bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pseudo‐projective and quasi‐conformal curvature tensors on Riemannian submersions
Authors: Ayar Gülhan
Published: September 2021

In this study, pseudo‐projective and quasi‐conformal curvature tensors on a Riemannian submersion have been examined and on a Riemannian submersion new curvature relations for pseudo‐projective curvature tensor and quasi‐conformal curvature tensor under certain conditions have been obtained.
The relationship between illness perception and worsening of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome symptoms: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Garba Kamaluddeen , Avery Miriam , Yusuh Muhammadbukhoree , Abdelwahab Omar , Harris Scott , Birch Brian R. , Lwaleed Bashir A.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate disease perception in a cohort of patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) using the Brief Illness Perception‐Questionnaire (BIP‐Q) and to evaluate how this might relate to disease severity.

Materials and Methods

The study is a cross‐sectional survey amongst members of Bladder Health UK who had previously received a clinical diagnosis of IC/PBS. A hyperlink containing the questionnaire was sent to the patient group's website and interested members accessed and completed the survey. Participants' inclusion was based on a prior clinical diagnosis of IC/PBS, current O'Leary Sant scores supportive of the diagnosis, and age between 18 and 80. A sample size of 171 was used in the study. The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIP‐Q) and the O'Leary/Sant symptoms and problem indices questionnaire were used to collect data. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to test the relationship between items of BIP‐Q and severity of IC/PBS. Content analysis was used for the causal domain and subsequently analysed as percentages.

Results

Six hundred and one members accessed the questionnaire of whom 159 returned completed questionnaires. One hundred and twenty‐two of 159 (≥75%) respondents believe that their illness will continue indefinitely. The majority of the respondents indicated that IC/PBS had a negative impact on their daily lives, caused them worry and made them emotionally unstable. Of the 8 BIP‐Q items, those most predictive of disease severity were (adjusted odd ratio and confidence intervals): consequence 0.094 (0.023–0.386); treatment control 2.702 (1.256–5.812); identity 0.141 (0.033–0.600); concern 9.363 (1.521–57.632).

Conclusions

Our findings show that IC/PBS negatively impacts participant's quality of life and emotional wellbeing. Higher expectation for treatment benefit and increasing levels of patient concern are predictive for severity of IC/PBS.
The double ratio geometric process for the analysis of recurrent events
Authors: Wu Shaomin
Published: September 2021

Since its introduction, the geometric process (GP) has attracted extensive research attention from authors in various research communities, including probability, statistics, and reliability mathematics. However, the GP can only model a process with its gap times (i.e., times between events/failures) having a monotonic trend (either increasing or decreasing). It also implicitly assumes that the level of the modification on the hazard rate functions and that on the age after the occurrence of an event are the same, which is too restrictive and may limit its application. To overcome these drawbacks, this paper extends the GP to a new stochastic model. Probabilistic properties of the proposed model are investigated. The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate the parameters in the model. Case studies are performed to illustrate the parameter estimation process and obtain favorable performance.
High order weight‐adjusted discontinuous Galerkin methods for wave propagation on moving curved meshes
Authors: Guo Kaihang , Chan Jesse
Published: September 2021

This article presents high order accurate discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods for wave problems on moving curved meshes with general choices of basis and quadrature. The proposed method adopts an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation to map the wave equation from a time‐dependent moving physical domain onto a fixed reference domain. For moving curved meshes, weighted mass matrices must be assembled and inverted at each time step when using explicit time‐stepping methods. We avoid this step by utilizing an easily invertible weight‐adjusted approximation. The resulting semi‐discrete weight‐adjusted DG scheme is provably energy stable up to a term that (for a fixed time interval) converges to zero with the same rate as the optimal error estimate. Numerical experiments using both polynomial and B‐spline bases verify the high order accuracy and energy stability of proposed methods.
Simultaneous line shift and source parameter inversion applied to a scalar magnetic survey for small unexploded ordnance
Authors: Kolster Mick Emil , Døssing Arne
Published: September 2021

