bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance enhancement of a split air conditioner using porous material inside the evaporator pipes
Authors: Tarawneh Mohammad
Published: November 2021

In this experimental study, a porous material is used inside the pipes of the evaporator as the main heat exchanging device in the air conditioning cycle. The used porous material consists of stainless steel balls of different diameters. As a case study, refrigerant R454B, which is a drop‐in replacement to refrigerant R410A, is used as a working fluid in the air conditioner thermodynamic cycle. Four different porosities were used during the experimental tests; 100% (empty tube), 46%, 40%, and 33%. This study investigated the influence of variation of porosity as well as outside air temperature and refrigerant evaporation temperature on the cycle coefficient of performance, evaporation capacity, pressure drop, and power consumption during the compression process. Measured evaporation temperatures and indoor temperatures during tests were in the range of 1.5–12°C and 18–25°C, respectively. The use of porous material in the evaporation heat exchanger resulted in a considerable increase in the cycle evaporation capacity and coefficient of performance. Varying porosity from 100% to 33% resulted in an average percent increase of cycle evaporation capacity and coefficient of performance by 48.8% and 84.3%, respectively. Also, decreasing porosity from 100% to 33% resulted in an average percent increase in power consumption during the compression process by about 27%. An average percent increase of power consumption of compressor by about 25.9% is also reported, when evaporation temperature increased from 1.5°C to 12°C. Increasing outside air temperature from 27.1°C to 39.5°C resulted in decreasing evaporation capacity and coefficient of performance by 35.2% and 34.5%, respectively, and in increasing compressor power consumption by about 14.3%. A considerable pressure drop was recorded during the evaporation process when using porous material. The volumetric evaporation capacity, as well as compressor discharge temperature, are increased by increasing evaporating temperature and by decreasing evaporator porosity. The increase in air ambient temperature resulted in a considerable increase in refrigerant mass flow rate.
Factors affecting the capital structure of listed Chinese media companies
Authors: Zhu Danhong , Qiu Zitong , Wang Junwei
Published: November 2021

The development of the capital market in China and the growing number of media companies have determined the expansion of ways to finance them: the growth of the financial market is due to the provision of services for the cultural industry, and companies in this sphere need to use the capabilities of the financial market to obtain funds. The use of multiple linear regression for empirical analysis has shown that the following factors demonstrate a significant positive correlation: non‐debt tax shield, growth and ratio of assets to liabilities; company size, growth and long‐term liabilities ratio; company size, volatility and current liabilities ratio. The results of the study are of statistical significance, they are recommended for use in future empirical studies by scientists, for representatives of government bodies in the field of culture and media in China that develop measures to optimize financing of this sector.
Construction of an m6A‐related lncRNA pair prognostic signature and prediction of the immune landscape in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Chongchang , Wang Shumin , Shen Zhisen , Shen Yiming , Li Qun , Shen Yi , Huang Juntao , Deng Hongxia , Ye Dong , Zhan Guowen , Li Jinyun
Published: November 2021

Background

Mounting evidence indicates that aberrantly expressed N6‐methylandenosine (m6A) modification regulators and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) influence the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the prognosis of m6A‐related lncRNA (mrlncRNA) in HNSCC has not yet been evaluated.

Methods

We retrieved transcriptome, somatic mutation, and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and established a differently expressed mrlncRNA (DEmrlncRNA) pair signature based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression and multivariate Cox analyses. Each sample's risk score was computed premised on the signature, which accurately classified patients into low‐ and high‐risk group by the cut‐off point. The signature was evaluated from the perspective of survival, clinicopathological characteristics, tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune cell infiltration, efficacy of chemotherapeutics, tumor immune microenvironment, and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)‐related genes.

Results

11 DEmrlncRNA pairs were identified and were used to construct the prediction signature. Kaplan–Meier plotter revealed a worse prognosis in high‐risk patients over low‐risk patients (log rank p < 0.001). According to multivariate Cox regression analysis, the hazard ratio of the risk score and 95% confidence interval of 1.722 and (1.488–1.992) (p < 0.001) were obtained. Furthermore, an increased risk score was associated with aggressive clinicopathological features, specific tumor immune infiltration status, increased expression of ICI‐related genes, higher TMB, and higher chemotherapeutics sensitivity (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This research demonstrated that the signature premised on DEmrlncRNA pairs was an efficient independent prognostic indicator and may provide a rationale for research on immunotherapeutic and chemotherapeutics strategies for HNSCC patients.
Autoinducer‐2‐mediated quorum‐sensing system resists T4 phage infection in Escherichia coli
Authors: Ding Yafang , Zhang Dongfang , Zhao Xiaoman , Tan Wenzhang , Zheng Xiaodan , Zhang Qi , Ji Xiuling , Wei Yunlin
Published: November 2021

