bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of graphene‐loading copper nanoparticles by freeze drying and its tribological properties
Authors: Peng Runling , Wang Wei , Wang Peng , Liu Jinyue , Liu Shijiao , Zhai Haonan , Guo Junde
Published: December 2022

To reduce the agglomeration of graphene and improve the synergistic friction‐reducing and anti‐wear action of graphene loading copper, one‐step preparation of reduced graphene oxide/copper(RGO/Cu) nanoparticles by freeze‐drying method was used, the influence of process parameters on particles size of RGO/Cu is studied by orthogonal experiments. The microstructures of RGO/Cu nanoparticles are characterized by SEM and AFM, and the tribological properties of RGO/Cu nanoparticles are studied on a tribometer. The results show that the purity of RGO/Cu nanoparticles prepared by freeze‐drying was higher, and the copper nanoparticles 100–200 nm are uniformly attached to the graphene surface. It was found that RGO/Cu nanoparticles have better friction reduction and anti‐wear properties than graphene mono‐agent as lubricant additive. The synergistic anti‐friction and anti‐wear performance are better at the addition of 0.10 wt% for RGO/Cu nanoparticles. Compared with the base oil, the friction coefficient decreases by 23.1%, and the width of wear scar decreases by 62.5%.
Pseudo‐spherical evolutes of lightlike loci on mixed type surfaces in Minkowski 3‐space
Authors: Wang Yongqiao , Yang Lin , Chang Yuan , Liu Haiming
Published: December 2022

A surface with nonempty timelike, lightlike, and spacelike points in Minkowski 3‐space is a mixed type surface. The mixed type surface has a signature‐changing metric, and its lightlike points can be seen as singularities of such metric. In this paper, we study singular properties of pseudo‐spherical evolutes of lightlike loci on mixed type surfaces. We classify the generic singularities of pseudo‐spherical evolutes by the singularity theory. These singularities and the contact between lightlike loci and model submanifolds are closely associated. We also show the Legendrian duality among pseudo‐spherical evolutes, lightlike loci, and Darboux vectors. Moreover, the singularities of pseudo‐spherical evolutes are studied from the viewpoint of opening map‐germ. Finally, we give an example to demonstrate the theoretical results.
Phantom and methodology for comparison of small lesion detectability in PET
Authors: Wollenweber Scott D. , Alessio Adam M. , Kinahan Paul E.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The main goal of this work is to describe a phantom design, data acquisition and data analysis methodology enabling comparison of small lesion detectability between PET imaging systems and reconstruction algorithms. Several methods are currently available to characterize intrinsic and image quality performance, but none focus exclusively on small lesion detectability.

Methods

We previously developed a small‐lesion detection phantom and described initial results using a head‐size phantom. Unlike most fillable nuclear medicine phantoms, this phantom offers a semi‐realistic heterogenous background and wall‐less contrast features. In this work, the methodology is extended to include (a) the use of both head‐ and body‐sized phantoms and (b) a multi‐scan data collection and analysis method. We present an example use case of the phantom and detection estimation methodology, comparing the small‐lesion detection performance across four commercial PET/CT systems.

Results

Repeat acquisitions of the phantom enabled estimation of model observer performance and surrogates of detectability. As anticipated, estimated detectability increased with the square root of system sensitivity and TOF offered marked improvement in detectability, especially for the body sized object. The proposed approach characterizing detectability at different times during the decay of the phantom enabled comparison of small lesion detectability at matched activity concentrations (and scan durations) across different scanners.

Conclusion

The proposed approach offers a reproducible tool for evaluating relative tradeoffs of system performance on small lesion detectability.
Pain reduction method in recording F‐waves from the vastus lateralis muscle
Authors: Kurobe Masataka , Suzuki Toshiaki
Published: December 2022

Introduction/Aims

Conventional recording of F‐waves from the vastus lateralis muscle causes severe pain in some subjects. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of the stimulation frequency on pain and F‐wave parameters when recording F‐waves from this muscle and to develop a method for recording F‐waves from the vastus lateralis muscle that causes minimal pain.

Methods

The subject's femoral nerve was electrically stimulated at 0.5 or 0.2 Hz 30 times, while F‐waves were recorded from the vastus lateralis muscle. Pain intensity was measured immediately using a visual analog scale. In addition, the visual analog scale, F‐wave persistence, F‐wave latency, and F/M amplitude ratio were compared between F‐wave recordings with 0.5‐Hz electrical stimulation and those with 0.2‐Hz electrical stimulation.

Results

Eleven healthy men participated in this study. The visual analog scale and F‐wave persistence decreased when electrical stimulation at 0.2 Hz was applied compared with electrical stimulation at 0.5 Hz.