Continuing advances within unmanned aerial vehicles and scalar magnetic sensor technology are revolutionizing geophysical remote sensing. For perspective, examples of high resolution, low noise data presented in this study enabled detection and accurate positioning of human‐made ferrous objects with a total mass of 0.5 kg, from altitudes around and above 2 m. However, with these new possibilities come a requirement of higher fidelity, where good sensor position estimates, in particular, are key to achieving a data quality sufficient for reliable data interpretation and geophysical inversion. Apart from inherent instrument properties, typical factors that hamper sensor position estimation are lag and parallax errors. Lag errors arise from time‐stamping delays between the positioning system and sensor reading, while parallax errors stem from the imperfect recovery of sensor positions due to a decoupling and/or distancing of the positioning system and sensor head. The impact from each of these error sources is typically similar and partially or even completely inseparable. A number of correctional techniques exist, typically based on large‐scale data correlations, or collection of specific additional data. We present a survey data adjustment method based on the simultaneous inversion of source parameters and a number of independent survey shifts or lags in pre‐specified sections of a survey. The method is particularly suited for surveys where the sensor path through space can be assumed well known, but the sensor position itself may suffer lags or shifts relative to the position measurement. The approach is based on modelling an existing source signature within the data and requires no data transformations, such as continuation to a two‐dimensional plane, or enforcing of smoothness. The approach is an amendment to independent source inversion and is ideal for scenarios where the source behaviour is thought to be well known, such as processing efforts in which the objective is source–parameter inversion. In this study, we validate the approach using a simple point‐dipole model to adjust synthetic data and subsequently demonstrate it on an unmanned airborne scalar magnetic survey for small unexploded ordnance targets, where a hardware malfunction resulted in unknown time‐shifts between magnetic sensor readings and positioning unit output. The adjustment procedure was carried out on line data, based on a single anomaly from a 155 mm shell, and enabled the recovery of signatures from several other ferrous unexploded ordnance targets as small as 0.5 kg. Subsequent inversion on the corrected signatures provided unexploded ordnance positions with an accuracy suitable for recovery purposes.
Intersection of surgical injuries and pain interference among former female collegiate gymnasts
Authors: Ferber Ally , Howell David R. , Seehusen Corrine N. , Tilley David , Casey Ellen , Sweeney Emily A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Gymnastics is a competitive sport with numerous health benefits. However, few data exist that examine the lasting effects of injuries in retired gymnasts.

Objective

To examine pain interference among former collegiate gymnasts. Specifically, we focused on the relationship between gymnastics‐related injuries sustained during middle/high school or college that required surgery and former collegiate gymnasts' current pain. We hypothesized that injuries requiring surgery would be associated with increased pain and reduced function after retirement.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

An online questionnaire was distributed to former female collegiate gymnasts via social media.

Participants

A total of 447 former female collegiate gymnasts completed the survey and were grouped according to whether they indicated an injury during their middle/high school or collegiate gymnastics career that required surgery.

Main Outcome Measures

The association between current pain interference (Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS] scale) and injuries in middle/high school or college that resulted in surgery. Pain interference elements included current enjoyment of life, ability to concentrate, participation in day‐to‐day activities, enjoyment of recreational activities, ability to perform errands, and ability to socialize with others.

Results

Those who reported an injury that resulted in surgery (n = 260; mean current age ± SD = 32.8 ± 9.5 years) were younger than those who did not at the time of survey completion (n = 187; current age: 37.0 ± 11.0 years) and reported beginning gymnastics at an earlier age (4.4 ± 2.0 years vs. 5.1 ± 2.5 years; p = .001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on any PROMIS questions. In secondary analyses, we found a small but significant association between beginning gymnastics at an earlier age and the odds of requiring surgery (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–1.21; p = .02).

Conclusions

Most retired gymnasts reported a gymnastics‐related injury that required surgery. Gymnasts who start gymnastics at a younger age were more likely to sustain an injury that required surgery, but surgery was not associated with higher levels of pain interference.
Experiences and needs of people with haematological cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Zomerdijk Nienke , Jongenelis Michelle , Yuen Eva , Turner Jane , Huntley Kathryn , Smith Andrew , McIntosh Megan , Short Camille E.
Published: September 2021

Objective

Haematological cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to the effects of COVID‐19. In addition to being immunocompromised, pandemic‐related travel restrictions have impacted access to treatments and overseas stem cell donations for patients requiring transplantation. Given this vulnerability, people with haematological cancers are at risk of experiencing heightened distress during the pandemic. This study aimed to explore haematological cancer patients' experiences and needs.

Methods

Twenty‐four Australian haematological cancer patients completed semi‐structured interviews exploring their concerns and worries during the pandemic, impact of pandemic on management of disease, access to information and support, lifestyle changes, and attitudes towards emerging models of healthcare during the pandemic. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed.

Results

Four themes reflecting the experiences of haematological cancer patients during the pandemic were identified: ‘Fears about contracting COVID‐19' (behaviour changes to protect health, impact on daily routine and habits, annoyance at dismissive attitude of others toward COVID‐19); ‘Reduced sense of connection and support’ (reduced social support and access to external support services); ‘New challenges’ (increased financial hardship, worsened health), and; ‘Underlying system and communication issues' (access to trusted information, satisfaction/dissatisfaction with care, navigating telehealth). Participants expressed a need for improved access to support services and trusted information.

