bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcineurin Signalling in Astrocytes: From Pathology to Physiology and Control of Neuronal Functions
Authors: Lim Dmitry , Tapella Laura , Dematteis Giulia , Talmon Maria , Genazzani Armando A.
Published: September 2022

Calcineurin (CaN), a Ca2+/calmodulin-activated serine/threonine phosphatase, acts as a Ca2+-sensitive switch regulating cellular functions through protein dephosphorylation and activation of gene transcription. In astrocytes, the principal homeostatic cells in the CNS, over-activation of CaN is known to drive pathological transcriptional remodelling, associated with neuroinflammation in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and brain trauma. Recent reports suggest that, in physiological conditions, the activity of CaN in astrocytes is transcription-independent and is required for maintenance of basal protein synthesis rate and activation of astrocytic Na+/K+ pump thereby contributing to neuronal functions such as neuronal excitability and memory formation. In this contribution we overview the role of Ca2+ and CaN signalling in astroglial pathophysiology focusing on the emerging physiological role of CaN in astrocytes. We propose a model for the context-dependent switch of CaN activity from the post-transcriptional regulation of cell proteostasis in healthy astrocytes to the CaN-dependent transcriptional activation in neuroinflammation-associated diseases.
Levoketoconazole in the treatment of patients with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study (LOGICS)
Authors: Pivonello Rosario , Zacharieva Sabina , Elenkova Atanaska , Tóth Miklós , Shimon Ilan , Stigliano Antonio , Badiu Corin , Brue Thierry , Georgescu Carmen Emanuela , Tsagarakis Stylianos , Cohen Fredric , Fleseriu Maria
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The efficacy of levoketoconazole for endogenous Cushing’s syndrome was demonstrated in a phase 3, open-label study (SONICS). This study (LOGICS) evaluated drug-specificity of cortisol normalization.

Methods

LOGICS was a phase 3, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal study with open-label titration-maintenance (14–19 weeks) followed by double-blind, randomized-withdrawal (~ 8 weeks), and restoration (~ 8 weeks) phases.

Results

79 patients received levoketoconazole during titration-maintenance; 39 patients on a stable dose (~ 4 weeks or more) proceeded to randomization. These and 5 SONICS completers who did not require dose titration were randomized to levoketoconazole (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22). All patients with loss of response (the primary endpoint) met the prespecified criterion of mean urinary free cortisol (mUFC) > 1.5 × upper limit of normal. During randomized-withdrawal, 21 patients withdrawn to placebo (95.5%) lost mUFC response compared with 9 patients continuing levoketoconazole (40.9%); treatment difference: − 54.5% (95% CI − 75.7, − 27.4; P = 0.0002). At the end of randomized-withdrawal, mUFC normalization was observed among 11 (50.0%) patients receiving levoketoconazole and 1 (4.5%) receiving placebo; treatment difference: 45.5% (95% CI 19.2, 67.9; P = 0.0015). Restoration of levoketoconazole reversed loss of cortisol control in most patients who had received placebo. Adverse events were reported in 89% of patients during treatment with levoketoconazole (dose-titration, randomized-withdrawal, and restoration phases combined), most commonly nausea (29%) and hypokalemia (26%). Prespecified adverse events of special interest with levoketoconazole were liver-related (10.7%), QT interval prolongation (10.7%), and adrenal insufficiency (9.5%).

Conclusions

Levoketoconazole reversibly normalized urinary cortisol in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. No new risks of levoketoconazole treatment were identified.
Continuous monitoring of chlorophyll a fluorescence and microclimatic conditions reveals warming-induced physiological damage in biocrust-forming lichens
Authors: Raggio José , Pescador David S. , Gozalo Beatriz , Ochoa Victoria , Valencia Enrique , Sancho Leopoldo G. , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Biocrust communities, which are important regulators of multiple ecosystem functions in drylands, are highly sensitive to climate change. There is growing evidence of the negative impacts of warming on the performance of biocrust constituents like lichens in the field. Here, we aim to understand the physiological basis behind this pattern.

Methods

Using a unique manipulative climate change experiment, we monitored every 30 minutes and for 9 months the chlorophyll a fluorescence and microclimatic conditions (lichen surface temperature, relative moisture and photosynthetically active radiation) of Psora decipiens, a key biocrust constituent in drylands worldwide. This long-term monitoring resulted in 11,847 records at the thallus-level, which allowed us to evaluate the impacts of ~2.3 °C simulated warming treatment on the physiology of Psora at an unprecedented level of detail.

Results

Simulated warming and the associated decrease in relative moisture promoted by this treatment negatively impacted the physiology of Psora, especially during the diurnal period of the spring, when conditions are warmer and drier. These impacts were driven by a mechanism based on the reduction of the length of the periods allowing net photosynthesis, and by declines in Yield and Fv/Fm under simulated warming.

