bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of voice after transoral laser cordectomy for precancerous lesions and early glottic cancer
Authors: Staníková Lucia , Zeleník Karol , Formánek Martin , Seko Jana , Walderová Radana , Kántor Peter , Komínek Pavel
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To evaluate voice quality evolution after a transoral laser cordectomy (TLC) for precancerous lesions and early glottic cancer.

Methods

This prospective study enrolled 18 patients scheduled for TLC for high-grade dysplasia, Tis, T1, and T2 glottic squamous cell cancers, from May 2017 to March 2020. Patients were grouped according to the extent of TLC: Group I (n = 11, 61.1%): unilateral subepithelial or subligamental cordectomy; Group II (n = 7, 38.9%): unilateral transmuscular, total, or extended cordectomy. Voice quality parameters, including dysphonia grade (G), roughness (R), breathiness (B), maximal phonation time (MPT), jitter, and shimmer, were evaluated before, and at 6 weeks and 6 months after the TLC.

Results

In Group I, the degree of G and R items remained without substantial improvement 6 weeks after surgery; however, improved above the pre-surgery level up to 6 months after surgery. The MPT, jitter, and shimmer did not change significantly at 6 weeks or 6 months post-TLC. In Group II, G, R, and B remained significantly impaired even 6 months post-surgery. Jitter, and shimmer worsened at 6 weeks, but reached preoperative levels at 6 months post-surgery. MPT was significantly worse at 6 weeks and remained deteriorated at 6 months post-surgery. All measured parameters were significantly worse in Group II than in Group I at 6 weeks and 6 months post-surgery. No patient required a phonosurgical procedure.

Conclusion

After a TLC, voice quality evolution depended on the extent of surgery. It did not improve at 6 weeks post-surgery. Improvements in less extent cordectomies occurred between 6 weeks and 6 months post-surgery. Understanding voice development over time is important for counseling patients when considering phonosurgical procedures.
Towards sustainable management of the stock and ecosystem services of urban trees. From theory to model and application
Authors: Pretzsch H. , Moser-Reischl A. , Rahman M. A. , Pauleit S. , Rötzer T.
Published: March 2021

Key message

A model for sustainable planning of urban tree stocks is proposed, incorporating growth, mortality, replacement rates and ecosystem service provision, providing a basis for planning of urban tree stocks.

Many recent studies have improved the knowledge about urban trees, their structures, functions, and ecosystem services. We introduce a concept and model for the sustainable management of urban trees, analogous to the concept of sustainable forestry developed by Carl von Carlowitz and others. The main drivers of the model are species-specific tree diameter growth functions and mortality rates. Based on the initial tree stock and options for the annual replanting, the shift of the distribution of the number of trees per age class can be predicted with progressing time. Structural characteristics such as biomass and leaf area are derived from tree dimensions that can be related to functions such as carbon sequestration or cooling. To demonstrate the potential of the dynamic model, we first show how different initial stocks of trees can be quantitatively assessed by sustainability indicators compared to a target stock. Second, we derive proxy variables for ecosystem services (e.g. biomass for carbon sequestration, leaf area for deposition and shading) from a given distribution of the number of trees per age class. Third, we show by scenario analyses how selected ecosystem services and functions may be improved by combining complementary tree species. We exercise one aspect (cooling) of one ecosystem service (temperature mitigation) as an example. The approach integrates mosaic pieces of knowledge about urban trees, their structures, functions, and resulting ecosystem services. The presented model makes this knowledge available for a sustainable management of urban tree stocks. We discuss the potential and relevance of the developed concept and model for ecologically and economically sustainable planning and management, in view of progressing urbanization and environmental changes.
High-Tech-Metalle in ostalpinen Buntmetallsulfidvorkommen: geologische Faktoren ihrer Anreicherung, Verteilung und Mobilisation (drei MRI-Projekte 2015–2019)
Authors: Angerer Thomas , Melcher Frank , Onuk Peter , Tropper Peter , Volgger Albin , Gasteiger Patrick
Published: March 2021

Die Ergebnisse dreier MRI Projekte 2015–2019 (Leoben und Innsbruck) werden hier zusammenfassend dargestellt. Der Fokus liegt auf den Ergebnissen des Innsbrucker Projekts, in dem sedimentär-exhalative Erze des Ötztal-Stubai-Kristallins (ÖSK) als beispielhaftes Mineralsystem erforscht wurden, um den komplexen Einfluss geologischer Prozesse auf die Anreicherung bzw. mineralogische Verteilung von Spurenelementen zu verdeutlichen.

