bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of low levels of silver, zinc and copper nanoparticles on bacterial removal and potential synergy in water treatment applications
Authors: Alherek May , Basu Onita D
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Point‐of‐use filtration units often incorporate silver as a disinfection aid. However, system performance and robustness may be increased by considering co‐application of additional transition metal nanoparticles (NPs) to support treated water disinfection. In this paper, the use of silver (Ag), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) NPs as disinfectants within drinking water applications was explored. Disinfection efficiency against E. coli was investigated over 72 h in batch‐phase experiments using NP concentrations within or lower than drinking water limits. Concentration ranges of the NPs were from 0 to 200 μg L−1, reflecting typical concentration reports for Ag in similar applications. Samples were examined with respect to pH and two water types. The effect of co‐application of NPs was assessed for potential synergy using the Bliss model, which compares individual treatment performance to combined treatment results.

RESULTS

Disinfection efficacy when applying NPs individually was Ag > Cu > Zn with, for instance, complete removal (≥3 log) of E. coli observed with 50 ppb Ag at 24 h, 1 log removal by Cu and no removal achieved with application of Zn. The Bliss model analysis demonstrated the co‐application of NPs resulted in synergistic behavior with the combinations. Zn‐containing combinations (Ag–Zn and Cu–Zn) were significantly more synergistic than the Ag–Cu combination.

CONCLUSIONS

Low‐level (0–200 ppb) concentrations of Ag, Cu and Zn demonstrated effective bacterial control and disinfection for E. coli under various water quality scenarios. In particular, co‐application of transition metal NPs increased system robustness and synergy, demonstrating potential for disinfection with water treatment applications. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Coal‐mining subsidence changed distribution of the microbiomes and their functional genes in a farmland
Authors: Gao Peike , Fan Keyan , Zhang Guoquan , Yin Xiaohui , Jia Chuanxing , Tian Huimei
Published: January 2023

Land subsidence is a serious geological event, and can trigger severe environmental and ecological issues. In this study, the influences of coal‐mining subsidence on distribution of farmland microbiomes and their functional genes were investigated by 16 S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and metagenome sequencing. The results showed the existence of a core microbiome, which determined the community compositions across the subsidence farmland. Subsidence decreased the relative abundances of dominant Streptomyces, Nocardioides, and Rhizophagus, but increased the relative abundances of dominant Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, and Trichoderma. Subsidence also decreased the relative abundances of genes related to carbon metabolism, Quorum sensing, aminoacyl‐transfer RNA (tRNA) biosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation, and increased the relative abundances of genes related to two‐component system and bacterial chemotaxis. Furthermore, subsidence weakened the biosynthesis of organic carbons by decreasing the relative abundances of genes encoding glycosyl transferases, and strengthened decomposition of degradable organic carbons of the microbiomes and auxiliary activities by increasing the relative abundances of genes encoding glycoside hydrolases and polysaccharide lyases. The concentrations of total phosphorus, Mg2+, and Ca2+ at the lower areas were significantly higher than those at the upper areas, indicating an associated loss of soil nutrients. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that soil moisture, pH, and the concentrations of NH4+ and Ca2+ were the main factors affecting the distribution of the microbiomes and their functional genes. Collectively, this study shows that coal‐mining subsidence alters soil physicochemical properties and distribution of farmland microbiomes and their functional genes.
Office‐Based Treatment of Vocal Fold Polyps and Reinke's Edema: A Rational Comparison With Suspension Laryngoscopy
Authors: Filauro Marta , Ioppi Alessandro , Vallin Alberto , Sampieri Claudio , De Vecchi Marta , Gabella Giulia , Benzi Pietro , Mora Francesco , Peretti Giorgio
Published: January 2023

Objective

Benign laryngeal lesions have traditionally been treated through suspension laryngoscopy under general anesthesia (GA). Recently, the development of operative videoendoscopes coupled with photoangiolytic lasers has allowed clinicians to treat these conditions in the outpatient clinic. We report our experience in the office‐based (OB) setting for the treatment of patients affected by vocal fold polyps (VFPs) and Reinke's edema (RE), comparing it to patients treated under GA.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients affected by VFP or RE. A 445 nm diode blue laser was used through the operative channel of a flexible video‐endoscope for OB procedures, while GA surgeries were carried out with cold steel instrumentation. The Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) represented the primary outcome. Endoscopic outcomes, duration, and morbidity of the procedures were investigated as secondary outcomes.

