural element of genomic DNA packaging and plays a role in transcription, replication, and recombination. Poly(dA) tracts are considered major sequence determinants of nucleosome positioning, although their role is not well understood. Here, we show that the homopolymeric character and the low GC content of poly(dA)s play different roles in nucleosome formation. We found that the inherent low GC content of poly(dA) alone can account for the deep and anisotropic nucleosome depletion at structurally and functionally important regions of promoters and origins of replication. We also show that the level of nucleosome occupancy at poly(dA) is strongly related to the local nucleotide background and its high frequency of occurrence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not appear merely to be associated with its intrinsic nucleosome‐excluding properties. In addition, we show that the GC content alone can predict more than 60% of the in vitro nucleosome map, providing further evidence that the intrinsic nucleosome positioning is more greatly determined by GC content than poly(dA) stretches. Our results are consistent with a model in which poly(dA) stretches act at two distinct levels: first, by its low GC content, which intrinsically contributes to hinder nucleosome formation, and second, by its contiguous runs of dA that selectively drive the recruitment of non‐histone proteins with structural and functional roles.
The Dynamics of the Labelling Game: An Essay On FLT3 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Authors: Engen Caroline
Published: March 2022

With evolving knowledge and with the development and implementation of precision oncology related practices the meaning of cancer is rapidly changing. With the shift towards a molecular understanding and classification of cancer the relationship between cancer as a disease and cancer as an illness and sickness gradually dissolve. This chapter explore these developments by examining the scientific and clinical challenges that are emerging in the attempt to understand and manage FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukaemia.
Fast and Reliable Formal Verification of Smart Contracts with the Move Prover
Authors: Dill David , Grieskamp Wolfgang , Park Junkil , Qadeer Shaz , Xu Meng , Zhong Emma
Published: March 2022

The Move Prover () is a formal verifier for smart contracts written in the Move programming language. has an expressive specification language, and is fast and reliable enough that it can be run routinely by developers and in integration testing. Besides the simplicity of smart contracts and the Move language, three implementation approaches are responsible for the practicality of : (1) an alias-free memory model, (2) fine-grained invariant checking, and (3) monomorphization. The entirety of the Move code for the Diem blockchain has been extensively specified and can be completely verified by in a few minutes. Changes in the Diem framework must be successfully verified before being integrated into the open source repository on GitHub.
A Probabilistic Logic for Verifying Continuous-time Markov Chains
Authors: Guan Ji , Yu Nengkun
Published: March 2022

A continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) execution is a continuous class of probability distributions over states. This paper proposes a probabilistic linear-time temporal logic, namely continuous-time linear logic (CLL), to reason about the probability distribution execution of CTMCs. We define the syntax of CLL on the space of probability distributions. The syntax of CLL includes multiphase timed until formulas, and the semantics of CLL allows time reset to study relatively temporal properties. We derive a corresponding model-checking algorithm for CLL formulas. The correctness of the model-checking algorithm depends on Schanuel’s conjecture, a central open problem in transcendental number theory. Furthermore, we provide a running example of CTMCs to illustrate our method.
A Prototype for Data Race Detection in CSeq 3
Authors: Coto Alex , Inverso Omar , Sales Emerson , Tuosto Emilio
Published: March 2022

We sketch a sequentialization-based technique for bounded detection of data races under sequential consistency, and summarise the major improvements to our verification framework over the last years.
Helicity evolution at small x: the single-logarithmic contribution
Authors: Kovchegov Yuri V. , Tarasov Andrey , Tawabutr Yossathorn
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We calculate single-logarithmic corrections to the small-x flavor-singlet helicity evolution equations derived recently [1–3] in the double-logarithmic approximation. The new single-logarithmic part of the evolution kernel sums up powers of αs ln(1/x), which are an important correction to the dominant powers of αs ln2(1/x) summed up by the double-logarithmic kernel from [1–3] at small values of Bjorken x and with αs the strong coupling constant. The single-logarithmic terms arise separately from either the longitudinal or transverse momentum integrals. Consequently, the evolution equations we derive employing the light-cone perturbation theory simultaneously include the small-x evolution kernel and the leading-order polarized DGLAP splitting functions. We further enhance the equations by calculating the running coupling corrections to the kernel.
Exploiting complete linear descriptions for decentralized power market problems with integralities
Authors: Hümbs Lukas , Martin Alexander , Schewe Lars
Published: March 2022