In response to the restriction of nutrients and predation by natural enemies, bacteria have evolved complex coping strategies to ensure the reproduction and survival of individual species. Quorum sensing (QS) is involved in the bacterial response to phage predation and regulation of cellular metabolism. However, to date, no clear evidence exists regarding the involvement of autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2)‐mediated QS systems in Escherichia coli in response to the challenges of nutrient restriction and phage infection. In this study, the role of the AI‐2‐mediated QS system in resisting T4 phage infection and regulating cell mechanisms in E. coli was revealed for the first time. This effect of the AI‐2‐mediated QS was achieved by simultaneously downregulating the T4 absorption site and carbon and glucose metabolism. Additionally, we found that lsrB, a metabolic brake, participates in AI‐2‐mediated regulation and maintenance of the normal metabolic balance of cells. The novel phage defense strategy and regulation and maintenance of cellular metabolism effectively limited the expansion of the phage population.
Bioprospecting of xylanase producing fungal strains: Multilocus phylogenetic analysis and enzyme activity profiling
Authors: Rastogi Meenal , Shrivastava Smriti , Shukla Pratyoosh
Published: November 2021

The study aims to explore potential xylanase‐producing indigenous fungi isolated from soil and vegetable wastes containing plant degraded matter, reporting multilocus phylogenetic analysis and xylanase enzyme activity from selective strains. Four potential xylanolytic fungi were identified through distinct primary and secondary screening of 294 isolates obtained from the samples. Morphological characterization and multigene analysis (ITS rDNA, 18S rDNA, LSU rDNA, β‐tubulin, and actin gene) confirmed them as Aspergillus sp. AUMS56, Aspergillus tubingensis AUMS60 and AUMS64, and Aspergillus fumigatus AUKEMS24; achieving crude xylanase activities (through submerged fermentation using corn cobs) of 18.9, 32.29, 30.68, and 15.82 U ml−1, respectively. AUMS60 and AUMS64 (forming lineage with A. tubingensis and Aspergillus niger in the same phylogroup with 100% Bayesian posterior probability support) secreted single xylanase (Xyn60; 36 kDa) and multiple xylanases (Xyn64A and Xyn64B; 33.4 and 19.8 kDa) respectively, having pH optima of 6.0 and exhibiting maximal activity at 60°C. These enzymes were highly stable at 40°C (120 h) and retained more than 70% activity at 50°C and at pH 5–6 (upon 72 h incubation). Our analysis suggested these enzymes to be endoxylanases demonstrating substrate hydrolysis within 15 min of reaction and maximum efficiency of xylanases from AUMS60 and AUMS64 achieving 51.1% (13 h) and 52.2% (24 h) saccharification, respectively. They also showed enhanced catalytic activity with various cations. Based on our investigation on xylan hydrolysis, we believe that these xylanases may find significant industrial applications as they have a real potential of working as a bio‐catalytic cocktail (patent file number: IN E1/38213/2020‐DEL) for the enhanced saccharification of lignocelluloses.
High‐resolution chronology of 24 000‐year long cores from two lakes in the Polar Urals, Russia, correlated with palaeomagnetic inclination records with a distinct event about 20 000 years ago
Authors: Haflidason Haflidi , Brendryen Jo , Eldegard Reidun F. , Mangerud Jan , Ólafsdóttir Sædis , Regnéll Carl , Svendsen John Inge
Published: November 2021

Based on radiocarbon dating, a tephra horizon, varve counts and palaeomagnetism, detailed age models covering the last ~24 k cal abp, have been developed for the stratigraphy in the lakes Bolshoye Shchuchye and Maloye Shchuchye in the Polar Ural Mountains, Russia. The inclination curves from these lakes show nearly identical palaeomagnetic secular variations in the studied cores from both lakes, allowing for a precise correlation between the cores. A large and very distinct inclination deviation, named the Bolshoye Shchuchye Event, was identified in all cores retrieved from both lakes. It lasted over a period of 1245 years, from 20 470 to 19 225 cal abp.The well‐dated palaeomagnetic inclination graph offers a new possibility to correlate archives in this part of the Arctic for the last ~24 k cal abp, probably also over longer distances. The sedimentation rate shows the same trend in all cores from both lakes, including high input during the Last Glacial Maximum and gradually lowering after ~18 k cal abpto lower and stable Holocene values.
Modelling climate constraints on the formation of pluvial Lake Bonneville in the Great Basin, United States
Authors: Belanger Bryce K. , Amidon William H. , Laabs Benjamin J. C. , Munroe Jeffrey S. , Quirk Brendon J.
Published: November 2021