Die umfangreichen Datensätze aus vielen ostalpinen Bergbaurevieren erlauben Aussagen über die Präferenz von Spurenelementen in verschiedenen Typen von Fe-Cu-Zn-Sulfidparagenesen. Die Elemente Mn, Ga, Se und Cd werden präferentiell in Sphalerit eingebaut; Co, Ni in Pyrit und Pyrrhotin; As in Pyrit; Ag und Sn im Chalkopyrit. In karbonatgebundenen Pb-Zn Erzen wird Ge in Sphalerit und in Cu-reichen Erze auch in Chalkopyrit eingebaut. Indium ist gleichfalls entweder an Sphalerit oder an Chalkopyrit gebunden. Mit der Temperaturabhängigkeit der Sphaleritzusammensetzung gehen auch systematische Trends in der Zusammensetzung von Begleitsulfiden (v. a. Chalkopyrit) einher. In den Erzen des ÖSK wurden komplexe Verteilungsabhängigkeiten seltener Metalle von syngenetischen Mineralisations- sowie metamorph-metasomatischen Remobilisierungs-Prozessen nachgewiesen. Die Faktoren lithostratographischer Kontext, Proximalität zum (nicht aufgeschlossenen) Exhalationszentrum, und metasomatische Remobilisation und Partitionierung sind wichtige Faktoren für die Höffigkeit eines Vorkommens. Metamorphe Überprägung zeigt Auswirkungen auf die mineralogische Metall-Partitionierung, jedoch ohne nennenswerten Effekt auf die Höffigkeit der High-Tech-Metalle.
Off-line signature verification using elementary combinations of directional codes from boundary pixels
Authors: Ajij Md , Pratihar Sanjoy , Nayak Soumya Ranjan , Hanne Thomas , Roy Diptendu Sinha
Published: March 2021

Verifying the genuineness of official documents, such as bank checks, certificates, contract forms, bonds, etc., remains a challenging task when it comes to accuracy and robustness. Here, the genuineness is related to the degree of match of the signature contained in the documents relating to the original signatures of the authorized person. Signatures of authorized persons are considered known in advance.
In this paper, a novel feature set is introduced based on quasi-straightness of boundary pixel runs for signature verification. We extract the quasi-straight line segments using elementary combinations of the directional codes from the signature boundary pixels and subsequently we obtain the feature set from various quasi-straight line classes. The quasi-straight line segments provide a blending of straightness and small curvatures resulting in a robust feature set for the verification of signatures. We have used Support Vector Machine (SVM) for classification and have shown results on standard signature datasets like CEDAR (Center of Excellence for Document Analysis and Recognition) and GPDS-100 (Grupo de Procesado Digital de la Senal).
The results establish how the proposed method outperforms the existing state of the art.
Harsh parenting and child conduct and emotional problems: parent- and child-effects in the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort
Authors: Bauer Andreas , Fairchild Graeme , Halligan Sarah L. , Hammerton Gemma , Murray Joseph , Santos Ina S. , Munhoz Tiago N. , Barros Aluísio J. D. , Barros Fernando C. , Matijasevich Alicia
Published: March 2021

In high-income countries, links between harsh and abusive parenting and child conduct and emotional problems are well-documented. However, less is known about these relationships in low- and middle-income countries, where harsh parenting may be more widely accepted and higher rates of conduct or emotional problems may exist which could influence the strength of these associations. We sought to investigate these relationships in a large population-based, prospective longitudinal study from Brazil, which also allowed us to test for sex differences. Using data from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study (N = 4231) at ages 6 and 11 years, we applied cross-lagged path analysis to examine the relationships between harsh parenting (Conflict Tactics Scale Parent–Child version), and child conduct and emotional problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). We found reciprocal relationships between harsh parenting and child conduct problems, with harsh parenting at age 6 predicting child conduct problems at age 11, and vice versa, even after adjusting for initial levels of conduct problems and harsh parenting, respectively. For child emotional problems, only unidirectional effects were found, with harsh parenting at age 6 predicting child emotional problems at age 11, after adjusting for initial levels of emotional problems, but not vice versa. No significant sex differences were observed in these relationships. These observations based on a middle-income country birth cohort highlight the potential universality of detrimental effects of harsh parenting on child conduct and emotional problems and affirm the importance of addressing parent- and child-effects in preventive and treatment interventions, especially those targeting conduct problems.
Constraining probabilistic chloride mass-balance recharge estimates using baseflow and remotely sensed evapotranspiration: the Cambrian Limestone Aquifer in northern Australia
Authors: Crosbie Russell S. , Rachakonda Praveen Kumar
Published: March 2021

Regional-scale estimates of groundwater recharge are inherently uncertain, but this uncertainty is rarely quantified. Quantifying this uncertainty provides an understanding of the limitations of the estimates, and being able to reduce the uncertainty makes the recharge estimates more useful for water resources management. This paper describes the development of a method to constrain the uncertainty in upscaled recharge estimates using a rejection sampling procedure for baseflow and remotely sensed evapotranspiration data to constrain the lower and upper end of the recharge distribution, respectively. The recharge estimates come from probabilistic chloride mass-balance estimates from 3,575 points upscaled using regression kriging with rainfall, soils and vegetation as covariates. The method is successfully demonstrated for the 570,000-km2 Cambrian Limestone Aquifer in northern Australia. The method developed here is able to reduce the uncertainty in the upscaled chloride mass-balance estimates of recharge by nearly a third using data that are readily available. The difference between the 5th and 95th percentiles of unconstrained recharge across the aquifer was 31 mm/yr (range 5–36 mm/yr) which was reduced to 22 mm/yr for the constrained case (9–31 mm/yr). The spatial distribution of recharge was dominated by the spatial distribution of rainfall but was comparatively reduced in areas with denser vegetation or finer textured soils. Recharge was highest in the north-west in the Daly River catchment with a catchment average of 101 (61–192) mm/yr and lowest in the south-east Georgina River catchment with 6 (4–12) mm/yr.
Remarks on parabolic De Giorgi classes
Authors: Liao Naian
Published: March 2021