It is well known that linear prices supporting a competitive equilibrium exist in the case of convex markets, however, in the presence of integralities this is open and hard to decide in general. We present necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of such prices for decentralized market problems where market participants have integral decision variables and their feasible sets are given in complete linear description. We utilize total unimodularity and the aforementioned conditions to show that such linear prices exist and present some applications. Furthermore, we compute competitive equilibria for two classes of decentralized market problems arising in energy markets and show that competitive equilibria may exist regardless of integralities.
Paraproducts for bilinear multipliers associated with convex sets
Authors: Saari Olli , Thiele Christoph
Published: March 2022

We prove bounds in the local $$ L^2 $$

L
2

range for exotic paraproducts motivated by bilinear multipliers associated with convex sets. One result assumes an exponential boundary curve. Another one assumes a higher order lacunarity condition.
Association between previous negative biopsies and lower rates of progression during active surveillance for prostate cancer
Authors: Piccinelli Mattia Luca , Luzzago Stefano , Marvaso Giulia , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Miura Noriyoshi , Schuettfort Victor M. , Mori Keiichiro , Colombo Alberto , Ferro Matteo , Mistretta Francesco A. , Fusco Nicola , Petralia Giuseppe , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara A. , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , de Cobelli Ottavio , Musi Gennaro
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To test any-cause discontinuation and ISUP GG upgrading rates during Active Surveillance (AS) in patients that underwent previous negative biopsies (PNBs) before prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis vs. biopsy naive patients.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 961 AS patients (2008–2020). Three definitions of PNBs were used: (1) PNBs status (biopsy naïve vs. PNBs); (2) number of PNBs (0 vs. 1 vs. ≥ 2); (3) histology at last PNB (no vs. negative vs. HGPIN/ASAP). Kaplan–Meier plots and multivariable Cox models tested any-cause and ISUP GG upgrading discontinuation rates.

Results

Overall, 760 (79.1%) vs. 201 (20.9%) patients were biopsy naïve vs. PNBs. Specifically, 760 (79.1%) vs. 138 (14.4%) vs. 63 (6.5%) patients had 0 vs. 1 vs. ≥ 2 PNBs. Last, 760 (79.1%) vs. 134 (13.9%) vs. 67 (7%) patients had no vs. negative PNB vs. HGPIN/ASAP. PNBs were not associated with any-cause discontinuation rates. Conversely, PNBs were associated with lower rates of ISUP GG upgrading: (1) PNBs vs. biopsy naïve (HR:0.6, p = 0.04); (2) 1 vs. 0 PNBs (HR:0.6, p = 0.1) and 2 vs. 0 PNBs, (HR:0.5, p = 0.1); (3) negative PNB vs. biopsy naïve (HR:0.7, p = 0.3) and HGPIN/ASAP vs. biopsy naïve (HR:0.4, p = 0.04). However, last PNB ≤ 18 months (HR:0.4, p = 0.02), but not last PNB > 18 months (HR:0.8, p = 0.5) were associated with lower rates of ISUP GG upgrading.

Conclusion

PNBs status is associated with lower rates of ISUP GG upgrading during AS for PCa. The number of PNBs and time from last PNB to PCa diagnosis (≤ 18 months) appear also to be critical for patient selection.
Key process diagnostics for monsoon intraseasonal oscillation over the Indian Ocean in coupled CMIP6 models
Authors: Li Baosheng , Zhou Lei , Qin Jianhuang , Meng Ze
Published: March 2022

