bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distressing psychotic-like experiences, cognitive functioning and early developmental markers in clinically referred young people aged 8–18 years
Authors: Barnes G. L. , Stewart C. , Browning S. , Bracegirdle K. , Laurens K. R. , Gin K. , Hirsch C. , Abbott C. , Onwumere J. , Banerjea P. , Kuipers E. , Jolley S.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Neurocognitive difficulties and early childhood speech/motor delays are well documented amongst older adolescents and young adults considered at risk for psychosis-spectrum diagnoses. We aimed to test associations between unusual or psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), co-occurring distress/emotional symptoms, current cognitive functioning and developmental delays/difficulties in young people (aged 8–18 years) referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in South London, UK.

Methods

Study 1 examined receptive language, verbal learning and caregiver-reported speech and motor delays/difficulties in a sample of 101 clinically-referred children aged 8–14 years, comparing those reporting no PLEs (n = 19), PLEs without distress (n = 16), and PLEs with distress (n = 66). Study 2 tested associations of severity of distressing PLEs with vocabulary, perceptual reasoning, word reading and developmental delays/difficulties in a second sample of 122 adolescents aged 12–18 years with distressing PLEs.

Results

In Study 1, children with distressing PLEs had lower receptive language and delayed recall and higher rates of developmental delays/difficulties than the no-PLE and non-distressing PLE groups (F values: 2.3–2.8; p values: < 0.005). Receptive language (β = 0.24, p = 0.03) and delayed recall (β = − 0.17, p = 0.02) predicted PLE distress severity. In Study 2, the cognitive-developmental variables did not significantly predict PLE distress severity (β values = 0.01–0.22, p values: > 0.05).

Conclusion

Findings may be consistent with a cognitive-developmental model relating distressing PLEs in youth with difficulties in cognitive functioning. This highlights the potential utility of adjunctive cognitive strategies which target mechanisms associated with PLE distress. These could be included in cognitive-behavioural interventions offered prior to the development of an at-risk mental state in mental health, educational or public health settings.
A 2D qualitative movement assessment of a deceleration task detects football players with high knee joint loading
Authors: Di Paolo Stefano , Zaffagnini Stefano , Tosarelli Filippo , Aggio Fabrizio , Bragonzoni Laura , Grassi Alberto , Della Villa Francesco
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The deceleration (pressing) is a common situational pattern leading to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in football. Although mainly assessed for performance purposes, a stronger focus on movement quality might support the screening of at-risk athletes. The aim of the present study was to describe a 2D scoring system for the assessment of the deceleration task and to associate it with the knee joint loading (knee abduction moment) evaluated through the gold standard 3D motion capture. The hypothesis was that lower 2D scores would be associated with higher knee joint loading.

Methods

Thirty-four competitive football (soccer) players (age 22.8 ± 4.1, 16 females) performed a series of deceleration tasks. 3D motion analysis was recorded using ten stereophotogrammetric cameras, a force platform, and three high-speed cameras. The 2D qualitative assessment was performed via a scoring system based on the video analysis of frontal and lateral planes joint kinematics for five scoring criteria. The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were calculated for each 2D scoring criteria. The peak knee abduction moment was extracted and grouped according to the results of the 2D evaluation.

Results

An ICC > 0.94 was found for all the 2D scoring criteria, both for intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. The players with low 2D frontal plane scores and low total scores (0–4) showed significantly higher peak knee abduction moment values (p < 0.001). A significant negative rank correlation was found between the total score and the peak knee abduction moment (ρ = − 0.25, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The qualitative 2D scoring system described successfully discerned between athletes with high and low knee joint loading during a deceleration task. The application of this qualitative movement assessment based on a detailed and accurate scoring system is suitable to identify players and patients with high knee joint loading (high knee abduction moments) and target additional training in the scenario of the primary and secondary ACL injury risk reduction.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
AG codes from $${{\mathbb{F}}_{q^7}}$$-rational points of the GK maximal curve
Authors: Lia Stefano , Timpanella Marco
Published: September 2021

In Beelen and Montanucci (Finite Fields Appl 52:10–29, 2018) and Giulietti and Korchmáros (Math Ann 343:229–245, 2009), Weierstrass semigroups at points of the Giulietti–Korchmáros curve $${\mathcal {X}}$$
X
were investigated and the sets of minimal generators were determined for all points in $${\mathcal {X}}(\mathbb {F}_{q^2})$$

X
(

F

q
2

)

and $${\mathcal {X}}(\mathbb {F}_{q^6})\setminus {\mathcal {X}}( \mathbb {F}_{q^2})$$

X

(

F

q
6

)

\
X

(

F

q
2

)

. This paper completes their work by settling the remaining cases, that is, for points in $${\mathcal {X}}(\overline{\mathbb {F}}_{q}){\setminus }{\mathcal {X}}( \mathbb {F}_{q^6})$$

X

(

F
¯

q

)

\
X

(

F

q
6

)

. As an application to AG codes, we determine the dimensions and the lengths of duals of one-point codes from a point in $${\mathcal {X}}(\mathbb {F}_{q^7}){\setminus }{\mathcal {X}}( \mathbb {F}_{q})$$