Results

A total of 153 patients were retrospectively enrolled. 52 were treated in an OB setting, while 91 underwent GA. Regarding patients with RE, both the OB and GA cohorts showed a significant improvement in VHI‐10 (from 12.7 to 2.6 and 19.5 to 5.1, respectively; p < 0.001), as did those with VFPs (from 11.8 to 2.3 and 15.9 to 2.9 respectively; p < 0.001). No differences were found when comparing VHI‐10 in the OB and GA cohorts. The mean procedural time of OB treatment (4.9 min) was significantly shorter than GA (37.1 min). No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the OB setting. For selected patients, OB treatments offer comparable vocal outcomes, favorable morbidity, and reduced operation times, making them an appealing alternative to the traditional approach.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:2665–2672, 2023
Use of artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of cholesteatoma
Authors: Tseng Christopher C. , Lim Valerie , Jyung Robert W.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Accurate diagnosis of cholesteatomas is crucial. However, cholesteatomas can easily be missed in routine otoscopic exams. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have performed well in medical image classification, so we evaluated their use for detecting cholesteatomas in otoscopic images.

Study Design

Design and evaluation of artificial intelligence driven workflow for cholesteatoma diagnosis.

Methods

Otoscopic images collected from the faculty practice of the senior author were deidentified and labeled by the senior author as cholesteatoma, abnormal non‐cholesteatoma, or normal. An image classification workflow was developed to automatically differentiate cholesteatomas from other possible tympanic membrane appearances. Eight pretrained CNNs were trained on our otoscopic images, then tested on a withheld subset of images to evaluate their final performance. CNN intermediate activations were also extracted to visualize important image features.

Results

A total of 834 otoscopic images were collected, further categorized into 197 cholesteatoma, 457 abnormal non‐cholesteatoma, and 180 normal. Final trained CNNs demonstrated strong performance, achieving accuracies of 83.8%–98.5% for differentiating cholesteatoma from normal, 75.6%–90.1% for differentiating cholesteatoma from abnormal non‐cholesteatoma, and 87.0%–90.4% for differentiating cholesteatoma from non‐cholesteatoma (abnormal non‐cholesteatoma + normal). DenseNet201 (100% sensitivity, 97.1% specificity), NASNetLarge (100% sensitivity, 88.2% specificity), and MobileNetV2 (94.1% sensitivity, 100% specificity) were among the best performing CNNs in distinguishing cholesteatoma versus normal. Visualization of intermediate activations showed robust detection of relevant image features by the CNNs.

Conclusion

While further refinement and more training images are needed to improve performance, artificial intelligence‐driven analysis of otoscopic images shows great promise as a diagnostic tool for detecting cholesteatomas.

Level of Evidence

3.
Emission taxation, green R&D, and managerial delegation contracts with environmental and sales incentives
Authors: Park Chul‐Hi , Lee Sang‐Ho
Published: January 2023

We extend the analysis of a managerial delegation model with green R&D by incorporating two explicit incentive‐based executive compensation contracts. In the combination of environmental and sales delegations, (i) the incentives are higher than those under a single incentive scheme, (ii) firms' output and abatement efforts are higher, and (iii) total emissions are lower, and (iv) a firm's profits are higher than that under a sales delegation. Therefore, an emission tax policy, along with firms' compensation packages related to environmental delegation, can play a key role in curving market failure and improving welfare.
Higher intensity exercise reduces disability more than lower intensity exercise in adults with chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ram Adrian K. , Summers Simon J. , Booth John , Gibbs Mitchell T. , Jones Matthew D.
Published: January 2023

Background

Intensity is an important determinant of physiological adaptations and health benefits of exercise, but the role of exercise intensity on improving outcomes in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) is unclear. This systematic review aimed to determine the effect of higher versus lower intensity exercise intensity on pain, disability, quality of life and adverse events in people with CLBP.

Methods

Six databases and four clinical trial registries were searched from inception to 21 December 2022, for randomised controlled trials that compared two or more exercise intensities in adults with CLBP. Data were analysed using random‐effects meta‐analysis for disability and synthesised narratively for pain, quality of life and adverse events due to limited studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool and certainty of evidence was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework.

Results

Four trials (n = 214 participants, 84% male) reported across five studies were included. Higher intensity exercise reduced disability more than lower intensity exercise at end‐treatment (SMD [95% CI] = −0.39 [−0.56 to −0.22]; very low certainty) but not at 6‐month follow‐up (SMD [95% CI] = −0.20 [−0.53 to 0.13]; very low certainty). Higher intensity exercise did not reliably improve pain and quality of life more than lower intensity exercise. Adverse events did not differ between exercise intensities. All studies were at high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Based on very low certainty evidence from a limited number of studies, exercise intensity does not appear to meaningfully influence clinical outcomes in people with CLBP.
A comprehensive review on magnetic imaging techniques for biomedical applications
Authors: Mukhatov Azamat , Le Tuan‐Anh , Pham Tri T. , Do Ton Duc
Published: January 2023

This article presents a comprehensive review of current Magnetic Imaging Techniques (MIT), specifically Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods as well as their impacts and potential in biomedical applications.

The paper particularly focuses on several perspectives of MPI and MRI techniques including technical considerations, advantages, limitations, applications, future trends.

Surprisingly, there are not many review articles that focused on MPI and MRI. This review will give a complete overview of present technology, perspectives, and potential future developments for MPI and MRI.