Conclusion

Our study reveals the physiological basis explaining observed negative impacts of ongoing global warming on biocrust-forming lichens in the field. The functional response observed could limit the growth and cover of biocrust-forming lichens in drylands in the long-term, negatively impacting in key soil attributes such as biogeochemical cycles, water balance, biological activity and ability of controlling erosion.
Assessing Economic Feasibility of Managed Aquifer Recharge Schemes: Evidence from Cost-benefit Analysis in Poland
Authors: Halytsia Olha , Vrachioli Maria , Janik Krzysztof , Sitek Sławomir , Wojtal Grzegorz , Imig Anne , Rein Arno , Sauer Johannes
Published: September 2022

The accelerated growth of water demand globally calls for promising solutions in the field of water management. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems are among the solutions that are capable of increasing water supply and improving water quality through natural attenuation processes. Along with hydrogeologic considerations and institutional feasibility assessments, economic analysis is essential when evaluating MAR projects. This study is the first one to provide an economic feasibility assessment of a MAR scheme in Poland by performing a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) combined with a contingent valuation study to identify the willingness-to-pay, sensitivity analysis to address uncertainty regarding the realisation of benefits and costs together with expert assessment of socio-economic risks associated with the MAR scheme implementation. The results suggest that the total economic value of the MAR scheme’s extension (which includes both use and non-use benefits) exceeds the costs of putting this system in place and maintaining it. This paper can contribute to the existing literature as a practical example providing the base for economic assessment and policy considerations of future sustainable water management projects.
Bishop parameter $$\chi $$ from static equilibrium
Authors: Niemunis Andrzej
Published: September 2022

For unsaturated soils, Terzaghi’s effective stress $$\sigma = \sigma ^\mathrm{tot}- u$$

σ
=

σ
tot

-
u

has been generalized by Bishop to the form $$\sigma ^B = \sigma ^\mathrm{tot}- \chi u$$

σ
B

=

σ
tot

-
χ
u

. Factor $$\chi $$
χ
, for example $$\chi (S) \approx S$$

χ
(
S
)
≈
S

, takes into account the degree of saturation S. However, $$\sigma ^B$$

σ
B

is unable to characterize strength and deformation of soil unless applied with suction. A new stress $$\sigma ^E = \sigma ^\mathrm{tot}- \chi ^E u$$

σ
E

=

σ
tot

-

χ
E

u

with $$ \chi ^E(S,n) $$

χ
E

(
S
,
n
)

is proposed. It is likewise insufficient if applied without suction, but it has (at least) a clear physical meaning: $$\sigma ^E$$

σ
E

represents contact forces between grains in the static equilibrium in the same manner as the effective stress does in saturated soils. All grains must be entirely surrounded by free or capillary water.
A discretization method for nonlocal diffusion type equations
Authors: Mezzanotte Domenico , Occorsio Donatella , Russo Maria Grazia , Venturino Ezio
Published: September 2022

In this paper we consider a numerical scheme for the treatment of an integro-differential equation. The latter represents the formulation of a nonlocal diffusion type equation. The discretization procedure relies on the application of the line method. However, quadrature formulae are needed for the evaluation of the integral operator. They are based on generalized Bernstein polynomials. Numerical evidence shows that the proposed method is a suitable and reliable approach for the problem.
Existence result and approximation of an optimal control problem for the Perona–Malik equation
Authors: Kogut Peter , Kohut Yaroslav , Manzo Rosanna
Published: September 2022

We discuss some optimal control problem for the evolutionary Perona–Malik equations with the Neumann boundary condition. The control variable v is taken as a distributed control. The optimal control problem is to minimize the discrepancy between a given distribution $$u_d\in L^2(\Omega )$$

u
d

∈

L
2

(
Ω
)

and the current system state. Since we cannot expect to have a solution of the original boundary value problem for each admissible control, we make use of a variant of its approximation using the model with fictitious control in coefficients of the principle elliptic operator. We introduce a special family of regularized optimization problems for linear parabolic equations and show that each of these problems is consistent, well-posed, and their solutions allow to attain (in the limit) an optimal solution of the original problem as the parameter of regularization tends to zero.
Generalisation in students with autism spectrum disorder: an exploratory study of strategies
Authors: Goñi-Cervera J. , Cañadas M. C. , Polo-Blanco I.
Published: September 2022