Conclusions

The findings emphasise the additional challenges experienced by haematological cancer patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic and their impact on daily life. Results point to the importance of validation of increased distress during periods of uncertainty; reinforcing recommendations about high‐quality sources of information; and facilitating access to support services when face‐to‐face care is limited.
Current clinical developments in curcumin‐based therapeutics for cancer and chronic diseases
Authors: Kumar Aviral , Harsha Choudhary , Parama Dey , Girisa Sosmitha , Daimary Uzini Devi , Mao Xinliang , Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B.
Published: September 2021

The last decade has seen an unprecedented rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. Different mono‐targeted approaches have been devised to treat these multigenic diseases, still most of them suffer from limited success due to the off‐target debilitating side effects and their inability to target multiple pathways. Hence a safe, efficacious, and multi‐targeted approach is the need for the hour to circumvent these challenging chronic diseases. Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been under intense scrutiny for its wide medicinal and biological properties. Curcumin is known to manifest antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antineoplastic, antifungal, and proapoptotic effects. A plethora of literature has already established the immense promise of curcuminoids in the treatment and clinical management of various chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. To date, more than 230 clinical trials have opened investigations to understand the pharmacological aspects of curcumin in human systems. Still, further randomized clinical studies in different ethnic populations warrant its transition to a marketed drug. This review summarizes the results from different clinical trials of curcumin‐based therapeutics in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases.
Synergistic Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Over Boron Nitride Quantum Dots Decorated Nb2CTx‐MXene
Authors: Chu Ke , Li Xingchuan , Li Qingqing , Guo Yali , Zhang Hu
Published: September 2021

Electrochemical N2 fixation represents a promising strategy toward sustainable NH3 synthesis, whereas the rational design of high‐performance catalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is urgently required but remains challenging. Herein, a novel hexagonal BN quantum dots (BNQDs) decorated Nb2CTx–MXene (BNQDs@Nb2CTx) is explored as an efficient NRR catalyst. BNQDs@Nb2CTx presents the optimum NRR activity with an NH3 yield rate of 66.3 µg h−1 mg−1 (−0.4 V) and a Faradaic efficiency of 16.7% (−0.3 V), outperforming most of the state‐of‐the‐art NRR catalysts, together with an excellent stability. Theoretical calculations revealed that the synergistic interplay of BNQDs and Nb2CTx enabled the creation of unique interfacial B sites serving as NRR catalytic centers capable of enhancing the N2 activation, lowering the reaction energy barrier and impeding the H2 evolution.
Venture capital and Industry 4.0: The G7's versus BRICS' experience
Authors: Popkova Elena G. , Inshakova Agnessa O. , Sergi Bruno S.
Published: September 2021

This article aims to set a framework on how venture capital could contribute comprehensively to supporting sustainable development goals employing Industry 4.0's digital entrepreneurship, filling a gap in the existing literature concerning the role of venture capital in Industry 4.0. This article advances a new venture capital model, which might play a significant role in OECD countries in supporting investment and innovative projects and allow for creative activity and high‐powered global competitiveness. Likewise, venture capital will achieve a new purpose to better economic well‐being and ensure higher effectiveness of venture capital management. The economic model here has shown that an increase of the share of venture capital in the structure of GDP by 1% leads to the growth of digital competitiveness by 60.0698 points and the development of global competitiveness by 2.3831 points. As per the article's findings, we should give venture capital a new role in supporting innovative projects, a digital modernization of entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness. These parts are connected to economic and public well‐being.
Context and attention control determine whether attending to competing information helps or hinders learning in school‐aged children
Authors: Markant Julie , Amso Dima
Published: September 2021

Attention control regulates efficient processing of goal‐relevant information by suppressing interference from irrelevant competing inputs while also flexibly allocating attention across relevant inputs according to task demands. Research has established that developing attention control skills promote effective learning by minimizing distractions from task‐irrelevant competing information. Additional research also suggests that competing contextual information can provide meaningful input for learning and should not always be ignored. Instead, attending to competing information that is relevant to task goals can facilitate and broaden the scope of children's learning. We review this past research examining effects of attending to task‐relevant and task‐irrelevant competing information on learning outcomes, focusing on relations between visual attention and learning in childhood. We then present a synthesis argument that complex interactions across learning goals, the contexts of learning environments and tasks, and developing attention control mechanisms will determine whether attending to competing information helps or hinders learning.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Attention