We make several remarks concerning properties of functions in parabolic De Giorgi classes of order p. There are new perspectives including a novel mechanism of propagating positivity in measure, the reservation of membership under convex composition, and a logarithmic type estimate. Based on them, we are able to give new proofs of known properties. In particular, we prove local boundedness and local Hölder continuity of these functions via Moser’s ideas, thus avoiding De Giorgi’s heavy machinery. We also seize this opportunity to give a transparent proof of a weak Harnack inequality for nonnegative members of some super-class of De Giorgi, without any covering argument.
In the tripartite combination Botrytis cinerea–Arabidopsis–Eurydema oleracea, the fungal pathogen alters the plant–insect interaction via jasmonic acid signalling activation and inducible plant-emitted volatiles
Authors: Ederli Luisa , Salerno Gianandrea , Quaglia Mara
Published: March 2021

In ecosystems, plants are continuously challenged by combined stress conditions more than by a single biotic or abiotic factor. Consequently, in recent years studies on plant relationships with multiple stresses have aroused increasing interest. Here, the impact of inoculation with fungal pathogens with different lifestyles on Arabidopsis plants response to the following infestation with the invasive crop pest Eurydema oleracea was investigated. In particular, as fungal pathogens the necrotroph Botrytis cinerea and the biotroph Golovinomyces orontii were used. Plants exposed to B. cinerea, but not to G. orontii, showed reduced herbivore feeding damage. This difference was associated to different hormonal pathways triggered by the pathogens: G. orontii only induced the salicylate-mediated pathway, while B. cinerea stimulated also the jasmonate-dependent signalling, which persisted for a long time providing a long-term defence to further herbivore attack. In particular, the lower susceptibility of B. cinerea-infected Arabidopsis plants to E. oleracea was related to the stimulation of the JA-induced pathway on the production of plant volatile compounds, since treatment with VOCs emitted by B. cinerea inoculated plants inhibited both insect plant choice and feeding damage. These results indicate that necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungi modulate host volatile emission, thus affecting plant response to subsequent insect, thereby increasing the knowledge on tripartite plant–microbe–insect interactions in nature.
Hydrops fetalis with isolated massive ascites in a preterm neonate with rhesus disease
Authors: Nourkami-Tutdibi Nasenien , Geipel Martina , Meyberg-Solomayer Gabriele , Takacs Zoltan , Meyer Sascha
Published: March 2021

Significant progress in prenatal care has decreased the incidence of rhesus incompatibility, which may result in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). This case report describes an unusual presentation of HDFN in a preterm infant delivered by caesarean section with isolated massive abdominal fluid collection as the leading clinical sign in addition to severe anemia. The immediate drainage of ascites provided transient clinical stabilization with improved pulmonary function in the delivery suite. After admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), HDFN treatment was initiated. This case report shows the importance of adequately trained staff including neonatologists, pediatricians and NICU nurses in the delivery suite to provide neonatal intensive care for HDFN.
Neyman-Pearson Hypothesis Testing, Epistemic Reliability and Pragmatic Value-Laden Asymmetric Error Risks
Authors: Kubiak Adam P. , Kawalec Paweł , Kiersztyn Adam
Published: March 2021

We show that if among the tested hypotheses the number of true hypotheses is not equal to the number of false hypotheses, then Neyman-Pearson theory of testing hypotheses does not warrant minimal epistemic reliability (the feature of driving to true conclusions more often than to false ones). We also argue that N-P does not protect from the possible negative effects of the pragmatic value-laden unequal setting of error probabilities on N-P’s epistemic reliability. Most importantly, we argue that in the case of a negative impact no methodological adjustment is available to neutralize it, so in such cases the discussed pragmatic-value-ladenness of N-P inevitably compromises the goal of attaining truth.
Synchronous peritoneal metastases from lung cancer: incidence, associated factors, treatment and survival: a Dutch population-based study
Authors: Lurvink Robin J. , Rijken Anouk , Bakkers Checca , Aarts Mieke J. , Kunst Peter W. A. , van de Borne Ben E. , van Erning Felice N. , de Hingh Ignace H. J. T.
Published: March 2021