Generalisation is a skill that enables learners to acquire knowledge in general, and mathematical knowledge in particular. It is a core aspect of algebraic thinking and, in particular, of functional thinking, as a type of algebraic thinking. Introducing primary school children to functional thinking fosters their ability to generalise, explain and reason with mathematical relationships. It also helps them overcome difficulties in understanding functions when they are exposed to the idea more formally in secondary education. Although more and more special education students are enrolled in mainstream schools, little is known about algebraic thinking in that community, especially in the case of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Students with ASD often exhibit deficits that interfere directly with mathematical learning. The study discussed here, which was conducted in the context of algebraic reasoning, was aimed primarily at identifying and describing the strategies and representations observed in 26 ASD primary education students when performing a task that involved a linear function, and describing the generalisations they performed. The 26 participants were enrolled in 19 mainstream Spanish schools. The tools used, a questionnaire and semi-structured interview, were designed to explore their ability to generalise in a problem involving the functionf(x) = 2x + 2. The strategies identified included: (a) bald answering; (b) modelling with manipulatives; (c) drawing; (d) counting and (e) operating. The strategy most frequently observed was operating, represented verbally or symbolically, followed by drawing. Only three students generalised but did not reach the highest level of functional thinking, namely, ‘functions as objects’. The results are compared with findings for mainstream students of similar ages. Conjectures around the possible relationships between some findings and the type of thinking characteristic of autism spectrum disorder are put forward. The results carry implications for research with and teaching of students with ASD.
Comparison of 5- and 6-membered cyclic carbonate-polyisocyanate adducts for high performance coatings
Authors: Seithümmer Julia , Knospe Philipp , Reichmann René , Gutmann Jochen S. , Hoffmann-Jacobsen Kerstin , Dornbusch Michael
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, coatings need to fulfill a variety of requirements such as having excellent mechanical, chemical, and optical properties at low baking temperatures. On a large scale, polyisocyanates, amines or melamines are used as crosslinking agents in the coatings industry. In this work, a new self-crosslinking agent based on a hydroxy functional 6-membered carbonate with high ring tension and thus presumably lower baking temperature was synthesized and the behavior as self-crosslinking agent was compared to the crosslinking agent derived from the commercially available 5-membered glycerol carbonate. The hydroxy functional 6-membered carbonate monomer was synthesized enzymatically under mild reaction conditions from commercially available substances, linked to a hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer and self-polymerized afterward. NMR- and IR-spectroscopy and GC-MS analysis were found to be suitable techniques to characterize monomers and crosslinking agents. DSC measurements were performed to evaluate appropriate reaction parameters for the attachment reaction of the 6-membered cyclic carbonate to the polyisocyanate without ring opening. The progress of self-crosslinking has been followed by characteristic changes in IR spectra as well as time and temperature-dependent changes of storage and loss modulus while oscillating rheological crosslinking. Furthermore, glass transition temperatures of the resulting coating films are determined, and sol gel analysis was performed to estimate the degree of crosslinking. After application on steel, aluminum and glass plates application tests were performed. In addition to excellent mechanical and chemical properties, the coating film showed good adhesion to the surface and was colorless. Combining these properties with relatively low baking temperatures, 6-membered cyclic carbonate crosslinking agents could represent a new technology for the coatings industry.
Understanding the Development of Self-Regulated Learning: An Intervention Study to Promote Self-Regulated Learning in Vocational Schools
Authors: Mejeh Mathias , Held Tanja
Published: September 2022

Self-regulated learning (SRL) provides the foundation for building sustainable knowledge and is therefore important for schools, classrooms, and lifelong learning in general. Especially in vocational education and training, the concept of SRL remains fundamental as it relates to preparing future employees. However, further research is needed on how vocational students situationally regulate their learning process and the extent to which this may be related to a dispositional change in their SRL. In this study, we analyzed longitudinal questionnaire data from 159 students who attended either SRL-conducive or regular vocational classes. We refer to Perry and colleagues' (2018) framework of an SRL-conducive learning environment, which focuses on (meta)cognitive, motivational, and emotional aspects of learning. Using multilevel analysis, we found differences in the development of (meta)cognitive components of learning, whereas no clear differences could be identified for motivational and emotional components. The results support the assumption that process analyses can be used to draw a more differentiated picture of SRL in vocational schools. Moreover, indirect approaches to promoting SRL should be designed to include all SRL-relevant aspects.
Genetic variation in FOXP3 and ROR-γ genes in pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients: correlation with associated cytokines
Authors: El-maadawy Eman A. , Bakry Rania M. , Moussa Mohamed M. , El-Naby Sobhy Hasab , Talaat Roba M.
Published: September 2022

Background

FOXP3 and ROR-γ genes are master regulators of the Treg and Th17 differentiation, respectively. This work was planned to investigate the impact of FOXP3 (rs3761548C/A and rs3761549C/T) and ROR-γ (rs9017A/G & rs9826A/G) gene polymorphism on the vulnerability of pediatric Egyptians to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of these genetic variations on Treg/Th17-related cytokines.

Methods

FOXP3 SNPs were genotyped using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), while ROR-γ SNPs polymorphism were performed by PCR-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). An Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the levels of Treg/Th17 associated cytokines on 128 ALL children and 124 healthy donors.

Results

Compared to controls, patients had a significant increase (p < 0.01/p < 0.05) in FOXP3rs3761548CC genotype and a significant decrease (p < 0.001/p < 0.01) inrs3761548CA genotype. A significant elevation (p < 0.001/p < 0.01) in ROR-γ rs9017AA genotype and a significant reduction (p < 0.01/p < 0.05) in rs9017AG genotype were detected in ALL patients versus controls. An insignificant change in FOXP3 (rs3761549C/T) and ROR-γ (rs9826A/G) genotypes was demonstrated between both groups. ROR-γ GG and GA haplotypes were significantly decreased (p < 0.05/p < 0.05; p < 0.05/p < 0.05) in ALL subjects compared to healthy ones. Relapsed patients had a significantly higher (p < 0.05/P < 0.05) frequency of FOXP3 rs3761548CA genotype than non-relapsed subjects. ROR-γ rs9017AG and rs9826GG genotypes might be associated with the increase in IL-23 plasma level.

