bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iterative learning control for multi‐agent systems with noninstantaneous impulsive consensus tracking
Authors: Qiu Wanzheng , Wang JinRong
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we consider the consistent tracking problem of noninstantaneous impulsive multi‐agent systems. Take advantage of the repeatability of tracking tasks and the learning ability of each agent, we show that all agents of linear systems are driven to achieve a given asymptotical consensus as the number of iteration increases by using the standard ‐type learning law with the initial state learning rule. In addition, for nonlinear systems, we use ‐type learning law with the initial state learning rule to prove that all agents are driven to achieve a given asymptotical consensus as the number of iteration increases. Finally, two numerical examples are given to verify the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Duration and Obesity alter the Efficacy of Autologously Transplanted Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells
Authors: Nguyen Liem Thanh , Hoang Duc M. , Nguyen Kien T. , Bui Duc M. , Nguyen Hieu T. , Le Hong T.A. , Hoang Van T. , Bui Hue T. H. , Dam Phuong T.M. , Hoang Xuan T.A. , Ngo Anh T.L. , Le Hang M. , Phung Nhi Y. , Vu Duc M. , Duong Trung T. , Nguyen Tu D. , Ha Lien T. , Bui Hoa T.P. , Nguyen Hoa K. , Heke Michael , Bui Anh V.
Published: June 2021

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) represent promising stem cell therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the results of autologous BM-MSC administration in T2DM patients are contradictory. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that autologous BM-MSC administration in T2DM patient is safe and that the efficacy of the treatment is dependant on the quality of the autologous BM-MSC population and administration routes. T2DM patients were enrolled, randomly assigned (1:1) by a computer-based system into the intravenous and dorsal pancreatic arterial groups. The safety was assessed in all the treated patients, and the efficacy was evaluated based on the absolute changes in the hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, and C-peptide levels throughout the 12-month follow-up. Our data indicated that autologous BM-MSC administration was well tolerated in 30 T2DM patients. Short-term therapeutic effects were observed in patients with T2DM duration of <10 years and a body mass index <23, which is in line with the phenotypic analysis of the autologous BM-MSC population. T2DM duration directly altered the proliferation rate of BM-MSCs, abrogated the glycolysis and mitochondria respiration of BM-MSCs, and induced the accumulation of mitochondria DNA mutation. Our data suggest that autologous administration of BM-MSCs in the treatment of T2DM should be performed in patients with T2DM duration <10 years and no obesity. Prior to further confirming the effects of T2DM on BM-MSC biology, future work with a larger cohort focusing on patients with different T2DM history is needed to understand the mechanism underlying our observation.
Health Utilities for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers and Pre-Cancerous Lesions: A Systematic Review
Authors: So C. , Cust A. E. , Gordon L. G. , Morton R. L. , Canfell K. , Ngo P. , Dieng M. , McLoughlin K. , Watts C.
Published: June 2021

Background

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are common and consume many healthcare resources. A health utility is a single preference-based value for assessing health-related quality of life, which can be used in economic evaluations. There are scarce data on health utilities for NMSCs.

Objectives

Using a systematic review approach, we synthesized the current data on NMSC-related health utilities.

Methods

A systematic review of studies of NMSC-related health utilities was conducted in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Data were extracted based on the protocol and a quality assessment was performed for each study.

Results

The protocol resulted in 16 studies, involving 121 621 participants. Mean utility values across the studies ranged from 0.56 to 1 for undifferentiated NMSC, 0.84 to 1 for actinic keratosis, 0.45 to 1 for squamous cell carcinoma, and 0.67 to 1 for basal cell carcinoma. There was considerable variability in utilities by type of cancer, stage of diagnosis, time to treatment, treatment modality, and quality of life instrument or method. Utility values were predominantly based on the EuroQol 5-dimension instrument and ranged from 0.45 to 0.96, while other measurement methods produced values ranging from 0.67 to 1. Lower utility values were observed for advanced cancers and for the time period during and immediately after treatment, after which values gradually returned to pre-treatment levels.

Conclusions

Most utility values clustered around relatively high values of 0.8 to 1, suggesting small decrements in quality of life associated with most NMSCs and their precursors. Variability in utilities indicates that careful characterization is required for measures to be used in economic evaluations.
Microfluidic Processing of Ligand‐Engineered NiO Nanoparticles for Low‐Temperature Hole‐Transporting Layers in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Michalska Monika , Surmiak Maciej Adam , Maasoumi Fatemeh , Senevirathna Dimuthu C. , Chantler Paul , Li Hanchen , Li Bin , Zhang Tian , Lin Xionfeng , Deng Hao , Chandrasekaran Naresh , Peiris T. A. Nirmal , Rietwyk Kevin James , Chesman Anthony S. R. , Alan Tuncay , Vak Doojin , Bach Udo , Jasieniak Jacek J.
Published: June 2021