X

(

F

q
7

)

\
X

(

F
q

)

and we give a bound on the Feng–Rao minimum distance $$d_{ORD}$$

d

ORD

. For $$q=3$$

q
=
3

we provide a table that also reports the exact values of $$d_{ORD}$$

d

ORD

. As a further application we construct quantum codes from $$\mathbb {F}_{q^7}$$

F

q
7

-rational points of the GK-curve.
Fluorescent tagging of endogenous Heme oxygenase-1 in human induced pluripotent stem cells for high content imaging of oxidative stress in various differentiated lineages
Authors: Snijders Kirsten E. , Fehér Anita , Táncos Zsuzsanna , Bock István , Téglási Annamária , van den Berk Linda , Niemeijer Marije , Bouwman Peter , Le Dévédec Sylvia E. , Moné Martijn J. , Van Rossom Rob , Kumar Manoj , Wilmes Anja , Jennings Paul , Verfaillie Catherine M. , Kobolák Julianna , ter Braak Bas , Dinnyés András , van de Water Bob
Published: September 2021

Tagging of endogenous stress response genes can provide valuable in vitro models for chemical safety assessment. Here, we present the generation and application of a fluorescent human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) reporter line for Heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), which is considered a sensitive and reliable biomarker for the oxidative stress response. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to insert an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) at the C-terminal end of the endogenous HMOX1 gene. Individual clones were selected and extensively characterized to confirm precise editing and retained stem cell properties. Bardoxolone-methyl (CDDO-Me) induced oxidative stress caused similarly increased expression of both the wild-type and eGFP-tagged HMOX1 at the mRNA and protein level. Fluorescently tagged hiPSC-derived proximal tubule-like, hepatocyte-like, cardiomyocyte-like and neuron-like progenies were treated with CDDO-Me (5.62–1000 nM) or diethyl maleate (5.62–1000 µM) for 24 h and 72 h. Multi-lineage oxidative stress responses were assessed through transcriptomics analysis, and HMOX1-eGFP reporter expression was carefully monitored using live-cell confocal imaging. We found that eGFP intensity increased in a dose-dependent manner with dynamics varying amongst lineages and stressors. Point of departure modelling further captured the specific lineage sensitivities towards oxidative stress. We anticipate that the newly developed HMOX1 hiPSC reporter will become a valuable tool in understanding and quantifying critical target organ cell-specific oxidative stress responses induced by (newly developed) chemical entities.
Correction to: A note on Dekker’s FastTwoSum algorithm
Authors: Lange Marko , Oishi Shin’ichi
Published: September 2021

The article “A note on Dekker’s FastTwoSum algorithm”, written by Marko Lange and Shin’ichi Oishi, was originally published Online First without Open Access.
Algebraic Geometry of Lie Bialgebras Defined by Solutions of the Classical Yang–Baxter Equation
Authors: Abedin Raschid , Burban Igor
Published: September 2021

This paper is devoted to algebro-geometric study of infinite dimensional Lie bialgebras, which arise from solutions of the classical Yang–Baxter equation. We regard trigonometric solutions of this equation as twists of the standard Lie bialgebra cobracket on an appropriate affine Lie algebra and work out the corresponding theory of Manin triples, putting it into an algebro-geometric context. As a consequence of this approach, we prove that any trigonometric solution of the classical Yang–Baxter equation arises from an appropriate algebro-geometric datum. The developed theory is illustrated by some concrete examples.
Effects of visual blur and contrast on spatial and temporal precision in manual interception
Authors: Schroeger Anna , Tolentino-Castro J. Walter , Raab Markus , Cañal-Bruland Rouwen
Published: September 2021

The visual system is said to be especially sensitive towards spatial but lesser so towards temporal information. To test this, in two experiments, we systematically reduced the acuity and contrast of a visual stimulus and examined the impact on spatial and temporal precision (and accuracy) in a manual interception task. In Experiment 1, we blurred a virtual, to-be-intercepted moving circle (ball). Participants were asked to indicate (i.e., finger tap) on a touchscreen where and when the virtual ball crossed a ground line. As a measure of spatial and temporal accuracy and precision, we analyzed the constant and variable errors, respectively. With increasing blur, the spatial and temporal variable error, as well as the spatial constant error increased, while the temporal constant error decreased. Because in the first experiment, blur was potentially confounded with contrast, in Experiment 2, we re-ran the experiment with one difference: instead of blur, we included five levels of contrast matched to the blur levels. We found no systematic effects of contrast. Our findings confirm that blurring vision decreases spatial precision and accuracy and that the effects were not mediated by concomitant changes in contrast. However, blurring vision also affected temporal precision and accuracy, thereby questioning the generalizability of the theoretical predictions to the applied interception task.
Racial Differences in the Phenotype of Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Comparison Between Nigeria and South Africa
Authors: Alatise Olusegun I. , Knapp Gregory C. , Bebington Brendan , Ayodeji Patrick , Dare Anna , Constable Jeremy , Olasehinde Olalekan , Kingham T. Peter
Published: September 2021

Introduction

There are significant differences in the phenotype of CRC by race in the U.S. A similar CRC phenotype‐race relationship also appears to exist in South Africa (SA). However, there is a paucity of comparative data on the presentation and survival of CRC in sub‐Saharan African by country of origin or race. This study compares clinicopathologic variables between CRC patients in Nigeria and SA.