Discussion

Electrical stimulation at 0.5 Hz increased pain due to temporal summation. However, electrical stimulation at 0.2 Hz did not cause temporal summation, suggesting reduced pain and excitability of the alpha motor neuron pool.
Managing for Atlantic Salmon Smolt Run Timing Variability in a Changing Climate
Authors: Frechette Danielle M. , Hawkes James P. , Kocik John F.
Published: December 2022

The Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar is listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, with dams cited as a key threat to the species. Safe, timely, and efficient passage of emigrating smolts is critical for advancing recovery goals. However, climate change and the earlier (and more variable) onset of smolt migration have challenged the effectiveness of measures designed to protect smolts. Therefore, we used data from four long-term smolt trapping sites in Maine to characterize run duration, identify a standardized smolt run, and develop a predictive model for the initiation of smolt emigration for natural- and hatchery-origin smolts. We combined these data into a basinwide deterministic model that projects the movement of smolts from their point of origin to estuary entry, which we used to (1) evaluate duration and temperature triggers for supplemental spill periods used at hydroelectric dams to protect smolts and (2) investigate how knowledge of smolt emigration dynamics can guide protective measures in rivers where management actions are being developed. Timing of run initiation varied by over 14 d; however, mean air temperature for the first quarter of the year explained over 60% of the variance in the onset of emigration. Initiation temperature was linked with higher-elevation rearing areas where smolts originated and not with downstream dams where temperature was monitored. The shape of the smolt wave varied considerably; thus, our standardized smolt wave captured average dynamics but not the specific shape. Overall, 14-d spill windows are too short. To account for the variable timing and shape of the run, a 54–72-d protection window would be necessary to protect the earliest and latest emigrants in the absence of physical structures (e.g., turbine screens) and preserve the adaptive variation required for populations to respond to climate-driven changes in temperature and hydrology.
Dynamic analysis of beams vibrating on nonlinear poroelastic multi‐layered continuum
Authors: Elhuni Hesham , Basu Dipanjan
Published: December 2022

The paper presents a framework for analysis of beams interacting with nonlinear‐poroelastic, layered continuums (e.g., clayey soils) when subjected to time‐dependent loads. The poroelastic layered continuum is characterized by a nonlinear‐elastic constitutive relationship that relates the secant shear modulus to the induced shear strain. The Biot's theory of consolidation is combined with a dynamic beam‐continuum interaction model to develop the analysis. The vertical consolidation settlement of the beam and the excess pore pressure in the porous continuum are assumed to be products of separable functions, and the extended Hamilton's principle of least action is applied to obtain the differential equations governing the inertial consolidation motion of the beam‐continuum system and the dissipation of excess pore pressure. An iterative numerical algorithm is used to solve these coupled differential equations following one‐dimensional finite element analysis in which the implicit Wilson‐Θ time integration scheme is used to obtain the time history of beam and continuum responses. The novelty of the framework is that it rigorously takes into account the nonlinear poroelastic soil‐structure interaction within a dynamic time‐integration framework with minimal computational resources. The characteristics of this newly developed model are illustrated through examples.
Impact of early time‐restricted eating on diet quality, meal frequency, appetite, and eating behaviors: A randomized trial
Authors: Steger Felicia L. , Jamshed Humaira , Martin Corby K. , Richman Joshua S. , Bryan David R. , Hanick Cody J. , Salvy Sarah‐Jeanne , Warriner Amy H. , Peterson Courtney M.
Published: December 2022

Objective

Time‐restricted eating (TRE) can reduce body weight, but it is unclear how it influences dietary patterns and behavior. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of TRE on diet quality, appetite, and several eating behaviors.

Methods

Adults with obesity were randomized to early TRE plus energy restriction (eTRE + ER; 8‐hour eating window from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) or a control eating schedule plus energy restriction (CON + ER; ≥12‐hour window) for 14 weeks. Food intake was assessed via the Remote Food Photography Method, while eating patterns, appetite, and eating behaviors were assessed via questionnaires.

Results

A total of 59 participants completed the trial, of whom 45 had valid food records. eTRE + ER did not affect eating frequency, eating restraint, emotional eating, or the consistency of mealtimes relative to CON + ER. eTRE + ER also did not affect overall diet quality. The intensity and frequency of hunger and fullness were similar between groups, although the eTRE + ER group was hungrier while fasting.

Conclusions

When combined with a weight‐loss program, eTRE does not affect diet quality, meal frequency, eating restraint, emotional eating, or other eating behaviors relative to eating over more than a 12‐hour window. Rather, participants implement eTRE as a simple timing rule by condensing their normal eating patterns into a smaller eating window.
Does political connection influence corporate financial decisions in unstable political environment?
Authors: Riahi Samar , Loukil Nadia
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of political connection on the cost of debt, the cost of equity and the investment level in an unstable political environment. We use a sample of 55 Tunisian listed firms during the post‐revolution period (2011–2018) and we apply a generalized least square (GLS) approach to test our hypotheses. Findings highlight that political connections increase the corporate financial costs and reduce the investment level. Furthermore, in an additional analysis, we show on the one hand that political instability negatively affects the investment and affects positively the cost of debt and the cost of equity. On the other hand, we make evidence that the political instability level negatively affects the relation between the political connection and the cost of debt. The contribution is, to the best of our knowledge, the absence of studies conducted in Tunisia countries examining the impact of political connection on the financial cost and investment level in an unstable political environment such as Tunisia.
A guide to prenatal counseling regarding neurodevelopment in congenital heart disease
Authors: Lee Fu‐Tsuen , Sun Liqun , Freud Lindsay , Seed Mike
Published: December 2022