MIT has become an essential and integral part of medical diagnosis in many large medical clinics and hospitals. This area is rapidly developing and evolving to meet the huge demands in medical diagnosis and prevention. MPI and MRI are promising technologies that provide reliable and effective diagnosis for many diseases including cancer. MIT uses non‐invasive scanning to obtain a detailed image of the body's tissues or organs without the necessity for surgery. These techniques allow us to detect symptoms of serious diseases at an early stage. Early detection also gives patients the chance to get the right care before their illnesses advance to a late, incurable stage, potentially saving many lives.
Adequacy of cefepime concentrations in the early phase of critical illness: A case for precision pharmacotherapy
Authors: Barreto Erin F. , Chang Jack , Bjergum Matthew W. , Gajic Ognjen , Jannetto Paul J. , Mara Kristin C. , Meade Laurie A. , Rule Andrew D. , Vollmer Kathryn J. , Scheetz Marc H. ,   For the BLOOM Study Group
Published: January 2023

Study Objective

In critically ill patients, adequacy of early antibiotic exposure has been incompletely evaluated. This study characterized factors associated with inadequate cefepime exposure in the first 24 h of critical illness.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Academic Medical Center.

Patients

Critically ill adults treated with cefepime. Patients with acute kidney injury or treated with kidney replacement therapy or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were excluded.

Intervention

None.

Measurements

A nonlinear mixed‐effects pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed to estimate cefepime concentrations for each patient over time. The percentage of time the free drug concentration exceeded 8 mg/L during the first 24 h of therapy was calculated (%ƒT>8; appropriate for the susceptible breakpoint for Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Factors predictive of low %ƒT>8 were explored with multivariable regression.

Main Results

In the 100 included patients, a one‐compartment PK model was developed with first‐order elimination with covariates for weight and estimated glomerular filtration rate based on creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRSCr‐CysC). The median (interquartile range) %ƒT>8 for cefepime in the first 24 h of therapy based on this model was 85% (66%, 100%). Less than 100% ƒT>8 during first 24 h of therapy occurred in 70 (70%) individuals. Lower Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (p = 0.032) and higher eGFRSCr‐CysC (p < 0.001) predicted a lower %ƒT>8. Central nervous system infection source was protective (i.e., associated with a higher %ƒT>8; p = 0.008).

Conclusions

During early critical illness, cefepime concentrations were inadequate in a significant proportion of patients. Antimicrobial optimization is needed to improve the precision of pharmacotherapy in the critically ill patients.
Whole lung proteome of an acute epithelial injury mouse model in comparison to spatially resolved proteomes
Authors: Griesser Eva , Gesell Martin , Veyel Daniel , Lamla Thorsten , Geillinger‐Kästle Kerstin , Rist Wolfgang
Published: January 2023

Epithelial injury is one of the major drivers of acute pulmonary diseases. Recurring injury followed by aberrant repair is considered as the primary cause of chronic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Preclinical in vivo models allow studying early disease‐driving mechanisms like the recently established adeno‐associated virus‐diphtheria toxin receptor (AAV‐DTR) mouse model of acute epithelial lung injury, which utilises AAV mediated expression of the human DTR. We performed quantitative proteomics of homogenised lung samples from this model and compared the results to spatially resolved proteomics data of epithelial cell regions from the same animals. In whole lung tissue proteins involved in cGAS‐STING and interferon pathways, proliferation, DNA replication and the composition of the provisional extracellular matrix were upregulated upon injury. Besides epithelial cell markers SP‐A, SP‐C and Scgb1a1, proteins involved in cilium assembly, lipid metabolism and redox pathways were among downregulated proteins.

Comparison of the bulk to spatially resolved proteomics data revealed a large overlap of protein changes and striking differences. Together our study underpins the broad usability of bulk proteomics and pinpoints to the benefit of sophisticated proteomic analyses of specific tissue regions or single cell types.
How can policymakers and researchers develop effective insect resistance management guidelines? A quantitative and qualitative study of Brazilian farmers' perspectives and attitudes
Authors: Pezzini Daniela , Delborne Jason A. , Reisig Dominic
Published: January 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Today, over 80% of the US and Brazil row crop acreage has plants expressing insecticidal proteins to prevent the damage caused by caterpillars. These plants (crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt, toxins) have brought several benefits to farmers, the environment, and society. However, these can be eroded when insects develop resistance to these toxins. Researchers and regulatory agencies have developed tactics that should be followed by farmers to avoid resistance but with limited efficacy. Our research provides recommendations for researchers and policymakers that are based on farmers' perspectives, thereby offering changes for current guidelines to successfully manage insect resistance and protect Bt crops' efficacy.

Genetically engineered crops expressing insecticidal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have brought numerous benefits; however, pest resistance evolution poses a threat to the sustainability of this technology. Insect resistance management (IRM) for Bt crops has been defined as a wicked problem as it involves sociobiological complexities. A main challenge in IRM is the adoption of non‐Bt refuge, which is one out of the few strategies amenable to human intervention.