Nickel oxide (NiO) is used as a hole‐transporting layer (HTL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) because of its high optical transmittance, intrinsic p‐type doping, and suitable valence band energy level. However, fabricating high‐quality NiO films typically requires high‐temperature annealing, which limits their applicability for low‐temperature, printable PSCs. Herein, the need for such postprocessing steps is circumvented by coupling 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) or trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (Me3OBF4) ligand‐modified NiO nanoparticles (NPs) with a Tesla‐valve microfluidic mixer to deposit high‐quality NiO films at a temperature <150 °C. The NP dispersions and the resulting thin films are thoroughly characterized using a combination of optical, structural, thermal, chemical, and electrical methods. While the optical and structural properties of the ligand‐exchanged NiO NPs remain comparable with those possessing the native long‐chained aliphatic ligands, the ligand‐modified NiO thin films exhibit dramatic reductions in surface energy and an increase in hole mobilities. These are correlated with concomitant and significant enhancements in performance and stability factors of PSCs when the ligand‐modified NiO NPs are used as HTL layers within p−i−n device architectures.
miR‐486‐3p regulates CyclinD1 and promotes fluoride‐induced osteoblast proliferation and activation
Authors: Ouyang Ting , Qin Yu , Luo Keke , Han Xue , Yu Chun , Zhang Aihua , Pan Xueli
Published: June 2021

Fluoride is a persistent environmental pollutant, and its excessive intake contributes to skeletal and dental fluorosis. The mechanisms underlying fluoride‐induced abnormal osteoblast proliferation and activation, which are related to skeletal fluorosis, have not yet been fully clarified. As important epigenetic regulators, microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in bone metabolism. On the basis of our previous miRNA‐seq results and bioinformatics analysis, this study investigated the role and specific molecular mechanism of miR‐486‐3p in fluoride‐induced osteoblast proliferation and activation via CyclinD1. Herein, in the fluoride‐challenged population, we observed that miR‐486‐3p expression decreased while CyclinD1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 increased, and miR‐486‐3p level correlated negatively with the expression of CyclinD1 and TGF‐β1 genes. Further, we verified that sodium fluoride (NaF) decreases miR‐486‐3p expression in human osteoblasts and overexpression of miR‐486‐3p reduces fluoride‐induced osteoblast proliferation and activation. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that miR‐486‐3p regulates NaF‐induced upregulation of CyclinD1 by directly targeting its 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR). In addition, we observed that NaF activates the TGF‐β1/Smad2/3/CyclinD1 axis and miR‐486‐3p mediates transcriptional regulation of CyclinD1 by TGF‐β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway via targeting TGF‐β1 3′‐UTR in vitro. This study, thus, contributes significantly in revealing the mechanism of miR‐486‐3p‐mediated CyclinD1 upregulation in skeletal fluorosis and sheds new light on endemic fluorosis treatment.
Government push for reintroduction of species
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: June 2021

Defra has announced plans to restore lost species and the habitats they will live in. Georgina Mills reports.
Woven EndoBridge (WEB) Width at the Aneurysm Neck Level Affects Early Angiographic Aneurysm Occlusion
Authors: Nawka Marie Teresa , Broocks Gabriel , McDonough Rosalie , Fiehler Jens , Bester Maxim
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Endovascular therapy with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is a safe treatment approach, whereby neoendothelialization at the neck area is a crucial element for aneurysm occlusion. We hypothesized that WEB sizing at the aneurysmal neck level has an impact on early aneurysm occlusion.

Methods

Patients with short-term follow-up digital subtraction angiography following WEB treatment of unruptured aneurysms were included. Aneurysms were categorized according to the Bicêtre Occlusion Scale Score (BOSS) as adequately (BOSS 0, 0′, 1) or partially occluded (BOSS 2, 3, 1 + 3). The WEB device dimensions, including the average aneurysm diameter (AADi) and the average neck diameter (ANDi) as well as baseline patient characteristics were documented.

Results

In this study 75 patients with 76 aneurysms were included and 65 aneurysms showed adequate occlusion at short-term follow-up (86%). In univariable logistic regression analysis, smaller differences in WEB size to ANDi (D-ANDi) were significantly associated with adequate aneurysm occlusion (odds ratio, OR = 0.41, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.23–0.71, p = 0.002). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses displayed higher discriminative power for the D‑ANDi (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.86, cut-off ≤2.9 mm) compared to the difference in WEB size to the average aneurysm diameter (D-AADi, AUC = 0.65, 95% CI 0.53–0.75, cut-off ≤1.0 mm).

Conclusion

Smaller differences between the WEB width and ANDi were associated with adequate early aneurysm occlusion and might thus have a higher impact on the results than the traditional device sizing considering the mean aneurysm diameter. D‑ANDi ≤2.9 mm served as an optimal cut-off to classify occlusion after WEB treatment at the short-term follow-up. Further external validation is warranted.
Observational study investigating Ectoin® Rhinitis Nasal Spray as natural treatment option of acute rhinosinusitis compared to treatment with Xylometazoline
Authors: Werkhäuser Nina , Bilstein Andreas , Mahlstedt Kathrin , Sonnemann Uwe
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Symptomatic relief of acute rhinosinusitis is commonly achieved with nasal decongestants. The current observational study investigated the efficacy and safety of treatment of acute rhinosinusitis with Ectoin® Rhinitis Spray compared to or in combination with Xylometazoline-containing decongesting nasal spray.

