bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urbanization alters interactions between Darwin's finches and Tribulus cistoides on the Galápagos Islands
Authors: Rivkin L. Ruth , Johnson Reagan A. , Chaves Jaime A. , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: October 2021

Emerging evidence suggests that humans shape the ecology and evolution of species interactions. Islands are particularly susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance due to the fragility of their ecosystems; however, we know little about the susceptibility of species interactions to urbanization on islands. To address this gap, we studied how the earliest stages of urban development affect interactions between Darwin's finches and its key food resource, Tribulus cistoides, in three towns on the Galápagos Islands. We measured variation in mericarp predation rates, mericarp morphology, and finch community composition using population surveys, experimental manipulations, and finch observations conducted in habitats within and outside of each town. We found that both seed and mericarp removal rates were higher in towns than natural habitats. We also found that selection on mericarp size and defense differed between habitats in the survey and experimental populations and that towns supported smaller and less diverse finch communities than natural habitats. Together, our results suggest that even moderate levels of urbanization can alter ecological interactions between Darwin's finches and T. cistoides, leading to modified natural selection on T. cistoides populations. Our study demonstrates that trophic interactions on islands may be susceptible to the anthropogenic disturbance associated with urbanization. Despite containing the highest diversity in the world, studies of urbanization are lacking from the tropics. Our study identified signatures of urbanization on species interactions in a tropical island ecosystem and suggests that changes to the ecology of species interactions has the potential to alter evolution in urban environments.
Genetic variation and reproductive patterns in wetland mosses suggest efficient initial colonization of disturbed sites
Authors: Hedenäs Lars , Hylander Kristoffer , Lönnell Niklas , Bisang Irene
Published: October 2021

To understand colonization processes, it is critical to fully assess the role of dispersal in shaping biogeographical patterns at the gene, individual, population, and community levels. We test two alternative hypotheses (H I and H II) for the colonization of disturbed sites by clonal plants, by analyzing intraspecific genetic variation in one and reproductive traits in two typical fen mosses with separate sexes and intermittent spore dispersal, comparing disturbed, early‐succession (limed) fens and late‐successional rich fens. H I suggests initial colonization of disturbed sites by diverse genotypes of which fewer remain in late‐successional fens and an initially balanced sex ratio that develops into a possibly skewed population sex ratio. H II suggests initial colonization by few genotypes and gradual accumulation of additional genotypes and an initially skewed sex ratio that alters into the species‐specific sex ratio, during succession. Under both scenarios, we expect enhanced sexual reproduction in late‐successional fens due to resource gains and decreased intermate distances when clones expand. We show that the intraspecific genetic diversity, assessed by two molecular markers, in Scorpidium cossonii was higher and the genetic variation among sites was smaller in disturbed than late‐successional rich fens. Sex ratio was balanced in S. cossonii and Campylium stellatum in disturbed fens and skewed in C. stellatum in late‐successional fens, thus supporting H I. In line with our prediction, sex expression incidence was higher in, and sporophytes were confined to, late‐succession compared to disturbed rich fens. Late‐successional S. cossonii sites had more within‐site patches with two or more genotypes, and both species displayed higher sex expression levels in late‐successional than in disturbed sites. We conclude that diverse genotypes and both sexes disperse efficiently to, and successfully colonize new sites, while patterns of genetic variation and sexual reproduction in late‐successional rich fens are gradually shaped by local conditions and interactions over extended time periods.
Quantifying moss moisture stresses in undrained, afforested and rewetted peatlands located in Republic of Ireland using laboratory measurements and computer modelling
Authors: Tilak Amey S. , Byrne Kenneth A. , Jovani‐Sancho A. Jonay , Saunders Matthew , Hoyne Seamus
Published: October 2021

This study utilized site‐specific peat hydrophysical properties (inverse of air‐entry pressure, α; pore size distribution index, n; saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks; and pore tortuosity, L) as inputs into the HYDRUS 1‐D computer model for quantifying moss moisture stresses on Irish peatlands. The site‐specific peat hydrophysical properties computed using pedotransfer functions obtained from laboratory measured bulk density (BD) and % organic matter (OM). The peat samples obtained from undrained sites (Scohaboy, Pollagoona and Lough Ghe), three afforested sites (S18, S28 and S44) and rewetted sites (Scohaboy and Pollagoona). The moss moisture stresses quantified using a known ecohydrological threshold of −100 cm. The site‐specific peat hydrophysical properties, four initial WTDs (3, 8, 20 and 30 cm) and two distinct precipitation regimes (single and consecutive 4 years having severely dry [SD], extremely dry [ED], near normal [NN], very wet [VW] and extremely wet [EW] periods) were inputs into HYDRUS 1‐D model. The modelling results showed that none of the peatland sites ever reached −100 cm threshold in single year simulations at all initial WTDs. However, in the consecutive 4‐year simulations, Scohaboy, Pollagoona and Lough Ghe undrained, S28 afforested and Pollagoona rewetted sites first reached −100 cm threshold on 516, 508, 624, 1329 and 517 day, respectively. In the consecutive 4‐year simulations, undrained Scohaboy, Pollagoona, Lough Ghe, S28 afforested and Pollagoona rewetted reached −100 cm threshold in ED and SD years. We concluded that moss recolonization is likely to be successfully on peatlands having minimal to no −100 cm threshold days.
A Phosphonate Substituent in a 1,10‐Phenanthroline Ligand Boosts Light‐Driven Catalytic Water Oxidation Performance Sensitized by Ruthenium Chromophores
Authors: Amthor Sebastian , Keil Philip , Nauroozi Djawed , Perleth Daniel , Rau Sven
Published: October 2021