The simulations of the monsoon intraseasonal oscillation (MISO) during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) are evaluated with 19 atmosphere–ocean coupled general circulation models (CGCMs) from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (CMIP6). The focus is on the northward propagation of MISO. The CMIP6 models have great improvement in simulating the mean rainfall, as 17 out of 19 models can reasonably simulate the mean rainfall. However, many models fail to reproduce the realistic patterns of the mean rainfall and the MISO amplitude, particularly over land in the monsoon region. The underestimation of the MISO amplitude is still a notable model bias in CMIP6. Moreover, 9 out of 19 models cannot generate realistic northward propagation features, and some even reproduce a stationary MISO pattern. Process diagnostics based on the seasonal mean vertical zonal wind shear, low-level mean moisture, and vortex tilting are also examined. It is found that the accuracy of model simulations of vortex tilting is strongly associated with the northward propagation of MISO. In contrast, the model fidelity in MISO is not dependent on the simulation skill for the seasonal mean state. In addition, decomposition analysis of vortex tilting illustrates that the meridional shear of the intraseasonal vertical velocity is crucial to the tilting simulation. The poor model fidelity in vortex tiling is caused by the weak convection, particularly the absence of downdraft to the north of the convection center. The coupling between the moisture in the boundary layer and the tilting in the free troposphere may be responsible for capturing the vertical motions. In summary, vortex tilting can be a useful metric for evaluating the northward propagation of MISO.
Long-term effect of a dietary intervention with two-healthy dietary approaches on food intake and nutrient density in coronary patients: results from the CORDIOPREV trial
Authors: Cano-Ibáñez Naomi , Quintana-Navarro Gracia M. , Alcala-Diaz Juan F. , Rangel-Zuñiga Oriol A. , Camargo Antonio , Yubero-Serrano Elena M. , Perez-Corral Isabel , Arenas-de Larriva Antonio P. , Garcia-Rios Antonio , Perez-Martinez Pablo , Delgado-Lista Javier , Lopez-Miranda Jose
Published: March 2022

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of disease burden in the world by non-communicable diseases. Nutritional interventions promoting high-quality dietary patterns with low caloric intake value and high nutrient density (ND) could be linked to a better control of CVD risk and recurrence of coronary disease. This study aims to assess the effects of a dietary intervention based on MedDiet or Low-Fat dietary intervention over changes in ND and food intake after 1 and 7 years of follow-up of the CORDIOPREV study.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed the results of the 802 coronary patients randomized to two healthy dietary patterns (MedDiet = 425, Low-Fat Diet = 377) who completed the 7 years of follow-up and had all the dietary data need. Dietary intake information obtained from a validated 137-item Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to calculate 1- and 7-year changes in dietary intake and ND (measured as nutrient intake per 1000 kcal). T test was used to ascertain differences in food intake and ND between groups across follow-up time. Within-subject (dietary allocation group) differences were analyzed with ANOVA repeated measures.

Results

From baseline to 7 years of follow-up, significant increases of vegetables, fruits, and whole cereals within groups (p < 0.001) was found. We found a higher increase in dietary intake of certain food groups with MedDiet in comparison with Low-Fat Diet for vegetables (46.1 g/day vs. 18.1 g/day, p < 00.1), fruits (121.3 g/day vs. 72.9 g/day), legumes (4.3 g/day vs. 0.16 g/day) and nuts (7.3 g/day vs. − 3.7 g/day). There was a decrease in energy intake over time in both groups, slightly higher in Low-Fat Diet compared to MedDiet group (− 427.6 kcal/day vs. − 279.8 kcal/day at 1st year, and − 544.6 kcal/day vs. − 215.3 kcal/day after 7 years of follow-up). ND of all the nutrients increased within group across follow-up time, except for Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA), cholesterol and sodium (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A comprehensive dietary intervention improved quality of diet, reducing total energy intake and increasing the intake of healthy food groups and overall ND after 1 year and maintaining this trend after 7 years of follow-up. Our results reinforce the idea of the participation in trials, enhance nutrition literacy and produces better nutritional outcomes in adult patients with established CVD.