Methods

From a prospective CRC database, consecutive patients diagnosed between September, 2013 and October, 2018 from the African Research Group for Oncology in South West Nigeria were compared to consecutive patients diagnosed from January, 2016 to October, 2018 from the Colorectal Cancer in South Africa database. Patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma were included. Patients were excluded if they had in‐situ disease or no histological diagnosis. Clinical outcomes were calculated from the date of presentation. National census categories were used to define self‐reported race in SA.

Results

The mean age at presentation in Nigeria (n = 347) was 54.1 years (SD 15.5) compared to 56.8 (SD 13.7) in SA (n = 534). The median age among Black SA (BSA) patients was significantly lower than the median age among White SA (WSA) patients (55 vs. 63, p < 0.001). Right‐sided colon cancer was more common in Nigerian (27.4%) and BSA (21.2%) patients compared to WSA patients (15.2%, p < 0.001). Nigerian (39.1%) and BSA (16.7%) patients were also more likely to present with mucinous histology than WSA patients (4.9%, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the stage‐at‐presentation between the cohorts, with a large burden of stage IV disease in the Nigerian cohort (52.6%). Adjusting for stage‐at‐presentation, there was a significant difference in the median overall survival between country and racial cohorts.

Conclusion

There are significant differences in the phenotype of CRC between Nigeria and SA. Nigerian and BSA patients, appear to share characteristics that are different than those of WSA patients. Larger series with tissue banking and next‐generation sequencing are needed to better delineate these observed differences.
Epstein–Barr virus and cytomegalovirus reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with non–Hodgkin lymphoma: the prevalence and impacts on outcomes
Authors: Ding Yiyang , Ru Yuhua , Song Tiemei , Guo Lingchuan , Zhang Xiang , Zhu Jinjin , Li Caixia , Jin Zhengming , Huang Haiwen , Tu Yuqing , Xu Mimi , Xu Yang , Chen Jia , Wu Depei
Published: September 2021

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivations are common complications after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), but data focusing on non–Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are limited. We retrospectively analyzed the prevalence of EBV and CMV reactivation post-allo-HCT and the impacts on transplant outcomes in 160 NHL patients. The 1-year incidences of EBV and CMV reactivation were 22.58% and 25.55%, respectively. Independent impactors for EBV reactivation were more than 6 lines of chemotherapy (P = 0.030), use of rituximab (P = 0.004), and neutrophil recovery within 30 days post-HCT (P = 0.022). For T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma patients, the International Prognostic Index (IPI) (P = 0.015) and chronic GVHD (P = 0.001) increased the risk of CMV reactivation. CMV reactivation was independently related to a lower risk of relapse (P = 0.027) but higher transplant-related mortality (TRM) (P = 0.038). Although viral reactivation had no significant impact on overall survival (OS) in the whole cohort, it led to an inferior 2-year OS (67.6% versus 92.5%, P = 0.005) and TRM (20.1% versus 4.7%, P = 0.020) in recipients surviving for more than 180 days. We concluded that EBV and CMV reactivation post-allotransplant still deserved concern particularly in NHL patients with high-risk factors, since it is generally related to a deteriorated prognosis. Large-scale studies are warranted to validate our findings.
Distinguishing level-1 phylogenetic networks on the basis of data generated by Markov processes
Authors: Gross Elizabeth , van Iersel Leo , Janssen Remie , Jones Mark , Long Colby , Murakami Yukihiro
Published: September 2021

Phylogenetic networks can represent evolutionary events that cannot be described by phylogenetic trees. These networks are able to incorporate reticulate evolutionary events such as hybridization, introgression, and lateral gene transfer. Recently, network-based Markov models of DNA sequence evolution have been introduced along with model-based methods for reconstructing phylogenetic networks. For these methods to be consistent, the network parameter needs to be identifiable from data generated under the model. Here, we show that the semi-directed network parameter of a triangle-free, level-1 network model with any fixed number of reticulation vertices is generically identifiable under the Jukes–Cantor, Kimura 2-parameter, or Kimura 3-parameter constraints.
Annotated expression and activity data for murine recombinase alleles and transgenes: the CrePortal resource
Authors: Perry Michelle N. , Smith Constance M. , Onda Hiroaki , Ringwald Martin , Murray Stephen A. , Smith Cynthia L.
Published: September 2021