Conclusions

Our preliminary data provided evidence for the impact ofFOXP3 (rs3761548C/A) and ROR-γ (rs9017A/G) gene polymorphisms and the occurrence of ALL in Egyptian children. Another large-scale prospective study should be conducted to validate these findings.
A multi-task learning-based generative adversarial network for red tide multivariate time series imputation
Authors: Xu Longfei , Xu Lingyu , Yu Jie
Published: September 2022

Red tide data are typical multivariate time series (MTS) and complete data help analyze red tide more conveniently. However, missing values due to artificial or accidental events hinder further analysis of red tide phenomenon. Generative adversarial network (GAN) is effective in capturing distribution of MTS while the imputation performance is far from satisfactory, especially in conditions of high missing rate. One of the remaining open challenges is that common GAN-based imputation methods usually lack the ability to excavate implicit correlations between different attributions and downstream tasks, from which advanced latent information about missing values can be mined to improve imputation performance. To deal with the problem, a novel multi-task learning-based generative adversarial imputation network (MTGAIN) is proposed by introducing the prediction task into GAN to unearth more detailed information about missing values to better model distribution of red tide MTS. Furthermore, the homoscedastic uncertainty of multiple tasks is exploited to balance the weights of losses between generation and prediction tasks. The experiments conducted on a real-world dataset demonstrate that MTGAIN outperforms existing methods in terms of imputation and post-imputation performances, especially in conditions of high missing rate.
Experimental investigation of WEDM process parameters on properties of bronze particles using the Taguchi method
Authors: Zhao Xingke , Fu Jian , Zhao Zenglei
Published: September 2022

Electrical discharge erosion in liquid media is a simple, effective technique to generate multi-scale metallic particles. An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the main machining parameters which contribute to particle size (PS) and size distribution (SD) in WEDM of bronze. Five factors, including three-level built-in processing patterns, wire speed and dielectric medium, are selected as control parameters using an orthogonal array L16(45) Taguchi method, PS and SD of produced powders are the measure of quality. The goal is to obtain micron-scale spherical metal powder with uniform particle size. Results show that cutting-section pattern is the most significant factor, and the electrolyte is the least. The PS and SD performance of the optimized powders is significantly improved by using Taguchi method. Spherical bronze powder with particle size of d10 11.05 μm, d50 31.13 μm and d90 67.48 μm are prepared using the optimized WEDM process parameter, which is A3–B4–C3–D1–E1 including dielectric medium water, cutting class 4, cutting division 3, cutting Sect. 1 and wire speed 200 μm/s. The research confirms that WEDM can be used to produce micron-scale metallic powders, providing cheap and high-quality metallic powders for the metal additive manufacturing industry.
Algebro-geometric Constructions of a Hierarchy of Integrable Semi-discrete Equations
Authors: Zhao Qiulan , Li Caixue , Li Xinyue
Published: September 2022

A hierarchy of integrable semi-discrete equations is deduced in terms of the discrete zero curvature equation as well as its bi-Hamiltonian structure is gotten through the trace identity. The above hierarchy is separated into soluble ordinary differential equations according to the relationship between the elliptic variables and the potentials, from which the continuous flow is straightened out via the Abel–Jacobi coordinates resorting to the algebraic curves theory. Eventually, the meromorphic function and the Baker–Akhiezer function are introduced successively on the hyperelliptic curve and the algebro-geometric solutions which are expressed as Riemann theta function can be obtained through the two functions mentioned above.
Elements of an infrastructure for big urban data
Authors: Goodchild Michael F.
Published: September 2022

Big Data provides a significant challenge to the practices that have evolved based on traditional sources of urban data. The variety of Big Data raises questions of integration, whether based on space and time or on individual identity. Uncertainty impinges in many ways on Big Data and on methods of data integration, and the goals of data integration are also affected by complex patterns of data ownership and access. Edge computing provides a conceptual basis for a discussion of the locations of computing. A final section speculates about the long-term, broader impacts of Big Data infrastructure. The paper identifies a number of pressing questions for research.
Towards a new paradigm for segregation measurement in an age of big data
Authors: Li Qing-Quan , Yue Yang , Gao Qi-Li , Zhong Chen , Barros Joana
Published: September 2022