This study uses a hydrologic‐balance model to evaluate the range of precipitation and temperature (P‐T) conditions required to sustain Lake Bonneville at two lake levels during the late Pleistocene. Intersection with a second set of P‐T curves determined from glacial modelling in the nearby Wasatch Mountains places tighter climatic constraints that suggest gradually increasing wetness from ~21 to 15 ka. Specifically, during the latter part of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (~21–20 ka), Lake Bonneville approached its highest level under conditions roughly 9.5°C colder but only 7% wetter than modern. As the lake reached its pre‐flood Bonneville level (~18.2–17.5 ka), climate conditions were ~16% wetter and ~9°C colder than modern. By ca. 15–14.8 ka, Lake Bonneville abandoned the overflowing Provo level under conditions that were ~21% wetter and ~7°C cooler. These results suggest that regional LGM highstands were not caused by large increases in precipitation, but rather by a climatic optimum in which moderate wetness combined with depressed temperatures to create a positive hydrologic budget. Later highstands during Heinrich I from 17 to 15 ka were likely achieved under gradual increases in precipitation, prior to a transition to drier conditions after 15 ka.
Incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among asymptomatic patients undergoing preoperative COVID testing prior to cancer surgery: ASPECT study
Authors: Patkar Shraddha , Voppuru Saiesh R. , Thiagarajan Shivakumar , Niyogi Devayani , Niranjan Hemant S. , Nadkarni Shravan , Singh Tejpratap , Bhandare Manish , Thakkar Purvi , Rohila Jitender , Biswas Sanjay , Epari Sridhar , Shetty Omshree , Gurav Mamta , Bapat Prachi , Puri Ajay , Pramesh C. S.
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives

The COVID‐19 pandemic, with high rate of asymptomatic infections and increased perioperative complications, prompted widespread adoption of screening methods. We analyzed the incidence of asymptomatic infection and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing cancer surgery. We also studied the impact on subsequent cancer treatment in those with COVID‐19.

Methods

All patients who underwent elective and emergency cancer surgery from April to September 2020 were included. After screening for symptoms, a preoperative test was performed from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs before the procedure. Patients were followed up for 30 days postoperatively and complications were noted.

Results

2108 asymptomatic patients were tested, of which 200 (9.5%) tested positive. Of those who tested positive, 140 (70%) underwent the planned surgery at a median of 30 days from testing positive, and 20 (14.3%) had ≥ Grade III complications. Forty (20%) patients did not receive the intended treatment; 110 patients were retested in the Postoperative period, and 41 (37.3%) tested positive and 9(22%) patients died of COVID‐related complications.

Conclusion

Routine preoperative testing for COVID‐19 helps to segregate patients with asymptomatic infection. Higher complications occur in those who develop COVID‐19 in postoperative period. Prolonged delay in surgery after COVID infection may influence planned treatment.
Limited sorafenib anticancer effects on primary cultured hepatocellular carcinoma cells with high NANOG expression
Authors: Lin Zu‐Yau , Yeh Ming‐Lun , Huang Ching‐I , Chen Shinn‐Cherng , Huang Chung‐Feng , Huang Jee‐Fu , Dai Chia‐Yen , Yu Ming‐Lung , Chuang Wan‐Long
Published: November 2021

Cancer stem cell is considered as an important cause to exacerbate the prognosis. NANOG and POU5F1 are markers for cancer stem cells. The associations between NANOG and POU5F1 expressions with the sorafenib anticancer effects in primary cultured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells were investigated. Eight primary cultured HCC parent cell lines and 13 subgroups established by flow cytometric sorting using NANOG and POU5F1 as targets were investigated with clinically achievable sorafenib plasma concentrations (5 and 10 μg/mL). Sorafenib showed obvious downregulation of RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathways and dose‐dependent anti‐proliferative effects only on s003 parent cell line, which showed the lowest expression of NANOG among all tested cell lines except one downregulated NANOG with upregulated POU5F1 s020 subgroup. Sorafenib also inhibited proliferation in this s020 subgroup but promoted proliferation in its parent cell line. For the only one downregulated NANOG alone s015 subgroup, sorafenib which had no influence on its parent cell line inhibited proliferation in this subgroup. Only the above three cell lines could demonstrate sorafenib antiproliferative effects. On the contrary, sorafenib promoted proliferation in three (s003, s015, s071) out of four upregulated NANOG alone subgroups. On the other hand, Sorafenib showed diverse influence on proliferation among four upregulated POU5F1 alone subgroups. In conclusion, NANOG rather than POU5F1 expression is a critical marker for the anticancer effects of sorafenib on HCC. The sorafenib anticancer effects on HCC cells with high NANOG expression were limited. Sorafenib should be combined with other drug able to target cancer cells with high NANOG expression.
Clinical and urodynamic features of secondary tethered cord syndrome: How can they be found longitudinally?
Authors: Lee Su B. , Im Young J. , Jung Jae H. , Do Minh T. , Lee Ji Y. , Wang Kyu‐Chang , Park Kwanjin
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Secondary tethered cord syndrome (TCS) can be diagnosed with signs of progressive deterioration in urological or neuro‐orthopedic systems following primary untethering surgery. Though urological deterioration is a common secondary TCS manifestation, a paucity of diagnostic criteria makes diagnoses challenging. A detailed description of urological deterioration may help diagnose secondary TCS. Thus, the clinical and urodynamic features of the current secondary TCS cases were described.

Materials and Methods

Fifty‐one patients who had undergone reuntethering for secondary TCS experienced improvement or stabilization of progressive problems. Moreover, their clinical and videourodynamic changes were longitudinally described.