Psychology > Learning

Psychology > Development and Aging
Mutual information superadditivity and unitarity bounds
Authors: Casini Horacio , Testé Eduardo , Torroba Gonzalo
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We derive the property of strong superadditivity of mutual information arising from the Markov property of the vacuum state in a conformal field theory and strong subadditivity of entanglement entropy. We show this inequality encodes unitarity bounds for different types of fields. These unitarity bounds are precisely the ones that saturate for free fields. This has a natural explanation in terms of the possibility of localizing algebras on null surfaces. A particular continuity property of mutual information characterizes free fields from the entropic point of view. We derive a general formula for the leading long distance term of the mutual information for regions of arbitrary shape which involves the modular flow of these regions. We obtain the general form of this leading term for two spheres with arbitrary orientations in spacetime, and for primary fields of any tensor representation. For free fields we further obtain the explicit form of the leading term for arbitrary regions with boundaries on null cones.
Assessing the Effects of a Real-Life Contact Intervention on Prejudice Toward LGBT People
Authors: Cramwinckel Florien M. , Scheepers Daan T. , Wilderjans Tom F. , de Rooij Robert-Jan B.
Published: September 2021

Prejudice against sexual and gender minorities (e.g., LGBT people) is quite prevalent and is harmful. We examined an existing—and often-used—contact intervention in pre-existing groups in an educational setting and assessed its effectiveness in reducing different forms of LGBT negativity. We focused particularly on modern LGBT negativity: a relatively subtle form of prejudice, involving ambivalence, denial, and/or the belief that there is too much attention for LGBT prejudice. We used a mixed design in which condition (experimental vs. control group) was the between-participants factor, which was randomized at the group level, and time (pretest vs. posttest vs. follow-up) was the within-participants factor (N = 117). Interventions were video recorded and the behavior of LGBT educators and participants was coded. Participants responded positively to the intervention, especially to the LGBT educator’s “coming-out story.” Exploratory analysis of the video data indicated that the perceived effectiveness of the intervention was higher in groups where participants were more engaged, although caution is necessary in interpreting this finding. The most important measure indicated that modern LGBT negativity decreased in the intervention groups directly after the intervention, but returned to baseline levels one week later. However, in the control condition, modern LGBT negativity had increased over time. Taken together, this suggests that an actual reduction in modern LGBT negativity was short-lived (i.e., the intervention effect disappeared within 7 days).
The Constructive Overlap: A Study of Multiplex Ties in Students’ Study-Related Networks and Academic Performance
Authors: Fjelkner-Pihl Annika
Published: September 2021

This article adds to a growing body of literature on how various types of social relations can work synergistically to promote students' academic success. Students’ study-related social networks affect academic outcome in higher education. The network literature in education generally explores students’ various relations separately, rather than their multiplex relations or whenindividuals share several relations. This approach risks missing the full complexity of the student experience. The aim of the present study is to add to the discussion on student social networks and attainment in higher education by further exploring multiplex relations maintained in a specific study program, in which a large share of students in the cohort commute. A survey was distributed to students in one cohort (n = 146). The findings revealed that, in this cohort, students’ friendship, working and learning networks overlap substantially, and that centrality in the friendship and in the student multiplex networks was positively and significantly related to academic outcome, whereas centrality in the working and learning networks was not. Points for future research are suggested, and practical implications for those supporting student learning in higher education are discussed.
Handling Transitive Relations in First-Order Automated Reasoning
Authors: Claessen Koen , Lillieström Ann
Published: September 2021

We present a number of alternative ways of handling transitive binary relations that commonly occur in first-order problems, in particular equivalence relations, total orders, and transitive relations in general. We show how such relations can be discovered syntactically in an input theory, and how they can be expressed in alternative ways. We experimentally evaluate different such ways on problems from the TPTP, using resolution-based reasoning tools as well as instance-based tools. Our conclusions are that (1) it is beneficial to consider different treatments of binary relations as a user, and that (2) reasoning tools could benefit from using a preprocessor or even built-in support for certain types of binary relations.
Catheter contact area strongly correlates with lesion area in radiofrequency cardiac ablation: an ex vivo porcine heart study
Authors: Masnok Kriengsak , Watanabe Nobuo
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Our previous study confirmed that not only force but also the catheter contact angle substantially impacted the contact area and its morphology. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to further investigate the relationship between the catheter contact area and the dimensions of the ablation lesion area as a function of catheter contact angle and force in radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Methods

The radiofrequency catheter ablation test was performed for 5 contact angles and 8 contact forces at a fixed ablation time of 30 s. The initial impedance was 92.5 ± 2.5 Ω, the temperature during ablation was 30 °C, and the power was 30 W. The irrigation rate during ablation was set to 17 mL/min. Each experiment was repeated 6 times.

Results

The catheter contact area showed a strong correlation with the ablation lesion area (r = 0.8507). When the contact area was increased, the lesion area also increased linearly in a monotonic manner. The relationships between catheter contact force and ablation lesion area and between catheter contact force and ablation lesion depth are logarithmic functions in which increased contact force was associated with increased lesion area and depth. The catheter contact angle is also an important determinant of the lesion area. The lesion area progressively increased when the contact angle was decreased. In contrast, the lesion depth progressively increased when the contact angle was increased.