Recent theoretical and methodological advances in activity space and big data provide new opportunities to study socio-spatial segregation. This review first provides an overview of the literature in terms of measurements, spatial patterns, underlying causes, and social consequences of spatial segregation. These studies are mainly place-centred and static, ignoring the segregation experience across various activity spaces due to the dynamism of movements. In response to this challenge, we highlight the work in progress toward a new paradigm for segregation studies. Specifically, this review presents how and the extent to which activity space methods can advance segregation research from a people-based perspective. It explains the requirements of mobility-based methods for quantifying the dynamics of segregation due to high movement within the urban context. It then discusses and illustrates a dynamic and multi-dimensional framework to show how big data can enhance understanding segregation by capturing individuals’ spatio-temporal behaviours. The review closes with new directions and challenges for segregation research using big data.
Integrating space syntax with spatial interaction
Authors: Batty Michael
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we attempt to compare space syntax with spatial interaction. At one level, these two approaches to urban spatial structure are non-comparable. Space syntax is largely a descriptive technique for visualising spatial relations at the level of connections between places while spatial interaction is a predictive model that forecasts how much travel there will be between places. Space syntax articulates the system in terms of whether or not a physical link, usually at the level of the street, exists while spatial interaction predicts movements between all origins and destinations which are places often anchored in terms of the street network, but which at the level of prediction, assume connections between all places. Space syntax is grounded at a fine spatial scale while spatial interaction defines places as aggregates of activity in larger zones than the scale of the street system. The main output of space syntax is a connectivity matrix of step lengths between streets whereas in spatial interaction, such networks are predetermined, measurable in terms of Euclidean distance or generalised cost of travel, and the output is the volume of travel prior to this being assigned usually to a street network.

There is however a fundamental way of relating the implicit network graph of spatial interaction to the explicit planar graph of the street network. We begin by assuming the planar graph of the network is conceived of as a primal problem of spatial interaction while the dual graph linking streets in the planar graph is the graph which is used in space syntax. We exploit this duality and show how we can move easily between spatial interaction as the primal and space syntax as the dual. This is rooted in a more fundamental graph – the bipartite graph which is a list of streets/arcs and their intersections/nodes from which the primal and dual emerge naturally. We explore various accessibility measures and show how they relate and correlate. We then go one step further and consider how various processes of random walking take place in these networks examining the steady states of the primal and dual problems in terms of the likelihood of a random walker visiting any node or street. We thus define primal and dual Markov chains that enable us to generate these probabilities. This provides a basic framework for comparing primal and dual in comparing spatial interaction with space syntax. We illustrate these measures on simple and easy to articulate graphs, extending this to a synthetic network of nearest neighbour links in Greater London based on 699 nodes and 1972 symmetric ‘streets’ between zones. This is a preliminary attack on the problem of linking these two approaches although many challenges remain.
Arqueología Incluyente
Authors: Martínez-Tagüeña Natalia , Sánchez Guadalupe , Carpenter John , Torres Cubillas Luz Alicia , Vélez Leopoldo
Published: September 2022

In Mexico, archaeological heritage belongs to all members of society, according to section XXV of Article 73 of the Mexican Constitution and Article 27 of the federal law on monuments and archaeological sites. The Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) was founded in 1939 as a federal government agency for the research, protection, and dissemination of archaeological heritage. Although this heritage belongs to all, stringent rules and procedures create an unequal relationship between career professionals and the diverse communities interested in the past (i.e., collectors, local museums, descendant communities). It is long due to begin practicing an inclusive archaeology that considers all the various knowledge systems (i.e., academic, technical, local, and traditional) of the communities interested in the past. Here, we describe case studies from Sonora, Mexico, to propose the implementation of several far-reaching activities with artifact collectors, Indigenous communities, researchers, archaeologists, and INAH Sonora authorities. Our pilot proposal needs to be implemented in other areas of Mexico that continue to prioritize archaeological narratives over other narratives about our past.
Promoting sustainable diets using eco-labelling and social nudges: a randomised online experiment
Authors: De-loyde Katie , Pilling Mark A. , Thornton Amelia , Spencer Grace , Maynard Olivia M.
Published: September 2022

This randomised online experiment aimed to investigate how eco-labelling and social nudging influenced sustainable food choice, as well as consider the effect of motivation to act sustainably. Participants were UK adults ≥18 years (n= 1399). Participants were asked to choose a hypothetical meal (beef, chicken or vegetarian burrito) and were randomly allocated to one of three conditions varying in labelling: eco-labelling; social nudge or control (no label). Co-primary outcomes were the frequency that the vegetarian and chicken burritos were chosen (i.e., the more sustainable food choices). There was evidence that more vegetarian (OR = 3.3 [95% CI 2.0, 5.3]) and chicken (OR = 2.5 [95% CI 1.8, 3.4]) burrito choices were made in the eco-label condition, over the beef burrito, compared to the control condition. In the social nudge condition, there was evidence that participants chose a vegetarian burrito over a beef burrito (OR = 1.7 [95% CI 1.1, 2.7]), but not a vegetarian burrito over a chicken burrito (OR = 1.4 [95% CI 0.9, 2.2]). Although both labels were effective at promoting participants to make more sustainable food choices, the eco-label was the most effective. Choice of burrito was modified by motivation to act sustainably across all conditions. This study suggests that future policy could include eco-labelling and/or a social nudge to reduce meat consumption and meet global climate change targets.
The interplay of infectious diseases consultation and antimicrobial stewardship in candidemia outcomes: A retrospective cohort study from 2016 to 2019
Authors: Ryder Jonathan H. , Van Schooneveld Trevor C. , Lyden Elizabeth , El Ramahi Razan , Stohs Erica J.
Published: September 2022

Objective:

To evaluate the need for mandatory infectious diseases consultation (IDC) for candidemia in the setting of antimicrobial stewardship guidance.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study from January 2016 to December 2019.