A series of new Ruthenium(II) complexes based on the (1,10‐phenanthrolin‐5‐yl)diethyl phosphonate ligand L2 and their corresponding phosphonic acid along with reference compounds are synthesized in order to evaluate the influence of the phosphonate substitution on the catalytic performance of such molecules. UV‐vis absorption and emission spectroscopy show, that introduction of a phosphonate moiety into the periphery of the phenanthroline ligand does not alter the photophysical properties of the complex. In contrast, the electrochemical features of all compounds are affected upon respective functionalization compared to the reference molecule [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 in aqueous medium. Photostability tests in water or in water/persulfate show a dependency of the stability towards photodecomposition on quenching efficiency with persulfate anion. The lower quenching efficiency thus leads to increased stability based on the negative charge of the phosphonate moiety in 2 and P1 in aqueous medium following a quenching efficiency trend of [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2>1>2>P1. Photocatalytic water oxidation using [Ru(dpp)(pic)2](PF6)2 reveals that compound 1 and [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 doe not exhibit any activity under the utilized conditions, P1 shows a negligible TON of 7, whereas compound 2 reaches a TON of 140 after 1 h. This fact highlights that the redox potential is not the sole driver in the catalytic cycle and accentuates the importance of different criteria determining the suitability of photosensitizers in light‐driven water oxidation, such as light absorption, redox potential of the RuIII/RuII event, photostability towards and quenching efficiency with the sacrificial agent.
Continuous Flow Synthesis of Sulfur‐ and Selenium−NHC Compounds (NHC=N‐Heterocyclic Carbene)
Authors: Cauwenbergh Thibault , Scattolin Thomas , Simoens Andreas , Tzouras Nikolaos V. , Stevens Christian V. , Nolan Steven P.
Published: October 2021

The first continuous flow syntheses of sulfur‐ and selenium−NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) adducts in unprecedented short reaction times and high yields are reported. The importance of these species in coordination chemistry or as efficient tools for determining the π‐acceptor character of NHC ligands make any improvement in their synthesis a worthy goal. Thiourea derivatives bearing both saturated and unsaturated NHCs were obtained using NEt3 as a weak base (homogeneous setup) in conjunction with a bed of elemental sulfur (S8). The synthetic route proving optimal for selenoureas involves the use of a simple Se/K2CO3 heterogeneous microreactor design.
Phenomenological hysteretic model for superelastic NiTi shape memory alloys accounting for functional degradation
Authors: Lee Chang Seok , Jeon Jong‐Su
Published: October 2021

This study presents a simple hysteretic model to reproduce the stress–strain relationship of superelastic NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs). The proposed model explicitly includes the functional degradation of SMAs, which has been ignored in earthquake engineering applications. This effect causes a reduction in the transformation stress and accumulation of residual strain. Because SMA devices are mainly used for seismic retrofit and account for a small portion of the structural system, their numerical model should not increase the computational time needed to perform nonlinear dynamic analyses. Computational efficiency can be achieved by representing their stress–strain response in a phenomenological way. Additionally, practitioners who may not have a professional background in materials science can easily manipulate the proposed model for the appropriate reproduction of model parameters such as transformation stress and residual strain. The ability to properly reproduce the experimental stress–strain response is validated for the test results of 65 NiTi SMA specimens. The amount of forward and reverse transformation stress degradation and the amount of residual strain accumulation per cycle, which are observed in the experimental results, are captured with reasonable accuracy in the proposed model. Additionally, the response of SMA braces in a four‐story steel moment frame is modeled using the proposed model to examine the residual story drift of the SMA braced frame under a set of ground motions. At higher intensity levels, the functional degradation of SMA braces increased the residual story drift up to 60% in comparison to the SMA‐braced model without functional degradation.
The effect of patient perceived involvement on patient loyalty in primary care: The mediating role of patient satisfaction and the moderating role of the family doctor contract service
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Qian , Li Xinru , Shao Weiya , Ma Jingyu , Zhang Ruijie , Zhou Angdi , Li Jinghua
Published: October 2021

Background

The Chinese government has taken many incentives to promote the implementation of the family doctor (FD) contract service; however, whether primary health care providers establishing a strong relationship with patients that shapes their loyalty is still unknown. Under this circumstance, drawing the public attention to patient loyalty in primary care and clarifying the underlying mechanism of loyalty is imperative to the development of primary care.