Advances in cardiac surgical techniques taking place over the past 50 years have resulted in the vast majority of children born with congenital cardiac malformations now surviving into adulthood. As the focus shifts from survival to the functional outcomes of our patients, it is increasingly being recognized that a significant proportion of patients undergoing infant cardiac repair experience adverse neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes. The etiology of abnormal brain development in the setting of congenital heart disease is poorly understood, complex, and likely multifactorial. Furthermore, the efficacy of therapies available for the learning disabilities, attention deficit, and hyperactivity disorders and other ND deficits complicating congenital heart disease is currently uncertain. This situation presents a challenge for prenatal counseling as current antenatal testing does not usually provide prognostic information regarding the likely ND trajectories of individual patients. However, we believe it is important for parents to be informed about potential issues with child development when a new diagnosis of congenital heart disease is disclosed. Parents deserve a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to this subject, which conveys the uncertainties involved in predicting the severity of any developmental disorders encountered, while emphasizing the improvements in outcomes that have already been achieved in infants with congenital heart disease. A balanced approach to counseling should also discuss what local arrangements are in place for ND follow‐up. This review presents an up‐to‐date overview of ND outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease, providing possible approaches to communicating this information to parents during prenatal counseling in a sensitive and accurate manner.
Evaluation of first trimester ultrasound fetal biometry ratios femur length/biparietal diameter, femur length/abdominal circumference and femur length/foot for the screening of skeletal dysplasia
Authors: Murrin Ellen M. , Nelsen Graham , Apostolakis‐Kyrus Katherine , Hitchings Laura , Wang Jenny , Gomez Luis M.
Published: December 2022

Objective

Skeletal dysplasia is usually apparent in the second trimester. First trimester femur‐length/biparietal diameter (FL/BPD), FL/abdominal circumference (AC) and FL/foot for the screening of skeletal dysplasia were evalauted.

Method

Case‐control study: pregnancies with molecular confirmation of skeletal dysplasia undergoing nuchal translucency (January_2007–December_2021). Controls included pregnancies without fetal abnormalities. Performance of FL/BPD, FL/AC and FL/foot was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Twenty‐eight skeletal dysplasia cases were identified; 17 (60.71%) corresponded to lethal types. Compared to 184 controls, cases had a lower median FL/BPD (0.34 [IQR 0.30–0.38] vs. 0.44 [IQR 0.39–0.48]; p < 0.001), FL/AC (0.13 [IQR 0.09–0.15] vs. 0.15 [IQR 0.13–0.16]; p = 0.001) and FL/foot (0.84 [IQR 0.76–0.91] vs. 1.01 [IQR 0.94–1.11]; p < 0.001). FL/BPD and FL/foot ratios had a superior area under the curve (0.846 and 0.853, respectively) than FL/AC (0.64). The probability of diagnosing skeletal dysplasia increased at least 9‐fold if FL/BPD <0.376 (OR 26.05, 95% CI 9.79–69.3; p < 0.001) and 14‐fold if FL/foot <0.891 (OR 39.46, 95% CI 14.17–109.9; p < 0.001). Low FL/BPD and FL/foot were associated significantly with lethal types compared to viable skeletal dysplasia.

Conclusions

First trimester FL/BPD and FL/foot may be of clinical utility in the detection of skeletal dysplasia especially when there is another suspicious sonographic sign or when there is a relevant family history before overt second trimester sonographic markers become apparent.
Elucidation of segmental relaxations of silica‐filled cis‐polybutadiene rubber composites
Authors: Zhang Yuan Hong , Yu Xiao Bo , Ding Yuan Qiang , Chen Xiao Jie , Yuan Zhen Xing , Yang Xu
Published: December 2022

There has been a lot of interest in characterizing polymer chain dynamics of rubber compounds because it is thought to underpin the exceptional mechanical properties of composites. We studied the effect of precipitated silica on segmental mobility of cis‐polybutadiene rubber by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). It was found that the calorimetric glass and melting transitions of silica‐filled master batch materials were essentially identical to those of the gum rubber, showing no dependence of silica loading and silane treatment. And, we observed in calorimetric measurement a change in the melting transition step for the vulcanizates. The results were correlated to the change of chemical crosslinks caused by various factors filler agglomeration and adsorption effect that tended to decrease chemical crosslink density and silane modification increased it. The DMA results demonstrated that the second peak in loss modulus versus temperature curve for the quenched vulcanizates was assigned to melting peak, and this peak disappeared at a slow cooling rate, which coincided well with DSC results. Moreover, crystalline parts constrained amorphous regions such that the glass transition temperature was raised for the cooled vulcanizates with high chemical crosslinks.
Clarifying the effects of comonomer distribution between short and long chains on physical and mechanical properties of ethylenic copolymers
Authors: Jandaghian Mohammad Hossein , Sepahi Abdolhannan , Hosseini Shahin , Salimzadeh Ali , Zaeri Reza , Nikzinat Ehsan
Published: December 2022