Methods

Patients with acute rhinosinusitis applied either Ectoin® Rhinitis Spray, Xylometazoline nasal spray or a combination of both products. Rhinosinusitis symptoms were assessed, and nasal oedema and endonasal redness were determined by rhinoscopy. Patient diaries based on the validated SNOT (Sino Nasal Outcome Test) questionnaire evaluated rhinosinusitis parameters over time and influences of the disease on quality of life. Following treatment, investigators and patients judged the efficacy and tolerability.

Results

Ectoin® Rhinitis Spray diminished common rhinosinusitis symptoms such as nasal obstruction, nasal secretion, facial pain/headache, and smell/taste impairment. Upon treatment over 7 days, rhinosinusitis sum scores decreased statistically significantly (p < 0.001) by − 64.25%, which was comparable to that achieved with Xylometazoline-containing decongesting nasal spray (− 67.60%). No side effects were observed during treatment with Ectoin® Rhinitis Spray, whereas treatment with Xylometazoline-containing nasal spray resulted in nasal mucosa dryness. Concomitant treatment with both products diminished the development of nasal dryness and required fewer applications of Xylometazoline-containing nasal spray.

Conclusion

Ectoin® Rhinitis Spray is an effective, natural treatment option for acute rhinosinusitis, which may be used as monotherapy or as add-on treatment with a Xylometazoline-containing nasal spray. The concomitant use of Ectoin® Rhinitis Spray might reduce the needed dose of decongestant nasal spray and counteract bothersome side effects such as dry nasal mucosa.

Trial registration

The current study was registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database under the identifier: NCT03693976 (date of registration: Oct 3, 2018).
A Deeper Union: From a Failed Project to the European Quality Lead
Authors: Aiginger Karl
Published: June 2021

After President Trump’s departure, many expected that the transatlantic partnership would return to its previous state with the US playing a leading role. This article challenges that view. Instead, a new world order is foreseen, with different partnerships and spheres of influence. Europe can decide whether it wants to remain small and homogeneous or a larger but also more heterogenous Union that leads in welfare indicators such as life expectancy, fighting poverty and limiting climate change. Expanding this lead and communicating its uniqueness can empower Europe to combine enlargement and deepening, which appears unlikely without changes in governance and self-confidence.
Comparison of HPLC–DAD and LC–MS Techniques for the Determination of Tetracyclines in Medicated Feeds Using One Extraction Protocol
Authors: Patyra Ewelina , Kwiatek Krzysztof
Published: June 2021

Four antibiotics, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, doxycycline, and chlortetracycline were separated and quantified in medicated feed. Tetracyclines from feed samples were extracted with 0.01 M citric buffer and acetonitrile (pH 3.0) and further purified with 0.45 µm syringe filters. The purified extract was separated on commercial RP-C18 column and analyzing using liquid chromatograph (LC) with two different detectors: diode array detector (DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS). These methods provided average recoveries from 72.2 to 101.8% for high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection and from 45.6 to 87.0% for liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. The limit of detection in medicated feed ranged from 4.2 to 10.7 mg kg−1 for HPLC–DAD and 5.6 to 10.8 mg kg−1 for LC–MS. Our experiment showed that using the same extraction mixture we do not obtain the same recovery values for the analyzed compounds using two different detection techniques such as DAD and MS.
A Characterisation of Morita Algebras in Terms of Covers
Authors: Cruz Tiago
Published: June 2021

A pair (A, P) is called a cover of EndA(P)op if the Schur functor HomA(P,−) is fully faithful on the full subcategory of projective A-modules, for a given projective A-module P. By definition, Morita algebras are the covers of self-injective algebras and then P is a faithful projective-injective module. Conversely, we show that A is a Morita algebra and EndA(P)op is self-injective whenever (A, P) is a cover of EndA(P)op for a faithful projective-injective module P.
Effective Components of School-Based Prevention Programs for Child Abuse: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Gubbels Jeanne , van der Put Claudia E. , Stams Geert-Jan J. M. , Assink Mark
Published: June 2021

School-based programs seem promising for child abuse prevention. However, research mainly focused on sexual child abuse and knowledge is lacking on how individual program components contribute to the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs for any form of child abuse. This study aimed to examine the overall effect of these school-based programs on (a) children’s child abuse-related knowledge and (b) self-protection skills by conducting two three-level meta-analyses. Furthermore, moderator analyses were performed to identify how program components and delivery techniques were associated with effectiveness. A literature search yielded 34 studies (158 effect sizes; N = 11,798) examining knowledge of child abuse and 22 studies (99 effect sizes; N = 7804) examining self-protection skills. A significant overall effect was found of school-based programs on both knowledge (d = 0.572, 95% CI [0.408, 0.737], p < 0.001) and self-protection skills (d = 0.528, 95% CI [0.262, 0.794], p < 0.001). The results of the first meta-analysis on children’s child abuse knowledge suggest that program effects were larger in programs addressing social–emotional skills of children (d = 0.909 for programs with this component versus d = 0.489 for programs without this component) and self-blame (d = 0.776 versus d = 0.412), and when puppets (d = 1.096 versus d = 0.500) and games or quizzes (d = 0.966 versus d = 0.494) were used. The second meta-analysis on children’s self-protections skills revealed that no individual components or techniques were associated with increased effectiveness. Several other study and program characteristics did moderate the overall effects and are discussed. In general, school-based prevention programs show positive effects on both knowledge and self-protection skills, and the results imply that program effectiveness can be improved by implementing specific components and techniques.
Niche Construction Theory in Archaeology: A Critical Review
Authors: Spengler Robert N.
Published: June 2021