Results

Loss of postoperative spontaneous voiding was the first urological secondary TCS sign for those who could void spontaneously. Urological problems mostly occurred during elementary school (6–12 years). Major urological presentations were recalcitrant urinary tract infection or urinary incontinence. Follow‐up videourodynamic studies revealed typical changes, from acontractile bladder to overactive and low‐complaint bladders. While detrusor overactivity did not always occur during the progression, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia was always present in all patients with urological deterioration. All patients postoperatively showed significant urodynamic improvement regardless of preoperative bladder dysfunction. This included four cases of restoring spontaneous voiding. Nine patients experienced newly appearing nonprogressive neuro‐orthopedic complications despite their urological improvement.

Conclusions

Urological deterioration should prompt secondary TCS suspicion, and changes in clinical patterns and videourodynamic studies helped diagnose it. However, reuntethering can effectively address urological problems at the cost of some neuro‐orthopedic functions in some patients.
Optical Stability of Thick‐Shell CdSe@ZnS/ZnS Quantum Dots Dissolved in n‐Octane in Wide Range of Mass Concentration: Photoluminescence Decay Study
Authors: Adamski Adrian , Zatryb Grzegorz , Chrzanowski Maciej , Lesiak Anna , Podhorodecki Artur
Published: November 2021

Depending on the type of experiment, solid‐state samples containing colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are prepared from solutions of radically different mass concentrations. The process of dilution of the base colloid, which is necessary for sample preparation, can lead to many undesirable effects, including significant deterioration of the optical properties of QDs. Herein, the stability of emission properties of thick‐shell CdSe@ZnS/ZnS QDs dissolved in n‐octane is investigated in a wide range of concentrations, from 15 to 0.01 mg mL−1. The measurements of average exciton lifetime conducted as a function of the mass concentration clearly demonstrate that n‐octane is a very stable solvent for such QDs, as it allows to keep the emission properties virtually unaffected by the process of even strong dilution.
Material Design of a Chromium Imprinted Polymer and its Application as a Highly Selective Electrochemical Sensor for Determining Chromium Ion at Trace Levels
Authors: Bojdi Majid Kalate , Behbahani Mohammad , Feyzabadi Zahra Baharian
Published: November 2021

This study investigates the development of a Cr (VI)‐selective electrode based on Cr (VI) imprinted polymer nanoparticles and its application in detection of chromium ions by differential pulse voltammetry. In methanol, precipitation polymerization of meta‐acrylate acid (the functional monomer), 2, 2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (the initiator), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (the cross‐linker), 1, 5‐Diphenylcarbazide (the chromium‐binding ligand), and chromium ions (the template ion) produced IP‐NPs. After polymerization, Cr (VI) was leached out from the polymer nanoparticles using NaOH/EDTA 0.5/0.1 mol L−1 to create holes for Cr(VI). After sorption of Cr (VI) ions and reduction to metallic shape, the detection method of differential pulse stripping voltammetry was performed on a carbon paste electrode modified with IP‐NPs. The response of electrodes modified with IP‐NPs differed significantly from that of electrodes modified with non‐IP‐NPs. The modified electrode reacts to Cr (VI) linearly in the 0.1 nM to 10.0 nM range with sensitivity of 0.9594 nA/nM and linearly in the 10.0 nM to 100.0 nM range with sensitivity of 0.1958 μA/μM. At signal to noise of 3, the sensor‘s method detection limit was 30 pM. The sensor was employed to detect Cr (VI) traces in ambient water samples that had been contaminated.
A parametric sensitivity analysis for prioritizing regolith knowledge needs for modeling water transfers in the West African critical zone
Authors: Herzog Amelie , Hector Basile , Cohard Jean‐Martial , Vouillamoz Jean‐Michel , Lawson Fabrice Messan Amene , Peugeot Christophe , de Graaf Inge
Published: November 2021

Hard rock aquifers (HRAs) in West Africa (WA) are located within a thick regolith layer. The representation of thick tropical regolith in integrated hydrological models lacks consensus on aquifer geometries and parameter ranges. Our main objective was to determine the knowledge requirements on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) to model the critical zone (CZ) of HRAs in WA. A parametric sensitivity analysis with a focus on the representation of the Ks heterogeneity of the regolith was conducted with a critical zone model (Parflow‐CLM [Community Land Model]) of the Upper Ouémé catchment in Benin (14,000 km2) at a 1‐ × 1‐km2 resolution. The impact of parameter changes in the near subsurface (0.3‐to‐5‐m depth) and in the deeper regolith aquifer (24‐ and 48‐m maximum depth) was assessed in five modeling experiments. Streamflow was largely dependent on Ks and on clay distribution in the near subsurface and less on the properties of the deeper subsurface. Groundwater table depths and amplitudes were controlled by vegetation and topography as observed on instrumented hillslopes and for Ks within the literature range. Experiments with higher Ks suggested a Ks threshold where dynamics become less determined by one‐dimensional vertical and more determined by lateral processes. Such heterogeneity impacts from smaller scales need to be accounted for when hydrological models are upscaled to larger domains (1‐ × 1‐km2 resolution or coarser). Our findings highlight the need for a new conceptual approach to represent clay distribution in order to develop catchment‐scale CZ models of HRAs in WA that capture the observed processes.
An introduction to flood modeling for catastrophe risk management
Authors: Zanardo Stefano , Salinas Jose Luis
Published: November 2021