In this paper, two Zigler‐Natta catalysts (ZNCs) were used to synthesize a commercially available linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), widely used in the packaging industry, on an industrial scale. The catalysts differ only in their ability to distribute comonomers between short and long chains. Both catalysts were fully characterized in the first section, and two similar ethylene/1‐butene copolymers were made using them. Afterward, the produced copolymers were fully characterized using different techniques; namely, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), successive self‐nucleation and annealing (SSA), oxygen induction time (OIT), melt flow index (MFI), rheometric mechanical spectroscopy (RMS), and a wide range of mechanical experiments. It was revealed that while the presence of comonomers in short chains can reduce their resistance against oxidation (by more than 30%) and can cause a dramatic change in friction coefficients (by more than 20%), some of the other main mechanical properties of the made copolymers were independent of comonomer distribution between long and short chains. In addition, it was shown that ethylenic copolymers' strain hardening modulus (SHM) takes advantage of the homogenous distribution.
Thermal‐oxidative aging behavior of graphene and graphene oxide‐filled nitrile butadiene rubber: A molecular simulation approach
Authors: Zhao Jing , Yu Mengmeng , Qian Cheng , Wang Shijie , Wang Zhaozhi
Published: December 2022

Nitrile rubber (NBR) is commonly used as a stator rubber for screw pumps because of its excellent mechanical properties. However, under high‐temperature conditions, using NBR for long‐term operations is difficult, since it is highly susceptible to a thermal‐oxidative aging phenomenon that leads to its failure. In this study, the thermal‐oxidative aging behavior of graphene and graphene oxide (GO) in an NBR composite system was investigated using simulated molecular dynamics at 298 K and 348 K. The results showed that Young's moduli of graphene/NBR and GO/NBR composite systems were enhanced by about 33% and 44%, respectively, when the temperature was increased. That is, adding graphene and GO improved the resistance of NBR composites to elastic, bulk, and shear deformation, playing an important role in slowing down the thermal and oxygen aging of rubber. Furthermore, the binding energy, mean square displacement, and free volume fraction of the NBR composite systems were analyzed. The abundant oxygen‐containing functional groups in GO increased the intermolecular interaction force between GO and NBR and effectively inhibited the migration of antioxidants 4020. Therefore, GO retards the thermal and oxygen aging of NBR composite systems more effectively.
Blood proteome of acute intracranial hemorrhage in infant victims of abusive head trauma
Authors: Wiskott Kim , Gilardi Federica , Hainard Alexandre , Sanchez Jean‐Charles , Thomas Aurelien , Sajic Tatjana , Fracasso Tony
Published: December 2022

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in infants. While the reported incidence is close to 40 cases per 100′000 births/year, misdiagnoses are commonly observed in cases with atypical, subacute, or chronic presentation. Currently, standard clinical evaluation of inflicted intracranial hemorrhagic injury (ICH) in infants urgently requires a screening test able to identify infants who need additional investigations. Blood biomarkers characteristic of AHT may assist in detecting these infants, improving prognosis through early medical care. To date, the application of innovative omics technologies in retrospective studies of AHT in infants is rare, due also to the blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid of AHT cases being scarce and not systematically accessible. Here, we explored the circulating blood proteomes of infants with severe AHT and their atraumatic controls. We discovered 165 circulating serum proteins that display differential changes in AHT cases compared with atraumatic controls. The peripheral blood proteomes of pediatric AHT commonly reflect: (i) potentially secreted proteome from injured brain, and (ii) proteome dysregulated in the system's circulation by successive biological events following acute ICH. This study opens up a novel opportunity for research efforts in clinical screening of AHT cases.
Mixing discrete block co‐oligomers: When does it behave like a disperse sample?
Authors: Lamers Brigitte A. G. , Fors Brett P. , Meijer E. W.
Published: December 2022

Blends of block copolymers (BCPs) have great potential for applications in nanotechnology as the desired dimensions and complex nanopatterns can be designed upon mixing BCPs with other BCPs or homopolymers. Recently, we explored the synthesis of a series of discrete oligo(dimethylsiloxane) block co‐oligomers (BCOs) and studied their phase behavior. Here, we disclose our results on blending oligomers of different lengths of discrete hydrazone end‐functionalized oligo(dimethylsiloxanes) to study the effect of mixing on the morphological order. These mixtures possess a certain dispersity (Ð) as a result of the composition of the mixture. We have found that a distinct boundary exists between a good and poor morphological order at Ð ~ 1.10. As a result, the domain spacings of the low dispersity mixtures can be tuned by the molecular composition of the mixture, creating a wider spectrum of morphologies. Furthermore, we compare a hydrazone end‐functionalized siloxane with a dispersity as a result of mixing with its analog having a similar dispersity but resulting from traditional polymerization. Finally, a discrete BCO was mixed with a disperse BCO of similar size and composition. The discrete BCO is immiscible in the disperse BCO which emphasizes the differences in interactions within disperse and discrete oligomers. These results demonstrate that the entropic and enthalpic contributions to nanoscale order in a system composed of discrete components are different compared to disperse BCPs and BCOs.
Protein aggregates thermodynamically order regardless of sequence
Authors: Nielsen Aleksandra W. , Sari Levent , Fraser Rowan , Lin Milo M.
Published: December 2022