Objective

To analyse the effect of patient perceived involvement on patient loyalty in primary care, investigate the mediating role of patient satisfaction, and explore the moderating role of the FD contract service on the relationship between patient perceived involvement and patient loyalty.

Methods

A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey of patients in primary health facilities was conducted in Jilin province of China. Participants comprised 1334 patients selected via a multi‐stage sampling method.

Results

Patient perceived involvement not only had a direct positive impact on patient loyalty but also had an indirect effect on patient loyalty via patient satisfaction. Furthermore, for patients who contracted with FDs, patient perceived involvement had a higher direct effect and indirect effect on patient loyalty when compared with patients who did not contract with FDs.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that health managers should encourage patients to participate in medical visits to improve patient satisfaction. Additionally, customised and tailored health services that meet individuals' specific needs and preferences should be designed and implemented to attract more patients to contract the FD contract service.
Topographically moderated soil water seasons impact vegetation dynamics in semiarid mountain catchments: Illustrations from the Dry Creek Experimental Watershed, Idaho, USA
Authors: Poulos Michael J. , Smith Toni J. , Benner Shawn G. , Pierce Jennifer L. , Flores Alejandro N. , Seyfried Mark S. , McNamara James P.
Published: October 2021

Water stored in soils, in part, controls vegetation productivity and the duration of growing seasons in wildland ecosystems. Soil water is the dynamic product of precipitation, evapotranspiration and soil properties, all of which vary across complex terrain making it challenging to decipher the specific controls that soil water has on growing season dynamics. We assess how soil water use by plants varies across elevations and aspects in the Dry Creek Experimental Watershed in southwest Idaho, USA, a mountainous, semiarid catchment that spans low elevation rain to high elevation snow regimes. We compare trends in soil water and soil temperature with corresponding trends in insolation, precipitation and vegetation productivity, and we observe trends in the timing, rate and duration of soil water extraction by plants across ranges in elevation and aspect. The initiation of growth‐supporting conditions, indicated by soil warming, occurs 58 days earlier at lower, compared with higher, elevations. However, growth‐supporting conditions also end earlier at lower elevations due to the onset of soil water depletion 29 days earlier than at higher elevations. A corresponding shift in peak NDVI timing occurs 61 days earlier at lower elevations. Differences in timing also occur with aspect, with most threshold timings varying by 14–30 days for paired north‐ and south‐facing sites at similar elevations. While net primary productivity nearly doubles at higher elevations, the duration of the warm‐wet period of active water use does not vary systematically with elevation. Instead, the greater ecosystem productivity is related to increased soil water storage capacity, which supports faster soil water use and growth rates near the summer solstice and peak insolation. Larger soil water storage does not appear to extend the duration of the growing season, but rather supports higher growing season intensity when wet‐warm soil conditions align with high insolation. These observations highlight the influence of soil water storage capacity in dictating ecological function in these semiarid steppe climatic regimes.
Novel induced charge electrokinetic based microfluidic design for trapping of micro and nanoparticles: Numerical simulation approach
Authors: Salimian Rizi Farideh , Talebi Shahram , Mohammadi Mehdi
Published: October 2021

ICEK phenomena have recently been used for separating particles. The most critical issue in separating the nanoparticles (e.g., exosome, viruses, or bacteria) in complex biofluids is implementing a two‐step procedure (I) trapping the larger particles (e.g., red blood cells) from the blood and (II) trapping the nanoparticles. The purpose of this paper is to propose a design framework for the separation of considered particles in one chip. The model considered evaluating the feasibility of two‐step micro and nanoparticle separations, for instance, exosome (30–120 nm) from red blood cells (5–7 μm) or other cells in biological samples. A low voltage direct current (DC) electric field is used to generate vortices around the obstacles to trap microparticles (e.g., red blood cells) and nanoparticles (e.g., exosome) before the first and second obstacles, respectively. The achieved results demonstrated that the generated vortices are adequately strong to trap both micro and nanoparticles. This chip has several advantages, consisting of low voltage requirement and easy to manufacture design.
Competition and slack: The role of tariffs on cost stickiness
Authors: Zhang Rengong (Alex) , Hora Manpreet , John Sarin , Wier Heather A.
Published: October 2021