This study investigated farmers' perspectives on information sources and IRM practices in Brazil using quantitative and qualitative data collection. A total of 145 farmers responded to online Qualtrics surveys, and 13 farmers participated in person to open‐ended interviews.

This study demonstrates that farmers rely on strong social networks for information exchange and that sources with expertise based on local field experience are the most reliable channels of communication. We identified new challenges for refuge adoption such as the need to spray insecticides for pests not targeted by Bt and the intangible aspect of resistance evolution. Based on results of sources of information and perspectives on IRM practices, we discuss strategies that may be successful in delaying insecticide resistance evolution based on local contexts.

This is the first study to investigate Brazilian farmers' perceptions on information sources and IRM strategies using qualitative data. Our results provide important elements to orient research development and decision‐making in biotechnology policies for the agricultural sector in Brazil and other similar contexts.
Development of a Cool Composite Propellant Based on Guanidinium Azotetrazolate for Air Heater Igniter Application
Authors: Harikrishnan Erezhath Shani , Hariharanath Bodagala , Vineeth Gayathri Muraleedharanpillai , Nimesh Sasidharan , Vikram Tiruchanur , Pal Sibapada
Published: January 2023

Guanidinium azotetrazolate (GZT) based cool gas generator is being successfully used for a variety of applications in space exploration systems. In this work, an air heater igniter with a cool gas generating composite propellant (GGC) based on GZT was designed and developed for residue less combustion of fuel‐air‐oxygen mixture of the scramjet propulsion test facility. GGC was formulated with guanidinium azotetrazolate as fuel and ammonium perchlorate as oxidizer. The composition of GGC was selected based on theoretical study carried out using REAL software and the finalized composite propellant was processed and cast under vacuum. The thermal, ballistic, mechanical and safety properties of the GGC were determined. The propellant showed acceptable mechanical properties, fit for use as a pyrogen igniter composition for the present application. Hyphenated TG‐GC/MS technique was used to reveal the evolved gas composition during decomposition. The propellant showed limited dependency of burn rate on pressure, with ‘n’ value of 0.61 and ‘a’ value of 1.361 mm s−1 MPa−1. Based on the propellant energetics and experimentally devised burn rate law, a pyrogen igniter with an end burning propellant grain configuration, was designed, processed, and tested at stand‐alone mode.
Command filter based adaptive finite‐time dynamic surface control for nonlinear systems with unknown input delay under discontinuous input
Authors: Xia Xiaonan , Pan Jianwen , Zhang Tianping , Fang Yu
Published: January 2023

In this article, the adaptive finite‐time quantized and event‐triggered dynamic surface control (DSC) schemes are proposed for a class of strict‐feedback nonlinear system with time varying input delay. In order to ensure the completeness of the DSC method, an improved dynamic surface control method based on command filtering is adopted. The designed filtering error compensation signal can not only effectively compensate the filtering error, but also deal with the discontinuous input possessing unknown input delay. The problem of finite‐time control design and stability analysis with the difficulties brought by discontinuous input with unknown time‐varying input delay is solved through the design of the new compensation signal and the corresponding Lyapunov functional. Theoretical analysis shows that all signals in the closed‐loop system are bounded in finite time. The simulation examples also verify the effectiveness of the adaptive finite time DSC schemes proposed in this article.
Event‐triggered stabilization of switching systems with persistent dwell time by dynamic quantization
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Deng Feiqi , Huang Yongjia , Yu Peilin
Published: January 2023

The event‐triggered stabilization of switching systems with persistent dwell time (PDT) by dynamic input quantization is addressed in this paper. The co‐design of the event‐triggered mechanism, zoom variable, PDT switching condition is achieved to eliminate the effect of asynchrony and quantization errors on stability. First, based on PDT properties and event‐triggered instants, the updated law of the zoom variable is designed and the corresponding parameters are obtained by linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Since the PDT switching contains fast switching, which allows frequent switching within a triggered interval, detailed information on the system state is challenging to obtain. Hence, the asynchrony of system and controller modes in the stability analysis is considered. Then, the existence of a common lower bound for the triggered interval is proposed, thus eliminating the Zeno behavior. Finally, the numerical simulation verifies the validity of the method.
Unravelling the link between sleep and mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: González‐Hijón Juan , Kähler Anna K. , Frans Emma M. , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Fang Fang , Lovik Anikó
Published: January 2023