Over the past decade, niche construction theory (NCT) has been one of the fastest-growing theories or scholarly approaches in the social sciences, especially within archaeology. It was proposed in the biological sciences 25 years ago and is often referred to as a neglected evolutionary mechanism. Given its rapid acceptance by the archaeological community, it is important that scholars consider how it is being applied and look for discrepancies between applications of the concept. Many critical discussions of NCT have already been published, but most of them are in biology journals and may be overlooked by scholars in the social sciences. In this manuscript, my goal is to synthesis the criticisms of NCT, better allowing archaeologists to independently evaluate its usefulness. I focus on the claims of novelty and differences between NCT and other approaches to conceptualizing anthropogenic ecosystem impacts and culture-evolution feedbacks. I argue that the diverse concepts currently included in the wide-reaching purview of NCT are not new, but the terminology is and may be useful to some scholars. If proponents of the concept are able to unify their ideas, it may serve a descriptive function, but given that lack of a testable explanatory mechanism, it does not have a clear heuristic function.
Hopf Bifurcation for General 1D Semilinear Wave Equations with Delay
Authors: Kmit Irina , Recke Lutz
Published: June 2021

We consider boundary value problems for 1D autonomous damped and delayed semilinear wave equations of the type $$\begin{aligned} \partial ^2_tu(t,x)- a(x,\lambda )^2\partial _x^2u(t,x)= b(x,\lambda ,u(t,x),u(t-\tau ,x),\partial _tu(t,x),\partial _xu(t,x)), \; x \in (0,1) \end{aligned}$$

∂
t
2

u

(
t
,
x
)

-
a

(
x
,
λ
)

2

∂
x
2

u

(
t
,
x
)

=
b

(
x
,
λ
,
u

(
t
,
x
)

,
u

(
t
-
τ
,
x
)

,

∂
t

u

(
t
,
x
)

,

∂
x

u

(
t
,
x
)

)

,

x
∈

(
0
,
1
)

with smooth coefficient functions a and b such that $$a(x,\lambda )>0$$

a
(
x
,
λ
)
>
0

and $$b(x,\lambda ,0,0,0,0) = 0$$

b
(
x
,
λ
,
0
,
0
,
0
,
0
)
=
0

for all x and $$\lambda $$
λ
. We state conditions ensuring Hopf bifurcation, i.e., existence, local uniqueness (up to time shifts), regularity (with respect to t and x) and smooth dependence (on $$\tau $$
τ
and $$\lambda $$
λ
) of small non-stationary time-periodic solutions, which bifurcate from the stationary solution $$u=0$$

u
=
0

, and we derive a formula which determines the bifurcation direction with respect to the bifurcation parameter $$\tau $$
τ
. To this end, we transform the wave equation into a system of partial integral equations by means of integration along characteristics and then apply a Lyapunov-Schmidt procedure and a generalized implicit function theorem. The main technical difficulties, which have to be managed, are typical for hyperbolic PDEs (with or without delay): small divisors and the “loss of derivatives” property. We do not use any properties of the corresponding initial-boundary value problem. In particular, our results are true also for negative delays $$\tau $$
τ
.
Participant Engagement in Supported Employment: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Khoronzhevych Mariya , Maximova-Mentzoni Tatiana , Gubrium Erika , Muller Ashley Elizabeth
Published: June 2021

Purpose This study aimed to synthesise the available knowledge on how participant engagement in supported employment (SE) interventions is presented, defined, and conceptualised. We also aimed to develop a working definition of participant engagement in SE based on the results of our study. Methods This systematic scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. The following databases were systematically searched: EBSCO, SCOPUS, Social Care Online, and JSTOR. We included peer-reviewed publications in English based on empirical studies. Results Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Thematic framework analysis resulted in three themes conveying the concept of participant engagement: self-determined choice, empowerment, and collaboration/working alliance. We suggest that participant engagement in SE is an active multifaceted process that involves the empowerment of participants, participants’ exercise of self-determined informed choice, and their collaboration with SE practitioners in a working alliance. Conclusions Participant empowerment, self-determined choice, and collaboration are important aspects of participant engagement in SE. The study results will appeal to SE practitioners and make significant contributions to the broader field of other vocational services supporting people in (re-)entering the competitive labour market.
When the rainy day is the worst hurricane ever: the effects of governmental policies on SMEs during COVID-19
Authors: Belghitar Yacine , Moro Andrea , Radić Nemanja
Published: June 2021