Recombinase alleles and transgenes can be used to facilitate spatio-temporal specificity of gene disruption or transgene expression. However, the versatility of this in vivo recombination system relies on having detailed and accurate characterization of recombinase expression and activity to enable selection of the appropriate allele or transgene. The CrePortal (http://www.informatics.jax.org/home/recombinase) leverages the informatics infrastructure of Mouse Genome Informatics to integrate data from the scientific literature, direct data submissions from the scientific community at-large, and from major projects developing new recombinase lines and characterizing recombinase expression and specificity patterns. Searching the CrePortal by recombinase activity or specific recombinase gene driver provides users with a recombinase alleles and transgenes activity tissue summary and matrix comparison of gene expression and recombinase activity with links to generation details, a recombinase activity grid, and associated phenotype annotations. Future improvements will add cell type-based activity annotations. The CrePortal provides a comprehensive presentation of recombinase allele and transgene data to assist researchers in selection of the recombinase allele or transgene based on where and when recombination is desired.
Surgery of congenital breast asymmetry—which objective parameter influences the subjective satisfaction with long-term results
Authors: Noisser Vivien , Eigenberger Andreas , Weiherer Maximilian , Seitz Stephan , Prantl Lukas , Brébant Vanessa
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Congenital breast asymmetry is a serious gynecological malformation for affected patients. The condition hits young women in puberty and is associated with socio-esthetic handicap, depression, and psychosexual problems. Surgical treatment is usually early in the patient's lifetime, so a long-term sustainable solution is important. Although postoperative outcome has been evaluated in several studies before, this study is the first to analyze which objective parameters have the greatest influence on subjective satisfaction with long-term results.

Methods

Thirty-four patients diagnosed with congenital breast asymmetry that underwent either lipofilling or implant therapy between the years of 2008 to 2019 were examined. On average, our collective comprised patients seven years after surgery. Data were mainly gathered through manual measurements, patient-reported outcome measures (Breast Q™), and breast volumetry based on 3D scans (Vectra® H2, Canfield Scientific).

Results

Among all analyzed parameters, only areolar diameter correlated significantly negatively with the subjective outcome satisfaction of the patient. Regarding the subjective assessment of postoperative satisfaction with similarity of the breasts, again the mean areolar diameter, but also the difference in areolar diameter and breast volume between the right and left breasts correlated significantly negatively.

Conclusion

Areolar diameter was revealed as being a significant factor influencing subjective long-term satisfaction in breast asymmetry patients. Moreover, 3D volumetry proves to be an effective tool to substantiate subjective patient assessments. Our findings may lead to further improvements to surgical planning and will be expanded in further studies.
Cardiac surgery for patients with schizophrenia: clinical experience of six patients
Authors: Tanaka Mutsuo , Okamoto Minoru , Yamashita Kensho
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The incidence of schizophrenia in Japan is 0.7%, which is similar to the worldwide incidence. The mortality rate of patients with schizophrenia is reported to be higher than that of the general population, and cardiovascular disease is high among the causes of death. Hence, strategies for cardiovascular surgery for patients with schizophrenia are necessary.

Methods

We studied six patients with schizophrenia (five males, one female) who underwent cardiac surgery in our hospital between April 2008 and December 2019.

Result

The mean age was 63.6 years. The surgical procedures were coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n = 4), CABG concomitant with valve procedures (n = 1), and resection of myxoma (n = 1). There were no major cardiovascular complications and no other fatal complications. The mean observation period was 1510.6 ± 1430.1 (140–4068) days, the mean post-operative hospital stay was 17.8 ± 3.5 (13–22) days, and there was no mortality within 30 days after surgery.

During the observation period, one patient died. The survival rate was 83.3% at 1, 3, and 5 years.

Conclusion

Cardiac surgery for patients with schizophrenia is possible with careful monitoring of indications and perioperative management.
Multiple ictal onset patterns underlie seizure generation in seizure-free patients with temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: an SEEG study
Authors: Xu Cuiping , Zhang Xiaohua , Yan Xiaoming , Ma Kai , Wang Xueyuan , Zhang Xi , Ni Duanyu , Qiao Liang , Yu Tao , Zhang Guojun , Wang Yuping , Li Yongjie
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Seizure originates from different pathological substrate; however, the same pathologies may have distinct mechanisms underlying seizure generation. We aimed to improve the understanding of such mechanisms in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) by investigating the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) ictal onset patterns (IOPs).

Methods

We analyzed data from a cohort of 19 consecutive patients explored by SEEG and had 1–3-year seizure-freedom following temporal lobe resection.

Results

Six IOPs were identified. They were low voltage fast activity (LVFA) (36.5%), rhythmic spikes or spike-waves at low frequency and with high amplitude (34.1%), runs of spikes (10.6%), rhythmic sharp waves (8.2%), low frequency high amplitude repetitive spiking (LFRS) (7.1%), and delta activity (3.5%). All six patterns were found in patients with mesial temporal onset and only two patterns were found in patients with temporal neocortical onset. The most prevalent patterns for patients with mesial temporal onset were rhythmic spikes or spike-waves, followed by LVFA with a mean discharge rate 74 Hz. For patients with temporal neocortical onset, the most prevalent IOP pattern was LVFA with a mean discharge rate 35 Hz, followed by runs of spikes. Compared with Lateral TLE (LTLE), the duration between the onset of the IOPs to the onset of the symptom was longer for patients with MTLE (Mesial TLE) (MTLE:55.7 ± 50.6 s vs LTLE:19.5 ± 16.4 s).