Setting:

Academic quaternary-care referral center.

Patients:

All episodes of candidemia in adults (n = 92), excluding concurrent bacterial infection or death or hospice care within 48 hours.

Methods:

Primary outcome was all-cause 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included guideline-adherence and treatment choice. Guideline-adherence was assessed with the EQUAL Candida score.

Results:

Of 186 episodes of candidemia, 92 episodes in 88 patients were included. Central venous catheters (CVCs) were present in 66 episodes (71.7%) and were the most common infection source (N = 38, 41.3%). The most frequently isolated species was Candida glabrata (40 of 94, 42.6%). IDC was performed in 84 (91.3%) of 92 candidemia episodes. Mortality rates were 20.8% (16 of 77) in the IDC group versus 25% (2 of 8) in the no-IDC group (P = .67). Other comparisons were numerically different but not significant: repeat blood culture (98.8% vs 87.5%; P = .17), echocardiography (70.2% vs 50%; P = .26), CVC removal (91.7% vs 83.3%; P = .45), and initial echinocandin treatment (67.9% vs 50%; P = .44). IDC resulted in more ophthalmology examinations (67.9% vs 12.5%; P = .0035). All patients received antifungal therapy. Antimicrobial stewardship recommendations were performed in 19 episodes (20.7%). The median EQUAL Candida score with CVC was higher with IDC (16 vs 11; P = .001) but not in episodes without CVC (12 vs 11.5; P = .81).

Conclusions:

In the setting of an active antimicrobial stewardship program and high consultation rates, mandatory IDC may not be warranted for candidemia.
Hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia: An evaluation of predictors and feasibility of benchmarking comparing two risk-adjusted models among 267 hospitals
Authors: Yu Kalvin C. , Ye Gang , Edwards Jonathan R. , Gupta Vikas , Benin Andrea L. , Ai ChinEn , Dantes Raymund
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

To evaluate the prevalence of hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB), identify hospital-level predictors, and to evaluate the feasibility of an HOB metric.

Methods:

We analyzed 9,202,650 admissions from 267 hospitals during 2015–2020. An HOB event was defined as the first positive blood-culture pathogen on day 3 of admission or later. We used the generalized linear model method via negative binomial regression to identify variables and risk markers for HOB. Standardized infection ratios (SIRs) were calculated based on 2 risk-adjusted models: a simple model using descriptive variables and a complex model using descriptive variables plus additional measures of blood-culture testing practices. Performance of each model was compared against the unadjusted rate of HOB.

Results:

Overall median rate of HOB per 100 admissions was 0.124 (interquartile range, 0.00–0.22). Facility-level predictors included bed size, sex, ICU admissions, community-onset (CO) blood culture testing intensity, and hospital-onset (HO) testing intensity, and prevalence (all P < .001). In the complex model, CO bacteremia prevalence, HO testing intensity, and HO testing prevalence were the predictors most associated with HOB. The complex model demonstrated better model performance; 55% of hospitals that ranked in the highest quartile based on their raw rate shifted to a lower quartile when the SIR from the complex model was applied.

Conclusions:

Hospital descriptors, aggregate patient characteristics, community bacteremia and/or fungemia burden, and clinical blood-culture testing practices influence rates of HOB. Benchmarking an HOB metric is feasible and should endeavor to include both facility and clinical variables.
The role of real-time, on-site, whole-genome sequencing of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in guiding the management of hospital outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Marinelli Tina M. , Dolan Leanne , Jenkins Frances , Lee Andie , Davis Rebecca J. , Crawford Simeon , Nield Blake , Ronnachit Amrita , Van Hal Sebastiaan J.
Published: September 2022

Objective:

We aimed to demonstrate the role of real-time, on-site, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the management of hospital outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Design:

This retrospective study was undertaken at our institutions in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, between July 2021 and April 2022. We included SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks due to SARS-CoV-2 δ (delta) and ο (omicron) variants. All unexpected SARS-CoV-2–positive cases identified within the hospital were managed by the infection control team. An outbreak was defined as 2 or more cases acquired on a single ward. We included only outbreaks with 2 or more suspected transmission events in which WGS was utilized to assist with outbreak assessment and management.

Results:

We studied 8 outbreaks involving 266 patients and 486 staff, of whom 73 (27.4%) and 39 (8.0%), respectively, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the outbreak management. WGS was used to evaluate the source of the outbreak, to establish transmission chains, to highlight deficiencies in infection control practices, and to delineate between community and healthcare acquired infection.