We investigate the impact of COVID-19 on 42,401 UK SMEs and how government intervention affects their capability to survive the pandemic. The results show that, without governmental mitigation schemes, 59% of UK SMEs report negative earnings and that their residual life is reduced from 164 to 139 days. The analysis shows that government support scheme reduces the number of SMEs with negative earnings to 49% and allows extending the residual life for SMEs with negative earnings to 194 days. In addition, the support scheme reduces the number of jobs at risk in our sample by around 20%. However, our results suggest that weaker firms benefit more than strong ones. Besides, industries that are worst hit by COVID-19 are not those that benefit most from the government support scheme. We ascribe this result to the fact that the schemes do not discriminate between those firms that deserve support and those that do not deserve it.
Impact of body mass index on the early experience of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Chao Ying-Jui , Liao Ting-Kai , Su Ping-Jui , Wang Chih-Jung , Shan Yan-Shen
Published: June 2021

Obesity
increases surgical morbidity and mortality in open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). Its influence on robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the early experience of RPD. Between June 2015 and April 2020, 68 consecutive RPDs were performed at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital. The patients were categorized as normal-weight (BMI < 23 kg/m2), overweight (BMI = 23–27.5 kg/m2), and obese (BMI > 27.5 kg/m2) according to the definition of obesity in Asian people from the World Health Organization expert consultation. Preoperative characteristics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were prospectively collected. The cumulative sum was used to assess the learning curves. The average age of the patients was 64.8 ± 11.7 years with an average BMI of 24.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2 (23 normal-weight, 29 overweight, and 16 obese patients). Eighteen patients were required to overcome the learning curve. The overall complication rate was 51.5%, and the major complication rate (Clavien grade ≥ III) was 19.1%. The normal-weight group showed the most favorable outcomes. The blood loss, major complication rate, peripancreatic fluid collection rate, and conversion rate were higher in the obese group than in the non-obese group. There were no differences in the operative time, clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula, postoperative hemorrhage, delayed gastric emptying, bile leak, wound infection, reoperation, hospital stay, and readmission rate between the obese and non-obese groups. Multivariate analysis showed obesity as the only independent factor for major complications (OR: 5.983, CI: 1.394–25.682, p = 0.001), indicating that obesity should be considered as a surgical risk factor during the implementation of RPD.
An optimal reinsurance simulation model for non-life insurance in the Solvency II framework
Authors: Zanotto Alberto , Clemente Gian Paolo
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we propose an approach to explore reinsurance optimization for a non-life multi-line insurer through a simulation model that combines alternative reinsurance treaties. Based on the Solvency II framework, the model maximises both solvency ratio and portfolio performance under user-defined constraints. Data visualisation helps understanding the numerical results and, together with the concept of the Pareto frontier, supports the selection of the optimal reinsurance program. We show in the case study that the methodology can be easily restructured to deal with multi-objective optimization, and, finally, the selected programs from each proposed problem are compared.
The impact of rosuvastatin on hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis activity in metformin-treated and metformin-naïve men with low testosterone levels: a pilot study
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Basiak Marcin , Szkróbka Witold , Okopień Bogusław
Published: June 2021

Background

Intense statin therapy was found to impair testosterone production in men. Metformin administered to subjects with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism decreased gonadotropin production. The current study was aimed at investigating whether metformin treatment modulates the impact of high-dose rosuvastatin therapy on hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis activity in men.

Methods

The study included 43 very high cardiovascular risk men with late-onset hypogonadism, 20 of whom had been treated with metformin (1.7–3 g daily) for at least 6 months. In all subjects, unsuccessful initial statin treatment was replaced with rosuvastatin (20–40 mg daily). Plasma lipid levels, glucose homeostasis markers, as well as circulating levels of gonadotropins, testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, prolactin, estradiol and creatinine were measured at the beginning of the study and 4 months later in 28 individuals in whom rosuvastatin reduced LDL cholesterol levels to below 70 mg/dL.

Results

There were no differences between treatment-induced changes in plasma lipids. In both study groups, rosuvastatin reduced total and bioavailable testosterone levels. However, only in metformin-naïve men, rosuvastatin increased LH and FSH levels and slightly impaired insulin sensitivity. The impact on gonadotropin concentrations correlated with treatment-induced decrease in testosterone levels. There were no significant differences between baseline and posttreatment values of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, prolactin, estradiol and the glomerular filtration rate.

Conclusion

The obtained results suggest that metformin prevents the compensatory increase in gonadotrope function induced by intense statin therapy.
Revealing spatiotemporal transmission patterns and stages of COVID-19 in China using individual patients’ trajectory data
Authors: Cheng Tao , Lu Tianhua , Liu Yunzhe , Gao Xiaowei , Zhang Xianghui
Published: June 2021

Gauging viral transmission through human mobility in order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic has been a hot topic in academic studies and evidence-based policy-making. Although it is widely accepted that there is a strong positive correlation between the transmission of the coronavirus and the mobility of the general public, there are limitations to existing studies on this topic. For example, using digital proxies of mobile devices/apps may only partially reflect the movement of individuals; using the mobility of the general public and not COVID-19 patients in particular, or only using places where patients were diagnosed to study the spread of the virus may not be accurate; existing studies have focused on either the regional or national spread of COVID-19, and not the spread at the city level; and there are no systematic approaches for understanding the stages of transmission to facilitate the policy-making to contain the spread.