Conclusion

Multiple IOPs underlie seizure generation in patients with TLE. However, the mesial and lateral temporal lobes share distinct IOPs.
Neuroglobin Provides a Convenient Scaffold to Investigate the Triplet-State Properties of Porphyrins by Time-Resolved EPR Spectroscopy and Magnetophotoselection
Authors: Ciuti Susanna , Barbon Antonio , Bortolus Marco , Agostini Alessandro , Bergantino Elisabetta , Martin Caterina , Di Valentin Marilena , Carbonera Donatella
Published: September 2021

The photo-excited triplet state of Zn-protoporphyrin IX located in the heme pocket of human neuroglobin has been investigated by time-resolved EPR coupled to magnetophotoselection. The triplet state in the protein matrix has been compared with the model complex in organic glass, considering both non-coordinating and coordinating solvent mixtures. The protein matrix plays an important role in stabilizing the coordination of the embedded chromophore, resulting in a more homogeneous environment relative to that of the chromophore in a glassy solvent, even in the presence of an axial nitrogenous ligand like pyridine. The EPR spectral parameters point out a slow Jahn–Teller interconversion between slightly different triplet states, both in organic solvent and in the protein matrix. The EPR-magnetophotoselection allows us to propose a reinterpretation of the assignment of the Q bands in the electronic absorption spectrum.
Comparing self-report and parental report of psychopathologies in adolescents with substance use disorders
Authors: Kuitunen-Paul Sören , Eichler Anna , Wiedmann Melina , Basedow Lukas A. , Roessner Veit , Golub Yulia
Published: September 2021

Both internalizing and externalizing psychopathologies interfere with the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD) in adolescents. Self-reports of psychopathologies are likely biased and may be validated with parental reports. We compared N = 70 standardized self-reports of adolescents entering outpatient SUD treatment (13.2–18.6 years old, 43% female) to parental reports on the same psychopathologies, and explored biases due to gender, age, SUD diagnoses and SUD severity. Bivariate bootstrapped Pearson correlation coefficients revealed several small to moderate correlations between both reporting sources (r = 0.29–0.49, all pcorrected ≤ 0.039). A repeated measures MANOVA revealed moderately stronger parental reports of adolescent psychopathologies compared to adolescent self-reports for most externalizing problems (dissocial and aggressive behaviors, p ≤ 0.016, η2part = 0.09–0.12) and social/attention problems (p ≤ 0.012, η2part = 0.10), but no differences for most internalizing problems (p ≥ 0.073, η2part = 0.02–0.05). Differences were not associated with other patient or parental characteristics including age, gender, number of co-occurring diagnoses or presence/absence of a certain SUD (all puncorrected ≥ 0.088). We concluded that treatment-seeking German adolescents with SUD present with a multitude of extensive psychopathologies. The relevant deviation between self- and parental reports indicate that the combination of both reports might help to counteract dissimulation and other reporting biases. The generalizability of results to inpatients, psychiatry patients in general, or adolescents without SUD, as well as the validity of self- and parental reports in comparison to clinical judgements remain unknown.
Energy mix, technological change, and the environment
Authors: Bongers Anelí
Published: September 2021

This paper studies the relationship between the energy mix and the environment using a theoretical framework in which two alternative energy sources are considered: fossil fuels (dirty energy) and renewable energy (clean energy). We find that a positive aggregate productivity shock increases energy consumption and emissions but reduces energy intensity and emissions per unit of output as renewable energy consumption increases, that is, carbon emissions are procyclical but emissions per unit of output are countercyclical. Second, an energy efficiency improvement provokes a “rebound effect” above 100% (the backfire effect), resulting in a rise of pollutant emissions by increasing energy use. Third, a technological improvement in emissions leads to a reduction in emissions per unit of fossil fuel, but also implies a slow-down in the adoption of renewable energy sources. Finally, we consider the case of a decentralized economy in which the government chooses an optimal specific tax on fossil fuel to maximize social welfare. We show that the “second-best” policy is highly effective in correcting the negative effects of the environmental externality and able to almost achive the centralized economy outcome.
Triaxial compression behavior of 3D printed and natural sands
Authors: Ahmed Sheikh Sharif , Martinez Alejandro
Published: September 2021

Different particle properties, such as shape, size, surface roughness, and constituent material stiffness, affect the mechanical behavior of coarse-grained soils. Systematic investigation of the individual effects of these properties requires careful control over other properties, which is a pervasive challenge in investigations with natural soils. The rapid advance of 3D printing technology provides the ability to produce analog particles with independent control over particle size and shape. This study examines the triaxial compression behavior of specimens of 3D printed sand particles and compares it to that of natural sand specimens. Drained and undrained isotropically-consolidated triaxial compression tests were performed on specimens composed of angular and rounded 3D printed and natural sands. The test results indicate that the 3D printed sands exhibit stress-dilatancy behavior that follows well-established flow rules, the angular 3D printed sand mobilizes greater critical state friction angle than that of rounded 3D printed sand, and analogous drained and undrained stress paths can be followed by 3D printed and natural sands with similar initial void ratios if the cell pressure is scaled. The results suggest that some of the fundamental behaviors of soils can be captured with 3D printed soils, and that the interpretation of their mechanical response can be captured with the critical state soil mechanics framework. However, important differences in response arise from the 3D printing process and the smaller stiffness of the printed polymeric material.