The second half of last century has witnessed the emergency and development of catastrophe risk models. These tools are now well‐established in risk management practices for most natural perils. The number of applications has also grown in time and while at the beginning catastrophe models were solely used by insurance companies to assess the insurability of a certain peril, they are now applied to address many different risk management problems, not limited to the insurance industry. Flood risk in particular saw an increased interest from stakeholders in recent years, mainly driven by a sharp increase in global flood losses as well as projections on how these will be impacted by climate change. This contribution aims to provide a broad introduction to catastrophe risk models with focus on flood risk. In particular, after providing a description of catastrophe risk models, we discuss current methods to model flood hazard for such models. Subsequently, we identify four unique challenges in the development of flood risk models and how these differ from other natural perils.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Engineering Water
Being Resilient Between the Region and the Higher Education System? Views on Regional Higher Education Institutions in Estonia and Finland
Authors: Kolehmainen Jari , Kurikka Heli , Keerberg Anne , Raagmaa Garri
Published: November 2021

The chapter investigates the organizational resilience of the regional higher education institutions (RHEIs) located in the peripheries of Estonia and Finland, focusing on two case studies: Kuressaare College, Estonia and the University Consortium of Seinäjoki, Finland. The aim is to explore the sources and strategies of the organizational resilience of RHEIs, which must be resilient in two respects: they are exposed to changes in the higher education system (HES), and they are impacted by the processes in their region that is, in turn, a part of a larger economic and administrative system. We found that the resilience of RHEIs within regions and the HE system develops in a coevolutionary manner over the course of history; here, progressiveness and flexibility are the most important strategies for RHEIs.
A Practical Perspective on Resilience in Organizations: The Interplay Between Structure and Action
Authors: Adrot Anouck , de Longueval Oriane Sitte , Largier Alexandre
Published: November 2021

Organizations adopt resilience frameworks to deal with increasingly unstable environments, yet they are not usually applied according to their initial design. Previous research has documented the situatedness of resilience. The process of shaping resilience capabilities fuels both action and structure through social arrangements. However, knowledge remains scarce regarding how these elements relate to each other. This chapter addresses this gap, drawing on Schatzki’s work and approaching resilience as practice. It examines the four components of the structure of resilience practice and investigates their interplay with action. It relies on a qualitative design, focused on two French organizations that designed radically different resilience frameworks. The findings of this chapter outline how both the organizations deviated from their resilience vision and frameworks, no matter the nature of the framework. Despite some synergistic ties between resilience structure and action, contradictions and inconsistencies within the structure emerged, which fostered deviation. Finally, the chapter discusses two other important points inherent to its findings: First, the evolutionary dimension of resilience as practice. Second, the influence of resilience proponents—who proactively promote resilience as a practice—on the interplay between its components.
A Case Study—Peoples-uni, and Conclusions
Authors: Heller Richard Frederick
Published: November 2021

Peoples-uni was a volunteer led online programme to build public health capacity in low- to middle-income countries which demonstrated many of the features discussed as solutions. The term the ‘Distributed University’ is used to indicate the distribution of education to where it is needed—both reducing global inequalities in access and emphasising local relevance. It reduces impact on the environment, distributes trust in place of managerialism, and collaboration in place of competition. It distributes education online and sets up the higher education sector to adapt to the changes in the ways we work and learn today.
Dynamic residential movement and depression among the World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees
Authors: Lim Sungwoo , Liu Sze Yan , Brite Jennifer , Crossa Aldo , Locke Sean , Pollari Cristina , Baquero María
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Residential instability is associated with poor mental health, but its causal inference is challenging due to time-varying exposure and confounding, and the role of changing social environments. We tested the association between frequent residential moving and depression risk among adults exposed to the 9/11 disaster.

Methods

We used four waves of survey data from the World Trade Center Health Registry. We measured residential movement and depression using geocoded annual address records and the Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale, respectively, for a prospective cohort of 38,495 adults. We used the longitudinal Targeted Maximum Likelihood Method to estimate depression risk by frequent residential moving and conducted causal mediation analysis to evaluate a mediating role of social environments.

Results

Most enrollees (68%) did not move in 2007–2014, and 6% moved at least once every 4 years. The remaining 26% moved less frequently (e.g., only moving in 2007–2010). Frequent moving versus no moving was associated with risk of depression in 2015–16 (RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.37). Frequent residential moving—depression pathway was mediated by high social integration (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.90, 0.97).

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate the importance of social networks in understanding increased risk of depression associated with housing instability.
Deep learning–assisted prostate cancer detection on bi-parametric MRI: minimum training data size requirements and effect of prior knowledge
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Matin , Saha Anindo , Brand Patrick , Slootweg Ilse , de Rooij Maarten , Huisman Henkjan
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To assess Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS)–trained deep learning (DL) algorithm performance and to investigate the effect of data size and prior knowledge on the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in biopsy-naïve men with a suspicion of PCa.