Conclusions

The catheter contact area was strongly correlated with the ablation lesion area. Additionally, catheter contact force and contact angle significantly impacted the dimensions of the lesion in radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures.
The Lourdes Pilgrimage and the Impact on Pilgrim Quality of Life
Authors: Klimiuk Jennifer , Moriarty Kieran J.
Published: September 2021

Lourdes, France, is a major site of pilgrimage, particularly for Roman Catholics with illness. The direct impact of pilgrimage on pilgrim quality of life (QOL) has not previously been measured. The present study aimed to measure the impact of pilgrimage to Lourdes on QOL in self-defined “sick pilgrims”. The standardised EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire measured two aspects of QOL, namely a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of self-rated health and an Index Value Score (IVS) of the five dimensions of QOL, in a group of pilgrims, before (Q1), immediately after (Q2) and two months after (Q3) return from pilgrimage to Lourdes. A total of 93 pilgrims responded at time Q1, 71 at Q2 and 64 at Q3. The VAS scores of self-rated health showed statistically significant improvement at Q2 (p = 0.04), although this was not sustained at Q3. The IVS Scores showed no significant differences at Q2 or Q3. However, at Q2, 67.6% of pilgrims reported their self-rated QOL as “much better” or “better”, and this was maintained in 54.7% at Q3. Pilgrims identified “spiritual and religious aspects of pilgrimage”, “a sense of togetherness” and “spiritual healing” as having the most significant impact on their QOL. The Lourdes pilgrimage had a statistically significant positive impact on the immediate post-pilgrimage VAS scores of QOL of “sick pilgrims”, but this was not sustained two months following pilgrimage. The IVS scores were unchanged. Pilgrims identified beneficial holistic, spiritual and communal aspects of the pilgrimage experience.
Against intentionalism: an experimental study on demonstrative reference
Authors: Rostworowski Wojciech , Kuś Katarzyna , Maćkiewicz Bartosz
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we present two experimental studies on reference of complex demonstratives. The results of our experiments challenge the dominant view in philosophy of language, according to which demonstrative reference is determined by the speaker's intentions. The first experiment shows that in a context where there are two candidates for the referent—one determined by the speaker’s intention, the other by some “external” factors—people prefer to identify the referent of a demonstrative with the latter object. The external factors for which this prediction has been confirmed include the speaker’s demonstration and the descriptive content of a demonstrative. The second experiment shows that while this preference can be explained in terms of the speakers’ having different sorts of referential intentions, the relevant kind of intentions are fully opaque to the subjects. At the end of our paper, we point to some alternative accounts of demonstrative reference, including a pluralistic and hybrid approach, which can accommodate our experimental results.
Preliminary analysis on roles of metal–organic compounds in the formation of invisible gold
Authors: Junussov Medet , Ferenc Mádai , Ferenc Kristály , Tivadar Tóth , Krisztián Fintor , Gábor Muránszky , Ádám Prekob , Mária Hámor-Vidó
Published: September 2021

The paper comprises new analytical data on the nature and occurrence of gold in solid pyrobitumen, closely associated with the main gold-bearing sulfide arsenic ores of the Bakyrchik gold deposit (Kazakhstan), related to post-collisional magmatic-hydrothermal origin. Gold mineralization of the deposit occurs mainly in the form of an “invisible” type of gold in the structures of arsenian pyrite and arsenopyrite, and the form of gold-organic compounds of pyrobitumen in carbonaceous-terrigenous sequences of Carboniferous formation. Microscopic and electron microscopic analysis, Raman and FT-Infrared analysis, mineralogical and three-step sequential extraction analysis (NH2OH·HCl, H2O2,HNO3 + HCl) has been carried out using 9 ore samples (from 3 different types of ores) for a comprehensive study of pyrobitumen and sulfide arsenic ores focusing mainly on organic matter. The sequentially extracted precious metal content of pyrobitumen reaches up to 7 ppm gold and other metals like Ag 4 ppm, Pt 31 ppb, and Pd 26 ppb, forming metal–organic compounds, while arsenic sulfide minerals incorporate 11 ppm gold, 39 ppm Ag, 0.49 ppm Pt. The enrichment of gold associating with organic matter and sulfide ore minerals was confirmed in this study. Organic matter was active in the migration of gold and the capture of gold by pyrobitumen. Moreover, the reductive organic matter agent released gold, most likely for the sulfide arsenic ore minerals. Pyrobitumen was a decisive factor in the concentration, transportation, and preservation of gold in the deposit.
A Crowd-Powered Task Generation Method for Study of Struggling Search
Authors: Xu Luyan , Zhou Xuan
Published: September 2021