Slack exists when entities hold resources in excess of those required to support current operations. “Sticky” spending is a specific type of slack spending that occurs when a firm reduces spending by less when sales fall than it increases spending when sales rise by an equivalent amount. Changes in a firm's environment affect its propensity to engage in sticky spending. We examine how competition influences sticky spending, positing two hypotheses. First, we hypothesize that competition will be positively associated with firms' investment in sticky spending both for cost of goods manufactured (COGM) and selling, general, and administrative (SG&A). Second, we hypothesize that competition moderates the relation between sticky spending and firm performance. Utilizing variations of tariff rates as exogenous shocks to reflect competition, we measure sticky spending in the firm's COGM and SG&A spending. To empirically verify our hypotheses, we draw data from three different sources, industry‐level tariff data, Compustat, and the Hoberg–Phillips data library, for firms in the manufacturing sector from 1974 through 2017. Our regression analyses confirm that managers maintain more stickiness in spending as competition increases. The market's assessment of firm performance (as measured by Tobin's Q) is largely positively associated with sticky spending as competition increases. This expectation of higher performance is evidenced by immediate improvements in the firm's return on assets (ROA) when we consider COGM spending, but not when we consider SG&A spending.
Trends and socioeconomic factors associated with overweight/obesity among three reproductive age groups of women in Nepal
Authors: Shariful Islam Md. , Ola Oluwadara , Alaboson Joan , Dadzie Jeffrey , Hasan Md. , Islam Nazmul , Mainali Shristi , Saif‐Ur‐Rahman KM
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Overweight/obesity represents a major and increasing burden in Nepal where women in reproductive‐aged groups are highly affected. We aimed to explore the trends and association of overweight by socioeconomic position among the different reproductive‐aged women in Nepal.

Methods

We used datasets from five nationally representative surveys, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey conducted between 1996 and 2016. A sample of 33,503 nonpregnant women aged 15–49 was included. Markers of socioeconomic position were education level, occupation, and household wealth. Descriptive analysis, crude and adjusted prevalence trends, and multiple logistic regression models were carried out.

Results

The prevalence of overweight/obesity increased fivefold (7.5–35.2%) among women of reproductive age between 1996 and 2016 in Nepal. The prevalence increase of overweight was higher among women aged 25 to  < 35 and 35–49. The overweight prevalence increased from 5.2% to 42.3% among women involved in manual work. Women aged 35–49 from the richest households were more likely overweight (adjusted odds ratio 5.68; 95% CI 4.62–6.99). Women with higher education had higher body weight irrespective of reproductive age.

Conclusion

In Nepal, women aged 35–49 from the richest households and women with higher education were the highest risk groups for being overweight in Nepal. To improve the situation of overweight in Nepal, strategies prioritizing the vulnerable groups should be incorporated into the National Nutrition Policy and Strategies.
Generalised conformable sliding mode control
Authors: Muñoz‐Vázquez Aldo Jonathan , Fernández‐Anaya Guillermo , Meléndez‐Vázquez Fidel , Sánchez Torres Juan Diego
Published: October 2021

This paper explores the concept of conformable derivative to produce a more general sliding motion, where the speed of convergence can be directly modulated during the design of the conformable operator. Through the analysis of a novel conformable derivative, a newer class of control systems can be proposed, which offer supplementary and entrancing properties to meet broader performance specifications. A conformable integro‐differential sliding motion is enforced in finite‐time, by means of a second‐order sliding mode controller, where the stability at the sliding phase is studied in the Lyapunov framework. Representative simulation examples are provided to show the suitability of the proposed methodology, and an experimental scenario is carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme under real‐world conditions.
A Research Note on Laterality and Lineality in Austronesian Relationship Terminologies
Authors: Fox James J.
Published: October 2021

This research note identifies seven patterns of laterality and/or lineality that occur in the 1st ascending generation of Austronesian relationship terminologies. It lists, in relation to these patterns, some of the main Austronesian societies that possess each of these patterns. This brief note forms part of a larger ongoing comparative research analysis of Austronesian kinship.
Individual and classroom collective moral disengagement in offline and online bullying: A short‐term multilevel growth model study
Authors: Bjärehed Marlene
Published: October 2021

This short‐term longitudinal study examined whether individual moral disengagement and classroom collective moral disengagement were associated with offline and online bullying over the course of 1 year. Multilevel growth modeling with three levels was used to analyze data from a sample of 1048 Swedish students in 68 classrooms. The students completed a self‐report questionnaire at two time‐points separated by approximately 1 year. All students were in fifth grade (Mage = 11.5) at the first timepoint and in sixth grade (Mage = 12.6) at the second timepoint. Results showed that students reported more offline and online bullying if they had higher initial levels of individual moral disengagement and if they belonged to classrooms with higher initial levels of classroom collective moral disengagement. Also, a change in individual moral disengagement was positively associated with a change in bullying others offline and online.
Optimal diagnostic test allocation strategy during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond
Authors: Du Jiacong , J Beesley Lauren , Lee Seunggeun , Zhou Xiang , Dempsey Walter , Mukherjee Bhramar
Published: October 2021