Proteins can aggregate into disordered aggregates or ordered assemblies such as amyloid fibrils. These two distinct phases serve differing roles in function and disease. How protein sequence determines the preferred phase is unknown. Here we establish a statistical mechanical disorder‐to‐order transition condition for compact polymer aggregates, including proteins. The theory produces a simple universal equation determining the favored phase as a function of temperature, polymer length, and interaction energy variance. We show that the sequence‐dependent energy variance is efficiently calculated using atomistic simulations, so that the theory has no adjustable parameters. The equation accurately predicts experimental length‐dependent crystallization temperatures of synthetic polymers. The equation also predicts that all protein sequences that aggregate will also favor ordering. Consequently, energy must be expended to maintain the steady‐state disordered phase if it is not kinetically metastable on physiological timescales. More broadly, the theory suggests that aggregates of organic polymers will generally tend to order on habitable planets.
Structure and Crystallization Kinetics of As‐Deposited Films of the GeTe Phase Change Compound from Atomistic Simulations
Authors: Perego Simone , Dragoni Daniele , Gabardi Silvia , Campi Davide , Bernasconi Marco
Published: December 2022

Models of the amorphous phase of the GeTe compound have been generated by depositing individual atoms on a substrate by molecular dynamics simulations. This material is of interest for applications in phase change memories. The kinetic energy of the atoms impinging on the surface is in the range 1.5–10 eV which is typical of magnetron sputtering growth. The simulations with up to 8000 atoms exploit a machine learning potential devised previously by the group. The structural properties of the films depend very little on the energy of the impinging atoms in the range 1.5–10 eV and they are also very similar to those of amorphous models generated by quenching from the melt, but for a larger fraction of GeGe bonds and Ge atoms in tetrahedral geometries in the films. The crystal nucleation and growth are then simulated at 600 K which is close to the temperature of maximal crystal growth velocity exploited in the memory devices. Despite the structural differences mentioned above, the kinetics of crystallization at 600 K is very similar for the as‐deposited and melt‐quenched amorphous models.
Robust lateral motion control of distributed drive vehicle considering long input delays
Authors: Li Wei , Xie Yu , Li Yuxue , Geng Keke , Nguyen Anh‐Tu , Zhu Xiaoyuan
Published: December 2022

This article presents a comparative study of lateral motion controller design for distributed drive vehicle. Aiming at handling long input delays, two types of robust controllers are specifically investigated. First, a Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional based robust controller design is proposed. Considering input delay, the design conditions of the state‐feedback controller are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be effectively solved using LMI toolbox. Second, based on the same control law, a robust predictive controller design is further presented. However, different from the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional based robust controller, the control gain of the proposed robust predictive controller is calculated without considering the input delay. An input delay estimator and a predictor are developed instead to reconstruct the delay‐dependent state, which is further used to generate a new feedback error. Moreover, the feasibility of this control scheme is theoretically proved. Finally, extensive co‐simulations with Carsim and Matlab/Simulink are conducted to compare the performance between these two controllers. Compared with the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional based robust controller, longer input delay can be handled by using the proposed robust predictive controller.
Random plane increasing trees: Asymptotic enumeration of vertices by distance from leaves
Authors: Bóna Miklós , Pittel Boris
Published: December 2022

We prove that for any fixed , the probability that a random vertex of a random increasing plane tree is of rank , that is, the probability that a random vertex is at distance from the leaves, converges to a constant as the size of the tree goes to infinity. We prove that , so that the tail of the limiting rank distribution is super‐exponentially narrow. We prove that the latter property holds uniformly for all finite as well. More generally, we prove that the ranks of a finite uniformly random set of vertices are asymptotically independent, each with distribution . We compute the exact value of for , demonstrating that the limiting expected fraction of vertices with rank is … We show that with probability the highest rank of a vertex in the tree is sandwiched between and , and that this rank is asymptotic to with probability .
Coupling an individual adaptive‐decision model with a SIRV model of influenza vaccination reveals new insights for epidemic control
Authors: Yan Qinling , Cheke Robert A. , Tang Sanyi
Published: December 2022