Evaluation of interactive search systems and study of users’ struggling search behaviors require a significant number of search tasks. However, generation of such tasks is inherently difficult, as each task is supposed to trigger struggling search behavior rather than simple search behavior. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been a commonly used task set for research in struggling search. Moreover, the everchanging landscape of information needs would render old task sets less ideal if not unusable for evaluation. To deal with this problem, we propose a crowd-powered task generation method and develop a platform to efficiently generate struggling search tasks on basis of online wikis such as Wikipedia. Our experiments and analysis show that the generated tasks are qualified to emulate struggling search behaviors consisting of “repeated similar queries” and “quick-back clicks”; tasks of diverse topics, high quality and difficulty can be created using this method. For benefit of the community, we publicly released a task generation platform TaskGenie, a task set of 80 topically diverse struggling search tasks with “baselines,” and the corresponding anonymized user behavior logs.
Corporate digital responsibility (CDR) in construction engineering—ethical guidelines for the application of digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) in user practice
Authors: Weber-Lewerenz Bianca
Published: September 2021

Digitization is developing fast and has become a powerful tool for digital planning, construction and operations, for instance digital twins. Now is the right time for constructive approaches and to apply ethics-by-design in order to develop and implement a safe and efficient artificial intelligence (AI) application. So far, no study has addressed the key research question: Where can corporate digital responsibility (CDR) be allocated, and how shall an adequate ethical framework be designed to support digital innovations in order to make full use of the potentials of digitization and AI? Therefore, the research on how best practices meet their corporate responsibility in the digital transformation process and the requirements of the EU for trustworthy AI and its human-friendly use is essential. Its transformation bears a high potential for companies, is critical for success and thus, requires responsible handling. This study generates data by conducting case studies and interviewing experts as part of the qualitative method to win profound insights into applied practice. It provides an assessment of demands stated in the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations (SDGs), White Papers on AI by international institutions, European Commission and German Government requesting the consideration and protection of values and fundamental rights, the careful demarcation between machine (artificial) and human intelligence and the careful use of such technologies. The study discusses digitization and the impacts of AI in construction engineering from an ethical perspective. This research critically evaluates opportunities and risks concerning CDR in construction industry. To the author’s knowledge, no study has set out to investigate how CDR in construction could be conceptualized, especially in relation to digitization and AI, to mitigate digital transformation both in large, medium- and small-sized companies. This study applies a holistic, interdisciplinary, inclusive approach to provide guidelines for orientation and examine benefits as well as risks of AI. Furthermore, the goal is to define ethical principles which are key for success, resource-cost-time efficiency and sustainability using digital technologies and AI in construction engineering to enhance digital transformation. This study concludes that innovative corporate organizations starting new business models are more likely to succeed than those dominated by a more conservative, traditional attitude.
View from the Patient Perspective: Mixed-Methods Analysis of Post-Discharge Virtual Visits in a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Harkey Kristen , Connor Danielle C , Wang Huaping , Kaiser Nicole , Matthews Brent D. , Kelz Rachel , Reinke Caroline E.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND:

Virtual visits (VVs) are being used increasingly to provide patient-centered care and have undergone rapid uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to compare satisfaction and convenience of virtual post-discharge follow-up for surgical patients and qualitatively analyze free-text survey responses in a randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Patient satisfaction with VVs has not been evaluated previously in a randomized controlled trial and few mixed-methods analyses have been done to understand barriers and facilitators to post-discharge visits.

STUDY DESIGN:

Patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy or cholecystectomy were randomized to VV or in-person visit (2:1). Surveys with 11 multiple-choice and 2 open-ended questions evaluated patient satisfaction and convenience. Univariate analysis compared responses to the multiple-choice questions and qualitative content analysis evaluated open-ended responses.

RESULTS:

Of 442 enrolled patients, 289 completed their postoperative visit and were sent surveys (55% response rate). Patients were categorized as VV (n = 135), crossover (randomized to virtual but completed in-person; n = 53), and in-person visits (n = 101). Patient-reported satisfaction was similar, but convenience was higher for VV patients. Open-ended responses (72 VVs, 14 crossovers, and 41 in-person visits) were qualitatively analyzed. In all groups, patient experience was influenced by quality of care, efficiency, and convenience. Barriers were different for virtual and in-person appointments.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found that quality of, and access to, care—whether in person or virtual—remained critical components of patient satisfaction. VVs address many barriers associated with in-person visits and were more convenient, but can present additional technological barriers.
Do We Visually Experience Objects’ Occluded Parts?
Authors: Bower Matt E. M.
Published: September 2021