The emergence of COVID‐19 brought unparalleled changes in people's lifestyle, including sleep. We aimed to assess the bidirectional association between sleep quality and mental health and describe how sleep and mental health were affected in Sweden during the COVID‐19 pandemic (between June 2020 and September 2021). Data were obtained from the Omtanke2020 study. Participants who completed the baseline survey and each of the 8 monthly follow‐up surveys were included (N = 9035). We described the distribution of sleep and mental health in the different Swedish regions using maps and over the study period with longitudinal graphs adjusting for sex, age, recruitment type (self‐recruitment or invitation), and COVID‐19 status. The inner relationships between mental health, sleep and Covid infection were described through relative importance networks. Finally, we modelled how mental health affects sleep and vice versa using generalized estimating equations with different adjustments. Seasonal and north‐south regional variations were found in sleep and mental health outcomes at baseline and attenuated over time. The seasonal variation of sleep and mental health correlated moderately with the incidence rate of COVID‐19 in the sample. Networks indicate that the relationship between COVID‐19 incidence and mental health varies over time. We observed a bidirectional relationship between sleep quality and quantity at baseline and mental health at follow‐up and vice versa. Sleep quality and quantity at baseline was associated with adverse symptom trajectories of mental health at follow‐up, and vice versa, during the COVID‐19 pandemic. There was also a weak relationship between COVID‐19 incidence, sleep, and mental health.
Hyperparameter optimization: Foundations, algorithms, best practices, and open challenges
Authors: Bischl Bernd , Binder Martin , Lang Michel , Pielok Tobias , Richter Jakob , Coors Stefan , Thomas Janek , Ullmann Theresa , Becker Marc , Boulesteix Anne‐Laure , Deng Difan , Lindauer Marius
Published: January 2023

Most machine learning algorithms are configured by a set of hyperparameters whose values must be carefully chosen and which often considerably impact performance. To avoid a time‐consuming and irreproducible manual process of trial‐and‐error to find well‐performing hyperparameter configurations, various automatic hyperparameter optimization (HPO) methods—for example, based on resampling error estimation for supervised machine learning—can be employed. After introducing HPO from a general perspective, this paper reviews important HPO methods, from simple techniques such as grid or random search to more advanced methods like evolution strategies, Bayesian optimization, Hyperband, and racing. This work gives practical recommendations regarding important choices to be made when conducting HPO, including the HPO algorithms themselves, performance evaluation, how to combine HPO with machine learning pipelines, runtime improvements, and parallelization.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Statistics

Technologies > Machine Learning

Technologies > Prediction
TheDNAbinding high mobility group box protein family functionally bindsRNA
Authors: Hamilton Desmond J. , Hein Abigail E. , Wuttke Deborah S. , Batey Robert T.
Published: January 2023

Nucleic acid binding proteins regulate transcription, splicing, RNA stability, RNA localization, and translation, together tailoring gene expression in response to stimuli. Upon discovery, these proteins are typically classified as either DNA or RNA binding as defined by their in vivo functions; however, recent evidence suggests dual DNA and RNA binding by many of these proteins. High mobility group box (HMGB) proteins have a DNA binding HMGB domain, act as transcription factors and chromatin remodeling proteins, and are increasingly understood to interact with RNA as means to regulate gene expression. Herein, multiple layers of evidence that the HMGB family are dual DNA and RNA binding proteins is comprehensively reviewed. For example, HMGB proteins directly interact with RNA in vitro and in vivo, are localized to RNP granules involved in RNA processing, and their protein interactors are enriched in RNA binding proteins involved in RNA metabolism. Importantly, in cell‐based systems, HMGB–RNA interactions facilitate protein–protein interactions, impact splicing outcomes, and modify HMGB protein genomic or cellular localization. Misregulation of these HMGB–RNA interactions are also likely involved in human disease. This review brings to light that as a family, HMGB proteins are likely to bind RNA which is essential to HMGB protein biology.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Recognition

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA‐Protein Complexes

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications
The GENO Software Stack
Authors: Giesen Joachim , Kuehne Lars , Laue Sören
Published: January 2023

GENO (generic optimization) is a domain specific language for mathematical optimization. The GENO software generates a solver from a specification of an optimization problem class. The optimization problems, that is, their objective function and constraints, are specified in a formal language. The problem specification is then translated into a general normal form. Problems in normal form are then passed on to a general purpose solver. In its Iterations, the solver evaluates expressions for the objective function, constraints, and their derivatives. Hence, computing symbolic gradients of linear algebra expressions is an important component of the GENO software stack. The expressions are evaluated on the available hardware platforms including CPUs and GPUs from different vendors. This becomes possible by compiling the expressions into BLAS (Basic Linear Algebra Subroutines) calls that have been optimized for the different hardware platforms by their vendors. The compiler, called autoBLAS, that translates formal linear algebra expressions into optimized BLAS calls is another important component in the GENO software stack. By putting all the components together the generated solvers are competitive with problem-specific hand-written solvers and orders of magnitude faster than competing approaches that offer comparable ease-of-use. While this article describes the full GENO software stack, its components are of also of interest on their own and thus have been made available independently.
Generating Synthetic Graph Data from Random Network Models
Authors: Meyer Ulrich , Penschuck Manuel
Published: January 2023

Network models are developed and used in various fields of science as their design and analysis can improve the understanding of the numerous complex systems we can observe on an everyday basis. From an algorithmics point of view, structural insights into networks can guide the engineering of tailor-made graph algorithms required to face the big data challenge.