Conclusions:

Real-time, on-site WGS combined with epidemiologic assessment is a useful tool to guide management of hospital SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. WGS allowed us (1) to establish likely transmission events due to personal protective equipment (PPE) breaches; (2) to detect inadequacies in infection control infrastructure including ventilation; and (3) to confirm multiple viral introductions during periods of high community SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Insights gained from WGS-guides outbreak management directly influenced policy including modifying PPE requirements, instituting routine inpatient SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, and confirmatory SARS-CoV-2 testing prior to placing patients in a cohort setting.
A measurement of small-scale features using ionospheric scintillation. Comparison with refractive shift measurements
Authors: Waszewski A. , Morgan J. , Jordan C. H.
Published: September 2022

We present a study of scintillation induced by the mid-latitude ionosphere. By implementing methods currently used in Interplanetary Scintillation studies to measure amplitude scintillation at low frequencies, we have proven it is possible to use the Murchison Widefield Array to study ionospheric scintillation in the weak regime, which is sensitive to structures on scales${\sim}300$m at our observing frequency of 154 MHz, where the phase variance on this scale was$0.06\, \textrm{rad}^{2}$in the most extreme case observed. Analysing over 1000 individual 2-min observations, we compared the ionospheric phase variance with that inferred with previous measurements of refractive shifts, which are most sensitive to scales almost an order of magnitude larger. The two measurements were found to be highly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.71). We observed that for an active ionosphere, the relationship between these two metrics is in line with what would be expected if the ionosphere’s structure is described by Kolmogorov turbulence between the relevant scales of 300 and 2000 m. In the most extreme ionospheric conditions, the refractive shifts were sometimes found to underestimate the small-scale variance by a factor of four or more, and it is these ionospheric conditions that could have significant effects on radio astronomy observations.
Predation efficiency of the green lacewings Chrysoperla agilis and C. mutata against aphids and mealybugs in sweet pepper
Authors: Koutsoula Galini , Stamkopoulou Athanasia , Pekas Apostolos , Wäckers Felix , Broufas George , Pappas Maria L.
Published: September 2022

Chrysoperla species include well-known predators of aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods. As such, they are considered important biological control agents of herbivorous pests in agroecosystems where many of green lacewings species occur. Despite the high number of species of the genus Chrysoperla, only a few have been assessed for the predation efficiency of their larvae against pests infesting plants, and even fewer are currently marketed for use in biocontrol practice. Difficulties in species identification within the Chrysoperla carnea complex species in particular has been related to varying success of commercial C. carnea s.l. releases in the field. In this study, we assessed the ability of two Chrysoperla species, Chrysoperla agilis a member of the carnea cryptic species group, and Chrysoperla mutata of the pudica group to consume aphid and mealybug individuals and suppress their populations in sweet pepper plants. We found that third-instar larvae of both species were able to consume a high number of aphids (approximately 120 nymphs per larva) and mealybugs (approximately 105 nymphs per larva) within 24 h. Furthermore, the release of second-instar larvae of both C. agilis and C. mutata was shown to be remarkably efficient in suppressing the pest populations in long-term greenhouse experiments. Aphid populations were suppressed by approximately 98% and mealybugs by 78% as compared to control plants. Our results highlight the predation efficiency and the biocontrol potential of two widespread Chrysoperla species for their use in pest control.
Forward-Looking Policy Rules and Currency Premia
Authors: Filippou Ilias , Taylor Mark P.
Published: September 2022

We evaluate the cross-sectional predictive ability of a forward-looking monetary policy reaction function, or Taylor rule, in both statistical and economic terms. We find that investors require a premium for holding currency portfolios with high implied interest rates while currency portfolios with low implied rates offer negative currency excess returns. Our forward-looking Taylor rule signals are orthogonal to current nominal interest rates and disconnected from carry trade portfolios and other currency investment strategies. The profitability of the Taylor rule portfolio spread is mainly driven by inflation forecasts rather than the output gap and is robust to data snooping and a wide range of robustness checks.
Crises as Opportunities for Growth: The Strategic Value of Business Group Affiliation
Authors: Masulis Ronald W. , Pham Peter K. , Zein Jason , Ang Alvin E. S.
Published: September 2022

We document a novel strategic motive for family business groups to utilize their internal capital markets (ICMs) during financial crises. We find that crisis-period group ICM activity is targeted toward exerting product market dominance over standalone rivals. Groups make significant post-crisis gains in market share that are concentrated among affiliates (and industry segments within affiliates) operating in highly competitive product markets, where capturing such gains is difficult in normal times. These patterns are observed only in emerging markets, suggesting that ICMs enable groups to exploit crises to realize long-term competitive advantages only when rivals face chronic financing frictions.
Insider Filing Violations and Illegal Information Delay
Authors: Cline Brandon N. , Houston Caleb
Published: September 2022