Clinical trial registry

The trial was registered in 2009 at ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT00924937).
Intra-cavitary fluid resulted from caesarean section but not isthmocele compromised clinical pregnancy after IVF/ICSI treatment
Authors: Cai Meihong , Pan Xinyi , Xia Wei , Liang Xiaoyan , Yang Xing
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to explore whether the presence of intra-cavitary fluid (ICF) influences the pregnancy outcomes of patients with caesarean section (CS) in embryo transfer cycles. A total of 8494 transferred cycles of 4924 women were enrolled in this retrospective study and separated into three subgroups by previous delivery method and the presence of intra-cavity fluid, a caesarean group with ICF (CS-ICF, n = 649), a caesarean group without ICF (CS-noICF, n = 3207), and the remaining 4638 cycles without ICF were included in the vaginal delivered group (VD, n = 4638). Baseline characteristics and clinical outcome were compared. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to adjust confounding factors between groups. Patients in the CS-ICF group were of younger age (36.49 ± 4.19 vs 37.34 ± 4.25, 37.32 ± 4.86, P < 0.001), had better ovary reserve, and had more blastocyst transferred compared with the CS-noICF and VD groups. However, cycles in the CS-ICF group achieved unsatisfactory clinical pregnancy outcomes. PSM analysis for comparability and differences in clinical outcomes still existed. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the CS-ICF group than in the CS-noICF group (35.1% vs 41.7% for CS-noICF group, 48.1% for VD group, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of fresh embryo transferred cycles, the differences in clinical outcomes disappeared after PSM analysis, while the clinical pregnancy rate was still lowest among the three matched groups of FET cycles (36.4% vs 50.3% for VD group, P < 0.001). The presence of intra-cavitary fluid (ICF), but not necessarily the isthmocele, significantly compromises the clinical pregnancy rate in patients with previous CS undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.
Perinatal outcome in monoamniotic twin pregnancies during a 10-year period: a single center, descriptive study
Authors: Söderhult Ingrid , Tiblad Eleonor , Herling Lotta
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To retrospectively investigate perinatal outcome of monoamniotic twin pregnancies in a tertiary center during a 10 year period.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all monoamniotic pregnancies managed at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden 2010–2019 was performed. The primary outcomes were live birth rate, neonatal death and perinatal survival. The secondary outcomes were late miscarriage, gestational age at delivery and frequency of fetal complications.

Results

Twenty-two monoamniotic pregnancies, with 44 fetuses, were identified. Thirty-five of 44 fetuses (80%) were liveborn. Of 36 fetuses reaching 24 weeks gestation, 35 (97%) were liveborn. There were no neonatal deaths, thus the perinatal survival was 97%. The mean gestational age at birth was 32.5 weeks (SD ± 1.5).

Conclusions

The live birth rate and perinatal survival of monoamniotic pregnancies managed at Karolinska University Hospital was high and comparable to previously published data.
Second systolic peak in fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler after intrauterine transfusion
Authors: Vonzun Ladina , Ochsenbein-Kölble Nicole , Balsyte Dalia , Zimmermann Roland , Gonser Markus
Published: March 2022

Objective

To evaluate functional relationship between fetal circulatory response to intrauterine transfusion (IUT) as a circulatory challenge and appearance of second systolic peak (P2) in middle cerebral artery (MCA) based on hemodynamic principles.

Methods

According to the concept of pulse wave (PW) propagation and reflection in adults, PWs arrive twice at cerebral circulation, as primary wave caused by left ventricle ejection and secondary after reflection in peripheral arteries. Thus adults show a biphasic contour of systolic blood flow in cerebral arteries. Similar waveforms may appear in fetal MCA-Doppler, as a response to IUT as a circulatory challenge. This is a proof-of-principle study, applying classical hemodynamic principles to fetal circulation. Accordingly, appearance of MCA-P2 may indicate vasoconstriction with increased PW reflection and timing of P2(Δt) should agree with the additional PW travel time down to reflection and return (Tr). To test this agreement, we searched our database for IUTs performed for severe fetal anemia, and compared Δt, obtained by Doppler, with Tr, obtained by hemodynamic calculation using human fetal data. Level of agreement was assessed using Bland–Altman-Plots.

Results

We identified 21 fetuses with adequate Doppler quality for Δt evaluation. In four cases (19%) MCA-P2 was observed before the intervention, and in 17 interventions (81%) thereafter; a highly significant association between IUT and P2 appearance (p < 0.001). In these 17 interventions good agreement of P2 timing was found between Doppler assessment: Δt = 80 ± 8 ms, and hemodynamic calculation: Tr = 76 ± 4 ms.

Conclusion

P2 appearance in fetal MCA-Doppler seems to indicate PW reflection due to increased vasoconstriction after IUT. Thus hemodynamic considerations might enable Doppler monitoring of fetal vasoconstriction.