Peritoneal metastases (PM) from lung cancer are rare and it is unknown how they affect the prognosis of patients with lung cancer. This population-based study aimed to assess the incidence, associated factors, treatment and prognosis of PM from lung cancer. Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry were used. All patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2008 and 2018 were included. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the presence of PM. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the overall survival (OS) of patients with PM. Between 2008 and 2018, 129,651 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer, of whom 2533 (2.0%) patients were diagnosed with PM. The European Standardized Rate of PM increased significantly from 0.6 in 2008 to 1.4 in 2018 (p < 0.001). Age between 50 and 74 years, T3–4 tumour stage, N2–3 nodal stage, tumour morphology of a small cell lung cancer or adenocarcinoma, and the presence of systemic metastases were associated with the presence of PM. The median OS of patients with PM was 2.5 months. Older age, male sex, T3–4 tumour stage, N2–3 nodal stage, not receiving systemic treatment, and the presence of systemic metastases were associated with a worse OS. Synchronous PM were diagnosed in 2.0% of patients with lung cancer and resulted in a very poor survival.
Crops, weeds and gathered plants in the vicinity of the mediaeval Castle Kolno, near Brzeg, S-W Poland, and a morphometric approach for some taxa
Authors: Kosina Romuald , Marek Lech
Published: March 2021

In the present work, numerous species of useful and wild plants were identified in the archaeobotanical samples (moat deposit and two ceramic jugs) collected from the mediaeval locality of the Kolno Castle, near Brzeg, south-western Poland. At the confluence of two rivers, in the vicinity of the castle, it was possible to cultivate cereals on poor alluvial soil, in the ground with a layer of ferruginous concretions. The characteristic weeds of the classes Secalinetea and Chenopodietea indicated the cultivation of winter cereals and garden plants. Polymorphic populations of millet were cultivated. Apart from the annual plants, the following fruit trees were grown: plums, peaches and walnuts. Fruits of many wild species were also gathered for consumption. Correlation analysis of the characters ofPrunusL. stones proved that the development of the organ is conservative. Morphometric analysis of the plum stones showed that in addition to the specimens belonging to the speciesPrunus spinosaL. andPrunus domesticaL./Prunus insititiaL., there were hybrids between these two species. Multivariate analyses evidenced that the complexes of cultivated and wild plums and cherries can form hybrid syngameons revealing continuous variation and non-random structure. The variability of filbert nuts corresponded to the variability of a large modern population of this species that is composed of many genetically different morphotypes. Variabilities of inter-specific units of fossil and contemporary forms belonging to various taxa were described by ellipsoids of various shapes and arrangements in the three-dimensional ordination space.
Effects of the European Monetary Union on High-Technology Exports
Authors: Tohmo Timo , Heimonen Kari , Nieminen Mika
Published: March 2021

Our study estimates the effects of the European Monetary Union (EMU) on high-technology (HT) export and assesses the potential knowledge spillovers of such trade. Irrespective of the importance of the HT trade channel, none of the previous studies in the literature focus on the effects of a common currency on HT trade. Increasing trade in the HT sector may lead to more efficient use of resources and help countries to move towards a knowledge-based economy. Moreover, it may lead to higher overall growth. After considering multilateral resistances, pair fixed effects and bias correction in the preferred (three-way bias-corrected) model, EMU membership becomes negative and statistically non-significant for HT exports. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the effect of the EMU on HT exports is country-specific, which lends support to the notion of non-homogenous knowledge transfer and country-related knowledge-based economic development within the EMU.
Non-extensitivity and criticality of atomic hydropathicity around a voltage-gated sodium channel’s pore: a modeling study
Authors: Xenakis Markos N. , Kapetis Dimos , Yang Yang , Heijman Jordi , Waxman Stephen G. , Lauria Giuseppe , Faber Catharina G. , Smeets Hubert J. , Lindsey Patrick J. , Westra Ronald L.
Published: March 2021

Voltage-gated sodium channels (NavChs) are pore-forming membrane proteins that regulate the transport of sodium ions through the cell membrane. Understanding the structure and function of NavChs is of major biophysical, as well as clinical, importance given their key role in cellular pathophysiology. In this work, we provide a computational framework for modeling system-size-dependent, i.e., cumulative, atomic properties around a NavCh’s pore. We illustrate our methodologies on the bacterial NavAb channel captured in a closed-pore state where we demonstrate that the atomic environment around its pore exhibits a bi-phasic spatial organization dictated by the structural separation of the pore domains (PDs) from the voltage-sensing domains (VSDs). Accordingly, a mathematical model describing packing of atoms around NavAb’s pore is constructed that allows—under certain conservation conditions—for a power-law approximation of the cumulative hydropathic dipole field effect acting along NavAb’s pore. This verified the non-extensitivity hypothesis for the closed-pore NavAb channel and revealed a long-range hydropathic interactions law regulating atom-packing around the NavAb’s selectivity filter. Our model predicts a PDs-VSDs coupling energy of $\sim \!282.1$
∼

282.1
kcal/mol corresponding to a global maximum of the atom-packing energy profile. Crucially, we demonstrate for the first time how critical phenomena can emerge in a single-channel structure as a consequence of the non-extensive character of its atomic porous environment.
Adaptive Radial Basis Function Partition of Unity Interpolation: A Bivariate Algorithm for Unstructured Data
Authors: Cavoretto Roberto
Published: March 2021