A number of philosophers have held that we visually experience objects’ occluded parts, such as the out-of-view exterior of a voluminous, opaque object. That idea is supposed to be what best explains the fact that we see objects as whole or complete despite having only a part of them in view at any given moment. Yet, the claim doesn’t express a phenomenological datum and the reasons for thinking we do experience objects’ occluded parts, I argue, aren’t compelling. Additionally, I anticipate and reply to attempts to salvage the idea by appeal to perceptual expectation and amodal completion. Lastly, I address potential concerns that the only way to capture the phenomenal character of perceiving voluminous objects is to say experience outstrips what’s in view, providing a description of such experience without any implication of that idea.
Assessment of Perceived Compliance and Barriers to Personal Protective Equipment Use Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Second Wave Surge: “Walk to Talk” Cross-Sectional Correlational Study
Authors: Badran Eman F. , Jarrah Samiha , Masadeh Rami , Al hammad Alhanoof , Al Shimi Rana , Salhout Samar , Al wahabi Nada , Al Jaberi Mira , Rayyan Abdallah , Madi Thaira , Hassan Samar
Published: September 2021

Objective:

This study aimed at investigating HCWs’ perceptions of PPE compliance and barriers, as well as influencing factors, in order to develop methods to combat the rise in their infection rates.

Methods:

During the ‘second wave’ surge, a cross-sectional correlational analysis was conducted over a 1-month period. It consists of HCWs from various hospital sectors that admit COVID-19 patients using an online self-administered predesigned tool.

Results:

Out of the 285 recruited participants, 36.1% had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. Around 71% received training on PPE use. The perceived compliance was good for (PPE) usage (mean 2.60 ± 1.10). A significant higher compliance level was correlated with previous diagnosis with COVID-19, working with patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and having a direct contact with a family member older than 45 years old (P < 0.01). The main perceived barriers to the use of PPEs were unavailability of full PPEs (35%), interference with their ability to provide patient care (29%), not enough time to comply with the rigors of PPEs (23.2%) and working in emergency situations (22.5%). With regards to perceived barriers, those working with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and those who reported having a direct contact with a family member older than 45 years old showed significantly higher level of barriers.

Conclusion:

A series of measures, including prioritization of PPE acquisition, training, and monitoring to guarantee appropriate resources for IPC, are necessary to reduce transmission.
The Epistemology of Moral Praise and Moral Criticism
Authors: Licon Jimmy Alfonso
Published: September 2021

Are strangers sincere in their moral praise and criticism? Here we apply signaling theory to argue ceteris paribus moral criticism is more likely sincere than praise; the former tends to be a higher-fidelity signal (in Western societies). To offer an example: emotions are often self-validating as a signal because they're hard to fake. This epistemic insight matters: moral praise and criticism influence moral reputations, and affect whether others will cooperate with us. Though much of this applies to generic praise and criticism too, moral philosophers should value sincere moral praise and moral criticism for several reasons: it (i) offers insight into how others actually view us as moral agents; (ii) offers feedback to help us improve our moral characters; and (iii) encourages some behaviors, and discourages others. And so as moral agents, we should care whether moral praise and moral criticism is sincere.
Can We Better the European Union Better Regulation Agenda?
Authors: SIMONELLI Felice , IACOB Nadina
Published: September 2021

The European Commission published a new Communication on better regulation on 29 April 2021, with the aim of improving the European Union’s (EU) policymaking process. By updating the better regulation agenda to mainstream sustainable development goals and the digital and green transition and by ensuring more foresight-based policymaking, this Communication shows that the Commission is moving in the right direction. Several proposals also have great potential to simplify the better regulation process and make it more transparent. By contrast, the envisaged simplification of the public consultation process may jeopardise its effectiveness and should be carefully reconsidered. In addition, a more cautious, stepwise approach to introducing, testing and adjusting the new EU one-in, one-out system is certainly needed. This article aims to identify and assess the key changes proposed by the new Communication and to share ideas for the preparation of the new Better Regulation Guidelines and Toolbox, which are expected to translate the Communication into practice.
Use of KDP crystal as a Kerr nonlinear medium for compressing PW laser pulses down to 10 fs
Authors: Shaykin Andrey , Ginzburg Vladislav , Yakovlev Ivan , Kochetkov Anton , Kuzmin Alexey , Mironov Sergey , Shaikin Ilya , Stukachev Sergey , Lozhkarev Vladimir , Prokhorov Artem , Khazanov Efim
Published: September 2021

The input pulse of the laser PEARL with energy of 18 J and pulse duration of about 60 fs was compressed to 10 fs after passage through a 4-mm-thick KDP crystal and reflection at two chirped mirrors with sum dispersion of −200 fs2. The experiments were performed for the В-integral values from 5 to 19 without visible damage to the optical elements, which indicates that small-scale self-focusing is not a significant issue. It was shown that, by virtue of the low dispersion of the group velocity, the KDP crystal has some advantages over silica: a larger pulse compression coefficient, especially at a small value of the В-integral (B = 5, …, 9), lower absolute values of chirped mirror dispersion, and also a possibility to control the magnitude of nonlinearity and dispersion by changing crystal orientation.
The effect of smoking on the plasma concentration of tricyclic antidepressants: a systematic review
Authors: Lundstrøm Nicklas Hasselblad , Holgersen Nikolaj K. , Haastrup Maija Bruun
Published: September 2021