By design, network models describe graph classes and therefore can often provide meaningful synthetic instances whose applications include experimental case studies. While there exist public network libraries with numerous datasets, the available instances do not fully satisfy the needs of experimenters, especially pertaining to size and diversity. As several SPP 1736 projects engineered practical graph algorithms, multiple sampling algorithms for various graph models were designed and implemented to supplement experimental campaigns. In this chapter, we survey the results obtained for these so-called graph generators. This chapter is partially based on [43 SPP].
Increasing the Sampling Efficiency for the Link Assessment Problem
Authors: Chinazzo André , De Schryver Christian , Zweig Katharina , Wehn Norbert
Published: January 2023

Complex graphs are at the heart of today’s big data challenges like recommendation systems, customer behavior modeling, or incident detection systems. One reoccurring task in these fields is the extraction of network motifs, which are subgraphs that are reoccurring and statistically significant. To assess the statistical significance of their occurrence, the observed values in the real network need to be compared to their expected value in a random graph model.

In this chapter, we focus on the so-called Link Assessment (LA) problem, in particular for bipartite networks. Lacking closed-form solutions, we require stochastic Monte Carlo approaches that raise the challenge of finding appropriate metrics for quantifying the quality of results (QoR) together with suitable heuristics that stop the computation process if no further increase in quality is expected. We provide investigation results for three quality metrics and show that observing the right metrics reveals so-called phase transitions that can be used as a reliable basis for such heuristics. Finally, we propose a heuristic that has been evaluated with real-word datasets, providing a speedup of $$15.4\times $$

15.4
×

over previous approaches.
Einleitung
Authors: Hochstätter Ulrica
Published: January 2023

Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit sollen die Bedürfnisse der Opfer von terroristischen Anschlägen und deren Erwartungen, die aus der Tat resultieren und sich an das Strafjustizsystem richten, untersucht und daraus Erkenntnisse zu Bewältigungsstrategien und der Vermeidung weiterer Viktimisierungen im Kontext des Strafverfahrens gewonnen werden. Im Hinblick auf die wachsenden Herausforderungen der Gegenwart durch Anschlagsgeschehen liegt der Fokus der Untersuchung auf den Besonderheiten des Viktimisierungserlebens bei terroristischen Anschlägen.
Das Opfer: Begriff, Viktimisierungsfolgen und -bewältigung
Authors: Hochstätter Ulrica
Published: January 2023

Die Viktimologie (abgeleitet von lat. victima = Opfer) ist die Lehre vom Verbrechensopfer: Sie beschäftigt sich mit dem Opfer-Werden und dem Opfer-Sein. Diese Lehre ist ein Teilgebiet der Kriminologie und eine interdisziplinäre Wissenschaft, deren zentrale Fächer die Rechtswissenschaft, die Soziologie, die Psychologie und die Psychotraumatologie darstellen. Die systematische wissenschaftliche Beschäftigung mit dem Opfer begann etwa Mitte des vergangenen Jahrhunderts vor dem Hintergrund des nationalsozialistischen Völkermords, dem Holocaust. Die sozialwissenschaftliche kriminologische und viktimologische Forschung entstammt traditionell dem englischsprachigen Raum und prägt zudem die hiesige Forschung. Seit dem Aufkommen der Viktimologie wird Kriminalität aus differenten Blickrichtungen, im „Dreiklang von Tat, Täter und Opfer“, erforscht. Inhaltlich setzt sich die Viktimologie mit den Erscheinungsformen, Ursachen und Folgen von Opferwerdungsprozessen auseinander und thematisiert Fragen der Intervention und Prävention.
Verfahrensgerechtigkeit (Procedural Justice): Theorien und Modelle
Authors: Hochstätter Ulrica
Published: January 2023

Die prozedurale Gerechtigkeit oder Verfahrensgerechtigkeit beinhaltet die Gestaltung fairer Verfahren zur Entscheidungsfindung. Die Akzeptanz des Verfahrensergebnisses und damit das Vertrauen in das Rechtssystem misst sich an der Qualität des Entscheidungsprozesses. Dieses Vertrauen ist ein wesentlicher Aspekt für die Legitimation des Justizsystems und zeichnet einen funktionierenden Rechtsstaat aus.
Fazit und Ausblick
Authors: Hochstätter Ulrica
Published: January 2023