Timely diagnostic testing for active SARS‐CoV‐2 viral infections is key to controlling the spread of the virus and preventing severe disease. A central public health challenge is defining test allocation strategies with limited resources. In this paper, we provide a mathematical framework for defining an optimal strategy for allocating viral diagnostic tests. The framework accounts for imperfect test results, selective testing in certain high‐risk patient populations, practical constraints in terms of budget and/or total number of available tests, and the purpose of testing. Our method is not only useful for detecting infections, but can also be used for long‐time surveillance to detect new outbreaks. In our proposed approach, tests can be allocated across population strata defined by symptom severity and other patient characteristics, allowing the test allocation plan to prioritize higher risk patient populations. We illustrate our framework using historical data from the initial wave of the COVID‐19 outbreak in New York City. We extend our proposed method to address the challenge of allocating two different types of diagnostic tests with different costs and accuracy, for example, the RT‐PCR and the rapid antigen test (RAT), under budget constraints. We show how this latter framework can be useful to reopening of college campuses where university administrators are challenged with finite resources for community surveillance. We provide a R Shiny web application allowing users to explore test allocation strategies across a variety of pandemic scenarios. This work can serve as a useful tool for guiding public health decision‐making at a community level and adapting testing plans to different stages of an epidemic. The conceptual framework has broader relevance beyond the current COVID‐19 pandemic.
From Engagement to Disengagement in a Psychiatric Assessment Process
Authors: Peräkylä Anssi , Voutilainen Liisa , Lehtinen Maarit , Wuolio Mariel
Published: October 2021

In a longitudinal conversation analytical (CA) case study, we examined patient engagement in a psychiatric assessment process (nine clinical interviews) with a young woman who eventually received the diagnosis of personality disorder. Based on Goffman, we consider engagement in interaction as consisting of three facets: engagement in the action at hand, bodily engagement with the co‐participant, and engagement with the local moral order of the encounter. The patient begins the assessment process with high engagement and ends it up in low engagement. Yet, during this process, the patient oscillates between moments of high and low engagement. We show how the Goffmanian idea of engagement can be elaborated by CA. On the other hand, the Goffmanian view enriches CA by bringing to the foreground the interconnectedness of the different facets of engagement. A video abstract is available at
https://youtu.be/S7BA7HRFvJ0.
A fast and oblivious matrix compression algorithm for Volterra integral operators
Authors: Dölz J. , Egger H. , Shashkov V.
Published: October 2021

The numerical solution of dynamical systems with memory requires the efficient evaluation of Volterra integral operators in an evolutionary manner. After appropriate discretization, the basic problem can be represented as a matrix-vector product with a lower diagonal but densely populated matrix. For typical applications, like fractional diffusion or large-scale dynamical systems with delay, the memory cost for storing the matrix approximations and complete history of the data then becomes prohibitive for an accurate numerical approximation. For Volterra integral operators of convolution type, thefast and oblivious convolution quadraturemethod of Schädle, Lopez-Fernandez, and Lubich resolves this issue and allows to compute the discretized evaluation withNtime steps in$O(N \log N)$O(NlogN)complexity and only requires$O(\log N)$O(logN)active memory to store a compressed version of the complete history of the data. We will show that this algorithm can be interpreted as an${{\mathscr{H}}}$H-matrix approximation of the underlying integral operator. A further improvement can thus be achieved, in principle, by resorting to${{\mathscr{H}}}^{2}$H2-matrix compression techniques. Following this idea, we formulate a variant of the${{\mathscr{H}}}^{2}$H2-matrix-vector product for discretized Volterra integral operators that can be performed in an evolutionary and oblivious manner and requires onlyO(N) operations and$O(\log N)$O(logN)active memory. In addition to the acceleration, more general asymptotically smooth kernels can be treated and the algorithm does not require a priori knowledge of the number of time steps. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated by application to some typical test problems.
Evaluating anthracycline + taxane versus taxane-based chemotherapy in older women with node-negative triple-negative breast cancer: a SEER-Medicare study
Authors: Schreiber Anna R. , Kagihara Jodi , Eguchi Megan , Kabos Peter , Fisher Christine M. , Meyer Elisabeth , Molina Elizabeth , Kondapalli Lavanya , Bradley Cathy J. , Diamond Jennifer R.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Adjuvant chemotherapy reduces recurrence in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, data are lacking evaluating anthracycline + taxane (ATAX) versus taxane-based (TAX) chemotherapy in older women with node-negative TNBC, as they are often excluded from trials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adjuvant ATAX versus TAX on cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in older patients with node-negative TNBC.

Patients and methods

Using the SEER-Medicare database, we selected patients aged ≥ 66 years diagnosed with Stage T1-4N0M0 TNBC between 2010 and 2015 (N = 3348). Kaplan–Meier survival curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate 3-year OS and CSS. Multivariant Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with use of ATAX compared to TAX.

Results

Approximately half (N = 1679) of patients identified received chemotherapy and of these, 58.6% (N = 984) received TAX, 25.0% (N = 420) received ATAX, and 16.4% (N = 275) received another regimen. Three-year CSS and OS was improved with any adjuvant chemotherapy from 88.9 to 92.2% (p = 0.0018) for CSS and 77.2% to 88.6% for OS (p < 0.0001). In contrast, treatment with ATAX compared to TAX was associated with inferior 3-year CSS and OS. Three-year CSS was 93.7% with TAX compared to 89.8% (p = 0.048) for ATAX and OS was 91.0% for TAX and 86.4% for ATAX (p = 0.032).