Graphic abstract

Artificial sand analogs were 3D printed from X-ray CT scans of sub-rounded and sub-angular natural sands. Triaxial compression tests were performed to characterize the strength and dilatancy behavior as well as critical staste parameters of the 3D printed sands and to compare it to that exhibited by the natural sands.
Critical numerical analysis of quasi-two-dimensional silo-hopper discharging
Authors: Blanco-Rodríguez Rodolfo , Hidalgo Raúl Cruz , Pérez-Ángel Gabriel , Maza Diego
Published: September 2021

We present a critical comparative analysis between numerical and experimental results of quasi-two-dimensional silo and hopper flows. In our approach, the Discrete Element Method was employed to describe a single-layer mono-disperse sphere confined by two parallel walls with an orifice at the bottom. As a first step, we examined the discharge process, varying the size of the outlet and the hopper angle. Next, we set the simulation parameters fitting the experimental flow rate values obtained experimentally. Remarkably, the numerical model captured the slight non-monotonic dependence of the flow rate with the hopper angle, which was detected experimentally. Additionally, we analyzed the vertical velocity and solid fractions profiles at the outlet numerically and experimentally. Although numerical results also agreed with the experimental observations, a slight deviation appeared systematically between both approaches. Finally, we explored the impact of the system’s confinement on this process, examining the consequences of particle-particle and particle-wall friction on the system macroscopic response. We mainly found that the degree of confinement and particle-wall friction have a relevant impact on the outflow dynamics. Our analysis demonstrated that the naive 2D approximation of this 3D flow process fails to describe it accurately.
Perioperative red blood cell transfusion is associated with poor functional outcome and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Schneider Matthias , Schäfer Niklas , Potthoff Anna-Laura , Weinhold Leonie , Eichhorn Lars , Weller Johannes , Scharnböck Elisa , Schaub Christina , Heimann Muriel , Güresir Erdem , Lehmann Felix , Vatter Hartmut , Herrlinger Ulrich , Schuss Patrick
Published: September 2021

The influence of perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on prognosis of glioblastoma patients continues to be inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) and overall survival (OS) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Between 2013 and 2018, 240 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma underwent surgical resection of intracerebral mass lesion at the authors’ institution. PBT was defined as the transfusion of RBC within 5 days from the day of surgery. The impact of PBT on overall survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariate regression analysis. Seventeen out of 240 patients (7%) with newly diagnosed glioblastoma received PBT. The overall median number of blood units transfused was 2 (95% CI 1–6). Patients who received PBT achieved a poorer median OS compared to patients without PBT (7 versus 18 months; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified “age > 65 years” (p < 0.0001, OR 6.4, 95% CI 3.3–12.3), “STR” (p = 0.001, OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.1), “unmethylated MGMT status” (p < 0.001, OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.7–6.4), and “perioperative RBC transfusion” (p = 0.01, OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.5–23.4) as significantly and independently associated with 1-year mortality. Perioperative RBC transfusion compromises survival in patients with glioblastoma indicating the need to minimize the use of transfusions at the time of surgery. Obeying evidence-based transfusion guidelines provides an opportunity to reduce transfusion rates in this population with a potentially positive effect on survival.
Fragility functions for local failure mechanisms in unreinforced masonry buildings: a typological study in Ferrara, Italy
Authors: Nale Marco , Minghini Fabio , Chiozzi Andrea , Tralli Antonio
Published: September 2021

Unreinforced masonry buildings undergoing seismic actions often exhibit local failure mechanisms which represent a serious life-safety hazard, as recent strong earthquakes have shown. Compared to new buildings, older unreinforced masonry buildings are more vulnerable, not only because they have been designed without or with limited seismic loading requirements, but also because horizontal structures and connections amid the walls are not always effective. Also, Out-Of-Plane (OOP) mechanisms can be caused by significant slenderness of the walls even if connections are effective. The purpose of this paper is to derive typological fragility functions for unreinforced masonry walls considering OOP local failure mechanisms. In the case of slender walls with good material properties, the OOP response can be modeled with reference to an assembly of rigid bodies undergoing rocking motion. In particular, depending on its configuration, a wall is assumed either as a single rigid body undergoing simple one-sided rocking or a system of two coupled rigid bodies rocking along their common edge. A set of 44 ground motions from earthquake events occurred from 1972 to 2017 in Italy is used in this study. The likelihood of collapse is calculated via Multiple Stripe Analysis (MSA) from a given wall undergoing a specific ground motion. Then, the single fragility functions are suitably combined to define a typological fragility function for a class of buildings. The procedure is applied to a historical aggregate in the city center of Ferrara (Italy) as a case study. The fragility functions developed in this research can be a helpful tool for assessing seismic damage and economic losses in unreinforced masonry buildings on a regional scale.
The Impact of Islamic Spirituality on Job Satisfaction and Organisational Commitment: Exploring Mediation and Moderation Impact
Authors: Asutay Mehmet , Buana Greget Kalla , Avdukic Alija
Published: September 2021