In this article we present a new adaptive algorithm for solving 2D interpolation problems of large scattered data sets through the radial basis function partition of unity method. Unlike other time-consuming schemes this adaptive method is able to efficiently deal with scattered data points with highly varying density in the domain. This target is obtained by decomposing the underlying domain in subdomains of variable size so as to guarantee a suitable number of points within each of them. The localization of such points is done by means of an efficient search procedure that depends on a partition of the domain in square cells. For each subdomain the adaptive process identifies a predefined neighborhood consisting of one or more levels of neighboring cells, which allows us to quickly find all the subdomain points. The algorithm is further devised for an optimal selection of the local shape parameters associated with radial basis function interpolants via leave-one-out cross validation and maximum likelihood estimation techniques. Numerical experiments show good performance of this adaptive algorithm on some test examples with different data distributions. The efficacy of our interpolation scheme is also pointed out by solving real world applications.
Correlation Functions for a Chain of Short Range Oscillators
Authors: Grava T. , Kriecherbauer T. , Mazzuca G. , McLaughlin K. D. T.-R.
Published: March 2021

We consider a system of harmonic oscillators with short range interactions and we study their correlation functions when the initial data is sampled with respect to the Gibbs measure. Such correlation functions display rapid oscillations that travel through the chain. We show that the correlation functions always have two fastest peaks which move in opposite directions and decay at rate $$t^{-\frac{1}{3}}$$

t

-

1
3

for position and momentum correlations and as $$t^{-\frac{2}{3}}$$

t

-

2
3

for energy correlations. The shape of these peaks is asymptotically described by the Airy function. Furthermore, the correlation functions have some non generic peaks with lower decay rates. In particular, there are peaks which decay at rate $$t^{-\frac{1}{4}}$$

t

-

1
4

for position and momentum correlators and with rate $$t^{-\frac{1}{2}}$$

t

-

1
2

for energy correlators. The shape of these peaks is described by the Pearcey integral. Crucial for our analysis is an appropriate generalisation of spacings, i.e. differences of the positions of neighbouring particles, that are used as spatial variables in the case of nearest neighbour interactions. Using the theory of circulant matrices we are able to introduce a quantity that retains both localisation and analytic viability. This also allows us to define and analyse some additional quantities used for nearest neighbour chains. Finally, we study numerically the evolution of the correlation functions after adding nonlinear perturbations to our model. Within the time range of our numerical simulations the asymptotic description of the linear case seems to persist for small nonlinear perturbations while stronger nonlinearities change shape and decay rates of the peaks significantly.
Does it pay off to smile even it is not authentic? Customers’ involvement and the effectiveness of authentic emotional displays
Authors: Olk Stephan , Tscheulin Dieter K. , Lindenmeier Jörg
Published: March 2021

Research has shown that while the authenticity of positive emotional displays plays an important role in service encounters, it has not yet demonstrated a universally positive effect on customers’ behavior. This study, which is the first to present customer involvement as a contextual factor that influences customers’ processing, provides a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of the authenticity of emotional displays. The model is based on expectation disconfirmation theory and emotional contagion theory and is validated in a field experiment and two laboratory experiments that use video stimuli with actors in real-world contexts. The results show that even inauthentic displays can meet customers’ expectations depending on their involvement and that high-involvement customers adapt to employees’ authentic emotions more strongly than low-involvement customers do. In summary, the presented model strengthens the understanding of the role of authentic displays and provides an approach to improve the effectiveness of emotional labor strategies.
Uncoupling Protein 2 Deficiency Enhances NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Following Hyperglycemia-Induced Exacerbation of Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Damage In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Zhang Ting , He Mao-Tao , Zhang Xiao-Peng , Jing Li , Zhang Jian-Zhong
Published: March 2021

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) deficiency exacerbates brain damage following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). The Nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome also plays a vital role in cerebral I/R damage. However, the effect of UCP2 on NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated hyperglycemia and I/R damage is not clear. In the present study, UCP2-knockout (UCP2−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice were used to establish a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion under normo- and hyperglycemic conditions. HT22 cells were established as a model of oxygen–glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) with high glucose to mimic hyperglycemia and I/R in vitro. HT22 cells were treated with/without different concentrations of the UCP2-specific inhibitor genipin for different periods of time. The results showed that UCP2 deficiency significantly increased histopathological changes and apoptosis after cerebral I/R damage in hyperglycemic mice. Moreover, UCP2 deficiency enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in neurons when cerebral I/R damage was exacerbated by hyperglycemia. Furthermore, UCP2 deficiency enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HT22 cells under OGD/R and high-glucose conditions. UCP2 deficiency aggravated hyperglycemia-induced exacerbation of cerebral I/R damage. UCP2 deficiency also enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and ROS production in neurons in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that UCP2 deficiency enhances NLRP3 inflammasome activation following hyperglycemia-induced exacerbation of cerebral I/R damage in vitro and in vivo. UCP2 may be a potential therapeutic target for hyperglycemia-induced exacerbation of cerebral I/R damage.
Enhancing validity, reliability and participation in self-reported health outcome measurement for children and young people: a systematic review of recall period, response scale format, and administration modality
Authors: Coombes L. , Bristowe K. , Ellis-Smith C. , Aworinde J. , Fraser L. K. , Downing J. , Bluebond-Langner M. , Chambers L. , Murtagh F. E. M. , Harding R.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Self-report is the gold standard for measuring children’s health-related outcomes. Design of such measures is complex and challenging. This review aims to systematically appraise the evidence on recall period, response scale format, mode of administration and approaches needed to enable children and young people < 19 years to participate in valid and reliable self-reporting of their health outcomes.