Conclusion

While adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved clinical outcomes, the administration of ATAX compared to TAX was associated with inferior 3-year OS and CSS in older women with node-negative TNBC. The use of adjuvant ATAX should be considered carefully in this patient population.
Rare events in the Arctic
Authors: Overland James E.
Published: October 2021

Twenty years ago, the Arctic was more resilient than now as sea ice was three times thicker than today. Heavier and more persistent sea ice provided a buffer against the influence of short-term climate fluctuations. Sea ice/atmospheric interactions now point to revisiting the concept of abrupt change. The recent decade has seen Arctic extreme events in climate and ecosystems including some events beyond previous records that imply increased future uncertaintly. While their numbers may increase, the distribution of the type, location, and timing of extreme events are less predictable. Recent processes include albedo shifts and increased sensitivity of sea ice to storms in marginal seas. Such new extremes include Greenland ice mass loss, sea ice as thin and mobile, coastal erosion, springtime snow loss, permafrost thaw, wildfires, and bottom to top ecosystem reorganizations, a consilience of impacts. One cause for such events is due to natural variability in a wavy tropospheric jet stream and polar vortex displacements, interacting with ongoing Arctic Amplification: temperature increases, sea ice loss, and permafrost thaw. This connecting hypothesis is validated by the variability of rare events matching interannual and spatial variability of weather. A proposed way forward for adaptation planning is through narrative/scenario approaches. Unless CO2 emissions are reduced, further multiple types of Arctic extremes are expected in the next decades with environmental and societal impacts spreading through the Arctic and beyond.
Empowering study of breast cancer data with application of artificial intelligence technology: promises, challenges, and use cases
Authors: Panahiazar Maryam , Chen Nolan , Lituiev Dmytro , Hadley Dexter
Published: October 2021

In healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have the potential to create significant value by improving time-sensitive outcomes while lowering error rates for each patient. Diagnostic images, clinical notes, and reports are increasingly generated and stored in electronic medical records. This heterogeneous data presenting us with challenges in data analytics and reusability that is by nature has high complexity, thereby necessitating novel ways to store, manage and process, and reuse big data. This presents an urgent need to develop new, scalable, and expandable AI infrastructure and analytical methods that can enable healthcare providers to access knowledge for individual patients, yielding better decisions and outcomes. In this review article, we briefly discuss the nature of data in breast cancer study and the role of AI for generating “smart data” which offer actionable information that supports the better decision for personalized medicine for individual patients. In our view, the biggest challenge is to create a system that makes data robust and smart for healthcare providers and patients that can lead to more effective clinical decision-making, improved health outcomes, and ultimately, managing the healthcare outcomes and costs. We highlight some of the challenges in using breast cancer data and propose the need for an AI-driven environment to address them. We illustrate our vision with practical use cases and discuss a path for empowering the study of breast cancer databases with the application of AI and future directions.
Sample return of primitive matter from the outer Solar System
Authors: Vernazza P. , Beck P. , Ruesch O. , Bischoff A. , Bonal L. , Brennecka G. , Brunetto R. , Busemann H. , Carter J. , Carli C. , Cartier C. , Ciarniello M. , Debaille V. , Delsanti A. , D’Hendecourt L. , Füri E. , Groussin O. , Guilbert-Lepoutre A. , Helbert J. , Hoppe P. , Jehin E. , Jorda L. , King A. , Kleine T. , Lamy P. , Lasue J. , Le Guillou C. , Leroux H. , Leya I. , Magna T. , Marrocchi Y. , Morlok A. , Mousis O. , Palomba E. , Piani L. , Quirico E. , Remusat L. , Roskosz M. , Rubin M. , Russell S. , Schönbächler M. , Thomas N. , Villeneuve J. , Vinogradoff V. , Wurz P. , Zanda B.
Published: October 2021

The last thirty years of cosmochemistry and planetary science have shown that one major Solar System reservoir is vastly undersampled in the available suite of extra-terrestrial materials, namely small bodies that formed in the outer Solar System (>10 AU). Because various dynamical evolutionary processes have modified their initial orbits (e.g., giant planet migration, resonances), these objects can be found today across the entire Solar System as P/D near-Earth and main-belt asteroids, Jupiter and Neptune Trojans, comets, Centaurs, and small (diameter < 200 km) trans-Neptunian objects. This reservoir is of tremendous interest, as it is recognized as the least processed since the dawn of the Solar System and thus the closest to the starting materials from which the Solar System formed. Some of the next major breakthroughs in planetary science will come from studying outer Solar System samples (volatiles and refractory constituents) in the laboratory. Yet, this can only be achieved by an L-class mission that directly collects and returns to Earth materials from this reservoir. It is thus not surprising that two White Papers advocating a sample return mission of a primitive Solar System small body (ideally a comet) were submitted to ESA in response to its Voyage 2050 call for ideas for future L-class missions in the 2035-2050 time frame. One of these two White Papers is presented in this article.
UAS Safety Operation – Legal Issues on Reporting UAS Incidents
Authors: Konert Anna , Kasprzyk Piotr
Published: October 2021