Research into spirituality and its impact on the work environment has been bourgeoning. In an attempt to explore the role of Islamic spirituality in the workplace, this study examines the influence of Islamic spirituality on job satisfaction and organisational commitment through work ethics. Data are obtained by an online Likert-scaled questionnaire survey based on one thousand Muslim employees from various economic sectors in Indonesia and analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings demonstrate that Islamic spirituality positively influences job satisfaction and organisational commitment as two dimensions of work attitudes and that work ethics mediate that influence. There is also evidence that job satisfaction positively influences organisational commitment, but work ethics does not moderate that influence. The findings related to the role of work ethics, which mediates the effect of Islamic spirituality on job satisfaction and organisational commitment, can be considered the contribution of this study.
Corpora compilation for prosody-informed speech processing
Authors: Öktem Alp , Farrús Mireia , Bonafonte Antonio
Published: September 2021

Research on speech technologies necessitates spoken data, which is usually obtained through read recorded speech, and specifically adapted to the research needs. When the aim is to deal with the prosody involved in speech, the available data must reflect natural and conversational speech, which is usually costly and difficult to get. This paper presents a machine learning-oriented toolkit for collecting, handling, and visualization of speech data, using prosodic heuristic. We present two corpora resulting from these methodologies: PANTED corpus, containing 250 h of English speech from TED Talks, and Heroes corpus containing 8 h of parallel English and Spanish movie speech. We demonstrate their use in two deep learning-based applications: punctuation restoration and machine translation. The presented corpora are freely available to the research community.
Learning to Argue Through Dialogue: a Review of Instructional Approaches
Authors: Rapanta Chrysi , Felton Mark K.
Published: September 2021

Over the past 20 years, a broad and diverse research literature has emerged to address how students learn to argue through dialogue in educational contexts. However, the variety of approaches used to study this phenomenon makes it challenging to find coherence in what may otherwise seem to be disparate fields of study. In this integrative review, we propose looking at how learning to argue (LTA) has been operationalized thus far in educational research, focusing on how different scholars have framed and fostered argumentative dialogue, assessed its gains, and applied it in different learning contexts. In total, 143 studies from the broad literature on educational dialogue and argumentation were analysed, including all educational levels (from primary to university). The following patterns for studying how dialogue fosters LTA emerged: whole-class ‘low structure’ framing with a goal of dialogue, small-group ‘high structure’ framing with varied argumentative goals, and studies with one-to-one dialectic framing with a goal of persuasive deliberation. The affordances and limitations of these different instructional approaches to LTA research and practice are discussed. We conclude with a discussion of complementarity of the approaches that emerged from our analysis in terms of the pedagogical methods and conditions that promote productive and/or constructive classroom interactions.
Probing the nature of black holes: Deep in the mHz gravitational-wave sky
Authors: Baibhav Vishal , Barack Leor , Berti Emanuele , Bonga Béatrice , Brito Richard , Cardoso Vitor , Compère Geoffrey , Das Saurya , Doneva Daniela , Garcia-Bellido Juan , Heisenberg Lavinia , Hughes Scott A. , Isi Maximiliano , Jani Karan , Kavanagh Chris , Lukes-Gerakopoulos Georgios , Mueller Guido , Pani Paolo , Petiteau Antoine , Rajendran Surjeet , Sotiriou Thomas P. , Stergioulas Nikolaos , Taylor Alasdair , Vagenas Elias , van de Meent Maarten , Warburton Niels , Wardell Barry , Witzany Vojtěch , Zimmerman Aaron
Published: September 2021

Black holes are unique among astrophysical sources: they are the simplest macroscopic objects in the Universe, and they are extraordinary in terms of their ability to convert energy into electromagnetic and gravitational radiation. Our capacity to probe their nature is limited by the sensitivity of our detectors. The LIGO/Virgo interferometers are the gravitational-wave equivalent of Galileo’s telescope. The first few detections represent the beginning of a long journey of exploration. At the current pace of technological progress, it is reasonable to expect that the gravitational-wave detectors available in the 2035-2050s will be formidable tools to explore these fascinating objects in the cosmos, and space-based detectors with peak sensitivities in the mHz band represent one class of such tools. These detectors have a staggering discovery potential, and they will address fundamental open questions in physics and astronomy. Are astrophysical black holes adequately described by general relativity? Do we have empirical evidence for event horizons? Can black holes provide a glimpse into quantum gravity, or reveal a classical breakdown of Einstein’s gravity? How and when did black holes form, and how do they grow? Are there new long-range interactions or fields in our Universe, potentially related to dark matter and dark energy or a more fundamental description of gravitation? Precision tests of black hole spacetimes with mHz-band gravitational-wave detectors will probe general relativity and fundamental physics in previously inaccessible regimes, and allow us to address some of these fundamental issues in our current understanding of nature.
Real Estate Markets and Lending: Does Local Growth Fuel Risk?
Authors: Zurek Maximilian
Published: September 2021