We document that a significant number of insiders violate the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting requirements by filing open market transactions after the legally required deadline. Prior to the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX), 29% of transactions fell outside the required reporting window. Following SOX, 8% are delinquent. Violations cluster in periods of high information asymmetry, incentivizing insiders to keep trades private and earn abnormal returns. Collectively, these findings suggest that a subgroup of insiders personally benefit from violating SEC disclosure requirements. Evidence also suggests that blockholders provide governance for violations. Guilty insiders experience a reduction in board seats and an increased likelihood of turnover.
Negation of Sanctions: The Personal Effect of Political Contributions
Authors: Fulmer Sarah , Knill April , Yu Xiaoyun
Published: September 2022

We show that political contributions are associated with reduced civil and criminal sanctions for fraudulent executives. These managers benefit more from contributions if their firm also gained from the fraud, if they occupy top positions in firms with weak boards, or if they contribute to powerful politicians. Political contributions reduce budgetary resources for government enforcers and lengthen the Securities and Exchange Commission’s case time-to-resolution. They also facilitate penalty transfer from fraudulent managers to the firm, resulting in their entrenchment and long-term destruction of shareholder value. Our findings highlight an agency cost of political contributions and a mechanism undermining the disciplining effect of regulations.
Effects of electrostriction on the bifurcated electro-mechanical performance of conical dielectric elastomer actuators and sensors
Authors: Farmer Carson , Medina Hector
Published: September 2022

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) find applications in many areas, particularly in the field of soft robotics. When modeling and simulating DE-based actuators and sensors, a substantial portion of the literature assumes the selected DE material to behave in some perfectly hyperelastic manner, and the vast majority have assumed invariant permittivity. However, studies on simple planar DEs have revealed instabilities and hastened breakdowns when a variable permittivity is allowed. This is partly due to the intertwined electromechanical properties of DEs rooted on their labyrinthine polymeric microstructures. This work focuses on studying the effects of a varying (with stretch) permittivity on the out-of-plane deformation of a circular DE, using a model derived from principles of strain-induced polymer birefringence. In addition, we utilize the Edward–Vilgis model, which attempts to account for effects related to crosslinking, and length extension, slippage, and entanglement of polymer chains. Our approach reveals the presence of “stagnation” regions in the electromechanical behavior of the DE actuator material. These stagnation regions are characterized by both electrical and mechanical critical electrostrictive coefficient ratios. Mechanically, certain values of the electrostrictive coefficient ratio predict cases where deformation does not occur in response to a change in voltage. Electrically, certain cases are predicted where changes in capacitance cannot be measured in response to changes in deformation. Thus, some combined conditions of loading and material properties could limit the effectiveness of DE membranes in either actuation or sensing. Therefore, our results reveal mechanisms that could be useful to designers of actuators and sensors and unveil an opportunity for exploring new theoretical materials with potential novel applications. Furthermore, since there are known analogous formulations between electrical and optical properties, criticality principles studied in this article could be extended to optomechanical coupling.
High level of daily heterothermy in desert gerbils
Authors: Gyhrs Clara , Macedo Tiago , Bastos Bárbara , Salgado-Irazabal Xabier , Hammadi Mubarak , Bouarakia Oussama , Boratyński Zbyszek
Published: September 2022

Daily heterothermy is a strategy employed by endothermic birds and mammals to reduce their energetic costs by lowering their metabolic rate. We recorded nocturnal and diurnal rectal temperatures in three Moroccan Gerbillus rodent species to determine the level of heterothermy. A decrease in body temperature from night to day was observed by an average (±SD) of 8.7 (±4.2) in G. gerbillus, 11.1 (±3.0) in G. amoenus, and 7.7 (±3.3)°C in G. sp.1, the first records of heterothermy in the three species. The findings support a prediction that daily heterothermy is found in mammals from arid and semi-arid regions, contributing to further knowledge of thermoregulation in desert rodents.
Governments commit to forest restoration, but what does it take to restore forests?
Authors: Mansourian Stephanie , Kleymann Hermine , Passardi Valerie , Winter Susanne , Derkyi Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa , Diederichsen Anita , Gabay Mónica , Pacheco Pablo , Vallauri Daniel , Kull Christian A
Published: September 2022

Forest restoration is receiving increased attention from many public and private actors, but few large-scale experiences exist. We explored 10 cases where forest cover had either increased or stabilized or where there was a significant drive towards forest expansion to understand which factors can facilitate the scaling up of forest restoration. We developed a data collection checklist to search the literature and we interviewed key informants. Our analysis identified 15 motivating factors for forest restoration, including the desire to mitigate land degradation, droughts or floods or to contribute to biodiversity conservation. We also identified some factors that facilitate the implementation of forest restoration, such as a supportive policy framework that includes forest restoration plans, financial incentives, truly collaborative arrangements, tenure rights to forests, trees and specific goods and services from these, the roles of specialized agencies, external stakeholders, local communities and local authorities. For restoration to be sustained, it is necessary to integrate it into national institutions, ensure sectoral integration across landscapes, ensure diversified and long-term financing and embed it in local institutions.