Method

PsycInfo, Medline, CINAHL and Embase were searched from 1 January 1990 to 15 March 2020, and citation searching undertaken in Scopus. Articles were included if they were primary research or case reports of ≥ 3 participants reporting the following: recall period, response scale selection, administration modality. Quality was assessed using QualSyst, and results synthesised narratively. This review was conducted and reported according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results

81 of 13,215 retrieved articles met the inclusion criteria. Children < 5 years old cannot validly and reliably self-report health outcomes. Face scales demonstrate better psychometric properties than visual analogue or Likert scales. Computerised and paper scales generally show equivalent construct validity. Children prefer computerised measures. Children ≤ 7 years old think dichotomously so need two response options. Those > 8 years old can reliably use a 3-point scale.

Conclusion

The results of this review have both clinical and research implications. They can be used to inform appropriate choice of PROM for use with CYP in the clinical setting. We also give eight recommendations for future development of self-reported outcome measures for children and young people.
Augmented Reality Application for Handheld Devices
Authors: Falomo Bernarduzzi Lidia , Bernardi Ester Maria , Ferrari Alberto , Garbarino Maria Carla , Vai Andrea
Published: March 2021

The Pavia University History Museum, which houses historic items mainly connected to the physics and medicine fields, has focused in the past years on new ways to involve its public and to attract new audiences. Among different approaches, digital technologies have proven important to both external and internal communication. Lately, an Augmented Reality application has been made available to visitors, offering in one tool multimedia material of a historical-scientific nature: stories, 3D animations, images and user-generated video storytelling (developed mainly by University students, one of our least present demographics before the App, and younger students, who typically participate in the annual co-creative project). The App was designed to be as non-intrusive and discreet as possible, to preserve the historic ambiance of the museum, to unite social and educational aspects, to register user behaviour and to make the museum experience more vibrant and active and therefore captivating.
Just world beliefs, personal success and beliefs in conspiracy theories
Authors: Furnham Adrian
Published: March 2021

Do those who believe in conspiracy theories feel less happy and healthy than others? Do they believe the world is simply unjust? This study was concerned with how demographic factors, personal ratings of success, personal ideology (political and religious beliefs) and Just World Beliefs are related to Conspiracy Theories. In total, 406 participants completed two questionnaires: Just World scale (Rubin & Peplau, 1975) and Conspiracy Theories Inventory (Swami et al., 2010) and provided various personal details. The Just World Scale yielded two scores: Just and Unjust beliefs. Participants also reported on their health, happiness and success and a reliable composite measure of well-being was computed. A regression showed younger males, with Unjust World beliefs and politically right-wing views, were more likely to endorse Conspiracy Theories. The discussion revolved around explaining individual differences in accepting these theories. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Express delivery logistics with high-speed railway: a perspective of payment scheme and forecast information sharing
Authors: Duan Huawei , Ye Yusen , Lei Zheng , Wang Mengting
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the payment scheme and forecast information sharing issues in the express delivery logistics with the high-speed railway. The HSR carriers need to coordinate the transportation capacity between passenger and freight. It is widely recognized that the advance payment scheme (APS) using as deposit is a beneficial way for the HSR carriers to make decisions on the transportation capacity preserved for express delivery. However, the express service providers, who possess private forecast information of express delivery demand, may share inaccurate information with the HSR carriers to acquire sufficient preserved transportation capacity. This paper discusses what payment scheme is preferred by the HSR carrier, the express service provider through discussing the deposit decisions with or without forecast information sharing. We show that sharing demand forecast information can reduce the prereserved capacity and increase the profits of the HSR carrier. With the delayed payment scheme (DPS), the express service provider has no motivation to share the information; while with the APS, the HSR carrier can reasonably choose the deposit to encourage the express service provider to share the demand information. Our analysis also shows that the HSR carrier’s profits with the APS is restricted by the investment returns and the express service provider’s information sharing decisions. We also analyze the value range of the deposit, which is a proportion of the overall payment, that allows both the HSR carrier and the express service provider to prefer the APS, as well as to encourage the express service provider to share the demand information.
Towards High-Energy and Anti-Self-Discharge Zn-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors with New Understanding of the Electrochemistry
Authors: Li Yang , Yang Wang , Yang Wu , Wang Ziqi , Rong Jianhua , Wang Guoxiu , Xu Chengjun , Kang Feiyu , Dong Liubing
Published: March 2021