Methods

Multi-institution data included 2734 consecutive biopsy-naïve men with elevated PSA levels (≥ 3 ng/mL) that underwent multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI). mpMRI exams were prospectively reported using PI-RADS v2 by expert radiologists. A DL framework was designed and trained on center 1 data (n = 1952) to predict PI-RADS ≥ 4 (n = 1092) lesions from bi-parametric MRI (bpMRI). Experiments included varying the number of cases and the use of automatic zonal segmentation as a DL prior. Independent center 2 cases (n = 296) that included pathology outcome (systematic and MRI targeted biopsy) were used to compute performance for radiologists and DL. The performance of detecting PI-RADS 4–5 and Gleason > 6 lesions was assessed on 782 unseen cases (486 center 1, 296 center 2) using free-response ROC (FROC) and ROC analysis.

Results

The DL sensitivity for detecting PI-RADS ≥ 4 lesions was 87% (193/223, 95% CI: 82–91) at an average of 1 false positive (FP) per patient, and an AUC of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84–0.91). The DL sensitivity for the detection of Gleason > 6 lesions was 85% (79/93, 95% CI: 77–83) @ 1 FP compared to 91% (85/93, 95% CI: 84–96) @ 0.3 FP for a consensus panel of expert radiologists. Data size and prior zonal knowledge significantly affected performance (4%, $$p<0.05$$

p
<
0.05

).

Conclusion

PI-RADS-trained DL can accurately detect and localize Gleason > 6 lesions. DL could reach expert performance using substantially more than 2000 training cases, and DL zonal segmentation.

Key Points

• AI for prostate MRI analysis depends strongly on data size and prior zonal knowledge.

• AI needs substantially more than 2000 training cases to achieve expert performance.
Basic self-disturbance trajectories in clinical high risk for psychosis: a one-year follow-up study
Authors: Værnes Tor Gunnar , Røssberg Jan Ivar , Melle Ingrid , Nelson Barnaby , Romm Kristin Lie , Møller Paul
Published: November 2021

Basic self-disturbance (BSD) has been proposed as a driver of symptom development in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). In a one-year follow-up of 32 patients (15–30 years) at putative risk for psychosis, we investigated trajectories of BSD levels from baseline to follow-up, and associations between clinical characteristics at baseline and follow-up, including follow-up levels of BSD (assessed with the EASE). Clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis status and symptom severity were assessed with the SIPS/SOPS scales and also according to the cognitive basic symptoms high-risk criteria (COGDIS). DSM-IV diagnoses, functioning and other clinical characteristics were assessed with standard clinical instruments. Higher severity of negative symptoms and meeting COGDIS criteria at baseline were associated with higher BSD levels at follow-up. All measured at follow-up, higher BSD levels correlated with higher severity of positive, negative, disorganization and general symptoms, and with a lower level of global functioning. We found higher BSD levels at follow-up in subjects with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) at baseline (n = 5) and in SSDs at follow-up (n = 12, including nine with SPD). Mean BSD levels decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up, but individual trajectories varied considerably. Increased BSD levels were associated with higher baseline BSD levels, non-remission of positive symptoms and functional decline. Overall, the current study indicates that subgroups in the CHR population with a higher risk of non-remission or deterioration may be identified by supplementing CHR criteria with assessment of BSD and negative symptoms.
Graph convolutional networks: analysis, improvements and results
Authors: Ullah Ihsan , Manzo Mario , Shah Mitul , Madden Michael G.
Published: November 2021

A graph can represent a complex organization of data in which dependencies exist between multiple entities or activities. Such complex structures create challenges for machine learning algorithms, particularly when combined with the high dimensionality of data in current applications. Graph convolutional networks were introduced to adopt concepts from deep convolutional networks (i.e. the convolutional operations/layers) that have shown good results. In this context, we propose two major enhancements to two of the existing graph convolutional network frameworks: (1) topological information enrichment through clustering coefficients; and (2) structural redesign of the network through the addition of dense layers. Furthermore, we propose minor enhancements using convex combinations of activation functions and hyper-parameter optimization. We present extensive results on four state-of-art benchmark datasets. We show that our approach achieves competitive results for three of the datasets and state-of-the-art results for the fourth dataset while having lower computational costs compared to competing methods.
Development of a nomogram for predicting the risk of left ventricular diastolic function in subjects with type-2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chen Yuan , Yu Meng , Lan Yalin , Feng Fei , Jiang Chengyan
Published: November 2021

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) can be affected by many factors, including epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to establish and validate an easy-to-use nomogram that predicts the severity of LVDD in patients with T2DM. This is a retrospective study of 84 consecutive subjects with T2DM admitted to the Endocrinology Department, the First People’s Hospital of Zunyi City between January 2015 and October 2020. Several echocardiographic characteristics were used to diagnose diastolic dysfunction according to the 2016 diastolic dysfunction ASE guidelines. Anthropometric, demographic, and biochemical parameters were collected. Through a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model, we reduced the dimensionality of the data and determined factors for the nomogram. The mean follow-up was 25.97 months. Cases were divided into two groups, those with LVDD (31) and those without (53). LASSO regression identified total cholesterol (Tol.chol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), right ventricular anterior wall (RVAW) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) were identified as predictive factors in the nomogram. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the AUC value for most clinical paramerters was higher than 0.6. The nomogram can be used to promote the individualized prediction of LVDD risk in T2DM patients, and help to prioritize patients diagnosed with echocardiography.
Flow Rate Prediction for a Semi-permeable Membrane at Low Reynolds Number in a Circular Pipe
Authors: Miyauchi Suguru , Yamada Shuji , Takeuchi Shintaro , Tazaki Asahi , Kajishima Takeo
Published: November 2021