To address these issues, we have developed a new methodological framework for COVID-19 transmission analysis based upon individual patients’ trajectory data. By using innovative space–time analytics, this framework reveals the spatiotemporal patterns of patients’ mobility and the transmission stages of COVID-19 from Wuhan to the rest of China at finer spatial and temporal scales. It can improve our understanding of the interaction of mobility and transmission, identifying the risk of spreading in small and medium-sized cities that have been neglected in existing studies. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed framework and its policy implications to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
The evolution of the international peace architecture
Authors: Richmond Oliver P.
Published: June 2021

The theories and doctrines related to peacekeeping, mediation, peacebuilding, and statebuilding, as well as other tools used to end war and conflict, raise a range of long-standing questions about the evolution and integrity of what might be called an international peace architecture. A narrow version of this term has begun to appear in the context of peacebuilding through the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, other regional actors, the international legal system, and the International Financial Institutions. This article proposes a much broader, historical version, with six main theoretical stages, which have, from a critical perspective, produced a substantial, though fragile, international architecture.
First radiative shock experiments on the SG-II laser
Authors: Suzuki-Vidal Francisco , Clayson Thomas , Stehlé Chantal , Chaulagain Uddhab , Halliday Jack W. D. , Sun Mingying , Ren Lei , Kang Ning , Liu Huiya , Zhu Baoqiang , Zhu Jianqiang , De Almeida Rossi Carolina , Mihailescu Teodora , Velarde Pedro , Cotelo Manuel , Foster John M. , Danson Colin N. , Spindloe Christopher , Chittenden Jeremy P. , Kuranz Carolyn
Published: June 2021

We report on the design and first results from experiments looking at the formation of radiative shocks on the Shenguang-II (SG-II) laser at the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics in China. Laser-heating of a two-layer CH/CH–Br foil drives a

$\sim 40$

 km/s shock inside a gas cell filled with argon at an initial pressure of 1 bar. The use of gas-cell targets with large (several millimetres) lateral and axial extent allows the shock to propagate freely without any wall interactions, and permits a large field of view to image single and colliding counter-propagating shocks with time-resolved, point-projection X-ray backlighting (

$\sim 20$

 μm source size, 4.3 keV photon energy). Single shocks were imaged up to 100 ns after the onset of the laser drive, allowing to probe the growth of spatial nonuniformities in the shock apex. These results are compared with experiments looking at counter-propagating shocks, showing a symmetric drive that leads to a collision and stagnation from

$\sim 40$

 ns onward. We present a preliminary comparison with numerical simulations with the radiation hydrodynamics code ARWEN, which provides expected plasma parameters for the design of future experiments in this facility.
The wrong vaccine: custody time limits and loss of liberty during Covid-19
Authors: Marsh Luke
Published: June 2021

In a context where the criminal courts have been drastically affected by coronavirus, this paper seeks to demonstrate that the presumption of innocence risks becoming a further casualty of Covid-19. It will argue that prolonged pre-trial detention of unconvicted defendants has been sanctioned by the senior judiciary under the Custody Time Limit (CTL) Regulations. Following a series of important CTL decisions, a universal position of the senior judiciary, one supportive of government, is emerging: despite the case backlog resulting in defendants facing trial delays of unknown length, the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic which the executive faces, amounts to ‘good cause’ to extend CTLs. It will be argued that the correct approach for courts to follow is that that they must hear evidence that justifies why no court rooms are available before using that to mandate extensions. It will be further contended that these far-reaching decisions came from the senior judiciary's perceived need to mop up the problem posed by widespread refusals to extend CTLs, raising questions as to their ability to act independently of political pressure.
On the involution fixity of simple groups
Authors: Burness Timothy C. , Covato Elisa
Published: June 2021

Let $G$ be a finite permutation group of degree $n$ and let ${\rm ifix}(G)$ be the involution fixity of $G$, which is the maximum number of fixed points of an involution. In this paper, we study the involution fixity of almost simple primitive groups whose socle $T$ is an alternating or sporadic group; our main result classifies the groups of this form with ${\rm ifix}(T) \leqslant n^{4/9}$. This builds on earlier work of Burness and Thomas, who studied the case where $T$ is an exceptional group of Lie type, and it strengthens the bound ${\rm ifix}(T) > n^{1/6}$ (with prescribed exceptions), which was proved by Liebeck and Shalev in 2015. A similar result for classical groups will be established in a sequel.
RETRACTED – The wigner property for CL-spaces and finite-dimensional polyhedral banach spaces
Authors: Tan Dongni , Huang Xujian
Published: June 2021

We say that a map $f$ from a Banach space $X$ to another Banach space $Y$ is a phase-isometry if the equality
\[ \{\|f(x)+f(y)\|, \|f(x)-f(y)\|\}=\{\|x+y\|, \|x-y\|\} \]holds for all $x,\,y\in X$. A Banach space $X$ is said to have the Wigner property if for any Banach space $Y$ and every surjective phase-isometry $f : X\rightarrow Y$, there exists a phase function $\varepsilon : X \rightarrow \{-1,\,1\}$ such that $\varepsilon \cdot f$ is a linear isometry. We present some basic properties of phase-isometries between two real Banach spaces. These enable us to show that all finite-dimensional polyhedral Banach spaces and CL-spaces possess the Wigner property.
Taking time with thetough-construction
Authors: GLUCKMAN JOHN
Published: June 2021