Aqueous Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSs) are increasingly being studied as a novel electrochemical energy storage system with prominent electrochemical performance, high safety and low cost. Herein, high-energy and anti-self-discharge ZHSs are realized based on the fibrous carbon cathodes with hierarchically porous surface and O/N heteroatom functional groups. Hierarchically porous surface of the fabricated free-standing fibrous carbon cathodes not only provides abundant active sites for divalent ion storage, but also optimizes ion transport kinetics. Consequently, the cathodes show a high gravimetric capacity of 156 mAh g−1, superior rate capability (79 mAh g−1 with a very short charge/discharge time of 14 s) and exceptional cycling stability. Meanwhile, hierarchical pore structure and suitable surface functional groups of the cathodes endow ZHSs with a high energy density of 127 Wh kg−1, a high power density of 15.3 kW kg−1 and good anti-self-discharge performance. Mechanism investigation reveals that ZHS electrochemistry involves cation adsorption/desorption and Zn4SO4(OH)6·5H2O formation/dissolution at low voltage and anion adsorption/desorption at high voltage on carbon cathodes. The roles of these reactions in energy storage of ZHSs are elucidated. This work not only paves a way for high-performance cathode materials of ZHSs, but also provides a deeper understanding of ZHS electrochemistry.
Integers representable as differences of linear recurrence sequences
Authors: Tichy Robert , Vukusic Ingrid , Yang Daodao , Ziegler Volker
Published: March 2021

Let $$\{U_n\}_{n \ge 0}$$

{

U
n

}

n
≥
0

and $$\{V_m\}_{m \ge 0}$$

{

V
m

}

m
≥
0

be two linear recurrence sequences. We establish an asymptotic formula for the number of integers c in the range $$[-x, x]$$

[
-
x
,
x
]

which can be represented as differences $$ U_n - V_m$$

U
n

-

V
m

. In particular, the density of such integers is 0.
Big data challenges in overcoming China’s water and air pollution: relevant data and indicators
Authors: Zhang Bo , Hughes Robert M. , Davis Wayne S. , Cao Cong
Published: March 2021

Big data are potentially useful for environmental management planning and actions that can be directed toward pollution control. China is using big data approaches to help reduce its current levels of pollution. However, also needed are better environmental indicators, measurement technologies, data management and reporting, and adaptive management and enforcement. Based on continental-extent monitoring and assessment programs in Europe and the USA, we recommend three major programmatic changes for China. (1) Establish long-term systemic environmental and human health objectives and indicators. (2) Adopt national standard methods for survey designs, sampling and analytical protocols, statistical analyses, and collaborative sampling programs. (3) Provide a transparent process for reporting and correcting data errors.
Approaches for assessing communication in human-autonomy teams
Authors: Baker Anthony L. , Fitzhugh Sean M. , Huang Lixiao , Forster Daniel E. , Scharine Angelique , Neubauer Catherine , Lematta Glenn , Bhatti Shawaiz , Johnson Craig J. , Krausman Andrea , Holder Eric , Schaefer Kristin E. , Cooke Nancy J.
Published: March 2021

Evaluation of team communication can provide critical insights into team dynamics, cohesion, trust, and performance on joint tasks. Although many communication-based measures have been tested and validated for human teams, this review article extends this research by identifying key approaches specific to human-autonomy teams. It is not possible to identify all approaches for all situations, though the following seem to generalize and support multi-size teams and a variety of military operations. Therefore, this article will outline several key approaches to assessing communication, associated data requirements, example applications, verification of methods through HAT use cases, and lessons learned, where applicable. Some approaches are based on the structure of team communication; others draw from dynamical systems theory to consider perspectives across different timescales; other approaches leverage features of team members’ voices or facial expressions to detect emotional states that can provide windows into other workings of the team; still others consider the content of communication to produce insights. Taken together, these approaches comprise a varied toolkit for deriving critical information about how team interactions affect, and are affected by, coordination, trust, cohesion, and performance outcomes. Future research directions describe four critical areas for further study of communication in human-autonomy teams.
Fatal Events Related to Running Competitions in the Mountains
Authors: Roi Giulio Sergio
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The few epidemiologic studies published previously about different forms of mountain running (ie, fell running, sky running, and ultratrail running) have not reported on fatal events. This report aims to contribute to the literature on mountain running fatalities, recording and classifying fatal events related to mountain running competitions found in online literature searches over a 12-y period.

Methods

From 2008 to 2019, searches on mountain sport, mountain races, and newspaper websites were periodically performed, looking for fatal events related to running competitions in the mountains. Data are presented as mean±SD or percentage, as appropriate.

Results

Fifty-one fatal events, involving 45 men (88%) and 6 women (12%), aged 50±11 and 46±6 y, respectively, were recorded in the 2008 to 2019 period in Western Europe. These events occurred during races (n=35; 69%), during training (n=13; 25%), and after races (n=3; 6%); 43% were sudden cardiac death, 32% due to falls (blunt trauma), 16% due to hypothermia, 4% due to both blunt trauma and hypothermia, 4% due to lightning strike injuries, and 2% due to animal attack (injuries from deer).