A concise and accurate prediction method is required for membrane permeability in chemical engineering and biological fields. As a preliminary study on this topic, we propose the concentration polarization model (CPM) of the permeate flux and flow rate under dominant effects of viscosity and solute diffusion. In this model, concentration polarization is incorporated for the solution flow through a semi-permeable membrane (i.e., permeable for solvent but not for solute) in a circular pipe. The effect of the concentration polarization on the flow field in a circular pipe under a viscous-dominant condition (i.e., at a low Reynolds number) is discussed by comparing the CPM with the numerical simulation results and infinitesimal Péclet number model (IPM) for the membrane permeability, strength of the osmotic pressure, and Péclet number. The CPM and IPM are confirmed to be a reasonable extension of the model for a pure fluid, which was proposed previously. The application range of the IPM is narrow because the advection of the solute concentration is not considered, whereas the CPM demonstrates superior applicability in a wide range of parameters, including the permeability coefficient, strength of the osmotic pressure, and Péclet number. This suggests the necessity for considering concentration polarization. Although the mathematical expression of the CPM is more complex than that of the IPM, the CPM exhibits a potential to accurately predict the permeability parameters for a condition in which a large permeate flux and osmotic pressure occur.
Joined Cases C-682/18 and C-683/18 Peterson v. Google & Youtube And Elsevier v. Cyando (C.J.E.U.)
Authors: Hughes Justin
Published: November 2021

Since its inception, the internet has challenged many basic principles of international copyright law. While some key “digital copyright” issues have been addressed in multilateral treaties, one of the most vexing issues with the global digital network remains—the question of the responsibility of third-party intermediaries for copyright infringements by internet users.
Assessment of the intensity and directions of population movement in the regions of the Arctic zone of Russia in 1991–2000
Authors: Korovkin Andrei G. , Sinitsa Arseniy L.
Published: November 2021

Socio-economic transformations greatly worsened the state of the Arctic regions for residents, which led to a decrease in the population due to the significant migration outflow. Using the balance of the population movement based on data from Rosstat, we estimated the intensity of migratory movement (relocation to permanent residence) and the natural movement of the population, along with the directions of incoming movement and attrition of the population to the general population dynamics in 1991–2000 in the regions of the Arctic zone of Russia. The analysis showed that the population was characterised by greater mobility compared with the population of the country as a whole. The attrition of the population was greater than the incoming population, and the regions of the Arctic zone of Russia were the donors of the population for the rest of Russia.
38. Commission Pour l’Echange des Astronomes
Authors: Minnaert M. G. J.
Published: November 2021

Since the last report in 1960, a total number of 25 grants has been made to 27 astronomers. This is about the average number of the last ten years. Considering the increasing importance of astronomy, one might have expected a quicker development of international travel and exchange. All efforts should be made to stimulate the mobility of astronomers and to make effective use of the wonderful possibilities now available. It should be stressed that the IAU grants can be awarded for a stay of any duration of time, and that practically all applications are answered positively and quickly.
Proceedings of the Joint Discussion: Report of the Proceedings
Authors: Wilkins G. A.
Published: November 2021

The Chairman, W. Fricke, President of Commission 4, opened the Joint Discussion by drawing attention to the purpose and proposed procedure for the meeting. The Joint Discussion had been arranged by the Executive Committee of the Union in order to avoid the necessity for separate discussions by each Commission that was affected by the Report of the Working Group on the IAU System of Astronomical Constants. The Organizing Committee therefore proposed the following resolution:

‘The members of the IAU at this Joint Discussion recommend to the Executive Committee that the following resolution be put before the General Assembly: “The International Astronomical Union endorses the final list of constants prepared by the Working Group on the System of Astronomical Constants and recommends that it be used in the national and international astronomical ephemerides at the earliest practicable date.’”
Address by the Representative of The University of California
Authors: Mclaughlin D. H.
Published: November 2021

Dr Oort and Members of the International Astronomical Union:

On behalf of the President and the Regents of the University of California, I welcome you most cordially to our Berkeley campus. We are very pleased that you have elected to hold your second meeting in the United States after an interval of twenty-nine years. Your selection of this once remote site on the far western side of the North American continent is truly a gracious recognition on your part of the value of the contributions that the staff of the University of California has made to the advancement of astronomy and the sciences on which it depends to such an increasing degree.

The University of California is a relatively young institution. Less than a century ago, this plaza, in which we are gathered this morning, was an open field—a sunny spot on the long, grassy slope from the hills to the bay which was then unbroken except for scattered clusters of oaks and a few low buildings at the distant landing.
Address by the Representative of The United States of America
Authors: Stevenson Adlai E.
Published: November 2021

On behalf of the Government of the United States, and of the American people, it is my duty and my privilege to express to all of you, the distinguished members of the International Astronomical Union, a most cordial welcome to this country.