I provide a syntactic analysis of the take-time construction (It took an hour to complete the test). The investigation provides insight into well-known issues concerning the relatedtough-construction. Using a battery of standard syntactic diagnostics, I conclude that the take-time construction and thetough-construction require a predication analysis of the antecedent-gap chain, not a movement analysis. I also conclude that the nonfinite clause is in a modificational relationship with the main clause predicate, not a selectional relationship. Broadly, this study expands the class oftough-constructions, illustrating crucial variation among predicates, and pointing the way to a unified analysis. The investigation also reveals undiscussed aspects of English syntax, including the fact that English has a high applicative position.
Comparative evaluation of Kalman filters and motion models in vehicular state estimation and path prediction
Authors: Tao Lu , Watanabe Yousuke , Yamada Shunya , Takada Hiroaki
Published: June 2021

Vehicle state estimation and path prediction, which usually involve Kalman filter and motion model, are critical tasks for intelligent driving. In vehicle state estimation, the comparative performance assessment, regarding accuracy and efficiency, of the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) and the extended Kalman filter (EKF) is rarely discussed. This paper is devoted to empirically evaluating the performance of UKF and EKF incorporating different motion models and investigating the models’ properties and the affecting factors in path prediction. Extensive real world experiments have been carried out and the results show that EKF and UKF have roughly identical accuracy in state estimation; however, EKF is faster than UKF generally; the fastest filter is about 2⋅6 times faster than the slowest. The path prediction experiments reveal that the velocity estimate and the used motion model affect path prediction; the more realistically the model reflects the vehicle's driving status, the more reliable its predictions.
Maternal parenting stress changes over the first year of life in infants with complex cardiac defects and in healthy infants
Authors: Golfenshtein Nadya , Hanlon Alexandra L , Deatrick Janet A , Medoff-Cooper Barbara
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

Parents of infants with CHDs experience increased parenting stress compared to the general population, potentially interfering with parenting practices and bear adverse family outcomes. The changes in stress over the critical period of infancy have yet to be studied. The current study aimed to compare parenting stress changes over time between parents of infants with CHDs and parents of healthy infants during the first year of infants’ life.

Methods:

Data from a larger prospective cohort study were longitudinally analysed using mixed-effects multivariable regression modelling. Sample included mothers of 129 infants with complex cardiac defects and healthy infants, recruited from the cardiac ICU of a large cardiac centre and outpatient paediatric practices in Northeastern America. Outcome was measured over four visits via the Parenting Stress Index Long Form.

Results:

Stress in the cardiac group has significantly decreased over time on the Parent Domain (p = 0.025), and stress in the healthy group has significantly increased over time on the Child Domain (p = 0.033). Parenting stress trajectories demonstrated significant differences between groups on the Parent Domain (p = 0.026) and on the Total Stress (p = 0.039) subscales.

Conclusions:

Parenting stress in the paediatric cardiac population changes over time and differs from stress experienced by parents of healthy infants. Findings highlight stressful periods that may be potentially risky for parents of infants with CHDs and introduce additional illness-related and psychosocial/familial aspects to the parenting stress concept.
From the German Revolution to the New Left: Revolution and Dissent in Arendt and Marcuse
Authors: Ashcroft Caroline
Published: June 2021

This article argues that the German Revolution of 1918–19 was a formative event in the politicization of Hannah Arendt and Herbert Marcuse, significantly influencing their understanding of revolutionary action and their reflections on the 1960s New Left movement. The German Revolution draws these often polarized thinkers closer together as both characterize the unfulfilled political possibility of the revolution in substantially similar ways. In the work of Arendt, the staunch critic of Marx, this highlights a critical engagement with the socialist tradition; while for Marcuse, the self-proclaimed “orthodox” Marxist, the revolution reveals the importance of a revised idea of revolutionary action. By tracing the influence of the German Revolution on the work of these two theorists, this paper aims to recover the importance of this historical moment in their later political thought, particularly in their readings of the renewed political possibilities of the 1960s.
Crisis and Complementarities: A Comparative Political Economy of Economic Policies after COVID-19
Authors: Hancké Bob , Van Overbeke Toon , Voss Dustin
Published: June 2021

We examine economic policy responses to the COVID-19 induced economic collapse in Germany (a coordinated market economy) and the UK (a liberal market economy). The two countries responded to the symmetric economic shock with very similar furlough and business credit schemes to stabilize the demand and supply sides of the economy. However, since these policies fed into very different political-economic structures in both countries, they produced very different results. We attribute this divergence to the effect of “institutional complementarities,” the notion in Varieties of Capitalism that different elements of a system are mutually articulated and, therefore, mutually reinforcing beyond their initial contribution, or vice versa. Our results serve as a cautionary tale to policymakers that introducing policy elements developed in other institutional contexts is complex and challenge us to consider systematically the way in which institutional frameworks actively shape policy outcomes.
Sustainability assessment and optimization of legumes production systems: energy, greenhouse gas emission and ecological footprint analysis
Authors: Aghili Nategh Nahid , Banaeian Narges , Gholamshahi Alireza , Nosrati Mohammad
Published: June 2021