Smoking is highly prevalent in the psychiatric population, and hospital admittance usually results in partial or complete smoking cessation. Tobacco use is known to affect the metabolism of certain psychoactive drugs, but whether smoking influences the plasma concentration of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) remains unclear. This article investigates the possible effect of smoking on the plasma concentration of TCAs. A systematic review of the literature available on PubMed and EMBASE as of October 2020 was carried out using PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting plasma concentrations of any TCA in both a smoking and a non-smoking group were included and compared. Ten eligible studies were identified and included. In the eight studies investigating the effect of smoking on amitriptyline and/or nortriptyline, five studies found no significant effect. Two studies investigating the effect of smoking on imipramine found a significant effect, and one study investigating the effect of smoking on doxepin found no significant effect. The majority of studies included in this review were influenced by small study populations and other methodical issues. The effect of smoking on the plasma concentration of TCAs is still not entirely clear. There is a possibility that smoking affects the distribution of TCA metabolites, but this is probably not of clinical importance.
Neo-Ottomanism and Cool Japan in comparative perspective
Authors: Ergin Murat , Shinohara Chika
Published: September 2021

Turkey and Japan have comparable histories of modernization beginning in the nineteenth century. They have since then produced modernities that are considered a mix of “Eastern” and “Western.” Over recent decades, both faced the question of what comes after modernity and began manufacturing their versions of authenticities and cultural exports. This paper comparatively locates two symptoms of this process. “Neo-Ottomanism” refers to the increasing cultural consumption of Turkey’s imperial past while “Cool Japan” emphasizes popular products in entertainment, fashion, youth culture, and food, intending to shift Japan’s image to a “cool” place. Both projects, in different ways, are sponsored by the state; yet their reception in popular culture illustrates the vexed relationship between the state and culture: while states endeavor to colonize culture for their own interests, popular culture provides avenues to outwit the state’s attempts. Popular culture’s autonomy in both contexts has to do with the collapse of traditional hierarchies, which has paved the ways for the promotion and export of new identity claims. Local and global representations of neo-Ottomanism and Cool Japan differ. Internally, they are fragmented; externally, they are linked to international “soft power,” and offer alternatives modernities in Turkey and Japan’s regional areas of influence.
Parliamentary Debates in Canada (1901–2015)
Authors: Vallée-Dubois Florence , Godbout Jean-François , Cochrane Christopher
Published: September 2021

This article analyzes the effect of procedural rule change on the dynamics of parliamentary speeches in the Canadian House of Commons between 1901 and 2015. During this period, several new rules were introduced to reduce the opportunities for private members to speak during the debates so that the government could get its business done within an acceptable amount of time. Our analysis looks at the impact of these rule changes on the content and orientation of all individual speeches made by members of Parliament. The results indicate that parliamentary rules had an important effect on the topic and duration of debates. Our findings also confirm that procedural changes contributed to a heightening of partisan polarization in the Canadian Parliament over time and disproportionately reduced the influence of government backbenchers in the legislative process.
Allee effect in a manipulative parasite within poikilothermic host under temperature change
Authors: Mironova Ekaterina , Gopko Mikhail , Pasternak Anna , Mikheev Viktor , Taskinen Jouni
Published: September 2021

Temperature and intraspecific competition are important factors influencing the growth of all organisms, including parasites. The temperature increase is suggested to stimulate the development of parasites within poikilothermic hosts. However, at high parasite densities, this effect could be diminished, due to stronger intraspecific competition. Our study, for the first time, addressed the joint effects of warming and parasite abundances on parasite growth in poikilothermic hosts. The growth of the common fish parasite larvae (trematode Diplostomum pseudospathaceum) within the rainbow trout at different infection intensities and temperatures (15°C and 18°C) was experimentally investigated. The results showed that temperature was positively correlated with both parasite infection success and growth rates. The growth rates increased much more compared to those in many free-living poikilothermic animals. Atypically for a majority of parasites, D. pseudospathaceum larvae grow faster when abundant (Allee effect). The possible causes for this phenomenon (manipulation cost sharing, etc.) are discussed in this study. Importantly, limited evidence of the interaction between temperature and population density was found. It is likely that temperature did not change the magnitude of the Allee effect but affected its timing. The impact of these effects is supposed to become more pronounced in freshwater ecosystems under current climate changes.