In this gathering are learned scientists from every continent and latitude, from Australia to that ancient cradle of astronomy, Egypt. We heartily welcome you all to the United States. And since Moscow was the site of your most recent Assembly three years ago, it is my particular pleasure to greet the large and distinguished delegation which has come here from the Soviet Union.

For yours is a community of the mind—ordered by reason, united in the single pursuit of truth about the universe. We who try to keep the peace among unruly nations cannot help envying and admiring your unity and purity of purpose. Would that all of us at the United Nations could follow your example, would that all of us could unite to end cold war and conflict, and concentrate on the arts of peace and the wider enjoyment of the benefits of this age of unparalleled technical progress.
Final Session
Authors: Oort J. H.
Published: November 2021

3. (b) Report of decisions taken by the Executive Committee. In opening the second, and final, session of the General Assembly the President said that this was a convenient opportunity to inform the General Assembly of various decisions taken by the Executive Committee during its meetings in Berkeley. These decisions do not require the formal approval of the General Assembly.

He announced that the Executive Committee had accepted the applications for membership from the following countries, with the adhering organizations as stated:

Brazil: Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas, Rio de Janeiro.

North Korea: Academy of Sciences of the Popular Democratic Republic of Korea, Pyongyang.

Turkey: Turkish Astronomical Society, Istanbul.

The President said that he was very happy to welcome these three countries to membership of the Union, and he noted with pleasure that representatives of two of the countries were present at the General Assembly.
Report of the Central Bureau For Astronomical Telegrams
Authors: Thernöe K. A.
Published: November 2021

The Central Bureau suffered a sad loss through the death, on 27 July 1960, of its director Miss Julie Vinter Hansen who since 1947 had conducted its work very efficiently and with never failing interest. In order to maintain the activities of the Bureau until a permanent arrangement could be made, the supervision was temporarily entrusted to the writer who for several years has participated in its work. In this capacity I have prepared the following report, covering the period from 20 October 1957 to 31 December i960.

The work of the Bureau since 1957 has proceeded along the usual lines. The number of subscribers to telegrams and circulars, and to circulars only, has continued to rise, namely from 68 to 73 and from 117 to 158 respectively. Pleasing as is this rise, it calls, however, for a correspondingly greater amount of clerical work at the Bureau, and it would not have been possible to keep the subscription fees fairly low if we were not the recipients of subsidies from the International Astronomical Union and the Danish Rask-Orsted Foundation.
Proceedings of the Joint Discussion: Arguments in Favor of the Revision of the Conventional System of Astronomical Constants
Authors: Fricke W.
Published: November 2021

The Chairman, W. Fricke, President of Commission 4, opened the Joint Discussion by drawing attention to the purpose and proposed procedure for the meeting. The Joint Discussion had been arranged by the Executive Committee of the Union in order to avoid the necessity for separate discussions by each Commission that was affected by the Report of the Working Group on the IAU System of Astronomical Constants. The Organizing Committee therefore proposed the following resolution:

‘The members of the IAU at this Joint Discussion recommend to the Executive Committee that the following resolution be put before the General Assembly: “The International Astronomical Union endorses the final list of constants prepared by the Working Group on the System of Astronomical Constants and recommends that it be used in the national and international astronomical ephemerides at the earliest practicable date.’”
Proceedings of the Joint Discussion: Parameters of the Earth's Gravitational Field
Authors: Cook A. H.
Published: November 2021

The Chairman, W. Fricke, President of Commission 4, opened the Joint Discussion by drawing attention to the purpose and proposed procedure for the meeting. The Joint Discussion had been arranged by the Executive Committee of the Union in order to avoid the necessity for separate discussions by each Commission that was affected by the Report of the Working Group on the IAU System of Astronomical Constants. The Organizing Committee therefore proposed the following resolution:

‘The members of the IAU at this Joint Discussion recommend to the Executive Committee that the following resolution be put before the General Assembly: “The International Astronomical Union endorses the final list of constants prepared by the Working Group on the System of Astronomical Constants and recommends that it be used in the national and international astronomical ephemerides at the earliest practicable date.’”
Proceedings of the Joint Discussion: Masses of the Principal Planets
Authors: Clemence G. M.
Published: November 2021

The Chairman, W. Fricke, President of Commission 4, opened the Joint Discussion by drawing attention to the purpose and proposed procedure for the meeting. The Joint Discussion had been arranged by the Executive Committee of the Union in order to avoid the necessity for separate discussions by each Commission that was affected by the Report of the Working Group on the IAU System of Astronomical Constants. The Organizing Committee therefore proposed the following resolution:

‘The members of the IAU at this Joint Discussion recommend to the Executive Committee that the following resolution be put before the General Assembly: “The International Astronomical Union endorses the final list of constants prepared by the Working Group on the System of Astronomical Constants and recommends that it be used in the national and international astronomical ephemerides at the earliest practicable date.’”