This study examined energy, greenhouse gas emission and ecological footprint analysis (EFA) of chickpea and lentil cultivation with different mechanization production systems. In lentil production, except for tillage operations, other operations are performed manually and the remaining straw is burned in the field; while in chickpea production, most of the agricultural operations are mechanized and residues are collected, baled and transferred to the warehouse for animal feed. In this paper, for the first time, some of the sustainability indicators are investigated and compared in two different legume production systems. Energy productivity and net energy for chickpea and lentil production were calculated at 0.036, 0.161 and 2373 and 5900 MJ per hectare, respectively. The CO2emission and ecological carbon footprint were 173 kg CO2−eqand 0.15 global hectare for lentil and 484 and 0.87 for chickpea production. Totally, due to excessive consumption of diesel fuel and lack of proper management, the social cost of emission from straw baling in chickpea production (27.65 dollars per hectare) was higher than burning straw in lentil production (8.77). Multi-objective genetic algorithm results showed the potential of minimizing diesel fuel and fertilizer consumption and no chemical for chickpea production. Overall audition results of two different production systems revealed that traditional lentil production is more sustainable. Therefore, implementations of modern agricultural practices alone are not enough to achieve sustainability in agricultural production systems.
Effects of Vegetation, Sediment Supply and Sea Level Rise on the Morphodynamic Evolution of Tidal Channels
Authors: Sgarabotto Alessandro , D'Alpaos Andrea , Lanzoni Stefano
Published: June 2021

Tidal channels play a leading role in the morphodynamic evolution of tidal environments by driving the exchange of water, sediments, and nutrients within these systems. Despite their fundamental function on landscape construction, current knowledge on their plano‐altimetric evolution in response to environmental forcing is still limited. We developed a mathematical model to address the interplay of biogeomorphic processes on the plano‐altimetric equilibrium of a straight tidal channel flanked by adjacent intertidal platforms. The model couples a one‐dimensional hydrodynamic model with a bed evolution model. The former describes the flow field within the channel and the storage contribution of lateral shoals. The latter accounts for the main physical processes responsible for shaping the tidal landscape, namely erosion, deposition, and sea level rise, mediated by halophytic vegetation growth. Model results reproduce a variety of channel morphologies, ranging from those typical of tidal‐flat channels, with large width‐to‐depth ratios, to those characterizing salt‐marsh creeks, which have much narrower cross sections and small width‐to‐depth ratios. Our results show that vegetation encroachment on the marsh surface produces two competing effects. First, vegetation increases flow concentration within the channel, owing to the increased flow resistance on the vegetated platform thus favoring channel incision. Second, vegetation promotes a reduction in the tidal prism, owing to higher accretion rates of the salt‐marsh surface thus leading to channel infilling. Which effect prevails over the other depends on the elevation of the intertidal platform in the tidal frame. The latter is in turn dictated by sediment availability, the rate of relative sea level rise, and vegetation biogeomorphic effects.
Control Mechanisms of Primary Productivity Revealed by Calcareous Nannoplankton From Marine Isotope Stages 12 to 9 at the Shackleton Site (IODP Site U1385)
Authors: González‐Lanchas A. , Flores J.‐A. , Sierro F. J. , Sánchez Goñi M. F. , Rodrigues T. , Ausín B. , Oliveira D. , Naughton F. , Marino M. , Maiorano P. , Balestra B.
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, primary productivity variations at the SW Iberian Margin (IbM) are primarily controlled by wind‐driven upwelling. Thus, major changes in atmospheric circulation and wind regimes between the Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 12 and 9 could have driven substantial changes in phytoplankton productivity which remains poorly understood. We present a high‐resolution calcareous nannofossil record from the Shackleton Site Integrated Ocean Discovery Program Site U1385 that allow the assessment of primary productivity and changing surface conditions on orbital and suborbital timescales over the SW IbM. These records are directly compared and integrated with terrestrial – Mediterranean forest pollen – and marine – benthic and planktic oxygen stable isotopes (δ18O), alkenone concentration [C37], Uk´37‐Sea Surface Temperature and % C37:4 – proxy records from Site U1385. Our results indicate intra‐interglacial increase in primary productivity together with intensification of the Azores anticyclonic high‐pressure cell beyond the summer that suggests a two‐phase upwelling behavior during the full interglacial MIS 11c (∼420–397 ka), potentially drived by atmospheric NAO‐like variability. Primary productivity is largely enhanced during the inception of glacial MIS 10 and the early MIS 10 (∼392–356 ka), linked to intensified upwelling and associated processes during a period of strengthened atmospheric circulation. In agreement with the conditions observed during Heinrich events of the last glacial cycle, primary productivity reductions during abrupt cold episodes, including the Heinrich‐type (Ht) events 4 to 1 (∼436, 392, 384 and 339 ka) and the Terminations V and IV, seems to be the result of halocline formation induced by meltwater arrival, reducing the regional upward nutrient transference.