Die Fragen der Anschlagsopfer sind psychosoziale Bedürfnisse. Die Straftat war eine von Ohnmacht und Kontrollverlust geprägte Erfahrung, die einerseits Fragen nach dem Warum und Warum ich aufwirft und andererseits Handlungen erfordert, um Balance und Normalität wiederzufinden. Dazu bedarf es der Interaktion und der Kommunikation.
Carroll covariant scalar fields in two dimensions
Authors: Bagchi Arjun , Banerjee Aritra , Dutta Sudipta , Kolekar Kedar S. , Sharma Punit
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Conformal Carroll symmetry generically arises on null manifolds and is important for holography of asymptotically flat spacetimes, generic black hole horizons and tensionless strings. In this paper, we focus on two dimensional (2d) null manifolds and hence on the 2d Conformal Carroll or equivalently the 3d Bondi-Metzner-Sachs (BMS) algebra. Using Carroll covariance, we write the most general free massless Carroll scalar field theory and discover three inequivalent actions. Of these, two viz. the time-like and space-like actions, have made their appearance in literature before. We uncover a third that we call the mixed-derivative theory. As expected, all three theories enjoy off-shell BMS invariance. Interestingly, we find that the on-shell symmetry of mixed derivative theory is a single Virasoro algebra instead of the full BMS. We discuss potential applications to tensionless strings and flat holography.
Cut-off kinks
Authors: Evslin Jarah , Royston Andrew B. , Zhang Baiyang
Published: January 2023

Abstract

We answer the question: If a vacuum sector Hamiltonian is regularized by an energy cutoff, how is the one-kink sector Hamiltonian regularized? We find that it is not regularized by an energy cutoff, indeed normal modes of all energies are present in the kink Hamiltonian, but rather the decomposition of the field into normal mode operators yields coefficients which lie on a constrained surface that forces them to become small for energies above the cutoff. This explains the old observation that an energy cutoff of the kink Hamiltonian leads to an incorrect one-loop kink mass. To arrive at our conclusion, we impose that the regularized kink sector Hamiltonian is unitarily equivalent to the regularized vacuum sector Hamiltonian. This condition implies that the two regularized Hamiltonians have the same spectrum and so guarantees that the kink Hamiltonian yields the correct kink mass.
Light transformed gluon correlators in CCFT
Authors: Banerjee Sourish , Basu Rudranil , Bhatkar Sayali Atul
Published: January 2023

Abstract

In the present work, we study celestial correlators of light transformed gluon operators at tree level. We also discuss the transformation of light transformed operators under the action of 4D translations. The two, three and four-point functions arising from MHV amplitudes in terms of light transformed operators satisfy translation invariance constraints, are non-distributional and contain ordinary CFT power law terms. There is a new channel dependent term in the three point function. We show that the three-point light transformed correlation function is conformally covariant after contributions from all the three channels are added. We also study the OPE limit of the different channels of the three-point function in an attempt to construct a map between the OPE in the Mellin basis and that in the light transformed one.
Epidemiology of carpal fractures: is it only about the scaphoid?
Authors: Boeddrich Olivia , Sander Anna Lena , Lustenberger Thomas , Marzi Ingo , Frank Johannes , Voth Maika , Sommer Katharina
Published: January 2023

Because of their low incidence, studies about carpal fractures are rare. The aim of the present study was to analyze epidemiology and treatment of fractured carpal bones. We retrospectively analyzed data of 178 patients admitted to our emergency room with carpal fractures over 6 years. More males than woman were injured. In 91%, a CT scan was performed. The most commonly affected bone was the triquetrum followed by the scaphoid. Almost all triquetral fractures were treated conservatively as opposed to perilunate dislocations that were all operated on. Half of all patients with scaphoid fractures were operated. Young men had the highest risk to sustain a carpal fracture. The triquetrum and the scaphoid are most frequently affected. Usually a CT scan is needed. Treatment of scaphoid and perilunate luxation fractures is rather operative whereas the other fractures mostly allow conservative casting. Nevertheless, correct indication for treatment is important to avoid sequelae.
Counter-regulatory responses to postprandial hypoglycaemia in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia vs surgical and non-surgical control individuals
Authors: Tripyla Afroditi , Herzig David , Reverter-Branchat Gemma , Pavan Jacopo , Schiavon Michele , Eugster Philippe J. , Grouzmann Eric , Nakas Christos T. , Sauvinet Valérie , Meiller Laure , Zehetner Joerg , Giachino Daniel , Nett Philipp , Gawinecka Joanna , Del Favero Simone , Thomas Andreas , Thevis Mario , Dalla Man Chiara , Bally Lia
Published: January 2023

Aims/hypothesis

Post-bariatric hypoglycaemia is an increasingly recognised complication of bariatric surgery, manifesting particularly after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. While hyperinsulinaemia is an established pathophysiological feature, the role of counter-regulation remains unclear. We aimed to assess counter-regulatory hormones and glucose fluxes during insulin-induced postprandial hypoglycaemia in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass vs surgical and non-surgical control individuals.

Methods

In this case–control study, 32 adults belonging to four groups with comparable age, sex and BMI (patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and non-surgical control individuals) underwent a postprandial hypoglycaemic clamp in our clinical research unit to reach the glycaemic target of 2.5 mmol/l 150–170 min after ingesting 15 g of glucose. Glucose fluxes were assessed during the postprandial and hypoglycaemic period using a dual-tracer approach. The primary outcome was the incremental AUC of glucagon during hypoglycaemia. Catecholamines, cortisol, growth hormone, pancreatic polypeptide and endogenous glucose production were also analysed during hypoglycaemia.