Real estate price growth affects credit risk for several reasons: it provides input for economic forecasts as it’s closely tied to economic growth; when used as collateral by banks, rising real estate prices may decrease both expected and actual losses; and banks may become less risk averse in lending practices in the presence of rising property prices. Therefore, we analyze these effects on loan portfolios’ estimated and realized risks on a local level. Using data of 390 German savings banks, however, we find that real estate prices have little or no impact on savings banks’ credit portfolio risk or risk precautions.
Whorephobia in Higher Education: a reflexive account of researching cis women’s experiences of stripping while at university
Authors: Simpson Jessica
Published: September 2021

This is a reflexive account of carrying out ‘dirty research’ onciswomen’s experiences of working as erotic dancers while at university in the UK. Focusing on the recruitment process, I discuss how universities avoided becoming ‘subjects’ of research by blocking the study and labelling it ‘extremely sensitive’ or ‘inappropriate’. By scrutinising the fieldwork, this revealed the prevalence of whorephobia within Higher Education and the general, rather than idiosyncratic, prioritisation of institutional reputation management at the expense of silencing marginalised voices and experiences. This article adds to scholarship problematising the taken-for-granted, subjective power wielded by research ethics committees which has the potential to curtail academic freedom and the advancement of knowledge and debate within specific fields. By restricting access to potential participants and through delay tactics, this hindered my ability to carry out the initial research design, shaping the type of data gathered and the knowledge I was able to contribute to this already under-researched area of study.
Theoretical Modeling for the Thermal Stability of Solid Targets in a Positron-Driven Muon Collider
Authors: Cesarini Gianmario , Antonelli Mario , Anulli Fabio , Bauce Matteo , Biagini Maria Enrica , Blanco-García Oscar R. , Boscolo Manuela , Casaburo Fausto , Cavoto Gianluca , Ciarma Andrea , Collamati Francesco , Daout Cyril , Li Voti Roberto , Variola Alessandro
Published: September 2021

A future multi-TeV muon collider requires new ideas to tackle the problems of muon production, accumulation and acceleration. In the Low EMittance Muon Accelerator concept a 45 GeV positron beam, stored in an accumulation ring with high energy acceptance and low angular divergence, is extracted and driven to a target system in order to produce muon pairs near the kinematic threshold. However, this scheme requires an intensity of the impinging positron beam so high that the energy dissipation and the target maintenance are crucial aspects to be investigated. Both peak temperature rises and thermomechanical shocks are related to the beam spot size at the target for a given material: these aspects are setting a lower bound on the beam spot size itself. The purpose of this paper is to provide a fully theoretical approach to predict the temperature increase, the thermal gradients, and the induced thermomechanical stress on targets, generated by a sequence of 45 GeV positron bunches. A case study is here presented for Beryllium and Graphite targets. We first discuss the Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the heat deposited on the targets after a single bunch of 3 × 1011 positrons for different beam sizes. Then a theoretical model is developed to simulate the temperature increase of the targets subjected to very fast sequences of positron pulses, over different timescales, from ps regime to hundreds of seconds. Finally a simple approach is provided to estimate the induced thermomechanical stresses in the target, together with simple criteria to be fulfilled (i.e., Christensen safety factor) to prevent the crack formation mechanism.
Educational self-regulation competence: toward a lifespan-based concept and assessment strategy
Authors: Bittner Jenny V. , Stamov Roßnagel Christian , Staudinger Ursula M.
Published: September 2021

Self-regulation is crucial for learning and achievement in educational and occupational contexts. Educational self-regulation has been conceptualized as a domain-specific, context-bound competence that is open to interventions. Beyond students’ educational self-regulation (ESR), few studies have examined ESR across the lifespan as a basis of competence assessments. We contribute to adult ESR by discussing whether ESR competence applies to intermediate and higher self-regulation levels, as represented by workplace learning and career management. Furthermore, we discuss the interplay of epistemic beliefs and metacomprehension as core processes of ESR. Finally, we outline cornerstones of an assessment strategy for adult ESR.
Autism Through the Ages: A Mixed Methods Approach to Understanding How Age and Age of Diagnosis Affect Quality of Life
Authors: Atherton Gray , Edisbury Emma , Piovesan Andrea , Cross Liam
Published: September 2021

A significant proportion of autistic adults today were not diagnosed until later in life, a group referred to as the ‘lost generation,’ which may affect mental health. In Study 1 we explored quality of life and autistic trait levels in 420 autistic and TD adults, and in Study 2 we explored the experiences of 8 autistic adults diagnosed as adults. We found that autistic adults had lower quality of life outcomes and higher autistic trait levels which related to age of diagnosis, and qualitative findings indicated that while adults were empowered by their new diagnosis, they still require specialized supports. Our findings are discussed, emphasizing future directions and implications for the current care system in place for autistic adults.