Introduction. This paper examines regulations which govern procedures for reporting incidents other than accidents or serious incidents related to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations. The regulations are discussed in the context of available data and the paper included an analysis of them from both a European and national perspective. The goal of the paper is to provide a series of recommendations with regard to the procedures for reporting and analyzing UAS incidents in order to improve the safe integration of unmanned and manned aviation. This article also explores the legal consequences that arise from the midair collision between a UAS and a manned aircraft. Material and methods: The method of study comprises a content analysis of existing legislations. The current doctrine was confronted with existing regulations, documents and materials. Results: The results of the study show that there is a practical problem of objectively identifying operators of a UAS as well as in defining what exactly constitutes an “incident”. It can be reasonably concluded that reporting and analyzing UAS-related incidents allows for the assessment and development of strategies for integrating manned and unmanned aviation. It is worth mentioning that drones and UAS technology requires refinement, especially in technological terms. It is reasonable to take action aimed at raising awareness amongst UAS users of the need to report incidents, as well as engaging UAS users in the investigative process which follows such occurrences.
Cardiac aorta-derived extracellular matrix scaffold enhances critical mediators of angiogenesis in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction mice
Authors: Hosseinabadi Mahara , Abdolmaleki Zohreh , Beheshtiha Seyed Hamed Shirazi
Published: October 2021

An incapability to improve lost cardiac muscle caused by acute ischemic injury remains the most important deficiency of current treatments to prevent heart failure. We investigated whether cardiomyocytes culturing on cardiac aorta-derived extracellular matrix scaffold has advantageous effects on cardiomyocytes survival and angiogenesis biomarkers’ expression. Ten male NMRI mice were randomly divided into two groups: (1) control (healthy mice) and (2) myocardial infarction (MI)-induced model group (Isoproterenol/subcutaneously injection/single dose of 85 mg/kg). Two days after isoproterenol injection, all animals were sacrificed to isolate cardiomyocytes from myocardium tissues. The fresh thoracic aorta was obtained from male NMRI mice and decellularized using 4% sodium deoxycholate and 2000 kU DNase-I treatments. Control and MI-derived cardiomyocytes were seeded on decellularized cardiac aorta (DCA) considered three-dimensional (3D) cultures. To compare, the isolated cardiomyocytes from control and MI groups were also cultured as a two-dimensional (2D) culture system for 14 days. The cell viability was examined by MTT assay. The expression levels ofHif-1αandVEGFgenes and VEGFR1 protein were tested by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Moreover, the amount of VEGF protein was evaluated in the conditional media of the 2D and 3D systems. The oxidative stress was assessed via MDA assay.Hif-1αandVEGFgenes were downregulated in MI groups compared to controls. However, the resulting data showed that decellularized cardiac aorta matrices positively affect the expression ofHif-1αandVEGFgenes. The expression level of VEGFR1 protein was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) upregulated in both MI and healthy cell groups cultured on decellularized cardiac aorta matrices as a 3D system compared to the MI cell group cultured in the 2D systems. Furthermore, MDA concentration significantly decreased in 3D-cultured cells (MI and healthy cell groups) rather than the 2D-cultured MI group (p ≤ 0.015). The findings suggest that cardiac aorta-derived extracellular scaffold by preserving VEGF, improving the cell viability, and stimulating angiogenesis via upregulatingHif-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR1 in cardiomyocytes could be considered as a potential approach along with another therapeutic method to reduce the complications of myocardial infarction and control the progressive pathological conditions related to MI.
Contraction: A Unified Perspective of Correlation Decay and Zero-Freeness of 2-Spin Systems
Authors: Shao Shuai , Sun Yuxin
Published: October 2021

We study the connection between the correlation decay property (more precisely, strong spatial mixing) and the zero-freeness of the partition function of 2-spin systems on graphs of bounded degree. We show that for 2-spin systems on an entire family of graphs of a given bounded degree, the contraction property that ensures correlation decay exists for certain real parameters implies the zero-freeness of the partition function and the existence of correlation decay for some corresponding complex neighborhoods. Based on this connection, we are able to extend any real parameter of which the 2-spin system on graphs of bounded degree exhibits correlation decay to its complex neighborhood where the partition function is zero-free and correlation decay still exists. We give new zero-free regions in which the edge interaction parameters and the uniform external field are all complex-valued, and we show the existence of correlation decay for such complex regions. As a consequence, we obtain approximation algorithms for computing the partition function of 2-spin systems on graphs of bounded degree for these complex parameter settings.
Combining sense of place theory with the ecosystem services concept: empirical insights and reflections from a participatory mapping study
Authors: Gottwald Sarah , Albert Christian , Fagerholm Nora
Published: October 2021

Context

River landscapes represent hotspots for biodiversity and ecosystem services used and embraced by human agents. Changes in river landscapes are subjectively perceived by people and can be assessed through the lenses of cultural ecosystem services (CES) and sense of place (SOP).