Results

The rate of glucose appearance after oral administration, as well as the rates of total glucose appearance and glucose disappearance, were higher in both Roux-en-Y gastric bypass groups vs the non-surgical control group in the early postprandial period (all p<0.05). During hypoglycaemia, glucagon exposure was significantly lower in all surgical groups vs the non-surgical control group (all p<0.01). Pancreatic polypeptide levels were significantly lower in patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia vs the non-surgical control group (median [IQR]: 24.7 [10.9, 38.7] pmol/l vs 238.7 [186.3, 288.9] pmol/l) (p=0.005). Other hormonal responses to hypoglycaemia and endogenous glucose production did not significantly differ between the groups.

Conclusions/interpretation

The glucagon response to insulin-induced postprandial hypoglycaemia is lower in post-bariatric surgery individuals compared with non-surgical control individuals, irrespective of the surgical modality. No significant differences were found between patients with post-bariatric hypoglycaemia and surgical control individuals, suggesting that impaired counter-regulation is not a root cause of post-bariatric hypoglycaemia.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04334161

Graphical abstract
Developing a digital platform for community-led initiatives: from local agents′ needs to interface design
Authors: Tymoshchuk Oksana , Antunes Maria João , Almeida Ana Margarida , Silva Paula Alexandra , Pedro Luís , Ramos Fernando
Published: January 2023

To identify how digital media are being used by community-led initiatives of the Centro Region of Portugal, and to identify the requirements that a digital platform for mediation between agents in the territory should have, two focus groups were conducted, involving six small-sized community-led initiatives and six larger-sized community-led initiatives. This article details the results of these focus groups, according to the following main categories: use of existing communication and mediation tools; the purpose of use of digital tools; type of experiences prompted by digital tools and attributes and features desired in a digital platform to support community-led initiatives. The results show differences between the use and needs of digital tools by small- and larger-sized initiatives and offer interesting insights to prototype an innovative digital solution, to enhance the actions of community-led initiatives. A reference framework for digital mediation strategies and a mobile app prototype were developed, based on these surveys. The article contributes with an analytical view about the development of digital solutions, which aim to strengthen the relationship among agents of local communities and promote mediation mechanisms among all stakeholders in territorial-based innovation.
Antibacterial Potential of Bacterial Cellulose Impregnated with Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticle Against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed T. , Zayed Muhammad , Salama Hussein S.
Published: January 2023

In this study, bacterial cellulose (BC) impregnated with green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is evaluated as an antimicrobial membrane for wound-healing treatment. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extract were characterized using UV‒visible spectroscopy, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The results confirmed that the resulted particles were Ag2O and metallic Ag in nanoscale with an average size ranged from 24 to 40 nm. The green synthesized nanoparticles incorporated within both bacterial cellulose and filter paper discs showed excellent antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. There was no significant difference noticed between bacterial cellulose and filter paper holding capacity to nanoparticles and there was lack of interaction between bacterial cellulose and impregnated nanoparticles as elaborated by Fourier transform infrared spectral analyses. Scanning electron microscopy investigation showed major distortions effects of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on bacterial cell morphology.
Imprecise prediction of implant sizes with preoperative 2D digital templating in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Riechelmann Felix , Lettner H. , Mayr R. , Tandogan R. , Dammerer D. , Liebensteiner M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To analyze the match between preoperatively determined implant size (2D templating) and intraoperatively used implant size in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Also examined were the factors that might influence templating accuracy (gender, surgeon experience, obesity, etc.).

Materials and methods

The study was retrospective and conducted in a specialized ENDOCERT arthroplasty center. Digital templating was done with the MediCAD software. If the planned and implanted TKA components (both femur and tibia) were the same size, the match was classified “exact.” A deviation of ± one size (at the femur or tibia or both) was classified “accurate.” A deviation of ± two or more sizes (at the femur or tibia or both) was classified “inaccurate.” Obesity, gender, implant type and surgeon experience were investigated for potential influence on templating accuracy. Chi-square tests and Cohen’s weighted kappa test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 482 cases [33.6% male, 66.4% female, age 69 ± 11, body mass index (BMI) 30.3 ± 5.8] were included. When the femur and tibia were taken together, exact size match was observed in 34% (95% CI 29.9–38.3%) of cases, accurate size match in 57.5% (95% CI 53–61.8%) and inaccurate size match in 8.5% (95% CI 6.3–11.2%). Inaccurate size match prolonged operative time (p = 0.028). Regarding the factors potentially influencing templating accuracy, only gender had a significant influence, with templating being more accurate in men (p = 0.004). BMI had no influence on accuracy (p = 0.87). No effect on accuracy was observed for implant type and surgeon experience.

Conclusions

The accuracy of 2D size templating in TKA is low, even in a specialized ENDOCERT arthroplasty center. The study findings challenge the usefulness of preoperative 2D size templating and highlight the importance of more reliable templating methods.

Level of evidence

Level III (retrospective observational study).