Past seasonal influenza epidemics and vaccination experience may affect individuals' decisions on whether to be vaccinated or not, decisions that may be constantly reassessed in relation to recent influenza related experience. To understand the potentially complex interaction between experience and decisions and whether the vaccination rate is likely to reach a critical coverage level or not, we construct an adaptive‐decision model. This model is then coupled with an influenza vaccination dynamics (SIRV) model to explore the interaction between individuals' decision‐making and an influenza epidemic. Nonlinear least squares estimation is used to obtain the best‐fit parameter values in the SIRV model based on data on new influenza‐like illness (ILI) cases in Texas. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses are then carried out to determine the impact of key parameters of the adaptive decision‐making model on the ILI epidemic. The results showed that the necessary critical coverage rate of ILI vaccination could not be reached by voluntary vaccination. However, it could be reached in the fourth year if mass media reports improved individuals' memory of past vaccination experience. Individuals' memory of past vaccination experience, the proportion with histories of past vaccinations and the perceived cost of vaccination are important factors determining whether an ILI epidemic can be effectively controlled or not. Therefore, health authorities should guide people to improve their memory of past vaccination experience through media reports, publish timely data on annual vaccination proportions and adjust relevant measures to appropriately reduce vaccination perceived cost, in order to effectively control an ILI epidemic.
Association of cesarean delivery timing with pelvic floor muscle function and urine incontinence: A propensity score‐matched study
Authors: Chen Yiyao , Xu Chuangchuang , Saiding Qimanguli , Chi Xiaolei , Chu Lei , Wang Xianjing , Chen Xinliang
Published: December 2022

Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common gynecological disease that adversely affects women's quality of life and mental health. Delivery is considered a significant independent risk factor for pelvic floor dysfunction. Surface electromyography (sEMG) values for the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) have been shown to differ according to different delivery modes. This study aimed to compare sEMG results between intrapartum and antepartum cesarean delivery (CD), 42–60 days after delivery. Data of women who underwent CD at the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital were collected from September 2021 to December 2021. Myotrac Infiniti System was used to measure the electromyographic activity of PFM after 42–60 days of parturition. Propensity score matching (1:1) was applied to achieve a balance in baseline data between the two groups (intrapartum and antepartum CD). A total of 200 paired cases were selected for statistical analysis. In the propensity score‐matched analysis, there were no statistically significant differences in PFM sEMG between women with antepartum or intrapartum CD (p > 0.05 for all). We observed similar results with postpartum urinary incontinence (24 [12.0] vs. 21 [10.5]; adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–2.12]; p = 0.717) and stress urinary incontinence (12 [6.0] vs. 14 [7.0]; aOR, 0.80 [95% CI 0.35–1.80]; p = 0.596) as outcomes. After excluding participants with intrapartum CD when the cervix was dilated <6 cm, all sEMG of PFM had a comparable level of risk in both the antepartum and intrapartum CD groups. There were no significant differences in sEMG of the PFM and the incidence of urinary incontinence between patients undergoing intrapartum or antepartum CD. Excluding women who underwent intrapartum CD when the cervix was dilated to <6 cm produced little change in results. Thus, different opportunities for CD may not impact the sEMG of the PFM and the incidence of urinary incontinence.
Perverts or Heroes in the Post‐Socialist “Cold War”: Formula Stories of Lesbian/Bisexual/Queer Women and Transgender People in Ukrainian Media
Authors: Soroka Yuliia , Crawley S. L. , Dzyuba Olga , Green Ashley
Published: December 2022

Subjectivities such as (what would be termed in English) lesbians, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women and transgender people are contested topics in Ukraine. Linking Laclau and Mouffe's discourse analysis with Loseke's narrative approach, we reviewed eight national, text‐based, journalistic media sources to read equivalence chains within the data as publicly available formula stories about LGBTQ+ people. Formula stories are not about actual people or typically told by LBQ women and transgender people themselves, but rather exist as publicly circulating stories for consumption by non‐LGBTQ+ people. Our findings shore up previous evidence that homophobia and transphobia (including criminalization and pathologization) are commonly articulated in media outlets in Ukraine. Importantly, media outlets owned by Russia and the United States and stories about events outside of Ukraine contribute most to the formula stories circulating in Ukraine, demonstrating the continuing position of Ukraine as a fulcrum of geopolitical contestations in the post‐socialist “cold war.” Analyzing sexual politics through formula stories illuminates ongoing transnational connections of imperialism and Europeanization to racialization, colonialism, and contestations of power. A video abstract is available athttps://youtu.be/v3dCj0yYm_g.
Gigification of English Language Instructor Work in Higher Education: Precarious Employment and Magic Time
Authors: Kouritzin Sandra G. , Ellis Taylor F. , Ghazani Ahmad Zirak , Nakagawa Satoru
Published: December 2022