Objectives

This study aims to assess people–place relationships in a river landscape by integrating SOP theory and the CES concept and critically reflecting on their interplay. Research objectives relate to meanings and attachments attributed by citizens to places and the influence of the physical environment and socioeconomic settings.

Methods

We employed a spatially meaningful place indicator in a public participation GIS survey, combining meanings elucidated through a free listing exercise and multiple-choice questions. Statistical analyses were employed to investigate relationships between meanings, place attachment, and environmental and social variables.

Results

The results showed that (1) place meaning assessments can complement place attachment data by enhancing the understanding of relationships to biophysical and socioeconomic variables, and (2) combinations of both assessment approaches for place meanings showed that CESs were reflected in many free listed meaning types, dominantly related to forms or practices, but neglect relational values, such as “Heimat” (i.e., in German expression of the long-standing connection to an area) or memories.

Conclusions

This paper explicates synergies between SOP theory and CES concept. CES research offers insights from spatial assessments, while SOP research provides theoretical depth regarding relational values linked to CES. This paper critically reflects the ostensible consent of understanding SOP as a CES and proposes considering SOP as an overarching theory for CES assessment.
Women in top echelon positions and their effects on sustainability: a review, synthesis and future research agenda
Authors: Bannò Mariasole , Filippi Emilia , Trento Sandro
Published: October 2021

This article aims to review and systematize prior works that investigate how the presence of women in top echelon positions of firms affects sustainability and to create an agenda to guide future research in this promising area. In contrast to previous reviews, ours examines how women in top echelon positions affect sustainability by distinguishing both the position women held in the firm (i.e. Board of Directors—BoD, top management team, CEO and relevant committees) and the specific elements of sustainability (i.e. activity, performance, and disclosure). Our structured systematic review resulted in 187 publications retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus and revealed that the presence of women in top echelon positions is associated with greater engagement in social and environmental projects. Their presence also positively influences the environmental and social performance and increases the level, quality, and transparency of sustainability disclosure. Furthermore, the presence of women in top echelon positions and the implementation of sustainable activities improve both the firm financial performance and value. However, conflicting results have also emerged. On the basis of these findings, research gaps and future research agenda are identified and presented.
Modeling a Theoretical Construct on Pupils’ Difficulties in Problem Solving
Authors: Vázquez-Bernal Bartolomé , Jiménez-Pérez Roque
Published: October 2021

The objective of this work was the theoretical modeling of a construct based on teaching practice about the perception that pupils have of difficulties in problem solving (PS) in experimental sciences, specifically physics, to predict pupil performance in PS. The research was carried out with an incidental sample of second year of secondary education pupils, of 13 to 14 years in age. The pupils and their teachers were involved in a project in which PS, classroom inquiry, and Hooke’s law were considered to be central. The information collection instrument was a Likert type questionnaire to investigate the various difficulties perceived by the pupils (Knowledge, Trust, Path, Interest,…) in the problem-solving processes applying Hooke’s law. A theoretical model was estimated and not rejected that involved only one factor (a PS factor), with all of its variables strongly interrelated and a set of constraints represented by covariances between theoretical hidden variables. This model is a starting point from which to understand how pupils at this level perceive PS in experimental sciences.
The correspondence between Józef M. Bocheński (1902–1995) and Heinrich Scholz (1946–1954)
Authors: Besler Gabriela
Published: October 2021

As is well known, Heinrich Scholz and his academic society maintained good scientific contacts with Polish logicians before, during, and after the Second World War. My interest here is to examine the details of their collaboration by presenting Scholz’s unpublished correspondence with Fr. Józef M. Bocheński. The following topics are discussed here: Polish logicians who survived the war and their current place of work; reorganization of the scholarly environment, didactic activities, duties, scholarly trips; current research topics, prospects for post-war publications, and future publishing plans; information about Jan Łukasiewicz, Bolesław Sobociński, and Joachim Metallmann; personal matters.
Prior Assumptions for Leak Localisation in Water Distribution Networks with Uncertainties
Authors: Blocher Caroline , Pecci Filippo , Stoianov Ivan
Published: October 2021

Hydraulic model-based leak (burst) localisation in water distribution networks is a challenging problem due to a limited number of hydraulic measurements, a wide range of leak properties, and model and data uncertainties. In this study, prior assumptions are investigated to improve the leak localisation in the presence of uncertainties. For example, $$\ell _2$$

ℓ
2

-regularisation relies on the assumption that the Euclidean norm of the leak coefficient vector should be minimised. This approach is compared with a method based on the sensitivity matrix, which assumes the existence of only a single leak. The results show that while the sensitivity matrix method often yields a better leak location estimate in single leak scenarios, the $$\ell _2$$

ℓ
2

-regularisation successfully identifies a search area for pinpointing the accurate leak location. Furthermore, it is shown that the additional error introduced by a quadratic approximation of the Hazen-Williams formula for the solution of the localisation problem is negligible given the uncertainties in Hazen-Williams resistance coefficients in operational water network models.