Conclusions

Understanding all of the causes of fatal events is necessary to institute preventative efforts and to organize rescues. Preventative efforts should be implemented by race organizers and by athletes themselves, and rescue teams can be trained and equipped to address all of these possible events. The relatively high percentage of sudden cardiac deaths stresses the need for preparticipation cardiovascular screenings. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to better understand the real impact of fatal events on the mountain running population.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Acute High Altitude Illness: A Case Report
Authors: Wipplinger Flavia , Holthof Niels , Lienert Jasmin , Budowski Anastasia , Maeder Monika Brodmann , Moens Didier
Published: March 2021

With the advent of high-quality portable ultrasound machines, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has gained interest as a promising diagnostic tool for patients with high altitude illness. Although POCUS is used successfully in hospital environments to detect interstitial pulmonary edema and increased intracranial pressure, the relationship between specific sonographic criteria and high altitude illness is still unclear. We report the case of a healthy 32-y-old male who developed acute respiratory distress and neurologic impairment at 4321 m while participating in a high altitude medical research expedition. We discuss the potential of POCUS to diagnose acute high altitude illness by lung ultrasound, optic nerve sheath diameter measurement, and echocardiography. Ultrasound in combination with clinical findings helped us to exclude relevant differential diagnoses, start on-site treatment, and organize an evacuation. We used serial clinical and ultrasound examinations to assess the patient over time. Although its role in high altitude medicine needs further investigation, we believe that POCUS can be a valuable tool to aid clinical decision-making in remote, high altitude environments.
The Effects of Aging and Hearing Loss on Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions
Authors: Cilento Benjamin W. , Norton Susan J. , Gates George A.
Published: March 2021

OBJECTIVE

We sought to demonstrate the rate of change in distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOE) amplitude with age in relation to hearing loss in an unselected adult population.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We conducted a cross‐sectional observation study involving the Framingham Offspring Cohort. Age changes in DPOE amplitude for frequencies of f2 from 1 to 8 kHz adjusted for pure‐tone threshold level were assessed by multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

The women showed a mean hearing threshold‐adjusted loss in high‐frequency DPOE amplitude of 0.6, 2.1, 2.6, and 1.1 dB/per decade at the f2 frequencies of 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz, respectively. In contrast, the men showed no effect of age on the DPOE amplitude independent of hearing loss. Emissions were reduced or absent in the noise notch frequencies. The rate of change with age in DPOE amplitude was significantly less than the rate of change in pure‐tone thresholds in both the men and the women.

CONCLUSION

Women lose DPOE amplitude from both age and hearing threshold loss. Men lose more DPOE amplitude than do women, and the loss is proportional to the degree of loss of hearing threshold sensitivity. The differential effect whereby age‐related hearing loss affects thresholds more than emissions suggests that strial atrophy may be a pathophysiologic factor.

SIGNIFICANCE

The use of DPOE measures for screening and monitoring cochlear status of adult women should take into account the age, pure‐tone thresholds, and noise exposure status of the subjects. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;129:382–9.)
Identity Politics and Refugee Policies in Kupang, Eastern Indonesia: A Politico-Historical Perspective
Authors: Damaledo Andrey
Published: March 2021

This article assesses the implementation of Presidential Regulation No. 125 of 2016 concerning the Treatment of Refugees and how it relates to different kinds of bureaucratic labelling of refugees as it unfolds in Indonesia’s region of Kupang. From a politico-historical perspective, Kupang is a useful case-study for elucidating the policy implications of the labelling of refugees, as the region has been hosting different kinds of refugees due to its strategic geographical location that borders Australia and Timor-Leste. Drawing on my fieldwork in Kupang between October 2012 and October 2013, and my intermittent return to the region between January 2017 and February 2019, this article argues that labels for refugees evolve over time in response to the larger sociopolitical situation, but they are formed mostly to serve the interest of the host country rather than those of displaced people. Furthermore, while labelling displaced people as “refugees” has been effective in justifying funding and support, it can also lead to a manipulation of refugee status, and the marginalization and exclusion of refugees.
Powers: The No-Successor Problem
Authors: PEMBERTON JOHN
Published: March 2021

This essay considers the implications for the powers metaphysic of the no-successor problem: As there are no successors in the set of real numbers, one state cannot occur just after another in continuous time without there being a gap between the two. I show how the no-successor problem sets challenges for various accounts of the manifestation of powers. For powers that give rise to a manifestation that is a new state, the challenge of no-successors is similar to that faced on Bertrand Russell's analysis by causal relations. Powers whose manifestation is a processes and powers that manifest through time (perhaps by giving rise to changing through time) are challenged differently. To avoid powers appearing enigmatic, these challenges should be addressed, and I point to some possible ways this might be achieved. A prerequisite for addressing these challenges is a careful focus on the nature and timing of the manifesting and manifestation of powers.
Fukaya categories of surfaces, spherical objects and mapping class groups
Authors: Auroux Denis , Smith Ivan
Published: March 2021

We prove that every spherical object in the derived Fukaya category of a closed surface of genus at least

$2$

whose Chern character represents a nonzero Hochschild homology class is quasi-isomorphic to a simple closed curve equipped with a rank

$1$

local system. (The homological hypothesis is necessary.) This largely answers a question of Haiden, Katzarkov and Kontsevich. It follows that there is a natural surjection from the autoequivalence group of the Fukaya category to the mapping class group. The proofs appeal to and illustrate numerous recent developments: quiver algebra models for wrapped categories, sheafifying the Fukaya category, equivariant Floer theory for finite and continuous group actions and homological mirror symmetry. An application to high-dimensional symplectic mapping class groups is included.