This article describes how discourses of professionalism, insecurity, and exploitation among English as a second language/English for Academic Purposes (hereinafter ESL/EAP) instructors and curriculum‐level administrators at two Canadian universities relate to their understanding of fair work. These understandings are examined in a nested manner, in keeping with social positioning theory. Via discourse and thematic analysis of job advertisements and semi‐structured interviews, we illuminate aspects of the gigification of ESL/EAP in Canada, wherein ESL/EAP instructor work is increasingly rendered un(der)paid, constantly evaluated, surveilled, and precarious. Viewed through the lens of “magic time,” an infinite category of work time, we document the frustrations of ESL/EAP instructors who recognize their own exploitation. The relevance of this study is described in relation to the growing numbers of international students at English‐speaking universities throughout the world requiring a robust program infrastructure supporting their success, while the ESL/EAP instructors who provide these programs are increasingly made disposable through contingent employment relationships. The increasing reliance on contract professors teaching for‐credit courses in higher education has come to be known as adjunctification. In the noncredit, the more marginal context of ESL/EAP instructors subject to the forces of international student supply and demand, underpaid even by contract faculty standards, and engaged in often cutthroat competition for the few remaining contracts, we reference contextual differences by calling it gigification.
Temporal variation of 2‐MIB and geosmin production by Pseudanabaena galeata and Phormidium ambiguum exposed to high‐intensity light
Authors: Senavirathna Mudalige Don Hiranya Jayasanka , Jayasekara Mohoppu Arachchillage Dasun Dineka
Published: December 2022

This study demonstrated the temporal variation of 2‐methylisoborneol (2‐MIB) and geosmin (GSM) production of two filamentous cyanobacteria species Pseudanabaena galeata (NIES‐512; planktonic) and Phormidium ambiguum (NIES‐2119; benthic) exposed to high light intensity (950–1000 μmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetically active radiation). The production of 2‐MIB and GSM was quantified together with oxidative stress, chlorophyll content, and cellular protein content. The relative chlorophyll bleaching and cell degradations were compared through microscopic images. The 2‐MIB production of P. galeata increased by over 42 ± 17% on the second day of exposure and remained leveled through the exposure period. P. ambiguum showed a continuous increase of 2‐MIB until the 10th day, recording a 95 ± 4% increment. The GSM production was elevated until the fourth day of exposure by 46 ± 10% for P. galeata and by 74 ± 21% on the second day for P. ambiguum and reduced with prolonged exposure for both species. The chlorophyll content of P. galeata was reduced by 62 ± 7% on the second day, and that of P. ambiguum was reduced by 52 ± 9% on the fourth day and remained low. Protein and H2O2 contents of both species were changed inconsistently. Exposure to high‐intensity light can photobleach and deteriorate cells of both species, but elevations in odorous compounds can be expected.
Reproducibility of the 6-minute walk test in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Ebenbichler Gerold R. , Murakoezy Gabriella , Kohlmann Julia , Habenicht Richard , Kienbacher Thomas , Jaksch Peter , Mair Patrick , Hoetzenecker Konrad
Published: December 2022

Purpose

There is reason to believe that the favorable measurement properties of the 6‑minute walk test (6MWT) reported for retest reliability and its capability to detect a true change in healthy individuals or persons with chronic respiratory disease may not apply to lung transplant recipients (LuTXr). We therefore investigated retest reliability of the 6MWT and, in addition, made an attempt to explore whether the 6MWT was sensitive enough to detect important changes that occur with postacute rehabilitation in LuTXr after first time LuTX.

Methods

Immediately before postacute rehabilitation, 50 LuTXr completed 6MWT testing twice, separated by 1–2 workdays (retest reliability), and were reassessed after completion of rehabilitation 2 months later (sensitivity to changes). Body function measures and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments were collected at baseline.

Results

Baseline retest 6‑minute walk distance (6MWD) and the age-related predicted walking distance (6MWD%pred) scores significantly increased before postacute rehabilitation. The intraclass coefficient of correlation ICC of the 6MWD was 0.93 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.88–0.96) and its smallest real difference (SRD) 79 m (95% CI: 52;107). Receiver operating curve analyses revealed the rehabilitation associated changes in 6MWD/6MWD%pred to exceed the SRD/SRD% values in a highly accurate way.

Conclusion

The 6MWT overall represents a reliable functional performance tool in LuTXr that is sensitive to detect changes in physical performance as a result of medical postacute rehabilitation.
Possible new applications of the interactive programming based on aspiration levels—case of pure and mixed strategies
Authors: Gaspars-Wieloch Helena
Published: December 2022

The interactive programming (IP) using aspiration levels is a well-known method applied to multi-criteria decision making under certainty (M-DMC). However, some essential analogies between M-DMC and scenario-based one-criterion decision making under uncertainty (1-DMU) have been recently revealed in the literature. These observations give the opportunity to adjust the IP to a totaly new issue. The goal of the paper is to create two novel procedures for uncertain problems on the basis of the IP ideas: the first one for pure strategy searching and the second for mixed strategy searching. In many ways, they allow a better consideration of the decision maker's preferences than classical decision rules. One of their significant advantages consists in analyzing particular scenarios sequentially. Another strong point is that the new procedures can be used by any kind of decision makers (optimists, moderate, pessimists). The new approaches may be helpful when solving problems under uncertainty with partially known probabilities. Both methods are illustrated in the paper on the basis of two fictitious decision problems concerning the choice of an optimal location and the optimization of the stock portfolio structure.
Linearized Boltzmann Collision Operator: I. Polyatomic Molecules Modeled by a Discrete Internal Energy Variable and Multicomponent Mixtures
Authors: Bernhoff Niclas
Published: December 2022

The linearized Boltzmann collision operator appears in many important applications of the Boltzmann equation. Therefore, knowing its main properties is of great interest. This work extends some classical results for the linearized Boltzmann collision operator for monatomic single species to the case of polyatomic single species, while also reviewing corresponding results for multicomponent mixtures of monatomic species. The polyatomicity is modeled by a discrete internal energy variable, that can take a finite number of (given) different values. Results concerning the linearized Boltzmann collision operator being a nonnegative symmetric operator with a finite-dimensional kernel are reviewed.

A compactness result, saying that the linearized operator can be decomposed into a sum of a positive multiplication operator, the collision frequency, and a compact operator, bringing e.g., self-adjointness, is extended from the classical result for monatomic single species, under reasonable assumptions on the collision kernel. With a probabilistic formulation of the collision operator as a starting point, the compactness property is shown by a splitting, such that the terms can be shown to be, or be the uniform limit of, Hilbert-Schmidt integral operators and as such being compact operators. Moreover, bounds on - including coercivity of - the collision frequency are obtained for a hard sphere like model, from which Fredholmness of the linearized collision operator follows, as well as its domain.
A refined complexity analysis of fair districting over graphs
Authors: Boehmer Niclas , Koana Tomohiro , Niedermeier Rolf
Published: December 2022

We study the NP-hard Fair Connected Districting problem recently proposed by Stoica et al. [AAMAS 2020]: Partition a vertex-colored graph into k connected components (subsequently referred to as districts) so that in every district the most frequent color occurs at most a given number of times more often than the second most frequent color. Fair Connected Districting is motivated by various real-world scenarios where agents of different types, which are one-to-one represented by nodes in a network, have to be partitioned into disjoint districts. Herein, one strives for “fair districts” without any type being in a dominating majority in any of the districts. This is to e.g. prevent segregation or political domination of some political party. We conduct a fine-grained analysis of the (parameterized) computational complexity of Fair Connected Districting. In particular, we prove that it is polynomial-time solvable on paths, cycles, stars, and caterpillars, but already becomes NP-hard on trees. Motivated by the latter negative result, we perform a parameterized complexity analysis with respect to various graph parameters including treewidth, and problem-specific parameters, including, the numbers of colors and districts. We obtain a rich and diverse, close to complete picture of the corresponding parameterized complexity landscape (that is, a classification along the complexity classes FPT, XP, W[1]-hard, and para-NP-hard).
Transparency against efficiency in uni/bifacial mesostructured-based solar cells for self-powered sensing applications
Authors: Mahran Abdelrahman M. , Abdellatif Sameh O.
Published: December 2022

Low-power IoT sensing applications have proliferated, focusing on self-powered sensors. Accordingly, researchers have investigated serval procedures for the power management of such self-powered sensors. Obesely, minimizing the energy consumed by the sensor is critical to efficient power management. However, another challenge is still considered in harvesting energy effectively. Herein, we provide an attempt to investigate light harvesters that are capable of semi-transparent applications. Six samples were simulated under three light sources while performing a unifacial and bifacial optical injection. The optoelectronic numerical model has shown the utility of perovskite solar cells to harvest the AM1.5G solar spectrum up to 28.63%, with transparency reaching 87%. On the other hand, the bifacial condition boosted the overall cell efficiency to nearly 33% with transparency of 90%, without considering Fresnel glass reflection of 8%. The proposed bifacial cell is a primary light-harvesting source for four IoT sensing applications, including biomedical sensing, underwater harvesting, and IoT sensing in intelligent vehicles and buildings.
Allocation of limited resources under quadratic constraints
Authors: Kicsiny Richárd , Hufnagel Levente , Varga Zoltán
Published: December 2022

The proper allocation/distribution of limited resources is a traditional problem with various applications. The mathematical formulation of such problems usually includes constraints describing the set of feasible solutions (feasible set), from which the (nearly) optimal or equilibrium solution should be selected. Often the feasible set is more difficult to determine than to find the optimal or equilibrium solution. Alternatively, the already known feasible set often makes it easier to select the optimal or equilibrium solution. In some other cases, any feasible solutions are the same satisfactory, additional optimization is needless. Accordingly, the main or only task in many cases is to determine the feasible set itself. In the paper, a new theorem is proved for the explicit expression of properly assigned (dependent) variables by means of the other (independent) variables in a system of inequality and quadratic equality constraints. The sum of the (nonnegative) variables can be either prefixed or not. The constraints may describe the feasible set in various resource allocation tasks (possibly in optimization or game-theoretical contexts) or in other problems. Two new lemmas are proved for supporting the proof of the above mentioned theorem, nevertheless, they can also be considered independent results, which may help future mathematical derivations. Supported by a further new lemma, a practical algorithm is derived for assigning in a feasible way the independent variables, to which (possibly limited) arbitrary nonnegative values can be prescribed. Various practical examples are provided to facilitate utilizing the results.